Geller Efim - King's Indian Defence, 1980-OCR, Batsford, 178p PDF
Geller Efim - King's Indian Defence, 1980-OCR, Batsford, 178p PDF
Wade
King´s Indian
Defence:
4.e4
Efim Geller
1.d4 CZJf6 2.c4 g6 3.tiJC3 �g7 4. e4:
Four Pawns, Samisch & Classical
ALGEBRAIC CHESS OPENINGS
EFIM GELLER
Translated by Dr K. P. Neat
-B. Batsf�rd.Limited
. '•
T. London
-, '! . '
F irst p ubl ished 1980
© �· G ell er 1980
ISBN 0 7134 2331 8 (p ape r)
f or t he p ubl ishers
B. T. B at sf ord L imit ed
4 F itz harding e St re et, L ondon WI H OAH
....
• J,� -
�.r
40,
Introduction VII
A Brief History IX
Every opening has its particular fate. Some follow the same path as man
himself: they are born, they li\'e for one generation, and . . . die, after
exhausting themselves, their capacity for de\'elopment, and their
pott>ntial, without leaving any 'descendan ts'. It is hardly necessary to
product> any concrete evidence for this. An example is pro\'ided by the
undisputt"d opt>ning fa,·ourite of the last century-the King's Gambit. How
many tht>matic tournaments ha\'e been played with this opening, and how
many thousands of pages have been devoted to the analysis ofone \'ariation
or another! And finally, how many brilliant examples of attack ha,·e been
provided by its faithful adheren ts-it is sufficient to recall the 'immortal
gamr' by Adolf Anderssen against Kieseritzky in 1 85 1 . But the changes
wrought by timt> art> merc iless. \\'ith the teachings of the first World
Champion \\'ilhdm Steinitz , a new era began in chess. Positional
principles came to be regarded as of paramount importance, changes
occurred as regards the understanding of the centre and of strong points,
and defensi,·e play began-and continues to this day- to constantly
tmpro,·e.
As a result, today certain opt>nings are judged to be too placid to hold
out :111y prospect of a complicated struggle, while others arc initially too
sharp and therefore forcing, and ha,·e consequently been exhausti\'el)'
studied. And nowadays, in tournaments of international standard, we
greet with surprise each rare appearance of that same King's Gambit, and
consider such games to be a tribute to the attracth·e and romantic, but,
alas, long-sinre faded youth of chess.
But some open ings ha,·e a different fate. They are quickly recognized as
classical, and remain so to this dar. One example is the Ruy Lopez, in
which Black follows all Steinitz's laws, by first conducting a tenacious
battle for equality, so as onlr then to attempt to seize the initiative� What's
more, both sides conduc t the game in \'irtually identical fashion: White
•
x A Briif History
advances his pawns in the centre, and to a greater or lesser extent Black
endeavours to do the same.
Other openings, which can arbitrarily be termed more modern, were
not immediately accepted, following their introducd.oQ':. The methods to
which Black resorted seemed too unusual: he appeared to ignore the
creation of a pawn centre, which used to be considered essential. For this
reason they were initially termed 'incorrect' -even in the great
Capahlanca's Prim" ofChtss one comes across the following lines: 'We will
now make the acquaintance of certain variations which arise in the so
called incorrect defences against White's I d4, where Black on his first
move plays I . . .£)10'.
.
But since then these openings, like heroes in Greek mythology, have
acq uired immortality. This is thanks to the depth of the ideas which they
contain, to the practically inexhaustible wealth of variations, and, most
important, to the fact that, in them, both White and Black can engage in
the most complex and uncompromising battle. Without this, in view of the
unusually well-developed technique or present-day defence, it is almost
impossible to win. This explains the attraction for chess players of the
Sicilian Defence and the Nirnzo-Indian Defence, the English Opening and
the Reti Opening, and of course the King's Indian Defence, which is firmly
established among the most topical opening systems or the second half or
the 20th century.
How are we to know where and when it was first played? And by whom?
All that is known for certain is that in 1 875 the magazine Deutsche
Schac�eitung published a game which had been played a little earlier in
India between the Brahmins Sauncheri Gottak and Moheschunder.
( Cochrane-Moheschunder Bonnerjec, Calcutta c. 1 847, went I e4 d6 2 d4
.£)10 3 Ad3 g6 4 c4 Ag-7 5 c£)c3 0--0-Tartakower & Du Mont 500 Master
Games f!!Chm and continued 6 f4 e5-Ed.) And that i t was only in the 1 920s
that, on the basis of this, the well-known grandmaster and humorist
Savielly Tartakower called this opening the King's Indian Defence. I n
literature, mention i s made considerably earlier o ft h e move I . . . .£) 10 i n
reply t o I d 4 ( for instance, in 1 843 in Ana[yst Nouvelle b y Carljaenisch) , but
only by one game can we be genuinely surprised. Here are its initial moves:
I d4 c£)f6 2 c4 g6 3 c£)c3 Ag-7 4 g3 d6 5 Ag-2 0--0 6 .£)£3 c£)bd7 7 0--0 e5 ( /).
The resu lting position occurs frequently today in the practice of masters
and grandmasters, and yet it is taken from the game Schwarz-L. Paulsen,
played in the international tournament at Wiesbaden in 1 880! And
although such a set-up for Black was also occasionally employed by other
A Brief History XI
I
w
2
w
' ..,
' .,
Thus, for instance, one basic question of the King's I ndian Defence has
yet to be solved: whether White should block the centre when it is attacked,
or maintain the tension. On this question the experts hold differing points
of view. Without going into their appraisals in any de tail, I willmerclr put
forward my own. It is my opinion that if White releases the tension and
plays d4--d5, it means that Black has already achieved some thing, and can
begin a battle, including that for the square e4, which is especially
important in the King's Indian Defence.
Similarly, there is no complete clarity in the assessment ofone of the new
trends in the King's Indian Defence, whereby Black attempts purely by
piece pressure to force the advance of one of the pawns in White's central
phalanx, and only then begins to undermine the centre with his own
pawns. And of this there can be no doubt: as one problem is solved, others
will emerge . So that the field ofactivity open to both theorists and practical
players in this opening is unusually wide.
variation as being excellent for 1 3 ltf7 leaves him ci thcr two pawns
Black: 1 0 . . . ci:)a6 11 ,lte3 ci:)b4 1 2 down - 1 3 . . . § f8 1 4 ci:) xg6+ , or
o-o-o ci:)g4! 1 3 ci:) xg4 Jtxg4 1 4 the exchange down - 1 3 . . . §e7 1 4
§d2 Jtxc3 1 5 b e ci:) xd3+ 1 6 · ci:)d5. Equally bad is 12 • .� 13
•
§ xd3 f! xe4, with the better ,ltf7!, when Black again loses
ending. But by 11 � ci:)b4 1 2 ,ltb l material: 1 3 . . . f!e7 1 4 ci:)d5 fe 1 5
White can retain his extra pawn, ci:) xc7 C\tf xe7 (or 1 5 . . . C\t( x f7 1 6
and therefore I 0 . . . ci:)a6 does not ci:) x c8 ci:)c6 1 7 ci:) xa7 f! xa7 1 8 fe)
give Black equality. 1 6 ,ltd5, and White is again the
However, it will now be seen that exchange up.
10 . . . ci:) xe4, recommended by Thus the entire variation with
Boleslavsky in the afore-mentioned the idea of . . . e5 must be deemed
book, in fact deserves a double dubious.
question mark, since it loses by B
force. 5 ... c5
I I Jtxe4 This can be played immediately,
There is no need to consider the unlike the other pawn counter . . .
capture on e4 with the knigh t, since e5. For that, preparation in the
Four Pawns Allack I 7
form of castling is necessary, so as, pieces to d4, where it serves as a
in the event of an exchange of target for counter-attack. Besides,
queens at dB, to recapture with the he wants to force Black to waste
rook. time on the queen manoeuvre . . .
After 5 . . . c5 White is faced with i!ra5 x c5 and then to subsequently
a choice of whether to maintain the gain a further tempo by attacking
tension in the centre by 6 .£)13 or to it. At the same time White does not
rdrasc it imrnrcliatrly hy G de or object to the opening of the
6 d5. position, and to a sharpening of the
It is clear that after 6 e5 <£)fd 7 play.
White cannot maintain the centre. 6... i!ra5
We therefore consider: or course, not 6 . . . de when
B I 6 de B lack straight away finds himself in
82 6 d5 a lost position: he loses the right to
If 6 .£)13 Black by 6 • • cd can
• castle and concedes all the central
transpose into a Maroczy bind set squares, and on advancing to e5 the
up from the Dragon Variation of white pawn blocks the bishop at g7
the Sicilian, in which White out of the game. The tactical
normally avoids an early f4-after 7 justification for Black's move is that
4)xd4 4)c6 8 .Q.e2 see var. A, after 7 cd 4)xe4 the attack by the
chapter 2. three black pieces on the knight at
For 6 .£)13 � sec Chapter 2. c3 cannot be parried.
