(1) Rodshtein,Maxim (2623) - Gashimov,Vugar (2740) [A62]

EU-Cup 25th Ohrid (5.2), 08.10.2009

[GM Mihail Marin]

[Black's queenside expansion ***After my Gruenfeld series, this is the start of a new string of articles,
strategic and theoretical ones, dedicated to the Benoni defense. Unlike in the Gruenfeld, there is not such
a wide variety of structures in the Benoni. It mainly depends on such issues as whether White
consolidates his e4–pawn with f2–f3, or prepares to launch it forward with f2–f4 etc. But the main issue is
the same: White has a mobile majority in the center, while Black has the same on the queenside.
***Obviously, White's most daring dream is carrying out a queenside expansion, involving ...b7–b5
followed, according to the circumstances, by ...c5–c4 or ...b5–b4. Here is an example in which this plan
was consequently carried out:]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 exd5 6.cxd5 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0–0 9.0–0 Re8 10.Bf4 a6
11.a4 [

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]

11...b6!? [A relatively rare move. Black prevents a4–a5, a typical way of disrupting the queenside
structure flexibility.]

12.Re1 Nh5 13.Bg5 Qc7 14.e4 Nd7 15.Rc1 h6 16.Bd2 Qb8 17.Bf1 [Returning to the initial diagonal in
order to slow down ...b6–b5.]

17...Ra7 18.b3 Nf8 19.h3 Rae7 20.Qc2 g5!? [Black plays for space on both wings. The last move clears
the g6–square for the knight.]

21.Kg2 Ng6 22.Bd3 Nf6 23.Rh1 Qb7 24.Rce1 Bd7 [Black has reached a perfect regrouping using the
communication between the opposite wings along the 7th and 8th ranks and ...b6–b5 cannot be stopped
anymore.]

25.Bc1 b5 26.axb5 axb5 27.Bb2 [

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After achieving the first major queenside success, Black needs a plan for making further progress.
Gashimov found an interesting tactical idea involving both wings.]

27...c4! [The same combination as in the game does not work as well as in the game without the prior
pawn sacrifice: 27...Bxh3+ 28.Rxh3 g4 29.Rhh1 gxf3+ 30.Kxf3 c4 31.bxc4 bxc4 32.Bf1 Ne5+ 33.Kg2 Nd3
34.Bxd3 cxd3 35.Qd2³ and White still holds.]

28.bxc4 bxc4 29.Bxc4?! [This adds wood on the fire as it exposes White along the c-file and the bishop
as well, 29.Bf1!?³ was more cautious.]

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]

29...Bxh3+! [Everything is prepared now for this combination.]

30.Kg1 [With the bishop on c4 30.Rxh3 loses to 30...g4 31.Rhh1?! gxf3+ 32.Kxf3? Ne5+; 30.Kxh3 is no
better: 30...g4+ 31.Kh2 gxf3 with a decisive attack.]

30...Rc8 [The pin along the c-file and the pressure on c3 are very annoying for White.]
31.Ba2? [This loses by force, but 31.Nd2 is not rosy either: 31...Ne5 32.Be2 Bg4 33.Kg2 Bxe2 34.Rxe2
Qa6µ with strong initiative on light squares.]

31...Nxe4 32.Rxh3 Nxc3 33.Rxe7 Nxe7 34.Bxc3 Rxc3 35.Qe4 g4 [Not the only winning move. Black
deflects the queen from the defense of the b1–square in order to trap the bishop.]

36.Qxg4 Qa6

0–1

(2) Hernandez Onna,Roman (2370) - Velimirovic,Dragoljub (2490) [A77]

Capablanca Memorial Havana (1), 1971
[GM Mihail Marin]

[White's pressure along the f1–a6 diagonal sometimes requires from Black changing the move order
when advancing his queenside pawns. More specifically, ...c5–c4 is a typical way of preparing ...b5. Here
is a typical example involving some tactical nuances:]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.d4 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 c5 5.d5 d6 6.e4 0–0 7.Be2 e6 8.0–0 exd5 9.cxd5 Re8 10.Nd2 a6
11.a4 b6 12.Qc2 Nbd7 13.f4 Rb8 14.Rb1 [

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7+ +n+pvlp'
6pzp zp snp+&
5+ zpP+ + %
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3+ sN + + #
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1+RvL +RmK !
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With the actual piece placement Black cannot increase his control over b5. The maneuver ...Ne8–c7
would require too much time as the e8–square is not available yet, allowing White to take over the
initiative with either e4–e5 or b2–b4. But the Benoni virtuoso Velimirovic found a very effective way of
continuing his queenside plan.]

14...c4! 15.Kh1 [This neutral move does not prevent Black's plan in any way, but there was no effective
antidote available:]

[15.Nxc4 weakens the defense of e4, causing White stability problems after 15...Nc5 16.e5!? (16.Bf3 b5
17.Nd2 b4 18.Ne2 a5µ leaves White with too many passive pieces.) 16...Bf5 17.Qd1 dxe5 18.Ra1
(18.fxe5 Nxd5!) 18...exf4 19.Bxf4 Nfe4 20.Bxb8 Qxb8 21.Nxe4 Rxe4³ Black will soon win the d5–pawn
with overwhelming compensation for the exchange.; 15.Bxc4 leaves the g4–square undefended allowing
15...Ng4! 16.Nf3 b5! As always, combining threats on both wings is very effective. 17.axb5 axb5 18.Bd3
b4 19.Na4 Qa5 planning...Ba6 20.h3 Qa7+ 21.Kh1 Ba6! 22.Bxa6 (22.hxg4 b3 23.Qe2 Bxd3 24.Qxd3
Qxa4µ wins the e4–pawn soon.) 22...Qxa6 23.Bd2 Ngf6 24.Rfe1 Rbc8µ followed by ...Nxe4 with
overwhelming activity.; 15.b4 does not work out too well either: 15...cxb3 16.Rxb3 Nc5 17.Rb4 Bd7ƒ
followed by ...b6–b5 soon.]

15...b5µ [

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4P+p+PzP +$
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With devastating initiative already.]

16.axb5 axb5 17.b4 cxb3 18.Rxb3 b4 19.Nb5 Nc5 20.Rxb4 Nxd5 21.exd5 Rxe2 22.Qc4 Re7 23.Nxd6
Ba6 24.Nb5 Qb6 25.d6 Reb7 26.Ba3 Ne6 27.Rfb1 Qf2 28.Ne4 Qxf4 29.Bc1 Qf5 30.Ng3 Qf2 31.Nf1
Bd4

0–1

(3) Beliavsky,Alexander G (2630) - Portisch,Lajos (2615) [A79]

Szirak Interzonal Szirak (14), 1987
[GM Mihail Marin]

[White's most typical antidote to the queenside expansion is meeting ...b7–b5 with b2–b4. However, this
is an operation with multilateral strategic and tactical implications. Here is a typical positional example:]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.e4 Bg7 8.Be2 0–0 9.0–0 Na6 10.Nd2 Re8
11.f3 Nc7 [With the white king's bishop on its initial diagonal and the e4–pawn safely defended, Black
needs using the queen's knight for supporting the b-pawn. The main question is whether after carrying out
the initial plan the knight will be able finding new horizons or will stay passive on c7.]

12.a4 b6 13.Nc4 Ba6 [Preparing to exchange the c4–knight after the threatened Bf4.]

14.Bg5 [In vain hoping to provoke ...h7–h6, when White would later gain a tempo with Qd2.]

14...Qd7 15.Rb1 [After evacuating the long diagonal, White makes the threat b2–b3 real, when ...Bxc4
would be answered with bxc4, yielding him a crushing space advantage.]

