Catalana Move by Move

ChessBase 15 Printout, Andres , 6/9/2022 1
5 , making it a Symmetrical English ( or

Move Orders & Transpositions 2.g3 .; Or maybe you could change style
to confound an opponent who doesn't
I would recommend you look at some ofplay the Sicilian as Black with 2.e4 ! );
the games in this book and get a feelB) Here is another tweak in move order
for the Catalan before reading thiswhich might have a practical value,
section. It will help you decide whattaken from Giri-Grischuk in Chapter
move order might be right for you. 1.--One: 1...d5 2.d4 Cf6 3.c4 e6
[ In this book I have used 1.d4 A) ( note that in this move order you
1...d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3might also face the Queen's Gambit
as White and Black's standard way toAccepted with 3...dxc4 and then, say,
r e a c h t h e C a t a l a n , b u t t h e r e a r e4.e3 e6 5.Axc4 c5 ) 4.g3 . Giri delays
various other routes. Sometimes, butputting a pawn on d4 until Black has
not always, I have changed the movecommitted himself to 1...d5. This is
order of the actual game for the sakeuseful if you like playing the Catalan,
of clarity. ( 4.-- ); B) A very commonbut d on 't want t o risk 1 d4 in case
alternative path is 1...Cf6 2.c4 e6B l a c k p l a y s t h e K i n g ' s I n d i a n o r
3.Cf3 d5 4.g3 .; More subtle isGrünfeld, or some other set-up
Kramnik's move order versus Nakamurainv olving . ..g7-g6. Maybe you are
in Chapter Seven: 1.Cf3 Cf6 2.g3 d5also keen to avoid mainline Queen's
3.Ag2 e6 4.0-0 Ae7 5.c4 0-0Indian-style set-ups where Black has
( in this sequence you'd also have toplayed ...e7-e6, but avoided ...d7-d5.; C)
prepare for moves such as 5...d4 ) 6.d4By starting 1 Nf3, you give yourself
dxc4 . Notice the former worldthe option after 1...Cf6 of continuing,
champion's shrewd way of getting tosay, 2.c4 and then, after g6 ( or 2...e6 )
the Catalan Mainline. By delaying d2-, with moves like 3.g3 , 4 Bg2, 5 Nc3
d4 he has cut out any 'nonsense' with ...and 6 0-0, etc, all the time avoiding/
B b 4 + ( C h a p t e r F o u r ) o r . . . N c 6d e l a y i n g d 2 - d 4 t o k e e p i t a s a n
(Chapter Five), or an early ...dxc4 andEnglish.; Move order is especially
...Bd7 intending ...Bc6 (as in Chapterimportant in Chapter Two where White
Six). Black has also never been givenchooses to regain his pawn after ...
the chance to grab the pawn on c4 andd5xc4 with the immediate Qa4+ and
try to hold on to it (Chapter Three).Qxc4. In that case White does best to
Hence i t saves a lo t of learnin g o fdelay either d2-d4 or Nf3 in order to
sidelines if you play like this. In thehave time to keep Black bottled up on
Nakamura game White then went 7.Ce5t h e q ue e n s id e . F or e x amp le , a s i n
, ( avoiding the whole of the 7.Dc2Artemiev-Safarli with 1.Cf3 Cf6 2.c4
mainline. ); After 1.Cf3 , A) e6 3.g3 d5 4.Ag2 dxc4 5.Da4+ Cbd7
y o u n e e d t o b e r e a d y f o r 1...c56.Dxc4 a6 and now having delayed d2-
– a natural choice would be 2.c4d 4 , W h i t e h a s t i m e t o p l a y 7.Dc2!
. This gets the queen out of the way ofn e c e s s a r y i s r e a d y t o b o l s t e r h i s

b5 which would win time for Black tos t r o n g - p o i n t o n d 5 b y c r e a t i n g a
equalize with ...Bb7.; Alternatively,triangle of pawns in the centre with ...
G ra n d ma s t e r T k a c h i e v , wh o i s a nc7-c6.
expert on this line, has adopted a moveNonetheless with correct play White
order which delays Nf3: 1.d4 Cf6 2.c4is able to exert steady pressure. A key
e6 3.g3 d5 4.Ag2 A) 4...dxc4aim is to in creas e the scope of the
5.Da4+ . If now Cbd7 6.Dxc4 a6 thenCatalan bishop with the pawn advance
7.Dc2! is the same anti-b7-b5 recipe.e2-e4. Black has to be careful not to
( 7.-- ); B) You'll have to keep yourfall into a passive position. ]
eyes open as there are many quirks of
move order and unexpected
transpositions in the Catalan. Notably8 A14
in Chapter One 4...Ab4+ 5.Ad2 Ae7 Naiditsch,A
co u l d we l l t ra n s p o se to 4 . .. B e 7 i f Kopylov,M
White subsequently plays Bf4: in the1: Basel 2016
former case White has spent two
moves getting his bishop to f4, but1.d4 The Catalan can be reached
B l a c k h a s a l s o s p e n t t w o m o v e st h r o u g h v a r i o u s m o v e o r d e r s .
getting his bishop to e7, so tempo- [ A typical alternative is 1.d4 Cf6 2.c4
wise it is quits. But remember if youe6 3.Cf3 d5 4.g3 .; The present game
look at some games with this line in aactually begun 1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Ag2
book or in a database you might haveCf6 4.Cf3 Ae7 5.0-0 0-0 6.d4 c6
t h e s a me p o s i t i o n , b u t t h e g a me s, but as in most cases in this book I
might have different move numbers ] have standardized the move order to
make things clearer.] 1...d5 2.c4 e6
3.Cf3 [ Here, for example, White could
7 E01also fianchetto at once with 3.g3 . ]
The Closed Centre 3...Cf6 4.g3 The Catalan differs from
the Queen's Gambit in that the bishop
In this chapter we'll look at lines inis developed to g2. 4...Ae7 Many top
which Black maintains a pawn on d5.players are happy to defend Black's
The typical sequence is 1.d4 d5 2.c4p o s i t i o n a f t e r t h i s m o d e s t m o v e .
e6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3 , when Black [ Nonetheless, on the whole modern
chooses between: 4...-- [ the immediatetheory suggests that if Black intends
4...Ae7; and 4...Ab4+ 5.Ad2 Ae7 . this set-up he might have done well to
B l a c k p l a y s i n a s t r a i g h t f o r wa r d ,i n s e r t t h e m o v e s 4...Ab4+ 5.Ad2
classical way against the Catalan. Heand only then play Ae7 .
develops his kingside pieces, preparesEXERCISE: Before reading on, can
to castle his king into safety, and ifyou work out why?
ANSWER: Assuming Black keeps aany immediate disadvantage he has

p a w n o n d 5 ( r a t h e r t h a n p l a y s agood chances to equalize. The queen's
system with ...d5xc4), the consensuspresence on c2 deters the advance.
is that he is being slightly generous toSpeaking more generally, the white
his opponent. He allows him to arrangequeen vacates the d1-square for a rook,
a rapid Nbd2 and e2-e4 when the planprobably the one on f1, to support the
could have been at least delayed byd4-pawn. And, finally, she also aims at
the interpolation 4...Bb4+ 5 Bd2 Be7.the e4-square in support of White's
T h i s i s b e c a u s e o n d 2 t h e w h i t eplan which is discussed below.
b i s h o p b l o ck s t h e s q u a r e t h a t t h e7...b6 With this reply Black continues
k n i g h t n e e d s t o s u p p o r t e 2 - e 4 .;his logical scheme of development: his
N o t e t o o t h a t t h e i m me d i a t e 4...c5queen's bishop will go to b7, then the
to strike at White's centre is examinedknight on b8 will be developed to d7
i n C h ap t er F iv e ( th i s is a Qu ee n' s(jumping ahead I should say this looks
Gambit Tarrasch, but we need to belike a mistake – see the note to Black's
ready for it if we play the Catalan).]9th, below), and the rook from a8 will
5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 [ Later in the chapterbe shifted to c8. Finally he will be
w e ' l l l o o k a t g a m e s w h e r e W h i t er e a d y t o s t r i k e o u t w i t h t h e
d e f e n d s t h e c 4 - p a w n e i t h e r w i t haforementioned ...c7-c5, which will be
6.Cbd2; or 6.Dc2 . ] 6...c6 Black hasall the more effective in view of the
achieved a lot after only six moves. Hisw h i t e q u e e n ' s s o m e w h a t e x p o s e d
king is safe and he has a solid centreposition on c2.
with no weaknesses. [ In contrast, after8.Cbd2! One of the trademarks of the
6...b6 hanging pawns can be inflictedCatalan is that White avoids a quick
o n B l a c k i m m e d i a t e l y w i t h 7.cxd5development of his queen's knight. He
. Play could continue exd5 8.Cc3 Ab7waits to see what is the best square for
9.Ce5 Ca6 10.Af4 c5 11.Tc1it. In this example Naiditsch plans to
with a strong build up of white piecesu s e t h e h o rs e to s u ppo rt th e p awn
i n t h e c en tr e . It ' s n o s u rp ri se th a tadv ance e2-e4, but doesn't want to
Black has poor results in this line.]allow ...d5xc4 without the chance to
7.Dc2 QUESTION: Is this a strong andrecapture. Therefore he puts the knight
sensible move? on d2 rath er than c3, which would
ANSWER: Yes! On c2 the white queeninterfere with his queen's defence of
defends the c4-pawn, ruling out anythe c4-pawn.
pawn snatch with ...d5xc4 followed byWe shall see that in certain variations
...b7-b5 clinging on to the material.White chooses to play Nc3 rather than
Also thinking about the c-file, in thisNbd2. However, these tend to be less
type of s tru ctu re Black's so -calledpopular, more speculative tries for
freeing move is ...c7-c5. If he can carrya d v a n t a g e. O r p e rh a p s Wh i t e w a s
out this pawn break without incurringdenied the chance to be flexible as he
chose c3 for the knight before he knewun co veri ng an at tack on b7 whi ls t

for sure it was going to be a Catalan. threatening mate on h7. Black loses the
A delayed development of the queen'sexchange after Axg5 13.Axb7 .; B)
knight, which probably goes to d2 inInstead, Black could play a solid move
the end, is far more characteristic oflike 10...Cbd7 , hoping to get in ...c6-
the Catalan. c5 in the future, but White could build
8...Ab7 9.e4 QUESTION: I'm stillup with 11.Td1 , exerting indirect
slightly confused why 4...Bb4+ 5 Bd2pressu re along the d-file. Then c5?
Be7 is recommended instead as the ( of course, Black could play passively
correct procedure for Black. After all,with say 11...Tc8 , but he remains
he 'gifts' White the developing moveu nco mf o rt abl e af t e r 12.Af4 , etc )
Bd2. How big a difference would it, s t i l l f a i l s : 12.Cxf6+ Axf6
make to the game – a slight or big ( the black queen hangs after 12...Cxf6
change? 13.dxc5 ) 13.Cg5! (our familiar trick)
ANSWER: We can debate whether theAxg5 14.Axb7 Tb8 15.dxc5! Txb7
white bishop is better on d2 than c1 – 16.c6 Tc7 17.Txd7 Txd7 18.Axg5
White might find a way to justify itsDxg5 19.cxd7 and White has emerged
placing on d2, or find a use for thewith an extra pawn on the seventh rank.
vacated c1-square. However, the mainA long variation, but it flows naturally.
point is that White's smooth build-up; More dynamic was 9...Ca6!
with Nbd2 and e2-e4 would have been XIIIIIIIIY
obstructed because his knight is denied 9r+-wq-trk+(
9zpl+-vlpzpp'
the d2-square. This seems to 9nzpp+psn-+&
significantly outweigh any benefits for 9+-+p+-+-%
White in having shifted his bishop to 9-+PzPP+-+$
d2 'for free'. 9+-+-+NzP-#
9PzPQsN-zPLzP"
As a rule, if White can achieve the e2- 9tR-vL-+RmK-![
e4 advance before Black can respond ... xabcdefghy
d5xc4 and ...c7-c5 in a safe way he will
have a good game. . A) T h e n a f t e r 10.e5 '!?' Cd7
EXERCISE: What do you now think isnote the knight is pleased that the d7-
the best move for Black ou t of th esquare is available to it, ( whereas in the
following choice: 9...dxe4, 9...Na6 andgame it is forced to the back rank after
9...Nbd7 - ? 10...Ce8 ) A1) instead (after 9...Na6 10
9...Cbd7?! [ ANSWER: Here 9...dxe4e 5 N d 7 ) , W h i t e c o u l d t r y 11.a3!?
10.Cxe4 A) 10...c5? falls for a trapto deny the black knight the b4-square,
that you should always be looking outb u t t h i s s e e m s a l i t t l e l a t e a s c5!
for if Black has an undefended bishopthen undermines the white centre and
on b7: 11.Cxf6+! Axf6 ( or equallyg i v e s B l a c k t h e ch a n c e t o a n s w e r
11...gxf6 12.Cg5! ) 12.Cg5!c4 xd 5 wi th ...Bxd5, acti vati ng hi s
bishop 12.cxd5 ( 12.dxc5 bxc5 13.Te1Kovalyov given later in the chapter.

Cc7 14.h4 a5 15.Cf1 Te8 16.h5 h6This was an excellent win by Black.
17.C1h2 Tb8 18.Cg4 Af8 19.Ad2 Aa6A2a11) this variant without Ad2 and h6
20.Af1 Axc4 21.Axc4 dxc4 22.Axa516.Ag5 Dc7 ( 16...Ae7 17.Axe7 Dxe7
Cb6 23.Tad1 Ccd5 24.Ce3 Dc818.Cd2 Dc7 19.f4 Tac8 20.Ce4 Ce7
25.Axb6 Cxe3 26.Txe3 Txb6 27.Cd221.Cd6 Axg2 22.Rxg2 Dc6+ 23.Df3
Tb8 28.Cxc4 Db7 29.De4 De7Dxf3+ 24.Txf3 Tc2+ 25.Tf2 Tc6
30.Ted3 Dg5 31.Df3 g6 32.Td7 Te726.Tff1 Tc2+ 27.Tf2 Tc6 28.Tff1
33.Txe7 Axe7 34.hxg6 Dxg6 35.Td7½-½ (28) Gormally,D (2477)-Lou,Y
Rf8 36.Dd3 Dg4 37.Txe7 1-0 (37)(2462) Hastings 2017; 16...Dd7
Damljanovic,B (2530)-Dizdarevic,E XIIIIIIIIY
( 2 5 1 0 ) Z e n i c a 1 9 8 9) 12...Axd5 9r+-+-trk+(
9zpl+q+pzpp'
( 12...exd5 13.Te1 Cc7 14.dxc5 bxc5 9-zp-+p+-+&
15.Cf1 Ce6 16.Ce3 Te8 17.h4 Af8 9+-vlnzP-vL-%
18.h5 Db6 19.Td1 d4 20.Cc4 Da6 9-+-+-+-+$
21.b3 Cb6 22.Cfd2 Axg2 23.Rxg2 9+Q+-+NzP-#
9PzP-+-zPLzP"
Cg5 24.Dd3 Tab8 25.Tb1 Db7+ 9tR-+-+RmK-![
26.f3 Cd5 27.Cf1 Ce3+ 28.Ccxe3 xabcdefghy
Dxf3+ 29.Rg1 Ch3+ 30.Rh2 Cf2
0-1 (30) Wach,S (2285)-Strzelecki,K17.Tfd1 Tfc8 18.Tac1 Tc7 19.a3 a5
(2415) Bielsko Biala 1990) 13.dxc520.Dd3 Tac8 21.Cd4 h6 22.Ad2 Ce7
( 13.Dd3 Dc8 14.Ce4 cxd4 15.Ceg523.Axb7 Txb7 24.Ac3 Axd4 25.Dxd4
f5 16.exf6 Cxf6 17.Cxd4 Ac4 18.Dd1Cd5 26.Ad2 Tbc7 27.Txc7 Txc7
Td8 19.Axa8 Dxa8 20.Df3 Dxf328.Tc1 Txc1+ 29.Axc1 Dc6 30.Ad2
21.Cgxf3 Axf1 22.Rxf1 Karpov,ADb5 31.Ac3 h5 32.h3 g6 33.Dd2
(2710)-Tal,M (2605) Bruxelles 1987)Dc4 34.Dd4 De2 35.Rg2 Rf8 36.Dd2
13...Tc8 14.b4 bxc5 15.b5 Cc7De4+ 37.f3 Dc4 38.Rf2 Re8 39.h4
16.Tb1 Tb8 17.a4 a6 18.bxa6 Cxa6Rd7 40.Dd4 Db3 41.Re2 Rc6 42.Rd2
19.Ce4 Txb1 20.Dxb1 Db8 21.Dxb8Db5 43.Re1 Dc5 44.Da4+ b5
Txb8 22.Cc3 Axf3 23.Axf3 Cxe545.Dxa5 De3+ 46.Rd1 Dxf3+ 47.Rc1
24.Ae2 Ta8 25.Td1 Cb4 26.Af4 Cec6Df1+ 48.Rd2 Df2+ 49.Rc1 De3+
27.Td7 Rf8 28.Ab5 Cd4 29.Ce4 e550.Rc2 De2+ 51.Rc1 Cxc3 52.Dxc3+
30.Ae3 ½-½ (30) Vishnu,P (2467)-Rd5 53.Rb1 Dxe5 54.Dd3+ Rc6
Vidit,S (2606) Dharamshala IND 2014;55.Df3+ Rc5 56.Dxf7 Df5+ 57.Dxf5+
A2) 11.cxd5? A2a) Black has thegxf5 58.Rc2 Rd4 59.Rd2 e5 60.b3 e4
z w i s c h e n z u g 11...Cb4! to get the61.Rc2 Re3 62.a4 bxa4 63.bxa4 Rd4
knight to the excellent d5-square after64.Rb3 Rd3 0-1 (64) Brunner,J (2134)-
12.Db3 Cxd5 . Then 13.Ce4 A2a1) H a h n , M ( 2 2 7 1 ) N e u s t a d t a n d e r
13...c5 14.dxc5 Cxc5 15.Cxc5 Axc5Weinstrasse 2020 ) 17.a3
would transpose to the game Phillips- (Diagrama)
XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+({ 9r+-wq-trk+({
9zplwq-+pzpp' 9zpl+-+pzpp'
9-zp-+p+-+& 9-zp-+p+-+&
9+-vlnzP-vL-% 9+-vlnzP-+-%
9-+-+-+-+$ 9Q+-+-+-+$
9zPQ+-+NzP-# 9+-+-+NzP-#
9-zP-+-zPLzP" 9PzP-+-zPLzP"
9tR-+-+RmK-! 9tR-vL-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
h6 18.Ad2 Tfd8 19.Da4 Ce7 20.Tac122.Dxe8 Tfxe8 23.Axc5 bxc5 24.b3

Tac8 21.Ac3 Ac6 22.Dg4 Cf5c4 25.bxc4 Axc4 26.Cd2 Tac8
23.Tfd1 Txd1+ 24.Txd1 Td827.Cxc4 Txc4 28.Tfd1 g5 29.Td2
25.Txd8+ Dxd8 26.Ce1 Axg2Tec8 30.Af3 T8c5 31.Td7 g4 32.Ae2
27.Rxg2 b5 ½-½ (27) Starostits,ITe4 33.Af1 a5 34.a3 Cc2 35.Tb1
(2418)-Stern,R (2522) Berlin 2017;Ce1 36.Tbb7 Cf3+ 37.Rg2 Cxe5
A2a12) 16.Cg5 38.Tdc7 Td5 39.Tb5 Td1 40.Tcc5
XIIIIIIIIY Cf3 41.h3 Txf1 42.hxg4 Cd2
9r+-wq-trk+({ 43.Tg5+ Rf8 44.Tb8+ Re7 45.Tb7+
9zpl+-+pzpp'
9-zp-+p+-+& Rf6 46.Tg8 Tee1 47.g5+ Re5
9+-vlnzP-sN-% 48.Txf7 Th1 49.f4+ Rd4 0-1 (49)
9-+-+-+-+$ Troyke,C (2359)-Hoffmann,M (2510)
9+Q+-+-zP-# N u r e m b e r g 2 0 1 0; A2a2) 13...h6
9PzP-+-zPLzP"
9tR-vL-+RmK-! 14.Ad2
xabcdefghy XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+({
9zpl+nvlpzp-'
Ae7 17.Cf3 Cb4 18.Ad2 Ad5 19.Da4 9-zpp+p+-zp&
a5 20.Ac3 Db8 21.a3 b5 22.Dd1 Cc6 9+-+nzP-+-%
23.Te1 Db7 24.De2 Tfd8 25.Ad2 9-+-zPN+-+$
Tac8 26.Tac1 h6 27.Af4 g5 28.Ae3 9+Q+-+NzP-#
9PzP-vL-zPLzP"
g4 29.Ch4 h5 30.Axd5 Txd5 31.Dc2 9tR-+-+RmK-!
Axh4 32.gxh4 Ce7 33.De4 Txc1 xabcdefghy
34.Axc1 Cg6 35.Ag5 Cxe5 36.Rg2
f5 0-1 (36) Dimitrijeski,B (2232)-Sanal,c5 15.dxc5 Cxc5 16.Cxc5 Axc5
V (2485) Belgrade 2018; A2a13) 17.Da4 De7 18.a3 a5 19.Tfe1 f5
16.Da4 20.Ch4 f4 21.Cg6 Axf2+ 22.Rh1 Df7
23.Cxf8 f3 24.Ah3 Axe1 25.Axe1 f2
(Diagrama) 26.Axf2 Cf4+ 27.Ag2 Cxg2 28.Rg1
Txf8 29.Axb6 Ce3 30.Axe3 Df3
Cb4 17.Ae3 Ac6 18.Db3 Ad5 19.Da40-1 (30) Phillips,R (2272)-Kovalyov,
Ac6 20.Db3 Ad5 21.Da4 De8A (2622) Tromso NOR 2014; A2b)
, which proves highly effective in theCc7+ 56.Re4 Ce8 57.Ac5 Axc5

game after the recapture 11...cxd5 ,; B) 58.Cxc5+ Rc6 59.Ce6 Cd6+ 60.Rf4
Perhaps it is best for White to answerCf7 61.Cf8 Cxh6 62.Cxh7 Rd5
9 . . . N a 6 w i t h t h e i m m e d i a t e 10.a3!63.Cxf6+ Rc4 64.Ce4 Cf7 65.f6 Rb3
, hoping to get in 11 e5 Nd7 12 cxd566.Cc5+ Rxa3 67.Cxa6 Rb3 68.Rf5
cxd5. Then 10...c5! is still effective forRc4 69.Re6 Cg5+ 70.Re7
Black, though maybe not as good as1-0 (70) Nakamura,H (2785)-Yu,Y
the similar strike at White's centre with(2738) Caleta 2017 )]
11...c5 above. XIIIIIIIIY
These moves have been the subject of 9r+-wq-trk+(
9zpl+nvlpzpp'
h i g h-le v el g ames . Fo r ex amp l e H . 9-zpp+psn-+&
Nakamura-Yu Yangyi, Gibraltar 2017, 9+-+p+-+-%
went 11.exd5 exd5 12.Td1 Tc8 9-+PzPP+-+$
13.dxc5 Cxc5 14.b4 Ce6 15.Ab2 9+-+-+NzP-#
9PzPQsN-zPLzP"
dxc4 16.Cxc4 Dc7 17.Tac1 Db8 9tR-vL-+RmK-![
18.De2 Da8 and now 19.Ce3 xabcdefghy
with 20 Nf5 in mind might be a small
plus to White. ( 19.Ch4 The game move 9...Nbd7 proves one
XIIIIIIIIY r o u t i n e m o v e t o o m a n y . 10.e5
9q+r+-trk+({ Thanks to Black's passive ninth move,
9zpl+-vlpzpp'
9-zp-+nsn-+& Whi te i s ab le t o es tabl i sh a s t able
9+-+-+-+-% wedge in the centre whilst keeping
9-zPN+-+-sN$ Black's bishop on b7 shut in.
9zP-+-+-zP-# 10...Ce8 11.cxd5 cxd5 The black
9-vL-+QzPLzP"
9+-tRR+-mK-! knights are deprived of the f6-square,
xabcdefghy making the idea of a direct kingside
assault attractive to White. [ 11...exd5
Axg2 20.Cxg2 Tfe8 21.h4 Ce4w ä r e d i e a n d e r e M ö g l i c h k e i t u n d
22.Cge3 Af8 23.Dg4 b5 24.Ce5 Cf6Schwarz kann den Springer über c7
25.Df3 Dxf3 26.Cxf3 Ce4 27.Txc8n a c h e 6 ü b e r f ü h r e n .] 12.Te1
Txc8 28.Td7 Tc7 29.Txc7 Cxc7Whit e's so -called mysteri ous rook
30.Cd4 f6 31.Cc6 a6 32.Ad4 Ad6move had two purposes. Firstly, the
33.Cf5 Ce8 34.Rg2 Cd2 35.Ae3 Cc4rook deters any challenge to White's
36.Ac1 Rf7 37.Rf3 Ce5+ 38.Cxe5+pawn dominance in the centre with ...
Axe5 39.Re4 Re6 40.Cd4+ Rd7f7-f6 by putting indirect pressure on e6.
41.Cb3 Rc6 42.Rd3 Cc7 43.f4 Ad6And, secondly, it vacates the f1-square
44.Re4 Ca8 45.Ae3 Cc7 46.h5 Rd7for the knight on d2, allowing White to
47.g4 Re6 48.Ac5 Ce8 49.Cd4+ Rd7build up pressure on the kingside and
50.Cb3 Re6 51.Ad4 g6 52.f5+ gxf5+restrain Black's activity along the c-file.
53.gxf5+ Rd7 54.h6 Ae7 55.Rd512...Dc8? Naturally Black would love
t o e x c h a n g e q u e e n s t o e s c a p e t h eDc4 61.Db2+ Rg6 62.Db6+ Rf5

danger of an attack on his king, but this63.Dxh6 Dc2 64.Df4+ Re6 65.De4+
and his next move prove an utter wasteRd7 66.Rg2 De2 67.Dd5+ Re7 68.a6
of time. [ He should play 12...Tc8 d2 69.a7 d1D 70.Dxd1 1-0 (70) Kozul,
XIIIIIIIIY Z (2576)-Kovacevic,B (2493) Vukovar
9-+rwqntrk+( 2005 )
9zpl+nvlpzpp' XIIIIIIIIY
9-zp-+p+-+& 9-+rwqntrk+(
9+-+pzP-+-% 9+l+nvlpzpp'
9-+-zP-+-+$ 9-zp-+p+-+&
9+-+-+NzP-# 9zp-+pzP-+-%
9PzPQsN-zPLzP" 9Q+-zP-+-+$
9tR-vL-tR-mK-![ 9+-+-+NzP-#
xabcdefghy 9PzP-sN-zPLzP"
9tR-vL-tR-mK-![
A) 13.Da4 a5 ( 13...Ac6 xabcdefghy
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwqntrk+( 14.Af1 Ac6 15.Dd1 Cc7 16.Ad3 Ab5
9zp-+nvlpzpp'
9-zpl+p+-+& 17.Ab1 Te8 18.h4 Cf8= 19.Ch2
9+-+pzP-+-% ( 19.Cf1
9Q+-zP-+-+$ XIIIIIIIIY
9+-+-+NzP-# 9-+rwqrsnk+({
9PzP-sN-zPLzP" 9+-sn-vlpzpp'
9tR-vL-tR-mK-![ 9-zp-+p+-+&
xabcdefghy 9zpl+pzP-+-%
9-+-zP-+-zP$
14.Db3 b5 15.Af1 Db6 16.Ad3 b4 9+-+-+NzP-#
9PzP-+-zP-+"
17.Cf1 h6 18.Ab1 Ab5 19.Ce3 f5 9tRLvLQtRNmK-!
20.Cg2 Tf7 21.h4 Cf8 22.Ae3 a5 xabcdefghy
23.Dd1 a4 24.h5 a3 25.bxa3 bxa3
26.Ad3 Axd3 27.Dxd3 Ab4 28.Teb1Ab4 20.Ad2 De7 21.a3 Axd2 22.Dxd2
Da5 29.Tb3 Tc3 30.Txc3 Axc3a4 23.Ce3 Ca6 24.Ad3 Axd3
31.Tc1 Tc7 32.Cf4 Ab2 33.Txc7 Cxc725.Dxd3 Cb8 26.Tac1 Db7 27.Cg4
34.Dc2 Ac3 35.Ad2 Cb5 36.Axc3Txc1 28.Txc1 Tc8 29.Txc8 Dxc8
Dxc3 37.Da4 Dxf3 38.Dxb5 Dd1+30.Rg2 Dc1 31.Db5 Dc6 32.Db4 h6
39.Rg2 Dxd4 40.Db8 De4+ 41.Rh233.Ce3 Ca6 34.Dd6 Db7 35.Cd1 b5
De1 42.Da7 Dxe5 43.Dxa3 Db836.Cc3 Cc7 37.Ce1 Da7 38.Cc2 Db7
44.Dc5 De8 45.Rg1 g5 46.hxg6 Cxg639.Cb4 h5 40.Cd3 Dc8 41.Cc5 Db8
47.Cxg6 Dxg6 48.a4 Df6 49.Da3 e542.Ca2 Dc8 43.Cb4 Ca8 44.f4 De8
50.a5 Da6 51.Dc5 d4 52.Dxe5 d345.Cc6 Rh7 46.Cb4 Cg6 47.f5 exf5
53.Dxf5 Dd6 54.Dc8+ Rh7 55.Db7+48.Cxd5 b4 49.Dd7 Db8 50.Dxf7
Rg8 56.Db3+ Rh7 57.Db1 Rg8Db5 51.Dxf5 De2+ 52.Df2 Dg4
58.Da2+ Rg7 59.Dd2 Dd4 60.Rh253.Rh2 bxa3 54.bxa3 Dc8 55.Dc2
Dg4 56.Cf4 Cb6 57.Cce6 Rh614.Cf1 Dc2 15.Dxc2 Txc2 16.Ce3

58.Cg5 Dxf4 59.gxf4 Cd5 60.Cf7+Tc8 17.Ad2 is some advantage to
Rh7 61.e6 Ce3 62.De2 Cg4+ 63.Rg3White in the endgame as the black
Ce7 64.Cg5+ Rh6 65.Rh3 Cg6pieces are cramped, but at least Black
66.Df3 Ce7 67.Da8 Cf6 68.Ce4 Cfd5has avoided a direct kingside attack.
69.Dh8+ Rg6 70.De8+ Rf5 71.Cg3+( 17.Af1
Rxe6 72.Cxh5 Rf5 73.Dxa4 g6 XIIIIIIIIY
74.Dd7+ Re4 75.Cf6+ 1-0 (75) 9-+r+ntrk+({
9zpl+nvlpzpp'
Szotkowski,J (2366)-Voloshin,L 9-zp-+p+-+&
( 2 3 8 9 ) C e s k e B u d e j o v i c e 2 0 1 7) 9+-+pzP-+-%
19...Ca6 9-+-zP-+-+$
XIIIIIIIIY 9+-+-sNNzP-#
9-+rwqrsnk+( 9PzP-+-zP-zP"
9+-+-vlpzpp' 9tR-vL-tRLmK-!
9nzp-+p+-+& xabcdefghy
9zpl+pzP-+-%
9-+-zP-+-zP$ Cc7 18.Ad3 Aa6 19.Ac2 Cb8 20.a3
9+-+-+-zP-# Cb5 21.Ad2 Cc6 22.Ac3 Cxc3
9PzP-sN-zP-sN"
9tRLvLQtR-mK-![ 23.bxc3 Ca5 24.Cd1 Cc4 25.Ad3
xabcdefghy Cd2 26.Axh7+ Rxh7 27.Cxd2 Tc7
½-½ (27) Lukov,V (2475)-Dizdar,G
20.a3 Tc7 21.Cdf3 Cb8 22.Cg5 Cc6(2545) Montpellier 1997) 17...Cc7
23.Ae3 f6 24.exf6 Axf6 25.Cg4 Tce718.Tac1 Weiß besitzt Raumvorteil im
26.Dc2 Cxd4 27.Cxf6+ gxf6 28.Axd4Z e n t r u m, a b e r S c h w a r z h a t k e i n e
e5 29.Ae3 fxg5 30.Axg5 Dd6Schwächen. Diese Stellung erinnert
31.Axe7 Txe7 32.Aa2 Ce6 33.Tad1mich ein wenig an die Französische
Cd4 34.Dc8+ Rf7 35.Dg4 Ad7Verteidigung. ( 18.Ah3
36.Dh5+ Rf8 37.Ab1 Ae8 38.Dg4 XIIIIIIIIY
Ad7 39.Dh5 Ae8 40.Dg4 Ad7 9-+r+-trk+({
9zplsnnvlpzpp'
41.Dh5 Ae8 ½-½ (41) Stefanova,A 9-zp-+p+-+&
(2491)-Pelletier,Y (2604) Athens 2005; 9+-+pzP-+-%
B) 13.Dd1 Dc7 9-+-zP-+-+$
XIIIIIIIIY 9+-+-sNNzPL#
9-+r+ntrk+( 9PzP-vL-zP-zP"
9zplwqnvlpzpp' 9tR-+-tR-mK-!
9-zp-+p+-+& xabcdefghy
9+-+pzP-+-%
9-+-zP-+-+$ Ca6 19.Tec1 Txc1+ 20.Txc1 Tc8
9+-+-+NzP-# 21.Txc8+ Axc8 22.Ce1 Cc7 23.f4
9PzP-sN-zPLzP"
9tR-vLQtR-mK-![ Cb8 24.Rf2 Cc6 25.C3c2 Aa6
xabcdefghy 0-1 Kozul,Z-Dizdar,G/Sarajevo 1988/
C B M 0 8 ( 6 1 ) 26.Ag4 Rf8 27.Ae2
Axe2 28.Rxe2 h5 29.Cd3 Re8 30.Ab4Schwarz möchte seine Läuferstellung

Cxb4 31.Cdxb4 Rd7 32.Cd3 g6verbessern, aber nach dem Textzug
33.Cde1 Ca6 34.h3 Rc6 35.g4 hxg4bleibt der c7 passiv. Nach meiner
36.hxg4 Rb5 37.Rd3 Cb8 38.Cg2 Rc6M e i n u n g i s t d i e F o r t s e t z u n g v o n
39.Cge3 Rd7 40.f5 gxf5 41.gxf5 Ag5Reshevsky 18...a6 die beste Wahl für
42.f6 Cc6 43.Rc3 Re8 44.Cd1 Af4Schwarz. 19.h4 b5?! ( 19...Ad3?!
45.Cb4 Cxe5 46.dxe5 Axe5+ 47.Rb320.Tc3 Ae4 21.Tec1 Ad8 22.Cg5;
Rd7 48.Ra4 a5 49.Cd3 Axf6 50.Rb519...Ca8!? ) 20.Af1! Cb6 ( 20...b4?
Ad4 51.Cf4 f5 52.Ce2 Ac5 53.a3 e521.Txc7+- ) 21.b3 Weiß muss 21...c4
54.Cec3 Re6 55.Rc6 d4 56.Cd5 e4verhindern. Aa3 22.Tc2 Cca8 23.Ad3
57.b4 axb4 58.axb4 Ad6 59.b5 f4Tc7 ( 23...Txc2 24.Cxc2 Ae7
60.Cxb6 e3 61.Cb2 ) B1) 18...Ca625.Ab4 ) 24.Txc7 Cxc7 25.Cc2! Ae7
19.a3 ( 19.Af1 26.Cb4 ( 26.Ab4 Axb4 27.Cxb4 Ab7
XIIIIIIIIY 28.Tc1 Tc8 29.Cc6 Axc6 30.Txc6 )
9-+r+-trk+({ 26...Ab7 ( 26...Axb4 27.Axb4 )
9zpl+nvlpzpp'
9nzp-+p+-+& 27.Tc1 Stufenweise verbessert Weiß
9+-+pzP-+-% seine Stellung, er dominiert am
9-+-zP-+-+$ D a m e n f l ü g e l . Tc8 28.Cc6 Axc6
9+-+-sNNzP-# 29.Txc6 b4 30.Ce1 Der Springer
9PzP-vL-zP-zP"
9+-tR-tRLmK-! zielt auf das Feld c2, der schwarze
xabcdefghy B a u e r au f b 4 a n g e g ri f f e n i s t . D a s
weiße Läuferpaar ist stark. ( 30.Cg5 h6
Txc1 20.Txc1 Tc8 21.Tb1 Cb4 22.a331.Ch3 ) 30...Cca8 31.Txc8+ Cxc8
Cc6 23.b4 f6 24.exf6 Axf6 25.Cg432.Aa6 Ccb6 ( 32...Cab6 33.Cd3 )
Rf7 26.Cxf6 gxf6 27.a4 Ce7 28.a533.Cc2 Cc7 34.Axb4! ( 34.Ad3? a5 )
bxa5 29.bxa5 Ac6 30.Te1 Tb834...Axh4 Auf diese Weise gewinnt
31.Ah3 Cf8 32.Ah6 Ad7 33.Tc1 Cc6Schwarz den Bauern zurück. ( 34...Axb4
34.a6 Tb6 35.Af1 Cg6 36.h4 Ac835.Cxb4+-; 34...Cxa6 35.Axe7+- )
37.Ta1 Cb4 38.Ad2 Cxa6 39.Ad335.Ad3 Mit Läuferpaar und
Rg7 40.Rg2 Ce7 41.g4 Cc6 42.Tc1Bauernmehrheit am Damenflügel hat
Ad7 43.g5 f5 44.h5 Ae8 45.g6 Cab4W e i ß P o s i t i o n s v o r t e i l , h i n g e g e n
46.Ae2 h6 47.Ad1 Cd3 48.Tc3 Cb2Sc h w a rz k ei n e M ög l i c h k ei t e n a u f
49.Ae2 a5 50.Af4 Tb7 51.Aa6 Tb6Ausgleich. Ad8 36.f4 f5 37.Ad6 Cd7
52.Ac8 a4 53.Axe6 Tb3 54.Txc6( 37...Ce8 38.Ac5 ) 38.Rf2 B2a)
1-0 (54) Heberla,B (2 533)-Kuba,G38...Ce8 39.Ac5 ( 39.Ab5 Cxd6
(2 403) Dresden 2 007) 19...Cab8!?40.Axd7 Ce4+= ); B2b) 38...Rf7
20.Af1 Aa6 21.Axa6 Cxa6 22.Txc839.Re3 h5 40.Ae2 g6 41.Ce1! Ce8
Txc8 23.Tc1 Txc1+ 24.Axc1 Cab842.Ab4 Cb8 43.Cf3 Die schwarze
½-½ Addison,W-Reshevsky,S/MariborStellung ist gefesselt, Weiß dominiert
1 9 6 7 / E XT 9 9 ( 4 2 ); B2) 18...Aa6das Spielgeschehen. Cc6 44.Ac5 Ae7
45.Ab5+- B2b1) 45...Cb4 46.Axb4should White take against this?

Axb4 47.Cg5+ Re7 48.Axe8 Rxe817.b3! ANSWER: After this simple
49.Cxe6+-; B2b2) 45...Axc5 46.Cg5+precautionary move Black's queenside
( 46.dxc5 Cd8 47.b4+- ) 46...Re7c o u n t e r p l a y i s h a m s t r u n g . 17...b4
47.Axc6+-; B2b3) 45...Axc5 46.Cg5+18.Ad2 Cc7 19.Tc1 Dd7 20.Cg5
1 -0 (46 ) Kas i md zh an ov ,R (26 7 0) -White is justified in starting an attack
Richter,M (2407) Germany 2006 CBMagainst the black king with potential
111 [Ribli,Z] ( 46.Cg5+ Re7 47.Axc6sacrifices as Naiditsch is rewarded for
Aa3 48.Axe8 Rxe8 49.Cxe6+- )]his careful strategic play. Black is
13.Dd1 The queen doesn't mind beingdeprived of activity, which means he
p u s h e d b a c k h o m e a s t h e s p a c ehas a queen, three minor pieces and a
advantage on e5 is permanent. Besidesro ok sit tin g on the left s ide of the
if the knight on f3 moves out of theboard, cut off from going to the aid of
way she has a direct route into attacktheir king by the blocked centre, and
o n t he k i n g s id e v ia th e g4 - o r h 5 -unable to distract the white pieces from
squares. going all in against the underdefended
13...Dc6 14.Cf1 Tc8 EXERCISE:black king.
What move thwarts Black's plans and20...Aa6 21.Cg4 Cb5 [ The last
adds vigour to White's own? c h a n c e w a s 21...Ad3 to at least get a
ANSWER: 15.Ce3! The knight notbishop involved in the king's defence.]
only prevents 15...Qc2, forcing theQ U E S T I O N : c a n y o u s e e W h i t e ' s
unwelcome exchange of queens after all,winning move?
but also prepares to charge to g4 toANSWER: 22.Cf6+! gxf6 23.exf6
lead a kingside assault. [ Black's king will be mated in short
It's obvious Black lost a tempo with ...order after 23.exf6 Axf6 24.Dh5 A)
Qc8, ...Qc6 and ...Rc8 when he could24...Axg5 25.Dxg5+ Rh8 26.Df6+
have gone ...Rc8 and ...Qc7 in twoRg8 27.Ah6 and 28 Qg7 mate
mo ves, In that case White's k nig htfollows; ( 27.-- ); B) or 24...Tfd8
wouldn't have been in time getting to25.Dxh7+ Rf8 26.Axb4+ Re8
e3 to stop Qc2. ( 26...Cd6 ) 27.Dg8# .; C)
15...b5 16.h4 A move in the style ofMo re r es i s t ant i s 24...h6 25.Dxh6
the King's Indian Attack. White's h-Axg5 26.Dxg5+ Rh7 , but 27.Txc8
pawn could be used as a battering ramAxc8 ( if 27...Txc8 28.Dh6+ Rg8
to break up the black kingside with h5-29.Te5 f5 30.Txe6 crashes through)
h6, or remain on h4 and support the28.Dh5+ Rg8 29.Ah6 f5 and now the
attacking move Ng5. s i mp l e s t i s 30.Dg6+ Rh8 31.Axf8
16...Cb6 QUESTION: It seems Black isw i t h a w i n n i n g a t t a c k a n d e x t r a
ready to eliminate White's knight withmaterial. ]
17...Nc4 and 18...Nxe3, when the idea1-0
of ...Qc2 reappears. What measures
9 D02p o s i t i o n al s e qu e n c e b y B l a c k . B y
Giri,A giving a check on b4 Black has
Grischuk,A en ti ced Wh it e's bis hop to d2. You
2: Saint Louis 2015might think this is a free developing
mo v e f or Whi t e, bu t t he bi s hop i s
1.Cf3 Giri's move order in this game ispoorly placed on d2 and will have to
discussed in the Introduction to thebe reassigned to a more active square
book. 1...d5 2.d4 Cf6 3.c4 e6 4.g3l at er o n , mo s t l i kel y f 4. So Wh it e
Ab4+! hasn't gained a move. Furthermore,
XIIIIIIIIY the bishop is blocking the d2-square
9rsnlwqk+-tr( an d s o p rev e nt i ng Nb d 2 by W hi t e
9zppzp-+pzpp'
9-+-+psn-+& which in combination with Qc2 would
9+-+p+-+-% allow him to advance in the centre
9-vlPzP-+-+$ quickly with e2-e4. This is the clever
9+-+-+NzP-# point of Black's check on b4. He has
9PzP-+PzP-zP"
9tRNvLQmKL+R![ disrupted White's smooth build-up.
xabcdefghy Looking more closely, we might say
that White's bishop would be better
Black intends to keep a pawn on d5,still on c1, so that it can be developed
but before putting his bishop on e7 hewith b2-b3 and Bb2, which along with
gives a check. Qc2, Nbd2 and e2-e4 would be
5.Ad2 This is by far the most popularWhite's optimum build-up.] 6.Ag2 0-0
r e s p o n s e t o B l a c k ' s c h e c k .7.0-0 Cbd7 [ Instead 7...c6
[ In s t ead aft er 5.Cc3 the position isis likely to transpose back to the main
more akin to a Nimzo-Indian rather thangame: for example, 8.Dc2 b6 9.Td1
a Catalan .; Meanwhile the alternativeAa6 ( or 9...Ab7 10.Af4 Cbd7 11.Ce5
5.Cbd2 is discussed in Tari-Sjodahl in– see the note to Black's 10th move,
Chapter Four.] 5...Ae7 [ The bishopbelow ) 10.b3 Cbd7 11.Af4
c o u l d a l s o d r o p b a c k t o d 6 . F o r. Black develops his knight, but not to
example, 5...Ad6 6.Ag2 0-0 7.0-0 c6c6 as that square is needed for his c-
8.b3 Cbd7 9.Cc3 Te8 10.Dc2 dxc4pawn to support the d5 point. Besides
11.bxc4 e5 . Having put the bishop onin Queen Pawn openings it's seldom a
d6 and rook on e8 this is the consistentgood idea to block the c7-pawn with
freeing procedure for Black, but Whitethe knight.; Black has to be consistent
maintained a small advantage afterand keep the pawn on d5. If he tries to
12.e3 exd4 13.exd4 in M.Bluebaum-T.play an Open Catalan after all with
Nyback, German League 2013. 7...dxc4? then White's Bd2 move
Loo king at t he Naidi tsch -Ko p ylo vbecomes useful: for example, 8.Dc2 a6
game above will give us a clue as to9.Dxc4 b5 10.Dc2 Ab7 and White is a
why 4...Bb4+! 5 Bd2 Be7 is an astutetempo up on the Catalan Mainline –
see Chapter Ten where he plays 10 Bd2.on the c-file.

White could use the extra tempo to9...b6 Of course, the bishop can't sit on
good effect with 11.Tc1 , etc. ] 8.Dc2c8 forever, but now White has a target
c6 With his previous move Whiteon the c-file. At first glance this might
defen ds c4, posit ions the q ueen toseem a very simple position: White
s u p p o r t a p o s s i b l e e 2 - e 4 c e n t r a lwill exert some queenside pressure
advance, and clears the d1-square forwith straightforward attacking moves,
use by a rook to bolster the centre.while Black will respond with solid
B l a c k s t r e n g t h e n s h i s c e n t r e i ndefensive moves. Common sense will
respon se an d gets his c-pawn off ap r e v a i l w i t h b o t h p l a y e r s ma k i n g
potentially vulnerable square on c7. Hed e c i s i o n s a c c o r d i n g t o c l a s s i c a l
has two b asic aims: to develop hisprecepts.
q u e e n ' s b i s h o p , a n d t h e r e a f t e r t oHowever, the deeper we look, the more
achieve the freeing advance ...c6-c5.we realize this is actually an extremely
He hopes to carry out both operationsdi f ficu l t p o sit i on. There are many
w i t h o u t i n c u r r i n g a n y s e r i o u ssubtle points which have been tested in
weaknesses in his pawn structure. Intop level games. For example, Black
the Catalan, this is easier said thanmu s t c o n s i d e r : i n w h a t s c e n a r i o s
done. should the bishop go to a6 rather than
9.Td1 QUESTION: What exactly is theb7? Should I play ...a7-a5 - ? When
point of this move? should I concede the centre with ...
ANSWER: White's move is an exampled5x c4 - ? And if Whit e plays B f4,
o f w h a t N i m z o w i t s c h t e r m e d ashould I drive the bishop back with ...
'Mysterious Rook Move': the rook goesNh5 - ?
t o a b l o c k e d l i n e b e c a u s e W h i t eAnd for White there are questions such
anticipates that Black will try to freea s : s h o u l d I p u t t h e d a r k - s q u ar e d
himself with ...c6-c5 or with ..d5xc4b i s h o p o n c 3 o r f 4 ? W h e n i s i t
when lines will open up. Paradoxicallypreferable to develop the knight from
in the game the rook only becomesb1 to c3 rather than to d2? Should I
useful on d1 thanks to Black's help.play Ne5 - ? In what cases is it feasible
Th ou gh i f B l ac k pl a y ed pa s s i v e l yt o p l a y a 2 - a 4 t o r a m t h e b l a c k
White could always aim to lever thequeenside with a4-a5 - ?
centre open with a well-planned e2-e4Any of these decisions will have an
advance. enormous effect on the rest of the game.
T h e m o v e 9 R d 1 m i g h t a l s o b eWhite will lose his advantage with a
described as a useful waiting move.cou p le o f i mprecis e moves ; B la ck
W h i t e k n o w s t h a t B l a c k n e e d s t omight end up being tortured for another
develop his queen's bishop: therefore50 moves because he makes a passive
he makes a good centralizing move inmove with his bishop. Hopefully the
anticipation of Black loosening himselfdiscussion which follows will answer
these questions. , winning a pawn, as 22.Dxd4 Ac5

10.Af4 [ T h e a l t e r n a t i v e 10.b3i s a f a t a l p i n) B1) 21...Tfd8
is examined in the Giri-Topalov game. About here Black ran out of ideas and
below. ] 10...Aa6 [ Here 10...a5let his opponent obtain a powerful bind
is too slow as White has played theon the queenside after 22.Ce2 Dc7
active move 10 Bf4 (rather than 10 b3),23.Tac1 Dd7 24.Txc8 Dxc8 25.Tc1
so 11.Ce5! Ab7 12.Cc3 is good forDd7 26.a4 Aa3 27.Tc2 a5 28.Da6
him.; However, very solid is 10...Ab7 .Tb8 29.Cf4 (the knight heads for e5)
A) Then with 11.Cc3 dxc4!Ad6 30.Cd3 Ce7 31.Af1 (reactivating
Black doesn't expect to hold on to thethe bishop) h6 32.Ce5 Dd8 33.Cc6
pawn, but wants to win time to free hisCxc6 34.Txc6 and Black was
game whilst White is regaining it: foreventually ground down in F.Caruana-
example, 12.Cd2 Cd5 ( not 12...b5?Yu Yangyi, Tromsø 2013. ( 34.-- ); B2)
13.Cxb5 ; instead, the black knightYou can't let someone as strong as
makes immediate use of the d5-square –Caruana play 'without an opponent'.
it reminds me of Capablanca's freeingThe correct approach for Black was
man oe uv re i n t h e Qu ee n's G ambi tdemonstrated in a later game. Instead,
Declined with ...d5xc4 and ...Nd5)21...h5! keeps some activity: 22.Ce2
13.Cxc4 Cxf4 14.gxf4 Dc7 15.e3Tfd8 23.Tac1 and now Stockfish wants
(White has a compact centre and wellt o g o t h e w h o l e h o g w i t h g5!?
placed pieces, but his opponent is free, i n t e n d i n g 2 4 . . . g 4 t o u n d e r mi n e
to develop and then strike with ...c6-White's kingside; ( 23...a5 was played
c5) Tad8 16.Tac1 c5 17.d5 exd5in F.Caruana-L.Nisipeanu, Bucharest
18.Cxd5 Axd5 19.Txd5 b5 20.Ce52013 ) . The move is justified by the
Cxe5 21.Txe5 Ad6 22.Td5tactical sequence 24.e4 ( after 24.Txc8
. This position has been reached 18Dxc8 , 25.e4? fails to dxe4 26.fxe4
times in my database – with 18 draws!;Cxd4! 27.Cxd4 Txd4 winning a pawn
B) More fighting for White is 11.Ce5because of the ...Bc5 pin) 24...dxe4
. Let's watch in admiration as Caruana25.fxe4 Txc1 26.Axc1 Cxd4!
playing White consolidates his centre27.Cxd4 Ac5 28.Axg5 Dxd4+
position and begins to press on the29.Dxd4 Txd4 30.Txd4 Axd4+
q u e e n s i d e : 11...Ch5 12.Ad2 Chf6and Black has fully equalized.] 11.b3
13.cxd5 cxd5 14.Cc6 (the bishop pairTc8 Strategically speaking the position
is worth some inconvenience for theis very tense. Black is ready to advance
w h i t e q u e e n ) Axc6 15.Dxc6 Tc8...c6-c5 and achieve at least equality if
16.Db5 Ce8 17.Dd3 Cd6 18.b3White plays with insufficient energy.
(taking the c4-square away from the12.Cc3! Gambiting the c4-pawn to keep
black knight) Cf6 19.Cc3 Dd7 20.f3Black un der lock and key. Natural
(and now the horses are denied e4) Cf5moves are not sufficient. [ Thus after
21.e3 ( the threat was 21.-- Cxd4!12.Cbd2 , with the idea of gaining
space by 13 e4, a strong response is c5!point of 13.e4 is that it creates a mobile

when Black takes over the initiative –centre. Thus c5? could be answered by
notice the awkward position of the14.d5 : for example, exd5 15.e5 Ch5
white queen opposite the black rook on16.Cxd5 Cxf4 17.gxf4 De8 18.Ah3!
c8 after 13.dxc5 Axc5 . ] 12...dxc4and Black is under terrible pressure. ]
Jumping ahead, White plans to builds XIIIIIIIIY
u p h i s ce n t re wi th e2 - e 4 a n d t h en 9-+rwq-trk+({
9zp-+nvlpzpp'
answer ...Nh5 with Be3. [ QUESTION: 9lzpp+psn-+&
Couldn't Black obstruct this plan with 9+-+-+-+-%
t h e i m m e d i a t e 12...Ch5 A) 9-+pzPPvL-+$
a n d t h e n , a f t e r 13.Ae3 , continue 9+PsN-+NzP-#
9P+Q+-zPLzP"
Chf6 ( or even 13...f5!? 9tR-+R+-mK-!
when he profits through having stopped xabcdefghy
e 2 - e 4 b y W h i t e ?); B)
ANSWER: White would do better withWhite builds up his initiative in the
13.Ac1! keeping the way free for e2-e4.c e n t r e . I f y o u h a v e l o o k e d a t t h e
After 13...f5 ( or 13...Chf6 14.e4 dxc4analysis given after 10...Ba6 above
15.Af4 Ch5 16.Ae3 Chf6 and we haveyou'll be aware of the importance of
reached the main game below afterthe d5-square as a pivot point for the
14...Nhf6, but have taken two movesblack knight once it has been vacated
longer! ) 14.e3 he has an edg e .;by ...d5xc4. Therefore it is important
The attempt to break out with 12...c5?for White to rule out ...Nd5. 13...Ch5
rebounds on Black because in contrast [ White's gambit is built upon the fact
to the note to the previous move, thet h a t h e r e g a i n s h i s p a w n a f t e r
white queen is shielded by the knight13...cxb3? 14.axb3 Ab7 15.Txa7
o n c 3 . F o r e x a m p l e , 13.e4!?w i t h t r e m e n d o u s p r e s s u r e o n t h e
(there are other promising moves forq u e e n s i d e .; I f i n s t e a d 13...Ab4
White), cxd4 ( 13...dxc4 14.d5 exd5Bb4, threatening to take on c3 then on
15.e5 Ch5 16.Cxd5 gives Whitee4, 14.Cd2! keeps everything tidy for
c r u s h i n g p r e s s u r e i n t h e c e n t r e)White.; Similar to the game is 13...b5
14.exd5! (the point) exd5 ( if 14...dxc314.bxc4 bxc4 . ] 14.Ae3 Naturally
15.d6 White regains the piece withWhite doesn't want to be deprived of
huge pressure) 15.Cxd4 is crushing forhis dark-squared bishop by an exchange
W h i t e a s i n W . S o - B . G u n d a v a a ,on f4.
Guangzhou 2010, which finished Ac514...Chf6 QUESTION: Why does
( j u s t g i v i n g u p a pa wn a s 15...dxc4Black make the bishop go back to e3
16.Cc6 De8 17.Te1 is horrible forand then return the knight to f6?
him ) 16.cxd5 Cg4 17.h3 Df6 18.Ce4ANSWER: We have already seen that
Dg6 19.Cxc5 Dxc2 20.Cxc2 Txc5forcing moves such as 13...c5 or 13...
21.Cb4 1-0. ] 13.e4! [ Another goodcxb3 don't work for Black. There aren't
any useful developing moves for himembarrassing, but that is all.] 17...Da5
either. And so believing that his piecesQuite a good idea as it makes White's
a r e o n o p t i m u m s q u a r e s a l r e a d y ,bishop retreat a further square to d2.
Grischuk stands his ground, giving up18.Ad2 Da3? This, however, is a
as tempo to force back White's bishops e r i o u s m i s t a k e . [ After 18...Dc7
to e3 which is a worse square for itit's d iff icu lt to se e how Wh ite can
than f4 . The move ...Ng4 mig ht bei m p r o v e h i s p o s i t i o n . A) 19.Da4
handy for Black in the future, and so, is still met by 19...Ab5! as in the note
Giri replies by defending this squareto 17 Rab1. Then 20.Dc2 Aa6 21.Da4
with a pawn. The fact that this is theAb5 would be an odd draw by
best move White can come up with inrepetition.; B) Instead White could keep
reply to 13...Nh5 and 14...Nhf6 showsprobing with, say, 19.Ag5 (threatening
that Black hasn't really lost anything by20 e5) h6 20.Af4 Da5 21.Ad2 Dc7
giving up a tempo. 22.h4 Tfd8 23.Ah3 ( 23.-- )
15.h3 b5 Black bites the bullet and XIIIIIIIIY
defends his c4-pawn. If he 'p asses' 9-+rtr-+k+({
9zp-wqnvlpzp-'
White could force his hand with 16 9l+p+psn-zp&
Nd2. 9+-+-+-+-%
16.bxc4 bxc4 The obvious plan for 9-+pzPP+-zP$
White is to try to pick up the c4-pawn 9+-sN-+NzPL#
9P+QvL-zP-+"
at some point and leave Black with a 9+R+R+-mK-!
b r ok en q u ee n s i d e p a wn s tr u ct u re . xabcdefghy
However, it is not at all clear how this
can be d o n e wi tho u t le tt in g B la ckwhen a pawn thrust with g3-g4 might
break out with a well-timed ...c6-c5w o r k a t s o m e p o i n t .; C)
move. Another repetition is 19.Af4 Da5
17.Tab1 [ QUESTION: Isn't 17 Qa4 a20.Ad2 Dc7 , etc. ] 19.Te1!
good move to try to win the a7-pawn? Grischuk had been playing very slowly
ANSWER: Giri activates his rook asand was unfamiliar with all the subtle
17.Da4?! is rebuffed by Ab5! , whenpoints of this variation. He must have
18.Dxa7 ( 18.Cxb5 cxb5 19.Dxb5underestimated this quiet rook move
Cxe4 drops the important e4-pawn)which will bring the rook to the third
18...Ta8 19.Db7 Da5 leaves the whiterank to terrorize the black queen.
queen in trouble. As a general rule, if19...Cb6 [ After 19...Tb8 20.Te3 Da5
you play a move like 17 Qa4 and get21.e5 Black loses upon Cd5? ( but
startled by a riposte like 17...Bb5!,21...Ce8 would fight on with his pieces
don't lose your head and try to be ain a jumble) 22.Cxd5 Dxd5 23.Cg5
Hero. Nothing much has changed inwith the demise of either the black
the position if you just reply 18 Qc2k i n g o r q u e e n .] 20.Te3 Tb8?
and try again next move. It's slightly [ Black's last chance to tough it out was
with 20...Cfd7 , though the following23.Rh2 c3 Grischuk uses all his

variation is highly unpleasant for him:resources to extricate himself from
21.Cd5 ( not 21.Cb5 Da4 ) 21...Dd6immed iate disaster. 24.Txc3 Db4
( 21...cxd5 22.Txa3 Axa3 23.exd525.Txc6 Db5 Now the Russian
exd5 ) 22.Cxe7+ Dxe7 23.Ac1!Grandmaster is actually the exchange
(White's dark-squared bishop is theup for a pawn, but his pieces remain
boss; this powerful retreat introducesawkwardly placed. In particular the
ideas of both 24 Ba3 and 24 Ra3) Tfd8rook is stranded on b1 and the queen is
24.Ta3 Ab5 25.Ta5! ( even better thanin grave danger of being overloaded as
25.Txa7 ) 25...h6 26.a4 and White winsshe has to keep both the bishop on a6
two pieces for a rook with an abidingand the rook on b1 defended.
initiative. ] QUESTION: What is Black's counter
XIIIIIIIIY threat? Can White ignore it and win
9-tr-+-trk+( material at once? If not, how does he
9zp-+-vlpzpp'
9lsnp+psn-+& safeguard his position and increase the
9+-+-+-+-% pressure?
9-+pzPP+-+$ ANSWER: 26.Ce5! Black's threat was
9wq-sN-tRNzPP# 26...Bb7 when if the rook retreats, 27...
9P+QvL-zPL+"
9+R+-+-mK-![ Bxe4 causes chaos in the white camp.
xabcdefghy T h e g a me m o v e i s e x c e l l e n t a s i t
improves the coordination of the white
21.Txb6! [ White could try 21.Cd5 , asforces an d adds t he defence of the
Dd6 ( however the queen sacrificebishop on g2 to e4, so ruling out any
21...cxd5! 22.Txa3 Axa3 gives Black af u t u r e . . . N x e 4 t r i c k s . [ Instead, the
s o l i d p o s i t i o n w i t h n u m e r i c a ltactics don't work for White for the
co mp en s at i o n f o r t he q u e en a nd amo men t : t he at tempted fo rk 26.Cc3
p as s ed p awn t o get e x ci te d abo u t .leaves c6 en prise;; while 26.Txa6?
I n s t e a d , G i r i w a n t s i t t o b e a l lDxa6 27.Dxb1 Dxa4 is bad for
suffering for Black) 22.Cxb6 Txb6White. ] 26...Ta1 [ If Black now plays
23.e5 wins material.] 21...Txb6 [ After26...Ab7 then, because c6 is defended,
21...axb6 , 22.e5 is winning for WhiteWhite forces a winning simplification
as Cd7 23.Cb1! (the simplest) traps thewith 27.Cc3 Tb2 28.Cxb5 Txc2
b l a c k q u e e n .] 22.Ca429.Txc2 . ] 27.Ac3 Tf1 [ There is no
Finally uncovering an attack on theescape for the black rook after 27...Tb1
black queen. 22...Tb1+ [ Hopeless for28.Cb2 ( but not 28.Txa6? Dxa6
Black is 22...Dd6 23.e5 when he loses29.Dxb1 as Black has Dxa4 ) 28...Ta1
a knight, to say nothing of the rook29.Cbc4 intending 30 Bxa1.] 28.Cb2!
hanging on b6. With the game moveA quiet move that was very hard for
he hopes to escape after 23 Qxb1 Qxa4,Grischuk to meet in his habitual time
bu t of co urs e Giri do es n 't obli g e.]trouble. It threatens 29 Nbc4 when
Black's queen can no longer keep both10 E11

a 6 a n d f 1 d e f e n d e d . [ Note that Giri,A
28.Axf1? would be a fundamental Topalov,V
mistake as after Dxf1 Black's queen is3: Stavanger 2015
no longer tied to the defence of the
rook and the light squares around the1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 d5 4.g3
white king become shaky.] 28...Db7Ab4+ 5.Ad2 Ae7 6.Ag2 0-0 7.0-0 c6
[ Understandably Grischuk doesn't want8.Dc2 Cbd7 9.Td1 b6 10.b3
to exchange queens and remain a pawn [ W e s a w A n i s h G i r i p l a y 10.Af4
do wn a ft er 28...De2 29.Dxe2 Axe2in the game above. Here the Dutch
30.Axf1 Axf1 31.f3 , but in fact thatG r a n d m a s t e r t r i e s a d i f f e r e n t
was the only chance when the bishopapproach against Topalov.] 10...a5
p a i r a l l o w s h i m s o m e h o p e .] [ Now 10...Ab7 would be a passive
EXERCISE: How does White close ther e s p o n s e , a l l o w i n g W h i t e t o g a i n
trap on the black rook on f1? useful space with 11.Cc3 and 12 e4;
ANSWER: 29.Txa6! Dxa6 30.Cbc4t h e r e i s n o a t t a c k o n c 4 t o d e t e r
Cxe4 31.Axe4 The game is most easilyWhite's knight going to c3, as is the
d ec i d ed b y a d i re ct a ss au l t o n t h ecase when Black has played ...Ba6.;
kingside, [ whereas there would be a lotI f B l a c k i n s t e a d t r i e s 10...Aa6
m o r e w o r k f o r W h i t e t o d o a f t e r, the pawn thrust 11.a4! has the idea of
31.Axf1 Cxc3 32.Dxc3 . ] 31...Tb812 a5 to expose the bishop on a6 to
32.Axh7+ Rf8 Three minor pieces areattack.
s tr o n ger t h an t wo ro o k s , and h ereQUESTION: Has White's tempo has
White also has a decisive attack. Tobeen much better spent on 10 b3 rather
finish the game off Giri just has to getthan 10 Bf4 in this scenario?
his queen on to a square where sheA N S W E R : W e l l , i t i s t o W h i t e ' s
leads the onslaught against the blackbenefit that the c4-pawn is already
king. defended against ...Bxc4 by the b3-
33.De2!+- Tc1 Grischuk must havepawn and that the bishop is still sitting
been heartily sick of shunting his rookon d2 supporting the pawn on a5 after
along the eighth rank. th e th ru s t. A) Play might go 11...Tc8
34.Dh5 The attack on f7 is decisive.12.a5 , when Black should play c5
[ After 34.Dh5 g6 White could pick up( 12...b5? is a strategic blunder as 13.c5
t h e r o o k o n c 1 w i t h 35.Dh6+ ;blocks up the queenside and leaves
( b u t e v e n b e t t e r i s 35.Axg6!W h i t e w i t h a s u b s t a n t i a l s p a c e
threatening mate on h8. )] advantage and a grip on the dark
1-0 squares; the bishop on a6 would be
shut out of the game and any Black
counterplay with ...c6-c5 would be a
dream of the past, while White can
build up towards a well-timed e2-e4square, leaves Black actively placed

ce n t r a l a d v a n c e) 13.axb6 Dxb6with ideas of 14...f5 to gain space on
14.Da2 with a small edge to White.; B) the kingside.] 11.Ac3 Ab7 [ After
Instead, Black can try 11...c5 at once.11...Aa6 12.Cbd2 b5 (or else White
B1) Then 12.a5 remains a pressinggets an edge with 13 e4 anyway), the
move which has been used by Caruanaadvance 13.e4! is similar in style to
and others. However, it has slightlyGiri-Grischuk above. White is ready to
less power as the rook on a8 wouldgambit a pawn temporarily to leave
defend the bishop after the exchange --Black with weaklings on c6 and c4 or
13.axb6 axb6 . ( 13...-- ); B2) e4. For example, bxc4 14.bxc4 Cxe4
White can, however, utilize another15.Cxe4 dxe4 16.Ce5! with the
good point of 11 a4: it enables him toinitiative.
d e v e l o p h i s k n i g h t w i t h 12.Ca3!?Therefore Topalov settles for 11...
without the knight hanging to ...Bxa3,Bb7 and looks for counterplay with a
as the rook on a1 now defends it. Onq u i c k . ..c6 -c 5 .] QUESTION: Since
a3 the knight bolsters c4, rather thanBlack puts his bishop on b7, has 10...
leaving it hanging after Nc3. The biga5 proved irrelevant?
name game H.Nakamura-W.So, BilbaoANSWER: Not at all! Topalov's feint
2016, continued 12...Ab7 13.Db2 Dc8to play ...Ba6 means that Giri has been
(the queen heads to b7 to fortify thedissuaded from 11 Nc3 and opted for
q u e e ns i d e ) ( White is also a little better11 Bc3, so his knight will be developed
after 13...Ce4 14.Ae1 Af6 15.e3 Db8to the inferior d2-square.
16.Tac1 ) 14.Tac1 Ac6 15.dxc5 bxc512.Cbd2 Intending 13 e4 to gain space
16.cxd5 exd5 17.Ch4 (increasing theand so provoking Black's reply. 12...c5
pressure against the hanging centre13.Ce5 Giri clears away the centre
pawns) Te8 18.Cf5 Af8 19.Af4pawns, after which Black is almost
w i t h a s l i g h t e d g e t o W h i t e .;equal but not quite equal – and we
EXER C I S E : Ha vi ng r e ad t h e n o t eknow all the suffering that means for
above, can you work out the purpose ofhim in the Catalan.
this pawn move? 13...cxd4 14.Axd4 Cxe5 15.Axe5
A N S W E R : B l a c k p l a y e d 10...a5Dc8 The queen moves away from a
so that if required he can continue ...potential pin on the d-file and dissolves
Ba6 without allowing a4-a5 by White.a real pin on d5 by guarding the bishop
A) This would happen upon 11.Cc3?!on b7. 16.Tac1 dxc4 17.Axf6
, when Aa6! gives Black good play; [ White wants the e4-square for his
( 11...Ab7?! is still too passive becausequeen as after 17.Dxc4 Axg2 18.Rxg2
of 12.e4 . ); B) Al s o aft er 11.Af4( t h e l a s t c h a n c e f o r 18.Axf6! )
, the riposte 11...Aa6! is dynamic for18...Db7+ and 19...Rac8 equalizes for
Black. For example, 12.Cbd2 Ch5Black. ] 17...Axf6 18.Dxc4 Axg2
13.Ae3 and now Ad6 , guarding the e5-19.Rxg2 Db7+ 20.De4 Tfb8
E X E R C I S E : T a k e t h e c h a n c e t oattacked with Rc5 and Nc4.

