% BOOKTITLE = Bird's Opening: Move By Move
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "About this Publication"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.24"]

{This 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. --- Bird's Opening,} 1. f4 {, is an ideal
choice for freethinking chess players who prefer to rely on their general
chess knowledge and intuition rather than having to memorize and keep up to
date with mainline opening theory. Bird's Opening is essentially the Dutch
Defence with an extra move, and White can choose between a number of different
set-ups, including the reversed Leningrad, Classical and Stonewall variations,
depending on mood and opponents' responses. In this book, International Master
Cyrus Lakdawala examines all the important variations of Bird's Opening,
including the sharp From's Gambit. Using illustrative games, he explains the
main positional and tactical ideas for both sides, provides answers to all the
key questions and tells you everything you need to know about successfully
playing 1 f4.} (1. -- {Cyrus Lakdawala is an International Master, a former
National Open and American Open Champion, and a six-time State Champion. He
has been teaching chess for over 30 years, and coaches some of the top junior
players in the U.S.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Foreword"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "2012.02.02"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.18"]

{Move by Move is a series of opening books which uses a question-and-answer
format. One of our main aims of the series is to replicate - as much as
possible - lessons between chess teachers and students. --- All the way
through, readers will be challenged to answer searching questions and to
complete exercises, to test their skills in chess openings and indeed in other
key aspects of the game. It's our firm belief that practising your skills like
this is an excellent way to study chess openings, and to study chess in
general. --- Many thanks go to all those who have been kind enough to offer
inspiration, advice and assistance in the creation of Move by Move. We're
really excited by this series and hope that readers will share our enthusiasm.
} 1. f4 {. John Emms, Everyman Chess} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Introduction"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.24"]

{When it comes to chess openings, your writer tends toward an abysmally low
tolerance to routine. Some of us play one set of openings our entire lives,
taking up the Ruy Lopez at age eight and passing from this world at age 90,
still essaying the Spanish Game. I, on the other hand, change openings like
articles of clothing. --- Every opening variation has its distinctive aroma
and feel. With} 1. f4 $1 {initiating the Bird's Opening, the flavour and smell
of course is of the Dutch Defence (whose intellectual property we openly
violate... or is it the Dutch which violates our intellectual property?), but
a tempo up, since we play it as White. --- The Chinese classical text, the Tao
Te Ching, commences with the phrase "The Tao that can be explained is not the
eternal Tao". Some positions are more about 'sense and feeling' than about
'analysis'. The Bird's is not an opening suited for corporate tastes. A friend
at the San Diego Chess Club, after hearing that I was writing a book on Bird's
Opening, told me (with a degree of malicious glee!) that Henry Bird, the
opening's founder, only managed a 47% score with his line as White. With our
first move, we seize control over the e5-square, in the hope of later
occupying it with a piece. In any experimental opening line like Bird's, we
have the stock horror movie character: the mad scientist, who risks tampering
with the forces of nature to satisfy scientific curiosity. When our opponents
refuse to believe a non-standard opening contains hidden potential - when it
actually does - they are like a person born blind, who is unable to grasp even
the concept of the existence of colour. Now very few of us play Bird's
exclusively as White, and I hereby suggest we play it as a side line or a
surprise weapon. Opening theory, as we all know, can be either a weapon or a
crutch. Why not stick to a mainstream, theoretical line, you may ask? The
answer is: frequent habitual repetition of an opening variation, played ad
nauseam, while allowing you to know it well, may also empty the variation of
all its adventure - and therefore its fun, which in turn deadens us to its
subtleties. --- Each time we agree to enter a theoretical opening duel (which
is really a duel of homework), our hands shake like a nervous vegan ninth
grade kid (whose parents are PETA members) who is forced to dissect a frog in
biology class. With 1 f4, this is unlikely to happen simply because the theory
remains rather stable, mainly since so few of us play the opening. I'm an
intuitive player at heart, and I deeply resent it when my opponent forces me
into that unpleasant task: Homework! With 1 f4, we operate on moods and
feelings, not hard variations, as most believe (though the From's Gambit would
be the sole exception). Because of the blessing/curse of constantly developing
technology, we all find ourselves struggling not to fall behind in a frantic
opening theory arms race. Our variations, played just yesterday by some GM
across the globe, are now instantly transferred to us to absorb and memorize.
Some of us try to avoid this techno-rat race by sub-specializing in just a few
positions. If you open with 1 f4! as White and meet all Queen's pawn openings
with 1...f5 with Black (for example, 1 Nf3 f5; 1 d4 f5; 1 c4 f5; 1 g3 f5), we
manage to cover 66.66% of all our openings with a single Bird's/Dutch overall
structure. --- Evolutionary mutations of a major opening line producing a
playable offshoot are uncommon in chess. In the case of the Bird's, its
offshoot - the Dutch - is oddly, far more popular than its intellectual
creator. We can use the Bird's unpopularity and weaponize it. In essence, we
chant a spell of theoretical concealment when we open with 1 f4!, which tends
to offend theory's officialdom. If we play the opening regularly, our eyes
slowly grow accustomed to the Dutch-like murk, while we hope to lure opponents
from their familiar world of rationality, into our world of confused
disassociation and illogic, where both sides must play almost by inference,
rather than direct decree. Your opponent can even study and prep for your
coming Bird's and still not play it very well, since when we play an
unfamiliar opening line, we can study it diligently at home, but on another
level, the play is tempered by experience, and our opponents are in a sense,
infants to the line - even when armed with theoretical knowledge.} (1. -- {
Let's take a look at some of our key battlegrounds. We must sort through the
thicket of Dutch expectations (played a move up), retaining some lines, while
perhaps choosing to discard others (see the following games).}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Battleground 1"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "2"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.24"]

{"The time to hesitate is through. No time to wallow in the mire." --- Our
first position is that of From's Gambit, where we sense apocalyptic warning
signs everywhere. The learning of such a complex line is not simply an
affectation of the theoretically affluent. This isn't a wing-it style chapter
and we must know our theory as if our lives depend on it - because over the
board, they do. From's originates from} 1. f4 e5 $5 {, where Black's e-pawn
insolently looks in our direction and makes a neck-slicing gesture by dragging
a finger across its throat. So the opening choice to wilfully enter such a
position is for those with a contentious disposition, since Black in essence
declares war on us on move one with an immediate pawn sacrifice! --- My
feeling is that we should accept (and this too is backed up by the comps'
evaluations) Black gambit, with the philosophies: 1. If we are unable to
unlock a door, then the next best thing is to kick it down. --- 2. By
declining the gambit, we tend to transpose into an open game fight (1 f4 e5 2
e4) rather than a strategic tussle, and the former is exactly what the
opponent wants.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Battleground 2"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqk1nr/ppp2ppp/3b4/8/8/5N2/PPPPP1PP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 0 5"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.24"]

{Don't be intimidated by this chapter. No position - no matter how ludicrously
irrational - is beyond our competence to comprehend with the help of books,
chess computers and databases. Black overharvests his or her dark squares in
exchange for a pawn, which under the comp's gaze, risks diminishing returns.
--- In the position, Black's most common move is} 5... g5 $5 {, threatening ...g4, when we note Black's quickly degrading environmental stewardship when it
comes to structure, all in the name of attack.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Battleground 3"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbq1rk1/pp2ppbp/5np1/2pp4/5P2/3P1NP1/PPP1P1BP/RNB1QRK1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.24"]

{The next position is the Reversed Leningrad Dutch-Bird. We concentrate on the
Qe1 line, where White tries to implement e2-e4.} 1. -- {The resulting
positions are subtle and your growing experience in the line will become a
greater and greater asset as time passes.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Battleground 4"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bqk1nr/pp2ppbp/2n3p1/2pp4/5P2/3PPN2/PPP1B1PP/RNBQ1RK1 w kq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.24"]

{This is the Classical Bird's Opening, which is difficult to understand and
even more difficult to play skilfully. It is the nature of 1 f4 lines to be
devoid of neat, snug-fastening variations on either side.} 1. -- {When we
study this chapter, we note a seemingly endless series of back-and-forths, to
divert attention to true intent.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Battleground 5"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqk2r/ppp1ppbp/5np1/3p4/3P1P2/3BPN2/PPP3PP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.24"]

{Next come the Stonewall lines, where the e4-hole is the stigmata we bear. We
give something (control over e4) and we get something (increased central
influence). This blocked position often leads to a dense jungle of disorder,
with Black's and White's doctrines mutually contradictory. Our serpentine
structure is designed to intimidate as White usually builds on the kingside
for an attack.} 1. -- {Conversely, we may regard Black's future queenside
expansion with indulgent tolerance, as we refuse to intervene.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Battleground 6"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rn1qkbnr/ppp1pppp/8/3p4/5Pb1/5N2/PPPPP1PP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.24"]

{Black's plan in the early ...Bg4 lines is monochromatic - pursuing a
light-square central pawn array with the following plans:} 1. -- (1. -- {1)
Hand over the bishop pair by playing ...Bg4 and ...Bxf3.}) (1. -- {2) Play ...c7-c6, ...Nd7 and ...e7-e5, or play ...c7-c6 and ...e7-e6, which switches the
structure to favour Black's remaining bishop.}) (1. -- {In the resulting
positions, the concept of equilibrium is virtually non-existent, since our
position tends to either rise or sag.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Battleground 7"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqkbnr/pp1ppppp/8/2p5/5P2/8/PPPPP1PP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.24"]

{This is Bird's versus an English set-up.} 1. -- {Such unstructured positions
can be played with a wide degree of latitude from both parties, with free
associative interpretations.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Battleground 8"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bqk1nr/pp2ppbp/2np2p1/2p5/4PP2/3P1NP1/PPP3BP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.24"]

{Transposing into the Sicilian, we look at both the Nc3 Closed Sicilian set-ups,
as well as the c2-c3 build-up - aka The Clamp - where White hopes to erect a
kind of super centre with an eventual d3-d4.} 1. -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "History of Bird's Opening"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.24"]

{Our founding father, British Master Henry Bird, took up his pet line in the
mid-1850s and played it faithfully for four decades. The Bird's popularity
never quite caught on, the way the Dutch Defence did.} 1. f4 {The following
game, with the famous double bishop sacrifice, probably propagated the Bird's
Opening more than any other chess game by appearing in publications time and
time again.} *

[Event "Ex1: Amsterdam"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1889.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lasker, Em"]
[Black "Bauer, J."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "1972.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. b3 e6 4. Bb2 Be7 5. Bd3 {Posting the bishop on d3 is
probably a bit too barbaric for the modern era.} ({Safer is} 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2
b6 7. O-O Bb7 8. Qe1 Ne4 9. Nc3 Nd6 10. Qg3 Nf5 11. Qh3 Nc6 {. Jobava now
punts in} 12. Bd3 $5 {. Wait a minute. I take that back. Even today's GMs
can't resist the d3-posting! The game followed} Nb4 13. Bxf5 exf5 14. Qxf5 g6 {
(Black regains his sacrificed pawn, at the cost of weakening the dark squares
around his king)} 15. Qh3 Nxc2 {, B.Jobava-P.Tregubov, Warsaw 2013. I like
White's kingside chances after} 16. Rac1 Nb4 17. Qh6 $1 {when the naive} Nd3 $4
{is met with} 18. Ne4 $1 Nxb2 19. Neg5 Bxg5 20. Nxg5 {and Black must give up
his queen in order to avoid mate.}) 5... b6 6. Nf3 Bb7 7. Nc3 Nbd7 8. O-O O-O
9. Ne2 c5 ({Most players today would immediately eliminate the light squared
menace with} 9... Nc5 $1 {.}) 10. Ng3 Qc7 11. Ne5 Nxe5 $6 ({Black should
counter White's kingside attack with the central counter} 11... d4 $1 {.}) 12.
Bxe5 Qc6 13. Qe2 a6 $2 (13... g6 {was necessary.}) 14. Nh5 $1 Nxh5 $4 {
EXERCISE (combination alert): Lasker's combination, now almost a rote piece of
geometrical lore, was at the time a completely original sacrificial attacking
plan. White to play and force the win.} ({A look at the alternatives:} 14...
Ne8 $4 {is met with} 15. Bxg7 $1 {.}) (14... d4 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Qg4 Kh8 (
16... e5 17. Be4 $1) 17. Rf3 Rg8 {and} 18. Bxh7 $1 {.}) (14... Rfd8 {is
Black's best chance. After} 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nxf6+ gxf6 17. Rf3 c4 18. Bxh7+
$1 Kf8 {(the bishop is poison for Black)} 19. Rg3 {, White is a clean extra
pawn up.}) 15. Bxh7+ $3 {ANSWER: Annihilation of king's cover. --- QUESTION:
Come on! Two exclams for this rote combination which I would probably find in
a blitz game? --- ANSWER: The combination is rote, mainly since players like
Lasker were the (great!) predecessors who showed us the way. I got a recent
email from my longtime friend IM Jack Peters, who wrote the following: "I
recently went over the article about Labourdonnais vs. McDonnell in the March
2011 Chess Life. Three of McDonnell's wins were annotated, separately, by
Morphy, Anderssen and Paulsen. By modern standards, their annotations were
awful! Do you know if annotators had different customs then? For example, were
they reluctant to give tactical variations? Was it considered impolite to
point out errors? All three annotators mentioned beginner-level stuff and
ignored the critical moments of the games. I found Morphy's fulsome praise for
ordinary moves irritating. When he did try to pinpoint some mistakes, he was
often wrong! If I had to guess his strength based on his notes, I would not
consider him a great player." The answer to Jack's question is the same as the
answer to yours: That which is rote to the modern day club player, was all new
to the old guard. So we shouldn't judge them by modern day standards. Even
basic ideas like developing quickly and fighting for the centre were arcane
secrets, known only to a select few in the romantic era.} ({Note that} 15. Qxh5
f5 {achieves nothing.}) 15... Kxh7 16. Qxh5+ Kg8 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Qg4+ Kh7 19.
Rf3 $1 {Lasker's devastating point: he lifts a second attacker, after which
Black's king is unable to cope.} e5 {Black's only move.} 20. Rh3+ Qh6 21. Rxh6+
Kxh6 {Black got two bishops and a rook for a queen and two pawns - seemingly
not so bad. However, the combination isn't over! --- QUESTION: It is Lasker's
next move which clearly shows that Black is busted. What did he play? ---
ANSWER: Double attack.} 22. Qd7 $1 {Winning a piece and the rest is a mopping
up exercise.} Bf6 23. Qxb7 Kg7 24. Rf1 Rab8 25. Qd7 Rfd8 26. Qg4+ Kf8 27. fxe5
Bg7 28. e6 Rb7 29. Qg6 f6 30. Rxf6+ Bxf6 31. Qxf6+ Ke8 32. Qh8+ Ke7 33. Qg7+
Kxe6 34. Qxb7 Rd6 35. Qxa6 d4 36. exd4 cxd4 37. h4 d3 38. Qxd3 {. SUMMARY: The
famous double bishop sacrifice unleashed by the future world champion Emanuel
Lasker at the beginning of his chess career did the Bird's Opening a big
favour in getting the opening featured in chess publications up till today.}
1-0

[Event "Ex2: Havana Olympiad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1966.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Larsen, B."]
[Black "Gligoric, S."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "1966.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

{Free-thinking GMs continued Bird's idea, like Nimzowitsch, Tartakower, Larsen,
and current GMs Lars Karlsson, Mikhail Gurevich, Henrik Danielsen and Artur
Jakubiec. In recent years, the top exponents of the Bird's are Nakamura,
Nepomniachtchi and Rapport. I think Larsen did more than any other GM to
popularize the opening (it probably should be called the Bird-Larsen Attack).
Here is an example of Larsen's deviously subtle understanding of the opening.
--- Great players - both living and dead - leave indelible imprints upon our
minds, and by default, our play. Add to this our own uniqueness and we have a
constantly changing chess entity. This soft lump of clay alters and shifts
form throughout our chess lives. Bent Larsen's handling of 1 f4! had just such
an effect upon your writer. This is my favourite game in the book. I
originally placed it in Chapter 3 as a model example for the Classical Bird.
However, I liked it so much that I yanked it away and it thus got promoted to
the Introduction.} 1. f4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. d3 d5 4. e3 Bg7 5. Be2 O-O 6. O-O b6
7. Qe1 Bb7 8. Nbd2 {QUESTION: What is White's intent behind this move? ---
ANSWER: White plans a Nimzowitchian overprotection strategy of e5, with Ne5
and then Ndf3, backing up e5.} Nbd7 9. Qg3 $5 {When we engage in a flight of
fancy at the board, we should also attempt a kind of purposeful dreaming which
is functional, as well as aesthetically pleasing. A move which appears
self-evidently obvious to one player may look bizarrely idiosyncratic to
another. This kind of move was perfectly "normal" for Larsen. Already, this is
a new move in the position, though a typically odd Larsonian opening idea
which hasn't been repeated since. --- QUESTION: Why would a player so
acquainted with opening theory proceed to spit in its face by rejecting
conformity? What exactly does the queen do on g3? --- ANSWER: To answer your
first question: Larsen veers from theory to de-book and confuse opponents,
forcing them to play on their own, rather than rely on homework. To answer
your second question, 9 Qg3 suppresses Black's ...e5 break. Also, the queen
can easily transfer to h3, as it normally does in Qh4 lines, so White isn't
really giving up anything by playing his queen to g3.} ({A look at other
options: The caveman attack is also available after} 9. Qh4 e6 10. g4 Ne8 11.
Qh3 Nd6 12. c3 {, J.Pelikan-J, Behrensen, Mar del Plata 1958. Now Black can
strike back in the centre with} e5 {and if} 13. f5 $2 gxf5 14. gxf5 Kh8 {,
White's king looks far more compromised than Black's.}) ({White is perhaps
aiming for the e4 break after} 9. Bd1 {though after} Re8 {, Black sets up ...
e5 too. Following} 10. Ne5 ({White correctly avoids} 10. e4 $6 e5 11. f5 gxf5
12. exf5 e4 13. dxe4 dxe4 14. Ng5 e3 15. Nb3 c5 {when White's queenside pieces
are badly bottled up}) 10... Nxe5 11. fxe5 Nd7 12. d4 ({I don't trust White's
compensation if he speculates with} 12. e6 $5 fxe6 13. Bg4 Nf8) 12... e6 {, T.Grum-K.Hilmer, Deggendorf 2006, White should play the freeing break} 13. e4 c5
14. c3 {when he stands no worse.}) 9... e6 {Preparing to play ...Qe7 later on.
--- QUESTION: Didn't Larsen's queen lose a potential tempo on his last move?
--- ANSWER: Not at all, for several reasons: 1) ...Nh5 actually misplaces the
knight. --- 2) White reacts with Qh3, where he kind of wants to go to anyway,
and then gains a useful tempo himself with g4 in booting the knight off the
h5-square.} 10. Ne5 Ne8 {This move opens the possibility of ...f6 ejecting
White's knight but this is exactly what Larsen wanted to provoke! --- QUESTION:
Why would he do that? Doesn't ...f6 kick White's knight out of its advanced
post? --- ANSWER: The point is it also loosens Black's king cover, a
side-effect which Larsen later uses to his benefit.} ({Conversely} 10... Nxe5 {
(one of those moves we all hate to play) looks fine after} 11. fxe5 Nd7 12. Nf3
c5 13. b3 Rc8 {and if} 14. Bb2 $6 {, Black has} (14. c3 $1 {is correct}) 14...
d4 15. exd4 cxd4 {and better since the c2- and e5-pawns fall under attack.})
11. Ndf3 Nd6 ({With hindsight, maybe Black should toss in the immediate} 11...
f6 {so that White doesn't get a chance to build as he did in the game.}) 12.
Qh3 {A silent menace creeps up on Black, seemingly inconspicuous and
non-threatening. Both g4 and Ng5 are contemplated.} Qe7 {Perhaps intending ...f6 next, but Larsen keeps Black busy.} 13. Ng5 $5 {Larsen, who is a stranger
to self-doubt, doesn't mind losing a tempo to provoke the weakening ...h7-h6.}
h6 {Pretty much necessary,} ({since after} 13... Nf6 14. Bd2 {, White can
continue to mass up on the kingside.}) 14. Ngf3 Rfd8 {Clearing the f8-square
to continue with ...Nf8 and ...f7-f6, which of course further loosens the
black king's pawn front.} 15. Bd2 Nf8 16. a4 {QUESTION: Larsen was famous for
marching his rook pawns up the board. However, here, he has a specific piece
set-up in mind when he pushed a4. What is it? --- ANSWER: The idea is to cover
the b5-square, so that White can play Bc3 without worrying about ...Nb5.} f6 {
Another necessary evil.} 17. Ng4 Nf7 {Covering the h6-pawn.} ({QUESTION:
Shouldn't Black just go ahead and push forward with} 17... h5 {- ? --- ANSWER:
I think your suggestion may be Black's best move. Following} 18. Nf2 e5 19.
fxe5 fxe5 20. e4 $1 {Bg5 tricks are in the air.} Bf6 21. Rfe1 Bc8 22. g4 $5
dxe4 23. dxe4 h4 {, the position submerges into strategic murk - absolutely
perfect for Larsen's style, while Gligoric, who preferred positional clarity
would undoubtedly have been out of his natural element.}) 18. Bc3 {White is
continually probing and pressing on the black king's cover and now he takes
aim at the f6-pawn.} c5 19. Qh4 $1 {White attackers glide about, propelled by
the hands of the master conjurer Larsen, their gaze firmly fixed upon f6. It's
instructive to watch how he methodically pokes and prods his opponent, goading
fresh weaknesses on the black king's front. What is really striking about this
game is the alarming pace in which Black's position decayed.} g5 $6 {Gligoric
has had enough of the affronts and pushes back, at the substantial cost of
weakening his king.} ({The passive} 19... Nh7 $1 {should be played, although
it allows White weird tricks like} 20. Nfe5 $1 g5 21. Ng6 $1 Qe8 22. fxg5 hxg5
23. Qh3 f5 24. Rf2 $1 d4 $1 ({Black can't accept the gift with} 24... fxg4 $2
25. Bxg4 Bc8 26. Bxg7 Kxg7 27. Raf1 Rd7 28. Bh5 e5 29. Qg3 Qe6 {as White has}
30. Nf8 $1 Nxf8 31. Rxf7+ {with a winning attack}) 25. exd4 cxd4 26. Bb4 a5 27.
Ba3 Ra7 28. Ne7+ Kh8 29. Ng6+ {with perpetual check.}) 20. fxg5 fxg5 $6 {The
wrong recapture, which makes matters worse and violates the principle:
recapture toward - and not away - from the centre.} ({However, capturing
toward the centre was no picnic for Black either after} 20... hxg5 21. Qh5 e5
22. h4 $1 {(continuing to chip away at the black king's pawn front)} d4 23. Bd2
Ne6 24. hxg5 fxg5 25. exd4 cxd4 26. Rae1 Nf4 27. Bxf4 gxf4 28. Nh4 Qg5 29. Qxg5
Nxg5 30. Nf5 Re8 31. Bd1 Nf7 32. c3 {, introducing the threat of Bb3. Having
written a book on Larsen, I came to the conclusion that he was more of a
strategist than a tactician. In this game, after his 20th move, Black finds
himself in deep trouble, and it isn't obvious that he even went wrong - even
with the comp's help! If this isn't strategic magic, I don't know what is.})
21. Qh5 {Attackers creep forward ominously. Black, despite having played
natural and principled moves, is in deep trouble.} d4 {Black must retain his
dark-squared bishop.} 22. Bd2 ({Alternatively,} 22. Be1 Nd7 23. e4 Nf6 24.
Nxf6+ Bxf6 25. h4 {allows White to continue chipping away at the black king's
cover.}) 22... dxe3 $2 {A mistake in an already very difficult situation.} ({
Black had to try} 22... e5 23. e4 Ne6 24. g3 {when White can contemplate both
the doubling of rooks on the f-file, and also the h2-h4 lunge.}) 23. Bc3 $1 {
The bishop, unsatisfied with mere reverence from his followers, now demands
outright worship from his g7-brother. The hermetic seal of Black's defence
finally opens a crack, just enough to allow infiltration. Larsen recognized
that Black's position was bound to collapse with the swap of dark-squared
bishops.} ({Less accurate is} 23. Bxe3 $6 Rd5 {when Black can resist better.})
23... Rd5 ({Futile is} 23... e5 {as it enables} 24. Nfxe5 $1 Nxe5 25. Bxe5 {
and if} Bxe5 $2 {, White has} 26. Nxh6+ Kh8 27. Rf7 Qe6 28. Nf5+ Kg8 29. Ne7+ {
and Black can resign.}) 24. Bxg7 Kxg7 {EXERCISE (combination alert): White
attackers exchange sly nods of complicity. Our intuition screams that a hidden
combination exists. How did Larsen win the queen? --- ANSWER: Clearance/deflection/removal of the guard/queen trap.} 25. Nh4 $1 {The knight drives
around the problem, rather than through it. --- Step 1: Offer a knight to open
the f-file.} gxh4 26. Rxf7+ $1 {Step 2: Clearance/removal of a key defender/annihilation of a defensive barrier/queen trap. This shot hits Black with the
sickening 'thud' sound of a sledgehammer crashing through the rotten timber.}
Qxf7 27. Qxh6+ Kg8 {Sherlock Holmes said that in life-threatening emergencies,
we tend to "save the object dearest to our hearts." In the case of the black
king, the "dearest" object happens to be himself. He has little choice but to
forgive his h6-sister her trespasses - mainly since she has the power to
arbitrarily order his immediate execution if the mood comes upon her.} 28. Nf6+
{Step 3: Black must hand over his queen.} Qxf6 29. Qxf6 {Black's mere rook and
knight (coupled with his scattered position) does not quite measure up to the
White queen. This means he is completely lost though he did make a fight out
of the dire situation.} Rf5 $1 {Gligoric seizes upon his only hope:
Infiltration to f2, after which the rook hits g2, the e2-bishop and also c2 if
the bishop moves.} 30. Qxh4 {Larsen picks off the h4-straggler, realizing that
he can deal with the ...Rf2 threat.} Rf2 31. Qg3+ ({The comp found} 31. Qg5+ $1
Kh8 32. Bf3 Bxf3 33. gxf3 Nh7 34. Qe5+ Kg8 35. Qxe6+ Kg7 36. Qe7+ Kh8 37. Qxe3
Rxc2 38. Qe5+ Kg8 39. Kh1 $1 {which is even stronger than the queen check on
d5, which picks off the loose a8-rook. White forces mate.}) 31... Kh8 32. Bf3 {
Resolving his g2 problem.} Bxf3 33. gxf3 Ng6 {Gligoric cuts off the Qe5+
threat. Of course his knight isn't hanging due to the g-file pin.} 34. Kh1 Rg8
{EXERCISE (combination alert): Larsen missed a forcing variation which wins
Black's knight. Can you find it?} 35. a5 {A slight smear on a once pristine
work of art.} ({ANSWER: Larsen missed} 35. Rg1 $1 Rxc2 (35... Rg7 {is met with}
36. h4 $1 {intending h5}) 36. Qh3+ Kg7 37. Qxe6 Kh7 38. Qh3+ Kg7 39. Qf5 $1 {
and White wins the knight, since} Kh6 {is met with} 40. Qg5+ Kh7 41. Qh5+ {
forcing mate.}) 35... bxa5 36. Qg5 $6 {This move prolongs the game.} ({Larsen
misses the immediate win once again as} 36. Rg1 $1 {still works just like on
the last move.}) 36... Kg7 37. Qxe3 Rxc2 38. Rc1 $6 {Just because a move looks
logical doesn't guarantee that it's the best one. Larsen, perhaps worried
about his king, underestimates his own attack.} ({He missed another winning
line in} 38. Qxe6 $1 Rh8 39. h3 Rxb2 40. Rg1 Rh6 41. Rxg6+ $1 Rxg6 42. Qe5+ {
which picks off the b2-rook and wins.}) 38... Rxb2 39. Qxc5 Kf7 $1 {Black's
forces finally begin to coordinate and White's win is no longer a simple
matter.} 40. Qd4 $1 ({The pair of black a-pawns are up for grabs, yet Larsen
correctly declines, fearing Black's initiative after} 40. Qxa7+ Ne7 41. Qxa5
Rgg2 42. Qe5 Rge2 {when the win won't be so easy for White.}) 40... Rb7 41. Qe4
Rd7 42. Rc6 {A new enemy is identified: the e6-pawn.} Re7 43. f4 $1 {The
threat of f4-f5 is in the air and now Black's king is in greater danger than
White's.} Nf8 44. d4 ({There was no reason to hold off on} 44. f5 $1 Rg5 45.
fxe6+ Nxe6 46. h4 Rg6 47. d4 Nf8 48. Qf5+ Kg7 49. Rxg6+ Nxg6 50. h5 {with a
straightforward win for White after} Nf8 51. h6+ $1 Kg8 52. Qg5+ Kf7 53. d5 Rd7
54. Qg7+ Ke8 55. Qe5+ {and if} Kf7 {, White completes the rout with} 56. h7 $1
Nxh7 57. Qe6+ {.}) 44... Rg6 45. Rc5 a4 46. d5 {Stripping Black's king of pawn
protection.} exd5 47. Qxd5+ Kg7 48. Qd4+ Kh6 49. Qc3 $1 {When we set up a
cheapo, in the back of our mind lurks the sinister thought: "I want something
for nothing!"} Rb6 $1 ({Gligoric alertly sidesteps the trap} 49... Rb7 $4 {
which will be met by} 50. Rh5+ $1 Kxh5 51. Qh3# {mate!}) 50. Qh3+ Kg7 51. Rg5+
Ng6 52. Rg1 $1 {Great wealth doesn't immunize us from fear, since even the
rich die. This prudent rook retreat secures the win. White's position requires
conflicting demands: 1. White seeks to attack. --- 2. White's own king
requires protection.} ({In this instance, defence takes precedence. He
correctly avoids the tempting line} 52. f5 $2 {as after} Re1+ 53. Rg1 Rxg1+ 54.
Kxg1 Ne5 {, White's win is no longer an easy matter.}) 52... Kf7 53. Qh5 $1 {
Threat: f4-f5. White continues to move the ball forward, if only by a few
centimetres.} ({The computer found} 53. f5 $1 Ne5 54. Qh5+ Kf6 55. Qg5+ Kf7 56.
f6 $1 Re8 ({not} 56... Rxf6 $2 {as} 57. Qg8# {is mate!}) 57. Qh5+ $1 Kxf6 58.
Qxe8 {and White wins.}) 53... Kf8 {Black's king may have acquired a few battle
scars yet still retains his life. Of course, giving away the knight is the
equivalent of resignation, but when our plans go awry from their original
intent, what else is there to do but improvise?} 54. f5 $5 {"No thanks, I
couldn't possibly accept such a gift!" Here we see an extreme example of
Larsen's somewhat impractical artistic streak.} ({The comps say this is
actually stronger than simply taking the knight, which your writer and every
club player in the world would pounce on in a nanosecond, with} 54. Rxg6 Rxg6
55. Qxg6 {and Black can resign.}) 54... Ne5 55. Qh8+ Kf7 {EXERCISE 
(combination alert): Black's king reminds us of a psychologically tormented
victim in an Edgar Allan Poe story. White to play and force mate:} 56. Qg7+ $2
{Fatigue has an awful way of tightening attention's aperture, so that you see
and understand less and less as the game goes on. White's last move is in
violation of the principle: when hunting the opponent's king, don't chase it.
Instead, cut off avenues of escape.} ({ANSWER: There is no cure to} 56. Rg8 $1
{with the mating threat of Qf7. For example, after} Rb1+ 57. Kg2 Rb2+ 58. Kg3
Rb3+ 59. Kh4 Rb4+ 60. Kh5 {, the checks run out.}) 56... Ke8 57. Qg8+ Kd7 58.
Qa8 {The queen broods long, hateful thoughts concerning her d7-brother, who
continues to slip out from her grasp.} Nc6 59. Rd1+ Kc7 {Exit stage right:
Black's king seeks shelter on the queenside.} 60. Rc1 $1 {Threat: Qxa7+.
Black's position, fragile as a water bubble, may burst with the slightest
flick of a finger.} Kd7 ({Black may trap the White queen after} 60... Re1+ 61.
Rxe1 Rb8 {but this still loses after} 62. Qxb8+ Nxb8 63. f6 Nd7 64. f7 a3 65.
Rc1+ Kb7 66. Ra1 {.}) 61. f6 Rf7 62. Rd1+ Kc7 63. Qe8 $1 Rh7 ({Not} 63... Rxf6
64. Rd7# {mates!}) 64. f7 {Not only threatening to queen, but also Rd7 mating
again!} Rb2 {Black's threats come far too late.} 65. Rd7+ Kb6 {EXERCISE 
(combination alert): Find one powerful shot and you first win heavy material,
then force mate. --- ANSWER: Skewer. Black's king has no good squares.} 66.
Qe3+ $1 {"So now you recognize - much too late - the degree to which my power
overwhelms yours," the queen tells her unfortunate b6-rival.} ({After} 66.
Qe3+ $1 Kb5 (66... Ka5 67. Qc5+ Rb5 68. Rxa7+ Nxa7 69. Qxa7+ Kb4 70. f8=Q+ {
forces mate}) 67. Qd3+ {, White wins the h7-rook. --- SUMMARY: You may want to
try Larsen's 8 Nbd2 plan against Black's passive ...b6 plan. White fights for
control over the e5-square with Qg3!?, Ne5 and Ndf3. This idea needs more
testing and you can be sure it will take your opponents by surprise.}) 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Acknowledgements"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.24"]

{Thanks, to editor GM John Emms, and to CM Junior Tay for the final edit.
Thanks also to Nancy for her proofreading and punctuation gerrymandering. May
our opponents' brows knit in worried concentration upon seeing us open with} 1.
f4 $1 {.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "1: From's Gambit"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.24"]

{In this chapter, we deal with Black's most aggressive response to Bird's,
From's Gambit. From the get go, Black offers us a pawn for an instant
development lead and attacking chances. Now when I played} 1. f4 {online in
2005 to 2006, From's was the most common response from titled players. Today,
having taken up Bird's opening again, I haven't had a single From's Gambit
from a titled player - in fact, I haven't had anyone play it! The reason: It
is currently in theoretical disrepair and the fun-killing comps have pretty
much worked it out in White's favour. A gambit with the black pieces is a
tricky entity, since we as White already get a one move development head start,
which in turn decreases Black's compensation. Be warned though, at the club
level it is still quite popular. If you know your lines, you should be able to
pull out a clear advantage. Still, such positions, even though borderline
unsound for Black, are not so easy to play for our side, since we are thrown
on the defensive for such a long time. So even though we have an advantage
over the board, Black, in a certain sense, still retains the practical chances.
So let's not underestimate this line. Tossed into such murk, we deal in
"maybe" and "I'm-not-so-sure", more than fixed notions. Our difficulties can
be encapsulated into a single issue: King safety. If you test the positions
against the comps, taking Black, you will soon master the art of snatching
Black's gift pawn and converting it to the full point.} *

[Event "1: Halifax (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2004.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Williams, SK."]
[Black "Howell, D."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A02"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2004.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 e5 {Black speculates with the From's Gambit, the most militant response
to 1 f4. If we accept (and in this book we only examine the accepted lines),
we shouldn't play in a mood of distracted abstraction. Early on we deal in
hard variations to meet Black's rather fanciful attacking ideas.} 2. fxe5 {We
should grab the pawn and make Black prove it. Gambits with Black are
questionable entities, since we as White have a one move head start, which
decreases Black's development lead compensation. --- QUESTION: What
alternative is there to acceptance?} ({ANSWER: If you have King's Gambit
experience and feel comfortable there, then by all means, transpose with} 2. e4
{.}) 2... Nc6 {This is an offshoot line.} ({We examine Black's main line} 2...
d6 {for the remainder of the chapter.}) 3. Nf3 ({Don't fall for} 3. d4 $2 {
which was played eleven times in the database. Now amazingly, only five of the
eleven found the rather obvious} Qh4+ 4. g3 Qxd4 {with a clear structural
advantage for Black.}) 3... g5 $5 {QUESTION: Isn't this weakening? --- ANSWER:
It is certainly not a consequence-free decision, but believe it or not, the ...g5 thrust is standard operating procedure for Black in From's. The idea is to
displace White's f3-knight and discourage White from kingside castling.} ({
Let's look at the alternative} 3... d6 {where White can accept or decline the
gambit without prejudice:} 4. -- ({. After} 4. exd6 Bxd6 5. d4 Nf6 6. Bg5 ({
also possible is to simply play for a direct e4 with} 6. Nc3) 6... h6 7. Bxf6
Qxf6 8. e4 Bg4 {, White can stabilize the centre with} 9. c3 $1 ({it is not
advisable to play for adventure with} 9. e5 $6 Bxe5 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. Bb5+ c6
12. Be2 Bxf3 13. gxf3 Rd8 14. Qc1 Nxf3+ 15. Bxf3 Qxf3 {when Black gets
obviously powerful compensation for the piece}) 9... O-O-O 10. Bb5 Rhe8 11.
Bxc6 bxc6 {, Henrik Danielsen-Heini Danielsen, Torshavn 2000. I prefer White
structurally if he simply returns the pawn with} 12. O-O $1 {(one of the
tricks of surviving From's is to return our booty to take over the initiative,
if given a chance)} Rxe4 13. Nbd2 {and White intends Qa4 next, with the edge.})
({. Declining the pawn with} 4. e4 dxe5 5. Bb5 Bc5 {is quite reasonable as
White inflicts structural damage at the cost of the bishop pair in an open
position after} 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d3 Bg4 8. Nbd2 Ne7 9. Nc4 f6 10. Be3 Bb6 11.
a4 $1 {(White seeks a bishop swap with a5, without fixing Black's pawn
structure)} a5 12. O-O O-O 13. Qe1 {and I prefer White due to his superior
structure, L.Karlsson-A.Randazzo, Montcada 2010.})) 4. d4 {A thematic move.
White supports the e5-pawn while simultaneously attacking the g5-one.} ({I
don't like weakening our dark squares with} 4. h3 {which is also playable, but
not in the spirit of the opening.}) 4... g4 5. Ng5 ({Houdini prefers the
inverted} 5. Ng1 $5 d6 6. e4 $1 {when White returns the pawn to seize an
initiative. Following} dxe5 7. d5 Nce7 8. Nc3 f5 {(otherwise White quickly
develops a bind on the f-file)} 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bh4 Bg7 11. Bb5+ Kf7 {, W.Linker-H.Georg, Germany 2010, I like White's chances after} 12. Bc4 Qd6 13. a3
{when both Nb5 and the line-opening exf5 give cause to worry Black.}) 5... d6 (
{Let's look at other possible tries:} 5... d5 6. exd6 Bxd6 7. d5 Ne5 8. Ne4 f5
9. Nxd6+ Qxd6 10. Bf4 Nd3+ 11. Qxd3 Qxf4 12. e3 Qb4+ 13. Qc3 Qxc3+ 14. Nxc3 {
and I don't see an iota of compensation for Black's missing pawn.}) (5... Bh6 {
has also been analysed on Chesspublishing.com by GM Anthony Kosten. I don't
think it's all that pleasant for Black after the simple} 6. Ne4 $1 {as White
hands over his extra pawn to seize the initiative. After} Bxc1 7. Qxc1 Nxd4 8.
Nbc3 {Suddenly, this looks like a King's Gambit gone wrong for Black.} Qh4+ {
, T.Bohn-K.Zimmermann, Germany 2003, suddenly, this looks like a King's Gambit
gone wrong for Black. White stands clearly better after} 9. Nf2 Ne6 10. g3 Qh5
11. Bg2 Qxe5 12. Nxg4 {with a huge development lead and an open f-file for
White.}) 6. e4 $1 {Note that White can transpose back to the 5...d5 line with
6 exd6. --- QUESTION: With the text move, didn't White just self-trap his
knight after his last move? --- ANSWER: He did just that. This kind of f7
piece sacrifice is seen in King's Gambit Allgaier lines. In this case, I
believe it is a very nice version for White. Why? Because we started a pawn up,
not down one, as in the King's Gambit.} h6 $6 {Black takes the bait when he
probably should refrain from doing so.} ({Other choices: The dubious} 6... dxe5
$6 7. Bc4 {and the position morphed into a rotten pseudo-King's Gambit for
Black following} Qxd4 8. Bxf7+ Ke7 {, K.Hayward-R.Johnson, correspondence 1986.
White has a winning attack after} 9. Qe2 h6 10. c3 Qd6 11. O-O {.}) ({Maybe
Black should opt for the yet untested option} 6... Bh6 7. h4 dxe5 8. d5 Nce7 9.
Nc3 a6 10. Be2 f6 11. Ne6 Bxe6 12. Bxh6 Nxh6 13. dxe6 {when I still prefer
White, but Black looks better off than in the game continuation.}) 7. Nxf7 {
When your car's reverse gear doesn't function, there is no choice but to drive
forward.} Kxf7 {The king's trash talk presages his future bloody nose.} 8. Bc4+
$6 {This obvious reaction appears to be an automatic reflex, rather than true
intent. We all play such mechanical moves quickly. However, this isn't White's
best continuation of the attack.} ({Stronger was} 8. e6+ $1 {when Black is
forced to decline with a rotten position due to the pawn fork after} Ke8 9.
Qxg4 Qf6 10. d5 Ne5 11. Qh5+ {, White gets three choking pawns for the piece.})
8... Kg7 $6 ({Black may be okay after} 8... Ke8 $1 {. This move may prevent
White from implementing his wishes for a winning attack. After} 9. e6 Qh4+ 10.
g3 Qf6 11. d5 Ne5 {(now we see the problem. White simply wasted a tempo with
his earlier Bc4+)} 12. Be2 Nf3+ 13. Bxf3 Qxf3 14. Qxf3 gxf3 15. O-O c6 16. Rxf3
b5 $1 {, Black intends to hammer away White's imposing central wedge with ...Bb7 and ...Ne7, after which he looks at least equal.}) 9. e6 {1. White has two
pawns so far for the piece, with Black's g-pawn in danger. --- 2. White rules
the centre. --- 3. The e6-pawn impedes the development of Black's unemployed
queenside pieces who tend to spend their days loitering about at the mall. ---
4. Black's king - who wears an expression of perpetual suspicion - is in
serious danger. Apart from the g4 pawn hanging, White has a ready-made open
f-file to attack with. --- Conclusion: Failure to reproduce an original result
is the bane of all scientific hypothesis. Black's position is precarious and
fleeting as dandelion fluff on a windy day. Long, hard defence is certainly
not what he envisioned when he offered From's Gambit!} Nf6 10. O-O Na5 $6 {
Such a lash-out doesn't exactly infect us with optimistic hope of success in
Black's defensive endeavour. After this move, Black's position goes from
difficult to lost.} ({He has to try a developmental contortion like} 10... Rh7
$1 {with the idea of hiding his king with ...Kh8 next.}) 11. Bd3 Bxe6 {
EXERCISE (combination alert): Consistency doesn't represent a virtue if you
are on the wrong track. Williams found a way to regain his sacrificed piece
with a clear residual advantage after Black's last move. What would you play
here for White?} ({Maybe Black should just apologize and agree to the loss of
time with} 11... Nc6 {.}) 12. d5 $1 {ANSWER: Trapped piece.} Nc6 (12... Bd7 13.
b4 {traps the stranded a5-knight.}) 13. dxe6 {The position is a nightmare for
Black, since now he doesn't even have his extra piece as a consolation for his
wretched king's position.} Ne5 14. Nc3 c6 {EXERCISE (planning): How did GM
Williams find a powerful way to accelerate his attack? --- ANSWER: Transfer
the knight to f5.} 15. Ne2 $1 Qe8 16. Nd4 c5 $6 {This weakening move worsens
Black's position, but I suppose it is human nature to lash out at an offender
when we sense that our honour has been compromised by an insult.} 17. Nf5+ ({
Even stronger was} 17. Bb5 $1 {and if} Qd8 ({also, after} 17... Nc6 18. Nf5+
Kg8 19. Nxd6 Qg6 20. Nxb7 {, Black's position collapses}) 18. e7 $1 {wins on
the spot.}) 17... Kg6 18. Nh4+ Kg7 19. Bc4 $2 {A serious indulgence, which
nearly cost White his advantage. A soldier who fights without fear may soon be
a dead soldier. I have always felt burdened by an overactive imagination and I
suspect Williams suffers the same affliction on the chess board as well.
Williams overpresses, and by demanding more from the position than it warrants,
he attempts to fit horseshoes on cows, pigs and chickens.} ({He should play} 
19. e7 $1 Bxe7 ({or} 19... Qxe7 20. Nf5+ {when Black's queen crimsons at her
blatant social stumble}) 20. Nf5+ Kg6 21. Bf4 {with a dominating position.})
19... Nxc4 $1 {Thanks!} 20. Rxf6 $1 {This follow-up sacrifice was Williams'
imaginative idea.} Kxf6 21. Qf1+ {Double attack.} Kxe6 22. Qxc4+ ({Stronger is
} 22. Qf5+ Ke7 23. Ng6+ Kd8 24. Nxh8 {, regaining the material invested. The
black king's insecurity also gives White a slight pull.}) 22... Kd7 23. Bf4 Bg7
$2 {The weakening of the d6-pawn proves suicidal.} ({Believe it or not,
Houdini prefers Black here after} 23... Qe6 $1 24. Qb5+ Kc8 $1 {when the
burden is on White to prove that he has full compensation for the exchange.})
24. Nf5 Be5 {EXERCISE (combination alert): Find White's most lethal way of
conducting the attack. --- ANSWER: Annihilation of king's cover/double attack/pin.} 25. Nxd6 $1 Qe6 ({Black's best chance as the alternatives lose quickly:} 
25... Bxd6 {walks into a deadly pin after} 26. Rd1 Kc8 27. Rxd6 {and if} b6 28.
Qd5 {forces mate. For example, after} Rb8 29. Rd8+ $1 Qxd8 30. Qc6+ Qc7 31.
Qxc7# {with mate.}) (25... Kxd6 26. Qd5+ Ke7 27. Qxe5+ Kf7 28. Qf5+ Kg8 29.
Qxg4+ Kh7 30. Rd1 Rd8 31. Rxd8 Qxd8 32. Qf5+ Kg8 33. Qg6+ Kf8 34. Bd6+ {wins
Black's queen.}) 26. Qb5+ $1 Kxd6 {The king continues to issue hysterical,
impotent threats to White's amused attackers.} ({Also hopeless for Black is} 
26... Ke7 27. Qxb7+ Qd7 28. Nf5+ Ke8 29. Qxd7+ Kxd7 30. Bxe5 {and White wins.})
27. Rd1+ Ke7 (27... Kc7 {walks into mate after} 28. Qxc5+ Qc6 29. Qxe5+ Kb6 30.
b4 $1 Qb5 31. Rd6+ Kc7 32. Qe7+ Kc8 {and the clearance sacrifice} 33. Rd8+ {
forces mate after} Rxd8 34. Qc7# {.}) 28. Bxe5 Rhd8 ({Capturing on e5 walks
into mate after} 28... Qxe5 29. Qd7+ Kf6 30. Rf1+ Kg6 31. Qf7+ Kg5 32. Rf5+
Qxf5 33. Qxf5+ Kh4 34. g3+ Kh3 35. Qf1# {and Black gets mated.}) 29. Qxb7+ Ke8
30. Rf1 $1 {Despite all of the black king's positive affirmations, bad things
continue to enter his life.} Rac8 (30... Qxe5 31. Qf7# {isn't much of an
option for Black.}) 31. Qg7 Qe7 {EXERCISE (combination alert): Black's king is
now on his knees spitting blood. How did White force mate? --- ANSWER:} 32.
Qg6+ $1 Kd7 33. Rd1+ {. Black's king has no squares to hide. --- SUMMARY:
Let's accept the From's Gambit. The comps remain unintimidated, and so should
we.} 1-0

[Event "2: Russian Women's League, Dagomys"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2009.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Muzychuk, A."]
[Black "Solovjova, V."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A02"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2009.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 e5 2. fxe5 d6 {Black's main line, which we will concentrate on for the
remainder of the chapter.} 3. Nf3 $5 {This odd move-order merely transposes.} (
{Our main line runs} 3. exd6 Bxd6 4. Nf3 {.}) 3... dxe5 4. Nxe5 Bd6 5. Nf3 {We
are back to our normal position.} g5 {The pretence of peace, fragile and
tentative, now devolves into open warfare. The Lasker Variation (5...g5) is
our tabiya position in the chapter, and the one you are most likely to face
over the board. Black threatens to chase our knight away with ...g4, and then
deliver mate with ...Qh4+ followed by a devastating sacrifice on g3.} ({We
examine the more restrained} 5... Nf6 {at the end of the chapter.}) 6. g3 {A
problem ignored is a problem nourished. So White takes action against the ...g4 threat by giving the knight a protected square on h4. This is White's main
move and I believe our only hope of wresting an advantage.} ({I'm begging the
reader not to fall for} 6. h3 $4 Bg3# {mate!. There lie three unfortunate
souls who fell into this trap in my database. Please don't be victim number
four!}) ({QUESTION: Are we going to cover} 6. d4 g4 {lines? --- ANSWER: No,
for two reasons: 1. I don't trust this line for White and believe Black gets
dynamic equality easily. --- 2. I don't want to use up space with the line
since the normally even-tempered folk at Everyman get a wee bit agitated and
hint at terrible reprisals upon your humble writer every time I exceed a
book's space requirements (which occurs in every single book I write!). Just a
sample variation then - I prefer Black's position after} 7. Ng5 $5 (7. Ne5 Bxe5
8. dxe5 Qxd1+ 9. Kxd1 Nc6 {is a line we won't be covering}) 7... f5 8. e4 h6 9.
e5 Be7 10. Nh3 gxh3 11. Qh5+ Kf8 12. Bc4 Rh7 {.}) 6... g4 ({If} 6... h5 {,
White can return the pawn favourably after} 7. d4 g4 8. Nh4 Be7 {with} 9. Bf4
$1 {as} Bxh4 10. gxh4 Qxh4+ 11. Bg3 {gives White the bishop pair, the dark
squares as well as a strong centre.}) 7. Nh4 Ne7 {Black's main move. ---
QUESTION: What is Black's intention? --- ANSWER: Black will play ...Ng6 next,
which pretty much induces White to exchange on g6, after which Black opens the
h-file with ...hxg6. When the h-file opens, Black not only gets the obvious
attacking chances down the file, but also has constant ...Rxh2 tactics that
White must watch for.} ({Other options are:} 7... Be7 8. Ng2 h5 {and White has
two good choices:} 9. -- (9. Nf4 h4 10. Bg2 Nf6 {, V.Pechenkin-M.Hughey,
Edmonton 2008. I don't see sufficient compensation for Black after} 11. Rf1 {.}
) (9. d4 h4 10. Rg1 hxg3 11. hxg3 Nf6 12. Nc3 Nc6 13. Be3 Bb4 14. Qd3 Be6 15.
O-O-O {and Black doesn't have compensation for the missing pawn, C.Lakdawala-H.Nakamura, Internet (blitz) 2006.} (15. --))) ({Now, with} 7... Nc6 {, Black
sets up what he believes to be a strategic trap. Our solution: fall into it!
Black gets a poor game after} 8. Bg2 Be7 $6 {(hitting the h4-knight which has
nowhere to go). Black hopes for Bxc6+, after which he gets serious light
square compensation for the pawn. Our trick is to simply ignore it and play} 9.
O-O $1 {when not only did Black lose time, but he also handed White the bishop
pair in an open position and gave away control over the dark squares. Following
} Bxh4 10. gxh4 f5 11. c3 {, P.Stockhammar-L.Flores, correspondence 2010,
White gets a strategically won game with} Qxh4 12. d4 {as he prepares both Bf4
and d4-d5, followed by Qd4 when his bishops and dark square control rule.}) 8.
d4 {This move is important, because we will soon be required to cover the
g3-pawn with our queen on d3.} Ng6 9. Nxg6 {The delicate negotiations are a
quilt work of grudging compromises from both sides.} ({QUESTION: Why must we
cooperate and allow Black to open the h-file, when we have} 9. Ng2 {? ---
ANSWER: We swap one problem for another with the knight retreat. While it's
true we didn't allow Black to open the h-file, we lost time with our knight
and Black gets compensation after} h5 $1 {which forces the h-file open in any
case. After} 10. e4 h4 11. e5 Be7 12. Rg1 hxg3 13. hxg3 c5 $1 {, White's once
impressive pawn centre comes under assault and Black stands at least even, N.Chepel-M.Mozharov, Moscow 2010.}) 9... hxg6 10. Qd3 {A multipurpose move: 1.
White's queen covers g3, a necessary requirement of our line. --- 2. White
fights for the e4-square. --- 3. White gives himself the option of queenside
castling and even manual queenside castling with Kd1!?.} ({I remember back in
Montreal 1972, as a kid playing an adult, the latter unsuspectingly played} 10.
Bg2 $2 {. --- Now I beam with pride as I recall how I bashed out the
magnificent shot} Rxh2 $1 {and went on to win brilliantly or at least I
remember it that way!}) 10... Nc6 ({In online blitz games, I frequently run
into} 10... Bf5 $6 {which is likely an inaccurate move-order by Black and after
} 11. e4 Qe7 12. Bg2 Nc6 {:} 13. -- ({. I had once played the rote} 13. O-O $2
{when my GM opponent missed (as did I!)} Nxd4 $1 {, when Black stood at least
equal, C.Lakdawala-"Jubilant" Internet (blitz) 2014.}) ({. White has the strong
} 13. Qe3 $1 {which threatens to capture the f5-bishop. After} Bd7 14. Nc3 $1 {
(intending Nd5)} O-O-O 15. Nd5 Qe6 16. O-O Kb8 17. e5 {, Black is getting
pushed back and is busted, B.Blankenberg-C.Augustin, correspondence 2002.} (17.
--))) 11. c3 {Warding off dirty knight foray tricks with ...Nxd4 or ...Nb4.} ({
Most certainly not} 11. Bg2 $2 Nxd4 $1 {when White is unable to recapture.
Sadly, I see three further unfortunates in my database, who had the misfortune
to be White in this position. As you may have guessed, all three lost.}) 11...
Bf5 {Black's main move. --- QUESTION: Isn't Black's last move just begging for
a tempo loss? --- ANSWER: I agree that it appears counterintuitive, but Black
reasons that she needs to induce e2-e4 to weaken the f3-square.} (11... Qe7 12.
Bg2 Bd7 {, and now White can calmly return the pawn with} (12... Bf5 {is met
with} 13. Qe3 $1 Qxe3 14. Bxe3 {and now} Rxh2 $4 {fails to} 15. Bxc6+ $1 bxc6
16. Rxh2 Bxg3+ 17. Rf2 {with an extra piece for White}) 13. Nd2 O-O-O 14. Nc4
Rh5 15. e4 Rdh8 16. Nxd6+ cxd6 17. Be3 Rxh2 18. O-O-O {and keep a positional
plus with his strong centre and bishop pair.}) (11... f5 $6 12. Bg2 {:} -- (
12... Ne7 $6 {is way too slow as after} 13. Nd2 f4 $2 14. Ne4 g5 15. Qb5+ c6
16. Qxg5 fxg3 17. Qf6 $1 {, Black is lost and resigned in R.Bachler-K.Steudel,
Graz 1996. It isn't just Black who wins miniatures in the From's.}) ({. Black
had to accept an inferior position after} 12... Bd7 13. Nd2 Qe7 14. Nc4 $1
O-O-O 15. Nxd6+ cxd6 16. h3 gxh3 17. Rxh3 Rxh3 18. Bxh3 Re8 19. Bg2 Nd8 20. Kf2
{.} (20. --))) (11... Bd7 12. Nd2 Qe7 13. Ne4 Bf5 {was R.Bachler-B.Rogulj,
Austria 2013. White can try} 14. Bg2 O-O-O 15. Bg5 $1 Bxe4 16. Bxe7 Bxd3 17.
Bxd8 Re8 18. O-O-O Bxe2 19. Bg5 Bxd1 20. Kxd1 {when the bishop pair gives
White the edge in the ending.}) 12. e4 Qe7 13. Bg2 ({A viable alternative is} 
13. Nd2 O-O-O {and now White has} 14. Kd1 $5 {. --- The white king darts away
to the queenside like a cat chased out of the backyard by my terrier, Kahless,
who deals harshly with those who dare enter his terrible realm. I like this
odd idea as White's king may be safer on the queenside than the kingside. E.Davila-L.Arias, Managua 2001, continued with} Be6 {. Now when I took Black in
this position against Houdini, the game proceeded} 15. Qe2 {(now d5 is a real
threat)} Na5 $5 {(clearing the way for a central disruption with ...c7-c5)} 16.
Bg2 c5 17. d5 {(we must keep central lines closed)} Bd7 18. Nb3 $1 Nxb3 19.
axb3 a6 20. Bf4 Rde8 21. Kc2 Bxf4 22. gxf4 f6 23. Qf2 {and with White poised
to play Ra5, I no longer believe in Black's compensation for the pawn.}) 13...
O-O-O 14. Be3 {Breaking the e-file pin.} ({White must keep in mind that Black
can generate an attack swiftly with standard developing moves. For example,
after} 14. O-O {, Black gets good play after:} -- (14... Bd7 15. Bf4 Bxf4 16.
Rxf4 f5 17. Rf2 Qh7 18. Bh1 {, C.Lakdawala-"Mulatico", Internet (blitz) 2005.
Now my anonymous GM opponent can generate full compensation for the pawn with}
Ne5 $1 19. Qe3 (19. dxe5 $2 {loses to} Ba4 $1 20. Qe2 Rd1+ {winning the White
queen}) 19... Nf7 20. e5 Be6 21. Nd2 c6 {. Stylistically, I still prefer White
due to the extra pawn, but the objective evaluation is probably dynamic
equality.}) ({. Also dangerous is} 14... Ne5 $5 {. --- Be aware of this tactic,
since it is very common in the From's. White played carelessly with} 15. Qd1 $6
({I still prefer White after} 15. Qe3 Be6 16. Nd2) 15... Nf3+ $1 {(in answer
to your previous question, this is why Black wants to induce e4 as it weakens
f3)} 16. Bxf3 $2 ({necessary was} 16. Rxf3 $1 gxf3 17. Qxf3 Bh3 18. Be3 Bxg2
19. Kxg2 Qd7 20. h4 f6 $1 21. Nd2 g5 22. e5 fxe5 23. Bxg5 Rdf8 24. Qe4 exd4 25.
Qxd4 Qc6+ 26. Kh3 {when Black stands only slightly better}) 16... gxf3 $6 ({
Black missed the immediately crushing} 16... Rxh2 $1 {when} 17. Kxh2 {cannot
be played due to} Qh4+ {so White will get murdered on the h-file}) 17. exf5
Rxh2 $1 18. Qxf3 (18. Kxh2 $4 {walks into mate after} Qh4+ 19. Kg1 Qxg3+ 20.
Kh1 Qg2#) 18... Rh3 19. Bf4 Bxf4 20. Qxf4 Rdh8 {and White is helpless, despite
his extra piece after} 21. Qf3 Qg5 $1 22. Kf2 Rh2+ 23. Kg1 Rh1+ {, V.Antoshin-A.Panchenko, USSR 1983. This game should serve as a stark warning to
us. We must understand every defensive nuance of the From's or risk
annihilation.})) 14... Rde8 ({Let's have a look at the alternatives:} 14...
Rxh2 $2 {looks dubious at best and unsound at worst. After} 15. Rxh2 Bxg3+ 16.
Kf1 Bxh2 17. exf5 Re8 18. Bd2 {, I don't see enough compensation for the piece
for Black.}) (14... Be6 15. Bf2 f5 16. Nd2 Qf7 17. O-O-O $1 Bxa2 $2 {, T.Rendle-V.Kotronias, Caleta 2005. Now White missed} 18. e5 $1 {when Black was
completely busted. For example,} Bxe5 (18... Be7 19. Bxc6 $1 bxc6 20. Qa6+ Kd7
21. c4 $1 {traps the a2-bishop}) 19. Bxc6 $1 bxc6 20. Qa6+ {wins, since White
can take the e5-bishop next.}) ({Perhaps Black's best chance in this position
is} 14... Bd7 $5 {. --- This is a suggestion of Israeli GM Boris Alterman in
The Alterman Gambit Guide: Black Gambits 2. My take is that White keeps the
edge following} 15. Bf2 f5 16. Nd2 {:} -- (16... fxe4 17. Bxe4 $5 ({the
alternate recapture} 17. Nxe4 {seems fine too after} Rde8 18. O-O-O Bf5 19.
Rde1 Qf7 20. Kb1 Qd5 21. Ka1 Bf8 22. Qc2 Bg7 23. Qb3 Qxb3 24. axb3 b6 25. Ka2
Nd8 26. Ng5 {, B.Fister-I.Kóta, correspondence 2009, and White consolidates
with the edge}) 17... Rdf8 18. O-O Qh7 19. h4 gxh3 20. Kh2 Ne7 21. Nc4 Nf5 22.
d5 {and White's queenside play is more relevant, now that the kingside is
secure.}) (16... Rde8 17. O-O-O ({not} 17. e5 $6 Bxe5 $1 {as} 18. dxe5 $2 Nxe5
19. Qf1 Nd3+ 20. Kd1 Bb5 {is winning for Black}) 17... fxe4 18. Bxe4 Qf7 19.
Rhf1 Qxa2 20. Bxg6 Re7 21. Bg1 {and White keeps the extra pawn. Black's queen
might look intimidating on the a2-square but it can't do much on its own.}))
15. Nd2 {This is a very common position in the From's, yet Houdini assesses it
as virtually winning for White!} Rxh2 $2 {This sacrifice is more lavish than
the initial From's pawn sac in the opening. Black, mistakenly praying that her
move has the effects of levelling off the downward trend in her position, is
willing to back up her initiative-at-any-cost project with unstinting
amplitude. Black risks carrying her doctrine too far, with this tempting yet
unsound idea.} ({Other options are:} 15... Rh5 $2 16. O-O-O Be6 {, Rodriguez
Vila, A-Granara Barreto, S Montevideo 2012. Now White should play} 17. e5 Nxe5
18. dxe5 Rxe5 19. Ne4 Bxa2 20. Nxd6+ cxd6 21. Bf4 Re2 22. Bd5 {and he can
consolidate with a winning advantage.}) ({In Game 3, we look at} 15... f6) (
15... Bd7 16. O-O-O f6 {transposes to Game 3 too.}) 16. Rxh2 Bxg3+ 17. Ke2 $1 {
The point: the e3-bishop is covered and Black's f5-bishop now hangs.} Bxh2 ({
Also insufficient is} 17... Bxe4 18. Qxe4 Bxh2 19. Rh1 Bd6 20. Rh7 Qd7 21. Qd5
Nd8 22. Ne4 Re6 23. Rh8 {when White has taken over the initiative, while
retaining her extra piece.}) 18. exf5 Bf4 19. Nf1 ({Also possible was} 19. Nc4
{since} b5 {fails to} 20. fxg6 $1 {(threat: Qf5+ and Qxf4)} fxg6 21. Qxg6 {
(renewing the Qf5+ threat)} Bxe3 22. Qxg4+ Kb8 23. Bxc6 Bxd4+ 24. Kd1 Rd8 25.
Kc2 bxc4 26. cxd4 Qh7+ 27. Qe4 Qh2+ 28. Kc3 {and White's king is safe.}) 19...
Qg5 20. Re1 $6 {There was no reason to hand Black a pawn.} ({Better was the
immediate} 20. fxg6 fxg6 21. Kd2 Rf8 22. Re1 Ne5 23. Qe4 Nc4+ 24. Kd1 {and
White consolidates.}) 20... gxf5 21. Kd1 Bxe3 22. Nxe3 f4 {EXERCISE (critical
decision): White can swap queens with 23 Qf5+. In the resulting ending, White
would be up a piece for two pawns. But the question arises: Can White deal
with Black's three kingside passed pawns? Should White head for his ending, or
keep queens on the board? --- ANSWER: Black's passed pawns are easily tamed by
White's extra piece. Now the white rook, knight, bishop and king form a clique,
in which Black's unfortunate kingside pawns are involuntarily included.} 23.
Qf5+ $1 {The queen greets her sister's attacking overtures with a wintry smile.
} Qxf5 {The long suffering black queen gazes up at the ceiling, as if trying
desperately to forget her sister's impending visit.} 24. Nxf5 Rh8 (24... Rxe1+
25. Kxe1 Kd7 26. Nh6 $1 {forces a kingside blockade of Black's passers, no
matter how she responds.}) 25. Rh1 Re8 26. Bd5 {Threatening the f7-pawn.} Nd8 {
The knight just sits there on d8 like a sparrow on a fence, thinking whatever
thoughts sparrows think.} 27. Rg1 {Black is unable to hang on to her pawns.} f3
{EXERCISE (planning): Find a clear path for White to consolidate.} ({Also} 
27... g3 28. Rf1 Ne6 29. Nh4 Rg8 30. Bxe6+ fxe6 31. Ng2 Rh8 32. Ke2 {wins for
White.}) 28. Bc4 $1 {ANSWER: Cover the f1-queening square.} ({The careless} 28.
Rxg4 $4 {allows Black a probable draw after} f2 29. Ng3 Re1+ 30. Kd2 f1=Q 31.
Nxf1 Rxf1 {when Black should hold the game.}) 28... Re4 29. Bd3 {Black is bled
pale on the light squares, which White now dominates.} Rf4 30. Ne3 $1 {
Attackers/defenders arrive in force, reinforcing the f1-square, while adding a
second attacker on g4.} f2 31. Rxg4 Rf3 32. Ke2 {. SUMMARY: Be thoroughly
prepared for the position we reach after 11...Bf5. Matters may appear
intimidating for our side, but comp analysis always seems to fall in our
favour.} 1-0

[Event "3: Correspondence"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2004.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Schirbel, A."]
[Black "Blankenberg, B."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A02"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2000.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 e5 {Bad habits are so easy to take up, and so intractably resistant to
alteration. I repeat my assertion that the From's, although a popular way to
meet 1 f4, may well be borderline unsound.} 2. fxe5 d6 3. exd6 Bxd6 4. Nf3 ({
The primary attraction of the From's gambit is that the unsuspecting White
player might walk into} 4. Nc3 $4 Qh4+ 5. g3 Qxg3+ 6. hxg3 Bxg3# {mate!}) 4...
g5 5. g3 g4 6. Nh4 Ne7 7. d4 Ng6 8. Nxg6 hxg6 9. Qd3 Nc6 10. c3 Bf5 11. e4 Qe7
12. Bg2 O-O-O 13. Be3 Rde8 14. Nd2 f6 $2 {This is a move constructed more of
hope than of accomplishment. --- QUESTION: What is the purpose of tossing in ...f6? --- ANSWER: A dual purpose move: 1. Black prevents e4-e5 tricks which will
cost Black a piece. --- 2. If White castles kingside, Black enables the
attacking transfer ...Qh7. --- However, Black's decision comes with a steep
price tag: it allows White a forcing continuation which leads to a winning
position.} ({Better is} 14... Bd7 {which we will look at in Game 4.}) 15. exf5
$1 {When a ceasefire is short, its other name is reloading. A plan suffused
with simplicity is infinitely easier to implement than one of convoluted
grandeur. White hasn't lost his will to fight. Instead, he simply seeks a
different battleground. The black pieces' reptilian stare at e4 fails to
intimidate White, who returns his extra pawn to simplify into a won ending.} ({
The simplification motif looks even better than the admittedly tempting} 15.
O-O-O Bd7 16. Nc4 Kb8 {and here, White unleashed a combination that ensures
material gains with} 17. e5 $1 fxe5 18. dxe5 Nxe5 19. Qd4 $1 b6 20. Nxe5 Qxe5
21. Qxe5 Rxe5 22. Bd4 {, netting the exchange and soon victory after} Re2 23.
Bxh8 Rxg2 24. Rd2 Rxd2 25. Kxd2 {, K.Soederberg-A.Moura, correspondence 2000.})
15... Qxe3+ {If a detective shows up late at a crime scene, this can only
benefit the perpetrator of the crime. Black's initiative is one of brevity and
soon grows cold.} 16. Qxe3 Rxe3+ 17. Kf2 Rhe8 {Threat: ...Re2+. Black's attack
is built on the vapours of dreams, rather than a solid foundation.} 18. Rae1
Rxe1 19. Rxe1 Rxe1 20. Kxe1 gxf5 21. Bxc6 {The bishop decides to punish the
coarse, insolent offender on c6, inflicting damage upon Black's structure.}
bxc6 {EXERCISE (planning): Black's alleged counterplay lapses into a brooding
silence. He plans to undouble his crippled kingside with ...f5-f4. How does
White cross this? --- ANSWER: White and black interests run parallel: Both
sides seek control over the f4-square. White thus chases away Black's
supporter of the f4-square - the position's most valuable commodity - and
threatens to win the king and pawn ending.} 22. Nc4 $1 {The knight dominates
its counterpart the way a puppy chases a chicken on the farm.} Bf8 {In some
positions we search for salvation, only to encounter unsympathetic lines. The
bishop concludes his stuttering sermon and resumes his seat on f8.} ({QUESTION:
Black's last move hangs the f5-pawn. Why didn't he continue with} 22... Kd7 {
since Black gets to undouble his c-pawns if White captures on d6? --- ANSWER:
Black's 'even material' status is merely symbolic, the way a dictator spruces
up his uniform with medals and emblems he never earned in war, or anywhere
else. The trouble is Black then ends up with a crippled kingside pawn majority
from which he is unable to create a passed pawn, despite his extra pawn on the
kingside. White, on the other hand, can indeed create a passer on the
queenside. So in essence, Black is down a pawn in a king and pawn ending - the
equivalent of a death sentence. --- Let's look:} 23. Nxd6 $1 cxd6 (23... Kxd6
24. Ke2 Kd5 25. Ke3 Kd6 26. Kf4 Ke6 27. c4 a5 28. b3 {leaves Black in zugzwang}
) 24. Kf2 Ke6 25. Ke3 Kd5 26. Kf4 Kc4 27. Kxf5 Kd3 28. Kxg4 Kc2 29. h4 {and
Black is not even close in this non-race.}) 23. Ne3 {The f5-pawn falls and
Black's position is resignable.} Kd7 24. Nxf5 {Threat: Ne3, which picks off
the g4-pawn.} Ke6 25. Ne3 f5 26. b4 $1 {Clamping down on Black's ...c5-break.}
Bh6 27. Ke2 Bf8 {Black can only await events.} 28. Kd3 Bh6 29. Ng2 Kd7 (29...
Bg5 30. a4 a6 31. Ne3 Bh6 32. Nc4 $1 f4 33. Ne5 {wins.}) 30. Nf4 a6 {There was
no saving the game in any case.} ({After} 30... Bg5 31. a4 Kd6 32. c4 Bh6 33.
c5+ Kd7 34. b5 Bg5 35. Kc4 Bh6 36. d5 cxd5+ 37. Kxd5 Bg7 38. c6+ Ke7 (38... Kc8
39. Ke6 Bd4 40. Kxf5 Bg1 41. Kxg4 {wins}) 39. Ne6 {picks off the c7-pawn.}) 31.
a4 Kd6 {EXERCISE (planning): Plaster continues to fall from the ceiling
indicating a shaky foundation for Black. His happiness on the kingside is
purchased in the form of sacrifice and depletion on the other wing. Work out a
clear winning plan for White. --- ANSWER: Step 1: Fix the a6-pawn as a target
for White's knight.} 32. a5 $1 Ke7 {Step 2: Clear the d3-square to transfer
the knight to c5, and then pick off the a6-pawn.} 33. Ke2 $1 {Black decides to
lay down his arms.} ({Following} 33. Ke2 $1 Kd8 34. Nd3 {(threat: Nc5. The
knight plans to posit himself on higher ground)} Bf8 35. Nc5 {, the
deliciously weak c5-square provides an enticing confection for White's knight.
"Perverse little brat. Did you believe you could evade me forever?" the knight
asks the a6-pawn. This move either forces a won king and pawn ending, or
divests Black of a second pawn. With} Bxc5 {, the bishop declares, "Your
superior military might is no match for my innate virtue, coupled with my
stainless prayer," to which the knight can only shake his head in dismay at
the cleric's monumental naivety. Following} 36. dxc5 Kd7 37. Ke3 Ke6 38. Kf4
Kf6 39. c4 Ke6 {, White has} 40. b5 $1 {. --- Step 3: Create a passed-a-pawn,
which is decisive. After} cxb5 41. cxb5 axb5 42. a6 {, once again, Black is
too slow. --- SUMMARY: In this supposed mainline, Black will be lucky to even
achieve a slightly worse position. Every variation examined ends up with a
near-decisive advantage for White. I know some people will scream bloody
murder for what I am about to say: the mainline From's is wobbly and possibly
unsound for Black if White plays with comp-like precision - and we all can.
It's just a matter of studying the position thoroughly.}) 1-0

[Event "4: German League"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2004.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bohn, T."]
[Black "Perrin, G."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A02"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2004.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 e5 2. fxe5 d6 3. exd6 Bxd6 4. Nf3 g5 5. g3 g4 6. Nh4 Ne7 7. d4 Ng6 8.
Nxg6 hxg6 9. Qd3 Nc6 10. c3 Bf5 11. e4 Qe7 12. Bg2 O-O-O 13. Be3 Rde8 14. Nd2
Bd7 {Black wisely eliminates exf5 ideas, which we examined last game.} 15.
O-O-O {Now e4-e5 is in the air.} ({This looks stronger than} 15. Bf4 {as
played in J.Pessi-T.Sandvik, Finland 2009, which can be met with} Bxf4 16. gxf4
f5 17. e5 g5 $1 18. Bxc6 Bxc6 19. Qxf5+ Kb8 20. Rg1 gxf4 21. Qxf4 Qe6 {when
Black has some compensation for the pawn in the form of light square
domination and an insecure white king.}) ({QUESTION: Can White get away with
the piece win with} 15. e5 {- ? --- ANSWER: This kind of move plays into
Black's hands. Black doesn't look worse after} Bxe5 16. dxe5 Nxe5 17. Qe2 Nf3+
18. Kf2 Rh5 $1 {when White must watch out for both ...Re5, ...Rf5 and ...Bb5
tricks. Following} 19. Nxf3 gxf3 20. Bxf3 Rf5 {(White must be on alert for ...Bc6)} 21. Rhf1 Bc6 22. Kg1 Rxf3 ({not} 22... Qxe3+ $4 23. Qxe3 Rxe3 24. Bg4 {
leaves White up an exchange}) 23. Rxf3 Bxf3 24. Qxf3 Qxe3+ 25. Qxe3 Rxe3 26.
Kf2 {, the ending is equal.}) 15... Rh5 {A new move which dares White to win a
piece with e4-e5 on the next move.} ({As mentioned in the previous game,} 15...
f6 16. Nc4 {favours White.}) 16. Nc4 {White plays it safe.} ({QUESTION: How to
make sense of the disorganized clutter in the middle? Can White take up the
challenge and get away with it this time round after} 16. e5 {- ? --- ANSWER:
Houdini says "Yes" and is unimpressed by Black's compensation after} Bxe5 17.
dxe5 Nxe5 18. Qc2 {when Black's position looks dangerous, yet the comps defend
and win every try from this point. For example,} Bb5 19. c4 Bc6 20. Bxc6 Nxc6
21. Rhe1 Rxh2 22. Bf2 Qf8 23. Ne4 f5 24. Nc5 Rxe1 25. Rxe1 Nd4 {is met with}
26. Qa4 $1 {(threat: Re8+)} Nc6 27. Qb5 {and Black can resign.}) 16... Na5 $5 {
Black disturbs the stasis with a provocation. When a move appears unfathomable,
all we can do is speculate its true intent. Such a provocative excursion can
only be interpreted as an act of war. I suppose a rash action isn't against
our own interests if all other measures fail. Black is losing, no matter how
he plays it. The trouble for Black is that the (hoped for) compensation feels
just out of reach, just like attempting to recall a partially remembered dream.
} ({Also insufficient is} 16... f6 {as White has the powerful} 17. e5 $1 fxe5
18. Qxg6 Reh8 19. Rhf1 $1 exd4 ({or} 19... Rxh2 20. Bxc6 Bxc6 21. Rf7 Qe8 22.
dxe5 Bf8 23. Bxa7 $1 {and White dominates as the b8-square is annexed}) 20.
Bxc6 $1 Bxc6 (20... bxc6 21. Bxd4 {is also busted for Black}) ({and} 20... dxe3
21. Nxd6+ cxd6 22. Rf7 {wins too}) 21. Bxd4 Be8 22. Qxg4+ Bd7 23. Qg6 R8h6 24.
Nxd6+ cxd6 25. Qg8+ Kc7 26. Bxa7 {and White wins.}) 17. Nxd6+ Qxd6 {EXERCISE 
(planning): White has a clear way to exploit the geometry. How would you
continue? --- ANSWER: Dual purpose: 1. Cut off the a5-knight's escape route,
which forces further dreadful concessions from Black. --- 2. Nix Black's
intention to lift his h5-rook horizontally for a queenside attack, which isn't
going to happen now.} 18. d5 $1 {Now, White threatens to pluck the wayward
a5-knight with b2-b4. White's irksome cross-border provocations continue,
hoping for retaliation. He has altered events to suit him so blandly and so
imperceptibly that we barely notice that his position continues to improve.} a6
{Intending to meet b4 with ...Bb5. Black decides that immediate remedial
measures are necessary to stem the flow of White's threats.} ({Also
insufficient is} 18... b6 {as after} 19. Bf4 Qf8 (19... Qc5 {is met with} 20.
b4 Qc4 21. bxa5 Qxa2 22. axb6 axb6 23. Rd2 Qa1+ 24. Qb1 {when taking the
c3-pawn fails to a rook block on c2}) 20. Qa6+ Kb8 21. Bxc7+ $1 Kxc7 22. Qxa7+
Nb7 23. d6+ {and White wins.}) 19. Bf4 $1 {The amorous bishop gazes into the
black queen's ocean blue eyes and drowns in desire.} Qb6 {The queen's moods
change like quicksilver, from cold to hot. She loiters around White's king,
uncertain of her welcome. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): When desire passes
by, expense tends to step aside. Black's last move is an unsound piece
sacrifice. White to play and win material.} (19... Qf8 {is countered by} 20.
Qd4 {(threatening Qa7)} b6 21. b4 Nb7 22. d6 $1 {and we reach a slight yet
important distinction between the two attacks: White's is very real, while
Black's isn't. Following} c5 ({also} 22... Nxd6 23. e5 {wins for White}) 23.
Qd3 b5 24. e5 Rhxe5 25. Bxe5 Rxe5 26. Rhe1 {, Black is down on material with a
lost game.}) 20. b4 $1 {ANSWER: Trapped piece. --- This is now possible, due
to Black's queen position on b6.} Bb5 {That which once appeared as an elite
fighting unit, now devolves into a quarrelsome rabble.} 21. bxa5 {White's
queen views the freshly butchered body of the a5-knight with a satisfied nod
of her head.} Qxa5 22. c4 {Black has nothing for the piece and can resign here.
} Qxa2 23. cxb5 Qa1+ {Yet another worry is casually tossed upon Black's
already existing cargo of miseries. He decides to hand over a second piece,
but such sporadic lunges do little to worry White's king, who remains safe and
snug, surrounded by defenders.} ({Also futile is} 23... Qxg2 24. Qc3 Re7 25. d6
Rd7 26. dxc7 {and White wins.}) 24. Qb1 Qc3+ 25. Qc2 Qa1+ 26. Kd2 {"Take care!
Bye, bye! My best wishes to all!" yells the king, as he makes his hasty
departure from his obnoxious sister. Of course White isn't about to allow a
perpetual check two pieces up.} Qa5+ 27. Qc3 Rxd5+ {Well, why not? The concept
of money tends to be moot when you are in the late stages of a terminal
illness.} 28. exd5 Re2+ {This attempted deflection trick fails.} 29. Kd3 {Even
taking the rook wins.} Qxb5+ 30. Qc4 {. The amused white queen regards her
sister's pretensions to the droning of an annoying yet harmless insect.
Black's enraged queen, having been deprived of her wishes, is on the point of
weeping from sheer frustration, since her checks have run their course. ---
SUMMARY: Castling queenside can be a very viable option for White in From's
Gambit.} 1-0

[Event "5: Minneapolis"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2005.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Taylor, T."]
[Black "Becerra Rivero, J."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A02"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2005.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 e5 2. fxe5 d6 3. exd6 Bxd6 4. Nf3 g5 5. g3 g4 6. Nh4 Ne7 7. d4 Ng6 8.
Nxg6 hxg6 9. Qd3 Nc6 10. c3 Qe7 11. Bg2 Bd7 $1 {If Black wants to play the
Lasker line, then in my opinion, this is his or her only viable option. Black
refuses to give White a free tempo for the e4-push. This may be Black's best
line in the 4...g5 From's, where he can reach a slightly inferior ending. If
that is the case, then I ask: why play this line as Black? --- QUESTION: Is
there a downside to ...Bd7 - ? --- ANSWER: Yes, there is one issue for Black:
Now White can play a piece to e4, thus Black must watch out for Qe4 and Nd2/Ne4 (intending Bg5) ideas.} 12. Nd2 O-O-O 13. Ne4 $1 {White immediately
exploits the open e4-square by planting his knight there, threatening both
Nxd6+, which picks off the bishop pair and seizes control over the dark
squares, and also Bg5, winning the exchange.} f5 $6 {A trivial seeming cause
can spark monumental change. This move allows White a small tactic.} ({Let's
have a look at Black's other choices: Black's best is} 13... Rh5 $1 {which is
a risky venture yet seasoned with a touch of restraint. This multipurpose move
eyes the d5-square and covers against Bg5. Following} 14. Nxd6+ cxd6 15. Qe3 {
(this is a similar trick Taylor pulled on Becerra, but it isn't as effective
here)} Be6 $1 {(suppressing d4-d5, while retaining queens on the board; this
is the point of his earlier 13...Rh5! as Black fights for control over the key
d5-square)} 16. h3 $1 {(otherwise Black gains play from ganging up on the
h2-weakness).} -- ({. QUESTION: Should Black pile up on the h-file with} 16...
Rdh8 {- ? --- ANSWER: The move is not effective. White simply bypasses with}
17. h4 $1 {and now the intended} g5 $4 {isn't possible due to} 18. d5 {.}) ({
. Instead, after} 16... gxh3 17. Bf3 $1 Ra5 {(the rook must travel in awkward
lateral fashion, due to White's constant d5-double attack threat)} 18. Bd2 $1 {
(Black's rook is in serious danger now, since c3-c4 is in the air)} Rxa2 19.
Rxa2 Bxa2 20. Qxe7 Nxe7 21. Rxh3 {, Black may have regained his pawn but he
still stands worse in the ending, due to White's bishop pair and dark square
control, G.Arnold-K.Boldysh, correspondence 2005. This is one of the few lines
which actually held up theoretically for Black, although he remains under some
strategic pressure.} (21. --))) ({Black might choose} 13... Bf5 {with the
intention of preventing Bg5 but White can play the move anyway and still
retain an edge! Following} 14. Bg5 $1 {:} -- (14... Qxg5 $6 15. Nxg5 Bxd3 16.
exd3 Rxh2 $2 {(the favourite black trap in the From's falls flat here)} 17. O-O
$1 Rh5 (17... Bxg3 $4 {hangs material to} 18. Ne4) 18. Nxf7 Rd7 19. Rae1 $1 {
(even stronger than chopping on d6)} Bxg3 20. Re8+ Nd8 21. Be4 {, S.Bergmann-V.Zakharov, correspondence 2006. White threatens Bxg6, followed by Bf5. Black is
hopelessly tangled and resigned in a few moves.}) (14... Bxe4 15. Bxe7 Bxd3 16.
Bxd8 Re8 $1 {Black's only reply.} (16... Nxd8 $4 17. exd3 Rxh2 {(ah, yes,
Black's favourite trap once again)} 18. Kf2 {and White has a routine win with
the extra exchange, W.Pfeifer-V.Viskin, Stuttgart 2004}) 17. O-O-O Bxe2 18. Bg5
Bxd1 19. Kxd1 Rh8 20. h3 {, and once again, White's bishop pair still gives
him an edge in the ending.})) 14. Nxd6+ cxd6 ({The other recapture} 14... Qxd6
{can be met with} 15. Bf4 Qe7 {, F.Mueller-M.Kaeser, correspondence 1987. Now
simplest is} 16. Qe3 $1 {with the dual threat to swap queens and also d4-d5!,
aiming for Qa7 if Black declines to trade.}) 15. Qe3 $1 {The stern queen's
faint smile is the equivalent of another woman's wild abandon. Black receives
blows from multiple directions. Remember this theme: White threatens both a
queen swap and also d4-d5, heading for the a7-square.} Qf7 $5 {Technically,
this is a mistake according to the comps, but I would play the same way. After
all, which human would willingly enter a miserable ending a pawn down?} ({After
} 15... Qxe3 16. Bxe3 Kc7 {(covering against White's d4-d5 threat)} 17. Kf2 {
, Black is down a pawn and this one just feels like slow death.}) 16. d5 $1 {
Double attack: The c6-knight and a7-pawn are simultaneously menaced.} Ne5 17.
Qxa7 {The queen masticates a second pawn. She remains serenely indifferent to
the high cost in time of her expedition.} Rde8 18. Be3 Nc4 19. Bd4 Qe7 {
EXERCISE (critical decision): Black threatens mate on the move. White has the
choice of either 20 e4 or 20 0-0. Both favour White but only one consolidates
and leads to a winning position. Which one would you play?} 20. e4 $6 {This
move allows Black unnecessary chances. White consolidates with...} ({ANSWER:
White can defend successfully with} 20. O-O $1 {even with Black massing up the
pieces on the kingside. For example, after} Qh7 (20... Rh5 21. b3 Nd2 22. Bb6
$1 {and White wins}) 21. Bxh8 Rxh8 22. Rf4 $1 {(not only attacking Black's
knight, but also threatening to swing the rook into the attack via b4)} Ne5 (
22... Qxh2+ $4 23. Kf2 {and Black can resign, since both Rh1 and Rxc4+ are
threatened}) 23. Rb4 {, Black cannot survive.}) 20... Qg5 $1 {Troubles intrude
upon the white king's thoughts from every direction. The g5-intruder threatens
to enter via d2. Suddenly, Black has serious attacking chances for his
material. When we gaze upon the black attackers, each one seems to thirst for
the white king's death more than all the others combined. The comps still like
White here, but the position isn't easy to navigate for us confused humans.}
21. O-O $6 {This fails to exert a restraining effect upon Black's growing
initiative.} ({White should consolidate with} 21. Rd1 $1 f4 22. O-O $3 f3 23.
Rf2 $1 Kc7 (23... fxg2 24. Bxh8 {and Black is unable to recapture due to a
queen check on a8}) 24. e5 $1 Rxe5 25. Bf1 {and White wins.}) 21... Qh6 $1 22.
Bxh8 $6 {QUESTION: How could taking a free exchange be a mistake? --- ANSWER:
White's bishop, the steward of the all-important dark squares, was stronger
than Black's rook!} ({White should still stand better with the lane-clogging
idea} 22. h4 $1 gxh3 23. Bf3 {and if} fxe4 $2 {, White can order a massive
counterstrike on the other side of the board with} 24. b3 $3 exf3 (24... Nd2
25. Bb6 {is also curtains for Black}) 25. bxc4 Qd2 26. Qa8+ Kc7 {"Ah! There is
the paragon of valour, quivering and hiding under his bed," says the queen,
with a mocking finger pointed at Black's king. --- EXERCISE (combination alert)
: Find the logical continuation of White's attack. --- ANSWER: Attraction.} 27.
Bb6+ $1 Kxb6 28. Rab1+ Kc5 29. Qa5+ Kxc4 30. Rb4+ Kd3 (30... Kxc3 31. Qa3+ Kc2
32. Qb3# {is mate!}) 31. Rd4+ {wins.}) 22... Rxh8 23. Qd4 Ne3 24. h4 $1 {We
should retain this lane-clogging defensive trick into our memory banks. Now
White's hunted king finds some degree of safety in his lair.} gxh3 {Black's
h-pawn gums up his intended attack.} 25. Bf3 fxe4 $5 ({Black refuses to settle
for a slightly inferior ending after} 25... Nxf1 $1 26. Rxf1 f4 27. g4 Qh4 28.
Kh1 g5 29. c4 Re8 30. Qf2 Qxf2 31. Rxf2 Kc7 32. Kh2 Rh8 33. Rf1 Rh4 34. Rg1 b6
35. b4 Rh8 36. a3 {when White has all the winning chances, but conversion will
not be easily accomplished.}) 26. Bxe4 Nxf1 27. Rxf1 {In the aftermath, White
stubbornly retains his extra pawn.} Re8 28. Kh2 Qh5 29. Bf3 Qf5 30. c4 g5 {
Intending ...g5-g4.} 31. g4 {This move artificially isolates Black's
h3-straggler, which is certain to fall if queens come off the board.} Qc2+ 32.
Rf2 Qc1 33. Qd2 Qb1 $5 ({After} 33... Qxc4 34. Qxg5 Qxa2 35. Qf6 Qa6 36. Kxh3
$1 {(the king is no longer in danger so it's time to pick up the h3-pawn)} Qb6
37. Kg3 {, White's g-pawn threatens to advance.}) 34. b4 {Intending to slowly
expose Black's king with a future c4-c5.} Qa1 35. Qb2 {The white queen glares
at the a1 - intruder with cold disfavour.} Qe1 36. c5 Bb5 {Becerra jumps at
the opportunity to activate his bishop.} 37. cxd6 Kb8 38. d7 $1 Rd8 ({Also,} 
38... Bxd7 39. Re2 $1 {reduces material and brings White one step closer to
consolidation. After} Rxe2+ 40. Qxe2 Qxe2+ 41. Bxe2 Kc7 42. Kxh3 Kd6 43. Bf3
Bb5 44. Kg3 Bc4 45. a4 {, the d5-pawn is untouchable since Black loses the
king and pawn ending after} Bxd5 46. a5 $1 Bxf3 47. Kxf3 Kc6 48. Ke4 Kb5 49.
Kf5 Kxb4 50. Kxg5 Kxa5 51. Kf6 b5 52. g5 {and White promotes, while Black's
b-pawn is too slow. There are no silver medals in queening races.}) 39. Qd4 $1
{Besides keeping an eye on the f2-rook and b4-pawn, the centralized queen
prepares to advance the d5-pawn.} Bxd7 40. d6 ({Also good is} 40. Re2 $1 Qf1
41. Qf2 Qc1 42. Qe3 {and} Qc7+ {is met with} 43. Qe5 {forcing queens off, with
a winning ending.}) 40... Rf8 41. Qc5 Rc8 42. Re2 {Planning to send the e1 -
aggressor back with a sharp rebuke. --- EXERCISE (critical decision): It isn't
easy to discern if we are actually in a desperately bad position, or if we
have allowed our fears to deceive us. In such positions, we must forget past
mistakes since our survival demands that there be no scope for remorse. Black
can keep queens on the board with 42...Qf1. But let's examine the forcing
ending line 42...Qxe2+ 42 Bxe2 Rxc5 44 bxc5 b6, which breaks up White's pawns.
Can Black achieve a draw in this line?} Qxe2+ $4 {Late starts make for
troubled voyages. This plan strikes a discord with the position's actual needs
and swapping queens is akin to suicide. The parties have been at war for many
moons and now Black decides to make peace overtures with what he mistakenly
believes is a drawn ending.} ({ANSWER: His only prayer is to retain queens and
make a pest of himself with} 42... Qf1 $1 43. Qf2 Qd1 44. Rd2 Qc1 {when
Black's resistance isn't a thing which can be so easily brushed aside, since
consolidation won't be so easy for White, due to his exposed king.}) 43. Bxe2
Rxc5 44. bxc5 b6 {Becerra's point. White's pawns are broken up. But he
misassesses the ending, which is an easy win for White.} 45. cxb6 Kb7 46. Kxh3
Kxb6 {EXERCISE (planning/critical decision): White can play either 47 Kg3,
intending to eventually pick off the g5-pawn, or 47 Bd3 with Bf5 ideas. Only
one of the moves wins. Which one? --- ANSWER: The Bf5! threat is decisive.} 47.
Bd3 $1 {Nothing refreshes the eye and the spirit more than favourable geometry.
Now all of Black's happiness resides in the post-queen swap era.} ({Black had
probably banked on} 47. Kg3 $4 {, after which he holds the draw with} Kc5 48.
Kf3 Kxd6 49. Ke4 Kc5 50. Ke5 Kb4 51. Kf6 Ka3 52. Kxg5 Kxa2 53. Kf6 Bxg4 54.
Bxg4 {.}) 47... Be6 {The bishop raises his eyes heavenward, as if supplicating
God to remove the undignified demands placed before him.} ({Also futile is} 
47... Kc5 48. Bf5 Kxd6 49. Bxd7 Kxd7 {and Black loses the king and pawn ending.
}) 48. a3 {Of course White must preserve his a-pawn.} Kc6 49. Bf5 ({There is
no point continuing with} 49. Bf5 Bb3 50. d7 Kc7 51. Kg3 {and White's king
simply walks over and takes the g5-pawn. --- SUMMARY: 11...Bd7! may be Black's
best line in the 4...g5 version of From's Gambit. With best play, he lands in
a slightly inferior ending, where he regains the pawn but hands White the
bishop pair.}) 1-0