Bl 7 .Q.d3
6 de ( 6) I n Tolush-Radulescu, Bucharest
1 953, White chose a different
move-7 .Q.d2!? i!rxc5 8 b4!?, but
after the correct reply 8 • •i!i' xb 4
•
was fashionable in the early 1 950s; been tested in practice, but after 1 2
Black has two alternatives: 0 -{) Jtx£3 1 3 � x£3 4jd 7 1 4 i!tf2
a) 1 1 .4Jg4 1 2 Jtd2 and the
• . c£jc5 1 5 Jtc2 f5!? 1 6 ef gf 1 7 �g3
unfortunate position of Black's i!ff7 it leads to a hig_ h ly interesting
queen is revealed, forcing him to and double-edged position. This
lose time: variation demonstrates particularly
a l ) 1 2 . . . c£jb4 1 3 4jd5 i!tc5+ 1 4 clearly the inexhaustible possibi
<it' h I c£l xd5 ( the attempt to win the lities for Black in the King's I ndian
exchange by 1 4 . . c£j xd3 1 5 . Defence of obtaining complicated
Four Pawns Attack I 9
play with counter-chances.
7
B
B12
9 • •
·Ag4
•
All
9 c£lc2
Although White loses a tempo,
he at the same time deprives his
opponent of a target for counter
play at d4, and can himself prepare
an attack with f4-15. I t is pointless
I n this position there are two now to try to prevent White castling
basic continuations: by 9 • • �b6, since 10 �e3
•
transpose into var. B I , chapter I. 0-{) c£lc5 I I �(3, and the attempt
We should also mention Tal's to gain counter-play by II . . .
interesting attempt against Szabo, �xc3?! 1 2 be �a5 1 3 15! 'l!r xc3 1 4
Moscow 1 963: 8 . . . Ag4 9 �e3 �h6 Ete8 1 5 c£le3 'i!td4 1 6 �e l
(Black can only dream of 9 �xg4 gave White a strong initiative on
c£J xg4 10 �· xg4 �xd4) 9 . . . '8' c8 the weakened black squares in
1 0 0-{) ( 1 0 Etc l is stronger, return for the pawn, Darga-Toran,
planning if possible to exploit the European Teams !F, Luxemburg
opposition of q ueen and rook) 1 0 1 955.
. . . �xe2 II �xe2 c£lg4, and by 9 ... �e6
exchanging off White's important This, on the other hand, with the
bishop, Black obtained a good typical Sicilian idea of counterplay
game. on the Q-side against the c4 pawn,
gives Black reasonab le chances. A
AI possible continuation is:
8 .. . �c6 1 0 0-{) Etc8
The most natural move, and also Mikenas-Yuferov, Baltic Re
the most popular. The knight is publics and Byelorus.�ia Ch, Cornel
developed 'towards the centre', and 191-3, went I 0 . . . �a5 I I h3. ami
9 . . . c£lxe4 is threatened, winning the innovation I I . . . b5! enabled
a pawn. Black to increase the pressure on the
Now White has two main alter centre with this nank blow, since 12
natives, both of which have �xb5 �xe4 is unfa\'ourable for
Four Pawns Attack /1: 6 . . . c5 13
White, while on 12 cb Black had 11
prepared 1 2 . . . �4 1 3 .£t xg4
B
.£t xc3 1 1 §b l Jl.xg4 1 5 �xg4
i!Yb6+ 16 -'te3 ( 1 6 ..£)e3!
;t -ECO-Ed.) �xb5 1 7 §bd l l5!,
with an advantage.
I I 15
White similarly cannot '!laintain
his position in the centre by the
more reserved 11 -'te3: I I . . . a6 1 2
§c l i!Ya5 1 3 �h i b 5 1 4 cb ab 1 5 liminary exchange on cl4, or he can
-'1_xb5 .£Jxe4 Kopayev-Gusev, attempt to exploit the insufficiently
USSR Ch !F, 1 95 1 . secure position of the white knight
.J ezek-Boleslavsky, European at d4 by 9 . . . 4Jg4 or 9 . . . Ag4.
Team Ch 1 95 7, showed that Black We therefore analyse:
also has good play after 1 1 §b1 a6 A l 2 1 9 . . . e5
1 2 b3 b5 1 3 cb ab 1 4 -'1_13 (if 1 4 A l 22 9 . . . .£Jxd4 1 0 .£t xd4 e5
-'1_xb5, then 1 4 . . . .£Jxe4 1 5 A l 23 9 . . . {)g4
.£Jxe4 i!Yb6+ ) 1 4 . . . b 4 1 5 .£id5 A 1 24 9 . . . Ag4
i!Ya5. It must also be mentioned that
II . . . -'1_d7 passive play such as 9 -'td7 docs
• • •
and now:
attack on t he �-side, again along
A l 24 1 1 0 �13
the b lack squares-�h6, �5 etc.
A l 242 10 �xc6
1 5 AgS
If to Axg4 �xg4 I I 't! xg4
After 1 5 .£lgS 4)xe2+ 1 6 4) xe2
�xd4 1 2 'i!d I �6 White controls
Axe2 1 7 !! xffi h6 White's attack
more space, but Black has no
is beaten off, and he loses material.
weaknrsses and can prepare
The exchange on d4 is also bad for
counter-play on thr -8'-sidr by . .
him: l S �xd4 ed 1 6 Axg4 dc and
.
a6 and . . . b5.
White loses at least a pawn..
A 1241 15 Axf3
10 �fJ 16 .a,xf3 't!b6
This attempt to a\·oid exchanges 1 7 !!12
can cost White dearly. Uhlmann On 1 7 �h I Black had prepared
Geller, Dresden 1 959, ILLUST 1 7 . . . l! xb2 1 8 4)b5 �xbs 1 9 cb
RATIVE GAME No. 1 follows. !!d6, when he is a pawn up, and
Black, being better de\"Cloped, was White's threats are not dangerous.
the first to take acti\·e measures, 17 . . . �xf3+
and seized the initiati\" e by . . . 1 8 gf f!d3
10 . . . e5! 1 9 cS
/6 Four Pawns Allack II: 6 . . . c5
The best chance, in view of the . . . c£)e2+ ) 28 . . . � xdl+ 29 �n
threats of 1 9 . . . � xiJ and 1 9 . . . �e2, while the threat of 27 . . .
�c8. � xc3! is also highly unpleasant: 28
19 �e6 � xc3 �a·I-t\29 �fl � x n + 30
20 � c l �c8 c;t xn �xb2, or 28 be c£)e2+ ,
2 1 c£)b5 c£)h5 ( 1 2) again with a quick win.
27 c£)d5 4)xd5
Only shortage of time can
12
explain why Black did not still play
w 27 . . . � xc3. The only additional
variation White has, in comparison
with those given above, is 28 c£)xc3
(he loses after 28 be c£)e2+ 29
� xe2 � xe2 30 'i!f'd8+ c;th 7 3 1
c£)e7 h5, when therr is no defence
against the intrusion of the black
queen onto the second rank}, but
then 29 . . . � xb2 is decisive, since
Both sides act most consistently, if 30 c;t n , then 30 . . . �xc3!.
trying to obtain play where the 28 ed � xd5
conditions are favourable for this. 29 �b4
But Black's advantage is obvious. The outcome of the game is
He controls the d-file, the white decided, not so much on account of
king's position is weakened, and the Black's ex tra pawn, but rather the
white queen has clearly been enormous energy of his pieces.
trapped 'offside'. Now he tem 29 �xb4
porarily sacrifices a pawn to begin 30 �xb4 �a4
an attack. 3 1 �a3 e4
22 c£> xa7 �aS 32 fe � xe4
23 c£)b5 h6 It is worth comparing the
24 �d2 � xa2 position of each black piece with
25 c£)c7 �b3 each of White's!
26 �c3 c£)f4 33 c;th l Ad4
I n defending his numerous 34 �d2 �g5
weaknesses-in particular f3 and 35 b4 -'lc3!
b2-White has been forced to allow 36 �dB+ c;tg7
the black knight into the firing line. 37 b5 �e2
Now Black threatens 27 . . . �d I + 38 h4 �g3
28 � x d l (or 28 �fl � xc l and 29 39 c6 be
Four Pawns Attack /1: 6 . . . c5 17
40 be .a_es trouble, e.g. 1 6 . . . �db8 1 7 eS de
4 1 .a.m+ 1 8 AxeS !:lb7 1 9 c£ja2, followed
I n thi� po�ition the game was by c£jb4.
adjourned. White resigned without 1 4 cS!
resuming, in view of the variation The only chance of gaining any
41 . . . �h7 42 c7 !!g4 43 c8 = � advantage at all out of the position.
!!h2 mate. I t is interesting that if, Benko against Stein, Stockholm IZ
instead of 4 1 .a.m+ , he had chosen 1 962, played 1 4 b3 but 1 4 . . . bS!
