Contents
Title PageKey to symbols used Bibliography
Series Introduction Preface
6.Bg5 versus the Najdorf 6...Nbd7
1 Introduction and Rare 6th Moves 2 7...g6
3 7...h6 4 8...g6
6...e6 7.f4
5 Introduction and Sidelines 6 7...Qc7
7 The Polugaevsky Variation
The Gelfand Variation 8 Introduction
9 The Main Line
Classical Main Line 10 The Gothenburg Variation 11 Three-Piece System with ...h6 12 Three-Piece System – Main Line
Poisoned Pawn 13 Introduction and 12...Nd5!? 14 12...Nfd7 15 20...Rd8 12...g5 16 13.Bf2!?
17 13.exf6 – Introduction and 16.Kh1 18 16.Rbd1
Grandmaster Repertoire
1.e4 vs The Sicilian I
By
Parimarjan Negi
Quality Chess
http://www.qualitychess.co.uk
First edition 2015 by Quality Chess UK Ltd Copyright © 2015 Parimarjan Negi
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior
permission of the publisher.
Paperback ISBN 978-1-906552-39-8 Hardcover ISBN 978-1-906552-97-8
All sales or enquiries should be directed to Quality Chess UK Ltd, 20 Balvie Road, Milngavie, Glasgow G62 7TA, United Kingdom
Phone +44 141 204 2073 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.qualitychess.co.uk
Distributed in North America by National Book Network Distributed in Rest of the World by Quality Chess UK Ltd through
Sunrise Handicrafts, Smyczkowa 4/98, 20-844 Lublin, Poland
Proofreading by Daniel McGowan & John Shaw Edited by Andrew Greet
Key to symbols used
² White is slightly better³ Black is slightly better ± White is better
µ Black is better
+– White has a decisive advantage –+ Black has a decisive advantage = equality © with compensation „ with counterplay ƒ with an initiative ÷ unclear ? a weak move ?? a blunder ! a good move !! an excellent move
!? a move worth considering ?! a move of doubtful value
™ only move
Bibliography
Aagaard & Shaw: Experts vs The Sicilian 2nd edition, Quality Chess 2006 Arizmendi & Moreno: Mastering the Najdorf, Gambit 2004
Emms: Play the Najdorf: Scheveningen Style, Everyman Chess 2003
Ftacnik: Grandmaster Repertoire 6 – The Sicilian Defence, Quality Chess 2010 Georgiev & Kolev: The Sharpest Sicilian 2012, Chess Stars 2012
Goh Wei Ming: Chess Developments: The Sicilian Najdorf Bg5, Everyman Chess 2014 Palliser: Starting Out: Sicilian Najdorf, Everyman Chess 2006
Rizzitano: Play the Najdorf Sicilian, Gambit 2010 Yakovich: Sicilian Attacks, New in Chess 2010
Periodicals
New in Chess Yearbooks
Electronic/Internet resources ChessBase Magazine
Series Introduction
Several years ago, Nigel Short once gifted me an opening book with the wry comment, “I expect this doubles your chess library.”While that was a slight exaggeration, it is true that I never depended much on opening books for my theoretical knowledge. This scepticism for written material is often rooted in the fact that the modern openings are so fluid,
constantly changing, with variations evolving every week. How can a static book keep pace with ideas that are developed, replaced, and forgotten on a weekly basis?
In this series, I aim to provide a foundation and structure around which you can develop a lifelong repertoire with 1.e4. I hope a good number of my recommendations will withstand the relentless assaults of time, but I am realistic enough to know that many of the bright novelties and variations will eventually wither away. However, even if some of the finer details will eventually have to be revised in the future, I believe that the core selection of recommended lines will remain valid for a long time to come.
There is a process by which I have developed my own repertoire, as laid out in this series. In several critical positions I have discussed the pros and cons of different options, and explained why I eventually chose one over the other. Apart from remembering the moves themselves, I hope you will also absorb something of this process, so that you will be able to find your own ideas to react to whatever new developments may come along.
The selection of recommended systems against Black’s various defences has followed a logical pattern, taking into account the structure of the whole repertoire. Throughout the process, I have aimed for active, fluid positions,
sometimes sacrificing material but always remaining fundamentally sound. There are a number of long, forcing lines, which are necessary to justify any suggestion these days, but I have endeavoured to show that even seemingly abstract moves are still based on strategic, human principles. To make the best possible use of this book, I encourage you to pay attention to all such explanations, with the aim of building a framework of inter-connected ideas in your own mind. Parimarjan Negi
Preface
In my first book, my aim was to present a repertoire built around an interlinked set of ideas, and the moves were often just an extension of the explanations and themes. You might notice some changes in style in the present volume – mostly because the opening being tackled here is a completely different type of beast.
I have tried a few different set-ups against the Najdorf, but the aggressive 6.Bg5 has always been my main weapon. It is one of the most concrete theoretical lines out there and, with the advent of correspondence databases and modern computers, it has been analysed to such astonishing depths that one may wonder if there is anything new to discover at all. Some of the lines are long, and I cannot promise to find a logical explanation for all of them, besides the simple fact that they do work.
Despite the forcing, tactical nature of our subject, I am pleased to say it is not just about following the computer’s suggestions. As you make your way through the book, you will find that the recommendations against different
variations will fit together as a coherent whole. For instance, both the 6...Nbd7 and 6...e6 7.f4 Nbd7 lines are dealt with in a similar manner with Qe2. The queen move may not seem like the most natural response, but once you see the flow of development with 0-0-0 and f2-f4, followed by e4-e5 or g2-g4, you will realize that the two lines have many
recurrent ideas, with White essentially trying to achieve the same goals.
The Poisoned Pawn stands alone as the most hotly-debated variation in the Najdorf. But despite thousands of games – many of them from the correspondence realm – there are a surprising number of new ideas waiting to be explored, and I have highlighted the most promising of the ones I discovered. It will always be hard to prove an advantage against the most precise, computer-generated defences, but the important thing is to realize that you can always pose new
problems, even when the theory seems incredibly far advanced. And while a correspondence player with plentiful time and a powerful computer might navigate the pitfalls, it will be practically impossible for an over-the-board player to do the same.
This method of exploration is a constant process that does not have to end with this book. Sooner or later my new suggestions will be tested as well, but if you continue your investigations in a similar vein, you will discover your own original methods to pose problems for your opponents.
Several other variations have rich histories, but they are less challenging for us than the Poisoned Pawn. In most cases, White will build a powerful attack, and will be able to choose from a plethora of exciting options. I hope that after reading this book, you will not only understand how to handle the opening, but that you will also have an improved sense for the initiative and how to exploit it.
Parimarjan Negi
A) 6...e5 B) 6...Bd7 C) 6...Nc6 D) 6...Nbd7 7.Qe2! D1) 7...Qa5?! D2) 7...e5 D3) 7...b5 D31) 8.0-0-0 D32) 8.f4! e5 9.fxe5 dxe5 10.0-0-0! D321) 10...exd4 D322) 10...Qb6N D323) 10...h6N D324) 10...Bb7N 11.Nf5 D3241) 11...Qb6 D3242) 11...Qc7
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5
We will begin our journey by checking the rare options of A) 6...e5, B) 6...Bd7 and C) 6...Nc6, before introducing the rather important topic of D) 6...Nbd7, coverage of which will run for a few more chapters.
A database search will show that Black has tried almost every legal move at some point, but most of them can be discarded quickly. A few examples:
6...Qb6? does not work without ...e6 because of 7.Bxf6 gxf6 8.Nd5.
6...g6?! does not make any sense here, since 7.Bxf6 exf6 8.Qd2 leaves Black with an inferior version of the Rauzer with 6...g6.
6...Qa5 is conveniently handled by 7.Bxf6 (7.Qd2 Nbd7 can be compared with the 6...Nbd7 lines) 7...gxf6 8.Nb3 Qd8 when Black has lost some time compared with typical positions with this structure. Here it looks good for White to include 9.Qh5!² before playing 0-0-0 and f2-f4.
A) 6...e5
This does not make much sense, as the bishop on g5 is perfectly placed to help White exploit the weakened d5-square. The only thing White should not do is misplace his knight by retreating it to b3.
7.Nf5
This seems simplest, because it more or less forces Black to exchange on f5.
7...Bxf5
7...Be6 has been tried by Nakamura in an internet blitz game, but White can just play 8.Bxf6 Qxf6 (8...gxf6 9.Be2± leaves Black in a horrible position) 9.Nxd6† and win a pawn.
8.Bxf6!
This is the easiest choice, giving White a pleasant position without any risk.
8...Qxf6 9.Nd5
9.exf5!? is also possible. After 9...Qxf5 10.Nd5 Ra7 11.Bd3 White has excellent compensation for the pawn, but there is no need to sacrifice.
9...Qd8 10.exf5²
White’s domination of the light squares gives him a stable advantage, which will remain even if Black swaps down to an opposite-coloured-bishop middlegame.
B) 6...Bd7
This gives Black the option of converting to a line of the Rauzer, but it also has a few tricky points of its own.
7.f4!
It is important to get the move order right. 7.Qd2 e6! is slightly annoying, as both 8.f4 and 8.0-0-0 can be met by 8...h6, when retreating the bishop to h4 allows a ...Nxe4 trick.
7...Nc6
Black had better play this now, otherwise the queen will go to f3.
8.Qd2 b5
9.Bxf6!
Another important detail, avoiding 9.0-0-0 b4! 10.Bxf6 bxc3 11.Qxc3 gxf6 12.Nxc6 Qc7 when Black will have good compensation in the coming endgame, Kalod – Obsivac, Morava 1997.
