Kotronias Vassilios The Safest Scandinavian 0A

Contents
Title Page
Introduction 5

Chapter 1. 1.e4 d5 Rare Second Moves
Main Ideas 9 Step by Step 12 Annotated Games 20
Chapter 2. White’s Third Move Alternatives

Chapter 3. 3.Nc3 Qd6 without 4.d4

Chapter 4. 4.d4 Nf6 without 5.Nf3

Chapter 5. 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 Rare 6th Moves

Chapter 6. 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.h3

Chapter 7. 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Bf4 and the Shirov plan 7.f4

Chapter 8. The Main Line 7.Nc4

Variation Index
List of Annotated Games
The Safest Scandinavian
A Black Repertoire with 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6

Chess Stars Publishing
www.chess-stars.com
Copyright © 2016 by Vassilios Kotronias
Cover by Kalojan Nachev
ISBN: 978-619-7188-06-6
Bibliography
Books
Understanding the Scandinavian, Sergey Kasparov, Gambit 2015

Play the Scandinavian, Christian Bauer, Quality Chess 2010
Scandinavian Defense: The Dynamic 3...Qd6, Michael Melts, Russell
Enterprises 2009
Periodicals
Chess Informant
New in Chess
Internet resources
The Week In Chess (chesscenter.com)

10 Days (Chessmix.com)
Internet Chess Club (chessclub.com)
Chess Publishing (www.chesspublishing.com)
Chess Today www.chesstoday.net
Introduction
In the beginning of 2015 a good friend of mine, Mrs. Efi Georgopoulou, suggested to me to create an opening repertoire
against 1.e4 that would be based on clear-cut plans while avoiding the tons of theory the Spanish and the Caro-Kann
are associated with. Such a repertoire would be suitable for both professionals and amateurs only if it could combine
asymmetric pawn structure (with the deriving from it complex play) with relative solidity. Thus I had basically no
choice – my attention was immediately drawn to the 3...Qd6 Scandinavian:
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6
Intense investigation and practical usage by GM Sergei Tiviakov have turned it into a respectable weapon known for its
clear and strategically sound plans. I remember when Sergei chose this system for the first time back in 2006. Of
course, it had been played before, but not against super grandmasters as Anand and Grischuk! And Black obtained the
upper hand in both games ever since the opening – that was a real shock in the chess world. Anatoly Karpov and
Vassily Ivanchuk also employed it in fast time controls in the last three years.
I have played the Scandinavian myself in about 40 tournament games, half of them on the White side, including one
against Tiviakov! I have spent so many hours trying to find an advantage for White that finally I have learned all
Black’s tricks and the finest nuances of his set-up.
When I was young, I just could not believe that this opening could be any good. After all, Black gives the enemy free
tempi and I have always valued time very much. However, from the experience I acquired afterwards, I realised that
this time could not be easily exploited. The asymmetric pawn structure gives Black the important resource of turning
the d5-square into a fortress. He would just need two further elements to achieve complete equality: develop the light-
squared bishop outside the pawn structure, and find a good place for his queen. To be honest, in the beginning I thought,
like almost every GM in the world, that the black queen should go to a5 to pin the c3-knight. But chess is evolving, and
in the past years the games of Sergei Tiviakov and other strong players showed that perhaps 3...Qd6 could be after all
the best option. It is certainly the safest flavour of the Scandinavian. All Black’s forces exert a restraining effect on the
enemy’s centre. The queen pressurizes d4 thus enhancing the impact of the bishop sortie to g4. As a result, White is
unable to build a mobile pawn pair c4+d4 and play often takes the Classical Caro-Kann shape.

Here are two typical scenarios:
M.Ali-Tiviakov

Jakarta 2015

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 c6 5.Nf3 Bf5 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 e6 8.0-0 h6 9.a3 Be7 10.Bf4 Qd8 11.Qe2 0-0
12.Rfd1 Nbd7 13.Ne5 Rc8 14.Rac1 Re8 15.h3 Nd5...
Movsesian-Tiviakov

Wijk aan Zee 2013

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4 (5...c6!) 6.Be2 c6 7.0-0 Nbd7 8.h3 Bh5 9.Bg5 e6 10.Bh4 Bxf3
11.Bxf3 Qc7 12.Re1 Be7
After the main move 4.d4, it is beyond doubt that White controls more space in the centre, but at the same time the
pawn provides us with a target.
A look at the diagrams can lead to a few useful tips and conclusions about the type of play.
• This is surely a light-squared opening, so much will depend upon the effective development of the Bc8.
• White controls more space, so Black should seek exchanges to ensure more breathing space.
• The fight will mainly revolve around the two important squares d5 and e5.
• The d4 pawn could become a target to attack – directly, or with the breakthrough ...c6-c5 or ...e6-e5.
• The Qd6 cannot be effectively attacked as it has many squares to flee to: c7, d7, d8, b4 or even e6. An important
rule of thumb is that every exchange of a minor piece makes its position in the centre safer.
• White has a slight lead in development, which allows him to dictate the course of events and choose which side
to castle. Black should try to hinder his plans by guerrilla tactics:a) offering a queen trade or exchanges in general
and b) attacking certain weak points, which could be d4, c2, g2, to name a few.
• A bishop on c4 would almost certainly end up biting on granite after ...e7-e6, so this development is usually
good news for Black.
• Endings are rarely better for White if nothing really catastrophic had happened to our pawn formation.

Several lines are very sharp and, in my opinion, critical.
5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.f4!?
The Shirov plan is underestimated and its coverage by theoreticians and annotators is overall wrong. I devoted the better
part of Chapter 7 to it where I present a new method of defence.

5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nc4 Qc7 8.Qf3 Nb6 9.Bf4 Qd7 10.Nxb6 axb6 11.0-0-0, Kotronias-Tiviakov, 2011.
I got an edge in this game and that only confirmed my opinion that Black was struggling in this particular line. Until I
discovered the right way to strike back! You’ll find my novel analysis in Chapter 8. It goes well beyond move 30 and is
really vital for Black.
Today I believe that the 3...Qd6 Scandinavian is a safe and sound opening for all levels. I have spent so many hours
trying to refute it, bashing my head against its solid walls, only to end up respecting it myself. The fruits of my work
and analyses are presented below. I included games played before 20.1.2016.
I would like to thank my editor Semko Semkov for accepting my idea to create a repertoire based on this system, and
then helping me with the analysis of some positions.
Vassilios Kotronias
Athens, January 2016
Main Ideas
1.e4 d5
By hitting the unprotected e4 pawn right away, Black wants to achieve two objectives:

• create an asymmetric pawn structure;

• obtain free piece play in a position with open centre.

The main disadvantage of this plan is that in most lines the queen comes into the centre as early as on move two, which
spells loss of time. So, it is automatically good news for us if White refrains from 2.exd5, as the biggest drawback of
our scheme vanishes. We still have to know a few key points about White’s rare second move alternatives. Let’s begin
with the gambit:

A. 2.d4?! Of course we should take the gift – 2...dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3!,
but here we should take an important decision. While it is clear that White’s compensation would be quite arguable after
4...exf3, his position is not entirely devoid of resources. I did not want to invest a lot of time trying to refute this
gambit, so I decided to rely on common sense. My suggestion is to avoid giving the enemy an initiative:
4...Bf5!? This natural developing move keeps the pawn wedge on e4. Gambiteers like open lines and fast-paced play so
it is a good idea, for psychological reasons, to keep their pieces as much restrained as possible.
5.fxe4
5.g4?! Bg6 6.g5 neglects development and we can safely keep the extra pawn with 6...Nd5 7.fxe4 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Bxe4.

5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.Bc4 h6 7.Bh4 Nb6 8.Bb3 e3!³ is also better for Black. It will take White quite some time to capture this
pawn and in the meantime we can prepare a strike at the centre with ...c7-c5. See the annotated Game 1 Kurylo-
Stankevicius, 2000.

5...Nxe4 6.Qf3! Nd6
Not forced, but good enough. I prefer not to take on c3 and give the opponent a chance to unbalance the game even
further.

7.Bf4 e6 8.0-0-0 c6=
A quick glance at the position may be slightly misguiding here as White seems to have nothing at all for his pawn. In
fact, he can create enough play to hold the balance as shown by correspondence games. That may appear as a bit
disappointing to all those who expect a clean advantage against the gambit. However, my aim is to suggest in this book
a sound repertoire which should bring you decent practical results. For this reason, my strategy is to avoid deeply
analysed lines unless they are absolutely necessary for our survival.

B. 2.e5?! gains space, but at the cost of a tempo. After 2...c5, White should choose a way of defending the advanced
pawn.

a) The move 3.c3 followed by d2-d4 would create a juicy target on d4. 3...Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.cxd4 Bf5!
Black’s game is easy – see Game 3 Agdestein-Wang, Amsterdam 2008. His only problem is where to put the dark-
squared bishop after ...Ng8-e7. If White plays Bd3, the answer is obvious since the f5-square will be vacated after
...Bxd3 and the knight will occupy a striking position on f5. In the event of 6.Nc3 e6 7.a3 Nge7 8.Nf3, Black can
regroup his pieces with 8...Bg4 9.Be2 Nf5 10.Be3 Be7.

b) 3.f4 has other drawbacks – it weakens the kingside. Black develops as in Game 2 Punt-Landa, Vlissingen 2015:
3...Nc6 4.c3 Bf5 5.Nf3 e6 6.Be2 Nh6! 7.0-0 Be7 8.d3 Bg6! 9.Na3 0-0 10.Nc2 f6! or leads the bishop to g4 in the
event of:
4.Nf3 Bg4! 5.h3 Bxf3 6.Qxf3 e6 7.c3 Nge7. White’s position lacks harmony. A possible continuation is 8.Na3
(8.Bd3?! g5!³ is a motif to remember, undermining White’s centre.) 8...Nf5 9.g4 Nh4! 10.Qf2 Be7 11.Be2 Ng6 12.0-0
0-0 13.d3
Now the thematic break 13...f6 14.exf6 Rxf6ƒ underlines the weakness of White’s castling position. You should
remember about this structure that Black’s counterplay is based on either ...f7-f6, or ...g7-g5, depending on the
circumstances.

C. 2.Nc3?! turns the tables and it is already Black who develops his pieces with tempo:
2...dxe4! 3.Nxe4 Bf5 4.Ng3 Bg6
As this is the classical line of the Caro-Kann albeit with an extra tempo, we do not have to invent the hot water.
5.h4 h6 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.d4 e6 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 Ngf6 11.Bd2 c5! 12.0-0-0 Qc7= leads to the following
critical position.
Black has two major plans here: to castle long or short. The latter seems risky, but it is undoubtedly more challenging.
e.g. 13.Qe2 Be7! 14.Kb1 0-0!„.
The same idea is viable after 13.Rhe1, but White should also reckon with 13...c4, although I do not see a compelling
reason to remove the tension from the centre.
Step by Step
1.e4 d5
I consider in this chapter three minor alternatives to the main move 2.exd5:
A. 2.d4?!; B. 2.e5; C. 2.Nc3

A. 2.d4?!

This is the dubious Blackmar-Diemer gambit. Black should accept it, of course:

2...dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3!

Without this move White’s central activity would have been entirely meaningless. White gains tempi for development
and open files on the kingside. I feel that we should avoid playing on his territory. We should always consider returning
the pawn whenever possible in order to acquire positional gains or obtain a counter-attack.

4...Bf5!?
By bolstering the e-pawn, we hamper White’s smooth development. 4...exf3 is five times more frequent so it could be a
little surprise.

5.fxe4

Gaining access to the f3-square for his forces. Other possibilities are:

a) 5.g4?! This is an attempt of grabbing space, but White is overextended on the kingside after:
5...Bg6 6.g5
6.h4?! h6! 7.Nh3 exf3 8.Qxf3 c6µ; 6.f4?! e6µ
6...Nd5
7.fxe4
7.Nxe4 e6 is better for Black. Play could continue 8.h4 Be7! 9.h5 (9.c4 Nb6µ creates an extra target for Black on
d4; 9.Bg2 h6! exposes White’s kingside weaknesses; 9.Ne2 Nc6 will transpose to 9.h5) 9...Bf5 10.Ne2 Nc6
11.N2g3 Qd7! 12.c3 0-0-0 13.Bd2 (13.Bb5 a6 14.Ba4 Nb6µ) 13...h6! 14.gxh6 gxh6 and it is clear that all the fun
is for the second player.
7...Nxc3 8.bxc3 Bxe4
I have also analysed 8...e5. It aims to quickly open up the position and put the white king under pressure. Then
9.Nf3 exd4! 10.cxd4 Bb4+! or 9.Qd3?! exd4! 10.cxd4 c5! 11.d5 (11.c3 cxd4 12.cxd4 Bb4+ 13.Kf2 Nc6 14.Rb1
0-0µ) 11...Bd6 give Black overwhelming pressure in the centre. However, 9.Bg2! exd4 10.h4 f6 11.Ne2 dxc3
12.Qxd8+ Kxd8 13.Bf4 Nd7 14.0-0-0 leads to a balanced engame.
9.Nf3 Qd5 10.c4 Qe6 11.Kf2 Qf5³. Black’s queen is so active that White should seek to trade it even though he is a
pawn down.

b) 5.Bg5
This is a logical move which aims to make us take on f3. But we should not help White develop! 5...Nbd7! 6.Bc4 h6
7.Bh4 Nb6! 8.Bb3 e3! Continuing the tactic of hindering the enemy’s development. Now he will have to invest time in
regaining the sacrificed pawn. Black is better after 9.Nge2 e6. The correspondence Game 1 Kurylo-Stankevicius, 2000,
went on: 10.0-0 Be7 11.Re1 a5 12.a3 0-0 13.Qc1 a4 14.Ba2
It saw further 14...Bd6 and Black went on to win. Perhaps it was even better to open the centre with 14...c5.

5...Nxe4 6.Qf3!

White brings the queen out with tempo and enables long castling. His only hope for success is to create concrete threats
before Black consolidated. In correspondence chess the more conventional 6.Nf3?! e6 7.Bc4 Bb4 8.0-0 had brought
White a good amount of victories in the pre-computer years, but it has then faded out of fashion as White’s
compensation turned out to be insufficient. I recommend 8...Nxc3 9.bxc3 Bxc3 10.Rb1 (10.Ba3 Nc6 11.Rb1 Nxd4
12.Rxb7 Be4 13.Rb1 Nxf3+ 14.gxf3 Qd4+–+) 10...Nc6! 11.Be3 0-0µ.

6...Nd6

Combining defence of the b7-pawn and the f5-bishop. In addition the Bf1 is denied the square c4.

7.Bf4 e6 8.0-0-0
8...c6

White would like to open lines with d4-d5, so the text is thoroughly logical. However, it could be even better to insert
first 8...h5!? 9.h3 c6. This idea occurred in the correspondence game Diemer-Dahl, 1956. The variation’s godfather lost
it, but somehow 8...h5 has not caught up.

9.g4 Bg6=

Having entrenched d5, we are now ready to continue our development with ...Nb8-d7-b6, ...Bf8-e7. Whenever White
resorts to h2-h4 we might respond with ...h7-h5, creating new weaknesses in his camp, the f5-square in particular. Still,
White has probably just about enough compensation for the missing pawn if he plays the best moves. The game
jordache2-bosico, gameknot.com 2011, went:
10.h4 h5 11.g5 Qa5 12.Bd3 Bxd3 13.Rxd3 Na6 14.a3 Nc4 15.Ne4 15...Qe1+ 16.Rd1 Qa5 would have been a draw by
repetition. Instead, Black fought on with 15...Nb4!? 16.Rb3 0-0-0.

White’s most popular try is 10.Qe3 Be7 11.Nf3 Nd7 12.h4
12.Ne5 Nb6 13.h4 Nd5 comes to the same thing.
12.d5 eliminates to a draw endgame after 12...cxd5 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.Bxd6 Be4 15.Bd3 Bxd6 16.Bxe4 Qb6.
12...Nf6 13.Ne5 Nd5 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Nxg6 hxg6 16.Bd3 Nc4 17.Bxc4 dxc4
18.d5! exd5 19.Rde1 Kf8 20.h5 g5 21.Be5 Rh6 22.Bxg7+ Kxg7 23.Qxe7 Qxe7 24.Rxe7 Rf6 25.Rd1= and the players
agreed a draw in Leisebein-Jethan, corr. 2008.

B. 2.e5
This move surrenders the control of f5 to Black. And loses time at that – not a good combination indeed! No wonder I
consider it anti-positional, or in the best of cases completely harmless.

2...c5

First of all, we seize control of the centre. If White now goes for a set-up involving the moves c2-c3 and d3-d4, he will
find himself with a weak pawn on d4, but without the prospects for a kingside attack which are so inherent to the
French structures:
3.c3
The Scandinavian approach could be contagious – only that way can I explain the amazing number of games
which saw 3.d4?! cxd4 4.Qxd4. After 4...Nc6 5.Qf4 g6, Black is already on top.
3...Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.cxd4
This position commonly arises after the Caro-Kann move order 1.e4 c6 2.c4 d5 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.e5 Nc6 5.d4.
Black’s best approach is:
5...Bf5!
The hasty 5...Qb6, intending 6.Nf3? Bg4, fails to 6.Nc3! Qxd4 7.Qxd4 Nxd4 8.Nxd5.
6.Bd3
A difficult positional decision. White admits that he cannot make any progress on the kingside without this trade.
The alternative set-up is 6.Nc3 e6 7.a3 Nge7 8.Nf3 Bg4 9.Be2 Nf5 10.Be3 Be7 and the pressure against the d-
pawn becomes annoying.
6...Bxd3 7.Qxd3 e6 8.Nf3 Nge7 9.0-0
The thematic 9.h4 was tried in Lie-Bu, ol. Dresden 2008. After 9...Qb6 10.Nc3 Nf5 11.Be3, Black had to take the
pawn – 11...Qxb2! – not to win material as White can easily regain it, but because he is the strongest side on the
left wing and he should gladly shift the game focus to that flank, e.g. 12.Rb1 Qa3 13.Rxb7 Bb4 14.Bd2 Rc8µ.
9...Nf5 10.Nc3 Be7
Black’s task is easy – see Game 3 Agdestein-Wang, Amsterdam 2008.

3.f4 Nc6 4.Nf3

4.c3 Bf5 5.Nf3 e6 6.Be2 Nh6! 7.0-0 Be7 8.d3 Bg6! 9.Na3 0-0 10.Nc2 f6! 11.d4 Qb6 was an example of excellent
opening play. See Game 2 Punt-Landa, Vlissingen 2015 for more details.

4...Bg4! 5.h3 Bxf3 6.Qxf3 e6 7.c3 Nge7³

Black owns the centre and is visibly better as the position on the following diagram reveals:
The second player can continue with such typical moves like ...h7-h5, ...Ne7-f5, ...Bf8-e7 and perhaps even ...g7-g5 at a
subsequent stage if White allows it. Achieving this thrust would open lines and highlight the slight disharmony in
White’s position.

8.Na3
The knight is heading for c2. White has not apparently abandoned the idea of playing d2-d4.
An awkward method of trying to prevent ...Ne7-f5 is 8.Bd3?! to which 8...g5! 9.0-0 c4 10.Bc2 Ng6µ looks like a good
antidote.

8.d3 Nf5 9.g4 is a position that has not occurred in practice according to my knowledge, but in any case Black has the
more pleasant game after 9...Nh4 10.Qf2 Be7 11.Nd2 Qb6³.

8...Nf5

8...g5!? 9.Bb5 Bg7 looks also excellent for Black.

9.g4
Here, Black did not react well in the game Pirisi-Bokros, Hungary 2007: 9...Qh4+?! and had to trade queens after
10.Qf2=. White’s king was able to breath easier without the strongest pieces.
Correct was:

9...Nh4! 10.Qf2 Be7 11.Be2 Ng6 12.0-0 0-0 13.d3 f6 14.exf6 Rxf6
Black has the better chances as the Na3 is too far away from the weak f4-pawn. For instance, 15.g5 Rf8 16.h4 Bd6,
taking over the initiative.

C. 2.Nc3
is yet another harmless move for us. It is not particularly bad, but it allows the second player to wrest the initiative in the
centre. We could grab space with 2...d4 3.Nce2 c5=, but the Scandinavian fans love free piece play. Therefore, I
recommend to keep the position open.

2...dxe4 3.Nxe4

It seems most prudent for White to recapture the pawn. 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.f3 is similar to the gambit from line A. The only
difference is that White has saved a tempo by omitting the move d2-d4. My suggestion here is to avoid capturing on f3.
We should continue development of our pieces, aiming for quick castling:
4...e5!? After this move Black’s position becomes slightly preferable. A possible continuation is 5.fxe4 Bc5 6.Nf3 0-0³
when Black has gotten a good version of the King’s Gambit Declined.
The game Domont-Vuilleumier, Switzerland 2011, continued 7.d3 c6!?

7...h6 may in fact be even stronger, but the human text move is also okay.
8.Bg5
8.a4!³ was a better move.
8...h6 9.Bh4 b5! 10.Bb3 Qd6 11.a4 b4 12.Nb1 Nh5! 13.Nbd2 Nf4 14.Nc4 Qg6 15.Nfxe5 Qxg2 16.Qf3 Bh3! 17.0-0-0
Qxf3 18.Nxf3 Bg2
19.Nfe5?!
19.Rhf1! Nd7 20.Nfe5 Nxe5 21.Nxe5 Bxf1 22.Rxf1 g5 23.Be1³ might have held.
19...Bxh1 20.Rxh1 Ne2+ 21.Kd1 Nd4 22.Ba2 b3 23.cxb3 Kh7 24.Rf1 f6µ 25.Be1?? fxe5 and Black got a well-earned
point. Almost perfect play by Alexander.

3...Bf5 4.Ng3

Best. Unnatural seems 4.Qf3?! Bg6! 5.Bc4
5.Nc5? c6 6.Nxb7?
6...Qb6! 7.Qb3 Nd7 8.Nf3 Rb8 9.Qxb6 axb6 10.Ba6 Ra8 11.Bc4 Ra7–+
5...Nd7! and the annoying threat ...Nd7-e5 is already on the cards. A possible continuation is: 6.Ng5
6.d4 Nb6 would cost White a pawn as d4 hangs.
6...e6 7.d4 (7.Qxb7?? Rb8) 7...c5 (7...c6!?) 8.dxc5 Bxc5ƒ and Black is better. If 9.Qxb7?! (9.Ne2 Qf6!?³), then 9...Rb8
10.Qf3 (10.Qc6 Ne7µ; 10.Qa6 Rb6–+) 10...Ngf6° with excellent compensation for the material.

4...Bg6
A typical Caro-Kann structure has arisen. Black has every reason to feel that he has gained something over that
opening’s main line as he can hit the centre with a direct ...c7-c5. Having said that, he should precede this idea with
good preparatory moves. A sample line follows:

5.h4 h6 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.d4 e6 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 Ngf6 11.Bd2

This is an appropriate moment for the afore-mentioned advance:

11...c5! 12.0-0-0 Qc7=
Black is ready to develop his bishop on d6, putting pressure on Ng3. Then he may choose, according to his style of play,
short or long castling, with fully equal chances. Another idea is the positionally well motivated ...c5-c4, all the more so
if it comes with a tempo. Such a move could establish a long term initiative by turning d5 into a stronghold for Black’s
pieces. White can oppose this scenario by different means.
13.Qe2 discourages 13...c4 in view of the possible knight jumps
14.Nf5 b5 15.Ne3 or 14.Ne5!? Nxe5 15.dxe5 Nd5 16.Ne4. Instead, Black can castle long, but I believe that castling
short is more challenging:
13...Be7! 14.Kb1 0-0!„
After analysing a lot of such positions from White’s point of view in a standard Caro-Kann, I think that with an extra
tempo our king should be perfectly safe:
15.Ne4
Or 15.Ne5 Rfd8 16.Rhe1 Qb6 17.Be3 Nd5.
15...cxd4 16.Nxd4 Nxe4 17.Qxe4 Nf6 18.Qe2 Rac8 19.g4
Black has strong counterplay in the centre: 19...Nd5 20.c3 Rfd8 21.Rdg1 Qb6.

Note that the plan with short castling is also possible after 13.Rhe1 when besides 13...c4, we have 13...Be7!? intending
...0-0. White could prevent it by 14.d5 Nxd5 15.Nf5, but then 15...0-0-0 16.c4 Bf6 is equal.

The above analysis explains why White commonly opts for 13.dxc5 when 13...Bxc5 14.Ne4 Nxe4 15.Qxe4 0-0 is
unclear.
13...Nxc5 is certainly safer as it keeps the g3-knight before the g2-pawn.
After 14.Qb5+, Black can choose between 14...Qd7 15.Qc4 Qd5= and the sharper 14...Ncd7.

Annotated Games
1. Kurylo – Stankevicius
Lithuania email ch, 2000

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Bf5 5.f3 Nbd7 6.Bc4 h6 7.Bh4 Nb6 8.Bb3 e3 9.Nge2 e6 10.0-0 Be7 11.Re1 a5
12.a3 0-0 13.Qc1 a4 14.Ba2
White’s opening play has been rather unsound: the gambit pawn has not been recovered yet, the Ba2 looks clumsy, the
c2 pawn is under pressure.

14...Bd6

The break in the centre 14...Bh7! (or 14...c5 15.Qxe3 Nbd5) 15.Nd1 c5 would have exploited the minuses of White’s
set-up in the best possible way. It is important to strike in the centre at the moment the opponent is disorganised while
trying to regain his pawn. For example, 16.c3 cxd4 17.Nxd4 e5 18.Qxe3 Ra5ƒ with an excellent game for Black.

15.Kh1 Re8 16.Nd1 Nbd5?!

16...g5!? 17.Bg3 Nbd5, keeping the c2 pawn under pressure, looks more to the point, but it seems that Black wanted to
play with a minimum of risk.

17.Bxd5! exd5 18.Nxe3 Be6 19.c3

19.Bg3!? would have been a better choice, trying to eliminate the dangerous d6-bishop. After 19...Bxg3 20.hxg3, White
almost equalizes. It is important for the first player to deprive his opponent from the bishop pair.

19...c6 20.Qc2 Bc8 21.Nf1 b6 22.Ng1?!

This is too passive. 22.Rad1! was best, intending the fine manoeuvre Ne2-c1-d3-e5. For example, 22...Re6 (22...Ba6
23.Nc1 Bxf1 24.Rxe8+ Qxe8 25.Rxf1 Nh5 26.Re1 Qd7 27.Nd3 Qf5 28.Qe2=) 23.Nc1 c5 24.Rxe6 Bxe6 (24...fxe6
25.Bg3 Bf8 26.Nd3÷) 25.Nd3=. White has arranged his forces harmoniously.

22...Re6 23.Rxe6 Bxe6 24.Re1 Be7 25.Ne2! (Albeit belatedly, White switches to the right plan.) 25...Qd7 26.Nc1 c5

The position needs to be opened up for the bishops and Black strikes in the centre at the first opportunity.

27.Nd3 Qb5 28.Ne3 cxd4 29.cxd4
A semi-open, symmetric position has arisen. White’s knights are not that bad anymore, but he still needs to be careful as
long term factors are against him. The pawns d4 and b2 are weak and Black controls more space.

29...Rc8 30.Qb1 g5! 31.Bg3 Nh5 32.Bf2

This is passive. 32.Be5!? f6 33.g4! Ng7 34.Bg3= should have been preferred.

32...Bd6 33.g3 Ng7 34.g4 f5?!
34...h5!? 35.Bg3 Bxg3 36.hxg3 hxg4 37.fxg4 Ne8! looks a bit better for Black.

35.gxf5 Bxf5 36.Nxf5 Nxf5 37.Ne5 Rf8 38.Ng4 Kg7 39.Qc2?
(39.Ne5=) 39...Bf4! 40.Kg2 Qc4! 41.Re2 b5!
Black has significantly improved the position of his pieces, relegating White into passivity. The prospect of a bad
ending has already arisen for the first player.

42.Ne5 Qxc2?!
42...Bxe5!? 43.Qxc4 bxc4 44.Rxe5 Kf6 45.Rxd5 Rb8³; 43.dxe5³.
43.Rxc2 Re8 44.Rc5 Bxe5 45.dxe5 Rxe5 46.Rxb5 Kf6 47.f4 gxf4 48.Kf3 Kg5 49.Rb4 Re4 50.Rxe4 dxe4+ 51.Kxe4
Nd6+ 52.Kd5 Ne8 53.Kc5 Kg4
54.h4?

The decisive mistake. Losing time in a race is fatal. 54.Kb5!, immediately going for the pawn, would have saved the
game. For example, 54...Nd6+ (54...Kh3 55.Kxa4 Kxh2 56.b4 Kg2 57.Be1 f3 58.b5 comes to the same thing; 54...Kf3
55.Bc5 Kg2 56.Kxa4 Kxh2 57.b4 Kg3 58.b5 Nf6 59.b6 Nd7 60.Kb5 Nxb6 61.Bxb6 h5 62.a4 h4 63.a5 h3 64.Bg1
Kg2 65.a6 Kxg1 66.a7 h2 67.a8=Q h1=Q 68.Qa1+ Kh2 69.Qh8+ Kg2 70.Qg7+= is a draw, too.) 55.Kxa4 Kh3 56.b4
Kxh2 57.b5 Kg2 58.Be1 f3 59.b6 h5 60.Kb4! f2 61.Bxf2 Kxf2 62.Kc5 Nb7+ 63.Kc6 and the white king keeps
harassing the knight.

54...Nf6 55.Kb5 Ne4 56.Bd4 Kxh4–+ 57.Kxa4 Kg3 58.Kb4 h5 59.a4 h4 0-1

2. Punt – Landa
Vlissingen 01.08.2015

1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.e5 Nc6 4.f4 Bf5 5.Nf3 e6 6.Be2 Nh6 7.0-0 Be7 8.d3 Bg6 9.Na3 0-0 10.Nc2
It is decision time for Black. The engines suggest noncommittal moves like 10...Rc8 or 10...Qb6, but humans need a
plan. That could be a pawn advance on the queenside with ...b5, but it is safer to undermine White’s centre. Landa’s
next move is the most consistent continuation.

10...f6 11.d4

White’s pieces are too passive for such an active set-up. Instead of offering Black a target, he should have taken on f6.

11...Qb6 12.Bd3 Be4

Black has played an excellent opening but now he chooses a wrong move order. He should have firstly defined the pawn
structure with 12...cxd4!. The point is that after 13.cxd4 Be4µ Black would avoid the line from my next note.
The alternative 13.Ncxd4 could be answered strongly by 13...Bxd3! 14.Qxd3 fxe5 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.fxe5 Rxf1+
17.Kxf1 Nf5! 18.b3 (18.Nxf5 Rf8 19.Be3 Rxf5+ 20.Kg1 Bc5 21.Bxc5 Qxc5+ 22.Qd4 b6µ) 18...Bc5 19.Be3 Nxe3+
20.Qxe3 a5!ƒ.

13.Kh1?!

13.exf6!? Rxf6 (13...Bxf6? 14.dxc5 Qxc5+ 15.Be3²) 14.Kh1 cxd4 15.Nfxd4³ would have minimized Black’s edge.

13...cxd4
14.Ncxd4?!

After 14.Bxe4! dxe4 15.Nfxd4 Nxd4 16.Qxd4 Qc6 17.exf6 Rxf6 White is passive, but without serious weaknesses –
18.Be3 (18.Re1? Ng4) 18...Nf5 19.Qd2
Black does not have real chances neither along the d-file, nor down the f-file: 19...Rd8 20.Nd4 Qd5! 21.Rad1! (21.Nxf5
exf5 22.Qxd5+ Rxd5 23.Bxa7 Rd2ƒ) 21...Qxa2 (White holds easily after 21...Bc5 22.Nxf5 Qxd2 23.Ne7+ Bxe7
24.Rxd2 Rxd2 25.Bxd2 e5=.) 22.Qe2 Nxe3 23.Qxe3 Bc5 24.Qxe4 Bxd4 25.Rxd4 Rxd4 26.Qxd4 Qxb2 27.Qxa7=.
19...Raf8!? 20.Nd4 Qc4 21.b3 Qa6 22.Bf2 e5! 23.fxe5 e3! 24.Bxe3 Ng3+ 25.hxg3 Rxf1+ 26.Rxf1 Qxf1+ 27.Kh2 Qf7
28.Nf3 Rd8 29.Qe2 Qh5+ 30.Kg1 a6 31.Bd4 and with a stable bishop on d4 and two pawns for the exchange White is
not worse at all.

14...Nxd4 15.Bxe4 dxe4 16.Nxd4 fxe5 17.fxe5 Rxf1+ 18.Qxf1 Rf8 19.Qe2 Ng4! (Black has very dangerous attacking
chances now as White cannot cover the invasion point f2.) 20.g3 h5?!

Improving the knight’s position by 20...Nf2+! 21.Kg2 Bc5 22.Be3 Nd3 was simple and strong. 23.b3
23...Qa6!
Gaining a tempo over 23...Bxd4 24.cxd4 (24.Bxd4 Qc6 25.Kg1 e3!? 26.Qxe3 Rf2 27.Qxf2 Nxf2 28.Kxf2 Qe4
29.Re1 Qd3µ is quite difficult for the first player.) 24...Qc6 25.Rf1³.
24.Qg4 Bxd4 25.cxd4™ (25.Bxd4 e3! 26.Bxe3 Nxe5–+) 25...Qc6 26.Qe2 a5! (using the extra tempo to create a second
weakness in the white camp, the other one being his unsafe king) 27.Rf1 Rxf1 28.Kxf1 a4 29.Kg2 axb3 30.axb3 h6
31.h4 Nb4 32.Qc4 Nd5. Black has a strategically winning position.

21.Bf4 e3 22.h3 Nf2+?!

Now Black is even slightly worse. 22...Nxe5! 23.Qxe3 (23.Bxe5? Rf2 24.Qb5 Qxb5 25.Nxb5 e2 26.Kg1 Rf5³ is better
for Black) 23...Qxb2 24.Re1 Ng6 25.Qxe6+ Kh7 26.Qd5 Nxf4 27.gxf4 Qxc3 28.Qxh5+ Kg8 29.Qd5+ with perpetual
check was the logical conclusion.

23.Kg2 Nd3 24.Bxe3 Nxe5 25.Bf4 (25.Rf1!?²) 25...Bf6 26.Re1 Nf7 27.Be3

27.Qc4!? e5! 28.Bxe5 Re8 29.Nf3 Qxb2+ 30.Re2 Qb1 31.Bxf6 Rxe2+ 32.Qxe2 gxf6 33.a4= was the safe path to
equality.
27...h4!? (Black is trying to mix it up as a draw does not suit him.) 28.Rf1?! Qd6?!
28...hxg3!³ was a bit better for Black; 29.Rxf6? wouldn’t work then, in view of 29...gxf6 30.Qg4+ Ng5 31.h4 Qxb2+
32.Ne2 Qxa2 33.hxg5 Qd5+ 34.Kxg3 fxg5 35.Bxg5 Qf5!µ and Black should win the ending.

29.Qg4 Qd5+ 30.Kg1 Bxd4 31.Bxd4 e5 32.Bxa7 hxg3 33.Qxg3 Ra8 34.Be3 Rxa2
35.b4?

35.Qf2 Nd6 36.Kh2= would have kept the balance. White’s mistake weakens the second rank and offers Black winning
chances.

35...Rc2! 36.Bc5 Qc4 37.Qf3 Rxc3 38.Qxb7 Rg3+?

38...Ng5! 39.Qc8+ Kh7 40.Qf5+ Kh6 41.Qxe5 Rxh3 42.Qf4 Qe2 43.Rf2 Qe1+ 44.Rf1 Qe8 45.Kf2 Kh5 46.Rg1 Rf3+
47.Qxf3+ Nxf3 48.Kxf3 g5µ would have offered excellent winning chances.

39.Kh2 Rxh3+ 40.Kxh3 Qxf1+ 41.Kg3 Qf4+ 42.Kg2 Ng5 43.Qd5+ Kh7 44.Qd3+ g6 45.Qe3? (45.b5!=) 45...Qg4+
46.Kf1 Qd1+ 47.Kg2 Qd5+ 48.Kf1 Ne4 49.Ke1?! Kg7 50.Kf1 g5 51.Kg1 Qd1+ 52.Kh2?

52.Kg2 Qd5 53.Qf3 Qa2+ 54.Kh3 Nf6 55.Qf5 g4+ 56.Kg3 Qb3+ 57.Kf2 Qb2+ 58.Kf1 Kf7 59.Qd3 was the only way
to seek salvation.

52...Qc2+! 53.Kg1 g4–+ 54.Bd6 Qd1+ 55.Kg2 Qf3+! 0-1

A great fight, where the stronger player kept pressing till the end and he was eventually rewarded.

3. Agdestein – Wang
Amsterdam 27.08.2008

1.c4 c6 2.e4 d5 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.e5 Nc6 5.d4 Bf5 6.Bd3 Bxd3 7.Qxd3 e6 8.Nf3 Nge7 9.0-0 Nf5 10.Nc3 Be7
11.a3

White can get this position with a clear extra tempo via the modern variation 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Bd3
Bxd3 6.Qxd3 c5 7.c3 Nc6 8.a3 cxd4 9.cxd4, but even then he should not be able to claim any edge. White’s stable
centre would have been a good precondition for an attack, weren’t his pieces bound to the defence of the d4-pawn. It is
obvious that the f5-knight must be somehow repelled from its excellent stand. That could be achieved by g4 or Nc3-e2-
g3. White should not linger with his plan since Black could hinder it with ...h5. So the most consistent try is:
11.g4 Nh4 12.Nxh4 Bxh4 13.f4 0-0. Now 14.f5? would stumble into 14...f6 so White should patiently start preparing
his pawn advance with 14.Be3. Black, for his part, will retreat his bishop to a safe place on e7 and he will be looking
for the best timing for ...f6. This break should assure him of sufficient counterplay.

The other thematic idea is 11.Ne2! intending to meet 11...h5 by 12.Ng3. Perhaps Black should castle instead: 11...Qb6
12.Bd2 0-0 13.Bc3 a6 14.g4 Nh4 15.Nxh4 Bxh4 16.f4 Be7.

Agdestein’s move 11.a3 is not a mistake, but it allows 11...h5. The game Bogoljubow-Pfeiffer, Dortmund 1951, saw
further 12.b4 Rc8 (12...g5 13.Ne2) 13.Bb2?! (13.Ne2) 13...g5 14.Nd1 g4 15.Nd2 Bg5 16.Ne3 Nce7 with Black’s
initiative. Instead, Wang opts for an ultra-safe treatment. He simply tries to exchange everything.

11...0-0 12.Bd2 Nh4 13.Nxh4 Bxh4 14.Na4 Be7
15.Rac1

White keeps playing on “autopilot”. It made more sense to gain space with 15.b4 followed up by Rfc1, or first to
provoke a weakness on e6 with 15.f4 f6 16.b4.

15...Qd7 16.Nc5 (16.b4? Nxd4) 16...Bxc5 17.Rxc5 Rfc8 18.Rfc1 Ne7 19.b3 Rxc5 20.Rxc5 Rc8 21.Rxc8+ Qxc8=

Apparently both sides have achieved their mutual goal to suck the life out of the position and the rest of the game is of
no interest to us.

22.g4 Nc6 23.Kg2 a6 24.a4 Qf8 25.Bc3 Qe7 26.Kg3 Qc7 27.Kg2 Qb6 28.Qd1 Qd8 29.Qd2 h5 30.h3 hxg4 31.hxg4
Qh4 32.f3 Qh7 33.Qd1 Qh6 34.Bd2 Qg6 35.Be1 Qg5 36.Bd2 Qd8 37.Bc3 Ne7 38.Be1 Qc7
39.Qd2 Nc6 40.Qd1 Qe7 41.Bc3 Qd8 42.Qd3 Qc7 43.Qd2 Qe7 44.Qd1 Qh4 45.Be1 Qh6 46.Bd2 Qh7 47.Be1 Qg6
48.Bc3 f6 49.exf6 gxf6 50.Be1 f5 51.Bf2 Kf7 52.Kg3 Ne7 53.Qd2 fxg4 54.fxg4 Nf5+ 55.Kh3 Nd6 56.Qf4+ Ke7
57.Bh4+ Kd7 58.Bg3 Qh7+ 59.Kg2 Qc2+ 60.Kh3 Qh7+ 61.Kg2 Qc2+ 62.Kh3 Draw.

Step by Step
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5
This is the proper Scandinavian, where Black regains his pawn at once and hopes that he would be able to gradually
neutralise White’s slight lead in development. The main option now is of course 3.Nc3, but alternative strategies, which
involve leaving the c-pawn mobile, also have adherents. This is a flexible approach which leaves all White’s option
open. He can either repel the queen by c2-c4 later on, or play Nb1-c3 when it would be more annoying for Black.

Let’s check first the set-up with c4.

The immediate 3.c4?! is a weak choice due to the awkward check 3...Qe4+!. It forces 4.Qe2 and Black is even better
after it due to the hole at d4. It could be fixed with 4...Qxe2 5.Bxe2 Nc6 6.Nf3 e5!³.

Remember the check on the e-file! It is also effective after 3.Nf3 Bg4! 4.Nc3 Qe6+!.

The possibility of those checks leads us to the more clever move order:

3.d4 Nc6 4.Nf3 (4.Be3 e5! 5.c4 Qa5+!) 4...Bg4 5.Be2 (5...Qa5+! 6.Bd2 Qf5) 5...0-0-0 6.c4

This move is characteristic for the type of fight that takes place in the Scandinavian, where one side often attacks the
other in order to prevent being attacked by it! White forces his opponent to make an immediate decision about the
future of his queen. The downside of c2-c4 is that the d4-pawn becomes vulnerable after:

6...Qf5!

Enabling the tactical motif ...Nc6xd4!. I advise you to memorise the following line as it is probably the only way for
Black to equalize.
a) 7.Be3!? Bxf3! 8.Bxf3 Nxd4! 9.Bxd4 Qe6+ 10.Be2 Qe4! 11.0-0! Qxd4! 12.Qa4 e6 13.Nc3
Black should be able to tame White’s attacking impulse and maintain equality with both 13...Bd6!? (see Game 12
D’Amore-Prié, Arvier 2007) and 13...Qb6 (see Game 11 Brandenburg-Tiviakov, Hilversum 2008). The latter option
leads by force to a sharp endgame where you should not be afraid to play with a rook, bishop and a passed pawn against
a lonely queen. The strongest piece is not too dangerous when it is not properly supported by the rest of the enemy’s
army.

b) 7.0-0 Nxd4! 8.Nxd4 Bxe2 9.Qxe2 Rxd4 10.Be3 Rd8
The key of our defence is that we can always give the a7-pawn without a risk for our king. After:
11.Nc3 (or 11.Bxa7 Nf6 12.Nc3 e6) 11...Nf6 12.Bxa7 e6 13.Rad1 Bb4, Black has caught up with White in
development and the open d-file offers enough counterplay.

White refrains from early d4.

This is quite the opposite approach in comparison with the previous aggressive set-up.
3.Nf3 Bg4! 4.Be2 Nc6
White has avoided all the checks, but he may be unable to push d4 anymore.
Remember! If White does not play d4 in the first 4 moves, we keep our queen on the d-file in order to pressurize the
centre:
5.Nc3 Qd7! 6.h3 Bxf3! 7.Bxf3 0-0-0 8.0-0 Nd4 9.d3 e6 10.Be3 Ne7 11.Bxd4! Qxd4 12.Ne4
This is a line that players of all strengths could easily choose as White as it is simple and does offer them a chance to
attack without compromising their position too much. It is known from the ABC book that opposite-coloured bishops
favour the attacker, so an important question is, who is attacking here? In this situation, I do not have an easy answer
for you. The pawn shield in front of Black’s king is intact, while h3 could be used as a lever. Moreover, the d4-queen is
more active. On the other hand, White’s bishop is hitting b7 while our one is still on f8.
Apparently, the balance could be tipped by Black’s knight. It should come at a close range to the enemy king and
12...Ng6! would be a right step toward this goal. White could keep the bishop on the main diagonal by g3, but then
...f5, followed by ...h5-h4, generates enough threats. See my annotations to Game 6 Vachier Lagrave-Tiviakov,
Hoogeveen 2010.

We’ll now look at 3.d4.

I believe that this is a speculative line which counts mostly on the surprise effect. That does not mean, however, that it is
deprived of venom. The ensuing positions differ considerably from the main line 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 where
Black is ditching himself in the centre while after:

3.d4 Nc6! 4.Nf3 Bg4,
Black is entangled in concrete close combat. White’s best bet here is:

5.Nc3

5.Be2 0-0-0 6.Nc3 offers Black the opportunity of retreating 6...Qf5!, besides transposing to the main line with 6...Qh5.
The point is 7.Be3 Nf6 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Bxf3
9...Nxd4! (a thematic blow which is often met in this chapter) 10.Bxd4 e5=.

Mundane development like 5.Be3 and 5.c3 let through 5...e5!.

5...Qh5! 6.Be2
(6.Bb5!? Bxf3 7.gxf3 e6 8.Bf4 Bb4!? 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.Bxc7 Ne7°)
6...Nf6

6...0-0-0 is more consistent (threatening ...e7-e5), but you should know that this move order allows 7.d5!? when the
safest answer is my novelty: 7...e6!! 8.Ng5 Bxe2 9.Qxe2 Qxe2+ 10.Kxe2 Ne5! 11.dxe6 f6!. Instead, the frequently
met 7...Bxf3 8.Bxf3 Qe5+ 9.Be3 e6 10.0-0 Nf6 stumbles into 11.dxc6!! Rxd1 12.cxb7+ Kb8 13.Raxd1
Komodo will try to convince you even at depth 40 that the position is dead equal, but you better not believe it!

7.0-0 0-0-0 8.h3
8...Nxd4!

This hit again! Another tactical trick, 8...e5?!, could face the even more cunning 9.Bd2!².

9.Nxd4 Bxe2 10.Ncxe2 e5=.

Perhaps the most important thing you should remember from this chapter, is where to retreat the queen. I have made the
following table for you:

3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Be2 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qd7!
3.d4 Nc6 4.Nf3 Bg4 5.c4 Qa5+! 6.Bd2 Qf5
5.Nc3 Qh5
5.Be2 0-0-0 6.c4 Qf5
6.Nc3 Qf5
6.Be3 e5 7.c4 Qa5+ 8.Bd2 Bb4
Step by Step
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5
A. 3.c4; B. 3.Nf3; C. 3.d4

A. 3.c4?!

allows us to carry out favourable exchanges and obtain control of the centre:

3...Qe4+! 4.Qe2

It seems that it is practically forced for White to accept the queen trade.

a) Instead, 4.Be2? Qxg2 5.Bf3 Qg6 6.d4 e5!µ is clearly better for Black.

b) 4.Ne2?! Qxc4! is a line I would like to call the Hesse variation as the only two games in my database were played in
that German state. It is hard to believe that White has full compensation for the pawn. For example:
5.Nbc3 c6 6.d4 Nf6 7.Bd2
7.Nf4 Qb4 8.a3 Qd6 9.Bc4 g6, and 7.a3 Qe6 8.g3 g6 9.Bg2 Bg7 10.0-0 0-0 also look inadequate.
7...Nbd7 8.Qc2, Weyrauch-Romanow, Bad Sooden 2011, and at this point, after 8...Nb6µ, White has close to nothing.

4...Qxe2+ 5.Bxe2 (5.Nxe2 Nc6! 6.d4 Nb4!ƒ) 5...Nc6 6.Nf3 e5!³
The weakness of the d4-square grants Black the advantage. The correspondence Game 4 continued 7.Nc3 Bf5 8.0-0 0-
0-0 and White was fighting a lost cause in Valdas-Swahnberg, corr. 2006. Perhaps White could improve somewhere
along this sequence, but my impression is that this line will be never repeated in correspondence chess as humans
armed with strong computers will always punish such dubious experiments.

B. 3.Nf3 Bg4!
will most likely transpose to 3.d4, but here we are going to examine some attempts by White to deviate from that line:

4.Be2

Trying to keep Black guessing whether White will push his pawn to d3 or d4.

After 4.Nc3, Black already has 4...Qe6+! 5.Qe2 Qxe2+ 6.Bxe2 Nc6 with a roughly balanced position. For example,
7.h3!? (7.a3= is too slow to cause us any discomfort.) 7...Bf5! 8.d3
8.Bb5 Bd7! 9.d4 e6 10.Bf4 0-0-0 11.0-0-0 a6! 12.Bc4 (12.Ba4 Nge7=) 12...Nf6 13.a3 Ne7 14.Rhe1 Be8 15.Ne5
Nfd5 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.Bg3 h5= is hardly a problem for Black either.
8...Nf6 9.Bf4 0-0-0 10.0-0-0 e6 11.Nh4 Bg6 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.Rhe1 Be7 and a rather quiet position with approximately
even chances has arisen in Slingerland-Langheinrich, Wolvega 2014.

4...Nc6

In this variation we opt for ...0-0-0 and quick pressure on the centre. In many cases White’s d4-pawn will become the
object of attack for our forces. Provided that the pawn reaches d4 at all, of course.

5.Nc3

This is a logical way to deviate from line C. Alternatively:

a) 5.d4 is a direct transposition to 3.d4.

b) 5.0-0 0-0-0
leads to a position where we would like to secure control of the centre by playing ...e7-e5, if White allows us an
opportunity.
6.h3!?
If 6.d3 e5 7.Nc3 Qd7 8.Re1 (8.h3 should be answered with 8...Bf5!= and not 8...Bh5? 9.Nxe5±), a typical reply is
8...f6!=
Now Black’s centre is safe and he may contemplate a massive kingside pawn storm with such moves like ...h7-h5,
...g7-g5, etc. At some moment the Bg4 will have to retreat to e6 in order to allow the further pawn advance.
6...Bh5 7.Nc3 Qd7 8.d3
Or 8.b4?! Nf6 9.b5 Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Nd4.
8...Nf6
The two armies are not in contact yet, but the opposite castles promise some action very soon. White could
consider something like a2-a3 followed by b2-b4, although the lack of weaknesses in the pawn shield of our king
means that such an advance should not be too dangerous. Play is likely to continue:
9.Bf4
9.a3 e6 10.b4 Bd6 11.Re1 occurred in Giffen-Amann, corr. 2009, and here I prefer to play in the centre – 11...Kb8
12.Be3 Ne7 with rather simple equality. Conversely, the flank stab with ...g5 is rather unclear – 11...h6 (or
11...Bxf3 12.Bxf3 Be5 13.Bd2 Bd4 14.a4 Ne5 15.Rb1 Rhg8!? 16.Nb5 g5 17.Nxd4 Qxd4 18.Be3 Qc3²) 12.Bb2
Rhg8 13.Nb5 Be7 14.c4 a6 15.Nbd4 Nxd4 16.Nxd4 Bxe2 17.Qxe2 g5 18.Nf5 g4∞.
9...e6
Now Black is ready to oppose the enemy bishop with ...Bf8-d6. Simplification with 10.Ne5 Bxe2 11.Qxe2 Nxe5
12.Qxe5 Bd6 leads to equality.

c) 5.h3!? is yet another attempt to diverge from standard play in the centre. We can exploit the fact that White has not
castled yet by playing 5...Bxf3 6.Bxf3 Qe5+ 7.Qe2 (7.Be2 Nd4=) 7...Qxe2+ 8.Bxe2 0-0-0=
Our main plan in this position

involves ...e7-e5, ...f7-f5, ...Ng8-f6, aiming to establish full control of the centre. Black’s activity and good development
seem to balance White’s bishop pair advantage. Another idea worth keeping in mind is a possible exchange of dark-
squared bishops via h6, for which Black will have to play ...g7-g6 first. I analyse in detail the diagram position in the
annotations to Game 5 Panchanathan-S.Kasparov, Ranshofen 2012.