examine this position and try to list theIt might seem a tiny, almost nebulous
factors that favour White. Which ofadvantage for White in the diagram
these is White's best plan? (a) Play Rc6position and, indeed, Topalov is very
to double up rooks on the c-file. (b)close to equality, but as you will see
Exchange queens and then bring thethe former world number one rated
knight into the attack with Ne4. (c) Fixplayer was unable to defend it. If you
Black's pawns on dark squares with a2-play the Catalan you have to believe in
a4 followed by exchanging queens thensmall advantages. It is a question of
Nc4. having patience and self-belief.
ANSWER: White is slightly better.21.Tc6 [ Upon 21.a4 b5 the exchange
First we notice that he has control ofof pawns eases Black's path to equality.
the c-file. Less obvious is the fact thatW h i t e w i l l b e l e f t w i t h h i s o w n
the white knight is stronger here thanvulnerable pawn on b3 after 22.axb5
the black bishop. Dxb5 , or on a4 if he allows an
Ev e r yt h i n g e l s e b e i n g e q u a l , i t i sexchange there.] 21...Dd7 An excellent
usually better to have a bishop in anriposte. [ Now 21...Dd7 22.Txb6?
endgame, but here White's pawns areis a trick to win a pawn that rebounds
solid and compact. There is nothing forafter Td8 , leaving White in a nasty pin
Black's bishop to attack as White'salong the d-file. For example, 23.Tc6
queenside pawns are safely on lightTac8 24.Txc8 Dxc8 and White has
squares. Meanwhile Black's pawns ongreat difficulty in untangling his pieces
a5 and b6 are slightly fragile. Despitefor if 25.Db1 Dd7 reinforces the pin.
the knight's superiority, Giri would beYou should always look for ways to
mo r e t h a n h a p p y t o e x c h a n g e h i ssacrifice a pawn to gain the initiative.]
knight for the bishop if in doing so he22.Tcc1 Most players hate to lose face
ties down Black's rooks to the defenceby admitting they have made a mistake
of their queenside pawns. or been ou tfoxed by the opponent.
If you put Black's pawn back on a7They press on regardless with a plan,
then it is difficult to see any advantageeven when it leads them into disaster or,
for White. If you put the pawns on a6as here, the loss of advantage. In fact
and b5 it also looks equal. However,this is one of the main ways that strong
with the pawns on a5 and b6 as in theplayers lose games. There is a proverb
g a m e , t h e b 6 - p a w n i s s l i g h t l ythat Russian authors love to quote:
vulnerable. It can be attacked in the'Once you've said A, you have to say B'.
long term with Rc6 or Nc4. If BlackIt i s t h e equ i vale nt of t he En gli s h
advances it to b5 then it remains openexpression 'In for a penny, in for a
to attack with Rc5. Then the furtherpound'. However, having said 'A' with
advance b3-b4 would leave Black with21 Rc6, Giri has the strength of mind
a w e a k p a w n o n a 5 t h a t c o u l d b enot to say 'B' with 22 Rxb6.
22...Db7 23.Dxb7 Correcting his32.Tc8+ would mate. Therefore White

i mp re ci s e 2 1s t mo v e. T h i s f i n a l l ywould be the first to attack a pawn on
confirms that in the exercise at move 20,the b-file with Rc5 which would keep
the right answer was 'b'. Though don'tthe initiative or even win the pawn.]
worry too much if you didn't choose30...axb3 31.axb3 Ae7 32.Tc7 Td8
this plan as it took Giri two goes to33.Tb7 Ad6 If Black were obliged to
find it! play ...b5-b4, the white knight could
23...Txb7 24.Ce4 A paradox. The bestretreat via b6 and c4, with the plan of
s q u a r e f o r t h e w h i t e k n i g h t i s c 4 .Na5 and Nc6, picking up the pawn.
Therefore White moves it to e4! TheAlternatively, the white king might join
point is the knight can take a scenicthe attack on the pawn, eventually
route to c4, disrupting the Black piecesreaching c4. But as things stand, attack
in the process. and defence have reached an
24...Ae7 Otherwise, White can break upequilibrium on the queenside: the b5-
Black's kingside with Nxf6+ gxf6, thenpawn can't be directly defended. On the
put his rook on c6, leaving Black will aother hand, the white rook has to stay
g l o o m y d e f e n c e . 25.Cd6 Td7guarding the knight. If the horse is
Li k e wi s e B l a c k f ac e s a mi s e ra b l emoved to b6 it blocks the attack on b4.
defence after Bxd6 Rxb6. CapablancaAnd besides, how can the knight escape
said you should make your opponentas the squares a4, c4 and d5 are all
u s e h i s r o o k s t o d e f e n d p a w n s i nguarded by Black's pawns?
e n d g a m e s . [ Likewise, Black faces aEXERCISE: It looks as if Topalov has
m i s e r a b l e d e f e n c e a f t e r 25...Axd6s e t u p a n u n b r e a k a b l e d e f e n s i v e
26.Txd6 as his rooks are tied down toformation, but he has reckoned without
the defence of his b-pawn.] 26.Cc4Gi ri 's p l an . Wha t c an W hit e d o t o
The knight arrives at c4 having cajoledimprove his position?
the black rook into moving away fromANSWER: 34.g4 It turns out that
the defence of b6. 26...Txd1 27.Txd1B l a c k ' s s e t - u p i s i m p r e g n a b l e t o
b5 28.Ce5 Af6 29.Cd7 a4Whit e's p i eces , but n ot to Whit e' s
It looks like Topalov has made a lot ofpawns. Club players are often in too
progress. There isn't much to fear inmuch of a hurry. In looking for ways to
the end game aft er 3 0 Nxf6 + gx f 6 :land blows with their pieces, they miss
Black would exchange with ...a4xb3t h e c h a n c e t o w e a r d o w n t h e i r
and then after a2xb3 attack b3 with ...opponent slowly with their pawns. And
Ra3 b ef o re Whit e can o rganiz e anyet how often do you see a strategy
attack on the b5-pawn with Rd7 andthat doesn't require the use of pawns at
Rb7. some point?
30.Tc1 A simple but vital move.Giri plans to push his kingside pawns
[ Now after 30.Tc1 axb3 31.axb3forward with moves like e2-e3, f2-f4,
Black can't attack b3 with Ta3 ash2-h4-h5 and g4-g5, etc. The pawns can
be s uppo rted b y th e k i n g. If h o l es38.Txb4 Rh6 is just equal.] 37...Td5

appear in the black kingside structure,If Black could jettison the b5-pawn,
such as if h5-h6 eliminates or displacesbut keep his pawns on e6, f7 and g7
the g7-pawn, then the white knight canintact he would have drawing chances.
escap e via f6, wh en b 5 drops or i s [ Alas for him he has no good way to
forced to advance to b4, after which itdefend the f7-pawn, as 37...f6 38.Cc6
becomes a prey to the white knight andc o s t s a p i e c e .] 38.Cxf7 Txh5
ro ok. Altern ativ e ly, on ce h e has aBlack now has three isolated pawns
pawn on f4 and his king on e4, Whitea n d h i s r o o k i s t i e d d o w n t o t h e
has the option of Ne5, again rescuingd e f e n c e o f b 5 . [ Nonetheless he might
his knight and leaving the b5-pawn inemerge with the better game if he is
grave danger. given the chance to consolidate his
34...h5 It is very unpleasant to just sitp a s s e d p a w n w i t h 38...Ac3!
and wait for White's attack. Thereforeand 39...b4, when his rook is freed
Topalov lashes out. With th e gamefrom defensive duty.] EXERCISE: Still
move he wants to reduce the pawn fronton the theme of pawns, how can White
on the kingside – everything else beingenergize his knight?
equal this will increase his drawingANSWER: 39.f4 Giri makes brilliant
chances. He also clears the h7-squareuse of his limited material resources.
for his king. With this new pawn thrust he creates a
35.gxh5 Black probably underestimatednew base for the knight on e5 or on g5
t h i s c a p t u r e . 35...Rh7 If nothingfrom where it attacks e6 and cuts off
happens Black will play ...Kh6 and ...the rook on h5 from the defence of b5.
f7-f5, and then ...Kxh5 (he plays ...f7-39...Rg6 40.Ce5+ Rh7 [ White wins
f5 so that Rxb5+ doesn't come withupon 40...Rf5 41.Txb5 Rxf4 42.Cd3+
check). Black would then have a good. ] 41.Cf7 Rg6 42.Ce5+ Rh7 43.Cf3
game. White therefore needs a way toWhite is not satisfied with 43.Rxb5 Bd2
get his knight from d7 so that Rxb5[ Giri isn't satisfied with 43.Txb5 Ad2
becomes possible. when he can't hold on to his f4-pawn
36.b4! A brilliant move. It looks totallywithout giving up h2. Therefore he
counterintuitive to put a pawn on aretreats his knight to f3 to defend h2.]
dark square. The po in t is White i s43...Tf5 This leads to the loss of the e-
creating an escape square on c5 for hispawn when it is hopeless for Black,
knight. [ but after 43...Rg6 44.Rg3
36...Axb4 [ After 36...Rh6 37.Cc5White edges forwards leaving Black
Axc5 38.bxc5 it's hopeless for Black aswith a horrendous defence: for example,
b5 and f7 are both hanging.] 37.Ce5Ac3 45.Rg4 b4 46.Tb6 Td5 47.Cg5
Now the threat of 38 Nc6 with a lethalAf6 48.Cxe6 and again the e-pawn has
fork obliges Black to give up his f7-dropped. ] 44.Cg5+ Rh6 45.Rf3 Ad2
pawn. [ Instead 37.Txb5 Txd7 [ Alternatively, 45...e5 46.Cf7+ Rh7
47.Cxe5 . ] 46.e3 b4 47.Cxe6 Th5began with the sequence 1...Cf6 2.c4

48.Cxg7 Txh2 With a little care thee6 3.g3 d5 4.Ag2 Ab4+ 5.Ad2 Ae7
connected passed pawns will decide6.Cf3 0-0 , etc. ] 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6
the day for White. 4.g3 Ab4+ QUESTION: If I adopt the
49.Cf5+ Rg6 50.Ce7+ Rf6 51.Cd5+Catalan move order as Black intending
Re6 52.Re4 [ But not 52.Cxb4 Th3+to reach a Dutch set-up, should I begin
when Black wins the e-pawn.] 52...Th3with ...Bb4+ to make White go Bd2, or
53.Tb6+ Rd7 54.Rd3 Ac1 55.Txb4play ...Be7 straightaway?
Rd6 56.Rd4 . A hard positionalANSWER: Well, in the main game Li
struggle in which Giri showed how toCh ao mak es Whit e' s pos i tion look
carry a small opening advantage overgood answering ...Bb4+ with Bd2 and
into the endgame. then after the retreat ...Be7 playing Bf4.
1-0 So there's no real difference here: the
white bishop could have gone straight
from c1 to f 4, or via d2, while the
11 E01black bishop on e7 could have gone
Li Chao straight from f8 or via b4. The only
Fressinet,L difference shows up in the number of
4: Huai'an (rapid) 2016moves.
Overall I would say don't play 4...Bb4+.
1.d4 [ As usual in the Catalan,White probably won't gain anything
transpositions are rife. For example,from having his bishop on d2 rather
the Botvinnik game in the notes to 11than c1, but there's no reason to give
Be3 began life 1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Ag2him ex tra possibilities. [ A sequence
Cf6 4.Cf3 Ae7 5.0-0 0-0 6.d4 Cbd7with independent value involves Black
7.Dc2 c6 8.Af4 Ce4 9.Cc3 g5deferring castling kingside to enhance
10.Ac1 f5 ;; while the game Li Chao-his kingside attacking chances. The
Bellin in the notes to 10...g5 started asimaginative attacking player Richard
a Dutch with 1.d4 f5 2.g3 Cf6 3.Ag2Rapport has essayed 4...Ae7 5.Ag2
e6 4.Cf3 Ae7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d5Ce4 6.0-0 f5 7.Cc3 c6 . A) If now
7.Cc3 c6 8.Dc2 Ce4 9.Af4 Cd78.Dc2 , I assume that Rapport's idea is
10.Tad1 g5 11.Ac1 , etc. Notice insomething like Cd7 9.Af4 g5 10.Ae3
both cases there were no ...Bb4+ andh5 11.Dc1 Tg8 with a scary-looking
Bd2 moves thrown in, as occur belowa s s a u l t b r e w i n g o n t h e k i n g s i d e .
with 4...Bb4+ and 5 Bd2. Therefore( 11...-- ); B) Instead, the more active
the move numbers in the Botvinnik8.Ce5 Cd7 9.Cxd7 Axd7 10.Cxe4
and Bellin games are one behind thosefxe4 11.Af4 removes any danger of a
i n t h e m a i n g a m e .] 1...d5black pawn storm. After 0-0 12.e3
[ I have 'tidied up' the move order forWhite had a slight edge in A.Ipatov-R.
the sake of clarity. This game reallyRapport, German League 2015. Notably
his bishop is active on f4 outside hisWhite compared to 11 Bc1 in the next

pawn chain and he is ready to open thenote, as he has got his rook from a1 to
f-file with f2-f3. And again we seed1 before retreating his bishop (though
t h a t Wh i t e p l a y s B f 4 . T h e b i s h o p12 Be3 also has its fans, for example
could have come directly from c1 orEljanov). Here's a drastic example of
via d2 after the ...Bb4+ move order]W h i t e ' s a t t a c k i n g c h a n c e s : Cd6
5.Ad2 Ae7 6.Ag2 0-0 7.0-0 Cbd713.cxd5 cxd5 14.Ce5 Cb6
8.Dc2 Ce4 Rather than play solidly ( m a y b e B l a c k s h o u l d t r y 14...Cf7
w i t h 8 . . . c 6 B l a c k d e c i d e s o n aso the knight helps out the vulnerable
S t o n e w a l l D u t c h a p p r o a c h . 9.Af4kingside ) 15.g4! (a strong pawn stab;
[ White avoids the exchange of hisBlack already looks in trouble) Ce4
bishop for the knight as would occur16.Cxe4 fxe4 17.f3 (the standard
after, say, 9.Cc3 when Cxd2 10.Cxd2move to open lines) exf3 18.exf3 Cd7
( instead he threatens to win a pawn19.Cg6! (a neat tactical blow; if Black
with 10.cxd5 ) 10...c6 isn't much forr e f u s e s t h e k n i g h t h i s a l r e a d y
White. ] 9...c6 [ QUESTION: Whatcrumbling defences will be deprived of
h a p p e n s i f 9...g5 to drive away thethe vital dark-squared bishop with 20
bishop? Nxe7+) hxg6 20.Dxg6+ Rh8 21.f4
AN S WER : T h e b i s h o p is n 't g o i n g(intending to mate with 22 Rf3 and 23
anywhere after 9...g5? – 10.cxd5!Rh3+) De8 22.Dh6+ Rg8 23.f5 Tf6
threatens 11 Bxc7, when gxf4 11.Dxe424.Dxg5+ 1-0, Li Chao-R.Bellin,
leaves the black kingside fractured.]Gibraltar 2016 (if Rh8 ( or 24...Rf8
10.Cc3 g5!? Here, however, this move25.fxe6 quickly massacre the black
is tactically watertight. The first thingking ) 25.Tf3 ] With the text, Black
to note is that 11 Nxe4?? now loses aavoids 10...f5 as he wants to use the f5-
p i e c e a f t e r 1 1 . . . d x e 4 . [ Instead,sq uare f or o ne of his pieces in the
s u p p o r t i n g e 4 w i t h 10...Cdf6?!event of White replying with 11 Be3.
does nothing to vitalize Black's gameEXERCISE: Can you guess which one,
and gives White a pleasant advantageand what the idea is behind putting it
after 11.Ce5 .; The colourless exchangeon that square?
10...Cxc3?! 11.Dxc3 also leaves Black11.Ae3 An active retreat. [ It is possible
passive. Therefore he has a choice oft o h a v e s o me s y mp a t h y f o r 11.Ac1
pawn moves: he can either defend e4, even though it would shut in the rook
or attack f4. The game move has beenon a1. A 1963 world championship
used by two world champions (seemat ch game betwe en Petrosi an and
below), but Li Chao casts the wholeBotvinnik then continued f5 12.b3
line in a rather dubious light for Black., a n d h e r e Cd6 has been suggested
; Li Chao has also crushed Black's other ( the actual game went 12...Af6 13.Ab2
move after 10...f5 11.Tad1 g5 12.Ac1, when De7 followed by 14...Qg7
. This is at least a moral victory form i g h t h a v e b e e n b e s t ; B o t v i n n i k
settled fo r 1 3...Bg7 with th e game14.Ce5 . ] 14.h4! White will break open

drawn after mutual errors) , answeringth e h-fi le i n order to s tart a direct
13.Ce5 with Cxe5 14.dxe5 Cf7attack against the black king. 14...Cf5
, which solidifies the black kingside. [ Black plays to eliminate the bishop on
By the way, if you look up this gamee3 as 14...gxh4 15.Axh6 , with 16 Qf4
you'll find that the move numbers arelooming, is clearly unacceptable for
one behind those in the present game,him. ] 15.hxg5 Cxe3 Completing the
as Botvinnik didn't indulge in any ofplan begun with 11...Nd6, but White
the 'nonsense' with ...Bb4+ and ...Be7,has the better chances.
b u t r a t h e r p u t h i s b i s h o p o n e 716.Dxe3 Another good feature of 12
straightaway, and Petrosian's bishopcxd5 cxd5 13 Qc1, compared to 12 b3
went express from c1 to f4 with noin the Eljanov game mentioned above,
s t o p p i n g o f f o n d 2 .] 11...Cd6is that White is able to keep his pawn
[ ANSWER: As White has chosen thestructure tidy and centralize his queen
e 3 - s q u a r e f o r h i s b i s h o p , B l a c kon e3. Here she is unassailable and can
renounces 11...f5 . Instead he plans tosupport an attack on the kingside.
reroute his knight to f5 and snaffle16...hxg5 17.Ah3 Step by step White's
W h i t e ' s d a r k - s q u a r e d b i s h o p . H ep l a n u n f o l d s o n t h e k i n g s i d e : a l l
ho p es th at the b i sh op pai r a n d th ebarriers are removed to get a rook to h1.
res u l ti ng d amage t o Wh i te 's p awn17...Rg7 18.Rg2 Cb6 19.b3
s t r uc t u r e w i l l g i v e h i m s u f f i c i e n tA quiet move to stop Nc4.
co u nt erpl ay.] 12.cxd5 [ When thisQUESTION: Does this slow White's
position was reached in P.Eljanov-M.build-up?
Carlsen, Wijk aan Zee 2016, WhiteANSWER: Maybe, but he is pleased to
d a w d l e d w i t h 12.b3 , which let thesee the black knight head away from
world champion complicate mattersthe kingside.
with Cf5 13.g4 Cxe3 14.fxe3 b5!19...Th8 20.Th1 White finally gets his
. Li Chao chooses a more direct plan.]rook to the open file. He is intending
12...cxd5 13.Dc1! A sly retreat of the21 Bg4, followed by wresting the h-file
queen. When he was world championfrom Black with Rxh8 and then Rh1.
Karpov could dominate his opponents20...f5 This looks like a strong move as
by making little queen moves on thea fork with 21...g4 is on the cards, and
first rank, and it seems some of theWhite's bishop would be blocked in on
ma gi c ha s ru bb ed o f f o n L i C ha o .h3 afte r 21 g4 f4. Instead Li Chao
Rather than an attacking weapon, theoffered a piece.
pawn on g5 is exposed as a liability. 21.Ce5! I don't imagine the Chinese
13...h6 [ N o t e t h a t a f t e r 13...f6Grandmaster calculated this sacrifice
B l a c k h a s c o mp r o mi s e d h i s p a w ntoo much, though he had to plan it a
structure in the centre;; while the pawnl o n g w a y i n a d v a n c e o r e l s e h i s
o n g 4 i s o u t on a l i mb af t e r 13...g4strategy would have failed. 21...Af6
[ After 21...g4 22.Axg4 fxg4king – see move 27. ] 26.Dd3 Rf8

an exchange of rooks on h8 and then27.fxg5 Ag7 28.Dg6 With the threat of
Rh1 will leave White with a rook, his29 Rf1+ when 29...Kg8 allows mate in
queen and the knight on e5 all aimed atone, while 29...Ke7 drops g7.
the wide open black king, who only28...Axd4 29.Th7 De8 30.Dh6+ Rg8
has the black queen to help defend him.31.g6! White doesn't have to worry
In deed, my comp uter tell s me th atabout his hanging knight. His queen,
23.Dd3! is then mate in eight moves,r o o k , b i s h o p a n d t h e p a w n o n g 6
though a h uman doesn't need to bec o mb i n e t h e i r p o w e r s a g a i n s t t h e
that precise.] 22.f4 Axe5 [ Againdefenceless black king.
22...g4 23.Axg4 is bad for Black.;31...Axc3 32.g7 [ After 32.g7
No w Fressinet hopes to escape the, one threat is -- 33.Ag6 , cutting off
worse after 22...Axe5 23.Dxe5+ Df6the black king's escape to f7, followed
, offering the exchange of queens andby 34 Rh8 mate. If Black responded
maintaining the threat of 24...g4, butwith Dxg6 , t h e n a f t e r 34.Dxg6
Black was in for a surprise.] 23.Axf5!he would be mated all the same on h8. ]
Rather than recapture a piece, White1-0
sacrifices one to clear the h-file.
23...Txh1 [ Black loses at once after
23...exf5 24.Dxe5+ as h8 will drop12 E06
a f t e r , s a y , Df6 25.Dxf6+ Rxf6 Tomashevsky,E
26.Txh8 . ] 24.Txh1 Af6 25.Ab1! Jakovenko,D
The bishop retreats a long way back as5: Yaroslavl (rapid) 2014
White wants to set up a battery with the
q u e e n i n f ro n t a l o n g th e d i ag o n a l1.d4 d5 [ The game R.Phillips-A.
aiming at g6 and h7. Kovalyov, Tromsø Olympiad 2014,
25...Ad7? [ My computer programreached the position after 17...a5 below
suggests 25...g4 and claims White hasvia 1...Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Cf3
n o mo r e t h a n e q u a l c h a n c e s a f t e rAe7 5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 c6 7.Cbd2 b6
26.Th7+ Rf8 27.Dd3 Ag78.Dc2 Ab7 9.e4 Ca6 10.e5 Cd7
. I doubt any human would be able to11.cxd5 Cb4 12.Db3 Cxd5 13.Ce4
defend with the necessary precisionh6 14.Ad2 c5 15.dxc5 Cxc5 16.Cxc5
against such a rampant assault. On theAxc5 17.Da4 De7 18.a3 a5 . ] 2.c4 e6
other hand, the computer is indicating3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3 Ae7 5.Ag2 0-0
a valuable general principle: when6.Cbd2 At first sight 6 Nbd2 seems a
attacking you need to utilize all youruseful and logical move. It develops
resources, including pawns. And withand defends the pawn on c4 in a way
25...g 4! Black is preven ting Whitethat seems as efficient as 6 Qc2. Indeed,
from gaining a pawn on g5 which willit can be combined with Qc2 to gain
be a dagger in the heart of the blacks p a c e i n t h e c e n t r e w i t h e 2 - e 4 .
[ A l s o w o r t h a t h o u g h t i s 6.Af4!?might also ask the opinion of the other

. It is very rare, with only eight gamespieces. What does the bishop on c1
in my d atab as e, b u t t h e pl ayers o ft h i n k a b o u t b e i n g s h u t i n b y t h e
White in these games include Eljanov,knight? Is the rook on a1 grumbling
Adams, Tkachiev (twice), and Illincic.that it will take even longer to see
This is how Karjakin responded asdaylight? Is the white queen pleased
B l a c k a g ai n s t E l j a n o v a t M o s c o wabout having her view of the d4-square
2010: dxc4 7.Dc2 c6 8.Dxc4 b5blocked? Not much, probably.
9.Dc2 Ab7 10.0-0 Cbd7 11.Cc3 Tc86...b6! In defence of 6 Nbd2, it might
12.Ce5 Cxe5 13.Axe5 ( more fightingbe said that if Black only knows the 6
was 13.dxe5 Cd5 14.Ce4 c5 15.Tfd1Qc2 dxc4 lines, or is making up the
c4 16.Cc3 Ac5 17.Cxd5 exd5 18.a4opening as he goes along, he is likely
a6 19.axb5 axb5 20.e3 with a double-to be taken aback by the quiet knight
edged position) 13...Db6 14.Db3 Tfd8move. [ Not liking the look of 6...dxc4
by when Black had equalized and was7.Cxc4 , when the horse looks strong in
s o o n s t r i v i n g f o r t h e i n i t i a t i v e .]t h e c e n t r e; Black might stumble into
EXERCISE: Can you see the potential6...c6 , after which 7.0-0 Cbd7 8.Dc2
drawbacks to the knight move whichb6 (too late) 9.e4 Ab7 (taking on e4
mean it is far less popular than 6 Qc2activates White's knight and leaves him
as a way to defend c4? w i t h a p e r s i s t e n t e d g e ) 10.e5
A N S W E R : I r e c a l l N i m z o w i t s c hgives White a nice space advantage in
describing White's Nbd2 move in athe centre.; Also ill advised for Black is
similar situation as 'decentralizing'.taking play into a Tarrasch style centre
This seems paradoxical as the knightwith 6...c5 7.cxd5 exd5 8.dxc5 Axc5
on d2 is definitely centralized, right?9.0-0 Cc6 , a s a f t e r 10.Cb3
And yet it's easy to see what the great, the white knight is good on b3 where
Dan is h mas ter was get tin g at. Th eit fights for the key centre post on d4.
w h i t e k n i g h t s i t s o n d 2 w i t h aI n s t e a d , J a k o v e n k o s h o w s B l a c k
circumscribed view of the world as itdoesn't need to spend a move on ...c7-
has access to neither of the centralc6. It is better to activate the bishop
sq uares c4 or e4. Its en emy in thison b7 straightaway. With the white
respect is the pawn on d5: if that can beknight on d2 rather than c3, White is
removed then the white knight willunable to put pressure on the d5 point.]
have increased scope, but even then it7.0-0? I don't like this move as it gives
will probably be doing less work thanBlack the chance to recapture on d5
on the post on c3 it spurned. We mightwi t h h i s b i s h op – s e e mo v e ei gh t .
say that Nbd2 decentralized the knight [ After 7.cxd5 it's best to maintain the
as it denied it the influence over the d5-p a w n b a s t i o n o n d 5 w i t h exd5
square it would have gained with Nc3. . Black should then head for a set-up
And as David Bronstein suggested, weinvolving ...c7-c5. He ends up with
h a n g i n g p a w n s i n t h e c e n t r e , b u t10.b3 an d 11 Bb2) 10...c5 11.dxc5

White's assault against them would bebxc5 12.Cb3 ( it was still better just to
less potent than in normal lines as hedevelop with 12.b3 ; the attack on c5
lacks the usual recipe of Nc3 and Bg5a c h i e v e s n o t h i n g) 12...Ca6!
to put pressure on d5. (vindicating Black's decision to delay
Nonetheless some strong players havethe development of the knight) 13.Ad2
played in this fashion as White, mostCb4 14.Df5 (a positionally unjustified
n o t a b l y K o r c h n o i i n a w o r l dat temp t t o at ta ck l ea ves t he wh it e
championship match with Karpov. Thispieces hop eless ly dis organized) g6
game went 8.0-0 Jakovenko avoids the15.Dh3 Dc7 16.Cg4 h5 17.Ch6+ Rg7
potential hanging pawns after 8...Ab70-1. There is the threat of 18...Bc8 19
and keeps his bishop active. The onlyQh4 Ng4, uncovering an attack on the
cause for concern is that White canwhite queen which leads to the loss of
quickly advance his e-pawn to e5. Butthe trapped white knight. White might
as we shall see, Black not only hashave played on with the piece sacrifice
enough activity to prevent White from18.Cf5+ gxf5 19.Dxf5 , but Black
building up a kingside attack, but cancould beat off the attack after Th8 .
also try for the initiative himself. 9.Ce5Despite this setback for White, if you
( a mo re modest approach with 9.b3like playing against hanging pawns
and 10 Bb2 was also possible) A) y o u c o u l d g i v e t h i s l i n e a g o . I
9...Cbd7 10.Cdf3 c5 11.b3 a5suspect your opponents are unlikely
(increasing his space advantage on theto defend as well as Karpov, or be as
queenside and introducing the idea of ...knowledgeable as Bologan.] 7...Ab7
a5-a4 at so me point to ram the b3 -8.cxd5 [ After the alternative 8.b3
pawn) 12.Ab2 Ce4 13.Tc1 Te8Cbd7 9.Ab2 c5 10.Tc1 Tc8 11.cxd5
14.Cxd7 Dxd7 15.Ce5 De6a d r a w w a s a g r e e d i n C . B a u e r - T .
(th e b l ac k q uee n h as f o u n d a p os tGharamian, Maastricht 2016, before
controlling many centre squares), andBlack had the chance to decide how
i n V . K o r c h n o i - A . K a r p o v , 1 9 t hto recapture on d5. If you've read the
matchgame, Baguio City 1978, Blacknote above you'll know what I think!]
was solidly entrenched in the centre8...Axd5! Here and in the Bauer game
though White could probe the hangingmentioned above, the bishop recapture
pawns. ( 15...-- ); B) In a later game thel o o k s t o t a l l y c o r r e c t . [ Jakovenko
Catalan expert Bologan answered 9avoids the potential hanging pawns
N e 5 w i t h t h e i m m e d i a t e 9...a5after 8...exd5 and keeps his bishop
, keeping the option of employing theactive. The only cause for concern is
knight on b8 on a more active squarethat White can quickly advance his e-
than d7. Th e game I.Niko laidis-V.p a w n t o e 5 . B u t a s w e s h a l l s e e ,
Bologan, Panormo 2001, was disastrousBlack not only has enough activity to
for White: 10.Dc2 ( more sensible wasp r e v en t Wh i t e f r o m b u i l d i n g u p a
kingside attack, but can also try forremoved his own rook from f8 with
the initiative himself.] 9.Dc2 Cbd7Rfd8. Play continued: f5! 19.Ch4
10.e4 Ab7 Black has all his minor(now Black gets a rampaging f-pawn)
pieces in play and can't be prevented ( but after 19.exf6 Txf6 , Black can
from breaking out with ...c7-c5. Thedouble rooks along the f-file when f2
crux of the matter is whether White canwill be fatally weak) 19...f4! 20.Cg6?!
land a blow on the kingside. Axf2+! (it's not surprising Black has a
11.e5 Cd5 The black knight is verycombination when White is so flimsy
pleased with this central post fromon the f-file) 21.Rh1 ( upon 21.Rxf2
which he can never be evicted by aDc5+ 22.Re2 f3+! 23.Axf3 Txf3
pa wn , th o u g h h e mig ht h av e s o meis crushing as 24.Rxf3 drops the queen
misgivings about leaving his defensiveto Cc3+ 25.Rg4 Cxa4 ) 21...Df7
role on f6. 22.Cxf8 f3! (the second wave of the
12.Ce4 EXERCISE: What is the besta t t a c k b a s e d o n t h e p o w e r o f t h e
w a y t o d e f u s e W h i t e ' s k i n g s i d ebi s hop o n b 7) 23.Ah3 (White might
initiative? have thought the threat of 25 Bxe6
ANSWER: 12...h6! A key preventivewould slow Black down, but...) Axe1!
move in this type of pawn centre. It24.Axe1 ( after 24.Axe6 f2 25.Axf7+
takes away g5 from the white minorRxf8 , Black threatens to queen with
pieces, after which they can no longerma t e o r mo v e t h e k n i g h t f r o m d 5
launch threats against the black king. giving mate in two more moves – White
13.Ad2 c5 Jakovenko achieves hisis helpless: for instance, 26.Txe1 Ce3+
freeing move. The opening has endedand mate will follow) 24...f2 25.Axf2
in fiasco for White. 14.dxc5 Cxc5Cf4+ 26.Ag2 Cxg2 ( good enough, but
15.Cxc5 Axc5 Now Tomashevsky has26...Axg2+ 27.Rg1 Db7! is forced
to tread carefully as all his opponent'smat e after 28.Dxf4 (or else the knight
minor pieces are on excellent squares. mates on e2 or h3) Ah3 , when White
16.Da4 De7 17.a3 a5 18.Tac1can only give up his queen to stave
[ Here is a spectacular example of whatoff mate on g2 for a move) 27.Rg1
happens if White fails to respect theTxf8 28.Axb6 Ce3 29.Axe3 Df3
latent power of Black's well centralized0-1. Splendidly dynamic play from
pieces. By a transposition (which alsoKovalyov. ] 18...Tad8 19.Dc4
increased the move number), the gameNo longer fearing a ...Ba6 riposte after
R.Phillips-A.Kovalyov, Tromsø Bl ack 's last move the whit e queen
Olympiad 2014, also reached the gamereturns to e2 where she solidifies the
position. Then White diverged withwhite centre. 19...Tc8 20.De2 Tfd8
18.Tfe1? , clearly underestimating the21.Ch4? Deciding to probe the
danger as he removes a defender fromkingside to persuade his opponent into
the f2-square. If he wanted to play thisweakening his pawn structure. As we
he should at least wait until Black hasshall see White is playing with fire.
[ Instead he should strengthen hisd5 4.d4 Ae7 5.Ag2 0-0 6.Dc2 . ]

c e n t r e s t a n d i n g w i t h 21.Tfd1 . ]1...d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3 Ae7
21...De8 22.Dg4?! f5! 23.exf6 Cxf65.Ag2 0-0 6.Dc2 Quite a popular
Now the white queen and bishop on d2mo v e . W h i t e d e f e n d s c 4 a t o n c e ;
are both hanging. [ and avoids the Catalan Mainline with
24.De2 Back again, with Black's6.0-0 dxc4 7.Dc2 . ] 6...c5 Played in
kingside undermined. the style of the Queen's Gambit
EXERCISE: Can you see the strongTarras ch Def en ce . Th i s a mbi t i ou s
reply that Jakovenko had prepared? thrust is justified as White has
ANSWER: 24...Aa6! The impossibleweakened his support of d4 and slowed
move happen s (see the comment todown his development by putting his
mo ve 19). Black gets a rook to thequeen on c2. [ Instead, the solid 6...c6
seventh rank. 7.0-0 b6 would transpose to the
25.Dxa6 Txd2 26.Rh1 The kingNaiditsch-Kopylov game above with a
retires as Black had tactics against thesmall plus to White.; Alternatively
f2-pawn: either 26...Bxf2+! or 26...Black can capture on c4. Then 6...dxc4
Rxf2! when in either case the rook on7.Dxc4 a6 8.Af4!? has independent
c1 would drop if White captured on f2. value as it doesn't transpose back to the
26...Tcd8 [ If 26...Axf2?? 27.Txc8Catalan Mainline ( as would 8.0-0 b5
wins. ( White also threatened 27.b4 . );9.Dc2 ) . White seems to have a good
However, 26...Txb2! would have dealtgame thanks to the immediate pressure
with this, leaving Black a pawn up.]on c7. For example, 8...Ad6 ( after
27.b4 axb4 28.axb4 Axf2 29.Cf38...Cd5 9.Cc3 White isn't afraid of the
Tb2 30.Da1 Te2 31.Da6 Tb2exchange Cxf4 10.gxf4 as it increases
[ These moves were evidently played inhis grip on the central squares) 9.Ce5
time pressure, as 31...b5 would avoid, when b5?! ( 9...Cd5 10.Cc3
the repetition and leave Black withkeeps up the pressure) 10.Dc2 Cd5
good winning chances.] 32.Da1 Te211.Cc3 Ab7 12.Cxd5 Axd5 13.e4
33.Da6 . White had a lucky escape inAb4+ 14.Re2 Ab7 15.Thd1
this game. was a clear edge to White due to his
½-½ strong centre in N.Grandelius-V.Plotkin,
Gibraltar 2016.] 7.0-0 A sensible
d e v e l o p i n g m o v e . [ Black has good
13 E06chances to equalize after 7.cxd5 cxd4!
So,W 8.Cxd4 Cxd5 9.0-0 Cb4 (not giving
Wojtaszek,R White time to develop a stable Catalan
6: Wijk aan Zee 2017edge; now there is an awkward double
attack on the white queen and knight
1.d4 [ Note that the real move order inon d4) 10.Dc3 ( instead, 10.Dd1
the game was 1.c4 Cf6 2.Cf3 e6 3.g3would be playing with fire for White
after e5 because of a potential ...Nc2a g a i n s t b 7 i n I . K h a i r u l l i n - R .

move by Black to trap the rook on a1)Faizrakhmanov, Sochi 2016.; D) 8...e5
10...e5 with active play.; Instead, after(seizing space in the style of the main
7.dxc5 , A) 7...Da5+ is the mostgame) 9.Cf5 d4 10.Cxe7+ Dxe7
common reply for Black. He has good11.b4 gains space on the queenside.
equalizing chances after 8.Cc3 dxc4After Ae6 ( 11...Dxb4? loses the
9.0-0 Dxc5 ( or 9...Cc6!? ) – all ninee x c h a n g e t o 12.Aa3 ) 12.Cd2 Tc8
games in my database end in a draw ( here 12...Dxb4? is still bad as after
after this move. Play might go 10.Ae313.Tb1 the b7 point falls) 13.Dd3 Cc6
Dh5 11.Ag5 Cc6 12.Axf6 Axf614.a3!? , as in Li Chao-I.Saeed, Doha
13.Ce4 Dg6 14.Tfd1 and now Ae72016, White has the two bishops and
15.Dxc4 e5 looks about equal.; B) queenside pressure, but Black has a
Alternatively, the centre push 7...d4n i c e c e n t r e .] 8.dxc5 d4
leads us back into our main game afterBlack establishes a big pawn centre.
8.0-0 ( if 8.b4 a5 undermines the b4-This is a source of dynamism if the
pawn ) 8...Cc6 9.a3 . ] 7...Cc6 [ Oradvanced pawns remain strong as his
7...cxd4 8.Cxd4 . Here is a quick roundp i e c e s h a v e a l o t o f s q u a r e s t o
u p o f t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s : A) 8...Cc6manoeuvre behind them. On the other
9.Cxc6 bxc6 10.Td1 Aa6 11.b3h a n d , it b ec o mes a l i a b il i t y i f t he
looks like a tiny edge for White duepawns or the pieces supporting them
t o t he s l ig h t l y f rag i l e b l a ck p a wnare successfully undermined.
structure.; B) With 8...Db6 Black plays9.a3 a5! The standard response in this
to avoids the pawn weakness on c6 thattype of position is to restrain the pawns
we saw in variatio n 'a'. After 9.Td1from advancing. [ The black pieces are
Cc6 10.Cxc6 Dxc6 11.Ag5!? ( heredisrupted from their job of defending
11.a4!? is an interesting move,d4 after 9...Axc5? 10.b4 Ab6 11.b5
planning b3 and Ba3) 11...h6 12.Axf6Ca5 12.Af4 intending 13 c5 which
Axf6 13.Ca3 Ad7 14.Tab1 Tac8looks disastrous for Black.] 10.Td1
15.Dd3 Tfd8 16.cxd5 Da4 17.Td2 b5Preparing his next move by pinning the
objectively speaking Black has enoughd4-pawn. 10...e5 11.Cc3 The most
for pawn, but Anand couldn't defendactive development for the knight.
it versus Nakamura at London 2015 and11...Axc5 12.Cd5! The knight intrudes
I'd rather have White.; C) 8...Ca6into Black's half of the board.
9.Ad2!? prepares to fight against aEXERCISE: Can you see the trap that
knight invasion on b4. Then Ad7 ( orSo has prepared if Black plays the
9...e5 10.Cf5 d4 11.Cxe7+ Dxe7natural 12...a4, for example?
12.e3 with an u nbalan ced game)12...h6 [ Abysmal for Black is
10.cxd5 Cxd5 11.Cc3 Cab4 12.Db312...Cxd5?? 13.cxd5 Dxd5
looked about equal, but White went on(or else Black must give up a piece on
to develop typical Catalan pressurec5 or c6) 14.Cg5 and the mate threat
forces e4 , when 15.Cxe4 wins a piecerandom heap into a juggernaut which

due to the double threat of 16 Nxc5has the mobility to create a passed pawn.
and 16 Nf6+, uncovering an attack onOf course, Black is being granted an
the queen.; ANSWER: The game movei mm e d i a t e p a s s e d p a w n , b u t i t i s
not only prevents a pin with 13 Bg5,i s o l a t e d a n d s i c k l y c o m p a r e d t o
b u t a ls o s id e -s t ep s t h e li n e 12...a4?White's compact mass of pawns.
13.Cg5! , threatening to take on f6 then18...De7 19.Db2! The queen vacates
mate on h7. Black loses the exchangethe d 2-square for the knight. From
after g6 14.Cxf6+ Dxf6 15.Ce4 De7there th e ho rse will def end c4 and
( or 15...Df5 16.g4! winning a piece)given the chance will take part in more
16.Ah6! Te8 ( if 16...Td8 17.Ag5 )aggressive ventures on the queenside
17.Ag5 a n d 1 8 N f 6 + .] 13.Ad2or possibly in the centre with Ne4 and
A modest move, but with big dreams ofNd 6. At th e s ame ti me moving the
gaining a lot of space on the queensideknight to d2 will open the diagonal for
with 14 b4. 13...a4 Black stops the 14the bishop on g2. 19...Ag4 Played to
b4 advance, but White can reenergizedeter the plan of Nd2 as e2 will drop.
his queenside play. So finds a simple solution.
14.Ab4! Cxb4 [ If Black could safely20.Te1! Defending e2 to make his
play 14...b6 he would keep his bind onknight mobile again. 20...Tfd8 21.Cd2
the queenside. Alas for him (though itAe6 22.b5 Having rearranged the
wasn't fate, but probably part of hispieces to his satisfaction, White now
opponent's opening preparation), Whitepushes forward on the queenside. It
t h e n h a s t h e c o m b i n a t i o n 15.Axc5took a lot of calculation and judgement
bxc5 16.Cxe5! Cxe5 17.Cxf6+ Dxf6to confirm that he isn't over extending
18.Axa8 , w i n n i n g m a t e r i a l .;his position as the c5-pawn becomes a
Nevertheless, 14...Ad6 looks a bettertarget.
response, not giving White the chance22...Cb8 23.Db4 Guarding c5 and
to activate his qu eenside pawns o rattacking a4, but it takes self-belief to
attack the a4-pawn. In that case Whitewal k i n to a pin . No w o ne i de a f o r
might switch to playing in the centreWhite is 24 Ne4 and 25 Nd6, which
with 15.Axd6 Dxd6 16.Tac1partly explains Black's next move.
an d t he n 1 7 e 3 .] 15.axb4 Cxd523...f5 It seems as if Wojtaszek is about
16.bxc5 Cb4 17.Dd2 Cc6 18.b4!to take control. He only needs to play
I a s s u m e B l a c k m i s s e d o r24...e4, shutting out the Catalan bishop,
underestimated the power of this movea n d t h e n h e i s r e a d y f o r 2 5 . .. N d 7
when he played 14...Nxb4. Exploitingwithout allowing Bxb7. After that he
t h e p i n o n t h e a - f i l e , t h i s t h r u s twould pick up the c5-pawn in exchange
changes the nature of the queensidefor the a4-pawn with an excellent game
pawn structure. In one fell swoop thethanks to his own mobile centre pawns.
white pawns are transformed from aEXERCISE: How can White stop this
plan in time? Without this resource White's

ANSWER: 24.Cb3! Again So utilizesunsupported pawn on d7 would tumble.
t h e p i n o n t h e a - f i l e a t a c r u c i a lNow, however, it wins the game after
moment in the game (see too move 18).31...Bxb3 (or equally 31...Bxb5 32
H e d e f e n d s c 5 a s e c o n d t i me a n dRc8) 32 Rc8.
threatens 25 Rxa4 without having to31...Ae6 32.Tc8! Anyway. There are
g i v e u p t h e s t r o n g c 5 - p a w n .other moves that win, but this forces a
[ I f i n s t e a d 24.Txa4 then Txa4simple position where White will have
25.Dxa4 Dxc5 26.Axb7 e4an extra piece.
gives Black lots of counterplay due to32...Txc8 33.dxc8D+ Axc8 34.b6
his massive centre and the awkward [ White will win the bishop after 34.b6
position of the white bishop on b7.]Rf7 35.Cc5 and 36 b7.
24...Cd7 25.Axb7! This capture had toA wonderful positional display by the
be worked out precisely. [ Black wasw i n n e r o f t h e 2 0 1 7 W i j k a a n Z e e
h o p i n g f o r 25.Txa4 Txa4 26.Dxa4super tournament. ]
Cxc5 27.Cxc5 Dxc5 28.Axb7 e41-0
when he again has huge counterplay.
Besides the c4-pawn would be hanging.
] 25...Tab8 A tense situation as Black is15 E01
a t t a c k i n g t w o p i e c e s . 26.Txa4Regaining the Pawn
Not only activating the rook and saving
t h e k n i g h t f r o m c a p t u r e , b u t a l s oAfter 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6
defending the white queen which makes4.g3 , Black's capture with 4...dxc4
the queenside pawns mobile again bya n d t h e r e p l y 5.Ag2 lead to wide-
removing the pin on c5. ranging and complex variations which
26...Txb7 27.c6 The fork comes toare examined from Chapters Three to
White's rescue allowing him to regainS i x i n t h i s b o o k . [ Life would be so
t h e p i e c e . 27...Dxb4 28.Txb4 Tc7much easier for White if he could just
29.cxd7 Txc4 This is the move Blackr e g a i n h i s p a w n w i t h 5.Da4+
was relying on. He breaks up White'sand 6 Qxc4, whilst keeping a small
queenside phalanx leaving him withadvantage.
apparently weak pawns on b5 and d7.The prob lem is t hat Black has two
[ After 29...Tdxd7 White could playgood options after 5 Qa4+, namely
30.c5! Axb3 31.c6 Td8 32.Txb3Ad7 ( a n d , e v e n b e t t e r , 5...Cbd7
, winning easily with his connected. It is difficult to see any advantage
passed pawns .] EXERCISE: What isfo r Whi t e agai ns t the lat ter move,
the winning sequence that Wesley Sowhich is why 5 Qa4+ in this move order
must have calculated way ahead ofis a rare bird at international level.
reaching this position? However, as we shall see, if White
ANSWER: 30.Txc4 Axc4 31.Tc1!adopts a more cunning sequence of
mo v es in t h e o peni n g , he c an s t il ltemporary offer. White won't be able to

hope to retain an edge with the pland ef en d t h e c 5-pa wn in th e f a ce o f
of Qa4+ and Qxc4 – or if not an pressure from the Black's bishop on f8,
objective advantage, then at least laya knight on d7 (after ...Bc6 vacates the
the groundwork for a lively battle. square), and a black rook on c8.
F i rs t o f al l , l e t 's s e e w h y Wh i t e' s7.Ag2 [ After the immediate 7.dxc5
usual move order isn't effective. )] Black equalized in V.Topalov-V.Anand,
Leon (rapid) 2006: Ac6 8.Cc3 Cbd7
9.Ae3 Tc8 10.Ag2 Axc5! (a little trick
16 E04to regain the pawn due to the awkward
Korchnoi,V position of the white queen facing the
Kasparov,G black rook) 11.Axc5 Axf3 12.Axf3
7: 8th matchgame, London 1983Txc5 13.Db3 b6 14.0-0 0-0 15.Tfd1
Db8 . The game move at least gives
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3Black the chance to lose heart about
dxc4 5.Da4+ [ For clarity I haveo f f e r i n g a p a w n .] 7...Ac6
changed the move order of the actual [ Black leaves it to White to capture in
game, which was 5.Ag2 c5 6.Da4+the centre, as 7...cxd4 8.Cxd4 Db6
Ad7 7.Dxc4 Ac6 , etc. In this9.0-0 allows White a small plus.]
sequence rather than give the queen8.dxc5 Cbd7 EXERCISE: White has
check, we recommend 6 0-0! as playedto t ry to ho ld on to the pawn for a
by Caruana and others – see Chapterwhile as 9 Nc3 Bxc5 is already fine for
Six. Black. Out of 9 Be3 or 9 b4, which
A l s o t h i s m o v e o r d e r m e a n t t h a twould you choose?
Kasparov had no option of playing 5...ANSWER: 9.Ae3 [ If 9.b4 then a5!
Nbd7 – see the next note.] 5...Ad7!?u n d e r m i n e s b 4 , a n d 10.b5
This is not at all bad for Black; [ but ( the pawn can't be supported by 10.a3
5...Cbd7! is the most solid and is thebecause of the pin on the a-file after
subject of the next game.] 6.Dxc4 c5!axb4 ) 10...Ad5 followed by 11...Bxc5
Black liquidates the white centre andi s e x c e l l e n t f o r B l a c k . T h e r e f o r e
gets his 'bad' bishop to an active postWhite should avoid weakening his
on c6, thereby achieving two of hisqueenside pawns and defend c5 with
main aims in the opening without muchthe bishop.] 9...Ad5 Black harasses the
e f f o r t . I t i s n o w on d e r t h a t w o rl dwhite queen and drives her away from
champions such as Karpov, Kasparovthe defence of the c5-pawn.
and Anand have been happy to defend10.Da4 [ Five years later, after 10.Db4
this line as Black. , Karpov nudged the queen again with
QUESTION: But hold on, isn't Blacka5 , when upon 11.Df4 ( if 11.Dh4
giving up a pawn? a good answer is Ae7! , planning to
ANSWER: As we shall see, it is only aembarrass the white queen with 12...
Ne4; there is no hurry to regain theCatalan bishop versus a knight. It's not
pawn on c5) 11...Axc5 12.Axc5 Cxc5a great deal, but it can be built upon.
13.Cc3 0-0 14.Cxd5 Cxd5 15.Dd4Korchnoi found a way to avoid the
Db6 16.0-0 , a draw was agreed in G.obvious 15 Qxc5 Nxc5 when Black's
Sosonko-A.Karpov, Wijk aan Zee 1988.knight is activated. Furthermore, after
The position is equal, though thesethe exchange of queens the black king
days I could imagine Magnus Carlsencould have stayed in the centre with ...
tryi ng t o eke o ut an a dvantage f o rKe7 rather than castled.
W h i t e a f t e r , s a y , Tac8 17.Tac1Korchnoi is shrewd enough to wait
. After all White still has the 'Catalan'u n t i l B l a c k p l a y s 1 7 . . . 0 - 0 b e f o r e
b i s h o p . T h e a g e o f t h e s o - c a l l e dcontemplating a queen exchange.
'grandmaster draw' is over.] 10...Ac616...Tc8 17.0-0 0-0 18.Tac1 Db6
11.Dc4 Ad5 Offering Korchnoi theAccording to Keene and Lawson in
chance of a repetition. Natu rally atheir book of the Kasparov-Korchnoi
legendary fighter doesn't deal in 12ma t c h , " K a s p a r o v s t a r t e d t o l o o k
move draws with White. worried" after White's next move.
12.Db4 Dc8 [ Here 12...a519.Dd4! The offer to exchange queens
w o u l d t r a n s p o s e t o t h e S o s o n k o -is unpleasant for Black. It opens the
Karpov game given in the notes to 10way fo r White's knight to inveigle
Qa4. ] 13.Cc3 Axc5 [ QUESTION:itself into the queenside. At the same
H o w s h o u l d W h i t e r e s p o n d t otime the black knight on d5 comes
13...Cxc5 , with the threat of 14...Nd3+under pressure from the bishop on g2,
w i n n i n g t h e q u e e n ? A) and further down the diagonal the b7-
A N S W E R : W h i t e c o u l d r e p l ypawn has lost its defender. It is one of
14.Cxd5!? , when he gains three piecesthose positions where Black is about
for the queen after 14...Cd3+ 15.exd3equal, but not quite dead equal.
Axb4+ 16.Cxb4 . Taking this a bit19...Tfd8 20.Tfd1 Dxd4 21.Cxd4
further, after a5 he has to extricate theC7b6 EXERCISE: What is the most
k n i g h t w i t h 17.Tc1 Dd8 18.Cc2vulnerable point in Black's queenside
, when Dxd3 gives Black counterplay.and how can White target it?
( 18...-- ); B) In reality White has noANSWER: 22.Cb3! The knight
need to try to outwit Black in tacticsretreats in order to go to c5 or a5 to
(or we might call them cheap tricks!).a t t a c k t h e b 7 - p a w n . 22...Txc1
The simple 14.Df4! leaves White withK a s p a r o v s e e k s s a l v a t i o n i n
a good game; Black has missed thesimplification. He doesn't want to risk
chance to develop his bishop from f8his rooks being deflected from the fight
wi th g ain o f t ime with 1 3 ... Bx c5 .]for the c-file by the need to defend b7.
14.Axc5 Dxc5 15.Cxd5! Cxd5He is willing to pay the price of an
16.Dd2! After his astute exchange onisolated pawn.
d5 Wh it e has the ad v an ta ge of th e23.Txc1 Tc8 24.Txc8+?
[ Missing the chance for 24.Tc5! A) 17 A13

when Black would lose the b7-pawn Kasimdzhanov,R
after 24...Txc5 25.Cxc5 . ( 25.-- ); B) Dizdarevic,E
One idea would be 24...-- 25.Ta5 a68: European Club Cup, Eilat 2012
26.Tc5 , forcing the black queenside
pawns on to light squares where there1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3
a r e v u l n e r a b l e t o a f u t u r e N c 5 o rdxc4 5.Da4+ Cbd7! Black's best reply
direct attack by White's bishop. Blackafter which after which it is difficult
would be far from lost, but he wouldto p ro ve an y ad van tage for White.
have to suffer.] 24...Cxc8 25.Axd5 [ QUESTION: How should White
exd5 Black has an isolated pawn, butr e s p o n d t o 5...Dd7 6.Dxc4 Dc6
his king can be rushed to its defence. In, forcing the exchange of queens? A)
Catalan endgames it's important to beWhite missed the point entirely in R.
able to distinguish between a symbolicM o r a l e s R o m e r o - L . L l a u d y P u p o ,
advantage and one that can be builtH a v a n a 2 0 1 1 , a n d p l a y e d 7.Db3??
upon. Black's vulnerable queenside(and 0-1 when he realized what he'd
o f f e r e d W h i t e a ' r e a l ' a d v a n t a g e ,done).; B) Instead, 7.Dxc6+ Cxc6
whereas the iso lated pawn is mo rewould sort out Black's development.; C)
s y mb o l i c . O f c o u r s e , a s y m b o l i cI h a v e m o r e s y m p a t h y f o r 7.b3
advantage between world-class playersplanning to build a centre after Dxc4
in a Candidates match might constitute8.bxc4 , but then c5 undermines it.; D)
a real advantage on a rainy night at aIf 7.Ca3 Axa3 8.Dxc6+ Cxc6 9.bxa3
match between Wood Green and theleaves White with the bishop pair, but
Kings Head pub in the London Chessa l s o d o u b l e d p a w n s . ( 9.-- ); E)
League. ANSWER: Undoubtedly the best move
26.Cc5 Cd6 27.Rg2 Rf8 28.Rf3 Re7is 7.Cbd2! Dxc4 8.Cxc4 Ab4+ 9.Ad2
29.Rf4 f6! A vital move to keepAxd2+ , and now 10.Ccxd2
White's king out of e5. Black has no(as played by Alekhine) ( or 10.Cfxd2
problems in holding the draw. (Botvinnik!) both give White a slight
30.h4 g6 31.g4 b6 32.Ca6 Ce4 33.f3edg e d u e t o hi s p oten t i al pres s ure
Cc5 34.Cc7 d4 35.Cd5+ Re6along the c-file and against b7 after Bg2.
36.Cb4 a5 37.Cd3 Rd5 38.g5 f5)] 6.Ag2 [ Note that 6.Dxc4
39.Rg3 Cxd3 would transpose after a6 7.Ag2 b5 . ]
½-½ 6...a6! A common motif which we'll
also see in the Catalan Mainline with 7
Qc2 in Chapters Nine and Ten. Black
wastes no time in arranging ...b7-b5 to
clear the way for his bishop to get to b7.
7.Dxc4 b5 EXERCISE: Before reading
on, how would you assess the position
after 8 Qc2 – equal or a tiny edge forpawn ) 16.Cc6 De8 ( 16...Df6?