4 1 c7, the game would have l S c£jdS (if l S c£jxbS c£jxe4 1 6
concluded 4 1 . . . !!g4 42 !!g8+ Axa7, then 1 6 . . . c£lc3+ 1 7
�h7! 43 !:lh8+ Axh8 44 c8 � c£jxc3 Axc3, and Black's position
=
bishop, and his aim should be to be c£)g 7 1 3 l!b l b6, and the
effect the break-through f4-15. This attempt at an attack: 14 15 �xl5 1 5
will enable him to begin an attack �xl5 c£)xl5 1 6 c£)g5 i!te7 did not
both on the �-side, and on the d6 achieve anything for White,
pawn. Liptay-Spassk y, World Students,
Black in his turn will build his Marianske Lazm· 1 962: if 1 7 c£)xf7
plans around seizing the e-file, and as suggested hy Minil: in ECO. E77
in particular thr important square simply 1 7 . . . 'tt x f7.
e4. At the same time he will do b l 2) 10 Axel I I be c£)g7
• • •
I d4 {)f6 17
2 c4 g6
B
3 �3 Ag7
4 e4 d6
I n practice Black sometimes
plays 4 . . . 0-o and White, if he
wishes to play the Samisch Vari
ation, has to reckon with the
possibility after 5 f3 ofS . . . cS. On
6 de Black sacrifices a pawn by 6 . . .
b6, and obtains compensation for it
both after 7 cb i!txb6 8 eS {)e8 9 f4 Sllmisch. As in the Four Pawns
d6 I 0 .£)13 {)c6 I I Ae2 Ae6, Attack, White occupies the centre
Shiyanovsky-Vasyukov, USSR Ch directly with pawns, but does so
!F, Kiev 1 957, and 7 .Q.e3 be 8 more cautiously and soundly. With
.Q.xcS {)c6 9 �d2 ftb8 1 0 ft c l his last move he reinforces his e4
fte8 I I b 3 .Q.b 7 1 2 .£)h3 d 6 1 3 .Q.I2 square, which is of special
c6 1 4 Ae2 d5 1 5 ed ed 1 6 cd {)b4, significance in King's Indian
Rabar-{;ufeld, Baku 1 964. positions. I nitially, the idea of this
Therefore on 4 . . 0-o it is
. move was to prepare �-side
simpler for White to play 5 .Q.e3, castling and an attack on the �side
and after 5 . .d6 the game reverts
. by g4, h4-h5 etc. Subsequently,
to normal variations. taking account of the counter-play
5 13 ( 1 7) found for Black, White has also
This move initiates one of the added to his arsenal the plan of a
most dangerous variations against �-side attack.
the King's I ndian Defence, which Black's counter-play in the
bears the name of the well-known Samisch Variation is based on
Germa11 grandmaster Friedrich attacking the white centre by the
28 Siimisch Variation I - early . . . e5
counter-blows . . . e5 or . . . c5, or b) 8 .Q..e 3 .Q..e6 9 �h3 .Q_xh3 10 gh
on ciTecting the flank blow . . . b5 c6 1 1 !!d l + �bd7 1 2 c5 �e7, and
against the pawn at c4. The first in Filip-P�·n��9, Amsterdam C
two plans are the more traditional 1 956, Black obtained a good game.
ones, while the third (with all its 6 .Q..e3 0-0 transposes into
modifications) has only compara section B.
tively recently become part of the AI
theory and practice of the Samisch 6 d5 ( /8)
Variation.
In the present chapter we will
/8
consider lines where Black plays
an early . . . e5 (on his 5th or B
Gth move) , while . . . c5 lines arc
d ea lt with in Chapter 4. Other
alternatives arc the subject of
Chapter 5.
Black can either play 5 . . . e5
irnmcdiatrly, or, as is more usual,
after first castling:
A 5 . . . e5
8 5 . . . 0-0 6 ... �h5
A Black clears the way for the
5 .
• • e5 advance of his f-pawn, and creates
Black's idea is to save a tempo by the immediate threat of 7 . . .
delaying castling, so as to create �h4+ . This is undoubtedly
immediate counter-play. stronger than 6 . . . �fd7 which has
Now White can either block the sometimes been played, with the
ceu t rc, or maintain the cen t ral idea of mee t i ng 7 .Q..t·3 w i t h 7 . . .
tension: .Q..h 6 8 .Q.. x h6 �h4+ and 9 . . .
A I 6 d5 �xh6. The knight's retreat to d7
A2 6 �c2 obstructs the development of
Black has no reason to fear the Black's �-side, and the knight
loss of the right to castle: 6 de de 7 cannot be maintained at c5 on
�xd8+ �xd8 and now: account of the advance b2-b1. By
a) 8 Ag5 h6! 9 -'\.h4 c6 10 f4 �e8 continuing simply 7 �h3, with the
I I fe �4 1 2 0-0-0 g5 1 3 Ag3 possible follow-up 7 . . . 0-0 8 �1'.2,
-'\.e6, with an equal game, White easily obtains the better
Krogius-Aronin, RSFSR Cham game.
pionship 1 959. 7 .Q..e 3 f5
Slimisch Variation / -early . . . e5 29
A highly interesting but White therefore prevents the
ques i ionable queen sacrifice was exchange.
introduced by Bronstein against 10 �e2 -'th4
Spassky, Amsterdam C 1 956: 7 . . . 1 1 g3 Ag5
4Ja6 8 i!rd2 i!rh4+ 9 g3 (if9 Jtf2, 1 2 g4
then 9 . . . "t'rf4, and Black either After 1 2 �c2 fg White cannot
forces the exchange of queens or a castle �-side, and his f3 pawn will
repetition of moves by 1 0 Jte3 be weak.
�h4+ , or seizes the c l -h6 12 . . . Jtxg4
diagonal) 9 . . . 4Jxg3 10 �f2 (not 1 3 fg f3
1 0 Jtf2?? 4:)xn ) 1 0 . . . 4:)xn I I 1 4 Jte3 Jtxe3
i!rxh4 4Jxe3 1 2 �f2 4Jxc4 1 3 b3. 1 5 � xe3 fe
Here both 13 . . . 4jb6 and 1 3 . . . Not 1 5 . . . i!rh4+ 1 6
4Ja3 have been played, followed in 4Jxg3 1 7 i!ff2.
each c-ase by . . . 5. Nevertheless 16 gh!
the position must be judged to be This i s stronger than 1 6 4Jxe2
favourable for White. �h4+ 1 7 �2, when Black can
8 �d2 obtain excellent attacking chances
If White should attempt to either by 1 7 . . . �f4! 1 8 �xf4 ef l 9
exploit the unprotected position of �xf4 !!ffi, o r b y 1 7 . . . �16.
the knight at h5 afler 8 ef gf 9 f4, 16 . . . ef
= �+
Black can continue either 9 . . . 1 7 � xn . �M+
4:)16, or 9 . . . 4jxf4 1 0 Jtxf4 ef 1 1 Now 18 i!tf2 � xf2+ 19 � xf2·
�h5+ '�, and his strong black !!ffi+ gives Black approximate
squared bishop compensates for the equality.
loss of castling. Boleslavsky's suggestion of 1 8
8 ... f4 �2!? is i nteresting, when i t is
I n this way Black attempts to dangerous for Black to accept the
utilize the tempo he has saved. Also sacrifice of both h-pawns, a.S this
possible, with the same aim, is 8 . . . gives White a strong attacking
i!rh4+ , when White can no longer position: 18 . . . "i!§'xh2+ 1 9 � f2
play 9 g3, in view of9 . . . 4Jxg3 1 0 �xh5 2 0 �b5 �6 2 1 �an g 5 22
�f2 f4. 1::! 16 . But 1 8 . . . oi)cl7!? leads to a
9 Jtf2 ..Q.ffi very sharp and i ntricate game.
The point of Black's plan. Since A2
he has blocked in his black-squared 6 4)ge2 ( /9)
bishop by . . . e5, he now wants to By defending d4 with his knight,
exchange it, when it will be difficult White gains the opportunity to
for White to gain an advantage. develop his black-squared bishop at
30 Siimisch Variation / - early . . . e5
pl a n n ed coun ter-a t t ack req uires
too many precious tempi, and is
obviously toq,s low. 9 . . . .£\b6 10 b3
cd I I cd Ad i'followed by . . . §.c8
was better, preventing White's �
side castling, and creating threats
on the �-side.
10 g4 aG
I I .£\g3 §.e8
1 2 h4 "t!taS
gS, creating an unpleasant pin. I 1 is From here the queen is soon
unfavourable for Black to prevent forced to retreat with loss of time.
this either by 6 h6, which
• • • The immediate 1 2 .£)18
seriously weakens the �-side, or by followed hy . . . Jl.d 7 was better.
