Andrew Martin

play the
O’Kelly Sicilian

www.everymanchess.com
 About the Author

Andrew Martin is a FIDE Senior Trainer and International Master. He teaches in twelve
schools, is an experienced chess writer and has produced numerous chess DVDs.

Also by the Author:

Starting Out: The Sicilian Dragon
First Steps; The Queen’s Gambit
First Steps; The King’s Indian Defence
Play the Budapest
Contents

About the Author 3

Bibliography 5
Introduction 6

1 A Timeline of the O’Kelly Sicilian 10

2 The Routine 3 d4 78
3 Development with 3 Ìc3 148
4 A Sensible Step: 3 c3 179
5 Seizing Space: 3 c4 206
6 Loose Ends 239

Afterword 269
Index of Variations 270
Index of Complete Games 277
 Introduction

For me, the O’Kelly variation, 1 e4 c5 2 Ìf3 a6, is one of the last great, relatively unex-
plored variations of the Sicilian.
W________W
[rhb1kgn4]
[DpDp0p0p]
[pDWDWDWD]
[DW0WDWDW]
[WDWDPDWD]
[DWDWDNDW]
[P)P)W)P)]
[$NGQIBDR]
W--------W
Most 1 e4 specialists have ready-made solutions to the Najdorf, Dragon, Sveshnikov and
other main lines, but against the O’Kelly I get the impression that players of all levels are
not so well prepared. The general view is that White is just a bit better after any of 3 Ìc3, 3
c3 and 3 c4, and the chess world seems to have been content to leave it at that.
I have found that matters are not so simple. If White is caught unprepared then he has
his work cut out and even if he is fully prepared, Black has good solutions in all lines.
Top grandmasters such as Artemiev have been using the O’Kelly with great success during
the pandemic era, cashing in on a direct lack of knowledge. Let me illustrate.

Game 1
H.Grieve-V.Artemiev
Titled Tuesday Blitz 2020

1 e4 c5 2 Ìf3 a6 3 c4

6
 Intro d uctio n

This has always been thought as one of the main challenges to the O’Kelly. White tries
to strangle counterplay right from the outset. In fact, Black has good choices against this
continuation.
3...Ìc6 4 d4
We will find that 4 Ìc3 e5! leaves Black with the ready-made plan of ...g6, ...Íg7,
...Ìge7, ...0-0 and then possibly ...f5.
4...cxd4 5 Ìxd4 e5!
W________W
[rDb1kgn4]
[DpDpDp0p]
[pDnDWDWD]
[DWDW0WDW]
[WDPHPDWD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[P)WDW)P)]
[$NGQIBDR]
W--------W
A strong, active move, after which positions are reached similar to the Kalashnikov
variation. This will be my main line suggestion in the 3 c4 chapter, where I have a back-up
line for you as well.
6 Ìf5
This is thought to be the only challenging move.
6...d6
6...d5?! is a bit too aggressive and White obtains the upper hand after 7 cxd5 Íxf5 8
exf5 Ìd4 9 Ìc3 Íb4 10 Íd3 Ëxd5 11 0-0.
7 Ìc3 g6 8 Ìe3 Íh6!

7
Pla y The O’ Ke lly S icilia n

W________W
[rDb1kDn4]
[DpDWDpDp]
[pDn0WDpg]
[DWDW0WDW]
[WDPDPDWD]
[DWHWHWDW]
[P)WDW)P)]
[$WGQIBDR]
W--------W
This is an idea which has been around for a while without a great deal of attention be-
ing focused on it. Recently, it has come into fashion. Black simply exchanges off his ‘bad’
dark-squared bishop.
9 Íe2 Ìge7 10 0-0 0-0 11 Ëd3 Ìd4 12 Ìcd5
Grieve sticks to basic development, which does not get him anywhere. Meanwhile, Ar-
temiev can set up a position which could have come directly from the Kalashnikov (1 e4 c5
2 Ìf3 Ìc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Ìxd4 e5 5 Ìb5 d6 6 c4, etc), and gains a good position.
12...Ìxd5 13 exd5
13 Ìxd5 Íxc1 14 Îaxc1 Íe6 15 Ëd2 Îc8 also leaves Black with a very comfortable
game.
13...Íg7
He could also have considered 13...f5!, with which I see nothing at all wrong.
14 Ëd2 b5 15 b3 f5
W________W
[rDb1W4kD]
[DWDWDWgp]
[pDW0WDpD]
[DpDP0pDW]
[WDPhWDWD]
[DPDWHWDW]
[PDW!B)P)]
[$WGWDRIW]
W--------W
8
 Intro d uctio n