5...Qd7! 6.d4

White decides to play d2-d4 while it is still available.
6.h3 Bxf3! 7.Bxf3 0-0-0 8.0-0 (In the event of 8.g3, a typically good answer is 8...h5=) 8...Nd4 is roughly equal as the
following variations reveal:
9.d3
This is slightly more poisonous than 9.Bd5 e6 10.Bb3 Nf6 11.Ne2!? (11.d3 Kb8= is excellent for Black as
White’s light-squared bishop does nothing on b3 and it also impedes the pawn storm.) I believe Black’s best
option is 11...Nf5!? 12.c3 g5! 13.d4 Rg8 with very good counterplay.
9...e6 10.Be3 Ne7∞. I analyse this rich position in the annotations to Game 6 Vachier Lagrave-Tiviakov, Hoogeveen
2010.

6.0-0 0-0-0 7.b4!? is an enterprising attempt to unbalance the game. (7.d3 e5 transposes to 5.0-0). Bauer considers only
7...Nf6∞, but 7...e5! 8.b5 Bxf3 9.Bxf3 Nd4³ is a better retort.

6...e6!
The d4-pawn is still untouchable so we fix it as a future target. 6...0-0-0 7.d5 is a bit awkward.

7.Be3

7.h3? Bxf3 8.Bxf3 0-0-0 is bad for White.

7...0-0-0

Black can postpone this move with 7...Nf6.
Then 8.Ne5 Nxe5 9.dxe5 Bxe2 10.Qxe2 Nd5= was the continuation of Fritz-Blackburne, Breslau 1889. More
testing is:
8.0-0 Bb4 9.h3 Bh5 10.Na4 0-0 11.c3, consolidating the centre.
The text hits immediately d4.

8.Bb5 a6! 9.Ba4 Nge7 10.0-0
This position has never occurred in practice, but I have included it for illustrative purposes. Here Black has at his
disposal an original idea based on the weakness of d4:
10...b5!?
Such ideas make me optimistic that chess is still far from exhausted!
11.Bb3
11.Nxb5!? axb5 12.Bxb5 does give White full compensation for the piece, but it is sufficient only for a draw, e.g.
12...Qd5 (12...Qd6 13.c3 f6 14.Re1 is risky for Black.
He does have a lot of defensive resources, but the cost of his mistakes is higher. A possible line is 14...g5 15.h3
Bh5 16.Ba6+ Kd7 17.Ne5+ Nxe5 18.Qxh5 N5g6 19.Bf1 Nd5 20.Bd2 Ke7 21.g3 Kf7 22.a3 c5 23.c4 Nde7
24.d5∞) 13.c4 Qf5 14.Ba6+ Kd7 15.Bb5 with a draw – 15...Bxf3 16.gxf3 Ke8 17.Qa4 Qxf3=.
11...e5 12.d5 (12.dxe5? Qf5µ) 12...Qf5=.
The pressure on f3 and d5 is annoying enough to assure Black of at least equal chances. Probably White should try to
bail out with 13.Nh4 Bxd1 14.Nxf5 Nxf5 15.Raxd1 Na5 16.Ne4 f6= (16...Nd6=).

C. 3.d4 Nc6

This leads to extremely interesting play. D.Romero-Tiviakov, Antofagasta 2016 saw 3...e5 and Sergei even won the
game, but it is too boring and not really necessary.

4.Nf3

White combines defence of his pawn with natural development.
After the less principled 4.Be3 e5!,
Black should also be fine as the following lines shows: 5.Nf3
5.c4!? (5.Nc3?! Bb4) 5...Qa5+! 6.Bd2 Bb4 7.d5 Nd4 [7...Bxd2+ 8.Qxd2! (8.Nxd2 Nd4 9.Bd3 Nf6 10.Ne2 Bg4=
gave Black fair chances in C Hancen-Fries Nielsen, Aarhus 1981) 8...Qxd2+ 9.Kxd2 Nd4 10.Nc3 Ne7 11.Re1 f6
12.f4 offered White some initiative in Varga-Savic, Neum 2002.] 8.Nc3 Bf5 9.Rc1 Nf6 10.a3 Be7 is balanced.
5...Bg4 6.Be2 exd4 (7...0-0-0!? is sharper) 7.Nc3
7...Qh5 8.Nxd4 Bxe2 9.Qxe2 Qxe2=. Black should easily hold the balance in this symmetrical position.

4.c3?! is obviously weak in view of 4...e5 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Be2 e4!ƒ and only Black can be better.

4.Nc3?! Qxd4 5.Qe2 might give White some initiative for the pawn if Black defends with 5...e6 or 5...Bf5, but Bauer’s
suggestion 5...Qb6!? is rather sobering as White’s best seems to be the pawnless endgame after 6.Nd5 Qa5+ 7.Qd2
Qxd2+ 8.Bxd2 Kd8.

4...Bg4
This is a critical position for our repertoire. It requires some memorization, but properly armed with concrete theoretical
knowledge, Black should be fine.

C1. 5.Be2; C2. 5.Nc3.

5.c4?! is a clearly inferior option. White fares rather poorly after 5...Qa5+ 6.Bd2 (6.Nc3 0-0-0 7.d5 e6 8.Bd2 exd5
9.Nxd5 Bb4 leaves White way behind in development) 6...Qf5 7.Be2 Bxf3 8.Bxf3 Nxd4 9.Bxb7 Nc2+ 10.Ke2! Nd4+
11.Ke1, when besides repeating moves, Black can keep playing with 11...Rd8! 12.Qa4+ Qd7.

C1. 5.Be2 0-0-0

White is at a juncture again:
C11. 6.c3!?; C12. 6.Be3; C13. 6.c4; C14. 6.Nc3

C11. 6.c3!? e5=

This line does not present any problem.

7.Be3

The only decent alternative is 7.c4, when Black has at least 7...Qa5+ 8.Bd2 Bb4 9.d5 Bxf3, transposing to line C12.
There is absolutely no difference between the two lines as in the present one the white pawn uses two tempi to reach c4
while in the other one the bishop uses two tempi (Bc1-e3-d2) to reach d2. Other attempts can only be worse for White
as the reader can witness by consulting the following moves:

a) 7.dxe5? is rather bad in view of the simple 7...Qxd1+ 8.Bxd1 Nxe5µ and White will be saddled with doubled f-
pawns, which spells suffering for the rest of the game.
b) 7.0-0?! exd4 8.cxd4 Nxd4 9.Nxd4 Bxe2 10.Qxe2 Qxd4 leaves White a pawn down, for which he does not obtain full
compensation.
For example: 11.Nc3!
The weaker 11.Be3?! Qe5! 12.Nd2 was seen in Van der Wiel-Morozevich, Tilburg 1993, and here Black should
have played 12...Bc5! (12...Nf6?! 13.Nf3 Qh5 14.Bxa7!= allowed White to regain his pawn in the game) 13.Nf3
Qe7 14.Rfe1 Bxe3 15.Qf1 Nf6 16.Rxe3 Qb4µ depriving White from any real compensation for the pawn.
11...Nf6!? (in practice only 11...Bd6 has been seen, but White equalizes after it) 12.Nb5!
Inferior is 12.Rd1 Qg4! 13.Rxd8+ Kxd8 14.Qd3+ Kc8 15.h3 (15.Be3 a6³) 15...Qd7 16.Qc2 Bd6 17.Bg5 Be5µ
and Black is a clear pawn up.
12...Qd3 (12...Qa4!? 13.b3 Qe4³ is also viable.) 13.Nxa7+ Kb8 14.Qxd3 Rxd3 15.Nb5 Nd5 16.Bg5 Bc5 17.Rfd1
Rxd1+ 18.Rxd1 c6 19.Nd4 Re8 20.Kf1 f6 21.Bc1 Re4³ and Black has some pressure in the ending, although
admittedly, White has serious drawing chances.

c) 7.h3 is perhaps not so bad – it improves on 7.0-0. I recommend: 7...Bh5 8.0-0 exd4 9.cxd4 Nxd4 10.Nxd4 Bxe2
11.Qxe2 Qxd4. White has an “extra” luft, compared to line a2, which however, does not change the evaluation
substantially – see Game 7 Pesonen-Voveris, 2007.

7...e4! (Matthias Wahls’ recommendation.) 8.Ng1

8.Nfd2 Bxe2 9.Qxe2 Nf6 (9...f5! looks more consistent.) 10.Nb3 Qf5 11.N1d2 Bd6 12.0-0-0 was unclear in Gérard-
Cosentino, corr, 2014.
8...Bxe2

8...Bf5!? 9.Nd2 Nf6 10.Bc4 Qd7 11.Ne2 h5 12.Qa4÷ was unclear in Esser-Stromer, Aachen 1988.

9.Nxe2 f5 10.Nd2 Nf6

Wahls evaluates this position as slightly better for Black. I think that after 11.0-0 Bd6„ the play is very complicated,
with chances for both sides.

C12. 6.Be3 e5!? 7.c4!?

Black has an easy ride after 7.dxe5 Bxf3 8.Bxf3 Qxe5=. A high level game confirmed this evaluation: 9.Nd2 Bc5
10.Qe2?!
10.Bxc6! Bxe3 11.Bxb7+ Kb8 12.fxe3 Qxe3+ 13.Qe2 Qxe2+ 14.Kxe2 Kxb7= was the only way to equality.
10...Bxe3 11.Qxe3 Qxe3+ 12.fxe3 Nb4! 13.Kd1 Nf6 14.c3 Nd3 15.Kc2 Rhe8³ and White was struggling to draw in
Leniart-Motylev, Warsaw 2012. This type of position, with a very strong base on e5 for our knight, is every chess
player’s dream. White is totally deprived of targets.

I also looked at 7.Nc3 Qa5! 8.Nxe5 Bxe2 9.Qxe2
9.Nxc6?! Bxd1 10.Nxa5 Bxc2 11.Rc1 Bd3 12.Kd2 Ba6³.
9...Nxe5 10.dxe5 Qxe5= which has no other disadvantage except being very drawish.
For example: 11.0-0 (11.Rd1 Rxd1+ 12.Kxd1 Nf6= led to a quick draw a couple of moves later in Reinderman-
Tiviakov, Hilversum 2008.) 11...Nf6 12.Rad1 Bc5 13.Bxc5 Qxc5 14.Qf3 Rhe8 15.h3 a6 16.a3 Qe5 17.g3 h5 18.Kg2=,
Ferguson-Smerdon, Hinckley 2014.

7...Qa5+ 8.Bd2 Bb4! 9.d5 Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Bxd2+! 11.Nxd2 Nd4 12.0-0 Qb4!
This enables a safe evacuation of the black queen from the queenside where it could easily become a prey.

13.Re1!?

Andrew Greet considers this move to be best for White in his Chessbase notes to the game Areschenko-Almond, Port
Erin 2007.
Alternatively:

13.a3 has not been tried, but it is very logical for White to sacrifice the b2 pawn in search of an attack down he b-file.
We better return home with 13...Qe7 although:
13...Qxb2 14.Rb1 (14.Be4? f5) 14...Qc2 15.Qxc2 Nxc2 16.Bg4+ Kb8 17.Bd1 Nd4 18.f4 f6 19.fxe5 fxe5 20.Rf7
Nf6÷ is probably also okay for Black.
14.Nb3!? (14.Re1 f5) 14...Nxb3 15.Qxb3
15...e4 16.Rae1 f5 17.Bd1 Nf6÷. Black has a satisfactory game, but the position requires testing.

13.Nb3 is another logical move, to challenge the strong knight on d4. It comes at a price, though: 13...Qxc4! 14.Nxd4
Qxd4 15.Qc2 (15.Qb3 e4³) 15...Nf6 16.Rfd1 Qf4!? 17.d6 Rd7 18.Qc5! Kb8™ 19.dxc7+ Rxc7 20.Qd6 Rhc8 and
White’s compensation for the pawn was just enough to make a draw: 21.Re1 Ng4
21...g5!? 22.Qxe5 Qxe5 23.Rxe5 Rc1+ 24.Re1 Rxa1 25.Rxa1 Rc2 26.Rb1 Kc7= is the more testing, in my
opinion.
22.Bxg4 Qxg4 23.Qxe5 f6 24.Qd6 Qd7 25.Qg3 a6 26.h3 draw, Rogers-Matamoros Franco, Hamburg 1999. In the final
position White may have a tiny edge, but obviously noting substantial after 26...Ka7.

13.Qc1 is designed to evict the black queen without giving up any pawns. Then 13...f5 14.Re1
14.Qc3!? Qxc3 15.bxc3 Nxf3+ 16.Nxf3 e4 17.Nd4 (17.Ng5 Rd7 18.Ne6 Nf6÷) 17...g6 18.a4 Nf6 19.a5 a6
20.Rfb1 Rd6 21.Ra2 Nd7 22.Ne6 Re8 23.Rab2 Rdxe6 24.dxe6 Nc5 does not look worse for Black.
14...e4 15.Bd1 Nf6 16.a3 Qd6 leads to a sharp unbalanced position. See Game 9 Mamonova-Bedia, Poltavskaya 2010.

13...Nf6!

Almond played 13...f6?! which is passive and clearly outside the spirit of the position. The text completes Black’s
development and his active pieces guarantee him fair chances. See Game 8 Predojevic-Sermek, Portoroz 2005 for more
details.

C13. 6.c4

Black has to make a crucial decision now as his queen is attacked and he has to find a way to make its presence in the
centre meaningful:

6...Qf5!

A very important move, which enables the hit ...Nc6xd4! in many lines. This tactical idea is unavailable with Black’s
queen on h5 as you’ll realise from my further analysis.
7.0-0

We see the point of our 6th move after 7.Be3!? Bxf3! 8.Bxf3
and now 8...Nxd4! 9.Bxd4 (9.Bg4?! Nc2+÷ is a very important detail) 9...Qe6+ 10.Be2 we have nothing to fear as the
move 10...Qe4! regains the piece. But do not underestimate White’s threats! With best play, we have nothing more than
equality:
11.0-0!
After 11.Nc3?! Qxd4, White’s queen cannot flee anymore to a4: 12.Qa4?? Qd2+ and Black wins a piece.
11...Qxd4!
11...Rxd4? fails to:
12.Qa4!! Qxe2 13.Qxa7 with a tremendous White attack, e. g. 13...Qxb2 14.Na3 Rd3 15.Nb5 Nf6 16.Qa8+ Kd7
17.Qxb7.
12.Qa4
The black king is vulnerable in the absence of defenders in front of it so Black should try to develop his kingside
as quickly as possible in order to bring in some forces.
12...e6
We have to cover some light squares and defend the important d5-point in particular. But most importantly, the f8-
bishop now controls b4, which means that an offensive based on a pawn storm is slowed down.
13.Nc3
Quick development seems promising for White, but there are a couple of alternatives which I looked at:

a) The hyper-aggressive move 13.Rd1!? was played first in Lyell-Calvert, Hastings 2008, but White linked it with
a wrong idea. After 13...Qxb2, he folowed up with 14.Nd2? when 14...Qa3! 15.Qc2 Nf6µ would have left him
with meagre compensation for the two missing pawns. Instead, he had the stunning 14.Nc3!! Qxc3 15.Bf3!
when the combined force of his pieces is enough to enforce a draw.

Instead of opening files with 13...Qxb2, Black could keep the tension with 13...Qe5!? – see Game 10 Englmaier-
Remek, freechess.de 2012.

b) 13.Bf3 has not been tried yet. I recommend 13...Nf6 14.Nc3 when 14...Qb6 15.b4 Qxb4 16.Qxa7 Bc5
17.Bxb7+ Kd7 18.Qa4+ Qxa4 gives Black the slightly better endgame. Even more challenging is 14...Be7!?
15.Nb5 Qb6 16.Nxa7+ Kb8 17.Nb5 Rd2ƒ.

We now turn our attention back to 13.Nc3:
The position is extremely sharp and I would not like to burden you with many variations in this section. It is enough to
remember that both 13...Bd6 (see Game 12 D’Amore-Prié, Arvier 2007) and 13...Qb6 (see Game 11 Brandenburg-
Tiviakov, Hilversum 2008) lead to a balanced game.

7...Nxd4!

This tactical shot works again.

8.Nxd4 Bxe2 9.Qxe2

Obviously, with the queen on h5 instead of f5, we would lose a piece here. That explains our choice on move 6.

9...Rxd4 10.Be3
10...Rd8

10...Rd7!? is another possible retreat square for our rook. After 11.Bxa7 e6 12.Nc3 Nf6 13.Rad1 Rxd1 14.Qxd1 Bd6
15.Nb5 Rd8 16.Qa4 b6! 17.Qa6+ Kd7 18.Nxd6 Kxd6 19.b4 Qd3! 20.a4 Ne4 21.a5 Nd2 22.Re1 Qxc4 23.b5! Qa4
24.axb6 Qxa6 25.bxa6 cxb6 26.Bxb6 Ra8 27.Rd1 Kc6 28.Bd4 Nc4 29.Rc1 Kd5 30.Bxg7 Rxa6, a draw was agreed in
Büttiker-Nicotera, corr. 2011. A very interesting game. It was particularly intriguing for me to see that the king on d7
was safe in the centre, despite appearances.

11.Nc3 (11.Bxa7 Nf6 12.Nc3 e6 will most likely transpose) 11...Nf6 (11...a6?! 12.c5) 12.Bxa7

Putting a rook on d1 simplifies to an even game after 12.Rfd1 (12.Rad1 Rxd1 13.Qxd1!? e6 14.Bxa7 transposes to the
correspondence game seen under 10... d7) 12...Rxd1 13.Rxd1 e6! 14.Bxa7 Bb4=.

12...e6 13.Rad1 Bb4

Alternatives are:
13...Be7 14.Bd4 Rd7;
13...Bd6 14.Nb5 Be5.

14.Bd4 Rhe8
15.Be5!?

15.a3?! e5 is good for Black according to Wahls and Ftacnik.
15.Nb5 Qe4! 16.Be3 Bc5 17.Nc3 Qe5 18.Bxc5 Qxc5= is about equal.

15...Bc5 16.h3!

16.Bg3 Nh5 gave Black an initiative in Rueppel-Motzer, corr. 2001.
After the text, 16...Rxd1 17.Rxd1 Bxf2+ 18.Qxf2 Qxe5 19.Qa7 c6 20.Na4 Qe2 21.Rf1 Rd8 22.Qa8+ Kc7 23.Qa5+
Kc8 24.Qa8+ leads to perpetual check.
To conclude, I can say that White has a temporary initiative in this line, but it should fade away if we focus on
development and ignore the a7 pawn.

C14. 6.Nc3 Qf5!

6...Qh5 transposes to a sub-branch of line C2 – see 6...0-0-0.
7.Be3

7.h3 Bxf3 8.Bxf3 Qf6 (be careful not to drop the queen with 8...Nxd4?? 9.Bg4) 9.Bxc6 Qxc6 10.0-0 Nf6 11.Be3 e6÷.
7.d5 Bxf3 (We definitely want to avoid 7...Nf6 8.Bd3 Qh5 9.dxc6) 8.Bxf3 Nf6 9.Be3 e6 10.Qe2 exd5 11.0-0-0 Qe6=.

7...Nf6 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Bxf3 Nxd4 10.Bxd4 e5 11.Ne2 exd4 12.0-0 Bc5

Black is a healthy pawn up.

C2. 5.Nc3

Hitting the queen and forcing the game. This is the most critical line.

5...Qh5!
The best retreat after this particular move order. Now we are ready for long castling, with pressure on the sensitive
points d4 and h2 (in the event White castles short).

6.Be2

The most natural reaction is to neutralise immediately the pin. The alternative is:
6.Bb5!? Bxf3 7.gxf3
Black had no problems after 7.Qxf3 Qxf3 8.gxf3 0-0-0 9.Bxc6 bxc6 10.Be3 e6 11.Ne4 h6 12.Rg1 Rd5!? 13.Ng3
Ne7 14.c4 Rd7 15.0-0-0 a6 16.Kc2 g6 17.Kc3 Nf5 18.Ne4 Be7=, with an absolutely safe position in Klewe-
Hausdorf, corr. 2012.
7...e6 8.Bf4
8.Bxc6+ bxc6 9.Qd3 Bb4 10.Bd2 Ne7 11.0-0-0 Qa5 12.a3 Bxa3! 13.Na2 Bb4! 14.Bxb4 Qxa2³ saw Black a
sound pawn up in Hamann-Suren, Bad Königshofen 2007.
8...Bb4!?
Or 8...Bd6 9.Bxd6 cxd6 10.d5!
10...Qe5+ 11.Qe2 exd5 12.Nxd5 0-0-0 13.0-0-0 Qxe2 14.Bxe2 Nge7=. The endgame is balanced as White’s
doubled f-pawns outweigh our weakness on d6 and the fact that he has a bishop-vs.-knight advantage. Actually, it
is debatable how good can a bishop be with such a ruptured pawn structure, and in a practical game I would take
Black here despite the small plus the engines assign to White.
9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.Bxc7 Ne7° should be excellent for Black, as White’s weaknesses provide him with lots of
compensation for the pawn.

6...Nf6

It makes sense to develop the knight before castling in order to restrict White’s choice. However, 6...0-0-0 is also
possible (threatening ...e7-e5).
Now 7.0-0 Nf6! (7...e5?! 8.h3 Nf6 9.Bd2!) transposes to our main line.

After 7.Be3?! e5 8.d5 (8.0-0 Nf6 9.h3 exd4³ faces White with difficulties.), the right move is 8...Nf6!.
The alternative 8...Bb4?! runs into 9.0-0 Bxc3 10.h3!! (10.bxc3? e4 11.Nd4 Bxe2 12.Qxe2 Qxe2 13.Nxe2 Rxd5µ
is awful for White) 10...e4 11.hxg4 Qxd5 12.Qxd5 Rxd5 13.Ng5 Rxg5 14.Bxg5 Bxb2 15.Rab1².
With 8...Nf6! Black creates various threats such as ...e5-e4 or ...Nc6-b4 and it is clear that the ball passes to
White’s court. Perhaps White should play:
9.h3 in order to in order to resolve quickly the uncertainty along the h5-d1 diagonal as the alternatives look uninspiring:

a) 9.a3 h6! (denying the Nf3 the g5-square) 10.Qd3 e4! 11.Nxe4 Nxd5 12.Ng3 Nxe3 13.Qxe3 Qa5+ 14.c3
happened in Sully-Bennett, corr. 1998, and at this point the simple 14...Bd6³ would have been better for Black.

b) 9.Ng5 Bxe2 10.Qxe2 Qxe2+ 11.Kxe2 Nd4+ 12.Kd3 Rd7 13.f4 (Tanti-Roques, corr. 2008) is slightly better for
Black after 13...Nc6 14.Ke2 exf4 15.dxc6 Re7! 16.cxb7+ Kxb7 17.Nxf7 Rxe3+ 18.Kd2 Rg8 19.Raf1 g5 20.Re1
Bc5 21.Nd1 Rf8 22.Ne5 Re4³.

c) Finally, 9.0-0?! e4! has led to a number of losses for the White players. After the relatively best 10.Nd4 (On
10.Ng5??, the reply 10...Rxd5! practically terminates the fight immediately, one example being 11.Nxd5 Bxe2
12.Qd2 Bd6! 13.Nf4 Bxf4 14.Bxf4 Bxf1 15.Kxf1 h6 16.Nh3, Milnes-Seymour, Telfort 2003, 16...Qb5+–+)
10...Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Bxe2 12.Qxe2 Qxe2 13.Nxe2 Nxd5 14.Ng3 Nb4!, Black was clearly better in Murawski-
Maslowski, Brody Ilzeckie 2003, and he went on to win.

9...Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Qg6 11.0-0 e4³.

Pay special attention to 7.d5!?
This move has not been tested in OTB chess, but it has appeared in correspondence games. The best answer is my
novelty:
7...e6!!
The frequently met 7...Bxf3 8.Bxf3 Qe5+ 9.Be3 e6 10.0-0 Nf6 stumbles into 11.dxc6!! Rxd1 12.cxb7+ Kb8
13.Raxd1
This is is not even a sacrifice since White has obtained sufficient material equivalent of his queen. When I see a
pawn on b7 and no obvious attack for the side with the queen, it is clear that any mistake will be fatal for Black.
In fact, Black’s defence is rather unpleasant and he could not oppose anything to the enemy attack in Wenzel-
Remshagen, BdF-Schachserver 2013 – 13...Bd6 14.g3 Qf5 15.Rd3 a6 16.Bg2 Ng4 17.Ne4 Qh5 18.h3 Nxe3
19.fxe3² Ka7?! (Black should have preserved his bishop to protect d8, e.g. 19...Be7 20.g4 Qb5) 20.Nxd6 cxd6
21.Rxd6 Rb8 22.b4 Qe5 23.Rd7 Qc3 24.Rfxf7 h5 25.Kh2 Qxb4 26.Rf4 Qc5 27.Rxg7 e5 28.Rh4 Qxc2 29.Rxh5
Qc5 30.h4 Qxe3 31.Rhg5 1-0.
8.Ng5
8.0-0 Nf6 9.h3 Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Qf5 11.dxc6 Rxd1 12.cxb7+ Kb8 13.Rxd1 Bc5=. Black is several tempi ahead here
over the above game, and White had to recapture on d1 with the king’s rook, which does not help him at all. A
possible continuation is 14.Rd3 e5 15.Be3 e4 16.Nxe4 Nxe4 17.Bxe4 Qxe4 18.Bxc5 a6=.
8...Bxe2 9.Qxe2 Qxe2+ 10.Kxe2
Or 10.Nxe2 Nb4 11.Nxf7 Nxc2+ 12.Kd2 Nxa1 13.Nxd8 Kxd8 14.dxe6 Nf6³.
10...Ne5! 11.dxe6
11.f4 h6 12.fxe5 hxg5 13.Bxg5 (13.dxe6 Re8 14.exf7 Rxe5+ 15.Be3 Nh6=) 13...Be7 14.Bxe7 Nxe7 15.dxe6 fxe6
16.Rad1 Rdf8=;
11.Bf4 h6 12.Nxe6 fxe6 13.Bxe5 exd5=.
11...f6! 12.Nf7
It turns out that White is unable to hold his extra pawn. For example:
12.Nh3 Nc6 13.Be3 Re8=;
12.Nf3 Nxf3 13.Kxf3 Ne7 14.Be3 Nc6=;
12.f4 fxg5 13.fxe5 Re8 14.Bxg5 (14.Rf1 Nh6 15.Bxg5 Rxe6 16.Kd2 Ng4 17.Rae1 Nxe5 18.Kc1 Bd6=) 14...Rxe6
15.Rae1 Ne7 16.Kd1 Nc6 17.Bf4 Bc5=;
12.e7 Nxe7 13.Ne6 Rd6 14.Nxf8 Rxf8=.
12...Nxf7 13.exf7 Ne7
14.Be3
14.Rd1 Rxd1 15.Kxd1 Nf5=;
14.Bf4 Ng6 15.Be3 (15.Bg3 Rd7=) 15...Ne5 16.Rhd1 Nxf7=
14...Nc6 15.Rad1 Bb4! 16.Rxd8+ Rxd8 17.Rd1 Rf8=

7.0-0

7.h3 0-0-0 8.Be3 e5 9.d5 Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Qg6 11.0-0 e4 is fine for Black.

7.Be3 0-0-0 8.h3 (8.0-0 e5) 8...e5 9.0-0 exd4³ faces White with difficulties.

7...0-0-0 8.h3
8...Nxd4!

Black exploits the fact that White cannot capture the piece without consequences: 9.hxg4 Nxg4 10.Bf4 Nxf3+ wins the
queen.

8...e5?! is a tricky line which is satisfactory for Black in the event of 9.hxg4 Nxg4 and 9.d5 Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Qg6!, but
Bauer and all the engines recommend the sobering:
9.Bd2! Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Qf5 11.Bxc6 exd4 12.Qf3 Qxf3 13.Bxf3 dxc3 14.Bxc3². Although I believe that Black should be
able to hold the draw here, the main line promises a better version of the same symmetrical pawn structure.

9.Nxd4 Bxe2 10.Ncxe2 e5=

Black regains the knight in a symmetrical position. A possible continuation is 11.Be3 Bc5 12.c3 Rhe8 13.Re1 exd4
14.Nxd4 Qg6, Malasquez-Alzola, ICCF 2014.

Annotated Games
4. Valdas – Swahnberg
W-ch WS/M/068 email ICCF 2006

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.c4?! Qe4+! 4.Qe2 Qxe2+ 5.Bxe2 Nc6 6.Nf3 e5
7.Nc3?

This is a bad developing move. It looks nice, but in fact it does nothing to cover the holes in the centre. Imperative was
7.d3 Bf5 8.0-0 0-0-0 (8...Nb4 9.Nc3 f6 10.Rd1 0-0-0 11.Ne1 Ne7 12.Be3 looks defendable) 9.Rd1, trying to set-up a
defence along the d-file. After 9...Nge7 10.Be3 (10.Na3 Ng6 11.Nc2 Nf4 12.Bxf4 exf4³) 10...Bg6 11.Nh4 (11.Nc3
Nf5µ) 11...Nb4 12.a3 Nc2 13.Ra2 Nxe3 14.fxe3 Kb8 15.Nd2 Nf5 16.Nxf5 Bxf5 17.b4³, White’s position remains
precarious, but at least he has chances to hold.

7...Bf5 8.0-0 0-0-0 9.Re1 f6µ

White has landed into a strategically grim position in 9 moves only. Black is rock solid in the centre and the powerful
threat ...Nc6-b4 is already looming, forcing further loss of time.

10.a3 g5!

The pawn storm on the kingside is logical and consistent. It combines further gain of space with occupation of the d4
square.

11.Kh1

A desperate attempt to keep the position closed. 11.h3 h5 12.b4 Nge7 13.Bb2 g4 14.Nh4 gxh3 15.Nxf5 Nxf5 16.Nd5
hxg2 would have merely been a different way to lose.

11...Nge7 12.b4 h5 13.Ng1 g4
14.f3 Nd4 15.Bd1 Nc2–+

Simple and effective. Losing the vital light squared bishop in such a situation is more than White’s position can
withstand.

16.Bxc2 Bxc2 17.Ne4 Bg7 18.c5 gxf3 19.gxf3 Rhg8 20.Ne2 f5 21.N4c3 Rd3 22.Ra2 Bb3 23.Rb2 Bc4 24.Ng1 e4
25.fxe4 fxe4 26.Rxe4 Bd4! 27.Rxd4 Rxd4 28.Nge2 Rd3 0-1

5. Panchanathan – S. Kasparov
Ranshofen 09.08.2012

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Be2 Nc6 5.h3 Bxf3 6.Bxf3 Qe6+ 7.Qe2 Qxe2+ 8.Bxe2 0-0-0
9.c3

This is a natural precaution, guarding both d4 and b4 against invasions of the black knight.
Alternatives are:

a) A rather incomprehensible move is 9.b3?! because White cannot keep his bishop after 9...g6 10.Bb2 Nd4.
Lamoureux-Prie, Nice 1994, saw further 11.Bxd4 Rxd4 12.Na3 Bh6 13.Nc4 Nf6 14.c3 Rdd8 15.Bf3 Nd5 (15...e5³
would have been my preference) 16.Bxd5 Rxd5 17.0-0-0 b5 18.Ne3 Rd3 and Black had a slight initiative which he
couldn’t convert.

b) After 9.d3, Black may follow the recipe I mentioned above: 9...e5!
9...Nb4!? 10.Bd1 Nf6 11.Nd2 e6 12.Nf3 Be7 13.a3 Nc6 14.Bd2 Nd5 15.Be2 Bf6 occurred in Zvjaginsev-
Bocharov, Sochi 2015, when 16.c3!?² looks a tad better for White; his flexible and fluid pawn structure could be
a problem for us in the future.
10.Nd2 f5 11.Nc4 Nf6
12.c3!
12.Bd2?! e4! 13.0-0-0 Bc5³ 14.Ne3?! (14.Be1) 14...g6 15.Rhe1 Rhe8 16.g3 Nd4 rewarded Black’s excellent
opening play with an initiative in Ramirez Garcia-Munoz Pantoja, Barbera del Valles 2014.
12...g6 13.0-0 Bg7=.

c) White can also refrain from defining his pawn formation in the centre by playing 9.0-0 at this point. Then I like
9...g6!? 10.c3 (10.d3 Bh6!= is my main idea) 10...e5 11.Bc4 (After 11.d3, the typical idea 11...Bh6! is good again.)
11...Rd7 12.Re1 Bh6 with an unclear position where Black’s chances seem by no means worse.
Also possible (and probably even better) is simply 11...f6 or 11...f5.

9...e5 10.d3 f5

Also quite spirited is 10...g6=, or 10...Nge7 11.Nd2 Nd5 12.Nb3 g6 13.Bd2 h5=, as played in Marinkovic-Hera, Budva
2009.

11.Nd2

After 11.0-0, Black has once more a pleasant choice between either 11...g6!?=, (intending the strategically desirable
exchange of dark-squared bishops), or 11...Nf6 12.Nd2 g6 13.Nc4 Bg7, with equal chances in both cases. The latter
option is undoubtedly the more double-edged of the two as Black is playing for space and will have to cope with an
expansion involving the moves a2-a4 and b2-b4 later on. For this reason, my personal preference goes to 11...g6!?.

11...g6
This plan is undoubtedly an important idea against the 3.Nf3, 4.Be2 system. Trading dark-squared bishops via h6
deprives White of his main trump, the bishop pair.

12.Nf3

The knight development to f3 is less flexible here. It takes away that square from the Be2 and thus reduces White’s
attacking possibilities against the e5 pawn. 12.Nc4 or even 12.Kd1!? ∆Kd1-c2, were better options. But Black
wouldn’t be worse in these cases, either. An example of how play could unfold in the latter option is 12...Nf6!?
The standard 12...Bh6 13.Kc2 Nge7 14.Re1! Rd7 15.Bf1 Nd5 16.g3² actually looks a bit better for White.
13.Kc2 Nd5 14.Nc4 Bc5! (exploiting the absence of the white monarch from the kingside) 15.Rf1 Rhe8 16.Bg5 Be7
17.Bd2 b5! 18.Ne3 Nf4 19.Bf3 Kb7 20.d4!? e4 21.Bd1 Rf8 22.a4 a6 23.f3! Bd6 24.b4 Ne7 25.Kb3 Rde8 26.Bc2
Ned5=. I guess that Chigorin would have rejoiced at the sight of the last position as the black knights are magnificently
placed and Black has adhered to all the rules of the blockade to suppress the enemy bishop pair.

12...Bh6! 13.Ng5 Rd7 14.Bd2
14...Bxg5! 15.Bxg5 f4!

The bishop is kind of trapped on g5, forcing White to weaken his pawn structure in order to save it.

16.Bh4 h6 17.f3 Nge7 18.g4 fxg3 19.Bxg3 Rf8 20.0-0-0 Nd5³

Black has slightly the better game. The weakness of the f4-square is particularly annoying for White. His static pawn
structure hinders him to activate the bishop pair.

21.h4 Nf4 22.Bxf4 Rxf4 23.Rdg1 Rd6 24.Rg4 Rdf6 25.Bd1 Kd7 26.Re1 Rxg4

26...h5!µ looks quite grim for White, but the game continuation also keeps him under pressure.

27.fxg4 Rf4 28.Kd2 Kd6 29.Ke3 Ne7 30.Bf3 h5! 31.gxh5 Nf5+ 32.Ke2 gxh5 33.Rg1 Rxh4 34.Bxb7 Ne7!?

The immediate 34...Rh2+! , forcing a rook trade right away, was even better.

35.Be4 Rh2+ 36.Rg2 Rxg2+ 37.Bxg2 Nd5 38.Be4 h4

The ending remains very difficult for White. His queenside is vulnerable as he is tied to Black’s h-pawn.

39.Kf3

Also possible was 39.a3 the idea being 39...Nb6 40.b4 Nd5 41.c4! (this move is not possible with the pawn on a2)
41...Nc3+ 42.Kf3= and White saves himself as he has built a wall on the queenside which the black king cannot
penetrate.

39...Nb6!
40.c4??

A bad mistake that may well have been the result of time pressure. It allows Black’s pieces to penetrate after which the
draw cannot be held anymore. 40.b3 would have saved White, as the pawn ending arising after 40...Nd5 (40...a5
41.Kg4 a4 42.Kxh4 a3 43.Kg4 Nd7 44.Kf3 Nc5 45.Ke2 Nxb3 46.Kd1 is also a draw) 41.Bxd5 Kxd5 42.Kg4 e4 can
be held due to the intermediate check 43.c4+! Kd4 44.dxe4 Kxe4 45.Kxh4 Kd4 46.Kg5 Kc3 47.Kf6 Kb2 48.c5 Kxa2
49.Ke6 Kxb3 50.Kd7 a5 51.c6 a4 52.Kxc7 a3 53.Kb7 a2 54.c7=

40...Kc5–+ 41.Bf5 Na4 42.b3 Nc3 43.a3 Kd4 44.b4 Na2 45.Ke2 h3! 46.Bxh3 Nc1+ 47.Kd2 Nxd3 48.c5 e4 49.Bf1
Ne5 50.a4 Nc4+ 51.Ke2 Ne3 52.Bh3 Nd5 0-1

An interesting game which shows how vital the Scandinavian can be even in one of its apparently calm forms.

6. Vachier Lagrave – Tiviakov
Hoogeveen 29.10.2010

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Be2 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qd7 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Bxf3 0-0-0 8.d3 Nd4 9.0-0 e6 10.Be3 Ne7
11.Bxd4!

White should aim for opposite-coloured bishops, as it is known that they tend to favour the attacker. Here, White does
have some slight prospects of a pawn storm.

11...Qxd4 12.Ne4

The white knight is eyeing both c5 and g5, and its removal from c3 signals White’s intention to start rolling his
queenside pawns. I also looked at 12.Ne2!? which is indicated by the engines. I think that a worthwhile reply could be
12...Qa4!? trying to hinder White’s plans. The main idea is seen after 13.d4 Nf5 and White has to allow an exchange of
queens by 14.c3 Qxd1= in order to save his d-pawn.
Besides, 12...Qd7 13.d4 (13.b4 Nf5„) 13...g5 14.c4 Kb8 15.Qb3 Qc8 16.a4 Nf5 is also playable.

12...Nc6?!

Gawain Jones mentions 12...Nf5?! in his Chessbase notes, which I consider also inaccurate as Black is neither
counterattacking with this move, nor gaining time.

After having pondered over the position for some 20 minutes, it dawned on me that if White could throw in g2-g3, he
would have lasting pressure along the main diagonal. It is for this reason that Sergei should have played 12...Ng6!.
Black is threatening to attack from both e5 and (most importantly) h4. At the same time the knight is closer to the white
king.
13.g3 allows Black to launch an attack first with 13...f5! 14.Nd2 (14.Ng5 Qf6³) 14...Bd6! with decent chances. For
example, 15.Bg2
15.Kh1?! h5! leads to a strong attack for Black where having the knight on g6 is a nice asset;
15.Nc4 is answered with 15...Bxg3 16.c3 Qh4 17.fxg3 Qxg3+ 18.Bg2 Nh4 19.Qe2 Rxd3°.
15...c6! 16.Nc4 Bc7 17.c3 (17.Qe2 f4!) 17...Qf6 18.h4 f4 19.Qe2 Qe7 20.h5 Nf8„ with fine counterattacking chances.

This analysis shows that perhaps White should brace himself for more resolute actions with 13.c3!? Qxd3 14.Qa4!
14.Qb3?! Nh4 15.Rfd1 Nxf3+ 16.gxf3 Qa6 17.Rxd8+ Kxd8 18.Ng5 Ke8! 19.Re1 Be7 can only be worse for
White.
when 14...Qa6! 15.Qxa6 bxa6 16.Ng5 Ne5 17.Be2 Be7 18.Bxa6+ Kd7! leads to an equal endgame.

13.Qc1!?

Vachier Lagrave tries to attack without weakening his castling position. 13.g3² was another possibility as the c6-knight
doesn’t support well f- and h-pawn marches. Besides, it is a target itself.

13...Be7 14.Rd1
White is all fit for expanding in the centre with c3, d4 so Black should think about improving the stand of his
unfortunate knight. Gawain Jones mentions 14...Ne5 15.Be2 f5 16.c3 Qb6!?, assuming that after 17.Ng3 Rhf8 18.d4
Ng6 (18...f4!? 19.Ne4 f3 20.dxe5 fxe2 21.Re1 Qb5 22.Qc2 Qxe5 23.Rxe2 Qf5 24.Rae1² is better for White) 19.b4 the
position still remains more pleasant for White. However, after 19...Nh4! 20.Bf1 f4 21.Ne4 Qc6 22.f3 (22.Re1 e5!
23.dxe5 Rd5„) 22...Kb8÷, Black has serious counterplay, in my opinion. For instance, the ...e6-e5 break would
underline the weakness of White’s dark squares.
Tiviakov assigns his knight blockading functions.

14...f5 15.c3 Qd7 16.Ng3 g6?!

Jones does not comment on this move, but I think it was a last chance for Black here to redeploy the passive Nc6 –
16...Ne5! 17.Be2 Nf7! 18.d4 Kb8 was a better try, although White retains the easier game.

17.d4!² Bd6 18.b4!
18...Bxg3 19.fxg3 Qd6 20.b5!

White correctly judges that a knight on a5 will not block his attack while 20...Ne7? 21.c4 Kb8 22.Kh2 e5 23.c5 Qe6
24.dxe5 Rxd1 25.Qxd1 Qxe5 26.Rc1± would be even worse.

20...Na5 21.c4! e5! 22.c5

22.Qc3 e4™ 23.Bxe4 Nxc4 24.Bxb7+ Kxb7 25.Qxc4 Rhe8° would have given Black enough for the pawn.

22...Qe7 23.Qc3 e4 24.Bxe4

In my opinion, White should have taken a pawn with 24.Qxa5!? exf3 25.Re1! Qd7 26.Qxa7 Qxb5 27.Qa8+ Kd7
28.Qa3 Rhe8 29.Qxf3² since the text allows 24...Qxe4 25.Qxa5 Rxd4 26.c6 Kb8 27.Kh2 f4 whereas Black is
completely equal.

24...fxe4?! 25.Qxa5 Kb8 26.Qc3 Rd5 27.Re1 Rhd8 28.Rad1± Qd7!? 29.c6
29...Qd6?!

This mistake seals Black’s sentence.
The e-pawn had to be kept so 29...Qe6! was called for. After 30.a4 (30.cxb7 Rxb5 31.Qc2 Re8 is also holding.) 30...b6,
Black is planning ...a7-a5 and 31.a5?! Rxb5 32.axb6 axb6 is far from clear despite the open a-file.

30.Rxe4 Rxb5 31.cxb7 Rxb7 32.d5!+– Rb5 33.Kh2 Qb6 34.a4 Rb3 35.Qc4 Rb2 36.Re7 Rf8 37.Qe4! Rb4 38.Qe5!
Rb2 39.Re8+ Rxe8 40.Qxe8+ Kb7 41.a5! Qc5 42.a6+!
The king stands no chance of survival against the combined attack of the white forces.

42...Kxa6 43.Qc8+ Kb5 44.Qb8+ Qb6 45.Qe8+ Ka6 46.Qc8+ Kb5 47.Rc1 Qe3 48.Qb8+ Qb6 49.Qe8+ Kb4
50.Qe4+ Ka3 51.Ra1+ Ra2 52.Qd3+ Qb3 53.Qa6+ Kb2 54.Qf6+ Ka3 55.Qe7+ Ka4 56.Rxa2+ Qxa2 57.Qxc7 Qxd5
58.Qxa7+ Kb5 59.Qxh7 Qe6 60.h4 Kc5 61.Qh6 Qe8 62.Qf4 Kd5 63.g4 Qe1 64.Qg5+ Kd4 65.Qf6+ Kd5 66.h5
gxh5 67.gxh5 Qe8 68.Qf5+ Kd4 69.h6 Qb8+ 70.Kh3 Qb3+ 71.g3 Qb7 72.h7 Qh1+ 73.Kg4 Qd1+ 74.Kg5 1-0

7. Pesonen – Voveris
FIN-LTU ICCF email, 2007

1.e4 e5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.Be2 0-0-0 7.h3 Bh5 8.0-0 exd4 9.cxd4 Nxd4 10.Nxd4 Bxe2
11.Qxe2 Qxd4
Surprisingly, the game has transposed from the Alapin to our Scandinavian line C1. White is struggling to draw as his
compensation for the pawn is meagre

12.Nc3 Qd3 13.Qg4+ Qd7 14.Qc4!

Inferior is 14.Qg5?! Ne7!. The main point is 15.Rd1 Qf5! 16.Rxd8+ Kxd8 17.Qe3 Nc6 and White’s initiative has
evaporated.

14...Qe6 15.Qa4 Bc5 16.Nb5 Nf6 17.Nxa7+ Kb8 18.Nb5 Qe4!
White has regained his pawn, but Black’s pieces are somewhat more active.

19.Qxe4 Nxe4 20.Bf4 Rd7 21.Rac1 Bb6 22.Rc2 Rhd8 23.Re1 f5 24.Nc3 Ba5

24...Nc5 25.Bg5÷ is unclear; 24...Nxc3!? 25.bxc3 Bc5³ would have been the Karpovian choice I believe, with a stable
structural advantage for Black.

25.f3 Nc5 26.Bg5 Nd3 27.Re6 Rf8 28.Ne2 f4 29.Re4 Bb6+ 30.Kh2 Be3 31.Nc3 h6 32.Be7 Rg8³

White is still struggling, of course, but the presence of many pieces on the board gives him counterplay.

33.Ba3 Rgd8 34.Nd1 Bd4 35.Nc3
35...c5?!

This move is questionable. 35...Bf2!³ would have cramped the white king considerably, giving Black excellent chances
to play for a win. For example, 36.Re7 (36.Re6?? Bg3+ 37.Kg1 Nc5–+) 36...Rxe7 37.Bxe7 Re8 (37...Rd7!?³) 38.Nd5
Bg3+ 39.Kg1 c6 40.Nb4 Rxe7 41.Nxd3 Re3 42.Rd2 Kc7ƒ.

36.Re6! Rd6

36...Bf2? is just bad now due to 37.Ne4².

37.Rxd6 Rxd6 38.Nb5 Rd7 39.Nxd4 cxd4 40.Rd2 Ne5 41.b3 Kc7 42.Bb2 Nc6 43.g3 fxg3+ 44.Kxg3=

White has equalized and actually it is Black who has to be more careful from now on. The white bishop can become a
very dangerous piece in such endings.

44...Kb6 45.Ba3 Rd5 46.f4 Rf5?!

46...g5= would have been the safest way to draw. Now Black’s drifts into a worse position as his kingside becomes
slightly vulnerable.

47.h4! g6 48.Rg2!² Rf6 49.Kg4?!
(49.Kf3²) 49...Re6! 50.h5 gxh5+ 51.Kxh5
51...Nd8?!

Incomprehensible. 51...Re4! 52.f5 (52.Kg4 h5+ 53.Kg5 h4 54.Rh2 d3 55.Rd2 Re3 56.Kxh4 Nd4°) 52...Rf4 53.Kg6
Ne5+ 54.Kf6 Ng4+ 55.Ke6 Ne3 is at least equal for Black.

52.f5 Re5 53.Kg6 d3™ 54.Bb2 Rd5 55.Rd2 Kc6 56.Bc3 Kd7² 57.Rd1

57.Kxh6 Rxf5 58.Rxd3+ Kc7 59.Kg6 Rf2 is of course a draw, White’s extra pawn is only a nominal advantage with his
king cut off.

57...h5! 58.f6 h4 59.f7 Ne6 60.Kf6 h3 61.Rd2 Ng5! (This secures the draw.) 62.f8=Q Nh7+ 63.Kg7 Nxf8 64.Kxf8
Ke6 65.Rh2 Rh5 66.Bb4 Rh7 67.Kg8 Rh5 68.Kf8 Rh7 69.Kg8 Rh5 70.Kf8 Draw.

8. Predojevic – Sermek
Portoroz 15.07.2005

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Be2 Nc6 5.d4 0-0-0 6.Be3 e5 7.c4 Qa5+ 8.Bd2 Bb4 9.d5 Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Bxd2+
11.Nxd2 Nd4 12.0-0 Qb4 13.Re1 Nf6
14.b3

According to Andrew Greet’s words, “14.Rxe5?! is well met by 14...Nxf3+ and Black is doing fine after 15.Nxf3 (or
15.gxf3 Qxb2) 15...Qxc4 “. I have to agree with this comment, adding that 16.Re7 Rxd5 17.Qe1 Rd7 18.Rxd7 Nxd7
19.Rc1 Qf4 looks in fact better for Black.

14.Qc1 deserves attention. The point is that after 14...Rhe8 15.a3, Black’s queen must go to a more passive place than in
the game – 15...Qd6 16.Bd1, when it would be dangerous to tolerate White’s centre so 16...c6!„ should be thrown in.

14...Rhe8 15.a3 Qc3!

White hoped to follow up with b3-b4 so Sermek resorts to guerilla tactics to keep him occupied. The prospect of trading
queens with ...Qc2 is very annoying. I consider this position already more than satisfactory for Black.

16.Be4?!

16.Re3 Qc2 17.Qe1 Qf5„ looks excellent for Black.
16.Ra2 was suggested by Greet to prevent ...Qc2, but it looks artificial.
Christian Bauer notes in his book on the Scandinavian that the position after 16...Qd3 is equal. Andrew went on further
in Chessbase, his main line being 17.Be2! (the exclamation mark is his) 17...Qg6 18.Nf1
He also mentions 18.b4 e4 19.Bf1 Kb8 20.a4!? with the idea of activating the rook along the third rank, but I
believe Black is not at all worse after either 20...Ng4, or 20...Nf5!?.
18...Kb8 19.Ne3
when he thinks that White is close to achieving a little something. Actually I kind of disagree here as I think Black has a
plethora of good continuations: 19...Qg5!. This is my favourite one. Black would like to follow up with ...g7-g6, ...Nf6-
e4 and ...f7-f5, obtaining the better chances. To be honest, I cant even find equality for White after this move.
Andrew thought that 19...c6 was the critical reply, suggesting the queen sacrifice 20.dxc6 Nf3+ 21.Bxf3 Rxd1
22.Rxd1 e4 23.Be2 bxc6 24.Rad2 when White may have enough for the queen, indeed. However, after 24...Qg5
25.b4 Qe5 26.c5 Qc3 27.Rd6 Kc7„, it is hard to believe that Black can end up worse as he has a lot of activity.
Another continuation worthy of attention is 19...Nxe2+ 20.Raxe2 Nh5!„ and again I would prefer Black as the
knight is coming to the nice square f4 with a hope to invade d3.
Returning to 19...Qg5!, the engines find nothing better than 20.Qb1, but then 20...Nd7!³ paves the way for the f-pawn
while also toying with the idea of ...e5-e4 followed by a knight invasion to d3.

After 16.Ra2 Qd3, White could also chose Predojevic’s move, e.g. 17.Be4 Nxe4 18.Rxe4. While it is definitely an
improved version of what he got in the game, the assessment does not seem to change drastically as 18...Kb8 19.Re3
Qg6 20.Rg3 Qf6 21.Ne4 Qh6 22.Rh3 Qg6 23.Nc3 f5 leaves Black more than okay. A nice point is 24.f4?! c5! and the
knight on d4 becomes very strong.

16...Nxe4 17.Rxe4 c6ƒ
This undermining move probably caused White a severe headache as his centre is about to crumble. The fact that a great
defender like Borki Predojevic failed to hold up, underlines Black’s set-up’s vigour.

18.Rc1 Qb2 19.Re3 Kb8

Now the threats to a3 and d5 become quite tangible.

20.Nf3 cxd5

20...Nxf3+!? 21.Rxf3 cxd5 22.c5 d4ƒ is also bad for White as the black central pawns are marching forwards.
21.cxd5?

