% BOOKTITLE = The Colle: Move By Move
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "About this Publication"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.02"]

{This series provides an ideal platform to study chess openings. By
continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the
book, the Move by Move format greatly encourages the learning and practising
of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of opening
knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you
actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. This is
an excellent way to study any chess opening and at the same time improve your
general chess skills and knowledge.} 1. -- {In this book, International Master
Cyrus Lakdawala studies the Colle, one of his favourite opening systems. The
Colle is a reliable option for White, and is easy to learn and play. White
typically builds on solid foundations before unleashing an attack on the enemy
king. This straightforward plan makes it particularly popular at club level,
but the Colle is played successfully by Grandmasters too. Lakdawala covers
both the main lines and the more aggressive Colle-Zukertort Attack, examines
the key positional and tactical ideas for both sides, and tells you everything
you need to know about playing the Colle.} (1. -- {Cyrus Lakdawala is an
International Master, a former National Open and American Open Champion, and a
six-time State Champion. He has been teaching chess for 30 years.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Series Foreword"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.02"]

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

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Introduction"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.02"]

{An Orphaned Opening} 1. -- {If you go back in time to the Palaeolithic age
and accidentally step on a resting prehistoric dragonfly, would the world be
completely altered when you returned to the present? The Colle System's
tragedy is that its founding father, Edgar Colle, died very young, only in his
thirties, and with his passing the artery of our opening's lineage and
pedigree was mortally severed. I can't help but speculate that perhaps his
beloved system would be more popular today had he lived a long life, producing
many more Colle System masterpieces for the opening's portfolio. For something
to reach a level of greatness, there must correspondingly also be history
behind it. With Edgar Colle's premature death, our opening lost a chunk of its
history, its potential obliterated with his passing. --- My old friend and
student of Colle himself, the late IM George Koltanowski, faithfully kept his
teacher's opening barely alive - on life support - realizing it needed a
strong GM advocate to truly popularize the system. This is how our opening
earned such low-brand recognition and why so many consider it no more than a
by-product of chess history's rubbish bin. I wrote in Kramnik: Move by Move:
"The Colle and its cousin, the London System, tend to be scapegoated as second
rate, milquetoast openings, when in reality, they are not." The Colle is
anything but a spontaneous friend with an amusing personality. Instead, we
meet a companion reliably straightforward, loyal and comfortably uniform in
temperament, arriving at solid Semi-Slav positions a move up.} (1. -- {
The secret to mastering the Colle is to learn to see the opening through alien
eyes - namely, the vastly popular Semi-Slav triangle formation. How is it, I
ask, (quite rationally!) that an opening a move down (the Semi-Slav) is well
respected and popular, while the other, the same position a move up (our
beloved Colle) is often the object of contempt? I hope to impart to you the
hidden understanding that the Colle is actually a powerful opening weapon,
which arguably should be on par with blue-blooded counterparts such as the Ruy
Lopez and Slav. The tale of the three diagrams (see the following three games)
is tabiya positions from Chapters One and Two. In them we play White in what
is normally a Black opening - the Semi-Slav - but up a full move. These are
specialty positions, which may be honed even further by studying traditional
Black Semi-Slav variations. So we may be tricking our opponent into a Semi-Slav 
(which he likely doesn't know or play with the black pieces), and get this
position a full move up over normal, since we arrive here with White, not
Black. --- Now it may seem rather crazy that White can develop his
dark-squared bishop, yet deliberately spurns the opportunity and insists on
burying it on c1 instead, a bit like a hungry person at a buffet, who only
chooses raw carrots and celery rather than sample the eighteen-course fare
laid out in front. If we exercise patience, the bishop always finds a way to
poke his head out of the hole eventually.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Position 1"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bq1rk1/pp3ppp/2n1pn2/2bp4/4P3/2PB1N2/PP1N1PPP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.02"]

1. -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Position 2"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bq1rk1/pp3ppp/2n1pn2/2bp4/1P6/2PBPN2/P2N1PPP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.02"]

1. -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Position 3"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bq1rk1/pp1n1ppp/3bpn2/2pp4/3P4/2PBPN2/PP1N1PPP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.02"]

1. -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Unplug and De-theorize"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.02"]

{Perhaps you are like me and loathe our theoretical McWorld of fashionable,
computer-generated, binary openings? Personally, I am sick and tired of force
feeding raw data down the memory hole. The Colle is anything but a set of
collective algorithms to be memorized and altered, only when Anand or Radjabov
unearths a shocking theoretical novelty which radically alters the assessment.
Instead, the Colle is an opening system to be understood and absorbed. For
example, you buy a book which advocates the glories of some topical Najdorf,
Dragon or King's Indian variation which ends in the stunningly atonal move 23...a5!!, but a week later it reads 23...a5?!, since some GM with a newer version
of Fritz or Houdini unearths an improvement for the other side, promptly
flipping a "-+" into a "+=". In this book we enter the safe haven of the Colle,
cushioned from the terrors of snot-nosed 10-year-old theoreticians who up-end
you through parrot-like memorization, eradicating our advantage of years of
experience. Our "V" (okay, maybe upside down "V"!) formation on c3, d4 and e3
remains our celestial constellation guiding us, a set-up squarely antithetical
to all which is "book".} 1. -- {When I want to play it safe with the white
pieces, I turn to my old friend, the Colle, an opening often derisively touted
as a system for beginners - training wheels if you will - to avoid getting
slaughtered by stronger, more experienced club players - and in a sense this
is absolutely true. But even an International Master can use it to avoid loss
versus a fearsome Grandmaster opponent. I essayed the Colle eight times versus
GMs (I wish now I had done it a lot more often!) with a score of two wins, a
loss and five draws. So I accrued a plus score against eight superior players
by leading them into my familiar realm, certainly not through superior talent
or skill levels on my part. In my experience the nature of the positions you
force matters almost as much - if not more - than the attainment of a
theoretical edge. We thought-mapping chess-writers are compelled by some
mysterious instinct to categorize, label, divide, parse and sub-divide every
opening. In this book we try and avoid the technical as much as possible.
Instead, we view the Colle as a set of shuffled concepts to be understood -
not a nest of variations to be memorized. Just play over the games of the book
and you are ready to face your booked-up opponents, whose data-driven book
knowledge wilts into an ineffective, obsolete weapon when they face our system.
} *

[Event "Berlin"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1926.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Colle, E."]
[Black "Grünfeld, E."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A47"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "1926.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

{Colle considered this game the finest of his life.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 {
Grünfeld avoids his own defence.} 3. e3 b6 {The Queen's Indian versus Colle, a
line we cover in Chapter Three.} 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. Nbd2 c5 6. O-O Be7 7. b3 {
QUESTION: I thought Colle was the c3/d4/e3 pawn triangle, correct? --- ANSWER:
Correct, that is the mainline Colle which we cover in the bulk of the book.
White's last move converts the position into its more aggressive,
mean-spirited cousin, the Zukertort Colle, which we cover in Chapter Four.} (7.
c3 {is the Queen's Indian versus Colle, covered in Chapter Three.}) 7... cxd4
8. exd4 d6 {QUESTION: What is the point of holding the d-pawn back? --- ANSWER:
By playing the pawn to d6, Black restrains White's pieces from occupation of
e5. On the downside, it doesn't challenge the centre, which allows White to
seize space.} 9. Bb2 Nbd7 10. c4 {Why not? White grabs space since Black
allows it.} O-O 11. Rc1 Re8 12. Re1 Qc7 {This move is actually inaccurate if
Black is to follow the plan he did. --- QUESTION: How so?} ({ANSWER: If Black
plays the manoeuvre ...Rc8, ...Rc7! and ...Qa8, he saves at least one tempo
over the game. For example:} 12... Rc8 13. b4 $5 {(White doesn't always play
for a kingside attack in the Colle; sometimes he may just try and accumulate
space in centre and queenside)} Bf8 14. Qb3 Rc7 15. a3 Qa8 {, C.Lakdawala-D.Aldama, San Diego (rapid) 2012.}) 13. Qe2 Rac8 14. Nf1 {QUESTION: Why the
knight retreat? --- ANSWER: He redeploys the knight to g3, massing for a
future kingside assault.} Qb8 15. Ng3 Qa8 {"Mirror, mirror on the wall..."
Black's powerful queen gazes lovingly into the mirror to satiate her growing
vanity. Soon we discover there are many others in the kingdom more powerful
than her. Black follows with the hypermodern Réti scheme of pressure down the
h1-a8 diagonal. He also threatens to damage White's structure by capturing on
f3. --- QUESTION: Is ...Bxf3 an actual "threat"? It also hands White the
bishop pair and an open g-file for his rooks to launch an attack. --- ANSWER:
Good point. In fact, you may want to skip forward to Chapter Three and take a
look at Hoi-Gulko, where White did just that and went on to win brilliantly,
but in that case, the weakening ...g7-g5 was first provoked. I suppose
optically at least it is a threat, but in reality ...Bxf3 may actually benefit
White.} 16. Ng5 $1 {The devil doesn't only tempt with apples. Suddenly,
Black's king feels the presence of hidden, watching eyes upon him. Colle
embarks on a fanciful - one could say Aladdinish - plan, plunging into dark,
swirling waters without fear of consequence, yet somehow through access to
ancient, arcane magic, manages to pull it off. The knight eyes sac targets on
e6 and f7. White's roving knight, having spent an uneventful childhood in
greys, blacks and whites, now itches for the flash of colour, adventure and
the pleasures of the world.} g6 $2 {Black fails to conduct himself in
consonance with the sinuous flow of events. --- QUESTION: But doesn't g2 hang?}
({ANSWER: Here is Colle's analysis on your line:} 16... Bxg2 17. d5 $1 ({much
stronger than} 17. f3 {- Black's bishop is trapped, so this in turn forces
Black's next move -} h6 18. N5e4 Bh3 19. Nf2 $1 Bf5 20. Nxf5 exf5 21. Bxf5 d5
22. Qd3 {where White's bishop pair compensates for his inferior structure})
17... exd5 18. Nf5 {the move Colle had planned;} ({Houdini improves with} 18.
Bxf6 $1 Nxf6 19. Bf5 Rc7 20. Kxg2 {and a clear advantage for White}) 18... Bf8
$2 {this follows Colle's analysis;} ({but Houdini gives} 18... Be4 $1 {and
claims equality for Black}) 19. Qh5 $3 {(a mind-bending shot)} g6 (19... Nxh5
$4 20. Nh6+ $1 gxh6 ({or} 20... Kh8 21. Ngxf7#) 21. Bxh7# {is mate}) 20. Nh6+
Bxh6 21. Qxh6 {with a nightmarish attack along the dark squares.}) ({Defensive
technique has come a long way since this game was played. Undoubtedly, today's
grandmaster (or even club player) would play the simple and cold-blooded} 16...
Bf8 $1 {, eliminating White's sacs and ruining his fun as well. Then} 17. f3 {
looks like approximate equality.}) 17. Nxf7 $1 {Devo would agree: "Whip it
good." Colle wasn't the kind of person who believed only in what he saw or
touched. He speculated, placing trust in intuition, with a promise of glory as
the only immediate return on his investment. There is in a sense a charming
predictability to Colle's unpredictability. --- QUESTION: Is the sac 100%
sound? --- ANSWER: Most likely it is. One doesn't necessarily require full
empirical evidence as back up for the go-ahead in such sacs. For most
experienced players, the "gut feeling" is good enough. Perhaps
unpredictability is the opiate to which we are drawn. Moral: Relativism exists
in chess. There are few absolutes, unless you are a comp.} Kxf7 18. Qxe6+ Kg7
19. d5 $1 {QUESTION: Did White get enough compensation for the piece? ---
ANSWER: More than enough. Multiple factors, when clumped together, bode well
for White: 1. Two pawns. --- 2. An enduring attack. --- 3. He shuts down
Black's queen/bishop duo and places them badly out of play for now. In fact,
Black's somewhat homely queen, quite self-conscious of her looks, insists on
dim lighting in the palace. Her slightly nasally admonition betrays her
annoyance at the untoward intrusion created by White's last move. --- 4. The
b2-bishop eyes Black's nervous king on g7. --- 5. In general, White's forces
expand while Black's shrivel in contracted deprivation.} Nc5 $2 {Black's woes,
far from dissipating, get caught in a trap of self-perpetuation and soon we
glimpse the true magnitude of the catastrophe. --- EXERCISE (combination alert)
: Black's last move removed a key defender, which allowed a thunderous shot.
Let's see if you can duplicate Colle's greatest attacking combination. ---
ANSWER: Lightning spatters across and illuminates a once dark horizon.} 20.
Nf5+ $3 Kf8 {Black's forces evacuate in a half-bent run, like routed soldiers
retreating from a losing battle. The erratic flailings of Black's king at
least have the single benefit of presenting a constantly shifting target.} (
20... gxf5 $4 21. Qxf5 {, threatening h7 as well as Rxe7+, leaves Black shy of
a reasonable defence.}) 21. Qe3 $1 {Target: h6. Colle's queen ascends and
descends with predatory grace.} gxf5 ({Black's dismal non-choices:} 21... Ng4
22. Qf3 {is crushing.}) (21... Ng8 22. Bg7+ Kf7 23. Qe6+ $1 Nxe6 24. dxe6# {.
Behold, the unimaginable bliss of delivering checkmate with a pawn!}) 22. Qh6+
Kf7 23. Bxf5 Bxd5 {EXERCISE (combination alert): Corrosion and the passage of
time render Black's defenders worthless tools, unfit for the given task. Do
you see White's shot? --- ANSWER:} 24. Rxe7+ $1 {The eternal sentinel on e7,
like patience itself, now evaporates. The easy camaraderie which previously
existed between Black's knight and bishop now lies in shards on the ground.
Black's position transforms into a triage unit, with patients sorted by
degrees of urgency to their given wounds. The first name on the list: his
grievously wounded king!} Rxe7 25. Qxf6+ Ke8 26. Qh8+ Kf7 {The king hopes to
dismiss his previous questionable decisions as a prelude to his present crisis,
but it isn't easy to outrun your past - it has a way of catching up at the
most inopportune moments.} 27. Bxc8 {SUMMARY: The Colle isn't as stodgy an
opening as many believe. We often generate deadly attacks which tend to arise
magically from the depths of initial tranquillity.} 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Acknowledgements"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.02"]

{Thanks as always to my editor, GM John Emms, for his help and guidance
throughout the book, and also to Jonathan Tait for the final edit. Thanks to
Grammar Czar Nancy for proofreading and Tim for his computer vigilance. May
your opponents sigh in frustration upon seeing you play the Colle System.} 1.
-- (1. -- {Cyrus Lakdawala, San Diego, January 2013}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "1: Main Line with ...Nc6"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. O-O O-O {. We
enter geologically altered terrain, with the oddly designed, jutting jaw line
of pawns on c3, d4 and e3. On the next move we take on c5, and when Black
recaptures we have a choice: We can play for e3-e4, the classical mainline
Colle, or b2-b4, interpreting the position as a pure Semi-Slav a move up as
White. If you are just learning the Colle, I suggest you begin with the
classical e3-e4 lines and then, as understanding grows, you can start tossing
in b2-b4 to expand your experience and also keep opponents guessing. Believe
it or not, equality does not come easily for Black, and even when it arrives
we Colle players tend to demonstrate superior footing on understanding, since
we play the same structure again and again.} 8. dxc5 Bxc5 {(Diagram 1)} 9. b4 {
(Diagram 2). Don't think of Colle as "here" and Semi-Slav as "there".
Essentially, they are the same opening, albeit a tempo distance apart. In the
b2-b4 lines, the old fashioned Colle and modernity collide - b2-b4 is a move
not normally indigenous to the Colle, and is more commonly seen in the
latitudes of Semi-Slav. Here we borrow another opening's idea and unleash it a
full move up. More good news: there are hardly any games in the database with
this plan, which looks completely playable for White as any other opening
choice. This means virtually 100% of your opponents will be entering the
position for the very first time in their lives.} *

[Event "SCCF Championship, Irvine"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Van Buskirk, C."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. Nf3 ({The Colle can be reached through multiple move orders. Compare the
current game with the Tarrasch French position reached in this Karpov-Korchnoi
struggle:} 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Ngf3 Nc6 6. Bb5 Bd6 7.
dxc5 Bxc5 8. O-O Nge7 9. Nb3 Bd6 10. c3 Bg4 11. Nbd4 O-O 12. Be2 Re8 13. Re1 a6
{, A.Karpov-V.Korchnoi, Candidates (4th matchgame), Moscow 1974. The Colle
position reached below is quite similar.}) 1... c5 2. c3 {QUESTION: What on
earth!? --- ANSWER: So glad you asked! GM Jesse Kraai, in a video, dubbed this
glorious idea "The Lakdawala Accelerated". --- QUESTION: I have a strong hunch
his declaration was sarcastic. What is the idea behind such a passive move?
--- ANSWER: Essentially, White takes all the fun out of Black's invitation to
transpose to a Sicilian by forcing a Slav position a move up. Keep in mind
that a Colle is basically a Semi-Slav with colours reversed.} Nf6 3. d4 e6 4.
e3 {And here we are, the Colle System. Obviously, White isn't trying for some
crushing opening advantage. Instead, we humble Colle folk utilize the white
pieces mainly to steer Black into our comfort zone, where understanding, not
memorization, rules.} ({Instead,} 4. Bg5 {is the Torre Attack,}) ({while} 4.
Bf4 {is the London System.}) 4... d5 {Black stakes out his own claim in the
centre.} ({We take a look at} 4... b6 {, Colle versus Queen's Indian, in
Chapter Three.}) 5. Nbd2 Nc6 ({We cover} 5... Nbd7 {next chapter.}) 6. Bd3 {
The best spot for the bishop. White seizes control over the key e4-square.
Sooner or later we play for the e3-e4 pawn break in the centre.} Bd6 {QUESTION:
Is there any difference if Black plays his bishop to e7?} ({ANSWER: The
bishop's development to e7 is also popular. We examine this move order later
in the chapter. I feel that d6 is the most accurate square for Black's bishop,
since if} 6... Be7 {White can simply play as he did this game and transpose,
or he can go for a Stonewall set-up with} 7. O-O O-O 8. Ne5 {(White intends
f2-f4 next, so Black really should take)} Nxe5 9. dxe5 Nd7 10. f4 {.
Essentially, White gets an extra option, which the move order 6...Bd6 denies.
We examine this exact position later on in Bareev-Tukmakov.}) 7. O-O O-O ({
QUESTION: What if Black plays} 7... b6 {in order to recapture on c5 with a
pawn? --- ANSWER: ...Bd6 and ...b7-b6 don't mix well together. The universal
answer is a quick e3-e4!. Take a look at my game against Lawrence later in the
chapter as an example. Here,} 8. e4 $1 {has Black squirming:} dxe4 9. Nxe4 Nxe4
10. Bxe4 Bb7 11. Re1 {leaves Black in deep trouble since the rote} O-O $4 {is
met with the equally rote (but also winning!) Greek gift sac,} 12. Bxh7+ {,
when Black's king goes for a ride without a return ticket.}) ({QUESTION: Does
Black equalize if he plays the immediate} 7... e5 {? --- ANSWER: It looks
quite risky for Black, who violates the principle: Avoid opening the position
when behind in development. I liked White's treatment in the following game:}
8. e4 $1 {(Principle: Create confrontation when leading in development)} cxd4
9. cxd4 dxe4 (9... O-O {looks wiser, but I still prefer White after} 10. dxe5
Nxe5 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. exd5 Qxd5 13. Nf3 Bb8 (13... Bg4 $2 14. Bxh7+ $1 {just
wins a pawn}) 14. Bg5 {, G.Soppe-F.Quiroga, Buenos Aires 1993}) 10. Nxe4 Nxe4
11. Bxe4 Nxd4 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. Qh5 $1 Qb6 14. Re1 {and Black was in deep
trouble, despite his extra pawn, M.Scalcione-M.Sbarra, Corsica 2007.}) ({
QUESTION: Why is it that Black rarely breaks the central tension with a move
like} 7... c4 {? --- ANSWER: Premature release of central tension nearly
always favours White in such cases. For example:} 8. Bc2 b5 9. e4 Be7 {(losing
a tempo to get out of the path of e4-e5)} 10. Re1 Qc7 11. exd5 $1 {(White
logically opens while leading in development)} exd5 12. Ne5 Be6 13. Ndf3 {(now
Ng5 is in the air)} Nxe5 $6 {(an overreaction in a passive position)} 14. dxe5
Nd7 15. Nd4 $1 Qb6 {, H.Filgueira-J.Maciel, Villa Ballester 2003, when White's
kingside majority and control over d4 give him clear advantage after} 16. f4 {.
}) 8. dxc5 {The main move and generally regarded as White's best line.} ({
Others:} 8. Qe2 {is inaccurate due to} c4 $1 9. Bc2 e5 $1 {.}) (8. Re1 e5 9. e4
cxd4 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nc4 h6 $1 12. Nfxe5 $6 (12. Be4 {is equal}) 12... Nxe5
13. Nxe5 dxc3 {and Black already stood better since White's compensation for
the missing pawn is highly debatable, K.Berg-N.De Firmian, Gausdal 1994.}) (8.
e4 cxd4 9. cxd4 Nb4 $1 {(gaining time and establishing a blockade on d5)} 10.
Bb1 dxe4 11. Nxe4 Be7 {, when Black gets a reasonable-looking isolani position,
A.Khalifman-L.Yudasin, Tilburg 1994.}) 8... Bxc5 9. e4 ({At the end of the
chapter we concentrate on} 9. b4 {, interpreting the position as a pure
reversed Semi-Slav.}) 9... Qc7 {This is considered Black's best response.} ({
I don't believe Black equalizes with the most commonly played alternatives:} 
9... dxe4 {is examined in Bakre-Lauridsen and Adly-Juarez Flores.}) (9... e5
10. exd5 Qxd5 ({not} 10... Nxd5 $6 11. Nc4 $1 Re8 12. Be4 $1 Be6 {, P.Lomako-S.Bezgodova, Lipetsk 2009, when} 13. Ng5 $1 {looks even better than winning the
e5-pawn}) 11. Qc2 $5 {(more optimistic than playing the queen to e2)} Bg4 {
tempting,} ({but perhaps} 11... h6 {should be preferred}) 12. Ne4 $1 Bxf3 13.
gxf3 Kh8 $1 14. c4 {(tricky, though it doesn't win the piece as both White and
Black expected)} Qd7 $4 (14... Qd8 $1 15. Nxc5 {and now the calm} b6 $1 {,
threatening both the c5-knight and ...Nb4, regains Black's lost piece, though
White still stands better after} 16. Be3 bxc5 17. Bxc5) 15. Nxc5 Qh3 16. Bf5 $1
Qxf3 17. Qd3 {1-0 M.Narciso Dublan-L.Barczay, Budapest 2001.}) 10. exd5 ({I
prefer this simpler path to the main theoretical move,} 10. Qe2 {, which
transposes to Pecot-Tavares later in the chapter.}) 10... exd5 $1 {QUESTION:
Why does Black willingly take on a pawn weakness when he can recapture with
the knight? --- ANSWER: Van Buskirk suffers no compunctions about creating a
pawn weakness if doing so allows compensatory piece activity. Actually, taking
on the isolani is the normally recommended path, as it enhances Black's
dynamic chances: 1. By accepting the isolani, Black immediately frees his
c8-bishop. --- 2. By taking the isolani, Black is now the one who controls
more central space. --- 3. The d5-pawn offers Black hooks at e4 and c4. ---
QUESTION: If Black gets all this play then why did you take on d5? --- ANSWER:
As mentioned before, don't play the Colle expecting a huge (or any!) advantage
for White. Our power with the line resides in the fact that we stay within
familiar structures, while very likely forcing an opponent out of his prep.
I'm happy to play White's side, even if the position is equal, since I tend to
score well against isolanis. In essence, White gets a position similar to that
in a Tarrasch French - in those lines where Black takes on an isolani.} ({When
Black recaptures on d5 with his knight, the positions mirror c3-Sicilian
structures, with queenside versus kingside pawn majorities. For example:} 10...
Nxd5 11. Qc2 h6 (11... f5 $5 {, staking out central space, is an aggressive
but risky idea}) 12. Ne4 Be7 13. Ng3 a6 (13... f5 $5 14. Bc4 {may also come
into consideration}) 14. Bd2 b5 15. Rad1 Bb7 16. Qc1 $1 {(eyeing potential
sacs on h6)} f5 $5 {(Black gets nervous and grabs space to keep his king safer)
} 17. Rfe1 Rf6 {, A.Potkin-A.Afonin, St Petersburg 1998, when White holds a
clear advantage after} 18. c4 $1 {.}) 11. Nb3 {We must be careful.} (11. h3 $2
{allows Black the shot} Bxh3 $1 12. gxh3 $4 Qg3+ 13. Kh1 Qxh3+ 14. Kg1 Ng4 {,
when White has no hope of surviving Black's raging attack.}) 11... Bd6 {
QUESTION: Isn't it more logical to play to b6 to challenge White on the
d4-square?} ({ANSWER: Both are okay for Black. It's a matter of taste. By
playing to d6, Black sets his sights on White's king, rather than on the
d4-square. Alternatively,} 11... Bb6 12. Qc2 Bg4 {, E.Colle-S.Tarrasch,
Baden-Baden 1925, and now} 13. Nfd4 Rfe8 14. Be3 {looks dynamically balanced.})
12. h3 {QUESTION: Don't you hand Black a sac target after this move? ---
ANSWER: White should be fine as long as he remains vigilant of the sacs,
factoring them in to his future considerations. It's quite helpful to prevent
the irritating ...Bg4 pin.} Re8 13. Be3 {White takes firm control over d4 -
but as mentioned above, Black gets full compensation in the form of piece
activity generated by the d5-pawn.} Ne4 14. Nbd4 a6 {White desires swaps in
general due to Black's inferior structure, but not necessarily on c6 which
gives Black the hanging pawns structure and strengthens d5.} 15. Re1 Bd7 16.
Bf1 {White discourages sacs on h3 and clears the way to pressure d5.} h6 17.
Qb3 $5 {QUESTION: Aren't you wasting time with this move? --- ANSWER: Perhaps
it was unwise, but I actually wanted to lure his knight to c4.} Na5 $1 18. Qc2
(18. Qxd5 $4 Nf6 $1 {would have left me red faced.}) 18... Nc4 19. Bxc4 $5 Qxc4
{The queen willingly enters the smoke-filled room, yet doesn't get burned. ---
QUESTION: Why did you give up the bishop pair and why did Black refuse to
un-isolate his d-pawn?} ({ANSWER: My opponent decided to retain the isolani
rather than allow White his intended} 19... dxc4 20. Bxh6 {(discovered attack)}
Nxf2 21. Qxf2 gxh6 {. Right or wrong, my intuition said that Black's numerous
pawn weaknesses outweigh his two bishops and dark square control. Houdini
assesses it as equal.}) 20. Red1 Rac8 21. Nb3 Ba4 $6 {To Nosferatu, a woman's
most attractive body part is her throat. This pin doesn't bother White's queen
at all. The bishop, lurching to his right due to a damaged propulsion system,
squanders his time daydreaming when he should be looking in the other
direction, making ready for a kingside assault. Black's move falls somewhere
between a not-so-great plan and an eccentric notion, since he appears too
willing to agree to exchanges. --- QUESTION: What do you suggest as a superior
plan?} ({ANSWER:} 21... Bb8 $1 {, intending a future kingside attack, retains
the balance.}) 22. Rd4 Bxb3 $5 {Yet another violation of principle, but who's
counting? More easy swaps to White's benefit.} ({Perhaps the awkward} 22... Qc6
{should be considered.}) 23. Qxb3 Qxb3 24. axb3 Nf6 25. b4 {White stands
better. Black has no real compensation for his isolani and White's control
over the d4-square. --- QUESTION: I realize Black stands worse, but are all
your games so technical and - dare I say it - dull? --- ANSWER: Sadly, I must
respond in the affirmative. I conjecture that if Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael
Jackson's doctor, had the foresight to prescribe a steady dose of my chess
games as a cure to Jackson's insomnia (rather than the lethal doses of
Propofol!), then the king of pop would still be here with us today, spinning
about, moon walking and refreshed after a good night's sleep. There are some
in the world (i.e. me) who loathe enduring harrowing drama and are thankful to
enter positions refreshingly devoid of sudden scares or astonishing surprises.
For a math-challenged man, boldness or risk-taking is unprecedented stuff.
Each morning upon arising, I prayerfully thank the universe for each of my
invaluable ten fingers and ten toes, without which I wouldn't be capable of
doing any calculation at all on the chessboard!} Re4 26. Kf1 {Of course, White
isn't about to oblige Black and straighten out his isolani.} Rce8 27. Rd3 Bc7 {
EXERCISE (planning): Time to weigh the evidence and marshal our various
options, switching from the theoretical to actual praxis. Come up with a
concrete plan to increase the pressure on Black's isolani. --- ANSWER: Prepare
a knight transfer to e3.} 28. Ne1 $1 {White's intention - Nc2, Rad1, Bd4, Ne3,
and then the threat Bxf6 followed by Rxd5 - hangs over Black.} R4e6 29. Nc2 Bb6
30. Rad1 {White threatens Bxb6 followed by Ne3.} Bc7 31. Bd4 {White's plan is
nearly complete.} Re2 32. R3d2 Rxd2 33. Rxd2 {Each trade helps White, as
Black's isolani grows more destabilized.} Be5 {He must not allow Bxf6.} 34. Bc5
Bf4 35. Rd1 h5 36. Bd4 Ne4 $6 {This is not a time for activity at the cost of
defence.} ({He would be better served repeating the position with} 36... Be5 {
, which forces White to come up with new ways to exert pressure.}) ({The newly
escaped fugitive knight walks in the river, not the path next to it, to remove
his footprints and deprive the hunting dogs of his scent. After Black's last
move, your uncharacteristically intrepid writer senses weakness, giving him an
opening to seize power. Most of us are thieves by nature. Cooking sherry isn't
meant to be drunk, but all chefs cheat by pulling out the stopper, looking
left and right, and then indulging in a swig when no one is looking. ---
EXERCISE (combination alert): After} 36... Ne4 {it's White to play and steal
Black's isolani.}) 37. Be3 $1 {ANSWER: Double attack. A monk is not supposed
to find delight in ownership. Yet the greedy white bishop continues to
accumulate wealth as we speak.} Bxe3 38. Nxe3 {Two attackers; zero defenders.
Blood spurts from the severed artery, and the d5-pawn's life force ebbs away.}
Ng3+ 39. fxg3 (39. Ke1 Nf5 40. Rxd5 Nxe3 41. fxe3 Rxe3+ 42. Kf2 {also did the
job.}) 39... Rxe3 40. Rxd5 Re7 $2 {A blunder on the eve of time control leaves
him down two pawns, and hopelessly lost in the rook and pawn ending.} ({Black
had to try} 40... Rxg3 {.}) 41. Rxh5 b5 42. Rc5 Re6 {EXERCISE (planning): How
does White make progress? --- ANSWER: Activate the queenside majority and
create a passed pawn.} 43. b3 g6 44. c4 Re3 45. cxb5 axb5 46. g4 Rxb3 47. Rxb5
f6 48. Rb7 Rb2 {At this moment the white and black kings keep to their own
counsel, both ignoring shrill warnings of encroaching danger from their
respective advisors.} 49. b5 Kh8 50. b6 Kg8 51. Rb8+ Kg7 52. b7 $1 {QUESTION:
Why did Black resign? I think you mishandled the ending and may have
difficulty making progress, since now your rook is stuck behind your passed
b-pawn, and your king is cut off as well. --- ANSWER: Let's do a calculation
exercise.} ({EXERCISE (calculation): Visualize this line without moving the
pieces:} 52. b7 g5 53. g3 {(White creates a second passer on the kingside)} Kh7
54. h4 Kg7 55. h5 Kh7 56. h6 $1 {and zugzwang! --- Nine-ply if you saw to the
end in your mind's eye. Black's king and pawns are out of moves. Black's rook
must give way and allow White's king entry to the game, after which the win is
easy. --- QUESTION: How does White actually win, though? Does he rush the king
to the b7-pawn? --- ANSWER: White either wins both remaining black pawns, or
forces a won king and pawn ending. Like this:} Rb1+ 57. Kf2 Rb2+ 58. Ke3 Rb1
59. Ke4 Rb4+ 60. Kd5 $1 Rb6 61. Kc5 Rb1 62. Kc6 Rc1+ 63. Kd6 Rb1 (63... Rd1+
64. Ke6 Rb1 65. Kxf6 {is also hopeless:} Rb5 66. Ke6 Rb1 67. Kf5 Rb5+ 68. Kf6 {
zugzwang}) 64. Re8 $1 {(forcing a won pawn ending)} Rxb7 65. Re7+ Rxe7 66. Kxe7
Kg6 67. Ke6 Kh7 68. Kf7 Kxh6 69. Kxf6 Kh7 70. Kxg5 Kg7 71. Kf5 Kf7 72. g5 {etc.
This would be a draw with only one g-pawn. Luckily, White owns a spare! ---
SUMMARY: The position after 10 exd5 resembles a Tarrasch French isolani line.
It may not be such a bad idea to go over Karpov's games from the 1970s with
this variation to familiarize yourself with the resulting positions.}) 1-0

[Event "Budapest"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1926.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Colle, E."]
[Black "Yates, F."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "1926.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 d5 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Qc7 {QUESTION: Does
it make a difference if Black plays ...Qc7 or ...Bd6 first? --- ANSWER: That
move order makes no difference and in the end we normally reach identical
positions.} 7. O-O Bd6 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. e4 O-O 10. exd5 exd5 {The isolani
contains the seed of its own risks and rewards. Before agreeing to undertake
this procedure, Black should always ask the question I put to my doctors:
"Will it hurt?" Before the grand undertaking, Black should take care of some
basic housekeeping issues, the first and foremost being: Avoid unnecessary
swaps.} 11. Nb3 Bd6 12. h3 Re8 13. Nbd4 ({Not much change from} 13. Be3 {as
played last game.}) 13... Nxd4 $6 {Hey, I just said "avoid unnecessary swaps"!
You don't need to like a law to obey it. Black is ill-served through embracing
the trade, and the heretic violation of principle is equivalent to the priest
who edits scripture, discarding and adding chunks as he pleases.} ({Instead,
Black can try} 13... a6 14. Nf5 Bxf5 {. QUESTION: Isn't this a swap as well?
--- ANSWER: Sometimes the side with the isolani must trade. I am saying don't
do it unless absolutely necessary. In this case Black must take, since it is
inadvisable to allow White's powerful knight to loiter on f5. After} 15. Bxf5
h6 16. Bc2 Rad8 17. Be3 Ne4 18. Re1 {Black's piece activity compensates for
his isolated pawn, Z.Von Balla-Hei.Wolf, Bad Pistyan 1922.}) 14. Nxd4 Bd7 15.
Qf3 ({QUESTION: How about} 15. Nb5 {with another swap? --- ANSWER: There is no
rush. White intends Nf5 instead.}) 15... a6 16. Nf5 (16. Be3 {is the
alternative, retaining a grip on d4.}) 16... Be5 17. Be3 Ne4 18. Rad1 Re6 {
Hoping to make White nervous about ...Rf6.} 19. Bc2 $1 Bc6 ({Black secures d5
and avoids the trap} 19... Rf6 $4 20. Ne7+ Kf8 21. Nxd5 $1 {which wins heavy
material.}) 20. Bd4 $1 {Colle plays on the edge, trusting in his calculation
powers, and allowing ...Rf6. Removal of the dark-squared bishops extracts the
vital life energy from Black's attacking prospects.} Rf6 21. Qh5 $1 {He
continues to dance the precipice. The threat is Bxe5 followed by Nh6+.} Bxd4
22. Nxd4 Rh6 23. Qe2 Re8 24. Rfe1 {QUESTION: How would you assess this
position? It looks to me like Black's attacking chances outweigh White's
long-term structural advantages. --- ANSWER: Clearly Yates agreed with you,
playing the position bristling with self-confidence, engendered in the
possibly false belief that he stood better. My intuition suggests the opposite.
I don't see a real attack for Black, but his isolani and bad bishop appear
very real if White survives the next 25 moves or so.} Bd7 {Looking to sac on
h3.} 25. Rd3 $1 {White isn't afraid of ghost discoveries. After his last move
the fiction of the "attack" is starkly exposed in black and white. Dual
purpose: 1. White eliminates ...Bxh3 ideas. --- 2. White prepares to load up
on the e-file with Re3.} Rf8 {Black's rook gets nervous and backs off the file.
} 26. Re3 Nf6 ({QUESTION: Shouldn't Black go for} 26... f5 {in order to
attack? --- ANSWER: I don't see an attack after} 27. Bb3 Qc5 28. f3 {.}) 27.
Bf5 Bxf5 $5 {Yates underestimates the potency of a white knight on f5.} ({He
should suffer the rebuke without protest or lingering resentment and back down
once again with} 27... Bc6 28. Re7 Qb6 {, admittedly with a sour, passive
position there as well.}) 28. Nxf5 Rh5 {The rook veers, flutters and dives
erratically, like a poorly designed kite on a windy day. His last move looks
exceedingly clunky, but he gets forked if he slides the rook to g6.} 29. Re5 $5
{Threat: Ne7+, followed by Rxh5.} ({Colle prefers initiative over material,
spurring the exchange win with} 29. g4 Rxf5 30. gxf5 {, when Black may derive
practical chances from White's sickly kingside structure.}) 29... g6 {
Self-inflicted damage, but I am unable to suggest anything better. Now the
dark square weaknesses flare up again and again with recursive predictability.}
30. Ne7+ Kh8 31. Rxh5 gxh5 {QUESTION: Shouldn't Black just give up a pawn
rather than deface his structure like this?} ({ANSWER: Clearly a surreal,
jarring shift altered and stained the landscape, much to Colle's delight.
Think of Black's decision this way: If you have a choice of walking to the
gallows in two directions, both concluding in the same fate, then it doesn't
make much of a difference which path you pick.} 31... Nxh5 32. Nxd5 Qd6 33. Qe7
{is equally hopeless.}) 32. Qf3 {The weakened dark squares pique the interest
of White's queen, who gazes in that direction with hunger.} Qd6 33. Nf5 Qb8 ({
Or} 33... Qb6 34. Qg3 Rg8 35. Qe5 {with too many threats.}) 34. Re7 Ng8 {
Black's knight limps back home with the impeded motion of an injured person.
Meanwhile, muffled voices of agitation and even open talk of revolt penetrate
the walls of the black king's bed chamber, as he continues to hide under the
covers, fearful of every sound and every shadow thrown on the walls. ---
EXERCISE (combination alert): How would you conduct White's attack? --- ANSWER:
White's hanging but not hanging pieces dismiss the g8-knight's pleas with an
uncaring stare.} 35. Nh6 $1 Nxh6 (35... Nxe7 36. Qf6# {at least has the virtue
of ending Black's suffering quickly.}) 36. Qf6+ Kg8 37. Qg5+ Kh8 38. Qxh6 Qd8 {
Black's queen takes on an abundance of simultaneous tasks, like a woman late
to work who drives recklessly while juggling a mug of coffee and applying her
lipstick in the front passenger mirror. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): How
did Colle exploit Black's last move? --- ANSWER:} 39. Rd7 $1 {Overload! The
shocked look on the black queen's face tells the entire story. She takes
umbrage at the slight and shifts in her car seat.} Qe8 40. Qf6+ Kg8 41. Rxd5 h6
42. Rxh5 {Black's king realizes the truth. His lips begin to move as he
soundlessly talks to himself, as if committing to memory his lines in a play.
--- SUMMARY: These isolani positions are intrinsically equal. It is our job to
master the subtleties.} 1-0

[Event "Correspondence"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Pecot, L."]
[Black "Tavares, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 c5 4. Nbd2 Nf6 5. c3 Bd6 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O O-O ({
QUESTION: What happens if Black breaks first with} 7... e5 {? --- ANSWER: This
should favour White since Black breaks the principle: Avoid opening the game
when behind in development. White responds by opening as well:} 8. e4 $1 cxd4
9. cxd4 dxe4 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 11. Bxe4 exd4 ({after} 11... Nxd4 12. Nxd4 exd4 13.
Qd3 h6 14. Rd1 Qc7 15. Qxd4 Bxh2+ 16. Kh1 Be5 17. Qb4 Qe7 18. Qb5+ Kf8 19. Kg1
{Black may be up a pawn but I would be awfully nervous so behind in development
}) 12. Bxc6+ bxc6 13. Re1+ Be6 14. Nxd4 O-O 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. Be3 {with a
clear structural advantage for White, C.Lakdawala-F.Amonatov, Internet (blitz)
2005.}) 8. Qe2 {I would avoid this move order. --- QUESTION: Why? Don't we
just transpose?} Qc7 ({ANSWER: Not if Black plays} 8... c4 $1 {(an exception
to the rule for what is normally a weak move by Black)} 9. Bc2 e5 $1 10. dxe5
Nxe5 {(my Slav senses tell me to stay away from this passive position as White)
} 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. h3 Bc7 13. Rd1 Qd6 14. Nf1 Re8 {and Black stands at least
equal, if not better, L.Bencze-D.Baratosi, Hungarian Team Championship 2008.
--- QUESTION: Ugh! Two games ago you told us ...c5-c4 was bad for Black,
didn't you? --- ANSWER: I did, but in a slightly different position. I concede
there lies a wide chasm between the disparity of learning something from a
book and making a decision over the board. Just remember, one shift of the
position may also change an assessment.}) 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. e4 {Now we really
do transpose.} h6 {QUESTION: What's the point of this move? --- ANSWER: Black
ends all Greek gift ideas of e4-e5 followed by Bxh7, but not without cost.
First, he expends a tempo. Second, in some cases a new sac target on h6 can be
just as big a worry as the one on h7.} 11. b4 {White decides to play in pure,
Semi-Slav style; i.e. as with the black pieces but a move up. --- QUESTION:
Why isn't White interested in playing e4-e5?} ({ANSWER: White would love to
play e4-e5, but if you do, make sure the pawn remains stable. In this case
Black gets excellent play after} 11. e5 $6 Ng4 12. Nb3 Bb6 13. Bf4 f6 $1 14.
Nbd4 ({or} 14. Rae1 fxe5 15. Bg3 Qf7 $1 16. Nh4 {( G.Danner-I.Novikov, Graz
1996)} ({while after} 16. Bxe5 Ncxe5 17. Nxe5 Bxf2+ 18. Kh1 Nxe5 19. Qxe5 Qe7 {
Black is just up a pawn}) 16... e4 $1 {is strong}) 14... Ngxe5 15. Kh1 Qf7 $1
16. Nxe5 fxe5 17. Bxe5 Nxe5 18. Qxe5 {, when Black grabbed the initiative,
bishop pair and centre with} Bc7 $1 19. Qe3 e5 {, J.Papai-K.Schreiber,
correspondence 1999.}) 11... Bb6 12. Bb2 {QUESTION: What is White's plan? ---
ANSWER: If given time, White plans a2-a3 and c3-c4, when Black's queen is
uncomfortably placed on the c-file.} dxe4 {White tends to hold a small edge if
Black releases the pawn tension on e4. --- QUESTION: Why is that? --- ANSWER:
The move breaks the principle: Avoid being the one to blink first and release
central pawn tension. In doing so, Black gives White's pieces a tempo to reach
e4. --- QUESTION: We now get opposite wing pawn majorities. Whose majority is
superior? --- ANSWER: Right now that question is a blank slate and could go
either way. As a Colle player, my personal preference falls to White, whose
majority seems to flow faster and smoother, at least from my perspective. Your
job is to push your majority as fast and far as possible, while stalling your
opponent's majority.} ({Instead:} 12... Ng4 $5 {(intending to go to e5 if he
is kicked by h2-h3)} 13. a3 dxe4 14. Nxe4 f5 15. Ned2 e5 {, D.Delithanasis-M.Ikonomopoulou, Nikaia 2007, and White holds a nagging edge after} 16. c4 $1 e4
17. c5 {.}) (12... a5 {(making it harder for White to engineer c3-c4)} 13. b5
Ne5 14. Nxe5 Qxe5 15. Nf3 Qh5 16. e5 $1 Nd7 {, T.Bardoux-S.Peric, La Fere 2011,
and here, too, White looks better after} 17. c4 {with a kind of super Advance
French.}) 13. Nxe4 Nd5 {Eyeing f4 and forcing White's next move.} 14. g3 Nce7
$2 {A passive reaction, after which he hands White both the initiative and the
more potent majority.} ({Perhaps Black should just go for it with} 14... f5 $5
15. Ned2 f4 $5 16. g4 $1 {. Even here I prefer White, but the position is far
more complex than the one reached in the game.}) 15. a3 $1 {White is ready for
launch, threatening c3-c4-c5. The uneasy, mutually suspicious truce holds for
now. Yet both parties grow more agitated with each passing move. It doesn't
take a clairvoyant to see that the two sides are destined to soon meet at
war's doorstep.} f5 {The Chihuahua on f5 barks with shrill ferocity yet fails
to intimidate the bemused, approaching 100-pound Akita. Ground level is
Black's poor vantage point in the coming battle. He fails to see White's true
intent. Black decided to test out his optimistic hypothesis by charging
headlong into an enemy force that, despite equal numbers, holds an advantage
of superior training. --- EXERCISE (planning): White has a way to take over a
ferocious initiative. How? --- ANSWER: Ignore Black's threat on e4 and
generate some of our own.} 16. c4 $1 {This is a promising pawn sac, not a
piece sac as it appears, since White quickly regains the invested piece.} fxe4
{The only move.} 17. Qxe4 $1 {The pirate gazes into the endless ocean of
Black's kingside and dreams of bounteous possibilities for plunder.} Nf6 18.
Bxf6 Rxf6 19. c5 {Regaining the piece with a winning position.} Bxc5 20. bxc5
Qxc5 21. Qh7+ Kf7 {Black's king feels to me to be the monarch who evokes
neither affection nor dislike from his subjects - perhaps like the king Prince
Charles will be one day.} 22. Nd2 $1 {White's co-ordinated forces, as if
reading each other's minds, engage in attack in mutuality. This is the
position White envisioned when he sac'ed a pawn on his 16th move. Black's game
degenerates into a desolate tundra, and frost begins to form on the lost black
king's beard. He realizes that if he cannot find his way out of the wilderness
by nightfall, he will freeze to death. --- QUESTION: What exactly does White
get for the pawn? --- ANSWER: Endless attack! --- 1. Black's king bounces
around the middle. --- 2. Black's queenside remains undeveloped. --- 3. The
pieces which are developed - queen and rook - in Black's camp appear clumsy
and in each other's way. --- Conclusion: White received promising compensation
for a very small investment.} Qb6 23. Rab1 Qc7 24. Rfd1 e5 25. Rbc1 Qb6 26. Ne4
{White has a decisive attack.} Bf5 {QUESTION: Why did Black hand over the
exchange?} ({ANSWER: Fear of annihilation is a most cogent agent of
persuasion! If Black tries to hang on to his rook he gets wiped out after} 
26... Rc6 27. Rxc6 Qxc6 28. Nd6+ $1 Kf6 29. Be4 Qa4 30. Bc2 Qc6 31. Ne4+ Kf7
32. Rd8 $1 {and Black can resign since} Bf5 {is met by} 33. Bb3+ {.}) 27. Bc4+
$1 {Just in case Black thought he had trapped White's queen.} Ke8 28. Nxf6+ {
Time to cash out.} Qxf6 29. Qh8+ {Simplification. It helps when the only move
possible is also a very good one.} Qf8 30. Bb5+ Kf7 31. Qxf8+ Kxf8 32. Rc7 {
White's initiative rages on, even with queens off the board.} Rb8 33. Re1 e4 {
EXERCISE (combination alert): Black, despite his wretched position, still has
a pawn for the exchange. Find a way to deprive him of even that. --- ANSWER:
Pin/seventh rank.} 34. f3 $1 e3 35. Bc4 $1 (35. Rxe3 $4 Nd5 {would be a
careless way for White to turn an easy win into equality.}) 35... Rc8 36. Rxc8+
Nxc8 37. Rxe3 Nb6 38. Be6 Bxe6 ({Or} 38... Bg6 39. Rc3 Ke7 40. Bc8 Nd5 41. Rc5
$1 Kd6 42. Ra5 {, when the nimble rook and bishop team wins yet another pawn.})
39. Rxe6 Nc4 40. a4 Kf7 41. Re1 Na5 42. Rb1 Ke6 43. h4 Kd7 44. Kf2 Ke7 {The
hermit's single creed is disassociation with society. Black's problem: his
king can't wander to the queenside to help out since White's kingside pawn
majority - and raiding king - must be watched.} 45. Ke3 b6 46. Ke4 {White's
king, like a seasoned mountain climber, continues to ascend.} Nb7 {EXERCISE 
(planning): Black threatens ...Nc5+ and ...Nxa4. How do we show him that his
threat is hollow? --- ANSWER: Allow it!} 47. Rc1 $1 Nc5+ {The prize stallion
prances about with immoderate pride in his own good looks.} ({If} 47... Kd7 48.
Kf5 {and White's king raids the kingside pawns.}) 48. Rxc5 $1 {Hasta la vista,
baby! Simplification. The king and pawn ending is easily won. Polite, rival
rulers rarely trade insults face to face. Instead, they find it more prudent
to transmit their true feelings through intermediaries. In this case White's
king sends his rook to do his dirty work, as the exhausted knight, mouth
bearded with foam, finally collapses with a thud on c5 and lies still, never
to wake.} bxc5 49. Kd5 c4 50. Kxc4 {SUMMARY: My experience has been that Black
cannot equalize so easily if he breaks the central tension first with ...d5xe4,
either on the 12th move or at other points in the game.} 1-0

[Event "Abu Dhabi"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2004.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bakre, T."]
[Black "Lauridsen, J."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2004.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Bd3 c5 5. O-O $5 (5. c3 {leaves c2 open for
White's bishop,}) ({while} 5. b3 {, which transposes to the Zukertort Colle,
also prevents ...c5-c4.}) 5... Bd6 {QUESTION: This time ...c5-c4 arrives with
gain of tempo. Should Black go for it?} ({ANSWER: I believe that in case of
this move order, ...c5-c4 is actually playable for Black. For example:} 5... c4
6. Be2 b5 7. b3 Bb7 8. a4 a6 9. c3 Nbd7 10. Nbd2 Be7 11. Ba3 O-O 12. Qc2 Bc6
13. Qb2 {and Black's extra space compensates for his soon to be bad
light-squared bishop, B.Kurajica-E.Bareev, Sarajevo 2003.}) 6. c3 {Removing
the ...c5-c4 scenario from the table.} O-O 7. Nbd2 Nc6 8. dxc5 ({QUESTION: Can
White go for an isolani position himself with} 8. e4 {?}) ({ANSWER: Yes. If
you like playing with an isolani then you can opt for} 8. e4 cxd4 9. cxd4 dxe4
10. Nxe4 Nxe4 11. Bxe4 Bd7 12. d5 $5 {(immediately dissolving the isolani and
instead relying on my development lead)} exd5 13. Qxd5 Be6 14. Qh5 g6 15. Qh6
Qf6 $6 (15... f6 {is to be preferred; of course White then has an immediate
draw - I wasn't going to take it! - which my GM opponent didn't like}) 16. Ng5
Qg7 17. Qxg7+ Kxg7 18. Nxe6+ fxe6 19. Bxc6 bxc6 20. Be3 {, when Black stood
clearly worse structurally, C.Lakdawala-E.Lobron, Internet (blitz) 2007.}) 8...
Bxc5 9. e4 dxe4 {QUESTION: This central exchange is slightly different from
last game - correct? --- ANSWER: Correct. In this one Black can take queens
off the board if he chooses.} 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 ({Next game we look at} 10... Be7 {
.}) 11. Bxe4 Qc7 {QUESTION: Is the ending approximately equal?} ({ANSWER:
White retains pressure, similar to a favourable c3-Sicilian ending where Black
experiences difficulty developing his queenside. For example, after} 11... Qxd1
12. Rxd1 f6 13. b4 Be7 ({or} 13... Bb6 14. a4 a5 15. b5 Ne7 16. Ba3 Re8 17. c4
{and Black gets squeezed, J.Böhm-W.Burchert, German League 2007}) 14. Be3 Nd8
15. Nd4 {Black's pieces are in a tangle, J.Roth-B.Förster, Schwäbisch Gmünd
2003.}) ({QUESTION: With} 11... Qc7 {Black just allowed the Greek gift sac on
h7. Should White go for it or hold back?}) 12. Qe2 $1 ({ANSWER: In this case
it is better to refrain. From time to time you will get the opportunity of a
Greek gift sac. The illusion is that it works 100% of the time for White. In
this case, Black's queen covers the critical g3-square and the sac is
speculative at best. Here is Houdini analysis:} 12. Bxh7+ $5 {(a move on the
cusp of dubious; nevertheless, there are practical chances for White in such
chaotic situations)} Kxh7 13. Ng5+ Kg6 14. Qg4 f5 {(if White had easy access
to g3 for his queen the sac might be sound; in this case Black controls the
square)} 15. Qh4 Bd7 16. Qh7+ Kf6 17. Qh5 Ke7 18. Ne4 fxe4 19. Bg5+ Kd6 {
(Black's emboldened king strolls the well-tended palatial grounds without fear
of attack, or bodyguards)} 20. Rfd1+ Bd4 21. cxd4 Be8 {. Perhaps White retains
practical chances for the piece, but I would take Black any day. --- QUESTION:
How are we supposed to know when to sac and when to refrain? --- ANSWER: This
comes with intuition. The more Colles you play, the better your feel for such
decisions. Also, when you engage in such a sac, don't just wing it. Work hard
and calculate the consequences as best you can before committing.}) 12... Bd7
13. Rd1 Rad8 14. g3 {QUESTION: What is the purpose of this move? --- ANSWER:
White wants to put Bf4 on the table.} Kh8 ({QUESTION: Can Black go for} 14...
f5 {? --- ANSWER: White's earlier g2-g3 was designed specifically against this
move. He stands better after} 15. Bf4 $1 {, when} e5 $2 16. Bxc6 exf4 17. Bxd7
fxg3 18. Qc4+ Kh8 19. Kg2 $1 gxf2 20. b4 {wins a piece. Black fails to extract
sufficient compensation.}) 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 f5 {Black's f-pawn curls his
lips in distaste and throws a punch at our e4-bishop. If we exchange on c6 we
wrest absolute control over e5. The trouble is we also give away our light
squares which we further weakened with our earlier g2-g3. --- EXERCISE 
(critical decision): Should we play 17 Bxc6 or back the bishop up? --- ANSWER:
The probability ratio of successful implementation of Black's plan fluctuates
between: 1. Terrible. --- 2. Even worse! Black's last move was a strategically
dubious decision. If you chose to exchange, then you displayed excellent
strategic judgment. Control over e5 easily outweighs Black's light square
gains.} 17. Bxc6 $1 bxc6 $2 {Strategic hara-kiri.} ({Black's only logical path
would be} 17... Bxc6 18. Qe5 $1 Qb6 19. Rxd8 $1 Qxd8 (19... Rxd8 $2 20. Ng5
Qxb2 21. Re1 Re8 22. Nxe6 Re7 23. Rd1 Qb6 24. Qxf5 Re8 25. Ng5 {wins}) 20. Nd4
Qd5 21. Nxc6 bxc6 22. Re1 Qxa2 23. Qd6 Rc8 24. b4 {with advantage to White in
the major piece ending.}) 18. Qc5 $1 {Jumping in before Black plays ...c6-c5.
White's queen, at the forefront of battle lines, rouses her troops, shaming
them to bravery.} Rfe8 ({Black can't challenge for c5.} 18... Qb6 $4 19. Qxb6
axb6 20. Ne5 {wins a piece due to the fork on f7 (i.e.} Bc8 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22.
Nf7+ {etc).}) 19. Rd6 Bc8 20. Rad1 Rxd6 21. Rxd6 Qe7 22. Ne5 {Why does time
pass so slowly when you are in misery? A paralysis victim is unable to act,
yet is still able to understand and to be aware of the world of motion all
around him. Black's pieces freeze in wonder at their counterparts' newly
gained super-powers. Now White's pieces, leeches on a mortally wounded soldier,
satiate themselves on rich, nourishing dark squares.} Bb7 $2 {The bishop's
reversal of direction coincides with Black's reversal of fortune. An
infinitesimal yet highly significant shift of radius and angle just occurred.
The true definition of a nightmare is when your worst fears - the unthinkable,
the unspeakable - morph from the realm of pure thought to actual reality. ---
EXERCISE (combination alert): Black's last move was a blunder in a hopeless
position. Find White's visually stunning, problem-like, multi-themed shot. ---
ANSWER: Overload/back rank/pin/fork. A single motive may still be subdivided
into multiple elements. We all dream of making moves like this and then
basking in the glow of the adoring spectators.} 23. Rd8 $3 {The power and the
glory! This is one of those "shower the board with gold coins" moments. The
multi-tasking white rook juggles the disparate professions of military
commander, spiritual guide, faith healer, valet, chiropractor and hair stylist
to White's forces.} Qxd8 {No choice.} 24. Nf7+ Kg8 25. Nxd8 Rxd8 {EXERCISE 
(combination alert): Black is not having a good day. He thinks he got a rook
and bishop for the queen. He didn't. White can win another piece. How? ---
ANSWER: Double attack/back rank.} 26. Qe7 $1 Rd1+ {Black plays a deadly game
of hide and seek against the hostiles.} (26... Rb8 27. Qc7 {does the job too.})
27. Kg2 ({Black can't save his bishop. If} 27. Kg2 Ba6 {Black's pieces
congregate in mute witness to the murder of their king, passively refusing to
offer assistance of any sort, as Black's king heaves a slow, disgusted sigh
before dying.} 28. Qe8# {is mate. --- SUMMARY: Be confident that White
extracts an edge in any version of ...d5xe4 lines.}) 1-0

[Event "Dresden Olympiad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2008.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Adly, A."]
[Black "Juarez Flores, C."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2008.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c5 3. e3 Nc6 4. c3 e6 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. dxc5
Bxc5 9. e4 dxe4 {As I mentioned last game, this move, although routinely
played, fails to equalize.} 10. Nxe4 Be7 {QUESTION: Why retreat an already
developed piece?} ({ANSWER: The trouble is that the logical} 10... Nxe4 {was
played last game and, as we saw, fails to fully equalize either.}) 11. Qe2 Qc7
12. Nfg5 ({Or} 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6 13. Bg5 $1 Qe7 {, E.Colle-G.Maróczy, San Remo
1930, when White extracts an edge from} ({after} 13... Bxg5 14. Nxg5 h6 15. Nf3
e5 16. Be4 Re8 17. Rfe1 {Black is still unable to engineer his ...f5-f5 break})
14. Bxf6 Qxf6 15. Be4 $1 {, since} Bd7 $2 {walks into} 16. Qd3 $1 {.}) 12...
Nxe4 13. Qxe4 f5 ({Weakening his pawn front, as does} 13... g6 14. Qh4 h5 {.})
14. Qe2 Bxg5 {Black hands his opponent the bishop pair to ease the pressure on
e6.} ({QUESTION: Why make a concession when he can play} 14... Rf6 {, going on
the attack himself on the kingside? --- ANSWER: I don't think Black gets the
attack he is looking for. His pieces are artificially posted after} 15. Bc4 Ne5
16. Bb3 Rg6 17. Bf4 Rxg5 18. Bxe5 Qc6 19. f3 {, with an iron blockade on e5,
not to mention Black's misplaced rook on g5.}) 15. Bxg5 e5 {Black activates
his kingside pawn majority.} 16. Bc4+ {Getting in first, before Black has a
chance for ...Be6.} Kh8 17. Rad1 {QUESTION: How would you assess this position
with bishop pair versus imposing pawn centre? --- ANSWER: Advantage White, who
owns multiple pluses over just one for Black: 1. Bishop pair in an open
position. --- 2. Development lead. --- 3. Control over the only open file.} f4
{Black threatens to deface White's pawn cover with ...f4-f3, and also possibly
dreams of trapping a piece with ...h7-h6 and ...g7-g5 later on.} 18. f3 Bf5 19.
Rfe1 {Black's e-pawn is in grave danger.} Rae8 $6 {EXERCISE (combination alert)
: White to play and win a pawn. --- ANSWER: Pin.} 20. Bxf4 $1 Bc2 $5 {Black
gets cute and possibly makes matters even worse.} 21. Qxc2 exf4 22. Bd3 ({Much
stronger is} 22. Rxe8 $1 Rxe8 23. Qf5 {when White dominates.}) 22... Ne5 23.
Be4 $1 {QUESTION: Why didn't White just take the free pawn on h7?} ({ANSWER:
He avoided Black's trap! After} 23. Bxh7 $2 g6 $1 {White must hand over the
exchange, since} 24. Bxg6 $2 {is met by} Qb6+ {.}) 23... Nc4 $1 {Black hopes
to emerge with some compensation for the pawn, based on his invasion of e3.}
24. Rd4 Ne3 25. Qd3 {White keeps his eye on both the h7- and d7-squares.} Qe7 {
Black, the would-be victim, feigns ignorance of the approaching foe, yet is
poised to strike unexpectedly, attacking his attacker. He offers the tempting
target of h7, believing it to be just outside the perimeter of White's
ambition, and thus sets up a trap. Or does he? Black plans to meet 26 Bxh7
with 26...Qh4, with a decisive double attack on White's hanging bishop and
e1-rook. The trouble is White can get away with taking the pawn.} 26. Bxh7 $1 {
The bolting purse snatcher leaves a visible passageway in his wake, as he
surges through the crowded street to elude the police, whose outraged screams
he simply cannot outrun. Black's intended trap fails.} Qh4 {The preacher
ignites the faithful into a frenzied call to arms, claiming judgment day is
near. Black's queen, attacking both e1 and h7, smites the air with a fist, as
if to give fair warning to others who would dare approach. But she is not as
powerful as she believes. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): Refute Black's
idea with a trap of your own. --- ANSWER:} 27. Rxe3 $1 Rxe3 {White's rook is
dead, yet the lingering ghost of his essence remains to spur his comrades
onward.} 28. Qxe3 $1 {The queen's unexpected capture on e3 adds a giant
punctuation mark. Black gets drenched by an icy rain of White's major pieces'
dirty tricks. The apparent fortuitousness of this saving grace is actually no
matter of good luck, as much as carefully crafted defensive design.} Qxh7 29.
Qe4 {White emerged two clean pawns ahead.} Qh4 30. g3 $1 {The same pin theme.}
Qg5 31. Rd5 Qh6 32. g4 $5 (32. Kg2 {looks simpler.}) 32... Qb6+ 33. Kg2 Qxb2+
34. Kh3 Qxc3 {Material has been equalized, but now White attains a decisive
attack.} 35. Rh5+ Kg8 {EXERCISE (combination alert): Black's king is all alone
with only grandma on f8 as protection. White to play and win.} 36. Qxb7 $2 ({
ANSWER: White missed} 36. Qe6+ $1 Rf7 37. Rf5 $1 Qxf3+ (37... Qc7 {fails to}
38. Qe8+) 38. Kh4 Qf2+ 39. Kg5 {and Black runs out of checks.}) 36... Qe1 $2 {
Talk about a love/hate relationship. Black's mercurial queen alternates
between tender-hearted love for her own king and a rage bordering on clinical
psychosis toward White's! In this case rage wins the argument, as she abandons
support for her partner to go after the object of her hate.} ({White would be
forced to work harder for the win after} 36... Qc4 $1 37. Qd5+ Qxd5 38. Rxd5
Rf6 {.}) 37. Qd5+ $1 {Spotting the winning idea. The queen surveys her newly
gained territory with the smug eyes of a conquering empress. The balance of
Black's resistance melts quickly and White salts his opponent with threats.}
Rf7 38. Rf5 $1 Qf1+ {The queen yells a war cry and lunges to f1 with maniacal,
impotent fury, as White's king easily outruns the checks.} ({If instead} 38...
Qe7 {, White simply takes on f4 and f7, forcing a king and pawn ending two
pawns up.}) 39. Kh4 {The vagabond king wanders about, seemingly without
destination, to who knows where? --- QUESTION: Can White get away with his
king march? --- ANSWER: Admittedly, it looks as if White's king is wearing
himself out performing strange evolutions across the board. Yet, everything is
under control. Adly correctly calculated that Black had no way to harm his
king.} Qe1+ 40. Kh5 {The once barren wasteland of the kingside evolves into an
overpopulated landscape of tangled pieces, each haggling for a piece of prime
real estate. White's king continues to move with the graceful, stealthy
certainty of a more powerful foe about to face his enemy. Black is out of both
checks and luck. --- SUMMARY: 10...Be7 doesn't fully equalize either.} 1-0