W h i t e o r f o r B l a ck ? W h a t a re t h e17.Ce4! drives the queen away from the
factors that influence your verdict? attack on d4 before capturing on b8)
8.Dc6!? [ ANSWER: After 8.Dc2 Ab717.Cxb8 . It's still a bit messy, but
9.0-0 , then c5 is rock solid for Black.White is a pawn up and Black has a
H e h a s s u c c e s s f u l l y d e p l o y e d h i sknight buried on a1.] 10.Dxc7 Ab4+
bishop to b7 and played the freeing11.Cbd2 Dxc7 12.Axc7 Tc8 13.Af4
move ...c7-c5 without incurring anyTc2 Kasimdzhanov has handed Black a
weaknes ses or falling d angero uslystrong initiative for his pawn.
behind in development. One line is14.Tb1 0-0 15.0-0 Axf3?
10.a4 Tc8 11.axb5 axb5 12.Db3 Db6This, however, is very serious mistake.
13.Ca3 Ac6 and White has nothing. IfDizdarevic is in a rush to get his pawn
anyone has the better chances to winback, but only ends up with his rook
I ' d p i c k B l a c k , b u t i t l o o k s v e r yt r a p p e d o n e 2 . [ He should keep the
drawish. initiative with 15...Cd5 : for example,
With the game move Kasimdzhanov16.Tfc1 Tfc8 17.Cb3 Cxf4 18.gxf4
wants to make Black work harder.]Ad5 , when his bishop pair and active
8...Tb8 [ After 8...Ta7 9.Dc2!? Ab7rooks supply full compensation for
10.0-0 , White can try to prove the rookthe pawn. ( Notice that the e2-pawn is
is misplaced on a7.] 9.Af4 Ab7!poisoned here as well as if 18...Txe2
Gambiting the c7-pawn for a strong19.Txc8+ Axc8 20.a3 Ad6 21.Ce1
i n i t i a t i v e . [ An other line is 9...Cd5?Axf4 22.Af3 traps the rook.)] 16.Cxf3
10.Ag5! Ae7 11.Axe7 Dxe7 12.Cc3Txe2 [ The best chance was 16...Cd5
A) and now 12...Ab7 13.Cxd5 Axc6. ] 17.a3 Ae7 18.Tfc1 Now Black has
14.Cxe7 Rxe7 15.0-0 Thc8 16.Tfc1no defence against White's next move.
Ad5 17.b4 looks like a slight edge to18...Cd5 19.Rf1 The hunter hunted.
White. ( 17.-- ); B) In this sequenceWhite's king has been terrorised by the
12...Cb4 looks tempting for Black asblack rook, but now it has trapped it.
the white queen and a fork on c2 are19...Txb2 After this it won't be difficult
both threatened, but White wins thefor a former FIDE World Champion to
battle of the knights: 13.Dxc7! Cc2+exploit his extra piece. [ EXERCISE:
14.Rd1 Cxa1 15.Ce5!! . The key point,B l a c k m i g h t h a v e t r i e d 19...Cxf4
easily missed if Black is unprepared for20.gxf4 Te4 . Can you then work out a
the variation. Black is in deep troublewin for White?
after 0-0? ( alternatively, if 15...Dd8ANSWER: This is also hopeless ; a
then 16.Dxd8+ Rxd8 17.Cc6+ Rc7nice winning sequence is 21.Tc7! Td8
18.Cxb8 Rxb8 19.Rd2 Td8 20.Txa122.Ce5 Txd4 23.Cc6 Ad6 24.Ta7
Cb6 21.e3 e5 22.Rd3 exd4 23.exd4Ac5 25.Cxd4 Axa7 26.Cc6 Ta8
and despite his somewhat awkward27.Td1! ( it's interesting that the
king, White can consolidate his extrap a i n f u l l y o b v i o u s m o v e 27.Ce7+?
may be good enough to win, but wouldas early as move one with 1...c5 . ] 2.c4
b e m u c h m o r e l a b o r i o u s a f t e r Rf8e6 3.g3 d5 4.Ag2 dxc4 5.Da4+
as Wh i t e o n ly wi n s t he e x c ha n ge)Having mobilized his kingside pieces
27...Cf6 28.Cxa7 , exploiting the backquickly to oppose a future ...b7-b5,
rank to win a piece.] 20.Txb2 Axa3White regains his pawn.
21.Ta2 Axc1 22.Axc1 Tc8 23.Ad25...Cbd7 6.Dxc4 a6 EXERCISE:
b4 24.Ce1 C7b6 25.Txa6 b3Having read the discussion above can
26.Axd5 Cxd5 27.Ta1 Cb6 28.Re2you guess White's high-class positional
b2 29.Tb1 Ca4 30.Cd3 h5 31.Cc5 move?
1-0 ANSWER: 7.Dc2! Exactly.
[ Also good is 7.Db3! . There are lies,
d a mn e d l i e s a n d s t a t i s t i c s , b u t i t
18 A13noteworthy that in my database White
Artemiev,V scores about 58% with the game move,
Safarli,E 62% with 7 Qb3, and only 40% with 7
9: Tashkent 20150-0 and 41% with 7 d4 (the unlucky
souls who ended up in the positions
1.Cf3 An example of a delayed d2-d4.a f t e r t h e l a t t e r t w o mo v e s h a d n o
White will use the tempo to deter anchance to show better judgement as
ultrafast ...Bb7. If you adopt this movethey had mostly committed themselves
order, remember that Black has optionsb y p l a y i n g 1 d 4 o r c a s t l i n g a t a n
which are out of the scope of this book.earlier point in the game).; By retreating
[ Y o u m i g h t p r e f e r t o p l a y 1.d4t h e q u e e n W h i t e d o e s n ' t g i v e h i s
, but leave the knight undeveloped ono p p o n e n t a n e a s y q u e e n s i d e
g1 in favo ur of Bg2 . Tk achiev h asdeployment as occurs after, say, 7.0-0
played the Catalan many times and hisb5 8.Dc2 Ab7 .; If now 7.Dc2 b5?
preferred move order is Cf6 2.c4 e6, then 8.Ce5 Cd5 ( ever the optimist,
3.g3 d5 4.Ag2 dxc4 5.Da4+ . A) Stockfish thinks 8...c6 9.Axc6 Tb8
Because he has chosen 4 Bg2 over 4is 'o nly' h alf a pawn up for White)
N f 3 , i f n o w 5...Ad7 then 6.Dxc49.Cc6 Df6 10.0-0 leaves Black in a
and Black is deprived of c5 , as 7.Axb7bind. ] 7...c5 White's astute move order
would follow as quick as a flash. ( 7.-- );has cajoled Black into what is very
B) And if 5...Cbd7 6.Dxc4 a6much Plan B for him in this set-up.
, the subtle move 7.Dc2 ( if 7.Cf3 b58.d4 Finally we are in Catalan territory.
and we are back in the Kasimdzhanov[ Here 8.0-0 allows b5 9.a4 ( crucially
game ) , leaves Black unable to play9.Ce5 c a n b e a n s w e r e d b y Cd5 )
7...b5 . ] 1...Cf6 [ Of course if you9...Ab7 and White has very little, if
chose this move order as White, you'da n y t h i n g . A r t e m i e v p l a y s m o r e
have to reckon with Black deprivingv i g o r o u s l y .; Another approach was
you of a Catalan at various points, even8.Cc3 to control the d5-square a second
time; A) so that after 8...b6? 9.Ce5B l a c k ' s p o s i t i o n r e m a i n s

, Black's ...Nd5 block fails. ( 9.-- ); B) uncomfortable) 17.axb5 axb5 18.Ta7
Instead 8...Dc7!? 9.d4 b5 10.Af4Db6 19.Tda1 0-0 20.b4! , Black's
( now if 10.Ce5 Ab7 defends ) 10...Da7p o s i t i o n w a s t o t t e r i n g d u e t o t h e
looks okay for Black who is ready forenormous pressure on the queenside,
...Bb7. ] 8...b6 QUESTION: Ithough he unaccountably won in V.
understand Black wants his bishop onTkachiev-A.Ismagambetov, Astana
b 7 , b u t w h a t a r e t h e m e r i t s a n d(rapid) 2012.; B) Instead, 13...Ae7
drawbacks of pushing the b-pawn one14.Td1 Dd7 keeps everything solid.
or two squares to clear the way? Note that 15.Axd5? fails to Axd5
ANSWER: In general, advancing ...b7-16.e4 Axe4! a n d B l a c k w i n s]
b5 is almost always better than ...b7-b6After the game move the pawn is safer
if it gains time by hitting the whiteon b6 and bolsters the c5-pawn.
queen. In this case she is evacuated to9.Ce5 This attacking move is necessary
c 2 s o i t l o s e s m o s t o f i t s s t i n g .as otherwise ...Bb7 would equalize at
Nonetheless on b5 the pawn keeps theo n c e f o r B l a c k . 9...Cd5 Black is
b6-square vacant for the black queenobliged to block the diagonal with his
(she might also use the a5-square in anknight.
emergency). On the other hand, on b510.Cc3 [ The bold 10.Cc6 Dc7 11.e4
the pawn is exposed to attack by a2-a4i s i n t e r e s t i n g . A) White gets an
an d doesn ' t protect the poten tiallyinitiative for his pawn after 11...Dxc6
fragile c5-pawn. [ Here's an example of12.exd5 exd5 13.Cc3 Cf6 14.Ag5
Black getting into trouble after 8...b5(threatening to take on f6 then d5) cxd4
, though his 13th move deserves most( if 14...Ae6 then 15.Axf6 breaks up the
o f t he bl a me : 9.Ce5 Cd5 10.Cc3black kingside) 15.Axf6 dxc3 16.Axc3
( White can't punish 8...b5 with. The pressure on g7 is awkward for
10.Cxd7 Dxd7 11.dxc5 as after Ab7B l a c k a s i t s t o p s h i m d e v e l o p h i s
12.0-0 Tc8 Black regains his pawnbishop from f8.; B) So Black should
with easy equality) 10...Cxe5 11.Cxd5d e c l i n e t h e p a w n w i t h 11...C5f6!
exd5 12.dxe5 Ab7 13.0-0 A) . K.Landa-G.Meier, Copenhagen 2010,
13...Db6 . Black's queen utilizes the b6-continued 12.d5 Ab7 13.0-0 Ad6
s q u a r e a s a r o u t e t o e 6 w h e re s h e ( at various moments Black could have
g u a r d s d 5 . H o w e v e r , t h i s p l a n i stried ...e6-e5 and then won a pawn, but
unsatisfactory as the black queen noWhite wo uld obtain nagging light-
longer holds everything together on thesquare pressure: for example, if 13...e5
queenside. After 14.Td1 De6 15.Ae3then 14.Td1 Axc6 15.dxc6 Dxc6
Tc8 16.a4 Ae7 (letting White16.Cc3 and White can build up with
p e n e t r a t e o n t h e q u e e n s i d e )moves like Bh3 and b2-b3 and Bb2,
( nonetheless, after 16...b4 17.Dd2keeping Nd5 for the right moment)
, attacking d5 and planning 18 Rac1,14.Cd2 ( or 14.Cc3 0-0 15.Td1 Tae8
which looks solid for Black, but therestructure, but what?

is still lots to play for) 14...0-0 15.Cc4ANSWER: 16.b4!? A very logical
exd5 16.exd5 Cxd5 17.Axd5 Axc6'hu man' mo ve to weaken the black
18.Td1 Axd5 19.Txd5 Ae7 20.Txd7p a w n f r o n t . [ The weird computer
Dxd7 21.Cxb6 De6 22.Cxa8 Txa8a p p r o a c h w o u l d b e 16.Da4+! b5
23.Ae3 Tc8 24.a3 ½ ½. I know it's ( White's move looks pointless until
e q u a l , b u t C a t a l a n p l a y e r s r e a l l yy o u s e e t h a t 16...Ac6? 17.Db3!
ought to try to make something fromleaves both b6 and d5 hanging) 17.Da3
m i c r o s c o p i c a d v a n t a g e s s u c h a sc4 ( after 17...b4 18.Da5 the c5-pawn
B l a c k ' s s p l i t q u e e n s i d e p a w n s .]is very weak) 18.Da5 , when White can
10...Ab7 [ Instead 10...Cb4play a2-a4 to stab at the b5-pawn. Note
forces the exchange of queens if Blackthat Dxe5? isn't good for Black as
wishes: 11.Dd1 Cxe5 ( after the tricky19.Ad4 Dg5? (better to give up the g7-
11...Ta7 , a simple reply is 12.Cd3p a w n b y r e t r e a t i n g t o e 6 ) 20.Dc7!
: for example, Ab7 13.Axb7 Txb7suddenly wins a bishop.] 16...0-0
14.Cxb4 cxb4 15.Ce4 and White can [ It is understandable that Black didn't
claim the superior structure) 12.dxe5want to give away dark squares with
Dxd1+ 13.Rxd1 Ta7 14.a3 Td7+16...c4 17.Dd2 b5 , but after 18.a3
15.Ad2 Cd5 16.Cxd5 exd5 17.b4Td8 19.Ad4 0-0 , he looks very solid
Td8 . So far this is L.Fressinet-E.Bacrot,a n d h a s t h e p l a n o f . . . f 7 - f 6 t o
French Championship, Caen 2011, andl i q u i d a t e W h i t e ' s k i n g s i d e s p a c e
now instead of 18.Ag5 , ( 18.e3!?a d v a n t a g e .] 17.bxc5 White finds it
cl ears th e way f o r 19 Ke2 wi t h aneasier to attack Black's hanging pawns
interesting position. White can try tobecause he avoided 16...c4.
p u t p r e s s u r e o n B l a c k ' s c e n t r e .)]17...Axc5 [ If 17...bxc5? 18.Tab1!
11.Cxd5 exd5 [ Black's pawns remainl e a v e s B l a c k i n t e r r i b l e t r o u b l e
a bit shaky after 11...Axd5 12.Axd5 ( also good but not quite as crushing is
exd5 13.Af4 Cxe5 14.Axe5 . ] 12.0-018.Db3!? to win the d5-pawn) , as
Cxe5 13.dxe5 A familiar type of pawn18...Tab8 allows 19.Txb7! Txb7
s t r u c t u r e f o r t h i s v a r i a t i o n . F o r20.Axd5 .; QUESTION: I see Black
example, it occurred in the Tkachievi n t e n d s a f t e r 17...Axc5 18.Axc5
game mentioned in the notes after 8...to use the pin with Tfc8 to avoid losing
b6 above. Here Black adopts the samematerial. Can White to keep an edge
queen manoeuvre. after this?
13...Dd7 The queen heads to e6 whereA N S W E R : W h i t e w o u l d h a v e a
she attacks e5, helps defend b6 and d5,pleasant advantage after 19.Db2 Txc5
and is away from any pin on the d-file. 20.Tab1 b5 21.Tbc1 . Black has an
14.Td1 De6 15.Ae3 Ae7 EXERCISE:i s o l a t e d p a w n a n d a b a d b i s h o p .
Our e5-pawn is hanging. We should doNonetheless, he is far from lost. In the
something to undermine Black's pawngame Safarli is able to avoid ...b6-b5,
which would loosen his dark squares,20 E04

and even liquidates the isolated pawn.Black Holds on to c4
Though it's true he needs some help
f r o m h i s o p p o n e n t t o a c h i e v e t h e1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3 dxc4
latter objective.] 18.Db3?! Axe35.Ag2 .
19.Dxe3 Tac8 20.Tac1? A little tooIn this chapter Black snatches the pawn
routine. [ After 20.Tab1 (hitting b6 soon c4 and then prepares to defend it in
Black's next move fails) Tc5 21.Dd4Slav-style with ...b7-b5. The resulting
, White keeps a small edge.] 20...d4!complications are one of the reasons
Getting rid of the isolated pawn and thethat players of White often choose a
bad bishop in one stroke. move order that avoids the possibility.
21.Dxd4 Txc1 [ EXERCISE: WouldPerh aps they fe ar t hei r opponent's
you assess the position after 21...Txc1preparation or just want a quieter life.
22.Txc1 Axg2 23.Rxg2 Dxa2However, as we shall see it is a risky
as equal, good for Black, or good fora p p r o a c h f o r B l a c k . I f W h i t e i s
White? prepared to enter the maelstrom he has
ANSWER: I like White here. A) Aftergood chances.
24.Dxb6 Dxe2 , it's equal; ( 24...-- ); B)
but 24.e4! builds up an imposing centre.
It is important that White's rook and21 E04
q u e en ar e b et ter pl ac ed th an th ei r Kantor,G
o p p o s i t e n u mb e r s. B l ac k 's p a s s ed Rydstrom,T
pawns aren't far advanced enough to be10: Budapest 2016
dangerous, and instead are vulnerable.
Fo r examp le , 24...b5 ( or 24...De61.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Cf3
25.Dd5 Tb8 26.Tc6 Dxd5 27.exd5dxc4 5.Ag2 b5?! [ A delayed version
a n d B l a c k h a s b e e n b u l l i e d i n t owith 5...a6 6.0-0 b5 is considered in
g i v i n g W h i t e a s t r o n g p r o t e c t e dthe next game. Jumping ahead, it also
passed pawn. White wouldn't h avelooks very risky for Black. The main
risked anything playing on and wouldp r o b l e m w i t h b o t h l i n e s i s t h a t a
have set Black some problems) 25.Tc7vigorous response by White virtually
a5 26.Ta7 a4 27.Dd5 De2 28.Ta8forces him to play ...Nd5.] EXERCISE:
with ideas of 29 e6, as well as a back-Can you work out why ...Nd5 is an
rank mate. ] undesirable move for Black and how
½-½ can White force Black into playing it?
ANSWER: 6.Ce5! Exactly. The threat
to a8 virtually obliges Black to block
w i t h t h e k n i g h t o n d 5 . [ Notice that
6.a4! c6 7.Ce5 Cd5 would amount to
the same thing.] 6...Cd5 [ If you aren't
prepared then 6...c6 might upset you.As a general rule, the knight being on
A) The simplest is to play 7.a4!? Cd5d5 without White having gone Nc3 is
8.0-0 , transposing back to the mainusually bad news for Black. With Nc3
game. ( 8.-- ); B) However, 7.Cxc6played, he can always meet e2-e4 with
is actually qu ite pro mis ing: 7...Db6...Nxc3, not losing time and reducing
8.Ca5! ( Black is happy after 8.Ce5the pressure on his queenside.
Ab7 ) 8...Cd5 ( upon 8...Dxa5+ 9.Ad28.0-0 Ab7 [ Instead 8...a6 9.axb5
c3 – or else he loses the exchange –cxb5 10.b3 cxb3 11.Dxb3 Ab7
10.bxc3 Cd5 11.c4 is good for White)would transpose.] 9.b3!? QUESTION:
9.Ad2 Cc6 10.Cxc6 Dxc6 11.0-0What is the point of this move?
Ab7 12.e4 Cf6 13.d5! and now WhiteANSWER: All will become clear after
is wi nn ing af ter exd5 ( Black triedm o v e 1 1 b e l o w . [ T h e d i r e c t 9.e4
13...Da6 in C.Hanley-J.Hawkins,also sets Black problems. That said, I
British Rapidplay, Leeds 2012, whenspent a long time examining this line,
14.Ac3 would have given White somebut I couldn't find anything clear for
advantage ) 14.exd5 Cxd5 15.Te1+White after Cf6 10.Cc3 ( or 10.d5
Ae7 , when 16.Ab4 is a pretty doubleAe7!? ) 10...a6 11.d5 Ae7 . ] 9...cxb3
pin; ( but 16.Cc3 is simplest.)] 7.a4 [ Black also fails to equalize after
Th i s q u ick pawn s tab do esn 't g iv e9...Cd7 10.axb5 Cxe5 11.dxe5 cxb5
Black time to develop with ...Bb7 and12.bxc4 bxc4 13.Da4+ Dd7
...a7-a6, as after 7...a6? 8 axb5 the14.Dxd7+ Rxd7 15.Td1 Rc7 16.Td4!
rook on a8 isn't yet defended by theCb6 17.Tf4 Axg2 18.Rxg2
bishop on b7. We begin to see why 5...and the f7-pawn drops with an edge
b 5 h a s l e d t o a s t r u g g l e o n t h eto White. ] 10.axb5 This increases the
queenside that Black isn't ready for. scope of Black's bishop on b7, but it is
7...c6 White has extracted the moves ...positionally correct as it makes way for
c7-c6 and ...Nd5 from Black. With thethe central advance d4-d5 by removing
pawn on c6, the bishop won't enjoy anBlack's pawn from c6.
open diagonal on b7, and the knight on10...cxb5 11.Dxb3 We can now see
b8 is denied its optimum square. Well,that with 9 b3 White has secured the
you expect that in a Slav set-up: it's ab 3-s q u are f or hi s quee n. He re s he
price you have to pay for having ana t t a c k s t h e b 5 - p a w n a n d e x e r t s
extra pawn. Of much more significancepressure along the a2-g8 in support of
is that the king's knight has been morea d4-d5 advance in the centre. Another
or less forced to d5. Not only has itgood point of 9 b3 is that the rook on
cost Black a tempo to put it there, butf1 can in some cases be deployed to d1
it is a target for an e2-e4 advance. Thisin support of the central break now that
bolsters White's chances of a centralthe square has been vacated.
breakthrough with the follow up move11...a6 12.e4 Cf6 13.d5!
d4-d5, as occurs in the game. White powers forward in the centre.
N o t e t h a t t h e m o v e . . . B b 7 h a s19.Td8# ] 15.Cc6 Dc7 [ The opening

weakened the e6- and f7 -pawns byhas been a disaster for Black. He has
denying them the support of the bishopno time to whisk his king from the
on c8. This will become of significancecentre as 15...Axc6 16.dxc6 0-0 17.c7
d u e t o B l a c k ' s l a g g i n g k i n g s i d ecosts him a rook.] 16.Te1+ Rf8
development. 17.Aa3! The black king and queen will
13...exd5 [ After 13...Ad6 , White wonb e t a r g e t e d . 17...Cbd7 18.Tc1!
i n s a c r i f i c i a l s t y l e w i t h 14.Cxf7!An unexpected change of front which
( a l s o v e r y s t r o n g i s 14.Cc4!? )is immediately decisive. It shows the
14...Rxf7 15.dxe6+ Re8 in A.Giri-A.strength of White's pieces that he is
Morozevich , Beijin g (rapid) 2 01 2.able to establish a winning position
H e r e t h e q u i e t 16.Ab2 looks mostd es p i te hav i n g a roo k o n a1 and a
convincing as Black can't castle andknight on b1 doing very little. 18...Ce8
meanwhile White can build up with[ Black has no good defence against the
moves like Rd1 and Nc3, to say nothingthreat of 18...-- 19.Ca5! Db6
o f t h e d e a d l y t h r e a t o f e 4 - e 5 .20.Axd6+ Dxd6 21.Cxb7 , winning a
( I n t h e g a m e t h e i m m e d i a t e 16.e5piece;; as d6 d rop s af te r 18...Axc6
eventually lead to victory, though it19.Txc6; and 18...Rg8 19.Ce7+
seems unnecessarily forcing in viewwins the black queen.] 19.Ca5! Cc5
of Black's helplessness.)] 14.exd5 Ad6 [ Or 19...Db6 20.Cxb7 Dxb7
[ EXERCISE: What happens if Black21.Axd6+ Cxd6 22.Db4 Db8 23.Tc6
d e v e l o p s n o w w i t h 14...Ae7and White wins a knight.] 20.Dc3 Tc8
, o r t ak e s t he pawn o n d 5 wit h h i sE X E R C I S E : W h a t i s t h e w i n n i n g
knight or bishop? move?
ANSWER: After 15.d6! the game endsANSWER: 21.Ah3! The Catalan
at once due to the mate threat on f7.;bishop breaks the deadlock on the c-file.
N o t m u c h b e t t e r i s 14...Cxd5The black rook has to save itself, but
as White will win a piece with 15.Td1then c5 drops, leaving White with an
as the knight hangs three times; ( orextra piece. 21...Td8 22.Cxb7 Dxb7
15.Cc3 pinning the knight against the23.Axc5 Dxd5 24.Axd6+ Dxd6
threat of mate on f7;); while upon25.Da3 The win is very simple. Black's
14...Axd5 15.De3! , the threat of 16bad development means that he loses
Nc6+ is fatal: A) for example, 15...Ae7the a6-pawn as well.
16.Td1 , in t en di ng -- 17.Cc3 ( or25...h5 26.Dxa6 h4 27.Dxd6+ Cxd6
17.Axd5 Cxd5 18.Db3 ); B) while28.Af1 Th5 29.Td1 Re7 30.Cc3 Tc5
15...De7 16.Td1! leaves Black's31.Ta7+ Re6 32.Ce4 Tc6 33.Txd6+
kingside development clogged up byTcxd6 34.Cxd6 Txd6 35.Axb5 h3
the queen, and the attempt to extricate36.Ac4+ Rf6 37.Txf7+ [ I guess Black
himself with Axg2 17.Rxg2 Db7+was hoping for 37.Axf7?? . ] 37...Rg6
just leads to a neat finish: 18.Cc6+ Ae7
38.Te7 intention of winning the b3-square for

1-0 the white knight: 8...cxb3 9.Cxc6 Db6
10.Ca5! Ta7 11.Cxb3 (the knight has
been like a merry-go-round horse, but
22 E04it is well p laced now) Td7 12.a4
Eljanov,P and White has some pressure. Black
Novikov,I caved in with bxa4? in R.Buhmann-T.
11: Israeli League 2011G h a r am i a n , G e r ma n Le a g u e 2 0 1 1
( 12...Ab7 was a better try, though
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3White has some advantage due to the
dxc4 5.Ag2 a6 This pawn move mightweakness of the b-pawn after 13.Axb7
ind icate th at Black is preparin g toDxb7 14.axb5 axb5 15.Dd3 b4
defend c4 with 6...b5 on the next move,16.Ag5 ) , w h e r e a f t e r 13.Cc5!
as is the case here. Or, alternatively,(that knight again!) Axc5 14.dxc5
he might be planning to put his knightDxc5 ( or 14...Txd1 15.cxb6 Txf1+
on c6. 16.Rxf1 with a strong passed pawn for
6.0-0 [ T h e a l t e r n a t i v e 6.Ce5White ) 15.Dxa4 White was winning as
is analyzed in the game after next.;there was no good way to evacuate the
Naturally 6.Da4+? would fail to b5 . ]black king from the centre in view of
6...b5?! Black has delayed this pawn0-0 16.Aa3 . ] 8.a4 Beginning the
advance for a move compared to 5...b5p r o c e s s o f u n d e r m i n i n g B l a c k ' s
in the game above. This means he hasq u e e n s i d e . [ Also good is the
gained a tempo to fortify his queenside.immediate 8.e4 . ] 8...Ab7 [ After 8...c6
Nonetheless this line is still fraughtwe are back into the territory of the
with danger for him. [ The more solidKantor game, where Black was obliged
6...Cc6 is discussed in the next game.;to go ...c7-c6 right in the opening.
Inferior for Black is 6...c5? 7.dxc5However, as we shall see, Novikov
Dxd1 8.Txd1 Axc5 9.Ce5ends up playing ...c7-c6 anyway to try
and White regains his pawn with 10t o h o l d b a c k W h i t e ' s c e n t r a l
Nxc4 whilst keeping pressure on b7.]breakthrough.] 9.axb5 axb5 10.Txa8
EXERCISE: What now is White's bestAxa8 11.e4 QUESTION: If White's
attacking move? plan is to attack in the centre, why did
ANSWER: 7.Ce5! Cd5 As in thehe first open lines on the queenside?
Kantor game, Black's problem is thatA N S W E R : I n f a c t E l j a n o v ' s
he is more or less obliged to put hispreliminary campaign on the queenside
knight on d5, wasting a tempo andabets his coming attack in the centre.
l ea v i n g i t as a t a rg e t f o r an e 2 - e4For example, White will be able to
advance. [ After 7...c6 A) 8.Cxc6?exploit the fact that the knight on b8 is
Db6 looks okay for Black. ( 8...-- ); B) no longer defended by a rook on a8 in
S t r o n g e r i s 8.b3! with the curiousa key variation given in the notes to
14...Bxd5. Loose, undefended enemyDd8 22.Ag5 with a decisive attack on

pieces and pawns tend to help an attackf6. ] EXERCISE: How do we catch the
in unexpected ways, even if they areblack king before he has the chance to
far from the apparent scene of action. castle?
11...Cf6 12.Cc3 c6 13.d5! [ AlsoANSWER: 16.Cg4! Undermining the
13.Ag5 keeps up the attack.] 13...cxd5defence of d5 and clearing the way for
[ A l t e r n a t i v e l y , 13...Ad6 14.Cg4a rook check before Black has time for
with an enduring initiative: for example,16...Be7 and 17...0-0.
0-0 15.dxe6 fxe6 16.Cxf6+ gxf616...Ae7 17.Cxf6+ Axf6 18.Te1+ Rf8
17.Ah6 , etc.; Meanwhile, after 13...Ae719.Cxd5 Cc6 20.Ae3 The awkward
, I would suggest the piece sacrificeposition of the rook on h8 means that
14.Cxf7! as offering excellent practicalWhite can develop a winning attack on
chances: Rxf7 15.dxe6+ Rxe6the black king. 20...h5 21.Ac5+ Rg8
( 15...Re8 16.Ad2! leaves Black facing22.Ae7! A neat tactic to force a breach
the threat of 17 e5 and with troublein Black's kingside fortress.
ever developing his game) 16.Df322...Dc8 [ If now 22...Axe7 23.Cxe7+
Cbd7 17.Ah3+ Rf7 18.Td1 Re8Rf8 (other moves either lose the queen
19.Df5 and it will be very difficult foror the king to a mate on h5) 24.Cxc6
Black to defend. Stockfish thinks it isand White wins a piece.; Even worse is
equal after b4 20.e5! Cd5 (forced)22...Cxe7 23.Cxf6+ winning the
21.Ce4 . It is cheering to know thatqueen. ] 23.Axf6 gxf6 24.Cxf6+ Rg7
White doesn't stand objectively worse,25.Cxh5+ Rh6 26.Dd6+ Rxh5
a s a h u m a n w i l l m a k e a l o t m o r e27.Te4 [ Most precise was 27.Df6!
mistakes in defending as Black thanTg8 ( or 27...Dd8 28.g4+ Rxg4
a n e mo t i o n l e s s c o mp u t e r p l a y i n g29.Te4+ Rh5 30.Th4# ) 28.Te4 Tg4
p e r h a p s 4 0 0 p o i n t s s t r o n g e r t h a n29.Dxf7+ Rh6 30.Te8 Dc7 31.Te6+
Carlsen. ] 14.exd5 Axd5 [ AfterRg5 32.Dg6# .] 27...Rg5
14...Cxd5 an important tactical line is [ Black could linger on by giving up
15.Dh5 g6 16.Cxg6! (an unexpectedh i s q u e e n w i t h 27...Dd8 28.Th4+
blow to say the least!) fxg6 17.De5Dxh4 29.gxh4 , although there's not
. The point: not only is h8 hanging, butmuch hope after say Tg8+ 30.Rf1 Cd8
there is a threat to take twice on d531.De5+ Rh6 32.Dxb5 . ] 28.h4+ Rh5
when if the black queen recaptures29.Df6 Tg8 30.Dxf7+ [ It's a massacre
Qxb8 + wil l bag a kn igh t. Bl ack i safter 30.Dxf7+ Tg6 ( or 30...Rh6
helpless: for example, Cxc3 18.Axa831.Te6+ ) 31.g4+ Rh6 32.g5+ Rh5
, leaving both c3 and h8 en prise.]33.Dh7+ and mate next move. ]
15.Axd5 exd5 [ If 15...Cxd5 the1-0
16.Dh5 tactic still works for White: g6
17.Cxg6 fxg6 18.De5 when if Cf6
19.Dxe6+ Ae7 20.Td1 Da5 21.Te1
23 E04the important black pawn from d5 he

Grischuk,A has looming pressure along the h1-a8
Potkin,V diagonal. This will increase further
12: Villarrobledo (rapid) 2009once Black plays ...b7-b5 to hold on to
the c4-pawn. He also has more space in
1.Cf3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.d4 A somewhatt h e c e n t re a n d p o t e n t i a l l y mo b i l e
c u r i o u s c h o i c e o f m o v e o r d e r .pawns there. In return Black has an
[ Having shown his willingness toextra pawn. He has the chance to build
delay playing d2-d4, you would haveup on the queenside with moves like ...
i m a g i n e d t h a t W h i t e w o u l d h a v eb7-b5 and Rb8.
continued 3.g3 Cf6 4.Ag2 Ae78.e3! An example of a concrete
a n d o n l y t h e n 5.d4 , thereby side-handling of the problems of the opening.
stepping any chance of Black playingIt seems strange that Grischuk would
an early ...d5xc4. But as we shall see,wan t to d ef end th e d4 -p awn a gain
Grischuk isn't afraid to face these lines.instead of, say, developing his queen's
] 3...Cf6 4.g3 dxc4 5.Ag2 a6 6.0-0knight. In fact the modest looking-
Cc6 [ M o r e s e n s i b l e t h a n 6...b5pawn move is a clever prophylactic
a s i t r e s t r i c t s W h i t e ' s d y n a mi s m .stroke. [ As 8.e3 b5 ( Black would like
Potkin avoids committing himself toto begin 8...Tb8 and only then 9...b5)
the queenside pawn advance ...b7-b5, loses the exchange after 9.Ce5 Cxe5
for the moment, which means he isn't10.Axa8 f o r i ns u f f i c i e n t p l a y .;
s h a k y a l o n g t h e a 8 - h 1 d i a g o n a l .Th is plan would have worked well
De v e lo p i n g t h e k n i g ht a ls o f i g h t safter the routine 8.Cc3 by White.
a g a i n s t W h i t e ' s N e 5 m o v e w h i c hEXERCISE: How does Grischuk's little
often proves effective in this variation. pawn move in the game spoil this ...
QUESTION: What is the differenceRb8 and ...b7-b5 plan for Black?
between Black developing his knightA N S W E R : I f Tb8 White can
immediately with 5...Nc6 and as hereunexpectedly reply 9.Cd2! . Then b5
after the moves 5...a6 6 0-0 have beenwould leave c6 hanging; ( while 9...Ca5
thrown in? is useless after 10.Da4+ Cc6 11.Dxc4
ANSWER: Black has side-stepped the. Therefore Black would be unable to
line 5...Nc6 (as covered in our nextd ef en d t h e c 4- paw n. W hit e wo ul d
chapter) 6 Qa4 as here 7 Qa4+? b5regain it with some edge after 10 Nxc4,
l ea v e s t h e w hi t e q u e e n r e d f a c e d .when Black has conceded the centre
Therefore White has no ready methodand put the rook on b8 for no good
t o r e g a i n h i s ma t e r i a l .] 7.Ag5reason. )] 8...Ad7 With the game move
[ Other moves for White leading to aPotkin defends c6 at once, making ...b7-
sharp game are 7.Cc3; and 7.e3 . ]b5 possible. This, however, is a little
7...Ae7 White has a lead inv i c t o r y f o r Wh i t e a s B l a ck wo u l d
development. After the deflection ofrather have left the bishop on c8 for the
time being or else played it to b7 aftereverywhere: on the queenside, in the

...b7-b5. On d7 it is passively placedcentre and on the kingside. However,
and blocks the queen's influence on thef i r s t o f al l h e u n de r mi n e s B l ac k ' s
d-file. queenside pawns. Imagine if Black
9.Cc3 Only now, after White hasnow plays 13...cxb3. After 14 axb3 in
extracted the move ...Bd7 from Black.reply we have the diagram position
9...0-0 10.Tc1 Tb8 At first glance itbelow.
looks like Black is doing well as he isIt's important to grasp the nature of
ready to support his extra pawn with ...White's strategic pawn sacrifice, as it
b7-b5. Meanwhile nothing is happeningwill occur in various lines where Black
in the centre to scare him. The wayhas played an early ...d5xc4 and held
Grischuk gains control of the positionon to the pawn.
will therefore come as a surprise toBlack is still a pawn up. However, his
those not acquainted with this type ofqueenside structure has lost almost all
pawn structure. its dynamism with the disappearance of
11.Axf6 Axf6 A difficult decision.the c4-pawn. Instead of threatening to
[ There is a lot to be said for 11...gxf6roll forwards en masse, the pawns are a
as the pawn on f6 keeps e5 guardedliability and will need defending by the
and the dark-squared bishop remains onp i e c e s . T h i n g s a r e p a r t i c u l a r l y
e7 where it controls some importantawkward as White has a rook bearing
squares. However, White could try todown along the c-file at the vulnerable
exploit the evident damage to Black'sknight and beyond it the backward
kingside structure with 12.Cd2!? b5pawn on c7.
13.Dh5 when his king is uncomfortableThere is also a nasty hole on the c5-
and the white queen very well placed.square which is inviting for White's
Still, I think I prefer 11...gxf6 as itknight. However, Black can play 14...
offers more counterplay in this lineBe7 and be ready to exchange off the
after f5 than Black achieves in theknight for his bishop when it sets foot
game. ] EXERCISE: After the bishopon c5. So we could refine White's play
recapture can you work out White'safter 13...cxb3 with the interpolation
strategy? Where is he going to attack – 14 Nxf6+ Qxf6 and only then 15 axb3.
on the queenside, in the centre or onThen Black's defences along the c-file
the kingside? have been weakened as the black queen
12.Ce4 The knight enters the fray andhas been deflected from d8 where it
u n c o v e r s a n a t t a c k o n c 4 . 12...b5defended c7.
Black holds on to his pawn, but nowA c a s e c o u l d a l s o b e ma d e f o r 1 4
Grischuk's plan is revealed. Nxf6+ Qxf6 15 Qxb3. White could
13.b3! ANSWER: This is it! In answerthen follow up with Rc5 and double
to the ques tion above abo ut whererooks along the c-file, with the white
White is going to attack, the answer isqueen perhaps going to a3 to attack a6.
A possible drawback to retaking on b3be defended in a safe way: for example,

with the queen is that the c4-squareAd7 ( or 24...Ae7 25.Tc1 with the
isn't defended, so White would have tot h r e a t o f 2 6 R c c 7 a n d a d e c i s i v e
watch ou t f or ...Na5 an d ...Nc4 b yinitiative) 25.Da2 , intending to take
Black. twice on f7 then on d7; B) 23...De6!
Whether White recaptures with the24.Cxd6 Axf1 25.Axf1 Dxd6 26.Da2
queen or pawn, or interposes 14 Nxf6+and White has a pawn and pressure for
Qxf6 or not, he has full compensationthe exchange. The computer then wants
for the pawn deficit. In fact his game isto call it a draw with Tf7 27.Ta8+ Tf8
preferable, or at least easier to play,28.Ta7 Tf7 , etc. ] 18.d5! exd5
as sooner or later he is likely to regain [ Black can't prevent a white knight
his pawn whilst keeping the initiative. taking up a commanding centre position,
13...Ae7 Rather than assume aas if 18...Cb4 19.Ce5! follows. ]
defensive attitude Potkin decides to19.Cxd5 Ad6 20.Dc2 Ca5
return the pawn. He h op es th at theEXERCISE: How should White pursue
activity of his rook on b8 and minorhis attack?
p i e c e s w i l l c o m p e n s a t e f o r t h eANSWER: 21.Th4! Exactly. It seems
inferiority of his pawn structure. t h a t P o t k in was s o f o cus ed o n t he
[ 13...cxb3 14.Cxf6+ Dxf6 15.axb3 ]queenside and how to gain counterplay
14.bxc4 bxc4 15.Txc4 Cb4to offset the weakness of c7, he forgot
EXERCISE: How can White meet thehe had a king. It is very logical for
double threat of 15...Nxa2 and 16...Bb5,White to switch to a direct kingside
winning the exchange? attack, as Black's three minor pieces,
ANSWER: 16.a4! Killing two birdsespecially the knight, are a long way
with one stone. But Black persists inoff and his queen isn't well positioned
attacking a4. 16...De8 17.Cc3 Cc6?for th e d efence either. It turns out
B l a c k g o e s p a s s i v e a t t h e w r o n gBlack's last move was a mistake. He
moment. [ He should have perseveredshould have played 20...h6!, when 21
with his at tack on a4 wit h 17...Cd5!Rh4 Qd8 leads to nothing clear for
. Then af ter 18.Cxd5! ( White mightW h i t e . T h e r e f o r e W h i t e s h o u l d
also try 18.Da1; or 18.Ce5 ) 18...exd5continue more modestly with 21 Nd4,
19.Txc7 Ad6 20.Ta7 Axa4 21.Da1when 21...Nxd4 22 Rxd4 leaves Black
Tb6 22.Ce5 an unbalanced situationsuffering because of the weakness on
arises. White is attacking d5 and hasc7.
the initiative in the centre, but Black's21...h6 [ Black has no good way to
b i s h o p p a i r s h o u l d n ' t b es h i e l d h 7 . F o r e x a m p l e , 21...g6
underestimated. loses the queen to a fork on f6;; while if
My computer program suggests the21...f5 22.Dc3! (gaining time to set up
following sequence: Ab5 23.Cxf7! A) a winning sequence by attacking the
not 23...Txf7 24.Axd5 , when f7 can'tb l a c k k n i g h t ) Cc6 23.Cg5 h6
24.Cxc7! Axc7 25.Ad5+ Rh824 E04

(losing at once, but interposing on f7 Smirnov,P
loses oodles of material) 26.Txh6# . ] Kosyrev,V
22.Txh6 Exploiting the potential fork13: Chelyabinsk (rapid) 2016
on f6. Black's position is falling apart
all over the board. His king's defences1.d4 e6 2.c4 Cf6 3.g3 d5 4.Ag2
are full of holes and his pawns anddxc4 5.Cf3 a6 6.Ce5 Since 6 Ne5
pieces are mostly hanging. gets an exclamation mark in games in
22...f5 23.Th4 Cb3 24.Cxc7 De7this chapter versus 5...b5 and 5...c6, it
25.Cg5! The most energetic way tocertainly deserves to be considered here.
finish the game is to clear the way forThe obvious good point is that it stops
the Catalan bishop to join in the attack.both 6...b5 and 6...Nc6.
25...Dxg5 26.Ad5+ Tf7 27.Dc4 Tbf86...c5!? However, this is a somewhat
[ If 27...Df6 28.Axf7+ Dxf7 29.Th8+annoying reply. Black renounces the
wins the black queen.] 28.Dxb3 Axc7plan of holding on to the c4-pawn with
29.Td1 [ More accurate was 29.Axf7+.. . b 7 -b 5 i n o r d er t o c o u n t e ra t t a c k
Txf7 30.Th8+ Rxh8 31.Dxf7against the white centre. It is all the
, when Black loses a bishop, leavingmore effective as White's previous
him far too much material down – Dd8move has delayed his development and
32.Td1 wouldn't help him.] 29...Ae8r e m o v e d a d e f e n d e r f r o m d 4 .
30.Dc4 Ae5 [ Anyhow Black drops the [ A sharp alternative for Black is
b i s h o p , b u t a f t e r , s a y , 30...Ad86...Ab4+ 7.Cc3 Cd5 8.Ad2 b5
31.Dxa6 White is still winning.] 31.f4. The pressure on c3 has allowed Black
De7 32.fxe5 Dxe5 33.Dd4to consolidate his extra pawn. However,
Grischuk can take it easy as he will beWhite gains compensation in the shape
the exchange and a pawn up. 33...De7of the two bishops and a mobile centre:
34.Tf4 g6 35.e4 [ It's hard to criticise a9.0-0 Axc3 10.bxc3 0-0 11.a4 f6
move that makes your opponent resign,12.Cg4 Ab7 13.Db1! (a neat way to
though it should be mentioned thatput pressure on b5) De8 14.e4 Cb6
35.Th4 would force Black to give up15.Ce3 Ac6 ( thanks to the queen on b1
his queen at once to avoid mate on h8.if 15...Cxa4? 16.Txa4 bxa4 17.Dxb7
Nonetheless this was an excellent gamewins material for White) . So far this is
b y G r i s c h u k w h o c o m b i n e dA.Huzman-O.Dancevski, Skopje 2015,
queenside pressure with a kingsideand now 16.d5 would have given
attack in masterly style. ] White a strong initiative.] 7.Ae3!?
1-0 An awkward-looking, but effective
move. Again and again in the Catalan
we see White lavish time and care on
his favourite light-squared bishop,
while leaving the dirty jobs to his dark-
squared bishop. Here it guards the d4-e q u a l i z e s : f o r e x a m p l e , 14...0-0

p a w n a n d s h o w s a w i l l i n g n e s s t o15.Axd4 Axb4 16.Axb6 Dd5!; B)
e x c h a n g e f o r a k n i g h t .8...Ac5 is the most natural move. This
[ A m a j o r a l t e r n a t i v e i s 7.Ca3!?line became well known when it was
which gambits the d4-pawn to keep upadopted by Anand as White versus
the pressure. Then after cxd4 8.Caxc4Topalov in their world championship
B l a c k h a s t w o i d e a s : A) 8...Ta7!?match in 2010. After 9.0-0 0-0 10.Ad2
is distinctly odd, but by breaking theCd5 11.Tc1 Cd7 12.Cd3 Aa7 13.Aa5
pin on b7 Black introduces the idea ofDe7 14.Db3 Tb8 , Black is a bit
...b7-b5: A1) for example, 9.0-0 b5bottled up (his bishop on c8 has no
10.Cc6 Cxc6 11.Axc6+ Ad7 12.Ce5moves!), but remains with an extra
Db6 13.Af3 Ad6 and Black lookspawn and has no real weaknesses. Here
co mfo rt ab l e as Wh it e wil l h ave toAnand came up with 15.Da3 Dxa3
concern himself with regaining the16.bxa3 , evidently with the idea of
p a w n r a t h e r t h a n d e v e l o p i n g a nopening up the d6-square for his knight
i n i t i a t i v e . ( 13...-- ); A2) If insteadnow that the queens are exchanged.
9.Ad2 b6! shows another benefit of hisNevertheless, after Cc5! ( rather than
eighth move – Black blocks the terrible Topalov's 16...C7f6 ) 17.Cd6 b6
threat of 10 Ba5. After 10.0-0 ( orand then 18...Rd8 Black looks at least
10.Db3 Ab7! 11.Axb7 Txb7okay. ] 7...Cd5! Black has to go
which defends b6) 10...Ab7 11.Axb7h u n t i n g t h e b i s h o p o n e 3 . I f h e
Txb7 12.Tc1 Ac5 13.b4 Ae7develops quietly White will recapture
, White has two options: A2a) 14.Db3on c4 at some point and have all the
0-0 15.Tfd1 Tc7 16.Af4benefits of unrestrained pressure on b7
was A.Volokitin-D.Navara, Wijk aanin the Catalan.
Zee 2009, and now Stockfish thinks8.Cc3 [ Instead 8.dxc5!? has been
Cd5! returning the pawn gives Black am u c h i n v e s t i g a t e d w h e n Cd7
s l i g h t e d g e a f t e r 17.Txd4 Dc8leads to complications with balanced
due to the pin on the c-file. ( 17...-- );chances. ] 8...Cxe3 [ If 8...b5 9.Cxd5
A2b) 14.Ae3!? . That bishop move toexd5 10.dxc5 is good for White.]
e3 again! Here it looks like a misprint9.fxe3 Ae7 EXERCISE: Assess the
or a mistake in inputting the game, butp os i ti o n and de ci d e w hat be nef it s
yes, the bishop really can go to e3 asWhite has gained through the exchange
A2b1) 14...dxe3 15.Dxd8+o n e 3 . A n d w h a t p o s s i b l e
w i n s f o r W h i t e a f t e r Rxd8 ( ordisadvantages?
15...Axd8 16.Cd6+ a n d 1 7 N x b 7)ANSWER: Firstly, we see that White
16.Cxf7+ Re8 ( if 16...Rd7 17.Cce5+has gained the open f-file for his rook.
Re8 18.Tc8+ and wins ) 17.Ccd6+In conjunction with the knight on e5
, etc.; A2b2) However, if Blackt h i s g i v e s h i m a t t a c k i n g c h a n c e s
d e cl in es t h e o f fe r h e mo re or le s sagainst f7. He has also strengthened his
hold on the d4 point by transferring hisi n i t i a t i v e i s mo r e i mp o r t a n t t h a n

f - p a w n t o e 3 . F u r t h e r m o r e , t h ek e e p i n g a c o m p a c t p a w n c e n t r e .
sequence ...Nf6, ...Nd5 and ...Nxe3 has11...Af6 [ If now 11...exd5?
taken three moves, giving White a lead, the weakness of f7 becomes apparent:
i n dev el o p me n t. H i s bi s ho p o n g 212.Cxf7! Txf7 13.Axd5 and Black can
enjoys an open diagonal and his knightresign.; He should play more
on e5 is well centralized. It will bea g g r e s s i v e l y w i t h 11...Ag5
difficult for Black to shake off White's, although after 12.Cxc4 (regaining the
grip in the centre. p a w n a n d d e f e n d i n g e 3 ) Ta7
T h e d r a w b a c k s f o r W h i t e o f t h e(getting the rook out of the way of the
exchange are that everything else beingbishop on g2 in order to threaten 13...
equal it is normally unwelcome to haveb5 – compare the game continuation)
to exchange a bishop for an enemy13.a4 , White keeps his ascendancy in
k n i g h t . T h o u gh co mp ared t o mo s tthe centre with a small advantage.]
opening lines White is more willing12.Cxc4 b5? Black collapses under the
than usual to swap his dark-squaredp r e s s u r e . O r p e r h a p s h e h a d
bishop for a knight in the Catalan. underestimated White's initiative and
Of more concern for White is that thethought the dark-squared bishop gave
e3-pawn looks vulnerable. It can't behim good counterplay? [ In any case he
defended by another pawn unless it canshould fight it out after, say, 12...Axc3
a d v a n c e t o e 5 , w hi ch i s u n l i k e l y .13.bxc3 exd5 14.Dxd5 Dxd5 15.Axd5
Meanwhile it can be targeted by Bg5.. You will see that Black's holes on b6
Finally, White is likely to spen d aand d6 and the weakness of the pawns
move regaining his pawn on c4, whicho n b 7 a n d f 7 a r e o f f a r m o r e
could dissipate his initiative. [ Uponsi g ni fi ca nce than White' s doubled
9...Cd7 10.Cxc4 Ae7 11.dxc5 Axc5pawns.; If 12...Ta7 then 13.a4!
( 11...0-0 12.b4 ) 12.Cd6+ Axd6is still a good response.] 13.dxe6
13.Dxd6 De7 14.Dd4 ( in Y.Pelletier-Not only uncovering an attack on a8,
A.Kveinys, Reykjavik 2011, White'sbut gaining access for White's knights
advantage faded away after 14.0-0-0t o th e d 6 - a n d d 5 -s q u ar e s . 13...Ta7
Dxd6 15.Txd6 Re7 ) 14...0-0 15.0-014.exf7+ Rh8? [ Black could resist
, followed by putting the white rookswith 14...Taxf7 : for example, 15.Cd6
on d1 and c1, makes it hard for BlackTc7 ( Black is being squashed after
t o ne u t ra l i ze t h e l a st in g p res su re .15...Td7 16.Dd5+ Rh8 17.Tad1 )
White's doubled pawns are far from16.Cxc8 (sharper moves are also
pretty, but they are difficult to attackpossible) Txc8 17.Ce4 De7 ( if
as they aren't on an open file. Besides17...Axb2 18.Db3+ wins a piece; while
the exchange of Black's dark-squared17...Dxd1 18.Cxf6+ Txf6 19.Taxd1
bishop has made them less vulnerable.]i s a l s o b a d f o r B l a c k) 18.a4
10.0-0 0-0 11.d5! Maintaining White'sand White has enduring pressure with
more active pieces and an extra pawnbegan 3...c6 4.g3 Cf6 5.Ag2 dxc4
that might be useful in the future, but– a typical sequence of moves via a
there would still be a lot of fight ahead.Slav triangle centre.] 4.g3 dxc4 5.Ag2
] EXERCISE: Can you see White'sc6 Here Black begins his possible
winning idea after 14...Kh8 - ? queenside expansion with his c-pawn
ANSWER: 15.Dxd8 Txd8 16.Cd6!r at h e r t h a n t he b - p a w n o r a - p a w n
Exploiting Black's weak back rank towhich were used in the games above. A
l a u n c h a d e a d l y i n v a s i o n . 16...Ae6drawback to the move is that the pawn
17.Ad5 The white minor pieces swarmon c6 takes away the best square from
i n t o B l a c k ' s h a l f o f t h e b o a r d .the black knight on b8. [ It also does the
17...Axd5 18.Cxd5 Cd7 19.Ce8 Cf8bis h op on c8 no f avo urs: it can be
20.Cdxf6 gxf6 21.Txf6 With the f7-developed to b7, but even then it will
pawn defended and Black's king cutb e s hu t i n , i n c ontras t to th e op en
o f f f r o m a p p r o a c h i n g i t , a l l t h a td i a g o n a l i t e n j o y s i n t h e C a t a l a n
r e ma i n s i s f o r W h i t e t o b r i n g h i smainline after 5...Ae7 6.0-0 0-0 7.Dc2
queen's rook to the g-file to threatena6 8.Dxc4 b5 9.Dc2 Ab7 . ] 6.Ce5!
Rg8 mate. [ QUESTION: Why is it better for
21...Td2 22.Taf1 Td5 23.T1f4 Tg5White to act immediately rather than
Preventing an entrance to the g-file, butplay 6.0-0 to safeguard his king?
now the d-file becomes an avenue forANS WER : Af t er 6 0-0 th ere is no
the other white rook. 24.Td6 Te7immediate pressure on the c6-pawn, so
25.Td8 Tge5 26.Cd6 [ 26.Cd6 Rg7Black can respond b5 . This enables
27.Tg4+ is bedlam. By the way, the twohim to not only defend c4, but also
black rooks are lined up against theclear the b7-square for his bishop.
doubled and isolated e-pawns, but itNonetheless play remains sharp: for
doesn't matter at all. ] example, 7.a4 ( or equally 7.Ce5 Ab7
1-0 8.a4 ) 7...Ab7 8.Ce5 and play has
transposed to the note on 8 a4 in Game
1 5 . C o m p l i c a t e d , i s n ' t i t ?;
25 D30Another option is 6.a4 A) when after
Perez Ponsa,F 6...b5?! 7.Ce5 Cd5 (to meet the double
Quintiliano Pinto,R threat of 8 Nxc6 and 8 axb5), White has
14: Cappelle la Grande 2016a favourable situation whereby the
black knight has been enticed to d5
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6without Nc3 having been played. See,
[ I've followed the standard move orderfor example, the Kantor-Rydstrom
for this chapter, However, Black isgame above. The knight can be driven
more likely to adopt this line if he hasback after 8.0-0 with a well-timed e2-
already invested in 2...c6, 3...c6 or 4...e4, without Black having the option of
c6. Thus this specific game actuallya timesaving ...Nxc3 exchange. ( 8.-- );
B) Alternatively, Black can try 6...Ab4+ANSWER: No. Better to play a full

7.Ad2 (in contrast to the main gamelength game and savour the chance to
there is no option of ...Qxd4 for Black)play a former world champion even if
a5 8.Dc2 Axd2+ 9.Dxd2!?you lose. [ Here 10.f4!? is a strange-
and we have transposed to Hammer-looking move which aims to drive away
Carlsen given in the note to 7 a3 inthe black queen so that the knight can
Wagner-Brkic in Chapter Four.; C) c a p t u r e o n b 5 . H o w e v e r , a f t e r a n
A final ch oice is 6...c5 (a radicallyexchange sacrifice Black looks okay:
different approach, switching from aDc7 11.Cxb5 cxb5 12.Axa8 Ab7
Slav set-up to an attack on d4) 7.0-013.Axb7 Dxb7 14.0-0 Db6+ 15.Rh1
Cc6 . White doesn't have the option ofa n d h e r e S t o c k f i s h s u g g e s t s Ce4!?
Qa4 to put pressure on the knight on c6intending ...a7-a5 (to drive away the
in the style of Caruana-Naiditsch inwhite bishop to be able to castle) as
Chapter Four as the a4-pawn blocksunclear.; Meanwhile Grischuk has used
the square, but after 8.dxc5 Dxd1t h i s p e a c e f u l s e q u e n c e v e r s u s
( perhaps 8...Dc7 should be preferred)Kramnik: 10.Ac3 Dc5 (here the black
9.Txd1 Axc5 10.Cbd2 c3queen has to stay on a square where
( White also regains the pawn uponshe rules out Nxb5) 11.Ad4 Db4+
10...Ca5 11.Ce5 ) 11.bxc3 0-0 12.Cb312.Ac3 Dc5 13.Ad4 with a repetition.
Ae7 13.Cfd4 Ad7 14.Aa3 Axa3] 10...Dxb2 11.0-0 EXERCISE: Assess
15.Txa3 White has a small plus. the size of White's compensation for
The variations in this game, with theirthe three pawns. What are his threats?
references to other chapters, illustrateANSWER: White has a sizeable lead in
the many transpositional possibilitiesdevelopment. His king is safely castled
in the Catalan.] 6...Ab4+ Black seekswhilst its opposite number is stuck in
to disrup t Wh i te's bu i ld -u p wit h athe centre. This wouldn't matter too
bishop check in the style of Chaptermuch if lines were closed, but here the
Four. d-file is open. Already Black has to
7.Ad2 Showing a readiness to sacrificec o n t e n d w i t h i d e a s s u c h a s B xb 8 ,
a couple of pawns for an attack. I thinkr e m o v i n g t h e d e f e n d e r o f c 6 a n d
W h i t e ' s c h a n c e s a r e e x c e l l e n t .clearing the way for both Bxc6+ and
[ Also possible was 7.Cc3 Cd5 8.Ad2Qd6; not that White would hurry to
which also looks pretty good for him.]e x c h a n g e o f f h i s f a b u l o u s b i s h o p
7...Dxd4 The consistent move. [ Afterwhich keeps the black king stranded on
7...Axd2+ 8.Dxd2 followed by Na3e 8 . T h e b l a c k q u e e n i s a l s o a n
and Nxc4 White has the edge. Insteadattractive target, with ideas of Rb1 and
Black grabs a second pawn.] 8.Axb4then Nxb5 afoot.
Dxe5 9.Ca3 b5 10.Ad6! QUESTION:Hence Black blocks the d-file and the
Could you use this drawing methodlong diagonal towards c6 and a8 with
versus Kramnik!? his knight. This is the only way he can
hope to survive. bxc4 20.Tb1 leads to fatal threats of

11...Cd5! 12.e4 Driving away themate along the open b-file: for instance,
knight. [ Stockfish prefers to delay thisDc3 21.Axd5 exd5 ( or 21...Cxd5
for a move to allow the white queen to22.Tb8# ) 22.Txb4 and Black has to
infiltrate on the dark squares via d2 andgive up his queen to avert mate, as after
g5: 12.Cc2!? Ab7 13.e4 Cc3 14.Dd2Ae6 23.Tb8+ Rd7 24.Df6! Txb8 ( or
c5 (the threat was 15 Ba3 winning a24...The8 25.Txd8+; or – the nicest –
knight) ( 14...h6 15.Aa3 win ) 15.Dg524...Tde8 25.Td8+ Txd8 26.De7+
Cc6 16.e5 (intending 17 Bxc6+ Bxc6and mates ) 25.De7+ Rc8 26.Dc7# . ]
1 8 Q e 7 m a t e ) Ce2+ 17.Rh119...Dxa2 20.Ce3 With ideas of 21
a n d h e r e a f t e r Dxc2 ( so 17...h6Ra1 and 22 Rxa7. The fact that White's
is needed to dislodge the white queen,'bad' knight is now fully involved in
when 18.Dxg7 0-0-0 19.Dxf7 Td7the struggle tilts the game decisively in
20.Dg6 looks like excellent practicalhis favour.
c h a n c e s f o r W h i t e d u e t o t h e20...Cxe3 21.Txe3 Cc2 22.Td3
w e a k n e s s e s o n e 6 a n d B l a c k ' sPlanning 23 Rfd1 combined with Qxf7
disjointed q ueensid e) 18.Axc6+!!and Be7 to put fatal pressure on d7.
Axc6+ 19.f3 , rather surprisingly White22...b4 23.Dxf7 Dc4 24.Tfd1 b3
mates in ni ne moves at the latest !]25.Df3 Going after the indefensible b3-
12...Cc3 13.Dh5 [ Also possible waspawn. [ Black's last hope was a swindle
13.Dg4 ;; but not 13.Dd4??with 25.Ae7 b2 26.Axd8?
due to an unpleasant ch eck on e2.] ( though even in this sequence 26.Af1
13...h6 14.e5 Ad7 15.Tae1wins for White) 26...Dxd3! . ] 25...Cb4
White has no need to hurry. The black26.Td4 . Winning the knight followed
king won't find a safe refuge in theby a quick mate. An example of the
centre or on either wing. extreme dangers Black faces in this
15...Ca6 16.Df3 Cd5 17.Dg4 Cab4?line.
It's no surprise that Black collapses in1-0
such an unpleasant position.
[ M o r e t e n a c i o u s w a s 17...Tg8
holding on to the g7-pawn, though it's26 D43
no t much f u n for Bl ack a ft er, s ay, Kramnik,V
18.Tb1 Dc3 19.Tfc1 Da5 20.Cc2 Giri,A
intending 21 Nd4, when he is under15: Doha 2014
permanent pressure.] 18.Dxg7 0-0-0
Perhaps Black thought he had escaped1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 I should point out that
the worst here, but: I have changed the move order for the
19.Cxc4! I feel a cliché coming on: af i r s t t e n ( ! ) m o v e s . [ Another move
knight on the rim isn't always dim.order for Black to avoid being forced
[ This is a crushing move as 19.Cxc4into ...Nd5 is to delay the pawn move ...
e 7 - e 6 . T h u s S . M a m e d y a r o v - A .Cf6 Black finally develops the knight

Beliavsky, Reykjavik 2016, went 2...c6having used the delay to bolster his
3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3 dxc4 5.Ag2 b5 6.b3queenside defences. Nonetheless he
(getting the pawn stab in early) cxb3still has an uncomfortable position
7.axb3 e6 8.0-0 Ae7 9.Ce5 Ab7after White's next move.
10.Cc3 and we have reached the8.b3 A typical motif in this variation:
position in the main game.; Finally, hereWhite prises open the a-file and c-file
is a third move order which was thes o t h a t h e c an pu t pres s ure o n t he
way the Kramnik-Giri game actuallyfragile black queenside structure. He
began: 2...c6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.Cc3 e6has good compensation for his pawn.
5.g3 dxc4 6.Ag2 b5 7.Ce5 a6 8.0-0In fact when Kramnik is White it feels
( 8.Cxc6? Db6 9.Ce5 Ab7 ) 8...Ab7like a forced loss for Black. Such is the
9.b3 cxb3 10.axb3 Ae7 . Because thepower of the former World Champion's
g ame b eg i n s as a S la v wi t h 4 Nc3techn iqu e. [ We should also take a look
thrown in, White is slower getting inat 8.a4 . This isn't so much fun for
t h e m o v e N e 5 t o p u t p r e s s u r e o nWhite as in the Kantor and Eljanov
Black's queenside. Giri for his partgames as Black hasn't got a vulnerable
leaves c6 hanging for a move with 7...knight on d5 to hit by e2-e4. Also with
a6 (as he doesn't fear the line 8 Nxc6?n o k n i g h t o n d 5 t he d4 -p awn is n' t
Qb6 which is good for Black after 9sheltered, so that if White plays b2-b3
Ne5 Bb7, etc), Kramnik replies 8 0-0and answers ...c5xb3 with Qxb3 Black
and then Black defends c6 with 8...Bb7.sometimes has the option of ...Qxd4.
The changed move order I have givenEagle-eyed readers will have noticed
has been used in top-class games, suchthat play has transposed to a note in
as the Eljanov-Tomashevsky game inGame 14 above where play began 3...
this note.] 3.Cf3 c6 4.g3 dxc4 5.Ag2N f 6 4 g 3 d x c 4 5 B g 2 c 6 ( s e e t h e
b5 Black begins the game with a seriescomments to 6 Ne5 and the line 6 0-0
of pawn moves. By delaying ...Nf6 heb5 7 a4 Bb7 8 Ne5).
ge ts i n .. .d xc 4 an d ...b 7-b5 befo reLet's examine some of the possibilities
White has the chance to play Ne5. Thisa f t e r 8 a 4 : A) 8...Cd5 would just be
means that he isn't obliged to put hisp o o r f o r Bl a ck , w h e n 9.b3 cxb3
knight on d5 to block the long diagonal,10.axb5 cxb5 11.Dxb3 a6 12.e4
as w a s t h e ca s e i n t h e Ka n t o r a n dis Game 10 all over again.; B) 8...Dc8
E l j a n o v g a m e s . T h i s i s o f g r e a t9.b3!? (similar to the main game;
sig nificance sin ce not o nly did theBlack's last move means that ...Qxd4 is
knight's move use up a precious tempo,no longer an option for him in reply to
on d5 it became a target for White's e2-Qxb3, so this standard clearance move
e4 centre push. wins the b3-square for the white queen
6.Ce5 Our familiar knight move toc h a n g e t o : a n d i n t h e l o n g t e r m
begin an assault on c6. 6...Ab7 7.0-0facilitates Rfc1 to s trike at the c6-
pawn) cxb3 10.Dxb3 and White hasp r e s s u r e o n t h e q u e e n s i d e . [ Not

pressure: for example, a6 ( or 10...b49.Dxb3? when Dxd4 10.Ab2 Db6
11.a5 which cuts off any defence of b4is at best a dubious second sacrifice
with ...a7-a5) 11.Cd2 b4 ( if 11...Cbd7f o r W h i t e .] 9...Ae7 10.Cc3 a6
12.Aa3 is a typical idea for White to [ Instead, Black gave back the pawn at
exchange off Black's 'good' bishoponce but never quite equalized after
and weaken his dark squares) 12.Cdc410...0-0 11.Cxb5 Cd5 12.Ca3 c5
and Black remains uncomfortable on13.Ab2 Cd7 14.Cac4 cxd4 15.Axd4
the queenside.; C) 8...Db6 9.b3 cxb3Cxe5 16.Axe5 in P.Eljanov-E.
10.Dxb3 and now so the key question isTo mash evs ky, Tsaghkadzor 2015.]
can Black get away with Dxd4 - ?11.Ab2 A natural move.
( 10...Cbd7 11.Ae3! just looks good for [ An alternative way to develop the
Wh it e: B lack' s qu een si de is und erbishop was 11.Ag5 . ] 11...0-0 12.Dc2
heavy siege and his queen herself aK r a m n i k b e g i n s h i s c a m p a i g n o f
t a r g e t o f t h e b i s h o p a f t e r 1 2 d 5)e x e r t i n g p i e c e p r e s s u r e o n t h e
. The answer seems a resounding 'no!':b a c k w a r d p a w n o n c 6 a n d t h e
fo r e x amp le, 11.Ab2 Db6 12.Cd2v u l n e r a b l e s q u a r e i n f r o n t o f i t .
Cbd7 13.axb5 cxb5 14.Cdc4! , and if12...Cfd7 Giri challenges the white
bxc4 15.Dxb6 axb6 16.Axb7 Txa1knight. [ Putting the queen's head in a
17.Txa1 is a winning attack for White;lion's mouth doesn't turn out well for
D) 8...Dc7 9.b3 (no surprise anymore!)Bl ack af ter 12...Dxd4 13.Cd5 Dc5
cxb3 10.Dxb3 a6 11.Af4 Ad614.Cxf6+ gxf6 15.Dxc5 Axc5 16.Cg4
12.axb5 axb5 13.Txa8 Axa8 14.Cc3Ae7 17.Cxf6+ Axf6 18.Axf6 Cd7
b4 ( if 14...0-0 15.Cxb5! and, for19.Ac3 . White has one bishop
instance, Db6 16.Tb1 ) 15.Ta1!dominating the dark squares, the other
with an initiative for White.; E) 8...a6!one tying Black down to the c6-pawn.
E1) Now 9.Cc3 (threatening to win aThis is more than enough compensation
pawn back with 10 axb5 axb5 11 Rxa8for a pawn.; Black could have offered
B x a8 1 2 Nx b 5 ) c a n b e me t b y Cd5b a c k t h e p a w n w i t h 12...Cbd7
( 9...Dc8; or 9...Db6 with unclear play., w h e n a f t e r 13.Cxc6 ( instead
); E2) Perhaps more testing is 9.b3!?13.Cd3!? Db6 14.Ce4 Cxe4 15.Axe4
i n t h e s t y l e o f l i n e ' a ' a b o v e : f o rTfd8 16.Tfc1 Cf6 17.Ag2 a5 18.Cc5
example, 9...cxb3 10.Ab2 (guardingmaintains a similar edge to that in the
d4 before recapturing on b3 with thegame ) 13...Axc6 14.Axc6 Tc8
queen) Cbd7 11.Dxb3 Cxe5 12.dxe515.Axd7 Dxd7 16.Dd3 Db7
Cd5 13.Td1 Db6 14.Cd2 and Whiteand 17...Rfd8, Black had freed his
intends to build up with Ne4 and Nd6.g a m e i n A . O n i s c h u k - T . R o u s s e l l
He has (just) enough pressure for hisR o o z mo n , M o n t r e a l 2 0 0 9 . I c a n ' t
pawn ] 8...cxb3 9.axb3 Simple andimagine Kramnik letting his opponent
g o o d a s i t g u a r a n t e e s l o n g - t e r mescape so easily.] EXERCISE: Which
square does White want to dominatef6 27.Dxd7 and wins. ] 19.Cxd7 Axd7
and how can this be achieved? 20.Cc5 Ae8 21.Ta2 A useful move
ANSWER: 13.Cd3! Kramnik doesn'twith no definite plan in mind. Perhaps
want to ease his opponent's game byWhite will double up rooks along the a-
ex ch ang es . Ins tead h e retre at s h i sfile, or drop his bishop back to a1 and
knight in order to gain control over c5.then switch his rook from a2 to c2 to
The square in front of a backward pawnadd to the pressure on c6. In any case it
is always very attractive for a knight ifkeeps Black guessing about where the
it can be established safely there, as noattack is going to come from.
enemy pawn can drive it away. There is no need to hurry when your
13...Db6 14.Ce4 a5 15.Cdc5opponent's pieces are tied up defending
M i s s i o n a c c o m p l i s h e d . 15...Ac8pawns. If you wait a while he might
Q U E S T I O N : C a n w e ma k e B l a c kbecome reckless and do your work for
weaken his queenside pawns? you by staging an unsuccessful break
ANSWER: 16.Dc3! Remember Bobbyout.
Fischer's maxim 'Look at the whole21...Db5 22.Dd3! An excellent stroke
board!'. This threatens 17 d5 whenwhich combines a fine positional sense
mate looms on g7. with remarkable patience. Kramnik
16...b4 [ If 16...Cf6 17.Cxf6+ Axf6s e e s t h a t h i s o p p o n e n t ' s q u e e n i s
18.Ce4! is strong for White as Ae7holding together his queenside and so
19.d5 f6 20.d6 creates a strong passedoffers its exchange. He is confident
pawn. Black's reply obliges the queenthat in the endgame he can not only
t o r e t r e a t , b u t l e a v e s h i s p a w nregain his pawn, but retain enough
structure disfigured.] 17.De3 Ca6pressure to cause Giri serious problems.
18.Tfc1 Cc7 [ It is normally a good22...Dxd3 23.Cxd3 Cd5 24.Ce5 Ta6
idea when you have a backward pawnEXERCISE: Study this position and see
to plug the square in front of it with anif you can find Kramnik's clever way
enemy pawn. By the same logic theof increasing the pressure.
opponent wants to occupy the squareANSWER: 25.Af1! A precise move.
with a piece, not a pawn. However, [ I f W h i t e h a d b e g u n w i t h 25.e4
after 18...Caxc5 19.dxc5 Black doesn'tto push back the knight, then after Cc7
escape the pressure because of Dc7A) , Black can meet 26.Af1 with Cb5!
20.Cd6! , using the c5-pawn as the; ( 26...-- ); B) or if White switched to
support for a knight outpost deep inthe plan of capturing on a5 then his d4-
Black's territory. The knight can't bepawn would be slightly fragile. For
removed as White's bishop pair wouldexample, 26.Tca1 Cb5 27.Txa5 Txa5
b e co me d ev as t at i ng : f o r ex ampl e ,28.Txa5 f6 29.Cd3 Af7 and 30...Rd8
Axd6? 21.cxd6 Dxd6 22.Axc6 Ta6will follow, threatening the pawn.]
23.Ab5 Ta8 24.Td1 De7 25.Axd725...Cc3 Giri despairs of a successful
Axd7 26.Dd4 (threatening d7 and g7)defence and so gives up a couple of
pawns in search o f activity fo r his28 E04