This is equivalent to capitulation.
21.Nxe5 was the only chance. However, after 21...Rxe5! (21...dxc4 22.Nd7+! Kc7 23.Rxc4+ Nc6 24.Rxe8 Rxe8
25.Nc5 Rd8 26.Qc1 Qxc1+ 27.Rxc1³ looks defendable) 22.Rxe5 Nxb3 23.Rb1 Qxe5 24.Qxb3 Rd7 25.c5 Rc7 26.h3 d4
27.c6 b6 28.Rc1 Qd6, White should not have many hopes for salvation.

21...Rxd5 22.Nxd4 Rxd4 23.Qe1 f6µ

White has ended a pawn down without a shred of activity. The rest is pure technique.

24.h3? Qxa3–+ 25.Qc3 Qd6 26.Qc2 e4 27.g4 a6 28.Rc3 Rd2 29.Rc8+ Ka7 30.Qc5+ Qxc5 31.R1xc5 Rxc8 32.Rxc8
Rd3 33.b4 Rxh3 34.Kg2 Rf3 35.Rc7 g5 36.Rxh7 Rf4 37.Kg3 e3 38.fxe3 Rxb4 39.Rf7 Rb6 40.e4 a5 41.e5 fxe5 42.Rf5
a4 43.Rxg5 a3 44.Rxe5 a2 45.Ra5+ Ra6 46.Rxa6+ 0-1

A nice game by Sermek, who made the black position look as if it were playing itself. It is very rare to see Predojevic
losing in such a way.

9. Mamonova – Bedia
Poltavskaya 2010

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.d4 Nc6 4.Nf3 Bg4 5.Be2 0-0-0 6.Be3 e5 7.c4 Qa5+ 8.Bd2 Bb4 9.d5 Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Bxd2+
11.Nxd2 Nd4 12.0-0 Qb4 13.Qc1 f5 14.Re1 e4 15.Bd1 Nf6 16.a3 Qd6
17.b4

The most dangerous move was 17.Qc3!, putting the strong Nd4 under pressure right away. 17...Ne6 18.Bc2 Nf4!?
(18...Rhe8 19.Nxe4²) 19.f3!?
A principled undermining move. Instead, 19.g3 Ng4! 20.Bxe4 Nh3+ 21.Kg2 fxe4 22.Kxh3 Qg6 23.Kg2 e3
24.Rxe3 (24.fxe3 Rhf8 25.Re2 Nxh2! 26.Rh1 Qg4 27.Qd3 Nf3°) 24...Nxe3+ 25.Qxe3 Rhe8! 26.Qxa7 Qc2÷ is a
mess.
19...Rhe8!! 20.g3!?
20.fxe4 Ng4! 21.Nf3 Qg6! 22.exf5 is answered with the brilliant 22...Re2!! 23.Rxe2 Nxe2+ 24.Kf1 Qe8 25.Qd2
Ne3+ 26.Kf2 Ng4+=.
20...Qc5+ and here we have reached an important crossroads:
a) 21.Kh1 Nh3!?
The ending reached after 21...Qf2 22.gxf4 e3 23.Bxf5+ Kb8 24.Ne4 Qxf3+ 25.Kg1 Nxe4 26.Qxe3 Qxe3+
27.Rxe3 Nd6 28.Rxe8 Rxe8 29.Bd3 Re3 30.Rd1 Ne4! is drawish in view of White’s many weak pawns.
22.fxe4 Nf2+ 23.Kg2 N2xe4 24.Nxe4 Nxe4 25.Bxe4 Rxe4=.

b) 21.Kf1 is answered strongly with 21...Nh3 22.Qe3
22.Kg2?? Qf2+!! 23.Kxh3 g5 24.Nf1 (24.Qxf6 g4+–+) 24...Nxd5! 25.cxd5 Rd6 26.Qg7 Rg6 27.Qxh7 g4+–+ is
a nice line which displays the tactical potential of Black’s set-up.
22...Qxe3 23.Rxe3 c6„.

c) 21.Qe3 looks like the most sensible move. 21...Qxe3+ 22.Rxe3 Ne6 23.fxe4 (23.Rae1 b5! 24.fxe4 Nd4) 23...Nd4=
with approximate equality in the ending.

17...Rhe8 18.Qb2 Qe5 19.Rb1 g5 20.Nb3 Nxb3 21.Qxe5 Rxe5
22.Rxb3

Perhaps White wanted to keep her bishop on d1 to prevent the plan ...h6-h5-h4 followed up by Nh5-f4, but now the
blow comes from the other flank:

22...b5! 23.cxb5 Rexd5 24.Be2 Rd2 25.f3 Rc2?

Black has a stable edge which could have been fixed with 25...f4. The rest of the game is of little interest regarding the
opening. Black went on to win after mutual mistakes.

26.fxe4 fxe4 27.Rg3 h6 28.Bd1 (28.h4!=) 28...Ra2 29.Rf1 Nd5 30.Bb3 Re2 31.Bxd5? Rxd5 32.Rh3 Rdd2 33.Rg3 Kb7
34.Rc1 Ra2 35.Kf1 Rf2+ 36.Kg1 Rfd2 37.Re1 e3 38.h3 Rxa3 39.Rexe3 Rxe3 40.Rxe3 Rd4 41.Kf2 Rxb4 42.Re5 Kb6
43.g4 Rxb5 44.Re6+ c6 45.Rxh6 a5 46.h4 a4 0-1

10. Englmaier – Remek
corr. freechess.de, 21.06.2012

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Be2 Nc6 5.d4 0-0-0 6.c4 Qf5 7.Be3 Bxf3 8.Bxf3 Nxd4 9.Bxd4 Qe6+ 10.Be2 Qe4
11.0-0 Qxd4 12.Qa4 e6
13.Rd1 Qe5!?

13...Qxb2 14.Nc3!! (14.Nd2? Qa3) 14...Qxc3 15.Bf3 c6! 16.Bxc6! is a forced draw (but not 16.Qxa7? Kc7! 17.Rdb1
Bb4µ), for instance: 16...Bc5 17.Qb5 (17.Bxb7+ Kxb7 18.Qb5+ Bb6 19.Rd7+ Rxd7 20.Qxd7+ Kb8 21.Qd6+ Kc8
22.Qc6+ Kd8 23.Rd1+ Bd4 24.Qd6+ Ke8 25.Qc6+ Ke7 26.Qc7+ Kf6 27.Qf4+= is also a draw) 17...Bxf2+ 18.Kh1
(18.Kxf2?? Rd2+–+) 18...Bb6
19.Bxb7+ Kxb7 20.Rd7+ Rxd7 21.Qxd7+ Kb8 22.Qd6+! and Black has to admit the perpetual.

14.Nc3 Bd6 15.Bf3

This position had arisen in several games via a different move order – White played 13.Nc3 first.
All of them featured 15.g3 when the natural 15...Kb8 16.Nb5 a6 17.Nxd6 cxd6 18.Bf3 Nf6 19.Rd3
19...d5 cuts the white bishop from the queenside and ensures sufficient defence (what cannot be said about 19...Nd7?!
20.Qb4! Nc5 21.Rad1 Rd7 22.Re3 Qf6 23.Qa3 preparing b2-b4). Barbero Senidic-Martinez Lopez, Lleida 2012, went
20.Rb3 Qd6 (Another solid stand is 20...Ka8 21.Rc1 Rc8 22.Qb4 Qb8, but it just looks ugly!) 21.Rc1 (or 21.c5 Qxc5)
21...Rc8 22.c5 Rxc5 23.Rxc5 Qxc5 24.Qxa6 Qc7 25.Qa4 Qd7 26.Qf4+ Qc7 27.Qg5 Rg8=.

With a hindsight, it seems more enterprising to keep our bishop, but 15...a6 as in Robson-Figler, Boca Raton 2008,
provides a lever which could be exploit immediately with 16.c5 Bxc5 17.Bxa6=. Robson’s choice 16.Rac1, having in
mind 16...Nf6 17.b4, is anything but enticing for Black either.

The obliging computer suggests 15...c6 16.Qxa7 Nf6, but somehow it looks to me against common sense. To soothe my
conscience without spending much time on this line, I decided that even 17.Bf3 Bc5 18.Qa4 followed up by Bxc6 was
enough for a draw.

To take stock, 15.g3 Kb8 is a decent line where White has just enough compensation for the pawn. 15.Bf3 is an attempt
to face the opponent with concrete problems.
15...a6

Bruzon-Kurajica, La Laguna 2010, saw the greedy 15...Qxh2+? 16.Kf1 Ne7 17.Qxa7 c6 18.Na4 Kc7?
Probably the decisive mistake.Correct was 18...Ng6! as pointed out by Jones. After 19.c5 (19.g3 Bxg3„) the
brilliant solution is 19...Qh1+! (He gives instead 19...Bb8 20.Nb6+ Kc7 21.Qa5 Ne5 as best defence, but I
believe that White should win after 22.Ke2±) 20.Ke2 Nf4+ 21.Ke3
21...Nxg2+!! 22.Bxg2 Bf4+!! 23.Kf3 Qh2!!= when my engine shows 0.00, but this is almost impossible for a
human to find in over-the board play. In the last position Black has a multitude of tactical ideas based on the bad
placement of the Bg2 and the d1, but the best part comes after the obvious 24.Rh1 Rd3+ 25.Ke4 Qxg2+
26.Kxd3 Rd8+ 27.Kc2 Rd2+ 28.Kb3
28...Rxb2+!! 29.Nxb2 Qf3+ 30.Ka4 Qe4+ 31.Kb3 Qf3+= and the result is a stunning perpetual. I guess Bojan
can be forgiven for not finding all this! Instead, he was lost after:
19.c5!+–.

16.c5 Qxc5 17.Ne4 Qb5 18.Nxd6+ Rxd6 19.Qg4 Rxd1+

I would prefer to have more pawns in the centre as in the line 19...Ne7!? 20.Rxd6 cxd6 21.Qxg7 Qe8 22.Rc1+ Kb8
23.g3 Ng6 24.Be4 Qf8 25.Qd4 Qd8=, planning ...d5 and ...e5. The point is that an ending with RB:RN would be worse
for him.

20.Rxd1 Ne7 21.Qxg7 Qe8 22.g3 Nf5 23.Qe5=
23...Rg8?

This horrible move could be explained only by a wrong assessment of the engine Black used for assistance. 23...Nd6
was safe and sound, and White does not have any plan for improvement. Only then can Black play ...Rg8, or ...h6, or
any other reasonable move. The text simply drops a pawn which White eventually converted into a point.

24.Be4 Nd6 25.Bxh7 Rh8 26.Bc2 Kb8 27.h4 Qd8 28.Kg2 Re8 29.h5 Rh8 30.Rh1 Qf8 31.b4 Qh6 32.a4 Rg8 33.Bd3
f5 34.b5 axb5 35.axb5 Nc8 36.Bc4 Re8 37.Bb3 Nb6 38.Qe3 Qxe3 39.fxe3 Nd7 40.h6 Nc5 41.Bc2 Kc8 42.h7 Rh8
43.g4 fxg4 44.Rh6 Kd7 45.Rh5 Kd6 46.Rg5 1-0

11. Brandenburg – Tiviakov
Hilversum 06.04.2008

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Be2 Nc6 5.d4 0-0-0 6.c4 Qa5+ 7.Bd2 Qf5 8.Be3 Bxf3 9.Bxf3 Nxd4 10.Bxd4
Qe6+ 11.Be2 Qe4 12.0-0 Qxd4 13.Qa4 e6 14.Nc3
14...Qb6

Black moves his queen to a relative safety, as he wants to avoid being hit by Nc3-b5 or R(any)d1 at a later stage. In
addition, b4 is now discourage.

15.Rad1

15.b4 has been dealt with expertly in the following game: 15...Qxb4 16.Qxa7 Bc5! 17.Qa8+ Kd7 18.Rfd1+ Bd6
19.Qa7 Ke7! 20.Nb5 Nf6 21.Qxb7 Be5
Black is fully developed and with a safe king, Haba-L.Milov, Germany 2012 (with different move numbers). After
22.a3
In the event of 22.Rdb1, Haba gives 22...Qd2 23.Na7™ 23...Qxe2 24.Nc6+ Ke8 25.Qb5! Nd7 26.Re1™ 26...Qb2
27.Nxe5 Qxb5 28.cxb5 Nxe5 29.Rxe5 Rd5 30.Rxd5 exd5 31.Rd1 Ke7 32.Rxd5 Ra8 33.Rd2 Ra5 as leading to
equality in his Chess Informant notes.
22...Rxd1+ 23.Rxd1 Qb2 24.Bf3 Rd8! 25.Rxd8 Kxd8 26.g3 Ke7!= Black equalized and the game ended in a draw.

15...Rxd1 16.Rxd1 Nf6 17.b4!

White would have been worse without this move. He takes advantage of the fact that we cannot capture the pawn with
the queen as then a7 would fall. In this manner, he generates some sort of activity in a situation he seemed to have
nothing.

17...Bxb4

Obviously, this capture is only viable in conjunction with the queen sacrifice that follows. Such moves are hard to find
during a game, as one can easily get intimidated by White’s initiative.

18.Rb1 a5 19.a3 Bxc3!

19...Qd4? 20.axb4 Qxc3 21.bxa5+– is just awful, the king is doomed.

20.Rxb6 cxb6
21.c5!

Weakening our king, but Black is stil able to defend. White’s multipurpose sacrifice deprives our bishop of the perfect
stand c5 and underlines the vulnerability of the a5- and b7-pawns.

21...bxc5 22.Ba6

This forces a draw. Critical for the 14...Qb6-line is 22.Bf3!,
when 22...Nd5! saves the day, as far as I’m concerned. I believe it is positionally well founded as it keeps Black’s main
trump in the impending battle – the c-pawn.
Tiviakov also mentions 22...Rd8 23.Qb5 Nd5 24.Qxc5+ Kb8 as equal, but I have my doubts about this position
as White has a strong bishop and we lost our precious passer. So, let us follow his other recommendation in
Chess Informant 103:
23.Bxd5
Here I would like to add that 23.Qb5 shouldn’t bother us in the least as the a5-pawn is absolutely expendable:
23...Bd4 24.Bxd5 (24.Qxa5?! Rd8 25.Qa8+ Kc7 26.Qa5+ Nb6 27.Qa7 Rb8³ can only be better for Black who
can start pushing his kingside pawns to cramp the f3-bishop. For the moment, ...Bd4-c3 should be his primary
thought, caging in the a7-queen) 24...exd5 25.Qxa5 Rd8 26.Qa8+ Kc7 27.Qa5+ b6 28.Qa7+ Kc6 29.Qxf7 c4
and it is clear that White is struggling for a draw.
23...exd5 24.Qg4+
24...f5!!
The key of Black’s defence. Displacing the enemy queen allows us to stabilise the position. I awarded two exclamation
marks as I find the move aesthetically pleasing, but strictly speaking it is just a link of a forced sequence. Otherwise
Black would have to resign.
25.Qxf5+ Kb8 26.Qxd5 Rc8°
Tiviakov gives 26...Re8, but the rook should support the passed pawn. In such endings, both sides have chances. White
does not possess a passer of his own, while our queenside pawns could become dangerous later on.

I believe that the position is objectively equal and that all three results are possible in a practical game. A plausible
continuation is:
27.Kf1 c4 28.Qd6+ Ka7 29.Qe6 Kb8 30.Ke2 Bf6 31.Kd1 c3 32.Kc2 Rd8. The engines will stubbornly claim a small
advantage for White, but in fact he does not have a plan for improvement. And any mistake could cost him a full point.

22...bxa6 23.Qc6+ Kb8 24.Qb6+ Draw.

12. D’Amore – Prié
Arvier, 2007

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Be2 Nc6 5.d4 0-0-0 6.c4 Qf5 7.Be3 Bxf3! 8.Bxf3 Nxd4 9.Bxd4 Qe6+ 10.Be2 Qe4
11.0-0 Qxd4 12.Qa4 e6 13.Nc3 Bd6
14.Nb5

This move is critical, of course, as it removes the potentially dangerous bishop from the board.

14.Bf3!? has been played by the strong Cuban GM Lazaro Bruzon. It is very principled as White is pointing another
piece at Black’s king. Gawain Jones is very enthusiastic about this move in his Chessbase notes to the game Bruzon-
Kurajica, La Laguna 2010, but in fact the position is rather unclear in spite of White’s impressive concept.
As we know from Game 10 Englmaier-Remek, 14...Qf4 is balanced after 15.Rfd1 a6!.
14...Qb6!? is also worth analysing, e.g. 15.b4 Be5 16.Rad1 Nf6 17.c5 Qa6 18.c6 Qxa4 19.cxb7+ Kb8 20.Nxa4
Nd5 21.a3 Kxb7 22.Nc5+ Kc8÷ and there is nothing concrete for White.
Best is, however:
14...Ne7! 15.Nb5 Qb6 16.Nxa7+ Kb8 17.Nb5 Nf5
White has regained the pawn, but our pieces are better coordinated. That promises us some initiative:
18.b4 Be7!? (or 18...Be5 19.Rae1 Bf6 20.c5 Qa6) 19.c5 Qa6 20.Qxa6 bxa6 21.Na3 Nd4 or 18.Nxd6 Rxd6 19.b4 Nd4
20.Qa3 Rd7.

14.Rfd1 is another logical continuation, when I recommend 14...Qe5 15.Bf3!? a6! reaching once again Game 10.

14...Qe5 15.Nxd6+ cxd6 16.Bf3
It is quite obvious that the loss of our bishop and the presence of the powerful Bf3 give White enough attacking chances
here. The question is whether these chances are worth more than a pawn.

16...Kb8 17.Rfe1

17.Rad1 Nf6 18.Rd3 should be met again by 18...d5= while, as Jovanka Houska mentions, “White cannot open files
easily with 17.b4 Ne7 18.b5, as Black can ward off the initiative with 18...Rc8 19.Rab1 Qc5 20.Rfc1 Qb6 21.Qb4 Nf5
22.a4 Qc5”.

17...Qc5 18.b4 Qc7
19.Rac1

The game Ootes-Lubbe, Netherlands 2015, saw 19.c5 Ne7 20.Rab1 Nf5! 21.g3 Nd4 22.Bg2 when 22...h5? could have
stumbled into the instructive tactical trick 23.c6!, exploiting the pin on the c-file in the event of 23...Nxc6 (23...b6
would not help either as White can open the a-file with 24.Qd1! e5 25.a4 h4 26.b5 hxg3 27.hxg3 Rh6 28.a5‚)
24.Rec1ƒ. Black had to answer 22...Qd7!³ to reduce the consequences of c5-c6.

19.Rec1!? has been played as well. After 19...Qd7 20.Qa5 (20.b5 requires examination here; a quick glance at my
engine shows 20...Nf6 21.Rc3 Qc7 22.b6 axb6 23.Ra3 Kc8 24.Rb1 Nd7 25.Qb5 Qc5 26.Bxb7+ Kxb7 27.Qa6+ Kc7
28.Qa7+ Kc6 29.Qa4+ Kb7 30.Qa6+ with a draw by perpetual check) 20...Ne7 21.Qg5 (21.c5 Rc8 underlines the
drawbacks of 19.Rec1. White has nothing better than 22.Rd1 d5³) 21...Ng6 22.Rc3 f5!? 23.Qe3 d5 24.cxd5 exd5
25.Qd4 Rhe8 26.Ra3 b6 – the game was about even in Milov-Lauer, Germany 2014, and it soon ended in a draw.

19...Ne7

The knight approaches its king to control the c6-square.

20.Re3
A critical choice. 20.c5 was an obvious alternative:
Black has a wide choice and several games have seen him maintaining the balance. His only loss was after:

a) 20...dxc5 21.bxc5 Nd5 22.c6 b6 23.Qb5 Rd6 24.Rc4, Hossain-Chatterjee, Dhaka 2014. While the engines claim
equality, White’s initiative is beyound doubts. That offers him good practical chances.

b) Another asymetrical line is 20...Nf5 21.c6 Nd4 22.Re3 (or 22.Qd1 e5 23.cxb7 Nxf3+ 24.Qxf3 Qxb7 25.Qd3 Rd7=
intending ...Rc8) 22...Rc8 23.b5 Qb6 24.Qd1 Rc7 25.a4 Rd8 26.Rec3 e5 27.Rc4 f5 28.Kh1 Qa5 29.Rb1 g5 30.h3 h6
draw, Zakharov-Peschke, ICCF 2011.

c) The most natural response is 20...Rc8 21.Rc3 dxc5 (it takes nerves of steel to enter the engine line 21...d5 22.Ra3 a6)
22.Rxc5 (The point is that 22.bxc5 Nd5 is with tempo which tips the balance in such a sharp position.) 22...Qf4 23.Qb5
Rc7 24.Rd1 Rhc8 25.Rxc7 Qxc7
White achieved a nice draw after 26.g3 a6 27.Qe2 Nf5 28.Qe4 g6 29.a4 Qc6 30.Qe5+ Qc7 31.Rd7 Qxe5 32.Rxb7+
Ka8 33.Rc7+, Johansson-Montgomery, corr. 2010.

20...Qd7!

Designed to push the queen back from its fine attacking position.

21.Qd1 Rc8 22.c5 Rhd8 23.Rd3 Qc7!
Black already has a pleasant position. He has kept his extra pawn and White is lacking direct threats. That said, the first
player should be able to hold as his long-range bishop is a useful asset.

24.Qa4?!

It was better to make a luft with 24.h3 or 24.g3.

24...dxc5!

Black grasps the valuable opportunity to trade off some pieces.

25.Rxd8

25.Ra3? Qb6µ only helps Black.

25...Rxd8 26.bxc5 Nc6 27.Rb1 Rd4!

A strong centralisation after which Black’s advantage becomes obvious.

28.Qc2

28.Qxc6? Rd1+!
28...Rh4?

Prie likes this move, but I am sceptical about it. Simple and strong was 28...g6! 29.g3 e5 30.Qe2 Nd8, preparing to cut
off the enemy bishop with ...e5-e4.

29.Bxc6!

Correct evaluation! After 29.g3?! Prie gives 29...Nd4 30.Qd3 Nxf3+ 31.Qxf3 Rc4. In my opinion a bit more accurate is
31...Rd4!? 32.c6 b6³. I dont like 31... c4 in view of 32.Qd3! Qxc5 33.Qd8+ Qc8 34.Qg5! g6 35.Rd1!! and the
position looks like a dead draw in spite of Black’s two extra pawns. For example, 35...Rc5 36.Qf4+ Rc7 37.Qf6 Rd7
38.Qe5+ Rc7 39.Qf6=.

29...Qxc6 30.g3?

This move throws the half point away. 30.Qc3!, taking aim at g7, equalized at once, e.g. 30...Rg4 31.g3 and Black loses
either the g7-pawn, or the d-file after 31...f6 32.Rd1.
30.Qd3 was also possible – threatening a check from g3 while improving the queen’s position. Then 30...Rh5 (30...Kc8
31.h3! Qe4 32.Qb5 Qc6 33.Qd3=) 31.Qd8+ Qc8 32.Qd6+ Ka8 leads to a picturesque draw after 33.c6! bxc6 (33...b6
34.Qe7 Rc5 35.Qxf7 Rxc6 36.g3 gives White sufficient compensation.) 34.Rb8+! Qxb8 35.Qxc6+ Qb7 36.Qe8+=.

30...Rh5!µ
Now the rook reconnects with the rest of Black’s army and converting the pawn becomes a matter of technique.

31.Qd3 Kc8! 32.Qa3 a6 33.Rc1 Rf5! 34.Qc3 f6 35.Qe3 h5!

White is deprived of counterplay, so Black grinds down the enemy defence by creating threats against the white
monarch.

36.h4 Kb8 37.Qd4 Rd5 38.Qe3 Ka7 39.Qa3 g5! 40.Qb4 Re5 41.hxg5 fxg5 42.Qd4 Rd5 43.Qe3 h4 44.g4 Ka8
45.Qc3?!

45.Kh2!?µ was more resilient. Then Black would have to resort to a zugzwang to win, e.g. 45...Ka7 46.Kg1 a5! 47.Kh2
Kb8 48.Kg1 Kc7! 49.Kf1 (49.Kh2?! Qa4!–+) 49...Rd7! 50.Kg1 Qd5
51.c6™ 51...bxc6 52.Qa7+ Kd8 53.Qb8+ Ke7 54.Qg8 Rd8 55.Qg7+ Kd6 56.Qf6 Kc7 57.Qc3 a4 58.Rb1 e5 59.Re1
Qd4 60.Qa5+ Kc8 61.Qa6+ Kd7 62.Qe2 (62.Qb7+ Kd6 63.Qg7 Qxg4+ 64.Kf1 Qc4+ 65.Kg1 Qd5–+) 62...Kc7
63.Qxe5+ Qxe5 64.Rxe5 Rd5 65.Re4 c5! 66.Rxa4 Rd4–+.

45...e5!–+ 46.Qe3 Rd4 47.f3 Rf4 48.Rc3 e4! 49.Rc4 Rxf3 50.Qxg5 Qd7! 51.Rc1 Qd4+ 52.Kh1 Qd3 53.Qg8+ Ka7
54.Qb3 Rh3+ 55.Kg2 Rg3+ 56.Kh1 Qd2 57.Qc2 Rh3+ 58.Kg1 Qe3+0-1

Main Ideas
Any chess ABC book states that we should not lead the queen out early in the opening. I have always been a fan of
classicism and I still believe in chess principles, but somehow I am getting used to the fact that rules can have their
exceptions. By using the Scandinavian, Black essentially adopts a central strategy from move one, seeking clarity and
more or less geometric play in an open board. This is achieved at the cost of tempi, but after all the queen is a piece as
any other – it still needs to be developed. The queen retreat to d6 complies with our original strategy in the best
possible way: the queen remains developed and there is no good way to further harass it as it has access to both sides of
the board. We do keep pressure on the d-file which could be increased by long castling.

Reading the introduction of Michael Melt’s book “Scandinavian Defense: The Dynamic 3...Qd6”, I had a chance to
become acquainted with the history of the 3...Qd6 Scandinavian and its pioneers. I had only known Karpov-Lutikov,
USSR 1979, as the system’s stem game, but I did not know about William Potter who was the first to recommend the
line, and Samion Gubnitsky, who was the first correspondence player to use it with success. Ironically, the man who
cast a doubt on the system by winning the above-mentioned game, the 12th World Champion Anatoly Yevgenyevich
Karpov, has been using it with considerable success lately as Black in his rapid games. This has a twofold meaning
according to my understanding: first and foremost, the opening is not bad at all. Second, Karpov’s choice means that it
is a rather clear-cut and easy to learn opening, since he has withdrawn from competitive chess nowadays and plays only
in fun events. Does this mean that the line should be christened the Karpov Scandinavian? Well, actually no, in spite of
the huge contribution of the ex-world Champion to our game. If there were someone entitled to lend his name to the
opening, that would be unquestionably GM Sergei Tiviakov. He was the first to popularise it by beating strong
opponents and thus elevating its theoretical status. I believe that without his games no one would have understood the
merits of the system and how poisonous it could be.

Let us return to the position after 3...Qd6. It is now White’s turn to define his plans. Obviously, the main continuation is
4.d4 and it will be examined in detail in the next chapters. I feel that White can gain nothing special by delaying or
omitting this move. Still, players who are not confident in his opening preparation use this approach hoping to deviate
from Black’s home analyses.

I will deal in this chapter with A. 4.g3 and B. 4.Bc4.

A. 4.g3 was Topalov’s experimental way of meeting the Scandinavian. He used this idea in a game against Nisipeanu
and albeit obtaining a very slight opening advantage, he eventually lost. As it often happens, the loss of a top player has
dealt a serious blow to the variation’s popularity.
I believe that Black should meet the fianchetto against the Scandinavian with due respect, but I have a sharp suggestion
against White’s particular move order:

4...Nf6 5.Bg2 Nc6!

Kovalenko’s move. Normally, Black should try to block the scope of the Bg2 with a pawn on c6, but here White has not
castled yet and circumstances call for dynamic play.
6.Nf3 Bg4

As a result of the tempo spent on the fianchetto, Black has caught up in development. As 7.0-0 Nd4 would be equal,
White should try:

7.h3, but 7...Qe6+! throws a spanner into the works.
That’s it! Black is already fighting for the initiative:
8.Ne2 Bxf3 9.Bxf3 Qf5 10.Bg2 e5 11.0-0 0-0-0÷;
8.Qe2 Bxf3! 9.Qxe6 Bxg2! 10.Qb3 0-0-0÷;
8.Kf1 Bh5 9.d3 0-0-0 10.Be3 h6 – see Game 13 Mamedov-Kurajica, Sarajevo 2010.

B. 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.Nf3

5.Nge2 a6! looks like an introduction to an extended fianchetto, but it is also a trap – Black is threatening the double
attack ...Qc6. Actually, I recommend to refrain from eating the pawn after 6.d4 (play 6...b5 instead!) due to practical
reasons, but it cannot be refuted with concrete analysis.

5...Bg4
When White does not prevent the pin, we should go for it of course. To get rid of it, he will have to resort to h2-h3 and
g2-g4, weakening his kingside, e.g. 6.d4 c6 7.Be3 Nbd7 8.h3 Bh5=.
White’s most interesting plan is to castle queenside, and we can boldly pick up the gauntlet by castling on the opposite
wing:

6.d3 Nc6 7.Be3 e6 8.Qe2 a6 9.0-0-0
My main line goes from here 9...Be7 10.h3 Bxf3!? 11.Qxf3 0-0 12.d4 Na5, but 9...Ne5!? 10.h3 Bxf3 11.gxf3 Qc6= is
also interesting.
Step by Step
3...Qa5 and 3...Qd8 are beyond the scope of this book.

The main continuation in the diagram position is 4.d4. In this chapter, I will deal with two alternatives: A. 4.g3 and B.
4.Bc4.

A. 4.g3

has been tried by Topalov and deserves attention. After:

4...Nf6 5.Bg2, I like best 5...Nc6! as played by Kovalenko.

A decent alternative is 5...c6!? 6.d4 g6?!
If Black wants to fianchetto his bishop it seems better to do it on the previous move, keeping his c-pawn on its
initial square. With ...c7-c6 already played, 6...Bf5÷ seems more to the point.
7.Bf4
7.Nf3 looks more natural
7...Qb4
8.Nge2 Bg7 9.Qc1?!
Better was 9.a3² as 9...Qxb2? 10.Bc7+– would entrap the black queen.
9...0-0 10.0-0. Black can now get rid of the piece that traditionally does not have good prospects in formations with
...g7-g6: 10...Bg4!? 11.a3 Qa5 12.h3 Bxe2 13.Nxe2 Nbd7 14.c4
In the event of 14.b4 Qa6 15.Re1 Qc4!? (15...Nb6 16.Bf1 Nc4 17.Nc3²) 16.c3 a5! 17.Rb1 axb4 18.Rxb4 Qa6
19.c4 Nh5! 20.Be3 e5 the position is unclear.
14...e5!
It transpires that the Bg7 has obtained good prospects and Black is close to equality. Topalov-Nisipeanu, Sofia
2007, went:
15.b4 Qc7 16.dxe5 Nxe5 17.Qc2 a5!
Activating the rook. Nisipeanu points out that this move comes at the right moment, when White cannot answer it
with b4-b5.
18.Rae1 axb4 19.axb4 Rfe8
Black had a very good game and eventually prevailed.

6.Nf3 Bg4 7.h3

Black does not have any problems after 7.0-0 Nd4.

7...Qe6+!
This check disrupts White’s development. The only challenging retort is:

8.Ne2

a) 8.Qe2 was played in the game Tazbir-Kovalenko, Trzcianka Dziedzic Memorial 2013, when Black missed 8...Bxf3!
9.Qxe6 (9.Bxf3?? Nd4–+) 9...Bxg2! which seems to offer him at least equality after 10.Qb3 0-0-0
10...Bxh1 11.Qxb7 Rb8 12.Qxc7 Rd8 is a risky attempt to play for a win.
11.Rg1 Nd4 12.Rxg2 Nxb3 13.axb3 a6=.

b) 8.Kf1 is answered by 8...Bh5 9.d3 0-0-0 10.Be3 h6 11.Qd2 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 Ne5 – see Game 13 Mamedov-Kurajica,
Sarajevo 2010.

8...Bxf3 9.Bxf3 Qf5 10.Bg2 e5 11.0-0 0-0-0÷

This unexplored position offers chances to both sides.

B. 4.Bc4 Nf6
White’s forth move is waiting for the opponent to define the pawn structure. Then he can decide where to push the d-
pawn. Besides, 4.Bc4 enables an original set-up with Ng1-e2 which renders the typical pin Bc8-g4 pointless.
Furthermore, the e2-knight allows to win a tempo with Bf4.

B1. 5.Nge2 B2. 5.Nf3

B1. 5.Nge2 a6!

The presence of the white bishop on c4 suggests the idea of an extended fianchetto with ...b7-b5 and then ...Bc8-b7 or
...c7-c5.

6.d4

White cannot hinder our plans with a2-a4 due to the double attack ...Qd6-c6!?, hitting the Bc4 as well as the unprotected
g2-pawn.

A more reasonable alternative is 6.0-0 b5 7.Bb3 c5 8.d3 Bb7
9.a4!? (9.Bf4 Qc6 10.f3 e6³) 9...b4 10.Nb1 Nc6 11.a5
Worse is 11.Nd2 Na5!? 12.Nc4 Nxc4 13.Bxc4 Qc6 14.f3 e6³.
11...e6 12.Nd2 Be7 13.Nc4 Qd8 14.Bf4 (14.Nb6 Ra7) 14...Nd5=
Black may have lost a few tempi with his queen, but now he regains one by hitting the bishop on f4. In addition, the a5
pawn is somewhat vulnerable, binding the Nc4 with its defence.

6...b5

Black relies on sound development. This is the standard, human method of treating such positions. However, grabbing a
pawn with 6...Qc6!? is a very interesting, albeit risky alternative. It is indicative that in OTB games White scores 59%
which reflects the higher cost of Black’s mistakes. On the contrary, correspondence practice strongly favours Black
with 72%! I analyse this sharp line in Game 14 Lewis-Nicholls, corr. 2009.

7.Bb3 e6 8.Bf4 Qd8
This position may at first create the false impression that White is much better due to his lead in development. In fact,
we should also assess the lack of prospects before White’s pieces, especially the Bb3.
For his part, Black has a clear plan of undermining the centre with ...c7-c5. That promises him excellent chances of
equalising.

9.0-0

We are not afraid of 9.d5 in view of 9...c5! 10.dxc6 Qxd1+ 11.Rxd1
The manoeuvre 11.Nxd1 Nxc6 12.a4 b4 13.a5 Bb7 14.Ne3 was not a significant improvement – see Game 15
Aravindh-Rakhmanov, Doha 2014.
11...Nxc6 12.0-0 Bb7 13.Ng3
White cannot use his better development to invade our camp:
13...Na5 14.Rfe1 Be7 15.Nce4 Nxe4 16.Nxe4 Nxb3 17.axb3 Rc8 18.c3 0-0 19.Bd6 Rfd8! 20.Bxe7 Rxd1 21.Rxd1
Bxe4= and Black had comfortable equality in the game Vallejo Pons-Kurajica, Villarrobledo 2001.

9...Bb7
We are ready to carry out ...c7-c5 under the best possible circumstances and White can do little about it. The pawn
sacrifice 10.d5 is best answered with 10...c5! when 11.dxe6 loses a piece to 11...Qxd1 12.exf7+ Ke7 13.Raxd1 c4³.

10.Re1 c5! 11.a4

I did not find any games with this move, but it looks like the only way to fight for the initiative. Of course, this is not a
choice for the fainthearted as White’s bishop will be doomed to passivity for quite some time.

Black breathes easier after 11.dxc5 Qxd1 12.Raxd1 Bxc5 13.Ng3 0-0
13...Nbd7 14.Nce4 0-0-0 15.Nd6+ Bxd6 16.Bxd6 Nb6 17.Be5 Rxd1 18.Rxd1 Rd8 19.Rxd8+ Kxd8= was not bad
for Black either in Fabre Massana-Mellado Trivino, La Pobla de Lillet 2006.
14.Nce4
14...Nbd7! 15.c3 Ba7 16.Nd6 Bc6 17.Nxf7 Ng4! 18.Nh1! Rxf7 19.Bxe6 Nc5 20.Bxf7+ Kxf7÷.
This queenless middlegame is more complicated than it looks and it offers chances to play for a win to either side.

11...c4

11...b4? would have been good were it not for the terrible blow 12.d5!! It is an unpleasant shock for Black – 12...bxc3
13.Nxc3 Be7 14.dxe6 fxe6 15.Rxe6 Qxd1+ 16.Rxd1 Nc6 17.Rde1 Kd7 18.Nb5!!± and suddenly all the white forces
are gathering around the helpless black monarch. I am in no mood to search for a defence for Black here, and most
probably, it does not exist.

12.Ba2
A crucial moment. If Black gets a chance to play ...Nb8-d7 followed by ...b5-b4, he will obtain full control of the long
diagonal and White will end up with a worse position. These considerations suggest that we should protect the b5 pawn
by our queen. However, it is not simple to extinguish White’s activity in those lines as you could see below.
Fortunately, we possess a simple solution:

a) 12...b4 13.Nb1 Qd5 14.f3 Nc6 15.Nd2 Nxd4 16.Bxc4 Qd8=.

b) 12...Qd7 13.f3 Be7 14.axb5 axb5 15.Bxc4 Rxa1 16.Qxa1 bxc4 17.Bxb8 0-0, with full compensation for the pawn, is
a purely computer’s line which looks too artificial to me.

c) 12...Qb6!?. I was attracted by this move since it prevents the tactical trick Bxc4, seen in the previous line, as the b8-
knight will be protected at the end. White has other resources though:
13.Be3 b4
13...Qc7?! stumbles into 14.axb5 axb5
15.d5! Maximizing the scope of all the pieces on the e-file. 15...Nxd5 16.Nxb5 Qc6 17.Ned4! Nxe3 18.Nxc6
Nxd1 19.Rexd1 Bxc6 20.Nc7+ Ke7 21.Nxa8 Bxa8 22.Bxc4 Be4
As a rule, the rook is much stronger in such positions which often arise from the Sicilian. For example, 23.Bd3 is a solid
approach. Even stronger is 23.Bb5!, with domination.
14.d5 Bc5 15.a5
15.Nf4 bxc3 16.dxe6 0-0 17.bxc3 Bxe3 18.Rxe3 fxe6 19.Rb1 Qd8 turns out to be balanced.
15...Qc7 16.Bxc5 Qxc5 17.Na4 Qd5 18.Qxd5 Bxd5 19.Nf4 0-0 20.Nxd5 exd5 21.Nb6 Nc6!
The exchange sac keeps all three results possible.
22.Nxa8 Rxa8 23.Rad1 Kf8÷.
It is still a mystery how White’s bishop could enter play. c2-c3 does not solve it as Black always has ...g6.

B2. 5.Nf3 Bg4
Pinning the white knight leads to positions which remind Chapter 2, but the bishop on c4 makes the pin more awkward.
If the first player now chases the bishop by h2-h3 followed up by g2-g4, then it will end up on g6 and White could
restrain it by playing d2-d3. Even then, however, Black is not worse because he can continue with ...a7-a6, ...Nb8-c6
and ...0-0-0, obtaining good play.

6.d3

6.d4 c6 7.Be3 (7.0-0 e6 8.Be2 Nbd7 9.h3 Bh5=) 7...Nbd7 8.h3 Bh5 and Black has comfortable equality.
6.Qe2 Nc6! forces play favourably for Black – see Game 16 Massoni-Tiviakov, Bastia/Ajaccio 2008.

6...Nc6 7.Be3 e6

A terrible blunder would be 7...Ne5?? 8.Nb5 Nxf3+ 9.gxf3 Qc6 10.Nd4+– and White wins a piece.

8.Qe2 a6
This is a typical Black set-up against a pawn on d3. White could also get the same position with the black bishop on g6
and the white pawns on h3 and g4.

9.0-0-0 Be7

9...Ne5!? 10.h3 Bxf3 11.gxf3 Qc6= is also interesting.

10.h3

This position occurred in the game Holgado Maestre-Gofshtein, Navalmoral 2007. Black pulled back his bishop to h5 to
obtain a fully satisfactory position after 10...Bh5 11.g4 Bg6 12.Nh4 Nd5=.
Black could also try to exploit White’s delay in playing h2-h3 with:

10...Bxf3!? 11.Qxf3 0-0 12.d4
12...Na5!

12...Qb4 is dubious due to 13.Bb3! (13.Bd3 Rfd8=) 13...Na5 14.d5 Nxb3+ 15.axb3 e5!
15...exd5 is answered with the stunning 16.Rxd5!! (16.Rd4 Qd6 17.Nxd5 Nxd5 18.Rxd5 Qc6=) 16...Nxd5
17.Nxd5 Qd6 18.Bf4 Qd7 19.Rd1± .
16.g4² and White enjoys some pressure as he has more room and the black queen is misplaced.

13.Bd3 Qc6! 14.Qxc6 Nxc6 15.a3
White’s last move is designed to stop ...Nc6-b4-d5, but after 15...Bd6!, the knight takes the other route – 16.g4 (16.Ne2
b5=) 16...Ne7=.
Annotated Games
13. Mamedov – Kurajica

Sarajevo 2010

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.g3 Bg4 6.Bg2 Nc6

I prefer this move because Black should contend for d4. This approach is more aggressive than putting the pawn on c6
so we should grab the chance with both hands. Its adoption by GMs Kovalenko and Kurajica speaks for itself.

7.h3 Qe6+ 8.Kf1 Bh5 9.d3 0-0-0 10.Be3 h6 11.Qd2 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 Ne5

13.Qe2 Nxf3 14.Qxf3 Nd5 15.Kg2 g5?!

This is a bit too much. 15...Qf6! leads to complete equality, for instance: 16.Qxf6 Nxf6 17.a4 a5!= or 16.Qe4 Qc6
17.Nxd5 (17.Rhe1 e6=) 17...Qxd5=.

16.Rhe1?!

This rook was needed on the kingside to exploit the weakness created by Black. 16.Rae1! Qc6 17.h4! Rg8 18.hxg5 hxg5
19.Nxd5 Qxd5 20.Rh7 Bg7 21.Bd2² gives White all the trumps.

16...Qc6 17.Kg1 Bg7 18.Bd2 Rhf8 19.Nxd5 Qxd5 20.Qxd5 Rxd5 21.Rxe7 Bxb2=
The ending is level. The players drew it after a long struggle, not devoid of inaccuracies.

22.Rae1 Ba3 23.R7e4 Kd7 24.Kg2 Bd6 25.h4 f6 26.a4 b6 27.hxg5 hxg5 28.Rh1 Rf7 29.Rh5 Be7?!

29...Re7!= is more to the point. After 30.Rc4 Rc5, one pair of rooks would be gone and the pressure would be
completely relieved.

30.Kf1 Bd8 31.Ke2 Rd6 32.f4! f5 33.Re5 gxf4 34.Bxf4² Re6 35.d4?! (35.Kf3²) 35...Bf6 36.Rxe6 Kxe6 37.Rh6
Kd7?!

37...Kd5! 38.Kd3 Bxd4! 39.c4+ Kc5 40.Bc1 Rf6!
41.g4!! Rxh6 42.Bxh6 fxg4 43.Bf8+ Kc6 44.Kxd4 a6= is a simple draw, but the moves leading to it were not simple at
all.

38.Kd3²

From now on White keeps a permanent pressure due to his space advantage, but lacks a knock-out blow.

38...Be7 39.Kc4 a6 40.c3 c6 41.Be5 b5+ 42.Kb3 Rf8 43.c4 bxc4+ 44.Kxc4 Rc8 45.Bf4 a5 46.Be5 Bb4 47.Bf4 Re8
48.Be5 Rc8 49.Rg6 Be7 50.Bf4 Bb4 51.Rg7+ Ke6 52.Ra7 Be1 53.Ra6 Kf7 54.Be5 Bb4 55.Ra7+ Ke6 56.Bf4 Be1
57.Rh7 Bb4 58.Rh6+ Kd7 59.Rh7+ Ke6 60.Rg7 Kf6 61.Rb7 Ke6 62.Be5 Be7 63.Ra7 Bb4 64.Rh7 Be7 65.Bf4 Bb4
66.Rh6+ Kd7 67.Be5 Be7 68.Rh7 Ke6 69.Rg7 Bb4 70.Ra7 Be1 71.Ra6 Bb4 72.Bf4 Kf7 73.Ra7+ Ke6 74.Bc7 Rg8
75.Ra6 Kd7 76.Bf4 Rc8 77.Rb6 Be7 78.Rb7+ Ke6 79.Rb2 Kd7 80.Re2 Bf6 81.Re3 Re8 82.Rxe8 Kxe8 83.Bc7 Be7
84.Bxa5 Bd6 85.Be1 Kd7 86.Kd3 Kc7 87.Ke3 Kb6 88.Kd3 Ka6 89.Ke2 Kb6 90.Kd3 Ka6 91.Kc4 Kb6 92.Kb3
Ka6 93.Kc4 Kb6 94.a5+ Ka6 95.Kd3 Kb5 96.Ke3 Bb8 97.Kd3 Bc7 98.Ke3 Bb8 99.Kf3 c5 100.dxc5 Kxc5
101.Bd2 Bxg3 102.Kxg3 f4+ 103.Kxf4 Kc6 104.Ke5 Kb7 105.Kd6 Ka8 106.Kc6 Kb8 107.Kb6 Ka8 108.a6 Kb8
109.a7+ Ka8 110.Ka6 Draw.

14. Lewis – Nicholls
ICCF 2009

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Bc4 a6 6.Nge2 Qc6!?
Objectively, 6...b5 is the better option, but grabbing a pawn looks appealing to numerous players. My analysis suggests
that if both opponents were perfectly prepared, the game should logically end peacefully. However, White has the draw
in the pocket in the main line. That means, Black would be playing for two results only.

7.Bb3!

After 7.Qd3 Qxg2 8.Rg1 Qh3, we are at a crossroads where White will most likely try to keep the queens and castle
quickly.

a) 9.Qxh3 should be a relief even though White gains a few tempi – 9...Bxh3 10.Nf4 Bf5 11.Nfd5 Ra7!? This has not
been tried so far. (11...Nxd5 12.Nxd5 Kd7 13.Bf4 b5 14.Bb3 Ra7 15.Ne3 Bg6 16.a4² was Ahmed-Onkoud, Doha
2011.)
12.Bf4 (12.Nxc7+ Kd8 13.N7d5 b5 14.Bb3 Nc6 15.Be3 Ng4÷ is unclear) 12...b5 13.Bb3 Nc6 14.Nxc7+ (14.0-0-0
Nh5!?) 14...Kd7 15.N7d5 Nxd5 16.Bxd5 e6 17.Bh1 Bd6 18.Bxd6 Kxd6 19.0-0-0 g6 20.d5 Ne7 21.dxe6+ Kxe6=.

b) 9.Ng3 The knight looks displaced here. I believe it belongs to f4. A possible continuation is 9...Nc6 10.Bf4 b5
11.Bb3
11.Bd5? Nb4 12.Qf3 Nxc2+ 13.Kd2 Nxd4 14.Qe3 c6 15.Qxd4 Nxd5 16.Nxd5 cxd5µ is given by Melts.
11...Bb7 12.0-0-0 Na5 13.Bxc7 Nxb3+ 14.axb3 Rc8 15.Be5 Nd5, when Melts believes that White is slightly worse but
I am not sure what the evaluation should be. Play could continue 16.Rge1 e6!
16...f6 17.Bd6 g6 18.Kb1 Kf7 19.Nxd5 Bxd5 20.Bc5² should be avoided as the bishop is very strong on c5 and
we have no counterplay.
17.Nxd5 Bxd5 18.Re3 Qh6 19.Ne2 f6 20.Bg3 Qg6 21.Qxg6+ hxg6 22.Nf4 Kf7 23.Nxd5 exd5÷ with a very unclear
ending.

c) 9.Be3 Bf5 10.Qd2 Nc6 11.0-0-0 0-0-0 12.Bxf7 e5 13.d5 Nb4
is a tangled position where Black’s king is safe enough which cannot be said about its white opponent. After 14.f4 Nxc2
15.Rg3 Qh6, White’s dark-squared bishop lacks good squares.

7...Qxg2 8.Rg1 Qf3 9.Bf4

After 9.Rg3, Black has at least a draw with 9...Qh1+ 10.Rg1 Qf3=.

9...Bg4 10.Bxc7?

This regains the pawn, but loses time and allows Black to catch up in development.
10.Qd2! is the critical test. It looks really scary for the defender here and at one moment I couldn’t help but ask myself,
would you really ever consider playing this as Black? Well, the truth is that White’s position looks easier from a
practical standpoint, but I haven’t been able to find anything concrete for him. My analysis goes:
10...Nbd7 This has to be played, and now White can basically choose between two continuations:
a) 11.d5!? 0-0-0 12.Nd4!?
After 12.0-0-0 Qxf2 13.Rdf1 Qh4! (13...Qa7 14.Be3± throws the black queen out of play) 14.Bg5 (14.h3 Bxe2
15.Qxe2 Nc5 16.Qe5 Rd7÷) 14...Qxh2 15.Bf4 Qh5 16.Ng3 Qg6 17.Bc4! Nc5! 18.b4 e6! 19.bxc5 Nxd5
20.Nxd5 exd5 21.Be2 Bxe2 22.Nxe2 Qc6°. Black has just enough for the piece.
12...Qh3 13.Bxc7!? (13.f3 e5! 14.dxe6 Bxe6÷) 13...Kxc7 14.Qf4+
14.Ndb5+ axb5 15.Nxb5+ Kb6™ 16.Qb4 e6 17.d6 Qh5 18.Nc7+ Ka7 19.Qa4+ Kb6 20.Qb4+= leads to a draw.
14...Ne5™ 15.Qxe5+
15.f3 Nfd7!? 16.fxg4 Qh4+ 17.Rg3 g6 18.Qf2 Kb8 19.0-0-0 Bg7 20.Kb1 Qf6÷.
15...Rd6 16.Ncb5+ axb5 17.Rg3 Qh5 18.Nxb5+ Kd7! 19.Qd4 (19.Qc3? Nxd5µ) 19...Qxh2 20.Rxg4 Qh1+ 21.Kd2
Qh6+ 22.Ke2
22.Kd3 Nxg4 23.Qxg4+ Kd8 24.Nxd6 exd6÷.
22...Qh5=.

b) 11.0-0-0 This move has been tested in correspondence chess. 11...e6! 12.Bxc7! (12.d5? e5µ) and Black has a choice
between a drawish ending and ultra sharp play:
b1) 12...Bb4 13.a3 Ne4 14.Qd3 Bxc3 15.Nxc3 Nxc3 16.bxc3 Rc8 17.Bd6 Rxc3 18.Qxf3 Bxf3 19.Rde1 Rc6 20.Bb4
Nf6 21.c4
21.Rxg7 Bd5 22.Kb2 b6 23.Ba4 b5 24.Bb3 Bxb3 is likely to transform into 4-rook ending with just a slight
initiative for White.
21...b5 22.Kd2 bxc4 23.Ba4 g6 24.Rc1 Bd5 25.Bxc6+ Bxc6 26.Rxc4 Kd7 27.Rgc1 Rc8°. Black seems to have a
fortress here. I couldn’t find anything for White.

b2) 12...Rc8 13.d5!
13.Be5 Bb4 14.Bxf6 Nxf6 15.d5 e5 16.Qg5 0-0÷ Burkett-Fels, corr. 2003.
13...Rxc7 14.dxe6 fxe6 15.Nd4 Qh3 16.Rxg4! Qxg4 17.f3 Qh5 18.Nxe6° is too scary for my own taste although
18...Qa5 19.Re1 Be7 20.Nxg7+ Kd8 21.Ne6+ might be only a draw.

10...Nbd7
11.d5?!

Overambitious. 11.Qd2÷ maintained the tension.