6 • • .£\fd7, which in Bronstein
• 1 3 .ilhG .£\ffi
Krogius, 25th USSR Ch 1 958, gave 1 4 h5 �c7
White a big advantage: 7 Ae3 (the Forced. Now in the event of
immediate 7 h4, preventing . . . h5xg6 the queen can take part in
Ah6, is even stronger) 7 . . . Ah6 8 the defence of the �-side.
Af2! o-o 9 h4 c5 1 0 dS §.e8 I I g4 1 5 Ad3 bs
.£\a6 1 2 g5 Jl.g7 1 3 .£\g3. 16 o-o-o
A2 1 6 . . . .£\bd7 After 16 cb ab 17 .£)xb5 �bG
A22 6 . . . c6 followed by . . . Aa6, Black wou ld
6 • .£\c6 deserves consider
• • divert White from his �-side
ation, and if7 Ae3 o-o 8 dS .£\e7 9 attack.
"t!td2, then 9 . . . c5 1 0 de (or 10 g4 16 be ( 20)
.£\e8, followed by . . . 1'5) I 0 . . . be
I I o-o-o d5, sacrificing a pawn for 20
an a t tack. IV
A21
6 .£\bd7
• • •
Moscow 1 957.
7 Jl.g5! c6
8 "t!td2 o-o
9 d5 c5? 1 7 Jl.b l !
A strategical mistake. Black's At the cost of a pawn Tal avoids
Samisch Variation 1-ear{y . . . e5 31
the c,omplications on the �-side 25 hg
which were possible after 1 7 �xc4 25 �xd6 would be a mistake in
.Q.d7 and . . . .Q.b5. view of 25 . . . § b6 26 �f4 (26
17 �h8 - �h2? g5!) 26 . . . 4)e5, · with
1 8 §dg l §b8 chances of a successful defence.
1 9 4)1"5! 25 . . . . 4)xg6
A standard knight move, which Black is on the alert! He loses
freq uently occurs in similar quickly after 25 . . . fg 26 Ag5 �b6
positions in, for example, the Ruy 21 4)3.4 �a5 28 gn {)es (28 . . .
Lopez. In the event of the sacrifice �xa4 29 �+ �h8 30 .Q.h6) 29
being accepted, White immed .Q.e7! .Q.xg4 30 .Q.xd6, or 25 . . . hg
iately wins back the knight, and 26 Ag5 16 27 �h2 fg 28 �h8+
obtains an irresistible attack. �17 29 l!fl + 4)16 30 e5! and 3 1
19 . . . 4)6d7 �xg6+ !. ·
20 �5 �7 26 �h2
The threat was 21 4)e7+ �g7 26 �xd6? is weak in view of 26
22 h6 mate! On the tempting 20 • • • . . . �e5, with the threat of27 . . .
f6 there follows 2 1 hg hg 22 �h2, or l!b6.
2 1 . . . fg 22 �xg5. After 20 . . • 26. . . . �e5
4)b6 White, as shown by Chist 27 .Q.f4
yakov, has a pretty win by 2 1 An inaccuracy. White should not
4)h6+ �g7 22 hg hg (22 . . . fg 23 have agreed to the exchange of his
f4!) 23 �16+ �><16 24 ctlg8+ �g7 bishop, which is important for the
25 't!rh6+ �xg8 26 't!rxh8 mate. attack. He should have played 27
But now Black is forced to agree .Q.e3 4)ffi 28 �h6 4)eg6 29 Ag5.
to the exchange of his main 27 . . . {)ffi?
defender, his black-squared bishop, Better chances of saving the
which results in a decisive game were olfered by 27 . . . c£)xf4,
weakening of his �-side. when White must recapture on f4
21 4)xg7 �xg7 with his queen, since after 28
22 .Q.h6+ �g8 �xh7+ � 29 �h6+ �e7 the
23 f4! black king escapes by running
The threat off4-f5 forces Black's away.
reply, whereupon White's last and 28 l'th6 4)eg6
decisive reserves-his knight and his If28 . . . i'tb6, then 29 c£)a4 tta5
bishop at b 1 -come into play. 30 Ag5 {)ed7 3 1 e5.
23 . . . ef 29 Ag5 16 (2/)
24 �xf4 �d8! 30 e5!
Not 25 . . . 4)e5? 26 �16. A spectAcular decisive break-
32 Siimisch Variation I - tarry . . . e5
21
Not only winning a pawn, but
also threatening mate on the back
w rank. , -.
38 , ·., <li>h8
39 .a_xh7! c£)b8
40 .a.l5+ <ltg8
41 .a_e6+ .a_xe6
42 � xe6 Resigns
A22
6 ... c6
7 � s 0-0
8 i!!'d 2 i!raS
through! The retreat of the bishop, 9 dS
followed by gS, would also have 9 0-0-0 maintaining the tension
won, although not so quickly. in the centre, is also possible, but it
30 . . . !! xeS leads to unexplored play and has
If 30 . . . fg, then 3 1 .a_xg6 hg 32 not yet occurred in practice.
�h8+ <li>l7 33 !!h7+ !. 9 ... cd
3 1 .a_xg6 !!b7 1 0 cd
Black grasps at the slightest White could also gain a slightly
chance, but there is already nothing favourable ending after 10 c£)xdS
to be done! 3 1 . . . hg is decisively �xd2+ I I <ltxd2 c£)xdS 12 cd ffi
met by 32 �h8+ <ltf7 33 !!h 7 + , 1 3 .a_e3.
while on 3 1 . . . !! xgS there follows 10 . . . c£)a6
32 .a_xh7+ <ltf7 33 c£)e4. I I c£)c l !
.
32 c£)e4! fg I n th is way White blocks his
33 !! n opponent's �-side play.
White also wins by 3 3 .a_15 .a_xl5 In Sanguinetti-Fischer, Santiago
31 gP. � xc4 3S � xgS+ . 1 9S9, White adopted a diffe rent set
33 . . . !! xe4 up: I I g4 .a_d7 1 2 c£)g3, and on 1 2
There is no other defence against . . . c£)cS offered the exchange of
.£)16+ . queens by 1 3 c£)bS. Instead of
34 .a_xe4 !!g 7 exchanging, Black should play 1 3
The threat was 3S !! xf8+ �xffi . . . �b6!, with plans of a counter
36 .a_xh7+ . attack after 1 4 c£)a3 aS! I S c£)c4
3S !! ffi �c7 1 6 h4 a4 1 7 hS bS, when i t is
3 6 !!hn dangerous for White to play 1 8
37 !! xd6 �h2 b xc4 1 9 .a_xffi �aS+ 20
38 !! xa6 <ltd I gS! 2 1 .a_xgS a3!, while on 1 8
Siimisch Variation ! - tarry . . e5 33
.
was enabled td open the h-file and that Black is deprived of the
begin an attack. possibility of carrying out the
Later it was established that by familiar plan with . . . e4 and . . . f4,
playing 13 . . f4! 1 4 .£j x h5 fe
. since his knight cannot reach the
1 5 .£jxf6+ i!txf6 Black gains blockading square e5.
'
compensation for the material Apart from this mo\'e, Black has
deficit: various other continuations:
a) 16 i!txe3 e4 1 7 fe -'\.d7 18 -'\.e2 11 . aS is a traditional, purely
. .
34
ll
lead in development. White was that all While's plans were based. I f
evidently afraid of castling, since now 2 0 . . . -'l.d 7, then 2 1 gS �hS
after I S 0-D �xd3 1 6 �xd3 f4 1 7 22 �e4, and White slands well.
. ..
and practice has yet to give an 0-{) �a6 1 2 a3 �c5 1 3 �c2 �d7
answer as to whether or not it is 1 4 .§ bI, and there is no defence
correct. On the whole, it suits Black against b2-b4.
if the sacrifice is declined: However, I consider that more
a) 9 dc bc 1 0 �xc4 �xc6 followed active piece play such as 9 �6
• . •
42 43
B B
Here again 8 .£)h3 deserves con .£)d5, and now the queen sacrifice
sideration, with the idea after 8 . . . 1 4 . . . .£)xd5 1 5 Jtxd8 .£)e3 1 6
c5 9 d5 e6 1 0 0-0 cd of capturing ifod3 !!axd8 1 7 �xe3 .£)xc2 1 8
on d5 with the c-pawn, and i!rc3 .£\ x a l 1 9 !! xa l Jta6 proved
reinforcing e4 with the knight from to be incorrect, and White quickly
f2 . realized his material advantage: 20
I f Black, as in a similar instance i!rc2! h5 2 1 i!ra4 !!d2 22 .£)c3 Jtc8
considered earlier, avoids . . . c5, 23 !!d I , Botvinnik-Stein, USSR
and develops by 8 . . .£\bd7 9 0-0
. Team Ch 1 964.
c5 10 d5 a5 I I i!fd2 .£)c5 1 2 Jte2 b2) 12 . . i!fxdl 1 3 !!fxd I .£)d4
•
.£\h5, here too White's position is 14 .Q.a4, and White has a minimal,
preferable, Savon-Stein, 34th but stable advantage, in the form of
USSR Ch 1 966 /67. the more active placing of his
8 ... c5 bishops, and the possibility of i!f
9 d5 side play.