bishops. [ After 25...Ta8 White can5...Bb4+ or 5...Nc6 6 Qa4 Bb4
play in the style of the game with 26.e4
Cc3 27.Axc3 bxc3 28.Txc31.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3 dxc4
with a crushing advantage.] 26.Axc35.Ag2 Ab4+ .
bxc3 27.Txc3 c5 28.dxc5 Af6 29.f4Here we investigate Black's bishop
Ab5 Black intends to complete hischeck on b4. The aim is to drain the
piece deplo yment with 30...Rc8 toe n e r g y f r o m W h i t e ' s p o s i t i o n b y
oppose the advance of the c-pawn andmaking him work hard to regain the
even win it, but Kramnik defeats thispawn on c4, or in some cases hold on
plan. to his material in Slav-style with ...b7-
30.Ag2! The e2-pawn is irrelevant. Byb5. However, as we shall see White has
returning the bishop to the Catalansome promising resources.
square White forces the advance of the
c-pawn. If 30...Rc8 then the fork 31
Bb7 wins at once. 29 E04
30...Ta7 31.c6 Here the pawn is Wagner,D
defended three times and can also be Brkic,A
supported by Rac2. There is no talk16: Biel 2015
about it being a target now.
31...Ae7 32.Ae4 f6 33.Cf3 Td81.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 d5 4.g3
EXERCISE: How does White get hisdxc4 5.Ag2 Ab4+ 6.Ad2 a5
knight into the attack again? QUESTION: What are the good
ANSWER: 34.e3! A simple move, butfeatures of 6...a5 as played in the game?
easily overlooked. White creates a postANSWER: The obvious point of this
o n d 4 f o r h i s k n i g h t . 34...e5move is to defend the bishop rather
K e e p i n g o u t t h e w h i t e h o r s e , b u tthan smooth White's development by
creating another weakness on e5. capturing on d2. However, it has
35.fxe5 fxe5 36.Tc1 The rook retreatsanother more subtle value once Black
to threaten 37 Nxe5 without any pinplays ...b7-b5 to defend his c4-pawn
with Bf6. 36...a4 [ If now 36...Af6and get the queenside pawns rolling.
then 37.Tc5 wins the bishop upon Aa6Thanks to the addition of ...a7-a5, if
38.Tcxa5 ;; or if 36...Ad6 37.Cg5White responds with Ne5, uncovering
(intending 38 Bxh7+ amongst otheran attack on a8, Black isn't obliged to
things) h6 38.Ad5+ and there will be aanswer ...Nd5 to block the diagonal as
knight fork on f7 or e6 next move.]h i s r o o k c o u l d g o t o a 7 o r a 6 .
37.bxa4 [ It's the end of the line for [ White would stand better after 6...Ae7
Bl ack af ter 37.bxa4 Txa4 38.Txa47.Da4+ and 8 Qxc4 due to his space
Axa4 39.c7 Tc8 40.Af5 . ] advantage and the fairly useful tempo
1-0 he has been presented with to get his
bishop to d2. If Black wants to play ...9.a4 Ce4 10.Dc2 Cd6 11.Cbd2 Ca6
Bb4+ and answer Bd2 with ...Be7, he12.Cxc4 Cb4 13.Cxd6+ Dxd6 14.Dd2
shouldn't combine it with the capture( more active was 14.De4!?; or 14.Dc3
...d5xc4. He should leave his pawn onmaking it harder for Black to get in the
d5 as a bastion.; Instead, the seeminglypawn break ...c6-c5, although after the
passive 6...Axd2+ can get tricky afterlatter move 0-0 15.0-0 b6 , intending
7.Cbxd2 ( I think White should avoid16...Ba6, looks okay for him) 14...0-0
this scenario in favour of the recapture15.0-0 Td8 16.Tfd1 b6 17.Dc3 Aa6
7.Dxd2 ; if then b5 , the curious move18.Td2 Tac8 19.Tad1 De7 20.h4 c5
8.Dg5!? prevents Black consolidating21.dxc5 Td5 22.Txd5 Cxd5 23.De5
on the queenside as g7 is hanging asDxc5 and the reigning world champion
well as b5 – after 0-0 9.Dxb5g r a d u a l l y o u t p l a ye d hi s o p po n e n t
Wh i t e ha s a s ma ll p l u s) 7...b5!?from this equal position.] 7...Axd2+
, G ra n d ma s t e r Gri g or y S erp e r h a s [ After 7...Ae7 8.Da4+ Ad7 9.Dxc4
defended this line three times as Black,Ac6 10.Cc3 Black is, of course, far
drawing all three including againstfro m lo st, but White has that little
Nakamura. If 8.a4 then c6 preservesCatalan edge to build upon.] 8.Cbxd2
the extra pawn.] 7.a3 Nimzowitschb5 9.b3!? White makes his pawn
used to call such a move 'putting thes a c r i f i c e o f a p e r m a n e n t n a t u r e .
ques tion to th e bish op' as it has to [ QUESTION: Did Black have a good
choose which diagonal it wants. [ Uponway to respond to the alternative 9.Ce5
7.Dc2 A) Black might get into trouble, attacking the rook? A) ANSWER: If
after 7...b5?! 8.a4 c6? (a poor move)you recall the comment to 6...a5 above
( but after 8...bxa4 Black's pawns areyou'll realize that 9 Ne5 is well met by
fragmented and 9.Ce5 followed by 109...Ta7! , moving the rook out of danger
Qx a 4 + gi v e s Wh i t e th e i n it i a t i v e)and forcing White to worry about the
9.axb5 Axd2+ ( 9...cxb5? 10.Axb4d ef e n ce of d4 . 10.-- ( 10.-- ); B)
wins a piece for White) 10.Cfxd2!In s te ad , af te r 9...Cd5? the d4-pawn
a n d t h e p i n o n c 6 me a n s B l a c k i sisn't hanging, so White could continue
under the cosh.; B) Therefore 7...Axd2+10.0-0 , intending 11 e4 to hit the black
i s t h e b e s t r e s p o n s e . B1) If thenknight. ( though the immediate pawn
8.Cbxd2 b5 9.a4 ( instead 9.b3sacrifice 10.b3 still looks best: for
in this sequence is similar to the game,example, Ab7! (planning 11...Nc3
but with White having lost time aftertricks) 11.Dc1 with unclear play.)]
cxb3 10.Dxb3 – he would rather have9...cxb3 [ After 9...c3 10.Cb1
played 7 a3 than 7 Qc2 and then 10White captures on c3 with the better
Qxb3 ) 9...c6 holds firm on thepawn structure, as b4 just loses a pawn
q u e e n s i d e .; B2) So in J.Hammer-M.to 11.axb4 .] 10.Dxb3!
Carlsen, Norway 2013, White preferredA cruel decision for the white knight as
8.Dxd2 . This game continued 8...c6it is denied a sight of the c5-square. On
the other hand, by attacking b5 the( 18.-- ); B) More resilient for Black
white queen provokes Black's nextwas 14...Db6! 15.Cd3 Tac8 16.Cb3
move, after which his bishop on c8 willDa7 17.Dd2 a4 18.Cbc5 Aa8
b e s h u t i n ; [ w h e r e a s a f t e r 10.Cxb3. W h i t e h a d c a r r i e d o u t t h e
Ab7 , the bishop has an open diagonal.appropriate knight manoeuvres and
Besides, recapturing with the queenre d u ce d Bl a c k t o p a s s i vi ty o n t he
clears the way for the rook to go fromqueenside, but was still a long way
f 1 t o c 1 a f t e r c as t l i n g .] 10...c6from wi nn ing in A.Goryachkina-I.
White's compensation for his materialO s ma k , M a ma i a 2 0 1 6 . T hi s g a me
will depend on his pressure against theactually ended in a draw as the strong
c6-pawn which is backward and on anRussian WGM was unable to find a
open file. It can be assailed by theb r e a k t h r o u g h .] 14.Ce5 Cd5?
bishop on g2, a rook or doubled rooks [ The most stubborn defence was
on the c-file, and in some cases Ne5.14...Cb8 , when the computer suggests
The c5-square would be an excellent15.Cb3 ( rather than regaining the pawn
outpost for a white knight if Whitewith 15.Cxc6 ) 15...Cfd7 16.Cd3!
gained stable control over it. If the c6-, to gain control over the c5-square.
pawn falls, then White will not onlyOf course, no human player could bear
restore numerical equality, but leaveto play 14...Nb8 as it would indicate a
Black with a vulnerable pawn on b5. beginner-like confusion.] 15.Cxc6
11.0-0 0-0 12.Tfc1 Ab7 13.Db2!T h e c 6 p o i n t c o l l a p s e s i n a v e r y
The queen retreats to defend the d4-favourable way for White. 15...Axc6
pawn so that the knight on f3 is free to [ After 15...Db6 16.Ce5! , Black can't
manoeuvre. She also vacates the b3-d e a l w i t h t h e d o u b l e t h r e a t o f --
square to allow the o ther knight to17.Cec4 ( and 17.Cd7 , winning the
utilize it. exchange ) 17...Da7 18.Dxb5
13...Ca6? A typical example of loss of, winning a pawn. He therefore has to
p a t i e n c e u n d e r l o n g -t e rm C a t al a ngri t h i s t eet h and excha nge on c6,
pressure. [ If Black had now playedl e a v i n g W h i t e w i t h a n un o p p o s ed
13...Cbd7 then 14.Ce1! would be aCatalan bishop.] 16.Txc6 b4 17.axb4
strong reply. Not only is the bishop onCaxb4 18.Tc5 Black's position is
g2 uncovered against c6, but the whitehighly unpleasant as the a5-pawn can
knights can aim at the c5-square withbe attacked a third time with Nc4 when
Nd3, Nb3 and Nbc5. Let's see how thisappropriate and the knight on d5 can
plan turned out in practice: after A) be undermined by a future e2-e4.
14...Cb6?! 15.Axc6 Axc6 16.Txc618...a4?! [ Black should be patient and
Tb8 17.Dxb5 Dxd4 18.Cb3wait with 18...g6 . If and when the a5-
, White won the a5-pawn though it tookpawn drops he could try to fight it out
a lot of effort to subdue Black in A.a pawn down, but with a compact mass
G i r i - D . F r i d ma n , R o s ma l e n 2 0 1 4 .of pawns on the kingside.] 19.Tc4!
'Passed pawns should be pushed' is a [ A somewhat simpler way to win for

venerable adage, but not when (a) theWhite was 24.Da3 , and if Cxf2
p a w n i s d e p r i v e d o f o n e o f i t s25.Txb4 . ] 24...Tad8 [ If 24...Tfd8
defenders and becomes a weakling, and25.Axd3 Txd4 26.Dxd4 Td8
(b) the pawn relinquishes a vital role in, it looks as if Black will recover the
defending a piece. piece on d3, but 27.Txa4! kills him due
After Wagner's simple retreat of theto his weak back rank: Txd4 28.Txa5
rook one square, 20 Rxb4 or 20 e4 areg6 (there's no time to take on d3)
suddenly deadly threats. At the same29.Ac4 Txd2 30.Ta8+ Rg7 31.Ta7
time the rook on c4 indirectly attacksand f7 drops with an easy win for White.
t h e a 4 - p a w n . [ Here 19.e4?] 25.Txd3 . The pin on b4 means Black
wo uld be a blunder because o f Cd3stays a whole piece down.
. I hope you saw this fork – sadly for1-0
Black h e did as well, otherwise he
wouldn't have been tempted to
b l u n d e r w i t h 1 8 . . . a 4 .] 19...Da530 E04
Still trying to play actively, but the Ragger,M
black knights get into a fatal tangle. Haba,P
[ I guess Brkic had no stomach for17: Austrian League 2016
19...Tb8 20.Da3 Ca6 21.Txa4 Cac7
22.Ce4 , when he is a pawn down for1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3
nothing with a passive set-up to boot.]dxc4 5.Ag2 Ab4+ 6.Ad2 c5
20.e4 White should always carefullyQUESTION: What's the point of this
consider whether to play e2-e4 in themove?
Catalan as it gains space, but shuts inA N S W E R : W i t h o u t w a s t i n g t i me
the bishop and loosens the centre. HereBlack defends his bishop and attacks
there is no dilemma for White as itthe d4-pawn. After White exchanges
leads to a win of material. bishops the black pawn on b4 will stop
20...Cd3 [ If 20...a3 21.Db3the natural development of White's
ch anges n othin g.] 21.Dc2 C5b4knight to c3. On the other hand, we all
[ Equally hopeless is 21...Cb6 22.Dxd3know about the importance of the ...c7-
Cxc4 23.Cxc4 when White's minorc5-pawn stab in challenging the white
pieces can spearhead the advance of thecentre, and after the exchange on b4
d-pawn whilst keeping the a4-pawnthis resource is no longer available.
under restraint.] 22.Dc3 EXERCISE:Furthermore, Black's queenside pawns
C a n y o u s e e W h i t e ' s u n s t o p p a b l em a y l o o k i m p o s i n g , b u t t h e y a r e
threat? actually vulnerable.
ANSWER: 22...e5 23.Af1!7.Axb4 cxb4 8.Ce5! Nowadays chess
The bishop changes diagonal to gobbleh a s m o v e d a l o n g w a y f r o m o l d
up a black knight. 23...exd4 24.Txd4precepts such as 'Don't move a piece
twice in the opening before developingis good for Black) 11...Dxd1+ 12.Rxd1
all your other pieces'. In fact evenCg4 13.Re2 Cgxe5 14.Cbd2 Ag4+
when Emanuel Lasker and Capablanca15.f3 Af5 16.Cxe5 ( Black has
were espousing such rules to beginners,counterplay after 16.e4 Ad7 17.Tac1
they were quick to point out there wereTad8 18.Thd1 f5 ) 16...Cxe5 17.f4
lots of cases when you should breakAd3+ 18.Rf2 Cg4+ 19.Rf3 Cf6
them. For example, positional play is20.Tac1 might be a decent try for White
a b o u t p r e v e n t i n g y o u r o p p o n e n tdespite his weird king, if he manages
playing good moves, as well as makingto get in e3-e4 and e4-e5 in a safe way.
good moves yourself, and sometimes] 9...c3? A poor reaction as it gives back
you have to move a piece twice to denyt h e p a w n w i t h o u t c a u s i n g a n y
your opponent's pieces options. disruption to White's build-up.
If Black is left in peace for only one [ Black should challenge the white
move he could develop with 8...Nc6,knight with 9...Cc6 . A) Then 10.Cxc6
w i t h a t l e a s t a n e q u a l p o s i t i o n .bxc6 11.axb4 Tb8!? activates the rook
Therefore White unleashes his king'sand after 12.Dd2 Db6 , as well as
bishop and knight straightaway to deterattacking b4, Black has ideas of 13...
...Nc6 and make the development ofRd8 putting pressure on d4. ( 12...-- );
the bishop on c8 more awkward. B) I think White should prefer the
Th is p os i ti on h as b een reached 6 6capture with the bishop: 10.Axc6 bxc6
times on my database. White has tried11.axb4 , when he has the makings of a
8 Ne5 56 times; [ 8.Da4+ 8 times; andgrip on the dark squares. However,
8.Cbd2; and 8.a3 once.; He (or she) hasthere is no longer a bishop on g2 to
never settled for the routine developingafflict Black, who can seek counterplay
move 8.0-0 . ] 8...0-0 9.a3!?with Db6 , attacking the b4-pawn
In order to break up Black's queenside ( or maybe 11...Cd5!? ) . For example,
pawns and open lines for the white12.0-0 Dxb4 B1) and now 13.Cd2 c5
pieces. [ After 9.a3 bxa3 10.Cxa314.Cdxc4 Ad7 15.b3 ( 15.dxc5 Ab5
, White's pieces are coming alive. Then,16.c6 Axc4 17.Dd4 Db5 18.Cxc4
as usual, simplification doesn't helpDxc6 looks equal) 15...cxd4 16.Dxd4
Black to escape from a Catalan bind:Ab5 looked fairly equal in I.
Da5+? 11.Dd2 Dxd2+ 12.Rxd2Cheparinov-A.Smith, Gibraltar 2015,
. White's rook on a1 has an open file,though White somehow ground out a
his bishop on g2 a clear diagonal, andwin here after 17.Tfd1 .; B2) Instead,
his knights are about to join up with13.Dd2 looks a better try in this
central domination after 13 Naxc4.;sequence: 13...c5 14.Dxb4 cxb4
White steers clear of the sharp line15.Tc1 Ad7 16.Cd2 c3 17.bxc3 bxc3
9.Cxc4 Cc6 10.e3 e5 , but 11.dxe518.Txc3 would be some advantage to
( 11.d5 b5! 12.dxc6 Dxd1+ 13.Rxd1White as he can put pressure on the
bxc4 14.a3 Ag4+ 15.Rc1 b3a7-pawn and try to win it.] 10.bxc3
bxc3 11.Cxc3 EXERCISE: How bigand 18...Bb7+, etc.] 15...Cxe5 16.Cb5

do you think is White's advantage – [ Black's game is considerably eased
small, large, or decisive? after 16.Axb7 Axb7 17.Txb7 a5
A N S W E R : A m o n g s t r o n g h u m a nwith ideas of ...Nc4.
p l a y ers o f a s i mil a r l ev e l I wo u l dTo play the Catalan well you have to
ex p e c t W h i t e t o w i n t h i s p o s i t i o nb e l i e v e i n t h e v a l u e o f l o n g - t e r m
maybe seven times out of ten. After all,advantages. Here White has two rooks
he has everything he hopes for in theon open files and a powerful bishop
Catalan: pressure on b7 that keeps thev e r s u s p a s s i v e b l a c k p i e c e s . H e
enemy bishop on c8 tied down, controls h o u l d n ' t r e l i n q u i s h m o s t o f t h i s
of the c6-square preventing ...Nc6, ansuperiority through fear of being a
open c-file that his rooks will get topawn down for a couple more moves.
first and no weaknesses in his ownInstead, Ragger brings his knight into
camp. He also has the advantage of anthe attack, increasing the squeeze on
extra centre pawn which is not typicalthe black queenside.] 16...a6 17.Cd6
of the Catalan. g6 18.f4 Ragger is still in no hurry to
11...Cbd7 [ The last chance for aget back the pawn. Instead he dislodges
semblance of counterplay was 11...Da5the o ne active black piece from its
12.Dd2 Td8 . ] 12.0-0! White isn'tc e n t r a l p o s t . 18...Cg4 19.Tdc1
afraid of simplification. One thing weThe rook gets out of the range of 19...
learn in the Catalan is that exchangesNe3, which would otherwise force the
often clarify White's advantage ratherexchange of his strong bishop, and
than dissipate it. Of course, the bishopi n t en d s t o s e i z e t he s e v en t h r an k .
on g2 tends to be an exception to this19...Td8 20.Tb6! White is still in no
rule. As we shall see, White guards itshurry to regain his pawn.
life carefully in this game. 20...Cf6 EXERCISE: How do we keep
12...Cxe5 13.dxe5 Dxd1Black under restraint?
[ Equally unpleasant for Black isANSWER: 21.e4! White prevents 21...
13...Cg4 14.Dxd8 Txd8 15.Tfd1 Ad7Nd5 which would force him into the
16.Tab1 . ] 14.Tfxd1 Black is rid ofunwelcome exchange 22 Bxd5 exd5 as
White's dominant knight, but at thethe rook needs to stay on b6 to defend
cost of conceding the d-file to White'sd6. White might expand with e4-e5 at
rook. some point to increase his dark-squared
14...Cg4 QUESTION: What shouldcontrol and support the knight, though
White do about the attack on e5? this would have to be carefully judged
ANSWER: Counterattack against b7! as it allows ...Nd5 again. More likely
15.Tab1! [ After 15.f4 Black canWhite would play 22 Rc7. Instead, the
e s c a p e a l o t o f t h e p r e s s u r e b ygame came to an abrupt end.
exchanging off White's bishop: thus21...e5? A good positional move as it
Ce3 16.Td6 Cxg2 17.Rxg2 b6stops White's further central expansion
and shuts in the bishop on g2. If now11.De2 b5 when Black had

22 fxe5 Ng4 and the e5-pawn is veryconsolidated his extra pawn and was
weak. But as Réti remarked, tactics at least equal.] 5...dxc4 6.Ag2 b5!
always come before strategy in chess. Bold and best. With his knight
22.Cxc8 . The knight on f6 is hangingcommitted to the passive d2-square
so Black loses a piece. A drastic finish,White isn't able to exert enough energy
but don't expect any gifts like this fromto make the black queenside pawns
strong opponents unless you keep themtumble. [ After 6...c3 7.bxc3 Axc3
under lock and key with a series of8.Tb1 A) note that 8...Axd4? 9.Da4+
accurate pressing moves. Cc6 10.Cxd4 wins at once for White.;
1-0 B) Against more sensible moves he
may temporarily gambit a second pawn
to increase the pressure. For example,
31 E10consider 8...0-0 9.0-0 Axd4 ( or
Tari,A 9...Cc6 10.e3 ) 10.Aa3 Te8 11.Cxd4
Sjodahl,P Dxd4 12.Dc2 . White has typical
18: Vasteras 2015C a t a l a n c o m p e n s a t i o n f o r h i s
material: open lines for his queen and
1.d4 e6 2.c4 Cf6 3.Cf3 d5 4.g3rooks to help the minor pieces besiege
Ab4+ Black keeps the option ofthe black queenside structure; black
a n s w e r i n g 5 B d 2 w i t h 5 . . . B e 7 ,pieces meanwhile undeveloped or on
ma i n t a i n i n g t h e p a w n o n d 5 a s i nru b b i s h s q u a res , in cl ud in g in t hi s
C h a p t e r O n e . [ Our usual move orderinstance an exposed queen.; C)
f o r t h e p r e s e n t c h a p t e r i s 4...dxc4Another line is 8...Cc6 9.Dc2! Axd4
5.Ag2 Ab4+ . ] 5.Cbd2 It is somewhat10.Aa3! and this time Black has to
against the spirit of the Catalan to putw o rr y a b o u t t h e k i n g s t u c k i n t h e
the knight on d2 as White shuts in thecentre as well.] 7.0-0 EXERCISE:
bishop on c1 and loses the flexibilityNow 7...Bb7 looks very natural. Can
inherit in delaying the development ofyou see why it is actually a mistake?
t h e h o r s e . [ The other way to avoid the [ ANSWER: Capablanca once said that
n a t u r a l 5 B d 2 i s w i t h 5.Cc3every move has to be checked to see if
. Then the position is akin to a Nimzo-it was sound, no matter how obvious.
Indian. Black looks comfortable afterAfter 7.0-0 Ab7? , 8.Cxc4!
dxc4! 6.Ag2 Cc6 7.0-0 0-0is a nice trap. White will regain his
. The game A.Onischuk-S.Karjakin,piece with a good game upon bxc4 ( or
Baku 2015 (which indeed began as a8...Cbd7 9.Cce5 with good central
Nimzo-Indian with the sequence 1 d4control ) 9.Da4+ Cc6 10.Ce5 Cd5
Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 g3 0-0 5 Bg211.Cxc6 Dd7 12.Axd5 exd5 13.Dxb4
d5 6 Nf3 dxc4 7 0-0 Nc6), continuedDxc6 14.b3 . Black can't castle
8.a3 Ae7 9.e4 Ca5 10.Ae3 Tb8kingside, his pawns are disjointed and
his bishop shut in.] 7...0-0 The game ( the material imbalance after 13...Dxa1
move also looks like an imprecision.14.Ab2 Dxf1+ 15.Rxf1 rather favours
[ After 7...a5! A) Black would be ableWhite ) 14.Db1 Cbd7 , Black has two
to answer 8.a4 (I regard 8 a3 as a betterp a w n s f o r t h e e x c h a n g e a n d a
m o v e – s e e b e l o w ) c6 9.Ce1compact structure; B2a2) 12.Ab2 Dxd2
, threatening 10 cxb5 in the style of the13.Axa8 a4 14.Dxb5 Aa6
g a m e , w i t h Ta7! getting the rook off. It looks as if White might be dropping
t h e l o n g d i a g o n a l ( in contrast, in thea piece as his queen is crowded out of
game Black feels obliged to answer 9defending b2, but he has 15.Cf3 Dc2
Ne1 with 9...Cd5 , when his knight16.Cd4 Dd2 17.Cf3 , etc, with a
becomes a target of e2-e4) . The battlerepetition.; B2b) Instead, in S.Vidit-S.
remains complex: for example, WhiteShyam, Thiruvarur 2015, White took on
could try to exploit the rook being onb5: 11.Dxb5 c5! ( if 11...Aa6
a 7 i n a s e q u e n c e l i k e 10.Cdf3W h i t e c a n g e t a w a y w i t h 12.Dxa5 )
( I would prefer the approach 10.Cc212.dxc5 Aa6 (now the black queen
Ae7 11.e4 for White, although againg u a r d s a 5 ) 13.Db2 , a n d a f t e r Cc6
after 0-0 12.e5 Cd5 13.Ce4 b4 ( in the game Vidit was able to
, w h i l e W h i t e h a s s p a c e o n t h ec o n s o l i d a t e h i s p a w n o n c 5 a f t e r
kingside and can try to attack, in the13...Cd5!? 14.Ce4 Cd7 15.c6 C7f6
Catalan we want Black's queenside16.Cd4 Cxe4 17.Axe4 ) , White would
pawns to be a liability, not a powerfulonly have a tiny, if any, advantage
mass ) 10...0-0 11.Ce5 Ab7 12.Cc2upon 14.Dc3 Axe2 15.Te1 . ] 8.a4
Ae7 13.e4 Cbd7 14.Ae3!?Our standard move to put pressure on
, but after Ta8 15.f4 while White has athe queenside pawns. 8...c6 [ After
central build-up, Black's queenside8...c3 9.Cb3 cxb2 10.Axb2 bxa4
pawns are strong.; B) Therefore a better11.Ce5 Cd5 in V.Artemiev-N.Vitiugov,
plan for White would be to aim directlyChita 2015, with 12.Cc5 ( rather than
at the pawns with 8.a3!? Ae7 9.b312.Txa4 as played ) 12...Axc5 13.dxc5
cxb3 10.Dxb3 . B1) Now 10...c6f6 14.Cd3 c6 15.Dxa4 , White has an
11.Ce5 Ab7 12.Ab2 0-0 13.Tfc1edge due to his space, bishop pair,
leaves White with queenside pressurelead in development and the chance
t yp i c al o f t h at a ft er a b 2 -b3 p awnto kick back the knight from d5 with e2-
sacrifice in Chapter Three – see, fore4. ] 9.Ce1 [ More direct was 9.axb5
e x a mp l e , t h e g a me K ra mni k -G i r i .cxb5 10.Cg5 Cd5 11.e4 A)
( 13.-- ); B2) However, Black can playw h e n a f t e r 11...Cc7 , Black has to
10...0-0 leaving the b5-pawn hanging.reck o n wit h t he s acrifi ce 12.Cxh7!?
B2a) Then 11.Ce5 leads to a curiousRxh7 13.e5 . If then Cd5?!
draw after Dxd4 ( if 11...c6 12.Ab2 ( a n o t h e r l i n e i s 13...Th8 14.Axa8
is an edge for White) B2a1) afterCxa8 15.Txa7; while 13...g6 14.Axa8
12.Axa8 Dxe5 13.Af3 a4Cxa8 15.Df3 is unclear) 14.Dh5+ Rg8
15.Ce4 , menacing 16 Ng5 is dangerousthe bishop's retreat to e7 or becoming a

for him.; B) Objectively speaking Blacktarget for e4-e5.
is at least okay in this line, but it isHowever, 11.e5! , renewing the idea of
no s u rp ris e t hat in practice h e h as12 axb5, seems to leave Black with no
mo s tly o p t ed fo r 11...Dxg5 , whenbetter option than Cd5 , transposing
12.exd5 exd5 13.Cxc4 Dd8 14.Ce3back to the main game; ( as 11...Dxd4?
Ae6 15.Ad2! looks a slight edge forfails to 12.Cc2 Dc5 13.Ce4 De7
White. Following Axd2 16.Dxd2 Cc614.Ag5 (in her need to defend b4 the
17.Ta6 Tc8 18.f4 , despite his extrablack queen ends up harassed on all
pawn Black was in a bind in P.Haba-sides of the board) f6 15.exf6 gxf6
A.Horvath, Austrian League 2014. 16.Cxf6+ Txf6 17.Cxb4 and White
Instead, in our main game we havewins. )] 11.e5 If White had played 9
t h e s u rp r i s i n g re t re a t . I n o r d er t oNe5 then the chance to gain space with
l a u n c h a n a t t a c k W h i t e p u t s h i s11 e5, driving the enemy knight from
knight not on e5 but on e1!] 9...Cd5f6 and clearing the e4-square for his
Blocking th e long diagonal and soo t h e r k n i g h t , w o u l d h a v e b e e n
m e e t i n g t h e t h r e a t o f 1 0 a x b 5 ;unavailable. The e4-square is actually a
[ which would be a possible reply tosuperior post for a white horse in the
9...Dxd4 . Though in fact White shouldcentre, as on e5 it can more readily be
keep it in reserve and grab Black'sdislodged by the pawn move ...f7-f6.
important dark-squared bishop withFurthermore, from e4 the knight can
10.Cc2 Dc5 11.axb5 Dxb5 12.Cxb4swing to g5 to aid a kingside attack.
Dxb4 13.b3! (threatening 14 Ba3) Td811...Cd5 12.Ce4 a5 [ Or 12...Ae7
14.bxc4 when he has a clear plus.]13.Dg4 Rh8 14.Cf3 and White builds
10.e4 Cf6 [ If 10...Ce7 , which on theup his kingside initiative.] 13.Dh5
face o f it looks goo d as the knig htHere we can conclude that Tari has
retreats to a sheltered centre square, wereasonable practical chances. Even if
see the value of the knight being on e1:the computer programs like Black's
after 11.Cc2! the bishop on b4 can noextra pawn, you aren't likely to get a
longer retire to e7. Black has nothingperfect defence on the kingside from a
better than to hand over the 'good' dark-human player.
s q u a r e d b i s h o p w i t h Axd2 ( as13...Ta7 14.Cf3 f5 Understandably
11...Aa5?! 12.axb5 cxb5 13.Dh5!Sjodahl wants to challenge White in
with the threat of 14 Qxb5 or 14 Nxc4,the centre before the attack gets any
exploiting the bishop on a5, work snearer to his king.
out well for White; as does 11...Ad6?!15.exf6 Cxf6? In effect the decisive
12.axb5 when Black dare not recapturem i s t a k e a s B l a c k ' s d e f e n c e n o w
cxb5 on p a in o f 13.e5 ) 12.Axd2 .;b e c o me s v e r y d i f f i c u l t . [ He should
No n e t he l e s s , 10...Cc7 was a seriousplay 15...gxf6! to avoid exchanging off
alternative, not getting in the way ofh i s e x c e l le n t k ni gh t , k e ep t h e e 5 -
square guarded and bring the rook onirresistible.] 27.Rg2 There's no good
a7 into the battle. If you have a strongway to stop 28 Rh1 winning the queen.
centre your king can live with some27...Tf4 28.f3 [ Here 28.Th1 Txg4+
damage to his cover.] 16.Cxf6+ Dxf629.Rf3 Tf4+ 30.Re2 Aa6+ 31.Rd1
17.Ce5 Df5 EXERCISE: What isw i n s , b u t w h y a l l o w a n y
White's best response to the offer tocomplications? ]
exchange queens? 1-0
ANSWER: 18.De2! Of course, he is
having none of it! You can see the
damage done to Black's game by 15...32 E04
Nxf6? – White's knight is sitting pretty Evdokimov,A
on e5 an d t he c6-pa wn is a target . Harutyunian,T
White intends to build up with Bf4.19: Moscow 2016
How Black misses the knight on d5!
18...c3 19.Ae4 Dh3 20.Ag21.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3
Since his opponent collapses in shortdxc4 5.Ag2 Cc6 EXERCISE: You
order Tari was justified in focussing onmight like to stop and have a think
a kingside attack. [ The clinical way toabout the good and bad points of this
win the game was to exploit Black'smove, which are?
weaknesses on both sides of the boardANSWER: It is certainly a fighting
with 20.axb5 cxb5 21.Cd3! cxb2mov e. Blac k rapi dly mobilizes hi s
22.Dxb2 Ad6 23.Dxb5 . Black's piecesq u e e n s i d e p i e c e s w i t h t h e a i m o f
ar e d i s or g an i ze d a n d t h e a5 - p a wnh o l d i n g o n t o t h e c 4 - p a w n . T h i s
very weak. With her opposite numberinvolves delaying the development of
entombed on h3, the white queen isthe bishop on f8 to see if it can be
the star of the show.] 20...Df5 21.h4deployed more actively on b4 rather
After a little repetition White threatensthan its usual e7-square.
to win the queen with 22 Be4 Qf6 23The drawback to Black's set-up is that
Bg5. the typical attack on White's centre
21...cxb2 22.Dxb2 h6 23.Ae3with ...c7-c5 is blocked, and also the
[ Already very strong was 23.g4 Df6bishop on c8 remains boxed in for the
24.g5 . ] 23...bxa4 24.g4 Df6 25.Dc2time being.
Dxh4 Now it's simple for White;6.Da4 I believe this is the best approach
[ but in any case White was all set tofor White: he plays to regain the pawn
l a u n c h a b i g a t t a c k a f t e r 25...Aa6at once; [ rather than permit the
26.Ae4 g5 ( or 26...Axf1 27.g5 Dd8variations 6.0-0 Tb8 7.Cc3 b5; or
28.Rxf1 ) 27.hxg5 hxg5 28.Rg2 Axf1+6.Cc3 Tb8 7.0-0 a6 , in both of which
29.Txf1 Ad6 30.Th1 , etc. ] 26.Ae4 g5Black has achieved good results by
[ I n s t e a d , a f t e r 26...Df6 27.f4k e e p i n g h i s e x t r a p a w n o n t h e
and then 28 g5, the attack would bequeenside.
Af te r the g ame mov e Bl ack h as to11.Dd1 Cd5 Black keeps his extra
reckon not only with the capture on c4,pawn. ] 10.Ca3 Stopping 10...b5 and
but also 7 Ne5 when c6 is attackeddeveloping the knight. [ An alternative
three times.] 6...Ab4+! Obstructing themethod is 10.Cc3 , though after a6
w h i t e q u e e n ' s a t t ac k o n c 4 w h i l s t11.Ce5 0-0 12.Cxc6 Cxc6 13.Axc6
developing the b ishop with check .bxc6 14.Dxc4 and now Dd6 ( or
7.Ad2 Cd5! QUESTION: What is the14...Txb2 seems okay for Black.)]
p u r p o s e o f t h i s m o v e ?10...0-0 [ In contrast to the previous
[ ANSWER: Very lame would ben o t e , i f n o w 10...a6 11.Ce5 0-0
7...Axd2+? w h e n a f t e r 8.Cbxd212.Cxc6 Cxc6 13.Dxc4 Dxd4
White would regain the c4-pawn with14.Axc6 (White utilizes the knight
a pl eas an t 'C at al an' ed ge. Instead ,being on a3 rather than c3 in a neat
with 7...Nd5 Black supports his bishopway) Dxc4 15.Cxc4 bxc6 16.Tfd1!?
on b4 an d b locks the action of th e(to stop ...Rd8), followed by Rac1 and
bishop on g2, thereby taking the stingb2-b3, Black is left with the laborious
out of White's Ne5 move. At the sametask of holding together his queenside.]
time the idea of 8...Nb6 is introduced,11.Db5! [ Of c o urs e , n o t 11.Cxc4?
h i t t i n g t h e q u e e n a n d a d d i n g alosing a piece to b5 . Instead, the white
defender to c4 while uncovering anqueen steps around the black knight
attack on d4, or 8...Bd7, planning at o r e g a i n t h e p a w n .] 11...b6!
discovered attack on the queen withW h i t e w i l l b e f o r c e d i n t o a p i n .
9...Nxd4. ] 8.Axb4 [ In P.Harikrishna-12.Dxc4 [ Another way to lose a knight
Bu Xiangzhi, Danzhou 2016, Whiteis after 12.Cxc4? Aa6 . ] 12...Aa6
played 8.Db5 to attack the c4-pawn at13.Cb5 Things look awkward for White,
once. This amounted to a positionalbut if he is allowed to play 14 Rfc1
pawn sacrifice: Axd2+ 9.Cbxd2 c3followed by 15 a3 it will be the black
10.bxc3 Cxc3 11.Db2 Ca4 12.Dc2pieces in trouble. Black therefore has
Cb6 13.e3 0-0 14.0-0 De7 15.Tac1to continue actively.
. White's pressure on the queenside,13...Dd5! 14.Dxd5 Cxd5 [ After
which he can strengthen with Nb3 and14...exd5? 15.Cc3 Black is left with
Nc5, g ives adequate compensationweak pawns on c7 and d5 and facing
b u t p r o b a b l y n o m o r e t h a n t h a t .]the threat of 16 a3.] 15.a4 [ Now
8...Cdxb4 9.0-0 [ If 9.a3 then b5!15.Cc3 is no good for White as Cxc3
is a g ood rep ly, as 10.Dxb5 Cc2+16.bxc3 Axe2 costs him a pawn.]
would lead to complications which are15...Ca5! Once again, Black has to
at least okay for Black. But now 10 a3strive for tactical counterplay. He can't
to drive back the knight followed byafford to play slowly or else 16 Rfc1
11 Qxc4 is a positional threat.] 9...Tb8will leave him in trouble along the c-
[ Preparing to answer 9...Tb8 10.a3f i l e . A t t h e s a m e t i m e B l a c k h a s
with b5 to defend c4, when aftercleared the way for 16...c6, driving the
knight from b5 when the e2-pawn isrooks as if 24 Rxb6 Rd1+ wins a piece.
lost. [ It seems like White is going to win a
16.Ce5! The best riposte. Whitepawn after, say, 23...Txa4 24.Txe6
threatens 17 Nd7. [ Note that 16.Cxa7?!Ah5 25.Txb6 . However, Black still
Axe2 would be a fine swap for Black;;h a s t h e t r i c k o f t h e l a s t n o t e .]
while 16.Tfc1? would lose theEXERCISE: White needs to make a
e x c h a n g e t o Cb3 .] 16...Tbd8hole for his king on h2. Should he play
Dealing with White's threat. [ If 16...c62 4 h 4 o r 2 4 h 3 t o a c h i e v e t h i s ?
17.Cxa7 Axe2 18.Tfe1 followed by(Warning: the answer is very deep!)
capturing on c6 leaves White a pawn24.h4 [ ANSWER: One good feature of
up. ] 17.Cxa7 Cb4! Once again Black24.h3 is that it would rule out ...Bg4 as
has to avoid falling into a positionalan option for Black, so is it better than
bind. [ After 17...Axe2 18.Tfe1 Aa6the game move? Let's take a look: T8d6
19.Cac6 Cxc6 20.Cxc6 Td6 21.Tac125.Txd6 Txd6 . A) Now in V.Anand-
, White has consolidated and is readyV.Kramnik, Bilbao 2010, White entered
to win a pawn with h6 22.Axd5 exd5a bishop endgame with 26.Tc6?! Txc6
23.Ce7+ Rh7 24.Txc7 . The game27.Axc6 , but Black held the draw: e5
mo v e fi g h t s f o r t h e c6 -sq u are a n dA1) after 28.b4 Rf7 29.Ab7 Re6
uncovers an attack on the d4-pawn.]30.a5 bxa5 31.bxa5 Rd6 , the king
18.Tac1 [ Moving the other rook out ofstops the pawn and stands to win it after
the way of Bxe2 with 18.Tfc1? fails to32.a6?! ( but White might play on a bit
Cb3 .] 18...Txd4 19.Txc7with 32.f4 exf4 33.gxf4 Rc7 34.Ae4
[ White can try to get a bind on theh6 35.Rf2 , etc ) 32...Rc7; A2) 28.f4
position with 19.Cb5 Axb5 20.axb5(I d o n' t t hin k you o r me wou l d be
, but here is an example of precisegranted an effortless draw by Anand
defence in a heavyweight encounter: f6here) 28...exf4 29.gxf4 Rf7 30.Rf2
21.e3 Tdd8 22.Cf3 Tf7 23.Ah3 Te7Ac4 31.b4 g5 32.fxg5 fxg5 33.h4
24.Tc3 Rf7 25.Ta1 Td3!( n o t n e c e s s a r y , b u t a v o i d i n g a n y
( t h e e x c h a n g e o f r o o k s e a s e s t h edanger of Black getting an edge from ...
tension) 26.Af1 Txc3 27.bxc3 Cd5h5-h5, fixing the h3-pawn) gxh4 34.a5
28.c4 Cc3 29.c5 Td7 30.Cd4 Ce4and draw agreed.; B) The other move
(the knight heads for c5) 31.cxb6 cxb6fo r Whi t e i s 26.b4 in the style of the
32.Tc1 Cc5 and Black held the draw inm a i n g a m e . B1) Then Black got into
V . K r a mn i k - H . N a k a mu r a , L o n d o ntrouble after 26...Td4? (not best – see
2011. ] 19...Axe2 20.Tfc1 f6! 21.Cec6below) 27.Te1 B1a) 27...Ad3 28.Td1
[ White is obliged to simplify since(pinning the bishop) e5 29.a5 bxa5
21.Cd7? Td8 leaves him in trouble as30.bxa5 e4 (losing a pawn, but
22.Cxb6 loses a piece to Td1+ . ]o t h erwi s e t h e a -p awn i s mar ch i ng
21...Cbxc6 22.Cxc6 Cxc6 23.T7xc6forwards) 31.Axe4 Txe4 32.Txd3 Ta4
Tfd8! Winning time to coordinate the33.Td5 and White won in A.Gupta-M.
Venkatesh, Delhi 2014. ( 33.-- ); B1b) 30.Rf2 Ac4 31.Ae4 h6 32.Ac2

Instead, 27...Td2 is a tougher defence:a n d 3 3 K e 3 .] 26...Td4 27.Te1
28.Ta1! (behind the looming passedEX ER C I S E : Tr y n o w t o d e c i d e i f
pawn is exactly where the rook wants toBlack's bishop should run away to c4
be) Rf7 29.Af1! ( after 29.a5 bxa5or g4. How big is the difference?
30.bxa5 Aa6 31.Af1 Td6 Black has27...Ac4? ANSWER: A serious mistake.
blockaded the pawn one file furtherBlack plans to exchange bishops with ...
back ) 29...Axf1 30.Rxf1 Re7 31.a5Bd5 (after the preparatory move ...Kf7),
bxa5 32.bxa5 Td7 33.Re2based on the principle that all rook and
and White has good practical winningp a w n e n d g a me s a r e d r a w n . W e l l ,
chances. getting rid of the white bishop which
Having looked at these lines closely,controls key squares on the queenside
we realize that Black has no reason toi s b y n o m e a n s a b a d i d e a .
play 26...Rd4?.; B2) Instead, 26...e5! [ Here's a demonstration of the bishop's
gets the kingside pawns moving. Thenpower: 27...Td1?? 28.Txd1 Axd1
after 27.b5 (fixing the b6-pawn as a29.a5 bxa5 30.bxa5 Ae2 and White
target) ( instead we could have thec a n w i n a p i e c e w i t h 31.Ab7
bishop endgame with 27.Tc6; or tryfollowed by 32 a6 (when Black must
27.a5 bxa5 28.bxa5 , but the passedp l a y 3 2 . . . B x a 6 ) ( but even better with
pawn will struggle to get any further31.Af1! Af3 32.a6 , followed by 33
as a6 is well guarded) 27...Rf8 28.Tc8+Bg2, when White can queen the pawn.
Re7 29.Ac6 f5 B2a) Black is ready toThe problem with 27...Bc4 is that the
answer 30.Tb8 with e4! , when Whiteimportant threat of ...Rxb4 is blocked.
is even mated after 31.Txb6?? Td1+This means that White has the freedom
32.Rh2 Af3 33.g4 f4 intending 34...to create a passed pawn without the
Rh1. ( 33...-- ); B2b) However, 30.f3!black rook being able to attack the
keeps some chances of advantage. p a w n f r o m be h i n d . I n de e d , W h i t e
Thus, we can't conclude that 24 h3 ishimself succeeds in getting his rook
superior to 24 h4: both moves keep ab e h i n d t h e p a w n .); Instead, after
slight edge.] 24...T8d6 25.Txd6 Txd627...Ag4 A) 28.a5? bxa5 29.bxa5
26.b4 [ As in the Anand-Kramnik gameTa4 , the passed pawn drops off.
giv en in th e n otes to 2 4 h4 abo ve,( 29...-- ); B) White could try to
White might have considered takingpreserve his chances with 28.Tb1 Rf7
the game into a bishop endgame with29.Tb2 , defending the second rank and
26.Tc6 Txc6 27.Axc6 . The black kingk e e p i n g t h e o p t i o n o f a 4 - a 5 , b u t
can rush over to stop the advance ofB l a c k s h o u l d n ' t h a v e t o o m u c h
W h i t e ' s q u e e n s i d e m a j o r i t y , b u ttrouble.; C) Finally, note that if 28.Te4
nonetheless I could imagine Magnus, Black doesn't exchange rooks but
Carlsen grinding away for a win after,d e f e n d s a d e q u a t e l y w i t h 28...Td1+
say, Rf7 28.b4 Re7 29.f4 Rd629.Rh2 h5 . ] 28.a5 bxa5 29.bxa5
Rf7 30.Tc1 White cajoles Black intowinning plan outlined in the note to 35
an exchange of bishops as he sees thatKf4, but he hasn't created the right
the rook endgame offers offers himdisposition of pawns on the kingside.
go o d pro s pec ts of vic to ry. 30...Ad5The fa ct th at he has a rook's pawn
31.Ta1 [ There are various ways toallows Black to escape by the skin of
c a u s e B l a c k d i s c o m f o r t , s u c h a shis teeth.
31.Axd5; or 31.Tc7+; or 31.a642.Txh5 Txa6 43.Th6 Ta4+ 44.Re3
, b u t p u t t i n g t h e r o o k b e h i n d t h eRc5 45.f4 [ Black also holds the draw
p a s s e d p a w n i s v e r y p r i n c i p l e d .]after 45.Txf6 Txh4 46.Txe6 Rd5 . ]
31...Axg2 32.Rxg2 Td7 33.Rf345...e5! Correctly calculating that the
We won't look at the rook endgame inblack king will be close enough to stop
exhaustive detail. Suffice to say thatthe h-pawn after simplification.
t h e o u t s i d e p a s s e d p a w n i mp e r i l s46.Txf6 Txf4 47.Txf4 exf4+ 48.Rxf4
Black's survival. 33...Re7 34.Re4 h5Rd6 49.Rf5 Re7 50.Rg6 Rf8
35.Rf4? [ Here 35.f4! would supply½-½
good winning chances. The white king
can make a feint to support the passed
pawn, which would oblige the black34 E01
king to follow it towards the queenside.Black Plays in the Centre
Then the black pieces wo uld b e ill
placed when White reverts to action onI n t h i s c h a p t e r w e ' l l s u r v e y t w o
the kingside. variatio ns with a quick ...c7-c5 by
For example, Ta7 36.Rd4 Rd7 37.a6Black. 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6
( after 37.Rc5 Black can get some4.g3 -- [ Firstly, there is a Tarrasch
act iv i ty w it h Tc7+ 38.Rb6 Tc6+a p p r o a c h w i t h 4...c5 . Black is
, etc ) 37...Rc6 38.Rc4 Rb6 39.Rb4prepared to accept an isolated pawn in
. The key point of the position is thatreturn for an active development of
Black loses in almost every scenario inhis pieces and equality in space in the
which rooks are exchanged. Thus afterc e n t r e . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , f e w
Txa6 ( 39...Ta8 40.a7! again exploitsCatala n players can be unha ppy at
t h e key p o in t; w h i l e a f t e r 39...e5already having a target on d5 for their
40.fxe5 fxe5 41.Ta3 e4 42.Rc4 Tc7+bishop.; Secondly, after 4...dxc4 5.Ag2
43.Rd4 Ra7 , Black has blocked the, Black can strike with c5 , aiming to
passed pawn with his king, but afterliquidate the white centre and thereby
44.Rxe4 White should win) 40.Txa6+e q u a l i z e i n t e r m s o f s p a c e . T h e
Rxa6 41.Rc5 , White wins as his kingdrawback is that he is delaying his
will eat all the black pawns.] 35...Ta7development and so leaving himself
36.a6 Rd6 37.g4 g6 38.gxh5 gxh5vulnerable to a quick attack by the
39.Ta5 Rd7 40.Re4 Rc6 41.Rd4white pieces.
Rb6 White has played according to theLooking at the games in this chapter
we might conclude that the ...c7-c5Notice also that if Black plays 6...dxc4
break doesn't quite equalize for Black.in this sequence, then we reach other
It o f t e n f re e s B l a c k ' s g a me i n t h egames in this chapter where you can
Queen's Gambit Declined, but is lesschoose between 7.Da4 ( and 7.Ce5 . )]
e f f e c t i v e i n t h e C a t a l a n a s W h i t e1...d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3 c5
always retains pressure on b7. ] Black immediately challenges the d4-
pawn. White's opening build-up is very
natural, but have a close look at the
35 D34p r e v i o u s n o t e a s i t d i s c u s s e s
Korobov,A t ra n s po s i t i on s / th e ef f e ct of B l a ck
Ermeni,A playing a later ...c7-c5.
20: Gjakova 20165.cxd5 exd5 [ The pawn sacrifice
5...cxd4 is a rare bird but has featured
1.d4 [ For the sake of clarity I havein some top-level games. White should
changed the move order of the game,accept the gambit and then give back
which actually began 1.Cf3 d5 2.d4the material at an opportune moment to
e6 3.c4 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Cc3 Cc6escape the pressure and emerge with a
6.g3 Cf6 7.Ag2 . Here you can see thatp o s i t i o n a l a d v a n t a g e . T h u s 6.dxe6
a very early 3 ...c5 meets t he s ameAxe6 7.Dxd4 Cc6 8.Dxd8+ Txd8
general response from White: you get9.Ag2 with sensible development so far
to play g2-g3 and Bg2.; The opening inby White. A) Now after 9...Ab4+
this game is strictly speaking a Queen's10.Ad2 Ce4 , I p r e f e r 11.Axb4
Gambit Tarrasch Defence. Nonetheless, ( r a t h e r t h a n 11.a3 , as in A.Giri-L.
we need to have some idea of what weA r o n i a n , B e i j i n g ( r a p i d ) 2 0 1 3)
are doing as you can't really avoid it if11...Cxb4 (Black threatens mate in
you play the Catalan. For example, ifthree moves, but stay calm!) 12.Ca3
you begin 1.d4 d5 2.Cf3 Cf6 3.g3 e6Axa2 13.0-0 and White is ready to play
4.Ag2 you can congratulate yourself on14 Rf d 1 and then 15 Nd4 wit h the
having side-stepped lines where Blackinitiative in the centre. Black's pieces
plays ...Bb4+ or makes an early ...are somewhat over stretched and his
d5xc4 exchange, but all the same hequeenside vulnerable.; B) Similar, but
c a n c o n t i n u e c5 5.0-0 Cc6with the dark-squared bishops still on
, wh e n a f t e r 6.c4 ( wh a t el s e ? ) A) t h e b o a r d ( w h i c h s e e m s a w o r s e
6...Ae7 you have a popular position inversion for Black) is 9...Cb4 10.Ca3
the Tarrasch. Then 7.cxd5 exd5 ( ifAxa2 ( or 10...Ac5 11.Ag5
7...Cxd5 8.Cc3 Cxc3 9.bxc3 0-0with pressure for White) 11.0-0 a6
10.Tb1 gives White a slight edge due to, as in S.Sjugirov-V.Zvjaginsev, Sochi
his pressure on b7 and strong centre)2015, and now 12.Ae3 Ad5 13.Tfc1
8.dxc5 Axc5 9.Cc3 0-0 reaches theAe7 14.Ab6 Tb8 15.Ah3!
position in the main game.; B) (White ensures he has unchallenged
control of the open c-file; at the sameinfluence over the centre. However, at
time as a preliminary to his next movethe moment Black's bishop on c5 and
he avoids the exchange of bishops soknight on c6 are keeping out the white
as not to give Black's knights access toknights.
t h e d 5 - s q u a r e ) 0-0 16.Cd4With 10 a3 the fight begins to wrest the
with a nice edge for White.] 6.Ag2 Cc6square from Black. White intends to
7.Cc3 Ae7 [ Black's bishop isplay 11 b4 to discomfort Black's bishop.
misplaced on b4 after 7...cxd4 8.Cxd4It wo u l d l i ke to s t a y on t he a 7- g1
A) 8...Ac5?! 9.Cb3 Ab4 10.0-0diagonal where it watches over d4, but
, as giving up the bishop pair with Axc3then it loses the option of retreating to
11.bxc3 is not appealing. ( 11.-- ); B) e7 t o d ef u se the move B g5, which
Instead, 8...Ae7 9.0-0 0-0 leads to awould otherwise pin the knight which
m a i n l i n e o f t h e T a r r a s c h wheredefends the d5-pawn. Furthermore,
10.Ag5 ( and 10.Ae3 are the mainWhite migh t go the whole hog and
moves; while 10.b3!? is an interestingad v a n ce b 4 -b 5 , t o fo r ce t h e b l a ck
sideline: for example, Te8 11.Ab2 Ac5knight away from c6, when it also loses
12.Cxc6 bxc6 13.Ca4 , aiming to playcontact with the d4-square. This would
against the hanging pawns with Rc1h av e t o c aref ul ly j udg ed as Wh it e
next move.)] 8.dxc5!? Now that Blackdoesn't want to loosen his queenside
has spent a tempo on ...Be7, and sopawns too much.
can't play ...Bf8xc5 in one go, WhiteA t t h e s a m e t i m e 1 1 b 4 w i l l g i v e
exchanges on c5 to clear a way for anWhite's dark-squared bishop the chance
attack on d5. [ I've taken another move-to go to b2 where it enjoys an open
order liberty: the game actually wentdiagonal, aiming at Black's kingside
8.0-0 A) 8...0-0 , and then 9.dxc5 ;and adding its weight to the battle for
( 9.-- ); B) but taking on c5 immediatelyd4.
cuts out the option of Black answering10...a6 [ Here are some other options
8 0 - 0 w i t h 8...cxd4 9.Cxd4 0-0for Black:
, although you could then try 10.b3!?a) 10...Te8 guards e4 so that after
as suggested in th e p revious note.]11.b4 Ab6 A) the pin with 12.Ag5
8...Axc5 9.0-0 0-0 10.a3!?i s l e s s e f f e c t i v e b e c a u s e d4
QUESTION: What are the reasons fordoesn't allow 13 Ne4. ( 12...-- ); B)
this little pawn move? Nonetheless, the alternative 12.Ab2
A N S W E R : I n a p o s i t i o n w i t h a nAg4 13.Tc1 h6 14.Ca4 gives White a
isolated pawn, control of the square ingood game. Black can't avoid 15 Nxb6
front of the pawn is of serious strategicgaining the bishop pair as Ac7? allows
value. In this specific case the d4 -15.Axf6 , forcing the ghastly gxf6
square would be a great outpost for a ( since 15...Dxf6? drops material to
white knight as it would be immovable16.b5 . ); b) 10...Ce4 is a fighting move.
by an enemy pawn and have importantA) After 11.Cxd5 White should be
b e t t e r , b u t Ae6 gives Black a lot ofa way to redeploy the knight from c3.
p l a y f o r t h e p a w n . ( 11...-- ); B) ANSWER: 14.e3! White fixes the d5-
I n s t e a d , h e m i g h t c o n s i d e r 11.Dc2pawn by increasing his grip on the d4-
: for example, 11...Cxc3 12.Dxc3 Ae7square. At the same time he clears the
13.Cd4 Ag4 (not allowing White away for a brilliant knight manoeuvre
quiet positional advantage) 14.Cxc6via e2 to f4. On its new kingside post
bxc6 15.Dxc6 Axe2 16.Te1 Ac4the horse will attack d5 just as it did
17.Af4 Af6 18.Tad1 and White hason c3, but with more potency as the
some edge.; c) 10...a5 restrains b2-b4,bishop on b2 has an open diagonal and
but after 11.Ag5 d4 12.Axf6 ( 12.Ce4so there is a threat of Bxf6 followed by
Ae7 isn't much for White.) 12...Dxf6Nxd5. On f4 the knight will also be
13.Ce4 ( here 13.Cd5!?able to join in a direct kingside attack
is also interesting) 13...De7 14.Cxc5if that becomes the best strategy.
Dxc5 , the neat pawn thrust 15.b4!14...h6 15.Ce2 Ce4 16.Cf4 Ae6
sets Black problems. Following Db617.Cd2! QUESTION: Why does White
( if 15...axb4 16.axb4 Txa1 17.bxc5avoid 17 Nd4 which looks very natural
Txd1 18.Txd1 leaves d4 desperatelyan d se ems t o be t a ct i c al l y s o un d ?
weak ) 16.b5 Dxb5 17.Cxd4 Cxd4 [ ANSWER: An interesting moment.
18.Dxd4 Dxe2 19.Tfe1 Da6W h i t e c o u l d , i n d e e d , p l a y 17.Cd4!
a n d t h e n , r a t h e r t h a n t h e 20.Tab1, w h e n a f t e r Cxd4 18.Dxd4
of C.Kuberczyk-J.Carlstedt, Germanwith 19 Rfd1 to follow attacking d5,
L e a g u e 2 0 1 6 ; ( I like White's positionhe has good winning chances. However,
after 20.Te7 , despite the missing pawnKorobov , rated 2674 at the time of
due to his active room on e7, lead inthis game, wasn't satisfied with this
de velopmen t an d the target on b 7 .simple approach. Indeed, his knight
Though the computers don't agree withcan go to d4 any time: why clarify the
me! )] 11.b4 Ae7 [ After 11...Aa7p o s i t i o n w h e n y o u c a n k e e p yo u r
the pin with 12.Ag5 causes problemsopponent guessing?
for the defence of the d5-pawn, as d4T h e r e f o r e W h i t e p r o b e s w i t h h i s
allows 13.Ce4 when Black's kingsidek i n g ' s k n i g h t , e v e n t u a l l y m a k i n g
pawns will be broken up.] 12.Ab2 Te8B l a c k w e a k e n h i s q u e e n s i d e . H e
At some point over the next few movessucceeds in wrong footing his opponent
Black should play ...Bg4 to activate hist o s u c h a n e x t e n t t h a t h i s k n i g h t
b i s h o p a n d g a i n c o u n t e rp l a y . H i seventually gets full possession of d4
overly passive approach lets Whitewithout having to be exchanged off.]
build up pressure in peace. 17...Af5 18.Cb3 Ce7 19.Cc5! [ After
13.Tc1 Af8 [ The best move was still19.Cd4 Ah7 , the knight is sitting
13...Ag4 . ] EXERCISE: Can you see apretty on d4, but the attack on d5 is
good plan for White to increase theblocked. ] 19...b6 [ Instead, Korobov
pressure on the d5-pawn? Clue: think ofwant s to f orce Black to loosen hi s
qu eensi d e pa wns , as aft er 19...Cxc5t h a n g o o n a f o o l ' s e r r a n d t o a 4 .]