11...Rc8 12.Bf4 Rxc3! 13.bxc3 Ne4

Suddenly Black got a huge initiative. White has to return the exchange and even surrender a pawn to tame it, but he
lands in a bad ending nonetheless.

14.Be3 Ne5 15.Nd4 Qxd1+ 16.Rxd1 Bxd1 17.Kxd1 Nxc3+ 18.Kd2 Ne4+ 19.Ke2 g6³
The remainder is not important from a theoretical standpoint as it is clear that Black has won the opening battle.

20.f4 Nd7 21.Kf3 Nec5 22.h3 Bg7 23.c4 e5 24.fxe5 0-0 25.Kg2 Bxe5 26.Bc2 Re8 27.Kf2 Bd6 28.Nf5 Bb8 29.a3 f6
30.Bd4 Ne4+ 31.Bxe4 Rxe4 32.Rg4 Rxg4 33.Nh6+ Kg7 34.Nxg4 h5 35.Ne3 Be5 36.Bxe5 Nxe5 37.Kg3 b6 38.d6
Kf7 39.Nd5 Ke6 40.Nxb6 Kxd6 41.a4 Kc5 42.Nd5 Nxc4 43.Nxf6 Kb4 44.Kf4 a5 45.Ke4 Kxa4 0-1

15. Aravindh – Rakhmanov
Doha 29.11.2014

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Bc4 a6 6.Bb3 e6 7.Nge2 b5 8.Bf4 Qd8 9.d5?!

This comes too early, practically giving away any chance for an edge. I would dare say that Black is even slightly more
comfortable after it.

9...c5! 10.dxc6 Qxd1+ 11.Nxd1 Nxc6 12.a4 b4 13.a5
White plans Nd1-e3-c4, hoping to exploit the weakness of the b6-square.

13...Bb7 14.Ne3 Rd8 15.Nc4 Nd5

It is not clear whether Bf4-c7 had to be prevented. 15...Bc5!? is another natural choice. After 16.Bc7 Rd7 17.Bb6 Bxb6
18.axb6!
18.Nxb6 Rd8 19.f3 Ke7 20.Nc1 Rd6 21.Nc4 Rd5 22.Nd3 Nd7 23.0-0 Nc5³ was more than fine for Black in
Novoselski-Ostojic, Valjevo 2011.
18...Ke7 19.f3 Rhd8 20.Kf2 Rd5„
The game is balanced, and according to my feeling, easier for Black to conduct. This is due to the fact that an exchange
of the dark-squared bishops actually suits Black’s aims – he gets the c5-square for his pieces, and his king is very safe
on e7.

16.Bg3 Bc5 17.0-0 h5 18.h4 Nce7

18...f6!? 19.Rad1 Kf7 was another interesting possibility. The Bg3 is potentially a bad piece.

19.Ba4+! Bc6 20.Bxc6+ Nxc6 21.Rfd1 Nce7 22.Nb6 f6?!

Black underestimates White’s counterplay. 22...Nxb6! 23.Rxd8+ Kxd8 24.axb6 Kc8! 25.Rxa6 Kb7 26.Ra7+ Kxb6
27.Rd7 Rc8³ was the right way to mobilise all his pieces, with a slight advantage for Black. This variation illustrates
perfectly the meaning of the piece of wisdom “the king is a strong piece – use it!”.

23.Rd3! Kf7 24.Rad1ƒ

Suddenly the tide has turned and it is Black who has to be careful in order to maintain equality.

24...Rde8 25.Nxd5 Nxd5?!

Surprisingly, 25...exd5!= was the better choice at this point, keeping contact with the f5-square and maintaining equal
chances. In the event of 26.c3 (26.Nf4 d4! 27.c3 bxc3 28.bxc3 dxc3 29.Rxc3 Rc8= is equal, too), Black should play the
cool 26...Rc8 and nothing much is going on.

26.c4! bxc3 27.Nxc3 Nxc3 28.Rxc3 Bb4! 29.Rc6 Bxa5 30.Rd7+ Kg6 31.Rxa6 Bb4 32.Raa7 Rhg8 33.Rab7 Bf8!
34.Bf4! e5 35.Be3 Kf5 36.b4 Rc8 37.g3 Ke6 38.b5 (38.Rd1!?²)
38...Bc5! 39.Bxc5 Rxc5 40.b6 Rb5= 41.Rxg7 Rxg7 42.Rxg7 Rxb6 43.Rh7 Kf5 44.Rxh5+ Kg4 45.Rh8 Kh3 46.Kf1
Rb1+ 47.Ke2 Kg2 48.h5 Rb2+ 49.Ke3 Rb3+ 50.Ke4 Kxf2 51.h6 Re3+ 52.Kd5 Rd3+ 53.Ke6 Rxg3 54.Rf8 e4 55.h7
Rh3 56.h8=Q Rxh8 57.Rxh8 e3 58.Rh2+ Kf3 59.Kxf6 e2 60.Rh1 Kg2 61.Ra1 Kf3 62.Kf5 Ke3 63.Ke5 Kf2 64.Kf4
e1=R 65.Rxe1 Kxe1 Draw.

16. Massoni – Tiviakov
Bastia/Ajaccio 26.10.2008

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Nc3 Qd6 5.Bc4 Nf6 6.Qe2
This move doesn’t feel right when the moves h3 Bh5 have not been inserted. 6.d3= and 6.h3= are better continuations.
6...Nc6! 7.Ne4 Nxe4 8.Qxe4 Bh5

8...f5! 9.Qe3 e5 was an excellent way to play. Black is even slightly better since the bishop on g4 is much more
aggressive than its counterpart on c4 which strikes at nothing.

9.c3 Bg6 10.Qe2
10...Na5! 11.d4 Nxc4 12.Qxc4 c6 13.0-0 e6 14.Ne5 Qd5 15.Qa4 Be7 16.Re1 Bf5 17.Be3

17.Qb3! Qxb3 18.axb3 was equal while now Black can only be better, provided the position opens up for his bishop
pair.

17...0-0 18.c4 Qd6 19.a3 Rfd8

Black is too cautious. 19...f6! 20.Nf3 Bd8!³ would have given him the edge.

20.Rad1 Qc7 21.Bf4 Qb6 22.b4 a5 23.c5 Qa6 24.d5?

Playing for complications is acceptable tactics in rapid chess and here it pays off against a superior opponent.
Objectively though, better was 24.g4 Bg6 25.Nxg6 hxg6 26.Bc7 Rd5 27.Qxa5 Qxa5 28.Bxa5÷.

24...cxd5?!

24...Rxd5! 25.Rxd5 exd5 26.Nxc6 Qxc6! 27.Qxc6 bxc6 28.Rxe7 axb4 29.g4 Be4 30.f3 Bxf3 31.axb4 Bxg4µ would
have called White’s bluff. Now the play remains complex.
25.b5 Qa7 26.c6™ 26...Bc5 27.Bg3?

27.Rd2!³ would have defended f2 with the right piece as the Bf4 should retain the option of moving to e3 later on, to
challenge the strong Bc5.

27...Rdc8! 28.Rc1 bxc6 29.bxc6 Be7

29...Qe7!µ/³ was best as 30.Nd7! Bxa3 31.Ra1 Bb4 32.Rec1 Bd2! 33.Rd1 Bc3 gives Black some winning chances.

30.Nd7 Bd3 31.Ne5 Bf5 32.Nd7 Bd3 33.Ne5 Bf5 34.Nd7 Draw.

Main Ideas
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6
We are gradually approaching the most popular lines of the 3...Qd6 Scandinavian. White adheres to the classical rule
that the centre should be occupied with pawns. However, this very pawn which just landed on d4, is not only an asset. It
will also provide Black with opportunities for counterplay. Our whole strategy will revolve to a very large extent
around blocking, using the squares in front of it, attacking, or liquidating it.

Black’s last move is more flexible than 4...c6. It prevents 5.Ne4 while keeping the options of 5...a6 and 5...g6 open. It is
now White’s turn to reveal his plans. Practice suggests that his choice is not easy to make – first players have tried
more than 11 different moves in the diagram position! Experience has shown that White should in principle try to make
use of the e5 outpost and the h2-b8 diagonal to further restrict us. He should avoid trading pieces as that would give us
more room. Especially challenging would be positions with opposite castled kings and they should be the critical test
for our set-up. Finally, one major idea for White is to restrain our light-squared bishop behind our pawn formation or
force its exchange for the king’s knight. However, the latter is effective if White could keep the bishop pair for a long
time since a subsequent exchange of the dark-squared bishops would considerably minimize his advantage. I believe
that only 5.Nf3 could be of any concern to us, a move that immediately takes e5 under control. However, a lot of
players opt for alternatives, mainly because they prefer to avoid well trodden paths or because they don’t want to allow
the ...Bc8-g4 pin.
This chapter is dedicated to 6 relatively rare 5th moves.

The most straightforward attempt is 5.Nb5 – after all, 3...Qd6 is “begging” for it.
We answer 5...Qb6! and it turns out that 6.c4 a6! 7.Nc3 e5! passes the initiative to Black.
For example, 8.dxe5 Ng4 9.Nh3 Bc5.
Remains 6.Nf3, but then 6...Bg4!? 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 c6 9.Nc3 Nbd7 is balanced.

The next most aggressive move is 5.Bc4!?. In Chapter 3, I recommended to meet Bc4 by ...a6. The same retort is good
here – 5...a6 6.Bb3!? e6 7.Nf3 (7.Nge2 b5) 7...b5
The point of our set-up is the ...c5 break that tactically exploits the placement of the bishop on b3. For instance: 8.d5
c5!; 8.0-0 Bb7 9.Re1 c5!=.

The more passive 5.Bd3 allows the thematic answer 5...Bg4!
At the risk of becoming boring, I will stress once more that if the bishop sortie to g4 does not stumble into a tactical
refutation, then it should be by far our main priority in the 3...Qd6 Scandinavian. The idea is: development,
development, development! Similarly, we should aim to lead out our queen’s knight to c6 which is the ideal place for
this piece as from that square it helps pressurize d4. Thus ...Nb8-c6 and ...Bc8-g4 harmoniously fit in together. Of
course, before resorting to this type of development for our knight, we should always consider the consequences of
such replies like Nc3-b5 or d4-d5 as they could be dangerous.
A model to follow is 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3,
when simplest is 7...e5 8.dxe5 Nxe5=.

The other White’s set-up is 6.Nge2 e6 7.f3 Bh5
The safest approach for Black is to develop the queen’s knight to c6 and castle on the same wing as White:
8.Bf4 Qd7 9.Qd2 Nc6 10.0-0-0 0-0-0=, see Game 18.
Or
8.Bg5 Be7 9.Qd2 Bg6 10.0-0-0 Nc6!, Game 19.

Another line where the stab ...Bc8-g4 shines is 5.Bg5 Bg4! It is always good to lure White into f2-f3 if we can escape
unscathed. 6.f3
6.Qd2 does not change our plans since 6...Nc6 7.d5 Nb4 8.Bxf6 gxf6 9.a3 meets 9...Bh6!! with complications.
6...Bf5 7.Qd2 Nc6 8.Nge2 0-0-0
In the Scandinavian, if we castled comfortably, things are fine for us. The queen can look after itself and 9.0-0-0 h6
10.Bf4 will only activate it further after 10...Qb4!.

The possibility of ...Bc8-g4 could easily baffle White, so don’t be surprised if he decides to control g4 by a piece or a
pawn. That is what happens in the following lines:
5.Be2 c6 6.Bg5 Does White think he is fighting against the King’s Indian? Well, possibly not, but in any case I am
tempted to call this the Averbakh system in view of the configuration of the white pieces. 6...h6!? 7.Bh4 Bf5 In this line
...Bg4 may be impossible, but the backup option ...Bf5 is still available! 8.Nf3 Nbd7 9.0-0 e6 10.Bg3 Qb4 11.Rb1
Be7=
This is a typical situation (note the queen at b4!) where Black has accomplished his opening strategy and can play for a
win slowly, but surely. Whenever he reaches such a formation, the enemy d-pawn may become a target at the first
slight mishandling by White. At the same time, we cannot commit any serious error even if we try hard, owing to the
solidity of our structure. To increase his chances of success, Black should retreat his queen to safety and then try to
exchange at least a pair of minor pieces. After that, the possibility of a successful break ...c6-c5 or pressure on the d-file
will become real.

5.h3 sings the same tune. It is very principled, but on the other hand, it loses time. I think White should better wait for
Black to play ...c7-c6 first before resorting to this prophylaxis. In the current situation, we can safely change plans with
5...a6!?, aiming for a completely different set-up compared to the previous lines:

6.Bd3 Nc6 7.Nf3 (7.Nge2 e5!=) 7...g6! 8.0-0 Bg7 9.Be3 0-0 10.Qd2 e5!=
Instead, 10...Be6 keeps more tension.

Finally, I would like to draw your attention to the strange move 5.Nge2. It aims for a quick long castle and I recommend
to borrow this plan from the enemy – 5...e6!

This is the only line where I prefer to clog our bishop! We plan ...Nc6 so we need to prevent d4-d5.

6.Qd3 (or 6.Bf4 Qb6!? 7.Qd2 Bd7!) 6...Bd7 7.Bf4 Qb6 8.0-0-0 Nc6 9.Kb1 0-0-0
Our set-up underlines the awkward stand of Ne2 and Bf1. As for our further plan, we should remember that the
Scandinavian is a light-squared enterprise. Accordingly, we should envisage manoeuvres like ...Nc6-e7-d5, ...Bc6.
Step by Step
This chapter covers rare alternatives to the main answer 5.Nf3:

A. 5.Nb5; B. 5.Bc4; 6. C. 5.Bd3; D. 5.Be2 E. 5.Bg5; F. 5.h3; G. 5.Nge2.

A. 5.Nb5

is not very popular in GM chess, but I think it deserves some scrutiny. In fact, it is the only way to “punish” Black for
not having played ...c6 or ...a6. White’s idea is to build a pawn centre by playing c2-c4.
I feel that the usual queen retreat to d8 is passive. I opt for the alternative solution:

5...Qb6!

Black should keep the queen active. It is eyeing both d4 and b2 and faces White with concrete problems.

6.Nf3

Developing according to the classical principles. After all, the conflict in the 3...Qd6 Scandinavian is the chess version
of the fight of God vs Devil, isn’t it? Or at least, this is what I thought when I saw this opening for the first time.

a) 6.d5?! neglects development and offers Black at least equal chances.
A swift miniature from this position saw: 6...e6 7.Be3 Bc5 8.Bxc5 Qxc5 9.d6 Na6 10.dxc7 0-0 11.c3 Bd7 12.Nd4?
12.Qd6 Bxb5 13.Qxc5 Nxc5 14.Bxb5 Rac8= was the normal continuation.
12...Nxc7 13.Ngf3 e5 14.Nb3 Qe7 15.Be2 Nfd5 16.0-0 Nf4 17.Ne1 Rad8 18.Qc2 Qf6 19.Bf3 Bf5 20.Be4 Nh3+! and
White resigned in Armbrust-Tiviakov, Pfalz 2009.

b) White’s main positional idea of 6.c4 should be answered with 6...a6! 7.Nc3 e5! when Black is at least equal. The
following lines provide some evidence:
8.dxe5 An obvious move, but Black gets a great initiative after it. Instead:
8.d5?! Bc5 9.Qc2 (Rozentalis-Caspi, Israel 2008) 9...0-0³;

8.Qe2?! Qxd4 9.Nf3 Qc5 10.Nxe5 Be7³ looks acceptable for Black according to Gawain Jones in his Chessbase
commentary. I would dare say that Black is already better;

8.c5 Qe6 9.d5 Qg4 10.Be3 Qxd1+ 11.Rxd1 Ng4 12.d6 cxd6 13.Nd5! (13.cxd6?! Nxe3 14.fxe3 Be6³ is given by
Michael Melts as
better for Black.) 13...Nxe3 14.fxe3 Ra7 15.Nf3 Nd7 16.Nc7+ Kd8 17.cxd6 Bxd6 18.Nd5 b5÷ is tenable, both
sides having their strengths and weaknesses;
8...Ng4 9.Nh3 Bc5 10.Qc2
This position occurred in Gavric-Kurajica, Neum 2005. The Bosnian GM should have played here 10...Be6! with
compensation for the pawn. Melts analysed this position, concluding that Black has good play. One line of his is
11.Nd5
Or 11.Na4 Bb4+ 12.Bd2 Bxd2+ 13.Qxd2 Qc6°.
11...Bxd5 12.cxd5 Nd7 13.f4 Bb4+ 14.Kd1 0-0-0 15.a3 (15.Be2? Ndxe5–+) 15...Bc5 16.Bc4 g5 17.Qe2 h5. In my
opinion, the final position is very annoying for White in view of his shaky king.

6...Bg4!?
This aggressive bishop sortie is typical and justified here. White is temporarily weak on d4, so Black should put
pressure on it. 6...c6 7.Na3! only shifts the knight to a fine position on c4.

7.Na3!?

7.c3 Nbd7 8.Na3 e6 9.Nc4 is the most solid continuation. Black has reserved the c6-square for his queen which is a
good way to meet the Nb5-a3-c4 manoeuvre. A well played correspondence game continued 9...Qc6 10.Bd3 Be7
11.Be3 0-0 12.Ncd2 e5 13.dxe5 Nd5 14.Qe2 Qe6 15.h3 Bh5 16.g4 Bg6 17.Bxg6 fxg6
18.Qc4 a6 19.0-0 Nxe5 20.Nxe5 b5 21.Qe4 Nf6 22.Qf4 Nd7 23.Qe4 Qxe5=, Bonsack-Tracz, corr. 2010.

7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 c6 9.Nc3 is balanced – 9...Nbd7 (9...e6=) 10.Qf4
10.Qd3 e5„;
10.d5 Nxd5 11.Nxd5 cxd5 12.Qxd5 e6 13.Qb3 Qc7=.
10...e6 11.Bd3 Be7
11...c5 12.dxc5 Bxc5 13.0-0 0-0 14.Na4 Qc6 15.Nxc5 Nxc5 16.Be2².
12.0-0 0-0 13.Re1 Rad8=.
The surprising knight retreat aims to transpose to 6...c6 7.Na3! which I mentioned on the previous turn. We know the
antidote from the 7.c3 line above – c6 should be reserved for the queen:

7...Nbd7!? 8.Nc4

Or 8.c3 e6 9.Nc4 Qc6„.

8...Qc6 9.Qd3
9...Bxf3 10.gxf3 g6 11.Bg5 Bg7 12.0-0-0 0-0÷

B. 5.Bc4 a6!?
Another possible set-up involves 5...g6, but I chose to recommend 5...a6 for the sake of consistency with Chapter 3
where I recommended this plan against 4.Bc4.

On the opposite, 5...c6 looks inferior. With this move Black starts building the usual fireproof construction in the centre,
but White has an aggressive plan in his disposal: 6.Nge2!
In the event of 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.Be3 (7.0-0 e6 8.Be2 Nbd7 9.h3 Bh5=) 7...Nbd7 8.h3 Bh5, Black has comfortable
equality. It would be dubious for White to expand by playing 9.g4?! Bg6 10.Nh4 e6 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Qf3,
because after 12...Nd5! he loses his dark-squared bishop and lands into a slightly worse position. An attempt to
keep the bishop pair by 13.Bd2?! Nb4 14.0-0-0 would simply lose a pawn without compensation: 14...Qxd4!
15.Qe2 Qe5 16.Ne4 Nc5³ and Black has all the chances.
6...Bg4 7.f3 Bf5 8.Bf4 Qb4 9.Bb3 e6
10.g4! Bg6 11.h4 h6 12.Qd2! Nd5 13.0-0-0 Nd7 14.Bg3 and Black cannot castle long in view of 14...0-0-0 15.Bxd5
exd5 16.Qf4.

6.Bb3!?

Setting up the positional trap 6...b5? 7.Qf3. This move order is especially important for White if he wants to castle long.
The point is to provoke 6...e6 as otherwise Black might find more useful options. For instance, 6.Nf3 b5 7.Bb3 Bb7
8.Qe2 (8.0-0 e6 transposes to the main line.) 8...Nc6!? is awkward in view of 9.Bg5 Nxd4.

6.Nge2 transposes to Chapter 3/line B1 when 6...b5 and 6...Qc6 are both possible.

6...e6 7.Nf3
7.Nge2 b5 – Chapter 3
7...b5
8.0-0

8.d5 c5!;
8.Bg5 Bb7 9.Qe2 deserves attention.
9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.Qe2 Nd7 11.0-0-0 0-0-0 is balanced.
9...Nbd7
9...b4 10.Na4 Ne4 (intending 11.Bh4 Be7) was successfully tested in several games, but I do not see any
positional reason to trade dark-squared bishops.
10.0-0-0 Nd5 11.Nxd5 Bxd5 12.Kb1=.

8...Bb7 9.Re1 c5
In Chapter 3 I considered a similar position with White’s knight on e2. The same idea is effective here.

10.a4

10.Bxe6 fxe6 11.Ng5 is bold, but not entirely correct due to 11...Qxd4! 12.Rxe6+ Be7 13.Qe2 Nc6 14.Be3 when both
14...Qc4 and 14...Qb4! 15.Rxf6 0-0-0! are in Black’s favour.

The endgame 10.dxc5 Qxd1 11.Rxd1 Bxc5 is pleasant for Black.

10...c4 11.Ba2 Qb6!

Now 12.Be3 Qc6 leaves White with his bishop stranded on a2 so he should probably try 12.d5 Bc5 13.Be3 0-0 14.Bxc5
Qxc5 15.dxe6 fxe6,
when 16.Rxe6 Nbd7 17.Qd6 Bxf3 18.gxf3 Qf5 obviously offer Black full compensation for the pawn.

C. 5.Bd3 Bg4!

Trying to provoke a weakening.

6.Nge2

After 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3,
Black has, among others, the simplifying 7...e5 8.dxe5 Nxe5=.

6.f3 is typically answered with 6...Bh5 7.Nge2 e6= transposing to 7.f3 below.

6...e6

Our favourite position. It is rather easy to play since our light-squared bishop is before the pawn chain and the white
knight on e2 is passive.
7.f3

After 7.0-0 Be7 8.Bf4 Qxf4 9.Nxf4 Bxd1 10.Raxd1 c6 11.Rfe1 Nbd7 12.Ne4 Nd5 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Nd2 0-0-0, Black
had comfortable equality in the game Savchenko-Vachier-Lagrave, Moscow 2010.

7...Bh5 8.Bg5

Another possibility is 8.Bf4. This logical developing move was played by Elizabeth Paehtz against variation’s guru
Sergei Tiviakov, Douglas 2014 – 8...Qd7 9.Qd2 Nc6 10.0-0-0 0-0-0=, see Game 18.

8...Be7 9.Qd2
9...Bg6

Bishops opposition on the b1-h7 diagonal is almost always a sure sign that Black has equalized.

10.0-0-0

This position arose in Game 19 Kislinsky-Babula, Kouty nad Desnou 2012. Best now was 10...Nc6!=.
Black has practically saved a tempo because he did not have to play the move ...a7-a6. Castling long is once more a very
realistic possibility, just like in Tiviakov’s game.

D. 5.Be2 c6

5...Bf5 seems more consistent, but I would like to avoid 6.Nb5 when the method from line A is ineffective due t6...Qb6
7.c4 a6 8.c5 and we do not have a check from e6.
6.Nf3

6.Bg5 is designed to develop without allowing ...Bc8-g4 ideas. I recommend the untried 6...h6!? 7.Bh4 Bf5 8.Nf3 Nbd7
9.0-0 e6 10.Bg3 Qb4 11.Rb1 Be7= and I cannot see any particular point in White’s set-up. Black has reached
comfortable equality.

6.Bf3 looks time consuming, allowing Black to catch up in development with 6...Bf5 7.Nge2 e6 8.0-0
8.Bf4 Qd8 9.Ng3 Bg6 10.h4?! h6 11.h5 Bh7 12.Qd2?! Bb4 13.a3 Ba5 14.b4 was a reckless weakening by White.
After 14...Bc7 15.Nce2 Bxf4 16.Nxf4 0-0 17.Rd1 a5! 18.0-0 axb4 19.Qxb4 b5 20.c3 Ra4 21.Qb2 Qd6–+, he was
already lost in Runic-Milanovic, Belgrade 2006.
8...Qd8 9.Ng3 Bg6 10.Nce4 Nbd7 11.Bf4
11...Nxe4
Some engines recommend 11...h5!? with equality, but perhaps I’m not brave enough to play such a move as then
Black will probably have to castle long.
12.Nxe4 Bxe4 13.Bxe4 Nf6 14.Bf3 Bd6=.

6...Bg4

5...Bf5 is also in the spirit of our system.

7.0-0

If White decides to insert 7.h3, he must also reckon with 7...Bxf3 8.Bxf3 e6 as played by Karpov. The more complex
retreat to h5 allows the following sharp line:
7...Bh5 8.g4 Bg6 9.Ne5 Nbd7
a) 10.f4 e6 11.h4
In typical Scandinavian fashion, the Bg6 begins to feel the heat, but my analysis indicates that Black should be
okay. 11.Bf3 Nd5 transposes.
11...Nd5 (or 11...Ne4) 12.Bf3
After 12.h5 the bishop flees away from danger by 12...Nxc3 13.bxc3 Be4 14.0-0 g6=.
12.Nc4 Qc7 13.f5 exf5 14.h5 Bb4 15.hxg6 fxg6! 16.Qd3 b5! 17.Na3 (17.Ne3 Nf4ƒ) 17...0-0ƒ offers Black a
strong initiative for the sacrificed piece.
12...Nxc3 13.bxc3 f6 14.h5 fxe5 15.hxg6 exf4 16.gxh7 0-0-0 with a tangled position.

b) 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Be3 offers White nothing as Black has excellent control over d5 after 11...Nb6 12.Qd2 0-0-0,
Petrenko-Lomineishvili, Kutaisi 2015.

c) 10.Bf4 Nxe5 11.Bxe5
After 11.dxe5, I’d rather prefer the solid 11...Qxd1+ (11...Qb4 12.Bd2 Ne4 13.Nd5 Qxd2+ 14.Qxd2 Nxd2
15.Nc7+ Kd7 16.Nxa8 Ne4÷ is given as unclear by Melts) 12.Rxd1 Nd7! (12...Ne4? 13.Nb5! should be
avoided) 13.0-0 e6= with a safe and sound ending for Black.
11...Qd7
Fleeing to the open plain by 11...Qb4!? is the usual alternative.
12.f4?!
This rash step won’t succeed. Melts gives 12.Qd2 e6 13.0-0-0 0-0-0(?!)² but I think it is better for Black to go
13...Nd5!? instead, e.g. 14.h4 (14.Nxd5 cxd5=) 14...f6 15.h5 Bf7 16.Bg3 Bb4 17.Qd3 Nxc3 18.bxc3 Ba3+„.
Even simpler is to trade knights immediately by 12.Qd2 h5! 13.g5 Ne4 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 15.f3 Bf5 16.0-0-0 f6
17.Bf4 e6=.
12...e6 13.0-0 h5 (13...Ne4!³) 14.g5, T.Kosintseva-Zatonskih, Tbilisi 2012. Black is already more than fine and the
most accurate continuation was 14...Ng8³. The Be5 is a serious liability an White will find it difficult to justify her
strategy. For example, 15.Bd3 Bxd3 16.Qxd3 f6 17.d5 exd5 18.Bd4 Bd6 and White is struggling to prove
compensation.

7...Nbd7 8.Re1

8.h3 Bh5! is similar to the main line – 9.Bg5
9.Be3 e6 10.Qd2 Qc7 11.Rad1 Bd6 12.Ng5 Bxe2 13.Qxe2 0-0 14.Nge4 Be7 15.Qf3 Nd5=, Haavamae-Karpov,
Puhajarve 2013.
9...e6 10.Bh4!? Aiming to disturb the black queen on d6.
10...Bxf3
Now this exchange is well-timed, preparing to withdraw the queen to c7 and oppose White’s dark-squared bishop
once it reaches g3. Besides, 10...Be7 11.Bg3 Qb4 is also perfectly viable for Black, if he wants to reach a more
complicated middlegame.
Black can also play as in the main line – 10...Qc7!?.
11.Bxf3 Qc7 12.Re1 Be7 13.Bg3 Bd6 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.d5!? White correctly opens the centre in order to prolong the
diagonal to his bishop, but the endgame is easy for Black. 15...cxd5 16.Nxd5 0-0-0 17.Nc3 Qxd1 18.Raxd1
18...a6 19.Rd4 Nb6 20.Rb4 Nbd5 21.Rb3 Rd7 22.Nxd5 Nxd5 23.Rd1 b5 24.Bxd5 Rxd5 25.Rxd5 exd5= 26.Ra3 Kb7
27.Re3 Rc8 28.c3 Kc6 29.Kf1 Kd6 30.Ke2 b4 31.Kd2 a5 32.cxb4. At this point the players decided to call it a draw in
Movsesian-Tiviakov, Wijk aan Zee 2013.

8...e6 9.Bg5

9.Ne5 Nxe5 10.dxe5 Qxd1 11.Bxd1 Bxd1 12.Rxd1 Nd7 13.Bf4 0-0-0 14.Ne4 h6 was equal in Moroz-Labensky, Rovno
2000.

9...Qc7!
Note this retreat! Black vacates the d6-square for his bishop. Now he can meet 10.Qd2 by 10...h6 11.Bf4 Bd6=.

E. 5.Bg5

This is a natural developing move. White is planning to castle long after Qd1-d2. We have a good reply:

5...Bg4!
6.f3

6.Qd2, with the idea h2-h3 or even Bg5-f4, is possible. After 6...Nc6 7.d5
If 7.h3, then 7...Bf5 7...Bh5 8.Nb5 Qe6+! 9.Be3 0-0-0 10.c4 a6 11.d5 Nxd5 12.cxd5 Rxd5 13.Bc4 Rxd2
14.Bxe6+ fxe6 15.Kxd2 axb5 is approximately balanced), when 8.Nb5?! Qe6+ 9.Be3 0-0-0 10.c4 gives Black a
crushing attack – 10...Ne4 11.Qc1 Qf6.
7...Nb4 8.Bxf6 gxf6 9.a3
9...Bh6!! 10.Bb5+ c6
10...Kd8?? 11.Qxh6 Nxc2+ 12.Kf1 Nxa1 13.Qg7+–.
11.Qxh6 Nxc2+ 12.Kf1 cxb5 13.Qg7 Rf8 14.Qxg4 Nxa1 15.Qd1 0-0-0 16.Qxa1 a5 17.Nxb5 Qxd5 18.Qc1+ Kb8
19.Qc7+ Ka8 20.Qxa5+ Kb8 and White has nothing better than to take a draw by perpetual.

6.Be2 complies with our striving for exchanges. We can proceed with 6...Bxe2 7.Qxe2 Nbd7 followed up by ...c6,
...Be7, ...Nd5.

6...Bf5 7.Qd2 Nc6
The pressure against d4 reduces White’s options.

8.Nge2 0-0-0 9.0-0-0 h6 10.Bf4 Qb4!

A thematic motif! The queen escapes into the open plain!

11.a3 Qa5 12.Qe3 e6 13.Ng3 Bh7ƒ

Black’s advantage was more than obvious in the game Eliseev-Kovalenko, Moscow 2013. Even better was 13...Bxa3!.

F. 5.h3 (Preventing the annoying ...Bc8-g4) 5...a6!?
White has denied ...Bc8-g4 and we reply in style with the reciprocal ...a7-a6!?, so that the white knight wont be able to
disturb us with intrusions on b5. Besides, we want to be ready for Bf1-c4, which can now be answered with the
thematic ...b7-b5.

6.Bd3

After 6.Nf3, the black knight can go to c6 without fearing d4-d5: 6...Nc6 7.Be2 (7.Be3 e5=) 7...Bf5 8.0-0 e6=.
In this position, the possibility of castling long is not out of question in view of White’s rather passive set-up. However,
intuitively, I would rather choose the safer kingside castling, for example:
9.Be3 Be7 10.Bd3 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 Nb4 12.Qe2 0-0= when not much is going on. Black’s control over d5 grants him an
even game.

6...Nc6 7.Nf3

7.Nge2 enables the typical breakthrough 7...e5! which should give Black an excellent game. Indeed, after 8.dxe5 Nxe5
9.Bf4 Nxd3+ 10.cxd3 Qd8 11.0-0 Be7 12.Ng3 0-0 13.Qf3 c6 14.Rfe1 Be6=, Black was fine in Game 20 Savic-
Ostojic, Vrnjacka Banja 2009.

7...g6!

White has invested time on preventing Bg4 and we can use it to fianchetto our king’s bishop. Actually, developing the
bishop on g7 is principled and it may well be strategically imperative here as the d4-pawn is a target.
8.0-0 Bg7 9.Be3 0-0 10.Qd2

I have been following the game Niering-Packroff, Germany 2005. At this point I would like to suggest the following
continuation:
10...e5!=

Liquidating the centre may not be to everyone’s taste as the resulting position is rather drawish, but I prefer an equal
position to a worse one!
The only reasonable alternative is 10...Be6 aiming to trade bishops with Qd7, Bf5.

11.dxe5 Nxe5 12.Nxe5 Qxe5 13.Rfe1

In this symmetrical position we need only a couple of accurate moves to complete development:

13...Be6
(or 13...Bd7 14.Rad1 Bc6=)
14.Bg5 Qd4 15.Rad1 Rfe8 16.Qc1 Qb4!
The queen keeps on treading the board, only this time with a deeper idea, to retreat to f8 and enable ...h7-h6, pushing
back the annoying Bg5. Black has completely equalized here.

G. 5.Nge2

This move has a clumsy appearance, but it should not be underestimated.

5...e6!

It is of course possible to play ...Bc8-g4, but the text is even better in this particular line. Black’s plan is to castle long
quickly.
6.Qd3

In the event of 6.Bf4 Qb6!? 7.Qd2 Bd7! 8.0-0-0 Nc6, Black’s position looks excellent. A sample line follows:
9.Na4 Qa5 10.Qxa5 Nxa5 11.Nc5!?
The greedy 11.Bxc7? is actually a mistake in view of 11...Ng4! 12.Bxa5 Nxf2 13.Nec3 (13.Nc5 Bxc5 14.dxc5
Nxh1 15.Be1 0-0-0³) 13...Nxd1 14.Kxd1 b6³ and Black is at least slightly better as he ends up an exchange up.
11...0-0-0!?
11...Bxc5 12.dxc5 0-0-0 13.Nc3 Nc6÷ is also playable.
12.Nxd7 Rxd7 13.Bd2 (13.Nc3 Bb4=) 13...Nc6 14.c3 Bd6 15.Ng3 Ne7„ and Black should be able to attain equality by
either exchanging dark-squared bishops on f4, or carrying out ...c7-c5.

6...Bd7 7.Bf4 Qb6 8.0-0-0 Nc6
9.Kb1 0-0-0 10.Qb5 Qxb5 11.Nxb5 Ne7!

A beautiful tactical idea that assures Black of the advantage. It is much better than the pedestrian 11...Nd5.

12.Nc1

12.Nxc7? Ng6 13.Bg3 Ne4–+ is the not so obvious point.

12...Ned5 13.Bd2
13...Ne4 14.Be1 a6!

Now White will be saddled with doubled pawns, a weakness that Black exploited impeccably in the game Kosiorek-
Malaniuk, Kowalewo Pomorskie 2006. It went 15.Nc3 Ndxc3+ 16.bxc3 Be7 17.Bd3 Nd6 18.c4 Bf6 19.c3 Bc6 20.f3
b5! Converting one advantage into another! Black straightens out the enemy pawn chain in order to conquer the c4-
square for his own pieces! 21.cxb5 axb5 22.Nb3 Bd5 23.Bg3 Nc4. Black has a considerable edge and Malaniuk went
on to win.

Annotated Games
17. Cornejo – M.Zapata

Mar del Plata 21.06.2009

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.Nb5 Qb6 7.Na3 c6
We already know from the “Step by Step” section that Black should keep c6 for his queen in this line. Still, he does not
face serious problems even after the text move. I chose this game because it sheds some light on the typical
symmetrical structure which arises when Black pushes ...e5.

8.c3 Nbd7 9.h3 Bh5 10.Be2 e6 11.Nc4 Qc7 12.0-0 Bxf3?!

This does not make much sense to me. A valuable rule of thumb is “exchange this bishop for the Nf3 only when you are
certain of trading dark-squared bishops as well”. To which I would like to add: “...or if you are absolutely forced to”.
12...Nd5!= was nice and flexible, controlling f4 and preparing to bring the bishop out to e7. If then 13.Bg5,
13.Re1 Be7 14.Nfe5 Bxe2 15.Qxe2 Nxe5 16.Nxe5 Bd6= is excellent for Black.
Black unloads the position by 13...Be7 14.Bxe7 Nxe7 15.Nfe5 Bxe2 16.Qxe2 0-0 17.Rad1 Rad8 18.Rfe1 Nxe5
19.Qxe5 (19.dxe5 Rd5=) 19...Qd7 20.Qh5 Ng6 21.g3 Qd5 22.Qe2 c5 23.h4 h6=.

13.Bxf3 Be7 14.g3 Nd5²
White maintains a slight pull in view of his bishop pair.

15.Qe2 0-0 16.Ne3

This exchange seems wrong. I prefer 16.a4 Rad8 17.Re1 N7f6 18.Ne5 c5 19.dxc5 Bxc5 20.Kg2 Bd6 21.Bd2 Rfe8
22.Rad1².

16...Nxe3 17.Bxe3 Rfe8 18.Bg2 Bd6 19.Rfe1
19...e5?!

I do not like this so much. When the enemy has a bishop pair, it is better to keep the centre closed. The standard way to
treat this structure is 19...Nf6 20.Rad1 b5!? 21.b3 Rac8², when White is slightly better but Black does not have
weaknesses.

20.dxe5 Bxe5 21.Rad1 Nf6 22.Qc4 Re6 23.Qa4

23.h4 Rae8 24.Bh3 R6e7 25.Bc5? is strongly met by the brilliant shot 25...Bd4!!–+;
23.f4! Bd6 24.Bd4 Rae8 25.Rxe6 Rxe6 26.Bf3!± was the way to maintain the grip. In a symmetrical position with a
bishop pair you just have to improve your pieces and wait for the opponent’s mistakes. Exchanging a pair of rooks
would have been a valuable first step, depriving Black of any counterplay.

23...Rae8 24.Bd2 Qb6! 25.Qb3 Qc7 26.Re3
26...Bd6?!

26...h5!ƒ looks slightly favourable for Black now.

27.Rxe6 Rxe6 28.Re1 Rxe1+ 29.Bxe1=

Black has succeeded in exchanging all the rooks and that makes the position a trivial draw.

29...Bc5 30.Qc4 Bb6 31.Qd3 Qe7 32.Kf1 Nd7 33.Qe4 Qxe4 34.Bxe4 g6 35.Ke2 f5 36.Bc2 Kf7 37.b4 Nf6 38.Bb3+
Ke7 39.a4 Ne4 40.f3 Nf6 41.g4 fxg4 42.fxg4 Nd5 43.Kf3 Bc7 44.c4 Nf4 45.h4 Nd3 46.Bc3 Ne5+ 47.Bxe5 Bxe5
48.Ke4 Draw.

18. E.Paehtz – Tiviakov
Douglas 06.10.2014

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Bd3 Bg4 6.Nge2 e6 7.f3 Bh5 8.Bf4 Qd7

An important reaction, preparing to castle long. The queen is beyond the scope of White’s knights as they cannot reach
e5.

9.Qd2 Nc6 10.0-0-0 0-0-0 11.Kb1
11...Bb4!?

Black should, of course, avoid 11...Nxd4?? 12.g4!+–, but other moves are possible:
11...Nb4?! is actually one I do not like so much in view of 12.Bc4!
12.Nb5 Nxd3 13.Qxd3 a6!= ∆ 14.Nxc7?! Bd6 15.Na8 Nd5; 12.Bb5 c6 13.Ba4 Bg6=.
12...Bg6 13.Bb3 Kb8 14.h4 h6 15.Be5².
On the contrary, 11...Bg6 looks excellent. For example, 12.a3 (12.Bc4 Bd6=) 12...Bd6 13.Bb5 a6 14.Ba4 Bxf4 15.Qxf4
Qd6=.

12.Bb5

This pin is not dangerous here as White has no way to increase the pressure on c6.

12...a6 13.Ba4 Bg6 14.Bg5 Qd6 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Bxc6 Qxc6 17.Qf4 Be7 18.h4 h5 19.Qe3 Bf8 20.Nf4
20...Rg8

Black seeks to avoid excessive simplification. Simpler was 20...Bh6 21.Nxg6 Bxe3 22.Ne7+ with equality.

21.d5!

White does not miss her chance to weaken Black’s pawn structure.

21...exd5 22.Nfxd5 Bc5

22...b5!? is an interesting method to bring the king to safety and gain space. After 23.a3 Kb7 24.Qf4 Bd6 25.Qxf6
Qc4!, Black has considerable compensation for the pawn, one nice point being 26.Rd4?! Bxc2+! 27.Ka1
27.Kxc2? Rxg2+ 28.Kc1 Qb3 29.Rd2 Rxd2 30.Kxd2 Rg8ƒ.
27...Qc6 28.Rc1 Bb3 and Black has the more pleasant game.

23.Qf4 f5 24.Rhe1

24.Rd3! Rd7 25.Rhd1² would have been better.

24...Rge8 25.Qg5 Kb8 26.a3 Ka7 27.Rxe8 Rxe8 28.Qf4 Bd6 29.Qd4+ Kb8 30.f4 Re6 31.g3 Qc5 32.Qd2 (32.Qh8+!?
Ka7 33.b4!?²) 32...a5!=
Black has already a slight initiative, but the final result is a draw anyway.

33.Ne2 c6 34.Ndc3 Bc7 35.Nd4 Re8 36.Nce2 Bb6 37.c3 Qc4 38.Nc1 a4 39.Re1 Rxe1 40.Qxe1 Bxd4 41.cxd4 Qxd4
42.Qc3
42...Qxc3 (42...Qe4+!? 43.Ka1 Kc8!?) 43.bxc3 f6 44.Nd3 b6 45.Nb2! b5 46.c4 Kb7 47.Kc2 Kb6 48.Kc3 Bf7
49.cxb5 Kxb5 50.Nd1 Kc5 51.Ne3 Be6 52.Kd3 Ba2 53.Kc3 Bb1 54.Nc4 Bc2 55.Ne3 Be4 56.Nc4 Bd5 57.Ne3 Be6
58.Kd3 Kd6 59.Nd1 c5 60.Nc3 Bb3 61.Nb5+ Kc6 62.Nc3 Draw.

19. Kislinsky – Babula
Kouty nad Desnou 16.05.2012

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Bd3 Bg4 6.Nge2 e6 7.f3 Bh5 8.Bg5 Be7 9.Qd2 Bg6 10.0-0-0
10...Bxd3?!

Vlastimil is a strong positional player, but this is an inaccuracy. It helps White improve his queen and encourages a
capture on f6 later on.
10...Nc6!= is best. Then 11.Bxg6 hxg6 12.Bxf6 would be rather pointless due to 12...gxf6! 13.d5 Ne5„.

11.Qxd3 Nc6 12.Bxf6! Bxf6

White gets an unpleasant initiative as Black could not recapture with the pawn – 12...gxf6? 13.d5 Ne5 (13...exd5
14.Qxd5± leaves Black with a gaping hole on f5.) 14.Qb5+ c6 15.Qxb7 Rb8 16.Ne4!± highlights the drawback of
Black’s move 10. It was bad to drag White’s queen to d3.

13.Ne4 Qe7

Better was 13...Qd5!? 14.N2c3 Qa5 15.Nxf6+ gxf6
16.d5 0-0-0 17.a3 Ne7 18.Qd4! Nxd5 19.Nxd5 Qxd5 20.Qxa7 Qg5+ 21.Kb1 c6 22.g3² with just a small edge for
White.

14.Qb5

14.c3!?² makes the bishop look awkward on f6. It would have definitely been my choice in this position because it also
kills any counterplay against the white king.

14...Qb4 15.Nxf6+ gxf6 16.Qh5! Qc4 17.Rhe1 Nb4
Black was undoubtedly counting on this attack, but White could have obtained an advantage here with 18.c3!! For
example, 18...0-0-0
18...Nxa2+? 19.Kb1± is bad for the second player as both Qh5-a5 and d4-d5 are threatened.
18...Nd3+?? is even worse due to 19.Rxd3 Qxd3 20.Nf4+–.
19.b3 (19.Qxf7!? Rd6!?) 19...Nd3+ 20.Kb1 Qa6 21.Rg1 Ne5 22.c4 Ng6 (22...Nxc4 23.bxc4 Qxc4 24.Rd2±) 23.Qh6²
and Black is worse as the Ng6 is misplaced while at the same time White controls more space.
After the text, the game continued:

18.Nc3?! Nxa2+

Now the game rolls away to a draw.

19.Nxa2 Qxa2 20.Qb5+ c6 21.Qxb7 0-0 22.Qe7 Rab8 23.Qa3 Qxa3 24.bxa3= Draw.

The players decided not to test each other’s technique.

20. Savic – N. Ostojic
Vrnjacka Banja 11.11.2009

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.h3!? a6!? 6.Bd3

I believe we should not fear this move as now we have the chance to play for ...e7-e5.

6...Nc6! 7.Nge2 e5! 8.dxe5 Nxe5 9.Bf4 Nxd3+ 10.cxd3 Qd8 11.0-0 Be7 12.Ng3 0-0 13.Qf3 c6 14.Rfe1 Be6=
Black has completely equalized. He has the bishop pair and d3 is weak. White balances that with pressure down the e-
file and a more active queen.

15.Re2!

The immediate 15.Be5 allows 15...Nd7!

15...Qd7 16.Rae1!

16.Be5 Rad8 17.d4 Nd5 18.Rae1 is answered by 18...f6! 19.Bb8! Bf7 20.Nf5 Bb4! 21.Bg3 Bg6 22.Nxd5 Qxd5
23.Ne7+ Bxe7 24.Qxd5+ Rxd5 25.Rxe7 Rf7 26.Re8+ Rf8 27.R8e7 7=.

16...Rad8!

16...Rae8 17.Be5 leaves Black slightly cramped.

17.Nf5 Bxf5 18.Rxe7
18...Qxd3?

A critical moment of the game. After a perfectly played opening, Black slips gravely. As easy as 18...Rfe8!= seems, we
could just as easily overlook it. White has nothing better than 19.Rxd7 Rxe1+ 20.Kh2 Rxd7 21.Bg5 (21.Bd2?! Rxd3!³)
21...Bg6 22.Qf4!?
22.Bxf6 Rxd3³;
22.Qg3 Kh8=.
22...h5 23.Bxf6 gxf6 24.Ne4 Bxe4 25.dxe4 Kg7 26.Qh4 Re2 27.Qxh5 Rdd2=.

19.R1e3ƒ

Now White obtains a lasting initiative which he eventually converted into a full point. 19.Qxd3 Bxd3 20.Rxb7² is also
not a trivial draw because of Black’s weak pawns.

19...Qc2 20.Re2 Qd3 21.R7e3 Qd7 22.Bg5!? Rde8 23.Bxf6 Rxe3 24.Rxe3 gxf6
25.h4!?

Objectively stronger was 25.g4 Bg6 26.Qxf6 Re8 27.Rxe8+ Qxe8 28.h4 h6 29.Kg2².

25...h6 26.Qf4 Kh7 27.Rf3 Bg6?

27...Bg4!= would have held. White cannot play 28.Ne4? in view of 28...Qd1+ 29.Kh2 Bxf3 30.gxf3 Rd8µ.

28.Ne4! Bxe4 29.Qxe4+ Kg7 30.Rg3+ Kh8 31.Qf4 Kh7 32.Qxf6 Rg8 33.Rf3!±
This move completely ties Black and forces a won ending.

33...Rg7 34.Kh2! Qd5 35.a4! Qe4 36.a5

Petrifying the other flank, too.

36...Qg6 37.g3 Qxf6 38.Rxf6

It is hard to believe, but Black is really helpless owing to the tremendous activity of White’s rook (or Black’s passivity,
if you prefer putting it that way!).

38...h5 39.Kg2 Kg8 40.Rf5 Rg6 41.Rxh5+– Rd6 42.Rg5+ Kh7 43.Rg4 Rd5 44.Rb4 Rxa5 45.Rxb7 Kg7 46.g4 c5
47.Kg3 Ra4 48.b3 Rd4 49.Ra7 Rd3+ 50.Kf4 Rxb3 51.Rxa6 Rb4+ 52.Kg5 Rd4 53.f4 c4 54.Rc6 f6+ 55.Kf5 Kf7
56.Rc7+ Ke8 57.h5 Kd8 58.Rc5 Kd7 1-0

Main Ideas
We are now in the 3...Qd6 main line. I decided to suggest this system because it is natural and safe. I did not want to
build a repertoire based on 5...a6 because I intuitively felt we should bolster the d5 square and shorten the h1-a8
diagonal.
Since White did not waste any time on prophylactic moves, I thought that we could not afford the risk to play ...Nb8-c6
anymore. Thus our normal developing moves should be ...Bc8-g4(f5) and ...Nb8-d7, followed up by ...e6.
Recently the set-up with 5...g6 has become very fashionable. After 6.Nb5! Qd8 (6...Qb6 compares unfavourably to
Chapter 4/line A since the insertion of Nf3 g6 deprives Black of his main counterattacking resource ...e5) 7.Bf4 Na6
8.c4 Bg7 9.Be2 0-0 10.0-0 Bf5,
Black will soon play ...c6 to reach a seemingly similar pawn structure with our first diagram. A closer look, however,
will discover significant distinctions. Black’s dark-squared bishop looks active on g7. Moreover, it protects well the
kingside thus eliminating White’s most aggressive plans with f4+g4. The flipside is a passive stand on the queenside.
My suggested repertoire is more double-edged and offers chances for active counterplay. It is based on a fight for the
central light squares and pressure down the d-file. The strategic motifs may vary from a pure blockade with ...b5 to well
timed pawn breaks.

After 5...c6, White’s main choices are 6.h3 and 6.Ne5. I devoted to them the next three chapters. We will deal here with
some lesser options which are by no means to be underestimated. In fact, understanding how to deal with them is a
useful tool for understanding the Scandinavian in general.

A. 6.g3 Bf5!

You may ask: “why not 6...Bg4”? Indeed, this is our weapon of choice against the Scandinavian, but it is not effective
against White’s fianchetto. The reason is that h3+g4 and probably f4 would be awkward for us. Conversely, if White
had Bd3, then h3+g4 would only help us trade the enemy bishop.

7.Bg2 h6! 8.0-0 e6 9.Bf4 Qd8 10.Ne5 Be7
We see a typical Scandinavian position – slightly cramped, but sturdy. I guess that around here most White’s players get
annoyed with their Bg2 biting on granite. Look at Game 21 Ali-Tiviakov, Jakarta 2015, and Game 22 Mannion-
Tiviakov, to get a better idea.
Perhaps the only concrete line you should memorize is 11.g4 Bh7 12.Bg3 Nbd7 13.f4 when 13...Nxe5! 14.fxe5 Nd5
15.Nxd5 exd5 16.Qe2 0-0 is equal.

B. 6.Bd3 Bg4! 7.Be3

We should not hesitate to take the pawn after 7.h3!? Bxf3 8.Qxf3 Qxd4 9.Be3 Qb4 – see Game 23 Areshchenko-
Karpov, rapid Kiev 2013.

7...Nbd7 8.Qe2 e6 9.0-0-0 Be7
We have escaped most opening’s landmines and our future plan includes trading a couple of minor pieces and castling
long – in this order! We can also strengthen our control over the light squares by ...b5.
Note that in the event of 10.Kb1 Nd5! 11.Nxd5, we should recapture by 11...Qxd5! in order to keep our pawn chain
more flexible and cripple the enemy’s kingside with ...Bxf3.