I n this way White forces Black to 9 e6 ( 45)
modify his plans. But he can also Now White has two plans,
permit . . . e5, and must merely
take care, since in some cases Black 45
has the threat of. . . �4, atta�;king w
d4:
a) 9 �d2 .£\c6 10 0-0 �4! I I fg cd
1 2 .£)xd4 .£)xd4 1 3 Jth6 .£\c6 1 4
§, f3 Jtc8 1 5 Jtxg7 'l\'xg7 1 6 §.h3
§.h8, and Black easily exploited his
opponent's numerous pawn weak
nesses, Blagidze-Stein, Baku 1 964.
Samisch Variation /1- with . . . c5 6/
depending upon with which pawn 22 �xc2 f5 23 e5 a6! ( the
he recaptures on dS after . . . ed by immediate 23 . . . �xd5?? loses to
Black. We will consider: 24 ,§bS) 24 �a4 i!fxd5 25 ct)xb6
C2 1 10 0-{) ed I I cd i!fe4, and Black's pair of bishops
C22 10 Jtgs ed I I ed compensates for White's superior
C21 pawn formation.
10 0-0 ed C22
I I cd �bd7 10 _Qg5 ( 46)
1 2 ftb l
Also possible is the maximum 46
concentration ofheavy pieces in the B
centre, by which White, firstly,
prevents Black's thematic . . . c4,
which frees cS for a knight, and,
secondly, prepares the break
through with f4 and eS. E.g. 1 2
�g3 fte8 1 3 ft e l a6 1 4 a4 �eS I S
b3 .[)fd7 1 6 ft c l �xd3 1 7 i!fxd3
ftc8 18 f4, and Black's position
remains cramped. Intending to recapture on dS
12 �eS with the e-pawn, White prevents
1 3 b4 ct)fd7 the manoeuvre . . . ct)e8-c7, with
14 be the idea of. . . bS. But in doing so he
The attempt to cramp Black wastes an important tempo,
completely by 1 4 bS does not making a second move with an
succeed: 14 . . . �xd3 I S i!fxd3 already developed piece.
ct)eS 16 i!+'c2 �c8, and by . . . 15 10 . . . ed
Black creates counter-play. 1 1 ed ct)bd7
14 . . . ct)xc5 1 2 b3
I S �c2! Preserving his d3 . bishop from
·
This quiet reply, with the follow exchange, which would result after
up .Q.d4, f4 and the exchange of 1 2 0-{) 4:)eS.
black-squared bishops, promises 12 . . . a6
White an advantage. 1 3 a4
After the hasty I S �xeS de 16 f4. White pins his hopes on a �-side
on the other hand, Black gain� auack, and therefore tries to
counter-chances by 16 . . . c4!: 1 7 radically prevent . . . b5, even at
-'\.c2 ct)g4 1 8 i!td2 i!fd6 1 9 h3 the cost of a weakening of his i!f
i!;'cS+ 20 �h I .[)e3 2 1 ftr.3 �xc2 �ide pawns.
62 Siimisch Variatio11 // - with . . c5
.
13 . .
. h6 fi le. He has no active counter-play,
Otherwise White plays �d2, when·as by h3, � 13, �an etc.
and firmly Seizes the C ) - h6 Whitl' can prepare an al lack on the
diagonal. �-side. · ,''.,
B5 .0-{) 6. . . . �c6
. . �xh6 g5 1 3 �h3 �xh3 1 4 gh
A �hB 15 !!g l !!gB 16 e5 4)e8 1 7
5 ... c6 (47) h4, and White · won easily,
Polugayevsky-Shiyanovsky, 28th
47 USSR Ch, Baku 196 1 .
II' b) 9 • • �e6 1 0 h 4 �xc4 II �xc4
•
be 1 2 h5 �hB 1 3 hg fg 1 4 4)h3!
!!eB 1 5 �e2 e6 1 6 g4 4)bd7 1 7 f4
'i!ta5 1 8 f5 !!ab8 1 9 fg hg 20 e5, and
B lack ' s · . posttlon collapsed,
Averbakh -Petrosian, Moscow
1 96 1 .
6 jte3 a6 ( 48)
Here White has three possible
'
The start of a plan, which is plans:
direc ted in the fint instance against A I 7 c5!?
the possibility of �-side castling by A2 7 'i!td2, intending 0-{)-{),
White. A3 7 Jl,d3, intending 0-Q.
Black can also carry out this plan If White attempts to prevent 7
aftrr fint castling himself, but . . . b5 by 7 a4, Black blocks the. i!t-
64 Siimi.rrh Vnrintion Ill - Altrrnnfit•rs
side hy 7 . . . aS, with chancel! of K orch noi - G heorg h i u , M osc ow
equalizing: 1 97 1 , when by 1 8 . . . ftc8 Black
a) 8 .£)ge2 .£ja6 9 .£jc l .£jd 7 1 0 could hav� · now prepared the
.£jb3 e S I I d S .£)deS 1 2 .£) xeS advance ofhis.�.pawn, �o as to have
.£) xeS, and Black has overcome all cS for his pieces.
hi� difficulties, Korchnoi-Byrne, 9 ... o-o
Hastings 1 97 1 /72. 10 4Jge2 .£jbd 7
b) 8 -'td3 .£la6 9 4Jge2 o-o 10 o-o I I 0-Q cS
eS I I 'i!rd2 .£jd7 12 .§ad I, Bobotsov The prophylactic I I . . . .§e8!?
Stein, Ukraine-Bulgaria, 'Odessa deserves consideration, although
1 968, and now by 1 2 . . . 'i!re 7 Black even then Whi te's position is better.
could have obtained a very sound 1 2 eS! 'i!re 7
posi tion. 1 2 . . . de is bad on account of 1 3
de fol lowed by .£je4 .
48 1 3 -'te4 .£jxe4
"' Or 1 3 . . . .§ b8 1 4 ed �xd6 I S
de , and although Black can win a
pawn, his position is lost.
1 4 .£j x e4 de
I S de -'tb7
1 6 .£jd6
White has a big advantage,
Bronstein-Podgayets, 42nd USSR
AI Ch ( 1 st L) 1 974.
7 cS!? A2
An interesting plan, whereby 7 'i!rd2 ( 49)
White exchanges his c-pawn for
Black's d-pawn, since bad is 7 . . . 49
de 8 d e , when Black's 'i!r-side is IJ
frm:en.
7 bS
8 cd ed
9 -'td3
White prepares to strike a blow
1 11t h e centre. This is an
impro\'ement on 9 a4 -'tb 7 1 0 .£jh3
o -o I I Ae2 .£jbd 7 1 2 0-o .§e8 1 3
�d2 b4 1 4 .£jd l aS I S .£jhrl cS I 6 White immediately prepares �
d 5 Aa6 1 7 Axa6 .§ xa6 1 8 AgS, side castling.
Siimisch Variation l/1 - Alternatives 65
7 ... b5 !!bB, but after 1 2 �d2 he
For the moment Black avoids committed an inaccuracy: 12 . . .
determining the position ofhis king, be?! (Correct was 1 2 . �b6!,
. •.
c£ld4 1 1 c£lge2 c5 1 2 de be 1 3
w
c£jxd4 ed 1 4 .Q.xd4 !!b8, and the
activity of mack's pieces com
pensates for the sacrificed pawn;
thus on 15 .Q.e3 he has 15 . . . �a5,
and if 1 6 � xd6, then 1 6 . . .
!! xb2!, when 1 7 �xb2 fails to 1 7
. . . 4)xe4.
Now White has two ways of con
Both sides have declared their tinuing his attack:
intentions. White intentionally B i l l 9 .Q.h6
leaves his �-side undeveloped, so B l l 2 9 h4
as to hinder Black's . . . b5 (it can B i l l
easily be carried out with the white 9 .Q.h6
knight at e2) . We should also point After this Black does not have to
out that in this specific instance 8 fear so much the closing of the
. . . !!b8 is the most logical move; centre by . . . e5 and d5, �ince he
after the opening of the b-file the gets rid of his bishop at g7, which is
rook must be ready for active play. very strong with the centre open,
Also possible, however, is the but extremely passive when it is
prophylactic move 8 . . . fte8, closed.
preserving the g7 bishop from 9 ... e5
exchange, and supporting the 9 . . . .Q.xh6! is in fact stronger,
counter . . . e5, which is essential in 1 0 �xh6, and only now 1 0 ... e5,
many instances. White, it is true, when Black diverts the white queen
can begin an immediate storm of from the centre, and obtains
the black king's position by 9 h4, dangerous counter-play on the i!f
and now: side: 1 1 4)gc2 b5! 1 2 d5 c£ja5 1 3
Siimisch Variation Ill - Allemalives 69
.£lg3, Averbakh-Bielczyk, Pol 1 5 h4 �h8
anica Zdroj 1 975; and now by 1 3 1 6 h5 �8
. . . c6!? Black could have opened 1 7 �d2 �5
all the lines against the white king. Black has a good game.