Black has taken the initiative on both sides of the board.

16 Ìc2 Ìxe2+ 17 Ëxe2 bxc4 18 bxc4 f4!
The position is turning out badly for White.
19 Ìb4
If White tries to block the coming attack, he will find that Black’s activity cannot be
quelled: 19 f3 Íf5! 20 Îb1 (or 20 Îf2 Îb8 21 Ía3 e4, which simply had to come, and if 22
Îe1 e3) 20...Ëa5 and White is losing.
19...f3! 20 gxf3 Íh3 21 Îe1 e4!
W________W
[rDW1W4kD]
[DWDWDWgp]
[pDW0WDpD]
[DWDPDWDW]
[WHPDpDWD]
[DWDWDPDb]
[PDWDQ)W)]
[$WGW$WIW]
W--------W
This style of attack is usually the province of the Sveshnikov player.
22 Îb1 Íc3 23 Íd2 Ëh4
Carnage, and now 24 Ëxe4 Ëxe4 25 Îxe4 Íxd2 would win cleanly.
24 fxe4 Íxd2 25 Ëxd2 Ëg4+ 0-1
A crushing win for Black. Here we saw the O’Kelly in a Sveshnikov disguise, and we are
going to see other transpositional devices as we go through the book. White can some-
times be tricked into an opening he might not be ready for.

The pandemic era has been full of rapid, blitz and even bullet chess, played almost ex-
clusively online. In this climate, the surprise opening weapon is king. Top players have been
starting to use the O’Kelly to throw the opponent off balance, with Artemiev at the cutting
edge.
We are just coming out of the bubble as I write. It will be fascinating to see whether this
growth in popularity continues or whether the O’Kelly will only be a very rare guest in clas-
sical chess events and resumes an offbeat role.
Welcome to the book. I hope it will be an interesting journey.

Andrew Martin,
Bramley, January 2022

9
 Chapter Five
Seizing Space: 3 c4

1 e4 c5 2 Ìf3 a6 3 c4
W________W
[rhb1kgn4]
[DpDp0p0p]
[pDWDWDWD]
[DW0WDWDW]
[WDPDPDWD]
[DWDWDNDW]
[P)W)W)P)]
[$NGQIBDR]
W--------W
3 c4 is supposed to one of the best ways for White to meet the O’Kelly. A central bind is
established, making it difficult for Black to break out. Clearly, Black can go into a Hedge-
hog-like position after 3...e6 and this may well transpose into the Kan variation, but I am
going to suggest an active and aggressive response, which is more in keeping with the un-
orthodox and varied nature of O’Kelly positions. After that, we will take a look at an unex-
pected back-up response, which may be used to surprise.

Game 85
A.Karpov-M.Taimanov
Leningrad 1977

1 e4 c5 2 Ìf3 Ìc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Ìxd4 a6 5 c4 e5!