9...gxf6 10.0-0-0
10.Nf5 is a tempting possibility to exploit Black’s move order, but it allows for an interesting possibility: 10...b4 11.Nd1
11...d5!N Creating a strange mess. (11...Qc7 12.Nde3 e6 13.Ng3 favoured White in Mokry – Oltean, Balatonbereny 1985.) 12.Qxd5 Qc7 13.Qd2 e6 14.Ng3 h5°
Now I don’t see anything better for Black than:
10...e6
Finally we transpose to a major branch of the Rauzer, which will be discussed in a subsequent volume.
C) 6...Nc6
This is a strange hybrid of the Najdorf and Classical Sicilians. It has brought Black surprisingly decent results,
particularly in the recent games of Ivan Saric, but it should not cause much trouble against a well-prepared opponent. 7.Qd2
Playing in the style of the Classical Rauzer is the simplest way. Exchanging on f6 would lead to a thematic type of position from that system, but not necessarily one of the better versions for White.
7...Nxd4
This early exchange is the idea behind Saric’s set-up. Most other moves, such as 7...e6, 7...Bd7 and 7...Qb6, will lead to variations of the Rauzer that will be covered in a future volume. Here we will concentrate on Black’s attempts to keep the game in independent territory.
8.Qxd4
8...Qa5
8...e5 has long been abandoned by strong players, and with good reason: 9.Qa4† Bd7 10.Bxf6! Qxf6 (10...gxf6 11.Qb3±) 11.Bb5 Qd8 12.Bxd7† Qxd7 13.Qb3 White obtained a dream position with good knight against bad bishop in Kotronias – Kovalev, Debrecen 1992.
9.Bd2 Qc7
With 9...e5 Black just accepts a slightly worse position, so it’s not much of a concern for White. 10.Qd3 Be6 11.Nd5 Qd8 12.c4 Nxd5 13.cxd5 Bd7 14.Qa3!? Be7 15.Bd3 0-0 16.0-0 White’s space advantage gave him a pleasant position in Oparin – Yuffa, Moscow 2012.
The text move is Saric’s idea. Black remains flexible in terms of ...e6 or ...e5, and he has already caused White to put his pieces on unusual squares. In most games White has failed to achieve anything special against Black’s unfamiliar set-up. However, in 2014 Vladimir Akopian hit upon the right idea.
10.Nd5!
Exploiting Black’s refusal to play ...e6.
10...Nxd5 11.exd5 Qxc2N
This move is the only real deterrent towards White’s 10th move, but it allows White to obtain a huge initiative. 11...e5 12.dxe6 Bxe6 13.0-0-0² gave White a safe, pleasant advantage in Akopian – Ter Sahakyan, Minsk 2014.
12.Rc1 Qf5 13.Be2
White can simply finish his development, knowing that Black has no easy way to do the same.
13...e5
13...Bd7 14.Rc7² 14.dxe6 Bxe6 15.0-0©
Black struggles with his basic development.
This move became fashionable a few years ago, mainly due to the possibility of 7.f4 Qc7 8.Qf3 h6 9.Bh4 g5!, whereby Black offers a pawn in return for dynamic counterattacking chances. Needless to say, I have no intention of allowing anything like this.
7.Qe2!
Playing in the same spirit as the 6...e6 7.f4 Nbd7 8.Qe2 line, as covered later in Chapters 8 and 9. Black can transpose to that variation by playing ...e6 at various points over the next few moves, but the present move order also offers a lot of independent possibilities. In this chapter we will deal with D1) 7...Qa5?!, D2) 7...e5 and D3) 7...b5.
7...g6 is the topic of the next chapter. 7...h6 will be covered in Chapters 3 and 4.
D1) 7...Qa5?!
It seems to me that the black queen will be moving around rather aimlessly in this line, while White’s next move actually serves a useful purpose.
8.Bd2!
The bishop might not appear all that impressive here, but it clears the path for White’s kingside pawn expansion without spending extra time.
Black’s idea is only justified against: 8.f4 h6! (The immediate 8...e5 could be played with similar ideas, but it is worth chasing the bishop away first, since now after 9.fxe5 dxe5 10.Nf5 h6 White has an interesting extra option in 11.Bd2.) 9.Bh4 e5! Now it makes no sense for the knight to go to f5 because of ...g6, so White is essentially forced to play 10.Nb3 Qc7. The resulting position can be compared with the 7...h6 8.Bh4 g6 variation, as covered later in Chapter 4. Here Black has avoided the weakening move ...g6, improving his chances in the battle that lies ahead.
8.h4 is similar to the main line, especially if Black reacts with 8...h6, but the inclusion of these moves is not particularly in White’s favour, since Black will get some extra options involving ...Ne5, without having to fear the reply f2-f4.
8...Qb6
8...Qc7?! doesn’t bother White at all, and the knight remains excellently placed on d4. 9.g4 b5 (9...h6 10.0-0-0 leaves Black with a highly suspicious version of a Keres Attack.) 10.Bg2!? This seems simplest. (10.g5 b4 leads to some complications, although after 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.exd5 Bb7 13.Bg2 Nb6 14.0-0 White is still doing well.) 10...Bb7 (10...b4 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.exd5±) 11.g5 b4 12.Nd1±
9.Nb3 e6
9...Ne5? is met by 10.f4± and the knight has no good squares. It would have been a different story had White played 8.h4, as noted above.
9...g6?! is also poor: 10.0-0-0 Bg7 11.g4 Ne5 (11...h6 12.f4±) Now 12.h3!± is a further reminder of why the h-pawn should be held back on move 8.
10.g4
10.0-0-0!? is also perfectly playable, and should lead to similar play to the main line below.
11.0-0-0!?N
11.h4 gives White a decent position, but I don’t see any reason to rush with it. 11...Qc7 (11...Ne5 12.f4 Nexg4 13.h5!N 13...e5 14.f5 g6 15.hxg6 fxg6 16.Nd5 Nxd5 17.Qxg4 Ne7 18.0-0-0 Bd7 19.Qh4 strongly favours White.) 12.Bg2 (In the event of 12.Rh3!? h5 13.g5 Ng4 things are far from clear.) 12...Ne5 13.g5 hxg5 14.hxg5 Rxh1†
15.Bxh1 Nfd7 16.0-0-0 Nb6 17.f4 Nec4 18.Be1 Bd7 19.g6 fxg6 20.Bh4 Rc8 White’s position remained preferable, but it was still a complicated fight in Ter Sahakyan – Karthikeyan, Chennai 2013.
11...Qc7
11...Be7 12.h4 Qc7 (12...Ne5? 13.f4 Nexg4 14.e5+–; 12...h5 13.g5 Ng4 14.Bh3± 13.Bh3!?ƒ White’s initiative is developing quickly, the immediate threat being g4-g5.
12.Bg2!
Preventing ...b5, which can now be refuted by e4-e5.
12...Ne5
12...Rb8 and 12...Be7 are both met by 13.h4±, when Black does not have much of an answer to the imminent g4-g5.
13.f4 Nc4 14.Be1!?
There were certainly other options, since the exchange on d2 would not have been a big deal, but the text move works well. The idea is to open things up with a quick e4-e5.
14...Rb8
14...Be7 is well met by 15.Rd4! Nb6 (or 15...b5 16.e5±) 16.e5±. 15.e5! dxe5 16.fxe5 Nd7
16...Nxe5 17.Bg3+–
17.Bg3±
White is well ahead in development, and Nd5 is a nasty threat.
D2) 7...e5
It seems strange for Black to play this so early, particularly since White’s knight is allowed to go to f5 rather than to the more passive b3-square. Nevertheless, it is worth considering how best to exploit White’s positional advantages.
8.Nf5 h6 9.Bh4 g6 10.Ne3
Compared to the more popular variation involving 7...h6 8.Bh4 g6 9.0-0-0 e5 10.Nb3, as covered later in Chapter 4, White’s knight is ideally placed on e3. True, he has spent one more tempo, but that is a small price for the huge improvement in prospects for this piece. Not only is d5 within the knight’s reach, but ideas of jumping towards the kingside are in the air.
10...Be7 11.0-0-0 b5 12.f3 Bb7
12...0-0 should be met by 13.a3!, with a possible transposition to the main line in the event that Black develops his bishop to b7.
12...b4 13.Bxf6! is a typical idea, since an immediate Nd5 isn’t possible. 13...Nxf6 14.Ncd5 Nxd5 15.Nxd5 a5 16.h4² Note that the ...b4 move has weakened Black’s queenside and presented White’s bishop with the important c4-square.
13.a3!
An important move, since ...b4 was becoming an annoying threat. If White can successfully stifle his opponent’s queenside play, his kingside potential will come into its own.
13...Rc8
13...0-0 14.Kb1 Qc7 15.g4± gives White an automatic attack.
14.Qd2!?N
Keeping the bishop on h4 restricts Black’s play, since he can’t start moving around with his knights yet.
14.Be1 is also somewhat better for White, but it gives Black a bit more freedom, and in N. Kosintseva – Bodnaruk, Moscow 2010, Black eventually prevailed.
14...Kf8
It seems logical to park the king on g7.
14...Qc7 should be met by 15.Kb1², waiting to see what Black does next.
d5-square. 15...Bxf6 16.Kb1 Bg5 17.g3²
14...0-0 15.Kb1 Nxe4!? (15...Qc7 16.g3!± avoids any ...Nxe4 tricks and intends Bh3 or Ng4 next.) 16.Nxe4 Bxh4 17.Nxd6 Rc7 18.Nxb7 Rxb7 19.g3 Be7 20.Qe2²
Returning to the main move, it is important to demonstrate a bit of precision.