10 �e2 B112
If 10 d5, then 10 . . . .Q.xh6 I I 9 h4 e5
tf'xh6 �d4 1 2 �e2 c5 1 3 de 1 0 d5
�xc6, and on 14 c5 Black begins I fWhite does not wish to concede
an attack with 1 4 . . . tfoa5 1 5 cd d4, and plays 1 0 �e2, then after
Ac6 1 6 �b l b5. I 0 . . . b5 the game can transpose
10 . .
. b5! into the variation just considered:
I I d5 1 1 d5 4)a5 1 2 �3 b4 etc.
H ere I I h4? be 1 2 h5 allows 10 .•. . c£)d4
Black to reply 1 2 . . . �b4!, and Black has achieved one of his
after 1 3 <i)g3 cd! 14 ..Q.xg7 de 1 5 be basic aims. His pawn sacrifice is
·
essential.
10 • be? instead is erroneous:
• .
• . a6
55 We now consider three· possibil
w ities for White:
B2 1 8 a3
822 8 � I
823 8 �d2
B21
. 8 a3
White can also begin preparing
an attack on the �-side by 8 Hb I ,
since Black cannot reply 8 . . b5: 9
.
c) 1 1 . 4)e5 1 2 _Q_e2 c6 1 3 �d l
o o c 5 4)ffi 1 5 _Q_d3 re 1 6 4Jxe4 4Jxe4
b5 1 4 cb ab 1 5 b4 _Q_d7 1 6 o-o. 1 7 _Q_xe4 i!fh4+ 18 i!rf2, with advan
In all these cases White has tage to White, Polugayevsky
slightly the more comfortable Szabo, Mar Del Plata 1 962.
game. 12 o c£lh5 is over-hasty: 1 3
o o
c£ld5 (on 9 �xe5 Black has the Jtc5 �4, and in Tal-Giigoric, C
familiar counter-blow 9 Match, 1 968, a draw was agreed,
�xe4) , and now: since in Tal's opinion Black even
a) 9 . . �e8? 10 0-{)-{) �d7 ( 1 1
• has slightly the more pleasant
�e7+ was threatened) 1 1 Jte2 c6 position.
1 2 �c3 f6 1 3 c5, with advantage to White plays the opening in full
White, Larsen-Miagmarsuren, accordance with classical prin
Soussc IZ 1 967. ciples. He sets up a broad pawn
Classical 1: Introduction and 6 . . �4
. 77
examples:
c l ) 8 h3 (starting an immediate
attack on the king) 8 . . . e5 9 g4 c6
1 0 ,a.e3 cd I I cd a6 1 2 4)d2 b5 1 3
M, Furman-Milic, USSR-Yugo
slavia 1 957.
c2) 8 o-o c6 9 �c2 (White vacates
78 Classical 1: Introduction and 6 . . . �4
d I for his rook, although he can also For the moment White avoids
gain an advantage by 9 .itg5 h6 1 0 determining the position of his
..Q.h4 ed I I cd f!e8 1 2 c£)d 2 c6 1 3 black-squareQ bishop, and keeps
f!c l a6 1 4 Ag 3 cd 1 5 ed, with the open the poss i bility in some cases of
threat of 16 .f:lc4, Toran-Wester playing Ag5.
inen, Malaga 1 967) 9 . . . c6 1 0 de 7 ... <£lfd7
..Q.xe6 I I f!d l �e7 1 2 ..Q.f4 f!d8 In the event of 7 . . . c5 R d5 we
13 f!d2, and Black is tied to the reach a position from the Benoni
defence of his d6 pawn, Schmid Defence, which does not come
Wcsterinen, Havana 1 967. · within the bounds of our analysis.
We now consider two mam We will merely remark that here
continuations for White: the development of the bishop at g4
A 7 0--{) is a loss of time.
B 7 _ite3 8 _itc3
By playing 7 h3 White essentially Forced, in view of the familiar
falls in with his opponent's threat of . . . �c6, . . . e5 and . . .·
initiative is the more dangerous, Jtg5 c£)e5 1 6 i!Yh3 Ete8 1 7 f4, when
e.g. IR . . . b6 19 cd cd 20 c£)e2 g4 White also seized the initiative on
2 1 Etc6. the �-side, Birnboim-Dzhindz
B hihashvili, Netanya, 1 977.
7 .Q.e3 c£)fd7 a2) i 3 . . �b8 1 4 a4 e5,
· .
f5.
At this point we consider two
The basic positiOn of the main continuations for Black:
Classical System. White now has A 7 . . . c£)bd7
three possible plans; he can block B 7 . . . aS
the centre with 7 d5 as in this and I mmediate attempts to carry out
the next chapter, exchange pawns . . . f5 are somewhat premature,
as in var. A of Chapter 9, or viz.:
maintain the central tension with 7 a) 7 • • c£le8. This passive move
.
1 5 �h i , Antoshin-Vasyukov,
USSR Teams Ch 1 962.
b) 12 • • c£)fxe4 1 3 .£ld ><e4 .£lxe4
•
..Q.h3 1 2 §.el ..Q.ffi, with an equal cS, fell into disuse following the
game, Petrosian-Uhlmann, Mos suggestion of the author of these
cow 1 967. lines of 1 0 . . . ..Q.h6! Now White
9 ... h6 cannot avoid the exchange of his
·
complicated position with chances the queen will all the same have to
for both sides. go to e7, and it can do this either
I I <tl<i2 from e8, or from d7.
Or 1 1 h3 .£lh6 1 2 <tld2 .Q.,d7 1 3
r.J "t'rcll 1 4 h3 15 1 5 !! b l re 1 6
64
� xe4 .£)15, and the weak black w
squares in White's position give his
opponent equal chances, Petro
sian-Quinteros, Vinkovci 1 970.
Gligorit--Geller, USSR -Rest of
the World , Belgrade 1 970, now
continued I I . . .£)h6 1 2 f3 .Q.,d 7
.
68
B
The critical position of this
variation.
At the cost of weakening his
white squares on the �-side, Dlack
has prepared the advance . . 1'5.
I d4 .£)f6
2 c4 g6 74
3 .£)c3 �7 w
4 e4 d6
5 .£)f3 0-{)
6 �e2 e5 ( 73)
73
w
' ·.,
....
doing this) 8 d5 c£)c7 9 {)d2 c£)d7 gains the initiative on the i!f-side,
I 0 b4 15 I I f3 <t)ffi 12 c5 §. f7 1 3 J imenez-Uhlmann, Palma de
<t)c4, and White's attack comes Mallorca 1 970.
first, Donner-Mista, Cienfuegos b2) 9 • •gS 10 .Q.g3 <t)h6! I I cS g4
•
12 <t)xd2, with the beuer ending difficult pos1 t1on for Black,
for White. Hort-Giigoric, San Antonio 1 972.
a2) 10 §.dB I I 0-0 c£Jc17 1 2
• • •
off the kni�ht at c5) 1 3 . . . Jtxc l idea or switching the rook from e8
1 1 § xc l l£j x b3 1 5 �xb3 c5, with to the �-siclc:
a rather cramped but solid position a) 13 a3 �4 14 h3 Axf3 I S i!rxf3
for Black, Reshevsky-Agdamus, a4 1 6 ba l£jxa4 17 l£jxa4 § xa4 1 8
Buenos Aires 1 970. 'i!rb3 §a7, with an equal game,
It should also be mentioned that Schmidt -Dvoretsky, Polanica
other plans, in particular play on Zdroj 1 973.
the <31>-side, do not promise White b) 13 Ag5 h6 1 4 .1ld2 Ad7 IS a3
any advantage: cd 16 cd §ec8 1 7 a1 't'rd8 1 8 g3
12 Ag5 h6 1 3 Jth4 gS 1 4 �3 i':Yf8 1 9 l£jh4, and White controls
�4 I S �e3 'i!rb6, with chances more space on both wings,
for both sides, R. Garcia Malich-Mohring, Halle 1 974.
Schweber, Mercedes Argentina 1 3 de!?
1 968. White reacts flexibly to his
12 g3 �4 1 3 h3 .Q_d7 14 l£jd2 opponent's play.
i!rc8 I S <it'h2 �18, with an equal He gains nothing by the direct 1 3
game, Gipslis-Vasyukov, 34th a3 cd 1 4 cd, and now:
USSR Ch 1 966 /67. a) 14 a4 (the weaker
12 h3, and now: alternative) 1 5 ba l£jxa4 16 frb3
a) 12 • . J1,d7?! 1 3 l£jd2! liJhS 1 4
. l£jxc3 1 7 �·xc3 §a4 1 8 1£jd2 i!fb8
l£jb3 l£jxb3 I S i'fxb3 �b8 1 6 1 9 !!b6, and White's attack on the
i!fd I ! cd 1 7 liJxdS Jtc6 1 8 .Q_e3, weak pawns at b7 and d6 gives him
and the threat or 19 .1lb6 is highly the advantage, Taimanov
unpleasant, Gligoric-Stein, Sousse Liberzon, 37th USSR Ch, Moscow
IZ 1967. 1 969.
b) 12 . .cd 1 3 cd Ad 7 14 b3 bS I S
• b) 14 b5 I S b4 ab 1 6 § xb4
. . .