[Event "6: Festival Open, Bled"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2008.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Dimitrov, P."]
[Black "Stojanovic, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A02"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2008.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 e5 2. fxe5 d6 3. exd6 Bxd6 4. Nf3 Nf6 {Instead, he relies on absolute
piece play and his development lead to compensate for the missing pawn. This
line scores about the same as the 4...g5 line. In my opinion, the Mestel
Variation is somewhat sounder for Black than the 4...g5?! Lasker line, which
really probably deserves a dubious mark, since it fails to hold up under the
comp's analytical glare. --- QUESTION: This move appears sounder than the 4...g5 lines. Why isn't this Black's main line? --- ANSWER: Probably, this is
because it isn't as forcing as the 4...g5 lines, which in turn, gives White a
far greater development leeway.} 5. d4 {"In my opinion, White has only one
good move here, and that is the text," writes Taylor. --- QUESTION: Do you
agree? --- ANSWER: I don't agree, and think 5 Nc3 is just as good as 5 d4. We
look at this move in Game 7. --- QUESTION: Why create a gaping hole on e4? ---
ANSWER: We give up something to get something. While it's true that we hand
Black control over the e4-square, we seize a good chunk of central control
with our d-pawn. French Defence players commonly allow such structures with
even material. In this instance, we assume the French Defence posture (in
reverse) with an extra pawn.} ({We now look at two other options first: I used
to play} 5. e3 {but now believe White has better ways to play the position:} --
({. After} 5... Ng4 {, White has to be careful since Black threatens the
tricky ...Nxh2! followed by ...Qh4+ if we capture the knight. Following} 6. Qe2
Nc6 (6... Nxh2 $4 {doesn't work anymore for Black as after} 7. Nxh2 Qh4+ 8. Kd1
{,} Bxh2 {is met by} 9. g3 $1 {which allows White to retain the extra piece,
leaving inadequate compensation for Black}) 7. Nc3 {and here we look at two
possibilities:} -- (7... Nce5 8. g3 h5 {, V.Malaniuk-S.Dyachkov, Maikop 1998,
and here White can seize the advantage with} 9. Nxe5 Bxe5 10. d4 Bd6 11. Ne4 h4
12. Bg2 f5 13. Nxd6+ Qxd6 14. e4 $1 O-O 15. c3 fxe4 16. Bf4 Rxf4 {(otherwise
Black just stands clearly worse due to White's strong centre and bishop pair)}
17. gxf4 Nf6 18. f5 $1 Bxf5 19. Qf2 h3 20. Qxf5 hxg2 21. Rg1 {and Black has
insufficient compensation for the exchange.}) (7... O-O 8. Ne4 $5 ({a better
plan may be} 8. d3 {intending Bd2 and 0-0-0}) 8... Re8 9. Nxd6 Qxd6 {. Black
gets full compensation for the pawn due to White's development lag and awkward
queen, A.Bryntse-B.Lindh, correspondence 1975.})) ({. There's also} 5... c5 6.
Nc3 Nc6 7. Bb5 Qc7 8. Qe2 Bg4 9. Qf2 O-O-O {, C.Lakdawala-L.Christiansen,
Internet (blitz) 2005 with insufficient compensation for Black if White plays}
10. Bxc6 Qxc6 11. d3 {followed by kingside castling.})) (5. g3 {looks a little
more logical than 5 e3/6 Qe2, since White may or may not toss the move in
later, giving him greater options. After} Nc6 6. Bg2 Bg4 7. d3 Qd7 8. Nc3 O-O-O
9. Bg5 Qf5 10. Qd2 Bb4 11. Nh4 Qc5 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. a3 Ba5 {, H.Danielsen-O.Vea, Copenhagen 2005. --- GM Nigel Davies suggests that} 14. Rb1 $1 {"would
have been very annoying for Black as White is threatening b2-b4".}) ({In Game
7, we will cover} 5. Nc3 {.}) 5... Bf5 ({After} 5... Bg4 6. Nc3 O-O 7. e3 {(I
like this better than pinning with Bg5, since White needs his dark-squared
bishop to cover the e3-pawn)} Re8 {, J.Herrera Gonzalez-L.Abal Cores, Granada
2009, I prefer White's position after} 8. Be2 c6 9. O-O Bc7 10. h3 Bh5 11. Bd2
Qd6 12. Bd3 $1 Nbd7 ({not} 12... Bxf3 $6 13. Qxf3 Qh2+ 14. Kf2 {as Black's
attack leads nowhere and he just handed White the bishop pair for nothing}) 13.
Qe2 Rad8 14. Qf2 {as I don't see an attacking plan for Black from this
position. Black's best shot may be to try and fight for control over the
e4-square with} Bg6 $1 15. Bxg6 hxg6 16. Rae1 c5 {. I still prefer White
though Black has some compensation for the pawn, due to the central pressure.})
6. e3 {"A nice compact way to play it which leaves the onus firmly on Black to
demonstrate his compensation," writes Davies.} ({QUESTION: I don't understand
why White deliberately keeps his bishop inside the chain. Why not pin with} 6.
Bg5 {? --- ANSWER: As mentioned before, White plays the position as if on the
black side of a French Defence, where the 'bad bishop' is actually needed to
cover our one big weakness, the e3-pawn. After} h6 7. Bh4 g5 $1 8. Bf2 Ng4 9.
g3 {, J.Boerner-S.Heinrich, Eisenberg 1993, I don't like White's convoluted
position after} Nc6 10. c3 Qe7 {. --- Black's compensation for the pawn: 1. A
huge lead in development. --- 2. Weak squares to pressurize on e3 and e4. ---
3. White's king is unsafe and castling short allows Black an easy attack with ...h5 and ...h4.}) 6... Ne4 $6 {Occupation of the e4-square may be a tad early,
since this enables White to swap pieces.} ({A couple of alternatives: Black
tried a lunge with:} 6... Ng4 $2 {, A.Capaliku-B.Trangoni, Venice 2012. Here
White can ignore the threat to h2 and proceed with} 7. Bd3 $1 Bxd3 8. Qxd3 {
when the intended} Nxh2 $4 {fails miserably to the zwischenzug} 9. Qe4+ $1 Kf8
10. Nxh2 {when White picks up a piece for free.}) ({The calm} 6... O-O {may be
Black's best line, but I don't believe in his or her full compensation for the
pawn after} 7. Bd3 {.}) 7. Bd3 {Even though Black controls e4 for now, White
must constantly challenge for the square.} Nd7 8. Nbd2 {Favourable swaps may
also emerge for White with his constant contesting of the e4-square.} Ndf6 9.
O-O Qe7 {EXERCISE (combination alert): White has access to a tactic familiar
to French Defence players. How can he seize the initiative here?} 10. Nc4 {
This is okay but White has an even stronger move.} ({ANSWER: White has the
discovered attack/interference idea} 10. Ne5 $1 {when the black defenders are
greeted with a rain of sighing arrows in the middle. Black is in trouble, no
matter how he responds:} -- (10... Bxe5 $2 11. Rxf5 Bd6 12. Nxe4 Nxe4 13. Qf3
g6 (13... Nf6 14. e4 Nd7 15. e5 {is completely hopeless for Black}) 14. Rb5 c6
15. Rxb7 $1 Qxb7 16. Bxe4 Rc8 17. Qf6 {(double attack on h8 and d6)} Kd7 18.
Qxf7+ Be7 19. Bf3 {and White has a winning position, with three pawns plus the
initiative for the exchange.}) ({. Relatively best may be} 10... Bg6 11. Bb5+
$1 Kf8 ({forced, as} 11... c6 {is met by} 12. Nxc6 $1) 12. Ndf3 c6 13. Bd3 {
though Black has absolutely no compensation for the missing pawn.})) 10... Ng4
$2 {Even a disorganized mob needs a leader. Clearly, the sight of White's king
kindles Black's malice and he seeks a means of propulsion to ignite an
initiative/attack. Everyone in Black's camp agrees that White's king is sorely
in need of punishment, but there is no agreement which defines the proper
manner of its application. Black encounters a hundred frustrations and few
profits from this overoptimistic attacking plan.} (10... O-O {was necessary
though I don't believe in Black's compensation after} 11. Nfe5 $1 Be6 12. b3
Rad8 13. Qf3 Bd5 14. Nxd6 cxd6 15. Ng4 Nxg4 16. Qxg4 {.}) 11. Nxd6+ ({White
continues to either miss or reject the discovery/interference idea} 11. Nfe5 $1
{when several of Black's pieces are loose and he is busted. For example,} Qh4 {
is met with} 12. h3 Bxe5 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. Rxf5 Ng6 15. Qf3 Nd6 16. Rh5 Qe1+
17. Kh2 O-O-O 18. b3 Qc3 19. Rb1 {and White is up a pawn with the initiative
and has the bishop pair versus Black's knight pair.}) 11... cxd6 12. h3 $6 {He
misses the theme for the third time.} ({White once again had} 12. Ne5 $1 Nxe5 (
12... dxe5 13. Rxf5 g6 14. Qxg4 $1 gxf5 15. Qxf5 Nd6 16. Qxe5 Qxe5 17. dxe5 Nc8
18. b3 {and White's three pawns for the exchange gives him a winning position})
13. Rxf5 Nxd3 14. cxd3 Nf6 15. e4 Nd7 16. Bf4 {when White has an extra pawn
and the superior position.}) 12... h5 $5 {The insolent g4-knight continues to
set up lodgings adjacent to White's king. This is a wild lunge, but are we not
all guilty from time to time of violating our own cherished principles and
edicts?} ({"Objectively speaking, Black should play} 12... Ngf6 {though he
doesn't have much for his pawn," writes Davies.}) 13. Qe1 {The human move.
White decides to give the g4-knight a wide berth.} ({The comps of course
scream for acceptance of the piece with} 13. hxg4 $1 hxg4 14. Bxe4 Bxe4 15. Nd2
Bd3 $1 16. Qxg4 $1 ({not} 16. cxd3 $2 Qxe3+ 17. Rf2 g3 18. Ne4 gxf2+ 19. Nxf2
Qxd4 {after which Black is back in the game, although even here, I prefer White
}) 16... Bxf1 17. Nxf1 {and Black has no attack for his material deficit.})
13... d5 $2 {Black continues to push his position way past tolerable limits.} (
{Viable options are fast dwindling, so he should just resign himself to being
down a pawn after} 13... Ngf6 {.}) 14. Ne5 $1 {White finally sees the
discovered attack/interference theme.} ({Houdini prefers the inhuman} 14. Nh4
$1 Bd7 15. Nf5 Bxf5 16. Rxf5 Kf8 (16... Ngf6 $4 {hangs the queen to} 17. Re5)
17. Rxd5 Nef6 18. Rf5 {when Black is down two pawns without a shred of
compensation.}) 14... Qg5 ({After} 14... Nxe5 15. Rxf5 Nc6 16. Rxd5 {, once
again Black finds himself down two pawns for nothing.}) 15. Bb5+ $1 ({Also
strong is the simple} 15. Bxe4 $1 dxe4 16. hxg4 hxg4 17. Qg3 $1 {which
consolidates and leaves Black without compensation for the piece, since the
white king is adequately defended.}) 15... Kf8 {EXERCISE (combination alert):
White to play and force the win. --- ANSWER: Queen trap. --- Step 1: Lure
Black's queen to the f6-square, on the open f-file.} 16. h4 $1 ({White isn't
tempted by} 16. hxg4 $6 hxg4 {as this offers Black strong attacking chances
for the piece.}) 16... Qf6 17. Nd7+ $1 {Step 2: Knight fork/pin. "It's time to
push grandma off the cliff," mused the knight.} Bxd7 18. Rxf6 {"Mercy!" pleads
Black's queen. "I'm sorry. Did you say something? My thoughts were elsewhere,"
responds White's rook.} Ngxf6 (18... Bxb5 19. Rf4 {also leaves Black down a
queen with insufficient compensation.}) 19. Qb4+ {Under the queen's mean
spirited exterior is a mean spirited interior.} Ke8 {The black king, who has
been playing truant, is returned to class, where White's queen intends to
teach him a lesson.} ({It is futile trying} 19... Kg8 {as after} 20. Bxd7 Nxd7
21. Qxb7 Nb6 22. a4 {, Black can resign.}) 20. b3 $1 {Intending to introduce
the queen bishop into the fray with Ba3.} a6 21. Bxd7+ Kxd7 ({Or} 21... Nxd7
22. Ba3 Kd8 23. Qxb7 Rb8 24. Qxd5 {and White wins.}) 22. Qxb7+ {The queen
doggedly pursues Black's king, never more than a few minutes behind his trail.}
Ke6 23. Ba3 {Opening the possibility of nasty Qe7 and Qc6 checks. "Pain is
God's way of reducing pride," lectures the bishop, as he looks tellingly at
Black's nervous king.} Rhe8 24. Rf1 $1 {Attacking principle: When engaging in
a king hunt, don't chase the opponent's king. Instead, encroach and cut off
flight squares.} Rad8 25. Qc6+ Nd6 {EXERCISE (combination alert): White to
play and win further material. --- ANSWER: Deflection/removal of a key
defender.} 26. Bxd6 $1 ({There is no point continuing as after} 26. Bxd6 $1
Rxd6 27. Rxf6+ $1 {leaves the e8-rook hanging. --- SUMMARY: With 5 d4 
(intending e2-e3 next), we treat the position as if we are on the Black side
of a French Defence (albeit with an extra pawn), where we temporarily cede
control over the e4-square to seize the centre and complete our development.})
1-0

[Event "7: Correspondence"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Noire, E."]
[Black "Faber, H."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A02"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 e5 2. fxe5 d6 3. exd6 Bxd6 ({Black can also offer a second pawn with} 
3... Nf6 $5 4. dxc7 Qxc7 5. Nf3 Bd6 {with a powerful dark square attack on
Black's kingside, not least threatening mate in two with a nasty ..Bg3-check!
--- Let's look at how the game can develop from here:} 6. -- (6. Kf2 $6 Bf5 7.
d3 Nc6 8. Nc3 {, R.Lean-J.Tay, Singapore (rapid) 2007, and here, White is
already in dire straits after} Ng4+ 9. Kg1 O-O-O 10. e3 Bf4 $1 11. g3 ({it's
easy to be flagrant with the bishop offer when acceptance with} 11. exf4 Qb6+
12. d4 Nxd4 {leads to impending doom for White}) 11... Bxe3+ 12. Bxe3 Nxe3 13.
Qd2 Rhe8 14. Re1 Qb6 15. Rxe3 Qxe3+ 16. Qxe3 Rxe3 {and Black has not only
regained material parity but also emerged with a huge lead in development due
to the poor white king placement.}) (6. e3 Ng4 7. Bb5+ Nd7 8. d4 Bxh2 9. Kf1 ({
most definitely not} 9. Nxh2 $4 Qg3+ {with mate to follow}) 9... a6 10. Bxd7+
Bxd7 11. Nxh2 Nxh2+ 12. Kg1 Ng4 {gives Black strong compensation for the pawn.
--- QUESTION: This line looks very risky for White! How do we deal with it? I
didn't sign up for the Bird's to let Black go fowl-hunting, did I? --- ANSWER:
Not to worry! I just want to illustrate the dangers of walking headlong into
this variation. White can and should, for practical purposes, decline the
second pawn and return to the Mestel variation with 4 Nf3!. Let's just say a
bird in the hand is worth more than two in an ambush.})) 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Nc3 {
Incidentally, this is also Houdini's first choice in the position. ---
QUESTION: What is the idea? --- ANSWER: Twofold: 1. White prepares to either
gain a tempo or remove Black's dark-squared bishop with a future Ne4. --- 2.
With Ne4, White adds another sorely needed defender to the kingside.} Ng4 $5 {
"Your screams will provide me hours of entertainment, which is wonderful since
I am easily bored," the knight declares to White's king, who can only suppress
a yawn at the knight's bluster. When in doubt, we tend to agonize between
taking radical action and its opposing power, doing nothing. How one
interprets such positions varies with a degree of latitude. This is Black's
main move, intending dirty tricks like ...Nxh2, which is very tempting since
White doesn't have the power to play h2-h3. However, White has adequate
resources to deal with it since he has access to Ne4! ideas.} ({Black is by no
means obliged to play 5...Ng4 and can continue more quietly with something like
} 5... Bg4 6. d4 O-O 7. e3 $1 {when we reach a position very similar to the
one we looked at in the previous game.}) 6. g3 $1 ({Much stronger than the
line given by Taylor, which runs} 6. Ne4 $6 Nxh2 $1 {:} 7. -- (7. Nxh2 $4 {
(this move was given without comment by Taylor but White doesn't have to be so
cooperative)} Qh4+ 8. Nf2 Bg3 {and White can resign.}) ({. Preferable is a
cooler response like} 7. d4 Ng4 8. Qd3 f5 9. Nxd6+ Qxd6 10. Ne5 $1 {(this
emergency measure saves White)} Nxe5 11. dxe5 Qxe5 12. Bd2 {and White is
better.})) 6... h5 {This logical continuation, intending ...h4 next,
accentuates the growing kingside menace.} ({QUESTION: Isn't White in deep
trouble after} 6... Nxh2 7. Rxh2 Bxg3+ 8. Rf2 {? --- ANSWER: Not at all. Black
essentially handed over all his attackers and White's king is safer than it
appears. --- After} Bxf2+ (8... O-O 9. Ne4 Bxf2+ 10. Nxf2 {also favours White})
9. Kxf2 g5 $5 {(this desperate attempt to push forward the passed g- and
h-pawns is easily dealt with)} 10. d4 g4 11. Ne1 h5 12. Bf4 h4 13. e3 h3 {
(this may look scary, but the passers will be induced into a blockade at some
point)} 14. Nd3 a6 15. Nc5 f5 16. Bc4 Nc6 17. Qh1 $1 {(Reti-esque stuff!)} Na5
18. Ne6 Bxe6 19. Bxe6 c6 20. Bxf5 {, F.Fritsche-M.Heilmann, correspondence
2004, White is winning.}) 7. Ne4 $1 {Going after the powerful d6-bishop. Now
we see the downside of ...Ng4: Black hands over control of the e4-square.} ({
I prefer the text move over} 7. d3 h4 8. gxh4 Nxh2 9. Ne4 Nxf3+ 10. exf3 Be7
11. Qe2 Nc6 (11... Bxh4+ $4 12. Kd1 $1 {leaves Black pinned and still having
to deal with multiple threats}) 12. Bg5 Nd4 13. Qf2 Bxg5 14. Nxg5 Qe7+ 15. Kd2
Qb4+ 16. Kc1 Ne6 17. Ne4 {when Black has compensation for the pawn, but if
given a choice, I would still take White with the extra pawn, E.Tsen-Heymann,
correspondence 2006.}) 7... h4 8. Nxd6+ {Nobody pays attention to the bishop's
sermon, since he didn't have much to say. White logically removes one of
Black's best attackers, while increasing his own influence on the dark squares.
} ({This is preferable to} 8. gxh4 Nc6 9. d3 Be7 10. Bg5 Bf5 11. Ng3 Be6 12. c3
Qd7 {, G.Arnold-V.Sutkus, correspondence 2009. The position looks dynamically
balanced after} 13. h3 Nge5 14. Bg2 Nxf3+ 15. Bxf3 f6 16. Be3 Rxh4 17. Bf2 Rxh3
18. Rxh3 Bxh3 19. Bh5+ Kf8 {.}) 8... Qxd6 9. gxh4 $1 {Ruthless practicality.
White suffers no illusions of his opponent's objective, which is to annihilate
his king. When two parties desire the same territory, disequilibrium tends to
grow proportionally to the power of their desires. The snake-like vertebra of
White's structure is voluntarily shattered. --- QUESTION: You don't have a
problem with this eyesore of a structure - not to mention White's ominous lag
in development? --- ANSWER: I begin with the rather outrageous supposition
that White stands better. Admittedly, terrible sights swim before the white
king's eyes, and the structure may make for an ugly sight. However, White is
up two pawns and the onus is on Black to prove compensation. Also, I just
don't see a concrete way for Black to exploit his development lead. Houdini
continues to give White a slight plus, while I assess it as a more serious
advantage for White.} ({Most definitely not the alternative capture} 9. Nxh4 $4
{, as this fails miserably to a series of pretty combinations after} g5 $1 10.
Nf3 Rxh2 $1 11. Rg1 Rh1 $1 12. Rg2 {. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): Black
to play and win. --- ANSWER: Line opening/deflection.} Ne3 $1 13. dxe3 Rxf1+
14. Kxf1 Qxd1+ {and it's game over.}) 9... Nc6 10. d3 Be6 11. Qd2 $1 {White
schemes to concoct an unorthodox yet efficient solution to his development
woes and void his opponent's attacking ambitions. --- QUESTION: What is the
plan behind this move? --- ANSWER: White's power is on the dark squares, so
this is where he intends to operate to unravel. White plans Qf4 to contest the
key h2-b8 diagonal. Black will be inclined to cede the diagonal as a queen
trade will favour White, who has two pawns in the bag.} O-O-O 12. c3 {Cutting
off both ...Nd4 and ...Nb4 tricks, while further enhancing his dark square
control.} Ne7 {This logical move, intending ...Nf5 (which eyes the e3-square
and also threatens ...Nxh4), allows White to take over the initiative.} ({
Houdini suggests} 12... Kb8 {which also works out in White's favour after} 13.
Qf4 Qd7 14. Rg1 f6 15. Bd2 Rh5 16. O-O-O Nge5 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. Kb1 Rdh8 19.
Be1 {when Black remains two pawns down without compensation.}) 13. Qf4 Qb6 {
The queen's face is sketched into lines of displeasure at having to dance to
her sister's commands.} 14. Qg3 {Covering the f2-square, while preparing Bh3.}
Ng6 ({It is pointless to play} 14... Ne3 15. Bxe3 Qxe3 16. Nd4 Qh6 {as} 17. Qg5
$1 {forces queens off the board. After} Qxh4+ 18. Qxh4 Rxh4 19. Nxe6 fxe6 20.
h3 {, Black is down a clean pawn in the ending.}) 15. Bh3 Nf6 16. Bxe6+ Qxe6
17. Nd4 Qb6 18. Nf5 {Not only covering the h4-square but also threatening the
g7-pawn.} Rhg8 $6 {A passive stance isn't going to save him.} ({Black's best
chance to hold the game is} 18... Rh7 19. Rf1 Re8 20. Kd1 $1 Kb8 21. Qf2 Qxf2
22. Rxf2 Ng4 23. Rg2 Nxh4 24. Rxg4 Nxf5 25. Rg2 {when Black must hope he can
hold the pawn down ending.}) 19. Rf1 Rde8 20. Qf2 Qa6 {Threatening a one move
cheapo on d3 which isn't likely to work since this is a correspondence game!
The move is perhaps made with a degree of annoyance at the continued
impregnability of White's position.} 21. Kd1 Kb8 $2 {EXERCISE (combination
alert): Black's last move allowed White a combination.} ({More resilient was} 
21... Nh5 {though White retains his big advantage.}) 22. Nxg7 $1 {ANSWER:
Undermining. --- The base g7-pawn teeters on the edge of indispensability.
When it falls, Black's position follows suit. White wins yet another pawn,
while destabilizing Black's kingside. Now the game alters course, the way even
a tiny shift in the conductor's baton suddenly shifts orchestral harmony.} Rxg7
23. Qxf6 {The queen demands harsh, immoderate terms from her enemies. Black is
done for if queens come off the board, hence he has to cede more ground.} Qa4+
$1 {Black finds the only way to retain queens.} ({After} 23... Qxf6 24. Rxf6
Nxh4 25. Rf2 {, Black finds himself two pawns down in the ending.}) 24. b3 Qg4
{Threatening a one-move mate.} 25. Rf2 Rgg8 ({Also insufficient is} 25... Qg1+
26. Kc2 Rh7 27. Qf3 Nxh4 {as} 28. Qg3 {consolidates.}) 26. Qg5 {What a pest!
White's queen delights in dispensing her own brand of justice to her sister in
the form of endless lectures on proper conduct and court etiquette.} Qh3 {The
embarrassed black queen is left blushing prettily, as her sister continues her
scolding.} 27. Qf5 Qxh4 28. Bg5 {"A martyr's job is to endure," mutters the
long suffering bishop, who finally sees daylight. At long last, White begins
the process of bringing out his queenside pieces.} Qh5 29. Bd2 Qh8 30. Kc2 {
The second step of bringing into play the a1-rook nears.} Ne5 31. e4 {White
finally pushes one of his central pawns to the fourth rank.} Ng4 32. Re2 Rg6
33. Rg1 Nh6 34. Qf2 Ng4 ({Also} 34... Re7 $2 35. Rxg6 fxg6 36. Qh4 Rh7 37. Qg5
Qg8 38. Rg2 Nf7 39. Qxg6 Qxg6 40. Rxg6 {leaves Black down three pawns.}) 35.
Qxf7 {Another one bites the dust. The queen continues to feed like an obese
leech, bloated to repletion.} Ne5 36. Qf1 Rxg1 37. Qxg1 Qf6 38. Qe3 Qf1 {
Threat: ...Qa1.} 39. Re1 {Oh, no you don't, buddy girl!} Qf7 {The queen, asked
to leave the party and deprived of her wishes, indulges in a crimson-faced
sulk back to her room.} 40. d4 {. SUMMARY: In my opinion, 5 Nc3 leads to an
edge for White and is every bit as playable as 5 d4.} 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "2: Reversed Leningrad Dutch"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bq1rk1/pp2ppbp/2n2np1/2pp4/5P2/3P1NP1/PPP1P1BP/RNBQ1RK1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.25"]

{If you play the Reversed Leningrad Dutch set-ups, then the following two
diagrams will be your most common tabiya set-ups. We reach highly specialized
positions, where matters are not likely to arrange themselves in conjunction
with our opponent's opening-theory wishes. With our last move, Qe1, the
argument for rights to the e4-square continues afresh. Our queen's seemingly
innocuous errand, when examined deeper, holds dangerous portent for Black.} 1.
-- {In the position:} (1. -- {1. We do our best to force our opponent to
rethink and revise views by taking him or her on with our thematic e4-break.})
(1. -- {2. Our queen raises a pointed finger warningly in the black king's
direction, perhaps later playing h2-h3, g3-g4 and Qh4.}) (1. -- {3. After we
play Qe1, Black usually ignores our impending e4 break and castles, a move
based on the philosophy: If we are unable to contribute meaningfully to the
conversation, then our best course is to remain silent on the matter. Black
will subsequently respond to e2-e4 with ...dxe4, followed by the central
counter ...e7-e5, after which we usually take on the hanging pawns, with
superior central control and kingside attacking chances, but also perhaps a
liability should we reach an ending.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Reversed Leningrad Dutch 2"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbq1rk1/pp2ppbp/5np1/2p5/3p1P2/3P1NP1/PPP1P1BP/RNB1QRK1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.25"]

{In the second position, Black considers the e2-e4 'threat' concern-worthy
enough to waylay it by pushing the d-pawn to d4.} 1. -- {We react with the
following plan: Na3, c2-c3, Nc2 and Bd2, retaining a super-flexible centre
while letting Black guess how it will eventually gel.} *

[Event "8: German League"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2003.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Jakubiec, A."]
[Black "Kraemer, M."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B20"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2003.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. g3 {In this chapter, we examine Leningrad Dutch/Bird
positions.} g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d5 6. O-O e6 {With such fluid structures, the
positions tend to be murky beyond enumeration. Black reinforces the d5-pawn
and plans to develop his g8-knight to e7. We will see more of this black
structure in Chapter 6 (Bird's versus the Reversed English) later in the book 
(except with Black's d-pawn on d6, rather than on d5). For the remainder of
the chapter, we mainly look at positions where Black's knight develops to f6.
--- QUESTION: What is the purpose of developing the knight to e7, as opposed
to f6? --- ANSWER: By developing the knight to e7, Black keeps his kingside
pawns fluid. --- QUESTION: Why does such fluidity matter? --- ANSWER: White
often later attacks Black's king with a kingside pawn avalanche, beginning
with e2-e4 and g2-g4. Black plans to meet this idea by erecting a wall with ...f7-f5 at an appropriate moment, to keep White's kingside ambitions in check.}
7. c3 {A useful, multipurpose move: 1. It blunts the power of the g7-bishop,
guarding the b2-pawn in case of ...Qb6 tricks. --- 2. Black's pieces are kept
out of d4.} ({Since our plan is Qe1 for the remainder of the chapter, just for
the sake of consistency, you may want to play this way against every Black
system. For example, after} 7. Qe1 Nge7 8. c3 b6 9. Na3 Bb7 10. h3 a6 11. Nc2
b5 12. e4 {(White engages in his thematic central pawn break)} dxe4 $6 {(I
think Black is better off avoiding this move, since it hands White the
e4-square after e5)} 13. dxe4 c4 14. Be3 O-O 15. Bc5 {, White has a pleasant
grip on the dark squares, F.Grafl-J.De Wiljes, Internet (blitz) 2007.}) 7...
Nge7 8. e4 {This is White's main break in the Leningrad Dutch/Bird. White
takes advantage of the fact that Black's knight isn't developed on f6 (thus it
does not fight for control of the e4-square).} O-O ({QUESTION: Can Black
equalize by swapping queens with} 8... dxe4 9. dxe4 Qxd1 10. Rxd1 e5 {- ? ---
White may soon get hanging central pawns, and with queens off, won't they
become weak? --- ANSWER: I think White's central pawns - hanging or not - are
well protected, and the ending favours White due to his extra central space.
For example:} 11. Na3 O-O 12. Nb5 Bg4 (12... b6 13. Be3 exf4 14. gxf4 Bg4 15.
h3 Bh5 16. Rd7 Rfd8 17. Rad1 Rxd7 18. Rxd7 Kf8 {, L.Liljedahl-S.Hjorth, Nassjo
1970; Black remains under pressure in the ending after} 19. a4) 13. h3 Bxf3 14.
Bxf3 Rad8 15. Be3 b6 16. Kf2 f5 17. exf5 gxf5 {, C.Valiente-A.Ferrara, Vicente
Lopez 2004. I like White's bishop pair in the open position after} 18. Rd6 Rxd6
19. Nxd6 exf4 20. gxf4 {and now} Rd8 {can be met with} 21. Nxf5 Nxf5 22. Bxc6
Nxe3 23. Kxe3 {when Black finds himself down a pawn.}) 9. Na3 {In this case,
the a3-square may be the best spot for the knight, since it may be useful
later on in building White's space advantage with a future plan of e4-e5,
d3-d4, and Nc2, which supports the d4-pawn. The knight may also later transfer
to the e3-square for a kingside assault.} b6 10. e5 ({White can also retain
central tension with} 10. Qe2 {but it doesn't seem to make much difference
since Black can force e4-e5 with} Ba6 {(threat: ...dxe4, when the d3-pawn then
hangs)} 11. e5 Qd7 12. Bd2 b5 $5 13. d4 cxd4 14. cxd4 Qb7 {(threat: ...b4,
which forces White's next move)} 15. b4 $1 Qb6 16. Nc2 {(as pointed out
earlier, from the c2-square, the knight helps cover the d4-pawn)} Nf5 17. Bc3
Rfc8 18. Bb2 h5 19. Bh3 Nce7 20. Rfd1 Rc4 21. a3 Bc8 22. Nfe1 a5 23. Nd3 Ra7
24. Nc5 f6 25. Kh1 fxe5 26. fxe5 Bh6 {when White's centre holds its ground and
he may claim a tiny edge. He was later able to whip up a decisive kingside
assault by exposing Black's king with g3-g4, K.Movsziszian-S.Das, Barcelona
2014.}) 10... Ba6 11. Nc2 Qd7 12. Re1 {QUESTION: Why move off the f-file?
Isn't White attempting a g3-g4 and f4-f5 pawn break? --- ANSWER: White's last
move was prophylactic, discouraging ...f7-f6, when White responds with exf6,
handing Black a hole on e5 and a backward e6-pawn.} Rac8 ({After} 12... d4 {,
since White plans an eventual kingside assault, his best bet is to always try
and keep the centre as closed as possible with} 13. c4 {(this move also denies
Black's knight use of the d5-square). Following} Bb7 14. Ng5 $1 {(heading for
the e4-square)} f6 {(otherwise Black may never get a chance at the freeing
move)} 15. exf6 Rxf6 16. Qe2 Re8 17. Nxe6 $1 {(White isn't intimidated by the
coming pin on the e-file)} Nf5 $2 18. Bd5 Re7 ({I think Black saw too late that
} 18... Kh8 {would be met with the decisive shot} 19. Nxc5 $1 Rxe2 20. Nxd7 {
when} Rxc2 {would run into the crushing} 21. Re8+) 19. Nxc5+ Qxd5 20. cxd5 Rxe2
21. Rxe2 bxc5 22. dxc6 Rxc6 23. b3 {, Black is down an exchange and a pawn, G.Cabrilo-N.Nikcevic, Niksic 1991.}) 13. g4 f6 {Principle: Counter in the centre
when assaulted on the wing. Black must play this move sooner or later, or risk
White building his attack in leisure.} 14. exf6 Bxf6 15. d4 {Clamping down on
both the e5-hole and the backward e6-pawn.} Rce8 16. Be3 {Threatening the
c5-pawn.} Qd6 17. Qd2 Na5 18. b3 {White must slightly weaken his queenside to
cover the strategic threat ...Nc4.} Nb7 {Perhaps intending to transfer to the
knight to the e4-square in the future with an eventual ...Nd6 and ...Ne4.} 19.
Bf2 {Heading for the g3-square to harass Black's queen and cover the f4-pawn.
This move also uncovers the e-file to further pressure the weak e6-pawn.} Nc6
20. Bg3 Qd8 21. Ne5 {QUESTION: By allowing Black ...Nxe5, doesn't White shut
down his own pressure on the e5-square and the e6-pawn? --- ANSWER: He does,
but gets the following compensation in return. After recapturing on e5: 1.
Black's knight is denied its planned ...Nd6 idea. --- 2. White gains central
space, cramping Black further. --- 3. White creates a kingside pawn majority,
which automatically enhances kingside attacking chances.} Nxe5 $6 {This may be
too obliging and now follows a strategic rock slide.} ({Perhaps Black should
have considered retaining tension with} 21... Nba5 {when White's edge was
smaller than the one he got in the game.}) 22. dxe5 $1 {As mentioned above,
the kingside pawn majority automatically amplifies White's kingside attacking
chances.} Be7 {EXERCISE (planning): This must have been a moment of terrified
apprehension for Black, similar to what I experienced upon spotting my wife
Nancy surreptitiously blending kale into my morning smoothie. We have opposite
wing majorities. White's only plan is to try and whip up a kingside attack.
Come up with a clear plan. --- ANSWER: Play g4-g5!, intending the manoeuvre
Ne3, Ng4 and Nf6+. This will play create havoc with Black's king safety.} 23.
g5 $1 Qd7 24. Ne3 {The knight spots an opening in the defence and glides
through.} Rd8 25. Ng4 {Mission accomplished. Black is in dire trouble. He must
watch out for both Nf6+ and even Nh6+ in some cases.} d4 {This is a frantic
attempt to generate counterplay in the middle, since Black sees Nf6+ falling
upon him with tremendous force.} 26. Rad1 Na5 27. h4 $5 {Principle: The threat
is stronger than its execution.} ({White wants to leave Nf6+ hovering over
Black's head, thinking about h4-h5, rather than jump in with the immediate} 27.
Nf6+ {which is also strong as} Bxf6 28. exf6 Nc6 29. Bf2 {gives White a clear
strategic advantage.}) 27... Bb7 28. h5 Bxg2 29. Qxg2 gxh5 30. Nh6+ $5 {
Sometimes our idiosyncrasies are a blessing, and other times a curse. For some
players, the only certainty is their unpredictability. The knight bursts forth
with perhaps a tad too much exuberance, sneering at the f6-offer in
disparagement.} ({This idea, which contradicts the conventional wisdom of such
positions, may be too ornate and throws away some of the advantage, which is
there for the taking with} 30. Nf6+ $1 {. "Were it not deeply disrespectful,
one might call Your Grace a snivelling coward," declares the knight with a
condescending smile to Black's king, who is caught hiding under his bed, his
teeth chattering like castanets. Following} Bxf6 31. exf6 Nc6 32. c4 Rf7 33.
Kh2 Re8 {, White can leisurely build up a kingside attack, coupled with
pressure on the e6-pawn.}) 30... Kh8 31. Qh3 {Internally, the queen convulses
with mirth at the thought of the black king's distress.} Nc6 32. Qxh5 {Threat:
Nf7+ and Nxd8.} Qe8 $1 {Black stands slightly worse in the ending, which is
infinitely better than getting mated in the middlegame!} 33. Qxe8 {"How very
tiresome when a bumbling halfwit dares enter our august presence," mutters the
queen to herself, as she submits to her annoying e8-sister's wishes. Black's
troubles, however, don't entirely disappear with the swap of queens.} Rdxe8 34.
c4 {White cuts out ...dxc3 ideas. Advantage to White: 1. He still owns
considerably more space. --- 2. He can move his king all the way to e4. --- 3.
He still has attacking prospects along the h-file. --- 4. He can backtrack
with Ng4 and Nf6, causing disharmony in Black's camp. --- 5. He can play for
an eventual f5-break.} Rd8 35. Kg2 Nb4 36. Rd2 a6 {Black needs a queenside
distraction and prepares ...b5, but it is slow. Maybe he should get his king
into the game, preparing his eventual transfer to g6.} 37. Ng4 $1 {It's never
too late to say you are sorry. White realizes the h6-adventure yielded him
little and decides to reroute the knight to a superior square.} b5 {Possibly
mistimed.} ({Black should perhaps sacrifice a pawn with} 37... h5 $5 {as
sometimes our best strategy is unreasonable petulance. After} 38. Rh1 Kg7 39.
Rxh5 Rh8 40. Rh6 Rxh6 41. gxh6+ Kg6 42. Kf3 {, conversion won't be so easy for
White.}) 38. Rh1 {Threatening Rh6 with a simple pile-up on the h7-pawn. Both
the e6- and h7-weaknesses continue to remain under the rook's not-so-benign
surveillance.} Rd7 {When our need is desperate, so are our actions. The power
of attrition takes its toll on Black, since he allows e6 to fall. This gives
White two connected passers on the e and f-files.} ({Also futile is} 38... Rde8
39. Rh6 Bd8 {(Black's pieces nurse e6, as if consoling a sick, beloved pet)}
40. Nf6 Bxf6 41. exf6 bxc4 42. bxc4 Rf7 43. Kf3 Nc6 44. Bh4 $1 {(threat: g6!)}
Rg8 45. Rh2 d3 46. Ke4 Nd4 47. Be1 $1 {(intending to transfer to c3)} Nf5 48.
R6h3 Rd7 49. Bc3 {and Black can resign.}) 39. Rh6 bxc4 40. bxc4 d3 41. Rxe6 {
Black's counterplay income fails to meet cash outflow and White's play comes
faster.} Nc2 42. Rxa6 {Black continues to give with open-hearted bounty. What
he receives in return (besides the pure altruistic joy of giving) however, is
questionable.} Rd4 43. Kh3 Bd8 44. Rd6 $1 {Picking off Black's last hope, the
d3-pawn.} Ba5 45. Rxd3 Rxc4 46. Rd7 {. Haunted eyes take inventory of the
ruins of his position. Nf6 follows, leaving Black without hope. --- SUMMARY:
We all carry theoretical knowledge within our memory banks which doesn't do us
any good in real life. For example, I remember from high school chemistry
class that hydrogen's atomic number is one, while uranium's is 92. Besides
writing this thought in this book, I doubt that I will derive much future
benefit from this knowledge. We chess players are the world champions of
carrying around useless knowledge which won't help us in real life. However,
one piece of knowledge which will win you games is the plan White played in
this game: Remember this important Leningrad/Bird attacking theme: f2-f4,
e4-e5 and g3-g4-g5. Then transfer a knight to the f6-square, via g4, with
serious attacking chances.} 1-0

[Event "9: San Diego (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2014.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Arutyunov, N."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 ({Here, I would like to show you that the position is playable even with
colours reversed and a tempo down, courtesy of Leningrad Dutch Specialist
Vladimir Malaniuk (see the position after 7...Qb6). The game concerned went} 1.
d4 f5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 d6 7. Nc3 Qe8 8. Qb3 $5 {
(this is the same idea my opponent played on me, but with an extra tempo)} Na6
9. Bg5 ({Houdini prefers White after} 9. c5+ Kh8 10. cxd6 exd6 {, while I
think the position is close to even}) 9... c5 {(this blocks out annoying c5+
ideas)} 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. Rfd1 Bg7 12. e3 Kh8 13. Rac1 h6 14. dxc5 Nxc5 15. Qc2
Bd7 16. Nd4 Rb8 17. Qe2 a6 18. b3 g5 19. Nd5 e5 $1 20. Nc2 {, I.Vainerman-V.Malaniuk, Kiev 1986. I like Black's chances after} e4 {intending ...Nd3.}) 1...
d5 2. Nf3 c5 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 Nf6 6. O-O O-O 7. Qe1 {We reach our
critical position. This is a popular line for Black with colours reversed in
Leningrad Dutch, and is the one we concentrate on in the chapter. --- QUESTION:
What are the ideas behind 7 Qe1 - ? --- ANSWER: White's main point is to play
for the e4-break. A secondary idea can be for the queen to swing into the
attack via h4, after the insertion of h2-h3 and g3-g4.} Qb6 $5 {My opponent
seeks to throw me off theory with a rare move. Black pressures the b2-pawn,
while leaving open possibilities of ...c4+. In the following games, we look at
Black's more common responses 7...Nc6 and 7...d4. --- Here, I would like to
show you that the position is playable even with colours reversed and a tempo
down, courtesy of Leningrad Dutch Specialist Vladimir Malaniuk (see the 1 d4
variation).} 8. Nc3 {This is already a new move in the position. --- QUESTION:
Doesn't a coming ...d5-d4, gaining a tempo on your knight, bother you? ---
ANSWER: Well, it did bother me a little but I didn't see an alternative I
liked. In any case, allowing the d-pawn advance is pretty typical in the
Leningrad Dutch after 1 d4 f5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 g3 g6 4 Bg2 Bg7 5 0-0 0-0 6 c4 d6 7
Nc3 Nc6 and now after 8 d5, Black typically goes 8...Na5 or ...Ne5.} ({I
didn't care for} 8. c3 {(blunting the g7-bishop's glare to the b2-pawn)} Nc6 ({
I didn't play this way with White, mainly because I was concerned about the
line} 8... c4+ 9. Kh1 Qa6 {and if} 10. dxc4 Qxc4 11. Nbd2 Qa4 {, I didn't like
the fact that I couldn't play e2-e4}) 9. Kh1 Bd7 10. e4 {(now I like White's
position)} e6 11. Nbd2 Rad8 12. e5 Ng4 13. Nb3 $1 {(targeting the c5-pawn)} c4
$5 {(this weakens the d4-square)} 14. dxc4 dxc4 15. Nbd4 a6 16. Qe2 Rc8 17. h3
Nh6 18. Be3 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Qc7 20. g4 {and Black found himself getting
strategically squeezed, A.Fouquet-Vouin Massy 1993.}) ({As mentioned earlier,
Malaniuk played} 8. Na3 {but a tempo down, with the Black pieces.}) 8... d4 {
Why not? Black gains a tempo.} 9. Nd1 {This option is available thanks to the
Qe1-shift.} ({I didn't like White's game after:} 9. Na4 Qc7 {and then ...b5 or
...Bd7 worries White.}) ({Nor did I particularly care for White's game after} 
9. Ne4 Nxe4 10. dxe4 {when Black intends ...e5 or ...Nc6-b4 at some point. ---
White's extra tempo in the Leningrad Dutch used for Qe1 is not very effective
especially when Black has played an early ...Qb6 instead of ...Nc6.}) 9... Nc6
10. e4 {The point is if Black captures the e3-pawn en-passant, as he did in
the game, then White's knight emerges with tempo after Nxe3 and Nc4.} dxe3 {
QUESTION: This move seems to activate White's pieces. Why not just leave it
alone and attack the queenside? --- ANSWER: I think then White gets a slightly
favourable version of a reversed g3 King's Indian, where the centre is closed.
White can attack kingside very quickly with h2-h3, g3-g4 and Qh4. Also,
Black's queen on b6 actually hinders his natural queenside attack, blocking
the natural ...b7-b5 and ...c5-c4 break.} 11. Nxe3 Nd4 12. Ne5 {This way White
gains yet another tempo with a coming c2-c3. Of course pushing the c-pawn
doesn't come without cost, since my d3-pawn becomes a backward one. But this
is a normal state of events in many Leningrad Dutch positions.} Be6 13. c3 {
This has to be played sooner or later. The d4-knight gets kicked out, at the
cost of weakening the d3-pawn.} Nf5 14. Qf2 {Taking aim at the c5-pawn if
Black trades on e3.} Rac8 15. N3c4 Qc7 16. a4 {Anchoring the c4-knight without
having to worry about ...b7-b5.} Bd5 17. Bh3 $5 {Generally, an exchange of
light-squared bishops tends to suck some of the inherent dynamism out of
White's position. Now White toys with the g3-g4 push.} e6 18. g4 {Out you go!
I realized this move weakens, but it's thematic. --- QUESTION: Where are you
going with this pawn push? --- ANSWER: I hadn't yet outlined a clear plan. I
just knew that White should seek to create a disturbance around Black's king.
I can play for either f4-f5 or g4-g5 tricks. Also by playing g3-g4, it clears
the h4-square for my queen.} Nd6 {Challenging my c4-outpost.} 19. Ne3 {Played
with a hidden threat.} c4 $6 {EXERCISE (combination alert): When equally
powerful forces are in stasis, all hell breaks loose if a third factor is
introduced by one side. All our troubles over the board are those of our own
creation. Black's overconfident last move is a mistake. My opponent either
missed or ignored White's threat. How can White win material?} ({It was
necessary for Black to hand over the bishop pair with} 19... Bc6 20. Nxc6 Qxc6
21. Bg2 Qc7 {when Black's position was still fine since the d3-pawn remained
weak.}) 20. g5 $1 {ANSWER: Removal of the guard. When Black's f6-knight moves,
White captures on d5, then Black hangs an exchange on c8. --- I entered this
line with great hesitation, since I knew winning the exchange wasn't
completely consequence-free. Nevertheless, it was the correct decision.} Nfe8
$6 {The qualities of overconfidence (19...c4?!) and underconfidence (this move)
converge into a blurred middle. My opponent's meek retreat indicates
uncertainty. I suspected that my opponent was in shock, having missed the
tactical idea.} ({I expected} 20... Nh5 $1 21. Nxd5 exd5 22. Bxc8 Rxc8 {. ---
QUESTION: Doesn't Black have full compensation for the exchange here? After
all, White looks overextended on the kingside and is weak on the light squares.
--- ANSWER: You have a point, but my judgment was Black has some - but not
full compensation for the exchange - for the strategic troubles you pointed
out in White's position. After} 23. Qf3 cxd3 24. Qxd5 Bxe5 25. fxe5 Nf5 26.
Qxd3 Qxe5 27. Bd2 {, it won't be easy, but White should eventually consolidate
with the extra exchange, since my rooks have access to both e and d-files, and
my king for now looks reasonably well guarded.}) 21. Nxd5 exd5 22. Nd7 {The
human move. This way I don't hand over the light-squared bishop, the steward
of the white squares.} ({Houdini prefers} 22. Bxc8 Nxc8 23. dxc4 dxc4 24. Re1 {
.}) 22... Rd8 ({The comp prefers} 22... cxd3 23. Nxf8 Ne4 24. Qe3 Bxf8 25. Qxd3
Rd8 {.}) 23. Nxf8 Bxf8 24. Be3 $6 {Normally, when there comes a call for
urgent and decisive measures, your unfortunate writer tends to twiddle his
fingers, stare at the ceiling while whistling through his teeth, and stammer
endlessly. My queen declines the a7-gift, despite a thousand inducements. To
wilfully refuse to take action is, in a strange way, an action in itself.} ({
I wanted to develop but my advantage drops considerably after the text move, a
poor replica of what I could get after the counterintuitive} 24. Qxa7 $1 {, a
move I had actually considered. Following} cxd3 25. Qd4 Ne4 26. Qxd3 {, White
should consolidate without too many obstructions.}) 24... cxd3 25. Bxa7 Ne4 26.
Qe3 {Threat: Bb6.} N8d6 $6 ({Black should agree to} 26... Ra8 $5 27. Bd4 d2 {.}
) 27. Bb6 {But I said "Threat: Bb6!" Black's wild ideas refuse to settle into
any semblance of order as he hands over another exchange to increase the level
of complications. The mind, when left all alone in its projections of terrible
futures, sometimes reaches unimaginable destinations. This second exchange sac
looks like an overreaction.} Qe7 28. Bxd8 Qxd8 29. Qxd3 {Okay, so although in
serious time pressure, I'm up two exchanges and conversion should be simple,
right?} Qb6+ 30. Kh1 $5 {I decide to return an exchange to cool off his
initiative. This still wins but is slightly inaccurate.} ({More decisive is} 
30. Qd4 $1 Qxb2 31. Kh1 Bg7 32. Qxd5 Nf2+ 33. Rxf2 Qxa1+ 34. Kg2 {and White
consolidates as his difficulties vanish in a fingersnap.}) 30... Nf2+ 31. Rxf2
Qxf2 32. Rf1 Ne4 {EXERCISE (critical decision): In such messy positions, we
tend to hold theories by the dozen, but very few actual facts. Of course,
White is unable to capture the 'hanging' queen on f2 due to a mega-fork. So,
our decision is between 33 Bg2 and 33 Qxd5. One wins, while the other allows
serious counterplay. Which one would you play?} 33. Qxd5 $6 {Both clocks were
dangerously low and the calculation fragments fall like droplets of rain.
After this error, the missing components of White's win begin to wander away.}
({ANSWER:} 33. Bg2 $1 {is correct. The primary target is Black's knight, which
should be removed as quickly as possible. Following} Qxb2 34. Bxe4 dxe4 35.
Qxe4 Qxc3 36. f5 $1 {, White is winning.}) 33... Qe3 $1 {Black threatens both ...Qxh3 and ...Nf2+.} 34. Bg2 $2 {I essentially agree to a forced draw, missing
the deeply hidden solution.} ({White can still pick up the full point after} 
34. Be6 $3 {, though this is too tough a move to find when your clock is
hanging! Now the seed of Black's attempted counterplay isn't given time to
germinate as after} Qe2 ({instead,} 34... fxe6 35. Qxe6+ Kg7 36. Qd7+ Kg8 37.
Qd5+ Kh8 38. Qd4+ Qxd4 39. cxd4 {has White's rook and three pawns easily
overcoming Black's minor pieces}) 35. Bxf7+ Kg7 36. Qb5 $1 Nf2+ 37. Rxf2 $1 (
37. Kg2 $4 {allows} Nd3+ 38. Kg1 Bc5+ {when it is Black who wins}) 37... Qxf2
38. Bc4 $1 Qf3+ 39. Kg1 Qg4+ 40. Kf2 Qxf4+ 41. Ke2 {, White has excellent
winning chances. For example,} Qxh2+ $2 42. Kd1 Qc7 43. Qd5 Qd6 44. a5 Be7 45.
Kc2 Qxd5 46. Bxd5 Bxg5 47. Bxb7 {gives White an extra decisive pawn.}) 34...
Nf2+ {Now it's a forced draw.} 35. Rxf2 {I got what I expected from this
skirmish - nothing. My rook has little choice but to swallow his dreary gruel
without enthusiasm.} ({One of the first basic mates we teach beginners is the
following smothered mate pattern with} 35. Kg1 $4 Nh3+ 36. Kh1 Qg1+ 37. Rxg1
Nf2# {.}) 35... Qxf2 36. Qe5 ({Also,} 36. Qf3 Qxb2 37. h4 Qc1+ 38. Kh2 Bd6 39.
Kg3 Qe1+ 40. Kg4 Qe6+ 41. f5 Qe5 {leaves White tied down and Black draws
easily.}) 36... Bc5 {. White must take perpetual check. --- SUMMARY: Let's
specialize in the Qe1 (which is in reality, the ...Qe8 Leningrad Dutch set-up
with a move ahead for White) formation in the Reversed Leningrad Dutch
formation. Our goal is to play for e2-e4 and then usually a kingside attack.}
1/2-1/2

[Event "10: Corsica Masters Open, Bastia"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2009.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Malaniuk, V."]
[Black "Humeau, C."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2009.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

{GM Vladimir Malaniuk is one of the best Leningrad Dutch players with the
Black pieces (as prep for this book, I went over his black Dutch games), so
it's natural that he sometimes opens with 1 f4! to reach his favourite lines a
move up.} 1. f4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O c5 6. d3 d5 7. Qe1
Nc6 {Black continues to develop and allow White the e4-break.} ({In Game 15,
we will look at} 7... d4 {.}) 8. c3 {White's main move. --- QUESTION: Why play
8 c3 - ? --- ANSWER: For the following reasons: 1. White seizes control over
both d4- and b4-squares and thus rules out any White knight forays on those
squares. --- 2. White holds his structure fluid, keeping his opponent guessing.
For example, White can play for the simple e4, or he can play future ideas
like Na3-c2, Bd2, Rb1 and b2-b4. --- Note that in the Dutch Leningrad, one
standard Black line goes 1 d4 f5 2 g3 Nf6 3 Bg2 g6 4 Nf3 Bg7 5 0-0 0-0 6 c4 d6
7 Nc3 c6. Here, one of the motifs of 7...c6 is to play on the queenside with ...Qa5. However in our line, our queen is slated for central or kingside play
with Qe1 so that option is not available.} ({QUESTION: Why doesn't White play} 
8. e4 {if this is our main idea in the Qe1 line? --- ANSWER: There is no real
rush. White doesn't mind transposing to ...d4 lines if Black opts for} d4 9.
Na3 Nd5 10. Bd2 {, which is a position we examine in Game 15 and Game 16. In
this chapter, we will concentrate on the more direct 8 e4.}) 8... Qd6 {Black
fights for control of the e5-square and seeks to play ...e5 at some point
himself. --- QUESTION: This straightforward plan looks logical. Is there a
downside? --- ANSWER: There are two issues Black must deal with: 1. Black's
queen sits in the path of a potential pawn fork after White plays e4,
threatening e4-e5. --- 2. Black's queen may later be vulnerable to either Nc4,
or even Ne4, if Black's d-pawn is exchanged for White's e-pawn.} 9. Na3 {
QUESTION: Why play the knight to the rim? Isn't it better to let it remain
centralized on the d2-square? --- ANSWER: All five games from my database had
White playing Na3, which has two points: 1. Any ...d4 ideas can be met with
the tempo-gaining Nc4. --- 2. Playing the knight to the d2-square weakens
White's most tender point in the Bird/Leningrad Dutch: the d3-square/pawn.} ({
QUESTION: What is wrong with the immediate} 9. e4 {- ? --- ANSWER: This is a
new move in the position and actually Houdini's first choice. There is
probably nothing wrong with it. I think White simply wants to keep Black
guessing by posting the knight to a3. Black can respond with} dxe4 10. dxe4 e5
11. Nbd2 {(threat: Nc4 and then capture the e5-pawn)} Qd3 {(as indicated, this
is one problem with tossing in c2-c3 and then e2-e4: the d3-square is weakened)
} 12. Nxe5 $1 {(White takes on an inferior structure to increase piece
activity)} Nxe5 13. fxe5 Ng4 14. Nf3 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Bxe5 16. Bh6 Re8 17. Qf2 Qc4
{(covering both the c5- and f7-pawns)} 18. b3 {(overloading Black's queen)} Qe6
19. Qxc5 b6 20. Qe3 Ba6 21. Rfd1 Rac8 22. Rac1 {and White has won a pawn. ---
However, his e-pawn is isolated. Also, Black's position is weakness-free and
he has super-active pieces. I would say Black comes close to full compensation
here, but if given a choice, I would still take the pawn-up side.}) 9... Bg4 {
This move in the position is a very common idea against the Bird's in other
lines. Black plays an early ...Bg4 and ...Bxf3 to enforce a quick ...e7-e5
break. Of course, Black's freedom comes with consequences, as he or she hands
us the bishop pair in the process.} ({A look at other options: With} 9... Bf5 {
, Black clamps down on White's e4-break. I don't think this plan is such a
great idea, since Black ends up wasting time with the bishop if White manages
to play e2-e4 or h2-h3 and g3-g4 anyway. After} 10. h3 $1 {, intending to gain
time on the bishop with g3-g4,} Rae8 (10... e5 {is met with} 11. g4 e4 12. gxf5
exf3 13. Bxf3 {when White picks up the bishop pair and exerts light square
control, with an edge}) 11. g4 {(White achieved a useful attacking move for
free)} Bc8 12. e4 dxe4 13. dxe4 e5 14. Nc4 {this is okay,} ({but even stronger
is} 14. fxe5 $1 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Qxe5 16. Bf4 Qe7 17. Nb5 $1 Nxe4 18. Nd6 $1 {
when White picks up the exchange for a pawn}) 14... Qe6 15. Ncxe5 Nxe5 16. Nxe5
b6 {(White's extra pawn won't be so easy to maintain, since he drops the
e4-pawn if his knight moves away from the e5-square)} 17. g5 $1 Nh5 18. Ng4 Bb7
19. e5 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 f6 $1 21. gxf6 Nxf6 22. Nxf6+ Bxf6 23. Qg3 {, here
Houdini thinks Black gets full compensation for the pawn, but I don't believe
it and prefer White, Z.Nemec-M.Haspl, Czechia 1997.}) (9... d4 {allows White
to gain a tempo with Nc4, but Black is counting on the knight being misplaced
since it usually goes to the c2-square. After} 10. Nc4 Qc7 11. cxd4 cxd4 {,
the players agreed to a premature draw, F.Dushatskiy-C.Krause, Emmendingen
2012. I prefer White after} 12. Bd2 Be6 13. Rc1 Bd5 14. b4 a6 15. Nce5 Qb6 16.
Rc5 e6 17. Qf2 {, hitting the d4-pawn. If} Nxb4 18. Qxd4 Nc6 19. Nxc6 Bxc6 20.
Rc2 {, White looks slightly better, due to his central majority.}) ({QUESTION:
Why not simply play to open the e-file with} 9... e5 {? --- ANSWER: Yes, it's
a good choice. Strangely enough, this thematic freeing break has never been
played in this position. --- After 9...e5!?} 10. Nb5 Qd7 (10... Qe7 11. fxe5
Nxe5 12. Nxe5 {allows White to seize the advantage as} Qxe5 13. Bf4 Qh5 14. Nc7
{wins material}) 11. fxe5 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 Qxb5 13. Qf2 Re8 {and now White can
speculate with} 14. Nxf7 $5 Kxf7 15. Bg5 Qa6 $1 ({not} 15... Qb6 $4 {as} 16.
Bxd5+ Ke7 (16... Be6 17. Bxf6 {and if} Bxd5 $2 18. Bd8+ $1 {Black's queen must
play to a6}) 17. e4 {is a winning attack for White}) 16. Qf4 $1 Qe6 17. Qh4 h6
18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Bxd5 $1 Kg7 20. Bxe6 Bxh4 21. Bxc8 Raxc8 22. gxh4 Rxe2 23.
Rf2 Rce8 {, White's extra pawn won't be so easy to convert.}) 10. e4 {Threat:
e4-e5, winning a piece.} Bxf3 $5 {There are many voices in the bishop's head,
yet none urge moderation. When we engage in a speculative sacrifice, we
essentially agree to invest hard cash for an abstract ideal. --- QUESTION:
Doesn't this move lose material? Black's last move can harbour but a single
implication: I plan to confuse my way to victory against my higher rated
opponent. --- ANSWER: When hoping to complicate, we sometimes play like a
person with a stomach ache: we only feel better when we purge ourselves of
material. Black decides to seize opportunity by the hair with a speculative
queen sacrifice is the logical continuation. However, the comps claim White
stands slightly better at the end of the line.} ({resolution hardens and he
refuses to back off with} 10... dxe4 {. A person can take a mild interest in
the concept without being an advocate as after} 11. dxe4 Qd3 12. e5 Nd7 13. Ng5
h6 14. Ne4 {, White has a pleasant space advantage.}) 11. e5 $1 {A cute
zwischenzug. Malaniuk seizes the chance to complicate the position against his
lower rated opponent.} ({Also strong is} 11. Bxf3 dxe4 12. dxe4 e5 13. Nc4 {
and if} Qe7 {, White can play the thematic} 14. f5 $1 {idea. --- The idea is
to establish a big clamp on the kingside as well as to meet} gxf5 {with} 15.
Bg5 $1 {when White gets a strong initiative.}) 11... Bxg2 {The patterns morph
and shift in bewildering array.} ({Black has no choice since} 11... Qc7 $4 12.
exf6 Bxg2 13. fxg7 Bxf1 14. gxf8=Q+ Rxf8 15. Qxf1 {leaves Black a piece down.})
12. exd6 {The black queen's face seethes with crimson fury at the treachery of
her light-squared bishop, who sold her out to the enemy. "Destiny frowns on
the disloyal, " she shouts out to him, on the way to her execution.} Bxf1 13.
Qxf1 $1 {White is faced with multiple bewildering permutations, yet only a
single optimal response. Malaniuk demonstrates wonderful strategic judgment as
Black's light-squared bishop is more important than White's rook.} ({The
greedier} 13. dxe7 $5 Bxd3 14. exf8=Q+ Bxf8 15. Be3 Re8 16. Qd2 Bf5 {leaves
Black with only bishop, knight and pawn for the queen, yet he rules the light
squares. I feel that Black stands no worse here.}) 13... exd6 {Black has
enough material for the queen but White stands better since he may be able to
generate kingside attacking chances associated with an early f4-f5.} 14. Qf3 {
Taking control over the g4-square.} ({Houdini likes the immediate} 14. f5 $5 {.
}) 14... a6 {Cutting off Nb5 tricks.} 15. Bd2 Rfe8 16. g4 $1 {Malaniuk seems
to complicate the game 'methodically'. White menaces both a simple kingside
pawn avalanche and also the no-nonsense g4-g5, followed by Qxd5.} h6 17. Nc2 ({
Malaniuk seeks to bring his offside knight into play, spurning the riskier} 17.
g5 $5 hxg5 18. fxg5 Ne5 19. Qh1 Nfd7 20. Qxd5 Nb6 21. Qxb7 Rab8 22. Qg2 Nxd3
23. b3 d5 24. Rf1 {which picks up a pawn at the cost of activating Black's
pieces.}) 17... d4 {Simultaneously protecting his d-pawn, while denying White
Ne3 ideas. However, the move creates further pawn weaknesses (doubled and
isolated d-pawns) which Malaniuk later exploits.} 18. cxd4 cxd4 19. Re1 {By
swapping rooks, White no longer has to contend with Black doubling rooks on
the e-file with intention of infiltrating via the e2-square.} Rxe1+ 20. Bxe1
Re8 21. Bf2 $1 {Target: The weak d4-pawn.} Nd7 {Covering the d4-pawn at the
cost of weakening the d5-square.} 22. Qd5 Nf6 $5 ({Black is almost equal after
the correct} 22... Nc5 $1 23. f5 g5 24. Ne1 Be5 {.}) 23. Qxd6 $5 ({Malaniuk
rejects the riskier} 23. Qb3 Nxg4 24. Qxb7 Ne7 25. Bxd4 Bxd4+ 26. Nxd4 Nd5 27.
Kg2 $1 h5 28. h3 Ngf6 29. f5 g5 30. Qxa6 {when Black must generate kingside
threats, or else lose to White's two queenside passers. After} Re3 {, I think
Black still has some practical chances here.}) 23... Nxg4 $6 {Now Black's
minor pieces find themselves in endless travail, harassed unceasingly by
White's queen.} ({Black looks okay after the startling} 23... Bf8 $3 24. Qc7 ({
not} 24. Qxf6 $4 {as} Be7 {traps the queen in broad daylight}) 24... Re7 $1 25.
Qc8 Nd5 {(with the sneaky threat of ...Nb6! trapping White's queen)} 26. g5 h5
27. Nxd4 Rc7 28. Qh3 Nxf4 29. Qf3 Nxd4 30. Bxd4 Rc1+ 31. Kf2 Rc2+ 32. Ke1 Bb4+
33. Bc3 (33. Kd1 $4 {loses to} Rd2+ 34. Kc1 Nxd3+ 35. Kb1 Ne1 $1 36. Qb3 {(the
queen must guard the back rank mating threat)} Rxd4 {with a winning position
for Black}) 33... Rxb2 $1 34. Bxb4 Rxb4 {and I don't think Black stands worse,
despite Houdini's slightly favourable assessment for White.}) 24. Qd7 $1 {The
queen continues to poke and probe, teasing out small concessions. Black
doesn't lose a piece, but instead, his position destabilizes.} Re2 {This move
saves the piece but White has worked out how to destabilize Black's position
further.} 25. Qxg4 Rxc2 26. Qc8+ {White's harassment can't so easily be
dismissed as a hallucination. The point is that the b7-pawn falls, and this in
turn eradicates the black knight's support.} Bf8 27. Qxb7 {White hopes to
refurbish his otherwise flaccid-looking position with a new inflow of cash.}
Nb4 {This move unleashes White's bishop.} ({His last hope was} 27... a5 {.
White makes progress with} 28. Kf1 h5 29. a3 Kg7 30. Qb3 Rc1+ 31. Ke2 Be7 32.
Qb5 Bf6 33. Qa4 Kh7 34. b4 {(this passer will cost Black dearly)} axb4 35. axb4
{when b4-b5 is threatened and Black is unable to salvage the game.}) 28. Bxd4 {
The old bishop rarely travels outside his prefecture. But when offered hard
cash, he makes exceptions.} Nxd3 29. Qe4 $1 Rc1+ ({Also,} 29... Rd2 30. Be3 Nc5
31. Qa8 Rd1+ 32. Kg2 Ne6 33. Qxa6 {gives White the win with two queenside
passed pawns.}) 30. Kg2 Nc5 {EXERCISE (combination alert): Black's last move
was a blunder in a lost position. White to play and force mate.} ({Futile is} 
30... Rd1 {as} 31. Bc3 Bg7 32. Qa4 Rb1 33. Qe8+ Bf8 34. Kf3 {leaves Black
hopelessly tangled.}) 31. Qe5 $1 {ANSWER: On the h8-square lies Black's dark
urgency. --- The queen, having all her life prided herself on intellect over
vulgar force, now comes to the conclusion that maybe vulgar force has its uses
after all.} Rc2+ ({Also futile is} 31... f6 32. Qxf6 Rc2+ 33. Kh3 {and White
mates in four moves.}) 32. Kh3 {. SUMMARY: You don't have to play the
immediate 8 e4. Instead, 8 c3 keeps Black guessing at our intentions.} 1-0

[Event "11: Villa Martelli Mercosur, Argentina"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2006.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Rodriguez Vila, A."]
[Black "Stamenkovic, D."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2006.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 c5 3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 g6 5. O-O Bg7 6. d3 Nf6 7. Qe1 O-O {Black
allows White his e2-e4 break without trying to stop it. Later in the chapter,
we will look at Black's ...d4 plans.} 8. e4 dxe4 {Black's main move. ---
QUESTION: Why does Black exchange pawns at this point? --- ANSWER: Since White
signalled his kingside attacking ambitions with 7 Qe1, Black's move follows
the principle: Counter in the centre when attacked on the wing. --- QUESTION:
But it's just an exchange, isn't it, not a real central counter? --- ANSWER:
Please see Black's next move!} ({Let's have a look at some Black alternatives:
} 8... e6 9. e5 {(White grabs more space)} Nd7 10. c4 {(seeking to induce ...d4, after which Black's pieces are denied use of the square, while White's
knights get access to the e4-one):} -- (10... f6 $5 {(Black decides upon a
central counter, which activates his pieces at the cost of a slight structural
weakness)} 11. exf6 Qxf6 12. Nc3 Nb6 13. Be3 $1 Nd4 $6 ({better was} 13... Qe7
14. cxd5 Nxd5 15. Bf2 Nxc3 16. bxc3 b6 17. Ng5 {with a minimal edge to White,
who has the better structure, control over the e4-square and the more active
pieces}) 14. Rc1 $1 Nxf3+ 15. Bxf3 d4 16. Ne4 Qe7 17. Bd2 e5 18. b4 $1 {and
White achieved a strategically won game, V.Koziak-A.Krupko, Mukachevo 2013.}) (
10... Nb6 11. Be3 Qe7 12. Bf2 $1 Rd8 (12... dxc4 13. dxc4 Nxc4 $2 14. Qc1 $1 b5
15. b3 {and White wins the exchange with Bxc5 next}) 13. Nbd2 {and I prefer
White's position, with extra space and potential for a kingside attack.})) (
8... d4 {turns the game into a Reversed g3-King's Indian structure, which in
this instance is advantageous for White due to his mobile kingside pawns. The
blocking of the centre is in his favour since he harbours kingside attacking
ambitions. White has scored over 80% from this position. After} 9. h3 {
(preventing ...Ng4-e3 tricks)} Ne8 10. Na3 Nb4 11. g4 e6 {, P.Nikac-M.Krivokapic, Cetinje 2008, I like White's kingside chances after} 12. e5 {which
clears the e4-square for White's pieces.}) (8... b6 9. e5 Ne8 10. Nc3 Nc7 11.
Qf2 f6 12. d4 cxd4 13. Nxd4 Nxe5 14. Qe1 $1 Ba6 15. Rf2 Qd6 $1 {Black must
sacrifice a piece.} (15... Nf7 16. Nc6 Qd7 17. Nxe7+ Kh8 18. Nexd5 Rae8 19. Be3
{wins a clean pawn for White}) 16. fxe5 fxe5 17. Rxf8+ Rxf8 {, J.Dietz-A.Feuerstack, Germany 2006. I think Black is just short of full compensation
after} 18. Nb3 {.}) 9. dxe4 e5 {White will stand better with extra space and
control over the e4-square if he is allowed unfettered access to an e4-e5 push.
This move prepares to hand White hanging central pawns after the ...exf4, gxf4
pawn trade. --- QUESTION: Are these future central hanging pawns a strength or
a defensive burden for White? --- ANSWER: Well, that depends on who you ask.
White's central control attacking chances clearly increase with the hanging
pawns, but they also may become vulnerable and prone to blockade. I would say
the positions which arise are dynamically balanced and the player with
superior understanding of the resulting structures and plans (that means us!)
holds a large practical advantage.} ({The alternative} 9... Nd4 10. Nxd4 Qxd4+
{(White will later gain time on Black's now exposed queen)} 11. Kh1 e5 {
(otherwise White plays e4-e5 herself, with a clear edge)} 12. Nc3 Qd8 13. f5 b6
14. Bg5 h6 15. Rd1 Qe8 16. Bxf6 $1 {(eliminating the only defender of the
d5-square)} Bxf6 17. Nd5 {(threatening the f6-bishop and also the c7-fork)} Bd8
18. Qe3 {has Black's king in serious danger and White's knight calling the
shots, A.Muzychuk-E.Danielian, Beijing 2012.}) 10. Nc3 (10. c3 $6 {allows
Black to build up pressure on the e4-pawn after} Re8 11. Nbd2 exf4 12. gxf4 Bf5
{when White is overextended, R.Reynolds-M.Khachiyan, Agoura Hills 2009.}) 10...
Be6 {Black refuses to take the f4-pawn and continues to develop calmly.} ({
Let's look at other alternatives: Also, after} 10... Re8 11. fxe5 $1 Nxe5 12.
Nxe5 Rxe5 13. Bf4 Re8 {, F.Pancevski-M.Schekachikhin, Albena 2011,} 14. Nb5 {
wins the exchange} ({White can also play for a safe strategic edge with} 14.
Rd1 Qa5 15. e5 a6 16. Rd6 Nh5 17. Nd5 Qxe1 18. Rxe1 Nxf4 19. gxf4) 14... Nh5 {
, following} 15. Rd1 Qb6 16. Nc7 Bg4 17. Nxa8 Rxa8 18. Rb1 Nxf4 19. gxf4 {and
I don't believe in Black's compensation for the exchange.}) ({In Games 12 and
13, we examine Black's main line} 10... Nd4) ({while Game 14 covers} 10... exf4
{.}) 11. f5 $1 {This pawn sacrifice seizes the initiative.} Bc4 {Black wisely
declines the proffered pawn.} (11... gxf5 $6 {looks like a bad idea for Black,
P.Montigel-U.Rapp, Wuerttemberg 2000. White exerts tremendous pressure after}
12. Bg5 $1 Bc4 13. Rf2 f4 14. gxf4 Qe8 15. Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 16. b3 Ba6 17. Nd5 Bd8
18. Qc3 exf4 19. Kh1 f6 20. Bh3 {and his pieces dominate. Note that} Qxe4 $4 {
is met with} 21. Re1 $1 Qxd5 22. Be6+ {winnning.}) 12. Rf2 Ng4 13. Rd2 {This
Rf2-d2 motif is a common manoeuvre in the Bird/Leningrad Dutch.} Qa5 ({White
also looks clearly better after} 13... Qc8 14. b3 Ba6 15. fxg6 fxg6 16. Nd5 {.}
) 14. h3 {Black's pieces have only been moving forward. Now he feels the
recoil.} Nf6 15. g4 {Strategic threat: g4-g5 and f5-f6, burying Black's
g7-bishop. One glance tells us that White has a dangerous kingside build-up,
while Black's queenside or central counterplay has yet to gel into anything
substantial.} h6 $6 {Preventing White's threat at the cost of weakening the
kingside. There is a fine line between the practice of patience - which is a
virtue - and just sitting around, waiting for something to happen - which
isn't. The problem with the move is its inherent passivity, which leaves Black
without counterplay in the coming moves.} ({QUESTION: Can't Black try for a
classical central counter to White's kingside attack with} 15... gxf5 16. exf5
e4 {? --- ANSWER: On the surface, it appears as if Black continues in bland
disregard to his opponent's offensive capability. But I think your suggestion
is the principled continuation. Black takes advantage of White's queen on the
e-file to strike in the centre. Even though White's position shimmers with
hopeful possibilities, ultimately they are transient and out of his grasp. I
couldn't find a path to a White advantage from this position. For example:} 17.
-- (17. Nxe4 Rfe8 18. Nfg5 Nxe4 19. Nxe4 Bd5 $1 20. c3 (20. f6 Bxe4 21. Bxe4
Bxf6 22. c3 Re7 23. Re2 Rae8 24. Bf4 Qa4 25. Bxc6 Rxe2 26. Qxe2 Qxc6 27. Qf2
Qd5 28. Rf1 b6 29. Bh6 Bg7 30. Qd2 Qxd2 31. Bxd2 {reaches a drawn ending})
20... Nd4 $1 21. b4 $1 Qb6 22. bxc5 Qa5 23. Qf2 Nf3+ $1 24. Bxf3 Bxe4 {and
Black will win back his material with equality.}) (17. Ng5 Rfe8 18. Ngxe4 Nxe4
19. Nxe4 Bd5 $1 {(if not for this anomaly, Black would indeed be busted) and}
20. c3 Nd4 $1 {transposes back to the 17 Nxe4 line above.})) 16. Rf2 {The rook
goes about unobtrusively pursuing his kingside interests.} Rae8 {The comp
doesn't like his move, but even after other suggestions, White eventually
takes control over the position. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): White has
access to a tactical idea which either wins a pawn, or swaps off Black's best
piece, his light-squared bishop, for a knight. What would you play here? ---
ANSWER: Double attack.} 17. Nd2 $1 Bb5 {This allows White bishop pair and
light square domination.} ({The trouble is} 17... Ba6 $2 {drops a pawn to} 18.
Nb3 $1 Qb4 19. a3 Qb6 {and White initiates the double attack with} 20. Na4 {,
picking off a pawn, plus the light-squared bishop after} Qc7 21. Naxc5 {.}) 18.
Nxb5 Qxb5 19. c3 {It's critical that we find a way to sort out the position's
constitutive elements, so a schematic chart is necessary to flesh out the
collection of interrelated parts: 1. White has a dangerous kingside space
advantage. --- 2. Number one automatically means that Black's king may be
unsafe. --- 3. White owns the bishop pair. --- 4. White controls the light
squares, enhanced by the fact that Black is missing his light-squared bishop.
--- 5. Black has a bad bishop, with many of his pawns fixed on the same colour
as it. --- 6. Black has no obvious route to counterplay. --- Conclusion:
Despite Houdini's near-even misassessment, Black is close to strategically
busted, if not already so.} Qa5 $6 ({He had to get the queen back into play
with} 19... Qd3 {.}) 20. Nb3 $1 Qb5 21. Bf1 $1 Qb6 ({Parrying with} 21... c4 {
allows} 22. Nd2 Na5 23. b4 {, picking off the c4-pawn.}) 22. g5 {White goes
for a direct assault on Black's king, which isn't bad,} ({but even stronger is
} 22. fxg6 $1 fxg6 23. Be3 {and if Black tries a desperado piece sacrifice with
} Nd4 {, White consolidates after} 24. cxd4 exd4 25. Bd2 Nxe4 26. Rxf8+ Bxf8
27. Bg2 {.}) 22... hxg5 23. Bxg5 gxf5 $5 {Now Black risks getting mated.} ({
Maybe he should try} 23... Ne7 24. Bc4 gxf5 25. exf5 Ned5 26. Bxf6 $1 {
(deflecting away the intended ...Nf4)} Nxf6 27. Rg2 Kh8 28. Qh4+ Nh7 29. Rd1
Bf6 30. Qh5 Re7 {although I don't fancy his chances here as well.} 31. Kh1 e4
32. Rdg1 e3 33. Bxf7 $1 {(deflection- neither black rook is able to capture,
due to the g8-mating threat)} Qc6 34. Be6 {and White has a winning position.})
24. Rxf5 ({Houdini's suggestion of} 24. exf5 {allows Black to complicate with}
e4 25. Bxf6 Bxf6 26. Rg2+ Kh7 27. Qe2 {(threatening mate on the move)} c4+ 28.
Kh1 Kh6 29. Nd2 Ne5 30. Nxe4 Rg8 {and White has a winning position even here.})
24... c4+ $6 ({Better was} 24... Ne7 25. Rf2 Ng6 {.}) 25. Be3 Qc7 26. Nd2 Ne7
27. Rg5 b5 28. h4 $1 {Discouraging ...Ne7-g6 with the threat of h4-h5.} ({Also
tempting was} 28. a4 $1 a6 29. axb5 axb5 30. Ra7 Qd6 31. Rb7 {when} Rb8 (31...
Qc6 $4 {hangs a piece to} 32. Rb6) 32. Rxe7 $1 Qxe7 33. Qh4 Qe6 34. Rxg7+ $1
Kxg7 35. Bh6+ Kh8 {(the only move)} 36. Bxf8+ Nh7 37. Bc5 {when White has a
winning position.}) 28... Nh7 29. Rg2 Kh8 30. a4 $1 {This move opens the
a-file, activating White's only inactive piece, his a1-rook.} a6 31. axb5 axb5
32. h5 {Cutting off ...Ng6 ideas.} f5 $1 {Black must generate some kind of
counterplay, or else risk a slow strategic death.} 33. Ra7 Qc6 34. Rxg7 $5 {
This really isn't White's best move, from an empirical standpoint, but keep in
mind: when it comes to concocting plans, outcome is of infinitely greater
value than intent. Houdini isn't impressed by this speculative exchange
sacrifice. From a practical standpoint, it makes Black's defence very
difficult to coordinate, since the dark-squared bishop was Black's best
defender.} ({The more prosaic} 34. Qg3 $1 Rg8 35. exf5 Bf6 36. Qf3 Qxf3 37.
Nxf3 {maintains an edge for White in the ending.}) 34... Kxg7 35. Qg3+ {The
queen's heart swims in emotions she finds difficult to define, as she demurely
approaches Black's king. --- EXERCISE (critical decision): Black hasn't quite
reached the abandon-all-hope stage. --- He has a choice of three king moves: ...Kh8, ...Kf7 and ...Kf6. --- He may survive two of them. One loses. Pick one.}
Kf7 $2 {As it turns out, the most logical-looking one is the only one which
loses! In time pressure, our reality compresses into 64 squares. Black's last
move, a blunder, allows White to unleash a devastating combination.} ({Black
survives after:} 35... Kh8 $1 36. Qxe5+ Qf6 37. Qxb5 Rg8+ 38. Kf2 {with a
colossal mess rated dead even by the comps.}) ({Black is also okay after} 35...
Kf6 $1 36. Qh4+ Kf7 37. exf5 Nf6 {with a completely unclear position, also
assessed by the comps at 0.00.}) 36. Nxc4 $3 {Overloaded defender/pin/
zwischenzug/knight fork. White continues to brazenly order expensive items and
then have the nerve to charge them to Black's account.} Rg8 ({Accepting the
sacrifice after} 36... bxc4 37. Bxc4+ Kf6 ({Black's queen is overloaded as} 
37... Qxc4 {results in Black's pinned e7-knight allowing} 38. Qg6# {mate!}) 38.
Ra6 $1 {(this pin shot wins Black's queen)} Qxa6 {and the} 39. Qh4+ $1 {
zwischenzug forces a win after} Kg7 40. Bxa6 {.}) 37. Nxe5+ Kf8 38. Ng6+ $1 Kf7
{Black's king continues to resist with the manic energy of the doomed. He
holds himself in heroic opposition to overwhelming forces, but only for a few
moves before the inevitable.} ({Instead,} 38... Nxg6 39. Bh6+ $1 {wins on the
spot.}) 39. exf5 Qe4 40. Bg2 {Activating the final attacker.} Qb1+ (40... Qxf5
{allows an unbelievably sweet mate after} 41. Nh8+ $3 {when Black's rebellion
has run its course. The position bristles with mathematical anomalies and
oddities:} Rxh8 (41... Rxh8 42. Bd5+ $1 Kf6 (42... Qxd5 43. Qg6+ Kf8 44. Bh6# {
mate!}) 43. Bd4+ {and mate next move.}) (41... Kf6 42. Bd4+ Ke6 43. Ra6+ {
forces mate in two moves.}) ({b)} 41... Kf8 42. Bh6+ Rg7 43. Qxg7# {mates
again.})) 41. Kh2 Rg7 42. Bd5+ ({There is no point continuing as after} 42.
Bd5+ Kf6 43. Qe5# {is mate! --- SUMMARY: Prepare for a potential hanging pawns
position after 9...e5. Although, as in this game, it doesn't always come out
that way if Black delays ...exf4 for too long.}) 1-0

[Event "12: Chigorin Memorial, St Petersburg"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2013.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Melnikov, D."]
[Black "Kazakovskiy, V."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2013.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 c5 7. Qe1 Nc6 8. e4
dxe4 9. dxe4 e5 10. Nc3 Nd4 {Black's main line, where his knight
counterattacks our soft spot, the c2-pawn.} 11. Qd2 ({Let's look at the
alternatives:} 11. fxe5 Ng4 (11... Nxc2 $6 12. Qf2 Nxa1 13. exf6 Qxf6 14. Bf4 {
and White also picks up the errant a1-knight, gaining two powerful minor
pieces for a rook and pawn, with a clear advantage}) 12. Nxd4 Qxd4+ 13. Kh1 Be6
14. h3 Nxe5 15. Nd5 {with approximately balanced chances, A.Jaworowski-R.Rizzo,
correspondence 2002.}) (11. Nxd4 exd4 (11... cxd4 12. fxe5 Ng4 ({also,} 12...
dxc3 13. exf6 Bxf6 14. b3 {is equal}) 13. Nd5 Nxe5 14. Bf4 {gives balanced
chances}) 12. Na4 $1 Nd7 {and Black threatens ...b5, trapping White's knight,
E.Jakubiec-Z.Borosova, Orlova 2011. Now White can try} 13. e5 Rb8 14. b3 {with
an even position.}) ({We will look at} 11. Rf2 {in Game 13.}) 11... exf4 {
Black decides to hand White the hanging pawns imbalance.} ({Trading with} 11...
Nxf3+ 12. Rxf3 Qd4+ 13. Kh1 c4 ({Black may be better off simplifying with} 
13... Qxd2 14. Bxd2 b6) 14. Qe1 exf4 $5 {(Black may have been better off
avoiding this imbalance. White's hanging pawns look more a strength than a
weakness here)} 15. gxf4 Bg4 $6 (15... Qb6 {is an improvement, although I
still prefer White here}) 16. Rg3 {leaves White dominating the centre, with a
clear advantage in D.Melnikov-A.Giri, St Petersburg 2007, as both e4-e5 and
Be3 are in the air.}) 12. gxf4 Qb6 $6 {The queen's eyes gleam with vindictive
mirth. This move is new in the position, but not an improvement. --- QUESTION:
What is Black's intention? --- ANSWER: Black takes indirect aim at both the
b2-pawn and White's king, while supporting the d4-knight and clearing the path
for ...Rd8. However, if we examine on a deeper level, we are struck by the
move's inherent incongruities: on the b6-square, Black's queen is vulnerable
to e4-e5 and Nd5 ideas.} ({Black has sounder choices:} 12... Ng4 $1 {should
equalize, H.Danielsen-M.Kopylov, Germany 1999. Now White should play} 13. e5 $1
({not} 13. h3 $6 Nxf3+ 14. Rxf3 Bd4+ 15. Kh1 Qh4 16. Nd1 b6 $1 {when White is
under serious pressure}) 13... Be6 14. h3 Nh6 15. Ne4 Nxf3+ 16. Rxf3 b6 17. Rd3
{with a balanced position.}) (12... Bg4 13. e5 Nh5 14. Nxd4 cxd4 15. Nd5 (15.
Nb5 f6 16. Qxd4 fxe5 17. fxe5 Qxd4+ 18. Nxd4 Bxe5 19. c3 Rxf1+ 20. Bxf1 Nf4 21.
Bxf4 Bxf4 22. Re1 {leaves Black a shade better due to the bishop pair}) 15...
Rc8 16. Qxd4 Rxc2 {, F.Bernabe Duran-F.Pariente Lopez, Malaga 1995. I prefer
White's position after} 17. Bd2 {, intending to challenge with Rac1 next.}) 13.
e5 {The logical continuation. We glimpse the microcosmic forerunner of White's
intent: he seeks to chase away the defender of the d5-square.} Rd8 {
Threatening a discovered attack cheapo.} 14. Nxd4 Rxd4 ({QUESTION: Why not
chase away the knight with} 14... cxd4 {- ? --- ANSWER: Your suggestion walks
into a tactic after} 15. Na4 $1 {, attacking the queen, when White wins a
piece next move with exf6.}) 15. Qe2 Ng4 16. h3 Nh6 {EXERCISE (combination
alert): Black is hampered by an obstruction, which allows White to take
advantage of the geometry to win material. How?} 17. Be3 $1 {ANSWER: Double
attack. White threatens Bxd4, and if the rook moves, then Na4 picks off the
c5-pawn.} Qxb2 {Played with the philosophy: when we are unable to make the
most of a situation, then the next best thing is to attempt to undo the worst
of it.} ({Black, seizing upon a desperate extremity, decides to sacrifice an
exchange for a pawn:} 17... Rd8 {hands over a pawn. Now simplest is} 18. Na4 {
picking off the c5-pawn on the next move. --- QUESTION: But then can't Black
hold on to his pawn with} Qb4 {- ? --- ANSWER: White has a winning position
after} 19. Nxc5 Qxb2 20. Rab1 {and the b7-pawn falls. If} Qxa2 $4 21. Ra1 Qb2
22. Ne4 $1 {(the threat is Rfb1 when White's thuggish forces search for new
methods of offending Black's queen) and} Qb4 {fails to save the queen after}
23. Bc5 {(the distasteful c5-nuisance returns, to the queen's deep chagrin)}
Qb2 24. Rfb1 {, winning. Everyone knows that the rook's sudden whimsies
sometimes lead to people's deaths. "Undoubtedly, my lifelong trait of always
being right about everything is the reason for my diminishing social status in
Her Majesty's eyes," laments White's rook.}) (17... Be6 {is rather tricky and
White has to exercise care with} 18. Bxd4 cxd4 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. Bxd5 Nf5 21.
Rf2 $1 Qxb2 22. Re1 Ne3 23. Bb3 Qc3 24. Qd2 $1 Qc5 {and White will unravel
after} 25. c3 Nf5 26. cxd4 Nxd4 27. Qe3 {.}) 18. Bxd4 cxd4 19. Nd5 Bf5 20. Ne7+
{A practical decision.} ({White decides to eliminate the pesky bishop, rather
than go for the equally promising line} 20. Rfb1 Qxc2 21. Qxc2 Bxc2 22. Rxb7 d3
23. Rd7 Rb8 24. Ne7+ Kh8 25. Nc6 Re8 26. Nb4 {when Black's d3-pawn falls and
he is busted.}) 20... Kh8 21. Nxf5 Nxf5 22. Rfb1 {Black's queen begins to
suspect that the dashing b1-rook's affections may not be as genuine as she
first imagined. The newly opened b-file is White's regulatory apparatus which
insures that ...Qxb2 comes at a steep cost for Black.} Qc3 23. Qd3 $1 {
Challenging Black's most active piece. The queen tosses her sister the
briefest of malicious glances as she passes by.} Bh6 {Black seeks counterplay
by going after the base of White's central pawn chain.} 24. Qxc3 dxc3 {By
blocking the c-file from ...Rc8, the ruffles which afflicted White's structure
in the past have been somewhat smoothed away.} 25. Rxb7 Bxf4 26. Be4 {In cases
of conflicting impulses, White veers on the side of caution.} ({He can also go
for} 26. Rxf7 Re8 27. Be4 Be3+ 28. Kg2 Rxe5 29. Bxf5 Kg8 30. Rc7 Rxf5 31. Re1
Rf2+ 32. Kg3 Bf4+ 33. Kxf2 Bxc7 34. Re7 Bb6+ 35. Kf3 {and White wins. ---
Black's king is cut off and White will, though zugzwang, pick off either
Black's a- or c-pawn. --- QUESTION: I'm not so certain I would win this over
the board. Can you show the technique? --- ANSWER: A sample of the winning
technique:} Kh8 36. Ke4 Kg8 37. Rb7 Kh8 38. Rb8+ Kg7 39. Rc8 Ba5 40. Rc5 {and
Black drops a queenside pawn, giving White the passer he needs to secure the
win.}) 26... Ng3 27. Bd3 Bxe5 28. Rxf7 Nh5 29. Re1 {Planning to double rooks
on the seventh rank, if possible.} Bd4+ 30. Kg2 Bc5 {Black desperately
attempts to cut off the impending Re1-e7.} 31. Re5 Bd6 {The bishop crosses
himself so quickly, that he isn't sure it counted in God's eyes.} 32. Re4 {
Guarding against ...Nf4+ and ...Nxd3.} a5 {EXERCISE (planning): Black's
position passed the level of 'unpleasant' and threatens to enter 'awful'
territory. This isn't a position which requires sustained analytical inquiry
to see that Black is busted. We must deal with a few remaining loose threads
to solve the equation. Come up with a clear winning plan for White. --- ANSWER:
Step 1: Black can no longer prevent penetration to the seventh rank.} 33. Rd4
Be5 34. Rdd7 {Inch by inch, the defence grudgingly weakens.} Nf6 {Step 2:
Attack and win the a5-pawn, after which resistance is, to quote the Borg, the
Star Trek villains, "futile."} 35. Ra7 {. Black notes to his distress,
untoward activity in his now rapidly depleted back account. The a-pawn falls.
--- SUMMARY: I believe the hanging pawns in this line are more a strength than
a burden for White.} 1-0