[Event "SCCF Championship, Los Angeles"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2008.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Lawrence, D."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2008.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c3 {"Brave, brave Sir Robin, bravely runs away!" How I do so
adore my beloved line.} Nf6 3. d4 e6 4. e3 d5 5. Nbd2 Bd6 6. Bd3 O-O {QUESTION:
Is Black attempting to keep all his options open? --- ANSWER: Correct. He
refuses to commit to either ...Nc6 or ...Nd7, hoping to keep White guessing.
But this doesn't bother White much, since our plans in Colle tend to veer down
narrow avenues.} 7. O-O b6 $2 ({Now} 7... Nc6) ({or} 7... Nbd7 {should be
played. Instead, my opponent, a Grünfeld player, gets lured into unfamiliar
territory (like 99% of all your opponents! - who studies Colle theory, besides
us?).}) ({EXERCISE (planning): Black's last move,} 7... b6 {, was incorrect.
Find a way for White to exploit the inaccurate move order.}) 8. e4 $1 {ANSWER:
Open the position when leading in development. His d6-bishop is especially
awkward where it sits.} cxd4 $5 {Black validates his ill feelings with an act
of violence, unburdening himself by leaving the d6-infant on White's doorstep.
Black's game lies in stark disarray. The contending factions within quibble on
the best way to face their destiny. --- My opponent, sensing that things have
gone poorly, overreacts with an unsound piece sac. Yet behind the show of
force, one senses a silent substratum of misgivings about his decision.} ({His
options:} 8... Be7 {(this leads to a rather sorry-looking French for Black)} 9.
e5 Nfd7 10. Re1 Ba6 11. Bb1 $1 Nc6 12. a3 {(an important move to remember in
such positions; we prevent ...c5xd4 and ...Nb4 irritations)} Rc8 13. Nf1 Bxf1
14. Rxf1 a5 15. Qd3 g6 16. Bh6 {and White's position was so strong that a
1948-rated player drew with an IM! P.Hess-Y.Lapshun, Philadelphia 2011.}) (8...
dxe4 $2 9. Nxe4 Bb7 10. Nxf6+ $1 Qxf6 (10... gxf6 11. Bh6 {is also hopeless
for Black}) 11. Bg5 $1 Bxf3 12. Qd2 $1 {- zwischenzug! I was hoping to catch
my opponent in this one! Black has no choice but to play} Bf4 13. Bxf4 {, but
he still drops a piece since White still threatens Bg5 as well as g2xf3.}) 9.
e5 {Zwischenzug again! The pawn studies e5 intently, like a scholar would a
page of holy scripture.} dxc3 10. bxc3 Bxe5 11. Nxe5 Qc7 12. Qe2 Qxc3 {
QUESTION: What is so wrong with Black's position? He got three pawns for the
piece. --- ANSWER: Several things: 1. He also badly lags in development. --- 2.
His dark squares are weak. --- 3. All of White's pieces suddenly aim at
Black's inadequately defended king. --- Conclusion: Black is busted, despite
approximately even material.} 13. Nb3 {Dual purpose: 1. Threatening Ba3
followed by either rook to the c-file, which rounds up Black's straying queen.
---2. White strives to take control over d4.} Qb4 {Necessary. The queen
suffers re-entry trauma while inhaling the thin atmosphere on b4.} ({Instead,} 
13... Bb7 $4 14. Ba3 Re8 $2 15. Rac1 {walks into White's trap.}) 14. Bd2 Qe7
15. Rac1 Nfd7 $1 ({One shouldn't stop striving to make good moves just because
we are in a bad position:} 15... Bb7 $2 16. Bg5 {adds an unpleasant pin to
Black's woes.}) (15... Nbd7 $2 16. Nc6 Qe8 ({or} 16... Qd6 17. Bb4) 17. Bb4 {
and Black can resign.}) 16. Rfe1 a5 {Black hopes to exchange his sleeping
bishop for White's powerful model on d3.} ({He is not helped by} 16... Nxe5 17.
Qxe5 {, since} Nd7 $2 {allows} 18. Qxd5 $1 {.}) 17. Qh5 {Inducing dark square
weaknesses around Black's king.} (17. Rc3 $1 {(threatening Bxh7+!)}) ({and} 17.
Rc7 $1 {were also strong.}) 17... g6 18. Qf3 Nxe5 19. Rxe5 Nd7 20. Ree1 a4 21.
Nd4 Qf6 $1 {The ferocity of the defender plays every bit as important a role
as the solidity of the castle's defensive barrier. Black defends well (or is
it that I attack badly? I have a disconcerting knack of turning the most
deadly attacks - one which any other human on earth would checkmate - into
some kind of favourable ending instead!), surviving attempts at a direct
attack and reaching an ending, albeit one which is still very much in White's
favour.} 22. Qxf6 Nxf6 {QUESTION: What are White's advantages in the endgame?
--- ANSWER: Black's position, sapped of colour and energy, is a dreary
defensive task. What began as a single crack in the defensive wall, now
elongates into a network of fractures and fissures all along the queenside
coastline: 1. Development lead. --- 2. Bishop pair. --- 3. The weakened dark
squares grow quite pronounced, like coffee stains on white upholstery. --- 4.
Pawn targets on the queenside. --- 5. Infiltration squares for White on the
queenside: c7, c6 and b5.} 23. Rc6 Ba6 24. Bxa6 Rxa6 {Now Black gets stuck
with an awkward rook on a6.} 25. a3 Nd7 26. Bb4 Nb8 27. Rc7 Re8 28. Rec1 Ra8 ({
If Black attempts freedom with} 28... e5 $4 {, he collapses quickly:} 29. Rc8
Rxc8 30. Rxc8+ Kg7 31. Nf3 Nd7 32. Rc7 Nc5 33. Nxe5 {.}) 29. Rb7 Na6 30. Rxb6 {
White's rook eyes the black knight with a questioning expression.} Rec8 {
Understandably, Black is reluctant to exchange further by taking on b4.} 31.
Rxc8+ Rxc8 32. Nc6 $1 {A move with three functions: 1. White cuts off the back
rank mate threat. --- 2. White threatens Black's knight. --- 3. White
threatens a fork on e7.} ({Whereas} 32. Rxa6 $4 Rc1+ 33. Be1 Rxe1# {would be
an embarrassing end to the game indeed!}) 32... Ra8 {The relationship just
isn't working. Black's knight is odd, his rook even. The haggard black pieces
arrive at the realization that all is not well. They are confined within an
angst-fuelled nightmare which won't end. --- EXERCISE (planning): How can we
turn Black's remaining resistance into resigned hopelessness? Find one
paralyzing move and you reduce Black to near zugzwang. --- ANSWER: An
indistinct, bishop-shaped apparition arises on d6.} 33. Bd6 $1 {From this
point on Black can only move pawns and his king.} Kg7 34. f4 Kf6 35. Kf2 g5 36.
Kf3 h5 37. h3 Kf5 38. g3 {Since he soon runs out of pawn and king moves. ---
SUMMARY: So non-threatening is the Colle that your opponents often don't
believe their move order matters. It does! Punish a premature or mistimed...
b7-b6 with a quick e3-e4!.} 1-0

[Event "San Diego (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2005.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Pena, P."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2005.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. d4 e6 4. e3 d5 5. Nbd2 Be7 6. Bd3 O-O 7. Ne5 {Black
refrained from an early ...Nc6, so White jumps in with his knight to clear the
path for f2-f4, creating a Stonewall structure. --- QUESTION: Are reversed
Stonewall lines obligatory for White when Black holds back his b8-knight? ---
ANSWER: The Reversed Stonewall is completely optional. You can always
transpose back to normal lines we already examined with a timely d4xc5 if the
Stonewall ideas don't appeal to you.} Nc6 ({QUESTION: What if Black tries the
French Defence idea} 7... b6 {, intending ...Ba6 next to eliminate White's
powerful light-squared bishop? --- ANSWER: Black may get his bishop to a6 but
this doesn't compel White to exchange. For example,} 8. f4 Ba6 9. Bc2 $1 {.
--- QUESTION: But now didn't White ruin kingside castling? --- ANSWER: He
doesn't necessarily need to castle. He can even attack with his king in the
centre. We examine this exact idea next, in my game against Hummel.}) ({
Alternatively,} 7... Nfd7 {is rare and artificial, but possibly not so bad.
Black opens up ...f7-f5 options. For example,} 8. f4 f5 9. O-O ({White could
also get adventurous with something like} 9. Qf3 b6 10. g4 $5 {without
worrying about a check on h4}) 9... Nc6 10. Rf3 {(a direct piece assault
strikes me as ineffective - I feel like White must engineer g2-g4 if he is to
attain an edge)} Nf6 11. Rh3 g6 {was equal in G.Starcevic-V.Stevanovic,
Belgrade 2009.}) 8. f4 cxd4 $6 {It is but a short skip and a jump for a plan
to go from intuitive - which many not be so bad - to vague, which generally
signals the beginning of drift. A rule of thumb in the Colle: in the main
lines, early ...c5xd4 ideas nearly always favour White. --- QUESTION: How so?
--- ANSWER: Black helpfully opens the developmental path for White's c1-bishop
and the e-file for White's major pieces.} (8... Qc7 {is better, as in S.
Hassan-A.Amin, Sohag 2009.}) 9. exd4 ({QUESTION: Can White recapture toward
the centre with} 9. cxd4 {? --- ANSWER: White can but it doesn't make much
sense. Black's last move can only be exploited by recapturing with the e-pawn,
since that opens a developmental path for the sleeping c1-bishop and the
e-file for White's major pieces.}) 9... Nd7 10. O-O g6 $6 {Possibly a second
strategic inaccuracy. Black weakens his pawn front at the cost of vast, future
torment of spirit.} ({He should play} 10... f5 {to blunt the power of White's
light-squared bishop.}) 11. Qe2 $1 {Preventing both ...f7-f6 and ...f7-f5.}
Ndxe5 $6 {Strategic error number three. He greatly enhances White's pawn
structure and attacking chances. The taint of doubt seeps into Black's moves
and his position steadily deteriorates. --- QUESTION: What is your opponent's
rating? --- ANSWER: If you assumed my opponent is a weak player you would be
mistaken. He is a master who just last year won a major tournament in Los
Angeles, taking down an IM and GM on the final day. The reason my opponent
makes so many strategic inaccuracies is that he is lost in Colle-land, out of
his normal tactical element, where he is highly competent and very dangerous.
The Colle is a highly specialized system, and has a nasty way of humbling very
strong tacticians and making them appear rather tame! If I played the white
side of a Sicilian Dragon against Pablo, then you would be inquiring about my
rating! --- QUESTION: How would you set up Black's defence?} ({ANSWER: I would
play} 11... Bf6 12. Ndf3 Bg7 {and then pray that Black survives the coming
kingside assault.}) 12. fxe5 f6 {After this move he is left with numerous weak
dark squares, but there was little choice. White would quickly build up a
decisive attack if Black refrained.} 13. exf6 Bxf6 14. Nf3 Qc7 $6 (14... Bg7 {
is more accurate.}) 15. Bh6 {After the text White achieves a good French
Defence position. An assessment: 1. Black created a hole on e5. --- 2. For now,
e6 is a backward pawn. --- 3. Black suffers dark square lacerations all across
the kingside. --- The bishop vows to remain, isolated from his brethren, until
Black's king is brought to account for past dark square crimes.} Re8 ({Black
won't survive after} 15... Bg7 16. Bxg7 Qxg7 17. Ng5 $1 {.}) 16. Ne5 $1 {The
knight aims its snarling snout in the direction of f7 and g6.} Bxe5 {QUESTION:
Why did he give up his dark squares? --- ANSWER: A necessary evil.} ({Let's
look at Black's alternatives:} 16... Nxe5 17. Rxf6 {and Black has no hope of
survival on his leaking dark squares.}) (16... Qe7 17. Rxf6 $1 {(yes, the dark
squares are that important)} Qxf6 18. Rf1 Qe7 19. Rf7 Qxf7 20. Nxf7 Kxf7 21.
Qf3+ Ke7 22. Bg5+ {and Black's king has next to zero chances of survival.}) (
16... Bg7 17. Bxg7 Qxg7 18. Rf7 {is also hopeless.}) 17. dxe5 Nxe5 (17... Qxe5
$4 18. Qf3 Bd7 19. Qf7+ Kh8 20. Rae1 {mates.}) ({How awkward. From childhood
on, my mental synapses had been moulded to defend rather than attack. Now I
must swim against the current. Contrary to urban chess legends, the Colle
isn't a cause for sleep apnoea. Our much besmirched opening is also an
attacking line, even if few realize it. --- With} 17... Nxe5 {, Black just
removed our pesky e5-pawn with a morose sense of exaltation. He hopes the time
of reprisal and redemption is at hand. He plans to unravel with ...Nf7, which
ejects White's nasty dark-squared bishop, followed by ...e6-e5 and ...Be6. His
misplaced faith in his defensive barrier misleads him into a sense of security
for his king's survival. --- EXERCISE (planning): Find a way to ruin Black's
plan. --- ANSWER: The f6-square emanates a seductive whisper of power.}) 18.
Rf6 $1 {Preventing ...Nf7. It is crucial to maintain the bishop's outpost on
h6.} Bd7 ({Black gets slaughtered if he insists with} 18... Nf7 $4 19. Bxg6 $1
{,}) ({and} 18... Nxd3 19. Qxd3 Qc5+ 20. Kh1 Qe7 {is no help, as after} 21.
Raf1 {there is no reasonable defence to Rxg6+ followed by Rf7.}) 19. Raf1 Nxd3
{I have no better suggestions.} 20. Qxd3 Bc6 {The garrotte tightens, and
Black's forces struggle and kick to no avail. Now White - having only taken
tentative, playful swipes at Black so far - gets down to business. A single
negligent touch sends the defensive tower tumbling down. --- EXERCISE 
(combination alert): If your combinationally challenged writer can find
White's thematic next move, then you can too! How can White force mate? ---
ANSWER: The miserly black king demands a high price for entry into his kingdom.
So we pay it!} 21. Rxg6+ {And g6 cracks open like an egg. This is so obvious
that I refuse to award the move an exclam!} ({Even the mundane} 21. Qf3 {mates
quickly.}) 21... hxg6 22. Qxg6+ Kh8 23. Rf7 Qxf7 24. Qxf7 Rg8 {EXERCISE 
(planning): Find a final efficient move and Black can resign. --- ANSWER:
Reroute the bishop and point him in the direction of e5. The bishop retreats
as precipitously as he arrived. Black's king, with a weary grin, realizes he
is cornered.} 25. Bf4 $1 {SUMMARY: The reversed Stonewall lines are completely
optional for White.} 1-0

[Event "Los Angeles"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Hummel, P."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. Nf3 ({Compare this game to the following one:} 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 b6
4. Nbd2 Bb7 5. Bd3 d5 6. Ne5 Bd6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3 $1 {(seizing control over
the key e4-square)} c5 9. c3 Qc7 10. g4 $5 cxd4 $6 {(as usual, this move only
helps White)} 11. exd4 Bxe5 $6 {(the prelude to a misguided combination)} 12.
fxe5 Nxe5 13. dxe5 d4 14. Qe2 Bxh1 15. exf6 dxc3 $6 16. Ne4 {(Black got enough
material for his sac but his position degenerated - there is no king safety to
be found for him across the hemisphere)} Qe5 17. fxg7 Qxg7 18. Bb5+ Kf8 19.
Nxc3 h5 20. g5 Qd4 21. Be3 Qh4+ 22. Qf2 Qb4 {(the ending was busted for Black;
the middlegame is even worse!)} 23. Qf6 Rg8 24. O-O-O Bd5 25. Qh6+ {1-0 S.Tartakower-W.Winter, London 1932.}) 1... c5 2. c3 {No comment. My opponent was
at the time a young, gifted IM, so I enter the Colle to de-gift him! The Colle,
like no other opening, has a nasty way of shearing away a talented tactician's
power, and leading him to dark regions of unaccustomed ordinariness.} Nf6 3. d4
e6 4. e3 b6 {QUESTION: Shouldn't this game be put into the Queen's Indian
chapter? --- ANSWER: I suppose I could have put it there, but if Black starts
with a Queen's Indian set-up and then later plays ...d7-d5, we can transpose
to lines in this chapter, as we do here.} 5. Nbd2 d5 ({QUESTION: What do we do
if Black plays} 5... Ba6 {? --- ANSWER: Your suggestion is actually not so bad,
especially if White is already committed to c2-c3. Yet Black rarely plays this
move. Perhaps White still holds a microbe of an edge after} 6. Bxa6 Nxa6 7. Qe2
Qc8 8. O-O Be7 9. e4 {, D.Sahovic-D.Velimirovic, Yugoslav Championship,
Skender Vakuf 1980.}) 6. Ne5 {Stonewall again.} Bd6 ({We can only dream about
the trap} 6... Ba6 $4 7. Bxa6 Nxa6 8. Qa4+ Nd7 9. Qxa6 {.}) 7. f4 O-O 8. Bd3
Ba6 $1 {The bishop savours his fleeting daydream of promotion while it lasts.
Black utilizes an idea from the French Defence, hoping to swap off White's
powerful attacking bishop.} 9. Bc2 $1 {Nyet! We deny him. --- QUESTION: But
now his formally bad bishop cuts a swath through your position and shuts off
castling, doesn't it? --- ANSWER: Black's good/bad bishop indeed received a
promotion, yet, oddly, it doesn't bother White much since we can work around
it.} Qc7 ({QUESTION: How will White conduct the attack if Black plays} 9...
Nfd7 {clearing the way for ...f7-f6? --- ANSWER: This loses time for Black,
though it may still be his best set-up. I would play something like this:} 10.
Qh5 f5 11. Ndf3 Nf6 12. Qh3 {contemplating both g2-g4 and Ng5.}) 10. g4 $5 {
QUESTION: You? Attacking? --- ANSWER: No more mister nice guy! I wonder if
this is what Evelyn Waugh described as "the double illusion of familiarity and
strangeness"? I realize this move is a bit out of context when played by a
habitual chicken like your writer, but the design is to throw the opponent
psychologically off balance. Also, in such situations, you must attack or risk
losing the initiative, since a kingside attack remains White's only viable
plan in the position. --- QUESTION: Your move may be brave, but is it sound as
well? --- ANSWER: When a gardener plants a sapling in the garden, he fears for
its survival in those dangerous first few days, uncertain whether the infant
will take root or not. I don't know. Probably the move is sound, since it is
exceedingly difficult for Black to pry open the centre to exploit it.} cxd4 $6
({My anti-...c5xd4 bias remains - yes, even IMs do it! - and I would have
avoided this move in favour of something like} 10... Nfd7 {.}) 11. exd4 Nc6 12.
g5 Nd7 ({QUESTION: How about a defensive plan of} 12... Ne8 {, intending ...
g7-g6 and ...Ng7 to blockade on h5? --- ANSWER: That is a possible plan but
I'm not so confident it slows White's coming attack:} 13. Ndf3 g6 (13... f6 $5
{seems too radical to count as a solution: White continues to attack after} 14.
gxf6 gxf6 $5 15. Rg1+) 14. h4 Ng7 15. Nxc6 Qxc6 16. Ne5 Qc7 17. h5 {looks
quite promising for White.}) 13. Ndf3 Rac8 14. Be3 Na5 15. Qb1 $1 {A manoeuvre
borrowed from my beloved London System. White forces a weakness around Black's
king.} g6 ({Not} 15... f5 $2 16. gxf6 Nxf6 17. Ng5 $1 {with a double attack on
e6 and h7.}) 16. h4 {You see what I mean about Black's light-squared bishop?
It's all dressed up but exercises hardly any effect on White's intentions. It
merely cuts through empty space.} Nc4 {At this point, I blinked, like a
confused and unwise owl, and played the rote...} 17. Nxc4 $2 {An overconfident
opponent may not take into account a brazen, insolent counterattack by a
desperate opponent. I am guilty of just such a crime. --- EXERCISE 
(combination alert): White just made a careless blunder. How can Black exploit
it?} Qxc4 $2 ({ANSWER: Luckily for me, my opponent missed the tricky
zwischenzug} 17... Bxf4 $1 18. Bxf4 Qxf4 19. Kf2 dxc4 {, when Black's once
drooping position suddenly experiences a transformational renewal as
refreshing as a summer rain to end a drought. White is in over his head and
outlays exceed investment returns.}) 18. Qd1 {Everything is under control
again.} Rfe8 {QUESTION: What is the point of Black's last move? --- ANSWER:
Multipurpose: 1. Perhaps Black hopes to engineer some Alekhine-like ...e6-e5!!
break followed by a piece sac on e5, but it just never materializes. --- 2. He
clears f8 for both his knight and bishop. --- 3. He clears f8 to enable a
possible king run to the queenside if necessary.} 19. Qd2 Kf8 {Following point
#3 above: the black king hopes to escape to the safety of the queenside, but
he doesn't make it.} 20. Ne5 Bxe5 {A move I would have avoided since White now
gets a dark-square death grip on the position - but I lack helpful
improvements. Black is simply busted, no matter how he plays the position.} 21.
fxe5 Ke7 22. Qf2 Rf8 {In a life and death struggle, Black's brain puts the
pain of injuries he sustained on hold, planning to deliver it only when the
danger has passed. Have you ever experienced the situation where your mind is
a jumble of vague, questionable ideas and notions? Then, in a flash everything
comes together and illuminates into a unified plan. --- EXERCISE (planning):
Black, permeated with the stillness of exhaustion, desperately attempts to
fortress it out in a bad position. Come up with a concrete plan to break in.
--- ANSWER: Step 1: Lift the rook, which may be useful on f3 and, more
importantly, covers the c3-square.} 23. Rh3 $1 Rce8 24. Bc1 $1 {Step 2:
Re-route the bishop to a3, where it controls the key f8-square and dominates
on d6, rather than inside the pawn chain, where it lives now.} Kd8 25. b3 $1
Qb5 26. Ba3 Rg8 27. Bd6 {No one can reason with the deranged bishop.} Rg7 {The
old rook realizes he is no more than a purposeless relic of a bygone era.} 28.
Kd2 Rh8 {Hoping for counterplay based on ...h7-h6.} 29. h5 {Essentially
preventing ...h7-h6.} Ke8 30. h6 Rgg8 {The only thing the inmates on g8 and h8
have in surplus is time.} 31. Rf3 Rf8 {When pent-up pressure continues to
increase without a release outlet, you can be certain a catastrophic explosion
follows shortly after. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): We can win the
exchange, but let's not succumb to temptation when we can strive for so much
more. How can White do even better? --- ANSWER: Black's queen, a ruler of a
petty principality on the outskirts of nowhere, believes herself to be some
universal overlord, since she is incapable of seeing herself in context with
the real world.} 32. Bd3 $1 Qa5 ({The queen's adoration for her bishop blinds
her to the truth. After} 32... Qa5 33. Bb4 {Black's trapped queen screams in
consternation, as she is surprised by the bishop's sudden entry into her
chamber. Then again, everything else loses as well. --- SUMMARY: You can
launch reversed Stonewall, g2-g4 based attacks, even with your king in the
middle - but only if the centre remains firmly closed.}) 1-0

[Event "Tilburg (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bareev, E."]
[Black "Tukmakov, V."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nbd2 d5 5. e3 Nc6 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Ne5
{Once again we revisit reversed Stonewall lines. Like global warming, this
position is a cause in search of a champion (maybe you!?).} Nxe5 {QUESTION:
Doesn't exchanging on e5 disrupt Black's own game? --- ANSWER: I feel that
Black should trade here or face that rather nasty version of a reversed
Stonewall Dutch we saw last game.} ({Once again, an early ...c5xd4?! favours
White. For example:} 8... cxd4 $6 9. exd4 Nxe5 10. dxe5 Nd7 11. Re1 Nc5 12. Bc2
f5 13. exf6 Bxf6 14. Nf3 Qc7 15. Be3 Bd7 16. Bd4 Rae8 17. Ne5 {, when White's
absolute blockade on the central dark squares and the coming Qh5 gave him an
undisputed advantage, C.Lakdawala-S.Ibrahim, Irvine 1996.}) 9. dxe5 Nd7 10. f4
f5 {As in most French Defence positions, this move is necessary sooner or
later.} 11. exf6 {In order to play e3-e4 next. --- QUESTION: Can White avoid
exchanging on f6 and just retain his kingside space, maybe playing for g2-g4
and an attack down the g-file?} ({ANSWER: That would be too slow to extract an
edge. White's attack never materialized after} 11. g4 Nb6 12. gxf5 exf5 13. b3
({or} 13. Rf3 Be6 14. Rh3 Qe8 {and I just don't see a White attack any time
soon; meanwhile, Black can build for a strong ...d5-d4! central counter}) 13...
Be6 14. Bc2 {and if Black is satisfied with equality, then} d4 {, as in R.Garcia Ramon-F.Luis Vitalla, Spanish Team Championship 2006, looks fine} ({
though I would try the more ambitious} 14... a5 $5) 15. c4 dxe3 16. Nf3 Qxd1
17. Rxd1 e2 {.}) 11... Nxf6 12. e4 c4 $1 {QUESTION: Isn't Black's last move
somewhat rash? He hands White the d4-square. --- ANSWER: True but, more
importantly, he gives himself access to c5, which activates his game.} 13. Bc2
({White can also play more carefully, preventing the coming knight invasion on
g4. For example:} 13. Be2 b5 14. e5 Nd7 15. Nf3 Nc5 16. Nd4 Bd7 17. Bg4 Qc8 18.
f5 $5 Kh8 $1 {, D.Root-J.Silman, California (1st matchgame) 1990. Calm defence.
Black equalized, but as you can see, he had to play quite accurately to
achieve his goal. Maybe White can now try} (18... exf5 $6 19. Nxf5 {favours
White}) 19. fxe6 Rxf1+ 20. Qxf1 Nxe6 21. Bxe6 Bxe6 {and play for control over
the d4-square.}) 13... e5 $1 {Another key Black idea in the line. He opens
access to g4 for his knight.} 14. exd5 Bc5+ 15. Kh1 Ng4 {QUESTION: Isn't White
losing? Black has at least three threats. --- ANSWER: Everything is under
control. All three threats (...Ne3, ...Nf2+, and ...Nxh2) are covered by
White's next multipurpose move.} 16. Ne4 $1 Qh4 ({QUESTION: Can Black get away
with} 16... Nxh2 $5 {anyway? --- ANSWER: Your suggestion is playable, but I
prefer White's chances at the end of the line} 17. Nxc5 Bg4 ({or} 17... Nxf1
18. Qxf1 Qxd5 19. b4 exf4 20. Be4) 18. Qe1 Nxf1 19. Ne6 $1 Bxe6 20. dxe6 exf4
21. Qxf1 Qd5 22. Qf3 Qxe6 23. Bxf4 $1 {.}) 17. h3 Ne3 18. Bxe3 Bxe3 {Black's
overconfident queen thinks to herself: "Power, honours, glory, adoration and
treasure are all mine! Mine!" Of course it turns out that her prediction was a
tad premature. Black threatens to sac on h3 and it looks as if he puts White
under pressure, but this is an illusion. Unearth one simple move and you take
the air out of Black's bluster, and effectively dissolve the tangled web of
troubles and uncertainties which up to now have plagued White. --- EXERCISE 
(planning): Force a favourable ending. --- ANSWER: No more queens = no more
attack. I hate these situations where my opponent spoils delusional attacking
revelry by force feeding me an unwelcome dose of rationality!} 19. Qe1 $1 Qxe1
20. Raxe1 exf4 {QUESTION: How is this a favourable ending for White? Material
is even and Black owns the bishop pair in an open position. --- ANSWER: Let's
do an exercise to answer your question: EXERCISE (combination alert): White
has access to tactics which net him an advantage, no matter how Black squirms.
Do you see it? --- ANSWER: Before the battle the forces start at every quiver
of motion from the other side.} 21. Ng5 $1 g6 ({In the aftermath we assess the
derivative:} 21... Bf5 22. Bxf5 Rxf5 23. Rxe3 $1 Rxg5 24. Rxf4 Rxd5 25. Rxc4 {
, when Black must cover his tender second rank with} Rd7 {and remains down a
pawn.}) (21... h6 22. Rxe3 $1 hxg5 ({not} 22... fxe3 $4 23. Bh7+ Kh8 24. Rxf8#)
23. Re5 g4 24. d6 $1 gxh3 25. Be4 $1 {and Black remains under strong pressure,
despite his temporary extra pawn.}) 22. Nxh7 $1 {The point. The crazed knight
rushes headlong into the attack. After this shot the black king's shoulders
sag in comprehension of his own likely future defeat.} Rd8 $6 {In the heat of
battle, a good soldier may master even horrific pain and shock of bodily
mutilation, and continue to fight, despite his grievous wounds. Here, Black's
nerves are the first to fray. He spurns the poisoned offer with a contemptuous
snort. But it soon grows evident that his last move merely degrades his
position further. Now his dream of a successful counterattack diminishes and
fades even more rapidly. Black's forces abandon all pretence of order as they
gracelessly scramble in retreat.} ({He had to agree to the coming
unpleasantness obediently with} 22... Kxh7 23. Rxe3 $1 {.}) 23. Nf6+ $2 {There
exists no narcotic as sweet as unforeseen success. White has everything going
for him and then gets overly cute. After his mistaken move, the lustre of
White's advantage noticeably begins to dull.} ({Instead, after the simple} 23.
Bxg6 {, he has every chance of winning.}) 23... Kg7 24. d6 {White's clever but
artificial point - but Black can unravel and equalize.} Be6 ({Most GMs are
likely to avoid the boneheaded trap} 24... Rxd6 $4 25. Ne8+ {.}) 25. Ne4 Bf5
26. Re2 (26. Rd1 Re8 $1 27. d7 Red8 {regains the lost pawn.}) 26... Rd7 $1 {
Exercising patience. White's far advanced d-pawn isn't running away.} 27. g4
Be6 $6 {Why get fancy when there is no need?} ({The simple} 27... Bxe4+ 28.
Bxe4 Rb8 29. Rd1 Re8 30. Bf3 Red8 31. Kg2 b6 {did the job. White's d-pawn
falls.}) 28. Ng5 $6 {Counter-fancy. Sometimes I think GMs' Achilles heel is
the fact that they possess too much talent, and therefore are vulnerable to
dubious ideas the rest of us don't even see! When one lives in a world of
low-talent black and white absolutes (i.e. me), devoid of greys and other
colours, your choices become easy!} (28. Rd1 $1 {is better, though even then
it is hard to believe White will extract the full point.}) 28... Bd5+ 29. Be4
Bxe4+ 30. Nxe4 Re8 31. Nd2 b5 32. Rf3 Rxd6 33. Nf1 {This was White's idea. He
hopes eventually to force a winning rook or pawn ending. Black has enough
resources to remain alive.} Rd3 34. Kg2 g5 35. Nxe3 Rdxe3 $1 36. Rfxe3 fxe3 37.
Kf3 {White reflects on his labours with only partial satisfaction, as his king
stalks e3 doggedly.} Rh8 $1 {This move saves Black.} 38. Ke4 {SUMMARY: I'm not
so confident that Black fully equalizes after 8...Nxe5, and when he does, he
must go through a trial requiring nearly perfect play for many moves. If you
know and understand this line well, my feeling is that you may rack up a big
plus score with it.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "German League"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2004.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Miltner, A."]
[Black "Appel, R."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2004.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 Nf6 ({A critical position from the Semi-Slav is reached after} 1... d5 2.
c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. e3 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 {. This
variation is played on both sides by virtually all the top ten grandmasters in
the world. In this line of the Colle, we get Black's side, but with the extra
tempo ...Bd6. --- EXERCISE (homework assignment): Study this Semi-Slav
position and I promise you, with a written guarantee, that your absorption of
the Colle structure automatically improves, and with it your score over the
board.}) 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 d5 4. Nbd2 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. dxc5
Bxc5 9. b4 {QUESTION: How does the pawn thrust benefit White? --- ANSWER: He
gains useful queenside territory and a tempo. Black must also be on the
lookout for b4-b5 later on. Essentially, we reach a pure Semi-Slav position a
full tempo up. That is the good news. --- QUESTION: Is there bad news? ---
ANSWER: Perhaps! Our extra tempo is Bd3, which may be vulnerable to both ...e6-e5-e4 and ...Ng4-e5 tempo-gain ideas.} Bd6 10. Bb2 {QUESTION: Is it better
to play Bb2 or a2-a3 first? --- ANSWER: I haven't quite decided yet. Bb2
develops a piece, but a2-a3 stabilizes our b4-pawn and prepares a quick c3-c4.
Both are playable, so it's a matter of taste. In this book we cover Bb2 lines.
My suggestion is that you experiment with both, and go with the one which
scores higher for you.} ({The alternative is not to even bother with Bb2 and
just play} 10. a3 {. For example:} e5 11. e4 Bg4 (11... a6 $6 {is too slow for
the requirements of the position: after} 12. Qc2 dxe4 13. Nxe4 Nxe4 14. Bxe4 h6
15. Re1 Qf6 16. Bb2 Bg4 17. c4 {, C.Lakdawala-C.Van Buskirk, SCCF Championship,
Los Angeles 1999, White had a strong initiative - which I bungled later on!})
12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Ne4 (13. Qc2 $1 {is an improvement}) 13... Be7 14. b5 $5 ({or
} 14. h3 Bh5 15. g4 $5 Bg6 16. b5 Na5 17. Nxe5 Bxe4 18. Bxe4 Nxc3 19. Bxh7+
Kxh7 20. Qc2+ Kg8 21. Qxc3 {, winning a pawn - which Black's lead in
development should compensate for}) 14... Na5 15. c4 Nf4 16. Bxf4 exf4 17. Qc2
Bxf3 18. gxf3 {with a messy position, E.Colle-M.Euwe, Zutphen (2nd matchgame)
1924. Colle went on to defeat the future world champion from here (though he
lost the match 5-3).}) 10... e5 {The most common response. Black takes White
up on the offer of grabbing central control.} 11. e4 {Even in the b2-b4 lines,
White eventually plays e3-e4 at some point.} dxe4 {QUESTION: Isn't it more
logical for Black to pin White's knight and retain the central tension?} ({
ANSWER: This is common, but White may be able to pull off an edge after} 11...
Bg4 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Nc4 Bc7 14. Be4 $1 {, A.Najjar-A.Kassis, Lebanon
Championship, Beirut 2001. It feels like Black falls under the sway of central
pressure, despite the comps' assessment of even. Houdini analysis runs} Nf4 {
(one thing to note: Black's knight has access to f4 once White's bishop is
developed to b2 - if you don't like this, then go for the a2-a3 lines over Bb2)
} 15. Qxd8 Rfxd8 16. Bxc6 bxc6 17. Ncxe5 Bxf3 18. Nxf3 Nd3 {with some
compensation for the pawn. If given a choice, I would still go with an extra
pawn!}) 12. Nxe4 {The game sharpens with an imbalance: queenside versus
kingside pawn majorities.} Nxe4 13. Bxe4 f5 $6 {QUESTION: Why a dubious mark?
It looks to me like Black is on the cusp of seizing the initiative. --- ANSWER:
Sometimes in the heat of battle, misplaced boldness gets the better of
cautious reason. This overly aggressive thrust is a common mistake in the
Colle, as Black experiences difficulties maintaining his centre.} ({Next game
we look at the more restrained} 13... Be6 {.}) 14. Bd5+ Kh8 {Now White
proceeds with a vigorous counterattack on Black's impressive-looking centre.}
15. b5 $1 Ne7 16. c4 $1 Ng6 $6 (16... Nxd5 17. Qxd5 e4 {is better, when} 18.
Rfd1 $1 {grabs the initiative.}) 17. h4 $1 {The hypermodern dream: destabilize
the opponent's centre from the wing. What looks to be a random act of
gratuitous violence actually turns out to be the instrument increasing Black's
discomfort to his strategic tethers.} Nxh4 $6 {After this Black's universe is
in flux, where the laws of physics abruptly mutate for his side only. The net
effect of the move leads to further deterioration of an already troubled
situation. I hate that feeling when your confidence in a past crucial decision
begins to erode and you second-guess all your moves from that point on.
Probably Black already regretted playing 16...Ng6?! and tried to justify it.
In such cases it's better to avoid wasting energy on past decisions which are
already final, and instead expend effort on the unwritten future, still a
blank page which may yet be moulded to your desires.} ({Here Black was forced
to enter} 17... e4 18. Ng5 {(threat: Qh5)} Bf4 19. Qh5 Bxg5 20. Qxg5 Qxg5 21.
hxg5 Nf4 22. Rfd1 {, when he has yet to equalize.}) 18. Nxe5 Qg5 19. f4 $1 Bc5+
20. Bd4 Bxd4+ 21. Qxd4 {As if by magic, Black is busted. White's powerfully
centralized forces rule.} Qf6 22. Rad1 {Black can barely move.} h6 $6 {Black
reels with a mistake in an already awful position. Here arise the inevitable
consequences of past transgressions. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): White
can take advantage of Black's offside h5-knight. How?} 23. Rfe1 $6 ({ANSWER:
White misses the devilishly innocent} 23. Qc5 $1 {, when Black has no good
response to the coming g2-g3. For example:} Be6 24. Bxe6 Qxe6 25. g3 Ng6 26.
Rd6 {picks off the knight.}) 23... Kh7 24. a4 (24. c5 {intending c5-c6 is also
a thought.}) 24... Re8 25. Qc5 b6 $2 {EXERCISE (combination alert): White has
no less than two forcing sequences which win material.} 26. Qf2 $1 ({ANSWER:
This is one of them. He also wins with} 26. Qc6 $1 Be6 27. Nd7 $1 Bxd7 28. Qxf6
$1 {and Black can resign.}) 26... Rb8 27. g3 {The intrusive knight gets a
tutorial on the rules of etiquette and is banished to the back of the line.} (
27. Nc6 $1 Rxe1+ 28. Qxe1 $1 Rb7 29. Qe8 $1 {is even more brutal.}) 27... Ng6 {
When my son Tim was two years old, and another toddler attempted to take away
his toy at the park, his response was always the same: "MINE!" In this
instance, White shares my son's anti-sharing sentiments, as he hangs on to his
own property - and even ups it a notch - attempting to seize Black's property
himself, with ill-concealed vehemence. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): White
to play and win. --- ANSWER: Double attack/zwischenzug.} 28. Bf7 $1 Rxe5 29.
Bxg6+ $1 {The zwischenzug!} Qxg6 30. Rxe5 {White is winning but must be
careful since his king remains insecure.} Bb7 31. Rd7 Be4 32. Ree7 {The best
way to protect one's king is to tie the other side down to his own!} Rg8 {
Black sings hymns of praise to glorify a monarch he secretly lacks faith in.
His rook is a moody, sullen presence, like a teenage girl forced to accompany
her parents to church when she would rather hang out at the mall with her
friends.} 33. Kf1 Qh5 34. Ke1 Qh1+ 35. Kd2 Qb1 36. Kc3 $1 {Black simply lacks
the fundamental resources to hunt down White's king.} Qc1+ 37. Kb3 {Zugzwang!
Black has no useful moves. The ominous sound of the approaching white queen to
b2 galvanizes Black's defending attacker into a heightened state of emergency,
but to no avail.} Rc8 {The rook, having made other plans, abruptly abandons
his own king, telling him "good luck and Godspeed!" With this move Black
decides to write his own obituary and eulogy, thus ensuring only nice things
are said about his king when he departs to the hereafter.} (37... Kh8 38. Qb2
Qe3+ 39. Qc3 {effectively ends the game.}) 38. Rxg7+ {He lights the fuse and
proceeds to blow the king's cover to smithereens.} Kh8 39. Rh7+ Kg8 {EXERCISE 
(combination alert): White demands blood for past blood. He mates in three
moves. --- ANSWER: The rook, believing himself destined for greatness,
forcefully rejects the accusation of averageness by martyring himself on h8.}
40. Rh8+ $1 ({Mate follows with} 40. Rh8+ Kxh8 41. Qd4+ Kg8 42. Qg7# {. 
SUMMARY: The 9 b4 line is simply a Semi-Slav a full tempo up for White.}) 1-0

[Event "Swedish Championship, Gothenburg"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2006.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Hillarp Persson, T."]
[Black "Karlsson, L."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2006.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 c5 3. e3 Nf6 4. Bd3 d5 5. O-O Nc6 6. c3 Bd6 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. dxc5
Bxc5 9. b4 {The odds are good and the goods are odd! I have confidence in
White's position, despite its strange appearance.} Bd6 10. Bb2 e5 11. e4 dxe4
12. Nxe4 Nxe4 13. Bxe4 Be6 14. Re1 Rc8 (14... f6 $6 {doesn't make much sense
as White has} 15. Qc2 {. I have grave doubts about Black's compensation after}
f5 ({while if} 15... Kh8 {, Ve.Markov-Ma.Savic, Yugoslav Team Championship
1999, then} 16. Rad1 {looks good for White}) 16. Bxc6 bxc6 17. Nxe5 Qc7 18. f4
{.}) 15. a3 ({QUESTION: Why can't White win a pawn with the line} 15. Bxc6 Rxc6
16. Nxe5 Bxe5 17. Rxe5 {? --- ANSWER: He can, but this time Black's superior
opposite-coloured bishop and iron blockade of c4 offer him full compensation
for the pawn.}) 15... h6 {To free himself from Ng5 distractions.} 16. Qe2 {
QUESTION: What is White's plan? --- ANSWER: First and foremost, to activate
his majority by engineering the c3-c4 pawn break. Secondly, to prevent Black
from rolling his own kingside pawn majority forward. In this case, the Bxc6
followed by Nxe5 threat hangs over Black to discourage ...f7-f5.} Re8 17. Rac1
Qc7 18. c4 {Success! --- 1. White achieves his freeing move. --- 2. He regains
territory he ceded to Black earlier in the game. --- 3. Freedom tastes sweet
for the b2-bishop after a long incarceration within a sunless cell. --- 4.
White stands better, due to the superior pawn majority. --- QUESTION: Why
superior? --- ANSWER: The key element of pawn majority differentials is how
quickly or slowly (or not at all!) they move forward. In this case, White
already menaces c4-c5 and c4-b5, both which undermine the e5-pawn. Meanwhile,
Black's majority remains in stasis.} Nd4 $5 {Already a sign that Black may be
in some difficulty.} ({QUESTION: I don't really see an issue with Black's
e-pawn being weak. Can't he just back it up with the simple} 18... f6 {? ---
ANSWER: In doing so, he weakens all the light squares around his king. White
stands clearly better after} 19. c5 Bf8 20. Nh4 $1 {, blockading f5, while
also threatening to set up a queen/bishop battery along the b1-h7 diagonal.})
19. Bxd4 exd4 20. c5 Bf4 21. Rcd1 f5 $5 {In our own world we are always the
star, even if reality suggests otherwise. The f-pawn is led forward by some
inexplicable instinct, similar to my dog Al, who mysteriously eats mouthfuls
of grass, only to barf ceremoniously on the lawn moments later. It's hard to
criticize this loosening move, since his position lacks better suggestions.}
22. Bd3 $6 (22. Bc2 $1 Bd5 23. Qd3 Bxf3 24. Qxf3 {is stronger, when Black
suffers a clearly inferior opposite-coloured bishop.}) 22... Bd5 23. Qxe8+ {
White still holds an edge in the rooks versus queen situation.} Rxe8 24. Rxe8+
Kf7 25. Rde1 Bxf3 $5 {Possibly the start of a make-believe attack - very
tempting, but the opposite-coloured bishops hurt Black much more than White. A
bruised, blackened banana may be sweeter than the yellow one next to it, but
this doesn't mean I will pick the black one next time I am hungry.} ({Perhaps
he should refrain and play} 25... g6 {.}) 26. gxf3 Be3 $1 {Karlsson boldly
refuses to equivocate and proceeds in unvarnished hostility with an
interference bishop sac. In effect he tries a desperado, offering White quite
a bit of material to deliver perpetual check. The general gestalt from Black's
side has been one of unapologetic confrontation, so it's understandable he
rejects more passive options.} (26... Bxh2+ $2 27. Kg2 {leaves Black in a bad
way, since} Bf4 $4 {(everything else is busted as well)} 28. Bc4+ Kg6 29. R1e7
{wins the queen.}) 27. Rh8 Bxf2+ $1 {The colonel takes inventory and discovers
one of the nukes is missing. Two rooks and a bishop for a queen is quite a bit
to give away in Black's follow-up idea. Nevertheless, this is still perhaps
his best practical chance. White must play carefully to avoid perpetual check.}
28. Kxf2 Qxh2+ 29. Kf1 Qh1+ 30. Ke2 Qg2+ 31. Kd1 Qxf3+ 32. Kc2 Qf2+ 33. Re2 Qg1
34. Bxf5 Qa1 35. Be6+ {Thus far Black's king existed in his colourless, safe,
marginal world. All he knew as normal is about to end.} Kg6 36. Rf8 $6 {
Letting Black back in the game.} (36. Rd8 $1 {is more accurate.}) 36... Qc3+
37. Kb1 Qd3+ 38. Rc2 Qd1+ $2 (38... Qxa3 $1 {is Black's best shot at perpetual
check: after} 39. Rg2+ Kh5 40. Bg4+ Kh4 41. Rf3 Qxb4+ {White's king continues
to send frantic dispatches for reinforcements yet none have arrived so far.})
39. Kb2 {No more checks.} d3 {Black's king squirms with frantic urgency, like
an eight-year-old trapped in the recesses of a bear hug from a very large
great aunt. Now a final piece of bad luck neatly summarizes the unfortunate
king's eventful life. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): White to play and
force the win of Black's queen or deliver checkmate. --- ANSWER:} 40. Rg2+ Kh5
({Since} 40... Kh5 41. Rf4 $1 {(the rooks approach in stereo; the threat is
Bf7+)} g6 {(Black finally decides to broach the sensitive topic of his own
king safety by urgently attempting to stem the profusion of light square leaks
in his position)} 42. Bg4+ {wins the queen. A good fairy tale generally ends
with a kiss, but in this case the princess on d1 doesn't appreciate it a bit.
--- SUMMARY: 10...e5 is Black's main line, yet I have doubts about his ability
to fully equalize with it.}) 1-0

[Event "Oslo"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gausel, E."]
[Black "Gorecki, Z."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 c5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 Be7 6. Nbd2 d5 7. O-O Qc7 {Black
puts an end to reversed Stonewall ideas.} 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. b4 Bd6 10. Bb2 O-O ({
Or} 10... Bd7 11. a3 Ng4 12. h3 Nge5 13. Be2 Ne7 $6 ({I still prefer White
after the superior} 13... Nxf3+ 14. Nxf3 Ne5 15. c4 $1 Nxf3+ 16. Bxf3 dxc4 17.
Rc1 {, when Black has fallen behind in development}) 14. c4 $1 Nxc4 15. Bxc4
dxc4 16. Ne4 Nf5 17. Bxg7 $1 {with a clear advantage to White, R.Decroix-M.Leconte, Paris 2000.}) 11. a3 ({White can also opt for the more vigorous path
to c3-c4; i.e.} 11. b5 Ne5 12. Nxe5 Bxe5 13. f4 Bd6 14. c4 {with an edge.})
11... Ng4 {QUESTION: Isn't Black supposed to play for ...e6-e5? --- ANSWER: In
this case Black wants to occupy e5 with a piece rather than a pawn. In doing
so he regains a tempo by attacking the d3-bishop.} 12. h3 Nge5 13. Nxe5 Nxe5
14. Be2 {QUESTION: Why not to c2, where the bishop aims at Black's king? ---
ANSWER: It is imperative for White to achieve c3-c4. If he can manage the
break, he usually gets an edge. --- QUESTION: Hasn't Black just gained a tempo
on White's bishop? --- ANSWER: Not really. Keep in mind that Black expended a
lot of time to gain his tempo, effectively negating his intended goal!} Rd8 (
14... a5 {is another idea.}) 15. Qb3 {The fight for c4 continues.} Bd7 16. f4
$1 {Now c3-c4 will not be denied.} Ng6 {After this White holds a clear
advantage.} ({Instead, Houdini suggests the mysterious pawn sac} 16... Nc4 $5
17. Nxc4 dxc4 18. Qxc4 Qxc4 19. Bxc4 Ba4 20. Be2 {claiming some compensation
for Black. I don't have much faith in alleged compensation.}) 17. c4 {The
rebellious c-pawn, chaffing under the yolk of Black's rigid, institutional
authority over the c4-square, breaks free and runs. White's game comes alive
after achieving his thematic break.} Bf8 18. Rac1 {Matters grow more and more
awkward for Black, whose queen squirms uncomfortably on c7.} b6 $2 {Black gets
cute, but his idea just doesn't work.} ({He had to suck it up with the
admittedly wretched-looking} 18... Qd6 {.}) 19. cxd5 Qd6 {My yoga friend Cathy
and I have know each other for years, yet for some reason she is convinced my
name is Simon. Also, she isn't quite sure of my name, so she always calls me
"Sim...ugh", hesitating with and muttering the latter part of my not-name. So
a few weeks ago I finally overcame embarrassment and told her my name was
actually "Cyrus", not "Simon". Two days later, next class: I heard behind me:
"Good morning Sim...ugh!" "How are you today Cathy?" I replied, a broken man,
exhaling a weary sigh. Moral: some problems are just best left unfixed. ---
EXERCISE (combination alert): In this position Black believes he will fix all
his problems and soon regain his pawn. Does he? --- ANSWER: He doesn't.} 20.
Nc4 $1 Qe7 (20... Qxd5 {drops an exchange to} 21. Bf3 {. Instead, Black's
queen moves shyly away from the white knight's amorous stare, reminding me
that all the girls I chased in high school were, to my deep chagrin, firmly in
the depressing category of not-my-girlfriend.}) ({EXERCISE (planning): After} 
20... Qe7 {White has a path to a winning attack. Would you push your d-pawn to
d6 or exchange on e6? One of them is clearly superior to the other.}) 21. d6 $6
{White still retains the advantage after this move but my old internet buddy,
GM Einar Gausel, missed an opportunity to push his opponent off the board:} ({
ANSWER:} 21. dxe6 $1 Bxe6 (21... fxe6 22. f5 Nh8 {(I'm not so confident of the
net worth of Black's quasi-knight, always looking for a handout, never working
his fair share)} 23. Ne5 {leaves Black completely busted}) 22. f5 Bxc4 23. Rxc4
$1 {(preventing Black's knight from going to e5)} Nh8 {(this poor, quarantined
knight remains in his hospital room, his degenerative metamorphosis and
desiccation of power resembling the grape's transformation to a raisin)} 24. f6
{is utter destruction.}) 21... Qe8 22. e4 b5 23. Na5 Bxd6 24. g3 {White still
holds an advantage with rolling kingside pawns and better posted pieces.} Rdc8
25. h4 {White hopes to use his h-pawn as a battering ram to disrupt the black
king's pawn cover.} Bc7 26. h5 Bb6+ 27. Kh2 Ne7 28. h6 f6 29. hxg7 Kxg7 30. Nb7
{Eyeing d6.} Qg6 31. Nd6 Rxc1 32. Rxc1 a6 33. Kg2 Rg8 34. Qf3 Bc6 $2 ({Black
should play} 34... Kf8 {when his king remains mad King Lear on the heath,
hoping to outrun his own tormented mind.}) 35. f5 $1 {Fingers of dread push
their way slowly into the black king's chest. The ruthless, insincere f-pawn
attempts to soothe the hungry mob of black defenders, nodding amicably, and
telling them he sympathizes and understands their concerns, all the while
plotting to tax and starve them further. Both sides hope to attack, but White
wins the race by a luxurious margin.} exf5 {EXERCISE (combination alert):
Obama has a way of outflanking his political opponents by out-cooling and
out-hipping them. In a similar way, work out a path for White to overcome
Black's defences. --- ANSWER: Step 1: Remove Black's best piece.} 36. Rxc6 $1 {
The execution and logistics of such a multi-tiered endeavour come across as
far-fetched, but Gausel manages to pull it off.} fxe4 (36... Nxc6 37. exf5 Qg5
38. Qxc6 Qd2 39. Qd7+ {mates in seven moves; e.g.} Kh6 40. Bc1 Qxc1 41. Nf7+
Kg7 42. Ng5+ Kh6 43. Qxh7+ Kxg5 44. Qh5# {.}) 37. Bxf6+ $1 {Step 2: Strike at
the heart of Black's weakest point: f6.} Qxf6 38. Ne8+ $1 {Step 3: Discovered
attack. Black's queen catches the censorious gaze of three white pieces. One
can only look away pityingly upon the black royalty's Hobbesian travails, as
they limp forward, living day to day. --- SUMMARY: I don't believe Black
equalizes easily with the ...Ng4-e5 plan. It gains a tempo on White's
d3-bishop, but paradoxically, eats up a lot of time doing so, thus negating
the intended effect.} 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Index 1"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "25"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 (5... Bd6 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. O-O
b6 {- Lakdawala-Lawrence}) (5... Be7 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. Ne5 {- Lakdawala-Pena}) (
5... b6 6. Ne5 {- Lakdawala-Hummel}) 6. Nbd2 Bd6 (6... Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Ne5 {
- Bareev-Tukmakov}) 7. O-O O-O 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. e4 (9. b4 Bd6 10. Bb2 -- (10...
Qc7 {- Gausel-Gorecki}) (10... e5 11. e4 dxe4 12. Nxe4 Nxe4 13. Bxe4 f5 {-
Miltner-Appel} (13... Be6 {- Hillarp Persson-Karlsson}))) 9... Qc7 (9... dxe4
10. Nxe4 Nxe4 {- Bakre-Lauridsen} (10... Be7 {- Adly-Juarez Flores})) 10. exd5
(10. Qe2 {- Pecot-Tavares}) 10... exd5 11. Nb3 Bd6 12. h3 Re8 13. -- (13. Be3 {
- Lakdawala-Van Buskirk}) (13. Nbd4 {- Colle-Yates}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "2: Lines with ...Nbd7"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "14"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nbd7 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. O-O O-O {. We
arrive at the other major branch of the Colle. From my experience, I have
found that most higher-rated and titled players prefer this particular set-up
for Black. Rather than head for the more natural and central c6-square,
Black's knight instead creeps forward on tippy-toes, in Elmer Fudd, cartoon
hunter style, dragging its feet with perverse, infuriating caution. --- The
idea behind the move: a knight posted on d7 discourages White's automatic
d4xc5 plan, since the recapture ...Nxc5 gains a tempo on our d3-bishop. Black
often interprets the odd d7 posting as a flippant evasion, designed to mess up
the Colle side. But embedded within the shifting transition, also lies
opportunity (for us!). Our solution: we abandon the d4xc5, Chapter One plan,
change gears and play for Re1 and e3-e4! - in which case, Black's knight,
exerting no central pressure on its current passive square, wishes it were on
c6. I have found that equalizing with Black in this line is not such a
trivially easy process as many believe, and White often retains pressure and
attacking chances, well into the middlegame.} *

[Event "San Diego (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2012.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Comp Stockfish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2012.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

{QUESTION: How did you end up playing a computer in a rapid event? --- ANSWER:
Black was a student who, for years and years, hovered around the 1400 rating
level. Then, as if magically touched by the hand of an unseen chess god, he
started annihilating everyone - and I mean everyone! Masters' positions folded
into pretzels, like yoga teachers, while experts and below were beneath
contempt and pummelled into chutney. In just three short months, his rating
soared, surging from 1400 to around 2100 (and still climbing fast!). When he
showed me his wins against masters, we would reach positions where he casually
left multiple pieces en prise, only to confidently force mate 12 moves later.
I, of course, naively misinterpreted his remarkable ascendancy as undeniable
confirmation of my own gifted, extraordinary teaching ability! ---
Unfortunately this wasn't quite the case. The reality: my student turned out
to be sort of a chess super-villain, who ingeniously managed to set up the
3000+ rated Stockfish computer into, of all things, his shoe! Eventually he
got caught (by those less naive than your writer), busted and banned from play
by the Feds, the U.S. Chess Federation. I must have been born under a lucky
star to have escaped the net of his evil clutches. It is in the nature of
understatement that I declare to you that the biblical Job's ordeal was a
pleasant Sunday stroll in the park when juxtaposed with mine in this game!} 1.
Nf3 c5 2. c3 {Yes, your 2572-rated writer trembled like a little girl at a
Justin Bieber concert, in the presence of his super (villain) 1400/3000-rated
student and went into super-chicken (aka solid) mode with the Colle!} Nf6 3. d4
e6 4. e3 d5 5. Nbd2 Nbd7 {In this chapter we examine the development of
Black's knight on d7 rather than on the traditional c6-square. --- QUESTION:
What are the differences? --- ANSWER: The key difference is White isn't so
inclined to play d4xc5 since recapture with his knight, ...Nxc5!, gains a
tempo on our d3-bishop, and also clamps down on our e3-e4 break.} 6. Bd3 Bd6 7.
O-O O-O 8. e4 $5 {Opening the position against a comp is akin to suicide,
given that it calculates 24-ply per move and butchers masters the way a cruel
warlord orders the village and all its inhabitants burned alive! The problem
was I didn't realize I was playing a comp!} ({In the next eight games we look
at the superior} 8. Re1 {.}) 8... dxe4 9. Nxe4 Nxe4 10. Bxe4 Qc7 11. Bg5 h6 $1
12. Be3 ({I originally intended the shady} 12. Bh4 $6 f5 13. Bc2 g5 14. Bg3 f4
15. Nxg5 hxg5 16. Qh5 {, until I saw} Nf6 $1 17. Qxg5+ Qg7 {and realized Black
stood clearly better after} 18. Bxf4 Bxf4 19. Qxf4 Nd5 20. Qh4 cxd4 21. cxd4
Bd7 {, when White has no trace of an attack and his pawns fail to compensate
for the missing piece.}) 12... Rd8 13. Qe2 Rb8 $1 {Black equalizes without
breaking a sweat. He plans ...b7-b6 and ...Bb7, completing his development.}
14. Rfd1 $6 {The wrong rook as it turns out. I believe it was Bent Larsen who
said, whichever rook you pick, that one will be the wrong one! And he was
right! The most natural placement for White's rooks here is the e- and d-files.
} b6 15. h3 Nf6 16. dxc5 $6 (16. Bc2 Bb7 {is still about equal, but somehow I
still prefer Black, whose position swims with the promise of future menace
toward my king.}) 16... bxc5 $1 {I totally underestimated this recapture. Now
Black begins to take over the initiative. --- QUESTION: What about the fact
that Black willingly took on a pair of isolanis and also lost control over the
c4-square? --- ANSWER: Offering a starving, destitute person (me!) a 10% off
coupon to an expensive restaurant doesn't really constitute a large-hearted
gesture of generosity. Rare is the game where one side gets its way without
resistance. Normally, a game is won by agreeing to compromises just slightly
in our favour. Black does just that. His accelerated piece activity,
initiative and future attack more than make up for the minor structural
concessions.} 17. Bd3 $2 {Now my position goes downhill fast.} ({I forgot I
could play} 17. Bc2 Nd5 18. Rab1 Bb7 19. Bc1 {, when White only stands
slightly worse.}) 17... e5 $1 {Threatening to fork. A wild animal's mind and
senses are acutely attuned to any unnatural motion around them - in the same
way I now began to sense very real danger. Black knits conflicting ideas into
a single fabric, as his initiative/attack, once just a flicker, soon surges
forward, taking on a life of its own.} 18. Bc4 e4 19. Ne1 {Oh merciful Caissa,
save me, a poor miserable wretch of a sinner, and comfort me through this
anguished trial of my faith in you! What is happening? All my pieces, having
magically been coerced, are relocated to ridiculous squares. Various
components of White's machinery sustain damage by corrosion and lack of use.
--- EXERCISE (planning): Come up with a plan for Black where he whips up a
strong attack. --- ANSWER: Black's plan is straightforward, unadorned and
highly effective. White's woes are the sorry by-product of the following
circumstances... --- Step 1: Transfer the queen to view e5.} Qe7 $1 20. Rd2 g5
$1 {Black applies doses of the lash uniformly to White's back and the
sand-castle defences are washed aside by a giant wave. White's distracted
king's guard natter on as their charge falls under the sway of Black's coming
attack, while the king himself is too depressed to move out of the way.} ({
Step 2: Avoid White's positional cheapo. I naively expected} 20... Qe5 $2 {and
planned the interference move} 21. f4 $1 {. Black's excellent last move is
designed to prevent just that. Gulp! Now he threatens ...Qe5, forcing g2-g3,
and then ...Bxh3, winning. White's squirming king must live out his days under
the tyrannical sway of the queen/bishop battery aimed at h2. My pathetic next
move is forced.}) 21. Qf1 {To run for one's life generally entails a drastic
diminution of self-esteem as well. My queen veers to avoid the coming
collision.} Rxb2 $4 {The arsonist puts on a dazzling display of pyrotechnic
wonder. Oh glory be! Praise Caissa! --- QUESTION: How on earth did a 3000+
rated comp hang a rook for nothing!?} ({ANSWER: It was a shoe transmission
error! The comp probably gave the line} 21... Bh2+ $3 {(the bishop greets
White king with a ceremonial bow, the fingers of his left hand sweeping the
floor)} 22. Kxh2 Rxd2 23. Bxd2 Qd6+ {with a strong initiative for Black.}) 22.
Rxb2 {The triumph of righteousness over super-villainism! Taking the free rook
was my only good move of the game! Once again the sky shines azure blue and
the birds sing their sweet melodies. All of creation is once again in accord
and balance is restored in the cosmos. --- QUESTION: Is it possible to attain
entry to heaven without deserving it? I am beginning to suspect that you may
be the luckiest player ever to walk the face of the earth! To what skill on
your part do you attribute your victory? --- ANSWER: Good karma! Kim
Kardashian is attractive, rich and famous without having achieved a single
notable accomplishment in her life. Sometimes to be the recipient of a gift
from the universe is good enough! --- SUMMARY: 8 e4 gives White nothing.
Better to stick with 8 Re1, which we examine in great detail in this chapter.}
1-0