20.Txc5 the d5-pawn is becoming24.Tc7! Korobov sends his rook to the
indefensible.] 20.Cb3! If you want toseventh rank not to capture pawns, but
play the Catalan well you have to playto break the coordination of the black
manoeuvres of this type to weaken thepieces and thus facilitate an attack on
opponent's pawns. The knight goesthe k ings id e. Black's next move i s
forward ; a p awn att ack s i t; th en i thelpful to say the least.
r e t r e a t s . T h e q u i e t n a t u r e o f t h e24...Aa4 The bishop abandons the fight.
po si t ion makes th e lo s s of t ime in[ Black had to defend stoutly with
White's manoeuvre of little importance.24...Td8 . If that loses then everything
On the other hand, the fact the pawnloses. ] 25.h4 QUESTION: What is the
can't return to b7 means that the a6-purpose of this move?
pa wn a n d th e c 6-s quare hav e b o thANSWER: When carrying out an attack
permanently lost a defender. you shouldn't just move the big pieces.
20...Tc8 21.De2 Already the a6-pawnBy putting the pawn on h4 White rules
h a s b e c o m e a t a r g e t . 21...Txc1o u t an y d ef e nc e of t h e b l a c k ki ng
[ Now Black should play 21...b5; orbased on ...Ng5.
21...a5 with a markedly inferior game in25...Db8 EXERCISE: Now it looks as
both cases after 22.Cd4 . In the gameif the rook must retreat back to c1. Can
he prefers to give up control of the c-you do better?
file to clear the way for his queen toANSWER: 26.Txe7! Having to
d e f e n d a 6 a n d d 5 . O f c o u r s e i t i sr e s p o n d t o W h i t e ' s p l a y o n t h e
almost always a terrible strategy toqueenside and against d5 has caused a
make the queen the servant of pawns.]disharmony in Black's position that
22.Txc1 Da8 Casting our minds backmakes a kingside attack decisive. The
t o t he 1 7 t h mo v e , w e c an s ee t h a tfirst blow is to remove the knight on e7
Korobov has been vindicated in hisfrom the defensive equation.
decision to avoid the simplifying 1726...Axe7 [ Or 26...Txe7 27.Cf5 Td7
Nd4 Nxd4 18 Qxd4. By keeping the28.Dg4 , attacking g7 and threatening
play complex he has allowed his lower-2 9 N x h 6 + , w h i c h i s c r u s h i n g f o r
rated opponent the opportunity to makeWhite. ] 27.Cf5 QUESTION: Why did
some doubtful decisions. Black resign?
23.Cd4 Ad7 [ The knight lands on aANS WER : At f irs t glan ce Wh it e's
beautiful blockade square with theadvantage in firepower on the kingside
immediate threat of 23...b5 24.Cxf5might not look decisive. However, he
Cxf5 25.Dd3 Ce7 26.Cxd5 Dxd5has three minor pieces (two knights
27.Dxe4 and White has won a pawn.;and the bishop on b2) all aiming at the
In view of Black's next move 23...Ah7black king, and his queen is ready to
looks a better way to resist, when thejoin in the action with Qg4.
bishop helps defend the king ratherMeanwhile Black's queen and bishop
o n a 4 ar e o u t o f t h i n g s , wh i l e t h ethe white bishop on g2. Even if Black

knight on e4 can be exchanged off withs u c c e e d s i n c o m p l e t i n g h i s
Bxe4, removing a key defensive piece.development, it will be difficult for
The rook o n e8 doesn 't do much tohim to shake off the pressure against b7.
protect its king, so that leaves only theBefore making this type of pawn thrust
bishop on e7 and the pawns on f7, g7,i n o n e o f y o u r o w n g a me s , t r y t o
and h6 to resist an attack by the whited e c i d e i n w h i c h o f t h e f o l l o w i n g
q u ee n an d t h ree mi n or p iec es . It' scategories it belongs:
hopeless odds. White can always givea) It is a freeing move that disposes of
up a minor piece to fragment the blackthe enemy centre – a good thing.
kingside pawns and still have moreb ) I t o p e n s l i n e s f o r t h e b e t t e r
than enough material to force a mate.developed enemy pieces – a bad thing.
[ After 27.Cf5 , the immediate threat isOf course the value of a positional
to g7. Let's look at a couple of lines todecision is usually debatable. In a lot
show how the attack might be broughtof cases it is the superior precision,
home: A) 27...Af8 28.Dg4 f6knowledge and imagination of one
( 28...g6 29.Cxg6 crashes through)player during the rest of the game that
29.Cxh6+ Rh8 30.Cg6+ Rh7 31.Df5will retrospectively assign the idea to
gxh6 32.Axe4 dxe4 33.Ce7+ Rg7'a' or 'b'.
34.Dxf6+ Rh7 and you have a choice6.0-0 White gets his king out of the
of three mates in one.; B) 27...Cf6centre before deciding on his plan.
28.Cxd5 Cxd5 29.Axd5 Dd8 30.Dh5! [ Instead, after 6.Da4+ Ad7 7.Dxc4
with threats including 31 Qxf7+ and 31Ac6 , we have reached a variation
Nxh6+ with a quick mate. Black hasregarded as not very promising for
n o t h i n g b e t t er t h an t o g i ve u p h i sWhite – see, for example, the
q u e e n w i t h Dxd5 31.Cxe7+ Txe7Korchnoi-Kasparov game in Chapter
32.Dxd5 .; C) Finally, if 27...f6 thenTwo.; More challenging is the line
28.Dg4 wins. ] 6.Cc3 Cc6 7.Da4 Ad7 8.Dxc4 cxd4
1-0 9.Cxd4 Tc8 10.0-0 Cxd4 11.Dxd4
Ac5 12.Dh4 0-0 ( or 12...Ac6 13.Ag5
Axg2 14.Rxg2 and Black isn't yet out of
36 E04the woods as Dd4 15.Axf6 gxf6 16.e4!
Caruana,F looks good for White) 13.Axb7 Tb8
Naiditsch,A 14.Af3 Tb4 15.Dg5 Ad4 16.Dd2
21: Dortmund 2015, as played in V.Kramnik-A.Naiditsch,
Dortmund 2010. It looks like Black is
1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Ag2active enough, but Kramnik (not for
dxc4 5.Cf3 c5 A natural counterattackthe first time!) consolidated his extra
against d4, but of course any looseningp a w n a n d w o n .] 6...Cc6 7.Da4
of the black queenside is welcomed byCaruana aims to regain the pawn on c4
whilst forcing Black to confront the9...Tc8 10.dxc5 Cd5 11.Dd2 Axc5

threat of 8 Ne5 when the pinned knight12.Cc3 Ab4 13.Dd3 Axc3 14.bxc3
on c6 will be attack ed three times.i s s o me p l u s t o W h i t e de s p i t e t h e
[ The alternative 7.Ce5!? is seen in theweaklin g on c3. He has the bishop
n e x t g a m e .; White might also try thepair and the chance to expand in the
quieter 7.dxc5 with perhaps a smallcentre with e2-e4 at the right moment.;
plus after Dxd1 8.Txd1 Axc5 9.Cbd2Risky for Black is 9...Db6 10.Ae3 c4
c3 ( I s h o u l d me n t i o n i f 9...Cg4 ( or 10...b4 11.Dc1 with an edge to
in this sequence Black is first pushedWhite ) 11.Ce5! ( not so clear is 11.d5
back with 10.Ce4 Ae7 11.h3 Cf6 thenCxd5 , etc. ); Finally, 9...b4 10.Dd3
12.Ced2 c3 13.bxc3 follows ) 10.bxc3Tc8 11.dxc5 Axc5 12.Ag5 0-0
, etc. Despite being isolated the c3-13.Cbd2 Ae7 14.Tfd1 leaves Black
pawn is a useful support for a whitefeeling boxed in.] 10.Cxd4 Cxd4
knight on d4.] 7...Ad7 Meeting the11.Dxd4 Tc8 QUESTION: How would
threat to the knight whilst preparing ayou assess the position?
discovered attack on the white queenANSWER: Black has evacuated all his
with 8...Nxd4. [ After 7...cxd4 8.Cxd4pieces from the h1-a8 diagonal. He
Dxd4 9.Axc6+ Ad7 10.Td1 Dxd1+w o u l d h a v e p r e f e r r e d t o h a v e
( if 10...Axc6 11.Dxc6+ bxc6 12.Txd4exchanged off light-squared bishops
and then 13 Rxc4 leaves White with arather than have his bishop sitting on
structural advantage) 11.Dxd1 Axc6d 7 , s o h e h a s n ' t y e t e q u a l i z e d .
it's always nice to sacrifice your queen,No n et heles s, Whi te's advantage i s
but White is looking like a spoilsport:minimal.
for instance, 12.Cd2 b5 13.a4 bxa412.Af4 QUESTION: But can't White
14.Cxc4 when he has good chances.]g r a b t h e p a w n o n a 7 n o w ?
8.Dxc4 Regaining the pawn and [ A N S W E R : A f t e r 12.Dxa7 Ac5
attacking c5. W h i t e ' s q u e e n i s i n j e o p a r d y : A)
8...b5 QUESTION: Why does Blackf o r e x a m p l e , 13.Db7 Cd5!
play this seemingly loosening pawn(the key move to cut off a retreat to f3)
move? [ A N S W E R : A f t e r 8...cxd414.Axd5 Tc7 and White can't escape a
9.Cxd4 , the pawn on b7 is a potentialdraw by repetition after 15.Da8 Tc8
target. Therefore Black gets the pawn16.Db7 Tc7 , as 17.Da6? Ta7
out of the range of the bishop on g2t r a p s t h e q u e e n . ( 17...-- ); B)
with gain of time by hitting the whiteAlternatively, 13.Da6 Cd5 14.Axd5
queen. ] 9.Dc3 [ Caruana prefers this ( the queen falls after 14.Cd2 Ta8
r e t r e a t t o 9.Dd3 as he wants to keep15.Db7 Ta7 ) 14...exd5 15.Cd2 0-0
pressure on the c5-pawn.; 9.Dxb5?leaves the white queen shut in and in
Cxd4 10.Dd3 Ab5 is best avoided byd an g er o f b e ing l os t. B la ck h as a t
Wh it e as e2 wi l l drop .] 9...cxd4least a draw.
Black has a choice of moves here. [ IfTherefore Caruana develops and keeps
the attack on a7 as a latent threat.]defend ers. Let's see how t he game

12...Ac5 A very natural reply. Blackunfolded.
develops with gain of time and deals14.Cd2 0-0 15.Ce4 Here we are:
with the attack on a7. Wh it e t h re at en s t o w in a p i e ce b y
13.Dd3 Notice how White'scapturing on f6. 15...Cd5 [ Instead,
unobtrusive 12th move gained powerafter 15...Cxe4 16.Axe4 both d7 and
after Black's reply, because 14 Bb7h7 are ha n gi ng.; Or if 15...Tfd8
now threatens to win the exchange.16.Cxf6+ gxf6 17.Df3 , White can
The bishop didn't threaten anything atwork on the fractured black kingside.
the time it went to f4, as Black had theTherefore Naiditsch blocks the attack
option of ...Rc4. But that is the way iton d7 while preventing damage to his
sometimes happens in chess: a movekingside, but now all Black's minor
gains strength after the opponent's bestp i e c e s a n d h i s q u e e n a r e o n t h e
reply. In reality White exchanged onequeenside.] 16.Cg5!? Caruana aims to
threat (13 Qxa7) for another (14 Bb7).exploit his advantage in firepower on
And after Black's next move – which isthe kingside. [ In fact 16.Cxc5!? Dxc5
again 'best' – we see another chance for17.Ae5 Tfd8 18.Tfd1 would leave him
W h i t e t o i n c r e a s e t h e p r e s s u r ewith a small but enduring edge because
suddenly appear. of the bishop pair. Evidently the
13...Db6 Black meets the threat of 14American Grandmaster preferred to
Bb7 and puts the queen on an activeplay a more lively game.] 16...g6
square where she ties down the rook on [ Upon 16...f5 17.Axd5 Black can
f 1 t o t h e d e f e n c e o f f 2 . S h e a l s oresign as he drops a piece;; while if
solidifies the queenside in general. On16...Cf6 the simplest way to win a pawn
the other hand, the bishop on d7 is leftis 17.Cxh7! Cxh7 18.Dxd7 . ] 17.Ae5
somewhat hanging and Black's kingsideWhite continues his kingside build-up.
is short of defenders. 17...Ae7 [ Naiditsch might have sought
QUESTION: But the bishop on d7 isc o u n t e r p l a y a g a i n s t f 2 w i t h 17...f6
defended twice! How is it somewhat18.Axd5 fxg5 19.Af3 Ac6
hanging? And wh ere are the whitewith unclear play. Of course it would
pieces to attack the supposedly under-h a v e b e e n d i f f i c u l t t o s w i t c h t o
defended black kingside? aggressive play at the cost of a
ANSWER: Patience! As after 12 Bf4broken pawn structure when he has
we have to look beyond the presentplayed a solid opening so far.] 18.Cf3
position to see White's chances. BlackAc6 19.Dd2 EXERCISE: Can you see
i s goi ng to cas tl e, af t er wh i ch t h eWhite's threat? And what happens if
bishop on d7 loses one defender, andBlack plays 19...Bf6 or 19...Rfd8 to
then White will challenge its othermeet it?
defender. This will lead to the black19...f6 Finally Caruana has extracted a
k i n g s i d e b e c o m i n g d e p l e t e d o flong-term structural advantage through
his positional (we might say tactical)threat is stronger than the execution!),
p r e s s u r e o n t h e k i n g s i d e .so Naiditsch keeps his rook on d8 to
[ A N S W E R : T h e t h r e a t w a s 19...a6bolster his defences there.)] 24.Tc1
20.Dh6 f6 ( 20...Cf6 ) 21.Cg5!Ad7 25.Ac5! Black's pawn structure is
, when taking the knight allows mateentrenched on the light squares, but not
on g7, so to defend h7 Black must giveguarding central dark squares like c5
up the exchange with Tf7 22.Cxf7 .; Ifa n d d 4 . T h e e x c h a n g e o f b i s h o p s
19...Af6 then 20.e4! wins a piece afteremphasizes Black's fragility whilst
Axe5 21.exd5 , as both black bishopsvacating d4 for White's knight or queen.
hang;; or 19...Tfd8 20.e4! ( if 20.Dh625...Axc5 26.Txc5 Tc8 Black is
Black has Af8 ) 20...Cf6? ( Black has toaiming to draw through simplification,
defend a lousy position with 20...Cc7but there is a favourable way for White
21.Dh6 Ce8 22.Cg5 Axg5 23.Dxg5to exchange rooks.
, though the bishop on e5 dominates27.b4! So far Caruana has shown
the dark squares) 21.Dg5! Cd5 22.Dh6restraint in the use of his foot soldiers,
Af8 23.Dh4 Ae7 24.Cg5 Axg5but now is the moment for his pawns to
25.Dxg5 f6 (if the knight retreats to c7g e t i n v o l v e d i n t h e s t r u g g l e . T h e
then 26 Qf6 decides) 26.Axf6 Cxf6exchange of rooks will yield him a
27.Dxf6 and White has won a pawn.]passed pawn. If Black refuses then 28
20.Ad4 Db7 [ He prefers not to let theNd4 will increase the pressure.
white knight get to a strong central post27...Txc5 28.bxc5 Dc7 29.e4!
after 20...Ac5 21.Tac1 Axd4 22.Cxd4The threat of this advance has hung
. ] 21.Tac1 [ After 21.Ah3 , e5!?over Black's knight for many moves.
22.Axc8 Txc8 would be an interestingNow at last it is time to strike. 29...Ce7
exchange sacrifice as White is weak30.Dd4! Not only defending the c-pawn,
on the light squares and his bishopbut more importantly attacking f6.
passive o n e3 .] 21...Tfd8 22.Ah3B l a c k c a n ' t r e p l y 3 0 . . . e 5 w i t h o u t
Aiming the bishop at the undefendeddropping his bishop, and so he has to
pawn. 22...Ad7 [ If now 22...e5allow the further advance of White's e-
23.Axc8 Txc8 , White can take thepawn.
st in g ou t o f B lack' s s acrifi ce wi th30...Rg7 31.e5 f5 32.Ag2!
24.Ac5! .] 23.Txc8 Axc8The bishop has performed its role on
[ QUESTION: Why did White give uph3 and now returns to g2 to fight for
the c-file and Black not reply 23...Txc8the crucial d5-square.
to take control of it? 32...h6 [ EXERCISE: How should
A NS WE R : Af t e r 2 3. .. R x c8 Wh i t eWhite reply to 32...Cd5 , planning 33...
would focus on playing on the d-file,B c 6 w i t h a b l o c k a d e o n t h e l i g h t
e i t h e r w i t h t h e i m m e d i a t e 24.e4squares?
( o r m o r e l i k e l y w i t h 24.Td1ANSWER: An example of Tartakower's
, planning e2-e4 as appropriate (thedictum that chess is the tragedy of one
tempo. Black wants to play ...Nd5, but37.h4 [ If 37.Axc6 Axc6 38.Ce5 a4!
this fails as he doesn't have the g5-and Black has the chance to escape, as
s q ua re g u ard ed b y a pawn : 33.Cg5!he sh oul d draw after 39.Cxc6 b3
( t h r e a t e n i n g 3 4 B x d 5 ) Dc640.axb3 axb3 41.d7 b2 42.d8D b1D+
( B l a c k h a s n o t i m e f o r 33...Ac643.Rg2 De4+ 44.Rf1 Dxc6
as e6 drops) 34.Rf1! (why not gain a. Caruana therefore prepares to put
tempo to centralize the king rather thanhis king on h2 so that he would win
take on d5 straightaway?) h6 35.Axd5in this variation as it would no longer
Dxd5 ( if 35...exd5 36.e6+ and wins )b e c h e c k w h e n B l a c k p r o m o t e s .]
36.Dxd5 exd5 37.Cf3 Rf7 38.Cd437...Cd4 38.Rh2! [ Steering clear of
. White has every chance to win: his38.Ce5? a4 39.Cxd7 b3 and Black
knight is on a superb blockade squarewill queen.] 38...Ab5 [ Or 38...Rf6
a n d h e h a s t w o a d v a n c e d p a s s e d39.f4 Ae8 and White is ready for
pawns which can't be approached by40.Ce5 . ] 39.Ce5 Rf6 40.c6!
the black king or attacked by the 'bad'A n e a t f i n i s h ; [ though 40.f4
bishop. ] 33.Dd6! An offer to exchangea l s o w i n s .] 40...Axc6 [ If now
B l a c k c a n ' t r e f u s e . 33...Dxd640...Rxe5 41.d7 Cxc6 42.Axc6
[ 33...Cd5 34.Cd4; and 33...Dd8and the pawn gets to d8.] 41.Cxc6
34.Cd4 with ideas of 35 c6 or 35 Nxe6+ [ After 41.Cxc6 Cxc6 42.Axc6
are both fatal for Black.] 34.exd6, White's bishop will hold back the
Only this way: White wants two passedb l a c k q u e e n s i d e p a w n s w h i l s t
pawns and access to e5 for his knight.defending his passed pawn on d7.
34...Cc6 Naiditsch's minor pieces areA b r i l l i a n t g am e b y C a r u a n a w h o
now blocking the pawns and his king iss h o w e d e n o r m o u s s k i l l a n d
ready to join in the action. White has todetermination. It's no wonder he was
act fast before Black plays moves likerated 2805 at the time of this game. ]
...Kf6, ...e5-e4, ...Ke6 and ...Kd5 to1-0
attack the c5-pawn.
35.Ce1! [ A l s o g o o d w a s 35.Cd2!
, planning Nb3, Bxc6, Na5 and c5-c637 A05
to force the pawns forwards. With the Laznicka,V
game move White prepares Nd3 Kobo,O
followed by either Bxc6 and then Nb422: Jerusalem 2015
and c5-c6 or Bxc6 and Ne5 followed by
a pawn advance. If Black plays ...Kf61.Cf3 Cf6 2.g3 c5 3.Ag2 Cc6 4.0-0
White can if necessary play Bxc6 andd5 5.d4 e6 6.c4 dxc4 7.Ce5
then f2-f4! followed by Ne5.] 35...a5An aggressive and tricky move that is
36.Cd3 b4 Black has guarded againstlikely to upset an unprepared opponent.
Nb4, but an approach via e5 is stillHowever, if he defends well Black has
available to the white knight. more chances to equalize than after the
more positional 7 Qa4 of the previousis good for White, as Black's pawns are
game. 7...Ad7! The best reply. Blackw r e c k e d a f t e r dxe3 17.Dc2 f6
develops a piece, meets the threat to c618.Tad1 Db5 19.h4 fxe5 20.hxg5
and d eters White from trying Qa4.Dc5 21.Tfe1 0-0 22.Txe3 .; B)
[ QUESTION: How does White10...0-0 11.Db3 Dc8 12.Tac1 Cd5
respond to 7...Nxd4 grabbing a second13.Tfd1 Cxf4 14.gxf4 Td8 . B1)
pawn? Now after 15.Axc6 Axc6 16.Ca5 Td5
ANSWER: 7...Cxd4? is disastrous17.Caxc6 bxc6 18.Txc6 De8 19.Tdc1
after 8.e3 Cc6 9.Axc6+ bxc6Ad6 20.Db7 Td8 , White's advantage
10.Dxd8+ Rxd8 11.Cxf7+e v a p o r a t e d i n M . A n d e r s e n - A .
, when Black could resign.] 8.Ca3Maksimenko, Aarhus 2014. ( 20...-- );
[ This isn't the moment to back downB2) One way to keep the tension
as White is already worse after 8.Cxd7instead of cashing in on the pressure on
Dxd7; or 8.Cxc6 Axc6 9.Axc6+ bxc6c6 is 15.Ae4 : for example, 15...Dc7
. Inst ead L azn icka ru s hes wi th hi s ( or if 15...g6 even 16.Dh3 ) 16.Df3
queen's knight to recapture the pawn. The idea of these queen moves is to
on c4 and link it with its brother-in-g e t o f f t h e b 3 - s q u a r e i n o r d e r t o
arms on e5. The offer of the pawn oni n tro d u ce t h e i dea of Na5 wit hou t
d4 is now a genuine gambit. However,allowing ...Nxa5 in reply.
White hopes to regain it in the futureWith the game move Black develops
w h i l s t m a i n t a i n i n g a n i n i t i a t i v ea n d a d d s a d e f e n d e r t o d 4 . T h e
thanks to his lively knights.] 8...cxd4d raw back is that t he bis hop coul d
As former world champion Wilhelmitself become a target on c5. With this
Steinitz would say, 'A centre pawn isin mind White responds by clearing
worth a little trouble.' the c1-square for the rook. He chooses
9.Caxc4 Ac5 [ More modest wasf 4 f o r h i s b i s h o p t o s u p p o r t h i s
9...Ae7 . F o r e x a m p l e , 10.Af4a d v a n c e d k n i g h t .] 10.Af4
and now: A) 10...Cd5 11.Cxd7 Cxf4 [ Al tern at iv el y, 10.Db3 0-0 ( or
( after 11...Dxd7 12.Ce5 Cxe510...Dc8 11.Af4 0-0 12.Tac1 Cd5
13.Axe5 0-0 14.Axd4 , White's bishop13.Cxd7 Dxd7 14.Ce5 Cxe5 15.Axe5
pair gives him a slight edge) 12.Axc6Ab6 16.Tfd1 Ce7 17.a4 and White has
bxc6 13.Cde5 Ch3+ 14.Rg2 Cg5the initiative) 11.Af4 ( if 11.Dxb7
15.f3 Dd5 ( in B.Avrukh-A.Grischuk,Cxe5 12.Cxe5 Tb8 13.Df3 Cd5
C a l v i a O l y m p i a d 2 0 0 4 , B l a c kis comfortable for Black) 11...Tc8
b l u n d e r e d w i t h 15...Tc8? 16.Cxc6!( 11...Dc8 12.Tac1 Cd5 13.Tfd1
; it takes a nice tactic to catch out akeeps Black tied up) 12.Dxb7 Cxe5
player of Grischuk's calibre and White13.Cxe5 Tb8 14.Df3 ( Svidler tried
had a clear advantage as Txc6 17.Da414.Dxb8 twice against Naiditsch at
would pick up the exchange becauseKhanty-Mansiysk in 2009, but with
Dc8 fails to 18.Ce5 ) . Now 16.e4!little success; after Dxb8 15.Cxd7 Db5
16.Cxf8 Axf8 , Black's strong centreavoid 14...Cxe5? 15.Axe5 , making it

pawns balanced the nominal superiorityeasy for the white bishop to attack d4.);
of having two rooks versus the queen)B) If instead in this sequence 13.Ca5
14...Txb2 15.Tfc1 Ad6 16.Cc4 Axf4, u n cov eri n g an att ack on c5, then
17.Dxf4 Tb4 18.Dxd4 Ab5 19.Dc513...Cxa5 14.Txc5 Ah3 15.Te1 b6
Txc4 20.Txc4 Axc4 21.Dxc416.Tc1 Tc8 17.Txc8 ( or 17.Dxd4 f6!
. If you play the Catalan you have to18.Cd3 – taking on c8 transposes to the
t r y t o s q u e e z e o u t w i n s w i t hmain variation – Cc6 and White has
microscopic advantages. In K.Sasikiran-nothing ) 17...Dxc8 18.Dxd4 f6
E.Bacrot, Moscow 2010, White tried19.Cd3 Dc4! and Black is at least okay.
hard to exploit his superior minor piece,] 12...Dxd7 13.Ce5 Dd6??
but had to concede a draw in the end.]A s e r i o u s m i s t a k e . [ Instead, after
10...0-0 11.Tc1 The rook not only13...Cxe5 14.Axe5 , Black must save
makes the black bishop uneasy, butthe bishop on c5. After the quiet Ab6
adds to the pressure on c6. 11...Cd5 ( but 14...Db5! looks dead equal upon
Blocking the attack on c6, as well as15.Axd5 exd5 16.Axd4 Axd4 17.Dxd4
introducing the idea of ...Nxf4. [ If nowDxe2 18.Tfe1 Da6 19.Dxd5 Tad8
11...Cxe5? 12.Cxe5 leaves both b7 and, etc ) 15.Axd4 , White can claim a tiny
the bishop on c5 hanging, after whichplus due to the bishop pair.] 14.Cxc6
an attempt to create counterplay withCxf4 15.Ca5! A decisive move.
an exchange sacrifice fails utterly: b6?Because the black knight is hanging on
13.b4! Axb4 14.Axa8 Dxa8 15.Cxd7f4 there is no time to deal with the
Cxd7 16.Dxd4 and White stands to win.t h r e a t o f 1 6 Nx b 7 . 15...Cxg2 [ If
; I f i n s t e a d 11...Tc8 12.Cd3 Ae715...b6; or 15...Ab6 , White wins a
and now 13.Cd6 ( perhaps Whitep i e c e w i t h 16.Cc4 a n d 1 7 g x f 4 .]
should keep the tension with 13.Dd2!? )16.Cxb7 Dd5 17.Cxc5 Material is
13...Tc7!? seems okay for Black.]equal, but the black knight won't be
EXERCISE: How can White keep ongetting out of g2.
setting Black problems? EXERCISE: can you see the best way
ANSWER: 12.Cxd7 In general Whitefor Whi te to go about winn in g the
is reluctant to exchange his knight fortrapped horse?
Black's awkwardly placed bishop, but17...Tfc8 [ ANSWER: White planned
here he needs to clear a way for his17...-- 18.Db3 to crowd out the black
bishop on f4 to the e5-square. This willqueen from the defence of her knight
involve the exchange of both whiteor else exchange her off. ( The pretty
knights. [ Besides, there is nothing to bet a c t i c a l s h o t 18.e4 to cut off the
gained by 12.Axd5 exd5 A) when ifde fe nce of the knight or exchange
13.Cxd7 Dxd7 14.Ce5 De7!q u e e n s a f t e r dxe3 19.Dxd5
, it is difficult for Wh ite to get hiswas also available.)] 18.b4 a5 19.Db3!
p a w n b a c k . ( Note that Black shouldT h i s i s n o w l e t h a l . 19...Cf4
[ Also hopeless was 19...Dc6 20.b5provocation: the bishop heads for c6 to

Dd6 21.Ce4 De5 22.Df3 , when thechallenge White's control of the long
knight perishes.] 20.gxf4 Dh5 21.f3diagonal. Black will forfeit the bishop
axb4 22.Cd3 h6 23.Txc8+ Txc8p a i r , b u t a c h i e v e a p o w e r f u l
24.Dxb4 Tc2 25.Te1 Dg6+ 26.Rh1 concentration of pieces in the centre.
1-0 Black's manoeuvre reminds me of the
Fort Kn o x va ri at ion o f t he French
Defence which begins 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5
39 E043 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bd7 5 Nf3 Bc6. In
Black Counterattacks both cases Black gives priority over
development to the problem of the bad
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3 dxc4bishop on c8. However, the two lines
5.Ag2 Ad7 . are temperamentally unrelated: in the
I would recommend this line to playersFrench Black is looking for a peaceful
of Black who are looking for a hardlife through conceding some space,
f i g h t . I f W h i t e p l a y s i n a s l o w ,whereas here the aim is to start a hard
elaborate style he can find himselffight.
crushed by a kingside attack in about6.Ce5 Sharevich unleashes the bishop
30 moves. And how often does thatand attacks b7, thereby ensuring she
happen to him in other lines o f theg a i n s t h e b i s h o p pa i r. [ EXERCISE:
Catalan? It is only in this variationB a c k i n t h e 1 9 8 0 s K a r p o v a n d
t h a t B l a c k s e n d s h i s k i n g t o t h eKasparov both faced this line as White.
queenside, into the jaws of the bishopThey settled for 6.Dc2 , after which
on g2. And remarkably he (or she)what should Black play?
often lives to tell the tale. ANS WER: One of the good things
The drawback to having 5...Bd7 asabout 5...Bd7 is that White has little
your repertoire move is that whichchoice but to accept the challenge with
afflicts most enterprising lines against6 N e 5 . A f t e r c5! 7.Dxc4 Ac6
the Catalan: with a crafty move orderin A.Karpov-G.Sosonko, Wijk aan Zee
White can avoid it along with other1988, and G.Kasparov-V.Korchnoi,
lines that emanate from 4...dxc4. 7th matchgame, London 1983, White
had been 'tricked' into a position
which normally arises after 4...dxc4 5
40 E04Qa4+ Bd7 6 Qxc4 c5!. White can't
Sharevich,A count on an advantage in this line, as
Nemcova,K we have seen in Chapter Two.] 6...Ac6
23: U.S. Women's Ch, Saint Louis 2015[ It's too late for 6...Cc6 as after 7.Cxc4!
Black has a cramped game because
1.d4 d5 2.Cf3 e6 3.c4 Cf6 4.g3the knigh t on c6 is blocking in the
dxc4 5.Ag2 Ad7 The aforementionedbishop on d7 and also obstructing the
freei ng ad v an ce ...c7 -c5 . ( Note that10.Cc3 Cxc3 11.bxc3 Ca5 12.f4!

7.Cxd7 would be a poor reply to 6...Nc6,planning f4-f5, etc.] 9.e3 Guarding the
as Dxd7 accelerates Black's plan in thed4-pawn. [ After 9.Cc3!? A)
main game; while giving Black tripledBlack could follow the general plan
p a w n s w i t h 7.Cxc6 Axc6 8.Axc6+with 9...0-0-0 ; 10.-- ( 10.-- ); B)
bxc6 misses the mark. Even if Whiteb u t t h e p a w n s n a t c h 9...Cxd4
r e g a i n s t h e p a w n W h i t e h a s b e e nmi g h t b e s u p e r i o r : 10.Axb7 Tb8
deprived of her king's bishop, leaving11.Ag2 Ae7 12.e3 Cb5 13.Dc2
h e r w e a k o n t h e l i g h t s q u a r e s .and now Cxc3 ( or 13...0-0!? ) 14.Dxc3
M e a n w h i l e t h e e x c h a n g e s h a v eDb5 15.b3 0-0 and Black was safe in
uncluttered Black's position, ensuringA.Yusupov-A.Karpov, Belfort 1988;
an easy development. You might like ( r e t u r n i n g t h e p a w n a s 15...cxb3?
t o c o mp a re t he d amag e t o B l a ck ' s16.Ac6+ won't do. Notice that Karpov
queenside structure with that seen ingot involved on the black side of the
the Catalan 7 Ne5 mainline. In bothargument – a good validation of the
c a s e s B l a c k ' s a c t i v i t y e n s u r e s a n5 . . . B d 7 l i n e .)] 9...0-0-0
acceptable game.)] 7.Cxc6 Cxc6 8.0-0Ne mco v a c omp l e t es a p l a n t h at i s
[ Instead, 8.Da4?! is in too much of aastounding in the Catalan. Normally
hurry to get the pawn back: i.e. Dd7Black is trying to withstand pressure
9.Dxc4 Cxd4 10.Axb7 Tb8 11.Ag2on his queenside pawns from the bishop
Ab4+ 12.Ad2 0-0! and Black has theon g2 – you would imagine the last
i n i t i a t i v e . I f n o w 13.Axb4 Txb4thing she wants is her king sitting on
14.Dxb4?? Cc2+ 15.Rf1 and Blackb8.
has one of those delightful positionsEXERCISE: What positional factors do
w h e r e n a b b i n g t h e q u e e ny o u t h i n k j u s t i f y B l a c k ' s p l a n o f
s t r a i g h t a w ay i s n 't t h e b e s t mo v e .;castling queenside? You might like to
Meanwhile 8.e3 Dd7 9.0-0 0-0-0make a list.
would transpose, which is in fact wasANSWER: Firstly, Black is solidly
Sharevich's mov e order which I'vecentralized and actually has a lead in
amended to be consistent with otherdevelopment. Secondly, at the moment
g a me s i n t h i s c h a p t e r .] 8...Dd7White's queenside pawns are passive on
Preparing to castle queenside. [ Insteada2 and b2. They are a long way from
8...Dxd4?? would lose the queen.; Nor isbeing utilized as battering rams against
8...Cxd4 a t t r a c t i v e a f t e r 9.Axb7the black king. This gives Black time
w h e n W h i t e h a s t h e i n i t i a t i v e .;to organize counterplay and fortify her
Finally, if Nemcova delays deployingdefences.
her forces White's mobile centre pawnsThe pressure from the bishop on g2 can
become a danger to her: 8...Cd5 9.e3be plugged with ...Nd5. Because Black
(intending to regain the pawn with Qa4has played ...d5xc4 the horse can't be
or Qc2 then Qxc4 as appropriate) a6driven back by c2-c4. Alternatively if
White tries e3-e4 to evict the knightb4, etc. [ QUESTION: 12.h4

then d4 becomes weak and the bishopwould block the h-pawn. Does that
on g2 is shut in by its own pawn. Ofstop the attack?
course, the knight won't be entirelyA N S W E R : T h e v i g o r o u s g5!
stable sitting on d5, but it is a serious ( instead GM Ganguly has tried
obstacle to White's attack. 12...f6!? and then 13...g5, which on the
Aggressively speaking, Black has aface of it also looks promising) 13.hxg5
source of counterattack on the kingside.h4 gives Black a pleasing initiative.]
It transpires that with 4 g3 White has12...h4 13.Tc1 hxg3 14.hxg3 f5!
created a hook for the pawn advance ...With the pawn thrust Black stabilizes
h5-h4. The disappearance of the knightthe knight on d5 as now e3-e4 will no
on f3 facilitates this ramming move.l o n g e r d i s l o d g e i t . T h e p a w n c a n
Furthermore, the situation in the centres u p p o r t a s e c o n d w a v e o f a t t a c k
isn't entirely fixed. If White tries aagainst the g3-pawn with ...g7-g5 and ...
o n e - s i d e d p l a n o f a t t a c k o n t h ef5-f4. And, finally, the pawns are being
queenside she has to watch out for an ...cleared out of the way of the black
e6-e5 break-out by Black. queen so that she can go to h7 to lead
Nonetheless, this is a double-edgedthe assault on the white king.
plan for Black full of danger as well as15.Cc3? This feels too slow.
opportunity. Castling queenside into [ T h e i m m e d i a t e t h r u s t 15.b4
the fire of the bishop on g2 isn't askingwill be discussed in the next game.]
for a quiet life. 15...g5! 16.Da4 EXERCISE: What is
10.Da4 The most aggressive approach.White's threat and how should Black
White not only aims to regain her pawnprevent it?
on c4, but also threatens to smash upANSWER: 16...Rb8 Black guards the
Black's queenside with 11 Nxc6. i mp o rt a n t a 7 - s q u a r e. [ White's threat
10...Cd5 Nemcova blocks the attack onwas 16...-- 17.Cb5 , when Black could
c6 and puts her knight on a centralr e s i g n a s a f t e r a6 ( or 17...Rb8
s q u a r e w h i c h h a s t h e s t a t u s o f a18.Txc6! ) , there is 18.Txc6! . If Dxc6
'pseudo outpost': if White tries to eject ( while 18...bxc6 allows mate) 19.Ca7+
it with e3-e4 she undermines her centre.wins the queen.] 17.Cxd5 exd5 18.b4
11.Dxc4 h5! The advance of the h-Ad6 [ A l s o p o s s i b l e i s 18...f4!?
pawn aims to make White regret sheas played in the later game Y.Fang-
ever weakened herself by playing theGoh Weiming, Kecskemet 2016. A)
C a t a l a n m o v e 4 g 3 . 12.Ad2Th en Whi te p roba bl y d oes bes t t o
White vacates the c1-square for thesimplify with 19.exf4! Cxd4 20.Dxd7
rook so it can exert pressure along theTxd7 21.Rf1 (stopping a fork on e2)
half open file. At the same time thegxf4 22.Axf4 with about equal
bishop positions itself to support achances. ( 22.-- ); B) In contrast 19.b5?
counterattack on the queenside with b2-leads to trouble assuming Black plays
w i t h v i g o u r : 19...Cxd4!Th2+ 23.Rf3 Dxc6+ 24.Txc6 Txd2

a p i e c e s a c r i f i c e t o b u y t i m e t o25.Tc5 f4 , leading to a drawn rook and
demolish White's kingside defences;pawn endgame.; B) So Black should try
( t h e s l o w r e t r e a t 19...Ce719...f4 20.Axc6 bxc6 21.exf4 gxf4
is insufficient as 20.exf4 is just good22.Dxc6 fxg3 23.Dxd7 Txd7 24.f4
for White ) 20.exd4 fxg3 21.Db3Th2 25.Ae3 Te7 . Despite being a
( Black's attack is irresistible afterpawn down , Black retains a strong
21.fxg3? due to the open f-file and h-initiative in the endgame thanks to his
file which prevent the white king fromactive rooks, the strong passed pawn
escaping: Dh7 22.Tc3 Ad6 23.Te1on g3 an d th e awkward position of
Tdf8 and the threat of mate on h2 isthe white king.] 19...Ce7 Such is the
decisive ) 21...gxf2+ 22.Rf1 Th2!power of Black's looming attack that
. Following 23.Tc3? ( White had to tryshe might already be adjudged to have
23.Tab1 Dh7 24.Dc2 Th1+ 25.Axh1a winning position.
Dxh1+ 26.Re2 Dh5+ 27.Rd3 Ad620.f4 A radical way to stop the ...f5-f4-
, which is supposedly equal accordingp a w n t h r u s t . 20...Cg8! The knight
to the programs as Black has enoughmoves out of the way of the queen to
for perpetual but not mate; suffice toallow her to go to h7 to lead the attack
say that most human players would bedown the h-file. At the same time the
quaking in their boots at having toh o r s e h e a d s f o r e 4 , a m a r v e l l o u s
defend this as White) 23...Ab4! 24.Td3outpost in the centre created by White's
( after 24.Dxb4 Dg4 there's no goodprevious move.
way to defend g2 as the white queen21.Db3 [ After 21.Axd5 Cf6 22.Ag2
has been deflected from supportinggxf4 23.exf4 Tdg8 24.Ae1 Ce4
the blocking move Rg3) 24...Txg2B l a c k ' s p i e c e s e x e r t i n t o l e r a b l e
25.Rxg2 Dg4+ 26.Tg3 De2 27.Tf1p r e s s u r e o n t h e w h i t e k i n g s i d e .]
Axd2 28.Txf2 De4+ 29.Df3 Af421...Cf6 22.fxg5 Seeing no long-term
30.Dxe4 dxe4 31.Tc3 e3 32.Tfc2an swer to he r opponent 's bu il d-up
Txd4 and Goh Weiming converted hisSharevich tries to counterattack which
big endgame advantage as Black andleads t o a speedy collapse. 22...Ce4
won on move 51.] 19.b5?! As so oftenThe knight finds a commanding square
this proves a naive attacking gestureafter a journey from b8 via c6, e7, g8
b e c a u s e B l a c k ' s i n i t i a t i v e o n t h eand f6.
kin gs ide carries a lot more p un ch .23.Ae1 Dh7 24.Dxd5 Axg3 25.De6
[ C r i t i c a l w a s 19.Axd5 A) whenCxg5 Now the horse removes the last
19...Axg3 , seems to be a forced drawpawn barrier on the kingside. 26.Dc4
after 20.Axc6 bxc6 21.Dxc6 ( notAxe1 27.Txe1 Ce4 28.Dc2 Tdg8
21.fxg3 Dd5 22.Dxc6 Th1+ 23.Rf229.Tac1 Dh1#
Dxc6 24.Txc6 Txa1 and Black wins0-1
the exch an g e) 21...Axf2+ 22.Rxf2
41 E04whole strategy has a fatal flaw: he is

Veinberg,N attacking with pieces, but not pawns; it
Baron,T is rare for an attack to succeed without
24: Jerusalem 2016the help of the foot soldiers in breaking
op en t h e ene my's f ortres s ) 25.Axd6
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3Th2 ( Black's king is indefensible after
dxc4 5.Ag2 Ad7 6.Ce5 Ac6 7.Cxc625...cxd6 26.a6 ) 26.Axc7+ Ra8
Cxc6 8.0-0 Dd7 9.e3 0-0-0 10.Da427.Da2 1-0.
Cd5 11.Dxc4 h5 12.Ad2 h4 13.Tc1Sergei Movsesian has an enterprising
hxg3 [ I have tweaked the move orderchess style. His aggressive approach
from 13...f5 14.b4 hxg3 15.hxg3with the black pieces wins him a lot
to be consistent with the Sharevich-of games, but occasionally leads to a
Nemcova game.] 14.hxg3 f5 15.b4s h a r p r e v e r s e . N o n e t h e l e s s , h e
[ More direct than 15.Cc3 in the gamemaintains an Elo rating around the
above. ] EXERCISE: Here Black has2700 level.
four ways of handling the position.Most of us prefer to have counterplay
W h a t d o y o u t h i n k i s b e s t ? ( a )rather than passively face an attack,
Eliminate the pawn on b4 before it caneven if we are a pawn up; and every
advance further with 15....Ncxb4; (b)plan needs pawns at some point. Put
Look for counterplay immediately withthese two ideas together and we have
15...g5; (c) Consolidate his queensidethe game move 15...g5!.] 16.b5 Cce7
with 15...Kb8; (d) Develop with 15...17.a4 f4! In a battle between advancing
Bd6. pawn fronts every tempo is crucial.
ANSWER: 15...g5! [ My computerBaron strikes at e3 to deflect White
program is content to defend the blackfrom his queenside assault. If he had
position after 15...Ccxb4 16.a3 Cc6spent a move on 15...Kb8 he wouldn't
17.Db3 Rb8 18.Cc3 Cce7 19.Tab1have been in time to hit White with this
b6 20.a4 , though for a human it's acounterstroke.
little uncomfortable.; Black is also beingWhatever the verdict of the computer
attacked after 15...Ad6 16.b5 Cce7programs, Black is having the fun here
17.a4 with no counterplay in sight.;in a game between humans. He gets to
And here is what happened to a veryaim his pieces at a white king who is
strong GM when he permitted himselfrapidly denuded of pawn cover, while
the luxury of the consolidating movehis own monarch can seek sanctuary on
15...Rb8? in E.Postny-S.Movsesian,d7 in key lines given below. White will
Teplice 2015: 16.b5 Cce7 17.a4 Cc8have a nominal material advantage, but
18.Db3 Cd6 19.Cc3 Cxc3 20.Axc3his rook on a1 and knight on b1 don't
Ce4 21.a5 Dd5 22.Db2 Ad6 23.b6contribute much to the struggle.
Th6 24.Ab4 Tdh8 (Black's build-up on18.a5? In a straight race between
the h-file looks impressive, but hisattacks White will prove second best.
[ After 18.e4?! Black can't afford to(mee tin g th e threat of mate on c7)
retreat his knight, but can continue his25.Dxb4 Dxg2 and Black has a
k i n g s i d e i n i t i a t i v e w i t h t h e p i e c edecisive attack: one threat is mate on
sacrifice fxg3! : for example, 19.exd5e2 in o ne move, another is mate in
exd5 20.Dd3 gxf2+ 21.Rf1 Cf5two beginning 26...Rh1+.] 22...Dh2+
with the intention of ...Bd6 followedFrustratingly for Veinberg his king will
by ...Ng3+.; A better line for White isbe chased all the way to c4, without a
18.gxf4! gxf4 19.e4 Tg8! (gainingmoment's respite to carry out his threat
time by threatening 2 0...f3) 20.Rf1!of mate on c7. 23.Rf2 Dxg2+ 24.Rxe3
Cb6 21.Dc2 Txg2!? ( or 21...Ah6!? )Dxg3+ 25.Re2 Dg4+ 26.Rd3 Dxf5+
22.Rxg2 e5 (clearing the way for the27.Rc4 Th3 28.Ae3 De4
queen) 23.Dc3 Cg6 , when Black has [ The most precise winning method
excellent attacking chances upon 24.a5?was 28...e5! (remember every attack
( so White should try 24.Dh3 exd4n e e d s t h e h e l p o f p a w n s a t s o m e
25.Th1 which is still unclear) 24...Dg4+point!) 29.Rb3 Df7+ (stopping the
25.Rf1 Ca8 (notice how this is amate threat on c7) 30.Dc4 ( or 30.Rb2
depressing square for the knight, butexd4 and wins ) 30...Txe3+ 31.Rb2
it pe rfo rms a u sef ul ro l e i n tak in gDxc4 32.Txc4 exd4 and Black is three
over from the black queen in defendingpawns up in the endgame.] 29.Te1
c7 against mate).] 18...fxg3 19.fxg3 [ White could linger on in a hopeless
Cf5!? [ Also very strong was 19...Dd6!position with 29.Cd2 Dxe3 30.Dxe3
, aiming at g3, when if 20.b6 Dxg3Txe3 31.Te1 . ] 29...Dd5+ 30.Rd3
21.bxa7 Rd7! gives Black a winningDxb5+ 31.Rc2 Ab4 32.Ca3 Df5+
attack. ] 20.e4? It's no surprise White [ The white queen is lost after 32...Df5+
c r u m b l e s q u i c k l y . [ A better chance33.Dd3 Th2+ . ]
was 20.b6 , but Dh7 21.Rf2 Ad6! ( if0-1
21...Dh2 , which on the face of it looks
winning, White can escape with
perpetual check by 22.Dxc7+! Cxc742 E04
23.Txc7+ Rb8 24.Txb7+ Rc8 Ulibin,M
– going to a8 allows mate in two – Brkic,A
25.Tc7+ Rb8 , etc ) 22.bxa7 Rd7!25: Biel 2015
leaves Black with a continuing
initiative.] 20...Cde3 21.Dc3 Dh7!1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Ag2
The open lines are fatal to the whitedxc4 5.Cf3 Ad7 6.Ce5 Ac6 7.Cxc6
king. 22.exf5 [ If 22.Axe3 Dh2+Cxc6 8.0-0 Dd7 9.e3 0-0-0 10.Cd2!
23.Rf1 ( after 23.Rf2 Dxg3+An important alternative to 10 Qa4 in
ei t h er g2 o r e3 f a ll s) 23...Cxg3+the games above. The knight will be
24.Re1 (now going to f2 loses themuch better posted on c4 than on c3.
q u e e n t o a f o r k o n e 4 ) Ab4!E X E R C I S E : D o y o u t h i n k B l a c k
s h o u l d p e r s e v e re wi t h t h e i d e a o f] 11.Cxc4 exd4 12.exd4?!

attacking on the kingside with 10...h5 [ For the superior 12.Da4; and 12.Db3
in the style of the games abov e, o rs e e t h e n e x t g a m e .] 12...De6!
should he try 10...e5 to counterattack inQUESTION: Why is this a better move
the centre? than capturing the pawn on d4
ANSWER: 10...e5! This seems as t r a i g h t a w a y ? [ ANSWER: White
n e c e s s a r y c h a n g e o f p l a n . [ Afterw o u l d h a v e a h u g e a t t a c k a f t e r
10...h5 11.Cxc4 , followed by Bd2 and12...Cxd4 13.Ae3; or 12...Dxd4 13.Da4
b2-b4, White's queenside attack proves. Therefore Black attacks the knight
superior. He hasn't wasted time withand prepares to capture on d4 with
Qa4 and on c4 the white knight provesthe rook to embarrass the white queen.
well placed to go to e5 or a5 once theHe k e e p s h is o w n k n i gh t o n c 6 t o
black knight has been evicted by a b4-help block White's initiative against
b 5 - p a w n s t a b . F o r e x a m p l e , Cd5a 7 o r b 7 . E s s e n t i a l l y B l a c k i s
12.Ad2 h4 13.b4! (a pawn is a smallprovoking a quick action in the centre
price to pay to open lines of attack)before White can aim his big guns at
hxg3 14.hxg3 Axb4 (this is notthe black king.] 13.Da4 The white
appetising for Black, but otherwisequeen runs from danger on the d-file
White's attack trundles on with moveswhilst defending her knight and putting
like b4-b5, Rb1 and Qa4, etc; noticepressure on the queenside. 13...Txd4
how much slower Black's kingsideBlack wins a pawn whilst pinning the
counterplay is compared to the gameswhite knight.
above) 15.Axb4 Cdxb4 16.Db3 Th514.b3 White threatens not only 15 Bxc6
17.Tab1 Tdh8 18.Ce5! (demonstratingfollowed by capturing on a7, but also
the superiority of having the knight onthe simple 15 Be3 when he drives back
c4 rather than c3) Cxe5 19.Dxb4 Cg4the black rook and coordinates his
20.Dxb7+ Rd8 21.Tfc1 . This positionpieces. This would leave Black facing
is reminiscent of the Postny-Movsesiana massive attack on his king, but Brkic
extract above. Black has doubled rookscan s eize the chance to play in the
on the h-file and an active knight, butcentre.
they can't strike a deadly blow whilst14...Ce4! EXERCISE: The knight
Black is annihilated on the queenside:blocks the attack on c6 and introduces
Dd6 22.Tc6 Dd7 23.Tbc1 e5 24.Txc7a strong tactical threat. Can you see it?
an d 1 -0 in P. Pro has zka-B .T ak acs ,ANSWER: The threat was 15...Nc3
Heviz 2010. Not a great defence bytrapping the white queen. The game
B l a c k , b u t i t s h o w s t h e da n g er h emove stops it whilst hitting the black
f a c e s a f t e r 1 0 N d 2 i f h e f a i l s t orook. Nonetheless the white queen is
counterattack in the centre. It has tostill short of squares.
be done at once with 10...e5 as next15.Ab2 Cc5! 16.Dxc6! [ If now
move after 11 Nxc4 it would be too late.16.Da3 Cd3 wins for Black after
17.Da4 ( or 17.b4 Axb4 when c4 will23.Tc1 Dd4 ( after 23...Df6 24.Txf5

drop ) 17...Cxb2 . White is thereforeDh6 25.Tcf1 Black shouldn't lose, but
obliged to make a positional queeni t ' s d i f f i c u l t t o s e e a n y w i n n i n g
s a c r i f i c e .; If 16.Db5 then a6chances for him against White's well-
f o r c e s W h i t e i n t o 17.Dxc6 bxc6coordinated pieces) 24.Tcd1 Dc3
. H e p r e f e r s t o p l a y t h e s a c r i f i c e25.Tc1 Dd4 26.Tcd1 and a draw was
straightaway so that the pawn on a7agreed in A.Giri-P.Harikrishna, Biel
will be potentially hanging to White's2014. ] 19...Ad6!? Aiming straight at
bishop on d4.] 16...bxc6 17.Axd4 Ce4h2. [ Also possible were 19...Dd5; or
EXERCISE: Evaluate the position!19...Dd7 with unclear play.] 20.gxf5
What do you think of White's queenDh6 The threat of mate saves the black
sacrifice? knight. 21.f4 [ There is a hair-raising
ANSWER: The knight has returned tod r a w i n g s e q u e n c e a f t e r 21.Cxd6+
e4 to block in the bishop on g2 and putCxd6 22.Tc1 Cxf5 23.Txc6 Df4
a barrier against a white rook on e1– 24.Axa7 Ch4 (the queen and knight are
not that it is a very secure barrier, asa formidable attacking duo, but in fact
we shall see. i t i s B l ac k w ho ha s t o be c are f ul )
If a positional queen sacrifice for a25.Tfc1 Cxg2 26.T1c4 De5 ( after
rook and bishop is going to work then26...Df3 27.Txc7+ Rd8 28.Ab6! Re8
the giver needs a safe king and a solid29.Ta7 White's threat of mate on c8 is
p a w n s t r u c t u r e . A b o v e a l l , t h edecisive ) 27.Ad4 Dh5 ( Black would
opponent mustn't have a strong passedbe mated after 27...Dg5 28.Txc7+ Rb8
pawn, which doesn't apply here. So on29.T7c5 Dg6 30.Tb5+ ) 28.Txc7+ Rb8
the whole White is looking at least okay.29.Rxg2 Dg4+ 30.Rf1 Dd1+ 31.Rg2
The problem will appear when in orderDg4+ and Black gives perpetual check.
to get rid of the knight on e4 he is] 21...Axf4 22.Txe4 [ White is
obliged to compromise his kingside,u n c o m f o r t a b l e d u e t o h i s k i n g ' s
a f t e r w h i c h h i s k i n g b e c o m e s av u l n erab i l i t y af t e r 22.Txf4 Dxf4
strategic factor – not what you want 23.Txe4 Dc1+ 24.Rf2 Tf8 25.Ce3
when your opponent has an unopposedTf7 , etc. ] 22...Dxh2+ 23.Rf2 Dg3+
q u ee n . S o th e v e rd i c t s e ems t o b eBlack calls it a draw too soon. [ After
White has sufficient compensation for23...Tf8! White has a material
the queen, but not more. advantage, but his king's awkward
18.Tae1 f5 19.g4 With the laudablesituation would cause him anxiety. His
aim of eliminating the defender of theb e s t m o v e w o u l d b e 24.Tg1 .
knight, but White is taking liberties ( I f i n s t e a d 24.f6 , which looks
w i t h h i s k i n g s i d e . [ More precise isplausible to block the f-file, then gxf6
19.f3 Dd5! (breaking the pin on theis a case of out of the frying pan and
k n i g h t a n d a t t a c k i n g d 4 ) 20.fxe4i n t o t h e f i r e : 2 5 . . .R g 8 n e x t mo v e
Dxd4+ 21.Rh1 Ab4 22.Td1 Dc3would start a strong attack down the
newly opened g-file.)] 24.Rg1 Dh2+after 17.Axd5 Txd5 18.Txd5 cxd5

25.Rf2 Dg3+ 19.Af4 Cc6 . ( 19...-- ); B2)
½-½ C r i t i c a l , t h o u g h , i s 13.Ad2!?
planning Rac1 or Rfd1 as appropriate.
F o r e x a m p l e : B2a) After 13...dxe3
43 E0414.Axe3 Cxe3 15.fxe3! f6
Postny,E ( fatal for the black king is 15...Rb8?
Nakar,E 16.Ce5 ) 16.Tad1 White has a
26: European Club Cup, Skopje 2015dangerous initiative.; B2b) 13...Ac5!?
14.Tac1 ( Black should hold the
1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Ag2endgame without too many problems
dxc4 5.Cf3 Ad7 6.Ce5 Ac6 7.Cxc6after 14.Tad1 De6 15.Ca5 Cxa5
Cxc6 8.0-0 Dd7 9.e3 0-0-0 10.Cd216.Axa5 Ab6 17.Axb6 Cxb6
e5 11.Cxc4 exd4 12.Da418.Dxe6+ fxe6 19.exd4 The8 , etc )
[ In my opinion White needs to14...dxe3!? (usually a concession, but
sacrifice the d4-pawn if he wants to tryhere it is the best way to deal with the
for advantage as the line 12.exd4 De6!threat of 15 Ne5 Nxe5 16 Rxc5 with
i n t h e p r e v i o u s g a m e i s t o odecisive pressure) 15.Cxe3 ( if 15.Axe3
convincing for Black.; We should alsoCxe3 16.Cxe3 Ab6 17.Axc6 bxc6
examine the alternative way to gambit18.Cc4 The8 , Black is solid and well
a pawn with 12.Db3!? . centralized enough not to lose because
QUESTION: What's White's idea? A) o f t h e d ou b l e d p awns) 15...Axe3
A N S W E R : A f t e r , s a y , 12...h5?16.Axe3 De6 17.Axa7!? (sacrificing a
Black would be hit by 13.Ce5! , whenpiece for the attack) ( it's unclear after
De6 ( while 13...Cxe5 allows mate)17.Ac5 The8 18.Dc2 ) 17...Cxa7
A1) 14.Cxf7 wins the exchange and a18.Tfe1 Df5 19.Tc5 ( White could
pawn. -- ( 14...-- ); A2) Note thisforce a draw straightaway with 19.Ae4
mercenary approach is stronger thanDh5 20.Af3 Df5 21.Ae4 ) 19...c6
14.Cxc6 bxc6 , though Black would20.Axd5 Txd5 21.Te7 Db1+ 22.Rg2
s t i l l b e b u s t e d . ( There is a cute pointTd7 23.Txd7 De4+ 24.Rh3 Rxd7
that 14...Dxb3 would be answered by25.Dxb7+ Rd6 26.Dxa7 De6+ 27.Rg2
15.Cxa7+ Rb8 16.axb3 when the rookDe4+ 28.Rh3 with a draw by perpetual
o n a 1 s u d d en l y d ef e n d s t h e w h i t echeck. This line beginning 13...Bc5 is
knight on a7.); B) A better defence ismy u n t e s t e d a n a l ys i s .] 12...Cd5
12...Cd5! , blocking the potential attack [ Instead, 12...dxe3? 13.Axe3
on b7. B1) Now E.Vorobiov-D.is abysmal for Black as all the white
Raznikov, Pardubice 2015, burnt out topieces are line up against his king.;
a tame draw after 13.Td1 Ac5 14.Ce5Meanwhile after 12...h5 the onslaught
Cxe5 15.exd4 c6 16.dxc5 Df5with 13.b4! is much too hot to handle:
and ½ ½. The position is fairly equalf o r i n s t a n c e , Rb8 14.b5 ( or
14.Axc6!? ) 14...Cb4 15.exd4 h4from focussing on a one-sided attack

16.Ce5 with an overwhelmingon the white king.; If you want to play
advantage for White; note especiallylike this as Black I would recommend
the weakness of f7 that hampers the14...f6 (guarding the e5-square against
defence.; Finally, 12...d3 has been tried:Ne5) 15.Db3 Cce7 (strengthening the
A) when White showed too muchknight on d5) 16.Ad2 h5 17.h4 c6
respect for the d3-pawn with 13.Td1 .18.Tac1 g6 . Black has consolidated
-- ( 13...-- ); B) Instead, 13.b4!h i s q u e e n s i d e a s t h e k n i g h t i s n o
would still be the best response – Black longer on c6 where it is a target of b4-
has no answer to the disruptive 14 b5 asb5 and d5 is bolstered. Counterplay
13...Cxb4 ( while 13...Axb4might come from ...Nf5 at some point.
l o s es a p i e ce t o 14.Axc6 ) 14.Dxa7] EXERCISE: How should White now
i s c u r t a i n s . T h e p a w n o n d 3 i sset about removing the barrier to his
irrelevant.] 13.exd4 Rb8 Of course, a7attack on d5?
d r o p s a f t e r 1 3 . . . N x d 4 . 14.Td115.Ce3? An obvious bid to evict the
A s i mp l e mo v e t o c o ns o l i d a t e t h eknight from d5, but it lets Black gain
centre before the next wave of attack iscoun terp lay in the centre after all.
launched on the queenside. Black has [ ANSWER: Instead, the circumspect
been unable to disrupt White's build-up15.Db3! and only then 16 Ne3 would
by a counterattack along the d-file. be the way for White to conquer the
14...Ae7? A rather routine move. Thed5 point when he has a very good game.
bishop takes away the e7-square from] 15...Cb6 16.Dc2 [ After 16.Axc6
the knight on c6, from which it couldBlack he can reply Cxa4 ( he doesn't
h e l p d e f e n d t h e v i t a l d 5 - s q u a r e .have to accept doubled pawns with
[ Because he was more or less obliged16...Dxc6 17.Dxc6 bxc6 ) 17.Axd7
to answer 10 Nd2 with 10....e5, BlackTxd7 , when it is White who has to
has been denied the chance to start aworry about his isolated queen's pawn.]
kingside attack of the kind that occurs16...Af6? Black wants to put his knight
after 10 Qa4 Nd5 11 Qxc4 h5!. If heon d4 and so prepares to support it with
ha d p l ayed 14...h5 here, for example,t h e b i s h o p . He i s h ap p y t o e n t i c e
the reply 15.h4 looks good. TheWhite's pawn to d5 where it blocks an
exchange ...e5xd4 and recapture e3xd4attack on b7 by the Catalan bishop.
has removed pawns from e3 and e6, [ Nonetheless, he should prefer the
which undoubtedly favours White. Hisbold 16...Cxd4 17.De4 c5 . A) If then
dark-squared bishop sees daylight and18.a4?! f5! 19.Db1 f4 20.gxf4 De6
deters Black from ever playing ...g7-g5.gives Black the initiative. ( 20...-- ); B)
At the same time the black knight onMore careful is 18.Rh1 , which side-
d5 has lost the support of the e6-pawn,steps a potential knight check on e2 so
which helps White undermine it. Inthat 18...f5? ( instead, after the
general the open e-file prevents Blacksuperior 18...Dc7 the position remains
unclear ) , can be answered with theeffort that was needed in the game to
t a c t i c a l s h o t 19.Cxf5! as Dxf5finally subdue Black in an endgame.]
allows mate on b7.] 17.d5 As we shall22...Cxa4 23.Dc2 Cd6 24.Ae3 The8
see in the game, White's pawn at d5 [ After 24...Cb6 25.Tdc1 White will
p r o v e s a p o w e r f u l s u p p o r t o f h i seventually break through the black
queenside attack rather than a hindrance.k i n g ' s d e f e n c e s , p o s s i b l y w i t h a
It also takes away retreat squares froms e q u e n c e i n v o l v i n g N c 5 a n d B f 1
the knight on d4. followed by a piece sacrifice on a6 or
17...Cd4 18.Dd3 a6 Evidently Blackb7. ] 25.Ca5 Cb6 26.Cc6+!
was afraid of his knight on d4 beingWith all his pieces well placed for the
surrounded by a move like a2-a4 andattack, Postny decides it is time for a
t h e n a t t a c k e d w i t h B d 2 a n d B c 3sacrifice to break up the black king's
without having a safe flight square.pawn wall. It involves a very neat piece
And so he prepares to retreat it to b5. of calculation.
19.Cc2 Cb5 20.a4 Cd6 21.Cd426...bxc6 EXERCISE: As a test of your
Cdc8? It is baffling why Black wouldanalytical powers, you might like to
withdraw the horse from its excellentsee if you can work your way through
b l o c k a d e s q u a r e . [ He should trust into a queen and opposite-colour bishop
centralization with 21...The8 , when ife n d g a me w h e r e W h i t e i s w i n n i n g
22.a5 Cbc4 stays active.] EXERCISE:despite equal material.
Can y ou s ee a wa y to immed iately27.Axb6 The only move. [ If 27.Txa6
exploit Black's disastrous decision? Black has time for Txe3!; or if 27.dxc6
22.Cb3? Postny builds up his gameDf5! . ] 27...cxb6 28.dxc6 Dc8 [ Here
c o n f i d e n t t h a t h i s i n i t i a t i v e w i l l28...Da7 me e t s t h e s a me r e p l y .]
ev ent ually l ead to a st ro ng at ta ck .29.Txa6! Again the only move for
[ ANSWER: He probably didn't lookWhite. One of the many threats is 30
too deeply at the immediate 22.Cc6+!c 7 + Q x c 7 3 1 R a 8 m a t e . 29...Dxa6
bxc6 23.Dxa6 . A) Actually this wins30.c7+ Ra7 31.cxd8D Txd8
quickly as there is nothing to be done32.Txd6! A crucial move that White
about 24 a5. If the knight then retreatsh a d t o s e e a t t h e s t a r t o f h i s
from b6 ideas like Rd3, intending Rb3+,combination. [ If instead 32.Dc7+ Cb7
or Bf4 and then dxc6 will follow. Forholds everything together for Black.]
example, 23...cxd5 24.a5 Cc4 ( or32...Da1+ [ It is necessary to force the
24...Ca8 25.Td3 ) 25.Txd5 wins; B) orb i s h o p t o f 1 a s 32...Txd6 33.Dc7+
23...Cxd5 24.Axd5 cxd5 25.Td3 Cb6mates. ] 33.Af1 Txd6 34.Dc7+ Ra8
( if 25...g5 26.a5 ) 26.Af4 , when 2735.Dxd6 Axb2 It might appear that
Qxb6+ is one murderous threat. Black has escaped the worst, but in fact
It would have taken some effort tohis terrible king position leads to a
find 22 Nc6+!. On the other hand, itl o s s o f a cou pl e of pawns . 36.Dc6+
w o u l d h a v e s a v e d W h i t e a l o t o fRb8 37.De8+ [ Stronger was
37.Dxb6+ at once, as if the black kingsquare. But his main concern is with
heads to e8 to try to save his f7-pawnu nd o i n g t h e po t e nt i al w ork o f t he
there will be mate threats based on Kg2,enemy pieces by making it hard for
unpinning the bishop on f1.] 37...Rc7Black to develop his bishop from c8.
38.Dxf7+ Rd6 39.Df8+ Rc7 40.De7+He also denies the black knight the
Rc8 41.De6+ Rc7 42.Dc4+ Rd6chance to go to c6 except at the penalty
43.Dd3+ Ad4 44.Dxh7 De1 45.Dg6+o f b r o k e n u p p a w n s . 7...--
De6 46.Dd3 And draw agreed (½-½) [ Black's best response is almost
a c c o r d i n g t o t h e d a t a b a s e .certainly 7...Cc6! , refusing to be
[ White obviously has good winningcowed into playing passively. It then
chances after 46.Dd3 Df6 47.Dd2becomes difficult to judge correctly the
, etc. Perhaps a draw suited Postny asv a r i o u s m a t e r i a l , s t r u c t u r a l a n d
this was a team game? ] dynamic factors that govern the
½-½ position. White has to be prepared to
c o m e u n d e r a t t a c k i n t h e 8.Axc6
variation and at the time of writing
45 E05B l a c k i s d o i n g p r e t t y w e l l h e r e .
The Main Line: 7 Ne5 ( In contrast, Wesley So scores a win
o v e r N a k a m u r a w i t h 8.Cxc6
Th e s u b j e c t o f t h i s c h a p t e r i s t h e. I have analyzed the opening here in
variation 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6detail as I th ink it is Whit e's mos t
4.g3 Ae7 5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4promising try.); We'll also look at 7...c5
7.Ce5 . wh i ch mak es some s ens e as Whi te
In s t ead o f t h e u s ual 7 Qc2 , Wh it ehas removed a defender of d4 with
a d v a n c e s h i s k n i g h t . T h e s h a d o whis knight move. However, as so often
boxing is over: Black has to decidein the Catalan, the ...c7-c5 freeing
how to meet this intrusion into his halfmove which works so well for Black in
of the board. the Queen's Gambit is no recipe for
In his book 'Common Sense In Chess',easy equality when White has a bishop
which was based on a series of lectureson g2. ]
he gave in 1895, the great world
champion Emanuel Lasker says there
are three types of move: developing,46 E06
whi ch b rin g new forces i nto p l ay ; Wang Hao
moves which increase the work rate of Hou Yifan
your own pieces; and, thirdly, moves27: Danzhou 2016
wh ich undo the work of the enemy
pieces. 1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Cf3 Ae7
With 7 Ne5 White unleashes the bishop5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Ce5 Cc6!
on g2 and puts the knight on a centralAnyway. Black favours activity over a
solid pawn structure. White has played18.Tfc1 De5 19.bxc4 Td4 20.Tab1
a slow opening (g2-g3, Bg2, moving ( White can't save the c4-pawn – if
the knight twice) and so the women's20.c5 Td5 21.c6 Td6 22.c7 Td7 )
number one player seeks to grab the20...Tdxc4 21.Dxc4 Txc4 22.Txc4
initiative from him. Dxe2 (at first you might imagine the
8.Axc6 White gets his pawn back andtwo rooks would overpower the queen
leav es his opp onent with a b rokenin the endgame, but in fact they can't
q u e e n s i d e s t r u c t u r e . I n d e e d , t h ecoordinate to attack a7 or f7 without
w e a k n e s s o f t h e c 4 -p a wn i n w h a tallowing a perpetual check) 23.Ta4 a6
follows means that Black is virtually24.Rg2 De5 25.Td1 h5 26.Td3 Db5
forced to gambit it, meaning that White27.Taa3 Dc6+ 28.Rg1 Dc1+ 29.Rg2
is going to be a pawn up. On the otherDc6+ 30.Rg1 Dc1+ 31.Rg2 ½-½. ]
hand, giving up the 'Catalan' bishop is11...c5 Black jettisons c4 in order to be
a serious concession. Black's light-rid of the sickly pawn on c7 and break
squared bishop suddenly has no rival,up Wh ite's centre. [ Instead 11...e5
w h i c h me a n s t h a t Ho u Y i f a n w i l l12.Td1!? supports the d4-pawn A)
always have counterplay, despite thewhen 12...Tb8 13.Cc3 turned out well
pawn deficit. [ The alternative 8.Cxc6for White in V.Kramnik-M.Carlsen,
is considered later in this chapter.]Lon don 20 13. ( 13.-- ); B) However,
8...bxc6 9.Cxc6 Beginning a forcing12...Ab7!? aiming for a kingside attack
sequence which will end with Whitel e a d s t o d o u b l e - e d g e d p l a y . F o r
p i c k i n g u p t h e c 4 - p a w n . 9...De8example, 13.Cc3 De6 14.dxe5 Cg4
10.Cxe7+ Dxe7 11.Dc2 White puts( 14...Dh3 15.e4 Cg4 16.f4 Tad8
t h e q u e e n o n a s q u a r e w h e r e s h e17.Cd5 f5! 18.Te1 was complex in R.
at t ack s c4 and k eep s e2 d ef en ded .Svane-T.Beerdsden, USA 2017) 15.Af4
[ The alternative 11.Da4 is examined inh6 16.e4 g5 17.h3 gxf4 18.hxg4
t h e n e x t g a m e .; Another way offxg3 19.f3 Dxe5 ( maybe 19...f6!? )
attacking c4 was with 11.Ca3 . Then20.Rg2 , as in J.Hawkins-S.Collins,
Td8 was played in the big name gameDublin 2013, and now Black should
Wei Yi-W.So, Bilbao 2016: 12.Dc2!play h5 , the point being that if
Aa6! ( instead 12...Txd4? 13.Ae3 Td821.gxh5?! ( White should try 21.Cd5
14.Cxc4 leaves White developed andhxg4 22.f4 instead with a murky
with the better pawn structure) 13.Cxc4position ) 21...f5! gives good pressure.
c5 14.dxc5 Dxc5 15.b3 Axc4 16.Ab222.Cd5 . ] 12.Dxc4 cxd4 13.Dxd4
Tac8 17.Axf6 ( Black is suddenlyEXERCISE: Can you work out which
winning after 17.Tfc1? Cg4! 18.e4of 13...Bb7, 13...Rb8 or 13...e5 is the
Dh5; meanwhile 17.Tac1 Da5 18.Axf6best move for Black?
gxf6 19.bxc4 Td2 picks up the a2-ANSWER: 13...e5! Chess strategy is
pawn, but maybe White has a very tinynot only about putting your pieces on
a d v a n t a g e a f t e r 20.De4 ) 17...gxf6good squares – that is, making them
work harder. You also need to think16.e4 h6 is called for. The pin is
about how to undo the work of thepreven ted and White's queen finds
opponent's pieces. [ If here 13...Tb8herself stalemated.; If 15.Ag5 Txb2
then 14.De5! follows and the white. Perhaps White should play like this
q u ee n ge ts t o s it o n a g oo d cen t reanyway, to be equal after 16.Cc3 De6
square where she incidentally attacks17.e4 . ] 15...De6 [ Note that 15...Tb4
t h e r o o k o n b 8 . I f t h e n Ab7would fail to 16.Aa3! and Black loses
W h i t e c o u l d c o n t i n u e 15.Cc3material. Hou Yifan therefore breaks
a n d 1 6 B g 5 , w h e n B l a c k ' sthe pin on her knight and brings her
co mpens at i o n f or t he p awn is fas tq u e e n o n t o a l i g h t s q u a r e a s a
fading. When you see how the whiteprelude to an assault on the kingside.]
queen is pushed around by Hou Yifan16.Ca3 [ If 16.Ag5 Cd5 , etc. ]
in the game you'll realize you don't16...Td8 17.Dc4 Dh3 The threat of
want her sitting with impunity on e5.;18...Ng4 forces White to weaken his
T h e o t h e r p o s s i b i l i t y i s 13...Ab7king's defences. 18.f3 Ab7 19.Dc2?!
. The bishop is, indeed, well placed onAfter this Black will get a fearsome
b7, but the rook on a8 is annoyed thatinitiative, even if objectively speaking
it is deprived of its open file. BecauseWhite can still defend. [ White had to
there is no pressure on b2 White canreduce the potential pressure on his
play 14.Ag5 at once and answer Tfd8k i n g s i d e , e i t h e r w i t h 19.Ag5
with 15.Dh4 . Again Black'sto eliminate the black knight;; or with
compensation for the pawn is vanishing.19.e4 , which would prevent Black's
In the game after 13...e5, the whitenext move.] 19...e4! Using the f3-pawn
q u e e n i s c h a s e d f r o m t h e c e n t r e .as a lev er f or opening up the long
Black gets her rook on to the opendiagonal. Black has bags of play for a
file and also plays ...Bb7 without themere pawn. 20.Cc4 Tbc8 21.Tf2 Dh5
p i e c e s o b s t r u c t i n g e a c h o t h e r .EXERCISE: Try to work out if it is
Furthermore, the e6-square provesbetter for White to play 22 Bb2 or 22
useful for the black queen not only toBe3.
break a pin after Bg5, but also as an22.Ae3? [ ANSWER: White had to
avenue of attack on the white king viaplay 22.Ab2! in order to eliminate the
the light squares. And to add to allf6-knight before it can land on the g4-
these goo d ies, in the game the e5 -s q u a r e g i v i n g B l a c k a d e c i s i v e
p a w n w i l l p r o v e a b a t t e r i n g r a minitiative. A) Naturally Wang Hao was
against the white kingside.] 14.Dh4l o a t h e t o a l l o w t h e b l a c k r o o k t o
Tb8 The white queen is dislodged andpenetrate after 22...e3 23.Tg2 Td2
the black rook eyes the b2-pawn. 15.b3, b u t i n f a c t a f t e r 24.Dc3 Txe2
[ After 15.Cc3 Black had better do(which looks crushing), White can hold
something fast or else 16 Bg5 is goodo n b y d e f e n d i n g f 3 w i t h 25.Tf1
for White. The vigorous response Tb4 ( it is mate in two upon 25.Txe2 Dxf3
, as with 26.Dxe3 Dh1+ 27.Rf228.Ah4 Dc5+ 29.Rg2 Df2+