15.g4!
15.Kb1 is inaccurate here due to 15...Kg7!, threatening ...Nxe4. 16.Bf2 (With the rook on h8, 16.g3 can be met by 16...g5! 17.Nf5† Kf8³.) 16...Nb6 17.g4 d5!? 18.Ncxd5 Nfxd5 19.exd5 Bc5©
15...Kg7
15...Nc5 16.Bf2! (16.Bxf6 is less convincing after g2-g4 has been played, as White is left with a lot of holes on the dark squares.) Now White intends h4-h5, while Black has little chance of a quick ...d5. His only real chance of counterplay involves manoeuvring his knight to d4, but this takes time. 16...Ne6 17.h4 Nd4 18.Rh3 a5 (18...Kg7 19.h5±) 19.Kb1 b4 (19...Bc6 20.g5! Nh5 21.Ned5 Bxd5 22.Nxd5 Rxc2 23.Qe1±)
20.Nb5! Nxb5 21.Bxb5 bxa3 22.Nc4!±
16.Bg3!
This is the idea behind g2-g4. White does not have to waste time putting his king on b1 here, and can proceed with the blunt plan of h4-h5.
16.Bf2 d5!? 17.Nexd5 Nxd5 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.exd5 Bg5 20.Be3 Bxe3 21.Qxe3 Qg5 22.Qxg5 hxg5 looks like decent compensation for Black.
16...Nc5
16...d5 17.Ncxd5 Nxd5 18.exd5² does not give Black any serious compensation.
16...Qa5 can be met by 17.h4, since the exchange sacrifice on c3 isn’t really a threat. 17...Nc5 (17...Bd8 18.h5²) 18.Kb1 Ne6 19.h5²
17.h4 Ne6 18.Kb1 Nd4 19.Bg2
White has an excellent position, for instance:
19...a5 20.f4!?±
The last move reminds us that h4-h5 is not the only strong plan available.
D3) 7...b5
This move has become quite fashionable in the last few years. White’s most popular continuation has been D31) 8.0-0-0. I spent some time analysing this, but was not completely satisfied. I will give a quick summary of this line before moving on to D32) 8.f4!, which I believe to be more accurate.
D31) 8.0-0-0
I believe Black is doing okay after this move, but it takes some precision to show it. So far nobody has played Black’s best line, so I will quickly show you the line that caused me the most trouble.
8...Bb7 9.f4
Some other games have continued: 9.Bxf6 Nxf6! 10.e5
10.f4 b4!? is a forcing route to equality. (10...g6N is a playable alternative if Black wants to maintain the tension.) 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.exd5 Bxd5N (12...g6!?N is also probably okay.) 13.Nb5 e6! 14.Rxd5 Be7 15.Nxd6† Bxd6= 10...dxe5 11.Ndxb5
11.Qxe5 Qd6= 11...Nd7 12.Na3
This was played in Grabarczyk – Heinemann, Schwetzingen 2013. If White has nothing better than retreating his knight in this way, it is hard to believe that Black can have any problems. A good continuation is:
9...Rc8! 10.e5
10.Bxf6N gives Black a choice. 10...gxf6 is simplest, while the provocative 10...Nxf6!? 11.e5 Rxc3 12.exf6 Rc5 would have to be checked further.
10...dxe5!N
10...Rxc3 was recommended in Grandmaster Repertoire 6. It was a novelty at the time, and has been tested a few times since then, but it is not the best move. 11.exf6 gxf6 12.bxc3 fxg5 13.Nf5! (13.fxg5 brought White success in a recent blitz game, but matters are not so clear after 13...Bg7N.) 13...e6 14.Nxd6† Bxd6 15.Rxd6 Qc7 16.Qd2 gxf4 This position was reached in Ziatdinov – Harsha, Chennai 2013, and was also the ending point of Ftacnik’s analysis. At this point White should play 17.Be2!N intending Rd1, with a powerful initiative.
11.fxe5 Rxc3 12.exf6
12.bxc3 Ne4! 13.e6 fxe6 14.Bd2 Qb6© is pretty good for Black.
After 12.Bxf6 Rc5 White lacks a decisive combination. I found nothing better than 13.Nf5 gxf6 14.e6, when Black can, at the minimum, force a draw with 14...Rd5 15.exf7† Kxf7 16.Qh5† Kg8 17.Qg4† Kf7, when White is forced to repeat with 18.Qh5†.
12...Rc5!
The position looks scary for Black, but everything holds together.
13.h4
13.Nf3 Rd5 is unclear, while 13.fxe7 Bxe7 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.Qxe7† Kxe7 16.Be2 Re8 17.Bf3 Bxf3 18.Nxf3 Nf8 reaches an equal endgame.
13...Re5 14.Qf2!?
14.fxg7 Bxg7 15.Qf2 gives White no advantage after: 15...Qb6 (15...0-0? 16.Nf5±) 16.Rh3 0-0 17.Rg3 Kh8 18.Bxe7 (18.Bf4 Rd5 19.Rxg7 Kxg7„) 18...Rxe7 19.Rxg7 Qh6† 20.Rd2 (20.Rg5 f6 21.Nf5 fxg5!µ) 20...Qxg7 21.Nf5 Qf6 22.Nxe7 Qxe7 23.Rxd7 Qxd7 24.Qf6† Kg8=
14...gxf6
15.Be3
Black’s lack of development seems worrying, but the computer is happy, and his position contains a lot of resources.
15...Rg8 16.Rg1÷
The position is rich in possibilities for both players, but I do not believe White can claim an advantage.
D32) 8.f4!
By forcing the issue in the centre, White provokes ...e5 and avoids the plan of ...Bb7, ...Rc8 and ...Rxc3 that we saw previously.
8...e5
This has been played almost exclusively, although there are some other important options to consider.
8...h6 9.Bh4 transposes to 7...h6 8.Bh4 b5 9.f4, as covered in variation C of Chapter 3. (9.Bxf6!? Nxf6 10.0-0-0 Bg4 11.Nf3 is another interesting possibility, but there is no need to spend any time on this.)
8...Qc7!? 9.Bxf6!?
9.0-0-0 is a good alternative. Now 9...e5 10.fxe5 dxe5 is discussed under 8...e5, and 8...b4 9.Nd5 transposes to 8...b4 below. 9...e6 is also dealt with elsewhere in the book – see variation B of Chapter 8. Having said that, the text move is rather tempting, as it allows White to fight for the advantage by more forcing means.
9...Nxf6 10.e5 b4
10...dxe5 11.fxe5 b4 12.Na4! Nd5 13.e6ƒ
11.Ncb5!
11.Na4 is met by 11...Nd5 when the f4-pawn is hanging. 11...axb5 12.exf6 gxf6
12...Qc5 13.Qe4 d5 14.Bxb5† Bd7 15.Bxd7† Kxd7 16.Nb3! dxe4 17.Nxc5† Kc6 18.Nxe4 exf6² Black has some drawing chances, but White is playing without risk.
13.Qf3! Ra5
14.Bxb5† Bd7 15.Bxd7† Kxd7 16.Nb3
Black’s king will be rather unpleasantly stuck in all variations, for instance: 16...Ra6
16...Rb5 17.0-0-0±
17.0-0-0! Rxa2 18.Kb1 Ra7 19.Qh5 Ke8 20.Qb5†± A final alternative is:
8...b4!? 9.Nd5 Bb7
10.0-0-0
The knight can be left where it stands, as any opening of the position should be in our favour.
10.Bxf6 Nxf6 11.Nxf6† gxf6 may also be better for White, but this structure tends to result in an intense strategic fight. Although Black has created some holes in his queenside, White is not ideally developed either.
10...Nxd5 11.exd5 Qc7 11...Bxd5?? 12.Nf5+– 12.g4!?
There is no need to defend the d5-pawn. 12...Bxd5
12...h6 13.Bh4 g5 14.fxg5 hxg5 15.Bxg5 Bxd5 16.Nf5 Be6 17.Qe4² 13.Bg2!
13.Nf5!? is playable, but 13...Be6 blocks the attack for the time being. 13...Bxg2
14.Rhe1! Nc5
14...e6? loses immediately to 15.Nxe6.
14...e5 15.Qxg2 Rc8 16.Kb1© Black has no easy way to continue developing. 15.Qxg2 Rc8 16.Kb1
Here too, it is hard for Black to continue his development. The main problem is: 16...e6 17.f5 e5 18.f6!
Black’s position is unpleasant, and delaying ...e6 will not change much.
9.fxe5
Ideally White would prefer to avoid committing to this exchange, but here it seems to be a necessity.
If 9.Nf5 then 9...Qa5!N is quite strong. Some messy complications lie ahead, but a bit of analysis convinced me that Black is out of danger.
9.0-0-0!? doesn’t work as smoothly here as in the main line below. Here is a shortened version of my analysis:
9...exd4!? 10.e5 Be7 11.exf6 gxf6 12.Nd5 fxg5 13.Re1 Nc5!N (13...gxf4 14.Nxe7 Ne5 15.Nc6 Qc7 16.Nxd4 Bb7 was also pretty unclear in Soumya – A. L’Ami, Astana 2013.) 14.Nxe7 Be6 15.Nf5!? Qf6 16.g4 This position could be analysed further, but I find White’s play in the main line more convincing.
10.0-0-0!
10.Nf5 was played in an amateur game in 2005. Castling is much more dynamic, and was my choice when I encountered this variation in 2012. Black has many possible moves here. My own game continued with D321) 10...exd4, but White must also consider D322) 10...Qb6N, D323) 10...h6N and D324) 10...Bb7N.