[Event "Copenhagen"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Hansen, LB."]
[Black "Vescovi, G."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 c5 {QUESTION: Does this move order change anything for us? --- ANSWER:
No change for us.} 2. e3 ({I normally prefer to enter Colle via the move order
} 2. c3 {, when} cxd4 3. cxd4 d5 {transposes to the Exchange Slav covered in
Chapter Seven.}) 2... Nf6 3. Nf3 e6 ({Here} 3... cxd4 4. exd4 d5 {is the
Exchange Caro-Kann (or reversed Queen's Gambit Declined), also covered in
Chapter Seven}) 4. Bd3 d5 5. O-O {As I mentioned last chapter, this move order,
although common, is probably not White's best.} ({I would play} 5. c3 {,}) ({
or else} 5. b3 {(to prevent Black from playing 5...c4!).}) 5... Nbd7 6. c3 Bd6
7. Nbd2 O-O ({C.Lakdawala-R.Dzindzichashvili, Internet (blitz) 2005, saw} 7...
Qe7 $6 {(Black's queen is misplaced on the e-file)} 8. Re1 $1 O-O 9. Qe2 ({the
direct} 9. e4 $1 {is most thematic}) 9... h6 $6 (9... e5 $1 {should equalize})
10. e4 dxe4 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Qxe4 Nf6 13. Qh4 {(White has a dangerous attack
brewing and an enticing target on h6)} cxd4 14. Bxh6 $1 gxh6 (14... dxc3 $2 {
fails to} 15. Bg5 $1) 15. Qxh6 Bd7 16. Ng5 Bf4 17. Re4 $1 e5 18. Rae1 Qd6 19.
cxd4 exd4 20. g3 Bd2 21. Rh4 {1-0. Compare this to Hansen's attack in the main
game.}) 8. Re1 {QUESTION: What is the point behind White's move? --- ANSWER:
GM Aaron Summerscale explains: "An important prelude to e3-e4, allowing the
rook to join the attack when the centre opens."} Qc7 ({Later in the chapter we
look at} 8... Re8 {,}) (8... e5 {,}) ({and} 8... b6 {.}) 9. e4 {As mentioned
earlier, when facing ...Nbd7 lines, White must forego d4xc5 since ...Nxc5
picks up a tempo for Black.} cxd4 (9... dxe4 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 11. Rxe4 {would
most likely transpose, or at any rate is very similar to the game, since
Black's refusal to toss in ...c5xd4 doesn't really alter much. We examine this
position in Lakdawala-Griffith later on.}) 10. cxd4 dxe4 11. Nxe4 {White
achieves a rather ominous-looking isolani position, since Black's queen and
bishop don't mesh well against the isolani where they stand. --- QUESTION:
What if I don't want to take on an isolani? --- ANSWER: You would be well
advised to do so, especially if it is a good version, as in this case. Look at
Lakdawala-Maki, the final game of this chapter, to see how to avoid isolani.}
Nxe4 {Summerscale comments: "A questionable move, inviting White's rook to
attack. Maybe Black should consider relinquishing the bishop pair with ...Nd5."
} 12. Rxe4 $1 {White's rook reaches for h4 and glory. I like this bold
recapture, which airlifts the rook into the attack. --- QUESTION: I have read
that you shouldn't bring the rook out in a crowded middlegame position. Is
White's move sound? --- ANSWER: Absolutely. I admit that the rook lift, on
outer appearance, seems to sin against his own survival, yet this is an
exception to the normal rule.} b6 {Preparing to develop his final minor piece.}
({QUESTION: Why not} 12... Nf6 {to feed his kingside with a defender? ---
ANSWER: White gets a powerful attack anyway after} 13. Rh4 g6 14. Bh6 Re8 15.
Rc1 Qb6 16. Ne5 {, flooding the kingside with attackers.}) 13. Qe2 Bb7 14. Rh4
$1 {Forcing a breach in Black's king's guard. The rook refuses to come to heel
and return to his previous subordinate station. He diligently applies himself
to the highest degree to the fruition of his psychotic (yet efficient!) dream.}
g6 (14... h6 $4 {allows the no-brainer sac} 15. Bxh6 $1 {with a winning attack.
Compare my game against GM Dzindzichashvili in the notes above.}) 15. Bd2 $1 {
Tentatively, the meek bishop tiptoes forward just one square, as his comrades
yell their reassurances from the front line, encouraging him forward. ---
QUESTION: Why not to h6, in order to develop with tempo? --- ANSWER: Hansen's
move is more subtle and stronger. He leaves h6 vacant, planning Qe3! and Qh6.}
Rac8 16. Qe3 {Hungrily eyeing the h6-square.} Rfd8 $2 ({Black should go for
something like} 16... Bxf3 {to remove an attacker. Instead, he steels himself
to the incoming wave - but the efficacy of his last move remains in doubt,
since he organizes a greeting party of rabbits to face down the visiting wolf
pack. White now has a shot which sends Black's defences scattering in the four
cardinal directions like dandelion fluff on a windy day. The g6-square is
crusted thickly by ancient, psychic scars. Black's kingside, now reduced to a
dank tumble of noxious weeds, finds itself sorely in need of a clipping from
the gardener. After this the black king's life is destined to be radically
altered, and with cataclysmic abruptness.}) 17. Bxg6 $3 {In a ghastly breach
of court etiquette, the jovial bishop slaps Black's oversensitive king warmly
on the back, as the horrified onlookers and hangers on become aware of the
tactlessness of the gesture. Now the defensive barrier evaporates into a
lifeless hulk, an empty vessel.} fxg6 (17... hxg6 {walks into a forced mate
after} 18. Qh6 {.}) 18. Qxe6+ Kg7 {Black's king puts aside reproaches and goes
about the undignified task of running like the wind. Our work isn't finished.
--- EXERCISE (combination alert): Black's position seethes in destruction and
flame. White to play and force mate. --- ANSWER:} 19. Rxh7+ $1 {Black's garden
of otherwise entrancing beauty is somewhat diminished by the sight of a
bloated corpse floating face down in the fountain.} (19. Rxh7+ $1 Kxh7 {(the
king accepts the bad news with inward perplexity and doubt)} 20. Ng5+ Kh6 {
(the amnesia victim, confused and de-personified, searches for himself along
the h-file)} 21. Qh3+ {(the fallow kingside remains a wasteland, populated
only by the anguished wretch on h6)} Kg7 22. Qh7+ Kf6 {(Black's king toasts
his own past glories, realizing that there will soon be no future at all for
him)} 23. Qf7# {is mate. --- SUMMARY: White's only real chance of gaining an
advantage is to take on an isolani against the ...Nbd7 lines. Also, don't
discount a rook recapture on e4 if you can get away with it.}) 1-0

[Event "Correspondence"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1999.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Goodman, C."]
[Black "Conde Poderoso, J."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "1999.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. c3 d5 5. Bd3 Nbd7 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1
Qc7 9. e4 cxd4 10. cxd4 dxe4 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Rxe4 $1 {"Same as it ever was."}
Nb6 {Black goes for a direct blockade on d5.} 13. Rh4 $1 {Which leaves Black's
king without defenders.} h6 {White's forces murmur among themselves, pausing
occasionally to give the opposing king dark looks. --- EXERCISE (critical
decision): Should White go for it and sac a bishop on h6? Analyze a concrete
line, rather than just playing by intuition. --- QUESTION: What would you
suggest for Black as an alternative defence? --- ANSWER: I have found that a
timely ...f7-f5 does wonders at subduing such isolani attacks. --- QUESTION:
What is the down side of ...f7-f5? --- ANSWER: The move doesn't come without
cost. Black essentially makes a serious strategic concession, a self-inflicted
gash on e5 and a weakened e6-pawn in exchange for increased king safety.} 14.
Ne5 ({ANSWER to Exercise: War is all about the transfer and deliverance of
energy, from point A to point B, specifically designed to inflict harm, be it
rocks, spears, swords, crossbow arrows, bullets, chemical weapons or nuclear
warheads. The difference is simply degree. In this case, White refuses to
launch and incorrectly avoids delivery, the mechanism which may have finished
his opponent off, even though Black's last move is just asking for it. --- The
immediate sac on h6 looks promising; e.g.} 14. Bxh6 $1 {(a sniper picks off
the sentinel on h6)} gxh6 15. Rxh6 f5 16. Ng5 Qg7 17. Qh5 Rf6 18. Rh7 Qg6 19.
Qh4 Bd7 20. Re1 Rc8 21. Be2 $1 {, threatening Bh5!, and Black won't survive
for long.}) 14... Bxe5 $6 {Black grows weary of the futile, irksome haggling.
Clearly there can be no common ground with an opponent staunchly dedicated to
your annihilation. So Black reasons: Annihilate him first. But this is not the
correct path to the goal.} ({He should defend with} 14... f5 $1 15. Qh5 Bxe5
16. dxe5 Nd5 {when, admittedly, White's position still looks promising, but
not quite so much as in the game.}) 15. dxe5 Qxe5 16. Bxh6 $1 {The bishop
renews his sacred vow to hunt down the enemy monarch and bring him to justice.}
f5 {This move arrives too late. Black's king remains unintimidated by what he
feels is a chest-beating, empty gesture from the bishop.} ({After} 16... gxh6
17. Rg4+ Kh8 18. Qd2 Qh5 19. Be2 $1 {Black has no good defence to the rook
discovery on g8. Meanwhile, the black king's despairing wish is simply to be
left alone.}) 17. Qh5 $1 {The indignant headmistress hushes everyone,
demanding decorum and obedience.} Nd7 {QUESTION: Why can't Black accept the
rook?} ({ANSWER: White has the clever} 17... gxh6 $4 18. Rg4+ $1 {, winning
Black's queen.}) 18. Bg5 Nf6 19. Bxf6 {The bishop finds the hounding knight
tedious company and seeks graceful departure.} Qxf6 20. g4 $1 {Nice. Another
attacker joins the fray, as White threatens g4-g5-g6, sealing Black's king in.}
Qh6 $1 {Finally, Black realizes the danger and takes evasive action. The
simple self-preservatory instinct accomplishes the goal where earlier hints,
suggestions and throat-clearing failed miserably. At the bargain price of one
pawn, Black finally rids himself of a tormenting attacker who bedevils his
king.} 21. Qxh6 gxh6 22. Rxh6 fxg4 23. Rg6+ ({Houdini likes this move; whereas
I would probably add another attacker with} 23. Rc1 $5 {.}) 23... Kf7 24. Rxg4
{White's earlier attack netted him a pawn in the endgame.} Bd7 25. Be4 $1 {
Before Black's bishop reaches its optimum post on c6.} Rfd8 26. b3 {
Threatening Bxb7.} Bc6 $2 {This move only sets the stage for a dismal
aftermath. The overconfident bishop attempts to mask his irritation with an
insincere smile, unwisely sliding to c6 to challenge his more skilled
counterpart leader to ritual combat. --- QUESTION: Why give Black a dubious
mark for his last move. I thought the defender's chances of success increased
in a pure double rook ending - correct? --- ANSWER: Correct, but not here.
Black paid a heavy price for the bishop swap: all his pawns now degrade into
target isolanis. Soon the wretchedness of his position exceeds his most
pessimistic projections.} 27. Bxc6 bxc6 28. Ra4 Rd2 29. Rc1 Rd6 30. Ra6 {
Unequal distribution of wealth in society may result in a large segment of the
population facing starvation, even when surrounded by lavish bounty. A second
pawn falls and the rest is easy.} Kf6 31. Rcxc6 Rxc6 32. Rxc6 Rg8+ {An empty
gesture.} 33. Kf1 Rg6 34. Rc7 Rh6 35. Rxa7 Rxh2 36. a4 Rh4 37. Rb7 Rh1+ 38. Ke2
Ke5 39. a5 Kd5 40. Rb5+ Kc6 41. Rb6+ Kd5 42. b4 Ra1 43. a6 {The pawns continue
to labour at their rook's behest, as Black's ineffective king and rook wear
grotesque masks, caricatures of their former selves.} Kc4 44. b5 Ra2+ 45. Kf3
e5 46. Rb7 Kd5 {SUMMARY: If you can induce ...h7-h6 at any point in such
positions, a bishop sac on that square usually hands White a promising attack.}
1-0

[Event "San Diego (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2012.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Griffith, K."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2012.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nd2 d5 3. e3 e6 4. Ngf3 Nbd7 5. Bd3 c5 6. c3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1
Qc7 9. e4 dxe4 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 11. Rxe4 $1 e5 $2 {Natural, but incorrect. ---
QUESTION: Why? Black very sensibly engages in a central counter to your coming
wing attack. --- ANSWER: He may be following principle but the math must back
it up. In this case his counter is mistimed. Let's do an exercise: EXERCISE 
(critical decision): I considered 12 dxe5 and 12 Rh4 here. Both lead to
superiority, but only one of them wins. Can you do better than I did and find
the correct path? Back up your choice with concrete variations.} 12. Rh4 $6 {
The newly-opened highway on the h-file is the prism through which the rook
eyes the enemy monarch. King Croesus lived at ease, in sumptuous wealth and
power, until the army of Cyrus the Great overran his cities and put all that
Croesus cherished to the flame. Unfortunately, your writer, Cyrus the Barely
Adequate, failed miserably to repeat my namesake's victory.} ({ANSWER:} 12.
dxe5 $1 Nxe5 ({or} 12... Bxe5 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. Bf4 f6 15. Qh5 Qf7 16. Qxf7+
Nxf7 17. Re7 {and White dominates the ending with bishop pair, development
lead and rook on the seventh rank}) 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. Qh5 Qd6 ({actually, I
didn't take 14...Qd6 into account in my analysis at the board and only looked
at} 14... f5 15. Bc4+ Kh8 16. Rh4 g6 17. Qxg6 {, which is totally hopeless as
well}) 15. Re3 f5 16. Bc4+ Kh8 17. Rh3 h6 18. Bg5 Bd7 ({or} 18... Bf4 19. Re1
Bxg5 20. Qxg5 {and there is no reasonable defence to the coming Re7}) 19. Bxh6
$1 {(White explodes on h6 with a cudgel and the kingside lies defoliated)} gxh6
20. Rd1 Qc6 21. Bb5 $1 {, when Black's queen wobbles and gyrates, like a drunk
who just got ejected from the bar for unruly behaviour. Meanwhile, the black
king's guillotined head, though separated from his body, silently mouths words,
as if to impart one final message of defiance. --- QUESTION: Are you saying
you saw up to 17 Qxg6 after 14...f5 and rejected this line? --- ANSWER: I
realize that my decision is one only a qualified psychiatrist can answer, but
yes. I can only tell you that I had some hallucination in the variation I
played and mistakenly thought it was even more crushing.}) 12... g6 ({QUESTION:
Can he go for a more aggressive defence with} 12... f5 {? --- ANSWER: I was
praying for that move! Black gets clobbered after} 13. Bc4+ Kh8 14. Nxe5 $1 {
(threatening Ng6 mate)} Nxe5 15. Rxh7+ $1 Kxh7 16. Qh5# {.}) 13. Qd2 $6 {At
the board I thought this won by force. However, the dubious move issues a
challenge to impossibility itself and soon my much anticipated victory
celebration gets put on hold. This move has the smell of an incorrect plan,
like rotting fish washed ashore. White's energy and fury pitches right, in the
direction of the aft cabin, seeing this is the room where Black's king hides.
My delusional queen looks down on her would-be foe on g8 with the amused,
brash condescension of one who (mistakenly!) believes her own power to be
greater than her opponent's. All the good fortune the world contains spreads
before White - or so he believes. Despite all the proper causes and conditions
- good soil, abundant sunshine and rainfall - inexplicably, the seeds to
White's attack fail to take root due to the fumblings of an incompetent
gardener. In short: another bad decision. --- QUESTION: Why a bad decision?
You attacked exactly as Hansen did earlier in the chapter. --- ANSWER: Yes,
but the gigantic difference being, it worked in Hansen's game; it doesn't in
mine!} ({I should have gone for} 13. Bh6 $1 {(suggested by my opponent after
the game)} Re8 14. Ng5 Be7 (14... exd4 $4 15. Qf3 Re7 16. Bc4 {wins on the spot
}) 15. Qf3 $1 Rf8 (15... Bxg5 16. Bxg5 exd4 17. Rxh7 {also wins}) 16. Re1 {,
when Black remains under tremendous pressure.}) ({QUESTION: Isn't} 13. Ng5 {
powerful? --- ANSWER: I didn't see anything special for White after the simple}
Be7 14. d5 {, though Houdini claims a tiny edge for White here.}) 13... Be7 $1
{Oh, the undiluted joy derived in thwarting an opponent's hopes. Undaunted by
his dilapidated dark square barrier, Black's defenders seep through, infesting
like fast breeding rats. His ability to survive his currently opaque future
rests in his ability (or disability!) to deal with the coming assault. ---
Dang, I forgot about this move. Now my rook looks awkward on h4. Immediately
after my supposed triumph follows disillusionment, as Black slowly collects
the threads of his porous position.} 14. Ng5 {White's disembodied attackers
float like ghosts in the ether.} ({After the game IM Dionisio Aldama suggested
} 14. Rh6 {, when he felt White had a winning attack. However, Houdini only
sees a draw after} cxd4 15. cxd4 exd4 16. Rxh7 Kxh7 17. Qh6+ Kg8 18. Bxg6 Nf6
19. Ng5 fxg6 20. Qxg6+ Kh8 21. Qh6+ {.}) 14... exd4 15. Rxh7 $6 {When logic
collapses, we may as well turn to and inject divination and shamanism in the
hopes of creating dissonance and rescue. Black's fortress shudders
spasmodically from the blow, yet remains intact. Black's king, a humble man
unaccustomed to high living, suddenly receives an unexpected bounty. My rook,
having gone mad, finds itself insensate to pain of any kind.} ({Instead, after
the correct} 15. cxd4 {, Houdini assesses the position as equal.}) 15... Bxg5
$6 {Forcing the draw,} ({but he had better:} 15... Ne5 $1 16. Rh6 Ng4 17. Rh4 {
, which I saw at the board but missed} Ne3 $1 {, when White is in deep trouble.
}) 16. Qxg5 Kxh7 17. Bxg6+ {The bishop greets the king with a coldly curt nod
of his head and a dour glance. I accepted the reversal of fortune with stoic
fortitude, rationalizing it as an expiation of past sins.} (17. Bxg6+ fxg6 18.
Qh6+ Kg8 19. Qxg6+ {is perpetual check. --- SUMMARY: 11...e5? simply fails.
But whatever you do, please don't follow up the way I did!}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nice"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1930.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Colle, E."]
[Black "O'Hanlon, J."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "1930.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. c3 e6 5. Bd3 Bd6 6. Nbd2 Nbd7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1
Re8 {Imitation: the sincerest form of flattery. An early ...Re8 can be quite
useful to Black since it allows him ...Nf8 defensive options. --- QUESTION: It
looks like both sides prepare their respective e-pawn freeing breaks. Will
there be mass exchanges once the game opens in the middle? --- ANSWER: Usually
there are multiple exchanges from the central scramble. I feel White still
holds the edge for one simple reason: it is his turn first!} 9. e4 dxe4 ({We
can only dream our opponents will speculate with the unsound sac} 9... cxd4 $2
10. e5 dxc3 11. bxc3 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 Qc7 13. Ndf3 Qxc3 14. Bd2 {, S.Limberg-K.Fels, Schwäbisch Gmünd 2006, when Black lags massively in development and
doesn't get anywhere near full compensation for the piece. Compare this to
Lakdawala-Lawrence from the previous chapter.}) 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 {Otherwise,
Black would either lose a tempo with his d6-bishop or lose the bishop pair.}
11. Bxe4 ({QUESTION: I realize this position isn't exactly the same as when
White recaptured on e4 with his rook earlier in the chapter, since Black
hasn't yet committed to giving White an isolani. But can} 11. Rxe4 {still be
played here? --- ANSWER: I don't see why not. In fact, that is exactly how I
would play it for White. For example:} Qc7 ({after} 11... Nf6 $6 12. Rh4 {
White attained his company-issued attack, S.Niehaus-U.Bierbach, Dortmund 1992})
12. Rh4 h6 $1 {, when I'm not sure about the sac on h6, since} 13. Bxh6 $5 gxh6
14. Rxh6 Bf4 15. Rh4 f5 {looks unclear.}) 11... cxd4 12. Bxh7+ $5 {Do you
remember the psychotic Glenn Close character in 'Fatal Attraction'? She
butchered Michael Douglas' family pet rabbit and then made a soup of it! Well,
this is White's boil-the-bunny moment. The ambitious archbishop, in a vulgar
power grab, sentences the black king to penance upon threat of excommunication,
mopping the floors and cleaning the toilets in the palace. --- Colle, after
analyzing the test samples and crunching the variables, decides to speculate
and plunge in with a sac. A calmer spirit like me would probably just
recapture on d4. --- QUESTION: Shouldn't White's last move just be given an
exclamation mark? It looks like a simple, straightforward and sound Greek gift
sac. --- ANSWER: It isn't as simple as it appears. White's hot-headed move
isn't actually as strong as it is dangerous. It offers White practical chances,
since it compels Black to find "only moves". If you begin with a
straightforward plan and then continue to add and subtract variables, I
guarantee you the plan no longer appears either simple or straightforward. ---
QUESTION: Which way would you recapture? --- ANSWER: All three recaptures look
okay. I would take back with the queen. The position resembles a slightly
favourable c3-Sicilian set-up for White.} Kxh7 13. Ng5+ {EXERCISE (critical
decision): The crow eyes the worm on h7 with hungry expectancy. Which way
should Black's king go? Up or down?} Kg6 $2 ({ANSWER: The wrong direction.
Normally after a Greek gift sac the king must indeed emerge on g6, but not
here. The normal flow feels upside down, the way an astronomer sleeps during
the day, to study the stars at night. Retreat yields Black a perfectly
playable ending. --- QUESTION: Ending? --- ANSWER: Yes, that's correct. I said
"ending"! Watch. If Black understood the true nature of the position he would
sense an ill wind on g6 and instead prepare for the coming storm with a
retreat:} 13... Kg8 $1 14. Qh5 Qf6 $1 {(the black king is enfolded in the
safety of his mother's arms)} 15. Qh7+ Kf8 16. Ne4 Qe5 17. cxd4 $1 {and now
Black should fight greedy urges and return the material to enter an equal
ending after} Qxh2+ $1 (17... Qxd4 $4 18. Qh8+ Ke7 19. Bg5+ f6 20. Qxg7+ {is
curtains for Black}) 18. Qxh2 Bxh2+ 19. Kxh2 {, when White's extra activity
makes up for his isolani.}) 14. h4 $1 {With a horrific threat to continue
advancing to h5. Dark shadows of the coming attack flicker and swirl around
Black's king.} Rh8 ({After} 14... f5 15. h5+ Kf6 16. Qxd4+ Be5 17. Qh4 $1 {
White has a decisive attack.}) ({EXERCISE (combination alert): With his next
move, Colle ignited yet another mind bomb. What do you think he played after} 
14... Rh8 {? --- ANSWER: Incinerate e6 like piled up trash. Sometimes a
stricken look can impart more than any words have the power to describe. If I
had a time machine, I would love to go back to 1930 to be a spectator to this
game and observe Black's expression right here.}) 15. Rxe6+ $3 Nf6 ({The rook
is immune due to} 15... fxe6 16. Qd3+ Kf6 17. Qf3+ Kg6 18. Qf7+ Kh6 19. Nxe6+
Kh7 20. Qxg7# {.}) 16. h5+ $1 Kh6 {Some people never know when to resign! One
senses a feeling of past-ness - that an opportunity which once existed is now
gone, never to return. Black's king angles this way and that in an effort to
disentangle himself from the web of his own making.} ({Instead,} 16... Rxh5 17.
Qd3+ Kh6 18. Nxf7# {is a brutal mate worthy of a diagram.}) 17. Rxd6 {Colle
toys with his opponent and plays a move which is even stronger than forking
immediately on f7,} ({but} 17. Qd3 $1 {forces mate.}) 17... Qa5 18. Nxf7+ Kh7 {
The king is dragged down by the current, like the swimmer whose feet get
entwined in seaweed.} 19. Ng5+ {Back again. The powerhouse knight is a bastion
of stability in an otherwise tumultuous environment.} Kg8 {The suicidal black
king jumps and falls to his death with terrible, hallucinatory slowness. Just
one final strong move is needed to finish the game. --- EXERCISE (combination
alert): White to play and force mate. --- ANSWER: We are reminded of the words
from the Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young song: "Mother earth will swallow you.
Lay your body down."} 20. Qb3+ $1 {SUMMARY: The Colle, possibly more than any
other opening, offers White Bxh7+ Greek gift sac possibilities. Always be on
the lookout for it - but don't assume it is an automatic win! In many cases
you will have the opportunity to sac, and should decline. Proceed with a case
by case decision when you reach it.} 1-0

[Event "Paris"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1929.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Colle, E."]
[Black "Thomas, G."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "1929.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 d5 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nbd7 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1
e5 9. e4 {Absolutely mandatory, as it is the lone chance of extracting an
advantage. The jumbled position offers scant clues or hints as to the
formation of a clear plan for either side. It is up to us to take this mess
and reconstruct it to suit us.} cxd4 {The opposing sides grapple and interlock
in a tense, central stasis/un-stasis situation, as the elaborate system of
roads and bridges ramifies into multiple directions. --- QUESTION: Will this
just transpose to the positions we got last game? --- ANSWER: No, not always.
If you go back to our previous game you will see the pawn structure was a bit
different and may well have led to an isolani situation. In this case, all the
central pawns are destined for liquidation. --- QUESTION: Does this mean mass
exchanges and a looming draw? --- ANSWER: Not at all. All the pieces remain on
the board and White still leads in development, so Black has yet to prove
conclusive equality for some time to come.} 10. cxd4 dxe4 {QUESTION: Can Black
maintain the tension still further? --- ANSWER: He can,} ({but I'm not so sure
he equalizes if he does so:} 10... Re8 11. exd5 exd4 12. Rxe8+ Qxe8 13. Nc4 $1
Bc5 14. d6 b6 15. Bf4 {and White's more deeply entrenched d-pawn looks more
dangerous than Black's, D.Garcia Ilundain-R.Vera Gonzalez, Leon 1996.}) (10...
Qc7 11. exd5 exd4 12. Ne4 $1 Nxe4 (12... Nxd5 13. Nxd6 Qxd6 14. Bb1 $1 {
regains the pawn with the bishop pair and an edge}) 13. Rxe4 Ne5 14. Nxd4 Nxd3
15. Qxd3 {, when} Bd7 $6 {allowed the familiar} ({but even after} 15... Bxh2+
16. Kh1 Be5 17. Nb5 {White continues to hold a slight pull.}) 16. Rh4 {with a
strong attack, J.Markos-A.Muir, Scottish Championship, Glasgow 2008.}) 11. Nxe4
Nxe4 12. Bxe4 exd4 13. Qxd4 {Ah, the wide open spaces of the countryside. When
land is cheap and plentiful, one lacks incentive to build a skyscraper. ---
QUESTION: Isn't this position absolutely equal? --- ANSWER: Not yet. Black
must prove it by catching up in development - which he never manages to do in
this game.} Qf6 ({Perhaps a better unravelling plan for Black lay in} 13... Bc5
{followed by ...Qb6.}) 14. Bg5 Qxd4 {After enduring averted glances, awkward
feelings and all-round discomfort, the queens part ways and leave the board.}
15. Nxd4 Nc5 16. Bd5 {White's annoyingly centralized pieces continue to hamper
Black.} Nd3 17. Re3 $1 {White's initiative may not yet be at full scale, so it
is essential that he keeps the pilot light burning with such probing,
challenging moves. Colle (possibly a Shirov prototype) always carefully framed
his plans, making absolutely certain that any rational thoughts of safety are
jealously excluded from the proceedings. Just like the previous game, he
speculates with a pawn offer to increase his lead in development, which
actually looks quite sound. I get the strange impression that his pieces
operated under a different set of physical laws than mine!} Nf4 $1 {QUESTION:
Can Black get away with taking on b2?} ({ANSWER: It would be unwise. I don't
like his position at all after} 17... Nxb2 $6 18. Rc1 Na4 19. Nb5 $1 Bb4 20.
Be7 Bd2 21. Bxf8 {, when White threatens infiltration down the c- and e-files
simultaneously.}) 18. Bb3 Ng6 19. Nb5 Bb8 $6 {As it grows increasingly likely
that Black was about to indulge in an outburst, he decides upon an inburst,
with an unnecessary introverted contraction. Questions of self-doubt pour
forth from the darkness. The bishop's position degrades from yellow to red.} ({
He should remain centrally located with} 19... Be5 20. Rae1 Bxb2 21. Re8 Bd7
22. Rxa8 Rxa8 23. Nd6 Be6 24. Bxe6 fxe6 25. Nxb7 Bd4 {, when Black should
probably hold the position, albeit with a bit of difficulty.}) 20. Rc1 h6 21.
Be7 Nxe7 ({Or} 21... Bf4 22. Bxf8 Bxe3 23. fxe3 Nxf8 {, when} 24. Bd5 $1 {is
even better than taking on f7. White exerts enduring pressure.}) 22. Rxe7 {The
bar fight, originally thought to be a minor scuffle between patrons who had a
few too many, turns serious when Black's rook approaches White's king with a
broken bottle. The seventh rank at last draws White's rook out, like a hungry
man to the dinner bell.} Bf4 23. Rce1 a6 24. Nc7 Rb8 {The desperately poor (i.e. Black here) normally carry their belongings, while the rest of society
entrusts the transport of possessions to wheels. Black's defences can absorb
no more punishment, the way a saturated sponge is unable to take on more water.
--- EXERCISE (combination alert): White has a sneaky little trick. Do you see
it? --- ANSWER: Black's startled king and rook yelp simultaneously in
bulging-eyed shock.} 25. Rxf7 $1 Rxf7 26. Re7 Kh7 27. Rxf7 {It's a painful
thing to endure, when an already bruised area (the seventh rank) receives a
secondary blow. White takes the fruit of his gains and puts it in his back
pocket.} Kg6 $4 {The defeated black king closes his eyes - not so much to
avoid seeing - but more to avoid thinking about the carnage of his beloved
subjects. This looks like a fatigue error, but Black was in big trouble in any
case.} 28. Rxf4 {SUMMARY: Central pawn liquidation doesn't give Black a free
pass to equality.} 1-0

[Event "Paris"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1929.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Colle, E."]
[Black "Duchamp, M."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "1929.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

{In case you were wondering, yes, Black is Marcel Duchamp, avid chess player
and leader in the Dadaist and Surrealist schools, art's equivalent to the
chess hypermodern movement. Art and chess coincided and blossomed
simultaneously in the 1920s. In a weird way, Colle faced the Nimzowitsch of
the art world! --- Duchamp wrote about his art: "The creative act is not
performed by the artist alone; the spectator brings the work in contact with
the external world by deciphering and interpreting its inner qualifications
and thus adds his contribution to the creative act." This concept, of course,
applies to chess too, where our collaborators are your opponent, as well as
the spectators - and maybe we should toss in the tournament director as well!} 
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 d5 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nbd7 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1
e5 {QUESTION: Shouldn't Black's freeing ...e6-e5 break give him easy equality?
--- ANSWER: I don't believe equality arrives so easily. White still holds a
sliver of a trump: his slight lead in development. To exploit it, he must open
the position.} 9. e4 (9. dxe5 {is far too wimpy to produce anything:} Nxe5 10.
Nxe5 Bxe5 11. Nf3 Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 (12... Bh5 $2 13. g4 $1 {forces Black to sac
a piece}) 13. Qxf3 Qc7 14. Bd2 Rfe8 15. Rab1 Rad8 {and Black's space and
development is at least equal to White's morose bishop pair, G.Vives-Comp
Shredder 7, Vicente Lopez 2003.}) 9... dxe4 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 11. Bxe4 exd4 12.
cxd4 Nf6 {As mentioned before, central liquidation doesn't necessarily equal
an easy draw.} 13. Bg5 Be7 ({QUESTION: Why a passive retreat when he can kick
with} 13... h6 {? --- ANSWER: In this case White holds on to a microbe of an
edge after} 14. dxc5 Bxc5 15. Qxd8 Rxd8 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Rac1 {, D.Root-B.Bailey, Dallas 2008, since Black's bishop pair doesn't compensate 100% for his
damaged structure. In fact, Root went on to win this game.}) 14. Bxf6 $1 {
QUESTION: Giving away the bishop pair? --- ANSWER: White once again relies on
his lead in development. In this case he wins a pawn by force.} Bxf6 15. dxc5
$1 Bxb2 16. Qxd8 ({The trick} 16. Bxh7+ $1 {also won a pawn.}) 16... Rxd8 17.
Rab1 {Forcing the bishop to declare in which direction his allegiance lies.
Now the harasser becomes the harassed.} Ba3 {EXERCISE (combination alert):
After 17...Ba3 it's White to play and force the win of a pawn.} ({A defensive
option for Black runs} 17... f5 18. Bxb7 Bxb7 19. Rxb2 Bxf3 20. gxf3 {, when
he continues to struggle for the draw.}) 18. c6 $1 {ANSWER: Each of Black's
failed insurgencies have the undesired effect of increasing White's grip on
the position.} bxc6 19. Bxc6 Bf5 20. Rb3 Rac8 21. Rxa3 Rxc6 22. Rxa7 {In the
aftermath, Colle reels the pawn in with a fishing line.} Be6 23. h3 h6 24. Re2
(24. a4 {is another option.}) 24... Rc3 {Threat: ...Bxh3.} 25. Ne5 Rd1+ 26. Kh2
Rdc1 27. a4 Ra1 $2 {EXERCISE (combination alert): White has a trick which
pockets another pawn. How?} 28. Rd2 $6 ({ANSWER: As the old saying goes: A
broken clock is still correct twice a day. Colle missed the odd-looking (and
very difficult to work out) trick} 28. Ng6 $3 {, threatening a rook check on
a8 followed by a Nf8+ windmill which wins the bishop. Black has nothing better
than the dismal} Bc4 29. Re8+ Kh7 30. Nf8+ Kh8 31. f4 $1 {(threatening f4-f5,
Ng6+ and Rh8 mate)} Rf1 32. Rc7 $1 Rf2 33. f5 $1 Rxf5 34. Nd7+ Kh7 35. Rec8 {
and White wins a piece.}) 28... g6 $2 {Black believes that all is well and his
king is afforded ample insulation by the pawn perimeter which snugly surrounds
him in security. However, dark, hidden threats thrive and flourish within the
black king's periphery, like unspeakable evil bubbling up from the
subconscious mind of an otherwise upright person. White has access to a tactic
which wins more material and dwindles Black's already short supply of pawns
into the horizon. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): The knight orbits Black's
king, agreeing to rendezvous on a certain square. Which one? --- ANSWER:
Destroying the defender/pin. Apparently Black's f-pawn fails to serve as an
effective shock absorber, as White's knight, a true believer, gives himself up
to his cause, hoping to get to heaven as soon as possible.} 29. Nxf7 $1 Bxf7
30. Rd8+ Kg7 31. Rdd7 {Black can resign.} Kf6 32. Rxf7+ Ke6 33. Rg7 Kf6 34.
Raf7+ Ke6 35. Re7+ Kf6 {Were you aware that the symptoms of carbon monoxide
poisoning - headache, dizziness and nausea - are exactly the same symptoms I
suffer when in a losing position? --- EXERCISE (combination alert): Black, in
a hopeless position, falls into a forced mate in three. Can you solve it? ---
ANSWER:} 36. Rgf7+ $1 Kg5 {Black's king walks with the asymmetric locomotion
of a person with a wad of gum on the sole of his shoe.} 37. Re5+ (37. Re5+ Kh4
38. Rf4# {completes the mate. --- SUMMARY: This is worth repeating from last
game: Just because Black erases all the central pawns doesn't grant him an
automatic draw. White's lead in development, however tiny, still harasses
Black deep into the game.}) 1-0

[Event "Bulgarian Championship, Blagoevgrad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2009.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kukov, V."]
[Black "Enchev, I."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2009.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c3 c5 4. e3 d5 5. Bd3 Nbd7 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1
e5 9. e4 dxe4 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 11. Bxe4 exd4 12. cxd4 h6 {Presto. One pawn move
eliminates the h7 Greek gift sacs. --- QUESTION: At what cost? --- ANSWER: A
precious tempo in an open position, and also the fact that he now provides
White with another sac target: h6.} 13. Be3 {Principle: Don't be the one to
break the central tension. Goad your opponent into it. --- QUESTION: I don't
understand the basis for this principle. Why is it normally inferior to break
the pawn tension?} ({ANSWER: The one who breaks it magically leapfrogs the
opponent's pieces to better squares, and at a cost of time as well. For
instance,} 13. dxc5 {would be a violation of the principle, since Black gains
a tempo and improves his position with the simple recapture} Nxc5 {. But keep
in mind that all principles have their exceptions to the general rule. In this
case, Houdini still thinks White has an edge after} 14. Bb1 $1 {, which
threatens Qc2. Now I'm not so certain. Let's say Black plays} Bg4 {, then} 15.
h3 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 {yields the bishop pair.}) 13... cxd4 $6 {Success! Black is
the first to blink.} ({QUESTION: Can Black go for a queenside pawn majority,
versus White's passed/isolated d-pawn, with} 13... c4 {? --- ANSWER: That is
exactly how I would play Black. The resulting position looks dynamically
balanced.}) 14. Bxd4 Bc5 15. Bc2 {Intending Qd3. The tension principle applies
with pieces as well as pawns.} Bxd4 16. Nxd4 {Probably the wrong recapture.} ({
It was better to go for} 16. Qxd4 $1 Nf6 17. Qxd8 $1 {. Remember, every
principle has its exceptions! In this case White swaps, helping Black develop
his rook, in order to get to the seventh rank with his rook:} Rxd8 18. Bb3 $1
Kf8 19. Rac1 {and Black has yet to equalize.}) 16... Nf6 17. Qd3 Qb6 18. Bb3 {
As we saw in the Colle-Thomas and Colle-Duchamp games, f7 is a soft spot in
Black's camp.} Bg4 {QUESTION: Why didn't Black pin the d4-knight?} ({ANSWER: If
} 18... Rd8 {, White can easily unpin with a deadly threat with} 19. Qc4 $1 {
, when Black is in trouble. If he grabs the knight he loses after} Rxd4 $4 ({or
} 19... Qxd4 $4 20. Rad1 $1) 20. Qxf7+ Kh7 21. Re7 Rg4 22. Bc2+ {etc.}) 19. Nf5
Rad8 20. Qc2 Bxf5 {He can't allow that dangerous knight to hover over his
kingside.} 21. Qxf5 {QUESTION: Would you assess this position as equal? ---
ANSWER: It's one of those positions which is both equal and not equal. Black
is equal on paper and by computer assessment, but not by the harsher standards
of reality. Technically Black should be capable of holding the game, but who
wouldn't prefer White here? --- 1. Following the mutiny, we observe a change
of command. White's bishop, now in charge, outranks his counterpart knight,
while glaring ominously at f7. --- 2. In fact, the weakness of f7 ties Black
down, the way a strong wind pins a piece of trash to the side of a building.
--- QUESTION: But doesn't Black invade the seventh rank now?} Rfe8 ({ANSWER:
Black decides to play it safe. Invading the seventh turns out to be an empty
gesture after} 21... Rd2 22. Rac1 {, since} Rxb2 $6 23. Re7 {finds Black under
heavy pressure.}) 22. h3 Qb4 {Challenging White on the e-file.} 23. Red1 a5 24.
Rxd8 Rxd8 25. Rc1 $1 Qb6 {EXERCISE (planning): White has access to two
favourable plans. Find one of them. --- ANSWER:} 26. Qc5 $1 {White forces a
favourable ending.} ({The second plan is} 26. Qe5 $1 {(covertly launching a
yet unseen counterattack along multiple vectors of the board)} Rd2 27. Rc8+ Kh7
28. Qf4 Rd7 29. Qb8 $1 {and Black is in deep trouble.}) 26... Qxc5 27. Rxc5 b6
28. Rc7 Rd7 (28... Nd7 {is the alternative, when Black's tied pieces spin
about in insurmountable centrifugal confusion.}) 29. Rc8+ Kh7 30. Rb8 Rd2 $2 {
It is unwise to engage an opponent with a head start in a race.} ({Black's
last chance was to offer White a rook ending a pawn up with} 30... Nd5 $1 {.})
31. Rxb6 Rxb2 32. Ra6 Ne4 {Black goes on a desperate counterattack on f2.
White, on the other hand, hopes to achieve his goal with only minimized
meddling interference from the knight. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): What
would you do here? --- ANSWER: Ignore the knight and play on Black's weak back
rank.} 33. Bxf7 $1 Nf6 ({A dismal retreat, but if} 33... Nxf2 $4 {then} 34.
Bg6+ $1 {forces mate.}) 34. Rxa5 {White is two clean pawns up and holds the
superior minor piece as well.} Rb1+ 35. Kh2 Rb2 36. f3 g5 37. Ra7 Kg7 38. Bc4+
Kh8 39. Ra6 Kg7 40. Ra7+ Kh8 41. Bf7 $1 {Vigilant. He foresees that Black may
try and finagle a knight to f4 or g3 with serious counterplay. White's last
move ensures there is no clear pathway for Black's knight to reach the dream
squares.} h5 $1 {Going ahead with his last ditch plan. If you live in a
dilapidated house, a paint job - even if cosmetic - still helps.} 42. a4 h4 {
Black spanks the obdurate pawn onward.} 43. a5 {Meanwhile, it becomes
increasingly clear that the a-pawn breaks into Black's peace of mind.} Rd2 44.
a6 Nd7 45. Rc7 Ne5 $1 {EXERCISE: What would you play here? --- ANSWER: Cover
Black's final dirty cheapo attempt.} 46. Bh5 $1 {The bishop avoids daydreaming
and swerves away from Black's last-ditch attempt at massive retaliation. He
sees to it that Black's satellite on e5 ends its short-lived orbit around
White's king and re-enters the atmosphere in a blazing funeral pyre.} ({If you
jumped the gun with the "obvious" move} 46. a7 $4 {, then Black - not so dead
as previously thought - pulls a surprise appearance at his own requiem:} Nxf3+
47. Kh1 {(White's king experiences that unpleasant, disorienting feeling of
awakening and not knowing where he is)} Rd1# {.}) 46... g4 47. Bxg4 {SUMMARY:
Black probably achieves dynamic equality in this line, but only on condition
that he finds 13...c4!. Otherwise, he gets an equality which turns out to be
not quite equal!} 1-0

[Event "SCCF Championship, Los Angeles"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2001.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Akobian, V."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2001.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

{At the start of a game, there is only the blankness of an unknown future,
which we, the players, project and fill in with our imaginations (or lack
thereof!). This game was played in the final round of the State Championship,
with Akobian leading by a half point. My only chance to tie for first was to
try and beat him. The question arises: How does one defeat an opponent whose
chess skills are superior to yours in every respect? In fairy tales the
oppressed little guy always triumphs. However, in real life, Goliath generally
kicks the snot out of us Davids when we do battle. I felt my one and only
chance was to lead him into a position of unfamiliarity, thus stripping him of
his theory and experience.} 1. d4 e6 ({QUESTION: If Black plays the move order
} 1... c5 {then should we push past to d5, or remain within Colle grounds with}
2. c3 ({or} 2. e3 {? --- ANSWER: Of course this is up to you. Personally I
would go with the latter, staying within my beloved Colle neighbourhood where
everyone knows my name.})) 2. Nf3 {No way buddy boy. I veer clear of the
French Defence!} ({QUESTION: A philosophical question for you: Why does White
avoid playing} 2. e4 {, entering the French, only to play a Colle and then
hope to achieve the e3-e4 break? --- ANSWER: It's difficult to fight your iron
logic. When you put it that way, you make the Colle sound like the inept,
mentally-challenged cousin of the pedigreed, witty French! All I can tell you
is that the Colle has its own particular flavour. I feel insecure when on the
white side of the French, and perfectly at ease in a Colle - possibly with no
rational basis attached to these feelings!}) 2... c5 3. e3 ({I was sorely
tempted to play} 3. e4 $5 {entering the chaotic waters of an open Sicilian - a
line neither of us plays as Black or White!}) 3... d5 4. Nbd2 Nf6 5. c3 ({I
wasn't confident enough to Zuke him with} 5. b3 {.}) 5... Nbd7 6. Bd3 Bd6 7.
O-O O-O 8. Re1 b6 {QUESTION: What are we supposed to do in the ...b7-b6 lines
where Black avoids the ...e6-e5 liquidating variations? --- ANSWER: Same as
always: Respond with e3-e4!.} 9. e4 dxe4 ({GMs don't generally fall for our
favourite Colle trap} 9... cxd4 $4 10. e5 $1 {.}) 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 11. Bxe4 Rb8
12. Bc2 {At this point it dawned on me that I, not my opponent, was the one
who had been duped in the opening. --- QUESTION: How so? --- ANSWER: The
position looks very close to a Rubinstein French - an opening my opponent
plays as Black and I don't very often as White! --- QUESTION: What is a
Rubinstein French? --- ANSWER: It goes like this: 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 (or 3
Nd2) 3...dxe4 4 Nxe4 Nbd7. Black follows with ...Ngf6 and plays for ...c7-c5,
often reaching positions quite similar to the one we in the game. --- QUESTION:
I don't see the big problem. You still have space and some attacking chances,
despite Black's fortress-like solidity. --- ANSWER: I answer your question
with a question: What happens when one of the world's worst attackers (me!)
meets one of the world's best defenders (him!)? But you are right. I was still
familiar enough with such positions, since they are reached in the Colle as
well. --- QUESTION: What is the idea behind your last move? --- ANSWER: It is
in preparation for a queen/bishop battery, aimed at h7.} ({The move looks more
logical than} 12. Bg5 Qc7 13. Qe2 Bb7 14. Rad1 Bxe4 15. Qxe4 h6 {, when Black
managed to sneak in a healing exchange, P.Saint Amand-R.Sauve, Quebec 2003.}) (
{QUESTION: Does the Greek gift sac work in this instance? --- ANSWER: It fails
miserably after} 12. Bxh7+ $4 Kxh7 13. Ng5+ Kg8 14. Qd3 Nf6 {(generally the
sac will not succeed if Black has a path to cover the sensitive h7-square)} 15.
Re3 cxd4 16. cxd4 e5 $1 {- Principle: Meet a wing attack with a vigorous
central counter. White's attack is no more, but he is still burdened by debt,
having given away a full piece for diddly squat!}) 12... Bb7 {Apparently this
most natural of moves is a theoretical novelty,} ({though it's possibly
inferior to} 12... c4 {which cuts off Qd3 ideas, F.Cavatorta-D.Carletti, Cento
2011.}) 13. Qd3 {Oh please...oh please! Whenever a cheapo arises - no matter
how utterly vulgar - there always arises the sweet nectar of hope!} g6 {He
sees the mate in one threat.} 14. Bh6 Re8 15. Rad1 $6 ({White's best chance to
attain something was by opening the game with} 15. dxc5 $1 {.}) 15... Bf8 $6 {
Thank goodness.} ({Akobian rejected the simplifying sequence} 15... Bxf3 $1 16.
Qxf3 Qh4 {(double attack)} 17. h3 ({or} 17. Qh3 $5 Qxh3 18. gxh3 c4 {when
White's bishops compensate for his structural troubles - Houdini assesses the
position as equal}) 17... Qxh6 18. Qc6 {when White regains the piece with a
drawish position.}) 16. Bf4 {Advantage White. I also considered exchanging
bishops to further weaken his dark squares. After its initial conception, the
attack/initiative, at first just a dream, begins to take shape, breathe and
take on a life of its own as momentum gathers.} Rc8 17. dxc5 {Principle: Open
the game when leading in development.} Nxc5 18. Qe3 Qe7 19. Bd6 Qf6 20. Be5 Qe7
21. Bd6 {Dance!} Qf6 {QUESTION: Are you playing for a draw? --- ANSWER: Nyet!
Your writer tightly embraces his newly discovered bravery and continues
playing for the win. In situations like this, it is psychologically beneficial
to coerce the opponent into such undignified prancings, like a puppet on a
string, and then at the last moment refuse to take the repetition.} 22. Ne5 {
No draw!} Bxd6 23. Rxd6 Be4 $2 {With this move, made with the hope of
eradicating all further dissonance, he puts his fate to the test. Oh, no! I
totally overlooked this shot, but lucked out: It doesn't work! Mutual looks of
malice from bishop to bishop tell the entire story, without the banality of
exchanging verbal threats. Black would be better served filing away this idea
under the heading Dubious Plans! My opponent initiates a mistaken interference/
simplification combination which backfires.} 24. Ng4 $1 {Zwischenzug!} (24.
Bxe4 $2 Qxe5 {is completely equal.}) 24... Qe7 {Just before hitting the
iceberg, the first-class passengers aboard the Titanic danced their final
minutes away. The door on White's seemingly impoverished attack closes fast,
but isn't quite locked yet. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): After 24...Qe7
your shamelessly immodest writer had the unprecedented gall to generously
award himself two exclamation marks for his 25th move. Take your time. This
one is really difficult to see.} (24... Qh4 $4 {loses instantly to} 25. Qf4 {.}
) (24... Qe7) 25. b4 $3 {ANSWER: Out of the blue, the b-pawn, untroubled by
rational thought, strikes with an unalloyed desire for reprisal for past
offences. The grandmother of all zwischenzugs leaves Black hanging on for dear
life, as if enduring a cheaply constructed rollercoaster ride at the State
fair. --- The heretic warlord orders the churches razed, the scriptures burned
and the robed ordained put to the sword. Black experiences loss of control
over the far-flung frontiers of his undermanned empire, as the enemy marches
its way to the capital. The berserker b-pawn informs Black, with regret, that
the mistaken 23...Be4? was fuelled by optimism, conjecture and prayer. Now
clear communication between Black's forces grows tenuous and, with time, soon
dissolves into an every-piece-for-himself-(and herself)-situation.} Qxd6 ({
Black's not-so-hot options:} 25... Bxc2 26. Qd4 e5 27. Rxe5 Ne6 28. Rexe6 $1
Qxe6 ({not} 28... fxe6 $4 29. Nh6+ Kf8 30. Qh8#) 29. Rxe6 Rxe6 30. h4 h5 31.
Nh6+ Kh7 32. Nxf7 {and Black's king is too exposed to survive.}) (25... h5 26.
bxc5 Bxc2 27. Rd7 $1 {wins.}) (25... Nb7 26. Rd7 $1 {gets the job done as well.
}) 26. Nf6+ Kf8 {No choice.} (26... Kg7 27. Nxe8+ Rxe8 28. bxc5 {leaves White
up a piece, since the bishop on e4 hangs.}) 27. bxc5 Qd8 28. Qh6+ Ke7 29. Nxe4
{White extracted two pieces for the rook, plus a powerful attack. Black's
forces gather to observe a moment of silence in memorial for the fallen knight
and bishop. Now they disband and get on with the distasteful task of propping
up their needy king in his moment of urgency.} Qd5 $1 {Black's best try.} (
29... bxc5 $2 {is met by} 30. Ba4 Rh8 31. Rd1 Qb6 32. Rd7+ Ke8 33. Nf6# {.})
30. Bb3 Qe5 31. f4 {The alien points his weapon at the queen and demands:
"Take me to your leader - and be quick about it, my good woman!"} Qf5 32. Qh4+
Kf8 {The lummox of a black king, caught in the centre, is slow to react to the
taunting.} 33. Qxh7 (33. Nd6 $4 Qxc5+ {would be a really stupid way of blowing
the game.}) 33... Red8 ({Or} 33... Qxf4 34. Rf1 Qe3+ 35. Kh1 Rc7 36. Nd6 Ree7
37. Qh8# {.}) 34. cxb6 axb6 35. Ng5 {Loading up on e6. This knight is the
Glock 19 pointed at the black king's head.} Qf6 {Black's queen wisely
reinforces e6 with trusses to prevent the square from buckling under the
weight of White's pressure, but it is too late. If a hopelessly incompetent
un-Tal like me can find White's next sac then so can you! Once senses the
pouring forth of an imminent explosion, as when a child sits on a water
balloon. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): e6 is the coming detonation's
location. But with which piece? --- ANSWER: The feverish black king's core
temperature continues to rise, until it enters the fatal range.} 36. Rxe6 $1 {
White's rook overcomes his inhibitions to initiate overtures to the black king
with smiles and guile.} Rd1+ {I missed this clever interference, but luckily
for me it fails to save Black.} ({Instead,} 36... fxe6 37. Nxe6+ Ke8 38. Ba4+
$1 {mates in three moves.}) 37. Bxd1 fxe6 {EXERCISE (combination alert):
Black's king looks out of sorts and out of place, like a solo hapless,
tormented male at a bridal shower. Just one more strong move is required to
put Black over the edge. --- ANSWER:} 38. Qd7 $1 {Triple attack/fork - c8, e6
and h7 all targeted, and Black can only defend one of them. White's queen and
knight visit carnage upon everything they touch. --- SUMMARY: Be prepared to
enter Rubinstein French-like positions from the Colle.} 1-0

[Event "Commerce (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Maki, J."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

{My opponent, Senior Master Jim Maki, was my team-mate when he, my brother
Jimmy and I, and 1200-rated (!) Dan Nielson won the 1988 U.S. Amateur Team
Championship with our team name Laki, Laki, Maki and Haki.} 1. d4 Nf6 ({
Compare Black's set-up in the game with this one:} 1... d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6
4. e3 e6 5. Nbd2 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. e4 dxe4 9. Nxe4 Nxe4 10. Bxe4
Nf6 11. Bc2 b6 {. --- QUESTION: Why are you showing us this game? It's not a
Colle. --- ANSWER: This line of the Semi-Slav is what I was going for in my
game against Maki, but a move up, since we Colle folk get the white pieces!
--- Play continued} 12. Qe2 Bb7 13. Bf4 c5 14. Rad1 cxd4 15. Nxd4 Qc8 16. b3
Rd8 17. Nb5 {(it looks like Black is in grave danger, but everything is in
order)} Qc6 18. f3 a6 19. Nd4 Bc5 20. Be3 Qc7 {(Black equalized)} 21. Qf2 Rd7
22. Ne2 Bxe3 23. Qxe3 Rad8 24. Rxd7 Rxd7 25. Rd1 Rxd1+ 26. Bxd1 Kf8 27. Bc2 h6
28. Qd4 Nd7 29. b4 f6 30. Bb3 Ke7 31. Qg4 g5 32. Qd4 (32. Qh5 {is met with} Qd6
$1) 32... Qd6 33. Qxd6+ Kxd6 34. Kf2 f5 35. Nd4 Ne5 36. c5+ bxc5 37. bxc5+ Kxc5
38. Nxe6+ Kd6 39. Nd4 Bc8 40. Ke2 f4 {(Principle: Place your pawns on the
opposite colour of your remaining bishop)} 41. Kd2 Kc5 42. Kc3 a5 43. Be6 Bb7
44. Bf5 Bd5 45. a3 Nc6 46. Ne2 Na7 47. Bd3 Nc6 48. Bc2 Ne5 49. Nd4 g4 50. Bd1
gxf3 51. gxf3 h5 52. h4 Ng6 53. Nf5 {("After you.")} Ne5 {("No. Please. I
insist. After you." - Apparently, neither side is willing to commit forces to
cross the threshold)} 54. Nd4 Ng6 {½-½ G.Kasparov-C.Lakdawala, Internet 
(blitz) 1996. Admittedly not very exciting, but if you are playing the world
champion, believe me, you don't want excitement! --- Moral: The Colle set-up
is so stable that a weaker player may be able to hold an infinitely stronger
one at bay. The structure's inherent solidity and absolute soundness
mysteriously possesses the nature of protecting weaker players from their own
deficit of chess ability!}) 2. Nf3 e6 3. Nbd2 ({Or} 3. e3 d5 4. Bd3 Be7 5. O-O
O-O 6. Nbd2 Nbd7 7. Qe2 c5 8. c3 Qc7 {(this prevents White's Ne5 followed by
f2-f4 Stonewall set-up). --- Now White has a choice of two plans: Plan 1: Play
the way I did in my game against Maki. --- Plan 2: Play for e3-e4. ---
QUESTION: What is the problem with playing for e3-e4 here? --- ANSWER: The
trouble is that, when White does play e3-e4 and Black responds with ...d5xe4,
White ends up in a Rubinstein French a full tempo down, since he took two
moves on e2-e3-e4, while Black's bishop sits on the superior e7-square:} 9. --
({An example of Plan 1:} 9. b3 {(the superior path for White, in my opinion)}
b6 10. Bb2 Bb7 11. Rac1 Rac8 12. c4 {(now Black's queen sits uncomfortably on
c7 and must lose time, which in turn makes up for White's loss of time with
c2-c3-c4 - the position basically transposes to ones we look at in Chapter
Four, The Zukertort Colle)} Qb8 13. Ne5 Nxe5 $5 {Black decides to break the
tension, perhaps fearing f2-f4 next;} ({he had the option of going for} 13...
cxd4 14. exd4 dxc4 15. Ndxc4 {with a dangerous-looking isolani position for
White, since all the pieces remain on the board}) 14. dxe5 Nd7 15. cxd5 Bxd5
16. f4 g6 {, O.Kriz-B.Djubek, Slovakian Team Championship 1999. White has the
advantage with clear kingside attacking chances, whereas Black's queenside
majority will be very difficult to activate, since he can't play ...a7-a6 and ...b6-b5.}) ({An example of Plan 2:} 9. e4 dxe4 10. Nxe4 b6 11. Neg5 $5 ({White
can also play in c3-Sicilian style with} 11. Nxf6+ Nxf6 12. dxc5 Qxc5 {,
though it's still approximately even}) 11... Bb7 (11... h6 $4 {loses on the
spot to} 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. Qxe6+ Rf7 14. Bc4) 12. Ne5 h6 {(Black ejects the
knight at the cost of creating a weakness around his king)} 13. Ngf3 Rfe8 14.
Re1 Bd6 15. Bd2 Rad8 {and Black equalized in what may soon turn into another
isolani position, S.Simonenko-H.Al Tamimi, Abu Dhabi 2005.})) 3... c5 4. e3 b6
{QUESTION: Shouldn't this game go in the Colle versus Queen's Indian chapter?
--- ANSWER: It could go there, but since Black later played ...d7-d5, I kept
it in this one.} ({Another move order with a quick ...Nd7/...Qc7 (which messes
up our Stonewall ideas) is} 4... d5 5. c3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Qc7 7. O-O Be7 $1 {. In
that case we can go for my plan against Maki, or play for e3-e4, as shown in
the previous note.}) 5. Bd3 Bb7 ({QUESTION: Should we swap if they play} 5...
Ba6 {? --- ANSWER: In this position I usually answer it by} 6. c4 {and head
for a Zukertort set-up with Black's bishop slightly misplaced on a6, which
compensates for the fact that White expended two moves on c2-c3-c4.}) 6. O-O
Be7 7. c3 d5 8. Qe2 {QUESTION: Why deviate from the normal Re1 and e3-e4 plan?
--- ANSWER: This is an option. White intends b2-b3 with a Semi-Slav line I
play as Black, but a move up. Now the inclusion of c2-c3 is a waste of time,
so Black already achieved equality. --- QUESTION: Why play it then? --- ANSWER:
I am willing to give up a "+=" edge, and be satisfied with "=", to lead my
tactical opponent into the sedate strategic waters of Colle. This game was
played in the US G/60 championship in 1998, which I won with the help of the
glorious Colle. I had a good start in the tournament and was one of the
leaders, so I decided to enter a no-loss mode with this line of the Colle/Semi-Slav.} ({QUESTION: What is wrong with the Stonewall plan} 8. Ne5 {? ---
ANSWER: I hesitate to play it since Black has such firm control over the
e4-square. For example:} O-O 9. f4 Ne4 10. Rf3 {(somehow, White's attempted
attack just feels klutzy and out of sorts here)} f6 11. Ng4 Nd7 12. Rh3 f5 13.
Ne5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Qe8 {and White had nothing, S.Simonenko-Nguyen Anh Dung,
Asian Team Championship, Esfahan 2005. In fact, if given the choice, I would
take Black, since the white rook on h3 has the appearance of a lost sightseer.}
) 8... Nbd7 9. b3 {We reach the intended reversed Semi-Slav set-up.} O-O 10.
Bb2 Ne4 {Logical: White's overtly passive play emboldens Black a bit, so he
jumps forward with his knight hoping to wrest the initiative.} ({QUESTION: How
would you recapture if Black exchanged on d4 with} 10... cxd4 {? --- ANSWER: I
would play} 11. exd4 {. There is nothing special here. I would eventually go
for a hanging pawns set-up, timing c3-c4 at the appropriate moment.}) 11. Rac1
({Black can play for a Stonewall set-up himself with} 11. Rfd1 f5 12. c4 a6 13.
Nf1 Qe8 14. Ne5 {, E.Eliskases-L.Engels, German Championship, Bad Oeynhausen
1938.}) 11... Re8 12. Rfd1 Bf6 {Black plays it safe and temporizes.} 13. c4 {
A good time for c3-c4. The black queen looks uncomfortable on the d-file.} Qb8
$5 {My gamble that my opponent would not be familiar with such structures pays
off: he makes an artificial move. He should slide his queen over to e7 instead.
} 14. Bb1 {Keeping him guessing.} ({I could also give him the future hanging
pawns position with} 14. cxd5 exd5 15. Bb5 Re7 {.}) 14... Nd6 $6 {Black's
desire to complicate gets the better of him.} ({He should probably go for} 
14... Nxd2 15. Rxd2 dxc4 {.}) 15. Ne5 Nf8 $2 {I'm not sure if this is a plan
or an ornamental flourish. Black, still in don't-know-what-to-do mode,
shuffles without apparent aim and soon ends up in trouble.} 16. Ng4 $1 ({
Stronger than} 16. dxc5 bxc5 17. cxd5 exd5 {and the c5-pawn is still safe,
since it is now White's e5-knight which is loose.}) 16... Be7 17. dxc5 bxc5 18.
Ne5 {QUESTION: Can't you just win a pawn by exchanging on d5?} ({ANSWER:
Apparently I can! I thought I was avoiding a trap, but the comps tell me I
should have walked straight into it with} 18. cxd5 exd5 19. Rxc5 $1 {. I
avoided this because I thought he had} Nc4 {, but evidently this isn't
counterplay - only a facsimile, a fiction which White is easily capable of
riding out. The confederacy of comps testify that White has a decisive attack
after} 20. Nxc4 Bxc5 21. Bxg7 $3 {(miraculously - don't ask me how - White's
invaders continue to thrive and prosper in what looks to be a harsh,
unforgiving environment, the way an opportunistic weed pokes through a crack
in the sidewalk)} Kxg7 22. Qb2+ d4 23. Rxd4 $1 {. This is too tough a
calculation for a G/60, and I don't trust my attacking intuition to enter such
chaos without math back-up!}) 18... f6 19. Nd3 {The linchpin is c5, the centre
of gravity to the fulfilment of White's plan. Black is forced into structural
concessions.} dxc4 20. Nxc4 {Black's awkward position only grows more so, as
it unfolds gracelessly like discount lawn furniture. The open c-file becomes a
frayed nerve ending, with no other purpose than to inflict pain to the c5-pawn.
} ({The comps keep ruining it - apparently} 20. Nxc5 $1 {is an improvement.})
20... Nxc4 21. Rxc4 Ba6 22. Rcc1 Qb6 23. Qg4 e5 24. Bc3 $1 {Merely the rough
draft to a more finished product. White clears b2 for the knight, its optimal
post.} (24. Ba3 $1 {was also strong.}) 24... Rac8 ({Perhaps he should consider
} 24... c4 25. bxc4 Ba3 {with some counterplay for the pawn.}) 25. Nb2 {The
knight's aimless perambulations turn out to be not so random at all. Now Black
chafes at the b2-knight's usurpation of c4, which in turn produces a blunder.}
Qe6 $4 {I really wish my dogs, Al, Kahless and Nikki, were infused with more
community spirit, but I'm saddened to report to you that they live more the
life of pampered tourists on the French Riviera, who rudely regard your writer
as their cook, waiter, maid, valet and trash collector. Black's queen shares
the same sense of entitlement normally associated with my dogs. My opponent,
distracted by his weakened queenside, suffers a lapse and blunders by painting
a bull's eye on his own t-shirt. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): Black's
queen clutches tightly to her destiny, as if to a purse. How does White
exploit it? --- ANSWER: Skewer. The Viking plunders with the sweet thought
that all the world is essentially his to seize. White finally reveals his
not-so-profound (in fact, kind of obvious!) concept, as an artist unveils a
rather unoriginal portrait.} 26. Bf5 {"Are you okay?" the bishop asks in
thinly veiled mock concern to Black's queen, and to the unfortunate rook
behind her on c8 as well.} Qc6 27. Bxc8 Bxc8 28. Qa4 {Principle: Swap when
ahead in material. The concerned black pieces confer in the grim, hushed
undertones of family members on vigil over a dying matriarch.} Qxa4 29. Nxa4
Be6 30. Bb2 Rc8 31. Ba3 {Targeting c5.} Nd7 32. Rd2 Kf7 33. Rdc2 Bf5 34. Rc3
Nb6 {The farmer failed to sow in springtime and views his empty field with
despair now that autumn has arrived.} 35. Bxc5 {The simplest. White returns
the exchange to simplify down to an easy two pawns up ending.} Nd5 36. Rc4 Bd3
37. Bxa7 Bxc4 38. Rxc4 Rxc4 39. bxc4 Nb4 40. Nc3 Ke6 41. Kf1 f5 42. f3 g6 43.
Ke2 {QUESTION: Is this yet another game where you won without making a single
good move? --- ANSWER: You don't have to be brilliant to win chess games. Just
produce fewer errors than your opponent and the cumulative effect is victory.
--- SUMMARY: Don't expect an advantage if you choose to enter this (admittedly)
passive line of the Colle. However, if you happen to play the Slav or
Semi-Slav as Black, then you may want to use it as a surprise weapon, to lure
an opponent on to unfamiliar ground.} 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Index 2"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nbd7 (5... b6 6. Nbd2 Be7 7. O-O
Bb7 {- Lakdawala-Maki (Commerce 1998)}) 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 (8. e4 {
- Lakdawala-Comp Stockfish}) 8... Qc7 (8... Re8 {- Colle-O'Hanlon}) (8... e5 9.
e4 dxe4 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 11. Bxe4 exd4 12. cxd4 cxd4 {- Colle-Thomas} (12... Nf6 {
- Colle-Duchamp}) (12... h6 {- Kukov-Enchev})) (8... b6 {- Lakdawala-Akobian})
9. e4 cxd4 (9... dxe4 {- Lakdawala-Griffith}) 10. cxd4 dxe4 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12.
Rxe4 -- (12... b6 {- Hansen-Vescovi}) (12... Nb6 {- Goodman-Conde Poderoso}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3: Colle Versus Queen's Indian"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "11"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 b6 3. e3 Bb7 4. Bd3 c5 5. O-O e6 6. Nbd2 {. The solid Queen's
Indian formation is the kid in class who always scores reasonably solid grades
but doesn't really stand out. Yet we face this quite often against the Colle,
so we should be thoroughly familiar with the arising positions. --- Unlike the
first two chapters, in this one White's pawn structure varies considerably. If
Black continues to develop and leaves his structure unchanged (from the
diagram), then we proceed with our normal Colle plan: c2-c3 and e3-e4. The
arising positions often have the feel of a Closed Ruy Lopez or a King's Indian,
and often the networks and passageways of our attacking lines flow with
effortless co-ordination. Black can also trade immediately on d4, as in
Hoi-Gulko. In that case we slowly build for a kingside attack, in a position
which feels a bit like a Queen's Gambit Declined Exchange line, except Black
holds back his d-pawn to d6 rather than d5. In the final game of the chapter 
(Yusupov-Rozentalis) we cover lines where White plays his c-pawn to the fourth,
not the third - normally blasphemy to the Colle player, yet not such a bad
idea here - in which case the positions look and feel a bit like a classical
queen's pawn game.} *