Cg4# ) . If then 25...Axf3? White canleads to mate.
turn the tables with 26.Txe2 Axe2A f i n e a t t a c k i n g d i s p l a y b y t h e
27.Txf6! gxf6 28.Dxf6 with a winningwomen's world champion. ]
a t t a c k . I n c i d e n t a l l y , t h i s l i n e0-1
demonstrates the influence of
opposite-coloured bishops on
scenarios where a king is vulnerable.47 A14
If Hou Yifan relinquishes the Kramnik,V
initiative then it is her king who can Nakamura,H
suddenly become a target. 28: Paris (blitz) 2016
After the game move White's
d e f e n c e s c r u m b l e . T h e r e i s n oTh is is a h eavyweight game which
defence against the fearsome light-i l l u s t r a t e s t h e d e p t h o f a n e l i t e
sq uared bis hop .; B) Instead, Blackplayer's preparation which extends well
could try 22...Aa6!? to keep up theinto the middlegame. On the other hand,
initiative and reserve th e threat ofit was a b lit z g ame, s o we have to
i n v a d i ng w i t h . . . R d 2 . T h i s w o u l dexcuse the inevitable mistakes in the
leave White with a badly placed rooklater stages. Kramnik's refined move
on g2. order here was discussed at the start of
It would require a cool head to playthe book.
22 Bb2 and not fear 22...Rd2, but I1.Cf3 Cf6 2.g3 d5 3.Ag2 e6 4.0-0
could imagine a great defender likeAe7 5.c4 0-0 6.d4 dxc4 7.Ce5
C a p a b l a n c a s e e i n g t h r o u g h t h eI t ' s w o r t h n o t i n g t h a t i f yo u p l a y
po sit ion and co ncl ud in g 'My mainKramnik's move order to get to the
enemy is the knight, I must get rid ofCatalan mainline and then choose 7
it at all costs'. Ne5 as here, you cut out a lot of theory.
A f t e r t h e g a m e m o v e W h i t e ' s7...Cc6 8.Axc6 bxc6 9.Cxc6 De8
d e f e n c e s c r u m b l e . T h e r e i s n o10.Cxe7+ Dxe7 11.Da4 [ Diverging
defence against the fearsome light-from 11.Dc2 in the game above.]
squared bishop.] 22...exf3 23.exf311...e5! [ It is useful to compare the
Axf3 24.Ag5 Ae4 25.Dc1 Cg4current situation with that after 11 Qc2.
26.Te2 The rook chooses e2 to stop 26...As mentioned in the previous game,
N e 5 , p l a n n i n g 2 7 . . . N f 3 + , w i t h awith the white queen on c2 guarding
crushing attack. 26...Af3 White's rookthe e2-pawn, after 11...e5 a decent idea
is hanging. It has to stay on the secondis It is useful to compare the current
rank to guard h2. If it goes to d2 thesituation with that after 11 Qc2. As
bishop is lost, while other safe squaresmentioned in the previous game, with
allow 27 ...Rd1 + winn ing material.the white queen on c2 guarding the e2-
[ Meanwhile 26...Af3! 27.Axd8 Axe2pawn, after 11...e5 a decent idea is 12
Rd1!? as 12...exd4 wouldn't uncoverQUESTION: After the game move not

the threat of 13...Qxe2. only is Black down a pawn, he also has
In the present game, however, with thebroken queenside pawns. If everything
q u e e n o n a 4 , 12.Td1? exd4else were equal, this would surely be
w o u l d j u s t b e b a d f o r W h i t e .more than enough for an arch-strategist
Therefore the e-pawn central breaklike Kramnik to bag the point as White.
becomes more attractive for Black.;So what is Black's compensation?
At the same time 11...c5 has becomeANSWER: It is imperative for Black
less appealing than in the game above.that he gains time by hitting the white
A) Rather than transpose with Wangqueen. Not only the bishop, but also
Hao's 12.Dxc4 , White has extrathe black rooks can be mobilized with
o p t i o n s d u e t o t h e m o r e f l e x i b l egain of time by harassing her. She is
position of the white queen on a4.; B) obliged to defend the e2-pawn and
Firstly, 12.Da3 pins the c5-pawn. Then,s h ou ld n ' t wa nd er t oo f ar f ro m t he
for example, Db7 13.Dxc5 e5 14.Td1kingside as her assistance is needed in
Ah3 15.d5 keeps an edge for White.thwarting any attack led by the black
( 15.-- ); C) A l t e r n a t i v e l y , 12.Dc6q u e en . Th i s e x pl a i ns h er t o rt u o u s
wins the c5-pawn because of the threatmanoeuvres. On the other hand, the
to a8: for example, 12...Ab7 13.Dxc5prize is worth a lot of suffering. If
Dxc5 (usual) ( keeping the queens onWhite can escape the pressure then he
with 13...Dd7!? might be a betterhas enough material advantage to win
approach ) 14.dxc5 Tfc8 15.Ae3 Cg4the game.
16.Ad4 e5 17.Ac3 Txc5 18.Td113...Ae6 [ If Black settled for 13...Ab7
followed by Na3 and again White has, then the bishop looks pretty on the
the better chances.] 12.dxe5 Dxe5long diagonal, but White can develop
13.Dxc4 [ After 13.Cc3!? Ce4!?with 14.Cc3 and play f2-f3 if the black
14.Dxc4 Cxc3 15.bxc3 ( not 15.Dxc3queen made threatening noises with ...
Dxe2 ) 15...Ae6 16.Dd3 Tad8 17.Af4Qh5. With the bishop coming out to
Dc5 18.Dc2 Dc6 , Black's light-squaref 4 W h i t e w o u l d b e i n c o m m a n d .;
superiority means that any attempt atL i k e w i s e , i f 13...Ah3 14.Te1
exploiting his extra pawn by White(it's kind of Black to drive the white
w i t h a n e v e n t u a l f 2 - f 3 a n d e 2 - e 4rook to e1 where it defends e2 and
advance would leave him fragile. Forfrees the queen of the task) leaves
e x a m p l e , i f 19.f3 Ah3 20.Tfd1?Wh i t e fr e e t o d ev e l o p.] 14.Dd3
( instead 20.Tf2 is required, but [ White's queen is also pushed about
awk wa rd f o r th e roo k) 20...Dc5+after 14.Dc2 : f o r e x a mp l e , Af5
, when 21.Rh1 ( 21.e3 White loses a15.Dd2 Ah3 16.Te1 Tad8 17.De3
piece upon g5 ) 21...Df2 22.Tg1 Tfe8Dd5 18.f3 Cg4 19.Dc3 A) and here
23.Tae1 (otherwise e2 drops) Ag2+!19...Db7 20.Af4 was draw agreed in
24.Txg2 Dxe1+ wins for Black .]Wen Yang-P.Leko, Baku 2015, but
White looks a bit better. ( 20.-- ); B) subsequent analysis that the h3-square
Instead, 19...Tfe8 sets up a brilliantis a good attacking post for the black
trap: B1) namely 20.Af4? Txe2!!queen as long as there is a dynamic
21.Txe2 Dc5+! (the point: White isvariation to justify it. Otherwise she
mated if he takes the queen) 22.Ae3can end up entombed on that square
Td1+ 23.Te1 Txe1+ 24.Dxe1 Cxe3wh il st th e battle rages els ewhere.]
25.Rh1 (getting away from the17.Cc3 Tfe8 18.g4! QUESTION: This
discovered attack) ( if 25.Df2 Dc1+seems subtle! Why did Kramnik prefer
will mate ) 25...Cc2 26.De8+ Df8this to moving his queen to g5 or f2?
an d af t e r a l l h i s a t t a ck i n g mo v es , [ ANSWER: If 18.Dg5 the white queen
Black wins in prosaic style by takinghas abandoned her defensive role: upon
the rook o n a 1 .; B2) White shouldDh3 the e2-pawn is hanging and
t h e r e f o r e d e v e l o p w i t h 20.Ca3besides Black is ready to increase the
, when Black has enough counterplaypressure with ...Nd5 as in the game.;
for the material, but no more than thatSo White wants his queen on f2, but
after 20...Db7 21.Af4 Db6+ 22.e318.Df2 Cd5 keeps up Black's attack,
Db7 23.e4 Db6+ 24.Ae3 Cxe3with e2 vulnerable. White would then
25.Txe3 Ae6 26.Rg2 Td4 27.Te2have to defend, such as with 19.Te1 ;
Ted8 , etc ] 14...Tad8 15.De3 Dh5 ( as if 19.Ce4? Black pushes the knight
Of course, the exchange of queens isaway with f5 . )] 18...Dg6!
anathema for Black. Now White meets [ Now compare the situation after 18 g4
the threat of 16...Ng4, which wouldi f N a k a m u r a h a d p l a y e d 18...Dh3
win at once, and creates a hideaway for. T h e n a f t e r 19.Df2 Cd5
his queen on f2. [ Meanwhile, if insteadW hi t e s u d d e nl y h a s t h e o p t i o n o f
15...Da5 16.Da3 (getting the queen out20.Ce4! , when his knight is well
of the way of potential attacks aftercentralized and blocking Black's attack
Rfe8) Dh5 17.Cc3 and White haso n e 2 . I t c a n ' t b e e v i c t e d b y f5
some edge.] 16.f3 Ac4 Black wastesdue to the interpolation of the 18 g4
no time in aiming at e2, the weakestmove. White then has the better game
s q u a r e i n W h i t e ' s c e n t r e . [ Afternot least because the black queen is
16...Tfe8 White has the chance to play'stalemated' on h3.
the manoeuvre 17.Dg5 Dh3 18.Dc5E v a d i n g t h e p o s i t i o n a l t r a p , t h e
(possible now that the black queen hasAmerican Grandmaster puts his queen
been driven away from h5). As theon g6 instead where she remains active.
sacrificial line Ad5 ( say, 18...h5As we shall see he maintains equal
, b u t t h e n 19.Df2 looks good forc h a n c e s a s s u m i n g h e f i n d s a
White ) 19.e4 Cxe4 20.fxe4 Axe4combination at move 22.; Finally, it
21.Df2 fails for Black, he has to makes h o u l d b e p o i n t e d o u t t h a t a f t e r
do with. 18...Txe3 19.gxh5 Te6 , Black will
You will notice both here and in thepick up the h5-pawn after White guards
e2 with 20.Rf2 . He is then close toRxg6 37.De8+ Rh7 . White's attempt

e q u a l i t y , t h o u g h h i s a t t a c k h a sat a perpetual has fizzled out.
receded and White can try to exploit0-1
his better queenside structure.] 19.Df2
Cd5 20.Cxd5 Txd5 [ Upon 20...Txe2
21.Dxe2! Axe2 22.Ce7+48 E05
and 23 Nxg6+ White will end up with So,W
an extra rook.] 21.Te1 h5 22.g5 f6? Nakamura,H
[ EXERCISE: Can you make 22...Bxe229: Saint Louis 2016
work for Black?
ANSWER: Indeed, the e2-pawn is no1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 d5 4.g3 Ae7
longer poisoned, so Black misses a5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Ce5 Cc6
t a c t i c a l c h a n c e t o e q u a l i z e w i t h8.Cxc6 [ In contrast to the 8.Axc6
22...Axe2! 23.Txe2 Td1+ 24.Rg2variation above, here White doesn't
Txe2 25.Dxe2 Txc1! (the point,emerge with an extra pawn from the
s e t t i n g u p a f o r k o n g 5 ) 26.Txc1opening. On the other hand, he keeps
Dxg5+ and 27...Qxc1.] 23.h4 Tde5his Catalan bishop so isn't afflicted by
24.e4 f5 25.Af4 T5e7 26.Tac1t h e l i g h t - s q u a r e m a l a i s e o f t h e
A blitz game inaccuracy. [ White couldp r e v i o u s g a m e s i n t h i s c h a p t e r .]
keep a solid queenside structure with8...bxc6 EXERCISE: Black's queenside
26.b3 and, after Af7 , close the centrepawn structure is now wrecked, with
with 27.e5 . He would then be well ont r i p l e d p a w n s a l o n g t h e c - f i l e .
top. ] 26...Axa2 27.Dxa7 Af7 28.Txc7Assuming he hasn't gone mad, can you
[ Again 28.e5 was the right idea. Itthink of some reasons why Nakamura
w o u l d c o n c e d e t h e d 5 - s q u a r e t owould let his opponent smash up his
Black's bishop, but his rooks remainqueenside?
boxed in. ] 28...Txc7 29.Dxc7 fxe49.Ca3!? [ ANSWER: Consider the
30.Txe4 Txe4 31.fxe4 Dxe4position after 9.Axc6 Tb8 . First of all
Black has broken out and has enoughit just looks horrible for Black. But
for a draw due to the exposed whitenotice that his rook on a8 is on an open
king. 32.De5 Df3 33.Ag3??line, putting pressure on b2 and tying
Don't judge Kramnik on this howlerdown the bishop on c1 to its defence.
played in a blitz game. [ Instead, WhiteHow often in the Catalan do we see
c o u l d d r a w e a s i l y w i t h 33.De3this roo k g et so active so quickly?
which prevents Black from setting upSecondly, White's bishop is loosely
a deadly q u een and b is h op b att eryplaced on c6. Black could force its
against his king.] 33...Ad5 Suddenlyexchange with a quick ...Bb7, thereby
there is no good way to stop mate onsolving the problem of the bad bishop
g2. on c8.
34.De8+ Rh7 35.g6+ Rh6 36.Dh8+Once the light-squared bishops are
exchanged, Black can do something to11...Cd5! 12.Cxd5 (this straightens out

improve his queenside pawn structure:B l a c k ' s p a w n s , b u t o t h e r w i s e t h e
namely arrange the ...c7-c5 advancebishop on c6 is stranded) exd5 13.Df3
and liquidate by exchange White's d4-Ab7 (defending d5) ( notice that 13...c3
pawn. Black will have achieved a lot:wins the exchange after 14.bxc3 Axf1
he is rid o f his bad b is ho p, h as an, b u t a f t e r 15.Rxf1 the d5-pawn will
active rook on b8 and can d issolved r o p l e a v i n g W h i t e w i t h e n o u g h
White's pawn centre. Of course, hematerial and a strong centre) 14.Axb7
wo uld remain with split queensideTxb7 15.b3 and now c3!?
pawns, and a rather vulnerable pawn onw a s t h e d y n a m i c t r y ( rather than
c4 , but yo u c an 't hav e ev eryt hing .15...cxb3 in V.Ivanchuk-Y.Seirawan,
Black looks comfortable. Til b urg 1 9 9 2) ; for example, 16.e4
Let's see an example of how thingsdxe4 17.Dxe4 c6! (a cute way to get
might unfold: 10.Cc3 Ab7 11.Axb7the rook to c7 to defend c3; if White
Txb7 12.e4 c5 13.dxc5r e f u s e s t h e p a w n t h e n 1 8 . . . Q d 5
( we see another use of the rook on b7centralizes the queen strongly) 18.Dxc6
after 13.d5 Td7! winning the d5-Tc7 19.De4 Ad6 20.Af4 Te8 21.Df3
pawn ) 13...Dxd1 14.Txd1 Axc5c2 and Black's dangerous passed
15.Rg2 and now Black found a nicepawn supplies strong counterplay for
move: e5! , securing the d4-square forthe material.] 9...Axa3 QUESTION:
his bishop where it adds to the pressureWhy does Black give up his excellent
on b2 and blocks under counterplaydark-squared bishop?
along the d-file. After 16.Td2 Ad4ANSWER: In some positions even a
17.Tc2 Tfb8 , Black had a good gamepowerful bishop has to be exchanged
i n M . E l g a b ry -M . Kra v t s i v , A l A i nf o r a g a l l o p i n g h o r s e . If Wh i t e i s
2012.; Another try for White is 9.Da4allowed to play 10 Nxc4 unopposed
, but Dxd4 (a centre pawn is worth athe knight could then go to e5 or a5 to
little trouble as Steinitz would say!)c o n q u e r c 6 . W h i t e w o u l d h a v e a
10.Td1 Db6 11.Ae3 Da6crushing game. [ For example, 9...Tb8
( 11...Dxb2!? was also worth the10.Cxc4 c5 11.Ca5 Ad7 12.dxc5
trouble, with good chances for Black)Axc5 13.Cb7 De7 14.Cxc5 Dxc5
12.Dxc6 Dxc6 13.Axc6 Tb8 14.Axa715.Ae3 leaves White with the two
Txb2 and Black's activity gave him thebishops and split pawns to target on
better game in Vo Thanh Ninh-Nguyena7 and c7.; Also 9...Aa6 doesn't help
Ngoc Truong Son, Ho Chi Minh Citymuch as, after 10.Da4 Dc8 11.Cxc4
2016.; Alternatively, White could, Black is in deep trouble due to the
d e f e n d h i s d - p a w n w i t h 9.e3weakness on c6.
t o f r e e h i s q u e e n f o r a c t i o n : Aa6Instead, with the game move Black
10.Axc6 Tb8 11.Cc3 ( If 11.Da4 Tb6inflicts doubled pawns on White and
holds everything together for Black)turns the c4-pawn into a passed pawn.]
10.bxa3 Aa6 Black develops hishis two bishops and better centre will
bishop to an active square and defendsg i v e h i m a c l e a r p l u s . T h e r e f o r e
the pawn that matters – the passed pawn.Bruzon tried to exploit the absence of
H e d o e s n ' t h a v e t o w o r r y a b o u tthe bishop from g2 with f5? B1)
jettisoning the c6-pawn as after 11when if 16.exf5? , Black can choose
Bxc6 Rb8 he will generate a lot of playbetween 16...Cxf5 ( or 16...Dd5!
with ...Nd5, etc, in the style of the, with the chilling threat of 17...Bb7
Seirawan and Kravtsiv extracts above.and mate along the diagonal.); B2)
[ I f i n s t e a d 10...Tb8 , White has theKramn ik cut a cros s t hi s pl an wit h
chance to get rid of Black's advanced16.d5! , blocking the d5-square, when
p a s s e d p a w n w i t h 11.Da4 Dxd416...exd5 17.exd5 left the pawn
12.Ae3 De5 13.Dxc4 whereupon heu n t o u c h a b l e : Cxd5? 18.Ac6
has two powerful bishops pointing atret u rns to th e di a gon al in s tyl e a s
the crumbling black queenside pawns.;White wins a piece. White therefore
A foray with the knight is possible,maintained his edge and won after a
10...Cd5 11.Da4 and now: A) 11...Cb6hard struggle.] EXERCISE: After 10...
12.Da5 Tb8 ( bad for Black isBa6 what is White's best way to get his
12...Dxd4 13.Ae3 Df6 14.Ac5 Td8queen into the attack?
15.Axc6 Tb8 16.Dxa7 ) 13.e3ANSWER: 11.Dd2! With this move
when White has a stable position andWhite intends to put his queen in the
pressure on the queenside.; B) 11...Cc3thick of the queenside attack on a5,
12.Dc2 ( White had better avoidw h i l s t t e m p o r a r i l y k e e p i n g d 4
12.Dxc4? as Dxd4! exploits a potentialdefended. [ It looks superior to 11.Da4
fork on e2) 12...Cb5 ( not 12...Dxd4?, w h e n a f t e r Ab5 12.Da5 Dxd4
13.Ab2 and White wins a piece) 13.e3the pawn snatch looks risky, but Black
Cd6 14.a4!? gives White gooddoesn't lose a piece to a future a3-a4:
chances.; A l t e r n a t i v e l y , 10...a513.Ae3 Dd6 , and if 14.a4
occupies the a5-square and so rules out ( Black is also okay after 14.Tfd1 Cd5;
the plan we'll see in the main game. A) or 14.Af4 e5 15.Tfd1 De6 , etc )
Now after 11.Da4 Aa6 12.Axc6 Tb814...Da3! pins the pawn and is good for
13.Dxa5 Ab7 14.Axb7 Txb7 15.Dc3Black.; Delaying the queen's journey
Dd5 16.f3 Td8 , Black had enoughwith 11.Axc6 Tb8 12.Da4 allows Tb6
p l a y i n B . G e l f a n d - L . A r o n i a n ,, w h e n t h e r o o k o n b 6 i s a s t o u t
T s a g h k a d z o r 2 0 1 5 . ( 16...-- ); B) g u a rd i a n o f t h e b l a c k q u e e ns i d e .]
So in V.Kramnik-L.Bruzon Batista,11...Tb8 The rook gets off the danger
Baku 2015, White tried a somewhatdiagonal, seizes the b-file and intends
riskier approach: 11.Axc6 Tb8 12.Dc2to bolster the queenside third rank with
Aa6 13.Td1 Cd5 14.e4 Ce7 15.Aa4...Rb6.
. White's Catalan bishop has ended up12.Da5 A s p l a n n e d . 12...Dc8
on a weird square, but if left in peaceNak amu ra d ef end s t he bi s hop a nd
moves his queen on to a light square,p a w n s . W h i t e h a d t h e b i s h o p .

where she can't be harassed by White'sKramnik managed to win, Li Chao only
dark-s qu ared b is ho p i n th e fu tu re.t o d r a w . I w o n d e r i f t h e r e i s
[ Black would lose a piece aftersomething about this variation that
12...Dxd4 13.Ae3 , guarding a1 withincreases the chance of this endgame?]
gain of time, followed by 14 Qxa6.;13.a4 Not only preparing to develop the
Ho wever, perhap s she should havebishop to a fine post on a3, but also
headed straight into conflict with thedenying the black pieces the b5-square,
bishop after the moves 12...Tb6 13.a4so that the queen can never be evicted
, clearing the way for Ba3, and now: A) by ...Rb5.
13...Dxd4? 14.Ae3 picks up the13...Td8 14.Aa3 Txd4 [ If Black
e x c h a n g e o n b 6 i m m e d i a t e l y ;doesn't take the chance to dissolve
( and a slower approach with 14.Aa3W h i t e ' s c e n t r e h e e n d s u p i n a
Ta8 15.Tfd1 Dg4 16.Ac5 and 17 Bxb6s t r a n g l e h o l d a f t e r 14...Tb6 15.e3
looks even mo re effective.); B) p l a n n i n g 1 6 B c 5, et c .] 15.Tfb1!
Imprecise is 13...De7 as after 14.Dc3This was Wesley So's improvement on
Tfb8 15.Aa3 De8 , as in Wen Yang-theory at the time of this game.
Xiu Deshun, Zaozhuang 2015, WhiteQUESTION: What is White's idea and
can play 16.e4 , ruling out ...Nd5 ideaswh y d id h e cho se 15 Rfb1 over 15
and keeping a bind.; C) 13...Dd6!?Rab1, which looks more natural?
14.Dc3 Cd5 15.Axd5 Dxd5ANSWER: All will be explained in the
(if Black takes back with a pawn 16notes to Black's 17th, below. 15...Tb6
Ba3 costs him the exchange; notice [ The threat was 15...-- 16.Txb8 ( or
that in variation 'b' with the queen on16.Dxa6! , exploiting the back rank at
e7 Black didn't have this recaptureonce ) 16...Dxb8 17.Dxa6 winning a
available, so couldn't play 14...Nd5piece.; Nakamura gives up the exchange
without dropping material) 16.Aa3 Te8r at h e r t h a n a c q u i es c e i n 15...Txb1+
17.Ac5 Tbb8 and Black is ready to16.Txb1 , when White is in total control
play 18...e5 to break up White's centre.with ideas of Bxc6 or Bc5 and Ba7;; and
while Li Chao-S.Ganguly, Ningbo 2011,15...Cd5 loses at once to 16.Dxa6! . ]
continued 18.f3 ( ineffective for White16.Ac5 Td7 [ It was possible to give
is 18.Axa7 Ta8 19.Ac5 e5 ) 18...e5u p t w o e x c h a n g e s w i t h 16...Td5
19.e4 exd4 20.Axd4 Dg517.Axd5 cxd5 18.Axb6 axb6
with balanced chances. . In a similar situation in Z.Efimenko-K.
B y t h e w a y , t h e g a m e L i C h a o -Sakaev, Vrnjacka Banja 2010, with 15
G a n g u l y l a s t e d 1 5 9 m o v e s , e v e nR a b 1 r a t h e r t h a n 1 5 R f b 1 p l a ye d ,
l o n g e r t h a n t h e 1 1 7 m o v e s o fWhite tried 19.Db4 , but this seems to
Kramnik-Bruzon cited above. Theyallow Black to gain time to advance
b o t h re ach ed th e f amo us ro ok a n dh i s p a w n s w i t h . . . c 7 - c 5 w h e n
bishop versus rook endgame withouta p p r o p r i a t e . ( Instead, 19.Dd2
loo ks more sen s ible. It al so s eemsCxc5 25.Dxc5+ Rf7 26.Dh5+

preferable to have a rook on a1 herewins the rook after all.
rather than on f1, as White can try toNone of this would be possible if the
puncture holes in Black's queensidewhite rook were on f1 rather than a1,
pawn mass with -- 20.a5 b5 21.a4 c6a s B l a c k ' s r o o k c o u l d e s c a p e t h e
22.De3 , followed by Ra2, a4xb5 andattentions of the white bishops with ...
R a b 2 , b u i l d i n g u p t o w a r d s a nRxa2.; Another useful aspect of having
exchange sacrifice with Rxb5. White'sa rook on a1, rather than f1, is that after
has good chances to win.)] 17.Td1!17...Cd5 White can utilize the f2-square
One of the golden rules of chess is: dowith 18.e4 ( an even better approach
not rush. [ After 17.Axb6 cxb6 18.De5for White is to build up pressure along
h6 19.Td1 Cd5 , Black has an array ofthe d-file with 18.Af3 answering c3?
pawns on the queenside and activewith 19.e4 , whereas with a rook still
pieces. If 20.e4? then Cb4 gives him ao n f 1 B l a c k w o u l d h a v e . . . B x f 1)
lot of counterplay. So's idea is that the18...Cf6 19.Af1 – not possible with a
rook on b6 most likely won't run away,rook on f1.
w h i c h m e a n s f i r s t o f a l l h e c a nNakamura therefore 'passes' with the
arrange an exchange of Black's othergame move 17...h6, allowing So to
rook along the d-file, and force thecarry out a favourable exchange of
black knight to a less active square.]pieces alo ng the d-file. Perhaps he
17...h6 Let's try and work out why Soshould have taken his chance in the
preferred 15 Rfb1, so that besides aline 17...Nd5 18 Bf3, though it's a
rook on d1 he has a rook on a1 ratherg r i m d e f e n c e .] 18.Txd7 Cxd7
t h a n f 1 i n t h e g a m e p o s i t i o n .19.Axb6 Finally it is time to cash in
[ I suspect the main reason is that ifthe exchange. 19...cxb6 20.Dd2 c5
now 17...Tb2 18.Txd7 Cxd721.Td1 White has managed to
, he can ch as e th e b lack ro ok withcoordinate his pieces along the d-file.
19.Ad4! Txe2 20.Af3 Tc2 21.Ae4Once he has forced the exchange of
Te2? ( here 21...c5! 22.Axg7! Txf2!queens, his king will be able to rush
23.Rxf2 Rxg7 is given as equal byover to the queenside and obstruct the
Stockfish, but Black looks ragged toonrush of Black's pawn mass. White is
my human eyes) , and now 22.Axh7+!no t onl y t h e exchange up, he is in
e x p l o i t s t h e r o o k o n e 2 A) as aftereffect a king up as well, as Black's king
22...Rxh7 23.Dh5+ Rg8 24.Dxe2can only watch events from a distance.
wins it, with a clear plus to White.21...Cf6 22.Rf1! A vital move in
( 24.-- ); B) If Black declines the pieceWhite's plans. Black can only mark
then 22...Rh8 23.Dh5; C) or 22...Rf8time with his king, whereas the white
23.Dg5 are decisive: for example, f6monarch edges over to c1.
( 23...g6 24.Axg6! fxg6 25.Dxg622...Rh7 23.Dc2+ Rg8 24.Dd2 Rh7
gives White a winning attack) 24.Ac5+!25.Dd8 Dxd8 26.Txd8 c3 27.Re1
Just in time to head off the c-pawn.49 E06

There is a well-known rule that if you Kelires,A
are the exchange up in an endgame, Villegas,P
you should try to exchange off the30: Luxembourg 2016
opponent's remaining rook. Here we
see that once the passed pawns are1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Ag2
neutralized the black minor pieces areAe7 5.Cf3 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Ce5 c5
no match for the wide ranging white [ Black avoids the damage to his
rook. queenside pawns that would occur after
27...Ac4 28.Rd1 Axa2 29.Rc2 Ac47...Cc6 . Ignoring the white knight he
30.e3 The c3 pawn is doomed – there'sstrikes at d4, a plan which is all the
no need to give Black the e2-pawn.more attractive as the white pawn has
30...b5 31.Rxc3 a6 32.Ta8 Cd5+lost one of its defenders after 7 Ne5.
33.Axd5 exd5 34.a5! Fixing the a6-Once it is liquidated, there will be an
pawn as a target and maintaining aalmost symmetrical pawn structure.
potential outside passed pawn. Surely it can't be that difficult for
34...b4+ 35.Rd2 Af1 EXERCISE:Black to neutralize White's pressure
What is the correct technique to decideand offer a draw?
the game? As we know it is never that easy for
ANSWER: 36.Tc8! The passed pawnsB l a c k i n t h e C a t a l a n . I f B l a c k
have to be forced on to light squaresachieves the ...c7-c5 advance in the
where they can be totally blocked byQueen's Gambit without incurring any
the white king. weaknesses or danger to his king, he
36...c4 37.Tb8 b3 38.Rc3 [ Afteroften equalizes. However, the white
38.Rc3 Ad3 39.Td8 ( White has tobishop being on g2, rather than d3 or
avoid being swindled with 39.Tb6 g6e2 as it would be in the Queen's Gambit,
40.Txa6? b2! 41.Rxb2? c3+makes a huge difference. The bishop
, when he loses his rook and possiblypoints inexorably at b7, so that even if
the game ) 39...Ae4 40.Td6 Ad3the freeing advance ...c7-c5 is carried
41.Txd5 , White wins easily; ( or elseo ut , Bl a ck r ema in s wi t h pro bl ems
41.Txa6 wins )] developing his bishop from c8. White
1-0 is usually pleased to see Black's
'freeing' advance ...c7-c5 in the
Catalan.
Strong players often flounder in
slightly worse positions where they
have no constructive plan. Generally
speaking, players love to have
something to do. If there is nothing
good to do they'll find something bad.
P e r h a p s t h a t i s t h e s e c r e t o f t h e12.e4 as it controls space and gives

Catalan.; Also after 7...Cbd7 8.Cxc4 c5White an edge after Dxd1 13.Txd1
9.dxc5 Axc5 ( or 9...Cxc5 10.Cc3 )Cc6 14.e5 Cd5 15.Ce4 . ( 15.-- ); B)
10.Cc3 Cb6 11.Cxb6 Axb6 12.Af4However, I think 12.e3 is a better way
, Wh i t e ' s p re s s u re o n b 7 w o n ' t g oto start: White reserves the option of
away. ] 8.dxc5 Dc7 [ The exchange ofmoving the pawn to e4 and meanwhile
queens d oesn't help Black: 8...Dxd1gives his opponent the chance to go
9.Txd1 Axc5 10.Cc3 Cc6 11.Cxc4w r o n g . F o r e x a m p l e , 12...Dxd1
, when he can't shake off the bind;; or13.Txd1 Cd5 ( one such way to go
8...Axc5 9.Dxd8 Txd8 10.Cc3 Cc6wrong is 13...Cc6? , when 14.Axc6
(an attempt to break free by returning abxc6 15.Ca5 Ad7 16.Cdc4 Ae8
pa wn on c6 rat he r th an allowin g a17.Aa3 Axa3 18.Cxa3 leaves Black
r e c a p t u r e o n c 4 ) 11.Cxc6 bxc6with a horrible weakness on c6) 14.Ab2
12.Axc6 Tb8 13.Af4 Tb4 ( notCc6 15.Cf3 Ad7 16.e4 (only now)
13...Txb2 14.Ca4 with a winning fork)Cf6 17.Cfe5 Cxe5 18.Axe5 Ab5
14.Tfd1 Tf8 15.Ca4 . Black is ( s i m i l a r i s 18...Ae8 19.Ad6 Axd6
d i s o r g a n i z e d , p a s s i v e a n d w i t h a20.Cxd6 Ac6 21.e5 ) 19.Ad6!
w e ak n e s s o n c 4 .] 9.Cxc4 Dxc5(clearing the way to advance the e-
EXERCISE: How can White meet thepawn when the bishop on g2 comes
t h r e a t t o t h e k n i g h t w h i l s t a l s oalive) Af8 20.e5 and Black's position
continuing to build up the pressure? is creaking.
ANSWER: 10.b3! Td8 [ If nowThere is no need to hurry to clarify an
10...Cc6 11.Aa3 Dh5 12.Axe7 Cxe7advantage when the opponent is in a
13.Cc3 and White's queen controls thebind. ] 12.Ab2 Cc6 13.Tc1 Ad7
d-file. Furthermore, the exchange of14.e3! At the moment both queens are
dark-squared bishops has weakeneduncomfortable as they stand on the
Black's hold on d6 – imagine the havocsame file as an enemy rook, but White
if White managed to land a knight oris able to create an excellent central
his queen on that square after suitablepost on e2 for his queen. Meanwhile
p r e p a r a t i o n .] 11.Cbd2 Dc7his opposite number slinks away on to
The queen goes back to help defendthe back rank on the queenside.
the queenside. Black is almost equal,14...Tac8 15.De2 Ae8 16.Tfd1 Db8
b u t i n t h e C a t a l a n t h e r e i s a b i g17.Cf3 Txd1+ 18.Txd1 Td8
difference between 'almost equal' and19.Tc1?! [ Instead, 19.Cfe5
completely equal. [ QUESTION: Afteri s a s m a l l a d v a n t a g e f o r W h i t e .
11...Dh5?! , is 12 e4 or 12 e3 a betterUnderstandably he wishes to avoid
way for White to offer the exchange ofthe exchange of rooks as he has more
queens? space. ] 19...Cd5?! [ Black could have
ANSWER: Bo th pawn moves seemach i ev ed co u nt erpl ay wit h 19...Cb4
good for White: A) More aggressive is, attacking the a2-pawn and with ideas
of ...Nd3. After 20.Ae5 , the naturallosing on the kingside or the queenside.

reply Da8 buries the black queen and is[ After 22...Cxf6 23.Axc6 bxc6
g o o d f o r W h i t e . ( However, the, the fatal weakness in on c6 rather than
'computer' move 20...Dc8! , putting thef6. White would have every chance to
queen oppo site the white rook andwin in the endgame after 24.Ca5 Db5
t h r ea t e n i n g 21 . .. b5 , i s s u dd e n l y a(or else c6 drops for nothing) 25.Dxb5
g o o d i d e a f o r B l a c k . N a t u r a l l y acxb5 26.Cc6 Td2 ( unfortunately for
h u m a n p l a y e r i s u n l i k e l y t o l o o kBlack if 26...Tc8 27.Ce7+
beyond 19...Nb4 20 Be5 and think 20...costs a rook) 27.Cxa7 g5 28.a3 , etc. ]
Qa 8 i s f o r c ed . T h er e fo r e w e ca n ' t23.Dg4+ Rh8 24.Dh4 If Black's queen
really blame either Kelires or Villegaswere on a square where she had contact
f o r t h e i r o v e r s i g h t .)] 20.Cfe5with the kingside, say e7, a successful
The game reverts to its normal flow.d e f e n c e m i g h t s t i l l b e p o s s i b l e .
20...Af6? These type of positions areHowever, as things stand the white
very hard to defend for humans as theyqu een i s ab le to run amok wi th no
g e t re s t l e s s a n d d o n ' t l i ke t o w a i trestraint from her opposite number.
p a s s i v e l y . W e c o u l d m a k e t h i s24...Rg7 25.e4! A golden rule of chess
comment about the Catalan as a whole.strategy is that you have to utilize your
White's modest aim is to put a littlepawns at some point if you want your
p r e s s u r e o n h i s o p p o n e n t , w h i l s tplan to be successful. Black's knight is
depriving him of winning chances.evicted from its central post. 25...Cb4
This approach often works[ Notice that if the black knight
s p e c t a c u l a rl y w e l l a s B l a c k l o s e sretreated with 25...Ce7 , then 26.e5
patience and 'inexplicably' falls apart.would have won material at once: f6
[ Here Villegas is in too much of acan't be held as Cg8 27.exf6+ Cxf6
hurry to equalize by neutralizing the28.Dg5+ costs Black a piece.] 26.e5!
pressure from the bishop on b2. AfterWhite wins the g5-square for his queen
20...Cxe5 21.Axe5 Da8 , Black'sand e5 for his knight, which makes the
queen has been pushed into darkness,rook on d8 and the pawn on f7 into
bu t on t h e o ther h and t here a re n otactical targets. 26...fxe5 27.Dg5+ Rf8
o b v i o u s w e a k n e s s e s i n h i s p a w n28.Cxe5 [ If 28.Cxe5 Dc7 ( 28...Axg2
s t r uc t u re a n d h i s o t h er p i e ce s a r e29.Df6 decides at once as Black has no
centralized. White would have to provegood way to defend to defend f7 with
h e c a n e x p l o i t h i s a c t i v e q u e e nhis queen ) 29.Df6 threatens 30 Nxf7!,
beginning with 22.Dg4 to try to softenwhen 30...Qxf7 would drop the rook on
up Black's kingside defences. d8. White has a decisive attack: for
Things change after the careless gameexample, Td6 30.Dh8+ Re7 31.Dxh7
move as Black can't avoid his pawnswith fatal pressure on f7. ]
b e i n g s p l i t u p .] 21.Cxc6 Axc61-0
22.Axf6 gxf6 Black has the choice of
51 E05these can hardly be called refutations

Main Line: 7 Qc2 b6 & 7...b5 of the system.
In this chapter we'll look at two ways

for Black to avoid the Catalan mainline53 E06
after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6 Michalik,P
4.g3 Ae7 5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 Hansen,SB
7.Dc2 [ A refinement to avoid the 731: German League 2016
Qc2 b5 line is 7.Da4!? , when Black
w i l l a l m o s t c e r t a i n l y c o n t i n u e a61.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Cf3 Ae7
( m e a n w h i l e , f o r a n o t e o n 7...b65.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Dc2 b6!?
s e e G a me 3 2) , after which 8.Dxc4Here it is . B ukavs hin 's bol d move
reaches positions examined in Chapterleaves Black open to attack down the
Ten. ] 7...a6 . [ These are 7...b6; andlong diagonal, but can White exploit
7...b5 . ] his audacity?
8.Ce5 The critical test of course. Other
(quieter) moves for White are examined
52 E05in the next game.
The Bukavshin Variation 8...Dxd4! The consistent move; Black
wi ll o b tain a healthy pawn f or the
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3 Ae7exchange and also break up the white
5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Dc2 . pawn centre. [ 8...Cd5 9.Dxc4 Ab7
I v an B u k a v s hi n wa s a n e n o r mo u s10.Td1 leaves White with a comfortable
chess talent from Russia. He died fromplus. ] 9.Axa8 Dxe5 10.Ag2
a stroke in 2016 at the tragically young [ When Bukavshin first essayed 7...b6
age of 20. His rating was already 2658,his opponent was so surprised that he
and his games were full of interestingblundered with 10.Cd2 , just giving up
co nc epts . One o f t h es e was 7...b6!?the precious e-pawn for the sickly one
in the Catalan, which he championedon c4. Black was doing well after Dxe2
versus Artemiev and Leko and others11.Af3 Dd3 12.Dxc4 Aa6 13.Dxd3
without suffering any defeats. It isAxd3 14.Te1 Ca6 (planning 15...Nb4)
certainly an intriguing idea. 15.a3 Td8 and went on to win in A.
Trying for an outright refutation withGoganov-I.Bukavshin, Ugra 2015.;
8.Ce5 Dxd4 9.Axa8 doesn't seem toInstead 10.Af3 Cd5 11.Dxc4 Aa6
lead to more than a balanced position12.Da4 c5 13.Td1 Af6 is unclear,
where Black has lots of activity for thewith similar ideas to the main game.;
exchange. More challenging for BlackFinally, if 10.Af4 Dh5 gives Black a
are lines where White is content for ak i n g s i d e i n i t i a t i v e : A) for example,
small positional plus. On the other hand,11.Axc7 Ca6 12.Af3 Cg4 13.h4 e5!
( but not 13...Cxc7 14.Dxc4
, hitting both c7 and g4); B) or 11.Af311.a4 , which would also open up a line
Cg4 12.Axg4 ( if 12.h4 e5 ) 12...Dxg4for White's rook on the a-file. Black
13.Cd2 Dxe2 and Black was better inwants to keep his queenside solid and
A . H i l v e r d a - R . B u h ma n n , A u s t ri a nWhite's ro o ks shut behind pawns .]
League 2016.] 10...Cd5 EXERCISE:11.Dxc4 Aa6 Black's bishop seizes an
Can you see s ome go od posi tio nalactive diagonal and puts pressure on e2.
reasons for this move? 12.De4 Af6?! Black supports the
ANSWER: Most importantly, the blackqueen and puts the bishop on a strong
knight stops the strong developingdiagonal. Nonetheless this wasn't the
move 11 Bf4 which would harass thebest idea for him. [ EXERCISE: What's
queen. At the same time it clears f6 foryour verdict after 12...Dxe4 13.Axe4
the bishop to attack b2. The knightA) 13...Axe2 , grabbing the e2-pawn?
may in some cases go to b4 to attackDoes Black lose a piece, is it about
t h e w h i t e q u e e n . [ Thus the responseequal, or does Black win an important
10...Cd5 11.e4? wou l d i n vi t e Cb4centre pawn?
st raig htaway, wh en 12.Dxc4 Aa6ANSWER: After 14.Te1 it looks like
c o s t s W h i t e t h e e x c h a n g e , w h i l eW h i t e w i n s a p i e c e , a s i f Aa6
otherwise the knight invades on d3 ( however, Black can actually avoid
supported by the c4-pawn. Furthermore,losing material with 14...Ac4 15.Cd2
on d5 the horse blocks in the bishopAb4 16.a3 Axd2 17.Axd2 , though in
on g2, allowing a development of thedoing so he has lost his i nit iative)
queenside with ...Nc6.; QUESTION:15.Axd5 exd5 16.Txe7 follows.; B)
Leaving aside the value of 10...Nd5 inThe best course was probably 13...Td8!
itself, why does Black give up the c4-14.Af3 Cd7 , planning 15...Ne5 to put
pawn when 10...b5 is possible tothe bishop on f3 which has to guard
defend it? e 2 u n d e r p r e s s u r e . S o t h e mi d d l e
ANSWER: An important considerationan s wer i s c lo s e s t t o t he t ru t h : t he
in Black's exchange sacrifice is thatgame remains balanced.] 13.Dxe5
there is only one open file on the board.Axe5 14.Td1! Remember what we said
White's rooks are passive, and if Blackabout keeping the white rooks passive?
plays precisely, they are likely to stayThanks to Black's imprecise 12th move,
t h a t w a y f o r a l o n g t i m e . T h i s i sWhite's rook seizes the d-file.
because the black kingside is solid and14...Cc6 [ Naturally, 14...Axe2 15.Te1
free of weaknesses. Likewise, after ...costs Black a piece.] EXERCISE:
c7-c5 it will be difficult for White toBlack's minor pieces look imposing.
p u n c t u r e a n y h o l e s i n t h e b l a c kHo w can White take away some of
qu eenside to create targets fo r th etheir energy and give it to his own
rooks. That is why 10...b5 would bepieces?
f u n d a me n t a l l y w r o n g . I t e x p o s e s15.Axd5? [ A N S W E R : W i t h 15.e4
Black's pawn structure to attack bythe pawn which was a liability on e2
becomes an attacking weapon. It driveswith Ad3 24.Te6 Td8! , which keeps

the black knight from its centre postBlack rock solid. Then 25.Tae1 Rf7
and opens the d-file to the benefit ofgets nowhere for White.] 23.Te4! b5
the white rook. White has the betterNow Black is obliged to weaken his
game after Cdb4 16.Cc3 . He couldpawns after all, [ because in contrast to
ch a l le ng e t he bi s ho p o n e 5 wi t h a23...Ad3 in the note above, here it loses
subsequent Bf4, not fearing doubleda p i e c e t o 24.Td4 .] 24.a4!
pawns after ...Bxf4 and the recaptureAt last White activates his rook on a1.
g3xf4 as the way would be opened for24...a6 25.axb5 axb5 26.Ta7 Td8
e4-e5 to bring the bishop on g2 into27.h4 h5 28.Rh2? [ White could build
the game. ] 15...exd5 16.Txd5 Axe2up with 28.f3 and 29 Kf2, centralizing
Black only has a pawn for the exchange,his king. If necessary he could play Rd4.
but his light-squared bishop has noBlack's set-up is probably impregnable,
rival. but White could make it a little
17.Cc3 Ac4 18.Td1 Cb4 19.Af4uncomfortable for him.] 28...Td7
Axc3! [ After 19...Axf4 20.gxf429.Ta3 White is drifting. [ The only
White has doubled pawns on the f-constru ctive plan was to prepare a
pawn, but that is of little significancek i n g s i d e p a w n a d v a n c e w i t h 29.f3
compared to the fact that White's rookand, when appropriate, g3-g4.] 29...Cb6
can't be prevented from invading down30.Ae1 For no good reason the white
the d-file. If c5 21.Td7 and 22 Rad1rook and now the bishop have retreated
already follows. In this type of set-upto passive squares. [ Instead 30.Ae3
the ex change of Black's remainingh e l d t h e b a l a n c e .] 30...Ad5
rook would leave him hopelessly [ Black could activate his queenside
o u t g u n n e d i n a b a t t l e t h a t w o u l dwith 30...c5 , but he prefers to swap his
range over the two flanks. bishop and knight around to complete
It is therefore vital for Black's safetyhis bind on the light squares.] 31.Td4
that he plug the d-file to keep out thec6 32.Ta1 Cc4 The light-square holes
white rooks. This can be done witharound the white king have become
the game move which secures the d5-alarming. Already 33...Ne5 is looming.
square as an invincible base for theIf White had kept his bishop on an
knight. ] 20.bxc3 Cd5 21.Ad2active square he could have stopped
[ White should prepare to open a linethis with Bf4.
for his other rook with 21.Td4 b533.g4? [ Evidently White didn't want to
(Black is forced to create a target oncomplete the retreat of all his pieces
the queenside) 22.Ad2 , defending c3,with 33.Tdd1 , but this was the best
and then 23 a4.] 21...f6 22.Te1 Rf7chance to hold the game.] 33...hxg4!
S o m e t i m e s a n a t u r a l m o v e c a nG o o d j u d g e m e n t . [ Black prefers to
jeopardize the game. [ Instead, 22...c5!keep up the pressure rather than cash in
would enable Black to answer 23.Te4with 33...Ce5 , when 34.gxh5 Cf3+
35.Rg3 Cxd4 36.cxd4 would be hard. Obj ecti vely Whi te looks s lightly
to win despite Black's big structuralbetter, but it remains double-edged
advantage.] 34.Txg4 Ce5 35.Tf4 Te7after Ca6 ( maybe 10...Ad7!? ) 11.Cc3
Threatening a fork on d3. 36.Ad2 Cf3+Cd5 12.Ad2 , etc. ] 7...b6 8.Ag5
37.Txf3 Axf3 So Black has won theAfter many hours of consideration I
e x c h a n g e b a c k a f t e r a l l , a n d i n afinally decided I liked this move best
manner more favourable than in thefor White. I checked on the database,
previous note: he is a pawn up to boot. and t he fi rst game with 8 Bg5 was
38.Rg3 Ad5 39.Ae3 Te4 40.Ta7+played by a certain young boy called...
Rg8 41.h5 [ Surely it was better to waitMagn us Carl sen! He wasn't yet 12
with 41.Tc7 Tc4 42.Ad2 and forcey e a r s o l d w h e n h e t r i e d i t v e r s u s
B lac k t o fi n d a wi nn i n g pla n . T h eA r n g r i m s s o n i n a j u n i o r e v e n t i n
pawn soon drops off on h5.] 41...Tc4Norway in 2002. Did Magnus know
42.Ad2 Af7 43.Tc7 Axh5 44.f4 Ag6everythin g about chess even then?
Two p awn s up, Hansen's excellent [ Alternatives for White are worth
technique now wraps up the game. examining too:
45.Rf2 Ae4 46.Td7 Ad5 47.Tc7 Rh7a) Premature is 8.e4?! as White doesn't
48.Td7 Rg6 49.Tc7 Ta4 50.Re2 Ta8have enough for the pawn after Ab7
51.Ae3 Tg8 52.Te7 Rf5 53.Rf2 Rg49.Cbd2 b5 10.b3 cxb3 11.axb3 ( if
54.Td7 g5 55.fxg5 fxg5 56.Ad411.Cxb3 Axe4 ) 11...Cc6 .;
Tf8+ 57.Re2 Tf7 58.Td6 Th7 b) Meanwhile, Black is equal after
0-1 8.Cbd2 Ab7 9.Cxc4 Ae4 10.Db3
Cc6; or 8.Dxc4 Ab7 9.Cc3 ( or 9.Af4
c5 10.dxc5 Dc8 11.Cbd2 Dxc5 ) 9...c5
54 E0610.dxc5 Axc5 11.Af4 De7 12.Tad1
Maletin,P Tc8 .; c) More challenging for Black is
Goganov,A 8.Td1 : A) F o r e x a mp l e , 8...Ab7
32: Khanty-Mansiysk 20159.Dxc4 Cbd7 10.Cc3 Dc8 11.Ag5
( here 11.Af4 c5 12.Tac1 cxd4
1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 d5 4.g3 Ae713.Dxc8 Taxc8 14.Cxd4 Axg2
5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Dc215.Rxg2 a6 16.e4 is perhaps a very
[ EXERCISE: Try to work out if 7.Da4slight edge for White) 11...c5 12.Tac1
deters b6 . h6 13.Axf6 Cxf6 14.dxc5 Axc5
ANSWER: It's your chance to create15.Df4 Td8 with about equal chances
some new theory as there is only onein V.Erdos-M.Bartel, Polish League
e x a m p l e i n m y d a t a b a s e . T h a t2016, although this may be a practical
continued 8.Ce5 Dxd4 9.Axa8 Dxe5c h a n c e f o r W h i t e t o e x e r t s o m e
. White's queen is more of a nuisancepressure.; B) Not recommended for
for Black on a4 than it is on c2, as sheBlack is 8...Aa6 because of 9.Ce5 Cd5
c a n s n a f f l e a p a w n w i t h 10.Dxa710.a3! with the idea of playing e2-e4
without allowing ...Nb4; Cd7 ( afterhis game, and prepares to answer the
10...b5 11.a4; or 10...Af6 11.e4centre expansion e2-e4 with ...Nb4.
Black is struggling) 11.Cc6 De8 12.e410.Axe7 Dxe7 11.Ce5 Tc8
C5f6 13.Cc3 leaves Black in aBlack wants to free his game with ...c7-
stranglehold.] 8...Aa6 Black developsc5 which would break up the white
and defends c4. On the other hand, thecentre. [ T h e i m m e d i a t e 11...c5
b i s h o p d o e s n ' t c o n t e s t t h e h 1 - a 8would be premature as White's pieces
diagonal which means that White canc o u l d e x p l o i t t h e o p e n l i n e s wi t h
try for an initiative in the centre. [ If12.dxc5 followed by 13 Nc3. And so
8...Cbd7 9.Ce5 wins material for White.Goganov decides to support the pawn
This isn't difficult to see.; More subtlead v an ce wi th h is rook, whi ch wil l
is 8...Ab7? 9.Axf6 Axf6 10.Cg5!b o l s t e r t h e d 5 p o i n t a f t e r t h e
(our familiar trick attacking b7 and h7)e x c h a n g e o n c 5 a n d a l s o h e l p t o
Axg5 11.Axb7 Cd7 12.Axa8 Dxa8defend the c4-pawn.
13.Dxc4 and White wins. It is one ofAs we shall see this plan isn't without
t h e a t t r a c t i o n s o f 8 B g 5 t h a t i tdrawbacks. It is always dangerous to
prevents the natural development ofleave your knight sleeping on b8 when
Black's bishop to b7, and forces it tothe game is opening up.] 12.Cd2
g o ' o f f s i d e ' o n a 6 .] 9.Td1 [ Note that 12.Cxc4? hands the
[ Alternatively, 9.Cbd2 Cd5 10.Axe7initiative to Black after c5 , when the
Dxe7 11.e4!? ( if 11.Cxc4 c5w h i t e k n i g h t a n d q u e e n a r e
l o o ks e q u al) 11...Cb4 12.Dc3 c5awkwardly lined up with the rook on
13.a3 C4c6 14.d5 Ca5 15.Tfe1 Cd7c8. ] EXERCISE: What do you think is
i s a t y pi c a l S l a v -s t yl e me s s , w i t hBlack's best plan? Should he continue
White strong in the centre, but Blackwith ...c7-c5 or switch to ...b6-b5 to
will a clump of queenside pawns ashold on to the c4-pawn?
c o mp e n s a t i o n .; If 9.Ce5 A) 12...c5?! ANSWER: As stated this is a
I think Black should settle for 9...Cd5risky plan as White's pieces are well
10.Axe7 Dxe7 11.Cd2 Tc8placed to exploit the opening of lines
, when he is about equal. ( 11...-- ); B) i n t h e c e n t r e . [ A better approach was
After 9...Dxd4 White has the annoying12...b5! to protect the c4-pawn. A)
desperado move 10.Cxf7! ( 10.Axa8?For example, 13.Ce4 f6 (to evict the
Dxe5 w o u l d b e o u r u s u a l f u n)knight) ( t h e i m m e d i a t e 13...Cd7?
; for example, 10...c6 11.Ae3 Dg4allows 14.Cxd7 Dxd7 15.Cc5 ) 14.Cf3
12.Cg5 and the knight gets out, leavingCd7 looks okay for Black.; B) Instead,
Black weak in the centre.] 9...Cd513.a4 c6 leaves Black solid on the
QUESTION: Is this a good move? queenside, after which Stockfish
A N S W E R : B l a c k p l u g s t h e l o n gsuggests the quaint plan of 14.Ae4 g6
diagonal to avoid the tactical threats,15.Ag2 to advance e2-e4 having
offers the exchange of bishops to easep r o v o k e d a w e a k e n i n g i n B l a c k ' s
kingside. Chances look balanced, withrooks. ] 21...De6 22.e3 b5 Compared

the game having a feel of the Slav.]to the line in the note above, Black is
13.dxc5 Txc5?! [ Developing withable to gain space with his queenside
13...Cc6! gives better chances ofpawns and secure the defence of c4.
equality. For example, 14.Cxc6 Txc6N o n e t h e l e s s t h e p o s i t i o n r e ma i n s
15.Ce4 Tb8 16.Td2 h6 with a smalldifficult for him.
edge to White.] 14.Ce4! White drives23.Dc3 Df6 Guarding against the threat
back the black rook that defends d5of 24 Rd8+. 24.Db4 a6 25.T1d4 Tf8
and prepares to attack the key central26.Dd2 Df5 27.Rg2 Db1
p o i n t w i th hi s n ex t mo ve . [ Instead, [ B l a c k s h o u l d p l a y 27...Dc5
14.e4? would be a truly rotten move, as, keeping his queen centralized and
it blocks in White's bishop on g2 andw i t h i d e a s o f 2 8 . . . c 3 .] 28.Td8
denies the knight the e4-square. EvenG i v i n g u p h i s w i n n i n g a t t e m p t .
w o r s e i t f a i l s t a c t i c a l l y a f t e r Ce3 [ Instead, 28.Tf4! targets f7. After Te6
15.fxe3 Txe5 leaving White's centre in( if 28...Dxa2 then 29.Dd5 is decisive
ruins.; QUESTION: But what if Blackas both c6 and f7 are attacked) 29.Dd4
tries the same trick with 14.Ce4 Ce3, B l a c k i s i n t r o u b l e a s Dxa2
15.fxe3 Txe5 now? still loses: for example, 30.Td8 Tee8
ANSWER: White triumphs along the ( or 30...Txd8 31.Dxd8+ Rg7 32.Dd7
diagonal with 16.Cc3 when there is noTf6 33.Dd4 and wins ) 31.Txf7 Rxf7
g o o d w a y t o p r o t e c t a 8 , a s i f Ab732.Td7+ Te7 33.Dd5+ Rg7 34.Txe7+
17.Axb7 Dxb7 18.Td8# . ] 14...Tc8Rh6 35.Dd4 and the black king is
15.Cc3 Now the d5 point falls andmated in a couple of moves.] 28...Tc8
W h i t e g a i n s c o n t r o l o f t h e d -f i l e .29.Txc8 Txc8 30.Td8+ Forcing a
15...Ab7 16.Cxd5 exd5 17.Axd5draw by perpetual or else Black might
Axd5 18.Txd5 Cc6 At last Blackf i n d a w a y t o u t i l i z e h i s s t r o n g
completes his development. queenside pawns (pawns which just a
19.Cxc6 Txc6 20.Tad1 g6 21.Td7few moves ago were weak because they
The obvious move, but it lessens hiswere targets for white's rooks).
g r i p s o mew h a t . [ Instead, 21.T1d4!30...Txd8 31.Dxd8+ Rg7 32.Dd4+
De6 ( if 21...Tac8 22.Td7 is now moreRg8 33.Dd8+ Rg7 34.Dd4+ Rg8
awkward for Black as a7 is hanging)35.Dd8+
22.Dc3 ( not 22.Txc4 Dxd5 23.Txc6½-½
Dxa2 , when Black has avoided the
worst ) 22...Te8 23.e3 leaves Black
tied up. He isn't necessarily going to
lose, but he faces a passive defence. If
B l a c k t r i e s a6 intending 24...b5 then
24.a4! stamps on that plan, leaving the
c4-pawn in need of defence by the
55 A15try to exploit the dark squares with 10