C. 6.Bg5 Bg4! 7.Be2 Nbd7 8.Qd2 e6 9.Bf4 Qb4 10.a3 (or we’ll play ...Bd6)
A critical position. Both retreats are possible and the choice should depend on your taste.
Perhaps simplest is 10...Qa5 11.0-0 Be7 12.Rfe1 0-0 13.h3 Bh5 14.b4 Qd8 15.Na4 when 15...Nd5! 16.Bh2 Bxf3!
equalises – see Game 24 Al. Kovacevic-Radibratovic, Herceg Novi 2001.

10...Qb6 11.0-0 Be7 12.Na4! Qd8 13.c4 0-0 14.Rfd1 Nb6 15.Nxb6 axb6!? is my main line.
It is based on a future ...b5, gaining control over the centre. In many lines Black obtains nice play against an isolated d4-
pawn even at the cost of a small material deficit.
Step by Step
This prophylactic move controls both critical squares b5 and d5 and prepares to bring the bishop out to g4.
Also possible is the system with ...a7-a6. In my view however, White can then reply with g2-g3 and obtain a slight
advantage.

A. 6.g3; B. 6.Bd3; C. 6.Bg5;

6.Bc4 Bg4 transposes to a note to 5.Bc4 from the previous chapter – 7.Be3 (7.0-0 e6 8.Be2 Nbd7 9.h3 Bh5=) 7...Nbd7
8.h3 Bh5.
6.Be2 Bg4 transposes to Chapter 4/ line B.

A. 6.g3

is a move we shouldn’t be afraid of as the pawn on c6 already presents an obstacle to White’s intended activity along
the h1-a8 diagonal. Play could proceed as follows:

6...Bf5

Tiviakov has recently switched to this move, and I believe it to be best. 6...Bg4 is also possible. 7.Bg2 e6
7...g6!? 8.0-0 Bg7 9.Bf4 Qd8² is another possibility, but White still keeps a slight pull.
8.0-0 Be7 9.h3
9...Bxf3 10.Bxf3 0-0 11.Ne4!
Favoured by the engines and best, in spite of the fact that exchanges relieves Black’s defence. 11.Ne2 has been a
popular retort, but I consider it less efficient. After 11...Qc7 12.c3 Nbd7 13.Bg2 a6 14.Qb3, White still has the
bishop pair, but he lacks clear targets.
14...b5!? 15.Bd2?!. Too slow. (15.a4! Nb6 16.Bf4 Bd6 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 18.axb5 axb5 19.Nf4 would have been
more to the point, eyeing the weak square c5. However, even then, after 19...Nfd5 20.Nd3 g6²/=, it is really very
hard for White to make progress.) 15...Nb6 16.Qc2 Rac8. Black has removed any potential target from the long
diagonal. 17.Rad1 Nfd5 18.Bc1 Bd6 19.Kh1
19...c5 20.dxc5 Qxc5=. Black had the more comfortable side of equality in Van Kampen-Tiviakov, Montreal
2014.
11...Nxe4 12.Bxe4 Nd7 13.Bf4!
The most annoying move. After 13.c4?! as played in Stefansson-Danielsen, Reykjavik 2013, best seems 13...Rad8
14.Bf4 Qb4 15.b3 Nf6 16.Bc2 c5„ and Black’s central counterplay is just in time.
13...Qb4 14.c3! Qb6
14...Qxb2? 15.Rb1 Qxc3 16.Rb3 Qa5 17.Rxb7 Nf6 18.Bxc6± is bad.
15.Bc2!?
A strong computer move. 15.Qb3 Nf6 16.Bf3 Nd5 17.Bd2 Rfd8 18.Rfe1 Rd7 19.Qxb6 axb6 20.a4 g6= is okay
for Black.
15...Nf6 16.Qd3 Rfd8 17.Be5 g6 18.Rab1
I spent a few hours on this position, but I could not find full equality. White’s bishop pair gives him a pull. The
best I could recommend for Black was:
18...c5
18...Nd5 is less good because after 19.Qf3 Qa5 (19...f6 20.Bf4 Nxf4 21.Qxf4 Kg7 22.Rfe1 Bd6 23.Qf3ƒ and
White will start pushing his h-pawn.) 20.Bb3 Bd6 21.Rfe1ƒ. White has a dream attacking position with his h-
pawn ready to march.
19.dxc5 Qxc5 20.Qe2 Nd7 21.Bd4 Qc7 22.Be3! Nb6!?
22...Nf6 23.Rbd1 Nd5 24.Bc1² is a position I would like to avoid as the bishops might show their strength on an
open board.
23.Rbd1 Qc4 (23...Nc4 24.Bf4! e5 25.Bc1 is better for White), but even here,
after 24.Qf3! (24.Qxc4 Nxc4 25.Bc1 f5= is close to equal) 24...Qxa2 25.Qxb7 Bf6 26.Qf3 Bg7 27.Be4², White has
annoying pressure and Black faces an uphill struggle to draw. I believe that Tiviakov has felt or discovered all this and
that was the reason he has switched to 6...Bf5!.

7.Bg2

The plan with long castling is double-edged – 7.Bf4 Qd8 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 e6 10.0-0-0 Be7 11.Kb1 0-0 12.h4 Nbd7
13.h5 when we should not offer White a lever with ...h6. Instead, we can launch a counter-offensive with 13...a5.

7...h6!
This is more accurate than 7...e6 8.Nh4!? Bg4 9.Qd3 Be7?! (I prefer 9...Na6! to force a3, gaining a tempo on
development.) 10.h3 Bh5 11.g4 (11.Bf4!) 11...Bg6 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.Bd2, Palac-Jovanovic, Porec 2016, when
13...Nbd7 14.Ne2 Qc7 15.0-0-0 b5 reaches a typical safe position.

8.0-0 e6
9.Bf4

Sergei recently faced 9.a3 which is apparently meant to prevent ...Qb4, but in this particular case we retreat to d8
anyway since White has already castled short. Game 21 Ali-Tiviakov, Jakarta 2015, went 9...Be7 10.Bf4 Qd8 11.Qe2
0-0 12.Rfd1 Nbd7 13.Ne5 Rc8 14.Rac1 Re8 15.h3 Nd5=.

9...Qd8 10.Ne5 Be7
11.Qd2

Alekseev’s choice, but it does not strike me as anything special. In fact the position is more or less balanced. Tivi
obtained another victory after 11.Re1 0-0 12.h3?! Nbd7³, see Game 22 Mannion-Tiviakov, Douglas 2014. It is clear
that Black is already better in view of his superior centre and the powerful Bh7.

11.Qe2!? is just a trap, the point being 11...Qxd4? 12.Rad1 (12.Nb5!?±) 12...Qb6 (12...Qc5 13.g4 Bh7 14.Nc4+–)
13.Nc4 Qa6 14.Bd6 Nbd7 15.Bxe7 Kxe7 16.b4 Nb6 17.b5 cxb5 18.Nd6±. Correct is 11...0-0 12.Rad1 Nbd7=.

Sharpest alternative is 11.g4 Bh7
12.Bg3
Preparing f2-f4. White’s set-up resembles the Shirov plan from Chapter 7, but with a tempo down on g2-g3-g4.
Besides, the Bh7 defends well Black’s kingside. Instead, 12.h3 0-0 13.Qd2 Nbd7 14.Rad1 lacks any positional
sense. Black would be fine with 14...Bb4 or 14...Nxe5.
12...Nbd7 13.f4 Nxe5! 14.fxe5 Nd5 15.Nxd5 exd5 16.Qe2 0-0=. Black is planning to trade dark-squared bishops with
...Bh4 and White cannot prevent it with 17.Qf2?! due to 17...f6!„.

11...0-0 12.Rad1 Nbd7 13.Nc4 Nd5 14.Nxd5 exd5 15.Nd6 Bxd6 16.Bxd6 Re8 17.Ba3 Nb6 18.b3=
The stem game went 18...Qd7 19.Rfe1 Bh3 20.Bh1 Qf5 21.f3 h5 22.Kf2 Nd7= and the players drew after a long
struggle in Alekseev-Tiviakov, St Petersburg 2012. An endgame would be totally equal so 18...Qg5 deserved attention.

B. 6.Bd3

is a very logical continuation. The bishop is eyeing both flanks from d3 and it leaves e2 free for the queen. Thus White
could castle long.

6...Bg4

Highlighting the only disadvantage of White’s last move as d4 is now hanging.

7.Be3

Preparing Qd1-e2 and 0-0-0.
It is also possible to sacrifice the d-pawn by 7.h3!? Bxf3 8.Qxf3 Qxd4 but I think Black is not worse in this position.
For example, 9.Be3

After 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.Be3 [10.Rd1 can be simply met by 10...e6! because 11.Bg6!? (11.Bf4 Be7 12.Bxh7 Qb6
13.Be4 Rd8 is also unclear) 11...Ne5! 12.Qg3 Qb4 13.Bxh7 Rxh7 14.Qxe5 Rh5 15.Qe2 Bc5„ is just a
complicated position with chances for both sides] 10...Qh4! 11.Rad1 e6 12.Bf4 Be7 13.Rfe1 0-0÷ White has
some compensation for the pawn, but it shouldn’t terrify us. In fact the position seems easier to play for Black
who is, after all, a pawn up.
9...Qb4 Black should gradually tame White’s initiative. See Game 23 Areshchenko-Karpov, rapid Kiev 2013.

7...Nbd7 8.Qe2 e6 9.0-0-0 Be7

9...Nd5 10.Nxd5!? (10.Ne4 Qc7 should transpose to the main line.) 10...cxd5?! 11.h3 offers White the better pawn
chain since his imminent pawn expansion on the kingside is well supported by pieces. Therefore, Black should
recapture by queen:
10...Qxd5 11.c4 Qh5
This position has not been tested yet. Black seems to be in predicament since he is horribly lagging behind in
development, but his queen is really ubiquitous and keeps the whole construction from falling appart. For instance, after
12.Be4 it helps trading light-squared bishops by 12...Bf5, and in the event of:
12.d5! Ne5 13.dxc6 Nxc6 14.Be4 Bc5, it ensures the exchange of the other bishop. Still, the last line leaves us
struggling for two results only after 15.h3 Bxf3 16.Bxf3 Qe5 17.Bxc6+ bxc6 18.Rhe1.

9...Qc7!?, intending ...0-0-0, ...Bd6 or ...Bb4, is an active plan. I recommended it against Be2 in the previous chapter. It
is indicative that Tiviakov opted for it against Boros, Kemer 2007. At first sight, the critical position for it arises after
10.h3 Bh5 11.g4 Bg6 12.Bxg6 hxg6 13.d5! Nxd5 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Rxd5 Be7
It looks dangerous for Black in view of the doubled g-pawns which could be attacked after a short castle. However, the
manoeuvre ...Nd7-f6-d5 installs a very strong piece in the centre which effectively neutralises the enemy activity.
Both games in my database saw 16.Rd3 when instead of the passive ...a6 and ...Rd8 (which was still good for two
draws), Black could fight for the initiative with 16...Nf6, then ...Rc8.
A more challenging retreat is 16.Rd4!?. White defends g4 and enables Bf4. Still, 16...Rc8 is double-edged.

When I went deeper in my analysis, I discovered that instead of forcing events with d4-d5, White had the cunning
11.Kb1
The tactical point behind it is that 11...0-0-0?! stumbles into 12.g4 Bg6 13.Bxg6 hxg6 14.Ne5 and the pawn is immune
owing to 14...Nxe5 15.dxe5 Rxd1+ 16.Rxd1 Qxe5 17.Rd8+!! winning the queen.
11...Bb4 and 11...Bd6 also have drawbacks so we should probably enter a slightly modified version of the game Boros-
Tiviakov with:
11...Bg6!? 12.Bxg6 hxg6 13.d5 cxd5 14.Nxd5 Nxd5 15.Rxd5 Be7 16.Rd4
Instead of g4, White has made the more useful move Kb1. Still, Black retains fair counterchances after 16...Rc8. For
example, 17.Bf4 Qc5 18.Rd3 Bf6 19.Bg5 Qe7 20.Bxf6 Nxf6 21.Rhd1 0-0÷.
The bottom line is, 9...Qc7 is a viable plan, but be prepared for sharp play with opposite castles.

10.Kb1

10.h3 Bh5 11.g4 Bg6 12.Bxg6 hxg6 13.Kb1 b5!? 14.Ng5 Nb6÷.

10...Nd5!

This looks better than 10...0-0-0 11.h3 Bh5 12.g4 Bg6 13.Bxg6 hxg6 14.Ng5 Rhf8 15.Bc1² with just an edge for White
in Mamedov-Vysochin, St. Petersburg 2006.

11.Ne4 (11.Nxd5 Qxd5!) 11...Qc7= 12.h3 Bf5

We are only one move shy of castling (with both options open!) and White is unable to attack anything. 13.g4 Bg6
14.Neg5 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 h6 16.Ne4
offers us a fair choice: 16...b5 17.c3 0-0-0= or 16...0-0-0 17.c4 Nxe3 18.fxe3 Rhf8! 19.Rhg1 (19.h4 f5 20.gxf5 exf5
21.Nc3 Kb8 22.h5 Bf6=) 19...g5!?=. The ...f7-f5 idea should guarantee Black good play. If White prevents it by
20.Ng3 (20.Qc2 f5 21.gxf5 Rxf5!„), then 20...Kb8 21.e4 c5 22.d5 Bd6 23.Ne2 Ne5 24.Nxe5 Bxe5„ would be
excellent for Black.

C. 6.Bg5 Bg4! 7.Be2 Nbd7 8.Qd2 e6 9.Bf4 Qb4
10.a3

10.0-0 allows us to trade bishops with 10...Bd6!?
10...Be7 11.h3 Bh5 12.a3 Qa5 13.Rfe1 0-0 transposes.
11.a3 Bxf4 12.axb4 Bxd2 13.Nxd2 Bxe2!
13...Bf5 14.Rfc1 a6 15.Nc4 0-0 16.Na5 Rab8 17.Na4².
14.Nxe2 0-0= 15.c3 Rfe8
This endgame is equal because Black has no weaknesses and he has exchanged enough pieces to minimize the impact of
the enemy’s space advantage:
16.Rfe1 e5 17.Nc4 exd4 18.Nxd4 Rxe1+ 19.Rxe1 c5 20.bxc5 Nxc5=;
16.f4!? Nd5 17.Nc1 f6 18.Nd3 e5 19.fxe5 fxe5 20.Nc5 Ne3! 21.Nxd7 (21.Rf3 exd4! 22.Nxd7 Rad8=) 21...Nxf1
22.Kxf1 exd4„.

10...Qb6

10...Qa5 is also possible – see Game 24 Al. Kovacevic-Radibratovic, Herceg Novi 2001.

11.0-0 Be7

This is a typical set-up for Black. It is very solid and offers fair chances to play for a win provided that Black is patient.
12.Na4!

I wonder if this is a good argument in favour of 10...Qa5 instead of 10...Qb6. I will let readers decide for themselves. I
am satisfied with the position reached below.

12...Qd8 13.c4

Cinar-Ushenina, Konya 2011, saw 13.h3 Bh5 14.c4 0-0 15.Rad1 Nb6 16.Nxb6 Qxb6.
I recommend the more straightforward line 13...Bxf3 14.Bxf3 Nd5 15.Bg3
15.Bh2 Bg5!? 16.Qe2 Bf4 17.c4 Bxh2+ 18.Kxh2 N5b6 19.Nxb6 Nxb6 is simple equality.
15...b5 16.Nc3 N7f6
17.b3!?
Obviously, c4 is the only sensible resource of White. 17.Nxd5 cxd5 18.Qd3 Qd7 alters the pawn structure in
Black’s favour.
17...Rc8 18.Ne2 Bd6! 19.c4 (19.Bh4 Ne4=) 19...bxc4 20.bxc4 Ne7 21.Rab1 (21.Bh4 Ng6) 21...0-0 22.Rb7 (22.Rfd1!?)
22...Nf5 23.Bxd6 Nxd6 24.Rxa7 Nxc4 25.Qc2 Qb6!?
25...Nd6 forces further simplifications – 26.Ra6 Nf5 27.Rxc6 Nh4 28.Be4 (28.Rxc8 Nxf3+ 29.gxf3 Qxc8
30.Qxc8 Rxc8°) 28...Ra8 29.Rc3 Nxe4 30.Qxe4 Nf5 31.Rb1 Ra5 32.Rb4 Ne7 and Black has enough for his
investment in view of White’s weak pawns. The game should be ultimately drawn.
26.Ra4 Nd6 27.Rb1 Nb5=.

13...0-0

13...Nf8!? 14.Nc3
14.Ne5? Bxe2 15.Qxe2 Qxd4µ; 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Bxf3 Ng6 16.Bg3 Bd6=.
14...Ng6 15.Be3 0-0 16.h3 Bxf3 17.Bxf3 Nh4 18.Bd1 Nf5 19.Bc2 Nxe3 20.fxe3 g6= is a fighting continuation for
those who want to experiment. It looks okay to me.
14.Rfd1

Similar is 14.Rad1 Nb6 15.Nxb6 axb6!?= with full equality. Tiviakov played instead 15...Qxb6 16.Ne5 Bxe2 17.Qxe2
Rad8, but I believe White is a bit better here after 18.Rfe1!?
One of Sergei’s games continued 18.Be3 Qc7 (18...Qa6!? 19.Bg5!²) 19.Bf4 Qb6 20.Be3 (20.Rfe1!? c5 21.dxc5
Qxc5 22.b4 Qc8 23.g3² still transposes to my recommendation for White) 20...Qc7 21.Bf4 with a draw, Glek-
Tiviakov, Benidorm 2009.
18...c5 19.dxc5 Qxc5 20.b4 Qc8 21.g3 h6 22.Be3 a5 23.bxa5 Bxa3 24.Bb6². Even this is nothing special and Black
should be able to draw.

14...Nb6 15.Nxb6

White is no better after 15.Nc5 Bxf3! 16.Bxf3 Nxc4 17.Qc3 Nd5 18.Qxc4 Nxf4 19.Nxb7 Qb6 20.Qxc6 Qxb2=.

15...axb6!? 16.h3 Bh5!?
It is probably good to keep the bishop. 16...Bxf3 17.Bxf3 Bd6 18.Be3! is pleasant for White.
18.Bg5 h6 19.Bh4 g5 20.Bg3 Bxg3 21.fxg3 Qd6÷;
18.Be5 Qe7 19.Qf4 Rfd8=.
18...Qe7 19.d5!?² exerts pressure on b6.

17.Be5

17.g4!? Bg6 18.Ne5 Bd6 (18...Ne4 19.Qe3 Bh4 20.Rf1²) 19.Qe3 b5!? is unclear, e.g. 20.Nxg6 hxg6 21.Bxd6 Qxd6
22.cxb5 cxb5 23.Qe5
23.Bxb5 Rac8 24.Qe5 Qb6 25.Rac1 Rfd8°.
23...Rfd8 24.Qxd6 Rxd6 25.Bxb5 g5 26.Rac1 Nd5 27.Bf1 Rad8
This should be a draw:

28.Rc5 b6 29.Rb5 Nc7!;
28.Kh2 b6 29.Kg3 Ne7 30.Rc7 Nc6 31.d5 Ne5 32.f4 gxf4+ 33.Kxf4 f6.

17...b5!? 18.cxb5 cxb5 19.Qd3 (19.g4 Bg6 20.Bxb5 h5„) 19...b4! 20.axb4 Nd5 21.b5 Qd7 22.Bg3 Rfc8 23.Ne5 Bxe2
24.Qxe2 Qe8

Black’s active pieces compensate for the doubled extra pawn.
Step by Step
21. Muhammad Ali – Tiviakov

Jakarta 16.04.2015

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 c6 5.Nf3 Bf5 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 e6 8.0-0 h6
I feel that this position is safe for Black and White cannot exploit his lead in development.

9.a3 Be7 10.Bf4 Qd8 11.Qe2 0-0 12.Rfd1 Nbd7 13.Ne5 Rc8 14.Rac1 Re8 15.h3 Nd5

The common sense choice, exchanging some wood. A combative alternative is 15...Nb6!? 16.g4 Bh7 17.Bg3 Bd6!
17...Nbd5 18.Nb1!²;
17...Nfd5 18.Ne4².
18.Nb1! Nfd5! 19.c4
19...f6! 20.cxd5
20.Nd3 Bxd3 21.Qxd3 Nf4 22.Bxf4 Bxf4 23.Rc2 f5! 24.gxf5 Qg5 25.Nc3 exf5 26.c5 Nd7÷.
20...exd5 21.f4 fxe5 22.dxe5 g5! 23.Nd2 gxf4 24.Bxf4 Nd7 25.Nf3 Bc7÷.

16.Nxd5 exd5!

Bringing a second pawn on the main diagonal. 16...cxd5?! is a mistake owing to 17.c4±.

17.c4! Nf6 18.g4 Bh7

I would consider 18...Be4= in order to reduce the scope of the Bg2 or exchange it. Tiviakov’s move is riskier.

19.Re1 Bf8 20.g5! hxg5 21.Bxg5 Qd6 22.cxd5 Nxd5 23.Qg4!
White has played purposefully in the last few moves, opening lines and concentrating forces on the kingside. But
Black’s position is solid enough to withstand the pressure.

23...Rc7 (23...Ra8!?) 24.h4

An unclear position would have arisen after 24.Nc4 Rxe1+ 25.Rxe1 Qd7 26.Qg3 f6÷.
24.Re2!? f6 25.Nc4 Qd8 26.Rxe8 Qxe8 leads to a spectacular draw after 27.Ne5! Qd8 28.Qe6+ Kh8 29.Bxd5 cxd5
30.Rxc7 Qxc7 31.Nf7+ Kg8=.

24...Nf6 25.Qf4 Nd5 26.Qg4 Nf6 27.Qf4= Rce7?!

Having +260 Elo points in his favour, Tiviakov naturally wants to fight on. A brave decision, but perhaps not
objectively justified.

28.h5!?

8.Re3 was also promising.
28...Nxh5

28...Rd8!? was more resilient. White would have to find 29.Qg3!
29.Rc4 Nxh5 30.Bxe7 Nxf4 31.Bxd6 Rxd6 32.Be4 f6 33.Bxh7+ Kxh7 34.Nf3 Rd8 35.Rc3 g5„ looks nicely
balanced.
29...Re6 30.Rcd1!
30.h6 Qxd4 31.Bh3 Red6 32.hxg7 Bxg7 33.Rc4 Qxb2 is not so clear, in spite of White’s dangerous attacking
chances; 30.Bh3 Ree8™.
30...Rde8 31.Qf4! c5 32.Re3!
Black is struggling as the pressure against f7 is very annoying.

29.Bxe7 Nxf4??

29...Qxe7 30.Qf3 Nf6 31.Bf1 Nd5 32.Bd3² is not ideal for Black, but it is certainly playable.

30.Bxd6 Bxd6 31.Nc4!+–

Black can resign. Instead, he goes on playing and even wins (!) profiting from a long series of mistakes by his opponent.

31...Rxe1+ 32.Rxe1 Bf8
33.Be4 (33.Re8+–) 33...f5 34.Bc2 g6 35.Bb3 Kg7 36.Na5 c5 37.Nxb7?!

37.dxc5 Bxc5 38.Nxb7 Bd4 39.Re7+ Kh6 40.Nd6±.

37...cxd4 38.Nd8 d3! 39.Ne6+? (39.Kf1±) 39...Nxe6 40.Bxe6 d2! 41.Rd1 Kf6!

White had probably overlooked this. Now Black can support his advanced pawn.

42.Bb3 Bh6 43.Kg2 Bf4 44.Rh1 Kg7 45.Rh3? Bg8 46.Bd1 Kf6 47.Rc3 Bd5+ 48.Kf1 g5 49.Rc5 Ke6 50.Ra5 Bc4+
51.Kg1 a6 52.Rc5 Bd5 53.Ra5 Bc4 54.b4?! Bd6 55.Bc2 Bb5 56.a4 Bxb4 57.axb5 Bxa5 58.bxa6 Bb6 59.Kf1 g4
60.Ke2 f4 61.Kxd2 Bxf2 62.Ke2 Ba7 63.Be4 Kf6 64.Bc6 Kg5 65.Kd3 Kh4 66.Ke4 f3 67.Kf4??

67.Bd7 Kg3 (67...f2 68.Bb5 Kh3 69.Bf1+=) 68.Kf5!= would have kept the pawns under control.

67...Bb8+ (Suddenly White loses.) 68.Ke4 Kh3 69.Ke3 Ba7+ 70.Kf4 f2 71.Bb5 g3 0-1

A tragedy for White, or, if you look at it from a different standpoint, luck favours the strong.

22. Mannion – Tiviakov
Douglas 04.10.2014

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.g3 Bf5 7.Bg2 e6 8.0-0 h6 9.Ne5 Be7 10.Bf4 Qd8 11.Re1 0-0
12.h3?!

Too slow. Black seizes the initiative after this.
12.Nc4! Bh7 13.a4= was better. It should discourage Black from developing his knight to d7 in view of the reply Nc4-
d6. The engines nevertheless insist on 13...Nbd7 (13...Na6!? looks like a more human reaction), evaluating the position
arising after 14.Nd6 Qb6 as dead equal on the ground of:
15.a5 Qxb2 Nce4 Nd5 17.Rb1 Qa3 18.Ra1=. Other moves allow Black to play ...a5, e.g. 15.b3 a5, 15.Nce4 Nxe4
16.Nxe4 a5=, or even take on b2 after 15.Ra3 Qxb2 16.Rb3 Qxc2 17.Qxc2 Bxc2 18.Rxb7 g5! 19.Be5 Nxe5 20.dxe5
Bxd6 21.exd6 Rfd8³.

12...Nbd7

The shortcomings of White’s last are apparent as Black can now develop his knight without fearing invasions on d6.

13.Nc4 Nb6 14.Ne3 Bh7 15.g4?!
15...Bd6!ƒ

An instructive moment. After exchanging dark-squared bishops, Black is slightly, yet clearly better, because White is
exposed in the centre and on the kingside.

16.Be5 Bxe5 17.dxe5 Nfd5

17...Nfd7!? 18.Qd4 Qc7 19.f4 Rad8³.

18.Ncxd5 cxd5 19.c3 Qc7?

Starting with this move, Sergei begins to lose the thread. Black’s further play should be based on the break ...f5 – not
only because it will underline the weakness of White’s king, but in order to prevent f2-f4-f5 from White as well.
Thus, 19...f5³ or 19...Rc8, intending ...f5, ...Qh4, was mandatory.

20.f4 Nc4

20...Rfd8 21.Qd4 Nc4 22.Nxc4 dxc4 23.Qf2 Rd3 would have offered Black some initiative, but it is hard to believe that
he could win the game with his bishop out of play.

21.Nxc4 Qxc4 22.Qd2 b5
23.f5

In principle, this is a good plan, but White could have prepared it with Red1, Qf2. The text leads to a balanced endgame.
In the remainder of the game, Tiviakov prevailed after mutual mistakes.

23...exf5 24.Qxd5 Rab8 25.e6! fxe6 26.Rxe6 Qxd5 27.Bxd5 Kh8 28.Rf1! Rbd8 29.Re5 f4
30.b3?!

30.h4! would have sticked a bullseye on the f4-pawn.

30...Rc8 31.c4 Bd3?!

Black should seek salvation in rooks endgame with 31...bxc4 32.bxc4 Bg8!=.

32.Rc1 bxc4 33.Bxc4?! (33.bxc4! Rc5 34.Rc3²) 33...Rfd8 34.Rd1 Bxc4 35.Rxd8+ Rxd8 36.bxc4 Rd3 37.Kg2 Ra3
38.Rf5 g5 39.Rf7?!

An easy draw arises after 39.h4= Rg3+ 40.Kh2 Rxg4 41.hxg5 hxg5 42.c5 Rg3 43.c6 Rc3 44.Rxg5 Rxc6 45.Ra5.

39...Kg8 40.Rb7 Rxa2+ 41.Kg1?! Kf8 42.Rh7 a5 43.c5 Ke8 44.c6 Kd8 45.h4 a4 46.Rxh6??

The final mistake. White practically resigns while he still had a draw with the insertion of 46.c7+! Kc8 and only now
47.Rxh6 a3 48.hxg5! when 48...Rb2?! 49.Ra6 a2 does not win owing to 50.g6!. Or 48...Ra1+ 49.Kh2 Kxc7 50.Ra6 f3
51.Kg3 a2 52.g6 Rg1+ 53.Kxf3 a1=Q 54.Rxa1 Rxa1 55.Ke4 Kd6 56.g7 Ra8 57.Kf5 Ke7 58.Kg6=.

46...a3–+ 47.hxg5 Rb2 0-1

23. Areshchenko – Karpov
Kiev 07.06.2013

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 c6 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.Bd3 Nf6 7.h3!? Bxf3 8.Qxf3 Qxd4 9.Be3 Qb4
10.Bd2

Alternatively, 10.0-0-0 Nbd7 11.Kb1
11.Rhe1 e6 does not change much.
11...e6 12.Qg3
12.Be2 Qa5 13.Bd2 Bb4 14.a3 Bxc3 15.Bxc3 Qc7 16.g4 0-0 17.h4 Nd5 18.h5 f6÷ is another possibility.
12...g6÷ with a messy position, quite hard to evaluate.

10...Qb6 11.0-0-0 Nbd7 12.Rhe1 e6 13.g4!
13...Be7

Also interesting is 13...Nc5 14.Be3 Be7.

14.g5

14.Bc4 Nc5 15.g5 Nd5 16.Bxd5 cxd5 17.Bf4 Rd8 18.Be5 0-0 19.Bf6 happened in Janev-Vatter, France 2008, and here
simply 19...Bxf6 20.gxf6 g6µ was better for Black.

14...Nd5 15.g6! hxg6 16.Bxg6 0-0 17.Be4
17...N7f6

The most accurate defence now is 17...Rfe8!, intending to put the bishop on f6. Objectively, White does not have
sufficient compensation for the pawn.

18.Rg1 Rfd8 19.Nxd5

19.Bh6 Nxc3 20.Rxg7+ Kh8 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 22.Qxc3 Qxf2 23.Rh7+ Kg8 24.Rg7+= is a draw; 19.Bd3 Nb4÷.

19...cxd5 20.Bd3 Ne8?!

20...Kf8÷ and 20...e5÷ look more natural.

21.Bc3 Kf8 22.Rg4 Bf6 23.Bb4+ Nd6 24.Ba3
White has retained some pressure, which is aggravated by the fast time control.

24...a5

24...Rac8 25.h4 Rc5!? 26.h5 Ra5 was an interesting defensive idea, trying to eliminate the Ba3.

25.Rdg1 Qc7 26.Rf4! Be5 27.Rh4 Rac8 28.Rh8+ Ke7 29.Rxd8
29...Rxd8

29...Kxd8! was best, unpinning. After 30.Bxd6 Qxd6 31.Qxf7 Qe7³, Black would have had serious chances in the
ending in view of his better pawn chain.
After Karpov’s mistake, White’s compensation suddenly takes on dangerous proportions.

30.Re1! f6?!

This is a sure sign of time pressure. A player of Karpov’s calibre would never play in this way in a normal time control.
30...Bf6! 31.Qxd5 Kd7! 32.Qh5 Kc8 33.Kb1 Kb8= was best, running out of the zone of danger. White would still have
some compensation for his worse pawn structure in the bishop pair, a fact that renders the position approximately equal.
For example, 34.Qc5!?
34.Qe2?! Qb6 35.Rg1 Ka7 36.c4 Bd4 (36...Nf5³) 37.Rg5 Qc7 38.h4 b6 39.h5 Nb7³.
34...g6 35.c3 Nf5 36.Be4 Qxc5 (36...Rd2 37.Qf8+) 37.Bxc5 Kc7 38.Kc2 b6 39.Be3 Nxe3+ 40.Rxe3=.

31.Qg4!
Now Black cannot cope with White’s numerous threats and the game is soon decided.

31...g5?! 32.h4!± Bf4+?! 33.Kb1 e5 34.hxg5 fxg5 35.Rh1+– Rf8 36.Rh7+ Rf7 37.Rh6 Rf6 38.Rh8 e4
(38...Rf8 39.Rh6 Rf6 40.Bg6!+–)
39.Bb5 Rf7 40.Re8+ Kf6 41.Re6+ Kg7 42.Qh5 Qd8 43.Qg6+ Kf8 44.Rxd6 1-0

24. Al.Kovacevic – Radibratovic
Herceg Novi 2001

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 c6 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.Be3 Nd7 7.Be2 Ngf6 8.Qd2 e6 9.Bf4
We examined this position under the move order 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Bg5 Bg4 7.Be2
Nbd7 8.Qd2 e6 9.Bf4.

9...Qb4 10.a3 Qa5

Retreating the queen to b6 allows a plan with Nc3-a4, c2-c4.

11.0-0 Be7 12.Rfe1 0-0 13.h3 Bh5 14.b4 Qd8 15.Na4
White insists on the same idea, but it shouldn’t have brought him an edge, considering the weaknesses created by b2-b4.

15...b5?

This is a mistake. 15...Nd5! 16.Bh2 (16.Bg3 N7f6„) 16...Bxf3! 17.Bxf3 Bg5! 18.Qe2 Bf4 is an equalising motif worth
remembering. After 19.c4 Bxh2+ 20.Kxh2 Ne7 21.Rad1 a5 22.Nc5 (22.b5 cxb5 23.cxb5 Nf6÷) 22...axb4 23.axb4
Qc7+ 24.g3 Rad8 25.Ne4 Nb6=, Black’s position is very solid and there is little to worry about.

16.Nc5 Nxc5 17.bxc5±

Now c6 is a terrible weakness. With his next move Black makes matters worse.

17...a5?

17...Bxf3 18.Bxf3 Qd7 was imperative, getting rid of the white knight, which is the ideal piece for exploiting the c-
pawn’s weakness. Now Black is doomed.

18.a4! b4 19.Ne5! Qc8 20.g4 Bg6 21.Bf3 Nd5
22.Bxd5 cxd5 23.Nxg6 hxg6 24.c3!+–

Game over. The b-file opens and Black’s position collapses. The remaining moves were:

24...bxc3 25.Qxc3 g5 26.Bg3 Bd8 27.Rab1 Bc7 28.Rb5 Re8 29.Reb1 Bxg3 30.Qxg3 Qc6 31.Qe3 e5 32.dxe5 d4
33.Qxd4 Rad8 34.Qc3 Qe4 35.Re1 Qxa4 36.Rxa5 Qf4 37.c6 Rd2 38.Rf1 Rd4 39.Rc5 Rxe5 40.c7 Rxc5 41.Qxc5 1-0

Main Ideas
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.h3!?
This line does not occupy much space in the book, but it has a sound positional foundation. It looks at the surface that
White simply denies g4 to our bishop. That would not scare us, since f5 is often as good a place as g4. Here comes the
hidden part of White’s plan. On f5 our bishop could be further restricted with Ne5, g4, f4 (or h4). In many ways, the
idea of 6.h3 is closely related to the Shirov plan which we’ll cover in the next chapter. As a whole, this is perhaps the
most aggressive approach to the Qd6 Scandinavian.
Now that our pawn is already on c6, we lack counterplay based on ...Nb8-c6 so we must find another means of
opposing the enemy’s expansion.

6...Bf5 7.Ne5

Let us consider briefly alternative developments.

7.Bd3 Bxd3 8.Qxd3 Nbd7
is a position which should make us happy because we got rid of a piece (Bf1) meant to control the central light squares.
On the other hand, White has accelerated his development and he will opt for long castling. Thus a question arises: is
our structure solid enough to withstand any kind of attack? I will give just the main line here: 9.Bg5 e6 10.0-0-0
(10.Bh4 Qc7! 11.Bg3 Bd6 12.Bxd6 Qxd6=) 10...Be7 11.Rhe1 0-0 12.Ne5 Rad8! 13.f4 h6 14.Bh4 Nd5! 15.Ne4 Qc7
16.Bxe7 Nxe7 17.Qf3 b6„.
The exchange of bishops has significantly reduced White’s pressure. Counterplay will soon come in the shape of ...c6-
c5, opening a file against the enemy’s king. Further exchanges in the centre would underline the weakness of the pawn
formation f4-g2-h3 which could be sensitive in any ending that includes knights.

Another possibility for White is 7.Be3 Nbd7 8.Qd2, Faber-Kotronias, Kavala 2004, when I should have played 8...e6
9.0-0-0 Nd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.c4 Qe4 12.Bd3 Qxd3 13.Qxd3 Bxd3 14.Rxd3 Bd6=,
with an equal ending, quite typical for the Caro-Kann opening structure.

7...Nbd7 8.Nc4
Here everybody automatically plays 8...Qc7, but my novelty 8...Qe6+!? might be a simpler solution. It disturbs White’s
natural development and aims to chase his knight with ...Nb6 (and back to d7 if it returns to e5). 9.Ne3 (9.Be2 Nb6!)
9...Bg6 10.Bd3 Qd6 11.0-0 e6
See my Game 27 NN-Kotronias, Internet, 2015.

8...Qc7 9.Qf3 e6 10.Bf4 Qd8 11.0-0-0! Nd5! is the other critical position.
It transpires that 12.Nd6+ Bxd6 13.Bxd6 N7b6!= and 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Nd6+ Bxd6 14.Bxd6 Rc8 15.Bd3 Bxd3
16.Rxd3 Rc6 17.Qg3 Qf6 do not set problems to Black, so White should probably turn to the plan with a pawn storm
on the kingside. It could be launched either immediately:
12.g4 Bg6 13.h4 h5 14.g5 Be7 15.Nd6+ Bxd6 16.Bxd6 N7b6 17.Be5 Nxc3 18.Qxc3÷, Van Damme-Gudichsen, ICCF
2014, or after the prophylactic:

12.Kb1 (awaiting for the bishop to go to e7) 12...Nxf4 13.Qxf4 Be7 14.g4 Bg6 15.h4 h5 16.Be2 Qb8! (without the
interpolation of Kb1 – Be7, Black could have now captured the h4-pawn)
17.Ne5 Nxe5 18.dxe5 Bf6!, see Game 28 O.Hansen-Peschke, corr. 2012.

Step by Step
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.h3!?

This could well be one of White’s best options against the 3...Qd6 system. I say this because my research showed that
Black’s path to equality is rather narrow.

6...Bf5
A. 7.Bd3; B. 7.Bc4; C. 7.Ne5

Minor alternatives are:
7.Be3 Nbd7 8.Qd2
This logical deployment of the white forces occurred in my game Faber-Kotronias, Kavala 2004. Now I should have
continued 8...e6 9.0-0-0 (9.Nh4 Be4=) 9...Nd5 (Or 9...Ne4!? 10.Nxe4 Bxe4 11.Bf4 Qb4 12.Qe2 Bg6=)
10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.c4 Qe4 12.Bd3 Qxd3 13.Qxd3 Bxd3 14.Rxd3 Bd6 with a completely level ending.

7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 Nbd7 9.f4 e6 10.Bg2 Nd5 neutralises White’s pawn storm.
Black could proceed with ...f6 or even ...f5, for example:

11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.0-0 f5;
11.h4 f6 (or even 11...Nxc3 12.bxc3 f6 13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.Qd3 0-0-0!? 15.Qxg6 Nb6 with a counterattack) 12.Nxg6
hxg6 13.Qd3 f5.

A. 7.Bd3 Bxd3 8.Qxd3

This contradicts chess principles since White voluntarily exchanges Black’s most problem piece and reduces the
significance of his spatial advantage. I really do not understand how this could be the most popular option on move 7!
The only explanation is that White puts his hopes in his slight lead in development.

8...Nbd7 9.Bg5

This aggressive deployment of the bishop is clearly the most principled follow up.

Worse is 9.Be3 e6 10.0-0-0 Be7 11.Kb1 0-0 12.g4 b5!= and Black secures d5 for his knight in anticipation of the g4-g5
pawn push, followed by Nc3-e4.
Instead, 12...Rfd8 13.Rhg1 Rac8
has been is suggested by Crouch, yet 14.g5 Nd5 15.Ne4 Qc7 16.c4! Nxe3 17.Qxe3 c5 (17...b5 18.c5!±) 18.d5
exd5 19.Rxd5 leaves Black facing unpleasant pressure on the kingside.
13.g5 Nd5 14.Ne4 Qc7„ Black is ready to play ...c6-c5 and is certainly no worse with his proud knight on d5.

9.Ne4 also plays into our hands and is a line I would certainly not play with White. First player’s only chance for an
advantage is a sharp middlegame, but the text move allows to simplify with 9...Nxe4 10.Qxe4 Qg6! Black gets a nice
solid pawn formation and excellent control over d5. Play might continue: 11.Qxg6 hxg6 12.Bf4 e6, see Game 26
Wieczorek-Kulicov, Marianske Lazne 2008.

9.0-0 renounces the idea of castling long. Thus Black is no longer running the risk of falling under attack. After 9...e6
10.Ne2 Qc7 11.c4 Rd8! 12.Qc2 Be7 13.Bf4 Bd6 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.Rad1 0-0 16.Rd3 Qc7 17.Rfd1 Rc8! (an excellent
move, intending ...b7-b5) 18.Rc3 Rfd8 19.Ng3 c5, Black has achieved all his strategic objectives in the opening and has
completely equalized in Molner-Engqvist, Budapest 2014.
The game concluded peacefully after 20.Rcd3 cxd4 21.Rxd4 Nb8 22.Rxd8+ Rxd8 23.Rxd8+ Qxd8 24.b4 a5! 25.a3 Na6
26.Qa4 axb4 27.axb4 h6 28.Qb5 Qe7 29.c5 Qd7 30.Qa5 Nd5 31.Ne5 Qc7 32.Qxc7 Naxc7 33.Nd3 b5 34.cxb6 Nxb6
35.Ne4 Nbd5 36.Nec5 Kf8 37.f4 when a draw was signed.

9...e6 10.0-0-0

Or 10.Bh4 Qc7! 11.Bg3 Bd6 12.Bxd6 Qxd6= and the position is rather balanced.

10...Be7 11.Rhe1 0-0 12.Ne5

At this point Black should relieve his slight cramp by exchanges and try to carry out ...c6-c5:
12...Rad8! 13.f4 h6 14.Bh4 Nd5! 15.Ne4 Qc7 16.Bxe7 Nxe7 17.Qf3 b6„

Black is restricted to three ranks only yet he is perfectly safe. As soon as he plays ...c6-c5 and the position opens up,
some of the weaknesses in White’s camp, such as the pawn on f4, will start to tell.

B. 7.Bc4 Nbd7 8.0-0
(8.Nh4 Be6)
8...e6

You should prefer the move order with 8....h6!? if you must win. It was played in only one game which Black lost. It
preserves the f5-bishop thus keeping more tension than 8...e6 9.Nh4 Bg6 10.Nxg6 hxg6. This line does not bother us as
we play ...Qc7, Bd6=. However, it is difficult to win against a bishop pair in such position although the plan with ...0-0-
0 could throw some oil into the fire.
In Adhiban-Alonso Moyano, Linares 2014, White tried to exploit the delay of ...e6 by 8...h6 9.Ne2!?
This would have been senseless if the pawn were on e6 since Black would simply answer ...Qc7.
9...e6 10.Bf4 Qb4 11.Bb3 Be7 12.c4 (12.Bc7 Rc8) 12...Qb6 and White has not achieved any particular success.

9.Re1 h6

The same logic applies here. 9...Be7 10.Ne2 (10.Nh4!?) is the usual line.
9...Qc7 10.Nh4 Bg6 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Qf3 occurred in an email game. Then 12...0-0-0 deserves attention.
10.Ne2

What else?
10.Bd3 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 Qc7=;
10.d5 cxd5 11.Nxd5 Nxd5 12.Qxd5 Qxd5 13.Bxd5 0-0-0= is a complex queenless middlegame.

10...Qc7 11.Ng3 Bh7 12.Bd3 Bxd3 13.Qxd3 Be7

Black has a nice position. His further counterplay should be based on ...c6-c5.

C. 7.Ne5 Nbd7 8.Nc4
8...Qc7

I have introduced the novelty 8...Qe6+!? in a blitz game. It is possible that this move is Black’s best defence, but it
needs practical tests. I offer a detailed analysis in Game 27 NN-Kotronias, Internet 2015.

9.Qf3 e6

The most solid continuation. Far more risky is 9...Be6 10.Bf4 Qd8 11.0-0-0 g6!? 12.Ne3!
After 12.d5!? Nxd5 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Ne3 (14.Qc3 Rg8÷) 14...d4 15.Rxd4 Bg7, Black looks okay.
12...Bg7 (12...Nb6? 13.d5+–) 13.d5 cxd5 14.Ncxd5 Nxd5 15.Nxd5 0-0 in view of 16.Bb5!² and White has annoying
pressure along the central files.
Instead, the alternative 16.Nc7 Rc8 17.Nxe6 fxe6„ is suddenly unclear as Black has pressure on f4 and b2 and
this compensates for his static weaknesses.
16...Ne5!?
16...Rc8 17.Rhe1 Nc5 18.Nc7! Bd7 19.Bxd7 Nxd7 20.Qd3 e5 21.Qxd7 exf4² leaves Black struggling in a
difficult ending.
17.Bxe5 Bxe5 18.Nf6+ Bxf6 19.Rxd8 Rfxd8 20.Rd1 a6, but obviously there is no guarantee of drawing this.

10.Bf4 Qd8

The queen has retreated to its initial square and this is undoubtedly a small success for White. However, Black’s
excellent control over d5 and his sound development mean that he should be able to repel any rash onslaught and
eventually obtain counterplay.

11.0-0-0!

White cannot afford to give the c2 pawn. He does not have serious compensation after either 11.Bd6? Bxc2µ; nor
11.Nd6+?! Bxd6 12.Bxd6 Bxc2³.
11...Nd5!

After 11...Nb6, Black controls d5, but the development of his kingside has been delayed and this means he should
handle the situation with extreme precision. Let us highlight some of his problems.
12.Ne3!
This move is eyeing the critical d5-square and it gains time by attacking the Bf5. Black stands well after 12.g4!?
Bg6 13.Ne5, Schmid-Kreindl, Austria 2014, 13...Nfd5 14.Nxd5 Qxd5 15.Qxd5 Nxd5 16.Bd2 Bd6 17.c4 Ne7=.
12...Bg6 13.h4!? h6
Computers say 13...h5 is better, but in my opinion, the g5 square has to be protected.
14.Bd3
It is wise to avoid a blockade of the kingside pawns in order to keep handy the idea of g2-g4-g5. I also looked at
14.h5 Bh7 15.Bd3
15...Bxd3 16.Rxd3 Be7 17.Qg3 [After 17.Be5 Nbd5 18.Kb1 0-0 19.Ng4 Kh8 20.Nxf6, the clever intermediate
move 20...Nxc3+! (20...Bxf6 21.Ne4²) 21.Rxc3 Bxf6= gives Black full equality.] 17...Nbd5! 18.Ncxd5 cxd5
19.f3 (19.Qxg7?? Rg8 20.Qxh6 Bf8–+) 19...Rc8 20.Kb1 Rc6. Black will have to make an artificial castle by
transferring his king to h7, but I cannot see a way for White to exploit this loss of time. The position is quite
unclear.
14...Bxd3 15.Rxd3 Bd6 16.Be5 0-0
White has an initiative here. I present a few lines in favour of this assessment:
17.Ng4!
17.g4 Bxe5 18.dxe5 Nfd7 19.Qg3 Qc7 20.f4 Nc5 should be defendable for Black;
17.Qg3 Bb8! 18.Ng4 Nxg4 19.Qxg4 Bxe5 20.dxe5 f5!;
17.Kb1 Bxe5 18.dxe5 Nfd7 19.Qg3 f5 20.exf6 Qxf6² is similar to 17.Ng4.
17...Nxg4 18.Qxg4 Bxe5 19.dxe5 f5! 20.exf6
20.Qb4!? Qc7 21.Rd6 Qe7 22.Qb3 Rae8 23.Ne2 Nc8 24.Rdd1 f4² is worse for Black, but probably not that much
as his knight is about to reenter the game via b6 and d5.
20...Qxf6 21.f3². White has some pressure due to the weakness on e6, but Black should be able to hold.

12.Kb1

12.Nd6+ Bxd6 13.Bxd6 N7b6!= 14.Ba3 Qg5+ 15.Kb1 Nxc3+ 16.Qxc3 0-0-0 is not a problem for Black;

12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Nd6+ Bxd6 14.Bxd6 Rc8 15.Bd3 Bxd3 16.Rxd3 Rc6 17.Qg3 Qf6 also looks balanced. Our king
could go to c8.

12.g4!? Bg6 13.h4 is probably the most challenging continuation. Then 13...h5 14.g5 Be7 15.Nd6+ Bxd6 16.Bxd6
N7b6 17.Be5 Nxc3 18.Qxc3 is unclear, Van Damme-Gudichsen, ICCF 2014.

12...Nxf4 13.Qxf4 Be7 14.g4 Bg6 15.h4 h5
16.Be2 Qb8!

Black neutralised the enemy’s initiative in Game 28 O.Hansen-Peschke, corr. 2012.

Annotated Games
25. Slobodjan – Muse

Bundesliga 09.12.2006

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.h3 Bf5 7.Bd3 Bxd3 8.Qxd3 Nbd7 9.Bg5 e6 10.0-0-0 Be7
11.Rhe1 0-0 12.Ne5
12...Nb6?

An instructive mistake. This knight is required to stay where it is in order to challenge the Ne5 and support the ...c6-c5
break. Black needs to oppose counterplay in the centre to White’s impending kingside attack.
The correct reaction is 12...Rad8! 13.f4 h6 14.Bh4 Nd5=.

13.Bxf6!
This exchange deprives Black of any counterplay and turns the Ne5 into a monster. The resulting position is really bad
for Black.

13...Bxf6

Black is also suffering after 13...gxf6 14.Ng4! (14.Ne4 Qd8 15.Nf3 Qd5„) 14...Kh8 15.Kb1 Nd5 16.Nxd5 cxd5
17.Qe3!± as 17...Rg8 is strongly answered by 18.Nh6!.

14.Ne4 Qd8 15.f4 Rc8 16.h4 Nd5 17.Kb1?!

Slightly odd. 17.g3± was the normal move.

17...b5

17...Nxf4! had to be played. White would have several ways to maintain the initiative, but nothing clear.

18.g3±

Now White is back on the right track and there is almost nothing Black can do.

18...Be7 19.Ng5 g6 20.c3! Nb6 21.Ngf3! Qd5 22.h5+– (Black’s position is hopeless. The remainder requires no
comments.) 22...f6 23.hxg6 fxe5 24.gxh7+ Kh8 25.Nxe5 Bf6 26.Ng6+ Kg7 27.g4 Kf7 28.Nxf8 Rxf8 29.f5 exf5
30.Rf1 Qe4 31.Qxe4 fxe4 32.Rxf6+ 1-0

26. Wieczorek – Kulicov
Marianske Lazne 21.01.2008

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.h3 Bf5 7.Bd3 Bxd3 8.Qxd3 Nbd7 9.Ne4 Nxe4 10.Qxe4
Qg6!=
An important move. Black has good chances without queens.

11.Qxg6 hxg6 12.Bf4 e6 13.0-0-0 Be7 14.Rhe1 Nb6 15.Be5 Bf6 16.Re4 Ke7 17.Rd3 Rhd8 18.Rb3 Rd7 19.g4 Rad8

White players are often at a loss what to do in this type of positions. Wieczorek loses patience and offers Black
considerable winning chances.

20.g5?!

20.Rd3 was preferable. If then 20...g5, White has 21.h4! gxh4 22.g5 Bxe5 23.Nxe5 Rd5 24.Rf4 f6 25.gxf6+ gxf6
26.Ng6+ Kf7 27.Ne5+ Ke7=.

20...Bxe5
21.Nxe5?!

21.Rxe5 f6 (21...Nc4 22.Re1 Rh8!?) 22.Re1 Nd5³ would have also been worse for White, but not as much as in the
game.