10...Qc7 gives White a choice. 11.Nf5 may well transpose to variation D324 after 11...Bb7, but White can also consider 11.Nd5!? Nxd5 12.exd5 Bb7 13.g4!?².
D321) 10...exd4 11.e5 Be7
I found an internet game where 11...Qe7 was played, but 12.exf6 Qxe2 13.Nxe2 led to an obvious advantage for White.
15.Nxe7!N
15.Nxf6† Kf8 16.Qe4 Be6! was an unclear mess in Negi – Vorobiov, Leiden 2012.
15...Be6 16.Nc6 Qd5
After 16...d3 17.Qxd3 Qxd3 18.Bxd3 0-0 19.h4² White has easy play thanks to Black’s weak kingside structure.
17.Qf2!
This was the move I missed in my calculations. Now White gets a pleasant position by force.
17...Qxc6
After 17...Ng4 18.Qxd4 Qxd4 19.Nxd4 Black is facing a tough endgame.
18.Qxf6 Kd7 19.h4!?
19.Qxd4† Qd5 20.Qxd5† Bxd5 21.Re5² is also possible.
19...g4 20.Bd3©
White has a dangerous initiative for a mere pawn.
D322) 10...Qb6N
This sets a devious trap.
11.Nd5!
11.Nf5 is not so good because of 11...b4!, intending 12.Nd5 Nxd5 13.exd5?? Qg6! and Black wins a piece.
11...Nxd5 12.exd5 Qg6!?
12...Bd6?! 13.Nf5 0-0 14.Kb1 Nc5 15.g4 gives White an ideal position for this structure.
12...Bc5 is slightly better, as the f5-square is off-limits to the white knight on account of the ...Qg6 trick. However, 13.Nc6 0-0 14.g4 Bb7 15.Bg2² still leaves White with a pleasant position.
13...h6 14.Bd2 Bd6 15.h5 looks ugly for Black.
14.Nc6
This is simplest. 14.g4!? h6 15.Bd2 Nf6 16.Nf5 is an interesting pawn sacrifice, but there is no need for it.
14...0-0 15.Ne7†
15.g4!? Nf6 16.Bh3² is also good.
15...Bxe7 16.Bxe7 Re8
17.d6 Bb7 18.Kb1 Rac8 19.h5 Qe6 20.Rh4²
The bishop on e7 seriously limits Black’s active possibilities.
This is quite a critical move. The point is that if the bishop retreats to h4, Black will get some additional options compared to some of the other lines. Fortunately, we can prevent this from happening.
11.Nd5! Bb7
11...hxg5? 12.Nc6 is a nice queen trap.
Taking the knight is not much better: 11...exd4? 12.e5! Be7 13.exf6 Nxf6 14.Nxf6† gxf6 15.Bxf6+–
12.Bxf6 Nxf6
13.Nxb5! Nxd5
13...axb5? 14.Qxb5† wins effortlessly.
much for Black to handle.
14.exd5 Be7 15.d6!
White still needs to play accurately. The simplistic 15.Nc3 would offer Black excellent compensation after 15...0-0 16.Qxe5 Re8 17.Qf5 Rc8©.
15...Bg5† 16.Kb1 axb5 17.Qxe5† Kf8 18.d7!
It would be slightly misleading to say that White has excellent compensation, because he will not even be materially down for more than another move or two.
18...Bf6
Black does not have time for 18...b4 on account of: 19.Bc4 Bf6 20.Qd6† Kg8 21.Rhe1+– 18...Qe7 19.Qxb5 Be4 20.Bd3² also gives White excellent chances of success.
19.Qc5† Kg8 20.Bxb5 Ba6 21.Bxa6 Rxa6 22.Qc8 Ra8 23.Qxd8† Bxd8 24.Rhe1 Kh7 25.c4± It would be surprising if Black could hold this endgame.
This is arguably the most challenging move of all. 11.Nf5
Black has a number of possible moves here, but with the d-file open, the two most natural choices are D3241) 11...Qb6 and D3242) 11...Qc7.
11...Rc8 12.Nd5! Swapping this piece for Black’s light-squared bishop is always welcome. 12...Bxd5 13.exd5 h6 (13...g6 14.Nd4±) 14.Bf4 (14.Bh4 might give White an edge too.) 14...Qc7
15.Rd3! Intending to deploy the rook on c3 or e3. 15...Qxc2† (15...b4 16.Re3±) 16.Qxc2 Rxc2† 17.Kxc2 exf4 18.d6² 11...h6 12.Bxf6! Qxf6 13.g3 Now Bh3 is an annoying threat, and it is hard for Black to get a normal position with short castling. 13...Bc5 (13...0-0-0 14.a4²) 14.Kb1
14...Nb6 (14...g6 15.Nxh6! Rxh6 16.Qd2 is an important point; 14...Rd8 is met by 15.Bh3² and Black still cannot castle or play ...g6.) 15.Nxb5! 0-0 16.Nbd6²
11...Qa5
It is hard to imagine that this can work now. 12.Qf3!?
The most punishing, although the simple 12.Kb1 is also possible, for instance: 12...b4 13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 Bxd5 15.b3©
12...Rc8
12...b4 13.Bc4! Qc7 (13...bxc3 14.Bxf7† Kxf7 15.Rxd7† Nxd7 16.Nd6† Ke6 17.Nxb7+–) 14.Rxd7 Qxd7 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Nd5 Bxd5 17.exd5 gives White huge compensation.
13...Nxf6 is met by 14.Qg3± hitting both e5 and g7.
13...gxf6 is ugly, and 14.Qh3 Nb6 15.Qh4 Nd7 16.Rxd7! Kxd7 17.Qxf6 is dangerous for Black. 14.bxc3 gxf6 15.Qd3 Qc7 16.c4²
D3241) 11...Qb6
The queen is slightly misplaced on b6, and White has more than one pleasant way to continue. He does, however, need to watch for ...Rxc3 ideas.
12.g4
Another promising continuation is: 12.Bxf6!? Qxf6 (12...Nxf6 13.Nxb5! Nxe4 14.Ng3 leads to rather complicated stuff, but it looks dangerous for Black.) 13.Kb1!? (13.Qd2 0-0-0!÷) It is not easy for Black to continue, and the queen on f6 looks out of place. 13...Bc5 (13...0-0-0 14.a4²) 14.h4 g6 15.Ne3 Nb6 16.h5²
12...g6
12...Rc8 is well met by: 13.Bxf6! Qxf6 (13...Nxf6 14.g5 Nd7 15.Bh3+–) 14.Qd2! Qc6 (14...Nb6 15.g5 Qd8 16.Qf2 Qc7 17.Bh3± with a crushing initiative.) 15.g5 White threatens Bh3, and Black has severe problems to even complete his development.
13.Ne3
13.Nh6!? b4 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.exd5 f6 16.Be3 Qa5 reaches a position analysed under 13.Nh6!? in the notes to variation D3242 below.
13...h6 14.Bxf6 Nxf6 15.h4 Bg7
After 15...Bc5 16.Ned5 Nxd5 17.Nxd5 Bxd5 18.exd5 0-0 19.h5² White’s bishop has the greater attacking potential, while Black’s bishop really belongs on g7.
17.g5! Nxh5
17...hxg5? 18.h6 Bh8 19.h7† wins.
18.Ncd5 Qd8 19.Rxh5 gxh5 20.Qxh5 Qxg5 21.Qxg5 hxg5 22.Ne7† Kh7 23.Bd3±
Black will soon have to give up the dark-squared bishop to avoid mate, leaving White with two superb minor pieces for a rook.
D3242) 11...Qc7
12.g4 g6
12...Rc8?! is an unfortunate choice due to 13.Bxf6! Nxf6 14.g5 Nd7 15.Bh3 when Black is under serious pressure. 12...b4 13.Bxf6 (13.Nd5 may also be better for White.) 13...Nxf6 (13...bxc3 14.Bxg7 cxb2† 15.Kb1 looks horrid for
Black, for instance: 15...Bxg7 16.Nxg7† Kf8 17.Nf5 Nc5 18.Qc4! Bxe4 19.Rg1±) 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.exd5 0-0-0 16.Bg2² Black’s queenside is rather exposed.
12...h6 13.Bxf6 Nxf6 14.Nd5!? Nxd5 15.exd5 0-0-0 16.Bg2 Compared with 12...b4 above, here Black has not weakened his queenside any further. Nevertheless, he still faces concrete problems: 16...g6 17.Rd3! (17.Ne3 Bc5=) 17...gxf5 18.Rc3 Bc5 19.b4 Kb8 20.Rxc5 Qe7 21.gxf5²
Let’s return to the main line where Black forces the knight away from f5. Here White can choose between an aggressive move and a more solid one. Both options offer him better chances, so the choice depends on personal taste.
13.Ne3
This is the solid option. 13.Nh6!?
Normally a knight on this square will be extremely annoying for Black, as his king would be stuck in the centre, but here there are some concrete lines that must be considered.
13...b4 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.exd5 f6 15...Bd6 16.Be3²
15...Rc8 16.Kb1 f6 17.Be3 Bc5 18.Bc1!?² The bishop on c5 is in the way of Black’s other pieces. 16.Be3 Qa5
Without this forcing move, Black’s king would have come under heavy fire. 17.Kb1 Bxd5
18.Rxd5! Qxd5 19.Bg2 e4 20.Bf2!