15...Bxc4! 16.Bxc4 a6 [

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Black's ... b6–b5 with a gain of time is inevitable, but White had his antidote prepared.]

17.b4 b5 18.Bd3 [Inserting the pawn exchange 18.axb5 axb5 would avoid the c7–knight's activation but
allow the nasty rook intrusion along the a-file after 19.Bd3 c4 20.Bc2 Ra3 with strong counterplay.]

18...c4 19.Bc2 [Black's passed pawn is safely blocked and the immediate strategic plot gravitates around
a different issue. Should White be allowed playing a4–a5, the c7–knight may stay passive until the end of
the game. But Portisch was just in time avoiding that.]

19...bxa4! 20.Bxa4 Nb5 21.Kh1 Qb7 22.Bxb5 [White needs keeping the knight, of course, in order to
block the c4–pawn.]

22...axb5 [

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]

23.Be3 [Even after Black's previous successes, White would only need to secure the dark squares with
Bd4, in order to retain some small but lasting pressure. Unfortunately, there is a small tactical flaw to his
intended regrouping.]

[True, he would not be in time preparing the maneuver with 23.Qd2 due to 23...Ra3 24.Be3 Rxc3!
25.Qxc3 Nxe4 26.Qa3 Nc3 27.Rbe1 Nxd5 28.Bd2 Ra8 29.Qc1 Qc6µ followed by ...c4–c3 with
overwhelming compensation for the exchange.; 23.Qc1 looks more subtle by preventing ...Ra3 but Black
could switch plans with 23...Nd7! followed by ...Ne5–d3 with gain of time.]

23...Ng4! 24.Bd4 [

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Beliavsky had of course foreseen Black's previous move, but probably not the next one:]

24...Ne3! [Finally exchanging the perfect blocker on c3. If 24...Ne5 25.f4 Nd3 26.Bxg7 Kxg7 27.Qd2
followed by f5–f6 White would retain attacking chances.]

25.Bxe3 Bxc3 26.Bd4 Bxd4 27.Qxd4 Qa7!µ [

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In this position with major pieces the strong passed c-pawn will have a decisive influence.]

28.Qc3 Qe7 29.Ra1 Rxa1 30.Qxa1 Rc8 31.Rc1 Qc7 32.Qc3 Ra8 [It appears that White cannot keep the
c-pawn under control and defend the a-file at the same time.]
33.f4 [This counterplay is ineffective, as White is weak along the second and back ranks.]

33...Qa7! 34.Qd2 Qa2 35.Qe1 Qb2 36.Rb1 c3! 37.h3 Ra2 38.Qf1 c2! 39.Rc1 Qxb4 40.e5 Rb2 41.Qf2
Qe4 42.Kh2 Qxd5

0–1

(4) Adamski,Jan - Matulovic,Milan (2525) [A79]

Lugano ol (Men) qual-C Lugano (2), 19.10.1968
[GM Mihail Marin]

[Sometimes fighting for queenside space implies parting with the pride of Black's position, his g7–bishop.
This can be successful only if the queenside events are intense enough to keep White busy without
allowing him starting a kingside attack. Here is such an example:]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 d6 5.e4 Bg7 6.Be2 0–0 7.Nf3 e6 8.0–0 exd5 9.cxd5 Re8 10.Nd2 Na6
11.f3 Nc7 12.a4 b6 13.Nc4 Ba6 14.Rb1 [White not only speeds up his queenside play with respect to the
previous game but also prepares to defend the c3–knight with his bishop, instead of setting up the sterile
pin of the f6–knight.]

14...Bxc4 15.Bxc4 Nd7 16.Bd2 a6 17.b4 cxb4 18.Rxb4 Qe7 19.Kh1 Rec8 20.Qe2 [

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White has considerable space advantage and an apparently solid position. If allowed completing his
regrouping with Rfb1 his advantage would be indisputable but Black can strike first.]

20...b5! 21.axb5 Bxc3! 22.Bxc3 axb5 [Suddenly it is not easy finding a good square for the bishop. The
point is that Black's apparently passive knights have a lot of hidden energy.]

23.Ba2 [The best move.]

[The main alternative is 23.Bd3 Nxd5 24.exd5 Qxe2 25.Bxe2 Rxc3³ offering Black a pleasant ending with
a dominating knight over the bishop.; 23.Bxb5? Nxb5–+ leaves the c3–bishop hanging.; 23.Bb3 Na6–+
does the same.]

23...Na6 [The point of Black's previous play. Even though his bishop occupies the attacking diagonal,
White is not in time to create any threats.]
24.Rb3 Nac5 [

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]

25.Rxb5?! [Too ambitious.]

[White should have accepted a draw by repetition with 25.Rb4 Na6=]

25...Nxe4! [White must have thought that this is placing the knight under a pin, without noticing the
threat ...Ng3!+. This means he has no time saving his c3–bishop from an exchange in order to keep
attacking chances.]

26.fxe4 [26.Bc4 looks as the lesser evil: 26...Ng3+ 27.hxg3 Qxe2 28.Bxe2 Rxc3³]

26...Rxc3µ [Black's central structure is awful and his bishop does not make his position better.]

27.Rb7 Qe8 28.Qb5 Nc5 [28...Ne5!?µ]

29.Qxe8+ Rxe8 30.Rbxf7 Nxe4 31.Ra7 Rec8 32.Rb7 Rc2 33.Ra7 Rb2 34.Re1 Nf2+ 35.Kg1 Nd3 36.Rf1
Rcc2

0–1

(5) Furman,Semen Abramovich - Khasin,Abram [A73]

URS-ch sf Kiev (14), 1957
[GM Mihail Marin]

[The most difficult game are those in which the mutual queenside play involves complicated tactical
nuances, as in the following example.]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 d6 4.Nc3 g6 5.e4 Bg7 6.Be2 0–0 7.Nf3 e6 8.0–0 exd5 9.cxd5 Bg4 10.h3 Bxf3
11.Bxf3 Nbd7 12.Bf4 Ne8 [

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 7zpp+n+pvlp'
6 + zp +p+&
5+ zpP+ + %
4 + +PvL +$
3+ sN +L+P#
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We are familiar with the early exchange of the bishop for a knight, only that this time this operation takes
place on a different square. Generally speaking, the exchange of one minor piece (with exception of the
g7–bishop, of course) more or less solves Black's problems of coordination. In the previous examples the
exchange was only a way of preparing ...b6–b5, but more typically (as in this game) it avoids the situation
when two or more minor pieces are competing for the d7–square.]

13.Qc2 Qe7 14.Be2 Nc7 15.Rfe1 Rfe8 16.Bf1 Rab8 17.a4 a6 18.Qd2 Be5 19.Bh6 b5 20.axb5 axb5
21.Ra7 Qd8 [

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6 + zp +pvL&
5+pzpPvl + %
4 + +P+ +$
3+ sN + +P#
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Black has achieved his first goal, but his needs advancing his queenside pawns farther in order to
activate the knights, which are temporarily placed under the rook's pressure. White's next move aimed at
preventing Black's activity.]

22.b4! cxb4 23.Na2! [A typical manoeuvre. The knight is heading straight to c6.]

23...Ra8? [This looks like premature panicking. Black hurries to evacuate the squares exposed to Nc6.]