21...Rxd4 22.Rxd4 Rxd4 23.Rf3

White counted on this move, but Black’s reply is quite strong.

23...Re4! 24.Nxf7 Nc4!

The mate threat forces great concessions from White.

25.c3 Re2

A bit stronger was 25...a5! as White has to play b2-b3 anyway: 26.b3 Re1+ 27.Kc2 Ne5 28.Nxe5 Rxe5µ Having thrown
in the move ...a7-a5, Black has gained a tempo over the game continuation.

26.b3 Ne5 27.Nxe5 Rxe5 28.h4 Re2 29.a4 a5 30.c4 b6

White is still under heavy pressure of course. It is not easy to draw this position with such a bad king.

31.Kd1?!

31.Rf4!³ might have been easier to hold. The idea is seen after 31...e5 32.Kd1! and the Black rook has no access to e4.
After 32...Rb2 33.Rf3 Rb1+ 34.Kd2 Rh1 35.Re3, Black has no real winning chances.

31...Re4! 32.Rh3
Now the White rook is doomed to passivity.

32...Kd6 33.Kd2 Rg4 34.Rd3+ Ke7 35.Rh3 Kd6 36.Rd3+ Ke7 37.Rh3 e5 38.Ke3 Ke6 39.Rh1 Kd6 40.Rd1+ Ke7
41.Rh1 Ke6 42.f3 Rg2

42...Rf4 43.Rh2 Kf5 44.Rh1 Rd4 45.Rh2 c5 46.Rh1 e4 47.fxe4+ Rxe4+ 48.Kd3 Re7³ would have been a better try.

43.Rd1! Rb2 44.Rd3 Kf5 45.Rc3 Rh2 46.Rd3

46.c5 bxc5 47.Rxc5 Rxh4 48.Kd2! (48.Rxa5 Rb4³) 48...Rf4 49.Rxa5 Rxf3 50.Kc2= is equal according to the engines,
but it was not an easy decision for White.

46...c5
47.Rc3?

The decisive mistake. 47.Rd6 Rh3 48.Rxb6 e4 49.Rb7 Rxf3+ 50.Ke2= was still equal.

47...Rxh4 48.Rd3 Rh1? (Returning the favour. 48...Rd4–+ was an easy win.) 49.Rc3? (49.Rd6!=) 49...Rb1–+ 50.Rd3
Kxg5 51.Rc3 Rd1 0-1

27. NN – Kotronias
Internet, 2015

This is a 5 min. blitz game I recently played on the internet.

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.h3 Bf5 7.Ne5 Nbd7 8.Nc4 Qe6+!?

I decided to test this new move in search of an alternative to the common 8...Qc7. Analysing the game afterwards, I
realised it may well be fully playable.

9.Ne3

The engines like more 9.Be2, but I think that after 9...Nb6! their enthusiasm is overly exaggerated. For example:
10.Ne5!?
10.Nxb6 axb6÷;
10.Ne3 Bg6 11.a4 a5 12.Ra3= also looks okay for Black after 12...Qd7 13.Rb3 Qc7.
a) 10...Qc8

a1) 11.a4 a5 12.0-0 g6! 13.Re1
13.g4?! Be6 14.f4?! h5! should rebound on White;
13.Nc4 Qc7! does not seem to pose any great problems either, e.g. 14.Re1 Bg7 15.Nxb6 Qxb6 16.Bc4 Rd8„.
13...Bg7 14.Bd3 (14.Ra3 0-0 15.Rb3 Qd8=) 14...Bxd3 and we are at another crossroads:
15.Qxd3
This looks like the more natural capture. After 15.Nxd3 e6 16.Bf4 [16.Ne4!? Nxe4 17.Rxe4 0-0 18.c3 Nd5
19.Bg5 b6 20.Qd2 Qa6! (20...c5?! 21.dxc5 bxc5 22.Rc4±) 21.Rc1 Qc4!? 22.Qc2 Rac8 23.b3 Qa6 24.c4 h6
25.Bh4 Qb7!÷] 16...0-0 17.Qe2 (17.Be5 Nc4„) 17...Qd8 18.Be5 Qe7 19.Rad1 Nbd5²/=, Black has good
centralisation and a safe king.
15...0-0 16.Bg5
I also checked 16.Ne4 Nxe4 17.Qxe4 Qe6÷;
16.Bf4 Rd8 17.Rad1 c5! 18.Nb5 (18.Qb5 Rxd4 19.Qxb6 Rxf4) 18...Nfd5 19.Bg3 Bxe5!? 20.Bxe5 c4 21.Qa3
Qd7! 22.Re4 f6 23.Bg3 Re8 24.Rde1 Nxa4!! 25.Qxa4 Nb6 26.Qa3 Qxb5 27.Rxe7 Rxe7 28.Qxe7 Nd5 29.Qe6+
Kg7= with equality.
16...Rd8 17.Rad1 Qf5! 18.Qxf5 gxf5. This is a normal opening position. Black is close to equality.

a2) 11.g4 Be6 12.h4
White’s initiative looks overwhelming, but in fact it is bound to fade out after a few moves – 12...Nbd7 13.Nd3 h6
14.Rg1 g6 15.Bf3 (15.a4 a5 16.Be3 Nb6) 15...Qc7 16.Bf4 Qa5. Our position is like a coiled spring. The last line
suggests that our queen should probably stay on d6 to pressurize d4 and to enable ...Rd8.

b) 10...Qd6!?
Now 11.g4 Be6 is similar to the Shirov plan from Chapter 7, but the bishop is on e2 instead of g2. That
dramatically changes White’s options since his king would be too weak for plans with f4-f5 after 12.f4 Rd8 13.0-
0 g6.
12.0-0 is also risky owing to 12...h5 13.Bf4 Qd8. Therefore, White’s pawn storm is not effective and he should
seek quieter deployments:
11.a4 Nbd7!
It might seem that it is clever to interpolate 11...Rd8 12.a5 Nbd7, but in some lines Black will suffer from the lack
of the option of castling queenside. For example: 13.Bf4 Nxe5 14.Bxe5 Qd7 15.Bf3 e6 16.Qe2 Bd6 17.g4 Bg6
18.h4 h6 19.h5 Bh7 20.g5 hxg5 21.a6. Another point is that Black’s queen could not jump to b4, but had to
retreat to d7.
Let us see what this difference gives us:
12.Bf4 Nxe5 13.Bxe5 Qb4!? 14.0-0 Nd7 15.Bg3 g6 and we can calmly complete development. White may try to gain
some minor positional pluses with 16.Bg4 Bxg4 17.hxg4 Bg7 18.Qe2,
but the simple 18...0-0 offers us a typical robust position. I admit that I have not even checked deeper the captures
18...Qxb2 and 18...Bxd4 which certainly do not lose on the spot.

9...Bg6
10.Bd3

After 10.Be2, we can play 10...Qd6= as Ne3-c4 is not dangerous. The point is that the white queen cannot be developed
to f3 anymore, so the annoying Bc1-f4 would not be a threat. For this reason, I intended to meet 10.a4 by 10...Rd8!
(10...Qd6 11.Nc4 Qc7 12.Qf3ƒ gives White the usual type of initiative.) For example, 11.Be2 (11.a5 Nc5! 12.Be2
Qc8!) 11...Qd6 12.Nc4 Qc7 13.0-0 e6=.

10...Qd6 11.0-0 e6 12.Bxg6 hxg6 13.Nc4 Qc7 14.Qf3 Nd5!?
An interesting move which prevents Bc1-f4.

15.Bg5! b5 16.Nd2 Bb4 17.Nxd5 cxd5 18.c3 Bd6 19.a4! bxa4 20.c4 Rh5! 21.h4 Bh2+! 22.Kh1 Bf4 23.Qxf4 Qxf4
24.Bxf4 Rxh4+ 25.Bh2 Rxd4 26.Rfd1 dxc4 27.f3=.

The position is now equal. An important tactical detail is 27.Rxa4?? Nb6–+ and White loses as he will be pinned next
with ... a8-d8.
The rest of the game saw a draw after mutual blunders so I will not present it here. It is of course not easy to predict
what the future has in store for my novelty, but for the time being I have not found anything like a refutation.

28. N.Ole Hansen – Peschke
WS/GMN/033 ICCF, 10.02.2012

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.h3 Bf5 7.Ne5 Nbd7 8.Nc4 Qc7 9.Qf3 e6 10.Bf4 Qd8 11.0-0-0
Nd5! 12.Kb1 Nxf4 13.Qxf4 Be7 14.g4 Bg6 15.h4 h5
16.Be2

Keeping the kingside fluid.
16.g5!? is an interesting idea, but Black should be fine after 16...0-0 17.Bd3! Bxd3 18.Rxd3 Nb6! 19.Ne5 Nd5. This
manoeuvre is important as the Nc3 has to be terminated before it reached e4. 20.Nxd5
Or 20.Qe4!? Bd6 21.f4 Nxc3+ 22.Rxc3 Bxe5 23.fxe5 Qd5 24.Qxd5 exd5 25.Rf1 Kh7=.
20...Qxd5
White has now a bunch of rook moves, but Black should be fine with careful defence:
21.Rhd1
This one looks like the most dangerous. Against the alternatives, the recipe is to put the bishop on d6:
21.Rg1 Bd6 22.Qe3 Rad8 23.f4 g6=;
21.Re1 Bd6 22.Qd2 Bxe5! 23.dxe5 Qg2! White seems to be better, but in all endings he will have to watch for his
kingside pawns. Here are some sample lines: 24.Rd7 (24.a3 Qh2! 25.Rd4 c5„; 24.Rd1 Qh2! 25.Qe3 c5! 26.Qg3
Qxg3 27.fxg3 b5=) 24...Qg4„ (24...c5„).
21...b5!? Solidifying the position of the queen should give Black good prospects here. (21...Bd6 is another possibility.)
22.Qd2
This hides a lot of venom, but Black possesses a defence. 22.g6 fxg6 23.Qe3 Rf5! 24.Nxg6 Bf6÷ is unclear;
22.Qg3 g6=.
22...g6 23.Re3!?
After 23.Rf3, Black defends by 23...Bd6 as Ne5-d7 is not possible because of the hanging state of the rook.
23.Qa5 Rfc8! is nothing special for White as 24.Rf3 Bd6! does not work for him.
23...Kg7! Carefully anticipating Qd2-d3 ideas. After this move, I cannot see any danger for Black:
24.Qe2 Rad8 25.f4 Bd6;

24.Qc3 Rac8;
24.Qd3 Bd6! (the only defence, otherwise Re3-f3 wins) 25.Nd7 Rfd8 26.Nf6 Qf5 27.Qe2
Or 27.Qxf5 gxf5!=;
27.Qc3 b4! 28.Qxc6 Qxf2 29.Rf3 Qe2„.
27...Bf4! 28.Re4!?
28.Rf3 e5„; 28.Rc3 b4! 29.Rxc6 Qh3„.
28...b4! (freeing b5 for the queen and discouraging White from making a luft) 29.Rd3 Bc7 30.Rf3 Qb5÷.

16...Qb8!
Challenging the strong Qf4 is the key to Black’s defence and forces developments.

17.Ne5 Nxe5 18.dxe5 Bf6!

The point. The only way for White to stave off the loss of his e-pawn is to sacrifice the exchange or accept an
immediate draw.

19.Rd6 Be7 20.gxh5

20.Rhd1 is another dangerous-looking move, but we keep a cool head: 20...hxg4 21.Bxg4 (21.Rd7 Bf6=) 21...Rxh4
22.Rd7 Bf6 23.R7d6 Be7=.
20.Rd4 defends the white queen. Black should probably play 20...f6!?
More difficult to handle is 20...hxg4 21.Qg3 Qc7 22.Bxg4 Rd8 23.Rxd8+ Qxd8 24.Rd1 Qc7 25.h5! (25.Bxe6
Bxh4! 26.Qg4 Qxe5 27.Bd7+ Kf8 28.Qb4+ Qe7 29.Qxb7 Bh5!=) 25...Bxh5 26.Rh1 g6 27.Ne4÷.
21.Qd2! (21.Bd3 Bf7!=) 21...Qxe5
22.Bc4
22.gxh5 Bxh5 23.Re1 Bxe2 24.Nxe2 c5!„ highlights the weakness of the h4-pawn.
22...hxg4 23.Re1 Qc7 24.Bxe6 Rd8÷ with an immensely complicated struggle and chances for both sides.

20...Bxh5 21.Bxh5 Rxh5
All the engines give an advantage to White here, but actually his initiative is temporary.

22.Ne4 (The only way to fuel the fire.) 22...Qc7! (By defending f7, Black is ready to take on d6.

23.Qg3! Bxd6 24.exd6

24.Nf6+ Kf8 25.exd6 Qa5 26.Nxh5 Qxh5 27.d7 is strongly answered by 27...Ke7!=. Black will follow up with ...Ra8-
d8 and capture the dangerous pawn.

24...Qa5 25.Qxg7 0-0-0
26.Qxf7 Rxh4! 27.Qxe6+ Kb8 28.Rg1 Rhh8 29.b3

After 29.f3 Qd5 30.Qe7, 30...Ka8! kills all White’s hopes for an edge.

29...Qd5 30.Qe7 Ka8! 31.Re1

31.Rg7 Rh1+ 32.Kb2 Rb8 33.d7 Re1 34.f3 Qd1 35.Rg8 Qc1+ 36.Kc3 Qe3+ 37.Kb2 Qc1+= is a perpetual.

31...Qf5 32.a3 Rd7=

The white queen is trapped and has to be exchanged for its counterpart. Then the draw is trivial.

33.Qg5 Qxg5 34.Nxg5 b6 35.Re6 Rf8 36.Ne4 Rdf7 37.Kb2 Draw.

A very important game for the theory of the 3...Qd6 Scandinavian.

Main Ideas
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5
Finally we have reached the most important position in the whole 3...Qd6!? Scandinavian. 6.Ne5 is more popular than
all the other 6th move alternatives together. Black’s answer 6...Nbd7 is natural and then White has three reasonable
options.
In this chapter I will cover 7.Bf4 and Shirov’s pet line 7.f4, while 7.Nc4 is the subject of the concluding chapter.

The pawn structure d4 vs. c6 defines a spatial advantage for White so he should avoid exchanges. Besides, the slightly
exposed queen on d6 suggests moves like 7.Bf4. However, it stumbles into the double attack 7...Nd5! which trades a
pair of knights – 8.Nxd5 Qxd5.
Obviously, White cannot afford further exchanges, so he chooses from: 9.Nf3, Game 30 Ivanchuk-Tiviakov, Wijk aan
Zee 2010, and 9.Nc4 Qe4+ 10.Be3 Nf6 11.Qd2 g6 12.0-0-0 Qd5 13.Kb1 Be6=. The sharper option 9.Be2?! is dubious
in view of 9...Nxe5 10.Bxe5 Qxg2 11.Bf3 Qg6 – see Game 29 Anand-Tiviakov, Wijk aan Zee 2006.

7.f4!? is another opera.
I would like to get your full attention now! This is a relatively new idea so it is 4 times less popular than 7.Nc4, but it
is the toughest nut to crack. It is not a coincidence that White has scored the disturbing 67%. In my opinion, Black’s
attempts to deal with it have been totally wrong so far.

When Shirov introduced this plan at high level in 2007, he connected it with the advance g2-g4-g5, apparently aiming to
grab as much space as possible:
7.f4 Nb6 8.g4 g6 9.g5?! Nfd5 10.Ne4 Qd8 11.c4, Shirov-Nisipeanu, Foros 2007.
However, this approach is double-edged, as it leaves gaping holes on the kingside light squares.
Next year Shirov corrected his idea by pushing f5 instead of g5:
7.f4 Nb6 8.g4 Be6 9.Bg2 g6 10.0-0 Bg7 11.f5! gxf5 12.gxf5, Shirov-Tiviakov, Benidorm 2008.
After 12...Bc4, White can answer 13.Re1! with domination all over the board (a4, b3 is coming).

What can Black do against White’s pawn storm? My answer drastically differs from current theory and practice:
Nothing! 7...Nb6?! is a mistake.

I offer my arguments in the annotations to Game 32 Barrientos Chavarriaga-Tiviakov, Bogota 2010 and Game 31
Wan,Yunguo-Tiviakov, Moscow 2011. To summarise them:
Sergey Kasparov’s recommendation 7.f4 Nb6?! 8.g4 Nbd5 9.Bg2 g6
is unsatisfactory owing to 10.0-0 (he only mentions 10.g5?!) 10...Bg7 11.f5! – my novelty. Its strategic background is to
leave Black with a useless light-squared bishop. This idea is very effective against any Black’s plan based on short
castling.

I have also investigated Watson’s suggestion 7.f4 Nb6?! 8.g4 Be6 9.Bg2 g6 10.0-0 0-0-0, but 11.Qf3! assures White of
a terrible attack.

Evidently, Black’s defence needs a capital repair. First, we should understand the origins of our problems after
7...Nb6?!. That’s the easy part – Black loses time and removes control over the raging beast on e5. So we should
develop, but how? I think that both 7...e6 and 7...g6 are playable, but the former involves a more passive set-up.
Look at 7...e6 8.g4! Nd5!
I had to develop this completely new line since the known alternatives were pretty grim. The tactical justification of my
idea is the variation 9.Ne4 Qb4+ 10.c3 Qb6 11.c4 Bb4+ 12.Kf2 N5f6 13.Ng5 0-0 where 14.Ngxf7 Rxf7 is extremely
interesting to play with both sides. However, if White continues in a positional manner:
9.Bg2 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Be7 11.0-0, even the best try 11...Qc7! leaves White with the more active pieces:
Let us compare this position with:

7...g6! 8.Bc4 e6 9.0-0 Bg7 10.a4 0-0 11.b3 Qc7
Black’s king is much safer here. White’s c4-bishop does not hinder our queenside activity with ...c5 (or ...b5),
exchanging the d4-pawn.
It is funny to read Sergey Kasparov’s explanation of how he reached to the idea of 7...g6! in his game against
Svetushkin, Vrachati 2011:
“During my preparation for this game late the night before, I had correctly guessed that this variation would be played.
However, in the morning I was tired and mixed up the move-order at the board.” – Understanding the Scandinavian,
Gambit 2015. So he wanted to play 7...Nb6?! first, but messed up the moves! However, the mistake is right! I
recommend 7...g6 in full conscience and after a thorough analysis of the Shirov plan. Let us look a little further:

12.Ba3 Re8 13.Qf3 a6!

Both S. Kasparov and, subsequently, J. Alvarez in a correspondence game, played instead 13...N7b6?! and White was
clearly better. As I have already mentioned, Black needs his knight on d7 to control White’s best piece.
Black’s plan is to counter-attack on the queenside by pushing ...b5 or ...c5. He is still lagging behind in development,
but White’s pieces do not have clear targets. We should gradually level the game.

Conclusion

The Shirov plan is still underestimated. I suppose that we’ll witness major developments in this line very soon. In my
opinion, Black should fight it with solid development, postponing counterplay for the middlegame. Fianchettoing the
bishop to g7 seems the best way to neutralise White’s attacking momentum. Your opponent will hardly expect it at all!
Step by Step
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 Nbd7
A. 7.Bf4; B. 7.f4.

A. 7.Bf4 Nd5

This move allows us to trade a knight and deflect all the threats:
8.Nxd5

I do not see anything better for White:

a) The attempt to avoid exchanges by resorting to 8.Ne4?! rebounds on White after 8...Qe6! 9.Qf3 (9.Bg3?! f6!µ;
9.Ng5?! Qf6µ) 9...Nxf4 10.Qxf4 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Qf5³ and in view of his bishop pair only Black can be better.

b) Also harmless for us is 8.Bg3 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Nxe5 10.Bxe5 Qg6÷.

8...Qxd5 9.Nc4

The pawn sacrifice 9.Be2?!, aiming to place the bishop on the long diagonal with tempo, led to an inferior position for
White after 9...Nxe5 10.Bxe5 Qxg2 11.Bf3 Qg6 12.d5
12...Bg4!³ in Game 29 Anand-Tiviakov, Wijk aan Zee 2006. A wonderful tactical shot which shows the resilience and
the hidden counter-attacking resources of Black’s set-up.

9.Nf3!? keeps more pieces – see Game 30 Ivanchuk-Tiviakov, Wijk aan Zee 2010.

9...Qe4+ 10.Be3 Nf6 11.Qd2 g6 12.0-0-0 Qd5 13.Kb1 Be6=

Black is ready to castle and he shouldn’t face problems in the ensuing fight.

B. 7.f4

Shirov’s move. White decides to keep his knight on e5 and bolsters it up.
At first, I was impressed by White’s idea, but just like almost everything in this world, there is a price to pay for the
advantages it offers. For instance, we could provoke hazy complications which prove to be a tough nut to crack even
for modern engines. I analyse them in line B1. 7...Nb6?!. Another very sharp option is B2. 7...e6!?. The safest
approach, however, is B3. 7...g6!.

B1. 7...Nb6?!

Black abandons the idea of an exchange on e5 and from now on focuses on contesting the weakened light squares in the
centre. This move, however, loses time. With bold and inspired play, White can develop strong pressure. To be fair, in
the lines with opposite castles the play is extremely sharp and one hesitant step might turn the tables. I spent more than
three days with Komodo 9.3 and I used several cloud engines as well. There were hundreds of options literally
speaking, and at some moments only moves were needed. When it comes to endings and king safety, engine
evaluations are not too reliable. I often had to interfere and guide the machine.
I’m far from claiming that I have reached a final verdict, but objectively, White’s initiative is tremendous.
Unfortunately, Sergey Kasparov’s recent book is not of any help as he omits all the critical points.

8.g4!

A move in the style of the Sicilian Keres Attack. White gains space and prepares either to evict the Nf6 from its present
position with g4-g5, or to plug our light-squared bishop with f4-f5, according to circumstances.

Another version of this plan is 8.Be2 g6 9.g4, when I prefer 9...Be6 10.g5 Nfd7 11.Ne4 Qc7 and Black’s pieces stand
comfortably.

8.Be3 does not make any sense since Black would be glad to trade a pair of knights with 8...Nfd5 or 8...Nbd5.
B11. 8...Be6; B12. 8...g6

Or 8...Nbd5 when:
a) 9.Bg2 g6 transposes to line B12.

b) Play may take an independent course after 9.Bc4, but it is a wrong place for the bishop. Tiviakov gives 9...Be6
10.g5? (Better is 10.Bb3 g6 11.0-0 Nxc3 12.bxc3 Bg7= when 13.f5 gxf5 14.gxf5 Bxb3 15.axb3 achieves nothing due
to 15...Rg8) 10...Nxc3 11.bxc3 Bxc4 12.gxf6 gxf6 13.Nxc4 Qd5 14.Kf2 Qxc4µ with a strategically winning position
in Kodentsov-Tiviakov, Waalwijk (rapid) 2007.

c) Also good for Black is 9.g5 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Qd5 11.Rg1 Nd7 12.Bc4 Qe4+ 13.Qe2 Qxe2+ 14.Kxe2 Nxe5 15.fxe5
g6=. According to Tiviakov, he stands fine in the ending.

B11. 8...Be6

A weird place for this bishop, but now the squares d5 and c4 are under good control and, most importantly, we can
castle long. The Bf8 will go to g7 anyway.

9.Bg2

9.f5 is a principled retort as it puts the black minor pieces under pressure. Black has to rearrange his forces in the best
possible way in the small amount of space at his disposal. 9...Bd5 10.Rg1 Nfd7! A typical prophylactic move. The
knight retreats to d7 in order to challenge its counterpart on e5 before White played Bc1-f4 or g4-g5. Exchanges are
imperative from Black’s point of view in order to defuse White’s pressure.
11.Qe2
An interesting point is that in the event of 11.Bf4, Black completely ignores the threatened discovery by playing
11...f6!!. After this “rude” move, White has nothing better than 12.Nd3 (If 12.Ng6, then 12...e5!!³) to which the
retort 12...e5 13.fxe6 (13.dxe5 Nxe5=; 13.Bg3 0-0-0„) 13...Qxe6+ 14.Qe2 0-0-0 15.0-0-0 Qxe2 16.Bxe2 Bf7÷
should suffice for approximately balanced chances.
11...e6 12.Nxd5 Qxd5 13.Nxd7 White has nothing better than to allow a second exchange, something that leads the
game closer to equality. Black’s next move is typically Scandinavian and reveals the free way of thinking one needs to
play this opening:
13...Kxd7! A harmonious recapture! It prepares the rook’s entrance into the game via e8. 14.fxe6+ Qxe6 15.Qxe6+
fxe6!=. Another typical move. Black keeps d5 well protected and opens the f-file for his rooks. Chances are about even.
9...g6 10.0-0 0-0-0

Watson’s suggestion. I analyse 10...Rd8 in the annotations to Game 32 Barrientos Chavarriaga-Tiviakov, Bogota 2010.
I discarded this option in view of 11.f5! and Black’s king is doomed to remain in the centre. As a matter of fact, the
king is hardly better off on c8 as we’ll soon witness.

10...Bg7 does not help owing to 11.f5! gxf5 12.gxf5 Bc4 13.Re1!.

11.Qf3

Also possible is 11.a4!? Qxd4+ 12.Qxd4 Rxd4 13.a5 Nbd7 14.Ne2 Rd6 15.g5 Nh5 16.a6 Bg7 17.axb7+ Kxb7 18.Be3
a6 Undoubtedly, White has compensation for the pawn, but Black is holding his own even after the strongest: 19.Ra5!
19.Nc3 Rb8! 20.Ne4?! (20.Ra5 Kc7=) is dubious owing to 20...Bxe5 21.fxe5 Rd5³.
19...Nb6 20.Nc3 Nc4 21.Nxc4 Bxc4 22.Re1 Rhd8 with a complex ending.
Play may continue:

a) 23.Rc5!? Be6 24.Bf3 Bd4 25.Bxd4 Rxd4 26.f5! Bd7 27.Rxe7 Kb6 28.Rce5 f6! 29.gxf6 Nxf6 30.fxg6 hxg6 31.b3
Kc7 32.Ra5 Kb6 33.Ra4 Rd2 34.Rb4+ (34.Rf4 Nd5 35.Nxd5+ cxd5 36.Rf6+ Kc5 37.c3 a5 38.Ra6 Rd3=) 34...Kc7
35.Rc4 Kb8=;

b) 23.Bf3! Re6 24.Ne4 Kc7 25.c3 Bd5 26.Bxh5 Rxe4 27.Bf3 Re6 28.Bg4 Re4 29.Rxa6 Rb8 30.Bf3 Rc4 31.Be2 Re4
32.Bd3 Rxe3 33.Rxe3 Rxb2 34.Rxe7+ Kd6 35.Re2 Rxe2 36.Bxe2 Bxc3 37.Kf2 Bd2 38.Ra4 Kc5!=.

11...Bg7

At last Black completes development and now he hopes to launch an attack with ...h5.
Watson gives 11...a6 12.Rd1 h5, but here the simple 13.g5 (13.h3!?) 13...Ng4 14.h3 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Qc7 16.Rxd8+ Qxd8
17.Be3 Bg7 18.Rd1± gives White powerful pressure.
12.Nb5

White has a number of interesting alternatives:

a) 12.h3?! (aimed against 12...h5 13.h3 Ng4) 12...Nc4 13.Kh1 Qc7 14.f5 gxf5 15.gxf5 Rxd4 16.fxe6 Qxe5 17.Bf4 Qh5
18.Qg3 Qg6 19.exf7 Qxg3 20.Bxg3 Ne3=.

b) 12.a4!? a6 13.g5 Nh5 14.Ne4 Qc7 15.a5 Nc4 16.Qf2 Bd5 17.Nc5ƒ.
c) 12.Kh1!? h5 13.Nb5! Qd5 14.Nxa7+ Kc7 15.Qa3! Nc4 16.Qxe7+ (16.Nxc4 Qxc4 17.Qa5+ b6 18.Nb5+ Qxb5
19.Qa7+ Kc8 20.Qa8+=) 16...Rd7 17.Nxd7 Qxd7
18.Qxd7+!
18.Qc5 Bd5! 19.Bxd5 [19.Nb5+ Kd8 20.Bxd5 Nxd5 21.Qxc4 (21.b3 Ncb6°; 21.Nc3 hxg4°) 21...hxg4 22.Rg1
cxb5 23.Qe2 Qc6 24.Rg2 Re8 25.Qd1 f5 26.c3 Re4 27.Bd2 Bh6 28.a4 Bxf4 29.axb5 Qxb5=] 19...Qxd5+
20.Qxd5 Nxd5 21.f5 g5! 22.Bxg5! Bxd4 23.Bf4+ Kb6 24.Rae1 hxg4 25.Re4 Nce3! keeps the balance.
18...Bxd7 19.f5! hxg4 20.Bf4+ Kb6 21.fxg6 fxg6 22.Rae1 g5! 23.Bxg5 Nh5 24.c3! Kxa7 25.Re7 Bc8 26.Kg1 assures
White of the better game since the h5-knight at the edge is really not a gem.

12...Qd5 13.Nxa7+ Kc7 14.Qe2!

Or: 14.Qa3 Qd6!; 14.f5 Qxf3 15.Bxf3 gxf5 16.gxf5 Bc4 17.Re1 Rhg8 18.Kf2 Nfd5 19.b3 Ba6÷.

14...Qxd4+ 15.Be3 Qa4
16.Naxc6!

16.f5 gxf5 17.gxf5! (17.Rf4 Qxa7 18.Rb4 Nfd5 19.Bxd5 Rxd5µ) 17...Bd5 18.c4! Bxg2 19.Kxg2 Rhg8!? is unclear.

16...bxc6 17.Bxc6 Bxg4! 18.Qe1!

Or 18.Nxg4? Qxc6–+; 18.Bxa4? Bxe2–+; 18.Bxb6+ Kxb6 19.Bf3 Be6÷.

18...Qa6™ 19.c4!

19.Qc3 is not winning due to 19...Nc4! 20.b3
After 20.a4!?, I found the following defence: 20...Be2! 21.Rf2 Ng4! 22.Bb5 Ngxe5 23.fxe5 Bxe5 24.Qb4 Qd6
25.Bc5 Qd2! 26.Qxd2 Rxd2 27.Bxc4 Bxb2! 28.Rb1 Rd1+ 29.Rxd1 Bxd1 30.Bd5 Rd8 31.c4 Bc3! 32.Rxf7 Rd7
33.Be6 Bd4+ 34.Bxd4 Rxd4 35.Rxe7+ Kb6 36.Rd7 (36.Rxh7 Bxa4 37.Rg7 Rd6 38.Bd5 Bc6 39.Bxc6 Rxc6
40.Kg2 Rxc4 41.Rxg6+ Kc7 42.Re6 Kd7 43.Re3 Rc8=) 36...Rxd7 37.Bxd7 g5! 38.Kf2 h5=.
20...Nd5! A major point, forcing the exchange of queens. 21.Bxd5 Rxd5 22.bxc4
22.Qxc4+ Qxc4 23.bxc4 Bxe5 24.fxe5 (24.cxd5?! Bxa1 25.Rxa1 Kd6 26.c4 Be2³) 24...Ra5 transposes.
22...Bxe5! 23.fxe5 Qa5! The white queen is trapped and it is forced to accept an exchange. 24.Qxa5+ Rxa5 25.Rxf7
Kd7. Black is two pawns down in the ending, but the opposite coloured bishops and White’s ruptured queenside are
major drawing factors. I analysed this position and came to the conclusion that Black’s activity should keep him safe.

19.a4!? also looks very dangerous but things are not simple at all – after 19...Nfd5! 20.Bb5 Qb7 21.Bd4!
21.a5 Nxe3 22.Qxe3 Nc8 23.Qc5+ Kb8 24.a6 Bxe5 25.axb7 Bd4+ 26.Qxd4 Rxd4 27.bxc8Q+ Rxc8=;
21.Nxg4 Nxe3 22.Nxe3 Bxb2 23.Rb1 Bd4 24.Rf2 Qe4ƒ.
21...Bxe5 22.Bxe5+! (22.Qxe5+ Kc8 23.Qe1 Nc7) 22...Kc8, we reach a very complicated, dynamic position:
23.c4!
23.Ra3!? Na8!! holds on – 24.Bxh8 Qa7+ 25.Qf2 Qxf2+ 26.Rxf2 Rxh8 27.Rb3!. White maintains an initiative,
but Black can defend with successful manoeuvring: 27...Ndc7! (preventing the dangerous check on a6) 28.Bc6
Be6! with serious counterplay.
23...Nc7 24.a5 Nd7 25.Bxh8 Qa7+ 26.Rf2 Rxh8 27.b4! Nb8!„.

19...Bh3 20.Qb4 Nfd7 21.Bb5 Qb7 22.Nc6!!
An amazing position. White is threatening to push a2-a4-a5 and the extra rook is not much of a help. Naturally, all this
line is very sharp and can be tried in blitz, but I do not believe it can hold in correspondence chess.

B12. 8...g6 9.Bg2

9.g5 Nh5!? 10.Ne4 Qd8 looks okay for Black.

9...Nbd5

9...Bg7 10.0-0 0-0 does not set any problems to White.
He can choose an active plan without having to think about defending the d4-pawn. Naturally we are left without
counterplay in a passive position. White’s best is:
11.a4! a5
11...Be6?! 12.f5! (12.a5 Nbd5 13.f5 Nxc3 14.bxc3 Bd5=) 12...Bd5 13.Nxd5 Nfxd5 14.Kh1!±.
12.f5! and every black move seems to have a flaw. For example: 12...Qd8
12...Rd8 13.Ne2± is better for White as we weakened f7 without reason;
12...Nfd7 13.Ne4 Qc7 14.Nxd7 Qxd7 15.c3 gives White dangerous pressure in view of the queen lift Qd1-d3-h3,
followed up by Bc1-h6;
12...gxf5 13.gxf5 Rd8 14.Kh1! Qxd4 15.Qxd4 Rxd4 16.Be3 Rb4 17.Nd3!² wins the exchange.
13.Kh1!
13.Qd3 Nbd7 14.h3 gxf5 15.gxf5 Kh8 16.Bg5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Qxd3 18.cxd3 Ng8 19.f6 exf6 20.exf6 Bh6
21.Bxh6 Nxh6 22.Rae1 Bf5÷.
13...Ne8 14.Qd3 Nd6 15.Qh3 and Black is binds.
10.0-0!

10.g5?! was played by Shirov and Svidler, but I feel that this approach creates too many weaknesses on the light
squares. Game 31 Wan,Yunguo-Tiviakov, Moscow 2011, gives you a detailed picture of the events after 10...Nxc3
11.bxc3 Nd7.
Unfortunately, the text move, connected with further f4-f5, casts doubt on Black’s opening play. S. Kasparov does not
even mention it in his recent book.

10...Bg7

Black does not manage to develop his bishop on e6 since 10...Be6 would stumble into 11.Na4 while 10...Nxc3 11.bxc3
Be6 12.Rb1 is also awkward for him. White’s next move robs the e6-square altogether.

11.f5!
This novel idea underlines the murky prospects before the c8-bishop. In my opinion, it effectively kills the plan with
Nd7-b6-d5 which spends two precious tempi for nothing.
Black is now faced with a difficult choice:

11...0-0

a) 11...Nxc3 12.bxc3 0-0² is possible, but it surrenders too much space plus an open b-file.

b) 11...gxf5?! 12.gxf5 Nxc3 13.bxc3 Nd5 14.Qd3!
White’s space advantage is overwhelming, but grabbing a pawn is not a solution: 14...Bxe5 15.dxe5 Qxe5
15...Qc5+ 16.Kh1 Qxc3 17.Bxd5 Qxd3 18.Bxf7+ Kxf7 19.e6+ Ke8 20.cxd3+–.
16.Bd2 b5 is much better for White after either 17.c4±, or 17.a4±.

12.Nxd5! (12.Kh1!?² also seems a nice option.)
Black is now somewhat worse after either recapture:

12...Nxd5 13.c4 Nf6 14.Bf4ƒ;
12...cxd5 13.Qe1² Nd7 14.Bf4 Nxe5 15.Bxe5 Bxe5 16.dxe5!.

B2. 7...e6

This is certainly more sound than 7...Nb6 as it helps development. Then 8.Nc4?! Qc7 9.Bd3 a6! intending 10.0-0 c5 or
10...b5 11.Ne5 c5 is fine for Black. Also harmless is 8.Be3 Nd5! or 8.Be2 Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.a4 Qc7 11.Bf3 a6 12.Qe2
c5.
The acid test for 7...e6 is:

8.g4!

Practical results have been awful for Black, so I attempted to revive this line with my novelty:

8...Nd5
This is my novelty. 8...c5?! is clearly inferior due to 9.Be3! or even 9.g5 Nd5 10.dxc5! Qxc5 11.Nxd5.

My analysis branches here to the sharper approach B21. 9.Ne4 and the positional B22. 9.Bg2!

B21. 9.Ne4

White wants to smash down our defence line by brute force. White’s initiative looks menacing after:

9...Qb4+ 10.c3 Qb6
11.c4!?

Black has nothing to fear after 11.Bg2 c5! 12.0-0 cxd4 13.Nc4
13.cxd4 Be7 14.Rf3 [14.Nc3 0-0 15.Nc4 Qc6! 16.Nxd5 (16.Qb3 N7b6÷) 16...exd5 17.Ne3 Nf6 18.g5 Ne4]
could be disturbing when you realise that castling would be fatal after g5, Rh3. The solution is to leave the king
in the centre for a while. For instance: 14...a5 15.Rb3 (15.Nc3 Nxe5 16.fxe5 Bd7 17.Nxd5 exd5 – White’s king
is too compromised.) 15...Qd8 16.g5 a4 17.Rf3 (17.Rh3 Nxe5 18.fxe5 Bd7„) 17...Qb6÷.
13...Qc7 14.Qxd4 N7f6 15.Kh1 Be7
16.Nxf6+
16.g5 Nxe4 17.Qxe4 b5! (17...0-0 18.f5 exf5 19.Qxd5 Be6 20.Qxb7 Qxb7 21.Bxb7 Bxc4 22.Bxa8! is slightly
better for White.) 18.Ne5 (18.Ne3 Bb7 19.f5 Rd8 20.fxe6 0-0°) 18...Bb7 19.a4 (19.Nxf7?! Kxf7 20.f5 Rad8;
19.f5 exf5 20.Qxf5 0-0 21.g6 hxg6 22.Nxg6 fxg6 23.Bxd5+ Bxd5+ 24.Qxd5+ Kh7 25.Bf4 Rad8=; 19.Be3 0-0
20.Bd4 Bd6!?=) 19...a6
20.axb5 (20.Nxf7!? Kxf7 21.f5 Ke8 22.axb5 axb5 23.Rxa8+ Bxa8 24.f6 Qc4=) 20...axb5 21.Rxa8+ Bxa8 22.f5
(22.Qd3 0-0 23.Qxb5 Bd6°) 22...0-0 23.fxe6 fxe6 24.Rxf8+ Bxf8 25.g6 hxg6 26.Nxg6 Qf7=.
16...Bxf6 17.Ne5 0-0. Black is close to completing development. A sample line is: 18.g5 Be7 19.c4 Bc5 20.Qe4 Ne7
21.b3 Nf5 22.Bb2 Nh4.

11...Bb4+ 12.Kf2

Or 12.Ke2 0-0! 13.Nxd7 Bxd7 14.cxd5 exd5°.

12...N5f6
13.Ng5

Or 13.Nxf6+ gxf6! 14.Nxd7 Bxd7 15.c5 Qd8÷.

13...0-0 14.Ngxf7 Rxf7 15.Nxf7 Kxf7 16.g5 Ne4+ 17.Kg2 c5! 18.Bd3 (18.a3 Bd2!) 18...Nd6 19.Qh5+ Ke7 20.a3
Ba5 21.Qxh7

White’s attack looks totally winning, but in fact the tables are about to turn very soon! Black’s counter-attack is
unexpectedly swift:

21...cxd4 22.Rf1 Qc6+ 23.Kg1 b5! 24.Be2 bxc4 25.Bf3 Qb6 26.Qxg7+ Kd8
I’d be happy to have such a position with Black. Our king will be safe on c7 and the minor pieces will be able to unleash
their attacking power:

a) 27.Bxa8 d3+ 28.Kg2 Bb7+ 29.Bxb7 Qxb7+ 30.Kh3 Qb3!. It is White’s turn to think how to survive here with the
clock ticking;

b) 27.Qh8+ Kc7 28.Bxa8 d3+ 29.Kg2 d2 (29...Bb7+!? 30.Kh3 d2÷) 30.Bxd2 (30.Bf3 Nf5÷) 30...Bxd2 31.Rad1 Bb7+
32.Bxb7 Qxb7+ 33.Rf3 Bxf4 34.Qd4 Be5÷.

B22. 9.Bg2! Nxc3 10.bxc3 Be7

10...f6 11.Nd3 c5 fails to 12.Be3! when 12...c4 is a positional surrender.

11.0-0 Qc7!

This cunning move deprives the enemy of his most dangerous set-up. You’ll understand my idea when you look at the
alternative:
11...0-0 12.Qd3!
The threat is 12...c5 13.Rf3 Rb8 14.Rh3 g6 15.Qe3ƒ.
12...f6 does not repel the knight because White has 13.Be4 f5 14.Bg2ƒ when 14...c5 is bad due to 15.Ba3.
After the text, 12.Qd3 could be
answered by 12...f6 when neither Be4, nor Nd3 works. The attempt to change the move order with 12.Rf3 would face
12...c5.
The inclusion of 12.Rb1 Rb8 can only be in Black’s favour.

White could put his queen to e2 which is a more passive place for it:
12.Qe2 0-0. In my opinion, Black can hold this position. His plan includes ...c5 followed up by ...Nf6, or ...f6. I checked
13.Be4 f5 14.Bg2 fxg4 15.Nxg4 Nf6 16.Ne5 c5
I mentioned above a similar position where Black’s queen was on d6. 11...Qc7! has enabled 16...c5.
17.Rb1 Rb8 and we could solve the problem of how to develop the c8-bishop by the exchange sacrifice 18.Rf2 b6!
19.Nc6 Rb7 when White would be on the losing side if he took it.

12.Be4 f6

12...0-0 13.Qd3 f5 14.Bg2 fxg4 15.Nxg4 Nf6 16.Ne5 c5 is “nearly” the same position as you see on the last diagram,
but the queen is much better on d3 since it defends the c3-square. Although 17.a4 Bd6 is playable, White maintains a
small plus.
I prefer to let the enemy seek how to break our defence.

13.Nd3 0-0 14.g5 Qa5 15.Bd2
15...fxg5 16.fxg5 Rxf1+ 17.Kxf1 Bxg5 18.Qh5 Nf6 19.Bxh7+ Kh8 20.Qxg5 Qxg5 21.Bxg5 Kxh7 22.Re1 b6

White stands pretty, but the limited material and the opposite coloured bishops suggest a probable draw – 23.Kf2 Bd7
24.Ne5 Be8².

B3. 7...g6! 8.Bc4

The plan with 8.g4 Bg7 9.Bg2 has no venom owing to 9...c5 and White’s centre crumbles down.

8...e6

The moral of line B1 was that Black could not afford the luxury of delaying development for long. My lengthy analyses
of the manoeuvre ...Nd7-b6-d5 has taught me a lesson – we should arrange quick short castling.
Of course, the set-up I recommend has an obvious flaw. We must abandon the most important strategic idea of the
Scandinavian – to lead out or light-square bishop to the kingside since 8...Nd5 is dubious owing to 9.Qf3!. However,
we have seen that against 7.f4 this bishop did not have a bright future on the c8-h3 diagonal anyway. We should seek to
accommodate it on the main diagonal with ...b5 or ...b6. Forget about ...Nd7-b6. The task of this knight is to kill the
enemy’s strongest piece on e5. Finally, the d6-queen will retreat to c7.

9.0-0
My main idea is that the ominous plan with 9.g4 bounces back after 9...b5! 10.Be2 b4 11.Na4 Qc7 with an imminent
counter-attack.

I do not see much sense in 9.Qe2 either. The game Barrientos-Rios, Medellin 2011, saw further 9...Nb6 10.Bb3 Bg7
11.g4. I did not even analysed it seriously although White’s advance looks suspicious to me. My general plan is not
connected with ...Nb6 so I looked at the consistent:
9...Bg7 10.g4 b5!? 11.Bb3 a5 12.f5 (12.a3 a4 13.Ba2 Ba6) 12...0-0 13.Nxf7 Qxd4 14.fxe6 a4 15.Be3 Qxg4 16.exd7
Qxe2+ 17.Kxe2 Bxd7 18.Nh6+ leads a bit unexpectedly to a perpetual.
We have more ambitious options though: 11...b4! 12.Na4 0-0.

9.a4!? would be a logical novelty – it prevents 9...b5 and enables two unpleasant strategic plans – a4-a5 or b3, Ba3. It is
not simple to offer an unequivocal advice. The most principled answer is:

a) 9...Bg7 10.b3 0-0 as in the main line. However, the forced line 11.Ba3 c5 12.dxc5 Qxd1+ 13.Rxd1 Nxe5 14.fxe5
Ng4 15.c6 Bxe5 16.Rd3 bxc6 17.Bxf8 Kxf8 might put off some players.
I have seen many Sicilian games which feature the same structure and Black was commonly comfortable in them.
Mathematically, White has a slight material advantage, but we control all entry points and our dark-squared bishop has
no opponent.

Alternatively, we can try to anticipate the enemy’s plans with:
b) 9...Qc7!?
White has a very wide choice now:

b1) 10.Qe2 (forcing the manoeuvre we wanted to avoid, but the arising position is less dangerous than in line B.)
10...Nb6 11.Bd3 Nbd5 12.Nxd5 Nxd5 13.g3 f6!? 14.Nf3 Bd7. We have fair chances here as we have good control of
the centre. Our counterplay is based on ...c5! and (note!) long castling. Then White’s king will start feeling the draught.
For example:
15.0-0 0-0-0! 16.Bd2 c5 17.c4 Nb4 18.Bxb4 cxb4 followed by ...Bg7, ...Rhe8;
15.Bd2 0-0-0! 16.0-0-0 c5.

b2) 10.Qf3 Bg7 11.0-0 0-0 12.g4 looks pretty senseless. We can choose between a counter-attack on the kingside with
12...Nd5 13.a5 Nxe5 14.dxe5 f6 or on the opposite flank with 12...c5 or 12...b6.

b3) 10.a5 does not hinder our plans at all since we can still play ...Rb8 and ...Bb7, for instance: 10...Bg7 11.0-0 0-0
12.Qf3 Nd5 13.Bd2 Rb8.

b4) 10.b3 is already unimpressive in view of 10...Nd5 (or even 10...Bb4) 11.Bd2 Bg7.

9...Bg7

9...b5 is also possible since 10.Bb3 Bg7 11.f5 gxf5 12.Nxf7 Kxf7 13.Rxf5 Qe7 is balanced. Still, 11.Qf3 might be a bit
more pleasant for White. I do not pay more attention to this line as White can sidestep it with the clever move order
9.a4 followed up by 10.0-0.

10.a4 0-0 11.b3 Qc7 12.Ba3 Re8 13.Qf3

White may try to exploit the square d6, but we can always counter that by ...Bf8 – 13.Be2 b6 14.a5 Rb8 15.axb6 axb6
16.Nc4 Bf8 17.Bxf8 Rxf8 18.Qd2 b5 19.Ne5 b4 20.Nxd7 Qxd7 21.Na4 Rd8 22.Rfd1 Qd6=. It is true that our bishop
is still on c8, but the activity of all the other pieces compensates for that.
13...a6!

The diagram position was reached first in Svetushkin-S.Kasparov, Vrachati 2011, and one year later, in a
correspondence game. In both of them Black played 13...Nb6 14.Bd3 Nbd5. Although White scored only one draw, his
position looks slightly better. I repeat once again, the manoeuvre ...Nd7-b6-d5 only wastes time and should be
employed only in the event of a direct White’s threat on e6.
My novelty prepares the ground for queenside activity with ...b5 or ...c5. Black may look passive, but he has no
weaknesses and I see nothing dangerous for him in near future. He can always play ...f6 to put e5 under control.

White’s most aggressive plan is:
14.g4, but then 14...b5! 15.Be2 Bb7 16.Qe3 c5 takes over the initiative.

Alternatively:
14.Ne4 Nxe4 15.Qxe4 b5= 16.axb5 axb5 17.Be2 Bb7 18.Bf3 Nf6 19.Qe2 Nd5 20.Qd2 f6!
21.Nd3 Bh6
This line reveals two key points of Black’s plan – to repel the e5-knight with ...f6, and to attack the f4-pawn.
I’d like to see practical tests of my idea.
Chapter 7. 6.Ne5 Nbd7. 7.Bf4 and the Shirov plan 7.f4
Annotated Games
29. Anand – Tiviakov

Wijk aan Zee 2006

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Bf4 Nd5! 8.Nxd5 Qxd5
9.Be2

White offers a pawn sacrifice which Black should accept, otherwise he is simply worse.

9...Nxe5 10.Bxe5 Qxg2 11.Bf3 Qg6 12.d5

Anand condemned this move in his Chess Informant notes. Instead he suggested 12.Qe2!?, yet after 12...h5!, Black
enables the move ...Bc8-g4 and should be fine. For example: 13.h3. It makes sense to avoid an exchange of the light-
squared bishops.
After 13.0-0-0 Bg4 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 Qe6! 16.Kb1 f6 17.Bh2 Qd5 18.Qd3 e6 19.Qg6+, Black should be fine
after either king move.
I prefer 19...Ke7!? (19...Kd7÷ was played in Abrahamyan-Kosteniuk, Khanty-Mansiysk 2012) 20.Rhe1 (20.Bf4
Qf5³) 20...Rh6! [20...Rd8 was Caruana-Milanovic, Budva 2009, but it looks dubious in view of 21.c4! Qxc4
22.d5! cxd5 (22...Rxd5?? 23.Rxe6+!+–) 23.Rc1 Rh6 24.Rxe6+ Kxe6 25.Re1+ Qe4+ 26.Rxe4+ dxe4 27.Qxe4+
Kf7 28.Qxb7+±] 21.Qg3 Kf7! 22.Qc7+ Be7 23.Qxb7 Rd8„. Black has completed his development and stands
very well. A possible conclusion could be 24.c4!? Qxc4 25.d5! cxd5 (25...Rxd5?? 26.Bd6+–) 26.Rxe6 Kxe6
27.Re1+ Kf5 28.Qxe7 Qd3+ 29.Ka1 Qd2 30.a3 Rhh8 31.Qe6+ Kg6 32.Rg1+ Kh7 33.Qf5+ Kg8 34.Qe6+
(34.Qxf6 Qc1+ 35.Ka2 Qc4+=) 34...Kh7 35.Qf5+=.
Let us now resume our analysis of 13.h3:
13...f6! Harassing the e5-bishop as it does not have many good squares along the h2-b8 diagonal. 14.Bc7 (14.Bh2
Bxh3!÷) 14...Qf7
15.d5!? This recommendation of Houska should probably lead to a draw.

Instead, 15.0-0-0? Qxa2 16.d5 (16.Bxh5+ Kd7 17.Bg3 Qa1+ 18.Kd2 Qa5+–+ is given by Houska) 16...g6!µ led
to a quick rout for White in the game Milliet-Kosteniuk, Corsica (rapid) 2009, after 17.dxc6?? Bh6+ 18.Rd2
Qa1#.
15...e5 Safest.
15...cxd5 16.0-0-0 e6 17.Ba5 Be7 18.Rhe1 Kf8 19.c4 dxc4 20.Qxc4 g5 is certainly not a position for the faint-
hearted.
16.dxc6 Qxc7 17.cxb7 Bxb7 18.Qb5+ Ke7 19.Bxb7 Rb8 20.Qb4+=.

12...Bg4!³
Exchanging White’s powerful bishop. Since Black is a pawn up, the ball passes to White’s court from now on. Anand
himself already considers the position as slightly better for Black in his Informant notes.