I d4 c£)ffi A
2 c4 g6 8 _Q_e3
3 c£)c3 -'tg7 White attempts to maintain the
4 e4 d6 tension. Two continuations have
5 .£)!3 0-{) been tried for Black:
6 _Q_e2 e5 A I 8 . . . c£lg4
7 0-{) c£)c6 (8/) A2 8 . . . f!e8!
AI
8 ... c£)g4
81
9 -'tg5 ffi
w 10 _Q_h4
Or 1 0 _Q_c l lt'h8! I I d5 c£)e7 1 2
.£le i 15 1 3 _Q_xg4 fg 1 4 f3 gf 1 5
f! x f3 c£)g8! I 6 _Q_e3 .£)16 1 7 �d2
_Q_d7 1 8 c£)d3 �e7 1 9 Ag5 f!f7 20
f!afl f!affi, with equal chances,
Sofrevski-Uhlmann, Skopje 1976.
10 ... lt'h8!
Weaker is 1 0 . . . ftd7 I I h3
The most modern system of c£)h6, and now:
defence. Black tries to provoke an a) 12 d5?! c£)e7 1 3 c£)d2 g5 1 4 _Q_g3
immediate stabilization of the c£lg6, with the better game for
centre, in order to have his hands Black, Unzicker-Spassky, Palma
freed for counter-play on the lt' de Mallorca 1 969.
side. b) 12 de, and if 1 2 . . . de, then 1 3
We consider two replies for �xd7 _Q_xd7 1 4 �5 f!ac8 1 5 c5,
White: with some advantage to White.
A 8 _Q_e3 I I de de
B 8 d5 12 �5
Classical VI: 7 0-0 c£)c6 117
Or 1 2 �xdS .£j xdS 1 3 .£jd5
·
13 §fd l
.£je6. 13 c£)xe6 gives Black the
12 . . . .£je7 initiative after 1 3 . . . �xe6 1 4 n
Najdorf-Uhlmann, Moscow c6 1 5 c£)c3 Hd7 1 6 �fd l �(8 1 7
1 967, now continued 1 3 4:)d2 .£jh6 � b6, Reshevsky-Fischer, Santa
14 �c2 c6 1 5 .:£)xe7 �xe7 16 n Monica 1 966 .
.:£)f7 1 7 �12 .:£)g5! I S c5 f5 1 9 �d3 After 13 c£)xa7 .£jf4 1 4 �xf4 ef
.:£)e6 20 §fe l �g5 2 1 �n .£jf4, 1 5 .£!xeS � xeS 16 f3 �7 1 7
with counter-chances. fiab l HaS 1 8 a 3 �d4+ 1 9 �h l
A2 h6 Black has perfectly adequate
8 ... fie8! compensation for the pawn,
Black immediately exploits the according to analysis by Najdorf.
fact that the e4 pawn is lacking in 13 . . . b6
defence. 1 3 . . . c6 involves the sacrifice of
9 de a pawn after 1 4 .£j x a7:
Or 9 d5 .:£)d4 10 .:£)xd4 ed I I a) 14 . �d7 1 5 c£)xe6 �xe6 1 6
• .
(in order to vacate the square e4 for !:lg2 '@'eS 2 1 �d2, and Black does
his pieces, since on 1 7 �d2 .£)15! not have full compensation for the
Black has a decisive attack) 1 7 . . . piece.
�xeS 1 8 .£)ge4 {}£5 1 9 �g I ( th� b) 18 • .£)£5 19 ef �xgS+ 20
• •
B2 10 g3
9 �d2 (86) I! If 1 0 �c l , then 10 . . . f5 I I ef
{)xf5 12 c£Je4 4:)f4 1 3 �e I
{)xe2+ 1 4 't'fxe2 b6 1 5 b4 h6,
86
with a promising game for Black,
B Taimanov-Spassky, 4 1 st USSR Ch
1 973.
10 . . . (5
I I cf
In Plachetka-A. Rodriguez,
Tbilisi /Sukhumi 1977, White
played I I {)g5!? immediately, and
on I I . {)f6 1 2 !3, reinforcing his
. .
Classical VI: 7 0-0 �6 125
e4 square; " after 1 2 . . . c6 1 3 i!tb3 ef?l gf 1 2 4JgS is in fact weaker: 1 2
h6 1 4 �6 Axe6 IS de i!tc8 1 6 . . . h6 1 3 �6 Axe6 1 4 de i!tc8 I S
Ae3 i!fxe6 1 7 J3ad I �h8 1 8 i!tb3 c6 1 6 AhS ( threatening 1 7
i!fxb7 J3fb8 1 9 -ttc 7! �eff 20 -traS Al7+ ) 1 6 . . . -tt x e6 1 7 i!fxb7
J3 xb2 2 1 J3 b l J3 xb l 22 J3 x b l �ffi 18 Ae2 Jlfb8 19 i!ta6 J3 xb2,
White had the ini i iative for the and Black had both a material and
sacrificed pawn. a pa>itional advantage in Taimanov
II . . . �xl5 Fischer, Match ( I ) 1 97 1 .
Weaker is I I . . . Axf5 1 2 4JgS But I I �5!? deserves con
�ffi 1 3 g4! Ad7 1 4 4Jge4, when sideration: I I . . . h6 1 2 �6 Axe6
White gains a firm hold of e4, 1 3 de i!tc8 14 cS! and now:
without allowing the black knight a) 14 . • de I S �S �xdS 16 ed
•
B4222 I I . . le .
B4223 I I . . .£)!6.
84221
11 . . . c5
The critical position in this line. Fischer's suggestion, the aim of
13 . . . ef which is to delay White's Qside
Black's simplest course, since he offensive.
cannot favourably maintain the 1 2 f4
tension in the centre: Or 1 2 f3 f4 1 3 � b l .£)16 1 4 b4 b6
13 • •<£)b6 14 c5 <£)c4 1 5 Ac l
• 1 5 a4 g5 1 6 a5! �17 1 7 �a l ,
de 1 6 <£)xc5 �e7 1 7 <£)e6! Axe6 Schauweckcr-Bollcrill, European
1 8 de <£)b6 1 9 i!i'b3 �ae8 20 Ae3 Team Ch, Bath 1 973, and now
i!fxc6 2 1 Ac5, Tal-Savon, 29th Black should have defended by 1 7
USSR Ch, Baku, 1 96 1 . . . . Ad7, with a somewhat inferior
13 • • i!fe7 1 4 i!fd2 e4 1 5 .£)12
• position.
<£)16, Reshevsky-Benko, Buenos 12 . . . a6
Aires 1 960, and now by 1 6 <£)b5! a6 1 3 a4
1 7 <£)d4 Ad7 18 i!fa5 White could A double-edged game results
have gained a considerable from 1 3 fe <£)xe5 14 <£)xc5 AxeS
advantage. 1 5 Ah6 �17.
14 <£)xf4 <£)xf4 13 . . . cf
1 5 Axf4 a6 1 4 jtxf4
It is important to prevent the Or 1 4 <£) x f4 <£)e5 1 5 <£)e6 Axe6
manoeuvre <£)b5-d4. 1 6 de fc, with chances for both sides.
Now the chances arc roughly 14 .a_xc3!?
equal after 16 �d2 �ffi 17 �ac l 1 5 be fc
<£)e5 . 1 6 <£)c I .£)15
8422 Weaker is 1 6 . . . .£)16? 1 7 g4!
1 1 Ad2 �g7 18 <£)g2 b6 1 9 �b l �a7 20
Classical VI: 7 0-0 liJc6 135
.§b2 !!b7 2 1 4)c3 h6 22 h4, and . . . �h8, in order to remove his
Black is very cramped, Belyavsky king from the a2-g8 diagonal, and
Vogt, Cienfuegos 1 976. to have the possibility of countering
Now an extremely sharp position 1 3 c5 with 1 3 . . . c6. At the same
results after 1 7 g4 .£Jg7 f8 Axd6 time g8 is vacated for the knight at
g x n + 19 Axn 4)16 20 Axc5 e 7. After 1 3 !!c I here too Black can
ctlxg4 21 !!a2. resort to the blockading move 1 3
84222 . . . c5, and on 1 4 g4 .Q.d7 1 5 a3 a5
11 . . • fe 1 6 b3, Taimanov-Geller, 4 1st
Black immediately releases the USSR Ch 1 973, can reply 16 . . .
tension in the centre. {)eg8, with a complicated double
1 2 .£) x e4 .£)16 edged game.