[But he should not have given away what could have become one of his main trumps, the queenside
extra pawn: 23...b3! 24.Nb4 Ra8 (The point. If 24...Rc8 25.Nc6 Qf6 26.Nxe5± Black's position is more
than just unpleasant.) 25.Nc6 (Inserting the exchange on a8 just helps Black activating his play: 25.Rxa8
Qxa8 26.Nc6 Qa2µ) 25...Rxa7! (The point of the whole maneuver. 25...Qc8? 26.Rxa8 Qxa8 27.Nxe5± is
simply awful.) 26.Nxd8 Rxd8 Black has enough material compensation for the queen. The only open
question remains whether he can maintain his stability in the center in order to create queenside threats
with the help of his extra pawn. 27.Bf4 (The typical operation 27.f4 Bh8 28.e5 dxe5 29.f5 about which we
will talk more in a future article, leads to unclear consequences after 29...e4 30.d6 Ne8÷) 27...Ra2 28.Qe3
Bxf4 29.Qxf4 Nc5 30.Qf6 Rd7÷ The stable c5–knight offers the pawn a reliable support and the
apparently passive c7–knight not only defends b5 but also inhibits e4–e5 by attacking d5. White's only
chance for activity is advancing his h-pawn: 31.h4 Rc2 32.h5 b2 33.Rb1 (33.h6? Ne8!–+ defends g7 and
gains a decisive tempo. The threat is ...Rc1 and if 34.Qf4 Ra7 followed by ...Ra1 is the end.) 33...Nxe4
34.Qd4 Nxf2 35.Rxb2 Rxb2 36.Qxb2 Ng4° With entirely adequate compensation for the queen and a
probable draw.]

24.Rxa8 Qxa8 25.Nxb4± [

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7+ snn+p+p'
6 + zp +pvL&
5+p+Pvl + %
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White is in complete control now.]

25...Qa5 26.Nc6 Qxd2 27.Bxd2 Bg7 28.Ba5 [Wins a pawn and, after a long fight, the game.]

28...Na6 29.Bxb5 Nac5 30.f3 Ra8 31.Bc7 Bf8 32.e5 dxe5 33.Nxe5 Nxe5 34.Rxe5 Nb7 35.Re2 Bc5+
36.Kh2 Bd6+ 37.Bxd6 Nxd6 38.Bc6 Rd8 39.Kg3 Kf8 40.Kf4 Nf5 41.Ra2 Ke7 42.g4 Nh4 43.Ra7+ Kf6
44.g5+ Kg7 45.Ke4 Nf5 46.Bd7 h6 47.f4 hxg5 48.fxg5 Nd6+ 49.Ke5 Nc4+ 50.Kd4 Nd2 51.Ke3 Nc4+
52.Ke4 Nd6+ 53.Kd4 Kf8 54.Rc7 Rb8 55.Ke5 Ne8 56.Ra7 Ng7 57.d6 Nh5 58.Rc7 Ra8 59.Bc6 Rd8
60.Bd5 Re8+ 61.Kd4

1–0

(6) Cuellar Gacharna,Miguel - Fischer,Robert James [A71]

Sousse Interzonal+ Sousse (4), 1967
[GM Mihail Marin]

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[

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5+ zpPsn zp %
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Black sacrificed a pawn in the spirit of the Volga/Benko gambit:]

13...b5 14.Bxb5 Qa5 15.Ng3 [White seems to have a normal coordination and in the long run, he may
hope to invade the f5–square. Can you spot Black's positional idea?]

15...c4! [Indeed, this cuts the bishop off the rest of its army, allowing the annoying knight's intrusion to d3.
Black's initiative at least compensates for the pawn.]

16.0–0 Rb8 17.Qa4 Qxa4 18.Bxa4 Nd3 19.Bb5 Ng4 20.Nge2 Nxc1 21.Raxc1 Ne5 22.b3 cxb3 23.axb3
a6 24.Ba4 Nd3 25.Rc2 f5 26.Ng3 f4 27.Nge2 f3 28.Ng3 fxg2 29.Kxg2 Bg4 30.Nf5 Nf4+ 31.Kg3 Bxf5
32.exf5 Bxc3 33.Kf3 Be5 34.Ke4 Rb4+ 35.Rc4 Rfb8 36.f6 Kf7 37.Kf5 Rxc4 38.bxc4 Ne2 39.Re1 Nd4+
40.Kg4 h5+ 41.Kh3 Kxf6

0–1

(7) Spraggett,Kevin (2545) - Marin,Mihail (2525) [A65]

Paris-ch op Paris, 1992
[GM Mihail Marin]
 XABCDEFGHY
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[

XABCDEFGHY
8 trl+r+k+(
7+ wqn+pvlp'
6 + zp snp+&
5+pzpP+ + %
4 zP +P+ +$
3+ sN +P+ #
2 +L+N+PzP"
1+RvLQ+R+K!
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Black played]

16...Ba6 [yielding him a solid but somewhat passive position and eventually lost.]

[He trained from 16...cxb4 in view of the familiar 17.Na2 Was he right in doing so? ***No he was not!
17...Nxd5!! This resource was highlighted by my opponent right after the game. 18.exd5 Qc4= 19.Bf4
Qxa2 20.Bxd6 Rb6]

1–0

(8) Furman,Semen Abramovich - Podgaets,Mikhail [A62]

Gori Gori, 1971
[GM Mihail Marin]
 XABCDEFGHY
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6 + zp +p+&
5+p+P+ +n%
4 tR + + +$
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2 +QvL zPL+"
1+ + +RmK !
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[

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8 tr +r+k+(
7+ wqn+pvlp'
6 + zp +p+&
5+p+P+ +n%
4 tR + + +$
3+ sN zP zPP#
2 +QvL zPL+"
1+ + +RmK !
xabcdefghy
White needs playing Rfb1 or Rc1 for consolidating and eventually winning the b5–pawn. However, he is
temporarily hanging. Is there a way Black could put all his pieces to work (including the h5–knight) in
order to get counterplay?]

20...Rec8?! [This is too neutral to bother White.]

[20...Qc5! was the right move, causing White problems on dark squares: 21.Rfb1 (21.Qb3 is somewhat
similar: 21...Nxg3! 22.fxg3 Rxe3 23.Bxe3 Qxe3+ 24.Kh2 Qxc3 with great compensation for the
exchange.) 21...Nxg3! 22.fxg3 (22.Rxb5 loses to the intermediate 22...Ne2+! 23.Kf1 Nxc3 24.Rxc5 Rxb1+
25.Be1 Nxc5–+ with decisive material advantage and a continuing attack.) 22...Rxe3 23.Bxe3 (23.Kh2?
Rxc3 24.Bxc3 Bxc3µ followed by ...b5–b4 leaves White very passive.) 23...Qxe3+ 24.Kh2 Qxc3 (Better
than 24...Bxc3 25.R1b3 Rc8 26.Re4) 25.Qxc3 Bxc3 26.Rxb5 Rd8!?° Black temporarily defends the
knight, preparing ...Kg7 and eventually ...Ne5 after some more preparing, so as not to allow the rook
exchange too soon. Generally, Black's position is a perfect fortress.]
21.Rc1 Ne5 22.Qb1 Nc4 23.Be1± [with perfect white coordination. With the h5–knight far from the
important areas, the b5–pawn is doomed.]

1–0

(9) Straka,Josef Jr (2360) - Abbasov,Amil Habil Oglu (2209) [A78]

EU-ch U18 Prague (9), 25.08.2012
[GM Mihail Marin]

XABCDEFGHY
8 trlwqr+k+(
7+ sn +pvlp'
6p+ zp snp+&
5+pzpP+ + %
4PzP +P+ +$
3+ sN + +P#
2 +QsNLzPP+"
1+RvL tR mK !
xabcdefghy
[

XABCDEFGHY
8 trlwqr+k+(
7+ sn +pvlp'
6p+ zp snp+&
5+pzpP+ + %
4PzP +P+ +$
3+ sN + +P#
2 +QsNLzPP+"
1+RvL tR mK !
xabcdefghy
White carried out the thematic b2–b4 with incomplete development and somewhat exposed major pieces.
How would you punish that?]

16...c4?! [After this cooperative move White stays in control.]

[16...Nfxd5! is the thematic and strongest answer. 17.Nxd5 (Or if 17.exd5 Bf5 18.Nce4 Nxd5µ 19.bxc5
Nc3! with deadly pins and double attacks.) 17...Nxd5 18.exd5 Bf5 19.Qa2 Bxb1 20.Nxb1 (20.Qxb1 bxa4µ
pins and wins the b4–pawn.) 20...cxb4 21.axb5 Bd4! 22.Rd1 (22.bxa6 offers Black a decisive attack after
22...Qh4 23.Rf1 b3 24.Qd2 b2–+) 22...b3 23.Qa4 Qb6 24.Bf1 (24.Qxd4 Qxd4 25.Rxd4 Rxe2 leaves
White's minor pieces desperately hanging: 26.Kf1 Ra2 27.Ba3 Rxb5) 24...b2 25.Bh6 Bxf2+ 26.Kh1 axb5–
+ Material is about equal but White is very passive and the b2–pawn should decide the game.; 16...Ncxd5
17.exd5 Bf5 more or less transposes; The tempting 16...cxb4 17.Rxb4 a5 runs into the strong exchange
sacrifice 18.Rxb5! Nxb5 19.Nxb5° with perfect stability on light squares and considerable space
advantage.]

17.Bb2 Bd7 18.a5² [With a stable advanage for White who went on winning.]

1–0

(10) Csom,Istvan (2505) - Sax,Gyula (2575) [A62]

HUN-ch Hungary (9), 1984
[GM Mihail Marin]

XABCDEFGHY
8 trl+ trk+(
7+ +nwqpvl '
6 + zp +pzp&
5+pzpP+ +n%
4 zP + + +$
3+ sN +NzPP#
2 + vLPzPL+"
1+R+QtR mK !
xabcdefghy
[

XABCDEFGHY
8 trl+ trk+(
7+ +nwqpvl '
6 + zp +pzp&
5+pzpP+ +n%
4 zP + + +$
3+ sN +NzPP#
2 + vLPzPL+"
 1+R+QtR mK !
xabcdefghy
Do you share my feeling that White is hanging a bit?!]

17...Nxg3! [Right!]

18.Nxb5 [If 18.fxg3 Bxc3 19.Bxc3 Qe3+ 20.Kh2 Qxc3µ simply wins a pawn.]

18...Rxb5 19.fxg3 cxb4 [19...Ba6µ might have been even stronger.]

20.Bxb4 Ba6³ [with better structure and the initiative for Black.]

0–1

(11) Nikolic,Predrag (2565) - De Firmian,Nick E (2520) [A63]

Hoogovens Wijk aan Zee (5), 22.01.1986
[GM Mihail Marin]

[Benoni Strategy - Piece play In the previous articles we have mainly focused on both sides' pawn play.
While pieces were also an important part of the process, they mainly acted in accordance with the
concrete requirements of the structural modifications. Time has come to talk about the optimal piece
trajectories in static positions, where pawns offer only the immobile background for piece play. In the
initial phase of the game, Black has an almost chronic lack of space, meaning that he needs acting with
care when developing. The main conflict is between the minor pieces (with the exception of the fianchetto
bishop, which has its independent "life"). As in other openings with a white pawn on d5 and a black one
on d6 the key square is d7. In principle the most solid development involves ...Nbd7 but this leaves the
c8–bishop at least temporarily passive. Alternatively Black can play ...Na6, leaving the h3–c8 diagonal
open, but after a later ...Nc7 the knight does not always have an easy life. We witnessed a favorable
situation in the game Beliavsky-Portisch from a previous article, but such operations as ...bxa4 followed
by ...Nb5 are not always available. ***The conclusion is that for Black it would be best to exchange one of
his minor pieces, most typically with ...Bg4xf3 or ...Ng4 and Ne5 (any of them). But as we will see below,
sometimes it is possible to use concrete details of the position to open horizons for all pieces. In principle
White has it simpler as he enjoys considerable space advantage. But a closer look reveals some conflict
between his minor pieces, too. The e4–pawn is one of Black's main targets, needing permanent defense.
An early f2–f3 implies developing with Nge2, but this causes some problems with thef1–bishop. If Bd3
and Nge2, ...Ne5 my be molesting for instance. Optimally, White would play Nh3–f2, but if Black is
accurate enough he would keep the h3–c8 diagonal open until White commits his knight to e2.
***Defending e4 with f2–f3 is not the only solution, of course. White frequently plays Nf3–d2, but this I
likely to delay the queenside development by obstructing the c1–bishop. The dream scenario would be
Bf4 followed by Nd2, but Black can usually organize his pressure on e4 by one move earlier than White
develops his bishop. After clarifying all these abstract aspects we will start examining things more
concretely. Since we have mentioned Nd2, it is worth saying that White's dream is stabilizing the knight on
c4 (usually with a4–a5). This would paralyze Black's queenside and keep d6 under permanent pressure.
As a general observation, piece pressure usually is good enough for helping one of the players stabilizing
the position to his favor, but after obtaining an advantage he will most likely have to resort to pawn breaks
to make progress. And yet, in the first example, White managed to carry out this plan in pure form, without
the contribution of pawns nor allowing Black any shadow of counterplay. But if we understand the game
deeper, Black himself weakened his position, fearing the slow and massive kingside pawn attack.]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0–0 9.0–0 Nbd7 10.Nd2 a6
11.a4 [The fianchetto system may look less threatening than those implying e2–e4, but since there is no
pressure on the central pawn White enjoys higher freedom for his knights. Moreover, as we will soon see,
he can use the e4–square for his pieces!]

11...Nh5?! [

XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq trk+(
7+p+n+pvlp'
6p+ zp +p+&
5+ zpP+ +n%
4P+ + + +$
3+ sN + zP #
2 zP sNPzPLzP"
1tR vLQ+RmK !
xabcdefghy
an over-optimistic move. Black hopes to obtain kingside attacking chances with ... f7–f5–f4, but
completely neglects the fight for the critical squares since the knight is not doing much on the edge of the
board yet.]

12.Nce4! [Very logical thinking. The threat on d6 (which in case of 12...Qc7 or 12...Qe7 would become
decisive after 13.Nc4) forces the following exchange, turning the reserve knight into a dominating piece
on c4.]

12...Ndf6 [Relatively best.]

[12...Ne5 13.f4 Ng4 14.Nc4+– dooms the d6–pawn anyway.; 12...Nb6 allows a favourable structural
modification: 13.a5 Nxd5 14.Nc4 Be6 15.Nexd6 The central pawns are gone, but the c4–knight's
domination is unchallenged on the chronically weakened black queenside.]

13.Nxf6+ Bxf6 [Black is not in time exchanging the c4–knight after 13...Nxf6 14.Nc4 14...Nd7 is
impossible and White threatens Bf4. 14...Ng4 15.Bf4 attacks d6 and prepares to exchange the black
knight if necessary.]

14.Nc4± [

XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq trk+(
7+p+ +p+p'
6p+ zp vlp+&
5+ zpP+ +n%
4P+N+ + +$
3+ + + zP #
 2 zP +PzPLzP"
1tR vLQ+RmK !
xabcdefghy
This is a dream position for White (in particular for his knight). Black has no queenside play and is tied up
to the defense of the d6–pawn. The edged knight cannot come into play easily.]

14...Bd4 15.e3 Bg7 16.e4 Re8 17.Bd2 [Preparing either Bc3 to neutralize the g7–bishop or b2–b4 (after
removing the rook from a1).]

17...Rb8 [17...b6 avoids the queenside blockade, but Black cannot make the threat ... b6–b5 real as this
would allow Na5 followed by Nc6. In the meanwhile, White can start making kingside progress: 18.Re1
Defending the e4–pawn in advance in order to prepare the following operation. 18...Rb8 19.g4 Nf6 20.h3
Soon followed by Bf4 with a crushing domination.]

18.a5 f5 [In principle Black does everything logically, but the next series of gradual exchanges does not
solve the main problem, the huge difference between the knights' activity.]

19.exf5 Bxf5 20.Ra3 Be4 21.Re1 Bxg2 22.Kxg2 Qd7 23.Rae3 Rxe3 24.Rxe3 [

XABCDEFGHY
8 tr + +k+(
7+p+q+ vlp'
6p+ zp +p+&
5zP zpP+ +n%
4 +N+ + +$
3+ + tR zP #
2 zP vL zPKzP"
1+ +Q+ + !
xabcdefghy
]

24...Bd4?! [Just losing a pawn without creating any counterplay.]

[But the more logical 24...Re8 fails to bring in any relief: 25.Rxe8+ Qxe8 26.Qf3 Qd7 27.b4± With huge
positional advantage despite the reduced material.]

25.Re6 [The rest is pure agony.]

25...Ng7 26.Rxd6 Qf5 27.Ne3 [27.Be3!?± Ne8 28.g4! Forcing the queen to release the pressure on d5.
28...Qf7 29.Re6 Nc7 30.Bxd4 cxd4 31.Re4 Qxd5 32.Qxd4]

27...Qe5 28.Rb6 Rf8 29.f4 Qe7 30.Qf3 Rd8 31.Nc4 [31.d6 Rxd6 32.Rxb7 Qe8 33.Nc4+–]
31...Rd7 [31...Nf5 32.Bc3+–]

32.Bc3 Nf5 33.Re6 Qd8 34.Nb6 Rd6 35.Qe4 Kf7 36.Rxd6 Qxd6 37.Nc4 [The knight returns for the third
and last time to the dream square, unblocking the extra pawn.]

37...Qf6 38.Bxd4 Qxd4 39.Qxd4 cxd4 40.Kf3 [The d4–pawn will soon be lost.]

1–0

(12) Kasparov,Garry (2595) - Suba,Mihai (2430) [A75]

Luzern ol (Men) Luzern (12), 12.11.1982
[GM Mihail Marin]

[The next example featuring the same theme is more complex, as Black's counterplay seemed to be more
effective. But analysis shows this is more of an optical illusion.]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Bf4 a6 8.a4 Bg7 9.e4 Bg4 10.Be2 0–0 11.0–
0 Qe7?! [A decade later Suba confessed me that this was a "lapsus manus". He actually intended playing
11...Bxf3 12.Bxf3 Qe7 , which is examined in the first theoretical database, but carelessly played the
second move of the sequence.]

12.Nd2 Bxe2 13.Qxe2 [

XABCDEFGHY
8rsn + trk+(
7+p+ wqpvlp'
6p+ zp snp+&
5+ zpP+ + %
4P+ +PvL +$
3+ sN + + #
2 zP sNQzPPzP"
1tR + +RmK !
xabcdefghy
As mentioned above, this is an optimal situation for White. The knights are optimally placed, over
defending e4 and keeping the possibility of Nc4, while the bishop is already developed.]

13...Nh5 14.Be3 Nd7 15.a5! [Preparing the optimal queenside structure.]

15...Bd4!? [Since d6 and c5 are blocked on dark squares it makes sense exchanging the bishops. But
once again the following exchanges do not solve the main problem, regarding the difference between the
knights' careers.]

16.Ra4! Qf6 17.Qd3! Ne5 18.Bxd4 Nxd3 19.Bxf6 Nxf6 20.Nc4 Rad8 21.Rd1 [Play has calmed down
leaving White in control as there is no way of exchanging the c4–knight under favorable circumstances.]

21...Nb4 [As pointed out by Kasparov, Black needs preventing b2–b4. If 21...Nf4? 22.g3 N4h5 23.b4!±; I
would add that 21...Ne5? leads to a strategic disaster and, more concretely, to the loss of a pawn after
22.Nxe5 dxe5 23.Rc4 Nd7 24.Na4 Rc8 25.Rdc1±]

XABCDEFGHY
8 + tr trk+(
7+p+ +p+p'
6p+ zp snp+&
5zP zpP+ + %
4RsnN+P+ +$
3+ sN + + #
2 zP + zPPzP"
1+ +R+ mK !
xabcdefghy
]

22.Rd2! [The knight stands beautifully on b4, but it cannot help creating any form of counterplay. The last
move completely restricts its mobility, preventing ...Nc2–d4 which could cause some unnecessary
complications.]

22...Ne8 [As an experienced Benoni player Suba immediately spotted an optically favorable square on b5
for the reserve knight and he immediately starts a typical maneuver.]

23.Ra1 Nc7 24.Re1 Kg7 [Kasparov recommends 24...Nb5! 25.Nxb5 (ACtually 25.e5 dxe5 26.Rxe5± is
also very strong.) 25...axb5 26.Na3 Ra8 27.Nxb5 Rfd8 28.Ra1 b6 29.f3 Rxa5 30.Rxa5 bxa5 31.b3!²
Indeed, in this line Black can more or less survive after 31...Kf8 32.Na3 Ra8 33.Nc4 Ke7 but stronger is
31.Na3! followed by Nc4.]

25.b3 [Too "solid". The logical way of using the perfect knight's placement was starting pawn play in the
center: 25.f4 Nb5 (25...Rfe8 does not prevent the central break: 26.e5 dxe5 27.d6 planning fxe5. The
point is that 27...exf4 28.dxc7 Rxe1+ 29.Kf2+– wins a piece.) 26.e5 with a crushing advantage.]

25...Rfe8 [

XABCDEFGHY
8 + trr+ +(
7+psn +pmkp'
6p+ zp +p+&
5zP zpP+ + %
4 snN+P+ +$
3+PsN + + #
 2 + tR zPPzP"
1+ + tR mK !
xabcdefghy
]

26.g4! [Black's only source of counterplay is ...f7–f5 and Kasparov immediately takes measures against
it.]

26...Rd7 [If 26...f5?! 27.gxf5 gxf5 28.f3! followed by Ne3 and the invasion of the f5–square (Kasparov).]

27.f3 Nb5 [Both black knights have occupied stable and relatively advanced squares, but they are rather
isolated from the main theater of operations.]

28.Ne2!± [Restricting the enemy knight in a similar way as Rd2 did earlier with its colleague. No access to
d4 today, sorry.]

28...f5?! [Weakening the kingside and offering White a dangerous attack against which the knights
cannot provide much help.]

[28...Nd4? 29.Nxd4 cxd4 30.Ra1! traps the knight, for instance 30...f5 31.Ra4 fxe4 32.fxe4!+– (Kasparov).
***Black should have stayed passive, leaving White with the task of finding the best way of increasing his
kingside pressure and space advantage.]

29.gxf5 gxf5 [

XABCDEFGHY
8 + +r+ +(
7+p+r+ mkp'
6p+ zp + +&
5zPnzpP+p+ %
4 snN+P+ +$
3+P+ +P+ #
2 + tRN+ zP"
1+ + tR mK !
xabcdefghy
Black seems having obtained certain counterplay but the next move shatters this illusion.]

30.Ng3! [Speaking about knight trajectories, there are many cases when the weakness on f5 is as inviting
as now.]

30...fxe4 [Suba might have overlooked that 30...Nd4 is refuted by 31.Rxd4! cxd4 32.Nxd6!+– (Kasparov).]

31.fxe4 Kh8 32.Rf1! Nd4 33.Rg2 [White slowly prepares his attack, without caring about the b3–pawn.
For practical purposes he will be two knights up on the kingside.]

33...Nxb3 34.Nf5 Rf8 35.Nfxd6 Rxf1+ 36.Kxf1 Nxa5 [

XABCDEFGHY
8 + + + mk(
7+p+r+ +p'
6p+ sN + +&
5sn zpP+ + %
4 snN+P+ +$
3+ + + + #
2 + + +RzP"
1+ + +K+ !
xabcdefghy
]

37.Ne5!+– [The final touch, even though there were more than one ways to use the force of the central
pawns.]

37...Rg7 [Obviously forced.]

38.Nef7+ Kg8 39.Nh6+ Kf8 40.Rf2+ Ke7 41.Nhf5+ Kd7 42.Nxb7! [Black could have already resigned,
but he played a few more moves by inertia.]

42...Nd3 43.Nxa5! Nxf2 44.Kxf2 Rg4 45.Kf3 Rg1 46.e5 Rf1+ 47.Ke4 Re1+ 48.Kf4

1–0

(13) Marin,Mihail (2490) - Stefanov,Parik (2500) [A74]

Romania 45/100 Romania 45/100 , 1988
[GM Mihail Marin]

[So far we have seen examples where Black was completely helpless against the blockading plan. But
the next old game of mine features a more favorable version of the queenside play.]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Nd2 Nbd7 8.e4 Bg7 9.Be2 0–0 10.0–0 a6
11.a4 Ne8!? [

XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqntrk+(
7+p+n+pvlp'
6p+ zp +p+&
5+ zpP+ + %
 4P+ +P+ +$
3+ sN + + #
2 zP sNLzPPzP"
1tR vLQ+RmK !
xabcdefghy
A rare move but quite typical for my opponent. Black safely defends the chronic weakness and is ready to
occupy the blocking d6–square should White break with e4–e5.]

12.Nc4 Nb6!? [As a general rule, Black should offer the knight exchange immediately after Nc4.]

13.Ne3 Bd7 [For the time being Black's play looks mysterious but a few moves later everything will
acquire logical coherence.]

14.Bd3 Rb8 15.f4 [I did not want to define the queenside situation before Black threatens ...b7–b5. The
main alternative was 15.a5 Nc8 16.Nc4 when 16...Na7?! 17.Bf4 Nb5 18.Qd2 leaves White in control. But
16... f5 would have offered Black reasonable counterplay.]

15...Nc8! [Black's contorted play finally gets some contours. The knight retreats to clear the path for the b-
pawn and after the more or less forced answer it will embark a glorious career.]

16.a5 Na7 17.Qe2 [

XABCDEFGHY
8 tr wqntrk+(
7snp+l+pvlp'
6p+ zp +p+&
5zP zpP+ + %
4 + +PzP +$
3+ sNLsN + #
2 zP +Q+PzP"
1tR vL +RmK !
xabcdefghy
Trying to delay the programmed ...Nb5.]

17...Qe7 [Actually Black did not need preparing his plan as he could play 17...Nb5! immediately:
18.Nxb5?! axb5 19.Bxb5 Bxb5 20.Qxb5 Bd4 21.Kh1 Nf6 22.Qd3 Re8³ retrieving the pawn with very
pleasant play.]

18.Nc4 Nb5 19.Be3 Nd4! [The knight occupies the most active available square, clearing the path for his
bishop. This is a fortunate case when there is no superfluous minor piece, as all of them have good
squares available or fulfill useful defensive jobs (the e8–knight for instance). It would have been unwise
accepting the pawn sacrifice: 19...Nxc3?! 20.bxc3 Bxc3?! 21.Rac1 Bg7 (21...Bb4 22.f5± leaves the
kingside poorly defended.; 21...Bd4 22.Bxd4 cxd4 23.Qb2± retrieves the pawn with huge space
advantage.) 22.e5± Black center is about to collapse as a result of the combined pressure exerted by the
minor pieces and the central pawns. Due to the time wasted on pawn grabbing, Black is not in time to
exchange the active knight: 22...Bb5 23.Nxd6! Nxd6 24.Bxc5+–]

20.Qf2 Bb5 21.Rae1 [I could have admitted that I had no advantage and just hold the position with, say,
21.h3 , keeping a5 defended and a6 under pressure so as to prevent ...Bxc4 followed by ...b7–b5. ***But I
remember I was very optimistic and full of energy, which eventually paid off in the next phase of the
game, even though Black is doing fine objectively.]

21...Bxc4 22.Bxc4 [

XABCDEFGHY
8 tr +ntrk+(
7+p+ wqpvlp'
6p+ zp +p+&
5zP zpP+ + %
4 +LsnPzP +$
3+ sN vL + #
2 zP + wQPzP"
1+ + tRRmK !
xabcdefghy
]

22...Qd8 [With all the pieces well placed, Black calmly prepares to grab the essential a5–pawn, after
which White's blockade would collapse.]

[But the simpler 22...b5 was also possible. I published the game in the Chess Informant but one of my
lines was flawed: 23.axb6 Rxb6 24.e5 dxe5 25.fxe5 Qxe5 26.Na4 Rf6 27.Bf4 I thought this to favor White,
missing the trick 27...Nf3+! 28.Qxf3 Qd4+ 29.Qe3 Qxc4 30.Nxc5 Rf5µ threatening ...Bd4 and winning the
d5–pawn soon.]

23.e5 [There is no way back as after 23.Ra1 f5³ followed by ...Nf6 Black has a dream position.]

XABCDEFGHY
8 tr wqntrk+(
7+p+ +pvlp'
6p+ zp +p+&
5zP zpPzP + %
 4 +Lsn zP +$
3+ sN vL + #
2 zP + wQPzP"
1+ + tRRmK !
xabcdefghy
]

23...dxe5? [Black in vain clears space for White's well-coordinated army. He should have preferred the
siple 23...Qxa5 White would have had nothing better than 24.Kh1 (Two possible ghosts that might have
scared my opponent were: 24.Bxd4 cxd4 25.Qxd4 when Black in fact has 25...f6! 26.e6 f5 27.Qe3 Qb4
28.Qe2 Rc8 winning a pawn while keeping everything under control on the kingside or; 24.e6 when Black
actually has many good moves, for instance 24...Nc7 endangering the d5–pawn.) 24...Qb4 25.Ba2 with
compensation for the pawn but not more than that.]

24.fxe5 Bxe5 25.Bh6 Bg7 26.Bxg7 Kxg7 [

XABCDEFGHY
8 tr wqntr +(
7+p+ +pmkp'
6p+ + +p+&
5zP zpP+ + %
4 +Lsn + +$
3+ sN + + #
2 zP + wQPzP"
1+ + tRRmK !
xabcdefghy
Blck probably hoped to consolidate with ...Nd6, helped by the previous bishops' exchange, but White's
next move develops the initiative:]

27.b4!² b6 28.Ne4 Nd6 29.bxc5 bxc5 30.Nxc5 N4f5 31.Bd3± [There was nothing wrong with taking the
pawn at once but I wanted to stay coordinated.]

31...h5 [31...Qxa5 32.g4 followed by Qd4+ and Nd7 kills.]

32.Nxa6 Ra8 33.Qb6+– [White's extra pawn is very dangerous and Black cannot create effective
counterplay.]

33...Qg5 34.Nc7 Rab8 35.Qc5 Rfc8 36.Bxf5 Nxf5 37.a6 Qd2 38.Rd1 Rxc7 39.Qxc7 Qe3+ 40.Kh1 Rb2
41.Qc1 Qe2 42.Qc3+ [Avoiding the trap 42.Qxb2+?? Qxb2 43.a7 Ne3 44.Rg1 Nxd1 45.a8Q Nf2#]

42...Kh7 43.Qf3 Qxa6 44.d6 Nxd6 45.Qd5 Qe2 46.Rf6

1–0

(14) Hort,Vlastimil (2600) - Timman,Jan H (2625) [A64]

Montreal Montreal (4), 14.04.1979
[GM Mihail Marin]

[Sometimes it makes sense playing ...Nb6 before Nc4, but then the black knight's stability is a delicate
issue, in view of the threat a4–a5.]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Bg2 Bg7 8.Nf3 0–0 9.0–0 Re8 10.Nd2 Nbd7
11.a4 a6 12.e4 Qc7 13.Qe2 [

XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+r+k+(
7+pwqn+pvlp'
6p+ zp snp+&
5+ zpP+ + %
4P+ +P+ +$
3+ sN + zP #
2 zP sNQzPLzP"
1tR vL +RmK !
xabcdefghy
White has chosen a setup aiming at keeping the queenside under control. Black needs finding a plan
before White completes his development.]

13...Nb6!? [Gaining a tempo in view of the threat ...Nxd5. But there was nothing wrong with 13...Nxe4
14.Ndxe4 f5= , of course.]

14.Qd3 Ng4 [The other knight is approaching the important c4– and d3–squares.]

15.h3 [White obviously wanted to choose the right moment for a4–a5, but he obviously overlooked
Black's main idea. 15.a5 was better although after 15...Nd7 16.Qc2 b5 17.axb6 Nxb6 the knight is back in
business. In fact, the other knight would experience some problems after 18.h3]

15...Ne5 16.Qc2 c4 [

XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+r+k+(
7+pwq +pvlp'
6psn zp +p+&
5+ +Psn + %
 4P+p+P+ +$
3+ sN + zPP#
2 zPQsN zPL+"
1tR vL +RmK !
xabcdefghy
Black has prepared the invasion to d3, but the only open question remains whether he can keep c4 well
defended.]

17.Nd1 [Planning Ne3 and a4–a5. It was already too late to cause problems with 17.a5 for instance
17...Nbd7 18.Nd1 b5 19.axb6 Nxb6³ with excellent queenside play.]

17...a5!! [One of the most paradoxical pawn moves in the Benoni I have ever seen! Black ensures the
knight's stability reckoning with the fact that the weakness on c4 will not be relevant after ...Bd7.]

[White might have hoped for something like 17...Nd3? 18.a5 Nb4? 19.axb6 Nxc2 20.bxc7 Nxa1 21.Nxc4
Re7 22.Nb6 Rxc7 23.Bf4 Ra7 24.Bxd6+–]

18.Ne3 Bd7 19.Rd1 [This has been criticized, but the recommended alternative does not work: 19.f4 Qc5
20.fxe5 Qxe3+ 21.Kh2 So far the old analysis. 21...Qe2!! Black evacuates the queen from the exposed
square, defends c4 and threatens ...Bxh3! Next, he will play ...Bxe5 with a crushing advantage.]

19...Qc5 20.Nb1 [White admits his plan's fiasco and ties consolidating.]

20...Nd3 21.Nc3 Rac8 22.Bd2 [

XABCDEFGHY
8 +r+r+k+(
7+p+l+pvlp'
6 sn zp +p+&
5zp wqP+ + %
4P+p+P+ +$
3+ sNnsN zPP#
2 zPQvL zPL+"
1tR +R+ mK !
xabcdefghy
Black has invaded the enemy territory and now broke the center with]

22...f5!µ [As explained in the introduction, domination is best crowned by pawn breaks.]

23.exf5 Bxf5 [23...gxf5! followed by ...f5–f4 is even stronger.]

24.Rf1 Ne1? [Based on a miscalculation.]

[Better was 24...Nb4 25.Qd1 Bd3]

25.Qd1 Nxg2 26.Kxg2? [Missing his chance with 26.Nxf5! gxf5 27.Qf3! Defending the d5–pawn as the
knight is trapped anyway. 27...Bxc3 28.Bxc3 Qxd5 (28...Ne3?! 29.Qh5 may even cause troubles.)
29.Kxg2 Qxf3+ 30.Kxf3 Due to the incoherent Black structure and the strong bishop chances are
balanced despite Black's extra pawn.]

26...Bd3 27.Re1 Rf8 [Everything returned to the normal now and Black confidently converted his
advantage into a win.]

28.f4 Rce8 29.Kh2 g5 30.fxg5 Nd7 31.Ng2 Rxe1 32.Qxe1 Ne5 33.Kh1 Rf1+ 34.Qxf1 Bxf1 35.Rxf1 Nd3
36.Ne3 Qd4 37.Nf5 Nf2+ 38.Kg2 Qxd2 39.Rxf2 Qxg5 40.Ne4 Qd8 41.Nfxd6 Qd7 42.Nf5 Kh8 43.d6
Qe6 44.Nc3 Be5 45.Nb5 Qd5+ 46.Kh2 Qd3 47.Kg2 h5 48.Nc3 Bxd6 49.Rf3 Qd2+ 50.Rf2 Qd3 51.Rf3
Qd2+ 52.Rf2

½–½

(15) Mihalevski,Alexander (2443) - Marin,Mihail (2601) [A70]

06_30 Open de Andorra Escaldes (9), 08.07.2001
[GM Mihail Marin]

XABCDEFGHY
8 tr wq trk+(
7+ sn +pvlp'
6psn zp +p+&
5+ zpP+ + %
4 +L+PzP +$
3+PsN +Q+ #
2 + vL +PzP"
1tR + +RmK !
xabcdefghy
[

XABCDEFGHY
8 tr wq trk+(
7+ sn +pvlp'
6psn zp +p+&
5+ zpP+ + %
 4 +L+PzP +$
3+PsN +Q+ #
2 + vL +PzP"
1tR + +RmK !
xabcdefghy
White seems to be quite solid and Black's a-pawn is hanging. Is there a way for Black to take over the
initiative?]

19...Nb5!³ [Spotting the hidden consequences of the weakness on c3.]

20.Rxa6? [Falling into the trap.]

[20.Bxb5 axb5³ 21.Ra6 (21.Nxb5? Bxa1 22.Rxa1 Nxd5 23.Na7 Nb4 24.Bxb4 cxb4 25.Nc6 Qb6+–+)
21...b4 22.Na4 c4³]

20...Bd4+ 21.Kh1 Nxc4 22.bxc4 Nxc3–+ [Black simply wins a piece.]

23.e5 [Desperation. If 23.Bxc3 Rb3 24.Rc1 Bxc3 25.g3 there are a few ways of getting out of the pin. For
instance 25...Bd2 (25...Qc8 26.Raa1 Qh3 also wins.) 26.Qxb3 Bxc1 27.Qc3 Qe7 28.Qxc1 (28.e5 Qb7–+)
28...Qxe4+ 29.Kg1 Rb8 30.Ra1 Qd4+ 31.Kh1 Rb2–+]

23...Rb3 [23...dxe5 24.fxe5 Rb1!?–+]

0–1

(16) Parligras,Mircea Emilian (2650) - Gashimov,Vugar (2757) [A61]

EU-chT (Men) 18th Porto Carras (9.2), 11.11.2011
[GM Mihail Marin]

XABCDEFGHY
8 + tr trk+(
7+psn +nvlp'
6p+ zp wqp+&
5zPlzpP+p+ %
4N+N+ + +$
3+Q+ zP vLP#
2 zP +LzPP+"
1+ +RtR mK !
xabcdefghy
[

XABCDEFGHY
8 + tr trk+(
7+psn +nvlp'
6p+ zp wqp+&
5zPlzpP+p+ %
4N+N+ + +$
3+Q+ zP vLP#
2 zP +LzPP+"
1+ +RtR mK !
xabcdefghy
White seems controlling the queenside rather well. Is there a way Black can question this impression?]

22...Na8!? [Not all knights stand badly in the corner! This is the only way to fight for the b6–square and
for opening the queenside in general.]

23.Nc3 Bxc4 24.Bxc4 Rb8 [Black plans ...b7–b5 followed by ...Rxb6 and ...Nc7. After fulfilling its initial
job the knight will gladly return to the standard square.]

25.Na4 Ne5 26.Bf1 Qd8 [Suddenly White has problems defending a5.]

27.Nb6 Nxb6 28.axb6?! [White would have maintained chances for equality after 28.Qxb6 Qxb6 29.axb6]

28...Qe7 [Planning ...Nd7, ...Be5 and ...Qd8, eventually winning the pawn.]

29.Bxe5 Qxe5 30.Rb1 [White is not in time for securing the kingside with 30.f4 as his b2–pawn is
hanging.]

30...f4! [With opposite colored bishops the attack is practically decisive.]

31.Qc4 Qg5 32.exf4 Rxf4 33.Re4 Bd4 34.Rxf4 Qxf4 35.Qe2 Rf8 [Black won the f2–pawn and later the
game.]

0–1

(17) Polugaevsky,Lev (2620) - Mecking,Henrique (2635) [A77]

Candidates qf2 Luzern (3), 1977
[GM Mihail Marin]

XABCDEFGHY
8r+nwqr+k+(
 7+p+n+pvlp'
6p+ zp +p+&
5zP zpP+ + %
4 + +P+ +$
3+PsN + + #
2 +QsN zPPzP"
1tR vL +RmK !
xabcdefghy
[

XABCDEFGHY
8r+nwqr+k+(
7+p+n+pvlp'
6p+ zp +p+&
5zP zpP+ + %
4 + +P+ +$
3+PsN + + #
2 +QsN zPPzP"
1tR vL +RmK !
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White plans Bb2, Nc4, and Rae1 followed by the central pawns' attack. Your antidote?]

17...Na7! [The knight's activity is the first emergency for Black.]

[If 17...b5 18.axb6 Ncxb6 19.Bb2 he would be left without real counterplay for instance 19...c4 20.b4!?
Taking the pawn offers Black some compensation in view of the active knight after ...Nc5. 20...Ne5
21.Nd1 Qc7 22.Ne3 Rec8 23.Bc3± White has consolidated and the b6–knight is passive while the a6–
pawn is hanging.]

18.Bb2 Nb5 19.Nxb5 [With hindsight, the retreat 19.Ne2 may have been better, although Black's initiative
would be beyond doubt after 19...Bxb2 20.Qxb2 Qf6 leads to some sort of fabulous version for Black of
the Kasparov-Suba game.]

19...Bxb2 20.Qxb2 axb5 21.Qc3 [21.b4 does not spare problems either: 21...c4 (Threatening ...Ne5–d3)
22.f4 Ra6 23.Qd4 b6 24.axb6 Qxb6 25.Qxb6 Rxb6µ The hanging e4–pawn presents White from
consolidating with Nb1–c3, turning the c-pawn into a terrible force.]

21...b4 22.Qg3 Nf6 23.Rfe1 Nh5 24.Qf3 Rxa5 25.Rxa5 Qxa5 [Black has won a pawn and has an
antidote against the apparently strong next move.]
26.g4 Qd8! 27.Re3 Nf6 28.Qf4 Qe7 29.Nc4 Rd8µ [White has no compensation for the pawn even though
he managed to draw after adjournment.]

½–½

(18) Tregubov,Pavel V (2598) - Akopian,Vladimir (2675) [A77]

EU-ch 12th Aix les Bains (10), 01.04.2011
[GM Mihail Marin]

XABCDEFGHY
8r+ wqr+k+(
7+p+l+pvl '
6 sn zp snp+&
5zp zpP+ +p%
4P+ +PzP +$
3+ sN + +P#
2 zP sNL+P+"
1tR vL wQRmK !
xabcdefghy
[

XABCDEFGHY
8r+ wqr+k+(
7+p+l+pvl '
6 sn zp snp+&
5zp zpP+ +p%
4P+ +PzP +$
3+ sN + +P#
2 zP sNL+P+"
1tR vL wQRmK !
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We are familiar with the queenside configuration after the game Hort-Timman. White's development is
incomplete and it can be felt he is a bit hanging but he thought]
15.Qg3 [would offer attacking chances due to the awkward position of the b6–knight. Is this right?]

15...Nfxd5! [Actually the knights' pressure on d5 is real!]

16.exd5 Bxc3 17.bxc3 Rxe2 [White not only has lost a pawn, but his structure has been seriously
damaged. His bishop will not be in time to create threats along the long diagonal.]

18.f5 h4 19.Qd3 Qe8 20.fxg6 fxg6 21.Nc4 [21.Rb1 Re3! 22.Qc2 (22.Ne4 is safer, but Black has several
ways of simplifying to a better ending with material advantage. 22...Rxd3 23.Nf6+ Kh8 24.Nxe8 Bxe8
25.Rxb6 Rxd5³) 22...Bxh3! 23.Rxb6 (23.gxh3 Rg3+–+) 23...Bxg2!–+]

21...Nxc4 22.Qxc4 Re4 [Black has a material advantage and the more active piece placement.]

23.Qb3 Bxa4 24.Qb2 Bb5 25.c4 Bxc4 26.Bh6 Qe5 27.Qxb7 Bxd5 [27...Bxd5 28.Qb1 Kh7 29.Bd2 Re2–
+]

0–1

(19) Kamenets,Anatolij (2246) - Atanasov,Radislav (2227) [A65]

Nikea op 18th Nikea (5), 23.08.2010
[GM Mihail Marin]

XABCDEFGHY
8 trl+ trk+(
7+pwq +pvlp'
6psn zp +p+&
5sn zpP+ + %
4P+L+PzP +$
3+PsNQ+ +P#
2 + +N+P+"
1+RvL +RmK !
xabcdefghy
[

XABCDEFGHY
8 trl+ trk+(
7+pwq +pvlp'
6psn zp +p+&
5sn zpP+ + %
4P+L+PzP +$
 3+PsNQ+ +P#
2 + +N+P+"
1+RvL +RmK !
xabcdefghy
This was not ...Na5 King's Indian, but a genuine Benoni. The knight wandered all the way from f6 to a5
via g4–e5–c4. Black played]

18...Bd7 [Threatening to win the a4–pawn. Your answer?]

[+++But Black's position in the featured diagram was excellent anyway. Instead of 18...Bd7 he should only
have plyed 18...f5 19.Ng3 h5³ with dangerous threats on light squares.]

19.Ra1? [This was the careless game continuation, failing to stabilize the queenside.]

[White should have started his kingside attack with 19.f5 for instance 19...Be5 (But not 19...Naxc4?
20.bxc4 Nxa4 21.f6 Bh8 22.e5± burrying the h8–bishop alive.) 20.Bf4 Rfe8 (20...Bxf4 21.Nxf4 Naxc4
22.bxc4 Nxa4 23.Nxa4 Bxa4 24.fxg6 hxg6 25.Nh5!± offers White a strong attack since 25...gxh5?
26.Qg3+ Kh7 27.Rf5 mates.) 21.Bxe5 Rxe5 22.Rf2 (Without bishops on board 22.Ra1 would be playable,
too.) 22...Naxc4 23.bxc4 Nxa4 24.Nxa4 Bxa4 25.Nc3 Bd7 26.Qe3 with reasonable compensation for the
pawn.]

19...Nxb3! [Clearly overlooked by White, but actually 19...f5 was an equally convincing way of punishing
White's refraining from the thematic f4–f5.]

20.Bxb3 c4 21.Bxc4 Qxc4 22.Rd1 Rfc8 [With strong initiative to Black.]

0–1