13.dxc6 bxc6 14.Qe2 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 Rd8 16.Rd1 Qe6 17.0-0 Rxd1 18.Rxd1 h5 19.Qd3 Qc8!

Vishy’s mark. He also mentions 19...f5 20.f4 Rh6 21.b4 Kf7 22.c4 with compensation for White.

20.h4!? Rh6 21.Kh2
21...Rg6

In my opinion, 21...Re6!³ was better for Black at this point. Anand gives 22.Bg3 g6 23.Qd4 but fails to spot 23...f5!ƒ
when Black coordinates his forces and can play for a win. The main point is seen after 24.Qxa7
24.Qh8 Re2 25.Be5 f4! 26.Bg7 Kf7 27.Bh6 Rxf2+ 28.Kg1 Qg4+ 29.Kxf2 Bxh6 30.Qxh6 Qxd1 31.Qxf4+
Kg8µ.
24...Re2 and Black prepares to bring his queen to e6 and the bishop to g7, activating all his pieces.

22.Bg3 Rg4!?

According to Vishy, a prelude to ... g4-b4-b7, which his next move aims to prevent.

23.a3 a6 24.Re1 c5 25.c3! Rg6 26.Re5! e6 27.Rxh5 Rh6 28.Rxh6 gxh6=
After the exchange of rooks there is not much going on. The remaining moves were:

29.Qf3 c4 30.Bf4 Qc5 31.Qa8+ Ke7 32.Kg1 Qf5 33.Bg3 Qb1+ 34.Kh2 Qxb2 35.Qxa6 Kf6 36.Qxc4 Qxa3 37.Qd4+
Ke7 38.c4 Ke8 39.Qb6 Qc5 40.Qxc5 Bxc5 41.h5 Bd4 42.Kg2 Kd7 43.Bf4 Bg7 44.Be3 Kd6 45.Kf1 e5 46.Ke2 f5
47.f3 Kc6 48.Kd3 Bf8 49.Bc1 Bg7 50.Ba3 Bf6 Draw.

30. Ivanchuk – Tiviakov
Wijk aan Zee 2010

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Bf4 Nd5 8.Nxd5 Qxd5 9.Nf3!?
I emphasized on 9.Nc4 and 9.Be2 in the theoretical sections. The text move is designed to avoid exchanges.

9...Nb6 10.Be2 Bf5 11.c3

11.0-0? would lose a pawn after 11...Qe4! 12.Bc7 Qxc2 13.Bxb6 Qxd1 14.Rfxd1 axb6 15.d5 g6! 16.dxc6 bxc6 17.Rac1
Bg7 18.Rxc6 0-0 19.Rxb6 Rxa2 20.Nd4 Be4µ with the better position for Black. In Parligras-Tiviakov, Germany 2008,
White blundered with 21.Bc4?? and after 21...Ra4! 22.b3 Rxc4! 23.bxc4 Rd8 24.c5 Bxd4 25.Kf1 e5, Sergei went on to
cash in the point without problems.

11...Qe4

Now Black is ensured of a a pretty equal ending, in my view.

12.Qd2

12.Bg3 didn’t change much after 12...Qc2 13.Qxc2 Bxc2 14.0-0 e6 15.Ne5 (15.a4 is nothing after the accurate reply
15...a5!=) 15...Be7 16.Bd3 Bxd3 17.Nxd3 a5! 18.Rfe1 0-0 19.Nc5 Ra7 20.Rad1 a4= and Black stood fine in Deepan
Chakkravarthy-Tiviakov, Leiden 2011.

12...Qc2 13.Qxc2 Bxc2 14.Ne5 h5
15.0-0 e6 16.Rfe1 Be7 17.h3 Rd8 18.g3

18.Rac1 Bf5 19.Bd3= was preferable.

18...Bd6 19.Be3 Nd5 20.Bd2 h4 21.Rac1 Bh7 22.Bf3 hxg3 23.fxg3 0-0

23...Bf5!? 24.g4 Bh7 was probably a tad better for Black, forcing a weakening of the f4-square.

24.Kg2 c5 25.a3 cxd4 26.cxd4 Rfe8 27.Nc4 Bc7 28.Ne3! Nxe3+ 29.Bxe3 Bb6?!

Starting with this move, Sergei slightly mishandles the ending, giving his opponent unnecessary chances. 29...Re7= was
more accurate.

30.d5 e5?!
(30...Bxe3 31.Rxe3 Kf8!?)
31.Bxb6 axb6 32.Red1 e4 33.Be2 e3 34.Bf3 Be4 35.Rd4²
White is better from now on, but the eventual result is nevertheless a draw. The remaining moves were:

35...Bxf3+ 36.Kxf3 Rd6 37.Re1 Rf6+ 38.Rf4 Rd6 39.Rxe3 Rxe3+ 40.Kxe3 Rxd5 41.Rd4 Re5+ 42.Kd3 Rf5 43.Kc4
b5+ 44.Kb4 Rf3 45.Rg4 f6 46.Kxb5 Rb3+ 47.Rb4 Rxg3 48.h4 Rd3 49.a4 f5 50.Kb6 Rd7 51.a5 Rf7 52.Rf4 Kh7
53.b4 g5 54.hxg5 Kg6 55.b5 Kxg5 56.Rf1 f4 57.a6 Draw.

31. Wan,Yunguo – Tiviakov
Moscow, 2011

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.f4 Nb6 8.g4 Nbd5

Tiviakov and S.Kasparov use this line against the Shirov plan with f4, but I’d rather avoid it. I think it is dubious to
move the knight 3 times in 8 moves having already spent a tempo with the queen.

9.Bg2 g6
10.g5?!

Practical experience has seen this move in 90 percent of the games, but the real danger for Black is 10.0-0 Bg7 11.f5! –
as explained in the “Step by Step” section. I have also analysed:
10.Nxd5 cxd5!
Instead, 10...Nxd5 11.c4 Nc7 12.c5 Qd8 13.Qb3 Nd5 is given as unclear by Tiviakov, but I believe Black is just
worse after 14.0-0 f6 15.Nc4 Bxg4 16.Re1! (16.Qxb7 Qc8 17.Qxc8+ Bxc8÷) 16...e6 17.Qxb7 Qc8 18.Qxc8+
Rxc8 19.Ne3 Nxe3 20.Rxe3! as the ending with weaknesses at c6 and a7 will be very difficult to defend.
11.0-0 Bg7 and Black looks okay.
For example: 12.c3

12.g5 Ne4 13.c4 Qa6! 14.cxd5 Nd6÷;
12.f5 gxf5 13.gxf5 Ne4! 14.Bf4 Qb6÷;
12.Qe2 Qb6 13.c3 (13.c4 dxc4 14.g5 Nd7 15.Be3 Nxe5 16.dxe5 Bg4!?) 13...Ne4!? 14.Bxe4 dxe4 15.Qxe4 Qc7
16.Qf3 h5 17.g5 0-0 18.b3 b5!°.
12...Ne4! 13.Qa4+ (13.c4 0-0³) 13...Bd7 14.Qxd7+ Qxd7 15.Nxd7 Kxd7 and Black should draw this ending by active
play. If this sounds vague, play through the following illustrative lines:
16.f5!
Otherwise Black will push ...f7-f5 himself. 16.Bxe4 dxe4 17.f5 is similarly met by 17...Rag8!.
16...Rag8!
17.Be3
After 17.fxg6 hxg6 18.Rxf7?, the cool 18...Bf6 traps the rook.
17...Bf6! 18.Kh1 gxf5 19.Rxf5 e6 20.Rf4 Bg5! 21.Rxf7+ Ke8 22.Rxb7!?
22.Rf3 h5! 23.Bxg5 hxg4 24.Rf4 Rxg5 25.Bxe4 dxe4 26.Rg1 Rgh5 27.Rf2 Rf5! 28.Re2 Rf4=.
22...Bxe3 23.Bxe4 dxe4 24.Re1 Bg5! 25.Rxe4 Rg6 26.Rxa7 (26.d5 Rf8 27.Rxh7 Rf4 28.Rxe6+ Rxe6 29.dxe6 Be7 30.h3
Re4=) 26...Bd8= intending ...h7-h5.

10...Nxc3 11.bxc3
11...Nd7

Note this retreat! Black has less space so he should seek exchanges. 11...Nd5? is a blunder which hands the opponent
tempi for a decisive breakthrough: 12.c4 Nc7 13.c5 Qd8 14.d5!! cxd5 15.c4! e6 16.Bb2 Bg7 17.Nc6! bxc6 18.Bxg7
Rg8 19.Be5 Bd7 20.0-0. White had a crushing advantage in Shirov-Tiviakov, Hoogeveen 2010.

12.0-0 h6?!

Natural, but bad. 12...Nxe5! 13.fxe5 Qc7 14.Qf3 (14.Be4 h6³) 14...Bf5= is simple and strong, with an excellent game
for Black.

13.Qe2?!

The subsequent improvement 13.Qf3! Nxe5
13...hxg5 14.Nxf7! Kxf7 15.fxg5+ Ke8 16.Qf7+ Kd8 17.Bf4 e5 18.Bg3! leads to a very dangerous white attack.
14.fxe5 Qe6 15.a4 hxg5 16.Bxg5 Bh6 17.Bxh6 Rxh6 18.a5 a6 19.Rab1 Rh5 20.Qf4 Kf8 21.Rf3 Kg8 22.Rbf1 Rh7
23.Rg3 gave White a big edge in Svidler-Zolotukhin, Russia 2011.

13...hxg5 14.fxg5 Nxe5 15.Bf4 Bg7 16.Rae1 Bf5!?
Black has the more pleasant game now. I will not comment on the rest as this game was mainly included to demonstrate
some opening nuances.

17.Qf2 Qa3 18.Bxe5 Bxe5 19.Rxe5 Qxc3 20.Rc5 Qb2 21.Rxc6 0-0 22.Rc5 Rac8 23.c4 Qxf2+ 24.Rxf2 Rxc5 25.dxc5
Rc8 26.Rb2 Rxc5 27.Rxb7 a6 28.Rxe7 Be6 29.Bd5 Bxd5 30.Re5 Rxc4 31.Rxd5 Rc1+ 32.Kg2 Rc2+ 33.Kg3 Rxa2
34.Rd8+ Kg7 35.Ra8 Ra3+ 36.Kg4 a5 37.h4 Ra1 38.Kg3 a4 39.Kg2 f5 40.gxf6+ Kxf6 41.Ra5 a3 42.Kh2 Ke6
43.Kg2 Ra2+ 44.Kg3 Ra1 45.Kg2 Kd6 46.Ra6+ Kc5 47.Rxg6 Rc1 48.Ra6 Kb4 49.h5 Rc2+ 50.Kg3 a2 51.h6 Rc3+
52.Kg2 Ra3 0-1

32. Barrientos – Tiviakov
Bogota 05.12.2010

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.f4 Nb6 8.g4 Be6 9.Bg2 g6 10.0-0
White can also choose the move order 10.a4 Bg7 (10...a5? 11.0-0 Bg7 12.f5 gxf5 13.gxf5 Bd5 14.Rf2!± is better for
White.) 11.0-0.
Instead, 11.a5 Nbd5 12.0-0 0-0 13.Na4 (13.f5 Nxc3 14.bxc3 Bd5÷) 13...b5! 14.Nc5? (14.axb6 axb6 15.c4 b5!÷)
is met by the thunderbolt 14...Bxg4!–+

10...Rd8

In principle, Black should hit d4 in order to restrict the opponent’s options. It is not enough for equality, but the
alternative 10...Bg7 11.f5! gxf5 12.gxf5 is in White’s favour after 12...Bc4
Black suffers also in the event of 12...Bd5 13.Nxd5! (13.Rf2 Bxg2 14.Rxg2 Nh5! 15.Bg5 h6 16.Bh4 Bxe5
17.dxe5 Qxd1+ 18.Rxd1 Rd8 19.Re1 Rd4 20.Bf2 looks about equal after 20...Rc4 21.Be3 Nf4„) 13...Nfxd5 as
the bishop pair is dangerous in an open position. For example:
14.Qe2 [14.f6!? Nxf6! (14...Bxf6? 15.Nxf7! Kxf7 16.Qh5+ Kg8 17.Bh6! Bxd4+ 18.Kh1 Qg6 19.Bh3!!+–)
15.Bf4²] 14...Bxe5 15.dxe5 Qc5+ 16.Kh1 0-0-0 17.b3! Qd4 18.Bh6².
13.Re1!, intending a2-a4. If 13...Rd8 then White plays 14.a4! anyway and Black has a bad position because his bishop
must retreat to a6. For example, 14...Ba6 15.a5 Nbd5 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.Kh1± with a much better game for White as
his a1 rook can join the attack via a3.
Instead, Shirov-Tiviakov, Benidorm 2008, saw 13.Nxc4 Nxc4 14.Qd3?! (14.Ne2! Ng4 15.Bf4 e5! 16.fxe6 Qxe6
17.d5! cxd5 18.Qxd5 0-0 19.Qxe6 fxe6 20.Bxb7² is a sharp ending where White may have the tiniest of edges
due to his bishop pair.) 14...Ng4!µ.

11.a4

The best plan is 11.f5!. It immediately gives White the upper hand: 11...gxf5 12.gxf5 Bc4 13.Nxc4 Nxc4 14.b3 Nb6
15.Ne2 Nbd5
16.Rf3!!
16.h3 Nh5 17.c4 Ndf6„ leaves Black in good shape on the kingside in view of the imminent ...Rh8-g8. Delaying
the development of the bishop to g7 is helpful in this line. I will give a couple of variations to illustrate what I
mean: 18.c5!? (18.Be3 Rg8 19.Kh1 Ng3+ 20.Nxg3 Qxg3 21.Qf3 Nh5! 22.Rg1 Qxf3 23.Bxf3 Rg3!! 24.Raf1
Rxh3+ 25.Kg2 Rg3+ 26.Kf2 Rxg1 27.Rxg1 Nf6=) 18...Qc7 19.Qd3 Rg8 20.Bd2 Nd5 21.Rae1 Ng3 22.Rf3
Nxe2+ 23.Qxe2 Bg7 24.Qf2 Bf6 25.b4 Kd7! 26.Kh1 Kc8 27.a4 Bg5 28.b5 Bxd2 29.Qxd2 Rg3„. This analysis
shows that the weakness of the g3-square is the key in Black’s counterplay. Therefore, White uses a more subtle
way of neutralising ...Ng4.
16...Ng4 17.Rg3 Rg8 18.c4 Ndf6 19.h3 (19.Qd3 Bh6=) 19...Nh6 20.Rf3!!
Now that the knight is on the passive square h6, White returns to his central play. 20.Rxg8 Nfxg8„ would have
been a mistake as the f-pawn is hanging.
20...c5 21.d5 Qe5 22.Bf4 Qxf5 23.Qf1! Qg6 24.Kh1 Ne4 25.Re1! Nf5 26.Rd3! Nh4 27.Ng3 Nf2+ 28.Qxf2 Nxg2
29.Re4 Nxf4 30.Qxf4 h5 31.Qf2± and White holds all the trumps.

11...Bg7 12.g5?!

A positional mistake. 12.f5! was again the correct breakthrough – 12...gxf5 13.gxf5
13...Bd5
(13...Bc4? 14.Re1 Ba6 15.a5±)
14.Nxd5 Nbxd5 15.Qe2!
Alternatives are:
15.Ra3 h5! 16.Rg3 (16.Rh3 c5!∞) 16...Ng4! 17.Nxg4 hxg4 18.Qxg4 Bf6 19.c3 Kd7„ gives Black excellent play
for the pawn;
15.c4 Nb4 16.Be3 c5 17.Qb3 a5 18.Rad1 Qc7„ is also fine for him;
15.Kh1 h5!? 16.c4! Nb4 17.Qb3! Qxd4 18.Qxb4 Qxe5 19.Bf4 Qd4 20.Qxb7 0-0 21.Rae1
21...Ng4 22.Bg3 Bf6! Black’s control over the dark squares gives him strong counterplay. White should aim to
trade queens, perhaps with 23.Qb3 as 23.h3 h4!! 24.Re4? Qxe4!! 25.Bxe4 hxg3 26.hxg4 Rd2 27.Bg2 Kg7 28.Rf4
Rh8+ 29.Kg1 Rh2–+ even loses.
15...h5 16.c4 Nb4 17.Rd1 Ng4 18.Bf4 Qf6 19.Be4± with a full control.

Another interesting possibility is 12.a5!? Nbd5
when 13.f5! gxf5 14.gxf5 Nxc3 15.bxc3 Bd5 16.Ba3! Qc7 17.Qe2 is strategically won.

12...Nfd7³

After White’s mistake, the game enters a one way street. Black has a good blockade on the light squares and the first
player lacks a clear plan.

13.a5 Nd5 14.Ne4 Qc7 15.Qe2 0-0 16.c4 Nb4 17.Be3 b6 18.axb6 axb6 19.Nc3 Bf5
20.Rfc1?!

20.Na2! had to be played, having in mind 20...Nxe5 21.Nxb4 Ng4 22.Nxc6 Nxe3 23.Ra7! maintaining the balance.

20...Nxe5 21.dxe5 f6!µ (White is overextended and now he gets the bill) 22.Ra4 Nd3 23.Rca1 fxe5 24.Ra7 Qd6
25.fxe5 Qxe5 (25...Bxe5!–+ was more accurate) 26.Bxc6? Bg4 27.Qd2 Nxb2 28.Bd5+ Kh8 29.Ra8 Nxc4 Here White
resigned. A brilliant game of Tiviakov. 0-1

Main Ideas
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nc4 Qc7
Fashion has brought this variation into the limelight. It does look consistent to preserve more pieces, but the knight
makes already a third move in a row. That would not make sense if White had not in mind the aggressive set-up Qf3,
Bf4, 0-0-0. Any other mundane development would allow Black to fulfil his general Scandinavian plan:
1. to fianchetto the dark-squared bishop;
2. to lead out the other one to e6 or g4.
3. to pursue exchanges of minor pieces.

Here are three models to follow:
8.Be2 g6 9.0-0 Bg7 10.Bf3 0-0 11.g3 Nb6 12.Bf4 Qd8 13.Nxb6 Qxb6 14.Rb1 Be6 15.Be5 Rad8 16.Qe2 Rfe8 17.a3
Bd5, Kochetkova-Tiviakov, rapid Warsaw 2009.
Or: 8.Be2 Nb6 9.Ne3?! Be6 10.0-0 g6 11.Bf3 Rd8 12.b3 Bg7 13.Bb2 0-0 14.Ne2 Nbd5
15.c4 Nxe3 16.fxe3 Ng4 17.Bxg4 Bxg4 18.h3 Bxe2 19.Qxe2 e5, A.Roos-S.Kasparov, Bergamo 2012.
As you see, Black’s play is simple and logical. Any piece trade minimizes the impact of White’s spatial advantage.
8.g3 Nb6 9.Bf4 Qd8 10.Ne5
10...Nfd5!?.

Obviously, White needs much more energetic play:

8.Qf3 Nb6 9.Bf4 Qd7!?
First important moment. Do not think that d7 is a good place for the queen in general! On the contrary – we always
retreat to d8 except for this particular line. It has a tactical justification. Black is threatening ...Qg4, attacking d4 on the
way.
The game takes now a tactical course and I’m afraid that you’ll need more than bare “main ideas” in order to survive.

A. 10.0-0-0 Qg4! 11.Qxg4 Bxg4 12.f3 Be6 13.Nxb6 (13.Na5 0-0-0) 13...axb6 14.Bc7!? b5 15.d5!
15...Nxd5! 16.Nxd5 Bxd5 17.Rxd5 Rc8!

This intermezzo saves us, but it is not the end of the forced sequence. The email game Cinca-Peschke, ICCF 2012,
shows that it goes all the way up to move 30:

18.Bb6 cxd5 19.Bxb5+ Rc6 20.Rd1 e6 21.Bxc6+ bxc6 22.Rd4!
22...c5! 23.Ra4 Kd7 24.Ra7+ Kc6 25.Ba5 Bd6 26.Rxf7 Ra8 27.Bc3 Bxh2 28.Rxg7 Rxa2 29.Kb1 Ra8 30.Rxh7 Bf4

Black’s centralised king and the potential d-passer fully compensate for the pawn.

B. 10.Be5 Qg4! 11.Qe3 Nfd5 12.Nxd5 Nxd5 13.Qd2
13...Bf5!

Tiviakov played 12...h5?! and S.Kasparov also recommends this move, but it is insufficient.
The bishop’s development is natural and strong. After:

14.f3 Qg6 15.0-0-0,
we have a pleasant choice: 15...h5 16.Ne3 Nxe3 17.Qxe3 Bxc2 18.Rd2 Bf5 is sharp and risky while 15...f6 16.Bg3
Qh6! trades queens in a safe position.

C. 10.Nxb6!? axb6 11.0-0-0!
Back in 2011 I thought White was clearly better and Tiviakov’s choice against me – 11...e6?!, only confirmed my
opinion. You can look at Game 34 Kotronias-Tiviakov, Vrachati 2011. My later analysis, however, converted me into a
fan of Black’s cause. We should play:

11...Qd8! 12.Qe3 (12.h3 e6) 12...Nd5! 13.Nxd5 Qxd5 14.c4
This position has been evaluated in White’s favour on the ground of the game Rublevsky-Zolotukhin, Olginka 2011,
which saw 14...Qa5 15.a3, 15...Bg4? 16.f3 Bd7 17.d5. Instead, 15...b5! holds on, but simplest is:

14...Qe6! 15.a3 Qxe3+ 16.Bxe3 e6 17.d5 exd5 18.cxd5 b5 19.Be2
19...b4!

A passive stand would be hopeless.

20.dxc6 bxc6 21.Bf3 Ra6 22.Rhe1 Be6 23.Bg5 Be7 24.Bxe7 Kxe7 25.axb4 Rb8!
Black has a forced draw. The key point is 26.Rd4 c5! or 26.Re4 f5 27.Rh4 c5!=.

Now I’ll examine plans where White sacrifices the d4-pawn. Luckily, they are rather harmless and give us fair chances
to play for a win!

D. 10.Ne5 Qxd4 11.Rd1 Qb4 12.Be3
12...Qa5!?

I see no reason to give White more tempi with 12...Qxb2 13.Bd4 Qb4 14.Be2 h5. I provide enough evidence that Black
is not worse here, but White has forced draws in many lines.

13.Bd4 Be6 14.a3 Nbd7

After exchanging the e5-knight, we can castle queenside and enjoy our extra pawn in the centre.

E. 10.h3 Nxc4 11.Bxc4 Qxd4 12.Bb3 Bf5!?
12...e6 13.Rd1 is grim for Black. It is not worth to suffer all the game long in a passive position.
In the diagram position, White has two ways to exploit the bishop’s sortie:

1. to regain the pawn at the expense of his dark-squared bishop:
13.Be3 Qd7 14.Rd1 Qc8 15.Bd4 e6 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.g4 Bg6 18.Qxf6 Rg8 with mutual chances. See Game 38 Rybka-
Houdini 2011.

2. to sacrifice the bishop on e6. This idea appears in different versions and should allow White to keep the balance, but
he must find a series of only moves while Black’s defence is more or less obvious.
13.0-0 e6 14.Rfe1 Be7 15.Rad1 Qb6 16.g4 Bg6 17.Bxe6! (17.h4 h6!) 17...fxe6 18.Rxe6
18...Rd8 (18...Kf7 19.g5!? Rad8 20.Rxe7+!=) 19.Rde1 0-0 20.Rxe7 Qxb2=.

A curious combination of the two plans is 13.Rd1 Qb6 14.Be5 e6 15.g4 Bg6 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.Qxf6 Rg8
18.Bxe6! Be7 19.Bd7+ Kf8=, see the annotated Game 37 Yildiz-Kosteniuk, Astana 2013. Black won it convincingly,
but White missed a chance to equalize.

Finally, I would like to bring your attention to the following weird position:
13.Rd1 Qb6 14.0-0 e6 15.g4 Bg6 16.h4 h6 17.Be5 Be7 18.h5 Bh7 19.g5 hxg5 20.h6 Bg8 21.hxg7 Rh6÷
One possible threat is g5-g4-g3 to open the g-file.

We see that Bologan’s 10.h3 does not pose any theoretical problems. Moreover, it leads to lively play with chances for
both sides.
Unfortunately, that is not the case with 10.Nxb6!? where we have to follow a narrow path to the draw.
Step by Step
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nc4 Qc7
8.Qf3

Rare alternatives are:
a) 8.a4 is a decent positional move, which aims to cramp our queenside. We know from the previous chapter that in
such positions we should fianchetto our bishop – 8...g6! (8...Nb6 9.Ne5 a5 10.Bf4 looks better for White.) 9.a5!?
This is the most consistent follow up of White’s previous move, but he can always return to other common plans
as 9.g3 Nb6 (pursuing exchanges while the b6-square is still available!) 10.Bf4 (10.Nxb6 axb6 11.Bf4 Qd8
12.Bg2 Bg7 13.0-0 Be6 14.Re1 Qd7 15.Be5= was level in Perunovic-Milanovic, Kragujevac 2011, and the
players decided to split the point here. The b6-pawn makes the queen feel safe on d7 as it fences off annoying
knight invasions on c5.) 10...Qd8 11.Ne5 Nbd5 12.Bd2 a5 13.Bg2 Nb4! 14.Ne2 Bf5. The weakness on c2 forces
White to part with his bishop since 15.0-0 Bxc2 16.Qc1 Be4 17.Bxe4 Nxe4 18.Bxb4 axb4 19.Nxc6 Qb6 20.Ne5
Bg7 21.Qf4 Nd6 22.Rfc1 Qa6! is absolutely safe for Black.
9...Bg7
10.g3
I also looked at 10.Qf3 Nf8! when Black gets counterplay against d4 and he should be fine, e.g. 11.Bf4 Qd8
12.Be5 (12.a6 Ne6! 13.axb7 Bxb7 14.Na5 Nxd4 15.Qd1 Nh5! 16.Be3 Rb8! 17.g4 Ba8! 18.Bxd4 Bxd4 19.gxh5
Qb6 20.Nc4 Bxf2+ 21.Kd2 Qd4+ 22.Kc1 c5÷) 12...Ne6 13.Rd1 0-0 14.Be2 Nd5 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.0-0 Nef4
17.Rfe1 Bf5 18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19.c3 Qc7= with a balanced game as the weakness of the a5- pawn limits White’s
options.
10...Nd5 11.Bg2 N7f6 12.Nxd5 Nxd5 13.0-0 0-0 14.Ne5 Bf5. Black has equalized in Baklan-Epishin, Porto San
Giorgio 2009. The game went on 15.c4 Bxe5!=. Instead, 15.c3!? Rad8! (15...Bxe5 16.dxe5 Qxe5 17.Re1 Qd6 18.Bg5!ƒ
gives White a strong initiative) reaches a typical position where Black gradually equalizes with patient play. At an
opportunity, he can push ...c5, but this breakthrough is always double-edged as it prolongs the diagonal to the g2-
bishop.

b) 8.g3 kills two birds with one shot as it prepares the development of both bishops on good squares. I recommend
8...Nb6 9.Bf4 Qd8 10.Ne5
and here 10...Nfd5!? is probably best as Black can follow up with ...Bc8-e6 and even ...f7-f6 in some positions, driving
the Ne5 back.
Instead, 10...g6 11.Bg2 Bg7 12.0-0 0-0 13.Re1 Be6 14.Qd2 Re8 15.Rad1 Rc8 happened in Solleveld-Tiviakov,
Netherlands 2014, but here I dont like so much the look of 16.Qe2!² , preventing exchanges taking place on c4 or
g4 and leaving us with a relatively passive position.
11.Qf3
11.Nxd5? Qxd5 12.Rg1 f6µ.
11.Bd2 Nxc3 12.Bxc3 Qd5 was pleasant for Black in Groszpeter-Babula, Odorheiu Secuiesc 1995.
11...Be6 12.Ne4 Nxf4 13.Qxf4 f6=, Coenen-M.Gupta, Germany 2015.

c) 8.d5 throws off White’s structural advantage, defined by the pawn pair d4 vs. c6. That might have been justified if he
had a big lead in development, but the simple 8...cxd5
8...Nb6 9.dxc6 bxc6 10.Qf3 Nbd5 is also balanced.
9.Nxd5 Nxd5 10.Qxd5 e6 actually helps Black developing. (Or 10...Nf6 11.Qg5 h6 12.Qe5 Qxe5 13.Nxe5 a6=.) The
game could take a fresh course after 11.Qf3 Be7 12.Bf4 e5 13.Bg3 0-0 14.0-0-0 f6.

8...Nb6 9.Bf4

9.Ne5 allows us to develop our bishop with 9...Be6! and after 10.Bf4 the best answer is 10...Qd8 11.0-0-0 g6. This way
we complete successfully development and the firm grip on the d5-square protects us from tactical shots. See my Game
33 Kotronias-Zatonskih, Port Erin 2003.
9...Qd7!?

9...Qd8 is often played by fellow GM Yannis Nikolaidis among others. It is fully possible, but I’d like to recommend
the more active option.
This fresh idea was introduced in the game Brandenburg-Lysyj, Hengelo 2007, then Tiviakov took on it and further
developed it. The reason behind the strange queen retreat is to meet White’s most aggressive plan 10.0-0-0 by 10...Qg4.
I will consider the following continuations from the diagram position: A. 10.0-0-0; B. 10.Be5; C. 10.Nxb6; D. 10.Ne5
E. 10.h3.

A. 10.0-0-0 Qg4! 11.Qxg4 Bxg4 12.f3 Be6 13.Nxb6
(13.Na5 0-0-0)
13...axb6
14.Bc7!?

This is the only chance to shake the blockade on d5. Instead, 14.a4 gives us a choice between plans with short or long
castling:

a) 14...g6 15.b3
15.Bc7 Nd5 16.Nxd5 Bxd5 17.b3 b5!= is perfect for Black as the capture of the b5-pawn allows the following
continuation:
18.axb5 Ra1+ 19.Kd2 Bh6+ 20.Ke1 Ra2 21.Bd3 0-0 22.bxc6 Rc8! 23.Bg3 (23.cxb7 Bxb7 24.Bg3 Rcxc2!
25.Bxc2 Rxc2°) 23...Bxc6° with full compensation. The plan of ...Bc6-d7-f5, exchanging the key defender on
d3, gives Black sufficient counter-chances.
15...Bg7 (15...0-0-0 switches to plan b) 16.Bc7 Nd7 17.Kb2 0-0 18.Be2 Rfc8 and Black went on to hold in the
correspondence game Crlier-Montgomery, ICCF 2014.

b) 14...0-0-0 Castling long insures the defence of the b6-pawn, but allows White to take a more active stand on the
queenside as he does not have to think of a possible breakthrough with ...b5 – 15.Bd3 g6 16.Ne2 Nd5 17.Bd2 Bg7
18.c4 Nc7 19.Bc3.

Both set-ups offer Black fair chances. Perhaps plan b is easier to play, but that holds true for both sides.

14...b5

At this point White has a nice tactical possibility to stir up some action.

15.d5! Nxd5

Lysyj played in the source game 15...Bd7 16.a3 e6 17.dxe6 fxe6², but two years later Tiviakov has shown a cool way to
equalize. Be sure to keep the following line in mind!

16.Nxd5 Bxd5 17.Rxd5
Oops! Should we resign?

17...Rc8!

Not yet! The only move to save Black, but it is quite sufficient. Of course we would get mated if we captured the rook,
but the insertion of the intermezzo 17... c8! brings something to interpose on c6:

18.Bb6
18.Bxb5 e6! 19.Rdd1 Rxc7= is more than satisfactory for Black.
Vokarev-Tiviakov, Bhubaneswar 2009, saw 18.Ba5 cxd5 19.Bxb5+ Rc6 20.Rd1 e6 21.Rd3 Kd7 and Black made an
easy draw. However, White is still hiding a trump up his sleeve.

18...cxd5 19.Bxb5+ Rc6 20.Rd1 e6 21.Bxc6+ bxc6 22.Rd4!
It looks that White’s rook invades the seventh rank decisively, but the email game Cinca-Peschke, ICCF 2012, proves
that Black remains the more active side:

22...c5! 23.Ra4 Kd7 24.Ra7+ Kc6 25.Ba5 Bd6 26.Rxf7 Ra8 27.Bc3 Bxh2 28.Rxg7 Rxa2 29.Kb1 Ra8 30.Rxh7 Bf4

Black’s centralised king and the potential d-passer fully compensate for the pawn. The game went 31.Rh8 Ra7 32.Re8
Kd6 33.Rd8+ Kc6 34.Rc8+ Kb5 35.Bf6 Rf7 36.Bh4 d4 37.Rg8 c4 38.Bg5 Bxg5 when suddenly my database record
shows 0-1. In fact, it looks like a draw after the possible 39.Rxg5+ Kc6 40.b3 cxb3 41.cxb3 Kd6=.

B. 10.Be5 Qg4!
White has to lose important time and part of the harmony of his position in order to avoid queen trade:

11.Qe3

11.Qxg4 Bxg4= hardly deserves much attention.

11...Nfd5 12.Nxd5 Nxd5 13.Qd2 Bf5!

Tiviakov beat Swiercz with:
13...h5?!. It is an overambitious move, with a twofold purpose. It deprives the e5-bishop of a retreat to g3 by creating
the threat of h4, but most importantly, it establishes a base on f5 for the black pieces. However, it wastes yet another
tempo and White’s lead in development becomes overwhelming. Swiercz rightly felt that the position was ripe for
sacrifices, but he missed the best answer:
14.Bd3!
Instead, he shed a pawn with 14.Be2?! Qxg2 15.0-0-0 f6 16.h4?? fxe5 17.Nxe5 g6 18.Kb1 Bh6–+.
Note that 14.h3 Qg6 15.0-0-0 Bf5 16.Ne3 Nxe3 17.fxe3
17...f6! 18.Bh2 e6 19.Bc4 is too slow. Black can now gain space and attacking possibilities on the queenside by
playing 19...b5!? 20.Bb3 a5 21.a4 bxa4 22.Bxa4 Kf7!‚. White’s king is the more exposed of the two as a well
prepared ...c6-c5 is going to open new files on the queenside. His black counterpart is well-covered at f7 behind
his pawn shield, while at the same time Black’s control over e4 does not allow White to open lines for his own
attack by pushing his e-pawn.
14...f6
14...Qxg2? is bad since the d3-bishop controls the retreat square g6. After 15.0-0-0, 15...f6 would be horrible due
to 16.Rhg1 Qh3 17.Bg6+.
14...Bf5 15.0-0 Bxd3 16.Qxd3 Nf4 17.Bxf4 Qxf4 allows Black to trade two minor pieces, but the remaining
White’s forces exert full control over the centre. It is possible to launch a direct attack with 18.g3!? Qc7 19.f4
followed up by 20.f5.
15.0-0 Bf5 16.h3 Qg6
Ssergey Kasparov suggests this line claiming that it leads to “quieter play”, but 17.Bxf5 Qxf5 18.Bg3 is obviously
better for White due to his imminent pressure down the e-file.
14.f3

After 14.Be2 Qxg2 15.0-0-0 Qh3 or 15...f6 16.Bg3 h5, White is yet to prove that his initiative is worth a pawn.

14...Qg6 15.0-0-0

Or 15.Ne3 Nxe3 16.Qxe3 e6 17.0-0-0 Bxc2 18.Rd2 Bb1 19.Qb3 0-0-0=.

15...f6

15...h5!?, refraining from making weaknesses on the light squares, may be the best move here. Then 16.Ne3 Nxe3
17.Qxe3 Bxc2 18.Rd2 Bf5 looks too risky, but Black’s counterplay turns out to be amazingly strong after 19.d5 a6
20.d6 exd6 21.Bxg7+ Kd7 22.Bxh8 Bh6.

16.Bg3 Qh6

S. Kasparov’s suggestion 16...h5 is dubious owing to 17.Ne3 Nxe3 18.Qxe3 Bxc2 19.Rd2 Bf5 20.Bc4 Qh6 21.Bf4 g5
22.Qb3.

17.Qxh6 gxh6
Black has solved the opening problems. Play might continue 18.Bf2 h5 19.g3 e6 20.Re1 Kf7= or 18.Bd3 Bxd3 19.Rxd3
h5 20.Na5 h4!=.

C. 10.Nxb6!? axb6
11.0-0-0

The advance 11.d5 leads White nowhere after 11...Nxd5 12.0-0-0 e6 13.Nxd5
13.Bb5 Be7! 14.Rxd5 exd5 15.Nxd5 Rxa2 16.Kb1 0-0³.
13...exd5 14.Qg3 f6³. Black’s position is as solid as the rock of ages and his king may find shelter on f7, if needed.

11.Bd3 bars the d-file and basically does not threaten anything. That gives us time for 11...g6
On the safer side, we could trade queens with 11...Qg4 12.Qxg4 Bxg4 13.0-0 e6 14.a4 Kd7! 15.Be5 Bh5 16.f4
Ng4.
12.0-0 Bg7 13.Be5 0-0.

11.Be2 is a bit more logical since it controls g4 and defends the queen at f3. The latter allows White to meet 11...Qg4 by
12.d5 although 12...Qxf3 13.Bxf3 Bd7 14.dxc6 Bxc6 15.Ke2 e6 is still fairly equal. Again, 11...g6 is possible – 12.d5!?
(12.Be5 Bg7 13.Ne4?! 0-0³; 12.0-0 Bg7 13.Rad1 0-0 14.a3 Qf5 15.Bd3 Qa5 16.h3 Be6=) 12...Bg7 13.0-0-0 0-0
14.dxc6 Qxc6 15.Qxc6 bxc6 16.Bf3 Bd7! 17.Rhe1 e6=.

11.Rd1 Qg4 12.Qe3 (12.Qxg4 Bxg4 13.f3 Bf5=; 12.Be2 Qxf3 13.Bxf3 e6=) 12...Qe6 13.Bd3 Qxe3+ 14.fxe3 b5 15.a3
g6 is fine for Black.

11...Qd8

Now Black must restore the coordination of his forces and the queen retreat is the appropriate way to do so. Fortunately
for Black, the threat of ...Bc8-g4 gains valuable time.

No one has tried 11...Nd5 12.Nxd5 Qxd5 13.Qxd5 cxd5 14.a3 Bf5 15.h4 Rc8 16.c3 h5. Frankly, I cannot imagine a
way for White to break through Black’s defence. Moreover, this is a simple and straightforward approach. Still, the text
is certainly more enterprising. Black aims to shift the enemy queen first in order to keep the current pawn structure
which offers more chances for active counterplay.

Tiviakov used 11...e6 against me, but Black’s position is rather passive and difficult to handle mostly because the queen
on d7 does not fit in well with his set-up. See Game 34 Kotronias-Tiviakov, Vrachati 2011.

12.Qe3

Ignoring the skewer by 12.d5 does not pay any dividends in view of 12...Bg4 13.dxc6 Bxf3 14.Rxd8+ Kxd8! 15.c7+
Kc8 16.gxf3 e6 17.Bc4 Be7 18.Rd1 Nh5 19.Be3 Bc5 20.Nb5 Ra4 21.Bb3 Bxe3+ 22.fxe3 Ra5 23.Nd6+ Kxc7 24.Nxf7
Re8 25.Bc4 Re7 26.Nd6 Re5 27.Nb5+ Kc8 28.Nd6+ Kc7=. This variation looks almost forced from White’s point of
view, but Black has probably more ways to force equality.

After 12.h3 e6, Black has practically won a tempo as the queen stands much better on d8. Play could continue 13.Bc4
(13.Be5 b5!) 13...b5 14.Bb3 Be7
This is a rich and interesting position with mutual chances. Black can always play ...f6 to protect his king. I have
analysed:
15.Be5
15.Kb1 Nd5 16.Be5 0-0 17.Ne4 f6 18.Bh2 b6 19.Rhe1 (19.g4 Bb7 20.Rhe1 c5! 21.dxc5 bxc5 22.c4 bxc4
23.Bxc4 Ra4! 24.b3 f5!! 25.bxa4 fxe4 26.Qb3 Qa8° is a total mess.) 19...Re8 20.g4 Bb7 is wild, but I do not
believe Black is worse.
15...0-0 16.Qg3! Nh5 17.Qg4 Nf6 18.Qg5 Ne8!
Now that our queen is eying a5, this is not bad. 18...h6?! 19.Qg3 Nh5 20.Qf3 Nf6 21.g4 would be weaker.
19.Qg3 Qa5! (19...f6 20.Bf4²) 20.Rhe1 b6 21.Re3
21...c5 22.d5 c4 23.d6 Bf6 24.Bxc4 bxc4 25.d7 Bxd7 26.Rxd7 Rd8÷. There are other lines of course, but Black’s
general plan is to find the best timing for the break ...c6-c5.
In the final position, play could go on 27.Rxd8 Bxd8 28.a3 b5 29.Bd4 b4 30.axb4 Qxb4 31.Qe5 (31.Ne4 Qa5 32.Kb1
f5÷) 31...Bc7 (31...Bf6 32.Qc5 Qb7 33.Ne4 Bxd4 34.Qxd4²) 32.Qc5 Qb7 33.Re4 h6÷.
12...Nd5!

Tiviakov had mentioned 12...e6?! in Chess Informant, but he probably missed 13.d5!! Bc5 (13...Nxd5 14.Nxd5 cxd5
15.Bb5+ Bd7 16.Rxd5+–) 14.Qe5! Qe7 15.d6 Qd8 16.Bg5 h6 17.Bh4 and White has the better game although Black
could resist with 17...Ra5™.

13.Nxd5 Qxd5 14.c4

14.a3 would give us time to prevent c4 for good with 14...b5! 15.Bd3
After 15.Be2 Bf5 16.Bf3 Qc4 17.Be4 Bxe4 18.Qxe4 e6„, I do not see any problems for us, all the more so as
...b5-b4 is an annoying possibility.
15...Bf5
Our queen has nothing to do on a2.
16.Bxf5 Qxf5 17.d5!
I would play this even with eyes shut! Quieter alternatives hide no venom.
17...cxd5 18.Rd4! and a sharp situation has arisen:
a) 18...g5 is a nontrivial way to activate the kingside pieces quickly. Its long-term drawbacks are that the king remains
in the centre. That forces us to accept endgames which may be drawish, but without winning chances for us.
19.Bxg5 Rg8 20.h4
Or 20.Bf4 Rxg2 21.Bg3 Bg7 22.Re1 Qf6÷.
20...h6 21.Bf4
21.Bxh6 Rc8 22.Rd2 Rxg2 23.Bxf8 Kxf8 24.Kb1 e6 25.h5 Kg7 26.Qb6 Qf4 27.Re2 (27.Rhd1 b4 28.axb4 Kh7÷)
27...b4÷ is extremely complicated. Black does not seem to be any worse as the h-pawn covers his king.
The ending arising after 21.g4 Qe6! 22.Qxe6 fxe6 23.Bd2 Ra4! seems unclear, too: 24.Bb4 Bg7 25.Rd3 Be5!
26.f3 h5 27.g5 Bd6 28.c3 (28.Bxd6 exd6 29.Rb3 b4 30.Rxb4 Rxb4 31.axb4 Rf8 32.Rh3 Rf4 33.c3 b5°) 28...Kf7
29.Re1 Rc8÷.
21...b4!? A dynamic pawn sacrifice, designed to trade queens. After 22.Rxb4 e5! (22...Rc8? 23.Qb3!) 23.Rd4! f6
24.Bg3 Bc5 25.Qd3 Qxd3 26.Rxd3 Rd8 27.Rhd1 d4° Black has good compensation thanks to his active rooks. For
example, 28.Re1 Kf7 29.f4 exf4 30.Bxf4 Rxg2 31.Rb3 b6 32.Bxh6 Rh8 33.Bf4 Rxh4 34.Bc7 Rh8=.

b) 18...Rc8!? 19.Qb3 e6 (19...Rc6 20.g4 transposes) 20.g4 Qg6 21.Re1 Rc6 22.Rxd5 Bc5 23.f3 0-0 24.Rd7
Black’s heavy pieces will generate a lot of threats based on White’s weak first rank. Such a statement might sound
strange, but White’s king cannot hide through b1-a2 because of ...b5-b4. It suffices to trade a pair of rooks and break
through the kingside. The best shaping of all this is:
24...h5! (making a luft besides everything else) 25.h3
25.gxh5 Qxh5 26.Rxb7 b4! 27.axb4 Bf2 28.Re5 Qh4 29.Re4 Rd8! shapes the general talk of the above paragraph
into variations.
25...Qf6!?÷ planning 26.Bg3 Rd8 27.Red1 Rdc8 28.Kb1 b4! 29.axb4 Bf8 30.R1d2 Rc4.
I’m not sure this is the best move as Black has another enticing alternative – 25...Rfc8, intending 26.Kb1 b4. I’ll leave
the analysis to you. The position is very tangled and very Sicilian! Beyond doubt, line b is the perfect way to face your
opponent with difficult tasks.

14...Qe6

This looks more simple and straightforward than 14...Qa5 15.a3 b5! 16.cxb5 cxb5 17.Bd6 e6 18.Bxf8 Kxf8 19.Qe5
Bd7
I have extensively analysed this
position and found that it leads by force to a slightly better endgame for White which should be drawn. See Game 35
Pommrich-Gudichsen, ICCF 2012. It is a solid backup line of our repertoire.

15.a3

White has no reason to keep the queens as opposite castles are always double-edged. For instance, 15.Qb3 g6 16.a3 Bg7
17.Qxb6 Qe4 18.Be3 0-0÷.

15...Qxe3+ 16.Bxe3 e6
17.d5

Here is the last chance for White to try to rip dividends from his better development. 17.Be2 Bd6 18.h4 Bd7 is
obviously harmless as Black would be already able to meet d5 by ...exd5 followed up by ...c5.

17...exd5 18.cxd5 b5 19.Be2

19.Bd3 Be7 20.Rhe1 0-0 21.Bd4 Rfe8 defends everything. 22.d6 is then harmless due to 22...Bg5+ 23.Kc2 Be6=.
19...b4! 20.dxc6 bxc6 21.Bf3 Ra6 22.Rhe1 Be6 23.Bg5 Be7 24.Bxe7 Kxe7 25.axb4 Rb8!
This is a critical position for the 14...Qe6 line. White has won a pawn, but we have a forced draw. The key point is that
White cannot defend b4 with 26.Rd4 in view of 26...c5!. This hit is effective in the main line, too:

26.Re4 f5 27.Rh4 c5! 28.bxc5 Ra1+ 29.Kd2 Rxb2+ 30.Ke1 Raa2
I cannot refrain from adding another diagram here! It is rare to see a full second rank domination. Black is absolutely
safe. An illustrative line could run 31.Rxh7 Bc4 32.Rc1 Bd3 33.Rxg7+ Kf6 34.Rd7 Be4 35.Rcd1 Bxf3 36.R1d6+ Ke5
37.gxf3 Rxf2 38.Rd2 Rxh2=.

D. 10.Ne5 Qxd4 11.Rd1 Qb4
Now the mundane 12.Be2?! g6! 13.Nd3 (13.Bd2 Qc5) 13...Qa5 is in Black’s favour, so White should probably try:

12.Be3

with the cunning idea of meeting 12...g6? by 13.Bxb6 Qxb6 (13...axb6 14.Nxc6) 14.Bc4±.
However, we have a pleasant choice between two other moves – the safest 12...Qa5!? and the provocative 12...Qxb2.
The former one allows to play normal chess in a balanced position and it would be my first weapon.
Capturing the second pawn is not too risky, but it proclaims that the game enters a purely calculating stage where your
positional skill might have little impact. I have reached in my analysis a lot of forced draws by perpetual.

12...Qa5!?

12...Qxb2 13.Bd4 Qb4 14.Be2 h5!? is given as dynamically balanced by S.Kasparov.
Black’s last move is annoying for White in view of the threat Bc8-g4. It also enables an activation of the h8-rook via h6
in some variations. I would like to take this line a little further:
15.Nxc6
15.a3! Qa5™ 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.Bxf6 transposes and it is perhaps the better move order.
15...bxc6 16.a3!
16.Bxf6?! Bd7 17.Bd4 Rh6! favours Black – 18.a3 (18.0-0 Bg4 19.Qg3 Bxe2 20.Nxe2 Rd6 21.c3 Qc4 22.Nf4
c5³) 18...Qxa3! 19.0-0 Bg4! when I cannot see full compensation for White.
The most likely continuation is 20.Qd3 (20.Qf4 Bxe2 21.Nxe2 Nd5 22.Qf5 Rd8 is also better for Black.)
20...Rd8! and Black is better in all lines, e.g. 21.f3 e5 (21...e6 22.fxg4 Rxd4 23.Qf3 Rf6 24.Qxc6+„) 22.Qe3
Bc8 23.Kh1 [23.Bxb6 Rxd1 24.Rxd1 axb6 25.Qxe5+ Qe7 26.Qb8 Qb7 27.Qe5+ Re6 28.Qf4 (28.Qxh5? Qe7!
29.Ne4 Rh6 30.Qg5 Qxg5 31.Nxg5 Bc5+µ) 28...Be7³] 23...Re6 24.Bxb6 Rxd1 25.Rxd1 axb6 26.Qxb6 (26.Bc4
Bc5) 26...Rd6! 27.Qb8 (27.Nd5 cxd5! 28.Bb5+ Ke7! 29.Qc7+ Bd7 30.Bxd7 Kf6!!µ) 27...Rxd1+ 28.Nxd1 Kd8
29.Qxe5 Qc5³.
16...Qa5 17.Bxf6 Bd7!
After 17...Qf5?! 18.Qxc6+ Bd7 19.Qb7! exf6 20.Rxd7 Qe5,
White has the brilliant 21.Rd4!!ƒ (21.Qc6 Nxd7 22.Qxa8+ Nb8 23.0-0 Bd6=; 21.Rd3 Bc5=), intending 21...Be7
(21...Qxd4? 22.Bb5+ Kd8 23.0-0 Bd6 24.Rd1 Qc5 25.Qxf7±) 22.Nd5 Kf8 23.Nxb6 Qa5+ 24.Rd2 axb6 25.0-0
Qa7 26.Rd7 (26.Qc6 g6 27.Rd7 Qxa3) 26...Qxb7 27.Rxb7 g6 28.Bc4².
18.Bd4 e5 19.Bxb6 axb6 20.0-0
20.Rxd7 Kxd7 21.Qxf7+ Be7 22.0-0 Qxc3 23.Rd1+ Kc8 24.Qxe7 Qc5 25.Rd6 Kb8 26.Rd8+ is a perpetual.
20...Be7 21.Bc4 f6÷
White certainly has good compensation for his pawn and in a practical game Black may feel a bit uncomfortable as his
king will never find a safe haven. Objectively, White has a number of forced draws based on Black’s weak light
squares.

13.Bd4

13.Qg3 Nbd5 14.Bd4 Bf5„;
13.Qf4 e6 14.Qg5!? (14.Bd2 Nbd5 15.Nxd5 Qxd5÷) 14...Nbd5 15.Bd4 Qc7 16.Bd3 h6 17.Qg3 Bb4 18.a3 (or 18.0-0
0-0 19.Nxd5 cxd5³) 18...Bxc3+ 19.bxc3 0-0 20.c4 Nh5 21.Qf3 Ndf4 22.Bc3 f6 23.g3 Nxd3= should be about equal
after 24.Rxd3 while 24.Nxd3? Qf7 25.g4 does not win a piece due to 25...e5 26.gxh5 e4.
13...Be6! 14.a3!

White must be careful as his pieces would be hanging after the “normal” 14.Be2 Rd8³ threatening ...Rxd4.
The point of 14.a3 is the funny mate 14...Rd8?? 15.b4 Qxa3 16.Nd5 Qxf3 17.Nc7#.

14...Nbd7! 15.Nxd7

White is balancing on the edge. 15.Qg3 Nxe5 16.Bxe5 Nd7 17.Bd4 does not give him full compensation.
Once again the thematic 17...h5! solves all our problems.