206
 S e iz ing S p a ce : 3 c4

W________W
[rDb1kgn4]
[DpDpDp0p]
[pDnDWDWD]
[DWDW0WDW]
[WDPHPDWD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[P)WDW)P)]
[$NGQIBDR]
W--------W
This will be my main recommendation against 3 c4. I will go so far as to say it may take
away a lot of white interest in this line. We begin with one of the most famous black victo-
ries.
6 Ìb3?!
A passive square for the knight, the only benefit of which is to prevent Black from play-
ing ...Íc5. Despite this, Black can continue aggressively.
6...Ìf6 7 Ìc3
7 Íd3 Íb4+ 8 Íd2 does not discomfort Black: 8...Íxd2+ 9 Ëxd2 0-0 10 Ìc3 d6 11 0-0
Íe6 and Black is fine. If White tries to target d6, here is what might happen: 12 Îfd1 Ëb6!
13 Îac1 Îac8 14 Íf1 Îfd8. White has the worse bishop and Black has all bases covered.
7...Íb4! 8 f3 0-0 9 Íe3 d6 10 Îc1 b6 11 Íd3 Íc5!
W________W
[rDb1W4kD]
[DWDWDp0p]
[p0n0WhWD]
[DWgW0WDW]
[WDPDPDWD]
[DNHBGPDW]
[P)WDWDP)]
[DW$QIWDR]
W--------W
In a level position, Taimanov concentrates on dark-squared control. The d4-square
seems ripe for occupation at some point.

207
Pla y The O’ Ke lly S icilia n

12 Ëd2 Íe6 13 Ìxc5 bxc5 14 0-0 Ìd4 15 Ìd5 Ìd7

15...Îb8 16 b3 Íxd5 17 exd5 Ìh5! also seems sensible, with the idea of ...f5.
16 f4
16 b4 might be answered by 16...Îb8 17 bxc5 dxc5 (or 17...Ìxc5!? 18 Îfd1 Íxd5 19
cxd5 Ëf6) 18 Îb1 h6 with approximate equality.
16...Îb8 17 f5 Íxd5 18 cxd5 Ëb6 19 Îf2 f6 20 Îc4 a5
Continuing to batten down the hatches on the dark squares.
21 Îa4 Îa8 22 Ëe1 Îa7 23 b3 Îfa8 24 Îb2 Ëc7 25 Íd2 Ìb6!
W________W
[rDWDWDkD]
[4W1WDW0p]
[WhW0W0WD]
[0W0P0PDW]
[RDWhPDWD]
[DPDBDWDW]
[P$WGWDP)]
[DWDW!WIW]
W--------W
26 Îxa5
26 Íxa5? Ìxa4 27 Íxc7 Ìxb2 was Taimanov’s clever point.
26...c4! 27 Íf1
The alternatives would suggest that Karpov found the only move: 27 Îxa7 Ëxa7 is no
good for White at all. Meanwhile 27 Íb1 Îc8 28 Îxa7 Ëxa7 29 Êh1 Ëa3 30 Íc3 cxb3 31
axb3 Ìb5 32 Îa2 Ëxb3 leaves Black extraordinarily active.
27...Îxa5 28 Íxa5 Ëc5 29 Íxb6 Ëxb6 30 Êh1 cxb3 31 axb3 g6 32 fxg6 hxg6 33 b4 Êg7 34
b5 f5 35 exf5 Ìxf5 36 Îb3 Ëd4

208
 S e iz ing S p a ce : 3 c4

W________W
[rDWDWDWD]
[DWDWDWiW]
[WDW0WDpD]
[DPDP0nDW]
[WDW1WDWD]
[DRDWDWDW]
[WDWDWDP)]
[DWDW!BDK]
W--------W
The scene is set for a famous finish.
37 b6??
37 Îb1 Îb8 38 h3 Ëxd5 would probably have led to a draw.
37...Îa1 38 Îb1 Ìg3+! 0-1
A very nice move. If 39 hxg3 Îa8! decides. Black does not experience any difficulties af-
ter 6 Ìb3.