[Event "13: Germany"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2004.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Heidrich, M."]
[Black "Wernert, W."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2004.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. O-O c5 7. Qe1 Nc6 8. e4
dxe4 9. dxe4 e5 10. Nc3 Nd4 11. Rf2 {Now White threatens Nxe5. White's queen
remains on e1 to offer the e4-pawn added support, allowing the rook to cover
the c2-pawn. --- QUESTION: But doesn't this allow Black a tempo gain with ...Ng4 next? --- ANSWER: It isn't really a tempo gain as after White moves his
rook to d2, he will regain the tempo with h2-h3, ejecting the g4-intruder.} Ng4
{Attacking the rook while covering the e5-pawn.} 12. Rd2 {The rook's only
square, but one safe square is all an attacked piece requires to deal with the
threat.} exf4 {This move was played in all four games in my database. This
move settled the White threat of h2-h3, followed by Nxe5.} 13. gxf4 Nxf3+ ({
Let's examine the alternatives:} 13... Re8 {(a logical move, now that White's
queen sits on e1)} 14. h3 {:} -- (14... Nf6 $6 {, X.Penas Hernandez-J.Fluvia
Poyatos, Paretana 1999. I like White's position after} 15. Nxd4 cxd4 16. Qf2
Nh5 17. e5 $1 f6 18. Rxd4 Qe7 19. exf6 Qxf6 20. Rd1 {when I'm not so sure
about Black's full compensation for the pawn, since White's pieces remain
quite active.}) ({. Correct was} 14... Nxf3+ 15. Bxf3 Bd4+ 16. Kf1 $1 Nf6 17.
Kg2 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Qa5 19. Re2 Be6 {. Now White can try} 20. c4 $5 Qxe1 21. Rxe1
Bxc4 22. Bb2 {as White's bishop pair in the open position and powerful pawn
centre offer him full compensation for the pawn in the ending.} (22. --))) (
13... Qa5 {, M.Heidrich-P.Haba, Germany 2006. Houdini works this position out
to a draw after} 14. e5 Nf5 15. Nd5 c4 16. h3 Qc5+ 17. Kh1 Nge3 18. Qf2 Be6 19.
Ng5 Bxd5 20. Rxd5 Ng3+ $1 21. Kg1 (21. Kh2 $4 {hangs the queen to} Ng4+ 22.
hxg4 Qxf2) 21... Ne2+ 22. Kh1 Ng3+ {with perpetual check.}) 14. Bxf3 Bd4+ {
Pretty much forced,} ({since} 14... Qa5 15. Rg2 h5 16. h3 Nh6 17. f5 $1 {
favours White.}) 15. Kh1 Qa5 ({QUESTION: Can Black get away with handing over
his powerful dark-squared bishop to inflict damage upon White's structure with
} 15... Bxc3 16. bxc3 {- ? --- ANSWER: Houdini seems to think so, but comps
are notoriously unruffled about allowing an opponent attacking chances. We
humans may get quite nervous about Black's position. The only game in the
database with this plan went} Qf6 {, S.Kusnetsov-A.Vovk, Alushta 2006. At this
point, perhaps White should go for} 17. Rd3 $1 {(covering against ...Ne5
tricks)} c4 {(a concession, which does allow ...Ne5 next, but at the cost of
weakening the d4-square and the dark squares further)} 18. Rd1 Re8 19. a4 {
when the position is pretty unclear. I still prefer White, despite his
structural weaknesses, since his grip on the dark squares remains strong.}) 16.
Rg2 {Challenging the g4-intruder.} Bxc3 $6 {I question this risky decision, to
hand over the precious dark-squared bishop in return for structure, mainly as
White is allowed to retain queens on the board, further enhancing his
attacking chances along the newly weakened dark squares.} ({White also retains
an advantage after the meek} 16... Nf6 17. Bd2 {though.}) 17. bxc3 f5 $5 {
Black sacrifices a piece,} ({not liking the looks of} 17... Nf6 18. f5 Re8 19.
Re2 c4 20. e5 Nd5 21. e6 {when Black's king gets exposed.}) 18. exf5 Bxf5 ({
Most definitely not} 18... gxf5 $4 {as} 19. Rxg4+ $1 fxg4 20. Bd5+ Kg7 21. Qe7+
{forces mate in two moves.}) 19. Bxg4 Rae8 {EXERCISE (combination alert): This
looks pretty scary for White. Black threatens both the queen and the c3-pawn 
(if the queen moves away from its defence) and also ...Be4. What would you
play here? --- ANSWER: Defensive move.} 20. Re2 $1 {Black has no time to
capture g4, since his e8-rook hangs. This resource may have been overlooked by
Black.} Rxe2 ({Not} 20... Bxg4 $2 {as after} 21. Rxe8 Bf3+ 22. Kg1 {, White
threatens Qe6+ and Black has no follow-up.}) 21. Bxe2 Re8 22. Bc4+ {Well, that
was an easy way to break the e-file pin.} Kf8 23. Be3 {White begins the
process of unravelling his queenside.} Qa4 $5 {This allows White's
dark-squared bishop into the middle and it is White who is now attacking.} ({
He had to try the admittedly dismal} 23... Qc7 24. Qf2 b6 {.}) 24. Bxc5+ Kg7
25. Bd4+ Kf8 26. Qf1 {Everyone is covered.} Qxc2 27. Kg1 {A wise precaution,
removing the king off a light square.} b6 28. Qf2 {White consolidated and
Black can resign here.} Qa4 29. Bb3 Qc6 30. Re1 Rxe1+ 31. Qxe1 Qf3 32. Qh4 {.
This cuts off Black's intended ...Qg4+ and threatens mate on d8. --- SUMMARY:
White can also cover the c2-pawn with 11 Rf2, as an alternative to 11 Qd2,
which we looked at in Game 12.} 1-0

[Event "14: San Diego (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2014.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Aldama, D."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 c5 5. d3 Nc6 6. O-O Nf6 7. Qe1 O-O 8. e4
dxe4 9. dxe4 e5 10. Nc3 exf4 {This move is a rarity. --- QUESTION: It looks
quite logical to hand White hanging pawns. Why isn't it played more often? ---
ANSWER: Black releases central tension early, thereby giving White greater
options. Still, having analysed it, it looks fine for Black.} 11. gxf4 Nd4 {
Now the fight swerves to unfamiliar ground - at least from my side. Strangely
enough, this is a new move in the position, yet two IMs played the move
against me in the same week, one in internet blitz, and this, the other, in a
tournament game.} ({Other possible options:} 11... Re8 12. e5 Bf5 13. Be3 Ng4
14. Rd1 (14. Bxc5 Qa5 15. Ba3 Qb6+ 16. Kh1 Ne3 {favours Black, who picks off
White's important light-squared bishop}) 14... Qa5 15. Nd5 Qxe1 16. Rfxe1 Nxe3
{, D.Melnikov-E.Kopasov, St Petersburg 2010. At this point, Houdini works it
out to a drawn ending after} 17. Nxe3 Bh6 18. Nxf5 gxf5 19. Rd5 Bxf4 20. Rxc5
Re6 21. Bh3 Rae8 22. Bxf5 Nxe5 23. Nxe5 Bxe5 24. Bxe6 Bd4+ 25. Kf1 Bxc5 26. Bf5
{.}) (11... Rb8 12. e5 Ng4 13. h3 Nh6 14. Be3 Qa5 15. Qf2 b6 16. Nd2 Ne7 {, N.Stawski-R.Lugo, Canberra 2004. White has a tiny pull after} 17. Rfd1 Qa6 (17...
f6 $4 18. Bf1 $1 {and the threat to trap Black's queen with Nb3 and a2-a3 wins
material}) 18. Nde4 Nhf5 19. Nf6+ Kh8 20. Nce4 Nxe3 21. Qxe3 Nf5 22. Qf2 {
though Houdini claims equality. I feel that White has a grip on the dark
squares, despite swapping off his dark-squared bishop.}) (11... Be6 {, S.
Martinsen-A.Barton, Hastings 2011. I would continue with} 12. e5 Ng4 13. h3 Nh6
14. Qf2 b6 15. Ng5 {and once again, Houdini says it's even, while I prefer
White, due to the potential to pick up the bishop pair and the ability (for
his knight) to gain access to the e4-square.}) 12. Rf2 {The ideal butler
mingles efficiency with an outward show of neutrality to either friend or foe.}
({Other tries are:} 12. Qd2 Nh5 13. Qf2 Nxf3+ 14. Qxf3 Bd4+ 15. Be3 Nf6 16. h3
Qb6 17. e5 Qxb2 18. Bxd4 cxd4 19. Ne2 Nh5 20. Qb3 Qxb3 21. axb3 Rd8 22. Rfd1 {
and White seems to have full compensation for the sacrificed pawn. The d4-pawn
is under pressure and Black's forces are tied down to his queenside pawns.}) ({
I considered the interesting} 12. e5 $5 {punt:} -- (12... Nxc2 13. Qf2 Nxa1 14.
exf6 Qxf6 15. Be3 Bf5 16. Rxa1 b6 17. Ne5 Rae8 18. Re1 {when chances look
dynamically balanced here, with Black getting a rook and two pawns for two
knights.}) ({. Declining with} 12... Ng4 {is also possible. After} 13. Nxd4
cxd4 14. Ne4 Bf5 15. h3 Nh6 16. Nd6 Qc7 17. Qf2 Qxc2 18. Qxd4 Rad8 19. Rf2 Qc7
20. Qxa7 {, White is up a clean pawn, so Black was induced to sacrifice the
exchange with} Rxd6 $5 (20... f6 21. Qxb7 Qxb7 22. Nxb7 Rd1+ 23. Rf1 Rxf1+ 24.
Bxf1 fxe5 25. Bc4+ Kh8 26. Nd6 {leaves Black in a tough ending to hold.} Bxh3
$2 {is met by} 27. fxe5 {and White should convert his three passed pawns to a
win}) 21. exd6 Qxd6 22. Be3 Re8 23. Rd2 Qe6 24. Bf2 Bxh3 $2 25. Re1 {and
Black's queen is overloaded, C.Lakdawala-K.Kiewra, Internet (blitz) 2014.}))
12... Bg4 {Black seeks swaps. --- QUESTION: Why is Black looking for trades?
--- ANSWER: The theory is, the side with the hanging pawns - in this case
White - does better to keep pieces on the board, since hanging pawns tend to
be at their most powerful in a middlegame, and a potential weakness in endings
or simplified late middlegames.} 13. Ne5 $5 {So based on the above-mentioned
principle, I keep pieces on the board.} ({On the other hand,} 13. e5 Bxf3 14.
Bxf3 Nxf3+ 15. Rxf3 Re8 16. Qf1 Ng4 17. Qg2 Nh6 18. Rd3 Qh4 19. Bd2 {looks
dynamically balanced.}) 13... Bh5 $5 {This is logical as Black retains watch
over the key light squares on g4, e2 and d1. The downside of the move is that
the bishop may be out of play somewhat on the h5-square.} ({Houdini prefers
the more conformist} 13... Be6 {.}) 14. Be3 Re8 15. Rd2 {Applying pressure to
the d4-knight.} Qc7 ({QUESTION: This looks meek. Why not play} 15... Qb6 {,
when Black develops with a threat on the b2-pawn? --- ANSWER: After} 16. Na4
Qb5 {, I had planned the risky} 17. Nxc5 $5 Ne2+ 18. Rxe2 $1 (18. Kh1 {allows
Black the undermining trick} Nxf4 $1) 18... Qxe2 19. Qxe2 Bxe2 20. Re1 Bh5 21.
Nxb7 {when White has two pawns for the exchange and I thought I would stand
clearly better here. However, Houdini points out the line} Rxe5 $1 22. fxe5 Ng4
23. Bd4 Bxe5 24. Bxe5 Nxe5 25. Nc5 Rc8 26. b4 Rd8 27. Rc1 Rd2 28. Nb3 Re2 29.
Nd4 Rd2 30. Nb3 {results in a draw by repetition.}) 16. Qg3 ({More accurate is
} 16. h3 $1 {, taking control of the g4-square, when White looks a shade
better.}) 16... Rad8 17. Re1 Qa5 18. Qf2 $2 {Sometimes the pathogen itself
isn't enough to kill us. Instead, our own body's massive over-response to the
attack is our undoing. I incorrectly goad my opponent into an e5-exchange
sacrifice, when in reality it favours him.} ({Once again, I should play} 18. h3
$1 {.}) 18... Qa6 $2 {Curiosity does battle with indecision and loses. Now
Black stands worse. Aldama, having mistakenly decided that the exchange
sacrifice represents an unprofitable line of inquiry, decides to turn his
attention to the queenside.} ({Black seizes the advantage with the thematic
exchange sacrifice} 18... Rxe5 $1 {which both players had seen, but
misassessed. Now the alien shape shifter alters his appearance, from defender
to attacker. Intuition is a mysteriously powerful force, which doesn't require
hard evidence to come to a correct conclusion. The strange thing is, both IM
Aldama and I at first intuitively thought that the exchange sacrifice was
correct, and gave Black the advantage. Yet both of us, through flawed
over-analytical thinking, rejected it as satisfactory for White - when it
clearly isn't. The analytical mind often smooth-talks intuition away from the
correct path. After} 19. fxe5 Ng4 20. Qg3 {:} -- ({. Aldama and I only looked
at} 20... Nxe5 $6 21. Rf1 {and after} Nc4 22. Rdf2 {the position is
dynamically balanced. Now if Black gets greedy with} Nxb2 $4 23. Rxf7 $1 {is a
killing shot for White. The c3-knight is taboo, since} Qxc3 {loses instantly to
} 24. Rxg7+ $1 Kxg7 25. Qc7+ $1 {, Black's king tends to get a blank, distant
look on his face when his sister prattles on about his many character flaws.})
({. Stronger is the powerful} 20... Ne6 $3 {which both of us missed. --- The
correct path is a shadow, just beyond the reach of consciousness. This
computer-generated trick threatens ...Bxe5 with deadly force on the h2-b8
diagonal, leaving White in serious strategic trouble. Following} 21. Qh4 Rxd2
22. Bxd2 Qb4 23. Bc1 Bxe5 {, Black has tremendous dark square pressure for the
exchange.} (23... --))) 19. h3 $1 {At last, I wake up and cover against the
exchange sacrifice theme ...Rxe5, followed by ...Ng4.} b5 $6 ({Necessary was} 
19... Bf8 {.}) 20. a3 $5 ({I should probably accept the pawn with} 20. Bxd4 $1
cxd4 21. Rxd4 Rxd4 22. Qxd4 {and I don't think Black gets enough compensation
for it.}) 20... h6 $6 {QUESTION: What is Black's idea behind his last move?
--- ANSWER: Black roots about for counterplay with a future ...g6-g5
undermining trick. --- EXERCISE (planning): The position shifted imperceptibly,
just a finger's breadth. --- White can win a pawn now advantageously at the
cost of the bishop pair with 21 Bxd4. But there is something far stronger.
Find one powerful idea and White wins material without handing over the bishop
pair.} ({He should settle for} 20... Bf8 {, though after} 21. Rd3 $1 {, White
intends b2- b4! with a clear advantage, but not as large as the one in the
game.}) 21. Nd3 $1 {ANSWER: Undermining. Black soon discovers that he has no
good way to prevent Nxc5. --- Powerful retreats tend to be easily overlooked
in our analytical process. There is no good defence to Nxc5. Now events over
the board occur quicker than it takes to write this sentence.} Nd7 ({Also
futile is} 21... Bf8 22. e5 Nh7 23. Ne4 {and once again, the c5-pawn falls
without compensation.}) 22. Nxc5 {The human move. This alters Black's game
from 'atrocious' to 'merely dire'.} ({Houdini prefers the powerful} 22. e5 $1 {
, clearing the e4-square for the c3-knight.}) 22... Nxc5 23. Bxd4 Rxd4 $5 {I
interpreted this exchange sacrifice as a clear indicator of Black's mounting
frustration, yet it may be his best practical chance, with mutual time
pressure approaching.} ({I was certain my uber-aggressive opponent wouldn't
meekly go along with the program with} 23... Ne6 24. Bxg7 Rxd2 25. Qxd2 Qb6+
26. Qf2 Qxf2+ 27. Kxf2 Kxg7 28. Ke3 {with a pawn-down ending for Black.}) 24.
Rxd4 Ne6 25. Rd3 g5 $1 {Black seeks to increase his power on the dark squares.}
26. f5 $5 ({Simpler is} 26. fxg5 $1 hxg5 27. Nd5 $1 Bxb2 28. e5 $1 {with a
winning position, since there is no good defence to the coming Nf6 triple fork.
}) 26... Nf4 {EXERCISE (planning): White is up a full exchange and pawn, yet
Black's play on the dark squares gives him some practical chances in the
coming time scramble. How should White continue? --- ANSWER: Simplification.
White returns the exchange to stay a pawn up, with initiative.} 27. Nd5 $1 Nxd3
({After} 27... Nxd5 28. exd5 {, the passed d-pawn is decisive.}) 28. cxd3 Qd6 {
In order to cover against the c7-fork.} 29. f6 {Black's once powerful
dark-squared bishop is pushed back and marginalized.} Bf8 {The bishop, who
holds his hands in a you-have-misunderstood-me gesture, is peer-pressured into
silence.} 30. d4 {White's centre pawns lurch forward in zombie-like horror
movie fashion.} Rc8 31. h4 $1 {The idea is to trade and isolate the g5-pawn
and then play to win it.} Bg6 ({After} 31... gxh4 32. Qxh4 $1 Rc2 33. Ne7+ $1
Bxe7 34. fxe7 Qxd4+ 35. Kh1 Qe5 {, the Black queen gets deflected of the
defence of the bishop with} 36. e8=Q+ Qxe8 37. Qxh5 {and White wins.}) 32. hxg5
hxg5 33. e5 {This natural move lengthens the winning process.} ({Houdini
prefers} 33. Qe3 {(hitting the g5-weakie) when} g4 $2 {is met with} 34. e5 Qd7
35. Be4 $1 {, removing a key kingside defender.}) 33... Qe6 34. Qg3 Rc4 {
Aldama decides that the g5-pawn is a useless appendage, like those
not-so-terrifying, tiny little arms on an otherwise terrifying Tyrannosaurus
Rex.} ({His options aren't very palatable either:} 34... Bh6 $4 {fails
miserably to} 35. Ne7+ Kh7 36. Bh3 {.}) ({Better to play} 34... Rd8 35. Qf3 g4
36. Qb3 a6 37. Kh2 Kh7 38. Kg3 Kg8 {(Black can only wait)} 39. Rh1 Rd7 40. Rh4
Bf5 41. Qd1 $1 Rxd5 42. Qh1 {and Black collapses under the dual threats of Rh8
mate and Bxd5.}) 35. Rd1 Rc2 36. Qxg5 {The queenside pawns are not important.
Principle: Launch a direct attack on the enemy king when you control the
centre.} Rxb2 37. Ne7+ $1 (37. Nf4 {is met with} Qf5 {.}) 37... Kh7 ({Also
winning is} 37... Bxe7 38. fxe7 Qd7 39. Be4 Kh7 40. Qh4+ Kg8 41. Bxg6 fxg6 42.
Rf1 Kg7 43. Qf6+ Kh6 44. e6 Qd5 45. Qh4+ Kg7 46. Rf7+ Kg8 {and the cheeky} 47.
e8=R# {mates! The rook's face tends to express his sentiments without words,
and the expression the black king sees is not one to his liking.}) 38. Nxg6
fxg6 {EXERCISE (critical decision): Work out the ramifications of 39 Be4,
which allows 39...Qh3. Can White force a win? Or does it allow Black
unnecessary counterplay? --- ANSWER: Simplification. It works.} 39. Be4 $1 {
Black's king mischievously pinches his nose in nasally mimicry of his powerful
g5-sister, who unfortunately just walked into the room and overheard him. The ...Qh3 pseudo-threat is easily defanged.} ({I originally planned} 39. Rd3 Bh6
40. Rh3 $4 {. When a pure positional player like me launches a direct attack
upon the enemy king, it is more a contrived persona - an actor playing a part
- rather than who he is. Then I realized that Black can pull a fast one with}
Qxh3 $1 {which wins on the spot. Thank goodness an incorrect variation doesn't
count as a mistake if it doesn't leave the confines of its creator's mind.})
39... Qh3 {Weaving intricate murder plots is one of the few pleasures in which
the queen indulges in her golden years.} 40. Bxg6+ $1 Kh8 {Otherwise White's
bishop gets a deadly discovery if Black's king plays to the g8-square.} 41.
Qh5+ {Deadly simplification. Black can resign once queens are removed from the
board, since he has no hope of halting White's three deep passers.} Qxh5 42.
Bxh5 Bxa3 43. d5 ({Also winning is} 43. e6 {.}) 43... Bc5+ 44. Kh1 Rb4 {This
isn't even a cheapo, since White can ignore the ...Rh4+ 'threat' and instead,
push his d-pawn. I saw no need for this and instead preserved the bishop.} 45.
Bf3 Rf4 46. Kg2 Rf5 47. d6 {It isn't necessary to cover the e5-pawn as
queening threats take precedence.} Rg5+ ({After} 47... Rxe5 48. d7 Bb6 49.
d8=Q+ Bxd8 50. Rxd8+ Kh7 51. f7 {does the job.}) 48. Kh3 Bb6 49. e6 Rf5 50. e7
{Who cares about a bishop when we get a new queen?} Rxf3+ 51. Kg4 Re3 52. d7 {
. SUMMARY: IM Aldama's 10...exf4 and 11...Nd4 is an unexplored yet playable
idea for Black, leading to rich complications.} 1-0

[Event "15: Warsaw"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Jakubiec, A."]
[Black "Moiseenko, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 {When facing a much higher rated opponent, we the underdog, can either
slay the creature, like in the Saint George/Dragon matchup, or, far more
likely, be devoured by it, as in the unfortunate Noah/whale misunderstanding.
I think the underdog's best shot is not to go for a theoretical battle, hoping
to earn a '+=' with White. Instead, play into a position you feel you
understand, equally or better than the opponent. In this case, Jakubiec sticks
to what he knows best against his higher rated opponent.} d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3
g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 c5 7. Qe1 d4 {This is Black's main option to 7...Nc6. --- QUESTION: Why push ...d4 when it doesn't come with a tempo gain? ---
ANSWER: By pushing the d-pawn down to the fourth rank, 1. Black denies White
his main idea, which is e2-e4. --- 2. Black gains central space. --- 3. Black
clears the d5-square for his pieces. --- 4. White's e4-push is simply met with
an en passant capture.} 8. Na3 {White's main response. --- QUESTION: What is
White's intention behind this move? --- ANSWER: White plans to challenge
Black's d4-pawn wedge with the plan: Na3, c2-c3, Bd2 and Nc2. If we induce
Black to trade on c3, White opens the b-file for his rooks and also greatly
increases his central pawn influence.} Nc6 9. Bd2 (9. c3 Nd5 10. Bd2 {simply
transposes to the game.}) 9... Nd5 10. c3 {We follow through with the above
mentioned plan of declaring challenge to the d4-pawn.} e5 {This is Black's
main move in the position.} ({In Game 16, we will look at} 10... Rb8 {. ---
QUESTION: Why does Black want to play ...e7-e5, swapping a central pawn for a
wing pawn? It clearly isn't a freeing break, since Black's pieces are already
developed. --- ANSWER: Playing ...e5 is a trade-off. Black swaps off a more
valuable e-pawn for White's f-pawn, which also opens the f-file for White. In
return, Black creates a backward pawn target on e2, which he hopes to
pressurize later down the e-file. --- QUESTION: Who do you think gets the
better of the bargain? --- ANSWER: I prefer White's chances, while the comps
say it may be a 50-50 deal, with neither side gaining the edge. Looking at the
stats, White has scored 62% from the position - better than average.}) 11. fxe5
Nxe5 12. Nxe5 Bxe5 13. Nc2 $1 {White salts the position with a touch of
mystery.} ({Don't get tempted by} 13. Nc4 $6 {which gains a tempo on Black's
bishop, at the cost of misplacing the knight. Black looks slightly better after
} Bg7 14. e4 Nb6 15. Nxb6 Qxb6 {as White's position is uncomfortable, since
Black threatens both ...Qxb2 and also has ...c5-c4 tricks, K.Larsen-A.Slavin,
Uxbridge 2010.}) 13... Bg7 $6 {This is book theory yet it doesn't address
White's intent, which is c3-c4! and b2-b4! taking over the initiative.} ({
Let's have a look at the alternatives: After} 13... Be6 $2 {, Kamsky followed
through with the same plan as in the Moiseenko game with} 14. c4 $1 Ne7 15. b4
$1 cxb4 {, G.Kamsky-S.Sjugirov, Moscow 2010. --- Now White maximized his
queenside pressure with} 16. Bf4 $1 Bd6 17. Nxb4 Rb8 18. a4 Nf5 19. Nc2 b6 20.
g4 $1 Ne3 21. Nxe3 Bxf4 22. Rxf4 dxe3 23. Qg3 {and the e3-pawn soon fell. ---
QUESTION: If White's c4! and b4! plan is so strong, then how can Black deal
with it? --- ANSWER: Sometimes a loss and a playable game are separated by
only infinitesimal degrees of separation.}) ({The yet unplayed} 13... a5 $1 {
may be Black's most logical move since it prevents White's intended c4! and
b4! plan. If I played White, I would respond with} 14. a4 Ra6 15. e4 Nf6 16.
cxd4 cxd4 17. Bg5 {when the position may be even though stylistically I prefer
White's game.}) 14. c4 $1 Nf6 ({Black has also tried} 14... Ne7) ({and} 14...
Nc7 {with similarly dismal results.}) 15. b4 $1 {White's agenda is revealed
with this thematic break. He gets Benko Gambit-like pressure, without the
initial investment of a pawn.} cxb4 16. Nxb4 Re8 ({Black has also tried} 16...
Ng4 17. Nd5 Bd7 18. h3 Ne5 19. Qf2 Bc6 20. Bb4 Re8 21. Bc5 $1 {when White went
on to pick off a key central pawn, V.Malaniuk-F.Bindrich, Dresden 2010.}) 17.
Qf2 {Keeping watch over the d4-pawn, while menacing Bg5.} Qc7 ({Houdini
recommends the inhuman} 17... Qd7 {but Black's position looks quite awkward
after the simple} 18. h3 {.}) 18. Rab1 {Pressure continues to build on the
b7-pawn as well.} Be6 {Black reinforces both the d5- and f7-squares.} ({Also,} 
18... Ng4 19. Nd5 $1 Qd7 20. Qf3 f5 21. h3 Ne5 22. Qf2 Kh8 23. Bg5 {leaves
Black under strong pressure.}) 19. h3 {A useful move, cutting off irritating ...Ng4 ideas.} Qc8 $2 {An inaccuracy in an already very difficult position.} (
19... Rac8 {minimizes his discomfort.}) 20. Bg5 $1 {The long ignored bishop
feels that his dignity warrants greater attention.} ({Also winning is} 20. Nd5
$1 Bxd5 21. Bxd5 {when Black's game collapses after} Qxh3 22. Rxb7 Rf8 23. Bb4
Nxd5 24. Bxf8 Rxf8 25. cxd5 Bh6 26. Rxf7 $1 Be3 27. Rxf8+ Kg7 28. Rf7+ Kh6 29.
Qxe3+ dxe3 30. R1f3 {as White should convert his material advantage without
too many difficulties.}) 20... Nd7 21. Nd5 {Threat: Ne7+, winning the exchange.
} Kh8 {EXERCISE (planning): White to play and win material. --- ANSWER:
Simplification/removal of a key defender/interference/double attack. The d4-
and b7-pawns are simultaneously attacked and Black's game crumbles.} 22. Nf6 $1
{Attackers creep forward, deeper and deeper into Black's camp, careful not to
make any overt display which would bring undue attention to themselves.} Nxf6
23. Bxf6 Rb8 24. Qxd4 {The queen doesn't tolerate insolence from a mere
servant, like Black's d-pawn. White wins a key central pawn for zero
compensation, while retaining all his strategic advantages.} Bxf6 25. Qxf6+ Kg8
26. Kh2 b6 27. Rb5 $1 {The rook pursues a promising line of inquiry. Jakubiec,
sensing the kill, swings his queen rook into the attack.} Qa6 $6 {One way to
discover your enemies is to enter a room and pick out the people who strain
not to look in your direction. The queen reacts to the white rook's offence
with almost bland equanimity. This is just asking for it.} ({Black should
redress the kingside force imbalance by airlifting in another defender with} 
27... Qd8 {.}) 28. Re5 $1 {The rook goes after the defender of the f7-pawn as
industriously as an over-caffeinated beaver working overtime on a dam project.}
Qxa2 $2 {EXERCISE (combination alert): Tourist brochures have a way of
overstating the scenic location's charms. In this case, Black nabs the
worthless a2-pawn. --- Some principles can be so broadly applied, as to be
rendered invisible. We note a continued infringement of the directive: Don't
go on a pawn-hunting expedition when your king's life is endangered. Black
defenders appear to be callously indifferent to their king's plight. Black's
last move was played with the philosophy: the player with the disadvantage
should never agree to a bargain, since the negotiation will never end in his
or her favour. Clearly, White's prospects are of gladsome expectation. White
to play and force the win.} ({Necessary was} 28... Qc8 {.}) 29. Bc6 $1 {ANSWER:
Removal of the guard. --- Outwardly the bishop shrouds himself in godliness,
while inwardly he calculates and manipulates, always toward his self-interests.
} Red8 ({Also,} 29... Rf8 {allows White exactly the same idea after} 30. Rxe6
$1 fxe6 31. Qxe6+ Kg7 32. Qe7+ {winning.}) 30. Rxe6 $1 {That which was once
merely a vague hint of an attacking idea, now transforms into a
three-dimensional entity. Black's painful after-effect is the consequence of
earlier optimism. Removal of the f7-defender is the solid surface which allows
White's idea traction.} fxe6 31. Qxe6+ Kg7 32. Rf7+ Kh6 {"Someday your throne
will be mine," thinks Black's king as he wistfully gazes at his hateful
e6-sister. Then, to his horror, he realizes he spoke his secret thought aloud.}
33. Qe3+ ({Following} 33. Qe3+ g5 34. Qe6+ Kh5 35. Rxh7# {is mate! --- SUMMARY:
When Black plays the 7...d4 plan, remember our counter plan: Na3, Bd2, c2-c3,
Nc2, c3-c4! and b2-b4!, with Benko-Gambit like pressure on Black's queenside,
but without the investment cost of a pawn.}) 1-0

[Event "16: BDO Chess Tournament, Haarlem"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2012.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kuzmicz, K."]
[Black "Klein, D."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2012.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. g3 d5 2. Bg2 Nf6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 c5 7. Qe1 Nc6 8. c3 d4
9. Na3 Nd5 10. Bd2 Rb8 $1 {I think this move is more accurate than the
previous game's 10...e5. --- QUESTION: Does Black move his rook to b8 in order
to get off the h1-a8 diagonal? --- ANSWER: Correct, but Black also seeks to
challenge White on the queenside, with ...b5, rather than in the centre with ...e5.} 11. Nc2 {White continues as last game, further reinforcing the e3-square
and the b2-b4 push. --- QUESTION: Do you prefer the c2-square to the c4-one as
an outpost for the knight? --- ANSWER: I do, as on the c4-square: 1. The
knight is vulnerable to a tempo loss after ...b5. --- 2. The knight fails to
reinforce b2-b4, denies White his normal plan of c3-c4! followed by b2-b4!, as
we saw in the previous game. --- 3. The knight fails to add pressure to the
d4-pawn.} ({Let's examine how} 11. Nc4 {pans out:} b6 ({Black also gets at
least equality after the more aggressive} 11... b5 12. Nce5 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Bb7
14. Qf2 f6 15. Nf3 e5) 12. Rc1 Bb7 13. Qf2 {, R.Mainka-K.Kannenberg, Bad
Woerishofen 2014. Black achieves a rather pleasant equality after} e6 {when
White doesn't have much to do.}) 11... b5 $1 {This move eliminates White's
c3-c4! and b2-b4! idea.} 12. e4 ({I prefer this freeing move to the plan} 12.
cxd4 cxd4 13. Qf2 Qb6 14. Nh4 Qd8 15. f5 Bb7 16. g4 $5 {(White is intent on
creating trouble on the kingside)} Qd6 {, H.Danielsen-A.Petrosian, Schwerin
1999. The game is in dynamic balance after} 17. Rac1 Rbc8 18. g5 {.}) 12...
dxe3 {The human response, played in all three games in my database.} ({Houdini
prefers capturing away from the centre with} 12... dxc3 $5 {when we have the
following choices:} 13. -- (13. bxc3 Nb6 {(Black gives up control over the
centre to attack it in hypermodern style)} 14. d4 $1 {(White offers a pawn for
an initiative and the dark squares)} cxd4 15. Ncxd4 Bxd4+ 16. cxd4 Nxd4 17.
Nxd4 Qxd4+ 18. Be3 Qa4 19. f5 {and White's unopposed dark-squared bishop,
coupled with Black's relatively undefended king, insures dangerous attacking
chances in exchange for Black's extra pawn.}) (13. exd5 cxd2 14. Qxd2 Nb4 15.
Nxb4 cxb4 16. Ne5 Bxe5 17. fxe5 Bb7 18. Qxb4 Bxd5 19. Bxd5 Qxd5 20. Qxe7 Rbe8
21. Qxa7 Rxe5 {is equal.} (21... --))) 13. Nxe3 {QUESTION: Why did White
deliberately take on a backward d3-pawn? --- ANSWER: Such structures are quite
common with colours reversed in g3-King's Indian lines, which this position
closely resembles. The d3-pawn is hardier than it looks. In fact, I believe it
is Black who should worry about his own c5-pawn.} e6 ({This new move is an
improvement over} 13... Nb6 {, J.Psenicka-J.Mares, correspondence 1991. White
can now play to pressure the c5-pawn with} 14. Ng5 $1 Bb7 15. Ne4 {as this
induces Black to fall into a defensive posture with} Nd7 {. Here I prefer
White, since the c5-pawn looks weaker than our d3-one. White can also pursue a
kingside agenda by pushing f4-f5.}) 14. Qf2 {Threat: Nxd5, followed by Qxc5.} (
{If White is concerned about his d3-weakness, he can clog the d-file with} 14.
Nxd5 exd5 15. Qf2 Qb6 {with an equal game after} 16. Ne5 {.}) 14... Nf6 {
Retreating the knight to the b6-square may have been the more accurate course.}
15. Ne5 $1 Nxe5 16. fxe5 Nd7 17. Ng4 $1 {White takes aim at the weakened dark
squares around Black's king.} Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Bxe5 19. Qxc5 {White got the
better of the deal in the trading. Soon he will have greater central influence
when he plays d3-d4.} Qc7 ({After} 19... Bc7 20. d4 Bb6 21. Qe5 Bc7 22. Qe2 {
, White can look forward to potential kingside attacking chances, based on
Black's weakened dark squares and the semi-opened f-file.}) 20. Be3 a6 21. Rf2
{Preparing to double rooks on the f-file. White maintains a nagging strategic
edge.} Bd7 22. Raf1 f5 23. Re1 {The rooks switch to fresh targets along the
e-file.} Rfe8 24. Rfe2 Qxc5 {Black's troubles are not relieved by an exchange
of queens.} 25. Bxc5 Bc7 26. d4 {Fixing the backward e6-pawn as a target.} Kf7
27. b4 $5 {This move allows White a permanent c5-outpost, at the cost of
losing some of his queenside flexibility.} ({Instead,} 27. d5 $6 {is premature
and allows Black equality after} e5 28. d6 Bb6 29. Bxb6 Rxb6 30. Rxe5 Rxe5 31.
Rxe5 Rxd6 32. Kf2 {.}) 27... Bd8 28. d5 $1 {Now this is possible due to
White's previous move.} e5 $1 {EXERCISE (planning): White can play the
immediate 29 Rxe5, or he can play the double attack 29 Bd6. One leads to the
advantage, while the other allows Black counter-chances. Which one should he
play?} ({Black avoids the trap} 28... Rc8 $4 29. dxe6+ Bxe6 30. Bd5 {and White
wins the exchange and infiltrates.}) 29. Bd6 $2 {The con artist's only focus
is how to separate the gullible from their money. In this instance, the d6-con
artist himself is actually the mark. After this move, White becomes
disassociated from his original intent. Missing an opponent's intent is the
same feeling as seeing a flash of motion in our peripheral vision, but then
when we turn to look, we find nothing there.} ({ANSWER: White secures the
advantage with} 29. Rxe5 $1 Bf6 30. R5e2 $1 Rxe2 (30... Bxc3 31. Re7+ Kf6 32.
R1e3 Rxe7 33. Bxe7+ Kf7 34. Bc5 Bf6 35. Ra3 Bc8 36. d6 {leaves Black under
pressure in the ending}) 31. Rxe2 Re8 32. Rc2 f4 $1 33. Kf2 Bf5 34. Rc1 {
netting an extra pawn and all the winning chances.}) 29... Bb6+ 30. Kh1 e4 $1 {
A dark, ancient evil which lay dormant for untold ages arises once again,
reassuming its supernatural powers. In this way, Black hopes to recoup,
re-gather and launch a vicious counterattack. This move demonstrates excellent
judgment. With this exchange sacrifice, Black gets full compensation due to
his powerful dark-squared bishop.} 31. Bxb8 Rxb8 32. Rc2 Kf6 $1 {Black's king
soon takes up a dominating e5-post. I don't believe that White stands even a
shade better here, despite being up a full exchange.} 33. Bf1 Ke5 34. c4 bxc4
35. Bxc4 Ba4 36. Rd2 $6 {Now Black actually stands better.} ({Correct was} 36.
Bb3 Bd7 37. Rd1 Kd6 $1 {with equal chances.}) 36... Bd4 $1 {With the dual
threats, ...Bc3 and ...Rxb4. We don't need Capablanca's intuitive powers to
tell us that Black stands better. His harmonious king and bishop pair weave in
and out, existing in a fugue condition, with one taking up the melody from the
other when needed.} 37. Rb1 Bc3 ({Also to be considered was the line} 37... g5
$1 38. Bxa6 f4 39. gxf4+ gxf4 40. Rg2 f3 41. Rg7 e3 42. Bd3 e2 {and White must
hand over a piece with} 43. Bxe2 fxe2 44. Re7+ Kxd5 45. Rxe2 Bd7 {. Black has
all the winning chances.}) 38. Rg2 Rb6 ({Also,} 38... a5 39. b5 e3 {looks
quite dangerous for White.}) 39. a3 g5 $1 {Sometimes the interrogator uses the
discomfort of an extended silence to get the subject to disclose information.
Nothing is threatened for now, yet the intended ...f5-f4, creating two
connected central passed pawns (which are further supported by Black's king),
looms over White's thoughts.} 40. Ba2 $6 {White's mind continues to circle the
problem of how to effect a breakthrough into Black's position. Doing nothing
is not an option.} ({It is better to play} 40. Rc1 Bd4 {but even then, I don't
think White can save the game.}) 40... f4 ({More accurate is} 40... e3 $1 {
intending ...Kd4.}) 41. gxf4+ gxf4 42. Bb3 Be8 $6 {"I must cleanse such
heretical thoughts from my mind, before God hears them," thinks the worried
bishop. Black's plan begins to dilute, the way a copy of a copy tends to fade.
This passive response gives White a break.} ({I doubt White can save himself
after} 42... Bb5 $1 43. Rg5+ Kd4 44. Rd1+ Bd3 45. Rf5 Ke3 $1 {.}) 43. Rc1 Bd4
44. Rc7 $2 {EXERCISE (critical decision): White's last move should lose.
Should Black play 44...Bh5, or the more forceful 44...f3? One wins, while the
other should lead to a draw.} ({White missed an opportunity to draw with} 44.
Rg5+ $1 {as Black's advantage, which at one stage felt eternal, now must be
downgraded to 'for the time being'. Instead,} Kf6 45. Rg8 Bh5 46. h4 e3 47. Rc7
e2 48. Rf8+ Ke5 49. Re7+ Kd6 50. Re6+ Kc7 51. Re7+ {is perpetual check.}) 44...
f3 $2 {When a miracle occurs and in the end, you lose anyway, I interpret it
as a waste of good luck. The advanced f-pawn certainly strikes a sinister note,
as it violates White's territorial sovereignty even further. Yet, the move is
a blunder which throws away the win. The ending is nightmarishly confusing for
both sides.} ({ANSWER: Correct is} 44... Bh5 $1 45. Rg5+ Kd6 46. Rxh7 Bf3+ 47.
Rg2 {with a winning position for Black after} Ke5 {.}) 45. Re7+ $1 {White's
kingside forces strongly resent what they believe to be foreign interference
in their traditional way of life. Now they begin to fight back.} Kf4 {Black's
deeply entrenched passers remain an ever present emblem of his authority -
until now.} ({However,} 45... Kd6 $2 46. Re6+ Kc7 47. Rc2+ Kd8 48. Rxe4 f2 49.
Bc4 Rg6 50. h4 Ba7 51. Rf4 Rg1+ 52. Kh2 Bb8 53. d6 $1 Bxd6 54. Rd2 Ke7 55. Rxd6
Kxd6 56. Rxf2 {leaves Black fighting for the draw.}) 46. Rg4+ $1 {White finds
a way to break up Black's once deadly connected passers. Black's threats,
which just a few moves ago, multiplied wildly, have now reached their plateau.}
({Also drawing is} 46. Rxe8 fxg2+ 47. Kxg2 Rg6+ 48. Kh3 Rh6+ 49. Kg2 Rg6+ 50.
Kh3 Rh6+ 51. Kg2 Rg6+ {with perpetual check.}) 46... Kxg4 47. Rxe4+ {White
must have breathed a huge sigh of relief after playing this move. The long
implanted e4-blockage is extracted. --- EXERCISE (critical decision): Should
Black play his king to the f5-square, hoping for a draw, or can he get
ambitious with 47...Kh3? Which one would you play?} Kh3 $2 {This is more a
death-rattle than a counterattack. Black's ambitious winning attempt loses.} ({
ANSWER: He should still hold the draw after} 47... Kf5 $1 48. Rxe8 Rf6 49. Bc2+
Kg5 50. Bd3 f2 51. Rg8+ Kf4 52. Kg2 Ke5 53. Rg5+ Kd6 54. Kf1 Rh6 55. Be4 Rxh2
56. Bg2 {with a likely truce.}) 48. Rxd4 Rf6 ({After} 48... f2 49. Bc4 Bb5 50.
Bxb5 axb5 51. Rd3+ $1 Kg4 52. Kg2 Rf6 53. Kf1 {, the passer is halted and
Black can resign.}) 49. Bc4 {The long redundant bishop finally looks for
honest work.} Bb5 ({The myopic} 49... f2 $4 {allows} 50. Bf1# {mate!}) 50. Bxb5
axb5 51. Kg1 {It's all over, since White's king gets in front of the passer,
ending Black's last hope.} Rd6 52. Kf2 h5 53. Kxf3 h4 ({Also futile is} 53...
Kxh2 54. Rh4+ Kg1 55. Rxh5 {and White wins.}) 54. Rd2 Rg6 55. Ke4 Rg4+ 56. Ke5
Rg5+ 57. Ke6 Rg6+ 58. Kf7 Rg1 59. d6 Rf1+ 60. Ke7 Re1+ 61. Kd8 Rc1 62. d7 Rc8+
$1 {This game is clear proof that the foundational operating principle of the
universe is irony.} ({I gave Black's last move an exclam, since he sets up a
brilliant underpromotion helpmate after} 62... Rc8+ $1 63. dxc8=B# {mate!
"Your existence threatens me, so you will be expunged from the world," the
newly-elected bishop informs Black's king. --- SUMMARY: I think 10...Rb8!
equalizes and is an improvement over Game 15's ...e5 plan.}) 1-0

[Event "17: Warsaw (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Jakubiec, A."]
[Black "Rozentalis, E."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 b6 {Black holds back
on the natural ...c7-c5 and chooses to develop quietly. --- QUESTION: What is
the point of not playing ...c7-c5 - ? --- ANSWER: Black's position is flexible
and unresolved. Therefore, he keeps White guessing to his final intent. For
example, he can decide to forgo ...c7-c5 and place a knight on the c5-square,
an idea used by Lautier (Nbd2-c4) on the White side of the Dutch Leningrad or
simply play for ...e7-e5 after ...Nbd7, as utilized by Topalov (Nbd2 followed
by e2-e4), also in the Dutch Leningrad.} 7. h3 {QUESTION: This move looks
strange. What is its purpose? --- ANSWER: Black refuses to challenge White in
the centre, so White uses the lull to build a direct attack upon Black's king
with g3-g4, Qe1-h4.} ({Instead: White can of course reverse the order to the
more traditional} 7. Qe1 Bb7 8. h3 {.}) ({He can also play for a queenside
advance following} 7. c3 Bb7 8. Na3 c5 9. Nc2 Nc6 10. Bd2 Re8 11. b4 {(this
plan is actually more common to the Classical Dutch lines, rather than in
Leningrad Dutch)} Nd7 12. Rb1 Qc7 13. bxc5 bxc5 14. Qc1 e5 $6 15. fxe5 Ndxe5
16. Qa3 $6 ({I missed the idea} 16. Nxe5 $1 Nxe5 17. Ne3 $1 Qd7 18. c4 {,
winning material}) 16... Nxf3+ 17. Bxf3 Ne5 18. Bg2 Ng4 19. Rfe1 Bh6 $2 (19...
Be5 20. c4 Bxg3 21. hxg3 Qxg3 22. d4 Qf2+ 23. Kh1 Rxe2 24. Rxe2 Qxe2 25. Qf3
Qxd2 26. Qxg4 Qxc2 27. Rxb7 dxc4 28. dxc5 {is even according to the comps}) 20.
Bxh6 Nxh6 21. c4 Red8 22. Ne3 {when Black is busted and about to lose a key
pawn, C.Lakdawala-E.Lobron, Internet (blitz) 2005.}) 7... Bb7 ({QUESTION: How
do we respond to} 7... Ba6 {which suppresses White's e4-break? --- ANSWER:
Your move is an unplayed idea. White can instead consider the plan used in the
stem game, the standard kingside assault plan} 8. Qe1 {, intending g3-g4 and
Qh4.}) 8. Qe1 Nbd7 {The most flexible move. Black leaves the c5-square open
for a knight, just in case he needs it to suppress e2-e4.} ({If instead,} 8...
c5 9. c3 Nc6 10. Na3 a6 11. e4 dxe4 12. dxe4 e5 13. Nc4 {and now Black offered
a pawn with} Qc7 $1 {, H.Danielsen-J.Gunnarsson, Reykjavik 2006. Maybe White
should now accept with} ({Bad is} 13... exf4 $6 14. Bxf4 {, leaving Black in
deep trouble, since Rad1 comes next with serious threats such as Nd6 or Bd6})
14. Nfxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Rad8 {. White must deal with some awkwardness, since
he hangs the e4-pawn if he moves his knight away from the e5-square. But still,
a pawn is a pawn, and if given a choice, I would take White's position.}) 9. g4
{Now it becomes clear that White is playing directly for mate.} e6 ({
Tournament praxis has seen:} 9... c5 10. c3 Qc7 11. Na3 e5 12. fxe5 Nxe5 13.
Nxe5 Qxe5 14. Bf4 Qe6 15. Qf2 Bc6 16. Rae1 d4 17. c4 Nd7 $6 (17... Bxg2 18.
Kxg2 a6 19. e3 {is even}) 18. Nb5 $1 Bxg2 19. Qxg2 Be5 20. e3 $1 {and Black is
already in trouble. Following} dxe3 $2 ({necessary was} 20... a6 21. Bxe5 Qxe5
22. exd4 Qg7 23. Nc7 Qxd4+ 24. Rf2 Rad8 25. Qg3) 21. Rxe3 Rac8 {, A.Jakubiec-W.Ehrenfeucht, Polanica Zdroj 1999, White has a winning position after} 22. Bxe5
Nxe5 23. g5 $1 {.}) ({b)} 9... Ne8 10. e4 dxe4 11. dxe4 Nc5 12. e5 f6 13. Nc3
fxe5 14. Nxe5 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Qd6 16. Be3 $1 Bxe5 17. fxe5 Qc6+ ({of course not} 
17... Qxe5 $4 18. Rxf8+ Kxf8 19. Bh6+ {when White wins Black's queen}) 18. Kh2
Ng7 19. Qe2 {and White looks better since Black seems shaky on the dark square,
A.Kharlov-Y.Yakovich, Moscow 1992.}) 10. Nc3 Qe7 11. Qh4 {This is a standard
Closed Sicilian plan, which also works here in the Reversed Leningrad Dutch.
White can also directly play for e2-e4 here.} ({After} 11. e4 dxe4 12. dxe4 Nc5
{, F.Hoelzl-H.Wirthensohn, La Valetta 1980, White looks just a shade better
due to his extra space after} 13. e5 Nd5 14. Nxd5 Bxd5 15. b3 {.}) 11... Rfe8
12. Bd2 a6 13. Rae1 {White loads up on the kingside before committing to a
lunge.} b5 14. a3 c5 15. Nd1 {QUESTION: Why did White retreat the knight? ---
ANSWER: White's plan is simple: 1. Transfer every available piece over to the
kingside. --- 2. Deliver checkmate. --- White plans Nf2, after which he can
play for our now familiar g4-g5 and Ng4 attacking plan.} Qd6 16. Nf2 d4 {Black
clears the d5-square for his knight as well.} 17. g5 {Here we go. White
initiates his attacking plan along the kingside dark squares.} Nh5 18. Ne4 Bxe4
$5 {QUESTION: This seems like a pretty large concession. --- Why not just back
up the queen to the e7-square instead?} ({ANSWER: After} 18... Qe7 {, White
can respond with the tricky} 19. Ba5 $1 {(preventing ...Nb6 and ...Nd5). Now
White threatens Nh2, after which Black must watch out for Bf3 and also Ng4.})
19. dxe4 e5 {I think this may be the correct decision, despite the fact that
it allows White's next bypassing move.} ({If} 19... Nb6 {,} 20. e5 Qd7 21. Nh2
$1 {intending Ng4 and Nf6+ (as well as Bf3 and Bxh5 ideas) looks quite
dangerous for Black.}) 20. f5 c4 {Of course Black rules the queenside, but
White banks on kingside action to distract his opponent.} 21. Nh2 {Commencing
our favourite plan: Ng4 to aid in the kingside assault.} c3 $5 {This is a
clearly demarcated battle, with each side pushing the other on his respective
dominant wing. This move reminds White that if his kingside attack fizzles, he
will probably lose the game on the queenside.} 22. bxc3 Qc5 ({I like White's
chances in the line} 22... Nb6 23. Rd1 dxc3 24. Bc1 ({White can't get
distracted with} 24. Bxc3 $4 {as after} Qc5+ 25. Qf2 Qxc3 26. Qxb6 Bf8 $1 27.
Rd5 Nf4 {, Black is winning}) 24... Qc5+ 25. Kh1 Nc4 26. Bf3 Nf4 27. Ng4 {and
I think Black is in deep trouble here. Houdini initially thinks the chances
are even. But give it a few minutes and White's advantage rises considerably.
Black always gets nailed on the kingside, no matter how he squirms here.}) 23.
Ng4 Nb6 $2 ({Black's only move is} 23... Qxa3 {. Even then, White's kingside
assault looks quite promising after something like} 24. Qf2 {(threat: fxg6,
Qf7+ and Qxd7) when Black must play almost perfectly to survive. After} Rad8
25. Rd1 dxc3 26. Be3 Nf4 27. Bc1 Qc5 28. e3 Nxg2 29. fxg6 $1 Nf4 (29... fxg6 $4
30. Qf7+ Kh8 31. Rxd7 Qf8 32. Kxg2 {wins}) 30. gxf7+ Kxf7 31. Rd5 Qa7 32. exf4
Qxf2+ 33. Kxf2 Nb6 (33... exf4 $4 34. Rfd1 {places the d7-knight in a deadly
pin}) 34. Rxd8 Rxd8 35. f5 {, it's anyone's game.}) 24. cxd4 exd4 $2 {This
second mistake abruptly ends Black's resistance.} ({Forced was} 24... Qxa3 25.
Qf2 Nc4 26. e3 Rac8 27. Bc1 {although White looks close to winning here as
well.}) 25. Bb4 $1 {Increasing the scope of the dark-squared bishop to aim at
the kingside.} Qxc2 26. e5 $1 {Threat: Bxa8.} Ra7 {EXERCISE (planning): How
would you conduct White's coming attack? --- ANSWER: Annihilation of king's
cover.} 27. e6 $1 {Now Black's king is unable to withstand the attacking heat.}
fxe6 ({Futile is} 27... a5 {as} 28. Rc1 Qxe2 29. Bc5 Ra6 30. exf7+ Kxf7 31.
Rce1 Qc4 32. Nh6+ Bxh6 33. fxg6+ Kxg6 34. Rf6+ $1 Kg7 35. gxh6+ {forces mate.})
28. fxg6 hxg6 {EXERCISE (combination alert): Find one deadly shot and Black's
position crumbles. --- ANSWER: Discovered attack.} 29. Be4 $1 {White's bishop
is immune and thus becomes decisive in prising open the black king's cover.} d3
(29... Qxe4 30. Nh6+ {discovers on the queen.}) 30. Bxg6 {Now the e8-rook and
h5-knight hang simultaneously.} Bd4+ 31. e3 {. Black's entire army hangs. ---
SUMMARY: Remember the Closed Sicilian attacking plan: Qe1, h2-h3, g3-g4 and
Qh4.} 1-0

[Event "18: Moscow Aeroflot Open"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2009.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bartel, M."]
[Black "Shen, Y."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2009.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 ({As White, I sometimes meet the Leningrad Dutch with Black's set-up, the
following way:} 1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. c3 Bg7 5. Nf3 d5 $5 ({more
common is a line like} 5... d6 6. O-O O-O 7. Qb3+ e6 8. Ng5 d5 9. Bf4 Nh5 10.
Nh3 Nxf4 11. Nxf4 c6 12. Nd2 Qe7 13. c4 Nd7 (13... Bxd4 $2 {is met with the
trick} 14. cxd5 cxd5 15. Nxd5 $1) 14. Nf3 {when Black's bishop pair
compensates for the slight e5 weakness, P.Harikrishna-H.Nakamura, Biel 2012})
6. Bf4 c6 7. Nbd2 Be6 8. Qb3 Qb6 9. Ne5 Nbd7 10. Ndf3 Ne4 11. Nxd7 Bxd7 12. Ne5
Be6 13. Nd3 {with an edge to White, due to his control over the e5-square, C.Lakdawala-B.Baker, San Diego 2004. In the stem game, we will thus discuss
Black's ...c6 (as opposed to the more typical ...c5) idea.}) 1... d5 2. Nf3 g6
3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 ({The late, great Larsen essayed} 6. c3
c6 7. Kh1 Qb6 8. Na3 Nbd7 9. Nc2 Re8 10. a4 $5 e5 11. a5 Qb5 12. d3 c5 13. Ne3
$5 {(nobody can accuse Larsen of a routine interpretation of the opening!)}
exf4 14. gxf4 Qa6 15. Qa4 $1 {(intending to swing the queen into the kingside
by f4-f5, followed by Qh4)} Rb8 16. f5 $1 c4 $5 {(Kavalek offers a pawn in an
attempt to cross Larsen's plan by clogging the white queen's access to h4; the
comps are not so impressed though and neither was Larsen)} 17. dxc4 Nc5 18. Qb4
Nce4 19. Nd4 ({stronger was} 19. fxg6 $1 hxg6 20. Nxd5 Nxd5 21. cxd5 {and if}
Qxe2 $4 22. Bf4 Ra8 23. Rae1 Qc2 24. Ng5 {and White wins}) 19... Bf8 20. Qb5
dxc4 21. fxg6 hxg6 22. Qxa6 bxa6 23. Nxc4 {and Black's queenside piece
pressure gives him partial, but not full compensation for the pawn. Larsen
went on to take the full point, B.Larsen-L.Kavalek, Halle 1963.}) 6... c6 {
QUESTION: Why hold back and play the c-pawn up one notch, rather than to the
c5-square? --- ANSWER: Black deals with the Bird/Leningrad Dutch by setting up
with an ultra-solid Schlecter Slav formation with the following reasons: 1.
The d5-pawn is reinforced. --- 2. Black's queen has access to the b6-square,
so White must watch out for ...Qb6, followed by ...Ng4 trick. This motif
simultaneously threatens the b2-pawn as well as the e3- and f2-squares.} 7. e3
{White's most flexible move.} ({QUESTION: Why this move rather than our normal
} 7. Qe1 {- ? --- ANSWER: For two reasons: 1. 7 e3 may be slightly more
accurate than 7 Qe1, since White later has a choice of playing his queen to
either the e1- or e2-square. --- 2. Black can pretty much force e2-e3 anyway
after} Qb6+ 8. e3 Nbd7 9. Nc3 a5 10. a4 Nc5 11. Kh1 Na6 12. e4 Nb4 13. Rf2 d4
14. Na2 Na6 15. h3 Nd7 16. b3 Qd8 17. Bd2 b6 18. g4 {, A.Jakubiec-V.Komliakov,
Panormo 2001. Here, GM Jakubiec launched a successful kingside attack.}) 7...
a5 {This move is a theoretical novelty. --- QUESTION: This looks like Black
stabs out at nothing on the queenside. What is the point of this move? ---
ANSWER: Black expands on the queenside, gaining useful space and prepares ...a5-a4-a3, hoping for eventual contact.} ({A couple of alternatives: Black can
also play for an ...e7-e5 plan after} 7... Nbd7 8. Nc3 Qc7 9. e4 dxe4 10. dxe4
e5 $5 {and I think it's quite risky to allow White f4-f5, since attacking
chances automatically follow. After} 11. f5 {, White later plays for g4-g5
with a strong kingside grip, V.Malaniuk-V.Kachar, Saratov 2006.}) ({Black can
also play to dump his potentially bad bishop with} 7... Bg4 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3
Nbd7 10. e4 e5 {(otherwise White plays e4-e5 himself, with a clear central
space advantage)} 11. f5 dxe4 12. dxe4 {, S.Kindermann-H.Cording, Germany 1982.
I like the looks of White's coming autopilot attack of pushing the g-pawn all
the way to g5.}) 8. Qe2 {This is the reason some players play 7 e3, rather
than 7 Qe1. The e2-square is a more natural one for the queen as it helps to
clear the back rank for the rooks to connect eventually.} a4 {Black intends to
push ...a3 if allowed.} 9. a3 Nfd7 $6 {Black alters established procedure with
a move which smacks of artificiality. Black plays for the ...e5 freeing break,
at the cost of tangling his development somewhat.} ({I would be more inclined
to play} 9... Bg4 {and then swap off the bad bishop. This is followed with ...e6, switching the structure to favour Black's remaining good bishop.}) 10. Nc3
b5 $5 {Well, maybe he isn't playing for the ...e5 break after all.} ({Black
can try} 10... e5 11. e4 dxe4 12. dxe4 exf4 13. gxf4 {. --- QUESTION: Can
Black try the risky dark-squares-for-damaged-structure idea with} Bxc3 {- ?
--- ANSWER: Houdini claims your suggestion is playable. Of course the danger
of this move is the potential degradation of dark square integrity around
Black's king. After} 14. bxc3 Qe7 {, if Black survives White's coming attack,
he then owns the superior structure. However, that is a pretty big 'if'. White
can already proceed to launch a powerful attack with the pawn sacrifice} 15. f5
{and meet} gxf5 $2 {, with} (15... f6 16. Bh6 Rf7 17. Qf2 {gives White a
strong initiative too}) 16. Bh6 Re8 17. Rae1 {with a huge advantage. So in
this case, I believe king safety is more important than structural issues.})
11. e4 e6 {Black sets up a light square wall. It's more normal to engage this
plan only after playing ...Bg4 and ...Bxf3.} 12. Be3 Na6 13. Qf2 $1 {A
multipurpose move: 1. White prevents Black from unravelling with ...Nb6 or ...Ndc5. --- 2. White furthers his grip on the d4-square. --- 3. White leaves
open future attacking options like h2-h3, g3-g4 and if possible, Qh4.} Rb8 {
Enabling ...Nb6 and also thinking about ...b5-b4 ideas with the intention of
creating conflict on the queenside, Black's territory.} 14. h3 {Preparing
g3-g4.} Bb7 ({Black's position looks strategically sour after} 14... f5 $6 15.
exd5 exd5 16. Ba7 Rb7 17. Bd4 $1 {when the exchange of dark-squared bishops
leaves Black weak all over on the dark squares.}) 15. g4 dxe4 {Principle:
Counter in the centre when assaulted on the wing. However, the move has a
downside. If White gets a chance to play dxe4 and e4-e5, then he has access to
Ne4, feeding a big attacker into the kingside.} 16. dxe4 c5 {Black continues
to lavish time and capital to his queenside dream.} 17. Rad1 {I suspect that
Bartel is playing directly for mate.} ({He retains a pleasant strategic edge
after} 17. e5 f6 18. exf6 Bxf6 19. Rad1 {and now Houdini's suggestion is} Bxc3
$5 {. The risky plan obviously pulls in contradictory trajectories. The old
blameless bishop spent decades in serious contemplation and prayer. Now all
the repressed goofiness which was previously bottled up in his psyche emerges
in a powerful explosion of irrationality. Following} 20. bxc3 Qe7 21. Rfe1 Nb6
22. Ne5 Nd5 23. c4 bxc4 24. Nxc4 Nxe3 25. Qxe3 {, White applies pressure to
the e6-pawn and his c4-knight is clearly superior to its a6-counterpart.})
17... Qe7 {How to differentiate wisdom from folly? If we are unable to do so,
then the two become virtually interchangeable.} ({The mate-oblivious comps of
course demand that Black play} 17... Bxc3 $5 {. To my mind, this is the
equivalent of entering a duel with a papier-mâché sword, versus the skilled
opponent's cold steel. After} 18. bxc3 {, White threatens Ne5. Of course, we
fearful humans know better. I like White's attacking chances over Black's
structure after} Qe7 19. f5 $1 Bxe4 20. Bh6 Bxf3 21. Bxf3 Rfc8 22. fxe6 fxe6
23. Bf4 Rb6 24. Qd2 Nab8 25. Bd6 {and in this open position, White's scary
bishop pair is worth more than Black's extra pawn.}) 18. e5 {White's clamp
continues to grow.} b4 $5 ({Contesting the e5-pawn wedge with} 18... f6 19.
exf6 Nxf6 20. Ne5 {also looks promising.}) 19. axb4 Bxf3 {This move energizes
Black's queenside attack, at the cost of handing White the bishop pair.} 20.
Bxf3 Rxb4 {EXERCISE (planning): Come up with a clear attacking plan for White 
(hint: I already mentioned this plan over and over in this chapter!). ---
ANSWER: The f6-square is the masked connection point which unites White's
attackers. Play for g4-g5! followed by Ne4 and Nf6+.} 21. g5 $1 {In the span
of a single chess game, we make dozens of secret wishes without even realizing
it. Both Black's and White's thoughts unite on the need to push their
respective attacks along as quickly as possible. In this case, White's threats
come faster. Ah, yes, our now familiar theme: First clamp down on the
f6-square, and then transfer a knight there. White achieved a strategically
won game. But then I very reasonably ask: where did Black go wrong? I suspect
that his 9th move ...Nfd7?! may be identified as the culprit.} Rc8 ({Also,} 
21... Rxb2 22. Nxa4 Rb4 23. Nc3 Rc4 24. Ne4 Nb4 25. Rd2 Nd5 26. Nf6+ {is
decisive for White.}) 22. Ra1 {Bartel wants to eliminate the a4-pawn, Black's
only real chance of counterplay.} ({Also,} 22. Rd6 $1 Nab8 23. Ne4 Rxb2 24. Ra1
{looks quite awful for Black.}) 22... Rxb2 23. Nxa4 Rb4 24. Nc3 $1 {The
knight's fangs haven't yet been drawn in. With this triple purpose move: 1.
White uncovers on the a6-knight. --- 2. White threatens to increase the
pressure further with a coming Ra7. --- 3. White re-transfers his knight back
to the c3-square, where it heads for its ideal e4-post.} Nc7 25. Ra7 $1 {Black
is horribly tangled.} h6 {Of course this alters nothing, since White can
simply back up the g5-pawn with his h-pawn.} 26. h4 hxg5 {The trouble with
this move is that it opens the h-file for White's major pieces.} 27. hxg5 c4 $2
{Recovery from a serious illness isn't likely if you merely take intermittent
doses from an already diluted medicine. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): In
losing positions, confusing variations tend to cross over and intermingle,
like voices heard in a dream. Black's last move was a mistake. How can White
exploit it?} 28. Ne4 {Bartel is unable to connect the stray data to a
combinational pattern. Since White has been playing for this move for many
moves, it's easy to miss the killer blow.} ({ANSWER: Pin/skewer. Black is
unable to extricate his queen from multiple pins and skewers after} 28. Rd1 $1
{which wins a piece, no matter how Black wiggles. In such complex positions,
our strategic skills are of scant use. When the position gets crazy, tactics
come to the forefront. For example,} Rb2 ({also,} 28... Bf8 29. Ne4 $1 {and
the threat of Rxd7 and Nf6+ is decisive}) 29. Bc1 Rbb8 30. Ba3 Qe8 31. Bc6 {
wins for White.}) 28... Nb5 $2 ({Instead,} 28... Nd5 {was forced.}) 29. Nf6+ $1
Bxf6 30. gxf6 Qd8 31. Rxd7 $1 {"You are no more than a pretty yet empty symbol,
like a wooden mermaid on a ship's bow," the rook taunts his d8-cousin.} Qxd7 {
The queen's tightly drawn brow and agitated foot-tapping give us a picture of
her mood.} 32. Qh4 {One senses a distinct lack of affection between the
siblings on h4 and g8. Threat: Qh6. Vulgar two-move mate threats don't count
as subtle stratagems, but nobody can deny that they uplift the spirit.} Nd4 33.
Be4 $1 ({A really stupid way to blow the game would be} 33. Qh6 $4 {as Black
wins with} Nf5 {, forking the queen and the bishop.}) 33... Qd8 {EXERCISE 
(planning): The haggard black king looks in the mirror and fails to recognize
the stranger who gazes into his eyes so intensely. It grows obvious that Black
isn't going to pull off a coherent defence with such a tenuous assembly of
offside defenders. Find one attacking idea and Black is mated. --- ANSWER:
Clearance. There is no defence to the coming Rh1.} 34. Kf2 $1 {. "Our war plan
must be implemented with a high degree of intelligence," lectures White's king,
adding "which is synonymous with the fact that I alone am capable of creating
it." --- SUMMARY: When Black sets up with the ...d5, ...c6 formation, you may
want to think about playing 7 e3, rather than our standard 7 Qe1 plan, since
by playing e2-e3, we have the choice of later transferring the queen to e2, a
more natural square than e1.} 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3: Classical Bird"]
[Black "Fianchetto Lines"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbq1rk1/pp2ppbp/5np1/2pp4/5P2/3PPN2/PPP1B1PP/RNBQ1RK1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.25"]

{White modestly holds the e-pawn back to the third rank in the Classical lines,
yet harbours great ambitions. We can play for three distinct plans in the
position:} 1. -- (1. -- {1. White plays for central expansion with e4, often
with the help of Qe1 and Bd1.}) (1. -- {2. White plays for a direct kingside
assault, with Qe1, Qh4, sometimes Ne5 and often g2-g4.}) (1. -- {3. White can
simply use the f-pawn as a means of softening the black king's pawn cover,
with f4-f5 ideas later on.}) (1. -- {The resulting positions feel like a nest
of ambiguities, which neither prove nor disprove. Instead, they all seem to
point to the dreaded unclear evaluation. Of course this factor rarely bothers
Classical players who tend to be natural tactician/attackers. White may
embrace harsh strategic extremes (like tossing in g2-g4!? to attack), and most
Classical adherents believe they will escape the consequences of past
strategic indiscretions by hocus-pocusing their way out through the use of the
smoke and mirrors of extreme complications. It is to Black great peril if he
or she underestimates the danger and la-di-das away the kingside menace.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Classical Bird 2"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbq1rk1/ppp1ppbp/5np1/3p4/5P2/1P2PN2/PBPP2PP/RN1QKB1R w KQ - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.25"]

{At the end of the chapter, we briefly touch upon the Fianchetto Bird lines,
where White concentrates on an overprotection of the e5-square.} 1. -- {We
essentially reach a Queen's Indian position a move up, but can expect no
advantage if Black plays correctly.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bird Orangutan"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqkb1r/ppp1pp1p/5np1/3p4/1P3P2/4PN2/P1PP2PP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.25"]

{In this final position, theory walks the brink of lunacy, yet somehow manages
to avoid falling off.} 1. -- {This is Bent Larsen's odd Bird Orangutan, where
White may even play on the queenside, a rarity in most Bird lines.} *

[Event "19: Correspondence"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Andreassen, E."]
[Black "Mori, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 ({One interesting point to note at this juncture is that the analogous
position in the Classical Dutch, following} 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2
Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. Nc3 {,} Nc6 $6 {is considered an error (See the
position after 8 Nc3 in the 7 Qe1 variation). --- This is because, as
Classical Dutch maven GM Simon Williams pointed out, after} 8. d5 $1 Ne5 9. Nd4
{, "White achieves a safe advantage". Following} Nxc4 10. dxe6 g6 ({after} 
10... d5 11. Nxf5 Bxe6 12. Nxe7+ Qxe7 13. Nxd5 Nxd5 14. Bxd5 Rad8 15. Bxe6+
Qxe6 16. Qc2 {, Black has insufficient compensation for the pawn}) 11. Bh6 Re8
12. Bc6 $1 {, White wins the exchange as} bxc6 {loses the queen after} 13. Nxc6
{, A.Rombaldoni-S.Bergsson, Stefan, Porto Mannu 2014. The extra tempo White
has over the Classical Dutch 7...Nc6 line makes a difference, as you will see
in the notes to Black's next move.}) 1... c5 ({Our move-order usually arises
from} 1... d5) ({and} 1... Nf6 {, both moves preventing White from playing
e2-e4. For example:} 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 g6 4. Be2 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 c5 7. Qe1
Nc6 {and we reach one of our tabiya positions of this chapter.}) 2. Nf3 g6 {
This move-order discourages White from b3-Bird lines, which we examine briefly
near the end of the chapter.} 3. e3 ({I normally just play} 3. e4 {if Black
allows it, transposing the game into a Sicilian Defence. --- QUESTION: You
don't like 3 e3 here? --- ANSWER: I don't really understand the point of
playing e2-e3 and then later trying to achieve e3-e4, when we can do it in one
shot, unless White intends to follow with d2-d4 and a Stonewall set-up. ---
QUESTION: Then why do so many players choose 3 e3 over the immediate 3 e4 - ?
--- ANSWER: We mustn't overlook an extra dimensional factor in White's
equation: flexibility. White's formation is fluid, and by playing the e-pawn
modestly to the e3-square, we keep Black guessing as to our intent. It's based
on the philosophy: It becomes difficult for our opponents to overcome an
anonymous enemy, since they don't know which direction to shoot. Also, the
White player might be a Classical Dutch or Stonewall Dutch specialist, seeking
to embroil his opponent into a tabiya where he is more experienced with,
coupled with an extra tempo.}) 3... Bg7 4. Be2 Nc6 5. O-O d5 6. d3 {This move
sets in motion the Classical, or Ilyin-Zhenevsky Bird/Dutch. --- QUESTION:
What is White playing for? --- ANSWER: White has several plans at his or her
disposal: 1. White can play for the e3-e4 break, often in conjunction with Qe1
and even Bd1. --- 2. White can play for a kingside attack, with Qe1 and Qh4,
although this isn't so easy to achieve. --- 3. White can play the following
queenside plan: a4, Na3, c2-c3, Nc2, Bd2, Rb1 and b2-b4, which we look at
later in the chapter. --- 4. I have even seen White switch later on to a
delayed Stonewall set-up with c2-c3 and d3-d4, if Black posts his or her pieces
oddly, or out of sync with this formation. --- Now saying all this, I don't
play the Classical lines. --- QUESTION: Why not? --- ANSWER: They just feel
too passive, as if White is the one seeking to equalize. I prefer Leningrad
and Stonewall lines instead. But I realize readers may play the Classical
lines, so that is why this chapter is in the book.} Nf6 7. Nc3 $5 ({If White
is intent on developing a knight to the c3-square, then the more common
move-order is} 7. Qe1 O-O 8. Nc3 {which is White's normal move-order here (see
the 1 d4 variation).}) 7... O-O ({The thematic} 7... d4 {results in an
unbalanced game. --- After} 8. Ne4 {:} -- (8... Nd5 9. Nxc5 {:} -- (9... Nxe3
10. Bxe3 dxe3 11. c3 Qb6 12. Na4 Qc7 13. d4 {and Black's e3-pawn may
eventually fall, but he seems to have some compensation with his bishop pair,
R.Maric-D.Janosevic, Skopje 1967.}) ({. More complex is} 9... dxe3 10. d4 Nxf4
11. Bxe3 Nxe2+ 12. Qxe2 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 Bxd4 14. Rad1 Bxe3+ 15. Qxe3 {. --- Here,
compared to the Classical Dutch line which we've just discussed in the notes
to 7 Nc3!?, Black has yet to castle and this crucial tempo keeps White in the
game. Following} Qb6 16. c3 Qxb2 17. Na6 bxa6 18. Rd8+ Kxd8 19. Qd4+ Kc7 20.
Qc5+ {a truce can result from perpetual check.} (20. --))) (8... Nxe4 {
(Andreassen is three for three in this position with White)} 9. dxe4 Qb6 10. e5
(10. exd4 cxd4 11. Bd3 {is an idea for White to secure the queenside and turn
his attention to the kingside later with a3, Qe1 and Qh4}) 10... O-O 11. Bc4
Bf5 (11... dxe3 12. Bxe3 Qxb2 13. Rb1 Qa3 14. Qe2 {, gives sufficient piece
pressure for the pawn though I think this is Black's most promising
continuation}) 12. Qe2 Rad8 13. e4 {(sharpening the game by creating opposite
wing pawn majorities)} Bg4 14. Bd2 Na5 15. Bd3 Rc8 16. Qe1 Nc6 17. b3 {and I
slightly prefer White's position, since his queenside is secure for now. Also,
he can pursue a kingside attacking agenda with Qh4 soon, E.Andreassen-T.Lovholt, correspondence 2008.})) 8. Qe1 {The queen almost always plays to e1
in the Classical lines, with the following purposes: 1. On e1, the queen helps
engineer an e4 break. --- 2. The queen may later play to h4, in pursuit of a
kingside attack.} d4 {This central counter is certainly tempting, given that
White egged it on by playing his knight to c3.} ({Instead, after} 8... b6 {,}
9. Ne5 {clearing f3 for his bishop, is Houdini's first choice in the position.
White plays on the principle: The cramped side is helped by exchanges. Of
course, we must ask why White, who moved first, is the one who is cramped. But
this just may be my anti-Classical bias speaking! Following} Bb7 10. Nxc6 Bxc6
11. Bf3 Re8 12. e4 e6 {, G.Reim-A.Mende, Germany 1995, I prefer White's game
after} 13. e5 Nd7 14. Ne2 f6 15. d4 Rc8 16. c3 Bb5 17. Be3 {with some extra
space and} cxd4 18. cxd4 Rc2 {is met with} 19. Rf2 $1 {when the b2-pawn is
taboo, due to the Qc3 trick.}) 9. Nd1 {They say the meek shall inherit the
earth. One paradox of the Classical Dutch is the opening's adherents are
universally imaginative tactician/attackers, yet for some reason, they
wilfully begin the game quite passively. I always wonder that in positions
this barren of the dynamic factor, why doesn't the natural tactician/attacker
suffer bouts of claustrophobia of the intellect?} ({White's move is probably
slightly more accurate than} 9. Ne4 Nd5 10. Nxc5 Nxe3 11. Bxe3 dxe3 12. c3 Qc7
$1 {when the f4-pawn is loose and not so easy to defend.}) 9... dxe3 ({A look
at the alternatives:} 9... Nb4 {is met with the tricky} 10. Nxd4 Qb6 {, K.Hayward-L.Chepurnoy, Corresponence 1987. The game looks even after} 11. a3 {.})
(9... Qb6 {is met with the bypass move} 10. e4 {when White is happy to close
the centre and direct his efforts to a kingside build-up.}) 10. Nxe3 Nd5 {
Taking aim at the f4-pawn and also unleashing the dark-squared bishop along
the a1-h8 diagonal.} 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12. c3 {At this moment I'm fighting an
overwhelming urge to make some kind of rude "Isn't-White-playing-to-equalize?"
joke about the Classical Bird. Well, this isn't exactly inspirational stuff
from White, but most Classical Bird/Dutch players are not looking for an
opening edge. Instead they seek a position with which they are familiar and
feel comfortable, and the experience in handling such positions may count
later when the game explodes in messy complications.} Bf5 {Black adds heat to
the backward d3-pawn.} 13. Qf2 b6 {QUESTION: Shouldn't White be concerned
about the d3-weakness?} ({ANSWER: A little, but the pawn isn't as weak as it
looks. For example, after} 13... Bxd3 14. Rd1 c4 15. Ne1 {, White regains the
pawn, with the bishop pair as interest.}) 14. Rd1 Rad8 {We reach the end of
theory. Black can pile up on the d3-pawn all day long and still not be able
take it.} (14... Rae8 {intending ...e5 is also logical, as in G.Arnold-P.
Spierenburg, correspondence 2010. Following} 15. h3 e5 16. fxe5 Nxe5 17. d4 Bc2
18. Rd2 Nxf3+ 19. Bxf3 Be4 20. dxc5 Qxc5 21. Qxc5 bxc5 22. Bxe4 Rxe4 23. Rd3
Re1+ 24. Kf2 Rfe8 25. Rd8 $1 Rxd8 26. Kxe1 {, an approximately even ending is
reached, with White's inherently superior structure, juxtaposed with Black's
development lead.}) 15. Be3 Bg4 16. Rd2 {White prepares his coming manoeuvre.}
Rfe8 {It appears as if White experiences difficulties, since he is unable to
develop his a1-rook without creating further weaknesses. In reality the
position remains even, predicated upon White finding his next move. White's
plan for the moment is utterly denuded of any sense of identity, like an egg
destined to be a future parrot named Polly, but for now, remains just an egg.}
17. Bd1 $1 {The d1-elemental, born of darkness, finally allows itself to be
seen by the world. Here we see the art of misdirection in action. The bishop
feints left when in reality his intentions veer right, in the direction of
Black's king. White intends to energize his passive position with Bb3,
followed by Ng5.} e6 $5 {Possibly an overreaction. It's critical to sift the
real from the merely hopeful. I'm not so confident about this move since it
narrows the escape routes for the g4-bishop. The move sets in motion a complex
chain of events, whose final destination is difficult for either side to
fathom.} ({Black had two options in:} 17... Na5 18. h3 Bf5 19. d4 c4 {White
managed to unbackwardize (I request that you don't google this 'word') his
once backward d-pawn.} (19... Nc4 20. Bb3 cxd4 21. Bxd4 Qc6 22. Re2 {is
slightly in White's favour}) 20. Ng5 Qd7 21. Bf3 Bd3 22. Re1 {with even
chances.}) (17... Nd4 {allows a choice of captures:} 18. -- (18. Bxd4 $5 {
(anything to unbalance the game)} cxd4 19. c4 Qd6 20. Ng5 Bd7 21. a3 a5 22. Bb3
e6 {with a dynamic Benoni-like position. Houdini prefers Black, while I would
be okay with White's side.}) (18. Nxd4 cxd4 19. Bxg4 dxe3 20. Qxe3 Bh6 21. Qf3
Qxf3 22. Bxf3 Bxf4 23. Rdd1 e5 24. Bc6 {is even.} (24. --))) 18. Bb3 Qd6 19.
Ng5 $1 {A disquieting prospect looms over Black, who must now be on high alert
for h2-h3 and g2-g4 tricks on his g4-bishop.} Qc7 $6 {This allows White to
take over the initiative.} ({Black retains dynamic chances with} 19... h6 $1
20. Ne4 Qc7 21. h3 Bf5 {:} 22. -- (22. Rad1 h5 23. Ba4 {and I prefer White
since Black has nothing to do but await White's g2-g4 plan.}) (22. g4 $5 {is
risky due to} Bxe4 23. dxe4 Rxd2 24. Qxd2 Rd8 25. Qe2 g5 $1 {. Black must
counterbalance White's light-squared power with his own influence on dark.
Following} 26. Rf1 gxf4 27. Bxf4 Ne5 28. Bc4 Qe7 29. Bb5 c4 30. Kg2 Qc5 {,
Black stands no worse and may well have a strategic edge here due to White's
lack of control over the dark squares and the d3-square.})) 20. Qh4 $1 {
Forcing Black to weaken his king's cover. White attackers begin to mill about
the kingside, as if on a picnic.} h5 21. h3 Bf5 22. Rad1 {That which was once
merely a vague, baleful abstraction, now takes real form and true menace. Now
g2-g4 is a serious worry for Black, who must weaken further to keep his
light-squared bishop alive.} f6 23. Ne4 {Threatening Nxf6.} Kf7 {Black's king
decides to travel the land incognito to discover if he is loved by the people.
He later discovers that he isn't loved all that much.} ({Black can also try} 
23... Ne7 24. g4 $1 ({Black survives} 24. Nxf6+ $6 Bxf6 25. Qxf6 Nd5 26. Bxd5
exd5) 24... hxg4 25. hxg4 Bxe4 26. dxe4 Rxd2 27. Bxe6+ Kf8 28. Rxd2 Qc6 29. Bd7
Qxe4 30. Qg3 Nf5 31. gxf5 Qxe3+ 32. Qxe3 Rxe3 33. fxg6 Bh6 34. Bf5 Re7 35. Rf2
{and Black remains down a pawn but the presence of opposite-coloured bishops
offers drawing chances.}) 24. g4 {Insuring the bishop pair and control over
the light squares.} hxg4 25. hxg4 Bxe4 26. dxe4 Rxd2 27. Rxd2 {Black is in
trouble: 1. White has the bishop pair. --- 2. White rules the dark squares.
--- 3. The e6- and g6-pawns remain under pressure with f4-f5 in the air.} Ne7
$1 {Black's best defensive chance, since he intends ...c4 next.} (27... Na5 $6
{is met with} 28. f5 Nxb3 29. fxg6+ Ke7 30. axb3 Rh8 31. Qf2 {when White is up
a pawn and g4-g5 is in the air.}) 28. Bc4 $1 {Oh no you don't! White blocks
out the stifling ...c5-c4.} Rh8 ({Another try is} 28... Qc6 29. f5 Qxe4 30.
Bxe6+ Kf8 31. Re2 Nxf5 32. Bxf5 Qc4 33. Bh6 $1 Rxe2 34. Qxf6+ Qf7 35. Bxg7+ Kg8
36. Bd3 Qxf6 37. Bxf6 Rxb2 38. Bxg6 Rxa2 39. g5 {when this ending looks
somewhat scary for White but comp analysis shows that White still wins.
Following} Rd2 40. Bf5 Kf7 41. Be5 b5 42. g6+ Ke7 43. g7 Rd8 44. Kf2 Kf7 45.
Bh7 b4 46. c4 Re8 47. g8=Q+ Rxg8 48. Bxg8+ Kxg8 49. Ke3 Kf7 50. Bd6 {, White
wins.}) 29. Qg3 Qc6 {EXERCISE (critical decision): We begin to detect seepage
into White's light square domination. After all, Black menaces both ...Qxe4
and ...b6-b5. How should White continue? --- ANSWER: Work the e6-pin, since
the e4-pawn is protected through tactics.} 30. f5 $1 {White toils with
single-minded energy toward his goal of exposing Black's king, even if his own
king gets partially exposed in the process.} gxf5 ({Not} 30... Qxe4 $4 {as} 31.
Bxe6+ Ke8 32. Qb8+ {forces mate.}) 31. Rd6 $1 ({The blunder} 31. gxf5 $2 {is
met with the trick} Nxf5 $1 32. Bxe6+ Qxe6 33. exf5 Qxf5 34. Qc7+ Kg8 35. Rd8+
Bf8 36. Qg3+ Kh7 37. Qc7+ {with perpetual check.}) 31... Qxe4 $2 ({Black can
continue to resist with} 31... Rh1+ $1 {(when no rational solution can be
found, where else can we go but the irrational?)} 32. Kxh1 {(the king
hesitatingly accepts the tip with the grave courtesy of a butler, unused to
gratuities)} Qxe4+ 33. Kg1 Qxc4 34. gxf5 Nxf5 35. Rd7+ Ne7 36. Qf3 $1 {(threat:
Qh5+)} Qh4 37. Rxa7 f5 {and White should be winning but conversion even here
won't be so easy, since his king is somewhat exposed.}) 32. Bxe6+ {"This is
for your own good. The scriptures deem public humiliation the great reducer of
pride," intones the bishop, as he concludes his sermon.} Ke8 {The forced
deference to White's attackers also brings with it the psychological baggage
of resentment for Black's king. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): An attack,
by its nature, remains unmollified until it reaches its aim of checkmate.
Black just blundered in an already losing position. White to play and force
mate in four moves.} ({Also,} 32... Qxe6 33. Rxe6 Kxe6 34. Qc7 fxg4 35. Qxa7 {
is hopeless for Black.}) 33. Rd8+ $1 {ANSWER: Clearance/attraction.} Kxd8 34.
Qb8+ ({The denouement follows after} 34. Qb8+ Nc8 35. Qxc8+ Ke7 36. Qd7+ Kf8 {
. "I am so very sorry for the 75 attempts I made on your life. Now why not let
bygones be bygones?" asks Black's king. The queen answers: "I realize that you
are sorry, but I cannot forgive until you are made a lot sorrier" and promptly
executes} 37. Qd8# {mate! --- SUMMARY: The positions are roughly even in the
early Nc3 line, mainly since Black's counter ...d5-d4 assures even chances.})
1-0