White is able to win back the material. 20...Bxh6 21.Bxe4 Qe6
21...Qe5 22.Bg3² 22.Re1 Ne5
23.Bxa8
Unless Black is able to solve his problems quickly, White’s bishop pair and better pawn structure will give him excellent chances.
13...h6
13...Be7 14.Bh6! keeps the king pinned down in the centre.
14.Bxf6
14.Bh4!? is another idea that could be explored. 14...Be7 (14...Bg7 15.Bg2 b4 16.Ncd5 Nxd5 17.Nxd5 Bxd5 18.exd5± With both of his bishops still on the board, this structure is excellent for White.) 15.Kb1 b4 Now White is forced to take on f6, but I would argue that the bishop on e7 is less than ideally placed. (15...0-0 16.g5ƒ) 16.Bxf6 Nxf6 17.Ncd5 Nxd5 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.exd5 h5 (19...0-0 20.h4²) 20.Bg2²
14...Nxf6 15.Qf3!?
White’s plan includes Bd3, h2-h4, and a pawn advance to g5 or h5.
15.h4 is slightly less ambitious, but still leads to a pleasant position: 15...Rd8 16.Ned5 Nxd5 17.Nxd5 Bxd5 18.exd5 h5! (18...Bd6 19.h5²) 19.g5 Bg7 20.Bg2 0-0 Black is solid, and it is not easy for White to break through on the kingside. Nevertheless, he can keep a risk-free edge with 21.Be4 followed by piling up the heavy pieces on the f-file.
15...Bc5
15...Bg7 also falls short of equality: 16.h4 Rd8 17.Bd3 b4 (17...0 18.g5±) 18.Ncd5 Nxd5 19.Nxd5 Bxd5 20.exd5 0-0 (20-0...h5 21.Bxa6²) 21.h5ƒ
16.Ned5 Nxd5 17.Nxd5 Bxd5 18.exd5
White can press for a long time in this opposite-coloured bishop position. His bishop has better potential, and it is not obvious what Black should do with his king, or how he should defend his light squares against the plan of Bd3 and h4-h5.
Conclusion
tricky points, so it is worth checking both these lines.
The most important function of this chapter has been to introduce the increasingly popular 6...Nbd7 variation, against which I favour 7.Qe2! intending some combination of long castling and a central attack with f2-f4.
7...Qa5?! does not make much sense; the bishop simply retreats to d2 and White’s initiative develops smoothly. 7...e5 seems like a surprising choice, but it is worth paying attention to some of the details that follow, as White has to play accurately to exploit the weakness of the d5-square.
The largest and most important section of the chapter was devoted to 7...b5. Then 8.f4! e5 9.fxe5 dxe5 10.0-0-0! is an idea that I tested in one of my own games, and awaits further tests. The position is rich in possibilities for both sides, but more dangerous for Black, whose king is unlikely to feel safe for quite some time.
A) 8...Qc7 B) 8...e5 C) 8...Bg7 9.h4!? C1) 9...h6 C2) 9...h5 10.Kb1 Qc7 11.g4!?N C21) 11...Nb6 C22) 11...hxg4 12.h5! Rxh5 13.Rxh5 gxh5 14.Nf5 Bf8 15.Bg2 C221) 15...e6 C222) 15...Rb8 C223) 15...Qc5!
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 Nbd7 7.Qe2! g6
The kingside fianchetto is one of the most important options afforded to Black by 6...Nbd7, and in the present chapter he makes use of it immediately. This never used to be a popular choice, but then in 2012, against Alekseev, Grischuk showed that Black could go for the Dragon set-up and simply ignore White’s plan of f2-f4 and e4-e5. That game had continued 7.f4 Bg7 8.Qe2, but of course the same plan was instantly adopted against 7.Qe2 as well. However, the fact that White has not yet committed himself to f2-f4 provides him with interesting and relatively unexplored additional options.
8.0-0-0
8.h4?! is an imprecise move order because of 8...h6!. Now 9.Be3 h5!? 10.0-0-0 Bg7 transposes to 8.0-0-0 Bg7 9.h4 h6 10.Be3 h5! – something we are trying to avoid, as explained later in variation C1. 9.Bxf6 is not much good due to 9...Nxf6! when, in contrast to variation C1, the e4-e5 push is toothless.
After the text move it is worth considering A) 8...Qc7 and B) 8...e5, but the main move is obviously C) 8...Bg7.
A) 8...Qc7
This position has occurred a few times via a 7...Qc7 move order. Black’s set-up is quite interesting; having moved the queen off the d-file, he intends to meet h2-h4 with ...h6, and Bxf6 with ...Nxf6, without allowing e4-e5 at the end of the sequence. However, White can throw a stick into the wheel.
9.h4!N
9.Nd5 Nxd5 10.exd5 was played in Kosteniuk – Dzagnidze, Beijing 2013, but now 10...Nb6N would have led to an unclear game.
9.f4 e5!? is surprisingly hard to deal with. For instance, after 10.fxe5 dxe5 11.Nb3 b5, the position can be compared with variation B of Chapter 4. The key difference is that here Black has improved his chances by avoiding weakening his kingside with ...h6.
9...h6
9...h5 10.Kb1 Bg7 is covered later under the move order 8...Bg7 9.h4 h5 10.Kb1 Qc7 – see variation C2.
10.e5!!
This leads to some amazing tactical possibilities. 10...dxe5
10...hxg5 11.exf6 Nxf6 (11...e5 12.Nd5 looks horrid for Black.) 12.Ndb5!+– is a nice point.
11.Bxf6 exf6
Or 11...Nxf6 12.Ndb5! axb5 13.Nxb5 Qb8 14.Qc4± and Black’s position is falling apart.
12.Nd5 Qd6
12...Qd8 13.h5! undermines the light squares, creating additional squares for the d4-knight too. Despite having all those pawns, Black’s position is precarious. 13...Nb6 14.Nxb6 Qxb6 15.hxg6 fxg6 16.Qe4!±
13.Qc4 exd4 14.Nc7† Kd8 15.Nxa8 b5 16.Qxf7
White’s spectacular play has netted an extra exchange, but he still needs to play accurately to save the a8-knight.
16...Bb7 17.Re1 Be7
17...Qf4† 18.Kb1 Bc5 19.Qg7! Re8 20.Rxe8† Kxe8 21.Qxg6† Kd8 22.Qg8† Nf8 23.Nb6 Qd6 24.Nc4 bxc4 25.Bxc4±
18.Nc7! Ne5 19.Qg7 Rf8 20.f4 Rf7
Alternatively, after 20...d3 21.Rd1 Qxc7 22.Bxd3 Nxd3† 23.Rxd3† Kc8 24.Rc3 Bc6 25.Rxc6 Qxc6 26.Qxe7 Re8 27.Qf7 White has good winning chances due to his extra pawn and the exposed black king.
23.Kb1!
23.Bd3 Qxa2 24.e6 Rf8 25.Qh7 Kd8 could get really messy.
23...fxe5 24.Bd3 Bb4 25.Rd1
Black is still in the game, but White’s extra exchange makes it a mostly one-sided affair.
B) 8...e5
In the analogous position with ...h6 and Bh4 included, the same move is quite good for Black. In fact, if you turn ahead to the beginning of Chapter 4, you will see that with the bishop already on h4 I recommend playing f2-f4 before castling, to avoid this very possibility. However, with the bishop still on g5 White benefits from some extra options.
9.Nd5!?N
The most ambitious.
9.Nb3 may lead to a slightly odd version of an English Attack. 9...h6 (9...Be7 10.Bh6! is annoying for Black.) 10.Be3! (10.Bh4 is the same kind of unfavourable transposition as outlined above.) The bishop on e3 makes it harder for Black to develop, and White’s g- and h-pawns are free to roam forwards. 10...b5 11.f3 Now 11...Nb6!?N looks like Black’s best chance, and could be explored further. (Instead after 11...Bb7 12.a3 Rc8 13.Qd2 the ...Rxc3 threat is easily parried, and ...Nb6 will usually be met by Na5. 13...Qc7 14.Kb1² Yu – Gordon, Gibraltar 2013.)
9...h6
9...exd4? 10.e5 is horrible.
After 9...Bg7 10.Nb3! h6 11.Bh4² the bishop is misplaced on g7. It won’t be able to help the d6-pawn and, even more importantly, the pin will remain a source of great annoyance.
10.Qc4! hxg5
10...exd4 11.Bxf6! Nxf6 12.Nc7† Ke7 13.Nxa8 Be6 14.Qb4 Qxa8 15.e5 gives White a huge attack against the uncastled king.
11.Nc7† Qxc7!
This leads to a double-edged situation involving three pieces against a queen.
11...Ke7 is playable, but it leads to more one-sided positions where Black will have to fight for a draw an exchange down. 12.Nde6 Nb6 13.Nxd8 Nxc4 14.Nxf7 (White can also consider: 14.Bxc4 Kxd8 15.Nxa8 Nxe4 16.Rhe1 Nxf2 17.Rd2 Ng4 18.Bxf7 Rxh2 19.Bxg6²) 14...Nxb2 15.Kxb2 Kxf7 16.Nxa8 Nxe4 17.Bd3²
12.Qxc7 exd4
The computer gives a positive evaluation for White, but it is not at all easy for a human player to assess the position. Fortunately there are some concrete ways to pose problems for Black.
13.Rxd4
13.Bc4 Be7 14.Rxd4 allows Black to get organized with 14...Kf8! 15.f3 Kg7 16.Bb3 Ne8 17.Qc4 Ne5 18.Qe2. The struggle goes on, and the computer prefers White, but I think Black’s position is acceptable.