[Event "Karlsbad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1929.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Colle, E."]
[Black "Capablanca, J."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A47"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "1929.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

{When I was ten-years-old I wrote an unspeakable, vile, hideously bad series
of short stories and poems (most beginning with "Roses are red, violets are
blue") - bad even for a ten-year-old! - which to this day makes me cringe and
blush with shame, the colour of borscht, when painfully thinking back upon it.
Well, this game is Colle's equivalent of my early writing efforts! Both he and
his system get casually brushed aside in embarrassing style by Capablanca. ---
No matter how formidable a player is, it seems there is always someone greater.
Edgar Colle occasionally got outmatched and faced opponents who were just too
challenging, even for him playing his own system. In this game Capa, as he did
with most of his opponents, effortlessly made Colle look like an incompetent,
buffoonish amateur, when in reality the Belgian GM and founder of our system
was anything but an amateur. --- I thought about putting this game in my book
on Capablanca but lacked the space. It's actually an instructive schematic
chart of how not to handle the white side of Colle versus Queen's Indian.} 1.
d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 b6 3. e3 Bb7 4. Nbd2 e6 5. Bd3 {The main starting position of
Colle versus Queen's Indian. As you will see in this chapter, both sides can
enter via other move orders as well. --- QUESTION: I realize White will be
playing for e3-e4 at the right moment, but where will Black put his pawns? ---
ANSWER: For now, this question remains a mystery. Black's structure is quite
flexible. He almost always plays ...c7-c5, but we don't know if he will swap
on d4 or not, and we don't know where his d-pawn ends up: d7, d6 or d5. Be on
high alert. It is very easy for us to get tricked into a tempo down version of
Chapters One and Two by misplacing our pieces or wasting a move, if and when
Black plays a timely ...d7-d5.} c5 6. O-O Nc6 {QUESTION: Is there some
significance to Black's move order? I would think developing his bishop to e7
is more natural. --- ANSWER: We must be very careful of ...Nb4 tricks once
Black's knight gets to c6.} 7. c3 {Next chapter we examine the Zukertort lines,
which continue to grow in popularity - although I'm not sure if "popularity"
is the correct choice of words when talking about any line of the Colle!} (7.
a3 {intending c2-c4 (no matter what Black plays next) is another idea. It can
also lead to the Zukertort lines,}) ({as does} 7. b3 {.}) 7... Be7 8. e4 $1 ({
QUESTION: Isn't there a need for the preparatory} 8. a3 {, in order to play
for e3-e4 next without fear of ...Nb4? --- ANSWER: This most natural move may
be inaccurate if Black keeps a flexible mind. He can easily equalize with} d5
$1 {. Essentially White has been tricked into Chapter One, except he has
half-wasted a tempo on the unnecessary a2-a3.}) ({Alternatively,} 8. Qe2 O-O 9.
b3 $5 Qc7 10. Bb2 d5 11. Rac1 {, G.A.Thomas-R.Crepeaux, Gent 1926, looks very
much like my game against Maki from Chapter Two. But don't expect an edge here.
Essentially, White is playing a Zukertort formation with the non-essential
c2-c3, which may represent a waste of time when White eventually plays c3-c4.})
8... cxd4 9. Nxd4 $6 {Now Colle just ends up in a passive, milquetoast Open
Sicilian position. --- QUESTION: Why did he avoid the natural recapture with
his c-pawn.} ({ANSWER: Your suggestion is the correct response. Colle was
undoubtedly afraid to enter} 9. cxd4 $1 Nb4 10. Bb1 Ba6 11. Re1 Nd3 12. Bxd3
Bxd3 {and assessed the position as favouring Black. However, matters are not
so simple. In the next game we look at the very sharp} 13. d5 $1 {, after
which Black is forced to play very carefully to maintain equality.}) 9... O-O
10. Qe2 Ne5 $1 {QUESTION: What is the point of Black's last move? I understand
that he gains a tempo on White's bishop, but he will lose it right back in a
couple of moves when White strikes back with f2-f4. --- ANSWER: Capa was at
least two generations ahead of his rivals in his strategic understanding. The
other day I was at the bookstore (I like to feel real books and loathe e-books
- I am a relic from a long dead era, who hates all things techno and
electronic, even while burning through novels at the pace of 500 pages a week
on my Kindle!), thumbing through John Emms' book on the Taimanov Sicilian. In
a very similar position, I remember a diagram where Black played a similar ...Ne5 which was given an exclam. As you will see in the coming moves, Capa's
move is a prelude to a deep, light square strategy. Just watch.} 11. Bc2 Qc8 $1
12. f4 ({Capa routinely out-understood and out-hypermoderned all the elite
hypermoderns, such as Nimzowitsch and Réti. Perhaps Colle should have
anticipated Capa's strategy (impossible for 1929!) and played} 12. a4 $1 {to
block with Nb5 next.}) 12... Ba6 $1 13. Qd1 Nc6 ({It would be silly to
willingly enter} 13... Bxf1 $2 14. fxe5 Ba6 15. exf6 Bxf6 16. N2f3 {, when
White stands clearly better.}) 14. Rf3 {Colle was one of the most ferocious
attackers of his day, but here Capa envisioned the future with a far deeper
comprehension level. White's attack isn't as strong as it looks, yet his
weaknesses remain very real.} ({Here, or in the next few moves, Colle should
have tossed in} 14. Nxc6 $1 {to avoid the overextended structure he got in the
game.}) 14... g6 {He should capture on d4 immediately, since this gives White
another (final) chance for 15 Nxc6.} 15. N2b3 Nxd4 16. Nxd4 ({Black stands
better after} 16. cxd4 Qc6 $1 {.}) 16... Bb7 17. Qe2 Bc5 $1 18. Rh3 $6 {The
attack looks misguided.} ({It would be better to consolidate with} 18. Bd3 {,
followed by Bd2.}) 18... Qc6 $1 {Nobody can even blink or cough without
Orwellian Big Sister queen knowing about it. Her goal: to induce e4-e5, which
permanently weakens White's light squares.} 19. e5 {Wow. That was quick!} ({
Maybe he should offer a pawn for the dark squares with} 19. Be3 $1 Bxd4 20.
Bxd4 Nxe4 {. Of course, no player in their right mind would willingly enter an
ending a pawn down against Capa, but perhaps here} 21. Bxe4 $1 ({I don't
believe White gets full compensation after} 21. Rh6 f5 22. Bxe4 Qxe4 23. Qf2 {
, despite his impressive dark squares, mainly because Black rules the opposite
colour}) 21... Qxe4 22. Qxe4 Bxe4 23. Bf6 $1 {may be hard for Black to win,
due to the opposite-coloured bishops and that entrenched annoyance on f6.
Still, had this variation occurred, I would bet the farm that Capa would have
converted and walked off with the full point.}) 19... Nd5 20. Qf2 {QUESTION:
Isn't White's attack growing out of control? --- ANSWER: The unbeliever prays
only for religion-free Sundays. Not according to Capa!} (20. Be3 Bxd4 $1 21.
cxd4 {is similar.}) 20... Bxd4 $1 {QUESTION: Didn't Capablanca just hand over
the bishop pair and all his dark squares? --- ANSWER: And he displayed
stunning understanding for a game played in 1929 as he did so. Advantage Black,
who has achieved Nimzowitsch's dream light square blockade. White's kingside
attack goes nowhere since he is tied down to the defence of g2. Meanwhile
Black's counterattack down the c-file gathers momentum.} 21. cxd4 Rac8 {
EXERCISE (planning): Both sides furiously attack on their respective wings.
Would you go for 22 Qh4 here?} 22. Bd1 $1 ({ANSWER: Colle avoided Capa's deep
trap:} 22. Qh4 $2 {loses to the shocking} Nf6 $1 {(clearance)} 23. Qf2 Ng4 24.
Qe2 Qxc2 25. Qxg4 h5 $3 26. Rxh5 Qe4 $1 {(threatening mate in one, as well as ...Rc2)} 27. Qg3 Qe2 $1 28. Rg5 Qd1+ 29. Kf2 Rc2+ {mates in two moves.}) 22...
f6 $1 {QUESTION: I read that it is generally deemed ineffective to challenge a
pawn chain at its head. Is this correct? --- ANSWER: Normally true, but this
is an exception and the move is necessary. It is also dual purpose. First,
Black prepares ...Rf7 to cover the h7-square. Next, he reminds White that the
f-file may open shortly to Black's advantage.} 23. Qh4 $6 {The relief of
finally entering my doctor's office doesn't make up for the misery of the 44
wasted minutes he drained from my very finite life by keeping me trapped in
the bardo netherworld of his waiting room beforehand. White hastily organizes
a posse and sets forth to hunt down Black's mocking king to bring him to
justice. --- I forgot to mention Colle's violent allergic reaction to any form
or shape of defence or retreat, even when necessary. Still, one must concede
there is an artless charm to how he keeps trying, despite the flashing signs
of failure all around him. White's queen finally enters the fiction of attack
with a half-hearted volley. Capa's king is afforded ample insulation by the
pawn perimeter which snugly surrounds him.} (23. Rf3 {is the more rational
choice but my impression is it wouldn't have saved him in the long run.}) ({
QUESTION: Why not challenge the long diagonal with} 23. Bf3 {? --- ANSWER: A
trap! Black wins after} Qxc1+ $1 {.}) 23... Rf7 24. Bf3 {EXERCISE (combination
alert): Black to play and win a pawn - and demolish all semblance of a White
attack. How did Capa do it? --- ANSWER: A little reminder to White that he who
attacks should first put his own house in order.} Qc4 $1 {White's d4-pawn is
the worm on the hook, tossed into a lake which hasn't been fished in quarter
of a century, where the fish fight each other to grab at the bait. As always
with Capa's games, it looks too easy, as if we would all have played the same
moves! I have a feeling he took his staggering natural ability for granted. If
a person of privilege is born in a sumptuous estate and lives there his entire
life, is he capable of seeing its beauty when he has nothing to compare it
with?} 25. Be3 Nxe3 $1 {The knight ingenuously performs the rigours of
formality to parlay with his counterpart on e3.} 26. Bxb7 {Double attack?} Nf5
{No, zwischenzug - complete collapse. White's resistance evaporates into a
lifeless hulk, an empty vessel.} 27. Qe1 $5 {The queen retreats in disgrace,
wearing a grotesque mask, a caricature of her former self. Colle decides to
toss a second pawn to keep queens on the board. --- QUESTION: Isn't his last
move a blunder, making a bad situation even worse?} ({ANSWER: This may sound
strange, but in some instances the correct decision is at the same time a
mistaken one. When nothing works, your best shot of survival is to embrace the
irrational. He would have no chance to survive in the marginally less hopeless
line} 27. Qf2 $2 Qc1+ $1 28. Qe1 Qxe1+ 29. Rxe1 Rc7 30. Ba6 Nxd4 {. In reality,
all the Laskers and Alekhines of the world - in fact, nobody in the world of
1929 - would have a prayer of holding White's position versus Capa.}) 27... Rc7
28. Be4 Qxd4+ 29. Kh1 fxe5 30. Bxf5 exf5 $1 ({Trademark Capaplicity. He keeps
it simple, avoiding complications arising from} 30... Rxf5 31. Qh4 {, when
White threatens both h7 and a nasty check on d8.}) 31. fxe5 Re7 32. Re3 Qxb2 {
Another one falls.} 33. e6 dxe6 34. Rxe6 Kf7 $1 {The old king dances a merry
jig, buoyant with unadulterated joy at the prospect of participating in the
proceedings. --- A work of art - in any field of endeavour - goes beyond
merely external beauty. It should also utter a statement which speaks to the
observer (please return to Colle-Duchamp for more on this discussion!). This
game speaks to me. --- SUMMARY: Against the Queen's Indian formation, it is
important that you recapture on d4 with your c-pawn if possible. If you
recapture with a knight, as in this game, White tends to drift into a
sorry-looking Open Sicilian.} 0-1

[Event "Buenos Aires"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1960.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Guimard, C."]
[Black "Foguelman, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A47"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "1960.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 b6 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. Nbd2 c5 6. O-O Be7 7. c3 Nc6 8. e4
cxd4 9. cxd4 $1 {The correct recapture. White remains undaunted by Black's
coming raid on the queenside light squares.} Nb4 10. Bb1 Ba6 11. Re1 Nd3 {The
knight, having found its holy grail on d3, soon discovers the square is not
quite as holy as he once imagined.} 12. Bxd3 Bxd3 {QUESTION: It looks to me
like White botched the opening. Black has bishop pair and if White plays e4-e5,
this simply gives Black the d5-square for his knight, similar to what we saw
in the previous game. Also, Black should be able to castle safely now there is
no more light-squared bishop on d3, staring at h7. A correct assessment? ---
ANSWER: Sometimes a beautiful thing can still carry a taint. They say
Berchtesgaden, in the German/Bavarian Alps, is a breathtakingly picturesque
place. However, Hitler loved to vacation there, which is a bummer of a selling
point if you happen to be a hotel owner trying to drum up business in the
off-season! Every point you mentioned is true. But you left out all of White's
pluses! White leads in development and, with his powerful next move, causes
disarray in Black's camp. The position may turn out to be equal by computer
assessment, but in reality it is not so easy to play Black's side over the
board.} 13. d5 $1 {This is the move which gives Black a headache. I remember
studying this move with a friend, having seen it as a suggestion in some chess
magazine back in the early 1990s. Black must play exceedingly carefully to
equalize - in fact, I'm not so sure he can. If you don't believe me: Black
scores a dismal 30% from this position.} Bc5 $2 {In this, the original game of
the variation, Black responds with one of the myriad inaccurate responses
available to him. We often experience the blurred boundary and vast divide
between the glory of our imagination of speculated futures and our despairing
flubs of the actual execution of our plans. Such is the case here. ---
QUESTION: I don't understand what all the fuss is about. Why not just castle
here?} ({ANSWER: A trap! Castling drops a piece to the surprising} 13... O-O $4
14. d6 $1 {1-0 D.Hart-C.Wagner, San Diego 1992. My buddy National Master Dave
Hart and I had been looking at this position that same afternoon this game was
played! Here he pulls the ambush and takes down a Senior Master with the trap.
--- QUESTION: Okay I see the idea, but then why not just eliminate the problem
by eliminating its source on d5?}) ({ANSWER: This line also puts Black under
heavy pressure after} 13... exd5 14. exd5 Nxd5 (14... O-O $2 15. Nb3 $1 {wins
material since it threatens both d2-bishop and also d5-d6!}) 15. Nf1 $1 {
(Black finds himself dreadfully behind in development)} Nb4 ({or} 15... Bxf1
16. Qxd5 Ba6 17. Rxe7+ $1 Kxe7 18. Bg5+ f6 19. Bf4 $1 {when my Houdini went
mad, announcing a forced mate in 696 moves! - I swear, I'm not joking! - then,
after further reflection, slightly altered the assessment to a forced mate in
14 moves!}) 16. a3 $1 Bxf1 ({or} 16... Nc2 17. Qxd3 Nxe1 18. Nxe1 O-O {and
Black is unlikely to save himself}) 17. axb4 Bb5 $4 {. --- EXERCISE 
(combination alert): Black's bishop should have gone to c4 last move. White to
play and win a piece. --- ANSWER: Double attack:} 18. Nd4 $1 {, White
threatens both the bishop and Nf5, F.Gomez Fontal-R.Vazquez Igarza, Las Tunas
2001.}) ({Possibly} 13... Qc8 $1 {is Black's single hope of retaining equality.
For example:} 14. Nd4 ({the immediate} 14. d6 {is also possible}) 14... O-O 15.
Qb3 Ba6 16. N2f3 Re8 17. d6 $1 Bd8 18. Bg5 Qb7 19. Qa3 Rc8 {, W.Arencibia
Rodriguez-L.Psakhis, Manresa 1996. The players agreed to a draw here, though I
still prefer White.}) 14. b4 $1 {Simple as that. Black is busted. Guimard
weaves his way through the tricky variables and alights upon the correct plan.}
Bxb4 ({There is no real choice, since} 14... Bf8 {is just too ugly to
contemplate.}) 15. Qb3 $1 {Double attack, which in turn forces Black's next
move. The lost black bishops inadvertently wander into a bad neighbourhood.
They watch in horror as the submerged destitute and marginalized of the city
emerge and encircle them.} Bxd2 16. Nxd2 Ba6 17. Ba3 $1 {Paralyzing Black
along the dark squares. White's pieces encircle the black king like a too
tight engagement ring around the finger of a woman he doesn't love.} h5 {
EXERCISE (planning): We all know White is winning in the abstract. Now come up
with a concrete plan to prove it. --- ANSWER: Clearance. White's knight
arrives on e4 with crushing finality.} 18. e5 $1 Nxd5 19. Ne4 {The lioness
nuzzles her cub, encouraging her forward. It seems personal tragedy has a way
of forcing introspection down the throats of our normally unexamined lives.
Black's game is in ruins and no one would fault him if he resigned here.} Qh4
20. Qa4 $1 {Double attack/discovered attack. White threatens the a6-bishop and
also Nd6+, winning Black's queen. I realize that I complain an awful lot about
my dogs, but Black's situation reminds me of the depressing times when I look
out of the window into my backyard and witness one of my dogs nonchalantly
trotting over to my beloved fig tree, as he lifts his leg in vile desecration.}
({There is nothing wrong with the pedestrian} 20. Nd6+ {either.}) 20... Qg4 21.
Qxa6 Nf4 22. Nd6+ Kf8 23. Qb7 {Oh no you don't, my friend! With nice economy
of motion, White attacks the a8-rook while conveniently covering g2, almost as
an afterthought. The aggregate of White's attack functions with greater
efficiency than any of its individual parts.} Rd8 24. Re3 Kg8 25. h3 Qg5 26.
Rae1 h4 27. Qf3 {Threat: Re4 and Qxf7+.} f5 28. exf6 gxf6 29. Re4 e5 {I always
deeply appreciate it when opponents refuse to resign in hopelessly busted
positions. They are so much fun to play. In this case the district attorney
declines the plea deal and refuses to remove the death penalty from the table.
--- EXERCISE (combination alert): How can White end Black's futile resistance?
--- ANSWER: The dyke fails against the perpetually invading waters of the
ocean. Eliminate Black's only good piece.} 30. Rxf4 $1 Qxf4 (30... exf4 31.
Qb3+ {does the job as well.}) 31. Qd5+ {The queen corroborates the rumoured
media reports about the black king's poor health.} Kg7 {The nervous king, a
supermarket of phobias, psychic wounds and deeply held resentments, mostly
keeps to himself these days.} 32. Bc1 {Winning the queen or mate. Black's
queen and king simultaneously groan, as one would after a particularly awful
pun. --- SUMMARY: Black's position is exceedingly difficult to navigate after
13 d5. This position will be a point fountain for you. I promise!} 1-0

[Event "SCCF Championship, Los Angeles"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2001.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Khachian, M."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A47"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2001.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c3 {I never cease to be amused by the perplexed, incredulous
"are-you-kidding me?" looks my opponents give me at this point.} e6 3. d4 Nf6
4. e3 b6 {What? This came as a surprise. I had prepared for some kind of
Grünfeld set-up from Grandmaster Khachian. The normally anarchistic Melik
shocks everyone with an unexpected display of orthodoxy, perhaps designed to
inoculate himself from his own vices.} 5. Nbd2 Bb7 6. Bd3 d6 {Black commits
his d-pawn early, which is not in his best interests in this line. ---
QUESTION: Why not? --- ANSWER: Black's power in the Queen's Indian lines is
the fact that he keeps White guessing about ...d7-d6 and ...d7-d5. By playing
the pawn to d6 so early, White suddenly isn't so worried anymore, as ...d6-d5
would then come with loss of tempo for Black.} 7. e4 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Re1 Re8
$5 ({I have also faced:} 9... Nbd7 10. Qe2 ({Colle would most certainly have
played} 10. e5 {in this position}) 10... e5 11. d5 Nh5 12. Nf1 g6 13. Bh6 Ng7
14. Ng3 a6 15. c4 Nf6 16. Rab1 Bc8 17. h3 Nfe8 18. b4 {, when White has an
excellent version of a Lopez/King's Indian structure, C.Lakdawala-A.Kretchetov,
SCCF Championship, Los Angeles 2008.}) (9... Nc6 10. a3 Rc8 ({or} 10... Nd7 11.
b4 Qc7 12. Bb2 Bf6 13. Rc1 g6 14. Nf1 Bg7 15. Bb1 Rad8 16. Ne3 Nf6 17. d5 exd5
18. exd5 Ne5 19. c4 Nh5 20. Nxe5 dxe5 21. Nf5 $1 {with serious advantage to
White, since Black must hand over his dark-squared bishop for a knight, C.
Lakdawala-E.Sevillano, Los Angeles 2002}) 11. Qe2 cxd4 12. cxd4 Nd7 13. Nf1 Bf6
14. Be3 e5 15. d5 Nd4 $5 {(accepting pawn weakness for dynamic chances)} 16.
Bxd4 exd4 {and Black has obtained piece play on the dark squares in exchange
for his weakened structure. Chances look balanced, C.Lakdawala-E.Sevillano,
San Diego (rapid) 2006.}) 10. a3 {QUESTION: Why play a2-a3 if Black isn't even
threatening to play ...Nb4? --- ANSWER: In order to expand later with b2-b4.} (
{Another plan is to play for a direct kingside attack in c3-Sicilian style with
} 10. Qe2 Nbd7 11. e5 {.}) 10... Bf8 11. Nf1 e5 {Thank heaven. I am a lot less
afraid of Khachian in closed positions! Black doesn't want e4-e5 hovering over
his head and so goes for a passive King's Indian/Closed Ruy Lopez formation.} (
{The alternative is to toss in} 11... cxd4 12. cxd4 {and only then play} e5 13.
d5 {.}) 12. d5 Nbd7 13. Ng3 Qc7 {Black hopes to achieve ...c5-c4 and ...b6-b5
to generate some activity on the queenside.} 14. c4 {White seizes a
territorial advantage.} ({He can also play} 14. Qe2 {to leave c4 open for a
piece later on.}) 14... Be7 {This is a bit odd. I don't claim to understand
the idea behind the move. --- QUESTION: What would be a normal plan here?} ({
ANSWER: Begin with} 14... g6 {and play for (an admittedly difficult) ...f7-f5
much, much later on with a manoeuvre like ...Bg7, ...Rf8, ...Ne8. Even then it
will be next to impossible to engineer the break.}) 15. Nf5 Bd8 {QUESTION: Why
is Black trying to preserve his bad bishop? --- ANSWER: It may be a bad bishop,
but he can't play ...g7-g6 with the bishop gone, because of the dark square
weakening.} 16. h3 Nf8 17. Nh2 {QUESTION: What is the idea? --- ANSWER: This
is a typical Ruy Lopez manoeuvre, clearing f3 for the queen and opening up g4
for the knight.} Bc8 18. Qf3 Ng6 19. g3 {Cutting off access to f4 and h4.} Bxf5
$2 {An addict in withdrawal doesn't make for pleasant company. This hastily
considered plan requires heavy outlays of expense and energy and, in the end,
not much reward on the initial investment. Melik, chafing under cramped
quarters and an absence of counterplay, embarks on a huge concession to swap
queens. In doing so he trades one problem (being under attack) for an even
bigger one (a lousy ending!). --- QUESTION: But isn't it okay to swap bishop
for knight in a closed position? --- ANSWER: Not if the exchange leaves you
with weak light squares and a bad bishop.} 20. Qxf5 {I was happy to enter the
endgame and didn't really consider recapture with my e-pawn.} Qc8 {Black's
idea, but he will suffer in the ending for some time to come.} 21. Qxc8 Rxc8 {
QUESTION: What, specifically, are White's advantages? --- ANSWER: We feel a
sense of increase in White's game, like a coffee percolator accumulating in
calibrated, staccato drips. A collation of White's advantages and Black's woes:
1. A huge space advantage, with which White may prepare both b2-b4 and f2-f4
breaks later on. --- 2. The bishop pair, which for now isn't that scary - but
what if the position opens up 21 moves later? --- 3. Black has a terrible
remaining bishop, with most of his pawns fixed on the same colour squares. ---
4. This fact in turn leads to weak light squares. --- Conclusion: Black is in
deep strategic trouble.} 22. Bd2 Re7 23. Ng4 Rb7 (23... Nxg4 24. hxg4 {would
only increase White's advantage because it would clamp down on Black's ...
f7-f5 break. Also, White may later double rooks on the h-file, pressuring h7.})
24. Ne3 {Principle: Avoid trades when you have a space advantage.} Ne8 {
Intending ...Bg5, activating the bad bishop.} 25. h4 $1 {Oh, no you don't! His
bishop remains unemployed.} Nf8 26. b4 g6 27. Reb1 {QUESTION: Why not the
undeveloped rook? --- ANSWER: I wanted to leave possibilities open for
a3-a4-a5 later on.} f6 $1 {QUESTION: What is Black's idea? --- ANSWER: He
desperately needs ...f7-f5 for counterplay, but doesn't yet have enough force
to do so. The move played allows ...Rf7 and ...Ng7, to back up the break.} 28.
Kg2 {To connect the rooks - and later, if White plays f2-f4, his e-pawn may
become tender and need help with Kf3.} Rf7 29. Ra2 {With the possibility of
doubling on b2, or subsequent transferring to the kingside.} Ng7 30. bxc5 dxc5
{Now Black is ready for ...f7-f5.} ({Instead,} 30... bxc5 $2 {doesn't give
White a passed pawn, but allows absolute control over the b-file, which is
much worse.}) 31. Bc3 $1 {Preventing ...f7-f5 again.} Bc7 32. Ng4 {Once again
halting ...f7-f5 and threatening to fork on h6.} Kh8 33. Nh6 {This costs Black
time. The annoying knight prances about oafishly, bumping into others, all the
while imagining itself a magical creature in an enchanted forest.} Re7 34. Rf1
Ne8 35. f4 {White achieves his second break. It isn't easy to keep all options
open and simultaneously, firmly commit, yet White's industrious army manages
it.} Kg7 36. Ng4 h5 37. Ne3 exf4 $5 {He hopes to generate play against the
centre, but in doing so opens the game for White's bishop pair and also hands
over a huge centre. Nonetheless, it's hard to fault his decision, since it
also sharpens the game.} (37... Nd7 38. f5 $1 {looks like no fun at all for
Black.}) 38. gxf4 {The metastasis spreads its malignance unabated in Black's
camp: 1. White enjoys the bishop pair in an open position. --- 2. A rolling
pawn centre. --- 3. A brewing attack down the g-file.} Nd7 39. Kf3 Nd6 40. Rg2
{Target: g6. The alternating waves and ripples of White's steadily growing
initiative flow with varying, intermittent success and efficiency.} Rg8 {
QUESTION: Why not go after White's soft spot on e4 instead?} ({ANSWER: Black
can indeed pick off the e-pawn, but at too high a cost to his king. For
example,} 40... Rce8 $2 41. Rfg1 Nxe4 42. Rxg6+ Kh7 ({alternatively:} 42... Kf7
43. Rg7+ Kf8 44. Rg8+ Kf7 45. R1g7# {and the crows bloody their greedy bills,
feeding on the roadkill garter snake;}) ({or} 42... Kh8 43. Bxe4 Rxe4 44. Rh6#
{when Black's king passes away without leaving a penny to his heirs}) 43. Nf5
$1 {(White's attackers hover over Black menacingly, the way the psychopath in
a teen horror movie looms, butcher's cleaver in hand, over the blissfully
unaware kissing couple on the sofa)} Nxc3 44. Rh6# {.}) ({EXERCISE 
(combination alert): After} 40... Rg8 {White has access to a simple tactic
which wins material. How? --- ANSWER: Sometimes a conspiratorial group is
forced to add an unwanted new member, if only to buy his silence. White's
knight, a serial issuer of dire forecasts, upbraids the black king to repent
before it is too late.}) 41. Nf5+ $1 Nxf5 42. exf5 {Venal White corporate
interests galvanize their impossible consumptive demands upon an already
strained ecosystem. Finally, White wrests the stubborn g6-pawn from Black's
now languid clutches.} Nf8 43. fxg6 Nd7 44. Bf5 {The bishop leans into the
wall with crossed arms and a smug look on his face.} Rge8 45. Bd2 {Black's
rooks paste artificial smiles on their faces, pretending to be delighted in
their counterpart's good fortune, as they are denied all entry points on the
e-file.} Nf8 46. a4 a5 47. Rff2 Bd6 {EXERCISE (planning): White can't just yet
swap rooks since he would lose his extended and extra g-pawn. Come up with a
plan to make progress against Black's attempted fortress. --- ANSWER: Exchange
a single pair of rooks. This takes away Black's last trump, since White no
longer worries so much about rook infiltration.} 48. Bd3 $1 Bc7 49. Re2 Rxe2
50. Bxe2 $1 Re7 ({Not} 50... Nxg6 $4 51. Bd3 {.}) 51. Bc3 Bd8 52. Bd3 Rd7 53.
Bf5 Rb7 (53... Re7 {opens an avenue for the white king after} 54. d6 Rb7 55.
Ke4 {.}) 54. Be6 {The posting of White's bishops is in stark contrast to their
lapsed brother and sister's stereo dislocation on the Black side. --- QUESTION:
Why did Black resign? It looks like he has reasonable chances to create a
fortress, doesn't he? --- ANSWER: Let's do a planning exercise to solve your
question: EXERCISE (planning): Come up with a concrete plan for White to show
that resignation was not premature.} ({ANSWER: Black's h-pawn (and king!) soon
fall after} 54. Be6 Be7 55. Ke4 Bd6 56. f5 Be7 57. Rg5 $1 {(several sharp
rejoinders rise to the black king's tongue, but he restrains them all and
submits to the slight)} Rb8 58. Rxh5 Rb7 59. Bd2 $1 {. SUMMARY: I often get
the White side of Closed Lopez/King's Indian-like positions in the Colle
versus Queen's Indian. It's not a bad idea to survey games in both those
variations, just to get a feel of familiarity for White.}) 1-0

[Event "SCCF Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Longren, W."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. Nf3 ({You can arrive at reversed Stonewall structures from all sorts of
openings. Compare my not-so-classic game with this Rubinstein classic:} 1. d4
d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. e3 O-O 7. Rc1 b6 8. cxd5 exd5
9. Ne5 Bb7 10. Bd3 c5 11. f4 {(there we go - a reversed Stonewall)} Re8 12. O-O
c4 13. Bb1 a6 14. Rf3 $1 b5 15. Rh3 Nf8 $2 {. --- EXERCISE (combination alert):
White has a way to crash through Black's flimsy kingside defensive barrier.
How? --- ANSWER: Step 1: Elimination of defender.} 16. Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 {Step 2:
Crash through on h7.} 17. Bxh7+ Nxh7 18. Qh5 Qc7 19. Qxh7+ Kf8 20. e4 dxe4 21.
Nxe4 Bxe5 22. fxe5 Qc6 23. Re1 Qd5 24. Qh8+ Ke7 25. Qh4+ Kd7 26. Qf2 Kc7 27.
Rf3 Re7 28. Nc3 Qe6 29. Rf4 Rd8 30. Rf1 Rdd7 31. Qg3 Qb6 32. Ne2 Qc6 {. ---
EXERCISE (combination alert): Once again, White has a method of breaching the
defence. --- ANSWER: Discovered attack.} 33. Rxf7 $1 Kb6 (33... Rxf7 34. e6+ {
does the job}) 34. Rxe7 Rxe7 35. Nf4 Qe4 36. Qg6+ $1 Qxg6 37. Nxg6 Rd7 38. Rd1
b4 39. e6 Rd6 40. e7 Bc6 {. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): White to play
and force resignation. --- ANSWER: Double attack/overload: c6 and c4.} 41. Ne5
$1 {1-0 A.Rubinstein-A.Flamberg, Lodz 1906.}) 1... c5 2. c3 {To this day, I
still derive great joy in witnessing the incredulous expressions on the faces
of my opponents whenever I trot out my beloved Lakdawala Accelerated.} e6 3. d4
Nf6 4. e3 b6 5. Nbd2 Bb7 6. Bd3 d5 {QUESTION: Your opponent played ...d7-d5,
so doesn't this game belong in either of the first two chapters? --- ANSWER:
Please keep your voice down or my editor, John, will hear you and yell at me 
(via email) for this flagrant breech of chaptural (I made up this word)
etiquette! You are of course right, but the main reason I sneaked it into
Chapter Three is that I hoped to reinforce how these chapters weave in and out
of one another. Stay alert and on your tippy-toes for transpositions.} 7. Ne5
Bd6 8. f4 {Once again we revisit the reversed Stonewall Dutch structure.} Qc7 {
Black contemplates opposite wing castling.} ({QUESTION: How would one go about
attacking if Black, without fear, simply plays the no-nonsense} 8... O-O {?
--- ANSWER: The first step is to take control over e4 with} 9. Qf3 {. Then}
Bxe5 $5 10. dxe5 $1 {. QUESTION: Why didn't White recapture with the f-pawn?}
({ANSWER: He alertly foresaw the line} 10. fxe5 Ne4 $1 11. Bxe4 dxe4 {and
White is unable to recapture, due to Black's queen check on h4.}) ({After} 10.
dxe5 $1 Nfd7 11. Qh3 $1 ({even the straightforward} 11. O-O Ba6 12. e4 {looks
good for White}) 11... f5 12. Nf3 $1 ({avoiding distractions like} 12. exf6 $6
Nxf6 13. Qxe6+ Kh8 {, when Black gets good play down the newly opened e-file})
12... Qe7 13. Bd2 c4 14. Bc2 Nc5 15. g4 $1 Ne4 16. gxf5 exf5 17. Nd4 Nd7 18.
Bxe4 dxe4 19. Rg1 Nc5 {, R.Cifuentes Parada-J.Hodgson, Ubeda 1996, White can
simply take on f5 with a winning position.})) ({QUESTION: Shouldn't Black play
} 8... Ne4 {while he can? --- ANSWER: The move is premature since it allows a
disruptive check on b5; i.e.} 9. Bb5+ Kf8 10. Nxe4 dxe4 11. O-O {with
advantage to White.}) 9. Qf3 {A key point to remember: Take over control of e4
as quickly as possible.} Nc6 10. a3 {Intending b2-b4.} O-O-O $5 {Black,
nervous about castling short with such an ominous White build-up in that
sector, decides to castle long.} 11. O-O {QUESTION: Does White sometimes
castle long, too, in reversed Stonewall structures? --- ANSWER: From my
experience, almost never, since Black owns the space on that wing.} Rdf8 {
Perhaps contemplating ...Nd7 and ...f7-f6.} 12. b4 c4 {QUESTION: Didn't White
just get tricked? You closed the queenside and, for now, his king remains very
safe, whereas you are open to attack on the kingside. --- ANSWER: Rather than
challenging Black on the queenside, White plays on the kingside and in the
centre, where he holds a space advantage. White intends a timely e3-e4, which
should retain an edge.} 13. Bc2 Nd8 14. e4 $1 {The correct timing for the move
since the centre is blocked. --- QUESTION: When is e3-e4 incorrectly timed?
--- ANSWER: It is nearly always a bad move if, for example, Black's c-pawn was
still on c5 and central tension remained.} Ne8 15. exd5 exd5 $6 {QUESTION: Was
Black's last move the correct recapture?} ({ANSWER: I would keep the d5-square
open for pieces with} 15... Bxd5 16. Be4 Nf6 17. Bxd5 Nxd5 $1 18. Ne4 $1 {,
when White continues to hold a slight edge.} ({Not} 18. Ndxc4 $2 Bxe5 $1 19.
Nxe5 Qxc3 {, which looks slightly better for Black.})) 16. Qh3+ $1 {Exploiting
Black's last move.} Ne6 {The knight sits uncomfortably here, vulnerable to
pawn pushes and undermining tricks.} (16... Kb8 $4 17. Nd7+ {picks off an
exchange.}) 17. a4 Kb8 18. a5 g6 $6 {He should not have allowed the a-file to
open. Nobody wants to build their dream home on a charmless patch of real
estate. Yet, inexplicably, Black's king does just that, taking residence in
his hovel, surrounded by grey, colourless concrete. Black is too eager for a
fight, even if it is in his own neighbourhood, and underestimates the dangers
to his own king.} ({It would be wiser to keep the a-file closed by playing} 
18... b5 {.}) 19. axb6 axb6 20. Ba4 $1 {Targeting c6 and d7, both tender
squares. Now Black's king lives half in and half out, with one foot in this
world, the other in the next.} Rfg8 ({Black's trouble is that he just can't
afford} 20... Bxe5 {(compare my games against Pena and Hummel)} 21. fxe5 {,
since it loses all control over the dark squares and is equivalent to
strategic suicide.}) 21. f5 $5 ({The comp says it is better to go for} 21. Nd7+
$1 Kc8 22. Nf3 $1 f5 ({or} 22... Bxf4 $2 23. Nfe5 {and Black is completely
busted}) 23. Nfe5 {.}) ({QUESTION: Your last move puzzles me. Why open the
g-file for his rook? --- ANSWER: It does indeed open the g-file, but I thought
the pressure White got down the f-file mattered more.} 21. f5 {is the human
move but perhaps too straightforward. --- When I was a kid, I had this
horribly disconcerting habit of always blurting out the truth, when all along
I had intended to lie! Freud pointed out that the unconscious mind (the "Id")
enjoys a huge advantage over the conscious mind (us!), in that the unconscious
mind knows all our dirty little secrets, while we know next to nothing about
the Id. Thus we are at constant, never-ending disadvantage over the true
nature of our motivations. In this instance, my Id, having grown sick and
tired of my chess wimp image wanted to be a hero and attack, and does so,
possibly prematurely. (My advice to my Id: Just give up. I will never change!
I wasn't born to be a hero.)}) 21... gxf5 22. Rxf5 $6 (22. Nd7+ $1 Kc8 23. Nf3
$1 {, heading for e5 next, is still very much in White's favour.}) 22... Bxe5
23. Rxe5 {EXERCISE (calculation): There is no right or wrong answer to this
one. White just allowed 23...Nf4. Work out the ramifications. Would you play
it as Black?} Nd6 {In the occluded haze of the battlefield, the stressed
soldier sees only what his subconscious wants him to see.} ({ANSWER: If a
genie grants you one, and only one, non-transferable magic wish, then it would
be unwise to squander it on something trivial. Sidelines run endlessly, like
credits at the end of a movie, but this is one sideline Black should have
jumped on. Not because it wins, but because he it is much better than what he
got in the game. --- We get a god-awful mess after} 23... Nf4 $1 {(the knight
veers violently away from the moral values of his puritanical upbringing and
goes chasing after White's queen with the ardour of a teenage nerd in love
with the high school "bad girl")} 24. Qf3 $1 Rxg2+ $5 {a piece sac - which, I
admit, looks more like a guilt-assuaging move made at significant psychic cost,
rather than an actual sacrifice;} ({instead,} 24... Nxg2 $4 25. Rxe8+ Rxe8 26.
Bxe8 Rg8 27. Kh1 $1 {leaves Black without sufficient compensation}) 25. Kf1 {
- nobody can be cleansed without first undergoing some degree of suffering.
Somehow White's king reminds me of the words from Goethe's Faust: "Strive,
float, weave, live, tremble, give!" White wins a piece, but Black gets
attacking chances after} Rhg8 26. Qxf4 Rg1+ 27. Kf2 R8g2+ 28. Ke3 {, when it's
anybody's game to win or lose.}) 24. Nf1 $1 {Multipurpose: 1. Covers f4. --- 2.
Sets up a potential battery on f4. --- 3. Prepares a future Ne3 which
pressures d5 and f5.} Ne4 25. Bc2 Rg6 26. Bxe4 {Principle: Opposite-coloured
bishops favour the attacker, which is White here.} dxe4 27. Ra2 {Reinforcing
g2.} Rhg8 28. Rf2 {Multipurpose again: 1. Continues to cover g2. --- 2. Adds
pressure down the f-file. --- 3. Tries for Rxe6! and Bf4 pin tricks.} Ka7 $6 ({
Black should offer his e-pawn with} 28... e3 $1 {, to activate the bishop down
the long diagonal.}) 29. Be3 {White aims at b6, in the direction of Black's
king. Meanwhile, hermetic relief finally materializes for White's king, who
finds a safehouse on g1, since all ...e4-e3 tricks are now halted.} h6 {Black
begins to run out of ideas. His attempts at coercion down the g-file have
gotten him nowhere, having issued an ultimatum, a last chance ultimatum, and
an absolutely last, last, final, "I'm-not-bluffing!-I-really-really-mean-it!"
ultimatum. In response, White's king merely smiles and gives a languid yawn.}
30. Qf5 R6g7 31. d5 {Hitting e6 and opening the bishop's diagonal to Black's
king - a strong move,} ({but} 31. Ng3 $1 {is superior, when White has a
winning position.}) 31... Ng5 $2 ({Black's last chance lay in} 31... Rg5 $1 32.
Bxg5 Rxg5 33. Qh7 Rxe5 34. dxe6 Rxe6 35. Rxf7 Qb8 36. Ne3 {, though he is
still in deep trouble.}) 32. Ra2+ Kb8 33. Ng3 {The fundamentally inept
burglar's expectancy of a clean escape is dashed when he trips and sprains his
ankle by hooking his foot in a croquet wicket.} ({In time trouble, I miss the
sparkling shot} 33. Re7 $3 {.}) 33... Bc8 34. Qf4 $1 Rg6 $2 {The Roman emperor
on b8 misjudges the danger of the conspiratorial plebeians who casually circle
his royal litter. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): Find one strong move and
you force Black's resignation. --- ANSWER: The bride on f4 appears radiant,
while the ill-fitted groom on b8 frowns and bites his lip. As the now clichéd
Zen koan about "the sound of one hand clapping" so mysteriously tries to
elucidate: an absence of a thing exudes its own particular beauty. In this
case Black's missing dark square defenders become a non-object of beauty for
White.} 35. Re7 $1 (35. Rxg5 Rxg5 36. Ra8+ $1 {also works. --- SUMMARY: The
reversed Stonewall Dutch formation can arise from the early ...d7-d5 move
orders from Chapters One and Two, or from the Queen's Indian variation, as in
this case.}) 1-0

[Event "Thessaloniki Olympiad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1988.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Hoi, C."]
[Black "Gulko, B."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A47"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "1988.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 c5 3. e3 Nf6 4. Bd3 b6 5. O-O Bb7 6. Nbd2 cxd4 {A no-nonsense
approach. Black immediately breaks the central tension and alters the pawn
structure. --- QUESTION: In whose favour? --- ANSWER: Nobody's so far. White
benefits from the opening of the e-file, while Black gets long-term benefits
with the potential for a queenside minority attack - a fair negotiation.} 7.
exd4 Be7 8. Re1 ({White can also play without this move. For example:} 8. c3
O-O 9. Qe2 d6 10. Nc4 Nbd7 11. Bf4 Qc7 12. h3 Rfe8 13. Bh2 Nf8 14. Nfd2 {
(instructive; White prepares f2-f4)} Ng6 15. f4 $1 Bf8 16. Qf2 Ne7 17. Rae1
Rad8 18. g4 $5 {(only a very strong, confident player or a very weak one would
make such a move!)} Qc6 19. Nf3 g6 20. Bg3 h5 21. Ne3 hxg4 22. hxg4 Ned5 23.
Nxd5 Qxd5 24. Bh4 Qxf3 $6 (24... Nxg4 25. Qg3 Qh5 26. Bxd8 Rxd8 {was a
superior method of sac'ing the exchange}) 25. Qxf3 Bxf3 26. Bxf6 Bxg4 27. Bxd8
Rxd8 {and Black fell short on full compensation, M.Krasenkow-B.Macieja, Polish
Championship, Warsaw 2001.}) 8... O-O 9. c3 ({QUESTION: Can White opt for a
more traditional queen's pawn opening with} 9. c4 {? --- ANSWER: You can; and
you may end up in a hanging pawns situation after} d5 10. b3 {, similar to
those we look at in the next chapter on Zukertort lines.}) ({QUESTION: Can
White just transpose to a Zukertort Colle with} 9. b3 {? --- ANSWER: Yes again;
there is no problem veering away into the Zuke. For example:} Nc6 10. a3 {
(halting ...Nb4 ideas)} Rc8 11. Bb2 Re8 12. Rc1 d5 13. Qe2 {with a normal
Zukertort position, A.Yusupov-L.Polugaevsky, USSR Championship, Moscow 1983.})
9... d6 {QUESTION: Why not go all the way to d5 with the pawn? --- ANSWER:
Playing to d6 is perhaps more accurate, since it denies White use of the
e5-square and also keeps Black's pawn formation flexible. For example, White
must remain vigilant about ...e6-e5 breaks.} 10. Qe2 Re8 11. Nf1 {The normal
plan. White builds up his forces on the kingside, similar to the way he plays
in reversed Queen's Gambit Declined Exchange lines.} Nbd7 12. Ng3 Bf8 13. Bg5
h6 14. Bd2 {Having induced a target on h6.} Qc7 {Gulko is content with the
status quo.} (14... e5 $5 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Bc4 {sharpens the position.}) 15.
Bc2 {Keeping Qd3 options open.} Bd5 ({Once again Gulko holds back on his break
with} 15... e5 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Rad1 {.}) 16. b3 Qb7 {Loading up on f3.} 17.
Nh4 $5 {So the question for Black is: ...g7-g5 or not? White tempts his
opponent with luxuries beyond imagination, while secretly planning to deliver
on the promise with holographic simulacra, the chess version of worthless
monopoly money. He is willing to allow ...Bxf3, only as long as Black is
willing to weaken his king with ...g7-g5 first.} b5 18. Qd3 g5 $5 {Gulko, who
feels constrained by rules and regulations, decides to chuck them away on a
whim and weaken his king's guard, to do the same to his opponent. Yet he may
be underestimating the force of White's attack, while overestimating the
strength of his own. Clearly, eventful times lie ahead for both sides, neither
of whom hold back on their zealotry.} 19. Nf3 Bxf3 $5 {Consistent and possibly
dubious.} ({It isn't too late for something like} 19... e5 $1 20. Qf5 Be6 (
20... e4 $6 21. Nxg5 $1 {gives White a powerful attack for only a small
initial investment}) 21. Qd3 Bd5 {, which may lead to a draw by repetition.})
20. gxf3 {QUESTION: Didn't Black get the better of the deal? Just look at
White's pawn structure. --- ANSWER: I admit White's structure looks awkward,
like a man who inadvertently and loudly passes gas while on a first date with
the woman of his dreams. But the attacking chances White receives down the
open g-file more than compensate.} Bg7 21. h4 $1 {The black king's
self-contented smile crumples abruptly, as he comes to grips with the fact
that all is not well in his kingdom. Now White manages to pry open the g-file.}
gxh4 22. Ne4 Qc6 23. Kh1 Nh5 24. Rg1 Kf8 $6 ({QUESTION: Doesn't} 24... f5 {
trap White's knight? --- ANSWER: It does, but once again he gets a ferocious
attack for it after} 25. Bxh6 fxe4 26. Qe3 $1 Re7 27. Bxe4 d5 28. Bg6 {, when
Black will have a tough time surviving the coming assault. All the same, your
suggestion may be Black's best, since what he got in the game looks even worse.
}) 25. Rxg7 $1 {Powerful play, waving aside Black's best defender. The
g7-bishop guarded his doomed king the way a nesting mother bird continues to
protect eggs which will never hatch.} Kxg7 {EXERCISE (combination alert):
White has more than one powerful continuation which blows Black away. Can you
find them? --- ANSWER:} 26. Bxh6+ $3 (26. Rg1+ Kf8 27. Qe3 Ke7 28. Qxh6 Rh8 29.
Bg5+ f6 30. Bxf6+ $1 Ndxf6 31. Rg7+ $1 {was also winning.}) 26... Kxh6 {The
king continues to run and dodge, as a spray of bullets sink into the ground
all around him.} (26... Kh8 27. Nxd6 $1 {is no help to Black.}) 27. Rg1 $1 {A
quiet move after the initial deadly one. White's rook reaches its primary goal
without challenge: to cage Black's king.} f5 (27... Rg8 28. Qe3+ Kh7 29. Nf6+
Kh8 30. Qh6# {is mate.}) 28. Qe3+ f4 {Defeated rulers suffer haunted dreams of
ancient glories and victories, which torment them when they awaken and come to
the shuddering realization of their newly found powerlessness. The contrast
between the two armies is the evolvement differential between an adult
sabre-toothed tiger and a domesticated kitten. --- EXERCISE (combination alert)
: White has access to a beautiful finish. Do you see it? --- ANSWER: The
ordered mind of a military leader loathes disarray in his own camp, while
fostering it in the enemy's.} 29. Nxd6 $1 {Visually stunning. The threat is
mate on the move.} Qxd6 {When diagnosed as terminal, the patient lives on
infinitely precious, borrowed time.} ({The dismal alternatives:} 29... fxe3 30.
Nf7# {.}) (29... Ng3+ 30. Rxg3 $1 {and nothing is altered in the least.}) 30.
Qd3 {The creature, once en prise on e3, thought to be a shattered bloodied
thing destroyed into a thousand pieces, suddenly reorganizes, re-forms and
reanimates to its original terrifying form. It isn't often that a 2390 player
gets the opportunity to offer not one, but two queen sacs versus a strong GM.
Distressingly, we reach a heightened state of anguish where the attack feels
simultaneously close by and far away. In a sense it is just that.} Nf8 {
EXERCISE (combination alert): Find the correct move and glory is yours; miss
it and you blow an opportunity the way disembodied cigarette smoke curls up to
the ceiling. Do you see the finish? --- ANSWER: Even a plain Jane can be
blandly pretty. She knocks on the door of apartment h7, but there is no answer.
} 31. Qh7+ $1 {Black's king, helplessly in love, proposes to White's queen,
who believes she is merely involved in a one-night stand.} (31. Qh7+ Nxh7 32.
Rg6# {is a very unusual double-knight epaulette mate. --- SUMMARY: When Black
tosses in an early ...c5xd4, White can go for a normal c2-c3 Colle set-up, or
even switch to the Zukertort Colle.}) 1-0

[Event "Elista Olympiad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Yusupov, A."]
[Black "Rozentalis, E."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E14"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 b6 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. O-O c5 6. c4 {QUESTION: How does
pushing the c-pawn two squares alter things from a normal c2-c3 Colle set-up?
--- ANSWER: The positions draw closer to normal queen's pawn games. In some
cases they can transpose to Zukertort lines too.} Be7 ({Black can also get
funky with} 6... g6 $5 7. Nc3 Bg7 {, but then} 8. d5 $5 exd5 9. cxd5 O-O ({
while after} 9... Nxd5 10. Nxd5 Bxd5 11. Bxg6 hxg6 12. Qxd5 {I prefer White's
position due to his iron grip on d5, A.Yusupov-U.Kersten, German Championship,
Saarbrücken 2002}) 10. e4 {gives White an excellent Benoni. --- QUESTION: Why
is this version good for White? --- ANSWER: Black's b7-bishop hits a wall on
d5.}) 7. Nc3 cxd4 (7... d5 {is unwise since it opens the position when behind
in development:} 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Bb5+ $1 {was awkward for Black in A.Yusupov-T.Wedberg, Stockholm 2003.}) 8. exd4 d6 ({Other moves:} 8... O-O 9. d5 $1 {(a
familiar theme in this line)} h6 10. Bc2 {and White's d5-wedge gives him an
edge, B.Lalic-L.Pliester, Isle of Man 1995.}) (8... d5 9. cxd5 {(taking on an
isolani)} Nxd5 10. Ne5 O-O 11. Qg4 $1 {(this is very dangerous for Black, with
all of White's pieces glaring at his king)} Nf6 (11... f5 {subdues the attack
at the cost of weakening both e5 and e6}) 12. Qh4 {and now:} -- (12... Ne4 13.
Qh3 Qxd4 14. Bf4 Nf6 15. Ne2 $1 Qxb2 $2 {losing instantly;} ({though White's
development lead is still pretty scary after} 15... Qa4) 16. a3 $3 {when Rfb1
is coming and, surprisingly, Black has no good way to extricate his queen, A.Lastin-A.Gazarian, Elista 2011.}) (12... Nc6 $2 13. Bg5 g6 $2 {. --- EXERCISE 
(combination alert): This allows a beautiful shot which short-circuits Black's
position. Can you see it? --- ANSWER: Overload.} {Answer:} 14. Ba6 $3 h6 {
(there is nothing better; Black's game comes apart no matter what)} 15. Bxh6 {
and White went on to win, S.Halkias-J.Polgar, Warsaw 2010.})) 9. d5 $1 {
QUESTION: I take it that the d4-d5 push is a continual theme in this line? ---
ANSWER: Correct. If White can get away with it, then Black's b7-bishop gets
blunted.} e5 {Now we get opposite wing pawn majorities, but still in White's
favour due to that dead weight on b7. --- QUESTION: Isn't White's far flung
d-pawn a liability if Black just exchanges?} ({ANSWER: In many cases White
sacs the pawn in return for tremendous attacking chances. For example:} 9...
exd5 10. cxd5 O-O 11. Nd4 $1 {(the knight simultaneously eyes c6 and f5)} Nxd5
$4 {(Black can't yet touch d5)} 12. Nxd5 Bxd5 13. Qh5 f5 14. Nxf5 {is
annihilation.}) 10. Ng5 $1 {Yusupov, rather than go for a dartboard plan,
instead opts for the kitchen sink plan. --- QUESTION: White's last move looks
like a random move. Can you explain? --- ANSWER: Yusupov (I wish chess books
and databases would make up their minds: is it Yusupov or Jussupow? - the
spelling changes from game to game!) cleverly activates his f-pawn, intending
f2-f4.} Nbd7 ({QUESTION: What if Black plays} 10... h6 {to engineer his own ...f7-f5 break as quickly as possible? --- ANSWER: Black isn't ready for this
kind of early confrontation. After} 11. Nge4 Nxe4 12. Nxe4 O-O 13. Qh5 {, then}
f5 14. Ng3 e4 15. Be2 Bc8 16. f3 $1 {leaves Black is dire trouble.}) 11. f4 $1
Rc8 12. b3 a6 13. a4 {Yusupov makes certain to squelch ...b6-b5. Throughout
the game, Black's queenside pawn majority remains as immobile as those frozen,
furry-capped guards outside Buckingham Palace.} O-O 14. Ra2 {An instructive
rook lift. The sleeping a1-rook swings into action on the other wing.} h6 15.
Raf2 $5 {Yusupov has fantastic attacking instincts and can never be mistaken
as a man of peace.} exf4 {QUESTION: I take it that it is suicide to accept the
knight?} ({ANSWER: Correct:} 15... hxg5 $2 16. fxg5 {, and if Black insists on
his greed-at-any-price philosophy, he gets butchered after} Ne8 $4 17. Qh5 g6
18. Bxg6 {- so obvious that I refuse to give it an exclam! White has a
crushing attack.}) 16. Nh3 Ne5 ({QUESTION: What is wrong with} 16... g5 {? ---
ANSWER: A lot! White simply sacs a piece to shred Black's kingside pawn cover
with} 17. Nxf4 $1 gxf4 18. Bxf4 {. When intuition or clairvoyance fail to
offer a clear verdict, then always remember your eyes. No analysis is
necessary. This looks like a King's Gambit from hell for Black, whose survival
odds aren't promising.}) 17. Bb1 f3 $5 {This may hurt, more than help.
Pursuing a capricious whim often results in unexpected results. Far from
messing White up, the move simply makes him adjust and begin attacking along
the newly opened g-file.} (17... g5 18. Nxf4 $1 {still fails to hold much
appeal for Black.}) 18. gxf3 Re8 19. Rg2 Kh8 20. f4 Ned7 21. Ng5 $1 {The
Zombie menace must be challenged. But how? This guy is the nightmare relative
that comes to visit and never leaves. The same story applies: the knight
really can't be touched.} Kg8 {Night and day are indistinguishable to a man in
solitary confinement. I'm not sure how to differentiate the will to survive
from the fear of death.} 22. Kh1 $1 {The g7-pawn is the epicentre, the soft
underbelly of Black's woes. White clears g1 for the other rook. He etches the
message in acid on stone, just so Black won't forget: White is the one - the
only one - attacking. Soon his forces cover the kingside like an unpleasant
rash.} Bf8 {Black clutches grimly to the g7-talisman but soon learns its
protective magic is dead.} 23. Bb2 Re7 $2 {It's easy to blunder when under
such heavy pressure. Now White's attack gets completely out of control.} ({A
central counter with} 23... Nc5 {was Black's last, dim hope.}) 24. Nge4 $1 Re8
25. Rfg1 Rc7 26. Qd4 $1 {The pressure on f6 and g7 grows to unbearable levels.}
Kh8 {Black swims in a stinking, polluted ocean of unwelcome variations,
sub-variations and sub-sub variations, all in White's favour. --- EXERCISE 
(combination alert): Find White's flashy finish which sends Black's defence to
an early grave. --- ANSWER: Deflection. White's knight languidly steps over
the drunk passed out on the sidewalk, with contemptuous indifference.} 27. Nxd6
$1 ({After} 27. Nxd6 $1 Bxd6 {,} 28. Rxg7 {threatens the horrific Rh7 mate
next move. The story of the black king is preserved and documented within the
fossil record. --- SUMMARY: It isn't a bad idea to mix up your Colle lines a
bit, for variety's sake, and toss in c2-c4 occasionally. When you do, remember
the thematic d4-d5! push.}) 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Index 3"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 b6 3. e3 Bb7 4. Bd3 c5 5. O-O (5. c3 e6 6. Nbd2 d6 {-
Lakdawala-Khachian} (6... d5 {- Lakdawala-Longren})) 5... e6 6. Nbd2 (6. c4 {
- Yusupov-Rozentalis}) 6... Nc6 (6... cxd4 7. exd4 Be7 {- Hoi-Gulko}) 7. c3 Be7
8. e4 cxd4 9. -- (9. Nxd4 {- Colle-Capablanca}) (9. cxd4 {- Guimard-Foguelman})
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4: The Zukertort Colle"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. b3 {. In my teen years, when some of
my more sinister friends encouraged me to join them in rowdy undertakings, the
haunting image of my very proper mother always loomed, yanking me obediently
back to my uneventful life. Perhaps this is the reason I have always played
the c2-c3 Slav-style Colle - where White revives himself with excruciating
slowness - rather than its belligerent cousin, the Zukertort Colle. --- With
the Zukertort, White, the hunter, strays from the base camp all alone to
pursue dangerous game. He aims both bishops ominously at Black's kingside and
often engages in a hybrid Stonewall-style attacking scheme with Nd2, Ne5 and
f2-f4. Bruzon-Anand from this chapter is a good example of the fate which can
befall Black's king, if he makes the smallest defensive slip. White's
dark-squared bishop can also easily explode into the attack with a sudden
d4xc5. --- Perhaps I am getting braver in my old age, since recently trying
the Zuke with some success, which will undoubtedly encourage future Zuke
experimentation. Having researched the chapter, I am hooked and anxious to
give the Zuke more test drives. Admittedly, it is a risky pursuit, but it also
contains the promise of a glorious reward. In any case, the Zukertort is an
excellent supplement (or main line, if you are a mad attacking type) to the
c2-c3 Colles - as a way of throwing off your opponent's opening preparation,
or if you are just in a bad mood and seek to blow your opponent off the board!}
*

