% BOOKTITLE = Dangerous Weapons: The Ruy Lopez
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "About this Publication"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C60"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "6"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {. Do you need to freshen up your chess openings?
--- Stun your opponents with new and exciting ideas! --- Dangerous Weapons is
a series of opening books which supply the reader with an abundance of
hard-hitting ideas to revitalize his or her opening repertoire. --- In this
book, three opening experts team up and take a contemporary look at the Ruy
Lopez, one of the most popular chess openings. Instead of analysing the
well-trodden main lines they concentrate on fresh or little-explored
variations, selecting a wealth of 'dangerous' options for both colours.
Whether playing White or Black, a study of this book will leave you confident
and fully-armed, and your opponents running for cover!} -- {A modern study of
the Ruy Lopez --- Packed with original ideas and analysis --- Ideal weapons to
shock your opponents} (3... -- {Grandmaster John Emms has played for England
in two Chess Olympiads and was captain of the team at the 2002 Olympiad in
Bled. He is an experienced coach who has worked with World Championship
finalist Michael Adams and some of the UK's top junior players. He is also a
highly respected chess writer, with many outstanding works to his name. As
commissioning editor for Everyman Chess, he developed the extremely successful
Move by Move series of books.}) (3... -- {Grandmaster Tony Kosten is an
experienced tournament player, with dozens of international victories to his
credit. He played for England and won an individual bronze medal at the 1989
European Team Championship in Haifa. He has lived in France since 1990, and
has captained and coached the French national team. He is Managing Director of
ChessPublishing.com, the renowned chess opening theory website. He has written
many books, including the highly acclaimed opening repertoire book 'The
Dynamic English'.}) (3... -- {John Cox is an International Master and a former
British Junior Champion. His books for Everyman Chess, including 'Dealing with
d4 Deviations', 'Starting Out: 1 d4!' and 'Starting Out: Alekhine's Defence',
have established him as a writer with impressive credentials.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Preface"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C60"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "6"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {. The Ruy Lopez enjoys a long and distinguished
history, and one would be forgiven for thinking that, by now, its theory would
have almost settled. Recent evidence, however, suggests that the opposite is
true; its theory is still developing rapidly and no doubt there are many
discoveries yet to be made. These days Black players are less likely to choose
the 'main lines' - there are a greater number of options for Black that are
now recognized as fully acceptable. Perhaps the most obvious example is the
Berlin Defence, which Kramnik used so effectively to frustrate Kasparov in
their 2000 World Championship match, but there are many other possibilities
too. In turn, White players have been forced to fight back. No longer can
White expect to apply the Spanish Torture, game after game. Lopez players must
be more flexible and prepared to take on a wider variety of positions, or
employ a system-type approach with d2-d3, a choice which has become noticeably
popular in recent times.} -- {I would like to thank my co-authors Tony Kosten
and John Cox, for all their hard work and enthusiasm in researching and
writing their chapters. I very much hope that readers are inspired to try out
the ideas discussed in this book, whether they are playing the Ruy Lopez or
fighting against it. --- John Emms, Kent, November 2012} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Series Introduction"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

{The original concept behind Dangerous Weapons was to take a major chess
opening and to approach it in a completely different way to normal: to
concentrate on variations that are ambitious, sharp, innovative, disruptive,
tricky, enjoyable to analyse; ones not already weighed down by mountains of
theory, and ones unfairly ignored or discredited. To me this seemed like an
author's paradise, which I'm sure contributed somewhat towards the inspiration
behind this series! --- The main motivation behind studying major openings in
such a way is to be able to present the reader (not forgetting the author!)
with a considerable number of fresh, hard-hitting opening weapons for both
White and Black; in some cases to create repertoires and in others to enhance
and rejuvenate existing ones.} 1. -- {What is a Dangerous Weapon? -- For the
purpose of choosing opening variations for this series, usually a Dangerous
Weapon fits into one or more of these overlapping categories:} (1. -- {
1) Moves that create complex, original positions full of razor-sharp tactics
and rich positional ideas where creative, attacking play is rewarded; moves
which are new, rare or very fresh, leaving plenty of scope for research. ---
It should be pointed out that even though mainline theory produces a vast
number of wonderfully complicated positions, these opening variations lose out
heavily in the 'danger' stakes. No matter how sharp and difficult the position,
the opening phase is nowhere near as hazardous for your opponent if he is able
to fall back on that comfort blanket known as theory. I've played plenty of
incredibly sharp lines without any real fear simply because of reasonable book
knowledge and some solid home preparation. Thus in Dangerous Weapons the
emphasis has mainly been on non-theoretical lines, where your opponent is left
to his own devices at a very early stage.}) (1. -- {2) Moves that are highly
ambitious; ones which aim for total domination. --- Perfect for those not
satisfied with a quiet theoretical edge as White and eager to search for a big
advantage or even a direct refutation, albeit at some risk; or for those as
Black who prefer to strive for the initiative at any cost, preferring this
over a manageable disadvantage or a sterile equality.}) (1. -- {3) Moves that
have been previously ignored, discarded or discredited by theory, perhaps
unfairly so or maybe for the wrong reasons. --- Discredited lines can be
especially dangerous - the psychological element cannot be ignored. Facing an
opening like this, I find myself asking the question, 'Why is he playing this
variation if it is meant to be bad?' Often there is a very good reason (a
logical improvement, perhaps, which overturns a previous assessment), and in
any case how are you supposed to remember a hypothetical 15-move refutation
when you only browsed it in a book once, and that was a few years ago?}) (1. --
{4) Moves that are visually shocking; moves which seem to contradict the laws
of the game. --- Disregarding the question of objective merit for the moment,
there's no doubt that a crazy-looking move has at the very least some
psychological value. Unleashed on an opponent, it can produce a range of
emotions: uncontrolled laughter, perhaps followed by over-confidence; anger
(at being insulted by such a move) followed by over-aggression; or perhaps
discomfort, followed by timidity. Of course you may instead encounter
understanding followed by objectivity - you have to pick and choose your
opponents.}) (1. -- {Dangerous for Whom? -- It would be difficult, probably
impossible, to guarantee that every single variation in this book is 100%
sound. You have to understand that in some cases 'dangerous' can sometimes
mean 'dangerous for both sides'. What I do expect, however, is that your
opponent's ride throughout the opening should be far bumpier than yours!}) (1.
-- {Guiding You Through: -- Throughout the book there are various icons
together with explanatory notes to emphasize significant points. They should
be fairly self-explanatory, but here's a brief summary: --- DANGEROUS WEAPON!
This signifies a game, variation, sub-variation or position where the
Dangerous Weapon has obviously produced the desired effect. --- BEWARE!
Pointing out immediate danger for the player using the Dangerous Weapon. ---
ROLL THE DICE! Signifying a variation or sub-variation which is perhaps more
suited for games with short time-limits or for players who enjoy taking risks.
--- TRICKY TRANSPOSITION: This indicates a transposition to a different
opening variation. Using different move orders to reach a desirable position
or to trick your opponent into something with which he is unfamiliar is
becoming a weapon of increasing value. Even so, I was still a little surprised
by the considerable number of transpositions that cropped up.}) (1. -- {
As the title suggests, Dangerous Weapons may not be for the faint-hearted!
More than anything, it is aimed at players of all levels who like to be
entertained; those who are happy to try out fun-to-play openings at their
local chess club, on the Internet, in tournaments, wherever they choose to
play. --- Good luck studying and playing your Dangerous Weapons! --- John Emms,
Everyman Chess}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "1. Aronian Variation"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C70"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nge7 {. I first became aware of this line
when I saw Aronian playing it a lot, and getting good results with it
(although mostly in quick games I should add). Of course, Aronian is
incredibly strong, but this must be one of very few lines where Black has a
big plus score in the Ruy Lopez.} 5. -- (5. -- {Summary: -- Aronian's
Variation offers a number of important advantages: an unrivalled move-order
flexibility to out-manoeuvre your opponent in the opening, straightforward
development and a simple plan involving accepting a backward d6-pawn in
exchange for open files and diagonals. --- White has yet to find a good
counter method and tends to score very poorly, even at the very highest levels.
}) *

[Event "World Blitz Championship, Moscow"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2009.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Leko, P."]
[Black "Aronian, L."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C60"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2009.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7 {
Defending the c6-knight and so dissuading White from taking it.} ({
TRICKY TRANSPOSITION: I prefer to play} 3... a6 {first myself, but Aronian's
move is a good choice against players who like to play the Exchange Variation
(} 4. Bxc6 {).}) 4. O-O (4. c3 a6 (4... d5 $5 5. Nxe5 dxe4 {is also possible
with this particular move order, transposing to a sort of Ponziani}) 5. Ba4 g6
6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 b5 8. Bb3 Bg7 9. O-O O-O 10. Nc3 d6 11. h3 {
transposes to the game.}) ({BEWARE! Black should be aware of} 4. Nc3 {
with this move order, as then if} g6 5. d4 exd4 6. Nd5 {is annoying.}) 4... g6
5. c3 a6 (5... Bg7 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bb3 O-O {
would also transpose.}) 6. Ba4 Bg7 7. h3 (7. d4 {first is more usual:} exd4 8.
cxd4 b5 9. Bb3 O-O 10. Nc3 {when} d6 11. h3 {reaches the game position.}) 7...
O-O 8. d4 b5 9. Bb3 exd4 10. cxd4 d6 11. Nc3 Na5 12. Bc2 c5 13. Re1 {
For White's other choices see the next section.} h6 $5 {Aronian often prefers
this way of playing, to stop Bg5, possibly as it leads to a complicated
struggle.} ({My recommendation throughout this chapter is to prefer a more
open game, and so I would play} 13... cxd4 {
here, aiming for the active backward d-pawn position:} 14. Nxd4 Bb7 15. Bg5 h6
16. Bf4 ({or} 16. Bh4 {, S.Velickovic-I.Martic, Valjevo 2012,} Rc8 {
and then ...Re8 and ...Qb6}) 16... Rc8 {
(Black's pieces come easily to active posts)} 17. Nce2 d5 $5 ({
now the e-pawn advances and the game gets a bit messy;} 17... Nec6 $1 {
is more natural -} 18. Nxc6 Bxc6 $5 {as on} 19. Bxd6 Re8 {
White cannot defend both b2 and e4}) 18. e5 Nc4 19. e6 $1 Nxb2 20. Qb1 Nc4 21.
exf7+ Kxf7 (21... Rxf7 $5 22. Bxg6 Nxg6 23. Qxg6 Qf6 {would be safer}) 22. a4
$1 Qb6 23. axb5 $1 {(White grabs his chance to play for the attack, and is not
afraid to sacrifice material)} Bxd4 24. Nxd4 Qxd4 25. Bxh6 axb5 26. Bxf8 Rxf8 (
26... Kxf8 $5) 27. Qxb5 {
was unclear but unpleasant for Black in I.Chirila-A.Shabalov, Richardson 2011.}
) 14. Rb1 Nec6 $5 15. d5 {Ambitious - Leko heads for a Benoni-style position,
which most 1 e4 players are loath to do.} (15. dxc5 dxc5 16. Nd5 {
is nothing special for White:} Be6 17. Be3 Bxd5 18. exd5 Nd4 {.}) 15... Nb4 16.
a3 Nxc2 17. Qxc2 Re8 {Black has a nice Benoni position - his queenside pawns
are already advanced and White's central majority is ineffective.} 18. b4 Nc4 {
The 'offside' knight is rather useful too, and will now hop around causing
havoc wherever it lands.} 19. Nd2 Ne5 20. f4 Ng4 $5 21. Nf3 (21. hxg4 $4 {
is impossible:} Bd4+ 22. Kf1 Qh4 23. Ke2 Qxg4+ 24. Kd3 Qxg2 {
with a devastating attack.}) 21... cxb4 22. axb4 Qc7 $5 23. Bd2 (23. hxg4 {
was the safest choice:} Qxc3 24. Qf2 Bxg4 25. Bb2 {when White is not worse.})
23... Qa7+ 24. Kh1 Nf2+ 25. Kh2 Nxh3 $1 {
No let-up! It is difficult to believe that this was only a blitz game.} 26. Be3
({Certainly not} 26. gxh3 $4 Qf2+ 27. Kh1 Qxf3+ {.}) ({But} 26. Nd1 $1 {
would force} Nf2 {when} 27. Nxf2 Qxf2 28. f5 {would have been messy.}) 26...
Qd7 $1 27. Qd2 Qg4 28. Rf1 $2 ({
White was in a difficult position anyway, and even after a better move such as
} 28. Rbc1 {(to defend the c3-knight)} Qh5 29. Kg3 Bf6 {he would have to find
some good moves to hang on. Still, the black knight on h3 does look a bit
strange.}) 28... Nxf4 {
Aronian wants to play all his moves with either his knight or queen!} ({
Otherwise he could have moved a bishop -} 28... Bxc3 29. Qxc3 Qh5 {
and White is quite lost: neither} 30. Kg3 ({nor} 30. gxh3 Bxh3 31. Rf2 Bg4+ 32.
Kg2 Qh3+ 33. Kg1 Bxf3) 30... Rxe4 {will save him.}) 29. Bxf4 Bxc3 30. Qe3 ({Or
} 30. Qxc3 Qxf4+ 31. Kh1 Bg4 32. Nd2 Qg5 {.}) 30... Bg7 ({
With more time on the clock Black would surely play} 30... Bf5 {first:} 31. Bg3
Bg7 {and a third pawn drops.}) 31. Rbe1 Bf5 32. e5 ({If} 32. Nd2 {then} Bxe4
33. Nxe4 f5 {.}) 32... Rac8 33. Rf2 Rc4 34. Bg3 Re4 35. Qd2 Rxe1 36. Qxe1 dxe5
37. Nxe5 $2 {Losing a piece, but White was quite lost anyway.} Qh5+ 38. Kg1 Bg4
39. d6 Bxe5 0-1

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian Variation"]
[Black "Looking a Little Deeper"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C60"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 ({TRICKY TRANSPOSITION: The beauty of this line
is that it can arise from so many different move orders (see below). For
example,} 3... g6 {and now:} 4. -- (4. c3 a6 5. Ba4 Bg7 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 exd4 8.
cxd4 Nge7 9. O-O O-O {.}) ({. Or} 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 (6. Bxc6 dxc6 7.
d4 exd4 8. cxd4 Ne7 9. Nc3 Bg4 10. Be3 O-O {is comfortable for Black;} 11. h3
Bxf3 12. Qxf3 f5 $1 {, M.Chandler-B.Spassky, Vienna 1986}) 6... Nge7 7. d4 exd4
8. cxd4 b5 9. Bb3 {etc.}) ({. Or even} 4. d4 exd4 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 Bg7 7. cxd4
b5 8. Bb3 Nge7 9. O-O {.})) ({However, playing} 3... g6 {
you should be ready for} 4. d4 exd4 5. Bg5 (5. Nxd4 {
is common, but not very good here:} Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. O-O Ne7 $1 {
, an idea played by Steinitz a few times; Black plans ...d5 with at least
equality}) 5... Be7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 7. Bxc6 dxc6 8. Qxd4 {
with an Exchange-type position which is more comfortable for White.}) ({
Finally,} 3... Nge7 4. O-O g6 5. c3 {
was the move order in our introductory game Leko-Aronian.}) 4. Ba4 Nge7 {
This particular move order might be the most accurate, but that would probably
depend on whether you were happy allowing the Exchange Spanish - if your
opponent is an expert on the Exchange then you could choose 3...g6 or 3...Nge7
instead. --- Of course, whichever line you choose you will need to examine the
early move alternatives for White in greater depth - Ivan Sokolov's recent
book 'The Ruy Lopez Revisited' has chapters on both third moves (and a lot
more besides).} (4... g6 5. c3 Bg7 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 b5 8. Bb3 Nge7 9. O-O {
is yet another possible move sequence.}) 5. O-O ({Another move order is} 5. c3
g6 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 b5 {
(note that Black should play this before White can advance his d-pawn to d5!)}
8. Bb3 Bg7 9. O-O O-O {.}) ({
BEWARE! If you use the 3...a6 4 Ba4 Nge7 move order, be aware of the tricky} 5.
Nc3 $5 g6 6. d4 exd4 7. Nd5 {, although Black can defend with care:} Bg7 8. Bg5
h6 9. Bf6 Bxf6 10. Nxf6+ Kf8 11. O-O Kg7 12. Nd5 b5 13. Bb3 Nxd5 14. Bxd5 Bb7
15. Nxd4 Qf6 16. c3 Rab8 {, M.Sebag-Zhu Chen, Ulaanbaatar 2010.}) ({
Note that many strong players prefer to avoid this and play} 5. Nc3 d6 {
. For example:} 6. -- (6. d4 {allows} b5 7. Bb3 Nxd4 8. Nxd4 exd4 9. Qh5 (9.
Qxd4 $2 {falls into the well-known trap} c5 {and ...c4, winning the b3-bishop})
9... Ng6 {, S.Das-G.Pap, Chennai 2011, when White could (and probably should)
have played for a repetition by} 10. Qd5 Be6 11. Qc6+ Bd7 12. Qd5 {
, although Black would certainly have tried to keep the game alive by} Ne5 13.
f4 c6 14. Qxd4 Ng4 {.}) (6. O-O Bd7 {when the natural} 7. d4 {
is once again met by} b5 8. Bb3 Nxd4 9. Nxd4 exd4 10. Qh5 (10. Qxd4 $6 {
is not quite so bad now:} c5 11. Qxd6 c4 {
, A.Schroeder-D.Janowski, New York 1916,} 12. Be3 {
and White gets a couple of pawns and some play for the trapped bishop}) 10...
Ng6 11. Nd5 $5 (11. Qd5 Be6 12. Qc6+ Bd7 13. Qd5 {repeats}) 11... c6 12. Bg5
Qc8 13. Rfe1 {(M.Fierro Baquero-V.Raineri, Fermo 2010)} Bg4 14. Nc7+ Qxc7 15.
Qxg4 Be7 {.}) (6. a3 h6 7. h3 {(to stop ...Bg4)} g6 8. d4 b5 9. Bb3 exd4 10.
Nxd4 Na5 11. Ba2 Bg7 12. Bf4 O-O 13. O-O Nc4 14. Rb1 c5 $5 15. Nde2 Be6 16.
Bxc4 Bxc4 {with good play for Black, E.Berg-S.Ernst, Maastricht 2011, as after}
17. Bxd6 Bxc3 18. Nxc3 Bxf1 19. Kxf1 Re8 20. Bxc5 Rc8 {
White has enough for the exchange, but no more.})) ({BEWARE!} 5. Bb3 $5 {
threatens the not-too-subtle Ng5!} -- (5... Ng6 {
is the safest response to 5 Bb3, but} 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O {
is a little uncomfortable for Black, K.Kulaots-A.Kosten, Belfort 2012.}) (5...
h6 $5 {plans ...g6, ...Bg7 and ...0-0:} 6. O-O (6. d4 exd4 7. Nxd4 Nxd4 (7...
d6 {is better}) 8. Qxd4 d6 9. Nc3 Nc6 10. Qd3 g6 11. Be3 Bg7 12. O-O-O O-O {
is dangerous for Black, O.Kanmazalp-D.Hristodorescu, Plovdiv 2012}) 6... g6 7.
c3 Bg7 8. d4 exd4 9. cxd4 Na5 10. Bc2 O-O 11. Nc3 d6 12. h3 b5 13. d5 Bb7 14.
Re1 {(B.Starke-A.Proudian, Sao Paulo 2012)} Rc8 {and ...c6 reaches positions
similar to the later material with ...h6 played (which is sometimes useful).}))
5... g6 6. c3 {The most popular and strongest move. White plans to construct a
centre and put pressure on e5.} (6. d4 exd4 7. Nxd4 Bg7 8. Be3 O-O 9. Nc3 {
isn't very effective here:} b5 ({or} 9... Na5 $5 10. Nde2 b5 11. Bb3 Nxb3 12.
axb3 Bb7 {, A.Kovalev-L.Keitlinghaus, Ostrava 1993}) 10. Bb3 Na5 {
with a threat of ...c5-c4 trapping the bishop.}) 6... Bg7 7. d4 exd4 {
This is a positional concession according to classical thinking; normally in
the Lopez Black attempts to hold on to his e5 strong point in the centre. ---
Here, in return for allowing White a mobile centre and c3-square for his
queen's knight, Black will develop quickly and well, and will then pressure
the white centre with classic flanking blows, mostly ...c5 but sometimes ...f5.
} 8. cxd4 b5 {Once again notice that Black might as well play this move before
White gets the chance to play d5, as the knight would then be short of decent
squares.} ({Still,} 8... O-O {is fine, as} 9. d5 b5 {
transposes to 9 d5 bxa4 below, after} 10. dxc6 bxa4 11. Qxa4 Nxc6 {.}) 9. -- {
After 8...b5 we reach the basic position and the question is whether White
retreats his bishop to b3 (the most common as he will want to control d5 and
maybe attack f7) or c2.} ({A:} 9. Bc2) ({B:} 9. Bb3) ({Alternatively,} 9. d5
Na5 (9... bxa4 10. dxc6 Nxc6 11. Qxa4 O-O {can't be bad either:} 12. Bg5 f6 (
12... Qe8 13. Nc3 Ne5 14. Nxe5 Qxe5 15. Be3 Rb8 {is also possible}) 13. Bf4 Rb8
14. Nc3 {, V.Yemelin-A.Dokutchaev, Finland 2012, when} Rb4 15. Qc2 f5 16. a3
fxe4 {looks like fun for Black}) 10. Bc2 O-O {
transposes to Variation A (9 Bc2 0-0 10 d5 Na5).}) ({Before we move on to the
nitty-gritty, a quick word about a common position-type which will occur in
the theoretical section should White either play d5, Black respond with ...c6
and White capture on c6 (occasionally Black will play ...c5 instead and White
will capture en passant) or where Black plays ...c5 and then captures on d4,
and this will happen a lot! --- Compare with 4...Nf6 5 0-0 Be7 6 Re1 b5 7 Bb3
0-0 8 c3 d6 9 h3 Na5 10 Bc2 c5 11 d4 when there are many different lines where
Black captures twice on d4, for instance 11...cxd4 12 cxd4 exd4 13 Nxd4 Bb7:
Black will continue ...Re8, ...Bf8, ...g6 and ...Bg7 during which White will
have plenty of time to put his pieces on good squares. --- But now look at the
position after 14 moves of I.Chirila-A.Shabalov, say (and there are many
similar positions):} 9. Bb3 O-O 10. Nc3 d6 11. h3 Na5 12. Bc2 c5 13. Re1 cxd4
14. Nxd4 Bb7 {. --- The major difference is that Black's bishop is already on
the ideal g7-square, pressing on d4, c3 and in particular b2 (often in
conjunction with the a5-knight when it moves to the post on c4). Also, Black's
king's knight is on e7 rather than f6, and while it no longer eyes e4, on e7
it doesn't get in the way of the g7-bishop and can put additional pressure on
d4 from c6. --- In short, Black gets a much more active version of standard
lines where his subsequent moves, such as ...Rc8, maybe ...Re8, ...Qb6 and a
well-timed ...d5, are natural and strong, without allowing the complete
blocking of the position that White can achieve in the Chigorin with pawn-d5.
--- White, on the other hand, must try to keep a lid on Black's activity which
is far from evident, and this explains White's abysmal score in this line.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian Variation"]
[Black "A: 9 Bc2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C60"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nge7 5. O-O g6 6. c3 Bg7 7. d4 exd4 8.
cxd4 b5 9. Bc2 {This retreat stops Black gaining a tempo when he plays ...Na5,
but is quite rare, although I'm not entirely sure why as White will be a tempo
up in certain positions.} O-O 10. d5 ({However, with the bishop on c2,} 10. Nc3
{is probably not a good idea as White is no longer controlling d5 adequately
and Black can play:} -- (10... d5 11. e5 ({otherwise White will be left with
an exposed IQP, although this is not the end of the world by any means:} 11.
exd5 Nb4) ({or} 11. h3 dxe4 12. Bxe4 b4 13. Ne2 Bf5 {,}) (11. Bg5 h6 12. Bh4
dxe4 13. Bxe4 g5 14. Bg3 {, S.De Filomeno-S.Galdunts, Cesenatico 2011,} Bg4 {
and ...f5}) 11... Bg4 {. This is the problem:} 12. Be3 f6 $1 13. exf6 Rxf6 14.
Bg5 ({or} 14. Kh1 Qf8 15. Bb3 Qf7 ({even better is} 15... Rd8 $1 {
planning ...Rxf3!}) 16. h3 $2 Bxf3 17. gxf3 Rxf3 {
with a crushing advantage, T.Esadze-K.Strukova, Albena 2011}) 14... Rf7 15.
Nxd5 $6 Qxd5 16. Bb3 Qf5 {(White is lost)} 17. Bxe7 Nxe7 18. Bxf7+ Qxf7 19. Rc1
Nd5 20. Rc5 Nf4 21. Qc2 Bxf3 22. Rxc7 Ne2+ 23. Kh1 Qd5 {
0-1, K.Messinger-M.Cornette, St Chely d'Aubrac 2011.}) (10... d6 11. h3 {
can also be played, as in the main line with the white bishop on b3.} Bb7 {
(Black develops his final minor piece, ready to counterattack the white centre)
} 12. Bf4 (12. Re1 Rc8 13. Bf4 Na5 14. Qe2 c5 15. dxc5 Rxc5 16. Rad1 Nc4 17.
Bb3 Nxb2 18. Rxd6 Qc8 19. Nb1 Nc4 {
was fine for Black in B.Firat-V.Erdos, Sarajevo 2011}) 12... Na5 {
(still good, even if it doesn't gain a tempo)} 13. d5 Nc4 14. Qc1 b4 15. Nd1 c6
$1 16. dxc6 Nxc6 17. Bh6 N4e5 $1 18. Nxe5 dxe5 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Ba4 Nd4 {
with a powerful knight and better bishop, S.Grover-I.Sokolov, Reykjavik 2011.})
({. Or} 10... b4 $5 {first, to drive the knight back:} 11. Ne2 d5 12. e5 Bg4
13. h3 Bxf3 14. gxf3 Qd7 15. Kh2 {
with mutual chances in R.Potze-F.Erwich, Hoogeveen 2011.})) 10... Na5 11. Nc3 {
Natural and logical, but White has some alternatives:} (11. Nbd2 {
impedes the a5-knight.} d6 (11... c5 $5 {is interesting:} 12. Nb3 ({instead,} 
12. dxc6 dxc6 {is good, W.Wittmann-K.Pilgaard, Budapest 2007;} (12... Nexc6 $5
{likewise})) 12... Nxb3 13. Bxb3 d6 14. Re1 Bg4 15. h3 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 Qd7 17.
Qg3 c4 18. Bd1 f5 $1 {
and Black is already better, P.Skovgaard-N.Nestorovic, Paracin 2012}) {and now:
} 12. -- (12. Nb3 c5 {
led to a Benoni position in D.Sharma-M.Venkatesh, Aurangabad 2011:} 13. Nxa5
Qxa5 14. a4 Rb8 15. Bf4 Qd8 16. axb5 Rxb5 17. Ra2 f5 $1 {
(an advantage of having the king's knight on e7)} 18. exf5 Nxf5 19. Bg5 Bf6 20.
Bc1 Nd4 {and Black was on top.}) (12. Rb1 {(White is ready to play b4)} c6 13.
b4 (13. dxc6 Naxc6 14. b4 d5 {
equalizes immediately, R.Meessen-M.Geenen, Eupen 2008}) 13... Nc4 (13... Nb7 $5
{is reasonable; the idea is to play ...a5 and ...c5, then exchange twice on b4
and get the c5-square for the knight}) 14. Nxc4 bxc4 15. dxc6 Nxc6 16. h3 (16.
Qd5 $5) 16... Bb7 (16... Be6) 17. Bg5 Qd7 18. a3 h6 19. Bh4 {
(K.Sasikiran-L.Gofshtein, Zafra 2007)} Rfe8 20. Re1 Ne5 21. Nxe5 Rxe5 {
planning ...Rae8 and maybe ...d5.})) (11. a4 {(to weaken Black's control of c4)
} b4 12. Nbd2 d6 {and now:} 13. -- (13. Re1 c6 14. Nb3 (14. dxc6 Nexc6) 14...
Nxb3 ({or} 14... cxd5 15. exd5 Re8) 15. Bxb3 Bg4 16. Bg5 c5 17. Rb1 h6 18. Bh4
g5 19. Bg3 f5 $1 20. exf5 Nxf5 {and the pin on f3 is very awkward for White, V.Kupreichik-S.Arkhipov, Muenster 1991.}) (13. Nb3 c5 (13... c6 $5) 14. Nxa5 Qxa5
15. Nd2 Qd8 {with a further split:} 16. -- (16. a5 f5 $1 {(with the knight on
e7 Black always has this possibility to weaken White's centre and gain play on
the kingside)} 17. Nc4 fxe4 18. Bxe4 Bf5 (18... Nf5 {
first, and then ...Ra7 might be even more accurate}) 19. Bf3 Ra7 20. Be3 Bc8 $1
21. Re1 Nf5 22. Bf4 Raf7 {. Black has strong play on the f-file and use of the
d4-square, D.Sharma-A.Abdulla, Dhaka 2004.}) ({. With} 16. Nc4 {White achieves
his positional aim and establishes a piece on c4, threatening Bf4, but Black
has plenty of resources:} a5 $1 17. Re1 (17. Bf4 Ba6) 17... Ba6 18. Bb3 Nc8 ({
if Black can't successfully play ...f5 here then his knight is misplaced on e7,
so he hastens to improve it;} 18... f5 $6 {is met by} 19. e5) 19. Rb1 Nb6 $5 (
19... Bxc4 $5 20. Bxc4 Nb6 21. Bb5 c4 {,}) ({and} 19... f5 {
is playable now, with the knight on c8:} 20. Bf4 Ra7) 20. Nxa5 Qc7 21. Be3 (21.
Nc6 $1 c4 22. a5 {saves the bishop;} Nd7 23. Ba4 Nc5 24. Be3 Nd3 25. Bb6 Qb7
26. Re2 {
and it's not clear to me that Black has quite enough compensation for the pawn}
) 21... Nxa4 $1 22. Bxa4 Qxa5 23. Bc6 Ra7 24. Ra1 Qb6 25. Qd2 Bb7 26. Rxa7 Qxa7
27. Bxb7 Qxb7 28. Bh6 Bxh6 29. Qxh6 c4 {and following ...Rc8 and ...c3 Black
will have a dangerous passed c-pawn, M.Palac-S.Arkhipov, Kecskemet 1991.}))) (
11. d6 $6 {is pointless, as it does nothing to inhibit Black's development:}
cxd6 12. Nc3 Bb7 13. Qxd6 Nc4 14. Qd3 d5 {
and Black is already better, F.Rattinger-C.Hanley, Feffernitz 2005.}) (11. Bd2
$5 c5 ({after} 11... Nc4 12. Bc3 Nxb2 13. Qe2 Nc4 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Nbd2 {
White has some compensation for the pawn}) 12. d6 Nec6 13. Nc3 Nc4 (13... Bb7
14. Nd5 Nc4 15. Bg5 f6 {is a safe alternative}) 14. Bg5 Nxb2 $5 15. Qc1 f6 16.
Be3 Nc4 17. Bxc5 Bb7 18. Nd5 Kh8 19. Rb1 N6e5 20. Nxe5 Bxd5 21. Nxg6+ hxg6 22.
exd5 f5 23. Re1 Qf6 24. Rb3 Rfc8 25. Bb4 Nxd6 26. Qd1 {
with chances to both sides, Y.Zherebukh-V.Zvjaginsev, Aix-les-Bains 2011.})
11... d6 {Black will now prepare ...c6 (or ...c5). --- Should Black play ...c6
or ...c5? -- In most of the games where White plays an early d5 Black quickly
responds with ...c5, and White captures en passant, thus reaching the same
position as if Black had played ...c6 and White took on c6, of course. ---
However, when Black plays ...c6 White rarely or never allows Black to take on
d5, as not only would his d5-pawn then be under constant pressure, but he
would allow Black to use the f5-square for his pieces (this could prove
particularly interesting to the e7-knight, which currently lacks a move). ---
On the other hand, when Black prefers ...c5 he not only allows d5xc6 e.p., but
also gives White the option of playing a Benoni-style position. Of course,
Black might be happy with this - he already has his ...b5 queenside advance
played so doesn't have to worry about White playing a4 and planting a knight
on the strong c4-square (as happens in so many mainline Modern Benonis), but
his e7-knight is short of moves and he has no counterplay against e4. Black's
one advantage on the kingside is that he might be able to arrange a timely ...f5 (taking care not to allow a white knight into e6 via g5 or f4!). That being
so he can then capture on e4 when he will have the f5-square for his knight
and play on the f-file (reinforced by ...Ra7-f7). --- In short, I recommend
playing ...c6 (after appropriate preparation) rather than ...c5 in most such
positions. --- Actually, I suspect that the reason White rarely avoids the
capture on c6 is that, as a 1 e4 player he is not comfortable playing Benoni
positions! This would also explain why he tends to play them badly when they
do arise!} 12. Re1 {White has a choice:} (12. Rb1 {. Often a useful move for
White, defending b2 and taking the rook off a potentially exposed diagonal.}
Bb7 ({or} 12... Re8 13. h3 b4 14. Ne2 c5 15. dxc6 Nexc6 16. Bg5 Bf6 17. Bf4 Ne5
18. Nxe5 dxe5 19. Qxd8 Rxd8 20. Be3 Nc4 {
with advantage, M.Andersen-J.Glud, Aarhus 2009}) {and now:} 13. -- (13. Be3 {
(to exchange dark-squared bishops with Bd4)} c5 14. dxc6 Naxc6 15. Bf4 Ne5 16.
Nxe5 dxe5 (16... Bxe5 $5) 17. Bg5 Qxd1 18. Rfxd1 Nc6 19. Bb3 b4 20. Nd5 h6 21.
Be3 Nd4 22. Bc4 Kh7 23. f4 $6 Rac8 (23... Nc2) 24. Rbc1 Bxd5 $1 25. exd5 Nf5
26. Bb6 exf4 27. b3 {
was not too clear in S.Alavi Moghaddam-H.Nezad, Sharjah 2011.}) (13. h3 Rc8 $1
14. Bg5 h6 15. Bh4 ({or} 15. Bf4 Nc4 16. Nd4 c6 17. dxc6 Nxc6 18. Nxc6 Rxc6 19.
Bb3 {and here Black captured on b2 in F.Corrales Jimenez-M.Narciso Dublan,
Barbera del Valles 2008, but} Re8 {
is better, keeping the threats and bringing an extra unit into the fray}) 15...
Qd7 16. Qd3 c6 17. dxc6 Bxc6 $1 {
(keeping the two knights controlling d5 and c4)} 18. Nd4 Ba8 19. Bg3 Rfd8 20.
Rfe1 Qa7 {(without making any obvious mistakes White is already in trouble!)}
21. Nde2 Nc4 22. Red1 d5 $1 {. The 'freeing' blow - Black's pieces are so
active that White is close to losing, V.Duschek-H.Nezad, Biel 2010.})) (12. Nd4
{tries to control c6, but Black has just too many pieces covering this square.}
Bb7 13. Rb1 c5 (13... c6 {is likely to transpose,}) ({but I like} 13... Rc8 $1
{, just waiting to see what White will play before breaking with ...c6, or
playing ...b4 first and then ...c6}) 14. dxc6 Naxc6 (14... Nexc6 15. Nxc6 Bxc6
{is also good:} 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. exd5 Nc4) 15. Nxc6 Nxc6 16. Be3 Rc8 17. a4 Nb4
18. Bb3 bxa4 19. Bxa4 {and now} d5 20. exd5 Nxd5 21. Nxd5 Qxd5 22. Qxd5 Bxd5 {
led to a draw in M.Brodsky-J.Murey, Rishon Le Ziyyon 1998.}) 12... Bb7 (12...
b4 {is also logical.} 13. Ne2 {
(the knight is not well placed here and will have to move again)} Bg4 ({
the immediate} 13... c6) ({or} 13... c5 14. dxc6 Bg4 {
might be more accurate, when} 15. Ned4 Nexc6 {transposes}) 14. Ned4 (14. Nf4)
14... c5 15. dxc6 Nexc6 16. Nxc6 Nxc6 17. Qd5 (17. h3 {is met by} Bxf3 18. Qxf3
Nd4 19. Qd3 Nxc2 20. Qxc2 Rc8) 17... Rc8 18. Ba4 Be6 19. Qd3 Ne5 20. Nxe5 Bxe5
21. Bb3 a5 22. Rb1 Qf6 {and Black's active pieces more than make up for the
backward d-pawn, B.Munguntuul-Zhu Chen, Ulaanbaatar 2010.}) 13. Nd4 c5 ({Or} 
13... Rc8 {first, then ...c6.}) 14. dxc6 Nexc6 15. Nxc6 Bxc6 16. Nd5 Rc8 17.
Bb3 Nc4 ({I prefer the more flexible} 17... Re8 {
myself, keeping the option of capturing on b3.}) 18. Rb1 Re8 (18... Ba8 $1 {
is better, as Black would prefer recapturing on c4 with his rook.}) 19. Bxc4
bxc4 20. Bd2 (20. Bf4 {.}) 20... Bxd5 21. exd5 Qb6 (21... Rxe1+ 22. Qxe1 Qe8 $1
{might give Black a little nibble.}) 22. Bc3 Qc5 {
. This is roughly equal, Z.Fusthy-E.Mozes, Hungarian League 1994.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian Variation"]
[Black "B: 9 Bb3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C60"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nge7 5. O-O g6 6. c3 Bg7 7. d4 exd4 8.
cxd4 b5 9. Bb3 O-O {. Now there is a further sub-division:} 10. -- ({B1:} 10.
d5) ({B2:} 10. Nc3) ({Other typical moves will almost certainly transpose to
Variation B2. For example,} 10. h3 d6 11. Nc3) ({or} 10. Re1 d6 11. h3 Na5 12.
Bc2 c5 13. Nc3 {.}) (10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 d6 12. h3 {has some independent value:}
Na5 (12... g5 $5 {is a bit risky:} 13. Bxg5 hxg5 14. Nxg5 Bf6 ({not} 14... Nf5
$2 {, D.Boix Moreno-L.Ventos Navarro, La Pobla de Lillet 1996, as} 15. Qh5 Nh6
16. Qg6 {wins}) 15. Qh5 Bxg5 16. Qxg5+) 13. Bc2 Re8 {.}) (10. a4 $5 {likewise:}
Na5 $5 11. axb5 Nxb3 12. Qxb3 Rb8 13. Nc3 axb5 14. Bg5 h6 15. Bh4 g5 16. Bg3 d6
17. h3 Kh8 18. Ra5 Bd7 (18... f5 $5) 19. Nd5 $2 Be6 {
winning a pawn, M.Kunal-M.Dzhumaev, New Delhi 2012.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian Variation"]
[Black "B1: 10 d5"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C60"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nge7 5. O-O g6 6. c3 Bg7 7. d4 exd4 8.
cxd4 b5 9. Bb3 O-O 10. d5 {This advance is possible here, too, although White
may find himself a tempo down on the lines in Variation A.} Na5 11. Bc2 (11.
Bd2 $5 {is interesting.} Nxb3 (11... Bxb2 12. Bxa5 Bxa1 13. d6 {
is the point, although after} Nc6 14. dxc7 Qf6 {
it is not clear that White has quite enough compensation for the exchange}) (
11... c5 12. Bc3 d6 {would give Black a reasonable Benoni-type position}) 12.
Qxb3 d6 (12... c5 {is again possible:} 13. Bc3 d6 14. Rd1 $5 (14. Bxg7 {
is better}) 14... f6 $1 {- keeping the dark-squared bishops on -} 15. h3 g5 $5
16. Nh2 Ng6 17. Bd2 f5 $1 {with advantage, D.Rogic-M.Rade, Sibenik 2012}) 13.
Bc3 c5 14. dxc6 Be6 15. Qa3 {, S.Erenburg-L.Gofshtein, Ashdod 2004, when} Bxc3
16. Nxc3 Nxc6 {
threatens ...b4 and so White has no time to attack d6. Play is equal.}) (11. d6
$5 cxd6 12. Qxd6 {is invariably met by} Nb7 $5 ({although} 12... Bb7 13. Nc3
Nc8 {looks good to me; the c8-knight can go to b6 afterwards}) {. For example,}
13. Qf4 (13. Qg3 Nc5 14. Qh4 d5 $1 {, A.Neiksans-D.Howell, Porto Carras 2011})
13... Nc5 14. Rd1 Bb7 (14... d5 $5 15. Bxd5 $6 (15. Nc3 {is superior}) 15...
Nxd5 16. exd5 Bf5 17. Nc3 Nd3 18. Qd2 b4 {
with a strong initiative, A.Shomoev-V.Zvjaginsev, Moscow 2011}) 15. Nc3 Nxb3
16. axb3 f5 {(this shows an advantage of having the knight on e7)} 17. Qh4 Qe8
18. Bg5 Rf7 19. Re1 Qf8 20. Rad1 fxe4 21. Nxe4 Nf5 {
with a plus, I.Provotorov-P.Ponkratov, Voronezh 2012.}) 11... d6 12. Nc3 {
This is the same position as in Variation A, except this time it's Black to
move!} ({Alternatively: --} 12. Nd4 {
looks to control c6, but Black is in a good position to contest this:} Bb7 13.
Nc3 {and now:} -- (13... b4 14. Nce2 c5 (14... c6 {
looks more accurate, hitting d5 and so forcing} 15. dxc6 Nexc6 {transposing})
15. dxc6 (15. Nf3 $5) 15... Nexc6 16. Be3 ({or} 16. Nf3 Nc4 17. Rb1 {
, B.Burg-T.Lammens, Paleochora 2011,} Rc8 {
followed by putting a knight on e5, with the more active position}) 16... Rc8
17. Nxc6 Nxc6 {(in this position recapturing with the knight is correct, to
control d4 and stop White from playing Bd4)} 18. Rb1 Ne5 19. Bd4 Re8 (19... Qh4
20. f3 d5 $1 {opens the position to exploit Black's more active pieces}) 20. f3
{, S.Meera-N.Mohota, Chennai 2011, when} d5 {is logical.}) (13... c5 14. dxc6
Nexc6 15. Nxc6 Bxc6 {
is also good, but allows the c3-knight the possibility of coming to d5:} 16.
Rb1 Nc4 17. Nd5 Rc8 18. b3 Bxd5 19. Qxd5 Nb6 20. Qd3 d5 21. exd5 Nxd5 22. Bd2
Nc3 23. Bxc3 Rxc3 24. Qxd8 Rxd8 25. Rfd1 {. Black was better in G.Garcia-J.Oms
Pallisse, La Pobla de Lillet 1996, but the opposite-coloured bishops make the
draw very likely.}) (13... Rc8 {keeps the tension. Black will play ...c6 or ...c5, or first ...b4, as in the other lines, but first he reinforces his control
of the c-file and waits to see what White does.})) (12. h3 c6 (12... f5 $5 {
is fun:} 13. Nbd2 fxe4 14. Nxe4 Nc4 15. Rb1 {
, J.Sanchez-C.Papatryfonos, Khanty-Mansiysk 2010,} Bb7 {winning the d-pawn;}) (
12... Bb7 13. Nc3 c6 14. dxc6 Bxc6 {is also perfectly satisfactory}) 13. dxc6
Nexc6 14. Nc3 Be6 15. Nd5 Nc4 16. Rb1 Bxd5 17. exd5 Nb4 $5 (17... N6e5 18. Nxe5
Nxe5) 18. Bb3 a5 19. a3 Na6 20. Nd4 Qb6 21. Nc6 {
, N.Djukic-A.Khalifman, Aix-les-Bains 2011,} Rfe8 {is about equal.}) ({c)} 12.
Nbd2 $6 {is passive:} c6 $1 13. dxc6 Nexc6 {with an edge.}) 12... b4 {
Black has a number of possibilities here, but I like to play a quick ...c6 and
it makes sense to drive the knight from c3 first, so that it can't hop into d5
later.} (12... Bb7 {is very rare in this exact position, but is the same as
Variation A except that Black has an extra move (!) so it must also be good.}
13. Rb1 b4 {
was the actual move order of the Sokolov game in the next note, and is fine,} (
{but} 13... Rc8 {appeals to me once again!})) 13. Ne2 (13. Na4 {puts the knight
offside, but it is not ridiculous bearing in mind that Black will play ...c6,
when b6 would be weakened. Now} Bb7 ({with my preferred move order} 13... Bd7 {
would be better:} 14. Rb1 Bb5 15. Re1 c6 ({or} 15... c5) 16. dxc6 Nexc6) 14.
Rb1 c6 {transposes to N.Kosintseva-I.Sokolov, Sarajevo 2010, which continued}
15. dxc6 Bxc6 16. Be3 Rb8 17. Bd4 Qd7 18. b3 Bh6 $5 19. Bd3 Bb5 20. Qe2 Nac6
21. Ba1 Ne5 $5 {sacrificing a pawn with a complicated struggle in prospect.})
13... c5 (13... c6 14. dxc6 Nexc6 {would transpose, and might be more accurate.
Certainly I would play this way myself - see the explanation above.}) 14. dxc6
{White doesn't have to play this - a 1 d4 player would probably prefer to keep
his pawn on d5 and play a Benoni position.} Nexc6 (14... Bg4 $5 {first and then
} 15. Nf4 Nexc6 {is interesting, to say the least.}) 15. h3 (15. Ned4 Qb6 (
15... Nxd4 $1 16. Nxd4 Bb7 {followed by the obvious moves ...Rc8, ...Re8 or ...Nc4, as appropriate, is very nice for Black - how does White continue? For
instance,} 17. Re1 Rc8 18. Rb1 Re8 19. Nf3 Nc4 20. h3 d5) 16. Nxc6 Qxc6 17. Nd4
Qb6 18. Be3 Nc4 19. Nf5 Nxe3 20. Nxe3 Be6 21. Bb3 Bxb2 22. Bxe6 Bxa1 23. Bd5
Bd4 24. Bxa8 Rxa8 25. Nd5 Qc5 26. Qd2 Bc3 {and Black eventually made his extra
pawn count in J.Banas-N.Nestorovic, Hungarian League 2011.}) 15... Bb7 16. Rb1
Ne5 (16... Rc8 {and ...Re8 is also strong.}) 17. Nf4 Nxf3+ 18. Qxf3 Rc8 19. Qd1
Re8 20. Nd5 {By playing ...b4 before ...c6 Black has forced White to waste a
move bringing his knight to this square.} Nc4 {
You should always attempt to bring your worst-placed piece into the game!} (
20... Bxd5 21. exd5 Nc4 {would be another way.}) 21. Nxb4 Bxe4 22. b3 Nb6 ({Or
} 22... Bxc2 23. Nxc2 Ne5 {.}) 23. Be3 $6 (23. Bxe4 Rxe4 24. Nxa6 {is possible:
} Ra8 25. Qd3 Rd4 26. Qb5 Rd5 27. Qe2 {
and it seems that Black has no more than a draw by} Re5 28. Qd3 Rd5 {.}) 23...
Bb7 (23... Ba8 $1 {.}) 24. Bd3 a5 25. Nc2 Nd5 26. Bd2 Nc3 27. Bxc3 Rxc3 28. Ne3
$2 Qg5 {The threat of ...Rxe3 and mate on g2 is too strong.} 29. h4 Qxh4 30.
Bb5 Rexe3 {and White resigned, T.Meurs-J.De Jong, Amersfoort 2010.} 0-1

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian Variation"]
[Black "B2: 10 Nc3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C60"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nge7 5. O-O g6 6. c3 Bg7 7. d4 exd4 8.
cxd4 b5 9. Bb3 O-O 10. Nc3 {One problem from a Black point of view is that an
early capture on d4 allows White to develop his knight directly to this good
natural square, rather than have to play Nbd2-f1-g3 as in many of the Closed
Spanish lines.} d6 11. h3 {
Simple, logical chess: White stops ...Bg4 and keeps his centre intact.} ({
Alternatively: --} 11. Nd5 {
. This is a problematic line, threatening Bg5, and thus stopping ...Na5.} h6 $1
(11... Nxd5 $6 12. Bxd5 Bb7 13. Bg5 Qd7 14. Qd2 {
is too easy for White, B.Bok-S.Ernst, Eindhoven 2010}) 12. Nxe7+ {
(the logical follow-up)} (12. Be3 {allows} Na5 13. Nxe7+ ({or} 13. Nf4 Bb7 14.
Bc2 Nc4 15. Bc1 {
, E.Mortensen-L.Keitlinghaus, Copenhagen 1997, when the thematic} c5 {is good})
13... Qxe7 14. Bc2 c5 15. b3 Bg4 16. Rc1 Nc6 17. dxc5 dxc5 18. Qd5 {
, J.Neubronner-Y.Chan, Singapore 2009,} Nb4 $1 19. Qxc5 Qxc5 20. Bxc5 Nxa2 21.
Bxf8 Nxc1 22. Bxg7 Ne2+ 23. Kh1 Kxg7 24. Ne5 Be6 {
with a clear advantage in the endgame}) 12... Nxe7 $5 {(this is the most
popular, keeping control of d5 and preparing ...f5, and has even been played
by Aronian)} ({but} 12... Qxe7 {seems okay to me:} 13. Bd5 Bb7 14. Re1 Nd8 15.
Bxb7 Nxb7 16. d5 ({or} 16. Bf4 c5 17. Qd2 g5 18. Bg3 Rfe8) 16... Na5 17. Rb1 {
, A.Nimmy-A.Ramaswamy, Chennai 2011,} c5 18. dxc6 Rac8 19. Bf4 Rfd8 {
followed by recapturing the c-pawn}) 13. Be3 ({or} 13. Re1 c5 14. h3 Bb7 15.
Bc2 {, P.Vishnu-J.Deepan Chakkravarthy, Dieren 2011, when I would play} cxd4
16. Nxd4 Re8 {, e.g.} 17. Bf4 Nd5 $1 18. exd5 Rxe1+ 19. Qxe1 Bxd4) 13... Kh7 {
(unpinning the f-pawn)} 14. Rc1 f5 {with:} 15. -- (15. e5 Bb7 16. Re1 a5 17.
Qe2 f4 18. exd6 $1 (18. Bd2 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 dxe5 {
wins a pawn, although White has good compensation on the light squares:} 20. d5
(20. Qb7 $1 {is better}) 20... Nf5 21. Qe4 Nd6 22. Qb1 Rf7 (22... Ra6 $5) 23.
Bc2 Qg5 24. Be4 Nxe4 25. Qxe4 Qf5 26. Qe2 b4 27. Rc5 Bf8 28. Rb5 Bd6 {
with a clear advantage to Black, L.Dominguez Perez-L.Aronian, Moscow 2009})
18... Qxd6 19. Bxf4 Qxf4 20. Qxe7 Rac8 $1 (20... Bxf3 21. Rxc7 Qxd4 22. Re5 $1
{forces} Rf7 23. Qxf7 Qxe5 24. gxf3 {but I wouldn't fancy being Black here})
21. Rc3 Bxf3 22. Rxf3 Qxd4 {and Black is suffering a bit.}) (15. Qc2 c6 (15...
Bb7 16. Qxc7 Bxe4 17. Bf4 Nd5 18. Bxd5 Bxd5 19. Qxd6 Qxd6 20. Bxd6 Rfc8 21. Be5
Bxa2 {should be okay}) 16. Rfe1 (16. h3 $1) 16... f4 17. Bd2 Bg4 18. Bc3 a5 19.
a3 Bxf3 20. gxf3 d5 21. Kh1 Qd7 22. Qd3 {, K.Kulaots-U.Krstic, Istanbul 2004,}
dxe4 $1 23. Rxe4 (23. fxe4 $2 c5) 23... Nd5 {.}) ({. BEWARE!} 15. Qd3 $5 {
is tricky:} Bb7 $4 (15... c6 {perhaps, as in the Krstic game above}) 16. Ng5+
$1 {and wins!} hxg5 17. Bxg5 {(had Black's light-squared bishop been on c8
then he could just move his f5-pawn to control h3, but now Qh3+ is a decisive
threat)} d5 18. exd5 Bf6 19. Qh3+ Kg7 20. Qh6+ Kf7 21. d6+ Nd5 22. Rxc7+ Qxc7 {
(was Black relying on this?)} 23. Bxf6 $1 (23. dxc7 $4 Rh8) 23... Qd7 24. Qg7+
Ke6 25. Re1+ Kxd6 26. Be5+ Kc6 27. Rc1+ {
1-0 D.Danilenko-A.Dounis, Paleochora 2011.})) (11. d5 Na5 12. Nd4 (12. h3 Nxb3
13. axb3 b4 14. Ne2 {, S.Sulskis-M.Ivanov, Finland 2011,} Bb7 {and ...c6}) (12.
Bc2 {transposes to Variation B1}) 12... Bb7 13. Bg5 h6 (13... Qd7 14. Qd2 Rfe8
15. Rad1 Nxb3 16. axb3 c5 17. dxc6 Nxc6 18. Nxc6 {
½-½ S.Cigan-T.Sakelsek, Murska Sobota 2007}) 14. Bh4 Qd7 15. f4 Nxb3 16.
axb3 b4 17. Na4 f5 $1 {(undermining d5)} 18. Ne6 fxe4 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. Rc1 {
(M.Kolosowski-D.Sadzikowski, Polanica Zdroj 2010)} Rac8 21. Nxf8 Rxf8 {
. Despite the exchange less Black has a clear advantage: his bishops are
strong and the white knight is awful.}) (11. Bg5 h6 12. Be3 {
is naturally answered by} Bg4 13. Qd2 ({or} 13. Ne2 d5 14. e5 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Qd7
) 13... Bxf3 14. gxf3 {, Y.Ainutdinova-E.Levushkina, Moscow 2011, and as there
is no real threat to h6,} Qd7 {to h3 is best.}) 11... Na5 (11... Bb7 {
is also good, but I think the text is stronger, and the bishop might find a
better square on e6 or g4 later.}) 12. Bc2 (12. Bg5 {is occasionally preferred,
White continues his development at the cost of the bishop pair.} h6 {
giving the bishop a choice:} 13. -- (13. Bh4 {
(White insists on the pin, and provokes Black into playing ...g5)} Nxb3 (13...
g5 {is a bit risky -} 14. Bxg5 hxg5 15. Nxg5 Nxb3 $2 16. Qh5) ({
there is nothing wrong with} 13... Bb7 14. Re1 Re8 {with good play}) 14. Qxb3
g5 15. Bg3 Kh8 $5 {(intending ...f5)} 16. e5 (16. a4 bxa4 17. Rxa4 f5 18. exf5
{- if White allows ...f4 he will have to do without his dark-squared bishop
for a long time -} Nxf5 19. d5 Bd7 20. Raa1 Nxg3 21. fxg3 c5 22. dxc6 Bxc6 {
with two bishops, a passed d-pawn and pressure on b2, C.Samuelsen-K.Pilgaard,
Torshavn 2003}) 16... Bb7 (16... Nf5 17. Bh2 Bb7 18. d5 c5 19. exd6 Nxd6 20.
Rfe1 Nf5 21. Be5 f6 22. Bh2 Nd4 23. Qd1 b4 {
won a good pawn in D.Swiercz-I.Ivanisevic, Wijk aan Zee 2011}) 17. d5 dxe5 (
17... Nf5 18. Bh2 c5 {transposes into the Ivanisevic game}) (17... f5 $5 {
is thematic, threatening to smother the g3-bishop, the tactical justification
being} 18. Nd4 dxe5 19. Ne6 Qd6 20. Nxf8 Rxf8 {
with big compensation for the exchange}) 18. Bxe5 f6 19. Bg3 Nxd5 20. Rad1 c6
21. Nd4 Qd7 22. Ne4 f5 23. Nc5 Qe7 24. Nde6 f4 25. Nxf8 $6 Rxf8 26. Nxb7 fxg3
27. fxg3 Rxf1+ 28. Rxf1 Qxb7 {winning material, B.Smith-A.Brkic, Zagreb 2011.})
(13. Be3 Nxb3 ({or} 13... Bb7 14. a3 Nxb3 15. Qxb3 {
, A.Lyashenko-A.Karayev, Novokuznetsk 2007,} Qd7) 14. Qxb3 c6 15. a4 bxa4 (
15... Be6 16. d5 bxa4 17. Rxa4 Rb8 18. Qa2 cxd5 19. exd5 Bd7 {is also good:}
20. Rxa6 Bxc3 21. bxc3 Bb5 22. Bxh6 Re8 {
gains the exchange, with a rough equality}) 16. Rxa4 {
, A.Bezgodov-A.Shimanov, Khanty-Mansiysk 2011,} Qc7 {planning ...Rb8.}) ({
. It is difficult to believe that} 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Nd5 {
can justify the loss of the dark-squared bishop,} Qd8 15. Rc1 {
, M.Pacher-A.Mista, Czechia 2011, can be met by the natural} Bb7 $1 {as} 16.
Nxc7 $6 Rc8 17. Nd5 Rxc1 18. Qxc1 Nxb3 19. axb3 Re8 {
regains the pawn with a clear advantage, i.e.} 20. Re1 f5 {.})) 12... c5 {
Hitting back at White's centre, and setting his queenside pawn majority into
motion.} (12... Bb7 13. Re1 c5 {
is also possible, but this bishop might be better on e6 in certain variations.}
) 13. Bg5 {White has a big choice.} (13. dxc5 {
is presently the 2nd most common move.} dxc5 {and now:} 14. -- (14. Qxd8 Rxd8 {
. White has conceded the d-file and freed Black's queenside majority - a
classic advantage in the endgame.} 15. Be3 ({
the point of White's play, hitting the c5-pawn; after} 15. Bg5 Re8 16. Rad1 Be6
17. e5 $6 Nc4 $1 18. Ne4 Nxb2 19. Rb1 Nc4 20. Nxc5 Bd5 21. Be4 Nxe5 22. Nxe5
Bxe5 {
Black had a solid extra pawn and won easily, P.Solovjov-S.Pavlov, Odessa 2010})
{and now:} 15... -- (15... Be6 $5 {. Development and activity! Black will
regain the sacrificed c-pawn with interest.} 16. Bxc5 Nec6 17. Rac1 (17. Rad1
Nc4 18. Ng5 $6 Nxb2 19. Nxe6 fxe6 20. Rxd8+ {
, D.Kojovic-S.Pavlov, Paracin 2010,} Nxd8 $1 {
obviously, to free the c-file for the black rook, i.e.} 21. Nd1 Rc8 22. Be7
Rxc2 23. Bxd8 Nc4 {winning the a-pawn when the advance of the connected passed
pawns will be decisive}) 17... Nc4 18. Ng5 (18. Bb3 Nxb2 19. Bb6 Nd3 20. Bxe6
fxe6 21. Bxd8 Nxc1 22. Rxc1 Nxd8 {is equal}) 18... Nxb2 {
(regaining the pawn and creating a useful two-to-one pawn majority)} 19. Nxe6
fxe6 20. Ne2 {, R.Van Kampen-S.Ernst, Groningen 2010,} Ne5 21. Bb3 Nec4 {
followed by ...Kf7 and ...Rac8 with the better chances.}) (15... Nc4 $5 {
is a similar idea, and can easily transpose:} 16. Bxc5 Nc6 17. Nd5 (17. Rad1
Be6 {transposes to the Pavlov game,}) ({while} 17. Rac1 Be6 {
transposes to the Ernst game, both below;}) ({however,} 17. a4 {
is possible here, and equal}) 17... Be6 $1 18. Nc7 Rac8 19. Nxe6 fxe6 20. Rad1
Nxb2 21. Rxd8+ $2 (21. Bb3) 21... Nxd8 22. Bb6 Rxc2 23. Bxd8 h6 24. Bb6 Nc4 25.
Bd4 Rxa2 {winning a pawn and the game, O.Guttulsrud-D.Harika, Reykjavik 2010 -
Black subsequently prepared the advance of the b-pawn.}) (15... Nb7 {is the most popular here, and has been played by both Aronian and Karjakin (both against
Smeets, although both in quick games), but while it is okay, it seems a little
too passive for my taste.})) (14. Bg5 {might well turn out to be stronger:} Qc7
({better than} 14... Qxd1 15. Raxd1 Nec6 16. Be3 {
, S.Ansell-A.Kosten, British League 2011, as after} Nc4 $5 17. Bxc5 Re8 18. Nd5
Nxb2 19. Nc7 Nxd1 20. Nxe8 Nc3 21. Nxg7 Kxg7 22. Nd4 {White has the bishop pair
}) 15. Qc1 {(to exchange Black's powerful dark-squared bishop)} (15. Nd5 $6
Nxd5 16. exd5 {
, L.Di Nicolantonio-A.Tomazini, Albena 2011, when I would probably play} Nc4
17. b3 Nd6 {
with a lovely blockading knight, followed by advancing the queenside majority})
15... Nc4 16. Bh6 Be6 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. b3 Nb6 (18... Ne5 19. Ng5 N5c6 {
is a good alternative, heading for d4}) 19. e5 Nc6 20. Qf4 {
with equal chances in A.Kosteniuk-L.Aronian, Moscow 2009.})) (13. Bf4 {
is logical, taking aim at the backward d6-pawn when Black's dark-squared
bishop is not able to defend it, but on the other hand it leaves d4, c3 and b2
weakened.} cxd4 14. Nxd4 Bb7 ({developing another minor piece is normal, but} 
14... Nc4 {is also more than playable:} 15. b3 Na3 16. Rc1 {
- the c2-bishop can't escape -} Bb7 17. Qd2 Rc8 18. Be3 d5 19. Bd3 Qd7 20. Nxd5
$4 Nxd5 21. exd5 Bxd4 {
and White lost a piece, D.Rogic-A.Brkic, Stari Mikanovci 2011, as} 22. Bxd4
Qxd5 {forks the bishop and the g2-square}) {and now:} 15. -- (15. Re1 Nc4 (
15... Rc8) 16. b3 Na3 17. Nce2 Qb6 18. Be3 Nxc2 19. Qxc2 {
½-½ S.Vedmediuc-A.Brkic, Porto Carras 2011,} Rac8 20. Qd3 Qa5 {which looks
roughly equal, although the black bishops might give him a small plus.}) (15.
b3 {stops the knight coming to c4, but weakens the long diagonal:} Rc8 16. Nce2
d5 $1 17. e5 {, N.Shyam-N.Huschenbeth, Chennai 2011, and now} Nec6 {
wins the e5-pawn, as} 18. Nf3 {is met by} Re8 {.}) (15. Nce2 {bolsters d4:} Re8
(15... Rc8) 16. Bg3 $6 Nec6 {and again White is in trouble:} 17. Re1 Nxd4 18.
Nxd4 Rc8 {(simple and strong; the immediate threat is ...Bxd4 winning a piece)}
19. Re2 Nc4 20. Rb1 Qb6 {(all Black's pieces are involved in the struggle and
White is already close to losing)} 21. Nf3 Nxb2 22. Qxd6 Qxd6 23. Bxd6 Nc4 24.
Rd1 (24. Bf4 $2 Na3) 24... Rcd8 25. Bc5 Rxd1+ 26. Bxd1 Rxe4 {
winning a pawn and the game, P.Zhao-J.Le Roux, Montreal 2011.}) (15. Rb1 Nc4
16. Bg5 h6 17. Bh4 Re8 18. Qd3 Rc8 19. Rfd1 Qb6 {(once again Black's pieces
come naturally to powerful posts, and once again White is on the edge of the
precipice)} 20. Nde2 {, K.Arakhamia Grant-A.Wohl, Arco 2008, and now Black had
several strong continuations, but} d5 $1 {is the most thematic:} 21. Bxe7 (21.
exd5 Nf5 22. Bg3 Nce3 $1 23. fxe3 Nxg3 24. Nd4 (24. Nxg3 $2 Rxe3 {
wins immediately}) 24... Re5 25. Bb3 Rce8 26. Re1 $4 Rxe3 $1) 21... d4 $1 22.
Nxd4 Rxe7 23. Nde2 b4 24. Na4 Qc6 {(menacing ...Ne5)} 25. Bb3 Rxe4 {
regaining the pawn with the bishop pair and some nasty threats.})) (13. d5 {
goes for a Benoni position, where Black's queenside is already in motion and
his knights are on unusual squares, e7 and a5 instead of, say, f6 and d7.} Nc4
{and now:} 14. -- (14. Bd3 Nb6 15. Qc2 Bd7 (15... c4 16. Be2 f5 $5 {shows one advantage of having the knight on e7 - the f-pawn is free and ...f5 is
supported:} 17. Bg5 fxe4 18. Qxe4 Re8 19. Rae1 Bf5 {with lots of activity}) 16.
Bg5 c4 17. Be2 b4 18. Nd1 Rc8 19. Rc1 Bb5 20. Qd2 $5 c3 $1 21. bxc3 bxc3 22.
Nxc3 (22. Rxc3 $5) 22... Rxc3 $1 23. Rxc3 Bxe2 24. Nd4 $2 Bxf1 25. Nc6 {
, E.Homiakova-E.Levushkina, Khanty-Mansiysk 2010, when} Bxc3 {seems to win, as}
26. Qxc3 {is answered by} Nexd5 {.}) (14. Rb1 h6 15. Ne2 Qa5 (15... f5 16. b3
Nb6 17. Nf4) 16. a3 Bb7 17. Bd3 Ne5 $5 (17... Qc7) 18. Nxe5 dxe5 19. b4 Qd8 20.
bxc5 Nxd5 $1 21. c6 Bxc6 22. exd5 Qxd5 23. f3 Rad8 24. Rb3 e4 25. fxe4 Qc5+ 26.
Kh1 Bxe4 27. Nf4 g5 {with adequate play, E.Rozentalis-A.Wohl, Queenstown 2009.}
)) (13. Rb1 Bb7 (13... cxd4) 14. d5 Nc4 15. Ne2 b4 16. Bd3 Nb6 17. b3 a5 18.
Qd2 a4 {(Black continues his queenside advance)} 19. Bb2 axb3 20. axb3 Ra2 {
, P.Papp-V.Erdos, Roszke 2011.}) (13. Re1 {
is examined in the introductory game, Aronian-Leko, Moscow 2009.}) (13. a3 cxd4
14. Nxd4 Bb7 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bh4 Rc8 17. Nce2 d5 {
already favoured Black in K.Alekseenko-H.Stefansson, Plovdiv 2012.}) 13... h6
14. Bh4 (14. Bf4 {is essentially the same as 13 Bf4:} -- ({. For} 14... cxd4
15. Nxd4 Bb7 {compare with the games featuring 13 Bf4,} ({or} 15... Nc4 16.
Nce2 Qb6 17. b3 Na3 18. Be3 Nxc2 19. Qxc2 Qb7 {
as in B.Bok-F.Erwich, Hoogeveen 2007.})) ({. But} 14... g5 {
can also be played, as in the main line:} 15. Bh2 (15. Bg3 {
would transpose directly to the main line}) 15... Nc4 16. b3 Na3 {(a strange manoeuvre, putting the knight back on 'the rim', but it often works here)} 17.
Bd3 g4 {(Black plays very actively)} (17... Nc6 $5 {is also possible}) 18. hxg4
Bxg4 19. Ne2 c4 20. bxc4 bxc4 21. Bc2 Ng6 22. Ba4 Rc8 23. Kh1 Nb5 {
(the knight can't stay on a3 forever)} 24. Qd2 f5 25. Bc2 Na3 $1 {(or can it?)}
26. Nc3 Qa5 (26... Bxf3 27. gxf3 Nxc2 28. Qxc2 Nh4 {
is also strong - f3 is dropping}) 27. Rac1 Nxc2 28. Qxc2 fxe4 29. Qxe4 Qh5 30.
Nd2 Rf4 31. Qd5+ Qxd5 32. Nxd5 Rxd4 {
winning material, M.Agopov-S.Ernst, German League 2010.})) 14... g5 {
Black breaks the pin immediately.} ({
This is certainly not forced, and he can play other moves, such as} 14... cxd4
15. Nxd4 Bb7 {followed by ...Rc8 and maybe ...Re8 and keep ...g5 in reserve.
Still, 14...g5 fits in with Black's active strategy. He will often follow up
with ...f5 which again shows an advantage of having the knight on e7 as
opposed to f6.}) 15. Bg3 Nc4 ({
This is one position where it is probably better to avoid} 15... cxd4 16. Nxd4
{as the weakness of f5 gives White extra possibilities.}) 16. Rb1 {
Defending b2, but now the c4-knight can't be driven away by b3 for a while.} (
16. b3 {is again met by} Na3 {and:} 17. -- (17. Rc1 f5 $1 {
(threatening both to bury the g3-bishop by ...f4, and maybe play ...g4)} 18.
exf5 Nxc2 19. Rxc2 (19. f6 $6 {can be answered by} Nxd4 $1 20. fxg7 (20. Nxd4
Bxf6 21. Nf3 d5) 20... Rxf3 $1 21. gxf3 Qd7 {with a powerful attack}) 19...
Nxf5 {(hitting both g3 and d4)} 20. dxc5 Nxg3 21. fxg3 Bf5 22. Rc1 dxc5 {
(Black has the bishop pair and a mobile queenside majority)} 23. Nd5 Be4 24.
Ne3 Qc7 25. Qe2 Qxg3 26. Ng4 Rae8 27. Qf2 $2 {(but White was quite lost anyway)
} Rxf3 {0-1, K.Adamowicz-P.Papp, Iasi 2011.}) (17. Bd3 Nc6 {(further pressurizing the dark squares while the c3-knight is loose, but conceding control of d5)}
(17... f5 $5 {is again reasonable,} 18. exf5 Nxf5 19. Be4 Ra7) 18. Nd5 Nxd4 19.
Nxd4 Bxd4 20. Qh5 {
and here, in J.Polgar-T.Banusz, Warsaw 2011, Black should play} Kg7 ({
rather than} 20... Bg7 21. Rad1 c4 22. Be2 c3 $6 {when} 23. Nxc3 $1 Bxc3 24.
Bxd6 {was very unpleasant}) 21. Rad1 Ra7 {keeping the d-file blocked.})) (16.
dxc5 Nxb2 $5 (16... dxc5 {and why not? Black certainly doesn't fear the endgame
}) 17. Qxd6 Qxd6 $5 {
(Black is intent on complicating against his weaker opponent)} (17... Nc4 $1
18. Qxd8 Rxd8 19. Rad1 Bb7) 18. Bxd6 Bxc3 19. Bxe7 Re8 20. Bd6 Bb7 21. Rac1 b4
22. e5 a5 23. Bf5 Bc6 $6 {(missing...)} 24. Rxc3 $1 bxc3 {
, S.Soumya-E.Moradiabadi, Chalkis 2010,} 25. Rc1 {with a clear advantage.})
16... Nc6 ({The immediate} 16... g4 17. hxg4 Bxg4 {allows} 18. Bh4 {
, N.Georgiadis-Z.Tomazini, Burdur 2010, although} Qd7 19. dxc5 Ng6 20. Bg3 dxc5
{is still promising for Black.}) 17. Ne2 {White bolsters the defence of d4.} ({
Others: --} 17. dxc5 dxc5 18. Nd5 Ra7 {(a nice move to both defend c7 and
bring the rook into play on the seventh rank)} 19. b3 Nb6 (19... Na3 $6 20. Rc1
{and Black will have problems defending c5}) 20. Qd3 {
(lining up a mating battery)} ({but} 20. Ne3 {is better, controlling g4 and f5}
) 20... f5 $1 {(now White is in trouble)} 21. Nxb6 Qxb6 22. Qd5+ (22. exf5 Nb4
23. Qd6 Qxd6 24. Bxd6 Nxc2 25. Bxc5 Rc7 26. Bxf8 Kxf8 {and ...Bxf5}) 22... Raf7
23. Bd6 Nb4 24. Qxc5 Qxc5 25. Bxc5 Nxc2 26. Rbc1 {
(the knight is trapped, but Black has seen further)} fxe4 27. Bxf8 $6 ({
the f3-knight has no good square, as if} 27. Nd2 $2 Nd4 {,}) ({but} 27. Nxg5 $1
hxg5 28. Bxf8 Bxf8 29. Rxc2 {would at least net an extra pawn than in the game}
) 27... Rxf8 28. Rxc2 exf3 {and with two massive bishops against a rook Black
should win easily, E.Kislik-T.Banusz, Hungarian League 2011.}) (17. e5 cxd4 (
17... dxe5 $1 18. dxc5 f5 {gives Black a nice mobile kingside majority}) 18.
Qd3 {(threatening mate!)} f5 (18... Re8 {looks sounder}) 19. exf6 Qxf6 $2 (
19... Rxf6 {is forced, as now} 20. Qh7+ Kf8) 20. Nd5 $2 (20. Qh7+ Kf7 21. Nd5 {
wins material}) 20... Qf5 21. b3 Na3 22. Qxf5 Bxf5 23. Bxf5 Rxf5 24. Rbc1 Rxd5
25. Rxc6 d3 26. Rd1 Nc2 27. Rxd6 Rxd6 28. Bxd6 Rd8 29. Rxd3 $2 {, I.Ocampos-A.Navarrete Garcia, Bento Goncalves 2010, and now it was Black's turn to miss a
win by} Nd4 $1 30. Bb4 Ne2+ {.}) (17. d5 $6 Nb4 {threatening ...Nxb2.}) 17...
g4 18. hxg4 (18. Bh4 gxf3 $1 19. Bxd8 fxe2 20. Qxe2 Nxd4 21. Qd1 Rxd8 {
not only leaves Black with the standard three minor pieces for queen advantage,
but also a monster knight on d4.}) 18... Bxg4 {
Once again putting d4 under pressure.} 19. e5 {
Opening the b1-h7 diagonal and trying to close the h8-a1 diagonal.} (19. d5 Nb4
20. Bb3 Nxb2 21. Qd2 Bxf3 $1 (21... Nc4 $6 22. Qf4 $2 (22. Bxc4 bxc4 23. Rbc1 {
is level}) 22... f5 23. Rbd1 $2 (23. Bxc4) 23... Ne5 $1 24. Nxe5 dxe5 {
and White is lost, M.Burrows-C.Hanley, Scarborough 2004}) 22. gxf3 N4d3 23. Bc2
c4 {looks crushing:} 24. Kg2 f5 25. Rg1 Qf6 26. Rxb2 fxe4 27. Bxd3 exd3 {
winning material, V.Jansa-Z.Tomazini, Pardubice 2012.}) 19... dxe5 20. Qd3 (20.
dxc5 Bxf3 (20... f5 $1 {also looks strong - ...e4 is a nasty threat}) 21. gxf3
Nd2 22. Be4 Rc8 23. Bh4 $6 (23. Qc2 Nxb1 24. Rxb1 {would allow White excellent
light-square control to compensate the lost exchange}) 23... Nxf3+ 24. Bxf3
Qxh4 25. Qd3 Rfd8 26. Qe4 Qxe4 27. Bxe4 Nd4 28. Nxd4 Rxd4 29. f3 Rxc5 {
with two extra pawns, although the opposite-coloured bishops will provide
certain technical problems, O.Wieczorek-T.Banusz, Krakow 2011.}) 20... f5 21.
dxe5 Qxd3 22. Bxd3 N6xe5 23. Nxe5 Nxe5 24. Bxe5 Bxe5 25. f3 {. Black has an
extra pawn and the bishop pair in an ending, V.Rasulov-A.Mammadov, Baku 2011,
although to convert this to a win against good defence is not so easy and
White eventually managed to draw.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "2. Classical Berlin: Intro"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 {. Placing the bishop outside the
pawn chain (i.e. before Black plays ...d6 to defend his e5-pawn) is ambitious,
but risky as White can play c3 and d4 to force the bishop back and then pin
the f6-knight with Bg5. --- Black is simply relying on natural development and
active piece play to counter White's positional pressure, and should White
make the smallest inaccuracy Black will hope to pounce with some tactics
against d4 or f2! --- This line was a favourite of World Champions Boris
Spassky, and more recently Anand, plus super-GMs such as Topalov, Leko and
Ivanchuk. --- Of course, objectively White should be a little better (having
the first move), but it takes a strong player to keep hold of that advantage,
and a lid on Black's counterplay, for very long.} 5. -- (5. -- {Summary: --
Most of these lesser variations allow Black good play very easily. --- 5 Nxe5
is the only really dangerous move, and with super accurate play White might be
able to gain an edge somewhere along the line, but I think that over the board
Black has the easier play and good practical chances. --- Should White
discover a clear path to an advantage in either of Variation D1 or D2 in the
future then Black will have to resort to playing the solid (if dull) 5...Nxe4.}
) *