[Event "20: Correspondence"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2004.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Baranowski, T."]
[Black "Bortnik, E."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2004.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. e3 Nf6 4. Be2 O-O 5. O-O c5 6. d3 d5 7. Qe1 Nc6 8. Qh4 {
White's main move in the position, but it may not be best. IM Tim Taylor calls
this popular idea "primitive and direct" and then later refers to it as a
"crude attacking move which, being so obvious, is easy to defend against". ---
QUESTION: Do you agree with Taylor's assessment? --- ANSWER: Pretty much, yes!
However, I will add that "primitive and direct" ideas may sometimes constitute
a virtue on a club level of play, or in rapid games, where defence is much
harder than attack, due to the time shortage. So I wouldn't dismiss it out of
hand. Later on in the chapter, we see GM Lie play the Qh4 idea and win, but a
move later, only after Black's queen plays to c7. --- QUESTION: What
difference does that make? --- ANSWER: When Black's queen sits on d8 and White
plays Qh4, then Black has access to ...e7-e5! ideas which both counter in the
centre and also offer to swap queens, which White obviously doesn't want,
since he launched an attack with Qh4.} b6 {Black calmly completes his
development and prepares either ...Bb7 or ...Ba6.} ({Black can seek to reduce
White's kingside attacking force with} 8... Bg4 9. Nc3 e6 10. Nd1 {(maybe
White was better off pushing his h-pawn), J.Rotstein-E.Vasiukov, Dresden 2006.
With his last move, White transferred the knight to the kingside, preparing
Nf2. Now Black has a hidden idea which wins an exchange for a pawn after} Nb4
$1 11. c3 (11. Bd2 $6 Bxf3 12. Rxf3 Nxc2 13. Rc1 Nb4 14. a3 Na6 15. Rh3 h5 {
and I don't believe in White's compensation for the pawn}) 11... Nc2 $1 {(only
computers suggest moves like this as Black's knight isn't as trapped as it
first appears)} 12. Rb1 Bf5 $1 {(intending ...c5-c4, after which it is White's
b1-rook, and not the c2-knight which is in danger)} 13. Nf2 {(threat: g2-g4)}
c4 14. dxc4 (14. Nd4 Nxd4 15. exd4 b5 {gives Black a coming queenside
initiative}) 14... Nd4 15. exd4 Bxb1 16. a3 Ne4 17. Qxd8 Rfxd8 18. c5 {, I
think White has close to full compensation for the exchange, but if given a
choice, I would take Black, the material-up side.}) 9. Nbd2 ({I would avoid} 9.
a4 {when the committal Qh4 has been played, since White isn't interested in
queenside play. After} Bb7 10. Kh1 Ne8 11. Qh3 Nd6 {, White lunged forward with
} 12. g4 $6 {, Hmm. Even a caveman may pinch his nostrils at this one,
condemning it as a bit too hooliganish for his taste! After} e5 {(Black
engages a standard central counter)} 13. f5 $6 {(this is unrepentant stuff
from White!)} e4 14. dxe4 Nxe4 {, White looks strategically busted, yet he
went on to win, so we should keep an open mind about the practical aspects of
such thug-like play, J.Dobos-G.Danner, Budapest 1994.}) 9... Ba6 {QUESTION:
What is the point of developing the bishop to the a6-square, where it hits a
d3-wall? --- ANSWER: Black's idea is to discourage his opponent from achieving
e3-e4.} ({Black has an interesting untried idea here with} 9... Ng4 $5 {. This
diverts White from his intended kingside attack. Following} 10. Nb3 Nb4 {
(Black meets White's crudeness with some crudeness of his own!)} 11. Ne1 Nh6
12. c3 Nc6 13. e4 e6 {(engaging Black's terrible weapon in this variation: a
potential queen swap)} 14. Qf2 {(White rightfully declines to trade queens)} f6
{, Black prevents e4-e5 and stands no worse.}) 10. c3 {Keeping Black's knight
out of the b4-square.} ({Larsen preferred} 10. Rf2 Ne8 11. c3 {and here, we
see the idea discussed in the notes to 8 Qh4. Black unleashed} e5 $1 {, the
principle being: meeting a wing attack with a central counter. --- The game
continued} 12. Qxd8 {(a tacit admission that 8 Qh4 failed to achieve its
objective, which was to deliver checkmate on Black's king)} Rxd8 13. fxe5 Nxe5
14. Nxe5 Bxe5 15. a4 Bb7 16. d4 Bg7 17. dxc5 bxc5 18. Nb3 Rc8 19. e4 $1 d4 $1 (
19... dxe4 $6 20. Be3 c4 21. Nc5 Bc6 22. Bxc4 {and White stands better since
his pieces are more active}) 20. cxd4 cxd4 {, B.Larsen-W.Schmidt, Aarhus 1971.
At this point Larsen misses} 21. Bg4 $1 {which somewhat embarrasses the
c8-rook as it has no safe squares. However, Black may still be okay here
following Houdini's suggested plan} f5 $1 22. exf5 Nf6 23. Bh3 Ne4 24. Rf3 Nc5
25. f6 Bxf3 26. Bxc8 Rxc8 27. Nxc5 Rxc5 28. fxg7 Bc6 29. Bf4 $1 {when} Rc2 {is
met with} 30. Rc1 $1 d3 31. Rxc2 dxc2 32. Bh6 Bxa4 {with a drawn ending.})
10... Ne8 $1 {A new move in the position and a good one. This strategic
retreat prepares the central counter ...e7-e5.} 11. Qf2 $1 {A good
counter-reaction by White, who sidesteps Black's intended queen swap with ...e7-e5. Also, by protecting the e2-bishop, White enables his own e4-break.} h6
$6 {Some of our troubles are real, while others are contrived fabrications of
our own making. I'm not quite sure the point of this move since it voluntarily
weakens Black's kingside pawn front.} ({He should follow his central counter
plan with the more direct} 11... e5 $1 12. fxe5 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. Nf3 Bg7
15. e4 {(freedom at last!)} Nc7 (15... dxe4 16. dxe4 Bxe2 17. Qxe2 Qe7 18. Bf4
Rd8 {is about even as I don't believe the e4-isolani constitutes a real
weakness for White}) 16. Bf4 Ne6 17. Be5 f6 18. Bg3 d4 $1 {(this violates the
principle: Don't close the centre when the opponent attempts a wing attack,
yet this is an exception to the rule)} 19. c4 Bh6 {(threat: ...Be3)} 20. Kh1
Be3 21. Qe1 Bb7 22. Nh4 {and I prefer Black, whose potential queenside play
with ...a7-a6 and ...b6-b5 looks more promising than anything White's jumbled
would-be attackers may drum up on the kingside.}) 12. e4 d4 $6 {This clogging
of the centre plays into White's hands strategically, since it allows him to
turn his attention to a kingside attack without fear of a central counter.} ({
Black should probably settle for} 12... dxe4 13. dxe4 Bxe2 14. Qxe2 Qd7 {,
with the idea of ...Rd8. The position is about even, although this time, I
actually prefer White due to his superior central space.}) 13. c4 Bc8 {This is
the Total Recall sci-fi movie retold, where the bishop resembles the amnesiac 
(played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) who finally remembered who he was and did
not like his actual self, in which case, his cure was no cure.} ({QUESTION:
Rather than this meek retreat, shouldn't Black proceed with his queenside
attack with} 13... b5 {- ? --- ANSWER: I think this distraction idea may be
Black's best bet. Following} 14. e5 $1 {:} -- (14... Rb8 15. b3 Qb6 16. a3 Nc7
17. Ne4 {, Black looks better off here than he did in the game's continuation.}
) (14... bxc4 15. Nxc4 Nc7 16. Nfd2 {(keep in mind that White can abandon his
kingside attacking plan and switch to queenside play)} Nb4 17. Ne4 {, the
c5-pawn is fragile and White's knights are powerfully posted.} (17. --))) 14.
e5 $1 {Clearing the e4-square for his knight.} Nc7 15. Qg3 $1 {The queen
creeps closer to the g6-weakness, perhaps later intending Nh4 and an eventual
f5-break.} Rb8 16. Ne4 a6 {Black plans ...b5, but this isn't so easy to
achieve since White's e4-knight targets c5.} ({Here, he has an interesting
pawn sacrifice with} 16... Nb4 $5 17. a3 Nc2 18. Ra2 Ne3 19. Bxe3 dxe3 20. Ne1
Ne6 21. Qxe3 {and Black controls the d4-square, his king is safe and he owns
the bishop pair. --- This looks better than what Black got in the game.
Following} f6 $1 {to blow open the centre, Black's central play seems
sufficient compensation for the pawn.}) 17. Nh4 $1 {White methodically builds
for a strike. Now Black must be on high alert for piece sacrifices on g6, and
also f4-f5! pawn sacrifice ideas.} a5 $2 {EXERCISE (planning): Black grossly
underestimates the latent power in White's kingside build-up. How did White
achieve his attacking aims?} ({Black's only hope of survival is to feed a
defender to the kingside with} 17... Ne8 $1 {.}) ({The positionally suspect} 
17... e6 $2 {is too high a price to pay to close off White's f5-break. After}
18. Nf6+ Bxf6 (18... Kh8 {is met with the sweet looking} 19. Qxg6 $1) 19. exf6
Qxf6 20. Bf3 Nb4 {, White can exploit the weak g6- and h6-pawns as well as the
c7-knight and b8-rook with} 21. f5 $1 {(discovered attack/multiple attack).})
18. f5 $1 {ANSWER: Pawn sacrifice/annihilation of king's cover. The fact that
the e5-pawn hangs is of little worry to White, who shears Black's defensive
cover around his king. --- All subterfuges rise to the surface, into the light.
White's forces target the g6-pawn, the gift which keeps on giving - with
owlish intensity. Black's once pristine king's cover is now degraded through
prolonged exposure to the elements.} Bxe5 ({Not much choice as} 18... g5 $4 19.
f6 {ensures that it's time for Black to resign.}) 19. Bf4 {White's forces
continue to creep from the centre to the periphery. Forced moves can also be
powerful ones. White eliminates the black king's only defender.} Bxf4 20. Rxf4
{Rooks tend to be a taciturn race in the opening and middlegame. Only later on
in the late middlegame and endings, do they become more talkative. This
position is an exception, where White's rook can be safely airlifted into the
attack. Now it becomes plain to see that Black's king inadvertently wandered
into the wrong part of town and found himself surrounded by five beefy,
smiling thugs.} Qe8 (20... Ne5 {is met by the retreat/attacking sortie} 21. Rf2
$1 {when the defence collapses.}) 21. Bh5 {Make that six beefy, smiling
attackers surrounding Black's king.} Ne5 22. Raf1 {Gulp! My mistake: make that
seven beefy, smiling attackers. White's assault is an astounding feat of
complete inclusion.} ({Also crushing was the immediate} 22. fxg6 $1 f6 23. g7 {
(double attack/discovered attack)} Qxh5 24. gxf8=Q+ Kxf8 25. Rxf6+ $1 {
(annihilation of defensive barrier)} exf6 26. Nxf6 Qf7 27. Qxe5 Rb7 28. Rf1 {
, with a bloodbath on the kingside.}) 22... g5 {EXERCISE (combination alert):
There are some positions which we can study for 15 minutes, without even an
iota of comprehension as to the correct plan. This isn't one of them! Black's
last move merely verifies a fact which was already painfully obvious to us all:
he is busted and about to face a reprisal of biblical proportions. Your writer,
in an uncharacteristically good mood, is about to toss you the easiest
combination alert in Move by Move publishing history. White attackers tingle
and crackle with an almost inhuman level of competence. Continue White's
attack. --- ANSWER: Piece sacrifice/annihilation of the defensive barrier.} 23.
Nxg5 {So obvious that it doesn't merit an exclam.} hxg5 24. Qxg5+ {The queen
is proud to an equal degree of her g8-brother's demoralization.} ({Black's
king is the hyperactive third-grader (i.e. your writer as a lad), doing his
utmost to present his best behavior to the new teacher, who he realizes will
almost certainly hate him within a week's passing. Following} 24. Qxg5+ Kh7 {
, White has access to a million ways to win here, one of which is following:}
25. Bg6+ $1 {. "We thank Thee, oh Lord, for making me so much better than
everyone else," prays the bishop, with deep gratitude. There is no need to
calculate a move like this. Our eyes just confirm its correctness. After} Kg7 {
, "My ever-so-quick mind is not so easily beguiled," says the king, as he
cunningly taps the side of his head with a finger and the rout is completed
with} 26. f6+ exf6 27. Qxf6+ Kg8 28. Bh7+ $1 {(clearance sac)} Kxh7 29. Nf5 {
(again, clearance sac)} Bxf5 30. Rh4+ Kg8 31. Rh8# {. --- SUMMARY: From time
to time we all experience the urge to channel our inner Neanderthal. 8 Qh4 may
be an unsubtle attacking attempt, yet at a club level or a rapid game, it may
well work on a targeted opponent who doesn't feel comfortable defending.}) 1-0

[Event "21: Norwegian League"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2003.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lie, K."]
[Black "Leer Salvesen, B."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. d3 d5 4. e3 Bg7 5. Be2 O-O 6. O-O c5 7. Qe1 Nc6 8. a4 {
The wait-and-see move. --- QUESTION: What is the purpose of this move? ---
ANSWER: There are multiple reasons: 1) The basic tenet of this move is to stem
the ...b5 queenside expansion plan for Black. --- 2) Another possibility is to
make use of the b5-square to hold the knight (see the notes to White's 9th
move). --- 3) The pawn move also helps to initiate White's Bird/Classical
Dutch queenside plan (which we look at in a couple of games): Na3, c2-c3, Bd2,
Nc2 and b2-b4. --- 4) Finally, this space gaining move doesn't impede White's
Qh4 plan (as in this game).} Qc7 {Black's main move, where he logically tries
to enforce the ...e5-break.} ({Black's other options:} 8... b6 9. Qh4 ({we
will look at the plan} 9. Na3 Bb7 10. c3 e6 11. Rb1 Rc8 12. b4 {in Game 22})
9... Bb7 10. Na3 Nd7 11. Qh3 e6 12. Rb1 {(if White is going to play for the
queenside expansion plan, then he may be better off leaving his queen on the
e1-square)} Qe7 13. c3 e5 14. e4 dxe4 {, S.Le Floch-Y.Berthelot, Bretagne 1999.
The position is in dynamic balance after} 15. dxe4 exf4 16. Bxf4 Nde5 {(of
course, the e4-pawn wasn't really hanging, due to the Ng5 trick)} 17. Nc4 Nxf3+
18. gxf3 Rad8 19. Rbd1 {with approximately even chances.}) ({I think} 8... Re8
$1 {may be Black's best continuation. He plays for ...e7-e5, without removing
his queen's gaze from h4:} 9. -- (9. Ne5 Qc7 10. Qg3 Nd7 11. Nxc6 bxc6 $1 {, M.Repplinger-A.Bitalzadeh, Leiden 2010. The slight weakening of Black's
queenside pawn structure is irrelevant since this move strengthens d5, opens
the b-file and keeps Black's queen on c7, where she can help enforce the ...
e5-break. The game may be dynamically balanced after} 12. Nc3 {although if
given a choice, I would take Black's side.}) (9. Qg3 Bf5 10. c3 Qb6 {, T.Bohn-H.Rueckert, Germany 2006. After,} 11. Nbd2 c4 $1 12. d4 Na5 {, White gets
an uninspiring Stonewall position.} (12... --))) ({White also can play the
material-reducing plan we looked at in the last game with} 8... Bg4 {and after}
9. Ne5 Bxe2 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Qxe2 {, V.Okhotnik-C.Bernard, Le Touquet 2005,
play may go} Re8 12. f5 e5 13. e4 {with the kind of messy position Classical
Bird/Dutch players like.}) 9. Qh4 {QUESTION: Last game you hinted that White's
Qh4 may be a somewhat shady continuation, yet here you say nothing. Why? ---
ANSWER: What a difference a move makes. With Black's queen on c7, White no
longer fears ...e7-e5 queen-swap ideas from Black.} (9. Nc3 {(playing for
e2-e4) is White's main alternative.} -- (9... d4 10. Nb5 Qb6 {was the line we
spoke about earlier in the notes to 8 a4. The protected knight gives White a
tempo to advance in the centre with} 11. e4 {to establish a good mobile centre.
--- Not surprisingly, the same concept applies (one tempo down) in the
Classical Dutch with 1 d4 f5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 Be7 5 Bg2 0-0 6 Nc3 d6 7
Qc2 a5 8 0-0 Nc6 9 d5 Nb4 and 10 Qb3 is met by 10...e5, A.Link-E.Mueller,
Germany 1992.}) (9... e5 10. fxe5 Nxe5 11. e4 $1 dxe4 12. dxe4 {. Here, don't
be afraid to take on such isolanis, if you get the resulting activity boost
which tends to follow. Following} Be6 13. Qh4 {, V.Okhotnik-O.Bouverot,
Elancourt 2004, White met} Nxf3+ {with} 14. gxf3 ({while I would recapture
with the bishop, with dynamically balanced chances as} 14. Bxf3 {.}))) 9... e5
10. e4 $1 {This freeing move (as I mentioned before, it's very strange that
White requires a 'freeing move') activates White's power on the kingside.} dxe4
{This move was played in every game in my database.} ({Oddly enough, Houdini
prefers the unplayed} 10... exf4 $5 {and after} 11. Nc3 $1 {, if White
recaptures on f4 with the bishop, he faces the awkward ...Qb6. Following} dxe4
12. Bxf4 Qb6 13. dxe4 Qxb2 14. Bd2 Nd4 15. Nxd4 cxd4 16. Rfb1 dxc3 17. Rxb2
cxb2 18. Rb1 {, it's safe to say this position is unclear, with Houdini
assessing it at even.}) 11. dxe4 Nd4 {A principled move, forcing a key white
attacker off the board, while prying open the c-file. --- QUESTION: I assume
the e4-pawn isn't really hanging?} ({ANSWER: Black can actually take it,
although in the end, White stands better. Let's look how the line goes. After} 
11... Nxe4 $5 12. fxe5 Bf5 13. Bd3 {, it looks like Black has been tricked,
but this may not be the case as} Qd8 $1 14. Re1 Nxe5 15. Qxd8 Raxd8 16. Nxe5
Bxe5 17. g4 $1 {(this move wins a piece but it isn't for free)} c4 $1 18. gxf5
cxd3 19. Rxe4 dxc2 20. Nd2 {gives Black three pawns for the piece. White's
extra piece and developmental lead in the ending should be worth more than
Black's pawns.}) 12. Nxd4 cxd4 ({No one has tried the unbalancing} 12... exd4
$5 13. Nd2 Re8 14. Bf3 {and now} Qd8 {prepares ...Nd5 if White pushes e4-e5.
After} 15. Qg3 {, I prefer White's kingside chances over Black's central play.}
) 13. Bd3 {Covering both the c2- and e4-pawns.} Qe7 {Black sets up ...Nd5 to
prepare a queen trade.} ({Other options are:} 13... exf4 14. Bxf4 Qc5 15. Nd2
Ng4 16. Nc4 Ne5 {, S.Gavritenkov-V.Zhidkov, Tula 2000. I slightly favour
White's chances after} 17. Nxe5 Bxe5 18. Bg5 $1 Qc7 19. Bf6 {.}) (13... Qc6 14.
Nd2 {and now f4-f5 is a real concern for Black so Black eliminated the
possibility with} exf4 15. Qxf4 Ng4 16. Nc4 Be6 17. h3 Bxc4 18. Qxg4 Bxd3 19.
cxd3 Qc2 20. Qf3 f5 21. Bf4 fxe4 22. Qxe4 Rae8 23. Qxb7 Qxd3 24. Rad1 Qe4 25.
Qxe4 Rxe4 {reaching an even ending, W.Zampronha-M.Santos, Sao Bernardo do
Campo 2011.}) (13... Be6 $6 {is just begging White to play his next move and
White obliged with} 14. f5 gxf5 15. exf5 Bd5 16. Bg5 Qc6 17. Nd2 a6 18. Rae1 $1
Rae8 {, W.Zampronha-E.Gerbelli Neto, Sao Bernardo do Campo 2014. Now White
missed the idea} {Now White missed the idea} 19. Ne4 $1 Bxe4 20. Rxe4 $1 {
(threatening Rg4!) and Black is busted after} Kh8 21. Rf3 Rg8 22. Rh3 {.}) 14.
f5 $5 {Lie risks all, allowing Black a surging centre in exchange for kingside
attacking chances.} gxf5 15. exf5 e4 {Black must play this move or White
quickly blockades on the e4-square.} 16. Bc4 e3 $1 {QUESTION: Isn't White
lost? After all, the d4-pawn looks poisoned and the e3-pawn chokes White's
queenside. His kingside attacking chances feel disproportionally meagre when
compared to his labour and strategic investment outlay in the centre. ---
ANSWER: White is not lost, but the actual assessment is uncertain. I agree
that a move like 14 f5!? is certain to prompt retaliation, and we get the
uneasy feeling that his idea appears to be built more by emotion than
intellect. Houdini gives Black a slight plus, since White experiences
difficulties developing his queenside around the e3-obstruction. Miraculously,
White's plan hasn't collapsed under the weight of his outrageous premise: that
he can conduct a kingside attack with his entire queenside undeveloped and
bottled up.} 17. Bd3 ({White correctly avoids} 17. Qxd4 $2 e2 18. Re1 Rd8 19.
Qe3 ({or} 19. Qf4 Rd1 20. Bd2 Qc5+ 21. Kh1 Bxf5 22. Nc3 Ng4 23. Raxd1 Nf2+ 24.
Qxf2 Qxf2 25. Rxe2 Qc5 {(Black threatens both c4-bishop and ...Bg4)} 26. Bd5
Bg4 {leaves White down material and struggling}) 19... Qxe3+ 20. Bxe3 Ng4 21.
Bf2 {(forced)} Nxf2 22. Kxf2 Bxb2 23. Ra2 Bd4+ 24. Kf3 Bxf5 25. Rxe2 Rac8 {
when Black has the bishop pair, pawn targets and the initiative in the ending.}
) 17... Qe5 $2 {A mistake, after which Black's counterplay quickly dwindles to
zero. This move doesn't take into account White's next two moves properly. It
also loses critical time and the game tilts in White's favour.} ({Black still
retains an edge after} 17... Re8 $1 18. Na3 Nd5 19. Qxe7 Rxe7 20. Nc4 b6 21. b3
Bb7 22. Bb2 {and I prefer Black, whose deeply entrenched central pawns
continue to create headaches for White.}) 18. Na3 Re8 19. Nc4 {A crucial tempo
loss as White begins to unravel his queenside pieces.} Qd5 20. Rf4 $1 {
Threatening the d4-pawn and forcing Black's rook into passivity. Suddenly,
Black's past feeling of exhilaration gradually gets weighed down with
strategic worry over how to cover the d4- and e3-pawns.} Rd8 ({Also
insufficient is} 20... Nd7 21. Rg4 Qc6 22. Qg3 Qf6 23. Nd6 Re7 24. b3 Nc5 25.
Bb2 {(there is no remedy to the coming Bxd4)} Kf8 {and now, simplest is} 26.
Rxg7 $1 {(removal of a key defender/double attack)} Qxg7 27. Qxg7+ Kxg7 28.
Bxd4+ f6 29. Bxc5 {with a winning game for White.}) 21. Rf3 $1 {Transferring
the rook to its optimal post on g3.} Kh8 {Angry words press upon the black
king's lips, seeking expression, and it is only with great effort that he is
able to constrain them and remain silent to his guest's continual affronts.}
22. b3 {White nonchalantly completes his queenside development before
continuing the attack. The idea is Bb2, after which White threatens Nxe3!.} b6
23. Ba3 $5 {Hey, I said: "The idea is Bb2, after which White threatens Nxe3!"
The bishop decides to take a stroll, regarding the tasty d4- and e3-morsels
with conspicuous disinterest. This move is also winning.} ({Likewise,} 23. Bb2
{does the job. The bishop regards the d4- and e3-pawns the way a dentist views
a mouth with two rotting teeth and} Bb7 24. Nxe3 $1 Qc6 25. Rg3 $1 Rac8 26. Nc4
{leaves White a pawn up with a winning attack.}) 23... Bb7 $2 {EXERCISE 
(combination alert): Black just blundered in a lost position. What did he
overlook? --- ANSWER: Double attack.} 24. Be7 $1 Rg8 $1 {Sneaky guy. Black
sets up a cheapo, which his GM opponent sidesteps.} 25. Nd6 {Good enough.} ({
Certainly not} 25. Bxf6 $4 {which walks into Black's trap after} Qxf3 $1 26.
gxf3 Bxf6+ 27. Qg3 Bxf3 {when it is Black, not White, who wins.}) ({Also
crushing for White is} 25. Rg3 Ne4 26. f6 Bf8 27. Nd6 $1 Rxg3 28. Bxe4 Qxe4 29.
Nxe4 Rg6 30. Ng5 h6 31. Nxf7+ Kg8 32. Ne5 Rxg2+ 33. Kf1 {and White wins.})
25... Raf8 26. Rg3 {The carefree rook roams about like a tourist with an
unfixed destination or itinerary. One logical point follows the other with
luminous clarity. Threat: Bxf6. Black can barely move.} Ne8 {EXERCISE 
(combination alert): The black king's old way of life is about to come to an
abrupt end and the new one will not be to his liking. This one isn't so
difficult. How did White force mate? --- ANSWER: Clearance/double attack.
White opens up a deadly threat on the h7-pawn, while attacking the g7-bishop.}
27. f6 {The kingside, now in flames, is essentially a dateline location for a
war correspondent's frantic dispatches. As it plays out, the outsider assassin
f-pawn is in reality the ultimate insider, who somehow gained the black king's
misplaced trust and close access.} Bh6 {Everything loses here. Black's
beleaguered forces are unable to withstand White's assault from multiple
angles.} 28. Qxh6 Qxg2+ {This certainly qualifies as a super-desperado move.}
29. Rxg2 {The rook calmly waves away the nuisance with an indifferent motion
of the hand.} Rxg2+ 30. Kf1 Rf2+ 31. Ke1 {Threat: Qxh7 mate. Meanwhile,
Black's checks have ended.} Rg8 $5 {Hey, I said: "Threat: Qxh7 mat..." Oh,
never mind. While under the hallucinatory effects of that drug called time
pressure, I sometimes feel the odd sensation of time decelerating, as an
unreal construct, created by my own mind. My clock, however, doesn't really
care what I think, and just keeps ticking away. When we frantically search for
options and when none are found, we have but two further options: resignation
or suicide. Black in this case chooses the latter.} 32. Qxh7# {. The queen
listens to the black king's long list of grievances with the mixture of
boredom and amusement. "Don't hate me," she tells him. "I am merely a
messenger of painful truths you prefer not to hear." --- SUMMARY: White's Qh4
idea looks far more viable only after Black plays ...Qc7.} 1-0

[Event "22: Norwegian League"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2010.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lie, K."]
[Black "Ostenstad, B."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2009.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 ({Larsen may have been the inventor of the manoeuvre you see Lie play
this game: a2-a4, Na3, c2-c3, Bd2 and b2-b4, in the following game.} 1. c4 Nf6
2. Nc3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. d4 d6 6. e3 c6 7. Nge2 a5 $3 {. --- Larsen
invents an original strategic concept, which had the effect of completely
confusing Petrosian, the master of strategic play who walked into} 8. b3 Na6 9.
O-O e5 10. Bb2 Re8 11. a3 Rb8 12. h3 h5 13. Qc2 Be6 14. Kh2 Qc7 15. Rac1 b5 {
. There we go. Black achieves his queenside expansion aims and after} 16. cxb5
cxb5 {, Larsen went on to out-Petrosian his opponent and squeezed him
mercilessly from this position, T.Petrosian-B.Larsen, Santa Monica 1966. This
game is annotated in Larsen: Move by Move.}) 1... d5 2. Nf3 g6 3. e3 Bg7 4. Be2
Nf6 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 c5 7. Qe1 b6 {QUESTION: What are the differences between
the early ...b6 lines and the lines where Black plays ...Nc6 and plays for ...e7-e5 - ? --- ANSWER: With ...b6 lines, Black takes a more laid-back approach,
first developing his or her queenside before deciding whether to play for ...
e5. In my opinion, the early ...Nc6 and ...e5 lines put more pressure on White,
who at times feels like it is he, not Black, who attempts to equalize.} 8. a4 {
Lie begins the Larsen queenside expansion plan.} Nc6 9. Na3 {QUESTION: Why
isn't White playing his queen to h4?} ({ANSWER: I like Lie's idea of keeping
the queen on e1 for now, since the transfer to h4 encourages queen swaps later
on. For example:} 9. Qh4 Ba6 10. Na3 Ne8 11. Rb1 Nd6 12. c3 e6 13. Qxd8 (13.
Qh3 {is possible but White's coming kingside 'attack' looks pretty fishy to my
positional player's eyes}) 13... Raxd8 {and the players reach a similar
position to the Lie-Ostenstad game, except queens have come off the board,
which helps Black, G.Engelhardt-F.Repanic, correspondence 2010.}) 9... Bb7 10.
c3 ({Once again, I prefer to hold back on} 10. Qh4 {which can be met by} Nd7
11. Qh3 {and Black can choose whether to play for ...e5 or not:} -- (11... e5
12. f5 e4 13. dxe4 dxe4 14. fxg6 hxg6 15. Rd1 {and I prefer Black after} Bc8 {.
}) (11... e6 $5 12. Rb1 Qe7 13. c3 e5 14. e4 dxe4 15. Ng5 h6 16. Nxe4 f5 {and
White's position looks disorganized and I see no possibility of a kingside
attack, S.Le Floch-Y.Berthelot, Bretagne 1999.} (16... --))) 10... e6 {
QUESTION: Why isn't Black playing for the ...e7-e5 break? --- ANSWER: I think
playing for ...e7-e5 is Black's best strategy versus the Classical Bird, but
it isn't obligatory. Black reasons that playing ...e7-e5 results in an open
f-file, which may favour White.} 11. Rb1 Rc8 {Black allows White his intent.} (
{GM Kotronias tried} 11... a5 $5 {suppressing White's b4-break at the cost of
slightly weakening the b5-square. This isn't such a bad idea since White is
unable to make much use of the b5-square. After} 12. b3 Ba6 13. Nb5 d4 $1 14.
exd4 (14. cxd4 cxd4 15. Nbxd4 Nxd4 16. Nxd4 Nd5 17. Bd2 Bxd4 18. exd4 {and
Black's superior structure outweighs his dark square weaknesses}) 14... cxd4 {
and White should probably play} 15. c4 {with a strange-looking Reversed
Benoni-style set-up, R.Bellin-V.Kotronias, Gausdal 1992.}) 12. b4 {White
achieves his queenside expansion idea.} cxb4 ({The text move slightly improves
upon} 12... Ne7 {, C.Wheatley-J.Cobb, Swansea 1999, which can be met with} 13.
bxc5 Rxc5 14. Nb5 a6 15. Nbd4 {when White looks slightly better since Ba3 is
in the air and the b6-pawn looks weaker than the c3-one.}) 13. cxb4 Ne7 {
Heading for the f5-square.} 14. Nb5 {White seeks to make good use of the
artificial hole on d4 by transferring his offside a3-knight there.} Nf5 {The
fight for the d4-square begins in earnest.} 15. Nfd4 (15. Nxa7 Ra8 16. Nb5 Rxa4
{only activates Black's rook.}) 15... Nxd4 ({Maybe Black should stand his
ground and play} 15... Re8 $1 {since White can hardly wait to swap on f5,
opening the e-file. Following} 16. Qf2 (16. g4 $5 Nxd4 17. Nxd4 e5 18. fxe5 Nd7
{leaves White's structure looking a tad loose}) 16... a6 $1 {, White is forced
to capture on f5 and} 17. Nxf5 exf5 18. Nd4 Qe7 19. h3 Nd7 20. Bf3 Nf8 21. Bd2
Ne6 22. Nxe6 Qxe6 23. d4 {is close to even. I prefer Black's side though,
since the potential ...Rc4!? future exchange sac for light square domination
is in the air. If White plays Be2, Black may even not move the rook!}) 16. Nxd4
Ne8 {Contemplating ...Nd6 and ...Nf5.} 17. Bb2 Nd6 18. Bg4 $1 {White's forces
focus on coverage of the d4-square with the intense concentration of a pack of
predators closing in on prey. He intends Bxf5 if Black plays ...Nf5. In this
way, White retains domination of the d4-square.} Re8 19. b5 {White gains more
queenside space and eyes the c6-square as a future potential entry point.} a6
20. Qb4 a5 21. Qd2 Nf5 {EXERCISE (planning): Perhaps Black should have held
off on this move and made a waiting move, since now White is handed a clear
plan to dominate the dark squares. How should White proceed? --- ANSWER: Step
1: Chop Black's knight with the g4-bishop.} 22. Bxf5 $1 exf5 23. Rfe1 Qd6 24.
Nf3 $1 {Step 2: Transfer the d4-knight to the f3-square, encouraging a swap of
dark-squared bishops. In the aftermath, White ends up with a powerful
d4-knight versus a bad bishop. If Black wants to avoid this scenario, then he
must sacrifice a pawn with ...d5-d4 to activate his b7-bishop. --- QUESTION:
Should Black sacrifice with ...d5-d4 next? --- ANSWER: He should play the
clearance sacrifice.} d4 $1 {The b7-wizard raises his arms following the
incantation. Excellent strategic judgment. Grandmaster Ostenstad, who I have
met many times across the board in internet blitz games, isn't about to bend
in the face of defiance, especially when his insurgency commands equal
resources to the ruling authority. If not for this move, the dark square
weakness becomes an endemic problem for Black, not likely to be relieved
anytime soon.} ({He is much better off handing over a pawn, rather than suffer
the bad bishop scenario after} 24... Rc7 25. Bxg7 Kxg7 26. Nd4 Qa3 27. Rec1
Rec8 28. Rxc7 Rxc7 29. Qb2 $1 Qxb2 30. Rxb2 Kf6 31. Rc2 Rxc2 32. Nxc2 Ke6 {
when only White can win the ending.}) 25. Bxd4 $5 ({I would have gone for the
line} 25. Nxd4 Qd5 26. Re2 {which looks a shade better for White than what he
got in the game.}) 25... Bxd4 $5 {This is natural but perhaps not best. ---
QUESTION: Is Black playing for a win?} ({ANSWER: I believe so, since he
refused to enter a line where he regains the sacrificed pawn with an
approximately even game after} 25... Bxf3 $1 26. Bxg7 Kxg7 27. gxf3 Qa3 $1 28.
Rec1 Qxa4 29. Qb2+ Kh6 30. Kf2 Red8 31. Ke2 Rxc1 32. Rxc1 Rd5 33. Rb1 Rc5 34.
Kd2 {when the game is even. Following} f6 $1 35. Qb3 Qxb3 36. Rxb3 Kg7 37. d4
Rc4 {, Black stands no worse in the rook ending.}) 26. Nxd4 Qd5 {The
jewel-bedecked queen dazzles all before her in court. Black's powerful
activity, coupled with the weakness of the a4-pawn, seems to offer him full
compensation for the missing pawn.} 27. Nf3 Rc7 $1 {Black once again relies on
his superior activity.} ({He struggles for a draw in the line} 27... Qd6 28.
Rec1 (28. Nd4 Qd5 {simply repeats the position}) 28... Bxf3 29. gxf3 Qa3 30.
Kf2 Rxc1 31. Rxc1 Qxa4 32. Qb2 $1 {(the soon-to come Ra1 pretty much forces
Black into ...Qb4, after which White swaps queens and then picks off the
b4-pawn)} Qb4 33. Qxb4 axb4 34. Rc4 Rd8 35. Ke2 b3 36. Kd2 Kg7 37. e4 {when
only White can win.}) 28. Rec1 {Every swap helps White.} Rec8 ({After} 28...
Rce7 29. Ne5 f6 30. Nc4 {, White hangs on to his extra material.}) 29. Ne1 {
For the pawn, White's position sags under the strategic burdens he carries
with the bent knees of a weightlifter.} Qd6 $1 {Eyeing ...Qa3 infiltrations.}
30. Kf2 Qa3 {The queen's angry gaze reads volumes without need of words.} 31.
Rxc7 Rxc7 32. Qb2 $1 {The queen runs and veers with the skill of a seasoned
cockroach, attempting to dodge an oncoming human foot. White's supernatural
pieces bend in eye-confusing defensive formations, somehow barely able to
constrain the attacker's energy. Having undergone fearsome defensive ordeals,
they continue to stand defiantly.} ({White's position deteriorates if he goes
passive with} 32. Qd1 $6 Bd5 {.}) 32... Rc3 $1 {White's structure, now brittle
as icicles, threatens to shatter to pieces upon the slightest mistake.} ({
Inferior is} 32... Qxa4 $6 33. Ra1 Qb4 {(tears of unquenched resentment and
humiliation trickle down the black queen's cheeks, as she once again finds her
wishes frustrated by her sister)} 34. Qxb4 axb4 35. Rb1 {and White picks off a
pawn.}) 33. Ke2 {Defenders continue to flutter out like startled bats emerging
from a barn.} Bd5 $6 {Tiny fragments of trouble begin to bubble and prick
through the once calm surface of Black's position. Overweening ambition, mixed
with an underwhelming position makes for an unappetizing recipe. Our appetite
for victory must match our resources on the board. We not only have to work on
our own plans, but must also guess our opponent's intent. The key is to learn
to think yourself into the opponent's head, and be ready for his intent - even
before he knows what it is. This move turns out to be a critically wasted
tempo.} ({Black secures the draw with the more accurate} 33... Qxb2+ $1 34.
Rxb2 Ra3 35. Rc2 Rxa4 36. Rc6 $1 Ra2+ 37. Kd1 Kf8 38. Rxb6 Bxg2 39. Nxg2 Rxg2
40. h4 Ra2 41. Ra6 a4 42. Ra7 Kg7 43. b6 Kf6 44. e4 fxe4 45. dxe4 Rb2 46. b7 a3
47. Kc1 Rb4 48. Rxa3 Rxb7 49. Kd2 Rb2+ 50. Ke3 Rh2 51. e5+ $1 Kg7 (51... Kf5
52. Ra6 Rh3+ 53. Kd4 Kxf4 54. Rf6+ Kg3 55. Rxf7 Rxh4+ 56. Kd5 Rh1 57. Rg7 $1 {
and Black must force a draw with} Rd1+ 58. Ke6 h5 59. Rxg6+ Kf4) 52. Ra7 {
(threat: e5-e6)} Kg8 53. Ra8+ Kg7 54. Ra7 {with a draw.}) 34. Kd2 Rb3 35. Qxa3
Rxa3 36. Rc1 Rxa4 37. Rc6 $1 {The rook materializes from empty space. He is a
master of concealing his own flaws, while amplifying the flaws of his enemies.}
({This shot is slightly more accurate than handing Black's king a tempo with} 
37. Rc8+ Kg7 38. Rb8 {.}) 37... Ra2+ ({Of course the c6-rook was poisoned.
After} 37... Bxc6 $4 38. bxc6 Ra2+ 39. Nc2 {, the rook is unable to halt the
c-pawn's promotion.}) 38. Kc3 {The king takes his first step toward
emancipation. Compare this to the line given after Black's 33rd move. In this
version, White's king isn't cut off on the back rank.} Re2 $2 {After this move
Black's game goes from difficult to lost.} ({His best shot is to enter the
pawn-down ending after} 38... Ra1 $1 39. Nc2 Rb1 40. Rxb6 a4 $1 (40... Bxg2 $2
41. Na3 Rc1+ 42. Kd4 {leaves Black in deep trouble since White's passed b-pawn
is an endless source of worry}) 41. g3 Kg7 42. Ra6 Rxb5 43. Rxa4 {when Black,
although down a pawn, can continue to resist.}) 39. Nc2 Rxg2 {This pawn is
like finding a precious treasure in a dream: the treasure lasts only as long
as the dream.} 40. Rxb6 a4 $6 {EXERCISE (combination alert): Black was busted
no matter how he played it. How did White end the game in a single move?} ({
Black puts up greater though futile resistance with} 40... Rxh2 41. Ra6 Rh1 42.
Rxa5 Rb1 43. Na3 Rb3+ 44. Kd4 Bf3 45. Kc4 Rb2 46. Kc3 $1 Ra2 47. b6 Bc6 (47...
h5 48. e4 $1 {forces the b-pawn's promotion}) 48. Nc4 Rxa5 49. Nxa5 Ba8 50. b7
{and White wins.}) 41. Rd6 $1 {ANSWER: Trapped piece. Black's bishop runs out
of safe squares on an open board.} ({There's not much point continuing with} 
41. Rd6 $1 Bf3 42. Ne1 $1 Rf2 43. Nxf3 {and if} Rxf3 44. b6 Rf1 45. b7 Rb1 46.
Rd8+ Kg7 47. b8=Q {wins. "Your actual guilt or innocence is not germane to
this case, since I deem you guilty without need for a trial," the newly
coroneted queen informs Black's crestfallen rook. --- SUMMARY: Remember the
queenside expansion plan: a2-a4, Na3, c2-c3, Bd2 and b2-b4.}) 1-0

[Event "23: Teesside"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1972.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Larsen, B."]
[Black "Keene, R."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "1972.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. b3 {We soon transpose to a Bird position.} d5 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. e3 g6 4. f4 {We
transpose to the Queenside Fianchetto Bird. --- QUESTION: Should White
consider chopping the f6-knight here?} ({ANSWER: Now remember, we wouldn't
actually reach this position as White, since we open with 1 f4!. As a white
Trompowsky player, I am very sympathetic to virtually all Bxf6 lines, but this
one may be an exception. --- I think White is better off avoiding it since
after} 4. Bxf6 $5 exf6 5. d4 {, GM Jonathan Rowson writes that the position
"would be a strange kind of Trompowsky, where b3 may prove to be useful, but
could also be a liability. If Black plays quietly with ...Bg7, ...0-0 and ...f5, White will have time to play g3, Bg2, Ne2, and c4 with a pleasant position,
so Black should probably try to make something happen more quickly".} ({Maybe
White can try} 5. Nf3 c5 6. Bb5+ Nc6 7. Nc3 Bg7 8. Bxc6+ bxc6 9. O-O {. Your
knight-loving writer would be okay with White, but I will bet 90% of the
readers favour Black here!}) {. Following} 5... c5 6. c3 cxd4 $5 7. exd4 (7.
cxd4 $6 Bb4+ 8. Nd2 Qa5 {is awkward for White}) 7... Bd6 {, Rowson continues "...Black has a position reminiscent of a line in the Caro-Kann (1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5
3 Nd2 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Nf6 5 Nxf6+ exf6!?) but it doesn't look like a bad version
because the unopposed bishop on d6 looks very strong". I would add that
White's c3-pawn looks at least as big a liability as Black's d5-isolani.}) 4...
Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O {QUESTION: Is there any difference in the position when Black
plays an early ...c5 - ?} ({ANSWER: Yes, when Black tosses in an early ...c5,
he or she gives us the option of playing Bb5+, with the idea of dumping our
light-squared bishop, similar to the Bogo-Indian plan (1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3
Bb4+). For example,} 5... c5 6. Bb5+ Nbd7 7. O-O O-O 8. Qe1 a6 9. Bxd7 Bxd7 10.
d3 b5 11. Nbd2 {has White was better off than normal, swapping away his worst
piece, K.Chernyshov-S.Tiviakov, Warsaw (rapid) 2002.}) 6. Be2 a5 $5 {White's
set-up is so (initially) innocuous that Black can pretty much play anything
against it. Black's move is actually quite logical. --- QUESTION: What is
Black's idea? --- ANSWER: Normally White tends to play for mate on the
kingside in this line of the Bird, so Keene decides to create an immediate
distraction for White on the other side of the board, where ...a5-a4 would be
annoying for White.} ({Other Black set-ups:} 6... c5 {is Black's main line,
which should equalize without difficulties. After} 7. O-O Nc6 {, White is
inclined to play} 8. Ne5 {. Black uses this as a technique to equalize a move
down in this position, for example, with 1 d4 f5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 c4 e6 4 g3 b6 5
Bg2 Bb7 6 0-0 Be7 7 Nc3 Ne4 8 Qc2 Nxc3 9 Qxc3 Bf6, A.Stella-K.Chernyshov,
Pardubice 2011. However, it's still our best move as White. --- QUESTION: Why?
--- ANSWER: White's biggest problem in the Queenside Fianchetto Bird is the
light-squared bishop (this is why I don't play it as White and prefer
Leningrad and Stonewall Bird set-ups). By playing our knight to e5, we clear
the way for Bf3, perhaps following with d3 and e4 if allowed. After} Qc7 {
(Black doesn't want doubled c-pawns, and so covers his c6-knight)} 9. Nxc6 Qxc6
10. Bf3 {, the bishop arrives on f3 with the added bonus of having taken a
bead on Black's queen, with only the d5-pawn in the way. This position is
basically a Queen's Indian Defence, with colours reversed. Following} b5 11.
Be5 b4 12. d3 a5 13. c4 Bb7 14. Nd2 {, the position is balanced, S.Szilow-J.Worek, Krakow 2004.}) (6... b6 7. Ne5 Bb7 8. Bf3 c5 9. O-O Nc6 10. Nxc6 Bxc6
11. Qe2 Qd7 12. d3 Ne8 13. Bxg7 Nxg7 {. The game is even, C.Zuidema-J.Marcus,
Leeuwarden 1973.}) ({Black can add a bit of dynamism with} 6... Bg4 {by
attempting to create an imbalance with ...Bxf3. We will examine various ...Bg4
ideas in Chapter 5. Following} 7. O-O c5 (7... c6 {resembles the
Malaniuk-Miroshnichenko note below, without the inclusion of ...a5}) 8. d3 Nc6
9. Ne5 Bxe2 10. Qxe2 Rc8 11. Nd2 Nxe5 12. Bxe5 Nd7 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. f5 $1 {,
the position is probably even, although I slightly prefer White, since he can
poke and prod around Black's king with his advanced f-pawn, K.Chernyshov-A.Zontakh, Cappelle la Grande 2003.}) (6... c6 7. O-O Bg4 {once again resembles
the next note.}) 7. a4 Bg4 {Keene is happy to hand Larsen the bishop pair,
since it weakens White's control over the e5-square. As mentioned earlier, an
entire chapter is devoted to the various ...Bg4 and ...Bf5 lines.} 8. O-O Nbd7
{Black probably intends to continue with ...Bxf3, followed by ...c6 and then
play for ...e5, with an approximately even game.} ({After} 8... c6 9. d3 Nbd7
10. Ne5 Bxe2 11. Qxe2 Ne8 12. Nxd7 Bxb2 13. Ra2 Qxd7 14. Rxb2 Nd6 {, the
players agreed to a draw in this even position, V.Malaniuk-E.Miroshnichenko,
Zurich 2009.}) 9. Ng5 $5 {"When my needs meet the law, it is the law who must
step aside and give way," declares the arrogant knight. With genius, the
unthinkable is ordinary. As usual, Larsen attempts to mess with his opponent's
head by creating a completely unexplored position. It's a dangerous time for
us when we face vague, shadowy opposition, mainly since we lack full
comprehension of the opponent's intent. --- QUESTION: Won't White lose a tempo
when Black later plays ...h7-h6 - ? --- ANSWER: White loses the tempo, but
also provokes Black into weakening his king, similar to the Larsen-Gligoric
game from the book's introduction.} Bxe2 10. Qxe2 Ne8 $1 {Keene fights for
control over the e5-square.} ({He is in no hurry to avoid weakening his king
with} 10... h6 11. Nf3 Ne4 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. d3 Nd6 14. Nbd2 c6 15. e4 {. I
prefer White's prospects, due to his central space and potential for
generating play on the kingside, over Black's on the queenside with ...b7-b5
ideas.}) 11. Bxg7 Nxg7 12. Nc3 c6 13. Qg4 {The queen's eyes form into ominous
slits, every time she nears her g8-brother. Now White's queen is able to
transfer to either h4 or h3, inducing Black to weaken.} h6 {At last, a slight
scratch in Black's kingside armour.} 14. Nf3 Nf6 {Rowson writes that "It would
appear that White has achieved approximately nothing out of the opening and
that Black is very comfortable. Even so, I included this game because it shows
that when there is a full set of pawns, there is plenty of scope to outplay
people from equal positions, especially if you are enjoying yourself, and not
dispirited by the lack of a theoretical advantage".} 15. Qh3 h5 $1 {Inhibiting
g2-g4 ideas.} 16. Ne2 Qd7 17. Qh4 {Larsen needs his queen to have any hope of
a successful kingside attack.} Nf5 18. Qe1 Qc7 19. Ng3 {White wants to play
f4-f5 at some point, but Black won't oblige.} e6 $1 20. Nxf5 {We sense a clear
deflation of White's intended kingside initiative. This move essentially ends
White's hopes of a kingside attack.} exf5 21. Qh4 Qe7 22. c4 $5 {This move on
the other side of the board pretty much suggests Larsen's abdication of his
previous intent to checkmate Black's king. He willingly risks a potential
queenside weakness on the b4-square to generate play on the other side of the
board.} Rad8 {A tiny, tiny inaccuracy which allows Larsen a foothold to play
for a win.} ({With hindsight of Larsen's plan, Black should play} 22... Kg7 $1
{to prevent White's next move. After} 23. Rfc1 c5 $1 {, I prefer Black's
position.}) 23. c5 $1 {White uses the fact that Black's queen is unable to
take the c5-pawn to establish a beautiful d4-outpost for his knight.} Rfe8 24.
Rfc1 $1 {The correct rook, since nothing is happening for White on the
kingside.} Kg7 25. Nd4 Nd7 {This move forces queens off the board.} 26. Qxe7
Rxe7 27. Rab1 $1 {The ending may look even but it isn't. White will play b3-b4
to prise open the b-file, applying pressure to the b7-pawn, while Black can
only await events.} Ra8 28. b4 {Black's last move didn't discourage Larsen
from his plan, since the b7-pawn is weaker than the a4-pawn.} axb4 {Otherwise
White plays b4-b5 to increase the queenside pressure.} 29. Rxb4 Ra7 30. Kf2 Nb8
{The b7-pawn will be both attacked and protected twice. The difference is in
the activity levels of the two sides.} 31. Nb3 Re4 32. d4 $5 {Another
strategic gamble by Larsen that Black won't be able to make use of the newly
created e4-hole, or apply pressure to the newly created backward e3-pawn.} Re7
33. Kf3 Na6 ({It may be more logical to try and occupy the e4-square with} 
33... Nd7 $1 34. h3 Nf6 35. a5 (35. Nd2 Ne4 36. Nxe4 dxe4+ 37. Ke2 h4 $1 {and
if} 38. Kd2 Rd7 39. Kc3 Kf6 40. Kc4 Ke6 41. Rcb1 f6 $1 42. a5 g5 {, Black has
sufficient play for the draw}) 35... Ne4 36. Rb6 Ra8 37. Ra1 Rc8 38. a6 bxa6
39. Na5 Re6 {when the weakness of the c6-pawn is balanced by White's e3-worry.}
) 34. Rb6 Nb8 35. Ra1 Nd7 36. a5 $5 {Chance loves to gamble with Fate.} (36.
Rb4 {is obviously safer, but Larsen didn't operate by my standards of safety!})
36... Nb8 {Keene plays it safe, refusing to soften his fortress resolve. He
sees no reason to accept Larsen's gift but I think he should take it.} ({Black
doesn't look worse after} 36... Nxb6 $5 37. cxb6 Ra8 38. Nc5 Rae8 39. Ra3 h4 {
. Here I would just shuffle pieces and ask White where he plans to effect a
breakthrough. I don't see how White plays for a win without a high risk of
loss. If} {If} 40. a6 $5 bxa6 41. Nxa6 Ra8 42. Rb3 Rxa6 43. b7 Rxb7 44. Rxb7
Ra2 45. Rc7 Rc2 {, the game should still be drawn, although I would rather
have Black's pawn-up side.}) 37. Nc1 Nd7 38. Rb3 Nf6 39. Ra2 Re8 40. g3 Ne4 41.
Rba3 $1 {Black lives in a coercive environment which requires great vigilance.
Larsen angles for an a6-break.} h4 {Maybe Keene plays for the win himself.} ({
More solid is} 41... Rea8 42. Nd3 Kf6 43. Nb4 Ke6 44. a6 Rb8 $1 45. axb7 Rxa3
46. Rxa3 Rxb7 {and now White is unable to capture the c6-pawn, since} 47. Nxc6
$4 {is met with} Rb2 {forcing mate.}) 42. g4 fxg4+ 43. Kxg4 f5+ 44. Kf3 g5 $5 {
Keene deftly transmutes a defensive position into an offensive one. He seeks
to generate sufficient kingside play to offset White's queenside bind. The
only problem with such an 'active' move is that it creates kingside isolanis
for Black and also an f4-hole for White's knight or king.} ({Safer is} 44...
Rea8 45. Nd3 Kf6 46. Ne5 Ra6 {. Now White can't play} 47. Rb2 $2 Rxa5 $1 48.
Rxa5 Rxa5 49. Rxb7 $4 {as} Ra2 {wins.}) 45. fxg5 Nxg5+ 46. Kf2 ({World class
players don't fall for traps like} 46. Kf4 $4 Kg6 $1 {when White is mated on
the next move.}) 46... Ne4+ 47. Kg2 Kh6 48. Ne2 {Heading for the f4-outpost.}
Rg8+ 49. Kf1 Nf6 50. Nf4 Ng4 51. Rg2 $2 {EXERCISE (critical decision):
Larsen's last move was an error. Should Black play 51...Re8 attacking the
e3-pawn, or should he try and activate his sleeping a7-rook with 51...Raa8? A
key fits only one lock, just as this position has only a single solution.
Black scores at least a draw in one of the lines, while the other allows
White's position to grow into winning proportions.} ({White should play} 51. h3
{.}) 51... Raa8 $2 {This move fails to reverse the polarity of flow from
White's initiative.} ({ANSWER: Much better is} 51... Re8 $1 {. Now the size of
White's once robust initiative, which once swelled, now shrinks in
disorienting fashion. After} 52. Ke2 Re4 $1 {(threat: ...Nxe3 and ...Rxf4)} 53.
h3 ({most certainly not} 53. Kf3 $4 Rxa5 $1 {and Black's deflection tactic
wins since} 54. Rb3 Rb5 55. Rd3 Rb1 {is untenable for White}) 53... Nxe3 $1 54.
Rg6+ Kh7 55. Rxe3 Rxf4 56. Ree6 Re4+ 57. Kf3 Rxe6 58. Rxe6 Rxa5 59. Re7+ Kg6
60. Rxb7 Ra4 61. Ke3 {, the ending should be drawn with accurate play despite
Black's extra pawn, since the c6-pawn remains chronically weak.}) 52. Ke2 {Now
White is in command again.} Nf6 53. Rxg8 {The trade of rooks favours White,
since his fears for his king safety decline considerably.} Nxg8 54. Ra1 Nf6 55.
Nd3 $1 Ng4 $6 ({Black should try} 55... Ne4 56. Ne5 Kg5 57. a6 Ra7 {.}) 56. h3
Nf6 {EXERCISE (planning): A seemingly impermeable defensive barrier intervenes
all of White's attempts to make progress. Now the key word is "seemingly".
There is indeed a clear plan for White to reach a winning position. Find it.
--- ANSWER: Undermining. Black has no defence to an eventual a5-a6, which in
turn undermines the c6-pawn, decisively weakening Black's once perfect
queenside pawn structure.} 57. Ne5 $1 {Larsen sets inevitability into motion.
Step 1: Transfer the knight to e5 to apply pressure to the c6-pawn. White's
knight looms like a monolith over the puny pawn.} Ne4 ({Also losing for Black
is} 57... Ra6 58. Kf3 Nh5 59. Rb1 Ra7 60. Rb6 Kg5 61. Nf7+ Kf6 62. Nd8 Rxa5 63.
Nxb7 Ra2 64. Rxc6+ Kg5 65. Nd6 $1 {with the threat of Nf7 mate and wins.}) 58.
a6 $1 {Step 2: Undermine the c6-pawn. --- Now the weakness in Black's creaking
queenside pawns resonates painfully. The key is to remove the b7-defender from
the matrix, and only then will all the pieces of the puzzle effortlessly fall
in sync.} bxa6 {Keene played this move and then resigned. Black's queenside
structure lies helpless as a newborn animal, stripped of parental guardians
and approached by predators. --- QUESTION: Wasn't this a premature
resignation? --- ANSWER: I don't think so. Houdini has White up +2.02. White's
winning technique: Step 3: Capture the c6-pawn, after which Black's ragged
pawns fall.} ({After} 58... bxa6 59. Nxc6 {, White threatens both Nb4 and Ne7,
to which Black has no defence. With} Kg7 60. Nb4 Nc3+ 61. Kd3 a5 62. c6 $1 Kf7
63. c7 {(threat: Rxa5!)} Rc8 64. Rxa5 Rxc7 65. Rc5 $1 {(simplification - White
forces a winning knight ending)} Rxc5 66. dxc5 Ne4 67. Kd4 Ke6 68. Nxd5 Ng5 69.
Nf4+ {(covering the h3-pawn)} Kd7 70. Kd5 Ne4 71. c6+ Kc7 72. Ne6+ Kb6 73. Nd4
Nf2 74. Nxf5 Nxh3 75. Nxh4 {White wins as long as he doesn't allow Black to
sacrifice his knight for both white pawns. --- SUMMARY: The position we reach
in the Queenside Fianchetto Bird is basically a Queen's Indian Defence with an
extra move for our side - good enough for equality, but no more.}) 1-0

[Event "24: Amsterdam Interzonal"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1964.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Larsen, B."]
[Black "Spassky, B."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "1964.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 g6 4. b4 $5 {The Bird/Orangutan, one of Larsen's
many opening eccentricities. --- QUESTION: Doesn't this move violate the
principle: Don't create play on your opponent's strong wing? --- ANSWER: I
don't think so. White usually plays on the kingside, but he hasn't signed any
contract just yet, and can also fight for queenside space. The move also has
the added benefit of making it more difficult for Black to play ...c7-c5. ---
QUESTION: Why is ...c7-c5 so crucial for Black? --- ANSWER: If Black is denied
...c7-c5, then it becomes next to impossible to engineer the thematic ...d5-d4
central counter.} Bg7 ({Black has two more possibilities in:} 4... a5 5. b5 c5
$1 {(by provoking White into pushing b4-b5, Black enables his ...c7-c5 push)}
6. Bb2 (6. bxc6 bxc6 7. c4 Bg7 8. Bb2 {looks about even}) 6... Bg7 7. Be2 O-O {
and in this messy position, the players agreed to a draw for tournament
purposes, T.Taylor-E.Yanayt, Los Angeles 2011.}) (4... e6 $5 {seems a bit odd,
since Black has already committed to a kingside fianchetto. After} 5. a3 Bg7 6.
Bb2 O-O {, L.Fiorella-F.D'Amico, Mazara del Vallo 2009, play might go} 7. c4 a5
8. b5 Nbd7 9. Nc3 Re8 {(intending ...e7-e5) with even play.}) 5. Bb2 O-O ({
After} 5... Bg4 6. Be2 Bxf3 7. Bxf3 c6 8. O-O Qb6 9. a3 Nbd7 10. Bd4 Qc7 11.
Qc1 {(preparing c2-c4 and also keeping open possibilities of bossing the long
dark square diagonal with Qb2)} O-O 12. c4 dxc4 13. Qxc4 e5 $1 {(this central
counter equalizes)} 14. fxe5 Nxe5 {, N.Dietrich-E.Romani, Havana 1966, I
slightly prefer White after} 15. Bxe5 Qxe5 16. Nc3 Rad8 17. Rad1 {since he can
play for a b4-b5 break.}) 6. Be2 Bg4 {Logical. Spassky prepares ...Bxf3,
similar to Keene's plan in the previous game.} ({Instead, after} 6... a5 7. b5
a4 {(insuring that White can't back up his b-pawn with a2-a4)} 8. O-O c6 9. Na3
Bg4 10. c4 e6 11. Rb1 Nbd7 12. bxc6 bxc6 13. Nd4 Bxe2 14. Qxe2 Rc8 15. cxd5
cxd5 $6 (15... exd5 $1 {and the game remains balanced}) 16. Nab5 {, White's
ominously entrenched knights assured him of a large strategic advantage, B.Ivkov-M.Cuellar Gacharna, Sousse Interzonal 1967.}) 7. O-O c6 {Since Black
plans to swap off his light-squared bishop, Spassky switches the structure to
favour his remaining bishop.} ({Another Larsen game went} 7... Nbd7 8. c4 dxc4
9. Na3 c5 10. bxc5 c3 11. Bxc3 Nxc5 12. Nc4 Rc8 13. Bd4 b6 14. a4 Qd5 15. Nce5
{.} -- ({. Black retains equality after} 15... Ne6 16. Nxg4 Nxg4 17. Bxg7 Kxg7
{.}) (15... Nb3 $6 {. EXERCISE (combination alert/calculation): Larsen worked
out a rather involved forcing sequence which wins a clean pawn. How did he do
it? --- ANSWER: Step 1: Interference.} 16. Bc4 $1 Rxc4 17. Qxb3 Rc5 18. Qxd5
Rxd5 {and the queen trade has not quelched White's initiative. --- Step 2:
Double attacking on the a7- and e7-pawns. With} 19. Nc6 $1 Rd7 20. Nfe5 Rc7 {
, White continues pressing. --- Step 3: Undermining. After} 21. a5 $1 bxa5 22.
Rxa5 {, now the a7-pawn falls. Following} Bf5 23. Rxa7 Rxa7 24. Bxa7 {, Larsen
converted smoothly after} Re8 25. Bc5 Bf8 26. Ra1 {(intending Ra7)} Nd7 27.
Nxd7 Bxd7 28. Ne5 Bg7 $2 ({He had to try} 28... Bb5 29. Rb1 Ba4 30. Rb7) 29.
Ra7 {(White wins a second pawn)} Bxe5 30. fxe5 {, B.Larsen-P.Dely, Moscow 1962.
In this instance, the presence of opposite-coloured bishops actually helps
Larsen's side, rather than the defender,})) 8. a4 $5 {Larsen clearly signals
that he expects his fight to be on the queenside, rather than kingside, which
is traditional for most Fianchetto Bird lines. The problem with the move is
that it weakens the b4-square further.} Nbd7 9. Na3 $5 {Continuing to develop,
while preparing c2-c4. In a weird way, this may be one of Larsen's semi-sound
pawn sacrifices, since it opens him up to ...Qb6 ideas.} Bxf3 {Spassky
continues with his strategic plan.} ({He isn't the type to go pawn chasing
with a move like} 9... Qb6 $5 {which does indeed look tempting. A
correspondence game saw the pawn sacrifice} 10. Rb1 $5 Qxb4 11. Bxf6 (11. Nc4
$5 Bxf3 12. gxf3 dxc4 13. Bxf6 Qxa4 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Rxb7 {offers White
structural compensation for the pawn}) 11... Qxa3 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. Rxb7 Rfb8
14. Qb1 {, M.Egan-S.Graham, correspondence 2012. White's queenside pressure
and superior structure constitutes compensation for the pawn. But full
compensation? I'm not so sure.}) 10. Bxf3 Re8 {Spassky logically prepares his ...e7-e5 freeing break, after which Black's pieces grow active.} ({Instead,
after} 10... a5 11. b5 Nc5 12. c4 Nd3 13. Bc3 Nb4 {, E.Pedersen-F.Fuglsang,
Denmark 1998, I prefer White by just a shade following} 14. Nc2 c5 15. cxd5
Nfxd5 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Na3 {when White may make some use of the c4-square
later in the game.}) 11. d4 $1 {Larsen squelches the ...e5 break and turns the
game into a really funky Stonewall set-up. One of the flexible aspects of the
Classical e3 line is that White can keep Black guessing and switch to a
Stonewall set-up with d2-d4, at a moment's notice.} Ne4 $5 {Preparing to
transfer the knight to d6, but Larsen doesn't give it the chance. This move
was given a dubious mark by Taylor, but I'm not convinced this is really where
Black's troubles began. --- QUESTION: How can Black occupy the e4-square
without allowing White to jam up the hole with Bxe4 - ?} ({ANSWER: Perhaps
with a line like the following:} 11... Nb6 12. a5 Na4 $5 13. Bc1 Nc3 14. Qd3
Nce4 {and there we go as now Black controls the e4-square. After} 15. c4 Qd7 {
, Black's control over the e4-square compensates for White's queenside space.})
12. Bxe4 {Handing back the bishop pair for the privilege of plugging the
e4-hole with a black pawn.} dxe4 13. Nc4 {Eyeing both the a5- and e5-squares
as potential future outposts.} Nb6 14. Na5 {Clearing the way for c2-c4.} Nd5 {
Attacking b4- and e3-pawns simultaneously, though White defends this easily.}
15. Qe1 {Taylor suggests that White holds a clear advantage here, while I
think the game is still even. --- QUESTION: If two IMs contradict one another,
who is the reader supposed to believe? --- ANSWER: In all such cases, the
reader should place his or her implicit trust in your almost infallible writer,
of course!} Qd7 {This move may be slightly inaccurate, since it allows White
an uncontested queenside space advantage.} ({Black looks okay after} 15... Qb6
{, H.Hess-J.Gronemann, correspondence 2009. The position looks even after
Houdini's suggested line} 16. Rb1 $1 Qxb4 17. Qxb4 Nxb4 18. Nxb7 Nxc2 19. Kf2
Nb4 20. Ba3 Nd3+ 21. Ke2 Bf8 22. Nc5 Nxc5 23. Bxc5 Reb8 24. Rfc1 e6 25. Bxf8
Kxf8 26. Rxb8+ Rxb8 27. Rxc6 Rb2+ 28. Kf1 Rb1+ 29. Kf2 Rb2+ 30. Kf1 Rb1+ {with
a draw.}) 16. c4 Nf6 {Black retains the option of ...b6 to eventually eject
White's knight from its lofty a5-post.} 17. b5 {Larsen increases his queenside
space advantage.} Qc7 18. Rb1 Ng4 {Threatening the cheapo ...Nxe3, which
overloads White's queen.} 19. bxc6 b6 20. Qe2 ({After} 20. Nb3 Qxc6 21. Nd2 e6
22. a5 Rab8 23. axb6 axb6 {, the game remains approximately even.}) 20... f5 $6
{This move allows Larsen a future undermining with h3 and g4.} (20... Nh6 21.
Nb3 Qxc6 22. a5 e6 23. g4 Rec8 24. Rfc1 Bf8 25. h3 {looks only a shade better
for White.}) 21. Nb3 ({Houdini points out an almost impossible to see
combination, starting with} 21. h3 $1 Nf6 ({Black is completely busted after} 
21... Nxe3 $4 22. Qxe3 bxa5 23. d5) 22. d5 $3 {(White's central pawn mass is
worth more than Black's piece)} bxa5 23. Be5 {. Now if instead of 23...Qc8 Rb7
which admittedly looks rather grim,} Qd8 {allows White a brilliant shot. ---
EXERCISE (combination alert): When a fantasy writer is cornered into an
impossible plot situation, there is only one available escape plan: use magic
to untangle the characters. One powerful idea resolves the position in White's
favour. Find it. --- ANSWER: Piece sacrifice/attraction/pawn fork/pawn
promotion. --- White has the aesthetic} 24. Rb8 $3 {:} -- (24... Rxb8 $4 25. c7
{(a hungry pack of Orcas approach the ice flow, upon which rests two fat,
dozing seals)} Qd7 26. cxb8=Q Rxb8 27. Bxb8 {and after the shattering
explosion, Black's position is a smouldering heap of rubble and detritus,
under swirling ash filled air. White is up an exchange with a winning position.
}) (24... Qxb8 25. Bxb8 Raxb8 26. Rd1 Rec8 {and Black seemingly garnered
enough material for the queen. His new problem is White's dangerous pawn clot
on c6, d5 and c4. White wins after} 27. c5 e6 28. d6 $1 Rxc6 29. d7 {, since}
Rd8 {is met with} 30. Qb5 Rc7 31. c6 Nd5 32. Rxd5 $1 exd5 33. Qxd5+ Kh8 {. The
black king regales the ladies of the court with accounts of his acts of
heroism and cunning on the battlefield, all which flow from his imagination,
rather than from reality as after} 34. Qf7 {, there is no defence to the
coming Qe8+.} (34. --))) 21... Qxc6 22. d5 $1 {Brilliant strategic judgment.
Larsen offers a pawn to clear the d4-square for his knight to reach the
e6-outpost, the rotten molar of a square, which will later plague Black with
endless pain.} Qxa4 23. Bxg7 Kxg7 24. Nd4 Rec8 25. h3 Nf6 26. Rfc1 {QUESTION:
White is down a pawn. Does he have enough compensation? --- ANSWER: Admittedly,
it appears as if Larsen continues to borrow recklessly on his attack at
usurious interest rates, which he decides he can still afford. White has more
than enough compensation for the pawn he sacrificed: 1. His knight dominates
on the d4-square, where its tendrils reach out to the f5-, e6-, c6- and
b5-squares. --- 2. Black's king is in danger, especially if White manages to
get in g2-g4. --- 3. White actually exerts queenside pressure as well.} Qd7 (
26... h5 $5 {suppresses the g4-break at the cost of further weakening his king.
}) 27. g4 $1 Kf7 ({Also,} 27... fxg4 $6 {fails to win a pawn, since White can
simply block the black queen's access to g4 with the zwischenzug} 28. Ne6+ Kf7
29. hxg4 {.}) 28. g5 $6 {Closing the kingside can't be White's best
continuation.} ({Stronger is} 28. gxf5 $1 gxf5 29. Kh2 {and now White
threatens Ne6 and Rg1, anticipating g7-invasions.} -- ({. If Black responds
with} 29... Rg8 $2 {, White plays} 30. Nc6 $1 {(threat: Ne5+, forking king and
queen)} Kf8 31. Rg1 {and White has a winning attack, since Black's king, a
fatally easy mark, finds himself lured into a dangerous pocket.}) ({. Black's
best shot is to probably appease with an exchange offer with} 29... Rc5 $1 30.
Ne6 Rac8 31. Nxc5 Rxc5 {when a win for White won't be so easy to engineer.}))
28... Ne8 29. Qa2 $1 {Taking indirect aim at Black's king, worrying him with
c4-c5 and d5-d6 ideas.} Nd6 $6 ({Black may be holding his own after} 29... Qd6
$1 30. h4 Ng7 {when the position seems to be in dynamic equilibrium.}) 30. h4 {
Playing for h4-h5 and potentially h5-h6 or hxg6+.} ({Instead,} 30. Nc6 $1 Kg8
31. c5 bxc5 32. Rxc5 Qe8 33. Ra5 Rc7 34. Ra6 {leaves Black under heavy
pressure.}) 30... Qe8 31. Ne6 ({The alternative is} 31. Nc6 Rc7 32. c5 bxc5 33.
Rxc5 {which is similar to the previous note.}) 31... Qh8 32. h5 $1 {This
appears to be a position where Black has little choice but to keep his growing
resentment in check...unless you are Boris Spassky!} h6 $5 {In this position,
control over the kingside serves as an index to elevated status. Spassky
decides that the overall structure is in dire need of a makeover, like a
homely but rich matron who defies her own ugly exterior with yet another
plastic surgery. Technically, this move deserves a '?!' but the move gets
upgraded to 'interesting' since it poses serious practical difficulties for
Larsen. Spassky, not a patient man when it comes to defence, decides to turn a
problem into an advantage by going after White's king - at the cost of further
exposing his own king.} 33. Rb2 $1 {Larsen immediately transfers force over to
the kingside.} gxh5 34. Rh2 $6 {Spassky's gamble pays off.} ({Larsen misses
the correct continuation} 34. gxh6 Qxh6 35. Rg2 Rg8 36. Ng5+ Kf8 37. Kh2 $1 {
with Rcg1 and Ne6+ threats. This virtually forces Black to hand over the
exchange on g5.}) 34... hxg5 35. Nxg5+ Ke8 36. c5 $1 Rxc5 37. Rxc5 bxc5 38.
Qa4+ Kf8 ({Spassky isn't a likely candidate for the line} 38... Kd8 $4 39. Ne6+
Kc8 40. Qc6+ {. The queen smiles sadly at the black king's forlorn attempts to
flee his inevitable destiny as} Kb8 41. Qc7# {is mate!}) 39. Rg2 {Black is up
three pawns, yet Houdini assesses at 0.00.} Re8 40. Qd7 Qh6 $6 ({Spassky misses
} 40... Rb8 41. Ne6+ Kf7 42. Nxc5 Rb1+ 43. Kh2 Qf6 $1 44. Rg5 Qb2+ 45. Rg2 Qf6
{which is drawn by repetition of moves after} 46. Rg5 {.}) 41. Qxa7 $1 {The
queen, old beyond imagining, vampirically keeps herself alive by sucking the
life force from her victims.} ({Instead,} 41. Ne6+ $6 {allows Black a fortress
draw after} Kf7 42. Nxc5 h4 43. Ne6 h3 44. Rg7+ Qxg7+ $1 45. Nxg7 Rg8 46. Kh2
Rxg7 47. Kxh3 {. The black king's heavily fortified defensive barrier is
enough to insulate him from his d7-sister's long reach of power. White is
unable to make progress.}) 41... Qh8 42. Qd7 Qh6 $2 ({Black can resist with} 
42... Rb8 $1 43. Ne6+ Kf7 {and if} 44. Rg7+ Qxg7+ $1 45. Nxg7 Rg8 46. Qe6+ Kf8
47. Qh6 Rxg7+ 48. Kf2 c4 {and he won't lose this, and may even stand better.})
43. Ne6+ Kf7 44. Ng5+ Kf8 45. Kh2 ({Houdini found an inhumanly difficult win
after} 45. Ne6+ Kf7 46. Nxc5 $1 Ra8 47. Ne6 Rb8 48. Ng5+ $1 Kf8 49. Qa7 Rc8 50.
Ne6+ Kf7 51. Kh2 $1 {(zugzwang)} Rc1 (51... Re8 52. Ng5+ Kf8 53. Qa1 $1 {
(threat: Ne6+ followed by Rg7+)} Rc8 54. Ne6+ Kf7 55. Rg7+ Ke8 {and} 56. Qa4+ {
mate}) 52. Nd8+ $1 Kf8 53. Qd4 {(Ne6+ is once again a dire threat)} Ne8 54. Qe5
Qf6 55. Ne6+ Kf7 56. Ng5+ {and Black's queen is toast.}) 45... h4 46. Ne6+ Kf7
47. Ng5+ Kf8 48. Kh3 c4 49. Ne6+ Kf7 50. Ng5+ Kf8 {By this point, so
psychologically icky is White's knight that Black's king and queen feel the
urgent need to bathe every time he comes around to visit.} 51. Rg1 c3 {Spassky
tries desperately for a distraction.} 52. Qe6 $5 {A last-ditch winning effort
for Larsen, who reassesses and decides that his king hunt has hobbled along on
one leg for long enough.} Qxe6 53. dxe6 {With a rather sneaky Nh7 mating
threat.} Kg7 $1 ({Avoiding the vulgar cheapo} 53... Rc8 $4 54. Nh7+ Ke8 55.
Rg8# {mate.}) 54. Nxe4+ Kh6 55. Nxc3 {EXERCISE (critical decision): The
position should be drawn, predicated upon Black finding the right path. But be
careful. The worst possible mind state in such situations is the one of the
self-congratulatory thought: "Everything draws!" --- In this case, everything
most certainly doesn't draw. Should Black play 55...Rd8 and stay passive, or
should he play 55...Ne4, offering to damage his pawn structure to eliminate
White's powerful knight? One path draws, while the other loses.} Ne4 $4 {
Patience is the bane of all active players, where even a trivial success may
embolden them into acts of overconfidence. In this case the passive path draws,
while the active one loses.} ({ANSWER:} 55... Rd8 $1 {intending ...Nc4 is
necessary and White can't make progress. For example,} 56. Rg5 Nc4 $1 57. Kxh4
Nxe3 {is drawn.}) 56. Nxe4 fxe4 57. Kxh4 {The rook ending is an easy win for
Larsen, with Spassky's king cut off.} Ra8 58. f5 $1 {The scaffolding has been
taken down, now that White's home repair project is completed.} Ra2 ({Also
pointless is} 58... Ra5 59. Kg4 Kg7 60. Kf4+ {and if} Kf6 61. Rg6# {is mate.})
59. Rg8 Rf2 60. Rf8 $1 ({It's all over after} 60. Rf8 $1 Kg7 61. Rf7+ Kg8 62.
Kg5 Rf3 63. Rxe7 Rxe3 64. Kf6 {. --- SUMMARY: The hybrid Bird/Orangutan idea 4
b4!? produces an odd position which your opponents are hardly likely to have
studied.}) 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4: The Stonewall Bird"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqk2r/ppp1ppbp/5np1/3p4/3P1P2/3BPN2/PPP3PP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.25"]

{With the Bird Stonewall formation, we clamp down on Black's natural ...e7-e5
break, with an inverted pyramidal wall on f4, e3 and d4. In doing so, the
polarity of the two sides' goals grow even more pronounced. The d4-f4 clamp
does indeed produce a stifling quality, effectively hindering ...e7-e5, but it
doesn't come without cost, and the implications of our act are far-reaching,
since we voluntarily allow Black a juicy e4-hole. Medical science sometimes
utilizes snake toxins as a necessary ingredient in a pharmaceutical line. The
moral: even a dangerous and toxic entity may have its beneficial side-effects.
With this structure, we gamble that our e5-clamp and enhanced kingside
attacking chances make up for our voluntary e4-puncture. "What kingside
attack?" you may ask.} 1. -- {Well, for now it runs only with apathetic
efficiency. But in the future, we may be able to generate a serious build-up,
extending our kingside boundaries by force of arms, with a set-up like 0-0,
Qe1, Nbd2, fianchetto our bad c1-bishop, then proceed with Ne5, Qh4, Rf3,
g2-g4, Rh3 and Raf1, when virtually every white piece participates in the
assault. Of course, we must be careful. When a Stonewall structure sours, our
former attacks become like bad vacations: we are full of joy when embarking,
yet at the end, ask ourselves why we bothered with the time and expense. So
take a look at the games in this chapter and see if this risky structure
appeals to you.} *

[Event "25: Bangladesh Championships, Dhaka"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2008.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Abdulla, AR."]
[Black "Hossain, E."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2008.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. d4 ({The Bird move-order to get to the text game after White's fifth move is
} 1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 g6 4. d4 Bg7 5. Bd3 {as played in E.Gleizerov-S.Vaibhav, New Delhi 2012. My experience with Reversed Stonewall formations
mostly arises from the Colle, rather than from 1 f4.}) ({For example, my buddy,
GM Jesse Kraai mockingly named} 1. Nf3 c5 2. c3 {the "Lakdawala Accelerated".
I know he was joking, but this is the only chess opening named after me, so I
will take what I can get! Let's look at a couple of ...e6 set-ups after} Nf6 3.
d4 e6 4. e3 {:} -- (4... b6 5. Nbd2 d5 6. Ne5 Bd6 7. f4 {(and there we are, A
Colle to a Reversed Stonewall Dutch)} O-O 8. Bd3 Ba6 9. Bc2 {(oh, no you
don't!...White preserves his powerfully aimed light-squared bishop)} Qc7 {.
Here, I flicked out} 10. g4 $5 {and it's possible that I ingested too much
caffeine that morning! This is uncharacteristic bravery/foolhardiness from
your normally cautious writer. The game continued} cxd4 $6 {(as mentioned
above, this swap only helps White)} 11. exd4 Nc6 12. g5 Nd7 13. Ndf3 Rac8 14.
Be3 Na5 15. Qb1 g6 16. h4 Nc4 17. Nxc4 $2 (17. Bf2 {is correct}) 17... Qxc4 $2
{a re-blunder.} ({We both missed the slick zwischenzug} 17... Bxf4 $1 {after
which White is down a pawn for nothing}) 18. Qd1 Rfe8 19. Qd2 Kf8 20. Ne5 Bxe5
$5 21. fxe5 Ke7 22. Qf2 Rf8 23. Rh3 $1 {(now White has a winning position)}
Rce8 24. Bc1 $1 {(preparing to re-route the bishop to a monster diagonal from
the a3-square)} Kd8 25. b3 $1 Qb5 26. Ba3 Rg8 27. Bd6 {and Black was paralyzed,
C.Lakdawala-P.Hummel, Los Angeles 1998. This game is annotated in The Colle:
Move by Move.}) (4... d5 5. Nbd2 Be7 6. Bd3 O-O 7. Ne5 Nc6 8. f4 cxd4 $6 {(in
general, this swap can only benefit White, since it opens the c-file, and also
relieves White of all worries about plans like ...c4 and later ...b5)} 9. exd4
Nd7 10. O-O g6 $6 {(the weakening of the dark squares will become a problem
for Black in the future)} 11. Qe2 Ndxe5 $2 {(this move allows White's
dark-squared bishop into the attack)} 12. fxe5 f6 13. exf6 Bxf6 14. Nf3 Qc7 15.
Bh6 Re8 16. Ne5 $1 Bxe5 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18. Rf6 $1 Bd7 19. Raf1 Nxd3 20. Qxd3 {
(principle: Opposite-coloured bishops favour the attacker) White threatens
both Rxg6+ and also Rf7, with a winning attack, C.Lakdawala-P.Pena, San Diego
(rapid) 2005. This game is annotated in The Colle: Move by Move.})) 1... d5 (
1... Nf6 2. c3 $5 {I sometimes use this move-order trick to get a kind of
super Stonewall formation after ...} d5 3. Bg5 e6 4. Nd2 Be7 5. e3 {and here,
if Black plays} O-O $6 {, he is oblivious about White's coming kingside attack.
He should stall or completely avoid kingside castling here. Following} 6. Bd3
Nbd7 {, White has} 7. f4 {and has achieved a super Stonewall. --- QUESTION:
What is so 'super' about White's Stonewall? --- ANSWER: Normally, one of
White's biggest problems in the Reversed Stonewall is how to develop the
sleeping c1-bishop. With this trick, White's dark-squared bishop jumped the
fence and leaped over both e3- and f4-pawns, remaining outside the chain. After
} c5 8. Ngf3 a6 9. O-O b5 10. Ne5 Qb6 11. Rf3 {, Houdini only gives White an
edge here, while I think White already has a winning attack. The game continued
} Re8 12. Rh3 g6 13. Qe1 {(White's attack is on complete autopilot, with each
move very easy to find)} Kg7 14. Qh4 h5 15. Ndf3 b4 16. Rf1 ({Houdini points
out} 16. Bh6+ $3 Kxh6 17. Bxg6 $1 {is crushing}) 16... bxc3 17. bxc3 c4 18. Bb1
Qb2 {. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): How did White exploit his
overwhelming build-up on the kingside? --- ANSWER: Annihilation of king's
cover.} 19. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 20. Ne5+ Kg7 21. Bxg6 {(Black's king is completely
stripped of cover)} Rh8 22. f5 Qb6 23. fxe6 Qxe6 24. Bf5 {1-0, C.Lakdawala-K.Griffith, San Diego (rapid) 2012.}) 2. e3 Nf6 3. Bd3 {In this chapter we
concentrate on the bishop's development to d3, as opposed to the more passive
placement on e2. --- QUESTION: What are the differences? --- ANSWER: On the
d3-square: 1. The bishop is more aggressively placed to attack the black
kingside. --- 2. White is more vulnerable to swaps, since Black not only has
the ...b6 and ...Ba6 swap plan (which also is there when White develops the
bishop to e2), but also, White must watch out for ...Bf5 ideas. Now ...Bf5
isn't all that scary for us since after we swap, Black's king gets a tad more
insecure when Bxf5 and ...gxf5 are played. We look at this plan later in the
chapter. --- 3. White doesn't give up on the fight for the e4-square, but
instead challenges for the square.} g6 4. f4 {This move turns a Colle into the
Stonewall Bird.} Bg7 5. Nf3 ({In this position I would play} 5. Nd2 {to fight
for the e4-square at the earliest possible time.}) 5... O-O 6. O-O c5 7. c3 {
We arrive in one of the most common starting positions in the Reversed
Stonewall Dutch. --- QUESTION: What are White's goals in the position? ---
ANSWER: The following: 1. If possible, seize control over the e4-square. --- 2.
If possible, avoid a swap of light-squared bishops. --- 3. Find a way to
develop our troubled piece, the c1 - bishop. --- I tend to favour a queenside
fianchetto, but White can also play the manoeuvre Bd2, Be1 and Bh4. --- 4.
Generally, White can build up a kingside attack, although this plan is
certainly not obligatory.} b6 {Now ...Ba6 is in the air.} ({Other options:} 
7... Nc6 8. Nbd2 Qb6 $6 {(this is a very common response at the club level
today though it actually hinders queenside play)} 9. Qe1 Bd7 10. Kh1 e6 11. Qh4
cxd4 $6 {(as mentioned above, we should love when Black plays this move, since
it opens the e-file and frees our sleeping c1-bishop)} 12. exd4 Na5 {
(intending to swap off his bad bishop with ...Bb5 next), J.Pelikan-C.Maderna,
Buenos Aires 1945. Now White should deny the impending bishop trade with} 13.
a4 $1 {and then build a promising kingside attack with Ne5 and Rf3.}) ({With} 
7... Bf5 {, Black swaps off the light-squared bishops, accepting a slight
weakness in his structure, which can also be interpreted as a strength, since
Black strengthens his grip over the e4-square. After} 8. Bxf5 gxf5 9. Nbd2 Nbd7
10. Ne5 Ne4 11. Nxe4 {, White is happy to plug up the e4-hole and} fxe4 12. Qg4
(12. b3 {is also possible, with about an even game}) 12... f5 13. Qe2 Nxe5 14.
dxe5 e6 15. Bd2 Rf7 16. Be1 Bf8 17. Bf2 a6 18. h3 $1 {(worrying White about a
g4-break)} Rg7 19. Kh2 Qe8 20. g4 {is probably close to even but I prefer
White's side since he can play both on the kingside and also keep Black
wondering about c3-c4 ideas, J.Granda Zuniga-J.De la Villa Garcia, Seville
2009.}) 8. Qe2 {Preventing Black's intended ...Ba6.} Bb7 ({QUESTION: How do we
stop ...Ba6 if Black tosses in} 8... a5 {- ? --- ANSWER: We can't and must
allow it. However, just because Black achieves ...Ba6 doesn't mean our
counterplay goes dead. Here's an instructive example:} 9. Nbd2 e6 10. b3 {(I
favour the fianchetto development over the Bd2, Be1 and Bh4 plan)} Ba6 11. Bb2
Bxd3 12. Qxd3 Nfd7 13. c4 {(no more bad bishop)} Nc6 14. Rad1 Qc7 15. Ne5 Rfd8
16. Ndf3 cxd4 {(the game sharpens, with White taking on potential hanging
pawns or an isolani)} 17. exd4 Rac8 $2 ({Black should try} 17... Ndxe5 18. fxe5
dxc4 19. Qxc4 Qd7 20. Qe2 {when White's potential for attack down the f-file
is compensated by Black's control over the d5-square}) 18. Ng5 $1 Ndxe5 19.
fxe5 {(White has a winning attack)} Qe7 $2 ({Black had to take his chances with
} 19... Rf8 20. cxd5 exd5 21. Ba3 Nb4 22. Qh3 h6 23. Rc1 Qb7 24. Rxc8 Qxc8 25.
Bxb4 Qxh3 26. Nxh3 axb4 27. Nf4 Rd8 28. Rc1 {though White still holds the
initiative}) 20. Nxf7 dxc4 21. Qh3 $1 Rf8 22. Nd6 Rxf1+ 23. Rxf1 Rf8 24. bxc4 {
and White is up a pawn in a dominating position, H.Danielsen-B.Halldorsson,
Reykjavik 2002.}) 9. Bd2 {In this chapter we mainly look at the fianchetto as
a means of developing the dark-squared bishop. This game is an example of the
Bd2-e1-h4 development theme.} Qc8 {Useful, discouraging f4-f5 and also
worrying White about potential ...Ba6 swaps.} 10. Be1 Ba6 {With this trade,
Black achieves equality.} 11. Bh4 ({Instead, after} 11. Nbd2 Bxd3 12. Qxd3 {,
Black has an annoying counter-idea with} Qa6 $1 {which pretty much ends
White's attacking joy. White's kingside ambitions are adjourned until further
notice. However, White isn't worse in the coming ending after} 13. Qxa6 (13.
Qc2 {is possible but I don't like the queen's placement on the c-file, where a
black rook will soon post itself}) 13... Nxa6 14. a4 Rfc8 15. Bh4 e6 {. At
this stage, I would chop Black's knight on f6 and take my chances in the
balanced ending, R.Bellin-S.Tiviakov, Kilkenny 1998.}) 11... Qb7 {Continuing
to take aim at the e4-square. However, I'm not so sure this additive is
necessary.} ({Once again, I would go for the killjoy line} 11... Bxd3 12. Qxd3
Qa6 $1 {.}) 12. Ne5 ({I'm a big control-e4 guy in such positions, and would
continue} 12. Nbd2 {.}) 12... Bxd3 13. Nxd3 Ne4 14. f5 $1 {Now the game starts
to get interesting. White begins a kingside build-up.} Nc6 15. Nd2 c4 $5 {
Black hopes this is the beginning of a queenside attack, with ...b5 to follow.
However it does violate the principle: don't close the centre when being
attacked on the wing.} ({With the less committal} 15... Nd6 {, I would have
kept matters fluid with} 16. g4 ({note that} 16. fxg6 hxg6 17. dxc5 bxc5 18.
Nxc5 $6 {does not win a pawn because the b2-pawn is hanging.})) 16. Nf4 Nxd2
17. Qxd2 Qd7 18. Qc2 $1 {White offers a pawn to wreck Black's king cover.} Bh6
({Black wisely declines as} 18... gxf5 $2 19. Nh5 Bh6 20. Rae1 f4 21. h3 $1 {
gives White a powerful attack. If Black gets greedy with} fxe3 $4 {then} 22.
Rf6 $1 {is crushing after} Bg7 23. Rxe3 $1 {when Black won't survive.}) 19. Rf3
{The position charges with tension, the way the air feels just before the
first lightning strike of the storm.} e5 $4 {EXERCISE (combination alert):
Black experiences a conflict between perception and reality. His last move
followed the principle: Strike in the centre when assaulted on the wing.
However it also allowed White a path to a winning attack. This is why our game
is so enragingly frustrating. Black follows the principle and yet his choice
is the losing move! However, sometimes we can derive the truth from simple
observation, rather than logic. Our eyes sweep the position and we realize
Black is in deep trouble, without need of mathematical proof. The absence of
defenders for the black king conveys all the information we require. Now is
the time to strike. How?} ({Black only stands slightly worse after the correct
} 19... Kh8 {. When the macho policy fails, it's time for Black's king to
sneak into his room and hide under the bed.}) 20. Nh5 $1 {ANSWER: Piece
sacrifice/annihilation of king's cover. --- A species tends to flourish in an
environment with an abundance of food resources, coupled with an absence of
natural predators. This is but the first stab of pain from the f6-abscess.
White's last move is a paralyzing blow which appears without forewarning or
even the slightest premonitory apprehension of its approach.} Qd6 ({The knight
can't be touched as} 20... gxh5 $4 {gets crushed after} 21. Rg3+ Bg7 22. Bf6 {.
}) 21. Nf6+ Kh8 {Black's king still has 100% confidence in his defenders -
which is down from the 110% confidence he had in them just a minute ago.} 22.
Rh3 $1 {Targets: The h6-bishop and h7-pawn. An approach by the enemy with slow
deliberation can be more menacing than a frantic lunge.} Ne7 {EXERCISE 
(combination alert): Two perils - two Damoclesian swords - hang over Black's
head. White has two ways to win. Find one of them. --- ANSWER: Clearance/triple attack/pin.} 23. Bg3 $1 {The wizard casts darkly ominous looks in the
direction of the e5-pawn, while his h3-servant eyes both the h6-bishop and
h7-pawn. That which was once theoretical - merely an abstraction - is now made
real.} ({ANSWER #2: Also crushing was the clearance/double attack move} 23. Bg5
$1 {(a dark square bonanza opens before White)} Nxf5 ({also,} 23... Ng8 24.
dxe5 Qxe5 25. Ng4 {forks the e5-pawn and h6-bishop}) 24. Rf1 $1 {and there is
no defence to the coming Rxf5.}) 23... Nxf5 24. Bxe5 {"Please! There is no
sense in an emotional outburst," lectures the bishop quite sensibly to Black's
queen, adding, "The best course is to gracefully accept your reality."} Qe6 {
The queen emits a sharp inward breath which expresses her outrage that her
spiritual advisor just climbed uninvited into her bed.} 25. g4 $1 ({Black's
game is neck deep in quicksand, threatening to submerge without a trace. After
} 25. g4 $1 Nxe3 26. Rxh6 Nxc2 27. Rxh7# {delivers mate! The king's door is
smashed and splintered, now dangling aslant on its hinges. "Since it grows
apparent that your intellect is one lacking complexity, I will make my demands
clear: abdicate or pay the price," the rook asserted to Black's king. ---
SUMMARY: This game was an example of the Bd2-e1-h4 development scheme, as
opposed to the queenside fianchetto, which we concentrate on later in the
chapter.}) 1-0

[Event "26: World University Ch., Novokuznetsk"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2008.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Moosavian, SH."]
[Black "Alavi Moghaddam, SJ."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2008.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. d4 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. Bd3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 ({QUESTION: Can Black try the odd
looking} 4... Nc6 {, intending ...Nb4, followed by ...Bf5 - ? --- ANSWER: This
is an annoying idea, where Black once again attempts to take the fun out of
our position. But we have ways of sharpening the game. For example, after} 5.
c3 Bf5 {(eliminating White's best piece, or gaining a tempo if White avoids
the swap)} 6. Bxf5 gxf5 7. Nf3 Qd7 8. Nbd2 e6 {, S.Novoa Quintas-C.Joglar
Tamargo, Infiesto 1996, White can try} 9. Ne5 Nxe5 10. fxe5 Ne4 ({maybe Black
should try the counterintuitive} 10... Ng8 {with an even position}) 11. Nxe4
dxe4 (11... fxe4 12. O-O {allows White to press down the f-file}) 12. g4 $1 {
with a sharp position. The white king's vulnerability is counterbalanced by
Black's soon-to-be weak kingside pawns.}) 5. Nf3 c5 ({After} 5... O-O 6. O-O
Ne4 $5 {, let's examine the options:} 7. -- (7. Bxe4 $6 dxe4 8. Ng5 c5 9. dxc5
Qxd1 (9... f5 10. Qe2 Qd5 $1 {looks better for Black}) 10. Rxd1 Bg4 ({once
again} 10... f5 {looks correct}) 11. Re1 Bf5 12. Nd2 e5 (12... Na6 $1 13. Ngxe4
Nb4 14. Re2 Nxc2 15. Rb1 Nb4 {looks uncomfortable for White}) 13. Ngxe4 exf4
14. exf4 Bd4+ $6 15. Kf1 Na6 16. c3 Bxc5 {, C.Lakdawala-"Kamel" Internet 
(blitz) 2014. White looks clearly better in the ending after} 17. Nf6+ Kg7 18.
Nde4 Bb6 19. Be3 {with an extra pawn and good chances to convert.}) ({.
Perhaps White does best to play it like a Queen's pawn opening with} 7. c4 $1
c6 8. Nc3 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Nd7 {, R.Kasanicky-P.Petran, Martin 1996. White
achieved a nice looking Grünfeld-like game after} 10. Qb3 {when White's
f4-move worked out nicely to suppress Black's ...e7-e5 break.})) 6. c3 b6 7.
O-O O-O ({Everyone but beginning players know of the trap} 7... Ba6 $4 8. Bxa6
Nxa6 9. Qa4+ {when Black hangs the a6-knight.}) 8. Qe2 Bb7 ({After} 8... a5 9.
a4 Ba6 10. Bxa6 Nxa6 11. b3 Ne4 12. Bb2 e6 13. Na3 {(White takes advantage of
the b5-hole)} Qe7 14. Rfc1 Rfc8 15. Rc2 cxd4 16. exd4 Nc7 17. Rac1 Ne8 18. Nb5
N8d6 19. c4 {, I prefer White, since the Ba3 idea is in the air, J.Klinger-G.Kallai, Lenk 1990.}) 9. b3 {I think the fianchetto development is more natural
for White than the Bd2-e1-h4 plan we saw in the previous game. --- QUESTION:
Why? --- ANSWER: The fianchetto plan is more natural because: 1. It takes
fewer moves than the cumbersome plan of transferring White's bishop to h4. ---
2. It is more flexible, since it doesn't commit White to a kingside assault,
and we can play in the centre with an eventual c3-c4 break. --- 3. Any Black
attempts to swap off light-squared bishops with ...Ba6 can be met with the
c4-block!. --- 4. It challenges the assumption that Black is the boss of the
queenside, since Black is denied an autopilot ...c5-c4, ...b6-b5 queenside
pawn avalanche plan.} a5 {Seizing queenside space, though at the cost of a
b5-hole.} ({Let's look at the other options:} 9... Ne4 10. Bb2 Nd7 11. Nbd2
Nxd2 12. Qxd2 Nf6 13. Qe2 Ne4 14. Rac1 Rc8 15. Rfd1 Nd6 16. Ne5 {(White
provokes ...f7-f6 under the assumption that the loosening hurts Black more
than it helps)} Rc7 17. c4 cxd4 18. exd4 Qc8 19. Rc2 Rd8 20. Rdc1 {and White
achieves a slightly favourable future hanging pawns position, since his centre
looks quite stable and he soon menaces c4-c5, P.Szablowski-R.Rodriguez Lopez,
Budapest 2011.}) (9... Nbd7 10. Nbd2 Ne8 11. a4 {(White plans to post his
bishop on the a3-square)} Nd6 12. Ba3 Rc8 13. Rac1 Rc7 14. Ne5 Nf6 15. dxc5 $5
{White inflicts a bit of structural damage,} ({and instead,} 15. c4 {probably
reaches a hanging pawns position}) 15... bxc5 16. c4 Qc8 17. cxd5 Nxd5 18. Ndc4
{and White owns the c4-outpost and Black's c5-pawn may later become a source
of worry, K.Moutousis-L.Pirani, Varna 1994.}) (9... Qc7 10. Bb2 Ne4 11. Na3 $5
{(this is a little odd, but not such a bad idea as White denies Black a
freeing ...Nxd2 swap by avoiding that square)} Nd7 (11... a6 {is met with} 12.
c4) 12. Nb5 Qb8 13. a4 a6 14. Na3 Qd6 15. c4 cxd4 16. exd4 Qb4 {, J.Klinger-A.Shalamberidze, Werfen 1993. At this point White can play} 17. Nc2 $1 Qxb3 {
(otherwise Black simply loses time with his last move)} 18. Rfb1 Nc3 19. Bxc3
Qxc3 20. c5 e6 21. Rb4 $1 {(threat: Ra3! trapping Black's wayward queen)} Rfc8
22. Ra3 Bxd4+ 23. Rxd4 Qxc5 {and White's piece is worth far more than Black's
three pawns, since Black's undefended king looks quite vulnerable.}) ({The ...Ba6 plan starting with} 9... Qc8 {doesn't make as much sense now. After} 10.
Bb2 Ba6 {, S.Gonzalez de la Torre-J.Baron Rodriguez, Ortiguera 2003, I would
block Black's intended swap with} 11. c4 {when Black's a6-bishop may be
misplaced in the coming hanging pawns position.}) 10. Na3 {Eyeing the b5-hole.}
({I think it may be more accurate to toss in} 10. a4 {to prevent ...a4 ideas
and to clamp down on the b5-square. After} Ne4 11. Bb2 Nd7 12. Na3 Ndf6 13. c4
e6 14. Rfd1 Qe7 15. Nb5 Rfd8 16. Rac1 Ne8 {, L.Vidal-V.Stephan, Montlucon 2011,
I like White's chances after} 17. Bxe4 $5 dxe4 18. Ne5 f6 19. Ng4 {.}) 10...
Nc6 ({QUESTION: Can Black play for a light square queenside strategy with} 
10... a4 {, intending to transfer a knight to a5; for example, after} 11. Bb2
Nc6 12. Nb5 axb3 13. axb3 Na5 {- ? --- ANSWER: This may be Black's most
promising idea. Still, White doesn't look worse after} 14. Bc2 Ne4 15. Ra3 {
(reinforcing the defence of the b3-pawn)} Nd6 (15... c4 16. Bxe4 dxe4 17. Nd2
cxb3 18. Nxb3 Nxb3 19. Rxb3 Qd7 20. c4 {is dynamically balanced, with the
weakness of Black's b6-pawn matched by White's c3-pawn}) 16. Nxd6 exd6 17. Nd2
{with an equal game. I don't believe White's backward e3-pawn will be too big
a cause for concern.}) 11. Nb5 Re8 ({Once again, I like your} 11... a4 {idea.})
12. Ba3 ({And once again, White disdains} 12. a4 {.}) 12... cxd4 {This
violates the principle: Don't break pawn tension if doing so improves the
opponent's position.} ({I would play} 12... Ne4 {after which White can
speculate with} 13. Ng5 $5 Nxg5 14. fxg5 cxd4 15. exd4 {and White has chances
down the newly opened f-file.}) 13. exd4 Nd7 $2 {Defensive toil, by its very
nature, is rarely a joyful exercise, and the concept of 'preference' is a
luxury reserved only for those in wealth and power. This is an instance of
retreating a piece from an already good square, which in turn allows White an
uncontested kingside build-up.} ({Correct was the central counter} 13... Ne4 $1
14. Ne5 Nxe5 15. fxe5 f5 {with sharp play, where I still slightly favour White.
}) 14. Rad1 ({I would play} 14. Rae1 {instead to press in the centre before
going all guns ablazing on the kingside.}) 14... Nf8 {The Neanderthal's plight:
He and his family shiver in a storm. They approach a cave mouth. If they enter,
do they encounter a safe, warm place of refuge? Or does a dangerous predator
lurk inside the cave? With his last move, Black decides to enter the cave.} ({
Maybe Black should try his luck with} 14... Qc8 {, although I'm not crazy
about his position there as well. --- QUESTION: How would White proceed with
his kingside attack in this case? --- ANSWER: White's main idea, like in the
stem game, involves the f4-f5 spike. Let's take a look at a couple of
possibilities:} 15. -- (15. Ng5 Nf6 {(an admission that his previous ...Nd7?
was a waste of time)} 16. f5 Qd7 17. Rde1 a4 18. bxa4 $1 Rf8 ({Black has
nothing active to do as} 18... Rxa4 $2 19. Qc2 $1 Raa8 20. fxg6 hxg6 21. Bxg6
$1 fxg6 22. Qxg6 Rf8 23. Nc7 $1 {wins, since} Qxc7 {is met with} 24. Ne6) 19.
Qc2 $1 {(loading up decisively on the g6-weakness)} Ba6 20. fxg6 hxg6 21. Bxg6
fxg6 22. Qxg6 Bxb5 23. Ne6 Rf7 24. axb5 Rxa3 25. bxc6 Qe8 (25... Qxc6 $2 26.
Ng5 Qe8 27. Rxf6 $1 {is an immediate game ender}) 26. Rf3 Ra8 27. Rg3 Nh5 {
(threatening a trap)} 28. Qxh5 $1 {(White falls into the 'combination')} Rf1+ {
(not all combinations win)} 29. Rxf1 Qxh5 30. Rxg7+ Kh8 31. Rf3 {and there is
no defence to the coming Rh3.}) (15. f5 Nf6 16. Ne5 a4 17. fxg6 hxg6 18. Nxg6
$1 fxg6 19. Bxg6 {(White has a strong attack)} Qg4 (19... Rf8 $2 20. Bf5 Qd8
21. Qe6+ Rf7 22. Bg6 Qf8 23. Nc7 Rc8 24. Nxd5 {and Black collapses}) 20. Bf7+
$1 Kh8 21. Qxg4 Nxg4 22. Bxe8 Rxe8 23. Rde1 {(I told you the rook belonged on
the e1-square!)} axb3 24. axb3 Nf6 25. Rf5 {with a large advantage for White.})
) 15. f5 {All poisons are dosage-dependent. In this case, White attempts to
poison his opponent's king position, which for now sickens, but fails to kill
Black. However, Black's problem is that he lacks a central counter to White's
unopposed kingside build-up, which if left unchecked in time, will indeed
prove fatal.} Ba6 16. Ng5 $1 {Taking aim at the f7-pawn.} Bf6 ({The weakening
'kick'} 16... h6 $4 {is met with the crushing} 17. fxg6 fxg6 18. Rxf8+ $1 Rxf8
19. Qe6+ Kh8 20. Qxg6 {and White forces mate.}) 17. Qg4 {White's fierce
threats arrive in ever shortening intervals. An inkling of this, a smattering
of that, and little by little, Black's position continues its downward
trajectory.} Qd7 {EXERCISE (combination alert): One look tells us that White
has a winning attack. How would you proceed here?} ({Things are already
getting dodgy for Black, for example:} 17... a4 18. fxg6 hxg6 19. bxa4 Bc8 20.
Qf4 $1 Be6 21. h4 $1 Rxa4 22. h5 {pries open Black's king. After} gxh5 23. Nxe6
Nxe6 24. Qh6 Bg7 {is met with} 25. Qh7+ Kf8 26. Rxf7+ $1 Kxf7 27. Rf1+ {, mate
is inevitable. Black's queen closes her eyes and shakes her head sadly, as if
in validation to a long held belief about her husband's lack of competency to
rule.}) (17... Bxg5 {reasons that allowing the white knight's continued
existence on g5 is akin to an Australian couple leaving their new pet dingo to
watch the baby while they go to the movies. After} 18. Qxg5 Qd7 19. Qf4 $1 {,
White gets a decisive double attack, threatening to invade down on f7 with the
queen or play the Nc7 fork.}) 18. Nxf7 $1 {ANSWER: Annihilation of the
defensive barrier. The f7-weakness is the beating heart of Black's fears. ---
In a situation when someone dislikes us for whatever reason - real or imagined
- no matter what we do or say will be interpreted as a deliberate offense or
provocation. Black's forces, who for so long disliked White's looming kingside
knight, now hate him even more. With such sacrifices, there is no need to
dawdle over niceties like soundness or unsoundness. We can just see at a
glance that the sac works, without even need of analysis, since it strips
Black's kingside to its bare essentials.} h5 ({Black gets slaughtered if he
accepts with} 18... Kxf7 19. fxg6+ Kg7 20. Bf5 h5 21. Qxh5 Qb7 {(Black's queen
bites her lower lip in vexation at having her wishes brushed aside)} 22. Bc1 $1
Bxb5 23. Qh6+ Kg8 24. Be6+ $1 {(deflection)} Nxe6 25. Qh7+ Kf8 {and} 26. Qf7# {
is mate!}) 19. Qh3 Kxf7 {"Of all the people in the world, I am surely the
wisest," declares the king, as he unwisely challenges the white knight's
authority.} ({If Black declines again, then he gets ripped open without any
payment for his king's pain and suffering. For example, after} 19... Nd8 20.
Ne5 Bxe5 21. dxe5 Bxb5 22. e6 $1 Qc6 23. fxg6 {and Black's extra piece counts
for nothing in view of the denuded king and his impending doom.}) 20. fxg6+ Kg8
21. Qxh5 {The queen rejoices in her dark heart at the black king's scheduled
public humiliation.} Nb4 {This exuberant flourish fails to help Black's game.
--- EXERCISE (combination alert): Black's cadaverous position, with its
numerous rotting kingside holes, isn't survivable. His last move was an
attempt to confuse the issue in a lost position. How should White proceed with
his attack? --- ANSWER: Clearance.} 22. g7 $1 {Such sacrifices are like potato
chips, in that no attacker can only eat just one and then stop.} Bxb5 ({After} 
22... Kxg7 23. Rf3 {, there is no good defence to the coming Rg3+, and the
kingside battlefield is littered with smoke, toppled war machinery and the
broken bodies of defenders.}) 23. Qh8+ ({White's love-smitten queen
unexpectedly plumps herself down next to Black's embarrassed king. There is no
defence to} 23. Qh8+ Kf7 24. g8=Q# {and mate! If she could get away with it,
the newly promoted queen would tax the air the black king breathes. ---
SUMMARY: In my opinion, the queenside fianchetto plan is White's most
promising attempt to extract an edge in the Reversed Stonewall lines as: 1.
The plan is quicker than the cumbersome plan of transferring White's bishop to
h4. --- 2. The plan is more flexible. It doesn't commit White to a kingside
assault, and we can play in the centre with an eventual c4-break. --- 3. Any
black attempts to swap off light-squared bishops with ...Ba6 can be met by the
c4-block! --- 4. The plan challenges the assumption that Black is the boss of
the queenside, since Black is denied an autopilot ...c5-c4, ...b7-b5 queenside
pawn avalanche plan.}) 1-0

[Event "27: First Saturday GM, Budapest"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2011.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Szablowski, P."]
[Black "Blasko, I."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2011.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 g6 ({QUESTION: If Black tosses in an early} 3... c5 {
, do we stick to Stonewall, or switch to Classical or b3-lines? --- ANSWER:
Most players switch to the b3- and Classical lines. I would avoid Stonewall in
this version. For example:} 4. -- ({. After} 4. d4 {, the Stonewall isn't the
best choice, since Black gets a bishop quickly to the f5-square. But it's
still playable for White.} Bf5 $1 {This position is at least equal for Black,
who has a plus score from here. Following} 5. c3 Nc6 6. Be2 e6 7. O-O Be7 8.
Ne5 O-O 9. Nd2 Nxe5 10. fxe5 Ne4 11. Nxe4 Bxe4 12. Bd3 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 f5 14.
exf6 Bxf6 15. dxc5 Qc7 16. e4 Qxc5+ 17. Be3 Qc4 18. Qxc4 dxc4 19. Rad1 {, the
position is dead even and the players agreed to a draw in just a few moves, A.Rapoport-A.Shirov, Toronto (simultaneous) 2010.}) (4. Be2 {transposes to the
Classical Bird.}) (4. Bb5+ Bd7 5. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 6. O-O e6 7. d3 {and White rids
himself of a problem piece, then makes the switch to Classical lines. The
position here is equal as well after} Bd6 {, J.Zozaya-A.Iglesias, Pamplona
1998.} (7... --))) 4. d4 Bg7 5. Bd3 O-O 6. O-O c5 7. c3 b6 8. Qe2 Bf5 {Black
decides that if he experiences trouble swapping on his right hand side, then
he will try his luck swapping from the left. --- QUESTION: Isn't the ...Bf5
swap more dangerous for Black after he castles kingside? --- ANSWER: Correct,
but Black's king probably is safest on the kingside anyway, since if he
castles long, White can open the queenside quite easily with b2-b3 and then
a4-a5 or c3-c4 ideas.} 9. Bxf5 {QUESTION: Should we ignore Black's bishop and
allow our opponent to swap on d3, since by swapping on f5, we allow Black a
grip over the e4-square? --- ANSWER: I think we are better off swapping on f5,
even with Black's enhanced control over the e4-square, since it also weakens
Black's king somewhat. We can play for future h2-h3 and g2-g4 plans, or our
normal b2-b3, Bb2, Nbd2 and c3-c4 plan. If we can manage to swap away
dark-squared bishops down the a1 - h8 diagonal, Black's king may get aired out.
} ({The alternative} 9. Nbd2 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 {just feels a bit too milquetoast
for my tastes. Black gets easy equality after} Nc6 11. b3 Qc7 12. Ba3 Na5 13.
Rac1 {with a balanced position, V.Ragozin-V.Panov, Kiev 1950.}) 9... gxf5 10.
Nbd2 Nbd7 ({Other options:} 10... e6 11. Ne5 Qc7 {, L.Bregoszewski-F.Zombirt,
Wroclaw 2012. Now White can consider} 12. b3 cxd4 13. cxd4 Nbd7 14. a4 Rfc8 15.
Ba3 Qb7 16. h3 {(intending g2-g4)} Rc3 17. Bb4 Rc2 18. Rfc1 Rac8 19. Rxc2 Rxc2
20. Qd1 Rc7 (20... Qc8 $4 {hangs an exchange to the interference} 21. Ndc4) 21.
Rc1 Qc8 22. Rxc7 Qxc7 23. Kf2 {with an equal ending.}) (10... Ne4 11. Nxe4 fxe4
12. Ne5 f6 13. Ng4 Qd7 14. b3 {is balanced.}) 11. Ne5 cxd4 {As mentioned
before, this move is common in both the Colle and the Stonewall, even for very
strong players, but it invariably helps White, since it frees our problem
bishop.} ({Instead,} 11... Qc7 {can be met with} 12. Rf3 {with h2-h3 and g3-g4
ideas to follow.}) 12. exd4 Ne4 13. Rf3 {Intending Rh3, Qh5 and Qxh7 mate
ideas. Of course, Black may do something in the interval to prevent such a
possibility! Such pseudo-attacking plans may transcend logic, but not belief.
We Stonewallers just have faith in our lucky star. --- EXERCISE (critical
decision): One tiny shift can turn an even position into a losing one. Black
has a choice of 13...f6, ejecting the e5-intruder, or 13...Ndf6, bolstering
control over critical squares like e4 and h5. One leads to a strategically
lost position, in the other, Black remains equal. Which one would you play?} ({
I would consider continuing with} 13. Nxe4 $1 dxe4 (13... fxe4 14. Nc6 Qe8 15.
f5 Nf6 16. Ne5 {looks better for White, who can think about g2-g4 soon}) 14. g4
$1 fxg4 15. Qxe4 Nf6 16. Qg2 h5 17. h3 $1 gxh3 18. Qxh3 Qd5 19. Kh2 {and
White's play down the g-file looks promising. After} Bh6 20. Rg1+ Kh8 21. Qg2
Kh7 22. f5 Qxg2+ 23. Rxg2 Bxc1 24. Rxc1 Rg8 25. Rcg1 $1 Rxg2+ 26. Rxg2 Rf8 27.
Kh3 Kh6 28. Kh4 {, Black has a difficult ending, with his forces tied down.})
13... f6 $2 {Self-preservation struggles with curiosity, and the latter wins.
In the matter of a single move, Black's position goes from okay to dismal.
Black's last move is a bit like saying: "I will fix the leaking roof, but only
after the hurricane passes". Psychological laws tend to govern such situations,
and it's very difficult for a defender to allow White's knight to remain
undisturbed on e5 in near-perpetuity.} ({Better is} 13... Ndf6 $1 {which is a
deterrent to keep White's attacking intentions in check. Following} 14. Rh3 e6
15. Nxe4 Nxe4 16. Be3 {,} Qe8 $1 {, intending ...f7-f6, looks fine for Black.})
14. Nc6 $1 {The knight plunges into enemy territory, with no intention of
getting out!} Qe8 15. Rh3 $1 {The rook shoulders his way in.} a5 {All
societies have mechanisms in place to purge the troublesome elements within
them. Yet Black can't find a way to get at White's unruly c6-knight. It feels
as if the c6-knight is a weak enclave within hostile, foreign territory. But
appearances deceive.} ({However,} 15... e6 16. Nxe4 dxe4 (16... fxe4 17. f5 $1
Rf7 18. Nb4 a5 19. Nc2 Nf8 20. Ne3 Rd8 21. Qh5 {leaves White with a powerful
kingside initiative}) 17. d5 $1 exd5 18. Nd4 {is also quite awful for Black.})
16. Nxe4 fxe4 ({Also,} 16... dxe4 $2 {is met by} 17. d5 $1 {with a
strategically won game for White.}) 17. f5 $1 {Conspirators, exchanging
significant glances and sly nods, creep closer to Black's king, stealthy and
silent as shadows.} Ne5 ({Complete desperation as the alternatives are
unpalatable as well:} 17... e6 18. Qg4 e5 19. Qh4 h5 20. Rg3 {with a winning
attack.}) (17... Nb8 {. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): White to play and
force the win. --- ANSWER: Deflection. After} 18. Nd8 $3 Qxd8 {(no choice,
since it is fatal to allow the knight to reach e6)} 19. Qh5 h6 (19... Qe8 20.
Qxh7+ Kf7 21. Bh6 Rg8 22. Qg6+ Kf8 23. Bxg7+ Rxg7 24. Rh8+ Rg8 25. Rxg8#) 20.
Bxh6 Qe8 21. Qh4 Rf7 22. Bf4 $1 Qc6 23. Qh7+ Kf8 24. Rg3 e5 25. Rxg7 $1 Rxg7
26. Bh6 {when} Qd7 {is crushed by} 27. Qh8+ {, White has a crushing attack.})
18. dxe5 Qxc6 {Black's cat-like queen practices detached love. In this case
she is either unable or unwilling to lend assistance to her king.} 19. e6 $1 {
One step succeeds the other with pristine logic. Black feels the squeeze and
was certainly assailed with feelings of claustrophobic alarm.} ({The bullying
e-pawn, which cuts off the Black king's flight, tends to obtrude its way into
his heavy thoughts. Following} 19. e6 Qe8 20. Qg4 {(the delighted queen
approaches g4 at a pace somewhere between a skip and a run)} Kh8 {(the wounded
king, screaming in fear more than pain, flutters about like a sparrow with a
broken wing, destined to never fly again)} 21. Qh4 {The beautiful queen wages
her amorous campaign against Black's love-struck king. White's major pieces
strike h7 with the force of a poisoned dart.} h5 22. Qg4 {, it is curtains for
Black. --- SUMMARY: My policy is to always trade on f5 when Black plays a
combination of ...g7-g6 and ...Bf5. Black's enhanced control over the
e4-square is counterbalanced by the slight weakening of his kingside pawns.})
1-0

[Event "28: Chicago Open"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2008.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Tate, E."]
[Black "Fricano, PR."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D00"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2008.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 g6 4. d4 Bg7 5. Bd3 O-O 6. Nbd2 ({An online blitz
hack of mine went} 6. O-O c5 7. b3 Qc7 8. Ne5 b6 9. Qe2 Nc6 10. c3 Bf5 11. Bxf5
gxf5 12. Nd2 Ne4 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Bd2 Rad8 15. Qh5 e6 16. g4 $1 {(Houdini
frowns on this move, obviously aware of my dubious attacking skills)} Ne7 17.
Rf2 f6 18. Nc4 Kh8 (18... b5 19. Na3 b4 20. Nc4 fxg4 21. Qxc5 Qxc5 22. dxc5
bxc3 23. Bxc3 Rd3 24. Rc1 Nd5 25. Bd2 {leads to a sharp ending, with opposite
wing majorities}) 19. a4 Rd5 20. Kh1 fxg4 21. Qxg4 f5 22. Qh5 Ng6 $6 (22... Rg8
{looks better}) 23. Rg1 Rf6 $6 24. Rfg2 Kg8 25. Ne5 {and White has a winning
attack, C.Lakdawala-"LMLLM" Internet (blitz) 2014.}) 6... b6 7. Ne5 c5 8. O-O (
{I would probably toss in the immediate} 8. b3 {, just to eradicate ...c5-c4
possibilities.}) 8... Qd6 {This theoretical novelty is a bit odd. --- QUESTION:
What does Black have in mind with his last move? --- ANSWER: There are two
possible ideas behind his last move: 1. Perhaps he wants to play a future ...Ba6 without allowing Nc6 tricks. --- 2. White has a harder time playing c2-c4
with Black's queen on the d6-square, since ...dxc4 uncovers an attack on the
d4-pawn.} ({Normal is} 8... Bb7 9. b3 (9. c3 Ba6 $1 {is an equalizer, now that
White tossed in c2-c3, K.Kuderinov-B.Avrukh, Istanbul 2012}) 9... Nc6 10. Bb2
Qc7 11. a3 {and White achieved his set-up without wasting a move on c2-c3, D.Sapmaz-N.Batsiashvili, Kocaeli 2014.}) 9. b3 {QUESTION: How is this position
different from the ones we looked at? --- ANSWER: In this version White didn't
play c2-c3. --- QUESTION: How does omitting the move help White? --- ANSWER:
It may not, but if White later plays c2-c4 in one go, he saves a tempo.} cxd4 {
The position becomes a likely candidate for a future White hanging pawns
situation, although in this particular game, it never came about.} 10. exd4 Ba6
{Reducing White's attacking potential by taking advantage of the fact that
White is unable to play c2-c4. This is one positive point of Black's ...Qd6.}
11. Bxa6 ({I like} 11. a4 $1 {here. Now} Bxd3 {is met with} 12. cxd3 $1 {and
after} Nc6 13. Ba3 Nb4 14. Nb1 $1 {(planning to occupy the future b4-hole)}
Rfc8 15. Qd2 a5 16. Nc3 Ne8 17. Nb5 {, White picks off a pawn.}) 11... Nxa6 12.
Qe2 {Gaining a tempo on the a6-knight, while covering the e4-square.} Nc7 13.
Bb2 Rac8 14. c3 {White is content to go passive on the queenside while slowly
building on the other side.} Ne6 $5 {Awkward, but it's Houdini's second choice
in the position. Black intends ...Nh5 next.} 15. Qe3 Bh6 {I'm not so sure this
plan to attack the f4-pawn is all that effective. I now clearly prefer White,
who can calmly build up a kingside attack.} 16. g3 b5 17. Rae1 Rc7 18. Qd3 {
Eyeing both the b5-pawn and the f5-break.} Rb8 19. f5 $5 Ng5 $6 {Black's last
move allowed White a mini-combination. Do you see it?} ({Better is} 19... Ng7
20. fxg6 hxg6 21. Ndf3 {although here Black must be on guard for Nxf7 and Ne5+
tricks.}) 20. fxg6 {ANSWER: Step 1: Open the f-file.} hxg6 21. Nxg6 $1 {Step 2:
Sacrifice the knight on g6. However, Black is by no means obliged to accept it.
This looks like a decisive shot but amazingly, Black stands only slightly
worse here.} Nfe4 $1 {Principle: Meet a wing attack with a central counter.}
22. Nf4 b4 $6 {Cunning tends to be born of desperation's womb. Black attempts
to undermine the c3-pawn, by giving up yet another one.} ({Houdini doesn't
like this move and suggests the calm} 22... e6 {after which White can
speculate with} 23. Nxe4 dxe4 24. Qd1 $1 Nf3+ 25. Rxf3 exf3 26. Nh5 {when
White has strong attacking compensation for the exchange, not to mention two
extra pawns, after he picks up the f3-straggler.}) 23. cxb4 Rbc8 ({Not} 23...
Rxb4 $4 {which is met with} 24. Ba3 {.}) 24. Rc1 $2 {A miscalculation which
throws away material.} ({Instead, after} 24. Re2 $1 {, Black has yet to prove
full compensation for two pawns.}) 24... Rxc1 25. Bxc1 {EXERCISE (combination
alert): How does Black pick up two pieces for a rook? --- ANSWER: Removal of a
key defender/attraction/knight fork.} Rxc1 $1 26. Rxc1 Nxd2 {Black's d2-knight
is secure due to an f3-fork.} 27. Rc8+ Bf8 ({Most definitely not} 27... Kg7 $4
{as} 28. Nh5# {is mate, and this would be an abrupt and embarrassing end to
the game.}) 28. Qf5 $4 {This loses.} ({Houdini's assessment is 0.00 after the
correct} 28. Kg2 $1 {.}) 28... Ndf3+ 29. Kh1 Qxb4 {Menacing the
e1-infiltration and threatening mate in two moves.} 30. Rc1 Qd2 $6 ({Stronger
is} 30... Qxd4 $1 31. Qc2 (31. Qxd5 $4 Qb2 {is decisive since White has no
reasonable way to protect the h2-pawn}) 31... Ne4 32. Qe2 {and} Ned2 $1 {
intending ...e7-e5 is decisive.}) 31. Qc2 Qxd4 32. Rd1 Qe4 $6 {Black's
previously generous attacking zeal noticeably ebbs. His chances reduce sharply
with the removal of queens.} ({Black should make dutiful obeisance to his
attack, indulging in its every whim by keeping queens on the board with} 32...
Qe5 $1 {as this gives Black a winning position.}) 33. Qxe4 {The long estranged
sisters reconcile.} dxe4 34. h4 e5 35. Nd5 Nh7 36. Rc1 {Suddenly, the ending
doesn't look all that easy to win for Black, since he is in danger of dropping
his a-pawn.} Kg7 37. Rc4 Nf6 $6 {Why give up the e4-pawn?} ({Black should play
} 37... Nd4 {when he still has the better chances.}) 38. Nxf6 Kxf6 39. Rxe4 Kf5
40. Ra4 ({White also has chances to hold the game after} 40. Rc4 e4 41. Kg2 Ne5
42. Rc8 Bb4 43. Kf2 {.}) 40... Bc5 41. Kg2 Ne1+ 42. Kf1 Nf3 43. g4+ $5 {Why is
it that we all shrink from suffering, yet joyfully create its causes? White,
the much higher rated player, perhaps unwisely plays for the win, although he
is later rewarded for his optimism.} Ke6 ({Also possible is} 43... Kf6 44. Ra6+
Bb6 45. b4 Nxh4 46. a4 Kg5 47. b5 Bd4 48. a5 Nf3 {when:} 49. -- (49. b6 axb6
50. axb6 Bxb6 51. Rxb6 Kxg4 52. Rf6 {is drawn.}) (49. Rxa7 $2 Bxa7 50. b6 Bxb6
51. axb6 Nd4 {and the knight catches the b-pawn by a tempo.} (51... --))) 44.
h5 Kf6 {Black's king heads for the freshly created g5-hole.} 45. Ra6+ Bb6 46.
Ke2 Nd4+ ({Missing} 46... e4 $1 47. b4 Kg5 {and this looks very difficult for
White to hold.}) 47. Kd3 Ne6 {Tactically preventing Ke4 due to the c5-fork.}
48. b4 {Cutting off the fork square. White fights back with the desperate
energy born of long discomfort.} Kg5 49. Ke4 f6 50. h6 $6 {Optimism alone is
insufficient to mend a sour position. White offers to pay the admission fee of
one pawn to break the blockade's gateway. Unfortunately, the move fails to
accomplish this if Black responds correctly. This move was based on the
philosophy: When losing, our best hope for survival is anarchy, leaving only
disorder in its wake. This desperado shouldn't work.} ({Correct was} 50. Kf3 {
with some chances to hold.}) 50... Kxh6 51. Kf5 {EXERCISE (critical decision):
Black is on the cusp of a huge upset against a titled player. Should he play
55...Nc7 or 51...Ng7+? One leads to a clear win, while the other allows White
some chances to save the game.} Nc7 $6 {The complexities just barely evade
both sides' comprehension.} ({ANSWER:} 51... Ng7+ $1 {ejects White's king and
wins. This move effectively cauterizes the f5-wound and sends White's king
tumbling, head over heels. After} 52. Ke4 (52. Kxf6 $2 e4 $1 53. Ra3 {(threat:
Rh3+ mate)} Bd4+ 54. Kf7 e3 55. Rb3 e2 56. Rb1 Bc3 {and the e-pawn will cost
White a rook}) 52... Ne8 $1 53. Ra3 Kg5 54. Rg3 Bd4 55. a4 Nd6+ 56. Kd5 Kf4 57.
Rg2 Ne4 58. a5 Nc3+ 59. Kc4 (59. Kc6 e4 {wins}) 59... a6 60. Kd3 Nb5 {, ...e5-e4 is next and Black wins.}) 52. Ra3 Nb5 $6 {Black begins to lose the
thread.} (52... Bd4 $1 {still retains winning chances.}) 53. Rd3 Bd4 54. a4 {
Finally, White's long-sluggish majority begins to advance.} Nc3 55. Kxf6 {The
ideal camouflage is one where the 'hider' blends into the background.
Optically, this move looks like a blunder, but it is actually a good move
since ...e5-e4+ isn't possible.} Nd5+ 56. Kf5 Ne3+ {Picking off the g4-pawn.
The game should now be drawn.} (56... Nxb4 {should also draw.}) 57. Ke4 Nc2 $2
{What?} (57... Nxg4 58. Rxd4 exd4 59. Kxd4 Kg5 60. Kc5 Kf5 61. Kb5 Ne3 62. Ka6
Nd5 63. b5 Nc3 {is drawn.}) 58. b5 {Suddenly, Black's knight is badly out of
sync and White will soon menace queening combinations.} Kg5 59. Rd2 $5 {
EXERCISE (critical decision): Black must find the correct square for the
knight. Should he play 59...Na3 or 59...Na1? Only one of the lines draws.} ({
White has the fascinating possibility of} 59. a5 Kxg4 60. Rb3 Kg5 61. Rg3+ Kf6
62. Rc3 $1 Bxc3 63. b6 axb6 64. a6 Ne3 $1 65. a7 Bd4 66. a8=Q Ke6 {. The
king's smile trembles with Charlie Brown-like wobbly uncertainty. Now this may
be a win for White with a comp playing. But a human? It won't be so easy to
break though Black's fortress.}) 59... Na1 $4 {The stress, fatigue and panic
endured while playing under extended time pressure have a way of either
enhancing or emptying our thought processes. We either play much better or
much worse - but never normally. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): No time to
rest. White found a forced win. How?} ({ANSWER:} 59... Na3 $1 {holds the draw
after} 60. Rxd4 (60. Kd5 Kxg4 61. Rd3 Nc2 {is also equal}) 60... exd4 61. Kxd4
Kxg4 62. Kc5 Kf5 63. Kc6 Ke5 64. Kb7 Nc4 $1 65. Kxa7 Kd5 66. b6 Na5 67. b7 Kc5
$1 ({not} 67... Nxb7 $4 68. Kxb7 {and White forces a new queen}) 68. b8=Q Nc6+
69. Ka8 Nxb8 70. Kxb8 Kb6 {and Black saves the game.}) 60. Rxd4 $1 {ANSWER:
Removal of the guard/pawn promotion. Black's king is too far away and his
knight is stationed in the worst possible location to halt the queening
attempt. --- Now White's kingdom shines in happy endings.} exd4 61. Kxd4 Nb3+
62. Kc4 $1 {An adroit zig and a deft zag are all that stand between White and
his new queen.} ({IM Tate avoids the trap} 62. Kd5 $4 Kxg4 63. Kc6 Kf5 64. Kb7
Nc5+ {which is a drawn ending.}) 62... Na5+ {The once ever-present knight is
now just thin air.} 63. Kb4 $1 {Deftly avoiding drawing cheapo number two. The
effect of Black's drawing hope is overlain by an even more effective counter
by White.} ({After the careless} 63. Kc5 $4 {, Black draws with} Kxg4 64. Kd6
Nc4+ 65. Kc7 Kf5 66. Kb7 Ke6 67. Kxa7 Kd7 68. b6 Nxb6 69. Kxb6 Kc8 {.}) 63...
Nb7 64. a5 Kxg4 ({Also, after} 64... Nxa5 65. Kxa5 {, Black's king is way too
far away to draw.}) 65. a6 Nd8 66. b6 $1 axb6 67. Kb5 Nf7 68. a7 Nd6+ {The
knight, sensing the presence of a terrible imminence, shudders uncontrollably.}
69. Kc6 {. SUMMARY: White's optimal set-up may be to mix the Stonewall with
b2-b3, omitting c2-c3.} 1-0

[Event "29: Gausdal Byggern Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2005.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Karlsson, L."]
[Black "Bentsen, H."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2005.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 g6 4. d4 Bg7 5. c4 $5 {Here we see a hybrid of a
Stonewall and a queen's pawn opening. --- QUESTION: Does the inclusion of the
f4-move help or hurt White? --- ANSWER: A little of both. The f4-move clamps
down on Black's ...e7-e5 break and seizes valuable central space. However it
may contribute to overextension if the game opens further, especially if Black
plays an early ...c5, where White gets a Grünfeld with the pawn on f4, which
somehow looks misplaced in the position.} ({White can also play the c2-c4
break in a slower manner with} 5. Bd3 O-O 6. O-O b6 7. c4 e6 ({Black can
speculate with a typical Grünfeld-type pawn sacrifice} 7... c5 $5 8. dxc5 Na6
$5 9. cxb6 Qxb6 {when it feels to me like Black has enough for the pawn}) 8.
Nc3 Bb7 9. b3 {and White reached a favourable b3-version where he didn't
expend a redundant tempo on an early c2-c3, I.Blasko-P.Dlauchy, Eger 2003.})
5... c6 {A solid but passive reaction.} ({The most principled continuation is} 
5... c5 $1 6. dxc5 Qa5+ 7. Nc3 O-O 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Qxd5 Bxc3+ 10. Kf2 Bg7 11.
Bd2 Qc7 12. Be2 Be6 13. Qd3 Nd7 14. Qa3 Nxc5 15. Ng5 h6 16. Nxe6 Ne4+ 17. Kg1
fxe6 18. Rc1 Qb6 19. Ba5 Bxb2 20. Qd3 Qxa5 21. Qxe4 Kf7 22. Rb1 Bf6 23. Bc4 Qf5
24. Qxf5 gxf5 25. Rxb7 {with an equal ending, E.Fagerbekk-M.Kolodziejski,
correspondence 2009.}) 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Be2 ({White's king bishop is usually
placed more actively on the d3-square:} 7. Bd3 dxc4 8. Bxc4 Bf5 9. Ne5 b5 $6 {
(this overly-aggressive stab causes weakness in Black's queenside)} 10. Be2 b4
$6 {(this move too only benefits White, who takes control over the c5-square)}
11. Na4 Be4 12. O-O Nbd7 13. a3 a5 14. Bf3 Nxe5 15. fxe5 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 Nd5 17.
Nc5 {and White has a queenside bind, J.Mach-R.Pescatore, correspondence 2002.})
({My choice would be} 7. b3 {and after} Qa5 $5 {in order to lure White's
bishop off the a1-h8 diagonal,} ({but it loses time for Black so I would
rather play} 7... Ne4 {instead}) 8. Bd2 Qd8 9. Bd3 Bg4 10. O-O e6 11. Qe1 Bxf3
12. Rxf3 Ne8 13. Rh3 f5 {, White looks a shade better due to the bishop pair
and the possibility to expand on the queenside with c4-c5, L.Kovacs-J.Isepy,
Budapest 1997.}) 7... b6 {I don't see a need for this move. Why fianchetto
Black's light-squared bishop when it has access to both the f5- and g4-squares?
} 8. O-O Bb7 9. Ne5 e6 10. b3 {White once again benefitted due to the fact
that he didn't waste an earlier tempo with the redundant c2-c3.} Nbd7 11. a4 {
White displays queenside ambitions.} Ne4 $6 {This innocent-looking move
triggers catastrophic strategic events for Black, and his once robust
counterplay grows viscous and slowly comes to a standstill.} ({Instead the} 
11... c5 $1 {freeing move ventilates Black's position enough to complete
development. Following} 12. Bb2 cxd4 13. exd4 Ne4 {, we have a hanging pawns
position with White looking only a microbe better after} 14. a5 {.}) 12. Nxe4
dxe4 13. Ba3 Re8 $2 {An automatic response to being attacked.} ({However,
Black did have other options:} 13... c5 $6 {is also not ideal. Freedom isn't
always attractively priced for our tight budgets. Sometimes we may be better
off suffering a cramped position, rather than handing over concessions to
blast out of our hovel. After} 14. Nxd7 Qxd7 15. dxc5 Qc6 16. cxb6 Rfd8 17. Qc1
$1 Bxa1 18. Qxa1 Rd2 19. Re1 Qxb6 20. Qc3 {, White's monster dark-squared
bishop and three to one queenside pawn majority give him huge compensation for
the exchange.}) ({Black's best chance is the exchange sacrifice} 13... Nxe5 $1
{. We tend to be patient with a little pain if in doing so; it eradicates a
giant chunk of our suffering. This desperado appears to be Black's best hope.
The soundness or unsoundness of such sacrifices is not open to immediate
verification. Only with hindsight or a suitable passage of moves do we learn
the truth. --- Following} 14. Bxf8 Nxc4 {:} 15. -- (15. bxc4 Bxf8 {Black has
hopes for survival with one pawn for the exchange, although as of yet, Black's
goal of freedom remains short of completion.}) ({. White can still go wrong
with} 15. Bxg7 $2 Nxe3 16. Qc1 Nxf1 17. Be5 (17. Bh6 {is met with} Nxh2 $1 18.
f5 Ba6 $1 19. Bxa6 Ng4 20. Be3 exf5 {when Black gets four pawns for the piece})
17... f6 18. Qxf1 fxe5 19. dxe5 c5 $1 {and Black stands better.})) 14. c5 $1 {
Multipurpose: 1) Black is denied an eventual ...c6-c5 freeing break. --- 2)
Black's b7-bishop gets marginalized. --- 3) White clears the c4-square for a
piece. --- 4) White achieves a territorial advantage on the queenside. ---
QUESTION: What about the fact that White had just given Black the d5-hole? ---
ANSWER: The loss of control over the d5-square is minor compared to the
strategic gains White made with his last move.} bxc5 {Now the c5-hole proves
to be a sizable cavity, ready for Dr. Karlsson's drill.} ({No better is} 14...
Nf6 15. Qc2 {and Black can hardly play ...Nd5? as it will always meet with
Qxe4. Black must now watch out for a knight transference to the d6-outpost, as
well as g2-g4-g5 undermining ideas.}) 15. Nxd7 {Destroying the defender of the
c5-pawn and also denying Black ...Nf6-d5 ideas.} Qxd7 16. Bxc5 {Black's game
is a strategic train wreck.} Bf8 17. Qc2 Bxc5 {The coming opening of the
d-file helps White.} ({Perhaps Black should go into Maginot Line mode with} 
17... f5 {, though after} 18. b4 {, White is still calling the shots with his
spatial plus and better mobility.}) 18. dxc5 $1 ({White opens the d-file for
rook infiltration, which is much stronger than the rote} 18. Qxc5 {as White's
advantage is reduced after} a5 {.}) 18... f5 19. Rad1 Qg7 {Black's coming ...e6-e5 counterplay just isn't going to cut it.} 20. Rd6 e5 ({Also, after} 20...
Rad8 21. Rfd1 Rxd6 22. cxd6 Qd7 23. Qc5 Ba8 24. b4 Rb8 25. Bc4 {, White owns
the entire board.}) 21. Qc3 {The queen surveils the e5-pawn with covert
interest.} ({Also strong is} 21. Bc4+ Kh8 22. Rfd1 Rab8 23. Rd7 Re7 24. Qc3 $1
Rbe8 25. Rxe7 Qxe7 26. fxe5 Bc8 {(White's e-pawn is taboo)} 27. Rd6 Kg7 28.
Rxc6 Kh6 29. e6 {and Back gets asphyxiated.}) 21... Re7 22. Rfd1 Rae8 ({After} 
22... exf4 23. Bc4+ Kh8 24. Rd8+ Re8 25. Qxg7+ Kxg7 26. R8d7+ Kh6 27. Rxb7 fxe3
28. Kf1 {, White wins.}) 23. Rd8 Kf8 24. R1d6 {White's monster strategic bind
increases with each passing move.} exf4 {EXERCISE (combination alert): The
noose is already around the black king's neck, with the hangman awaiting the
signal. In this case, the king's hopes for a dramatic last-minute reprieve
rider, with horse foaming at the mouth, is not to be. Black's last move allows
White to force mate. Try and work out the win.} ({Trading rooks would also be
futile after} 24... Rxd8 25. Rxd8+ Re8 26. Rd6 Ba8 27. Bc4 {and Black is in
zugzwang.}) 25. Rf6+ $1 {ANSWER: Infiltration/attraction. --- The once
vaporous attacking forms begin to assume density, as they approach Black's
king with varying degrees of bloodlust and truculence.} Rf7 26. Rxe8+ Kxe8 {
The king is a mouse, brought before a stern tribunal of cats.} 27. Qe5+ Kd8 ({
Or} 27... Re7 28. Qb8+ Kd7 {and the king quivers and sways like a sapling in a
storm as} 29. Rd6# {is mate!}) 28. Rd6+ {The middle is engorged with white
attackers.} ({Black gave up because:} 28. Rd6+ Kc7 (28... Rd7 {hangs the queen
to} 29. Qxg7 {when the black queen emits a soprano cry of lamentation}) (28...
Kc8 29. Qe8+ Kc7 {and the white queen's stern prod with her forefinger into
the black king's ribs to get his attention with} 30. Qd8#) 29. Rxc6+ $1 Kd7 {
(the swashbuckling king postures for the ladies in court, with hands on hips,
feet wide apart and head tilted at a debonair angle though in real battles,
however, he proves himself to be a tad less brave than previously believed)}
30. Qc7+ Ke8 31. Qb8+ Ke7 32. Qxb7+ Ke8 33. Rc8# {ends the contest. Black has
been busted for so long, that the delivery of checkmate almost feels like an
anti-climax. --- SUMMARY: White can mix the Stonewall structure with the
traditional queen's pawn early c4. Black's equalizing response seems to be an
early ...c7-c5 counter.}) 1-0

[Event "30: Nuremberg"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1883.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bird, HE."]
[Black "Paulsen, L."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "1883.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 {QUESTION: In all cases in this chapter, we only looked at the Stonewall
line when Black played ...d5. Is a Stonewall viable when Black's structure is
unfixed and flexible?} ({ANSWER: The Stonewall is still viable when Black's
structure remains fluid, but it's a bit trickier for our side, because we keep
guessing just if and when Black will engage a central pawn break. For example:
} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c3 c5 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 b6 5. f4 $5 {(the Stonewall is riskier
for White with the unfixed structure)} Bb7 6. Nf3 d6 7. O-O Nbd7 8. Nbd2 Nd5 $6
{(a waste of time)} 9. Ne4 Be7 10. Qe2 cxd4 11. exd4 O-O 12. Bd2 N5f6 13. Neg5
{(principle: The side with extra space should avoid swaps if possible)} h6 14.
Nh3 ({I chickened out from speculative sacrifice} 14. Nxe6 $5 Bxf3 15. Rxf3
fxe6 16. Qxe6+ Kh8 17. g4 $1 d5 18. g5 Ne4 19. Bxe4 dxe4 20. Rg3 {and Houdini
claims White's attack is of more value than Black's extra piece}) 14... Re8 15.
Rae1 e5 $5 {(here comes the central break)} 16. fxe5 Bxf3 17. Rxf3 $5 (17. Qxf3
$1 dxe5 18. Nf2 {favours White, who dominates the light squares and can build
for a kingside attack}) 17... dxe5 18. Rg3 $2 ({instead,} 18. Re3 $1 Nd5 19.
Rg3 $1 {and now if} Bh4 $4 20. Rxg7+ $1 Kxg7 21. Qg4+ Kh8 22. Qh5 Qf6 23. Rf1
Nf4 24. Nxf4 exf4 25. Rxf4 Re1+ 26. Bf1 Qg5 27. Qxh4 Qxh4 28. Rxh4 {White has
too much material for the exchange}) 18... Kh8 $2 (18... exd4 $1 19. Bxh6 Bf8
20. Qf1 dxc3 {and Black's extra pawn is worth more than White's attacking
chances}) 19. Re3 $2 (19. Bc4 $1 {and if} exd4 $2 20. Ng5 $1 hxg5 21. Bxf7 {
with winning advantage for White}) 19... Nd5 20. Re4 N5f6 21. Re3 Nd5 22. Re4
$6 {. Here we see a rather dismal example of your writer's nearly non-existent
attacking skills. Now I got nervous and mistakenly took the repetition after} (
{However, Houdini says White can still play for the win with} 22. Rg3 $1 {and}
Bh4 {can be met with} 23. Rxg7 $1 {with a winning attack}) 22... N5f6 {, C.Lakdawala-K.Trujillo, San Diego (rapid) 2014.}) 1... c5 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 a6 $5 {
QUESTION: Why ...a7-a6 - ? --- ANSWER: For two reasons: 1. White is prevented
from unloading his light-squared bishop with Bb5+, at a cost of time. --- 2.
The ...a7-a6 move may prove useful later if Black decides to expand on the
queenside.} 4. d4 {Our founding father played both b3-versions and the
Stonewall.} e6 {We reach a version where Black's light-squared bishop rests
within the pawn chain.} 5. Bd3 ({I would prefer} 5. b3 {before flicking in Bd3.
}) 5... Nf6 ({QUESTION: Should Black gain the tempo with} 5... c4 {- ? ---
ANSWER: That's a tough call. On the one hand, ...c5-c4 violates the principle
of keeping the centre fluid, in case White later builds up an attack. On the
other hand, the move gains a tempo. I would probably play ...c5-c4 in this
case.}) 6. O-O (6. b3 $1 {is once again a more accurate move.}) 6... Nc6 7. c3
{Okay, now White is insulated from ...c5-c4, since his bishop can retreat to
the c2-square.} Bd6 8. Ng5 $6 {This erratic flailing falls wide, like blows
lashed out by a raging blind man, unable to hit his enemy. Ah yes, the good
old Romantic era folk. Henry Bird has the dubious distinction of having a
minus score with his own opening (47%), and maybe the reason was due to this
sort of moves! Of course, the other reason is that Bird mainly played in a
stratified zone against the elite players of his day, and may still have
scored below 50% had he tried other openings instead. --- QUESTION: What is
his last move all about? --- ANSWER: The mind of the 19th century chess master
was a huffy entity, always trying to pick a fight. Obviously, White has better
than this time-wasting idea.} ({It would be wiser to keep ambitions on leash
with the more conventional continuation} 8. Ne5 O-O 9. Nd2 {and then build up
a kingside assault.}) 8... cxd4 $6 {As mentioned so many times in this book,
this ...cxd4 exchange is a century-old inaccuracy which only benefits White.
His dark-squared bishop gets activated and his e-file has just been opened.} ({
I would play} 8... h6 9. Nf3 c4 $5 10. Bc2 b5 {and then think about castling
long.}) 9. exd4 Qc7 10. Qf3 {This move blocks a future Nf3. The e2-square was
the more accurate one for the queen.} h6 11. Nh3 Bd7 12. Nd2 Ne7 {Bolstering
the f5-square and perhaps menacing ...Bb5.} 13. Qe2 {Preventing ...Bb5.} O-O-O
$6 {QUESTION: Isn't Black's king more exposed on the queenside than the
kingside? --- ANSWER: Black takes on an impossible task, the way a baseball
outfielder tries to run down a ball which we, the spectators, can clearly see
is way, way of out of mortal reach. Yes, this appears to be one of those
"let's-tempt-fate" reactions. The decision may stem from the 19th century code
of honour, where a gentleman never backs down from a duel.} ({I think Black
should indeed castle short. For example, after} 13... O-O $1 14. Nf3 {, Black
can offer a pawn for the bishop pair and light square counterplay with} Ne4 $1
{. Following} 15. Bxe4 (15. Nf2 f5 {and Black stands no worse}) 15... dxe4 16.
Qxe4 Bc6 17. Qe1 b5 {, Black has full compensation for the pawn.}) 14. a4 {
White prepares a pawn avalanche.} Nf5 15. Nf3 g6 {I don't understand this move,
since White certainly wasn't threatening to swap on f5.} ({Instead,} 15... Kb8
{was a more useful move for Black.}) 16. Ne5 Be8 17. Bd2 ({White should toss in
} 17. Nf2 $1 {to insulate himself from ...Ne4 ideas.}) 17... Kb8 18. b4 {
White's attack clearly rolls faster than Black's,} ({although once again he
should first toss in} 18. Nf2 $1 {to suppress ...Ne4! ideas.}) 18... Be7 {
Intending ...Nd6 and ...Nfe4, but it's awfully slow.} ({Black should offer the
pawn for the bishop pair and light squares with} 18... Ne4 $1 19. Bxe4 dxe4 20.
Qxe4 f6 21. Nd3 Bc6 $1 22. Qe2 ({the careless} 22. Qxe6 $6 Rhe8 23. Qxf6 $2 Bd5
24. Rfe1 Rg8 25. Re5 Rdf8 {results in a winning position for Black}) 22... Rhe8
{with compensation for the pawn.}) 19. b5 a5 {He has to close lines.} 20. Rab1
{Intending b5-b6.} Nd6 $2 (20... b6 $1 {was necessary to prevent White's next
move.}) 21. b6 $1 {Isolating the a5-pawn which cannot be defended after an
eventual c3-c4 push.} Qc8 22. Nf2 Nd7 ({Of course the a4-pawn can't be touched,
since it suicidally opens the a-file after} 22... Bxa4 $4 23. Ra1 Be8 24. Rxa5
Nd7 25. Nxd7+ Qxd7 26. Rfa1 {and it is curtains for Black.}) 23. Nfg4 {White
seeks to trade a pair of knights before prising open the c-file.} ({White can
blow open the centre with the piece sacrifice} 23. Nxg6 $5 fxg6 24. Qxe6 {:}
Bf8 (24... Nxb6 $1 {offers a more staunch defence after} 25. Qxe7 Qc7 {though
White remains one clean pawn up}) 25. Qxd5 Qc6 26. Qxa5 Nc8 27. c4 {with a
winning attack.}) 23... Nf8 $2 {Such a passive response during opposite wing
attacks is akin to suicide.} ({Instead,} 23... Nxe5 24. fxe5 Ne4 {may have
been Black's final chance.}) 24. c4 $1 {Multipurpose: 1. White's bishop
attacks the a5-pawn. --- 2. The c-file may open, which may benefit White's
attack. --- 3. White threatens to clamp down further with c4-c5.} h5 ({Black
won't survive} 24... dxc4 25. Rfc1 {.}) 25. c5 Ne4 ({After} 25... hxg4 26. cxd6
Rxd6 27. Rfc1 Qd8 28. Bxa5 f6 {, now simplest is} 29. Qc2 {when the threat to
invade down the seventh rank costs Black more than he can afford to pay.}) 26.
Nf2 {Preparing to trade off Black's best piece.} f6 27. Nf3 f5 {EXERCISE 
(planning): Work out a forced win for White.} 28. Bb5 {So crushing is White's
position, that such inaccuracies only prolong the game, rather than throw away
the win. --- ANSWER: Black is crushed if White's queen reaches the a5-square.}
({All Bird had to do was clear the path with} 28. Be3 $1 {, intending Qe1xa5
and Black collapses.}) 28... Bf6 29. Bxa5 Nh7 {Defenders jerk about in weaving
erratic patterns, like water bugs bouncing on the pond water's surface.} 30.
Bb4 g5 31. Bxe8 Rdxe8 32. Ne5 ({Also decisive is} 32. Qb5 Qc6 33. Nd3 Qxb5 34.
axb5 {and White's queenside pawns plus the open a-file will win the game for
him.}) 32... gxf4 {EXERCISE (combination alert): White to play and force the
win:} 33. Qb5 $6 {Threat: Qa5-a7 with mate! But Black's king has time to
escape. When seeking a forcing continuation, we strain our minds searching for
jumbled fragments of half-remembered patterns which we hope will fit the
puzzle. There is no need for cruel carnage when a precision strike will do.} ({
ANSWER: Bird missed the killing clearance} 33. c6 $1 {:} -- (33... bxc6 34.
Nxe4 {(removing a key defender of the d6-square)} fxe4 35. Bd6+ Kb7 (35... Ka8
36. b7+ {mates}) 36. a5 Qa8 37. a6+ $1 Qxa6 38. Qxa6+ Kxa6 39. Ra1+ Kb7 40.
Ra7+ Kxb6 41. Bc5+ Kb5 42. Rb1# {is mate.}) (33... Bxe5 34. dxe5 Qxc6 35. Nxe4
fxe4 36. Bd6+ Ka8 37. Qd2 {and there is no defence to the coming Qa5 mating
idea.})) 33... Bxe5 34. dxe5 Qc6 $6 {After this mistake, Black's game
continues to dissolve.} ({Following} 34... Nhg5 $1 35. Nd3 (35. Qa5 Qc6 {and
Black's king is just fine}) 35... Qc6 36. Nxf4 {, White's advantage is far
less than in the game continuation.}) 35. Nxe4 fxe4 ({The other recapture is
also futile as} 35... dxe4 36. Qa5 Rd8 37. Qa7+ Kc8 38. Rfd1 Rd3 39. Qa8+ Kd7
40. Qxh8 {wins for White.}) 36. Rxf4 Rhf8 37. Rbf1 Kc8 $2 {Tingles of dread
run up and down the king's spine, as he faces his accusers and regurgitates
mouthfuls of lame excuses. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): Menace is poised
over the black king's head, ready to drop at a moment's notice. Black just
blundered in a lost position. White to play and win. --- ANSWER: Double attack.
White threatens both Rc7+ and Rxh7. This forces Black to swap queens, after
which c5-c6 becomes a killing threat.} 38. Rf7 $1 Rxf7 39. Rxf7 Qxb5 {The
queen's hiccupping sobs do little to lighten the mood in Black's camp. This
move allows White a crushing c6-push to which there is no defence.} 40. axb5
Nf8 ({Also,} 40... Ng5 41. Rg7 {alters nothing.}) 41. c6 ({Black gives up
without having to endure} 41. c6 Ng6 42. cxb7+ Kb8 43. Bd6# {mate! The bishop
decides to circumvent etiquette by accosting his cousin and berating him
publicly. "How absurd, the notion that a person of low birth is capable of
besting one of noble birth," responds the king to the bishop, who knows
something the king doesn't. --- SUMMARY: When Black plays an early ...e7-e6
and keeps the light-squared bishop inside the pawn chain, I think White gets a
slightly better version of the Stonewall.}) 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5: ...Bg4 and ...Bf5 Set-ups"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r2qkbnr/pppnpppp/8/3p4/5Pb1/4PN2/PPPP2PP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.26"]

{In this chapter, we examine Black's very popular plan of an early ...Bg4, ...Bxf3, ...Nd7 and ...e5 (or sometimes just ...e6, when Black rids him or
herself of the bad bishop and then alters the structure to favour the
remaining dark-squared bishop). We also look at ...Bf5 Reversed London System 
(otherwise known as the New York System) ideas. With the ...Bg4 idea, Black
decides to grant his plan of freedom at any cost, an unconditional priority.} 
1. -- {Black's once cooped up light-squared bishop is the ambitious young man,
trapped in a small, sleepy town, whose single goal in life is to earn enough
money to escape his drab existence to live in the big city. A battle emerges
between the subtle (our bishop pair) and the elemental (Black's instant
freedom).} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "...Bg4 and ...Bf5 Set-ups 2"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r2qkb1r/pp2pppp/2n2n2/2pp1b2/5P2/3P1NP1/PPP1P1BP/RNBQ1RK1 w kq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.26"]

{In the second position, we examine ...Bf5 developmental plans, which are
incarnations of the London System a move down. In such a placid-looking
position, it is easy to be misled by outer appearances.} 1. -- {The game tends
to radically sharpen later on, since the players operate on opposite referents,
with White generally playing for the e4-push, followed by a kingside attack,
and Black seizing queenside space, generally playing for ...c5-c4 breakthrough
plans.} *

[Event "31: USSR"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1990.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kramnik, V."]
[Black "Oratovsky, M."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "1970.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 {Legit at last. A World Champion-to-be uses the Bird's. With colossal
talent comes colossal expectations. Either a prodigy lives up to it, or
recedes into the sunset, getting closer and closer to the rest of us as he or
she ages.} d5 2. Nf3 Bg4 {QUESTION: What are Black's ideas behind the early ...Bg4 - ? --- ANSWER: Black responds to our Bird's with a Reversed Trompowsky
with the following ideas: 1) If White refuses to play e2-e3, then Black is
generally happy to inflict minor damage to White's structure with ...Bxf3. ---
2) ...Bxf3 creates an immediate imbalance, sharpening the game. --- 3) White's
f3-knight is key defender of the e5-square. If Black eliminates it, then he
can play for ...Nd7 and ...e7-e5, with complete freedom as compensation for
handing White the bishop pair.} 3. e3 {White's main move.} ({A look at other
options: QUESTION: Can't White gain a tempo with} 3. Ne5 {- ? --- ANSWER: It's
not much of a tempo gain, since White's knight is then left vulnerable to an ...f7-f6 recoil. --- After 3 Ne5:} -- (3... Bf5 {With this, Black simply
switches to a New York System formation. Following} 4. c4 f6 5. Nf3 d4 6. Qb3
$5 Nc6 $1 {, we have a Reversed Trompowsky Vaganian Gambit. In this case Black
gets excellent compensation after} 7. Qxb7 Bd7 8. Qb3 e5 9. d3 (9. fxe5 fxe5 {
only helps Black, who just got an open f-file and f6-cleared for his knight
and after} 10. d3 Nf6 11. a3 Bc5 12. Nbd2 O-O 13. Qc2 a5 {, ...e5-e4 is in the
air with Black getting huge compensation for the pawn}) 9... Rb8 10. Qd1 {, V.Pogosian-M.Perunovic, Plovdiv 2012. Black already looks better after} exf4 {
regaining the lost pawn, while retaining the development lead.}) ({. Also
possible is} 3... Bh5 {intending ...f7-f6 at some stage. Following} 4. c4 f6 5.
Nf3 c6 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Qb3 Qd7 8. Nc3 e6 9. f5 $5 {, T.Tuomala-J.Ahvenjarvi,
Jyvaskyla 2011, Black looks no worse after} Bf7 10. fxe6 Bxe6 11. Nd4 Bf7 12.
e3 Nc6 {.})) ({If you don't like to face the pawn-grab variation,} 3. d4 {is
an option:} -- (3... e6 4. e3 {(my childhood rival simply switches to a
Stonewall)} c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Be2 Bxf3 {(Black sticks to his plan and eliminates
his bad bishop)} 7. Bxf3 f5 $5 {(now it's Stonewall versus Stonewall)} 8. O-O
Nf6 {with balanced chances, S.Barbeau-E.Rozentalis, Montreal 2011.}) (3... Bxf3
4. exf3 e6 5. Be3 c6 {, D.Langier-C.Bulcourf, Buenos Aires 1995. Here I would
continue} 6. c3 Bd6 7. Bd3 Ne7 8. Qc2 g6 9. g3 Nd7 10. Nd2 {with an even
position.} (10. --))) 3... Nd7 {Another benefit of this system is that it is
easy to play Black, since he mindlessly plays for ...e5, no matter how White
responds (except when White switches to Stonewall with d2-d4).} 4. h3 ({Apart
from putting the question to the bishop, other options are:} 4. Be2 {, which
is too passive for my tastes. This says a lot, since I play both Colle and
London Systems as White! After} Bxf3 5. Bxf3 Ngf6 6. b3 ({I would probably
switch to Stonewall with} 6. d4 $5 {to prevent Black's intended ...e7-e5
freeing break}) 6... e5 7. fxe5 Nxe5 8. Bb2 Bd6 9. Nc3 c6 10. Qe2 Qe7 {, K.Chernyshov-P.Svidler, Voronezh 2003, if anyone stands better, it's Black with
central control and total freedom of movement.}) ({White can switch
immediately to Stonewall with} 4. d4 Ngf6 5. Bd3 e6 6. Nbd2 c5 7. c3 Be7 8. O-O
O-O 9. Qe1 {and} Bf5 $1 {equalizes for Black, who either regains his lost
tempo or swaps off White's best attacking piece, D.Koetsier-H.Galje, Almelo
2004.} ({Instead,} 9... Bxf3 10. Rxf3 Re8 11. Rh3 cxd4 12. exd4 Qc7 13. Nf3 {
gives White the kind of attractive Stonewall attack we are after, J.Bergmann-M.Siepmann, Recklinghausen 1999.})) 4... Bxf3 5. Qxf3 {The queen gives the
d5-pawn a lustful stare, the import of which isn't difficult to determine.} e5
$5 {This move encourages crazy complications, with almost infinite
permutations. No twelve-step anti-addiction program in the world is capable of
holding back a natural attacker from a sacrifice as tempting as this one. We
must pass through a ring of fire if we accept the pawn sacrifice. Black
achieves maximum activity economy with a minimal investment of only one pawn.}
({In the next couple of games, we will examine the more restrained} 5... Ngf6 {
.}) ({Black can also defend the d-pawn with} 5... c6 {. After} 6. Nc3 e5 7. d3
{(restraining ...e5-e4)} Bd6 8. Bd2 Ne7 9. O-O-O Qc7 10. f5 O-O-O 11. g4 h6 12.
Bg2 {. White has an edge due to the bishop pair. Here, Black got too ambitious
with} b5 $6 {(when, oh when, will our opening achieve respect?)} 13. Kb1 Nb6 $2
{(allowing White's next move, which inflicts damage to Black's structure) and
White took over with} 14. f6 $1 gxf6 15. Qxf6 b4 16. Ne2 Na4 17. Qxf7 Qb6 18.
Rhf1 Rd7 19. Qe6 {, C.Lakdawala-I.Yanvarjov, Internet (blitz) 2006. Black was
busted, with no trace of attacking compensation for the pawn and his strategic
disadvantages.}) 6. Qxd5 $5 {There is no verification procedure to such a pawn
grab. You just take the pawn and pray for the best. The term "acceptance" is
sometimes synonymous with "exasperated fatigue", but not this time. The queen
views the d5-pawn as a rich country brimming with bounty, unguarded and just
asking to be plundered by a powerful neighbour. White gambles that he can
snatch this pawn and survive, mainly since his structure is unfixed, and so
Black has a tough time focusing on a target. --- QUESTION: Isn't this a bit
greedy? --- ANSWER: Well, yes, I admit that with this move, we wholeheartedly
embrace the Donald Trump philosophy that more is better (of course, we must
factor in that Black also gets 'more' development). Our pawn grab (think of it
as From's Gambit, Version 2.0, but not as favourable) stands up under comp
analysis, but obviously a human defender faces numerous practical perils by
being thrown on the defensive for many moves.} ({White can also chicken out
and get a reasonable position with} 6. d4 {:} -- (6... e4 {(this was played in
every other game in my database)} 7. Qf2 {, S.Schmidt Schaeffer-J.Fries
Nielsen, Lund 2011. Here I would play} c5 {which is a theoretical novelty in
the position. After} 8. Nc3 (8. c3 {gives White a rather uninspiring Stonewall
formation}) 8... cxd4 9. exd4 Bb4 10. Bd2 Ngf6 11. O-O-O O-O 12. g4 {, a sharp
opposite wings attack position is obtained with approximately balanced chances.
}) ({. I would actually go for the untested} 6... exd4 $5 {to keep the
e4-square open for potential occupation later on. Following} 7. exd4 Ngf6 8.
Bd3 Bd6 9. O-O O-O 10. Nd2 {, now Black can try muddling it up with} c5 {when
his development lead is enhanced.})) 6... Qh4+ {The queen spins White's king
about with the centrifugal force of a county fair ride, disrupting our
castling.} 7. Kd1 O-O-O 8. fxe5 $6 {This is White's main move, but I actually
think it's inaccurate.} (8. Qxf7 $2 {grabbing the second pawn pushes the
greed-is-good strategy too far after} Ngf6 {with threats of ...Ne4 and ...Ng4,
when White is just too far behind in development to expect to survive.}) (8.
Qf3 $1 {is a huge improvement to Kramnik's 8 fxe5, which opens the game
further. Here, Black played} exf4 {, T.Bohn-E.Etienne, Germany 2007. At this
stage, no one has tried} 9. Qxf4 $1 Qe7 10. Nc3 {. --- This is an important
position for us, since White gets superior, tempi-up version of what Kramnik
got in the game. The king is actually quite safe on the d1-square and can move
off to c1 if necessary later.}) 8... Qe7 {Covering the f7-pawn, while picking
up the e5-one.} 9. Qa5 {Gaining a precious tempo.} Kb8 10. Nc3 Nxe5 11. Qa4 $1
{We observe the queen's mysterious back and forth swaying with that
windshield-wiper look of spectators at a tennis match. This position is a
product of deep compromise for our side. On the one hand, we are up a pawn
with no readily available sacrificial targets for Black. On the other hand, we
are way behind in development and Black has two open central lines. The
position, evaluated around even by the comps, requires comp-like precision
from our end.} ({We must avoid the blunder} 11. d3 $2 Nc4 12. Qf5 Nxe3+ 13.
Bxe3 Qxe3 {and after the careless} 14. Qxf7 $2 {, White will soon collapse
following} Nf6 15. Be2 Bd6 {, due to the coming ...Bf4.}) 11... h5 ({Also very
dangerous for our side is} 11... Nh6 {planning ...Nf5, after which White must
watch both e3- and g3-squares. After} 12. d3 (12. g4 $5 f5 {is probably a bad
idea for White, who allows unfavourable confrontation}) 12... Nf5 13. Qf4 {
(covering the g3- and e3-squares)} g6 $1 {(no rest for the weary as ...Bh6 is
next)} 14. g4 Bh6 15. Qf2 Nh4 16. e4 Bxc1 17. Kxc1 f5 $1 {(principle: Open the
game and create confrontation when leading in development)} 18. exf5 gxf5 19.
gxf5 ({Houdini gives the line} 19. Kb1 $1 Rhf8 20. Qe3 Rde8 21. Be2 Qf6 22. Qg3
f4 23. Qf2 f3 24. Bd1 Ng2 25. Ne4 Qf4 26. a3 Qe3 27. Rf1 Qh6 28. Qg3 Ne3 29.
Re1 Qb6 30. Ka2 {when White finally unravels. Even here, Black seems to have
full compensation after} N5c4 $1 31. Rb1 Nd6 $1 32. Bxf3 Nxc2 33. Rec1 Nd4 34.
Nc5 $1 {(threat: Nd7+)} Ka8 35. Bd1) 19... Rhf8 20. Kb1 {, A.Hanegby-R.Pijl,
correspondence 2001. Black looks slightly better after} Nc4 $1 21. a3 Rxf5 22.
Qe2 Re5 23. Ne4 Nd6 24. Ka2 Nxe4 25. dxe4 Rxe4 26. Qb5 {.}) 12. d3 ({Maybe
White can get more ambitious with} 12. d4 $5 {which admittedly does allow ...c7-c5 possibilities.}) 12... Rh6 {Activating the rook.} 13. Bd2 Rb6 {The rook
provokes queenside pawn weakness.} 14. b3 $6 ({Houdini thinks this
extracurricular project was better left undone, since it weakens the dark
squares around White's king:} 14. Kc1 $1 {looks like an improvement. After} g6
15. Qf4 Bh6 {, J.Smail-D.Hauser, correspondence 2008, White remains up the
extra pawn after} 16. Qf2 Rf6 17. Qe1 {but the question of converting it
remains a long, long way off.}) ({Houdini suggests} 14. d4 $5 Nc6 15. a3 $1 {
and if} Rxb2 $6 {,} 16. Bb5 {White menaces both Kc1 and also Bxc6, when Black
is in trouble.}) 14... g6 $1 {Black prepares to develop his dark-squared
bishop on the newly weakened a1-h8 diagonal, or perhaps on h6, targeting the
e3-pawn.} 15. Qf4 {"Boy, this is a tough way to make a living," thinks the
queen of her thankless, minimum wage job of defending the e3-pawn.} Bg7 ({
Houdini suggests that Black applies more pressure with} 15... Bh6 $1 16. Qf2
Rf6 17. Qe2 Re6 18. g3 Nc6 $1 19. Bg2 Nd4 20. Qf2 Rf6 21. Qg1 Nf3 22. Bxf3 Rxf3
23. Kc1 {when White must return the booty to survive. After} Bxe3 {, Black
regains the pawn and stands better.}) 16. Be2 h4 17. Re1 {Kramnik manages to
develop his kingside. The question arises: where will his king find a safe
haven? The b2-square is certainly not all that tempting with the g7-bishop
lurking, and the centre may be vulnerable to line opening sacrifices.} Rc6 {
Threat: ...Nxd3.} 18. d4 {White has to push at some point, but now he becomes
vulnerable to future ...c7-c5 line opening ideas.} ({His choice is more
aggressive and probably better than the meek} 18. Rc1 {after which White's
king is boxed in the centre.}) 18... Rcd6 ({Black cannot tarry with} 18... Nh6
19. Kc1 Nf5 20. Kb2 Ng3 21. Rad1 {as White manages to complete his development.
}) 19. Kc1 {White's king won't be such an easy target with so many burly
security guards flanking him. Kramnik decides it's high time to leave the
middle. Houdini at this stage begins to prefer White's position.} g5 $5 {I'm
not so sure this impulsive move helps Black's cause.} ({Perhaps more prudent
would be} 19... Bh6 20. Qf2 c5 21. Ne4 cxd4 22. Nxd6 Qxd6 23. Kb2 Bg7 {:} 24.
-- ({. White can go for complications with} 24. exd4 Nd3+ 25. Bxd3 Bxd4+ 26.
Qxd4 Qxd4+ 27. Bc3 {. After murdering her sister, Black's queen now faces her
ghost. Suddenly, White has rook and bishop for the queen and possesses the
initiative. Houdini rates the position at even, while I would rather have
White's position.}) ({. Otherwise, after} 24. c3 $5 d3 25. Bd1 Qb6 26. Qxh4 Rc8
{, Black retains a scary-looking initiative for the material sacrificed.} (
26... --))) 20. Qh2 $1 {"When it comes to evasion, I am matchless in both
cunning and craft," boasts the queen, who continues to remain clear of all
assassination attempts. The queen remains on the h2-b8 diagonal, discouraging ...c7-c5.} ({Following} 20. Qf2 c5 21. Ne4 cxd4 22. Bb4 dxe3 23. Qxe3 Nc6 24.
Bxd6+ Rxd6 25. Bc4 Bxa1 26. Nxd6 Qxd6 27. Qe8+ Nd8 28. Rd1 Bb2+ 29. Kxb2 Qxd1
30. Bd3 Kc8 31. Qxg8 Qd2 32. Qe8 Qf4 {, the ending is close to even, yet White
may benefit from the bishop versus knight with opposite wing majorities.})
20... f5 ({QUESTION: Can't Black play} 20... c5 $5 {anyway? --- ANSWER: The
move is a lot trickier for Black with White's queen looming on the h2-b8
diagonal. After} 21. Nb5 cxd4 22. exd4 Rxd4 23. Nxd4 Rxd4 24. Bd3 Qd6 25. Kb1
Nxd3 26. Qxd6+ Rxd6 27. cxd3 Bxa1 28. Kxa1 Rg6 29. Kb2 {, White looks a shade
better in the ending, due to the bishop versus knight imbalance.}) 21. Kb2 c5
$5 {Otherwise White completes his queenside development and consolidates his
extra pawn.} 22. Nb5 a6 $5 ({White is doing well with the other options:} 22...
R6d7 23. Bc3 cxd4 24. exd4 a6 25. Bf3 axb5 26. Rxe5 $1 Bxe5 27. Qxe5+ Qxe5 28.
dxe5 Re7 29. Re1 {and White has full compensation for the exchange, with a
nasty looking extra passed e-pawn.}) (22... cxd4 23. exd4 Rxd4 $1 24. Bc3 $1 (
24. Nxd4 $2 Rxd4 25. Bc3 Qc7 $1 26. Bf3 Re4 $1 {and Black threatens ...Nd3+!
which with a winning attack}) 24... Rf4 25. Qg1 Nc6 26. Rad1 {and White stands
better as he completes his development.}) 23. Nxd6 Qxd6 {Threatening a cheapo.}
24. Rh1 {Giving protection to White's loose queen.} ({It is easy to mess
things up:} 24. c3 $4 {hangs the queen to} Nc4+ {.}) (24. Kb1 cxd4 25. Rd1 Rc8
{and Black has a dangerous attack brewing while threatening ...Rxc2, followed
by ...d4-d3+.}) 24... cxd4 25. Rad1 $2 {White makes a seductive yet flawed
detour, veering from the correct path. --- EXERCISE (critical decision): We
sense that White's game, packed with a generous sprinkling of weaknesses, is
about to collapse. Black has a choice between the forcing 25...d3, opening the
a1-h8 diagonal for Black's bishop, or the calmer 25...Ka8, getting his own
king off the h2-b8 diagonal. One move wins, while the other allows the
advantage to swing in White's direction. Which one would you play?} ({White
had to try} 25. c3 $1 d3 26. Bf3 Nf6 27. Raf1 {with some advantage to Black,
whose dominating position outweighs White's extra exchange.}) 25... Ka8 $2 {
The geometry is arranged in patterns of alien symbolism, just out of both
players' grasp. This is no time for defence. The advantage swings back to
White after this error.} ({ANSWER: Black wins with} 25... d3 $1 {The d-pawn
continues to surge, the way six-year-old plummets down a water theme park
slide. This move raises White's fear of encroachment around his king. After}
26. Bc3 (26. cxd3 $4 {hangs the queen to} Nf3+) 26... Rc8 $1 {, there is no
good defence to the coming ...Rxc3.}) 26. Kb1 ({Also, after} 26. exd4 $1 Qxd4+
27. c3 Qe4 28. Bf3 $1 Nxf3 29. gxf3 Qc6 {(covering against Qc7)} 30. Qe2 {,
White retains good chances to consolidate.}) 26... Nf6 $2 ({Instead,} 26... Rc8
$1 {keeps Black in the game.}) 27. exd4 Ne4 ({Not} 27... Qxd4 $4 {as it loses
instantly to} 28. Ba5 {.}) 28. Be1 $1 {The clearest continuation. Now White
either wins material or forces a queen swap.} Qc6 29. dxe5 $6 ({Kramnik misses
} 29. c3 $3 {and if} Nxc3+ 30. Bxc3 Qxc3 31. dxe5 Rxd1+ 32. Rxd1 Bxe5 {, it
looks like White is in trouble, with dual attacks of ...Qb2 mate and ...Bxh2,
but everything is under control as} 33. Rd8+ Ka7 34. Qg1+ b6 35. Rd7+ {wins
for White.}) 29... Rxd1+ 30. Bxd1 Nc3+ 31. Kc1 $1 {EXERCISE (critical decision)
: Black must strike and either make his mark, or fail trying. Black, although
down a full rook, remains okay if he discovers the correct move. His choices:
a) 31...Nxa2+, grabbing a pawn with check. b) 31...Qc5, threatening to open
the a1-h8 diagonal with ...Bxe5 next. Which one should he play?} ({The careless
} 31. Bxc3 $4 Qxc3 {leaves White helpless against the coming ...Bxe5.}) 31...
Nxa2+ $4 {The consequences of this blunder cannot be edited away. Black coughs
politely to get the white king's attention, but by doing so he traps his own
knight, which in turn, ends his attack.} ({ANSWER: The game remains even after
the correct} 31... Qc5 $1 {as it is critical for Black to play ...Bxe5,
opening the diagonal. After this move, the pall of misery which hung over
Black lifts miraculously. Following} 32. Bxc3 (32. Qg1 $5 {is exceedingly
dangerous for White, who may even lose after} Nxa2+ 33. Kd2 Qd5+ 34. Ke2 Bxe5 {
with threats everywhere and a nightmarishly powerful attack. Houdini rates the
position at dead even}) 32... Qxc3 33. Qg1 Bxe5 34. Bf3 Bf4+ 35. Kb1 Be5 {,
the game is drawn.}) 32. Kb2 {At last, a breath of aesthetic relief in an
otherwise error-plagued game. The knight is trapped and Black has no mate.} Qc5
33. Kxa2 {Kramnik seizes the tiny remaining portion of his opponent's
happiness and makes it disappear.} Bxe5 34. Qg1 Bd4 35. Qf1 {. Black's
confused queen and bishop, having been denied their prey, cock their heads in
dog-like disbelief. All the critical squares (c3, c2, a5 and a3) are all
covered and Black's attack is at an end. --- SUMMARY: Black's pawn sacrifice 5.
..e5!? is probably sound. I suggest we practice the acceptance lines against
our computers, since we must be supremely prepared if we eat the pawn and hope
to survive Black's coming initiative. With the pawn grab, we edge forward to
the lip of destruction, yet (hopefully!) refuse to jump. If your cardiologist
bans you from this pawn grab line, then you can play 6 d4, with an even
Stonewall structure, or even dodge the entire line with 3 d4. Also, the
improvement 8 Qf3! allows White a superior version of the pawn grab line than
what Kramnik got in the game.} 1-0

[Event "32: Koge Open"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Danielsen, H."]
[Black "Salmensuu, O."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 Bg4 3. e3 Nd7 4. h3 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 Ngf6 {No pawn sacrifice this
time. Black sensibly protects the d5-pawn, while preparing ...e7-e5.} 6. Nc3 ({
In Game 33, we will look at the immediate} 6. g4 $1 {which may be an
improvement over 6 Nc3.}) 6... e6 ({QUESTION: Why does Black suppress his ...e7-e5 break when he can play} 6... c6 {preparing ...e7-e5 next? --- ANSWER:
The reason is that White can simply play} 7. d4 $1 {denying Black the
opportunity. White has a nice looking Stonewall, with the bishop pair and
control over the e4-square. After} e6 8. Bd3 g6 ({after} 8... c5 9. O-O Qb6 {
, White can speculate with} 10. g4 $5 cxd4 11. exd4 Qxd4+ $2 12. Kh1 $1 {with
a development lead for the pawn, the bishop pair and a potential attack
against Black's king, whichever side it chooses to go}) 9. Ne2 Bg7 10. O-O O-O
11. c3 c5 12. Rf2 cxd4 13. exd4 Nb6 14. g4 Nc8 15. Ng3 Nd6 16. f5 {, White got
the kind of Stonewall position we are all after, T.Bohn-R.Steinbrecht, Germany
2004.}) ({QUESTION: Can Black sacrifice his d-pawn like in the previous game
with} 6... e5 {? --- ANSWER: This is an inferior version to last game's
sacrifice, since White gets to swap off an extra pair of pieces after} 7. Nxd5
Nxd5 8. Qxd5 Qh4+ 9. Kd1 O-O-O {, C.Lakdawala-"zhugu", Internet (blitz) 2014.
I don't believe in Black's compensation after} 10. fxe5 $1 {. Chess is a
confusing game. In the previous game, I gave Kramnik's fxe5 a dubious mark,
and this game, with just a slight shift, the same idea gets an exclam!
Following} Qe7 11. d4 $1 Nxe5 12. Qe4 Qd6 13. c3 Kb8 14. Kc2 {, White unravels
and I don't believe Black gets any compensation for the pawn.}) 7. g4 $1 {The
once coiled serpent slowly raises its head, its interest stirred by potential
prey. GM Danielsen isn't one to engage in drifting, agenda-less play, hoping
the opponent takes action first. This aggressive bayonet move is by far
White's best move in the position, but as mentioned earlier, I think it's even
more effective a move earlier (and we will examine that in the next game). ---
QUESTION: What are some of the ideas behind the g4-bayonet thrust? --- ANSWER:
1. White gains kingside space, making kingside castling exceedingly risky for
Black. --- 2. White threatens to gain time with g4-g5 next, sending Black's
knight back to g8.} Bb4 $1 {Black's best response.} 8. g5 Ng8 $6 {A new move
and not such a good one. It's a cheaper knockoff of the real plan, the way
hospitals give you lime Jello and call it "dessert."} ({Black should avoid
this meek retreat and go for the principled} 8... Bxc3 $1 {handing White both
bishops. After} 9. bxc3 Ne4 10. d3 $5 {a risky decision but attacks tend to be
conducted in regret-less fashion, simply because after a point of strategic no
return, there is no choice but to push forward;} (10. c4 {is sounder and about
equal after} c6) 10... Nd6 $6 ({Black should take up the challenge with} 10...
Nxc3 $1 {and perhaps Nimzowitsch intended to sacrifice a pawn with} 11. Bd2 $5
Na4 12. Rb1 Ndb6 13. Bg2 {with some compensation due to the bishop pair, space
plus development lead though I would take Black's weakness-free side, if given
a choice}) 11. c4 c6 (11... dxc4 12. Bb2 O-O 13. dxc4 Nc5 14. O-O-O Qe8 15. e4
$5 {is double-edged and level, according to Houdini}) 12. e4 $6 {(this move is
too weakening)} dxe4 13. dxe4 f5 ({the advantage swings to Black after} 13...
Nc5 $1) 14. exf5 Qa5+ $6 {(the knight or pawn recapture on f5 would have kept
Black in the game)} 15. Bd2 Qxf5 16. O-O-O O-O-O 17. Bc3 Ne8 $6 18. h4 {and
White's bishops overpowered the knights in this open position, A.Nimzowitsch-H.Kmoch, Kecskemet 1927.}) 9. d3 ({White should deny his opponent ...Bxc3 with} 
9. Ne2 $1 Ne7 10. a3 Ba5 11. b3 {with an edge since Black will be hesitant to
castle short. Now if} Nf5 (11... c5 12. Bb2 {forces kingside castling and after
} O-O 13. h4 {, the position looks promising for White}) 12. h4 c6 13. Bh3 Qe7
14. Bb2 Rg8 15. Bxf5 exf5 16. Nd4 g6 17. O-O-O {is coming and White retains a
nagging strategic edge.}) 9... c6 ({Worthy of consideration is} 9... Bxc3+ $1 {
. As a Trompowsky player, I'm always quick to hand over bishops for knights,
if doing so damages the opponent's structure. Both sides underestimate the
white knight's potential. After} 10. bxc3 Ne7 {, the position is sharp and
about even. I wouldn't mind taking Black here.}) 10. Bd2 {Now White stands
better, with the bishop pair, kingside space and the potential to play for an
e4-break.} h6 $5 {I would leave the kingside alone and just develop the knight
to e7.} 11. h4 h5 $5 {I would leave the kingside alone and just develop the
knight to e7.} 12. a3 Bd6 13. Ne2 $1 {QUESTION: Why an exclamation mark for
this knight retreat? --- ANSWER: The move clears the c3-square for White's
bishop and prepares to transfer the knight to g3, after which Black may have
to weaken his kingside dark squares with ...g7-g6 to hang on to his h5-pawn.}
Ne7 ({Not} 13... e5 $2 14. Bh3 Ne7 15. Bc3 Qc7 16. O-O-O {and Black is in deep
trouble, since he can't castle on either wing.}) 14. Bc3 Rh7 {Awkward,} ({but} 
14... e5 $2 15. Bh3 {is even worse, as pointed out in the above note.}) 15. Bh3
Nf5 $2 {EXERCISE (planning/combination alert): The last move was incorrect and
Danielsen's sharp tactical eye spots an irregularity. Come up with a plan to
exploit it, and Black's position comes apart, the way chicken bones do after
stewing in the pot for too long.} ({Necessary was} 15... Qb6 {, with a still
playable position.}) 16. Bxf5 $1 {ANSWER: Step 1: Chop the offending f5-knight.
} exf5 {Step 2: Hit hard with a central counter.} 17. e4 $1 {This powerful
shot creates a concentric disturbance in Black's camp, creating agitated
ripples.} fxe4 ({Also,} 17... Nb6 18. exf5 Qd7 19. f6 {leaves Black in a
hopeless position as well.}) 18. dxe4 Nb6 ({Most definitely not} 18... dxe4 $4
{which hangs a rook to} 19. Qxe4+ Qe7 20. Qxh7 {. When we get out-calculated,
we feel ripped off, much the way the Indians must have felt when the Quaker
Oats hat-wearing early settlers swapped a few worthless trinkets for eternal
rights to Manhattan Island in the 1600s.}) 19. exd5 cxd5 {Once again, Black
must keep a watchful eye out for the Qe4+ cheapo.} ({Most definitely not} 19...
Nxd5 $4 20. Qe4+ Qe7 21. Qxh7 Nxf4 22. Rh2 O-O-O 23. Qf5+ Kb8 24. Bxg7 Re8 25.
O-O-O $1 {and White wins.}) 20. Qd3 $1 {Danielsen mercilessly exploits the
awkward rook's position.} g6 21. f5 $1 Kd7 {Attempting to generate counterplay
from this wasteland is about as effective as trying to rouse a corpse with an
offer of a cup of coffee. The king is relegated to a dreary purgatorial
existence on d7. In this case, it is redundant for the annotator to state the
obvious by typing "desperation".} ({After} 21... Qe7 22. O-O-O O-O-O 23. Bf6 {
, Black can resign. "Oh, no! Not the 'wages of sin' sermon again," thinks
Black's queen, as she sees the bishop enter the room and walk in her direction.
}) 22. a4 ({Simpler and stronger is} 22. O-O-O {.}) 22... Qe8 {Covering the
g6-pawn is the last of Black's troubles.} ({Also hopeless is} 22... Kc7 23.
O-O-O {.}) 23. a5 Nc4 24. Qxd5 Rc8 25. Qxb7+ {Black's Job-like king
supplicates White's queen in the attitude of Charlton Heston negotiating with
God on the Mount. "I have been sorely tested in the fires of God's suffering,"
he thinks, with a dismal sigh.} Rc7 26. Qb5+ Rc6 27. Rh3 $1 {Alertly covering
against ...Qe3 and ...Bg3+ ideas, while adding Rd3 to the black king's worries.
} Ne3 28. Ra4 $5 {Attackers encircle Black's king, the way vultures close in
on the wounded animal.} ({A simpler way to keep the edge is} 28. Qd3 Nxf5 29.
O-O-O {.}) 28... gxf5 {EXERCISE (combination alert): White has access to two
methods of winning material here. Find one of them.} ({Also,} 28... Nxf5 29.
Rc4 Qc8 30. Rd3 Qa6 31. Qxa6 Rxa6 32. Nd4 {leaves Black completely busted,
since his h7-rook isn't exactly carrying his share of the workload.}) 29. Qd3
$1 {Attacking the e3-knight and the f5-pawn, while ...f5-f4 is prevented since
it hangs the h7-rook. White attackers conduct a cruel vivisection on the
h7-rook, now helplessly strapped down and under the knife.} f4 $5 {Hey, I said
"while ...f5-f4 is prevented since it hangs the h7-rook!"} ({Of course
everything else loses as well, since} 29... Ng4 30. Qxf5+ {picks up the
h7-rook all the same.}) 30. Qxh7 {"Unintelligent people offer value to society,
since the non-stupid have a point of reference of what not to do," the
obnoxious queen lectures Black's rook. The remainder only requires a
perfunctory level of care from White to bring home the point.} Qe6 31. Rxe3 {
The rich can afford to be generous as Black's last active piece gets
eliminated.} Qxe3 32. Re4 {. The rook raises his hand, as if seconding his
queen's motion. --- SUMMARY: 6 Nc3, intending g2-g4 is a dangerous idea for
Black, but even better is to omit Nc3 and play 6 g4! as Danielsen demonstrates
in the following game.} 1-0

[Event "33: Petermaennchen GM, Schwerin"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1999.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Danielsen, H."]
[Black "Luther, T."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "1999.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 Bg4 3. e3 Nd7 4. h3 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 Ngf6 6. g4 $1 {Obsessions,
like muscle spasms, have a way of returning, whether we want them to or not.
Here is the g4-move, this time in its improved, bug-free version 2.0. White
decides to embark on a perilous journey into an uncharted wasteland.} ({6 g4!
was a new move at the time and possibly an improvement over} 6. Nc3 {in Game
32. --- QUESTION: What is so great about this move? --- ANSWER: By holding
back on Nc3, White denies Black his main source of counter in ...Bb4! and ...Bxc3. In essence, we remove Black's most effective plan in the position, while
threatening g4-g5, gaining move space and kicking Black's knight.}) 6... e6 {
Black can still play for ...e7-e5 but at a cost: a loss of time after g4-g5.} (
{After} 6... c6 7. Nc3 e5 8. g5 {(and there is our time-gainer)} e4 9. Qg2 Ng8
{, W.Dean-F.Toumani, correspondence 1996. Now White can play} 10. b3 Qa5 {
(intending to rob White of the bishop pair after ...Ba3)} 11. a4 $1 O-O-O 12.
Bb2 Ne7 13. h4 {, when White's bishop pair gives him an edge.}) 7. d3 $1 {
Denying Black the ...Bb4 pin, while contemplating g4-g5. White scored nine out
of ten from this position in my database.} (7. Nc3 Bb4 $1 {transposes to the
Nimzowitsch-Kmoch game we looked at in the notes to the previous game, where
Black looks okay.}) 7... Bb4+ $6 {The bishop strikes everyone as a talentless
poser, trying too hard to establish his reputation in court. I think this move,
which only benefits White, is the beginning of Black's future difficulties.
Later, we discover a kind of parallax error of perception in this decision but
at this stage, the move admittedly looks tempting.} ({Instead,} 7... c6 {may
be Black's best. After} 8. Nc3 {:} -- (8... Bb4 9. Bd2 {avoids the ...Bxc3/bxc3 pawn structure and White stands clearly better here. --- QUESTION: You
have been saying all along that White's entire strategy is to avoid the ...Bb4
pin, yet can't Black now do just that? --- ANSWER: It's not so much the pin
that White wants to avoid. It's ...Bxc3+, bxc3 structure-damaging exchange
which is the problem.}) (8... Qb6 {and if Black now plays} 9. Bg2 g6 10. O-O
O-O-O {, W.Oaker-J.Garcia Gil, correspondence 2006, White's position looks
slightly more promising if he continues with the plan Rb1, Bd2 and b2-b4.
Black lacks an easy way to get at White's king on the other side of the board
and will have to search for a counterplay inducing central counter.} (10... --)
)) 8. c3 $1 {White avoids Nc3 and Black's bishop has to make a pin-less
retreat.} Bd6 9. e4 $1 {White begins to sketch barely visible outlines of his
coming idea (that his lag in development doesn't matter!), which remains a
distance from fruition. --- QUESTION: Isn't White violating the principles:
Don't open the game or create confrontation while lagging in development? ---
ANSWER: Greys are so much more confusing than Black or White. Correct, yet
Danielsen realizes the position is an anomaly. Black has no good way to
exploit his development lead, since he can only open one file without any
meaningful effect on White's position, since he lacks entry points. Meanwhile:
1. White continues to annex territory at a rate which would warm the heart of
dictators worldwide. --- 2. White's bishops awaken with the coming of the
e2-e4 advance.} dxe4 10. dxe4 e5 $5 {I wouldn't have played this move. This is
simply the exchange of one strategic disability for another. GM Luther decides
he must challenge White's gigantic centre with a stake of his own, but in
doing so, he weakens his light squares. When we desperately search for
counterplay when none exists, we become like homeless people, sifting and
rummaging through a dumpster, seeking an item of value in a trash heap.
Black's last move further weakened his light squares.} ({To be fair, even
going into desperation mode with} 10... Ng8 $5 {might be insufficient. After}
11. e5 Qh4+ 12. Kd1 Bc5 13. Qxb7 $1 {, White shamelessly grabs a pawn when
grossly behind in development - and then gets away with the crime! Following}
Rb8 14. Qf3 Ne7 15. Nd2 O-O 16. Ne4 a5 17. Kc2 {, I don't see any compensation
for the pawn, since it is White who still owns space and the bishop pair,
while retaining a relatively safe king. If Black attempts to exploit his
developmental lead by opening with} f6 $2 {, he pays for it after} 18. Bc4 Rb6
19. Rd1 Nd5 20. Bxd5 exd5 21. Rxd5 {when Black loses material.}) 11. g5 {
Sending Black's knight to purgatorial non-existence on g8, reducing Black's
development lead in the process.} Ng8 {The knight, attempting to walk, plops
on its bottom, in toddlerish motion.} 12. f5 {Principle: Close the position
when behind in development. White also increases his already alarmingly large
kingside space advantage.} h6 $5 {If Black just sits around without
confrontation, White's space and bishop pair will squeeze him.} 13. h4 {
Keeping the kingside pawn-roller intact.} Be7 $2 {Now Black's greatest
forebodings are realized. --- EXERCISE (planning): Black's intent is to create
confrontation while leading in development. How did White cross this plan?} ({
Necessary was} 13... Qe7 {intending to castle long, when Black still had a
playable game.}) 14. Qh5 $3 {ANSWER: Pin/interference. --- "Others can
sometimes see flaws in us which we ourselves are blind to," White's queen
tells her e8-brother. Threat: Bc4. A wide savannah of prey-opportunity lies on
the a2-g8 diagonal. IM Tim Taylor writes: "Immobilizing Black's entire
position with a key pin of the h6-pawn (the f7-pawn is monitored, too). White
is practically winning, in defiance of every beginner's book that says develop
your minor pieces and not your queen!"} Nb6 ({Better was} 14... Bc5 {meeting
Bc4 with ...Qe7.}) 15. Be3 {Danielsen finally decides to develop a piece other
than his queen.} ({The comp points out that even stronger is} 15. f6 $1 {when
all options are unpalatable:} -- (15... Bxf6 $2 16. gxf6 Qxf6 17. Be3 {is
completely unsound for Black.}) (15... gxf6 $4 16. g6 $1 {with decisive
material gain to follow.}) (15... Bf8 16. Be3 Qd7 17. Nd2 gxf6 18. O-O-O Bg7
19. gxf6 Nxf6 20. Qxe5+ Qe7 21. Qf5 Qe6 22. Qxe6+ fxe6 23. Bh3 e5 24. Rhg1 Bf8
25. Rdf1 Be7 26. Rg6 {when Black is completely busted.} (26. --))) 15... Qd6
16. Na3 {Worrying Black about Nb5 tricks in case he castles long.} c6 ({The
disruptive} 16... g6 {may have been Black's last prayer. However, he isn't
likely to save the game after} 17. Qf3 hxg5 18. Rd1 g4 19. Qxg4 gxf5 20. Qxf5
Qf6 21. Nb5 Kf8 22. Nxc7 Qxf5 23. exf5 Rxh4 24. Rxh4 Bxh4+ 25. Ke2 Rc8 26. Nb5
Nc4 27. Rd7 {when White picks up queenside pawns.}) 17. Nc4 $1 {White's
roguish knight looks upon his goody-two-shoes b6-adversary in much the same
fashion Rhett Butler viewed the saintly Ashley Wilkes in Gone with the Wind.
White eliminates Black's best defensive piece, the b6-knight and develops his
bishop to hit the powerful a2-g8 diagonal at a go.} Nxc4 {Now the f7-pawn
falls.} ({In any case, after} 17... Qc7 18. O-O-O Rd8 19. Rxd8+ Bxd8 20. Nxb6
axb6 21. Bc4 b5 22. Be6 $1 {. Now if} Kf8 23. Bc5+ Ke8 24. Rd1 {, Black is
completely paralyzed and can resign.}) 18. Bxc4 {"When I pass from this
earthly existence, I will sit at God's right hand," declares the bishop, as he
gives himself airs. Amazingly, it is now Black who lags in development, and
the white queen and bishop are completely in sync, as if Siamese twin tennis
players competing in a doubles championship.} O-O-O {Black's king has a
"catch-me-if-you-can" expression on his face.} 19. Rh2 $1 {"Suddenly it
becomes clear that Black is quite lost. White intends Rd2, swapping Black's
one, active, rook, when the rest of Black's pieces remain trapped on the
kingside," writes GM Tony Kosten.} ({Less accurate is} 19. Bxf7 {, since the}
Qd3 {double attack hits the e3-bishop and the e4-pawn.}) 19... Qc7 {Black
gives away the f7-pawn as a kind of bribe, but as we all understand, money
tossed about doesn't always expunge past strategic misconduct.} ({Following} 
19... f6 20. Be6+ Kb8 21. Rd2 Qc7 22. O-O-O Rxd2 23. Rxd2 {, Black can resign
since there is no reasonable defence to either e8- or d7- infiltrations.}) 20.
Bxf7 hxg5 $5 {The intoxicated h6-subaltern flubs it while on guard duty. The
interest on Black's debt continues to compound, as he refuses to capitulate
quietly. This desperate attempt to muck up the game, fails.} ({Calmer play
also loses without a fight. For example, after} 20... Rd3 21. Qe2 Qd8 22. Bc4
Rd6 23. Bc5 Rd7 24. Bxa7 hxg5 25. hxg5 Rxh2 26. Qxh2 Bxg5 27. Qxe5 {, Black
can resign.}) 21. Qxh8 Nh6 22. Qxg7 Ng4 23. f6 $1 {Black's position resembles
a college dorm on Sunday mornings, in the terrible wake of an all-Saturday
night party.} ({White mops up after} 23. f6 $1 Nxe3 24. Be6+ Kb8 25. fxe7 Re8
26. hxg5 {. --- SUMMARY: 6 g4! looks like an improvement over last game's 6
Nc3, mainly since it denies Black the early ...Bb4! and ...Bxc3! plan.}) 1-0

[Event "34: Revelion Open, Romania"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1999.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Grunberg, ML."]
[Black "Jiroveanu, G."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "1999.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 {Black covers the d5-pawn and keeps White guessing about ...Bg4 or ...Bf5.} ({Tournament praxis has seen the immediate} 2... Bf5 3. g3 Nf6
4. Bg2 e6 5. O-O Be7 {and now White makes room for her queen on e2, intending
d2-d3, Qe2, Nbd2 and e3-e4 with} 6. e3 {. After} ({We can also achieve our
e4-break by engaging our Chapter Two Qe1-plan with} 6. d3 h6 7. Qe1 O-O 8. Nc3
Bh7 9. e4) 6... O-O 7. d3 c5 {, we get a version of the London System versus
our Reversed Leningrad, with Black's c-pawn on c5, rather than c6. Following}
8. Qe2 Nc6 9. Nbd2 (9. Nc3 {is maybe more accurate, intending to meet} d4 {with
} 10. e4) 9... h6 (9... c4 $1 {is annoying for White after} 10. dxc4 Bxc2 11.
cxd5 exd5 {when Black achieves a pleasant isolani position}) 10. c3 Qc7 11. e4
dxe4 12. dxe4 Bh7 13. e5 Nd5 14. Ne4 a6 15. c4 Nb6 16. b3 Nc8 17. Bb2 {, A.Muzychuk-E.Tairova, Heraklio 2004, White has a strategic and spatial advantage.
}) 3. g3 {Note that from Games 34 to 38, we will look at ...Bf5 and ...Bg4
versions versus the Reversed Leningrad formation.} ({QUESTION: What if we are
Classical or Stonewall players and commit to} 3. e3 {- ? --- ANSWER: Let's
take a look:} -- (3... Bg4 4. h3 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 Nd7 {(preparing ...e5, which we
won't allow)} 6. d4 Ngf6 7. Bd3 {and White attains an excellent version of the
Stonewall, with the bishop pair and control over the e4-square, S.Schmidt
Schaeffer-S.Prudlo, Berlin 2007.}) (3... Bf5 {(Black plays the New York System
version)} 4. d3 e6 5. g3 {(White slowly prepares the e4-push)} Nd7 6. h3 h5 7.
Bg2 Ngf6 8. Nc3 Bb4 {, M.Jendrian-F.Mertens, Internet (blitz) 2004. At this
point, I would play} 9. Bd2 {intending Qe2, and then castle the opposite wing
of whichever way Black's king chooses to go, with a very sharp position which
I believe is in White's favour.} (9. --))) 3... Bg4 4. Bg2 h5 $5 {This is one
of Black's best scoring lines, but I'm not sure it should be. --- QUESTION:
What is Black's idea? --- ANSWER: I think Black wants our side to get nervous
about castling kingside, since then we must calculate ...Bxf3, followed by ...h5-h4 ideas.} ({More normal is} 4... Nd7 5. O-O Bxf3 6. Bxf3 e5 7. d3 Ngf6 8.
Nc3 Qc7 9. e4 dxe4 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 11. Bxe4 Bd6 $6 (11... exf4 12. Bxf4 Bd6 13.
Bd2 O-O {is about even, although I still would take White if given a choice})
12. f5 $6 ({Houdini gives White a solid plus after} 12. fxe5 $1 Nxe5 13. d4 Ng6
14. c3 O-O-O 15. Bd2 h5 16. Qf3) 12... O-O-O 13. Bg5 f6 14. Be3 Nc5 15. Qf3
Nxe4 16. Qxe4 {with a level position, C.Lakdawala-D.Kopec, Internet (blitz)
2014.}) 5. h3 ({Also interesting is} 5. d3 {with the idea of making Black to
take on f3 without the tempo-wasting h3-move, or to follow up with Nbd2, after
which we can recapture with the d2-knight and retain control over the
e5-square. Following} Nd7 6. Nbd2 Nh6 {(eyeing the e3-hole, but we don't give
Black's knight a chance to play to f5)} 7. e4 ({White can also try the risky} 
7. h3 $5 Nf5 8. Nf1 Bxf3 9. Bxf3 h4 10. g4 Ng3 11. Nxg3 hxg3 12. Kf1 e5 13. Qe1
Bd6 14. Qxg3 Qc7 15. fxe5 Nxe5 16. Qf2 {when Black has compensation for the
pawn}) 7... h4 {, E.Bricard-N.Mitkov, Mulhouse 2004, I prefer to play White's
side after} 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 hxg3 10. Qxg3 e6 11. Nb3 Be7 12. O-O {and
White's king is safe enough, despite the open h-file for Black. Also, White
owns the bishop pair and central space.}) 5... Bf5 $5 {Black hopes to exploit
the recent weakening of White's kingside.} ({More thematic would be to
continue with the plan and trade minor pieces with} 5... Bxf3 6. Bxf3 Nd7 7. d3
({I would consider a Stonewall/Leningrad hybrid here with} 7. d4 $5 {(clamping
down on the e5-square)} Nh6 8. g4 $5 e6 9. e3 Qh4+ 10. Ke2 O-O-O 11. Bd2 {with
mutual chances}) 7... e5 8. Nc3 $5 (8. e4 dxe4 9. Bxe4 Ngf6 10. Qe2 {is a
little wimpy for White and about even}) 8... Bd6 9. e4 exf4 10. exd5 (10. gxf4
Qh4+ 11. Ke2 Bxf4 12. exd5 Ne7 13. dxc6 Nxc6 14. Bxc6 bxc6 15. Bxf4 Qxf4 16.
Qd2 {is also about even}) 10... fxg3 11. dxc6 bxc6 12. Bxc6 Rc8 13. Bg2 {with
an unclear position which Houdini rates around even.}) 6. d3 Nf6 7. Be3 $5 {
QUESTION: What is the idea behind this move? --- ANSWER: First, it prevents ...Qb6. Secondly, White intends Bf2, covering his weakest point, the g3-pawn,
while making his king safer to castle short.} ({There is really nothing wrong
with our normal plan} 7. O-O {followed by Qe1, Nbd2 (or Nc3 and e2-e4).}) 7...
Qc8 $6 {Black prevents his opponent from castling, at the high cost of
congesting development.} ({More natural is} 7... e6 8. Nbd2 Nbd7 9. O-O Bd6 10.
Qe1 Qe7 11. Bf2 Bc5 12. e4 dxe4 13. dxe4 Bg6 14. a3 {. I still prefer White
due to the extra central space, but Black looks solid and can castle on either
wing.}) 8. Bf2 g6 $6 {This is also unnatural and doesn't fit well with the
structure since Black will remain passive after White achieves the e4-push.} ({
Better was} 8... e6 {.}) 9. Nc3 Na6 10. Ng5 $1 {Black will be in full retreat
mode when White achieves e2-e4.} Nc7 {Anticipating White's next move, Black
reinforces the d5-pawn.} 11. e4 Bd7 12. Qe2 {Here we have a tale of two
positions, one pristine and harmonious, the other in the throes of contortion.
The opening has gone badly for Black: 1. White controls the lion's share of
central space. --- 2. Black's king won't be safe on the kingside or queenside;
or in the centre, for that matter. --- 3. Black's pieces sprawl in ungainly
fashion, on artificial squares.} Bg7 13. Bf3 {QUESTION: Why is White avoiding
e4-e5, which gains more space?} ({ANSWER: The pawn push will release the
central tension and lock the centre, giving Black some relief: The premature} 
13. e5 $6 Ng8 {actually helps Black, who just got handed control over key
light squares on f5 and e6. He will continue with ...Nh6 and harmonize his
development somewhat.}) ({I would probably play} 13. O-O-O $1 {when I think
Black has little choice but to castle kingside, after which White's attack
will develop quickly with a timely g4- or f5-break.}) 13... dxe4 ({Black's
congestion is helped somewhat by the swap} 13... Nh7 $1 14. Nxh7 Rxh7 {.}) 14.
dxe4 Ne6 15. Nxe6 Bxe6 16. O-O-O $1 {White, sensing opportunity, boldly offers
the h3-pawn to increase his development lead.} ({Instead,} 16. Bg2 $6 {throws
away most of White's advantage after} Qc7 {when both ...0-0-0 and ...h5-h4 are
in the air.}) 16... Bxh3 17. Rxh3 $5 {This decision isn't as arbitrary as it
first appears. White sacrifices an exchange with a queen trap in mind. However,
the combination is not so effective.} ({White looks better if he simply
interprets it as a pawn sacrifice by unleashing} 17. e5 $1 Ng8 18. Ne4 {.
White has huge compensation for the pawn, in the form of: 1. A space-grab bind.
--- 2. The development lead. --- 3. Attacking chances against Black's insecure
king.}) 17... Qxh3 18. f5 {EXERCISE (critical decision): White's idea is to
trap Black's queen with Rh1. However, the comps say Black is just fine here,
provided that he finds the correct response. Should he play 18...h4, or 18...Ng4 - ? Only one of the moves offers him sufficient play.} Ng4 $2 {This confuses
the symbol with the actual reality.} ({ANSWER: Many of our over-the-board
fears are later proven groundless by the all-seeing, never-fearing comps.
Black is just fine after} 18... h4 $1 {when White's queen-trapping agenda is
open, while Black's remains shrouded in secrecy:} 19. -- ({. White must
exercise care as} 19. Rh1 $4 {fails miserably to} Qxh1+ 20. Bxh1 hxg3 21. Bg2
gxf2 22. Qxf2 Ng4 23. Qg3 Ne5 {and Black has a winning position with two rooks
and a pawn for the queen, plus an e5-hole and dark-squared bind.}) ({. Better
is} 19. gxh4 $1 {when White's tenuous hold over Black's queen is endangered by
a hotbed of sedition. Black can counter with} Rxh4 $1 ({Black absorbs the
brunt of White's blow and his queen continues to be among the living and in
contrast, the greedy} 19... Qh2 $5 20. e5 {looks dangerous for Black}) 20. Bxh4
Qxh4 21. fxg6 fxg6 22. Qg2 Qh6+ 23. Kb1 Nd7 24. Rh1 Qf4 25. Qxg6+ Qf7 26. Qg2 {
(threat: Bh5)} O-O-O {when he may even hold an edge due to the superior minor
pieces and control over the dark squares.})) 19. Rh1 {This is a doomed
relationship between the rook and Black's queen, reminiscent of the romance
between King Kong and Fay Wray, which never came to pass. In this version,
Black doesn't get enough for the queen.} Nxf2 20. Qxf2 {Black's queen isn't
going anywhere.} Bh6+ $6 ({Black's best chance for survival is} 20... Qxh1+ 21.
Bxh1 Be5 {though the position is already quite lost.}) 21. Kb1 Be3 $2 {A last
ditch attempt to rescue the queen.} 22. Qxe3 Qxg3 {EXERCISE (combination alert)
: Black gave up a piece to extricate his queen. The trouble is Black's queen
is still trapped! How?} 23. Rg1 $2 {The law becomes moot where enforcement is
unable to follow. Now the position's magic-spell mood evaporates into one of
day-to-day reality. Okay, fine. This game may not be either player's magnum
opus. Now Black's queen really does escape.} ({ANSWER: White traps the queen
with} 23. e5 $1 {(threat: Bxc6+, followed by Qxg3)} O-O-O 24. Ne2 $1 {and
Black must resign, since his queen gets ambushed all the same.}) 23... Qh4 $6 (
{Black misses the strong blockading} 23... Qe5 $1 {move. After} 24. fxg6 fxg6
25. Rxg6 O-O-O 26. Qxa7 Qd4 $1 {, Black's queen greets her sister with that
overly delighted sound hostesses tend to make when unwanted in-laws drop in
unexpectedly. Following} 27. Qxd4 Rxd4 28. Rg1 h4 {, the passed h-pawn still
gives offers Black hope to save the game.}) 24. fxg6 fxg6 25. e5 $1 {White
refuses to take time out to capture the g6-pawn to defray costs. This move
clears the e4-square for his activity-starved minor pieces.} Rf8 26. Be4 O-O-O
27. Qxa7 {The queen clenches and unclenches her fist, in murderous
anticipation of the wallop she plans to hand Black's king.} Qf4 {EXERCISE 
(combination alert): Attackers perch like hungry crows eyeing an elderly mouse
in the park. White to play and force the win.} ({A similar finish follows after
} 27... Qf2 {. I can't show you the rest or I will give away the answer to the
coming combination alert!}) 28. Qa8+ {ANSWER: Step 1: Chase Black's king to c7.
--- The queen points to the door, giving Black's king a leave-this-instant
gesture.} Kc7 {Step 2: Offer a sacrifice which can't be accepted.} 29. Nb5+ $1
{This well-planted kick bruises the black king's royal rear-end.} Kb6 {Step 3:
Chase Black's king up the board.} ({If instead} 29... cxb5 {,} 30. Qxb7# {is
mate!}) 30. Qa7+ $1 {The queen's little-girl helium voice lowers her rival's
guard, since it disguises her innate ruthlessness and cunning. "Your Grace
will be my 'guest' for an as yet, undefined period of time," she sweetly
informs Black's king.} Kxb5 31. Qxb7+ Ka5 ({Also futile is} 31... Kc4 32. Qb3+
Kd4 33. Qb4+ Ke3 34. Qe1+ Kd4 35. Bh1 $1 {(threat: Qc3 mate!)} Qe3 36. Qb4+
Kxe5 37. Qxe7+ Kd4 38. Rd1+ Kc4 39. b3+ $1 {(this luft-creating move allows
White to capture Black's queen without fear of back rank mate)} Kb5 40. Qxe3
Rxd1+ 41. Kb2 Rxh1 {(it appears as if Black escaped but it's just an illusion)}
42. Qa7 $1 {(threatening mate in two moves)} Rh4 43. a4+ {and Black must hand
over a rook, or walk into} Kb4 44. Qb6# {mate!}) 32. b4+ {Is there anything
more joyful in the universe than a king hunt, which drags the opponent's king
kicking and screaming up the board into your territory?} Ka4 33. Bxc6+ ({
Slightly more accurate is} 33. Qxc6+ $1 Kxb4 34. a3+ Ka5 35. Qc7+ Ka6 36. Bb7+
Ka7 {Black's king finds it mildly disconcerting that White's forces toss their
hats in the air, hip-hip-hooraying, as his death sentence is pronounced and
indeed,} 37. Bc8+ Ka8 38. Qb7# {is mate!}) 33... Ka3 34. Qa6+ Kxb4 35. Qb5+ Kc3
36. Qc5+ {The queen follows Black's king like a puritanical shadow.} Qc4 ({
Black decides it is unnecessary to go through} 36... Qc4 37. Rg3+ Kd2 38. Qe3+
{(why take a queen when you have mate?)} Kd1 39. Qc1+ Ke2 40. Re3+ Kf2 41. Qe1#
{. Black's king is so busy fawning over the white queen that he doesn't notice
the jewel-handled blade she had just pulled from her right stocking. ---
SUMMARY: This game was a mishmash of Reverse Leningrad vs Reversed Torre
structures and notable for White's interesting Be3-f2 manoeuvre to counter
Black's h-pawn rush.}) 1-0

[Event "35: Moscow Olympiad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Tu Hoang Thong"]
[Black "Bedgarani, I."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. g3 Bg4 {Black's simple plan: 1. Eliminate a key
e5-defender with ...Bxf3. --- 2. Play ...Nd7 and then ...e5, with complete
freedom.} 4. Bg2 {QUESTION: Does the Ne5 sally work for White with the
inclusion of Black's ...c6 - ?} ({ANSWER: The Ne5 move is a little more
playable for White with ...c6 and g3 tossed in. For example:} 4. Ne5 Bf5 {:} 5.
-- (5. d3 $1 Nd7 6. Nxd7 Qxd7 7. Nd2 Nf6 8. h3 {(to prevent ...Bh3)} h5 9. Bg2
e6 10. e4 dxe4 11. dxe4 Bh7 12. Qe2 O-O-O 13. Nc4 Bb4+ 14. c3 Bc5 15. Ne5 Qe7
16. b4 Bd6 17. Nc4 Bc7 18. O-O {and this position I slightly favour Black,
whose attack looks a shade stronger.}) (5. g4 $6 {is less accurate as the
position is sharp and unbalanced after} Bc8 ({also, after} 5... e6 $5 {
(threatening mate)} 6. h4 Be4 7. Rh2 f6 {, White's position feels clunky and
slightly overextended}) 6. h3 Nd7 7. d4 f6 8. Nd3 {, P.Yee-J.Chan, Richmond
2011. Black already looks better after} e5 $1 {.})) 4... Nd7 5. d3 {Of course
White has no reason to waste time with h2-h3, since Black intends to chop the
f3-knight anyway.} Bxf3 {I think this plan is simple and logical for Black.} ({
After} 5... Ngf6 6. O-O e6 7. Nc3 Qb6+ 8. Kh1 Be7 9. e4 dxe4 10. dxe4 O-O-O 11.
Qe1 Bh5 $5 ({a mysterious computer (literally!) move as Black was better off
eliminating the knight with} 11... Bxf3 12. Bxf3 h5) 12. Rb1 Kb8 13. Be3 Qb4 $6
{(the comp wastes time as the queen should retreat to c7)} 14. a3 Qa5 15. h3 h6
$5 {(it still refuses to take the knight!)} 16. b4 Qxa3 $2 {, A.Rodriguez
Vila-Comp Pocket Fritz 3, Villa Martelli 2007. Black is completely busted after
} 17. b5 c5 18. g4 Bg6 19. Ra1 Qb4 20. Ra4 Qb2 21. f5 Bh7 22. Bf4+ Ka8 23. Ra2
Qb4 24. Qa1 {, forcing mate.}) 6. Bxf3 {QUESTION: Since Black plans ...e5, why
not recapture on f3 with a pawn?} ({ANSWER: Recapture with} 6. exf3 $6 {hasn't
been played, mainly since it is strategically suspect. Black will simply
switch from an ...e7-e5 plan to a triangle formation, where White's
light-squared bishop on g2 is something of a sorry sight after} e6 7. Nc3 Ne7
8. O-O h5 9. h4 Nf5 {when Black already looks better.}) 6... e5 {Black has
equalized by staking a claim in the centre. His pieces can develop freely and
White's bishop pair will take quite some time to exert themselves.} 7. O-O ({
Alternatives: White can play for a light-squared bind, at the cost of
weakening his dark squares with} 7. f5 $5 Ngf6 8. e4 dxe4 9. dxe4 Qb6 10. Qe2
O-O-O 11. Nd2 Qc7 12. Nc4 Bb4+ $6 ({this helps White who wants to play c2-c3
anyway and} 12... Nb6 {looks better}) 13. c3 Be7 14. b4 g6 15. fxg6 hxg6 16. a4
Bf8 17. Be3 Kb8 {, L.Karlsson-S.Smagin, Copenhagen 1988. White's attack looks
far more dangerous than Black's after} 18. O-O {.}) ({I don't trust} 7. e4 $6
dxe4 8. dxe4 {, M.Mukhin-I.Bajarany, Baku 1991. I prefer Black after} exf4 9.
gxf4 $5 ({after} 9. Bxf4 {,} Ne7 {intending ...Ng6 and either knight to the
e5-outpost gives Black a strategic plus}) 9... Qh4+ 10. Kf1 O-O-O 11. Qe2 Bc5 {
as White's bishop pair fails to make up for his insecure king.}) 7... Ngf6 {
Intending ...e5-e4.} ({QUESTION: if Black plays} 7... exf4 {which way should
we recapture? --- ANSWER: I would take back with the bishop, increasing the
development lead with a b2-pawn offering. For example, after} 8. Bxf4 $1 {,
now Black shouldn't get greedy with} Qb6+ $6 9. Kh1 Qxb2 10. Nd2 {. White's
development lead and bishop pair mean more than Black's extra pawn.}) 8. Nc3
Bb4 {This move is new and looks quite logical, since ...Bxc3, followed by ...e5-e4 hangs over White.} ({Tournament praxis has seen} 8... h5 $6 {(it's
dangerous to try and launch an attack when behind in development)} 9. e4 dxe4
10. Nxe4 Be7 $6 {, R.Junker-G.Blaich, Germany 1992. I don't see Black's
compensation after} ({better was} 10... Nxe4 11. Bxe4 Nf6 12. Re1 Bc5+ 13. Kg2
{when White's development lead gives him an edge}) 11. Nxf6+ Bxf6 12. Bxh5 $1
exf4 13. Rxf4 Qb6+ 14. Kg2 {with an extra pawn for White, since the b2-pawn is
untouchable.}) 9. e3 {A stabilizing move though a tad too passive.} ({I would
take my chances with the more aggressive} 9. e4 Bxc3 10. bxc3 dxe4 11. dxe4 {
. It would be an evenly matched battle of the bishop pair versus structure.})
9... Qe7 ({I would be more inclined to play} 9... Bxc3 $1 {, seizing control
over the e4-square. After} 10. bxc3 e4 11. Bg2 Qe7 12. a4 O-O-O 13. Ba3 Qe6 14.
Qd2 h5 15. h3 h4 16. g4 Nxg4 $1 17. c4 $1 Ngf6 18. cxd5 Qxd5 19. Qb4 {, White
probably has compensation for the pawn but if given a choice, I would take
Black's side.}) 10. Bg2 O-O ({Now} 10... Bxc3 {isn't as strong here as it was
on the previous move. Following} 11. bxc3 e4 12. c4 $1 dxc4 13. dxe4 Nxe4 14.
Qd4 f5 15. Qxc4 O-O-O 16. Bxe4 Qxe4 17. Qxe4 fxe4 18. Bb2 Nf6 19. Rfd1 c5 20.
Kf2 h5 21. h3 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Rd8 23. Rxd8+ Kxd8 {, Houdini now worked out a
forced win with} 24. g4 $1 Ke7 25. Bxf6+ Kxf6 26. gxh5 b5 27. Ke2 a5 28. Kd2 {
and White wins the king and pawn ending.}) 11. Bd2 Rfe8 12. a3 Bd6 {Now there
is no reason to hand over the bishop for White's c3-knight.} 13. e4 {White
fights back in the centre.} dxe4 14. dxe4 b5 15. Qe2 Nb6 {The knight eyes the
c4-square.} ({Also reasonable was to get the dark-squared bishop in the thick
of things with} 15... Bc5+ 16. Kh1 Bd4 17. f5 {.}) 16. Rae1 {White remains
aloof to happenings on the queenside, since he feels his interests are not
overly threatened by Black's activity in that region.} a5 {Playing ...exf4 at
any stage only energizes White's position.} 17. Kh1 Nfd7 18. Nd1 Nc4 {Both
parties prepare gains on their respective wings.} 19. Bc1 {The black knight's
friendly overtures are met with a chilly rebuff from White's bishop.} Bc5 20.
f5 {White kingside phalanx starts to assume the King's Indian-type pawn storm.}
f6 {This move gives White a g5-contact point, but it would probably have to be
played anyway at some point.} 21. g4 {Here he comes. Now an eventual kingside
attack becomes a geographic reality for Black's king.} Nd6 {A sign that the
c4-excursion didn't produce fruit.} 22. h4 Qf7 {Houdini misassesses this
position, giving Black an edge, when in reality, White actually stands better.
This is mainly due to his latent and unopposed light square power which will
materialise should the position open up.} ({Black can try to impinge upon
White's attempted g5-break with} 22... Nf7 $1 23. Rf3 Rad8 24. Rg3 h6 25. Nf2
Nf8 26. Nh3 Nh7 {but then White can try to soften Black's light squares on the
other side of the board with} 27. a4 $1 {(White's position continues to derive
energy in an almost photosynthetic way from his power on the light squares)}
Qb7 28. Bf1 Rb8 29. g5 $1 hxg5 30. hxg5 fxg5 31. Nxg5 Nfxg5 32. Bxg5 Nxg5 33.
Rxg5 {and White has a promising kingside attack.}) 23. Rf3 {Preparing to shift
the rook over to the g3- or d3-square.} Kf8 $5 {Wild impulses contend with the
inner voice of reason. In this instance, the wild impulses win the
make-a-virtue-of-necessity argument. This move was made with the philosophy:
Sometimes the potentiality for harm to our position can be greater when we
refuse to make a concession, rather than grudgingly make one. --- QUESTION:
Where is Black going with his king? --- ANSWER: To the other side of the board,
where he is loved! This is a typical King's Indian Defence strategy, to walk
the king away from the hot zone to safety on the other side.} 24. Rd3 Nc4 25.
g5 {The menacing g-pawn approaches Black's king in anything but supplicating
fashion.} Red8 26. Bf3 $1 {The bishop crouches in ambush, awaiting an
unsuspecting victim along the trail. Now Black must contend with the annoying
Bh5.} Ke7 $5 {Continuing the queenside transplant project.} ({After} 26... a4
27. Nf2 Bd4 28. c3 Bb6 29. Rg1 Na5 30. Bh5 Qc4 31. Qg4 $1 Ra7 (31... Bxf2 $4
32. gxf6 g6 33. Bh6+ Ke8 34. fxg6 {and Black is mated}) 32. Be3 {, Black is
completely busted.}) 27. Bh5 $1 Qf8 ({Reacting with} 27... g6 {only weakens
Black's king further.}) 28. Qg2 Ndb6 {Hoping for a rook trade on the d-file to
relieve the pressure.} 29. Rg3 $6 ({The knight manoeuvre} 29. Nf2 $1 {with the
idea of Ng4, gives White a winning attack.}) 29... Kd6 $1 {The defensive task
which lies before Black requires a physician's sympathetic objectivity: A body
part must be amputated if the patient's survival requires such a sacrifice.}
30. Nf2 Kc7 {Black's king breathes a deep sigh of relief.} 31. gxf6 gxf6 32.
Nd3 Bd6 $6 ({The game remains in dynamic equilibrium after the correct} 32...
Rd7 {which covers the seventh rank.}) 33. Rg1 ({Much stronger is} 33. Bf7 $1 {
which allows White to transfer his light-squared bishop to the e6-square,
deeply hampering the coordination of Black's defence. Following} Kb7 34. Be6
Qh8 35. b3 $1 Nxa3 36. Be3 Rab8 37. Nc5+ Bxc5 38. Bxc5 b4 39. Rg7+ Ka6 40. Qg1
{, White has a decisive attack.}) 33... Rd7 34. Qf1 Qd8 $2 {This move causes
White to lose the fight for control over the dark squares on the a3-f8
diagonal, in particular, the c5-square. --- EXERCISE (planning): Come up with
a clear winning plan for White.} 35. R1g2 {This move keeps Black in the game.}
({ANSWER: Correct was} 35. b3 $1 {and White can win after the following
procedures are undertaken: Step 1: Lure Black's knight to the a3-square.
Complex, multi-tiered plans are risky projects, since the shattering of even a
single link in the complex chain of events causes the entire structure to come
crumbling down around its creator. So Black replies} Nxa3 {since he has no
other options and well, he does have a pawn for it. --- Step 2: Seize control
over the c5-square and the gateway to infinite strategic riches after} 36. Qf2
$1 Kb7 {, followed by} 37. Be3 {. --- Step 3: Invade the c5-square,
eliminating Black's dark-squared bishop, the square's only defender. Following}
Qc7 {, White slots in} 38. Bc5 $1 {. Now, after} Rc8 39. Bxd6 Rxd6 40. Nc5+ Ka8
{, Black's beaten-down king reminds us of one of Gogol's characters, who
accepts his life of institutionalized serfdom without complaint. --- Step 4:
Invade down the seventh rank. Black collapses here after} 41. Rg7 Nd7 ({also} 
41... Qd8 42. Ne6 {wins}) 42. Rd1 $1 Rxd1+ 43. Bxd1 Rd8 44. Ne6 Qd6 45. Nxd8
Qxd1+ 46. Kg2 c5 47. Ne6 Nxc2 48. Rxd7 Qxd7 49. Qxc2 {and White wins.}) 35...
Bf8 $6 {Covering the g7-square.} ({Black was better off with} 35... a4 {as it
keeps the a5-square free for the Nc4 if it gets hit by b2-b3.}) 36. Qg1 $1 {At
last, White hits upon the correct plan.} Qe7 37. b3 $1 {White threads his way
through the labyrinth of confusing variations and extracts meaning from them.}
Nxa3 ({The knight retreat} 37... Nd6 {loses after} 38. Be3 Nbc8 39. Nc5 {.
"Apparently it is my destiny to patiently explain the obvious to the
dull-witted," bemoans the knight to Black's now trapped rook.}) 38. Be3 {The
decisive blow. The once haphazard swarm, sensing weakness with a collective
hive mind, condenses upon a single target, the c5-square, which is Black's
administrative node. Loss of control over that square is the equivalent of a
country's government being overthrown by rebels.} Rd4 {The primal need to
challenge an oppressor may be a more powerful force than even that of
self-preservation. This desperado fails, but nothing worked at this stage.} 39.
Bxd4 exd4 {EXERCISE (combination alert): White to play and win. --- ANSWER:
Pin/queen trap.} 40. Rg7 $1 {. White's queen allows her rooks to do the
killing, in the manner of a she-wolf teaching her cubs to hunt. --- SUMMARY: I
think Black's plan ...c7-c6, ...Bg4, ...Bxf3 and ...e7-e5 is an equalizer. The
position, although outwardly relaxed, is in reality dense with opportunity for
both sides.} 1-0

[Event "36: Los Angeles Open"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1999.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Ivanov, I."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A00"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "1999.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

{Doesn't it strike you as odd that the military pays a coward and a hero of
equal rank, with equal pay? The only time when I don't play it safe is when
life puts me in that uncomfortable situation: the must-win game. Igor led the
tournament by half a point and I knew I was unlikely to beat his solid Slav or
Nimzo-Indian English with my normal 1 Nf3, so I tried to muck it up from the
very first move.} 1. g3 {QUESTION: Did you file this game into the wrong book?}
({ANSWER: Please try and remain calm. I sometimes use this tricky move-order
on players who I know will play ...d5, ...c6 and ...Bg4 on virtually
everything. Our move-order would be} 1. f4 d5 2. g3 $5 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. d3 {
which is similar to what I got in the game with Ivanov. --- QUESTION: Won't
this move-order simply transpose to normal lines? --- ANSWER: Not necessarily.
White's idea is to stall Nf3, in which case Black may regret ...Bg4 (the
bishop lacks a knight to chop on f3), which can be met with future time
gaining ideas like h2-h3 and g2-g4, or even Nh3-f2. Following} h5 5. h3 Bf5 6.
Nf3 $5 {(the idea is to kick his bishop around without allowing him to trade
it for a knight)} Nh6 7. O-O Qc8 8. Kh2 g6 9. Nc3 Bg7 10. e4 {(more gain of
time)} Bxc3 $5 ({Houdini suggests the admittedly nauseating} 10... Be6) 11.
bxc3 dxe4 12. dxe4 Be6 (12... Bxe4 $4 {loses instantly to} 13. Qd4) 13. Ng5 Na6
{, C.Lakdawala-A.Saidy, Los Angeles 1999, Houdini claims a winning position
for White after} 14. Qd4 f6 15. Nxe6 Qxe6 16. Rb1 Qc8 17. Ba3 {.}) 1... d5 2.
Bg2 c6 3. d3 Nf6 (3... e5 4. Nf3 Bd6 {turns the game into a Reversed Pirc.}) 4.
f4 {There we go. Back to Bird's opening. This move-order is kind of sneaky. I
felt like Igor somehow got tricked into a line he didn't normally play, by
making this sudden switch to the Leningrad Bird formation. Of course it
doesn't work unless you are willing to play 1 g3 lines on other Black set-ups.
Being caught in an unfamiliar opening is similar to one of those Kafkaesque
dreams we all endure, where we walk into a classroom and the test instructions
are in Swahili rather than our own language.} Qb6 ({The passive and solid
Schleter Slav set-up with} 4... g6 {can be used in many versions. After} 5. Nf3
Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. Kh1 Nbd7 8. Nc3 Nc5 9. e3 Bg4 {(same theme: Black eliminates
his bad bishop, but in this version, Black will have a more difficult time
forcing ...e7-e5)} 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 e6 12. e4 {,} d4 $6 {is a strategic
error. --- QUESTION: Why? --- ANSWER: For the following reasons: 1. Since
Black will soon be attacked on the kingside, it violates the principle: Don't
close the centre when attacked on the wing. --- 2. Black ends up with a
remaining bishop which was on the opposite colour of his pawns - until now.
Black's d4-pawn hampers the bishop's activity. The remainder of the game is
instructive and it continued} 13. Ne2 Na6 14. Bd2 Qb6 15. Rab1 Rad8 16. a3 Nc7
17. g4 {(Black lacks a central break, while White leisurely builds for a
kingside attack)} Rfe8 18. Ng3 Nd7 19. h4 f6 20. Bh3 e5 $6 {(this move makes
matters worse)} 21. f5 Rf8 22. Rf2 Rf7 23. b3 c5 24. Rg1 {(every white piece
shifted over to eye Black's king)} Rdf8 25. Rh2 Qc6 26. Qg2 Ne8 27. g5 Nd6 $2 {
this loses material,} ({but Black was busted in any case as he wouldn't have
survived} 27... b5 28. h5 fxg5 29. hxg6 hxg6 30. Bxg5 c4 31. fxg6) 28. fxg6
hxg6 29. Be6 f5 30. Bd5 Qc7 31. h5 {, K.Movsziszian-J.Mercadal Benejam,
Ciutadella 2008, and Black resigned as either allowing 32 g6 (after 31...gxh5)
or 32 hxg6 is devastating.}) ({After} 4... Bf5 {, White's Leningrad formation
is more potent, since he has not developed his king knight to block the
g2-bishop. This means it is easier to enforce the e4-break. With} 5. Nh3 ({of
course, there is nothing wrong with posting the knight on f3 as well with} 5.
Nf3 e6 6. O-O Bc5+ 7. e3 Nbd7 8. Nc3 Bg4 9. Qe1 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 O-O 11. Kh1 e5
12. e4 dxe4 13. dxe4 Re8 14. f5 h6 15. Bd2 Qe7 16. g4 Nh7 17. h4 Nb6 18. Be2
Rad8 19. Bd3 Rd6 20. Qg3 {, D.Lima-J.Cuartas, J Cali 2001 when White built up
a promising kingside attack}) 5... e6 ({Black can also rid himself of his
light-squared bishop with} 5... Bxh3 $5 6. Bxh3 e6 7. O-O h5 8. e3 {when I
prefer White's chances, mainly due to future hopes on the light squares}) 6.
Nf2 Bc5 7. e3 Bb6 8. O-O h6 9. Qe2 Nbd7 10. Kh1 Qc7 11. e4 Bh7 12. Nd2 O-O-O
13. a4 {, S.Gerzadowicz-M.Spiegel, correspondence 1986, I nearly always like
the looks of White's attack in such opposite wing Leningrad Bird positions.})
5. e3 ({I didn't care for} 5. Nf3 Ng4 {forcing White into a Stonewall/
Leningrad hybrid after} 6. d4 h5 {.}) 5... Bg4 {This move isn't as logical as
it first appears,} ({and} 5... g6 {is a safer alternative.}) 6. Qd2 $1 {A new
move and I believe a good one. --- QUESTION: Why on earth would you contort
like this, rather than play 6 Nf3? --- ANSWER: Remember, the entire idea of
holding back on Nf3 is to lure Black's bishop to g4 and then gain time on it
with h2-h3 and g3-g4, without allowing a trade for a knight. White's loss of
time with the queen is easily offset by Black's coming tempo loss on his
bishop, when White plays h2-h3.} ({Normal is} 6. Nf3 {(which to my mind, gives
Black what he or she wants)} Nbd7 7. O-O e5 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Bd6 {, B.Pel-J.Broekmeulen, Netherlands 2007, and Black has equalized.}) 6... e6 ({The
problem with} 6... Nbd7 $6 {(intending ...e7-e5) is that White forces a huge
concession from Black after} 7. h3 Be6 {with a really goofy-looking bishop on
e6.}) 7. Nc3 d4 $2 {This move has 'slippery slope' written all over it.
Black's idea is to take the wind out of White's e4-break, but the concession
he makes with a serious loss of time makes it a bad bargain.} ({Black should
settle for} 7... h5 8. h3 Bf5 9. e4 Bh7 10. Qe2 Bc5 11. Nf3 Nbd7 12. Ng5 {when
Black has an inferior but still playable game.}) 8. exd4 Qxd4 9. h3 {The
beginning of multiple time-gaining moves.} Bh5 10. g4 {White intends to castle
long, so the kingside pushes don't weaken his king.} Bg6 11. Qe2 {Cheapo alert:
White threatens to snag a piece with f4-f5 next.} Bb4 (11... Be7 12. Nf3 Qb6
13. Ne5 $1 Nbd7 14. h4 $1 h5 15. Nxg6 fxg6 16. g5 Ng4 17. Bd2 Nf8 (17... Qxb2
18. Rb1 Qa3 19. Rxb7 {only benefits White}) 18. O-O-O Qf2 19. Rde1 Qxe2 20.
Rxe2 {with a strategically won game for White, who has: 1. The bishop pair.
--- 2. Light square control. --- 3. Targets on e6, g6 and g4. --- 4. Control
over the e4-square.}) 12. Bd2 {White once again threatens f4-f5.} O-O {The
only move, but of course the trouble is Black's king walks into a ready-made
attack on the kingside.} 13. Nf3 {Another tempo gained.} Qb6 {EXERCISE 
(planning): Come up with a clear attacking plan for White, which will result
in a winning position. --- ANSWER: Play Ne5, after which Black has no good way
to deal with the h3-h4-h5 threat.} 14. Ne5 $1 Nfd7 {This move doesn't give
White a chance to play the h-pawn piledriver plan. However, it loses time, a
commodity Black can ill afford at this moment.} ({The alternatives aren't very
comforting for Black:} 14... Nbd7 15. h4 $1 h5 16. Nxd7 (16. Nxg6 fxg6 17. g5 {
is also tempting}) 16... Nxd7 17. gxh5 Bf5 18. O-O-O {and White has an extra
pawn and a much quicker attack to boot.}) (14... Bxc3 15. bxc3 Nbd7 16. h4 $1
h5 17. Nxg6 fxg6 18. g5 Ng4 19. Be4 Kh7 20. Bf3 Qb2 21. Rc1 Qxa2 22. Bxg4 hxg4
23. c4 $1 Rae8 24. h5 e5 25. Qxg4 exf4+ 26. Kd1 Ne5 27. hxg6+ Kxg6 28. Qh5+ Kf5
29. Qh3+ Kg6 30. Qh7+ Kf7 31. Rh6 $1 {with a winning attack for White.}) 15.
Nxg6 hxg6 16. h4 {Of course, this is the way to go. I think it was Fischer who
said of the Dragon, something like: "Pry open the h-file, sac, sac and mate!"
Well, that is my plan here as well. White's attack plays by itself with ease.}
e5 {Principle: Counter in the centre when attacked on the wing. However,
principles don't always work in hopelessly-lost positions!} ({Also,} 16... Nf6
17. h5 gxh5 18. g5 Ng4 19. Bf3 $1 (19. Rxh5 $6 Qg1+ {slows White down}) 19...
Bxc3 20. Bxc3 Ne3 21. Qh2 g6 22. Bxh5 {is curtains for Black.}) 17. h5 {No
time to waste. Fischer's advice is taken and the h-file soon opens.} exf4 ({
Also ineffectual is} 17... gxh5 18. f5 $1 hxg4 19. O-O-O Nf6 20. Qxe5 Re8 21.
Qh2 Kf8 22. Qh8+ Ke7 23. Qxg7 Nbd7 24. Bg5 Bxc3 25. bxc3 {and it's game over,
since nothing can be done about a coming rook check on e1.}) 18. hxg6 Na6 {
EXERCISE (combination alert): Your writer's dull life is generally devoid of
spectacular combinations. This game is an exception. White to play and win.} (
18... fxg6 19. Qe6+ Rf7 20. O-O-O {and if} Nf8 21. Rh8+ Kxh8 22. Qxf7 Nh7 23.
Rh1 {is decisive.}) (18... Nf6 19. g5 Re8 20. Be4 Bxc3 21. Bxc3 {and Black
loses a piece, since} Nxe4 {is met with} 22. Rh8+ Kxh8 23. Qh5+ Kg8 24. gxf7+
Kf8 25. fxe8=R# {mate!}) 19. Bd5 $1 {ANSWER: Pin/clearance. --- Every
conversation in the room abruptly halts in mid-clause at the charismatic
bishop's entrance. White threatens mate, starting with Rh8+!, when the
weakened light squares have become a graveyard for the aged and infirm in
Black's camp. Please give me a minute to compose myself, since I'm overwhelmed
with emotion from the last move. It took every ounce of will power on my part
to avoid striking a heroic pose at this point. There are moments in a game
when we enter that place athletes call "the zone", where everything we do
mysteriously and magically calibrates to perfection. What concordance of
causes and conditions puts one in "the zone", our version of paradise? Nobody
seems to know the answer to this question.} Nf6 ({Other options are also
doomed to fail:} 19... cxd5 $2 20. Rh8+ Kxh8 21. Qh2+ Kg8 22. Qh7# {mate!}) (
19... Rae8 $2 20. gxf7+ Rxf7 21. Qxe8+ Nf8 22. Bxf7# {mate!}) 20. Ne4 {When
attacking, it's generally a mistake to impose an upper limit on how much we
spend on the war. White's horse, a quadruped, is more stable than Black's king,
a wobbly biped. This is an example of removal of the guard, going after a key
defender of the h7-square. The cardinal rule of show business is to give the
audience exactly what it wants. In this case I was clearly playing to the
crowd. This is more of a case of the performer (your show-offy writer) craving
an audience. Though spectacular, the knight sally is not the strongest. In
reality, the move's flashy nature is a distraction, the way a woman's beauty
may also camouflage her vices from an admirer.} ({Simpler and stronger was the
non-flashy} 20. Qh2 Rfe8+ 21. Kf1 Kf8 22. Bxf7 {(Qh8+ is coming)} Ke7 23. g5 {
and Black gets slaughtered.}) 20... Qe3 $1 {Oh, no! The most devious way to
deal with a double cross, is a double-double cross. It's jarring to see
natural beauty violated, as when I notice my dogs squatting under one of my
beloved fruit trees in the backyard, voiding their vile business into the once
pristine soil. I completely missed this move. He swaps queens and now there is
no mate. Any number below a 100% statistical probability still means there is
a theoretical chance for survival for the underdog. At this stage Black
probably hits the 99% mark, and what remains is more a prayer than an actual
chance.} ({I calculated the following lines:} 20... cxd5 $4 21. Rh8+ $1 Kxh8
22. Qh2+ Kg8 23. Nxf6+ Qxf6 24. Qh7# {mate! "Some men are born to lead,"
declares Black's king. "As are some women," responds the queen, with a hint of
a devious smile. Black's king laments the fact that he has always been
attracted to imposing Amazons, capable of beating him into chutneyfied pulp if
they lose their tempers - which unfortunately seems to be the case here.}) (
20... Nxe4 $4 21. Rh8+ Kxh8 22. Qh2+ {(Black's frightened king bows
obsequiously low as the white queen walks by)} Kg8 23. Qh7# {mate!}) (20...
Bxd2+ $4 21. Kf1 $1 {and Black is mated all the same.}) 21. gxf7+ {Darn it. I
wanted to win like an artist, not a butcher, but in life you take what is
offered to you.} Rxf7 22. Nxf6+ gxf6 23. Bxf7+ {"I am incorruptible," declares
the bishop, as he smoothly pockets the bribe.} Kxf7 24. c3 Qg3+ ({Trading
queens won't help a bit after} 24... Qxe2+ 25. Kxe2 Bd6 26. Rh7+ Kg6 27. Rd7
Re8+ 28. Kf3 Bb8 29. d4 {and Black can resign.}) 25. Kd1 Rg8 $2 {Igor's clock
was hanging by a molecule.} ({Following} 25... Bd6 26. Kc2 {, White
consolidates with a winning attack while Black's material deficit inspires
little hope of renewal.}) 26. cxb4 {Black continues to disgorge material at an
alarming rate. Yes. Even GMs allow one-ply-piece hangs if their clocks get low
enough.} Rxg4 27. Kc2 {. This game, played on my 39th birthday, was an
unexpected present. --- SUMMARY: You can experiment with move-order tricks,
delaying Nf3, if you know your opponent always plays the ...d7-d5, ...c7-c6
and ...Bg4 plan. I think a too-early...Bg4 isn't so healthy for Black when
White delays Nf3.} 1-0

[Event "37: Yugoslav Ch., Skender Vakuf"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1980.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Orlov, P."]
[Black "Vukovic, I."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2005.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 c5 ({Let's have a look at some options:} 2... Nf6 3. g3 Bf5 4.
Bg2 e6 5. d3 h6 6. O-O Be7 {(waiting a while to play ...c7-c5 cuts down on
White's options)} 7. Nc3 {:} -- (7... O-O 8. Qe1 {(this plan works well for
White if Black delays ...Nc6, since now White doesn't need to worry about
either ...Nd4 or ...Nb4 distractions)} c5 9. e4 Bh7 10. Ne5 $1 {(White got an
optimal Leningrad against a London System, since Black must now make a
concession to develop the b8-knight, or lock the centre with ...d5-d4, which
White wants)} Nc6 (10... d4 11. Nb1 Nbd7 12. Nxd7 Qxd7 13. Nd2 {just looks
like an unfavourable Reversed King's Indian for Black, since White's kingside
chances look clearly superior with a locked centre}) 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Kh1 Rb8
13. Qe2 Nd7 14. b3 Bf6 15. Bd2 Nb6 16. Rae1 c4 {(this move undoubles the pawns
but doesn't manage equality)} 17. dxc4 dxc4 {, F.Bistric-S.Kamberovic,
Sarajevo 2012, is favourable for White who can now go for} 18. e5 Be7 19. Ne4 {
with a clear strategic edge due to control over the e4- and d6-squares.}) (7...
d4 {is met favourably with} 8. Nb5 Bc5 9. b4 $1 Bb6 10. Bb2 {:} -- (10... Nc6
11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. fxe5 Ng4 13. Bxb7 {and I prefer White in this messy position.}
) (10... Ng4 11. Nbxd4 Ne3 12. Qd2 Nxf1 13. Kxf1 {(White has monster
compensation for the exchange)} Bh7 14. Qc3 $1 {(threat: Nxe6! and Qxg7)} Qe7
15. a4 a5 16. Nb3 f6 17. bxa5 {and Black is in deep trouble.} (17. --)))) 3. g3
Nc6 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. O-O Bf5 6. d3 h6 ({The main alternative is} 6... e6 {:} 7. --
({. White's main line is} 7. c3 {:} Be7 8. h3 {(getting Black nervous about a
potential pawn storm on the kingside)} h6 9. Nbd2 Qc7 10. Qe1 {(here we see
the value of tossing in an early c2-c3 as Black's ...Nd4 and ...Nb4 options
are eliminated). Here, Black has a choice of whether to castle long or short:}
-- (10... O-O-O $5 {. White has an interesting pawn sacrifice to complicate
the issue with} 11. Ne5 $5 ({after the safer} 11. e4 Bh7 12. a3 g5 $1 13. fxg5
Nh5 14. g4 Nf4 15. gxh6 Nxd3 16. Qe3 c4 {, Black's attack looks more promising
than White's, D.Melnikov-M.Aseeva, St Petersburg 2005}) 11... Nxe5 12. fxe5 {:}
-- (12... Nd7 13. c4 (13. g4 Bg6 14. Nf3 f6 15. Nh4 Bh7 16. exf6 Bxf6 17. Be3
Kb8 $15) 13... Qxe5 14. Nb3 g5 15. cxd5 exd5 16. Qf2 Bg6 17. Be3 Rhe8 18. Rac1
Kb8 19. d4 Qc7 {is a good fighting continuation and gives about equal chances.}
) ({. Black can capture the pawn immediately with} 12... Qxe5 13. Nc4 $5 {
(this is not merely a queen snaring attempt, but also an effort to seize the
e5- and d6-squares)} Qc7 ({not} 13... dxc4 $4 {as} 14. Bf4 {traps the queen})
14. Bf4 e5 $5 15. Bxe5 Qd7 16. Nd6+ Bxd6 17. Bxd6 b6 $1 18. Be5 Rhe8 19. Bxf6
gxf6 20. Rd1 Bxh3 21. Rxf6 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Re3 23. Qf2 Rde8 24. Rxf7 Rxe2 25.
Rxd7 Kxd7 26. Rh1 Rxf2+ 27. Kxf2 {with a totally even ending.})) ({. QUESTION:
How do we proceed if Black castles kingside with} 10... O-O {- ? --- ANSWER: I
think Black should indeed castle kingside. Being a London system player from
White's side, I can tell you his king is a lot safer than it first appears.}
11. e4 Bh7 12. Qe2 (12. e5 Nh5 $1 13. Nb3 Bxd3 14. g4 Bxf1 15. Bxf1 f6 $1 16.
gxh5 fxe5 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. Qxe5 Qxe5 19. fxe5 Rf5 {Black will end up with a
rook and two pawns for two minor pieces, with probably the slightly better
chances in the ending}) 12... c4 $1 {(we must be on constant alert for this
trick in the Leningrad/London positions). After} 13. dxc4 dxe4 14. Ne1 Na5 15.
Nc2 Rfd8 16. b4 e3 17. Nxe3 Bd3 18. Qf3 Bxf1 19. Bxf1 {. Here, White's two
pawns and bishop pair give him full compensation for the exchange.})) ({.
QUESTION: Can we stick to our Qe1 plan? --- ANSWER: Yes, the plan is also
possible, although Black can get highly active play. --- After} 7. Qe1 {,
let's look at Black's options:} -- (7... Be7 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Bg6 (9... h6 {
makes more sense, preserving the bishop}) 10. Nh4 d4 11. Nxg6 hxg6 12. Na3 Qd7
13. Bd2 Nd5 14. Nc2 {, T.Vaatainen-S.Hamalainen, Helsinki 1997, and White
looks slightly better due to the bishop pair.}) ({. Black has a strange
possibility with} 7... c4 $5 {which is untested but it looks like a good one.
After} 8. Kh1 (8. dxc4 Bc5+ 9. Kh1 O-O {and now the greedy} 10. cxd5 exd5 11.
c3 Re8 {gives Black loads of pressure for the pawn, with beads on the e2-, e3-
and e4-squares}) 8... Bc5 $5 {(a pawn sacrifice, aiming at swift development
and piece play)} 9. dxc4 O-O $5 {and Black reaches the same sort of attacking
set-up attained after 8 dxc4. For the pawn, Black has the initiative with a
strong initiative and good pressure from the raking bishop pair.})) ({.
QUESTION: If ...c4 was so strong after 7 Qe1, then does it work after} 7. c3 {
- ? --- ANSWER: The idea is diffused somewhat, but it's still very playable.
--- After the untested} c4 $5 {, the game might continue} 8. Nh4 (8. dxc4 Bc5+
9. Kh1 dxc4 10. Qxd8+ Rxd8 11. Nbd2 Ng4 12. Nxc4 Nf2+ 13. Kg1 Nh3+ {reaches
perpetual check}) 8... Bc5+ 9. Kh1 cxd3 10. Nxf5 exf5 11. exd3 O-O 12. Nd2 Ng4
13. Qf3 {and Houdini says the game is even. White has the better structure and
also the bishop pair, but must contend with Black's enormous piece activity
down the e-file.})) 7. e3 $1 {I think this is White's best set-up. As we saw in
the above notes, White runs into all sorts of difficulties if he or she goes
with the theoretical Qe1 and c2-c3 plan, since Black constantly has ...c5-c4!
tricks, undermining the d3-pawn and e4-square.} ({Also strong is} 7. Ne5 $1 {
, which creates structural damage for Black. Following} e6 8. Nxc6 bxc6 {, D.Van Dooren-D.Goriachnik, Differdange 2007, now White should prevent ...c5-c4
tricks by fixing the pawns in Nimzo-Indian style with} 9. c4 $1 Rc8 10. Nd2 Be7
11. Nf3 $1 (11. e4 $6 {allows Black counterplay with} dxe4 12. Nxe4 Qd4+ 13.
Nf2 Ng4 14. Qe2 Nxf2 15. Qxf2 Qxd3) 11... O-O 12. b3 {when Black's damaged
queenside structure becomes a long-term liability.}) 7... e6 8. Qe2 {In this
way White slowly and harmoniously prepares e3-e4, while keeping a sharp eye
out for ...c5-c4 ideas.} Be7 9. Nbd2 ({Also possible is} 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Ne5 $1
Nxe5 11. fxe5 Nd7 (11... Bg4 $2 12. exf6 $1 Bxe2 13. fxe7 Qxe7 14. Nxe2 {
results in White's three pieces being worth far more than Black's queen and
pawn though Houdini with a startling misassessment, actually gives Black the
edge here, which is absolutely incorrect}) 12. Nxd5 $1 Nxe5 13. Nxe7+ Qxe7 {
Gonzalez,B-Nsubuga,G Istanbul 2000.} {, B.Gonzalez-G.Nsubuga, Istanbul 2000.
White looks slightly better due to the bishop pair after} 14. b3 {.}) 9... O-O
({QUESTION: How do we deal with} 9... Nb4 {- ? --- ANSWER: By continuing the
central advance with} 10. e4 {and after} Bh7 ({not} 10... Nxc2 $2 {as after}
11. exf5 Nxa1 12. fxe6 fxe6 13. Ne5 Nc2 14. Ndf3 Nb4 15. Ng6 {, Black is
busted, since White threatens the h8-rook and Qxe6}) 11. Ne1 O-O 12. e5 Nd7 13.
c3 Nc6 14. Ndf3 b5 15. Be3 {, both sides get to play on their respective wings
with mutual chances.}) 10. Kh1 Qc7 11. e4 {At long last, White achieves his
thematic central break.} dxe4 {The central pawn trade is based on the
principle: Open the centre when attacked on the wing. When this exchange is
made though, White gets the e4-square for his pieces after dxe4 and e4-e5
later on.} ({Also possible is} 11... Bh7 {.}) 12. dxe4 Bg4 (12... Bh7 {is more
in the spirit of the London System (or the New York System, as the ...Bf5, ...h6 line versus the Reti system is known as). Play may go} 13. c3 Rfd8 14. Ne1 {
(covering the d3-square)} Rab8 15. e5 Nd5 16. Ne4 {with approximately even
chances.}) 13. c3 e5 $6 {A strategic error. Now Black ends up in an inferior
Reversed Exchange King's Indian. --- QUESTION: Why is this an inferior version
for Black? --- ANSWER: In terms of the fight for central squares, White has
gained the d5-square while Black does not have the corresponding d4-square
under control, since White still has a pawn on c3. A more relevant issue is
that since Black will be forced to hand over his good bishop, he should keep
his pawns off the dark squares. In this version, he later suffers on the light
squares.} ({Black should play} 13... Rfd8 14. h3 Bh5 $5 {(risky but
interesting)} 15. g4 Bg6 16. f5 Bh7 {when Black is compensated for his buried
h7-bishop with power on the dark squares.}) 14. f5 $1 Rad8 15. Qf2 {White
intends Ng1 and h2-h3, trapping Black's g4-bishop.} ({There is nothing wrong
with the immediate} 15. h3 {.}) 15... Bxf3 ({White's piece-trap idea is seen
in the line} 15... Na5 $2 16. Ng1 $1 c4 17. h3 Bc5 18. Qe1 Bh5 19. g4 Bxg4 20.
hxg4 Nxg4 21. Qe2 Ne3 22. Rf3 {and Black doesn't get enough for the piece.})
16. Bxf3 Qd7 ({I would play} 16... b5 {intending ...c5-c4 next.}) 17. Re1 {
Overprotecting the e4-pawn, while clearing the f1-square for the knight.} Na5
18. Nf1 Nc4 (18... b5 {looks better.}) 19. Ne3 $6 {A violation of the
principle: Don't swap pieces unnecessarily when you plan to launch an attack.
When we attack without all the necessary resources, we feel like a guard dog
straining at the tether, unable to reach the final necessary six inches to
take a bite out of our target.} ({Correct was} 19. b3 $1 Nb6 20. c4 Qd4 21. Be3
Qd6 22. Rad1 {which looks clearly better for White since Black has nothing to
do, while White has plans like preparing a g4-g5 break and also the
transference of a knight to the e3- and d5-squares.}) 19... Nxe3 20. Bxe3 Qc6
21. Rg1 {A resolve to launch an attack may be easily formed in the mind, yet
not so easy to implement over the board.} ({White plays for a g5-pawn break
but may have been better off first tossing in} 21. c4 $1 {which wisely
implements a few defensive safeguards, such as denying Black the ...c5-c4
counterplay.}) 21... Rd3 ({Naturally, the e4-pawn isn't really hanging after} 
21... Nxe4 $4 {since} 22. Qg2 {causes Black to hang a piece.}) 22. Rae1 $6 ({
A better rook move is} 22. Rad1 {when} Rfd8 23. Rxd3 Rxd3 24. c4 Ng4 $1 25.
Bxg4 Qxe4+ 26. Bf3 Qxe3 27. Qxe3 Rxe3 28. Bxb7 {should lead to a draw.}) 22...
Rfd8 ({Stronger is} 22... c4 $1 {and after} 23. Rd1 (23. Bxa7 $4 b6 24. Bxb6
Rxf3 $1 {(overloaded defender) leaving Black standing clearly better}) 23... b6
{, Black has the advantage.}) 23. g4 Nh7 24. h4 {EXERCISE (critical decision):
Should Black play 24...f6, clamping down on White's intended break, or ignore
it and continue his own counterattack with 24...c4 - ? One leads to a good
position, while the other is strategically flawed.} f6 $6 {For now, Black
keeps a wary reconnaissance over White's not-so-surreptitious kingside
ambitions. This discourages White's intended g5-break at the high cost of a
dreadful weakening of his light squares.} ({ANSWER: Correct was} 24... c4 $1 {
, intending ...Rxe3, followed by ...Bc5. When intolerably bound, we are
inclined to test our bonds. After} 25. Rg2 Rxe3 $1 {(Black fights back on the
dark squares)} 26. Qxe3 Rd3 27. Qe2 Bxh4 {, Black's domination of the dark
squares plus his extra pawn give him more than enough compensation for the
exchange.}) 25. Rg2 $6 {White proceeds with his idea with muted tones.} ({
Instead, after} 25. Be2 $1 {leads to a clear advantage after} Qxe4+ 26. Kh2 $1
{. Now if} R3d7 27. Bb5 Rd6 28. b3 $1 {(hoping to lure Black's queen to the
d5-square and then meet it with the Bc4 pin)} Kh8 29. Bxc5 Qd5 30. Bxd6 {,
White picks up an exchange.}) 25... b6 26. Be2 $1 {Black must either fork over
an exchange or allow White's bishop to lord over the powerful a2-g8 diagonal.}
R3d6 ({Black also cannot hold the position after} 26... Qxe4 27. Bxd3 Qxd3 28.
Qf3 {.}) 27. Bc4+ Kf8 {EXERCISE (planning): Should White play the immediate 28
Bd5, after which Black will sacrifice the exchange or should he continue to
build with 28 Qf3 first? One plan is much stronger than the other.} 28. Bd5 ({
ANSWER: White retains the advantage after this move, but crushing is} 28. Qf3
$1 {when} R6d7 {, runs into} (28... b5 29. Bd5 Qc7 30. c4 {is strategically
hopeless for Black}) 29. g5 $1 {(the g-pawn continues to scale the position as
deftly as a mountain goat on a rocky cliff and it becomes clear that Black's
traditional buffer to prevent just such a move failed, since White's queen
infiltrates via h5)} fxg5 30. Qh5 $1 {(the h5-square is the portal which gives
White's queen entrance to the mate threat)} Bf6 (30... Qf6 $2 31. hxg5 Nxg5 32.
Bxg5 {and Black is unable to recapture either way}) 31. Qg6 {. "I have seized
half your power. Does this make you half a man?" the queen mockingly asks
Black's king. There is no way to cover the h7-knight.}) 28... Rxd5 {Played
with the philosophy: I break it, I buy it. Black can't tolerate the mighty
d5-bishop.} 29. exd5 {The e-pawn barges through, ignoring the black queen's
startled squeak of complaint.} Qxd5 30. b3 Qc6 ({As mentioned about a dozen
times before, I would try} 30... c4 {.}) 31. Qe2 {White must challenge the
d-file at some point.} Qd5 32. c4 $1 {White's magic is light-squared dependent.
If his influence recedes on them, so likewise, his magic will dissipate.} Qc6
33. Bg1 Rd7 34. Qe4 {White should convert the ending, mainly since Black's
minor pieces remain completely passive.} ({Challenging the d-file with} 34. Rd1
{is the alternative.}) 34... Qxe4 35. Rxe4 Rd1 36. Rge2 Ra1 37. Kg2 Kf7 38. Be3
({White can save a tempo over the game continuation with} 38. Rd2 Nf8 39. Bf2 {
.}) 38... Rb1 39. Rd2 Nf8 40. Bf2 $1 {Now he sees the plan. The key is to swap
off Black's most active piece, which is his rook.} Rc1 41. Re1 Rc3 $6 {This
creates a gap in the chain of Black's reasoning. He should swap rooks, but
this wouldn't have saved him in the long run. --- EXERCISE (combination alert):
Immigration to the c3-square fails to improve the quality of life for Black's
rook, and we sense a discordant element in the pattern. Concealed within is a
barb, set for Black. White to play and win. --- ANSWER: Step 1: Clear the
e1-square for the bishop, who plans to levy a harsh tax on the black rook for
the c3-occupation.} 42. Red1 {That which was once scattered, now regroups.} Ke8
{In war, invisibility of intent is a weapon. Black misses White's idea.} ({
However, even if} 42... b5 {avoids the coming rook trap, it will not save the
game after} 43. cxb5 c4 44. Bxa7 cxb3 45. b6 Bc5 46. Rb1 bxa2 47. Rxa2 {when
the b-pawn's push costs Black more material.}) 43. Re2 $1 {Step 2: Cover the
e3-escape square, after which there is good no defence to the coming Be1.} ({
There is no defence to} 43. Re2 e4 44. Rxe4 {(threatening to double rooks on
the e-file)} Nd7 45. Re2 $1 {(once again threatening Be1)} Ne5 46. Bg3 $1 {
(the bishop gives himself away, since his eyes are so much less affable than
the rest of his face)} a6 47. Bxe5 fxe5 48. Rxe5 {and the position is hopeless
for Black. --- SUMMARY: Items to keep in mind against the Reversed London
System/New York System: 1. When Black plays an early ...Nc6, White's best way
to proceed may be e2-e3, Qe2, Nbd2 and e3-e4. --- 2. When Black delays ...Nc6,
then go for the plan Nc3, Qe1 and e2-e4, since in this version we don't worry
about distracting ...Nb4 and ...Nd4 ideas. --- 3. I would avoid White's most
popular plan Qe1 and c2-c3, which allows Black too many ...c5-c4! central
undermining tricks.}) 1-0

[Event "38: London"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1988.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Arkell, KC."]
[Black "Lalic, S."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "1988.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 Bf5 {We take a look at Black's New York System set-up against
non-Leningrad systems.} 3. e3 Nf6 4. b3 ({Instead of the queenside fianchetto,
let's have a look at the Classical and Stonewall set-up versus the New York
System: The Classical set-up is quite playable with} 4. d3 e6 5. Be2 Bd6 6. O-O
Nbd7 {:} 7. -- ({. After} 7. Nc3 c6 8. a3 Qc7 9. Rb1 {, A.Bryntse-B.Mattsson,
correspondence 1967, play may logically go} h6 10. Bd2 O-O 11. Qe1 Bh7 12. Qh4
Rfe8 13. g4 $5 {with the kind of messy position most Classical Bird players
enjoy.}) ({. QUESTION: In this game, Black refuses to play ...h6. Should we go
after the bishop with} 7. Nh4 {- ? --- ANSWER: I wouldn't do that at this
moment, since the swap frees Black's position and may add pressure to our
newly backward e3-pawn. For example, after} O-O 8. Nxf5 exf5 {, Black's
freedom of movement and space is more relevant than White's unimpressive
bishop pair.} (8... --))) ({I would avoid the Stonewall versus the London
set-up with} 4. d4 {, mainly since it feels illogical to weaken the e4-square
when Black's entire strategy is to converge upon that very square. No further
analysis is required to prove this point, but here is a sample anyway. After}
e6 5. Bd3 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. c3 (7. b3 {looks more logical, but I still prefer
Black after} Ne4) 7... Nbd7 8. Qc2 Bxd3 9. Qxd3 c5 10. Nbd2 {, Black already
stands slightly better due to his good bishop, E.Fernandes-G.Vescovi, Vitoria
2006.}) 4... e6 5. Bb2 Be7 6. Be2 ({Once, consumed by attacking zeal, I banged
out the grossly premature} 6. h3 $2 {. When we launch such statistically
improbable looking ideas, in the back of our minds lurk the irrational thought:
"This one will work!" Maybe this awful move really deserves two question
marks! I proceeded with my plan with a generous effusion of optimism, when the
data clearly contradicted such a course. Our mistakes tend to be born of
sudden impulse, yet are chillingly irrevocable. One of my in-laws, having had
one too many at the local bar, boldly decided to get a tattoo on his arm of
Woody Woodpecker smoking a cigar. I can tell you he deeply regretted the
decision the following morning when his wife saw the tattoo:} -- ({.
Fortunately, my opponent replied in kind with} 6... h6 $2 {when my flawed idea
now works out well. After} 7. g4 $1 {, now the idea works wonderfully for
White and following} Bh7 8. d3 Nbd7 9. Nc3 c6 10. Qd2 Qc7 11. O-O-O O-O-O {
(Black wisely castles long to avoid White's kingside assault)} 12. Rg1 {,
White's kingside space gives him a pleasant edge, C.Lakdawala-P.Graves, San
Diego (rapid) 2013.}) ({. My opponent and I both missed} 6... Ne4 $1 {which
would have left me red-faced. After} 7. Rg1 Bh4+ 8. Ke2 Ng3+ 9. Ke1 Nh5+ $1 {
(covering the g7-pawn, while clearing the g3-square for the bishop)} 10. Ke2
Bg3 {, White has a rather dismal position.} (10... --))) 6... h6 7. O-O c5 8.
h3 {Warning Black that g2-g4 may be coming.} ({GM Arkell's move is clearly
more ambitious than} 8. Ne5 Bh7 9. d3 Nbd7 {with an even game, K.Miraoui-E.Neiman, France 2002.}) 8... Nc6 9. d3 O-O {QUESTION: It seems to me like Black
walks straight into her ex-husband's (yes, they were once married) intent.
Why? --- ANSWER: For simple reasons: she believes in her defensive resources,
and also perhaps she encourages him to play g2-g4 in the hopes of
overextension. --- QUESTION: Can Black castle queenside?} ({ANSWER: Yes, this
would appear to be a safer alternative. After} 9... Qc7 10. Nbd2 O-O-O 11. Qe1
Kb8 12. Ne5 Nxe5 13. Bxe5 Bd6 14. Nf3 Bxe5 15. Nxe5 Ne8 {, Black looks just
fine to me, but oddly, the position is actually made less sharp by the fact
that the players castled on opposite wings!}) 10. g4 $5 {A new move and to my
mind, a consistent one. Good though? I'm not so certain! Houdini bellows
outrage at White's last move, which to my mind is the logical 'B' to his
earlier 'A' - the h3-move. Up until now the relationship between the two
forces on the kingside had been one of courteous disinterest. The implication
of such a provocative act is far reaching, since the position loses its
semblance of order. When we wilfully complicate, our true motive is to
contaminate our opponent's available data, and thereby poison the
decision-making process. In war, the opponent's ignorance is our bliss.} ({The
safer} 10. Nbd2 {was played in all the other database games.}) 10... Bh7 11.
Nbd2 Qc7 {Now ...d5-d4 tricks are in the air.} ({The immediate} 11... d4 $5 {
is also possible, with the idea of weakening White's kingside dark squares. In
general though, Black, the defending side, should avoid closing the centre.
After} 12. e4 Qc7 {, now White can play} 13. Kg2 $1 {when} Qxf4 $6 {is met with
} 14. Nxd4 {with advantage to White.}) 12. Ne5 Rad8 ({Black can also provoke
with} 12... Nxe5 13. Bxe5 Bd6 $5 14. Bxf6 {(more lively than exchanging on d6)}
gxf6 15. Qe1 Kg7 16. Qf2 Rg8 {with chances for both sides. The comps slightly
prefer Black here.}) 13. Qe1 {White continues to build up his looming kingside
assault.} Nd7 {Fighting for the e5-square.} ({After} 13... Nb4 14. Bd1 d4 15.
e4 Nd7 16. Nxd7 Rxd7 17. a3 Nc6 18. e5 {, Houdini prefers Black, while I would
be happy to take White's side here, since the e4-square has been cleared for
occupation.}) 14. Nxc6 Qxc6 (14... bxc6 {is risky because White is by no means
obliged to go all out for an attack and can enter Nimzo-Indian mode with} 15.
Nf3 {, simply hoping to take advantage of Black's queenside structural defects
later in the game.}) 15. Nf3 b5 {Reminding White that she may one day engage
in a queenside assault of her own.} 16. Qg3 {The queen is clearly a woman who
carries a burden of dark resolve. White's pieces continue to mass on the
kingside.} a6 $6 {This move seems a waste of time, giving White a precious
move for his kingside assault.} ({She should get on with it and strike with} 
16... c4 $1 {. Chances remain balanced after} 17. Bd4 {.}) 17. g5 {White rides
the attack at manic speed.} hxg5 ({The careless} 17... h5 $6 {will allow White
to generate traction on the light squares after} 18. Nh4 $1 {(intending g5-g6!)
} Bg6 19. Nxg6 fxg6 20. c4 $1 {.}) 18. Nxg5 Bg6 $6 {EXERCISE (combination
alert): Black's last move allowed White to unleash a little combination. Do
you see it?} ({Necessary was} 18... Bf6 {though after} 19. Nxh7 Kxh7 20. Bxf6
Nxf6 21. Qh4+ Kg8 22. Kh2 {, White will use train his rooks on the g-file with
strong pressure against the black kingside.}) 19. Nxe6 $1 {ANSWER: Attraction/double attack. --- "Mercy is a chemical defect found only in the weak,"
declares the knight.} Qxe6 ({Also,} 19... fxe6 $2 {just hangs a pawn for
nothing after} 20. Qxg6 {.}) 20. f5 $1 {White regains the piece with the
superior position, due to the g7-mate threat, which fixes Black's g6-bishop in
place.} Qd6 ({Tough for Black too is} 20... Qc6 21. fxg6 Qxg6 22. Qxg6 fxg6 {
with a difficult ending.}) 21. Qxd6 {The sisters greet one another with
austere courtesy, yet little warmth. Arkell is forced to swap queens and
abandon his attack. In return, he receives a promising ending, which is of
course not an issue for him, since the endgame is his forte.} Bxd6 22. fxg6
fxg6 {White has the better ending due to bishop pair and a healthy queenside
majority, when juxtaposed with Black's crippled kingside majority, which
essentially leaves her down a pawn.} 23. Bf3 {EXERCISE (critical decision):
Black can play her knight to either the f6- or b6-square to cover the d5-pawn.
One square is clearly worse than the other. Which one would you play to?} Nb6
$2 {This allows a powerful undermining.} ({ANSWER: Black should take her
chances with} 23... Nf6 $1 {inviting} 24. Bxf6 $5 {. --- QUESTION: Didn't
playing ...Nf6 simply hang the d-pawn? --- ANSWER: Not sacrificing here is
akin to the refusal of seeing a doctor when you are bleeding to death, citing
"The cost is too high". There is no question that we live in a material age.
But sometimes one must look deeply into an object to discover its worth. Black
does indeed lose her d-pawn, yet in doing so provokes opposite-coloured
bishops, thereby enhancing her drawing chances considerably.} ({White can also
decline the pawn and try to milk his strategic advantages with} 24. a4 {though
Black is much better off here than in the game's continuation after} b4) 24...
gxf6 25. Bxd5+ Kg7 {, the presence of opposite-coloured bishops insures
drawing chances.}) 24. a4 $1 {White is unfazable, refusing to veer even an
iota. Threat: a5, followed by Bxd5+. This powerful undermining idea opens
lines while destabilizing the d5-pawn. Now from White's perspective, the
initiative is as easily attained as the air we breathe.} bxa4 ({Black gets
tied up quickly after} 24... Be7 $2 25. axb5 axb5 26. Ra6 Rb8 27. Be5 Rb7 {.})
25. bxa4 Be7 26. a5 Na8 {You know matters are not going well when your knight
is herded to the bleak a8-square.} 27. Rab1 {Eyeing future invasions on the
b7- and b6-squares, that is, if Black's knight moves.} Bg5 28. e4 {Now White
creates a passed pawn.} Be3+ 29. Kg2 d4 ({After} 29... dxe4 30. Bxe4 g5 $2 {,}
31. Rxf8+ Rxf8 32. Be5 $1 {allows White to dominate.}) 30. Ba3 Rf7 31. Bg4 ({
There is no reason to take the c5-pawn and allow a black rook into the
position after} 31. Bxc5 $6 Rc7 32. Bb4 Rxc2+ {.}) 31... Re7 32. Rb2 {When you
are in control and the opponent remains void of counterplay, there is no
reason to proceed at a breakneck pace. Now he really does threaten to capture
the c5-pawn.} Re5 ({Also hopeless is} 32... Rc7 33. Rfb1 {.}) 33. Rb7 c4 {
Uncovering an attack on the a5-pawn.} 34. Rff7 Bh6 35. Bb4 {Everything is
covered and Black's minor pieces are forced into dismal servitude.} cxd3 36.
cxd3 Rb5 37. Be6 $1 {Every white piece works in overdrive while black bishop
and knight's eyes bulge and flutter in mimicry of strangulation victims.} Rxb7
38. Rxb7+ Kh7 39. Be7 Re8 40. Bf7 Rc8 {EXERCISE (planning): Come up with a
clear winning plan for White. --- ANSWER: Shepherd White's e-pawn up the board.
} 41. Bd6 $1 {Shepherd guides the e-pawn up the board.} Bd2 42. e5 {Of course,
the loss of the a5-pawn is irrelevant now.} Bxa5 43. e6 Bc7 ({Also, after} 
43... Bd8 {,} 44. e7 {picks up a piece.}) 44. Bxc7 Nxc7 45. e7 {Threat: Rxc7
and e8Q.} Ne8 46. Rd7 {Threat: Rd8, to which there is no good answer.} Nf6 47.
Rd8 Rc2+ 48. Kf3 Rh2 ({The game might finish} 48... Rh2 49. Bg8+ $1 Kh6 {(the
king ducks into a corner the way a cockroach scurries out of sight when the
kitchen light is suddenly turned on at midnight)} 50. Be6 {(White threatens
Rf8 and Rxf6, eliminating the defender of the promotion square)} Rh1 51. Rf8 {
is curtains for Black, whose anguished knight looks left, right and then at
the ceiling, as if seeking escape from the inescapable. --- SUMMARY: Arkell's
early h2-h3!? and g2-g4!? looks like an interesting yet risky way to meet
Black's New York System.}) 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "6: Reversed English Set-ups"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bq1rk1/pp2npbp/2npp1p1/2p5/4PP2/2PPBNP1/PP4BP/RN1Q1RK1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.26"]

{The Botvinnik System ...e7-e5 set-ups (which surprisingly, work out very
badly for Black) will be examined too.} 1. -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Reversed English Set-ups 2"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bqk1nr/pp3pbp/2n3p1/2p1p3/8/3PBNP1/PPP1P1BP/RN1Q1RK1 w kq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.26"]

{One direct transposition to the Closed Sicilian will also be featured.} 1. --
{Our strategy against the Reversed English is 'The Clamp'.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Reversed English Set-ups 3"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bq1rk1/pp2ppbp/2np1np1/2p5/4PP2/2PP1NP1/PP4BP/RNBQ1RK1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.26"]

{The player's desires are cast into sharp relief, where White plays c2-c3,
preparing to annex central space with an eventual d3-d4.} 1. -- {Black, on the
other hand, tends to proceed with serene indifference to our intent, acting as
if it was invisible, by making queenside gains with ...Rb8, ...b7-b5 and ...b5-b4.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Reversed English Set-ups 4"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r2q1rk1/1b2ppbp/2np1np1/2p5/1p2PP2/1P1PBNPP/2P1N1B1/2RQ1RK1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.26"]

{Rivals tend to coalesce when both sides seek to lay claim to a single
precious resource.} 1. -- {The positions we reach tend to be the complete
opposite, where both sides respond catatonically to the other's intent, by not
responding at all, and instead, pursuing our individual agendas.} *

[Event "39: World Championship, Baguio City"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1978.??.??"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Korchnoi, V."]
[Black "Karpov, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B20"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "1978.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. g3 ({Let me pre-empt your question by saying that we soon will transpose to
Bird's versus the Reversed English. Our move-order runs:} 1. f4 c5 ({I wish to
point out that} 1... d6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 c5 7.
Nc3 Nc6 8. Nh4 $5 Rb8 9. f5 $5 {, A.Jakubiec-S.Galdunts, Griesheim 2003,
doesn't score well for White in this position and I think the idea to hold
back on e4 isn't very effective, so we won't be covering it}) 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. g3
g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. O-O d6 6. d3 Nf6 ({we will also examine structures arising
from} 6... e6) (6... e5 {and even versions where Black refuses to develop the
g8-knight and simply proceeds to gain queenside space with ...Rb8 and ...b5})
7. e4 O-O 8. c3 {when we reach the stem game continuation.}) 1... c5 {Black
mainly tries to transpose to Closed Sicilian, which we for the most part deny,
except when Black plays an early ...Nf6.} 2. Bg2 Nc6 3. e4 g6 4. d3 Bg7 5. f4
d6 6. Nf3 Nf6 {We begin by looking at versions of Black's ...Nf6 deployment,
the most straightforward move.} 7. O-O O-O 8. c3 {Okay, here we are. White's
last move introduces a hybrid line, similar to Closed Sicilian, dubbed 'The
Clamp'. --- QUESTION: What is White's idea behind 8 c3 - ? --- ANSWER: Very
simply, White plays a big centre with d3-d4 at some stage and attempts to
squeeze Black out.} ({QUESTION: Are we going to look at transposition to
Closed Sicilian with} 8. Nc3 {- ? --- ANSWER: Yes, in fact, we cover it in the
following two games, but only when Black plays an early ...Nf6 (which I
believe is White's most promising Closed Sicilian variant). On early ...e7-e6
and ...e7-e5 lines, which we will look at later in the chapter, we proceed in
non-Closed Sicilian fashion with the Clamp system.}) 8... Rb8 {Black's main
move, intending to gain queenside space and chip away at c3, with ...b7-b5 and
...b5-b4. --- QUESTION: Are we covering Classical and Stonewall versus Black's
English set-up? --- ANSWER: We touch upon these systems briefly in the next and
final chapter. In this one, we only cover the Reversed Leningrad, since I just
don't have room in the book to cover all three. Tim Taylor covered the
Classical versus the Reversed English in his Bird's opening book, and I
suggest you pick that one up if you want a fuller reference.} ({Black can also
continue} 8... Bg4 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 Nd7 11. Be3 Rc8 $1 {(reinforcing the
c6-knight to play ...b7-b5)} 12. g4 ({after} 12. a4 a6 13. Na3 b5 14. axb5 axb5
15. Nxb5 Rb8 {, A.Strikovic-S.Vega Gutierrez, Las Palmas 2013, White can now
speculate with} 16. Na3 Rxb2 17. Nc4 Rb3 18. e5 Ndb8 19. Rac1 dxe5 20. Qd1 exf4
21. Qxb3 fxe3 22. Rce1 {when Black has compensation for the exchange}) 12... b5
13. a3 a5 14. Nd2 Nb6 15. Qf2 b4 16. axb4 axb4 17. Rfc1 Qd7 {, Ye Jiangchuan-B.Gelfand, Shenyang 2000. White maintains a tiny edge after} 18. Bf1 {,
intending d3-d4 next.}) 9. Qe2 {This move was a theoretical novelty then.} Ne8
({A look at the alternatives:} 9... b5 10. h3 Qb6 11. g4 (11. Na3 {can also be
considered, when ...b5-b4 is always met with Nc4}) 11... b4 $5 {This move
induces a d4-hole, but also closes the queenside. Thus, White is given a free
hand to attack on the other side of the board.} ({I would have kept matters
fluid with} 11... Nd7) 12. c4 a5 13. Nbd2 Nd7 14. Rb1 a4 15. Kh1 {(White just
lives with the d4-hole and continues to prep a kingside assault)} Bb7 16. Qe1
e6 17. Qh4 Rbe8 18. Ng5 {(inducing a weakening of Black's kingside pawn front)}
h6 19. Ngf3 f5 20. Qg3 Kh7 21. Rg1 Bh8 $6 ({I would open the centre with} 21...
fxe4 22. Nxe4 Nd4) 22. gxf5 gxf5 23. Qh4 Bf6 $2 (23... Bg7 {was necessary}) 24.
Ng5+ Kg7 (24... Bxg5 25. fxg5 {won't save Black either}) 25. exf5 exf5 (25...
Nd4 {had to be played}) 26. Bd5 {, Black's game collapses, R.Claverie-J.Leiva
Rodriguez, Montevideo 2011.}) (9... Bg4 {makes more sense, now that White
played a move with his queen. Following} 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 {, the minor
piece trade shows that White's Qe2 isn't such a great move, since now White
loses a tempo,} ({it's probably better to play} 11. Bxf3 e6 12. Be3 Nd7 13. Bf2
) 11... Ne8 {. After} 12. Nd2 b5 13. a3 a5 14. e5 $1 {(White regains the lost
tempo on Black's c6-knight)} Rc8 15. a4 {(creating a puncture on the c4-square)
} b4 {, S.Nadyrhanov-J.Nesterov, Bishkek 1993, now I would consider a
speculative pawn sacrifice with} 16. Ne4 $5 dxe5 17. f5 {when White's kingside
play and light square domination compensate for the missing pawn.}) 10. Be3 Nc7
{QUESTION: Where is Black going with this knight? --- ANSWER: In these
positions, a common theme for Black is to achieve ...b5-b4 and then work on
c3- and d4-squares with ...Nb5. The obvious issue with this plan is that it
removes a defender from Black's king.} 11. d4 {The Clamp arises. Korchnoi
relies on his central space to try and achieve an advantage.} cxd4 12. cxd4 Bg4
{Threat: ...Nxd4. In the Clamp, Black sometimes swaps away the bishop for a
knight, in the hopes of reducing White's kingside attacking potential, but who
says we must attack? White can simply play in the centre with the bishop pair.}
13. Rd1 {Covering the d4-pawn. White is just going to use his spatial plus to
choke Black without resorting to extreme measures.} d5 $1 {Well timed. Karpov
regains central space and produces a light square puncture on f5.} 14. e5 Qd7 {
Now it will be harder for White to achieve h2-h3, since he requires contortion
with Qf1 to implement this plan.} 15. Nc3 Rfc8 {Karpov loads up on the
queenside, relying on the inherent soundness of his structure to safeguard his
king.} 16. Qf1 $1 {Breaking the pin and seizing control over the h3-square!
Just because a plan is void of fancy decorations and frills, doesn't mean it
isn't effective.} b5 {Karpov begins to advance on the queenside. His last move
creates a hole on c5 though.} 17. h3 Bxf3 {I remember GM Bent Larsen
annotating this move with "Like a good boy." The piece trade is a natural move,
but one which gives White a nagging edge.} ({Black can also consider the more
complex line} 17... b4 $1 18. Ne2 (18. hxg4 bxc3 19. bxc3 Qxg4 20. Bf2 Na5 {
and Black's control over the c4-square and pressure against the backward
c3-pawn insure him of equality at a minimum}) 18... Bf5 19. g4 Be4 20. Ng3 b3 {
with a complex position where I don't believe Black stands worse.}) 18. Bxf3 {
At long last, White picks up the bishop pair.} ({Korchnoi chooses to take the
positional route, rather than fish for a kingside attack with} 18. Qxf3 e6 19.
g4 {intending Ne2-g3 and an eventual f5-break. With this plan, White narrows
his investigation to the confines of the kingside, while ignoring Black's
build-up on the other side of the board.}) 18... b4 19. Bg4 $1 ({The careless} 
19. Na4 $6 {allows Black a discovery trick with} Nxd4 {and now if} 20. Nc5 $2
Nxf3+ {is check, and Black wins a pawn. Korchnoi's last move prevents this
line by denying Black the ...Nf3+ zwischenzug.}) 19... e6 20. Na4 Na5 ({The
discovery} 20... Nxd4 $4 {now fails miserably to} 21. Nc5 Qe7 22. Bxd4 Nb5 23.
Nb3 {and White picks up a piece.}) 21. Nc5 {The knight asserts command of the
c5-square. Now we see the down side of Black's earlier ...b5-push.} Qe8 22. Be2
{Covering the c4-square.} Nb7 {Challenging White's c5-outpost.} 23. Nxb7 Rxb7
24. Rdc1 {Korchnoi has come out on top, with a central and kingside space
advantage, the bishop pair and greater influence on the light squares.} Qd7 25.
Rc2 {Korchnoi obviously goads 25...b3.} b3 $2 {It's a trap! Karpov chooses an
inopportune moment to take action by launching a badly mistimed counterstrike.
Intuition sometimes warns us of hidden and impending dangers by a subconscious
signal called fear. Here we see a rare example of Karpov being unaware of the
position's hidden perils, with his defensive guard down.} ({Correct was} 25...
Rcb8 {.}) 26. axb3 Rxb3 $2 {EXERCISE (combination alert): Karpov just walked
into Korchnoi's trap. White to play and force the win of material.} ({However,
even after} 26... Rcb8 {,} 27. Bd1 $1 {retains the extra pawn, since} Rxb3 $6 {
loses to} 28. Rxa7 R8b7 29. Rxb7 Rxb7 30. Be2 {and White keeps a solid extra
pawn.}) 27. Qc1 $1 {ANSWER: Pins. --- The witch stirs a fuming vat, adding
pinches of secret ingredients, mingled with her incantations. Korchnoi's last
move resonates with deep implication. The position is no democracy, but rather
a pyramidal structure, ruled exclusively by White's bullying major pieces. In
the space of a single move, he manages to: 1. Cover the loose e3-bishop. --- 2.
Add heat to the c7-pin. --- 3. Threaten Rxa7. --- 4. Threaten Ba6.} Rb7 {The
perfect camouflage allows one to hide in plain sight. No choice, but now
Korchnoi makes good use of the pin with the next move.} 28. Ba6 $1 {Black's
humourless rooks miss the bishop's punchline. When karma blesses us with
favourable geometry, all we can do is to gape in gratified wonder at our good
fortune. White picks up a full exchange. However, the state of mind most
dangerous to us is one of overconfident, suppressed exultation. Note how
Korchnoi refused to give Karpov even an iota of a chance in the mop-up period.}
Rcb8 {There is nothing more awful than that familiar shock of that
head-shaking, chagrined enlightenment, when we realize that we just threw away
the game.} 29. Bxb7 Rxb7 30. Ra3 $1 {The coming Rac3 shatters the c7-blockade.}
h6 31. Rac3 Nb5 32. Rc8+ Kh7 33. R2c6 {Black is nearly in zugzwang.} f6 {
Karpov hopes to open the kingside to make White's king more insecure. However
by doing so, he makes his own king less safe.} 34. Kg2 Qf7 35. Qc2 {Targeting
the g6-weakness and cutting off all future ...Qf5 infiltration ideas.} a5 36.
g4 {Black must now be on alert for the f4-f5 break.} fxe5 ({Also futile is} 
36... f5 37. Kg3 h5 38. gxh5 gxh5 39. Kh2 a4 40. Ra8 Na7 41. Ra6 {and the
a4-pawn falls. Following} Qd7 42. Rxa4 Rxb2 43. Qxb2 Qxa4 44. Qb8 Qc2+ 45. Kg3
Qe2 46. Qg8+ Kg6 47. Qxe6+ Kh7 48. Qxf5+ Kh6 49. Qg5+ Kh7 50. f5 Qe1+ 51. Bf2
Qc3+ 52. Kg2 {, Black gets mated.}) 37. fxe5 a4 38. Ra8 Na7 39. Ra6 $1 {The
a-pawn falls.} Qe7 ({Also,} 39... Qd7 40. Kg3 {and the a4-pawn is lost all the
same.}) 40. Rxa4 Rc7 41. Qb3 Nc6 42. Ra1 Nb4 {When our position is lost, the
most we can achieve is to set up feverish plots and traps, as well as poke,
prod and annoy the opponent with mini digressions, hoping to distract him or
her from the correct path.} 43. Rc1 {Oh, no you don't! Korchnoi covers against
c2-infiltration attempts.} Rc4 $1 {When tossed into a hostile environment,
survival becomes the primary goal of life. Karpovs offers up a pawn to open
the long light-squared diagonal. Korchnoi wisely declines.} 44. Rb8 $1 {Threat:
Rxc4, followed by Qxb4. When someone is angry with you and then makes a big
show of ignoring you, then isn't it a case of being ostentatiously ignored?
Korchnoi refuses to snap at the c4-bait, since in doing so he opens himself up
for light-squared tricks played against his king.} ({Although} 44. Rxc4 $6 dxc4
45. Qxc4 Qb7+ 46. Kg3 Qxa8 47. Qxb4 {is still lost for Black, he will get
better chances than what he got in the game.}) 44... Rxc1 45. Bxc1 Qc7 {Karpov
resourcefully finds a path into White's position after all, but it's just not
enough to save him.} 46. Rxb4 Qxc1 47. Qd3 {Covering against all checks and
targeting the g6-weakness.} h5 48. Rb6 $1 ({There is no reason to allow} 48.
gxh5 Qg5+ 49. Kf1 Qxh5 {.}) 48... Bh6 {He won't have time for ...Be3 and ...Qg1+.} 49. gxh5 ({Also,} 49. Rxe6 Qxb2+ 50. Kg3 h4+ 51. Kf3 $1 {wins.}) 49...
Qg5+ {The queen tends to overcompensate for her polite upbringing by being as
rude as she possibly can be to everyone she meets. The kingside grows into a
region of diminishing probability for Black's perpetual check project.} ({The
alternative} 49... Be3 {is too slow as after} 50. Qxg6+ Kh8 51. Rb8+ Qc8 52.
Rxc8# {mate!}) 50. Qg3 Qd2+ ({There's no need to play on as after} 50... Qd2+
51. Qf2 Qg5+ 52. Kh2 {, White's queen and king deal with the black queen's
tantrums as strict parents do with an insubordinate child. The checks come to
a completion. --- SUMMARY: You can play the 8 c3 Clamp after ...Nf6 English
lines, but I actually prefer a direct transposition to the Closed Sicilian
with 8 Nc3, as in the next couple of games.}) 1-0