[Event "Correspondence"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2001.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Broeker, C."]
[Black "De Wolf, B."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2001.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 ({The Colle is so (seemingly!)
non-threatening that Black sometimes feels he can set up any way he pleases.
Black can even go for the counter-intuitive} 4... g6 $5 {, with the logic that
it blunts White's dangerous d3-bishop. --- QUESTION: Is there some problem
with this move? --- ANSWER: Please see White's next move! -} 5. b3 $1 {(the
Zukertort makes sense now; White's bishop heads for a3 the minute Black
fianchettoes)} Bg7 6. Ba3 Nbd7 {(Black must shut down the diagonal with ...c7-c5)} 7. Nbd2 c5 8. O-O O-O 9. c4 Qa5 10. Bb2 {getting a strange sort of
Grünfeld hybrid;} ({White can also try} 10. Qc1 {, stubbornly maintaining the
bishop on the a3-f8 diagonal}) 10... Rd8 11. Qe2 {(Black would like to play ...b7-b6, but this would cut his queen off from the proceedings)} cxd4 12. Bxd4 $5
({opting for piece play over the traditional hanging pawns situation after} 12.
exd4) 12... Nc5 13. Bc2 Nce4 14. Nxe4 dxe4 15. Ne5 Bd7 (15... Ne8 16. f4 $1 {
also looks slightly better for White}) 16. f4 $1 {and advantage White, who has
a healthy queenside pawn majority and the better placed pieces as well, A.Yusupov-G.Sosonko, Tunis Interzonal 1985.}) 5. O-O Nc6 6. b3 {The Zukertort
Colle, which is fast growing in popularity. White fianchettoes rather than go
for the traditional c2-c3 reversed Slav structures.} Bd6 7. Bb2 Qe7 {QUESTION:
Why develop to e7 when c7 looks more logical? --- ANSWER: Actually c7 isn't
such a great square, since White may play Rc1 and c2-c4 later on. Black plays
the Capablanca plan with which he defeated Bogoljubow (see the note to move 12
below), hoping to take the steam out of White's attack with a future ...c5xd4
followed by ...Ba3.} 8. Ne5 {Played in the spirit of the Zukertort. ---
QUESTION: Is White going for a Stonewall plan with a future f2-f4, as we have
seen in previous chapters?} ({ANSWER: If he can get away with it, yes. Instead,
} 8. c4 {, as in C.Schlechter-O.Krause, Copenhagen 1907, leads to a more
traditional double queen's pawn game.}) 8... O-O 9. Nd2 {White doesn't fear
the coming ...Ba3 Capablanca plan.} ({He refuses to use a tempo on} 9. a3 {,
since after} Nd7 $1 10. f4 f6 {Black is fine.}) 9... cxd4 ({QUESTION: Doesn't
Black gain a tempo with} 9... Nb4 {? --- ANSWER: Black gains a tempo
temporarily (after} 10. Be2 {), but then loses it right back when White tosses
in a2-a3. So in reality it makes little difference to either side.}) 10. exd4
Ba3 11. Bxa3 Qxa3 12. c3 $1 ({An improvement over E.Bogoljubow-J.R.Capablanca,
New York 1924, which continued} 12. Ndf3 Bd7 13. Nxc6 Bxc6 14. Qd2 Rac8 15. c3
a6 16. Ne5 Bb5 $1 17. f3 Bxd3 18. Nxd3 Rc7 19. Rac1 Rfc8 20. Rc2 Ne8 21. Rfc1
Nd6 22. Ne5 Qa5 {(the Capa magic: White finds himself passively tied down,
without a glimmer of a kingside attack)} 23. a4 {(Bogo does his best to be
actively passive, which only loosens his position)} Qb6 24. Nd3 $2 {(an
unsound sac)} Qxb3 25. Nc5 Qb6 26. Rb2 Qa7 27. Qe1 b6 28. Nd3 Rc4 29. a5 $6
bxa5 30. Nc5 Nb5 31. Re2 {. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): Black has a
devilish combination. Do you see what Capa saw? --- ANSWER: X-ray.} Nxd4 $1 32.
cxd4 R8xc5 $1 {and White resigned. This game is annotated in 'Capablanca: Move
by Move'.}) 12... h6 $2 {QUESTION: What is the point behind this move? ---
ANSWER: Black seems to fear (perhaps with good reason!) a future sac on h7 -
but in fixing one problem, he simply creates a larger one, by allowing White
an f2-f4, g2-g4-g5 plan.} ({QUESTION: Isn't} 12... Qb2 {good for Black since
he forces queens off the board? --- ANSWER: It's important to be alert, but if
you are too alert (i.e. me!) you cross the line to jittery, which has a way of
transforming virtue into a weakness. White has no intention of obliging with
Qc2 or Qc1. Instead, he offers a pawn:} 13. Rc1 $1 Qxa2 14. Re1 Qa5 15. Re3 $1
{(Black lost an awful lot of time with his pawn grab, while White gets a
dangerous kingside build-up)} Qc7 16. Rh3 Nxe5 17. Bxh7+ $1 Nxh7 18. Qh5 {left
Black on the defensive, R.Tibensky-S.Vesselovsky, Brno 2005. --- QUESTION:
Well then, what do you suggest for Black?}) ({ANSWER: Unimpressive as it looks,
perhaps he should go for} 12... Nxe5 13. dxe5 Nd7 14. Re1 Nc5 15. Bc2 Bd7 16.
Re3 {, when the position exudes a French Defence-like feel, where White's
kingside ambitions are possibly counterbalanced by Black's on the other side,
T.Abergel-G.Vallin, French Team Championship 2004.}) 13. f4 $1 Bd7 14. g4 $1 {
Sometimes the mother bird pushes the reluctant fledgling, sending it squawking
from the safe haven of the nest, forced to fly or plunge below to its death.
The players gamble and bicker over the odds: White bets his attack will work;
Black bets it won't. As always, White is willing to give up his a-pawn should
Black get greedy with ...Qb2 at any point.} Qb2 {Which he does now! The
captain, abandoning caution, shouts to his first mate: "Belay that order!" and
goes pawn hunting, harpoon in hand.} 15. Rc1 $1 {The general ruthlessly deems
a2 as doomed. The ramifications: White refuses to allocate precious resources
in a rescue mission for a rather non-essential queenside pawn, gambling
everything on the coming kingside attack.} Qxa2 16. g5 hxg5 17. fxg5 Nxe5 {The
tally is in. Black fears grievous erosion to his king safety. However, we must
find the correct move for White. --- EXERCISE (critical decision): We have a
choice of taking either knight. One of them wins for White. Which one do you
pick? --- ANSWER: Offer our d3-bishop. Soon Black's king, a-swirl Dorothy/
Wizard of Oz-style, finds himself inadvertently tossed into another dimension:
a cold, vast emptiness with a population of one.} 18. gxf6 $1 Ng6 {The knight
tentatively reaches out to touch d3, then snatches his hand back, as if from
an open flame on a gas stove.} ({After giving the d3-bishop a wistful, longing
look, he wisely refrains, since} 18... Nxd3 $4 19. Qg4 g6 20. Qg5 $1 Kh7 21.
Qh4+ Kg8 22. Qh6 {mates.}) 19. Rc2 Qa5 20. Qh5 {She swoops in, hands on hips.
From my life experience, nothing is scarier than an angry woman. Doesn't it
strike you as odd that we fear a spouse's (or mother's!) displeasure far more
than global climate change, the effects of massive overpopulation on a finite
ecosystem, global viral pandemics, biological/chemical attacks and dirty
bombs? Apparently all anxiety is local - and female!} Bb5 21. c4 {The
vindictive c-pawn raises a peremptory, warning hand and, failing that,
prepares a swift kick to the gonads!} ({This is even stronger than} 21. Bxb5
Qxb5 22. Ne4 $1 {- the knight pops up from nowhere, like a spring loaded
jack-in-the-box - which is decisive too, but allows Black to prolong the game
after} Qxf1+ 23. Kxf1 dxe4 {.}) 21... Ba6 22. Nf3 {The fastidious knight leans
forward, like a sunlight-hungry rose, straining to emerge from the shadows of
the bush. Black's universe suddenly stinks of queens, rooks, knights, bishops
and f-pawns, and his windblown king sways like a sapling plant.} ({So simple -
Ng5 is a deadly threat after} 22. Nf3 {- while} gxf6 23. Bxg6 fxg6 24. Qxg6+
Kh8 25. Qh5+ Kg7 26. Rg2# {is mate. Black's king posthumously wonders: "So
this is purgatory?" --- SUMMARY: The Capablanca anti-Zuke plan, so deadly in
the 1920s, isn't so hot for Black in 2012. 12 c3! is our improvement over
Bogo's play.}) 1-0

[Event "Dubai"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2012.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Sandipan, C."]
[Black "Ganguly, S."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2012.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 d5 4. Bd3 c5 5. b3 Nc6 {QUESTION: Can Black develop
the knight to d7 as he did in Chapter Two, to discourage d4xc5? --- ANSWER: He
can - we will look at this development scheme later in the chapter (see
Summerscale-Jimenez) - but it is far more common for Black to post it on c6
against the Zukertort.} 6. O-O Bd6 {QUESTION: Are there differences between
developing the bishop to d6 and e7? --- ANSWER: The differences: 1. d6 is a
more central, active posting, where Black fights for the critical e5-square,
which is White's normal jumping post for his knight. --- 2. The trouble with
d6 is that if White manages to achieve Ne5 and f2-f4, then Black can't play ...Nxe5 (as he can with the bishop on e7), since either d4xe5 or f4xe5 would win
a piece. --- QUESTION: Which bishop move is more popular? --- ANSWER: In my
experience most players choose d6 over e7, by about a 4:1 margin - but in all
Colles, not just the Zukertort. This isn't necessarily evidence that ...Bd6 is
better, since in chess we sometimes see the tyranny of the majority.} 7. Bb2
O-O 8. Nbd2 ({Or} 8. a3 b6 9. Ne5 Bb7 10. Nd2 Ne7 11. Qe2 Qc7 12. c4 cxd4 13.
exd4 Ng6 14. f4 Rad8 15. Qe3 Ba8 16. Rac1 dxc4 17. bxc4 {(when playing the
Zukertort, sometimes you must be willing to take on hanging pawns like these)}
Qe7 18. Bb1 Qb7 19. Qh3 {and the position may be dynamically balanced, but I
prefer White's side, Su.Polgar-L.Psakhis, Amsterdam 1990.}) 8... b6 9. a3 Bb7 (
{QUESTION: Why doesn't Black play} 9... Qc7 {first? This puts an end to
White's automatic Ne5 attacking ideas. --- ANSWER: True, but in doing so you
put the queen on the vulnerable c-file. For example:} 10. c4 cxd4 11. exd4 Bb7
12. Qe2 Rfd8 13. Rfd1 Bf8 14. Rac1 {and now Black's queen, feeling
distinctively uncomfortable where she is, decided to leave, wasting time with}
Qf4 {, when White secured an edge with} ({perhaps Black should toss in} 14...
dxc4 {first}) 15. c5 $1 {, A.Miles-R.Ramesh, Commonwealth Championship,
Bikaner 1999. We look more at the c4-c5 idea later on in the chapter in my
game against Graves.}) 10. Qe2 ({The immediate} 10. Ne5 {is more common (as in
Polgar-Psakhis above). Perhaps White was hoping to entice the black queen to
c7.}) 10... Rc8 11. Ne5 Ne7 $1 {QUESTION: Why did Black retreat the knight?
--- ANSWER: He fights for control over the key e4-square, desiring ...Ne4
himself later on. I feel this is one of Black's best ways to meet the
Zukertort set-up.} 12. f4 Ne4 $1 13. Nxe4 {White plugs e4 with a black pawn.}
dxe4 14. Bc4 cxd4 15. exd4 {The game sharpens as the pawn structure grows more
imbalanced.} Nf5 16. a4 Bxe5 $5 17. dxe5 Qc7 {Thinking about ...Qc5+ and ...Ne3.} 18. Ba3 Rfd8 19. Rad1 h6 20. c3 {Houdini loves Black's position here,
but that may be a misassessment.} a6 21. Bb4 $1 {Eliminating any ideas of ...b6-b5.} Qc6 $5 22. Rxd8+ ({White chooses not to speculate with} 22. Bxa6 $5
Bxa6 23. Qxa6 Ne3 24. Rd6 Rxd6 25. exd6 Nxf1 26. Kxf1 {.}) 22... Rxd8 23. Rd1
Rxd1+ 24. Qxd1 e3 25. Qc2 Nh4 {The knight clears his throat to get the
g2-pawn's attention.} 26. Bf1 {QUESTION: Who stands better? --- ANSWER: Black
holds the initiative, but White has the long-term chances with his bishop pair
and queenside pawn majority. Then again, the ponderous bishop pair is in no
danger of being mistaken for a team of gymnasts at the moment, so maybe the
chances are still somewhere in the range of even.} Qd5 27. Qd3 $1 {An ending
is in White's best interest. The white queen's once despondent expression
alters and the faintest of ghost smiles appears for just a flicker of time.
She realizes she may be the conduit of revenge, due to her ministrations. In
this case, Black's queen gets out-niced by her sweet-talking sister.} a5 $6 {
Black overestimates his position and begins to overpress.} ({He should go for
the positive side of a probable draw with} 27... e2 $1 28. Qxe2 a5 29. Bd6 Qxb3
30. Qf2 Nf5 31. Bc7 Qxa4 32. Bxb6 Bd5 33. c4 Bxc4 34. Bxc4 Qxc4 35. Bxa5 {,
when Black remains (slightly) better.}) 28. Qxd5 Bxd5 29. Be7 $1 {The bar's
impresario bishop pair challenges the opposing bishop and knight to
arm-wrestle, with the losers buying the drinks.} Ng6 30. Bd8 $1 Nxf4 31. Bb5
Bxb3 32. Bxb6 Ng6 33. Bxa5 Nxe5 {Do you feel it? There is a palpable
diminution from Black's side, like a picture containing an identical smaller
picture of itself within it, which in turn repeats the process with yet
another miniaturization, and so on. Suddenly, Black is in deep trouble. His
halted e3-passer gathers dust, like an unloved car in the garage, while
White's bishops support their own two on the queenside. Meanwhile, the bored
black knight and bishop drum their fingertips on the wall to pass the time
more quickly. Every ecosystem contains its own hierarchy, and in this one
White's bishops rule. So it is no surprise that the pig and cow are viewed
with contempt by the horses on the farm.} 34. Bb6 Nc4 35. a5 f5 {The war
machinery gets cranked, pumped, polished and readied for the final battle: an
unequal pawn race. Black hopes to jury-rig the contraption to get it moving,
but his majority is just too slow. The trouble is that Black's pawns receive
no support from the bishop and knight, a couple long out of love, who remain
together to keep up appearances for the sake of their children.} 36. Bc7 Na3 {
The first-class passenger expected better accommodations. Instead, he gets
stuck in the aft cabin on a3.} 37. Be2 Bd5 $2 {The bishop desperately tries to
close the sluice gate before the dam leak floods the town. Now Black's hopes
dim, like lights going off one by one in a skyscraper.} ({His last prayer is} 
37... Nb1 38. c4 Nc3 39. Bd3 {.}) 38. a6 Nc4 {EXERCISE (planning): Gentle
advice didn't work, so the time has arrived for a stern rebuke to Black. How
do we force the passed a-pawn through? --- ANSWER: Eliminate the defender of
the queening square. The black bishop rolls over like a dead beetle.} 39. Bf3
$1 {SUMMARY: Black's plan of ...Ne7! and ...Ne4! is one of the better ones
against the Zukertort.} 1-0

[Event "Leon (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2006.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bruzon Batista, L."]
[Black "Anand, V."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2006.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 d5 4. Bd3 c5 5. b3 Bd6 6. O-O O-O 7. Bb2 Nc6 8. Nbd2
cxd4 {I realize this move is played quite often, but I am not convinced of its
accuracy. Just as in Colle proper, I think an early exchange on d4 only helps
White. --- QUESTION: Why? --- ANSWER: Since White usually goes for a kingside
attack, central tension favours the defender, Black. In this case it is very
hard now for Black to make a dent in White's queenside fortress. Meanwhile,
White easily builds up on the other wing.} 9. exd4 b6 10. a3 {Good timing.
White prevents annoying ideas like ...Nb4, followed by ...Ba6.} Bb7 11. Ne5 Qc7
({QUESTION: Can Black get central counterplay with the line} 11... Bxe5 12.
dxe5 Nd7 {, intending ...Nc5 next? --- ANSWER: Perhaps so, but then White can
continue} 13. Qh5 ({or} 13. f4 Nc5 14. Bxh7+ $5 Kxh7 15. Qh5+ Kg8 16. Nf3 Ne4
17. Rae1 {, J.Banoci-P.Trojacek, Tatranska Lomnica 1997, though I don't fully
trust White's compensation after} f6) 13... h6 14. b4 a5 15. b5 Ne7 16. Nf3 {
, which has the feel of a slightly inferior French Defence for Black.}) 12. Qe2
Ne7 {Anand - the world's best defensive player, in my opinion - enlists
reinforcements to assist his king.} 13. f4 {What I love most about the
reversed Stonewall attacks, in the Zuke and in the Colle proper, is that they
are so easy to play for White and so difficult for our opponents.} b5 14. Rf3 {
Here we go!} Rac8 {An instructive moment in the Zuke: Black threatens ...Ne4!.
White must defend his c-pawn on the next move to prevent it.} 15. Rc1 ({I think
} 15. c3 $1 {is an improvement for White. --- QUESTION: Why? That move looks
ugly and unnatural. --- ANSWER: Despite the external ugliness, I prefer it for
these reasons: 1. White may then use the a1-rook for the attack, rather than
hire it as a babysitter for c2. --- 2. By playing the pawn to c3, White gains
a tempo, since b5 suddenly hangs. --- 3. White even may go for the plan b3-b4
and Nb3-c5, negating the bad aftertaste of his backward (but not-so-weak)
c-pawn.}) 15... b4 $1 16. a4 {After this natural move, Anand makes use of his
hold on c3.} ({Perhaps White can try} 16. axb4 Bxb4 17. Rh3 {.}) 16... Ng6 17.
Rcf1 {Slowly, Bruzon's pieces approach Anand's king.} Ne4 $1 {Principle:
Counter in the centre when attacked on the wing. Anand, in pure desperation
mode, makes the most of his resources. I read that intense competition has the
effect of producing greater aggression in the defender as well, from a
Darwinian standpoint. Apparently, in the Palaeolithic era, even herbivores
were more aggressive than today's models, mainly due to an abundance of
carnivorous predators in their midst. They were forced to toughen up to
survive. The proof: Don't you play better and more inventively when you are
desperate or busted? I do!} 18. Rh3 (18. Nxe4 $2 {would be a dumb way to get
distracted and mess things up. Black stands slightly better after} dxe4 19.
Bxe4 Bxe4 20. Qxe4 Qxc2 {and regains the pawn with an edge.}) 18... f5 {Black
defended well.} 19. Bxe4 $1 {Destroying a key defender by depriving Black of ...Nf6.} ({I prefer this line over} 19. Nxe4 dxe4 20. Bc4 Rf6 21. Qh5 Nf8 {which
looks okay for Black.}) 19... dxe4 $2 ({He had to try} 19... Bxe5 $1 20. dxe5
fxe4 21. Qh5 Kf7 $1 {. Even here, Black looks like he is under some pressure
after} 22. f5 $1 {. White's pawns entwine, like brambles around a castle.
Houdini says "equal" at this point, but after fiddling with this position a
few times, the comp humbly changes its mind and offers an apology if you play
out about eight moves.}) 20. Qh5 {The queen swoons into the waiting arms of
relevance. Self-expression ceases to exist within the hive mind. White's
pieces mindlessly swarm with unified intent, simultaneous motion and lethal
synchronicity. Life sometimes obliges us to endure severe trials. Last year
my wife browbeat me into attending an Abba tribute concert by the San Diego
Symphony. Anand must have felt the same feelings of helpless despondency here
as I did during the concert when they played 'Dancing Queen'. I remember
watching this game live with depressing trepidation for my beloved countryman,
Anand, at this point. He is a great defender, but I had a bad feeling about
his one!} Bxe5 21. fxe5 Qxc2 $5 {Anything to dredge up even a morsel of
counterplay. The quarrelsome confederacy of defenders each do their own thing,
at a high cost to the king they are supposedly protecting. This questionable
indulgence, bordering on rash, was obviously not the by-product of deep
rumination on Black's part. His heavily taxed queen can't simultaneously be
greedy and protect her king. She simply takes on too many tasks. The queen's
wanderings remind me of the Crosby, Still, Nash and Young song: "Where are you
going to now my love? Where will you be tomorrow? Will you bring me happiness?
Will you bring me sorrow?" My guess is sorrow!} ({Black's last move makes
matters worse, but if he tries to pull the trick} 21... Kf7 {this time, it
fails to} 22. Nc4 $1 Rcd8 23. g4 {with a winning attack.}) 22. Qxh7+ Kf7 23.
Rg3 Qxd2 (23... Qxb2 24. Qxg6+ Ke7 25. Qg5+ Ke8 {(the king cycles up and down
like a piston)} 26. Qh5+ {does the job as well.}) 24. Rxg6 Rg8 {EXERCISE 
(combination alert): The networks and passageways of the attacking lines flow
with effortless co-ordination. How can White tear away the final vestiges of
Black's resistance? --- ANSWER: The rook sac, like a flat tyre, stops Black
cold. Now subtlety and nuance go out of the window as the game degenerates
into a Benny Hill chase scene.} 25. Rxe6 $3 Kxe6 26. Qxf5+ {The queen stomps
by with an "I-won't-discuss-it"-ness to her expression.} Ke7 {A wild animal
caught in a hunter's trap, twists, corkscrews and flails about to no avail.} (
26... Kd5 27. Qd7# {is mate at once.}) 27. Qf7+ Kd8 {The tipped cow fails to
find the strength to get up again.} 28. e6 $1 {Forcing mate in nine moves.} e3
$5 {A homeless person doesn't worry much about robbery. He has no possessions
or wallet to protect. Oops, this allows mate on the move. Luckily Anand
resigned before Bruzon could deliver the mate. --- SUMMARY: Just as in the
Colle proper, I feel Black makes a concession if he goes ahead with an early ...c5xd4.} 1-0

[Event "Andorra"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1991.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Summerscale, A."]
[Black "Jimenez Macias, S."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "1991.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. Nf3 ({Compare the current game with this classic by Lasker:} 1. f4 d5 2. e3
Nf6 3. b3 e6 4. Bb2 Be7 5. Bd3 b6 6. Nf3 Bb7 7. Nc3 Nbd7 8. O-O O-O 9. Ne2 c5
10. Ng3 Qc7 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. Bxe5 Qc6 13. Qe2 a6 14. Nh5 Nxh5 15. Bxh7+ $3 {
(at the time a completely new sacrificial idea)} Kxh7 16. Qxh5+ Kg8 17. Bxg7 $1
Kxg7 18. Qg4+ Kh7 19. Rf3 $1 e5 20. Rh3+ Qh6 21. Rxh6+ Kxh6 22. Qd7 {, winning
a piece and the game, Em.Lasker-J.H.Bauer, Amsterdam 1889.}) 1... c5 2. e3 {
The Summerscale Accelerated?} ({White deviates from my beloved} 2. c3 {move
order.}) 2... e6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bd3 d5 5. b3 Be7 {Black posts on e7 this time,
and for the remainder of the chapter.} 6. Bb2 O-O ({Here is another game where
Black posted his knight on d7 to discourage d4xc5:} 6... Nbd7 7. Nbd2 b6 8. O-O
Bb7 9. Qe2 O-O 10. Ne5 Qc7 11. a3 a6 12. f4 b5 13. Nxd7 $1 {(driving a
defender away from Black's king)} Nxd7 14. dxc5 $1 Nxc5 {(and now the Lasker
combination reincarnates)} 15. Bxh7+ $1 Kxh7 16. Qh5+ Kg8 17. Bxg7 $1 Kxg7 18.
Qg4+ {1-0 L.Filatov-S.F.Mayer, Philadelphia 2000.}) 7. O-O Nbd7 {QUESTION: Why
d7 rather than c6? --- ANSWER: GM Aaron Summerscale writes: "One danger for
Black, in the ...Nc6 lines, is that White will play d4xc5 at an opportune
moment, in preparation for the elimination of the Nf6. By deploying the knight
to this slightly less active square, Black correctly defends against this
possibility."} 8. Nbd2 b6 9. Ne5 {As always in the Zuke, our knight whispers
along, the way a cheetah nears her prey.} Nxe5 {QUESTION: Shouldn't Black
refrain from this capture? --- ANSWER: If Black refuses to take, then White
backs up the knight with f2-f4 next move.} 10. dxe5 Nd7 11. f4 {Stonewall or
pseudo-Stonewall, the f-pawn will not be denied.} Bb7 12. Qh5 {Provoking a
pawn weakness around Black's king.} g6 ({QUESTION: Wouldn't} 12... h6 {be
better? --- ANSWER: Summerscale answers: "If instead Black had played ...h7-h6,
he would have to watch out for the strong advance g2-g4-g5."}) 13. Qh3 $1 {
QUESTION: Shouldn't White's queen have infiltrated to h6 instead? --- ANSWER:
The h3-square is superior for three reasons: 1. If the queen enters h6 Black
gains time and, more importantly, a defender after ...Re8 and ...Bf8. --- 2.
On h3 the queen prevents ...f7-f6 or ...f7-f5 central counters, since e6 hangs
after e5xf6 (en passant). --- 3. On h3, the queen prepares a pawn storm attack
with g2-g4-g5 and f4-f5.} b5 $1 {Admittedly, this is a move permeated more
with optimism than efficiency. Still, it remains a good practical try. If
given a free hand, White will overwhelm his opponent on the kingside. So Black
sensibly offers a pawn as a distraction, in order to create his own central
and wing counters.} 14. Bxb5 {QUESTION: Must he accept? --- ANSWER: Acceptance,
is best since Black will play the annoying ...c5-c4 if given the chance.} Qa5 {
Double attack on b5 and d2.} 15. Bxd7 Qxd2 16. Rf2 {Everything is covered.} Qb4
{Black counted on this position when he sac'ed the pawn, hoping to shut
White's light-squared bishop out of play.} 17. a3 Qb6 {EXERCISE (planning):
White eyes an f4-f5 break. How can he accomplish this feat? --- ANSWER: By
playing it without further preparation. The not-so-out-of-play d7-bishop
revolves in a distant orbit around f5.} 18. f5 $1 gxf5 {QUESTION: What happens
if he had captured with his e6-pawn?} ({ANSWER: Much the same theme:} 18...
exf5 19. Rxf5 $1 d4 (19... gxf5 20. Bxf5 {transposes to the game}) 20. Rf2 Rad8
21. exd4 cxd4 22. e6 {with an extra pawn and the initiative.}) 19. Rxf5 $1 {
Given the threat of Rh5, Black has no choice but to accept the sacrifice.} exf5
20. Bxf5 h6 {EXERCISE (critical decision): White is down a full rook and must
find the correct path for attack. How would you proceed? --- ANSWER:
Interference. White's forces, like time, only move in one direction.} 21. e6 $1
Bg5 {EXERCISE (combination alert): Find White's stunning shot and all becomes
clear.} (21... fxe6 $4 22. Qxh6 {mates quickly.}) ({After} 21... Bg5 {one
bishop on g5 is overly pious, while the other on b7 needs a liberal dose of
faith in the defensive endeavour. The bony tree, now devoid of leaves and all
variety of green, clings to life in the arid wasteland.}) 22. Bf6 $3 {ANSWER:
Deflection. Once again, Lucy pulls the football from under Charlie Brown's
feet. The gallivanting bishop greets his counterpart with courteously cold,
guarded recognition and a respectful nod of the head.} fxe6 $2 ({Not very
tempted, the bishop foregoes the unenticing offer of a mouldy hors d'oeuvre on
f6, as} 22... Bxf6 $4 23. Qxh6 {mates in two.}) ({Black's only path to
continued resistance is} 22... Rae8 $1 23. Bxg5 Rxe6 24. Bxe6 Qxe6 25. Qxh6
Qxh6 26. Bxh6 {, although the opposite-coloured bishops probably won't save
Black, two pawns down.}) 23. Bxe6+ {The starved, rival crows contend with
angry cadence over ownership of the unlucky cricket on g8.} Rf7 24. Bxg5 $1
hxg5 25. Rf1 Raf8 {When a boxer, on his back, looks up at the blurry, spinning
form of the opponent hovering over him, while the ref counts: "seven, eight,
nine...!", we can surmise that he experiences a rather undesired vantage point.
--- EXERCISE (combination alert): Black's king, shorn of defenders, feels a
palpable, naked sense of not-there-ness. One powerful move ends it. --- ANSWER:
The black king's mind spins into a dark oblivion, as a hidden assailant holds
him down in a vice grip, while a partner applies the chloroformed rag to mouth
and nose.} 26. Rf6 $1 {In ancient times, oppressors powered their ships by
chaining galley slaves, row upon row, and forcing them at whip-point to strain
at their oars. Black must hand over his queen to prevent Rg6 mate. --- SUMMARY:
When Black exchanges early on e5, we still retain a promising attack.} 1-0

[Event "European Team Championship, Plovdiv"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1983.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Yusupov, A."]
[Black "Spiridonov, N."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "1983.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 ({Another game of mine went} 2. Nd2 {(we look more at this
strange move order in Chapter Nine)} d5 3. Ngf3 e6 4. e3 Nbd7 5. Bd3 Be7 6. O-O
O-O 7. c4 b6 8. b3 {(now we transpose to a Zukertort)} Bb7 9. Bb2 c5 10. Rc1
Rc8 {. --- QUESTION: Can White attain anything from the pure symmetry? ---
ANSWER: Despite the symmetry, White holds three advantages: 1. It's his move,
so White leads slightly in development. --- 2. Black's dark-squared bishop is
more passive than its white counterpart on d3. --- 3. White's queen is soon
out of the line of fire and Black's is posted uncomfortably on d8. --- C.Lakdawala-K.Arnold, San Diego (rapid) 2004, continued} 11. Qe2 Qc7 12. cxd5
exd5 13. Rfd1 Ne4 14. Ba6 {. Principle: Trade down when your opponent has the
hanging pawns or isolani. White stands slightly better.}) 2... e6 3. e3 c5 ({
A.Yusupov-R.Dautov, Essen 2000, saw} 3... b6 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. O-O d5 6. Ne5 Bd6 7.
Nd2 Nbd7 8. f4 c5 9. b3 O-O 10. Bb2 cxd4 11. exd4 Ne4 {(Black pounces on his
hole)} 12. Nxe4 {(White hurries to seal e4 with a pawn before Black reinforces
it)} dxe4 13. Bc4 a6 14. a4 Bd5 15. Qe2 a5 16. Bb5 {with a slight edge to
White.}) 4. Bd3 d5 5. b3 Nc6 6. Bb2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Nbd2 b6 9. Ne5 Nb4 {As
mentioned before, we need not fear this move. The loss of time is merely a
temporary investment, soon to be recouped.} 10. Be2 Bb7 ({QUESTION: How do we
respond if Black tries to simplify with} 10... cxd4 11. exd4 Ba6 {? --- ANSWER:
We play} 12. c3 $1 {, trapping Black's knight.}) 11. f4 {No rush to toss in
a2-a3.} Ne4 {QUESTION: Why does Black engage in this unforced knight move? ---
ANSWER: Black wants to eject his counterpart on e5, so he clears the path for ...f7-f6. --- QUESTION: Do we swap on e4? --- ANSWER: Yes, in general, when
Black plays ...Ne4, you should take it, since it is in our best interests to
gum up e4 with a black pawn.} 12. Nxe4 dxe4 13. a3 Nd5 {Only a temporary
square for the knight, since c2-c4 is in the air.} 14. Qd2 Rc8 $6 {Black
procrastinates, like a person who buys a self-help CD titled "How to Avoid
Procrastination" but doesn't bother opening the package when he gets home.} (
14... f6 15. Ng4 {should have been played. Black soon pays for his delay of ...f7-f6.}) 15. c4 Nf6 {Now Black's knight prevents the needed ...f7-f6.} 16. Rad1
Bd6 17. dxc5 $1 Bxc5 18. Qc3 $1 {Advantage White, who has a healthy queenside
pawn majority, as opposed to Black's less effective one on the kingside, while
the white queen and bishop line up a battery on the a1-h8 diagonal.} Qe7 {
Threatening a3.} 19. f5 $1 {Hey, I said "threatening a3"! The f-pawn incites a
frenetic uprising with great aplomb. White offers his a-pawn to allow the
f1-rook to enter the fight. In doing so, he controls the narrative and asserts
his authority by laying down the law.} ({QUESTION: Why didn't White try to
clear the diagonal with} 19. Ng4 {? --- ANSWER: It fails to bother Black after}
Ne8 {, when a knight check on h6 doesn't accomplish anything.}) ({QUESTION: I
question the need for such a brashly munificent gesture. Why not toss in} 19.
b4 {first, and then play f4-f5? --- ANSWER: Yusu's move wasn't motivated by
pure generosity. If he refuses to sac, his attack isn't as strong after} Bd6
20. f5 exf5 21. Rxf5 Ne8 {.}) 19... exf5 $6 {Making matters worse.} ({Houdini
says Black must go for} 19... Rcd8 20. b4 Bd6 21. fxe6 fxe6 {with an inferior
but still playable position.}) 20. Rxf5 Bxa3 {I repent...but not today!} ({The
bishop considers the offer with a surplus of enthusiasm, mainly because he has
no better options. For example:} 20... Rcd8 21. Rxd8 Qxd8 22. Ng4 Be7 (22...
Ne8 $4 23. Nh6+ {picks off an exchange and a pawn}) 23. Nxf6+ Bxf6 24. Qxf6 $3
gxf6 25. Bxf6 Re8 26. Bxd8 Rxd8 27. Bh5 {leaves White with an extra pawn and
the initiative.}) 21. Bxa3 Qxa3 {Black's queen, swaddled in her cocoon of
luxury, but far away from her kingdom under siege, issues irrational orders,
which her councillors have no choice but to follow with grudging fidelity. ---
EXERCISE (critical decision): Successful implementation of White's attack
remains evasive and partial. Would you go ahead and sac the exchange on f6?
--- ANSWER: In a heartbeat.} 22. Rxf6 $1 {Yusupov dismantles Black's king
cover, converting a once efficient whole into an ineffective, disembodied
collective of spent force. Now the power of White's attack shines through,
like lamplight thrown on ancient parchment.} gxf6 23. Ng4 Rc6 24. Nxf6+ Rxf6
25. Qxf6 Qxb3 {Black's lonely king, ring in hand, drops to one knee and
proposes to his far-away queen, his soul mate, via Skype. Her response: "I
think we should see other people."} ({Instead,} 25... Qc5 26. Kf2 $1 {(Black
can barely move)} Qc6 27. Rd6 Qc8 28. h4 $1 {leaves Black curiously helpless
against h4-h5-h6.}) 26. Kf2 $1 {Every white piece participates, including his
king. The attackers busy themselves with the sound of industry. Hammers pound,
spanners twist, and drills corkscrew and bore, as the white war engine nears
completion. Meanwhile, Black's pieces watch in impotent, passive consternation
at the coming wave. His abandoned estate, now overgrown with surrounding
brambles, progresses in its state of sumptuous degeneration.} Qa4 {After
sputtering about, due to a wrong turn, Black's queen hopes to expedite her
trip kingward. Meanwhile, her king clearly overindulged last night. This
morning he pays for it with a splitting headache and bloodshot eyes, assaulted
by the harsh glare of morning's light. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): Black
just blundered in a lost position. Can you unearth the trick that Yusupov
found? --- ANSWER: Altering the geometry just a shade allows White a deadly
double attack.} 27. Qg5+ $1 {The white queen is everywhere, like the
disobedient hairstyle of a punk rocker.} Kh8 28. Qe7 $1 {White's queen looks
down upon Black's scattered pieces with the eyes of a disappointed teacher
whose wayward students cut class. --- SUMMARY: Exchange and cork e4 with a
pawn when Black plays ...Ne4.} 1-0

[Event "San Diego (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2012.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Graves, P."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2012.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. b3 {QUESTION: What happened to the Colle?} ({ANSWER: Patience. Colles arise
in all sorts of strange shapes, forms and move orders. Compare the following
game to the current one. In both cases we see favourable queenside versus
kingside pawn majorities for White:} 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5.
b3 cxd4 6. exd4 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. Bb2 Nc6 9. a3 b6 10. Nbd2 Bb7 11. Qe2 Qc7 12.
Ne5 Ne7 13. f4 Rac8 14. Rac1 g6 15. g4 $1 h5 16. h3 Kg7 17. c4 Qd8 18. c5 $1 {
(daring Black to open the long a1-h8 diagonal)} Bxe5 19. fxe5 {(Black is
strategically busted on the dark squares)} Nd7 20. b4 hxg4 21. hxg4 Rh8 22. Nf3
bxc5 23. bxc5 Nc6 24. Qe3 Qe7 25. Kg2 f5 $2 {(strategic suicide: the f-pawn
push circulates disorder in Black's camp, as if delivering advertising
pamphlets to a car windshield)} 26. exf6+ Nxf6 27. Qg5 {(the queen presses her
heel into the prone king's windpipe, rendering him helpless)} Rh6 28. Rh1 Rch8
29. Rxh6 Rxh6 30. Re1 Nd8 31. Ne5 Ng8 32. Bc1 Qe8 33. Rf1 Bc6 34. Rf6 $1 Nxf6
35. Qxh6+ Kg8 36. Bg5 {1-0 A.Alekhine-S.Rosselli del Turco, Zürich 1934.}) 1...
c5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 e6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. d4 {There we go.} cxd4 6. exd4 Be7 7. Bd3
b6 8. O-O Bb7 9. a3 Rc8 {Black refuses to commit his d-pawn in this case,
keeping White guessing whether it will go to d6, d5, or remain where it stands.
} 10. Nbd2 Rc7 11. Rc1 {QUESTION: Your last move looks odd. Why Rc1 here? ---
ANSWER: Rc1 is nearly always useful in the Zukertort. My idea was to meet ...Nd5 with c2-c4 and Bb1. I didn't want my rook getting stuck on a1 with a
bishop on b1.} Qa8 {Réti would be overjoyed. We see that my old friend,
National Master Peter Graves, also suffered a misspent youth reading too much
Nimzowitsch, just as your writer did.} 12. c4 {Now d4-d5 is in the air. So
Black halts it.} d5 13. c5 $1 {Another reason for the earlier Rc1: White plays
for a queenside majority over Black's kingside majority. --- QUESTION: Whose
majority is the more favourable? --- ANSWER: It depends upon two factors: 1.
Who can push his majority faster? --- 2. Who can blockade or slow down the
other's majority? --- In this case I believe White is ahead on both counts.}
O-O 14. b4 bxc5 15. dxc5 a6 16. Re1 {Keeping watch over Black's ability to
surge forward with ...e6-e5 at some later point.} Nd7 17. Nb3 Bf6 18. Qc2 Bxb2
19. Qxb2 Re8 {QUESTION: You said that it was important for you to stop ...
e6-e5, yet here Black can achieve just that. Why did your opponent decline to
play such a thematic move?} ({ANSWER: His central pawns get blockaded and are
under pressure. Here is some Houdini analysis:} 19... e5 20. Bf5 $1 e4 21. Bxd7
Rxd7 (21... exf3 $2 22. Bxc6 Rxc6 23. Nd4 {should be winning}) 22. Nfd4 Ne5 23.
Qc3 Bc6 24. Na5 Ba4 25. c6 Rc7 26. Qg3 Re8 27. Rc5 {with a clear plus.}) 20.
Nbd4 $1 {Removing a controller of e5. The rhino, a half ton of muscle and
malevolence, begins his enraged, roaring charge.} Nxd4 21. Qxd4 f6 {QUESTION:
It looks like you didn't achieve your aim. Isn't ...e6-e5 unstoppable now? ---
ANSWER: Yes, ...e6-e5 may indeed be coming, but most of Black's pieces are on
the queenside, doing what hypermodern pieces do. His king looked quite
vulnerable to me.} 22. Qh4 Nf8 {The knight veers his boat into an inlet on f8.
Black is about to roll forward with his ominous-looking central majority. We
see possibilities in all directions, like a single railroad track which
arrives at a multiple-junction. --- EXERCISE (planning): Come up with a plan
to battle Black's intent. --- ANSWER: Provoke the move in order to take
control over f5.} 23. Nd4 $1 {The interrogator's face, draped in shadow,
becomes all the more frightening when imagination is left alone to fill in the
details. Now a tug of war begins, with ...e6-e5 or not ...e6-e5 at its fulcrum.
} Bc8 ({QUESTION: Shouldn't Black toss in} 23... e5 {immediately? --- ANSWER:
I agree with you that he should. His idea is to cover the f5-square first, but
it looks too slow. Nevertheless, I still think White's majority is faster after
} 24. Nf5 Ng6 25. Qg3 Nf4 26. Nd6 Rd8 27. a4 d4 28. Nxb7 Qxb7 29. b5 {.}) 24.
f4 {Now ...e6-e5 weakens Black's king.} Bd7 {With tenuous trust degrading,
Black's pieces eye the newcomer's potential residence on f5 with surly
suspicion. Black desperately strives to get there, without quite deciding the
whereabouts of "there". If one sees a bridge, it logically follows that there
will be something on the other side. In this strange case we have the bridge
to nowhere. Black's original intention, to achieve ...e6-e5 gets garbled and
diluted, like a rumour which gets passed on second, third and fourth hand,
fading further from reality just a bit more each time.} ({Risky or not, he
should have played the thematic} 24... e5 25. fxe5 fxe5 {.}) 25. Re3 Qc8 26.
Rce1 {Now the blockade of d4 and e5 is complete. Black is in deep trouble.} Ng6
$6 {The knight would be better off with a little less zigging - and perhaps he
should cut back on some of the zagging as well. That was his best defender.
All that remains of Black's castle, worn by time and its accompanying
decrepitude, finally crumbles.} 27. Bxg6 hxg6 {The ambitious remaining minor
piece colleagues get caught up in a war of departmental politics, with the
knight camp seizing power.} 28. Qg4 $1 {The queen, obsessed and in thrall to
the prophecy of her own future greatness, continues on her journey to win the
battle single-handedly. Such is the power of faith.} g5 ({Or} 28... e5 29. Qxg6
{and White's knight is immune.}) 29. fxg5 e5 30. Qh5 Bg4 31. Qh4 Rf8 {A
blunder in a lost position. Something is terribly wrong, like a man who
returns home from work and spots a bloody handprint on the wall.} 32. g6 {
White's connoisseur queen wafts the savoury smell toward herself and inhales
deeply, relishing the prospect of fine dining on h7 ahead. --- SUMMARY: If
Black holds back on his c-pawn, then let's expand with ours by playing c2-c4,
grabbing central space.} 1-0

[Event "USSR Championship, Moscow"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1951.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Keres, P."]
[Black "Taimanov, M."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E14"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "1951.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

{In 1974 the Montreal chess scene was abuzz with the news: the great Estonian
Grandmaster Paul Keres was in town, giving a simul against the best of the
city. (Sadly, your broken-hearted writer, despite doing his very "best" to be
one the "best", was not included in the "best" category, with his
not-so-towering 1600 rating!) My heart pounded in my ears. A legend, of whom I
had only read (and re-read) came to life and entered my mundane world in flesh
and blood.} 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 Be7 5. b3 O-O 6. Bb2 b6 7. d4
Bb7 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. bxc4 c5 10. O-O cxd4 11. exd4 {This time, Black, without
reservations, hands White the hanging pawns, one of the trickiest and most
dynamic structures of the game. --- QUESTION: What are the strategies? ---
ANSWER: This is a subject that almost requires a book rather than a summary,
but here is the summary anyway: 1. The side with the hanging pawns should
avoid exchanges, since with each one his pawns become more vulnerable as the
endgame approaches. --- 2. The defender would generally love to force one of
the pawns forward and blockade the vacated square. --- 3. The hanging pawns
side should generally launch an attack, mainly due to the extra space. --- 4.
The defender seeks exchanges and must weather the middlegame, his most
dangerous point, hopefully reaching a superior ending.} Nc6 12. Qe2 $1 Re8 {To
discourage White from a future d4-d5 (which he plays anyway!).} ({QUESTION: I
realize a player like Keres doesn't just give away free pawns, but doesn't
Black get away with the crime in the line} 12... Nxd4 13. Nxd4 Qxd4 14. Nd5 Qc5
{? --- ANSWER: The infallible law of karma punishes all evildoers, if not in
this life, then the next! All of White's pieces gaze menacingly at Black's
king. From this position both Keres and Taimanov saw the combination} 15. Bxf6
$1 gxf6 (15... Bxf6 16. Qe4 $1 {wins instantly}) 16. Qg4+ Kh8 17. Qh4 $1 {and
wins.}) 13. Rfd1 Rc8 14. Rac1 Qd6 $6 {If giants of the game like Keres and
Taimanov mishandle hanging pawns positions, then imagine the chaos in store
for the rest of us! This move gives White the opportunity to seize a powerful
initiative.} ({Better was} 14... Nb4 $1 15. Bb1 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 $1 Rxc4 17. d5 $1
{, when White retains compensation for his missing material.}) 15. Bb1 $6 {In
positions of such ferocious complexity, we tend to collate and extrapolate,
but in the end, just best guess! The moment is now.} ({Keres underestimated
the power of breaking immediately with} 15. d5 $1 exd5 {natural,} ({but the
resulting positions all favour White, as they do in the line} 15... Nb4 16. Nb5
Qf4 17. Be5 Qh6 18. d6) 16. cxd5 Nb4 17. Nb5 $1 Qd8 18. Rxc8 Bxc8 19. d6 $1 Bf8
(19... Bxd6 $4 20. Bxf6 $1 gxf6 21. Bxh7+ $1 {wins}) 20. Bxf6 $1 {(overloading
Black's queen)} gxf6 21. Bxh7+ $1 Kxh7 22. Qc4 $1 {, when the double attack on
f7 and b4 regains the piece with a decisive advantage, since} Na6 $4 {gets
crushed after} 23. Qxf7+ Bg7 24. Rd4 f5 25. d7 {.}) 15... Qf4 {Now Black is
okay again. The enemies glare wordlessly, with only the wind daring to make a
sound. Black dares White to commit to d4-d5.} 16. d5 $1 {And he does just
that! --- QUESTION: This looks crazy. Why is White opening the e8-rook's line
to his own queen? --- ANSWER: Keres foresees that there is no valuable bishop
discovery for Black.} exd5 17. cxd5 $6 (17. Nxd5 $1 {puts Black under
tremendous pressure.}) 17... Nb8 ({QUESTION: Why not make use of the
discovered attack and play} 17... Ba3 {? --- ANSWER: Because White has no
plans to move his queen! He gets way too much for it after} 18. dxc6 Rxe2 19.
cxb7 Rxc3 20. Rxc3 $1 Bf8 21. Rc8 {.}) 18. Rd4 {"Hit the road, Jack! And don't
you come back no more, no more, no more, no more!"} Qd6 19. Rcd1 Bf8 20. Ne4 $1
{White's forces awaken, vibrantly alive, soon turning their fury toward
Black's king.} Nxe4 21. Rxe4 Rxe4 22. Qxe4 Qh6 $2 {The black queen's expensive
clothes give her away as a person of substance who inadvertently strayed into
a dangerous neighbourhood. Now she nervously endures the raucous laughter and
lewd catcalls of the local thugs, as she quickly tries to outpace her
threatening surroundings. Realization of the plight begins to take hold and
Black begins evasive manoeuvres. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): In his
attempt to avoid weakening, Taimanov allows White's attack to grow out of
control. How would you conduct the attack after the text move?} ({It was
necessary to endure} 22... g6 23. Qd4 f6 24. h4 $1 {with an inferior but still
playable position.}) 23. Ng5 $1 {ANSWER: Overload. From this point on, Keres,
in his element, grabs the initiative and never lets go.} Bd6 ({Black can't
even consider} 23... g6 $4 {now, since} 24. Nxf7 $1 {puts a quick end to the
game.}) 24. h4 $1 {Appallingly, every cat I ever had killed innocent yard
birds, not out of hunger for flesh, but just on principle, to prove to
themselves that they were still hunters in their hearts. White's forces move
assiduously in concert toward a focused goal. Black is virtually paralyzed.
Keres isn't satisfied with one measly pawn. He disdains the offer of h7 as
contemptible.} Nd7 25. Qf5 $1 Nf6 26. Bxf6 gxf6 {EXERCISE (combination alert):
How can White obliterate the flimsy defensive barrier? --- ANSWER: The undead
knight arises, glowing with demonic aura, from the centuries' long stasis in
his coffin. He opens his wicked red eyes with a chilling smile. (Sorry about
this. Please continue to endure. I'm sure by now you have correctly guessed
that your writer is a wannabesomeday sci-fi/horror novel writer who now takes
his unfulfilled frustration out on his chess playing readers!) Black can only
helplessly watch as his world pitches and buckles under him with appalling
abruptness in its ruination.} 27. Nxf7 $1 Qc1 $5 {Obviously, Black's position
is no longer in accord with his previous expectations and he experiences bouts
of misery, punctuated with panic attacks. Irrationality constitutes its own
curious form of energy. The queen's secret propulsion and fuel source is her
own craziness! Having recently gracelessly tripped and fallen on her royal
butt, the queen, without embarrassment or loss of dignity, arises with
ostentation and splendour on c1. Taimanov dutifully tries to confuse the issue
with back rank tricks, but Keres remains one step ahead.} 28. Qxh7+ Kf8 29.
Nxd6 $1 {Eliminating the back rank threat.} ({There was nothing wrong with the
pedestrian} 29. Rf1 $1 {either.}) 29... Qxd1+ 30. Kh2 Qxd5 31. Nxb7 {Nothing
riles a person more than when another, without invitation, pilfers his
rightful property. White is material up and remains with a strong attack.} Qe5+
32. g3 Rc7 33. Qh8+ Kf7 {Have you ever been outside during hurricane-force
winds? It's like getting a merciless beating from Mother Nature. Black's king
consoles himself in the aftermath with the surprising fact that he survived
the maelstrom and remains among the living - albeit barely.} 34. h5 $1 {White
comes in with the relief pitcher.} Rxb7 35. Qh7+ Ke6 36. Qxb7 Qxh5+ 37. Kg2 {
SUMMARY: My feeling is that allowing White hanging pawns is one of Black's
best and most dynamic ways to meet the Zukertort - despite White's scary
initiative, Black's long-term chances should fully compensate. The only
problem is that the positions are exceptionally difficult for Black to play,
mainly due to White's seemingly never-ending initiative. In this game we
witnessed a vivid example of the inverse corollary between long-term chances
and initiative in the present. In this case, the side with the initiative
emerged as the clear winner.} 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Index 4"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "16"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. b3 Nc6 (5... Be7 6. Bb2 O-O {-
Summerscale-Jimenez Macias} (6... cxd4 7. exd4 b6 {- Lakdawala-Graves}) (6...
b6 7. c4 Bb7 8. Nc3 dxc4 9. bxc4 O-O {- Keres-Taimanov})) 6. Bb2 Bd6 (6... Be7
{- Yusupov-Spiridonov}) 7. O-O O-O (7... Qe7 {- Broeker-De Wolf}) 8. Nbd2 -- (
8... b6 9. a3 Bb7 {- Sandipan-Ganguly}) (8... cxd4 9. exd4 b6 10. a3 Bb7 {-
Bruzon-Anand}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5: Colle Versus Slav"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "7"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 c6 4. c4 {. Good tidings for the Colle clan - our
set-up is currently the darling of the top players in the world, and is
actually considered one of White's best chances to extract an edge against the
solid Slav, no matter how Black responds (see the following positions).} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Slav 1"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rn1qkb1r/pp3ppp/2p1pn2/3p1b2/2PP3N/2N1P3/PP3PPP/R1BQKB1R w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

{1. Black may develop the light-squared bishop to f5, in reversed London style.
} 1. -- {The bishop believes himself to be of high status and social breeding
- and so our knight, as if settling an old score, hunts him down.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Slav 2"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rn1qkb1r/pp3ppp/2p1pnb1/3pN3/2PP2P1/2N1P2P/PP3P2/R1BQKB1R w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

{2. Black develops the bishop to g4, in reversed Torre fashion. This time we
chase it down with h2-h3, g2-g4 and Ne5, to obtain the bishop pair.} 1. -- {
Our knight approaches its target with mingled enthusiasm and confidence. Once
again our belligerent conduct belies our seemingly meek, outer Colle
appearance.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Slav 3"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqkb1r/pp3ppp/2p1pn2/3p4/2PP4/4PN2/PP1N1PPP/R1BQKB1R w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

{3. Black voluntarily locks his bishop inside his pawn chain, in reversed
Colle/Semi-Slav style, as Deep Blue did versus Kasparov.} 1. -- {In this case
we reach positions from Chapter Two, but in reverse, where our extra tempo
matters in the open symmetry. White simply plays Bd3 and e3-e4 with an edge.} *

[Event "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2012.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Carlsen, M."]
[Black "Gelfand, B."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D12"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2012.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 ({Our Colle move order may run} 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 Bf5 4. c4 c6 {.
}) 2... c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 {A critical line of the Slav arises. We Colle
guys never get any credit. All annotators call this position a Slav, when it's
actually also a Colle! --- QUESTION: It looks to me like we handed Black
effortless equality. Black's bad bishop sits outside of the pawn chain, while
ours is stuck inside. Correct? --- ANSWER: Matters are not that simple. At the
highest levels, this set-up is one of White's most popular choices against the
Slav. There is no way Carlsen, Kasparov, and Kramnik would play this position
with the white pieces if they didn't believe in it. In my Slav book, I
mentioned that this system is one of the most challenging for Black. ---
QUESTION: I don't see a single difficulty for Black. What is the issue? ---
ANSWER: For one thing, the bishop on f5 may be more of a liability than an
advantage. White often tosses in an early Nh4, hunts down the bishop, and then
tries to milk the bishop pair, just as Carlsen did in this game.} 5. Nc3 {
QUESTION: Heresy? We Colle fans like to play our knights to d2. --- ANSWER:
Development to d2 is also possible, but we should keep an open mind. I see no
good reason to play the knight to a passive square when we have access to a
rung higher up on the ladder at c3.} ({Other moves:} 5. cxd5 {(while strong
GMs play this, I don't have any faith in White's ability to extract anything)}
cxd5 6. Qb3 Qc7 7. Bd2 Nc6 8. Nc3 e6 9. Rc1 {, S.Shipov-E.Bareev, Internet 
(blitz) 2004. One can argue that Black's queen is misplaced on the c-file. But
is it enough for White? I doubt it. Black should equalize without too much
difficulty, since White's dark-squared bishop sits inside the pawn chain.}) (5.
Bd3 {(a no-nonsense approach: White swaps off Black's good/bad bishop and
single-mindedly tries to achieve e3-e4, with a slight space advantage)} Bxd3 6.
Qxd3 e6 7. O-O Nbd7 8. Nbd2 Be7 9. e4 dxe4 10. Nxe4 O-O 11. Bf4 Nxe4 12. Qxe4
Qa5 13. Rfd1 Rad8 14. h3 Rfe8 {, Bu Xiangzhi-Ma.Carlsen, Bilbao (blindfold
rapid) 2007. On paper White seems better with his extra space. In reality,
Black is solid and can look forward to equality. I have successfully defended
such positions many times and I can tell you with confidence, Black really
doesn't stand worse here.}) (5. Qb3 Qb6 6. Nc3 e6 7. c5 Qc7 8. Nh4 {(I feel
that Black equalizes, even handing over the bishop pair, if he can induce
c4-c5 from White)} Be4 9. f3 Bg6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. f4 Nbd7 12. g3 b6 {
(chipping away at White's extra space, who must now swap his advanced c-pawn
for Black's a-pawn)} 13. cxb6 axb6 14. Bg2 Bd6 15. Bd2 g5 $1 16. fxg5 $6 {(he
should have ignored it)} Ng4 17. g6 Bxg3+ $1 {gave Black a decisive attack,
"sovaco"-C.Lakdawala, Internet (blitz) 2009.}) (5. Nbd2 {(I don't have much
trust in the pure Colle move here; Black should equalize due to White's
passive choice)} h6 $1 {(the early ...h7-h6 is possible, only because of
White's knight on d2, rather than c3)} 6. Be2 e6 7. O-O Nbd7 8. b3 Bd6 9. Bb2 {
is equal, A.Graf-A.Beliavsky, Spanish Team Championship 2005. Essentially
Black has obtained a favourable set-up against a Zukertort.}) 5... e6 ({
QUESTION: Why can't Black just preserve his bishop with} 5... h6 {instead? ---
ANSWER: It doesn't work when White's knight is posted on c3. For example:} 6.
cxd5 cxd5 7. Qb3 $1 {(coverage of both b7 and d5 is very awkward for Black,
who lands in an inferior position, no matter what he plays here)} b6 $2 ({the
admittedly nauseating} 7... Bc8 {was necessary}) 8. Bb5+ $1 {(White wins a
pawn, with the superior position)} Nbd7 9. Nxd5 Nxd5 10. Qxd5 Be6 11. Qxe6 $1
fxe6 12. Ne5 {and Black can resign since the coming ending is hopeless, G.Vescovi-M.Amaral, Sao Caetano do Sul 1999.}) 6. Nh4 $1 {White's key idea in
this line: hunting down the bishop pair.} Bg6 {This modest bishop retreat may
be Black's best, since it offers him solid if somewhat passive play. ---
QUESTION: Isn't it better to make White work harder by playing the bishop to
g4 or e4, forcing White to weaken, and possibly overextend, if he wants the
bishop pair? --- ANSWER: One player's overextension is another's space
advantage! White's extra pawn pushes probably help more than harm.} ({Let's
look:} 6... Bg4 7. Qb3 Qb6 8. h3 Bh5 9. g4 Bg6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. Bg2 {and
White's extra kingside space only benefits him here, E.Bareev-A.Shomoev,
Krasnoyarsk 2007.}) (6... Be4 7. f3 Bg6 8. Qb3 Qb6 9. Nxg6 hxg6 10. Bd2 Bd6 {
and now:} 11. -- (11. h3 $5 Nbd7 (11... Bg3+ 12. Kd1 {doesn't bother White})
12. O-O-O Qxb3 13. axb3 a6 14. Kc2 Nh5 15. Bd3 Ng3 16. Rhe1 {, when White's
advantage remains slight but steady, Ma.Carlsen-F.Vallejo Pons, Sao Paulo/
Bilbao 2011. Carlsen went on to convert his bishop pair into a full point.}) (
11. f4 {(more normal)} Nbd7 $6 {(he should swap queens immediately, but even
then White holds an edge for a long time to come)} 12. c5 $1 {(a move which
ensures the superior ending)} Qxb3 13. axb3 Be7 14. b4 {and White's extra
space, queenside initiative and bishop pair gave him a clear endgame advantage,
C.Lakdawala-"CtAwesome", Internet (blitz) 2012.})) 7. Nxg6 $1 {It's amazing
how quickly theory changes. At the time I wrote my Slav book, this was thought
to give Black good play down the h-file.} hxg6 8. Bd3 $5 {Grandmaster Ruslan
Scherbakov writes: "Strangely enough, this simple developing move is rarely
played in this position."} (8. g3) ({and} 8. Bd2 {are the main lines.}) 8...
Nbd7 (8... dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nbd7 {may transpose to the game,}) ({while} 8... c5 {
opens the position for White's bishop pair:} 9. Qb3 Qd7 10. cxd5 exd5 11. dxc5
Bxc5 12. Qb5 $1 Qxb5 13. Nxb5 {with the more pleasant ending for White, V.Kramnik-B.Gelfand, European Cup, Saint Vincent 2005.}) 9. O-O $1 {QUESTION:
Didn't White just castle into an attack? --- ANSWER: Based on this game,
apparently not!} Bd6 10. h3 (10. g3 {also looks quite good for White. For
example:} O-O ({Black doesn't want to risk} 10... Qe7 {, thinking about
castling queenside, since} 11. e4 {should give White an edge in the coming
complications}) 11. a3 Re8 12. c5 Bc7 13. f4 $1 Nh7 14. b4 {and Black found
himself getting squeezed, P.Tregubov-C.Marcelin, French Team Championship 2006.
}) 10... dxc4 {QUESTION: Why hand White the centre? --- ANSWER: If Black
retains the tension for too long, White usually plays c4-c5, followed by f2-f4,
grabbing more space and clamping down on e5.} 11. Bxc4 O-O ({Gelfand hoped to
improve upon} 11... Nb6 12. Bb3 e5 13. Qc2 Qe7 14. Bd2 O-O-O 15. d5 $1 e4 16.
dxc6 Qe5 17. f4 exf3 18. Rxf3 Ng4 19. cxb7+ Kb8 20. hxg4 Rh1+ 21. Kf2 Rxa1 22.
Ne2 {, when Carlsen went on to win in mad complications, Ma.Carlsen-B.Gelfand,
Moscow 2011.}) 12. Qc2 Qe7 ({Gelfand isn't likely to fall for} 12... e5 $4 13.
Qxg6 {.}) 13. Rd1 Rac8 14. Bd2 Nb6 (14... c5 {was also possible.}) 15. Bf1 {
Just in case his king needs protection.} e5 16. dxe5 Bxe5 17. Rac1 Rcd8 18. Be1
{QUESTION: Does White have anything with his bishop pair? His position looks
passive to me. --- ANSWER: Scherbakov answers: "This unbalanced pawn structure
is more promising for White, who is going to exchange all the major pieces and
enjoy his pair of bishops in the ending." I add this - please open your
notebooks and yank out your yellow highlighter pens: The bishop pair matters
when the pawn structure remains fluid.} Rxd1 19. Rxd1 Rd8 20. Rxd8+ Qxd8 21. g3
Qe7 22. Bg2 Bd6 23. Bd2 (23. a3 $1 {prevents ...Nbd5 and ...Nb4.}) 23... Qe6
24. b3 Nbd5 25. Ne2 Nb4 26. Qb1 {White's queen squirms and shimmies about,
calling for help with needy beckonings.} Qf5 $1 {Gelfand has conducted a model
defence from Black's side and may stand equal at this point. He provokes e3-e4,
which weakens White's dark squares.} 27. e4 Qc5 28. Nf4 g5 $1 29. Ne2 $1 (29.
Nd3 Qd4 $1 {holds the balance.}) 29... g4 30. h4 Nd7 $2 {Right square, wrong
piece. This natural, innocent-looking move costs Gelfand the game.} ({The
correct plan eludes like a half-remembered dream - e5 cries out, full of
whispered promises. Black is okay if he utilizes e5 for his bishop instead:} 
30... Be5 $1 31. Be3 Qd6 $1 {, when the a7-pawn really isn't en prise due to ...c6-c5.}) 31. Be3 $1 {All eyes fall upon the bishop. He bows low in
ostentatious hauteur upon entering the room. Out of nowhere, White wins a pawn.
Suddenly Black must watch over a7 and also Qd1, with a pile-up on the d-file.}
Qc2 {The sisters pound each other's backs before hugging.} (31... Qb5 32. Qd1
$1 {doesn't change anything.}) 32. Qxc2 Nxc2 33. Bxa7 Ba3 34. Nc3 Bb2 35. Nd1
Bc1 36. Bf1 Nb4 (36... Ne5 {puts up greater resistance.}) 37. a4 Nf6 38. e5 Nd7
39. Bd4 Nc2 40. Bc3 Nc5 41. Be2 Ne4 {Gelfand's mantra in this difficult
position drives him forward and feeds him much-needed energy: "Persevere.
Survive."} ({After} 41... Nxb3 42. Bxg4 Kf8 43. f4 {, White's kingside
super-majority should win.}) 42. Bxg4 Nxc3 43. Nxc3 Bb2 {Gelfand had counted
on this position to save himself. White's band looks about as intimidating as
those dancing Jets and Sharks gangs from 'West Side Story'. --- EXERCISE 
(combination alert): White's knight on c3 hangs, as does his e5-pawn behind it.
Is White destined to return the pawn? Or is there a sneaky way to hang on to
it? --- ANSWER:} 44. e6 $1 {Zwischenzug! White extricates himself with the
nasty threat: e6-e7!. --- Now Black's position is riddled with too many
defensive liabilities and his game dawdles into splendid disarray, despite the
exasperated supervision of his minor pieces.} fxe6 {Black slams on his brakes
and his tyres screech in grudging resentment.} (44... f6 45. Ne2 Nd4 46. Nf4
Kf8 47. b4 Ke7 {may have required more accuracy from White, but he should
convert after} 48. Nd3 Bc3 49. a5 Nc2 50. Nc5 {.}) 45. Bxe6+ Kf8 46. Ne4 {The
once vibrant black initiative is no more than a wheat field's dried husks
after the drought.} Nd4 47. Ng5 Ke7 48. Bg8 Kf8 49. Bc4 Ke7 50. Kg2 b5 $6 {
Gelfand outsources a portion of his misery to the queenside. This impatient
move hands White a passed a-pawn.} 51. Bg8 Kf8 {With taut nerves and a hint of
aplomb, Black's king confronts the white bishop and also the ordeal looming
before him. Is the position a forced draw by repetition? The toiling servant
on f8 dreams of a life of lazy days and laughter, but he knows in his heart
this will never be. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): White's bishop is under
attack. Or is it? --- ANSWER: The police are left coughing from the spewing
exhaust trailing from the a-pawn's getaway car. Ignore the "threat" and create
a deadly passed a-pawn.} 52. a5 $1 {A bellowed answer to a whispered question.
In his moment of need, Black's position experiences a dreadful lack. ---
QUESTION: Why did Black resign?} ({ANSWER: The chairman calls the meeting to
order to discuss the recently failed venture. Just before giving up we
normally tend to panic, and then, realizing panic is of no help, we give up on
the panic! Gelfand trusted Carlsen's technique after} 52. a5 Ba3 {(the atheist
bishop mutters a prayer as he sees the outline of the avenging angel
approaching a8 impossibly quickly from the heavens)} 53. Bf7 Bc5 54. Kh3 Ba7
55. Kg4 {, when White should convert without much difficulty. --- SUMMARY:
Equality isn't so easy for Black after the critical 6 Nh4!.}) 1-0