15...Bxd7 16.Qg3 0-0-0 17.Be2 Ne4 18.Qf4 e5!

Black already has some initiative.

E. 10.h3 Nxc4 11.Bxc4 Qxd4

This pawn sac is a brainchild of Bologan. Black should plunge into the complications without hesitation. Why not to
grab a central pawn with tempo?!

12.Bb3
12...Bf5!?

Developing the bishop outside the pawn structure bears some risks, but it is certainly more challenging than hiding it
behind with 12...e6?! 13.Rd1!. I analyse this line in the annotations to Game 36 Dzhumaev-TiviakovMashhad 2011.
The bottom line of my analysis is that White obtains a long-term initiative and lasting dominance over the dark squares.

13.Rd1

The immediate 13.0-0 e6 14.Rad1 transposes to 13.Rd1.
I also looked at 14.Rfe1!? Be7 15.Rad1 Qb6 16.g4 Bg6
17.Bxe6!
The insertion of 17.h4 h6! hardly improves the sacrifice as the g4 pawn might prove weak and the h6-pawn
controls g5 – 18.h5 (18.Bxe6 fxe6 19.Rxe6 Rd8) 18...Bh7 19.Bxe6 fxe6 20.Rxe6 Kf7 (Black can play on with
20...0-0!? 21.Rxe7 Bxc2 22.Rd2 Qb4) 21.Rxe7!+ (or 21.Rde1? Rhe8 22.g5 hxg5 23.Bxg5 Qd4 24.h6 Bf8 and
Black went on to win in Nevednichy-S.Saric, Hungary 2015.) 21...Kxe7 22.Qe2+ Kf7 23.Qc4+ Nd5 24.Nxd5
Qb5 25.Qc3 cxd5 26.Qc7+ Ke6 27.Qd6+=.
17...fxe6 18.Rxe6 Rd8 (18...Kf7 19.g5!? Rad8 20.Rxe7+ is probably a draw.) 19.Rde1 0-0 20.Rxe7 Qxb2 21.Rb1
(21.Qe3 Rde8=) 21...Qxc2 22.Rbxb7 Rd3 23.Rxg7+ Kh8 24.Qxc6 Qxc3 25.Qxc3 Rxc3 26.Be5 Rxh3 27.Rxa7 Be4
28.f4 h5!=. At the end of the day, its a draw again.

13.Be3!? Qd7 14.Rd1 Qc8 15.Bd4 e6 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.g4 Bg6 18.Qxf6 Rg8 is an interesting position with mutual
chances. See Game 38 Rybka-Houdini 2011.

13...Qb6
White has made only 0.5/4 points from this position. And I have not seen yet a single correspondence game. Apparently,
the ball is in White’s court. Note that the retreat 13...Qc5 has also been tried, but it might offer White tempi for the
attack, e.g. 14.0-0 e6 15.Rfe1 Be7 16.Re5, although the position remains unclear after 16...Qb6.

14.0-0

14.Be5 e6 15.g4 Bg6 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.Qxf6 Rg8 18.Bxe6 Be7 19.Bd7+ Kf8 is roughly equal, see Game 37 Yildiz-
Kosteniuk, Astana 2013.

14...e6 15.Rfe1

It would be interesting to test 15.g4 Bg6 16.h4 h6 17.Be5 Be7 18.h5 Bh7 19.g5 hxg5 20.h6 Bg8 21.hxg7 Rh6÷
A highly unbalanced position! All of a sudden Black’s rook receives a power boost. One possible threat is g5-g4-g3 to
open the g-file. I especially like the following line:
22.Rfe1
22.Ne4 Nxe4 23.Qxe4 Qc5 24.Rfe1 Rh4 25.Qe2 g4 26.Rd3 Rh5÷.
22...g4 23.Qg3 (23.Qf4 g3!) 23...Rh3 24.Qg2 Rh6 25.Ne4 Nxe4 26.Qxe4 g3!? 27.Bxg3 Rg6
28.Qxg6!! fxg6 29.Rxe6 Qb4 30.Kh2 Qg4 31.Rde1 Bxe6 32.Bxe6 Qxe6 33.Rxe6 Kf7 34.Re3 Bf6 35.Rd3 Ke6=.

15...Rd8!? (15...Be7=) 16.Rxd8+ Qxd8 17.Qe3 Bb4 18.Qxa7 Qc8=

Black had no particular problems in Nenad Ristic-S.Saric, Vrbas 2015.


Annotated Games
33. Kotronias – Zatonskih

Port Erin 27.09.2003

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nc4 Qc7 8.Qf3 Nb6 9.Ne5 Be6!
Black enforces a solid grip over the d5-square.

10.Bf4

10.a4 is an interesting possibility which has not been tried yet. I recommend 10...a5! since White cannot attack the
weakened b6-square. 11.Bd3
11.Bf4 Nbd5 12.Nxd5 (It is risky for White to castle long after a4 – 12.0-0-0 g6!? 13.Nxd5 Bxd5 14.Qc3 Nh5;
12.Bg3 Qb6 13.0-0-0 Nxc3 14.Qxc3 Nd5 is at least equal for Black.) 12...Nxd5 13.Ng6 (13.Bg3!? Qb6 14.Bd3
g6! is quite okay for the second player) 13...Nxf4 14.Nxf4 Bf5= is roughly equal.
11...g6 12.Bf4 Qc8 13.0-0 Bg7 14.Rfe1 0-0
The opening has not brought anything to White and he should start manoeuvring now. For instance:
15.h3 Rd8 16.Ne2 Nfd7 17.b3 Nd5 18.Rad1 Nb4=;
15.Qe2 Rd8
15...c5 16.dxc5 Qxc5 17.Bb5 Nfd5 18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19.Bg3 Nc7 20.Bd3 Rad8 is also possible.
16.Nf3 Nbd5 17.Nxd5 Nxd5 18.Be5 Bxe5 19.Qxe5 Qc7 20.c3 Qxe5 21.Nxe5 Rac8 with balanced play.

10...Qc8!?

This is interesting, but probably not best.

10...Nbd5?! is dubious as it lets the white bishop on c4 – 11.Bg3!
Inferior is 11.Nxd5 Nxd5 12.Bg3 Qb6! 13.0-0-0 [13.Bd3 g6 14.Nc4 (14.0-0 Bg7 15.c4 Nb4 16.Rad1 0-0 17.Be2
f6„) 14...Qb4+ 15.Kf1 Nb6 16.a3 Nxc4 17.axb4 Nd2+ 18.Ke2 Nxf3 19.Kxf3 Bd5+ 20.Be4 Bxe4+ 21.Kxe4
f6= looks roughly equal] 13...g6 14.a3 a5! 15.h4 h5 16.Bc4, Alexander-Thomas, Margate 1937, when simplest
was 16...Bg7=.
11...Qb6 12.0-0-0 g6 13.Bc4!² White was more active in Severiukhina-Ponkratov, Izhevsk 2009.

10...Qd8! is my favourite. After:
11.0-0-0 g6, praxis has seen:
a) 12.Bd3 Bg7 13.h4 Nbd5!. As usual, exchanges facilitate Black’s task. 14.Bc4 Nxf4 15.Qxf4 Bxc4 16.Nxc4 Nd5
17.Qf3 (17.Nxd5 Qxd5÷ was a better try) 17...Nxc3 18.bxc3, Sveshnikov-Tiviakov, Moscow 2011. The safest way to
a Black’s advantage now is 18...h5!³.

b) 12.d5!? Nbxd5!
12...Nfxd5 13.Nxd5 Bxd5! 14.Qe3 Qc8 15.c4 Be6÷ is also possible, as in Ponkratov-Tiviakov, St. Petersburg
blitz 2012.
White blundered here with 16.Bh6? f6!, but even after 16.Bd3 Bg7 17.Bh6, Black has no serious problems. For
example, 17...Bxh6 (17...Bf6!? is worth examination as well) 18.Qxh6 Qc7 19.Nxg6 fxg6 20.Bxg6+ Bf7!
(20...hxg6 21.Qxh8+ Kf7 22.Qh7+ Kf6 23.Qh4+ Kf7 24.Rhe1) 21.Bxf7+ Kxf7 22.Qh5+ Kg7 with a perpetual
check.
13.Nxd5 Bxd5 14.Rxd5 Nxd5 15.Nxf7 Qa5 16.Bc4 Bg7! 17.Nxh8 Qb4 18.b3 Bxh8 19.Bxd5 cxd5 20.Rd1 Rd8=. The
imminent ...Qb4-c3 will simplify to an ending where Black is not worse.

c) 12.h4!? Bg7 13.Be2
White wants to play Qf3-g3 followed by h4-h5.

13...h5!?
This one appears a little too radical, but it is the best chance to play for all the three results. Instead, 13...Nfd5
14.h5! Nxc3 15.Qxc3 Nd5 16.Qf3 Nxf4 17.Qxf4 Qd6 18.h6!? Bf6 19.a3 0-0-0 (19...0-0 20.Qe3²) 20.Bg4 Rhf8
21.Rhe1 Bxg4 22.Qxg4+ Kb8 23.f4 left Black under slight pressure in Josefsson-Fels, corr. 2011.;
Having in mind the above game, I considered 13...Nbd5 14.Nxd5 Qxd5, but White still maintains a slight edge
with 15.Qa3.
14.Rhe1
14.Qg3 0-0 15.Bd3 Nfd5 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 (16...Qxd5!? 17.c4 Qa5) 17.Bd2 Qc8 18.Rhe1 b5 looks quite unclear.
14...0-0 15.Qg3 Nfd5 16.Nxd5 Qxd5 17.b3 Qa5 18.Kb1 Nd5 19.Bd2 Qb6 20.c3 (20.Bxh5 Qxd4)
The safest approach now is to strike in the centre with 20...Nf6 21.Kb2 c5 22.dxc5 Qxc5 23.Be3 when 23...Qxc3+
24.Kxc3 Ne4+ 25.Kd4 Nxg3 26.fxg3 Bf5 27.Bf4 f6 levels the game.
A sharper option is the flank thrust 20...a5!? 21.Bd3 (21.Bxh5 Bf5+ 22.Kb2 a4„) 21...c5÷.

11.0-0-0 Nfd5

11...g6? allows 12.d5! Nbxd5 13.Nxd5 Nxd5 14.Rxd5! with a clear advantage for White.

12.Nxd5 Nxd5
13.Be2

Throwing away whatever chances existed in the position. 13.Bd2 f6 14.Nc4 b5 (14...Bg4 15.Qe4 Kf7 16.Be2²) 15.Ne3
Nxe3 16.Qxe3 Bd5 17.Bd3 e6 was not much either as White cannot hinder the long castling.

13.Re1! Nxf4 14.Qxf4 Qc7 15.Bd3 f6 16.Ng6 gave a very slight edge, but perhaps 14...Qb8!? intending 14...Qd6 and
...0-0-0 or ...g6 equalized.

13...g6 14.Bd2 Bg7 15.c4 Nb6 16.b3 Nd7!

Black adheres to the principle to trade pieces in cramped positions.

17.Bf4 Nxe5 18.Bxe5 Bxe5 19.dxe5
19...Qc7

19...a5!= was simple and strong.

20.Qe3 Bd7?! 21.Bf3?!

21.f4 Qa5 22.Kb2 0-0-0 23.g4 gave some space advantage.

21...Qa5 22.Kb2 0-0-0 23.h4 Be6 24.h5 Rxd1 25.Rxd1 Rd8 26.Rxd8+ Kxd8 27.a3 Qb6?! (27...Kc8=) 28.c5?!

Now there is simply nothing going on. 28.Qxb6+ axb6 29.h6!² would have placed Black under some pressure although
the position probably remains a draw.

28...Qc7
The game is totally level. Later I overreached in trying desperately to play for a win, but my opponent did not make the
best of her chances and the game was eventually drawn. I present the conclusion without comments as it is irrelevant to
the opening:

29.Be2 Qd7 30.h6 Kc8 31.f3 Qd8 32.g4 Qd7 33.Bd3 Kb8 34.Bc2 Kc8 35.Kc3 Qd8 36.b4 Qd5 37.Kb2 Qa2+
38.Kc1 Qa1+ 39.Kd2 Qf1 40.Bd1 Kc7 41.Be2 Qa1 42.Bd1 Qb2+ 43.Bc2 Qa1 44.a4 a6 45.g5 Bd5 46.f4 Qb2
47.Qc3 Qxc3+ 48.Kxc3 e6 49.Kd4 Kd7 50.Bd1 Ba2 51.Bc2 Bd5 52.Bd1 Ba2 53.Kc3 Bd5 54.Kd3 Kc7 55.Ke3
Kd8 56.Bc2 Ba2 57.Bd1 Bd5 58.Kd2 Kc8 59.Ke2 Kd8 60.Kf2 Kc8 61.Kg3 Draw.

34. Kotronias – Tiviakov
Vrachati 22.08.2011

In this game played in the Vrachati resort near Korinthos, I face as White the 3...Qd6 Scandinavian’s most famous
protagonist, Sergei Tiviakov. At the time, I considered this opening just bad for Black, but subsequent analysis has
forced me to reassess my opinion.

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nc4 Qc7 8.Qf3 Nb6 9.Bf4 Qd7 10.Nxb6!? axb6
11.0-0-0
I invested a lot of time on this line while preparing for the game. I felt that playing in such a manner was a concession
because the open a-file was certainly an asset for the black rook and the pawn on b6 controlled the important c5-square,
but on the other hand, White gained time. The position is double-edged and demanding concrete knowledge by both
sides. The best move here is the rare 11...Qd8!.

11...e6?!

This move is suspicious, but in a practical struggle it is not easy to refute it.

12.Be5!

Black’s task is by no means easy after 12.Bc4 either. Play may continue 12...b5 13.Bb3 Nd5!? 14.Be5!
After 14.Nxd5?! exd5 15.Rhe1+ Be7 16.Bg5 f6 17.Re3 fxg5! 18.Rde1 h6 19.Qh5+ Kd8 20.Rxe7 Qxe7 21.Rxe7
Kxe7=, the position is equal as the Bb3 cannot help its queen to generate threats.
14...f6 15.Bg3 Bb4!
15...Be7 16.Rhe1 0-0? 17.Rxe6!+– underlines the bad placement of the queen at d7.
16.Nxd5 exd5 17.c3 Be7 18.Rde1 0-0
19.a3!
Activating the b3-bishop. 19.Re3 Rd8 20.Rhe1 Bf8 21.a3 Qf7= is equal as Black will follow up with ...Bc8-d7
and mass exchanges on the e-file.
19...Re8 20.Bc2 Qg4 21.Qd3² and White maintains some pressure, although the black position is solid.

12...Nd5

12...Be7 13.Qg3! is also problematic for Black as his knight would never reach d5 – 13...0-0 14.Bc4!?
14.Ne4! Ne8 15.Bc4 is the most precise way to an advantage, but I chose the 14.Bc4!? move order to show an
interesting technique of provoking weaknesses.
14...b5 15.Bb3 Nh5
15...Ne8 is extremely clumsy as the queen on d7 does not have an outlet to a5.
16.Qg4 Nf6 17.Qg5! h6?!
17...Ne8! 18.Qg3 b6 is the only way to keep White’s advantage under restraint.
18.Qg3 Nh5 19.Qf3 Nf6 20.h4 Nd5 21.g4‚.

13.Bc4

The critical move. After 13.Kb1 Nxc3+ 14.Qxc3 f6 15.Bf4 b5, the black queen is about to settle on d5, and Black can
count on full equality. Centralisation is the language we all speak I guess.

13...f6

Black is behind in development and he is forced to weaken his position. The stronghold on d5 is some consolation, but
only one good square is insufficient to fence White’s forces off.
14.Bf4

14.Bg3! looks like a good improvement over my game. The following lines provide ample evidence of the nature of
problems Black faces:
14...Bb4 15.Nxd5 exd5 16.Bd3!
This strong move was originally played by Solodovnichenko. The bishop joins in the attack. Instead, 16.Qb3
dxc4! (16...Be7 17.Bd3²) 17.Qxb4 b5 18.Rhe1+ Kf7 19.a3 Re8 20.Rxe8 Qxe8 21.Re1 Be6 offers White nothing
special.
Or 16.Bb3 Qg4! 17.Qe3+ Kf7 18.f3 Qg5 19.Bf4 Qxg2 20.Rhg1 Qh3 21.c3 Bf8! and Black is remarkably solid.
16...0-0
16...Rxa2 hardly works with the bishop standing on g3 in view of 17.Kb1! Ra8 18.c3 Be7 19.Qh5+ Kf8 20.h3
and Black has scarce chances to hold the position with his shaky king. The only move that offers hope is 20...Qe8
(20...Bd6 21.Rhe1 Bxg3 22.fxg3 Qf7 23.Qh4 Bd7 24.Qf4 Re8 25.g4! looks depressing), yet I would not like to
be in his shoes after 21.Qf3 Qf7 22.Rde1 g6 23.Re3 Kg7 24.Rhe1 Bf8 25.Re8 Bg4 26.Rxf8 Bxf3 27.Rxf7+ Kxf7
28.gxf3±.
16...Qg4 was S.Kasparov’s original attempt to defend Black’s position. 17.Qe3+ Kf7?! (17...Qe6 18.Qf4! 0-0
19.a3 Qe7 20.Qc7! Rf7 21.Qxb6 Ba5± would be a slow death.) 18.h3 Qe6 19.Qf3 g6 20.c3 Bd6 21.Rde1 Qd7
22.Re3 Bxg3 23.Qxg3 Re8 24.Rhe1 Rxe3 25.Qxe3 Qd8
26.h4! Bd7 27.h5+–. Unsurprisingly, Black is completely lost, Solodovnichenko-S.Kasparov, Padova 2012.
17.a3! Bd6
17...Qe7!? is a stunning recommendation by some engines, the point being 18.axb4? Ra1+ 19.Kd2 Qxb4+ 20.c3
Qxb2+ 21.Bc2 Ra2 with enough compensation for at least a draw. However, 18.Bf4 forces the retreat 18...Bd6
with clear positional edge after 19.Rde1. Moreover, after 18.Qh5 g6 19.Bxg6 Bxa3 20.Qxh7+ Qxh7 21.Bxh7+
Kxh7 22.bxa3 Rxa3 23.Bd6 Ra1+ 24.Kd2 Rxd1+ 25.Rxd1 Rg8 26.Bg3, the opposite coloured bishop ending will
be a torture for Black as his queenside pawn mass lacks mobility.
18.Rde1!
S. Kasparov does not mention this in his book. Obviously, if White trades dark-squared bishops and deprives
Black of counterplay, his advantage would be overwhelming. The text shows the right way of achieving it.
Carlstedt-S.Kasparov, Aarhus 2015, saw instead 18.Qh5?! f5 19.Rde1 g6 20.Qh6 f4 21.Bh4 Qf7 22.Bg5 which is
at least equal for Black after 22...c5!„. White’s mistake was that he missed to trade bishops.
18...b5
18...f5 19.Be5! b5 20.c3 Bxe5 21.Rxe5 Qd6 22.Rhe1 Bd7 23.Qh5± transposes.
19.c3 Qd8 20.Qh5 f5 21.Bxd6 Qxd6 22.Re5 Bd7 23.Rhe1±.
Black is doomed to suffer for the rest of the game, Kravtsiv-Ivanchuk, World Blitz, Berlin 2015.

14...Be7?!

Now Black’s situation becomes critical. 14...Bb4! was imperative. Black would have chances to resist after 15.Nxd5
15.Bd2 0-0=;
15.Ne4 0-0 16.Kb1 b5 17.Bb3 b6=.
15...exd5!
16.Bb3
16.Bd3!? Rxa2 17.Rhe1+ (After 17.Kb1 Ra8 18.c3 Be7 19.Qh5+ Kf8 20.h3, Black can exploit the fact that the
bishop stands on f4 and reduce the pressure by 20...Bd6! 21.Bxd6+ Qxd6=) 17...Bxe1 18.Rxe1+ Kd8 19.Kb1
Ra8 20.Qg3 Qf7 21.Bb8 Rxb8 22.Qxb8 Qd7 23.h4= is unimpressive.
16...Qg4 17.Qe3+ Kf7 should be able to gradually neutralise White’s slight initiative. An important factor of Black’s
defence is that White has to spent a considerable amount of time to bring the Bb3 back into play as the following
variation shows:
18.h3 Qe6 19.Qg3 Re8 20.c3 Bf8
21.Bc2
Or 21.Rd3 Kg8 22.Re3 Qf7 23.Rxe8 Qxe8 24.Qd3 Be6=.
21...Kg8 22.Kb1 (22.Qd3 g6 23.a3 Bd7=) 22...Bd7. Black has fulfilled the artificial castling and his position looks
already out of danger.

15.Rhe1

15.Rde1! was proposed by Milos Pavlovic in his Chessbase commentary to the game and it is by far the best move.
After 15...b5 16.Nxd5 exd5, the key point is 17.Bd3! directing the bishop’s fire to the kingside. Milos continues his line
with 17...Rxa2 18.Kb1 Ra4 19.Re3 0-0 20.Rhe1 Rf7 21.Qh5 f5 22.Bg5 Bxg5 23.Qxg5 Qd6 24.Re8+ Rf8 25.R1e7 Qg6
26.Rxf8+ Kxf8 27.Qe3 concluding that White is winning. Indeed, after 27...Ra8 28.Qe5 Qf6 29.Qxf6+ gxf6 30.Rxh7
Kg8 31.Rc7+– there is no defence.

15...b5
16.Bb3

This looks safer, but with my bishop stuck on b3 I cannot really hope to get something out of the position. 16.Nxd5!
exd5 17.Bd3! was the only way to maintain some pressure.

16...b4! 17.Nxd5 exd5 18.Qh5+

Or 18.Rd2 0-0 19.Rde2 Rf7 20.h4 Bf8 21.h5 b6÷.

18...g6 19.Qh6 Kf7 20.f3 b6 21.g4 Ra7

21...Bf8!? 22.Qh4 h5 23.g5 Qh3„ was also possible.

22.Rd3 Qd8 23.Rde3 Bf8 24.Qh4 Re7=
Black has reached equality. At some point I went too far and almost lost:

25.Qg3 Rxe3 26.Rxe3 Qd7 27.h4 c5 28.dxc5 bxc5 29.Rd3 Bb7 30.g5 Qe6?!

A slight slip which I failed to exploit.
30...Be7= was simply excellent.

31.Re3

31.Ba4!± was very strong, finally enabling me to activate the ill-fated bishop. In the heat of the battle I completely
missed it!.
After 31...Bc6
Or 31...Qa6!? 32.b3!± ∆ Rd3-e3;
31...Bg7? 32.Re3 Qa6 33.Bd7+–
31...Be7? 32.Re3 Qf5 33.Bd6+–.
32.Re3 Qd7 33.Bxc6 Qxc6 34.gxf6 c4 35.Kb1 Bc5 36.Re2 Re8 37.Rxe8 Qxe8 38.Bg5 Bf8 39.Qc7+ Kg8 40.Qb7 Qe1+
41.Bc1 Qe5 42.a3 bxa3 43.bxa3, Black is tied up with the defence of the d5-pawn and the passer on the a-file offers
White excellent winning chances.

31...Qd7 32.Be5??

A stupid sacrifice, which can be explained only by a desire to win at all costs. 32.Rd3 Be7= was normal.

32...fxe5 33.Qxe5 c4??

Returning the favour. 33...Kg8 34.Rd3 h5–+ wins.

34.Ba4= Qxa4 35.Qe6+ Kg7 36.Qe5+ Kg8 37.Qe6+ Kg7 38.h5 gxh5 39.Qf6+ Kg8 40.Qe6+ Kg7 Draw.

35. Pommrich – Gudichsen
WS/M/380 ICCF 2012

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nc4 Qc7 8.Qf3 Nb6 9.Bf4 Qd7 10.Nxb6 axb6
11.0-0-0 Qd8! 12.Qe3 Nd5 13.Nxd5 Qxd5 14.c4 Qa5

This move has been tested in several email games. They show that Black is able to hold his own, but the play is
considerably more complex than after 14...Qe6

15.a3 b5!
Black desperately needs counterplay against White’s king, even at the expense of a further delay of the kingside
development. 15...Bg4 16.f3 Bd7 17.d5 e6 18.d6 was grim in Rublevsky-Zolotukhin, Olginka 2011.

16.Bd6

It looks logical to saddle Black with a weakness on b5 with 16.cxb5 cxb5, but then 17.Bd6 will transpose to the game.
Only 17.Qb3 would be of independent significance and after 17...Bd7 18.d5 g6 19.Bd3 b4!? 20.Qxb4 Qxb4 21.axb4
Bg7 the position is very close to equal.

16.d5 has been untried in practice, but I decided to look at it as it is a natural human move. White is playing for the
initiative without opening the c-file. After 16...b4! 17.Bd6 e6 18.Bxf8 Kxf8 19.d6 bxa3 20.bxa3 Bd7„, it is rather
White who is more exposed as the black king can be accommodated at f7 after ...f7-f6 while the d-pawn is not a real
threat. Still, the position remains interesting for both sides and Black shouldn’t relax thinking that he suddenly became
better, as this is actually not the case.

16...e6 17.Bxf8 Kxf8

I also looked at the somewhat unnatural 17...Rxf8 and I can say that the Black position is not as bad as it looks. After
18.cxb5 cxb5 19.d5 b4 20.Rd3!,
the only correspondence game from this position continued 20...f6!?
20...Bd7 is not entirely out of question, e.g. 21.Kb1 Bb5 22.Rb3 (22.dxe6 Bxd3+ 23.Bxd3 bxa3 24.exf7+ Kxf7
25.Bc4+ Kg6 26.Bd3+=) 22...Bxf1 23.Rxf1 Qxd5 24.Rxb4 Ke7 25.Qb3 (25.h4 h6 26.f4 Rfd8! 27.f5 Ra6! 28.g4
Kf8 29.f6
29...Rad6 30.g5 g6 31.gxh6 Kg8 32.Qf3 may be worth a try. I hope I have not scared too many readers with this
line. Living dangerously is not exclusively a privilege of the Sicilian players. Actually, in almost every Black
repertoire there are certain lines where one has to cope with danger, no matter how solid that repertoire is.)
25...Qxb3 26.Rxb3 Ra7 27.Rc1 Rd8 and the ending seems defendable.
Returning to 20...f6!?, the correspondence game Cuccumini-Nicotera, corr. 2012, went on:
21.dxe6 Ke7 22.Rb3 An attempt to clarify the issue on the queenside.
22.Be2 allows 22...Ra6! and Black suddenly consolidates. For example, 23.Kb1 bxa3 24.Rxa3 Qf5+ 25.Ka1
(25.Bd3 Rxa3 26.bxa3 Qd5=) 25...Rxe6. This pawn commonly covers our king, but we have a concrete tactical
reeason to capture it: 26.Qd2 Qxf2! 27.Qb4+ Rd6!
28.Re1 [28.Bc4 Qd2 29.Qc5 (29.Re1+?! Kd8) 29...b6 30.Ra7+ Bd7 31.Qf5 Kd8 32.Qxh7 Qxg2 33.Rc1 Rd4
34.Bb3 Re8 is a mess.] 28...Kf7 29.Bc4+ Kg6 30.Rg3+ Kh6 31.Re4 Qa7+ 32.Kb1 Rd1+ 33.Kc2 Rd4 34.Ra3!
Qxa3 35.Qxa3 Rxe4 36.Qxf8 Rxc4+= and the ending should be drawn.
After 22. b3, Black obtained equality within his grasp:
22...bxa3 23.bxa3 Qe5 24.Kb1 Rd8 25.Be2 (25.Bc4 b5!) 25...Qxe3 26.Rxe3 Ra5 27.Rd1 Rxd1+ 28.Bxd1 Ra6 29.Bc2 h6
30.Bf5 Ra5 31.g4 Re5 32.Rxe5 fxe5 33.Kc2 Bxe6 34.Kd3 Bb3 and a draw was agreed.

18.cxb5 Bd7 19.Qe5 (Centralisation!) 19...cxb5
20.Qd6+

This should be the most critical continuation. After 20.d5 Rc8+ 21.Kb1 Qc7! the queens have to leave the board and
Black should be able to hold the ending after 22.Qxc7 Rxc7:

a) 23.h4!? exd5 24.Rxd5 b4 25.axb4 Ke7 26.Bd3 Rhc8 27.Re1+ Kf8 28.Rxd7+ (28.Rde5 g6 29.h5 Kg7=) 28...Rxd7
29.Bf5 Rcd8 30.Bxd7 Rxd7 31.Rc1 Ke7
At first I thought that Black had an easy draw, since the doubled extra pawn did not seem dangerous (we can even trade
rooks if our king reaches d5!), but then I found a plan for White:
1. White’s rook occupies the 4th rank with 32.Kc2! Rd4 33.Kb3 Kd6 34.Rc4 Rd2 35.Rf4 f6 36.Kc3 Re2.
2. White prepares to take the b-pawn: 37.g4 Ke6 38.b5 Re5 39.Kb4 b6 40.Rc4 Kd5 41.Rc6 Re4+ 42.Ka3 Rxg4 43.Rxb6
Kc5 44.Rb8
3. Now White hopes to break our king’s contact with the b5-pawn by b4+ and promote the b-pawn, but we still have a
draw with accurate play after 44...Rg1! 45.h5 h6. As you see, Black’s defence is not trivial.

b) 23.Be2 g6! 24.dxe6
24.d6 Rc8 25.Bf3 Kg7! 26.Bxb7 Rb8 27.Bf3 b4 28.axb4 Rxb4° gives Black excellent compensation for the
pawn.
24...fxe6 25.Rhe1 Kf7 (25...Ke7!?)
26.Rd2
26.Rd3!? Rf8 27.Bg4 (27.Rf3+ Ke7 28.Rxf8 Kxf8 29.Rc1 Bc6! 30.f3 Rd7 31.Rd1 Rxd1+ 32.Bxd1 Ke7 33.Kc2
Kd6 34.Kc3 Kc5 ∆...e6-e5, is also a draw.) 27...Ke7 28.f3 b4! 29.axb4 Rf4 30.Rde3 Rc6 31.Re4 Rxe4 32.Rxe4
h5 33.Bh3 g5= leaves no doubts about the final outcome.
26...Bc6 27.f3 Ke7 28.Red1 Ra8 29.Rd3 Bd5 30.Re3 Rd8= and the game was soon drawn in Ramsden-Gudichsen, corr.
2011.

20...Ke8 21.d5 Qa6! 22.dxe6

A bit more critical is 22.Qf4!?. Then 22...Qa4 23.Rd4 Rc8+ 24.Kb1 Qc2+ 25.Ka2 made me skeptical at first as I
thought that White had the safer king and it would be hard to find counterplay.
However, 25...f6! proves to be sufficient to keep the balance – 26.Bd3
26.Qe3 Kf7 27.Bd3 Qc5 looks also okay.
26...Qc5 27.dxe6 Bxe6+ 28.Ka1 Kf7 29.Re1 Rhd8! (relieving the central pressure at the cost of a pawn, but Black will
get enough activity for it) 30.Rxd8 Rxd8 31.Bxh7 Qc4 32.Qxc4 bxc4 33.Be4 b5 34.Bc6 Rd2°. The rather forced
sequence of moves has produced an ending that Black should be able to hold without much difficulty, e.g. 35.Bxb5
Rxf2 36.Bc6 g5 37.a4 Rd2 38.Bb7 g4 39.a5 c3 40.bxc3 Ra2+ 41.Kb1 Rxa5=.

I also looked at 22.Qg3 Kf8 23.Kb1 when 23...Qb6„, intending ...b5-b4, reminds that White’s king is also vulnerable.
If 24.Rd3, then 24...h5! and Black will develop no matter what White does.

22...Qxd6 23.Rxd6 fxe6
Black’s pawn structure is ruptured, but his pieces have good coordination.

24.Be2

24.Rb6 Kd8! 25.Rxb7 Kc8 is an important nuance.

24...Bc6! 25.Rxe6+ Kf7 26.Re5

Black has temporarily given up a pawn, but his pieces are tremendously active and the draw is in sight. Yet the manner
he achieves it is the best advertisement for king activity in endgames.

26...Kf6! 27.f4
(27.Re3 Bxg2= is obviously not a problem.)
27...Ra4! (Attacking the rook’s supporter forces the events.)
28.Bd3! Rxf4 29.Rhe1 Bxg2

Bluntly taking the pawn. It looks risky but Black and his computer has calculated the consequences.

30.Re6+ Kg5 31.Rg1 Rg4! 32.Re5+ Kf4!

32...Kh4?? is a sure loser in view of 33.Be2+– and an exchange falls.

33.Rxb5

33.Rf5+ Ke3 34.Bc2 looks very dangerous for Black, yet a study-like defence saves the day:
34...Rc8 35.Re1+ Kd4 36.Rd1+ (36.Kb1 Rxc2 37.Kxc2 Be4+=) 36...Ke3 37.Rd3+ (37.Re5+? Be4µ) 37...Ke2 38.Rd2+
Ke1! 39.Rff2
39.h3!? Rg3 40.Re5+ Kf1 41.Kb1 Kg1 42.Bxh7 g6= maintains the draw.
39...Bf1!!=. A brilliant point I will never forget.

33...Ke3! 34.Re1+! Kf2™
(34...Kxd3?? 35.Rb3+ Kc4 36.Rb4++–)
35.Rbe5 Bf3™

After a few “only” moves the king has reached safety. The rest is clear.

36.Rf1+ Kg2 37.Rc5 Rf4! 38.h4 g6 39.h5 Rd4 40.Rc2+ Kg3 41.Rc3 Bxh5 42.Be4+ Kh4 43.Bxb7 Bg4 Draw.

36. Dzhumaev – Tiviakov
Mashhad 2011

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nc4 Qc7 8.Qf3 Nb6 9.Bf4 Qd7 10.h3! Nxc4
11.Bxc4 Qxd4 12.Bb3 e6?!
This is a bit too laborious for my taste. I do not like my bishop hemmed in by his own pawns.
Let us make a stop and assess the situation. Black has won a pawn and has a solid structure, but White is enjoying a
considerable lead in development. It will require extreme accuracy from Black to develop his own side as the Bc8 is
problematic. On the other hand, White has a similar concern as the Bb3 bites on granite and it should be redeployed
somehow in order to help the attack.

13.Rd1 Qb6

This has been played by Tiviakov, but he also recommended 13...Qc5. Actually, this seems to preserve more mobility
for the black queen, but White retains lasting pressure. After 14.0-0 Be7, White continues calmly with 15.Rfe1!
The immediate 15.Ne4 Nxe4 16.Qxe4 Qh5 17.Bd6 Bxd6 simplified Black’s task in Milde-Gudichsen, corr. 2011.
15...0-0!
White is better after 15...Qh5?! 16.g4 Qg6 17.Bc4! h5 18.g5 h4 19.Kh2! because Black has allowed the
activation of White’s light squared bishop.
16.Ne4!
16.Re5 Qb6 17.Na4 Qa6 18.Nc5 Qb6 19.Na4 Qa6= was equal in Melia-Mikadze, Georgia 2011.
16...Nxe4 17.Rxe4!
17.Qxe4 Qh5 (17...a5 18.a4 Qh5 19.Be5 Qg6 20.Qe3²) 18.Be5 is less energetic although White’s game is easier
since Black lack a clear plan of develop the queenside.
17...Rd8 18.Rxd8+ Bxd8 19.Be5 Bd7 20.Qg3 g6 21.Qf4!
21.h4 Qe7 22.Bc3 (22.Rg4 f6) prepares to set-up a battery on the long diagonal, but Black can probably counter
this plan sufficiently with 22...Rc8 23.h5 (23.Qe5 f6 24.Qf4 c5 25.a4 Rc6!?÷) 23...Bc7™ 24.Qe3 e5!
Black cannot defend his dark squares for long. For instance:
21...Qe7 22.Rd4 Be8 23.c3 Qg5 (23...f6 24.Bd6 Qd7 25.Qe3 Bf7 26.Qh6) 24.Rxd8;
21...Be7 22.Rc4 Qb6 23.Rd4 Be8 24.Qh6 Bf8 25.Qg5 Bg7 26.Bxg7 Kxg7 27.Rh4 Rd8 28.c3 Kg8 when 29.Rb4!? Qc7
30.Rxb7 gives White a 3:2 pawn majority in the endgame.

14.0-0 Be7 15.Ne4! Nxe4 16.Qxe4 0-0 17.Be5 Rd8
Introducing a defence based on the ...Rd8-d7 idea. Black should hold here, but the defence requires great accuracy.

18.Bc4

White has other promising alternatives:

18.Rxd8+!? Qxd8 19.c3ƒ, planning Rf1-d1-d3.
The point of my idea is that Black is unable to develop the bishop. For instance:

19...Bd7? 20.Rd1 Qe8 21.Qd4 is a double attack.

19...Qe8 20.Rd1 b6?! is also dubious owing to 21.Rd3 Ba6 22.Rg3 g6 23.h4.

18.Qg4 Bf8 19.Rfe1 occurred in the game Filippov-Vakhidov, Tashkent 2013.
White should bring as many pieces as possible into the attack. He has nothing convincing after 19.Bf6 Rd7 or
19.Qg3 Rd7 20.Rxd7 Bxd7 21.Rd1 Be8 22.Rd4 Qc5 23.c3 Qe7=.
19...Rd7! A key move. The black queen is heading for e7 via d8.
20.Re3
A multipurpose move. White would like to double his rooks on the d-file or attack g7 according to circumstances.
Instead, the alternative 20.Bc4 Qb4 21.a3 Qe7 seems to lead nowhere.
20...Qb4 21.c4. The stem game saw further 21...Qe7 22.Red3±. S. Kasparov recommends as an improvement
21...Rxd1+ 22.Qxd1 Qc5. In my opinion, it does not change the overall assessment that White’s game is easier despite
the missing pawn, e.g. 23.Bc2 b6 24.b3.

18...Rd7 19.Qg4?!

19.Rd3 Rxd3 20.Bxd3 g6 …...Bd7-e8 is given as equal by Tiviakov.;

19.Rfe1! Qd8 20.Rxd7 Qxd7 21.Qg4 Bf8 22.Rd1 Qe8 23.Rd3! fixes White’s advantage.
For instance, 23...b5 24.Rg3 g6 25.Qf3 Bg7 26.Bxg7 Kxg7 27.Bxb5 regains the pawn with a stable edge.

19...Bf8 20.a3

20.Rxd7?! Bxd7 21.Rd1 Be8³; 20.Bd3 g6³;
20.Rfe1!? Qc5÷ was probably best.

20...Qc5!=
Now the black queen is inching closer to the kingside and Black has completely equalized.

21.Qe4 g6 22.b4 Qe7 23.h4 h5!

In the remainder of the game Black gradually outplays his opponent and wins. I will not comment on it as it is irrelevant
to the opening.

24.Rxd7 Bxd7 25.Qf4 Be8 26.Bf6 Qd6 27.Be5 Qe7 28.Bf6 Qd6 29.Be5 Qd8 30.Bf6 Bh6 31.Qf3 Qd2 32.Bb3 Qf4
33.Qc3 Rc8 34.Re1 c5 35.Rxe6 fxe6 36.Bxe6+ Kh7 37.Bxc8 Qc1+ 38.Kh2 Bf4+ 39.g3 Bc6 40.Qa1 Qd2 41.Qg1 Be3
42.Bg5 Bxg5 43.hxg5 cxb4 44.axb4 Qxb4 45.Qa1 Qe4 46.Bh3 a5 47.Qd1 a4 48.f4 Qe3 49.Bf5 gxf5 50.Qxh5+ Kg7
51.Qh6+ Kf7 52.g6+ Ke7 53.Qg7+ Kd6 54.Qf8+ Kc7 55.Kh3 Qe6 56.Qg7+ Kb6 57.Kh4 Ka6 58.Kg5 Be8 59.g4
Qxg6+ 0-1

37. Yildiz – Kosteniuk
Astana 05.03.2013

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nc4 Qc7 8.Qf3 Nb6 9.Bf4 Qd7 10.h3 Nxc4
11.Bxc4 Qxd4 12.Bb3 Bf5 13.Rd1 Qb6 14.Be5 e6
15.g4

White tries to recover her sacrificed pawn, but loses a precious bishop in the process.

15...Bg6 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.Qxf6 Rg8 18.Bxe6 Be7! 19.Bd7+ Kf8 20.Qf3 Qxb2 21.0-0 Qxc2
All this was probably the result of Kosteniuk’s home preparation. She is a prominent fan of the 3...Qd6 Scandinavian.
Black is still a pawn up but she has lost castling rights. Yet she does not seem to suffer so much as her two bishops
provide a good cover.

22.Rfe1?

Overlooking a nice tactical point. 22.Be6! was a must when Black should play as in the game – 22...Bb4!
White does not risk anything after 22...Rd8 23.Rxd8+ Bxd8 24.Bb3 Qb2 25.Rd1 Kg7 26.Rd7.
23.Rd7 Rg7 24.Qf6! Kg8 25.Nd1! was a nice sequence which would have assured White of adequate compensation.
Black can force a draw with 25...h5 26.Bb3 Qe4 27.Ne3 Bc5 28.Bxf7+ Bxf7 29.Nf5 Rxg4+, but I do not see a
compelling reason for such a hasty decision. He can play on instead with 25...Rf8 26.Bb3 Qc5 27.Rxb7 h5 28.Ne3
hxg4 29.Nxg4 Bh5 30.Kh1 Bc3=.

22...Bb4!µ

Now White is suddenly lost. She is forced to trade queens remaining without compensation for the missing pawn.

23.Re3 Bxc3! 24.Rxc3 Be4!
The point – a classical example of an overloaded queen.

25.Rxc2 Bxf3 26.Re1 h5 27.Kh2 hxg4 28.Kg3 Rd8 29.Bf5?

29.hxg4 Rxd7 30.Kxf3 Rg6µ.

29...Rd5

Good enough, but more precise was 29...Bd1! 30.Rc3 gxh3+ 31.Kxh3 Rd6–+.

30.Bc8?

White chooses to lose quickly. There was no hope in 30.Bxg4 Bd1 31.Rc4 f5 32.Rf4 Kf7 33.Kh4 Bxg4 34.hxg4 Rxg4+
35.Rxg4 fxg4 36.Kxg4 Rd2 either.

30...Rd3 31.Re3 Rxe3 32.fxe3 Be4 33.Rc4 gxh3+ 34.Kxh3 Bg2+ 35.Kh2 Bd5 36.Ra4 Rg2+ 37.Kh3 Rxa2 0-1

38. Rybka 4.0 – Houdini 1.5a
S1 www.tcec-chess.org 2011

This chapter ends with a marathon contest between computers. The truth is, their calculating power and sometimes
stunning evaluations are invaluable in modern chess preparation, but remember, chess is a game for humans – to play,
analyse and enjoy it! Battles between computers leave me somehow indifferent, no matter how flawless they could be.

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nc4 Qc7 8.Qf3 Nb6 9.Bf4 Qd7 10.h3 Nxc4
11.Bxc4 Qxd4 12.Bb3 Bf5 13.Be3 Qd7 14.Rd1 Qc8 15.Bd4 e6 16.Bxf6 gxf6
17.g4 Bg6 18.Qxf6 Rg8 19.Qe5 Qb8 20.Qe3 Be7

There’s a humorous touch in this position as very soon both sides will manage to castle long!

21.Kd2! Bd6 22.Ne2 Qc7 23.Kc1 0-0-0! 24.Qxa7 Qe7°

The bishop pair and the dozing white bishop provide sufficient compensation for the pawn.

25.a3 Qg5+ 26.Kb1 Bb8
27.f4

27.Qa4 Rxd1+ 28.Rxd1 Rd8 29.Rxd8+ Qxd8 30.Nf4 Qd1+ 31.Ka2 Bxf4 32.Qxf4 Bxc2 is a draw.

27...Qxf4 28.Nxf4 Bxa7 29.Rde1 Bb8

Simplest would have been 29...h5, but the material transformation that followed in the game also keep Black on the safe
side.

30.Nxe6 fxe6 31.Bxe6+ Kc7 32.Bxg8 Rxg8=

Black may be lost without rooks, but White cannot achieve the desired trade without an active “help” by his opponent.
Since it is a computer, we could safely claim that it is an easy draw.

33.a4 Kb6 34.b3 Bg3 35.Re2 Bh4 36.Rf1 Rd8 37.Kb2 Kc7 38.b4 Rd5 39.Kb3 Rd7 40.Kc3 Bf7 41.Rf5 b6 42.Ree5
Bg3 43.Re2 Bd6 44.h4 Kb7 45.Re3 Bf8 46.Rd3 Rc7 47.Rf4 Bg7+ and the game went on for 85 more moves until the
draw was fixed.

Variation Index
Chapter 1. 1.e4 d5 Rare Second Moves 9

1.e4 d5 2.d4 12
2.e5 15
2.Nc3 17

Chapter 2. White’s Third Move Alternatives 27
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5
3.c4 31
3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Nc3 32
4.Be2 Nc6 5.0-0 32
5.Nc3 32
5.h3 33
3.d4 Nc6 4.Nf3 Bg4 5.c4 36
5.Nc3 43
5.Be2 0-0-0 6.c4 40
6.c3 37
6.Be3 38
6.Nc3 42

Chapter 3. 3.Nc3 Qd6 without 4.d4 69
4.g3 72
4.Bc4 Nf6 5.Nge2 74
5.Nf3 77

Chapter 4. 4.d4 Nf6 without 5.Nf3 87
5.Nb5 91
5.Bc4 93
5.Bd3 95
5.Be2 96
5.Bg5 99
5.h3 100
5.Nge2 102

Chapter 5. 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 Rare 6th Moves 111
6.g3 114
6.Bd3 117
6.Bg5 120

Chapter 6. 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.h3 131
6.h3 Bf5 7.Be3 134, 7.g4 134
7.Bd3 134
7.Bc4 136
7.Ne5 137

Chapter 7. 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Bf4 and the Shirov plan 7.f4 149
6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Bf4 153
7.f4 Nb6 8.g4 Nbd5 155
8...Be6 154
8...g6 159
7...e6 8.g4 Nd5 9.Ne4 161
9.Bg2 163
7...g6 164

Chapter 8. The Main Line 7.Nc4 177
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 Nbd7
7.Nc4 Qc7 8.a4 182, 8.g3 183, 8.d5 183
8.Qf3 Nb6 9.Ne5 183
9.Bf4 Qd7 10.0-0-0 184
10.Be5 186
10.Nxb6 188
10.Ne5 192
10.h3 194
List of Annotated Games
1. Kurylo – Stankevicius, Lithuania email ch, 2000 20

2. Punt – Landa, Vlissingen 01.08.2015 22
3. Agdestein – Wang, Amsterdam 27.08.2008 24
4. Valdas – Swahnberg, W-ch WS/M/068 email ICCF 2006 47
5. Panchanathan – S. Kasparov, Ranshofen 09.08.2012 48
6. Vachier Lagrave – Tiviakov, Hoogeveen 29.10.2010 51
7. Pesonen – Voveris, FIN-LTU ICCF email, 2007 54
8. Predojevic – Sermek, Portoroz 15.07.2005 55
9. Mamonova – Bedia, Poltavskaya 2010 58
10. Englmaier – Remek, corr. freechess.de, 21.06.2012 59
11. Brandenburg – Tiviakov, Hilversum 06.04.2008 62
12. D’Amore – Prié, Arvier, 2007 64
13. Mamedov – Kurajica, Sarajevo 2010 79
14. Lewis – Nicholls, ICCF 2009 80
15. Aravindh – Rakhmanov, Doha 29.11.2014 83
16. Massoni – Tiviakov, Bastia/Ajaccio 26.10.2008 85
17. Cornejo – M.Zapata, Mar del Plata 21.06.2009 104
18. E.Paehtz – Tiviakov, Douglas 06.10.2014 105
19. Kislinsky – Babula, Kouty nad Desnou 16.05.2012 107
20. Savic – N. Ostojic, Vrnjacka Banja 11.11.2009 108
21. Muhammad Ali – Tiviakov, Jakarta 16.04.2015 123
22. Mannion – Tiviakov, Douglas 04.10.2014 125
23. Areshchenko – Karpov, Kiev 07.06.2013 127
24. Al.Kovacevic – Radibratovic, Herceg Novi 2001 129
25. Slobodjan – Muse, Bundesliga 09.12.2006 140
26. Wieczorek – Kulicov, Marianske Lazne 21.01.2008 141
27. NN – Kotronias, Internet, 2015 142
28. N.Ole Hansen – Peschke, WS/GMN/033 ICCF, 10.02.2012 145
29. Anand – Tiviakov, Wijk aan Zee 2006 167
30. Ivanchuk – Tiviakov, Wijk aan Zee 2010 169
31. Wan,Yunguo – Tiviakov, Moscow, 2011 170
32. Barrientos – Tiviakov, Bogota 05.12.2010 173
33. Kotronias – Zatonskih, Port Erin 27.09.2003 197
34. Kotronias – Tiviakov, Vrachati 22.08.2011 200
35. Pommrich – Gudichsen, WS/M/380 ICCF 2012 205
36. Dzhumaev – Tiviakov, Mashhad 2011 210
37. Yildiz – Kosteniuk, Astana 05.03.2013 213
38. Rybka 4.0 – Houdini 1.5a, S1 www.tcec-chess.org 2011 214

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Contents

Chapter 2. White’s Third Move Alternatives

Chapter 3. 3.Nc3 Qd6 without 4.d4

Chapter 4. 4.d4 Nf6 without 5.Nf3

Chapter 5. 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 Rare 6th Moves

Chapter 6. 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.h3

Chapter 7. 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Bf4 and the Shirov plan 7.f4

Chapter 8. The Main Line 7.Nc4

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6

Chess Stars Publishing

Copyright © 2016 by Vassilios Kotronias

Cover by Kalojan Nachev

Understanding the Scandinavian, Sergey Kasparov, Gambit 2015

The Week In Chess (chesscenter.com)

The game Domont-Vuilleumier, Switzerland 2011, continued 7.d3 c6!?

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5

A. 3.c4; B. 3.Nf3; C. 3.d4

Our main plan in this position

C11. 6.c3!?; C12. 6.Be3; C13. 6.c4; C14. 6.Nc3

when the combined force of his pieces is enough to enforce a draw.

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6

3...Qa5 and 3...Qd8 are beyond the scope of this book.

Black had a very good game and eventually prevailed.

13. Mamedov – Kurajica

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6

when simplest is 7...e5 8.dxe5 Nxe5=.

Instead, 10...Be6 keeps more tension.

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6

This chapter covers rare alternatives to the main answer 5.Nf3:

9...Bxf3 10.gxf3 g6 11.Bg5 Bg7 12.0-0-0 0-0÷

Black has, among others, the simplifying 7...e5 8.dxe5 Nxe5=.

The pressure against d4 reduces White’s options.

8.0-0 Bg7 9.Be3 0-0 10.Qd2

13...Ne4 14.Be1 a6!

17. Cornejo – M.Zapata

This move completely ties Black and forces a won ending.

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6

For example, 9.Be3

This should be a draw:

21. Muhammad Ali – Tiviakov

33.Be4 (33.Re8+–) 33...f5 34.Bc2 g6 35.Bb3 Kg7 36.Na5 c5 37.Nxb7?!

22.Bxd5 cxd5 23.Nxg6 hxg6 24.c3!+–

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.h3!?

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.h3!?

A. 7.Bd3; B. 7.Bc4; C. 7.Ne5

Black could proceed with ...f6 or even ...f5, for example:

25. Slobodjan – Muse

An important move. Black has good chances without queens.

An interesting move which prevents Bc1-f4.

24.Qe2 Rad8 25.f4 Bd6;

26.Qxf7 Rxh4! 27.Qxe6+ Kb8 28.Rg1 Rhh8 29.b3

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5

Let us compare this position with:

B11. 8...Be6; B12. 8...g6

Black is now somewhat worse after either recapture:

White has a very wide choice now: