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Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts) Sat Nov 3, 2012, 05:12 PM Nov 2012

Chess (October/November): Magnus wins Grand Slam Final in São Paulo and Bilbao

[center]The JR Chess Report and Gloat Free Scores theme music:[/center][center]Merrick, The Look Sharp, Be Sharp March (From a broadcast of The Gillette Cavalcade of Spots).[/center]

[center]

[/center]

[font size="4"]Magnus wins Grand Slam Final[/font]

[font size="1"]Left: Independence Plaza, São Paulo, Brazil, photo by Rodrigo Seldon (http://www.flickr.com/people/soldon/) in Wikimedia Commons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Monumento_%C3%A0_Independ%C3%AAncia.jpg)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en|Creative Commons License] Attribution/Share Alike)]
Right: Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain, photo by Fernando Pascullo (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fernandopascullo) in Wikimedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bilbao_montes_nevados.jpg)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en|Creative Commons License] Attribution/Share Alike)]
[/font]
Magnus Carlsen, the top rated chess player in the world, defeated Fabiano Caruana, the 20-year-old American who is the reigning Italian national champion, in a two game blitz playoff on October 13.

Magnus won both blitz games.

The playoff was set up when Magnus and il sengore Caruana tied for first place after the scheduled ten round event that started September 24 in São Paulo, Brazil concluded in Bilbao, Spain. Both players scored four wins, one loss and five draws. Armenian GM Levon Aronian, rated second in the world, finished third with one win, one loss and eight draws.

[font size="4"]The World-Akobian underway on ChessGames.com[/font]

[font size="1"]Left: photo of The World by NASA from Wikimedia Commons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Earth_seen_from_Apollo_17.jpg)
(Public Domain)
Right: photo of Varuzhan Akobian by Stefan64 (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stefan64) from Wikipedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:VAkobian10.jpg)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]
The rematch of the online game between Aremian-American grandmaster Varuzhan Akobian and "The World", a team of about 300 actively participating members of the website ChessGames.com, started on August 1 and is currently underway.

The is the second game of a series. Last year, with Mr. Akobian playing White, the game ended in a draw. This year, The World is playing White and at this writing is awaiting Mr. Akobian's 21st move.

For my fiends here at Democratic Underground who have been wondering where I have been, I am a member of the World team and have been contributing analysis for the game. This has kept me busy as since we have a number of critical moves from late September through October.

Also, as a member of the World team, I will have nothing more to say about the game until its completion.

10 replies

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Highlight:

Chess (October/November): Magnus wins Grand Slam Final in São Paulo and Bilbao (Original Post) Jack Rabbit Nov 2012 OP

Games Jack Rabbit Nov 2012 #1

Grand Slam Final, São Paulo and Bilbao Jack Rabbit Nov 2012 #2

Carlsen - Anand, Round 9, Bilbao (Spanish Sicilian Rat Opening Theory) Jack Rabbit Nov 2012 #3

Caruana - Aronian, Round 9, Bilbao Jack Rabbit Nov 2012 #4

Chess Olympics, Istanbul Jack Rabbit Nov 2012 #5

Ivanchuk - Wang Hao, Round 11 Jack Rabbit Nov 2012 #6

Giri - Aronian, Round 10 Jack Rabbit Nov 2012 #7

Hou Yifan - T. Kosintseva, Round 6 Jack Rabbit Nov 2012 #8

2011/12 Women's Grand Prix, Sixth and Final Leg, Ankara Jack Rabbit Nov 2012 #9

Koneru - M. Socko, Round 11 Jack Rabbit Nov 2012 #10

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

1. Games

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Original post)

Sat Nov 3, 2012, 05:24 PM

Nov 2012

Your humble hare acknowledges the assistance of Houdini 1.5a, Rybka 4 and Fritz 13 on analysis.

Diagrams on the Jack Rabbit Chess Report are made with Aquarium, a commercially available interface for Rybka.

Diagrams and other images are hosted on imgur.com.
[center]
BLACK

WHITE
White to move
(This position is a theoretical draw)
[/center]

I would like to thank my impressive and loyal staff: Buccaneer, Spitfire, Desperado, Swashbuckler, Pancho and Robin Hood.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

2. Grand Slam Final, São Paulo and Bilbao

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #1)

Sat Nov 3, 2012, 05:34 PM

Nov 2012

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

3. Carlsen - Anand, Round 9, Bilbao (Spanish Sicilian Rat Opening Theory)

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #2)

Sat Nov 3, 2012, 05:35 PM

Nov 2012

This is Magnus' first victory over Sri Anand in a game played under standard time control. It set up a tie for the tournament championship between Magnus and reigning Italian champion Fabiano Caruana. That was resolved in a two-game blitz playoff in which Magnus won both games.

[center][/center]

[center]Magnus Carlsen[/center]
[font size="1"]Photo by Stefan64 (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stefan64) from Wikipedia
(Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Magnus Carlsen - Vishy Anand
Grand Slam Masters, Round 9
Bilbao, 12 October 2012

Spanish Sicilian Rat Game: Main Line (Canal Attack)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+

It is more usual to play the Spanish Bishop sortie after 2...Nc6 than after 2...d6.
For the Spanish Sicilian Royal Game, see Najer-Mosieenko, Russian ChT, Olginka, 2011.

[center]BLACK[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE[/center][center]Spanish Sicilian Rat Game[/center][center]Position after 3.Bf1b5+[/center]

3...Bd7

This is the most common move, although Black ends up surrendering his good Bishop. Variations rooted in [font color="red"]3...Nc6, the Moscow Gambit,[/font] can transpose from Spanish Sicilians Royal or even Open Sicilians that feature ...Nc6. [font color="blue"]3...Nd7, the Venice Defense,[/font] is a more straightforward attempt by Black to preserve his light-bound Bishop.
[font color="red"](Moscow Gambit)[/font] If [font color="red"]3...Nc6 [/font]

[font color="red"]
[center]BLACK[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE[/center][center]Spanish Sicilian Royal Game: Moscow Gambit[/center][center]Position after 3...Nb8c6[/center]
[/font]

If [font color="red"]4.0-0 Bd7 5.Re1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]5...Nf6 6.c3 a6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]7.Bf1 Bg4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]8.d3 e6 9.Nbd2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9...Be7 10.h3 Bh5 11.g4 Bg6 12.Nh4 Nd7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13.Ng2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...e5 14.Nf3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14...h5 15.g5 Nf8 16.d4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]16...cxd4 17.cxd4 exd4 18.Nxd4 Nxd4 19.Qxd4 Bxg5 20.Bxg5 Qxg5 21.Qxd6[/font] gives White a safer King and a slight edge in space (Zhong Zhang-Atakisi, Ol, Bled, 2002).
[font color="burgundy"]16...Qd7 17.Ngh4 f6 18.Kh2 cxd4 19.cxd4 exd4 20.Nxd4 Nxd4 21.Qxd4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Menzi-Nikolova, Euro ChTW, Porto Carras, 2011).

[font color="darkpink"]14...Rc8 15.a3 Nf8 16.d4 cxd4 17.cxd4 h5 18.d5[/font] remains equal (Zavgorodniy-Galliamova, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2002).

If [font color="darkred"]13...0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14.f4 14...h6 15.Nf3 Bh7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16.f5 Nde5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"] 17.Nf4 Nxf3+ 18.Qxf3 Bg5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]19.Bg2 Qe7 20.Nh5 exf5 21.Bxg5 Qxg5 22.exf5 g6 23.Ng3 gxf5 24.gxf5[/font] is equal (Spassov-Halikas, Euro ChT, Plovdiv, 2003).
[font color="hotpink"]19.Qd1 Re8 20.Bg2 g6 21.Rf1 exf5 22.exf5 gxf5[/font] is equal (Reinderman-Tiviakov, IT B, Wijk aan Zee, 2000).

[font color="purple"]17.Be3 Rc8 18.Rc1 d5 19.Nxe5 Nxe5 20.Bf4 Nc6[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space (Vescovi-Szmetan, Pan-Am Ch, Cali, 2001).

[font color="darkorange"]16.Qe2 Qc7 17.Qf2 Rae8 18.f5 Nde5[/font] is equal (D. Popovic-B. Vuckovic, TT, Herceg Novi, 2005).

[font color="magenta"]14.Nf4 Bf6 15.Nf3 Nde5 16.Be3 Nxf3+ 17.Qxf3 h6[/font] gives Black a slim advantage in space.

If [font color="darkred"]13.Nxg6 hxg6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14.Nf3 Nde5 15.Be3 Nxf3+ 16.Qxf3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]16...Bg5 17.d4 cxd4 18.cxd4 Bxe3 19.Qxe3[/font] is equal (Urquhart-Noritsyn, Candian Closed Ch, Toronto, 2006).
[font color="burgundy"]16...e5 17.Qd1 Bg5 18.Bg2 Bxe3 19.fxe3 Qd7 20.d4[/font] is equal (Xu Yuhua-Wang Lei, Chiese ChTW, Suzhou, 2001).

If [font color="magenta"]14.f4 Bh4 15.Re2 g5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]16.f5 Nde5 17.Re3 0-0[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]18.Bg2 d5 19.exd5 exd5 20.Nf3 Nxf3+ 21.Qxf3 d4[/font] gives Black a slight advantage (Rublevsky-Timoshenko, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2004).
[font color="burgundy"]18.Nf3 Nxf3+ 19.Qxf3 b5 20.Bg2 Rb8 21.Qd1 b4[/font] gives Black the advantage in space because his minor pieces are better (Perunovic-Vuckovic, Serbian ChT, Zlatibor, 2006).

If [font color="darkorange"]16.Nf3 gxf4 17.Nxh4 Qxh4 18.Bxf4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]18...e5 19.Bh2 Nf8 20.a3[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]20...Ne6 21.b4 0-0-0 22.Rb1 Nf4 23.Re3 Qe7 24.Kh1[/font] gives Black the advantage in space, but White's pawns are still moble on the kingside (Sadvakasov-Grischuk, IT, Poikovsky, 2005).
[font color="purple"]20...a5 21.b4 axb4 22.axb4 Rxa1 23.Qxa1 cxb4 24.Qa8+[/font] is equal (Mahjoob-Sufian, Asian Ch, Subic Bay, 2009).

[font color="hotpink"]18...0-0-0!? 19.Bh2 g6 20.Rf2 f5 21.d4 fxg4 22.Qxg4[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkred"]9...Nd7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10.h3 Bh5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11.g4 Bg6 12.d4 cxd4 13.cxd4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Be7 14.d5 Nce5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15.Nxe5 dxe5 16.Nf3 Rc8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]17.b3 exd5 18.Qxd5 f6 19.Nh4 Nc5 20.Qxd8+ Rxd8[/font] is equal (Zhong Zhang-Topalov, IT A, Wijk aan Zee, 2004).
[font color="burgundy"]17.Bg2 exd5 18.exd5 Bd6 19.Bf4 f6 20.Be3[/font] is equal (Bologan-Movsesian, IT, Sarajevo, 2004).

If [font color="magenta"]15.dxe6 fxe6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16.Nxe5 dxe5 17.Bc4 Nc5 18.Nb3 Qxd1 19.Rxd1 Nxe4[/font] is equal (Deszczynski-Moranda, Euro Rpd Ch, Warsaw, 2010).
[font color="darkorange"]16.Nd4 Bh4 17.N2f3 0-0 18.Bg2 Nc5 19.Nxh4 Qxh4[/font] gives Black a slight advantage with pressure on f2 (Lahno-Sebag, Rpd IT, Cap d'Agde, 2008).

If [font color="magenta"]13...e5 14.d5 Ncb8[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]15.b4 Be7 16.Nc4 h5 17.g5 a5 18.bxa5[/font] gives White a healthy advantage in space; Black's game is cramped but defensable (Anand-Topalov, IT, Dortmund, 2001).
[font color="darkorange"]15.h4 h6 16.Bh3 Be7 17.h5 Bh7 18.Nf1 a5[/font] is equal (Smeets-Cheparinov, IT B, Wijk aan Zee, 2008).

If [font color="magenta"]11.Be2 Be7 12.Nf1 0-0[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]13.Ng3 Bg6 14.a3 d5 15.exd5 exd5 16.Bf4 Re8[/font] is equal (Vachier Lagrave-Tregubov, Paris Ch, 2004).
[font color="darkorange"]13.N3d2 Bxe2 14.Qxe2 d5 15.exd5 exd5 16.Nf3 Re8[/font] is equal; the players soon agreed to a draw (Gelashvili-Banikas, Op, Corinth, 1999).

If [font color="magenta"]10.Be2 Be7[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]11.Nf1 0-0 12.Ng3 Rc8 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Bxf3 Bg5[/font] draw (Spasov-Krivoshey, Op, Salou, Spain, 2005).
If [font color="darkorange"]11.d4 cxd4 12.cxd4[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]12...d5 13.h3 dxe4 14.hxg4 exf3 15.Nxf3 Nf6 16.g5[/font] is equal.
[font color="purple"]12...0-0 13.h3 Bh5 14.d5 exd5 15.exd5 Nb4 16.a3[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkred"]8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 g6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10.d3 Bg7 11.Be3 Nd7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]12.Nd2 0-0 13.Qd1 b5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]14.Nf3 Nb6 15.d4 Na4!? 16.Re2 Qa5 17.Rc1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Ponomariov-Caruana, IT, Dortmund, 2012).
[font color="burgundy"]14.a3 Nb6 15.Nf3 Na4 16.Qd2 d5 17.Bh6 d4[/font] is equal (Karttunen-Laznicka, Euro Club Cup, Rogaska Slatina, 2011).

[font color="darkpink"]12.Qd1 0-0 13.Nd2 Rc8 14.f4 e5 15.f5[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Kasparov-Vachier Lagrave, Blitz M, Clichy, 2011).

If [font color="magenta"]10.Qd1 Bh6 11.Na3 0-0 12.Nc2[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]12...e5 13.d4 Bxc1 14.Rxc1 cxd4 15.cxd4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]15...Rc8 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.Qf3 Kg7 18.Bc4 Nd4[/font] gives Black a slight initiative (Glek-Vachier Lagrave, Bundesliga 0708, Katernberg, 2007).
[font color="burgundy"]15...Qb6 16.d5 Ne7 17.Na3 Ne8 18.Nc4 Qa7 19.a4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Brodsky-Dobrov, Op, St. Petersburg, 2003).

If [font color="darkorange"]12...Rc8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]13.Rb1 d5 14.e5 Nd7 15.b4[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]15...Qc7!? 16.bxc5! Nxc5 17.d4 Bxc1 18.Rxc1 Nd7 19.Ne3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Iordachescu-Movsesian, FIDE Knock Out, New Delhi, 2000).
[font color="purple"]15...Qb6 16.Ne3 Bxe3 17.dxe3 Rfd8 18.Qxd5 Ncxe5 19.e4[/font] is equal.

[font color="hotpink"]13.a3 e6 14.b4 Qb6 15.e5 dxe5 16.d4[/font] is equal (Skripchenko-E. Pähtz. ITW, Biel, 2005).

If [font color="darkred"]7.Ba4 b5 8.Bc2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]8...e5 9.h3 Be7 10.d4 0-0 11.d5 Na5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]12.b3 Qc7[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]13.Be3 13...g6 14.Nbd2 Nh5 15.Nf1 Kh8 16.Bh6 Ng7 17.g4 Nb7 18.Ng3 Nd8 19.a4[/font] draw (Meier-Inarkiev, Euro Ch, Budva, 2009).
[font color="burgundy"]13.Nbd2 c4 14.b4 Nb7 15.Nf1 a5 16.a3 Ra6[/font] is equal (Lahno-S. Ernst, IT B, Wijk aan Zee, 2012).

[font color="darkpink"]12.Nbd2 Qc7 13.Nf1[/font] is a position that can also arise out of the Chigorin Defense in the Grand Spanish Royal Game; the game may continue, for example, [font color="darkpink"]13...Rac8 14.g4 h5 15.N3h2 hxg4 16.hxg4 Nh7[/font] with Black slightly better (Lindberg-Hammer, Rilton Cup 0910, Stockholm, 2010).

If [font color="magenta"]8...Bg4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]9.h3 Bxf3 10.Qxf3 g6[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]11.d3 Bg7[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]12.Be3 Nd7 13.Nd2 0-0 14.Rac1 Rb8 15.Qe2 a5 16.Nf3[/font] gives White the advantage in the center; Black has potential counterplay on the queenside (Van Kampen-S. Kuipers, IT C, Wijk aan Zee, 2010).
If [font color="darkorange"]12.Nd2 0-0[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]13.Qe2 Nd7 14.Nf3 b4 15.Ba4 Qc7 16.Bd2[/font] is equal (Ponomariov-Topalov, FIDE Knock Out, Las Vegas, 1999).
[font color="purple"]13.Nf1 b4 14.g4 bxc3 15.bxc3 Nd7 16.Bd2 Qa5[/font] gives Black a small advantage with pressure on c3 (Van Kemenade-Hodgson, British Ch, Great Yarmouth, 2007).

If [font color="darkorange"]11.a4 Rb8 12.axb5 axb5[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]13.Na3 Nd7 14.Qe2 Qb6 15.Bd3 c4 16.Bc2 Nc5[/font] is equal (Reshevsky-Christiansen, US Ch, South Bend, Indiana, 1981).
[font color="purple"]13.d3 Bg7 14.Nd2 0-0 15.Nf1 b4 16.Ba4 Nd7[/font] is equal; if 17.Bxc6!? then 17...Ne5! wins back the piece without taking any damage (Burns Mannion-Moiseenko, Ol, Khanty-Mansiysk, 2010).

If [font color="darkorange"]9.a4 Rb8 10.axb5 axb5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]11.d4 cxd4 12.cxd4 e5 13.d5 Nd4 14.Nbd2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]14...Be7 15.Bd3 0-0 16.h3[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]16...Bh5 17.g4 Nxg4 18.Nxd4 Nxf2 19.Qxh5 Nxd3 20.Nc6[/font] is equal (Ni Hua-Aveskulov, Mindsports Rpd, Beijing, 2008).
[font color="burgundy"]16...Nxf3+ 17.Nxf3 Bh5 18.Bd2 Nd7 19.b4 Nb6 20.Qe2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Bojkov-Nyzhnyk, Op, Groningen, 2010).

[font color="hotpink"]14...Nxc2 15.Qxc2 Be7 16.h3 Bd7 17.Nb3 0-0 18.Na5[/font] gives White a slight edge (Malakhov-Saposhnikov, Russian Ch HL, Novokuznetsk, 2008).

[font color="purple"]11.h3 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 e6 13.d3 Be7 14.Be3[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (A. Kovacevic-Bogosavljevic, Kostic Mem, Vrsac, Serbia, 2008).

If [font color="darkred"]5...a6 6.Bxc6 Bxc6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]8...Nf6 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.Qf3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10...e5 11.Bg5 Be7 12.Nd2 0-0 13.Nc4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Qc7 14.Rad1[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]14...Rad8 15.Rd3 h6 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Ne3 Qa5 18.Red1[/font] gives White better contol of the center (Rublevsky-Agopov, Euro Club Cup, Saint Vincent, 2005).
[font color="burgundy"]14...Rfd8 15.Rd3 d5 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Ne3 d4 18.Nc4[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Ramesh-Chowdhury, Indian Ch, Mumbai, 2003).

[font color="darkpink"]13...Qb8 14.Rad1 Rd8 15.b3 h6 16.Bh4 Ra7 17.Ne3[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (Xu Yuhua-Ghaderpour, Mindsports Rpd, Beijing, 2008).

[font color="darkorchid"]10...Qc7 11.b3 e5 12.Nd2 Be7 13.Nc4 0-0 14.Bg5[/font] gives White more piece activity, but Black's center makes it difficult to exploit the advantage (Grischuk-Miton, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2002).

If [font color="magenta"]8...Rc8[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]9.c4 Nf6 10.Nc3 Bd7 11.Qd3 Qc7 12.b3 e6[/font] gives White a small advantage in space; the bind makes it difficult for Black to play ...d5 and Black's center makes it hard to White to move forward (De Castro-Quinteros, IT, Manila, 1973).
[font color="darkorange"]9.Nc3 e6 10.Nxc6 Rxc6 11.Qg4 Nf6 12.Qg3 Nh5[/font] gives White more space, but Black's center again impedes White's chances to make progress (Degraeve-Kharlov, Op, Metz, 1999).

If [font color="magenta"]7.c3 Nf6 8.d4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]8...Bxe4 9.Bg5 Bd5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]10.Nbd2 e6 11.c4 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 cxd4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Qxb7[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]14...Bg7 15.Qc6+ Ke7[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16.Nf3 f5 17.Rad1 Qc8 18.Qd5 Kd7 19.Qa5 Qc5[/font] is equal (Romanishin-Sosonko, IT Reggio Emilia, 1986).
[font color="burgundy"]16.Qb7+ Kf8 17.Nb3 Rb8 18.Qxa6 Qb6 19.Qa3 Qb4[/font] is equal (Böcher-Umansky, Corres, 2004).

[font color="darkpink"]14...Be7 15.Nf3 Qc8 16.Qe4 f5 17.Qxd4 Rg8 18.b3[/font] is equal (Odeev-Nyzhnyk, Turkish League, Konya, 2012).

[font color="darkorchid"]13.Qxb7 Be7 14.Qc6+ Nd7 15.Bxe7 Kxe7 16.Nf3 Qb6[/font] is equal (Svidler-Topalov, IT, Prague, 2002).

If [font color="darkorange"]10.c4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]10...Bxc4 11.Nc3 e6 12.Bxf6[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]12...gxf6 13.d5 e5 14.Nh4 Bb5 15.Ne4 Bd7 16.Qh5[/font] is equal (Martinovic-Anand, IT, Gronigen, 1989).
[font color="purple"]12...Qxf6!? 13.dxc5 0-0-0 14.Qa4 d5 15.Rac1 e5 16.Rxe5[/font] gives White more activity and a safer King (Taulbut-Kupreichik, IT 8182, Hastings, 1981).

If [font color="hotpink"]10...Bxf3 11.Qxf3 cxd4 12.Qxb7 Qc8 13.Qf3[/font] then:

[font color="hotpink"]13...e6 14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.Qxf6 Rg8 16.Nd2[/font] then:

[font color="hotpink"]16...Bg7 17.Qh4 h6 18.Ne4 Qc7 19.Rad1 Qe7 20.Qg3[/font] gives White better pawns, a safer King and the initiative; Black has a passed pawn (Felgaer-Aronian, World Youth BU20, Yerevan, 2000).
[font color="purple"]16...Rg6 17.Qxd4 Rb8 18.Ne4 Qc6 19.Rad1 f5 20.Ng3[/font] gives White an extra pawn and stronger pawns (Felgaer-Paschall, 1st Saturday December, Budapest, 2001).

[font color="darkpink"]13...e5 14.Nd2 Nd7 15.Nb3 f6 16.Bd2 Be7[/font] is equal (Ivanchuk-Topalov, Amber Blind, Monte Carlo, 2003).

If [font color="darkorange"]8...cxd4 9.cxd4 Bxe4 10.Nc3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]10...Bxf3 11.Qxf3 e6 12.Qxb7 Qc8 13.Qf3 Be7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]14.Bg5 0-0 15.Rac1 Qd7[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]16.Rc2 Rac8 17.Qd3 Qb7 18.Re3 Nd5 19.Rh3 g6[/font] is equal (Isakov-Abilmazhinov, Asian Ch, Tehran, 2002).
[font color="purple"]16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.d5 e5 18.Ne4 Be7 19.Rc6[/font] gives White a slight edge (M. Socko-Harika, Mindsports Rpd, Beijing, 2008).

If [font color="hotpink"]14.d5 e5 15.Bg5[/font] then:

If [font color="hotpink"]15...0-0 16.Ne4 Nxd5 17.Nxd6 Qe6[/font] then:

[font color="hotpink"]18.Rad1 Qxd6 19.Bxe7 Qxe7 20.Rxd5 f6 21.Red1[/font] gives White a slight advantage from his command of the d-file (Smirin-Alterman, ZT, Struga, 1995).
If [font color="#FF4000"]18.Bxe7 Nxe7 19.Ne4 Rac8[/font] then:

[font color="#FF4000"]20.h3!? Ng6 21.Ng5 Qb6[/font] gives Black the advantage in space (A. Muzychuk-Sebag, ITW, Krasnoturinsk, 2008).

[font color="burgundy"]20.Rad1 Qxa2 21.Nd6 Rc2 22.Rxe5 Ng6 23.Ree1 Qxb2[/font] is equal.

[font color="darkpink"]15...Qd7 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Ne4 Be7 18.Rac1 0-0 19.Rc6[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Hou Yifan-Dembo, World ChTW, Mardin, Turkey, 2007).

If [font color="purple"]10...d5 11.Bg5 e6[/font] then:

If [font color="purple"]12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.Nxe4 dxe4 14.Rxe4 Qd5[/font] then:

[font color="purple"]15.Re3 Bd6 16.Qd3[/font] then:

[font color="purple"]16...Rc8 17.a3 Kf8 18.Rd1 Qc4 19.Qe4 Qc2 20.Qxc2 Rxc2[/font] is equal (Xu Yuhua-Kovalevskaya, Rpd TMW, Batumi, 2001).
If [font color="hotpink"]16...0-0-0 17.b4 Kb8[/font] then:

[font color="hotpink"]18.Rb1!? Qxa2 19.Re2 Qd5 20.Reb2 Rc8[/font] gives Black an extra pawn and more space (Pietrasanta-Sebag, IT, Bois Colombes, France, 2004).
[font color="burgundy"]18.a3 Rc8 19.g3 h5 20.Rae1 b5[/font] is equal.

If [font color="hotpink"]15.Qa4+ b5 16.Qc2 Bd6[/font] then:

[font color="hotpink"]17.a4 Ke7 18.axb5 Rhc8 19.Qb1 axb5 20.Rxa8 Rxa8[/font] is equal (Odeev-Atakisi, Turkish ChT, Konya, 2011).
[font color="burgundy"]17.Re3 Kf8 18.Rc3 Kg7 19.Rc6 Rhd8[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkpink"]12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Rxe4 Be7 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.d5[/font] gives White a lead in development (Wang Hao-Dreev, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2006).

If [font color="darkred"]4.d4 cxd4 5.Qxd4 Bd7 6.Bxc6 Bxc6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]7.Nc3 Nf6 8.Bg5 e6 9.0-0-0 Be7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10.Rhe1 0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11.Qd2 Qc7 12.Nd4 Rfd8 13.Kb1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Rab8 (14.f3 b5 15.g4 b4 16.Nce2 a5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]17.Ng3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]17...Ba8 18.Nh5 Ne8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]19.Bxe7 Qxe7 20.g5 a4 21.f4 g6 22.Ng3 e5[/font] (Rasulov-Nyzhnyk, World Jr Ch, Chatowa, Poland, 2010).
[font color="burgundy"]19.h4 a4 20.Bxe7 Qxe7 21.g5 g6 22.Ng3 e5[/font] gives Black a slight initiative and the advantage in space on the queenside (Spanton-Donovan, Op 0809, Hastings, 2009).

If [font color="magenta"]17...Rdc8[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]18.Rg1 Bd7 19.Nh5 Qd8 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.f4 Be7[/font] is equal (So. Polgar-Bakhtadze, World Youth BU20, Matinhos, Brazil, 1994).
If [font color="darkorange"]18.Nh5 Ne8 19.Bxe7 Qxe7[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]20.g5!? g6 21.Ng3 e5 22.Nde2 a4 23.h4 Rb5[/font] leaves Black's queenside slightly better than White's kingside (Alekseev-Khismatullin, Russian Ch, Moscow, 2009).
[font color="purple"]20.Nf4! Ba8 21.Nd3 g6 22.g5 e5 23.Ne2 Rb6[/font] is equal.

[font color="burgundy"]17.h4 a4 18.h5 Rdc8 19.Bxf6 gxf6 20.Rh1 Bd7[/font] is equal (Movsesian-Jirovsky, Czech ChT, 1996).

If [font color="magenta"]13...a6 14.f3 b5 15.g4 Rac8[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]16.Nce2!?[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16...Ba8 17.Ng3 b4 18.Rg1 h6 19.Be3 e5?! 20.Ndf5[/font] gives White potent threats on the kingside, not least of which is the sacrifice 21.Nxh6+, exposing Black's King to direct attack (S. Zhigalko-Durabayli, Euro Ch, Dresden, 2007).
If [font color="purple"]16...Bd7 17.Ng3[/font] then:

[font color="purple"]17...g6!? 18.Rg1 e5 19.Ndf5 Bxf5 20.exf5[/font] gives White an advantage concentrated on the kingside; Black has potential counterplay on the opposite wing (Vasiukov-Browne, Op, Reykjavik, 1980).
[font color="hotpink"]17...h6 18.Be3 Nh7 19.Rc1 a5 20.Red1 Rb8[/font] gives Black a slight advantage concentrated on the queenside.

[font color="darkorange"]16.a3 h6 17.Be3 d5 18.e5 Nh7 19.f4 Bd7[/font] is equal (Houdini 1.5a x64).

If [font color="magenta"]11.Kb1[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]11...Qa5 12.Qd2 Qa6 13.Nd4 Rfc8[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]14.f3 Be8 15.g4 b5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16.h4 b4 17.Nce2 Qb7 18.Ng3 a5 19.Rg1 a4[/font] is equal (Lallemand-Lomineishvili, Euro ChTW, Goteborg, 2005).
[font color="burgundy"]16.Nce2 b4 17.Ng3 h6 18.Be3 Nd7 19.Bxh6[/font] is equal (Epishin-Dvoirys, Soviet Ch, Leningrad, 1990).

If [font color="darkorange"]14.f4 h6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]15.h4!?[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]15...Qc4 16.g4 Kf8 17.f5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]17...hxg5?[/font] then after [font color="darkorange"]18.hxg5 Nd7 19.fxe6 Ne5 20.Rh1 fxe6 21.b3[/font] White soon wins (Vasiukov-Van Wely, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2002).
[font color="purple"]17...Kg8 18.Bxh6 gxh6 19.fxe6 Kh7 20.Nf5 Bf8 21.e7[/font] gives White a powerful attack.

If [font color="darkpink"]15...hxg5?! 16.hxg5[/font] then:

[font color="darkpink"]16...Qb6 17.gxf6 Bxf6 18.e5 dxe5 19.fxe5 Be7 20.Rh1[/font] gives White a powerful attack that Black has no way to prevent.
If [font color="burgundy"]16...Nd7?[/font] then White wins after [font color="burgundy"]17.Rh1 Nc5 18.Qe1 f5 19.Qh4.[/font]

[font color="hotpink"]15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.e5 Be7 17.exd6 Bxd6 18.f5[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkorange"]a) 11...h6 12.Bh4 Re8[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]13.Bg3 d5 14.e5 Ne4 15.Nxe4 dxe4 16.Qxd8 Rexd8[/font] is equal (Svidler-Kasparov, IT, Linares, 1999).
[font color="purple"]13.h3 Qa5 14.Qd2 Qb6 15.Nd4 Rac8 16.g4 a5[/font] is equal (Andres-Hoffman, Op, Vincente López, Argentina, 2001).

[font color="darkorange"]b) 11...Qc7 12.Qd2 Rfd8[/font] transposes to the [font color="darkred"]parent line.[/font]

If [font color="magenta"]10.Qd3 Qa5 11.h4 h6[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Nd4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]13...Qb6 14.f4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]14...0-0-0 15.Nxc6 Qxc6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16.Nb5 Qb6 17.c3 Be7 18.Nd4 d5 19.e5 Bc5[/font] is equal (Zelcic-Fargere, Op, Geneva, 2010).
[font color="burgundy"]16.Rh3 a6 17.g4 g5 18.fxg5 hxg5 19.Qf1 Be5[/font] is equal (Belkhodja-Movsesian, Op, Cappelle-la-Grande, 2002).

[font color="darkpink"]14...Bxd4 15.Qxd4 Qxd4 16.Rxd4 Ke7 17.Re1 g5 18.Nd5+[/font] is equal (Ruan Lufei-Ju Wenjun, Grand Prix W, Shenzhen, 2011).

[font color="darkorchid"]13...0-0 14.f4 e5 15.Nxc6 bxc6 16.f5 d5 17.exd5 Rab8[/font] is equal (Levacic-Hauchard, French ChT, Le Port Marly, 2009).

If [font color="darkorange"]12.Bd2 Qa6 13.Qxa6 bxa6[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]14.Rde1 Ng4 15.Nd4 Bd7 16.f3 Ne5 17.b3 0-0 18.g4 Rfc8[/font] is equal (Haznedaroglu-Houriez, Euro Ch, Aix-les-Bains, 2011).
If [font color="purple"]14.Rhe1 Ng4 15.Re2[/font] then:

[font color="purple"]15...0-0 16.Nd4 Bd7 17.g3 Rfc8 18.Nb3 Be8 19.f4[/font] gives Black the little center to blunt the progress of White's pawns; White has a slight edge in space (Mamadova-Alsina Leal, Op, Barbera del Valles, 2012).
[font color="hotpink"]15...Bb7 16.Kb1 0-0 17.Bf4 Rfd8 18.Bg3 Nf6 19.Nd4[/font] is equal (Galazewski-Aliavdin, Lasker Mem, Barlinek, 2007).

If [font color="magenta"]7.c4 Nf6 8.Nc3[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]8...g6 9.0-0 Bg7 10.Qd3 0-0 11.Nd4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]11...Qb6 12.Rd1[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]12...Ng4 13.Qd2 Qc5 14.h3 Nf6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]15.Qe2 Rfc8 16.b3 Qe5 17.f3 Nh5 18.Be3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Ni Hua-Zhou Jianchou, Chinese Ch, Xinghua, 2009).
[font color="burgundy"]15.Qd3 Nd7 16.b3 Qe5 17.Qe3 f5 18.f4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (El Taher-Bengafer, Op, Dubai, 2001).

[font color="darkpink"]12...Nd7 13.b3 Nc5 14.Qe3 Ne6 15.Nde2 Qxe3 16.Bxe3[/font] is equal (Wen Yang-Le Quang Liem, Lishiu, China, 2009).

If [font color="darkorange"]11...Rc8 12.b3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]12...a6 13.Bb2 Qa5 14.Rfd1[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]14...Rfd8 15.Rab1 Qh5 16.h3 Nd7 17.Re1 Qc5 18.Nxc6[/font] is equal (Predojevic-Timofeev, IT, Sarajevo, 2007).
[font color="purple"]14...e6 15.Rac1 Rfd8 16.a3 Bh6 17.Rc2 Bg7 18.b4 Qh5[/font] is equal (B. Socko-Sutovsky, Euro Ch, Rijeka, 2010).

[font color="hotpink"]12...Nd7 13.Be3 Nc5 14.Qc2 Bd7 15.Rfd1 f5 16.f3[/font] is equal (Wang Yu-N. Kosintseva, TMW, Ningbo, 2010).

If [font color="darkorange"]8...e6 9.0-0 Be7[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]10.b3 0-0 11.Bb2 a6 12.Qd3 Qa5 13.Nd4 Bd7[/font] is equal (Chandler-W. Watson, Bundesliga 9394, Germany, 1994).
[font color="purple"]10.Re1 0-0 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bh4 a6 13.Rad1 Qa5[/font] is equal (Schweber-Najdorf, IT, Buenos Aires, 1970).

[font color="blue"](Venice Defense)[/font] If [font color="blue"]3...Nd7[/font] (Najdorf was the first to win with this move, against Canal in Venice, 1948) then:

[font color="blue"]
[center]BLACK[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE[/center][center]Spanish Sicilian Rat Game: Venice Defense[/center][center]Position after 3...Nb8d7[/center]
[/font]

If [font color="blue"]4.d4 Ngf6 5.Nc3 cxd4 6.Qxd4[/font] then:

If [font color="blue"]6...e5 7.Qd3 h6 8.Be3 Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Bc4[/font] then:

If [font color="blue"]10...a6 11.a4 Qc7[/font] then:

If [font color="blue"]12.Nh4 Nc5 13.Bxc5[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]13...Qxc5 14.Ng6 Re8 15.Nxe7+ Rxe7 16.Rfd1 Rc7 17.Bb3[/font] is equal (Saldano Dayer-Milos, Op, Buenos Aires, 2010).
[font color="#4080FF"]13...dxc5 14.Qf3 Bg4 15.Qe3 Kh7[/font] draw (Bojkov-Kuloats, Greek ChT, Ermioni, 2006).

If [font color="darkblue"]12.Nd2 Rb8[/font] then:

[font color="darkblue"]13.a5 Nc5 14.Qe2 Be6 15.Bxe6 Nxe6 16.Ra4 Qc6 17.Rc4[/font] gives White a slight edge with greater activity, the initiative and more space, but Black's defense is solid (Adams-Svidler, FIDE Knock Out, New Delhi, 2000).
[font color="dodgerblue"]13.Ba7 Ra8 14.Be3 Rb8[/font] draw (Yandemirov-Kurnosov, Russian Cup, Togliatty, 2001).

If [font color="darkblue"]10...Nb6 11.Bb3 Be6 12.Nh4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]12...Rc8 13.Ng6 Re8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]14.Rfd1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]14...Nc4 15.Bxc4 Rxc4[/font] then:

[font color="darkblue"]16.Nxe7+ Rxe7 17.Qxd6 Qxd6 18.Rxd6 Nxe4 19.Nxe4 Rxe4 20.b3[/font] gives White a Rook on a navigable file and a remote pawn majority; Black's defense is solid[/font] (Chandler-Mestel, ZT, Brighton, 1984).
[font color="#4080FF"]16.b3 Rc8 17.Nxe7+ Rxe7 18.Nb5 a6[/font] is equal.

[font color="#004080"]14...Rfd8[/font] (providing more backing for the d-pawn) [font color="#004080"]15.Rad1 Qe8 16.Nxe7+ Qxe7 17.Bxb6 axb6 18.Qc4[/font] gives White a slight advantage with stronger pawns.

[font color="#8000FF"]14.Nxe7+ Rxe7 15.Rfd1 Rd7 16.Nd5 Nbxd5 17.exd5 Bg4[/font] is equal (Shaked-Ashley, Op, Bermuda, 1997).

If [font color="dodgerblue"]12...Qd7 13.Bxe6 fxe6[/font] then:

[font color="dodgerblue"]14.Ng6[/font] then:

[font color="dodgerblue"]14...Rfe8!? 15.Rad1 Rad8 16.Nb5 Nc8 17.Nxa7 Nxa7 18.Bxa7[/font] gives White an extra pawn and better pawns (Raschewski-Mukherjee, Corres, 1997).
If [font color="darkcyan"]14.Nb5 Nc8 15.Ng6[/font] then:

[font color="darkcyan"]15...Rd8 16.c4 a6 17.Nc3 Qe8 18.Nxe7+ Nxe7 19.Rad1[/font] is equal (Kupreichik-Polugaevsky, Soviet Ch, Moscow, 1976).
If [font color="slateblue"]15...Rf7 16.Rad1 Qc6 17.f3 Kh7 18.Nxe7 Rxe7 19.c4[/font] gives White a small advantage as Black's central pawn mass is restrained.

If [font color="darkblue"]6...a6 7.Bxd7+ Bxd7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]8.Bg5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]8...e6 9.0-0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]9...Bc6 10.e5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]10...dxe5 11.Qxe5[/font] then:

[font color="darkblue"]11...Nd7? 12.Bxd8 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Rxd8 14.Rxd8+ Kxd8 15.Nxf7+[/font] wins the exchange and gives White a healthy material advantage; Black resigns after a few more moves (Ricardi-Pérez Nivar, Thessoloniki, 1984).
[font color="#4040FF"]11...Qe7 12.Nd4 Nd7 13.Qf4 f6 14.Nxc6 bxc6 15.Qc7[/font] still leaves Black in danger, but he could fight his way out of it.

Black should lose before his chair is warm after [font color="dodgerblue"]10...Bxf3? 11.gxf3![/font] when:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]11...Qa5 12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.exd6[/font] then:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]13...Qe5 14.Qa4+ b5[/font] then:

Black lets White off the hook with [font color="dodgerblue"]15.d7+? Kd8 16.Qb3 Qf4+ 17.Kb1 Qb4 18.Ne4 Qxb3[/font] when Black equalizes (Quillan-Sherzer, IT, Prestwich, England, 1990).
White wins after [font color="steelblue"]15.Qa3! Bh6+ 16.Kb1 0-0 17.Rhg1+ Kh8 18.d7.[/font]

If [font color="slateblue"]13...0-0-0[/font] then White wins after [font color="slateblue"]14.Qxf6 Rg8 15.Qxf7 Kb8 16.f4 Rg4 17.h3.[/font]

If [font color="darkcyan"]11...Be7[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkcyan"]12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.exf6 Qxf6 14.Qxd6 Qe7 15.Rhg1.[/font]

If [font color="dodgerblue"]9...h6 10.Bh4 Be7[/font] then:

[font color="dodgerblue"]11.e5 dxe5 12.Nxe5 Bc6 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.Qa4[/font] draw (Lettieri-Krivokapic, World Jr Ch, Istanbul, 2005).
If [font color="darkcyan"]11.Rhe1[/font] then:

[font color="darkcyan"]11...Qc7 12.e5 dxe5 13.Nxe5 Rd8 14.Bg3 Qc8[/font] is equal (Rublevsky-Ruban, Trmt, Novosibirsk. 1995).
If [font color="slateblue"]11...e5 12.Qd3 g5 13.Bg3 Rc8 14.Kb1 b5 15.a3[/font] is equal.

If [font color="dodgerblue"]8...Bc6 9.0-0-0 Qa5[/font] then:

[font color="dodgerblue"]10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Rg8 12.Nh4 e6 13.Rhe1 0-0-0 [/font] is equal (Pfretzschner-Grafl, Bundesliga 0001, Tegernsee, 2001).
If [font color="darkcyan"]10.Rhe1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkcyan"]10...h6?! 11.e5![/font] then:

[font color="darkcyan"]11...0-0-0? 12.exf6! Bxf3 13.gxf3 Qxg5+ 14.Re3 gxf6 15.Ne4 Qf4 16.Qa7 f5 17.Nc5 Qb4 18.Rb3![/font] leaves Black in a mating net; he resigns (Chekhov-Mikhalchishin, Soviet ChU18, Lvov, 1974).
[font color="steelblue"]11...hxg5 12.exf6 gxf6 13.Qxf6 Rh6 14.Rxe7+ Bxe7 15.Qxh6[/font] leaves White a pawn to the good with Black's King exposed.

[font color="slateblue"]10...Nd7 11.Nd5 Bxd5 12.exd5 Qxa2 13.Bf4 Qa1+ 14.Kd2[/font] gives White more space and better development; Black has an active Queen.

If [font color="dodgerblue"]8.0-0[/font] then:

[font color="dodgerblue"]8...e5 9.Qd3 h6 10.a4 Rc8 11.Be3 Be7 12.a5 Qc7 13.Nd2[/font] then:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]13...Be6 14.Rfc1 Qc6[/font] then:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]15.f3 0-0[/font] then:

[font color="dodgerblue"]16.Bb6 Rfe8 17.Kh1 d5 18.exd5 Nxd5 19.Nxd5 Qxd5 20.Qxd5 Bxd5[/font] gives Black a clear advantage in space (Sikora-Litinskaya, Polish ChT, Lubniewice, 1995).
[font color="#4080FF"]16.Nf1 d5 17.exd5 Nxd5 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.Qf5 Be6[/font] gives Black a fair advantage in space (Vokac-Stocek, Czech Ch, Lazne Bohdanec, 1999).

If [font color="darkcyan"]15.Na4 d5 16.exd5 Nxd5 17.Nb6[/font] then:

[font color="darkcyan"]17...Nxe3 18.Qxe3 Rd8 19.Nf3 f6 20.c4 Bc5[/font] gives Black a comfortable advantage in space (Sarbok-Barnidze, Euro Ch, Plovdiv, 2012).
[font color="slateblue"]17...Rd8 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.Qf1 0-0 20.c4 Be6[/font] gives Black a comfortable game (Kulovana-Khukhashvili, Euro ChTW, Novi Sad, 2009).

If [font color="darkcyan"]13...0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkcyan"]14.Rfc1 Be6 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.exd5 Bd7[/font] then:

[font color="darkcyan"]17.Bb6 Qb8 18.c4 f5 19.b4 e4 20.Qb3 Bg5[/font] is equal (Dembo-Ziaziulkina, OlW, Istanbul, 2012).
[font color="#4080FF"]17.c4 f5 18.b4 Qd8 19.f4 Bf6 20.Rab1 Re8[/font] is equal (D. Popovic-Gopal, Ol, Istanbul, 2012).

If [font color="slateblue"]14.Rfd1 Be6[/font] then:

If [font color="slateblue"]15.Bb6 Qc6 16.Nf1 Nd7[/font] then:

If [font color="slateblue"]17.Ne3 Nxb6 18.axb6 Qxb6 19.Ncd5[/font] then:

[font color="slateblue"]19...Bxd5 20.Nxd5 Qd8 21.c4 Rc6 22.b4 Bg5 23.g3 Qc8[/font] is equal (Hernández Estevez-Papp, OlW, Istanbul, 2012).
[font color="#4080FF"]19...Qd8 20.Nxe7+ Qxe7 21.Qxd6 Qxd6 22.Rxd6 Rfd8 23.Rad1[/font] is equal (Holzhaeuer-Bischoff, German Ch, Gladenbach, 1997).

[font color="#8040FF""]17.Ba7 Nc5 18.Qe2 Bg5 19.Bb6 g6 20.Nd2 Be7[/font] is equal.

[font color="steelblue"]15.Nf1 Qc4[/font] draw (Adams-Radjabov, IT A, Wijk aan Zee, 2009).

If [font color="darkcyan"]8...e6 9.Bg5 Be7 10.Rad1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkcyan"]10...Bc6 11.Rfe1[/font] then:

[font color="darkcyan"]11...Rc8 12.Nd5 Nxd5 13.exd5 Bxg5 14.dxc6 Rxc6 15.Qxg7[/font] is equal (Kobalia-Kovchan, IT, Kharkov, 2002).
[font color="#4080FF"]11...0-0 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Qxd6 Bxc3 14.Qxd8 Rfxd8 15.Rxd8+ Rxd8 16.bxc3 Ba4 17.Nd4 e5 18.Nb3 Kf8 19.f3[/font] draw (Lechtynsky-Mukhin, Czechoslavakian Ch, Luhacovice, 1973).

If [font color="slateblue"]10...Qc7 11.Rfe1[/font] then:

[font color="slateblue"]11...Rd8 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Qxd6 Qxd6 14.Rxd6 Bxc3 15.bxc3[/font] leaves White slightly better (Haddouche-Amanov, Ol, Dresden, 2008).
[font color="steelblue"]11...Bc6 12.Bh4 0-0 13.h3 Rfd8 14.g4 d5[/font] gives Black a slight edge in the center (Rizzi-James, EU Ch, Liverpool, 2008).

If [font color="darkblue"]a) 4.0-0 Ngf6 5.Re1 a6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]6.Bf1 b6 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bb7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]9.f3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]9...e6 10.c4 Be7 11.Nc3 0-0 12.Be3 Rc8 13.Rc1 Qc7 14.Qd2 Qb8 15.Qf2 Rfe8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]16.Red1 Bd8 17.b3 Bc7 18.g3 Ne5[/font] then:

[font color="darkblue"]19.h3 Ba8 20.a4 Ned7 21.g4 Nc5 22.Rb1 d5[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Fejzullahu-Feller, Euro Ch, Aix-les-Bains, 2011).
[font color="#8040FF"]19.Be2 Qa8 20.h3 Ng6 21.Nc2 d5 22.Bxb6 Bxb6 23.Qxb6 dxe4[/font] is equal(Vidarsson-Arlandi, Ol, Bled, 2002).

If [font color="dodgerblue"]16.Kh1 Bd8 17.b4[/font] then:

[font color="dodgerblue"]17...Ne5 18.Na4 Ned7 19.Red1 Bc7 20.Nb3 Bc6 21.b5[/font] is equal (Malakhov-Csom, 1st Saturday July, Budapest, 1995).
[font color="darkcyan"]17...Bc7 18.Qg1 Kh8 19.Nb3 Rg8 20.Bd4 Rcd8 21.Red1[/font] gives White the advantage in space, but it will be difficult to exploit (Anh Dung Nguyen-Kunte, Asian ChT, Esfahan, Iran, 2005).

If [font color="dodgerblue"]9...g6 10.c4 Bg7[/font] then:

[font color="dodgerblue"]11.Be3 0-0 12.Nc3 e6 13.Qd2 Qc7 14.Rac1 Rfd8 15.Red1[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space; Black will have difficulty enforcing ...d5 but his hedgehog is solid (Erturan-Kempinski, Euro Club Cup, Kemer, Turkey, 2007).
[font color="darkcyan"]11.Nc3 Rc8 12.a4 Ne5 13.b3 0-0 14.Be3 e6[/font] is equal (Bologan-Rowson, IT, Selfoss, Iceland, 2003).

If [font color="dodgerblue"]a1) 9.Nc3 e6[/font] then:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]10.g3 Be7 11.Bg2 Qc7 12.a4[/font] then:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]12...0-0[/font] then:

[font color="dodgerblue"]13.f4 g6 14.Be3 Rfe8 15.Nb3 Bf8 16.Qe2 e5[/font] is equal (Djuric-A. Kovacevic, Serbian ChT, Zlatibor, 2006).
[font color="steelblue"]13.h3 Rfe8 14.g4 h6 15.Qd3 Ne5 16.Qg3 Nh7[/font] gives White a slight edge in space if that element is examined statically, but a dynamic view shows that Black has resources to fight back and take the advantage himself (Hector-Nielsen, Jonsson Mem, Reykjavik, 2001).

[font color="slateblue"]12...Rd8 13.Qe2 Qb8 14.b3 Qa8 15.Bb2 0-0 16.Rad1[/font] is equal (Bologan-Fedorov, IT, Belfort, France, 1999).

[font color="darkcyan"]10.f4 Qc7 11.Kh1 Nc5 12.Bd3 g6 13.f5 gxf5[/font] gives Black better pawns and the open g-file (Curdo-Schoer, US Op, Alexandria, Virginia, 1996).

If [font color="dodgerblue"]a2) 9.c4[/font] then:

[font color="dodgerblue"]9...e6 10.Nc3 Be7 11.f3[/font] transposes into the text.
[font color="darkcyan"]9...g6 10.f3 Bg7[/font] transposes into [font color="dodgerblue"]Erturan-Kempinski[/font] and [font color="darkcyan"]Bologan-Rowson,[/font] above.

If [font color="dodgerblue"]6.Bxd7+[/font] then:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]6...Nxd7[/font] then:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]7.d4 e6[/font] then:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]8.d5 e5 9.a4 b6 10.c4 a5 11.Ng5[/font] is equal (Lendwai-Pavasovic, Wagner Mem, Graz, 1998).
[font color="steelblue"]12.b4 Na4 13.Nd4 0-0 14.Qd3[/font] gives White a slim edge.

If [font color="darkcyan"]8.a4 Be7 9.Na3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkcyan"]9...b5!? 10.dxc5! Nxc5 11.axb5 axb5[/font] then:

[font color="darkcyan"]12.Bf4!? b4 13.Nc4 Rxa1 14.Qxa1 0-0 15.Qd1 e5[/font] is equal (Arribas Robaina-Mascaro March, Capablanca Mem, Havana, 2004).
If [font color="slateblue"]9...cxd4 10.Qxd4 e5[/font] then:

If [font color="slateblue"]11.Qd2 Nc5 12.a5 f5 13.exf5 Bxf5 14.b4 Ne6[/font] is equal.
[font color="steelblue"]11.Qe3 Nc5 12.Nc4 Be6 13.Qe2 0-0 14.a5 Rb8[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkcyan"]7.c3 e6 8.d4 Be7 9.a4 b6[/font] then:

[font color="darkcyan"]10.Bf4 Bb7 11.d5 e5 12.Bg3 h5 13.h3[/font] is equal (Hodak-Ftacnik, Vinkovci, 1995).
[font color="slateblue"]10.Na3 Bb7 11.b3 0-0 12.Bb2 Nf6 13.Nd2 cxd4[/font] prepares 11...Rc8 for Black (Hamelink-Lallemand, Euro ChTW, Goteborg, 2005).

If [font color="#4080FF""]6...Bxd7 7.c3 Bc6 8.d4 Bxe4 9.Bg5[/font] transposes into [font color="magenta"]Romanishin-Sosonko[/font] (subordinate to [font color="darkred"]Rublevsky-Agopov)[/font] in the red notes to this text move.

If [font color="darkblue"]b) 4.c3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]4...Ngf6 5.Qe2 a6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]6.Ba4 b5 7.Bc2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]7...e5 8.0-0 Be7 9.d4 0-0 10.a4 Bb7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]11.Rd1 Qc7 12.dxe5 dxe5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]13.axb5 axb5 14.Rxa8 Rxa8 15.Na3 b4 16.Nc4 h6[/font] then:

[font color="darkblue"]17.Bd2 Bf8 18.h3 Bc6 19.Rc1 Qb8 20.Bd3 Bb7[/font] is equal (Delchev-Svidler, Palma de Mallorca, 2004).
[font color="#4080FF"]17.Bd3 Ra2 18.Nfd2 Bf8 19.h3 Bc6 20.Bb1 Ra8[/font] gives White a better center; Black could gain counterplay on the queenside (Bellini-Shytaj, Ol, Torino, 2006).

[font color="#8000FF"]13.Nh4 g6 14.Bg5 Rfe8 15.axb5 axb5[/font] is equal (Liiva-Gopal, Mindsports Rpd, Beijing, 2008).

If [font color="dodgerblue"]11.d5 c4[/font] then:

[font color="dodgerblue"]12.b3 cxb3 13.Bxb3 Nc5 14.Bc2 bxa4 15.Ba3 Nfd7[/font] is equal (Benjamin-Krush, US Ch, St. Louis, 2009).
[font color="darkcyan"]12.Na3 Nc5 13.h3 Bc8 14.Nh2 Rb8 15.f4 Ne8[/font] is equal (Sandipan-A. Tate, Op, Gibraltar, 2008).

If [font color="dodgerblue"]7...Bb7 8.0-0 e6 9.d4 Be7[/font] then:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]10.Re1 cxd4 11.cxd4 Rc8[/font] then:

[font color="dodgerblue"]12.Bd3 0-0 13.Nbd2 e5 14.d5 Nc5 15.Bc2 Nfd7[/font] is equal (Lorenzini-Mareco, Argentine Ch, La Plata, 2012).
[font color="slateblue"]12.a3 0-0 13.Nc3 Rc7 14.Bf4 Qa8 15.Rac1 Rfc8[/font] is equal (M. Turov-Anastasian, Op, Ubeda, 2000).

[font color="darkcyan"]10.Nbd2 Qc7 11.Bd3 0-0 12.Re1 e5 13.dxe5 dxe5[/font] is equal (Wang Chen-Ding Liren, Chinese Ch, Xinghua, 2012).

If [font color="dodgerblue"]4...a6 5.Ba4 Ngf6[/font] then:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]6.Qe2[/font] then:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]6...e5[/font] then:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]7.0-0 Be7 8.d4 b5 9.Bc2 0-0 10.a4[/font] then:

[font color="dodgerblue"]10...Rb8 11.axb5 axb5 12.Rd1 Qc7 13.h3 Re8[/font] is equal (Galego-Spraggett, Op, Andorra, 2006).
[font color="#4080FF"]10...Bb7 11.d5 c4[/font] transposes into [font color="dodgerblue"]Benjamin-Krush,[/font] above.
[font color="#8040FF"]6...b5 7.Bc2 e5 8.0-0 Be7 9.d4[/font] transposes into [font color="darkblue"]Delchev-Svidler[/font] and related lines, above.

If [font color="darkcyan"]6.Bc2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkcyan"]6...e6 7.0-0 b5[/font] then:

[font color="darkcyan"]8.a4 Bb7 9.Qe2 Be7 10.d4 0-0[/font] is equal (Karayev-Bregadze, World Youth BU16, Vung Tau, Vietnam, 2008).
[font color="steelblue"]8.d4 Bb7 9.Qe2 Be7 10.Re1 cxd4 11.cxd4[/font] transposes into [font color="dodgerblue"]Lorenzini-Mareco,[/font] above.

[font color="slateblue"]6...e5 7.d4 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Nbd2 Qc7 10.Re1[/font] is equal (Canal-Najdorf, IT, Venice, 1948).

[center]BLACK[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE[/center][center]Spanish Sicilian Rat Game: Main Line[/center][center]Position after 3.Bc8d7[/center]

4.Bxd7+

If [font color="red"]4.a4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]4...Nc6 5.0-0 Nf6 6.Re1 e6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]7.c3 a6 8.Bf1 Be7 9.d4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]9...cxd4 10.cxd4 d5 11.exd5 Nxd5 12.Nc3 0-0 13.Bd3[/font] is equal (Bronstein-Teischer, IT, Monte Carlo, 1969).
[font color="burgundy"]9...e5 10.d5 Nb8 11.Na3 0-0 12.Nc4 Bg4 13.b4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Gurganidze-Tringov, World ChTU26, Leningrad, 1960).

If [font color="darkred"]7.Nc3 Be7 8.d3 0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]9.Bxc6 Bxc6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]10.e5!? Nd7! 11.Bf4 dxe5 12.Nxe5 Nxe5 13.Bxe5 f6[/font] gives Black a slight advantage (Wade-P. Lee, British Ch, Oxford, 1967).
[font color="darkorange"]10.Bf4 Qd7 11.Qe2 e5 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bxf6 Bxf6[/font] remains equal.

[font color="magenta"]9.e5 Nxe5 10.Nxe5 dxe5 11.Rxe5 Bd6 12.Re1 Qc7[/font] is equal (Marinovic-Lapcevic, TT, Belgrade, 2008).

If [font color="darkred"]4...Nf6 5.d3 Nc6 6.0-0 e6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]7.Nbd2 Be7 8.Nc4 0-0 9.Bg5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]9...d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 12.Re1 Rfd8 13.Bxc6 Bxc6[/font] is equal (Wade-A. Williams, British Ch, Coventry, 1970).
[font color="darkorange"]9...Qc7 10.Re1 Rad8 11.e5 dxe5 12.Nfxe5 Nxe5 13.Bf4[/font] is equal (Lein-Tal, Soviet Ch, Kharkov, 1967).

[font color="magenta"]7.Re1 Be7 8.Nbd2 0-0 9.c3 a6 10.Bc4 Qc7[/font] is equal (García Martínez-Portisch, IT, Palma de Mallorca, 1971).

4...Qxd7

If [font color="red"]4...Nxd7 5.0-0 Ngf6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]6.Qe2 e6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]7.b3 Be7 8.Bb2 0-0 9.c4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9...a6 10.d4 cxd4 11.Nxd4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11...Qb6 12.Rd1 Rfe8 13.Nc3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...Rad8 14.Kh1 Bf8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15.Rd2 Qc7 16.f4 e5 17.fxe5 Rxe5 18.Rf1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Novikov-Dabetic, Euro Club Cup, Ohrid, 2009).
[font color="burgundy"]15.Rab1 g6 16.f3 Bg7 17.Nc2 Qc7 18.Ne3 Nh5[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Vasiukov-Ristic, IT, Cacak, 1994).

If [font color="darkred"]13...Rac8 14.Rac1[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]14...Bf8 15.Kh1 Qa5 16.Rc2 Qh5 17.Qxh5 Nxh5 18.g3[/font] gives White the advantage in space and Black a poorly placed Knight (Frois-Maki Uuro, Euro ChT, León, Spain, 2001).
[font color="magenta"]a) 14...Qc7 15.h3 b6 16.Re1 g6 17.Rcd1 Qb7 18.Rd2[/font] gives White a slight edge (Jussupow-Van Wely, Rpd IT, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 1994).
[font color="darkorange"]b) 14...Ne5 15.Rd2 Nc6 16.Nxc6 Qxc6 17.Rcd1 Red8 18.f4[/font] gives White more space, especially in the center.

If [font color="darkred"]11...Re8 12.Nc3 Rc8 13.Rad1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Qa5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14.Kh1 Bf8 15.f4 Qh5 16.Nf3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16...Rc7 17.e5 dxe5 18.fxe5 Ng4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]19.Ne4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]19...f6!? 20.exf6 Ndxf6 21.Nxf6+!? Nxf6 22.g4[/font] is equal (Ovetchkin-Lerner, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2002).
If [font color="magenta"]19...Bc5 20.h3 Ne3 21.Nxc5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta]21...Nxd1 22.Nxd7 Nxb2[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]23.Nb6! Rc6 24.c5 Qg6 25.Qxb2 Rxc5 26.Nc4[/font] gives White the advantage in space.
[font color="purple"]23.Qxb2? Rxd7! 24.Qc2 h6 25.Qe4 Red8 26.Qe1 Qf5[/font] leaves White with no compensation whatsoever for the exchange; Black should win.

[font color="darkorange"]21...Nxf1?! 22.Ne4! Nc5 23.Rxf1 Nxe4 24.Qxe4 Rd7 25.Ba3[/font] gives White two minor pieces and a significant advantage in space for a Rook; Black has stronger pawns.

[font color="burgundy"]19.h3 Nh6 20.Ne4 b5 21.cxb5 axb5 22.Qxb5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space and the initiative.

[font color="darkpink"]16...Qh6 17.Bc1 Nh5 18.Qe1 f5 19.e5 d5 20.Ne2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Rosito-Ricardi, Argentine Ch, Buenos Aires, 1995).

If [font color="magenta"]14.f4 b5 15.e5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]15...b4 16.exf6 bxc3 17.Bxc3 Qxc3 18.fxe7[/font] gives White more freedom and a small advantage in space (Ivanchuk-Miton, Capablanca Mem, Havana, 2006).
If [font color="darkorange"]15...dxe5! 16.fxe5[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]16...bxc4?! 17.exf6 Nxf6 18.Kh1 cxb3 19.Nxb3[/font] gives Black only two pawns for the piece.
[font color="purple"]16...b4 17.exf6 bxc3[/font] transposes into [font color="magenta"]Ivanchuk-Miton,[/font] above.

If [font color="magenta"]13...Qc7 14.Kh1 Bf8 15.f4 Qa5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]16.Nf3 Red8 17.e5 dxe5 18.fxe5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]18...Ng4 19.Ng5 Ndxe5 20.Nd5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]20...exd5!? 21.Bxe5 Nxe5 22.Qxe5 Rc7[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]23.cxd5?! Re7! 24.Qf5 g6 25.Qh3 f5 26.d6 Red7[/font] is equal (Fressinet-J. Polgar, IT, Enghien-les-Bains, 2003).
[font color="burgundy"]23.Qf4 Rdd7 24.Rxd5 Rxd5 25.cxd5 Qb6 26.Nxf7[/font] gives White a weak extra pawn.

[font color="hotpink"]20...Qxa2 21.Qc2 Ng6 22.Ra1 Qxa1 23.Bxa1 Rxd5 24.Nxe6[/font] gives White a Queen for a Rook and a minor piece.

[font color="purple"]18...Bb4?! 19.Na4! Ng4 20.Qe4 h5 21.h3 Nh6 22.Ng5[/font] gives White potent threats on the kingside.

[font color="darkorange"]16.Ba1 Rcd8 17.Nf3 Nh5 18.g3 Nhf6 19.e5 dxe5 20.fxe5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Tkachiev-Serper, IT, Djakarta, 1994).

If [font color="darkred"]9...e5 10.Nc3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10...Ne8 11.Ne1 Nc7 12.Nc2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]12...Bg5 13.Ne3 Nf6 14.g3 Ne6 15.Qd3 Qd7 16.Ncd5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Yasudin-Shirov, Euro Club Cup, Ljubljana, 1995).
[font color="burgundy"]12...Bf6 13.Ne3 Ne6 14.g3 g6 15.Qd3 Nd4 16.Ncd5 Bg7 17.f3[/font] draw (Hernández Guerrero-Mecking, Ol, Palma de Mallorca, 2004).

If [font color="magenta"]10...Nh5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]11.g3 g6 12.Ne1 Qe8 13.Ng2 a6 14.Rae1[/font] allows White to put a piece in Black's weakness at d5 (Reinderman-Van der Wiel, IT B, Wijk aan Zee, 2000).
[font color="darkorange"]11.Nd5 Ndf6 12.Nxe7+ Qxe7 13.g3 Qd7 14.Nh4[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Antipov-Simonian, Russian ChT, Dagomys, 2009).

If [font color="darkred"]7.c3 Be7 8.d4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]8...0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]9.e5 Ne8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10.exd6 10...Nxd6 11.Rd1 cxd4 12.Nxd4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]12...Re8 13.Na3 a6 14.Nc4 Qc7 15.Bf4 e5 16.Nxd6 Bxd6[/font] is equal (Lechtynsky-Geller, Euro ChT, Moscow, 1977).
[font color="burgundy"]12...Qc8 13.Bf4 Re8 14.Bxd6 Bxd6 15.Nd2 a6 16.Ne4 Be7 17.Nf3 Qc7[/font] draw (Lechtynsky-Csom, Ol, Malta, 1980).

[font color="darkpink"]10.Bf4 Rc8 11.Re1 Nb6 12.Nbd2 cxd4 13.cxd4 d5[/font] is equal (V. Papin-A. Zhigalko, Rpd Op, Warsaw, 2005).

If [font color="magenta"]9.Rd1 cxd4 10.cxd4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]10...d5 11.e5 Ne4 12.Ne1[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]12...h6 13.Nd3 Nb8 14.Qg4 Kh8 15.Nf4 Nc6 16.Nc3[/font] gives White a slight initiative (Arkhipov-Leko, IT, Lippstadt, 1993).
[font color="burgundy"]12...f6 13.f3 Ng5 14.exf6 Bxf6 15.Bxg5 Bxg5 16.Qxe6+[/font] gives White the initiative (Kovalev-Gallagher, Euro ChT, Plovdiv, 2003).

If [font color="darkorange"]10...Nb6 11.Nc3[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]11...Rc8 12.Rd3 Qc7 13.Bg5 h6 14.Bxf6 Bxf6[/font] is equal. (Chekhov-Panchenko, Russian ChT, Podolsk, 1992).
[font color="purple"]11...Qc7 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bh4 Rfc8 14.Rac1 Qd8 15.Rc2[/font] is equal (E. Torre-Polugaevsky, Op, Biel, 1989).

If [font color="magenta"]8...cxd4 9.cxd4 d5 10.e5 Ne4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]11.Ne1 Qb6[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]12.Be3 f6 13.f3 Ng5 14.Nd3 0-0 15.Nc3[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]15...Rac8 16.Bf2 Qa6 17.Rfe1 fxe5 18.Nxe5 Nxe5 19.Qxe5[/font] is equal (Lechtynsky-Donchev. IT. Brataslava, 1983).
[font color="hotpink"]15...Qa6 16.Rae1 Rae8 17.Bf2 fxe5 18.dxe5 Nf7 19.f4[/font] is equal (Shaked-de Firmian, IT, Bermuda, 1997).

[font color="burgundy"]12.f3?! Qxd4+! 13.Be3 Qxe3+ 14.Qxe3 Bc5 15.Qxc5 Nexc5[/font] gives Black a fierce attack in the center (Chekhov-Khasin, Zaitsev Mem, Vladivostok, 1978).

If [font color="darkorange"]11.Nbd2 Nxd2 12.Bxd2 0-0[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]13.Qb5 Nb6 14.Ba5 Qd7 15.Qxd7 Nxd7 16.Rfc1 Rfc8[/font] is equal (Varga-Tolnai, Hungarian Ch, Lillafured, 1999).
[font color="purple"]13.Rac1 Qb6 14.Rc2 Rac8 15.Rfc1 Rxc2 16.Rxc2 Nb8[/font] is equal (Mhamal-West, Commonwealth Ch, Nagpur, India, 2008).

If [font color="darkred"]6.Re1 e6 7.c3 Be7 8.d4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]8...cxd4 9.cxd4 d5 10.e5 Ne4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11.Nbd2 Nxd2 12.Bxd2 0-0 13.Rc1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Nb8 14.Qb3 Qd7[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]15.Qd3 Nc6 16.Ng5 Bxg5 17.Bxg5 Kh8 18.Re3[/font] gives White more freedom and the advantage in space (I. D. Wells-Ligternink, Op, London, 1980).
[font color="burgundy"]15.Bb4 Bxb4 16.Qxb4 Nc6 17.Qa3 Rac8 18.Rc3 h6 19.Rec1 a6 20.h3[/font] draw (Leko-Yusadin, IT, León, 1993).

[font color="darkpink"]13...Nb6 14.b3 Rc8 15.Re3 Rxc1 16.Qxc1 Qd7 17.Rc3[/font] is equal (Perelshteyn-Fedorowicz, US Ch, Tulsa, 2008).

[font color="darkorchid"]11.Re2 Qb6 12.Ne1 f6 13.f3 Ng5 14.Be3[/font] is equal (Arapovic-Komljenovic, IT, Augsburg, 1991).

If [font color="magenta"]8...0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]9.e5 Ne8[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]10.Qe2 Rc8 11.exd6 Bxd6 12.Bg5 Qc7 13.Na3 a6 14.Nc4[/font]is equal (Szmetan-Tal, Termas de Rio Hondo, Argentina, 1987).
If [font color="darkorange"]10.exd6 Nxd6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]11.d5 exd5 12.Qxd5 Rc8 13.Bf4[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]13...Nf6 14.Qd3 Nde4 15.Qc4 Bd6 16.Nbd2 Nxd2 17.Bxd2[/font] is equal (Fishbein-Novikov, US Ch, San Diego, 2004).
[font color="purple"]13...Nb6 14.Qd1 Re8 15.Na3 Bf8 16.Qc2 Qf6 17.Bg3[/font] is equal (Short-Tiviakov, IT, Linares, 1995).

[font color="hotpink"]11.Bf4 cxd4 12.Nxd4 Qb6 13.Nd2 h6 14.a4 Rad8[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkorange"]9.Bg5[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]9...h6 10.Bh4 cxd4 11.cxd4 Nh5 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Nc3[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Organdziev-Urosevic, Valjevo, Serbia, 2010)
[font color="purple"]9...d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Bxe7 Nxe7 12.c4 cxd4 13.Qxd4[/font] is equal (Hammoudi-Seegolam, Ol, Istanbul, 2012).

5.c4

If [font color="red"]5.0-0 Nc6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]6.c3 Nf6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]7.Re1 e6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]8.d4 cxd4 9.cxd4 d5 10.e5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10...Ne4 11.Nbd2 Nxd2 12.Bxd2 Be7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13.Rc1 0-0 14.Rc3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14...Rac8 15.a3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15...Nb8 16.Rd3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]16...Qc6 17.Bc3 Nd7 18.h4 Nb6 19.Ng5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]19...g6 20.Qg4 h5 21.Qf4 Na4 22.Rf3 Nxc3 23.bxc3[/font] is equal (Sedina-Becuwe, Op, Cappelle-la-Grande, 2011).
[font color="burgundy"]19...Na4 20.Qg4 h6 21.Nh3 Kh8 22.Rg3 Rg8 23.Ng5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (De la Riva Aguado-Leitão. Ibero-American Ch, Quito, 2012).

[font color="darkpink"]16...Qb5 17.Rb3 Qc6 18.Ng5 Bxg5 19.Bxg5 Nd7 20.Qg4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Degraeve-Areshchenko, Bundesliga 0607, Germany, 2007).

If [font color="darkred"]15...b5 16.Rd3 b4 17.h4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]17...bxa3 18.bxa3 f6 19.exf6 Bxf6 20.Bg5 Qf7 21.Qe2[/font] gives White a slight edge (Tairova-Hou Yifan, TMW, Ergun, 2006).
[font color="magenta"]17...Qd8 18.h5 Qb6 19.Nh2 Kh8 20.Qg4 Rg8 21.Nf3[/font] is equal (Penne-Hitter, EU ChWU16, Herceg Novi, 2008).

If [font color="darkred"]14...Rfc8 15.a3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15...b5 16.Rd3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16...Qd8 17.h4 h6 18.Nh2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]18...Bxh4 19.Qh5 Bg5 20.f4 g6 21.Qh3 Bh4 22.g3[/font] is equal (Kovalevskaya-Cmilyte, Grand Prix W, Nalchik, 2011).
[font color="burgundy"]18...b4 19.Qh5 Qf8 20.Ng4 Kh7 21.Rf3[/font] gives White the advantage with the threat to Black's f-pawn (Arakhamia-Cernousek, 4NCL, Hinkley, England, 2012).

[font color="darkpink"]16...a5 17.h4 a4 18.h5 Na5 19.Nh2 Nc4[/font] is equal (Boskovic-Sahovic, IT, Belgrade, 2001).

If [font color="magenta"]15...Bd8[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16.Qb1 Ne7 17.Rec1 Rxc3 18.Rxc3 Rc8 19.Qc2 h6[/font] is equal (Kuzubov-Areshchenko, Ukrainian Ch, Kiev, 2012).
[font color="darkorange"]16.Rd3 h6 17.h4 Ne7 18.h5 a5 19.Nh4[/font] is equal (I. Zaitsev-Vasiukov, Furman Mem, St. Petersburg, 1995).

If [font color="darkred"]13.Bg5 0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.Re3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15...Rac8 16.Rc1 Qb4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]17.Rec3 Ne7 18.Rb3 Qa4 19.Rxb7 Rxc1 20.Qxc1 Rc8 21.Qe1 Nc6[/font] is equal (Hecht-Smejkal, IT, Amsterdam, 1971).
[font color="purple"]17.Rb3 Qa4 18.Ra3 Qxd1+ 19.Rxd1 f6 20.exf6 gxf6[/font] is equal (Gufeld-Geller, Soviet Ch, Leningrad, 1963).

[font color="darkorange"]15...Rfc8 16.Rc1 a6 17.Rec3 Na7 18.Rxc8+ Rxc8 19.Rxc8+ Nxc8[/font] draw (Kruppa-Gavrikov, Soviet Ch ½-final, Sverdlovsk, 1984).

[font color="magenta"]14.Rc1 Bxg5 15.Nxg5 h6 16.Nf3 Rac8 17.Qd2 Ne7[/font] is equal (Khachiyan-Yegiazarian, Gufeld Mem, Burbank, 2003).

If [font color="darkred"]10...Ng8 11.Nc3 Nge7[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]12.Ne2 Nf5 13.Nf4 h5 14.h4 Be7 15.g3 0-0-0[/font] is equal (Sebag-Radjabov, Rpd IT, Cap d'Agde, 2006).
[font color="magenta"]12.Bg5 h6 13.Bf4 h5 14.a3 Nf5 15.Rc1[/font] is equal (D. Hall-I. Stokes, British Ch, Great Yarmouth, 2007).

If [font color="darkred"]8.d3 Be7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]9.Nbd2 0-0 10.Nf1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10...b5 11.Ng3 b4 12.c4 Ng4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]13.d4 cxd4 14.Nxd4 Nxd4 15.Qxg4 Nc2 16.Bh6 g6[/font] is equal (Bu Xiangzhi-Markus, Op, Reykjavik, 2004).
If [font color="burgundy"]13.h3 Nge5 14.Be3 Nxf3+ 15.Qxf3 Bf6 16.Rab1 Nd4[/font] is equal (Meister-Acs, Bundesliga 0708, Zehlendorf, 2008).

If [font color="magenta"]10...Ne5 11.Ng3 Qb5 12.d4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]12...Nxf3+ 13.Qxf3 cxd4 14.cxd4 Rac8 15.Qe2 Qxe2 16.Rxe2 d5 17.e5[/font] draw (Karpov-Morovic Fernández, Rpd IT, São Paulo, 2004).
[font color="darkorange"]12...cxd4 13.cxd4 Nd3 14.Qe2 a6 15.a4 Nxc1 16.Qxb5 axb5 17.Rexc1[/font] is equal (Tyomkin-Ivanchuk, Canadian Op, Edmonton, 2005).

If [font color="magenta"]9.Bg5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]9...0-0 10.Nbd2 h6 11.Bh4 Rac8 12.Nf1[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]12...b5 13.Ne3 Qb7 14.h3 Rfe8 15.Nh2 Ne5[/font] is equal (Delgado Ramírez-Martín del Campo, Torre Mem, Yucatán, 2004).
[font color="purple"]12...Rfd8 13.Qe2 b5 14.Rad1 a6 15.h3 Nh5[/font] is equal (Guerrero Hernández-A. Chow, IT, Shaumburg, Illinois, 2006).

[font color="darkorange"]9...h6 10.Bh4 0-0[/font] transposes.

If [font color="darkred"]a) 7.Qe2 e6 8.d4 cxd4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]9.cxd4 d5 10.e5 Ne4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11.Be3 Be7 12.Ne1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]12...f6 13.f3 Ng5 14.Nd3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14...0-0 15.Nd2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15...Rac8 16.Rac1 b6 17.Bf2 Nf7[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]18.f4 f5 19.Nf3 Rc7 20.Rc2 Rfc8 21.Rfc1 Nb8[/font] is equal (Kobalia-Robson, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2012).
[font color="burgundy"]18.a3 f5 19.h4 Rc7 20.Rc3 Rfc8 21.Rfc1 Na5[/font] is equal (Alekseev-Gashimov, Grand Priox, Elista, 2008).

If [font color="magenta"]15...Nf7 16.f4 f5 17.Nf3 b6 18.Rac1 Rac8[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]19.h3 Na5 20.g4 Nh6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]21.Qg2!? Nc4! 22.Rce1 Nxe3 23.Rxe3 fxg4 24.hxg4 Qe8[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space; Black has command of an open file (Rublevsky-Ulibin, Russian Ch Qual, Tomsk, 2004).
[font color="purple"]21.g5 Nf7 22.Bf2 Nc4 23.Bh4 g6 24.Bf2 Rc6[/font] is equal.

[font color="darkorange"]19.Rc2 Rc7 20.Rfc1 Rfc8 21.Bd2 Nb8 22.Bb4 Bd8[/font] is equal (Kornev-Belov, Russian Ch, Tomsk, 2006).

If [font color="magenta"]14...fxe5 15.dxe5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]15...0-0 16.Nd2 Nf7 17.f4 Nh6 18.Nf3 Qe8 19.Rac1[/font] is equal (Smeets-Vachier Lagrave, Bundesliga 0910, Mülheim, 2009).
[font color="darkorange"]15...Nf7 16.Bf2 0-0 17.Nd2 Rac8 18.f4 Nb4[/font] is equal (Ulibin-Dragun, Op, Cappelle-la-Grande, 2009).

If [font color="magenta"]12...f5 13.f3 Ng5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]14.Nd3 Nf7 15.f4 Rc8 16.Nd2 Nb4 17.Nxb4[/font] draw (Vescovi-Guseinov, FIDE Knock Out, Tripoli, 2004).
[font color="darkorange"]14.Nc3 0-0 15.Nd3 Rac8 16.Rad1 b6 17.Nf4[/font] is equal (Ambroz-Gross, Czechoslovakian Ch, Trnava, 2004).

If [font color="magenta"]11.Nbd2 Nxd2 12.Bxd2 Be7[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]13.Rac1 0-0 14.Rc3 Rfc8[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]15.Rfc1 a6 16.h4 Na7 17.h5 Rxc3 18.Rxc3 Rc8[/font] is equal (Durarbayli-Aldy, Op, Dubai, 2008).
If [font color="darkorange"]15.h4[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]15...Bb4!? 16.Rxc6! Qxc6 17.Bxb4 Qc4 18.Qxc4 Rxc4 19.Bc3[/font] gives White two minor pieces for a Rook (Arribas Robaina-Dewi, OlW, Istanbul, 2012).
[font color="purple"]15...Nb4 16.Rxc8+ Rxc8 17.a3 Nc6 18.Qd3 a6 19.h5[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkorange"]13.Qd3 h6[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]14.a3 0-0 15.b4 a6 16.Rfb1 Rfc8 17.a4 a5[/font] is equal (S. Petronic-Ding Linlin, IT, Tianjin, China, 2001).
[font color="purple"]14.Ne1 0-0 15.f4 f6 16.exf6 Rxf6 17.Nf3 Bd6[/font] is equal (Radulov-Velimirovic, IT, Smederevska Palanka, 1979).

If [font color="magenta"]9.Bg5 d3 10.Qxd3 Be7[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]11.Rd1 Rd8 12.Na3 0-0 13.Nb5 a6 14.Bxf6 Bxf6[/font] is equal (Pavasovic-A. Schneider, 1st Saturday November, Budapest, 1993).
[font color="darkorange"]11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.Rd1 Rd8 13.Qe2 0-0 14.Na3 Qc7[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkred"]b) 7.d4 Nxe4 8.d5 Ne5 9.Re1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]9...Nxf3+ 10.Qxf3 Nf6 11.c4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11...e5 12.dxe6 fxe6 13.Bg5 Be7 14.Nc3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14...h6 15.Bh4 0-0 16.Qh3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16...Kf7 17.f4 Rad8 18.Rad1 Rg8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]19.Qf3 Qc6 20.Qe2 Qd7 21.Rd3[/font] gives Black more activity and space in compensation for the pawn (Ulibin-Martic, Int Ch Central Serbia, Paracin, 2012).
[font color="darkpink"]b1) 19.Re2 g5 20.Rde1 e5 21.Qxd7 Rxd7 22.fxe5 dxe5[/font] is equal (Dannevig-Bjerke, Norwegian Ch, Sandnes, 2005).
[font color="burgundy"]b2) 19.Bf2 b6 20.Re2 d5 21.f5 exf5 22.Nxd5 Rge8[/font] is equal (Ripari-Domínguez Pérez, Pan-American Ch, Buenos Aires, 2003).

[font color="darkorange"]16.Bh4 Kf7 17.f4[/font] transposes into [font color="darkred"]Ulibin-Martic,[/font] above.

If [font color="magenta"]14...0-0 15.Qh3 h6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16.Qxe6+ Qxe6 17.Rxe6 Kf7 18.Rae1 Rfe8 19.Bh4[/font] is equal (Balkan-Vouldis, Euro ChT, Plovdiv, 2003).
[font color="#FF4000"]16...Rae8 17.Rxe6 g5 18.Bg3 g4 19.Qxh6 Qxe6 20.Qg6+[/font] draw (Organdziev-Duncan, Euro Club Cup, Plovdiv, 2010).

[font color="burgundy"]11...0-0-0 12.Nc3 g6 13.Rb1 Qf5 14.Qxf5+ gxf5 15.Bg5[/font] is equal (Gallagher-Gashimov, Ol, Palma de Mallorca, 2004).

If [font color="magenta"]9...Nf6 10.Nxe5 dxe5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]11.Rxe5 e6 12.c4 0-0-0 13.Nc3 Bd6 14.Re1 exd5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]15.Nxd5 Qf5 16.Be3 Rhe8[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]17.h3 Nxd5 18.cxd5 Kb8 19.b4 Bc7 20.Qa4 Qxd5[/font] is equal (Hokkanen-A. Schneider, Euro Club Cup, Halkidiki, 2002).
If [font color="darkorange"]17.b4!?[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]17...Ng4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]18.g3??[/font] then after [font color="darkorange"]18...Rxe3![/font] Black has won a piece as either 19.Nxe3 or 19.fxe3 is met by 19...Qxf2, forcing mate; White resigns (Zarnicki-Ramírez Alverez, Pan-Am Ch, Buenos Aires, 2003)
[font color="purple"]18.h3 Nxe3 19.Rxe3 Rxe3 20.fxe3 Qe5[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space.

If [font color="darkorange"]15.cxd5 Qf5 16.h3[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]16...Bb8 17.g4 Qd7 18.Bg5 h5 19.Bxf6 gxf6[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Rozentalis-Rogule, Op, Cappelle-la-Grande, 2006).
[font color="purple"]16...h5 17.Qf3 Qxf3 18.gxf3 Rhe8 19.Bg5 Rxe1+ 20.Rxe1 Re8[/font] gives Black stronger pawns for a minor piece ending (Eid-Haznedaroglu, Ol, Khanty-Mansiysk, 2010).

If [font color="darkorange"]11.c4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]11...e6 12.Bg5[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]12...0-0-0 13.Nc3 Be7 14.Rxe5 Bd6 15.Re1 h6 16.Bxf6[/font] inflicts structural damage on Black, giving White a small advantage (Reipsch-Gunnarsson, Op, Reykjavik, 2011).
[font color="darkpink"]12...Be7 13.Nc3 Nxd5 14.cxd5 Bxg5 15.Ne4 Bf6 16.dxe6[/font] is equal (Rooze-Szeberenyi, 1st Saturday October, Budapest, 2008).

If [font color="purple"]11...g6 12.Rxe5 Bg7 13.Nc3[/font] then:

[font color="purple"]13...0-0 14.Re1 Ng4 15.Bf4 Bd4 16.Bg3 a6 17.Rb1[/font] is equal (Halldorsson-Carlsen, Op, Reykjavik, 2004).
If [font color="hotpink"]13...h6 14.d6 Rd8 15.Bf4[/font] then:

[font color="hotpink"]15...Qxd6 16.Rd5 Nxd5 17.Bxd6 Nxc3 18.bxc3 0-0 19.Qf3[/font] gives White a Queen for a Rook and a minor piece (Fontaine-Zhou Jianchao, TM, Shenzheng, 2005).
[font color="burgundy"]15...Nh5 16.Nd5 e6 17.Rxh5 gxh5 18.Qxh5 0-0 19.Ne7+[/font] gives White a slight advantage with more activity, more space and a pawn in compensation for the exchange.

If [font color="darkred"]6.c4 Nf6 7.Nc3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]7...e6 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Be7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10.Be3 0-0 11.Qe2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11...a6 12.Rfd1[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]12...Rfd8 13.f3 Rab8 14.Rac1 Nxd4 15.Bxd4 Qc6[/font] draw (Sax-Spassky, IT, Niksic, 1983).
If [font color="burgundy"]12...Qc7 13.Rac1 Rfc8 14.b3 Qa5 15.a4 Nd7 16.Qd2[/font] is equal (Kostur-Voitsekhovsky, Op, Novgorod, 1999).

If [font color="magenta"]11...Rfd8 12.Rfd1 b6 13.Rac1[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]13...a6 14.f3 Qb7 15.b3 Rac8 16.Kh1 Rc7 17.Qc2[/font] is equal (Peters-Browne, Op, Lone Pine, California, 1978).
[font color="darkorange"]13...Qb7[/font] draw (Fressinet-Sosonko, TM, Cannes, 1996).

If [font color="magenta"]10.b3 0-0 11.Bb2 Rfd8 12.Re1[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]12...a6 13.Nxc6 bxc6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]14.Qf3 Qb7 15.Rad1 Rac8 16.Re2 d5[/font] gives White a slight advantage (Oral-Sasikiran, World Youth BU18, Guarapuava, 1995).
If [font color="burgundy"]14.Qe2 Qb7 15.Rad1 Nd7 16.Na4 Qc7 17.Qg4 Bf6[/font] is equal (Kuczynski-W. Schmidt, Polish Ch, Warsaw, 1995).

If [font color="darkorange"]12...Rac8 13.Rc1 b6 14.Nxc6 Qxc6[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]15.Qe2 Qb7 16.Rcd1 a6 17.h3 h6 18.Qd3[/font] is equal; both sides will have difficulty making progress (Yermilinsky-D. Gurevich, Foxwoods Op, Mashantucket, Connecticut, 2003).
If [font color="purple"]15.Qf3 a6 16.Qg3 Qb7 17.a4 Nh5 18.Qf3 Nf6[/font] is equal (I. Smirin-Wojtkiewicz, Op, Antwerp, 1994).

[font color="magenta"]7...g6 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Bg7[/font] transposes into the [font color="red"]main line of the notes to White's ninth move.[/font]

5...Nf6 6.Nc3 g6 7.d4

[font color="red"]7.0-0 Bg7 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Nc6[/font] transposes into the [font color="red"]notes to White's ninth move.[/font]

7...cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bg7 9.f3

If [font color="red"]9.0-0 Nc6 [/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10.Nde2 0-0 11.f3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11...a6 12.a4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12...e6 13.Bg5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...Qc7 14.Kh1 [/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14...Nd7 15.b3 Nc5 16.Rb1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]16...Rac8 17.Bh4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]17...Rfe8 18.h3 Qa5 19.Qc2 Bxc3 20.Qxc3 Qxc3 21.Nxc3 Nd4[/font] gies Black a better center (Greet-Edouard, Op 0910, Hastings, 2009).
[font color="burgundy"]17...Na5 18.b4 Nxc4 19.bxc5 Ne3 20.Qd3 Nxf1 21.cxd6[/font] gives White a small advantage (Ponomariov-Sutovsky, Euro Ch Blitz Playoff, Ohrid, 2001).

If [font color="darkred"]16...Rfe8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]17.Bh4 Nb4 18.Qd2 Ncd3 19.Na2 Nxa2 20.Qxd3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Rublevsky-Leitão, Ol, Istanbul, 2000).
[font color="magenta"]17.Qc2 Nb4 18.Qd2 Ncd3 19.Na2 Qb6 20.Be3[/font] gives White the tactical ability to gain the advantage in space (Meier-Suttor, World Youth BU18, Belfort, 2005).

If [font color="darkred"]14...Qa5 15.Bh4 Rfd8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16.Rc1 Qh5 17.Bf2 Qa5 18.Bh4 Qh5 19.Bf2 Qa5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]20.Qb3 Nd7 21.Qc2 Nc5 22.Rb1 Nb4 23.Qd2 Nb3[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space (Oral-Kasparov, IT, Prague, 2002).
[font color="darkorange"]20.Bh4 Qh5 [/font] draws by repetition (Rudolf-Maidl, IT, Paks, Hungary, 2011).

[font color="magenta"]16.Rb1 g5 17.Be1 Qc5 18.Rc1 h6 19.b3 Qb6[/font] is equal (Vescovi-Domínguez Pérez, Pan-American Ch, Buenos Aires, 2003).

If [font color="darkred"]13...h6 14.Bh4 Rfd8 [/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"] 15.f4 Qc7 16.Kh1 Qa5 [/font] then:

[font color="darkred"] 17.b3 Rac8 18.Qe1 Re8 19.Rb1 Nd7 20.Qg3 Nd4 [/font] is equal (Topalov-Van Wely, Amber Rapid, Monte Carlo, 2002).
[font color="darkorange"]17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.f5 Be5 19.Qd2 Kg7 20.Rf3 g5 [/font] is equal.

[font color="magenta"]15.Rb1 Qc7 16.Kh1 Rd7 17.Rc1 Re8 18.Nd5 [/font] is equal (Caruana-Anand, GS Maters Rd 3, São Paulo, 2012).

If [font color="darkred"]12...Qd8 [/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"] 13.Be3 Qa5 14.Kh1 Nd7 [/font] then:

[font color="darkred"] 15.Rb1 Nde5 16.b3 Nxc4 17.bxc4 Bxc3 18.Bb6 Qe5 [/font] is equal (Oral-Dworakowska, Op, Koszalin, Poland, 1999).
[font color="darkorange"]15.Bd2 Rfc8 16.Rb1 Qd8 17.Bg5 Qf8 18.b3 Rab8 [/font] is equal (Hartanbaatar-Sammalvuo, Ol, Palma de Mallorca, 2004).

[font color="magenta"]13.Kh1 Nd7 14.Rb1 Qa5 15.Bd2 Qh5 16.b3 [/font] is equal (Meier-Schütze, German Ch, Osterburg, 2006).

If [font color="darkred"]11...Rfc8 12.Be3 [/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]12...Qd8 13.b3 a6 14.a4 Nd7 [/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]15.Rb1 Nc5 16.Qd2 Rab8 17.Rfd1 Qf8 18.Nf4 [/font] is equal (Ansdersson-Donner, IT, Wijk aan Zee, 1973).
[font color="darkorange"]15.Kh1 Rab8 16.Rb1 Qa5 17.Qd2 Nf6 18.Rfd1 [/font] is equal (Ni Hua-Rodshtein, Op, Cappelle-la-Grande, 2007).

[font color="magenta"]12...Ne8 13.Qd2 Ne5 14.b3 Nc7 15.Rac1 Na6 16.Rfd1 [/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Vasiukov-Cardoso, IT, Manila, 1974).

If [font color="darkred"]10.Nc2 0-0 11.Qe2 a6 12.Rd1 [/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]12...Qc7 13.Bg5 e6 14.Rac1 Rfd8 15.Qd2 Rd7 16.f3 [/font] is equal (Turov-Belov, Op, Minsk, 2000).
[font color="magenta"]12...Qe6 13.f3 Rab8 14.Be3 Nd7 15.Nd4 [/font] draw (Radulov-Smejkal, Vidmir Mem, Ljubljana/Portoroz, 1973).

9...Qc7 (N)

The wily world champion takes his young but formidable opponent out of the book early.
If [font color="red"]9...0-0 10.Be3 Nc6 11.0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11...Rfc8 12.b3 Qd8 13.Qd2 Qa5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14.Rac1 a6 15.Rfd1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]15...Nxd4 16.Bxd4 b5 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Nd5 Qxd2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]19.Nxf6+ Kg7 20.Rxd2 Kxf6 21.Rdc2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]21...b4 22.c5 Rc6 23.cxd6 Rxd6 24.Rc6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]24...Ke5!? 25.Kf2 a5 26.Ke3 a4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]27.R1c5+!? Ke6 28.Rxd6+[/font] draw (Hosticka-Haba, Czechoslovakian Ch, Krvina, 1985).
If [font color="darkred"]27.R6c5+! Ke6 28.Rb5 axb3 29.axb3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]29...f6 30.Rc7 Kf7 31.Rbb7 Re6 32.Rc2[/font] gives White a small advantage with one of his Rooks behind Black's b-pawn.
If [font color="magenta"]29...Ra2[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]30.Rc7! Rad2 31.Rbb7[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]31...R2d3+ 32.Kf2 Rd7 33.Rxd7 Rxd7 34.Rxd7 Kxd7 35.Ke3[/font] when Black can reach his pawn but lacks the reserve pawn tempi to prevent White from being able to force the King away.
If [font color="purple"]31...R6d3+?[/font] then White wins after [font color="purple"]32.Kf4 Rd7 33.Rxd7 Rxd7 34.Rxd7 Kxd7 35.Ke3[/font] transposes.

[font color="darkorange"]30.Rb7!? Kf6! 31.Rcc7 Re6 32.g4 Rxh2 33.Rxb4[/font] is equal.

[font color="burgundy"]24...Ke6 25.Kf2 a5 26.f4 Rxc6 27.Rxc6+ Kd7 28.Rc4[/font] remains equal.

[font color="darkpink"]21...Ra7 22.cxb5 Rxc2 23.Rxc2 axb5 24.Kf2 Ke5 25.Ke3[/font] is equal (Bosch-Sosonko, Dutch Ch, Amsterdam, 1994).

[font color="darkorchid"]19.Rxd2 Kg7 20.Rcc2 Rc5 21.cxb5 axb5 22.Nc7 Rb8[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkred"]15...b5 16.Nxc6 Rxc6 17.Nd5 Qxd2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]18.Bxd2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]18...Nxd5 19.cxd5 Rcc8 20.Ba5 f5 21.exf5 gxf5 22.Rc6[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Hecht-Sosonko, IT, Amsterdam, 1973).
[font color="darkorange"]18...Kf8 19.Nb4 Rcc8 20.cxb5 axb5 21.Rxc8+ Rxc8 22.Rc1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Akopina-Korchnoi, IT, Barcelona, 1992).
[font color="darkpink"]18.Rxd2 Nxd5 19.exd5 Rc7 20.Rdc2 Rac8 21.c5[/font] is equal and soon drawn (Kasparov-Kengis, Soviet ChU18, Baku, 1975).

[font color="burgundy"]14.Rfd1 a6 15.a4 Nd7 16.Nde2 Rd8 17.Rab1 Rac8[/font] draw (Sadvakasov-Gelfand, IT, Astana, Kazakhstan, 2001).

If [font color="darkred"]a) 11...a6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]12.Rc1 Rac8 13.b3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Nxd4 14.Bxd4 e6 15.Qd3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]15...Rc6 16.Rcd1 Qc7 17.f4 Rc8 18.a4[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Kaplan-Velimirovic, IT, Amsterdam, 1974).
[font color="burgundy"]15...Qc6 16.Rfd1 Rfd8[/font] draw (Donaldson-Reshevsky, Op, New York, 1982).

[font color="darkpink"]13...e6 14.Nde2 Qe7 15.Qd2 Ne8 16.Rfe1 Ne5 17.Rcd1[/font] gives White a small advantage with a considerable advantage in space against Black's solid Sicilian defense that gives him little to do with it (Haba-Mohr, Austrian ChT, 2002).

If [font color="magenta"]12.a4 e6[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]13.Rc1 Ne5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]14.b3 d5 15.cxd5 exd5 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.exd5 Rfe8[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]18.Bf2 Qxd5 19.Qc2[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]19...Qd7 20.Rcd1 Rac8 21.Qb1 Qc7 22.Rfe1 Nd7[/font] is equal (Adams-Domínguez Pérez, Grand Prix, London, 2012).
[font color="burgundy"]19...Ng4 20.fxg4 Bxd4 21.Qc4 Bxf2+ 22.Rxf2 Qxc4 23.Rxc4 Re7 24.h4[/font] draw (Akopian-Kasparov, Ol, Bled, 2002).

[font color="darkpink"]18.Nc2 Rac8 19.Bf2 Rc3 20.Ne3 Rxc1 21.Qxc1 Nd3[/font] is equal (Bologan-Wojtaszek, IT, Paks, Hungary, 2011).

[font color="darkorchid"]14.Qe2 Rfc8 15.b3 d5 16.cxd5 exd5 17.f4[/font] is equal (Lupulescu-Sedlak, Euro Boys ChTU18, Balatonlelle, Hungary, 2001).

If [font color="darkorange"]13.Nde2!? Qc7[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]14.b3 Nd7 15.Qd2 Nc5 16.Rfc1 Nb4 17.h3 Rfd8[/font] gives Black a slight initiative (Stepovaia-Pogonina, Russian ChW, Moscow, 2007).
If [font color="purple"]14.Rb1 Nd7 15.b3[/font] then:

[font color="purple"]15...Nc5 16.Kh1 Rac8 17.Bf4 Be5 18.Bh6 Rfe8 19.f4[/font] is equal (Oratovsky-Givon, IT, Tel Aviv, 2012).

[font color="hotpink"]15...Rfe8 16.Qd2 Rad8 17.Rfd1 Qa5 18.Bg5 Bf6 19.Be3[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkred"]b) 11...Rac8 12.b3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]12...Rfd8 13.Qd2 e6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14.Rac1 d5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15.exd5 exd5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]16.Nxc6[/font] draw (Van Dop-Sosonko, Dutch Ch, Leeuwarden, 1974 and Van der Sterren-N. Weinstein, Op, Lone Pine, California, 1979).
If [font color="magenta"]16.c5 Nxd4 17.Bxd4 Ne4 18.Qe3[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]18...Bxd4 19.Qxd4 Nxc5 20.Rfd1 Ne6 21.Qxa7 Qc7[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Bednarski-Pokojowczyk, IT, Slupsk, Poland, 1978).
If [font color="darkorange"]18...Nxc5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]19.Rcd1!? Bxd4! 20.Rxd4 Qc6 21.Ne2 Ne6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]22.Rd2?! d4![/font] (the passed pawn in more deadly with the Rook misplaced) then:

[font color="darkorange"]23.Nxd4? Qb6! 24.Rfd1 Rd5[/font] White resigns (Ivanchuk-Shirov, IT, Sofia, 2009).
[font color="burgundy"]23.Qe4 Qb6 24.Kh1 Nc5[/font] continues to give Black a deadly passer.

[font color="hotpink"]22.Rd3[/font] (leaving the Queen an escape route) [font color="hotpink"]22...d4 23.Qd2 Qb6[/font continues to give Black an extra pawn.

[font color="purple"]19.Rfe1 Qd6 20.Nb5 Bxd4 21.Nxd4 Qb6[/font] continues to give White a small advantage.

If [font color="magenta"]15.Nxc6 bxc6 16.cxd5 cxd5 17.exd5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]17...Nxd5 18.Nxd5 exd5 19.Bd4 Bxd4+ 20.Qxd4 Rxc1 21.Rxc1[/font] is equal (Karatetin-Kaminski, USA-chT Amateur East, Parsipanny, New Jersey, 2002).
[font color="darkorange"]17...exd5 18.Bd4 Ne4 19.Qe3 Bxd4 20.Qxd4 Nxc3 21.Rxc3[/font] is equal (Baek Wongi-Jayasundara, Ol, Istanbul, 2012).

If [font color="magenta"]14.Rad1 d5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]15.cxd5 exd5 16.Nxc6[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]16...bxc6 17.exd5 Nxd5 18.Nxd5 cxd5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]19.Bd4 Bxd4+ 20.Qxd4 Rc2 21.Rf2 Qc7 22.Rxc2 Qxc2[/font] is equal (Mustafaev-Le Quang Liem, World Youth BU18, Vung Tau, Vietnam, 2008).
[font color="hotpink"]19.Bg5 Bc3 20.Qd3 f6 21.Bd2 Be5 22.f4 Bc7[/font] is equal (Webb-P. Littlewood, British Ch, Torquay, 2002).

[font color="purple"]17.Bg5 Qd6 18.exd5 Rd7 19.Bf4 Qb4 20.d6 Nh5[/font] is equal (Houdini 1.5ax64)

[font color="darkorange"]15.exd5 exd5 16.c5 Ne8 17.Nde2 d4 18.Nb5 d3[/font] is equal (E. Torre-Micheli, IT, Madonna di Compiglio, Italy, 1973).

If [font color="magenta"]12...a6 13.a4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]13...e6 14.Rc1[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]14...Na5 15.Qc2 Rfd8 16.Rfd1 Qc7 17.Qa2 h6 18.Qd2 [/font] gives White the advantage in space while Black's position is solid, as is typical of a Sicilian Maroczy formation; neither side is likely to move forward easily (Amin-Grigoryan, IT, Lake Sevan, Armenia, 2008).
[font color="purple"]14...Qc7 15.Qd2 Nd7 16.Nde2 Nc5 17.Rb1 Na5 [/font] gives Black a small initiative; White must respond to the threat to the pawn at b3 (Yildiz-Kovalenskaya, Grand Prix W, Shenzhen, 2011).

[font color="darkorange"]13...Qd8 14.Qd2 Nd7 15.Rab1 Qa5 16.Rfd1 Rfe8 [/font] is equal (J. P. Gomez-Li Chao, Ol, Dresden, 2008).

[center]BLACK: Vishy Anand[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Magnus Carlsen[/center][center]Position after 9...Qd7c7[/center]

10.b3

The game is equal.

10...Qa5 11.Bb2 Nc6

[font color="red"]11...0-0 12.0-0 Qc5 13.Kh1 Nc6 14.Na4 Qg5 15.Qe1[/font] remains equal.

12.0-0 0-0 13.Nce2

[font color="red"]13.Nd5 Qc5 14.b4 Qxc4 15.Nxc6 Nxd5 16.Rc1[/font] remains equal.

13...Rfd8 14.Bc3 Qb6 15.Kh1 d5

[font color="red"]15...Nd7 16.Qd2 Re8 17.Rad1 Nxd4 18.Bxd4 Bxd4 19.Nxd4[/font] remains equal.

16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.Qe1

[center]BLACK: Vishy Anand[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Magnus Carlsen[/center][center]Position after 17.Qd1e1[/center]

17...Rdc8!?

Black apparently fears 18.Ba4, but it would be better to prevent the move altogether than to take out the sting by moving the Rook that would be skewered if no action were taken from it useful post on the d-file.
[font color="red"]17...a5![/font] (rendering 18.Ba4 impossible) [font color="red"]18.cxd5 cxd5 19.e5 Nd7 20.Bd4 Qa6 21.f4[/font] gives Black a passed pawn which must be placed "under lock and key." White's f-pawn has a potential energy.

18.e5!

White stands slightly better. He has a slight initiative against the Knight, which has no good square to which to move and the threat of a pawn sacrifice at e6 that deals structural damage to Black's central pawns.
If [font color="red"]18.cxd5!? cxd5 19.e5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]19...Nd7 20.Bd4 Qb7 21.e6 fxe6 22.Bxg7 Kxg7 23.Qh4 Nf8[/font] is equal.
[font color="darkred"]19...Ne8 20.Qd2 Qb7 21.Rac1 e6 22.Rc2 Nc7 23.Rfc1[/font] is equal.

18...Ne8

This is best place for the Knight, although it's not a very good place. It is even difficult to conceive of a plan utilizing the Knight from e8.
If [font color="red"]18...Nd7 19.e6 fxe6[/font] (giving Black an extra pawn, but also a troublesome doubled pawn on an open file) [font color="red"]20.Bxg7 Kxg7 21.Nf4 e5 22.cxd5 cxd5 23.Nxd5 Qe6 24.Rd1 Rc5 25.Nf4[/font] gives White stronger pawns, a queenside majority and a slight initiative; Black has potential counterply with his active heavy pieces.

If [font color="darkred"]19...Bxc3 20.Nxc3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]20...Nf6 21.Na4 Qc7 22.Rf2 Qd6 23.Re2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]23...Nh5 24.exf7+ Kxf7 25.Rd1 e6 26.Nb2 Nf4 27.Re5[/font] gives White stronger pawns, power in the center and a clear advantage in space; White will have to do something about Black's potential counterplay on the kingside before undertaking any more aggressive action.

[font color="darkorange"]23...fxe6?! 24.Rxe6! Qf4 25.Rc1 Re8 26.Nc5 Rac8 27.Re5[/font] gives White a strong center and better pawns.

[font color="magenta"]20...fxe6??[/font] loses immediately to [font color="magenta"]21.Qxe6+!.[/font]

21...Nc5 22.Rd1 Qc7 23.Nxe6+ Nxe6 24.Qxe6 Qd6 25.Qxd6[/font] wins back the pawn and continues to give Black a weak doubled pawn on an open file.
19.e6!?

The pawn sacrifice is slightly dubious.
If [font color="red"]19.f4 Nc7 20.Rc1 a5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]21.c5 Qa6 22.Nd4 a4 23.e6 Rf8 24.b4[/font] gives White a slight advantage with more space, but Black' command of critical diagonals provide sufficient counterplay.
[font color="darkred"]21.f5!? e6! 22.cxd5 Nxd5 23.fxe6 fxe6 24.Ng3 Nxc3[/font] is equal.

[center]BLACK: Vishy Anand[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Magnus Carlsen[/center][center]Position after 19.e5e6[/center]

19...fxe6!

The game is equal.
If [font color="red"]19...f5 20.Rd1 dxc4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]21.Bxg7 Nxg7 22.Qh4 Qc5 23.Rc1 Nxe6 24.Rxc4 Qd6[/font] is equal also.
If [font color="darkred"]21.Rd7 Qe3 22.Rxe7 cxb3 23.axb3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]23...Rc7 24.Rd7 Qxe6 25.Rxc7 Nxc7 26.Bxg7 Kxg7 27.Qc3+[/font] is equal.
[font color="magenta"]23...Bxc3 24.Nxc3 Qxe1 25.Rxe1 Rc7 26.Rd7 Rxd7 27.exd7[/font] is equal.

20.Nf4

[font color="red"]20.Bxg7 Nxg7 21.Nf4 Qc5 22.Nxe6 Qd6 23.Ng5 Qf4[/font] remains equal.

20...Bxc3 21.Qxc3 d4

[font color="red"]21...Ng7 22.Qe1 Qc7 23.Nxe6 Qd6 24.Ng5 Qf4 25.Nh3[/font] remains equal.

22.Qd2 c5 23.Rae1

[font color="red"]23.Rfe1 Ng7 24.Re5 a5 25.Rae1 Rc6 26.g4 Rf8[/font] remains equal.

23...Ng7 24.g4 Rc6!?

Black weakens his back rank while adding nothing necessary to to the defense of the pawn at e6.
If [font color="red"]24...Qd6 25.Nh3 e5 26.Qg5 Rc6 27.Qxe5 Ra6 28.Rf2[/font] gives White a small advantage with more activity in the center; Black passed pawn at d4 could become dangerous as pieces fly off the board.

25.Nh3!

White prepares to regroup his pieces in of Black's last move. Pressure will be applied to e6 while White has calculated that he can allow Black's d-pawn to advance.
[font color="red"]25.Re5!? a5! 26.Nh3 Qb8 27.Rfe1 Qf8 28.Kg2[/font] leaves White with slightly better control of the center, but Black has counterplay on either wing.
[font color="blue"]25.Nd3!? a5 26.Re4 Rf8 27.Ne5 Rd6 28.Qg5 Qc7[/font] remains equal.

25...Ne8?!

Black squanders his last chance to advance the e-pawn.
If [font color="red"]25...e5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]26.Qh6 g5 27.Qxg5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]27...Re6 28.Rxe5 h6 29.Qf4 Rf8 30.Qe4 Rxe5 31.Qxe5[/font] gives White an extra pawn; Black's passer should be a source of counterplay.
[font color="magenta"]27...Rg6 28.Qxe5 Re6 29.Qd5 Rd8 30.Rxe6 Nxe6 31.Qe4[/font] gives White an extra pawn and more freedom.

[font color="darkred"]26.Qg5!? Rf6 27.Qxe5 Re6 28.Qg5 Rf8 29.Nf4 Rxe1[/font] is equal.

26.Qh6!

White has a potent threat of mate in two.

26...Nf6 27.Ng5 d3?

Apparently, Black thinks he has time to push the pawn. He doesn't.
If [font color="red"]27...Qa6 28.Re5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]28...Qc8 29.Rfe1 Qf8 30.Qh3 d3 31.Nxe6 Qf7 32.Ng5[/font] gives White a strong kingside attack.
If [font color="darkred"]28...Kh8?[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]29.Rfe1! Qb7 30.Kg1 Ra6 31.Rxe6 Rxe6 32.Nxe6.[/font]

[center]BLACK: Vishy Anand[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Magnus Carlsen[/center][center]Position after 27...d4d3[/center]

28.Re5!

White wins quickly. After this flexible prophylaxis that save a valuable tempo after ...d2.

28...Kh8

If [font color="red"]28...d2[/font] (thanks to his last move, White does not lose control of the e-file) [/font color="red"]29.Rd1 Kh8[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]30.Rxd2 Qb8 31.Nxe6 Qg8 32.Nxc5.[/font]
If [font color="darkred"]29...Rd6[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]30.Nxh7 Nxh7 31.Qxg6+ Kf8 32.Qxh7.[/font]

29.Rd1 Qa6 30.a4 1-0

If [font color="red"]30...Qc8[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]31.Rxd3 Qg8 32.a5 Rac8 33.Rde3 Rd6 34.Nxe6.[/font]
Sri Anand, the reigning world champion, resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

4. Caruana - Aronian, Round 9, Bilbao

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #2)

Sat Nov 3, 2012, 05:41 PM

Nov 2012

Last edited Sun Nov 4, 2012, 02:35 AM - Edit history (1)

[center][/center]

[center]Fabiano Caruana[/center]
[font size="1"]Photo by Stefan64 (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stefan64) in Wikimedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FabianoCaruana10.jpg)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en|Creative Commons License] Attribution/Share Alike)]
[/font]

Fabiano Caruana - Levon Aronian
Grand Slam Masters Round 9
Bilbao, 12 October 2012

Grand Spanish Royal Game: Marshall Gambit

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.d3 d6 9.a4 Bd7 10.c3 Na5 11.Bc2 c5 12.Nbd2 Re8 13.d4 (N)

For moves up to here, see Hou Yifan-A. Muzychuk, Grand Prix W, Rostov-on-Don, 2011.
If [font color="red"]13.Nf1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...Bxc4 14.dxc4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]14...Qe6 15.Ne3 Bd8 16.Nd5 Nd7 17.Be3 Ne7 18.Qd2 c5 19.Qd3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Fuchs-Spassky, IT, Sochi, 1966).
[font color="darkorange"]14...h6 15.Ne3 Qe6 16.Nd5 Bd8 17.Qd3 Ne7 18.Bd2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Z. Almasi-Peng Xiaomin, FIDE Knock Out, Groningen, 1997).

If [font color="darkred"]13...h6 14.Ne3 Re8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15.h3 Bf8 16.Bd2 Bxc4 17.Nxc4 Qe6[/font] is equal (Leko-Grischuk, Grand Prix, Dubai, 2002).
[font color="magenta"]15.Nd5 Bd8 16.Bd2 Bxd5 17.Bxd5 Nxd5 18.exd5 Ne7[/font] is equal (Leko-Svidler, TM, Moscow, 2002).

13...exd4!?

In an attempt to catch his opponent off-balance, P-n Aronian violates opening principle and recaptures with his e-pawn. It is a good idea to keep one's center pawns in tact.
[font color="red"]13...cxd4 14.cxd4 Nc6 15.Nf1 Bg4 16.d5 Nd4[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space.

14.cxd4

The game is equal.

14...Bg4

If [font color="red"]14...cxd4 15.Nxd4 Qc7 16.axb5 axb5 17.Bd3 d5 18.exd5[/font] remains equal.

15.h3 Bh5 16.d5!?

White releases the tension in the center and allows Black to bid for control of the e5 square.
If [font color="red"]16.dxc5 dxc5 17.e5 Nd5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]18.axb5 axb5 19.Be4 Bg6 20.Bxg6 hxg6 21.Ne4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]18.Be4 Bg6 19.Bxg6 hxg6 20.Ne4 c4 21.Bg5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

16...Qc8!?

Black doesn't go for e5.
If [font color="red"]16...Nd7! 17.Nf1 b4 18.Ng3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]18...Bg6 19.Nf5 Bxf5 20.exf5 Bf6 21.Rxe8+ Qxe8[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]18...Bxf3 19.Qxf3 g6 20.Nf1 c4 21.Ne3 Ne5[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space.

[center]BLACK: Levon Aronian[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Fabiano Caruana[/center][center]Position after 16...Qd8c8[/center]

17.Nf1!

White has a slight advantage in space.

17...Bd8!?

The Bishop should remain at e7, where it protects the pawn at d6.
If [font color="red"]17...Nd7 18.Ng3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]18...Bg6 19.h4 h6 20.h5 Bh7 21.axb5 axb5 22.Qe2[/font] continues to give White a slight advantage.
If [font color="darkred"]18...Bxf3!? 19.Qxf3 g6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]20.axb5 axb5 21.Nf5 gxf5 22.Rxa5 Rxa5 23.Qg3+[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
If [font color="magenta"]20.Nf5 gxf5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]21.axb5 Nc4 22.Qxf5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]22...Ndb6 23.Qxc8 Raxc8 24.b3 axb5 25.bxc4 Nxc4 26.Bd3[/font] gives White stronger pawns and a slight advantage in space; Black has connected passed pawns.
[font color="purple"]22...Nde5!? 23.Qxc8 Rexc8 24.bxa6 Bf6 25.Ra2 Ra7 26.b3[/font] gives White a passed pawn, the initiative and more space.

[font color="darkorange"]21.Qg3+!? Kh8 22.axb5 Nc4! 23.Qc3+ Nce5 24.f4 axb5[/font] is equal.

18.g4!?

Loosening the kingside with this advance is not usually a good idea.
Better is [font color="red"]18.Ng3! Bg6 19.axb5 axb5 20.Nh4[/font] when:

[font color="red"]20...Nc4 21.Rxa8 Qxa8 22.b3 Na3 23.Bd3 c4 24.bxc4[/font] gives White no serious problems.
[font color="darkred"]20...Qd7!? 21.Nhf5 Rc8 22.Bd2 Bxf5 23.Nxf5 g6 24.Ne3[/font] gives White a strong initiative.

18...Bg6

White continues to enjoy a slight edge in space.

19.Ng3 b4 20.Nh4!?

Having advanced the g-pawn, White could make better us of it by attacking the Knight at f6 to spearhead a general kingside attack.
If [font color="red"]20.g5 b3 21.Bb1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]21...Nh5 22.Nf5 Qd7 23.N3h4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]23...f6 24.Nxg6 hxg6 25.Nh4 fxg5 26.Nxg6 Nf6 27.Bxg5[/font] gives White an extra pawn, but his kingside pieces are loose.
[font color="magenta"]23...Ra7 24.Ra3 f6 25.Nxg6 hxg6 26.Nh4 fxg5 27.Nxg6[/font] also presents White with the benefit of two extra pawns and the disadvantages of loose pieces on the kingside.

[font color="darkred"]21...Nd7?! 22.h4 h6 23.h5 Bh7 24.gxh6 gxh6 25.Bxh6[/font] leaves White with an extra pawn.

20...b3!?

The pawn sacrifice is dubious.
[font color="red"]20...Nd7! 21.Nhf5 Qb8 22.Nh5 Bxf5 23.gxf5 g6[/font] gives Black the initiative to rebuff White's kingside demonstration of power and more space on the queenside.

21.Bb1!?

The can and should be taken.
If [font color="red"]21.Bxb3 Nxb3 22.Qxb3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]22...Rb8 23.Qf3 Rb4 24.Nxg6 hxg6 25.Bf4 Qb8 26.g5[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]22...Bxe4 23.Nxe4 Rxe4 24.Rxe4 Nxe4 25.Nf5 g6 26.Nh6+[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.

21...Nxg4?!

Black has a spatial advantage on the queenside that should be exploited.
If [font color="red"]21...c4! 22.Bd2 Nd7 23.Ngf5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]23...Qc5 24.Bc3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]24...Bg5 25.Qf3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]25...Nb7 26.Kg2 Qc7 27.Nxg6 hxg6 28.Nxg7 Re7 29.Nf5[/font] gives White a small advantage.
If [font color="darkred"]25...Bf6!? 26.Bxf6 Nxf6 27.Qc3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]27...Kf8 28.Re3 Bxf5 29.Nxf5 Re5 30.Rf3 Rae8 31.Qd2[/font] gives White a clear advantage on the kingside; Black has counterplay on the opposite wing.
[font color="magenta"]27...Rab8?! 28.Kf1! Qb6 29.Re3 Qd8 30.g5 Bxf5 31.Nxf5[/font] gives White a strong kingside initiative.

[font color="burgundy"]24...Bf6 25.Qd2 Bxf5 26.Nxf5 Bxc3 27.Qxc3 Ne5 28.Kg2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

If [font color="darkred"]23...Nb7 24.Bc3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]24...Bf6 25.Bxf6 Nxf6 26.Re3 Qc5 27.Qd2 Re5 28.g5[/font] gives White a small initiative on the kingside; Black has some counterplay on the queenside.
[font color="magenta"]24...Bxh4 25.Nxh4 Qd8 26.Nf3 Ne5 27.Nxe5 dxe5 28.Qe2[/font] gives White a passed pawn, a mild initiative against Black's pawn at c4 and more space on the kingside; Black has more space on the queenside..

[center]BLACK: Levon Aronian[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Fabiano Caruana[/center][center]Position after 21...Nf6g4:p[/center]

22.Nxg6!

White inflicts damage on Black's kingside.

22...Nxf2

If [font color="red"]22...hxg6? 23.hxg4 Bf6 24.Qd2![/font] then:

If [font color="red"]24...c4 25.Qxa5 c3 26.e5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]26...Bxe5 27.Rxe5!! Rxe5 28.Bd3 Qxg4 29.Qxc3 Rc8 30.Qd2[/font] gives White three minor pieces for a Rook and two pawns.
If[font color="magenta"]26...Rxe5[/font] then White wins after [font color="magenta"]27.Be4 cxb2 28.Bxb2 Rxe4 29.Nxe4 Bxb2 30.Rab1.[/font]

[font color="darkred"]24...Nc4 25.Qe2 Na5 26.Be3 g5 27.Kg2 g6 28.Rh1[/font] gives White an extra piece.

23.Ne7+

If [font color="red"]23.Kxf2! hxg6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]24.Kg2 Bf6 25.Rf1 Be5 26.Qd2 Qd8 27.Rf3[/font] gives White three pawns for a piece, the Bishop pair and a slight advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]a) 24.e5 Rxe5 25.Rxe5 dxe5 26.Kg2 Rb8 27.Qg4[/font] gives White a piece for three pawns and the Bishop pair, but the position of the White King is fragile.
[font color="magenta"]b) 24.Bd2! Nc4 25.Bc3 Bh4 26.Kg2 Qd8 27.Bd3[/font] gives White the two Bishops and the initiative.

23...Rxe7?

Black gets more freedom by taking with the Bishop.
If [font color="red"]23...Bxe7 24.Kxf2 Bf6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]25.Nf5! c4 26.Rg1 Kh8 27.Be3!! Bxb2 28.Be4[/font] gives White a strong attack focused on g7 in compensation for the exchange.
[font color="darkred"]25.Kg2 g6 26.Qf3 Bg7 27.Rg1 Ra7 28.Bd3[/font] gives White a better center, better piece coordination and slightly more space; Black still has potential counterplay on the queenside.

24.Kxf2

This is an obvious recapture.

24...Re5

This is White's best try, and it doesn't do any good.
No better is [font color="red"]24...Re8 25.e5 Rxe5 26.Rxe5 dxe5 27.Kg2 g6 28.d6[/font] when White has a piece for two pawns.
If [font color="blue"]24...Qxh3[/font] then White wins quickly after [font color="blue"]25.Rh1 Qc8 26.Qh5 Kf8 27.Qxh7 Re5 28.Qh8+.[/font]

[center]BLACK: Levon Aronian[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Fabiano Caruana[/center][center]Position after 24...Re7e5[/center]

25.Kg2!

The White King returns to safety and defends the h-pawn.

25...c4

If [font color="red"]25...g6[/font] (to keep the Knight out of f5) [font color="red"] 26.Qf3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]26...Qc7 27.Bd3 h5 28.Be2 c4 29.Bd2 Bg5 30.Bc3[/font] gives White a piece for three pawns and command of attacking lanes.
[font color="darkred"]26...Bg5 27.Rf1 Qf8 28.Bxg5 Rxg5 29.Bd3 Re5 30.Rac1 gives White three pawns for a Bishop and more activity.[/font]

If [font color="blue"]25...Qc7 26.Bd2[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]26...Bf6 27.Bc3 Rg5 28.Bxf6 gxf6 29.Qd3 c4 30.Qc3[/font] leaves Black's kingside pawns weak and ready to fall like autumn leaves.
If [font color="darkblue"]26...Nc4[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkblue"]27.Bf4 Bg5 28.Bxg5 Rxg5 29.Qc1 Rxg3+ 30.Kxg3.[/font]

26.Nf5!?

White opens the door wide enough to let Black get his foot inside.
White wins after [font color="red"]26.Bd2! Nb7 27.Rf1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]27...Bg5 28.Bc3 g6 29.a5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]29...Qe8 30.Qg4 h5 31.Qf3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]31...f6 32.Ne2 Nc5 33.Bxe5 Qxe5 34.Qc3 Rb8 35.Rf3[/font] gives White a Rook for only two pawns.
If [font color="darkorange"]31...h4[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkorange"]32.Ne2 Nc5 33.Bxe5 Qxe5 34.Qxf7+ Kh8 35.Nf4.[/font]

[font color="magenta"]29...Re8 30.Qd4 Re5 31.Ra4 Qd7 32.Rb4 Rc8 33.Rxc4[/font] leaves White with an extra piece.

[font color="darkred"]27...Qd7 28.Bc3 Rg5 29.e5 dxe5 30.h4 Rxg3+ 31.Kxg3[/font] gives White a Rook for three pawns.

26...Bf6 27.Qf3?!

White opens the door even wider.
[font color="red"]27.Qe2 c3 28.Bd3 c2 29.Rf1 Qd8 30.Qf3[/font] gives White a piece for two pawns and excellent winning chances.

27...c3?

Black doesn't go inside.
If [font color="red"]27...Rxf5! 28.Qxf5 c3 29.e5 Qxf5 30.Bxf5 Bxe5 31.Re2[/font] still gives White a comfortable game, but Black has chances to hold on where he didn't before.

[center]BLACK: Levon Aronian[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Fabiano Caruana[/center][center]Position after 27...c4c3[/center]

28.Nh6+!

This time White finds the optimum move.

28...Kh8

If [font color="red"]28...gxh6[/font] loses quickly to [font color="red"]29.Qxf6 Qd8 30.Qxd8+ Rxd8 31.bxc3 f5 32.Bxh6.[/font]

29.Bd3

White gets a quicker win from [font color="red"]29.bxc3 Qb7 30.Re2 Ree8 31.Bg5 Bxg5 32.Nxf7+.[/font]

29...Re7

If [font color="red"]29...Qf8[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]30.bxc3 Nb7 31.Ng4 Nc5 32.Bc4 Rc8 33.Rb1.[/font]

30.e5 Bxe5

If [font color="red"]30...dxe5[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]31.Qe4 g6 32.Rf1 Bg7 33.Nxf7+.[/font]

31.Qe4 g6 32.Qh4 f6

[center]BLACK: Levon Aronian[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Fabiano Caruana[/center][center]Position after 32...f7f6[/center]

33.Rxe5!!

The exchange sacrifice clears the way for the final attack.

33...dxe5 34.Qxf6+ Rg7 35.Qxe5 Qe8

If [font color="red"]35...Qc7[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]36.Qxc7 Rxc7 37.Bf4 Re7 38.Bg5.[/font]

36.Qxc3 Rc8

White cannot protect the Knight at a5.
If [font color="red"]36...Nb7[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]37.Bg5 Qd7 38.Bf6 Nd6 39.Rf1 Qb7 40.Be5.[/font]

37.Qxa5

White has three minor pieces for a Rook.

37...Re7 38.Bg5 Re2+ 39.Kg1 1-0

P-n Aronian resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

5. Chess Olympics, Istanbul

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #1)

Sat Nov 3, 2012, 05:55 PM

Nov 2012

[center][/center]

[center]Hagia Sophia, Istanbul[/center]
[font size="1"]Photo by Robster1983 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Robster1983) in Wikimedia Commons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:%C4%B0stanbul-Ayasofya.JPG)
(Public Domain)
[/font]

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

6. Ivanchuk - Wang Hao, Round 11

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #5)

Sat Nov 3, 2012, 06:00 PM

Nov 2012

This game, played in the last round, not only knocked China out of first place, but knocked it completely out out medal contention.
[center]

Vassily Ivanchuk
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Stefan64 (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stefan64) in Wikimedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Vassily_Ivanchuk) (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en|Creative Commons License] Attribution/Share Alike)]
[/font]

Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine) - Wang Hao (China)
40th Chess Olympiad, General Group, Round 11/Board 1
Istanbul, 9 September 2012

East India Game: Nimzo-Indian Defense (Rubinstein Opening)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 0-0 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3 b6

For a more thurough examination of the Nimzo-Indian Defense, see Bacrot-David, French ChT, Mulhouse, 2011.
If [font color="red"]6...c5 7.0-0 dxc4 8.Bxc4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]8...Nbd7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9.Qe2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9...a6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10.a4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10...cxd4 11.exd4 Nb6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12.Bd3 Nbd5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13.Nxd5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]13...Nxd5 14.Qe4 g6 15.Bh6 Re8 16.Ne5[/font] wih a small advantage in space for White (Grischuk-Gelfand, IT, Linares, 2010).
[font color="darkpink"]13...exd5 14.Bg5 Qd6 15.Ne5 Ne4 16.Bf4[/font] is equal (Ivanchuk-Speelman, World Cup, Reykjavik, 1991).

[font color="purple"]13.Bg5 Be7 14.Rfe1 Nb4 15.Bc4 Nfd5 16.Bxe7 Nxe7 17.Ne5 Nf5 18.Rad1[/font] gives White the advantage in space (Korchnoi-Shamkovich, IT, Leningrad, 1967).

[font color="darkorange"]12.Bb3 Nbd5 13.Bd2 Re8 14.Qd3 Be7 15.Nxd5 exd5 16.Ne5 g6 17.Qf3 Be6[/font] draw (O'Kelly-Smyslov, Argentine Ch, Buenos Aires, 1970).

[font color="magenta"]10...Qc7 11.Na2 b5 12.Bd3 Ba5 13.axb5 axb5 14.Bxb5 Bb7 15.Rd1 Rab8 16.dxc5 Bxf3 17.gxf3 Nxc5 18.b4 Nb3 19.Rb1[/font] gives White an extra pawn (Portisch-Balashov, ITZ, Rio de Janeiro, 1979).

If [font color="darkred"]10.a3 Ba5 11.Bd3 b5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]12.b4 cxb4 13.axb4 Bxb4 14.Nxb5 Bb7 15.Rb1 Be7 16.Nc3 Bxf3 17.Qxf3[/font] gives White the advantage in space (Schreen-Korchnoi, IT, Wijk aan Zee, 1983).
If [font color="magenta"]12.Rd1 Bb7 13.e4 cxd4 14.Nxd4 Qc7 15.Bg5 Bb6 16.Bc2 Rac8[/font] is equal (A. Rodríguez-Polugaevsky, Capablanca Mem, Havana, 1967).

If [font color="darkred"]9...b6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10.d5 Bxc3 11.dxe6 Ne5 12.exf7+ Kh8 13.bxc3 Bg4 14.e4 Qe7 15.Re1 b5 16.Bxb5 Nh5 17.Bg5 Qe6 18.Qe3 Bxf3 19.gxf3 Qxf7 20.Be2 h6 21.f4 Nxf4 22.Bxf4 Qxf4 23.Rad1 Rae8 24.Rd5 c4 25.Rf1 Nf3+ 26.Bxf3 Qxf3 27.Rd4 Qg4+ 28.Qg3[/font] gives White an extra pawn, but Black's pieces are more active in compensation (Gligoric-Jelen, IT, Bled, 1979).
If [font color="magenta"]10.Rd1 cxd4 11.exd4 Bb7 12.d5 Bxc3 13.dxe6 Bxf3 14.gxf3 fxe6 15.bxc3 Qc7 16.Bxe6+ Kh8 17.Be3 Nc5 18.Bd5 Nxd5 19.Rxd5 Ne6 20.Qd3 Rad8[/font] is equal (Gligoric-Unzicker, Ol, Leipzig, 1960).

If [font color="darkred"]9.a3 cxd4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10.axb4 dxc3 11.bxc3 Qc7 12.Qb3 Nb6 13.Be2 e5 14.Ra5 Be6 15.Qc2 Nbd7 16.c4 b6 17.Ra6 Rfc8 18.Nd2 Qb7 19.b5 Nc5 20.Ra1 a6 21.bxa6 Rxa6 22.Bb2 Rxa1[/font] draw (Johannesson-Chandler, Jonsson Mem, Reykjavik, 2001).
If [font color="magenta"]10.exd4 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Qc7 12.Qe2 b6 13.Bd2 Bb7 14.Bd3 Rfe8 15.Rfe1 Rac8 16.Rac1 Qd6[/font] is equal (Kottahachchy -Nguyen Van Thanh, World Youth, Vang Tau, 2008).

If [font color="darkred"]8...Nc6 9.a3 Ba5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10.Qd3 a6 11.Rd1 b5 12.Ba2 Bb6 13.h3 c4 14.Qe2 Qc7 15.e4 e5 16.Be3 exd4 17.Nxd4 Nxd4 18.Bxd4 Bxd4 19.Rxd4 Be6 20.Rad1 Rad8 21.Qd2[/font] is equal (Portisch-Smyslov, IT, Amsterdam, 1971).
If [font color="magenta"]10.Bd3 cxd4 11.exd4 Bb6 12.Be3 Nd5 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.h3 Qd6 15.Re1 Bc7 16.Rc1 Be6 17.Bb1 Rac8 18.Rc3 Bd7 19.Bd3[/font] draw (Gligoric-Polugaevsky, ITZ, Palma de Mallorca, 1970).

7.a3

If [font color="red"]7.0-0 Bb7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]8.cxd5 exd5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9.Ne5 Bd6 10.f4 c5 11.Qf3 Nc6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12.Qh3 g6 13.Kh1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...a6 14.Bd2 cxd4 15.Nxc6 Bxc6 16.exd4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]16...Ne4 17.Bxe4 dxe4 18.f5 Re8 19.fxg6 hxg6 20.Rxf7 Kxf7[/font] is equal (Peralta-González García, IT, Sabadell, Spain, 2010).
[font color="burgundy"]16...b5 17.f5 b4 18.Bg5 bxc3 19.Rae1 Bb5 20.Qh4 Be7[/font] is equal (Estremera Panos-Roamnov, Euro Ch, Dresden, 2007).

If [font color="darkred"]13...Re8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]14.Bd2 Bf8 15.Bb5 Qc8 16.Bxc6 Bxc6 17.f5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Sadler-Ehlvest, FIDE Knock Out, Groningen, 1997).
[font color="magenta"]14.Nxd5 Nxd5 15.Nxf7 Qc7 16.f5 Bc8 17.Ng5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

If [font color="darkred"]12.Bd2 cxd4 13.Nxc6 Bxc6 14.exd4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]14...Qd7 15.f5 Rfe8 16.Bf4 Ne4 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 18.Bxe4 dxe4[/font] is equal (García Palermo-Karpov, IT, Mar del Plata, 1982).
[font color="magenta"]14...Re8 15.Rae1 Qd7 16.f5 Bb4 17.Qg3 Kh8[/font] is equal (Colin-Berczes, TT, Brno, 2006).

If [font color="darkred"]9.a3 Bd6 10.b4 a6 11.Qb3 Qe7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]12.b5 axb5 13.Nxb5 Nbd7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14.a4 c5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15.Ba3 Ba6 16.Bf5 Bxb5 17.Qxb5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]17...g6 18.Bc2 Rfc8 19.Qe2 Ne4 20.Bb2 c4 21.Rab1 Bb4[/font] gives Black a tremendous advantage in space (Vitiugov-Wang Hao, TM, St. Petersburg, 2012).
[font color="burgundy"]18.Bh3 Ra5 19.Qc6 Rfa8 20.Bb2 c4 21.Bc3 R5a7[/font] gives Black a small advantage with his protected passed pawn at c4; White has a slight advantage in space, but that will last only as long as White he Queen safe (Korobov-Yuferov, Moscow Op, 2007).

[font color="darkpink"]15.Nxd6 Qxd6 16.Bf5 c4 17.Qc2 Rfe8 18.Bb2 Bc8[/font] draw (Gligoric-Stean, IT, Vienna, 1980).

If [font color="magenta"]14.Bb2 c5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]15.Nxd6 Qxd6 16.Bf5 c4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]17.Qb4 Qxb4 18.axb4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]18...g6 19.Bc2 b5 20.Ne5 Rxa1 21.Rxa1 Ra8 22.Rxa8+ Bxa8 23.Nxd7[/font] draw (John-Kahn, Corres, 1999).
[font color="hotpink"]18...b5 19.Ne5 Nb6 20.Ra5 Na4 21.Ba3 Nc3 22.Ra1[/font] is equal (Nguyen Chi Minh-Chuchelov, French ChT, Noyon, 2005).

[font color="purple"]17.Qc2 g6 18.Bh3 Ne4 19.a4 Rfe8 20.Ba3 Qc7[/font] gives Black a protected passed pawn and a small advantage in space (Gligoric-H. Olafsson, Op, Reykjavik, 1995).

[font color="darkorange"]15.dxc5?! bxc5 16.Nxd6 Qxd6 17.Qc3 Ba6 18.Rfd1 Bxd3[/font] gives Black a passed pawn and a slight advantage in space (Jussupow-Dautov, IT, Nussloch, 1996).

If [font color="magenta"]12.Rb1 Nbd7 13.a4 Ne4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]14.Bb2 Ndf6 15.b5 a5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16.Rbd1 Nxc3 17.Bxc3 Ne4 18.Bb2 Rad8 19.Ne5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Petrosian-Browne, IT, Tilnurg, 1982).
[font color="burgundy"]16.Ra1 Nxc3 17.Qxc3 Ne4 18.Qb3 Rfe8 19.Ba3[/font] is equal (Wiring-Chuchelov, French ChT, Mulhouse, 2009).

If [font color="darkorange"]14.Nxd5 Bxd5 15.Qxd5 Nc3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]16.Qb3 Nxb1 17.Qxb1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]17...g6 18.b5 axb5 19.axb5 Qe6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]20.e4[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]20...Be7!? 21.Qc2! Nf6 22.Ne5 Ra2 23.Qb1[/font] gives White the threat of 24...Bc4 with a comfortable game (Onischuk-Yermolinsky, Op, Las Vegas, 2001).
[font color="burgundy"]20...Qa2 21.Qxa2 Rxa2 22.e5 Be7 23.Bh6[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

If [font color="hotpink"]20.Qc2!? Qa2! 21.Qc6[/font] then:

[font color="hotpink"]21...Rad8? 22.e4! Qb3 23.Bc2 Qb4 24.Bd2 Qb2 25.Qc4[/font] gives White an extra pawn, a cental pawn duo and a mammoth advantage in space (Gligoric-Drasko, Yugoslav Ch, Belgrade, 1999).
[font color="purple"]21...Nb8 22.Qc3 Ra4 23.Rd1 Rc8 24.Bb2 Rb4 25.Ba1[/font] is equal

[font color="darkpink"]17...Kh8!? 18.b5 axb5 19.axb5 Rfe8 20.e4 f6 21.Re1[/font] gives White an extra pawn and a small advatage in space; Black should play 21...Bb4 to disrupt White's center.

[font color="darkorchid"]16.Qc6!? Nxb1 17.Bxb1 g6 18.b5 axb5 19.axb5[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkred"]8.a3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]8...Bxc3 9.bxc3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]9...dxc4 10.Bxc4 c5 11.Re1 Nbd7 12.Bd3 Be4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13.Bf1 Qc7 14.Nd2 Bb7 15.Bb2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15...Rad8 16.e4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]16...e5?! 17.d5! Ne8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]18.c4 Nd6 19.a4 Rfe8 20.Bd3 a6 21.Rc1[/font] gives White more freedom, a potential kingside attack and a small advantage in space; Black must regroup his pieces (Gligoric-Van Sheltinga, ZT, Enschade, 1963).
[font color="burgundy"]18.a4 Rb8 19.c4[/font] transposes into [font color="darkorange"]Ivkov-Kuijpers,[/font] below.

If [font color="magenta"]16...Nb8!?[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]17.a4?! Nc6 18.Nf3 Nd7 19.Bd3 Nde5 20.Nxe5 Nxe5[/font] is equal (Giddins-Barsov, Op, Antwerp, 1998).
[font color="darkorange"]17.e5! Nd5 18.Ne4 Ne7 19.Nd6 Nc8 20.Nxb7 Qxb7 21.Qg4[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.

[font color="burgundy"]15...e5!? 16.e4! Rad8 17.d5 Ne8 18.a4 Rb8 19.c4[/font] (Ivkov-Kuijpers, IT, Beverwijk, 1966).

[font color="magenta"]13.Bxe4 Nxe4 14.Qd3[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]14...Ndf6!?[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]15.Bb2!? Qc7 16.c4 Rfd8 17.Rac1 Rac8[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]18.h3 h6[/font] is equal (Kamsky-Ehlvest, PCA Qual, New York, 1994).
[font color="hotpink"]18.Red1 Qb7 19.Ne5 Ne8 20.d5 exd5 21.cxd5 N8f6[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Gligoric-Ljubojevic, Match, Belgrade, 1979).

[font color="purple"]15.Ne5! Rc8 16.a4 cxd4 17.cxd4 Rc3 18.Qb1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

[font color="darkorange"]14...f5 15.c4 Qc7 16.Bb2 Rac8 17.Rac1 Rfd8 18.Qe2[/font] is equal.

If [font color="magenta"]9...Nbd7 10.cxd5 exd5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]11.Nd2 Re8 12.Re1 c5 13.f3 Qc7 14.Bb2[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Kacheishvili-Streich, Op, Senden, Germany, 2001).
[font color="darkorange"]11.c4 c5 12.Bb2 Rc8 13.Rc1 a6 14.Ne5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Horowitz-Kevitz, IT, New York, 1931).

If [font color="magenta"]8...Be7[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]9.cxd5 exd5 10.b4 Nbd7 11.Qb3[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]11...a6 12.a4 Bd6 13.Bb2[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]13...Qe7 14.b5 c5 15.bxc6 Bxc6[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]16.Rfc1 Rfc8 17.Bf5 Rc7 18.Rc2 Rb8 19.Rac1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Tukmakov-Röder, Op, Geneva, 1995).
[font color="burgundy"]16.Ba3 Rfc8 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 18.Rfc1 Bb7 19.Rc2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Geller-Lisitsin, Soviet Ch, Kiev, 1954).

[font color="darkpink"]13...Re8 14.b5 a5 15.Ba3 Bxa3 16.Qxa3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Ruban-Podgaets, Soviet ChU26, Rostov-on-Don, 1967).

If [font color="darkorange"]11...c6 12.Bd2[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]12...a5 13.bxa5 Rxa5 14.e4 dxe4 15.Nxe4 Ra7[/font] gives White a slight advantage with more space while Black has better pawns (Korchnoi-Karpov, Najdorf Mem, Buenos Aires, 2001).
[font color="purple"]12...Bd6 13.Rfe1 a5 14.Rac1 axb4 15.axb4 Qb8 16.Rb1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space and Black slightly stronger pawns (Geller-Bobotsov, Op, Reykjavik, 1965).

If [font color="darkorange"]9.b4 Nbd7 10.Bb2 c5 11.cxd5[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]11...exd5 12.bxc5 bxc5 13.dxc5 Nxc5 14.Nd4 Qb6 15.Rb1[/font] gives White stronger pawns and a slight edge in space (Ornstein-Spassky, Op, Vienna, 1986).
[font color="purple"]11...cxd4!? 12.Nxd4 Nxd5 13.Nxd5 Bxd5 14.Rc1 Rc8 15.Qe2[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (Peng-Li Ruofan, Mindsports Rpd, Beijing, 2008).

7...Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 c6

If [font color="red"]8...Ba6 9.cxd5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9...Bxd3 10.Qxd3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10...Qxd5 11.0-0[/font] then:

[font color="red"]11...Nbd7 12.c4 Qe4 13.Rd1 Qxd3 14.Rxd3 c5[/font] is equal (Weber-Quattrocchi, Corres, 1997).
[font color="burgundy"]11...c5 12.Re1 Qe4 13.Qe2 Rc8 14.Bb2 Nbd7 15.Rac1[/font] is equal (Speelman-Ehlvest, IT, Linares, 1991).

[font color="darkpink"]10...exd5 11.c4 Nc6 12.Bb2 Na5 13.Nd2 c5 14.dxc5 dxc4[/font] is equal (Chandler-Littlewood, British Ch, Morecambe, 1981).

If [font color="darkred"]9...exd5 10.0-0 c5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11.Bxa6 Nxa6 12.Qd3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]12...c4 13.Qc2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]13...Re8 14.Nd2 Nb8 15.Re1 Nc6 16.f3 b5[/font] is equal (Raisa-Kozma, ZT, Budapest, 1960).
[font color="burgundy"]13...Nb8 14.a4 Nc6 15.Ba3 Re8 16.Rae1 Ne4[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Schulien-M. Petursson, Op, Philadelphia, 1989).

[font color="darkpink"]12...Nc7 13.c4 Ne6 14.Bb2 dxc4 15.Qxc4 Rc8 16.Rfd1[/font] gives White a a skight tactical edge (Szabo-Keres, Candidates' Trmt, Amsterdam, 1956).

If [font color="magenta"]11.dxc5 bxc5 12.Bxa6 Nxa6 13.c4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]13...dxc4 14.Qa4 Nc7[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]15.Bb2 c3 16.Bxc3[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]16...Ncd5 17.Be5 Nd7 18.Bg3 Qe7 19.Rac1 N5b6 20.Qc2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Danielian-Koneru, Grand Prix W, Kazan, 2012).
If [font color="darkorange"]16...Nfd5 17.Be5![/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]17...Qe7!? 18.Qc6! Rfc8 19.Rac1 Nb6 20.Qxc5 Qxc5 21.Rxc5[/font] gives White more freedom and the initiative (Kalashian-V. Gaprindashvili, Op, Istanbul, 2008).
[font color="purple"]17...Nb6 18.Qa5 Ne6 19.Rfd1 Qe8 20.a4 Qc6 21.Qa6[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

[font color="darkpink"]15.Qxc4!? Qd5 16.Qc2 Ne6 17.Bb2 Qe4 18.Rfc1 Qxc2[/font] is equal (Geller-Keres, Match, Moscow, 1962).

[font color="darkorchid"]13...Rb8 14.Qc2 Qe7 15.Bb2 Qe4 16.Rfc1 Qxc2 17.Rxc2[/font] gives White a fair advantage with stronger pawns.

9.cxd5

If [font color="red"]9.0-0 Ba6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]10.Ne5 Nfd7 11.cxd5 Nxe5 12.Bxa6 Nxa6 13.dxe5 cxd5[/font] gives Black stronger pawns (Larsen-Leuenberger, SX, Zürich, 1988).
If [font color="darkred"]10.cxd5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]10...Bxd3 11.Qxd3 cxd5 12.c4 Nc6 13.cxd5 Qxd5 14.Bb2[/font] is equal (Smyslov-G. Serper, IT, Tilburg, 1992).
[font color="magenta"]10...cxd5 11.Bxa6 Nxa6 12.Qd3 Nc7 13.c4 Rc8 14.Bd2[/font] is equal (Welten-Schuurman, Op, Vlissingen, 2007).

9...cxd5 10.Qe2 Nc6 (N)

If [font color="red"]10...Bb7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11.0-0 Qc8[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12.c4 dxc4 13.Bxc4 Ba6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]14.Ne5 Bxc4 15.Nxc4 Qa6 16.Bd2 Nbd7 17.Rfc1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (I. Ibragimov-Rausis, Op, Cappelle-la-Grande, 1998).
[font color="burgundy"]14.Bxa6!? Qxa6 15.Qxa6 Nxa6 16.Bb2 Rac8 17.Rfc1[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Bluvshtein-Rozentalis, Op, Toronto, 2011).

[font color="darkpink"]12.a4 Ba6 13.Ba3 Bxd3 14.Qxd3 Re8 15.Rfc1[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (I. Sokolov-Movsesian, IT, Sarajevo, 2007).

If [font color="darkred"]11.Bb2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]11...Nc6 12.0-0 Na5 13.Nd2 Rc8 14.f3 Re8 15.e4 e5[/font] is equal (Kramnik-Movsesian, Amber Blind, Nice, 2008).
[font color="magenta"]11...Qc8 12.Rc1 Ba6 13.c4 dxc4 14.Bxc4 Bxc4 15.Rxc4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (I. Sokolov-Hou Yifan, IT, Zafra, Spain, 2007).

11.0-0

White has a slight advantage in space.

11...Na5?!

This is somewhat risky. Black offsides his Knight with an eye to planting it on the excellent outpost c4.
If [font color="red"]11...Ne4 12.a4 Bb7 13.Ba3 Re8 14.c4 Ba6 15.Rac1[/font] continues to give White a slight advantage.

12.a4!

White has a small advantage in space.

12...Re8?!

While this move is in the cards, Black should play the more dynamic 12...Ne4 while the Knight cannot just be driven away.
[font color="red"]12...Ne4 13.Ba3 Re8 14.Qc2 f6 15.Bb4 Nc6 16.Rfb1[/font] continues to give White a small advantage in space.

13.Ne5!

White has a comfortable game.

13...Ne4?!

This move now come too late. The Knight can be simply driven off with f2f3.
If [font color="red"]13...Bb7 14.Ba3 Rc8[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]15.Bb4 Nc4 16.Nxc4 dxc4 17.Bxc4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]17...a5 18.Ba3 Ne4 19.Rfc1 Qg5 20.f4 Qg6 21.Bb2[/font] gives White a comfortable game.
[font color="magenta"]17...Nd5 18.a5 Nxb4 19.cxb4 g6 20.Ba6 Re7 21.g3[/font] gives White a substantial advantage in space.

[font color="darkred"]15.Bb5 Nc6 16.c4 Ne4 17.Rac1 Nxe5 18.dxe5[/font] gives White a comfortable game.

14.f3!?

Now it's White's turn to put more punch into the line.
If [font color="red"]14.Qc2![/font] (threatening to exchange on e4 , winning a pawn) then:

If [font color="red"]14...g6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]15.f3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15...Nd6 16.e4 Ndc4 17.Bxc4 Nxc4 18.Nxc4 dxc4 19.Bf4[/font] give White an impressive advantage in space.
If [font color="darkred"]15...Nf6 16.e4 Nd7 17.Ng4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]17...h5 18.Ne3 Nf8 19.e5 Bb7 20.f4 Qd7 21.Rf3[/font] gives White pressure on Black's kingside and a huge advantage in space.
If [font color="magenta"]17...Bb7? 18.e5[/font] then:

[if font color="magenta"]18...Nc4 19.Qf2 Rc8 20.h4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]20...Qc7 21.h5 Na5 22.Nh6+ Kg7 23.Ra3 Qd8 24.Qg3[/font] White wins after stripping the King of its pawn protection.
If [font color="purple"]20...Qe7[/font] then White wins after [font color="purple"]21.Bg5 Qf8 22.Nh6+ Kg7 23.Qg3 Na5 24.Rac1.[/font]

[font color="darkorange"]18...Rc8 19.Re1 Qc7 20.Ra3 Qd8 21.Nh6+ Kf8 22.Bf4[/font] gives White the makings of a kingside attack and a large advantage in space.

If [font color="darkred"]15.Bxe4?! dxe4 16.Qxe4 Ba6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]17.Rd1 f6 18.Nf3 e5 19.Qc2 e4 20.Nd2[/font] gives White an extra pawn and Black a fair advantage in space.
If [font color="magenta"]17.Re1 f6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]18.Nf3 Bb7 19.Qg4 Rc8 20.Bb2 f5 21/ Qf4 Nc4[/font] is equal; Black will be able to recover the pawn at c3.
[font color="darkorange"]18.Ng4 Nb3 19.Rb1 Nxc1 20.Rbxc1 f5[/font] gives Black more than enough compensation for the pawn.

If [font color="darkred"]14...f5 15.f3 Nd6 16.e4 g6 17.Bf4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]17...Bb7 18.exf5 exf5 19.g4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]19...Qh4 20.Nxg6!! hxg6 21.Bxd6 Nc4 22.Bf4 Kf7 23.Qf2[/font] gives White a healthy advantage in space.
[font color="darkorange"]19...Qf6?[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkorange"]20.gxf5! Nxf5 21.Bxf5 Qxf5 22.Qxf5 gxf5 23.Kf2.[/font]

[font color="magenta"]17...Nac4 18.Bxc4 Nxc4 19.Nxc4 dxc4 20.Qe2[/font] gives White a substantial advantage in space.

14...Nd6!

White continues to enjoy a comfortable game.

15.Ba3?!

This move is not a disaster, but 15.Qc2 is a more serious threat.
If [font color="red"]15.Qc2 Qh4 16.Ba3 Ndc4 17.Bxc4 Nxc4 18.Nxc4 dxc4 19.Qe2[/font] continues to enjoy a comfortable game.

15...Bb7!?

A weak maneuver on the flank is best met be a demonstration of strength in the center.
Correct is [font color="red"]15...f6! 16.Ng4 Ndc4 17.e4 Nxa3 18.Rxa3 Bb7 19.Ne3[/font] with equality.

16.Bxd6!?

Once again, the more aggressive move is 16.Qc2.
If [font color="red"]16.Qc2![/font] then:

[font color="red"]16...f5 17.Bb4 Ndc4 18.Nxc4 Nxc4 19.Bxc4 dxc4 20.e4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]16...g6?! 17.e4 Nac4 18.Nxc4 Nxc4 19.Bxc4 dxc4 20.Qe2[/font] gives White a comfortable game with a superior center and more freedom.

16...Qxd6!

White has now only a small advantage.

17.f4!?

There is still time for 17.Qc2.
[font color="red"]17.Qc2 h6 18.Bh7+ Kf8 19.f4 Ba6 20.Rf3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

17...g6!

The game is equal.
If [font color="red"]17...Qe7 18.Rf3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]18...h6 19.Qc2 Qc7 20.Rc1 f6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]21.Ng6 Nc4 22.Rg3 Nd6 23.Qd1 Ne4 24.Bxe4 dxe4 25.Qh5[/font] is equal.
If [font color="darkred"]21.Ng4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]21...f5 22.Ne5 Nc6 23.Ng6 Ne7 24.Nh4 Qd6 25.Qb2[/font] gives White a very slight advantage.
[font color="magenta"]21...Rf8!? 22.Rg3! Kh8 23.Qe2 f5 24.Ne5 Rf6 25.Bb5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

If [font color="darkred"]a) 18...f6!?[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]19.Qc2! g6 20.Bxg6 fxe5 21.Bxe8 Rxe8 22.fxe5 Ba6 23.e4[/font] gives White a material advantage and a better center.
If [font color="magenta"]19.Rh3!? h6 20.Ng4 Kf8 21.Nxh6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]21...f5! 22.Nxf5 exf5 23.Bxf5 Qf6 24.Bd3 Rac8 25.Qg4[/font] is equal.
If [font color="darkorange"]a1) 21...Qc7? 22.Ng4![/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]22...Qxc3 23.Rb1 Nc4 24.Rh8+ Ke7 25.Rh7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]25...Rg8 26.f5 Ba6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]27.Rf1[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkorange"]27...Kd6 28.fxe6 Qd2 29.Qxd2 Nxd2 30.Bxa6 Nxf1 31.Kxf1.[/font]
If [font color="burgundy"]27.Rd1!?[/font] then:

[font color="burgundy"]27...Nb2! 28.Bxa6 Nxd1 29.Qxd1 exf5 30.Nh6 Qxe3+ 31.Kh1[/font] still gives White a strong advantage, but he must win the game over again.
If [font color="darkpink"]27...exf5?[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkpink"]28.Nh6 Nb2 29.Nxf5+.[/font]

If [font color="hotpink"]25...Kd8[/font] then White wins after [font color="hotpink"]26.Rxg7 Re7 27.Rg8+ Kc7 28.Rxa8 Bxa8 29.Nxf6[/font]

[font color="purple"]22...Rac8 23.Rc1 Qf7 24.Qc2 Nc4 25.Bg6![/font] wins at least the exchange.

If [font color="darkorange"]a2) 21...gxh6?[/font] then White wins easily after [font color="darkorange"]22.Rxh6 Qd6 23.Bg6 Rec8 24.Rh7 Rc7 25.Qh5.[/font]

[font color="darkred"]b) 18...g6 19.Rg3 Kh8 20.e4 dxe4 21.Bxe4 Bxe4 22.Qxe4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

18.Qg4 Nc4 19.Qg3 Qc7?

Black leaves his Queen in the line of fire of its opposite number, but now hanging.
If [font color="red"]19...Rac8 20.Bxc4 dxc4 21.Qg5 Qd8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]22.Ng4 Rf8 23.Qxd8 Rcxd8 24.Rfb1 Kg7 25.a5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]22.Qxd8 Rexd8 23.Rfb1 f6 24.Ng4 h5 25.Nf2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

[font color="blue"]19...Qe7 20.Nxc4 dxc4 21.Bc2 Qd7 22.e4 f5 23.Rfe1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

19...Nxe5 20.fxe5 Qc7 21.Qf2 Rad8 22.Rac1 Rc8 23.Qb2

[center]BLACK: Wang Hao[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Vassily Ivanchuk[/center][center]Position after 19...Qd6c7[/center]

20.Bxc4 dxc4

If [font color="red"]20...f6 21.Ng4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]21...Qxc4[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]22.Nxf6+ Kh8 23.Nxe8 Rxe8 24.Qg5 Kg8 25.a5.[/font]
If [font color="darkred"]21...dxc4[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]22.Nxf6+ Kg7 23.Nxe8+ Rxe8 24.Qg5 Rf8 25.Qe5+.[/font]

21.f5 f6

If [font color="red"]21...exf5 22.Rxf5 Re7 23.Rf6 Rf8 24.Qf4 Qd8 25.e4[/font] White grinds out a win. The move gives White to opportunity to put on a splend pyrotechnic display.

[center]BLACK: Wang Hao[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Vassily Ivanchuk[/center][center]Position after 21...f7f6[/center]

22.fxg6!!

White sacrifices the Knight. With the Queen hanging, he Black pawn is pinned at e5. White therefore has time to carry on his kingside attack.

22...fxe5 23.Rf7 Qc6

If [font color="red"]23...Re7[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]24.Raf1 h6 25.Qf2 Rxf7 26.gxf7+! Kf8 27.Qf6.[/font]

[center]BLACK: Wang Hao[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Vassily Ivanchuk[/center][center]Position after 23...Qc7c6[/center]

24.gxh7+!!

White sacrifices a Rook to send the Black King on a forced death march.

24...Kxf7 25.Rf1+ Ke7 26.h8Q

[font color="red"]26.Qg7+ Kd8 27.h8Q Rxh8 28.Qxh8+ Qe8 29.Rf8[/font] wins the Queen.

26...Rxh8 27.Qg7+ Kd6

Black plays a harikari move.
[font color="red"]27...Kd8 28.Qxh8+[/font] transposes into the previous note.

28.dxe5+ Kd5 1-0

[font color="red"]29.Rd1+ Ke4 30.Qg5 Qxa4 31.Rd4#.[/font]
Wang Xiansheng resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

7. Giri - Aronian, Round 10

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #5)

Sat Nov 3, 2012, 06:04 PM

Nov 2012

The Armenian team took the Gold medal behind stellar play by Levon Aronian.
[center]

Levon Aronian
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Frank Hoppe in Wikimedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Levon_Aronian)
(Public Doamin)
[/font]

Anish Giri (Holland) - Levon Aronian (Armenia)
40th Chess Olympiad, General Group, Round 10/Board 1
Istanbul, 7 September 2012

Slav Queen's Gambit: Catalan Opening (Korchnoi Variation)

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qb3

[font color="red"]4.Nc3[/font] is the most common move here, and then develops into an open Catalan. See Nakamura-Carlsen, IT, Nanjing, 2009.

4...e6 5.g3 Be7 6.Bg2 0-0 7.0-0 Nbd7 8.Bf4 a5

If [font color="red"]8...b6 9.Nc3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9...Bb7 10.cxd5 exd5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11.Rad1 Re8 12.Rfe1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]12...Nf8 13.Bg5 Ne6 14.Bc1 Qc7 15.Ng5 Nxg5 16.Bxg5[/font] is equal (Korchnoi-Kan, Soviet Ch, Moscow, 1952).
[font color="burgundy"]12...a5 13.a3 Bf8 14.Ne5 Nxe5 15.Bxe5 b5 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.e4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Korchnoi-Levenfish, Soviet ChT, Leningrad, 1953).

If [font color="darkred"]11.Rfd1 Re8 12.Rac1 Nf8 13.Ne5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]13...Ne6 14.Be3 Bd6 15.f4 Rc8 16.Bf2 Qe7 17.e4[/font] is equal (Ogloblin-Klimov, Russian ChT, Tomsk, 2001).
[font color="magenta"]13...Bd6?! 14.Nd3 Ng6 15.Bxd6 Qxd6 16.e3 h5 17.Ne2[/font] is equal (Brigden-Knox, British Ch, Bristol, 1968).

If [font color="darkred"]9...Ba6 10.cxd5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10...Nxd5 11.Qa4 Nxf4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]12.gxf4!? Bb7 13.Rfd1 Qc7 14.e3 Rac8 15.Rac1[/font] is equal (Khalifman-Alekseev, Russian Ch Qual, St. Petersburg, 2004).
[font color="burgundy"]12.Qxa6! Nxg2 13.Kxg2 Qc8 14.Qc4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

If [font color="magenta"]a) 10...cxd5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]11.Nb5 Bxb5 12.Qxb5 a6[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]13.Qd3!? b5![/font] (White has a small advantage in space) [font color="magenta"]14.Rfc1 Qb6 15.Rc2[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]15...Rfc8 16.Rac1[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16...Rc4 17.b3[/font] draw (Lahno-A. Muzychuk, World Rpd ChW, Batumi, Georgia, 2012).
[font color="burgundy"]16...Qd8 17.Bc7 Qf8 18.Qe3 h6 19.Ne5 Qe8 20.Nc6[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space (Nielsen-Chuchelov, Bundesliga, Germany, 2003).

If [font color="darkorange"]15...Rac8 16.Rac1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]16...Qb7?! 17.Rc7![/font] (White has a substantial advantage) [font color="darkorange"]17...Qa8 18.Ne5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]18...Rxc7? 19.Rxc7! Qe8[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]20.Nc6 Nh5 21.Rc8[/font] Black resigns (Fedorowicz-Pieterse, Op, Ostend, 1987).
Stronger is [font color="burgundy"]20.Nxd7! Nxd7 21.Qc2 Nb6 22.b3.[/font]

[font color="hotpink"]18...Rfe8 19.Qc2 Rxc7 20.Qxc7 Bd8 21.Qc6 Qxc6 22.Nxc6[/font] continues to give White a strong advantage.

[font color="purple"]16...Rc4 17.b3 Rxc2 18.Rxc2 Ne4 19.Nd2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

[font color="darkpink"]13.Qc6 Ne4 14.Rfc1 Bf6 15.Bc7 Qc8 16.h4[/font] continues to give White a comfortable advantage in space.

If [font color="darkorange"]11.Rfc1 Nh5[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]12.Bd2 Bb7 13.Rc2 Rc8 14.Rac1 Rc4 15.Nb5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Markus-Vang Glud, Politiken Cup, Helsignør, 2012).
[font color="purple"]12.Nb5 Nxf4 13.gxf4 Bxb5 14.Qxb5 a6 15.Qd3[/font] gives White a slight advantage in splace (Sharevich-Ovetchkin, Op, St. Petersburg, 2003).

If [font color="magenta"]b) 10...exd5 11.Rfd1[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]11...Re8?! 12.Ne5 Bb7 13.e4 Nf8 14.Nxc6 Bxc6 15.exd5[/font] leaves White with a healthy advantage in space against Black' stronger pawns; correct play ( 15...Bb7 16.d6 Bxd6! 17.Bxb7 Bxf4 18.Bxa8 Qxa8 19.gxf4 ) will also give Black two minor pieces for a Rook and a pawn (Nielsen-Harikrishna, IT 0203, Hastings, 2003).
[font color="darkorange"]b1) 11...b5?! 12.a3! Qb6 13.Rac1 Bb7 14.Bh3 Qd8 15.Ne5[/font] gives White a comfortable game (Mkrtchian-Bojkovic, Euro ChTW, Plovdiv, 2003).
[font color="purple"]b2) 11...Nh5 12.Bc1 Nhf6 13.Qa4 Bb7 14.Bf4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

9.Rc1

If [font color="red"]9.a4 Nh5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10.Bc1 Nb6 11.Nbd2 Nf6 12.Qc2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]12...Bd7?! 13.c5 Nc8 14.Ne5 Be8 15.Nb3 Nd7 16.Nd3[/font] gives White a comfortable game (Seel-Kunte, Op, Gibraltar, 2004).
[font color="burgundy"]12...Nbd7 13.e4 b6 14.b3 Bb7 15.Re1 Rc8 16.Bb2 gives White a small advantage in space.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]10.Be3 Bd6 11.Nc3 Kh8 12.Ne1 f5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]13.Nd3 Qe7 14.f4 Nhf6 15.Ne5 Ne4 16.Nxe4[/font] draw (Gustafsson-Lautier, Euro ChT, Goteborg, 2005).
[font color="magenta"]13.Nf3 Nhf6 14.Rac1 Qe7 15.Bg5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

9...h6

[font color="red"]9...a4 10.Qc2 Nh5 11.Bd2 Nhf6 12.Be1 b5[/font] is equal (Aronian-Eljanov, Tal Mem Blitz, Moscow, 2010).

10.a4!?

White has a slim advantage in space.
Better is to cramp Black's queenside: [font color="red"]10.c5 g5 11.Be3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]11...Rb8 12.Nc3 b5 13.cxb6 Qxb6 14.Qxb6 Nxb6 15.Ne5[/font] gives White a comfortable game.
[font color="darkred"]11...b6 12.cxb6 Rb8 13.Nc3 Qxb6[/font] transposes.

10...Ne4!?

The more thematic 10...Nh5 doe more to disrupt White's set up.
If [font color="red"]10...Nh5![/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11.Bd2 Nhf6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]12.Qc2 Re8 13.b3 b6 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.Nc3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
[font color="burgundy"]12.Qd3!? b6 13.Nc3 Ba6 14.b3 Rc8 15.Rd1 c5[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkred"]11.Be3 Nhf6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]12.Qc2 Bd6 13.b3 e5 14.Nc3 dxc4 15.bxc4 Ng4[/font] is equal.
If [font color="magenta"]12.Nc3!? Nb6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]13.Ne5 dxc4 14.Nxc4 Nxc4 15.Qxc4 Qb6 16.Ne4 Ng4[/font] is equal.
If [font color="darkorange"]13.Nd2 Ng4 14.Bf4 g5[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]15.Bf3 h5 16.Bxg4 hxg4[/font] gives Black the initiative and a small advantage in space.
[font color="purple"]15.Be3?! f5 16.c5 Nd7 17.Qc2 Nxe3 18.fxe3 b6[/font] gives Black more freedom, stronger pawns and a clear advantage in space.

11.Nfd2!?

White plays to the right square, but with the wrong Knight.
[font color="red"]11.Nbd2 Nxd2 12.Nxd2 Nf6 13.Nf3 dxc4 14.Qxc4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

11...Nd6!

The game is level.

12.Bxd6 Bxd6 13.e4!?

White weakens his center in the hope Black will weaken his more.
If [font color="red"]13.Nc3 Bc7 14.Re1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]14...Nf6 15.Rad1 Qe7 16.cxd5 exd5 17.e4 Re8 18.Bf3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]14...Ra6 15.Qc2 f5 16.e3 Nf6 17.Nf3 Ne4 18.Ne5[/font] is equal.

13...dxe4!

Black has a slim advantage in space.

14.Nxe4 Bb4!?

The Bishop move is intended to put a wrench in White's queenside machinery, but it's the wrench that gets caught.
If [font color="red"]14...Be7 15.c5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15...b6 16.cxb6 Rb8 17.Rxc6 Nxb6[/font] continues to give Black a slim edge.
[font color="darkred"]15...Rb8!? 16.Na3! b6 17.cxb6 Rxb6 18.Qc3[/font] is equal.

[center]BLACK: Levon Aronian[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Anish Giri[/center][center]Position after 14...Bd6b4[/center]

15.c5!

White plays the obvious rejoinder and equalizes. The Bishop can stay at b4 for a while, but it must be very still.

15...Nf6 16.Qc4!?

The Queen has no prospects on the light squares in Black's territory.
If [font color="red"]16.Nd6 Ne8 17.Nxc8 Rxc8 18.Rd1 Rc7 19.Nc3 Rd7[/font] is equal.

16...Nxe4!

Black has a small advantage in space.

17.Bxe4 Kh8!?

Black does nothing in the hope of provoking White into showing his hand.
If [font color="red"]17...e5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]18.dxe5 Be6 19.Qe2 f6 20.Bg2 Re8 21.exf6 Qxf6[/font] continues to give Black a small advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]18.d5!? cxd5! 19.Bxd5 Qe7 20.Na3 Bf5 21.Nb5 Rac8[/font] gives Black a comfortable game.

18.Bg2!?

In return, White does nothing.
Better is[font color="red"]18.Nc3 e5 19.dxe5 Qc7 20.f4 Be6 21.Qe2 Rad8[/font] with equality.

18...e5!

Black still has a small advantage in space.

19.d5 f5?!

White weakens his control over e5 and misses an opportuity to disrupt White' center and queenside.
If [font color="red"]19...cxd5 20.Qxd5 Qxd5 21.Bxd5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]21...g5 22.Na3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]22...Kg7 23.Nb5 Rb8 24.Nd6 Rd8 25.Be4 Kf6[/font] continues to give Black a small advantage in space.
[font color="magenta"]22...Kg8!? 23.Nc4! Bxc5 24.Nxe5 Bd6 25.Re1[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.

[font color="darkred"]21...Kg8!? 22.Na3! Rd8 23.Nb5 Kf8 24.Nd6 Rd7[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space.

[center]BLACK: Levon Aronian[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Anish Giri[/center][center]Position after 19...f7f5[/center]

20.dxc6!

White has a small advantage in space concentrated on the queenside; Black has a moble pawn majority on the kingside.

[
20...e4 21.cxb7 Bxb7 22.c6 Ba6

[font color="red"]22...Rc8!? 23.c7! Qd7 24.Na3 f4 25.Bxe4 Bxe4 26.Qxe4[/font] continues to give White a slight advantage in space.

[
23.Qb3 Rc8 24.Nc3!?

The Knight unnecessaily interrupts the lin line of communication beteen the c-pawn and its guardian Rook.
Correct is [font color="red"]24.Na3 Rf6 25.Nb5 Rfxc6 26.Rxc6 Rxc6 27.Rd1 Qg8[/font] when Black continues to enjoy a small advantage in space.

24...Rxc6!

Black has a comfortable game with a moble pawn majority on the kingside, pressure on the queenside and command of the d-file..

25.Nd5 Bc5 26.Bf1 f4

[font color="red"]26...Bxf1 27.Kxf1 Qd6 28.Nf4 Rb8 29.Qc3 Rcc8[/font] continues to give Black a small advantage in game.

27.Nxf4?!

White is concerned about Black's focus on f2, but this method of shielding it proves unsatisfactory.
If [font color="red"]27.Rxc5 Rxc5 28.Nxf4 Rc6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]29.Bxa6 Rxa6 30.Qc4 Qa8 31.Re1 Re8 32.Re3 Kh7[/font] leaves Black the exchange better; White has some activity in compensation.
[font color="darkred"]29.Ne6 Qb8 30.Bb5 Rf6 31.Nd4 Rcd6 32.Bxa6 Qa7[/font] recovers a minor piece, leaving Black up by the exchanfde.

[center]BLACK: Levon Aronian[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Anish Giri[/center][center]Position after 27.Nd5f4:p[/center]

27...Bxf2+!! 28.Kh1!?

White should go to the other square to remove the King from check, thereby maintaining some initiative.
If [font color="red"]28.Kg2 Bxf1+[/font] then:

[font color="red"]29.Rxf1 e3 30.Qb7 Qe8 31.Rfc1 Rff6 32.Rxc6 Rxc6[/font] gives Black a deadly passed pawn.
[font color="darkred"]29.Kxf1? Rb6! 30.Qd1 Bd4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]31.Rc4[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkred"]31...Rd6 32.Qh5 Rd5 33.Qg4 g5 34.Rc8 Qf6.[/font]
If [font color="magenta"]31.Rc8[/font] then Black wins after [font color="magenta"]31...Qxc8 32.Qxd4 Rxf4+ 33.gxf4 Rg6 34.Kf2 Qh3.[/font]

28...Rb6! 29.Qc2

If [font color="red"]29.Qd5!? Bxf1! 30.Rxf1 e3 31.Kg2 Rd6 32.Qe4 Re8[/font] gives Black a strong initiative.

29...e3 30.Bg2 Qe8!?

Black has a dangerous passer, but misses an opportunity to bring it closer to home.
If [font color="red"]30...Qg5 31.b3 Qf5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]32.Qxf5 Rxf5 33.Bf1 Bxf1 34.Rxf1 Rd6 35.Ra2 g5[/font] gives Black a dangerous passed pawn and the initiative.
If [font color="darkred"]32.Be4? Qe5! 33.Bc6 Rf6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]34.Rd1[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkred"]Qb8 35.Be4 Rxf4!! 36.gxf4 e2! 37.Rd7 Rd6.[/font]
If [font color="magenta"]34.Qe4[/font] then Black wins after [font color="magenta"]34...Qxe4+ 35.Bxe4 Rb4 36.Bg2 Rd4 37.Nh3 Rd2.[/font]

31.Qc5 Rff6 32.Rc2?

In order to ree tha Queen's Rook, White must play b2b3. He'll have more flexibility if he just does that right away.
If [font color="red"]32.b3 Rxb3 33.Nd5 Rf7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]34.Nf4 Bb7 35.Bxb7 Rbxb7 36.Qc8 Rb8 37.Qxe8+ Rxe8[/font] gives Black a clear advantage; White cannot afford a single misstep.
If [font color="darkred"]34.Nc7?[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkred"]34...Rxc7 35.Qxc7 e2 36.Qxa5 Bb7 37.Bxb7 Rxb7.[/font]

[center]BLACK: Levon Aronian[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Anish Giri[/center][center]Position after 32.Rc1c2[/center]

32...g5!

Black forces the Knight to abandon the defense of e2.

33.Nd5

White must loose material.
If [font color="red"]33.Ne2 Bd3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]34.Rd1 Bxc2 35.Qxc2 Rbd6 36.Rxd6 Rxd6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]37.Qc3+ Kg8 38.Bf3 Qxa4 39.Qe5 Rd1+ 40.Kg2 Qd7[/font] gives Black an extra pawn and more activity.
If [font color="darkred"]37.Bf3 Kg7[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]38.Qc7+ Qf7 39.Qc3+ Qf6 40.Qc7+ Kf8 41.Qc8+ Rd8[/font] White is toast.
[font color="magenta"]38.Qc5 Rf6 39.Kg2 Be1 40.g4 Kh8 41.Qd5 Qe7[/font] leaves Black up by the exchange with more activity.

If [font color="darkred"]34.Rac1 Bxc2 35.Rxc2 Rbd6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]36.Bd5 Qd8 37.Be4 Rd2 38.Qa7 Rd7 39.Qc5 Qe7[/font] Black has the exchange for a pawn.
[font color="magenta"]36.Rc1 Rd2 37.Qc4 Qd7 38.Bf1 Qb7+ 39.Bg2 Qa6[/font] gives Black the exchange for a pawn; White is being crushed in a vise.

33...e2! 34.Qxa5 e1Q+

If [font color="red"]34...Rbd6 35.Rxe2 Qxe2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]36.Qb4 Rfe6 37.Qb8+ Kh7 38.Qc7+ Kg6 39.h3 Bb6[/font] gives Black an extra Rook.
[font color="darkred"]36.Qc3 Bb7 37.g4 Qxg4 38.h3 Qe2[/font] gives Black an extra Rook and he is poised to win more material.

35.Rxe1 Qxe1+ 36.Qxe1 Bxe1 37.Nxb6 Rxb6

Black has a Bishop against two pawns.

38.Rc6 Rxc6 39.Bxc6 Kg7 40.Kg2 Kf6 41.Bf3

[font color="red"]41.Kf3 Ke5 42.Ke3 Bb4 43.Kf3 Bc4 44.Bb5 Be6[/font] gives Black a Bishop for two pawns.

41...Ke5 42.h4

If [font color="red"]42.Kh3 Bd2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]43.Kg4 Bd3 44.Kh5 Bc2 45.Bg4 Kf6 46.Bd7 Bc1[/font] gives Black a Bishop for two pawns.
[font color="darkred"]43.Kg2 Kd4 44.Kh3 Ke3 45.Bd5 Be2 46.Kg2 Bd1[/font] gives Black a Bishop for two pawns; White should avoid putting his queenside pawns on dark squares for now.

42...Bc8

If [font color="red"]42...gxh4 43.gxh4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]43...Bxh4 44.Kh3 Bg5 45.Kg4 Bc4 46.b4 Be6+ 47.Kg3[/font] continues to give Black a Bishop for a pawns; White chances of queening with either of his connected passers are not very good.
If [font color="darkred"]43...Bc4 44.h5 Kd4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]45.Bg4 Ke3 46.Bf5 Bd5+ 47.Kf1 Ba5 48.Bd7 Bf7[/font] still gives Black a Bishop for a pawn; at the moment White's connected passers are frozen in their tracks.
[font color="magenta"]45.Kh3 Bf7 46.Be2 Be8 47.Bd1 Ke4 48.Bb3 Bd7+[/font] gives White a Bishop for a pawn and more freedom; the White King is unable to approach the Black pawn.

43.hxg5 hxg5 44.Kf1

[font color="red"]44.Bd1[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]44...Kd4 45.Kh2 Ke3 46.Kg2 Bb7+ 47.Kh2 Kf2!.[/font]

44...Bxg3

Black has a passed pawn.

45.b4 Kd4 46.a5 Kc4 47.a6

[center]BLACK: Levon Aronian[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Anish Giri[/center][center]Position after 47.a6[/center]

47...Bb8!

The a-pawn can go no further.
If [font color="red"]47...Kxb4??[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]48.a7!.[/font]

48.Bb7 0-1

If [font color="red"]48...Bxb7 49.axb7 Kd3![/font] (obviously, Black has no time to take White's pawns) then:

If [font color="red"]50.Kf2 Ke4 51.Kg2 Ke3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]52.Kf1 Kf4 53.Ke2 g4 54.Kf1 Kf3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]55.Ke1 55...g3 56.Kf1 g2+[/font] then:

[font color="red"]57.Kg1 Kg3 58.b5[/font] (this is Black's only legal move) [font color="red"]58...Ba7+ 59.b6 Bxb6#.[/font]
[font color="burgundy"]57.Ke1[/font] allows the pawn to queen.

[font color="darkpink"]55.Kg1 g3 56.Kf1 g2+ 57.Kg1 Kg3[/font] wins as in the [font color="red"]main line.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]52.b5 g4 53.b6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]53...g3 54.Kh3 Kf3[/font] forces the Black King to h4.
[font color="magenta"]53...Ke2 54.Kg1 g3 55.Kg2 Ke3 56.Kh3 Kf3[/font] reaches the same position as the [font color="darkred"]parent line.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]50.Ke1 Ke3 51.Kd1 g4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]52.Ke1 g3 53.Kf1 Kf3 54.Ke1 g2[/font]
If [font color="magenta"]52.Kc2[/font] then the pawn cannot be blockaded after [font color="darkred"]52...g3.[/font]

If instead of the text [font color="blue"]48.Be2+[/font] then White will last longer, but the situation is still hopeless. If [font color="blue"]48...Kxb4 49.Kf2 g4 50.Bd3 Ka5 51.Ke2 g3 52.Kf3[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]52...Bd7 53.a7 Bc6+ 54.Kg4 Be5 55.Bf1 g2 56.Bxg2 Bxg2[/font] Black takes the pawn and the procedes to mate the lone King with the Bishop pair.
If [font color="darkblue"]52...Bxa6[/font] then:

[font color="darkblue"]53.Bxa6 Kxa6[/font] is time turn out the lights.
[font color="dodgerblue"]53.Be4 Kb6 54.Kg4 Bc8+ 55.Kf3 Bb7.[/font]

Mh. Giri resigns without waiting for Paron Aronian to reply.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

8. Hou Yifan - T. Kosintseva, Round 6

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #5)

Sat Nov 3, 2012, 06:07 PM

Nov 2012

Reigning world women's champion Hou Yifan won a gold medal for her performance on board 1.

[center][/center]

[center]Hou Yifan[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Federació d'Escacs Valls d'Andorra (http://www.flickr.com/people/9472417@N03) on Wikimedia Commons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hou_Yifan_4_September_2012.jpg) via [link:http://www.flickr.com/photos/feva/7930695086/|flickr
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Hou Yifan (China) - Tatiana Kosintseva (Russia)
40th Chess Olympiad, Women's Group, Round 6/Board 1
Istanbul, 3 September 2012

Grand Spanish Royal Game: Marshall Gambit

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Bxd5!?

Hou Nushi varies from her game against Anna Muzychuk at the Rostov-on-Don Grand Prix in 2011 where she played 15.Qe2. For that an other alternatives to the text, see Hou Yifan-A. Muzychuk, Grand Prix W, Rostov-on-Don, 2011.

15...cxd5

White's remaining Bishop is bad, but on the plus side she has exchanged pieces to relieve the discomfort she was getting from her spatial deficit.

16.Qf3

If [font color="red"]16.Be3 Bg4 17.Qd3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]17...f5 18.f4 Rae8 19.Nd2 g5 20.Qf1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]20...Bxf4! 21.Bxf4 Qxf1+ 22.Kxf1 gxf4 23.gxf4 Kf7 24.Kf2[/font] gives White an extra pawn (Matulovic-Durão, IT, Netanya, Israel, 1961).
[font color="magenta"]20...Qh5 21.fxg5 Rxe3 22.Rxe3 f4 23.Rf3 Bxf3 24.Qxf3[/font] is equal (Xu Jun-Zhang Ying, Chinese ChTW, Suzhou, 2001).

[font color="darkred"]17...Rae8? 18.Nd2 Re6 19.Qf1 Qh5 20.f3 Rf6 21.Qe2[/font] gives White a slight adavantage in space (Milos-Slipak, IT, Villa Gesell, Argentina, 1996).

16...Bf5?!

If [font color="red"]16...Be6 17.Be3 Rae8 18.Nd2 h6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]19.Qg2?! Qh5! 20.f4 b4 21.cxb4 Bxb4 22.a3[/font] gives White an extra pawn against Black's small advantage in space (Pulkis-Olofsson, Corres, 2002).
[font color="darkred"]19.Nb3 b4 20.Bd2 bxc3 21.Bxc3 f5 22.Qg2[/font] gives White a comfortable game with an extra pawn.

[center]BLACK: Tatiana Kosintseva[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Hou Yifan[/center][center]Position after 16...Bc8f5[/center]

17.Qxd5!

[font color="red"]17.Qg2 Qh5 18.Qxd5 Rfe8 19.Bd2 Rxe1+ 20.Bxe1[/font] gives White the initiative (Donchev-Topalov, Bulgarian Ch, 1992).

17...Rad8 (N)

If [font color="red"]17...Rae8 18.Bd2 Qg4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]19.Qxd6?[/font] then after [font color="red"]Rxe1+! 20.Bxe1 Qd1![/font] (Black now wins quickly) [font color="red"]21.Qe7 Be6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]22.Na3 Qxa1 23.Kf1 Bh3+ 24.Ke2 Qxb2+[/font] White resigns (Szekely-Adorjan, Hungarian Ch, Budapest, 1968).
[font color="magenta"]22.Nd2 Qxa1 23.Nf3 Qxb2 24.a3 Qb1 25.h4 Qe4[/font] is giving White an awful pounding.

[font color="darkred"]19.Na3 Bxa3 20.Rxe8 Rxe8 21.f3 Qh3 22.bxa3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

18.Qg2

White has two extra pawns and Black has more space and superior development.

18...Qh5 19.f3 Bh3

[font color="red"]19...Rfe8!? 20.Be3! Qg5 21.Qf2 Qh5 22.Nd2 Bd3 23.Qg2[/font] continues to give White two extra pawns and her pieces are developed; Black still has more space.

20.Qf2 f5 21.Nd2

[font color="red"]21.a4 Rfe8 22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 23.Nd2 Re6 24.Nf1[/font] gives Black two extra pawns and Black more than enough space in compensation.

21...g5?

Black wants to get in ...f5f4 while she can.
If [font color="red"]21...Rfe8 22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 23.Nf1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]23...Qf7 24.Bd2 f4 25.Bxf4 Bxf4 26.gxf4 Qxf4 27.Qg3[/font] still gives White two extra pawns; Black should not exchange Queens as that would diminish the value of her extra space.
[font color="darkred"]23...Re6 24.Bd2 Qf7 25.f4 Qb7 26.b3 Qc6 27.Rd1[/font] continues to give White two extra pawns and Black a substantial advantage in space.

If [font color="blue"]21...f4? 22.g4![/font] then:

[font color="blue"]22...Qh6 23.Ne4 Be7 24.Qc2 Bh4 25.Re2 Qb6 26.Bd2[/font] leaves Black's light-bound Bishop entombed.
[font color="darkblue"]22...Qg6[/font] is just a waste of time and White wins quickly after [font color="darkblue"]23.Qh4 Qh6 24.Qxh6 gxh6 25.Ne4.[/font]

22.a4!?

White prepares to sweep away Black's queenside pawns.
Stronger is [font color="red"]22.b3! Qg6 23.a4 Rfe8 24.Bb2[/font] when:

[font color="red"]24...bxa4 25.bxa4 Rb8 26.Nc4 Bc7 27.Ba3 f4 28.Bb4[/font] turns White's two extra pawns into connected passers.
[font color="darkred"]24...Ra8 25.c4 bxc4 26.Nxc4 f4 27.d5 Bb4 28.Rec1[/font] gives White a passed pawn and domination of the board.

22...f4?

This only makes things worse.
If [font color="red"]22...Rfe8![/font] then:

If [font color="red"]23.axb5 Rxe1+ 24.Qxe1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]24...Re8 25.Qd1 axb5 26.Ra6 Qg6 27.Rb6 g4 28.f4[/font] leaves White with two extra pawn and Black is virtually without her light-bound Bishop.
[font color="burgundy"]24...Qf7[/font] then White wins after [font color="burgundy"]25.Bxa6! Bb8 26.Nc4 Re8 27.Ne5.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]23.Rxe8+ Rxe8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]24.axb5 axb5 25.b3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]25...Qg6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]26.Ba3
If [font color="magenta"]a) 26.c4 Bb4![/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]27.Bb2 bxc4 28.bxc4 Qe6 29.d5[/font] gives White a small advantage with two extra pawn against Black's immoble Bishop.
[font color="darkorange"]27.cxb5!? Bc3! 28.Ra6 Qg7 29.Ra4 Qc7 30.Ba3[/font] is equal.

If [font color="magenta"]b) 26.Bb2[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]26...Qe6 27.c4 bxc4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]28.Nxc4 Bb4 29.Qc2 Qd5 30.Qd3 g4 31.Kf2[/font] leaves White with only a slight advantage in space.

; 26...Ra8 27.Bb2 Rxa1+ 28.Bxa1 f4 29.Ne4

[font color="purple"]28.bxc4 Bb4 29.d5 Qe3 30.Qxe3 Rxe3 31.Nf1[/font] is equal.

[font color="darkorange"]26...g4 27.c4 gxf3 28.Nxf3 bxc4 29.bxc4 f4 30.Ne5[/font] gives White two extra pawns, but Black's Bishop is free.

[font color="darkpink"]25...Qf7 26.c4 Bb4 27.Bb2 bxc4 28.bxc4 Qe6 29.Rc1[/font] leaves White two pawns up and Black's Bishop immoble.

[font color="darkorchid"]24.Nf1 Qg6 25.axb5 axb5 26.Ra5 b4 27.c4[/font] gives White two extra pawns and Black a problem Bishop.

[font color="blue"]22...g4?[/font] proves no better than the text after [font color="blue"]23.f4 Rfe8 24.Nf1 Bxf1 25.Qxf1 Rxe1 26.Qxe1.[/font]

[center]BLACK: Tatiana Kosintseva[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Hou Yifan[/center][center]Position after 22...f5f4[/center]

23.g4!

The light-bound Bishop is effectively out of the game.

23...Qg6 24.axb5!

Black sweeps away White's queenside pawns.
If [font color="red"]24.Ne4 b4 25.Qe2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]25...h5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]26.Nf2! hxg4 27.fxg4 Rfe8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]28.Qc4+ Kg7 29.Rxe8 Rxe8 30.Nxh3 Re1+ 31.Kf2[/font] gives White a significant material advantage.
[font color="burgundy"]28.Qd1?! Rxe1+! 29.Qxe1 Re8 30.Qd1 f3 31.Nxh3[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkred"]26.gxh5 Qxh5 27.Qxa6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]27...Qxf3 28.Qe2 Qxe2 29.Rxe2 g4 30.Re1 bxc3 31.bxc3[/font] gives White an extra pawn and the initiative; Black's light-bound Bishop is still immoble.
[font color="magenta"]27...bxc3 28.bxc3 Qxf3 29.Qe2 Qxe2 30.Rxe2 f3 31.Re1[/font] gives White an extra pawn.

[font color="darkorchid"]25...bxc3 26.bxc3 Rfe8 27.Rb1 Re6 28.Rb6[/font] gives White two extra pawn; Black's Bishop is in a terrible position.

24...axb5 25.Ne4

Better is [font color="red"]25.Ra5![/font] when:

[font color="red"]25...h5 26.gxh5 Qxh5 27.Rxb5 Rf5 28.Rxf5 Bxf5 29.Ne4[/font] gives Black three connected passers.
[font color="darkred"]25...Rb8 26.Ra6 Ra8 27.Rxa8 Rxa8 28.Qe2 Kf8 29.Qe4[/font] dares Black to exchange Quens and give White two connected passers.

25...h5 26.b3?!

Instead of exchanging on h5, White uses her time to advance on the queenside. Black's light-bound Bishop is still entombed.
[font color="red"]26.Qe2 hxg4 27.Qxb5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]27...gxf3 28.Qxg5 Qxg5+ 29.Nxg5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]29...Bf5 30.Kf2 Rd7 31.Kxf3 Rg7 32.h4[/font] gives White three extra pawns, all connected passers.
If [font color="magenta"]29...Bc8[/font] then White wins after [font color="magenta"]30.Kf2 Bb7 31.Re6 Rd7 32.Rg6+.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]27...Rf5[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]28.Qc4+ Qf7 29.Qxf7+ Kxf7 30.Ra7+ Kf8 31.Nf2.[/font]

26...Bc7?

Black should now lose.
If [font color="red"]26...hxg4! 27.fxg4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]27...Rde8 28.Qf3 Bxg4 29.Qxg4 Rxe4 30.Rxe4 Qxe4 31.Qxg5+[/font] gives White only a small advantage; she will be able to run the Black King out to e6, after which Black has counterplay.
If [font color="darkred"]27...Bxg4? 28.Nxd6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]28...Qxd6 29.Ba3 Qg6 30.Bxf8 Rxf8 31.Re5 f3 32.Qg3[/font] leaves White two pawns to the good and Black with hardly a hint of potential counterplay.
[font color="magenta"]28...Rxd6 29.Ba3 f3 30.Bxd6 Qxd6 31.Re5 Qg6 32.Qg3[/font] leaves White with two extra pawns and the initiative.

[center]BLACK: Tatiana Kosintseva[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Hou Yifan[/center][center]Position after 26...Bd6e7[/center]

27.Ba3!

White nearly lets Black off the hook.
If [font color="red"]27.gxh5![/font] then:

[font color="red"]27...Qh6 28.Kh1 Kh8 29.Rg1 Rf5 30.c4 bxc4 31.bxc4[/font] gives White three extra pawns and a better center; she should win easily.
If [font color="darkred"]27...Qxh5[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]28.Ba3 Rf5 29.Be7 Rc8 30.Ra6 b4 31.c4.[/font]

27...Rf7

If [font color="red"]27...hxg4 28.Bxf8 Rxf8 29.Qe2 gxf3[/font] then:

White wins after [font color="red"]30.Qxb5! Bd8 31.Nf2 Be6 32.Qa6 Bf7 33.Qxg6+ Bxg6 34.Ng4.[/font]
[font color="darkred"]30.Qxf3? g4! 31.Qf2 g3 32.hxg3 fxg3 33.Qe3[/font] still gives White an extra pawn, but Black has a healthy kingside attack in compensation.

28.gxh5 Qf5

[font color="red"]28...Qh6 29.Kh1 Rg7 30.c4 bxc4 31.bxc4 Rb8 32.Bb2[/font] gives White three extra pawns (the pawn at h6 is safe for the moment thanks to the threat of 33.Nf6+), two of which are connected passers.

29.Bc5

If [font color="red"]29.Bb4 g4 30.Qh4 gxf3 31.Kf2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]31...Rc8 32.Qg5+ Kh8 33.Be7 Bb6 34.Ra2 Qxg5 35.Nxg5[/font] gives White two extra pawns, more freedom and the initiative.
If [font color="darkred"]31...Rg7 32.h6 Rg2+ 33.Kxf3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]33...Rxh2 34.Rg1+ Bg2+ 35.Rxg2+ Rxg2 36.Nf6+[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]36...Kf7 37.Kxg2 Qxf6 38.Qxf6+ Kxf6 39.Kf3 Kg6 40.Ra6+[/font] gives White two extra pawns, those being passers separated by three files.
If [font color="darkorange"]36...Kh8[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkorange"]37.Kxg2 f3+ 38.Kf2 Qc2+ 39.Kxf3 Qf5+ 40.Ke3.[/font]

[font color="magenta"]33...Rc8 34.h7+ Kh8 35.Be7 Qxh7 36.Qxh7+ Kxh7 37.Ng5+[/font] leaves White two extra pawns as it is and she wil win even more material.

29...Kh7 30.Ra6 Rg8 31.Be7 g4

If [font color="red"]31...Rxe7[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]32.Nf6+ Kh8 33.Nxg8 Kxg8 34.Ra8+.[/font]

32.Qh4 gxf3+

[center]BLACK: Tatiana Kosintseva[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Hou Yifan[/center][center]Position after 32...gf3:p+[/center]

33.Rg6

White wins quicker after [font color="red"]33.Bg5[/font] when:

[font color="red"]33...Re8 34.Rf6 Rxe4 35.Rxf5 Bxf5 36.Rxe4 Bxe4 37.Qe1[/font] gives White a Queen against an uncordinated Rook and Bishop,
If [font color="darkred"]33...Rgg7 34.Kf2 Qd7 35.Rg6 Qf5 36.Rf6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]36...Qg4[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]37.Rh6+ Kg8 38.Qxg4 Bxg4 39.Nf6+.[/font]
If [font color="magenta"]36...Qd7[/font] then White wins after [font color="magenta"]37.Rxf7 Rxf7 38.Nf6+ Rxf6 39.Bxf6.[/font]

33...Rxg6+

If [font color="red"]33...Kh8[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]34.Bf6+ Rgg7 35.Bxg7+ Rxg7 36.Nf6 Be5 37.Rxe5.[/font]

34.hxg6+ Kxg6

If [font color="red"]34...Kg8 35.Nf6+[/font] then:

[font color="red"]35...Qxf6 36.Bxf6 f2+ 37.Kxf2 Rxf6 38.Re8+ Kg7 39.Qh7#.[/font]
If [font color="darkred"]35...Rxf6[/font] then [font color="darkred"]36.Qh7#.[/font]

35.Qg5+ Qxg5+ 36.Nxg5 Rxe7

If [font color="red"]36...f2+[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]37.Kxf2 Ba5 38.Nxf7 Kxf7 39.b4 Bc7 40.Bg5.[/font]

37.Rxe7 Bd8 38.Nxh3

White also wins after [font color="red"]38.Rg7+! Kxg7 39.Nxh3 Bh4 40.Kf1 Kg6 41.Ng1.[/font]
White still wins after [font color="blue"]38.Rh7,[/font] but after [font color="blue"]38...Bf5 39.Nf7 Bf6 40.Nd6 b4 41.Rc7[/font] it's more difficult than it needs to be.

38...Bxe7 39.Kf2 Kf5 40.Kxf3 Bd6

If [font color="red"]40...Bd8[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]41.Nxf4 Ba5 42.c4 bxc4 43.bxc4 Bc3 44.Ne2.[/font]
If [font color="blue"]40...Bf6[/font] then White wins after [font color="blue"]41.Nxf4 b4 42.cxb4 Bxd4 43.h4 Be5 44.Nd5.[/font]

41.Nf2 Be7 42.Nd3 Bg5 43.c4 1-0

[font color="red"]43...bxc4 44.bxc4 Bf6 45.d5[/font] gives White three pawns agains Black one, which is blockaded whil all three of White's pawn are moble.
Tatiana Anatolyevna resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

9. 2011/12 Women's Grand Prix, Sixth and Final Leg, Ankara

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #1)

Tue Nov 6, 2012, 04:23 PM

Nov 2012

[center][/center]

[center]Monumentum Ancyranum, Ankara, Turkey[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Photo by Atilim Gunes Baydin (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:AtilimGunesBaydin) in Wikimedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MonumentumAncyranum28Nov2004.jpg)
(Public Domain)
[/font]

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

10. Koneru - M. Socko, Round 11

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #9)

Tue Nov 6, 2012, 04:36 PM

Nov 2012

Koneru Humpy won the final leg of the 2011/12 Woemn's Grand Prix, making her the overall runner-up for the entire cycle to reigning world women's champio Hou Yifan,
[center]

Koneru Humpy
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Stefan64 (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stefan64) in Wikimedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Humpy_Koneru)
([http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en|Creative Commons License], Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Koneru Humpy - Monika Socko
Women Grand Prix, Sixth Leg, Round 11
Ankara, 28 September 2012

East India Game: Queen's Indian Defense (Catalan Opening)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 c5

For other lines of the Queen's Indian, see Grischuk-Topalov, IT, Linares, 2010.

\
6.d5 exd5 7.Ng5

If [font color="red"]7.Nh4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]7...g6 8.Nc3 Bg7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Bg5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10...h6 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.Nxd5 Bxd5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13.Qxd5 Nc6 14.Qxd7 Ne5 15.Qa4 Rae8 16.Bd5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]16...Re7 17.Qc2 Kh7 18.Rad1 Rfe8 19.e3 h5 20.Ng2[/font] (Novotelnov-Reshko, Leningrad Ch, 1963).
[font color="burgundy"]16...g5 17.Ng2 Ng6 18.e3 Re7 19.Qc2 Rd7 20.b3[/font] (Capablanca-Marshall, IT, Karlsbad, 1929).

[font color="darkpink"]13.Bxd5 Nc6 14.Rb1 Rad8 15.a3 Rfe8 16.Ng2 Nd4[/font] (Savon-Rakitskaja, Petrov Mem, St. Petersburg, 1998).

[font color="darkorchid"]10...Qe8 11.Bf4 Qe7 12.Nb5 Ne8 13.Bxd5 Bxd5[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Ponomariov-Andreikin, IT, Saratov, 2011).

If [font color="darkred"]a) 7...b5?! 8.cxd5 d6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]9.0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]9...g6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10.e4 Bg7[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]11.f4 0-0 12.Re1 Na6 13.a4 Nb4 14.axb5[/font] is equal (Dorfanis-Moor, Euro Ch, Plovdiv, 2008).
[font color="hotpink"]11.a4 b4 12.Nd2 0-0 13.Re1 Nbd7 14.Nc4[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (Glig-Maximovic, Kautsky Mem, Prague, 1938).

[font color="purple"]10.a4 b4 11.Nd2 Bg7 12.Nc4 Ba6 13.Qc2 0-0[/font] is equal (Braga-Gawrikow, Rpd IT, Gijon, 1988).

[font color="darkorange"]9...Nbd7 10.a4 a6 11.e4 g6 12.Qe2 bxa4 13.Re1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Karpov-Ljubojevic, IT, Amsterdam, 1981).

If [font color="magenta"]9.a4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]9...b4 10.Nf5 g6 11.Ne3 Bg7[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]12.Nc4 Ba6 13.Nbd2 0-0 14.0-0 Re8 15.Re1 Qe7[/font] is equal (M. Petursson-M. Gurevich, IT, Marseille, 1988).
[font color="purple"]12.Nd2 0-0 13.Ndc4 Ba6 14.0-0[/font] is equal.

[font color="darkorange"]9...g6?! 10.axb5! Bg7 11.0-0 0-0 12.Nc3 a6 13.Qd3[/font] gives White an extra pawn and a substantial advantage in space (Kempinski-Lobejko, Polish ChT, Zakopane, 2000).

If [font color="darkred"]b) 7...d6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]8.0-0 Qd7 9.cxd5 g6 10.e4 Bg7 11.f4 0-0 12.Nc3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Kozma-Brat, Czechoslavkia Ch, Prague, 1954).
[font color="magenta"]8.Nc3 Nbd7?! 9.cxd5 g6 10.0-0 Bg7 11.f4 0-0[/font] gives Black a small advantage after ...Rf8e8 with pressure on the e-file (Almgren-Spitzer, Op, Pittsburgh, 1946).

7...h6

If [font color="red"]7...Be7 8.Nc3 0-0 9.0-0 Na6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]10.cxd5 Nd7 12.Nf3 Bf6 13.Bf4 Qe7 14.Re1[/font] gives White a comfortable game (Romanishin-Velikov, IT, Kiev, 1978).
[font color="darkred"]10.Nh3 Qc8 11.cxd5 d6 12.e4 Re8 13.f3 Nc7) 10...d6 11.e4 (11.f4 h6 12.Nh3 c4 13.e4 Nc5 14.Nf2[/font] gives White a comfortable game (Kholmov-Ragozin, Soviet Ch ½-final, Leningrad, 1978).

8.Nh3 Qc7 (N)

If [font color="red"]8...g6 9.Nc3 Bg7 10.0-0 0-0 11.Nf4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]11...Na6 12.Ncxd5 Nxd5 13.Bxd5 Bxd5 14.Qxd5 Re8 15.Rd1[/font] is equal (Das-Kourousis, Op, Kavala, Greece, 2012).
[font color="darkred"]11...Nc6 12.Ncxd5 Rb8 13.Rb1 Nxd5 14.Nxd5 d6 15.b3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Topalov- Wojtaszek, Euro ChT, Porto Carras, 2011).

9.cxd5

The game is equal.

9...d6 10.0-0 g6?!

It's little problematic to develop the King's Bishop on the flank this far into the game, although with a pawn at d6 it's certainly something to be considered.
Quicker development comes from [font color="red"]10...Be7 11.b3 Nbd7 12.Nc3 0-0 13.Bb2 a6 14.Nf4[/font] with equality.

[center]BLACK: Monika Socko[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Koneru Humpy[/center][center]Position after 10...g7g6[/center]

11.e4!

White has a small advantage in space.
If [font color="red"]11.Nc3! Nbd7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]12.Re1 Be7 13.Nb5 Qb8 14.e4 a6 15.Nc3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]12.e4 Bg7 13.Nb5 Qb8 14.Bf4 Ne5 15.Qd2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

11...Nbd7 12.Nc3 a6 13.f4 Bg7 14.Re1 0-0?!

If [font color="red"]14...h5! 15.e5 dxe5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]16.Nf2 Qb8 17.Na4 e4 18.Nxe4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]18...Nxe4 19.Bxe4 0-0 20.f5 Qe5 21.Bf4 Qd4+[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space.
[font color="magenta"]18...0-0 19.Nxf6+ Bxf6 20.Be3 Qd6 21.Nc3 Rfe8 22.Qd3[/font] gives White a slight advantage with more space; Black has fewer pawn weaknesses.

[font color="darkred"]16.d6 Qb8 17.Nf2 Ng4 18.Nd5 Qxd6 19.Ne4 Qc6[/font] is equal.

[center]BLACK: Monika Socko[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Koneru Humpy[/center][center]Position after 14...0-0[/center]

15.e5!

White has the initiative and a comfortable game.

15...Nh7 16.e6 Ndf6 17.g4?!

White this tightens White grip on the kingside, it allows counterplay on the queenside for Black.
If [font color="red"]17.a4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]17...Rae8 18.a5 b5 19.Nf2 fxe6 20.dxe6 Bxg2 21.Kxg2 Qc6+[/font] gives Black a comfortable game; the e-pawn will soon be blockaded.
If [font color="darkred"]17...Rfe8 18.g4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]18...fxe6 19.dxe6 Bxg2 20.Kxg2 Qb7+ 21.Qf3 Qxf3+ 22.Kxf3[/font] gives Black an extra pawn.
[font color="magenta"]18...Nf8 19.f5 fxe6 20.dxe6 Bxg2 21.Kxg2 Qc6+ 22.Qf3 Qxf3+[/font] gives Black an extra pawn.

17...fxe6!?

Black ignores his queenside opportunities.
If [font color="red"]17...b5![/font] then:

[font color="red"]18.a3 fxe6 19.Rxe6 Rf7 20.f5 g5[/font] remains equal.
If [font color="darkred"]18.exf7+!? Qxf7! 19.Re6 Rad8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]20.f5 gxf5 21.gxf5 Qh5 22.Qxh5 Nxh5 23.Bxh6 Bd4+[/font] gives White an additional pawn and Black better ones.
[font color="magenta"]20.a3?! Bc8 21.f5 gxf5 22.gxf5 Qh5 23.Qxh5 Nxh5[/font] gives Black a comfortable game.

18.Rxe6!

White has a small advantage in space.
If [font color="red"]18.dxe6 Rae8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]19.Bf3 Nxg4 20.Bxb7 Bd4+ 21.Kf1 Nxh2+ 22.Kg2 Qxb7+ 23.Kxh2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]19.f5 Bxg2 20.Kxg2 Qc6+ 21.Qf3[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.

18...Rae8

If [font color="red"]18...Rf7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]19.g5 hxg5 20.fxg5 Nd7 21.Rxg6 Ne5 22.Re6[/font] continues to give White a small advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]19.f5!? g5 20.a4 Nf8 21.Nf2 Nxe6 22.dxe6 Rff8[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space.

19.f5 g5 20.Nf2!?

White wants to maneuver the Knight back to the center.
[font color="red"]20.Be3 Rd8 21.Bf2 Rfe8 22.Bg3 b5 23.Nf2[/font] continues to give White a small advantage in space.

20...b5!?

Black misses the equalizing maneuver.
[font color="red"]20...Rd8 21.h4! gxh4 22.Bf4 Bc8 23.Re1 Ng5 24.Qd2 Nf7[/font] is equal.

21.Be3!

White has a small advantage in space.
If [font color="red"]21.h3 Rd8 22.Re2 b4 23.Nce4 Rfe8 24.a3 a5[/font] is equal.

21...b4!?

Black drives away the Knight, but makes c4 available for White's use.
If [font color="red"]21...Rd8 22.Qd2 b4 23.Ne2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]23...Rfe8 24.h4 Rxe6 25.fxe6 gxh4 26.a3 bxa3 27.Rxa3[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]23...Rf7 24.h4 gxh4 25.Bxh6 h3 26.Bxh3 Bxd5 27.g5[/font] gives White a comfortable game.

22.Ne2?!

White brings the Knight to a square where it has no further place to go.
If [font color="red"]22.Na4! Rb8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]23.a3 bxa3 24.Rxa3 Rfd8 25.b4 cxb4 26.Bb6[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.
If [font color="darkred"]23.Rc1 Rfd8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]24.Bd4 Qf7 25.Bxf6 Nxf6 26.Nb6 Qc7 27.Nc4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
If [font color="magenta"]24.Nxc5!? dxc5![/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]25.d6 Qd7 26.Qb3 Qf7 27.Rxc5 Bxg2 28.Kxg2[/font] is equal.
[font color="darkorange"]25.Bxc5 Rbc8 26.d6 Qb8 27.Nd3 Bxg2 28.Kxg2 Qb7+[/font] gives Black a small advantage with the initiative and minor pieces poised to come into the center..

[center]BLACK: Monika Socko[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Koneru Humpy[/center][center]Position after 22.Nc3e2[/center]

22...Nd7!

The game is equal.

23.Ne4 Ne5

If [font color="red"]23...Nhf6!? 24.N2g3 Nxe4 25.Nxe4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]25...Nf6 26.Nf2 Bc8 27.Rc1 Bxe6 28.dxe6 c4 29.Qd2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
If [font color="darkred"]25...Rxe6?! 26.dxe6![/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]26...d5 27.exd7 dxe4 28.Qb3+ c4 29.Qxb4 Qxd7 30.Qxc4+[/font] gives Whit an extra pawn, an unhindered passed pawn and a strong initiative.
[font color="magenta"]26...Bxb2? 27.exd7 Bxa1 28.Qxd6 Qxd6 29.Nxd6 Rd8 30.Nxb7[/font] gives White two minor pieces for a Rook and better piece coordination.

24.N2g3 Nc4 25.Bf2 Nxb2 26.Qc2 Nd3

[font color="red"]26...Rxe6 27.dxe6 Nd3 28.Qxd3 Bxa1 29.Qxd6[/font] transposes to the not to Black's 27th move.

27.Qxd3

White proffers the exchange.
If [font color="red"]27.Rd1 Nxf2 28.Qxf2 Rxe6 29.dxe6 Be5 30.Nh5 Bxe4 31.Bxe4[/font] remains equal

[center]BLACK: Monika Socko[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Koneru Humpy[/center][center]Position after 27.Qc2d3:N[/center]

27...Bxa1?

Before making any aggressive move, it is necessary for Black to eliminate White's aggressively posted Rook at e6.
[font color="red"]27...Rxe6 28.dxe6 Bxa1 29.Qxd6 Qxd6 30.Nxd6 Bxg2 31.Kxg2[/font] remains equal.

28.Rg6+!

As we were saying . . .

28...Kh8 29.Nxd6 Re5

[font color="red"]29...Rd8 30.Nxb7 Qxb7 31.Bxc5[/font] leaves White a pawn up.

30.Nxb7 Qxb7

[center]BLACK: Monika Socko[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Koneru Humpy[/center][center]Position after 30...Qc7b7:N[/center]

31.Bxc5

If [font color="red"]31.Rxh6 Qb5 32.Qc2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]32...Kg7 33.Rg6+[/font] then:

[font color="red"]33...Kh8 34.Bf3 Rf6 35.Qc1 Bc3 36.Rxf6 Nxf6 37.Qxg5[/font] gives White an extra pawn, two minor pieces for a Rook, a passed pawn and the initiative.
If [font color="darkred"]33...Kf7 34.Bf1[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]34...Qb8 35.Qc4 Qa8 36.d6+ Qd5 37.Qxd5+ Rxd5 38.Bc4[/font] gives White a pin that assures she will recover the Rook, an extra pawn and a passed pawn
If [font color="magenta"]34...b3[/font] then White wins after [font color="magenta"]35.axb3 Qb4 36.Bc4 Ke8 37.Qa2 Re1+.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]32...Rf6 33.Rh3 Bc3 34.Ne4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]34...Rf7[/font] then White wins in a cakewalk after [font color="darkred"]35.Nd6 Qd7 36.Nxf7+ Qxf7 37.d6 Kg8 38.Qd1.[/font]
If [font color="magenta"]34...Kg8 35.Nxf6+ Nxf6 36.Qc1[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]36...Nh7[/font] then White wins after [font color="magenta"]37.d6 Qc4 38.d7 Rd5 39.Bxd5+ Qxd5 40.Qe3.[/font]
If [font color="darkorange"]36...Qb6[/font] then White soon gives mate after [font color="darkorange"]37.Qxg5+ Kf8 38.Rh8+ Kf7 39.Qg6+ Ke7 40.Qg7+.[/font]

31...Rf6 32.d6 Qd7 33.Ne4 Rxg6 34.fxg6 Nf8

If [font color="red"]34...Rxc5[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]35.Nxc5 Qc8 36.Qd5 Nf6 37.d7.[/font]

35.Qf1 Nxg6

If [font color="red"]35...Qg7[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]36.Qxa1 Rd5 37.Qc1 Nxg6.[/font]

36.Qxa1 Qg7 37.Bd4 Kh7 38.d7 Qe7

[font color="red"]38...Qxd7 39.Nf6+ Kg7 40.Nxd7 Nf4 41.Bxe5+[/font] is crushing, to put it mildly.

39.Bxe5 Nxe5 40.Qxe5 1-0

If [font color="red"]40...Qxe5 41.d8Q Kg7 42.Qd7+[/font] leaves White two pieces to the good.
If [font color="blue"]40...Qd8 41.Nf6+ Kg6[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]42.Qe8+ Qxe8 43.Nxe8[/font] hurts to watch.
If [font color="darkblue"]42.Qf5+[/font] then after [font color="darkblue"]42...Kf7 43.Bd5+ Kg7 44.Ne8+[/font] White soon gives mate.

Pani Socko resigns.

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