Game 86
M.Socko-N.Dzagnidze
European Women’s Team Championship, Reykjavik 2015

1 e4 c5 2 Ìf3 a6 3 c4
Many players try 3 c4 because they have read that it is good for White somewhere with-
out any precise knowledge about how to continue. In general, Maroczy Bind positions are
relatively easy to play once you have set up the bind. Well, not here, as Black will ask pre-
cise questions early in the game. Throughout the course of this game, the experienced
Monika Socko seems uncomfortable, maybe due to the opening choice.
3...Ìc6 4 d4 cxd4 5 Ìxd4 e5 6 Ìb3 Ìf6 7 Ìc3 Íb4 8 Íd3
Socko tries to improve on Karpov’s play by developing a piece. Although 8 Íd3 may be
slightly better than 8 f3, it does not change the evaluation of the position. Black is comfort-
able.
8...d6 9 0-0
9 Íd2 0-0 10 0-0 Íe6 11 Ìd5 Íxd2 12 Ëxd2 a5! sees Black starting to set up the dark-
square barricade typical of this variation.
9...Íxc3! 10 bxc3 0-0 11 c5 Íe6
11...d5 is also pretty good.

209
Pla y The O’ Ke lly S icilia n

12 cxd6 Ëxd6 13 Íe3 Îfd8 14 Íc2 Ëc7 15 Ëf3 Ìd7 16 Îfd1 Ìa5
W________W
[rDW4WDkD]
[Dp1nDp0p]
[pDWDbDWD]
[hWDW0WDW]
[WDWDPDWD]
[DN)WGQDW]
[PDBDW)P)]
[$WDRDWIW]
W--------W
All very fluid for Black, who has a target on c3 to aim at. White’s bishop-pair does not
compensate.
17 Ìxa5 Ëxa5 18 Íg5 f6 19 Íb3 Ìc5
In view of White’s improvement on the next move, Black could consider 19...Íxb3! 20
axb3 Ëc7 21 Íd2 Ìc5 22 b4 Ìd3 instead.
20 Íd2?
Socko should have seized the opportunity to play 20 Ëg4!, which I think is forcing
enough to hold the draw: 20...Êf7 21 Ëh5+ Êg8 22 Ëg4, etc.
20...Íxb3 21 axb3 Ëb5!
W________W
[rDW4WDkD]
[DpDWDW0p]
[pDWDW0WD]
[DqhW0WDW]
[WDWDPDWD]
[DP)WDQDW]
[WDWGW)P)]
[$WDRDWIW]
W--------W
Leaving the white position on the verge of falling apart.
22 Íe3
22 b4 Ìb3 23 Îa2 Îd3 24 Ëg4 f5!! puts White to sleep: 25 Ëxf5 (or 25 exf5 Îad8 26 f6

210
 S e iz ing S p a ce : 3 c4

Ëd7 27 Ëg5 h6 28 Ëxe5 Îe8) 25...Ëc4! 26 Ëxe5 Îad8 and Black has a decisive advantage.
22...Ìxb3 23 Îab1 Ëc4 24 Îd5 Ëxc3 25 Ëd1 Ìd4 26 Íxd4 exd4 27 Îxb7
27 Îc1 Ëa3 28 Îa1 Ëe7 29 Ëxd4 would have prolonged resistance.
27...Îxd5 28 exd5 Îe8 29 Îb1 d3 30 g3 d2 31 Ëa4 Îe1+ 32 Êg2 Ëe5 33 Ëa2 Ëe4+ 0-1
We can say that 6 Ìb3 is not White’s best option.

Game 87
K.Karaoglan-V.Bernadskiy
Novi Sad 2021

1 e4 c5 2 Ìf3 a6 3 c4 Ìc6 4 d4 cxd4 5 Ìxd4 e5 6 Ìc2

W________W
[rDb1kgn4]
[DpDpDp0p]
[pDnDWDWD]
[DWDW0WDW]
[WDPDPDWD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[P)NDW)P)]
[$NGQIBDR]
W--------W
Let’s look at the positives:

1) White avoids exchanges.

2) ...Íb4 is dissuaded.
3) If Black plays ...Íc5, White can challenge the active bishop with Íe3.

But in all other respects 6 Ìc2 is a passive move and does not give Black any difficulty.
6 Ìf3 has been played surprisingly often too, as to me it looks like a loss of time. The
knight has now moved three times in the first six moves and does not attack anything.
Here we have another variation which Black should not fear. Active play is the order of the
day: 6...Íc5! 7 Ìc3 d6 8 Íe2 Ìf6 9 0-0 0-0 10 Íg5 h6 11 Íh4 Íe6 12 Ìe1?! (12 Îc1 main-
tains a level game) 12...g5! 13 Íg3 Ìd4 (control and safe occupation of the central dark
squares is a key theme for Black running through the whole variation) 14 Ìc2 Ìxe2+ 15
Ëxe2 Îc8 16 b3.

211
Pla y The O’ Ke lly S icilia n

W________W
[WDr1W4kD]
[DpDWDpDW]
[pDW0bhW0]
[DWgW0W0W]
[WDPDPDWD]
[DPHWDWGW]
[PDNDQ)P)]
[$WDWDRIW]
W--------W
This was E.Homiakova-J.Fries Nielsen, Internet (blitz) 2021, where 16...b5! would have
been excellent: 17 cxb5 Ëa5 18 Ëf3 Êg7 19 Ìd5 (19 bxa6?? Ía7 picks off a piece)
19...Ìxd5! (19...Íxd5 20 exd5 Ëxb5 21 Ìe3 Ëd7 22 Ìc4 is rather unclear) 20 exd5 Íd7 21
bxa6 Ëxa6 22 a3 f5. The machines do not like this at all for White, who faces an uncom-
fortable defence.
In short, 6 Ìf3 can be confidently answered by 6...Íc5. We now return to Karaoglan’s 6
Ìc2:
6...Íc5!
There is no reason to refuse this active deployment of the bishop.
7 Ìc3 d6 8 Íe2 Íe6 9 0-0 Ìf6 10 Êh1 Îc8
W________W
[WDr1kDW4]
[DpDWDp0p]
[pDn0bhWD]
[DWgW0WDW]
[WDPDPDWD]
[DWHWDWDW]
[P)NDB)P)]
[$WGQDRDK]
W--------W
The opening is nearly over and the middlegame about to begin. Black has felt no pres-
sure at all and once castled, can look for the initiative.
11 b3 Ìd4 12 f4 h6

212
 S e iz ing S p a ce : 3 c4

A good move, taking away ideas of a later Íg5.

13 h3 0-0 14 Íd3?!
Maybe he should try 14 f5 Íd7 15 Ëd3, but it does not feel too promising after
15...Íc6! 16 Íf3 Ìxf3 17 Îxf3 b5!.
14...Ìxc2! 15 Ëxc2 Ìh5!
It looks like White is going to regret h2-h3.
16 Ìe2 Íg4!
A easy tactic, but nice at the same time.
17 Êh2
Of course, not 17 hxg4? Ëh4 mate.
17...Ëh4
The storm clouds have gathered very quickly.
18 f5 d5!
W________W
[WDrDW4kD]
[DpDWDp0W]
[pDWDWDW0]
[DWgp0PDn]
[WDPDPDb1]
[DPDBDWDP]
[PDQDNDPI]
[$WGWDRDW]
W--------W
Bernadskiy is right on top of his game.
19 Íb2
Let’s see the tactical details: 19 cxd5 Íg1+ and 19 exd5 e4! 20 Íxe4 Íxe2 21 Ëxe2
Ìg3, winning.
19...dxe4 20 Íxe4 Îfd8?!
I am unsure why he does not play 20...Íxe2 21 Ëxe2 Ìg3.
21 Íxb7
21 Íc3! Íxe2 22 Íe1! would have made it far more difficult for Black.
21...Îc7 22 Ëe4 Ìf6 0-1
I honestly do not know what the time control was for this game. Until move twenty I
would have said relatively slow, but after that play became briefly erratic, albeit still enter-
taining. That does not overly concern us, as both 6 Ìc2 and 6 Ìf3 can be answered by
6...Íc5, after which Black sets up with something like ...Ìf6, ...d6, ...Íe6, ...0-0, ...Îc8 and
will enter the middlegame on at least an equal footing

213
Pla y The O’ Ke lly S icilia n

Game 88
A.Afraoui-N.Maisuradze
Brest (blitz) 2020

1 e4 c5 2 Ìf3 a6 3 c4 Ìc6 4 d4 cxd4 5 Ìxd4 e5 6 Ìxc6

Throughout the Open Sicilian complex, captures such as this are frowned upon, be-
cause they strengthen the black centre, giving additional control over d5. White may argue
that ...a6 is a wasted move in this type of position, but in general 6 Ìxc6 is unambitious.
There is also 6 Ìe2?!, but I am not sure why anyone would want to play this move.
Some have, but not many. The retreat does not really blend in with c2-c4 and White will
probably have to spend time soon regrouping the knight. The usual active way will do as
Black: 6...Íc5! 7 Ìbc3 Ëb6.
W________W
[rDbDkDn4]
[DpDpDp0p]
[p1nDWDWD]
[DWgW0WDW]
[WDPDPDWD]
[DWHWDWDW]
[P)WDN)P)]
[$WGQIBDR]
W--------W
After 8 Íe3 Íxe3 9 fxe3 Ìf6 (9...Ëxb2 10 Îb1 Ëa3 11 Ìd5 Ëa5+ 12 Ìec3 might give
White compensation and 9...Ëxe3? 10 Ìd5 is not what Black wants at all) 10 Ëd2 0-0 11
Ìd5 Ëd8 12 Ìg3 d6 13 Íd3 Ìxd5 14 exd5 Ìe7 15 0-0 f5 we have a Sveshnikov-type posi-
tion on the board. Black seeks kingside chances and White hopes to get his queenside
pawns rolling: 16 Îf2 e4 17 Íe2 Ëb6 18 Êh1 Íd7 19 Îaf1 (if 19 b4 a5!) 19...a5 20 Íd1 a4
21 Ìe2 Ìg6 22 Ìd4 Ìe5 23 Íe2 g6 24 b3 axb3 25 axb3 Îfc8 26 Ëb2 Ëd8 27 Îc1 Ëg5 28
Îf4 Îa7 29 Ëc3 b5 30 Îff1 bxc4 31 bxc4 Îca8 32 Îb1 Îa2 33 Îfc1 Ìd3 34 Îc2 Ëxe3 0-1,
R.Jun-R.Mitra, Pardubice 2018. We can say that the better player won, which is not always
the way of the chessboard, and that 6 Ìe2 poses no threat.
6...bxc6! 7 Ìc3
7 Íe3 prevents ...Íc5 and should be met by 7...Ìf6 8 f3 (or 8 Ìc3 Íb4 9 Ëd3 0-0 10
Íe2 d5!) 8...d5! 9 cxd5 cxd5. Note that ...a6 now comes in useful, preventing a check on b5.
7...Íc5
Or maybe 7...Ìf6 keeping the option of ...Íf8-b4 available: 8 Íe2 Íb4 (or just 8...Íc5 9
0-0 0-0) 9 Ëd3 0-0, in both cases with a nice position for Black.

214
 S e iz ing S p a ce : 3 c4

8 Íe2 Ìf6 9 0-0 0-0 10 Ëd3 Íd4 11 Íe3 c5

W________W
[rDb1W4kD]
[DWDpDp0p]
[pDWDWhWD]
[DW0W0WDW]
[WDPgPDWD]
[DWHQGWDW]
[P)WDB)P)]
[$WDWDRIW]
W--------W
Both players can entrench a piece in the middle of the board. The game is equal.
12 Íxd4 cxd4 13 Ìd1?
This is playing for a loss. White must play 13 Ìd5, keeping equality. Once again we
must face the uncomfortable fact that this is a blitz game. Niceties often get overlooked at
speed. I always feel a bit uneasy when including such games, but over the last couple of
years that is all we have had, and some of them, even parts of them, are relevant and inter-
esting.
13...Íb7 14 f3 a5!
Keep an eye on this move, restraining the white queenside pawns.
15 b3 Ëb6 16 Ìb2 Íc6 17 Êh1
There can be no doubt that Black has pressure.
17...Îfb8 18 Îab1
W________W
[r4WDWDkD]
[DWDpDp0p]
[W1bDWhWD]
[0WDW0WDW]
[WDP0PDWD]
[DPDQDPDW]
[PHWDBDP)]
[DRDWDRDK]
W--------W
215
Pla y The O’ Ke lly S icilia n

18...Ëb4
18...a4! seems correct and if 19 Ìxa4 Ëa7! maintains the advantage.
19 Ëc2 d6 20 Ìd3 Ëb7 21 c5 d5 22 Ìxe5 dxe4
White found a way back into this game and now 23 Íc4 would have confirmed that. In-
stead, she blunders.
23 Ìxc6? d3 24 Ëc4 dxe2 25 Ëxe2 Ëxc6 26 fxe4 Ëxe4 27 Ëf2 a4 28 Îbe1 Ëc6
White can now resign with a clear conscience.
29 Îd1 axb3 30 axb3 Îd8 31 Îc1 Îab8 32 Ëb2 Îb5 33 Ëc3 Îc8 34 b4 Ìd5 35 Ëf3 f6 36
Îb1 Îxb4 37 Îxb4 Ìxb4 38 Ëb3+ Ìd5 39 Îc1 Êh8 40 Ëc4 Ìe3 41 Ëd3 Ëxg2 mate
There is nothing in the capture 6 Ìxc6.

On to 6 Ìf5, the only way that White can hope to mount any pressure.

Game 89
P.Shuvalova-V.Kazakovskiy
European Online Championship Qualifier 2020

1 e4 c5 2 Ìf3 a6 3 c4 Ìc6 4 d4 cxd4 5 Ìxd4 e5 6 Ìf5 d6 7 Ìc3 g6 8 Ìe3 Íh6

We first encountered 8...Íh6 in the opening game of the book, Grieve-Artemiev. This is
not a new twist. It’s been around for a while, but has only come to the fore recently. The
idea of exchanging off Black’s bad bishop has definite appeal. Previously, Black preferred
8...Íg7, but 8...Íh6 is a bit more unorthodox and fully in the spirit of the O’Kelly.
9 Íe2
Normal chess. 9 Ìed5 is a common alternative, leading to 9...Íxc1 10 Îxc1 Íe6 11 Íd3
Ìf6 12 0-0 0-0.
W________W
[rDW1W4kD]
[DpDWDpDp]
[pDn0bhpD]
[DWDN0WDW]
[WDPDPDWD]
[DWHBDWDW]
[P)WDW)P)]
[DW$QDRIW]
W--------W
Now:

216
 S e iz ing S p a ce : 3 c4

a) 13 Ìe2 Îc8 may lead to 14 Ëd2 Êg7 15 b3 Ëa5 16 Îfd1 Ëxd2 17 Îxd2 Íxd5 18
cxd5 Ìb4 19 Îxc8 Îxc8 20 Íb1 a5 21 a3 Ìa6, R.Zacarias Martinez-V.Kazakovskiy, Internet
(blitz) 2021 with a level game, where the black knight is slightly to be preferred over the
white bishop. Black won in 78 moves.
b) 13 f4!? (aggressive looking, but it cedes the e5-square) 13...exf4! 14 Îxf4 (maybe 14
Ìxf4 when White has to consider the consequences of 14...Ëb6+ 15 Êh1 Ëxb2 16 Ìfd5
Ìd7 17 Îb1 Ëa3 18 Îxb7 Ìce5) 14...Íxd5 15 exd5 Ìe5 16 Íe2 Ìfd7 17 b3 f5 18 Îf1 Ëg5
was K.Ambartsumova-V.Kazakovskiy, Internet (blitz) 2020. Black is a bit better, as the white
bishop is nothing to write home about. Another line where White seems to have been
tricked into playing an inferior system against the Sveshnikov or Kalashnikov, but it’s hard
to pinpoint exactly how and why.
Instead, 9 g3 is somewhat quieter, after which Black may develop in peace: 9...Ìf6 10
Íg2 0-0 11 0-0 Íe6 12 Îe1 (after 12 f4 Black should continue calmly with 12...Îc8, and if
13 Ìed5 exf4 14 gxf4 Íg7 or 13 f5 Ëb6! 14 fxe6 Íxe3+ 15 Íxe3 Ëxe3+ 16 Êh1 fxe6 17
Ëxd6 Îce8) 12...Îc8 13 b3 Ìd4 (covering the potentially weak pawn on d6) 14 Íb2 b5 15
cxb5 axb5 16 b4 Ëb6 17 h3 Îc6 18 Êh2 Îfc8, F.Perez Ponsa-V.Kazakovskiy, Internet (blitz)
2021. Once again, Black has obtained extremely active play.
9...Íe6 10 0-0 Ìf6 11 b3 0-0
W________W
[rDW1W4kD]
[DpDWDpDp]
[pDn0bhpg]
[DWDW0WDW]
[WDPDPDWD]
[DPHWHWDW]
[PDWDB)P)]
[$WGQDRIW]
W--------W
Black’s development plan is straightforward and easy to understand.
12 Ìc2 Íxc1 13 Îxc1 Ëa5 14 Ëd3 Îac8 15 Îfd1 Îfd8
With effortless equality. Now d6 is covered and White must be careful that his queen-
side does not come under fire.
16 a3 Ëb6 17 b4 Êg7
Rock solid. 17...Íxc4!? 18 Ëxc4 Ìd4 was certainly interesting here, putting White to the
test.

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Pla y The O’ Ke lly S icilia n

W________W
[WDr4WDkD]
[DpDWDpDp]
[p1W0WhpD]
[DWDW0WDW]
[W)QhPDWD]
[)WHWDWDW]
[WDNDB)P)]
[DW$RDWIW]
W--------W
She would have to have found 19 Îxd4! exd4! (and not 19...Îxc4? 20 Îxc4) 20 Ëxd4
Ëxd4 21 Ìxd4 Ìxe4 22 Ìa2 Îxc1+ 23 Ìxc1 Îc8 24 Ìcb3 Êg7 with an unclear endgame
on the board. I would probably put my money on an eventual draw.
18 h3 a5
Again, 18...Íxc4 is possible.
19 Ìd5 Íxd5 20 cxd5 Ìb8
This looks like a concession, but the knight will reemerge.
21 Îb1 Îc7 22 Ìe3 Îdc8 23 bxa5 Ëxa5 24 Îb5 Ëa7 25 Ëb1 Ìbd7 26 Íf3 Ìc5 27 Ëb4 Îa8
W________W
[rDWDWDWD]
[1p4WDpip]
[WDW0WhpD]
[DRhP0WDW]
[W!WDPDWD]
[)WDWHBDP]
[WDWDW)PD]
[DWDRDWIW]
W--------W
This is a position which could have come from a Bogo-Indian.
28 Ìc4 Ìcxe4 29 Ìb6 Ìc3 30 Ìxa8 Ëxa8 31 Îa5
This looks obvious, but is a mistake.
31...Ëd8 32 Îe1 e4 33 Íxe4
White falters.
33...Ìcxe4 34 Îxe4 Ìxe4 35 Êh2 Ìc5 36 Ëd4+ Ëf6 0-1

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