13...g4
14.Rxd6!
Giving up material for the sake of the initiative.
After 14.Bc4 Bh6† 15.Kb1 Bf4 Black regroups his pieces excellently.
14...Bxd6 15.Qxd6
Suddenly Black’s position doesn’t look so well organized, despite having a rook and two knights against a queen.
15...Nxe4 16.Qb4
16.Qd4 also deserves attention. 16...Nef6 17.Bc4 0-0 (17...Kf8 18.Re1 Kg7 19.f3 gxf3 20.g4±) 18.h3 g3! (18...gxh3 19.Rxh3 is too dangerous.) 19.fxg3 b5 20.Bb3 a5 21.a3 (21.a4!?) 21...Bb7 22.Rf1 a4 23.Ba2 Rad8 24.Rxf6 Nxf6 25.Qxf6 Bd5 I think Black should be able to hold.
16...Nef6!
16...Ndf6 17.Bd3±
16...Nec5 17.Bc4 0-0 18.h4! Opening up the h-file will give White a strong initiative, with the rook and queen combining to create mating nets.
17.Bc4 Rh5!
This is the only way to prevent an instant collapse.
After 17...Nf8 18.Qc3 Ke7 19.Re1† Ne6 20.f3 gxf3 21.Qa3† Ke8 22.Qxf3 followed by Rf1, Black’s position is hard to keep together.
18.Re1† Re5
An interesting position has arisen. Despite being far behind in development, Black is not in any immediate danger. White is ahead in development, but he is running out of pieces and needs to find a plan.
19.a4!
Preparing to stifle Black’s intended development of his queenside pieces.
19...Rxe1†
19...b6 just loses the pawn: 20.Rxe5† Nxe5 21.Qxb6±
19...a5 gives away the critical b5-square. 20.Rxe5† Nxe5 21.Bb5† Nfd7 (21...Ned7 22.Qd6±) 22.Qd6 Kd8 23.h3 gxh3 24.gxh3 White intends f2-f4, and 24...g5 is not much of a defence due to 25.f4! gxf4 26.h4 when the h-pawn seems unstoppable.
20.Qxe1† Kf8 21.Qb4† Ke8
Black should not allow the queen to go to e7.
22.a5
22...b5!?
Normal development with 22...Ne5 is difficult since after 23.Qe1! Nfd7 24.Bd5 the b7-pawn is hard to protect. 24...Kf8 (24...Rb8 25.h3!±) 25.Bxb7 Rb8 26.Bd5²
23.axb6 Rb8
White has a few ways to maintain some pressure without taking any risks. For instance:
24.Qb3 Rxb6 25.Bxf7† Ke7 26.Qc4 Bb7 27.Bxg6 Bxg2 28.Qc3
The endgame will go on, but Black will have to struggle to establish a defensive fortress.
9.h4!?
9.f4 0-0 leads to a different type of game, as discussed briefly in the introductory comments. Black has achieved good results so far, although there is still a lot to be explored here.
I prefer to utilize the fact that White has not yet committed to f2-f4. Black may react to the advance of the h-pawn with C1) 9...h6 or C2) 9...h5.
Neither 9...Qc7 10.h5!ƒ nor 9...0-0 10.h5 Nxh5 11.Nf5! can be considered acceptable for Black.
C1) 9...h6
This is the more natural-looking response, but it has a drawback.
10.Bxf6!N
Exploiting the fact that Black cannot recapture with the knight.
10.Be3 looked like a good move after 10...b5?, when 11.h5! Ne5 12.hxg6 fxg6 13.f4 gave White an ideal position in Durarbayli – Georgiev, Dubai 2014.
However, 10...h5! is a stronger move which gives Black an improved version of variation C2, since the bishop on e3 gets in the way of the f2-f4/e4-e5 plan, and also does not support an attack on the e7-pawn like the bishop on g5.
When we look ahead to variation C2, we will see that Nakamura chose 9...h5 over 10...h6. There is little doubt that he would have preferred the version with the bishop on e3, so we can infer that he was put off 9...h6 by the prospect of the text move.
10...Bxf6
10...Nxf6? 11.e5! Nh5 (11...dxe5 12.Nc6+–) 12.e6 looks extremely bad for Black.
11.h5
This is the most solid option, aiming for a slight edge. 11.Nd5!?
Planning h4-h5 on the next move is more ambitious, since Black cannot blockade the position with ...Bxd4 as in the main line, but it is harder to reach an exact conclusion here.
11...Bg7
11...Bxd4 12.Rxd4² is a dubious choice without the inclusion of h4-h5 and ...g5, as Black’s kingside is too vulnerable.
12.h5 e6!
Other moves would give White an ideal position.
13.hxg6!?
Again this is the most ambitious.
13.Ne3 g5 14.g3, intending Bg2 and f2-f4, may well be better for White. However, if I was aiming for this type of position I would prefer 11.h5, since Black is forced to give up his dark-squared bishop there, whereas here it may offer him some counterplay.
13...exd5 14.gxf7† Kxf7 15.Qh5† Ke7 16.Qxd5
16.Nf5† Kf8 followed by ...Qg5 would enable Black to escape to a drawish endgame. 16...Nb6
After 16...Nf6 17.Qb3© the knight is in the way of Black’s pieces, and White will play Bc4 next, with excellent compensation.
17.Qb3
The critical position. Black has many ways to continue, but his exposed king should constantly make him uncomfortable. There is no need to analyse all possible moves here, but I will just offer a few lines to make my point.
17...Qc7
17...Bxd4 Black’s dark-squared bishop seems too strong to just give away. 18.Rxd4 Be6 19.Qa3²
17...Rf8 is met by the brilliant 18.e5! Bxe5 19.Re1 and the position gets opened up rather unpleasantly for Black, for instance 19...Rf6 (19...Bd7 20.Rxh6±) 20.f4 Rxf4 21.Rxh6 Qf8 22.Rh7† Kf6 23.Nf3 with a crushing
initiative. 18.f4!?
This seems the most critical, setting up constant threats involving e4-e5. It’s a complicated position, but Black’s life seems harder. For instance:
18...Bd7
Or 18...Qc5 19.e5! dxe5 20.Qg3! Kf7 21.Rh5! with a strong attack. 19.Rh5!? Rhf8 20.e5 dxe5 21.fxe5 Rac8 22.Qa3† Kf7 23.Qg3!
11...g5
Other moves would obviously result in a hideous kingside structure.
12.Nd5 Bxd4
12...Be5 is rather awkward, as Black will constantly have to worry about f2-f4 threats. 13.g3! e6 14.Ne3 Qc7 15.Bg2² intending Rhf1 and f2-f4.
13.Rxd4 Ne5
At first Black appears to have a solid position, and the absence of his dark-squared bishop isn’t felt immediately. But without that bishop, there is also not much scope for his queenside counterplay. Also it is important to appreciate that if White manages to play g2-g3 and f2-f4, then Black’s apparent solidity on the kingside will just crumple. Black may try to obstruct this plan with a timely ...g4, but this will bring the dark-square weaknesses into focus. In the meantime, White can just continue developing normally, place his pieces on good squares, and see where it leads him. Keeping in mind these ideas, the next few moves will be easy to understand.
14.Qe3! Be6
14...b5 is not terribly useful, since the bishop is better on e6 than on b7.
14...Qa5 can be met by 15.g3!, since taking on a2 will allow a check on c7. (15.Kb1 is too slow: 15...Be6 16.g3 Rc8 17.f4 Qc5! 18.c3 Nc6=)
15.g3!
After 15.f3 Qa5 16.Kb1 Qc5 it will be hard to arrange g2-g3 and f3-f4.
15...g4
Black should not allow f2-f4.
16.Kb1 Rc8 17.Be2 Qa5 18.c3 Qc5 19.Qf4²
Black is pretty solid, but his position contains a number of weaknesses and he has no counterplay.
At first it appears that White can just build a quick central initiative with f2-f4, followed by a pawn advance to e5 or f5, while if Black castles, the weaknesses caused by the ...h5 move might be felt. Initially the computer seemed to endorse that view, but then Nakamura played this way with Black, and showed that the above assessment might be unfounded. One important point is that f2-f4 will give Black the excellent g4-square for his knight, while any Nd5 threats can be prevented by placing the other knight on b6.
10.Kb1
The idea of connecting this move with the rather striking novelty on the next turn is not something I came up with directly.
First I tried 10.f4N, with the idea of meeting 10...Qc7 with: 11.g4!? (11.Kb1 transposes to 11.f4 in the note to White’s next move in the main line below.) The idea was to prevent Black’s knights from using the g4-square, and I noticed that 11...hxg4 would run into the strong 12.h5!. (In this version White’s f2-f4 move proves far more useful than Kb1, as occurs in the main line.)
So far so good, but then I realized that Black had a good answer in 11...Nb6!, guarding against any Nd5 ideas, while the ...Bxg4 threat spoils White’s plans completely. I analysed this a bit further but did not get anywhere, so I began to think of other ways to implement the g2-g4 idea. Ideally, we want to meet ...hxg4 with h4-h5, while avoiding the problems caused by a timely ...Nb6.
10...Qc7
10...b5? 11.Nc6! Qc7 12.Nxe7 is a nasty trap. 10...Nb6? doesn’t work either due to 11.e5±.
11.g4!?N
This seems like the ideal moment to go for the g2-g4 plan.
I found no advantage for White after the more obvious attacking try: 11.f4 Nb6!
Again this knight move plays a key role in the defence. Now the critical move is obviously: 12.e5
12.f5 Ng4! 13.Rh3 Qc5 14.Nb3 Qf2 15.Qd3 Ne5 16.Qd4 Qxd4 17.Nxd4 Nc6 was fine for Black in Solak – Nakamura, Rhodes 2013.
12...dxe5
12...0-0?! gives White too many options, one example being 13.exf6 exf6 14.f5‚. 13.fxe5 Ng4!?
13...Nfd5 is safer, and 14.Nxd5 Nxd5 15.e6 0-0 16.Qc4 fxe6 17.Qxc7 Nxc7 18.Bxe7 Re8 seems playable for Black. The main line also works well though.
14.e6 0-0
15.g3!?
15.exf7† Rxf7÷ 15...Kh8!
15...Bxd4 is met by 16.exf7† Rxf7 17.Rxd4², but now Black really is threatening to take on d4. 16.Bh3
16.exf7 e5! 17.Nb3 Bf5 seems fine for Black.
16...Bxd4 17.Rxd4 Bxe6 18.Bxg4 Bxg4 19.Qxe7 Qxe7 20.Bxe7 Rfe8 White has no more than a faint initiative in the endgame.
Returning to the position after 11.g4!?N, Black may try C21) 11...Nb6 or C22) 11...hxg4.
C21) 11...Nb6
This is much less effective than it was in the similar position after 10.f4N 10...Qc7 11.g4!?. With the pawn back on f2 here, the prospect of a bishop arriving on g4 is far less annoying.
12.gxh5 Nxh5
After 12...Bg4 13.f3 Bxh5 14.Bh3² Black’s bishop is stuck out of play.
12...Rxh5 13.Nf5! gxf5 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Qxh5 Bxc3 16.Rg1! White invades through the kingside.
The changed landscape on the kingside seems to favour White. Kingside castling is out of the question for Black, and White can improve his position in anticipation of plans involving ...0-0-0.
13.Nd5!?
White has more than one good way to continue. Another is: 13.Rg1 Bd7 14.Be3!?
Anticipating long castling. 14...0-0-0
After 14...Rc8 15.f4 Black’s king is permanently stuck in the centre, and White will prepare to break through, either along the g-file or with e4-e5. 15...Nc4 seems like the obvious try to get counterplay, but White can react powerfully with: 16.Nd5 Qa5 17.Rg5! Qa4 18.e5! e6 19.Bc1! dxe5 20.fxe5 exd5 21.e6 fxe6 22.Nxe6 Kf7 23.Bh3±
15.Rg5!?
15...Bh6 16.Nf3!?
If Black takes on g5, the knight recapture will give White more than enough compensation. This could be an
interesting position to explore further, but since the main line gives White an edge by simpler means, there is no need to delve any deeper into it here.
13...Nxd5 14.exd5 Nf6
14...0-0? is too dangerous due to 15.Bg2 followed by Bf3, destroying the blockade on the kingside. 14...Be5 15.Qe3 Kf8 (15...f6 16.Bd3!±) 16.Be2 followed by f2-f4 also looks grim for Black.
15.Bg2
It is not easy for Black to develop further, as his king will not be safe on either side of the board.
15...Bg4 16.f3 Bh5
The bishop may be misplaced here, but it seems like the best try to stabilize the kingside to prepare castling.
17.Rhe1 Nxd5
This allows a nice tactical sequence. 17...0-0 is no better due to the simple 18.Qxe7±.
Objectively Black’s best continuation may be 17...Kf8, although 18.Bh3² leaves White in control.
18.Ne6! fxe6 19.Qxe6 Nb4
19...Nf6 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.Qxf6 leaves Black’s king in danger.
20.Qxe7† Qxe7 21.Rxe7† Kf8 22.Rxb7 Nc6 23.Rxd6 Na5 24.Rb4±
White is close to winning. He has three pawns for a piece, his rooks are absolutely dominating, and the black knight is close to being trapped.
12.h5!
The key idea. White is looking to create entry points for his knights.
12...Rxh5
Other moves can be brushed aside with relative ease.
12...b5? 13.Bg2± creates threats on the long diagonal while defending the rook in preparation for hxg6.
12...gxh5 is similar to the main line, but keeping another pair of rooks on the board only serves White’s purpose. 13.Nf5 Bf8 14.f4!? (White can also play 14.Bg2 Rb8 15.f4, by analogy with the main line.) 14...gxf3 15.Qxf3 Ne5 16.Qf4 Bxf5 17.exf5 White has a useful initiative. In the position without the rooks on h1 and h8, Black can get away with 17...0-0-0, but here it runs into 18.Bxf6 exf6 19.Nd5 Qc6 20.Rh3! and White wins.
14.a4! White intends to chase away the knight and plonk his own horse on d5. (14.Qd2 Be5 also looks pretty good for White, but the position is messier.) 14...Bxh6 (14...e6? 15.hxg7! Rxh1 16.Ndb5!+–) 15.a5 Nd7 16.Nd5±
12...Qa5 13.Qd2!?
Other moves can be analysed, but this is the simplest.
13.h6 Qxg5 14.hxg7 Rxh1 15.Nd5 is a fun position to explore, but there is no need for it. 13...Rxh5 14.Rxh5 gxh5 15.Nf5 Bf8
15...Bh8 16.Nxe7ƒ 16.Bg2
Compared with the main line below, the inclusion of the moves ...Qa5 and Qd2 is clearly in White’s favour. It is harder for Black to arrange ...e6, while White’s queen move sets up attacking ideas involving Bh6, or possibly even with Re1.
16...Rb8 17.f4
17.Re1!? can also be considered.
17.e5 does not quite work: 17...Qxe5 18.Nxe7 Bxe7 19.Re1 Qc5 20.Rxe7† Kxe7 21.Nd5† Ke6 White has many entertaining ways to give a perpetual, but the win proves elusive.
17...gxf3 18.Bxf3 b5
Otherwise it is hard to see the point behind putting the queen on a5 and rook on b8. 19.Qf4 b4 20.Nd5±
13.Rxh5 gxh5 14.Nf5
The knight is majestically placed here.
14...Bf8
There is nothing else. After 14...Bh8? 15.Nxe7! Black’s position collapses, while 14...Kf8 is not much better after 15.Qe3!± followed by Bh6.
We have reached a critical position. Retreating the bishop to f8 looks ugly of course, but White needs to prove if his initiative is worth the flashy double pawn sacrifice. As you will see in the following lines, it will be hard for Black to untangle and complete his development, despite the existence of moves like ...e6 which seem so obvious. And even if Black manages to complete his development, it should not be too hard for White to recover the loose kingside pawns, so we are not taking too big a risk.
15.Bg2
This calm developing move prevents ...b5 and prepares f2-f4. It also prepares a nice way to deal with ...e6. If White could establish a pawn on f4 then Black would be busted, but he can always take en passant of course. For example: 15.f4 gxf3 16.Qxf3 Ne5 17.Qf4 Bxf5 18.exf5 0-0-0 19.Bxf6 exf6 20.Nd5 Qc6 21.Nxf6 Qf3= I have included this line mainly to show that White is perfectly safe even when Black manages to complete his development, but of course we should make it as hard as possible for him to do this. Returning to the main line, Black has three main tries: C221) 15...e6, C222) 15...Rb8 and C223) 15...Qc5!.
15...Nb6? is more or less refuted by 16.Nxd6† exd6 17.Bxf6± followed by Nd5. C221) 15...e6
This is the first logical move to consider. Retreating the knight doesn’t seem too inspiring, but we can do better.
16.e5!
This is particularly effective after Black has committed to ...e6, as there will be more open lines around his king. 16.f4!? is quite a sweet idea too, but it will most probably transpose to the later variation C223: 16...gxf3 (16...exf5 17.exf5† Be7 18.Re1 Qd8 19.Bd5! followed by Qc4 is an amazing example of domination.) 17.Bxf3 Qc5 This position is covered later via the move order 15...Qc5 16.f4 gxf3 17.Bxf3 e6. (Black had better avoid 17...Ng4 18.e5! Ngxe5 19.Bxh5‚, or 17...exf5 18.exf5† Be7 19.Bxh5‚.)
16...dxe5 17.Ng3
Now we’re three pawns down! But all of our pieces are participating in the game, which certainly cannot be said about the opposition. Black’s position is incredibly difficult, and it is hard to play even single moves, while White’s tactical options abound. Here are a few illustrative lines.
17...Rb8
17...Nh7 18.Bh4 f5 19.Nxh5 Kf7 20.f3!± and White opens up the kingside. 17...Be7 18.Qd2! Rb8 19.Bxf6! Nxf6 20.Qh6+– and White just wins the knight.
17...Qb6 can be met by 18.Ka1©, avoiding any tricks and asking Black how he intends to develop his pieces.
18.Qd2 b5 19.Bxf6! Nxf6
20.Bc6†! Nd7 21.Bxd7† Qxd7 22.Qg5 Qe7 23.Qxe5 Rb6 24.Nce4± White is absolutely dominating.
This seems like a natural way to continue development. Now we have a pleasant choice between a forcing continuation and a more patient one.
16.f4
The more violent option is 16.e5!? Nxe5 (16...dxe5 17.Qe3 is more dangerous for Black) 17.Nxd6† exd6 18.Bxf6 Be6. White has excellent compensation here, but it wasn’t easy to prove an advantage against the computer. The position can be explored further, but I tend to prefer the more measured build-up.
16...gxf3
It is hard to imagine Black tolerating the pawn on f4. For instance, if 16...e6 then 17.Re1!?ƒ leaves him facing too many tactical threats involving e4-e5.
17.Bxf3 b5
17...e6 allows a familiar response: 18.e5! dxe5 19.Ng3± White has an even better version of variation C221 above. 17...Qc5 is covered under the move order 15...Qc5 16.f4 gxf3 17.Bxf3 Rb8 – see the notes to Black’s 17th move in variation C223 below.
18.e5!? dxe5
18...Nxe5 19.Nxd6† exd6 20.Bxf6 Be6 21.Bxe5 dxe5 22.Nd5 (22.Bd5!?©) 22...Bxd5 23.Bxd5 gives White a long-term initiative, which is only enhanced by the presence of opposite-coloured bishops.
19.Nd5 Nxd5 20.Bxd5 Nf6 21.Bxf6 exf6 22.Qxh5 Bxf5 23.Qxf5
Compared with the last note, Black has a more compact structure with a pawn on f6 instead of h5. Nevertheless, White keeps a persistent initiative. A possible continuation is:
23...Rb6 24.Bxf7†! An important detail.
24...Kxf7 25.Rd7† Qxd7 26.Qxd7†²
Black will have to work hard to construct a reliable fortress in the endgame.
C223) 15...Qc5!
This seems like the best defensive move, cutting out the e4-e5 tricks. The queen is better on c5 than on a5, since the future plan of ...Rb8 and ...b5 will not cut the queen off from the centre.
16.f4
This is the simplest way to continue, but there are a lot of other more sophisticated methods as well. I will mention a few of the more interesting possibilities that could be explored more deeply:
16.Bh4 e6 17.Re1!? is an ambitious try. White may even follow up by putting a second knight en prise on d5. After 16.Re1 e6 I found nothing better than 17.Qd2 transposing to 16.Qd2 below.
An extremely complicated position results from: 16.Qd2!? e6
16...Rb8 17.Be3 Qa5 18.Bh6© 17.Re1
How should Black continue his development? 17...Ng8!
A most unnatural defence for a human, but probably necessary since it frees the d7-knight and avoids being hit by e4-e5.
17...exf5? 18.exf5† Kd8 19.Nd5 Bg7 20.b4! wins.
The logical 17...Rb8 runs into our typical, beautiful idea of 18.e5!! dxe5 19.Rd1! Qc7 20.Ng3 when Black is completely tied down.
18.Be3 Qc7
There are various options that deserve attention here. One possible continuation is: 19.f4 gxf3
19...Ngf6 20.Bd4ƒ
20.Bxf3 Ne5 21.Qg2!? Nf6 22.Ng7† Bxg7 23.Qxg7
White has a strong initiative with pressure on the dark squares.
16...gxf3
16...Rb8?! gives White a few good options, the simplest being: 17.Nxd6†! exd6 18.e5 dxe5 19.fxe5 Nh7 20.Bf4±
17.Bxf3 e6
After 17...Qe5 18.Bh4ƒ the queen will easily be driven away, so Black’s last move doesn’t have much point. 17...Ne5 18.Bxf6 exf6 19.Nd5² is excellent for White.
17...Rb8
This move prepares ...b5-b4, but it gives White a lot of time. I like the idea of invading on the kingside with: 18.Qg2!
18.Bxh5!? is also quite dangerous. 18...e6 19.Be3 (19.Nd5 often runs into the following defence: 19...exd5 20.exd5† Ne5! 21.Bxf6 Bxf5 22.Bxe5 Qxc2† 23.Qxc2 Bxc2† 24.Kxc2 dxe5=) 19...Qe5 20.Bd4 Qf4 21.Rf1 Qg5 22.Bf3 Ne5 (22...exf5 23.e5!±) 23.Be3 Qg6 24.Rg1 Qh7 25.Bg5 Nfd7 26.Bh5 The analysis can continue, but White clearly has the initiative.
18...b5
Black is not helped by 18...e6 19.Be3 Qe5 20.Ng7†±. 19.Be3 Qc7
19...Qe5 20.Bd4 Qe6 21.Ne2! Bb7 22.Nf4 Qc4 23.b3 Qc6 24.Rd3± 20.Ng7† Bxg7
20...Kd8 21.Nxh5² 21.Qxg7
21...Ne5 22.Bd4! Nxf3
Or 22...b4 23.Bxe5 bxc3 24.b3 Be6 25.Bd4 intending e4-e5. 23.Qh8† Kd7 24.Bxf6 exf6 25.Qxf6 Ne5 26.Qxe5²
Let’s return to the more critical 17...e6.
18.Be3!
Other moves such as 18.Bxh5 and 18.Rf1 lead to interesting play, but the text move is the most critical.
18...Qe5
18...Qc7 19.Ng3 (19.Nh6!? is a dangerous alternative.) 19...Ne5 (19...h4 20.Nh5 Nxh5 21.Bxh5 Ne5 [21...Nf6 22.Bg5!ƒ] 22.Qf2²) 20.Nxh5 Nxh5 21.Bxh5 Bd7 22.Qf2! Black still cannot castle due to Bb6, while 22...Bc6 is met by 23.Rf1² intending Bg5, maintaining the pressure.
19.Nh6!?
Creating a lot of tactical tricks, so Black is practically forced to give up his crucial dark-squared bishop. A few other moves are also promising to explore further:
19.Bd4 Qf4 20.Rf1!? exf5 21.exf5† Kd8 22.Qc4 leads to some crazy complications; White may indeed have excellent compensation, but there’s no need to sacrifice a piece.
19.Nd4
This nondescript move also gives White decent compensation. Black has a lot of options, so I’ll settle for giving a few sample lines.
19...Be7
19...b5 20.Nc6±
19...Ng4 20.Bxg4 hxg4 21.Qxg4 It is not easy for Black to complete development while keeping White’s pieces from invading through the kingside.
20.Rg1!? Ng4
Or 20...Qa5 21.Rg5 Qc7 22.Bxh5 Ne5 23.Nf3 and White keeps some initiative. 21.Bxg4 hxg4 22.Qxg4
This might look okay for Black, but he is still under some pressure. Particularly the black queen finds it hard to find a safe haven.
22...Nf6
22...Qh8 23.Qg2! leads to strong threats: 23...Bf6 24.Nf5! exf5 25.Nd5 Nc5 26.Qg8† Qxg8 27.Rxg8† Kd7 28.Nxf6† Kc6 29.exf5 b5 30.Rf8±
23.Qg7! Bf8
23...Bd7 24.Qh8†+– 24.Qg2 Bd7 25.Nde2!
Black has annoying problems in the centre.
19...Bxh6
After 19...Be7 20.Rg1! Black’s queen is being shooed away: 20...Qa5 21.Nxf7! Kxf7 22.Rg5 Qc7 23.Bxh5†+– 19...b5 allows the same type of sacrifice: 20.Nxf7! Kxf7 21.Bd4 Qf4 22.e5 dxe5 23.Be3±
19...Qa5 20.Rg1! Ne5 21.Bxh5 (21.Ng8!? Nxg8 22.Rxg8 Bd7 23.Qf2© is also unpleasant for Black.) 21...Bd7 22.Nxf7 Nxf7 23.Bxf7† Kxf7
24.e5! Qxe5 (24...dxe5 25.Rf1!±) 25.Rg5² The black queen is trapped rather spectacularly in the middle of the board!
20.Bxh6
Now Black’s dark squares are glaringly weak. As long as he doesn’t escape with ...0-0-0, he will continue to suffer.
20...b5
Or 20...Qg3 21.Rf1 Ne5 22.Qd1!? Nxf3 23.Rxf3 Qg6 24.Bc1 and Black will struggle to defend his dark squares.
21.Rg1!
Most other moves allow Black to complete his queenside development and get castled.
21.a3 Bb7 22.Qd2 0-0-0! 23.Bf4 Qc5 24.Bxd6 Ne5! 25.Bxc5 Rxd2 26.Rxd2 Nxf3 27.Rd3 Nxe4 would be fine for Black.
21.Be3 Bb7 22.Bd4 Qf4 gives White nothing better than repeating with 23.Be3.
21...b4
21...Bb7 22.Rg5±
22.Nd1 Rb8
22...a5? 23.Rg5 Qd4 24.e5 wins for White.
After 22...Ng4 23.Bxg4 hxg4 24.Qxg4© the weak dark squares make Black’s position unpleasant. The text move abandons all hope of castling, leaving White with several ways to develop his initiative.
23.Rg5
White can also go for 23.Rg7!? immediately, for instance: 23...Bb7 24.Nf2 Qb5 25.Nd3© and there is no easy way for Black to solve his problems.
23...Qd4 24.Rg7 Ne5
24...Bb7 25.Be3! Qe5 26.Rg5 traps the queen.
26...Neg4
26...Bb7 27.Rg8†!±
27.Bxg4 Nxg4 28.Rh7!? Qb5 29.Qd2©
We have gone a bit deeper than necessary, but the general picture is clear: White has enduring compensation and Black must defend with great care.
Conclusion
7...g6 is becoming increasingly popular, and so far Black’s position has withstood all of White’s attempts to break it. After the natural 8.0-0-0, even the sidelines 8...Qc7 and 8...e5 forced me to find new and inventive ways to challenge the defence. Most of the time you can expect to face 8...Bg7, after which 9.h4!? forces Black to make an important choice.
9...h6 is conveniently met by 10.Bxf6!N, when Black cannot realistically recapture with the knight, and 10...Bxf6 leaves White with more than one promising continuation.
9...h5 is more critical, and here long analysis convinced me that 10.Kb1 Qc7 11.g4!?N causes significant problems to the defence. There are many ways for Black to lose quickly, but even with best play, I found no clear way for him to defuse the pressure.