[Event "Belgian League"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2003.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Goloshchapov, A."]
[Black "Klip, H."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2003.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {. I've played quite a lot of different moves
in this position over the years. 3...a6, of course; and also 3...d6, 3...g6,
etc; but the moves I've had the most success with are 3...Bc5 and this move, 3.
..Nf6. --- Why is this move so 'strong'? For me it goes back to the
Kasparov-Kramnik World Championship match where Kramnik played the Berlin
Defence (or 'Berlin Wall') as Black to such good effect, and since then it has
become one of Black's main defences at the very highest levels. Not only is
the main line (where Black captures immediately on e4) intrinsically strong,
it is also annoying for White players who have to head straight for an endgame
where their opponent enjoys the bishop pair if they want to obtain any
advantage. In this section I am going to recommend another method of play (not
capturing on e4), but we will profit from the opponent's fear of allowing the
Berlin Wall, as my experience suggests that a lot of players prefer to avoid
it and thus defend their e4-pawn which allows Black almost immediate equality!
Chessplayers are very fond of the quote 'the threat is stronger than the
execution', and this is one case where it might actually be true. --- Another
advantage of 3...Nf6 is that Black avoids all the lesser but still annoying
lines like the Exchange Spanish, Exchange Deferred, some early d4 lines, etc.}
4. O-O Bc5 5. Nxe5 Nxe5 6. d4 a6 7. Be2 Nxe4 8. dxc5 Nxc5 9. Qd4 d6 10. f4 Ng6
11. Qxg7 {White regains his pawn.} Bf5 12. g4 {This move is very risky, but
critical, as if the f5-bishop moves then f5 will attack the knight defending
the h8-rook.} Qe7 $1 13. gxf5 Qxe2 14. fxg6 Qg4+ {
An important check, to pin the g6-pawn} 15. Kh1 O-O-O {Black is a piece down
but has obvious compensation: he is way ahead in development and threatens to
open the h-file against the weakened white king position.} 16. Nc3 {The most human reply, developing a piece. --- The alternatives are examined in the
'Looking a Little Deeper' section.} Ne6 {
This useful move stops the white queen from returning to the defence.} (16...
hxg6 17. Qd4 {transposes to 16 Qd4.}) 17. Qf6 {Forced.} hxg6 {The first thing
to notice is that the white queen has to keep control of h8, and White must
also defend against ...Qg3 and mate on h2.} 18. Be3 {The best try. White has
two other moves that might repeat... and everything else loses!} (18. Rg1 Qf3+
19. Rg2 Qf1+ 20. Rg1 {and Black may have no better than to repeat, with} Qf2
21. Rg2 Qf1+ 22. Rg1 {, but he might try} Qc4 $5 23. Be3 d5 {planning ...d4.})
(18. Rf2 Qg3 19. Ne4 (19. Rg2 Qe1+ 20. Rg1 Qf2 21. Rg2 Qf1+ {
is the same as above}) {forces} 19... Rxh2+ $1 20. Rxh2 Qe1+ 21. Kg2 Qxe4+ 22.
Kg3 Nd4 23. Rf2 (23. Rh8 Qf3+ 24. Kh2 Qf2+ {with a repetition}) 23... Nf5+ 24.
Kh2 Qe1 25. Rg2 Ng7 26. Qxg7 Qh4+ {drawing.}) 18... Rh5 {Not only doubling
rooks, but also keeping an option of ...Rf5 (possibly prefaced by ...Re8,
trapping the queen).} 19. Rae1 $1 ({If instead} 19. Bg1 $2 {, then} Rf5 20. Qe7
Rxf4 {leaves White in all sorts of trouble.}) (19. Rf2 {
is the only other move that keeps White in the game.} Rdh8 {
(menace: ...Qg3, or ...Rf5 and after the queen goes to e7, ...Rxh2+)} 20. Ne4
$1 {(else White loses)} Rxh2+ 21. Rxh2 Qf3+ 22. Kg1 Qxe3+ 23. Rf2 {(all forced)
} Qh3 {and:} 24. -- (24. Rg2 Nxf4 $1 25. Qxf4 Qh1+ 26. Kf2 Qxa1 {. With three
pawns for the piece and by far the safer king, Black should have reasonable
chances to get the full point, A.Rassler-L.Hyldkrog, correspondence 2008.}) (
24. Nxd6+ Kb8 ({rather than} 24... cxd6 25. Qc3+ {swapping queens}) 25. Rg2
cxd6 {and White will have to be a computer to save this position.})) 19... Rf5
{Not the most accurate.} (19... Qh3 $1 {is strongest:} 20. -- (20. Bg1 {
(forced)} Rf5 21. Qe7 g5 $5 22. Rf2 Rxf4 {and now Black can take a repetition
if he wants by ...Rd7-d8, or play for a win, depending on White's reply.}) (20.
Rf2 $6 Rf5 21. Qe7 Qh8 $1 {wins the white queen:} 22. Rd2 Rd7 23. Bd4 {
(what else?)} Qh5 24. Qe8+ Rd8 25. Rxe6 (25. Qe7 $2 Qf3+ 26. Rg2 Nxd4) 25...
Qf3+ 26. Rg2 Rxe8 27. Rxe8+ Kd7 28. Ree2 Qxf4 {with fair winning chances.}))
20. Qe7 Rd7 21. Qe8+ Rd8 22. Qa4 {White bravely plays for the win.} (22. Qe7
Rd7 {repeats.}) 22... d5 23. Ne2 d4 24. Bg1 g5 $1 25. Qb3 d3 26. cxd3 gxf4 27.
Qc2 $6 {After excellent defence White finally cracks - even strong
grandmasters have problems when under so much pressure for so long.} (27. d4 $1
f3 28. Ng3 Rh8 $1 29. Rxe6 Qh3 30. Rf2 Rb5 31. Qxf3 fxe6 {
fights off the attack, with some advantage for White.}) 27... Rg8 28. Rf2 (28.
Nd4 $1 f3 29. Nxf3 Rxf3 30. Qe2 {might hold.}) 28... Rfg5 $6 (28... Qh3 $1 {
and the threat of ...f3 is decisive.}) 29. Qd2 f3 30. Ng3 {Forced.} (30. Nc3 $4
Qxg1+ 31. Rxg1 Rxg1# {.}) 30... Qh3 31. Rxf3 (31. Rxf3 Rxg3 32. Rxg3 Rxg3 {
regains the piece with a slight advantage.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Classical Berlin"]
[Black "Looking a Little Deeper"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 (3... Bc5 4. O-O ({also the immediate} 4. c3 {
is annoying}) 4... Nf6 {
would transpose, but doesn't threaten to play the 'Berlin Wall'.}) 4. O-O {
The best move, objectively, and by far the most popular.} Bc5 {
Now White's main move is} 5. c3 {, intending 6 d4, and this is the subject of
Chapter 3. Here we will consider his important 5th move alternatives:} ({A:} 5.
Bxc6) ({B:} 5. Nc3) ({C:} 5. d3) ({D:} 5. Nxe5) ({Alternatively: -- With} 5.
Qe2 {White plays a Worrall Attack.} O-O (5... Nd4 {
would be less good here, as White hasn't played d3, so} 6. Nxd4 Bxd4 7. c3 Bb6
8. d4 {doesn't waste a tempo}) {, and now:} 6. -- (6. d3 Nd4 $1 {
is a different story, of course:} 7. Nxd4 Bxd4 8. c3 (8. Bg5 $4 Bxb2 {
was a horrible blunder by the future GM, A.Cherniaev-A.Mukhaev, Moscow 1996})
8... Bb6 9. Bg5 (9. Nd2 c6 10. Ba4 d5) 9... h6 10. Bh4 c6 11. Ba4 d6 12. Kh1 (
12. Bxf6 $6 Qxf6 13. Nd2 d5 14. Rae1 Bc7 15. f4 $6 {
, V.Serebriakov-N.Kabanov, Ekaterinburg 2008,} exf4 16. e5 Qg6 17. Rxf4 Bf5 18.
Bc2 f6 {winning material}) 12... g5 13. Bg3 Bg4 14. f3 Be6 15. Rd1 Nh5 16. Bf2
Nf4 17. Qe1 Qf6 18. d4 $2 {, O.Sarana Hungeling-P.Lebed, Kiev 1999, when Black
missed a chance to win the game immediately by} Nxg2 $1 19. Kxg2 Bh3+ 20. Kg1
Qxf3 {.}) (6. c3 Re8 {. Black might as well keep the option of playing ...d5
in one go, and the rook is always going to be well placed opposite the white
queen. Now:} 7. -- (7. Rd1 {doesn't make much sense as White is not going to
be able to play d4 for a long time:} d5 $5 (7... d6 8. d3 a6 9. Bxc6 bxc6 10.
Nbd2 a5 11. Nc4 h6 12. Nxa5 $5 Rxa5 13. b4 Bxb4 14. cxb4 Ra4 15. a3 Bd7 16. Nd2
Qa8 17. Bb2 {looked about level here in G.Milos-G.Kasparov, Prague 2002,
although the World Champion went on to win, naturally}) 8. exd5 $2 (8. d3 {
of course}) 8... e4 $1 9. dxc6 exf3 10. Qf1 (10. Qxf3 $4 Bg4) 10... Ng4 (10...
bxc6 $1 11. Bxc6 Ng4 12. d4 Ba6 $1 13. dxc5 Qh4 {and wins}) 11. d4 Bd6 $2 12.
g3 b6 $6 13. h3 $2 {, S.Sahl-V.Sipila, Reykjavik 2011,} Bxg3 $3 14. fxg3 f2+
15. Kh1 Qd5+ {.}) (7. d3 h6 {(to stop the Bg5 pin)} 8. Nbd2 a6 9. Ba4 b5 10.
Bb3 (10. Bc2 d6 11. a4 {, A.Vouldis-Z.Gyimesi, Szeged 1994, and now} Be6) 10...
d6 11. Rd1 (11. h3 Nh5 $1 {and ...Nf4}) 11... Ng4 (11... Ne7 12. Nf1 Ng6 {
is a good alternative}) 12. Rf1 {
(it doesn't say a lot for White's opening play if he is reduced to this!)} Bb6
(12... Nf6 {with a draw offer?}) 13. h3 Nf6 14. Rd1 Ne7 (14... Nh5 $1 15. Nf1
Qf6 {and ...Nf4}) 15. Nh4 g5 $5 16. Qf3 Kg7 17. Nf5+ Nxf5 18. exf5 d5 19. Nf1
Bb7 20. h4 g4 21. Qg3 Qd7 22. Ne3 h5 23. d4 Ne4 24. Qh2 exd4 25. cxd4 {
, I.Robertson-J.Parker, Scotland 1994,} g3 $1 26. fxg3 Qd6 27. Qh3 Nxg3 {
and the immediate threat is ...Bxd4.}))) (5. Re1 Ng4 $5 {
DANGEROUS WEAPON! This already gives White considerable headaches!} (5... O-O
6. c3 d6 7. d4 Bb6 {transposes to the next chapter, and is a good choice as
the Re1 lines are not particularly critical for Black.}) 6. Re2 (6. Rf1 {
might be better, but it is obviously a bit embarrassing for White.} O-O 7. h3
Nf6 8. Re1 Nd4 $5 (8... d6 9. c3 Ne7 $1 10. d4 Bb6 {
would transpose to the next chapter}) 9. Nxd4 (9. Bc4 {can be met by} c6 $5 {
, e.g.} 10. Nxe5 d5 11. exd5 cxd5 12. Bf1 Ne4) 9... Bxd4 10. c3 Bb6 11. d4 d5
$1 12. exd5 (12. dxe5 Nxe4 13. Be3 c6 14. Bd3 Bf5 {
with a nice position for Black}) 12... exd4 13. c4 Qd6 14. b3 {
, B.Bruned-J.Vion, Sautron 2002,} c5 {
threatening ...Bc7 and leaving the b5-bishop stuck out on a limb.}) 6... Nd4 7.
Nxd4 Bxd4 8. h3 ({White must take care:} 8. c3 $4 Qh4 {winning}) 8... Nxf2 $5 (
8... c6 {is worth a try, as} 9. Ba4 Nxf2 10. Rxf2 Bxf2+ 11. Kxf2 Qh4+ (11... d5
$5) 12. Kg1 Qxe4 {is also fun} (12... d5 13. d3 Bxh3 14. gxh3 Qg3+ {
forces a perpetual}) {:} 13. Nc3 Qd4+ 14. Kh2 d5 15. d3 O-O {and I prefer Black
}) 9. Rxf2 Bxf2+ 10. Kxf2 Qf6+ {
Black gets two pawns and a rook for the two minor pieces.} 11. Ke1 (11. Ke2 Qg6
12. Kf1 Qxe4 {transposes}) ({or} 11. Kg1 $6 Qb6+) 11... Qh4+ 12. Kf1 Qxe4 13.
Nc3 Qf4+ 14. Kg1 c6 15. Bf1 d5 (15... Qd4+ 16. Kh2 O-O {
followed by ...d5 might be slightly more accurate}) 16. Qe1 {
A.Groszpeter-W.Tonoli, Groningen 1977, and now} Qd4+ 17. Kh1 O-O 18. d3 Re8 {
, when Black's rook and two pawns should be the match of White's minor pieces,
especially when considering his strong centre.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Classical Berlin"]
[Black "A: 5 Bxc6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "28"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nxe5 {
Playing for tactics along the e-file.} (6. d3 {is solid but uninspiring, and
is similar to some slower lines in the Exchange Spanish, except that Black
hasn't wasted a move on ...a6. An important point to note is that White's
basic 'winning plan' in the Exchange is to play d4, exchange the white d-pawn
for the black e-pawn and create a mobile 4 to 3 pawn majority on the kingside
- Black's doubled c-pawn greatly hampers his possibility to create a passed
pawn on the queenside, of course. Here this is obviously not possible, so we
can say that Black is already comfortably equal.} Qe7 {. Black will generally
try to implement his standard plan here: play ...c5 and then manoeuvre the
knight to d4 via d7 and f8 (or c5) and e6. He will play ...f6 to defend the
e-pawn, and should White play c3 to control d4 he weakens his d3-pawn on the
open d-file. --- White has a choice:} 7. -- (7. Be3 Bg4 8. Nbd2 Nd7 9. Qe2 (9.
Qe1 O-O-O 10. Bxc5 Qxc5 11. Rc1 f6 12. Qe3 Kb8 13. Nc4 Qxe3 14. fxe3 Be6 15.
Ncd2 c5 16. b3 Nb6 {, planning ...Nc8-d6 and a queenside pawn advance, R.Weill-A.Kosten, Clermont-Ferrand 2012;}) (9. Nc4 {transposes to 9 Be3, below})
9... O-O-O 10. Bxc5 Nxc5 11. Qe3 Bxf3 12. Nxf3 Kb8 13. Rad1 f6 14. Rfe1 Ne6 15.
g3 c5 {, Sanchez J.Almeyra-G.Mahia, Buenos Aires 2000. In order to stop ...Nd4,
White played} 16. c3 {but now d3 is weak:} Rd7 17. Rd2 Rhd8 {.}) (7. Bg5 h6 8.
Bh4 Bg4 9. h3 Bh5 10. Nbd2 {was met by the aggressive} O-O-O 11. Qe2 g5 12. Bg3
g4 13. hxg4 Bxg4 14. Rfe1 Rhg8 {in D.Solak-M.Bartel, Plovdiv 2012.}) (7. Nbd2 {
(the most common)} Bg4 8. Nc4 (8. h3 Bh5 9. Nc4 {is similar -} Nd7 10. a3 f6
11. b4 Bd4 12. Rb1 Nb6 13. Ne3 Na4 14. Nf5 {
, J.Roebers-H.Jonkman, Amsterdam 2000,} Qd7 15. N5xd4 exd4) 8... Nd7 {and now:}
9. -- (9. Be3 Bd6 $5 ({I would prefer} 9... f6 10. h3 Bh5 {transposing to 9 h3}
) 10. h3 Bh5 11. Re1 (11. a4 f6 12. c3 b6 13. Re1 O-O 14. Bc1 Rfd8 15. Ne3 Qf7
16. Nf5 Bf8 17. Be3 Nc5 18. Bxc5 Bxc5 19. a5 b5 {; the knights are probably
the match of the bishops here, J.Van der Wiel-V.Salov, Rotterdam 1989}) 11...
O-O 12. g4 $5 Bg6 13. Nh2 f6 14. Nf1 {(coming to f5)} Bf7 15. Ncd2 c5 16. Ng3
g6 17. Qf3 Rfe8 18. Bh6 Qd8 19. Kh2 Bf8 20. Be3 Nb8 $1 {
(a different route to d4!)} 21. Rh1 Nc6 22. Rag1 Nd4 {and Black's positional
play triumphed over White's crude attempts at starting a kingside attack in M.Dzhumaev-A.Utegaliev, Tashkent 2009.}) (9. h3 Bh5 10. Be3 f6 11. Qe2 (11. Rb1
O-O 12. g4 $5 Bf7 13. b3 {
, F.Bellini-M.Malloni, Spoleto 2011, when Black can still play 'the plan' by}
Rfd8 ({but} 13... a5 $1 {is good, planning ...a4, and if} 14. a4 {then} Bb4 15.
Bd2 Bxc4 $1 16. dxc4 Bxd2 17. Qxd2 Rfd8 {and ...Nc5-e6}) 14. Qe2 Nf8) 11... Nf8
{(always the same plan!)} 12. c3 (12. Bxc5 Qxc5 13. b4 Qe7 14. Qe3 Ne6 15. Rab1
O-O 16. Kh2 b5 17. Na5 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 c5 19. a3 cxb4 20. axb4 c5 21. bxc5 Qxc5 {
with an edge, M.Ghinda-K.Ninov, Stara Zagora 1990}) 12... Ne6 13. b4 Bxe3 14.
Qxe3 c5 15. b5 O-O-O $5 (15... O-O {is safer}) 16. a4 Nf4 17. Rfd1 Qf7 (17...
Qe6) 18. Kh2 Nxd3 {winning material in P.Martynov-E.Ovod, St Petersburg 2011.})
)) 6... Nxe4 7. Qe2 {The only dangerous move;} (7. Qf3 {
otherwise Black would enjoy good development and the bishop pair at no cost:}
Ng5 8. Qg3 O-O 9. d3 Ne6 {, for instance.}) ({Other moves are even worse: --} 
7. Re1 $4 {loses to} Bxf2+ {of course.}) (7. d3 $2 Nxf2 8. Rxf2 ({or} 8. Qe2
Ng4+ 9. Kh1 Qe7 {winning a piece}) 8... Bxf2+ 9. Kxf2 {
, S.Hingst-M.Baessler, German League 2004,} Qd4+ 10. Be3 Qxe5 {.}) ({
DANGEROUS WEAPON!} 7. Nc3 $2 Nxf2 8. Rxf2 (8. Qe2 O-O 9. Rxf2 Re8) 8... Bxf2+
9. Kxf2 Qd4+ 10. Kf1 Qxe5 {
picks up the e5-knight, Y.Ivanov-A.Samoilov, Kolomna 2010.}) 7... Qd5 {Forced.}
8. Nd3 ({Alternatively: --} 8. d4 Bxd4 9. Nf3 Be6 $1 {with:} 10. -- (10. c4 {
is tricky, but ultimately unsuccessful:} Qxc4 11. Qxc4 (11. Qxe4 $4 Bxf2+)
11... Bxf2+ $1 12. Rxf2 Bxc4 {(winning an exchange back)} 13. Nc3 (13. Rc2
O-O-O 14. Nc3 Bd3 {,}) ({or} 13. Nbd2 Nxf2 14. Nxc4 Nd3 {
, N.Povah-D.Rumens, Portsmouth 1976}) 13... Nxf2 14. Kxf2 O-O-O {, when rook
and three pawns outguns the two white pieces in the endgame, A.Zapata-M.Rohde,
New York 1988.}) (10. Nxd4 Qxd4 11. Rd1 {can be met by} Qc4 12. Qxc4 Bxc4 13.
Bf4 ({or} 13. Re1 O-O-O {
and the knight is safe because of White's weak back rank}) 13... Nd6 {
. Black has an extra pawn, and regaining it by} 14. Bxd6 (14. Nd2 {
, A.Naiditsch-T.Karolyi, Paks 1998,} Be6 15. Bxd6 cxd6 16. Ne4 d5 17. Nd6+ Ke7
18. Nxb7 Rab8 19. Na5 Rhc8) 14... cxd6 15. Na3 (15. Rxd6 $2 Bd5 {traps the rook
}) 15... Be6 16. Rxd6 {leaves Black on top after} Ke7 17. Rd2 Rhd8 {
, V.Hresc-Z.Basagic, Pula 1984.})) (8. d3 $6 {is met by} Qxe5 9. Qxe4 (9. Nc3
f5) 9... Qxe4 10. dxe4 Be6 (10... O-O 11. Bf4 f5 {is also strong:} 12. e5 Be6
13. Nd2 h6 14. Rfe1 Rad8 {
with a nice edge for Black in T.Heinz-D.Anic, Port Barcares 2005}) 11. Nc3
O-O-O 12. Bf4 ({or} 12. Na4 Bd4 13. c3 Bf6 14. Nc5 Bc4 15. Re1 Rhe8 {
, M.Meszaros-M.Podoba, Slovakian League 2001}) 12... Bd4 13. a3 Rhe8 {
with advantage to Black because of his bishops, development advantage and
pressure on e4 in J.Lappage-J.Rudd, Frome 2001.}) (8. Nxc6 $5 Be6 9. d4 Bb6 10.
Nb4 Qxd4 11. Nd3 O-O 12. Be3 Qd5 {.}) 8... O-O (8... Be6 $5 {is more combative:
} 9. Nxc5 Nxc5 10. Nc3 Qf5 11. d3 O-O-O 12. Be3 h5 $5 {planning ...h4-h3 to
weaken the kingside light squares in I.Valencia-R.Kleinschroth, Giessen 1991.})
9. Nxc5 ({If} 9. Re1 Bf5 {.}) 9... Nxc5 10. Nc3 Qf5 (10... Qd6 11. d3 f5 $5 {
, threatening ...f4, is worth trying.}) 11. d3 (11. d4 Ne6 12. Be3 b6 13. f3
Qa5 14. Rfd1 Ba6 15. Qf2 Rad8 16. a3 {, J.Gomez Baillo-J.De Paz San Martin,
Benidorm 1992. Now Black should give his queen some room by} Bb7 {say,} ({
instead of} 16... Rd7 $4 17. d5 $1 Rxd5 18. Rxd5 $1 {1-0, since} cxd5 {
is met by} 19. b4 {.})) 11... Ne6 (11... Bd7 12. Be3 {(this is not very
exciting, with opposite-coloured bishops on the board, but Black has no
problems whatsoever)} Rae8 {, S.Dvoirys-I.Efimov, Gausdal 1991.}) 12. Be3 c5
13. Rfe1 b6 14. Ne4 Bb7 {with harmonious development in J.Sosovicka-M.Hruby,
Piestany 2007. Black can consider continuing with ...Qg6, ...Rae8 and maybe ...f5-f4.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Classical Berlin"]
[Black "B: 5 Nc3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C48"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O (4. Nc3 Bc5 5. O-O O-O {
also leads to our main line.}) 4... Bc5 5. Nc3 O-O {Black simply continues his
development. --- TRICKY TRANSPOSITION: "This position often arises from 3 Nc3
Nf6 4 Bb5 Bc5 5 0-0 0-0. Indeed, if Black plays the Classical Defense to the
Spanish, he may as well play 4...Bc5 against the Four Knights, and save
himself some memory work." (Mark Morss)} ({BEWARE! After} 5... d6 {
White will continue} 6. d4 exd4 7. Nxd4 {with a typical 'small centre' plus.})
6. Nxe5 (6. d3 {is a bit limp, and now there is a choice:} -- (6... Nd4 $5 {
is the fun line:} 7. -- (7. Nxe5 $5 {. This is critical, but it transposes to
something resembling Rubinstein's line against the Four Knights, and is not a
very practical choice for White: he gets a lot of headaches in return for the
hot pawn!} d6 8. Nf3 {(obviously forced)} Bg4 {. The main point. White's
kingside will be devastated - his first step is to parry Black's menace of ...c6 followed by ...Nd7-e5.} 9. Be3 {(to capture on d4)} ({alternatively,} 9. Bg5
c6 10. Bc4 Qc8 $5 ({I can't think of any reason Black would prefer this to} 
10... Qd7 $1 11. Bxf6 gxf6 {with the same unpleasant threats}) 11. Bxf6 gxf6
12. Na4 $4 Bxf3 13. gxf3 Qh3 14. Kh1 Nxf3 15. Rg1+ Kh8 16. Rg2 {, B.Oliveira-J.Ramos, Vitoria 1999, when Black has various ways to finish the game,} Rg8 17.
Qf1 Rg4 {being the most obvious.}) 9... Bxf3 10. gxf3 c6 11. Ba4 b5 12. Bb3 Nh5
13. Kh1 ({or} 13. Bxd4 Bxd4 14. f4 Qh4 15. Ne2 {
(S.Tarrasch-J.Perlis, San Sebastian 1912)} Bxb2 16. Rb1 Bf6 {
regaining the pawn with a strong attack}) 13... Qh4 14. Rg1 {
(you don't get to 2700 without being able to defend!)} Qh3 (14... a5 15. a4 b4
16. Nb1 d5 {is another try, threatening ...Bd6 and ...f5}) 15. Qf1 Qxf3+ 16.
Qg2 a5 17. a4 b4 18. Nb1 Qxg2+ 19. Rxg2 Nxb3 20. cxb3 f5 $1 21. Nd2 Bxe3 22.
fxe3 fxe4 23. Nxe4 d5 24. Nc5 Rae8 25. Re1 Rf3 26. Rge2 d4 27. Kg2 Rf5 28. Ne4
dxe3 29. Rxe3 Rd8 (29... Nf4+) 30. Rc1 Nf4+ 31. Kg3 $6 Nxd3 $6 (31... Rdf8 $1 {
threatening ...Nd5 followed by ...Rf3+ should win}) 32. Rxc6 {
and somehow White managed to draw this, P.Svidler-P.Nielsen, Copenhagen 2010.})
({. As in previous similar lines,} 7. Nxd4 Bxd4 {is very simple for Black:} 8.
Bg5 (8. Ne2 Bb6 9. Ng3 c6 10. Ba4 d5 11. h3 dxe4 12. dxe4 {
is equal, G.Milos-I.Morovic Fernandez, Santiago de Chile 1989}) 8... c6 9. Bc4
({or} 9. Ba4 h6 10. Bh4 d6 11. Kh1 {
, Y.Solodovnichenko-K.Chojnacki, Poznan 2003, when} a5 {is often a good move
in such positions - Black threatens to trap the bishop with ...b5!;} 12. a3 Be6
{with a plus}) 9... h6 10. Bh4 b5 11. Bb3 {
, A.Petrisor-P.Nielsen, Aix-les-Bains 2011, and now} d6 {.}) (7. Ba4 d6 8. h3
c6 9. Nxd4 Bxd4 10. Ne2 Bb6 {with very easy equality for Black, A.Heimann-O.Korneev, Neustadt an der Weinstrasse 2012.})) ({. Of course,} 6... d6 {
is a perfectly solid alternative:} 7. Na4 {(White grabs the pair of bishops)} (
{other moves are nothing at all, for instance} 7. h3 Nd4 8. Nxd4 Bxd4 9. Ne2
Bb6 10. Ng3 c6 {, J.Polgar-A.Grischuk, Moscow 2002,}) ({or} 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4
Bg4 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 Nd4 11. Qd1 c6 12. Bc4 b5 13. Bb3 a5 {
, M.Grill-C.Marcelin, Montlucon 1997}) 7... Bb6 8. Nxb6 axb6 9. c3 Ne7 (9... h6
10. h3 Bd7 11. Ba4 Re8 12. Bb3 Be6 13. Bc2 d5 {
and Black has equalized, P.Svidler-V.Kramnik, Dortmund 2004}) 10. Re1 Bd7 ({
to get rid of White's bishop pair;} 10... Ng6 11. d4 Qe7 12. Bd3 h6 13. h3 Nh7
14. Nh2 Qh4 {with near equality in M.Cornette-A.Kosten, Montpellier 2006}) 11.
Bxd7 (11. Bc4 Ba4 12. Bb3 Bxb3 13. Qxb3 Ng6 {
is equal, S.Maze-K.Georgiev, French League 2007}) 11... Nxd7 12. d4 Ng6 {
and again Black is perfectly okay, C.Balogh-F.Vallejo Pons, Heviz 2008.})) ({
Meanwhile, capturing the pawn by} 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Nxe5 $6 (7. d3 Qe7 {
is similar to Variation A, 5 Bxc6, but the knight is misplaced on c3}) {
is quite weak:} 7... Re8 8. Nf3 ({or} 8. Nd3 Bg4 9. Qe1 Bd4 {
with advantage, K.Gawehns-O.Korneev, Wiesbaden 2012}) 8... Nxe4 9. Nxe4 Rxe4 {
and Black has the bishop pair, K.Huchwajda-M.Zajecki, Poznan 1997.}) 6... Nxe5
7. d4 Bd6 8. f4 {This has long been known to be the critical move.} (8. dxe5
Bxe5 {is too easy for Black. White can't envisage f4 just yet as Black will
simply capture on c3 then on e4.} 9. -- (9. Re1 Re8 10. Bg5 (10. Bd3 {
transposes to 9 Bd3}) 10... h6 11. Bh4 {
and now I would prefer to complete my development by} c6 ({
rather than go pawn-grabbing by} 11... g5 12. Bg3 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Nxe4 {
, as in E.Dashibalov-D.Frolov, Tomsk 2003, which was a bit dicey after} 14. Qh5
) 12. Bd3 d6 {, ...Be6, ...Qb6, etc.}) (9. Bg5 h6 10. Bh4 c6 11. Bd3 Qb6 {
(to hinder f4 and unpin the f6-knight)} ({the natural} 11... d6 $5 {
is possible, as} 12. f4 Bg4 13. Qd2 {can be answered by the trick} Bd4+ 14. Kh1
Nxe4 $1) 12. Rb1 (12. Na4 Qa5 13. c3 d5 14. f4 Bg4 15. Qe1 Qxa4 16. fxe5 Nxe4
17. Be7 Rfe8 18. Qh4 Be6 19. Bf6 Qa5 {
was a bit wild, E.Matseyko-A.Burtasova, Kharkov 2006}) 12... Re8 13. Ne2 $6 d5
{freeing Black's game, A.Van de Oudeweetering-L.Winants, Netherlands 1987.}) (
9. Bd3 Re8 {(renewing the threats to e4)} 10. Bg5 (10. Re1 d6 11. h3 c6 12. Bd2
b5 13. a3 a6 14. Qf3 c5 $1 15. Rab1 c4 16. Bf1 Bb7 {
- a nice plan from Black, targeting the e4-pawn -} 17. Nd5 $2 Nxe4 $1 {
winning, B.Lengyel-S.Husari, Budapest 2002}) 10... h6 11. Bh4 {when} d6 {
looks simplest, just intending to complete development} ({rather than} 11...
Bxc3 12. bxc3 g5 13. Bg3 Nxe4 14. Qh5 {, S.Nitin-S.Shyam, Chennai 2011}) 12. f4
Bg4 13. Bxf6 Qd7 $1 14. Qd2 Bxf6 15. h3 ({if} 15. f5 {to trap the bishop,} Bh5
16. h3 Bd4+ 17. Kh1 Bxc3 18. Qxc3 f6) 15... Bd4+ 16. Kh2 Qd8 $5 {
as the bishop is immune from capture.})) 8... Nc6 (8... Neg4 {
is a reasonable alternative, and scores well in practice, e.g.} 9. e5 Bb4 10.
exf6 ({or} 10. f5 $5 d5 11. Be2 {, P.Acs-L.Winants, Rethymnon 2003,} Nxe5 12.
dxe5 Bc5+ 13. Kh1 Ne4) 10... Nxf6 11. f5 d5 12. Bg5 c6 13. Bd3 Re8 14. Qf3 h6
15. Bh4 Be7 16. Rae1 Bd7 {
and Black was fine in V.Vehi Bach-O.Korneev, Navalmoral 2000.}) 9. e5 Bb4 $5 {
I always thought that this move looked like the logical choice here, although
most players prefer to retreat to e7. Anyway, it might take a Four Knights
player away from his theory.} ({For what it's worth, the main line goes} 9...
Be7 10. d5 Nb4 11. exf6 Bxf6 12. a3 ({
but White has other, better, tries, such as} 12. Bc4 d6 13. Ne4 {, J.Gallagher-M.Sbarra, Geneva 2005, when White has more space and the b4-knight is
misplaced}) 12... Bxc3 13. bxc3 Nxd5 14. Qxd5 c6 {.}) 10. d5 {The main line.} (
10. exf6 Qxf6 11. Nd5 (11. Be3 {
was nothing in C.Goering-S.Mieses, Leipzig 1871, after} Bxc3 12. bxc3 d5 {
intending ...Bf5}) {and now there is a choice:} 11... -- (11... Qxd4+ {
is possible:} 12. Be3 ({I'm not very keen on lines such as} 12. Qxd4 $5 Nxd4
13. Nxc7 Nxc2 {for Black myself, though:} 14. Nxa8 Bc5+ 15. Kh1 Nxa1 16. Bd3 {
and the black knight is trapped, although the position remains unclear}) 12...
Qxd1 13. Raxd1 Bd6 14. f5 f6 15. Bf4 Ne5 16. Bxe5 fxe5 $1 (16... Bxe5 17. Ne7+
Kh8 18. Nxc8 Raxc8 19. Bxd7 {is about level}) 17. f6 {
, K.Kulaots-M.Roiz, Plovdiv 2012, when} Bc5+ 18. Kh1 c6 19. Ne7+ Kh8 {
looks a bit better for Black.}) (11... Qd6 $5 {with the possibilities:} 12. --
(12. Bc4 Na5 13. b3 b5 14. Be2 Qxd5 15. Bf3 Qd6 16. Bxa8 Bc3 17. Rb1 b4 {
(planning ...Ba6)} (17... c6 {is maybe a bit too greedy:} 18. Rf3 b4 19. Qd3
Bxd4+ 20. Be3 Bxe3+ 21. Qxe3 Qc7 22. f5 Ba6 23. Re1 h6 24. f6) 18. Be4 $1 Ba6
19. Bd3 Qxd4+ 20. Kh1 Bxd3 21. Qxd3 Qxd3 22. cxd3 Nc6 {
with fair compensation for the exchange, as e1 is covered.}) (12. Nxb4 Qxb4 13.
Bxc6 (13. c4 d5) 13... dxc6 14. f5 f6 15. Qd3 c5 16. dxc5 Qxc5+ 17. Be3 Qc6 18.
Rad1 b6 19. Rd2 Bb7 {and it seems to me that White's light squares are weaker
than Black's dark squares, although a draw is likely, of course.}))) 10... a6
$1 {Tricky, but rare.} ({I have played} 10... Bxc3 {myself:} 11. bxc3 Ne4 (
11... Nxe5 $5 12. fxe5 Nxd5 13. Qxd5 c6 14. Qf3 Qb6+ {
, D.Krajina-R.Stern, German League 2006,} 15. Be3 Qxb5 16. Qg3) 12. Qf3 f5 13.
dxc6 bxc6 14. Bd3 d5 15. exd6 cxd6 16. Bxe4 fxe4 17. Qxe4 {
, D.Marciano-A.Kosten, Belfort 1997, when} d5 18. Qd4 Bf5 {is almost equal.})
11. Be2 ({Or: --} 11. dxc6 axb5 12. exf6 dxc6 13. fxg7 Re8 {. Black will
recapture the g-pawn after exchanging queens, when his bishops and open a-file
promise him excellent play.}) (11. Ba4 Na5 12. exf6 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Qxf6 14. Qf3
b5 15. Bb3 Re8 16. Bd2 Bb7 {and White has problems with his d-pawn.}) 11...
Bc5+ 12. Kh1 Nxd5 13. Nxd5 ({My (old!) copy of ECO C prefers} 13. Qxd5 {
, but after} d6 {Black threatens ...Be6 and should be fine.} 14. Ne4 Nd4 $5 {
is the point, with a nasty threat to trap the queen by ...Be6!} (14... Ba7 15.
exd6 cxd6 {is also fine, as the d-pawn is a bit poisonous:} 16. Qxd6 ({or} 16.
Nxd6 Nb4 17. Qd1 Qc7 18. Nxc8 Raxc8 19. c3 Rcd8 20. Qb3 Rfe8) 16... Bf5 17.
Qxd8 Raxd8 18. Bd3 Rd5 {- intending ...Nb4 -} 19. Nf2 Rfd8 20. Bxf5 Rxf5 {
when White has development and weak back-rank problems}) 15. exd6 (15. Nxc5
dxc5 16. Qxd8 Rxd8 17. Bd3 c4 18. Be4 Bf5) 15... cxd6 16. Bd3 Be6 17. Qh5 g6
18. Qd1 Nf5 19. Re1 Rc8 {with active play for the IQP.}) 13... d6 14. Bd3 ({If
} 14. exd6 Bxd6 {.}) ({Or} 14. f5 dxe5 15. f6 Be6 16. fxg7 Kxg7 17. c4 f5 {
with an extra pawn.}) 14... dxe5 (14... Be6 15. c4 (15. Nc3 dxe5 16. Ne4) 15...
dxe5 16. fxe5 Nxe5 17. Bxh7+ Kxh7 18. Qh5+ Kg8 19. Qxe5 Bxd5 20. cxd5 Re8 {
is also pleasant for Black.}) 15. fxe5 Nxe5 $1 16. Bxh7+ Kxh7 17. Qh5+ Kg8 18.
Qxe5 {So far this is N.Short-M.Adams, England 1991.} f6 ({Instead of Adams'} 
18... Bd6 {.}) 19. Qh5 (19. Nxf6+ Rxf6 20. Bg5 Rxf1+ 21. Rxf1 Bd4 $1 22. Qe2
Qxg5 23. Qe8+ (23. Qc4+ Be6) 23... Kh7 24. Qe4+ Bf5 {(no draw!)} 25. Rxf5 Qe3 {
wins.}) 19... Be6 $5 {This should be at least equal for Black: he has the
bishop pair and slightly better development.} (19... Bg4 20. Qxg4 Qxd5 {
is level.}) 20. Rd1 (20. Nxf6+ Rxf6 21. Rxf6 Qxf6 22. Qxc5 {wins a pawn, but}
b6 23. Qg1 Rf8 {gives Black more than sufficient compensation, for example} 24.
c3 Qf1 25. Bg5 Qb5 {attacking g5, b2 and also a2.}) (20. Nf4 Bc4 21. Re1 Bf2
22. Rd1 Qe8 23. Qf3 Rd8 {not giving the white pieces a moment's respite.})
20... Bxd5 $1 21. Rxd5 (21. Qxd5+ Qxd5 22. Rxd5 Rad8 23. Rxd8 Rxd8 24. Bf4 Re8
{to come to e2, with an edge.}) 21... Qe8 22. Qh4 Qe2 23. Bd2 Bf2 24. Qh3 Rad8
{. Black's pieces are active, and White's back rank a bit weak.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Classical Berlin"]
[Black "C: 5 d3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O ({TRICKY TRANSPOSITION:} 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O
({but} 5. c3 {is almost as popular and leads to Bishop's Opening style play})
5... Nd4 $1 {will transpose.}) 4... Bc5 5. d3 {This quiet move is actually the
most popular of all the alternatives to 5 c3, but allows Black an easy game.}
Nd4 $1 {'Forking' White's two developed minor pieces. It seems odd to move
Black's developed pieces twice (and in the case of the dark-squared bishop
maybe three times) before castling, but Black will regain these tempi on the
b5-bishop, which has been left 'hanging'. --- Black actually has a positive
score with this move, and my own experience has been very pleasant indeed.} 6.
Nxd4 {Standard, but there are alternatives.} (6. Ba4 {is sometimes played by
strong players, and is almost certainly White's best try, although it is
somewhat rare. By keeping the pin on the d-pawn and the attack on e5 White
forces Black to make a decision about his e5-pawn.} Nxf3+ 7. Qxf3 O-O (7... c6
$5 {is also possible, as} 8. Qg3 (8. Nc3 O-O {transposes to 7...0-0}) 8... d6
9. Qxg7 Rg8 10. Qh6 Rg6 11. Qh4 Rg4 12. Qh6 Rg6 {forces a draw}) 8. Qg3 ({
alternatively:} 8. Nc3 c6 9. Bb3 a5 10. a4 d6 11. Kh1 Be6 12. Bxe6 fxe6 {
is fairly level, although Black has some pressure on the f-file, N.Firman-C.Balogh, German League 2009}) (8. Bg5 {can be met by} h6 {as} 9. Bxf6 Qxf6 10.
Qxf6 gxf6 {favours Black with his bishop pair, e.g.} 11. Nc3 c6 12. Ne2 {
(else Black will move his d-pawn and then liquidate the doubled f-pawn by ...f5)} Rd8 13. Ng3 a5 {(threatening ...b5 to trap the bishop)} 14. c3 d5) 8... d6
9. Bg5 c6 10. Bb3 Nh5 11. Qh4 Nf6 12. Nc3 h6 13. Bd2 a5 {gave Black no
problems in M.Carlsen-V.Anand, Moscow 2011, and he went on to win.}) (6. Bc4 d6
7. Nxd4 (7. Ng5 $2 Bg4 $1 8. Qd2 h6 $1 9. Nxf7 Qd7 {should have led to a swift
debacle in V.Kupreichik-Y.Malinin, St Petersburg 1998:} 10. Kh1 Bf3 $1 11. Qe3
Ng4 {and White had lost his queen}) 7... Bxd4 8. c3 Bb6 9. Bg5 h6 10. Be3 {
, J.Soalleiro-E.Gaudineau, French League 1999,} O-O 11. Nd2 c6 {and ...d5.})
6... Bxd4 7. c3 (7. Nd2 {has become quite popular with strong players recently.
The idea is to defer c3, and now:} -- (7... c6 8. Ba4 Bb6 $5 ({rare;} 8... d6
9. c3 Bb6 {is much more common, and also fine, but this would deprive Black of
the ...d5 possibility}) 9. Nc4 Bc7 10. Bb3 O-O (10... a5 $5) (10... d6) 11. Bg5
h6 12. Bh4 d6 13. Ne3 g5 14. Bg3 h5 $5 15. h3 ({or} 15. h4 Ng4 16. hxg5 Qxg5 {
, A.Kovacevic-M.Neubauer, Rijeka 2010}) 15... Be6 {
was messy in J.Radulski-J.Hammer, Tromsø 2009.}) (7... O-O $5 {
. If this is playable, then it should be played:} 8. -- (8. c3 Bb6 9. Nc4 (9.
Nf3 {transposes to 7 c3 after} c6 10. Ba4) 9... d5 ({or} 9... c6 10. Nxb6 axb6
11. Ba4 d5) 10. Nxb6 axb6 {
is okay for Black, even though he has conceded the bishop pair, e.g.} 11. exd5
(11. f4 $5 c6 12. fxe5 Bg4 13. Qc2 Nd7 14. Ba4 Nc5) 11... Bg4 12. f3 Qxd5 13.
Bc4 Qc5+ {.}) (8. Nf3 Bb6 9. Nxe5 d5 {
and Black regains his pawn with at least equality:} 10. Bf4 (10. Bg5 c6 11. Ba4
dxe4 12. dxe4 Qxd1 13. Raxd1 Nxe4) (10. exd5 $4 Qxd5 {loses a piece}) 10... c6
11. Ba4 dxe4 12. dxe4 Qxd1 13. Raxd1 Nxe4 14. Bb3 Nc5 {
with equality in M.Kobalija-R.Hovhannisyan, Plovdiv 2012.}))) (7. Qf3 c6 8. Bc4
d5 9. exd5 cxd5 10. Bb5+ Bd7 11. Bxd7+ Qxd7 12. c3 Bb6 {led to a nice tactical
win for Black in S.Collins-A.Kosten, British League 2007.}) 7... Bb6 {
This position is very comfortable for Black. He will play ...c6 (gaining a
tempo on the b5-bishop), then ...d5 or ...d6 as appropriate, and ...0-0 when
it suits him.} 8. Nd2 {This is the most logical - the knight heads for a good
square. Note that Black's lone knight is already well placed!} ({
Alternatively: --} 8. Bg5 $6 {is the most popular and looks aggressive, but as
Black hasn't castled yet the bishop can become a target.} h6 9. Bh4 c6 {
and now:} 10. -- (10. Bc4 d6 11. Nd2 Qe7 ({or} 11... g5 12. Bg3 h5 13. h4 Bg4
14. Qb3 Qd7 15. hxg5 $2 h4 16. Bh2 Nh7 {
and White was in trouble in D.Howell-D.McMahon, Bunratty Open 2000}) 12. Bb3 g5
$1 13. Bg3 {, O.Mihok-M.Rachela, Szombathely 2008,} h5 14. h4 Bg4 15. Qc2 Nd7 {
with a powerful kingside attack.}) (10. Ba4 d6 11. Nd2 ({or} 11. d4 $2 g5 12.
Bg3 Nxe4 13. Nd2 Nxg3 14. fxg3 Be6 15. Bb3 d5 {
and White is a pawn down for nothing, G.Guseinov-L.Aronian, Tripoli 2004})
11... g5 $1 12. Bg3 h5 13. h4 ({after} 13. h3 $2 h4 14. Bh2 g4 15. hxg4 Bxg4 {
White didn't survive very long in L.Torres-N.Rua, Bucaramanga 2008}) 13... Bg4
14. Qe1 ({or} 14. Qc1 Nh7 15. hxg5 Nxg5 16. Nc4 h4 17. Nxd6+ $2 {
- but White is already lost -} Qxd6 18. Qxg5 hxg3 19. Qxg4 Qh6 20. Qh3 gxf2+
21. Kh1 {0-1, A.Collins-D.McMahon, London 2012}) 14... Nd7 (14... Nh7) 15. Nc4
gxh4 16. Nxd6+ Kf8 17. Bh2 {, J.Betancort Curbelo-D.Lima, Las Palmas 1989,} Rg8
{and ...Bf3 will be decisive.})) (8. d4 O-O 9. Bg5 ({after} 9. dxe5 Nxe4 10.
Bd3 d5 11. exd6 Nxd6 ({there is also} 11... Re8 $5 {as} 12. dxc7 $6 Qh4 13.
Bxe4 Bxc7 14. g3 Qxe4 {is very dangerous for White}) 12. Qc2 Qh4 {
Black has no problems, M.Palac-C.Marcelin, Lausanne 2003}) 9... h6 10. dxe5 (
10. Bxf6 $6 Qxf6 11. dxe5 Qxe5 12. Bd3 Rd8 13. Kh1 Qf4 14. Qd2 Qxd2 15. Nxd2 d5
{and Black has a plus, J.Polgar-V.Anand, Kristiansand 2010}) 10... hxg5 11.
exf6 Qxf6 12. Nd2 a6 13. Bd3 d6 14. Nc4 Ba7 15. Ne3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 Qe5 17. Qh5
Be6 {. Black is again favourite with his superior structure, Z.Sturua-G.Sargissian, Dubai 2005.}) (8. Kh1 $6 {aims for f4:} c6 9. Ba4 d5 $1 10. Qe2 (
10. exd5 $6 {, J.Smeets-M.Bosman, Netherlands League 2008,} Ng4 $1 11. dxc6 O-O
12. cxb7 $2 Qh4 {and wins, as} 13. h3 Nxf2+ 14. Rxf2 Bxb7 {
threatens ...Qxh3+ and then ...Qxg2 mate}) 10... dxe4 (10... O-O 11. Bg5 h6 12.
Bh4 dxe4 13. dxe4 Qe7 {is level, B.Grimberg-V.Erdos, Deizisau 2010}) 11. dxe4 {
, S.Movsesian-Z.Hracek, Sibenik 2009,} Ng4 $5 12. h3 Qh4 13. Kg1 Nf6 {
with some nasty threats, i.e.} 14. Nd2 ({or} 14. Be3 Bg4 $1 15. f3 Bxh3 $1)
14... Bxh3 $1 15. gxh3 Qg3+ {winning.}) 8... c6 {
If Black can successfully play ...d5 he will be at least equal.} 9. Ba4 O-O 10.
Nf3 (10. Nc4 Bc7 11. Ne3 d5 12. Qf3 d4 13. cxd4 (13. Nf5 Bxf5 14. exf5 {
½-½ T.Luther-K.Volke, Austrian League 2006, but Black can play} Qd6 {
with threats of ...e4, and bringing the rooks to the centre}) 13... Qxd4 14.
Bc2 Be6 {and Black is at least equal, V.Anand-V.Kramnik, Moscow 2011.}) 10...
d5 $5 (10... d6 11. Bb3 {is a symmetrical position where Black is to move!})
11. exd5 (11. Qe2 dxe4 12. dxe4 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. Bg5 h6 15. Rad1 Qe7 {
is symmetric and equal, L.Kotan-V.Kalisky, Slovakian League 2003.}) ({
ROLL THE DICE! If Black feels a bit more ambitious against} 11. Qe2 {then} h6
$5 {is possible:} 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Qxe5 (13. Nxe5 Re8) 13... Re8 14. Qg3 Bc7
15. Qh4 Qd6 16. d4 Qg6 {with a strong initiative.}) 11... Qxd5 12. Bb3 Qd6 13.
h3 Bf5 14. d4 ({Or} 14. Re1 Rfe8 15. Ng5 Re7 {.}) 14... exd4 15. Nxd4 {
, K.Visweswaran-S.Ovsejevitsch, Kolkata 2002. Now Black can play} Be4 16. Re1
Rad8 {with more space.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Classical Berlin"]
[Black "D: 5 Nxe5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. Nxe5 {This is the most important
alternative to 5 c3, and the only one which gives Black any theoretical
problems.} Nxe5 $5 {
Objectively this is probably not the best move... but it is the most fun!} (
5... Nxe4 $5 {is the alternative, and is played by all the super-GMs when they
play the Classical Berlin. The problem is that after} 6. Qe2 Nxe5 7. Qxe4 Qe7
8. d4 ({or} 8. Nc3 Ng6 9. Qxe7+) 8... Nc6 9. Qxe7+ Bxe7 10. c3 {we reach a
symmetric endgame where White has a space advantage. I have played this as
Black, and managed to win (against a much weaker player), but it was hard work
and I can't really recommend such a position in a Dangerous Weapons book!}) 6.
d4 a6 {A clever intermezzo, driving the bishop back and breaking the pin on
the d7-pawn.} 7. Be2 {Almost certainly the strongest reply, but now the bishop
blocks the e-file and so cuts out moves such as Qe2 or Qg4 which are so
awkward for Black in other lines. --- The two alternatives are 7 Ba4 and 7
dxe5.} (7. Ba4 {is met by the unpinning} b5 {and:} 8. -- (8. dxe5 Nxe4 {
. Now White only has one good reply (} 9. Bb3 {
), but first let's look at the two tempting alternatives:} ({
. DANGEROUS WEAPON!} 9. Qd5 $2 {looks enticing, but falls into a neat trap:}
Bb7 $1 10. Qxb7 c6 {. --- The queen is ensnared! Black threatens ...Ra7, so}
11. Nc3 (11. Be3 $2 Bxe3 12. fxe3 Nc5 {
is even worse, G.Garcia-T.Gareev, Orlando 2011}) (11. Nd2 {is possible, but}
Nxf2 $1 {should win:} 12. Rxf2 $2 Ra7) 11... Nxc3 (11... Ra7 $2 12. Nxe4 Rxb7
13. Nxc5 {is the point}) 12. bxc3 {. Now, instead of} Ra7 $2 (12... O-O $1 {
keeps all the threats:} 13. Bb3 Ra7 {with a winning advantage}) {
allowing the resource} 13. Bg5 Qxg5 14. Qb8+ Qd8 15. Qxd8+ Kxd8 16. Bb3 {
reaching an ending (albeit more pleasant for Black) in S.Berger-J.Gustafsson,
Böblingen 2002.}) (9. Qg4 $5 {
also appears annoying, but once again Black has the natural reply} Bb7 {.} 10.
-- ({. DANGEROUS WEAPON! Now} 10. Qxg7 $2 {loses to a move from another epoch:}
Qh4 $3 {. For example,} 11. Qxh8+ Ke7 12. Qg7 Bxf2+ {.}) ({. So} 10. Bb3 Qe7
11. Nc3 (11. Qxg7 $2 {is asking for trouble:} O-O-O 12. Qxf7 Qxe5 13. Qf4 Qe8
14. Be3 Rf8 15. Qh4 Bxe3 16. fxe3 Rxf1+ 17. Kxf1 Qg6 {
and White can resign, C.Von Rosenberg-J.Schmitz, Internet 2008}) 11... Nxc3 12.
bxc3 O-O-O {(aggressive, but Black's invariable choice here)} (12... O-O $5 {
isn't ridiculous -} 13. Bf4 (13. Bh6 $2 {is met by} Qxe5) 13... d5 14. exd6
cxd6 {is fine for Black}) 13. Bg5 ({Capablanca once preferred} 13. Re1 {
... which means that it's probably White's best move!} h5 14. Qh3 {
, J.Capablanca-A.Pulvermacher, New York 1907,} f6 $1 {is unclear}) 13... f6 14.
exf6 gxf6 15. Bh4 Qe5 (15... h5 16. Qg6 Rdf8 {
is also okay, K.Van der Weide-J.Piket, Leeuwarden 2001}) 16. Rfe1 $6 Qxc3 17.
Rad1 Bc6 {with an extra pawn, S.Berndt-M.Becker, German League 1997.})) ({
. Back to White's best option,} 9. Bb3 Bb7 {and here} 10. Bd5 {is critical.} ({
Instead the} 10. Nc3 {of N.Short-A.Onischuk, Wijk aan Zee 1997, can be met by}
Nxc3 11. bxc3 Qe7 {, when Black keeps the option of castling either side
according to circumstances - ...0-0-0 followed by ...g5 would be interesting
if Black wanted to play sharply for the win.}) ({Also} 10. Qg4 Qe7 {
transposes to 9 Qg4.}) 10... -- ({. ROLL THE DICE!} 10... Qh4 $5 {
is unplayed, but tricky: --- After 10...Qh4 White has two options:} 11. -- (11.
Be3 {might be safest:} Bxd5 12. Qxd5 Bxe3 13. fxe3 (13. Qxa8+ Ke7 14. g3 {
- the only move -} Qg4 15. Qxh8 Nxg3 16. fxe3 Ne4+ 17. Kh1 Nf2+ 18. Rxf2 Qd1+
19. Kg2 Qg4+ {draws}) 13... O-O 14. Qxd7 $6 Rae8 15. Qxc7 Rc8 16. Qb7 Rxc2 {
when White must find} 17. Nc3 {to avoid immediate defeat.}) (11. Bxb7 Nxf2 12.
Rxf2 Bxf2+ 13. Kh1 Bg3 14. h3 Rb8 15. Bf3 O-O 16. Nd2 Bxe5 {is interesting.}))
(10... Nxf2 {(the main choice)} 11. Rxf2 Bxf2+ 12. Kxf2 Qh4+ 13. Kf1 {(forced)}
Bxd5 (13... Bc6 $5 {is interesting, although untried, the point being that
should White capture on c6 Black would be able to use the open d-file}) 14.
Qxd5 O-O 15. Nd2 {(the knight rushes over to help the king)} (15. h3 c6 16. Qb3
Rfe8 17. Nd2 Rxe5 18. Nf3 {, A.Thiyagarajah-M.McGuirk, Cammeray 2010, when} Qf6
19. Be3 Re4 {followed by ...Rae8 is promising}) 15... Qxh2 16. Nf3 Qh5 {
(Black pins the e-pawn)} (16... Qh1+ 17. Kf2 d6 {
is also possible, but White can continue his development by} 18. b3 {planning Bb2 which gains a tempo on the black queen, N.Speck-G.West, Melbourne 2002}) 17.
b3 (17. Be3 d6 18. Kf2 Rfe8 19. a4 {, V.Sareen-A.Stefanova, Moscow 2006,} Qf5
$1 20. axb5 Qxc2+ 21. Bd2 Qxb2 22. Rxa6 Rxa6 23. bxa6 Qb6+ {
picking up the a-pawn, and only Black can win this}) ({or} 17. a4 $5 c6 $5 18.
Qxd7 Rfd8 19. Qxc6 Rac8 20. Qe4 Rc4 21. Qe2 Qf5 22. c3 Rxa4 23. Rxa4 bxa4)
17... Rae8 (17... Qf5 $5) 18. Bb2 (18. Ba3 d6) 18... d6 19. Rd1 dxe5 20. Ba3 c6
$1 21. Qd7 {when Black decided to force a draw by} e4 22. Bxf8 exf3 23. Qxe8
Qh1+ 24. Kf2 Qxg2+ 25. Ke1 Qg1+ 26. Kd2 Qd4+ 27. Kc1 Qa1+ {
½-½ P.Haba-D.Gross, Czech League 2001.}))) (8. Bb3 {
transposes to a line in the Archangel which has been discarded, as} Bxd4 9.
Qxd4 d6 {is fine for Black. Very briefly:} 10. -- (10. f4 Nc6 11. Qc3 Bb7 12.
e5 Ne4 13. Qe3 Na5 14. Nd2 Nxb3 15. axb3 ({or} 15. cxb3 Nxd2 16. Bxd2 O-O 17.
Bc3 Qh4 18. Rae1 Rfe8 19. Qf2 Qxf2+ 20. Rxf2 dxe5 {
½-½, V.Anand-V.Topalov, Linares 1997}) 15... Nxd2 16. Bxd2 {
½-½ P.Svidler-A.Shirov, Groningen 1996.}) (10. c3 {
(giving the bishop an escape route as Black was threatening ...c5-c4)} c5 (
10... O-O) ({and} 10... Bb7 {are also fine}) 11. Qd1 ({or} 11. Qe3 O-O {
followed by ...Bb7, ...Re8}) 11... O-O 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 Ng6 14. Bxf6 Qxf6 15.
g3 Bh3 16. Re1 Ne5 {with advantage, G.Marin-R.Diaz, Caracas 1999.}))) (7. dxe5
axb5 8. exf6 Qxf6 {is the second alternative to the main 7 Be2. This was
popular nearly twenty years ago, but Black has the bishop pair and an open
a-file for his rook.} 9. Nc3 c6 {and now:} 10. -- (10. Qd3 O-O (10... d6 11.
Be3 Be6 $5 {is also interesting:} 12. Bxc5 dxc5 13. Qe3 Qd4 14. Qxd4 cxd4 15.
Ne2 Bc4 16. Rfe1 c5 {with an edge, W.Wittmann-D.Boros, Budapest 2012;}) ({
likewise} 10... b4 $5) 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. Qxe3 {with a further branch:} -- (12...
Re8 13. Qc5 (13. a3 d5 14. Rad1 Bf5 15. f3 Bg6 16. Qb6 dxe4 17. fxe4 Qe7 18.
Rd3 Rad8 {
was nice for Black in A.Gavrilov-E.Ovod, St Petersburg 2002, as e4 is weak})
13... d6 14. Qb4 Qf4 15. a3 $2 (15. Rad1 d5 16. Rfe1 Bg4 17. f3 Bh5 {is equal})
15... Re6 16. Rad1 $6 {lost quickly after} Rh6 17. g3 Qf3 18. Rd3 Qh5 19. h4 g5
{in J.Timman-A.Beliavsky, Linares 1993, but} 20. e5 d5 21. Qe7 {
would keep White fighting.}) (12... b4 13. Nd1 (13. e5 Qe7 14. Nd1 d5 15. exd6
Qxd6) 13... Re8 14. f3 d5 {
with an edge - Black has the better minor piece and a2 is exposed.})) ({
. I would meet} 10. e5 Qf5 11. Ne2 (11. Qd3 d5) {
, as in E.Berg-A.Antoniou, Bled 2002, with} 11... O-O $1 12. Bf4 (12. Nf4 d6
13. exd6 Rd8) 12... f6 {(exchanging the e-pawn)} 13. exf6 Qxf6 {
followed by ...d5 or ...d6 with an advantage.}) (10. Be3 {
(accepting a pawn weakness to exchange one of Black's bishops)} Bxe3 (10... d6
$5 11. Bxc5 dxc5 {is worth a try}) 11. fxe3 Qe7 (11... Qe5 12. Qd4 d6 13. a3 {
is equal, G.Kuzmin-A.Lokasto, Moscow 1992}) 12. Qd4 O-O 13. a3 d6 14. Rad1 Rd8
15. e5 d5 16. Qf4 Be6 {(Black has the superior pawn structure, and this should
count for something sooner or later)} 17. Rf2 Rd7 18. h3 h6 19. Kh2 Rf8 20. Ne2
Qd8 21. Nd4 Re7 22. c3 Qc7 23. Rdf1 Bc8 24. Nf3 Bd7 25. Kg1 Ra8 26. Rd1 Ra4 27.
Rd4 c5 28. Rxa4 bxa4 29. Rd2 Bc6 30. Kf2 Re6 31. Qh4 b5 32. Qf4 Qe7 33. Kg1 f6
34. exf6 {
(one weak e-pawn leaves the board... but there is another one right behind it!)
} Rxf6 35. Qb8+ Kh7 36. Re2 {, E.Vasiukov-A.Morozevich, Elista 1995. After a
good deal of quiet manoeuvring, it was probably time for a breakthrough:} d4 $1
37. Ne5 d3 $1 38. Nxd3 Bxg2 $1 39. Rxg2 Qxe3+ 40. Kh2 (40. Nf2 Qe1+ 41. Kh2
Rxf2) 40... Rf3 $1 41. Nf4 Qxf4+ 42. Qxf4 Rxf4 {
, although White has good chances to draw this anyway.})) 7... Nxe4 {
Now that the e-file is blocked Black can grab the e-pawn.} 8. dxc5 $1 (8. dxe5
d5 9. exd6 Qxd6 {is equal} (9... Bxd6 10. Nd2 Nxd2 11. Bxd2 O-O {
is also perfectly fine and has the merit of keeping the queens on the board}) {
:} 10. Qxd6 Nxd6 11. Nc3 (11. Bf4 Be6 12. Nd2 O-O-O 13. Nb3 Bb6 {
is even slightly better for Black, D.Ledger-R.James, British League 2003})
11... Be6 12. Bf4 O-O-O 13. Rad1 {½-½, M.Makropoulou-V.Misanovic, Pula
1990, although Black can continue here, of course, with} Rhe8 {.}) 8... Nxc5 {
. Black has won a pawn, but at the cost of the bishop pair and his development.
This line is risky, but can be rewarding - Black goes for the full point. Now
White has a choice between two sharp moves. Anything else and he will be a
pawn down for nothing.} 9. -- ({D1:} 9. b4) ({D2:} 9. Qd4 {. --- In the first
White plays for the initiative and a lead in development, and in the second he
regains his pawn immediately, but at the cost of his own development.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Classical Berlin"]
[Black "D1: 9 b4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. Nxe5 Nxe5 6. d4 a6 7. Be2 Nxe4 8.
dxc5 Nxc5 9. b4 Ne6 10. f4 {This line is tricky for Black. He has a pawn more
but White has the bishop pair and a lead in development.} (10. Bb2 {is mentioned in my copy of 'ECO C' and assessed as much better for White by Euwe, but I
can only assume this is an error, or that he overlooked that White was a whole
pawn down.} Ng6 {, stopping f4.}) 10... Nc6 {Forced.} 11. Bb2 ({
Ivan Sokolov suggests that} 11. f5 $5 {might be better, and I believe this was
even given as a refutation of 7...Nxe4 in Suetin's 'The Complete Spanish'.}
Ned4 (11... Qf6 $2 {is tempting, but loses:} 12. fxe6 Qxa1 13. exf7+ Kf8 14. c3
$1 Qxb1 15. Bd3 Qxa2 16. Re1 Qxf7 17. Rf1 Ne5 ({or} 17... d6 $2 18. Bc4 $1 {
1-0, L.Morin-B.Krikke, correspondence 1978}) 18. Bc4 $1 Nxc4 19. Rxf7+ Kxf7 20.
Qd5+ Kg6 21. Qe4+ Kf6 22. Qf4+ Ke7 23. Qh4+ Ke8 24. Qe4+ {
and wins, F.Epiney-M.Bulgarini Torres, correspondence 2003}) 12. f6 (12. Bb2 $5
Qf6 13. Kh1 O-O 14. Rf4 Qe5 15. Rxd4 Re8 16. Bf1 Nxd4 17. Bxd4 Qxf5 18. Bd3 {
is unclear, but probably a bit better for White}) 12... g6 (12... d5 $6 13. Bb2
Nf5 14. fxg7 Rg8 15. Bh5 d4 16. Re1+ Nce7 17. Nd2 Rxg7 18. Nf3 {
favours White who will regain his pawn after capturing on d4}) 13. c3 (13. a4
d5 14. Ba3 O-O $5 ({but} 14... Be6 15. b5 Nxe2+ 16. Qxe2 Nd4 {
-f5 is a solid alternative}) 15. b5 {, N.Coenen-P.Gruen, German League 1994,}
Re8 16. bxc6 Nxe2+ 17. Kh1 d4 {with complicated play}) 13... Ne6 {.} ({
. ROLL THE DICE!} 13... Nf5 $5 {
offers to sacrifice a piece for three pawns. After} 14. g4 Qxf6 15. gxf5 gxf5 {
the open white king position gives Black real practical chances.}) ({
. Returning to} 13... Ne6 14. Bh6 {. "White obviously has compensation. Is it
more?" - Ivan Sokolov. Let's have a look:} d6 ({or} 14... Ne5 $5 {
first, and then} 15. Na3 d5) (14... a5 15. b5 Ne5 {also has its points - Black
would like to continue ...d6, and then maybe ...b6 and ...Bb7 when his
queenside structure is solid}) 15. Nd2 Ne5 {
(trying to finish development by ...Bd7-c6, ...Qd7, etc.)} 16. Nc4 Nxc4 17.
Bxc4 c6 18. Qd2 d5 19. Bb3 a5 $5 {
. Black has yet to finish his development, but he still has a pawn more.}))
11... d5 {A natural move. Black aims to get on with his development, and the
pawn might provide a useful outpost for the black knight after f5, ...Ng5-e4.}
12. f5 ({After less forcing moves such as} 12. a3 {
(defending b4) Black should probably avoid castling kingside, but instead play}
Qd6 {(attacking f4 and preparing ...Bd7 and ...0-0-0)} 13. Qd2 h6 {
to have the g5-square available for the knight in case of f5.}) 12... Ng5 13.
c4 $1 {Opening the position for the white bishops while Black is behind in
development.} ({Other moves: --} 13. b5 axb5 14. Bxb5 f6 $5 ({rather than} 
14... Qd6 {, D.King-S.Ansell, British League 2006,} 15. Re1+) 15. Nc3 O-O 16.
Qxd5+ Nf7 {.}) ({The} 13. Qe1 {
of R.Pert-S.Ansell, Hastings 2006, should be met by} O-O $1 {as} 14. f6 Re8 15.
fxg7 $2 {is answered by} Bg4 {.}) (13. Bxg7 Rg8 14. f6 Be6 {
seems okay for Black, e.g.} 15. a3 Qd6 {and ...0-0-0.}) (13. f6 {
looks dangerous:} Rg8 $5 (13... g6 14. c4 Be6 15. cxd5 Qxd5 16. Qxd5 $1 Bxd5
17. Nc3 O-O-O 18. Rad1 {and White wins material, i.e.} Be6 19. h4) 14. c4 (14.
fxg7 d4) 14... d4 15. b5 axb5 16. cxb5 Ne5 17. Qxd4 Qxd4+ 18. Bxd4 gxf6 19.
Rxf6 Ng4 (19... Bg4 $5) 20. Bxg4 Bxg4 21. Nc3 O-O-O 22. Be5 Bh5 {
defending f7, and Black is fine.}) 13... d4 14. b5 (14. Nd2 {
(threatening to embarrass the g5-knight by h4)} f6 (14... O-O $5 15. h4 Nh3+
16. gxh3 Qxh4 {is rather more adventurous!}) 15. Bh5+ Nf7 16. Nf3 ({
regaining the pawn; if} 16. Qe2+ Nce5) 16... O-O 17. Nxd4 Nxd4 18. Bxd4 {
when Black should probably play} b6 {and ...Bb7.}) 14... axb5 15. cxb5 Ne7 16.
Bd3 h6 (16... f6 $1 {(I.Sokolov) is more solid. Not only does this move stop
the onward rush of White's f-pawn and blunt the b2-bishop's diagonal, it also
provides an outpost on e5.} 17. Nd2 O-O 18. Nb3 Kh8 19. Nxd4 c5 20. bxc6 Nxc6
21. Nxc6 bxc6 {and Black is fine.}) 17. Nd2 c5 18. bxc6 O-O $1 19. h4 (19. f6
Nxc6 20. fxg7 {is unpleasant.}) 19... Nh7 20. cxb7 Bxb7 21. f6 Nxf6 22. Rxf6
gxf6 23. Qg4+ Kh8 24. Bxd4 Nc6 {
, I.Salgado Lopez-F.Vallejo Pons, Pamplona 2008. Now} 25. Qf5 Qxd4+ 26. Kh1 {
forces Black to take a perpetual.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Classical Berlin"]
[Black "D2: 9 Qd4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. Nxe5 Nxe5 6. d4 a6 7. Be2 Nxe4 8.
dxc5 Nxc5 9. Qd4 d6 10. f4 Ng6 ({Not forced, as} 10... Ned7 {is also possible:}
11. Qxg7 Qf6 12. Qg3 Nb6 13. f5 $1 {
, but White is better here, D.Josenhans-C.Weldon, Long Island 1992.}) 11. Qxg7
Bf5 {Black must stop f5. Black intends to move his queen, castle queenside
(the king should be reasonably safe here) and then use the open g-file to
attack the white king.} 12. g4 {Critical.} ({The other possibilities: --} 12.
Nc3 {and now:} -- (12... Qh4 $6 {(aggressive, but faulty)} 13. Nd5 Ne6 14. Nf6+
$2 (14. Qc3 O-O-O 15. g3 {with advantage}) 14... Kd8 15. Qxf7 $2 (15. g3) 15...
Nd4 $1 16. Bc4 Rf8 17. Qd5 Qxf6 {
winning material in B.Szuk-N.Resika, Budapest 1999.}) (12... Ne6 13. Qh6 Rg8 {
is stronger, leaving the white queen offside:} 14. Rf2 c6 {
intending ...Qf6, ...0-0-0 and maybe ...d5 - Black has good counterplay.}) ({
. Even} 12... Qe7 {is better:} 13. Qd4 O-O-O {
transposing to the 12 Qd4 note below.})) (12. Bf3 {is Rybka's choice.} Qe7 13.
b4 ({"Black is fine in case of"} 13. Nc3 O-O-O 14. Nd5 Qe6 {- Ivan Sokolov})
13... Ne4 $1 {with:} 14. -- (14. Qd4 O-O-O ({or} 14... c5 15. Qc4 Nh4 {
- I.Sokolov}) {. Black has a useful lead in development, and need not fear} 15.
Qa7 $6 {as} Nh4 16. Qa8+ $2 Kd7 17. Qxb7 Rhg8 18. Qxa6 Rxg2+ $1 19. Bxg2 Rg8 {
wins.}) (14. g4 $2 O-O-O $1 ({even better than} 14... Bxg4 15. Bxg4 Nf6 {
which hits g4 and threatens to win the white queen:} 16. f5 (16. Bf3 $2 Rg8 {
wins,}) ({likewise} 16. Bd2 Rg8 17. Qxg8+ Nxg8 18. Re1 Ne5) 16... Rg8 17. Qxg8+
Nxg8 18. fxg6 hxg6 19. Bd2 Kf8 {- else Re1 -} 20. Bf3 Qh4 21. Nc3 Nf6 22. Rad1
Re8 {is very messy, but favours Black because of the relative security of the
two kings}) 15. Nd2 (15. gxf5 $2 Nh4 16. Kh1 Rhg8 17. Qd4 Ng3+ $1 18. hxg3 Rxg3
{"and Black wins" - Ivan Sokolov}) 15... Rhg8 16. Qh6 (16. Qd4 Nh4) 16... Qf6
17. Nb3 Nh4 18. Qxf6 Nxf3+ 19. Rxf3 Rxg4+ {wins a pawn.})) (12. Qd4 {
is sensible, bringing the queen back to the centre of the board.} Qe7 13. Nc3
O-O-O {with chances to both sides. For example,} 14. Bd2 (14. Be3 Nh4 15. b4
Rhg8 16. g3 Rde8 17. Bf2 $2 (17. Nd5 {was better}) 17... Na4 $1 18. Nxa4 Qxe2 {
and White is crushed:} 19. Qf6 Nf3+ 20. Kg2 Qe4 {
0-1 P.Sowray-S.Collins, Dublin 2012}) 14... d5 $1 15. Rae1 Ne6 16. Qa7 Qc5+ 17.
Qxc5 Nxc5 18. Bf3 Ne4 19. Bxe4 dxe4 {½-½ J.Gdanski-B.Grabarczyk, Brzeg
Dolny 1996 - equal pawns and opposite-coloured bishops.}) 12... Qe7 $1 13. gxf5
{"The proof of the pudding is in the eating." --- Anyway, the alternatives are
none too palatable.} (13. Re1 $6 O-O-O 14. gxf5 $2 {(one move too late!)} Rhg8
{(good, and winning)} ({but} 14... Qh4 $1 {is even stronger:} 15. Qc3 Ne4) 15.
Qxg8 Rxg8 16. fxg6 Rxg6+ 17. Kf1 Qh4 18. Bf3 Rg1+ $1 {
0-1 Y.Penas Hernandez-E.Ovod, Oropesa del Mar 1999, in view of} 19. Kxg1 Qxe1+
20. Kg2 Qxc1 {.}) ({b)} 13. Bf3 $5 O-O-O $5 (13... Be4 14. f5 Qe5 {
is perfectly satisfactory}) 14. gxf5 Nh4 (14... Rhg8 15. Qc3 Nh4+ 16. Kh1 {
transposes}) 15. Qc3 Rhg8+ 16. Kh1 Nxf5 {. White's queenside isn't
participating at all, but he is a piece up and with care might defend against
the attack:} 17. -- (17. Bd2 Ne4 18. Bxe4 Qxe4+ 19. Qf3 Qe6 {
threatening ...Ng3+.}) (17. Nd2 $6 Rde8 $1 {and White is lost, e.g.} 18. Nb3
Ne4 19. Bxe4 Qxe4+ 20. Rf3 Qxf3+ 21. Qxf3 Re1+ {.}) (17. Qe1 $1 Qd7 $1 {
(Black aims at h3 so that ...Ng3+ becomes a big threat once again)} 18. Rg1 Nd4
19. Qd1 (19. Qf2 Rxg1+ 20. Kxg1 Qe6) 19... Rxg1+ 20. Kxg1 Rg8+ 21. Kf2 Nxc2 $5
22. Qxc2 Qh3 23. Qe2 Qxh2+ 24. Ke1 Rg1+ 25. Kd2 Qxf4+ 26. Qe3 Qxe3+ 27. Kxe3
Rxc1 {. After the fireworks Black has four pawns for the piece, and the white
queenside is temporarily undeveloped, so I think Black should be better.})) (
13. Bd1 $6 O-O-O $1 14. gxf5 $2 {(losing, but White is in trouble anyway)} (14.
Qh6 {might be the best chance, but after} Bd7 {
Black will get a strong attack without having to sacrifice his bishop}) 14...
Rhg8 15. Qd4 (15. Qc3 Nh4+ 16. Kh1 Qe4+ 17. Bf3 Qxf5) 15... Nh4+ 16. Kh1 Nxf5
17. Qd5 {and here} Qd7 $3 {threatening ...Ng3+ is decisive.}) 13... Qxe2 14.
fxg6 Qg4+ 15. Kh1 O-O-O {
The critical position, White is on the edge of a precipice.} 16. Qd4 $1 {
The best. White brings the queen back into the action.} ({
The alternatives, from best to worst: --} 16. Nc3 {
is examined in the introductory game, Goloshchapov-Klip.}) (16. Nd2 $5 hxg6 17.
Qd4 Rh3 ({Black can also force a draw with} 17... Rxh2+ 18. Kxh2 Qh4+ 19. Kg2
Qg4+ {if he wants, as} 20. Kf2 Re8 21. Nf3 Ne4+ {
forces White to part with his queen:} 22. Qxe4 Rxe4 {etc.}) 18. Qg1 Qh5 19. Rf2
Rh8 {with a strong attack.}) (16. Be3 $2 {loses as it fails to control e4:} Ne4
$1 17. Nc3 Ng3+ 18. hxg3 Qh3+ 19. Kg1 Qxg3+ 20. Kh1 hxg6+ {and mate next go.})
(16. Qxf7 $4 hxg6 {(threatening mate with ...Rxh2+)} 17. Qf6 Qg3 {
and it's all over.}) 16... hxg6 {
Threatening ...Ne4-g3 as the white queen must control h8 to avoid ...Rxh2+.}
17. Nc3 (17. Qg1 $1 {might be the most accurate move, forcing the black queen
back and defending the h2-pawn.} Qf5 18. Nc3 Qxc2 $5 ({or} 18... Rh3 {
transposing below}) 19. Qg2 ({but} 19. f5 gxf5 20. Qf2 Qxf2 21. Rxf2 {
is possible when the white bishop can come to f4}) 19... Qf5 20. Be3 Nd3 21.
Rf3 Rh5 22. Rd1 Rdh8 23. Bg1 Nxf4 {
worked well in T.Bueno-J.Ledezma Alvarez, correspondence 2008.}) 17... Rh3 ({
If Black is happy with a draw then he can play the spectacular} 17... Rxh2+ $3
18. Kxh2 f6 $1 19. Qxf6 Re8 $1 {. It seems that White can't stop Black from
forcing a perpetual check, with either ...Re2+ or ...Nd7 followed by ...Qh4+.
For example:} 20. -- (20. Rg1 Re2+ 21. Nxe2 Qxe2+ {.}) (20. Bd2 Nd7 21. Qg7
Qh4+ 22. Kg2 Qg4+ {.}) (20. Be3 Rxe3 21. Qh8+ Kd7 22. f5 Qg3+ 23. Kh1 Qg4 24.
Kh2 Qg3+ {.}) (20. Rf2 {is no improvement:} Nd7 21. Qg7 Qh4+ 22. Kg2 Qg4+ 23.
Kf1 Qh3+ 24. Rg2 Qh1+ 25. Kf2 Qh4+ {etc. I can take no credit for this
analysis - it was discovered by Houdini when I left it running on my machine a
while, thus completely justifying some of its hype.} (25... --))) 18. Qg1 $1 (
18. Be3 {is natural, but Black gets good chances by playing} Ne6 19. Qd2 Ng7 $1
20. Rf2 Nf5 {: for instance,} 21. Rg2 Qh5 22. Bd4 Nh4 {.}) 18... Qf5 (18... Qh5
{is answered by} 19. f5 $1 {as shown by Morss on the ChessPub.com Forum:} Rh8
20. Rf2 gxf5 21. Bf4 Ne6 22. Ne2 {.}) 19. Qg5 {Also mentioned by Morss.} (19.
Rf2 Rdh8 20. Qg5 {is another possibility:} Qd7 21. Bd2 Ne6 22. Qd5 c6 23. Qe4 {
, but Black gets adequate play by} f5 24. Qg2 Nd4 {.}) 19... Qxc2 20. Qg4+ {
The point of White's play, forcing the exchange of queens.} Qf5 21. Qxf5+ gxf5
{Reaching an endgame where Black has only two pawns for the piece, but the
advance of the d-pawn and activity of his pieces should be sufficient. For
example:} 22. Bd2 d5 23. Kg2 Rdh8 24. Rh1 d4 25. Ne2 Ne4 26. Rad1 c5 {And now}
27. Ng3 {can be answered by} Rxg3+ $1 28. hxg3 Rxh1 29. Rxh1 (29. Kxh1 $4 Nf2+)
29... Nxd2 30. Rh6 Ne4 31. Rh5 Nd6 32. g4 {(else Black could well be better;
he will advance his king and then his queenside majority)} Nc4 33. Kf3 Nxb2 34.
Rxf5 c4 {, which is probably level, as White will have to swap his rook for
the knight and two passed pawns.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3. Classical Berlin: 5 c3"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "10"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 {. White prepares to expand
with d4, simultaneously hitting the c5-bishop. Not only is this move the
strongest and most logical, it's also by far the most common!} -- (5... -- {
Summary: -- Once White constructs his strong centre by c3 and d4 Black must
play accurately to avoid obtaining a passive position. Nevertheless, with the
exception of a few variations where White keeps a small plus Black's chances
are very good, and once he frees the g1-a7 diagonal for his dark-squared
bishop he can look forward to plenty of tactical opportunities. --- I very
much like the key ...Nd8-e6-f4 manoeuvre which I believe resuscitates his
chances in the main line.}) *