Smith,A Bd2 intending Ba5 in some cases – the
Munkhgal,G b4-pawn is in the way. Meanwhile the
33: Kecskemet 2015b4-pawn is well defended and difficult
to attack.
1.Cf3 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Ae7 4.Ag29.Cbd2 The appraisal above begs the
0-0 5.d4 d5 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Dc2 b5q u e s t i o n w h y 7 . . . b 5 i s n ' t a m o r e
Black holds on to the c4-pawn andpopular move. I guess the slight lack of
threatens 8...Bb7, solving the problemappeal arises because of the modest but
of his 'bad' bishop and at the same timeirritating approach adopted by White in
neutralizing the enemy bishop on g2.the present game.
White has to respond vigorously. With his queenside pawns dislocated,
8.a4! [ EXERCISE: How should WhiteBlack is slightly loose on the light
respond to 8.a4 c6 , holding on to thesquares: this means the white knight
c4-pawn? finds a good post on the c4-square,
A N S W E R : A f t e r 9.axb5 cxb5??from which it can no longer be driven
White can win material with 10.Cg5!by a black pawn on the b-file or on the
as Cd5 (to save the rook on a8) allowsd - f i l e . N o r h a s B l a c k s o l v e d t h e
mate on h7. Therefo re in th e gameperennial problem of the backward
Black gives up the c4-pawn and does sop awn on c7 . [ Instead, 9.Dxc4 Aa6
in a way that causes the least damage10.Dc2 Cbd7 is already fine for Black.
t o h i s o t h e r p a w n s .] 8...b4!If then 11.Ce5 Cxe5 12.Axa8 ( if
There is some positional justification12.dxe5 Cd5 ) 12...Dxd4 13.Ag2 c5
for Black's two moves with his b-pawngives Black a strong initiative for the
even if he has to return the pawn. Thee x c h a n g e d u e t o h i s m a s s o f
pawn on b4 takes way the c3-squarequeenside pawns and pressure on e2.;
from the white knight on b1. It hasB l a c k ' s q u e e n s i d e pa w n s a r e a l s o
cleared the way for ...Bb7 to deploy theirritating for White upon 9.Ag5 Aa6
bishop, or in the event of 9 Qxc4, 9...10.Cbd2 b3 11.Dc1 Cc6 12.Cxc4
Ba6, developing with gain of time – Tc8 13.Td1 Cb4 . The attempt to
though the bishop will probably retreatround up the b3 pawn left White worse
to b7 in short order. after 14.Axf6 Axf6 15.Dc3 Cc2
W h i t e h a s l e s s f l e x i b i l i t y o n t h e16.Tac1 c5 17.Dxb3 Cxd4
queenside as he is already committedin P.Bjarnehag-R.Stern, Berlin 2012.;
to the pawn move a2-a4. For example,White can play more sharply with 9
he can't undermine the b4-pawn or tryNe5 or 9 Nfd2 uncovering an attack on
to open the a-file as a2-a3 is no longera8:
available. Furthermore, in contrast toAfter 9.Ce5 Dxd4! , it is bad for White
the structure in the mainline after 7...t o t a k e o n a 8 : A) 10.Axa8? Dxe5
a6 8 Qxc4 b5 9 Qc2 Bb7, White can't11.Af4 ( after 11.Af3 Aa6 12.Af4 Da5
13.Cd2 b3 14.Dc1 Db4 , Black has aAnagnostopoulos, Heraklion 2016.; B)

strong initiative for the exchange withOr 12.Ae3 Dh5 13.Cbd2 ( after 13.h3
a c t i v e p i e c e s a n d t h r e a t e n i n gCd5 14.Cbd2 Aa6 Black is doing well,
queenside pawns) 11...Dh5 12.Af3so White has to allow the exchange of
Cg4 13.Axg4 ( or if 13.h4 e5his dark-squared bishop for a knight)
with an attack) 13...Dxg4 is promising13...Cg4 14.Cf3 Cxe3 15.Cxe3 a5
for Black as White misses his light-wi th unclear play in B.Gelf and-R .
squared bishop; B) Instead, 10.Cd2Ponomariov, Olginka 2011] 9...Ab7
is a tricky move: it is best answered by [ White has a grip on the centre which
Dxe5 when 11.Cxc4 ( not 11.Axa8prevents the freeing move ...c7-c5 after
Dxe2 ) 11...Dh5 12.Axa8 c69...b3 10.Dxc4 Aa6 11.Dxb3 Axe2
is unclear. White is the exchange up,12.Te1 Aa6 13.Ce5 Cd5 14.Ce4 . ]
but his bishop is awkwardly placed on10.Cxc4 Ae4 11.Db3! It takes both
a8.; C) After 10.Cxc4 C1) courage and calculation for White to
B l a c k c o u l d t r a n s p o s e w i t h 10...c6walk into a potential pin and leave the
to 9 Nfd2 c6 10 Nxc4 as discussedd4-pawn precariously placed when the
below; 11.-- ( 11.-- ); C2) but he hasretreat 11 Qd1 was available, but you
a n e x t r a o p t i o n o f 10...Cd5don't become a grandmaster by playing
: for example, 11.Ae3 ( if 11.e4 Cb6safe moves which allow your opponent
l o o k s g o o d f o r B l a c k) 11...Df6to equalize without any trouble. [ Here
( or maybe 11...Dg4 ) 12.Cbd211.Dd1 c5 12.dxc5 Cbd7!
. White's pressure is balanced by the, planning to recapture on c5 with the
extra black pawn.; 9.Cfd2 looks a moreknight, looks comfortable for Black,
precise move order, but again Blackso Smith puts his queen more actively
s e e m s o k a y a f t e r c6 10.Cxc4on b3 and keeps the d1-square for his
( W h i t e s h o u l d a v o i d 10.e3 b3!rook, making the freeing move ...c7-
11.Dd1 Aa6 , holding on to the c4-c5 less attractive for Black.] 11...Cc6
pawn ) 10...Dxd4 11.Td1 Dc5 A) 12.Td1! [ Again White avoids being
12.Cbd2 Aa6 13.b3 Cbd7 14.Ab2bullied into making a lame move to
Tad8 15.Tac1 Cb6 . Now the gamedefend d4 with 12.e3?! . ] 12...Ad5
seems to bu rn out to a draw with a [ If instead 12...Axf3 13.Dxf3 Cxd4
more or less forced sequence: 16.Axf6, then 14.Dd3! is both necessary and
gxf6 17.Ce4 Df5 18.Cxb6 axb6strong ( White will be mated upon
19.Dxc6 Txd1+ 20.Txd1 Axe214.Dxa8 Cxe2+ ) , leaving him material
21.Te1 Af3 ( also 21...Tc8up after 14...Cf5 15.Axa8 Dxa8
l e d t o a q u i c k d r a w a f t e r 22.Dxb616.Af4 .; M e a n w h i l e , i f 12...Dd5
in L.Aronian-H.Nakamura, Saint Louisthe pin on b3 has less potency so White
2014 ) 22.Cxf6+ Dxf6 23.Axf3 Dc3can develop with 13.Af4 and 14 Rac1
24.Te3 Dxc6 25.Axc6 Tc8 26.Ab5and look for pressure along the c-file.]
Tc2 27.Te2 ½-½, I.Enchev-K.EXERCISE: What is Black's threat
with 12...Bd5 and how should White [ EXERCISE: How does White meet
meet it? 17...Cxa5 , grabbing the a-pawn?
ANSWER: 13.a5! Stopping 13...Na5ANSWER: It turns out that Black loses
which would have won a piece. a piece after 18.Txa5! Txa5 19.Cxa5
13...Tb8 14.Ae3! A calm move notDxa5 20.Cc6 , as he can't save his
afraid of ghosts. White wants to breakqueen and guard e7.] 18.Cxc6 Dxc6
the pin on c4 before Black has time to19.Ce5 Dd5 After the exchange of
play 14...Rb5 reigniting the threat toqueens it's easier for White to exploit
the white horse with 15...Nxa5. [ Aftert h e h o l e s i n B l a c k ' s q u e e n s i d e .
14.Dc2?! b3 15.Dc3 Cb4 , intending [ He should have tried 19...Da8 .]
16...Nc2, Black has a big initiative.;20.Dxd5 exd5 21.Cc6 This reminds
Alternatively, if 14.Cfe5 , White losesm e o f K r a m n i k ' s k n i g h t s i t t i n g
a pawn to Axg2 and 15...Nxd4.n o n c h a l a n t l y o n c 6 i n a g a m e a t
Therefore Smith bolsters the d4-pawnDortmund 2007 – see the note to 14...
as a preliminary to his next move.]Q d 6 i n E v d o k i m o v - A b d y j a p a r i n
14...Tb5 Black's initiative has reachedChapter Ten. His young Norwegian
its peak with the renewed threat of 15...opponent went on to become number
Nxa5, but White is just in time with hisone in the world, but he couldn't save
counterattack in the centre. 15.Cfe5!Black's position either. Losing control
Axg2 [ QUESTION: But why noto v e r t h e s q u a r e i n f r o n t o f t h e
15...Cxa5 - ? backward c7-pawn is often disastrous,
A N S W E R : T h e n e a t 16.Da4!and especially so if White can turn it
, attacking the black rook and knight,into a comfortable stable for his horse.
wins at least the exch ange, as Axc421...a6 22.b3 Fixing the b4-pawn as a
17.Cxc4 leaves Black unable to defendtarget, rather than allowing Black any
a5 and b5 at the same time.; Meanwhile,chance of counterplay with ...b4-b3
15...Da8 16.Cxc6 Dxc6 17.Ce5!and maybe ...Bb4 in the future.
(breaking the pin in style) keeps a solid22...Ad6 23.Rf2 Cd7 24.Tdc1 Rf8
plus for White, as Axb3? (he shouldQUESTION: White has control, but
move the queen to a6 or e8) 18.Cxc6how does he make progress?
Ad6 ( Black loses material afterANSWER: 25.Af4! Sometimes a 'bad'
18...Axd1 19.Cxe7+ ) 19.Tdc1bis h op is p erformi ng an important
leaves White in total control with a7defensive role. Smith exchanges off
hanging.; Perhaps Black should try toBlack's dark-squared bishop so that the
tough it out after 15...Cxe5 16.Axd5!b4- and c7-pawns become ripe for the
Cxd5 17.Cxe5 De8 , though he isharvest.
wo rs e b e c a u s e o f t h e h ol e o n c 6 .]25...Te6 26.Cd8 Te8 27.Cc6
16.Rxg2 Dd5+ 17.f3 Te8We're allowed a little fun in a winning
T h i s i n e r t r o o k m o v e s h o w s t h a tposition. 27...Te6 28.Axd6+ Txd6
Black's bag of tricks is finally empty.29.Ta4 [ Perhaps White should be more
p at ie nt wit h 29.Tc2 to avoid Black'scons of playing 8 a4 rather than 8 Qxc4,

next move.] 29...Cc5! A commendablerecapturing the pawn at once?
attempt to break out from the bind.ANSWER: White delays the recapture
30.Txb4 Txb4 31.Cxb4 Cxb3of the c4-pawn as he doesn't want to
32.Txc7 Cxa5 [ A far better fightinggive Black the chance to develop his
chance was 32...Cxd4 . ] 33.e3 Tb6bishop to the long diagonal in the line
Blund ering the roo k, b ut the weak8.Dxc4 b5 9.Dc2 Ab7 . He makes the
pawns on a6 and d5 seal Black's doompawn thrust ...b7-b5 problematical, as
anyway. 8...b5? now just drops a pawn to 9 axb5.
34.Tc8+ [ After 34.Tc8+ Re7If Black is careless, then White might
35.Cxd5+ Rd7 36.Cxb6+ , White'sbe able to regain the pawn in a more
rook is guarded. ] profitable manner with Nbd2 and Nxc4
1-0 when he activates his knight rather
than moves his queen again.
On the other hand, in some lines after
57 E058 Qxc4 the pawn move a2-a3 guards
Main Line: 7 Qc2 a6 8 a4 the b4-square and might be followed by
b2-b4 to gain space. Here there is no
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3 Ae7going back for White's pawn after 8 a4,
5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Dc2 a6 8.a4so th e b4-square remains a hole in
. White's queenside structure.] 8...c5
We are now well into Catalan mainline [ Black's main approach is to refuse to
territory. The move 8 a4 is populartake no for an answer and develop the
among the world elite at the time ofbishop anyway on the long diagonal
writing. It has a good track record, withwith 8...Ad7 and 9...Bc6. This will be
former world champion Anand losingthe subject of the other games in this
t w i c e a g a i n s t i t , a n d A d a m s a n dchapter.; Instead, 8...Cbd7?
Nakamura among the other victims.plays straight into White's hands as
Therefore we sho uld in vestig ate it9.Cbd2! c5 10.Cxc4 brings the white
carefully in this chapter. horse to a good square where it puts
pressure on the queenside.; Another idea
is 8...Cc6 . Then after 9.Dxc4 A)
58 E06Black can consolidate his hold over the
Damljanovic,B hole on b4 with 9...a5 10.Cc3 Cb4
Cvetkovic,N , intending 11...c6 with a solid game,
34: Paracin 2016though 11.Td1 ( or 11.Ag5
is a slight plus to White due to his
1.c4 e6 2.Cf3 d5 3.d4 Cf6 4.g3 Ae7unchallenged space advantage.); B)
5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Dc2 a6 8.a4A l t e r n a t i v e l y , 9...Dd5 10.Cbd2
[ QUESTION: What are the pros and(if there is going to be an exchange of
queens White wants it on his termsAfter 10...Cc6 11.Cxc4 De7 12.Cfe5

with his knight getting to the good c4-, we have the supposedly 'small' edge
square) Td8 11.e3 Dxc4 12.Cxc4for White that has led to countless
Ad7 13.Ad2 and again White has adefeats for Black in similar Catalan
small edge, though Black's position isscenarios. It's hardly ever good news
difficult to crack. for Black to have the bishop stuck on
With the game move Cvetkovic arguesc8 when the centre is open. ( 12.-- ); B)
that White has spent a tempo on theBlack can avoid the (often fatal) little
w i n g mo v e 8 a 4 a n d n e g l e c t e d t od i s a d v a n t a g e w i t h t h e d y n a m i c
control the c5-square with 8 Qxc4, so10...b5!? . Black plays the 'impossible'
t h e f re e i n g t h r u s t . . . c 7 -c 5 i s b o t hmove as a gambit in order to activate
natural and logical. his bishop on b7. After 11.axb5 Ab7
Indeed, in any Queen's Pawn Opening12.bxa6 Cxa6 13.Dxc4 Ad5 14.Dh4
the advance ...c7-c5 deserves attention,Ae7 Black is a pawn down, but his
both from White who should considerpieces are very well coordinated in
whether to allow it, and Black whocontrast to White's scattered army. A
sh ould check if h e can carry it o utdraw was agreed after 15.Df4 Ad6
without being punished. It might be16.Dh4 Ae7 17.Df4 Ad6 18.Dh4
said that the freeing move ...c7-c5 isi n A. Do n c h e n k o- I .Ly s yj , W a rs a w
on the whole less assuring of a safe2016. ( 18.-- )] 10...De7?!
game for Black in the Catalan than inBlack defends the bishop and evacuates
the Queen's Gambit. The pressure fromthe queen from d8 where she might be
the bishop on g2 doesn't go away. a target for a future Rd1. He also keeps
Here the drawback is that Black hasthe option of using his b-pawn actively.
t o m o v e h i s b i s h o p f r o m e 7 t oNonetheless the queen isn't entirely
recapture his pawn, losing time andhappy on e7 because of a possible Bg5
leaving his kingside slightly underpin in the future. [ Instead, 10...b6!?
protected. He is also opening up the c-is a tough nut to crack. It has been used
and d-files which is always a littlein blitz games by Topalov and Kramnik.
dangerous if the opponent's rooks areThen 11.Cc3 ( after 11.Ce5 Ta7
going to arrive first at the scene. Black gets in ...Bb7 quickly) 11...Ab7
Nonetheless, it is by no means easy12.Ag5 Cbd7 also looks very solid for
for White to keep an edge after 8...c5.]Black, though White can probe with
9.dxc5 Axc5 [ Black doesn't want to be13.Tfd1 Dc8 (threatening to win the
s a d d l e d w i t h b r o k e n p a w n s a f t e rwhite queen!) 14.Df4 intending Rac1,
9...Cbd7 10.c6! (a typical example of aetc ] 11.Cc3 b5 12.Dh4 b4?!
desperado move) bxc6 11.Dxc4 . ]Helping White build up his initiative.
10.Dxc4 [ Instead 10.Cbd2 [ If you have looked at the notes to 10
aims to regain the pawn in a superiorQxc4 you might be inspired to make
manner by bringing the knight to c4. A) t h e p a w n s a c r i f i c e 12...Ab7!
. As in the Lysyj game it would be verythat he lo s es a piece after 17.Rxg2?

difficult for White to make progressDb7+ and 18...Nxh7.; Therefore with
upon 13.axb5 axb5 14.Txa8 Axa817.Ag5 he threatens -- 18.Cxf6+ gxf6
15.Cxb5 Cbd7 16.Cc3 Tb819.Axf6 , when Black must part with
as his pieces are ineffective comparedhis queen to stop mate on h8. This
to the Black's well-organized forces.]forces Black to add a defender to f6,
EXERC ISE : We d on't o f t en g et toeither with his actual move or 17...Nbd7.
attack the king in the Catalan, so let'sIn either case White can then safely
t r y t o g e t i t r i g h t . W h a t i s t h erecapture on g2 as the unpinning move
strongest attacking move? ...Qb7+ is no longer available to Black.
ANSWER: 13.Cg5! Now the rook onT h u s W h i t e a c h i e v e s h i s a i m o f
a 8 i s e n p r i s e . [ Much better thanavoiding simplification.] 17...Cce4
13.Ce4 , when Cxe4 14.Dxe4 Ab7The best way to defend f6 as it allows
i s j us t fi n e fo r B lack .] 13...Ab7an exchange on g5 to ease the pressure.
14.Cce4 White has a fearsome attack18.Rxg2 Cxg5 19.Cxg5 Tfd8
with the threat of mate in two. Black20.Tfd1 Dc5 It looks at first glance as
dare not exchange on e4 as 14...Bxe4if Black has avoided the worst. He is a
15 Bxe4 leaves both a8 and h7 hanging.pawn down, but
The upshot is that White is able tothe white queen and knight are 'offside'
eliminate the defender of the blackwhereas his own queen can terrorize
queen with his next move and so win aW h i t e ' s q u e e n s i d e w i t h . . . Q c 2 .
pawn. However with his next couple of
14...Cbd7 15.Cxc5 Cxc5mo ves Damljanovic shows that his
[ H o p e l e s s f o r B l a c k i s 15...Axg2kingside attack is still alive and well.
16.Cxd7 .] 16.Cxh7! Axg221.e4! All the better for being delayed
EXERCISE: Which of these options isfor 21 moves. Hardly any attack can
the best way for White to continue? (a)succeed without the help of pawns. It
Pin the black knight with 17 Bg5; (b)isn't enough to push the big pieces
Recapture his piece with 17 Kxg2; (c)ar o u n d a nd e xp e ct t h e op p o n e n t ' s
Exchange with 17 Nxf6+ then recapturedefences to cave in: they have to be
on g2. undermined by pawns.
ANSWER: 17.Ag5! The correctEXERCISE: Can you see a clever way
approach is to keep up the attack on thefor White to simplify the position if
kingside. [ T oo in s i p id i s 17.Cxf6+g i v e n t h e c h a n c e ? [ ANSWER: After
Dxf6 18.Dxf6 gxf6 19.Rxg2 Cb321.e4 , White intends -- 22.e5 Dxe5
and Black has significant counterplay23.Dh8+! Rxh8 24.Cxf7+ Rg8
in the endgame: we might continue25.Cxe5 , when he remains a pawn up
20.Tb1 Tfd8 21.Ae3 Tac8i n t h e e n d g a m e h a v i n g w e a k e n e d
and the rook will invade with 22...Black's kingside to boot.] 21...Txd1
Rc2.; The other problem for White is22.Txd1 Dc2 Still trying to distract
White from his initiative by wideningfor the long diagonal to challenge its
the struggle. c o u n t e r p a r t o n g 2 . 9.Dxc4 Ac6
23.Te1! e5 [ Black must stop 23...--Mission accomplished. [ In contrast to
24.e5 w h e n , a f t e r Cd5 , 25.Te4!the 7 Qc2 a6 8 Qxc4 b5 line, here 9...b5
is a key move which blocks the blackdoesn't make much sense when there is
queen's defence of the h7-square sono bisho p to go to b7. After 10.Dc2
that 26 Qh7+ becomes a lethal threat.]bxa4?! 11.Ce5 Cd5 12.Cc3
24.Te3! Gambiting the b2-pawn to gain, White will quickly regain the pawn
a decisive attack. with Nxa4, leaving Black with
24...Dxb2 QUESTION: It looks likew e a k n e s s e s .] EXERCISE: Before
Black has serious counterplay with hisr e a d i n g f u r t h e r , c a n y o u s e e a n y
passed pawn, doesn't he? drawback s for Black to having hi s
ANSWER: There is a move that givesbishop on c6?
vital energy to White's attack. The b-ANSWER: Here are some possible
pawn won't matter. minus points to the bishop being on c6:
25.g4 The game move clears the waya) It blocks the c7-pawn, thus ruling
for the rook to combine its power without a quick freeing ...c7-c5 advance.
the queen on the h-file. [ Perhaps Blackb) The bishop takes away the c6-square
only reckoned with 25.Tf3 -- ( butfrom the knight on b8.
25...Ta7! fights on by defending the f7-c) If White arranges e2-e4 then Ne5
square ) , which threatens 26.Txf6 gxf6c o u l d b e s t r o n g f o r h i m a s t h e
27.Dh7+ Rf8 28.Dxf7# . ] 25...Dc2e x c h a n g e w i t h . . . B x g 2 w o n ' t b e
26.Th3 Rf8 27.Dh8+ Cg8 28.Th7possible in reply.
Now there is no way to defend g7 as10.Ag5 [ T h e a l t e r n a t i v e 10.Af4
28...g6 allows mate in two moves. is the subject of the next game.; After
28...Re7 29.Dxg7 . With the f7- and e5-10.Cc3 Black has b5! , exploiting the
pawns both hanging, Black has no timef a c t t h a t u p o n 11.axb5??
to utilize the b-pawn before his king is ( White would have to settle for 11.Dd3
butchered. b4 12.Cb1 Ae4 , when he is pushed
1-0 backwards without causing any damage
to Black's pawn structure; or similarly
11.Da2 b4; or 11.Db3 b4 ) 11...axb5
59 E06, White can resign as both his rook on
Nakamura,H a1 and queen are hanging.
Anand,V I recall Lev Polugaevsky falling for
35: Saint Louis 2015t h i s t r a p v e r s u s B r a g a i n M a r d e l
Plata 1982. He lamented in
1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 d5 4.g3 Ae7Grandmaster Preparation, "Suddenly I
5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Dc2 a6 8.a4mechanically picked up the wrong piece.
Ad7 The main move. The bishop headsThe saddest thing is that I not only
k n ew all t h e co n s equ ence s of thi s16.Axf3 c6 to fortify the centre, though

incorrect move, but had even pointed17.Cc4 is some edge for White) 16.Cb3
them out myself in the notes to one ofc6 17.Dc3 Ae7 18.Cc5 Dc7 19.Ce5
my games." Polugaevsky was moreCa6 20.Cxb7! (a strong breakthrough)
s a n g u i n e t h a n y o u m i g h t e x p e c t ,Dxb7 21.Axc6 Dc7 ( a better defence
because he somehow turned the gamewas 21...Db8! 22.Axa8 Ab4 23.Dc6
around and won (with some help fromDxa8 24.f3 , though White has the
his opponent, it must be admitted.).]su perio r ch ances b ecause h e has a
10...Ad5 Black prepares his freeingrook and two pawns for two pieces,
mo ve ...c7-c5 with gain of time bya n d W h i t e i s n e v e r m a t e d i n t h e
hitting the white queen. [ If 10...Cbd7Catalan! ) 22.Axa8 Dxc3 23.bxc3
11.Cc3 h6 12.Axf6 Cxf6 , White canTxa8 24.Cc6! and White went in to
play 13.Tfe1 , looking to expand in thewin in P.Eljanov-H.Nakamura, Baku
centre with 14 e4; ( or else gain space2015. ] 12...c5 13.dxc5 Axc5 14.Dxd8
o n t h e q u e e n s i d e w i t h 13.b4[ Back in the 1980s such play would
: for example, Ad5 14.Cxd5 exd5indicate the likelihood of a 20-move
15.Db3 Ad6 16.e3 planning andraw, but nowadays top players believe
e v e n t u a l b 4 - b 5 mi n o r i t y a t t a c k .);in the tiniest of advantages. Here is
Al ter nat i v el y, 10...a5 clears the a6-another example: 14.Cbd2 Ac6 15.Ce5
square for the black knight (or rook!)Axg2 16.Rxg2 Ae7 17.Tc1 Cbd7
and fixes the pawns on the queenside,18.Cxd7 Dxd7 19.Cf3 Dxd1 20.Tfxd1
preventing White gaining space with b2-Tfc8 21.Ce5 and White ground out a
b4. After 11.b4 Ca6 ( the strange-win in this equal-looking position in
looking 11...Ta6 has been used aA.Giri-P.Leko, Baku 2015.] 14...Txd8
couple of times by Aronian, with theBlack has liquidated White's pawn
idea of ...Rb6 to attack the b2-pawn)centre without incurring any obvious
12.Axf6 Axf6 13.e4 Cxb4 14.Td1weaknesses in his own pawn structure.
, White has built a centre, but BlackHis pieces are on active squares and he
has the two bishops.] 11.Dc2 Ae4has brought his 'problem' bishop to c6
Driving the queen back even further.to contest control of the long diagonal.
12.Dd1 [ Instead, 12.Dc1 deters the ...It feels like Black has solved most of
c7-c5 advance (though Nakamura inhis problems and yet Anand, a world
the main game and Leko in the notes tochampion at many time controls, won't
14 Qxd8 seem to welcome this move!).be able to hold Black's position against
For example, h6 ( a solid alternative forN a k a m u r a ' s p r o b i n g . S u c h i s t h e
Black is 12...Cc6 13.e3 Cb4 14.Cc3difficulty of defending very slightly
Ac6 , though White has a small plus)w o r s e p o s i t i o n s i n t h e C a t a l a n
13.Axf6 Axf6 14.Td1 a5 15.Cbd2endgame.
Ah7?! (the bishop ends up out of thingsQUESTION: Should White continue
on h7) ( it was better to play 15...Axf3with 15 Nbd2 or 15 Nc3 to develop his
queenside? bishop stopping b2-b4 forever it is

15.Cbd2 [ ANS WER: Af te r 15.Cc3very unlikely White could win.] 23...b6
Ac6 , the white knight on c3 doesn't24.Cc4 White's knights are going
have much to do, whereas from d2 itbackwards and forwards, not landing
can leap to b3 and a5 if allowed toan y st ron g bl ow, but not al l owing
put pressure on Black's queenside.]Anand to kill off the game either and
15...Ac6 16.Cb3 Ae7 Breaking the pinforcing him to be vigilant.
on f6. [ Instead, 16...Ab6 prevents24...b5 25.Axd5 bxc4 [ I guess
White's next move, but Black hasn't25...Txd5 is the worst of the four
shaken off White's slight edge afterrecap tu res , los ing the e xchange to
17.Ce5 Axg2 18.Rxg2 Cbd7 19.Cd326.Cb6 ;; while not far behind is
Tac8 20.Tfc1 , etc. ] 17.Ca5 h625...Axd5 26.Cb6 Ta7 27.axb5
18.Ae3 [ If 18.Ad2? he loses a piece to, losing a pawn;; but we should take
Axf3 , so first of all the bishop goes to25...exd5 seriously. It looks wrong at
e3. ] 18...Cd5 19.Ad2 Cb6 20.Af4first glance, but it has the good point
White's bishop plays cat and mouset h a t i t v i r t u a l l y f o r c e s W h i t e t o
with the black knight. 20...Cd5 21.Ce5activate the black knight on b8 in the
At last the bishop stops running. 21...g5sequence 26.Cce5 bxa4 27.Cxc6
One more k ick at t h e cl eric. [ AfterCxc6 28.Txa4 Cd4 and Black has
21...Cxf4 22.gxf4 Axg2 23.Rxg2 Cd7counterplay.
24.Cd3 Tab8 25.Tfc1 Ad6 26.Tc3Anand saw he was okay after the game
, White can still keep on prodding themov e an d s o probably didn't t hink
black queenside, hoping his opponentmuch about alternatives.] 26.Axc4
loses patience and weakens himself.]Axb2 The idea is that Black gets his
22.Ad2 Af6 23.Cd3 [ EXERCISE:piece back after 27 Nxb2 Rxd2 with
How would you assess the positioneven chances. Nakamura finds a way to
after 23.Cexc6 Cxc6 24.Cxc6 bxc6k e e p t h e t e n s i o n . 27.Ta2 Ag7
-? [ A more active retreat was 27...Ad4
A N S W E R : W h i t e w o u l d g a i n t h ewh ic h wou ld p revent Wh ite's 29th
b i s h o p p a i r a n d l e a v e B l a c k w i t hmove. ] 28.Tc1 Ae8 29.Cc5 Af8
broken queenside pawns. On the otherEXERCISE: What is the best way to
hand, Black's knight is well placed onmeet the threat to c5?
d5 and White has a weakling of his ownANSWER: 30.Ad3! White defends his
o n b 2 . N o n e t h e l e s s , a f t e r 25.Tab1own knight and regroups his bishop to
intending 26 Rfc1 White looks on top.e 4 , w h e r e i t w i l l h a s s l e t h e b l a c k
P e r h a p s N a k a mu r a d i d n ' t l i k e t h eknight on c6.
variation Ae7 26.Tfc1 Cb4 27.Axb430...Cc6 31.Ae4 Prudent. [ Both
( here 27.Ae1!? intending 28 Rc431.Axa6? Axc5; and 31.Cxa6? Txd3!
might offer more chances) 27...Axb4win material for Black.] 31...Tdc8
28.Txc6 a5 , when with the black32.Rf1 Nakamura edges his king nearer
to the attack and prevents any ...Nd4he is s til l d efending: for i nst an ce,
move coming with the threat of a fork37.Tc3 ( or 37.Cc5 Cb4 ) 37...Ab4
on e2. 32...Ta7 33.Cb3 The knight38.Tc4 Aa3 . ] 37.Txc7 Txc7 38.Txc7
retreats to facilitate a pin by White'sAxc7 39.fxg5 hxg5 40.Cc5
rooks along the c-file. White's persistence is rewarded with
33...Tac7 34.Tac2 Ad6 EXERCISE:the win of a pawn.
Nakamura has kept the game alive by40...Ad6 41.Cxe6 Axa4 42.Cxg5
avoiding exchanges, retreating whenAd7 43.Ac3 . White can advance his h-
necessary and regrouping his pieces,pawn up the board.
but it seems that Black has successfully1-0
su rviv ed th e 'in terrog atio n' o n th e
queenside. Can you see how the
American Grandmaster added one more60 E06
bit of pres sure t o f in ally make hi s Giri,A
renowned opponent buckle? Aronian,L
ANSWER: 35.f4! Opening a second36: Wijk aan Zee 2014
front on the kingside. [ It also has the
excellent point that after 35.f4 gxf41.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 d5 4.g3 Ae7
36.Axf4 Black has to give up a pawn5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Dc2 a6 8.a4
with e5 ( as after 36...Axf4 37.gxf4Ad7 9.Dxc4 Ac6 10.Af4
the rook on c7 is no longer defendedQUESTION: Why does White put the
twice so there is no good way to stopbishop on f4?
3 8 N d 4 , w i n n i n g t h e e x c h a n g e)ANSWER: Black wishes to arrange the
37.Axh6 . freeing advance ...c7-c5. A possible
Perhaps in time trouble and weary ofplan for him is to play ...Bd5, getting
h i s e n d l e s s d e f e n c e B l a c kthe bishop out of the way of the pawn
immediately blundered.] 35...f5?!wi th gain o f time by attac king the
[ Black would be okay with 35...Aa3white queen. Putting the bishop on f4
to alleviate the force of the pin on theprevents, or at least delays, this plan
c - f i l e , w h e n a f t e r 36.Tb1 Ae7as ...Bd5 would allow Qxc7.
Nakamura would need to find fresh10...Ad6 A natural response, guarding
w i n n i n g c h a n c e s .] 36.Ad3the c7-pawn and challenging White's
In an interview after the game Anandbishop. [ Another possible sequence is
was disappointed with himself and said10...a5 11.Cc3 Ca6 (Black fortifies the
he had suffered "a one-move loss". Heq u e e n s i d e ) 12.Ce5 Axg2 13.Rxg2
sai d he h ad f o rg ot ten that Wh it e'sCd5 14.Tad1 Cxf4+ 15.gxf4 Ad6
bishop could go to d3, thinking it could16.e3 . At first you might think Black
only retreat down the long diagonal. has achieved a lot through gaining the
36...Cb8? Actually it is only here thatb i s h o p p a i r a n d i n t h e p r o c e s s
Black loses the game. [ With 36...Tb8!splitting the white kingside pawns. In
reality, White has a grip on the centreBlack's pieces would be badly bunched
w h i c h h a s b e e n i n c r e a s e d b y t h etogether.
transfer of the pawn from g3 to f4.12...h6 13.Axf6 Cxf6 Black must
His king is in little danger and it isrecapture this way or White plays 14
Black, not White, who has to fear ae4 after all. White is often content to
p o s s i b l e a t t a ck d ow n t h e g -f i l e i fgive up the fabled bishop pair in the
W h i t e p l a y s K h 1 a n d R g 1 i n t h eCatalan, although first of all, we should
future. be more precise: White is seldom happy
As a rule, in this type of structure theto swap his light-squared bishop for a
e x c h a n g e o f a k n i g h t o n d 5 f o r aknight in the Catalan. His bishop on g2
b i s h o p o n f 4 a n d p a w n r e c a p t u r eis often key to his strategy, and in such
g 3 xf 4 us u all y gi v es Wh i t e la st i n gan exchange, he would like to have an
pressure, though it's not that specialextra pawn to cheer himself up (see the
as Black remains solid. On the other7 Ne5 Nc6 8 Bxc6 bxc6 9 Nxc6 line).
hand, you might win some games asWe might add though that White is
W h i t e i f y o u r o p p o n e n t i s n ' t w e l loften happy to exchange it off in return
a c q u a i n t e d w i t h t h e C a t a l a n a n dfor Black's light-squared bishop.
w a s t es t o o mu c h t i me o r w ea k e n sIn contrast, it is often even desirable
h i m s e l f i n p u r s u i t o f t h e . . . N x f 4for White to swap his dark-squared
exchange. ] 11.Ag5 [ Here 11.Cc3bishop for a knight. This is because the
Axf4 12.gxf4 gives White some edge;;light-squared bishop has a nice haven
or if you are squeamish about doubledfrom the bustle of the centre on g2 and
pawns then 11.Dc1!? Axf4 12.Dxf4a clear strategic role. In contrast the
is also a bit better for him. bishop on c1 normally has no safe and
After the game move White's bishopuseful square away from the centre –
has taken two moves to reach g5, butapart from in the 8 Qxc4 mainline,
the pin on f6 is awkward for Black,where it sometimes finds its nirvana
who would be left a tempo down afterthrough the manoeuvre Bd2 and Ba5.
1 1 . ..B e 7 , a n d s o he c o mp l e t es hi sWhite's pawn on d4 helps to clutter the
d eve lop men t in s t ead .] 11...Cbd7dark squares, reducing the options for
12.Cc3 EXERCISE: What is White'shis bishop. And generally speaking the
positional threat? blocked nature of the struggle – there
ANSWER: White mustn't be allowed toare still seven pawns on the board in
play 13 e4 unchallenged. If he doesboth armies – reduces the value of the
t h e n h e d e n i es B l a ck ' s p i ec e s a n ybishop over the knight. Furthermore,
influence over the e4- and d5-squares,Bg5 and Bxf6 often has the good point
rendering Black's plan of ...Bd7 and ...of deflecting the other black knight
Bc6 useless. There would also be afrom the build-up to a freeing ...c7-c5
threat of 14 e5 winning a piece, or inor ...e6-e5 advance. In fact it not only
some cases 14 d5 with the same effect.slows down Black's preparation of ...c7-
c5, but also clears the c1-square withthan a pawn on g3 and the bishop on
gain of time, thereby facilitating ag2.
Rac1 move to obstruct ...c7-c5. This is a vital difference. In the
EXERCISE: White wants to advanceC a t a l a n v e r s i o n o f t h i s s t r u c t u r e
on the queenside. Should he play 14 a5White's bishop is sadly ineffective. It
or 14 b4? is blocked in by a solid barrier on d5
ANSWER: 14.a5 A move needs to beand can't contribute anything to the
judged on what it does for a player'sp r e s s u r e o n B l a c k ' s q u e e n s i d e .;
strategic chances, and also on what itGiri doesn't want to be forced into this
t a k e s a w a y f r o m t h e o p p o n e n t .change of pawn structure. And so he
Everything else being equal, being oneplays 14.a5 , keeping the option of
square forwards makes a pawn moreanswering Ad5 with 15.Dd3
valuable in an endgame. The reason is, as there is no pawn on b4 that needs
simple: it is one step closer to being ad e f e n d i n g .] 14...De7 A useful
queen. prophylactic move. 15.Cd2 [ If now
Here the pawn physically blocks Black15.Tfe1 , with the plan of 16 e4, Black
from advancing 14...a5 himself. Thiscan be annoying with Ab4! , when
would equalize space on the queenside16.Ce5 ( 16.e4? drops a pawn to Axc3
and make the b4-square a strong pointand 17.bxc3 Axe4 ) 16...Axg2 17.Rxg2
for Black – or if you prefer a hole in c5! frees Black's game.] 15...Ad5
Wh i t e ' s p a wn s t r u c t u r e . W h i t e n oTr y i n g t o c re a t e s o me i mb a l a n ce .
longer has a dark-squared bishop to [ Instead, 15...Axg2 16.Rxg2 c5
fight for the b4-square, and the b2-looks fairly equal.] 16.Axd5 exd5
pawn remains restrained. 17.Cxd5 Cxd5 18.Dxd5 Dxe2
B y adv an ci ng 1 4 a 5 Whi te fi x es a19.Ce4 Black looks very close to
space advantage for himself on thecomplete equality, but as so often in
queenside, rather than having his ownthe Catalan, precision is required to
b-pawn restrained by ...a6-a5. [ Afterremove White's lingering edge.
14.b4 Black has the concrete reply19...Tab8? A routine passive move.
Ad5! . Now if the white queen retreats [ Instead, 19...Ab4! stops the black
b4 drops, so we have the seq uencequ een b ein g dri ven f rom e2. Then
15.Cxd5 exd5 16.Db3 c6 . Black's20.Dxb7 Tab8 21.Dc6 (the queen has
s t r u c t u r e o n t h e q u e e n s i d e m i g h tt o k e e p e 4 d e f e n d e d ) Dxb2
r e m i n d y o u o f a Q u e e n ' s G a m b i tis equal, because of the fine point that
Declined, where the minority attack22.Dxa6? Dxd4 leaves the white knight
w i t h t h e p a w n t h r u s t b 4 - b 5 i s atrapped in the centre of the board with
promising idea for White. However, inno save way to defend it – if 23.Dc6 f5
t h e Q u e e n ' s G a mb i t W h i t e w o u l dwins it. ] 20.Tfe1 White gains time to
typically have a set up with a pawn onactiv ate his rooks by harassing the
e3 and the bishop on e2 or d3, ratherb l a c k q u e e n . [ Much better than
s i m p l i f y i n g w i t h 20.Cxd6 cxd6 [ ANSWER: Black should use the other

21.Dxd6 . ] 20...Dxb2 [ There is no joyrook with 25...Tfe8! . After 26.Txe8+
for Black in 20...Db5 21.Dxb5 axb5 ( alternatively, if 26.Tf1 then Te6!
22.Cxd6 cxd6 , when White has the27.Txd6 Txd6 28.Dxd6 Tc8
pleasant choice between a rook on theis equal – now it is Black who has the
s e v e n t h r a n k w i t h 23.Te7 ;a c t i v e r o o k t o o f f s e t h i s s l i g h t l y
( a n d t h e m o r e s u b t l e 23.Te3wo rs e p a wn st ru ct u re) 26...Txe8
aiming to win the b5-pawn with 24 Rb327.Txb7 , then Te6! breaks the attack
– note that b6 24.a6 doesn't help Blacko n f 6 a n d k e e p s t h e r o o k a c t i v e .
at all. White has no advantage in view of
I n w h a t f o l l o w s y o u ' l l n o t i c e t h eBlack's threat of counterplay with, say,
latent strength of White's pawn on a5.)]...Qd3 intending ...Re1+.
21.Tab1 Dc2 22.Tec1 De2 23.Te1You might wonder why I praised 25
Dc2 Giri now decides he wants hisRb6 when Black can equalize against it.
rooks on b1 and e1, and so... Well, Aronian is world-class player
24.Cxd6 cxd6 25.Tb6! A classy move.and it made him go wrong! That is
Giri isn't afraid to be a pawn down asqu it e g ood enoug h in th e Cat al an.
h e s e e s t h a t h i s w i n n i n g c h a n c e sY o u h a v e t o k e e p p r e s s i n g , n o t
depend on keeping the black piecesreleasing the tension, and trust that
boxed up. [ I n s t e a d , a f t e r 25.Txb7your opponent will play over passively
Txb7 26.Dxb7 Dc3 White loses his a5-or inaccurately.] 26.Tf1! After this
pawn.; Meanwhile, if 25.Dxd6 thenquiet move Black is left with a hanging
Tfd8 activates a black rook and putspawn on b7 and an inactive rook on f8.
pressure on the d4-pawn.] EXERCISE:26...De4? His inaccuracy on the
B l a c k w a n t s t o c h a l l e n g e Wh i t e' sprevious move seems to have flustered
control of the open file by putting aAronian. [ Instead, 26...Te7 27.Txd6
room on e8. Well, which one wouldTfe8 leaves him with active rooks and
you choose? not much to fear, despite his worse
25...Tbe8 Throughout chess history apa wn s t ru ct ure.] 27.Dxb7 Dxb7
lot h as b een writt en abo ut p l ay ers [ After 27...Dxd4 28.Txa6 the passed
putting the wrong rook on an open file.a- pa wn i s a n u is a nc e f o r B l a c k t o
As White's last move indicated he wasdefend against.] 28.Txb7 Te4 29.Td1
going after the d6-pawn rather than theTc8 30.Tb6? White's winning chances
b7-pawn, Aronian decided to push thed e p e n d o n u n d e r m i n i n g B l a c k ' s
passive one on b8 to the open file. Hekingside pawns whilst at the same time
might also have thought the rook on f8ensuring that f2 is adequately defended
was doing a good job defending f7 andif Black's rooks are doubled against it.
in fact he probably assumed that WhiteThis can be achieved by bringing the
would exchange on e8 whichever rookr o o k o n d 1 i n t o a n a t t a c k o n f 7 .
he put there, so it didn't matter much... [ Therefore 30.Ta7! was the correct
approach: for example, Tc2 31.Tb1!would get in first against f2.

A) and now Black's doubling of rooks31.Td3 [ If 31.Txd6 , Tee2
on the seventh rank fails after 31...Tee2f o r c e s t h e p a s s i v e 32.Tf1
32.Tb8+ Rh7 33.Txf7 , etc. White's. Black should then hold the endgame
king remains secure whilst the blackafter Ta2 33.Txa6 Ted2 34.h4 g6
kingside will be decimated.; B) 35.h5 gxh5 36.Txh6 Txa5 . ] 31...g5!
Likewise, if 31...Txd4 then 32.Tb8+Th an ks t o White' s i mpreci se pl ay,
Rh7 33.Tf8! and White will conquer onBlack's kingside pawns aren't victims,
the f-file ( not so clear is 33.Tbb7 g5 )but rather stakes he wishes to drive
, when 33...g5 ( if 33...f6 , simplythrough the heart of the white king.
34.Txf6 ) 34.Taxf7+ Rg6 35.Tf6+ Rg732.h3 [ QUESTION: What happens,
36.T8f7+ Rg8 37.Ta7 leaves Blackt h o u g h , a f t e r 32.Txa6 , creating a
helpless.; C) T h a t m e a n s 31...Ta2queenside passed pawn?
is the last try for Black, but he ends upANSWER: Black actually wins: Te1+
under intense pressure after 32.Tb8+33.Rg2 g4 34.h3 h5! and there is no
Rh7 33.Tbb7 Txa5 34.Txf7 Tg4g o o d d e f e n c e a g a i n s t 3 5 . . . R c c 1
35.Rg2 : for example, Ta4 36.h4 h5followed by 36...Rg1+ and mate in
37.d5 a5 38.Tad7 Tg6 39.Td8 Ta2two moves.; If 32.Txd6 Te1+ 33.Rg2
40.Tf5 Th6 41.Tff8 Tf6 42.Txf6 gxf6g4 34.h3 h5 , White can save himself
43.Txd6 and White should win thewith 35.hxg4 hxg4 36.Td5! , though
endgame. Rh7 leaves Black with enough play for
N o t i c e t h a t d e s p i t e t h e s e e m i n ga draw; ( 36...Tcc1 is answered by
complexity of the endgame if White37.Tg5+ and 38 Rxg4 destroying the
played according to the simple aimmating net; or if 36...Tee2 37.Tf5 . )]
'get the rooks doubled on the seventh32...h5 33.Tf3 g4 34.hxg4 hxg4
r a n k w i t h t h e r o o k n o w o n d 135.Tf4 Giri is obliged to exchange
attacking f7', it would have guidedrooks in order to keep f2 guarded and
h i m to mo s t of t he mo v es t ha t g e tme e t t h e t h r e a t s t o h i s b a c k r a n k
exclamation marks above (30 Ra7, 31mentioned in the previous note. He
R b 1 a n d 3 3 R b b 7 ) , t h o u g h t h ewins a pawn or two, but now that there
superiority of 33 Rf8! to the direct 33is only one white rook, the black king
Rbb7 in the third variation shows weis able to be strongly activated.
s h o u l d n ' t b e t o o d o g m a t i c . T h e35...Txf4 36.gxf4 Ta2 37.Txa6 Rg7
i mp o r t a n t t h i n g t o r e a l i z e i s t h a t38.Rg2 Rg6! Giving up the d6-pawn
safeguarding f2 whilst breaking upwith check is a small price to pay for
the black kingside is more importantg e t t i n g t h e k i n g t o t h e f 5 - s q u a re .
than the fate of the pawns – white or 39.Txd6+ Rf5 40.a6 [ If 40.Rg3 ,
black – on the queenside. ] 30...Tc2!Ta3+ forces back the white king.]
Now White won't have time to double40...Rxf4 41.Tf6+ Rg5 42.Tb6 Rf4
his rooks on the seventh rank as Black43.d5 Re5 [ Stopping the white passed
pawns is more important than going10...Cb4 11.Cc3 Ac6 12.a5 ; ( 12.-- );

after the f2-pawn, as Black would beB) while there is a tricky line with
unable to restrain their advance upon10...b5 , but White emerges with a
43...g3 44.d6 Txf2+ 45.Rg1 . ] 44.d6small edge after 11.axb5 axb5 12.Txa8
Re6 45.Rg3 f5 46.d7+ [ White can'tDxa8 13.Dxb5 Da1 ( not 13...Cxd4?
make any p rogress, as 46.f3 Ta314.Cxd4 Axb5 15.Axa8 when White
wins the f3-pawn.] 46...Rxd7 47.Tf6wins a piece) 14.Cc3 Cxd4 15.Db7 .;
Re7 48.Th6 [ The black king is onMeanwhile 9...c5 looks risky for Black
hand to s top the queening of the f-as his queen is pinned. Play could go
p a w n a f t e r 48.Txf5 Txa6 49.Rxg410.dxc5 Axc5 ( if 10...Cc6 11.Dxc4 )
Ta8 . ] 48...Rf7 . If you want to play the11.Ce5 Dc8 12.Dxc4 Ab5
Catalan you have to believe in small(a flashy move based on 13 axb5? axb5,
en dgame ad v antages. It too k so mew h e n W h i t e h a s a r o ok o n a 1 a n d
astute defence by Aronian and a couplequeen both hanging) 13.Db3 Ac6 ( if
o f i m p r e c i s i o n s b y t h e D u t c h13...Axe2 14.Te1 when e2 and b7 are
Grandmaster to let Black off the hook. attacked ) 14.Cxc6 Cxc6 15.Ca3
½-½ with White enjoying the better game
thanks to the bishop pair.] 10.Cc3
This is a very dangerous line for Black
61 E05to face. Routine developing moves will
Khamitskiy,S qu ick ly l ea d to di sas ter. 10...Cbd7?
Rawicz,K Just what White was hoping for. Black
37: Chojnice 2010innocently brings out his knight, not
realizing that a cataclysm is going to
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Cf6 4.Ag2h i t h i s c e n t r e . [ If instead he tries to
Ae7 5.Cf3 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Dc2 a6exploit the hole on b4 by inserting a
8.a4 Ad7 9.Td1 [ QUESTION: Whyknight on d3 he is driven back: 10...Cd5
is White declining to recapture on c4? 11.e4 Cb4 12.De2 Cd3 13.Ae3 Ab4
ANSWER: White plans a strong build14.Ce1 (the simplest riposte) Cxe1
up in the centre with moves like Nc315.Txe1 a5 16.Dxc4 with the better
and e2-e4. Having played his bishop togame for White due to his excellent
c6, which is the only purpose behindcentre, though Black can resist with
8...Bd7, Black faces being hit at someDe7 .; A better approach for Black is to
incon v en i en t momen t b y a cen t re-exchange off his loose bishop at once
smashing d4-d5. Not only has Whitewith 10...Axf3 , as we shall see in the
avoided losing a tempo with 9.Dxc4next game.] 11.e4 b5 EXERCISE: If
, he has also kept his queen on a postyou were playing White how would
where she supports the e2-e4 advance.]you handle the breakthrough in the
9...Ac6 [ After 9...Cc6 10.Dxc4 A) centre? What would be your next two
W h i t e h a s l a s t i n g p r e s s u r e u p o nmoves?
ANSWER: 12.d5! exd5 13.e5!here it's the queen. 19...g6 There's no

It isn't always right to recapture. [ Afterway to stop mate on h7 and save the
13.exd5 Ab7 , the centre remainsqueen. 20.Axa8
stable: White's advance has stalled.1-0
The rook on d1 and the bishop on g2
would be angry at having their view
of the board obstructed by their own62 E06
p a w n o n d 5 . I n c on t ras t , a f t e r t h e Khenkin,I
game move the black knight is driven Rozentalis,E
from f6, the black pawn on d5 falls to38: Belgian League 2014
the white knight, and White's rook on
d1 and bishop on g2 are happy with1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 d5 4.g3 Ae7
t h e i r l i v e s a g a i n .] 13...Ce45.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Dc2 a6 8.a4
[ Black could try to make the best of itAd7 9.Td1 Ac6 10.Cc3 Axf3
with a piece sacrifice for a few pawns,Black exchanges off the bishop before
bu t he is u n ab le to h ol d hi s cen tre11 e4 l eav e s hi m facing the d4-d5
together after 13...Cc5 14.Cd4 Ab7advance that proved so powerful in the
15.exf6 Axf6 16.axb5 axb5 17.Txa8previous game. At the same time the c6-
Axa8 b e c a u s e o f 18.Cxd5! Axd5square is cleared for the black knight.
19.Cc6 when either his queen or d511.Axf3 Cc6 [ After the passive 11...c6
falls off the board.] 14.Cxd5 Axd5, White could clear the way for his
15.Txd5 Cec5 16.axb5 axb5queen to capture the c4-pawn whilst
[ Former world champion Anatolyrest rictin g Bl ack 's qu eensi de wi th
K a r p o v o n c e s t u m b l e d i n t o t h i s12.a5! : f o r e x a m p l e , Cd5 ( or
position as Black, though to be fair it12...Cbd7 13.Da4 a n d 1 4 Q x c 4)
was in a blindfold game. His intuition13.Da4 Cb4 14.Ce4 , when White is
or calculation allowed him to avoid theready to cut off the protection of the
worst with 16...De8 , although 17.Cg5!knight on b4 with 15 Nc5.] 12.Axc6
still leaves Black in desperate trouble;Q U E S T I O N : W h y d o e s W h i t e
( instead of the 17.bxa6? of J.Piket-A.exchange off his bishop for the knight
Karpov, Monaco (blindfold) 1996.)]rather than attack it with 12 d5 or at
EXERCISE: Can you see a winningleast play 12 e3 to secure the d4-pawn?
combination for White? [ ANSWER: Well, 12.d5? fails utterly
ANSWER: 17.Txa8 Dxa8 18.Txd7!after Cb4 , when White loses the pawn
Setting up a discovered attack on theon d5.; Meanwhile, if 12.e3 then Ca5!
b l a c k q u e e n . 18...Cxd7 19.Cg5leaves White a pawn down with not
A h y p e d - u p v e r s i o n o f a f a mi l i a rmuch to show for it.
t a c t i c a l m o t i f i n t h e C a t a l a n a n dAs played we can talk about White
Queen's Indian set-ups. Normally it's ag i v i n g u p h i s g o o d b i s h o p , b u t
black rook that's the victim on a8, butKhenkin can point to the tripled black
c-pawns. ] 12...bxc6 13.a5 Clearing thew i t h o u t g i v i n g h i m s e l f m o r e

a4-square for White's rook or queen,weak nes s es wit h 24...c6? ) 25.axb5
after which the c4-pawn looks doomed.Ta8 26.Ca4 Txb5 27.Txc7
N o n e t h e l e s s , t h e L i t h u a n i a nwhen Black is still somewhat boxed in,
Gra nd ma s t e r E d u ard a s Ro z en t a li sbut after Ae7 should hold the draw; B2)
manages to survive the pressure, which19...Df3? 20.Tc2 Tfb8 21.Cc1
no doubt encouraged him to try his(for the moment the black rooks are
l u c k a g a i n w i t h t h i s l i n e v e r s u sstopped from taking on b2 thanks to
Barnusz in the 2016 Austrian League.some dainty footwork by the knight;
The trouble is that an opponent ratedt h i s w i l l g iv e Ba rn us z t he t ime t o
over 2600 is likely to have devisedutilize his kingside pawn majority) e5
so me f res h in s tru men t s of t o rt ure.22.dxe5 Axe5 23.Cd3 Ad6 24.e4!
[ Barnusz came up with 13.Ag5 Tb8(i n th e ab s ence of the black roo ks
, as in V.Kramnik-S.Karjakin, MoscowWhite will be able to create direct
2 0 1 1 ( t h e c l o s e s t y o u g e t t o a nthreats against the underdefended black
i r r e s i s t i b l e f o r c e m e e t i n g a nking) Tb3 25.Td2 g6 26.Tbd1 Dg4
immovable object in a chess game) A) 27.Dxc6 h5 28.e5 Af8 29.Cf4!
which went 14.Tac1 h6 15.Axf6 Axf6(at last the b2-pawn can be jettisoned
16.e3 De7 17.Ce4 Tb4 18.De2 Txa4in favour of building up the kingside
(Black's salvation lies in reducing theattack) Txb2 30.h3 Df5 31.Txb2
n u mb e r o f pa w n s t o l i mi t W h i t e' sTxb2 32.h4 Tb1 33.Txb1 Dxb1+
chances in the endgame) 19.Txc4 Txc434.Rg2 Db6 35.Da8 (the perfect
20.Dxc4 e5 21.Dxa6 exd4 22.Cxf6+square for the queen from where she
Dxf6 23.Txd4 . Black had anattacks a5 and is ready to switch to the
unpleasant task due to the do ubledkingside) Db4 36.e6! (the white queen
pawns, but he managed to hold theand knight are a potent attacking force
draw. ( 23.-- ); B) Instead, Barnuszagainst the black king) Rg7 37.exf7
wanted to hang on to his a4-pawn toRxf7 38.Dd5+ Re8 (Black's defences
keep more tension and so chose 14.e3!?crumble) ( as shown too by 38...Rg7
, n o t c o m m i t t i n g h i s r o o k t o t h e39.De5+ Rh7 40.De6 Db1 41.Df7+
c1-square. After 14...Tb4 15.Tab1 a5Ag7 42.Ce6 Db2 43.Cg5+ Rh6
16.Ca2 Tb6 17.Axf6 ( not 17.Dxc444.Dg8 with the deadly threat of mate
Dd5! when g5 is hanging so White hason h7 ) 39.Cxg6 Ad6 40.De6+ Rd8
to straighten out Black's pawns with41.Ch8! (a knight on the rim is dim? –
18.Dxd5 cxd5 ) 17...Axf6 18.Dxc4here the threat of mate on f7 allows the
Dd5 19.Tdc1 B1) Black should haveknight to get to the dominant e5-square
tried 19...Tfb8 in order to capture thewith gain of time) Ae7 42.Cf7+ Re8
b2-pawn: for example 20.Dxd5 exd543.Ce5 Dd6 44.Df7+ 1-0. After Rd8
21.b4 Rf8 22.b5 Re7 23.Ta1 cxb545.Dg8+ Black loses his queen to a fork.
24.Cc3! Re6! ( stopping the fork on d5] 13...Tb8 The best defensive move.
Black prepares to challenge the whitepawn on a5 would become a target

ro ok before it can beg in cho mpingafter 23.Dd3 Ta8 , etc. ] 21...Cxd1
through the black pawns with Ra4 and22.Dxa6 [ Instead, 22.Ab4 Db1
Rxc4, when c6 would soon drop. looks dangerous for White.] 22...Ce3!
14.Ta4 Tb4 15.Ca2! [ Carefully doesA p r e t t y m o v e t o f o r c e a d r a w .
it – after 15.Txb4 Axb4 the a5-pawn [ All roads lead to perpetual check,
w o u l d h a n g , s o W h i t e f o r c e s t h ewith Wh ite having the privilege of
black rook into making the exchange.]doing the checking after the alternative
15...Txa4 16.Dxa4 Db8 17.Dxc422...Rxf8 with 23.Dc8+ Re7 24.Dxc7+
[ Awkward for White is 17.Dxc6? Db3Rf6 25.Df4+ Rg6 26.Dg4+ Rh6
18.Cc3 Ab4 , when Black threatens to27.Dh4+ Rg6 28.Dg4+ , etc. ] 23.fxe3
win a piece.] 17...Db7 Rozentalis hasM a t e w a s t h r e a t e n e d . 23...Db1+
m a n a g e d t o s e c u r e h i s f l i m s yThe players could shake hands here,
queenside structure, albeit at the costbut Khenkin wants to make sure his
of the c4-pawn. His queen is active,king can't escape. Or perhaps they are
eyeing the b2 pawn, and in the longkeen to play a few more moves to show
t e r m t h e w h i t e p a w n o n a 5 mi g h tsome fighting spirit as it was a team
become a target of his bishop. competiti on? In fact the game had
18.Ag5 The bishop doesn't want toalready been played before up until the
remain ti ed to b2. White therefo refirst drawing sequence in P.Leko-L.
sacrifices a pawn for a second time inAronian, Istanbul Olympiad 2012.
order to try for the initiative. 18...Dxb224.Rf2 Df5+ 25.Re1 Db1+ 26.Rd2
19.Cc3 [ EXERCISE: After 19.Axf6Db2+ 27.Rd3 Db3+ 28.Rd2 Db2+
, how should Black recapture? A) Then29.Re1 Db1+ 30.Rf2 Df5+ 31.Rg2
19...Axf6? allows 20.Cb4 , when theDe4+ 32.Rh3 Df5+ 33.g4 Df1+
wh i t e kn i g h t h a s c o me t o l i f e a n d34.Rg3 Dg1+ 35.Rf3 Df1+ 36.Rg3
attacks both a6 and c6. ( 20.-- ); B) ½-½
ANSWER: In contrast, after 19...gxf6!
the horse is denied the b4-square. A
possible continuation would be 20.Cc364 E05
Db4 21.Dxc6 Dxa5 , when White hasMain Line: 7 Qc2 a6 8 Qxc4
the initiative after 22.Tb1 , but Black
remains a pawn up.] 19...Cd5 20.Axe71.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.g3 Ae7
Cxc3! [ Khenkin could still play for5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Dc2 a6 .
advantage after 20...Cxe7 21.Tb1 Dc2After White recaptures the pawn with
( or 21...Da3 22.Ca4 , etc ) 22.e48.Dxc4 , Black is able to put his light-
, when White can always negate thesquared bishop on the long diagonal
pin with 23 Qc5.] 21.Axf8 Acquiescingwith 8...b5 9.Dc2 Ab7 . He is very
in a draw. [ 21.Te1 Tb8 22.Dxa6 h6close to equality, which is why the
leaves the white pieces scattered. TheCatalan mainline is popular as Black
among the world's best players. All thatwhit inferior to White's bishop on g2.
remains is to be rid of the weakness onIn fact, White frequently makes an
c7 with a well-timed ...c7-c5 advance. effort to exchange off the bishops for
Of c ou r s e, W h i t e mu s t p r ev e n t o reach other, as Black's is a source of
render ineffective the ...c7-c5 break ifc o u n t e r p l a y a n d p r e v e n t s W h i t e
he wishes to keep an advantage. It wasestablishing a bind on the queenside.
dissatisfaction with his chances ofQUESTION: But I've heard it said that
doing so after 10 Bf4 or 10 Bg5 thatthat 'if Black manages to exchange off
made attention focus on 10 Bd2. Alllight-squared bishops he will ease the
three bishop moves are analyzed here.pressure on the queenside.'
As we shall see, White maintains aANSWER: Well, let's hope your future
slight plus after 10 Bd2, though Blackopponents believe that is true as you'll
h a s g o o d c h a n c e s o f a s u c c e s s f u lwin a lot of games! Though jumping
defence. ahead it must be admitted that in the
present game Black would have been
delighted if his light-squared bishop
65 E06wasn't on the board...
Zaja,I 10.Ad2! Other moves are analyzed later
Blagojevic,M in the chapter.
39: Bosnjaci 2015QUESTION: What is the point of this
move and why has it got an
1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Cf3 Ae7exclamation mark?
5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Dc2 a6AN S WE R: I n t he C a t al a n Wh i t e ' s
8.Dxc4 b5 Now with his queenbishop on f1 has a lot of care lavished
hanging White has no time to stop theon it. Right at the beginning of the
black b is hop reaching a delightfu lg a m e t w o m o v e s a r e s p e n t o n
diagonal. establishing it in a safe and
9.Dc2 The most sensible reply. On c2comfortable residence on g2. Not so
the queen White keeps an eye on c7,the bishop on c1. It finds its activity
the main weakness in Black's camp,circumscribed by its own pawn on d4
and also has influence over the e4-and sometimes on e3 as well. And so it
square. Also on c2 the queen can beis frequently sent off to f4 or g5 where
used with one of the rooks to exertWhite is somewhat relieved when it is
pressure on c7 and help restrain ...c7-exchanged off for a knight.
c5 after a future Rc1. However, then another route for the
9...Ab7 In old books Black's light-bishop was discovered: it could go to
sq uared b is ho p i s des cribed as hi sd2 and shoot off to a5, where it has a
problem child in the Queen's Gambit.key role in attacking Black's backward
In contrast, once it sits on b7 it is thepawn on c7. The circumstances have to
pride of the Catalan family. It is in nobe right for Ba5 to be a good idea, but
even if they aren't, the latent threat of11...Tc8 Black defends his pawn and
Ba5 is annoying for Black. co mp l e te s t h e d e v el o pme n t o f hi s
10...Cbd7 Blagojevic develops andqueenside.
pointedly ignores the idea behind his12.Cbd2 EXERCISE: Give some
opponent's last move. [ We'll look at thereasons why this is a better square for
al t ernat iv e s 10...Ad6; and 10...Cc6the knight than c3.
i n s u b s e q u e n t g a m e s .] 11.Aa5ANSWER: From d2 the knight has the
H e r e a t t a c k i n g c 7 i s a g o o d i d e a .option of going to b3 to add its weight
Naturally if Black had played 10...Nc6to the fight for the c5-square. At the
(as in Evdokimov-Abdyjapar below),moment this square is a hole in Black's
the bishop's visit to a5 would be ruledq uee n s i d e pa wn s tr uct u re, but t he
out, at least temporarily. Though as wedefect would vanish should Black be
shall see ...Nc6 is a problematical moveable to advance ...c7-c5. Therefore it is
for Black: the knight is active, but itc r i t i c a l t h a t a l l t h e w h i t e p i e c e s
blocks the freeing advance of the c-contribute to restraining this freeing
pawn. move.
Instead, Black might have delayed ...On c3 the knight wouldn't have access
Nbd7, say with 10...Bd6 (Caruana-to any useful squares and blocks the
Karjakin below). Then the bishop'swhite queen's pressure on c7. Even
foray 11 Ba5? could be rebuffed byworse, it cuts off the retreat of the
11...Nc6, gaining time to develop andbishop on a5. Black could change his
forcin g the cleric int o shamefacedmind about developing his knight and
retreat. In fact as long as the blackrespond 12...Nb8! with the threat of
kn igh t is o n b 8 p l ayi n g B a5 lo o k s13...Nc6, attacking both the bishop and
dubious, but of course the black knightthe pawn on d4. White has no good way
can't remain forever on b8. A situationto meet this. If, for example, he plays
might arise where both players are13 b4 then 13...Nc6 and 14...Nxa5 will
l o o ki ng aro u nd f or u s efu l wait i n gsmash up his queenside pawns.
moves, White not wanting to play Ba512...De8 Breaking the pin on c7 and so
and Black not wanting to play ...Nbd7c l e a r i n g t h e w a y f o r 1 3 . . . c 5 .
or ..Nc6. [ Bl ack co ul d stil l resp ond 12...Cb8
If White is unable to land his bishop on, but it doesn't have the same power as
a5, it still has a possible role on d2 inWhite's bishop can still use the c3-
supporting the pawn advance b2-b4, tosquare: 13.a3!? Cc6 14.Ac3
put a clamp on the c5-square. In thisleaves the black knight on the rather
type of centre Black, of course, dreamsawkward c6-square and the ...c7-c5
of playing ...c7-c5 in a safe way. Itadvan ce a l ong way off.] 13.b4!
wo u ld ri d h i m of t h e o n l y s e ri o u sExactly. White must stop Black from
weakness in his camp, the backwardf r e e i n g h i s g a m e . 13...Ad6
pawn on c7. Black switches to the plan of 14...e5
followed by 15 ...exd4. This wouldcapturing the pawn.

weaken White's grip on the c5-square,The black queenside pawns lose all
whereupon 16...c5 becomes possiblevitality once ...c7-c5 is stopped. They
again. are of no attacking value and have to
14.e4! e5 15.Tfe1! Defeating Black'sbe defended by the black pieces. In
plan, or rather delaying it, as if 15...contrast Wh ite's centre majority is
exd4 16 e5 wins material due to thedynamic – as we see in the lines above,
fork. 15...De7 16.a3 Not letting the b4-t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f e 4 - e 5 p r e v e n t s
pawn be captured. 16...Tfe8 17.Tad1Black from playing ...e5xd4 and then
White has found time to bring up all...c6-c5 to free his game. In effect,
his pieces into the battle. White has an extra pawn. His pawns
17...Df8 EXERCISE: Having evacuatedhelp his pieces rather than hindering
the queen from e7, Black is once againthem.
ready to play 17...exd4 and then 18...c5.Nimzowitsch stated that when a pawn
How can White nip this plan in themajority is prevented from expanding,
bud? the blockade square often becomes of
ANSWER: 18.dxe5 Cxe5 19.Cxe5great value to an enemy piece. .In this
Axe5 20.Cb3! At last the knight gets toposition, c5 is the blockade square:
b3 to prevent Black's freeing move.Black has been restrained from playing
There is also the threat to win a piece...c7-c5. You can see how valuable it
w i t h 2 1 f 4 B d 6 2 2 e 5 . [ If 20.f4is to the white knight. )]
at once, Black has Ad4+ . ] 20...c6?1-0
A horrible-looking move that shuts in
the bishop on b7. Black also makes the
b i s h o p o n a 5 a s t r o n g e r p i e c e b y66 E06
allowing it control of the d8-square. Caruana,F
[ Admittedly, Black wants to open up a Karjakin,S
line of retreat for the other bishop on40: Wijk aan Zee 2014
e5, but a much better try was 20...Ad6
, getting the bishop out of the way ofThe previous game was fairly one-sided.
2 1 f 4 a n d p u t t i n g u p s o me s o rt o fN e x t w e s e e a h e a v y w e i g h t c l a s h
fight for the c5 -square.] 21.Cc5between a player who has studied his
Winning the battle for the c5-square inopening lines in enormous depth and a
d e c i s i v e s t y l e . 21...Te7 22.Ah3!player who hardly ever loses in the
The Catalan bishop has the last word.Catalan. An immovable object gives
[ If 22.Ah3 Tce8 then 23.Cxb7 Txb7way when it meets an irresistible force.
24.Dxc6 wins a clean pawn.1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Cf3 Ae7
( A computer will tell you that White5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Da4 a6
has even stronger moves: for example,8.Dxc4 b5 9.Dc2 Ab7 10.Ad2 Ad6
i n t h i s l i n e 24.f4 and 25 e5 before [ D i v e r g i n g f r o m 10...Cbd7
in the previous game.] EXERCISE:bishops, and then e2-e4; or Re1 and e2-
Before reading on, would you like toe4; or Nc3 and e2-e4: or by pinning the
suggest some reasons for putting theknight on f6 with Bg5 and then Bxf6
bishop on d6? and e2 -e4. Black, for his part, has
ANSWER: There are many reasons fordefensive resources based on arranging
Black playing 10...Bd6. Firstly, it adds...e6-e5.
a defender to c7. It positions the bishopInstead Caruana settles for 'normal'
ready to contest the e5-square should aqueenside pressure, planning b2-b4 to
white knight invade with Ne5. It clearsbolster his control over the c4-square.
the e7-square for the black queen. TheAny e2-e4 advance will come later
move ...c7-c5 isn't the only pawn break(jumping ahead it will come on move
in town: Black could build up towards40!).
...e6-e5 with ...Nbd7 and ...Qe7. 11.a3 Cbd7 12.b4 [ Black has
If White decides to play Bf4, he nowac h i ev e d g o o d re s ul t s a f t er 12.Aa5
has to reckon with doubled pawns afterDb8 13.b4 e5! . The centre is
the exchange ...Bxf4 and recapturedissolving and White's bishop on a5
g3xf4. We could debate who profitsseems somewhat shut out of things.
the most from the exchange, and BlackTherefore Caruana renounces the plan
probably wouldn't play ...Bxf4; but inof Ba5. He puts a pincer grip on the
any case Bf4 is no longer a free ride forc5 -s q u are and de vel ops hi s p iec es
White in putting pressure on c7. with Bc3 and Nbd2, looking to
When you assess a move you also haverestrain Black in the centre or at least
to ask yourself what hasn't the playerd e ri v e ma x i mu m b e n e f i t f r o m t h e
done in choosing the move? With 10...opening of lines if Black arranges ...
Bd6 he has avoided committing thee6-e5.
knight on b8. This means that the ideaN o t i c e a l s o t h a t t h e b i s h o p o n d 2
of Ba5 is unavailable for White as ...deters an attempt to loosen the hold
Nc6 chases the bishop away. Leavingon c5 with 12...a5, as after 13 bxa5 it
the knight on b8 also means that the c6-would be difficult for Black to get his
square is better defended for now. pawn back.
EXERC ISE: So mu ch fo r the goo dYou might be asking yourself why a
p o i n t s o f 1 0 . .. B d 6 . C a n y o u s e e atop-class player like Karjakin would
drawback and how can White try toaim for a position where he is under
exploit it? p res s u re wit h n ot much by way of
ANSWER: An obvious disadvantage toactivity to show for it? Surely there
10...Bd6 is that the bishop and theare easier ways to play as Black?
knight on f6 are now lined up for an e4-Wel l, f i rst of al l we sh all s ee t hat
e5 fork. In other games White has triedBlack has more chances for activity
to exploit this with ideas such as Nh4than is apparent at first glance, but in
or Ng5, exchanging the light-squareda n y c a s e B l a c k h a s o n l y o n e r e a l
weakness in this position, the c7-pawn,mainline. The bishop forces the white
and if you are a top player you don'tqueen to an inferior square.
l o s e b e c a u s e o f o n e w e a k n e s s .QUESTION: I can see that, but after
Karjakin and other super-GM defendersthe queen retreats isn't White going to
of Black in the mainline Catalan haveplay Nbd2, forcing the black bishop to
c o n f i d e n c e i n t h e i r p o w e r s . T h e ygo away, and then Qc2, recouping the
believe they will be able to containt i me h e h a s l o s t ? S o B l a c k h a s n ' t
White's advantage, and most of theprofited by the manoeuvre, except by
time they are right. gaining time on the clock?
As I said above, Karjakin hardly everANSWER: Well, the bishop will go
loses in the Catalan. And a look at theback to d5, where it is slightly better
results of games between 2700 playersp l a c e d t h a n o n b 7 . S o B l a c k h a s
in this variation conforms that he isachieved something.
right to trust this variation as Black.14.Dc1 [ If 14.Db3; or 14.Da2
Of c ou rs e , i t i s d i f f e re n t w i t h t h e, the queen becomes a target of ...Bd5;;
players you and I face in tournaments.while after 14.Dd2 she gets in the way
They don't want a prospectless defence.of Nbd2.; If 14.Db2 , which is perhaps
To most of them chess is a hobby andthe most natural-looking square, then
(I know it sounds extraordinary) theyCb6! and we see a drawback to the b2-
actu all y want to enjo y playing it !]b4 move: Black's knight aims at the a4-
12...Ta7 QUESTION: What is the pointor c4-squares, where it gains time by
of this distinctly non-classical move? at tac ki ng t he que en. So t he que en
ANS WER : It d ef ends b7 agai ns t ar et r e a t s t o t h e b a c k r an k , w i t h c 1
s u r p r i s e a t t a c k ; [ for example, ifseeming preferable as it reserves d1
12...Ce8 (I know, a dumb move) thenfor a rook.] 14...Da8! EXERCISE: Try
13.Cg5! and Black can't stop mate onto work out why Karjakin prefers a8
h7 and defend b7 at the same time.;for his queen rather than e7.
Here is a more sophisticated form ofANSWER: The queen takes possession
the hanging bishop theme: if 12...e5of th e sq uare vacated by 12...Ra7.
13.dxe5 Cxe5 14.Cxe5 Axg2Notice that in terms of influence she is
15.Cxf7! Txf7 16.Rxg2 and White hasjust as centralized here as on e7, or
w o n a p a w n . T h e r o o k m o v e a l s oeven more so, as she looks down the
indirectly defends c7 and by vacatinglong diagonal at some key light squares.
t h e a 8 - s q u a r e p r e p a r e s t h e q u e e nShe ad d s h er wei gh t to t hat o f the
manoeuvre in the g ame.] 13.Ac3b i s h o p o n e 4 a n d k n i g h t o n f 6 i n
Caruana's plan unfolds. He deters ...e6-restraining a future e2-e4 space grab by
e 5 a n d c l e a r s t h e w a y f o r N b d 2W h i t e . F u r t h e r mo r e , s h e p i n s t h e
followed by either Nb3, aiming at a5 orknight on f3 which reduces White's
c5, or perhaps e2-e4, gaining space. freedom of action and might facilitate a
13...Ae4 A common idea in the Catalan...e6-e5-pawn break to liquidate the
white centre. The black queen also addsBlack.