[Event "Russian Cup, St Petersburg"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2009.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bareev, E."]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, I."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D11"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2009.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 ({Our normal Colle move order would run} 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 Bg4 4.
c4 c6 {, when we transpose to the game position.}) 2... c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4
{The reversed Torre Attack. --- QUESTION: What is the difference between this
line and last game's reversed London System? --- ANSWER: Not much. The
positions and plans for both sides tend to be quite similar. In this case, too,
White hunts down the bishop pair for an edge.} 5. h3 ({Usually} 5. Nc3 e6 6. h3
{just transposes.}) 5... Bh5 {QUESTION: What if Black takes on f3 immediately
to lure White's queen to f3, perhaps an offside square?} ({ANSWER: This may be
slightly more accurate: f3 can indeed be an awkward square for White's queen,
since ...e6-e5 can be hard to meet later on. White generally retreats back to
d1, reasoning that the bishop pair is worth more than a tempo. For example:} 
5... Bxf3 6. Qxf3 e6 7. Nc3 Nbd7 8. Bd2 g6 (8... Bd6 9. Bd3 O-O 10. O-O Re8 11.
Qd1 {and there it is, the queen retreat - White claims a tiny edge, V.Akobian-C.Lakdawala, Reno 2006}) 9. Qd1 {(there it is again)} Bg7 10. Be2 O-O
11. O-O Qe7 12. Rc1 Rfd8 13. Qc2 dxc4 14. Bxc4 c5 15. dxc5 Nxc5 16. Rfd1 Rac8
17. Be1 {with a position very similar to the first game of this chapter;
White's bishop pair should hand him the edge, P.Leko-V.Anand, Nice (rapid)
2009.}) 6. Nc3 e6 7. g4 {This is the real difference between the reversed
Torre and the reversed London. In the Torre version White is obligated to play
h2-h3 and g2-g4 to bag the bishop pair, while in the previous game, Black
responded to Nh4 with ...Bg6 with White's kingside pawns still intact. ---
QUESTION: Having played g2-g4, is this a strength or a weakness for White? ---
ANSWER: Well, this point is debated. Having played the Slav for decades, my
opinion is that it actually helps White. So I generally swap immediately on f3,
rather than retreat the bishop to h5.} Bg6 8. Ne5 Nbd7 9. Nxg6 {QUESTION: Why
is this line so popular for Black, when he gives away the bishop pair? ---
ANSWER: Every variation comes with its own individual issues and worries. In
this case, Black hands over the bishop pair for other compensations, such as
solidity.} hxg6 10. a3 {QUESTION: Is this necessary? --- ANSWER: No, it's just
a preference. White just wants to rule out ...Bb4 and may also later go for
b2-b4.} ({Also played are} 10. Bd2 {,}) (10. cxd5 {,}) (10. g5 {,}) ({and} 10.
Bg2 {.}) 10... Qc7 $5 {A new move in the position.} ({Black normally plays} 
10... g5 {here to prevent White's next move. For example:} 11. Bd2 Be7 12. Qf3
g6 13. O-O-O $5 {quite risky;} ({White could take a safer route with} 13. Bd3 {
and castle kingside}) 13... dxc4 14. Bxc4 b5 15. Bd3 a5 16. Ne4 Nd5 17. Kb1 {
with a very sharp position, E.Bareev-L.Bruzon Bautista, FIDE World Cup,
Khanty-Mansiysk 2005.}) 11. g5 $5 {This is not a move I would have played,
since it weakens f5, but again this is a stylistic difference. I sense that
White's territorial ambitions outnumber his ability to implement them. ---
QUESTION: How would you play White?} ({ANSWER: I would keep the pawn structure
more fluid, to enhance the bishop pair, with something like} 11. Bd2 g5 12. Qf3
dxc4 13. Bxc4 O-O-O 14. O-O-O {. Even here, White's slight edge remains, but
Black retains solidity in return for White's bishop pair and space.}) 11... Ng8
{Intending ...Ne7-f5. --- QUESTION: The retreat looks passive and unnatural.
Why not jump into the hole on h5 instead? --- ANSWER: That is also possible.
Perhaps Nepom fears that the knight might find itself in limbo on h5. White
simply puts his bishop on e2 or g4, and Black's h8-rook must then baby-sit h5
at White's whim.} 12. cxd5 {White doesn't want ...d5xc4 hanging over his head
forever, so he exchanges himself.} exd5 {QUESTION: Is this the correct
capture? --- ANSWER: Both recaptures are playable. Black simply picked the
more dynamic version.} ({Recapturing with the c-pawn leads to positions closer
to the Exchange Slav. After} 12... cxd5 {White may prepare an eventual e3-e4
break.}) 13. Bd2 Ne7 14. Bd3 Nb6 15. Qg4 {The young heiress puts on airs of
superiority, her tone, her manner immersed in condescension, despite the fact
that all she owns is due to her father's labours.} ({Perhaps White should
consider} 15. h4 {and retain queens on the board.}) 15... Qd7 {Not a bad idea,
aiming to curb White's attacking ambitions before they have a chance to
flourish.} 16. Qxd7+ Kxd7 {Abruptly, both remaining kings find themselves
bachelors in an Eveless Eden.} 17. b3 Nf5 18. f4 {So far Black has defended
well and may have achieved dynamic equality. However, his inadvisable next
move disturbs the fragile balance.} f6 $5 {The lush kingside is the Venn
diagram, where both sides' interests overlap. Danger tends to proliferate when
aspirations outrun prudence. Black percolates, configures and digests the raw
data, finally extracting a questionable consensus: take over the initiative!
So he prods buttons and cranks levers in the hopes of reactivating rusty
machinery. --- Perhaps this move is okay, but probably not. I feel like
Black's activity spike doesn't make up for the fact that he opens the position
for White's bishops. His last move essentially unmoors his king from the safe
haven of his defenders, friends and well-wishers. --- QUESTION: Then what
would you suggest?} ({ANSWER: I like Black's game after a calmer move like} 
18... Nc8 {, intending to play to d6 next.}) 19. gxf6 gxf6 20. Kf2 Ke6 21. a4
Nc8 22. Rag1 Rh6 23. e4 $1 {What on appearance looks like rage is in reality
just tough love. Hidden behind the mob boss' courteous request lies a veiled
threat of unspeakable consequences if the request is denied. White
thematically opens the game for his bishops. Black's king feels the chill more
than White's from the breezes.} Nxd4 $2 {Black mistakenly intends to sac an
exchange for a pawn, hoping to generate compensation.} 24. f5+ $1 {Discovered
attack.} gxf5 25. exd5+ cxd5 26. Re1+ Kd6 27. Bf4+ $5 {More just isn't enough
when there is the possibility of a lot more! White is no longer interested in
the exchange on h6.} ({Otherwise he can consolidate with} 27. Be3 $1 Nc6 28.
Nb5+ Kd7 29. Bxh6 Bxh6 30. Bxf5+ Kd8 31. Re6 {.}) 27... Kc5 $2 {Black's
harried king pauses briefly, if only to change bandages and redress his wounds.
After Black's last move, we can make the king wear despair like a garment. Who
cares about an exchange on h6? --- EXERCISE (combination alert): The sight of
Black's still-alive king is a rebuke to White, a sign of his failure to hunt
him down and deliver mate. Let's fix that problem! How would you proceed with
White's attack? --- ANSWER: The amorous b-pawn presses her body against
Black's king, who immediately backs up, only to receive a sloppy, out-of-sync
kiss. Involve everyone, even the pawns! Now shots follow one another without
end, repeating rhythms in a symphonic piece, as White's forces close in with
cold efficiency.} 28. b4+ $1 Kc6 {Black's king awakens with a start,
struggling, but to no avail. Too many strong arms hold him down.} ({Acceptance
loses as well:} 28... Kxb4 {(after climbing the sheer slopes of the cliff,
nothing remains on top but an empty horizon)} 29. Nxd5+ Kc5 30. Nc7 Rb8 {allows
} 31. Rc1+ Kb4 32. Nd5+ Ka5 33. Bd2+ Kxa4 34. Ra1+ Ba3 35. Rhb1 {and White
forces mate in two moves.}) 29. Nb5 $1 Nxb5 (29... Nb3 30. Re6+ Kd7 31. Bxf5 {
crushes Black.}) 30. Bxb5+ Kb6 {It is human nature to attach purpose to
natural disaster, such as an earthquake or a flood. In reality, the
unfortunates who perish may just be unlucky.} 31. Re6+ {White's rook scrapes
his hands together in a job-accomplished motion. --- SUMMARY: Just as in the ...Bf5 reversed London set-ups, White extracts an edge in the ...Bg4 reversed
Torre by chasing down Black's bishop, after which he looks forward to a small
edge.} 1-0

[Event "Greek Team Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2006.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Inarkiev, E."]
[Black "Postny, E."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D11"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2006.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 ({Our Colle move order would probably go} 2. Nf3 c6 3. e3 Nf6 4.
c4 a6 {, when we transpose to the game position.}) 2... c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 a6
{The popular Chebanenko Slav. --- QUESTION: What is the point of ...a7-a6? It
looks purposeless. --- ANSWER: To save time and energy I will cut and paste,
quoting from 'The Slav: Move by Move' (it is folly bordering on madness if you
don't order this book!): "I admit the move does look crazy, yet it contains
the seed of many good possibilities: 1. It prepares ...b7-b5, challenging
White on his c4-point. If White pushes to c5, this stabilizes the centre which
nearly always favours Black, who then plays for an ...e6-e5 break. --- 2. If
White exchanges pawns on d5, he gets a lame version of the Exchange Slav,
since his dark-squared bishop is stuck behind his pawn chain. --- 3. If White
plays b2-b3, he must be on high alert, since it is Black who can break the
tension in several ways on each move. --- 4. If White plays a2-a4 to prevent ...b7-b5, then he must also pay the price of weakening the b4-square."} 5. Bd3 {
The most popular line. White cuts out ...Bf5.} Bg4 {..so Black develops his
bishop to the other available square. Black's position is exceedingly flexible.
} ({Other options:} 5... b5 6. b3 Bg4 7. Nbd2 e6 {and the continued queenside
tension should favour White.}) (5... e6 6. b3 {(essentially reaching a
Zukertort where ...c7-c6 is perhaps out of place for Black and even ...a7-a6
may not be so useful)} c5 {, when we get a position similar to Kasparov's
versus Deep Blue in the last game of this chapter, but possibly an even better
version for White.}) (5... dxc4 6. Bxc4 e6 7. O-O c5 {transposes to a main
line of the Queen's Gambit Accepted. (I'll bet you never dreamed you needed to
study this line when you chose Colle!) --- QUESTION: I don't have a clue how
to play the QGA! What is White supposed to do here? --- ANSWER: There are many
ways to go. My personal preference is for Kramnik's favourite endgame line} 8.
dxc5 $5 {, where it is not so easy for Black to equalize as it looks.} ({A
Colle purist may also want to take on the classical isolani positions, similar
to those we looked at in Chapter One, starting with} 8. a4 Nc6 9. Qe2 cxd4 10.
Rd1 Be7 11. exd4 O-O 12. Nc3 {, when the side with greater understanding of
how isolanis function will probably emerge the winner.})) (5... g6 {(the solid
Schlechter Slav formation, but with the Chebanenko ...a7-a6 move tossed in)} 6.
O-O Bg7 7. b3 O-O 8. Bb2 Nbd7 9. Nbd2 c5 10. Qe2 {reaches a Zukertort/
Grünfeld-like position where I prefer White's game, since Black took two moves
over his c-pawn break, S.Volkov-D.Jakovenko, Internet (blitz) 2004.}) 6. Nbd2
e6 7. b3 {QUESTION: Back in the Zukertort? --- ANSWER: Yes, but with these
important differences: 1. In a standard Zukertort, Black's bishop generally
remains inside his pawn chain - as opposed to here, where Black's bishop is on
the outside. --- 2. In this case, both ...a7-a6 and ...c7-c6 may not be very
useful for Black, so in essence we may be tempi up on a normal Zuke.} Nbd7 8.
Bb2 Be7 9. Qc2 Bh5 $1 {We must be aware of this manoeuvre. As mentioned in the
notes above, Black plans ...Bg6, swapping off White's good bishop. ---
QUESTION: How are we compensated for this? --- ANSWER: In two ways: 1. We gain
time, as Black expends several tempi on his manoeuvre. --- 2. We seize
queenside space with c4-c5 next.} 10. c5 $1 Bg6 {The stern bishop walks in,
interpreting the situation as a den of depravity, and demands decorum from
White's attackers on the b1-h7 diagonal.} 11. Bc3 O-O $2 {A minor-looking
error with major consequences. It turns out Black's king is a lot safer if he
swaps on d3.} 12. Bxg6 {White waits for castling before agreeing to exchange
on g6. In this way he denies Black's rook use of the open h-file.} hxg6 13. b4
Ne8 14. a4 {Clearly, White's b4-b5 break is more potent and feasible than
Black's almost abstract ...e6-e5 central break.} Nc7 15. h4 $1 {A bold idea.
White's motivation up to now, haze and gossamer, remained concealed to the
world. Now everything becomes quite clear. White tries to exploit the fact
that he hasn't castled yet to generate a kingside attack. All the elements of
a powerful assault are present: 1. Space. --- 2. The defender lacks a central
pawn break. --- After the slight alteration of just a single move, if we
compare the teeming multiplicity of adventurous plans and ideas of the now -
admittedly, with his newfound precariousness as well - with the drab
uniformity of the before, we can clearly conclude that White's lot in life has
changed for the better.} f5 {Black takes some central space of his own to keep
his king safer.} 16. Ke2 $5 Qe8 17. Rag1 a5 $1 18. bxa5 e5 {Possible now that
White's c5-pawn has been weakened.} 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Bxc5 21. f4 {With
g2-g4 and h4-h5 coming. Black must organize a quick central counter or be
overwhelmed.} Ne6 22. Nf3 Be7 $1 {QUESTION: What is the idea behind the
retreat? --- ANSWER: Excellent defence. Black's reception is far from cordial.
He hopes to clear the path for ...c6-c5 and ...d5-d4. It is crucial for
Black's survival that he continues to harass White with central counters.} 23.
g4 c5 24. h5 d4 {This turns out to be too slow, perverting and contaminating
his intention, and therefore his destiny. Both kings are in danger. Perhaps
hells come in different shapes and degrees of suffering? White's king thinks
to himself with a malicious smile: "Your hell is more painful than mine!"} ({
After the plausible defence} 24... fxg4 {Houdini unearthed a clever win for
White:} 25. hxg6 $3 gxf3+ 26. Kf1 $1 {(threatening Rh8+)} f2 27. Rg2 {,
planning to double on the h-file with a decisive attack.}) 25. gxf5 gxf5 {
Suddenly White's forces work as a team in perfect harmony. (Perhaps I am
getting off message, but I have never been interested in competing in team
sports, mainly because I loathe high-fiving team-mates!) --- EXERCISE 
(combination alert): Continue White's attack. --- ANSWER: Ignore the threat to
the bishop. The h-pawn gazes truculently in the direction of g7.} 26. h6 $3 {
With this move White subordinates Black's king into the shadows.} g6 (26...
dxc3 $2 27. hxg7 Nxg7 28. Ke1 $1 {, planning to transfer the queen into the
attack, leaves Black helpless.}) 27. Qb3 {The conceited queen believes her
exceptional good looks promise her an equally exceptional destiny. And she is
right!} Kh7 {Exasperated and bereft of options, the king throws up his hands
in frustration as he abandons e6. Black's game, laden with sorrow, is beyond
redemption. The variations weave in and out of one another in a tangle, like a
complex set of criss-crossing railway tracks.} ({Alternatives fail as well:} 
27... Ra6 28. exd4 {,}) ({or} 27... Qf7 28. Rxg6+ $1 Qxg6 29. Rg1 {.}) 28. Qxe6
dxc3 29. Rb1 $1 {Seeking entry via b7.} Ra6 (29... Ra7 30. Qb6 Ra8 31. Qxb7 c2
32. Rb6 {is also hopeless.}) 30. Qd5 Qxa4 31. Rxb7 Qc2+ 32. Kf1 Rxa5 33. Rxe7+
{The rook issues a brusque summons, and Black's king must submit in nervous
compliance.} Kh8 {The wolves on both sides, just outside the range of sight
from the firelight, gather in the forest, seen only by the ambient glow of
yellow eyes. Black's attack looks ominous, but ours arrives first. Find one
powerful shot and Black's castle falls. All that remains is a battered stone
staircase ascending to a roofless nowhere. --- EXERCISE (combination alert):
White to play and force mate. --- ANSWER: Black's king remains frozen in shock,
mainly due to the blade-handle protruding from his bleeding belly on h7.} 34.
Rh7+ $1 ({White queen and rook raise arms in farewell:} 34. Rh7+ Kxh7 35. Qd7+
Rf7 36. Qxf7+ Kh8 {(Black's tired king has had it with the grind of life and
decides to join a retirement community for old kings on h8)} 37. Qg7# {. Due
to her exertions, beads of sweat appear on the queen's forehead - but to
Black's king, they appear as a jewelled tiara, enhancing her already radiant
beauty. --- SUMMARY: Let's Zuke our opponents when they play in Chebanenko
fashion. In this case Black's ...a7-a6 may not be such a useful move for his
side.}) 1-0

[Event "Philadelphia (6th matchgame)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kasparov, G."]
[Black "Comp Deep Blue"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. Nf3 ({Our move order is} 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 c6 4. c4 e6 5. Nbd2 {.
The rest of the world thinks this is a Semi-Slav. We Colleites know better.
This is actually a kind of Zukertort Colle, as soon as White tosses in b2-b3.})
1... d5 2. d4 c6 3. c4 e6 4. Nbd2 Nf6 5. e3 {QUESTION: Which side is playing
the Colle? --- ANSWER: For now Black, since the position is a Semi-Slav,
therefore a reversed Colle. But the situation soon reverses!} c5 {QUESTION:
Didn't Black just lose a tempo? --- ANSWER: He did, but the comp's move is
actually a theoretical recommendation based on the philosophy that he should
free himself ("itself" in this case!) with ...c6-c5, since White's passively
posted d2-knight allows it. I don't agree though. White gets a Zukertort a
full move up in this line, which has to constitute an advantage for White's
side.} ({QUESTION: How do we play it if Black continues in pure Semi-Slav
fashion with} 5... Nbd7 {? --- ANSWER: In that case we reach a position from
Chapter Two, but with colours reversed! After} 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. e4 e5 {
White can probably extract an edge due to his superior development by} 9. cxd5
cxd5 10. exd5 exd4 11. Ne4 $1 {, A.Karpov-A.Shirov, Monte Carlo (blindfold
rapid) 1995. We Colle players are accustomed to such positions, so we get the
added edge of familiarity as well.}) 6. b3 Nc6 7. Bb2 cxd4 {Deep B
contemplates a fight against the hanging pawns.} 8. exd4 Be7 9. Rc1 {Kasparov
is ready to take on hanging pawns, but now the comp refuses to comply.} ({
Alternatively,} 9. Bd3 dxc4 10. bxc4 Nxd4 $5 11. Nxd4 e5 12. Qa4+ Bd7 13. Nb5
a6 14. Qb3 axb5 15. cxb5 O-O {was L.Pachman-M.Botvinnik, Munich Olympiad 1958,
when I prefer White's game just a tad more after} 16. Bc4 {.}) 9... O-O 10. Bd3
Bd7 $6 {An unnatural and passive move, perhaps explained by the fact that
Black, a comp, thinks in strange, unnatural ways. --- QUESTION: What would you
suggest?} ({ANSWER: Don't stall - challenge White immediately by} 10... dxc4
11. bxc4 b6 12. O-O Bb7 13. Qe2 Re8 14. Rfd1 Bf8 {with a sharp position, A.Shkliar-S.Beshukov, Krasnodar 2002.}) 11. O-O Nh5 $6 {More strange silicon
meanderings.} ({Once again, Black should pull the trigger and make White
choose between hanging pawns or an isolani after} 11... dxc4 {. I would
probably opt for the knight recapture, with a nice-looking isolani game since
White owns e5.}) 12. Re1 (12. g3 {doesn't look so bad here either. I don't see
a way for Black to exploit the weakening.}) 12... Nf4 13. Bb1 Bd6 ({Now after} 
13... dxc4 14. bxc4 {Black's pieces are oddly out of sync.}) 14. g3 Ng6 15. Ne5
Rc8 16. Nxd7 $1 {QUESTION: Why did you give White's last move an exclamation
mark? He wasted three moves (Nf3, Ne5 and Nxd7) to eliminate Black's worst
piece. --- ANSWER: Kasparov thinks more long term. Without this bishop - bad
or not - Black is now discouraged from opening the position due to White's
bishop pair.} Qxd7 17. Nf3 Bb4 $6 {A superficial move. It doesn't bother White
since he is happy to lift his rook to e3. In fact, he later gains time on
Black's bishop with a2-a3.} 18. Re3 Rfd8 ({QUESTION: How about} 18... f5 {for
Black, to try and generate an attack and make hay out of White's weakening
g2-g3 move?}) ({ANSWER: Attacks rarely succeed from positions of strategic
inferiority. Your suggestion favours White after} 18... f5 $2 19. Ng5 $1 Rf6
20. a3 Bd6 21. Qh5 Nf8 {and now the shot} 22. Nxe6 $1 {with a clear advantage
in every line.}) 19. h4 ({Perhaps the immediate} 19. c5 {is more accurate. The
parties continue in a holding pattern, neither side willing to commit.
Kasparov is slow to play c4-c5, while the comp refuses to comply and exchange
on c4.}) 19... Nge7 $6 {The confused computer drifts, finding itself at a loss
for strategic reference points among the clutter and confusion swirling all
about. Black's various vendors jostle for position as they declare their
shoddy wares to passers by. Now the planless comp gets squeezed, like a
mobster's curvy girlfriend.} ({His last chance for some breathing room came
from} 19... dxc4 {. Good or bad, Deep Blue absolutely had to play it.}) 20. a3
Ba5 21. b4 Bc7 22. c5 {This is a clear example of a favourable majority:
White's kinetically charged, Black's stagnant.} Re8 23. Qd3 {Inducing a
weakness.} g6 24. Re2 Nf5 25. Bc3 $1 h5 26. b5 $1 Nce7 {The cowed knight, full
of apprehension and defeat, steps aside without resistance. --- QUESTION: Is
it my imagination or is the comp playing scared? --- ANSWER: Even I don't play
this passively! --- QUESTION: Wasn't a5 a superior choice for the knight?} ({
ANSWER: The knight may later turn into a target after} 26... Na5 27. Ba2 $1 {
, but I would have played there anyway and possibly sac'ed a pawn with a
future ...Nc4. Anything for some freedom.}) 27. Bd2 Kg7 28. a4 Ra8 29. a5 $1 a6
30. b6 Bb8 {Black's forces coil into themselves like frightened moles fleeing
from predators, backing into the safety of an underground tunnel. Word travels
quickly in the corridors of palace gossip. Everyone, apart from the a8-rook,
understands that he is out of favour. Black's pessimistic bishop, who clearly
views life through crud-encrusted glasses, stalemates his own queen's rook,
who looks more like some unfortunate, taxidermized specimen at a natural
history museum.} (30... Bd8 $2 {is even worse: White punches through after} 31.
Ne5 Qa4 32. c6 $1 Nxc6 33. Nxc6 bxc6 34. Bc2 Qb5 35. Bf4 $1 Qxd3 36. Bxd3 Nxd4
37. b7 $1 {.}) 31. Bc2 Nc6 32. Ba4 Re7 33. Bc3 Ne5 $2 {In the confusion, the
computer's displacement of the real with the imagined continues. It pursues
the mirage of counterplay producing tactics, where none exists. Deep B tries
to move based on Black's two-part itinerary: 1. Subterfuge. --- 2. My mistake.
There is no part two. Please return to part one. --- "Give me your wallet!"
said the comp, as he brandishes a blade. "I beg to differ," replies Kasparov,
as he responds by pulling out a Magnum.45. It was Napoleon Bonaparte who
advised: Never engage an enemy who is in the process of self-destruction. The
knight moves about helter skelter like a tipped over glass rolling around the
deck of a sailboat in rough weather. Never trust a comp - always opportunistic,
while firmly holding a belief in its own luck. In this case the comp is a
little too clever for its own good, since after its "combination" White's
position significantly improves! --- QUESTION: Do you think Kasparov
overlooked Black's last move? --- ANSWER: Moby Dick remained one step ahead of
Captain Ahab, even though Ahab was always a harpoon's throw away for most of
the voyage. In other words, it is highly unlikely. Kasparov probably liked the
resulting position he attained and allowed it.} 34. dxe5 Qxa4 35. Nd4 $1 {
Eliminating Black's only good piece.} Nxd4 36. Qxd4 Qd7 {Black won't survive
an ending, as he is playing a rook down in all but name.} 37. Bd2 Re8 38. Bg5
Rc8 39. Bf6+ Kh7 {Now White must pinpoint a target. In this case he has access
to an unencumbered bursting forth, a rupture, which Black is unable to reseal.
--- EXERCISE (planning/combination alert): How would you go about exploiting
White's overwhelming strategic advantage? --- ANSWER: The gash in the fabric
of Black's queenside leads to a declivity which acts as a sinkhole, a void,
sucking the defenders deeper and deeper below.} 40. c6 $1 bxc6 (40... Rxc6 41.
Rec2 Rxc2 42. Rxc2 Qe8 43. Qc5 Kh6 44. Qc8 {is utterly hopeless for Black.
Robinson Crusoe, for so long trapped on his island of a8, longs for human
contact and companionship.}) 41. Qc5 Kh6 42. Rb2 $1 {Threatening b6-b7.} Qb7 {
What a treat to witness Kasparov's towering strategic control. Only Black's
king can move. I suppose, when stripped of a profusion of options, one's
choices become quite simple. Now the king in the cage degenerates into a
chessic version of a petting zoo, an exhibit where children fondly pat the
king's head while their parents snap photos.} 43. Rb4 {QUESTION: I understand
that Black's position is awful, yet I fail to see the breakthrough for White.
How would he win if Black simply shuffled his king?} ({ANSWER: There are many
ways, one being a direct attack on Black's king. But probably the simplest and
most practical line would be} 43. Rb4 Kh7 44. Qe7 Qxe7 45. Bxe7 Re8 46. b7 Ra7
47. Bc5 {. --- SUMMARY: In general, Black should give White the hanging pawns,
or take them on himself (or itself in this case). If he takes half measures
and allows c4-c5, as in this and the previous game, White's majority tends to
be the superior one.}) 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Index 5"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "8"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 c6 (3... Bf5 4. c4 c6 {- Carlsen-Gelfand}) (3... Bg4
4. c4 c6 {- Bareev-Nepomniachtchi}) 4. c4 -- (4... a6 {- Inarkiev-Postny}) (
4... e6 5. Nbd2 {- Kasparov-Deep Blue}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "6: Gambit Lines for Black"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. dxc5 {. Below lie images of Black's
quest, born of madness. So little respect does Black have for the Colle, that
he decides to gambit a pawn - and with the black pieces - to grab the
initiative and teach us a lesson about our poor opening choice! --- All these
lines - the Noteboom, Botvinnik Anti-Meran, Geller Gambit, Catalan Gambit -
are sound... when played with the white pieces. I have grave doubts about
their soundness when essayed a move down. In essence, Black's gambit response
to the Colle is the stunningly beautiful girlfriend with the alluring smile,
who, when examined on a deeper level, is a shallow person, an empty dress
without internal substance. --- It would not be a bad idea for you to be
familiar with Black's handling of the variations mentioned above. You should
score quite well against all of them, since the removal of a tempo alters
matters drastically for your opponents.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Reversed Noteboom"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bqkb1r/1p3ppp/2n1pn2/pBPp4/1P6/2P1PN2/P4PPP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Reversed Anti-Meran"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bqkb1r/pp3ppp/2n2n2/2Ppp3/1P6/2P1PN2/P4PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Reversed Catalan Gambit"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bq1rk1/1p2ppbp/2n2np1/pBPp4/1P6/P1P1PN2/1B3PPP/RN1QK2R w KQ - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. -- *

[Event "East Berlin"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1987.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Zurek, M."]
[Black "Tischbierek, R."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "1987.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 Nf6 ({Another possible move order for us would be something like} 1... c5
2. c3 {and now:} -- (2... Nf6 3. Nf3 d5 4. dxc5 {when we reach our game
position.}) (2... d5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. dxc5 a5 $6 {(if Black plays this move order
we can exploit the omission of ...Nf6 with...)} 5. e4 $1 e6 (5... dxe4 $2 6.
Qxd8+ Nxd8 7. Bb5+ {is awful for Black}) 6. exd5 exd5 7. Be3 {, C.Lakdawala-K.Griffith, San Diego (rapid) 2010. Black never regained his lost pawn.})) ({
QUESTION: What if Black trades on d4 after} 1... c5 2. c3 {? --- ANSWER:
Please see the next chapter, where we touch upon both Exchange Slav and
reversed Exchange Queen's Gambit Declined lines.} (2. e3 {is of course also
possible if you don't care for the White side of an Exchange Slav.})) ({
QUESTION: What does a Noteboom look like from Black's side? --- ANSWER: Here
is a recent example of a Noteboom structure, which you should also study from
Black's side to improve your Colle versions:} 1... d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 c6 4.
e3 b5 5. a4 e6 6. axb5 cxb5 7. b3 Bb4+ 8. Bd2 Bxd2+ 9. Nbxd2 a5 $1 10. bxc4 b4
11. Ne5 Nf6 12. Bd3 Bb7 13. O-O O-O 14. f4 Nbd7 15. Bc2 h6 16. Qe1 Nxe5 17.
fxe5 Nd7 18. Ne4 b3 $1 19. Bb1 a4 20. Nd6 Bc6 21. Qd2 Qa5 22. Qd3 f5 23. exf6
Nxf6 24. Rxf6 Rxf6 25. Qh7+ Kf8 {(believe it or not Black is winning! -
White's attack fails due to his shut-out queenside forces)} 26. Qh8+ Ke7 27.
Qxg7+ Kxd6 28. c5+ Kd5 {(the ironic part is that Black is the one threatening
mate on e1)} 29. Be4+ Kxe4 $6 (29... Kc4 $3 {was correct; e.g.} 30. Rc1+ ({or} 
30. Qxf6 Bxe4 31. Qxe6+ Kd3) 30... Kb4 31. Bxc6 Raf8 32. Qb7+ Ka3 {when Black
dodges the checks and wins easily}) 30. Qxf6 Kd3 $2 (30... Qd2 $1 {still wins
for Black:} 31. Qxe6+ Kd3 32. Qxc6 Qxe3+ 33. Kh1 b2) 31. Qf1+ Kc3 32. Rc1+ Kb2
33. Rb1+ Ka3 34. Ra1+ Kb4 35. Qe1+ Kb5 36. Qe2+ Kb4 37. Qe1+ {with perpetual
check, N.Croad-I.Khenkin, Istanbul Olympiad 2012.}) 2. c3 {A person after my
own heart, who loves the Slav so much that he plays it as White! We soon
transpose to Colle lines.} ({Our move order would probably go} 2. Nf3 c5 3. c3
d5 4. dxc5 {.}) 2... d5 3. Nf3 c5 $6 {This rash gambit signals a repackaging,
a dramatic shift in emphasis, where Black refuses to be Black and demands the
white pieces. My heart leaps with joy when my opponents play any type of Slav
Gambit - in whatever form - a move down with Black.} 4. dxc5 $1 {Weapons come
in various shapes and forms. Even Monica Lewinsky managed to weaponize a blue
dress. White accepts the challenge and grabs the pawn in Slav style.} ({
QUESTION: Can we still stay in pure Colle with} 4. e3 {? --- ANSWER: In the
next game Capablanca does just that, only to take on c5 the move after.
Against this particular move we have the option to take on c5 at once and head
for a favourable reversed Slav.}) 4... Nc6 ({I believe the Reversed Noteboom 
(or a close facsimile) is the only playable path for Black in these gambit
lines, and even then may fall short of equality after} 4... e6 $1 5. b4 a5 6.
e3 {and:} -- (6... b6 7. a4 bxc5 8. b5 Bd6 (8... c4 $5 {seems an interesting
theoretical novelty, preventing White's next move}) 9. c4 O-O 10. Bb2 Nbd7 11.
Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bd3 Qe7 {looks like a typically tangled Noteboom-ish position, A.Summerscale-J.Plaskett, Edinburgh 1999.}) (6... axb4 7. cxb4 b6 8. Bb5+ (8. a4
bxc5 9. b5 Bd6 10. Bb2 {, O.Kulicov-I.Derjabin, Alushta 2004, is similar,
except that here the light-squared bishops remain on the board}) 8... Bd7 9.
Bxd7+ Nbxd7 10. a4 bxc5 11. b5 Bd6 12. O-O O-O 13. Bb2 {, R.Cifuentes Parada-C.Bauer, San Sebastian 2009. This is not an exact Noteboom, so let's call it
"Noteboom-like" instead. I prefer White's queenside passers over Black's
imposing central majority. QUESTION: Isn't Black better after} e5 {? ---
ANSWER: Then White plays a trick borrowed from the Noteboom and responds} 14.
e4 $1 d4 15. Nbd2 {with a strong blockade on c4 and therefore the superior
majority.})) ({QUESTION: What happens if Black tosses in} 4... a5 {first? ---
ANSWER: We transpose after} 5. e3 e6 6. b4 axb4 7. cxb4 b6 8. Bb5+ {.}) 5. e3
a5 6. Bb5 e6 7. b4 {QUESTION: Does Black get enough compensation for the pawn?
--- ANSWER: Houdini seems to think so, assessing this as equal, but I don't
have any faith that he does. I just don't believe Black gets either
compensation or equality in any of these reversed gambit lines of the Slav or
Semi-Slav. They strike me as similar to a fourth place finish at the Olympics,
just out of medal range. A gambit played as White, like some of the
Anti-Merans which are so popular these days, just doesn't have the same punch
when played as Black a move down. That single tempo matters a lot.} Be7 ({Or} 
7... Ne4 8. Bb2 Be7 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Nxe4 dxe4 11. Bxc6 Qxd1+ 12. Kxd1 bxc6 13.
Nd4 Bf6 14. Kc2 Bxd4 15. exd4 Ba6 16. a3 {and the opposite-coloured bishops
failed to save Black in the pawn down ending, C.Lakdawala-C.Holt, Internet 
(blitz) 2012.}) 8. Bb2 O-O 9. a3 {White patiently proceeds with the
interminable but necessary ceremony of unravelling from his temporary
strategic fetters on the queenside. If White manages to complete development
and achieve Nbd2, Qb3 and c3-c4, I don't see a speck of compensation for Black.
He must do something quickly to prove the validity of his sac.} Ne4 10. Nbd2 f5
{Otherwise White is happy to swap on e4 and then trade queens to boot.} 11. O-O
g5 $5 {Mesmerized, Black begins a risky course of action, as if against his
own will and drawn by an unseen power. The wizard's apprentice, spying the
book of incantations, decides to summon dark, unimaginable forces far beyond
his comprehension or ability to control. Soon his tribulations begin. With his
last move Black has the appearance of someone who compounds an original
offence with a secondary crime, hoping to offset the first! --- QUESTION: I
take it you believe this attack unsound? --- ANSWER: Unfounded and without
merit, more than unsound. There simply is no strategic basis from which to
begin such an attack, and yet he must justify his earlier sac. A politician
under heavy scrutiny for alleged wrong doing (gambiting against the reverse
Slav comes to mind!) often feigns fake outrage on another issue, to distract
attention away from himself. Something like this is a logical progression of
Black's earlier decision to sac. But if so, then his previous pawn sac is
unsound!} 12. Bxc6 {Playing for control over e5.} bxc6 13. c4 Bf6 14. Ne5 Qc7
15. f4 {Clamping down hard on the e5-hole.} Rb8 16. Nxe4 {Simple play. White
keeps reducing the attackers by sending them to oblivion through exchanges.}
fxe4 17. Bc3 ({Houdini points out the startling line} 17. fxg5 $3 Bxe5 18.
Rxf8+ Kxf8 19. Qh5 $1 {, when the creature emerges from shadow to reveal her
true form. White has a winning position. If Black doubles down with} Bxb2 $4 {
, he gets mated by} 20. Rf1+ Kg8 21. Qe8+ Kg7 22. Qf8+ Kg6 23. Qh6# {.}) 17...
gxf4 $2 {Black's (hoped-for) energetic initiative, now wan and bleary-eyed,
lies down for a much-needed nap. White's new-found activity leads in turn to
inevitable and swift good fortune. Suddenly, the meek, bullied kid realizes,
to his delight, that he stands three inches taller than his aggressor simply
by unhunching his shoulders. By abruptly turning his gaze in the opposite
direction, White tacitly rescinds his last command to play on the queenside
and exploit his extra pawn, altering the order to a direct attack upon Black's
king.} 18. Qg4+ $1 {The queen enters resplendent, attended by her military
advisors on c3, e5 and f1.} Qg7 (18... Kh8 19. Rxf4 {is just as hopeless.}) 19.
Rxf4 Rb7 {Black's forces howl a frantic alarm, as they see the white army
approach from the East, like a wave of unwanted traffic. --- EXERCISE: One
simple move and Black collapses. What is it? --- ANSWER: Engage the final
undeveloped piece. Soldiers kill without a disposition of pleasure in the act,
and without malice toward their target. Yet this provides little consolation
to the victim.} 20. Raf1 $1 {Houdini's assessment: +8.00 for White! Black
collapses, losing heavy material, no matter how he responds. It's almost as if
White's forces refuse to bestir themselves, with the contemptuous ease of a
foe who realizes he has already won the battle. --- SUMMARY: The Anti-Meran
gambits come across as limp when played a move down. I just don't believe in
Black's compensation.} 1-0

[Event "San Sebastian"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1911.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Capablanca, J."]
[Black "Spielmann, R."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "1911.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c5 (2... Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 {is
essentially what we get in the game, but with the very important difference
that 'Black' (i.e. Capa's side) is a critical move up, which radically alters
the assessment.}) 3. c3 Nf6 4. e3 {I would take on c5 immediately, not giving
Black a chance to bail out into a normal Colle.} Nc6 $6 {As I have mentioned
over and over again in this chapter, a gambit which is completely sound and
playable as White is suddenly relegated to the realm of shady when played a
move down.} ({Black would have been better off heading back to a normal Colle
with} 4... e6 {.}) ({Alternatively,} 4... Nbd7 {followed by ...g7-g6 is a
reversed Catalan,}) ({as is} 4... Qc7 {with ...g7-g6 to follow.}) 5. dxc5 $1 {
A dog's super-power is her nose. With one sniff she fills in the dimensions of
the missing information and collates the data into two distinct categories: 1.
Food (good). --- 2. Not food (bad). --- Here, Capa senses food nearby and
bites into c5. In 1911, Capa's move may have been perceived as a radical
notion. Few abandoned control over the sacrosanct centre, even for a pawn's
bribe.} e5 $6 {QUESTION: I understand that you don't approve of this line for
Black, but do you concede practical chances for the pawn? --- ANSWER: Perhaps
Black got practical chances at the time this game was played; but in today's
world of databases, 3200-rated comps and a flowing stream of theoretical
articles, the line is just asking for it.} ({I still think the only playable
path for Black may be to enter a facsimile Noteboom (as we looked at in the
previous game) with} 5... e6 6. b4 a5 7. Bb5 Bd7 8. Bb2 axb4 9. Bxc6 Bxc6 10.
cxb4 b6 11. a4 $1 bxc5 12. b5 {, G.Drogou-L.Geffroy, Issy les Moulineaux 2003,
but even then I prefer White's majority over Black's.}) ({Instead,} 5... a5 6.
Bb5 e6 7. b4 {comes to the same thing as the last variation.}) 6. b4 {Capa
grabs hold and refuses to let go of his new-found wealth.} Qc7 {Quiet play
allows White to catch up in development, which was Black's only compensation
for his dubious pawn sac.} ({Instead:} 6... e4 7. Nd4 {is a move up Geller
Gambit (a line I slander mercilessly in my Slav book!), which is barely
playable with the white pieces, and must be demoted to downright unsound when
played a tempo down.}) (6... Bg4 7. Nbd2 (7. h3 Bh5 8. g4 Bg6 {is a reversed
Moscow Variation}) 7... e4 8. h3 Bh5 9. g4 Nxg4 10. hxg4 Bxg4 {is a reversed
Botvinnik Semi-Slav. If these positions are dynamic and fully playable as
Black, then how much more so when we land here with White, a full move up?}) 7.
Bb2 Be6 8. Nbd2 Be7 9. Be2 ({White can also try and consolidate his queenside
with the immediate} 9. a3 O-O 10. c4 {. However, this comes with risks since
he opens the position - exactly what Black wants.}) 9... O-O 10. O-O Rad8 11.
Qc2 Bg4 $1 {QUESTION: Why did Black move the bishop a second time? --- ANSWER:
His plan is ...e5-e4, swap off light-squared bishops, and then follow up with ...Ne5, when the knight can enter on d3.} (11... e4 12. Nd4 {is the
not-very-promising alternative.}) 12. e4 $6 {This move allows Black
counterplay.} ({He should keep still and cultivate patience with something like
} 12. h3 Bh5 13. Rae1 $5 {, when White continues to hold the advantage.}) 12...
dxe4 13. Nxe4 Nxe4 14. Qxe4 f5 $1 {Spielmann's gamble seems to be paying off.
Black activates his kingside pawn majority and begins to generate serious play
for the pawn.} 15. Qc4+ Kh8 16. Rad1 e4 17. Nd4 Ne5 18. Qb3 Bxe2 19. Nxe2 Ng4 {
Threatening mate in one.} 20. Ng3 {Capa's play throughout the opening phase
strikes one as strangely confused and, at the same time, equally strangely
competent!} (20. g3 {is the alternative.}) 20... f4 ({After} 20... e3 $1 21.
fxe3 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Nxe3 23. Re1 f4 {Houdini says equal, but the position
doesn't look so easy to defend from White's side.}) 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Qe6 $1 {
Principle: Engage in a central counter when attacked on the wing.} fxg3 23.
Qxg4 gxh2+ $2 {The wrong pawn.} ({Black should take the other way, creating a
passed e-pawn for himself with} 23... gxf2+ $1 24. Rxf2 e3 25. Rf1 Qe5 26. Re1
Bg5 {, which offers ample compensation for his deficit.}) 24. Kh1 {Advantage
White again. His king remains safe and his structure stands superior. White's
king thinks to himself: "I can see you but you can't see me!" He
surreptitiously hides inside h1, the way a person in a limo with tinted glass
sees out, yet nobody can see inside the car.} Qe5 (24... Rd2 25. Bc1 Rxa2 26.
Qxe4 {also favours White. Basically, the h2-pawn will be picked up in any
ending.}) 25. Re1 Rd2 $6 {One of life's great sufferings is the sting of
wanting and not getting. Spielmann, conditioned only to the precepts of attack,
scoffs at the notion of a defensive move, even though he is in reality now on
the defensive.} 26. Rxe4 Qc7 $2 ({Black has to go for} 26... Rd1+ 27. Qxd1 Qxe4
28. c4 $1 Qxc4 29. Qf3 {, even if White remains with good chances to convert
to a win.}) 27. Bc1 $1 Rxf2 {The rook is a walking contradiction. So much he
understands, and also so little. His hope for insurgency is at an end, with
the initiative firmly in White's control. Black's forces find themselves
without a concrete plan of action and continue their insensible drift to
nowhere.} (27... Rd7 {is also hopeless - the fugitive, propelled by
desperation, continues running through the forest, with the crackling of
autumn leaves beneath his feet:} 28. Bf4 Qd8 29. Qe2 {(threat: Bd6!)} Bf8 30.
Bd6 $1 Rf7 31. Re8 Qf6 32. Kxh2 {and Black has no chance to save himself.}) 28.
Bf4 Qd8 {The sullen queen obeys, like a child listlessly submitting to the
teacher's scolding command. Now Black begins to understand the shape of his
destiny, and it is not to his liking. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): You
can short-circuit Black's defences with a trick. Do you see it? --- ANSWER:
Weak back rank/overload. Black's pieces spring back in alarm and indignant
outcry.} 29. Rxe7 $1 {The brash rook is immune.} Qf8 {Black's queen nervously
touches her king's arm, indicating a "let's leave" signal. However, the
unfortunate pair is not going anywhere. Do you feel it? This isn't just
stillness. Instead, the position exudes a predatory stillness just before the
explosive lunge. Have you ever entered an outwardly innocent, bland-looking
position, when just at that point your intuition, just under the surface of
consciousness, begins prickling and fretting, sensing something big? Well,
this is exactly one of those situations. --- Capa can win with the mundane 30
Bd6. Instead, he found a sparkling finish which sent Black's king and queen
flailing about with arms swinging haphazardly, as if old, beat-up dolls
carried carelessly by a little girl. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): Do you
see Capa's finish? --- ANSWER: Weak back rank again - this time out of
nowhere! Black's startled queen erupts in a soprano wail of grief,
intermingled with outrage.} 30. Qxg7+ $1 {The hung-over black king and queen
greet the harsh wash of the morning's sepia light with ill grace and bloodshot
eyes, the steep price of last evening's revelry. The incandescent explosion on
g7 provides a fractured backdrop to the din and cries of battle, as the ground
writhes with the groaning shapes of the wounded.} ({After} 30. Qxg7+ Qxg7 31.
Re8+ Qf8 ({the queen sags to her knees with a woeful sob;} 31... Qg8 32. Be5+
Rf6 33. Bxf6# {is mate - despite administering CPR, there is no response, no
pulse, no breath from Black's king}) 32. Rxf8+ Kg7 33. Bh6+ Kxh6 34. Rxf2 {,
the body of the black rook decomposes into the forest humus. --- SUMMARY: The
Anti-Meran gambit is completely sound - but only when played as White! When
our opponents play it a move down, as in this game, we should rejoice at their
overly optimistic decision to offer a shady sac.}) 1-0

[Event "World Senior Championship, Arco"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2010.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Shvedchikov, A."]
[Black "Radomsky, V."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2010.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. c3 Nc6 $6 5. dxc5 $1 {Of course we happily
indulge with the pawn grab, which hints at a demand of owed and yet unpaid
restitution.} a5 6. Bb5 g6 {Once again there arises a tempest of contradictory
evaluations. --- QUESTION: What is this version? --- ANSWER: When terrible
events occur later on for Black, it is safe to assume that over-optimism is
the chief architect behind his sorrows. Black plays a Catalan Gambit a move
down - downright dubious, in my opinion.} 7. b4 {The human move.} ({Houdini
suggests the bizzaro novelty} 7. e4 $5 dxe4 (7... Nxe4 $2 8. Ne5 $1 {is
terrible for Black}) 8. Bxc6+ bxc6 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 10. Ne5 Ke8 {and White should
stand better here as well.}) 7... Bg7 8. Bb2 O-O 9. a3 {Amazingly, Houdini, in
an almost spiritual, anti-materialist fervour, assesses this as slightly in
Black's favour! --- QUESTION: I take it you don't agree? --- ANSWER: With
precious little leverage or power of inducement of any sort, Black's
negotiation lacks potency. I don't fully trust the Catalan Gambit (another
opening I cruelly trash-talk in my Slav book) when White plays it. Then how
much more so is my disdain when Black trots it out a move down?} Qc7 ({I don't
see enough compensation after} 9... Ne4 10. Qb3 Bg4 11. Nbd2 {.}) 10. Nbd2 Rd8
$6 {This may be the wrong rook. Now Black's ...f7-f5 lacks potency without a
rook behind it. --- QUESTION: What plan do you suggest? --- ANSWER: I would go
for a plan like: ...e7-e5, ...h7-h6, ...Be6, ...Rad8 and eventually push for ...f7-f5.} 11. O-O Ne4 12. Qc2 Nxd2 ({QUESTION: Didn't White just walk into a
tempo loss on c2 after} 12... Bf5 {? --- ANSWER: Yes, but it won't bother him,
who continues to swap after} 13. Nxe4 dxe4 (13... Bxe4 14. Qe2 {fails to
bother White either}) 14. Nd4 Ne5 15. Nxf5 gxf5 16. Rfd1 Ng4 17. g3 Ne5 18. Be2
b6 19. cxb6 Qxb6 20. Rxd8+ Rxd8 21. Rd1 {and White should be able to convert
this to a full point.}) 13. Qxd2 e5 14. Be2 ({White might also go for the
immediate} 14. c4 {, intending} Na7 15. Ba4 dxc4 16. Qc3 Be6 17. Ng5 Bd5 18. e4
Bc6 19. Bxc6 Nxc6 20. Qxc4 {and again, I just don't believe in Black's
compensation.}) 14... Bg4 15. h3 Be6 16. Rfd1 h6 17. Qe1 Kh7 {Black hasn't
managed to move an iota closer to even a semblance of compensation. It's
unwise to putz around after giving the opponent a pawn. Black should try
something more energetic. --- QUESTION: What do you suggest?} ({ANSWER: Either
} 17... e4) ({or} 17... f5 {. In both cases Black should go for a desperado
attack on the kingside - his only hope.}) 18. c4 $6 {Mistimed.} ({White should
toss in} 18. Rac1 {first.}) 18... dxc4 19. Qc3 axb4 20. axb4 Rxa1 21. Rxa1 $6 {
EXERCISE (combination alert): White just recaptured the wrong way. There is a
method for Black's low-energy position to receive a much-needed revitalizing
boost. How?} b5 $6 ({ANSWER: With this move Black pulls the problems down
around his ears, as if wearing a snug-fitting cap, missing the chance to muck
things up with} 21... Nd4 $3 {. Black fails to mould the mood of the position,
so instead he reflects it with an explosive sac. The slightly built, stooped,
chinless nerd with the coke-bottle glasses has had enough and decides to
confront the hulk of a class bully. The knight charges in before any of his
comrades can stop him and talk some sense into him. Now the room is abruptly
abuzz with murmurs of ill-concealed consternation. --- With 21...Nd4!! Black
augments the efficiency of his new-found initiative tenfold:} 22. Bxc4 ({after
} 22. exd4 exd4 23. Qa3 c3 {White should probably return the piece with} 24.
Bd3 cxb2 25. Qxb2 {when he may be the one fighting for the draw}) 22... Nxf3+
23. gxf3 Bxh3 24. Bf1 {and Black is right back in the game.}) 22. cxb6 Qxb6 23.
Bxc4 Bxc4 24. Qxc4 Qxb4 25. Qxb4 Nxb4 26. Bxe5 Nc6 27. Bxg7 Kxg7 {QUESTION:
How would you assess White's winning chances? I realize he is a pawn up, but
all the pawns are on the same side. --- ANSWER: This should be a win, mainly
due to the pair of knights remaining on the board.} 28. g4 Rd5 29. Kg2 Rc5 30.
Rb1 Kf6 ({If Black attempts to reduce the number of pawns with} 30... h5 {,
White denies him by pushing past:} 31. g5 Ne5 $1 32. Nd4 Nc6 $1 33. Rb5 $1 {.})
31. Rb6 Ke7 $2 {Black's king is the presiding bureaucrat over his bankrupt
position. He is determined to oversee that the degeneration proceeds along at
a smooth, orderly pace. --- EXERCISE (planning): Black's last move was a
serious error. How can we exploit it? --- ANSWER: Step 1: Deliver check on the
seventh rank.} 32. Rb7+ Ke6 {Step 2: Place Black in an eternal pin. Now
Black's knight and rook experience frayed nerves and hurt feelings, although
both feign to the contrary.} 33. Rc7 $1 Rc2 34. g5 $1 h5 35. Kg3 {It's
distressing when a waiter or waitress feels the need to establish friendship
and bond with the customers before agreeing to take their orders. I'm happy to
be your friend, but dammit, hurry up, I'm hungry! White's last move reminds me
of this situation. --- QUESTION: Are you saying that White wins the king and
pawn ending if he takes immediately on c6? --- ANSWER: He does indeed win.
White's rook and knight burn c6 with a contemptuous stare. Black awaits his
fate in expectation, emotions astir. White's king is the surly,
uncommunicative child who refuses to participate in the class discussion. He
should enter the king and pawn endgame.} ({Let's do a calculation exercise:
EXERCISE (calculation): Work out the following sequence without moving the
pieces. --- ANSWER:} 35. Rxc6+ $1 {(it works; if you are offered a cigarette
before the firing squad is scheduled to execute you, then you may as well go
ahead and smoke it - lung cancer is the least of your worries)} Rxc6 36. Nd4+
Kd7 37. Nxc6 Kxc6 38. Kf3 Kd5 39. Kf4 Kd6 40. Ke4 Ke6 {(Black's king, hands
bound, is jerked into a trot by the pull of the rope)} 41. h4 Kd6 42. f3 $1 Ke6
43. f4 Kd6 44. f5 $1 {and Black can resign. 19-ply sounds very difficult, but
it isn't really, since it's a single-string, forcing variation.}) 35... Rc4 36.
Nd4+ Kd6 37. Rxf7 ({Good enough, but the pawn ending after} 37. Rxc6+ {is
simple as well, as we have seen.}) 37... Nxd4 38. exd4 Rxd4 39. Rf6+ Ke5 40.
f4+ Ke4 41. Re6+ $1 {A jarring accompaniment to his last move. Black's king is
cut off from his pawn.} Kd5 (41... Kf5 42. Re5# {is a helpmate study.}) 42.
Rxg6 Rd3+ 43. Kh4 Ke4 44. Rf6 Ra3 45. g6 Kd5 {SUMMARY: The Catalan Gambit a
move down is a suspicious proposition for Black.} 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Index 6"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "12"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. dxc5 a5 (5... e5 6. b4 {-
Capablanca-Spielmann}) 6. Bb5 -- (6... e6 {- Zurek-Tischbierek}) (6... g6 {-
Shvedchikov-Radomsky}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "7: Exchange Slav"]
[Black "Exchange Caro-Kann"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "6"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 c5 2. c3 ({or} 2. e3 cxd4 3. exd4 d5) 2... cxd4 3. cxd4 d5 {. In this
chapter we examine positions which arise when Black tosses in a quick ...c7-c5
and then swaps on d4. In the two diagrams, we see the shaping outline of the
familiar contour of our choices - and it is our choice, not Black's, which
position we wish to reach. In both cases, theory claims equality for Black,
but at club level the positions can't be distilled so easily to such binary
evaluations of ones and zeros. --- In the first diagram (see the following
game), the Exchange Slav, the position may be symmetrical but it is our move,
and not so easy for Black to offset and neutralize our extra tempo.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exchange Slav"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bqkb1r/pp2pppp/2n2n2/3p4/3P1B2/2N2N2/PP2PPPP/R2QKB1R w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. -- *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exchange Caro-Kann"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/8/3p4/3P4/3B4/PPP2PPP/RNBQK1NR w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

{In the second, the Exchange Caro-Kann, we follow the inevitable collision of
antithetical world views. Black tends to get long-term chances with a
queenside minority attack, but only if he manages to survive our kingside
attack first - not so easy to achieve from a practical perspective.} 1. -- {We
essentially play a Queen's Gambit Declined Exchange Variation with, as usual,
an extra tempo. And that extra tempo alters the landscape quite radically from
the move down, Black version, allowing us greater scope for our aggressive
agenda.} *

[Event "San Diego (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2008.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Montany, E."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D13"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2008.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. Nf3 ({Colle move orders that reach the Exchange Slav:} 1. d4 d5 ({or} 1...
c5 2. c3 cxd4 3. cxd4 d5) 2. Nf3 c5 3. c3 cxd4 4. cxd4 {.}) 1... d5 2. d4 Nf6
3. c4 c6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 {The main starting position of the
Exchange Slav. --- QUESTION: Doesn't the line have a drawish reputation? ---
ANSWER: A weapon is still a weapon, no matter how crude. A thrown rock has the
power to render an enemy just as dead as a bullet. In other words, yes it does,
but this only really applies at the top GM levels - and even there, equality
isn't so easy for Black to achieve. I have always scored well with this line,
since I play the Slav as Black, so it's a position I'm quite familiar with -
and here I have an extra move. I assume the same logic applies for us Colle
players, who are more likely to be familiar with the structure than our
opponents.} e6 ({Black has three other main branches:} 6... Bf5 {(Black
responds with symmetry, hoping the tranquillity inherent in the position will
provide equality)} 7. e3 e6 8. Qb3 ({I have always played this way, rather than
} 8. Bb5) 8... Bb4 9. Bb5 Qa5 10. O-O O-O 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Bc7 $1 Qxc7 13.
Qxb4 Nd7 14. Rfc1 Rab8 15. Qa3 {(White gets a touch of pressure on c5 and the
backward c-pawn). --- QUESTION: Why can't Black just dissolve it with ...c6-c5
next? --- ANSWER: My opponent tried this but failed to equalize after} c5 $6
16. dxc5 Qxc5 17. Qxc5 Nxc5 18. Nxd5 Nd3 19. Ne7+ Kh8 20. Rc3 Nxb2 21. Nxf5
exf5 22. Nd4 g6 23. Rac1 a5 24. g3 {, C.Lakdawala-A.Kretchetov, Century City
2002. Black's a-pawn was weak, and White also took over the seventh rank,
going on to win. This game is annotated in 'Play the London System'.}) (6... a6
7. Rc1 ({more accurate than} 7. e3 Bg4 {, which allows Black to unload a bad
bishop}) 7... Bf5 8. e3 Rc8 9. Be2 e6 10. O-O Be7 (10... Bd6 {leaves Black
with a remaining inferior bishop}) 11. Qb3 $1 Na5 $2 ({Black must go for} 11...
Qd7 12. Na4 Na5 13. Rxc8+ Qxc8 14. Qb6 Bd8 15. Qc5 Qxc5 16. Nxc5 {, though
even here White holds a slight edge}) 12. Qa4+ Nc6 (12... b5 $4 13. Nxb5 $1
axb5 14. Bxb5+ Kf8 15. Rxc8 {wins}) 13. Bxa6 $1 Ra8 ({after} 13... bxa6 14. Ne5
Qb6 15. Ne2 {White favourably regains the piece}) 14. Bxb7 $1 Rxa4 15. Bxc6+
Kf8 16. Nxa4 {and Black was in deep trouble, V.Kramnik-V.Anand, World Blitz
Championship, Moscow 2007.}) (6... Ne4 {(an aggressive attempt to dismantle
the symmetry and enter a Grünfeld-like position - but then I always wonder:
why didn't he play Grünfeld to begin with?)} 7. e3 Nxc3 8. bxc3 g6 {(now
White's next move ensures a long-term edge)} 9. Ne5 $1 Bg7 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11.
Qa4 {, V.Milov-A.Rustemov, Polanica Zdroj 1999.}) 7. e3 Nh5 $5 {Dreev's line,
which is perhaps Black's most ambitious attempt to play for the win. The
bickering begins and the fragile balance of power is disturbed, as is the
similitude of a peaceful outcome. --- QUESTION: Won't Black pick off the
bishop pair eventually? --- ANSWER: Probably so - but at the heavy cost of
time, when already lagging behind in development.} 8. Bg5 Qb6 9. Bb5 h6 10. Bh4
Bd7 ({QUESTION: Why does Black hold back on} 10... g5 {? --- ANSWER: Black
plays a careful move, perhaps a wise precaution since his suspicions are amply
founded. He fails to equalize after} 11. Ne5 Ng7 12. Bg3 Nf5 {, J.Smejkal-P.Nikolic, Novi Sad 1982, when} 13. Qh5 $1 Rh7 14. O-O {gives White a vastly
superior position.}) 11. O-O Bd6 ({Or} 11... g5 12. Bxc6 Bxc6 13. Ne5 Ng7 14.
Bg3 {and Black has yet to achieve equality, V.Bhat-J.Becerra Rivero, Internet
2005.}) 12. Rc1 ({Other ideas:} 12. e4 $5 O-O 13. exd5 exd5 14. Ne5 Bxe5 15.
dxe5 Nf4 16. Bg3 {, A.Baburin-A.Dreev, Gorky 1989, though Black looks fine
after} d4 17. Bxf4 dxc3 18. Bxc6 Qxc6 {.}) (12. Ne5 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Bxb5 14. Nxb5
Bxe5 15. Qxh5 Bxb2 16. Rab1 Qxb5 17. Bg3 $1 {, when Black found himself in
deep trouble from the dangerous pin and his lagging development, J.Knap-M.Brzoza, correspondence 2009.}) 12... g6 $5 {A novelty, but not a great one.
Black should probably castle with just short of equality.} ({My opponent
writes: "Not being very familiar with this position, I wasn't sure how to deal
with my king. I thought White would be better after} 12... g5 13. Nd2 Ng7 14.
Bg3 Bxg3 15. fxg3 $1 {."}) 13. Qe2 O-O (13... a6 $1 {prevented White's
following manoeuvre.}) 14. Na4 $1 {My opponent again: "I underestimated the
strength of this move and the coming pawn sacrifice."} Qa5 15. Nc5 $1 {The
knight slides in through an unlocked window, determined to rob Black of all
that is dear to him: the dark squares. White commits to a pawn sacrifice -
once begun, the path is unretractable, like a nasty story about Paris Hilton
already in print.} Bxc5 16. Rxc5 Qxa2 {White's queenside depopulates and
shrinks, as Black increases his tax revenues.} 17. Bxc6 {QUESTION: Why give up
the bishop pair? --- ANSWER: White swaps one advantage for another: The
creation of opposite-coloured bishops, which favour the attacker - in this
case, me.} Bxc6 18. Ne5 Rfc8 19. Rfc1 {QUESTION: What did you get for your
pawn sacrifice? --- ANSWER: When deciding to sac with a composite of good
intentions and a brave heart, there must lie the seed of some strategic or
tactical motifs to take hold of as well, for clarification and the final go
ahead. White obtains the following compensation: 1. Black's pieces are tied
down and on the defensive. --- 2. The presence of opposite-coloured bishops
greatly enhances White's attacking chances on the dark squares.} Rab8 $6 {Eric
writes: "I'm trying to provoke a weakness from White, g2-g4, but I'm probably
playing with fire."} 20. g4 Ng7 {The knight picnics in the graveyard.} 21. Bg3
Ra8 22. Qf3 Rf8 23. b4 Qb3 24. Nxc6 bxc6 25. Rxc6 Ne8 (25... Qxb4 $2 26. Bd6 {
snags the exchange.}) 26. Be5 {The bishop puts on his ceremonial vestments and
prepares to deliver a rousing sermon to Black's king.} Qxb4 27. Qh3 Qe7 $2 {
Black, thinly cheered by the flow of events which elapsed over the last dozen
or so moves, now commits a time pressure error - though he probably can't save
the game anyway.} ({Sometimes mute acceptance of suffering is a better way to
go than a passionate defence.} 27... Kh7 28. Bf4 h5 29. gxh5 g5 $1 {may be his
best.}) 28. Qxh6 {Black finds life under the domineering queen's gaze
unendurable as it stands. The queen enters in uncomfortably close proximity to
Black's king, the way the most beautiful girl in sixth grade class takes a
seat next to the shy, tongue-tied class nerd.} f6 {An attack may be conducted
with heat and passion, or the apparatus of cold machinery. In this case we see
an example of the latter. Black's king, having experienced good living, now
grows nervous, as the hungry mob approaches with unspoken menace. White's
restive attackers are ready with the invigorating prospect of breaching the
defences, and the anticipation of a climber's first sight of Kilimanjaro. ---
EXERCISE (combination alert): White to play and win. --- ANSWER: The white
attackers approach, silent as demons ordered to corrupt the innocent. One rook
is malicious; the other mean spirited. The combined effect is the same.} 29.
Rc7 $1 {The queen's legs move frantically, yet she remains in place, as if
travelling in a dream. --- SUMMARY: Perhaps Black can equalize against the
Exchange Slav, but it isn't as easy as most of the books claim.} 1-0