[Event "Voronezh"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2008.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Zinchenko, Y."]
[Black "Chuprov, D."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2008.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 Bb6 7. Bg5 d6 8. Qd3
{Defending both d4 and e4, and preparing to develop the queen's knight to d2
with a harmonious setup. This is generally considered White's strongest.} Qe7 {
The queen defends e5, stops White from exchanging queens, and frees the
'problem' c6-knight from its defensive duties so that it can relocate to a
better square.} 9. Re1 (9. Nbd2 {
is the main line, and is examined in the 'Looking a Little Deeper' section.})
9... Nd8 $1 {This strange knight move is also recommended in the main line,
but is even stronger here for tactical reasons. Rather than wait for White to
capture on c6, the knight aims for the e6-square where it will not only attack
the g5-bishop (which is why Black deferred ...h6), but also d4, and if it gets
to f4 or c5 it will gain a tempo on the white queen.} 10. Bh4 {
The bishop moves before being shoved.} ({Alternatively: --} 10. d5 {
(K.Quecke-A.Otto, Jena 1953) should be answered by} h6 11. Bh4 {
, but now Black might as well play} g5 $1 {
immediately, as the normal 'refutation'} 12. Nxg5 $2 (12. Bg3 {
is better, of course, but} Nh5 13. Nbd2 a6 14. Ba4 f5 {is a dream for Black})
12... hxg5 13. Bxg5 {fails this time because of the tactic} Bxf2+ $1 14. Kxf2
Ng4+ 15. Kg1 Qxg5 {winning - note this only occurs when the rook is on e1.}) (
10. Nh4 $5 {of Y.Solodovnichenko-L.Winants, French League 2007, is interesting,
but leaves the knight loose and offside. I think the simplest is} h6 {
, for instance} 11. Bd2 ({or} 11. Be3 c6 12. Ba4 d5 13. Nf5 Bxf5 14. exf5 e4)
11... c6 12. Ba4 Re8 ({or} 12... d5 $5 13. exd5 e4 14. dxc6 Nxc6) 13. Na3 d5 ({
or} 13... Bc7 {, planning ...d5}) 14. exd5 e4 15. Qf1 Nxd5 {.}) 10... Ne6 $1 {
Anyway!} 11. Bg3 (11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Nxe5 $2 {loses to} Nf4 {
and ...Qxe5, of course.}) 11... Nh5 12. dxe5 dxe5 13. Bxe5 Rd8 14. Qe2 Nef4 {
DANGEROUS WEAPON! The black knight hops from an exposed square on c6, first to
d8 then e6 and finally f4. White (a strong grandmaster) is probably already
lost after just 14 moves despite having only made 'normal' moves!} 15. Bxf4 (15.
Qf1 Bg4 {is very unpleasant.}) 15... Nxf4 16. Qc2 Bg4 17. Be2 Bxf3 $1 18. Bxf3
Qg5 (18... Rd3 $1 {might be even more accurate, threatening ...Rxf3.}) 19. g3
Rd3 $1 {And White is lost.} 20. Bh1 $6 Rxg3+ $1 {Forcing mate.} 21. hxg3 Qxg3+
22. Kf1 Qh2 0-1

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 c3 Classical Berlin"]
[Black "Looking a Little Deeper"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "13"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 (6. Re1 d6 7. d4 {
transposes to 7 Re1, below.}) (6. d3 {is very rare here. White will prepare d4,
but as he can play it immediately this doesn't make a lot of sense to me.} d6
7. Nbd2 a6 8. Ba4 Ba7 {and the bishop gets to the nice square on a7, instead
of the more exposed b6 in the main line. Black continues ...Ne7-g6 next, with
a good position.}) 6... Bb6 {The bishop can retreat here immediately. Black is
not worried about White capturing on e5 as he can answer by taking on e4. ---
Now White normally chooses between three lines, of which the last is critical:}
7. -- ({A:} 7. Re1) ({B:} 7. dxe5) ({C:} 7. Bg5) ({
Other moves tend to be inferior, or will transpose: --} 7. Qd3 {
(this seems inaccurate here)} d5 $5 ({or} 7... d6 8. Bg5 {
which would transpose to 7 Bg5 d6 8 Qd3 - Variation C3}) 8. Bxc6 (8. dxe5 $6
dxe4 9. Qxd8 Rxd8 10. exf6 exf3 {favours Black:} 11. fxg7 Ne5 12. Bf4 {
, P.Wells-M.Adams, London 2008,} fxg2 13. Kxg2 Ng6 {, when} 14. Bh6 $2 {
loses to} Nh4+ 15. Kh1 Bf5) ({meanwhile} 8. exd5 $6 {is met by} e4 9. Qd1 Qxd5)
8... bxc6 9. Nxe5 Nxe4 ({ROLL THE DICE! After} 9... c5 $5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11.
exd5 Re8 ({or} 11... Qd6 $5 12. Nf3 Ba6 13. c4 c6) 12. Nf3 Qxd5 13. Qxd5 Nxd5 {
Black's activity provides more than enough compensation for the pawn}) 10. Nd2
(10. Nxc6 $5 {is risky:} Qf6 ({or} 10... Qd6 11. Ne5 f6 12. Nf3 c5) 11. Ne5 c5
$1 12. Nd2 cxd4 13. cxd4 Bf5 14. Nxe4 dxe4 (14... Bxe4 $5 15. Qg3 Qe6 16. Be3
Rac8) 15. Qd1 Qe6 16. b3 Rad8 {
with good compensation for the pawn, K.Starp-F.Levin, Recklinghausen 2000})
10... Bf5 11. Qf3 {. So far this is J.Ehlvest-N.Short, Belgrade 1989. Now} Nxd2
12. Bxd2 Be4 13. Qg3 f6 (13... c5 {is also good}) 14. Nxc6 Qd7 15. Nb4 a5 16.
Nd3 Qb5 17. Bh6 Rf7 18. Rad1 Bxd3 19. Rxd3 Qxb2 {is equal.}) (7. a4 {. This is 
a common theme in the Classical, threatening to win a piece by Bxc6 and a5 of
course.} a5 {and now:} 8. -- (8. Bg5 d6 {
transposes to 7 Bg5 d6 8 a4 a5 in Variation C2.}) (8. Re1 d6 {
transposes to 7 Re1 d6 8 a4 a5 in Variation A.}) (8. Na3 exd4 9. e5 Ne4 10.
cxd4 d5 11. Be3 {, N.Karaklajic-J.Fichtl, Vienna 1957,} f5 ({or} 11... Bg4) 12.
exf6 Qxf6 {with active play.}) (8. Nbd2 exd4 9. e5 Nd5 10. cxd4 d6 11. Nc4 Bg4
12. h3 Bh5 13. exd6 cxd6 14. Bg5 f6 15. Bh4 Bc7 16. Bg3 Rc8 17. Re1 Ndb4 {
was very comfortable for Black in G.Kamsky-M.Adams, Wijk aan Zee 2009.}) (8.
dxe5 Nxe4 9. Qd5 Nc5 {
should be compared with the same line without a4 and ...a5.} 10. Bg5 Ne7 11.
Qd1 Ne4 12. Bh4 d5 13. Nbd2 c6 14. Bd3 Bf5 15. Qc2 Nxd2 16. Bxf5 Nxf3+ 17. gxf3
Kh8 18. f4 Qc7 {is identical to the 7 dxe5 main line in Variation B, with the
exception of the advanced a-pawns, which changes next-to-nothing.} 19. Bxh7 $2
{(but this is different; A.Gubajdullin-A.Kuznetsov, Krasnodar 2004)} g6 {
and White loses a piece. He regains it after} 20. Qd3 Kxh7 21. Qh3 Qc8 22. e6
Qxe6 23. Qxe6 fxe6 24. Bxe7 {, but} Rxf4 {wins a pawn for Black!})) (7. d5 {
is a positional concession, taking more space but opening the g1-a7 diagonal
for the black bishop.} Ne7 {with three main possibilities:} 8. -- (8. Nxe5 Nxe4
9. Bd3 (9. Nc4 $2 Bxf2+ $1 10. Rxf2 Nxf2 11. Kxf2 a6 {
wins material, L.Betko-L.Dworakowski, Bratislava 1993}) 9... d6 10. Nf3 (10.
Nc4 Nxf2 $5 ({Black can also play} 10... Nc5 11. Nxb6 axb6 12. Bc2 Bf5) 11.
Rxf2 Bxf2+ 12. Kxf2 Nxd5 13. Qf3 Qh4+ 14. Qg3 Qxg3+ 15. hxg3 Nf6 16. Ne3 {
, R.Erler-W.Wernert, German League 2000,} d5 {with perhaps an edge to Black})
10... Nf6 11. c4 Bg4 12. Nbd2 Qd7 13. Qc2 Ng6 14. Ng5 Rae8 {
(Black simply develops his pieces, which is often a sound policy!)} 15. Nde4
Nxe4 16. Nxe4 Ne5 17. Nc3 f5 $5 (17... Nxd3 18. Qxd3 Qf5 $1 19. Qxf5 Bxf5 20.
b3 Bd3 21. Rd1 Be2 $1 22. Re1 Bxc4 $1 {wins a pawn}) 18. Be3 $6 Ba5 19. Rae1
Nxd3 20. Qxd3 f4 21. Bd4 f3 22. Re3 Bh5 23. Rfe1 $4 Qg4 24. g3 Bg6 25. h3 Qxg3+
$1 {0-1 S.Fishburne-L.Trent, British League 2004.}) (8. Re1 d6 {and now:} 9. --
(9. Bd3 Ng4 $1 10. Be3 (10. Re2 f5 {is the dangerous point}) 10... Nxe3 11.
fxe3 f5 $1 12. Nbd2 a6 13. Kh1 f4 ({or} 13... Qe8 {-h5}) 14. exf4 Rxf4 15. g3
Rf6 16. Ng1 c6 17. c4 Bd4 18. Rb1 Qb6 19. Nb3 Bf2 20. Rf1 Bd7 21. Be2 Raf8 22.
Kg2 $2 Qe3 {(winning)} 23. Nf3 Rxf3 24. Bxf3 Rxf3 {
0-1 E.Nash-V.Guala, Cleveland 1957, as} 25. Qxf3 Bh3+ {.}) (9. Bg5 $6 {and:} --
(9... Ng6 {(natural)} 10. Nbd2 h6 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. Rxe3 $6 (12. fxe3) 12... Ng4
$1 13. Re1 c6 $1 14. dxc6 Qb6 15. Qe2 {, H.Henkes-F.Mayer, Dresden 2001,} Nf4
16. Qf1 Nxf2 17. Qxf2 Qxb5 {
with the threat of taking on b2, c6 and the fork ...Nd3.}) ({
. ROLL THE DICE! Black can play even more dynamically after 9 Bg5 with} 9...
Ng4 10. Re2 f6 11. Bh4 g5 12. Bg3 f5 $1 {, i.e.} 13. h3 fxe4 14. Rxe4 Nf6 15.
Re2 Nh5 16. Bh2 Bxh3 {which looks winning.}))) (8. Bd3 d6 {and now:} 9. -- (9.
Bg5 $6 {is a waste of time here, as after} Ng6 {White has no retreat square on
the h4-d8 diagonal after Black's coming ...h6, and} 10. Nh4 {doesn't help:} h6
{(anyway!)} 11. Nxg6 fxg6 {. --- DANGEROUS WEAPON! If now} 12. Bh4 $4 {then} g5
13. Bg3 {, S.Schmidt-R.Sutterer, Kehl 1989,} h5 $1 {and White is quite lost:}
14. h3 ({or} 14. h4 Ng4 15. hxg5 Qxg5) 14... h4 15. Bh2 g4 16. hxg4 {
(hopeless, but otherwise ...g3, of course)} Nxg4 {
and f2 falls - a triumph for Black's dark-squared bishop!}) (9. Nbd2 a6 10. Nc4
Ba7 11. Be3 b5 $1 12. Na3 Bxe3 13. fxe3 {, J.Bibiloni-O.Ossa, Cali 2007,} c6
14. dxc6 Qb6 15. Qe2 Qxc6 {with an obvious advantage.}) (9. h3 Ng6 10. a4 a6 (
10... c6) 11. Na3 ({or} 11. b4 Qe7 12. Na3 Nh5 13. Nc4 Ba7 14. Be3 Bxe3 15.
fxe3 Ng3 16. Rf2 f5 17. exf5 Bxf5 18. Bxf5 Rxf5 19. Qc2 Raf8 {
and White is in big trouble;} 20. e4 {
is forced, K.Fels-W.Ziltener, Bad Wörishofen 2000, and now} Rxf3 $5 21. Rxf3
Rxf3 22. gxf3 Qg5 {is fun}) 11... Nh5 $5 ({or} 11... Qe7 12. Nc4 Ba7 {
followed by ...Nh5-f4, ...f5, etc.}) 12. Nc4 Ba7 13. Nfxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Ng3
15. Nf3 $5 (15. Re1 dxe5 16. Be3 {
would regain the piece, with near equality after} Qh4 17. Bxa7 Rxa7 18. fxg3
Qxg3 {and a sure draw after} 19. Kh1 Bxh3 20. gxh3 Qxh3+) 15... Nxf1 16. Kxf1 {
, D.Bocina-B.Jukic, Pula 1992, and now} f5 $1 {.}))) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 c3 Classical Berlin"]
[Black "A: 7 Re1"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 Bb6 7. Re1 d6 8. h3 {
By far the most popular move at this juncture. White stops ...Bg4 and ...Ng4
and thus prepares to put his dark-squared bishop on e3.} ({Other tries: --} 8.
a4 {. BEWARE! White threatens to trap the bishop by Bxc6 and a5.} a5 9. h3 {:}
-- ({. BEWARE! With the a-pawns advanced, our favourite manoeuvre} 9... Ne7 $6
10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Nxe5 Nxe4 13. Rxe4 Rd1+ 14. Kh2 Bf5 (14... Rxc1
$2 15. Nd3 $1) 15. Nd2 Bxe4 16. Nxe4 {
is now good for White as the b5-bishop is defended!}) ({. Black has an extra
possibility here that he doesn't have in lines without a4 and ...a5: he can
capture on d4 and then put his knight on the hole created on b4. After} 9... h6
{there is a further sub-division:} 10. -- (10. Na3 exd4 11. cxd4 d5 (11... Nb4
{is also perfectly reasonable, of course}) 12. e5 (12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Nc4 Ncb4
14. Nxb6 {, Ye Jiangchuan-Peng Xiaomin, Beijing 2000, and now} Nxb6 15. Bf4 Bf5
16. Rc1 c6 {with a pleasant IQP position}) 12... Ne4 13. Nc2 ({or} 13. Bxc6 $6
bxc6 14. Be3 {, C.Radovici-W.Pietzsch, Sofia 1967,} f5 15. exf6 Qxf6 {
menacing ...Bxh3}) 13... Ne7 14. Ne3 {, A.Galkin-L.Winants, Internet 2007,} Nf5
15. Nxf5 Bxf5 {with the nice pawn levers ...f6 and ...c5.}) (10. Bxc6 $6 {
(a common ploy that weakens Black's queenside structure)} bxc6 11. dxe5 dxe5
12. Qxd8 Rxd8 13. Nbd2 ({if} 13. Nxe5 $2 Nxe4 {in view of} 14. Rxe4 Rd1+ 15.
Kh2 Rxc1) 13... Nd7 $1 {when ...f6 followed by ...Nc5 was a menace, aiming for
the weak light squares on d3 and b3, and Black was doing fine in the endgame
in K.Georgiev-M.Mitkov, Istanbul Olympiad 2000.}) (10. dxe5 {
should often be answered by} Nxe5 $1 {leaving the b5-bishop misplaced:} 11.
Nxe5 ({or} 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. Rxe3 c6 13. Bf1 Nxf3+ 14. Qxf3 Qb6 15. Nd2 {
, B.Lengyel-H.Hecht, Balatonlelle 2004, when} Be6 {was probably the simplest})
11... dxe5 12. Qe2 Be6 {, S.Pimankin-D.Frolov, Novosibirsk 2003. Black stands
well, although the pawn structure is symmetric and so the game is a bit
drawish.}) (10. Be3 {and now:} -- ({. ROLL THE DICE!} 10... Nxe4 $5 {
is not really a blunder here, as} 11. d5 Bxe3 12. Rxe3 Nxf2 13. Kxf2 Ne7 14.
Bc4 c6 {is actually quite tricky: Black menaces ...Nf5 and ...Qb6+.}) (10...
exd4 11. cxd4 Nb4 12. Nc3 d5 ({or} 12... c6 $5 13. Bd3 {
, T.Kokkila-E.Ovod, Finnish League 2007,} Be6 14. Rc1 Re8) 13. e5 Ne4 14. Nd2 {
is nothing for White:} f5 $5 (14... Nxd2 15. Qxd2 Bf5 16. Rac1 c6 {
is simple and good}) 15. Ndxe4 fxe4 {
is equal, E.Van den Doel-I.Sokolov, Rotterdam 1999.})))) (8. Bxc6 {is nothing:}
bxc6 9. dxe5 (9. h3 {is better:} exd4 10. cxd4 {
, B.Anhchimeg-Li Ruofan, Ulaanbaatar 2002,} h6 11. Nc3 Re8 {
, but Black is fine with his bishop pair and open files for his rooks}) 9...
Ng4 $1 ({of course} 9... dxe5 {is perfectly alright:} 10. Qxd8 Rxd8 11. Bg5 ({
not} 11. Nxe5 $2 Nxe4 {when White has to defend f2 by} 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. fxe3)
11... h6 12. Bh4 Re8 {, L.Bartek-P.Palider, Slovakian League 2009}) {and now:}
10. -- ({. DANGEROUS WEAPON!} 10. Re2 {could be met by} Ba6 $5 ({the simple} 
10... Nxe5 11. Nxe5 dxe5 12. Qc2 f5 {is fine for Black}) 11. Rd2 Re8 12. a4 f5
$5 ({or} 12... d5 13. a5 Bxf2+ $1 14. Rxf2 dxe4) {
with a powerful initiative, e.g.} 13. exf6 Qxf6 14. h3 Nxf2 15. Rxf2 Bxf2+ 16.
Kxf2 Rxe4 {.}) (10. Be3 Bxe3 11. fxe3 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 dxe5 {
with the better minor piece, A.Kobalc-J.Garmendia, correspondence 1994.})) (8.
Bg5 {transposes to 7 Bg5 d6 8 Re1, Variation C.}) 8... Ne7 $5 9. dxe5 {
The alternatives are preferable.} (9. Nbd2 c6 {and now:} 10. -- (10. Bf1 $1 {
. White might want to play g3 to keep a black knight out of f4.} Ng6 11. Nc4
Bc7 12. dxe5 ({A positional concession, swapping d-pawns, but if, say,} 12. a4
{then Black can play the standard idea} exd4 13. cxd4 Re8 14. Bd3 d5 15. exd5
Rxe1+ 16. Qxe1 Nxd5 {.}) 12... dxe5 13. Qc2 {. The position is dull and
symmetric, which is not really what Black wants, but White's first move should
count for something.} ({alternatively,} 13. Bg5 h6 ({or} 13... Qe7 14. Qc2 h6 {
to keep queens on}) 14. Qxd8 Rxd8 15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. g3 {
, V.Vltavsky-V.Kovar, Czech League 2002, when} Be6 {is equal - the doubled
f-pawns are easily defended and can be liquidated by a well-timed ...f5}) 13...
h6 14. b3 {- the only move that causes Black problems. White wants to play Ba3
and then put a piece on d6.} ({instead} 14. Be3 {
, S.Smagin-C.Navrotescu, Biel 1990,} Qe7 {with equality}) 14... Be6 (14... b5
$6 15. Rd1 Qe7 16. Ne3 a6 17. a4 {with a small advantage, J-N.Riff-A.Kosten,
Belfort 2012 - Black should avoid giving White a queenside target like this.})
(14... b6 $5 {is possible, though.}) 15. Ba3 Re8 16. Rad1 Qb8 {
. This was suggested by Philipp Schlosser. Now} 17. Nd6 (17. Rd2 a5) 17... Rd8
{(fighting for d6)} 18. Nf5 Rxd1 19. Rxd1 Qe8 {
and ...Rd8 with a solid position for Black.}) (10. Bd3 Ng6 11. Nc4 Bc7 12. a4
Re8 13. dxe5 ({or} 13. Qc2 {
, A.Forgacs-G.Kende, Hungarian League 1999, when the simplest is} exd4 14. cxd4
d5) 13... dxe5 {
and play is equal. T.Szegi-V.Kalisky, Slovakian League 2009, continued} 14. a5
h6 15. Be3 Be6 16. Qc2 Nh5 17. Red1 Qf6 18. Nh2 Ngf4 (18... Nhf4 $1) 19. Ng4
Qg6 20. f3 $4 Nxd3 21. Qxd3 Rad8 {0-1, as White loses a piece after} 22. Qe2
Ng3 23. Qe1 Bxc4 24. Qxg3 h5 {.})) (9. Bg5 Ng6 {(now ...h6 will kick the
bishop away and break the pin as h4 is no longer available for the bishop)} 10.
Nbd2 ({or} 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Nbd2 {
, P.Ostojic-H.Hahne, Hamburg 1981, and it's probably a good time for} h6 13.
Bxf6 gxf6 {since White can't stop ...Nf4 here with g3 as the h-pawn is loose})
10... h6 11. Be3 c6 12. Bf1 Be6 {
with a quick draw, A.Ruiz Bravo-R.Minguez Rodriguez, Terrassa 1996.}) (9. Na3
c6 10. Bf1 Ng6 11. Nc4 {transposes to 9 Nbd2.}) 9... dxe5 10. Qxd8 ({Or} 10.
Nbd2 Ng6 {with a likely transposition above.}) 10... Rxd8 11. Nxe5 $2 {
DANGEROUS WEAPON! Following a series of fairly natural moves, White grabs a
pawn and immediately falls prey to a tactic based on Black's active dark-squared
bishop.} (11. Nbd2 c6 12. Bf1 Ng6 13. Nc4 Bc7 14. Bg5 Be6 15. Ne3 Rd7 16. Bxf6
gxf6 {is nice for Black, E.Torre-L.Kavalek, Biel 1977.}) 11... Nxe4 $1 12. Rxe4
(12. Be3 Bxe3 13. fxe3 $4 {is even worse:} Rd5 {
forking two minor pieces, W.Carl-T.Bittner, Baden 1995.}) 12... Rd1+ 13. Kh2
Bf5 $1 14. Re2 (14. Nd2 Bxe4 15. Nxe4 Rd5 {forks b5 and e5 again:} 16. f4 Rxb5
17. c4 Rb4 {and Black wins, B.Nielsen-O.Krause, Copenhagen 1934.}) 14... Rxc1 {
, J.Lenz-C.Costello, Bad Homburg 2010. After} 15. Nd3 Bxd3 16. Bxd3 Rd8 {
White will find it very difficult to unpin his knight, and} 17. Rxe7 $2 {
loses to} Kf8 18. Re2 Rxd3 {.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 c3 Classical Berlin"]
[Black "B: 7 dxe5"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 Bb6 7. dxe5 {
This is the third most popular move by a very long way, although it seems
funny to go to all the trouble of forming a strong centre with c3 and d4 and
then immediately dissolve it.} Nxe4 8. Qd5 {The only move that hinders Black
from playing ...d5, when he would equalize immediately.} ({Some examples: --} 
8. Qc2 d5 9. exd6 ({or} 9. Nbd2 f5) 9... Nxd6 10. Bd3 h6 11. Nbd2 Re8 {
. The lack of central pawns makes these positions a little drawish, but
otherwise Black has active pieces, a slight development advantage, and plenty
of reasons to be happy. For example:} 12. -- (12. Nc4 $6 {
(White is too keen on exchanges)} Nxc4 13. Bxc4 Qf6 14. Be3 Bf5 15. Bd3 Bxd3
16. Qxd3 {, A.Kornev-A.Kuznesov, Kiselevsk 2011,} Rad8 17. Qb5 a6 18. Qb3 Bxe3
19. fxe3 Na5 {with a clear plus.}) (12. b3 Qf6 13. Ba3 Bg4 14. Rae1 Ne5 15.
Rxe5 (15. Nxe5 Rxe5 16. Bxd6 $2 Bxf2+) 15... Rxe5 16. Bxd6 cxd6 17. Nxe5 dxe5 {
is equal, D.Keller-B.Spassky, Zurich 1984.})) (8. Bd3 {is similar:} d5 9. exd6
Nxd6 10. Bg5 (10. Qc2 {transposes to 8 Qc2}) 10... f6 11. Bf4 Bg4 $5 ({or} 
11... Bf5 12. Na3 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Nf7 {
with equality, H.Pilnik-J.Fichtl, Marianske Lazne 1956}) 12. Nbd2 g5 $5 (12...
Qd7 13. Qc2 g6 {is more circumspect}) 13. Bxd6 Qxd6 14. Qc2 Kg7 $5 (14... Qd7)
15. Bf5 ({D.Bronstein-B.Spassky, Mar del Plata 1960, but} 15. h3 $1 {
seems stronger, as} Bxh3 16. gxh3 Qg3+ 17. Kh1 Qxh3+ 18. Nh2 Ne5 19. Bf5 {
defends}) 15... Bxf5 16. Qxf5 Rad8 17. Rad1 Qd5 {with an edge.}) (8. Nbd2 d5 {
and now:} 9. -- (9. Qe2 Bf5 ({the aggressive} 9... f5 {
is also worth consideration}) 10. Nb3 Bg4 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Be3 Re8 13. h3 Bxf3
$5 (13... Bh5 14. g4 Bg6 {is clearly good}) 14. gxf3 (14. Qxf3 Rxe5) 14... Bxe3
15. fxe4 $6 (15. Qxe3 Nd6 {is only slightly better for Black}) {
, F.Cuijpers-R.Ris, Netherlands League 2011, when} 15... Bb6 16. exd5 Qg5+ {
looks winning.}) (9. Bxc6 $6 bxc6 {. Now ...Ba6 is a threat, so} 10. Nxe4 dxe4
11. Nd4 (11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Ng5 Bf5 {and ...h6}) 11... c5 {
(closing the b6-bishop's diagonal)} 12. Nc2 Ba6 13. Re1 Qxd1 14. Rxd1 Bd3 15.
Ne1 c4 {and now re-opening the g1-a7 diagonal with a clear advantage, O.Guenthner-R.Sutterer, Lauda 1986.}) (9. exd6 Nxd6 10. Bd3 Re8 {when} 11. Qc2 {
transposes to 8 Qc2.})) 8... Nc5 {From here the knight can either go to e6 or
return to e4, depending on White's play.} 9. Bg5 {By far the most popular move.
Against this and most of the other moves Black will generally play ...Ne7 to
drive the queen home, then ...Ne4 followed by ...d5} (9. b4 Ne7 10. Qd1 Ne4 11.
Bd3 (11. a4 {, R.Mateo-L.Winants, Thessaloniki 1988, is best met by} a5 12. Bd3
d5) 11... d5 {(the standard recipe)} 12. Qc2 ({or} 12. exd6 Nxd6 13. c4 c5 14.
a3 Bf5 15. Bb2 Rc8 16. b5 Ng6 17. Re1 Ba5 18. Nc3 Nf4 {
, S.Schmidt Schaeffer-A.Alawieh, Cannes 1995}) 12... f5 (12... Bf5 13. Nbd2
Nxd2 14. Bxd2 Qd7 {is simple, and equal}) 13. exf6 ({or} 13. c4 {
, M.Zembrzuska-J.Paprocki, Poland 2007,} Nc6 14. a3 Nd4 15. Nxd4 Bxd4 16. Bb2
Bxb2 17. Qxb2 Be6) 13... Nxf6 14. Bg5 h6 15. Bh4 a5 16. Nbd2 axb4 17. cxb4 Nc6
{with the usual active pieces in E.Mnatsakanian-M.Mukhitdinov, Soviet Union
1962.}) (9. Be3 {(threatening the knight)} Ne7 10. Qd1 c6 (10... d5 11. exd6
cxd6 12. Nbd2 a6 {is fine if you're happy playing IQP positions}) 11. Bc4 d5
12. exd6 Nf5 13. Bf4 Ne4 {(regaining the pawn)} 14. Nbd2 Nfxd6 15. Nxe4 (15.
Bd3 Nc5 16. Bc2 {, A.Demianjuk-E.Ovod, St Petersburg 2011,} Bf5 {equal}) 15...
Nxe4 (15... Nxc4 $5 {grabs the bishop pair:} 16. Qe2 Qd5 17. Rad1 Qf5 {
- the tactical point -} 18. Bg3 Be6 {and Black is fine}) 16. Qe2 (16. Qxd8 $1
Rxd8 17. Rae1 {is a little awkward}) 16... Bf5 (16... Re8 17. Ne5 Nd6) 17. Rad1
{, C.Kleijn-M.Bosman, Netherlands League 2010,} Qf6 18. Be5 Qg6 19. Nh4 Qg5 20.
Nxf5 Qxf5 21. Bd4 Rae8 {with active play.}) (9. Na3 {has a very good pedigree,
having attracted the attention of a number of very strong players.} d6 $5 ({
as in the other lines,} 9... Ne7 10. Qd1 Ne4 11. Bd3 d5 {
is also more than adequate:} 12. exd6 Nxd6 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bh4 Ndf5 15. Bg3 Nxg3
16. hxg3 Nf5 {, A.Shirov-V.Topalov, Sofia 2009}) 10. Bg5 (10. exd6 Be6 11. Qh5
Qxd6 {is nothing for White}) 10... Be6 $1 11. Qd1 Qd7 12. exd6 cxd6 13. Nc2 a6
{. Black has a fair IQP position, as soon as he plays ...d5, although he never
actually did in E.Inarkiev-D.Svetushkin, Moscow 2009.}) (9. Bf4 $5 {. Sokolov wrote that he thought this move was "interesting". White hinders Black from
playing his freeing ...d5 move, but now Black can gain time with ...Ne6
instead.} Ne7 {and now:} 10. -- (10. Qd1 Ne6 11. Bg3 Nf5 12. Na3 Bc5 13. Nc2 d5
14. exd6 (14. Qd2 {, A.Stripunsky-S.Barbeau, Montreal 2004, can be answered by}
Bb6 {intending ...Nc5-e4}) 14... Nxg3 15. hxg3 Bxd6 ({or} 15... Qxd6 16. Qxd6
Bxd6 {transposing directly to the Rijnaarts-Bosman game, below}) 16. Ncd4 Ng5 (
16... Qf6 {is more natural}) 17. Nh4 $6 Qf6 18. Bd3 g6 19. Nb5 $6 {. --- DANGEROUS WEAPON! White is trying to prove some advantage, but Black's dark-squared
bishop returns to its preferred diagonal with devastating consequences:} Bc5 $1
20. Nxc7 $2 Qd6 $1 {(the point!)} 21. Nxa8 Qxg3 {
and wins, D.Yanofsky-E.Macskasy, Vancouver 1961.}) (10. Qd2 {is similar:} Ne6
11. Bg3 Nf5 12. Na3 Bc5 (12... Nxg3 13. hxg3 f6 14. exf6 Qxf6 {
is a sound alternative - Black can play against f2 and g3}) 13. Nc2 Nxg3 (13...
d5 14. exd6 Nxg3 {transposes}) 14. hxg3 d5 15. exd6 Qxd6 16. Qxd6 Bxd6 {
with the bishop pair in a level ending, S.Rijnaarts-M.Bosman, Rogaska Slatina
2011.})) (9. Re1 {at least stops the knight from returning to e4:} Ne7 10. Qd1
h6 ({some might prefer} 10... d5 11. exd6 cxd6 12. Bg5 Ne6 13. Bh4 f6 14. Na3 {
, S.Ansell-J.Parker, British League 2001,} d5 {and ...Nf5 with an IQP position}
) 11. Bf4 Ne6 12. Bg3 Nf5 13. Na3 Nxg3 14. hxg3 {, D.Solak-A.Kogan, Sabac 1998,
} Bc5 15. Nc2 d5 {is equal.}) 9... Ne7 10. Qd1 (10. Qc4 $6 a6 11. Qh4 {
is met by} Ng6 $1 12. Bxd8 (12. Qh5 Qe8 13. Bc4 Nxe5 {wins a pawn for not much}
) 12... Nxh4 13. Bxh4 ({or} 13. Nxh4 axb5 {- threatening ...Nb3 -} 14. Be7 Re8
15. Bxc5 Bxc5) 13... axb5 14. Na3 (14. Be7 Re8 15. Bxc5 Bxc5 16. Nbd2 d5 {
clearly favours Black with his bishop pair, G.Spain-M.Hampl, New Zealand 1989})
14... Nd3 15. Nxb5 Nxb2 16. Rfb1 (16. Be7 Re8 17. Bc5 Ba5 18. Bb4 Bb6 19. Bc5 {
would be a curious repetition of moves}) 16... Nd3 17. Rd1 Nf4 {, A.Gipslis-A.Suetin, Leningrad 1963. Once Black develops his light-squared bishop, his
bishops and better structure will give him the upper hand.}) 10... Ne4 {
The simplest. Rather than going to e6 Black returns here to control d6 so that
he can continue ...d5 next go - better not leave the d-pawn backward for too
long as the queenside will need to be developed!} 11. Bh4 (11. Bd3 $5 {
of T.Kabisch-A.Zude, German League 1989, should probably be met by} d5 12. exd6
(12. Bxe4 dxe4 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. Bxe7 {is nothing:} Re8 15. Nfd2 Rxe7 {
with advantage}) 12... Nxd6 13. Re1 Re8 14. Nbd2 h6 {with equality.}) (11. Bf4
d5 12. Nbd2 $6 {, L.Polugaevsky-I.Boleslavsky, Moscow 1963,} Ng6 $1 13. Bg3 h5
$1 {and White's g3-bishop is in trouble.}) 11... d5 {
Black gains a strong central outpost and can now develop his c8-bishop.} 12.
Nbd2 {
This is one position where White normally prefers to keep the central tension.}
({Alternatives: --} 12. exd6 Nxd6 13. Bd3 Bf5 {is a bit dull:} 14. Re1 (14. Na3
Re8 15. Nc4 (15. Re1 f6 {transposes to 14 Re1}) 15... Bxd3 16. Qxd3 Nxc4 17.
Qxc4 Qd5 {was level, and shortly drawn, in E.Bacrot-I.Sokolov, Albert 2004})
14... Re8 15. Na3 f6 16. Bg3 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Nef5 18. Bf4 Qd7 (18... Bxf2+ $2 19.
Kxf2 Ne4+ {is met by} 20. Qxe4 Rxe4 21. Rxe4) 19. Qd5+ Qf7 20. Qxf7+ Kxf7 {
with a pleasant game for Black in J.Jaquez-L.Fressinet, Dresden 2008.}) (12. c4
c6 13. Ba4 {, G.Hernandez-W.Sariego, Cienfuegos 1991, when} Re8 {
is the simplest, so that} 14. cxd5 {can be met by} Qxd5 15. Qxd5 Nxd5 16. Bc2
Nc5 {with an edge.}) (12. Bd3 Qe8 13. Qc2 Bg4 $5 (13... Ng6 14. Bxe4 dxe4 15.
Qxe4 f6 {is interesting, intending} 16. Nbd2 fxe5 17. Bg3 Bf5) 14. Nbd2 (14.
Bxe4 dxe4 15. Qxe4 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 Ng6 17. Bg3 Nxe5 {regains the pawn - after}
18. Qxb7 $6 Qb5 19. Qe4 Qxb2 20. Bxe5 Qxa1 21. Qc2 Rfe8 22. Nd2 Qxf1+ 23. Kxf1
Rxe5 {Black's rooks are preferable to White's queen, A.Dubinsky-A.Zakharov,
Leningrad 1962}) 14... Nxd2 ({or} 14... Ng6 $5 15. Bxe4 dxe4 16. Qxe4 Qd7 {
with threats to h4, so} 17. Bg3 Bf5 18. Qb4 a5 {
with enough compensation for the pawn}) 15. Nxd2 Ng6 16. Bg3 f5 $5 ({risky;} 
16... Qe7 {is safer}) 17. exf6 Rxf6 18. Rae1 Qf7 19. c4 {
with a plus, J.Tompa-A.Zakharov, Budapest 1963.}) 12... c6 {The sharp theoretical main line. Instead, I would be tempted to play one of two alternatives at
this juncture.} (12... Bf5 {is supposed to be bad because of} 13. Nd4 (13. Qe2
Nc5 14. Nd4 Bg6 15. Qg4 c6 16. Be2 Qc7 17. f4 Ne6 $1 18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19. f5 $2 h5
$1 20. Qh3 Nxd4 21. cxd4 Qxe5 {
wins easily for Black, E.Dervishi-H.Stefansson, Leon 2001}) {, but after} 13...
Bg6 14. Nxe4 Bxe4 {I don't see anything wrong with Black's position:} 15. f3
Bg6 16. f4 {, E.Vasiukov-H.Hecht, Lignano Sabbiadoro 2005, and now} c5 17. Nb3
c4+ 18. Nd4 Bd3 {.}) ({ROLL THE DICE!} 12... Nc5 $5 {
would be a good try to avoid known channels:} 13. Nb3 (13. Re1 c6 14. Bf1 Bg4 {
looks like a good Open Spanish without any queenside weaknesses; Black might
continue with ...Ne6 and/or ...Qd7 and ...Nf5}) 13... a6 14. Be2 Be6 15. Nfd4
Qd7 {. Black unpins the e7-knight ready to play ...Ng6 or ...Nf5, and after
that he will be able to bring his rooks to the centre and play ...c5.}) 13. Bd3
Bf5 14. Qc2 (14. Qe2 Nxd2 15. Bxf5 $5 (15. Nxd2 Bxd3 16. Qxd3 Qd7 {
is easy for Black, I.Agrest-L.Ordaz Valdes, Khanty-Mansiysk 2010}) 15... Nxf1
$5 (15... Nxf3+ 16. Qxf3 Qc7 17. Bc2 Ng6 18. Bg3 Rae8 {is somewhat safer}) 16.
Bxh7+ Kxh7 17. Ng5+ Kh6 18. Qd3 f5 $1 (18... Ng6 $5 {is possible; after} 19.
Nxf7+ Rxf7 20. Bxd8 Bxf2+ 21. Kh1 Ng3+ 22. hxg3 Rxd8 23. Rf1 Rdf8 24. e6 Rf6 {
Black has to take care, but his pieces should outgun the queen eventually}) 19.
exf6 Ng6 20. Ne6 Qd6 21. Bg5+ Kh7 22. Qh3+ Kg8 23. Rxf1 {
, G.Putzbach-F.Hegeler, Hamburg 1991,} Qd7 {and Black should win, e.g.} 24.
Nxf8 Qxh3 25. gxh3 Rxf8 {.}) 14... Nxd2 15. Bxf5 (15. Nxd2 {
is nothing for White:} Qd7 16. Bxe7 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Qxe7 {
, Z.Zelic-Z.Basagic, Zlatibor 1989.}) 15... Nxf3+ ({BEWARE!} 15... Nxf1 $6 {
is too risky:} 16. Bxh7+ Kh8 17. Rxf1 Qd7 18. e6 fxe6 19. Ne5 Qd6 20. Re1 {
with an attack, L.Aronin-L.Stein, Riga 1962 - no-one has bothered to play this
line since!}) 16. gxf3 Kh8 {Played so the h-pawn can't be taken with check;
Black wants to avoid weakening his kingside with ...h6. Now he will unpin the
knight (mostly by ...Qc7) and play ...Rae8.} 17. f4 ({Alternatively: --} 17.
Rae1 Qc7 (17... g5 $5 {is appealing:} 18. Bg3 ({not} 18. Bxg5 $6 Rg8 19. f4 h6)
18... Nxf5 19. Qxf5 Qe7 20. f4 gxf4 21. Qxf4 Rg8) 18. Bh3 (18. Bxh7 $2 g6 19.
Bf6+ Kxh7 20. Qa4 Nf5 21. Qg4 Ng7 {and ...Nh5}) 18... Rae8 19. f4 f5 (19... f6
20. exf6 {comes to the same, but is probably more accurate}) 20. exf6 Ng6 $1
21. Bg3 (21. fxg7+ $6 Qxg7 22. Bg3 Nxf4) 21... gxf6 22. Be6 Qg7 23. f5 Nh4 24.
Kh1 Nf3 {(½-½, E.Geller-B.Spassky, Leningrad 1962)} 25. Re2 $6 Qg4 26. Qd3
{, A.Bass-A.Aparicio, Quilmes 1980,} h5 $1 {and ...h4.}) (17. Bxh7 $6 g6 18.
Bf6+ Kxh7 19. Qa4 d4 20. cxd4 Qe8 21. d5 Nf5 {defends, but is complicated.})
17... Qc7 (17... Qe8 $5 {is quite playable:} 18. Kh1 (18. Bd3) 18... Nxf5 19.
Qxf5 {, D.Feletar-D.Pavasovic, Pula 2000,} Qe6 20. Qd3 Bd8 {.}) 18. Kh1 {
Freeing the g-file for the rooks.} ({
It also makes sense to keep the bishop pair:} 18. Bh3 Ng6 19. Bg3 f6 $1 20.
Rae1 fxe5 (20... Rae8 {transposes to 17 Rae1}) 21. fxe5 Nf4 22. Bf5 g6 23. Bxf4
Rxf5 24. Bg3 Qe7 25. Kg2 Qe6 26. f4 Raf8 {with a nice light-squared blockade,
and some advantage, B.Lengyel-C.Tesik, Budapest 2011.}) 18... Nxf5 ({
ROLL THE DICE!} 18... f6 $5 {is fun:} 19. exf6 (19. Bxh7 fxe5 20. fxe5 Qxe5 21.
Rae1 Qh5 22. Bg3 Nf5) 19... Qxf4 20. fxg7+ (20. fxe7 Qf3+ 21. Kg1 Rxf5) 20...
Kxg7 21. Rg1+ ({forced;} 21. Bxe7 $4 Qf3+ 22. Kg1 Rxf5) 21... Kh8 22. Bxe7 Qf3+
23. Rg2 Rxf5 {and Black seems to be doing well in all lines.}) 19. Qxf5 Qc8 20.
Qh5 ({The ending after} 20. Qxc8 Raxc8 21. f5 $5 {is not very clear:} Bd8 22.
Bxd8 Rcxd8 {is probably drawish.}) (20. Qg5 {is met by} f6 $1 {.}) 20... Bd8 {
Definitely the safest line.} (20... Qe6 21. f5 $5 Qxe5 22. Rae1 {
with a dangerous initiative in S.Dhar Barua-C.Gokhale, Sangli 2000.}) (20...
Qh3 $5 {, pinning the h4-bishop, is suggested by Mark Morss:} 21. Rg1 ({
forced, as ...Bd8 is threatened, e.g.} 21. f5 $2 Bd8 22. f6 g5 $1 {
"wins most amazingly for Black" - Morss}) 21... Rg8 {(also forced!)} 22. Rg3
Qe6 23. Rag1 g6 (23... Bxf2 $4 24. Rxg7 $1) 24. f5 $5 Qxe5 25. fxg6 $1 Qxh5 26.
Bf6+ Rg7 27. gxf7 Qxf7 28. Bxg7+ Kg8 29. Bh6+ {should be a repetition, but as
Larsen said: "Long variation ... wrong variation!" In other words there may be
improvements lurking!}) 21. Bxd8 Rxd8 {To keep the queen on the c8-h3 diagonal.
} (21... Qxd8 22. f5 g6 23. Qh6 {is not so clear.}) 22. Rg1 ({If} 22. Qxf7 {
then} Rf8 23. Qe7 Rxf4 {.}) 22... g6 23. Qg5 Qe6 24. Rae1 Rg8 (24... d4 25. f5
Qxf5 26. Qxf5 gxf5 27. Rg5 dxc3 28. bxc3 Rd7 29. Rxf5 Rg8 {
looks pretty drawish.}) 25. Rg3 {
, M.Ghinda-C.Navrotescu, Odorheiu Secuiesc 1993.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 c3 Classical Berlin"]
[Black "C: 7 Bg5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "15"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 Bb6 7. Bg5 {
The strongest, and by far the most common move. White pins the f6-knight to
exploit the absence of Black's bishop from the kingside.} d6 {
Obvious, and in my opinion the strongest.} ({Black can also play} 7... h6 8.
Bh4 {immediately and then} d6 {, but for reasons we will see later I like to
keep ...h6 in reserve, and the white bishop on g5.}) 8. -- {
Now White has a major choice between:} ({C1:} 8. Bxc6) ({C2:} 8. a4) ({C3:} 8.
Qd3) ({Otherwise: --} 8. Re1 {(this is sensible, and the sort of move White
might play if he doesn't know the theory very well)} h6 9. Bh4 exd4 {is similar
to Variation C2, without a4 and ...a5 included, and the play should be
compared.} 10. Bxc6 (10. Nxd4 Ne5 11. Nd2 Ng6 12. Bg3 c6 13. Bf1 Bg4 14. Qc2
Nh5 15. Nc4 Bc7 16. f3 Nxg3 17. hxg3 Bd7 18. Ne3 Qg5 19. Ndf5 $2 Bxf5 20. exf5
(20. Nxf5 Bb6+) 20... Bb6 $1 21. Qf2 Rae8 22. f4 Qe7 {
and wins, D.Kononenko-M.Godena, Internet 2008}) (10. cxd4 Bg4 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12.
Nc3 (12. Nbd2 $5 {offers a pawn:} g5 13. Bg3 Bxd4 14. Qc2 Bc5 15. e5 Nh5 $1 16.
Nb3 Bb6 17. Qxc6 {, W.So-M.Krasenkow, Belfort 2012, when} Nxg3 18. hxg3 Re8 {
looks simple and good}) 12... g5 (12... Re8 {is possible, as with the pawns on
a4 and a5 in Variation C2, although that difference means that} 13. Qa4 $5 {
is feasible:} Bxf3 14. gxf3) 13. Bg3 Nh5 14. d5 (14. Re3 Qf6 15. Ne2 c5 16. e5
Qg6 17. Qa4 cxd4 18. Nfxd4 $6 {, G.Mathe-S.Dolmatov, Cacak 1991,} Rae8 {
with advantage, as} 19. exd6 Rxe3 20. fxe3 Bxe2 21. Nxe2 {allows} Bxe3+ 22. Kh1
cxd6) 14... f5 $1 15. exf5 Rxf5 16. dxc6 Qf8 17. Nd5 Bxf3 18. gxf3 Nxg3 19.
hxg3 Rxf3 20. Nxb6 axb6 21. Re2 Qf5 22. Qd4 Rd3 23. Qc4+ d5 24. Qb4 Rf8 25.
Rae1 Rf7 {is roughly equal, M.Agopov-S.Sulskis, Kaunas 2010}) 10... dxc3 $5 {
(possible without the white pawn on a4, but a bit greedy)} (10... bxc6 {
is quite reasonable here, of course, and play can continue in much the same
way as in Variation C2by} 11. Nxd4 Re8 12. Nd2 (12. Nxc6 $6 {
is even worse here, as after} Qd7 13. Bxf6 Qxc6 14. Bd4 Rxe4 {Black doesn't
have to worry about White taking on b6 and messing up his pawn structure})
12... g5 13. Bg3 c5 {etc. In fact, I think I would play like this myself in a
real game, rather than go pawn-grabbing!}) 11. Nxc3 (11. Ba4 $4 cxb2 {
is the point}) 11... bxc6 12. Qa4 (12. e5 $5 dxe5 13. Nxe5 (13. Qa4 $5) {
, Y.Shen-F.Amos, Palma de Mallorca 2009,} 13... Qxd1 14. Raxd1 g5 15. Bg3 Bb7 {
with an extra (if devalued) pawn, and the bishop pair}) 12... g5 (12... Qd7 $5
13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. h3 {
with structural compensation for the pawn, L.Kavalek-B.Spassky, Solingen 1977})
13. Nxg5 $5 ({or} 13. Bg3 {with some compensation}) 13... hxg5 14. Bxg5 Bxf2+ {
(I bet White missed this!)} 15. Kh1 (15. Kxf2 $2 Ng4+) 15... Bxe1 16. Rxe1 Re8
17. Rf1 Re6 18. Qd4 {, G.Cabrilo-D.Gliksman, Bor 1976. White is a rook down
but the pin on f6 is very strong. Perhaps Black's best chance is} Ba6 19. Rxf6
(19. Rf3 $5) 19... Qf8 {, but I would prefer not to have to play such a
position myself. Indeed, in the game White actually won.}) ({
DANGEROUS WEAPON! The obvious} 8. Nbd2 $2 {allows} exd4 9. Bxc6 ({or} 9. cxd4
Nxd4 10. Nxd4 Bxd4 {
and Black has a solid pawn more, N.Grigoriev-P.Romanovsky, Petrograd 1923})
9... dxc3 $1 {with advantage. --- For example,} 10. Bxb7 (10. bxc3 bxc6 11. e5
dxe5 12. Nxe5 {might be a slightly better try, but} Re8 13. Nxc6 Qd6 {
is clearly better for Black with two bishops on an open board}) 10... Bxb7 11.
bxc3 {and now:} -- (11... Re8 12. Qc2 h6 13. Bxf6 ({or} 13. Bh4 {
, R.Calvo Minguez-M.Markus, The Hague 1961, when} g5 {is very strong}) 13...
Qxf6 14. Rfe1 Re7 15. Rac1 Rae8 {
and Black is better, with two powerful bishops and pressure against e4.}) (
11... h6 {is also good:} 12. Bh4 ({or} 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 {when} 13. Qc2 Rfe8 14.
Rfe1 Re7 {transposes to note 'a', above}) 12... g5 $1 13. Nxg5 (13. Bg3 Nxe4)
13... hxg5 14. Bxg5 {
, B.Kreiman-B.Finegold, Philadelphia 2002, when the most accurate is} Re8 15.
Qf3 Re6 {followed by ...Kg7 and unpinning the knight, after which White's two
pawns are insufficient compensation for the piece..})) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 c3 Classical Berlin"]
[Black "C1: 8 Bxc6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 Bb6 7. Bg5 d6 8. Bxc6
{This move is actually the most common here, but scores catastrophically for
White. It might be that the doubled pawns provide insufficient compensation
for the bishop pair and the time White wastes inflicting them.} bxc6 9. dxe5 (
9. Nbd2 {is possible, but then} h6 10. Bh4 exd4 {(Black often makes this
capture when he has the doubled c-pawns as he would prefer to keep his d-pawn
on d6 to help them, rather than on e5) and now:} 11. -- (11. Nxd4 g5 {
(as there is no possible knight sacrifice on g5 now)} 12. Bg3 c5 13. Nf5 (13.
Nc2 {, M.Pavlov-A.Khudyakov, Alushta 2009,} Re8) 13... Bxf5 14. exf5 Re8 {
intending ...Qd7, ...d5 and ...c4 if possible.}) (11. cxd4 Re8 12. Qa4 (12. e5
dxe5 13. dxe5 g5 14. Bg3 Nh5) 12... Bd7 13. e5 g5 14. Nxg5 (14. Bg3 Nh5) 14...
hxg5 15. Bxg5 dxe5 16. Ne4 ({or} 16. dxe5 Rxe5 17. Qh4 Rxg5 18. Qxg5+ {
, D.Stellwagen-P.Nielsen, Amsterdam 2009,} Kh7 $1 {
with a likely repetition after} 19. Qh4+ Kg7 20. Qg5+) 16... Nxe4 $1 17. Bxd8
Raxd8 18. dxe5 Bf5 {is an atypical three pieces versus queen scenario. White
currently has two more pawns as well, but the pressure on f2 is a big plus for
Black, e.g.} 19. Rad1 Rxd1 20. Qxd1 Rxe5 21. h3 Bg6 {
intending ...Nxf2. I think I would prefer Black here.})) (9. a4 {
doesn't seem to have been played yet, but is probably best:} a5 {
with a transposition to 9 Bxc6 in Variation C2.}) 9... dxe5 10. Qxd8 {
Exchanging queens concedes the d-file.} ({Others: --} 10. Qa4 {
is less common, but probably better:} h6 11. Bh4 (11. Qxc6 $2 hxg5 12. Qxa8 Qd6
{traps the white queen}) 11... Qd6 {
(planning ...Nd7-c5, a common theme) and now:} 12. -- (12. Na3 Nd7 $1 13. Nc4 (
13. Rfd1 {can be met by the natural} Qg6 ({or by} 13... Nc5 $5 14. Qc2 Qe6) 14.
Qc2 f6 {planning ...Nc5-e6}) 13... Qe6 14. Nxb6 cxb6 {, S.Jovic-V.Sokolov,
Vrnjacka Banja 1962. If anything Black is better as White's dark-squared
bishop is not very useful.}) (12. Nbd2 Nd7 $1 13. Nc4 {transposes to 12 Na3.})
(12. Rd1 Qe6 13. Nbd2 (13. Bxf6 $6 Qxf6 14. Na3 $6 Bg4 15. Rd3 Rfd8 16. Qc2
Rxd3 17. Qxd3 Rd8 18. Qe2 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Qxf3 20. gxf3 Rd2 {
gave Black the better endgame in L.Psakhis-J.Parker, Isle of Man 1999}) 13...
Nd7 (13... Nh5 $5) 14. b4 {(to stop ...Nc5)} a5 15. Qb3 Re8 ({
my computer suggests the anti-positional... but tactical (!) line} 15... axb4
16. Qxe6 fxe6 17. cxb4 g5 18. Bg3 g4 19. Nxe5 (19. Nh4 Bd4) 19... Nxe5 20. Bxe5
Rxf2 21. Nc4 Re2+ 22. Bd4 ({however,} 22. Nxb6 cxb6 23. Rd8+ Kh7 24. Rh8+ Kg6
25. Rg8+ Kh5 {wouldn't be my cup of tea!}) 22... Re1+ 23. Rxe1 Bxd4+ 24. Kh1
Bxa1 25. Rxa1 c5 26. bxc5 Ra4 27. Nd2 Rd4 {
which might, indeed, be quite promising}) 16. Qxe6 Rxe6 17. Nc4 f6 {
was soon drawn, V.Topalov-P.Leko, Linares 1999.})) (10. Nbd2 {and now:} -- ({
. ROLL THE DICE!} 10... Ba6 $5 {is good for a laugh:} 11. Re1 (11. c4 Qd6)
11... Ng4 $1 12. Bxd8 (12. Bh4 Qxh4 13. Nxh4 Nxf2 {amounts to the same}) 12...
Nxf2 13. Qb3 Nh3+ 14. Kh1 Nf2+ {forcing a perpetual!}) (10... Qd6 {. As above,
this move is defending e5 and unpinning the knight, which may head for d3 via
d7 and c5.} 11. Qc2 (11. Qa4 Nd7 12. Nc4 Nc5 13. Qa3 Qe6) 11... Nh5 $1 ({
planning ...Qg6 and ...Nf4 to attack on the kingside;} 11... Nd7 {is also good}
) 12. Rfe1 $6 (12. Nc4 Qe6) 12... Qg6 {(this is possible with White's
dark-squared bishop still on g5 - with ...h6 and Bh4 included this move would
blunder the e5-pawn)} 13. Be3 Nf4 14. g3 $6 (14. Bxf4 exf4 15. Ne5 Qf6 16. Ndf3
) 14... f6 15. a4 Be6 16. a5 (16. Bxf4) 16... Bxe3 17. Rxe3 Rad8 18. Nb3 Qh5
19. Nh4 Nh3+ 20. Kg2 Ng5 21. Nc5 Bh3+ 22. Kg1 Bg4 23. Kg2 $6 Bd1 24. Qc1 f5 25.
exf5 Rxf5 {with a winning attack, E.Wiersma-I.Sokolov, Netherlands League 2000.
})) 10... Rxd8 11. Nxe5 $6 {
For better or for worse White should try something else;} ({although} 11. Nbd2
h6 {forces him to fight with two knights versus two bishops:} 12. Bxf6 (12. Bh4
$2 g5 13. Bg3 g4 14. Bh4 gxf3 15. Nxf3 Rd6 {
, A.D'Alessio-G.Facchetti, Milan 2010}) 12... gxf6 13. Nc4 Be6 14. Nxb6 axb6 {
with a clear edge in the endgame, T.Povall-D.Ledger, Southend 2004, as} 15. a3
Bb3 {controls d1 and allows Black to double rooks on the only fully open file.}
) 11... Ba6 {DANGEROUS WEAPON! White's natural moves have led him to the edge
of a precipice!} 12. Re1 {Natural, but not forced.} ({Alternatively: --} 12. c4
{might be the best chance:} Bd4 13. Nxc6 Bxb2 14. Bxf6 $2 (14. Nxd8 Bxa1 15.
Nd2 Bc3 16. Nc6 Bxd2 17. Bxd2 Nxe4 {
and the c4-pawn is captured next go, but White should be able to draw}) 14...
gxf6 15. Nxd8 Rxd8 16. Na3 Bxa3 {winning, C.Micheli-A.Sydor, Bari 1972.}) (12.
Nxc6 Bxf1 13. Nxd8 {with a choice for Black:} -- (13... Rxd8 14. Kxf1 Rd1+ 15.
Ke2 Rg1 16. Bxf6 (16. Be3 Nxe4 17. Bxb6 cxb6 18. a4 $6 f5 19. a5 b5 20. a6 Rxg2
21. Na3 Rxf2+ 22. Ke3 Rxb2 {
and Black should win, Hernandez A.Leon-Z.Novoselski, El Sauzal 2007}) 16...
gxf6 17. g3 {(otherwise how can White move his pieces?)} Kg7 18. a4 a6 19. a5
Ba7 20. Kd3 Bxf2 21. Kc2 {(finally freeing the rook!)} h5 22. Ra4 Rh1 23. Nd2
Rxh2 24. Nf3 Rh3 {, J.Chavez Lazo-I.Sanchez, Barquisimeto 2004. Black will
take the g-pawn and push his h-pawn.}) (13... Bb5 $5 {
(to control the knight's exit square)} 14. Na3 {and now:} -- (14... Bd7 15. e5
Ne4 16. Be7 Bxf2+ 17. Kf1 Bc5 18. Bxc5 Nxc5 19. b4 {
(somehow White avoids losing a whole piece)} Rxd8 20. bxc5 Bc6 {
threatening ...Rd2 or ...Rd3 with advantage, but White is still fighting.}) (
14... Ba4 $5 {hopes to provoke} 15. b3 {, when} Bd7 16. e5 {is answered by} h6
$1 17. Bxf6 ({or} 17. Be3 Ng4 $1 {
and if White captures on b6 then ...axb6 and both knights are hanging!}) 17...
gxf6 18. Nb7 Bc6 {. Black wins a piece, albeit for three pawns, following} 19.
Nd6 cxd6 20. exd6 {.}))) ({c)} 12. Bxf6 $2 gxf6 13. Nxc6 Bxf1 14. Nxd8 Bb5 (
14... Rxd8 15. Kxf1 Rd1+) 15. Na3 Bd7 {
and the knight is lost, A.Velibekov-K.Klaman, Baku 1951.}) 12... Nxe4 $1 {
The neat point, exploiting Black's lead in development and the weakness of the
white back rank.} 13. Be3 ({Alternatively: --} 13. Bh4 {is worse:} g5 $1 14.
Nf3 (14. Na3 f5 15. Bg3 Nxg3 16. hxg3 Rd2 17. Red1 Bxf2+ {
winning easily, E.Karastoichev-V.Urseanu, Bucharest 1951}) ({or} 14. Bg3 f5)
14... Re8 (14... gxh4 15. Rxe4 Rd1+ 16. Re1 Rxe1+ 17. Nxe1 Rd8 18. Na3 Rd2 {
may be even stronger}) 15. Bg3 f5 (15... Nxg3 $1 16. hxg3 Rxe1+ 17. Nxe1 Re8 {
is also crushing}) 16. Nd4 Bxd4 17. cxd4 f4 18. f3 Nxg3 19. Rxe8+ Rxe8 20. hxg3
Re1+ 21. Kf2 $4 (21. Kh2 Bd3) 21... Rf1# {, E.Velasco-D.Lopez, Lima 2004.}) (
13. Bxd8 Bxf2+ 14. Kh1 Rxd8 (14... Bxe1 15. Bxc7 Rc8 {is also good:} 16. Ba5
Re8 {with the initiative}) 15. Na3 (15. Rc1 $2 Be3) 15... Bxe1 16. Rxe1 f5 17.
Nxc6 Rd2 18. Nb4 {, A.Mandler-K.Poschauko, Vienna 1921, and now} Rxb2 $1 19.
Nxa6 Rxa2 {(two knights on the rim!)} 20. Nxc7 Rxa3 {
and Black will have two extra pawns.}) 13... Bxe3 14. fxe3 c5 (14... Rd6 15.
Na3 Rad8 {is a logical alternative.}) 15. Na3 f6 16. Nf3 $6 (16. Nec4 Rab8 17.
Rad1 Kf7 {with a significant plus for Black.}) 16... Rab8 $1 17. Reb1 Nd2 {
, winning quickly, A.Poulsen-J.Hvenekilde, Copenhagen 1981.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 c3 Classical Berlin"]
[Black "C2: 8 a4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 Bb6 7. Bg5 d6 8. a4 {
This is one of White's strongest lines. He threatens to win a piece by Bxc6
and a5, and also gives his queen's rook a little room, but his real idea is a
positional one.} a5 {It's important to stop the further advance of the white
a-pawn, and this is the right way to do it. However, now Black will have a
problem when a white knight comes to c4, as this will threaten both to ruin
the black structure by capturing on b6 and also to take a pawn on e5. Black
will normally react by taking on d4, conceding the centre for active piece
play.} ({BEWARE!} 8... a6 $6 {is worse:} 9. Bxc6 bxc6 10. a5 Ba7 11. dxe5 dxe5
12. Qxd8 Rxd8 13. Nxe5 {, threatening to capture on c6 and fork the black rook
and bishop. Note that Black's light-squared bishop is also deprived of his
active post on a6 which is important in some lines.}) 9. Re1 (9. Na3 {
, coming to c4 while keeping d4 defended, is definitely one of White's better
choices.} -- ({. BEWARE!} 9... h6 $6 {is met by} 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Nc4 {
which is a bit annoying.}) ({. After} 9... exd4 {White has a choice:} 10. -- ({
. Following} 10. cxd4 {,} Bg4 {is the usual reply, putting pressure on d4:} 11.
Bxc6 (11. Nc4 {is similar:} h6 12. Nxb6 cxb6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Ra3 (14. Bxc6
bxc6 {transposes to 11 Bxc6, of course}) 14... Rac8 {
threatening to take on f3 then d4}) 11... bxc6 12. Nc4 h6 13. Nxb6 cxb6 14.
Bxf6 Qxf6 15. Ra3 {, S.Eriksen-J.Hvenekilde, Odense 1975,} c5 $5 ({or} 15...
Rfe8 {with no problems}) 16. h3 Bh5 17. Re1 Rac8 {
planning to take on f3 and then d4.}) (10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. Nxd4 {. This is White's plan. Nxc6 is the immediate menace and Qf3, Nc4 is coming, but Black has the
bishop pair. Now:} -- (11... Bxd4 12. Qxd4 h6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qxf6 gxf6 15.
Nc2 Be6 16. Rfb1 c5 {and Black drew comfortably in A.Naiditsch-V.Anand, Mainz
2009, but this is not very exciting!}) (11... h6 $5 {is certainly playable:}
12. Nxc6 Qe8 13. Bxf6 Qxc6 14. Bd4 Rb8 {with compensation, I.Yagupov-S.Domogaev, Tula 2006, because of the b-file and offside knight. Compare this
with the Naiditsch-Vallejo Pons game below (note on 13 Nxc6), with Re1 and ...Re8 added, although here White has the extra move Na3.}) ({
. ROLL THE DICE! Untried in over-the-board chess, but possible is} 11... c5 $5
{:} 12. -- (12. Nf5 h6 (12... Bxf5 {
is worse, S.Goerlinger-A.Angulo, correspondence 2000}) {and now:} 13. -- (13.
Bh4 Kh7 $5 {(defending h6 and threatening to break the pin with ...g5)} 14. Nc4
(14. Qc2 Bxf5 15. exf5 d5 {planning ...c6, and possibly ...c4 and ...Bc7 - the
knight on a3 could prove to be a liability for White, and also the backward
b2-pawn}) 14... g5 15. Bg3 Bxf5 (15... Nxe4 $5 16. Nxb6 cxb6 17. Nxd6 Nxd6 18.
Bxd6 Re8) 16. exf5 d5 17. Ne5 c4 {.}) (13. Nxh6+ $5 gxh6 14. Bh4 {
is awkward, though, with White planning Qf3. For example:} Kg7 (14... Qe8 15.
Bxf6 Qxe4 16. Re1 Qg6 {could be tried, but it's a bit double-edged}) 15. Qf3 {
- e5 is the threat -} Ra6 16. Qg3+ Kh7 17. Qf3 {repeating.})) (12. Nf3 h6 13.
Be3 $6 Ba6 14. Re1 Nxe4 15. Bxh6 Nxf2 16. Kxf2 gxh6 {
and White's compensation is insufficient, S.Shah-R.Harper, correspondence 2005.
}) (12. Ndb5 Be6 $5 13. Qf3 h6 14. Bxf6 Qxf6 15. Qxf6 gxf6 16. c4 f5 17. exf5
Bxf5 {. Black's bishops outweigh his pawn weaknesses, S.Sacerdotali-I.Schrancz,
correspondence 2001.}))))) ({
Other White moves are rare in this precise position: --} 9. Bxc6 bxc6 {and now:
} 10. -- ({. With both a-pawns advanced,} 10. Nbd2 {can be met by} Ba6 $1 {
to stop White playing Nc4.} 11. Re1 h6 12. Bh4 Qe7 {and now:} 13. -- (13. d5 $5
{looks odd, but stops Black from unpinning by ...Qe6:} g5 $5 {(fearless!)} (
13... cxd5 14. exd5 g5 15. Nxg5 Nxd5 $1 16. Nde4 Nf4 17. Nf3 f6 {
is also very ambitious -} 18. Nd4 $1 Qg7 {
with a strong centre and powerful bishops}) 14. Nxg5 hxg5 15. Bxg5 Kg7 16. b4
$2 (16. Qf3 Rh8 17. h4 {is far from clear}) 16... cxd5 17. exd5 Qd7 $1 18. Qf3
{, F.Nijboer-V.Anand, Wijk aan Zee 1990,} Ng4 $1 {which must win.}) (13. Nf1
Qe6 $1 {intending ...Nh5, W.Schmidt-D.Maric, German League 2011.}) (13. Qc2 Qe6
$1 {unpinning the knight and planning to play ...Nh5-f4.} 14. Rad1 Nh5 15. b3 (
{or} 15. Bg3 {, K.Wiman-J.Wieweg, Stockholm 1993,} Nxg3 16. hxg3 f6) 15... Rfe8
16. Nf1 exd4 $5 17. Nxd4 {, U.Kersten-H.Tabatt, Saarbruecken 2002,} Qg6 {
with very active pieces. The obvious} 18. Nxc6 $2 {loses to} Bb7 $1 19. Ne7+
Rxe7 20. Bxe7 Re8 21. Bh4 Rxe4 $1 {
with nasty threats against g2 and the loose white queen.})) (10. dxe5 dxe5 11.
Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Nxe5 {is better here than with the a-pawns on their original
squares (see Variation C1), but is still not especially good!} Ba6 (12... Re8
13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Nxc6 Bb7 15. Nd4 Rxe4 {is also reasonable}) {
, attacking the rook:} 13. -- (13. c4 Rd4 14. Rc1 $6 (14. Nxc6 Rxe4 15. Nd2 Re6
16. b4 $1 h6 17. Bxf6 Rxc6 $1 18. b5 Rxf6 19. bxa6 Rxa6 {
is only very slightly better for Black}) 14... Nxe4 15. Be3 Rd6 16. g3 $6 (16.
c5 Nxc5 17. Bxc5 Bxc5 {
and the bishop is immune from capture because of the weak back rank}) 16...
Bxe3 17. fxe3 {, M.Gaiduk-M.Sjusjko, Ukraine 2000, and now} Nc5 18. Ra3 Re8 ({
or} 18... Rb8) 19. Nf3 Nd3 {is crushing.}) (13. Re1 Nxe4 $1 14. Be3 (14. Bxd8
Bxf2+ 15. Kh1 Rxd8) 14... Bxe3 15. fxe3 {
, J.Szily-W.Pietzsch, correspondence 1961,} c5 16. Na3 f6 17. Nec4 Nd6 18. Nxa5
Rdb8 {and the a5-knight is in trouble.}) (13. Bxf6 $1 gxf6 14. Nxc6 Bxf1 15.
Nxd8 Rxd8 $5 (15... Bxg2 $1 16. Kxg2 Rxd8 17. Na3 Rd2 18. Nc4 Rxf2+ 19. Kg3 Re2
{looks very drawish, G.Morais-I.Schrancz, correspondence 2000}) 16. Kxf1 Rd1+
17. Ke2 Rg1 18. b4 (18. g3 {first looks better}) 18... axb4 19. a5 {
, F.Vasconcellos-A.Ferreira de Souza, Juiz de Fora 1966,} bxc3 $5 ({
the fun line!} 19... Bxa5 20. Rxa5 Rxb1 21. cxb4 Rxb4 {is certainly drawn}) 20.
axb6 c2 21. bxc7 c1=Q 22. Ra8+ Kg7 23. c8=Q Qd1+ 24. Ke3 Re1+ 25. Kf4 Qd6+ {
(so far all forced)} 26. Kg4 Rxe4+ 27. Kh3 Qf4 28. g3 Qxf2 29. Nd2 Re5 {
and White will give a perpetual, as} 30. Ra4 Rh5+ 31. Rh4 Rxh4+ 32. gxh4 Qe3+
33. Kg2 Qxd2+ {leaves him a pawn down}))) (9. dxe5 {
first is less accurate, as Black can recapture with his knight:} Nxe5 $1 10.
Nxe5 dxe5 11. Qf3 h6 {and now:} 12. -- (12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Qxf6 gxf6 {is pleasant for Black who has the bishop pair and can undouble his pawns by ...f5 when
he wants:} 14. Na3 Bc5 (14... Rd8 $1 15. Rad1 Bg4 16. Rxd8+ Rxd8 {
grabs the open file}) 15. Rfd1 Be6 16. Be2 Bxa3 17. Rxa3 Rfd8 18. Kf1 b6 19.
Ke1 f5 20. exf5 Bxf5 21. c4 {½-½, C.Valiente-D.Izquierdo, Argentina 1991.})
(12. Rd1 hxg5 $1 {(a nice positional queen sacrifice)} (12... Qxd1+ 13. Qxd1
hxg5 {is also rather good, as White can't stop both of ...Ng4 and ...Nxe4}) 13.
Rxd8 Rxd8 14. h3 (14. Na3 Rd2 15. Rf1 Bg4 16. Qg3 Rad8 {
with excellent compensation - the threat is ...Rxf2}) 14... g4 15. Qe2 gxh3 16.
gxh3 $6 ({or} 16. Nd2 Ng4 17. Rf1 c6 18. Bc4 hxg2 19. Kxg2 Rd6 20. Nf3 Rg6 {
with an ongoing attack}) 16... Bxh3 17. Kh2 Bg4 18. f3 Be6 19. Na3 Nh5 20. Bc4
Nf4 21. Qc2 Rd6 22. Rd1 Rad8 23. Rxd6 Rxd6 24. Bxe6 Rxe6 {
. The black pieces combine well, and White is lost:} 25. Nc4 Rh6+ 26. Kg3 Rg6+
27. Kh2 Bg1+ 28. Kh1 f6 29. Qd2 Bc5 (29... Ba7 $1) 30. Kh2 $2 (30. Ne3) 30...
Rh6+ 31. Kg3 Bg1 32. Ne3 Rh3+ 33. Kg4 Rh2 (33... Bxe3 34. Qxe3 Rh2 {
would be a nice finish}) 34. Qd8+ Kh7 35. Nf1 Rg2+ {
0-1, N.Karaklajic-E.Vasiukov, Bela Crkva 1989.})) 9... h6 10. Bh4 exd4 $1 11.
Bxc6 ({If} 11. Nxd4 {first, then} Ne5 12. Nd2 Ng6 13. Bg3 Bg4 14. Qc2 Nh5 15.
f3 {, V.Rasulov-T.Nabaty, Kemer 2009,} Be6 16. Bf2 Ne5 {with good piece play.
The knight will come to f4 and Black can attack on the kingside or expand in
the centre.}) (11. cxd4 Bg4 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. Nc3 (13. Ra3 $5 g5 14. Bg3 d5 15.
e5 Ne4 16. h3 Bh5 17. Bh2 c5 18. g4 Bg6 {
favoured Black in C.Lutz-P.Leko, Frankfurt 1999}) 13... Re8 {and "Black is
fine" - Ivan Sokolov. He threatens both ...Bxf3 and ...g5 followed by ...Nh5.
A game C.Fenwick-J.Rhodes, correspondence 2007, continued} 14. Qd2 Bxf3 15.
gxf3 g5 16. Bg3 Nh5 17. Kg2 Re6 {.}) 11... bxc6 12. Nxd4 (12. cxd4 Bg4 {
transposes to 11 cxd4, above.}) 12... Re8 13. Nd2 {
The critical position. White eyes the c6-pawn, and plans Qf3 and Nc4.} (13.
Nxc6 $6 Qd7 14. Bxf6 Qxc6 15. Bd4 Rb8 $1 16. Bxb6 Rxb6 17. Qc2 Qb7 18. Re2 Be6
19. Na3 Bb3 20. Qb1 d5 21. e5 Rbe6 22. Qd3 Rxe5 {wins back the pawn with a
good game, A.Naiditsch-F.Vallejo Pons, Heviz 2008; the white knight is offside.
}) 13... c5 $1 {It looks anti-positional to entomb the b6-bishop like this,
but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages: Black drives the central white
knight back, and meanwhile opens the h1-a8 diagonal to put further pressure on
e4 with his light-squared bishop.} 14. Nc2 {
The most common; the knight heads for e3.} ({Alternative knight moves: --} 14.
Nf5 Bxf5 15. exf5 {, P.Held-T.Lang, German League 1990,} Rxe1+ 16. Qxe1 d5 17.
Qe5 c4 $1 {(the pawns go on to light squares)} 18. Nf3 ({or} 18. Bxf6 Qxf6 19.
Qxf6 ({not} 19. Qxd5 $4 Rd8) 19... gxf6 {
and the backward b-pawn will be a problem for White}) 18... c6 19. Re1 Bc5 {
"maintains equality" - I.Sokolov.}) (14. N4f3 Bb7 15. Qc2 Re6 (15... g5 $5 16.
Bg3 Qd7) 16. Re3 (16. e5 dxe5 17. Nxe5 Qe8 18. Ndc4) 16... Qe8 (16... g5 17.
Bg3 d5 {is dynamic}) 17. Bxf6 Rxf6 18. Nc4 Re6 19. Rae1 Qc6 {
is equal, K.Thorsteins-B.Spassky, Reykjavik 1985.}) 14... g5 {More activity} (
14... Bb7 {is also good, but after} 15. f3 {the h4-bishop can drop straight
back to f2 in the event of ...g5, H.Ree-M.Knezevic, Kiev 1978.}) 15. Bg3 Bb7 {
Black has excellent counterplay.} 16. f3 (16. e5 dxe5 17. Rxe5 Rxe5 18. Bxe5
Qd5 19. Qf3 Qxf3 20. Nxf3 Ne4 (20... Nd7 $5 21. Bg3 f5 {
could be even stronger, as} 22. Ne5 Nxe5 23. Bxe5 Re8 24. f4 gxf4 25. Re1 c4+
26. Nd4 f3 27. gxf3 Bxf3 {wins a pawn}) 21. h3 f6 {is good for Black, despite
the odd-looking bishop on b6 - note that its counterpart is hardly any better.}
) 16... d5 $1 17. exd5 (17. e5 $6 Nh5 18. Nf1 d4 19. Na3 Qd5 $1 20. c4 Qc6 {
with a considerable advantage in Z.Lanka-I.Sokolov, Batumi 1999.}) 17... c4+
18. Nd4 ({Black also has enough play after} 18. Bf2 Bxf2+ 19. Kxf2 Qxd5 20.
Rxe8+ ({or} 20. Ne3 Qc5 21. Ndxc4 Rad8) 20... Rxe8 21. Ne3 Qe5 {.}) 18... Qxd5
19. Nf1 (19. Bf2 Rxe1+ (19... g4) 20. Qxe1 Ng4 $5 {.}) 19... Rxe1 20. Qxe1 Re8
21. Qd2 {. This looks very equal, especially as Black can capture on d4 and
force opposite-coloured bishops.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 c3 Classical Berlin"]
[Black "C3: 8 Qd3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "Tony Kosten"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 Bb6 7. Bg5 d6 8. Qd3
{Defending both d4 and e4, and preparing to develop the queen's knight to d2
with a harmonious setup. This is generally considered to be White's strongest.}
Qe7 {The queen defends e5, stops White from exchanging queens, and frees the
'problem' c6-knight from its defensive duties so that it can relocate to a
better square.} 9. Nbd2 {
The natural follow-up, but very occasionally White tries something else.} (9.
Re1 Nd8 $1 {, the same plan as in the main line, is examined in the
introductory game, Y.Zinchenko-D.Chuprov, Voronezh 2008.}) (9. Bxc6 bxc6 10.
Nbd2 {, G.Sax-L.Winants, Eupen 1999, could be answered by} h6 11. Bh4 exd4 12.
cxd4 Qe6 {to unpin.}) (9. d5 {is ugly, but here Black should reply} Nb8 10.
Nbd2 a6 11. Ba4 Nbd7 {
, and now a blitz game of mine, against Fritz 12, continued} 12. b4 {
(to stop ...Nc5)} h6 13. Bh4 Rd8 (13... Ba7 $1 {first is more accurate}) 14. a3
(14. Nc4) 14... Nf8 15. Nc4 Ba7 16. Ne3 Ng6 {
unpinning the knight with advantage, i.e.} 17. Bg3 Nf4 {.}) 9... Nd8 $5 {
The knight heads for e6 to attack the g5-bishop and invade on f4, hitting the
white queen. This also leaves the white b5-bishop looking a bit silly, and
Black will gain a useful tempo after a subsequent ...c6 or ...a6.} (9... h6 10.
Bh4 Nb8 {is most common} (10... Bd7 {is also common, but too passive}) {
, when Black intends ...c6 and then ...Nbd7 to lend support to the f6-knight,
followed by ...Re8 and ...Qf8 to unpin. However, this is slow:} 11. Rfe1 (11.
Ba4 c6 12. Bc2 Nbd7 13. Nc4 Bc7 14. Ne3 Re8 15. Nf5 Qf8 {is similar -} 16. dxe5
dxe5 17. Qd2 Nh5 18. Rad1 Nb6 {
and Black was slowly uncoiling, Y.Kryvoruchko-P.Staniszewski, Ustron 2008})
11... c6 12. Ba4 Nbd7 (12... Bc7 13. Nf1 Nbd7 14. Ng3 g6 15. Qd2 Kh7 16. h3 Rg8
17. Nf1 g5 18. Bg3 Nh5 {was a similar kingside plan to our main line, with the
important difference that White hasn't closed the centre with d5 here, E.Bacrot-I.Sokolov, Albert 2004}) 13. Nc4 Bc7 14. Ne3 Re8 15. Nf5 Qf8 {
(this unpins the f6-knight, ready for ...Nh5)} 16. Rad1 Nh5 17. Bc2 Nb6 18. b3
Be6 {. White has more space and nicely centralized pieces, A.Shirov-P.Leko,
Frankfurt 2000. --- Of course, if defending a passive but solid position for
hours on end is your cup of tea then this line is fine. However, I'm a coffee
drinker myself and want something more active, even if there are inevitably
more risks!}) 10. d5 $1 {Certainly the strongest move, almost invariably
played in practice, and also the first choice of my computer. White gains
space and controls both c6 and e6, stopping Black from using his queen's
knight. As long as the white pawn stays on d5 the d8-knight will only be able
to move to f7 or b7 (after the respective pawns have advanced, of course), and
as the second of these isn't very helpful (White will probably stop the knight
continuing to c5 by playing b4) then we can see that Black will have to unpin
the f6 knight by ...h6 and ...g5, move this piece and then play ...f6 and ...Nf7. --- Now while I could appreciate the logic of 10 d5, I could also see
that it had drawbacks: White relieves the tension in the centre and pressure
on e5, and also opens the g1-a7 diagonal for Black's dark-squared bishop. ---
If you compare this position with a King's Indian, it surely must be better to
have the bishop on b6 rather than closed in on g7? --- The more flexible
alternatives are inferior, as Black often has tactics based on hitting the
white queen that allow him to develop his (for the moment extremely poorly
placed) d8-knight.} (10. Nc4 Ne6 {and now:} 11. -- (11. Be3 c6 12. Ba4 Bc7 13.
dxe5 dxe5 14. Bc2 Ng4 15. Rad1 b5 (15... Nxe3 16. Nxe3 Nf4) 16. Nd6 Nxe3 17.
Nxc8 Raxc8 18. Qxe3 Bb6 {
occurred in another blitz game of mine. Black is obviously more than fine.}) (
11. dxe5 dxe5 {transposes to 10 dxe5,} ({but} 11... Nxg5 {
is perfectly acceptable.})) (11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. g3 ({
this is ugly, but f4 was weak and} 12. dxe5 dxe5 13. Ncxe5 $6 c6 14. Bc4 Nf4
15. Qc2 Bc7 {
is a problem; White should probably capture on f7, as the alternative} 16. Nd3
$6 {is met by the classic combo} Nxg2 $1 {winning because of} 17. Kxg2 $2 Bh3+
18. Kxh3 Qxf3+ 19. Kh4 Bd8#) 12... c6 13. Nxb6 axb6 14. Bc4 h6 (14... Nc7) 15.
Qe3 b5 16. Bb3 {, S.Zagrebelny-H.Groetz, Aghios Kirykos 2009. Here Black
decided to go on the attack by} g5 $5 17. Rfd1 g4 18. Bxe6 (18. Nh4 Ng5) 18...
Bxe6 19. Nh4 Qg5 20. f4 gxf3 21. Qxg5+ hxg5 22. Nxf3 {when} f6 {
would have left him with the better minor piece in the endgame.})) (10. dxe5 {
is obviously something of a concession, liquidating the central tension to
reach a symmetrical pawn structure where White's queen and light-squared
bishop are exposed.} dxe5 {and now:} 11. -- (11. Nh4 $5 Ne6 12. Nf5 Qd8 {
(already White must cede control of the d-file)} 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. Bxf6 {
, T.Luther-L.Winants, Chalkidiki 2002,} Rxd2 15. Bxe5 Rxb2 16. a4 c6 ({or} 
16... f6) 17. Bc4 Ng5 18. Nd6 Be6 19. Bxe6 Nxe6 {with a small edge for Black.})
(11. Nc4 {and now} Ne6 $1 {is an important point} (11... c6 12. Nxb6 axb6 {
is not bad, either, and soon drawn in T.Kett-D.Ledger, Liverpool 2008}) {:} 12.
Bxf6 ({or} 12. Nxb6 axb6 13. Bh4 c6 14. Bc4 Nf4 15. Qe3 b5 16. Bb3 h6 17. h3
Rd8 18. Rad1 Be6 {with active play,}) ({while} 12. Ncxe5 $4 Nxg5 {wins a piece}
) 12... Qxf6 $1 {
. --- DANGEROUS WEAPON! Black offers a pawn for a strong initiative. After} 13.
Ncxe5 c6 14. Bc4 Nf4 15. Qd1 Bc7 {White is already in trouble, e.g.} 16. Nd3
Nxg2 $1 17. Kxg2 Qg6+ 18. Kh1 Qxe4 19. b3 Bg4 20. Nde1 Rfe8 {
. Black threatens ...Qf4 and ...Rad8 and is close to winning.})) (10. Bh4 {
attempts to pre-empt ...Ne6, but here Black has saved a tempo on ...h6:} c6 (
10... Ne6 $5 11. Bg3 Nh5 {resembles the Zinchenko-Chuprov game:} 12. dxe5 dxe5
13. Bxe5 Rd8 14. Qe2 Nef4 15. Qe1 Bg4 {
with a virulent initiative - ...Rxd2 is one of the threats}) 11. Ba4 Ne6 {
(always try to find a tactical justification to play the moves you want to
play!)} 12. Bg3 (12. dxe5 dxe5 13. Nxe5 $2 Nc5 {wins a piece}) 12... Bc7 13.
Rfe1 Nh5 {coming to f4, D.Maximov-A.Nechaev, Alushta 2011.}) 10... a6 {
Now that there is no possibility of White capturing the knight on c6, Black
gains a free hit on the white light-squared bishop, simultaneously providing a
safe retreat on a7 for his own dark-squared bishop.} 11. Ba4 (11. Bc4 {
is worse, as the bishop occupies the knight's only good square:} h6 12. Bh4 Kh8
({I would probably play} 12... Kh7 {myself}) 13. Rfe1 Rg8 14. Nf1 {
(the knight must take this route to e3 as c4 is not available)} g5 15. Bg3 Nh5
16. Ne3 Ng7 $5 (16... Bxe3 17. Qxe3 f6 {
followed by ...Nf7, ...Nf4 etc. is fine,}) ({but I like} 16... f6 17. Nf5 Bxf5
18. exf5 Nxg3 19. hxg3 Qh7 {followed by ...Nf7 and ...h5}) 17. Nf5 (17. Bb3 $1)
17... Qf6 18. Nxg7 Qxg7 {(Black will continue ...f6, ...Nf7, then ...h5, ...
Nh6 with a slow but effective attack)} 19. h4 $4 gxh4 {
0-1, H.Groetz-M.Bosman, Olomouc 2007 - after} 20. Nxh4 Qxg3 {
the f-pawn is pinned.}) 11... h6 12. Bh4 Ba7 $1 {An important finesse, gaining
a move. The point is that 13 Nc4?? would now lose a piece to 13...b5.} ({
Otherwise,} 12... Kh7 {allows the immediate} 13. Nc4 {
which hits b6 and gains time to play Ne3-f5:} Ba7 14. Ne3 g5 $5 ({no time for} 
14... Rg8 {now, as} 15. Nf5 Bxf5 16. exf5 {is quite good; note that} e4 {
is nothing after} 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Rae1) 15. Bg3 (15. Nxg5+ $5 {
is tricky, and thematic, but probably not very good!} hxg5 16. Bxg5 Rg8 17. Bh4
{, A.Berelowitsch-L.Winants, Belgian League 2008, when I would want to play}
Rg6 {to bolster f6, with an unclear position}) 15... Nh5 16. Nf5 Bxf5 17. exf5
f6 {. This position occurred in P.Bobras-H.Groetz, Aghios Kirykos 2009, except
that the black king was on h8 instead of h7, and that game continued} 18. Bc2 (
18. Nd2 {might be better; the white knight will have a lovely square on e4,
although Black will also have reasons to be cheerful}) 18... Rg8 ({
instead Black can play} 18... Nxg3 $1 {before White moves his king:} 19. hxg3
Kg7 {(intending ...h5)} ({BEWARE! Black should take care to avoid Nxg5 shots
when his king is on the same diagonal as the white queen and bishop!} 19... h5
$4 {runs into} 20. Nxg5+ $1 {.}) 20. Nd2 h5 {planning ...Rh8, ...Nf7 and the
knight can either come to g4 via h6, or to g5 after ...g4}) 19. Kh1 Nf7 20. h3
Nxg3+ 21. fxg3 h5 22. Nd2 Rg7 {when a draw was likely because of the
opposite-coloured bishops and closed nature of the position.}) 13. Bc2 {
This move seems logical, bringing the bishop to a more useful square and
preparing Nc4-e3-f5 and a2-a4-a5.} (13. b4 {
also makes sense, intending to expand on the queenside:} -- (13... Kh8 $5 {
. I can see no reason Black would want to put his king here when it can go to
h7, and although it will probably amount to the same it might make a difference.
For instance,} 14. c4 Rg8 15. Qc3 {(preparing the thematic c5)} g5 16. Bg3 {
, and unfortunately Black's best move may now be} Kh7 {,} ({as} 16... Nh5 $5 {
was met by} 17. Nxe5 $1 Nxg3 $2 (17... dxe5 18. Qxe5+ Qxe5 19. Bxe5+ f6 20.
Bxc7 {was the point, when White has a powerful mobile central phalanx for the
piece; still, Black should definitely have tried this as} Bd4 21. Rac1 Nf7 {
allows him to resist}) 18. Nef3+ f6 19. hxg3 {
winning an important pawn in N.Doric-F.Rodman, Ljubljana 2008.})) (13... Kh7
14. c4 {(White plays in the same fashion as above)} (14. Bc2 Rg8 15. a4 g5 16.
Bg3 Nh5 17. Nc4 f6 18. a5 Nf7 {transposes to 14 a4, below}) 14... Rg8 {and now:
} 15. -- (15. Qc3 g5 16. Bg3 Nh5 {is possible, as now} 17. Nxe5 $2 ({
note also that after} 17. Rac1 {Black might play on the queenside as well by}
a5 $5 {, as} 18. a3 axb4 19. axb4 Nxg3 20. hxg3 Bxf2+ 21. Rxf2 Rxa4 {
is possible}) 17... Nxg3 {wins a piece!}) (15. Nb3 {prepares c5 more
efficiently, although it is not clear that having the bishop on a4 is a good
idea for White in such positions as Black may have the tactical resource of ...b5 when White plays c5, e.g.} g5 16. Bg3 Nh5 17. Rac1 Nf4 ({
without the bishop on c2 and knight on e3 White has less control over f5, so} 
17... f5 $5 {can be tried:} 18. exf5 Qf6 19. Nbd2 Bxf5 20. Ne4 Qg6) 18. Bxf4 (
18. Qc2 Bg4) 18... gxf4 19. Kh1 f6 20. c5 Nf7 (20... b5 $5 21. cxb6 Bxb6) 21.
Rc3 dxc5 $5 22. bxc5 b5 23. cxb6 Bxb6 {when Black's knight has a nice square
on d6, although the price is that c7 is exposed on an open file.}))) 13... Kh7
{Now we come to the next stage of Black's plan, unpinning the knight. 13...Kh7
is an important preparatory move, intending ...Rg8 then ...g5 (or ...g5
immediately) to free the f6-knight and gain space on the kingside. --- Black's
play seems slow, but the position is closed and so he has the time to
manoeuvre his pieces to better squares. The nice thing from Black's
perspective is that his plan is actually fairly obvious, and even almost
forced, whereas White has a multitude of different possibilities to consider.}
(13... Kh8 {is also playable, but feels slightly less accurate to me. For one
thing, the ...Nf7-h8-g6 manoeuvre will no longer be possible. After} 14. Nc4
Rg8 15. Ne3 g5 16. Bg3 Nh5 17. Nf5 {
, B.Bok-M.Bosman, Netherlands League 2009, I would play} Bxf5 18. exf5 f6 {
as below, but I think White is better here after, say,} 19. Nd2 {.}) ({
BEWARE! As always,} 13... g5 $2 {
should be avoided without due preparation, or a strong tactical justification:}
14. Nxg5 $1 hxg5 15. Bxg5 Kg7 16. Qg3 {
and the pin on f6 is annoying - the immediate threat is Bxf6+ winning.}) 14.
Kh1 {By moving the king off the g1-a7 diagonal White unpins his f-pawn. ---
This position is virtually unexplored, but here are three likely alternatives,
the first two intending a queenside advance, and the third intending to
counter Black's kingside play.} (14. a4 {(White's advantage lies on the
queenside, but the typical KID plan of b4 and c5 is difficult to arrange here;
instead White is planning the standard a5 to gain space, then b4 and c4-c5
later)} Rg8 {(the point: the g-pawn is solidly supported)} 15. a5 g5 16. Bg3
Nh5 {(the knight can capture on g3, but will most likely hop into a powerful
square on f4 - should White capture this then Black will recapture with the
g-pawn and use the g-file for a mating attack; by a stroke of good fortune the
black rook is already stationed on g8!)} 17. Nc4 {(next, White will play b4,
move his c4-knight and play for c4-c5; Black should bring his d8-knight back
into the fray, and liberate his back rank)} f6 {and now:} 18. -- (18. Ne3 {
can be met by} Nf7 ({or by} 18... Bxe3 {as in the Frolov game}) 19. Nf5 Bxf5
20. exf5 Nxg3 21. hxg3 h5 {and the knight will finally find a decent square
after ...Nh6-g4, or (should the f3-knight move) ...g4 and ...Ng5. Also, ...Kg7
and ...Rh8 is a good idea.}) (18. Ne1 Nf7 19. Qd2 Nf4 20. Nd3 h5 21. h3 $2 {
and now, in a recent blitz game, I missed} Bxh3 $1 {as} 22. gxh3 Qd7 23. Bxf4
$2 gxf4+ 24. Kh2 Ng5 {mates quickly - the revenge of the queen's knight!}) (18.
b4 Nf7 ({now, or before, Black could flick in} 18... Nxg3 19. hxg3 Nf7 {
followed by ...h5, ...Nh6}) 19. Ne3 Bxe3 (19... Nf4 20. Qd2 Nh8 21. Nf5 Qf7 {
is reasonable, intending ...Nhg6}) (19... Nxg3 {
here could tempt White into replying} 20. fxg3 $5 {though}) 20. Qxe3 Nf4 21. c4
Nh8 22. c5 Nhg6 23. Rac1 h5 {
where I would prefer to be the one attacking on the kingside.})) (14. b4 {
intending Nb3 and c4-c5 (possibly with a preparatory a4-a5) gets the queenside
moving quicker, and now:} -- (14... Rg8 {is the solid choice:} 15. Nb3 ({or} 
15. a4 g5 16. Bg3 Nh5 17. Nc4 f6 18. a5 Nf7 {transposing to 14 a4, above})
15... g5 16. Bg3 Nh5 17. c4 Nf4 ({or} 17... f6) 18. Qd1 f6 19. Rc1 Nf7 {
. White is still having difficulties playing c5 successfully, and even if he
does there is no evident follow-up as his pieces are misplaced.}) ({
. ROLL THE DICE!} 14... g5 {is possible with the king on h7.} 15. -- ({
. The point being that} 15. Nxg5+ $6 hxg5 16. Bxg5 {can be met by} Rg8 {
. For example,} 17. Qg3 (17. h4 Rxg5 $1 18. hxg5 Nh5 19. Nf3 Bg4) 17... Rg6 18.
Kh1 {(to open the f-file)} ({if} 18. Nc4 {then} Qf8 19. Ne3 Qg7 20. h4 Nh5 21.
Qf3 Rxg5 22. hxg5 Qxg5 {with advantage}) 18... Kg7 ({or} 18... Qd7 {
to play ...Qg4, as} 19. Qh4+ Kg7 20. f4 Qg4 21. fxe5 Rxg5 22. exf6+ Kf8 23.
Qxg4 Bxg4 {wins a piece for three pawns, although the d8-knight is a problem})
19. f4 Nh5 $1 20. Bxe7 Nxg3+ 21. hxg3 f6 $1 {(threatening mate in one!)} 22.
Nf3 Nf7 {promises some advantage to Black as the e7-bishop is trapped.}) ({. So
} 15. Bg3 {is a better response:} Kg7 ({otherwise,} 15... Rg8 {
transposes to 14...Rg8 after, say,} 16. Nb3) ({with} 15... Nh5 {Black plans ...Nxg3 or ...Nf4, can even consider ...f5, and hopes to gain a move on other
lines; however, with the black king on the same diagonal as White's queen and
bishop battery,} 16. Nd4 $1 {is possible, bringing the knight straight to f5:}
Nxg3 17. hxg3 f6 18. Nf5 Bxf5 19. exf5 h5 20. Bd1 g4 21. a4 Nf7 22. a5 Ng5 23.
Re1 {and Ne4 when a draw would seem a likely result}) 16. Nc4 Nh5 17. Ne3 f6
18. a4 Nf7 {with good play for Black.}))) (14. Nc4 {and now:} -- ({. Whereas I
mostly prefer to preface ...g5 with ...Rg8, here I feel that Black doesn't
have the time. Let's see why:} 14... Rg8 15. Ne3 $1 g5 16. Bg3 Nh5 17. Nf5 Bxf5
({the Dutch FIDE Master Bosman often prefers to play} 17... Qf6 {followed by ...Ng7 to exchange his knight for the white knight on f5, but he hasn't had a
great deal of success with this so far, as White gains time for his queenside
assault; still, it seems playable}) 18. exf5 f6 19. Nd2 {(heading for the
strong square on e4, which dissuades Black from taking on g3, as Nxg3-h5 would
follow)} Nf7 ({
I'm not keen on capturing the g3-bishop when White can recapture with a piece:
} 19... Nxg3 $6 20. Qxg3 h5 ({BEWARE! Never allow a white piece to control h5 -
} 20... Nf7 $2 21. Qg4 $1 {
in this line - as then it would signal the end of Black's kingside chances})
21. Ne4 Nf7 22. Bd1 h4 23. Qh3 {and Black has allowed his kingside pawns to
become fixed on dark squares, thereby weakening his light-squared control, e.g.
} Nh6 24. Bh5) 20. Ne4 Nf4 21. Qd1 {
- else ...h5, but now the black attack is a bit stymied. For example,} Rg7 {
intending ...Rh8 and ...h5,} 22. a4 Rh8 23. Kh1 h5 24. h3 ({and not} 24. h4 $6
Nxg2 $1 25. Nxg5+ Nxg5 26. Kxg2 Nf7 {when the knight will come to g4 via h6})
24... Kg8 25. Ra3 {and Rb3.}) (14... g5 $1 {, when:} 15. -- (15. Nxg5+ $5 hxg5
16. Bxg5 {would be the usual 'refutation', but with the king on h7 Black has a
big resource:} Rg8 $1 17. Qg3 (17. h4 Rxg5 18. hxg5 Nh5 19. Bd1 Qxg5 20. Bxh5
Qxh5 21. Ne3 f6) 17... Rxg5 $1 (17... Rg6 18. Qh4+ Kg8 19. Ne3) 18. Qxg5 Ng8
19. Qh5+ (19. Qxe7 Nxe7 20. Rfe1 f6 21. a4 Nf7 {
looks good for Black as the white rooks lack files, and thus activity}) 19...
Nh6 {
and Black has the useful threat of ...Bg4 winning the queen! The position after
} 20. h3 f6 {is not very clear. Black will play ...Bd7, ...Qg7, ...Nf7 and
bring his rook to the kingside - definitely worth a try! For example:} 21. Rad1
(21. Ne3 Qg7 22. Nf5 Qg5 ({or} 22... Bxf5 23. exf5 Ndf7)) 21... Qg7 22. Rd3
Ndf7 23. Rf3 (23. Rg3 $4 Qxg3) 23... Bd7 24. Ne3 Qg5 25. Qxg5 fxg5 26. Bd1 Kg6
{and I would prefer to have the minor pieces here.}) (15. Bg3 Nh5 {and now:}
16. -- ({. Again White has the tactic} 16. Nd4 Nxg3 (16... Nf4 $5 17. Bxf4 gxf4
18. Nf5 Bxf5 19. exf5 f6 {
is also feasible - Black can play ...Nf7 and then double rooks on the g-file})
17. hxg3 f6 18. Nf5 Bxf5 19. exf5 {, although} h5 {(to stop Bd1-h5)} 20. a4 Nf7
{is fine for Black. He might be able to play ...Nh6-g4, but otherwise will
settle for ...g4 and ...Ng5, followed by attempting to lever open the h-file.})
(16. Ne3 {is probably best. White controls the hole on f5 (with the rook on f8
Black might have considered playing ...f5 himself) and brings a piece over to
help defend the kingside.} f6 (16... Bxe3 {is once again playable:} 17. fxe3
Nxg3 18. hxg3 f6 {just like the Frolov game}) 17. Nf5 Bxf5 18. exf5 {. --- Looking at this position my impression is that Black's kingside attacking chances
are somewhat diminished by the exchange of his light-squared bishop and the
arrival of a pawn on f5 - he can no longer play ...f5 himself or use the
g6-square for his ...Nf7-h8-g6 manoeuvre. --- Rather than continue as in the
other lines with ...Nf4, it might be better to instead capture the bishop on
g3. This will introduce opposite-coloured bishops which: -- 1) Favours the
attacker (Black's dark-squared bishop is much more useful than White's
light-squared one, which is impeded by its own pawns); -- and 2) Increases the
drawing possibilities. This may be a problem, but can also be a help should
things go wrong. At any rate it makes sense for the player with less space to
exchange a pair of pieces and it will be more difficult for White to make the
crucial c5 advance later on. --- Let's look at some lines:} -- ({BEWARE!} 18...
Nf4 $6 {is a mistake with the knight on f3 and black pawn on f6, because of}
19. Bxf4 gxf4 20. Nh4 {and Ng6.}) ({Black can play} 18... Nf7 {. The knight is
not a great piece, yet, but at least it is better here than on d8 - the rooks
are now connected, for one thing - and can hope to reach a strong square on d6,
e5, g5 or h6 in due course should the black pawns move or be exchanged.} 19.
Nd2 Nf4 20. Qf3 Rg8 {is playable, but it will be complicated to prepare the ...h5 advance successfully.}) (18... Nxg3 $1 {is best.} 19. hxg3 {(this is the
difference with the line beginning 14...Rg8 - there White has an extra move
and can recapture on g3 with a piece - an important distinction)} Kg7 $1 ({
to prepare ...h5, ...Nf7, ...Rh8, etc; not} 19... Nf7 $6 20. g4 {,}) ({
and Black must avoid the tactic} 19... h5 $4 20. Nxg5+ $1) 20. Nd2 h5 21. a4
Nf7 {and I would be happy with Black's game.}))))) 14... Rg8 15. Nc4 (15. Bxf6
{isn't stupid, as it stops the bishop being kicked around:} Qxf6 16. Nc4 Qe7
17. Ne3 Bxe3 $5 ({there is no particular need to play this, as the bishop on
a7 is strong and does a good job of controlling c5; Black might prefer to
rearrange his kingside by, say,} 17... g6 18. a4 f6 {and ...Nf7}) 18. Qxe3 {
occurred in the game D.Lampe-C.Nogly, German League 2009, except that Black
had lost a move by ...Kh8 then ...Kh7, and here White played b4, followed by
a4-a5 and c4-c5.}) 15... g5 16. Bg3 Nh5 17. Ne3 Bxe3 $5 (17... f6 {
is possible, as in some previous lines, but this capture is simpler.}) 18. fxe3
({Or} 18. Qxe3 f6 {intending the usual ...Nf7, ...Nf4 etc.}) 18... Nxg3+ 19.
hxg3 {White has two open files, but a horrible pawn structure!} f6 20. Rf2 Nf7
21. Kg1 Bd7 22. Raf1 Rg6 23. Bd1 h5 24. Rc2 a5 25. Kf2 Kg7 26. Rh1 Rh6 27. b4
b6 {Black has been slowly improving his pieces and his pawn structure - almost
all of them are now on dark squares, the opposite colour to his bishop of
course!} 28. a3 Nh8 29. Be2 Ng6 30. c4 axb4 31. axb4 Rf8 {, D.Shmakov-D.Frolov,
Tomsk 2003. Black has the only two meaningful pawn breaks (...f5 and ...h4),
and eventually won by swapping his bishop for the knight and playing an ending
with the superior minor piece.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4. 6 Ba4 Versus the Berlin"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C67"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "12"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {The solid Berlin Defence, or Berlin Wall as
some people call it. White's main try against this (4 0-0 Nxe4 5 d4 Nd6 6 Bxc6
dxc6 7 dxe5 Nf5 8 Qxd8+ Kxd8), involves an intricate and frequently
bewildering early endgame which is absolutely not everyone's cup of tea, while
4 d3 (which we'll see a version of in the next chapter) also leads to a rather
slow game. In this chapter I want to show a dangerous and slightly neglected
gambit: --} 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Ba4 {. Rather a natural move, actually.
White simply points out that Black's last move didn't do much for his
development, and invites him to demonstrate how he's going to get his bishops
into action. This move first underwent testing in a match in 1901 for the
championship of the USA between Showalter (White) and Pillsbury, and after
that lapsed into obscurity until - well, now, really. Its rediscovery was
mostly down to the Indian GM Ganguly, who has racked up 4½/5 with it (being
forced to allow Ivanchuk off with a draw). One considerable advantage of the
line is that it forces Black into the kind of hand-to-hand fighting which
Berlin devotees normally prefer to avoid. Another is the fact that such
authorities as Cox (2008) dismiss it with the words "Black can play either 6...
e4 or 6...exd4".} -- (6... -- {Summary: -- White shouldn't kid himself; I
don't have any doubt Black can equalize after 6 Ba4. Probably there's nothing
wrong with 6...exd4, although Black has to be careful, and 6...e4 is a good
move as well. But what White does achieve is to dictate the terms of the game.
For one thing Black probably doesn't have a particular line in mind, and for
another Berlin merchants tend to favour the endgame, and White instead forces
open tactical play on Black. Ganguly's adventures with the line show how
effective this can be. --- In the next chapter we're going to see a very
different offbeat way of tackling the Berlin, but some other areas White might
care to investigate are 5 Qe2, 6 dxe5 Nxb5 7 a4 Nbd4 8 Nxd4 Nxd4 9 Qxd4 d5 10
Nc3 c6, and 5 d4 Nd6 6 Bg5!?. All of these have the same merit of forcing
Black into tactical complications which aren't likely to have been his game
plan (unless in the last case he wants to try 6...Be7, which is probably a
better version of the typical Berlin semi-Exchange positions than the usual 6
Bxc6 dxc6 7 dxe5 Nf5 8 Qxd8+ Kxd8).}) *

[Event "New Delhi"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2006.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Ganguly, S."]
[Black "Ismagambetov, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2006.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Ba4 exd4 ({
Black's alternatives are} 6... e4) ({and} 6... Be7 {
, which we'll consider in the 'Looking a Little Deeper' section.}) 7. c3 Be7 ({
Black could be a man and play} 7... dxc3 {, of course, but Ismagambetov (a
respectable 2420 at the time of this game, by the way) is happy with one pawn.}
) ({Another way of doing that is} 7... d3 {
, and we'll consider both these moves later.}) 8. cxd4 O-O (8... b5 {
is another possibility, which is seen in the next section.}) 9. Nc3 Nf5 {
Trying to develop the bishop, but Ganguly has other ideas.} 10. d5 Nb8 11. d6
$5 {White needs to play this blocking sacrifice in some form or another.} ({
An alternative of roughly equal merit was} 11. g4 Nh4 ({after} 11... Nd6 12.
Re1 b6 13. Bf4 Bb7 {Black has difficulty in moving any more pieces usefully,
and White has ample compensation}) 12. Nxh4 Bxh4 13. d6 {
, which also gives White at least enough play for his pawn, for example} cxd6
14. Bf4 Nc6 15. Bxd6 Be7 16. Re1 Bxd6 17. Qxd6 {.}) 11... Nxd6 (11... Bxd6 {
leaves the f5-knight horribly embarrassed after} 12. Bc2 Nh4 (12... Ne7 13. Nb5
{is also strong, e.g.} Bc5 14. Qd3 Ng6 ({or} 14... g6 15. Qc3 {followed by Bh6}
) 15. Bg5 f6 16. Qd5+ Kh8 17. Qxc5 Na6 18. Qe3 fxg5 19. Bxg6 hxg6 20. Nxg5) 13.
Ng5 h6 ({both} 13... Ng6 14. Qh5) ({and} 13... g6 14. Qg4 {virtually lose}) 14.
Qd3 g6 15. Nge4 Be5 16. Bxh6 {, and in view of the threat of Bg5 White wins
his material back and stands better.}) 12. Bc2 (12. Nd5 $5 {
is an interesting notion. After that} Nc6 {
would lead to a position we'll see later in Line A2 in the next section,} ({
while} 12... c6 $2 {drops a piece to} 13. Nxe7+ Qxe7 14. Re1 Ne4 15. Nd4 {
followed by f3.}) ({Instead} 12... Bf6 13. Bf4 Ne8 14. Re1 Nc6 {would lead to
the position after White's 11th (!) in Line A2, where Black is almost lost.
This idea isn't easy to meet and is quite logical, really - Nd5, Bf4 and Re1
are all essential attacking moves, whereas it isn't clear that Bc2 is going to
be necessary.})) 12... Ne8 {DANGEROUS WEAPON! This is the critical position in
the game. I don't doubt that Black can demonstrate equality, but by the same
token I don't think White is risking much objectively, and there's no denying
that his position is easier to play and he's going to have all the fun.} ({
Let's have a look at a couple of other natural ways to play: --} 12... Nc6 13.
Nd5 Re8 14. Bf4 b6 {leaves White with a choice:} 15. Nxe7+ ({
White doesn't have to resolve the tension;} 15. Qd3 g6 16. Rad1 Bb7 17. Rfe1 a6
18. h3 {leaves Black with hardly any moves, but on the other hand White is
still a couple of pawns in arrears - I suspect the position is about equal})
15... Rxe7 (15... Nxe7 16. Bxd6 cxd6 17. Ng5 {is terrible}) 16. Bg5 {and now:}
-- (16... Ba6 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. Re1 Qf6 {is probably a little better for White.
}) (16... f6 {basically burns out to a draw:} 17. Qd3 Re4 18. Nd2 Nb4 19. Bxf6
$1 Nxd3 (19... Qxf6 20. Nxe4) ({and} 19... gxf6 20. Qg3+ {both lose}) 20. Bxd8
Re2 21. Bxd3 Rxd2 22. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 Ba6 24. Bxc7 Bxd3 25. Rxd3 Rc8 26.
Rxd6 Rxc7 {.})) ({Black might also try to keep the knight off d5 with} 12... c6
{
, but White's other pieces more than make up for the knight's restriction, e.g.
} 13. Qd3 f5 (13... g6 14. Bh6 Re8 15. Qd4 f6 16. Ng5 {
is pretty much devastating}) 14. Re1 Ne8 (14... Na6 15. Rxe7 Qxe7 16. Bg5 {
is worse}) 15. Qe2 Bf6 16. Bxf5 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Rxf5 18. Qxe8+ Qxe8 19. Rxe8+ Rf8
20. Rxf8+ Kxf8 21. Ba3+ {
, when White's activity at least compensates for his pawn deficit.}) (12... b6
{is probably Black's best defence, to allow the bishop to a6. After} 13. Nd5
Ba6 14. Re1 Re8 15. Bf4 Nc6 {
White still has a lot of compensation, but nothing immediate is apparent.}) 13.
Re1 Nc6 (13... Nf6 14. Qd3 g6 15. Bg5 d6 16. Rxe7 Qxe7 17. Re1 Qd8 18. Nd5 Nbd7
19. Qd4 {is pretty much the sort of thing Black should be avoiding.}) 14. Nd5
g6 $2 {
This basically loses, but it isn't easy for Black to find the right move.} (
14... Bf6 15. Qe2 Kh8 {(White was threatening Qe4)} 16. Ng5 Bxg5 17. Bxg5 Qxg5
18. Qxe8 Qd8 19. Qxd8 Rxd8 20. Nxc7 Rb8 21. Rad1 {
gives White adequate compensation, but probably nothing more.}) 15. Bh6 Ng7 16.
Rxe7 Nxe7 17. Bg5 Re8 18. Nf6+ {This is the problem for Black: White doesn't
just win the exchange back; he gives mate.} Kh8 19. Qd4 Rf8 20. Nxh7 Kxh7 21.
Qh4+ Kg8 22. Bxe7 Qe8 23. Ng5 Nh5 24. Qxh5 $1 {. Ole!} 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "6 Ba4 Berlin"]
[Black "Looking a Little Deeper"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C67"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "12"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Ba4 {
. Here Black has three options:} -- ({A:} 6... exd4) ({B:} 6... e4) ({C:} 6...
Be7) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "6 Ba4 Berlin"]
[Black "A: 6...exd4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C67"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "14"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Ba4 exd4 7. c3 {
. And now there's a further choice:} -- ({A1:} 7... Be7) ({A2:} 7... dxc3) ({
A3:} 7... d3) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "6 Ba4 Berlin"]
[Black "A1: 7...Be7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C67"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Ba4 exd4 7. c3 Be7 8.
cxd4 b5 {We saw all this in Ganguly-Ismagambetov, but with Black's next move
he prefers to leave his d6-knight where it is and start with his queenside.} 9.
Bb3 ({White might try instead} 9. Bc2 O-O 10. Nc3 Bb7 11. Qd3 g6 12. a3 (12.
Nd5 {can be met by the annoying} Nb4 $5 13. Nxb4 a5) {, for example} 12... Na5
13. Bf4 a6 14. Rfe1 Re8 15. b3 {, when Black remains a little tangled up.})
9... Bb7 10. Re1 O-O 11. Nc3 Na5 12. Bc2 {All very natural so far.} f5 ({
White was threatening to regain his pawn with Nxb5 (and Qd3), but Black might
have considered the less loosening} 12... g6 {
, with the idea that if White continues as in the game, then} 13. Qe2 Re8 14.
Nxb5 Bf6 {is quite comfortable for him.}) 13. Qe2 b4 ({Again} 13... Re8 14.
Nxb5 Bf6 {was an option, with about equality. Aleksandrov wants to unbalance
the game more. Lysyj and Ovetchkin, in their excellent recent book on the
Berlin, continued this line with} 15. Qf1 Bxf3 16. Rxe8+ ({
it seems to me White would do better with} 16. Nxd6 Rxe1 17. Qxe1 cxd6 18. gxf3
{, when material is level and White can hope that a bishop on d5 will be
strong one day and that his kingside won't be too much of a problem - the king
can always defend from g2 if necessary; probably it's about equal}) 16... Nxe8
17. gxf3 c6 18. Nc3 Bxd4 19. Bxf5 g6 20. Bh3 d5 {with a rather horrid position
for White in my opinion, though my computer isn't too upset.}) 14. Qxe7 bxc3
15. bxc3 Be4 16. Qxd8 Rfxd8 17. Bd1 {. With an unbalanced struggle in S.Sulskis-A.Aleksandrov, Dubai 2005. White could be pretty happy with this
outcome to the opening; Black's options earlier on are more worrying and this
is definitely Black's easiest method against our gambit.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "6 Ba4 Berlin"]
[Black "A2: 7...dxc3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C67"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Ba4 exd4 7. c3 dxc3 {
This one is probably going a bit far, to be honest - certainly White should be
happy to see it.} 8. Nxc3 Be7 9. Nd5 O-O {TRICKY TRANSPOSITION: Strangely
enough, this same position would have been reached in Ganguly-Ismagambetov if
White had played 12 Nd5 and Black had replied 12...Nc6 (which he probably
wouldn't have done). --- No-one as Black has taken the second pawn since
Pillsbury, in a match game against Showalter in 1897, which went on:} 10. Re1
Bf6 $6 (10... b5 11. Bc2 Bb7 {
made more sense, with a similar type of position to A1.}) 11. Bf4 Ne8 {
Allowing a little combination, but Black's position wasn't good anyway.} 12.
Rxe8 Qxe8 13. Nxc7 Qe4 14. Bd6 Rb8 15. Bc2 $2 (15. Nd5 {was much stronger,
threatening Bxc6; Black can't avoid losing the exchange and having his
kingside broken up.}) 15... Qg4 16. Bxf8 Kxf8 17. Qd6+ Be7 18. Re1 g6 $4 {
This just loses.} ({Black wasn't too bad after, say,} 18... Qh5 {.}) 19. Qd2
Qh5 20. Nd5 Bd8 21. Qc3 $1 {The key idea.} f6 22. Nxf6 Ba5 23. Nxd7+ Bxd7 24.
Qf6+ Kg8 25. Bb3+ Qd5 26. Bxd5+ Be6 27. Bxe6# {
, J.Showalter-H.Pillsbury, New York 1897.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "6 Ba4 Berlin"]
[Black "A3: 7...d3"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Ba4 exd4 7. c3 d3 {
Ivanchuk's choice. The loss of tempo is compensated by the fact that White's
best square for the queen's knight remains blocked.} 8. Qxd3 Be7 9. Bc2 $1 {
A cunning move, forcing weaknesses if Black wants to castle.} g6 10. Bh6 {
A natural move.} ({In A.Muzychuk-J.Zawadzka, European Women's Ch., Tbilisi
2011, the Slovenian woman preferred to keep more fluid compensation for the
pawn with} 10. Re1 O-O 11. Bh6 Re8 {. The game continued} 12. Qd2 Bf6 (12...
Nc4 13. Qf4 d5 {was very possible here; perhaps White should have preferred 12
Na3 to forestall this idea}) 13. Na3 b6 14. Qf4 Ba6 15. Rxe8+ Nxe8 16. Bb3 Ng7
{and now Black cracked under the pressure with} 17. Ng5 Ne6 ({the unnatural} 
17... Ne5 {was best}) 18. Nxe6 fxe6 19. Rd1 {
, when White had a dangerous initiative.}) 10... Nf5 11. Qd2 d6 12. Re1 Be6 13.
Ba4 (13. Na3 Nxh6 14. Qxh6 Bf8 15. Qe3 Bg7 16. Ng5 {
is much the same as the game.}) 13... Nxh6 ({After} 13... Qd7 14. Na3 O-O-O 15.
Nb5 Kb8 16. Nbd4 {White's initiative gives full compensation for the pawn.})
14. Qxh6 Bf8 15. Qe3 Bg7 16. Ng5 Qd7 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Qxe6+ Qxe6 19. Rxe6+ {
, S.Ganguly-V.Ivanchuk, Edmonton 2005.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "6 Ba4 Berlin"]
[Black "B: 6...e4"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Ba4 e4 {
The safest continuation, according to the Israeli GM and Berlin expert Postny.}
7. Re1 Be7 8. Ne5 O-O 9. Nc3 Nf5 {Up to here both sides' moves have been
natural and obvious, but here Black has a wide choice.} (9... f6 {
is a safe move:} 10. Nxc6 (10. Ng4 {
keeps the pieces for the moment, but all the way through} f5 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12.
dxe5 Nf7 13. Bb3 Kh8 14. Bxf7 Rxf7 15. Bf4 d6 16. Qd5 Rf8 17. exd6 Bxd6 18.
Rad1 Bd7 19. Bxd6 Bc6 20. Qe5 cxd6 21. Rxd6 Qh4 {, which was equal and drawn
in V.Kotronias-K.Georgiev, Calvia Olympiad 2004, White's pressure looked more
or less exactly sufficient to regain his pawn, no more, no less}) 10... dxc6
11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Rxe4 f5 13. Re1 f4 {has been played on a couple of occasions
by Aronian and gives Black an equal position.}) (9... Bg5 {
seeks to simplify, but} 10. Bxg5 Qxg5 11. Nxe4 ({instead} 11. Bxc6 dxc6 12.
Nxe4 Nxe4 13. Rxe4 {was equal in S.Ganguly-R.Laxman, Hyderabad 2005}) 11...
Nxe4 12. Rxe4 {probably enables White to claim a slight edge.}) (9... Bf6 {
was Black's choice in the very first game with 6 Ba4 and is still a good move
today.} 10. Bf4 Nf5 {and now:} 11. -- (11. Nxe4 Ncxd4 ({not} 11... Nfxd4 $2 12.
Nxc6 Nxc6 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 14. Bxc7) 12. Nxf6+ Qxf6 13. Nxd7 Bxd7 14. Bxd7 Rad8
15. Be5 Qb6 16. Bxf5 Nxf5 {,}) ({and} 11. Bxc6 dxc6 12. Nxe4 Be6 (12... Qxd4 $6
13. Nxf6+ gxf6 14. Nd3 {is less reliable}) 13. c3 {are both about equal, and
probably in truth White ought to prefer one of these to 11 Rxe4.}) (11. Rxe4 {
and now:} -- (11... Nfxd4 12. Ng4 Ne6 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 14. Nd5 Qd8 15. Qh5 {
and White had roughly sufficient compensation in J.Showalter-H.Pillsbury, New
York 1897.}) (11... Ncxd4 {might be a good move; White has a couple of obvious
attacking tries but I don't think they quite work:} 12. Ng4 (12. g4 Ne6 13.
Nxd7 Bxd7 14. Bxd7 Nxf4 15. Bxf5 Ng6 {
also survives with Black for choice if anything}) 12... Ne6 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 14.
Nd5 Qd8 15. Qg4 d6 $1 ({even after} 15... Nxf4 16. Rxf4 ({or} 16. Qxf5 Nxd5 17.
Qxd5 d6) 16... Ne7 17. Nf6+ {
I don't think White can achieve anything, for instance} Kh8 18. Qh3 h6 19. Rh4
Ng8 20. Nh5 Qg5 21. Qg3 Nf6) 16. Qxf5 Nc5 $1 {and White is reduced to} 17. Ne7+
Qxe7 18. Rxe7 Bxf5 19. Bb3 Rac8 {, followed by grovelling.}))) 10. Rxe4 Nfxd4 (
10... Nxe5 11. dxe5 d6 12. exd6 Bxd6 {is probably safer, as in P.Negi-E.L'Ami,
Hoogeveen 2005, although perhaps White could pretend to have a shade of
initiative with} 13. Qf3 {.}) 11. Nxc6 Nxc6 12. Nd5 Bf6 13. Qf3 Be5 {This was Black's choice in S.Ganguly-E.Van den Doel, Calvia Olympiad 2004, which we
shall now follow:} ({Instead,} 13... d6 14. Nxf6+ Qxf6 15. Qxf6 gxf6 16. Bxc6
bxc6 17. Bh6 Rd8 18. Re3 Kh8 19. Re7 Be6 20. Rxc7 Rdc8 {was agreed drawn in P.Czarnota-M.Grabarczyk, Poznan 2005, but as Manchester City fans will tell you,
some strange stuff goes on in Poznan. Black faces a tiresome task here.}) 14.
Qh5 ({Lesser men would have played} 14. Bxc6 dxc6 15. Rxe5 cxd5 16. Rxd5 Qe7
17. Bf4 {, although the result is almost certain to be a draw. Ganguly prefers
to keep playing for the attack.}) 14... d6 15. Bg5 f6 16. Bd2 g6 ({
I really don't know how Ganguly would have played after the natural} 16... Be6
{.} 17. Nb4 {is splendid if Black falls for} Nxb4 18. Rxb4 Rb8 $2 ({but} 18...
Rf7 19. Rxb7 c5 {is much better and pleasant for Black}) 19. Rh4 h6 20. Bxh6 $1
{.}) 17. Qh6 Bf5 18. Re3 Ne7 19. Nxe7+ Qxe7 20. c3 d5 $2 {Losing in one move.}
(20... g5 {was forced. I don't imagine Van den Doel overlooked the possibility
of f2-f4, so he must have been pretty certain White had some sacrificial blow
against this, but whatever he thought it was it can't have been as bad as
losing a piece for nothing, and anyway I don't think White had anything in
particular after 20...g5.}) 21. f4 Qc5 22. fxe5 fxe5 23. b4 Qb6 24. Qg5 a5 25.
Bb3 c6 26. bxa5 Rxa5 27. c4 Rc5 28. cxd5 cxd5 29. Kh1 e4 30. Bc3 {
. Summary: 6...e4 is a very sound move and should enable Black to equalize.}
1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "6 Ba4 Berlin"]
[Black "C: 6...Be7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C67"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "28"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Ba4 Be7 {A slightly strange move, declining the chance to gain either material with 6...exd4, or time
with 6...e4, but not so bad.} 7. dxe5 Ne4 8. Be3 Nc5 ({After} 8... d5 9. c4 {
would be a good move, for example} dxc4 10. Qc1 Be6 11. Rd1 Bd5 ({or} 11... Qc8
12. Nd4) 12. b3 c3 13. Nd4 {.}) 9. Bxc5 Bxc5 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Qd5 {
White needs to do better than this; he underestimated Black's next.} ({
Maybe he could try} 11. Ne4 {, for instance} Qe7 12. Qd5 Bb6 13. Rad1 Qe6 14.
Rfe1 Qxd5 15. Rxd5 {, when White maintains a fair amount of pressure.}) 11...
d6 $1 {An excellent pawn sacrifice; Black is at least equal now.} 12. Bxc6 bxc6
13. Qxc6 Rb8 14. Qd5 Rxb2 {
. Black had no problems at all in C.Sandipan-S.Kayumov, Hyderabad 2005.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5. New Ideas in 4 d3 Berlin"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "8"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {. This is the move Kasparov said later
he wished he'd tried in London in 2000. It provides a calm strategic
alternative to the main endgame line of the Berlin, yet with a drop of poison.
Before proceeding further, though, let's take a trip back a hundred years and
let one of the greatest show us how to deal with the structure which arises in
the system I'm recommending: Capablanca-Janowski. --- Then we'll move on to
the system against the Berlin.} -- (4... -- {Summary: -- 6 b3 is a clever
attempt to breathe some life into a variation which is normally regarded as a
little stodgy. It's very typical of Luke McShane's approach to the game;
really White just wants to develop his pieces and play, but he makes Black
solve slightly different problems from the normal Berlin or Exchange schemas.
It would suit players who like a more complex middlegame struggle as opposed
to the technical Berlin semi-endgame.}) *

[Event "New York"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1913.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Capablanca, J."]
[Black "Janowski, D."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C48"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "1913.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 a6 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. O-O Bg4 7. h3 Bh5 8.
Qe2 Bd6 9. d3 Qe7 10. Nd1 O-O-O 11. Ne3 Bg6 12. Nh4 Rhg8 13. Nef5 Qe6 14. f4
Bxf5 15. Nxf5 exf4 16. Bxf4 Bc5+ 17. Be3 Bf8 18. Qf2 Rd7 19. Bc5 Bxc5 20. Qxc5
Kb8 21. Rf2 Ne8 22. Raf1 f6 23. b3 Nd6 24. Rf4 Nxf5 25. Qxf5 Qxf5 26. Rxf5 Re8
27. g4 b6 28. b4 Kb7 29. Kf2 b5 30. a4 Rd4 31. Rb1 Re5 32. Ke3 Rd7 33. a5 Re6
34. Rbf1 Rde7 35. g5 fxg5 36. Rxg5 Rh6 37. Rg3 Rhe6 38. h4 g6 39. Rg5 h6 40.
Rg4 Rg7 41. d4 Kc8 42. Rf8+ Kb7 43. e5 g5 44. Ke4 Ree7 45. hxg5 hxg5 46. Rf5
Kc8 47. Rgxg5 Rh7 48. Rh5 Kd7 49. Rxh7 Rxh7 50. Rf8 Rh4+ 51. Kd3 Rh3+ 52. Kd2
c5 53. bxc5 Ra3 54. d5 {. This game doesn't really need notes, but there are
two points I want to make. --- First of all, you don't have to be on the
queenside to play a minority attack; although the pawn structure is different
from the classic QGD structure, White's g4-g5 was just that. There's more ways
to play the Spanish Exchange structure than d4, takes, recaptures with a piece,
trade all the pieces, win the ending, effective though that approach can be in
the right hands, and the system we're going to look at in this chapter
generally involves White playing f4 rather than d4, as in this game. ---
Secondly, observe White's handling of the queenside pawns. Generally White can
do one of two things to frustrate Black's majority. He can place his pawns in
a sort of bowl shape; either c4/b3/a4 (watch out for the unopposed
light-squared bishop, though) or c3/b2/a3. The advantage of both structures is
that Black can't make a passed pawn without actually taking one of White's
pawns with a piece. The other is to play b4 as Capa did, fixing the pawns
where they are. The danger in that is that if Black manages to get control of
the fourth rank or even just c5, he can play ...c5 and dissolve the doubled
pawns. The advantage, though, is that if Black doesn't manage that then his
pawns are fixed, immobile and hence weak - in this game indeed Janowsky
allowed them to become irredeemably fixed and proceeded to lose some of them,
but even without Black's rash ...b5 the point would have stood.} 1-0

[Event "British League"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2011.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "McShane, L."]
[Black "Parker, J."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2011.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 {This is the classical reply and
pretty much the invariable choice of the top players these days; of course
Black can play many moves and we'll have a quick look at some of them in the
'Looking a Little Deeper' section. This is the position in which Luke McShane
has a new idea.} 5. Bxc6 ({The line established back in the 19th century was} 
5. c3 O-O 6. Bxc6 (6. O-O {allows either} d6 {
with a kind of Giuoco Pianissimo where White's bishop has overshot to b5,} ({or
} 6... d5 {, a more forthright attempt to equalize which seems to have gone
out of fashion a little bit})) 6... bxc6 7. Nxe5 d5 {
, when Black has enough compensation for the pawn.}) ({Instead} 5. O-O Nd4 {
is pretty comfortable for Black.}) 5... dxc6 ({
Jonathan thought for about ten minutes over this move. "I thought} 5... bxc6 {
might just lose a pawn", he told me afterwards, and indeed obviously Black
would prefer to have castled while White wastes time on c3, as in the old line.
Probably Jonathan's sage observation is more or less correct despite a bit of
initial optimism from the machines. For example, even the naive line} 6. Nxe5 d5
7. exd5 $5 Qxd5 (7... Nxd5 8. d4 Bd6 9. Nxc6 Qf6 10. O-O Bxh2+ 11. Kxh2 Qxc6 {
isn't much better, largely because White has the vexing} 12. Qe2+ {, when} Be6
$2 {loses a piece to c4, d5 and so on}) 8. Nf3 O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. Nc3 Qd6 11.
Re1 Bf5 12. Be3 {
sees Black struggling to demonstrate any reasonable compensation.}) 6. b3 {
This was Luke's new idea. "This structure is underrated for White", he tells me.
} Qe7 ({Luke went to the well again in L.McShane-V.Kramnik, London Chess
Classic 2011, which followed a thrilling course after some initially
unpromising stuff:} 6... Bg4 {(after the present game Jonathan Parker felt he
should have unloaded this bishop like this)} 7. Bb2 Nd7 8. Nbd2 f6 9. Nf1 Nf8
10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Ne6 12. Ne3 Qd7 {(of course Black is very solid here, but
still it feels as though White has slightly more possibilities, although the
ones Luke now finds wouldn't occur to every player)} 13. h4 a5 14. a4 O-O 15.
h5 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 c5 17. Qh3 Qc6 18. O-O Nf4 19. Qh2 Qe8 20. h6 g5 21. g3 Ne6
22. f4 gxf4 23. gxf4 Nxf4 24. Rxf4 exf4 25. Kf2 Rf7 26. Qh5 Qe6 27. Qxc5 Kh8
28. Qc4 Re8 29. Rh1 Qd7 30. Qb5 Re6 31. Qxd7 Rxd7 32. Rg1 Rc6 33. Kf3 Rd8 34.
Rg5 Rf8 35. Rg2 Rg8 36. Rh2 Rg1 37. d4 Rf1+ 38. Kg4 f3 39. d5 Rd6 40. c4 Kg8
41. c5 f5+ 42. Kxf5 Rg6 43. Bd4 Rd1 44. Be3 Rg2 45. Rh3 f2 46. Bxf2 Rxf2+ 47.
Ke6 Rf7 48. d6 c6 49. Ke5 Kf8 50. Rh2 Rg1 51. b4 axb4 52. Rb2 Rg5+ 53. Ke6 Rg6+
54. Ke5 Rxh6 55. a5 Rh5+ 56. Ke6 Rh6+ 57. Ke5 Rh5+ 58. Ke6 Ke8 59. a6 Rh6+ 60.
Ke5 bxa6 61. Rxb4 Ra7 62. Rb8+ Kf7 63. Rc8 Re6+ 64. Kf5 a5 65. Rh8 Rf6+ 66. Ke5
Kg7 67. Rc8 a4 68. Rxc6 a3 69. d7 a2 {0-1. This very complicated game has been
analysed in a few places, and the consensus seems to be that White had at
least equality following his exchange sacrifice but went astray in time
trouble, although as often happens there's rather less consensus about where
exactly this occurred.}) ({Jonathan faced McShane's idea again in L.Trent-J.Parker, British League 2012, and this time followed Kramnik's example:} 6...
Bg4 7. Bb2 Nd7 8. Nbd2 f6 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Nxf3 Qe7 11. a3 O-O-O 12. b4 Bd6 13.
c3 Nf8 14. Qa4 Kb8 15. O-O-O {(it's hard to believe in the combination of the
queenside pawn advances and this queenside castling)} Ne6 16. Qc2 c5 17. Nd2 c6
18. Nc4 {½-½. Black is better here, but Jonathan agreed the draw in view
of the state of the match. Sadly, that didn't mean my Barbican team had got on
top and Jonathan was agreeing a draw to make sure of victory; on the contrary
things had already gone so horribly wrong that Jonathan judged the situation
as hopeless and gave up in disgust.}) 7. Bb2 Nd7 ({Lysyj and Ovetchkin like} 
7... Bb4+ {
, but they don't consider White's most obvious reply. The lines they give are}
8. Bc3 ({and} 8. Nbd2 Bg4 9. c3 Bd6 10. h3 Bh5 11. Nc4 Nd7) 8... Bxc3+ 9. Nxc3
Bg4 10. O-O ({or} 10. Qd2 $6 Bxf3 11. gxf3 Nh5 {with an edge for Black}) 10...
Nd7 {, assessing both lines as equal.}) ({
These are all convincing enough but I'm pretty sure after} 7... Bb4+ {
Luke would have played} 8. Nc3 {. As the game shows, he wouldn't have feared}
Ba3 {,} (8... Qc5 9. Qd2 {is nothing,}) ({
and while the machine is confident about its position after} 8... O-O 9. O-O {
I think this is more or less what White wants; he continues with Ne2-g3 and so
forth and angles for a convenient f4 or d4 break. The computer wants to play
the disruptive} Rd8 {when White has to be careful to arrange his desired
manoeuvre; perhaps he should start with} 10. h3 {
(to prepare Qc1 without running into ...Bg4).})) 8. Nc3 O-O 9. Ne2 {This is White's usual manoeuvre in this structure; the knight is on its way to g3. Black
doesn't usually want to play ...g6, which gives White a variety of handles, so
he has to be constantly wary of a Nf5 leap, and White can get ready for f4 to
liberate his rooks.} Ba3 {A controversial moment; obviously Black could play ...Bd6, ...c5, ...Re8, ...f6 and ...Nf8-e6 instead, digging in and treating his
'bad' bishop, in Bellin's marvellous phrase, "like a girder in a building".
That would perhaps be the more conventional option, but it's a different game,
as they say. Still, it's easy to see why Parker wanted to remove the b2-bishop,
which would certainly have pointed malevolently at his kingside after a later
f4 break.} 10. Bxa3 Qxa3 11. O-O Qe7 12. Ng3 Nc5 {
These moves need no real commentary; the players follow their respective plans.
} 13. b4 {A difficult choice. As I said before, White's move doesn't give him
such a secure blockade as the other sort of arrangement of his queenside. What
it does do in the short term, however, is prevent Black from establishing a
pawn on c5 and thus secure White's control of the d4-square and his advantage
in the centre. McShane demonstrates an ability which all strong players have
but which is perhaps particularly a mark of his style, to change his plans
according to events.} Na6 (13... Na4 {was also possible, but it doesn't change
the play all that much. It looks attractive to bring the knight to b6 and to
be ready to invade on c4 if White does play d4, but actually it doesn't help
half as much as one might think - as they say, it's only a square. White can
bring a knight round to e3 and trade the knight off, and the bishop isn't
stable on c4 unless Black plays ...b5, which is obviously not what his
queenside pawns want to see. Many of these issues came up in a slightly
different form in Capablanca's game.}) 14. c3 c5 15. a3 cxb4 16. axb4 c5 17.
bxc5 Nxc5 {This was Black's idea; he has solved his structural issues on the
queenside, but the trouble is that in so doing he has allowed White a central
majority and better control of that sector. Jonathan told me after the game he
was surprised by the way his troubles endured here and the way the white
knights continue to outplay his bishop.} 18. Re1 g6 ({It looks natural to
begin an assault on the white centre, but the trouble is that it just doesn't
work:} 18... Rd8 19. d4 exd4 20. cxd4 Bg4 21. h3 Bxf3 22. Qxf3 Rxd4 $2 23. Nf5
{.}) 19. d4 Nd7 20. Qb3 Kg7 21. Nf1 Qe6 $5 {Symptomatic of Black's problems.
His structurally marvellous exchange of the c-pawns has left him unable to
contest the centre against White's active pieces, and he feels obliged to go
for this horrible exchange;} ({rather than something like} 21... exd4 22. cxd4
Nb6 23. d5 f6 24. Nd4 Bd7 25. Ne3 Rfc8 26. Qb2 {
, and the pressure mounts grimly.}) 22. Qxe6 fxe6 23. Nxe5 Nxe5 24. dxe5 Bd7
25. Ne3 {Black's sacrifice has at least given his rooks some possibilities on
the c-file, brought the a-pawn into the equation and ensured that in the end
there will be play on both wings and he can hope that his bishop will be the
more effective minor piece, and he does have possibilities to resist stoutly
in this endgame. Still, you would think White should be winning, and McShane
gets there in the end, although Parker displays some excellent grittiness -
everyone has their style, and being very hard to put away in this kind of
position is a trademark of Jonathan's.} Rfc8 26. Red1 Be8 27. Rd6 Kf7 28. Ra3
Rc5 29. f4 a5 30. Kf2 a4 31. Ke2 Rac8 32. Kd3 b5 33. g4 Ke7 34. h4 Bc6 35. g5
Ba8 36. Nc2 Bc6 37. Nd4 Bd7 38. Ne2 R5c7 39. Rb6 Rc5 40. Ra1 Bc6 41. Ra3 Rf8
42. Ra6 Bd7 43. Ra7 Rb8 44. Ke3 Rbc8 45. Ra1 R8c7 46. Rxc7 Rxc7 47. Rb1 Rc8 48.
Kd3 Rf8 49. Kd2 Rf7 50. Ke3 Rf8 51. Nd4 Rc8 52. Kd3 Rf8 53. Rf1 Ra8 54. Rf2 Rf8
55. Rf1 Ra8 {Black has defended really well with his annoying alternating
pressure on f4 and c3, and round about here I thought my Barbican team-mate
might even hold on, but McShane is a formidable practical opponent in this
type of position (ask Nigel Short!), and has timed his next move cleverly for
Black's habitual time pressure.} 56. h5 gxh5 57. Rh1 a3 $2 {
Black goes down in a surprisingly undignified heap.} (57... Be8 {was essential:
} 58. f5 exf5 59. exf5 {is of course alarming but it's far from clear that it
is winning or that White is even better at all. For example,} a3 60. f6+ Kf8
61. e6 a2 62. Ra1 h4 $1 {(a voice from the back!)} 63. f7 Bxf7 64. exf7 Kxf7 {
, and White should even give some passing thought to how not to lose, which a
careless fellow could achieve, for example, with the over-ambitious plan} 65.
Nf3 $2 h3 66. Kc2 Kg6 67. Kb2 Kh5 68. Rxa2 Rxa2+ 69. Kxa2 Kg4 70. Nh2+ Kxg5 71.
Kb3 Kf4 {.}) 58. Rxh5 a2 59. Rxh7+ Kd8 60. Nxe6+ ({It's not so easy to trick
Parker even in time trouble, but Luke has managed it: White deftly stops the
pawn after} 60. Nxe6+ Kc8 61. Rh8+ Kb7 62. Nc5+ Ka7 63. Rxa8+ Kxa8 64. Nb3 {
, and it's over. --- A game which is somehow rather typical of Luke McShane's
approach to chess; he has an unconventional (although obviously at bottom
correct) understanding of the game, and it's often difficult to follow where
his opponents have gone wrong. I remember being rather baffled by this game
when I saw it, and Parker's post-mortem observations are also rather suggestive.
}) 1-0

[Event "Dortmund"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2005.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Sutovsky, E."]
[Black "Kramnik, V."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C66"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2005.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

{Let's have a look at Black's most common alternative to 4...Bc5. ---} 1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 {Black takes play into something resembling a
Steinitz set-up. For some reason this move is less common here, whereas after
3...a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 d3 Black is much more likely to choose ...d6 and ...g6 (or ...Be7) over ...Bc5 lines. So far as I know there isn't any hugely compelling
technical reason for this; perhaps it's just a consequence of the different
mindsets of players who play the main line Ruy and the Berlin.} 5. O-O ({
White's main alternative is to play} 5. c3 {and continue as in an old Steinitz
set-up for White, with Nbd2-f1-g3 and so on, as in A.Morozevich-M.Krasenkow,
Plovdiv 2003, which continued} Bd7 6. O-O g6 7. Nbd2 Bg7 8. Re1 O-O 9. Nf1 Nh5
10. Ba4 Qe8 11. Bb3 Kh8 {. However, if White is going to do this then first of
all he would rather have had ...a6/Ba4 played so that his bishop can find a
home on c2 in some lines (see Moro's tenth move), and probably also he usually
wouldn't castle so early - certainly not if he was Steinitz, who used to
favour an h4 thrust and sometimes even queenside castling in such positions,
as in some games by the recently reincarnated English GM Matthew Sadler.}) 5...
g6 6. d4 $5 {DANGEROUS WEAPON! Even without the tempo, this move is still
critical. --- White is only in a sense losing a tempo; the point is that that
in lines with 3...d6 4 d4 Black has to develop his bishop on e7. Here, having
spent his extra tempo on ...g6, presumably Black is going to play ...Bg7, so
actually he isn't going to manage to develop any faster.} Bd7 (6... exd4 7.
Nxd4 Bd7 8. Re1 Bg7 9. Bxc6 Bxc6 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. e5 dxe5 12. Rxe5+ Kf8 13.
Qf3 {doesn't have to be terrible for Black, but you can see why Kramnik didn't
want to go in for it. The combination of ...Nf6 and ...Bg7 is always one Black
has to be careful of in the Ruy; only the fact that White has lost a tempo in
this version makes it possible at all.}) 7. Re1 {This move looks a little
strange in conjunction with the next one, although it was introduced by the
ever-creative Alexander Morozevich against Berlin specialist Kiril Georgiev at
the Calvia Olympiad the year before.} ({White could certainly just develop with
} 7. Nc3) ({or, alternatively, it would make a lot of sense to play} 7. d5 {
straightaway, as the young Ukrainian star Alexander Areshchenko did. A typical
continuation then would be} Ne7 (7... Nb8 {
is also possible, although Black should avoid} 8. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 9. Re1 Nc5 $6 10.
b4 Ncxe4 11. Qd3 $1 Bg7 12. Rxe4 Nxe4 13. Qxe4 {
, as in A.Areshchenko-E.Postny, Isle of Man 2005}) 8. Bxd7+ Nxd7 9. Be3 Bg7 10.
c4 O-O 11. Nc3 h6 {(Black usually finds it necessary to play this before going
...f5, in order to avoid any unpleasantness connected with Ng5-e6)} 12. Nd2 f5
13. f3 f4 {(Black has generally done better when he has refrained from this
move; the problem is that without his 'venom tooth' on c8 he finds it
difficult to demolish the white kingside, and in fact this was exactly his
problem in the game in question)} 14. Bf2 g5 {, when White won a one-sided
race in W.So-E.Moriadabadi, Asian Continental Open, Subic Bay 2009. This would
actually be my choice with White.}) 7... Bg7 ({After} 7... Nxd4 8. Nxd4 exd4 9.
Bxd7+ Qxd7 10. Qxd4 Bg7 11. e5 $5 Qe6 {, E.Rozentalis-V.Koziak, Dzwirzyno 2004,
White had the rather splendid computer shot} 12. Bh6 Bxh6 13. Nc3 {
, when Black's best defence in turn is the equally silicon-inspired} Bd2 {
, although White obtains a serious initiative after} 14. Qxd2 dxe5 15. Nb5 Rc8
16. Nxa7 Rd8 17. Qb4 {.}) ({If} 7... exd4 8. Nxd4 Bg7 {
then again White has the annoying} 9. Bxc6 bxc6 10. e5 {.}) 8. d5 {The most principled move by far: White closes the centre and allows Black to develop, but
in return achieves a King's Indian structure with the light-squared bishops
exchanged, which is always an achievement for him.} ({
White certainly shouldn't be tempted by} 8. Bxc6 $6 Bxc6 9. dxe5 Nxe4 10. Qd3 {
, when either} d5 ({or} 10... dxe5 $1 11. Rxe4 Bxe4 12. Qxe4 Qd1+ 13. Qe1 O-O-O
14. Nc3 Qxc2 {, as in several games, is fine for Black.})) 8... Ne7 9. Bxd7+
Nxd7 {The obvious move, making way for the f-pawn. The position now is similar
to a main line of the modern Steinitz defence (3...a6 4 Ba4 d6), but there
White would normally have the pawn already on c3 (not a particular achievement
necessarily) and Black would have the extra ...a6, also of questionable
utility.} 10. Be3 (10. c4 {
is the commonest move here (also with the pawn on c3)}) ({
while Morozevich had his own way of introducing the attack on the queenside:} 
10. a4 O-O 11. a5 a6 12. c4 h6 13. Ra3 f5 14. b4 Nf6 15. Nbd2 Qd7 16. Qc2 g5
17. h3 Rac8 18. exf5 Qxf5 19. Qa2 {, a series of very Morozevichian moves
which nonetheless left White slightly for choice in A.Morozevich-K.Georgiev,
Calvia Olympiad 2004.}) 10... f5 {Kramnik is not afraid of Ng5 and plays this
move at once in order to have f8 free for a knight in the event of such a move.
} ({After either} 10... O-O) ({or} 10... h6 {Black would obtain a version of
So-Moriadabadi in which White had spent a tempo on the not-obviously-useful
move Re1.}) 11. Ng5 $1 {Emphasizing the drawback of Black's previous move.} Nf8
12. exf5 gxf5 {Of course "every Russian schoolboy knows" that this has to be
played, dangerous or not, rather than taking with the knight and letting White
have the e4-square.} 13. f4 Qd7 {It looks as though Black is aiming to
evacuate the king to the queenside, but this doesn't prove possible.} ({
However, in truth Kramnik's bold idea at move 10 looks hard to justify, since} 
13... exf4 14. Bd4 $1 {is simply bad}) ({while after Postny's} 13... Neg6 $5
14. fxe5 dxe5 15. Qf3 Qd7 16. Nc3 O-O-O 17. Rad1 {
Black also has difficulty in keeping the situation under control.}) 14. c4 Neg6
15. Nc3 h6 16. Nf3 e4 17. Nd4 h5 {Directed against Qh5, but still a rather
desperate-looking move; where is Black's king going to go?} ({
Black decides against} 17... O-O-O {, no doubt in view of} 18. Ncb5 a6 19. Na7+
$1 Kb8 20. Ndc6+ Ka8 (20... bxc6 21. dxc6 {wins}) 21. Nxd8 Qxd8 22. Qa4 {
(Erenburg), when White is probably winning.}) 18. Ncb5 Kf7 ({
Black is torn to pieces after} 18... a6 19. Nxf5 $1 {, for example} Bxb2 (19...
axb5 20. Nxg7+ Qxg7 21. Bd4 Qf7 22. Bxh8 Nxh8 23. Rxe4+ Kd8 24. Qb3 {
is also terrible}) 20. Qa4 Kd8 21. Rab1 Bf6 22. Qa5 {
, when there is no real alternative to just playing} Kc8 {
and carrying on in a dire position.}) 19. Ne6 $1 Nxe6 20. dxe6+ Kxe6 21. Qd5+
Ke7 22. c5 $5 {Possibly Sutovsky gets a bit carried away here.} ({
It seems as though the strongest move was} 22. Rad1 {, when} c6 23. Qxd6+ Qxd6
24. Nxd6 {is much better for White than a similar continuation after the game
move, since White is not only better developed, but also still has the square
c5 available for his pieces.}) (22. Nxc7 Qxc7 23. Qxf5 {
too is probably a better way to sacrifice a piece than the game.}) 22... c6 {
The only move.} (22... Qc6 23. cxd6+ cxd6 24. Qb3 {is dreadful.}) 23. cxd6+ ({
In contrast to 22 Rad1,} 23. Qxd6+ Qxd6 24. Nxd6 Ke6 {now gives White nothing.}
) 23... Kf8 24. Qb3 cxb5 25. Rac1 {
A bold sacrifice, but probably it shouldn't have been enough.} Qf7 {The only move, but the associated run with the king to h7 turns out not to be the right
idea.} ({If} 25... Qxd6 {White doesn't fall for} 26. Bc5 $4 ({
but just brings all his pieces into the attack and wins} 26. Red1 Qf6 27. Rc7)
26... Bd4+ {.}) 26. Qxb5 a6 27. Qb6 Kg8 $2 ({
As Erenburg shows, the alternative set-up with} 27... Bf6 $1 {
probably refutes White's attack:} 28. Rc7 Qe6 29. Rd1 (29. Qxb7 Rd8 30. Bc5 $2
Nxf4 {wins for Black}) 29... Rd8 30. Qxb7 Rg8 {, when Black's pieces all come
into active play and the king on f8 is surprisingly invulnerable. However, as
he points out with a certain amount of understatement, "for human player is
not so easy".}) 28. Red1 Kh7 $2 {This loses;} (28... Bf6 {was still better,
even with the lost tempo and g8 blocked off for the rook, but Kramnik was
hardly likely to play it in this worse version.}) 29. Rc7 Qf8 30. Bd4 Rg8 31.
Qxb7 e3 32. Rf7 $1 ({Not of course} 32. Bxg7 $4 Rxg7 33. Rxg7+ Qxg7 34. Qxa8 e2
35. Re1 Qd4+ 36. Kh1 Qf2 {.}) 32... Rb8 (32... e2 33. Re1 {changes nothing.})
33. Qd7 Rd8 34. Qxf5 Qxf7 35. Qxf7 Rxd6 36. Kf1 Nxf4 37. Qf5+ Rg6 38. Qxf4 Rf8
39. Qxf8 Bxf8 40. Bxe3 Re6 41. Kf2 Kg6 42. Rd5 Be7 43. Bc5 Bf6 44. b3 Be5 45.
g3 h4 46. gxh4 Bxh2 47. h5+ Kh7 48. Kf3 Be5 49. Rd7+ Kh6 50. Kg4 Bg7 51. Rd6 {
. --- A fine attacking game, although actually a little untypical for the play
after 4...d6. Still, White can always expect a pleasant game in these lines, I
think; the exchange of the light-squared bishops and the space advantage
always make his game more comfortable.} 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4 d3 Berlin"]
[Black "Looking a Little Deeper"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {Black has tried a multitude of moves at
this point, as you can imagine. Besides the main 4...Bc5 and 4...d6, 4...Bd6
and 4...Ne7 are both very decent moves occasionally punted even by the 2600+
club, and 4...Nd4 is also worth a look.} Bd6 {This is a very reasonable move,
similar to the recently fashionable 4...Bd6 after 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 Nf6
4 Bb5 (or indeed 1 b3 e5 2 Bb2 Nc6 3 e3 Nf6 4 Bb5). Black intends to play ...0-0, ...Re8 and ...Bf8, with or without ...a6, reaching a normal Lopez
position, and he figures White's slow development is going to stop him doing
anything much in the centre in the meantime. --- White does best to change
plans slightly - ...Bd6 is an ideal move for Black in a set-up with Bxc6.} ({
Alternatively: --} 4... Ne7 {, a theoretical battleground of the 1880's,
relies on an entertaining trick, but also begins the ...Ne7-g6 manoeuvre
typical of these quiet Ruy/Giuoco positions. White shouldn't let Black play
that in peace; if Black is wasting two tempi White can afford to spend two on
d3-d4, so} 5. O-O (5. Nxe5 $4 c6 {followed by ...Qa5+ is the trick}) 5... Ng6 (
{after the immediate} 5... c6 {I think White should go for} 6. Bc4 {
, with the same idea of breaking in the centre, and so that after} Ng6 7. d4 {
Black has no time for} d6 $2 {in view of} 8. dxe5 Nxe5 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. Bxf7+)
6. d4 {(Black can't hold the centre in view of the pin on the d-pawn)} c6 7.
dxe5 Nxe4 8. Bd3 ({White might also venture} 8. Re1 Nxf2 9. Kxf2 Qb6+ 10. Kg3
$5 cxb5 11. Be3 {
, but probably it's more relaxing not to play with the king on g3}) 8... d5 (
8... Nc5 9. Bg5 Be7 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. Nc3 {is also nice for White}) 9. exd6
Nxd6 10. Re1+ Be7 11. Qe2 Bf5 12. Bg5 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 O-O 14. Bxe7 Nxe7 15. Nc3 {
, and White enjoyed a decided initiative in this symmetrical structure, V.Papin-Y.Vovk, Lvov 2008.}) (4... Nd4 {is actually not a great move; White's d3
is a more useful developing move than Black's ...Nf6 in a Bird, and by
comparison with Rubinstein's 4 ...Nd4 in the Four Knights, d3 is obviously a
better move to have in than Nc3. White should continue in obvious fashion with}
5. Nxd4 exd4 6. e5 Nd5 7. O-O {, and now Black's only reasonable move is} c6 (
7... Bc5 $6 8. Qg4 {was already dreadful in M.Palac-L.Susini, Corsica 2009}) 8.
Bc4 d6 (8... Nb6 9. Bb3 d5 10. exd6 Qxd6 (10... Bxd6 11. Re1+ {is even worse})
11. Re1+ {is very nice for White}) {, but after the pragmatic} 9. Bxd5 cxd5 10.
Bf4 {White is simply better; he meets either} Be7 ({or} 10... Be6 {with} 11.
Nd2 {, going to b3.})) (4... Bc5) ({and} 4... d6 {are the two main moves, of
course, and we saw them both in the introductory games.}) 5. c3 a6 ({Black basically
has to choose between a ...Bc5 and a ...Bf8 set-up. An example of the ...Bf8 approach is} 5... O-O 6. O-O Re8 7. Nbd2 a6 8. Ba4 Bf8 9. Re1 b5 10. Bb3
Na5 11. Bc2 c5 12. d4 cxd4 13. cxd4 d6 14. b3 exd4 15. Nxd4 Bb7 16. Bb2 g6 {
, a pretty normal series of Lopez moves in M. Perez Candelario-S.Yeke,
European Ch., Kusadasi 2006, and now maybe White might have tried} 17. a4 {
, for example} bxa4 18. Rxa4 Bg7 19. Qa1 {
, and perhaps White can make something of his extra pawn after} Nc6 20. Nxc6
Bxc6 21. Rxa6 {.}) 6. Ba4 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. Nbd2 Bc5 9. O-O d5 {If Black doesn't
do this then he is a tempo down on the popular system with 3...a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5
0-0 Bc5!?, albeit that White is playing a rather uncritical d3 set-up.} 10.
exd5 Nxd5 11. Ne4 Be7 12. Re1 Kh8 {, A.Berescu-E.Chifor, Sarata Monteoru 2011.
Now perhaps White should have tried the immediate} 13. d4 {, for example} exd4
14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Qxd4 Be6 16. Be3 {, when, surprisingly at first sight,
White's more compact pawns give him a definite small edge.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "6. Evans Gambit in the Lopez"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C64"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "10"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. O-O Nd4 5. b4 $5 {. Black often meets 3...Bc5 4
0-0 with 4...Nf6, reaching the Classical Berlin Variation. In fact, until I
checked my databases I was sure that 4...Nf6 was the most popular choice, but
I was mistaken - by a short distance the most popular move is actually 4...Nd4.
--- 4...Nd4 is a strange line - strange in that it feels like this second move
from Black's knight should somehow lead to a comfortable edge for White,
whereas in reality White finds it quite tough to obtain anything meaningful in
the main line after 5 Nxd4 Bxd4 6 c3 Bb6 7 d4 c6 8 Ba4 d6. What's more, if
White isn't careful (or maybe even if he is!) there's a danger of the position
fizzling out into a lifeless equality. --- Given that the b5-bishop is
attacked, White's choices after 4...Nd4 are limited. However, there is one way
for White to mix things up: the Evans-style gambit 5 b4!?, and this is the
subject of this chapter. I can't remember exactly when I first became aware of
the existence of 5 b4 (it was first played in the 1960s), but I do remember
being attracted to it - both by the possibilities it creates and its surprise
value. --- Just recently I was given the opportunity to play 5 b4 in a London
League match, and this provided an ignition to take an updated look at the
gambit.} -- (5... -- {Summary: -- I can recommend 5 b4!? as a sharp weapon for
White after 3...Bc5 4 0-0 Nd4. It's certainly not a new line, but it's still
rare enough to carry some surprise value, and in any case I feel that White
has good chances of keeping some advantage. --- 5...Nxf3+ 6 Qxf3 looks good
for White, whether Black takes on b4 or not. Declining the pawn with 5...Bb6
is more solid, but Line B shows how White can utilize his advanced b-pawn.
Finally, 5...Bxb4 is generally considered to be Black's theoretically approved
response, but here I feel that 6 Nxd4 exd4 7 c3! (rather than the usual 7 Bb2)
gives Black some new problems to solve.}) *

[Event "London League"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2012.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Emms, J."]
[Black "Adelaja, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C64"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2012.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. O-O Nd4 5. b4 $5 {Played after some thought.}
({I'd done no specific preparation for the game, certainly wasn't ready for 4...Nd4, and feared that} 5. Nxd4 {might easily peter out into equality. So I
tried a gambit I'd previously had some success with, albeit quite a long time
ago!}) 5... Nxf3+ {This move was played quickly, but I became more confident
after my opponent then thought a while over his next move. Alternatives, here
and on Black's next move, will be covered later.} 6. Qxf3 Bxb4 7. Bb2 {
By this stage I was very happy with my decision to play 5 b4. In this line I
feel that White's development lead and activity is worth more than a pawn.} Qe7
({DANGEROUS WEAPON!} 7... Qf6 $6 {is strongly met by} 8. Qg3 $1 {. This is a
key move for White, whose advantage is already close to decisive. Notice that
the b5-bishop plays a vital role by preventing ...d6. --- A young Rafael
Vaganian once stumbled into this position, and even someone who was later to
become a Soviet Champion and a World Championship Candidate was unable to hold
it:} Bd6 9. f4 $1 Bf8 {
(a bizarre-looking move, but Black was already in trouble)} 10. Nc3 {
(Black's idea was ...Qb6+)} exf4 11. Rxf4 Qd4+ 12. Kh1 c6 13. Na4 $1 Qd6 14.
Bxg7 Bxg7 15. Qxg7 Qxf4 16. Rf1 Qxe4 17. Qxh8 Kf8 18. Bd3 Qxa4 19. Bxh7 Qg4 20.
Re1 $1 d5 21. Bxg8 Qxg8 22. Re8+ {1-0 S.Makarichev-R.Vaganian, USSR 1968.}) ({
Some other possible lines: --} 7... Nf6 8. d4 $1 ({this is even better than} 8.
Bxe5) 8... exd4 9. e5 Ng8 {looks very good for White.}) (7... Ne7 8. Bxe5 c6 (
8... O-O 9. Qg3 $1) 9. a3 Ba5 10. Bc4 O-O 11. Qg3 Ng6 12. Bd6 {
with a clear advantage.}) (7... c6 8. Bc4 Qe7 9. d4 d6 10. Qb3 $1 Ba5 11. dxe5
dxe5 12. Rd1 {with good compensation - Ba3 is one idea.}) ({
During the game I wondered about} 7... Qg5 $5 {here, and when I looked up the
position later on, I noticed it had been played before.} 8. h4 Qe7 9. Qg3 f6
10. d4 Bd6 11. Nd2 {(N.Alexandria-L.Semenova, Riga 1975) is similar to the
main game, and the extra h2-h4 doesn't seem to make a great deal of difference
either way.}) 8. Qg3 (8. d4 $5 {
looks like a promising alternative. One line from here is} c6 9. Bc4 (9. Ba4 $5
) 9... Nf6 $5 {, intending} 10. dxe5 Nxe4 $1 11. Qxe4 d5 {when Black is alive.}
) 8... f6 ({No one has played} 8... Nf6 $5 {
here, but it might not be a bad move:} 9. Bxe5 (9. Qxe5 Qxe5 10. Bxe5 c6 {
is perhaps a tiny edge for White}) 9... Nh5 $5 10. Qb3 Qxe5 11. Qxb4 c6 (11...
Qxa1 12. Nc3 {traps the queen}) 12. Bc4 Nf4 {
is unclear although I would slightly favour White.}) 9. d4 {
Trying to blast through in the centre is logical, and of course very tempting.}
({However, it's possibly better to precede d2-d4 with} 9. Bc4 {. --- DANGEROUS
WEAPON! 9 Bc4 introduces tactical tricks involving Qb3. For example,} d6 $2 ({
or} 9... Nh6 10. d4 d6 $2 11. Qb3) 10. Qb3 $1) ({After} 9. Bc4 Nh6 10. d4 {
, it's wiser for Black to play} exd4 11. Bxd4 {
, but White still has excellent compensation.}) 9... Bd6 $1 {Trying to keep
things closed. The drawback, of course, is that the d-pawn is now blocked, but
Black can hope to develop the light-squared bishop via b7, or by ...c6, ...Bc7
and ...d6.} 10. Nd2 {Intending Nc4 and thus forcing Black's hand in the centre.
} exd4 11. Qb3 ({During the game I considered sacrificing a third pawn with} 
11. e5 $1 fxe5 (11... Bxe5 $2 12. f4 $1) {, but couldn't work out the
consequences and so settled for something less committal. Houdini seems to
favour White in this line, despite the three-pawn deficit. For example,} 12.
Rae1 Nh6 ({if} 12... Nf6 {then} 13. f4 e4 14. Bd3 $1) 13. f4 $1 Nf5 14. Qd3 Ne3
15. fxe5 $1 Nxf1 16. Qxf1 Rf8 17. exd6 Rxf1+ 18. Kxf1 Qxe1+ 19. Kxe1 {
and I prefer White in this complicated ending.}) (11. f4 {is also possible.})
11... c6 12. Bd3 (12. Bc4 {seems more natural, but Black's knight is going to
h6 in any case, and I felt that Black may later gain time with ...b5.}) 12...
Nh6 13. Nf3 $2 {This is too slow.} ({White should get on with it, with} 13. f4
$1 {.}) 13... Be5 ({My plan was to answer} 13... c5 {with} 14. c3 {, but here}
b5 $1 {
would suddenly give Black counterplay. That said, 13...Be5 is also not bad.})
14. Nxe5 fxe5 15. f4 d6 16. fxe5 dxe5 17. Ba3 $2 Qg5 $4 ({I was certainly
helped here by the fact that my opponent was already in huge time trouble.
Both of us overlooked the simple counter-threat} 17... Be6 $1 {
when Black grabs the advantage.}) 18. Rf2 Qg6 $2 {Losing immediately.} ({
I was planning to answer} 18... Ng4 {with} 19. Raf1 $1 Nxf2 20. Rxf2 {
, when White's attack with queen, rook and two bishops will prove too strong
for Black.}) 19. Qb4 {The dual threat of mate on e7 and Rf8+ is decisive.} Qg5
20. Rf8+ Rxf8 21. Qxf8+ Kd7 22. Qd6+ Ke8 23. Rf1 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "An Evanslike Gambit"]
[Black "Looking a Little Deeper"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C64"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "10"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. O-O Nd4 5. b4 $5 {
. In this position Black has played the following three moves:} -- ({A:} 5...
Bxb4) ({B:} 5... Bb6) ({C:} 5... Nxf3+) ({
The only other remotely sensible-looking move is} 5... Nxb5 $6 {, but} 6. bxc5
{looks good for White, who should somehow be able to exploit the poor position
of Black's knight.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "An Evanslike Gambit"]
[Black "A: 5...Bxb4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C64"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. O-O Nd4 5. b4 Bxb4 {Black takes the pawn
immediately, without exchanging on f3. This prevents White from activating his
queen via Qxf3-g3, as we saw in my game with Adelaja. On the other hand, White
is able to compromise Black's structure by taking on d4.} 6. Nxd4 exd4 {
TRICKY TRANSPOSITION: This position could also be reached via the Bird: 3...
Nd4 4 Nxd4 exd4 5 0-0 Bc5 and now 6 b4!? Bxb4.} 7. c3 $5 {I feel that this
pawn move, virtually a novelty, might be an important nuance which gives Black
new problems to solve.} ({White has nearly always played} 7. Bb2 {here} -- ({
, after which} 7... Bc5 {(the most common response)} 8. c3 {
transposes to our main line, below}) ({, as does} 7... Qf6 8. c3 Bc5 {.}) ({
. However, Black has a safer option with} 7... Ne7 $1 8. Bxd4 O-O {, returning
the pawn and focussing on catching up in development. Black seems to have good
chances of equalizing here. For example,} 9. Qc1 a6 10. Be2 Nc6 11. Be3 d5 12.
c3 Be7 13. exd5 Qxd5 14. d4 Bf5 15. Nd2 Rfe8 {with a roughly level position,
similar to one in the mainline Petroff, M.Jurcik-T.Hirneise, Prievidza 2009.
The main idea behind 7 c3 is to eliminate this safer option for Black.} (15...
--))) 7... Bc5 {Black has a number of alternatives here. It's by no means easy
to dampen White's initiative, but Black might be able to do it with precise
defence. Let's take a look at a few lines.} (7... dxc3 8. Qb3 $1 {
gives White promising play. For example,} Qe7 ({if} 8... cxd2 {then} 9. Bb2 $1
{forces the ugly} Bf8) 9. Nxc3 ({or} 9. d4 $5 c6 10. Bd3 Nf6 11. Nxc3 {
with good compensation}) 9... c6 ({if} 9... Nf6 $2 {then} 10. e5 $1) 10. Bb2 $1
Nf6 (10... cxb5 $2 {loses to} 11. Nd5) 11. e5 Ng4 12. h3 Bxc3 ({or} 12... Nxe5
13. Rfe1) 13. Ba3 $1 {.}) (7... c6 8. Bc4 (8. cxb4 cxb5 9. Bb2 Ne7 10. Bxd4 O-O
11. Nc3 {looks very slightly better for White}) 8... Be7 $1 (8... Bc5 $2 {
is met by} 9. Bxf7+ $1 {,}) (8... Bd6 {by} 9. e5 $1 {,}) ({and} 8... dxc3 9.
Qb3 Qe7 10. Nxc3 {offers White good compensation}) 9. Re1 {
transposes to 7...Be7.}) (7... Be7 $5 {is a clever defence. Black allows White
to regain his pawn and plans to fight back in the centre with ...c6 and ...d5.}
8. -- (8. cxd4 c6 9. Bc4 d5 10. exd5 cxd5 (10... Nf6 $5) 11. Bb5+ Bd7 12. Bxd7+
Qxd7 13. Re1 {reaches an interesting position. White's doubled d-pawns mean
that Black is doing well from a structural point of view, but this is
counterbalanced by problems with his king.} Nf6 $2 {is answered by} 14. Ba3 {
, so Black will have to make some kind of concession, probably by either
castling into an open queenside or by ...Kf8.}) (8. Re1 $5 {keeps the gambit
offer and takes steps against Black's plan of ...c6 and ...d5. Black can
either grab the pawn or carry on developing:} -- (8... dxc3 9. d4 $5 ({or} 9.
Nxc3 c6 10. Bc4 d6 11. Qb3 Nh6 12. d4 {with good play}) 9... c6 10. Bc4 {
with excellent compensation, e.g.} d5 11. exd5 cxd5 12. Bb5+ Bd7 13. Nxc3 {
and the threats include Ba3.}) (8... c6 9. Bc4 d5 (9... d6 10. Qb3 Nh6 11. cxd4
O-O 12. Bb2 {feels better for White}) 10. exd5 cxd5 (10... Nf6 $4 11. Ba3 {wins
}) 11. Bb5+ {. Here Black must play} Kf8 {
, which looks easier to play for White,} ({as} 11... Bd7 {is strongly met by}
12. Qg4 $1 {.})))) 8. Bb2 $1 {Now we've transposed to the position normally
reached via 7 Bb2 Bc5 (instead of 7...Ne7!) 8 c3.} Qf6 ({Alternatively: --} 
8... dxc3 9. Nxc3 {is very risky here. For example,} c6 10. Nd5 $5 (10. Bc4 {
is also good}) 10... Bf8 11. Qh5 cxd5 12. exd5 Qb6 13. Rae1+ Ne7 14. Ba3 Kd8
15. d6 {1-0, C. Jensen-P.Nielsen, correspondence 2009.}) (8... c6 9. cxd4 $1
Be7 {is much more favourable for White than the comparable lines with 7...Be7,
because in effect Black has lost a tempo with ...Bb4-c5-e7.} 10. Ba4 d5 11.
exd5 Qxd5 {was A.Naiditsch-R.Kula, Trzcianka 2012, and here the simple} 12. Re1
$1 {leaves Black with many problems to solve.}) (8... d3 {
only temporarily disrupts White, who is left with a strong pawn centre:} 9.
Bxd3 Ne7 ({or} 9... d5 10. exd5 Qxd5 11. Be4 $1) 10. Bc2 O-O 11. d4 Bb6 12. c4
d6 13. Nc3 {with some advantage, S.Sulskis-A.Khamidulin, St Petersburg 1996.})
(8... Ne7 $5 {might be Black's best option here. After} 9. cxd4 Bb6 10. d5 O-O
11. Bc4 (11. d6 $5) ({or} 11. Na3 {intending Nc4}) 11... d6 12. d4 Ng6 {
White occupied the centre but Black's set-up was solid in R.Kasimdzhanov-B.Lepelletier, French League 2007.}) 9. Qh5 $1 Bb6 10. cxd4 Ne7 $1 ({
DANGEROUS WEAPON!} 10... Bxd4 $2 {loses to} 11. e5 Qb6 12. e6 $1 {
, exploiting pins on both the f7- and d7-pawns!} Nh6 13. exd7+ Bxd7 14. Bxd7+ {
(P.Staniszewski-A.Ostoja Domaradzka, Wisla 1992) wins a piece in view of} Kxd7
15. Qd5+ {.}) ({If} 10... c6 {White could just play} 11. Bc4 {,} ({
but I would also be tempted by} 11. Bd3 {
which takes squares away from the black queen in the event of e4-e5.})) 11. e5
Qf5 (11... Qg6 12. Qf3 $1 {would be similar.}) 12. Qe2 O-O {. We've been
following the game L.Masieev-A.Tolush, correspondence 1969. White has a number
of options here, but one way to keep an edge is} 13. a4 c6 ({if} 13... a5 {then
} 14. Na3 {intending Nc4}) 14. Bd3 Qe6 15. a5 Bc7 16. Nc3 {
, maintaining the pressure.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "An Evanslike Gambit"]
[Black "B: 5...Bb6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C64"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "23"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. O-O Nd4 5. b4 Bb6 {
The solid option. Black declines the pawn.} 6. Nxd4 Bxd4 ({
TRICKY TRANSPOSITION:} 6... exd4 {would again transpose to the Bird Defence.
This time it's 3...Nd4 4 Nxd4 exd4 5 0-0 Bc5 6 b4 Bb6. White has more than
one way to strive for an advantage here:} 7. -- (7. c4 c6 ({or} 7... dxc3 8.
Nxc3 c6 9. Ba4 Ne7 10. d4 d5 {, A.Gipslis-O.Pavlenko, Riga 1975, and now} 11.
b5 O-O 12. Ba3 {- Gipslis}) 8. Ba4 d6 9. d3 Ne7 10. Nd2 O-O 11. Qh5 Be6 12. f4
f6 13. Nf3 Bf7 14. Qh3 {, R.Soffer-J.Jirka, Tel Aviv 2012. Because of the
favourable pawn structure, White has possibilities on both sides of the board.}
) (7. Na3 a6 8. Bd3 Ne7 9. e5 O-O 10. Nc4 Ba7 11. a4 d5 12. exd6 cxd6 13. Ba3
Be6 14. b5 {
, again with a small advantage for White, A.Naiditsch-R.Rapport, Eretria 2011.}
)) 7. c3 Bb6 8. d4 c6 9. Ba4 d6 {The position after 9...d6 should be compared
to the main line, 5 Nxd4 Bxd4 6 c3 Bb6 7 d4 c6 8 Ba4 d6. The question is can
White in some way utilize his extra b2-b4 move?} (9... Nf6 $2 10. dxe5 Nxe4 11.
Qg4 {is good for White.}) 10. b5 $1 {Yes he can! Pressuring the c6-pawn
induces Black to develop his knight on e7 rather than the more active f6.
Black might be able to equalize with precise defence, but White's position is
certainly the easier to play.} Ne7 (10... cxb5 11. Bxb5+ Bd7 12. Na3 $1 {
also looks like an edge for White.}) 11. bxc6 bxc6 12. -- ({
Here Black equalized after} 12. Ba3 Ba6 $1 13. Re1 Bb5 14. Bb3 Ng6 {
in A.Lutikov-D.Godes, Kishinev 1967.}) ({A possible improvement for White is} 
12. dxe5 dxe5 13. Qh5 $1 {
, so that ...Ba6 can now be met more actively, with Rd1. Following} O-O 14. Ba3
Qc7 15. Nd2 Ba6 16. Rfd1 {the position is close to symmetrical but still looks
more comfortable for White, whose ideas include Nf3 and Bb3.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "An Evanslike Gambit"]
[Black "C: 5...Nxf3+"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C64"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. O-O Nd4 5. b4 Nxf3+ 6. Qxf3 {If I had to
make a choice, I would say that 5...Nxf3+ is the move White players would be
most happy to see. The active possibilities White gains by having the queen on
f3 can soon lead to danger for Black.} Bd4 {This is the only sensible
alternative to 6...Bxb4, which was covered in my game with Adelaja;} ({since} 
6... Bb6 $2 {simply loses a pawn to the double attack} 7. Qg3 $1 {.}) 7. c3 Bb6
8. Qg3 $1 {Once again this move is strong.} ({White could also play} 8. d4 exd4
{and only now} 9. Qg3 {, when} Qf6 {transposes to 9 d4, below.}) 8... Qf6 9.
Na3 {Intending, if allowed, to eliminate the bishop with Nc4xb6. Then White
will look to play the pawn break d2-d4, or f2-f4, or both!} ({
Other options also look promising for White. For example: --} 9. d4 $5 exd4 10.
Bf4 $1 (10. Bg5 Qg6 11. Qe5+ $6 Kf8 {forces Black's king to move but loses
valuable time, F.Borkowski-L.Dobrovolsky, Myslenice 1987}) 10... Ne7 11. Bxc7
Bxc7 12. Qxc7 {with a small edge for White.}) ({I was successful with} 9. d3 {
(intending Bg5)} h6 10. Na3 c6 11. Ba4 g5 $6 ({the critical line is} 11... Ne7
12. Nc4 Bc7 13. f4 $5 b5 14. fxe5 Qg6 15. Nd6+ Bxd6 16. exd6 Qxg3 17. hxg3 bxa4
18. dxe7 {with just a small advantage for White}) 12. d4 d6 13. Nc4 Bc7 14. b5
{, J.Emms-A.Payen, Paris 1994. Black is already in some trouble, and} a6 $2 15.
b6 $1 {only made matters worse.}) ({Looking at the position after} 9. d3 {
today, it appears that Bg5 isn't such a big deal and Black probably does
better to delay or even avoid ...h6. For example,} Ne7 10. Na3 (10. Bg5 Qg6 11.
Qh4 f6 12. Be3 O-O {is okay for Black}) 10... c6 ({not} 10... O-O 11. Bg5) 11.
Ba4 Bc7 ({or even} 11... d5 $5 {. Overall, it seems to be more logical for
White to keep the option of playing d4 in one go.})) 9... c6 ({
Another typical line would be} 9... Ne7 10. Nc4 (10. d4 $5 exd4 11. Nc4) (10.
Be2 $5) 10... c6 11. Ba4 (11. Nxb6 axb6 12. Bc4 {is also possible}) 11... Bc7
12. d4 b5 $1 ({if} 12... d6 13. b5 $1 {and Black is under some pressure}) 13.
dxe5 Qg6 14. Nd6+ Bxd6 15. exd6 Qxg3 16. hxg3 bxa4 17. dxe7 Kxe7 {
and White enjoys a slight edge in view of his stronger pawn structure.}) 10.
Be2 $1 {Clearing the bishop out of the way and avoiding any ...b5 forks which
might occur after Ba4. White is ready to play Nc4 and then aim for the d2-d4
or f2-f4 break.} d6 11. Nc4 Ne7 12. d4 {This is a very nice position for White.
J.Sendera-W.Zygo, Rzeszow 2000, continued:} Ng6 (12... Bc7 {is wiser.}) 13. Bg5
(13. f4 $1 exd4 14. e5 $1 {is very strong.}) 13... Qe6 14. f4 exf4 15. Bxf4
Nxf4 16. Qxf4 Bc7 17. Ne3 O-O 18. Bg4 Qe7 19. Bxc8 Raxc8 20. Rf3 Rce8 21. Nf5
Qe6 {and White had built up a powerful attack on the kingside. Indeed, after}
22. Raf1 $1 {, threatening Rg3 followed by Qh6, there's very little that Black
can do. For example,} f6 23. Rh3 g6 24. Rxh7 $1 {.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "7. Fighting the Exchange"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C68"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "13"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 Bh5 {. The Exchange
Variation. Many openings have one of these - the French, the Slav, the Caro,
the Alekhine, the QGD, the QGA... They are always annoying to the ambitious
Black, and the Ruy Exchange has the additional disadvantage from Black's point
of view of also being quite a strong system. Black's methods of defence in the
main lines have been fairly well worked out, but White doesn't have to know
very much to be very hard to beat in these. --- What is needed if Black wants
to keep chances to win is something more offbeat which can wrench White out of
his positional, endgame-oriented course. There are quite a few methods on the
market, which vary quite widely on the soundness/unbalancing spectrum. The one
I'm going to discuss here is really quite unbalancing with everything that
implies, but some 2600+ players - like Black in the following game - have been
willing to venture it, so it certainly isn't entirely off the wall.} 7. -- (7.
-- {Summary: -- This final section has been rather a formless one, but the
move orders here have yet to be worked out. It seems to me that it is here
that Black's idea is under the greatest pressure, but White has by no means
yet shown a clear path to an advantage. The position after 17 moves in
So-Kolev and Swinkels-Sokolov is probably a good starting point for
investigation.}) *

[Event "Griesheim"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2011.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Seger, R."]
[Black "Meier, G."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C68"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2011.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg4 {
This is still one of the main lines, of course.} 6. h3 {If White doesn't do
this then Black simply defends the e-pawn at his next turn with a reasonable
game in the style of various delayed Exchange systems in the Ruy, so this is
the only move Black needs to prepare for.} Bh5 {But this is Black's big idea;
of course he could play ...Bxf3, but if he gives up the two bishops like that
he has to expect that White will always be a little better;} ({while} 6... h5 {
is the main move and the scene of some important theoretical disputes in the
1950's (at one time this system for Black was thought to be the reason why 5
0-0 was not good), and some very much less important theoretical discussions
between the Kosintseva sisters, whose games against each other invariably
feature this variation and continue with} 7. c3 Qd3 8. hxg4 hxg4 9. Nxe5 Bd6 10.
Nxd3 Bh2+ {draw agreed. In our day the inventive Swede Jonny Hector was for
some time the lone advocate of Black's gambit (which has recently become quite
fashionable at grandmaster level).}) 7. g4 Bg6 8. Nxe5 Qh4 ({
Black has also tried} 8... Bd6) ({and} 8... f6 {, and we'll have a look at
those in the 'Looking a Little Deeper' section, but this move, bringing the
queen into the game in a very natural way, is the move which has really been
revitalizing Hector's pawn sacrifice.}) 9. Qf3 f6 10. Nxg6 ({
White can't hope for much if he allows this bishop to live, for example} 10.
Nc4 h5 11. d3 Bf7 12. Kg2 Be6 {.}) 10... hxg6 11. Kg2 g5 {Again Black has some
obvious alternatives, but this move will always be necessary, clamping White's
weaknesses on the kingside and making room for the knight on g6.} 12. d3 {
White has a lot of alternatives - indeed choosing among his plethora of
possible arrangements of his forces while trying to get to grips with Black's
somewhat indeterminate compensation is his main problem in this variation -
but basically the immediate choice is between Nc3-e2 and Nd2-c4, and also d3
or d4.} Ne7 13. Rh1 (13. Qg3 Qh7 {
wouldn't help much; Black gains a tempo on the queen with ...Bd6.}) 13... Qh7
14. Kg1 {A slightly passive-looking move, but White has to move either king or
queen in reply to ...Ng6.} O-O-O 15. Nc3 Kb8 16. Be3 Ng6 17. Ne2 Bd6 {
Both players have finished their development in a very natural way, and it's
time to assess the position and Black's compensation. This basically consists
of White's rather unsafe king position, which is going to remain slightly
insecure until the end of the game, and the blockade which Black enjoys over
White's kingside pawns.} 18. Ng3 {Black is able to stop this knight coming to
f5 or h5 and this move ends up being rather useless, but it's not at all easy
to say what White should do instead. --- DANGEROUS WEAPON! Black's
compensation is probably already objectively sufficient, and what is quite
certain is that his position is much easier to play.} Nh4 19. Qe2 g6 20. Kf1
Qe7 21. Rg1 Bf4 {Underlining the folly of White's knight manoeuvre to g3; he
loses control over f4.} 22. Ke1 c5 23. Rd1 ({White's last few moves look as
though he harboured hopes of getting away to the queenside with his king, but
if so he must have realized about here that} 23. Kd2 c4 24. Rad1 Qb4+ 25. Kc1
c3 26. bxc3 Qxc3 {leaves him with hardly any moves he can sensibly make.})
23... Rhe8 24. Rd2 (24. Kd2 c4 25. Kc1 c3 {
is still very uncomfortable, for instance} 26. bxc3 Qa3+ 27. Kd2 Be5 {
. Instead White is now aiming to run his king to the queenside behind the
broad back of this rook, but it's too late.}) 24... Qe6 25. c4 f5 $1 {
Black cracks open the position before the white king can run.} 26. gxf5 ({
It looks to me as though White should nonetheless have run for it with} 26. Kd1
{, either here or at his next turn, although to be sure his situation after}
Bxe3 27. fxe3 f4 28. Nf1 f3 29. Qf2 {continues to be extremely awkward.}) 26...
gxf5 27. Nxf5 Nxf5 28. exf5 Qxf5 29. Qg4 {Probably White had relied on this,
but after the calm reply it is clear that he has simply misplaced the queen.}
Qh7 30. Ke2 Rd4 31. Qf3 Bxe3 32. fxe3 Rf4 33. Qg3 Qh5+ 34. Ke1 Rf3 35. Qg4
Rexe3+ 36. Re2 $2 {
A dreadful move. White has simply been too battered to go on calculating.} ({
It was essential to try and run with the king with} 36. Kd1 {, when Black
doesn't have anything much better than taking the double rook ending with an
extra pawn, which gives White fair chances to resist.}) 36... Qf7 $2 {
And this is a horrible error in reply; no doubt the players were very short of
time.} (36... Qh7 {was the way to do it; the difference is that} 37. Qxg5 {
now allows a decisive capture on d3.}) 37. Rgg2 $2 ({
White spurns the chance of salvation:} 37. Qxg5 {threatens both Rxe3 and Qg8+,
and would still have allowed White to escape with his skin.}) 37... Rxd3 38.
Rgf2 Rf4 39. Qxg5 Rxf2 40. Rxf2 Qxc4 {The end of the time scramble, no doubt.
White's king is too exposed for serious resistance in the heavy piece endgame.}
41. Re2 Rxh3 42. Qd8+ Ka7 43. Qxc7 Rf3 44. Kd2 Qd3+ 45. Ke1 Qb1+ {. --- An impressive advertisement for Black's gambit, no question. But can Black really get
away with such a cavalier attitude to pawns? In the next game we'll have a
look at a grandmaster attempting to deal with Black's gambit.} 0-1

[Event "British League"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2010.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Turner, M."]
[Black "Hammer, J."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C68"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "150"]
[EventDate "2010.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 Bh5 7. g4 Bg6 8.
Nxe5 Qh4 9. Qf3 f6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. Kg2 g5 {All as in the previous game.} 12.
Nc3 {The first diversion. White commits himself with his knight but keeps open
his options for the d-pawn.} Ne7 13. e5 $6 {Quite tempting, and briefly my
computer's top choice, but it seems that Black has at least equal chances
after this. Generally Matthew doesn't like to suffer without the initiative,
though - perhaps there was a psychological element in Hammer's opening choice.}
Ng6 {A difficult choice. It was clear from the clock times that White had been
caught unprepared in the opening and that Black was now in the same position.}
({White's idea presumably was} 13... fxe5 14. d4 {
but even after that Black seems to be fine; he continues with the calm} Ng6 {
anyway} ({not} 14... exd4 $2 15. Ne4 {
, when White does indeed succeed in grasping the initiative}) {
, after which there follows} 15. dxe5 Be7 {when Black has pretty reasonable
chances - as often in this variation the idea of ...Qh7 and ...Nh4+ is useful,
when Black might even be so cheeky as to take the c2-pawn, while his pieces
all have attractive prospects and the passed e-pawn is no particular danger.})
14. d4 ({Of course not} 14. exf6 Nf4+ {.}) 14... O-O-O ({
Black could transpose to the line above with} 14... fxe5 {
, but he prefers rapid development.}) 15. Ne2 {This was White's idea, of
course, to fight against the f8-bishop and protect his weakness on f4 that way.
} ({After the computer suggestion of} 15. exf6 gxf6 16. Rd1 {
the bishop comes to d6 and Black simply has easy play and is better.}) 15...
Qh7 $1 ({DANGEROUS WEAPON! An excellent move. After} 15... Qh7 $1 {
White can't try and cling on to all his pawns with} 16. Qc3 $2 {because of}
Nh4+ 17. Kg1 Qe4 {, so he has to give back a pawn, after which Black's
activity means that he is already better.}) ({Instead, after} 15... fxe5 {
there follows the virtually forced line} 16. Qf5+ Kb8 17. Rh1 Nf4+ 18. Bxf4
exf4 19. Ng1 $1 {
, when the knight comes to f3 and White consolidates with approximate equality.
}) 16. Kh2 ({White can't try and cling on to all his pawns with} 16. Qc3 $2 {
because of} Nh4+ 17. Kg1 Qe4 {, so he has to give back a pawn, after which
Black's activity means that he is already better.}) 16... Nh4 17. Qd3 Qxd3 18.
cxd3 fxe5 19. dxe5 Rxd3 20. Be3 {White is struggling, since g5 is immune
because of the fork. The rest of the game is not of so much interest.} Rd5 21.
e6 Rh6 22. Nc3 Re5 23. Kh1 c5 {A human choice.} ({The computer is very
confident about the complications attendant on the more natural} 23... Be7 24.
Bd4 Rexe6 25. Bxg7 Rh7 26. Bd4 Nf3 27. Be3 Rxh3+ 28. Kg2 Reh6 29. Ne4 {
, but it's easy to see why they didn't appeal to Hammer.}) 24. Bxg5 $5 {
A very typical Turner move.} ({
The computer prefers to continue resisting stolidly with} 24. Rad1 Nf3 25. Rd5
Rhxe6 26. Rfd1 {, which certainly gives White's pieces the best views they've
had for some time, but actually the move in the game doesn't achieve any
complications; it simply comes down to a choice of which miserable pawn-down
position White would like to play.}) 24... Rxg5 25. f4 Rgg6 26. f5 Nxf5 {
The rook was trapped, so this is the only move, but good enough.} 27. Rxf5 Bd6
28. Kg2 Rxe6 29. Raf1 b5 30. b3 Kb7 31. R1f2 Kc6 32. Ne2 Re3 33. Ng1 Rg3+ 34.
Kf1 Rc3 35. Rg5 c4 36. bxc4 Bc5 37. cxb5+ axb5 38. Ne2 Rcxh3 39. Rff5 Rh1+ 40.
Kg2 R6h2+ 41. Kg3 Rh3+ 42. Kg2 R3h2+ 43. Kg3 Bd6+ 44. Kf3 Rf1+ 45. Ke3 Re1 46.
Rf2 Rh3+ 47. Rf3 Rh2 48. Rf2 Bf4+ 49. Rxf4 Rexe2+ 50. Kd3 Rxa2 51. Rb4 Ra5 52.
Rxg7 Ra3+ 53. Kd4 Kb6 54. Rg6+ c6 55. Rb1 Ra4+ 56. Ke5 Re2+ 57. Kf5 Rf2+ 58.
Ke5 Rff4 59. g5 {This just loses the pawn, after which it's hopeless.} ({
Matt must have missed something, since otherwise he would surely have played} 
59. Rg1 Rae4+ 60. Kd6 b4 61. g5 {, when at least he can move his passed pawn,
although Black's duo should get there pretty comfortably first.}) 59... Rae4+
60. Kd6 Rf5 61. Rd1 Rg4 62. Kd7 Rc5 63. Rg8 Rcxg5 64. Rb8+ Kc5 65. Rc1+ Rc4 66.
Re1 Rg7+ 67. Ke6 Rg3 68. Re5+ Kb4 69. Kd6 Rg6+ 70. Kc7 Rh4 71. Rc8 c5 72. Kb7
c4 73. Rc6 Rxc6 74. Kxc6 Rh6+ 75. Kd5 c3 {. --- No-one ever won a game by
resigning, as they say, but Matt had finally had enough. This game had an
entertaining sequel; in the following year's 4NCL the same pair met again, and
this time Matt managed a steady draw with White after a dubious-looking piece
sacrifice succeeded in delivering perpetual check. This so upset the
impressionable young Black player that he rushed off at the conclusion of the
game without a word, causing the other players to look at one another with
pursed lips and raised eyebrows, quite the commotion in the cloistered world
of these GM encounters at the top end of the 4NCL. But Matthew was
understanding. "It's okay", he said. "I expect he's in a hurry to go and
celebrate."} 0-1

[Event "Pardubice"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2012.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Dann, M."]
[Black "Nisipeanu, L."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C68"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2012.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

{Before we get to the theory, let's just have a look at what happens if White
doesn't take up the challenge. Much of the appeal of this particular Dangerous
Weapon is that White doesn't have a good way of doing this at all - if he
doesn't dance to Black's tune then he has to admit that his opening has failed
and he is playing for equality at best. ---} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4.
Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 Bh5 7. d3 ({
The only other way White might try to play is something like} 7. c3 Nf6 8. Re1
(8. d4 $6 exd4 9. cxd4 Bxf3 10. gxf3 Qd7 {is not good}) {, but then} 8... Qd7 {
is a good move, preventing White from breaking the pin with} 9. g4 $4 ({
the best White can do then is settle for something between equality and slight
inferiority with} 9. Nxe5 Bxd1 10. Nxd7 Kxd7 11. Rxd1 Nxe4) {, in view of} 9...
Nxg4 {.}) 7... f6 8. Be3 ({White developed in a different way in another
example, R.Smith-S.Collins, Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad 2010, with no greater
success:} 8. Nbd2 c5 9. Re1 Ne7 10. Nf1 Nc6 11. Ng3 Bf7 12. Be3 Qd7 13. a3 g6
14. Nd2 Be7 15. f4 {(it's difficult to see how the move a3 fitted into this
plan, but this is rather typical for this variation; White needs to get
organized and do something before Black gets perfectly arranged and begins to
press forward with ...Nd4 and such like, using his space advantage and two
bishops, but the trouble is that White often finds that anything he attempts
makes his position worse, and that's what happens here)} exf4 16. Bxf4 O-O-O
17. Nf3 c4 18. dxc4 Bc5+ 19. Kh1 Qxd1 20. Raxd1 Bxc4 {, and White's tatty pawn
structure and Black's bishops proved decisive in the ending.}) 8... Bd6 {
Now, unlike Collins, Black needs to develop this bishop first so as to keep ...c5 in reserve.} 9. Nbd2 c5 10. c3 Ne7 11. Qc2 (11. d4 cxd4 12. cxd4 exd4 13.
Bxd4 Bf4 14. Nb3 Nc6 {doesn't achieve anything either; Black is still slightly
better with his two bishops.}) 11... Nc6 12. Rfe1 Qd7 13. Nh4 O-O 14. Nf1 ({
White is welcome to play} 14. Nf5 Rfd8 15. Nxd6 {. Black wouldn't even bother
to 'repair' his pawn structure, preferring to keep the d-file as an avenue for
his pieces with} Qxd6 {.}) 14... Rfd8 15. g4 $6 {A bad move, but typical of
the phenomenon I mentioned before in this structure; it's very hard to find
anything to do for White, while Black has plenty of useful ways to build up
his position.} Bf7 16. Ng3 c4 17. dxc4 Bxc4 18. b3 Be6 {Already it's clear
that White's best move would be g4-g2. Perhaps he was just focussed on his d3
weakness and it never occurred to him that Black might exchange it with ...c4
in order to distract White from whatever he had in mind on the kingside.} 19.
Rad1 Qf7 20. Kg2 a5 21. Nf3 a4 22. c4 Be7 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Rd1 Rxd1 25. Qxd1
Bf8 26. Qb1 {It's difficult to see how this helps - did White have some sort
of bxa4 move in mind? - but it would always be very hard to defend this sort
of position against someone of Nisipeanu's superior class.} Qd7 27. Nf5 ({
Maybe White should have gone for it -} 27. bxa4 Na5 28. Qb5 Nxc4 29. Qxb7 Nxe3+
30. fxe3 Qxa4 31. Qxc7 Qxa2+ 32. Kg1 g6 {, for example, is pretty grim, but
I'm not sure it was any grimmer than the game.}) 27... Nb4 28. Ne1 a3 29. Ng3
b5 30. cxb5 Qxb5 31. g5 ({After} 31. Nc2 Qd3 32. Nxa3 Qxb1 33. Nxb1 Nxa2 34.
Nd2 Nc1 {Black wins the b-pawn, so White can't challenge the b4-knight and the
end becomes more or less inevitable.}) 31... fxg5 32. Bxg5 c5 33. Bc1 Qa6 34.
Nf3 Nd3 35. Ng5 Bc8 36. Kg1 c4 37. Qc2 $6 {A bit yielding;} ({but} 37. bxc4
Qxc4 38. Be3 h6 39. Nf3 Bxh3 {wasn't really any better.}) 37... h6 38. bxc4 (
38. Nf3 Nxc1 39. Qxc1 cxb3 40. axb3 a2 41. Qa1 Bb4 {is also the end.}) 38...
Nxc1 39. Nf3 Nxa2 40. Qxa2 Be6 41. Nxe5 Bd6 42. Qa1 a2 43. Ng4 Bxg4 44. hxg4
Be5 {. --- A miserable game for White, who was crushed without Black needing
to break sweat. --- DANGEROUS WEAPON! The moral is clear: White really does
need to take up the gauntlet against Black's system.} 0-1

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Fighting the Exchange"]
[Black "Looking a Little Deeper"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C68"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "16"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

{Let's move on to examine the actual theory of Black's gambit. ---} 1. e4 e5 2.
Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 Bh5 7. g4 Bg6 8. Nxe5 {
. Now 8...Qh4 is the main line, but we shall also consider two other options:}
-- ({A:} 8... Bd6) ({B:} 8... f6) ({C:} 8... Qh4) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Fighting the Exchange"]
[Black "A: 8...Bd6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C68"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 Bh5 7. g4 Bg6 8.
Nxe5 Bd6 {This move (another Hector invention) is definitely worth a try;
Black aims for the f4 hole and intends, ultimately, to trade the bishop, which
is his least obviously effective piece, to accentuate the weaknesses on
White's kingside.} 9. Nxg6 {White doesn't have to do this.} (9. d4 Bxe5 10.
dxe5 Qxd1 11. Rxd1 Bxe4 {is not worth considering at all - any Berlin player
will tell you that Black is more than fine here with the opposite-coloured
bishops and the over-advanced e-pawn, and Black can even still castle!}) ({
But even Hector once struggled against} 9. Nf3 {, although having said that it
looks to me as though he achieved exactly the sort of position an aficionado
of this gambit ought to like, with amorphous long-term chances for the pawn,
after the natural sequence} h5 10. g5 ({Alterman did an ICC video on this
gambit, and here he offered the entertaining line} 10. e5 hxg4 $1 11. hxg4 Bc5
12. d4 (12. d3 Qd7 13. e6 fxe6 {is about the best White can do}) 12... Be4 13.
c3 Rh3 14. Nbd2 Qh4 {, and Black mates}) 10... Qd7 11. Kg2 Ne7 12. Nc3 h4 13.
d4 {, J.Aabling Thomsen-J.Hector, Copenhagen 2007. At this point Hector played}
Bb4 {, which seems a bit committal.} ({I prefer the natural} 13... O-O-O {
. If White insists then on preventing ...Bb4 with} 14. a3 Qe6 15. e5 {
then Black has} Bc5 16. Be3 Bh5 $1 {with excellent play, while otherwise Black
has lots of ideas, for example ...Qe6, ...Ng6, sometimes an ...f6 break if
White does nothing active. I think this position is quite uncomfortable for
White.})) 9... hxg6 10. Kg2 Qh4 11. Qf3 Bf4 {
This little trick is the point of Black's 8...Bd6.} ({
A young Magnus Carlsen once tried} 11... Nf6 {
, an interesting move which does have the drawback that} 12. e5 ({
instead, White's best is} 12. d4 Be7 {and now not} 13. e5 ({but simply} 13. Rh1
{followed by Nc3, Be3 and so on, when Black finds it hard to create any
counterplay}) 13... Nd5 {transposing to Carlsen's game}) 12... Nd5 13. exd6
Nf4+ 14. Kh1 Qxh3+ 15. Qxh3 Rxh3+ {forces a draw at once.}) 12. d3 ({White does
better to keep his d-pawn on d3 in this line; there's no real point in d4,
both because it offers Black unnecessary chances against the centre and
because it closes the g1-a7 diagonal, which otherwise may come in useful to
enable White to prevent queenside castling at some moment. These points were
well illustrated in R.Djurhuus-J.Hector, Malmo 1995, in which Hector scored
another victory with his pet system. Let's follow this game:} 12. Nc3 Ne7 13.
d4 ({White could also choose the more restrained} 13. d3 {when Kinsman gave} g5
14. Ne2 Ng6 15. Nxf4 gxf4 16. Rh1 Qg5 17. Kf1 O-O-O {"with prospects of
consolidating the extra pawn". This is a fairly typical way of saying that
what is actually needed is more practice; one might equally say that Black has
the usual sort of compensation and ought to be happy with this position. In
specific terms, assuming White wants to win it's not easy to see how he's
going to 'consolidate his extra pawn' if Black simply triples on the h-file,
since any defence of the h-pawn by Kg2 can be met with a move of the h4-rook
threatening ...Nh4+ and forcing the king to retreat. This drawing mechanism
has been seen in a few games in this line.}) 13... g5 14. Ne2 ({Instead} 14.
Bxf4 gxf4 15. Ne2 ({after} 15. Rh1 {Alterman mentioned} Qg5 ({instead either} 
15... g5) ({or} 15... Ng6 {
should be fine for Black, with the usual sort of compensation}) {
, perhaps overlooking} 16. h4 Rxh4 17. Rxh4 Qxh4 18. Qxf4) 15... Ng6 16. Rh1
Qg5 17. Qb3 Nh4+ 18. Kf1 O-O-O 19. f3 {was given as better and unclear by
Wedberg (and Finkel), but Black can be pretty happy here; he is already ready
with the typical break} f5) 14... Ng6 15. Rh1 Qh6 16. Kf1 Nh4 17. Qd3 ({Here} 
17. Qb3 O-O-O 18. Bxf4 gxf4 19. f3 {was another Wedberg proposal adopted by
Finkel and endorsed by Kinsman. I'm not sure how much it really alters the
play. Fundamentally Black's compensation resides in the airy white king and
the kingside weaknesses, and only practice can tell whether it's enough over
the board. What's certain is that White's position is harder to play.}) 17...
Bxc1 18. Rxc1 O-O-O 19. Qe3 Rhe8 {. White was already struggling to keep a lid
on Black's counterplay, with ...f5 next up.}) 12... g5 13. Bxf4 gxf4 14. Nd2 ({
White could also threaten f4 directly by covering h3 with} 14. Rh1 {
, when possible is} Qf6 $6 (14... Ne7) 15. c3 $6 ({however, far better was} 15.
Nc3 Ne7 16. e5 $1 {, so that if} Qxe5 17. Rae1 Qd6 18. Ne4 {with a strong
initiative; Black in turn would do better to play 14...g5 rather than falling
for this, when the play is similar to the main line, although Black is
committed to ...g5}) 15... Ne7 16. Qe2 Ng6 17. f3 O-O-O {, as in H.Rolletschek-S.Brandner, Mureck 2001, when Black was already getting good play; the d3
weakness hurts White.}) 14... Ne7 15. Rh1 Ng6 16. Qe2 O-O-O 17. Nf3 Qe7 {
. This was suggested by Wedberg, who claimed a slight advantage for White, and
endorsed enthusiastically for White by Kinsman, who said that "it is actually
quite hard to see where Black's compensation lies in this position". Well, I
think it's fairly plain to see where it lies; Black will need to seek his
chances in the insecure position of the white king once the game opens up.
Still, it's hard to disagree with Wedberg that White ought to stand at least a
little better.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Fighting the Exchange"]
[Black "B: 8...f6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C68"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 Bh5 7. g4 Bg6 8.
Nxe5 f6 {This doesn't look as natural as 8...Qh4, but perhaps that square is
better reserved for the knight after all and the queen can find employment on
d7. Still, White played disturbingly natural moves in the slight encounter E.Alvarez Fernandez-F.San Claudio Gonzales, Asturias 2000, which proceeded:} 9.
Nxg6 hxg6 10. Qf3 {Evidently White needs to aim to do better than in that game.
} ({The only reason Black's combination worked in the Spanish game was the
inept 13 Qe3? giving Black the crucial tempo, so White could instead play more
sensibly as Jesus de Villa Garcia did with} 10. Kg2 Qd7 11. d3 O-O-O 12. Bf4 g5
13. Bg3 Bd6 14. Nd2 Ne7 15. Qf3 Bf4 16. Nc4 Ng6 17. a4 {; this was against the
same San Claudio Gonzales, at Alicante 1989, and White produced a convincing
victory.}) 10... Qd7 11. d3 ({Alternatively, one simple way to improve is what
Joel Benjamin did in J.Benjamin-J.Van der Wiel, Cannes (rapid) 1992, and seize
the initiative back with} 11. Nc3 O-O-O 12. d4 Qxd4 13. Rd1 Qc4 14. Rxd8+ Kxd8
15. Bf4 Kc8 16. Rd1 {, with a pleasant advantage.}) 11... O-O-O 12. Bf4 Ne7 13.
Qe3 $2 Kb8 14. Kg2 g5 15. Bg3 Ng6 16. Nd2 Bd6 17. Nf3 {
and now the alarmingly crushing} Rxh3 {. However, I don't think Black can
really hope for anything like theoretical equality from this line.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Fighting the Exchange"]
[Black "C: 8...Qh4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C68"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "23"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 Bh5 7. g4 Bg6 8.
Nxe5 Qh4 9. Qf3 f6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. Kg2 ({White doesn't have to defend this
pawn, of course, and perhaps he could even claim to be better after a move
like} 11. d4 Qxh3 12. Qxh3 Rxh3 13. Kg2 {,}) ({or the still more pusillanimous
} 11. Qg3 {, occasionally seen. Still, even if he does opt for a move which
leaves h3 en prise Black can continue without taking it, and the likelihood is
that White will find he doesn't have a better move than Kg2 sooner or later.})
11... g5 {This flexible move seems to be the best, although as far as I can
tell it wasn't played until 2009, when a game a few days before Turner-Hammer
introduced it, although doubtless Turner-Hammer and the winner's enthusiastic
notes in 'New in Chess' were, so to speak, the spark that set the flame. ---} (
{Actually many of the games follow a different move order at this point, and
to be honest I can't discern any reason why it's important whether Black
starts with this move or} 11... O-O-O {. Black can hardly think of any plan
which doesn't include both castling queenside and also taking control of f4
and h4 like this, clearing the perfect post for the knight on g6.}) {As I said 
in the introductory game, White's choices divide basically into plans with Nc3
and those with Nd2, so we'll need one more split:} 12. -- ({C1:} 12. Nc3) ({C2:
} 12. d3 {(without Nc3)}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Fighting the Exchange"]
[Black "C1: 12 Nc3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C68"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 Bh5 7. g4 Bg6 8.
Nxe5 Qh4 9. Qf3 f6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. Kg2 g5 12. Nc3 ({White could play} 12. d4
{at once, and indeed there's a lot to be said for that if he wants to play a
d4 set-up, since this way he doesn't give Black time to castle and force the
knight to go to e2 to defend the pawn before White can go d4. In J.Rosner-A.Karpatchev, Deizisau 2010, Black played all the normal moves:} O-O-O 13. Be3
Ne7 14. Nc3 Ng6 15. Rh1 Kb8 16. Rad1 Qh7 17. Kf1 Nh4 {
(not a conspicuously necessary move at this point)} 18. Qe2 Bd6 19. f3 Rhe8 20.
Ke1 Bf4 21. Bxf4 gxf4 22. Kf1 g5 23. Rh2 Rd7 {, and the usual difficult
struggle resulted; White is disorganized and has weaknesses around his king,
but Black has no immediate way of prosecuting his initiative.}) 12... O-O-O 13.
Ne2 {It's natural to play this if White wants to play d4, and indeed White did
exactly that in the first game our system was played, an obscure encounter at
Barmen 1905 in which Black was the unknown (to me) player Georg Schories.} ({
White can also consider} 13. d4 {
at once, relying perhaps on the Turner-like tactic} Rxd4 14. Be3 Rd8 15. Rad1
Bd6 16. e5 fxe5 17. Ne4 {, but Black can defuse this with one accurate move:}
Nf6 18. Bxg5 Qh7 {is fine for him.}) ({Another set-up is} 13. d3 Bd6 14. Ne2
Ne7 15. Rh1 Kb8 {, when White has tried two moves:} 16. -- (16. Bd2 Qh7 17. Kf1
Ng6 18. Bc3 {(not an obviously compelling plan; what's the bishop doing here?)}
Rhe8 19. b4 Qg8 20. a4 Qf8 21. Rb1 Qf7 22. Rb3 Nh4 23. Qe3 Rd7 24. Nd4 Bf4 25.
Qe2 Red8 26. Nf5 Rxd3 {, and following this breakthrough White went down in
flames in D.Collutiis-D.Pavasovic, Bratto 2009.}) (16. Ng3 Qh7 17. Nf5 Ng6 18.
Be3 Qg8 19. Qe2 Be5 20. c3 Bf4 21. a3 Rh7 22. Rad1 Qe6 {, when White found
himself in trouble finding a piece to move in M.Normantas-A.Delorme, World
Junior Ch., Chotowa 2010. I think the trouble is that the knight on f5 is
pretty but it's not effective; it doesn't cooperate with the other white
pieces, and in the end White couldn't think of anything better than retreating
it:} 23. Ng3 Nh4+ 24. Kf1 g6 25. Rg1 Re7 26. f3 f5 {
, and again White was disorganized and succumbed to this typical breakthrough.}
(26... --))) 13... Bd6 14. d4 Ne7 15. Rh1 Kb8 ({
Obviously White's last was designed to prevent} 15... Ng6 $4 16. Qf5+) ({
but Black could also have tried} 15... Qh7 {; the king move isn't always
necessary or even useful; if White gets in an a4/b4-b5 plan then the king may
be safer on c8.}) 16. Ng3 -- ({
E.Dyckhoff-G.Schories, Barmen 1905. At this point Schories tried} 16... c5 {
, which should have been refuted by the brutal modern tactic} 17. e5 fxe5 18.
dxc5 Bxc5 19. Ne4 {.}) ({Instead the prophylactic} 16... Qh7 {, to take the
sting out of White's coming Nf5, would have provided Black with a normal
position for this gambit}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Fighting the Exchange"]
[Black "C2: 12 d3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C68"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 Bh5 7. g4 Bg6 8.
Nxe5 Qh4 9. Qf3 f6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. Kg2 g5 12. d3 {In this section we're
going to confine ourselves to plans without Nc3. In a way this leaves f4 to
Black's mercy, but actually, as we'll see, White's knight can fight for this
square in other ways, and this is in my view definitely White's most dangerous
way to combat our gambit.} (12. d4 Ne7 13. Rh1 Qh7 14. Kg1 O-O-O 15. Be3 Kb8
16. Nd2 Qg8 17. b4 Ng6 18. c3 Bd6 {(it doesn't seem to matter sometimes what
order Black plays his moves in this line!)} 19. Qe2 (19. a4 {was played in J.Ramon Perez-J.Guerra Mendez, Balaguer 2011, and actually looks more to the
point to me despite White's lowly rating in comparison; Black can counter with}
Rh6 {in the same way as Gustafsson, but with the h-pawn still doubly defended
the play is sharper; White can't get anywhere on the queenside without a4, so
it makes sense to start with this move in the absence of any other
considerations}) 19... Rh6 20. a4 Qh7 21. Qf3 Nh4 22. Qe2 Ng6 {was J.Magem
Badals-J.Gustafsson, Spanish League 2010, in which Black had already
established a typical drawing mechanism for this line, although in the game he
preferred to play on.}) 12... Ne7 13. Be3 ({Alternatively: --} 13. Rh1 {
might be an important move; its object is to inhibit an early...Ng6 without
castling. Now:} -- (13... Ng6 {
is not a good move in this exact position because of} 14. Qf5 {
(this was the point of 13 Rh1),} ({but instead} 14. Nd2 Bd6 15. Nc4 Qh7 16. a4
Qg8 17. Bd2 Qe6 {would transpose into F.Slingerland-G.Arnaudov, Haarlem 2011,
in which Black demonstrated the typical mechanism again:} 18. Nxd6+ cxd6 19.
Kf1 Rh6 20. b4 Ne5 21. Qg2 Kd7 22. Ke2 Kc7 23. Be3 Ng6 24. Qg3 Rah8 25. Kd2 Qe5
26. Qf3 Nh4 27. Qe2 Ng2 28. Qf3 {, and now Black chose to play on, but
couldn't disturb the equilibrium in the end. This is an important reference,
since it shows that Black can afford to allow even Nc4xd6 and still have his
usual compensation.})) (13... Qh7 {was tried in the high-level dual G.
Guseinov-K.Szabo, Moscow 2012, which continued} 14. Kf1 Qg8 (14... Ng6 15. Qf5
{again}) 15. e5 Rh6 16. Nc3 O-O-O 17. Bd2 Ng6 $5 18. exf6 gxf6 19. Qxf6 Be7 20.
Qf5+ Kb8 {, when Black had almost-adequate compensation for his two pawns; the
position is very complicated but maybe White should have gone for the brave}
21. Bxg5 Rf8 22. Bxh6 Rxf5 23. gxf5 {.}) (13... O-O-O 14. Nd2 Kb8 15. Qe3 (15.
Nc4 {at this point would likely lead to Swinkels-Sokolov, our main line below})
15... Ng6 16. Nf3 Qh7 17. Qe1 {
was D.Solak-S.Kapnisis, Isthmia 2011, and now rather than the game's} c5 {,} ({
I don't really understand why Black didn't play the obvious} 17... Bd6 {
with a normal position for the line.}))) (13. Qg3 Ng6 $1 {(Black could also
retreat the queen, but this surprising move gives him the time to get in down
the h-file)} 14. Rh1 Bd6 15. Qxh4 Nxh4+ 16. Kf1 Kd7 17. Nc3 Rh7 18. Ne2 Rah8
19. Be3 Ng6 {was D.Solak-L.E.Johannessen, Plovdiv 2010, in which Black had
equalized efficiently, since if} 20. Kg2 Nh4+ 21. Kf1 Ng6 {, and if White tries
} 22. Ng1 Bf4 {
then he can't avoid dropping a pawn if he wants to play on, for instance} 23.
Ke2 Bxe3 24. Kxe3 ({or} 24. fxe3 Ne5) 24... Nf4 {.}) (13. Nd2 {would be White's
most flexible way to achieve Nc4 set-ups in a way if it worked. It doesn't
seem to have been played, but might introduce new pages:} Ng6 14. Nc4 b5 {
, for example, and now} 15. e5 ({or} 15. Na5 Qh6 $1) 15... O-O-O 16. Rh1 $1
bxc4 17. Qf5+ Kb7 18. Qxg6 Bc5 19. Be3 Bxe3 20. fxe3 Rhe8 {
; in both cases Black seems to be fine.}) 13... O-O-O {This might not be the
best move; it's the only one of Black's natural developing moves which he
could perhaps delay and sometimes do without;} ({
in W.Wandzik-A.Shirov, Warsaw (rapid) 2010, the Latvian/Spanish super-GM tried
} 13... Qh7 14. Rh1 Ng6 15. Qe2 Qg8 16. Nd2 Bd6 17. Nc4 Bf4 {, a move order
which also had the advantage of smuggling the bishop over the d6-square to f4
before it can be taken off on d6.} 18. a4 Qe6 19. b4 Kf7 $1 {then shows
advantage of delaying castling and left White's pawn advances looking like
nothing but weaknesses, something which the follow-up rapidly demonstrated:}
20. Na5 b6 21. Nb3 Be5 22. Rab1 Bc3 {
and White started shedding pawns. Food for thought.}) 14. Nd2 Kb8 15. Rh1 (15.
Qg3 {was K.Zenelis-R.Rapport, Greek League 2011, in which Black could have
equalized with the usual} Ng6 16. Qxh4 Nxh4+ 17. Kg1 Ng6 {, but in view of the
350-point rating discrepancy Black preferred to retreat the queen and play on
in a more complicated position.}) 15... Qh7 16. Nc4 Ng6 17. Kg1 ({
With the king on f1 (} 17. Kf1 Qg8 {), White instead continued} 18. Qf5 Rh6 19.
a4 Bb4 20. Qf3 {in W.So-A.Kolev, Philadelphia 2012; the advantage of a4 is to
enable a5 solidifying the knight on c4, but I'm not sure about the Qf3-f5-f3
business. Black should have kept his queen in the centre with} Qe6 {
now, and perhaps thereafter to e7 to allow ...Bc5, possibly.}) 17... Qg8 {
This has transposed to R.Swinkels-I.Sokolov, Netherlands Championship 2011, a
very important reference in which the high-class transplanted GM lost very
convincingly to the young native talent. This position seems to be critical
for the entire variation.} 18. a3 {After this, I suspect Sokolov was led
astray by his desire to win the game. It seems to me that Black's soundest
plan was} Rh6 {with the idea to continue with ...Qe6, ...Be7, ...Rdh8, and
then perhaps ...b5 and ...Bd6, when Black will be ready for the usual ...Nh4-g6-h4 routine, so if White wants to demonstrate a theoretical advantage he
needs to come up with a counter to that, which in the game Swinkels didn't
have to demonstrate. It also seems to me that White would be better off
playing Bd2 in this set-up if he could, and then a4 and b4 as quickly as
possible. I suspect this might be the best place for White to look if he wants
to refute Black's system, but as I suggested before, the question might be how
White can work out his move order to achieve such a set-up.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8. New Ways to Play d3"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "12"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {. It's been very
noticeable in recent years that more and more players, including those at the
very highest level, have introduced d3 systems into their Lopez repertoires.
And not just Anti-Marshall systems; players are also choosing d3 earlier in
the game, both in the main line (3...a6) and against the Berlin Defence (3...Nf6). The rise in popularity of d3 has coincided with the general acceptance
that some main lines, including the Berlin, are now considered to be fully
satisfactory for Black, and White players are not quite as eager these days to
leave their precious e4-pawns hanging!} -- {However, this is only part of the
reason. A few new possibilities for White have developed in the d3 systems,
and in this chapter we'll take a look at some ideas, in particular those based
on: -- 1) An early a2-a4. -- 2) Delaying or avoiding the usual Re1. -- 3)
Aiming for an f2-f4 pawn break.} (6... -- {Before we get going, a quick word
on move orders. I've chosen to focus on the position after 3...a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5
0-0 Be7 6 d3, since the ideas noted above work best when Black has already
committed his bishop to e7. With this move order, of course, White must be
prepared to face the Open Variation (5...Nxe4). 5 d3 prevents the Open
Variation but on the other hand it allows Black to adopt the solid set-up with
...d6, ...g6 and ...Bg7. Also, Black can play the ...b5/...Bc5 Archangel/
Møller lines against either 5 0-0 or 5 d3, although by choosing 5 0-0 White
still has the option, if he so wishes, of meeting 5...b5 6 Bb3 Bc5 and 5...Bc5
with the c3/d4 main lines.}) ({
Returning to the position after 6 d3, the main line runs} 6... b5 {
(6...d6 is also possible, and is considered here)} 7. Bb3 {and now either} d6 (
{or} 7... O-O {. In either case White responds with} 8. a4 {and Black has a
decision to make. Let's begin by looking at two grandmaster clashes where
White's opening and middlegame strategy proved to be successful.})) (6... -- {
Summary: -- 1) The key difference between 6 d3 and other Anti-Marshall systems
is that White can sometimes exploit the delay or absence of the move Rf1-e1.
He can do this either by using the extra tempo elsewhere to achieve a strategic 
aim, or by utilizing the rook on f1 to prepare an f2-f4 pawn break, as we see
in both Nepomniachtchi-Melkumyan and Leko-Kramnik. -- 2) If the a2-a4 break is
met by ...b4, a typical reaction by White is a4-a5!. This fixes the a6-pawn,
isolates the b4-pawn, creates the possibility of Ba4 and prevents Black's
natural queenside expansion plan with ...Na5 and ...c5. Not bad for one little
pawn move!}) *

[Event "European Championship, Rijeka"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2010.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, I."]
[Black "Melkumyan, H."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2010.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 {
Nepomniachtchi chooses the 5 d3 move order.} ({The move order with} 5. O-O Be7
6. d3 {would transpose to the game after} b5 7. Bb3 d6 {.}) 5... b5 6. Bb3 Be7
7. O-O d6 ({We could also reach the game position via the} 7... O-O {
move order, after} 8. a4 b4 9. Nbd2 d6 10. a5 {
(see Line A1, later in the chapter).}) 8. a4 b4 {Meeting a4 with ...b4 has
become increasingly popular in recent times, with many Black players
preferring to maintain maximum flexibility with regards to piece placement.} ({
Alternatives such as} 8... Bd7) (8... Bg4) ({and} 8... Rb8 {
will be covered later.}) 9. a5 $1 {This pawn advance is a typical reaction to ...b4, and it has more than one benefit: -- 1) It fixes the a6-pawn and
isolates the b4-pawn, both of which could become targets. -- 2) It prevents
Black's natural queenside expansion plan with ...Na5 and ...c5. -- 3) It
creates the possibility of Ba4, often a useful move for White, or even
sometimes even Ra4. --- On the other hand, the a5-pawn could itself become a
weakness, and also Black now has access to the b5-square - ...Rb8-b5 is one
idea to watch out for.} O-O 10. Nbd2 $5 (10. Re1 {would transpose to a
mainline 8 a4 Anti-Marshall: 5 0-0 Be7 6 Re1 b5 7 Bb3 0-0 8 a4 b4 9 d3 d6 10
a5. Of course, even if White's plan was to head back directly into the main
lines at some stage, there's certainly no immediate rush to move the rook to
e1. More importantly, though, in this game Nepomniachtchi demonstrates a
different way for White to play it.}) 10... Rb8 {This rook move, avoiding any
Bd5 pins and eyeing the b5-square, is usually played at some moment.} 11. Nc4
h6 12. h3 Be6 13. Be3 {Still White delays Rf1-e1.} Qc8 14. Nfd2 $1 {DANGEROUS WEAPON! Now it's becoming clear that Nepomniachtchi isn't going to move his
rook after all. Instead he plans to keep it on f1, where it's ideally placed
to support a rare pawn break in the Ruy Lopez... f2-f4!} (14. Re1 {
would still transpose back into the 8 a4 Anti-Marshall. For example,} Rd8 15.
Ba4 ({or} 15. Qe2 Bf8 16. Nfd2 Qb7 17. Qf3 Kh7 18. Nf1 Ne7 19. Ng3 Ng6 20. Nh5
{½-½, P.Svidler-L.Aronian, Morelia/Linares 2006}) 15... Qb7 16. Nfd2 Nh7
17. Qf3 Bg5 {with roughly level chances, A.Kosteniuk-T.Shadrina, Moscow 2011.
Looking at the position in our main game after 13...Qc8, though, it does seem
a bit odd to play 14 Re1, especially when you consider that Kosteniuk's next
move was} 18. Rf1 {! (Of course she had played Re1 way back on move six, so
the decision to return to f1 probably didn't seem so strange.)}) 14... Rd8 {
A logical response by Black, who is looking to answer the f4 break with one of
his own in ...d5.} ({
An earlier game, Z.Hracek-D.Howell, Hastings 2009/10, continued} 14... Nh7 {
(this knight could also go to d7)} 15. Ba4 Nd8 ({Stohl suggests} 15... Qb7) 16.
f4 $1 exf4 17. Bxf4 f5 18. exf5 Bxf5 {. Black has met White's f2-f4 with a
mirror-image pawn break ...f5, but White's better coordinated pieces should
offer an edge here, after either the game's} 19. Qe2 ({or Stohl's suggestion of
} 19. Ne3 Be6 20. d4) 19... Ne6 20. Be3 Kh8 21. Nb3 {.}) 15. Qe2 $1 {The f4 break isn't the only idea, and in any case White must show some patience.} ({After
} 15. f4 exf4 $1 16. Bxf4 d5 $1 {
Black strikes in the centre and gains a full share of the chances.}) 15... Qb7
({Likewise,} 15... d5 {is also premature. After} 16. Ba4 $1 {
(this move crops up all the time!)} dxc4 17. Bxc6 cxd3 18. cxd3 {(Stohl) White
will follow up with Rfc1 and gain strong pressure down the c-file.}) 16. Ba4
Nd7 17. c3 $1 {Nepomniachtchi continues to keep the tension. Now Black has to
watch out for both f2-f4 and d3-d4.} ({Black was ready to meet} 17. f4 {with}
exf4 18. Rxf4 ({or} 18. Bxf4 Nc5) 18... Nce5 {.}) 17... d5 $6 {Totally natural,
of course, but this move also marks the beginning of Black's troubles.} ({
It's always more difficult to sit tight than to "do something", but sitting
tight is exactly what Black should have done. Stohl suggests} 17... Na7 {
, intending to answer} 18. d4 {with} bxc3 19. bxc3 exd4 20. cxd4 d5 {
when Black is okay.}) 18. exd5 Bxd5 19. f4 $1 {Here comes the f-pawn!} exf4 20.
Bxf4 {Even though it came after Black's, White's pawn break has been more
effective. The opening of the position on the kingside favours White, whose
pieces are well placed to take advantage of the open spaces. For example,
notice the difference in scope between the two queens.} Re8 ({After} 20... Bf6
21. Ne3 Nc5 $2 {White can unleash the newly found power of the f1-rook by} 22.
Bxh6 $1 {(Stohl).}) ({If} 20... Bg5 21. Bxg5 hxg5 {White plays} 22. d4 {
, preventing ...Nc5 and maintaining the advantage.}) 21. d4 $1 {Unafraid of
discovered attacks, Nepomniachtchi grabs some key squares in the centre. This
King's Gambit-type pawn structure is known to favour White, who enjoys more
control of the centre and, of course, the open f-file.} Bg5 22. Qf2 ({
Houdini prefers} 22. Ne3 {here. After} Bxf4 23. Rxf4 bxc3 24. bxc3 Qb2 25. Raf1
{there's no way for Black to exploit the pins on the knights, and meanwhile
White's threats are growing.}) 22... Bxf4 23. Qxf4 Nf6 $2 {
Melkumyan errs in a difficult position.} ({Black could stay in the game and
prevent White's advantage from increasing with the sequence} 23... Re2 $1 24.
Ne3 $1 Ne7 $1 (24... Rxd2 $4 25. Nxd5 {wins}) 25. Bxd7 Ng6 $1 26. Qg4 Rxe3 $1 (
{but not} 26... Rxd2 27. c4 {intending} Bc6 28. Rxf7 $1) 27. c4 Be6 28. Bxe6
Rxe6 29. Nb3 {, as given by Stohl.}) 24. Ne3 $1 {
The threats are looming and Black's position is on the verge of collapse.} Be6
(24... Rbd8 {is met by the calm} 25. Rae1 $1) ({while after} 24... Re7 25. Qg3
Ne4 {White can even play} 26. Nxd5 $1 Nxg3 27. Bxc6 {.}) 25. Qf3 $1 Bd7 26. Nd5
$1 Re6 27. Ne4 $1 {Winning a pawn, and then some more. White's threats include
Nc5 forking the rook and the offside queen, whose lack of effectiveness has
been a major problem for Black throughout the tactical phase of the game.} Nxe4
28. Qxf7+ Kh8 29. Qxd7 Rd6 30. Bxc6 Rxc6 ({If} 30... Rxd7 {there follows} 31.
Bxb7 bxc3 ({or} 31... Rxb7 32. Nxb4) 32. Nxc3 Nxc3 33. Bxa6 {
(Stohl) and the passed a-pawn will decide.}) 31. Qe7 Rd6 32. Rf8+ $1 Rxf8 33.
Qxf8+ Kh7 34. Ne7 Nf6 35. Rf1 {, since Rxf6 and Qg8 mate is coming.} 1-0

[Event "Rapid Match (Game 6), Miskolc"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Leko, P."]
[Black "Kramnik, V."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bd7 {This bishop move, along with 8...Rb8, is Black's most flexible option. He
deals with the threat of axb5 without committing to any structural change (...b4), or moving his bishop off its home diagonal (...Bb7). The option of
meeting 8 a4 with 8...Bd7 is, of course, only available if Black chooses 7...d6 over 7...0-0.} 9. Nc3 {Leko chooses the typical Lopez plan of bringing the
queen's knight over to g3. In this instance, Nc3-e2-g3 is more logical than
Nbd2-f1-g3, since the latter manoeuvre would require White to spend a move on
Re1. As we shall see, this is not something Leko is planning to do.} Na5 10.
Ba2 b4 11. Ne2 c5 12. Ng3 O-O 13. Nh4 $5 {Just like Nepomniachtchi in our
previous game, Leko avoids Re1 and instead aims to use the rook on f1 by
opening the f-file, King's Gambit style.} g6 14. Bh6 Re8 15. Bd2 $1 {White want
s to play f2-f4, of course, but first of all Leko safeguards the bishop
against the threat of ...Ng4.} Bg4 {Kramnik wants to swap off White's strong
light-squared bishop, but first he flicks in an attack on White's queen.} 16.
f3 Be6 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. f4 $1 exf4 19. Bxf4 {
Sooner or later Black will have to reckon with e4-e5.} Nc6 $1 {Kramnik's wonderful sense of danger doesn't desert him. He realizes that it's the right time
for the knight to leave a5 and rejoin the action, helping Black in the centre
and on the kingside.} ({DANGEROUS WEAPON! An example of the difficulties
facing Black is seen in the variation} 19... d5 $2 20. e5 Nd7 21. Nxg6 $3 hxg6
22. Qg4 Nf8 23. Bh6 $1 Ra7 24. Nh5 {(threatening Rxf8+)} Kh7 25. Qh3 $1 {
(Leko) and White's attack is decisive -} Kxh6 26. Rxf8 $1 gxh5 27. Qxe6+ Bf6
28. Rxe8 {etc.}) 20. Nf3 Nd7 ({Kramnik continues to protect the dark squares
in the centre, but in his notes for 'Chess Informant' Leko suggests that Black
could do the same, but in a more active way, with} 20... Ng4 $1 {. For example,
} 21. c3 ({or} 21. h3 Rf8) 21... bxc3 22. bxc3 Rf8 {
with roughly balanced chances.}) 21. c3 $1 {As we saw in
Nepomniachtchi-Melkumyan, White can combine the f4 break with typical play in
the centre. The d3-d4 advance comes into consideration now, as does Qb3
hitting Black's vulnerable e6-point.} bxc3 22. bxc3 Nde5 $1 {Good play by
Kramnik, who is prepared to accept weaknesses in order to change the course of
the game.} ({After} 22... Rb8 23. d4 $1 cxd4 24. cxd4 Qb6 25. Kh1 {
(Leko) White enjoys a clear edge in view of his superiority in the centre.})
23. Bxe5 $1 {Leko accepts the challenge.} dxe5 24. Qc2 {This position is
easier for White to play. Both sides have pawn weaknesses, but Black's
weaknesses are weaker than White's!} Ra7 ({
Leko suggests that Black can maintain enough counterplay with} 24... c4 $1 {
intending} 25. dxc4 Qc7 {and ...Na5.}) 25. Rfd1 (25. Qa2 $1 {
is possibly more accurate. Here} Qd6 26. Rad1 Rd7 27. Nd2 $1 Na5 28. Nc4 Nxc4
29. Qxc4 Bg5 30. Kh1 Rf8 31. Rxf8+ Kxf8 32. Ne2 Kg7 33. Ng1 $1 {(Berkes/Meszaros), intending Nf3, is a good example of how the position can evolve very much
in White's favour. The simplification has not eased Black's defence in any way
and, if anything, his pawn weaknesses are now more pronounced.}) 25... Bf8 26.
Nf1 $1 {Strong play by Leko, improving his worst-placed piece. Kramnik takes
the opportunity to exchange his bad bishop, but his position remains difficult.
Basically, Black will have to sit and wait while White manoeuvres around, and
then defend accurately when White takes action.} Bh6 27. N1d2 Bxd2 28. Rxd2 Rd7
29. Rb1 Kg7 30. h3 Qc7 31. Rf1 Nd8 32. Rdf2 Qd6 33. Qc1 $5 Nf7 34. Nh2 $1 {
Threatening Ng4, which Kramnik feels obliged to prevent at the cost of further
weakening.} ({The more direct} 34. Ng5 {can be met by the calm} Ree7 $1 {
(Leko).}) 34... h5 $1 ({After} 34... Qxd3 $2 35. Ng4 {the threats include 36
Rxf7+ and 36 Nf6, and Black's struggles to defend against White's attack: for
example,} Ree7 36. Qe1 $1 Rb7 37. Rf3 Qd6 38. Qh4 h5 39. Ne3 {(Leko),} ({
or here} 39. Rg3 $1 hxg4 40. Rxg4 g5 41. Rxg5+ Nxg5 42. Qxg5+ Kh7 43. Rf8 $1 {.
})) 35. Qe3 Ree7 36. Rf3 c4 $1 {Excellent play by Kramnik, who realizes that
some action by Black is essential. If Black just continues to sit and wait,
White will increase the pressure with Rg3, targeting the new weakness on g6.}
37. dxc4 Qd2 $1 38. Qb6 Ng5 39. Re3 Rf7 $2 {Finally, there's a decisive
mistake. This game was played at a rapidplay time limit, Kramnik was running
out of time, and Leko's pressure finally takes its toll.} ({
Black can defend with} 39... Rb7 $1 40. Qc5 Nf7 {, as after} 41. Nf3 {
Black has the resource} Rec7 $1 {(Leko).}) 40. h4 $1 {
Now Black's position falls apart.} Rb7 (40... Rxf1+ 41. Nxf1 {loses a piece}) (
{while if} 40... Nh7 41. Nf3 {Black is dropping lots of pawns.}) 41. Qc5 Rb2
42. Qxe5+ Kh7 43. Qxg5 Rxf1+ 44. Nxf1 Qf2+ 45. Kh2 Qxf1 46. Rg3 $1 {
The tactics have left White two pawns ahead, and Black's king is vulnerable.}
Qf7 47. c5 Re2 48. Qe5 Qb7 49. Rxg6 $1 ({After} 49. Rxg6 Kxg6 50. Qg5+ Kh7 51.
Qxh5+ {White regains the rook.}) 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "New Ways to Play d3"]
[Black "Looking a Little Deeper"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "12"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {. Amongst other
things, White's last move also threatens to win a pawn with Bxc6 and Nxe5, so
Black must either play 6...b5 or 6...d6 here. We shall look at the following
options for Black:} -- ({A:} 6... b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4) ({B:} 6... b5 7. Bb3 d6
8. a4) ({C:} 6... d6) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "New Ways to Play d3"]
[Black "A: 6...b5 7 Bb3 0-0 8 a4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "16"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 O-O ({
7...0-0 and} 7... d6 {are very similar and often simply transpose to each
other. The two main differences between the two are: -- 1) 7...0-0 doesn't
commit the d-pawn, which means that for the moment at least Black maintains
the option of playing ...d7-d5. -- 2) By delaying ...d6, Black loses some
options involving the quick development of the c8-bishop, including meeting} 8.
a4 {with either} Bd7 ({or} 8... Bg4 {.})) 8. a4 {
. Now there are three main moves:} -- ({A1:} 8... b4) ({A2:} 8... Rb8) ({A3:} 
8... Bb7) (8... Na5 {is a rare but interesting option for Black in the 8 a4
Anti-Marshall (see Chapter 10). Here, however, it doesn't quite work, as
White's d2-d3 is much more useful than Re1. A key difference is seen in the
line} 9. Ba2 $1 d6 $2 (9... d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxe5 {is an inferior Marshall}
) 10. axb5 axb5 11. b4 $1 {
when the d3-pawn prevents ...Nc4 and White wins material after} Nc6 12. Bxf7+
$1 {.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "New Ways to Play d3"]
[Black "A1: 8...b4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "26"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. Nbd2 ({White can also play} 9. a5 {first, which usually transposes after}
d6 ({the alternative is} 9... d5 $5 10. exd5 Nxd5 {, but the structure on the
queenside in an otherwise standard ...d5, exd5 position seems to be in White's
favour: the c4-square is a useful outpost, and Ba4 proves awkward for Black on
occasions; after} 11. h3 Bb7 12. Nbd2 Nd4 13. Nxd4 exd4 14. Re1 Qd7 15. Qg4 $1
Qxg4 16. hxg4 Rae8 17. Ne4 h6 18. Bd2 {White's pieces are well placed and
Black's queenside weaknesses remain, N.Bojkovic-A.Van Weersel, Rijeka 2010})
10. Nbd2 {.}) 9... d6 (9... Bc5 $5 {is rare but has been tried by both Aronian
and Adams, and this double bishop move is sometimes seen in similar positions.
Black transposes to a ...Bc5 Lopez, more specifically the Møller Variation,
but one where he is down a tempo. However, Black can get away with this loss
of tempo because White's d3 set-up isn't the most direct.} 10. h3 d6 11. c3 Rb8
12. Re1 Re8 13. a5 Ba7 14. Nf1 Ne7 15. Ng3 Ng6 16. d4 h6 {reached a typically
tense position with perhaps just the tiniest of edges for White in S.
Karjakin-L.Aronian, Wijk aan Zee 2012.}) 10. a5 ({
As mentioned in the Nepomniachtchi-Melkumyan game,} 10. Re1 {would transpose
to the 8 a4 b4 Anti-Marshall, but here we're looking at lines where White
delays the rook move, or avoids it entirely.}) 10... Be6 (10... Rb8 11. Nc4 h6
{is the Nepomniachtchi-Melkumyan game,} ({while} 11... Bg4 12. Be3 Rb7 13. h3
Bh5 14. Re1 h6 15. g4 $1 Bg6 16. Nh4 Kh8 17. Nf5 {
left White with an active position in T.Fogarasi-G.Kjartansson, Budapest 2010.}
)) 11. Nc4 ({White can also play} 11. Bc4 {
here, but we'll focus on the knight move.}) 11... Rb8 12. c3 (12. Be3 {
is the "main line", and then} Qc8 13. h3 h6 14. Nfd2 {would transpose to the
Nepomniachtchi-Melkumyan game, above. Here we'll look at 12 c3 instead. White
reverts back to more typical plans, but Re1 still isn't obligatory.}) 12...
bxc3 $1 ({DANGEROUS WEAPON!} 12... h6 $6 {
allows White to play d3-d4 without further preparation:} 13. d4 $1 exd4 (13...
bxc3 14. d5 $1) 14. cxd4 d5 15. Nce5 $1 Na7 16. exd5 Bxd5 17. Nh4 $1 Nc6 18.
Nxc6 Bxc6 19. Ng6 Re8 20. Bxf7+ $1 {
and White won quickly, T.Kosintseva-J.Jackova, Ekaterinburg 2007.}) 13. bxc3 {
, and now:} -- (13... Bg4 14. Ba4 $1 Na7 15. Ne3 Be6 16. Ng5 Bd7 17. Bxd7 Nxd7
18. Nf3 Nc6 19. Nd5 {with a clear edge for White in A.Grischuk-E.Bacrot,
Moscow (blitz) 2007, which increased after} Nc5 20. Be3 Nb3 21. Ra3 Nbxa5 22.
Qa1 Rb5 23. c4 {.}) (13... Na7 $1 14. Ng5 $5 ({
White could play more simply with} 14. h3 Nb5 15. Qc2 {,}) ({or} 14. Qc2) 14...
Bg4 $1 15. f3 Bh5 16. Qc2 Nd7 17. Nh3 Kh8 18. Ne3 Nb5 19. Nf5 Bg6 20. Nxe7 Qxe7
21. Be3 c6 22. Nf2 Rfc8 23. Rfb1 d5 24. Ba4 {
with roughly level chances, P.Svidler-G.Sargissian, Ningbo 2011.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "New Ways to Play d3"]
[Black "A2: 8...Rb8"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
Rb8 {If Black wants to keep his structure intact on the queenside, while also
keeping the bishop on the c8-h3 diagonal, 8...Rb8 is the only option here.} 9.
axb5 {White is planning Nc3, and possibly Nd5.} ({The traditional approach is} 
9. Nbd2 d6 {. Some recent examples:} 10. -- (10. c3 Nd7 ({or} 10... Na5 11. Bc2
c5 12. d4 cxd4 13. cxd4 Nc6 14. axb5 axb5 15. Nb3 {with a slight edge for
White, Y.Quesada Perez-R.Hernandez Onna, Santa Clara 2008}) 11. axb5 axb5 12.
Re1 Bf6 13. Nf1 Nc5 14. Ba2 Bg4 $6 (14... Be6 {looks wiser, and close to equal}
) 15. b4 Ne6 16. Ne3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 {with a clear plus for White in M.Carlsen-L.Fressinet, Kemer 2007, which continued} Bg5 18. Bd5 Qd7 19. Nf5 Ne7 20. Nxg7 $1
{and White went on to win.}) (10. axb5 axb5 11. Re1 Bd7 (11... Be6 {
feels more natural}) 12. c3 Ra8 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14. d4 {
(White enjoys a nice edge)} h6 15. Nf1 Re8 16. Ng3 Qc8 17. Nh4 $1 {("His Qc8 allowed the knight to go via h4 and g6 to trade of his dark square bishop after
which f4 initiates a crushing attack" - Carlsen)} Bf8 18. Ng6 $1 Na5 19. Nxf8
Rxf8 20. Bc2 Re8 21. f4 Bg4 22. Qd3 exf4 23. Bxf4 Nc4 24. Bc1 c5 25. Rf1 cxd4
26. cxd4 Qd8 27. h3 Be6 28. b3 Qa5 29. Kh2 Nh7 30. e5 g6 31. d5 Nxe5 32. dxe6 {
1-0, M.Carlsen-V.Topalov, Nanjing 2010. --- DANGEROUS WEAPON! A crushing win
by Carlsen, and a further demonstration that, in the right hands, this line
contains some real bite.})) 9... axb5 10. Nc3 d6 11. Nd5 ({
A key alternative here is} 11. h3 {
, preventing ...Bg4 and maintaining the tension. Now:} -- ({. The old move} 
11... Be6 {is well met by} 12. Nd5 $1 Bxd5 (12... Nd4 13. Nxd4 exd4 14. Ra7
Nxd5 15. exd5 Bf5 {is similar to our main line, below:} 16. Bd2 Ra8 17. Qa1 Re8
18. Re1 Kf8 $2 19. Qa5 Rxa7 20. Qxa7 Bg5 21. Rxe8+ Kxe8 22. Ba5 $1 {and Black lost his c7-pawn and the game, Y.Hambartsumian-S.Brandner, Kallithea 2008}) 13.
exd5 Nb4 14. d4 $1 e4 15. Ng5 {. The knight on g5 isn't as vulnerable as it
looks, and White gets an edge here in all lines:} -- ({. If} 15... h6 {, then}
16. Nxe4 $1 Nxe4 17. Qe1 ({or} 17. c3) {regains the piece:} 17... Nxc2 18. Bxc2
Nf6 19. Bb3 {, R.Edouard-J.Smeets, Liverpool 2008.}) (15... Nbxd5 16. Nxe4 Nxe4
17. Bxd5 Nf6 18. Bc6 $5 d5 19. Qd3 {(Romanishin).}) (15... c5 16. dxc6 (16. c3
Nbxd5 17. dxc5 dxc5 18. Nxe4 c4 19. Bc2 {
leads to a safer advantage for White, O.Romanishin-J.Nunn, Debrecen 1992})
16... d5 17. f3 $1 exf3 ({after} 17... h6 $5 18. Nxf7 $1 Rxf7 19. fxe4 {
- Dvoirys - the complications seem to favour White}) 18. Nxf3 Nxc6 19. Ne5 {
, S.Dvoirys-V.Shinkevich, St Petersburg 1999.})) (11... Nd4 $5 12. Nxd4 exd4
13. Nd5 (13. Ne2 c5 14. Bg5 Be6 {gives level chances}) 13... Nxd5 14. exd5 {
is similar to the main line, below.}) (11... Nb4 $1 {is Aronian's excellent
novelty, which goes a long way to solving Black's problems. Unusually for the
Lopez, Black is able to use the b4-square, and he does it in order to take the
sting out of Nd5.} 12. Ne2 c5 13. Ng3 Be6 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. c3 Nc6 {
was balanced in M.Carlsen-L.Aronian, Elista 2007.})) 11... Nxd5 (11... Bg4 12.
c3 {is not easy for Black: for example,} Qd7 ({or} 12... b4 13. Ra6 $1) 13. h3
Bh5 14. Ra6 $1 {with some awkward pressure.}) 12. exd5 $1 ({
Black equalizes comfortably after} 12. Bxd5 Nb4 $1 13. Bb3 c5 {.}) 12... Nd4
13. Nxd4 exd4 14. Bd2 Bd7 15. Ra5 {. Don't be fooled by this nearly
symmetrical position. White's control of the a-file and the potential targets
on d4, c7 and b5 mean that he can comfortably play for two results. This
position is actually somewhat uncomfortable for Black, and even grandmasters
with sound defensive techniques have struggled to draw from here. Some
examples:} -- (15... Rb7 16. Re1 Bg5 17. Re4 Bf6 18. Qa1 Bf5 19. Re1 Be5 20. h3
Qh4 21. Qd1 Bd7 22. Qf3 Re8 23. Re4 Qd8 24. Qd1 h6 25. f4 Bf6 26. Rxe8+ Qxe8
27. Qe1 {
and White's advantage remains, A.Naiditsch-M.Carlsen, Khanty-Mansiysk 2007.}) (
15... Re8 16. Re1 Bg5 17. Rxe8+ Bxe8 18. Ra7 Bxd2 19. Qxd2 Rc8 (19... Ra8 $5)
20. Qf4 Qe7 21. Qe4 $1 Qxe4 22. dxe4 g5 23. f3 Bd7 24. Ra1 $1 Kg7 25. Rd1 {
. White won the d4-pawn and later the game in A.Naiditsch-J.Rowson, Dresden
Olympiad 2008.}) (15... Ra8 16. Qa1 Qc8 17. Qa2 Qb7 18. Ra1 Rxa5 19. Qxa5 Rc8
20. Qa7 Qxa7 21. Rxa7 Kf8 22. Ba5 Bd8 23. Kf1 f5 24. Ke2 Ke8 25. f4 h6 26. Kd2
{and again White is pushing, E.Bacrot-J.Gustafsson, German League 2007. It's
worth playing through the rest of this game, to see the various problems
Bacrot posed and also Gustafsson's resilient and ultimately successful defence:
} g5 27. g3 Ke7 28. c4 dxc3+ 29. bxc3 Ke8 30. d4 Kf7 31. Bc2 Kg6 32. Bd1 Be8
33. Bf3 g4 34. Bg2 h5 35. h4 gxh3 $1 36. Bxh3 Bf7 37. Bg2 Kf6 38. Bf3 Ke7 39.
Rb7 Kd7 $1 (39... Be8 40. Be2) 40. Rxb5 Ra8 {
(Black wisely gives up a pawn to untangle)} 41. c4 Bf6 42. c5 Kc8 $1 ({if} 
42... Bxd4 {White has} 43. c6+ Kc8 44. Bxc7 $1) 43. Bc3 (43. c6 $5 {
may be more challenging}) 43... Ra2+ 44. Ke3 Ra3 45. Kd3 dxc5 46. Rxc5 Be7 47.
Rb5 Bd6 48. Rb1 Kd7 49. Rb8 Ke7 50. Kc2 Ra2+ 51. Bb2 Ba3 52. Kb1 Rxb2+ 53. Rxb2
Bxb2 54. Kxb2 Kd6 55. Kc3 Bxd5 56. Bxh5 c5 57. Be2 cxd4+ 58. Kxd4 Be6 {½-½.
}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "New Ways to Play d3"]
[Black "A3: 8...Bb7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
Bb7 {This bishop fianchetto was initially Black's most popular response to
a2-a4, both here and in the mainline Anti-Marshall 6 Re1 b5 7 Bb3 0-0 8 a4. In
recent years, however, grandmasters have appreciated more the problems with
committing the bishop to the long diagonal, and also the benefits of removing
the tension with ...b4, and at the moment 8...Bb7 is quite rare at elite level
chess.} 9. Nc3 {I've chosen 9 Nc3 as the "main line" here, but only because it
fits with the general approach in this chapter of delaying or omitting Re1.} ({
However, I do feel that in this instance} 9. Re1 $1 {, transposing to the 8 a4
Bb7 Anti-Marshall, is objectively White's strongest response. Players such as
Kasparov, Svidler and Topalov showed how to put Black under pressure in this
line, and in turn this led to grandmasters more or less abandoning 8...Bb7 in
favour of 8...b4. Here's a brief summary of key lines:} -- (9... d6 10. Nbd2 {
and now:} -- (10... Nd7 11. c3 Nc5 12. axb5 axb5 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14. Bc2 b4 15.
d4 bxc3 16. bxc3 Nd7 17. Nf1 Bf6 18. d5 Ncb8 19. h4 {
and White has the initiative, G.Kasparov-V.Topalov, Linares 2004.}) (10... Re8
11. Nf1 h6 12. Bd2 $5 {(preventing ...Na5)} Bf8 13. c4 $1 bxc4 ({or} 13... b4
14. a5 $1 Nd7 15. Ba4 Rb8 16. Ne3 {
, A.Grischuk-V.Tkachiev, Enghien les Bains 2001}) 14. Bxc4 Rb8 15. Bc3 Ne7 16.
Ng3 Ng6 17. d4 exd4 18. Qxd4 {
with some advantage for White, G.Kasparov-V.Tkachiev, Cannes 2001.}) (10... Na5
11. Ba2 c5 12. Nf1 b4 ({or} 12... Re8 13. Ne3 h6 14. Bd2 c4 15. Bc3 $1 Qb6 16.
Nd2 $1 {, G.Kasparov-P.Leko, Linares 2001}) 13. c3 (13. Ne3 {is also possible})
13... bxc3 14. bxc3 c4 15. Ng3 cxd3 16. Qxd3 Bc8 17. Ba3 {. White's activity
gives him the edge, P.Svidler-V.Ivanchuk, Morelia/Linares 2006 (and other
games). --- DANGEROUS WEAPON! Ivanchuk's tempo loss on his 16th move
underlines a basic problem for Black in this line - often the bishop is better
placed on c8, where it covers e6 and f5, than it is on b7.})) (9... Re8 {
(keeping the option of ...d7-d5 in one go)} 10. c3 h6 (10... Bf8 11. Bg5 $1 h6
12. Bh4 d6 13. Na3 b4 14. Nc4 {
is better for White, P.Svidler-A.Onischuk, Calvia Olympiad 2004}) 11. Nbd2 Bf8
12. Ba2 $1 {. This was Kasparov's clever idea, not allowing the tempo gain
with ...Na5, which he introduced against Short in their 1993 match.} d5 ({
Short opted for} 12... d6 {, but Kasparov kept an edge with} 13. Nh4 $1 Qd7 14.
Ng6 $1) 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Ne4 $1 {. Black has achieved the ...d5 break, but he
is still under some pressure, thanks in part to White's strong bishop on a2.
White threatens the typical tactic Bxh6, Bxd5 and Nf6+, and Black's position
isn't easy to play. For example,} Re6 ({or} 14... Nf6 15. Qb3 $1) 15. Be3 Nxe3
16. Rxe3 Re7 17. Nh4 $1 Rd7 18. Qh5 Kh8 19. Rf3 f6 20. Ng6+ Kh7 21. Qf5 {
1-0, M.Rytshagov-T.Sammalvuo, Helsinki 1994. Black could defend better, of
course, but overall this looks pleasant for White.})) 9... b4 {This is certainly Black's most popular response to 9 Nc3, but I'm not sure it's the best.} (
9... Na5 $5 {is a key alternative:} 10. -- ({
. Black gets compensation if White grabs the pawn, e.g.} 10. axb5 Nxb3 11. cxb3
axb5 12. Rxa8 Qxa8 {and now} 13. Nxb5 ({or} 13. Nxe5 b4 14. Ne2 d5 $1) 13...
Rb8 {.}) (10. Ba2 $1 b4 11. Nd5 (11. Ne2 d6 ({but} 11... d5 $1 12. exd5 Bxd5 {
equalizes}) 12. Ng3 {is very nice for White}) 11... Nxd5 12. Bxd5 $1 ({if} 12.
exd5 $6 {then} b3 $1 13. cxb3 ({or} 13. Bd2 bxa2 14. Bxa5 Bxd5) 13... Bxd5 14.
Nxe5 Rb8 {with good compensation}) 12... Bxd5 13. exd5 d6 14. Re1 $1 c5 $1 (
14... c6 15. d4 $1 e4 $1 16. Rxe4 cxd5 17. Re2 {
feels slightly better for White, S.Brenjo-J.Petronic, Kladovo 1994}) 15. dxc6
Nxc6 16. d4 Qc7 17. c3 bxc3 18. bxc3 Rfe8 {
with level chances, P.Vesely-M.Geenen, correspondence 2006.})) 10. Nd5 Na5 $1 {
Black frees his position at the cost of allowing a knight-for-bishop exchange.}
({This is the wisest course of action, since} 10... Nxd5 11. Bxd5 d6 {
leaves Black temporarily tied up in view of the awkward pin. White has good
chances of an advantage here.} 12. -- ({. For example,} 12. Bd2 a5 13. c3 bxc3
(13... Rb8 $5) 14. Bxc3 Qb8 15. d4 Nxd4 16. Nxd4 exd4 17. Bxd4 Bxd5 18. exd5 {
, S.Dvoirys-Y.Balashov, Samara 1998.}) ({. BEWARE!} 12. a5 $6 {looks tempting
in this line, but there's a tactical trick which completely solves Black's
problems:} Nxa5 $1 13. Rxa5 c6 {.})) 11. Nxe7+ (11. Ba2 {would transpose to
the 9...Na5 note, above, but here White takes the opportunity to grab the
bishop pair first.}) 11... Qxe7 12. Ba2 d5 $1 {Typical strategy. Black wants
to exploit his activity and open up the position as soon as possible, in spite
of White's two bishops, because keeping the position closed would only allow
White to fully mobilize his army and then open the position himself at a much
more convenient time.} ({After} 12... c5 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bh4 d6 15. Bg3 $1 Bc8
16. Nh4 $1 Be6 17. Bxe6 Qxe6 18. f4 c4 19. Nf5 {
White gained a strong attack in S.Dvoirys-P.Svidler, Moscow 1992.}) 13. exd5
Bxd5 ({Alternatively: -- Taking with the knight feels less natural, as Black
really should be trying to neutralize White's a2-bishop.} 13... Nxd5 14. Re1 f6
15. Bd2 c5 16. c3 Rad8 17. cxb4 cxb4 {
was M.Stolz-R.Mainka, German League 1996, and here} 18. d4 {looks good.} e4 {
can be met by} 19. Rc1 $1 {intending Rc5, and} Rc8 20. Rc5 $1 Rxc5 21. dxc5
Qxc5 22. Rxe4 {is much better for White.}) ({With} 13... Qd6 $5 {Black takes
steps against Re1 before recapturing on d5. D.Navara-D.Jakovenko, Sochi 2008,
continued} 14. Qe1 $1 (14. Re1 {is now met by} Rfe8 $1) ({and after} 14. c4
bxc3 15. bxc3 Bxd5 {White has} 16. Ba3 $1 {, but Black can hold on with} c5 $1)
14... Rfe8 15. Bd2 Nxd5 16. Ng5 b3 ({if} 16... h6 {then} 17. Ne4 Qg6 18. Bxb4
Nf4 19. g3 Nc6 20. Bc3) 17. cxb3 $1 ({a novelty; previously} 17. Bxa5 bxa2 18.
Qe4 Qh6 19. Bd2 Rab8 {was unclear in K.Kulaots-A.Delchev, Istanbul 2003}) 17...
Nc6 18. Qe4 Nf6 19. Qc4 Qd7 20. b4 $1 {and White had the advantage.}) 14. Re1
Nc6 (14... Bxa2 15. Rxe5 $5 Be6 16. Rxa5 c5 {reaches an intriguing, unclear
position, with a number of factors in play: -- 1) White is a pawn ahead. -- 2)
White's rook on a5 can't move. It's vulnerable, but it also attacks Black's
weak c5-pawn and is difficult to trap. -- 3) White can try to free the rook
with d3-d4. -- 4) In some lines White can give up the rook for a piece and two
pawns. --- Two examples from games:} 17. -- (17. d4 cxd4 18. Bg5 Rfd8 19. Qd2
b3 $1 20. cxb3 d3 {and Black's passer on d3 gives him compensation for the
pawn, T.Oim-A.Hermlin, correspondence 1985.}) (17. Be3 Nd7 18. Ng5 Bd5 19. Nxh7
$1 Rfc8 $1 20. Qh5 Qd6 21. d4 (21. Re1 $5) 21... f6 22. dxc5 Qc6 23. Rd1 Ne5 $1
24. Nxf6+ gxf6 25. Bd4 Rc7 26. Bxe5 fxe5 27. Rd3 Rg7 28. g3 Rf8 29. Qxe5 Bh1
30. f3 Rxf3 31. Qd5+ Rgf7 32. Kxh1 {
½-½, M.Ripper-H.Hausdorf, correspondence 2008; it's perpetual check after}
Rf1+ 33. Kg2 R1f2+ {.})) 15. Bf4 ({White can win a pawn with} 15. Bxd5 Nxd5 16.
Nxe5 Nxe5 17. d4 {, but then} Nf3+ $1 18. gxf3 Qf6 {
gives Black clear compensation.}) 15... Bxf3 $1 (15... Bxa2 16. Rxa2 Nd7 17. d4
{looks a touch better for White.}) 16. Qxf3 Qd6 17. Bg3 (17. Be3 $5 {.}) 17...
Nd4 18. Qd1 Rae8 19. h3 {. This is to give the g3-bishop an escape square on
h2 after ...Nf5. White has the advantage of two bishops against two knights,
but it seems that Black's space and active pieces allow him to hold the
balance with careful play.} -- ({For example,} 19... Nd5 20. Qd2 g6 $1 (20...
f5 21. c3 $1) 21. Rad1 Nf4 22. c3 bxc3 23. bxc3 Nf5 24. Bxf4 exf4 25. Re4 f3
26. g4 Ng3 $1 27. Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 28. Qf4+ Qxf4 29. Rxf4+ Kg7 30. fxg3 Re2 31.
Rxf8 Kxf8 32. Kf1 Rg2 33. Re1 Rxg3 34. Re6 Rxh3 35. Rxa6 Rg3 36. Kf2 Rxg4 37.
Kxf3 h5 38. Rc6 Rxa4 39. Rxg6 Ke7 40. c4 {½-½, R.Kruis-P.Chopin,
correspondence 2009. --- In summary, 9 Nc3 might be a useful surprise weapon
here, but objectively White has more chances of gaining an advantage with 9
Re1.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "New Ways to Play d3"]
[Black "B: 6...b5 7 Bb3 d6 8 a4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "16"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 {
. In this section we'll look at lines which are associated with 7...d6 and,
for the main part, independent of 7...0-0 transpositions. This includes the
possibilities of ...Bd7 and ...Bg4. Here we'll consider:} -- ({B1:} 8... Bg4) (
{B2:} 8... Bd7) ({B3:} 8... Na5) ({DANGEROUS WEAPON!} 8... Be6 $2 {
loses a pawn, to} 9. Bxe6 fxe6 10. Ng5 $1 {
and Black's queen will be overloaded.}) ({
Other moves are likely to transpose to lines already discussed: --} 8... b4 {
is a popular move here and transposes to Line A1 after} 9. a5 $1 O-O 10. Nbd2 {
.}) (8... Rb8 {
is also very likely to lead to a transposition, this time to Line B2:} 9. axb5
axb5 10. Nc3 (10. h3 O-O 11. Nc3 {is Line B2}) 10... O-O {is Line B2,} ({while
} 10... Bg4 11. Be3 O-O 12. h3 Bh5 13. g4 Bg6 14. Nh4 {
favours White, J.Elburg-H.Seemann, correspondence 1986.})) (8... Bb7 {
gives Black fewer options than 7...0-0 8 a4 Bb7, since he can no longer play ...d5 in one go.} 9. Nc3 ({or} 9. Re1 O-O {
with an 8 a4 Anti-Marshall - see Line A3}) 9... Na5 (9... b4 10. Ne2 Na5 11.
Ba2 O-O 12. Ng3 c5 {comes to the same thing}) 10. Ba2 b4 11. Ne2 c5 12. Ng3 O-O
13. Bd2 $5 {(to prevent the possibility of ...b3, at least for the moment)} Rb8
14. Nf5 Bc8 15. N3h4 {gave White good attacking chances in V.Topalov-A.Beliavsky, Batumi 1999. Again White's idea is to play f2-f4, which Topalov
achieved after} Be6 16. Qf3 Ne8 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Nf5 Qd7 19. Qg4 Kh8 20. f4 {
.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "New Ways to Play d3"]
[Black "B1: 8...Bg4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "28"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bg4 {An early ...Bg4 is often unwise in the Ruy Lopez because the bishop can
become a target in White's plans (e.g. h2-h3 and g2-g4, or h3 and Nd2-f1-g3).
In this instance, though, ...Bg4 is more justified. Black might exchange on f3
and then try to gain counterplay on the queenside, or just accept a tempo loss
by answering h2-h3 with ...Bd7.} 9. c3 ({
White has to prevent ...Nd4, but an interesting alternative is} 9. Be3 $5 {
, after which} O-O 10. h3 Bh5 $6 ({accepting a tempo loss with} 10... Be6 $1 {
looks wiser}) 11. g4 $1 Bg6 12. Nh4 {
gives White a quick initiative. A.Vovk-M.Kravtsiv, Lvov 2008, continued} Qd7
13. Nf5 Rfb8 14. Nxe7+ Nxe7 15. Bg5 $1 d5 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Qf3 dxe4 18. dxe4
Kg7 19. Rd1 Qc6 20. Nc3 {with a clear advantage for White.}) 9... O-O ({Or} 
9... Na5 10. Bc2 b4 11. d4 $1 (11. cxb4 Nc6) 11... c5 12. cxb4 cxb4 13. Nbd2
Nd7 14. h3 Bh5 15. Nb3 Rc8 16. Nxa5 Qxa5 17. Bb3 Nf6 18. Re1 {with an edge for
White, F.Caruana-V.Korchnoi, Dresden Olympiad 2008. Korchnoi
characteristically grabbed a pawn with} Bxf3 19. Qxf3 exd4 {, but after} 20.
Bf4 $1 {the threat of e4-e5 was annoying,} Nd7 $2 21. Qg4 $1 {
made matters a whole lot worse for him, and White won in 28 moves.}) 10. h3 ({
White can also play} 10. Nbd2 {
first, but there's no harm in putting the question to the bishop straightaway.}
) 10... Bd7 {Black accepts the tempo loss - h2-h3 is virtually always a useful
move - and heads back to d7 with the bishop. Of course Black could have moved
the bishop to d7 straightaway, with 8...Bd7, although by playing to g4 first
he has at least narrowed White's options - after 8...Bd7 White can play 9 Nc3,
as we'll see in Line B2.} ({Strong players are wary of} 10... Bh5 {, and for good reason since White can target the bishop and attack on the kingside.} 11. --
({. I would be tempted by the direct} 11. g4 Bg6 12. Nh4) ({
, but White's play in H.Ziska-G.Thorhallsson, Reykjavik 2011, looks convincing:
} 11. Bg5 Na5 12. Ba2 Qd7 (12... c5 {
is better, but then even the simple plan of} 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Bd5 Rc8 15. axb5
axb5 16. Nbd2 {looks nice for White}) 13. b4 $1 Nb7 14. Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 15. Nxe5
$1 dxe5 16. Qxh5 Qxd3 $2 17. Bd5 $1 Rab8 18. Rd1 g6 19. Qg4 {
and Black resigned in view of} Qc2 20. Ra2 {trapping the queen.})) ({
Giving up the bishop with} 10... Bxf3 11. Qxf3 {looks strange, but in fact
it's a typical idea against a2-a4 lines. The advance of this pawn allows Black
to gain a degree of counterplay on the queenside, which goes some way to
compensate for giving up the bishop pair.} -- (11... b4 12. a5 $1 bxc3 13. bxc3
Rb8 14. Nd2 Nd7 15. Bc4 {with an edge for White, F.Caruana-M.Ragger, Chur 2010.
}) (11... Na5 {and now:} 12. -- (12. Bc2 c5 (12... b4 13. Nd2 c5 14. Nb3 bxc3
15. bxc3 Nxb3 16. Bxb3 Qa5 17. Bd2 Rab8 18. Rab1 {
is better for White, A.Lukin-K.Andreev, St Petersburg 1997}) 13. Nd2 Nd7 14.
Nb3 $1 Nc6 $1 15. Qe2 (15. Qg3 $5) 15... Nb6 16. a5 Nd7 17. g3 Re8 18. f4 exf4
19. gxf4 Bf8 20. Kh2 d5 21. e5 d4 22. cxd4 cxd4 {reached a complex position
with roughly level chances in D.Svetushkin-P.Nikolic, Plovdiv 2008.}) (12. Bd1
$5 b4 13. Qg3 $1 {is a new and interesting idea. White aims directly for f2-f4,
and the bishop on d1 prevents ...Nh5.} Nd7 14. f4 exf4 15. Bxf4 Bf6 16. d4 Re8
17. Nd2 Rb8 18. Bc2 bxc3 19. bxc3 Rb2 20. Qd3 {
was J.Geller-M.Kravtsiv, Lvov 2007, and I prefer White in this position.})))
11. Bc2 $5 {This volunteered retreat seems strange at first sight, until one
realizes that Bc2 more or less prevents Black's key plan for queenside
counterplay, ...Na5 and ...c5 (...Na5 can now be met by b2-b4). Compare
White's idea here with Kasparov's 12 Ba2! in Line A3.} ({
The main alternative is} 11. Nbd2 {(or 11 Re1) which would probably lead to a
typical Lopez Chigorin position after, for example,} Na5 12. Bc2 (12. Ba2 $5)
12... c5 13. Re1 Re8 14. Nf1 h6 15. Ng3 Bf8 16. d4 {.}) ({
Other possibilities for White are} 11. a5 $5) ({and} 11. Ba2 $5 {.}) 11... Re8
(11... b4 $5 {is an alternative:} 12. Nbd2 Rb8 13. d4 bxc3 14. bxc3 exd4 15.
cxd4 Nb4 16. Bb1 Bc6 17. d5 ({perhaps} 17. Re1 $5) 17... Bd7 18. Nc4 c6 $1 {
and Black equalized, T.Kosintseva-Zhao Xue, Nizhnij Novgorod 2007.}) 12. Re1 h6
13. Nbd2 Bf8 14. Nf1 {. White enjoys a small advantage here. Two examples:} --
(14... Na5 15. b4 $1 Nc6 16. Bd2 Ne7 17. Ng3 Ng6 18. d4 c6 19. Bb3 Qc7 20. Ra2
{with a nice space edge, N.Kosintseva-T.Shadrina, Gorodets 2006.}) (14... d5
15. Ne3 dxe4 16. dxe4 b4 17. a5 $1 Bc5 18. Nd5 $1 {
with a strong knight in the centre, A.Timofeev-A.Korotylev, Krasnoyarsk 2007.})
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "New Ways to Play d3"]
[Black "B2: 8...Bd7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bd7 {As played in the Leko-Kramnik game earlier in the chapter.} 9. Nc3 ({
White also has} 9. c3 {, of course. Then we reach positions like those seen in
Line B1, except White doesn't have the extra (and useful) move h2-h3.}) ({
White can also play} 9. Nbd2 {and delay c2-c3. For example,} O-O 10. Re1 Na5
11. Ba2 c5 12. Nf1 bxa4 $5 ({
winning a pawn at the cost of messing up his queenside structure;} 12... b4 {
is a safer option}) 13. Ne3 Rb8 14. h3 Ne8 15. Nf5 {
with excellent compensation for White, L.Bruzon Batista-V.Bhat, Badalona 2010.}
) 9... Na5 (9... b4 10. Ne2 (10. Nd5 Na5 $1) 10... Na5 11. Ba2 {
comes to the same thing.}) 10. Ba2 b4 ({Against} 10... O-O {White could play}
11. Bd2 {followed by Ne2} ({, or} 11. Be3) ({
, but Notkin suggests changing the character of the position with} 11. d4 $5 {
. If} b4 (11... Nc6 $5) 12. Nd5 Nxe4 $2 {then} 13. Re1 {
is a real problem for Black -} Bf5 14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. Bd5 {.})) 11. Ne2 c5 12.
Ng3 ({Magnus Carlsen has demonstrated another way for White to prepare the
f2-f4 break, with} 12. Nd2 $5 Be6 13. f4 Bxa2 14. Rxa2 O-O 15. Nf3 Nc6 16. Ng3
exf4 17. Bxf4 d5 18. e5 Ne8 19. Nf5 Nc7 20. Ra1 Ne6 21. Bg3 {, M.Carlsen-P.Svidler, Moscow (blitz) 2010. I slightly prefer White here, and in view of
Black's improvements below in the main line, 12 Nd2 might be the way forward
for White.}) 12... O-O 13. Nh4 $5 Nxe4 $1 {A critical response to 13 Nh4.} (
13... g6 14. Bh6 Re8 15. Bd2 {, followed by f2-f4, promises White an
initiative, as we saw in the Leko-Kramnik game.}) ({
The positional pawn sacrifice} 13... b3 $5 {also looks more challenging than
Kramnik's 13...g6, and Black gets decent compensation after} 14. cxb3 ({or} 14.
Bxb3 Nxb3 15. cxb3 Rb8) 14... Nc6 15. Nhf5 Be6 {.}) 14. dxe4 Bxh4 15. Qxd6 {
and now:} -- (15... Qe7 {(G.Guseinov-P.Thipsay, Moscow 2004)} 16. Qxe7 Bxe7 17.
Rd1 Rfd8 18. Bd5 Rab8 19. Be3 {looks roughly level.}) (15... b3 $5 16. cxb3 Qe7
17. Rd1 Bg4 18. Qxe7 Bxe7 19. Nf5 $1 Bxf5 (19... Bxd1 $2 20. Nxe7+ Kh8 21. Bd2
{wins for White}) 20. exf5 Nc6 21. Be3 Nd4 22. g4 (22. b4 $5) 22... Rab8 23.
Kg2 Rb7 24. Rac1 Rfb8 25. Rc4 Rb4 26. Rxb4 Rxb4 27. Bd2 Rb8 28. f4 exf4 29.
Bxf4 Rb7 30. Rd3 g6 31. fxg6 hxg6 32. Bd2 Bf6 33. Bc3 Ne2 34. Bd2 Bxb2 35. b4
cxb4 36. Bc4 Nd4 37. Bxa6 Ra7 38. Bb5 Nxb5 39. axb5 Rb7 40. Bxb4 {½-½ Nia-L.Johannessen, Dresden Olympiad 2008. --- Overall Black seems to be okay
after either 12 Ng3 0-0 13 Nh4 Nxe4 or 13...b3, so White players aiming for
the f4 break might prefer to focus on Carlsen's 12 Nd2.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "New Ways to Play d3"]
[Black "B3: 8...Na5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Na5 $5 {None of the World's elite play this knight move, which makes me think
that White should grab the pawn.} 9. axb5 ({The alternative is} 9. Ba2 b4 10.
Nbd2 {. This transposes to 8 a4 b4 9 Nbd2 Na5 10 Ba2 (a line White can avoid
in that move order with 9 a5!). An example:} c5 11. c3 Rb8 12. Nc4 O-O 13. Nxa5
Qxa5 14. Bd2 bxc3 15. Bxc3 Qd8 16. Nd2 Be6 17. Nc4 Qc8 18. Qf3 Bg4 19. Qe3 Be6
20. Qe2 Rd8 21. a5 {with the slightest of edges for White, V.Anand-L.Aronian,
Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2011.}) 9... Nxb3 ({No-one has played} 9... axb5 {, unsurprisingly so as it looks very risky to allow the knight on a5 to be pinned this way.
However, there appears to be no concrete way to refute it.} 10. Ng5 {
is the most obvious try, with} O-O $2 ({however,} 10... d5 $1 {
looks playable for Black, e.g.} 11. Qe1 b4 12. f4 exf4 13. Bxf4 O-O) 11. Nxf7
$1 Rxf7 12. Bxf7+ Kxf7 13. b4 {being White's idea.}) 10. cxb3 O-O 11. Nbd2 $1 {
Tiviakov's idea. The knight goes to the outpost on c4, where it shields
White's queenside weaknesses and keeps an eye on the centre.} ({
After the more standard} 11. Nc3 Bb7 12. bxa6 Rxa6 13. Rxa6 Bxa6 {
Black has typical compensation for the pawn.}) 11... Bb7 12. bxa6 Rxa6 13. Rxa6
Bxa6 14. Nc4 $1 {Blunting the a6-bishop.} Qb8 15. Qc2 Qb5 16. Bd2 Rb8 17. Ra1
$1 {, S.Tiviakov-K.Kuderinov, Moscow 2011. Black's compensation looks
insufficient here.} -- ({After} 17... Bc8 18. Na5 (18. d4 $5) 18... c5 19. b4
$1 Bg4 (19... cxb4 20. Nc6 {wins}) 20. bxc5 Bxf3 21. gxf3 dxc5 22. Nc4 {
White gained a clear advantage and later won.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "New Ways to Play d3"]
[Black "C: 6...d6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "23"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 $1 {
There are two significant differences between 6...d6 and the more popular 6...
b5: -- 1) By delaying or even avoiding ...b5, Black eliminates many a2-a4
options for White. -- 2) Playing 7 c3! offers White a second option against
any later ...b5: the bishop can retreat to c2 as well as b3.} ({
BEWARE! Trying to transpose back to 6...b5 lines with} 7. Nc3 {doesn't work.
For one thing, Black still doesn't have to play ...b5. Even worse, he could
play} b5 8. Bb3 {and then} Na5 $1 {
to force a knight-for-bishop exchange before White has a chance to play a2-a4.}
) 7... O-O 8. Re1 (8. Nbd2 {often transposes but it slightly reduces White's
options. See, for example, the note on 8...Nd7, where White plays an early Be3.
}) 8... b5 {The most popular choice, but there are other plans which either
delay or avoid this advance.} ({For example: --} 8... Bg4 {(this position is
more often reached via the move order 6 Re1 d6 7 c3 Bg4 8 d3 0-0)} 9. h3 Bh5
10. Nbd2 Nd7 $1 {. Black plans ...Nc5 and possibly ...Bg5. This is the only
real way to justify ...Bg4, otherwise White just gets an easy advantage with
Nf1-g3.} 11. Nf1 Nc5 12. Bxc6 $5 bxc6 13. d4 Bxf3 (13... exd4 14. cxd4 Ne6 15.
g4 Bg6 16. Ng3 {- Kasimdzhanov - looks slightly better for White}) 14. Qxf3
exd4 15. cxd4 Ne6 16. Be3 d5 17. Ng3 {
with an edge for White, V.Jansa-J.Lechtynsky, Kouty nad Desnou 2012.}) (8...
Nd7 {
intends ...Nc5 and possibly ...f5, so White's response should be immediate:} 9.
d4 $1 (9. Be3 Nb6 10. Bb3 Kh8 11. Nbd2 f5 $1 {sees Black's plan in action; he
was already fine, maybe even slightly better, in F.Caruana-V.Korchnoi, Caleta
2011}) 9... Bf6 10. Be3 ({or} 10. Bc2 Nb6 11. h3 Bd7 12. b3 exd4 13. cxd4 Nb4
14. Nc3 Nxc2 15. Qxc2 {
with an edge for White, A.Shirov-N.Short, Dos Hermanas 1997}) 10... Nb6 11.
Bxc6 bxc6 12. Nbd2 a5 13. Qc2 a4 14. dxe5 Bxe5 15. c4 Nd7 {
(V.Gashimov-E,.Najer, German League 2011) and here Gashimov gives} 16. Nxe5 $1
dxe5 ({or} 16... Nxe5 17. f4 Ng4 18. Bd4) 17. c5 {and "+=".}) ({
White has more than one way to play after} 8... Re8 9. Nbd2 Bf8 {
. The usual choice is} 10. Nf1 {,} ({but} 10. d4 b5 11. Bc2 {
transposes to our main line, below.})) 9. Bc2 $5 {This is the move which
separates this variation from normal d3 Lopez lines. White exploits the fact
that Black has delayed ...b7-b5 by retreating to c2 instead of b3. Of course
the bishop is more active on b3, but crucially 9 Bc2 prevents Black's usual
queenside expansion plan with ...Na5 and ...c5. White's own plans often
involve a quick d3-d4 (see below).} (9. Bb3 {
transposes to the mainline d3 Lopez, and the usual continuation here is} Na5
10. Bc2 c5 11. Nbd2 {.}) 9... Re8 ({Alternatively: --} 9... Bb7 10. Nbd2 Re8
11. d4 (11. Nf1 Bf8 12. Bg5 {is also possible}) 11... Bf8 {
transposes to our main line, below.}) (9... d5 {would just lose a pawn if
played against 9 Bb3, but it's playable against 9 Bc2 and objectively might
even be Black's strongest move.} 10. -- ({
. White gained a slight advantage after} 10. Nbd2 dxe4 11. dxe4 Be6 12. h3 Nd7
({in reality, though, Black should be okay in this line, and in a later game
Aronian more or less equalized after} 12... Bc5 13. a4 Ba7 14. Nf1 h6 15. Ne3
Qd6 16. Qe2 Bxe3 17. Bxe3 Bc4 {, S.Karjakin-L.Aronian, Moscow 2011}) 13. Nf1
Nc5 14. Ne3 Qxd1 15. Rxd1 f6 16. Nd5 Bd6 17. Be3 Nb7 18. b4 {in M.Carlsen-L.Aronian, Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2011. The knight manoeuvre to d5 is certainly a plan
to remember, and the use of the d5-square sometimes gives White something to
hold on to.}) (10. exd5 Qxd5 {
reaches a position with more imbalances. For example,} 11. Qe2 Bb7 12. Nbd2
Rad8 13. a4 Rfe8 14. b4 {with roughly level chances.})) 10. Nbd2 Bf8 11. d4 {
We've reached a type of Closed Lopez, Zaitsev/Smyslov position, and it's
unclear who if anyone is favoured by the slight differences: -- 1) White has
spent two moves on d2-d4. -- 2) White has avoided h2-h3. -- 3) White's
light-squared bishop is on c2 rather than b3. --- Clearly point 1 favours
Black. However, points 2 and 3 - although less clear cut - are more likely to
favour White. --- In all honesty, it's unlikely these differences amount to a
great deal. Practical considerations are probably more important here. For
example, a Black player might not feel so comfortable in these positions if he
is more used to Marshall, Anti-Marshall and Chigorin (...Na5 and ...c5) type
positions.} ({White more often plays} 11. Nf1 {here, with the lazy reasoning
that there's no need to think before getting the knight to g3! However, after}
h6 12. Ng3 g6 {White can't really do much without d3-d4, and} 13. h3 Bg7 14. d4
Bb7 {is the usual course. That way is also fine, of course, but with 11 d4
White can consider lines where the knight stays on d2 for a while (see below).}
) 11... Bb7 ({
...Bg4 is a typical response to d4 if White forgoes h2-h3, but after} 11... Bg4
{White gets a good version of the 9 d4 Bg4 Lopez:} 12. h3 Bh5 13. d5 Ne7 ({or} 
13... Na7 14. Nf1 c6 15. Ng3 Bg6 16. Bg5 cxd5 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 18. Qxd5 Rab8 19.
h4 h6 20. h5 Bh7 21. Nh2 Nc8 22. Ng4 Qf4 23. Ne3 Nb6 24. Qd1 {
and White has a grip on the light squares, V.Akopian-S.Atalik, Heraklion 2007})
14. Nf1 h6 15. a4 ({or} 15. g4 $5 Bg6 16. Ng3 {
, K.Piorun-A.Baryshpolets, Krakow 2008}) 15... c6 16. dxc6 Nxc6 17. Ng3 Bxf3
18. Qxf3 b4 19. Nf5 $1 {and the strong knight on f5 guarantees White the
initiative, P.Leko-J.Gustafsson, Dortmund 2012.}) ({In the very recent game A.Grischuk-S.Mamedyarov, FIDE Grand Prix, London 2012, Black captured on d4
first before playing ...Bg4:} 11... exd4 $5 12. cxd4 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. g4 $1
Bg6 15. a3 h5 16. g5 Nh7 17. Nf1 {
with a complex position which I feel slightly favours White.}) 12. a3 $5 {
and White has more than one possibility here:} (12. a4 exd4 $5 13. cxd4 Nb4 14.
Bb1 c5 15. d5 Nd7 16. Ra3 {(S.Dvoirys-D.Jakovenko, Elista 2001) transposes to
one of the sharpest lines of the Ruy Lopez Zaitsev Variation, with the
exception that the pawn moves h2-h3 and ...h7-h6 haven't been played. It would
definitely be worthwhile studying that Zaitsev line before entering this one.})
(12. d5 Nb8 13. b3 c6 14. c4 Nbd7 15. a4 Qc7 16. Ba3 bxc4 17. bxc4 a5 $1 {
with balanced chances, P.Popovic-V.Vujosevic, Banja Vrucica 1991}) ({a2-a3 is a
typical idea in the Zaitsev, preventing the ...exd4, cxd4 Nb4 plan and
preparing queenside expansion with b2-b4. Here} 12. a3 $5 {is an interesting
attempt to exploit the slight differences between our line and the mainline
Zaitsev. After} g6 {White could transpose directly to the mainline Zaitsev with
} 13. h3 {, but here h2-h3 seems unnecessary,} ({
and it feels more beneficial to use the spare tempo advancing with} 13. b4 {
. For example,} Nb8 (13... Bg7 14. Nb3) (13... a5 14. d5 Ne7 15. Nb3 $1) 14.
Bb2 Nbd7 {(a typical Breyer-style re-routing of the knight)} 15. Qb1 (15. c4 $5
) 15... a5 16. Nb3 axb4 17. cxb4 Rb8 18. Na5 Ba8 19. d5 {
with some advantage to White, L.Psakhis-G.Uusi, Krasnoyarsk 1980.})) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "9. Another g4 Lunge"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C77"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "14"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. g4 $5 {
. Shirov and Shabalov's 7 g4!? in the Semi-Slav (played after 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6
3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6 5 e3 Nbd7 6 Qc2 Bd6) created quite a stir when it first
appeared in the 1990s. Previously it was thought that this lunge on the wing
was, apart from one or two exceptions, only justified in openings such as the
Open Sicilian. However, these days it's widely accepted that the idea of an
early g2-g4 advance is viable in many more openings. --- The subject of this
chapter is 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 d3 b5 6 Bb3 Be7 7 g4!?. This
particular g2-g4 advance is by no means established theory - so far it has
been played in only a handful of games. Let's take a look at one of these.} --
(7... -- {Summary: -- While 7 g4 is not likely to refute Black's opening
anytime soon, it's certainly not a bad option for White. It obviously contains
some surprise value, and the sudden change in character of the position could
easily make opponents feel uncomfortable.}) *

[Event "Ukrainian Championship, Alushta"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2008.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Firman, N."]
[Black "Kravtsiv, M."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "2008.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. g4 $5 h6 {
Kravtsiv chooses the most natural reaction to the g4 lunge. For the time being
at least, he discourages the pawn from moving further forward.} ({
Alternatives, such as} 7... d6 {
inviting the pawn forward, will be covered later.}) ({DANGEROUS WEAPON!} 7...
Nxg4 {feels wrong, and it's unsurprising that no-one has been tempted by this
move. After} 8. Rg1 Nf6 (8... d6 $4 {loses to} 9. Bd5 $1) 9. Rxg7 {
it's clear that only White has benefited from the opening of the g-file.}) 8.
Nc3 $1 ({Firman realizes that it's important to prevent, or at least
discourage, Black from playing ...d5, which of course would be a principled
counter in the centre to White's aggression on the wing. For example,} 8. g5
hxg5 9. Nxg5 (9. Bxg5 {is better}) {would be met strongly by} 9... d5 $1 10.
exd5 ({or} 10. Nc3 Nd4 $1) 10... Nd4 $1 {,}) ({while} 8. Rg1 d5 $1 {
is also fine for Black (Ivanchuk).}) 8... d6 9. g5 {
Now there is no longer any need to delay this advance.} hxg5 10. Nxg5 $1 Rf8 ({
DANGEROUS WEAPON!} 10... O-O $6 {is incredibly risky here, and a perfect
example of "castling into it". White's attack runs like clockwork. --- For
example,} 11. Rg1 Nd4 12. Nd5 Nxb3 (12... Be6 {looks more resilient}) 13. Nxf6+
$1 Bxf6 14. Qh5 $1 Bxg5 15. Bxg5 f6 (15... Qe8 16. Bf6 {mates}) 16. Bh6 Rf7 17.
axb3 Be6 18. O-O-O c5 19. Rg6 Raa7 20. Rdg1 {
and Black is unlikely to survive the onslaught. One possible continuation is}
a5 21. f4 exf4 22. Bxf4 {(threatening Rh6)} Kf8 23. Bh6 Kg8 24. Be3 $1 Kf8 25.
e5 $3 {and Black's defence collapses.}) ({Houdini wants to play the outrageous
} 10... Bg4 $5 {allowing White to capture on f7 with either bishop or knight:}
11. -- ({. It seems strange to allow} 11. Bxf7+ {
but computer engines are second-to-none at finding hidden resources, and after}
Kd7 $1 {Black gets counterplay and the position is quite unclear.} 12. -- ({
. For example, if} 12. f3 {then} Nh7 $1 {is an attacking retreat which is
often invisible to human eyes but seen immediately by computers. Black is
better here!}) ({. Or} 12. Ne2 Qf8 $1 (12... Nd4 $2 {
is tempting, but White can sacrifice the queen:} 13. Nxd4 $1 Bxd1 14. Be6+ Ke8
{and then win it back with} 15. Nc6 $1) 13. f3 Nh7 $1 {
and again, if anyone is better it is Black.})) (11. Nxf7 {
might well be stronger. After} Bxd1 12. Nxd8 Bf3 $1 13. Nxc6 Bxh1 14. Nd5 $1 {
White has a slight material disadvantage which is counterbalanced by wonderful
knights on outposts and the possibility to strike on the queenside with a2-a4.
The chances look roughly balanced after, for instance,} Bd8 15. a4 b4 16. Be3 (
{or} 16. Nxd8 Kxd8 17. Bg5) 16... Rxh2 17. Ke2 {.})) 11. Be3 Nd4 (11... Ng4 {
is another critical option, leading to great complications with roughly level
chances. For example,} 12. -- (12. Bxf7+ $5 Rxf7 13. Nxf7 Kxf7 14. Qf3+ {
, T.Olsarova-S.Suchomelova, Orlova 2011, looks insufficient for White after}
Kg8 15. Rg1 Qf8 $1 {.}) (12. Bd5 Bd7 ({or} 12... Nb4 $5 13. Bxa8 Nxe3 14. fxe3
Bxg5 15. Qe2 Bxe3 16. Bc6+ $1 Nxc6 17. Qxe3) 13. Nh7 $1 Rh8 14. Qf3 $1 Nf6 (
14... Bf6 $5) 15. Ng5 Rf8 16. h4 {. I prefer White here, but only just.})) 12.
Bxd4 exd4 13. Nd5 Bb7 ({If} 13... Nxd5 $6 14. Bxd5 Rb8 (14... Bxg5 $1 15. Bxa8
Qf6 {is wiser, with some compensation}) {White has the tactic} 15. Nxf7 $1 {
. Black can hang on with the brilliant resource} Bh4 $1 (15... Rxf7 16. Qh5 {
is the idea}) {, but White keeps the advantage after} 16. Qh5 $1 (16. Nxd8
Bxf2+ {draws!}) 16... g6 $1 (16... Qf6 {loses to} 17. Ng5+ $1 Kd8 18. Qxh4) 17.
Qxg6 Qf6 18. Nxd6+ Ke7 19. Nxc8+ Rbxc8 20. Qxf6+ Rxf6 21. O-O {.}) 14. Nf4 c5 (
{Another possible line is} 14... d5 15. e5 Nd7 16. Nfe6 $5 ({or} 16. Nh7 Rh8
17. Qh5 $1) 16... Bb4+ $1 {(only move!)} 17. c3 dxc3 18. Nxd8 (18. Nxg7+ Ke7
19. Nf5+ Ke8 {is perpetual check}) 18... c2+ 19. Qd2 Bxd2+ 20. Kxd2 Rxd8 21. d4
{and White is slightly better.}) 15. Rg1 d5 16. e5 $1 {
Firman keeps up the pressure.} (16. exd5 {is met with} Qc7 $1 {
followed by ...0-0-0 and Black has more than solved his problems.}) 16... c4 (
16... Nd7 17. e6 $1 Bxg5 18. exd7+ Kxd7 19. Qg4+ Kd6 20. Qxg5 Qxg5 21. Rxg5 c4
22. Rxg7 Rg8 23. Rg3 cxb3 24. axb3 {is good for White.}) 17. exf6 gxf6 $2 {
The first real mistake.} ({
Kravtsiv was clearly concerned about White's possibilities after} 17... Bxf6 $1
{, including Qe2+, but although I prefer White's position, there's certainly
nothing decisive here.}) 18. Nh7 $1 Rh8 19. Rg7 $1 Qd6 20. Qg4 $1 {
Preventing queenside castling. Now Black should be in some trouble.} cxb3 21.
cxb3 $2 {A missed chance.} (21. Rxf7 $1 {would have rewarded White's previous
play with a winning position. The rook cannot be captured because of mate with
Qg6, and White's queen, rook and two knights are about to cause havoc. For
example,} bxc2 22. Rc1 $1 Rc8 23. Qg7 Rc7 ({or} 23... Kd7 24. Nxf6+) 24. Kf1 $1
{(threatening simply Rxe7+)} Qxf4 ({if} 24... Rxh7 {then} 25. Qg8+ $1 Kd7 26.
Qg4+ $1 {wins}) 25. Rxe7+ Rxe7 26. Nxf6+ Qxf6 (26... Kd8 27. Qxh8+) 27. Qxf6
Rxh2 28. Rxc2 {and White wins.}) 21... Bc8 $1 {White has missed his window of
opportunity. This clever resource saves Black, and play leads into an unclear
endgame where White's extra pawn is counterbalanced by Black's activity.} 22.
Rg8+ ({If} 22. Qh5 Qe5+ $1) ({or} 22. Qf3 Bf5 $1 {.}) 22... Rxg8 23. Qxg8+ Kd7
24. Qxf7 Qxf4 25. Nf8+ Kd6 26. Qxe7+ (26. Ng6 Qg5 $1 27. Qxe7+ Kc6 {and surprisingly White has nothing better than a draw here. Crucially, Black's queen
prevents Rc1+.}) 26... Kxe7 27. Ng6+ Kd6 28. Nxf4 Bf5 29. Ke2 Rh8 30. Rh1 Ke5
31. Ng2 Rh3 32. f3 Bg6 33. Ne1 Bh5 34. Kf2 Kf4 $1 35. Rg1 $6 {Very risky.} ({
It's much wiser to force the king back with} 35. Ng2+ Ke5 36. Ne1 {
, with a repetition of moves.}) 35... Bxf3 36. Rg6 Rxh2+ 37. Kg1 Rh1+ 38. Kf2
Rh2+ 39. Kg1 Re2 $1 40. Rxf6+ Ke5 41. Rxf3 Rxe1+ 42. Kf2 Ra1 43. a3 Rb1 44. b4
Rxb2+ 45. Kg3 Rb3 46. Kg4 Rxa3 {Now only Black can win, of course. Perhaps
Black does miss a chance somewhere, but White is saved firstly by the pawn
structure preventing Black's king from entering, and ultimately by his own
very active king.} 47. Rh3 Rc3 48. Rh5+ Kd6 49. Rh3 Rb3 50. Rh6+ Kc7 51. Rh7+
Kd8 52. Kf5 Rxb4 53. Ke5 a5 54. Kd6 Ke8 55. Ke6 Kf8 56. Rf7+ (56. Ra7 $1 a4 57.
Kf6 {forces a draw:} Ke8 58. Ke6 Kd8 59. Kd6 Kc8 60. Kc6 Kb8 61. Rb7+ {
and Black even loses if he tries} Ka8 $4 62. Kb6 Rb1 63. Rd7 {.}) 56... Kg8 57.
Ra7 a4 58. Kxd5 Kf8 (58... Rb3 $1 {keeps some chances.}) 59. Ke5 Rb3 60. Kf6
Ke8 61. Ke6 Kd8 62. Kd6 Kc8 63. Kc6 Kd8 64. Kd6 Rc3 65. Ra8+ Rc8 66. Ra7 Ke8
67. Rb7 Rc3 68. Rxb5 Rxd3 69. Kd5 Rb3 70. Ra5 d3 71. Rxa4 d2 72. Re4+ Kf7 73.
Rd4 Rb2 74. Kc4 Ke6 75. Kc3 Ra2 76. Rxd2 Rxd2 77. Kxd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Another g4 Lunge"]
[Black "Looking a Little Deeper"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C77"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "29"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 ({If Black wants
to play the main ...b5/...Be7 lines and avoid g2-g4, he can do so by choosing} 
6... d6 {, but this does give White another option.} 7. -- ({
. He could revert to lines seen in Chapter 8, for example with} 7. a4 b4 8. a5
Be7 9. O-O {.}) ({. However, there's also the possibility of} 7. Ng5 $5 {
exploiting the weakness of f7, Two Knights Defence-style:} d5 8. exd5 {.} -- ({
. DANGEROUS WEAPON!} 8... Nxd5 $2 {
allows a highly favourable version of the Fried Liver Attack:} 9. Nxf7 $1 ({
both} 9. Nc3 $1) ({and} 9. Qf3 $1 {are also strong}) 9... Kxf7 10. Qf3+ Ke6 11.
Nc3 Nce7 12. Nxd5 Nxd5 13. Bg5 Qd7 14. c4 $1 {.}) ({. Black should instead play
} 8... Nd4 $1 {
, when White must decide whether or not to hang on to the extra pawn:} 9. -- (
9. c4 Bc5 (9... Bg4 10. f3 Bh5 11. O-O $1 Bc5 12. Kh1 {and White is ready to
consolidate with Nc3 and Ne4, H.Elissalt Cardenas-A.Corzo, Isla Guitart 1994})
10. Nc3 (10. h3 $5) 10... Bg4 11. Qd2 $1 ({if} 11. f3 Bf5 {
and White can't castle}) 11... O-O {
and Black certainly has some compensation for the pawn.}) (9. O-O $1 {
. White returns the pawn and tries to exploit Black's lag in development:} Nxb3
10. axb3 Nxd5 (10... Qxd5 11. Nc3 Qc6 12. Re1 Bd6 13. Qf3 Qxf3 14. Nxf3 {
and White won a pawn, J.Murin-A.Vekony, Hungarian League 1994}) 11. Re1 f6 12.
Qf3 ({or} 12. Qh5+ $5 g6 13. Qf3) {. Now Black must be very careful:} 12... --
(12... Be7 $2 {runs into} 13. Rxe5 $1 {, P.Masic-A.Danilovic, Palic 1999.}) (
12... Bb7 $2 {meets the same fate:} 13. Rxe5+ $1 {.}) (12... Rb8 $1 {
is much more resilient:} 13. Rxe5+ $5 (13. Nc3 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Bd6 15. Ne4 O-O
16. Ba3 {might be slightly better for White}) 13... Ne7 14. Nc3 fxe5 $1 (14...
fxg5 15. Bxg5 {is winning for White}) 15. Qf7+ Kd7 {and White should probably
take the perpetual check on offer sooner rather than later.})) ({
. BEWARE! The discovered attack/zwischenzug idea with} 9. d6 Nxb3 10. dxc7 {
looks tempting, but Black isn't obliged to take on c7:} Qd5 $1 11. axb3 Qxg2
12. Qf3 Qxf3 13. Nxf3 Bb7 14. Ke2 Bd6 {and Black has the advantage.})))) 7. g4
({While studying the lines in this chapter I began to wonder whether there
were similar positions in which White could play g2-g4. He can't hang around,
otherwise Black will play ...d6, but the typical} 7. a4 {
could act as a precursor to the g-pawn lunge. For example:} -- (7... Rb8 8.
axb5 axb5 9. g4 $5 (9. Nc3 {is the usual move}) 9... d6 (9... h6 10. Nc3 d6 11.
g5 hxg5 12. Nxg5 {can be compared to Firman-Kravtsiv}) 10. g5 Nd7 {
is similar to the main line, below.}) (7... b4 8. g4 $5 h6 9. a5 $5 d5 (9... d6
) 10. Ba4 $1 Bd7 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. Rg1 Re8 13. c3 ({why open the queenside?} 13.
h4 $1 {and get on with it!}) 13... bxc3 14. bxc3 dxe4 (14... Rb8 $1) 15. Nxe4
Nxe4 16. dxe4 Bc5 $2 {(G.Kuzmin-V.Bezman, Alushta 1999) and here the simple}
17. g5 $1 {would have caused Black problems.})) 7... d6 {This was Ivanchuk's
choice when he faced Morozevich at the 2005 Russian Team Championship - the
only time so far that 7 g4!? has been tried at 2700+ level. Black doesn't give
White a hook to attack with ...h6 and accepts that his f6-knight will be
pushed back with g4-g5.} ({Alternatively: --} 7... d5 $2 {looks unsound:} 8. g5
dxe4 9. gxf6 Bxf6 10. Ng5 $1 ({not} 10. dxe4 $4 Qxd1+ 11. Kxd1 Bg4 12. Nbd2 Nd4
$1 {and Black regains his piece}) 10... Bxg5 11. Qh5 $1 {and wins.}) (7... O-O
{feels riskier than Ivanchuk's 7...d6, as Black runs the risk of walking into
a kingside attack.} 8. g5 Ne8 9. Bd5 ({or simply} 9. h4 $5 Bb7 10. h5) 9... Bb7
10. h4 (10. Nc3 d6 11. h4 Na5 12. Bxb7 Nxb7 13. Be3 {looks better for White})
10... Na5 $5 11. Bxb7 (11. Nxe5 Bxd5 12. exd5 f6 {
was unclear in N.Huschenbeth-E.Degtiarev, Osterburg 2006}) 11... Nxb7 12. Nxe5
f6 {. Here it's unclear whether Black has enough compensation after} 13. Nf3 {,
} ({while} 13. Ng6 $5 hxg6 14. h5 {is an interesting piece sacrifice. White is
attacking with only queen and rook, and his queenside is sleeping, but Houdini
insists the attack is still really dangerous! For example,} fxg5 (14... gxh5
15. g6 $1 {mates}) 15. hxg6 Nf6 16. Bxg5 Bb4+ (16... Qe8 17. Bxf6 Rxf6 18. Rh8+
$1 {mates}) 17. c3 Bc5 18. Bxf6 Bxf2+ (18... Rxf6 19. Qh5 Bxf2+ 20. Ke2 Kf8 21.
Nd2 {and Black is in big trouble}) 19. Kd2 Rxf6 20. Qh5 Kf8 21. e5 {
and White's attack continues.})) (7... h6 $5 8. Nc3 d6 {
was covered in Firman-Kravtsiv,} ({but Black can also play} 8... Bb7 $5 {
, aiming for a quick counter in the centre with ...d5.} 9. -- (9. g5 hxg5 10.
Nxg5 (10. Bxg5 b4 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nd5 {looks roughly equal}) 10... d5 $1 {
sees Black's idea in action:} 11. Bxd5 (11. exd5 Nd4 $1 {,}) ({or} 11. Nxd5
Nxd5 12. exd5 Nd4 $1) 11... Nxd5 12. Nxd5 Bxg5 13. Bxg5 Qxg5 14. Nxc7+ Kf8 15.
Nxa8 Qg2 {(Ivanchuk) and it's advantage Black.}) ({
. White does much better to hold back on g4-g5. For example,} 9. Rg1 Nd4 $5 10.
h4 ({if} 10. Nxe5 {then} Nxb3 11. axb3 d5 {with compensation for Black}) 10...
Nxb3 11. axb3 d6 12. g5 hxg5 13. hxg5 Nd7 14. Qe2) ({, or} 9. Bd2 Nd4 10. Nxd4
exd4 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. Bxd5 Bxd5 13. exd5 O-O 14. Qf3 {
with level chances in both cases.}))) 8. g5 Nd7 9. Bd5 ({
In his 'Chess Informant' notes to his game against Morozevich, Ivanchuk prefers
} 9. c3 {. He gives the long line} Nb6 (9... Na5 10. Bc2 c5 {
is equal - Ivanchuk}) 10. Be3 O-O 11. Nbd2 (11. h4 Be6 12. h5 d5 $1) 11... Be6
12. Bxb6 cxb6 13. h4 d5 14. exd5 (14. Qe2 $5) 14... Bxd5 15. Qe2 {
("unclear" - Ivanchuk)} Bxb3 16. axb3 Qd7 (16... Qd5 17. Qe4) 17. h5 Rfd8 18.
Qe4 {and by this stage White's position is looking good.}) ({However, Morozevich's 9 Bd5 is tempting, and it certainly has some merit too - it forces Black
to reorganize and White gets to keep his bishop on the a2-g8 diagonal.} 9. Be3
{is less good, in view of} Na5 $1 {.}) 9... Bb7 10. Be3 $1 {Intending to take
the knight if it goes to b6, so that White can keep his strong light-squared
bishop.} Qc8 {Planning ...Nd8.} ({Ivanchuk assesses} 10... Nb6 11. Bxb6 cxb6
12. Rg1 {as unclear, although I slightly prefer White here.}) ({
The only other game to reach this position continued} 10... Na5 11. a3 $5 c6 ({
maybe Black didn't like the idea of the knight being sidelined on a5, but even
so} 11... Bxd5 12. exd5 O-O 13. Nc3 {looks better}) 12. Ba2 $1 {(White already
threatens b2-b4 winning a piece, and Black is in a bit of a tangle)} Bc8 ({if} 
12... c5 13. Nc3 {and the d5-square beckons}) 13. Nbd2 Nf8 14. b4 Nb7 15. d4 $1
Bg4 $5 16. dxe5 Ng6 (16... dxe5 $4 {loses to} 17. Nxe5 $1) 17. Rg1 Bh5 18. e6
O-O 19. exf7+ Kh8 20. Rg3 d5 21. exd5 Nd6 22. dxc6 Nf5 23. Rh3 Bg4 {(Black has
sacrificed four pawns to try to seize the initiative, but is shocked by
White's next move)} 24. Nh4 $1 Bxh3 (24... Bxd1 25. Nxg6#) 25. Nxg6+ hxg6 26.
Qf3 Bxg5 27. Qxh3+ Bh6 28. Bxh6 (28. Ne4 $1 {
is more ambitious and possibly stronger too}) 28... gxh6 29. Qc3+ Qd4 30. Qxd4+
Nxd4 31. O-O-O {and White was better in the ending, G.Needleman-R.Hungaski,
Villa Martelli 2006.}) 11. a4 ({
White could also consider forgoing this advance in favour of} 11. Nc3 {
, anticipating} Nd8 12. Bxb7 Qxb7 13. Nd5 $1 {. It's not clear to me why White
should be so keen to open up the queenside with a2-a4 here. After 13 Nd5 White
still has the option of castling queenside and attacking on the kingside.})
11... Nd8 12. Nc3 $1 ({Ivanchuk assesses} 12. Bxb7 Qxb7 13. axb5 axb5 14. Rxa8
Qxa8 15. Nc3 c6 16. d4 O-O 17. O-O {as equal.}) 12... c6 13. Ba2 Ne6 14. h4 Qc7
15. -- ({We've been following A.Morozevich-V.Ivanchuk, Sochi 2005. Here
Morozevich erred with} 15. d4 $6 {and after} b4 $1 16. d5 Nf4 17. dxc6 Bxc6 18.
Nd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Rc8 {Ivanchuk secured strong counterplay and later won.}) ({
Ivanchuk suggests as an improvement} 15. h5 b4 16. Ne2 d5 17. Ng3 {and assesses
this position as unclear. It certainly makes more sense for White to hold the
centre, and Nf5 is one of his attacking ideas here.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "10. Gambit vs. Anti-Marshall"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C88"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
Na5 $5 {. This is, of course, a key move for Black in the mainline Ruy Lopez,
but usually Black plays it only after safeguarding his e5-pawn with ...d6.
That is not the case here. With 8...Na5, Black is offering a pawn in return
for long-term positional compensation caused by a desirable knight-for-bishop
exchange on b3 - which is even more attractive now that White would have to
wreck his pawn structure by recapturing with the c-pawn. --- The question is,
does the rare 8...Na5 provide Black with an interesting alternative to the
main choices 8...Bb7 and 8...b4? Let's begin our search for the answer by
looking a game where White accepts the gambit.} 9. -- (9. -- {Summary: -- 1)
Black gets good play if White accepts the gambit with either 9 axb5 or 9 Nxe5.
Essentially, the bishop pair and White's compromised queenside pawn structure
assures Black of long-term compensation. -- 2) 9 Ba2 is a more likely response
by White, and here Black can maintain the gambit theme with 9...d5!?. This
move certainly carries a surprise punch, as we saw when White reacted
passively in Kosteniuk-Ivanisevic. However, even if White plays more strongly,
Black should gain at least some Marshall Gambit-like compensation. -- 3) Black
has a second option against 9 Ba2, with 9...d6. Here the positions are similar
to those in mainline 8 a4 Anti-Marshalls. However, Black can look to exploit
the unusual move order to his advantage (see Line B).}) *

[Event "Correspondence"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2008.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Domancich, E."]
[Black "Civitillo, A."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2008.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
Na5 $5 {This has appeared in a number of correspondence games, and
correspondence chess is normally a good place to look for opening ideas.} 9.
axb5 ({The other pawn grab,} 9. Nxe5 {, is considered later.}) 9... Nxb3 $1 {
Black shouldn't pass up the opportunity to grab the bishop. Trading knight for
bishop on b3 virtually always assures Black of long-term compensation, for two
reasons: -- 1) White's pawn structure on the queenside is smashed. -- 2) Black
gets the bishop pair.} 10. cxb3 d5 $5 {
Civitillo adds more wood to the fire with this Marshall-style gambit.} (10...
Bb7 {has also been played here. For example,} 11. bxa6 Bxe4 12. d3 Bb7 $1 13.
a7 d5 (13... d6 $5) 14. Nxe5 Bc5 15. Be3 d4 16. Bg5 h6 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 18. f3 (
18. Nd7 Qc6) 18... Qf5 19. Qc2 Bxa7 20. Nd2 Bb8 $5 21. Rxa8 Bxa8 22. Nf1 Re8
23. f4 Kh7 24. b4 Bb7 25. Qf2 f6 26. Ng3 Qc8 27. Nf3 Rxe1+ 28. Nxe1 c5 29. Kf1
Qc6 30. bxc5 Qxc5 31. Qd2 Qb6 32. Kf2 Bd6 33. Nf3 Bc5 34. Ne2 Bd5 35. Qc1 Qb4
36. h3 Bb7 {½-½, E.Domancich-S.Diaz, correspondence 2008. Black, with his
bishop pair, extra space and activity, seemed to have enough play for the pawn
throughout.}) ({I also wondered about keeping the centre tight with} 10... d6 {
, but} 11. d4 $1 {looks like a good reply, and} Bb7 12. bxa6 Bxa6 13. Nc3 {
feels a bit better for White, V.Kupreichik-S.Brenjo, Nis 1994.}) 11. Nxe5 ({
DANGEROUS WEAPON! Careless, greedy play by White could be punished here. For
example, if} 11. bxa6 dxe4 12. Nxe5 Bd6 $1 13. Nc4 $4 (13. d4 $1 {
is the only defence}) {then} 13... Bxh2+ $1 {
is already a winning Greek gift sacrifice:} 14. Kxh2 Ng4+ 15. Kg3 h5 16. Rh1
Qg5 {and White can't survive.}) 11... Bb7 12. Nc6 {It's only natural to force
the exchange of one of Black's bishops, although by doing so White is forced
to part with his only active piece.} (12. bxa6 {could lead to an unusual
position where White has three(!) knights on the board:} dxe4 $5 (12... Bxa6)
13. axb7 $1 Rxa1 14. Nc6 Qd6 15. Qc2 $1 ({if} 15. b8=Q Rxb8 16. Nxb8 Rxb1 17.
Qc2 Ra1 18. Nc6 Bf8 {and White is a bit tied up}) 15... Ra6 $5 16. b8=N $1 (16.
b8=Q Rxc6 {is good for Black}) 16... Rb6 17. Nc3 Rxc6 18. Nxc6 Qxc6 {
and Black still has some compensation for the pawn.}) ({
Other possible variations include} 12. d4 axb5 13. Rxa8 Bxa8) ({and} 12. exd5
Qxd5 13. Nf3 Bd6 {
; in both cases Black's positional compensation looks worth a pawn.}) 12...
Bxc6 13. bxc6 dxe4 14. Nc3 a5 $3 {A brilliant idea from Civitillo. He lets
White have the e4-pawn, but plans to gum up White's entire queenside with ...Bb4. White goes two pawns ahead, but can't get his queenside pieces into
action.} ({Trying to keep hold of the e4-pawn was futile in any case, since} 
14... Qd3 {could be met by the horizontal attack} 15. Ra4 $1 {.}) 15. Qc2 ({
Black also meets} 15. Nxe4 {with} Bb4 $1 {, although this might have been a
wiser plan of action for White, who then has more options including} 16. Nc3 {.
}) 15... Bb4 $1 16. Nxe4 Re8 17. h3 ({
The pin on the d2-pawn, created by ...Bb4, is really annoying for White.} 17.
Re2 {, breaking the pin, would be met in the same way as the game, so
Domancich wisely decides to at least give his king a bolthole against a later
back-rank check.}) 17... Nxe4 18. Rxe4 Rxe4 19. Qxe4 Qf8 $1 {
Planning ...Re8-e1+.} 20. d4 ({
White could try to avoid the rook reaching e1 by retreating the queen with} 20.
Qg4 Re8 21. Qd1 {, but then it would be impossible to move the d-pawn! White
would hardly be able to move at all and Black would begin to infiltrate with
his queen.}) 20... Re8 21. Qf5 g6 22. Qf6 Re6 {
The rook forces White's queen to retreat before checking on e1.} 23. Qf3 Re1+
24. Kh2 h5 $1 {A really strong move, with the idea of ...h4 to restrict and
further weaken the white king. Black's plan involves ...Qa8-a6-f1, which could
easily be crushing.} ({However, getting the timing wrong might allow White to
escape via a defensive resource. For example,} 24... Qa8 25. g3 Qa6 26. Bh6 $1
Rxa1 27. Qf6 Bf8 28. Qd8 {and here Black would be losing were it not for} Rh1+
$1 29. Kxh1 Qf1+ {with perpetual check.}) 25. g3 $2 ({Houdini suggests the calm
} 25. h4 $1 {, preventing ...h4. Black doesn't seem to have an obvious way to
exploit the temporarily unguarded pawn, and White's Bh6 resource is still in
play. For example,} Qe8 ({or} 25... Qa8 26. g3) 26. g3 $1 Rf1 27. Kg2 $1 Qe1
28. Bh6 $1 Rg1+ 29. Kh2 Qxa1 30. Qf6 Rh1+ 31. Kg2 Qf1+ 32. Kf3 {
and crazy as it seems, Black can do no better than draw.}) 25... h4 $1 {
Now, with White's king further weakened, Black takes complete control.} 26. Kg2
Qa8 $1 {Threatening ...Qa6.} 27. Qd5 {To meet ...Qa6 with Qc4.} (27. Kh2 Qa6
28. Bh6 {no longer works:} Rxa1 29. Qf6 hxg3+ 30. Kxg3 Qd3+ 31. f3 Bd6+ 32. Kh4
Be7 $1 33. Qxe7 Qxd4+ {and Black mates.}) 27... hxg3 28. fxg3 Qe8 $1 {
A lovely switchback.} 29. Qf3 Qe6 30. g4 g5 $3 {
And this is very nice too. Black wins simply by running White out of moves.}
31. Rb1 Kf8 $1 32. d5 Qe5 {. There's no dealing with the various threats: ...Qd4, ...Bd6 or even ...Rxc1+ and ...Qxb2+.} 0-1

[Event "Mainz (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2008.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kosteniuk, A."]
[Black "Ivanisevic, I."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2008.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

{Of course, there's no obligation to grab a pawn after 8...Na5. In this game
White chooses a more cautious path.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6
5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 Na5 9. Ba2 {The most common response to
8...Na5, and probably the best move, at least practically. Here, and in
similar positions, most white players prefer to keep the bishop rather than
grabbing a pawn and accepting weaknesses after ...Nxb3.} d5 $5 {A shocking
! I'm reminded a bit of the Gajewski Gambit, 8 c3 d6 9 h3 Na5 10 Bc2 d5!?, in
that Black is playing a Marshall-style gambit with his queen's knight on a5
rather than c6. A major difference between this and the Gajewski, though, is
that the Gajewski already has a significant number of games and theory
attached to it, whereas Ivanisevic's move has only been played in a handful of
games, despite being around for longer. The earliest games with 9...d5 I could
find were played in 2001, both by the Serbian IM Slavisa Brenjo.} ({
One merit of 8...Na5 is that Black isn't committed to this gambit.} 9... d6 {
is a solid alternative, which we shall look at later.}) 10. d4 $5 {Perhaps surprised, and possibly surprised twice - first by 8...Na5!? and then by 9...d5!?
- Kosteniuk decides not to accept the gambit and instead fights back in the
centre.} (10. exd5 {and other options for White are covered later on.}) 10...
dxe4 ({Black could also consider} 10... Nxe4 {. For example,} 11. Nxe5 ({or} 
11. dxe5 Nc4) 11... Be6 12. Nd2 (12. c3 c5 $5) 12... Nxd2 13. Bxd2 Nc4 {.}) 11.
Nxe5 Bb7 12. Bg5 $1 ({In earlier games Brenjo twice faced the less active} 12.
c3 {and on both occasions he got a good position:} -- (12... Bd5 $5 13. b3 $5 (
13. Nd2) 13... Nd7 14. Nxd7 Qxd7 15. Nd2 f5 16. c4 $6 (16. b4) 16... Bf7 17. d5
c6 $1 {and Black was better in B.Ivanovic-S.Brenjo, Herceg Novi 2001.}) ({
. In a slightly later game Brenjo switched to the natural-looking} 12... b4 {
, and} 13. cxb4 Bxb4 14. Nc3 c5 15. dxc5 Bxc5 16. Bg5 Bd4 {
was balanced in A.Kovacevic-S.Brenjo, Jahorina 2001.})) 12... c5 ({BEWARE!} 
12... b4 {
, with ...b3 ideas, feels natural, but the knight is vulnerable on a5!} 13.
Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 14. Nxf7 Rxf7 15. Bxf7+ Kxf7 16. Qh5+ Kg8 17. Qxa5 {wins material.
}) 13. c3 (13. dxc5 $5 {
is interesting and possibly more challenging for Black. After} Qc7 (13... b4 $5
) {White could try} 14. Nxf7 Rxf7 15. axb5 axb5 16. Bxf7+ Kxf7 17. b4 Rd8 18.
Qe2 Nc6 {. Houdini slightly prefers White's rook and two pawns to the two
minor pieces, but all three results are still possible.}) 13... b4 $1 {
Now this move is both desirable and possible.} 14. Be3 $6 {
Another passive move, and this time Kosteniuk will pay for her caution.} ({
After} 14. cxb4 cxb4 {White can solve the problem of her undeveloped knight by}
15. Nd2 $1 {. If then} Qxd4 {there could follow} 16. Ndc4 $5 Qxd1 17. Raxd1 {
with good compensation for the pawn.}) 14... Nd5 $1 {Advantage Black. White
can't develop her queen's knight, in view of ...bxc3, so she is forced to
accept a concession.} 15. cxb4 Nxb4 {
White's light-squared bishop couldn't escape from a black knight after all!}
16. Nc3 $2 ({White's position isn't so hot after} 16. dxc5 Nxa2 17. Rxa2 ({or} 
17. Qxd8 Rfxd8 18. Rxa2 Bd5 {and ...f6}) 17... Qc7 {
, but this is still a lot better than what happens in the game.}) 16... Nxa2
17. Rxa2 f6 18. Ng4 f5 $1 ({Stronger, and much cleaner than} 18... h5 19. Nh6+
gxh6 20. Qxh5 {.}) 19. Ne5 f4 20. Bd2 e3 $1 21. fxe3 cxd4 22. exd4 Qxd4+ {
Black's position is too strong, and White's is too dishevelled to be able to
resist a direct attack.} 23. Kh1 Rad8 ({The immediate} 23... Bh4 $1 {
is also good.}) 24. Nf3 Bxf3 25. gxf3 Bh4 26. Re2 Nc4 27. Ne4 Qd3 $1 28. Qf1
Rde8 29. b3 Rxe4 $1 30. fxe4 f3 31. Rf2 Qxb3 32. Bc1 Bxf2 33. Rxf2 Ne5 34. Bg5
Ng4 35. Rd2 f2 0-1

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gambit vs. Anti-Marshall"]
[Black "Looking a Little Deeper"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C88"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "18"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
Na5 $5 9. Ba2 ({Alternatively: --} 9. axb5 {was covered in Domancich-Civitillo.
}) (9. Nxe5 Nxb3 10. cxb3 Bb7 {
is similar, with Black once again getting long-term compensation. For example,}
11. d3 d5 12. exd5 ({or} 12. Nc3 dxe4 13. Bf4 exd3 14. Nxd3 b4 15. Na2 a5 {
with an edge for Black, C.Cranbourne-A.Civitillo, correspondence 2005}) 12...
Nxd5 (12... Qxd5 $5) 13. Nc3 Bf6 14. d4 c5 {
, A.Bjorkqvist-A.Gavrilov, correspondence 1973.}) 9... -- {
After 9 Ba2 we shall consider:} ({A:} 9... d5) ({B:} 9... d6) ({
It's worth noting that} 9... Bb7 {has also been played a few times, but it's
probably a slightly inaccurate move order.} 10. d3 $1 d6 11. Nc3 {transposes
one of the main lines after 8 a4, i.e. 8...Bb7 9 d3 d6 10 Nc3 Na5 11 Ba2.} ({
However, the tricky} 11. Bd2 $1 {
might well be stronger. The point is that after} c5 {
White has the counterintuitive idea} 12. Bxa5 $1 Qxa5 13. axb5 {, when Black
must recapture on b5 with the queen and accept a weakness to his pawn
structure.})) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gambit vs. Anti-Marshall"]
[Black "A: 9...d5"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
Na5 9. Ba2 d5 10. exd5 {The most obvious attempt by White to gain an advantage.
} ({Alternatively: --} 10. d4 {was covered in Kosteniuk-Ivanisevic.}) (10. Nxe5
dxe4 11. d4 {transposes to 10 d4.}) (10. Bxd5 Nxd5 11. axb5 $5 {was a suggestion from John Shaw in 'Starting Out: The Ruy Lopez'. After, for example,} axb5
12. exd5 Bb7 13. Rxe5 Bf6 14. Re1 b4 15. d3 Qxd5 16. Nbd2 {Black certainly
enjoys typical Marshall-style compensation, but whether it's objectively
enough is unclear, and this looks as good as anything else I've seen for White.
}) (10. Nc3 $5 {is another rare but interesting try:} d4 ({
Black gets compensation after} 10... dxe4 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Rxe4 Bb7 13. Rxe5
Bf6 14. Re1 Re8) 11. Nd5 Nxd5 $5 (11... c6 12. Nxe7+ Qxe7 13. d3 {
looks a touch better for White, A.Chudinovskih-K.Neumeier, Moscow 2006}) 12.
exd5 ({if} 12. Bxd5 {then} c6 13. Ba2 Qc7) 12... Bd6 13. Nxe5 {and now} Qf6 {
intending} 14. Nf3 d3 $1 15. cxd3 {
to clog up White's queenside is one idea for Black.}) 10... e4 11. Ne5 $1 ({If
} 11. Ng5 {then simply} Bg4 12. f3 exf3 13. Nxf3 Re8 {
followed by ...Nxd5 is good enough for Black.}) 11... Bb7 {
This was Brenjo's choice when he reached this position.} ({The alternative is} 
11... Nxd5 {, after which} 12. Rxe4 (12. Nc3 {
might be stronger; Black got good play following} Nb4 13. Nxe4 ({
but as an improvement Quezada gives} 13. axb5 $1 axb5 14. Nxf7 Rxf7 15. Bxf7+
Kxf7 16. Nxe4 Bf5 17. d4 {which he assesses as slightly better for White})
13... Nxa2 14. Rxa2 Bb7 {in Y.Quezada Perez-R.Perez Garcia, Cuba (rapid) 2008})
12... Bb7 {gives Black typical compensation.}) 12. Nc3 ({Against} 12. d3 {,}
Bd6 {looks like a natural reply, intending} 13. d4 Nxd5 {.}) ({Or if} 12. d4 {
then} Nxd5 {looks okay for Black.}) 12... b4 $1 {Black gives up a second pawn.}
({After} 12... Nxd5 $6 13. Nxe4 {White is much more active than usual: d2-d3
or d2-d4 is coming very quickly and Black has no compensation at all.}) 13.
Nxe4 b3 $1 {DANGEROUS WEAPON! This is a key idea. Black insists on ruining
White's queenside, and giving up another pawn to do so is a small price to pay.
} 14. cxb3 $1 {It's better to keep the bishop, even though it's horribly
hemmed in by the b3-pawn. White will look for ways to reactivate the bishop
via b3-b4, even if this returns one of his pawns.} ({After} 14. Bxb3 $6 Nxb3
15. cxb3 Nxe4 16. Rxe4 Qxd5 {Black's piece activity, development lead and
positional advantages add up to be worth more than two pawns.} 17. f3 f5 18.
Re1 Bc5+ 19. Kh1 Rae8 20. d4 Bxd4 21. Nd3 Rxe1+ 22. Nxe1 (22. Qxe1 $2 Qxf3 $1)
22... Re8 {and I prefer Black here.}) 14... Nxe4 15. Rxe4 Qxd5 16. d3 Bb4 $1 {
A stunning move, which reminds me of Black's similar idea in Domancich-Civitillo. By denying White the opportunity to play b3-b4, Black keeps the a2-bishop
firmly out of the action. We've been following the game M.Roganovic-S.Brenjo,
Kragujevac 2009, which continued:} 17. Nf3 ({Houdini prefers} 17. Bd2 c5 18. f3
{, but Black still has significant compensation for the two pawns.}) 17... c5
18. Bd2 Nc6 19. Bc3 Rad8 20. Qf1 a5 21. Rg4 g6 22. d4 cxd4 23. Nxd4 Nxd4 (23...
Rfe8 $5) 24. Rxd4 Qxd4 $5 25. Bxd4 Rxd4 26. Bb1 {. A draw was agreed here, but
of course there's a lot of play left in this position.} ({Following} 26. Bb1
Rfd8 $1 {White still hasn't solved the problem of his light-squared bishop!})
1/2-1/2

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gambit vs. Anti-Marshall"]
[Black "B: 9...d6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C88"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
Na5 $5 9. Ba2 d6 {The solid option.} 10. d3 {Now play develops in a similar
fashion to some main lines after 8 a4 b4 or 8 a4 Bb7. Similar, but crucially
not exactly the same, and a savvy Black player might hope to exploit the
little differences.} ({White has a number of alternatives: --} 10. d4 exd4 $5 (
10... Bb7 {is solid, e.g.} 11. Nc3 b4 12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. Bxd5 c6 14. Ba2 Qc7 15.
c3 bxc3 16. bxc3 c5 {
with a level position, A.Alvir-P.Van der Sterren, Dieren 1986}) 11. Nxd4 c5 12.
Nf5 ({or} 12. Nf3 Bb7 13. Nc3 c4 {blocking the bishop, with good counterplay})
12... Bxf5 13. exf5 b4 14. c3 Re8 15. Nd2 bxc3 16. bxc3 Qd7 17. Qc2 d5 {
and Black is fine, J.Janos-V.Malinin, correspondence 1998.}) (10. c3 b4 $1 {
(a typical idea in similar positions where White mixes c3 with a4)} (10... c5 {
also looks okay, intending} 11. d4 Qc7) 11. d4 ({if} 11. cxb4 Nc6 {
and Black regains the b-pawn}) 11... c5 $1 12. cxb4 cxb4 {
. --- DANGEROUS WEAPON: Now if White tries to win a pawn with} 13. dxe5 $6 (13.
Nbd2 Qc7 {looks level}) 13... dxe5 14. Nxe5 $2 {, Black wins a piece with} Qxd1
15. Rxd1 b3 $1 {.}) (10. b4 $5 {has some merit. White's idea is to chase the
a5-knight away before Black has a chance to secure it with ...c5 or ...b4.
After} Nc6 11. c3 ({if} 11. axb5 Nxb4) {a solid plan for Black is} 11... Bd7 ({
ROLL THE DICE! A much more aggressive choice for Black is a delayed Marshall
Gambit with} 11... d5 $5 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. Rxe5 {
. Do White's extra moves (a4, b4 and Ba2) help or hinder him? As well as} c6 {,
} ({Black could consider other options such as} 14... Nb6 $5 {intending} 15. a5
Bd6 16. Re1 Qh4 $1 {.})) 12. d3 h6 {
intending a typical regrouping with ...Re8, ...Bf8, ...g6, ...Bg7 etc.}) (10.
axb5 axb5 11. b4 Nc4 ({this time Black must avoid} 11... Nc6 $2 {, because of}
12. Bxf7+) 12. d3 Nb6 {looks fine for Black, e.g.} 13. Nc3 Be6 14. Be3 Bxa2 15.
Rxa2 Rxa2 16. Nxa2 Qa8 {.}) 10... c5 $5 (10... b4 11. Nbd2 c5 ({or} 11... Be6 {
transposes to a main line of the 8 a4 Anti-Marshall (8...b4 9 d3 d6 10 Nbd2
Na5 11 Ba2) which is perfectly acceptable for Black, and this move order even
has the advantage of ruling out a key option for White in 10 a5. --- However,
with 10...c5 Black is trying to further exploit the 8...Na5 move order. The ...b4 advance is by no means obligatory, and Black's idea is to play it only if
an opportune moment arises.})) 11. Nbd2 ({
One merit of Black's idea is seen most clearly after} 11. Nc3 b4 $1 12. Ne2 Bb7
$2 {. This would transpose directly to a well-known main line: 8 a4 Bb7 9 d3
d6 10 Nc3 Na5 11 Ba2 b4 12 Ne2 c5, which is again perfectly okay for Black.
However, whereas 8...Bb7 is perfectly logical in the position after 8 a4, why
on earth would Black play 12...Bb7? here, with the pawn structure fixed so
that the bishop is hitting a brick wall? The choice of 12...Bb7 becomes even
more ludicrous if you consider the main line above continues} 13. Ng3 Bc8 $1 {.
}) ({So, in effect, by choosing a much more logical 12th move after} 11. Nc3 b4
12. Ne2 {, such as} Be6 $1 {, Black is more or less playing a main line but
with two extra tempi! Clearly this means a comfortable position for him at the
very least. --- DANGEROUS WEAPON! One of the advantages of 8...Na5 9 Ba2 d6 is
its flexibility. Black has neither committed his pawn to b4 nor his bishop to
b7.}) (11. Bg5 {
was played in B.Ivanovic-P.Nikolic, Bor 1986, and Black equalized easily after}
Be6 12. c3 c4 $5 13. Nbd2 Nd7 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. d4 Bg4 16. Bb1 Nb6 {.}) 11...
Be6 (11... b4 {would again transpose to a main line with 8 a4 b4}) ({while} 
11... Bd7 {is also playable and could be reached via 6 d3 lines (compare
Chapter 8). However, exchanging light-squared bishops with ...Be6 is a key
idea for Black, so why not do it straightaway?}) 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. c3 Qd7 14.
Qe2 Nc6 15. Nb3 h6 {. Space, good central control and a half-open f-file offer
Black a full share of the chances, P.Wolff-G.Kaidanov, Hastings 1989/90.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "11. The 9...a5 Variation"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C92"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 a5 {. Another weapon with a strategic rather than tactical focus;
Black's idea is to ensure to drive back the annoying b3-bishop for good,
without suffering the sort of exile of his a5-knight which so often causes him
trouble in the mainline Chigorin.} 10. -- (10. -- {Summary: -- In conclusion,
I'm sure White should be able to maintain some advantage somehow after 9...a5,
but at the moment he hasn't yet identified a clear route to do so, and Black's
play has the advantage that he's forcing White a little out of the usual
closed Ruy paths and making him think for himself; whatever White's best line
does eventually turn out to be, I'm pretty sure it isn't going to be ignoring
Black's moves on the queenside and carrying on as normal.}) *

[Event "Turkish League, Konya"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2010.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Selbes, T."]
[Black "Mirzoev, A."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C92"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2010.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 {The venerable tabiya of the Closed Ruy Lopez, and the starting
point for the first chess book I ever bought, Batsford's very prettily-covered
1971 work by Wade, Blackstock and Booth, an entirely unsuitable waste of 46
shillings of my second prize in the Warwickshire U-12 tournament, circa 1973.
I still have my copy signed by the equally venerable W.Ritson Morry, the
legendary Midlands organiser of the period. --- It's a little late in the game
for a Dangerous Weapon, but of course the sequence to date is hallowed by time
and has been played in many, many games, and even in amateur chess this
position arises with fair regularity for defenders of the Lopez.} a5 {
Black has of course a multitude of systems at this point, including besides
the three most prevalent at high level, 9...Na5 (Chigorin), 9...Nb8 (Breyer)
and 9...Bb7 (or 9...Re8 - Zaitsev), the less popular 9...h6 (Smyslov), 9...Nd7
(Keres), 9 ...Be6 (Kholmov) and even 9...Qd7. The text move used to be
associated with an idea of Bondarevsky's, subsequently adopted like most good
things in the Ruy by Keres, but in recent times it has been revived with a
different notion of simply playing the usual Closed Ruy schemas after first
gaining space on the queenside.} 10. d4 {
This is always the main move, of course;} ({
but in the next section we'll also consider the usual alternatives} 10. d3) (
10. a4) ({and also} 10. a3 {.}) 10... a4 11. Bc2 Bd7 {This is the modern way
to play the variation, which seems to have been introduced by Simen Agdestein
in 1988. --- 11...Bd7 is a natural move offering support to the b5-pawn; Black
has gained space on the queenside with his thrust on the ninth move, but he
needs to be careful he doesn't lose control of the squares left behind, for
example b4.} ({Keres' idea was} 11... exd4 12. cxd4 Nb4 {
removing White's bishop.} 13. d5 {then is supposed to be better for White
based on a game Spassky-Keres in the 1961 USSR Championships, and I fear this
is probably true.}) 12. Nbd2 (12. Na3 {is another main move which we'll look
in the next game, but it's natural to start with the normal Ruy trip to the
kingside.}) 12... Re8 13. Nf1 h6 14. Ng3 Bf8 {This position arises by the most
natural lines and should by rights be a tabiya, but in fact because of the few
games played in the line there are only a handful of examples.} 15. Rb1 {
White decides to tackle the a-pawn, not a terribly challenging idea.} ({
DANGEROUS WEAPON! White's problem really is that} 15. d5 {(something he would
normally be contemplating in the Ruy somewhere around this point) simply leads
nowhere after} Na5 {; Black has a nice square for this piece on c4, a possible
break with ...c6, and good prospects for all his other pieces.}) ({
Alternatively: --} 15. Bd2 Na5 ({or} 15... Qc8 16. Bd3 Qb7 17. Qc2 g6 18. b4
Bg7 19. a3 Rac8 {as in J.Polgar-H.Nakamura, Cap d'Agde 2010, with a typical
Lopez position where Black's extra space on the queenside certainly isn't
doing him any harm}) 16. b3 axb3 17. axb3 c5 18. d5 Qc7 19. Nh2 c4 ({it seems to me that Black would do better to take care of business first on the kingside
with} 19... g6 {; if White now plays in the same way with} 20. Qf3 Nh7 ({not} 
20... Bg7 $6 21. Bxh6 Bxh6 22. Qxf6 Bd2 {when White has at the very least} 23.
Red1 Bxc3 24. Nf5 gxf5 25. Rd3 {, winning back the piece with advantage}) 21.
Ng4 ({if White delays with} 21. Be3 {then Black has time for} h5) {
, then now is the time for} 21... c4 22. b4 Nb3 $5 {, so that if} 23. Rxa8 ({or
} 23. Bxb3 Bxg4) 23... Nxd2) 20. b4 Nb7 21. Qf3 Nh7 22. Ng4 Rec8 23. Be3 Qd8
24. Ba7 {was F.Vallejo Pons-R.Ponomariov, Leon (rapid) 2003. This is a typical
kind of position from which Karpov won crushingly in a famous game against
Unzicker, but Ponomariov defended rather better and drew handily. One
advantage of Black's ...a4 is that it is he who has the option when to open
the a-file in these positions, in contrast to what happens after the sequence ...c5; d5; b4 c4; a4 in the more usual Ruy with the a6/b5 structure maintained.
Still, it would be more comfortable to avoid such positions.}) (15. Be3 {
can be met in the same way:} Na5 16. b3 axb3 17. axb3 c5 18. d5 ({after} 18.
Qd2 {I didn't much like Black's play in I.Saric-H.Stevic, Stary Mikanovci
(rapid) 2010, which went} c4 (18... Qc7 {
appeals to me more, keeping the tension}) 19. b4 Nc6 20. dxe5 ({
associated with a bad idea; the obvious} 20. d5 Ne7 {was better, when Black is
not badly off, although I would prefer to try to avoid this sort of position})
20... dxe5 21. Rxa8 Qxa8 22. Nh5 $6 Nxh5 23. Qxd7 {
when Black would have been a good deal better after the obvious} Rd8) 18... Qc7
{, although after} 19. Nh2 {Black has to recognize that the lines given in the
last note don't work because there is no bishop hanging on d2, and instead
play something like} Qb7 20. Qf3 Be7 {(to stop Bxh6) followed by capturing any
knights that appear on the kingside and getting on with it on the queenside,
for example} 21. Nf5 Bxf5 22. Qxf5 c4 23. b4 Nb3 24. Rab1 Ra2 25. Bxb3 cxb3 26.
Rxb3 Qc8 27. Qxc8 Rxc8 {, when Black's active rooks and his idea of ...Nh5-f4
give him excellent compensation for the pawn.}) (15. Bd3 {, while superficially
attractive, rather asks for counterplay along the lines demonstrated in F.Perez Ponsa-M.Hebden, Internet blitz 2008, with} Na5 16. Rb1 c5 17. b3 {
(not forced, of course, but anyway Black has a very active version of the
usual Ruy structure)} axb3 18. axb3 Qc7 19. d5 Nxb3 $1 {.}) (15. Nh2 {
is covered in the 'Looking a Little Deeper' section (Line D).}) 15... g6 16. b4
axb3 17. axb3 Bg7 18. b4 Qb8 19. dxe5 dxe5 {A quiet symmetrical position of
the sort White can always opt for in the Ruy, but Black's early gain of space
on the queenside means that he doesn't have too much to fear here.} 20. Nd2 Nd8
21. Nb3 c6 22. Be3 h5 23. Qd2 Qc7 24. Red1 Ne6 25. Ra1 Red8 26. Rxa8 Rxa8 27.
Nc5 Nxc5 28. Bxc5 Be6 29. Qg5 Nd7 30. Bd6 Qc8 31. Nf5 $6 {This doesn't really
work, but perhaps Black was making the typical very slow progress which he
needs to aim for in this sort of position; he will aim to use his active rook
on the a-file, trade the dark-squared bishops, and perhaps break with ...c5 to
get to the c-pawn. It's not much, but it's more than White has.} gxf5 32. exf5
f6 33. Qxh5 Bf7 34. Qg4 Qe8 35. Rd3 Kh7 36. f4 Ra1+ 37. Kh2 Bh6 38. Qh4 Bh5 39.
fxe5 Nxe5 40. Rg3 Bg5 (40... Nf3+ {was working since} 41. gxf3 Qe1 {is the end,
but there's nothing wrong with the move played, although it would be mildly
interesting to know whether Black had seen his 42nd move in advance on the
last move of the time control.}) 41. Rxg5 fxg5 42. Qe4 Re1 $1 {
The only winning move, I think, but removing all White's illusions at a stroke.
} 43. Qd4 Nf3+ {. That pretty much concludes what Black needs to know about
White's most natural continuations. --- DANGEROUS WEAPON! The extra tension
and space on the queenside mean that White can't really get on with a kingside
attack in peace and quiet, and without that it's difficult for White to find a
plan.} 0-1

[Event "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2009.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Ivanchuk, V."]
[Black "Carlsen, M."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C92"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2009.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d6 9. h3 a5 10. d4 a4 11. Bc2 Bd7 {All as in the last game so far, but now
Ivanchuk leaves the usual Ruy paths and instead introduces a manoeuvre
designed to clamp down on Black's queenside weaknesses.} 12. Na3 Rb8 $1 {
A novelty in this game.} ({The trouble with the older} 12... Qb8 {
is that White ought to continue, along the lines of Spassky-Keres, with} 13.
Bd3 exd4 14. cxd4 Nb4 15. d5 $1 {
, when Black doesn't have at all a good version of this idea.}) 13. d5 ({After
} 13. Bd3 {,} exd4 14. cxd4 Nb4 15. d5 {is still good for White.}) ({
I suppose that the point of Carlsen's novelty was rather to meet} 13. Bd3 {with
} b4 {, when} 14. Nc4 ({a much more critical test is} 14. cxb4 {, when it isn't
easy to find a wholly acceptable continuation for Black, for example after}
Nxd4 15. Nxd4 exd4 16. b5 {
he loses a pawn for speculative compensation, say after} c5 17. Qxa4 {
; undoubtedly Black obtains some compensation here, but it isn't easy to
believe it is fully adequate - it seems to me that this is probably the
hardest line for Black to meet after 9...a5}) 14... bxc3 15. bxc3 (15. dxe5
Nxe5 16. Nfxe5 dxe5 17. bxc3 Rb5 {
was nothing for White in L.Dominguez Perez-L.Bruzon Bautista, Havana 2009})
15... exd4 16. cxd4 Nb4 17. d5 {is much more acceptable for Black having
activated his rook and eliminated the b5 weakness; he can continue simply with}
Re8 {followed by redeploying his bishop to g7.}) (13. Bd2 {is another natural
move (A.Rasmussen-J.Kvisla, Tromsø 2009). Perhaps Black should try the pawn
sacrifice} exd4 14. cxd4 d5 15. e5 Ne4 {then; he gets reasonable compensation
if this is accepted, with the dominating d5-square, the pair of bishops and
the offside white knight.}) 13... Na7 {An interesting moment.} ({
I don't really understand why the natural} 13... Na5 {
couldn't be played. Certainly White didn't show anything very much after} 14.
b4 ({neither is} 14. Qe2 c5 {so obviously wonderful for White}) 14... axb3 15.
axb3 c5 16. b4 ({or} 16. dxc6 Nxc6) 16... cxb4 17. cxb4 Nc4 {
(M.Tazbir-J.Kvisla, Helsingor 2009).}) 14. c4 {A very concrete continuation.} (
{After} 14. Be3 {I suppose that Black is going to play} c5 {
; he has to reckon with} 15. Nxe5 dxe5 16. d6 Rc8 17. dxe7 Qxe7 {, but in this
position his extra space provides at least some consolation for the concession
of the bishop pair.}) 14... Ra8 $5 ({After} 14... b4 15. Nb1 Qe8 16. c5 {
Black loses a pawn, so he would have to indulge in some sort of ...a3-related
effort to try to obtain counterplay.}) 15. Be3 {
This allows what was bad before thanks to a tactical trick.} ({The computer
has a host of other suggestions, but Black seems to be okay. For example,
after} 15. c5 c6 16. Bg5 Qb8 {
White has slightly the more freedom but Black seems to be able to equalize}) ({
while} 15. Bd2 Qb8 {, followed by a combination of ...c6 and ...bxc4 when
desirable, is also acceptable for Black.}) 15... b4 16. Nb1 c5 17. a3 ({Since} 
17. Bxa4 {allows} Nxe4 {, White has to allow the closing of the queenside.})
17... b3 18. Bd3 Nxe4 19. Bxe4 f5 20. Nfd2 ({Of course if} 20. Bd3 {then} e4 {
. In any of these positions Black's aggressive posture on the queenside
compensates him in the long run for the strange knight on a7 and the nice
square on e4.}) 20... fxe4 21. Qh5 Be8 22. Qe2 Bd7 23. Qh5 Be8 24. Qe2 Bd7 {
. Ivanchuk settles for the draw. Either side could continue, of course, but
for Black in particular it is hard to disturb the equilibrium if White is
happy with it.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "9...a5 Variation"]
[Black "Looking a Little Deeper"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C92"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 a5 {. White's main alternatives are as follows:} 10. -- ({A:} 10. a4)
({B:} 10. d3) ({There's also some sense in C:} 10. a3 {.}) ({
Finally we look at D: Some variations we haven't already seen after} 10. d4 {.}
) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "9...a5 Variation"]
[Black "A: 10 a4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C92"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 a5 10. a4 {White refuses to allow himself to be dictated to on the
queenside, and instead fixes the cheeky a5-pawn, ensures his bishop the
b3-square and obtains control over c4.} b4 {
. White now faces the classic one-step/two-step decision over his queen's pawn:
} 11. -- ({A1:} 11. d4) ({A2:} 11. d3) (11. Bc4 {, which was played in A.Kveinys-G.Kaidanov, Calvia Olympiad 2004, can be well met by} Be6 {.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "9...a5 Variation"]
[Black "A1: 11 d4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C92"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 a5 10. a4 b4 11. d4 bxc3 12. bxc3 (12. Nxc3 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 exd4 14.
Qxd4 Rb8 15. Bc4 c6 {
offers White nothing, V.Kotronias-L.Hansen, Stockholm 2006.}) 12... exd4 13.
cxd4 (13. Nxd4 {doesn't look right, and in A.Rombaldoni-J.Borisek, Bratto 2009,
Black was soon much better after} Bb7 14. Nf5 Ne5 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. f4 Ned7
17. e5 dxe5 18. fxe5 Nxe5 19. Bf4 {, when} Rad8 {
would have left him well on top.}) 13... d5 {This is the most natural way for
Black to make use of the hole on b4; all his pieces obtain good squares and he
equalizes easily.} 14. Ne5 {White has tried every conceivable move here.} ({
After} 14. Nc3 dxe4 15. Nxe4 {perhaps Black's most accurate is} Rb8 {(in S.Joachim-L.Hansen, German League 1999, Black exchanged immediately, but the rook
proved surprisingly dangerous on the fourth rank).}) (14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Bxd5
Qxd5 16. Nc3 Qd8 17. Nb5 Nb4 {
was fine for Black in T.Warakomski-O.Romanishin, Warsaw 2011.}) (14. e5 Ne4 15.
Nbd2 Bf5 16. Ba3 Nb4 17. Nf1 c5 {saw Black already taking the initiative in C.Joecks-L.Hansen, German League 1998.}) 14... Nb4 15. Nc3 Be6 16. exd5 Nfxd5 17.
Bd2 ({After} 17. Ne4 f6 {
Black was fine in R.Van Kampen-S.Ernst, Netherlands Championship 2010.}) 17...
Nxc3 18. Bxc3 Bd5 {
. This is Black's most accurate move, and he is now comfortable enough.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "9...a5 Variation"]
[Black "A2: 11 d3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C92"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "26"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 a5 10. a4 b4 11. d3 Ba6 {DANGEROUS WEAPON! Black takes advantage of
developments on the queenside to give his bishop an unusually good view.} 12.
Qc2 Rb8 13. Nbd2 {
. This position arises after natural moves and has been reached in a few games.
} -- (13... bxc3 14. bxc3 d5 $2 {is very bad now:} 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. Nc4 Nxc3
$6 17. Ncxe5 $1 {(K. Lahno-M.Hebden, Hastings 2004)}) ({
while I don't really care either for the} 13... Qc8 {
which has usually been played.}) ({
Instead I propose an oafishly simple plan of development:} 13... bxc3 14. bxc3
Qd7 15. Bc4 ({after} 15. Nc4 {I like} Rb7 {, for example} 16. Ne3 Rfb8 17. Ba2
h6 18. Nf5 Bf8 {, when Black's pieces are all active and he can look to the
future with confidence}) 15... Bxc4 16. Nxc4 h6 {. This position could use
some practical tests, but it seems to me that Black can hold his own. For
example:} 17. d4 {(after any slower move Black's next move is probably ...Qe6,
or perhaps ...Rfe8)} exd4 18. cxd4 d5 19. exd5 Nb4 $5 (19... Qxd5 20. Ne3 Qd7
21. Ne5 Nxe5 22. dxe5 Nd5 {is also possible}) 20. Qe2 Rfe8 {
. Black is sacrificing a pawn, but after} 21. Nxa5 Qxd5 22. Nc4 Nc6 {
he has surprisingly good compensation.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "9...a5 Variation"]
[Black "B: 10 d3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C92"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 a5 10. d3 a4 11. Bc2 Bd7 12. Nbd2 Re8 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Ng3 (14. Bg5 h6
15. Bd2 d5 16. Ng3 Be6 17. Qe2 {was fairly equal in J.Cabrera Trujillo-A.Mirzoev, Seville 2010. Black might consider} a3 ({
although there also wasn't anything wrong with the game's} 17... Qb8 18. Nxe5
Nxe5 19. f4 dxe4 20. fxe5 exd3 21. Bxd3 Nd7 22. Bxb5 c6 23. Bd3 Qxb2) 18. b4 d4
{now.}) (14. Ne3 h6 15. Bd2 Ne7 16. Qc1 Ng6 17. Nf5 d5 {also saw a Ruy veteran
equalizing comfortably in J.Rudd-M.Hebden, European Union Ch., Liverpool 2006.}
) 14... h6 15. Nh2 (15. d4 {"is better for White" (Koneru), although whether
she meant it's better than 15 Nh2 or actually produces an advantage is open to
conjecture; at any rate it leaves White a straight tempo down on the
introductory game Selbes-Mirzoev. Black could play along the same lines as
that game, or alternatively} g6 16. Be3 a3 17. b3 exd4 18. cxd4 Nb4 19. Bb1 c5
{was possible, as in C.Sandipan-I.Ibragimov, Bad Wiessee 2001.}) (15. a3 Na5
16. d4 c5 17. d5 g6 {produces a typical Ruy position in which Black's gain of
space on the queenside makes his life easier than usual, and led to a
memorable Black giant-killing for a regular exponent of our variation in A.Shchekachev-A.Payen, Issy les Moulineaux 2003.}) 15... d5 $5 {This move was
proposed by Humpy Koneru after she used our Dangerous Weapon to win the 2009
FIDE Grand Prix in a crucial last-round game against Marie Sebag.} (15... Na5
16. f4 c5 17. Nf3 Nc6 {saw both sides carrying on regardless and produced a
tense and roughly equal struggle in V.Bologan-Xie Jun, Shanghai 2001}) ({while
} 15... Ne7 16. Qf3 Ng6 17. Ng4 Nxg4 18. hxg4 Qg5 {
was also fine for her in M.Sebag-H.Koneru, Istanbul 2009.}) 16. exd5 Nxd5 17.
Qf3 Be6 18. a3 ({Or} 18. Ng4 b4 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. Rxe5 bxc3 21. bxc3 Nxc3 22.
Bb2 Qd4 23. Rae1 ({Black is better after either} 23. Re4 Ne2+ 24. Qxe2 Qxb2) ({
or} 23. Bxa4 Rxa4 24. Re4 Qb6 25. Bxc3 Ra3 26. Bd4 c5 27. Be3 Bd5) 23... Qb4 {
with an edge for Black (Koneru).}) 18... Nde7 19. Ng4 Bd5 20. Qd1 Ng6 {
with an equal position (Koneru). --- In general it doesn't look to me as
though this line is too dangerous for Black; White's play on the kingside is a
little too one-dimensional, and Black's queenside space is useful for him.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "9...a5 Variation"]
[Black "C: 10 a3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C92"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 a5 10. a3 ({Again White looks to secure the bishop's diagonal,
although this time he doesn't invite the opening of the b-file as} 10. a4 {did.
}) 10... a4 11. Ba2 ({If White's going to play} 11. Bc2 {anyway then it isn't
clear what he played 10 a3 for. The game can easily transpose by, say,} Re8 12.
d4 Bd7 13. Nbd2 h6 14. Nf1 Bf8 15. Ng3 {to the position which would be reached
after 15 a3 in the introductory game Selbes-Mirzoev, as it did in I.Poulsen-L.Hansen, Bornholm 2008.}) ({Instead} 11. Bc2 Re8 ({after} 11... d5 12. exd5 Qxd5
13. d4 e4 14. c4 Qd8 {as in D.Pikula-H.Stevic, Bihac 2010, White can gain the
upper hand with the unexpected} 15. Rxe4 {, and if} Nxe4 16. Bxe4 Bb7 17. cxb5
Na5 18. Bxb7 Nxb7 19. Nc3) 12. d4 Bd7 13. Be3 {was tried in N.De Firmian-L.Hansen, Esbjerg 2000, and now Black played the esoteric} h6 14. Nbd2 Qb8 $5 {
, which produced a heavyweight battle after} 15. Nh2 Na5 16. f4 c5 17. d5 c4 {
, when Black could be pretty happy with the outcome of the opening (notice how
much more active his queen's knight is than in the usual Closed Ruy lines,
because of his gain of space with the a-pawn).}) 11... Bb7 {This was the
choice of the Norwegian GM Leif Erland Johannessen, but obviously Black could
play any of the usual moves he plays at move nine in a normal Closed Ruy.} ({
I rather like the look of} 11... Be6 {; the weakened light squares on the
queenside invite this, and by comparison with Kholmov's line the normal} 12. d4
(12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. d4 {
gives White nothing either after various moves, for example} Na5 14. Nbd2 Nd7
15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Qc2 c6) 12... Bxa2 13. Rxa2 d5 $5 {looks a little strange
with the rook coming to a2 (as opposed to 9...Be6 10 d4 Bxb3 11 axb3).}) 12. d3
Na5 {A slightly strange move to combine with ...Bb7.} ({
Black could equally consider developing as he would in a normal Zaitsev with} 
12... Re8 13. Nbd2 Bf8 14. Nf1 {, and now perhaps even} d5 {.}) 13. Nbd2 Re8
14. Nf1 c5 15. Ng3 h6 16. Nh2 d5 17. Ng4 -- ({
This was S.Rocha-L.E.Johannessen, in which Black played} 17... dxe4 {
allowing the very dangerous blow} 18. Bxh6 gxh6 19. Nxh6+ Kh7 20. Nxf7 Qd7 21.
Qc1 Ng8 {, and now White cravenly forced a draw with} 22. Qd1 ({
rather than continuing with} 22. Nxe5 {
, giving him three pawns for the piece and a lively attack}) 22... Nf6 23. Qc1
{.}) ({Returning to Black's 17th move, perhaps Black could keep the game alive
by killing the a2-bishop with} 17... c4 $5 {(always a move worth considering
in these d3 Ruys where Black plays ...d5 and White doesn't take at once). The
immediate sacrifices on the kingside no longer work, and White needs to find a
way to do something over there before Black's play in the centre becomes the
dominant feature of the position, which I don't see how he can easily do.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "9...a5 Variation"]
[Black "D: 10 d4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C92"]
[Annotator "John Cox"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 a5 10. d4 {White's main move, of course. We've already seen White's
'main line' (insofar as there is such a thing) in our introductory game, and
another dangerous try in Ivanchuk-Carlsen, but now I'd like to have a look at
some other moves and consider whether Black might perhaps have another viable
way to play this variation.} a4 {
Invariably played of course; this is Black's idea.} 11. Bc2 Bd7 {And again,
s move is 'always' played these days; it's a natural enough deployment in the
Ruy anyway, and it's logical for Black to think that the b5-pawn might require
a bit of support.} ({Still, in D.Alsina Leal-D.Suarez Pousa, Spanish League
2011, Black introduced the also-logical} 11... Rb8 12. Nbd2 Re8 {and now:} 13.
-- ({. Perhaps after} 13. Nf1 {now is the time for} exd4 14. cxd4 Nb4 {
while White's f1-knight is miles away from c6. Black can then develop with ...Nd7-c5, ...Bf6 and ...Bb7, and doesn't stand too badly, although at some point
it's probably going to be necessary to go ...c6 and incur some pawn weaknesses.
Still, that happens in the Ruy, and at least he has the two bishops to console
him.}) ({. In the game White elected to go for} 13. d5 {:} Na5 14. b4 axb3 15.
axb3 c5 16. b4 ({White discovered that} 16. dxc6 Nxc6 {
leads to a position where he can't stop ...d5}) 16... Nb7 17. Nf1 Bd7 18. Be3
Qc7 19. Qe2 Ra8 {produced a position very similar to, if not identical to, the
old Rubinstein variation (9...Na5 10 Bc2 c5 11 d4 Qc7 12 Nbd2 Nc6). Black has
saved two tempi in a way since his knight has reached b7 in two moves rather
than four as it would in the Rubinstein variation, but on the other hand he's
also played ...Rb8 and is going to need to go ...Ra8 at some point. Still,
that happens in the Rubinstein too sometimes, and my impression is that Black
is ahead rather than behind.})) ({This might be another fresh way of playing
the line to look into, although it would be interesting to know whether Black
has anything better in mind after} 11... Rb8 12. Na3 {
than transposing to Ivanchuk-Carlsen with} Bd7 {.} ({
Maybe his idea is the pawn sacrifice} 12... exd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. e5 Ne4 $5 {
. Black obtains at least some compensation after} 15. Bxe4 dxe4 16. Rxe4 Qd5 {
followed by moves like ...f6 and ...Bf5.})) 12. Nbd2 (12. Be3 {was played in L.Psakhis-S.Smagin, Chigorin Memorial, Sochi 1988. 9...a5 wasn't exactly a
sentimental choice from Smagin in the Chigorin Memorial, but perhaps he
thought surprising Psakhis was a higher priority than paying tribute to the
great man. Anyway, he demonstrated an excellent grasp of the opening by
showing that now Keres'} exd4 13. cxd4 Nb4 {is good after all, since after} 14.
d5 ({Psakhis continued tamely with} 14. Nc3 {, but after} Nxc2 15. Qxc2 b4 16.
Ne2 c5 17. d5 Re8 {Black was obviously fine}) {Black is ready for} 14... c5 {
, when} 15. dxc6 Bxc6 {gives White no advantage at all.}) (12. Bd3 {
is another sensible move aiming at Black's queenside weakness:} Rb8 (12... Qb8
13. Na3 exd4 {is another idea, when} 14. cxd4 ({perhaps} 14. Nxb5 dxc3 15. Nxc3
Ne5 {is as well}) 14... Nb4 15. Bf1 d5 16. e5 Ne4 {is fine}) 13. Na3 b4 14. Nc4
{was said to favour White by Patrick Wolff in his notes to P.Wolff-M.Hebden,
London 1990, but it doesn't actually seem too terrible;} bxc3 15. bxc3 exd4 16.
cxd4 Nb4 {gives Black pretty reasonable chances of equalizing, for instance}
17. d5 c6 18. dxc6 Bxc6 {.}) (12. d5 {isn't at all well-timed; after} Na5 13.
Na3 c5 14. dxc6 Bxc6 15. Bd3 Nc4 {
Black was already fine in N.Djuric-I.Savic, Bosna 2011.}) 12... Re8 13. Nf1 (
13. d5 {
is ineffective; in J.Hodgson-M.Hebden, Edinburgh 1989, Black met this with} Nb8
(13... Na5 {was equally possible and if} 14. b4 axb3 15. axb3 c5 {
, as in the Suarez Pousa game}) 14. c4 c6 {and an (accepted) draw offer.}) ({
There is some point in} 13. Bd3 {at this moment while 13...Na5 is still
impossible in reply, but in S.Kudrin-G.Kaidanov, US Ch., San Diego 2004 White
got nowhere much after} Qb8 14. Nf1 ({if} 14. Qe2 {then} exd4 15. cxd4 Nb4)
14... Bf8 15. Ng3 h6 16. Bd2 g6 17. d5 Na5 {with equality; as usual Black is
better placed on the queenside than in a usual closed Ruy. If White wants to
play Bd3 I feel he needs to have Na3 available as well.}) 13... Bf8 ({
This seems more accurate than} 13... h6 {to me, since it prevents} 14. Ne3 {
by the attack on the e-pawn, but good players have used both move orders, so
perhaps it doesn't matter.}) 14. Ng3 h6 15. Nh2 {This dangerous move was
played in J.Benjamin-I.Ivanov, US Championship 1989, and Black found himself
lost with alarming speed after} Na5 ({Smagin's cold-blooded} 15... g6 16. f4 a3
17. bxa3 exf4 18. Bxf4 Rxa3 {is also interesting}) 16. f4 c5 ({The culprit was
his sixteenth move; Black needs to give some love to the e5-square with} 16...
Nc4 {. The threat of ...exf4; Bxf4 Nxb2 obliges White to take some action, but
if he goes} 17. fxe5 ({alternatively} 17. Rb1 Qb8 18. b3 axb3 19. axb3 Na3 $1 {
continues the fight for e5 by half-forcing White to part with the f4-bishop;
Black ought to be able to hold his own in the complications after that}) 17...
dxe5 18. Nf3 {Black can activate the bishop as well with} Bd6 {.}) 17. dxe5
dxe5 18. fxe5 Rxe5 19. Bf4 {.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "12. An Open Chigorin"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C96"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "23"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 exd4 {. A general aim for this chapter was to
find another way for Black to inject some activity and imbalance into the
Chigorin Variation. 11...exd4!? certainly does this. The merit of exchanging
so early in the centre is that Black immediately creates an asymmetrical pawn
structure (before White has a chance to block things up with d4-d5) and with
it some dynamic possibilities: -- 1) If White continues with d4-d5, a Modern
Benoni pawn structure is reached. Both sides have pawn majorities: Black on
the queenside and White in the centre. -- 2) If White exchanges pawns on c5,
again there's an imbalance: kingside pawn majority vs. queenside pawn majority.
-- 3) If Black exchanges pawns on d4, the position becomes quite open and
Black gains counterplay by attacking the e4-pawn with ...Bb7, ...Re8 etc, as
in the Romanishin Variation. --- The big question is, is 11...exd4 playable
for Black? Let's take a look and find out!} 12. -- (12. -- {Summary: -- 11...
exd4 12 cxd4 Re8 seems like an interesting option for Black in the Chigorin
Ruy Lopez. Black succeeds in bringing some imbalance into the position and I
don't see a clear way for White to gain a meaningful advantage. The positions
after 13 Nc3 are sharp but Black gains good counterplay, while 13 Nbd2 allows
Black to transpose into one of the more favourable lines of the Romanishin
Variation. Perhaps White's best bet for an edge is with Khalifman's
recommendation of 13 d5!?, although even here the Modern Benoni structure
assures Black of decent counterplay.}) *

[Event "Correspondence"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2005.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Hayakawa, S."]
[Black "Klausen, T."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C96"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2005.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 exd4 ({I'm trying to find lines where Black
delays the development of the light-squared bishop until the position in the
centre has clarified, or some other factor is introduced which makes ...Bb7
more desirable even if White can still play d4-d5. For this reason I'm
suggesting the very rare move order 11...exd4 12 cxd4 Re8!?. My choice was
influenced to some extent by a similar line, Murey's} 11... Re8 {. I've played
11...Re8 in the past and it was also very much a favourite of Mark Hebden's.
Unfortunately for Black, the assessment of the critical gambit line} 12. dxe5
$1 dxe5 13. Nxe5 $1 {
is not looking good, but with 11...exd4 12 cxd4 Re8!? we avoid that problem!})
12. cxd4 Re8 ({TRICKY TRANSPOSITION: The game's actual move order was} 12...
Bb7 13. Nc3 Re8 {.}) ({
However, that move order allows White the extra possibility of} 12... Bb7 13.
d5 $1 {, leaving the b7-bishop hitting a brick wall.}) 13. Nc3 {This feels
the most natural move, at least at first sight. White is taking advantage of
the fact that Black traded early on d4 by developing his queen's knight to a
more active post. Certainly the knight is more active on c3 than on d2, and
furthermore the c1-bishop isn't blocked. --- However, things aren't quite so
simple, for the following reasons: -- 1) The knight on c3 is more vulnerable -
it can be harassed by Black's queenside counterplay. -- 2) With no white
knight on d2, the a5-knight, sometimes a problem piece for Black, has nothing
to prevent it from re-entering the game via c4.} Bb7 ({
The alternative is to resolve the tension in the centre with} 13... cxd4 14.
Nxd4 {, a typical plan for Black, as we'll see later. The problem here, though,
is that after} Bb7 ({Black should almost certainly prefer} 14... Bd7 $1 {
if he plays this way, when White enjoys only a small advantage}) {
White is in a better position than normal to exploit the f5-square.} 15. Nf5 $1
{looks better for White, and following} Bf8 16. Qf3 $1 h6 17. Rd1 Nc4 18. Qg3 {
Black was already in some trouble and soon lost in K.Spraggett-M.Müller, Port
Erin 2007.}) 14. e5 {Another logical move, again trying to take advantage of
Black's early ...exd4. This advance is very tempting because White opens up
lines of attack on the kingside. On the other hand, it's also quite committal.
White loses some grip on the centre, Black's b7-bishop becomes a strong piece,
and the structural imbalance created assures Black of counterplay.} ({
A very natural question to ask is shouldn't White just play} 14. d5 {here? After all, this is exactly the logical reply to ...Bb7 I mentioned earlier.
However, while 14 d5 is certainly a decent option for White, Black can argue
that he is better off here than in similar positions where White's queen's
knight is on d2 instead of c3, because it's easier for Black to arrange
queenside counterplay. For example,} Nd7 (14... Nc4 $5) {and now:} 15. -- (15.
Ne2 Nc4 16. b3 Bf6 17. Rb1 Nce5 18. Nh2 $5 Bh4 $5 19. g3 Be7 20. f4 Ng6 {
with an unclear position, R.Haag-R.Cento, correspondence 2002. White has made
a little progress, but at the cost of weakening his kingside.}) (15. b3 $1 {
(to prevent Black from getting his knight back into the game with ...Nc4)} Bf6
16. Bb2 Ne5 17. Rb1 $1 (17. Nh2 $2 Nec4 $1) 17... Bc8 $1 {
(returning to a better diagonal and giving the knight the b7-square)} 18. Nxe5
Bxe5 19. Qd2 Qf6 20. Nd1 Nb7 21. Bxe5 dxe5 $5 22. Rc1 Bd7 23. Bd3 Rec8 24. Qe3
Rc7 25. Re2 Rac8 26. Rec2 Qd6 {and Black was just about equal, F.Bellia-A.Geler, Tivat 2011. The game continued} 27. Qe2 f6 28. Ne3 Qb6 29. a4 c4 $1 30.
bxc4 b4 31. d6 Qxd6 32. Nd5 Nc5 $1 {with good counterplay.})) ({
Another option for White is} 14. b3 {, both preparing Bb2 and preventing ...Nc4. In this position Black is more favourably placed to resolve the tension
in the centre with} cxd4 $1 15. Nxd4 {, since this is much better for Black
than the Spraggett-Müller game, above. After} Rc8 ({or} 15... Nc6 $5) 16. Bb2
Bf8 (16... Nc6 $5) 17. Qd2 (17. Nf5 g6 $1) 17... g6 {, Black has prevented Nf5,
and a Romanishin-type position is reached where he is holding his own. For
example,} 18. Rad1 Bg7 19. Bb1 b4 20. Nd5 Nxd5 21. exd5 Rxe1+ 22. Rxe1 Rc5 23.
Qxb4 Bxd5 24. Qd2 Bb7 25. Bd3 Rg5 26. Be4 Bxe4 27. Rxe4 Re5 {
and Black has equalized, E.Trexler-M.Votypka, correspondence 2004.}) ({Finally,
} 14. dxc5 dxc5 15. e5 {transposes to the main game.}) 14... dxe5 15. dxe5 Nd5
$1 ({It might be tempting to get the queens off the board, but} 15... Qxd1 16.
Rxd1 {loses control of d5 and} Nh5 17. Nd5 {looks like an edge for White.}) (
15... Nd7 {, to protect h7 with ...Nf8, is the alternative, but} 16. a4 b4 17.
Nd5 Nf8 18. Be4 {
looks slightly better for White, B.Johansson-J.Filipek, correspondence 2001.})
16. Qd3 g6 {We've reached a really sharp position, full of imbalances. There's
no doubt that White's kingside initiative looks dangerous. On the other hand,
two factors help Black: -- 1) His pieces are very active. -- 2) Endgames are
likely to be favourable to him, because of his mobile queenside pawn majority.}
17. Rd1 ({The immediate concern for White here was ...Nb4. Ignoring this
possibility could lead White into trouble. For example,} 17. Bh6 $2 Nb4 $1 18.
Qxd8 ({or} 18. Qe2 Bxf3 $1) 18... Raxd8 19. Be4 Bxe4 20. Rxe4 Nd3 {
and it's advantage Black.}) ({Even the dangerous-looking} 17. e6 {
can be ignored:} Nb4 $1 18. exf7+ Kxf7 19. Qe2 ({Black is at least equal after
} 19. Qxd8 Raxd8) 19... Nxc2 20. Qxc2 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Nc6 {and again Black is
better. --- White's choice in the game, 17 Rd1, removes some of the sting from
...Nb4. Black is forced to spend a tempo removing his queen from attack, and
this gives White time to save his bishop, or at least swap it for Black's own
light-squared bishop.}) 17... Nb4 (17... Nxc3 {is also possible. For example,}
18. Qxc3 -- (18... Qc7 19. Bf4 c4 (19... b4) 20. Bg3 Qb6 21. e6 f6 22. Rd2 b4
23. Qd4 Bc5 $5 24. Qxf6 Rxe6 25. Qh4 Bxf3 26. gxf3 Be7 27. Qg4 h5 28. Qd4 Qxd4
29. Rxd4 Bf6 30. Re4 Rc6 {
was roughly equal in T.Bueno-P.Schuster, correspondence 2002.}) ({
. BEWARE! An example of how things could quickly go pear-shaped for Black is} 
18... Qb6 19. Bh6 Rad8 $2 ({Black can solve his problems simply by} 19... b4 $1
) 20. e6 $1 f6 21. Nh4 $1 {and now it's too late for Black to do anything
against the mounting threats on the kingside:} Qc7 22. Bxg6 $1 hxg6 23. Qc2 f5
24. Nxg6 {
and Black resigned, J.Marti Pericot-L.Ginzborsky, correspondence 2008.})) 18.
Qe2 Qc7 19. Be4 {
Otherwise Black will definitely take on c2, and possibly f3 as well.} Rad8 20.
Bh6 Bxe4 21. Nxe4 Nc4 $1 22. Nc3 $5 {The position is hotting up. White's idea
with 22 Nc3 is to hit the b4-knight with a2-a3 and then sink his own knight in
on d5. Black's next move prevents this.} Nb6 $1 23. Rxd8 Rxd8 24. Ng5 {
A novelty!} ({
In a previous correspondence game White had struck on the queenside with} 24.
a4 {, and} bxa4 25. Nxa4 Nxa4 26. Rxa4 Qd7 27. Ra1 Qe6 28. Rd1 {led to an equal
position and a quick draw in J.Timm-A.Hotting, correspondence 1999. White's
choice in the main game is certainly more ambitious, but perhaps worse!}) 24...
Nc6 $1 {Threatening both the e5-pawn and also ...Nd4-f5 trapping the bishop.
White is forced into action.} 25. e6 f6 $1 {Black keeps it tight at the back.
The knight is invited into f7, but the game continuation shows that it's more
vulnerable on that square than it is dangerous.} 26. Nf7 Nd4 $1 {DANGEROUS WEAPON! Advantage Black. The key point is that the knight on d4 is a monster which
cannot easily be eliminated. White's e6-pawn is well blocked and also
vulnerable to attack.} 27. Qg4 Re8 28. Re1 Bf8 $1 29. b4 $5 ({If} 29. Bxf8 Kxf8
30. b4 {Black has the tactic} Rxe6 $1 31. Rxe6 f5 $1 {.}) 29... f5 $1 30. Qd1
Rxe6 31. Bxf8 Kxf8 32. bxc5 Na4 $1 33. Rxe6 Nxe6 34. Nxa4 Kxf7 35. Nb6 Nxc5 36.
Nd5 Qd6 {Black has won a pawn and has good chances to convert.} 37. Qf3 Ne4 38.
Ne3 h5 39. g4 Ng5 40. Qb7+ Kf6 41. gxf5 Nxh3+ 42. Kf1 gxf5 43. Qh7 Qd3+ 44. Kg2
Nf4+ 45. Kh2 Qe4 46. Qh8+ Ke7 47. Qg7+ Ke8 48. Qg8+ Kd7 49. Qf7+ Kc8 50. Qf8+
Kc7 51. Qc5+ Qc6 52. Qxf5 Qd6 53. Kg3 Nd5+ 54. Kh4 Qf4+ 55. Qxf4+ Nxf4 56. f3
Kd6 57. Kg5 Ke5 58. Nc2 a5 59. Na3 Ne6+ 60. Kxh5 Nc7 (60... Nc7 61. Nc2 ({or} 
61. Kg4 Kd4 62. f4 Kc3) 61... Kf4 {is winning for Black.}) 0-1

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "An Open Chigorin"]
[Black "Looking a Little Deeper"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C96"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "25"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 exd4 12. cxd4 Re8 13. -- (13. Nc3 {
was considered in Hayawaka-Clausen.}) ({
The two other options we'll consider in detail are: -- A:} 13. Nbd2) ({B:} 13.
d5) ({Alternatively: --} 13. e5 dxe5 14. dxe5 {
doesn't look dangerous. For example,} Qxd1 ({or} 14... Nd5 $5 {
with similar play to Hayawaka-Clausen}) 15. Rxd1 Nd7 16. Be4 (16. Nc3 Nc4) (16.
b3 $5) 16... Ra7 17. Bf4 Nf8 18. Nc3 Ne6 {with balanced chances. The
asymmetrical pawn structure offers both sides the chance to fight for the
advantage, even in the ending. However, an early queen exchange generally
favours Black, who no longer has to worry about a direct kingside attack.}) (
13. dxc5 dxc5 14. Nc3 (14. e5 {transposes to 13 e5}) 14... Qxd1 (14... Bb7 {
transposes to Hayawaka-Clausen}) 15. Rxd1 Be6 16. e5 Nd7 {
is similar to 'a' and again offers balanced chances.}) (13. a4 Bb7 $1 14. d5 {
. White has followed the principle of waiting for ...Bb7 before advancing with
d4-d5. However, his waiting move, 13 a4, turns out to be a weakness which
allows Black greater counterplay on the queenside than usual. After} Nd7 15.
Nbd2 Bf6 {Black is ready to activate with ...c4 and ...Nc5.}) (13. Bf4 Bb7 {
and now:} 14. -- ({. This time after} 14. d5 {
Black can exploit White's early bishop development with} Nh5 $1 {, intending}
15. Bh2 ({or} 15. Be3 Nc4) 15... Bf6 {and ...Nc4 with counterplay.}) (14. Nbd2
cxd4 ({if} 14... Qb6 {then} 15. d5) 15. Nxd4 {reaches a typical
Romanishin-type position, with the slight difference being White's
dark-squared bishop has developed earlier than usual. Here I suggest} g6 (15...
Bf8 16. Bg5 h6 17. Bh4 Nc6 18. Nxc6 Bxc6 19. Qf3 {
looks slightly better for White, N.Djukic-N.Doric, Paracin 2011}) {, and if}
16. Nf1 Bf8 17. Ng3 {we transpose to Line A1, note on 17 Bf4.})) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "An Open Chigorin"]
[Black "A: 13 Nbd2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C96"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "29"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 exd4 12. cxd4 Re8 13. Nbd2 {In the handful of
games with 11...exd4 12 cxd4 Re8, this typical knight move has been the most
common choice for White.} cxd4 $1 14. Nxd4 Bb7 {. TRICKY TRANSPOSITION: We
have transposed directly to the Romanishin Variation: 11...Bb7 12 Nbd2 cxd4!
13 cxd4 exd4 14 Nxd4 Re8. Crucially, however, Black has bypassed 11...Bb7 12
d5!, which is the theoretically approved line for White and also one where
Black struggles to find active counterplay. --- In contrast, here Black enjoys
good piece activity and has a number of ideas: -- 1) ...Bf8, ...g6, ...Bg7, to
intensify the pressure on the e4-pawn and to activate bishop on the long
diagonal. -- 2) ...Nd7 and ...Bf6, again activating the bishop and the e8-rook.
-- 3) ...Rc8 to activate the queen's rook. -- 4) ...Nc4 to activate the knight
(after White has moved the d2-knight). -- 5) ...Nc6, to offer a trade of
knights. -- 6) ...d5, to break in the centre at the right moment. --- Let's
look at the main lines to see how this works in practice. In this position
there are three key options for White:} 15. -- ({A1:} 15. Nf1) ({A2:} 15. b3) (
{A3:} 15. b4) (15. Nf5 $6 {is premature here. After} Bf8 {
Black will force the knight to retreat with ...g6 and White just loses time.})
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "An Open Chigorin"]
[Black "A1: 15 Nf1"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C96"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 exd4 12. cxd4 Re8 13. Nbd2 cxd4 14. Nxd4 Bb7
15. Nf1 {White gets on with the Lopez knight manoeuvre to g3. Black reacts in
typical fashion with ...Bf8 and ...g6.} Bf8 16. Ng3 g6 {This is a key position.
White has tried a number of plans here, but the general consensus is that
Black is fine.} 17. b3 {The usual choice. White prevents ...Nc4 and gets ready
to put his bishop on the long diagonal.} ({Alternatively: --} 17. a4 b4 $1 {
probably helps Black. After} 18. b3 {we'll reach similar positions to the main
lines, but Black gains extra counterplay due to the weakness on b3.} Bg7 19.
Bb2 Nd7 20. Qd2 Qb6 {was good for Black in I.Smirin-N.Davies, Tel Aviv 1991.})
(17. Bg5 h6 18. Bf4 Qb6 $1 {leaves Black very active.} 19. -- ({
. DANGEROUS WEAPON! White has to be careful here. If he plays the natural} 19.
b3 {, to prevent ...Nc4, Black can seize the initiative with} d5 $1 {
. For example,} 20. Be3 (20. e5 Bc5 $1) 20... Qd8 21. e5 $5 (21. exd5 Nxd5)
21... Rxe5 22. f4 Rxe3 $1 23. Rxe3 Qb6 24. Kh2 Nc6 25. Rd3 Nxd4 26. Rxd4 Bg7 (
26... Rc8 $1) 27. Rd2 Qe3 28. Qe1 Qxf4 29. Rad1 Nh5 30. Re2 Bf8 31. Rd3 Bb4 32.
Re8+ Kh7 33. Qe5 Qxe5 34. Rxe5 Nxg3 35. Rxg3 Bd6 36. Re2 Rc8 {0-1, S.Smagin-M.Hebden, Copenhagen 1992 - a crushing win for Black against a strong
grandmaster.}) (19. Nf3 {is probably wiser than 19 b3, and} Nc4 20. b3 Ne5 21.
Be3 Qa5 {looks equal, H.Hunt-M.Hebden, British Rapidplay Ch., Halifax 2005.}))
(17. Bf4 {is similar to 17 Bg5 h6 18 Bf4. Black has played various moves here,
but I see no reason to avoid} Qb6 $1 {
with very similar play to the previous note.}) 17... Nd7 $5 {I've given this
as the main move, only because it keeps the most tension in the position, not
because it's necessarily the best move objectively.} ({
If Black is happy to 'only' equalize, then} 17... d5 $1 18. e5 Ne4 $1 {
does the job. After} 19. Nxe4 dxe4 20. Bxe4 Bxe4 21. Rxe4 Qd5 $1 {
White can't keep his extra pawn:} 22. Qf3 ({or} 22. Re2 Rad8 23. Be3 Qxe5 {
, J.Pierrot-C.Garcia Palermo, Pinamar 2002}) 22... Rac8 $1 ({not} 22... f5 $4
23. Nxf5 $1) 23. Bb2 ({or} 23. e6 f5 $1 24. Rf4 Qxf3 25. Rxf3 Nc6) ({
DANGEROUS WEAPON! If White tries to hold on to his extra pawn with} 23. Bf4 $4
{, he gets hit by} f5 $1 {winning a piece - an easy tactic to overlook!}) 23...
Rxe5 24. Rxe5 Qxe5 {with a level position, R.Rodriguez-M.Hebden, Candas 1992.})
({One idea that Black must constantly be wary of is a knight sacrifice on f5.
For this reason, it might be wise to delay ...Bg7. For example,} 17... Bg7 18.
Bb2 d5 {looks natural, but} 19. Ndf5 $3 gxf5 20. Nxf5 {
leaves Black in some trouble. For example,} dxe4 21. Qc1 Re6 22. Nxg7 Kxg7 23.
Qg5+ Kf8 24. Ba3+ Ke8 25. Rad1 (25. Qg7 $5) 25... Qc7 $2 ({
Black can only stay in the game with} 25... Qb6 26. Bc5 h6 27. Bxb6 hxg5 28.
Bxa5) 26. Qg7 Bd5 27. Rxd5 Nxd5 28. Qf8+ Kd7 29. Qxf7+ {
and Black resigned, O.Maiorov-V.Baikov, Sochi 1996.}) 18. Bb2 Rc8 19. Qd2 Bg7
20. Rad1 {and now:} -- ({Black should probably avoid some simplification with} 
20... Nc6 21. Nxc6 Rxc6 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 {, B.Jonsson-J.Hjartarson, Iceland 1993.
The exchanges have only made Black's d6 weakness more prominent, and White's
position looks the easier to play here.}) ({The active} 20... Ne5 $5 {
has been played by Romanishin. White has to be careful here. For example,} 21.
-- (21. Bc3 $6 Nac6 22. f4 $2 Nxd4 23. Bxd4 Nf3+ $1 24. gxf3 Bxd4+ 25. Qxd4
Rxc2 26. Re2 Rxe2 27. Nxe2 d5 $1 28. e5 Qh4 29. Kg2 Bc8 30. Ng1 Be6 {
with a clear plus for Black, P.Cladouras-O.Romanishin, German League 1992.}) ({
. However, the natural} 21. Bb1 $1 {is stronger. Objectively this position
looks a bit better for White, although there are plenty of possibilities for
both sides. For example,} Qb6 {(lining up ...Nc4 ideas)} 22. Ndf5 $5 ({or} 22.
Nde2 Nac6 23. Nc3 Qd8 $1 24. Nd5 Qh4 {, A.Wagner-O.Romanishin, Munich 1992})
22... gxf5 23. Nxf5 Re6 24. Nxg7 Kxg7 25. Bd4 Qd8 26. f4 Nac6 27. fxe5 dxe5 28.
Be3 Qxd2 29. Rxd2 {, A.Toth-T.Szakall, Paks 1998.})) ({
Romanishin has also tried} 20... Ba8 21. Bb1 Nb7 $5 {
, which looks strange but does has some merit:} 22. Re3 ({if} 22. b4 {
, to prevent ...Nbc5, then} Ne5 {
exploits the c4 outpost and Black will aim for ...d5}) 22... Be5 23. Nde2 Nf8
24. f4 Bxb2 25. Qxb2 Qb6 26. Qd4 Qxd4 27. Nxd4 Nc5 28. Kf2 h5 {with level chances, M.Stolz-O.Romanishin, German League 1992. --- In summary, Black is
absolutely fine after 17...d5. 17...Nd7!? keeps more tension in the position
but White might be very slightly better here.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "An Open Chigorin"]
[Black "A2: 15 b3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C96"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 exd4 12. cxd4 Re8 13. Nbd2 cxd4 14. Nxd4 Bb7
15. b3 {White keeps the knight on d2 for the moment and gets on with
developing his queenside.} ({15 b3 is probably more challenging for Black than
} 15. Nf1 {, as there is no easy equalizer with ...d5. Still, grandmasters
such as Grischuk have shown how Black can reach a good position.}) 15... Bf8
16. Bb2 g6 {Black chooses the same plan as before. The pressure on e4 makes it
difficult to play N(d2)f1-g3, but White has other ideas in mind.} 17. Qf3 $1 {
Pressuring f6 and planning to organize White's forces with Rad1 (with Bb1 in
answer to ...Rc8).} ({Alternatively: --} 17. a4 $6 b4 {
helps Black, once again because b3 is fixed as a weakness.} 18. N4f3 Rc8 19.
Rc1 Bh6 20. Bd3 Rxc1 21. Bxc1 Bg7 22. Bb2 Nd7 23. Bxg7 Kxg7 24. Nc4 Ne5 25.
Nfxe5 dxe5 26. Nxa5 Qxa5 27. Bc4 Rd8 28. Qe2 Rd4 {
with an edge for Black, Y.Balashov-A.Beliavsky, Azov 1991.}) (17. Re2 Bg7 18.
Qe1 {looks slightly clumsy, and} Rc8 19. Rd1 Nh5 20. Bb1 Nf4 21. Re3 Qf6 {
left Black very active in P.Leko-Comp Fritz 6, Frankfurt 1999. This is not the
sort of position you would want to have against a computer, even one from 13
years ago!} 22. N2f3 Nc6 23. Kh2 Ne5 {
Leko tried to get rid of the f4-knight with} 24. g3 {
, but missed the tactical idea} Nd5 $1 {and was clearly worse following} 25.
exd5 Nxf3+ 26. Nxf3 Rxe3 27. Bxf6 Rxe1 28. Nxe1 Bxf6 {.}) (17. b4 $5 {
is interesting. By playing b2-b3 and then b3-b4, White loses a tempo in
comparison to 15 b4 (Line A3). On the other hand, Black is committed to the ...Bf8, ...g6 plan
which he avoids in the 15 b4 line. Following} Nc6 (17... Nc4 $5)
18. Nxc6 Bxc6 19. Qf3 Bg7 20. Bb3 {, Black should avoid} d5 $2 ({
and instead simply keep the pressure on the e4-pawn with} 20... Qe7 $1 21. Rac1
Rac8 {, with equal chances, H.Koch-J.Goth, correspondence 2005}) 21. exd5 Rxe1+
22. Rxe1 Nxd5 23. Bxg7 Kxg7 24. Rc1 Qd7 25. Rxc6 Qxc6 26. Bxd5 {
, G.Milos-H.Spangenberg, Buenos Aires 1998.}) 17... Bg7 18. Rad1 Rc8 19. Bb1
Nc6 $1 {In this particular line, in contrast to some others, ...Nc6 is a good
plan. Black is able to keep the dark-squared bishops on the board and his
pressure against e4 counterbalances White's against d6.} ({
If Black is going to play ...Nc6, it's probably better to do it straightaway.} 
19... Qe7 20. Qe3 Nc6 21. Nf1 Nxd4 22. Bxd4 {is similar to the main text but
White is slightly better organized, N.Short-P.Thipsay, British Ch. 1998.}) 20.
Nxc6 (20. Nf1 Nxd4 ({in this line Black can also play} 20... Ne5 $5 21. Qe3
Ned7 $1 {when he is ready to advance with ...d5; J.Polgar-G.Milos, Buenos
Aires 2000, continued} 22. Qf4 d5 23. Ng3 Qc7 (23... Nxe4 $5) 24. e5 $1 Rxe5
25. Rxe5 Qxe5 26. Qd2 $5 (26. Qxe5 $1 Nxe5 27. Ndf5 gxf5 28. Bxe5 Re8 29. Bd4
Ne4 {looks equal}) 26... Nh5 27. Nxh5 Qxh5 28. Re1 {and now Black should play}
Nc5 $1 {(Wedberg) when White doesn't have enough for the pawn}) 21. Bxd4 Re6 {
is similar.}) 20... Bxc6 21. Bd4 ({If} 21. Nf1 {then} Re6 {.}) 21... Re6 $1 {
. Dual purpose: Black protects d6 and gets ready to line up on the e-file
against the e4-pawn. Black enjoys a full share of the chances here.} 22. -- ({
For example: --} 22. b4 Qe7 23. Qa3 {
½-½, P.Svidler-A.Grischuk, Cannes (rapid) 2001.}) (22. Qf4 Qe7 23. Nf3 Bb7
24. Ng5 Bh6 $1 25. Qh4 Nh5 26. Be3 Rc5 $1 27. Nf3 Qxh4 28. Nxh4 Bxe3 29. Rxe3
Nf6 30. Rde1 d5 $1 {
and by now Black is slightly better, Z.Jerabek-Z.Straka, correspondence 2002.})
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "An Open Chigorin"]
[Black "A3: 15 b4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C96"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 exd4 12. cxd4 Re8 13. Nbd2 cxd4 14. Nxd4 Bb7
15. b4 ({This is similar to} 15. b3 {, but more forcing.}) 15... Nc6 ({
Black should avoid} 15... Nc4 $6 16. Nxc4 bxc4 17. Ba4 Rf8 18. Bg5 {.}) 16.
Nxc6 Bxc6 17. Bb2 Nd7 $1 {Black changes plan from the one chosen against 15 b3.
This time he'll play ...Bf6 to swap bishops and then try to exploit the new
outpost on c4 - this is the drawback of b2-b4.} ({
In contrast, the ...Bf8 plan, which works well against 15 b3, is too slow here:
} 17... Bf8 18. Qf3 $1 Rc8 19. Bb3 $1 {(demonstrating a positive of b2-b4 over
b2-b3 - the bishop is actively placed here)} Qe7 20. Rad1 Bb7 21. Qf5 {
and Black was under considerable pressure in Xie Jun-M.Chiburdanidze, Women's
World Ch., Manila 1991.}) 18. Bb3 ({
The alternative is to transfer the knight to d4:} 18. Nb3 Bf6 19. Bxf6 ({or} 
19. Nd4 Bb7) 19... Qxf6 20. Nd4 (20. Na5 Rac8 {achieves nothing for White})
20... Ne5 ({this time} 20... Rac8 {can be met by} 21. Nf5) 21. Nxc6 Nxc6 22.
Qd2 Rac8 23. Bb3 Nd4 {
with equality, P.Popovic-O.Romanishin, Novy Smokovec 1992.}) 18... Bf6 19. Bxf6
Nxf6 {The problem for White in this position is the passive knight on d2,
which is tied to the defence of e4. If the knight were on c3, White could
claim some advantage. As it stands, though, Black has no problems whatsoever.}
20. Rc1 Rc8 21. Qf3 Bb7 22. Rxc8 ({Or} 22. Rcd1 Rc7 $1 23. Re3 Rce7 {and the pressure against e4 assures Black of enough counterplay, V.Lukov-O.Romanishin,
Tbilisi 1988.}) 22... Qxc8 23. Qf4 Qc7 24. f3 {White's slightly better pawn
structure is counterbalanced by Black's active pieces. We have been following
J.Polgar-A.Grischuk, Linares 2001, which continued} Qb6+ 25. Qe3 ({
Grischuk prefers} 25. Kh2 {and assesses} Qd4 26. Rc1 Rc8 27. Rxc8+ Bxc8 28. a3
{as equal}) 25... Qxe3+ 26. Rxe3 d5 $1 {(=/+ according to Grischuk)} 27. e5 Nh5
28. Bc2 Rc8 29. Bf5 Rc1+ 30. Kf2 g6 31. Nb3 Rc4 32. Bd3 Rxb4 {
and Black won a pawn.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "An Open Chigorin"]
[Black "B: 13 d5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "C96"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.02.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 exd4 12. cxd4 Re8 13. d5 $5 {As of yet, no
strong player has tried this move, but significantly it was recommended by
Alexander Khalifman in the 'Opening for White according to Anand' series. It
might seem somewhat counter-intuitive to block the centre before Black has
played ...Bb7, as the bishop certainly prefers to be back on the c8-square
after White's d5 push. However, playing 13 d5 does rule out ...cxd4 and
clarifies the situation in the centre. --- We've now got a Modern Benoni pawn
structure. In Black's favour is the fact he has been able to gain space on the
queenside with ...a6 and ...b5 (in the Modern Benoni this expansion is often
prevented). In White's favour is the knight on a5. This is often Black's
problem piece in Chigorin variations, and this case is no different.} Nd7 {
As we've seen before, ...Nd7 and ...Bf6 is the typical reaction to d4-d5.} ({
Black could improve the queen's knight with} 13... Nc4 {, but this looks a
little slow, and I suspect White gets some sort of edge after} 14. b3 Nb6 ({or
} 14... Ne5 15. Nxe5 dxe5 16. a4 {- Khalifman}) 15. a4 $1 {.}) 14. Nbd2 $1 {
Keeping the knight out of c4. --- TRICKY TRANSPOSITION: After 14 Nbd2 we've
actually transposed to a line of the Keres Variation: 11...Nd7 12 Nbd2 exd4 13
cxd4 Re8!? (a new idea; 13...Nc6 is more common) 14 d5. Indeed, the following
games in the notes all came via the Keres move order.} ({
This is much better than} 14. Nc3 $6 Bf6 $1 {
, with excellent counterplay for Black.}) 14... Bf6 15. Rb1 Ra7 ({
The stem game in this line was N.Short-H.Mecking, Bazna 2008, which continued} 
15... Nb6 16. Nf1 Nac4 17. Ng3 Ne5 18. Nh2 g6 {with level chances.}) ({
This game inspired Short to try the line with Black, although he chose 15...
Ra7 instead of Mecking's} 15... Nb6 {. Possibly Short was afraid of} 16. b3 {
, and keeping the knights out of c4 does look like the critical option. Marin,
however, believes that Black can get reasonable queenside counterplay in this
case. He gives} Bc3 17. Re3 b4 18. Bd3 Bd7 19. a3 Bb5 {, and Black does look
quite active here. There are other possibilities for both sides in this
sequence, but my feeling is that 15...Nb6 remains a decent option for Black.})
({Another idea for Black is} 15... c4 {
, but giving up the d4-square feels a bit too committal after either} 16. Nf1 (
{or} 16. b4 cxb3 17. axb3 {- Marin}) 16... Nb7 17. Nd4 {(Khalifman).}) 16. b3
h6 (16... c4 {looks tempting, but} 17. b4 $1 {is a strong reply. After} Nb7 {
the protected passed c4-pawn doesn't provide enough compensation for the
miserable knight on b7 and for giving up the d4-square.}) 17. Nf1 Ne5 18. Bf4 {
. We have been following S.Karjakin-N.Short, Wijk aan Zee 2010.} -- ({
The game continued} 18... Rc7 19. Ng3 Nxf3+ 20. Qxf3 Nb7 21. Nh5 Be5 22. Re3
Qh4 23. Bg3 Bxg3 24. Nxg3 Qg5 25. Rf1 Rce7 26. Qe2 f5 {
(otherwise f2-f4 was coming)} 27. f4 Qf6 28. Nh5 {
with some advantage to White, although there's still much to play for after}
Qf7 $1 {.}) ({Short never fully solved the issue of his a5-knight in this game,
but Marin suggests quite a convincing way for Black to do so:} 18... Rae7 19.
Ng3 b4 $1 {(Black wants to play ...c4, but without allowing b3-b4 as a reply)}
20. Nh5 Nxf3+ 21. Qxf3 Be5 22. Bd3 Bxf4 23. Qxf4 Re5 {, intending ...Qg5.
"Given Black's good overall coordination, White cannot keep the a5-knight out
of play easily. At some point, ...c4 is likely to free his position" - Marin.})
*