[Event "40: Candidates Match, Sokhumi"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1968.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Spassky, BV."]
[Black "Geller, EP."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B25"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "1968.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. e4 ({Our Bird's Opening move-order runs} 1. f4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2
Bg7 5. O-O d6 6. d3 Nf6 7. e4 ({or} 7. Nc3 O-O 8. e4) 7... O-O 8. Nc3 {.}) 1...
c5 2. Nc3 {Sometimes dusting off a discarded, cobwebby line (the Closed
Sicilian was a rare guest in 1968, until Spassky's success popularized it) can
have the same effect on a booked-up opponent as a theoretical novelty in a
trendy variation. Spassky surprised the super-theoretical Geller with Closed
Sicilian three times in their match. Final result: Spassky 3-0 Geller.} d6 3.
g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 g6 5. d3 Bg7 6. f4 Nf6 7. Nf3 O-O ({Let us consider} 7... Bg4 {
. --- QUESTION: Why is Black willing to hand over the bishop pair? --- ANSWER:
Early ...Bg4 and ...Bxf3 themes are common in the Closed Sicilian (and also
the Clamp System lines). Black sometimes considers it a reasonable trade-off,
since he or she is willing to concede the bishop pair to reduce White's
kingside attacking force and weaken control over the contested d4-square. ---
After} 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 O-O 10. O-O Rc8 {, we look at two branches:} 11. -- (
11. g4 Nd4 12. Qf2 b5 13. Nd1 b4 14. Ne3 Nd7 15. h4 Nb6 16. Bd2 Nb5 17. b3 $5 (
{Short is not the type to go for a passive and safer version with} 17. Rab1 Na4
18. Bc1) 17... Bxa1 18. Rxa1 {when of course the greedy comps condemn Short's
sacrifice as unsound, but he had the last word, since he managed to pull off a
winning attack later on, N.Short-M.Narciso Dublan, Lanzarote 2003.}) (11. Be3
Nd7 12. Kh1 Qa5 13. Bd2 Nd4 14. Qd1 Qa6 {(intending to open the queenside with
...c4 next)} 15. Nd5 Nc6 16. Bc3 {(Spassky hopes to eliminate the black king's
best defender)} Nf6 $6 {White seizes the advantage after this passive response.
} ({Black should risk} 16... Bxc3 17. bxc3 e6 18. Ne3 b5 19. Qd2 Qa5 {when at
least Black gets queenside play in exchange for White's kingside attacking
chances}) 17. Qd2 Nxd5 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. exd5 Nb8 (19... Nd4 {is met with} 20.
g4 {intending c2-c3 next}) 20. Rae1 Rce8 21. Qc3+ Kg8 22. Re3 $1 Qb6 ({not} 
22... Qxa2 $2 {as after} 23. b3 Qa6 24. Rfe1 {White regains the lost pawn
favourably}) 23. Rfe1 Qd8 24. g4 {and Black found himself tied down and
without counterplay, B.Spassky-K.Robatsch, Germany 1984.})) 8. O-O {We go old
school, transposing to the Closed Sicilian, but only versus the ...Nf6 lines.}
Rb8 9. h3 {I think this is White's best move in the position. --- QUESTION:
What is the move's purpose? --- ANSWER: It's threefold: 1. White can post his
bishop on e3, without fear of ...Ng4. --- 2. White prevents the option ...Bg4
and ...Bxf3, a swap which reduces White's kingside attacking fuel and weakens
the d4-square. --- 3. White can expand later on the kingside with g3-g4 and
f4-f5, with an attacking plan common to both Closed Sicilian and Sicilian
Grand Prix, which goes Qe1-h4, Bh6 and Ng5, loading up on Black's often
under-defended king in this line.} ({A rather direct way of handling the
kingside assault is} 9. Nh4 $6 {. As mentioned in the last game, the Nh4?! and
f4-f5 plan seems far less effective than the way Spassky plays it in this game.
After} Nd4 10. f5 b5 11. Bg5 b4 12. Nb1 $5 Nd7 13. Nd2 Ne5 14. Kh1 a5 15. Rb1
a4 16. Nhf3 {(an admission that his earlier Nh4?! went nowhere)} Nexf3 ({the
greedy} 16... gxf5 $5 {offers White some compensation for the pawn after} 17.
Nxe5 dxe5 18. exf5 Nxf5 19. Nc4) 17. Nxf3 Nb5 18. Qd2 a3 $1 {, B.Spassky-E.Geller, Candidates (2nd matchgame), Sukhumi 1968, White experiences serious
strategic difficulties on the queenside, while his kingside attack has barely
started. White only won this game because it was Spassky at the helm.}) 9... b5
{Black gains valuable queenside ground.} 10. a3 {QUESTION: This move induces a
future swap on b4, which opens the queenside further. Is this wise on White's
part? --- ANSWER: When it comes to a wing where our opponent owns more space,
our general policy should be one of wary non-intervention, whenever possible.
This position is an exception to the general rule. When White avoids the swap
of a-pawns he is in danger of a queenside collapse, as in Spassky's game
versus Geller in the above notes (although Spassky won anyway!).} a5 11. Be3 b4
({Instead,} 11... Nd7 {forces White to waste a tempo on Rb1. After} 12. Rb1 b4
13. axb4 axb4 14. Ne2 Bb7 15. g4 Ra8 16. c4 $5 e6 17. g5 Re8 18. h4 d5 19. e5
Ne7 20. Ng3 Qc7 21. Bf2 Nf5 22. Rc1 Nxg3 23. Bxg3 Red8 24. Qe2 Ra2 25. Bf2 Bf8
26. Nh2 {(remember this plan from Chapter 2?)} dxc4 27. dxc4 Bxg2 28. Kxg2 h5
$1 29. gxh6 Bxh6 30. Be3 Qb7+ 31. Kg3 f5 32. Rcd1 {, the position is even and
the players soon agreed to a draw, N.Short-G.Kasparov, Zurich 2001.}) 12. axb4
{No more a-pawn to worry about.} axb4 ({QUESTION: Is capturing away from the
centre with} 12... cxb4 {playable as Black intends to eventually force ...a4
and ...a3? --- ANSWER: I don't see a single game in the database with this
idea. The trouble is your plan is unlikely to be implemented after} 13. Na4 $1
{which blockades adequately. Still, the position actually looks playable for
Black, so it could be an interesting theoretical novelty on Black's part.}) 13.
Ne2 Bb7 ({Instead,} 13... Nd7 {attempts to make White waste a tempo with Rb1.
I have a feeling Spassky would not back down and may have played} 14. b3 $5 {
anyway!} ({The less adventurous among us can always play the safer} 14. Rb1 {.}
)) 14. b3 $1 ({This is more accurate than} 14. Qd2 Ra8 15. Rab1 $6 {and at
this stage in the match, Spassky was still tinkering with White's optimal
set-up. After the sixth game of the match, he discovered that the rook belongs
on c1, so White effectively lost a tempo here, but with} ({so, correct is} 15.
Rac1 $1) 15... Qa5 {, Geller wastes a tempo right back! I would have played
the queen to b6 instead. After} 16. b3 Rfc8 ({Black seizes the initiative with
} 16... d5 $1 17. e5 d4 $1) 17. f5 Qb6 {(there is Black's lost tempo)} 18. g4
Ra2 19. Nc1 $5 {(booting the a2-rook away, at the cost of deactivating his
knight)} Ra5 20. Qf2 {(heading for the h4-square)} Qc7 21. Ne2 Ra2 22. Rbc1 {
, at last, Spassky reconfigures to the optimal set-up, B.Spassky-E.Geller,
Candidates (4th match game), Sokhumi 1968.}) 14... Ra8 $1 {Black plans to make
good use of the open h-file to infiltrate.} 15. Rc1 $1 {Remember this set-up.
White only concedes his opponent a single weak point on c2 and then proceeds
to attack furiously on the other side of the board.} Ra2 16. g4 Qa8 $6 {The
'best' move is a concept which demands an absolute. In such positions of
bewildering complexity, with our clock mercilessly ticking away, we are
sometimes better off taking a practical route, settling for a 'reasonable'
move. Geller underestimates the danger to his king, moving his queen too far
away - which says something about his confidence level, after his Closed
Sicilian debacles in the 2nd and 4th games of the match.} ({Black has superior
options in:} 16... Qc7 {(the most commonly played move today)} 17. Qe1 Rfa8 18.
f5 Rb2 $1 {(preparing to transfer his other rook to a2 and load up on the
c2-pawn)} 19. Nf4 Raa2 20. Qf2 Nd4 $1 {(principle: Meet a wing attack with a
central counter)} 21. Bxd4 cxd4 22. Nxd4 g5 23. Nfe2 Nd7 {, D.Reinderman-K.Van
der Weide, Rotterdam 1998. Black stands no worse and has more than enough
compensation for the missing pawn, with his dark square power.}) (16... Nd7 17.
Qe1 e6 18. f5 $5 Nde5 19. Nf4 $6 (19. Nxe5 Bxe5 20. Qf2 {looks like a better
way to handle the White position}) 19... Nxf3+ 20. Rxf3 Nd4 21. Rf2 exf5 22.
gxf5 Re8 23. Qf1 d5 24. f6 Bf8 ({Black looks better after} 24... Bxf6 $1 25.
Nxd5 Bxd5 26. Rxf6 Bxb3 27. cxb3 Ne2+ 28. Kh2 Qxd3 29. Bf2 Nxc1 30. Qxc1 Qxb3
31. Qxc5 Qc3 {since...Qe5+ is imminent, queens must come off the board}) 25.
Bxd4 cxd4 26. exd5 Re3 27. c4 $1 {(a cute trick which eliminates the
c2-weakness and supports the d5-pawn)} Ra5 28. Be4 Bd6 29. Qg2 Qxf6 $2 ({the
position is still balanced after} 29... Bc8) 30. Nxg6 Qg7 {, A.Fedorov-L.Van
Wely, Riga 2014. White stands better after} 31. Nf4 {.}) 17. Qe1 Qa6 $6 {This
is still too slow. Geller's plan is like transferring a fresh water fish into
the salty ocean: it's going to choke, spasm and die, when removed from its
natural environment. The ocean may be a "natural" entity, but to the dead fish,
it is a synthetic, poisonous place.} ({Geller suggested} 17... d5 18. e5 Nd7
19. Qh4 e6 {as a better defence.}) 18. Qf2 $1 {QUESTION: Why not play the
queen to h4 instead?} ({ANSWER:} 18. Qh4 $4 {walks into the cheapo} Rxc2 $1 19.
Rxc2 Qxd3 20. Ne1 Qxe3+ 21. Kh1 Qxb3 {and White is completely busted.}) 18...
Na7 $6 {Throughout the match, Geller seemed to be under the illusion that his
king was immortal in Closed Sicilian positions, without need of security.} ({
Kasparov criticized this move and suggested} 18... Nd7 {.}) 19. f5 {White has
six pieces plus a pawn avalanche, all coming for Black's king.} Nb5 20. fxg6
hxg6 $2 {Geller's will is incommensurable with the position's actual
requirements. There is such a thing as being too positional, where a player is
unwilling to make a necessary strategic concession. --- QUESTION: Isn't there
a principle which states: Capture away from the centre if you feel that your
king is in danger?} ({ANSWER: Correct. I think this is how Geller should have
played it. For example, better is} 20... fxg6 $1 21. Nf4 Bc8 22. Ng5 Nd4 ({
after} 22... Nc7 23. Qh4 e5 24. Nxh7 $1 g5 25. Nxg5 exf4 26. Rxf4 Ra1 27. Rcf1
{, White has a dangerous attack as well as three pawns for the piece}) 23. Bxd4
cxd4 24. Qh4 e5 25. Nd5 Qa7 26. Nxb4 Rb2 27. Nd5 h6 28. Ra1 Qd7 29. Nxf6+ Rxf6
30. Rxf6 Bxf6 31. Qxh6 Qg7 32. Qxg7+ Bxg7 33. c3 $1 {(threat: Ra8!)} Rxb3 34.
cxd4 Bh6 35. h4 Rxd3 36. d5 {and Black still struggles to attain a draw.}) 21.
Ng5 Na3 {Threatening the c2-pawn.} 22. Qh4 $1 {Who cares about the
inconsequential bit on c2? Threat: Rxf6 and Qh7 mate!} Rc8 {EXERCISE 
(combination alert): We reach a point of heart-pounding anticipation. With the
c2-pawn about to fall, there is no turning back. White must find a
breakthrough combination. Take heart: the attack's construction is rough, yet
substantial. How would you continue here? --- ANSWER: Step 1: Sacrifice an
exchange to destroy the defender of the h7-square.} 23. Rxf6 $1 {Such
sacrifices are indigenous to the opening itself. Criminal activity can be
boiled down to two categories: 1. Crimes committed for gain. --- 2. Crimes
committed for malice. --- White's last move clearly qualifies for the latter
category, since Spassky is willing to pay any price to get his hands on
Black's king.} exf6 ({Forced as} 23... Bxf6 $4 {leads to} 24. Qh7+ Kf8 25.
Qxf7# {mate!}) 24. Qh7+ Kf8 25. Nxf7 $1 {Step 2: Sacrifice a piece on f7,
which induces Black's king into a pin, but more importantly, softens up the
g6-pawn.} Rxc2 {The position is not one of an organized, unified currency.
Black values hard cash, while White treasures raw power. White's queenside
becomes mottled with structural flaws - which are completely moot if Black's
king gets fried on the other side of the board.} ({If} 25... Kxf7 {, Black's
king can only witness in limp resentment the destruction of all he loves.
White's pieces flood in with} 26. Bh6 Rg8 27. Nf4 Rxc2 ({or} 27... g5 28. Qg6+
Ke7 29. Bxg7 gxf4 30. Bxf6+ Kf8 31. Qh7 {"What do you expect of me?" asks
Black's king. "I expect you to die, Mr. Bond, " replies White's queen, who
fancies herself in the same category as a Bond villain}) 28. Rf1 $1 {(there is
no rush as White replenishes, adding a brand new attacker into the mix)} Qa8 {
(all other defensive tries fail miserably)} 29. Qxg6+ Ke7 ({also,} 29... Kf8 $4
30. Qxf6+ Ke8 31. Qe6+ {is even worse for Black}) 30. Bxg7 Qe8 31. Bxf6+ Kd7
32. Qh7+ Kc8 33. g5 Kb8 34. h4 {and there is no remedy to the steady advance
of White's kingside passed pawns.}) 26. Bh6 {The unwilling g7-bishop is forced
into the role of de facto subsidiary defender of his king.} Rxc1+ 27. Nxc1 Kxf7
{The king's expression is of puffy-cheeked outrage. When we are up material,
in the back of our mind often lurks the delusional thought: "My abundant
resources will protect me."} ({Also pointless is} 27... Bxh6 {(the bishop's
faith is sorely tested)} 28. Nxh6 Ke8 {and White can unleash the game-ender}
29. Ng8 $1 {.}) 28. Qxg7+ {"One of the biggest errors a person can make in
life is to mistake an enemy for a loved one, " the queen informs her brother.}
Ke8 {The king hopes to circumvent fate, forgetting that fate isn't so easily
confused.} 29. g5 {Diagram} ({More efficient is} 29. e5 $1 d5 (29... Bxg2 $4
30. e6 {mates}) 30. exf6 Qe6 31. Qxb7 {.}) 29... f5 30. Qxg6+ Kd7 31. Qf7+ Kc6
{You know your position is unsalvageable when you are forced into a move like
this, walking into discovered check.} ({In any case, after} 31... Kd8 $2 32. g6
{, there is no defence to the coming bishop check on g5.}) 32. exf5+ ({
Following} 32. exf5+ Kb6 {, White can simply liquidate to a trivial win with}
33. Qxb7+ Qxb7 34. Bxb7 Kxb7 35. f6 {and the kingside passed pawns win. ---
SUMMARY: Remember Spassky's ...Nf6 Closed Sicilian plan of b3! and Rc1!,
leaving Black only the single c2-point of attack on our kingside. Meanwhile,
our forces build ominously over Black's king on the other side of the board.
At the club level, you can mow down the majority of your opponents if you
study Spassky's kingside plan of attack, since Black's defence can't be winged
or guessed at the board.}) 1-0

[Event "41: San Diego (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Baker, B."]
[Black "Bryant, J."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B25"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

{In this game, my buddy National Master Bruce Baker (we have played close to
300 rated games, and by now can read each other's minds!) shows how to take
down a soon-to-be IM with the Closed Sicilian versus the ...Nf6 line. I
remember Bruce asking me before the game, what opening should he should play
against his talented young opponent. I replied: "Closed Sicilian". The opening
has the effect of nullifying a booked-up tactician, forcing him or her into a
manoeuvering game, and on the defence of his king - both kryptonite to
youthful talent.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 Nc6 6. f4 Nf6 7.
Nf3 O-O 8. O-O Rb8 9. Rb1 $6 {This isn't accurate and essentially loses a
tempo, since the rook belongs on the c1-square.} ({Correct was} 9. h3 {as
played in the previous game.}) 9... b5 10. a3 a5 11. h3 b4 12. axb4 axb4 13.
Ne2 Qb6 {A new move, and I have a feeling it isn't Black's best move.} ({
Instead,} 13... c4 $1 {is more logical, since it is in Black's best interest
to open the queenside: QUESTION: If White plays 14 dxc4, can Black capture the
e4-pawn? --- Or does he get in trouble with two loose knights on e4 and c6?}
14. -- ({. ANSWER: Black can recapture the e4-pawn without a problem. For
example: After} 14. dxc4 Nxe4 15. Nh4 Qb6+ 16. Kh2 Nc5 {, both knights are
covered and Black has a slight edge.}) ({. Perhaps better is} 14. Be3 b3 15. c3
Bb7 {, M.Koskinen-T.Sammalvuo, Karhula 2004. Here, White should probably go for
} 16. dxc4 Nxe4 17. Qxb3 Na5 18. Qa2 Qc7 19. b3 Nxc3 20. Nxc3 Bxc3 21. Qc2 Bg7
22. f5 {with a dynamically balanced game.} (22. --))) 14. Be3 Ba6 $5 {I don't
like this move, since it blocks the pathway for ...Ra8 and ...Ra2.} ({I would
play} 14... Bb7 {followed by ...Ra8 and ...Ra2.}) 15. b3 Ne8 $6 {Both chess
and tennis players dread the unforced error. --- QUESTION: Why did Black
retreat his knight to the e8-square? --- ANSWER: This is the beginning of an
overly ambitious plan, to transfer the knight to the b5-square, via Nc7. Of
course the trouble with this plan is that Black risks Geller's fate (of
underestimating the danger to his king).} ({He should leave the knight where
it stands and play} 15... Ra8 {intending ...Bb5 and ...Ra2.}) 16. g4 Nc7 17.
Qe1 Nb5 18. Qh4 Ncd4 19. Nexd4 cxd4 20. Bd2 Na3 21. Rbc1 Rbc8 {EXERCISE 
(critical decision): This is the moment of truth. Just like last game, the
base of our pawn chain on c2 comes under dire pressure. Should we retreat and
defend with 22 Ne1, or should we just hand over the pawn and play for mate
with 22 f5? --- Our styles constitute good and evil on the board. For example,
a tactician may have no qualms in giving away pawns to attack, while a pure
positional player may find such a path abhorrent. In this instance, styles
must be placed aside. There is only one correct decision here. Which direction
should White go: Forward? Or should he sound a strategic retreat? --- ANSWER:}
22. f5 $1 {The game is afoot, Watson, and it's too late for half-measures. The
nature of our environment forces us to either evolve or die. It's clear we
live in a Topalovian era of never backing down - no matter the cost. White's
forces proceed with the avowed intention of launching a punitive expedition in
the neighbourhood of Black's king. We pay for such nerve-racking decisions
with a kind of psychic bill, which awaits us at home in the mail. White may be
playing fast and loose with his structural base, nevertheless, his decision is
thematic of the line and absolutely correct.} (22. Ne1 $6 {is a violation of a
natural attacker's stringent code of honor: Never retreat if a forward action
is available. With so many fatal-looking options, it is easy to be taut with
deep indecision. Black looks like he is in good shape after} Rc7 23. f5 Rfc8
24. Qf2 e5 {.}) 22... Rxc2 $6 {It's very difficult to resist the temptation to
make a move like this one.} ({QUESTION: I realize that} 22... f6 {looks
terribly ugly, but it does safeguard the e7-pawn and seizes control over the
g5-square. Can Black get away with this idea? --- ANSWER: Black appears to
have entered one of those dreaded 'heads-I-win; tails-you-lose' situations. I
think your suggestion is clearly superior to the way Black played in the game,
but it may not save him, since 22...f6 also loosens Black's already insecure
king. --- Let's look: By default, Black simply has to try 22...f6! (when the
position's complexity level goes out of control, we have little choice but to
follow a series of hunches, whose other name is intuition)} 23. fxg6 hxg6 24.
Bh6 Rf7 ({not} 24... Rxc2 $2 {as} 25. g5 $1 Rxc1 26. Rxc1 Rc8 27. Rxc8+ Bxc8
28. Bxg7 Kxg7 29. Qh6+ Kf7 30. Qh7+ Ke8 31. Qxg6+ Kd8 32. Qg8+ Kc7 33. g6 $1 {
wins for White due to the decisive passed g-pawn}) 25. g5 Bxh6 26. Qxh6 Rh7 $1
27. Qxg6+ Rg7 28. Qf5 Rc5 29. Qe6+ Kh7 30. gxf6 Bc8 31. fxe7 $1 Bxe6 32. e8=Q
Bd7 33. Qf8 Bxh3 34. Rf2 {and White emerges with a clear advantage. If Black
attempts to re-establish material equality, he loses after} Bxg2 $2 35. Rxg2
Rxg2+ 36. Kxg2 Rxc2+ 37. Rxc2 Nxc2 38. Qf7+ Kh6 39. Qf6+ Kh7 40. Ng5+ Kg8 41.
Qf7+ Kh8 42. Qh7# {mate! Of course for us humans, such convoluted
comp-generated lines are no more than a mathematical abstraction, which is
interesting to observe, yet impossible to duplicate over the board if the
players had taken this route.}) 23. Rxc2 $6 {An inaccuracy which reduces
White's advantage.} ({White wins after} 23. fxg6 $1 fxg6 24. Ng5 h6 25. Ne6
Rxc1 ({not} 25... Rxd2 $4 {as} 26. Qxe7 {forces mate}) 26. Bxc1 Rxf1+ 27. Bxf1
g5 28. Bxg5 $1 Bc8 29. Nxg7 hxg5 30. Qxg5 Kf8 31. Qh6 Kf7 {and} 32. g5 {is
decisive.}) 23... Nxc2 24. Ng5 h6 25. fxg6 $1 fxg6 26. Ne6 {The e6-square is
the command headquarters for White's assault team.} Rxf1+ 27. Bxf1 Bf6 $2 ({As
everyone knows, defence is far more difficult than attacking: Lashing out with
} 27... g5 $2 {only runs into} 28. Bxg5 $1 Ne1 29. Kf2 $1 Nxd3+ 30. Bxd3 Bxd3
31. Bxh6 {and Black's king can't escape.}) ({A surprisingly degree of
resistance can be put up with} 27... Ne3 $1 28. Qxe7 Qb7 29. Qe8+ $1 ({trading
down to a pawn-up ending after} 29. Qxb7 $6 Bxb7 30. Nxg7 Kxg7 31. Bxb4 Nxf1
32. Kxf1 d5 33. e5 Bc8 34. Kf2 h5 35. gxh5 gxh5 36. h4 Kg6 37. Bc5 Kf5 38. Bxd4
Kf4 $1 39. b4 Bd7 {offer Black drawning chances thanks to the
opposite-coloured bishops}) 29... Kh7 30. Nxg7 Kxg7 31. Be2 Qc7 32. Kf2 g5 33.
Bxb4 Nc2 34. Bd2 Qf7+ 35. Qxf7+ Kxf7 {and White's win won't be so easy.}) 28.
Qxh6 Kf7 29. Nf4 {The g6-pawn falls and White wins by simply pushing his
kingside passed pawns.} Ke8 {An 'agreement' negotiated by one side under
duress, isn't really an agreement. Black's king, seeking to escape his sister
at the earliest possible moment, exits with a 'toodledo' wave.} (29... g5 $4 {
isn't possible due to} 30. Qg6+ {("Your insolent posturing will cost you
dearly, considering the gravity of the charges levelled against you, "
declares the queen)} Kf8 31. Ne6# {mate!}) 30. Qxg6+ Kd8 31. Qg8+ Kd7 ({A
swifter end follows after} 31... Kc7 $4 {as} 32. Nd5+ {forks the king and the
queen.}) 32. Qe6+ Kd8 33. Nd5 Qc5 {EXERCISE (combination alert): White can
take on f6, but there is something stronger. --- ANSWER: Undermining. The
e7-pawn falls with devastating effect.} 34. g5 $1 Be5 35. Qxe7+ Kc8 36. g6 Ne3
37. g7 {It's all over since the g-pawn costs Black a piece.} Bxg7 38. Qxg7 ({
More precise is} 38. Qe8+ $1 Kb7 39. Qd7+ Kb8 (39... Ka8 40. Bxb4 Qa7 41. Nc7+
{comes to the same thing}) 40. Bxb4 {and White wins.}) 38... Nxf1 39. Qf8+ {
When you sense the presence of an immediate combination, yet are unable to see
it, it's the same maddening feeling a writer gets when he can't come up with
the perfect word - a word he already knows, but can't remember - to describe
something he writes about.} ({More clinical is} 39. Bxb4 $1 Qc6 (39... Qc1 40.
Nb6+ Kb8 {(Black's king feels a similar irritation felt by early Christians,
as the Romans applauded the lions as they entered the arena)} 41. Bxd6+ Qc7 42.
Qxc7#) 40. Ne7+ {and the king and queen fork ends the game.}) 39... Kd7 40.
Qf7+ Kc8 41. Qxf1 ({Immediately winning is} 41. Bxb4 $1 {.}) 41... Qc2 42. Qc1
{The practical move, after which White has an easy win in the ending.} ({The
comp claims that} 42. Bxb4 {forces mate in 15 moves.}) 42... Bxd3 43. Qxc2+
Bxc2 44. Nxb4 Bxb3 45. h4 Bf7 {. The position is an easy win here for White.
However, White blundered in the mutual time scramble and managed to checkmate
with bishop and knight versus lone king, on the five second time delay alone.
Why can't our games ever be tidy? --- SUMMARY: The usual build-up on the
c2-pawn is a little like attempting to intimidate a shark by threatening to
drown it. Don't fear the eventual loss of the c2-weakie. We must simply have
faith that our kingside chances compensate.} 1-0

[Event "42: Solin"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2006.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Movsesian, S."]
[Black "Paehtz, E."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B20"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2006.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

{"Sergei Movsesian is a 2700+ Grandmaster who doesn't mind wheeling out the
'Big Clamp' once in a while. This is a viable way to play for White - it may
not lead to a theoretical advantage, but it keeps pieces on the board and
leads to a complex fight," writes IM David Vigorito.} 1. e4 ({White can also
play against Black's Reversed English position in Classical Bird fashion. For
example:} 1. f4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. e4 c5 4. d3 Nc6 5. Be2 {. I like this version
better than the e3 lines of Chapter 3. White plays e2-e4 in one go, but on the
down side, Black gets increased control over the d4-square. After} d6 6. O-O e6
7. c3 Nge7 8. Be3 O-O 9. Nbd2 b6 10. Bf2 $5 ({more typical is} 10. Qe1 d5 {T.Taylor-D.Rensch, Las Vegas 2006}) 10... Qc7 $6 ({the queen is better placed on
the d-file and hence} 10... Qd7 {is more to the point}) 11. Rc1 Bb7 {, White
annexes queenside space with} 12. b4 $1 {with a space advantage. Following}
cxb4 13. cxb4 Qd7 14. Qb3 e5 15. fxe5 Nxe5 $1 (15... dxe5 $6 16. a4 Rae8 17.
Nc4 {is difficult for Black}) 16. Nxe5 Bxe5 {(I would have recaptured with the
pawn)} 17. Nc4 Bg7 $6 (17... Nc6 {was forced}) 18. Bg3 $1 {, C.Lakdawala-P.Graves, San Diego (rapid) 2014, Black is forced to be on the defensive.}) 1...
c5 2. d3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. f4 d6 6. Nf3 e6 {This is the flexible ...e6 system, one of Black's most popular set-ups against Closed Sicilian. Here,
Black tends to play the same set-up by default versus our Clamp. --- QUESTION:
What is Black's idea? --- ANSWER: Black can challenge White's kingside pawn
storm with ...Nge7, ...0-0 and ...f7-f5!, which strikes back in the centre and
offers Black's king greater safety by keeping the White pawns at bay.} 7. O-O
Nge7 8. c3 O-O ({QUESTION: I realize this is the Leningrad Bird versus
Reversed English chapter, where Black's d-pawn avoids the d5-square, but what
is wrong with playing} 8... d5 {- ? --- ANSWER: It's not a good idea, since we
reach a position very similar to Jakubiec-Kraemer (Game 8) from Chapter 2,
except that Black is down a tempo due to having wasted a move playing ...d7-d6
and later ...d6-d5. --- After} 9. Be3 b6 10. e5 O-O {, White can play} 11. Bf2
{, which is a dual purpose, clearing the path for Re1 and anticipating ...Nf5.
--- QUESTION: Why does White want the rook on the e-file, rather than the
f-file? Isn't he playing for an f5-break? --- ANSWER: White often does play
for a future f5-break, but first things first: We must suppress ...f7-f6. So
to accomplish this, we need our rook on the e-file for now. --- Following} Ba6
12. Re1 Rc8 13. g4 {(this cuts off ...Nf5 and also opens the potential for our
plan: g4-g5 and then transfer a knight to the f6-square, either via the e4- 
(if Black played ...d4) or g4-square)} d4 14. c4 b5 15. b3 bxc4 16. bxc4 Nb4
17. a3 Qa5 18. Bf1 ({tempting is the exchange sacrifice} 18. axb4 $5 Qxa1 19.
bxc5 Rfd8 20. Nbd2 Qxd1 21. Rxd1 Bb7 22. Nb3 Rd7 23. Ra1 Bxf3 24. Bxf3 g5 $1 {
(this is forced as Black is busted if the d5-pawn falls)} 25. fxg5 Bxe5 26. h4
{and I prefer White in this unbalanced ending, since Black is tied down to
defending both the d4- and a7-pawns}) 18... Bb7 19. Nbd2 {(now the b4-knight
hangs, since the a1-rook is covered)} Bxf3 20. Nxf3 Nbc6 {, S.Grunberg-N.Barbu,
Romania 1993, White has a clear advantage after} 21. Nd2 {(intending to
transfer to the e4-outpost). If Black tries to disrupt with} g5 $5 {, White
retains serious attacking chances after} 22. fxg5 Nxe5 23. Ne4 {as the
f6-square has been weakened.}) 9. Be3 {Preparing the Clamp plan of d3-d4, and
also preventing ...d6-d5 (not that we need to prevent it, since Black then
gets a move-down version we looked at in Chapter 2)} b5 {This may not be
Black's best plan. --- QUESTION: Why not? Isn't it natural for Black to attack
White's pawn chain at c3, with ...b5-b4 - ? --- ANSWER: The trouble is an
early ...b7-b5 weakens the c5-pawn, so White responds with d3-d4. After a pawn
trade on the d4-square (...cxd4/cxd4), there is no longer a c3-pawn for Black
to attack with ...b5-b4.} 10. Bf2 $6 {This is possibly inaccurate.} ({I would
go for the immediate} 10. d4 $1 {:} -- (10... cxd4 11. cxd4 d5 12. e5 Nf5 13.
Bf2 {and White consolidates his centre, while denying Black counterattacking
targets on the queenside.}) ({. One of my students tried} 10... c4 $5 {against
me in a training game. This possible strategic inaccuracy violates the
principle: Don't close the centre when attacked on the wing. After} 11. Nbd2 d5
{(Black backs up the c4-pawn in order to undermine White's c3-pawn with a
future ...b5-b4)} 12. e5 ({Houdini suggests retaining the central tension with
} 12. Ne5) 12... b4 13. g4 a5 14. Rf2 a4 {(threatening to undermine the
queenside with ...a4-a3 next)} 15. a3 bxc3 16. bxc3 Bd7 17. Nf1 Na5 18. Ng3 {
(White continues to build for a kingside assault)} Nb3 $6 {(this looks
impressive but White isn't bothered much by it)} ({Black may have been better
off playing} 18... Rb8 {intending ...Rb3}) 19. Raa2 Rb8 20. h4 Qa5 21. Qe1 {,
now he began to get worried about White's kingside attack with h4-h5 coming,
so he countered with} f5 22. exf6 Bxf6 23. h5 {, C.Lakdawala-J.Ma, San Diego
2014. This position (which Houdini misassesses as even) has Black at an
impasse on the queenside. On the other side of the board, Black's king is
subjected to oblique pressures, which are felt, yet hard to describe. White
soon generated a winning attack.})) 10... Rb8 $6 ({Black misses an opportunity,
as} 10... b4 $1 {gives her the queenside counterplay and} 11. Qc2 bxc3 12. bxc3
Rb8 13. Nbd2 Ba6 {insures counterplay.}) 11. d4 cxd4 {This is too cooperative.
It is as if White played d3-d4 at the correct moment to realise his Clamp
strategy.} ({Perhaps Black should muck matters up with} 11... b4 $1 12. dxc5
dxc5 13. Bxc5 ({or} 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. Bxc5 Rb5 $1 15. cxb4 $5 Bxb2 16. Nbd2
Bxa1 17. Rxa1 {when Black can liquidate with} Rxb4 $1 18. Bxb4 Nxb4 19. Bf1 {
to reach an even ending}) 13... bxc3 14. Nxc3 Qa5 $1 ({not} 14... Rxb2 $6 {as}
15. e5 {favours White}) 15. Bxe7 Nxe7 16. Rf2 Rxb2 17. Rxb2 Bxc3 18. Qb3 Bxb2
19. Qxb2 Ba6 {, with equal chances.}) 12. cxd4 {Now it will be very difficult
for Black to open the queenside.} b4 13. Nbd2 a5 14. Re1 Ba6 15. e5 $1 {This
pretty much forces Black to play ...d6-d5, since she can't allow a white
knight to reach the e4-square.} b3 $1 {Probably this is Black's best chance.
She speculates with a pawn sacrifice to free up the b4-square for her pieces.
When we notice a flaw in ourselves, it is human nature to overcompensate in
the opposite direction. In this case, Black lashes out violently to turn her
inherently passive position into one of aggression and initiative.} ({However,
after} 15... d5 {,} 16. Nb3 {would be a tough, counterplayless grind for Black,
since White owns the c5-square and he can also build up a kingside attack at
leisure.}) 16. axb3 $1 ({Stronger than the greedy} 16. Nxb3 $6 Bb5 17. a4 Bc4
18. Nfd2 Bd5 {which should offer Black reasonable compensation for the pawn,
with pressure down the b-file and control over the d5-outpost.}) 16... d5 17.
Re3 $1 {Adding coverage to the d3-square and the b3-pawn, while preparing to
transfer the rook to c3.} Qb6 18. Rc3 Nb4 {White must be on alert for
d3-invasion themes.} 19. Nf1 Rfc8 20. Ne1 {Movsesian defends well, covering
the sensitive d3- and c2-squares. In passive positions, our resentment must be
borne in secrecy, where we plot our future freedom and revenge.} f5 $5 {
Black's position, as pretty as it looks, maxed out in its activity level. I
don't see an active plan here other than what she played.} ({If she waits with
a temporizing move like} 20... h5 {, White leisurely builds for an h2-h3,
g3-g4 and f4-f5 break, starting with} 21. Ne3 {.}) 21. exf6 Bxf6 {Black
activated her dark-squared bishop, at the high cost of weakening the e6-pawn.}
22. g4 $5 {This move is risky since it weakens the f4-pawn.} ({Perhaps
Movsesian feared} 22. Nf3 Rxc3 $5 23. bxc3 Nd3 24. Ra3 {when White remained
tied down, though with an extra pawn.}) 22... Bg7 {Clearing the path for ...Rf8 to go after the newly weakened f4-pawn.} 23. Be3 ({I prefer} 23. Qd2 {
intending Nf3.}) 23... Nbc6 24. Nf3 Na7 $5 {The idea is to go after the
c3-defender with ...Nb5, but the move is also slow, and tends to ignore
White's kingside and central build-up.} ({White also retains an advantage
after the quieter} 24... Rb7 25. Ne5 Rf8 26. Ng3 {when h2-h4-h5 is coming.})
25. Ng3 {EXERCISE (planning): Time to pause and contemplate the data to get
our bearings. Black has a choice of two plans: 1. Play 25...Nb5 to exchange
off the c3-defender. 2. Black plays 25...Rxc3 26 bxc3 Qxb3. Now you must work
out the complications of swapping queens, followed by Rxa5. One plan offers
Black some compensation for the pawn; the other allows White to consolidate.
Which one would you play?} Rxc3 $2 {The wiring for Black is somewhat frayed in
this line, since the b3-pawn is tactically defended.} ({ANSWER: Better was to
stick with the original program with} 25... Nb5 $1 {. This move is more a
necessity, rather than a preference. After} 26. Rxc8+ Rxc8 {, Black's
queenside pressure gives her some, but not full compensation for the pawn.})
26. bxc3 Nac6 ({I suspect that Paehtz intended} 26... Qxb3 $4 {and then
realized that the line fails after} 27. Qxb3 Rxb3 28. Rxa5 Rb6 29. Bf1 $1 Bxf1
30. Rxa7 {(double attack - the f1-knight and the e7-bishop hang simultaneously)
} Nc8 31. Rxg7+ {(this is the sting at the end of the calculation as Black
loses material)} Kxg7 32. Kxf1 {when Black is busted, since White has two
minor pieces plus pawn for only a rook.}) 27. Nd2 {The b3-pawn is covered and
Black finds herself down a pawn for precious little compensation.} Rf8 28. Qe1
$1 {Indirectly covering the c3-pawn and eyeing the one on e6. White's move may
appear defensive in nature, but I think this is really the beginning of
White's future kingside counterattack, since the queen slips closer to squares
like h4.} Qc7 29. Nf3 Qb6 {Luring White's rook into an awkward lateral defence
of the b3-pawn.} 30. Ra3 Bc8 {Black covers the e6-pawn, her single weakness
and asks White how he plans to make progress.} 31. h4 $1 {The idea of a
kingside attack remains in its childhood, yet we sense the outline of a future
peril of vast menace arising for Black. I like this move, intending h4-h5,
softening up the pawn front around Black's king. When we finally seize the
initiative after a long standoff, I imagine it must be similar to the vengeful
satisfaction a CEO feels when his or her giant corporation finally secures a
51% share in the hostile takeover of a hated competitor.} Bd7 32. h5 a4 $5 {
Such positions allow for elasticity of interpretation. There isn't a single
correct answer. Active players crave adventure and counterplay the way you and
I need food and water to survive. Black hopes this move has the effect of
sucking some of the inspiration out of White's kingside attacking dreams by
distracting him on the other wing. Black sacrifices a second pawn to open the
a5-square for her knight.} 33. bxa4 {The philosophies of the players are at
variance. Black is happy to give, while White delights in taking.} ({White
should accept since} 33. b4 $6 Na7 {allows Black to make progress on the
queenside, without the cost of a pawn.}) 33... Na5 34. Ra1 ({Also to be
considered is the riskier plan} 34. hxg6 hxg6 (34... Nxg6 {allows the dangerous
} 35. Nh5) 35. Bf1 Nc4 36. Bxc4 {. White hands over his precious light-squared
bishop to create a passed a-pawn and remove Black's powerful a5-knight.
Following} dxc4 37. a5 Qb2 38. Bc1 Qc2 39. a6 Bc6 40. Qd2 Qb1 41. Ng5 Bd5 42.
a7 Ra8 43. Qe1 Qb6 44. N3e4 Rxa7 45. Qh4 Kf8 46. Nc5 {, Black is busted,
despite White's somewhat aired out king.}) 34... Qb3 {White's pieces begin to
resent the queen's fussy officiousness.} 35. Bc1 $5 {Intending Ba3 to annex
dark squares in Black's camp.} Qc2 36. Ba3 Rxf4 $5 {Once we rule out the
improbable, the impossible appears to be true and real. This move smacks of
obvious desperation. Unearthing a plan in the midst of such chaos is to
attempt to express the inexpressible.} ({In any case, Black is unable to save
herself after} 36... Re8 37. hxg6 hxg6 38. Ng5 Nc4 ({after} 38... Nec6 {,
White has the} 39. N3e4 $3 {clearance leading to} dxe4 40. Qh4 Ne7 41. Qh7+ Kf8
42. Qxg6 Kg8 43. Qf7+ Kh8 44. Bxe4 Qxc3 45. Qh5+ Kg8 46. Bh7+ Kh8 47. Nf7# {
mate!}) 39. Bxe7 $1 Rxe7 40. Bxd5 {and White wins.}) 37. Bxe7 Nb3 38. Ra3 Nc1
39. Qd2 {Hoping to force queens off the board by hitting Black's queen and
rook simultaneously.} Qb1 $1 {A little cheapo just before the time control.}
40. Kh2 ({The weak} 40. Qxf4 $4 {fails to the double check} Ne2+ {, forking
the king and queen.}) 40... Rxg4 41. h6 Qb8 {Attacking the g3-knight.} 42. Ne5
$1 {White sacrifices a pawn to remove Black's dark square power.} Bxe5 43. dxe5
Qxe5 44. c4 $1 {Laterally covering the g3-knight.} Rxc4 {EXERCISE (planning):
Find the correct plan and you force mate. --- ANSWER: Weak back rank/removal
of the guard. Black is unable to effectively cover the porous kingside.} 45.
Rf3 $1 ({Black's king begins to experience serious spasms of unease. --- Step
1: Lure Black's rook to the c8-square with} 45. Rf3 $1 {(threatening mate on
f8)} Rc8 {. --- Step 2: Lure Black's queen away from e5 by threatening to
infiltrate f8 once again.} 46. Qf2 Qb8 {. --- Step 3: Seize control over the
a1-h1 diagonal, after which Black is mated. After} 47. Qd4 $1 {, the queen
gloats, "Your failed monarchy will soon be consigned to the rubbish heap of
the dead past" as checkmate is inevitable. --- SUMMARY: Meet an early ...b7-b5?!
with a quick d3-d4!, which crosses Black's plan of ...b5-b4 and ...bxc3.}) 1-0

[Event "43: German League"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2008.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Movsesian, S."]
[Black "Belezky, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B20"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2008.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. e4 c5 2. d3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. f4 d6 ({We won't be covering} 5... e6
6. Nf3 Nge7 7. O-O d5 8. c3 {since this transposes to positions we looked at
in Chapter 2.}) 6. Nf3 e6 7. O-O Nge7 8. c3 O-O 9. Be3 b6 {I think this is
actually a superior system for Black, rather than the early ...Rb8 and ...b7-b5 ideas. --- QUESTION: But isn't this more passive for Black? --- ANSWER:
Passive, yes, but also more solid, since White is unable to easily undermine
the c5-pawn with d3-d4, as we examined last game.} 10. Bf2 {We saw this idea
last game, where White removes the bishop from future ...Nf5 ideas and also
clears the e-file for his rook.} ({Instead, after} 10. Na3 Ba6 11. Re1 Qd7 12.
Nc2 e5 13. d4 cxd4 14. cxd4 exd4 {(Black banks on his piece activity to
compensate for his d6-isolani)} 15. Nfxd4 Rac8 16. Qd2 Nxd4 (16... Rc7 {may be
slightly more accurate}) 17. Nxd4 Bb7 18. Rad1 Rfd8 19. Bf2 Qe8 20. b3 {, A.Shirov-A.Khalifman, Amsterdam 1995, the position is close to balanced, but I
still prefer White due to his superior structure. In the next game, we will
look at an early d3-d4, without all the preparatory work White played in this
game.}) 10... Qd7 {QUESTION: This is a very odd-looking move. Why move the
queen, when Black can develop his c8-bishop? --- ANSWER: Actually this move is
completely standard in such structures. Black keeps White guessing, as to
which square he plans to develop his c8-bishop, while his queen covers the
e6-pawn. --- QUESTION: Why is the e6-pawn in need of coverage? --- ANSWER: It
gives Black a future option of ...f7-f5 counterattack ideas, when the e6-pawn
might indeed require some protection.} ({As mentioned in the last game,} 10...
d5 $6 {isn't such a great idea for Black, since he transposes to a position
from Chapter 2 a move down.}) 11. Re1 {White's main move, backing up the
e4-pawn.} Ba6 {QUESTION: Is it better for Black to develop his bishop on the
a6- or b7-square? --- ANSWER: It's hard to say. I tend to prefer to place it
on the b7-square, since it's more central and doesn't impede the future
advance of Black's queenside pawns. Still, in my database, the a6-development
scheme is slightly more popular.} ({Here is an example of the b7-development
plan:} 11... Bb7 12. Na3 Rae8 {(Black backs up his e-pawn to play for either ...f7-f5 or ...e6-e5)} 13. d4 cxd4 14. cxd4 {:} -- (14... Rc8 {(a change of
plans now that the c-file has been opened)} 15. Qd2 Na5 16. b3 {and White
looks slightly more comfortable, due to his extra space, S.Movsesian-D.Kryakvin, Pardubice 2007.}) (14... d5 15. e5 Ba6 16. g4 f6 17. exf6 Bxf6 18.
Qd2 Bg7 19. Rac1 Bh6 $1 20. Bg3 $5 (20. Be3 {prevents Black's coming idea})
20... e5 $5 {(this is possible due to the pin on the f4-pawn)} 21. Nxe5 Nxe5
22. Rxe5 Qxg4 23. Rce1 Qd7 24. Qb4 Nf5 25. Bxd5+ Kh8 {, K.Movsziszian-A.Hoffman, Mancha Real 2000. The position remains tensely charged after} 26. Bg2
Bg7 27. Bf2 $1 Bxe5 28. fxe5 Bb7 29. e6 Qe7 30. Qxe7 Rxe7 31. d5 Rd8 32. Re5
Kg7 33. Be1 $1 {(intending to transfer to the c3-square) and I prefer White's
chances, while Houdini calls it close to even.})) 12. Na3 {The a3-development
of the knight is pretty much obligatory, now that Black's bishop takes a bead
on the d3-pawn.} Rac8 {Black awaits the opening of the c-file.} ({Another
option is} 12... Rae8 13. Nc2 {, J.Netzer-B.Bellahcene, Bischwiller 2009. Here
I would go for} e5 {with balanced chances.}) 13. Qd2 Rc7 $5 {Preparing to
double rooks on the open c-file of the future!} ({Black can also try} 13... e5
14. f5 $5 (14. Rad1 {is safer}) 14... gxf5 15. Bh3 d5 $1 16. exf5 f6 {, W.Muhren-J.Werle, Nijmegen 2001, when the game turns into a battle between
White's coming kingside attack and Black's imposing centre. I prefer Black's
chances.}) 14. Rad1 Rd8 {It doesn't make sense to double on the c-file until
White commits to the d4-push which will allow Black to open the c-file.} 15.
Nc2 Qc8 {Black bides his time.} ({I think he should strike back in the centre
with} 15... e5 16. Ne3 exf4 17. gxf4 {with a dynamic position. Black must
avoid the tempting} d5 $6 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. exd5 Qxd5 20. Bh4 $1 Rdc8 21. Ne5
Qd6 22. Nxc6 Rxc6 {when White should play} 23. f5 $1 {. There is no need to
grab the exchange (with Bxc6) and give Black all sorts of counterplay
opportunities. White exerts strong pressure in the centre and kingside.}) 16.
g4 {A new move which saves a tempo (h2-h3) in conducting the kingside advance.
White logically pursues his kingside attacking agenda.} ({Movsesian's move
looks like an improvement over the previously played} 16. h3 {, T.Stepovaia-E.Fomichenko, Krasnodar 1997.}) 16... e5 {Principle: Meet a wing attack with a
central counter. He can't wait around forever, while White builds his kingside
attack.} 17. f5 d5 {Utilizing the same principle. It appears as if White's
queen is in an uncomfortable position. Movsesian deals with the issue
effectively.} 18. Qg5 $1 {Threat: f5-f6.} h6 ({Not} 18... Bb7 $2 {as after} 19.
f6 $1 h6 20. Qh4 g5 21. Qh5 Bxf6 22. Qxh6 Bg7 23. Qxg5 {, White wins a pawn.})
19. Qh4 g5 20. Qh5 $1 {Preparing h2-h4, while menacing f5-f6!} f6 21. h4 dxe4 {
Black wisely begins the process of swapping major pieces to dilute White's
attack.} 22. dxe4 Rxd1 ({The seemingly strong} 22... Bd3 {runs into} 23. Ne3 $1
{and} Bxe4 $2 {is met harshly with} 24. Nxg5 $1 Bxg2 25. Qf7+ Kh8 26. Ne6 Nxf5
27. Nxc7 Nxe3 28. Ne6 Rg8 29. Bxe3 Bf3 30. Rd7 Bxg4 31. Bxh6 $1 Qxd7 32. Qxd7
Bxh6 33. Kf2 {when White wins.}) 23. Rxd1 Rd7 24. Re1 $6 {EXERCISE 
(combination alert/planning): Movsesian wants to keep one pair of rooks on the
board, just in case it is needed down the h-file later on. But I believe his
last move is inaccurate, since it allows Black a hidden tactical idea. Black
to play and force White on the defensive. --- ANSWER: Double attack.} Bc4 $1 {
Threats: ...Bf7, trapping White's queen, and ...Bxa2.} ({Once again,} 24... Bd3
25. Ne3 $1 {is similar to the last note as} Bxe4 $2 {runs into} 26. hxg5 hxg5
27. Nxg5 $1 Bxg2 $2 28. Qh7+ Kf8 29. Ne6+ {forcing mate.}) 25. hxg5 {Freeing
the queen.} hxg5 26. Bf1 $5 {Movsesian plays with the ultra-confidence of a
higher-rated player who believes his coming victory is pre-ordained by destiny.
He boldly/recklessly offers a pawn, rather than submit to 'disgrace' with 26
Ra1.} ({White's options, in order of increasing desirability:} 26. b3 $6 Bf7
27. Qh3 Rd3 28. Re3 Rxe3 29. Nxe3 Qa6 $1 {leaves White's queenside in some
danger.}) ({Your chicken hearted/humble writer would probably go for} 26. Ra1
$1 {which is a psychologically difficult move to make. Very few GMs would be
willing to play this sort of move against a lower-rated player. It may look
awkward, but at least it covers the a2-pawn.}) 26... Bf7 $6 {With this
decision, Black's counterplay goes inert. He mistakenly believes that his
opponent's generosity is a false boon and so he plays it safe. But why?} ({I
don't see White's compensation after} 26... Bxa2 $1 {. Even a pacifist, when
provoked enough, will turn and fight. The bishop refuses to supinely go along
with White's wishes, and takes up the a2-challenge. After} 27. c4 ({or} 27. Ne3
Bf7 28. Qh3 {and I still fail to see White's full compensation for the pawn})
27... a5 {(intending ...a5-a4 and ...Bb3)} 28. Ne3 Nd4 {, I don't see enough
compensation for the pawn.}) 27. Qh3 {White repeats the chivalric gesture,
continuing to offer the a2-morsel.} c4 {Inoculating himself against all
a2-temptations! Black once again views the a2-venture as profitless
speculation. Maybe Black should change his mind and take it after all. Now the
advantage swings to White.} 28. Be3 $1 {Worrying Black about potential
piece-for-two passed-pawns sacs on g5.} Rd6 29. Be2 Kf8 30. Kf2 {Preparing to
transfer the rook to the h-file.} Ng8 $6 {Black is convinced White is about to
sacrifice on the kingside. This is a critical question of resource allocation:
kingside or queenside? Whichever side receives the funds, the other suffers.
It's similar to someone protesting about funding for the space program, while
citing poverty as underfunded.} ({I would improve the position of the
c6-knight by transferring to it to c5, starting with} 30... Na5 {and if} 31.
Nxg5 $5 fxg5 32. Bxg5 {, then manoeuvre it with} Nb7 33. Qh4 Ng8 34. Be3 Nc5 $1
{. This move saves the day, since White is menaced to cover both the e4-pawn
and the d3-square. This in turn, forces him to hand over his best piece with}
35. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 36. Ne3 Rd2 37. g5 Rxb2 38. Rd1 Qe7 39. Ng4 Qb7 40. Ne3 Qe7 {
with a repetition draw.}) 31. Rh1 Bh6 {Black prays the g5-gash will eventually
harden into a scab. He covers against the g5-sacrifice, but in doing so,
Black's position grows more and more passive.} 32. Qf1 {Taking aim at the
c4-pawn.} Na5 33. Nb4 {Eyeing the d5-square.} Qd7 34. Rh3 Kg7 35. Qh1 {
Continuing to intimidate by 'threatening' ghost sacrifices, now on the
h6-bishop. Such ploys have the effect of eating up the opponent's clock, while
increasing paranoia.} Qd8 {Black's single concern seems to be in preventing
any and all g5-sacrifices.} 36. Qh2 Qe7 37. Nd2 Qd8 38. Ke1 Qc8 39. Qh1 $1 {
Preparing the knight's entry to d5.} Rd7 40. Nd5 Qc6 41. Kf2 $1 b5 ({Black
will be hard pressed to save the ending after} 41... Bxd5 $6 42. exd5 Qxd5 43.
Qxd5 Rxd5 44. Nxc4 {.}) 42. b4 $1 Nb7 ({The panicky} 42... cxb3 $6 43. axb3
Bxd5 $2 44. exd5 Qxc3 $4 {loses to} 45. Ne4 $1 Qc8 46. Nxf6 $1 {and Black's
primal fear turns to reality. White wins, since the f6-pawn is patient zero,
where the plague originated.}) 43. Bf3 ({The careless} 43. Bxa7 $6 {runs into}
Qa6 {and Black favourably regains the lost pawn.}) 43... Qa6 44. Kg3 $1 Be8 {
EXERCISE (combination alert/planning): In manoeuvring positions, we must be
careful not to get hypnotized and begin to play planlessly, where one move
feels exactly like the previous twelve, where they mingle, merge and all
identity is lost. How did White deal with the irritating issue of his
semi-hanging a2-pawn?} ({Not} 44... Qxa2 $4 {as after} 45. Nxf6 {(the same
attacking theme as in the notes to Black's 42 Nb7), White wins.}) 45. a4 $1 {
ANSWER: Deflection.} Rf7 $1 {Black reinforces the f6-pawn.} ({The a-pawn can't
be touched:} 45... Qxa4 46. Nxf6 $1 {wins.}) (45... bxa4 46. b5 $1 Qd6 47. Nxc4
{is also winning.}) 46. axb5 Bxb5 47. Rh2 {Now Qf1-h3 is a possible new fear
for Black.} Nd8 48. Bc5 $1 Rd7 {EXERCISE (combination alert): We sense a
distinct penal colony atmosphere to Black's dejected defenders on the kingside.
White has a breakthrough combination and has a way to give physical form to
his dark mood. He owns the missile, but where is the delivery system? ---
ANSWER: Overloaded defenders/removal of the guard.} 49. Ne7 $1 {Black's
g8-knight is overworked and other than sacrificing the exchange with 49...Rxe7
which might lengthen the game at best, Black's resistance is over.} Nf7 50.
Nxg8 Kxg8 51. Rxh6 Nxh6 52. Qxh6 {The queen sighs dreamily of a Hobbesian
world where the strong (herself) tyrannize the weak (Black's king and pretty
much everyone else). White has two pieces for a rook and also a winning attack.
Black has no further hope.} Rg7 53. Nf1 {A new attacker heads for the
d5-outpost.} Qa1 54. Kg2 Qa2+ 55. Kg1 Qa6 56. Ne3 Qa1+ 57. Kg2 Qb2+ 58. Kg3
Qxc3 59. Nd5 {The beginning of the end. There is no answer to the knight foray
towards the kingside.} Qe1+ 60. Bf2 Qc1 {The queen agrees to the bishop's
"request" with a fatalistic shrug of her shoulders.} 61. Nxf6+ {Black's
kingside structure, frozen in place for so long, like the eternal immovability
of those long-faced Easter Island statues, finally crumbles.} Kf7 62. Nh5 {.
SUMMARY: An early ...b6 may be Black's best plan in the ...e6 line versus the
Clamp, since the move stabilizes the key c5-square.} 1-0

[Event "44: Drammen Smartfish Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2005.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "McShane, LJ."]
[Black "Khalifman, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B20"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2004.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. e4 c5 2. d3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. f4 d6 6. Nf3 e6 7. O-O Nge7 8. c3 O-O
9. Be3 Rb8 {QUESTION: What is the difference between 9...Rb8 and 9...b6, which
we looked at last game? --- ANSWER: The difference is, 9...Rb8 keeps White
guessing about Black's intent. Will he play for ...b7-b5 - ? Or will he play ...b7-b6 anyway? In any case, the rook shift also gets it out of the way of the
g2-bishop's potential range.} 10. d4 {This is an example of White playing for
an immediate d3-d4, rather than waiting, as he did last game. --- QUESTION:
Which plan do you prefer? --- ANSWER: I prefer the immediate d3-d4 plan, as
played in this game, since when White waits too long, he offers Black numerous
equalizing central counters, like ...e6-e5 and ...f7-f5.} b6 {Khalifman
retains central tension.} ({More common is to swap immediately with} 10... cxd4
11. cxd4 d5 12. e5 Qb6 $5 ({this makes ...Rb8 look rather redundant and} 12...
b5 {is more natural though Black probably feared creating a c5-hole, which
allows White ideas like Nd2-b3-c5}) 13. Qd2 Qb4 $5 14. Nc3 Na5 15. b3 Bd7 {, K.Movsziszian-D.Larino Nieto, La Roda 2009. I think Black's early queen
adventure will prove to be a loss of time after a line like} 16. Rfc1 Rfc8 17.
g4 Rc7 18. Ne1 Rbc8 19. Nd3 Qb6 20. Nc5 {when Black's pieces, especially his
queen, look out of position.}) 11. Bf2 ({After} 11. Na3 d5 12. e5 c4 {, once
again, I'm distrustful of the ...c5-c4, ...b7-b5, ...a7-a5, ...b5-b4 plan.
Following} 13. b4 b5 $6 {essentially semi-sealing his own potential queenside
counterplay,} ({maybe Black should make a stand and allow the queenside to
open by trading off his c-pawn for White's a-pawn, with} 13... cxb3 14. axb3 a5
15. Rf2 Ba6) 14. Nc2 a5 15. a3 Ra8 16. g4 {, A.Minasian-Ye Jiangchuan, Elista
1998, White's kingside chances look better than Black's on the semi-locked
queenside.}) 11... a5 {A new move, seizing useful queenside space.} ({It looks
better than} 11... Qd7 12. Re1 cxd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. e5 Ba6 15. Qd2 Rfc8 16. Na3
$5 Na5 17. b3 Rc7 18. Nc2 Rbc8 19. Nb4 Bb7 20. Bf1 {, O.Sepp-E.Kengis, Kilingi
Nomme 2002. White has superior chances for White since the queenside is secure
from invasion and White's extra central space indicates a potential kingside
attack.}) 12. Re1 Ba6 13. a3 {QUESTION: Doesn't this move weaken queenside
light squares? --- ANSWER: It's a trade-off. White slightly weakens queenside
light squares to inoculate himself from future surprise ...cxd4, cxd4 and ...Nb4 invasion threats.} Qd7 {Reinforcing the e6-pawn to enable a future ...
f7-f5.} 14. Nbd2 ({QUESTION: Why not seize further space with} 14. d5 {- ? ---
ANSWER: I like your plan. White looks a shade better in the following
Benoni-ish position after} exd5 15. exd5 Na7 16. a4 Rfe8 17. Nfd2 Nf5 18. Rxe8+
Rxe8 19. Na3 Nc8 20. Nac4 h5 21. Qb3 Qb7 22. Bf3 Bf6 23. Kg2 {with space,
light square power and the potential for kingside expansion. Black can only
passively defend and await White's intent.}) 14... Rfc8 15. Nf1 {Heading for
the e3-square. There the knight covers the c4- and c2-squares, while preparing
a distant g3-g4 and f4-f5 pawn break.} cxd4 {Khalifman finally breaks central
pawn tension.} ({Instead,} 15... f5 $6 {weakens the e6-square after} 16. d5 $1
exd5 17. exd5 Nd8 18. Ng5 $1 {. White has an even more favourable version of
the Benoni structure we examined in the above notes, since Black has been
induced to accept a chronic e6-weakness.}) 16. cxd4 d5 ({Once again, Black's
position is unable to withstand after} 16... f5 $2 17. d5 $1 Nd8 18. dxe6 Nxe6
19. exf5 Nxf5 20. Rxe6 $1 {The human move.} Qxe6 21. Ng5 Qf6 22. Qb3+ Bc4 23.
Bd5+ Bxd5 24. Qxd5+ Kh8 (24... Kf8 $4 {hangs the queen to} 25. Nxh7+) 25. Nf7+
Kg8 26. Nxd6+ Kh8 27. Nxc8 Rxc8 28. Rb1 Rc2 29. b4 axb4 30. Rxb4 Rc6 {and
Black is tied up while a pawn down.}) 17. e5 Bxf1 $5 {This move, a risky and
probably incorrect decision, results in a disconnected narrative, in what was
once a flowing story. Black rids himself of his 'bad' (maybe not so bad)
bishop and reduces White's kingside attacking potential. But in doing so, he
permanently weakens his light squares.} ({Otherwise,} 17... Rc7 18. g4 Rbc8 19.
Ne3 {was the passive but more solid alternative.}) 18. Bxf1 b5 {Intending ...a5-a4, ...Na5, which menaces invasions on the b3- and c4-squares.} 19. b3 $1 {
Alertly denying Black's plan. Now, whichever queenside pawn Black pushes,
White bypasses.} Na7 {Clearing the c-file and worrying White about c2- and
c3-infiltrations.} 20. Re2 h5 {To anchor the knight on the f5-square, with the
understanding that it won't be there forever, since White may eventually
engineer the h2-h3 and g3-g4 push, ejecting Black's knight from f5.} 21. Rea2 {
QUESTION: What is the point of this odd-looking move? --- ANSWER: White simply
clears the path for the coming Bd3.} Nf5 22. Qe1 {Menacing the a5-pawn.} Qc7 $6
{This is a violation of the principle: When doubling or tripling major pieces
on an open file, the queen should not be the lead piece. This tiny inaccuracy
leads to future difficulties.} ({Black's best shot at equality lies in the
variation} 22... a4 $1 23. b4 Rc6 24. Bd3 Rbc8 {when White will have a hard
time building for a kingside attack, since he must be on constant alert for
c-file tricks.}) 23. Bd3 a4 24. b4 {White can leisurely build for h2-h3 and
g3-g4, while Black is unable to implement ...Nc8-b6, since in doing so, he
hangs the b5-pawn.} Rb6 {Preparing to treble on the c-file, followed by ...Rc1,
which would bring healing exchanges.} ({After} 24... Qc3 25. Qf1 {, it is
Black's queen which is in constant danger on the c3-square.}) 25. Rc2 Qxc2 $5 {
QUESTION: Is Black not chasing a chimera with this decision? --- ANSWER:
Black's aggressive antecedent (his decision to give up his light-squared
bishop for White's knight) justifies - at least in his mind - this speculative
venture. When set into motion, such high-risk plans are mindless mechanisms,
with no off-switch. The concept of 'importance' isn't necessarily a mutually
agreed upon subject. In the chess world, there is a percentage of players
among us with a certain birth defect, in that they have enlarged lobes in the
brain-area which control risk-taking. Khalifman, like Topalov and Tal, can
safely be placed in this category. Khalifman feels a solution which is sensed,
more than grasped by the analytical mind. So he attempts an enterprising/foolhardy decision, which places positional considerations above material
disadvantage. Darwin theorized that population was dependent upon food supply.
If food dwindles, then so does population. Khalifman feels his counterplay
level (his food supply) is low, so he hands over his queen for only rook and
bishop, eliminating White's light square power, while taking control over the
c-file. The idea does force White on the defensive, but only temporarily. The
trouble is White can defend his queenside, while gradually preparing h2-h3 and
g3-g4, and go after Black's king.} ({QUESTION: White seems to hold all the
strategic trumps after} 25... Rc6 26. Rac1 {. What do you suggest for Black to
counter this situation? --- ANSWER: Black can speculate with an exchange offer
for the light squares and a passed pawn with} Rc4 $5 {. This sacrificial plan
is not a replica of Khalifman's. Here, White is not obliged to accept it and
can slowly build with} 27. Kg2 $1 Bf8 28. h3 Nh6 29. Nd2 Qd7 $5 (29... Rxc2 30.
Rxc2 Qd7 31. Rxc8 Qxc8 32. Nb1 {will be tough to hold for Black, since the
b5-pawn becomes a perpetual target should queens come off the board}) 30. Nxc4
{. The black rook's long unbroken tenancy of the c4-square finally comes to a
conclusion. I would rather take the exchange with the knight, rather than with
the light-squared bishop. Following} bxc4 {(clearing the b5-square for Black's
a7-knight)} 31. Be2 Nb5 32. Ra2 Nf5 33. Qd2 Ne7 34. g4 hxg4 35. hxg4 Nc6 {
(such moves are more for psychological effect as Black worries his opponent
about potential ...Nxa3 and ...Bxb4 tricks)} 36. Rh1 Bg7 37. Rh3 {, it feels
to me like Black is losing ground here as well. White can engineer an f5-break
at some point.}) 26. Bxc2 Rxc2 27. Rc1 Rbc6 28. Rxc2 Rxc2 29. Qa1 Bf8 30. h3 {
At some point, White will play g3-g4, pushing Black back, while preparing a
queenside attack.} Nc8 {Hoping to have time for ...Nb6 and ...Nc4, after which
Black's position improves dramatically.} 31. Qf1 $1 {Attacking the b5-pawn,
while denying the ...Nb6-c4 plan.} Rc3 {Attacking both the f3-knight and
a3-pawn.} 32. Ng5 Na7 ({After} 32... Rc4 $2 33. Qd3 Nb6 34. Kg2 Ne7 35. Nf3 $1
{, White is poised to play Nd2 and Black can't afford to hand over more
material.}) 33. Qa1 Rc2 34. Qb1 Rc3 35. Qb2 Rc4 36. Nf3 Nc8 37. Kg2 Na7 ({Also
insufficient is} 37... Nb6 {. White can set problems with} 38. Qe2 $1 {(threat:
Nd2 and Qxb5)} Bh6 39. Qd3 Ne7 40. Be3 Nbc8 41. g4 hxg4 42. hxg4 Na7 (42... Bf8
43. Nd2 {is also hopeless for Black, who either gives up an exchange, or his
b5-pawn}) 43. f5 $1 Bxe3 {and now the killer zwischenzug} 44. f6 $1 {wins.})
38. g4 {Architecture is more than just shelter. At last, White becomes the
aggressor.} hxg4 39. hxg4 Nh6 ({Also, after} 39... Ne7 40. Bh4 Nac6 41. Bf6 Bg7
42. Nd2 $1 Rxd4 43. Bxe7 {, White wins more material. Following} Rxf4 44. Bf6
Rxg4+ 45. Kh3 Rf4 46. Qc3 Nd4 47. Bg5 Rf5 48. Qxd4 Rxg5 49. Nf3 {, White
consolidates and wins.}) 40. Kg3 Be7 41. Be3 {Threat: f4-f5.} f5 $5 {This
desperate bid for freedom weakens Black's king's protective cover and allows a
tactical trick.} ({Anyway, after} 41... Bf8 42. Qd2 {(renewing the f4-f5
threat)} Kh7 43. Ng5+ Kg8 44. Qd3 Kg7 45. Nf3 Nc6 46. f5 $1 exf5 47. Bxh6+ Kxh6
48. gxf5 {, Black won't survive.}) 42. exf6 Bxf6 {EXERCISE (combination alert):
This one is easy. White to play and win. --- ANSWER:} 43. f5 $1 {"When a fact
appears to be opposed to a long train of deductions, it invariably proves to
be capable of bearing some other interpretation," said Sherlock Holmes.
White's last move clearly contradicts Black's earlier supposition, that his
queen sacrifice permanently drained the dynamic potential from White's side.
All around in Black's position we note tell-tale moribund signs of decay. His
proprietorship of the f5-square, once tenuous now snaps, and his king's safety
is drained like a winter's leafless tree. White simultaneously menaces
weaknesses on h6, g6 and e6. Now the kingside offers scant scope for
concealment for Black's harried king.} Nf7 44. fxg6 {No one can truthfully
call the pale, sullenly malevolent g6-pawn a handsome boy.} Nd6 ({Also,} 44...
Nh8 $2 45. Qh2 Nxg6 46. Qh6 Kf7 47. Qh7+ Bg7 48. Ng5+ Kf6 49. Qg8 {forces mate.
}) 45. Qh2 {Threat: Qh7+ and Qxa7.} Rc7 46. Bf4 {"Now you finally realize I am
no angel. The world abounds in evil, so I deem it a waste of energy to resist
it," declares the bishop, truthfully.} Nac8 47. Kh3 {A strange way to threaten
the d6-knight.} Rc6 48. Kg2 $1 {Black is unable to cover both d6 and h7-points.
} (48. Kg2 $1 Rc7 {is met with} 49. Qh6 $1 ({most certainly not} 49. Bxd6 $4
Rc2+ {when Black makes up all his previous lost ground}) 49... Rg7 50. Ng5 Bxg5
51. Qxg5 Rd7 {(covering against d8-mating threats)} 52. Qf6 {and it's all over.
The queen believes in a tiered democracy, where an enlightened minority 
(herself) rules the ignorant, unwashed masses (everyone else). There is no
defence to Bh6 or Be5. --- SUMMARY: Black is unable to retain central pawn
tension eternally in this line, since White has access to both d4-d5 and e4-e5
space-gaining plans.}) 1-0

[Event "45: Sitges Open, Seville"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2013.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Movsziszian, K."]
[Black "Kovchan, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A02"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2013.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

{Note that although the names may sound alike, this isn't Sergei Movsesian
playing White, whose games we looked at earlier in the chapter. GM Karen
Movsziszian is another Clamp aficionado.} 1. g3 g6 2. Bg2 Bg7 3. d3 c5 4. f4
Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. O-O e5 $6 {QUESTION: Why on earth would you give the ...e7-e5
Botvinnik System, which is one of Black's most popular set-ups, a dubious mark?
--- ANSWER: The Botvinnik System works well versus the Closed Sicilian.
Against the Leningrad Bird, I think it's one of the worst set-ups Black can
play. Even though I consider it an actual inaccuracy from Black, we will cover
it heavily, mainly since you will get this quite often from players who
believe they can play the position as if it is a Closed Sicilian. Just watch.}
7. fxe5 $1 {Opening the f-file gives Black serious trouble, since in many
lines, the f7-pawn comes under fire.} dxe5 {QUESTION: Can Black recapture the
e5-pawn with the knight?} ({ANSWER: The move loses time and I don't see a
single game in my database with it. But it doesn't really look worse than
recapture with the pawn. After} 7... Nxe5 8. Nxe5 Bxe5 9. Nd2 Ne7 10. c3 O-O ({
also,} 10... d5 11. e4 d4 12. Nc4 Bg7 13. e5 $1 O-O 14. cxd4 cxd4 15. Bg5 Be6
16. Nd6 Qd7 17. Nxb7 Rac8 18. b4 Bxe5 19. Nc5 {keeps Black under pressure}) 11.
Nc4 Bg7 12. Bf4 $1 {(principle: Create confrontation when leading in
development)} d5 13. Nd6 h6 (13... Be6 $2 {and White gets away with taking the
b7-pawn after} 14. Nxb7 Qb6 15. Qb3 Qc6 16. Na5) 14. h4 b6 15. Nxc8 Rxc8 16.
Bh3 Ra8 (16... f5 17. e4 $1 {also looks quite unpleasant for Black}) 17. Qd2 h5
18. d4 {, White continues to hold a slight development lead and the bishop
pair, thus keeping a clear edge.}) 8. Be3 $1 {Remember this key idea. The
silent white bishop, on a secret mission, speaks to no one and hurries past
with cowl drawn forward to hide his face. The normal genteel manners of early
opening play are placed aside. White's pieces emerge with a mysterious
rationale, not easily discernible upon a quick glance. We sense that something
just isn't right in Black's position, and there may be a dead mouse in the
otherwise sweet smelling potpourri. This odd computer move applies pressure on
Black, who experiences difficulties holding on to his c-pawn, mainly since ...b7-b6 isn't tactically possible.} Nd4 {This move is a temporary fix, which
costs Black yet more time. He hopes the knight's transference to e6 will be
the necessary antibody to his c5-disease.} ({In the next game we cover the
more commonly played} 8... Qe7 {.}) ({QUESTION: Can Black pull off a double
attack counter with} 8... e4 {- ? --- ANSWER: Your suggestion is a curious
superimposition of wild abandon, placed over previous caution. It's a
thankless task to try and balance that which is basically an irreconcilable
relationship between Black's desire to counterattack, and the actual reality,
which says a counterattack won't work when lagging in development. Be heavily
prepared for this one, since at some point, one or more of your future
opponents will try it. The lines are complex but White always comes out on top.
--- Black doesn't have the time to capture the b2-pawn after} 9. Ng5 {
(attacking the f7-pawn) so he has to block with} Nf6 {. After} 10. c3 $1 exd3 (
{also,} 10... Nd5 {simply drops a pawn to} 11. Bc1 $1 {when Black is unable to
simultaneously cover the e4- and f7-pawns}) 11. Bxc5 h6 12. Ne4 Nxe4 13. Bxe4
Qg5 14. b4 $1 ({not} 14. Ba3 $4 {which hangs a piece to} Qe3+ 15. Rf2 Qxe4)
14... Bh3 15. Rf2 O-O-O ({not} 15... dxe2 $4 {which loses to} 16. Bxc6+ bxc6
17. Rxe2+ Be6 18. Qd6 Rc8 19. Na3 {(White threatens a brutal exchange
sacrifice on e6)} Qf6 20. Rd1 $1 {and there is no reasonable answer to the
coming Qd7 mate!}) 16. exd3 Ne5 17. Nd2 Rxd3 $1 (17... Nxd3 $4 18. Bxb7+ $1
Kxb7 19. Rxf7+ Rd7 20. Qf3+ Kc7 21. Bd6+ $1 Kxd6 22. Ne4+ {wins Black's queen})
18. Qa4 $1 Rxd2 (18... a6 19. b5 $1 {shatters the black king's cover}) 19. Qxa7
{, White has a winning attack.}) 9. c3 {Ejecting the d4-annoyance and covering
the b2-pawn against long diagonal tricks.} Ne6 {Black attempts to repair the
neglect of the c5-pawn, at a high cost in development.} ({Instead,} 9... Nxf3+
$6 10. Bxf3 Qc7 11. Qa4+ $1 Bd7 12. Qc4 {and Black drops a pawn, since} Rc8 $4
{is met with} 13. Bxb7 $1 {with a discovered hit on f7. Following} Be6 14. Qa4+
Bd7 15. Qa6 Rb8 16. Bd5 f5 17. Bb3 {, White has an extra pawn and a crushing
position.}) 10. Nbd2 {Preparing to challenge Black with Ne4 next.} Ne7 ({
QUESTION: Can Black cut off White's Ne4 plans with} 10... f5 {- ? --- ANSWER:
If Black tosses in 10...f5?!, a distortion factor appears, which creates a
final product more flawed than the original (which Black sought to escape). I
see three problems with this response. We glean the following clues: 1. It
weakens the e5-pawn. --- 2. Black falls even further behind in development.
--- 3. The move further weakens Black's light squares. --- After} 11. Nc4 {
(attacking the e5-pawn)} Qc7 12. Ng5 $1 {(going after Black's best piece)} Nxg5
(12... Bh6 13. Qd2 Nf6 14. Nxe6 Bxe3+ 15. Qxe3 Bxe6 16. Nxe5 {leaves White up
a pawn with a winning position}) 13. Bxg5 {. Now if} Ne7 14. Qa4+ Nc6 (14...
Bd7 $2 15. Qa3 $1 {Threat: Bxb7!, which can't really be met reasonably}) 15.
Qb5 {, White picks up a clean c5-pawn.}) 11. Ne4 {Attacking the c5-pawn.} ({
Also strong is} 11. Ng5 $1 Nxg5 12. Bxg5 O-O 13. Ne4 Qc7 14. Nf6+ Kh8 15. Qa4 {
(threatening to swing over to h4)} Ng8 16. Ne8 $1 {when Nxg7 follows, after
which Black is chronically weak on the dark squares, as well as behind in
development.}) 11... Nf5 12. Bf2 {Renewing the c5-threat.} Qc7 13. Qa4+ $1 ({
Also effective is} 13. b4 $1 cxb4 14. Qa4+ Bd7 15. Qxb4 {which leaves Black in
serious trouble.}) 13... Bd7 14. Qa3 {White relentlessly pursues the c5-pawn.}
b6 {This move is now tactically possible, since White has two knights blocking
the h1-a8 diagonal.} 15. b4 $1 {Principle: Create confrontation and open the
game when leading in development. One senses a spider-like arachnid quality to
White's play, as his web continues to grow on the queenside.} Rc8 {This leaves
Black with a c4-hole and a c5-target.} ({After} 15... c4 16. dxc4 O-O 17. Rad1
Rad8 18. Qb3 Bc6 19. Nfd2 {, Black has insufficient compensation for the pawn,
yet he looks better off than in the game continuation.}) 16. bxc5 bxc5 17. Nfd2
$1 {Seizing control over the c4-square.} O-O 18. Rab1 Bc6 19. Nc4 Rfd8 20. Na5
$1 {The lawless knight creates a cloud of consternation among the townfolk, as
he despoils all with his vile touch.} Bxe4 $6 {QUESTION: Why did Black hand
over the bishop pair?} ({ANSWER: When we waste time and energy to try and
avoid a non-existent combination, we attempt to give form and shape to that
which is not real. Black probably feared the line} 20... Ba8 21. Nb7 $5 ({a
quiet building move like} 21. Qa4 {may well be stronger}) 21... Rd7 22. Nbxc5
Nxc5 23. Qxc5 Bxe4 $1 24. Qxc7 Rdxc7 25. Bxe4 Rxc3 26. Bd5 R3c7 27. e4 Nd4 28.
Bxd4 exd4 29. Bc4 {and Black remains under pressure. However, this is still
how he should have played, since the opposite-coloured bishops offer drawing
chances.}) 21. Bxe4 {Now Black must worry about Rb7, as well as
c6-infiltrations.} Nd6 {Covering the b7-square from incursions, while
attacking White's light-squared bishop.} 22. Bd5 {The bishop takes up a
dominating post.} Nb5 {This move picks off White's monster bishop, yet fails
to end Black's light square issues.} 23. Rxb5 Rxd5 {EXERCISE (combination
alert): White has a simple method of picking up a pawn. How? --- ANSWER:
Double attack.} 24. Rb7 Qd8 25. Rxa7 {There goes the a-pawn.} Rd7 ({Also
futile is} 25... e4 26. Qa4 $1 {and now if} exd3 $4 {, then} 27. e4 $1 Rd6 (
27... Rh5 28. Nc6 {is even worse for Black, since Ne7+ is coming}) 28. Nb7 Qc7
29. Nxd6 Qxd6 30. Rxf7 $1 {wins.}) 26. Rxd7 Qxd7 27. Nc4 Ng5 $5 {Both sides
have chosen an allegiance to a wing. Black attempts a sneaky little trap/cheapo. Well, a man can dream, can't he?} ({Houdini prefers the line} 27... Qc6
28. e4 Rd8 29. Rd1 Ng5 30. Qc1 Nh3+ 31. Kg2 Nxf2 32. Kxf2 f5 33. Qc2 $1 {. Now
if Black wants the pawn back, he faces the line} fxe4 34. dxe4 Rxd1 35. Qxd1
Qxe4 36. Ne3 Qb7 37. Qd5+ Qxd5 38. Nxd5 {. I don't think Black will hold the
ending, due to the fact that White has a passed a-pawn.}) 28. Be3 $1 {
Attacking the g5-intruder, while threatening Nb6 for real this time.} ({White
avoids the cheapo} 28. Nb6 $4 {which runs into} Qb7 $1 {(threatening ...Nh3
mate! and also ...Qxb6). When we fall for a filthy cheapo, we come to realize
that we are as innocent as Adam or Eve, just moments before their fall from
grace. After} 29. h4 Nh3+ 30. Kh2 Nxf2 31. Nxc8 Ng4+ 32. Kg1 Bh6 $1 {(threat: ...Be3+)} 33. e4 Qxc8 {, the advantage swings to Black.}) 28... Nh3+ {Forced,
but this a good move, giving Black a chance to complicate.} 29. Kg2 Qg4 $2 {
Black misses his chance to create some confusion in the White ranks.} ({Here,
he should have messed things up with} 29... Nf4+ 30. Bxf4 (30. gxf4 $6 Qg4+ 31.
Kh1 Qxe2 32. Qc1 Qxd3 {muddles things up considerably}) 30... Qb7+ 31. Kg1 exf4
32. Rxf4 ({another try is} 32. Nd6 Qa8 33. Qb3 c4 34. Nxc4 Qa7+ 35. Kg2 Re8 36.
Qc2 Qa8+ {and here, after the seemingly safe} 37. Rf3 {, Black has the sneaky
tactic} fxg3 38. hxg3 Bxc3 $1 {when White is still a pawn up but it's not easy
to win this}) 32... Ra8 33. Qxc5 Rxa2 34. Re4 h5 35. Qb6 Ra1+ 36. Kg2 Qa8 {and
Black continues to squirm and complicate, despite being two pawns down.}) 30.
Qb2 {Everything is under control. The move covers the e2-pawn and clears the
path for the a-pawn's push.} Rd8 $5 {Black decides to default on his c5-debt.
Nothing else works in any case.} ({Following} 30... h5 31. Rf3 h4 32. Qb7 Rf8
33. Qe7 hxg3 34. hxg3 {, Black's attack is at its end.}) 31. Bxc5 {Thanks!}
Nf4+ 32. Kf2 Ne6 33. Be3 ({More accurate was} 33. Be7 $1 Re8 34. Qb7 {(threat:
Nd6)} Nf4 35. gxf4 Qxf4+ 36. Kg2 Qg4+ 37. Kh1 Qxe2 38. Ne3 $1 {and White
consolidates. If} Qxe3 $4 {, White has} 39. Bg5 $1 {which short circuits
Black's queen and the f7-pawn simultaneously.}) 33... e4 {This move is at
discord with the position's natural landscape.} ({Instead,} 33... f5 {offers
Black more hope though it still loses in the end. After} 34. Bb6 Rf8 35. Qb3 f4
36. Ke1 $1 {. Black can't play} fxg3 $4 37. Rxf8+ Bxf8 38. Ne3 $1 Qh3 39. hxg3
Qxg3+ 40. Kd2 Kf7 41. Nd5 {as Nc7 is threatened and so is the simple push of
the a-pawn. Black is busted.}) 34. d4 f5 35. Ke1 $1 {Every step increases the
distance between the king and his pursuers.} Qh5 $6 {Black's last move was a
blunder in an already losing position. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): The
black queen's problem is one of jurisdiction. She goes after the h2-pawn, but
White soon proves that she is in fact out of play. How did White exploit
Black's last move? --- ANSWER: Double attack.} 36. Qb6 $1 {"Now you understand
the potency and extent of my power. No further warnings or threats will be
required to assure your obedience," the queen tells Black's worried rook and
knight. The just white queen seeks to dole out punishments commensurate with
the crimes. Of course, this means capital punishment in all cases.} ({White
will prevail after} 36. Qb6 $1 Re8 (36... Kf7 37. d5 $1 Bxc3+ 38. Nd2 {and
Black loses heavy material}) 37. Nd6 Re7 (37... Rf8 38. Nxf5 {wins more
material}) 38. Nc8 Re8 39. Qc6 g5 40. Nd6 Rd8 41. Nxf5 {. --- SUMMARY: Believe
it or not, 6...e5?! is a mistake, and the Botvinnik System works out miserably
for Black against the Leningrad Bird, due to our tricky 8 Be3! idea.}) 1-0

[Event "46: Lucmajor Open"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2014.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Movsziszian, K."]
[Black "Panelo Munoz, MA."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A02"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. g3 c5 2. Bg2 Nc6 3. d3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 d6 6. O-O e5 $6 7. fxe5 dxe5 8.
Be3 $1 {The power-mad bishop interprets any and all opposition to his
authority as moral decay and degeneracy in society.} Qe7 {Black's most common
response to our 8 Be3! trick.} 9. Nc3 Nf6 10. Bg5 Qd7 {Black gets out of the
pin immediately.} ({Let's look at some options where Black deals with the pin
actively:} 10... h6 11. Nd5 Qd8 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 {EXERCISE 
(combination alert): How did White seriously impair Black's pawn structure?
--- ANSWER: Discovered attack. --- By uncovering the rook against the Black
queen, White gets to damage the black queenside pawns with} 14. Nd4 $1 Qd6 15.
Nxc6 bxc6 16. Qd2 {, K.Movsziszian-M.Munoz Pantoja, Sabadell 2013. Black is in
deep trouble strategically: 1. He lags seriously behind in development. --- 2.
His pawn structure is a wreck. --- 3. He is unable to castle and his king's
insecurity is certain to be an issue in perpetuity.}) (10... Be6 $4 {looks
reasonable but only succeeds in cutting off Nd5. There is the issue of White
being able to use the e4-square though. After} 11. Ne4 h6 {, K.Movsziszian-C.Bauer, Rabat (blitz) 2014, White should play} 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 14.
Nd4 $1 Qe7 15. Nxc6 Qc7 16. Nxe5 Qxe5 17. Bxb7 Rb8 18. Bc6+ Kf8 19. b3 {with
two extra pawns and a winning position.}) 11. Kh1 $6 {With this lax move,
White risks compromising his initiative. --- QUESTION: Why the dubious mark?
White's move looks like a reasonable safety measure against ...Qd4+ ideas. ---
ANSWER: I interpret it as a strangely muffled response for such a dynamic
position. I suspect Movsziszian was playing to net a pawn with a Nxe5! cheapo.}
({White can play more forcefully with} 11. Qd2 $1 O-O (11... h6 $6 {is even
worse for Black after} 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Qe3 $1 {and oddly enough, Black has
no good way to protect the c5-pawn}) 12. Qe3 $1 {with a double attack on both
the e5- and c5-pawns. After} Qd6 13. Bxf6 $1 {, Black loses his c5-pawn, no
matter which way he recaptures and with} Qxf6 14. Qxc5 {, Black's bishop pair
isn't enough compensation for the missing pawn.}) 11... Ng4 $1 {Denying White
an f6-target and provoking h2-h3 (which would in turn weaken the g3-pawn).} ({
The careless} 11... O-O $2 {is met with} 12. Nxe5 $1 Nxe5 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14.
Rxf6 Ng4 15. Rf4 $1 Ne3 16. Qg1 Nxg2 17. Qxg2 {and Black doesn't have
compensation for the pawn, since he remains seriously behind in development.})
12. e4 ({White avoids the immediate} 12. h3 h6 13. Bd2 Nf6 {as Black can go
after the g3-weakness with potential ...Nh5 ideas.}) 12... h6 13. Bd2 O-O 14.
Nd5 ({Seeking to induce kingside weaknesses with} 14. Qc1 {can be met with} g5
$5 15. h4 f6 16. Nd5 Qd6 17. Qd1 Be6 18. c4 {when White only looks a shade
better.}) 14... f5 $6 {It's impossible to avoid a fight if your opponent
begins the game in a cantankerous mood. Black's plan, mired in contradiction,
goes into motion with the creaking of wheels and the grinding of gears. This
is however a violation of the principle: Avoid confrontation when lagging in
development. Black's rationale is that if one pushes a conservative strategy
too far, he risks stagnation. This tempting, yet mistaken prematurely active
move is similar to a man who leaps off a cliff and thinks to himself while he
falls: "What's the problem? I feel no pain and the breeze is rather pleasant."
The trouble of course is that his happiness is of a very temporary nature.} ({
Black looks nearly equal after the more circumspect} 14... Qd6 15. Qc1 h5 16.
c3 {.}) 15. Nh4 $1 {The kingside hums with the sound of war industry, as White
offers a promising exchange sacrifice.} Qd6 $2 {EXERCISE (planning): Black's
hoped-for initiative is of short duration. --- Work out a concrete plan to
reach a winning position for White.} ({It is indeed easy to go wrong here:
Also bad is} 15... Kh7 $4 {which fails miserably to} 16. Nxg6 $1 {(attraction/double attack)} Kxg6 17. exf5+ {and Black can resign.}) ({A better course of
action is} 15... fxe4 16. Bxe4 Nf2+ 17. Rxf2 Rxf2 18. Be3 Rf7 19. Nxg6 Nb4 20.
Nc3 c4 21. Bc5 Nc6 22. dxc4 Qxd1+ 23. Rxd1 Bg4 24. Rd2 {with an admittedly
difficult ending for Black, since White has two pawns plus key light squares
for the exchange.}) 16. exf5 {ANSWER: Step 1: Create a very real target on f5.}
gxf5 {Step 2: Send Black's knight back to f6, which weakens Black's grip over
the now weakened f5-square.} 17. h3 $1 e4 $5 {Black's costly war effort feels
disproportionate to the staggering cost. The g4-knight refuses to turn and
look back, fearful that his resolution to sacrifice himself for his cause
would then abandon him. This move fails to confuse White. --- Step 3: Take
down the f5-pawn by playing Ne3, adding a 3:1 ratio of attackers to defenders
on f5.} ({This is especially the case had Black played} 17... Nf6 {instead as}
18. Ne3 $1 {wins a key pawn for nothing.}) 18. hxg4 Qxd5 19. gxf5 {Black's
queen remains gloom-drenched and taciturn after the mysterious disappearance
of her beloved f-pawn.} Qe5 {EXERCISE (calculation): Black just offered us a
knight fork on g6. But if we go for it, Black's queen may take the g3-pawn.
Should we risk the exchange grab or avoid it?} ({Also, completely hopeless for
Black is} 19... Rf7 20. Bxe4 {.}) 20. Ng6 $1 {ANSWER: We should grab the
exchange, since the g3-pawn is poisoned for Black's queen.} Qxb2 ({Not} 20...
Qxg3 $4 {as} 21. Bf4 $1 {traps Black's queen.}) 21. Rb1 Qd4 22. Nxf8 e3 23. Bc1
({Even stronger is} 23. Ne6 $1 Bxe6 24. fxe6 exd2 25. Rxb7 Rc8 26. e7 Qd6 27.
Qh5 Nxe7 28. Qf7+ Kh8 29. Rxe7 {and White wins.}) 23... Bxf8 24. Bb2 Qd8 25.
Qg4+ {The queen smiles wickedly, as if to a private malicious joke about her
unfortunate g8-brother.} Qg5 {EXERCISE (combination alert): The accumulated
terrors of Black's position would unnerve even the most stoic among us. Find
White's continuation which forced mate:} 26. Qc4+ $1 {Black king and queen
glare at their tormentor with varying degrees of loathing.} ({With} 26. Qc4+
Kh7 27. Qf7+ {, when the king's sister visits, his sense of utter revulsion is
similar to your writer's, when one of my six-year-old students rips a scab off
her arm, intently examines the nauseating yield, and then makes the somewhat
questionable decision to pop the bloody scab in her mouth, in order to enjoy a
nutritious, yet low carb snack during the lesson. After} Bg7 28. Be4 $1 {, the
bishop's mad cackle of evil mirth arouses suspicions in court that maybe he
isn't quite as saintly as his reputation previously indicated. He responds to
the black king's curses with the following advice: "Your Grace would be wise
to save his final breaths for prayer." --- SUMMARY: After 8...Qe7, harass
Black with pin ideas of Bg5, followed by either Nd5 or Ne4.}) 1-0

[Event "47: European Championship, Plovdiv"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2008.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Movsesian, S."]
[Black "Baklan, V."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B20"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2008.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. e4 c5 2. d3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. f4 b5 {QUESTION: How is this early ...b7-b5 different from the games we examined earlier in the chapter? --- ANSWER:
This game is an example of a plan, where Black exerts tremendous early energy
exclusively on the queenside, putting kingside development on hold for the
moment.} ({In Game 48, we will look at} 5... Rb8 {.}) 6. Nf3 ({Since White
played a2-a4 later on, he may want to try it here, though} 6. a4 $5 b4 7. Nd2
d6 {should transpose to the game continuation, except that White reduces
Black's options.}) 6... Rb8 7. O-O d6 ({QUESTION: What if Black attempts to
pre-empt White's coming c2-c3 by tossing in} 7... b4 {- ? The idea is that
White is unable to play a2-a3, since after ...bxa3, then the b2-pawn hangs.
--- ANSWER: This idea has only been tried once, in the game, E.Real de Azua-A.Needleman, Ezeiza 2000. I think White can indeed respond as Black hoped for,
with a pawn sacrifice in mind. For example:} 8. a3 $1 {:} -- (8... bxa3 $6 9.
Nxa3 $1 {and we offer up the b2-pawn. If Black bites with} Bxb2 $2 {, we get
tremendous compensation after} 10. Bxb2 Rxb2 11. Nc4 Rb8 12. Qd2 $1 Nf6 (12...
d6 13. e5 $1 d5 14. Na5 Nxa5 15. Rxa5 Qb6 16. Qc3 c4+ 17. Nd4 {and White
regains the material favourably since} cxd3 $4 {loses instantly to} 18. Rb5 $1)
13. e5 Nd5 14. f5 $1 {and according to Houdini, Black is in a resignable
position, since White has a winning attack, no matter how Black responds.}) ({
. Wiser is} 8... a5 9. axb4 axb4 10. Nbd2 {which leads to positions with which
we are familiar.})) 8. a4 {This is a new move and when it is played by a 2700
player, we should take note.} ({Instead,} 8. Nc3 {transposes to Closed
Sicilian lines and} b4 9. Ne2 e6 (9... Nf6 10. a3 $1 a5 11. axb4 axb4 12. h3 {
reaches Closed Sicilian lines that we have examined earlier in the chapter})
10. a3 a5 11. axb4 axb4 12. c3 Nge7 13. d4 O-O 14. Be3 {is dynamically
balanced, A.Ryvova-H.Kubikova, correspondence 2000.}) 8... b4 {This move
closes queenside lines, which can only help White. --- QUESTION: Can Black
apply pressure to the b2-pawn by simply exchanging?} ({ANSWER: White does not
have to recapture immediately so the pressure on the b2-pawn is not a big deal:
White intends to meet} 8... bxa4 {with} 9. c3 {which nullifies most of the
b2-pressure. After} e6 10. Qxa4 Nge7 11. Na3 O-O {, White has the strong} 12.
e5 $1 dxe5 (12... d5 {may be wiser, giving White an edge after} 13. Be3 d4 14.
Bf2 $1 Rxb2 15. Nc4 Rxf2 $1 16. Rxf2 dxc3 17. Qa3 Qxd3 18. Bf1 Qd7 19. Qxc3 {
Black gets some but not full compensation for the exchange, since the c5-pawn
remains weak}) 13. Nc4 $1 {with advantage to White. For example, after} Bd7 (
13... Qxd3 $4 14. Rd1 Qe2 15. Rd2 Qe4 16. Ng5 Qe1+ 17. Bf1 {and there is no
good way to save Black's queen from the coming Re2, except to hand over a
piece with} Nd4 18. cxd4 f6 19. Rd1 Qb4 20. Qxb4 Rxb4 21. Rxa7 Nc6 22. Rc7 Nxd4
23. Ne4 {when Black lacks compensation}) 14. Qa3 $1 Be8 15. Qxc5 {, White
applies strong pressure to Black's position in the centre.}) ({QUESTION: How
do we respond if Black simply maintains tension with} 8... a6 {- ? --- ANSWER:
Trade pawns and transpose. We reach familiar positions after} 9. axb5 axb5 10.
Nc3 {:} -- (10... b4 11. Ne2 Qb6 12. Kh1 Nf6 13. Rb1 O-O 14. Be3 {with a
similar version of our familiar Closed Sicilian set-up we examined earlier in
the chapter.}) (10... e6 {can be met effectively with} 11. e5 $1 {. Now Black
should bypass since} dxe5 $6 {opens the position favourably, with our lead in
development and open a and f-files.} 12. fxe5 Nxe5 13. Bf4 Ne7 14. Nxe5 Qd4+
15. Kh1 Bxe5 16. Qe1 Bxf4 17. Rxf4 Qd6 18. Ne4 Qc7 19. Qc3 $1 e5 20. Re1 b4 21.
Nf6+ Kf8 22. Qxe5 Qxe5 23. Rxe5 {which leaves Black in deep trouble in the
ending, since he remains gravely lagging in development.} (23. --))) 9. Nbd2
Nf6 ({Possible is:} 9... Nh6 $5 10. h3 f5 11. Rb1 O-O 12. b3 Nf7 {which looks
about even to me.}) ({Or} 9... e6 $5 {, which once again looks like a risky
set-up, in conjunction with ...Rb8 and ...b7-b5-b4, since Black is behind in
development. White should respond with} 10. e5 $1 Nge7 11. Nc4 dxe5 12. fxe5
O-O 13. Be3 Nd4 14. Nxd4 cxd4 15. Bg5 {. Houdini still claims it's even. To my
human eyes, White's position looks promising, with all those potential dark
square holes, ripe for future occupation.}) 10. h3 O-O 11. Nc4 Ba6 {Threat: ...Nxe4, undermining the c4-knight.} 12. Re1 Nd7 ({QUESTION: What happens after} 
12... Nxe4 $5 13. Rxe4 d5 {- ? --- ANSWER: The position erupts into total
chaos after} 14. Nce5 dxe4 15. Nxc6 Qd6 16. Nfe5 Rb6 17. Nxa7 $1 (17. Na5 $6
exd3 18. cxd3 Bxe5 19. fxe5 Qxe5 {leaves White with a lot of weak pawns}) 17...
Bxe5 18. fxe5 Qxe5 19. Qe1 Ra8 20. Nc6 Rxc6 21. Qxe4 Qxe4 22. Bxe4 Rac8 23.
Bxc6 Rxc6 24. b3 {leaves White a shade better in the ending, due to the
protected passed a-pawn and Black's weak c5-pawn. Still, the presence of
opposite-coloured bishops makes the game a likely candidate for a draw.}) 13.
Kh2 Nd4 14. Nxd4 {Movsesian decides he can't allow Black's knight eternal
access to the d4-square. In agreeing to this exchange, though, he does allow
Black to open the c-file. --- QUESTION: How does opening the c-file matter,
since White's c4-knight plugs the file? --- ANSWER: The outpost is not a
permanent one, especially if Black eventually engineers ...e6 and ...d5,
ejecting the c4-obstruction.} cxd4 15. b3 Qc7 16. Bd2 e6 $1 {White must do
something about the coming ...Qc5 and ...d6-d5 plan, which opens lanes for
Black's major pieces down the c-file.} 17. a5 Qc5 18. Qf3 {Cutting off ...d6-d5 for now.} Bb7 {Renewing the threat.} 19. a6 $1 {This move disrupts
Black's intention a touch. The idea is to activate the sleeping a1-rook via
the a5-square.} Ba8 20. Ra5 $1 Qc7 21. Qf2 Nc5 {Threat: ...d6-d5, undermining
the defender of the a5-rook.} 22. Raa1 ({White can try} 22. f5 $5 {to gain the
f4-square for his bishop. Black is unable to play} d5 $4 {, as} ({better is} 
22... Nd7 23. Ra4 Qc5 {with a tense position}) 23. exd5 exd5 24. Bf4 {is
winning for White.}) 22... d5 $6 {At last, Black achieves his goal of ejecting
the c4-blockader. However, the move actually enables White to increase his
advantage, since Black weakens his own d4-, d5- and b4-pawns.} ({Black should
just await events with} 22... Nd7 {with a slightly inferior but fully playable
position.}) 23. exd5 exd5 24. Ne5 Ne6 {Covering the d4-pawn, while threatening
the one on c2.} 25. Re2 {Indirectly covering the c2-pawn.} Rb6 26. Rae1 $1 {
Both c2- and a6-pawns are tactically covered. Now Black must calculate Nxf7
tricks.} Nc5 ({The alternatives show Black has to suffer anyway: After} 26...
Qxc2 $2 27. Bxb4 Qxb3 28. Bxf8 Nxf8 29. Rc1 Qb5 30. Rc7 {, White is winning.})
({Also,} 26... Rxa6 27. f5 $1 gxf5 28. Qxf5 Bxe5 29. Rxe5 Ng7 30. Qf4 f6 (30...
Qxc2 $4 31. Bxb4 Rd8 32. Re7 {wins}) 31. Bxb4 Qb8 32. Re7 $1 Qxf4 (32... Qxb4
$4 33. Qg4 $1 Rf7 34. Re8+ Rf8 35. R1e7 {wins}) 33. gxf4 Rc8 34. R1e2 Ra2 35.
Rd7 {gives Black a very difficult position.}) 27. f5 $5 {The addition of the
f-pawn constitutes an attacking quorum. The proletariat uprising vows to
avenge itself upon the black king's once-privileged life. Movsesian displays
interest in going after Black's king, when it may have been wiser to remove
the d4-pest.} ({It looks clearly better after} 27. Qxd4 $1 Nxa6 28. Qf2 {.})
27... Rf6 28. g4 gxf5 $6 {Now the black king's security suffers multiple
compound fractures.} ({Houdini suggests} 28... Rxa6 29. Kh1 Rb6 30. Nf3 $1 {
with advantage to White, since the d4-pawn falls.}) 29. gxf5 Nd7 ({Also,} 29...
Ne4 30. dxe4 Qxe5+ 31. Bf4 Qe8 32. Qxd4 $1 {(the black pawns, now separated
and defenceless, are now at the non-existent mercy of White's queen. By this
capture, White forces his opponent to live in privation)} Rxf5 ({Black is also
busted after} 32... dxe4 33. Bxe4 Re6 34. Qg1 $1 Rb6 35. f6 $1 {(clearance)}
Rxf6 36. Bxh7+ {, picking up Black's queen}) 33. exf5 Qxe2 34. Qxg7+ Kxg7 35.
Rxe2 {leaves White up a piece.}) 30. Qg3 {The pin is no problem for White.}
Nxe5 {In the text continuation, Black dangles a brave face on the e5-square
for White to consider. --- EXERCISE (critical decision): These are decisions
which tax the synapses. White is given two tempting options: 31 Rxe5, simply
recapturing Black's knight, or 31 Bf4, increasing the pressure. Both lines
favour White. However one of them is winning. Which one would you play?} ({
Most definitely not} 30... Rxf5 $4 {Such boneheaded blunders haunt our dreams
and evoke inner cries of anguish. Black walks into mate after} 31. Bh6 {.}) 31.
Rxe5 $2 {White mistakenly decides to go with the truncated version, rather
than risk the economy, jumbo-sized one. The e5-square for White is that
impossibly unattainable high school cheerleader. White reasons that he must
separate the dreamy-eyed theoretical from the clarity of the practical, but in
doing so, greatly decreases his advantage. Every player fears losing the
thread of the game, when that dreaded turkeyfication process begins, and we
miraculously manage to transform a winning position into a ho-hum one in the
space of just a few moves. As of this moment, White only satisfies one of the
needed requirements. Missing is the crucial second element.} ({ANSWER: Events
unexpectedly bend in kindly geometry for White after} 31. Bf4 $1 {which places
an unbearable defensive demand upon Black, who faces Bxe5. The bishop speaks
eloquently of the power of virtue, yet behind closed doors he behaves utterly
without scruples. Black has to hope his desperado knight can sell itself for a
sufficient tempo with} Ng4+ ({futile is} 31... Rxf5 32. Bxe5 Rxe5 33. Rxe5 {
when White picks up an exchange with a completely winning position}) 32. Qxg4
Qd7 {but after} 33. Be5 $1 {, an asteroidal belt of attackers rings Black's
king, and we note incontrovertible evidence of Black's decline. Following} Qxf5
34. Qxd4 Rg6 35. Bxg7 Rxg7 36. Re8 $1 Rg6 (36... Qg6 $4 37. Rxf8+ Kxf8 38.
Qxb4+ Kg8 39. Re8# {mate!}) 37. Qxa7 Bc6 38. Rxf8+ Kxf8 39. Qc5+ Kg7 40. Kh1 {
, the passed a-pawn is decisive.}) 31... Kh8 32. Re8 $5 ({Movsesian rejects
the line} 32. Bxb4 Rg8 33. Re8 Qxg3+ 34. Kxg3 Bf8+ 35. Kf4 $1 Bxb4 36. Rxg8+
Kxg8 37. Re8+ Kg7 38. Rxa8 Rxa6 39. Bxd5 {. White probably feared Black's
enhanced drawing chances, due to the presence of opposite-coloured bishops.})
32... Qxg3+ 33. Kxg3 {The king strikes a daring pose for the benefit of the
ladies in court - like Black's queen - who mostly just hides stifled yawns.}
Bc6 $1 ({Not} 33... Rxf5 $4 {as} 34. Bxb4 {wins. The lax defenders incur the
black king's heated reprimands.}) 34. Rxf8+ $6 ({White should enter the line} 
34. R8e7 $1 Rg8 35. Kh2 Bf8 36. Rxa7 $1 Rxf5 37. Kg1 $1 {when the passed
a-pawn should be decisive.}) 34... Bxf8 35. Kg4 $6 {This move allows Black to
save the game.} ({He retains winning chances after} 35. h4 $1 Kg7 36. Re5 $1
Bd6 37. Bf4 Kf8 38. Re2 {.}) 35... Bd7 36. Re5 Rg6+ $1 {A good move, forcing
White's king to lose a tempo, while blocking the power of the g2-bishop.} 37.
Kf3 Rxa6 {Now Black should save the game.} 38. Ke2 ({The d5-pawn for now is
untouchable, since} 38. Rxd5 $4 Bc6 {wins.}) 38... Kg7 $2 {A trifle careless.
--- EXERCISE (calculation): Can White get away with 39 Rxd5? Calculate the
response.} ({Instead,} 38... Ra5 $1 39. f6 Be6 {should hold the draw.}) 39.
Rxd5 $1 {ANSWER: Black's 38th move was an error and White can indeed get away
with the crime, due to a future double attack.} Bc6 40. Rxd4 $1 Bxg2 41. Rg4+ {
The double attack regains the lost piece with advantage.} Kf6 42. Rxg2 Kxf5 43.
Rg5+ Ke6 44. Rh5 $6 {This move once again throws away White's hard won
advantage.} ({White should try} 44. d4 $1 {which frees up the d3-square for
White's king. White retains winning chances with his extra pawn after} Ra1 45.
Re5+ Kf6 46. Re8 Bd6 47. Rh8 Kg7 48. Rd8 Be7 49. Rd7 Kf8 50. Rb7 a5 51. Rb5 {.}
) 44... Ra2 45. Kd1 Ra1+ 46. Ke2 a5 $5 ({The text still may work, but Black
should simply repeat the position with} 46... Ra2 $1 {, which looks like a
safer way to secure the draw.}) 47. Rxh7 a4 $1 {Endgame principle: It is in
the material-down side's best interest to exchange as many pawns as possible.}
48. bxa4 Rxa4 49. Rh4 Ra2 50. Kd1 $5 ({I'm not sure just why Movsesian agreed
to the draw, when he can play on with} 50. Rc4 $1 {. Black is unable to play}
b3 $2 51. cxb3 Bh6 $4 52. Rc6+ {when White picks off Black's bishop.}) 50...
Ra1+ 51. Ke2 Ra2 52. Kd1 ({It isn't too late for} 52. Rc4 $1 {.}) 52... Ra1+ {
. SUMMARY: The benefit of an early a2-a4 is that it encourages a closing of
the queenside, which tends to favour White in Clamp lines.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "48: Danish Championship, Aarhus"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1981.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Fries Nielsen, NJ."]
[Black "Nielsen, PM."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B20"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "1981.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. e4 c5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. d3 Nc6 5. f4 Rb8 {This move is almost, but not
quite synonymous with 5...b5, which we looked at last game. --- QUESTION: What
is the difference? --- ANSWER: I think 5...Rb8 is more accurate, since this
move-order avoids the closing of the queenside, which happened to Black in the
previous game. Now a2-a4 can be met with ...a7-a6, when Black retains
flexibility in his queenside pawn advance.} 6. a4 {I only see one game in the
database with this move. I think it makes sense for White to rid himself of
his a-pawn, by forcing Black to play ...a7-a6 and ...b7-b5.} ({Note that White
can't force a transposition to the previous game with} 6. Nf3 b5 7. a4 {since
Black is not obliged to play} b4 {,} ({and can simply respond with} 7... a6 {.}
)) 6... a6 7. c3 (7. Nc3 {transposes to Closed Sicilian lines. A model example
by English GM Nigel Short showed how to handle White with} d6 8. Nf3 b5 9. axb5
axb5 10. e5 $1 {. --- This trick, along with early f4-f5 ideas, is a natural
adjunct to our opening. I like this move, which questions Black's premise that
he can get away with only developing his queenside, to the neglect of his
kingside pieces. It follows the principle: Create confrontation when leading
in development.} -- ({. Black went astray with} 10... Bg4 $6 {(this move
pretty much agrees to hand White the bishop pair). After} 11. O-O Nh6 12. h3
Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Nd4 14. Qf2 O-O {, N.Short-S.Maze, Caleta 2014, White holds a
clear advantage with} 15. Ne4 {due to his strong bishop pair.}) ({. Perhaps
Black should try} 10... dxe5 11. fxe5 Nh6 $1 12. Ne4 O-O 13. Nxc5 Bg4 14. c3
Nxe5 15. d4 {which looks about even.} (15. --))) 7... d6 8. Nf3 e5 {QUESTION:
Why is this version of the Botvinnik System okay for Black, when compared to
the earlier games in this chapter? --- ANSWER: This time Black gets an
acceptable version of the Botvinnik system, unlike the previous games of this
chapter, where Black played ...e7-e5?! before White played e2-e4.} ({Let's
look at non-Botvinnik system continuations first:} 8... b5 9. axb5 axb5 10. O-O
Bg4 $6 {This doesn't work well with Black having wasted so much time on the
queenside already.} (10... Nh6 {looks like a better way to bring out the
pieces and play continue} 11. h3 O-O 12. g4 f5 13. exf5 gxf5 14. g5 Nf7 15. Be3
{with a sharp and dynamically balanced game}) 11. h3 {:} -- (11... Bd7 12. d4
cxd4 13. cxd4 Qb6 14. Be3 e5 15. Nc3 Nge7 16. Ne2 {(the d4-pawn is adequately
covered)} O-O 17. Qd2 exd4 ({Black may have been better off with} 17... exf4
18. Nxf4 Qd8 {since his d6-pawn looks safer than in the game's continuation})
18. Nfxd4 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Qd8 {, A.Zatonskih-T.Mazuchowski, Flint 2002, White
stands clearly better, due to her coming pressure on the now weak d6-pawn and
the possibility of generating a kingside attack with f4-f5.}) (11... Bxf3 $6 {
only compounds the problem after} 12. Qxf3 e6 13. e5 $1 d5 14. Be3 {(the point
is Black is unable to play the normal ...d5-d4, since his c6-knight hangs with
check). After} c4 15. Bc5 Nge7 16. Nd2 O-O 17. b3 $1 {, White looks clearly
better with his superior piece placement, utilizing the principle: Open the
position when you possess the bishop pair.})) (8... Bg4 9. O-O e6 10. Be3 Nge7
11. h3 Bxf3 12. Bxf3 O-O 13. Nd2 {and I prefer White's chances due to the
bishop pair, A.Nunez Miranda-I.Madurga Lopez, Tres Cantos 2010.}) 9. O-O Nge7
10. Be3 $5 {This move is slightly inaccurate if White intends to meet ...exf4
with the bishop recapture.} ({I would go for a line like} 10. Na3 $1 O-O 11.
fxe5 $5 dxe5 12. Be3 b6 13. Qe2 {with equal chances.}) 10... exf4 $1 {This
makes sense, now that White moved his bishop.} 11. Bxf4 $5 {Agreeing to the
loss of tempo.} ({It was more consistent to take on potential future hanging
pawns and play} 11. gxf4 $5 {although I still prefer Black's side slightly
after} O-O 12. Nbd2 b6 $1 {, with the idea of ...d6-d5 next.}) 11... O-O 12.
Na3 b5 13. axb5 axb5 {Black came out of the opening with equality at a minimum,
mainly since White wasted a tempo on his early Be3, and then Bxf4.} 14. Qd2 Na5
{Threatening a Nb3-cheapo.} 15. Rad1 Nec6 16. Nc2 Nb3 ({I would leave the
knight where it stands (on the a5-square) and play} 16... Bg4 {intending ...b5-b4. The reason is that White has trouble playing the thematic d3-d4 move,
since this allows the knight entry to the c4-square.}) 17. Qe1 $5 {This is
possibly inaccurate. He wants to keep an eye on c3, but the trouble is the
queen is uncomfortable on the e-file with Black's rook about to move to e8.} ({
White may have been worried about his centre (especially his d-pawn) if he got
ambitious with} 17. Qf2 b4 18. d4 bxc3 19. bxc3 cxd4 20. cxd4 Bg4 21. h3 Bxf3
22. Bxf3 {although here I feel White is fine.}) 17... Re8 {Of course. Now
White must surely be getting nervous about his queen's placement.} 18. Ne3 {
Targeting the d5-hole.} Ne5 19. Qf2 {He could have saved a tempo by moving the
queen to this square (without Qe1) in the first place. Despite White's
inaccuracies, I still think the position is close to even.} f6 $5 {He will
have to play this move sooner or later.} ({For example, after} 19... Nxf3+ 20.
Qxf3 Be6 21. Ng4 {(eyeing both the f6- and h6-squares)} f6 (21... h5 $5 22.
Nh6+ Kh7 23. Nf5 $1 {looks optically dangerous for Black though he is probably
fine after} Bf8) 22. Nh6+ Kh8 23. Bh3 $1 Qd7 24. Bxe6 Rxe6 25. Ng4 {, the game
still looks close to even.}) 20. Ne1 $5 {White's position remains in a state
of congestion. The idea is to deny Black ...Nxf3+, when White plays d3-d4.} Be6
21. N1c2 b4 {At long last, Black plays his thematic break.} 22. h3 $5 {This
allows Black to weaken the c3-pawn.} ({White had the option of entering the
line} 22. cxb4 cxb4 23. d4 Nf7 ({certainly not} 23... Nc4 $4 24. d5 $1 {and if}
Nxe3 {,} 25. Qxe3 {wins with a double attack on the b3-knight and e6-bishop})
24. Nd5 Bxd5 25. exd5 f5 26. Rd3 Na5 27. Bd2 Nc4 28. Bxb4 Nxb2 29. Rb3 Nc4 30.
Rc3 {and the position remains balanced.}) 22... bxc3 23. bxc3 Nf7 ({The
immediate} 23... Qa5 {is met with} 24. Qe1 Qa6 25. Qe2 {reaching the same sort
of positions reached in the stem game.}) 24. g4 {White finally displays
kingside ambitions.} Qa5 25. Qe1 Qa6 26. Bg3 Ne5 {Black provokes d3-d4 from
his opponent, which would open entry points like the c4-square.} 27. Qe2 $5 {
White's proud queen unconsciously elevates her chin just a trifle after her
a6-sister's snub. Fries Nielsen continues to play it conservatively.} ({I
would probably opt for} 27. d4 Nd3 28. Qe2 c4 29. Kh2 {.}) 27... Rf8 28. Rf2 {
Covering the queen to enable d3-d4.} Bh6 29. d4 {White forces an even ending.}
Qxe2 30. Rxe2 cxd4 31. cxd4 Nf7 32. Rf2 {Hitting the f6-pawn.} Kg7 33. Kh2 Bc8
$2 {The correct plan tends to appear distant and refracted when our clocks get
low. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): Black's bishop places his faith in a
barren doctrine, and the last move may have been a time trouble mistake. How
did White exploit it?} (33... Rbc8 {was still approximately even.}) 34. Nd5 $1
{ANSWER: Attack the f6-pawn, which surprisingly can't be defended without
losing material. --- An idea need not be lofty or expansive to be effective.
The weakness of the f6-pawn is a microcosm of Black's overall difficulty -
weak dark squares.} f5 $6 {The unstructured defenders are unaccustomed to
disciplined conduct. Black refuses to respond in rote, somnambulistic fashion,
deciding the time has arrived to try and jar his opponent. However, his move
only makes matters worse by weakening his own king.} ({He should try} 34... Bg5
35. h4 Bxg4 36. Rdf1 Bh6 37. Nxf6 Be6 38. d5 Bf5 ({not} 38... Bc8 $4 {as} 39.
Nxh7 $1 {is much worse for Black}) 39. Nxh7 $1 Kxh7 40. exf5 {when Black loses
a pawn as well as the bishop pair. However, there aren't many pawns left on
the board and White may have trouble winning after} g5 {.}) 35. exf5 gxf5 36.
gxf5 {The f-pawn cramps Black and his king doesn't look all that healthy
anymore either.} Rb5 $6 {A loss of time as the rook gets harassed all over.}
37. Na3 $1 {This plan fits the position's specifications perfectly. The knight
heads for the c4-square with tempo.} Ra5 38. Nc4 {Forcing Black's rook back to
passive defence of the d6-pawn.} Ra6 39. Nc7 {Running the rook off its lateral
defence of the beleaguered pawn.} d5 $5 {In times of desperation, we all treat
material concerns with reckless disregard to consequences.} ({Black saw no
hope in the line} 39... Ra7 40. Ne6+ Bxe6 41. fxe6 Nd8 42. Rxf8 Kxf8 43. Rf1+
Kg7 44. Nxd6 Nxe6 45. Be5+ Kg8 46. Bd5 {and it's time to resign.}) 40. Bxd5 $1
{White decides the provocation merits a vigorous rebuke.} ({This looks even
more efficient than accepting the offered material with} 40. Nxa6 dxc4 41. Nc7
Be3 {when Black picks off the d4-pawn and can still hope to resist.}) 40... Rf6
41. Ne6+ Bxe6 42. Bxe6 {Black is down two pawns, with an awful position to
boot.} Rd8 43. d5 Nc5 44. Rg2 {Sidestepping ...Ne4 tricks, while threatening
discoveries himself.} Nxe6 45. fxe6 Rxe6 {The passage of time merely augmented
Black's resentment, so now he decides it's payback time. It feels as if
Fortune smiles at him, but it's a wan, conditional smile of temporary joy.
This must be tried, otherwise Black must resign, but his pin trick fails. The
single most important precept of business is: Buy low; sell high. Black's last
move reverses the process.} 46. dxe6 $1 {Black's impudent rook receives a
swift rebuke.} Rxd1 {EXERCISE (combination alert): We can win a piece by
simply taking the f7-knight. --- But why do so when we have a much stronger
continuation? What did White play? --- ANSWER: Pawn promotion/interference.}
47. e7 $1 {White not only threatens to promote, but also to play Be5 which
would be the dreamed of double checkmate!} ({Black could try one last stunt in
} 47. e7 Ng5 $1 {(a sinister figure crouches, lying in wait at the centre of
the tangle)} 48. Rf2 $1 ({most certainly not} 48. e8=Q $4 {when Black delivers}
Nf3# {mate!}) 48... Re1 49. Be5+ $1 {and with this interference trick, White
forces a new queen. --- SUMMARY: In my opinion the early ...Rb8 system is one
of Black's best choices versus both Clamp and Closed Sicilian lines, since it
retains maximum flexibility. You may just want to skip the Clamp set-up and go
for an early Nc3, transposing to a Closed Sicilian in this case, perhaps
following Short's example in the notes.}) 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "7: Bird's vs Owen's Defence"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqkbnr/p1pppppp/1p6/8/5P2/8/PPPPP1PP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.26"]

{We conclude the book with coverage of 1...b6, 1...d6 and the copycat 1...f5
variations, all of which contain a high degree of latitude of interpretation.} 
1. -- {When facing the Owen's Defence set-up (1...b6), we annex the centre
with 2 e4 and bolster it with 3 d3, reaching the same sort of kingside pawn
formation we use against 1...c5.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bird's versus Owen's Defence 2"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rn1qkbnr/ppp1pppp/3p4/8/5Pb1/5N2/PPPPP1PP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.26"]

{In this diagram, I suggest 3 e4, where we probably pick up the minor exchange
later on when Black trades on f3.} 1. -- {We can either play for a Clamp-like
c2-c3, or go for a Classical-like d2-d3, where we achieve e2-e4 in one go.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bird's versus Owen's Defence 3"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "3"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.26"]

{We also cover a couple of weird ideas from our side:} 1. f4 {. Against} f5 $6
{I suggest} 2. e4 $1 {, offering to enter From's Gambit from the other end of
the board. Now if you recall, I was a little hard on From's Gambit in Chapter
1. So what has changed? The answer is our extra tempo. The inclusion of the
f4-pawn advance surprisingly helps White.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bird's versus Owen's Defence 4"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqk2r/pp1pppbp/2p2np1/8/2P2P2/5NP1/PP1PP1BP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.26"]

{When Black wheels in the King's Indian Defence set-up, we craft an odd double
flanking concept and then feel and imagine our way through the remainder.} 1.
-- {This is a strange Leningrad/English Opening hybrid, designed by British IM
Michael Basman, clearly intended to strategically confuse. With it, he managed
an upset draw versus Mikhail Tal.} *

[Event "49: San Diego (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2014.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Singh, G."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A02"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2006.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 b6 {The Owen's Defence can be played against almost any White move-order.
} 2. e4 {I see no reason to avoid seizing the centre.} ({If you play} 2. Nf3
Bb7 {then go for} 3. e3 {instead of 3 g3.} ({The point is,} 3. g3 {can be met
with} Bxf3 $1 4. exf3 {and I think Black has equalized. After} e6 5. d4 d5 6.
Be3 Ne7 7. Nd2 g6 8. Nb3 Bg7 9. c3 Nd7 10. Bf2 O-O 11. Be2 Qc8 12. O-O c5 {,
White's bishop pair doesn't mean much in this blocked, Reversed
Trompowsky-like position, H.Danielsen-L.Cyborowski, Mysliborz 2008. If White
tries to open up the game with} 13. c4 $5 {, Black can respond with} Rb8 $1 {
and} 14. Rc1 $6 {can be countered with} dxc4 $1 15. Rxc4 b5 $1 16. Rc2 c4 {
with a clear advantage to Black, who has seized control of the important
d5-square.})) 2... Bb7 3. d3 g6 {Black keeps the position fluid, and depending
on how he or she plays, we can easily transpose to Clamp positions which we
examined in the previous chapter.} ({In Game 50, we examine a French-like
set-up with} 3... e6 {.}) 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. g3 {Keeping open options for Leningrad/Closed Sicilian/Clamp positions.} e6 ({If Black plays} 5... c5 {,} 6. Bg2 Nc6
7. O-O d6 8. c3 {gets us into the Clamp and A.Zatonskih-M.Manik Hlohovec 1995
went} e5 {. Here I would go for} 9. f5 $1 {when} gxf5 $6 10. Nh4 fxe4 11. dxe4
Nge7 12. Qg4 Ng6 13. Bg5 Qc8 14. Nf5 O-O 15. Qh5 {looks terribly dangerous for
Black, who might already be busted.}) 6. Bg2 Ne7 {I thought my opponent was
going for the flexible Hippopotamus set-up, with both bishops fianchettoed and
knights on the e7- and d7-squares.} 7. O-O d5 $5 {A new move. I take that back.
Black plays a hybrid of Hippopotamus and French set-ups. I get the feeling that
this is more an improvisational insight, rather than part of any deliberate
plan on my opponent's part. He simply played an oddball move to shove me out
of theory's reach. --- QUESTION: What is Black's normal continuation here?} ({
ANSWER: Normal would be to head for Hippo lines with} 7... d6 8. c3 Nd7 {.
However in D.Svetushkin-F.Fernandez Barrera, Linares 2000, after} 9. Be3 {,
Black decides to get weird with} a5 $5 (9... a6 10. Nbd2 O-O {gets us into a
Clamp/Hippo, where White can continue to expand in the centre with a coming
d3-d4}) 10. Bf2 a4 $5 11. Na3 Nc5 {(this looks like a waste of time as Black
seems to be provoking a future d3-d4, which White probably wants)} 12. Re1 O-O
13. Qc2 $1 {(enabling d3-d4 by covering the e4-pawn)} Qc8 14. d4 Nd7 15. Rad1 {
and White's extra space gives him the edge.}) 8. Nc3 {I go for a Closed
Sicilian-like set-up;} ({rather than} 8. e5 O-O 9. Be3 c5 10. Bf2 Nbc6 11. c3 {
, leading to a Clamp position similar to what we looked at in the previous
chapter.}) 8... O-O ({QUESTION: Can Black get away with the pawn grab} 8...
Bxc3 {- ? --- ANSWER: It's a strategic trap. Black simply gives away his dark
squares and is left empty-handed after} 9. bxc3 dxe4 10. Ng5 {when White
regains the pawn with Black's chronically weakened dark squares as a bonus.})
9. e5 {QUESTION: What are you going to do with your now unemployed c3-knight?
--- ANSWER: Transfer it to the kingside in the hopes of generating an attack
with Ne2, g2-g4 and Ng3.} c5 10. Qe1 {Discouraging ...f7-f6, while preparing
future attacking dreams via g3-g4, Qg3 or Qh4.} Nbc6 11. g4 {Here we go!} Nb4 {
This move doesn't bother White much.} ({I think Black should go for an ...f7-f6 plan anyway with} 11... Qd7 $1 12. Qh4 f6 {(principle: Meet a wing
attack with a central counter)} 13. exf6 Rxf6 14. Bd2 {and I don't think Black
stands worse.}) 12. Rf2 d4 $2 {Black decides that the d5-square is redeemable
in cash value, and is willing to pay a high (too high, actually) price for the
privilege of ownership. One senses tempers igniting and that blood will soon
flow after this radical move, a decision of deadly, irreversible consequence.
Black hands over the e4-square to seize control over the d5-outpost. However,
his rewards are not commensurate with the risks of this plan. The e4- and
d5-squares are separated by multiple degrees of importance. White gets by far
the better of the bargain, since his knight begins to hover over the weak
f6-square, placing Black's king at grave risk.} ({Once again, I would have
played for the f6-break with} 12... Qd7 $1 13. a3 Nbc6 14. Bd2 f6 {.}) 13. Ne4
Nbd5 14. Bd2 Qd7 15. Re2 $1 {Triple purpose: 1. White clears the pathway for
Qh4 or Qg3. --- 2. White discourages an f6-counter by loading up on the e-file.
--- 3. White reinforces the weak e3-square.} Rac8 $5 {He encourages Nd6. But
should I play it? It becomes a decision between agility and brute force.} 16.
Nd6 $2 {In this case, brute force was the superior path. I don't allow the
provocation to go unchallenged, when I would be much better off ignoring it.
As usual, I get distracted by some positional nicety, rather than just go for
the caveman attack, which apparently works here.} ({Houdini frowns on this
move and suggests continuing the attack with} 16. Qh4 $1 Nc6 ({neither can
Black survive} 16... f6 17. exf6 Nxf6 18. Neg5 Bd5 19. Rae1 {when the e6-pawn
falls}) 17. Nf6+ {(the weakness of the f6-square is a buoy which marks the
black king's location)} Bxf6 18. exf6 Qd8 {. Now I didn't appreciate that after
} 19. f5 $1 exf5 20. gxf5 {, White has an obviously winning attack.}) 16... Rc7
17. Nxb7 {Sigh. So I pick up the lousy bishop pair - when I could have had a
probable mate on the kingside instead!} Rxb7 18. Ng5 {Here comes the
replacement to take its place on the juicy e4-square.} Rc7 19. Qh4 {The queen
carries herself as a person raised in an atmosphere of infinite privilege, by
provoking more weakness around Black's king.} h6 ({My opponent told me he had
planned to offer a sacrifice with} 19... h5 $2 {to seize control over the
f5-square, but then realized that I don't need to accept. White wins with} 20.
f5 $1 {(threatening f5-f6), inducing Black to seal the f5-square with a pawn.
Now if} exf5 {,} 21. gxh5 {wrecks the black king's cover and the exposed king
has no chance against the concerted efforts of his enemies.}) 20. Ne4 {
EXERCISE (critical decision): White's knight is about to enter the f6-square.
--- It's obvious Black needs some kind of central counter, or he faces
annihilation on the kingside. His choices are 20...f6 and the more radical
looking 20...g5, intending ...Ng6 next. Both fulfil the principle: Launch a
central counter when assaulted on the wing. However, only one is correct.
Black has a pair of logical moves, one primitive, the other uncouth! Which one
should he play?} f5 $2 {Right principle; wrong move. Black's move critically
weakens the e6-pawn. To win a chess game, a player requires traits from the
following categories, the final one being the most important: 1. Courage. ---
2. The toil of excellent pre-game preparation. --- 3. Long-range planning. ---
4. Short range-improvisation. --- 5. Calculation and combinational ability.
--- 6. Blind luck! --- Sometimes we win, more by luck than design, but hey, we
will take it!} ({ANSWER: My opponent considered then (luckily for me!) rejected
} 20... g5 $1 {(Black's constipated kingside was in dire need of a
developmental laxative)} 21. fxg5 Ng6 22. Qf2 $1 (22. Qg3 $6 Bxe5 23. Nf6+ Nxf6
24. Rxe5 Nxg4 $1 25. Re4 Ne3 $1 26. Bxe3 dxe3 27. gxh6 Kh7 28. Qxe3 e5 $1 {and
now Black's king is safe and White's extra pawn doesn't mean much}) 22... hxg5
23. Nf6+ Bxf6 $1 24. exf6 Ne3 $1 25. Bxe3 dxe3 26. Rxe3 c4 27. Rae1 cxd3 28.
Rxd3 Qa4 29. c3 Qxg4 30. Rg3 Qf4 31. Be4 Rd8 32. Bxg6 Qxf2+ 33. Kxf2 fxg6 34.
Rxe6 Kf7 35. Re2 Kxf6 {and Black should save the game.}) 21. exf6 Nxf6 22.
Nxf6+ Rxf6 {Otherwise White picks up the h6-pawn.} 23. Rae1 {White's rooks
hold the feet of the weak to the fire. The e6-pawn is a stationary target and
Black suffers from chronically weakened light squares.} Nd5 $6 {This attempt
to counterattack hastens his downfall. --- EXERCISE (combination alert):
White's next move is so simple that I'm embarrassed to call it a "combination".
White to play and force a winning position.} ({He should try something like} 
23... c4 24. dxc4 Rxc4 25. Be4 {with an admittedly wretched position.}) 24. g5
{ANSWER: Removal of the guard. The e6-pawn falls once the f6-defender is
shooed away. --- The final defensive link to the e6-weakie frays.} hxg5 25.
fxg5 Rf7 ({Also,} 25... Rf5 26. Rxe6 Ne3 27. Rxg6 Nxg2 28. Kxg2 {is hopeless
for Black.}) 26. Bh3 {This is winning but Houdini claims it inaccurate,} ({
preferring} 26. Rxe6 $1 Ne7 27. Bf4 Rc8 28. Rd6 Qf5 29. Bh3 $1 Qxf4 {(Black's
queen has little choice but to follow the bishop's unwanted program with
glacial dignity)} 30. Qxf4 Rxf4 31. Rxe7 Bf8 32. Rxg6+ Kh8 33. Rxa7 Re8 34. Be6
{and White wins.}) 26... Rc6 $2 {This leads to an immediate collapse.} ({Black
can still fight on after} 26... Ne3 $1 {(the key to producing strong
resistance from a difficult position is to constantly engineer inconveniences
for the opponent)} 27. Bxe3 dxe3 28. c3 $1 Qd6 29. Rxe3 e5 30. Qc4 Kf8 31. Be6
Rf4 32. Re4 Rf3 33. Bg4 $1 Rff7 {(forced)} 34. h4 {and Black is strategically
busted but at least he can still play on.}) 27. Rxe6 {. SUMMARY: Our Closed
Sicilian/Clamp lines leave Black plenty of leeway for odd set-ups, like the
Hippopotamus, or hybrids, like this game. Don't get surprised by them.} 1-0

[Event "50: Taby Open, Sweden"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1991.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Karlsson, L."]
[Black "Berg, E."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B00"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "1991.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 b6 2. e4 Bb7 3. d3 e6 4. Nf3 Ne7 $5 (4... d5 {is a reasonable move here.
Following} 5. e5 (5. Nbd2 Nf6 6. Qe2 dxe4 7. Nxe4 Nc6 8. c3 Qd5 9. Qc2 O-O-O
10. Be2 {and Black stands no worse}) 5... d4 $1 {(otherwise White may achieve
a good French Defence if d3-d4 is allowed)} 6. Be2 c5 7. Nbd2 Ne7 8. O-O Nd5 9.
Ne4 Nc6 10. Rb1 Qd7 11. c4 $1 {(Black's knight should be ejected from its
d5-outpost)} dxc3 12. bxc3 O-O-O $1 ({long castling is more dynamic than the
insipid} 12... Be7 13. c4 Ndb4 14. a3 Na6 15. Bb2 {when White can build for a
kingside attack if Black decides to castle there}) 13. a3 Be7 14. Qc2 f5 15.
exf6 gxf6 16. c4 Nc7 17. Bb2 {, D.Gjuran-M.Tratar, Ljubljana 2010, the
position is dynamically balanced.}) 5. g3 {We stick with our familiar default
setting of the Bird Leningrad structure.} d5 {Black challenges in the centre
in French Defence fashion, with the inclusion of the odd ...Ne7.} 6. Bg2 {This
move allows Black easy equality.} ({White may have been better off maintaining
tension with} 6. Qe2 $1 dxe4 $6 ({the central exchange probably benefits White
as after} 6... c5 {, Black may have feared} 7. exd5 Qxd5 8. Bg2 Nbc6 9. Ne5 Qd8
10. O-O {, but Black looks fine after} g6 11. c3 Bg7) 7. dxe4 Nec6 (7... Ba6 8.
Qf2 Bxf1 9. Kxf1 {intending Kg2 next, gives White an edge due to the central
space advantage}) 8. Be3 Be7 9. Bg2 O-O 10. O-O Na5 11. Nbd2 Ba6 12. c4 c5 13.
b3 Nd7 14. Rad1 Qc7 15. e5 {and White's central space edge, control over the
e4-square and the clumsy black queenside pieces gave the former a clear edge,
R.Szymczak-M.Gorzkiewicz, Krakow 2012.}) 6... Nd7 (6... dxe4 $1 {looks better.
After} 7. Ng5 Nbc6 8. Nxe4 Nf5 9. O-O Qd7 10. c3 O-O-O 11. d4 h5 {, Black
intends to push ..h5-h4, and I would take Black if given a choice.}) 7. Nc3 Nf6
$5 {QUESTION: Doesn't this move walk into a tempo loss? --- ANSWER: Correct.
This move costs Black time, egging White to make a move which he wants to play
in any case. The fact that Black feels the need to agree to such a concession
is not a terribly reassuring sign.} ({Yet if we look closer, we see that his
position is fully playable after} 7... g6 8. O-O Bg7 {and at some point, White
will play e4-e5 anyway, with only an edge.}) 8. e5 Nd7 9. g4 $5 {Karlsson,
abandoning temperate conduct, is clearly looking to make trouble on the
kingside, with a move choice not impelled by caprice alone.} Ng6 ({Black may
be better off with} 9... h5 10. h3 c5 (10... d4 $6 11. Ne4 Bxe4 12. dxe4 hxg4
13. hxg4 Rxh1+ 14. Bxh1 c5 15. Qe2 Nc6 16. Bd2 Be7 17. g5 Qc7 18. O-O-O O-O-O {
and White has a comfortable strategic advantage, with extra central space, and
the fact that Black's position is made conspicuous by the absence of his
light-squared bishop}) 11. Qe2 Nc6 12. g5 g6 13. Bd2 a6 14. O-O Bg7 15. Nd1 {
. I think Black looks fine here, since he can try kingside castling and then
expanding on the queenside.}) 10. h4 {Denying Black use of the h4-square.} h5 (
10... Be7 {can be met with} 11. g5 h5 12. Qe2 {when Black's development is
tangled and it is difficult to castle on either wing.}) 11. Ng5 {Going off on
his own private war effort, without approval from headquarters.} hxg4 12. Qxg4
Ne7 {Black seizes control over the f5-square.} 13. Ne2 {Heading for the
g3-square to challenge Black's f5-control.} Nf5 {Black stakes out the f5-goat
and awaits the hungry tiger's approach from the jungle.} 14. Ng3 Nxg3 15. Qxg3
Be7 $6 ({Black may still be okay if he untangles with} 15... Nc5 $1 {,
watching over the critical e6-square. After} 16. h5 Qd7 17. Bd2 O-O-O 18. O-O-O
{, Black has a playable game. --- QUESTION: Why is the e6-square important?
--- ANSWER: If Black controls that key square, it kills White's f4-f5, ...exf5,
e5-e6! tricks, which he got in the game's continuation.}) 16. f5 $1 {EXERCISE 
(critical decision): White strikes while Black's king is still stuck in the
middle of the board. It almost appears as if there is no way Black can look
forward to a happy destiny, yet a single chance remains. He can respond with
16...exf5, which allows e5-e6, or Black can contort with 16...Nf8. Both lines
lead to White's advantage, but one of them is decisive. How should Black play?}
exf5 $2 {An escape route is not available to Black's king. Allowing the
e6-break is disastrous.} ({ANSWER: Black had to try} 16... Nf8 $1 {. This
makeshift response is just short of satisfactory, but still Black's best move.
Finding no profitable course, the knight backs down with clenched fists. The
versatile knight is the black king's bodyguard, clerk, beer-fetcher, door
opener and general business factotum. Such contortions may cause us
psychological outrage, yet if we escape irreparable bodily harm, is it not
worth it? Following} 17. Bh3 exf5 18. Bxf5 d4 19. Rf1 Ne6 $1 20. Bd2 Bxg5 21.
hxg5 Qd7 22. g6 O-O-O {, Black's king considers it prudent to withdraw from
the danger zone. After} 23. gxf7 Qxf7 24. O-O-O Kb8 {, Black stand worse but
is still alive.}) 17. e6 $1 Ne5 $4 {The knight tilts drunkenly away from his
pursuer. The tragedy continues, and here begins Act II. This is a monster
miscalculation in a lost position, which looks like a last resort for a saving
grace in a position where no grace exists.} ({Instead,} 17... fxe6 $1 {was
forced and} 18. Nxe6 Bxh4 {(to blackmail someone, one must first have leverage,
which in this case the bishop lacks)} 19. Kf1 $1 {(once scattered patterns now
arrange themselves into coherent geometries. This unpinning trick wins
material)} Bxg3 ({or} 19... Qf6 20. Rxh4 Rxh4 21. Bg5 Rg4 22. Qxg4 fxg4+ 23.
Bxf6 gxf6 24. Nxc7+ Kf7 25. Nxa8 Bxa8 26. Kf2 {when Black doesn't have enough
for the exchange}) 20. Rxh8+ Ke7 21. Nxd8 Rxd8 22. Bg5+ Nf6 23. Bxf6+ gxf6 24.
Rxd8 Kxd8 25. Ke2 {leaves Black struggling in the ending, but infinitely
better off than the game's continuation.}) 18. Qxe5 f6 {Black doesn't regain
the piece with this double attack.} 19. Qxf5 Rh6 {Covering the mate threat but
losing more material.} ({Covering the mate threat instead of walking into} 
19... fxg5 20. Qf7# {mate! The powerfully built queen easily outruns Black's
out of breath, obese king, whose body is one of soft adiposity. "There is a
big difference between working 'with' someone and working 'for' someone," the
queen instructs Black's king, who now understands his underling status all too
well. However, the text move loses anyway.}) 20. Nf7 {. SUMMARY: If Black
plays in French fashion against our Leningrad Bird, try and maintain the
central pawn tension (not pushing the e4-pawn unnecessarily) for as long as
possible.} 1-0

[Event "51: Krakow"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2013.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Jakubiec, A."]
[Black "Kondopoulos, D."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A02"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2013.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 f5 $6 {The sincerest form of flattery. Black imitates our Bird,
responding with Dutch, daring us to make good use of the extra tempo, which we
fully intend to do with our next move.} 2. e4 $1 {This move is designed to
teach these uppity Dutch players not to mess with their Bird-betters! Normally,
when we partake in a pawn sacrifice in the opening, we bind ourselves with a
promissory note to a gangster/loan shark, who will certainly break our legs if
our promise to repay is betrayed. This sacrifice doesn't fall into this
category and is more than sound. --- QUESTION: What? This looks like some kind
of an inverted King's Gambit. --- ANSWER: Actually, it's a Reversed From's
Gambit, where we get the extra move f2-f4, which I think is useful for the
following reasons: 1. The inclusion of f4 discourages Black from ...e7-e5. ---
2. The inclusion of f4 enables us timely f4-f5 attacking possibilities for the
future. --- 3. The inclusion of f4 may serve as a hook for future Ng5
attacking ideas. --- QUESTION: You believe the sacrifice is completely sound?
--- ANSWER: Sound, and then some. It scores an impressive 65.1% for White in
my database. --- QUESTION: If I don't like this gambit, what are my options?} (
{ANSWER: You can go for a Leningrad versus Leningrad set-up or a b3-Bird versus
...b6-Bird as well:} 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. -- (3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 d6
7. Nc3 Nc6 8. e4 e5 9. exf5 Bxf5 10. fxe5 dxe5 {and I'm not convinced White
has anything much here, since the e5-pawn is secure and Black's pieces are
even more active than White's, K.Filonenko-A.Polivoda, Dnipropetrovsk 2003.}) (
3. b3 b6 4. Bb2 Bb7 $5 (4... e6 {is safer}) 5. Bxf6 {(played to sharpen the
position)} exf6 6. e3 Na6 7. a4 Nc5 8. a5 g6 9. a6 Bd5 10. Nc3 Bf7 11. Bc4 Ne6
{, R.Rapport-V.Laznicka, Novy Bor 2014. The position looks balanced to me after
} 12. Ne2 c6 13. Ned4 {.})) 2... fxe4 {Such a position can carry a wide
disparity of interpretation. Black for now accepts the gambit. --- QUESTION:
How should Black decline the gambit?} ({ANSWER: Black has two ways to decline,
one idiotic, the other reasonable. --- We feature the ridiculous way to
decline first with} 2... e5 $2 {. Black transposes to a King's Gambit versus
King's Gambit, a violation of the principle: Symmetry doesn't work well for
the move-down side in open positions. After} 3. exf5 {:} -- (3... e4 $2 4. Qh5+
Ke7 5. d3 {is wretched for Black, who by a miracle, actually managed to win
from this position, C.Kennaugh-K.Shirazi, Cappelle la Grande 2003.}) (3... Qe7
4. Be2 exf4 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. O-O {looks grim for Black, who lags dangerously
behind in development.}) (3... exf4 4. Qh5+ Ke7 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Qg5 Kf7 7. Nc3
Be7 8. d4 Nc6 9. Bxf4 {, V.Karachisaridis-L.Ziechaus, correspondence 2006.
Black has a sorry looking pawn down position after} Re8 10. O-O-O d5 11. Bd3 {.
} (11. --))) ({Black can exercise prudence with} 2... d6 {. When we offer a
pawn sacrifice to unbalance the game and our opponent rudely declines, keeping
the game balanced, then have we not traded nothing for nothing? In this case,
however, we can force Black back into either a Reversed From's, or a version
of the game's continuation, where Black fails to achieve equality. We support
our e-pawn with} 3. Nc3 $1 {:} -- (3... fxe4 {is countered with} 4. d3 $1 {and
this untested move is much stronger than capturing on e4. Black can accept or
decline, but in both cases fails to achieve equality.}) ({. Maybe Black should
try} 3... Nf6 $5 4. e5 dxe5 5. fxe5 Nd5 6. Nf3 e6 7. Nxd5 Qxd5 8. d4 c5 9. Be3
cxd4 10. Qxd4 {and Black is seriously behind in development.} (10. --))) 3. d3
$1 {Hoping to enter Reversed From's Gambit.} e3 ({Black fails to achieve
equality by declining:} 3... exd3 4. Bxd3 Nf6 5. Nf3 e6 ({Black probably
rightfully doesn't trust} 5... g6 {since White has the future f4-f5 prying
mechanism}) 6. Ng5 {. White threatens the cheapo Nxh7, followed by Qh5+. Here
we see a benefit for White in playing f2-f4, in that it acts as a hook for the
g5-knight. After} Qe7 {(covering against White's threat at the cost of
tangling up his kingside development)} 7. Nc3 d5 8. O-O Nc6 9. Re1 {, White
got a kind of super version of the From's and Black's game looks quite
uncomfortable to me, B.Gonzalez-R.Ugalde Garcia, Costa Rica 1996.}) (3... d5 4.
dxe4 dxe4 5. Qxd8+ Kxd8 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Nge2 {, A.Kralovic-V.Chovanec,
Bratislava 2004. Black's position looks difficult after} Bf5 8. Nd4 e6 9. Bc4
Kd7 10. h3 {.}) 4. Bxe3 {White still has the edge, since he controls extra
space and leads in development.} Nf6 5. Nf3 g6 ({The Queen's Indian-like
continuation} 5... e6 6. Nc3 Be7 7. Qd2 b6 8. O-O-O {is awkward for Black. If
he castles kingside, he walks into Be2, h2-h3 and g2-g4, when White's attack
looks natural and easy to conduct.}) 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. d4 {I'm not sure if this
counts as a Stonewall structure or not. White looks better, with extra space,
superior development and a chance to build a kingside attack.} b6 8. Bd3 e6 9.
h4 $1 {A move consonant with White's belligerent mood, which lets Black know
he means business on the kingside.} Nc6 $6 {An inaccuracy.} ({Better is} 9...
Bb7 $1 10. h5 Nxh5 11. Rxh5 $1 (11. Ng5 {fails to gain an advantage after} Nf6
12. Qe2 Qe7 13. O-O-O Nc6 14. Nxh7 O-O-O $1 15. Ng5 Rxh1 16. Rxh1 Nh5 17. Qf2
Rf8 {when Black gets counterplay on f4 and looks fine here}) 11... gxh5 12. Ng5
Ke7 13. Qxh5 Qe8 14. Qg4 {. This won't be easy for Black to handle either, but
at least in this version he is up material. In the game continuation, Black
suffers without pay.}) 10. h5 $1 {Consistent and powerful.} gxh5 (10... Nxh5 {
is met with} 11. Ng5 Nf6 12. Nxh7 $1 {regaining the pawn advantageously, when
the black rook and knight expostulate sharply at the boorish uninvited
h7-guest's intrusion.}) 11. Ne5 {EXERCISE (critical decision): The opening has
not gone well for Black, and he finds himself in damage-control mode. Both
g2-g4 and Rxh5 are in the air. He can eliminate White's powerful e5-knight
with 11...Nxe5, or simply continue to develop with 11...Bb7. One leads to an
inferior position, while the other is utterly disastrous. Which one would you
play?} Nxe5 $2 {Merchants meet in the centre to clamour and jostle, each
attempting to stake out the most promising location at a Farmers' market. This
capture is completely at odds with the position's requirements, as it
displaces Black's best defender, the f6-knight.} ({ANSWER: Black's only chance
to hang in there was} 11... Bb7 $1 12. Ne4 {(going after the f6-defender)} Ng4
13. Nxg4 hxg4 14. Qxg4 Qe7 15. Qh5+ {(otherwise Black just castles long to
safety)} Qf7 16. Qxf7+ Kxf7 17. c3 Ne7 {and Black has an inferior but still
playable ending.}) 12. dxe5 ({I would intuitively play} 12. fxe5 {to open the
f-file and allow White's dark-squared bishop access to the g5- and h6-squares.}
) 12... Ng4 13. Bg1 ({Simpler is} 13. Bd2 {, keeping watch over the f4-pawn.})
13... O-O {Black decides to brazen it out, acting as if nothing is wrong. Boy,
you talk about castling into it. The kingside is inhabitable land, but there
really is no choice.} ({Also, the defensive try} 13... Qe7 $2 {runs into} 14.
Qf3 Rb8 15. Rxh5 Nh6 16. Rxh6 $1 Bxh6 17. Qh5+ Qf7 18. Qxh6 {and Black is
crushed.}) 14. Rxh5 {Black's now dangling g4-knight is once again displaced,
as White's forces continue to tease and bait the unfortunate piece.} Nh6 {
EXERCISE (planning): Black's knight is carried out like a dying beetle on its
back, by a procession of hungry ants, all looking forward to their miniscule
bite of flesh. Work out a clear winning plan for White to exploit the black
knight's poor position on h6.} ({The attempt to maintain the g4-knight fails
after} 14... Rxf4 $2 15. g3 $1 Rb4 16. Bxh7+ Kf7 17. Qf3+ Ke7 18. Qxa8 {
leaving White up a rook and a piece. Following} Rxb2 {,} 19. Qe4 {consolidates
for White.}) 15. Qf3 $1 {ANSWER: Step 1: Cover the f4-pawn, while threatening
to pop a rook in the corner. --- The queen smiles her twisted smile, as if in
recollection of some cruel, private joke.} Rb8 {Step 2: Transfer the queen to
the h3-square, after which Black's long harassed knight has no place to go.}
16. Qh3 $1 Rxf4 ({Also} 16... Nf5 {runs into} 17. g4 Nh6 18. Rxh6 Bxh6 19. Qxh6
Qe7 20. Ne4 {and it's time for Black to resign.}) 17. Be3 $1 {It feels as if
Black's entire army is hanging.} ({There is no reason to offer Black hope with
a line like} 17. Rxh6 $2 Bxh6 18. Qxh6 Qh4+ 19. Qxh4 Rxh4 {.}) 17... Qf8 18.
Bxf4 {I would have avoided this and simply castled long.} ({Black collapses
after} 18. O-O-O Bb7 19. Qh2 $1 Rf2 20. Qh4 Rxg2 21. Bxh6 {.}) 18... Qxf4 19.
Ne2 Qf8 {Sad but forced.} ({Anyway,} 19... Qb4+ 20. c3 Qf8 21. O-O-O {is
virtually the same thing.}) 20. O-O-O {Black, already down material, is
helpless against the coming Rh1.} d6 21. Rh1 Nf5 22. g4 {Of course. The end
result is no longer in doubt and the remainder is a formality with which Black
must formally comply.} dxe5 {The equivalent of resignation. One can't
intimidate a corpse. Black plays as if he is already dead. What is it in our
psyche which compels us to play on in ridiculously lost positions? Just
recently, I mixed up my opening lines and got my queen trapped for only two
minor pieces by move 15 against a 2300 + player. Instead of resigning, I
played on until move 50. But I ask psychologists who read this: Why didn't I
just immediately resign?} ({In any case, after} 22... Ne7 23. Rxh7 dxe5 24.
Rh8+ {, Black gets mated.}) 23. gxf5 {The lunch before the storm. White
augments his already considerable wealth with another piece.} e4 24. Bxe4 h6
25. Rg1 {Black is down a rook and faces a raging attack. Even I would resign
here!} Kh8 {The paranoid king's mistrustful philosophy has been filtered by a
lifetime of dodging assassination plots. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): The
kingside is a wasteland, with virtually nothing of worth remaining to be
looted or kidnapped - except for Black's king. Find one last powerful move and
you add misery to the black king's already cheerless disposition. White to
play and force mate. --- ANSWER: Removal of the guard. Black gets mated in a
few moves.} 26. Rxg7 $1 {. "You will serve the duration of your life in a
darkened chamber, with only your regrets as company," the rook tells Black's
king. Black king and queen, now reintroduced to White's nasty rook, feign
ignorance, pretending not to recognize him, and failing that, outright
stupidity. --- SUMMARY: I think we should meet the copycat 1...f5?! with 2 e4!,
inviting From's Gambit a move up. Black fails to reach equality, whether or
not he or she accepts or declines.} 1-0

[Event "52: Hastings"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1973.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Basman, MJ."]
[Black "Tal, M."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A02"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "1973.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 ({Here is a recent game between two strong GMs displaying Basman's
opening idea.} 1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 c5 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. d3 d6 6. f4 $5 {
(this is similar to Basman's idea versus Tal)} Nf6 7. Nf3 O-O 8. O-O d5 $5 9.
cxd5 Nxd5 10. Bd2 e6 11. Rc1 b6 12. a3 a5 {and we reach a rather odd Leningrad
Bird position with equal chances, R.Rapport-R.Van Kampen, Wijk aan Zee 2013.})
1... d6 ({Black engaged in a queenside expansion plan after} 1... Nf6 2. Nf3 g6
3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d6 6. d3 c6 $5 (6... c5 7. e4 {leads to Clamp/Closed Sicilian lines which we examined in the precious chapter}) 7. Nc3 b5 $5
{. Black plays the position as if in a Pirc Defence, which doesn't make as
much sense when White's d-pawn is on d3, rather than d4. After} 8. e4 b4 9. Ne2
Qb6+ 10. Kh1 Ng4 11. d4 d5 $6 (11... Ba6 {adding pressure to White's centre
looks correct}) 12. e5 h5 13. h3 Nh6 14. Be3 {, Black lacks queenside or
central counterplay to offset White's considerable central space advantage, C.Lakdawala-R.Bruno, San Diego (rapid) 2008.}) 2. Nf3 g6 ({In the final game of
the chapter and book, we will look at} 2... Bg4 {.}) 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nf6 {
Black has played the standard King's Indian Defence moves in response to the
Leningrad Bird formation. But now, Basman decides to go off-tangent (which is
kind of late in the game by his usual standards!).} 5. c4 $5 {Tradition
grudgingly steps aside to make way for novelty. Ever since I was a kid, I have
been a fan of the eccentric/creative British IM Michael Basman, who displays
this curiously Larsonian trait of weirding up any opening line he plays. I'm
not sure if this was a spur-of-the-moment idea, or something more sinister,
carefully contrived in home prep. --- QUESTION: What is this set-up? --- ANSWER:
It's an odd hybrid of the English Opening and the Leningrad Bird. It has only
been tried seven times in my database, scoring a very impressive 71.4%, and
that certainly caught my eye.} ({Instead,} 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 c5 7. e4 Nc6 {
transposes to a position we looked at in the previous chapter.}) 5... O-O 6.
Nc3 c6 $5 {Tal thinks about playing ...d6-d5, hoping to switch to a structure
which would make White's f4/c4 combination out of synch.} ({The most common
Black alternative is} 6... c5 {and after} 7. O-O Nc6 8. d3 Rb8 9. h3 a6 10. a4
Ne8 11. Bd2 (11. e4 $5 {would be Botvinnik English-like}) 11... Bd7 12. g4 Nc7
13. a5 b5 14. axb6 Rxb6 15. Na4 Rb8 {, A.Gorbatov-S.Bouaziz, Cappelle la
Grande 1995, the game remains balanced with} 16. Bc3 {.}) 7. O-O d5 8. cxd5
cxd5 9. e3 $1 {Basman displays excellent understanding of the position. ---
QUESTION: What is the purpose of White's last move? --- ANSWER: White realizes
that Black plans ...d5-d4 and that must be prevented. He plans Ne2 next,
seizing control over the key d4-square.} ({Black looks well placed after the
rote} 9. d3 d4 10. Ne4 Nd5 11. Bd2 Nc6 {.}) 9... Nc6 10. Ne2 {"Completing a
formation that looks curiously like a Christmas tree - at least more than the
Sicilian Dragon looks like a Dragon," writes GM Nigel Davies. The fight for
the d4-square continues.} Qd6 {Tal's tactical gifts shined in open positions.
He intends ...e7-e5 at some point.} 11. Qa4 $6 {One can over-Larsenize a
position! --- QUESTION: What is White's idea? --- ANSWER: White plans Qa3!?
next, inviting ...Qxa3, bxa3 which opens the b-file for White. The trouble
with White's plan is that it weakens his central light squares, especially the
one on d3.} ({I would suggest instead} 11. d3 {intending Bd2-c3, fighting for
more central dark squares.}) 11... Bd7 ({Stronger is} 11... Bf5 $1 {which
messes up White's idea, since the d3-square becomes an invasion target for
Black's bishop.}) 12. Qa3 $5 Nb4 $5 {This move weakens the d4-square and plays
into White's plan. Tal tended to keep queens on the board. Styles and
preferences must take a back seat to the best move.} ({Stronger was} 12... Qxa3
$1 13. bxa3 Ne4 14. Rb1 b6 15. Bb2 Bf5 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Rbc1 Rac8 {and Black
looks slightly better to my eyes, since an idea like ...Nc5 followed by ...Nd3
or ...Bd3 presents itself.}) 13. Ned4 a5 14. d3 {At last, White finally
manages to develop his queenside pieces, intending Bd2 next.} Ng4 $5 15. Bd2 ({
The weakening} 15. h3 $6 {is met with} e5 $1 16. Ne2 e4 17. dxe4 dxe4 18. Nfd4
Nf6 19. Bd2 Rfe8 {. Black looks better due to the e4-pawn wedge and control
over the d3-square/outpost.}) 15... e5 {Tal logically opens the e-file, going
after e3-weakie, which is still reasonably well protected.} 16. fxe5 Nxe5 {I'm
beginning to prefer White's position now.} ({Black looks slightly better at
the end of the line} 16... Qa6 $1 17. Rac1 Nxd3 18. Rc7 Ngxe5 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20.
Bxd5 Bc6 21. Bxc6 ({White gets tangled up after} 21. Nxc6 $6 bxc6 22. Bg2 Qe2)
21... bxc6 22. Qc5 Qd3 23. Bc1 Qe4 {.}) 17. Nxe5 Bxe5 18. Qb3 $1 {Indirectly
targeting the d5-pawn, since a2-a3 may follow.} Nc6 $6 ({Black had to try} 
18... Bxd4 $1 19. exd4 Bf5 20. a3 Nc6 21. Rf4 Rfd8 22. Raf1 Qd7 23. g4 Be6 {
when White's pawn weaknesses are balanced out by his enhanced control over the
dark squares.}) 19. Nb5 a4 20. Qxd5 ({Maybe Tal had only counted on the crazy
line} 20. Nxd6 $2 axb3 21. Nxf7 Bxb2 {which favours Black.}) 20... Qe7 $5 {Tal
gets in deeper and deeper trouble by playing for the win against his lower
rated opponent.} ({Instead,} 20... Qxd5 21. Bxd5 Bxb2 22. Rab1 a3 23. Nd6 Be6
24. Bxe6 fxe6 25. d4 {looks like a tough ending for Black, but may objectively
be better than Tal's continuation.}) 21. Nc3 Nb4 22. Qxb7 Rab8 23. Qa7 Nxd3 24.
Nd5 {This is a big square for White's knight, who clears the c3-square for a
bishop.} Qe6 25. Bc3 Bb5 {EXERCISE (critical decision): In this position,
White has three tempting candidate moves: a) 26 Nc7, forking the black queen
and the b5-bishop. --- b) 26 Rad1, calmly developing the only undeveloped
piece. --- c) 26 Rf6, a flashy sacrifice, hoping to seize control over Black's
dark squares. --- Two of the lines favour White, while the odd line out tilts
the game in Black's favour. Which one would you play?} 26. Nc7 $2 {Basman
picks the worst of the three.} ({ANSWER(s): He gains the advantage with the
other two options: The audacious} 26. Rf6 $1 {rook tuck is a warning of an
even more dire, systematic problem in Black's degrading position: weak dark
squares. This flashy path is White's second best line. Black does best to
decline the rook with} Qd7 $1 ({Black is by no means obliged to accept the
tainted gift as the greedy} 26... Bxf6 $4 {loses to} 27. Nxf6+ Kh8 28. Ng4+ f6
29. Rf1 $1 {with a decisive White attack}) 27. Ra6 $1 {(clearing f6 for a
knight check)} Bxc3 28. bxc3 Qxa7 29. Rxa7 Rfd8 {. White is up a pawn but it
won't be so easy to convert, since Black's forces remain highly active.}) ({
The quiet} 26. Rad1 $1 {is White's strongest line. After} Rbd8 27. Rf6 $1 {(in
this structure, such sacrifices are the rule, rather than the exception)} Qe8
$1 {(once again, Black isn't forced to accept)} 28. Rd6 $3 {(a pretty
interference shot)} Rxd6 29. Ne7+ $1 Kh8 30. Bxe5+ Nxe5 31. Rxd6 f6 {, White
is an exchange up.}) 26... Bxc7 27. Qxc7 a3 $2 {This is tinsel rather than
substance. Tal turns a potential win into a potential loss in the space of a
single move. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): Basman finds himself in the
enviable position of an IM landing in a winning position against a former
World Champion. Find White's startling shot.} ({Black should just grab the
exchange with} 27... Qxe3+ $1 28. Kh1 Nf2+ 29. Rxf2 Qxf2 30. Qe5 {. Tal
probably rejected this line due to this move, but Black is just fine after the
simple} f6 31. Qd5+ Kg7 {when White lacks full compensation for the exchange.})
28. Rxf7 $1 {ANSWER: Overloaded defender/pin. --- The kleptomaniacal rook,
even though born to great wealth, is compelled to steal the property of others.
Black's last move is met with an adder-tongued retaliatory strike. What a
sweet move, made sweeter from the fact that it was played against the great
Mikhail Tal.} ({Most certainly not} 28. bxa3 $4 Qxe3+ 29. Kh1 Rbc8 30. Qb7 Rxc3
31. Qxb5 Rc2 $1 32. Rad1 Nf2+ 33. Rxf2 Qxf2 {and Black wins instead.}) 28...
Rxf7 {No choice,} ({since} 28... Qxf7 $4 {loses on the spot to the pin/deflection trick} 29. Bd5 $1 {as the bishop conjures delicious dreams of sweet
revenge upon his f7-cousin. White wins.}) 29. Qxb8+ Be8 {A forced move.} ({
Instead,} 29... Rf8 $4 {is met with} 30. Qa7 $1 {which covers the e3-pawn
while threatening mate on g7} ({most definitely not} 30. Qxb5 $4 {which walks
into the smothered mate which every kindergartener knows, after} Qxe3+ 31. Kh1
Nf2+ 32. Kg1 Nh3+ 33. Kh1 Qg1+ 34. Rxg1 Nf2# {mate!}) {. After} 30... Rf7 {,}
31. Qd4 {White consolidates and wins.}) 30. Bd4 ({Once again,} 30. bxa3 $4 {
walks into the familiar mating pattern} Qxe3+ 31. Kh1 Nf2+ {and you know the
rest.}) 30... axb2 31. Rd1 Nf2 ({If Black sets up a cheapo with} 31... Rd7 {,
White should avoid} 32. Rxd3 $2 Rxd4 $1 33. Rxd4 Qxe3+ 34. Kf1 b1=R+ 35. Qxb1
Qxd4 36. Bf3 Bf7 {with a likely draw.}) 32. Rf1 ({More accurate, according to
Houdini is} 32. Rb1 $1 {.}) 32... Nd3 33. Rxf7 Qxf7 {EXERCISE (critical
decision): Black threatens mate with ...Qf2+ next. --- We have two ways to
deal with the issue: a) 34 Bd5, a deflection shot. --- b) 34 h3, simply
creating luft for White's king. One of the lines is winning, while the other
seriously complicates White's hopes.} 34. Bd5 $2 {In this case, the
combination is best left unplayed.} ({ANSWER: The quiet} 34. h3 $1 {wins after}
h6 35. Kh2 Kh7 36. Bxb2 {. Black is down two pawns with zero counterplay. He
is unable to play} Qxa2 $2 37. Bc3 Qf7 38. Qd6 {(threatening the knight and
heading for the d4-square)} Nf2 39. Qd4 {(Black is paralyzed)} Qf8 40. Kg1 $1
h5 ({Black is unable to extricate his knight with} 40... Bb5 $4 {which walks
into} 41. Qa7+ Kg8 42. Bd5+ Qf7 43. Qxf7# {mate!}) 41. e4 {and the knight is
trapped.}) 34... b1=Q+ $1 {Deflection. Tal's defensive antennae quiver,
sensing menace close by. Desperation is a kind of synthetic enthusiasm, where
we take risky action, but only at gunpoint. In this case the desperado works
beautifully. Tal meets White's deflection shot, with a deflection shot of his
own.} 35. Qxb1 Qxd5 36. Qxd3 Qxa2 {White is still up a pawn but his own king
lacks cover.} 37. Qe4 ({If White reloads on the long dark square diagonal with
} 37. Bc3 {, Black prepares to bolt with} Kf7 $1 {and if} 38. Qd4 $2 Qb1+ 39.
Kg2 Bc6+ {, White must suppress ambition and avoid} 40. Kh3 $4 {when White's
attempt to dodge perpetual check walks into mate or queen loss after} Qf5+ 41.
g4 ({also,} 41. Qg4 {gets White mated after} Bg2+ 42. Kh4 g5+ $1 43. Qxg5 Qh3#)
41... Qf1+ 42. Kg3 {(the penniless hobo king is sent packing, with a
bandanna-tied stick on his shoulder)} Qg2+ 43. Kf4 Qxh2+ 44. Kg5 h6# {mate!
When a shrimpy pawn dares to challenge a king and deliver mate, it's as if one
of Santa's surlier elves enters a bar, has one too many, picking a fight with
a 350 pound NFL linebacker - and then sends his beefy opponent to the hospital.
}) 37... Bb5 $1 {A light flurry of activity flushes the stagnation from
Black's position.} 38. g4 ({Also,} 38. Qf4 Qb1+ 39. Kg2 Bc6+ 40. Kh3 Qf5+ 41.
Qxf5 gxf5 42. Kh4 h6 $1 {is drawn, due to the opposite-coloured bishops.})
38... Qc4 39. Qa8+ Kf7 40. Qf3+ Ke8 41. Qa8+ {Recent reverses hinder White's
dream of a full point and the conflict settles into equilibrium.} ({An easy
draw also follows after} 41. Kf2 Qf1+ 42. Kg3 Qxf3+ {.}) 41... Kd7 {. SUMMARY:
The English/Leningrad Bird seems fully playable for White. The move is likely
to confuse your opponents, so you may want to give it a try.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "53: European Championship, Kusadasi"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2006.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kovacevic, B."]
[Black "Godena, M."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C30"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2006.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.30"]

1. f4 d6 2. Nf3 Bg4 {This move is a suggestion of IM Richard Palliser, my
Everyman editor. The strategic threat of ...Bxf3 pretty much forces us out of
the Leningrad Bird formation.} 3. e4 {QUESTION: You voluntarily walk into a
pin? --- ANSWER: The pin is no big deal, since we intend to play Be2 next.} e5
{Black decides to assert himself in the centre, grabbing his fair share. We
end up in a funky kind of King's Gambit Declined, where Black's ...Bg4 may not
be the best posting. --- QUESTION: How does this affect the posting of Black's
bishop? --- ANSWER: By changing the structure with ...e7-e5, Black's
light-squared bishop, by default, becomes the good bishop. This means he will
either eventually swap it off for White's f3-knight, or lose a tempo later
while retreating it.} ({Alternatives: After} 3... c5 {, the game resembles a
Sicilian Grand Prix, but with Black's bishop on an early posting on g4, which
isn't normal. I would just go for the bishop pair now with} 4. h3 Bxf3 5. Qxf3
Nc6 6. c3 {(the position also takes on Clamp-like dimensions)} e6 7. Be2 Be7 8.
O-O d5 9. d3 {and I slightly prefer White, due to the flexible pawn centre and
bishop pair, D.Wichmann-U.Kraus, Wiesbaden 2000.}) ({White gets the upper hand
after} 3... Nc6 4. Be2 Nf6 5. d3 Bxf3 (5... e6 6. c3 d5 7. e5 Nd7 8. O-O Be7 9.
b4 $1 a6 10. Be3 O-O 11. Nbd2 f6 12. d4 {gives White a considerable space
advantage}) 6. Bxf3 {(White has the bishop pair and is about to play c2-c3,
cutting off ...Nd4)} Nd4 $6 {, E.Oldach-H.Kessner, Bad Sooden 2005. Now White
could have made Black pay with} 7. e5 $1 Nxf3+ 8. Qxf3 Nd7 9. Qxb7 $1 ({the
immediate pawn grab is even stronger than} 9. exd6 cxd6 10. Qxb7 g6 11. c3 Bg7
12. O-O {and I don't see full compensation for the pawn}) 9... dxe5 10. fxe5
Nxe5 11. Qe4 Nd7 12. O-O {and White has a scary looking development lead,
coupled with open e- and f-files.}) (3... c6 {. QUESTION: What is Black's idea
behind this move? --- ANSWER: Black plans ...Bxf3, followed by ...e7-e6 and ...d7-d5, switching the structure to favour his remaining bishop. After} 4. h3
Bxf3 5. Qxf3 e6 {, A.Popovic-B.Lajthajm, Obrenovac 2010, I slightly prefer
White after} 6. Nc3 d5 7. b3 {, keeping open the possibility of long castling.}
) ({A conservative King's Gambit Declined follows after} 3... Nf6 4. d3 e5 {,
R.Bachler-S.Schmidt Schaeffer, Germany 1996. Now play might go} 5. Be2 Nc6 6.
O-O Bxf3 7. Bxf3 Nd4 {when Black regains the bishop pair but falls just short
of equality. Following} 8. Be3 $1 {(intending Bxd4, followed by e4-e5!)} Nxf3+
9. Qxf3 exf4 10. Qxf4 Be7 11. Nc3 {, White is slightly better with a
comfortable space edge, the open f-file and development lead.}) ({With} 3...
Nd7 {, Black remains flexible, keeping White guessing. After} 4. h3 Bxf3 5.
Qxf3 c6 6. b3 $1 {, White intends to castle long and then initiate a kingside
pawn storm à la GM Danielsen with g2-g4 later on. Following} Ngf6 7. Nc3 e5 8.
Bb2 Be7 9. O-O-O Qc7 10. g4 {, Black's position is passive and an assault
looms over his head, S.Bryntze-L.Evertsson, Stockholm 2012.}) 4. d3 Nc6 5. Be2
Nf6 6. O-O g6 $6 {This is a very slow move, with the f-file potentially
opening.} ({Black probably should settle for the passive but more solid} 6...
Be7 7. c3 {(cutting off ...Bxf3 and ...Nd4 ideas), V.Pechenkin-R.Gardner,
Edmonton 2009. White stands a shade better after} O-O 8. Na3 {where the knight
intends to transfer to the c2-square where it can help prepare a future d3-d4
break.}) 7. Nc3 ({I would be inclined to open the f-file right away with} 7.
fxe5 dxe5 8. Be3 {.}) 7... Bg7 8. Qe1 {Heading for the h4-square, and that
suffices to convince Black to cancel his kingside castling plans.} h6 $5 ({
White looks a shade better in the line} 8... O-O 9. Qh4 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 Nd4 11.
fxe5 dxe5 12. Bd1 Nd7 13. Bg5 f6 14. Be3 Nc5 15. Ne2 Nce6 16. c3 Nxe2+ 17. Bxe2
{. White's bishop pair, for now dormant, has the feel to become meaningful
later on, if for instance, White's light-squared bishop find its way to the
a2-g8 diagonal.}) 9. Kh1 Qd7 $5 {Still refusing to castle short. The trouble
is I'm not so certain Black's king is any safer castling long.} ({I would risk
} 9... O-O 10. h3 Bd7 11. fxe5 dxe5 12. Be3 Be6 {, which doesn't look all that
terrible for Black.}) 10. Rb1 {White begins to formulate an argument against
Black's intent. This move comes with a warning: Don't castle queenside!} Be6 {
Black wants to hang on to his good bishop.} 11. a3 O-O-O $5 {Faith and
opportunism become allied. Black's last move is an outright declaration of war.
} 12. Bd1 $6 {Securing the c2-pawn from ...Nd4 irritations, but allowing Black
the possibility of irritating central counters.} ({White should fix the
structure with} 12. fxe5 $1 dxe5 13. b4 {with the quicker-looking attack.})
12... exf4 $1 {Black exchanges to activate his g7-bishop.} 13. Bxf4 Nh5 $6 {A
violation of the nursery rhyme principles: A knight on the rim is grim (or dim)
and also A knight on the side we cannot abide.} ({Black looks slightly better
if he prepares a central counter with} 13... g5 $1 14. Be3 d5 $1 15. Bg1 dxe4
16. dxe4 Bc4 17. Be2 Bxe2 18. Qxe2 Rhe8 {.}) 14. Bd2 {Adding protection to the
c3-knight in order to lash out with b2-b4 later on.} Rde8 ({It's too late for
a ...d5 central counter as} 14... d5 $6 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. exd5 Qxd5 17. Bc3
Rhe8 18. Qf2 Re7 19. Nd2 {is uncomfortable for Black with Bf3 in the air.}) 15.
b4 {Here he comes.} Kb8 (15... f5 $6 {is met with} 16. Nh4 $1 Qf7 17. Bxh5 gxh5
18. Nxf5 Bxf5 19. Qf2 {when White will emerge with an extra pawn.}) 16. Qf2 {
White removes his queen from the e8-rook's gaze.} Ref8 $5 {Why this rook?} ({
I don't understand why Black didn't play the natural} 16... Rhf8 {.}) 17. b5
Nd8 {Black's knight is misplaced. It belonged on either the e7- or e5-square.}
18. Nd4 f5 $2 {With this move, Black hopes to leave his otherwise flat
counterplay level. But it's mistimed.} (18... Nf6 {avoided the structural
damage which follows.}) 19. exf5 Bxd4 {Black pays a high price for recapturing
on f5.} 20. Qxd4 Bxf5 21. Bf3 {With the impending Be3 in the air, one senses a
bloodbath as all of White's pieces soon face Black's king.} Nf6 ({Also
insufficient is} 21... Ne6 22. Qd5 Nc5 23. Na4 Qe6 24. Nxc5 Qxd5 25. Na6+ $1 {
(zwischenzug)} bxa6 26. bxa6+ Kc8 27. Bxd5 {and Black is hopelessly busted.})
22. Be3 {Threatening mate in two moves. White's queen and bishops let the
defenders (who palpably feel the ill-will) experience the full weight of their
malevolent presence. "How can you exercise dominion over other nations and
territories when you are not even master of your own fears?" White's queen
asks her now sweating b8-brother.} b6 {This leaves a painful gash along the
light squares around his king, but there wasn't much choice.} 23. Nd5 {Setting
up a diabolical threat. When we set up a trap, our move must feign innocence
and misunderstanding so perfect, that our opponent believes us.} Qe6 $2 {
Black's nervous queen inquires of the white knight's business in a shrill
voice. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): Black's last move was a blunder in a
strategically lost position. How can White exploit it?} 24. Bxh6 {The bishop
decides to go shopping in a low rent district. This move is flashy, but not
the best one.} ({ANSWER: Attraction/trapped piece. White does better with} 24.
Nxf6 $1 Rxf6 (24... Qxf6 25. Qd5 Kc8 26. Bd4 {is game over, as well}) 25. g4 $1
{and as it turns out, tomorrow really isn't the first day of the rest of the
trapped black bishop's life. He finds himself in a lonely minority of one,
against a mob of those opposed to his very existence.}) 24... Rf7 $2 {EXERCISE
(combination alert): After the last move, Black's position goes flat as
yesterday's half-drunk can of Diet Coke. White has two ways to win. Find one
of them.} ({Black had to settle for a pawn down position after} 24... Rxh6 25.
Rfe1 Qg8 26. Nxf6 Qf7 27. Qd5 Qxd5 28. Nxd5 {.}) 25. Bg5 $1 {ANSWER: Pin. ---
The ugly episode of the f6-pin has yet to run its course. Stay tuned!} ({
ANSWER #2: White also wins with} 25. Rfe1 $1 Qc8 26. Nxf6 Rxh6 27. Re8 $1 {
when there is no reasonable defence to the coming Qd5, since} Be6 {fails to}
28. Re1 {.}) 25... Nd7 $5 {Do you get the feeling that Black came away from
this move with only hollow certainty in its effectiveness? Black discovers a
starkly simple solution to his f6-pin problem. Completely ignore it! This
isn't exactly an all-purpose solution, since the h8-rook hangs. I can't fathom
this move and White's next since it seems too early in the game for time
pressure.} 26. Bxd8 $5 {This game certainly contains some mysteriously
unconventional facets. This wins, but will someone tell me why White refused a
free rook? Hmmm. What's wrong with this picture? The position represents a
visually odd paradox, and exudes the aura of one of those shaky
every-which-way home movies my parents shot in the 1960s, where the camera
just kept bouncing.} (26. Qxh8 {seems to do a pretty good job of forcing Black
to resign. The queen's dreaded phrase "This is for your own good" is
synonymous with pain-to-follow.}) 26... Rxd8 27. Nb4 {Black's light squares
are punctured beyond repair.} Ne5 28. Bd5 {The vulgar bishop leers at Black's
queen with a disconcerting pirate's squint.} Qf6 29. Bxf7 Qxf7 {EXERCISE 
(combination alert): White to play and increase his material advantage:} 30.
Rbe1 {Good enough, but White can do better.} ({ANSWER: Pin.} 30. g4 $1 {and}
Nxg4 31. Qxg4 {leaves White up a rook. --- SUMMARY: I would react to 1...d6 2
Nf3 Bg4, by switching to a slightly favourable Classical Dutch-style set-up
with 3 e4.}) 1-0