[Event "San Antonio"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1972.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Browne, W."]
[Black "Larsen, B."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B13"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "1972.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. e4 ({Our possible move order could be} 1. d4 c5 ({or} 1... d5 2. e3 c5 3. c3
cxd4 4. exd4 Nc6 5. Bd3) 2. e3 cxd4 3. exd4 d5 {, transposing.}) 1... c6 2. d4
d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 {The starting position of the Exchange Caro-Kann. White
develops his bishop to d3, to deny its counterpart access to f5.} ({White can
also play} 4. c4 {, heading into the Panov-Botvinnik variation. --- QUESTION:
So do you believe the Exchange Caro is White's better shot at an edge? ---
ANSWER: Actually, quite the opposite. The reasons I suggest the Exchange Caro
as our main line are: 1. It's easier to learn and play than the
Panov-Botvinnik. --- 2. The position is a bit closer to what you are used to
in Colle. --- 3. Looking at my students' games over the years, I have noticed
that the Exchange line is deadly for White at club level, even if Black
equalizes at IM and GM levels. Many of my students who play Caro-Kann as Black
dread the Exchange - no matter how harmless I tell them it is! --- QUESTION:
So are you saying we should go for the Panov-Botvinnik if we are undaunted by
the theoretical challenge? --- ANSWER: Correct. If you are familiar and more
comfortable with the Panov-Botvinnik, then go for it. Theoretically, it's
tougher on Black than the Exchange Caro.}) 4... Nc6 5. c3 {QUESTION: Why not
develop our knight to f3 instead?} ({ANSWER: One of Black's biggest problems
in the Exchange Caro is what to do with his light-squared bishop. By playing
an early} 5. Nf3 {we conveniently solve Black's problem for him by allowing}
Bg4 {.}) 5... Nf6 {The main line.} ({Others:} 5... g6 {. Black's main plan
with this set-up is to play for ...Bg7, ...Nh6, ...0-0, ...f7-f6, ...Nf7 or ...Nf5, and engineer the ...e7-e5-pawn break. For example:} 6. Nf3 Bg7 7. h3 Nh6
8. O-O O-O 9. Re1 Nf5 ({if} 9... f6 {, intending to drop the knight back to f7,
then White should exploit the awkward nature of Black's last move by
disrupting the centre with} 10. c4 $1 {, as in E.Perelshteyn-A.Kretchetov,
Chicago 2012}) 10. Bf4 f6 11. Nbd2 Re8 12. Nb3 ({Houdini prefers} 12. Qb3 e5
13. dxe5 fxe5 14. Bg5 Qa5 15. Rad1 {, claiming an edge for White}) 12... e5 13.
dxe5 fxe5 14. Bg5 Qd7 $6 (14... Qd6 $1 15. c4 $1 Be6 16. cxd5 Bxd5 17. Nfd2 {
should be okay for Black, as his grip on d4 compensates for his loss of
control over e4}) 15. c4 $1 e4 16. Nc5 $1 Qf7 (16... Qd6 17. cxd5 Qxc5 18. dxc6
{is also in White's favour}) 17. cxd5 {and White was clearly better, A.Morozevich-U.Adianto, Amsterdam 1996.}) (5... Qc7 $1 {. Advocated in 'The
Caro-Kann: Move by Move', I believe this is Black's best path against the
Exchange. For example:} 6. Ne2 {(otherwise White either gets pinned or wastes
time tossing in h2-h3)} Bg4 7. f3 Bd7 $1 8. Bf4 e5 $1 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. O-O Bd6
11. Nd4 Ne7 12. Na3 a6 13. Nac2 O-O {and Black equalized, since f2-f3 disrupts
the smooth flow of pressure on Black's d5-isolani, S.Buchal-D.Fridman, Bad
Wiessee 2010.}) 6. Bf4 Bg4 {Ensuring that his bad bishop will one day become a
respectable member of society with ...Bh5-g6.} 7. Qb3 Qc8 ({R.J.Fischer-T.V.Petrosian, Belgrade 1970, saw} 7... Na5 $6 8. Qa4+ Bd7 9. Qc2 e6 10. Nf3 Qb6
11. a4 $1 {(preventing ...Bb5)} Rc8 12. Nbd2 Nc6 13. Qb1 $1 Nh5 $6 14. Be3 h6
15. Ne5 Nf6 16. h3 Bd6 17. O-O {with an ominous kingside build-up for White,
who is about to go on the offensive. This game is also annotated in 'Play the
London System'.}) ({QUESTION: In the current Browne-Larsen game, why did Black
play his queen to c8, when d7 looks so much more natural? --- ANSWER: Black
plays his queen to c8 because he fears White's Ne5 arriving with tempo later
on. However,} 7... Qd7 {is also playable. For example:} 8. Nd2 e6 9. Ngf3 Bd6
$1 10. Bg3 $1 {(exchanging on d6 and going pawn grabbing on b7 is inadvisable
for White)} O-O 11. O-O Rab8 12. Rae1 Qc7 {with mutual chances, N.Short-R.Wojtaszek, Warsaw (rapid) 2004.}) 8. Nd2 e6 9. Ngf3 Be7 10. O-O O-O 11. Ne5 {
QUESTION: What kind of structure have we arrived in? --- ANSWER: Essentially,
we have entered a Queen's Gambit Declined Exchange Variation - as usual a move
up. Because of this extra tempo we are far more aggressively placed as White
than when playing the same structure as Black.} Bh5 {Playing for ...Bg6, to
eliminate his bad bishop.} 12. Qc2 Bg6 13. Nxg6 hxg6 {Both sides are happy
from the transaction. White attained the bishop pair and Black unloaded a
problem piece.} 14. Nf3 Nh5 {QUESTION: Why did Black decentralize his knight?
--- ANSWER: White's bishop on f4 was annoyingly powerful. Black gets to
unravel by playing his queen to c7 next.} 15. Be3 Qc7 16. g3 {White isn't
going to allow ...Nf4. --- QUESTION: Didn't White just weaken his king? ---
ANSWER: I don't interpret his last move as weakening. In fact, g2-g3 may be a
useful prelude to a future f2-f4, or a plan like Kg2, h2-h4, Rh1 and h4-h5.}
Rac8 $6 {Threatening ...Nb4, to eliminate White's bishop pair. But really this
is just a cheapo which has a zero percent chance of working against a player
of Browne's calibre. --- QUESTION: What do you suggest?} ({ANSWER: How about} 
16... Rab8 {, intending ...b7-b5, to begin a minority attack on the queenside?
Perhaps Larsen feared} 17. Ng5 {with sac possibilities all over the kingside
unless he hands over yet another bishop pair, but after} e5 $5 {I think Black
is doing okay in the complications.}) 17. Qe2 a6 18. Rae1 {Browne refuses to
play it safe by leaving a rook to defend his queenside. He goes all in for a
kingside attack by loading up in that zone.} Rfe8 19. Bc1 Nf6 20. Ng5 {White
eyes potential sacs on e6, f7 and g6.} Bd6 21. f4 $1 {No freeing ...e6-e5
breaks for Black.} Nd7 22. Nf3 Nf8 23. Ne5 Ne7 {In order to play ...f7-f6, to
eject the intruder on e5.} 24. Kg2 {Perhaps contemplating h2-h4, Rh1 and h4-h5.
} f6 {He has to play this sooner or later.} 25. Nf3 Rb8 {So we see that Black
lost a tempo when he mistakenly posted his rook on c8, rather than b8
immediately.} 26. h4 b5 {Black's minority attack comes with ponderous slowness,
while White's kingside ambitions are well underway.} 27. a3 Nc6 {Hoping to
achieve a central counter with ...e6-e5 at some point.} 28. Qc2 Ne7 {This
seems too slow;} ({perhaps Black should think instead about forking over a
pawn to appease White's attack with} 28... a5 $5 29. Bxg6 Nxg6 30. Qxg6 b4 {.})
29. Qe2 Qc6 {Larsen refuses to repeat, despite his inferior position. But my
guess is that Browne was just toying with him and gaining time on the clock,
and wouldn't have agreed to a draw by repetition anyway. Black's king is the
corrupt politician who places buffered layers between himself and the
accountability of the law. This way he entrenches himself in power and
distances himself from the consequences. --- EXERCISE (planning): We must find
a way through to get at Black's admittedly heavily protected and
well-connected king. Come up with a thematic attacking plan for White. ---
ANSWER: White gives his project a thumbs-up after computing a cost/benefit
analysis: Transfer a rook to the h-file and pry it open with h4-h5.} 30. Rh1 $1
a5 31. h5 {The h-pawn slips in, the way a child sneaks into a locked
playground through the slack in a damaged chain link fence.} b4 {Black's
minority attack reaches its peak strength on the queenside.} 32. cxb4 $1 (32.
axb4 axb4 33. c4 $1 {also looks promising for White.}) 32... axb4 {EXERCISE 
(planning): What is the best way to slow down Black's queenside counterattack?
--- ANSWER: Offer the a-pawn as a distraction. White sticks out his palm
horizontally, as if offering to shake hands, but inside the palm lays a hidden
20 dollar bill - a small bribe.} 33. a4 $1 Qxa4 {The security alarm is
disabled; the glass container smashed. Now we see the gloved, grasping hand of
the jewel thief float over the prize.} 34. Nh4 {The vulture continues his
flight path in bewildering loops over his intended prey.} gxh5 35. Qxh5 Rec8 $5
{Black is in deep trouble and perhaps busted no matter how he plays. In any
case, Larsen looked upon defence as a child would a cruciferous vegetable on
the plate, to be distastefully swallowed under the stern gaze of his mother.
Upon a detailed reconnaissance, the scout fails to derive the true size of the
approaching white war party. Black removes a key defender.} 36. f5 $1 {The
pawn's features alter, transfigured by defiance. White's attack is out of
control. Now the black king's downward trajectory to decrepitude travels in
slow, undeviating increments.} Qb3 (36... Nxf5 37. Nxf5 exf5 38. Bf4 $1 Qc6 (
38... Bxf4 $4 39. Re7 {mates at once}) 39. Bxf5 Rc7 40. Qh8+ Kf7 41. Bxd6 Qxd6
42. Rh7 $1 Nxh7 43. Qxh7 $1 {forces mate.}) 37. fxe6 Nxe6 38. Qh7+ {The queen
bares her soul, professing her love for the black king. Yet he remains cold,
aloof and unmoved.} Kf7 39. Qh5+ (39. Re3 $1 Qa4 40. Qh5+ {wins on the spot.})
39... Kf8 {Black's exasperated king puts his hands together in a gesture of
piety, before rolling his eyes upward in martyred forbearance, as if evoking
strength from the heavens. He now retreats into his asphyxiating closet,
hoping his pursuers won't notice the hiding place.} 40. Ng6+ $1 {White's
attackers infest, like maggots in the putrefying flesh of a corpse.} Ke8 (40...
Nxg6 41. Qxg6 Ke7 (41... Rxc1 42. Rh8+ Ke7 43. Qxg7# {is mate}) 42. Rxe6+ $1 {
mates in five moves.}) 41. Rxe6 {The attackers approach, flourishing blades,
sardonic smiles, and sinister portent.} Kd7 {The opposing armies speak no
words, yet their eyes converse. Black's king emerges from his hiding place,
only to face his aggressors once again. What a wonder when that which we
imagine and dream transforms into the literal. --- EXERCISE (combination alert
(s!)): White has two easy paths to a win. Find one of them. --- ANSWER:} 42.
Rxe7+ $1 {The rook takes a sip, likes the taste, and then pours more into his
parched throat. I'm afraid this self-evident move falls short of a cataclysmic,
history-in-the-making shot, but it's still a good move!} (42. Rxd6+ $1 {is
crushing as well.}) 42... Bxe7 43. Qf5+ {SUMMARY: The Exchange Caro-Kann is
the closest we have to a Colle structure and is also tough to defend from
Black's side at club level. If you want to go for the theoretically best
chance, then study the Panov-Botvinnik for a good shot at "+=" and a long
initiative with your isolani position.} 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Index 7"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "3"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 c5 2. -- (2. c3 cxd4 3. cxd4 d5 {- Lakdawala-Montany}) (2. e3 cxd4 3.
exd4 d5 {- Browne-Larsen}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8: Colle Versus Chigorin"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "7"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. e3 Bg4 4. c4 {. On researching this chapter, I was
pleasantly surprised by the fact that the Colle set-up is a rare but effective
antidote to the Queen's Gambit Chigorin Defence. The Steinitz-Chigorin game
below, one of the very first QGD Chigorins ever played, is an arresting
example of Black's inability to make any use whatsoever of his newfound
freedom and imposing development. With our Colle set-up, mixed with a quick
Qb3, we regain a modicum of slimly achieved normalcy, despite Black's frantic
attempts to draw us into his realm of knowledge. Our queen on b3 makes life
tough for Black, since we attack both b7 and d5 simultaneously, and Black
finds great difficulty in securing his borders from imminent invasion.} *

[Event "World Championship (Game 10), Havana"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1889.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Steinitz, W."]
[Black "Chigorin, M."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D07"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "1889.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. Nf3 ({Our most likely move order would run} 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. e3 Bg4 4.
c4 {etc.}) 1... d5 2. d4 Bg4 {QUESTION: What do we do if Black plays a
reversed London System?} ({ANSWER: After} 2... Bf5 {your best bet is to go for
a Queen's Gambit/Slav-like set-up for White. Here are a couple of examples:} 3.
-- (3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Nf6 (4... c6 5. e3 Nf6 {is a Slav - see Carlsen-Gelfand in
Chapter Five}) 5. Bg5 ({or} 5. e3 {as in note 'b'}) 5... c6 6. Nh4 Bg6 7. Nxg6
hxg6 8. e3 Nbd7 9. a3 Bd6 10. h4 Qb8 11. cxd5 exd5 12. g3 Qd8 13. Bg2 Be7 14.
Qc2 O-O 15. Bf3 Nh7 16. Bf4 {and White stood better with the bishop pair and
the promise of a future kingside attack, V.Korchnoi-G.Seul, Willingen 1999.}) (
3. e3 Nf6 4. c4 e6 5. Nc3 Nbd7 6. cxd5 Nxd5 $5 ({on} 6... exd5 {I intended} 7.
Qb3) 7. Bd2 {with an odd-looking pseudo Semi-Tarrasch position, where I still
prefer White due to his extra central control, C.Lakdawala-A.Reprintsev,
Internet (blitz) 2012.})) 3. c4 (3. e3 {would be the Colle fan's choice, and}
Nc6 4. c4 {transposes.}) 3... Nc6 {Chigorin's somewhat questionable variation
of the Queen's Gambit. --- QUESTION: What is the idea behind it? --- ANSWER:
Essentially, Black goes for a reversed Veresov formation (which is tough
enough to play a move up as White!) and generally plays for ...e7-e5. ---
QUESTION: Is it sound? --- ANSWER: It probably is against an Nf3 move order
from White. We are just happy to remain within Colle realms with our next move.
} 4. e3 {QUESTION: I take it we are not going for the kill here? --- ANSWER:
Correct. We aren't interested in a theoretical discussion with the Chigorin
expert (unless you are booked up and choose to pick that fight!). Instead, we
remain faithful to our Colle ways and, in doing so, probably dodge our
opponent's prep.} (4. cxd5 {and}) (4. Nc3 {are the theoretical main lines.})
4... e5 {Black plays his thematic central break.} ({Next game we look at the
quieter and possibly sounder} 4... e6 {.}) 5. Qb3 $1 {The original is usually
better than the sequel. Nobody raves about 'Home Alone II'! White has many
ways to combat the Chigorin - and 5 Qb3!, played in one of the original
Chigorin games, is one of the best methods White has at his disposal. ---
QUESTION: Hey, you said we wanted to avoid a fight, didn't you? --- ANSWER: I
said we wanted to avoid a theoretical fight, not the fight itself! I like
Steinitz's combative choice, which puts heavy pressure on b7 and d5. The move
scores a terrific 64% for White and Houdini gives it a thumbs up as well.
Playing around with the computers, I tried to find a path to equality for
Black and failed to do so.} Bxf3 6. gxf3 exd4 $6 {Chigorin possibly gets
confused within his own system. His move looks like the swapping of one vice
for another, like a person who gains 26 pounds in lieu of smoking cigarettes.}
({Other moves:} 6... Bb4+ $6 7. Bd2 dxc4 (7... Bxd2+ 8. Nxd2 {is also in
White's favour}) 8. Bxc4 Qe7 9. dxe5 O-O-O 10. Bxb4 Nxb4 11. Nc3 {left Black
without compensation for his missing pawn, G.Soppe-R.Garbarino, San Martin
1995.}) (6... Nf6 $6 7. Qxb7 $1 Nb4 8. Qb5+ c6 ({after} 8... Qd7 9. dxe5 $3
Nc2+ 10. Kd1 Nxa1 11. exf6 {Black is busted}) 9. Qa4 exd4 10. a3 dxe3 {, C.Marzolo-D.Borderie, Val Thorens 2009, and after simply} 11. axb4 {Black lacks
any compensation for the piece.}) (6... dxc4 $5 7. Bxc4 Qd7 8. dxe5 ({not yet} 
8. Bxf7+ $2 Qxf7 9. Qxb7 Qxf3 10. Qxa8+ Kd7 $1 {, when Black has a dangerous
attack; e.g.} 11. Rf1 exd4 12. exd4 Nf6 13. Nc3 Bb4 $1 14. Qxh8 Nxd4 {and
mates!}) 8... Na5 (8... Nxe5 $2 9. Qxb7 Rd8 10. Bb5 {wins for White}) 9. Bxf7+
Qxf7 10. Qb5+ c6 11. Qxa5 Qxf3 12. Rg1 {is also good for White, who enjoys
greater central control and leads in development, while Black's king remains
exposed even if he regains the pawn.}) (6... Nge7 {(Chigorin's attempted
improvement may be best, but even here, I can't find equality for Black)} 7.
Nc3 exd4 8. Nxd5 Rb8 {, W.Steinitz-M.Chigorin, Havana (14th matchgame) 1889,
when the immediate} 9. Bd2 {seems better for White, since his bishop pair is
meaningful in the open position,} ({rather than} 9. e4 Ng6 10. Bd2 {.})) 7.
cxd5 Ne5 (7... Nb4 8. e4 d3 9. Bxd3 {also leaves Black without adequate
compensation.}) 8. exd4 Nd7 9. Nc3 {A viceless opponent is a dangerous foe.
Steinitz isn't interested in pawn grabbing on b7 at a cost to his own
development. --- QUESTION: Doesn't Black have some compensation due to all
those doubled pawns on White's side? --- ANSWER: I don't think so. Let's
assess: 1. White is a pawn up and the extra one (on d5) itself applies
pressure upon Black. --- 2. White owns the bishop pair in an open position.
--- 3. White leads in development. --- 4. White can make good use of the open
g- and c-files for his rooks. --- Conclusion: Black has no compensation for
the pawn.} Qe7+ 10. Be3 Qb4 {The queen allows herself to get distracted with
tangential issues. The lines an actress delivers on stage and those she
formulates and improvises in her mind are different things. Black's queen,
awaiting congratulations under the belief that she is a VIP, soon receives a
demotion to just solitary P.} 11. Qc2 $1 {Showing that White is the one doing
the attacking. Black's queen is simply a target on b4 and a hindrance to ...b7-b5-b4 pawn storms.} Ngf6 12. Bb5 {I would avoid this and castle queenside
immediately.} Rd8 $6 {QUESTION: Why didn't Black castle queenside? --- ANSWER:
He should have done just that. Black comes upon a perplexing dilemma. Just as
some religious-minded people attempt to rationalize and explain away
discrepancies and contradictions in their belief systems, so does Chigorin's
faith in his own system remain intact, despite growing evidence that his
"compensation" is all but imaginary. Perhaps Chigorin, caught up in a fever of
optimism, wanted to attack on the queenside with ...a7-a6 and ...b7-b5, but in
doing so, he agreed to leaves his king precariously in the centre, or on the
kingside - a dangerous proposition with White's open g-file. Such moves
provide cathartic, rather than actual, relief to suffering.} 13. O-O-O a6 14.
Ba4 Be7 {QUESTION: Can Black go on the attack on the queenside?} ({ANSWER: Too
early. White is well equipped to deal with it. For example:} 14... b5 $6 15.
Bb3 {and now if he insists on attacking with} a5 $4 {, then} 16. a3 Qe7 17. Bf4
$1 {and Black must resign.}) 15. Rhg1 g6 $6 {Chigorin hopes to galvanize and
reinforce his sagging structure with added girders and concrete, but only
manages to weaken his dark squares further. Unhappily for Black, the hoped-for
barrier and repellent begin to lose their cohesiveness, as well as tensile
strength.} ({I'm convinced today's IM or GM would happily hand over an
exchange for the dark squares with} 15... O-O $5 16. Bh6 g6 $5 {. The trouble
is that White isn't obliged to take it and may just keep attacking with
something like f3-f4-f5.}) 16. Bh6 $1 {Trapping Black's king in the centre.} b5
17. Bb3 Nb6 18. Rge1 Kd7 {We are reminded of Abe Lincoln's words: "I have been
driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had
nowhere else to go." Black's moves feel carefully controlled, like a mob boss
speaking to his lieutenants in code, all the while knowing the Feds are
wire-tapping every word. Chigorin reasons that the defence, if engaged in a
conventional manner, is plainly destined for failure. So when logic collapses,
we must turn to its tributary: magic! With his last move Black fumbles about
conjuring a spell which will somehow whisk his king to safety to the queenside,
the destination he should have castled to in the first place. The defensive
motions grow ever more twisted, weaving toward a weary decrepitude.} 19. Bf4 $1
Rc8 ({Black is completely busted:} 19... Kc8 $4 20. a3 {overloads his queen,})
({while} 19... Bd6 {is met strongly by} 20. Be5 $1 {.}) 20. a3 Qa5 {"But, but,
but, you can't speak to me that way! I'm the little princess!" The queen backs
up wearing a pouty expression of barely controlled irritation. She is banished
to a5, disconnecting her from e7. Now life for Black's king in his war-torn
hovel is in stark contrast to the lustre of his antebellum happiness. ---
EXERCISE (planning): Come up with an unstoppable attacking plan for White
which withers and evaporates Black's resistance with alarming speed. ---
ANSWER: Raid the weakened dark squares.} 21. Bg5 $1 Ng8 ({There is no real
choice since} 21... Rhe8 22. Rxe7+ $1 Kxe7 23. Ne4 {is hopeless as well.}) 22.
Bxe7 (22. Ne4 $1 {is also very powerful.}) 22... Nxe7 23. Ne4 $1 {White
generates threats everywhere.} Rb8 24. Nf6+ Kd8 {EXERCISE (combination alert):
Black's position is the final wisp of smoke curling up from a dying campfire.
White has a way to end resistance for good. How? --- ANSWER: Destroy Black's
only defender and crash through on c7.} 25. Rxe7 $1 {Not exactly the gift of
the Magi, when you give up an exchange to get a queen in return.} Kxe7 26.
Qxc7+ Nd7 (26... Kxf6 27. Qe5#) ({or} 26... Kf8 27. Qxb8+ Kg7 28. Nh5+ $1 gxh5
29. Rg1+ {mates.}) 27. Qxa5 {Pressure constricts Henry VIII's heart as he
witnesses the beheading of his misbehaving queen. --- SUMMARY: The Queen's
Gambit Chigorin isn't very popular, but I wish it were. I don't see a way for
Black to fully equalize after 4 e3 e5 5 Qb3!.} 1-0

[Event "Correspondence"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Prang, E."]
[Black "Malinin, V."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D07"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. e3 e6 ({QUESTION: I assume this line is
quieter than} 4... e5 {in the previous game? --- ANSWER: Yes, Black, not
trusting (possibly with good reason!) the early ...e7-e5 break, slows the game
down into a Queen's Gambit Declined style position. --- QUESTION: What are the
differences between this and a normal QGD? --- ANSWER: There are several: 1.
Black's knight has been developed early to c6, which in turn hinders either ...c7-c6 or ...c7-c5. --- 2. Black's bishop is on the outside of his pawn chain,
rather than on c8. Although this looks like a plus, it may actually be a minus,
since White can hunt down the bishop pair with a future h2-h3 and g2-g4, as we
saw in the Slav chapter. Also, with the bishop on g4, the move Qb3, hitting b7,
becomes an issue for Black, as we saw last game. --- 3. In a standard QGD,
White's dark-squared bishop is usually developed outside the pawn chain on g5
or f4. Here it sits inside on c1. Of course, this rarely bothers us Colle folk,
since we play this way against every variation!}) 5. Nc3 Bb4 {Most
Chigorinites, like their founder, are bishop-hating knight-lovers. I have
noticed many Chigorin players hand over both bishops for both knights, at
least in my games against the system.} ({Instead, after} 5... Nf6 6. h3 Bxf3 7.
Qxf3 Bb4 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Bd3 O-O 10. O-O Re8 11. Bd2 a6 12. Rfc1 {we reach a
Nimzo-Indian-like position, where White hopes to make use of his bishop pair
later on, H.Ree-D.Sahovic, Lone Pine 1979.}) 6. Qb3 Bxf3 {Every Chigorin
player in the world will chop here.} 7. gxf3 {QUESTION: Don't we suffer a
damaged structure in the aftermath? --- ANSWER: I don't interpret the change
in structure as damage. To break up our kingside Black has: 1 Strengthened our
central control. --- 2. Handed us an open g-file. --- 3. Given us the bishop
pair. --- Conclusion: No single problem is deemed prohibitive for Black, yet
the net cumulative effect of all the various little precedences are enough to
deny him equality. --- QUESTION: If this is good for White, then why did Black
exchange on f3? --- ANSWER: In order to create imbalance and play for the win.
Chigorin players tend to veer toward high-end aggression, otherwise they would
play the Slav or orthodox QGD.} Nge7 8. Bd2 O-O 9. f4 {Clamping down on ...e6-e5 breaks.} Rb8 {Discouraging White from queenside castling.} 10. O-O-O $5 {
QUESTION: But he plays it anyway? --- ANSWER: What can I say? Some people are
immune from intimidation. White decides to castle early and risk his
opponent's attacking caprices on the wing. I believe it was a good decision.}
dxc4 11. Bxc4 b5 {The point of ...Rb8. --- QUESTION: Isn't Black's wing attack
faster? --- ANSWER: His attack is probably faster, but with his last move
Black also weakened a huge number of squares down the c-file and made his
c7-pawn backward and chronically weak, so his attacking chances certainly came
with a high strategic price tag.} 12. Bd3 a5 13. Kb1 a4 14. Qc2 Bxc3 15. Qxc3
b4 {QUESTION: Sorry to harp on this point, but isn't Black making tremendous
progress on the queenside? --- ANSWER: Black's rather inopportune passion to
deliver checkmate is destined to remain unfulfilled. His pawns advance, yet he
is unable to open lines effectively. Also, I repeat, White gets a lot of play
down the c-file. He can also play positionally in such positions rather than
go for opposite wing attacks.} 16. Qc5 Rb6 17. Rc1 Qa8 18. Rhg1 {Now Qg5 or
Qh5 is in the air, reminding Black that he too must worry about king safety -
and while Black's queenside attack is at somewhat of an impasse, White can
leisurely build up on the other wing.} g6 19. h4 Rd8 20. Qg5 Rd5 21. Qg2 $1 {
Black must now watch out for Be4 tricks as well.} Ra5 22. Rc4 Qb7 23. Rgc1 $1 {
As I mentioned earlier, White can also challenge Black down the c-file.} Nd5
24. Be4 ({I think White was wise to avoid the complications stemming from} 24.
e4 a3 $1 25. b3 $1 ({not} 25. exd5 $4 b3 $1 {which gives Black a decisive
attack}) 25... Nc3+ $1 {, when the focus suddenly turns to White's king safety.
Then again, I don't really see a problem for White even here - his king
remains safe after} 26. Ka1 {, as do his strategic gains.}) 24... Rab5 25. f5
$1 Nc3+ {QUESTION: Is this an oasis or a mirage? --- ANSWER: A mirage. Black
sees no effective pathway to implement a true attack, and so fashions a
desperately constructed makeshift version by finding a clever way to strip
White of a powerful bishop. Yet, in the end, nothing much changes and Black
remains worse.} 26. Ka1 Nxe4 27. fxg6 $1 hxg6 ({The bishop is untouchable:} 
27... Nxd2 $4 28. gxh7+ Kxh7 29. Rg1 {mates in three moves.}) 28. Qxe4 {All
eyes are on c6. Have you ever met someone with buck teeth - and then you think
to yourself: "Don't stare at her buck teeth!" - and then, of course, you
notice yourself staring at her teeth, which impregnate your consciousness
against your will?} Ne7 {Black experiences a well-founded premonition of
ill-omen and decides to change course from shaky attack to shaky ending.} (
28... Rd5 $2 29. h5 $1 {yields a decisive attack for White.}) 29. Qxb7 Rxb7 30.
Rxc7 {The rook continues its longitudinal ascendancy by winning a pawn and
ensconcing itself on c7.} b3 31. Rxb7 Rxb7 32. Rc4 Ra7 33. axb3 axb3+ 34. Kb1 {
Now the b3-pawn is a further worry for Black.} Rb7 35. e4 f6 36. Rb4 Rd7 ({
Black has no choice since White's king would just walk over and pick up the
b3-pawn if rooks came off the board. For example:} 36... Rxb4 $2 37. Bxb4 Nc6
38. Bc3 f5 39. f3 Kh7 40. Kc1 Kh6 41. Kd2 Kh5 42. d5 exd5 43. exd5 Nb8 44. Bf6
{and the rest is simple.}) 37. Be3 Kf7 38. Kc1 $1 ({Stronger than} 38. Rxb3 $6
Nc6 39. Rd3 Ne5 40. Rd1 Nf3 $1 {, when Black regains one of his pawns.}) 38...
Nc6 39. Rc4 Na5 {The unnoticed middle child tends to view life second hand.}
40. Rc3 Ke8 41. Kd2 $1 Rh7 {EXERCISE (combination alert): It looks like White
has blundered away his h-pawn. He didn't. Find a tactical trick which hangs on
to the pawn. --- ANSWER: The alien, whose form is shadows and black light,
receives nourishment by feeding upon the pain of its prey.} 42. Bf4 $1 Kd8 (
42... Rxh4 $4 43. Bc7 Rh5 44. e5 fxe5 45. dxe5 Nb7 46. Bb6 Rxe5 47. Rc8+ {and
48 Rc7+ picks up the knight. So the king curbs his vexation and swallows the
slight with an externally meek countenance, even though his eyes betray his
restrained anger, as he sneaks a sour glance over his shoulder to cover c7.})
43. Bg3 Rd7 44. Kd3 Nb7 45. Ke3 Na5 {The spasmodic evolutions of the knight
resemble the frantic flitting of an injured insect in its death throes.} 46.
Rc5 {This rook is the knight's most vociferous critic, dogging its every move
with an annoying counter.} Ra7 47. Bb8 $5 {White decides to sweep the position
of distracting debris, and unearths the elemental plan of entering a won rook
and pawn ending.} ({I would have retained the bishop versus passive knight
imbalance and played} 47. Kd3 {.}) 47... Rb7 48. Rxa5 Rxb8 49. Ra7 {White is
still winning the rook endgame: 1. He is up a clean pawn. --- 2. Both his rook
and king are more active than their black counterparts. --- 3. Black's b3-pawn
and kingside are not easy to protect.} Rc8 50. Rf7 Rc2 51. Rxf6 {Black pawns
squirt out, as if from a toothpaste tube.} Ke7 52. Rxg6 Rxb2 {We are reminded
of the 1980s rhythm and blues song: "Just the two of us. We can make it if we
try. Just the two of us. (Just the two of us.) Just the two of us, building
castles in the sky. Just the two of us, you and I." Black's rook sprawls in
front of his passer, the worst possible posting - which in turn means the
differential in the race is the same as the size difference between a house
and Notre Dame cathedral.} 53. Rg7+ Kf6 54. Rb7 Rb1 55. f3 b2 {Shades of
Tiananmen Square. Unfortunately for Black, the dissident student blocks the
tank's path on b1.} 56. Kf4 {The king erupts in a cheer, the way a football
fan jumps out of his seat with arms upraised and fists clenched when his team
scores a touchdown. No last cheapo check on e1 for Black, who can now resign.
White's king and rook ride the royal carriage waving at their subjects with
imperious solidarity.} Rh1 57. Rxb2 Rxh4+ 58. Ke3 Rh1 59. Rb6 Ke7 60. Rb5 Kd6
61. d5 {SUMMARY: The 4...e6 lines are quieter than those with 4...e5. Play is
similar to the QGD or Nimzo-Indian, but slightly favourable versions for us,
since Black's c6-knight looks offside.} 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Index 8"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "8"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. e3 Bg4 4. c4 -- (4... e5 {- Steinitz-Chigorin}) (4... e6
{- Prang-Malinin}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "9: The Ostrich in the Sand"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "3"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nd2 {. As a society, we are easily fooled. A friend of mine once
met The Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger, in the flesh. I was shocked when
she related that he was "thinner and smaller than she imagined, in his sixties,
with multiple plastic surgeries on his face!" "But, but, but, Arnold the
Barbarian is seven feet tall, in the flower of youth, and beheads evildoers!"
I stammered. "Sorry, no," she replied, by now obviously concerned about my
fragile mental state. --- The above diagram, the "Ostrich in the Sand"
variation, a targeted anti-King's Indian system, may come as a similar shock
for our opponents. After our strange move, murmured news of a wonderful
utopian future spreads among Black's citizenry. But when exactly it arrives,
no one can say for certain. This is a line where data gets the pink slip while
our understanding and experience receive the job offer. --- Our idea behind 2
Nd2 may be crude, utterly devoid of aesthetics or subtlety of any kind, yet
also quite effective. We "threaten" 3 e4, turning the game into a Pirc or a
Philidor, something your KID-loving opponents probably want to avoid. The next
problem they face is the fact that, after 2...d5, we have tricked them into a
Colle position, quite an alien experience for the KID folk. So whichever way
they play it, we deny them their structures. If you go over the games of this
chapter, you will see what I'm talking about.} *

[Event "Las Vegas"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1990.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Wolski, T."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D04"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "1990.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nd2 {QUESTION: The meek shall inherit the earth? --- ANSWER: I
admit the move may leave you with an odd first thought of "so many ostriches;
so much sand", but it is a targeted anti-King's Indian system. Essentially we
force the KID player into an alien structure, perhaps not to his liking. ---
QUESTION: How does this move affect the KID player?} ({ANSWER: Basically, with
} 2. Nd2 {we "threaten" a Pirc with e2-e4 next move, so this in turn forces
Black into either} c5 {, after which White can capture, leading to strange
reversed Catalan lines,} ({or} 2... d5 {, a move which most KID players are
loathe to play.})) ({By the way, Magnus Carlsen is also an "Ostrich in the
Sand" fan, but with a slightly altered anti-King's Indian move order:} 2. Nf3
g6 3. Nbd2 $1 {. Here we are again, the Pseudo Ostrich! This move order may be
White's most accurate - it doesn't allow Black the double queen's pawn lines
with ...e7-e6 of the current game, since he has already committed to ...g7-g6.
As in the Ostrich proper, Black has two main moves:} -- (3... d5 4. b4 $1 Bg7
5. e3 {transposes to Lakdawala-Maki, the next game in the chapter, which
incorporates a couple of Carlsen's games with this variation.}) (3... c5 {and
now in a spirit of adventure, I usually go for} 4. dxc5 $5 (4. e3 {is also
possible of course}) 4... Na6 5. a3 {with a standard reversed Catalan, C.Lakdawala-C.Clawitter, San Diego (rapid) 2012.} ({Perhaps White can play in a
more enterprising manner with} 5. e4 $1 Nxc5 6. e5 Ng4 7. h3 Nh6 8. Nb3 {,
when Black's game looks cramped and somewhat unpleasant.}))) 2... d5 (2... c5
3. dxc5 $5 {just for the sake of being weird;} (3. e3 {may lead to more normal
Colle lines}) 3... -- {and now:} (3... e6 4. Nb3 Na6 (4... Bxc5 5. Nxc5 Qa5+ {
, D.Lima-L.Brito, Joao Pessoa 2009, is playable but hands over the bishop pair}
) 5. Qd4 Qc7 ({several blitz opponents fell for} 5... Nxc5 $4 6. Nxc5 Qa5+ 7.
b4 {and White retains his extra piece}) 6. Bf4 $1 Qc6 (6... Bxc5 $4 7. Qxf6 $1
{picks off another piece}) 7. Bd6 {with an edge for White, C.Barlocco-V.Rapoport, Dresden 2008.}) (3... Na6 4. e4 $1 {(this is close to a
transposition to my analysis of 2 Nf3 g6 3 Nbd2 c5 in the previous note)} Nxc5
5. e5 Nd5 6. Nb3 Nxb3 (6... e6 {is better}) 7. axb3 e6 8. Bc4 Nb6 9. Bd3 {and
White landed in a favourable c3-Sicilian-type position, C.Lakdawala-"jaw",
Internet (blitz).})) 3. Ngf3 Bf5 4. e3 e6 5. Ne5 {White's only real shot at an
advantage.} ({QUESTION: Can't we play} 5. Nh4 {as in the Slav lines? ---
ANSWER: Not this time since after} Bg4 6. f3 Bh5 {,} 7. g4 $4 {is met by} Nxg4
{. Database statistics: White scores 0% from this position!}) 5... Bd6 {This
natural move allows us our intended trick.} ({Instead:} 5... Be7 $6 6. g4 $1
Be4 $6 {(even GMs may lose their bearings in this bizarro position)} 7. f3 Bg6
8. h4 Nxg4 $5 (8... h5 9. Nxg6 fxg6 10. g5 {is strategically disastrous for
Black as well}) 9. Nxg4 Bxh4+ 10. Nf2 {and Black had insufficient compensation
for the piece, C.Lakdawala-E.Lobron, Internet (blitz) 2006.}) (5... Nfd7 6. g4
Bg6 7. Nxg6 hxg6 8. Bg2 {and White's bishop pair may give him an edge, similar
to ones he gets in the Slav chapter, C.Lakdawala-L.Christiansen, Internet 
(blitz) 2006.}) (5... h6 $1 {(Akobian and Silman both showed the path to
equality here)} 6. Bd3 Nbd7 (6... Bxd3 7. cxd3 Nbd7 {was dead equal and
quickly drawn, C.Lakdawala-J.Silman, Los Angeles 1988}) 7. O-O Bd6 8. Ndf3 (8.
f4 {is more ambitious and probably superior}) 8... c6 9. b3 Ne4 10. Nxd7 Qxd7
11. Bb2 Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. gxf3 Nf6 14. Kg2 g5 15. c4 O-O-O 16. Qc2 Rdg8 17.
Rh1 Kb8 18. Bc3 h5 19. c5 Bc7 20. b4 g4 21. hxg4 hxg4 22. Rxh8 Rxh8 23. f4 Qd8
24. Rh1 Rxh1 25. Kxh1 Nh5 26. Be1 f5 27. Kg1 Nf6 28. a4 Kc8 {½-½ C.Lakdawala-V.Akobian, US Championship, San Diego 2004 (although White stands a
shade better now, since he has the only viable pawn break in the position with
b4-b5).}) 6. g4 $1 {With this tricky move, we hope to befuddle our opponents.}
Bg6 ({Perhaps Black should go for the calmer alternative} 6... Bxe5 7. gxf5 Bd6
8. fxe6 fxe6 9. f4 {, even if White has an edge with the bishop pair, light
square power and an open g-file; he can castle queenside later on if necessary.
}) 7. h4 $1 {Threatening h4-h5, snagging a piece.} Nbd7 $1 ({Wolski gambles on
a speculative piece sac, rather than endure the misery of} 7... h5 $2 8. Nxg6
fxg6 9. g5 {with a wretched position for Black.}) 8. h5 Be4 {All but one of
the dancers are in place... when the choreography goes haywire. The sum of the
pugnacious bishop's personality is his staunch refusal to bend to authority of
any kind. Black sacs a piece to go after White's king.} 9. f3 Nxe5 {Too late
to turn back now. Black dedicates himself to the derailment of all further
dialogue or negotiation. From this point on it's kill or be killed.} 10. dxe5
Bxe5 11. fxe4 Bg3+ 12. Ke2 {It's just a low-gradient hill, yet my out-of-shape
king finds himself sweating and winded. The kingside bursts with confetti,
balloons and brightly coloured streamers and the crowd cheers. Why do people
think the Colle is dull?} Nxg4 {QUESTION: Isn't White crushed? Your opponent
has two pawns for the piece, threatens a fork on f2, and looks like he has a
winning attack too. --- ANSWER: I admit my king walks through an unfamiliar
part of town after dark. The black knight and bishop at the corner speak in
low murmurs, eyeing him with criminal intent. Black certainly has some
compensation for his piece in this bewildering position, but the computers say
that White is far from being crushed. The position flows with treacherous
undercurrents, poised to take either side down upon the slightest misstep. In
fact, let's do an exercise here: EXERCISE (critical decision): White has two
viable defences in the position. Your hapless writer unfortunately picked
non-existent defence number three! Can you do better and find a path to
survival for White?} 13. Rg1 $6 {My infallible intuition naturally picks the
worst of White's choices. A thick piece-clot forms on the g-file. Apparently
my opponent isn't the only one who is confused, as ever new, reinvigorated
threats emerge in sheets, like a violent squall, strafing the pavement in a
thunderstorm.} ({ANSWER: White has two reasonable defences:} 13. Rh3 $1 {
(White's best in my opinion)} Qf6 (13... Nf2 $6 14. Qe1 Nxh3 15. Qxg3 Ng5 {
looks good for White}) 14. Nf3 dxe4 15. Rxg3 Rd8 16. Qe1 exf3+ 17. Rxf3 Qe5 18.
Rf4 Qxh5 19. Bg2 $1 {is anyone's game.}) (13. c3 Nf2 14. Qa4+ c6 15. Rg1 Qh4
16. Rxg3 Qxg3 17. exd5 exd5 18. Qf4 Nh1 19. b3 Qxf4 20. exf4 Ng3+ 21. Kf3 Nxh5
{with two bishops against rook and three pawns. Houdini says equal, but I
prefer Black here.}) 13... Qd6 $2 {When you have an unwanted dinner date, with
the promise of a wretched evening, the worst thing you can do is to show up
punctually. The queen's tenuous manoeuvre reeks of the artificial, like an old
woman, immersed in her past and now long-gone beauty, who bleaches her hair
blonde and wears miniskirts. Black comes right back with a counter-blunder. My
king's seductive invitation draws the queen in, the way a salivating wolf,
walks closer to the meat in the trap. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): After
Black's mistaken last move White has a consolidation trick to win the game. Do
you see it?} ({Instead, Black missed} 13... Nxe3 $1 14. Kxe3 ({after} 14. Rxg3
$2 Nxd1 15. Kxd1 dxe4 {the queen and four pawns will beat White's three minor
pieces}) 14... Qg5+ 15. Kd3 dxe4+ 16. Kc3 Qe3+ 17. Kb4 a5+ 18. Ka4 Qd4+ 19. c4
b5+ $1 20. Kb3 Qxg1 21. Nxe4 bxc4+ 22. Kc2 {with a mess. Black probably stands
better, but White is still kicking.}) (13... Qd6 $2) 14. Nc4 $1 {(ANSWER). The
unexpected winner of a multi-million dollar lottery is very likely to hug and
kiss the first person he comes into contact with. My taunting knight (the one
everyone ridiculed!) waves a fluttering, dandified "hello" in the black
queen's direction.} Qa6 $5 ({Desperation, since} 14... dxc4 {allows
simplification with} 15. Qxd6 Bxd6 16. Rxg4 {, which is hopeless for Black as
well.}) 15. Rxg3 O-O-O (15... Qxc4+ 16. Ke1 $1 {wins a second piece due to a
double attack.}) 16. Rxg4 dxc4 17. Qe1 {Black's position plummets from
attacking plentitude into financial crisis, due to market uncertainty and an
inability to raise capital. He remains a pair of minor pieces down without
compensation. So he feels the most expedient course to action is to proffer
resignation, amble over to the bar and order a double scotch - no ice. ---
SUMMARY: 2 Nd2 is fully playable. Black has one and only one path to equality
- Akobian and Silman's 5...h6, which the vast majority of your opponents are
not likely to find over the board. Also, keep in mind that White can avoid
this line entirely with Carlsen's Pseudo Ostrich move order, 1 d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 g6
3 Nd2!, when Black has committed to ...g7-g6, which we want.} 1-0

[Event "Los Angeles"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1999.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Maki, J."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1999.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 Nf6 ({Compare the following Leningrad Dutch line with the position I
reach against Maki:} 1... f5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. e3 $5 O-O 6. b4
$5 {, M.Quinteros-G.Sax, Wijk aan Zee 1973.}) 2. Nd2 d5 (2... e5 $5 {is kind
of a poor man's Budapest Gambit - I feel 2 Nd2 is more useful and less
weakening for White than 2 c4, which is the normal Budapest Gambit position.
After} 3. dxe5 Ng4 {White has a good position if he just plays} 4. e4 {,} ({
but whatever you do, don't fall for} 4. h3 $4 Ne3 $1 {(which, if I neglected
to mention, would prompt you to resign before your fifth move and also send me
an angry email about the low-grade quality of the analysis in this book!).}))
3. e3 g6 {QUESTION: Doesn't Black's set-up pretty much refute your 2 Nd2 idea?
I have read that Colle lines don't work so well when Black fianchettoes on the
kingside. --- ANSWER: I have read this too, but don't believe in that theory.
I worked out a strange but very playable system against Black's kingside
fianchetto lines. Stay tuned.} ({The main alternative is} 3... c5 4. c3 (4.
dxc5 $5 {is still possible, but I don't really care for White's game after} e5)
{and then:} 4... -- (4... Qc7 {may lead to a reversed Catalan or just normal
Colle lines. For example:} 5. Ngf3 Nbd7 6. Qa4 $5 g6 7. Bd3 (7. dxc5 Qxc5 8. c4
{, intending b2-b4 next, is the way I would play White}) 7... Bg7 8. e4 $5 dxe4
9. Nxe4 Nxe4 10. Bxe4 cxd4 11. cxd4 O-O 12. O-O {looks like an equal isolani
position, M.Czerniak-C.Guimard, Buenos Aires 1939.}) (4... g6 $6 5. dxc5 Bg7 6.
b4 {is a version of a reversed Catalan Gambit, a line which I believe to be
borderline unsound for Black, as explained in Chapter Six.}) (4... Nbd7 5. f4 {
(transposing to a reversed Stonewall Dutch, similar to those we looked at in
Chapter One, seems logical here)} b6 6. Bd3 a5 7. Qf3 {, S.Brady-A.Muir,
Scottish Team Championship 2002, is the sort of position most Colle players
feel comfortable in.})) 4. Ngf3 Bg7 ({We examine the reversed Catalan,} 4... c5
5. dxc5 {, in the final two games of the chapter.}) 5. b4 $5 {QUESTION: What?
This looks like a random move. --- ANSWER: Not so random. --- 1. White's idea
is eventually to blanket the entire queenside with pawns: c2-c4, a2-a4 and Ba3,
with a massive queenside spatial advantage. --- 2. White also prevents Black's
...c7-c5 break, his bread and butter move in the Grünfeld, without which he
often flails about in search of a plan.} ({White can also play} 5. c4 {, which
invites ...c7-c5, as I do next game versus Aldama.}) 5... O-O (5... Ne4 6. Nxe4
dxe4 7. Nd2 e5 8. c3 O-O 9. Be2 Qg5 10. g3 exd4 11. cxd4 Re8 12. O-O Bh3 13.
Re1 c6 14. Qc2 Qe7 15. a4 Nd7 16. Ba3 Rac8 {, when each side hopes to accrue
wealth on his respective wing, B.Grachev-I.Kurnosov, European Championship 
(rapid playoff), Rijeka 2010.}) 6. Bb2 Nbd7 (6... Bf5 {(probably Black's most
common set-up)} 7. c4 c6 {was seen in two of Magnus Carlsen's games:} 8. a4 ({
or} 8. Be2 Nbd7 9. O-O dxc4 10. Nxc4 Nb6 11. Na5 {and Black fails to equalize,
since he hasn't managed to achieve either a ...c6-c5 or ...e7-e5 pawn break,
Ma.Carlsen-M.Vachier Lagrave, World Blitz Championship, Moscow 2010}) 8... Nbd7
9. Be2 Ne4 10. O-O Re8 11. Nxe4 Bxe4 12. Nd2 Bf5 13. Qb3 e5 $6 {(just because
a move is thematic doesn't necessarily mean it is also good)} 14. cxd5 exd4 {
, Ma.Carlsen-J.Hammer, Oslo (blitz) 2009, and now} 15. dxc6 bxc6 16. Bc4 {
looks good for White.}) 7. c4 c6 8. Be2 Re8 (8... a6 9. Rc1 (9. a4 {may be a
better move, discouraging ...b7-b5 in any form}) 9... b5 10. c5 a5 $6 11. a4 $1
axb4 12. axb5 cxb5 {, when both of Black's b-pawns were in mortal danger, C.Lakdawala-K.Griffith, San Diego (rapid) 2012.}) 9. O-O h6 {Unnecessary.} ({
Black should go for the immediate} 9... Ne4 {, even if White's rook is first
to arrive on the open c-file after} 10. cxd5 Nxd2 11. Qxd2 cxd5 12. Rfc1 {.})
10. Rc1 a6 (10... dxc4 11. Nxc4 Nb6 12. Nce5 {gives White a small but nagging
edge.}) 11. a4 {White continues to gain ground on the queenside.} Nf8 $6 {My
opponent, unfamiliar with a Grünfeld set-up, has trouble coming up with a
reasonable plan. He takes his sweet time about engineering a central pawn
break, despite urgent beckonings from command control. --- QUESTION: What do
you suggest for Black?} ({ANSWER: I think his best plan is} 11... Ne4 {with a
freeing exchange, and the thought of ...e7-e5 at some point.}) 12. a5 {Now a
hole awaits White's pieces on c5.} Be6 $5 ({I would have gone for} 12... Bg4
13. h3 Bxf3 14. Nxf3 {to unload a potentially bad bishop.}) 13. Ne5 N6d7 14.
cxd5 Bxd5 (14... cxd5 15. Nd3 {is an unpleasant-looking type of Exchange Slav
for Black. White can play for control over c5 with Nb3 next.}) 15. e4 {White
gains central space as well.} Be6 16. Nd3 $1 {QUESTION: Why a retreat and why
an exclam? --- ANSWER: Principle: It is in the best interests of the side with
the territorial advantage to avoid exchanges, to keep the opponent cramped.} f5
$5 {From absolute passivity to absolute confrontation generally doesn't
transition well. Black compartmentalizes his grief, launching an offensive,
while on the defensive! Such agitated thrashing about probably works to his
detriment, and I suspect the f-pawn is ill suited in the extreme to be the
flag bearer of Black's quest for counterplay. It's hard to fault him though.
Interminable patience is not an easy skill to master. At the gym each morning,
I try eternally to show my old, broken down body just who is boss, forcing it
to its limits; in the end, my body always wins the argument. Black's last move
has the same strained quality.} ({Perhaps he should avoid this impatient
lashing out and continue to work quietly for an ...e7-e5 break with something
like} 16... f6 $5 {, intending ...Bf7 and ...e7-e5.}) 17. Nf4 Bf7 18. exf5 gxf5
19. Nh5 {A juicy new hole (h5) opens up in the neighbourhood of the black king.
} Bh8 20. Rc3 $1 {Going straight for Black's weakened king, and drawing him
out like tweezers to a stubborn splinter in a finger.} e6 $6 ({Better to play} 
20... Nf6 21. Rg3+ Kh7 22. Qc2 e6 23. Nxf6+ Bxf6 24. Nf3 Ng6 {.}) 21. Nc4 {
Eyeing holes on b6, d6 and e5.} Nf6 22. Rh3 Ne4 23. Qc1 Qg5 {The servants
scurry about and Black's king demands ministrations to his considerable
defensive needs.} 24. Qc2 Qe7 25. Ne5 $1 {In a burst of uncharacteristic
bravado, your normally cautious writer goes all in with a pawn sac. Who cares
about the queenside pawns?} Qxb4 {The queen thinks to herself: "The apples,
all fallen and rotting, encircle the tree which gave them their short,
meaningless lives."} ({Perhaps Black's best chance was the cold-blooded} 25...
Bxe5 26. dxe5 Bxh5 27. Bxh5 Red8 28. Bc1 $1 Qxb4 29. g4 $1 {and even here,
White has a strong attack.}) 26. Nxf7 Kxf7 27. Nf4 {Threatening Bh5+.} Red8 28.
Rb3 Qe7 {EXERCISE (combination alert): White has a method of breaking down
Black's stubborn defensive line. How? --- ANSWER: Double attack. h8 and e6
both hang.} 29. d5 $1 {My prideful b2-bishop, viewing himself of high
denomination, swats his underling on h8 to put him in his place.} Bxb2 (29...
e5 $2 {fails to} 30. dxc6 $1 {.}) 30. dxe6+ $2 ({The immediate} 30. Qxb2 $1 {
is much stronger.}) 30... Kg8 $2 {The old man on g8 is content to sit on the
park bench, feed the pigeons and watch the world around him. The complexity of
the position and the approach of time pressure get to both players.} ({Houdini
says Black is okay after} 30... Nxe6 $1 31. Bc4 ({or} 31. Nxe6 Rd2 $1) 31...
Be5 32. Nxe6 Rd2 33. Qb1 Kg6 34. Rxb7 Qd6 {when, miraculously, Black's
ultra-centralized defenders keep him alive and well.}) 31. Qxb2 Rd2 32. Rxb7 {
The position degenerates into a confusing blur, similar to when you go to the
ophthalmologist and she asks: "Which side is more clear? Left or right?"} ({
Here} 32. Qe5 $1 {is probably stronger, but my natural instinct is to bail out
into any kind of ending (the single phase of the game I actually play
competently!) whenever my clock runs low.}) 32... Qg5 $5 {The mutating
co-ordinates on Black's radar screen leave him without a clear target. With
this move we get a subliminal peek of Black's freefall to come.} ({His king is
in a lot more trouble than White's, so he probably should have entered the
dismal ending after} 32... Rxb2 33. Rxe7 {.}) 33. Qe5 {My queen tries her
Pygmalion damnedest to rise higher in society, despite her humble upbringing.}
Rxe2 {A combination which falls below the threshold of efficiency, but there
is nothing better.} 34. Nxe2 (34. Nh5 $1 {is an immediate game-ender.}) 34...
Nd2 {Threatening both a fork on f3 and my rook on f1.} 35. Nd4 Nxf1 {EXERCISE 
(combination alert): White's attackers reach the pinnacle of power limits,
like the speed of light, which is unable to accelerate an iota faster. How can
White force mate? --- ANSWER: White's knight clasps the black king's cheeks
with thumb and fingers, as a mother would, scolding her child.} 36. Nxf5 $1 {
The worried black queen's puffy eyes tear up with concern over her old, dying
king's health, as she watches him pass away, helpless to alter nature or time.
--- SUMMARY: With this odd set-up, we can lure Black into Grünfeld-type
positions - against opponents who may never have played a single Grünfeld in
their entire lives!} 1-0

[Event "San Diego (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2012.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Aldama, D."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2012.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nd2 {Perfect against my scary strong tactician opponent who, just
a week before I wrote this, won a GM norm tournament in Los Angeles and passed
the USCF 2600 mark.} d5 3. Ngf3 g6 4. e3 Bg7 5. c4 ({QUESTION: Why not clamp
down on his ...c7-c5 break and play} 5. b4 {, as in the previous game? ---
ANSWER: I don't mind giving my opponent one more chance to play ...c7-c5 (see
the next note).}) 5... O-O (5... c5 {is met by} 6. dxc5 {. --- QUESTION: Is
this a reversed Catalan? --- ANSWER: Correct. I feel that an extra tempo,
playing it as White, really matters in such a sharp situation. For example:}
Qa5 ({on} 6... Na6 {Houdini tries like crazy to hang on to the extra pawn with}
7. Qa4+ $5 Bd7 8. Qa3 {intending b2-b4 next}) 7. a3 Nc6 {, J.Rotstein-P.Wells,
Bad Wörishofen 1996, and now White can try} 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Qc2 {, once again
making Black sweat to regain the sac'ed pawn.}) 6. b4 {He had his chance. No
more ...c7-c5.} a5 {QUESTION: A violation of principle? Black creates
confrontation on your strong wing? --- ANSWER: He does indeed break that
principle, but he follows one as well: Create confrontation (anywhere!) when
leading in development.} 7. b5 b6 (7... c5 8. Bb2 Nbd7 9. Rc1 {would lead to
an odd sort of Grünfeld. But keep in mind, my opponent is a King's Indian
player, who isn't familiar with Grünfeld positions.}) 8. Bb2 Nbd7 9. Rc1 dxc4
$6 {QUESTION: Didn't he just hand you a tempo? Why didn't he wait until you
played Be2 and only then take on c4?} ({ANSWER: He did lose a tempo. Perhaps
my opponent feared c4-c5, but without just cause. For example, after} 9... Bb7
10. c5 $6 {(I wouldn't have played this move)} c6 11. a4 Rc8 {Black looks okay.
}) 10. Bxc4 Bb7 11. O-O ({I could play} 11. a4 {to prevent his next move, but
I was afraid he would eventually play ...Nd5 and ...Nb4 at an inopportune
moment.}) 11... a4 12. a3 {In order to fix his a4-pawn as a target.} e6 13. Qc2
$6 ({I should have clamped down on c7 as another target with} 13. Bd3 $1 {.})
13... c6 $1 {Dissolving his main weakness.} 14. bxc6 Bxc6 15. Bd3 (15. Bxe6 $6
Bxf3 16. Bxd7 Bxg2 $1 {looks good for Black due to my exposed king.}) ({
QUESTION: Why not seize central space with} 15. e4 {? --- ANSWER: I preferred
to hold back on this move to avoid giving my opponent any targets himself.
Nonetheless, your move seems thematic and strong. For example:} Rc8 16. Ba6 Bb7
17. Qd3 Bxa6 18. Qxa6 Ra8 19. Qb5 Ra5 20. Qe2 {with an edge for White.}) 15...
Rc8 16. Ba6 Bb7 17. Qd3 Bxa6 18. Qxa6 Ra8 19. Qb7 $6 (19. Qb5 Ra5 20. Qe2 {
looks slightly better for White here too.}) 19... b5 $1 {The b-pawn can't be
touched. Now Black hopes to mobilize his queenside pawn majority.} 20. Rc7 {A
tacit draw offer. I realized my opening advantage had evaporated.} Rb8 21. Qa7
Re8 $5 {No draw! Black refuses the repetition.} 22. e4 $2 (22. Rfc1 {pretty
much forces the repetition with} Ra8 23. Qb7 Rb8 {, even if Houdini claims an
edge for White after} 24. Qa6 $5 {.}) 22... Re7 $1 {Suddenly ...Ne8 is in the
air. My major pieces, far from conquering invaders, trip over each other.} 23.
Rfc1 Ne8 24. R7c2 {Gulp! I must allow a discovery on my queen.} (24. Rb7 $4 Ra8
{just traps her.}) 24... Ne5 25. Qa6 Nc7 26. Qa7 $6 {Hi. I'm back again! My
opponent was low on time and I insisted on dancing with the devil. My queen,
hoping to gain allies and sympathy, issues a call for help with a calculated
tremor in her voice.} (26. Qa5 $1 {was correct.}) 26... Ne8 $1 {His knights
continue in their spasmodic/jerking/halting dragonfly motions.} 27. Qa6 Nd3 $6
(27... Nxf3+ 28. Nxf3 Nd6 $1 29. Rc6 Nc4 {gives Black the advantage.}) 28. Rc8
Qb6 29. Qxb6 Rxb6 30. Bc3 {QUESTION: What the hell!? You just hung a rook! ---
ANSWER: I wander into the danger zone with feigned ignorance, hoping to
inflate the worth of my cheapo stock, in my opponent's (and my own!) time
trouble. The rook "hang" (which isn't so much a mistake as it is an impetuous
crime of passion and impulse) is not as clear cut as it appears. Does my move
cross the barrier between determined effort and suicide? Let's do an exercise
to see if Black can take it. --- EXERCISE (critical decision/calculation):
Calculate the consequences of my hang/sac after 30...Nxc1 31 Bb4. Does my sac
work?} f6 $2 {Black incorrectly settles for an abridged version.} ({ANSWER: My
idea fails! He should accept the offered rook and then give it right back:} 
30... Nxc1 $1 31. Bb4 Bf8 $1 32. Bxe7 Bxe7 33. Rxe8+ Bf8 {, when White
experiences a palpable feeling of deflation, like a punctured tyre. My a-pawn
is weak and Black soon creates at least one queenside passer.}) 31. Rb1 Kf7 32.
Ba5 Rbb7 $6 (32... Ra6 {held the fragile balance.}) 33. e5 $1 {I decide to
alter my philosophy of brotherly love, only to replace it with a brotherly
shove! Don't you find an appealing crudity to White's last move? Suddenly
Black's kingside transforms into a repository of dysfunctional defenders. ---
QUESTION: Why did you give up your e-pawn? --- ANSWER: I sac'ed it to clear g5
for my knight. Black is in deep trouble.} fxe5 34. Ng5+ Kg8 35. dxe5 $6 (35.
Nge4 $1 {exerts terrible pressure on Black's position.}) 35... Nxe5 $2 {The
wrong recapture.} 36. Bb4 $1 {The bishop moves with the sure quickness and
dexterity of the magician who continues to pull scarves from his sleeves.
After crazy recent ramblings, my mercurial bishop suffers a mild attack of
logic. Black discovers that control over e8 may no longer be his. Apparently
White's despotic bishop placed a lien on the property and now the bank
threatens to foreclose.} Rbc7 37. Rb8 Rb7 38. Rc8 {Sinner and saint reconcile,
deciding it is in their mutual interest to work together. --- EXERCISE 
(critical decision): Did I make the correct decision in agreeing to the draw
by repetition? Or did I miss something?} ({ANSWER: Sometimes agreement to a
draw can be a "??" blunder. I was winning but didn't realize it. White can
dodge the "forced" repetition with} 38. Rc8 Rbc7 39. Rd8 $1 {, which my
opponent showed me immediately after the game with a big smile on his face!
White wins material. Black's forlorn e7-rook seems as redundant as the dreaded
single sock in your drawer. --- SUMMARY: My 2 Nd2!? line leads to odd
Grünfeld-but-not-Grünfeld positions.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Forni di Sopra"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2011.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Jaracz, P."]
[Black "Codenotti, M."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2011.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. Nf3 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nbd2 d5 4. e3 c5 {QUESTION: Black beat us to it, before
we could toss in b2-b4 to prevent this break. Now what? --- ANSWER: No worries,
we enter a reversed Catalan, an opening sharp enough that the inverse swing of
a tempo matters.} 5. dxc5 {This position soon drifts into an unregulated
marketplace, since it is hardly ever played. --- QUESTION: Why give up the
centre? --- ANSWER: Principle: Open the position when leading in development.
We make Black expend time and energy to regain his investment.} Qa5 {QUESTION:
What if he doesn't care and gambits the pawn?} ({ANSWER: Then we reach
positions similar to the reversed Catalan Gambit, already covered in Chapter
Six - which, as I have mentioned, look pretty shaky for Black. For example:} 
5... Bg7 6. a3 a5 {creating a hole on b5,} ({but if} 6... O-O {then} 7. Rb1 {
and White hangs on to the extra pawn with b2-b4 next}) 7. Rb1 a4 8. Nd4 Qc7 9.
b4 axb3 10. cxb3 ({the greedy} 10. N2xb3 $5 {also looks interesting}) 10...
Qxc5 11. Bb2 O-O 12. Rc1 Qb6 {reaches a sharp position with mutual chances.
Black gets a kingside pawn majority, while White's is on the queenside, V.Kovacevic-B.Kurajica, Novi Sad 1984.}) 6. a3 Qxc5 7. c4 ({In the next game we
look at the immediate} 7. b4 {.}) 7... dxc4 ({After} 7... Bg7 8. b4 Qd6 9. Bb2
O-O 10. Rc1 {White extracted a small edge due to his lead in development, P.Kotsur-R.Khusnutdinov, Kazakh Championship, Astana 2011.}) ({Instead,} 7... a5
$6 {fails in its intention, since White plays} 8. b4 $1 {anyway with advantage.
}) 8. Bxc4 b5 9. Be2 Bg7 10. Nd4 $5 {White looks for tricks on b5, and also on
the h1-a8 diagonal.} (10. b4 Qb6 11. Bb2 {would be a more normal path.}) 10...
Bd7 11. N2b3 $5 {Targeting the sensitive a5- and c5-squares.} Qb6 12. Bd2 a5
13. Rc1 {The prosecuting district attorney skilfully lures the defendant to
the perimeter of self-incrimination. Now Nc5 is an annoyance. Black begins to
feel the sting of his lack on the queenside, where White's pieces walk around
like they own the place. The inertia from tuggings and proddings induce Black
to comply in obedience with the dictates of the axiom: cover your weakened
squares.} e5 14. Nf3 Ne4 15. Qc2 Nxd2 16. Nfxd2 Na6 17. Bf3 Rc8 $5 {This is a
test of positional judgment. The black rook's eyes bathe White's queen with
ugly animus. With the move, Black hopes to keep the white queen at bay, like a
woman with outstretched arm, who grips a crucifix tightly to ward off the
vampire climbing over her windowsill. --- EXERCISE (critical decision): Does
Black's move push us around or, far from inflicting damage, is the intended
tempo gain no more than the bite of a still toothless infant? Does White get
enough for the queen if he sacs on c8? --- ANSWER: White receives full
compensation and more for the sac. The queen sees through the rook's facade,
sensing the gap between the person before her and the inflated reputation.} 18.
Qxc8+ $1 {Black's rook is caught off guard and exposed, as if her dress
unexpectedly billows up from the wind.} Bxc8 19. Rxc8+ Kd7 $2 {The needle of
his internal compass goes haywire. The e7-square was tactically safer for
Black's king, who becomes disoriented.} (19... Ke7 $1 20. Rc6 Qa7 21. Nxa5 {is
probably only slightly in White's favour.}) 20. Rc6 Qa7 $4 {The queen reaches
her destination and then, to her chagrin, discovers that the airline screwed
everything up by losing her luggage. White is just a couple of signatures and
a handshake away from signing the contract. --- EXERCISE (combination alert):
How can White exploit Black's last move? Why was it a terrible blunder?} ({
Black should have gone for a pawn down ending with} 20... Qxc6 21. Bxc6+ Kxc6
22. Nxa5+ Kb6 23. b4 {.}) 21. Rxa6 $1 {ANSWER: Fork. The merger goes through
and the pair of medium-sized companies forms a single giant entity. Black
can't recapture, so White gets too much material for the queen. The black king,
feeling out of place, just stands there, hooking thumbs into pockets, trying
hard not to look foolish on d7, while his queen mouths words but can't manage
to extract a single sound, except for her uneven, wheezing breath. --- From
Black's perspective, this rook is one of those maddening people he despises,
but for some inexplicable reason, everyone else loves. --- SUMMARY: The extra
tempo is meaningful for White in the odd, and rarely played, reversed Catalan
lines.} 1-0

[Event "Donostia"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2010.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Astasio Lopez, D."]
[Black "Gonzalez de la Torre, S."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2010.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nbd2 {So we transpose, as if White had played Nd2 on
his second move.} c5 4. e3 g6 5. dxc5 Qa5 6. a3 Qxc5 7. b4 {White decides to
gain an immediate tempo on the queen. --- QUESTION: What would be the purpose
of holding back on b2-b4, as in the last game? --- ANSWER: The advance b2-b4
gains a tempo but also creates a target point for Black's ...a7-a5. ---
QUESTION: So which one would you go for? --- ANSWER: My preference would be to
play as in this game with the immediate 7 b4.} Qc3 {QUESTION: What is the
point of this move? Black doesn't really gain anything, or take control over a
key square, since his queen will be ejected from c3 soon. --- ANSWER: I agree
that it fails to gain a tempo right now. The idea is to lure White's rook to
b1, hoping to gain a tempo in the distant future with ...Bf5 (assuming the
white c-pawn advances to c4).} 8. Rb1 Qc7 9. Bb2 Bg7 10. c4 {White leads in
development and so opens the position.} dxc4 {Maybe Black should refrain from
this move and just castle.} ({QUESTION: So why not gain the tempo now with} 
10... Bf5 {? --- ANSWER: The move doesn't exactly terrify White, who wants his
rook on the c-file anyway. After} 11. Rc1 {Black's queen is uncomfortably
placed, while the bishop on f5 may not be the tempo gain Black hoped for,
since it is vulnerable to Nd4 ideas.}) 11. Bxc4 O-O 12. Rc1 {With the
not-so-subtle threat to discover on Black's queen.} Qd8 {Black's hunted queen
is in full rewind mode, and does her best to cover her tracks from pursuers.
After repeated dents to her dignity, the queen without a kingdom arrives at
her throne with as much grandeur as her acting skills can muster. --- QUESTION:
How would you assess this position? --- ANSWER: Black's aging queen is a
devolving sight, with towel draped overhead and face smeared with cold creams
to smooth wrinkles she knows will never disappear, even though she dreams of
rejuvenation to the way she looked three decades ago. --- After move 12, the
queen just made her fifth move, only to end up on her original square! Clearly
White's strange opening has gone in his favour. He holds both a lead in
development and a queenside space advantage.} 13. Qb3 $2 {Dual purpose: White
pressures f7 and clears the d-file for his other rook, after which Black's
queen may find herself moving once again. Nevertheless, I believe the move may
be inaccurate. White should just castle first and keep options like e2 open
for his queen. --- QUESTION: Why e2? White's move looks thematic and strong.} (
{ANSWER: Black can exploit White's inaccuracy with} 13. Qb3 Nbd7 $1 {intending}
14. O-O Nb6 {, when White must either lose hand over the bishop pair or lose
several tempi after} 15. Be2 Be6 {.}) 13... e6 $2 {This unnecessary weakening
represents the bullet's entry point, the burdensome vestige of Black's
resistance gone up in a haze.} 14. O-O Nbd7 15. Rfd1 Nb6 {Except that now
Black lacks the critical ...Be6 move.} 16. Bf1 Bd7 {The dirty trick ...Ba4 is
in the air.} 17. b5 $1 {The pawn thrusts an interruptive hand in Black's face,
denying both ...Ba4 and also ...Bc6, while continuing to keep him cramped and
under pressure.} a5 {This may hurt more than help.} 18. Bd4 a4 19. Qb2 Rc8 {
EXERCISE (planning): White has a path toward complete strategic domination.
What is it?} 20. Rb1 ({ANSWER:} 20. Ne4 $1 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Ne8 (21... Nxe4 22.
Bxg7 {looks like suicide by dark squares; this may be Black's best, but really
the situation is one of half a dozen in one pile, six in the other: both lines
lose}) 22. Bxg7 Nxg7 23. Nf6+ Kh8 24. e4 {gives White an absolute stranglehold
on the position.}) 20... Re8 21. e4 Nh5 22. Ne5 {The knight signals
surreptitiously.} Bxe5 {Black's bishop, who refuses to recite a fealty oath to
his king, abandons old ties, and answers with raised eyebrow and a tiny hint
of acknowledgement.} ({Not taking action is just as bad. For example:} 22... h6
23. Ndf3 Nf6 24. h3 {and I am out of helpful suggestions for Black! He can
barely move.}) 23. Bxe5 f6 24. Bc3 e5 {EXERCISE (planning): Find one poisonous
idea and Black's lines of transmission break down, so that central command and
the troops are left incommunicado. --- ANSWER: Place Black in an eternal pin.
"Ground control to Major Tom, your circuit's dead, there's something wrong.
Can you hear me, Major Tom?" Now Black gets tossed into a substanceless void,
unable to cling to anything solid for support. His cryogenically frozen pieces
hope to awaken in a utopian society, so unlike the one which exists today.} 25.
Ba5 $1 {The door on Black's hopes slams shut with a convulsion of absolute
finality.} Re6 26. Qa2 {The hovercraft glides, free of friction, on a cushion
of air.} Kg7 27. Nc4 Rxc4 28. Bxc4 Qe7 {Everyone dives for cover. Implicit in
the remainder is the spectre of gratuitous violence.} 29. Rxd7 $1 {SUMMARY:
The reversed Catalan is an insidious line. The open nature of the position
makes Black work hard to equalize, if he achieves it at all.} 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Index 9"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "13"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nd2 d5 3. Ngf3 g6 (3... Bf5 {- Lakdawala-Wolski}) 4. e3 c5 (4...
Bg7 5. b4 {- Lakdawala-Maki (Los Angeles 1999)} (5. c4 {- Lakdawala-Aldama}))
5. dxc5 Qa5 6. a3 Qxc5 7. -- (7. c4 {- Jaracz-Codenotti}) (7. b4 {- Astasio
Lopez-Gonzalez de la Torre}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "10: Owen's Defence"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "2"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 b6 {. This is a line we Colle folk dream about encountering. We meet
Owen's Defence with the set-up d2-d4, e2-e4, c2-c3, Bd3, Nf3, Nbd2 - exactly
the way we play against the Queen's Indian, but with one twist: we are up a
move, since we achieved e2-e4 in one go. Through strange mutations, we become
a new strain of vampire, enabling us to function and hunt during daylight
hours as well. --- Alternatively, Black can play as he does in the
Ragger-Friedrich game below, when we get a highly favourable Advance French.
Our centre remains unassailable and our e5-pawn often plays the role of a
tentacle, rising up from the murky depths, gripping the black king's leg and
sucking him under to a watery, unmarked grave.} *

[Event "Croatian Team Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2011.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Ragger, M."]
[Black "Friedrich, Z."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B00"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2011.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 e6 ({Our Owen's Defence move order would arise as} 1... b6 2. e4 Bb7 3.
Bd3 {.}) 2. e4 b6 {Now we transpose.} 3. Bd3 {QUESTION: In an earlier chapter
you said you preferred to avoid e2-e4 in one move. But here you want us to do
so. Why? --- ANSWER: I was speaking about 1 d4 e6 and saying I normally don't
enter the French with 2 d4. But against Owen's Defence, I always push my
e-pawn two squares. The reason is that we often reach positions either similar
to Queen's Indian versus Colle a full move up, or else a sour French Defence
for Black, as he gets in this game.} ({QUESTION: Why not seize territory with} 
3. c4 {? --- ANSWER: This is a funky byway called the English Defence,
championed by a group of adventure-loving British GMs in the 1980s. I would
stay away from this line, which is very tricky and very un-Colle in its
nature! For example:} Bb7 4. Bd3 f5 5. exf5 Bb4+ $1 ({trust me: you don't want
to get involved in} 5... Bxg2 $6 6. Qh5+) 6. Kf1 Nf6 {with an irrational
position most unsuited to us calm, law-abiding Colle folk, E.Bareev-E.Kengis,
Warsaw (rapid) 2002.}) 3... Bb7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Qe2 $1 {Awarded an exclam in my
book 'A Ferocious Opening Repertoire'. --- QUESTION: What is the idea? ---
ANSWER: White shuts down ...Ba6, which swaps off White's powerful
light-squared bishop, and in turn reduces his attacking chances.} ({QUESTION:
Why not} 5. Nbd2 {? --- ANSWER: Developing the knight isn't as accurate since
Black can play} c5 6. c3 cxd4 7. cxd4 Ba6 $1 {with only a minimal disadvantage.
}) 5... d5 {This is quite common, but it allows White a very promising Advance
French Defence.} ({QUESTION: What do we play against} 5... c5 {? --- ANSWER:
We have two good choices:} 6. c3 {and we enter Chapter Three a full move
ahead! --- QUESTION: How did we gain the tempo? --- ANSWER: We didn't bother
with e2-e3 and then e3-e4. Instead, we pushed our e-pawn to e4 in one go.} (6.
d5 $1 exd5 7. exd5+ Qe7 8. c4 b5 9. b3 Qxe2+ 10. Kxe2 {, C.Bauer-Art.Minasian,
New York Open 2000. White has the more promising ending, with a central space
advantage, while Black's bishop has fianchettoed into a wall on d5.})) 6. e5
Nfd7 {QUESTION: Why is this promising when compared to a normal Advance
French? --- ANSWER: Black's queenside fianchetto looks ineffective, since he
is denied ...Ba6. In a normal Advance French, White's d-pawn often comes under
fire via ...c7-c5, ...Nc6, ...Qb6, ...Nh6 (or ...Nge7) and ...Nf5. In the
current case, Black doesn't get any of this, so the resulting pressure on d4
is virtually non-existent.} ({QUESTION: Why retreat when Black has the more
aggressive} 6... Ne4 {? --- ANSWER: After} 7. Nbd2 Nxd2 8. Bxd2 {he has only
helped White develop. I will include the entire game R.Leitao-A.Mascarenhas,
Sao Paulo 2000, because it was a thematic example of the wretchedness inherent
in Black's position:} c5 9. c3 Nc6 10. a3 $1 {(halting any ...c5xd4 followed
by ...Nb4 counterplay)} a5 11. h4 $1 {(stronger than castling kingside; if
left unchecked, White plays h4-h5 and Rh3-g3)} h5 $5 {(handing g5 over to
White)} 12. O-O c4 13. Bc2 a4 $6 {(it is strategic suicide to lock the
queenside, but Black had a poor position in any case)} 14. Bg5 Be7 15. Rae1 Qd7
16. Bxe7 Nxe7 17. Ng5 Ng8 $6 18. Qd1 b5 19. f4 g6 20. f5 $1 gxf5 21. Bxf5 $1
O-O-O (21... exf5 22. e6 fxe6 23. Nxe6 Ne7 24. Nc5 Qc7 25. Rxe7+ $1 Kxe7 26.
Qe2+ {wins}) 22. Bh3 Nh6 {. --- EXERCISE (combination alert): White to play
and obliterate. --- ANSWER:} 23. Rxf7 $1 {and Black resigned due to} Nxf7 24.
Bxe6 {.}) 7. O-O {Of course there is nothing wrong with White's move, but he
can also consider delaying castling to keep the option of tossing in h2-h4
later on, as in Leitao's game in the previous note.} Be7 8. c3 O-O 9. Nbd2 c5
10. a3 c4 $2 {This common mistake in such positions doesn't contravene the
elemental spirit as much as flaunt it. Black's intended ...b6-b5, ...a7-a5, ...b5-b4 comes much too slow to bother White. --- QUESTION: What would you
suggest as a plan for Black?} ({ANSWER: I would go for} 10... a5 {, hoping to
swap off that nasty attacking light-squared bishop on d3 with ...Ba6 next. ---
QUESTION: What should White do about this? --- ANSWER: He can actually just
allow the swap and still retain an edge, or he can try to disrupt Black's plan
with something like} 11. Rd1 Ba6 12. c4 $5 {. White diversifies his assets to
keep pace with a rapidly shifting market.}) 11. Bb1 $1 {White indulgently
allows the demonstration, knowing it will pass like some adolescent phase. It
has been my observation that a successful attack should also be fortified with
a hint of arrogance from someone who knows he cannot fail. --- QUESTION: Why
to the unnatural square b1, when c2 was available? --- ANSWER: White's
odd-looking move contains the seed of a nasty point: He clears c2 for his
queen, creating a battery in the direction of h7, which in turn forces Black
to weaken his kingside. One must admit to a certain rustic charm in White's
simple plan, even if it is sparse in the potential of risk.} Nc6 12. Re1 b5 13.
Nf1 a5 14. Qc2 {White's kingside attack far outstrips Black's corresponding
play on the queenside.} g6 {No choice. The uric acid levels are too high,
resulting in the black king's hobbling bout of gout on the dark squares.} 15.
Qd2 $1 {QUESTION: This looks unnatural as well. Why not play his bishop to h6
instead? --- ANSWER: Despite Black's attempts to filibuster, White continues
to make significant progress. Revisit Hansen-Vescovi from Chapter Two, in
which Hansen also avoided Bh6 so as to send his queen into the kingside dark
squares instead - just as Ragger does this game.} Re8 {In order to play ...Bf8.
} 16. Qh6 Bf8 {Black beats back another wave of attackers. Soon it becomes
clear his last move is nothing more than a Band-Aid on a grievous wound.} 17.
Qh3 {The sneaky queen affects shock, when in reality she is delighted by her
new destination on h3. The storm cycles into a period of lull just before the
hurricane. White's forces hover menacingly over the black king.} Be7 {All eyes
in the room turn to the bishop, Black's last real defender and only hope. ---
QUESTION: Is Ng5 so strong a threat that he must waste a tempo to cover
against it?} ({ANSWER: Ng5 is a huge threat. Let's say Black ignores it and
proceeds with his own queenside attack:} 17... b4 18. Ng5 h6 {(now the sac is
perfectly sound)} 19. Nxf7 $1 {(the huffy knight isn't exactly an exemplar of
restraint or propriety)} Kxf7 20. Bxh6 {and White's attack is out of control.
Black has no reasonable defence to the coming Re3 etc.}) 18. Ne3 $1 {Heading
for g4 and into dark square bliss.} b4 19. Ng4 b3 {An egregious error when
committed in an already bad position doesn't really constitute a mistake,
since that which is lost remains lost, only more so. After this move,
effectively closing the queenside, Black's counterplay convulses and dies.} (
19... Kh8 {prolonged resistance, but wouldn't have saved the game.}) 20. Nh6+ {
QUESTION: Why did Black resign?} ({ANSWER: Black's king stepped on too many
toes, gathering enemies like chafe in the wind. After} 20. Nh6+ Kg7 {White has
a thematic way of brushing aside Black's defences. Let's do an exercise to
discover the answer: EXERCISE (combination alert/calculation): Find one simple
move and the champagne glasses chime like wedding bells, as the joyous peal of
laughter from White's attackers provide the harmony. --- ANSWER: The f7-pawn
is the royal orb upon the black king's sceptre:} 21. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 {(Black can
only prevent mate at the cost of handing over his queen)} 22. Qxh7+ Kf8 23.
Bh6# {. Seven-ply if you saw the position in your mind's eye from the
beginning. --- SUMMARY: Owen's Defence is a dream come true for the Colle
player, who either gets a position from Chapter Three a full move up, or a
fantastic version of an Advance French.}) 1-0

[Event "Tallinn (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Oll, L."]
[Black "Spassky, B."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B00"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. e4 ({Stylistically, Spassky is ill-suited in the extreme to be the flag
bearer for Owen's Defence and its hypermodern musings. When he was the world
champion, he played the Queen's Gambit Declined against queen's pawn openings,
and virtually never lost with it, until he ran into Fischer's treatment in
their Reykjavik match. On the other hand, there was also this game:} 1. d4 g6
2. e4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. Be2 e6 $5 {(Spassky surprises Petrosian with the
Hippopotamus in a world championship match!)} 5. c3 {I play this set-up too,
calling it the "Coward's Variation" in my book on the Modern Defence, as it's
one of the safest - and most harmless! - ways White can meet the Modern;} ({
instead,} 5. c4 $1 {ensures White of a pleasant King's Indian formation}) 5...
Nd7 6. O-O Ne7 7. Nbd2 b6 8. a4 a6 9. Re1 Bb7 10. Bd3 O-O 11. Nc4 Qe8 12. Bd2
f6 $5 13. Qe2 Kh8 14. Kh1 $5 Qf7 15. Ng1 {(this is not the way to try and
refute the Hippo!)} e5 $1 {and Black achieved dynamic equality, T.V.Petrosian-B.Spassky, World Championship, Moscow (16th matchgame) 1966.}) 1...
b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Bd3 e6 4. Nf3 d6 {QUESTION: Why does Black cede so much space
to White? --- ANSWER: Spassky prepares to play the double fianchetto
Hippopotamus formation. I covered this line extensively in my book on the
Modern Defence, but I think it's only okay for Black under certain
circumstances, for instance when White develops his bishop to c4. --- QUESTION:
Do you like it here for Black? --- ANSWER: No, I don't. I believe Black is
fated to suffer a rather lame King's Indian-type position when White later
plays c2-c4.} 5. O-O Nd7 6. c4 $1 {The KID formation is probably White's best
bet against the Hippo, and assures him of an enduring space edge without much
counterplay from Black.} g6 7. Bg5 {Natural, but this move is inaccurate in
virtually all Hippos. --- QUESTION: What is not to like? White develops with
tempo. --- ANSWER: Does he? Black was going to develop his knight to e7 anyway,
and he will be the one gaining the tempo with a subsequent ...h7-h6. ---
QUESTION: But then didn't White provoke a weakness in Black's camp? --- ANSWER:
One player's weakness is another's expansion. I think ...h7-h6 is useful for
Black, who often plays the move unprovoked later on.} Ne7 8. Nc3 h6 9. Be3 ({
After} 9. Bh4 Bg7 {White must watch out for ...g6-g5-g4, followed by ...Bxd4
tricks. Black can also play ...g6-g5 and ...Ng6 with dark-square ambitions and
attacking intent.}) 9... Bg7 10. Qd2 g5 $1 {Like I said, Black wants ...h7-h6
and ...g6-g5 even more than White does!} 11. d5 {To clear d4 for his knight
and blunt Black's b7-bishop.} Ng6 {Spassky continues his Hippo dark-square
strategy.} ({QUESTION: Why not close the centre King's Indian style with} 11...
e5 {? --- ANSWER: It would be a bad KID: 1. The f5-square is weak, while if
Black gets ...f7-f5 in, White simply takes, clearing e4 for his pieces. --- 2.
If Black avoids ...f7-f5, White can manoeuvre a knight to g3 or e3, clamping
down on f5. --- 3. Black has little counterplay, whereas White can patiently
build for a b2-b4, c4-c5 pawn breakthrough on the queenside.}) 12. Nd4 {Eyeing
c6 and negating the plan of ...e6-e5, since his knight will be happy to hop
into f5.} Qe7 ({QUESTION: Can Black try the plan of handing over his
dark-squared bishop and then switching the pawn structure with} 12... Bxd4 $5
13. Bxd4 e5 {? --- ANSWER: It's an interesting idea but one which probably
fails to generate the desired counterplay since ...f7-f5 is still very
difficult to achieve - and, even if achieved, hands over the e4-square. White,
in the meanwhile, simply builds for his thematic c4-c5 pawn break with a clear
advantage.}) 13. Ncb5 Nc5 14. Bc2 a5 $5 {Interesting.} ({Spassky avoids} 14...
a6 {(sending the knight away)} 15. Nc3 {and only then playing} a5 {.}) 15. b3 (
{QUESTION: Doesn't} 15. a3 {save a tempo on the path to b2-b4? --- ANSWER: Not
if Black replies} Ne5 16. Qe2 a4 $1 {, which messes up White's plan.}) 15...
O-O 16. a3 {White is now ready for b3-b4 and stands better.} a4 $5 {There are
no absolutes in the realm of psychological motivation behind a move. Reasoned
argument rarely succeeds against a player with an unmalleable sense of destiny,
and the belief that when logic collapses, there is always shamanism. Spassky
bangs out a move possibly more brave than wise, sensing that to remain in
stasis is the equivalent of slow death. So he decides he must disrupt or
perish, riding the position at high velocity, inured in his new sense of
living dangerously. Nevertheless, it doesn't get him off the hook from his
strategic woes. It's like the defendant who explains to the judge: "In my
defence, your honour, I had been drinking heavily."} 17. b4 Nb3 {The knight
lashes out, venting resentment long buried within his psyche.} 18. Bxb3 axb3
19. Qb2 $6 (19. Rab1 $1 {is the most accurate continuation.}) 19... exd5 (19...
Ba6 $1 20. Rad1 exd5 21. exd5 Bxd4 $1 22. Rxd4 Bxb5 23. cxb5 Qd7 {looks to be
Black's best shot.}) 20. exd5 f5 $6 ({It's not too late to muddy things up with
} 20... Ba6 $1 {.}) 21. Qxb3 f4 22. Bd2 g4 23. Rae1 Qh4 24. f3 {White halts
the threatened ...f4-f3 with a shrug. Black, whose attack has grown icy cold,
is busted. Spassky's daring sac, beginning with 16...a4, failed to transform
his wretched world into the hoped-for utopia.} g3 25. h3 {In a King's Indian
position this might be met by ...Bxh3!, but here the black bishop is absent
from the c8-h3 diagonal at the crucial moment.} Bc8 26. Ne6 Rf7 27. Re4 Be5 28.
Qd3 $1 ({Oll steers clear of Spassky's trap:} 28. Nbxc7 $4 Rxc7 $1 29. Nxc7 $2
Bxh3 $1 {(the bishop is unleashed)} 30. gxh3 Qxh3 {with a decisive attack, as}
31. Re2 $2 {runs into} Bd4+ 32. Rff2 Qh2+ 33. Kf1 Qh1# {.}) 28... Qh5 29. Rfe1
({The c7-pawn is still immune. For example:} 29. Nbxc7 $2 Rxc7 $1 30. Nxc7 Bxh3
$1 31. gxh3 Qxh3 32. Qe2 Nh4 {(now ...g2 is a dire threat)} 33. Bxf4 g2 34.
Bxe5 Qh1+ 35. Kf2 gxf1=Q+ 36. Qxf1 Qxf3+ {and Black is no longer losing.})
29... c6 30. Nbd4 cxd5 31. cxd5 Bd7 32. Nc6 {Principle: Counter in the centre
when attacked on the wing.} Re8 33. Nxe5 dxe5 34. Qb3 ({Oll isn't interested
in pawn hunting with} 34. Qa6 {, even if the computers like it.}) 34... Qf5 $2
{After an uncomfortably long, wounded pause, the queen takes her leave. Having
been thwarted, Black settles for a tertiary alternative, grudgingly forsaking
his dream of conquest of the Eastern hemisphere. --- EXERCISE (combination
alert): Black's last move was not the best and his margin of hope dwindles and
fades still more. Find White's shot. --- ANSWER: Pin. Now Black's game goes
from bad to reverse. The black roaches dive for cover behind the refrigerator
when White unexpectedly flips on the kitchen light.} 35. Nxf4 $1 exf4 $5 (35...
Nxf4 36. Bxf4 exf4 37. Rxe8+ Bxe8 38. Rxe8+ Kg7 39. Qd1 {may have put up more
resistance.}) 36. Rxe8+ Bxe8 37. Rxe8+ Kh7 38. d6 {Principle: Passed pawns
must be pushed.} h5 39. Qe6 Qb1+ 40. Be1 $1 Rf5 {The ambitious rook hopes to
subvert power away from his enemies to himself.} 41. d7 ({After} 41. d7 Re5 42.
Qf7+ Kh6 43. Rxe5 Nxe5 44. Qxf4+ {the field mice see the shadow of the
swooping hawk upon them. --- SUMMARY: The Hippopotamus, when played against
White's e4/d4/c4 set-up, only results in a passive KID for Black.}) 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Index 10"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "8"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 b6 2. e4 Bb7 3. Bd3 e6 4. Nf3 -- (4... Nf6 {- Ragger-Friedrich}) (4... d6
{- Oll-Spassky}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "11: Pirc"]
[Black "Modern and Philidor"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "11"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

{The Colle players' sole endearing quality may be our uncanny and infallible
ability to annoy our opponents through religiously strict adherence to our
beloved structure. However, in this instance, we must be flexible against Pirc,
Modern and Philidor formations and concede a slight alteration, playing our
e-pawn out two squares to e4, rather than holding it back to e3, as in most
traditional Colle set-ups. Yet we remain as close to a Colle as possible, with
our pawns on c3, d4 and e4, and our pieces - knights on d2 and f3, and bishop
normally on d3 - exactly as we would in other Colle lines. For example, this
is the position we get against the Pirc:} 1. d4 g6 2. e4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. c3
Nf6 5. Nbd2 O-O 6. Bd3 {Our set-up is virtually the same against the Modern
and Philidor, so our e-pawn moving up two squares remains the only erratic
variable in the otherwise familiar equation. Essentially, we remain within our
Colle world, where play generally veers toward heavy strategic manoeuvring,
rather than early tactical outbursts.} *

[Event "San Diego (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2012.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lakdawala, C."]
[Black "Wooten, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2012.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 (1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 e5 4. Ngf3 Bd6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O Nbd7
{. --- QUESTION: Why are we looking at the Caro-Kann? --- ANSWER: This is a
Caro-Kann versus King's Indian Attack. We get Black's position here (or a
similar version) but a move up, because we play it as White.}) 1... Nf6 ({
Black has multiple methods of reaching basically the same position. For
example:} 1... g6 2. e4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. Nbd2 Nf6) ({and} 1... d6 2. e4 Nf6 3.
Nd2 g6 {transpose to the game}) ({or} 1... d6 2. e4 Nf6 3. Nd2 e5 4. c3 Nbd7 {
(other moves are examined in Kalegin-Akhmetov)} 5. Ngf3 g6 {(this set-up is
one of the most common for Black)} 6. dxe5 ({or} 6. Bd3 Bg7 7. O-O O-O {,
which is 6...Nbd7 7 0-0 e5 in the main line}) 6... dxe5 7. Qc2 Bg7 8. Bc4 O-O
9. O-O c6 10. a4 h6 ({he should probably challenge White's queenside
territorial ambitions with} 10... a5) 11. a5 a6 $2 {(creating self-inflicted
holes in the queenside - can you tell that Black isn't a Pirc or Modern
player? - this is the magic of the 2 Nd2 order)} 12. Re1 Kh8 13. Bf1 Nh5 14.
Nc4 {and Black's puncture wounds on b6 and d6 proved fatal, C.Lakdawala-K.Griffith, San Diego (rapid) 2010.}) 2. Nd2 {We revisit my beloved "Ostrich in
the Sand" move order. --- QUESTION: Why? We already covered that in Chapter
Nine. --- ANSWER: We didn't cover the Pirc, Modern and Philidor responses to
it, which we do in this chapter.} g6 {Some players just can't stand the
thought of ...d7-d5 and insist on the Pirc.} 3. e4 d6 4. Ngf3 Bg7 5. c3 {The
Coward's Variation, my personal favourite versus the Pirc and Modern. A
chapter is devoted to this line in my Modern Defence book, and again in this
one! I'll just quote myself: "This is about the safest way White can meet the
Modern (or as in this case, the Pirc): c2-c3 bolsters the d4-point and White
hopes for something with his space edge, without handing Black even a trace of
counterplay. Tiger calls this the 'Lazy Variation', because it is so simple to
play for White. Basically, this line vacuums the position of sharpness and
White forces a game of trench warfare instead." --- QUESTION: Can White
extract anything here in the form of an opening edge? --- ANSWER: Probably not
against a booked-up opponent. But I think this is the perfect line for the
Colle player for these reasons: 1. We Colle folk like to play it safe, and
there is nothing safer than this line against the Pirc, Modern or Philidor.
--- 2. If you play the early Nd2 move order, many of your opponents will be
tricked into playing the Pirc for the first time in their lives, so it's
unlikely you face a "booked-up" opponent.} O-O 6. Bd3 {Now we reach our
Caro-Kann versus KIA position a move up. --- QUESTION: Why not develop the
bishop to c4 instead? --- ANSWER: That is possible, but we play to d3, just to
remain within Colle territory.} e5 $5 {Usually they prepare this by developing
the queen's knight first.} (6... Nc6 {. --- QUESTION: Should we push our
d-pawn on Black's knight? --- ANSWER: I would just stick to the script and
ignore the provocation, continuing with} 7. O-O {. Now Black will most likely
play} e5 {, after which we reach our desired position, as in the main game.}) (
6... Nbd7 {(one of Black's most common set-ups, the reversed equivalent of the
KIA versus Caro mentioned above; its downside is that it applies less pressure
upon d4)} 7. O-O e5 8. Re1 Re8 9. Nf1 {White plays it like a Closed Ruy Lopez;}
({I prefer rigid structures and usually release central tension here with} 9.
dxe5 Nxe5 10. Nxe5 dxe5 {- yes, I know, White has nothing, but I have around a
90% lifetime score in such boring positions, so wisdom dictates to go where
the money is}) 9... d5 {(Black's freeing break)} 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Rxe5
12. f4 (12. Bf4 Re8 13. Ng3 {is equal}) 12... Bg4 13. Qb3 Rxe4 14. Bxe4 Nxe4 {
with compensation for the exchange, E.Alekseev-I.Nepomniachtchi, St
Petersburg-Moscow match 2011. Houdini gets greedy here and wants to take on b7
as well.}) (6... c5 {is the other main option:} 7. dxc5 ({play gets a little
sharper if you decide to maintain central tension with} 7. O-O cxd4 8. cxd4 Nc6
{, when White must be on the lookout for ...Nd7 or ...e7-e5, both which
increase pressure on d4}) 7... dxc5 8. Qe2 Nc6 9. O-O Qc7 10. Re1 Rd8 (10...
Nh5 11. g3 Bg4 12. Nc4 Qd7 13. Bc2 Rad8 14. Ne3 {picks off the bishop pair})
11. Bc2 b6 {with a heavy duty manoeuvring game to follow, A.Fedorov-M.Dzhumaev,
New Delhi 2006.}) 7. O-O {QUESTION: Can you get away with grabbing the e5-pawn?
} ({ANSWER: It just looked wrong to me at the time and I rejected it without
much thought. But the database has two games where White did just that and won.
So the next chance I got, versus a 2600-rated IM, I tried it:} 7. dxe5 dxe5 8.
Nxe5 $5 Ng4 $1 {(Dang! He worked out the best response over the board)} 9. Nxg4
Qxd3 10. Ne3 {.} -- ({Here Houdini gives} 10... Na6 11. Qe2 Nc5 $1 12. Qxd3
Nxd3+ 13. Ke2 Nf4+ 14. Kf3 Nd3 15. Ke2 Nf4+ {with a draw by repetition. ---
QUESTION: If this is the case, why would you enter a line where you give Black
an easy draw? --- ANSWER: Two reasons: 1. Just because the computer finds a
draw doesn't mean my next opponent will also find one. --- 2. My opponent
outrates me by 100 points, so a draw, even with White, is not such a tragedy.})
({Anyway, he played instead} 10... f5 {(the logical, human move: Black opens
the game as quickly as possible to exploit his lead in development and bishop
pair)} 11. exf5 gxf5 12. Qb3+ Rf7 13. Nf3 h6 14. Qc4 Qxc4 15. Nxc4 Re7+ 16. Kd1
Be6 17. Nce5 Bd5 18. Re1 Na6 19. Ng6 $1 Rxe1+ 20. Nxe1 Kf7 21. Nf4 Bc4 22. Be3
b5 23. Ned3 c6 24. Kc2 {, by which stage I no longer believe in Black's
compensation for the missing pawn. He had to work hard (and I had to play
rather weakly!) to hold the draw from this position, C.Lakdawala-D.Aldama, San
Diego (rapid) 2012.})) 7... Nc6 {Now we just transpose.} ({Similarly,} 7...
Nbd7 {returns to 6...Nbd7 7 0-0 e5 above.}) 8. dxe5 {QUESTION: Why break the
central pawn tension so soon? --- ANSWER: I tend to break tension early,
simply because I score well in games with clarified, relatively fixed pawn
structures.} ({If you are looking for a more complex game, you can go for} 8.
Re1 Nh5 9. Nb3 {.}) ({QUESTION: Why not} 8. d5 {? --- ANSWER: It's a strategic
error, since after c3-c4 we reach a King's Indian Defence a move down (because
White will have spent two tempi to accomplish what he could have done in one).
Also, White's knight is posted more passively on d2, rather than on the
traditional c3-square.}) 8... dxe5 {My opponent is a pure tactician and
desires to keep as many pieces as he can on the board.} ({Otherwise Black can
play to simplify with} 8... Nxe5 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. Nc4 Nd7 11. Be3 b6 12. a4 Bb7
13. Qc2 Qe7 14. b4 {, when we arrive at a typically unequally equal position
from the variation. --- QUESTION: What do you mean by that? --- ANSWER: In
this relatively arid position, White is the only one expanding, while Black
continues to search for something to do. This was actually C.Lakdawala-P.Graves, San Diego (rapid) 2010, a game I annotate in 'The Modern Defence: Move
by Move'.}) 9. Nc4 Bg4 $6 {It is in our human nature to invent problems where
none previously existed. This move, quite common in this kind of position,
probably isn't correct here. Black decides to hand over the bishop pair and
weakens his light squares, all in the name of creating an imbalance. Pushing
to win at all costs in such arid positions is a bit like a guy who cheats at
solitaire.} ({Better is} 9... Nh5 10. Bg5 Qe8 11. Re1 {, A.Dreev-M.Makarov,
Russian Championship, Elista 1997. Perhaps I display bias by declaring I still
prefer White, who will eventually expand on the queenside.}) 10. h3 Bxf3 ({
QUESTION: If he backed up with} 10... Bh5 {would you dare to play} 11. g4 {?
--- ANSWER: In a heartbeat. Black's compensation looks unconvincing after} Nxg4
12. hxg4 Bxg4 13. Be2 Qc8 14. Ne3 Bh3 15. Re1 {.}) 11. Qxf3 {QUESTION: You
criticized your opponent's decision to hand over the bishop pair, but the
position is static and somewhat fixed. Is this not to the knight side's
benefit? --- ANSWER: Black got what he desired, yet his level of indebtedness
remains high. It isn't a matter of bishop versus knight, as much as the fact
that he weakened his light squares.} Nd7 12. Rd1 Qe7 13. Ne3 {Dual purpose:
White clamps down on ...f7-f5 pawn breaks and plans harassment via d5.} Nb6 14.
b4 {Queenside pawn expansion is White's thematic plan in such positions.} a5 $6
{This confrontation works out in White's favour.} ({He should go for the more
restrained} 14... Rfd8 {.}) 15. b5 Nd8 16. a4 Ne6 {So Black created a hole on
c5, but he has no easy time with occupation due to White's next.} 17. Ba3 Nc5
18. Bc2 Rfd8 {Thematic isn't always best, and this weakens f7.} ({On the other
hand,} 18... Rad8 19. Bb3 Nbd7 20. Bd5 b6 21. Bc6 Nf6 22. Nc4 {looks rough for
Black as well.}) 19. Bb3 {Targeting f7.} Rxd1+ $2 {The rook's previously
unimpeachable character now comes into question by violating the principle:
Don't unnecessarily relinquish central tension.} ({His last chance to hang on
lay in} 19... Nbd7 20. Nd5 Qh4 21. Bc2 {with acute, continuing discomfort for
Black.}) 20. Rxd1 Rf8 {EXERCISE (planning): After 22...Rf8 Black's despondent
rook replaces his fallen brother on f8, a messenger of ill tidings. Come up
with a plan for White to reach a winning position.} (20... Nbd7 $4 {failed
miserably to} 21. Rxd7 {.}) 21. Nd5 {ANSWER: Step 1: Occupy d5.} Nxd5 22. Rxd5
b6 {Step 2: Opposite-coloured bishops favour the attacking side.} 23. Bxc5 {
The bishop tips his hat to queen and knight, and bids them farewell.} bxc5 {
Step 3: Seize control over the d-file, enabling a rook invasion to d7, which
increases pressure on both c7 and f7.} 24. Qd3 Bh6 25. Rd7 {The rook gets up,
brushes his teeth, gets dressed and cleans his revolver, with bad intentions
for the day.} Qg5 {A person with a strong business sense knows when to acquire
and when to bail out in the event of a sour investment. The queen, callously
indifferent to the suffering of her comrades, ploughs ahead, determined to put
on a one-woman show. Somehow she reminds me of those annoying people downtown,
who hand out proselytizing leaflets, gravely warning me of eternal hellfire
when I toss the leaflet into the nearest trash container.} 26. g3 {There is no
rush. White gives his king air on the light squares, which he controls with an
iron grip.} Qc1+ 27. Kg2 Qb2 {Step 4: Increase pressure on f7, which leads to
complete collapse for Black. His attempted counterplay on f2 is ineffective.
Black turns the nut but finds the threads on the bolt have been stripped.} 28.
Qc4 {The vectors of energy all point to f7, after which Black's king is left
all alone. The crowd makes way and parts. White's pieces stroll through to f7,
as though all others are merely ephemera. The contentment and happiness of
White's forces has a feel of permanence, like an old family portrait, all
smiles and frozen in time.} Be3 {Far from menacing, the well-behaved black
bishop curls up languorously at the white king's feet, like a sleepy, docile
kitten. Meanwhile, the black king's fawning advisors continue to shield him
from unpleasant truths.} 29. Rxf7 {The medium speaks to the dead. The dead,
however, refuse to respond. The sinister white rook is the clichéd, 1950s
movie Gestapo officer who says: "Vee haf vays of making you talk!" --- SUMMARY:
The Coward's Variation is an insidious line. Black can find himself drifting
and without counterplay very easily, whereas White always has access to the
plan of queenside expansion.} 1-0

[Event "San Diego (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2011.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Baker, B."]
[Black "Lakdawala, C."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2011.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. Nf3 g6 2. e4 Bg7 3. d4 d6 {The Modern Defence move order. --- QUESTION:
What's the difference? --- ANSWER: In the Pirc, Black commits his knight to f6
early. The two lines often transpose though.} 4. c3 {What a low, dirty trick!
My sneaky opponent plays my own favourite line against me.} Nc6 {QUESTION:
Isn't this going to cost you time if White pushes forward on your knight? ---
ANSWER: Perhaps so, but the idea is to provoke White and lure him away from
the womb-like safety zone of the Coward's Variation, much the same way the
Alekhine's Defence player provokes White forward after 1 e4 Nf6.} 5. Nbd2 {He
refuses to bite and insists on remaining within the program.} ({Instead:} 5. d5
Ne5 ({retreating the knight is also fine:} 5... Nb8 6. Bg5 c6 7. Nbd2 Nf6 8.
dxc6 Nxc6 9. Bc4 O-O 10. O-O h6 11. Bh4 g5 $5 12. Bg3 Nh5 13. Re1 Nxg3 14. hxg3
{, when Black's bishop pair compensates for his slightly weakened kingside
structure, B.Baker-C.Lakdawala, San Diego rapid 2012}) 6. Nxe5 Bxe5 7. Bb5+ Bd7
8. Bxd7+ Qxd7 9. O-O Bg7 10. Re1 Nf6 {and Black completed his development
harmoniously, G.Laketic-A.Chernin, Mendrisio 1989.}) (5. Bb5 a6 6. Bxc6+ ({
after} 6. Ba4 b5 7. Bc2 Nf6 8. O-O O-O 9. Qe2 e5 {the game takes on a bit of a
Closed Ruy Lopez flavour, Seb.Fischer-T.Gietl, Uttenreuth 1996}) 6... bxc6 7.
O-O Nf6 8. Re1 O-O 9. Nbd2 a5 10. a4 Nd7 {, when Black's bishop pair and
potential on the light squares compensate for White's space and slightly
superior structure, M.Taimanov-N.R.Davies, Tel Aviv 1990.}) 5... Nf6 6. Bd3 ({
QUESTION: With 5...Nf6 you cut off your bishop's control over e5. If your
opponent had pushed with} 6. d5 {would you still go to e5? --- ANSWER:
Probably not. I would head home with} Nb8 {, after which Black could chip away
at White's centre with ...c7-c6 and ...e7-e6 later on. --- QUESTION: But then ...Nc6-b8 has just entailed a loss of time. --- ANSWER: True, but White's c2-c3
is now proven quite useless, and in this structure his d2-knight looks
slightly misplaced. I think it's a wash, with neither side gaining or losing
much.}) 6... O-O 7. O-O Nh5 $5 {I always veer toward the strange, in all
aspects of my life.} (7... e5 {would be normal, returning to the previous game.
}) 8. Nc4 e5 9. Bg5 {White maintains the central pawn tension, avoiding a
quick swap on e5 (which I tend to play).} f6 {QUESTION: Did your opponent
manage to provoke a weakness? --- ANSWER: Not really. As in most King's
Indians as well, ...f7-f6 doesn't constitute much of a weakness here.} 10. Be3
Kh8 11. h3 Nf4 $5 {Provoking an imbalance.} 12. Bxf4 exf4 13. Re1 Ne7 14. e5 $5
{I didn't expect this move.} ({Instead,} 14. Qd2 $1 Bh6 ({I actually intended} 
14... g5 $6 {, misassessing the end position after} 15. d5 h6 16. Nd4 f5 17.
Nxf5 Nxf5 18. exf5 Bxf5 19. Bxf5 Rxf5 {, which is in certainly White's favour
since he controls the only open file}) 15. d5 {leads to messy play, probably
slightly in White's favour.}) 14... fxe5 15. dxe5 d5 {Now we reach opposite
wing pawn majorities.} 16. Ncd2 Be6 $6 ({I should have tossed in an immediate} 
16... c5 {.}) 17. b4 $1 {Powerful positional play. Oops, I didn't take this
move into account. White prevents ...c7-c5 and takes control over d4. Now
seeing the approach of the enemy on d4, I offer the feeble excuse: "This is
all just a big misunderstanding!"} Qd7 18. Nd4 Bg8 19. N2f3 a5 20. a3 b6 $6 ({
Better to play more patiently with} 20... c6 $1 {, intending a future ...b7-b6
and ...c6-c5.}) 21. Qd2 $2 {White agrees to the terms of the contract with
wide-eyed enthusiasm, when he should have taken the time to read the fine
print. On the eve of the revolution, White has second thoughts. His last move
is a strategic error which allows Black to activate his position.} ({White
should have clamped down on Black's coming break and played} 21. b5 $1 {with
advantage.}) 21... c5 {Now Black's bishop pair grows more meaningful.} 22. Nc2
Qc7 23. b5 $5 Rae8 {Target: e5.} 24. a4 Nf5 $1 {The knight drives home the
point - he is the one in charge of operations.} 25. Qxf4 $6 {This overreaction
strikes one as an emotional response, registered in hues of angry red,
enmeshed with a simmering orange. Or is his move a conciliatory gesture,
hoping to divert Black from his kingside itinerary? I don't know. His coming
sac doesn't make much sense to me. It's as if a person makes a donation to
Greenpeace with the motivation of benefiting the environment, and then goes
outside and carelessly litters the street by tossing a cigarette butt on the
ground.} ({White doesn't get enough for the queen, which he sac'ed to
complicate for the coming time scramble. Still, the self-preservatory instinct,
even when blind and flailing, is a dangerous force and demands respect - even
if, objectively, White should have gone passive and awaited events with} 25.
Bxf5 Rxf5 26. Re2 {, when Black would slowly begin to expand on the kingside
with ...g6-g5 soon.}) 25... Nd4 26. Qxf8 {There is no turning back now.} (26.
Qc1 $4 Nxf3+ 27. gxf3 Bxe5 {is hopeless for White.}) 26... Rxf8 27. cxd4 c4 {
Creating a protected passed pawn, which White must watch over for the
remainder of the game.} 28. Be2 Qe7 {Eyeing infiltration points at b4 and a3.}
29. Ne3 Be6 {Blockading White's single trump, his passed e-pawn.} 30. Red1 {
EXERCISE (planning): Come up with a plan to increase Black's advantage. ---
ANSWER: Dual purpose: 1. Prepare to push forward with the h- and g-pawns and
go for a direct attack on his king. --- 2. Prepare to activate the
dark-squared bishop via h6.} h5 $1 31. Rd2 Bh6 {The once-stunted bishop
suddenly grows in power and renown.} 32. Raa2 Rf4 {Children forced to endure
their parents' strict religious upbringing, often long for the pagan freedom
of adulthood. Black pressures d4 and prepares ...g6-g5-g4, as well as ...Re4.}
({Alternatively, Houdini likes the line} 32... Bxe3 33. fxe3 Qb4 34. Kf2 c3 35.
Rd1 Bf5 {.}) 33. g3 Re4 34. Nh4 Kh7 ({I was also sorely tempted to play} 34...
Rxh4 35. gxh4 Bxe3 36. fxe3 Qxh4 {, when the shabby attire of White's king
bespeaks his failed fortunes more than any words could do.}) 35. Bf3 $6 {
EXERCISE (combination alert): With 35 Bf3 White committed a time pressure
mistake. How can Black exploit it?} ({He should have played} 35. Nhg2 {.})
35... Rxe3 $1 {ANSWER: The unencumbered rook's magnetic personality has the
power to win over the confidence of others within his aura. Now White's
harrowing story is a novel filled with exclamation marks.} 36. fxe3 Bxe3+ 37.
Kh2 Bxd2 38. Rxd2 Qa3 {Black's queen infiltrates. The remainder is easy and
resistance grows obsolete, emptied of all meaning.} 39. Bd1 {EXERCISE 
(combination alert): White's pieces trip over each other. Find a way to
short-circuit the brittle defence and crack it open, like a fortune cookie.
--- ANSWER: The black queen slides on to the floor, props herself on two
elbows and says "Hi!" Now, White's pieces blister, blacken and curl, like
marshmallows toasting on an open fire.} Qc1 40. Nf3 c3 {SUMMARY: If Black gets
provocative with an early ...Nc6, we should probably ignore it and play as
White did in this game (albeit not all the way through).} 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2011.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kamsky, G."]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, I."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2011.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. d4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. c3 {Oh, what a champion! Kamsky, like your writer,
occasionally plays the reversed Slav. --- QUESTION: Isn't it a bit of a wimpy
choice? --- ANSWER: My feeling is (and this is a very odd thing for a writer
of opening books to say) that it is a mistake to embrace theory as a crutch,
in a mechanical way to obviate critical thought, replacing it with
memorization - a disease with which many of my younger students are afflicted.
By playing an opening such as a reversed Slav (or Colle for that matter!),
White essentially refuses to get bogged down in the noxious morass of mindless
memorization. Instead, he invites his opponent to a chess game on equal terms,
where understanding overrides and revokes theoretical knowledge.} d6 4. e4 b6 {
QUESTION: From your notes to Oll-Spassky, I take it that you don't approve of
the Hippopotamus, correct? --- ANSWER: On the contrary, the Hippo is actually
quite sound against the Coward's Variation, which is too innocuous to extract
an edge against it (or any other line for that matter! - we play it more to
lure Black into a Colle-like manoeuvring game). I feel the Hippo isn't so
great against the King's Indian, the line Oll played against Spassky.} 5. Bd3
Bb7 6. O-O Nd7 7. Re1 h6 $5 {Not surprisingly, a new move. --- QUESTION: Can
Black get away with this plan?} ({ANSWER: White's quiet set-up isn't conducive
to early blow-outs, no matter what the provocation. Black can of course go for
} 7... e6 {,}) ({or even get more ambitious with} 7... e5 {.}) 8. Nbd2 e6 9.
Nf1 {QUESTION: What is the point of this knight retreat? --- ANSWER: It isn't
as much a retreat as it is a redeployment to g3. White masses pieces on the
kingside in Closed Ruy Lopez style, in anticipation of an attack in that
sector later on.} ({White can also play to expand on the queenside with a move
like} 9. a4 {.}) 9... Ne7 10. Ng3 c5 $5 {QUESTION: Isn't Black violating the
principle: Don't create confrontation when behind in development? --- ANSWER:
He is, but this position proves to be an exception. I don't see a good way for
White to exploit his development lead, since the very nature of the c3/d4/e4
lines means they are ill-suited for the sudden explosion necessary to exploit
just such a violation.} 11. Be3 (11. Bf4 {, going after the sensitive d6-point,
is also possible, while after} e5 12. dxe5 dxe5 13. Be3 {Black must deal with
a hole on d5 - although this will be exceedingly difficult for White to
exploit, since none of his pieces are currently anywhere near that square.})
11... Qc7 12. a4 O-O ({I would have tossed in} 12... a6 {.}) 13. Qd2 ({Kamsky
is disinclined to begin a fight over on the queenside with} 13. a5 {.}) 13...
Kh7 14. h4 {Here he comes. By pushing his h-pawn, White hopes to yank the
black king out of the shadows into the light.} e5 ({QUESTION: Why not} 14...
Nf6 {intending ...Ng4? --- ANSWER: Your move looks quite logical since h2-h4
weakened the g4-square. Still, I prefer White's game after} 15. e5 {.}) 15. h5
Nf6 16. Qe2 {To preserve his dark-squared bishop in case of ...Ng4.} Bc8 ({
QUESTION: Would it be worth the weakening to play} 16... g5 {? --- ANSWER: I
doubt it. The move creates a hole on f5 and also creates a tempting sac target
on g5 for the future.}) 17. dxe5 dxe5 18. Nh2 $1 {Keeping an eye out over g4.}
Be6 19. Bc4 {Intending to swap light-squared bishops, which leaves Black with
a not-so-great remaining bishop.} Qc8 20. Ba6 {QUESTION: Well, why didn't he
go through with the swap?} ({ANSWER: He probably feared that Black, with a
queen on e6, might be able to force ...c5-c4, which would give him access to
the c5-square. For example:} 20. Bxe6 Qxe6 21. a5 c4 $1 {.}) 20... Qc7 21. Bc4
Bxc4 ({Black should probably have repeated moves with} 21... Qc8 {.}) 22. hxg6+
fxg6 23. Qxc4 Ne8 24. Rad1 Qc6 25. Nf3 Nc7 26. Rd2 Rad8 27. Red1 Rxd2 28. Rxd2
Nc8 {Black's fingers work frantically to untie the knot, yet it stubbornly
holds in gnarled defiance. Advantage White: 1. He owns the d-file. --- 2. All
his pieces are more active than their opposing counterparts. --- 3. Black, for
now, must deal with a bad bishop and a pair of knights that remain pensive and
refuse to participate. His knights, destitute and homeless, wander into the
mission, not because they seek salvation, but because they need a hot meal and
a bed for the night.} 29. Qd3 $1 {Offering a4 in exchange for infiltration to
d7.} Qxa4 $6 {The bored queen fabricates a rich fantasy life to submerge her
drab, adjacent reality. She grabs the pawn under the theory that it doesn't
quite work to be a semi-penitent. Either repent or sin - don't live in the
twilight in the middle. So she decides to sin! However, the words of Psalm 69
soon come to mind: "O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not
hid from thee." Black shouldn't be posting guards at the periphery, when woman
power is required in the central fight. --- QUESTION: But is the infiltration
worth a pawn in an ending? --- ANSWER: White soon regains the lost pawn with a
clear advantage. Watch.} ({Black should have shown more respect for White's
infiltration threat and taken measures to neutralize it with} 29... Re8 $1 {,
intending} 30. Qd7 Qxd7 31. Rxd7 Re7 {, when Black remains worse but hangs on.}
) 30. Qd7 {White's queen passes by the beggars all around her with a cursory
glance, fuelled by a spirit of callous indifference to their suffering.} Qxd7
31. Rxd7 Ne6 32. Nxe5 {And there it is: White picks off e5.} Rd8 33. Rb7 Re8
34. Nc6 Nd6 $2 {A misguided pawn sac for a counterattack which never
materializes. Black's knight careens and whirls madly, free of destination or
aim, like a child's malfunctioning battery-operated toy.} ({He had to
eliminate one of the invaders with} 34... Nd8 35. Nxd8 Rxd8 36. e5 {, when
Black prays for the safety and long life of his pawns, while White prefers to
prey on them.}) 35. Rxa7 Nc4 {The knight, an odd composite of ineptitude and
competence rolled into one body, goes on a counterattack - or so he believes.
He hopes to fulfil the wanderings of unsatisfied desires by snapping at the
bait on b2.} 36. Bc1 {No problem.} Rc8 37. Ne7 Rd8 38. Nd5 {No infiltration
for you today, my friend. This indissolubly irritating knight entrenches
itself in Black's territory, like a kidney stone which refuses to break up
under the urologist's ultrasound machine.} Kh8 39. Ne2 Nd6 40. f3 g5 $5 {A
perplexing decision, given that he can just protect his b-pawn. I don't know
if Nepom was in serious time pressure or was just in a generous mood.} ({Then
again, the passive} 40... Rb8 {looks pretty hopeless as well.}) 41. Nxb6 Rb8
42. Nd5 Nc4 43. Ra2 {Market capitalism at its worst. Kamsky takes and takes,
profit his bottom line and be-all-and-end-all, without giving an iota back to
society.} Ne5 44. f4 gxf4 45. Bxf4 Rb7 46. Bxe5 Bxe5 47. Ra6 Ng5 48. Rxh6+ {
Now he's just being rude. Kamsky won't return a thing. He remains three pawns
up, while his opponent starves in the streets.} Kg7 49. Rh5 Nf7 50. b4 c4 51.
Ne3 Kg6 52. Rf5 {SUMMARY: If Black faces down our Coward's Variation with the
Hippo, you can play in Closed Lopez fashion, the way Kamsky did this game.} 1-0

[Event "Ekaterinburg"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kalegin, E."]
[Black "Akhmetov, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2013.04.29"]

1. e4 ({Of course our Colle move order would go} 1. d4 d6 2. e4 {.}) 1... d6 2.
d4 Nf6 3. Nd2 e5 ({QUESTION: What if Black plays} 3... c5 {? --- ANSWER: Just
take it and enter our set-up like this:} 4. dxc5 $1 dxc5 5. Ngf3 Nc6 6. c3 e6 (
{Black's problem is that} 6... e5 {would leave a gaping hole on d5}) 7. Qc2 Be7
8. a4 Qc7 9. Nc4 h6 10. e5 $1 Nd5 11. Qe4 b6 12. Qg4 Kf8 13. h4 {left Black
defending a difficult position, E.Limp-F.Izeta Txabarri, Santos 2001.}) 4. c3
Be7 {QUESTION: What is this set-up? --- ANSWER: Black heads for a Philidor
formation, which is passive but exceedingly solid.} ({Instead:} 4... Nbd7 5.
Ngf3 g6 {returns to Pirc/Modern variations, examined in Lakdawala-Wooten (see
the note to Black's first move therein for the exact transposition).}) (4...
Nc6 5. Ngf3 Be7 6. Bb5 Bd7 7. O-O O-O 8. d5 {(gaining time)} Nb8 9. Bd3 {
(White can also exchange on d7, leaving Black with a slightly bad remaining
dark-squared bishop)} c6 10. c4 {and Black remains cramped and slightly
passive, in what looks like an Old Indian position, S.Tiviakov-J.Ehlvest,
Polanica Zdroj 1995.}) (4... d5 $5 {(a radical attempt to free Black's game,
reasoning that White's passive Nd2 justifies the tempo loss in ...d7-d6-d5)} 5.
dxe5 Nxe4 6. Nxe4 dxe4 7. Qa4+ {(White can also take on d8 and try to exploit
a developmental edge in the ending)} Nc6 8. Qxe4 Be6 9. Be3 {, when I don't
believe in Black's full compensation for his missing pawn, since White's
pieces have freedom and will emerge shortly.}) 5. Ngf3 Nbd7 {This is the
classical Philidor set-up for Black.} 6. Qc2 O-O 7. Be2 {QUESTION: Why not
post the bishop on d3, a more active square? --- ANSWER: White eventually
plans to exchange on e5. When this happens, a d3-bishop is vulnerable to tempo
loss after ...Nc5.} Re8 ({QUESTION: Can Black try for a Benoni-style position
by mixing it up with} 7... exd4 8. cxd4 c5 {? --- ANSWER: Your idea looks
interesting, and I can't find a single game in the database from this position.
White can respond} 9. d5 {in Benoni style, when I like his position since
Black's e7-bishop is more passively placed than the traditionally fianchettoed
one on g7.} ({Alternatively, White can simply castle, when he gets one of
those cleared centre positions we looked at back in Chapter Two. For example:} 
9. O-O cxd4 10. Nxd4 d5 11. exd5 Nxd5 12. Nf5 {and it feels to me like White
may be just a shade better.})) 8. O-O Bf8 9. Rd1 c6 10. a4 {In order to halt ...b7-b5 expansion.} b6 {Black's plan is ...a7-a6, ...Bb7 and ...b6-b5 - but as
you may have noticed, it is torturously slow.} 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. b4 {Expanding
and denying Black use of the c5-square.} Qc7 ({QUESTION: Shouldn't Black
challenge White on the queenside with} 12... a5 {? --- ANSWER: That would be
met by} 13. bxa5 bxa5 ({not} 13... Rxa5 $2 14. Nc4) 14. Bc4 {with an edge for
White. But in general, I agree with you: Black needs to generate some activity.
}) 13. Bc4 {Target: f7.} Re7 $6 {This clunky move encourages a future Nf5.} (
13... h6 {is a better way of safeguarding his tender f7-square.}) 14. Nf1 Bb7
15. Ng3 g6 {He can't allow Nf5.} 16. Bg5 {Another downside to 13...Re7?!. This
looks like a Closed Ruy Lopez gone slightly sour for Black.} Bg7 17. Qd2 Rc8 {
This just looks too slow. One gets the impression that Black fails to sense
the scale and scope of the looming menace ahead for his king.} ({It is high
time for} 17... a5 {.}) 18. Bh6 Ne8 ({Not} 18... Bh8 $4 {(Black's bishop
places himself at uncomfortable odds to his more powerful counterpart and
decides to depart, uttering subservient platitudes as he leaves)} 19. Nf5 $1 {
, which wins on the spot.}) 19. Bxg7 {Eliminating a key defender of the dark
squares around Black's king.} Nxg7 (19... Kxg7 $2 20. Qg5 $1 {threatens Nf5+.})
20. Qg5 {The ruthless general deems Black's kingside, with its high population
density, a rich military target.} (20. Qh6 $1 {looks even better.}) 20... Rce8
21. h4 {Another attacking unit emerges and the tempo of the game increases
radically.} Ne6 22. Qh6 {The weak dark squares act parasitically, having the
effect of draining the vitality from Black's position. His king stares in
fascinated disgust at White's queen, like the conflicted street preacher who
can't take his eyes off the prostitute plying her trade on the opposite
sidewalk.} Ndf8 {We reach a familiar place. White's attack looks very
promising but now we must work out the details. --- EXERCISE (combination
alert/planning): White has two good methods of moving forward - one flashy,
the other plodding but equally strong. Let's see if you can come up with
either (or both) of them. --- ANSWER:} 23. Nf5 $1 {White unleashes the pent-up
energy in his position which, after a tranquil opening stage, erupts into
madness and flame. On this recent shot, Black's formally imperturbable king
suddenly grows rather perturbable after all!} ({ANSWER #2: Houdini thinks the
understated} 23. Nh2 $1 {intending Ng4, is just as strong, if not stronger.})
23... gxf5 {Black presses for material as a form of a poultice against the
inherent injury of his position.} ({QUESTION: What compels Black to accept the
sac? Why not just play quietly with} 23... Rd7 {? --- ANSWER: Silence on the
issue is disastrous for Black and speaks more forcefully than words. After} 24.
Rxd7 Qxd7 25. Nxe5 Qc7 {... EXERCISE (combination alert): White has access to
a dazzling finish. Do you see it? --- ANSWER: Interference/deflection. As a
corollary to White's last move, only a blossom of foam remains on the ocean's
surface at g7, a grim reminder of the body tossed in just moments earlier.} 26.
Qg7+ $3 Nxg7 27. Nh6+ Kh8 28. Nexf7+ Qxf7 29. Nxf7+ Kg8 30. Nd6+ {cleans Black
out.}) 24. exf5 e4 25. fxe6 exf3 (25... fxe6 26. Ng5 {is also virtually
impossible to defend.}) 26. Qg5+ {The dark square infection continues to
spread like a nasty rumour.} Ng6 {Defenders tumble forth with deft finality,
jumpers from a burning building, who choose a less painful death.} ({After} 
26... Kh8 27. Qf6+ Kg8 28. exf7+ Rxf7 29. Re1 Rxe1+ 30. Rxe1 {Black has no
reasonable response to the coming Re7.}) 27. exf7+ Rxf7 28. h5 {The sadistic
interrogator puts his cigarette out in the knight's eye, regaining his piece
with interest and a crushing attack. To the black king's consternation, he is
shorn of his guard and dispossessed from his lands and property. Resistance is
just an afterthought in such desultory positions.} Kg7 29. Bxf7 Qxf7 30. hxg6
hxg6 {The original wound may have healed, yet the psychological scar tissue
remains to torment Black's king.} 31. Rd6 fxg2 32. Rad1 {Threatening Rd7.} Bc8
33. Rd8 Re2 {To a condemned man, the final 24 hours carry as much significance
as all the cumulative preceding years - from birth to that present moment -
almost as if he lives a second, compacted life. --- EXERCISE (planning): Black
counterattacks at f2. White must simultaneously deal with the threat, while
creating a devastating one of his own. How can he succeed in this aim? ---
ANSWER:} 34. Qh4 $1 {Dual purpose: covering f2 and threatening mate on h8. The
h-file serves as a lever which unleashes White's attack. --- As the enemy
forces draw near, Black's king sits upon his throne for a final time, his
heart too full of anguish for words. --- SUMMARY: Our set-up allows us to
extract a small edge against the passive but solid Philidor.} 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Index 11"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "14"]
[EventDate "2013.04.23"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.03"]

1. d4 g6 (1... Nf6 2. Nd2 d6 3. e4 e5 {- Kalegin-Akhmetov}) 2. e4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6
4. c3 Nf6 (4... b6 {- Kamsky-Nepomniachtchi}) 5. Nbd2 O-O 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O --
(7... e5 {- Lakdawala-Wooten}) (7... Nh5 {- Baker-Lakdawala}) *