a defender to the sensitive c6-squareAt the same time Black activates his
and in some cases will support an ...a6-knight and looks to utilize his pieces
a5 freeing advance. on the a-file after ...Nxc3 and then ...
15.Cbd2 Ad5 16.Dc2 The queena6-a5, or maybe ...a6-a5 without the
returns to c2, clearing the c1-square forimmediate exchange on c3.] 18.Cb3
t h e ro o k s a n d l e n d i n g a h a n d t o aWhite deters the ...a6-a5 break. Notice
f u t u r e e 2 - e 4 a d v a n c e . 16...Cb6t h a t C a r u a n a w a i t e d u n t i l i t w a s
Black rules out any chance of Whiten e c e s s a r y t o p l a y t h i s mo v e a s i t
nibbling at his queenside with a3-a4loosens his hold on the c4- and e4-
and plans counterplay along the a-filesquares. 18...Ae4 [ Karjakin seizes the
himself if given the chance. chance to exchange off bishops on e4
17.Ce1! QUESTION: What does Whiterather than g2 in order not to reactivate
achieve with this knight retreat? White's knight after 18...Axg2 19.Cxg2
ANSWER: First of all, White escapes. At the same time he brings his queen
the pin on f3 in a way that defends hisinto the central struggle.; Instead,
bishop. He threatens to gain space with18...Ce4 achieves nothing for Black
18 e4 – in fact this would win a piece after 19.Ab2 , as 20 f3 threatens to
i n v i e w o f t h e p o t e n t i a l 1 9 e 5 .push back the knight from e4.] 19.Axe4
Meanwhile the white knight can re-Dxe4 Threatening 20...Qxc2 21 Nxc2
emerge from e1 on d3 where it controlsN x c 3 , w i n n i n g a p i e c e . 20.Ta2!
the c5- and e5-squares, or on g2 afterThe only good move. [ After 20.Tc1
an exchange of bishops there. Cxc3 21.Dxc3 Dxe2 , White has
The exchange of light-squared bishopsdropped a pawn;; while 20.Dxe4? Cxe4
often facilitates White exploiting the21.Ad2 allows Black to break out with
w e a k n e s s e s i n B l a c k ' s q u e e n s i d ea5! 22.bxa5 ( not 22.Cxa5? Cxd2 )
structure. As a rule White doesn't need22...Cxd2 23.Cxd2 Txa5 , when in
to be concerned about being mated inview o f th e weakness o n a3 White
the Catalan mainline, whereas Blackwould be trying to draw.] 20...Cxc3?
has to worry about losing the defenderDespite the expression 'a knight is grim
of c6. on the rim', Karjakin should avoid this
17...Ca4! 'The best answer to a threat isexchange in order to keep an imbalance
t o i g n o r e i t ' . [ If Black had played thein the position. He plans to free his
obvious 17...Axg2 then after 18.Cxg2game with ...e6-e5, but it backfires and
White would have occupied the centreh e e n d s u p i n a b l e a k e n d g a m e .
with 19 e4, then continued 20 Ne3, etc, [ He should wait instead with
with a strong build-up.; But after the20...Taa8; or 20...Te8 , though White
game move 17...Ca4 18.e4? fails toundo ubtedly has the better of it as
Cxc3 , when 19.Dxc3 ( or 19.exd5Black hasn't resolved the problems of
Ccxd5 ) 19...Cxe4 wins a pawn forhis queenside structure.] 21.Dxc3 e5
22.Cf3! exd4 23.Cfxd4 The only34.Cd2 Rg7 35.Cdb3 Te6 36.Rg2

thing that has been freed by 21...e5 isRf8 EXERCISE: How should White
White's knight, which has gone fromincrease his advantage?
obscurity on e1 to a starring role on d4.ANSWER: 37.f4! Tee8 38.Rf3 Ted8
23...Taa8 24.Tc2 In the absence of any39.Tc2 Td7 40.e4 Re8 41.e5 Ae7
counterplay, the backward pawn and42.Txd7 Rxd7 43.Td2+ Re8 44.Cc6
hole on c6 are looking ominous forTa8 45.Cba5 The white knights
Black. 24...Cd5 [ Perhaps 24...Dg6assume the role of blockading Black's
was Black's best chance. At least itqueenside pawns, freeing the rook to
keeps the queens on the board.] 25.Df3!support White's pawn advance on the
The art of exchanging wisely. Black'skingside.
weakn es ses on th e c-file are fi xed45...f5 46.g4 hxg4+ 47.hxg4 fxg4+
forever, so the exchange of queen's48.Rxg4 Rf7 49.Th2 Af8 50.f5
cl a ri fi es Wh i te ' s ad v an t ag e. M o s tIt's all too easy. White's pawn majority
crucially, Caruana will be able to useplays a decisive role on the kingside,
his king to support an advance of his 4-whereas Black's queenside pawns are
3 k i n g s i d e m a j o r i t y w i t h o u t a n yparalyzed by the white knights.
worries about his safety. 50...Cd5 [ Karjakin prepares to give up
25...Dxf3 26.Cxf3 Tfe8 27.Td1 Cb6a piece rather than wait for White to
EXERCISE: How do we stop Black'sshepherd home his passed pawn with
knight going to c4 and attacking a3? t h e h e l p of h i s k i n g an d r o o k a n d
ANSWER: 28.Ca5! It's the turn of thek n i g h t s a f t e r 50...gxf5+ 51.Rxf5
white knight to go to the edge of the, etc. ] 51.f6 The black bishop is now as
board. 28...g6 29.e3 The first sign ofbl o ck e d i n as h is pawns . 51...Cxf6+
life from White's kingside pawns. It is52.exf6 Rxf6 Black's knight sacrifice
t h e i r a d v a n c e c o m b i n e d w i t h t h eallows him to extend the game a long
pressure on the queenside that willtime. He 'only' has to exchange rooks
overwhelm the black defence. and eliminate every pawn on the board,
29...Rg7 30.Td3 Tac8 31.Tc6throwing in his bishop as a gift, when
C r u s h i n g a n y h o p e o f B l a c k e v e rit is well known that two knights can't
advancing ...c7-c5. force checkmate against a lone king.
31...Tb8 The threat was 32 Rdxd6 cxd6Naturally there is more chance of you
33 Rxb6 winning a piece. 32.Rf1 h5or me beating Magnus Carlsen than
33.h3 White wants to manoeuvre hisCaruana allowing that to happen.
knight from f3 to b3 to strengthen hisThe remaining moves were: 53.Tf2+
q u e e n s i d e g r i p ; [ but if he had playedRe6 54.Te2+ Rd5 55.Td2+ Re4
33.Cd2 at once then h4 gives Black a56.Cb7 Re3 57.Td7 Te8 58.Txc7
semblance of counterplay. And so heAh6 59.Cc5 Tf8 60.Te7+ Rd2
prepared to answer ...h5-h4 with g3-61.Te6 Tf1 62.Ca7 Ae3 63.Txa6
g4 without allowing ...Bxh2.] 33...Rf6Re2 64.Txg6 Tf4+ 65.Rh3 Tf3+
66.Tg3 Tf7 67.Cxb5 Af2 68.Tb3entrenched on the light squares. White

Tf4 69.Cc3+ Rf1 70.Tb1+ Ae1might still have some edge, though, on
71.Txe1+ . There is a fork on d3account of exchanging a knight for
coming. A fine example of Caruana'sBlack's prize bishop.
relentless technique. In such situations White should almost
1-0 always recapture with a piece, queen or
rook, rather than pawn: and he
shouldn't rush to occupy c5 with the
67 E05knight if he ends up with a pawn on
Evdokimov,A that square.
Abdyjapar,A Returning to the game, to add to
41: Moscow 2015Black's problems if left unanswered
there is 12 Ne5 winning the exchange.
1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Cf3 Ae7If you suggested that as White's best
5.Ag2 dxc4 6.0-0 0-0 7.Dc2 a6plan, well done – a threat is also a
8.Dxc4 b5 9.Dc2 Ab7 10.Ad2 Cc6plan!
B lac k pr ev en t s a ny B a5 i deas a n d11...Cb4 The horse therefore leaps
attacks d4, but of course the knight isforward again and attacks her Majesty.
now in the way of the ...c7-c5 advance. 12.Axb4 Since his centre pawns are on
11.e3 EXERCISE: Can you suggest adark squares, White isn't adverse to
good plan for White if Black playsexchanging his 'bad' bishop for a knight.
passively? The lack of pawn exchanges and
ANSWER: After White's modest pawnW hi t e ' s f i r m s t ru c t u r e mea n s t h a t
move defending d4, the black knight isBlack's bishop pair doesn't have much
awkwardly placed on c6. Given theto attack. Meanwhile the white knights
chance White will play moves like Rc1can dream of exploiting the holes on a5,
and a2-a3 (to stop ...Nb4) then Ne1,c5 and c6 in Black's queenside.
attacking c6 and with the plan of Nd312...Axb4 13.a3! [ QUESTION: Why
aiming for control of the c5-square. Ifnot 13.Cbd2 , developing the knight?
White can arrange Nc5 in this type ofANSWER: Black has the energetic
structure and oblige Black to respondresponse c5! which at least equalizes.
with ...Bxc5 then after Qxc5 he will beAfter 14.dxc5 Tc8 15.Cb3 Ae4!
clo se to winning from a p ositional, Black soon regains his pawn after
viewpoint due to Black's weak dark16.Dc1 ( while 16.Dd1 Ad3
squares and the continuing pressurewins the exchange for Black) 16...De7
along the c-file. However, if after Nc5. It's not totally clear as White has a
a n d .. . B x c 5 W h i t e wa s o b l i g e d t opa ss ed p awn , but B l ack i s at l eas t
re c ap t ur e d 4 xc 5 , t h en mo s t o f h i sequal.
advantage vanishes: the attack alongIf you are White in the Catalan you
t h e c - f i l e i s b l o c k e d a n d B l a ck i smu s t al ways mak e s ure th at B lack
can't break out with ...c7-c5. It might22.axb4 (a perfect situation for White in
ruin your whole strategy of pressurethe Catalan; Carlsen must have been in
along the c-file. And conversely whend e s p a i r a s h e c a n n e v e r f r e e h i s
Black you have to strive to make itqueenside and b5 is a ready target) Tfe8
w o r k , e v e n w h e n i t l o o k s l i k e i t23.Ta5 Af8 24.Ce5 De6 25.Txb5 Tb8
s h o u l d n ' t ! I n t h i s e x a m p l e y o u ' l l26.Txb8 Txb8 27.Dxc7 Ad6 28.Da5
notice how Black's bishop pair becomesAxb4 29.Tb1 Dd6 30.Da4
a factor in his favour once White'sand 1 -0 i n V.Kr amni k -M .C ar ls en ,
strong centre has been broken up andDortmund 2007.] 15.Tfc1 It is possible
the bishops have something to target.]that White will play b2-b4 in the future
13...Ae7 14.Cbd2 Only now. Theto increase his control of c5, when
knight plans a journey to the c5-squareBlack might try to undermine the pawn
where it will loom menacingly over thewith ...a6-a5. Then the a-file becomes
queenside, unless Black eliminates itopen after ...a5xb4 and the recapture
w i t h . . . B x c 5 , b u t t h e n a f t e r t h ea3xa4. Alternatively, White himself
recapture Qxc5 White will dominatemight open the a-file by playing a3-a4
t h e d a r k s q u a r e h o l e s i n B l a c k ' sto target b5. Therefore it is sensible to
structure. keep a rook on a1 and move the other
14...Dd6 [ I f B l a c k p l a y s 14...c5?one to c1. In the Catalan mainline Rfc1
, White can take the pawn and supportseems White's default choice of rook to
it with b2-b4. Instead, Black decidesplay to c1. There is normally a reason
on a set-up involving ...Rfc8 and ...specific to a particular position when
Q b 6 t o b o l s t e r h i s q u e e n s i d e .;he prefers Rac1.
T h e y o u n g C a r l s e n c a m e t o g r i e f15...Tfc8 16.Cb3 Ae4 Deflecting the
playing Black against Kramnik afterwhite queen to a less active square.
14...Tc8 15.b4 a5 16.Ce5 (aiming to [ EXERCISE: What happens if Black
gain control over the c6-square) Cd5plays 16...Cd7 to prevent the white
( he should try 16...Axg2 17.Rxg2 c6!knight invading on c5?
, to stop the white horse landing on c6,ANSWER: There is a typical trick to
as obviously 18.Cxc6? fails to Dd5+exploit the undefended bishop on b7:
; White could keep some edge with 1817.Cg5! (threatening mate in two) Axg5
Rfb1 ) 17.Cb3! (White can ignore the18.Axb7 and White wins the
att ack on b4 , g aining vital time toexchange. ] 17.De2 Db6 18.Cc5 Axc5
consolidate his grip on the queenside)19.Txc5 Black is far from lost, but the
axb4 18.Ca5! Aa8 19.Cac6opening has clearly been a success for
. This is already positionally decisive:White. He has restrained Black from
Axc6 20.Cxc6 Dd7 21.Axd5!break in g out with ...c7-c5 and can
(Kramnik is more than happy to givedouble his rooks against c7. Abdyjapar
u p t h e C a t a l a n b i s h o p t o m a k edisagrees with this verdict and soon
permanent his stranglehold on c6) exd5gets into hot water.
19...Cd7 20.Tc3? [ The undefendedBlack's attempt to gain counterplay by

bishop motif strikes again in a moresacrificing the exchange is doomed if
sophisticated form after 20.Cg5! . A) Whit e p l ays s t ead i ly . [ However, the
Then acceptance of the material withalternativ e 23...Dd6 24.Rxg2 Dxd7
20...Axg2 21.Dh5! is fatal for Black:25.Txc5 is a slow but sure defeat.]
f o r e x a mp l e , Ac6 22.Dxh7+ Rf824.Cxc5 Txc5 25.dxc5 Dc6 26.Td3
23.Dh5! and there is no good way toAf3 27.Df1 Here the queen guards the
d e f e n d f 7 f o r i f g6 24.Dh7g2-square and also protects the rook on
and the white queen crashes in. ( 24.-- );c2, ruling out any back-rank tricks.
B) If instead 20...Cxc5 21.dxc5 Dxc527...Tc8 28.Td6 Db7 29.b4 Da8
22.Cxe4 and White's minor pieces are30.Dd3 Ae4 31.Dd4 e5 32.Dxe5 Ah1
worth much more than the rook and33.c6 Giving back one of his extra
pawn.; C) That leaves only 20...Ag6p awns to k il l o f f B l ack' s ac ti vit y.
, but then White's pressure along the c-33...Axc6 34.Dd4 Db7 35.Tc5
file is supercharged with 21.Tc6 Db81-0
22.Tac1 . ] 20...c5? Black makes
another positionally desirable move
that is tactically unsound. If carried on68 E06
too long this approach is bound to lead Feller,S
to disaster, if not in one game then in Perez Ponsa,F
t h e n e x t o n e . A s t h e r e n o w n e d42: Cappelle la Grande 2016
strategist Reti affirmed the foundation
of positional play is control of tactics. 1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 d5 4.g3 Ae7
21.Tac1 [ The 21.Cg5! recipe still5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Da4 a6
works: Axg2 22.Dh5 Dc6 23.Dxh7+8.Dxc4 b5 9.Dc2 Ab7 10.Ag5
Rf8 24.Dh5! g6 25.Dh7 and the blackA d i r e c t m o v e ; [ but 10.Ad2
king will be eviscerated. The gameas above has been shown to set Black
move isn't so strong, but gives Whitemo r e p r o b l e ms a n d h a s t h e r e f o r e
a good game because of the awkwardbecome the main line.] 10...Cbd7
p i n o n t h e c 5 - p a w n .] 21...h6?Black hopes to equalize with a quick ...
[ If Black had tried 21...c4 instead, thenc7-c5, ridding himself of the backward
22.b3 would win the c4-pawn, but Dd6!pawn on c7 and dissolving the white
co u nt e r at t ac k i n g a ga i ns t a 3 h e l p scentre. [ After 10...Cc6 White has more
Black resist strongly.; Meanwhile,chances for advantage. For example,
21...Ab7 22.Cg5! Axg2 23.Dh5!11.Td1 , w h e n u p o n Cb4 ( after
gives White a decisive attack of the11...Tc8 12.a3! restrains the black
kind discussed above at his 20th andknight from going to b4) 12.Dc1 Tc8
21st moves.] 22.Ce5! Winning the c5-13.Axf6 Axf6 , White has a pleasant
p a w n w i t h a s i mp l e c o mb i n a t i o n .choice: A) between 14.a3 Cd5
22...Axg2 23.Cxd7 Db715.Cbd2 Cb6 16.b4 , when he has
s t o p p e d . . . c 7 - c 5 ; ( 16.-- ); B) q u e e n f r o m t h e c - f i l e i n o r d e r t o
and allowing the freeing move, butfacilitate the freeing move ...c7-c5. For
c a r r y i n g a s m a l l p l u s o v e r t o t h ethis purpose he utilizes the e4-square
endgame with 14.Cc3 c5 15.dxc5 De7which is left undefended after White's
16.a3 Axc3 17.Dxc3 Cd5 18.Dd4last move, and also the d5-square with
Dxc5 19.Dxc5 Txc5 20.Tac1 Txc1his knight. [ EXERCISE: What happens
21.Txc1 Tc8 22.Txc8+ Axc8 23.Ce5after 13...c5 now?
. Black's queenside looks vulnerable;ANSWER: 13...c5!? looks possible,
A n o t h e r o p t i o n i s 10...Ae4!?with Black being okay at the end of
with good chances for equality: fort h i s s h a r p c l a s h : 14.dxc5 ( not
example, 11.Dc1 Cbd7 12.Cbd2 Ad514.Cxc5? Axf3 15.Axf3 Dxd4 16.Cb3
13.Cb3 Tc8 14.Cc5 Cxc5 15.dxc5 c6a n d n o w t h e d e s p e r a d o Dxf2+!
16.Td1 Ce4 17.Ae3 Dc7 18.b4 a5followed by 17..Rxc2 wins a pawn for
l o o k s s a f e f o r B l a c k .] 11.Axf6Black ) 14...Ae4 15.Dc3 Ad5 16.Tfd1
As we s h a ll s e e , t h e k e y s t ra t eg i c( White has nothing after 16.Tac1 Axb3
theme in what follows is: can Black17.Dxb3 Axc5 18.e3 anti xf2 Db6
break out with ...c7-c5 without being19.Tc2 equal ) 16...Ce4 17.De1 Axc5
punished? If he can then he should be18.Cxc5 Txc5 19.Ce5 f5 20.f3 Cd6
equal, but there are some cases where21.e4 fxe4 22.fxe4 Ab7 23.Db4 Txe5
even after achieving his aim he remains24.Txd6 Dc7 25.Tad1 Ac8
un der i rrit at ing press u re. [ After thewith equal chances.] 14.Dc3 Cd5
immediate 11.Cbd2 , the c5 [ Notice that with d4 defended by the
stab already equalizes: 12.Axf6 Axf6white queen, 14...c5? now just drops a
13.dxc5 Tc8 14.Cb3 Ad5 15.Tfd1pawn to 15.Cxc5 .; Alternatively,
De7 16.e4 Axb3 17.axb3 Txc514...Dd5 15.Tfc1 Tfd8 16.Da5 Db7
, etc. Therefore White deflects the17.Cc5 Axc5 18.Txc5 Cd7 19.Tcc1
b l ack k ni g h t from d 7 s o t ha t it n olooks slightly better for White.] 15.Dc6
longer supports the ...c7-c5 thrust.]The c6-square looks like a risky place
11...Cxf6 [ After 11...Axf6? 12.Cg5!for the white pieces to have a picnic,
(threaten ing mate) Axg5 13.Axb7but both the queen and a rook will
is an unfortunate swap for Black as heutilize it over the coming moves. The
is left with light-squared holes on thestakes are high. Black can unleash a
queenside. Always watch out for thedangerous discovered attack from the
Ng5 trap! ] 12.Cbd2 An arms race:bishop on e4 (once it is guarded of
White wants to get his knight to b3course), but if this fails to give enough
before Black can arrange 12...Rc8 anddynamism then he will be left with
13...c5. weak pawns and squares on the
12...Tc8 13.Cb3 Just in time to stop ...queenside. [ There's not actually a great
c 7 - c 5 – m a y b e n o t ! 13...Ae4deal of choice for White. After 15.Dc1
Black still hopes to drive the whiteCb4 16.Ce1 Ad5 17.Axd5 Dxd5
18.Dc3 c5 , it looks at least equal forl o n g t a c t i c a l s e q u e n c e . 17...Cf4

Black;; or if 15.Dd2 the freeing move [ There was no time to be lost in
c5 again solves Black's problems aftera t t a c k i n g t h e r o o k , a s W h i t e w a s
16.dxc5 Axc5 17.Cxc5 Txc5 18.Tac1intending 17...-- 18.Txa6 ( or else
Txc1 19.Txc1 Da8 20.Dd4 Cf6 .;18.Cfd2 Axg2 19.Rxg2
A s h a r p a l t e r n a t i v e i s 15.Da5w i t h a p o s i t i o n a l a d v a n t a g e .);
to attack the a6-pawn. It is risky, butNevertheless, 17...Cb6!? 18.Tcc1 Ca4
gives White some chances if Black isal so l oo ks okay and les s complex.
i m p r e c i s e . P l a y c o u l d g o Ab4After 19.Cfd2 Axg2 20.Rxg2 Cxb2
(c u t t i n g o f f t h e w hi t e q u e e n f r o m21.Tc6 White has enough pressure to
r e t r e a t i n g ) ( instead, 15...c5!?regain his pawn, but it is doubtful if
is double-edged, as White wins a pawnhe can achieve more.] 18.Txa6 Cxe2+
with 16.Dxa6 , but c4 gives Black a lot19.Rf1 Ad3 A series of precise moves
of counterplay) 16.Dxa6 c6 17.Ce5will prevent White from exploiting the
Axg2 18.Rxg2 Ce7 ( 18...Dc7 19.Tfc1awkward position of the black knight
is bad for Black) 19.e4 f6 20.Cd3 Ta8and bishop on d3.
. Here White could draw by repetition20.Ce5 Cxg3+ 21.Re1 It seems as if
with 21.Db7 , etc. ( He preferred toBlack must lose a piece as he has two
sacrifice his queen with 21.Cxb4 Txa6hanging, but... 21...Ab4+ 22.Cd2 [ If
22.Cxa6 and probably had enough22.Rd1 then Ae2+ wins time to avoid
compensation. However, he eventuallydropping material.] 22...Ae4! 23.f3
lost after a hard fight in E.Bacrot-R.Again two of Black's pieces are en prise,
Stern, German League 2012.)] 15...Dd6but there are more tactical blows to
EXERCISE: What are the good pointscome.
of this move? 23...f6! 24.hxg3 [ We see Black's
ANSWER: With his last move Blackextraordinary resources after 24.Cg4
defended his a6-pawn and challengedAb7! 25.Ta7 Cf5 (the beginning of a
the white queen. Now 16 Qxd6? cxd6remarkable knight manoeuvre) 26.Txb7
would be a miserable exchange fo rCd6 27.Ta7 Cc4 28.Td1 . The knight
White – the weakling previously on c7 has ridden all over the board attacking
now defends the c5- and e5-squares,the white pieces, and the horse should
and the black rook on c8 is presentedkeep g oing with Cxb2 ( 28...Axd2+
with an open file. Therefore in order to29.Txd2 Cxd2 30.Rxd2 looks like an
assert his control over the c-file Whiteedge for White) , when after 29.Tb1
is obliged to allow the exchange ofAc3 30.Af1 Tfd8 intending ...Rxd4
queens when he has a rook on the c6-Black is at leas t equal] 24...fxe5
square. This is worse than having the25.fxe4 Axd2+ 26.Re2 [ White has a
queen there, as Black is free to movebad end game after 26.Rxd2? Tf2+
his knight from d5. 27.Re3 Txg2 .] 26...Tcd8
16.Tfc1 Dxc6 17.Txc6 Beginning a [ It's pretty much equal after, say,
26...Tcd8 27.Ah3 Txd4 28.Axe6+with 12...c5? , but missed the strength

Rh8 29.Td1 Tfd8 30.Ad5 Ae3of 13.Axf6 Dxf6 ( after 13...Cxf6
31.Ta5 Txd1 32.Rxd1 b4 33.Re2White wins a pawn for nothing with
Ab6 34.Tb5 Tf8 35.Txb4 h5 36.Tb314.dxc5 ) 14.Ce5! . I guess Black
, but they might have played on. ] overlooked in his earlier calculations
½-½ that after Axg2 15.Cxd7 De7 16.Cxf8
he couldn't play Axf1 as h7 is hanging
to the white queen.; B) In contrast, if
69 E06B l a c k h a d p l a y e d 12...Tc8!
Anton,T he should equalize. The game E.Bacrot-
Kravtsiv,M D.Navara, Warsaw 2013, burned out
43: Kazan 2013after some sharp exchanges: 13.Axf6
Cxf6 14.Cb3 c5 15.dxc5 Ce4
1.Cf3 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Ag216.Tad1 Cxc5 17.Cxc5 Txc5 18.Dxc5
Ae7 5.d4 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Dc2 a6Axc5 19.Txd8 Txd8 20.Ce5 Axg2
8.Dxc4 b5 9.Dc2 Ab7 10.Af421.Rxg2 w i t h e q u a l i t y.] 11.Td1
[ I n c o n t r a s t t o t h e s u b t l e 10.Ad2Defending d4.
, here White aims the bishop straightQUESTION: Is that because after 11
at the c7-pawn.; Note that the naturalNbd2 or 11 Nc3 can Black play 11...
p l a n t o s t o p .. .c 7 -c 5 fa i l s : 10.Cbd2N x d 4 t o n a b a p a w n ?
Cbd7 11.Cb3 Ae4 12.Dd1 [ ANSWER: Firstly, consider 11.Cbd2
( best avoided by White is 12.Dc3 Cd5Cxd4 12.Cxd4 Axg2 13.Cxe6
13.De1 Cb4 ) 12...c5 and Black frees(a desperado to avoid going a pawn
his game. ] 10...Cc6 Black meets thedown) fxe6 14.Rxg2 c5 . Black has a
threat and counterattacks against thesafe game as the e6-pawn is difficult to
d4-pawn. This might be regarded as theattack and he has a good post on d5 for
' m o d e r n ' m o v e . [ After 10...Cd5his knight. It only remains for him to
(not recommended for Black) 11.Cc3get his queen to a good square and this
(he doesn't fear the exchange on f4)can be done with 15.Cf3 De8! 16.Tad1
Cxf4 12.gxf4 Cd7 13.Tfd1Cd5 17.De4 Dc6 , and after 18.Rh1
, White has a bind in the centre, as inTac8 it is equal.; In contrast, 11.Cc3
V.Kramnik-P.Svidler, Linares 1998.;Cxd4? ( here Black should prefer
Upon 10...Ad6 Black seems okay if he11...Cb4 , when 12.Dc1 Tc8 13.Td1
is careful: 11.Ag5 ( Black has a swarmCbd5 is the Carlsen-Anand extract
of active pieces in th e centre afterme n t i o n e d af t er 12 ...Nb d 5 b el o w)
11.Cbd2 Cbd7 12.Cb3 Ae4 13.Dd212.Cxd4 Axg2 13.Tfd1! costs Black
Cd5 ) 11...Cbd7 12.Cbd2 . A) material because of the double threat of
Here in V.Kramnik-A.Karpov, Zurich14 Kxg2 and 14 Nxe6. If Ad5 , then
( r a p i d ) 2 0 0 9 , t h e f o r m e r w o r l d14.e4 b4 15.Cxd5 exd5 16.Cc6
champion thought he could equalizeis crushing, as Dd7 fails to 17.e5 Ch5
18.Txd5 ut i li zin g a f o rk on e7 .]an unpleasant endgame for him after

11...Cb4 After White defends d4,18...Axc5? 19.Cxc5 Dxc5 20.Dxc5
K r a v t s i v mo v e s h i s k n i g h t t o b 4 .Txc5 21.Tac1 Txc1 22.Txc1 )
S t r a t e g i c a l l y s p e a k i n g i t i s n o t, which is best answered by 19.Cd3 . ]
co mfo r t ab le fo r Bl ack to h a v e h i s13...Tc8 Continuing his provocative
knight in front of the backward pawn,strategy. [ Black could already equalize
as ...c7-c5 is his key freeing advance.with 13...Cxf4 (threatening a fork on
That is why he is in a hurry to movee2 so b7 is untouchable) 14.Dxf4 Axg2
the horse again. He reroutes it to d515.Rxg2 c5 : for example, 16.Cc6 Dd7
before White has the chance to restrict17.Cxe7+ Dxe7 18.Cc3 cxd4
it and fix it as a target on c6 with 12 a3. 19.Dxd4 Tfd8 , etc. ] 14.Cc6
12.Dc1 The queen retreats, keeping c7The knight would be brilliant on c6 if it
u n d e r a t t ac k . [ O f c o u r s e , 12.Dxc7?could be maintained there. As this is
Dxc7 13.Axc7 Cc2 loses material fornot the case, the plan began with 13
White. ] 12...Cbd5 The knight defendsNe5 looks suspect. 14...Dd7 15.Cxe7+
c7 and attacks the white bishop on f4.Dxe7 16.Ag5 EXERCISE: You might
[ Another approach is 12...Tc8 13.Cc3l i k e t o h a v e a g o a t a na l y z in g t he
Cbd5 . In M.Carlsen-V.Anand, Mainzfreeing advance 16...c5 by working out
(rapid) 2008, Black soon equalized andthe variations after 17 Bxf6.
went on to win after 14.Cxd5 Axd516...c5! This is the correct decision
15.Ae3 Cg4 16.Ce1 Axg2 17.Cxg2though you have to be ready to make a
Dd5 18.h3 Cxe3 19.Dxe3 c5 , etc. p a w n s a c r i f i c e . 17.Axf6 Dxf6
Perhaps Kravtsiv wan te d to play a [ Instead 17...gxf6 keeps c5 guarded,
more double-edged game against hisbut leaves the kingside weakened.;
lower-rated opponent. He entices himMean whil e, less good for Bla ck i s
to spurn qu eenside development in17...Cxf6 18.Axb7 Dxb7 19.dxc5 . ]
favour of the attractive-looking idea18.dxc5 De7 Forcing White's hand by
of establishing a knight on c6. Alasa t t a c k i n g c 5 . 19.Axd5 exd5!
for White it turns out to be an illusion.]Did you find this important recapture?
13.Ce5?! [ The best move seems to be [ In contrast, after 19...Txc5? 20.Dxc5
13.Cbd2!? , not fearing Cxf4 as afterDxc5 21.Axb7 , White has a rook and
14.gxf4 White has a grip on the centretwo minor pieces for the queen;; while
and is ready to play 15 Nb3 to hinder19...Axd5 20.b4 is a safe pawn up for
Black's freeing move ...c7-c5. BlackWhite. The game move gets the black
normally tries a break out straightawayqueen into the attack.] 20.b4 d4!
with c5 15.dxc5 Dc7 . Then afterClearing the way for the bishop and at
16.Cb3 Tac8 17.Ce5 Axg2 18.Rxg2t h e s a m e t i m e s t o p p i n g W h i t e
, he has the interesting counterattackdeveloping with 21 Nc3. [ This is much
g5!? ( this is a better idea for Blackbetter than regaining the pawn with
than recapturing on c5 which leads to20...Dxe2 , when 21.Cc3 , to answer
Df3 with 22.Td4 ( or maybe 22.De38.Cbd2 Diese Variante wird selten

, al l ow s Wh i t e t o c o ns o li d at e a n dgespielt; die Alternative 9.b3 b6 10.
obtain a grip on the dark squares.)]d1 ist populärer und im Falle von 10...
21.Txd4 Dxe2 22.De3? This leads to ab7 kann Weiß seinen Springer nach
f o r c e d l o s s . [ The computers suggestc3 entwickeln. 8...b6 9.e4 Das ist die
22.Cd2 Tfd8 23.Dc3 as giving White aHauptidee der Variante 8.bd2 - Weiß
good game. Of course, they are immunemö c h t e s c h n e l l e 4 s p i e l e n . 9...Ab7
to the blunder-inducing discomfort10.e5 Ce8 11.cxd5 cxd5 [ 11...exd5
and fear that afflicts human players inw ä r e d i e a n d e r e M ö g l i c h k e i t u n d
such situations. With a strong bishopSchwarz kann den Springer über c7
lurking on b7 Black doesn't have tonach e6 überführen. A) 12.Td1 A1)
prove any immediate compensation.12...Cc7 13.Cf1 f6 ( 13...f5 14.h4
There is still a place for positionalDe8 15.Ah3 Dh5 16.Rg2 Tad8
sacrifices in chess.] 22...Db2 23.Dc317.Ce3 f4 18.Cf5 Df7 19.Axf4 Ce6
Tfe8! Anton must have missed the20.Cxe7+ Dxe7 21.Axe6+ Dxe6
s tre ngt h o f th i s d eve l op i n g mov e .22.Dxh7+ 1-0 (22) Paehtz,E (2482)-
White is mated on e1 if he takes theHoolt,S (2308) Germany 2013) 14.exf6
queen, which means he cannot get hisCxf6 15.Ce5 c5 16.Ce3 Ce6 17.Cf5
queenside pieces into the game. TheAd6 18.Ae3 Tc8 19.De2 Ab8 20.Cg4
immediate threat is 24...Qxa1 whichCxg4 21.Dxg4 Df6 22.Ah3 Tce8
would still be the answer to 24 h4 as 2523.Dh4 Dxh4 24.Cxh4 Cxd4 25.Axd4
Qxa1 then allows mate in two. cxd4 26.Af1 g5 27.Cg2 Ad6 28.a3
24.Td1 Tcd8 25.Txd8 [ If 25.Tf1a5 29.Ce1 Te4 30.Cc2 Ac5 31.Ad3
De2 (threatening 26...Qxf1+! then mateTe7 32.Td2 a4 33.Te1 Txe1+
in two) 26.c6 ( or 26.Ca3 Td3 27.Dc134.Cxe1 Ac6 35.Rg2 h6 36.Te2 Te8
Df3 ) 26...Ac8 27.Ca3 Td3 28.Dc137.Txe8+ Axe8 38.f4 gxf4 39.gxf4
Df3 and 29...Bh3 wins.] 25...Txd8Rg7 40.Rg3 Rf6 41.Aa6 b5 42.Cd3
26.c6 Td1+ [ If 26...Td1+ 27.Rg2Ad6 43.Rf3 Ad7 44.Ab7 Re6 45.Rg4
Dxc3 28.Cxc3 Axc6+ , then 29...Rxa1Ae7 46.Rf3 Rd6 47.Re2 Af5 48.Rd2
wins for Black. ] Ah4 49.Re2 Af6 50.Rd2 h5 51.Aa6
0-1 Ad7 52.Ab7 h4 53.Cb4 Ae6 54.Ac6
Rc5 55.Ae8 Rc4 56.Ag6 Ae7 57.Cc6
Ad6 58.Ca5+ Rc5 59.Cb7+ Rc6
70 E0960.Cxd6 Rxd6 61.Rd3 Re7 62.Rxd4
Kasimdzhanov,Rustam 2670Rf6 63.Ad3 Af5 64.Axb5 Ac2
Richter,Michael 240765.Ad7 Ab3 66.Ag4 Ac4 67.Ad1 Rf5
Bundesliga 0506 (8.1) 28.01.200668.Axa4 Rxf4 69.Ad1 Af1 70.a4 h3
71.b4 Ac4 72.b5 Rf5 73.Ab3
1.Cf3 d5 2.d4 e6 3.g3 Cf6 4.Ag21-0 (73) Barbosa,O (2575)-Dimakiling,
Ae7 5.0-0 Cbd7 6.c4 c6 7.Dc2 0-0O (2470) Jakarta 2012; A2) 12...c5
13.Cf1 Cc7 14.dxc5 bxc5 15.Ce3M (2168)-Schroeder,J (2514) Douglas

Tb8 16.Cf5 Ce6 17.Ad2 Te8 18.Te12016 ) 13...Ce6 14.Ce3 g6 ( 14...Te8
Af8 19.Tad1 Dc7 20.Da4 d4 21.Aa515.Cf5 Af8 16.h4 g6 17.Ch6+ Axh6
Cb6 22.Dc2 g6 23.C5h4 Ag7 24.b418.Axh6 c5 19.Tad1 Tc8 20.h5 cxd4
c4 25.Cxd4 Cxd4 26.Txd4 Txe521.Dd2 d3 22.Dxd3 Cdc5 23.De3
27.Txe5 Dxe5 28.Axb6 axb6 29.Txc4De7 24.Ah3 Tcd8 25.Cd4 Cxd4
Aa6 30.b5 Axb5 31.Tc8+ Af826.Txd4 Ce4 27.hxg6 hxg6 28.e6
32.Dc3 De2 33.h3 Txc8 34.Dxc8fxe6 29.Txe4 dxe4 30.Ag5 Dh7
De1+ 35.Rh2 Dxf2 36.Db8 h631.Axd8 Dxh3 32.Td1 Ad5 33.Af6 Tf8
37.Da8 Rg7 38.Dd5 Ac5 39.Cf3 Af134.Ac3 Dh5 35.Dd4 Tf7 36.Te1 e3
40.Dd2 Dxg2+ 41.Dxg2 Axg20-1 (36) Leiva Rodriguez,J (2391)-
42.Rxg2 Rf6 43.h4 Re6 44.Cd2 Rd5Fedoseev,V (2678) Lichess.org INT
45.Rf3 Ae7 46.Ce4 Rd4 0-1 (46)2020 ) D1) 15.b3 c5 16.Ab2 Tc8
I s k u s n y h , S ( 2 5 0 5 ) - J a k o v e n k o , D17.De2 ( 17.Dd2 a6 18.Tad1 cxd4
(2562) Togliatti 2003; B) 12.Cb1 Cc719.Cxd4 Cdc5 20.De2 Tc7 21.f4 Te8
13.Cc3 Ce6 14.Ae3 Tc8 15.Tad1 Te822.f5 Cg5 23.e6 fxe6 24.Cg4 exf5
16.h4 h6 17.Tfe1 b5 18.Df5 b425.Cxf5 gxf5 26.De5 Af8 27.Cf6+
19.Ce2 Da5 20.Cf4 Cdf8 21.Dg4Rf7 28.Cxe8 Te7 29.Dxf5+ Rxe8
Cxf4 22.gxf4 Rh7 23.Af1 Aa6 24.f530.Dxg5 1-0 (30) Cornette,M (2566)-
f6 25.Rh1 Axf1 26.Txf1 Dxa2Lopez,J (2202) Cappelle la Grande
27.Tg1 1-0 (27) Rosner,J (2432)-Zelbel,2014 ) 17...cxd4 18.Cxd4 Cdc5
P (2446) Playchess.com INT 2020; C) 19.Tad1 Aa6 20.Dg4 h5 21.Cxe6
12.h4 Cc7 13.Te1 Ce6 14.Cf1 c5Cxe6 22.Da4 Cc5 23.Da3 Cd3
15.Ce3 cxd4 16.Cf5 Tc8 17.Dd1 Te824.Dxa6 Cxb2 25.Cxd5 Rg7 26.Tb1
18.Cxe7+ Dxe7 19.Cxd4 Cxd41-0 (26) Meier,G (2648)-Schloetzer,
20.Dxd4 Cc5 21.Ad2 Ce6 22.Da4W (2282) Dresden 2010; D2) 15.h4 c5
Ac6 23.Db4 Db7 24.Tac1 d416.Cg4 cxd4 17.Ah6 Te8 18.Dd2
25.Txc6 Txc6 26.Db5 Tec8 27.f4Cdc5 19.Cxd4 Dd7 20.Cxe6 Cxe6
Dd7 28.f5 Cc5 29.Axc6 Txc6 30.b421.Tad1 d4 22.Axb7 Dxb7 23.Ag5
Ce4 31.e6 fxe6 32.fxe6 Dd6 33.Af4Df3 24.Cf6+ Axf6 25.Axf6 Tac8
Cc3 34.Dh5 De7 35.De5 d3 36.Db8+26.Tc1 Tc5 27.Txc5 bxc5 28.b3 Tc8
Df8 37.e7 Dxb8 38.Axb8 1-0 (38)29.Tc1 Tc7 30.Te1 a6 31.Tc1 a5
Bryakin,M (2434)-Saptarshi,R (2411)32.Te1 a4 33.Tb1 Tc8 34.Dd1 De4
Novi Sad 2021; D) 12.Te1 Cc7 13.Cf135.Tc1 Tb8 36.Tc4 axb3 37.axb3 h6
( 13.b3 Ce6 14.Ab2 c5 15.Tad1 Tc838.Ta4 Rh7 39.Ta7 c4 40.Txf7+ Rg8
16.Db1 Te8 17.Cf1 Af8 18.h4 h641.Ta7 cxb3 42.Ta1 b2 43.Tb1 Rh7
19.Ah3 Tc7 20.Df5 cxd4 21.Cxd444.Rh2 d3 45.Dd2 De2 46.Da5
Cxd4 22.Axd4 Cc5 23.Ce3 Ac8Dxf2+ 47.Rh3 g5 48.Da4 Dd4
24.Df3 Axh3 25.g4 Dxh4 26.Dg349.Dc6 g4+ 50.Rg2 Cc5 51.Dc7+
Dxg3+ 27.fxg3 h5 0-1 (27) Leutwyler,Cd7 52.e6 De4+ 53.Rh2 Tb7
0-1 (53) Buhmann,R (2416)-Vaganian,1 96 7 /E XT 99 (42 )] 19.h4 b5?!

R (2623) German y 2 000] 12.Te1[ 19...Ad3?! 20.Tc3 Ae4 21.Tec1 Ad8
Ein nützlicher, weil prophylaktischer22.Cg5; 19...Ca8!? ] 20.Af1! Cb6
Zug, nun kann Weiß  f1 oder  f 1[ 20...b4? 21.Txc7+- ] 21.b3
spielen. 12...Tc8 13.Dd1W e i ß m u s s 2 1 . . . c 4 v e r h i n d e r n .
Die Alternative 13. a4 ist ebenfalls21...Aa3 22.Tc2 Cca8 23.Ad3 Tc7
spielbar. [ 13.Da4 a5 ( 13...Ac6[ 23...Txc2 24.Cxc2 Ae7 25.Ab4 ]
14.Db3 b5 15.Af1 Db6 16.Ad3 b424.Txc7 Cxc7 25.Cc2! Ae7 26.Cb4
17.Cf1 h6 18.Ab1 Ab5 19.Ce3 f5[ 26.Ab4 Axb4 27.Cxb4 Ab7 28.Tc1
20.Cg2 Tf7 21.h4 Cf8 22.Ae3 a5Tc8 29.Cc6 Axc6 30.Txc6 ] 26...Ab7
23.Dd1 1-0 Kozul,Z-Kovacevic,B/[ 26...Axb4 27.Axb4 ] 27.Tc1
Vukovar 2005/(70)) 14.Af1 Ac6Stufenweise verbessert Weiß seine
15.Dd1 Cc7 16.Ad3 Ab5 17.Ab1 Te8Stellung, er dominiert am Damenflügel.
18.h4 Cf8= ½-½ Stefanova,A-Pelletier,27...Tc8 28.Cc6 Axc6 29.Txc6 b4
Y/Athens GRE 2005/CBM 107/[Ribli30.Ce1 Der Springer zielt auf das Feld
Zoltan] (41)] 13...Dc7 14.Cf1 Dc2c 2 , d e r s c h w a r z e B a u e r a u f b 4
15.Dxc2 Txc2 16.Ce3 Tc8 17.Ad2angegriffen ist. Das weiße Läuferpaar
[ 17.Af1 Cc7 18.Ad3 Aa6 19.Ac2i s t s t a r k . [ 30.Cg5 h6 31.Ch3 ]
Cb8 20.a3 Cb5 21.Ad2 Cc6 22.Ac330...Cca8 31.Txc8+ Cxc8 32.Aa6
Cxc3 23.bxc3 Ca5 . ½-½ Lukov,V-Ccb6 [ 32...Cab6 33.Cd3 ] 33.Cc2
Dizdar,G/Montpellier 1997/CBM 107/Cc7 34.Axb4! [ 34.Ad3? a5 ]
[Ribli Zoltan] (27)] 17...Cc7 18.Tac134...Axh4 Auf diese Weise gewinnt
Weiß besitzt Raumvorteil im Zentrum,S c h w a r z d e n B a u e r n z u r ü c k .
aber Schwarz hat keine Schwächen.[ 34...Axb4 35.Cxb4+-; 34...Cxa6
Diese Stellung erinnert mich ein wenig35.Axe7+- ] 35.Ad3 Mit Läuferpaar
an die Französische Verteidigung.und Bauernmehrheit am Damenflügel
[ 18.Ah3 Ca6 19.Tec1 Txc1+ 20.Txc1hat Weiß Positionsvorteil, hingegen
Tc8 21.Txc8+ Axc8 22.Ce1 Cc7Sc h w a rz k ei n e M ög l i c h k ei t e n a u f
23.f4 Cb8 24.Rf2 Cc6 25.C3c2 Aa6Ausgleich. 35...Ad8 36.f4 f5 37.Ad6
0-1 Kozul,Z-Dizdar,G/Sarajevo 1988/Cd7 [ 37...Ce8 38.Ac5 ] 38.Rf2 Rf7
C B M 0 8 ( 6 1 )] 18...Aa6[ 38...Ce8 39.Ac5 ( 39.Ab5 Cxd6
Schwarz möchte seine Läuferstellung40.Axd7 Ce4+= )] 39.Re3 h5 40.Ae2
verbessern, aber nach dem Textzugg6 41.Ce1! Ce8 42.Ab4 Cb8 43.Cf3
bleibt der c7 passiv. Nach meinerDie schwarze Stellung ist gefesselt,
M e i n u n g i s t d i e F o r t s e t z u n g v o nWeiß dominiert das Spielgeschehen.
Reshevsky 18...a6 die beste Wahl für43...Cc6 44.Ac5 Ae7 45.Ab5+- Axc5
Schwarz. [ 18...Ca6 19.a3 Cab8!?[ 45...Cb4 46.Axb4 Axb4 47.Cg5+
20.Af1 Aa6 21.Axa6 Cxa6 22.Txc8Re7 48.Axe8 Rxe8 49.Cxe6+-;
Txc8 23.Tc1 Txc1+ 24.Axc1 Cab845...Axc5 46.Cg5+ ( 46.dxc5 Cd8
½-½ Addison,W-Reshevsky,S/Maribor47.b4+- ) 46...Re7 47.Axc6+- ]
46.Cg5+ [ 46.Cg5+ Re7 47.Axc6 Aa311.cxd5 exd5 12.Td1 c5 13.Cf1 Cc7

48.Axe8 Rxe8 49.Cxe6+- ] 14.dxc5 bxc5 15.Ce3 Tb8 16.Cf5
1-0 Ce6 17.Ad2 Te8 18.Te1 Af8 19.Tad1
Dc7 20.Da4 d4 21.Aa5 Cb6 22.Dc2
g6 23.C5h4 Ag7 24.b4 c4 25.Cxd4
71 E09Cxd4 26.Txd4 Txe5 27.Txe5 Dxe5
Buhmann,Rainer 241628.Axb6 axb6 29.Txc4 Aa6 30.b5
Vaganian,Rafael A 2623Axb5 31.Tc8+ Af8 32.Dc3 De2
Bundesliga 0001 (1.3) 14.10.200033.h3 Txc8 34.Dxc8 De1+ 35.Rh2
Dxf2 36.Db8 h6 37.Da8 Rg7 38.Dd5
1.Cf3 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Ag2Ac5 39.Cf3 Af1 40.Dd2 Dxg2+
Ae7 5.0-0 0-0 6.d4 Cbd7 7.Dc2 c641.Dxg2 Axg2 42.Rxg2 Rf6 43.h4
8.Cbd2 b6 9.e4 Ab7 10.e5 Ce8Re6 44.Cd2 Rd5 45.Rf3 Ae7 46.Ce4
11.cxd5 exd5 12.Te1 Cc7 13.Cf1Rd4
Ce6 14.Ce3 g6 15.h4 c5 16.Cg40-1
cxd4 17.Ah6 Te8 18.Dd2 Cdc5
19.Cxd4 Dd7 20.Cxe6 Cxe6 21.Tad1
d4 22.Axb7 Dxb7 23.Ag5 Df373 E09
24.Cf6+ Axf6 25.Axf6 Tac8 26.Tc1 Meier,Georg 2648
Tc5 27.Txc5 bxc5 28.b3 Tc8 29.Tc1 Schloetzer,Waldemar 2282
Tc7 30.Te1 a6 31.Tc1 a5 32.Te1 a4Dresden ZMD op (4) 13.07.2010
33.Tb1 Tc8 34.Dd1 De4 35.Tc1 Tb8
36.Tc4 axb3 37.axb3 h6 38.Ta4 Rh71.d4 d5 2.Cf3 Cf6 3.c4 e6 4.g3 Ae7
39.Ta7 c4 40.Txf7+ Rg8 41.Ta75.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 Cbd7 7.Dc2 c6
cxb3 42.Ta1 b2 43.Tb1 Rh7 44.Rh28.Cbd2 b6 9.e4 Ab7 10.e5 Ce8
d3 45.Dd2 De2 46.Da5 Dxf2+11.cxd5 exd5 12.Te1 Cc7 13.Cf1
47.Rh3 g5 48.Da4 Dd4 49.Dc6 g4+Ce6 14.Ce3 g6 15.b3 c5 16.Ab2 Tc8
50.Rg2 Cc5 51.Dc7+ Cd7 52.e617.De2 cxd4 18.Cxd4 Cdc5 19.Tad1
De4+ 53.Rh2 Tb7 Aa6 20.Dg4 h5 21.Cxe6 Cxe6
0-1 22.Da4 Cc5 23.Da3 Cd3 24.Dxa6
Cxb2 25.Cxd5 Rg7 26.Tb1
1-0
72 E09
Iskusnyh,Sergei 2505
Jakovenko,Dmitrij 2562
RUS-chT 10th Group1 (6) 21.05.2003
1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Ag2 Ae7

5.Cf3 0-0 6.0-0 c6 7.Dc2 Cbd7
8.Cbd2 b6 9.e4 Ab7 10.e5 Ce8
74 E0975 E09
Barbosa,Oliver 2575 Paehtz,Elisabeth 2482
Dimakiling,Oliver 2470 Hoolt,Sarah 2308
Jakarta Indonesia op 2nd (6) 15.10.2012BL 1213 (Women) (8.2) 16.02.2013
1.d4 e6 2.c4 d5 3.Cf3 Ae7 4.g3 Cf61.Cf3 Cf6 2.g3 d5 3.c4 e6 4.d4 Ae7
5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 Cbd7 7.Dc2 c65.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 Cbd7 7.Dc2 c6
8.Cbd2 b6 9.e4 Ab7 10.e5 Ce88.Cbd2 b6 9.e4 Ab7 10.e5 Ce8
11.cxd5 exd5 12.Td1 Cc7 13.Cf1 f611.cxd5 exd5 12.Td1 Cc7 13.Cf1 f5
14.exf6 Cxf6 15.Ce5 c5 16.Ce3 Ce614.h4 De8 15.Ah3 Dh5 16.Rg2 Tad8
17.Cf5 Ad6 18.Ae3 Tc8 19.De2 Ab817.Ce3 f4 18.Cf5 Df7 19.Axf4 Ce6
20.Cg4 Cxg4 21.Dxg4 Df6 22.Ah320.Cxe7+ Dxe7 21.Axe6+ Dxe6
Tce8 23.Dh4 Dxh4 24.Cxh4 Cxd422.Dxh7+
25.Axd4 cxd4 26.Af1 g5 27.Cg21-0
Ad6 28.a3 a5 29.Ce1 Te4 30.Cc2
Ac5 31.Ad3 Te7 32.Td2 a4 33.Te1
Txe1+ 34.Cxe1 Ac6 35.Rg2 h676 E09
36.Te2 Te8 37.Txe8+ Axe8 38.f4 Cornette,Matthieu 2566
gxf4 39.gxf4 Rg7 40.Rg3 Rf6 Lopez,Jasel 2202
41.Aa6 b5 42.Cd3 Ad6 43.Rf3 Ad7Cappelle op 30th (6) 05.03.2014
44.Ab7 Re6 45.Rg4 Ae7 46.Rf3 Rd6
47.Re2 Af5 48.Rd2 Ah4 49.Re2 Af61.c4 c6 2.Cf3 d5 3.d4 Cf6 4.g3 e6
50.Rd2 h5 51.Aa6 Ad7 52.Ab7 h45.Dc2 Ae7 6.Ag2 0-0 7.0-0 Cbd7
53.Cb4 Ae6 54.Ac6 Rc5 55.Ae8 Rc48.Cbd2 b6 9.e4 Ab7 10.e5 Ce8
56.Ag6 Ae7 57.Cc6 Ad6 58.Ca5+11.cxd5 exd5 12.Te1 Cc7 13.Cf1
Rc5 59.Cb7+ Rc6 60.Cxd6 Rxd6Ce6 14.Ce3 g6 15.b3 c5 16.Ab2 Tc8
61.Rd3 Re7 62.Rxd4 Rf6 63.Ad317.Dd2 a6 18.Tad1 cxd4 19.Cxd4
Af5 64.Axb5 Ac2 65.Ad7 Ab3Cdc5 20.De2 Tc7 21.f4 Te8 22.f5
66.Ag4 Ac4 67.Ad1 Rf5 68.Axa4Cg5 23.e6 fxe6 24.Cg4 exf5 25.Cxf5
Rxf4 69.Ad1 Af1 70.a4 h3 71.b4gxf5 26.De5 Af8 27.Cf6+ Rf7
Ac4 72.b5 Rf5 73.Ab3 28.Cxe8 Te7 29.Dxf5+ Rxe8
1-0 30.Dxg5
1-0
77 E0979 E09
Leutwyler,Martin 2168 Leiva Rodriguez,J 2391
Schroeder,Jan Christian 2514 Fedoseev,Vladimir1 2678
Douglas IoM op (1) 01.10.2016PNWCC Bullet (1+1) op blitz 09.08.20
1.d4 d5 2.Cf3 Cf6 3.c4 e6 4.g3 Ae71.d4 d5 2.Cf3 Cf6 3.c4 e6 4.g3 Ae7
5.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 Cbd7 7.Dc2 c65.Ag2 0-0 6.0-0 c6 7.Dc2 b6 8.Cbd2
8.Cbd2 b6 9.e4 Ab7 10.e5 Ce8Ab7 9.e4 Cbd7 10.e5 Ce8 11.cxd5
11.cxd5 exd5 12.Te1 Cc7 13.b3 Ce6exd5 12.Te1 Cc7 13.Cf1 Ce6 14.Ce3
14.Ab2 c5 15.Tad1 Tc8 16.Db1 Te8Te8 15.Cf5 Af8 16.h4 g6 17.Ch6+
17.Cf1 Af8 18.h4 h6 19.Ah3 Tc7Axh6 18.Axh6 c5 19.Tad1 Tc8 20.h5
20.Df5 cxd4 21.Cxd4 Cxd4 22.Axd4cxd4 21.Dd2 d3 22.Dxd3 Cdc5
Cc5 23.Ce3 Ac8 24.Df3 Axh3 25.g423.De3 De7 24.Ah3 Tcd8 25.Cd4
Dxh4 26.Dg3 Dxg3+ 27.fxg3 h5 Cxd4 26.Txd4 Ce4 27.hxg6 hxg6
0-1 28.e6 fxe6 29.Txe4 dxe4 30.Ag5
Dh7 31.Axd8 Dxh3 32.Td1 Ad5
33.Af6 Tf8 34.Ac3 Dh5 35.Dd4 Tf7
78 E0936.Te1 e3
Rosner,Jonas 24320-1
Zelbel,Patrick 2446
GER-ch Net blitz qual4 (6) 23.03.2020
80 E09
1.d4 Cf6 2.Cf3 e6 3.g3 c6 4.Ag2 d5 Bryakin,Mikhail 2434
5.0-0 Ae7 6.c4 0-0 7.Dc2 Cbd7 Saptarshi,Roy Chowdhury 2411
8.Cbd2 b6 9.e4 Ab7 10.cxd5 exd5Novi Sad TS Mix 158th (3) 22.02.2021
11.e5 Ce8 12.Cb1 Cc7 13.Cc3 Ce6
14.Ae3 Tc8 15.Tad1 Te8 16.h4 h61.d4 d5 2.Cf3 e6 3.c4 c6 4.Cbd2
17.Tfe1 b5 18.Df5 b4 19.Ce2 Da5Cf6 5.g3 Ae7 6.Ag2 0-0 7.0-0 b6
20.Cf4 Cdf8 21.Dg4 Cxf4 22.gxf48.Dc2 Ab7 9.e4 Cbd7 10.e5 Ce8
Rh7 23.Af1 Aa6 24.f5 f6 25.Rh111.cxd5 exd5 12.h4 Cc7 13.Te1 Ce6
Axf1 26.Txf1 Dxa2 27.Tg1 14.Cf1 c5 15.Ce3 cxd4 16.Cf5 Tc8
1-0 17.Dd1 Te8 18.Cxe7+ Dxe7 19.Cxd4
Cxd4 20.Dxd4 Cc5 21.Ad2 Ce6
22.Da4 Ac6 23.Db4 Db7 24.Tac1 d4
25.Txc6 Txc6 26.Db5 Tec8 27.f4
Dd7 28.f5 Cc5 29.Axc6 Txc6 30.b4
Ce4 31.e6 fxe6 32.fxe6 Dd6 33.Af4
Cc3 34.Dh5 De7 35.De5 d3 36.Db8+
Df8 37.e7 Dxb8 38.Axb8
1-0

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ChessBase 15 Printout, Andres , 6/9/2022 1

5 , making it a Symmetrical English ( or

. This gets the queen out of the way ofn e c e s s a r y i s r e a d y t o b o l s t e r h i s

ANSWER: Assuming Black keeps aany immediate disadvantage he has

chose c3 for the knight before he knewun co veri ng an at tack on b7 whi ls t

bishop 12.cxd5 ( 12.dxc5 bxc5 13.Te1Kovalyov given later in the chapter.

h6 18.Ad2 Tfd8 19.Da4 Ce7 20.Tac122.Dxe8 Tfxe8 23.Axc5 bxc5 24.b3

, which proves highly effective in theCc7+ 56.Re4 Ce8 57.Ac5 Axc5

t o e x c h a n g e q u e e n s t o e s c a p e t h eDc4 61.Db2+ Rg6 62.Db6+ Rf5

Dg4 56.Cf4 Cb6 57.Cce6 Rh614.Cf1 Dc2 15.Dxc2 Txc2 16.Ce3

Axe2 28.Rxe2 h5 29.Cd3 Re8 30.Ab4Schwarz möchte seine Läuferstellung

45.Ab5+- B2b1) 45...Cb4 46.Axb4should White take against this?

see Chapter Ten where he plays 10 Bd2.on the c-file.

these questions. , winning a pawn, as 22.Dxd4 Ac5

space by 13 e4, a strong response is c5!point of 13.e4 is that it creates a mobile

with 20...Cfd7 , though the following23.Rh2 c3 Grischuk uses all his

Black's queen can no longer keep both10 E11

build up towards a well-timed e2-e4square, leaves Black actively placed

E X E R C I S E : T a k e t h e c h a n c e t oattacked with Rc5 and Nc4.

22...Db7 23.Dxb7 Correcting his32.Tc8+ would mate. Therefore White

be s uppo rted b y th e k i n g. If h o l es38.Txb4 Rh6 is just equal.] 37...Td5

47.Cxe5 . ] 46.e3 b4 47.Cxe6 Th5began with the sequence 1...Cf6 2.c4

his bishop is active on f4 outside hisWhite compared to 11 Bc1 in the next

settled fo r 1 3...Bg7 with th e game14.Ce5 . ] 14.h4! White will break open

[ After 21...g4 22.Axg4 fxg4king – see move 27. ] 26.Dd3 Rf8

[ A l s o w o r t h a t h o u g h t i s 6.Af4!?might also ask the opinion of the other

h a n g i n g p a w n s i n t h e c e n t r e , b u t10.b3 an d 11 Bb2) 10...c5 11.dxc5

[ Instead he should strengthen hisd5 4.d4 Ae7 5.Ag2 0-0 6.Dc2 . ]

after e5 because of a potential ...Nc2a g a i n s t b 7 i n I . K h a i r u l l i n - R .

forces e4 , when 15.Cxe4 wins a piecerandom heap into a juggernaut which

plan in time? Without this resource White's

mo v es in t h e o peni n g , he c an s t il ltemporary offer. White won't be able to

[ Missing the chance for 24.Tc5! A) 17 A13

after 8 Qc2 – equal or a tiny edge forpawn ) 16.Cc6 De8 ( 16...Df6?

time; A) so that after 8...b6? 9.Ce5B l a c k ' s p o s i t i o n r e m a i n s

which looks solid for Black, but therestructure, but what?

which would loosen his dark squares,20 E04

N o t e t h a t t h e m o v e . . . B b 7 h a s19.Td8# ] 15.Cc6 Dc7 [ The opening

38.Te7 intention of winning the b3-square for

14...Bxd5. Loose, undefended enemyDd8 22.Ag5 with a decisive attack on

23 E04the important black pawn from d5 he

time being or else played it to b7 aftereverywhere: on the queenside, in the

A possible drawback to retaking on b3be defended in a safe way: for example,

24.Cxc7! Axc7 25.Ad5+ Rh824 E04

squared bishop. Here it guards the d4-e q u a l i z e s : f o r e x a m p l e , 14...0-0

hold on the d4 point by transferring hisi n i t i a t i v e i s mo r e i mp o r t a n t t h a n

B) Alternatively, Black can try 6...Ab4+ANSWER: No. Better to play a full

hope to survive. bxc4 20.Tb1 leads to fatal threats of

e 7 - e 6 . T h u s S . M a m e d y a r o v - A .Cf6 Black finally develops the knight

pawn) cxb3 10.Dxb3 and White hasp r e s s u r e o n t h e q u e e n s i d e . [ Not

pawns in search o f activity fo r his28 E04

'Passed pawns should be pushed' is a [ A somewhat simpler way to win for

bxc3 11.Cxc3 EXERCISE: How bigand 18...Bb7+, etc.] 15...Cxe5 16.Cb5

and shuts in the bishop on g2. If now11.De2 b5 when Black had

15.Ce4 , menacing 16 Ng5 is dangerousthe bishop's retreat to e7 or becoming a

Venkatesh, Delhi 2014. ( 33.-- ); B1b) 30.Rf2 Ac4 31.Ae4 h6 32.Ac2

qu eensi d e pa wns , as aft er 19...Cxc5t h a n g o o n a f o o l ' s e r r a n d t o a 4 .]

o n a 4 ar e o u t o f t h i n g s , wh i l e t h ethe white bishop on g2. Even if Black