1 3 Al1 1 3 c5 g5
Or 1 3 11 .£jf5 1 4 .£jdl2, when 14 .§ c l
Black gains an t:qual game by, for The most natural.
instance, 1 4 . . . .£jd4 1 5 Ag5 .Q.rs 14 cd cd 15 !! c l leads to a
16 {)g4 .Q.xe4 1 7 fe h5 18 .£)12 transposition of moves.
�d7 19 .Q.e3 �e7 20 �d2 {)d7, The premature 14 {)b5?
Suetin-Stein, Hastings 1 967 /68. weakens the e4 square, and after 1 4
13 . 0 0 ctlf5 . . . a6 1 5 cd cd 1 6 {)a3 g4 1 7 c£)c4
L4 .£jxffi+ �xffi g3 1 8 .Q.a5 �e8 1 9 �e 1 c£)h5 20
Weaker is 1 4 . . . .Q.xffi 15 .Q.e4 {)xd6 �g6 2 1 {)xc8 gh+ 22
{)d4 1 6 .Q.c3 .Q.rs 1 7 .Q.xf5 {)xf5 �xh2 .§a xeS 23 .Q.c3 c£)g3. gave
18 �g4, when White, who controls Black a strong attack in
e4, stands better. Gurgenidze-Tal, USSR Team Ch
Sosonko-Gligoric, Lj ubljana 1 955.
1 977, now continued 15 Ae4 .Q.d7 14 . . .
c£)g6
16 .§ e l !!ae8 1 7 !!c l �h4, with Black also has another, more
sufficient counter-chances (on 18 c5 rapid counter-attacking plan: 1 4
Black has the reply 18 . . . .Q.b5). . . . h 5 (preparing . . . g4, for which
84223 a knight is transferred to h6) 1 5
11 . . •
4)f6 {)b5, and now:
Black builds up his forces for a) 1 5 . g4? 1 6 .Q.b4 {)e8 1 7
• •
1 2 11 f4 Langcwcg-Evans, Amsterdam
Black sometimes has resort to 1 2 1 97 1 .
136 Classical V1: 7 0-0 �6
b2) 18 . ..£jg8! 1 9 �c2 .£jh6 20 cd
• plicated. White has already set up
cd 2 1 h3 a6, with a double-edged strong pressure on the �-side,
position, Schmidt-Mukhin, Decin whel_'eas Black is merely threaten
1 974. ing to �pen up the game; but on the
1 5 cd cd other hand the object of his attack is
16 .£jb5 the opposing king, and this makes it
The prophylactic 1 6 .£jl2 a6! I 7 more dangerous. Both sides must
�b3 h5 1 8 h3 .£jh4 19 �c2 �(7 20 therefore play exactly and actively.
�fc l �ffi 2 1 .£ja4 b5 22 ci:)b6 A possible continuation is 2 1
�xb6 23 §. xeS §. xeS 24 §. xeS �b3 (or 2 1 aS ci:)h4 22 �e l �d 7,
g4 25 §.c6! led to a roughly equal Schaufelberger-Marovic, Muttenz
position in Furman-Browne, Wij k 1 97 1 ) 21 . . . ci:)h4 22 §.c2, and
aan Zee 1 975. now:
16 . . . §,f7 a) 22 • • ci:)f6 23 §.fc I g4 24 fg
.
17 . . • ci:)e8 842232
IS a4 h5 17 . . . g4
IS . . . �d7 is weaker, since it This leads to our
prematurely weakens b7. After 1 9 ILLUSTRATIVE GAME No. 10,
�b3 �ffi 20 §.c2 h 5 2 1 4::)12 a6 22 Larsen-Tal, 5th game, Candidates'
ci:)a3 ci:)ffi 23 h3 §.g7 24 §,fc I g4 25 3rd place Match, Eersel 1 969.
fg hg 26 hg .£je8 27 aS §.bS 2S �e l Black's last move was dictated in
lte7 29 '{itb6, Larsen-Najdorf, the first instance by purely
Santa Monica 1 966, White gained competitive considerations. It's
a decisive advantage. sharper, more risky. In view of his
19 4::)12 �ffi position in the match (the Ex
20 h3 World Champion was losing 1 -3)
Simplification such as 20 ci:)xa7 only a win would do for Tal, and
§.c7 21 �aS � xc2 22 �xdS therefore he was prepared to make
§. xe2 does not give White any any sort of sacrifice-even a semi-
advantage. correct one.
20 . . . §.g7 IS ci:)c7 gf
The position 1s highly com- 19 gf �h3
Classical VI: 7 0-0 �6 137
20 otlxa8 that the sacrificing is beginning
· If White had been aiming for an to appeal to the chess goddess
advantage, he would have played Caissa . . .
20 �6. But with his lead in. the 25 .Q.f2 f3
match Larsen was quite content to 26 .Q.xh4 �xh4+
draw. After 26 . . . .Q.xm White had a
20 . . . otlxe4 choice between losing by 27 �xm
Of course, it was not for the sake fe+ + 28 �1 l! fl + 29 � xn
of unfavourable exchanges by 20 �h l + 30 �xh l ef = � mate, and
. . . ..Q.xn 2 1 �c8 !!ffi 22 �xd8 . . . winning by 27 �!
!! xd8 23 .Q.xn !! xa8 24 !!c7 27 4::)f2 fe
that Black chose such a risky 28 �xe2 (92)
variation.
2 1 fe �g5+
22 � �g2+ 92
In Adamski-Geller, Budapest B
1970, after 22 . . . �h4+ 23 � 1
i!t"g5+ 24 � a draw was agreed.
In principle Black can consider this
to be something of an achievement,
but in this particular instance only
a win would do for Black.
23 �e l �h4
The openly impatient 23 . . . f3 is
refuted by force: 24 !!f2 �g 1 + 25 28 . . . e4!
..Q.n {}h4 26 .Q.e3 .Q.xn 27 �2.
It is true that similarly, after A move which White had not
the move played, White could foreseen, although he had about
have halted the attack by 24 otlf2 one and a half hours remaining on
ct!f3+ 25 �d l �4 26 �c3. In his clock, as opposed to three
'j ustification' we can only say that minutes (!!) for Black. Black's
analysis and play are two different attack is insufficient after 28 . . .
things . . . .Q.xn 29 �xn �xh2, but now
24 .Q.e3? �xe4! this is how Black would play, with
Of course, not 24 . . . fe 25 !! x f7 the gain of an important tempo, in
�xf7 26 .Q.h5 + . But now bad for reply to 29 �c4. On 29 �c7 Black
White is 25 4::) x f4 �xe3 26 otlxh3 has a stronger reply in 29 . . . .Q.xn
{)g2+ 27 �1 !! xfl + 28 .Q.xn 30 �xn �5 (but not 30 . . . �m
i!t"el mate! One is led to conclude 31 � xg7+ ! and 32 4::)c 7!) .
138 Classical V1: 7 0-0 o£y6
29 §.g l c3 the �-side, so as to then continue
30 '+!f'xc3 §.e7 his oflensive on the '§'-side.
3 1 §. xg7+ �xg7 H <:. achieves this after 11 . . . fg?!
.
32 §.c7 Ad7 12 fg .'§. x O + 1 3 �xn , and now:
33 §. xd7 §. xd7 a) 13 • • . h6 14 h4 .£)16 1 5 g5 c£)h7
34 '+!f'xa 7? 16 Ae3 '+!f'd7 1 7 �g l '+!f'h3 18 c£lg2
Analysis showed that White hg 19 hg, and all Black's minor
could still have drawn by 34 '+!f'c3+ pieces arc extremely unpromisingly
�ffi 35 '+!f'g3+ ! � 36 4Jcf3, placed, G hi tescu -Bolboc h a n ,
although not wit hout difficulty. Varna O L 1 962.
31 . . . !:!e7+ b) 13 . . . c£)f6 14 c£ld3 c5 IS Ae3
35 �d l Ad7 1 6 �g l �h8 1 7 �h l '+!f'c7 1 8
Better purely practical chances g 5 c£)fg8 1 9 c£)b5, Portisch-Attard,
of saving the game were offered by Madrid Z 1 960.
35 � .
35 1!i'c4 White also attains his goal after
36 '+!f'b6 i'tfl + 11 . . . f4:
37 �d2 !:!e2+ a) 12 Ad2?! gS 1 3 4Jcf3 hS 1 4 h3
38 �c3 '+!f'c l + !:! 16 I S � !:!h6 1 6 !:! h i c£lg6 1 7
39 �d4 '+!f'e3+ '+!f'g l c£)16, with a strong attack on
40 �c4 §.c2+ the white king, Portisch-Gligoric,
White resigns Madrid 1960.
B43 b) 12 h4! ( not for the sake of an
10 f3 attack, but merely so as to create a
White prepares for counter pawn chain) 1 2 . . . c5 ( now 1 2 . . .
measures on the �-side. gS? 1 3 hS would completely relieve
10 . . . f5 White of any worries over his <(\!
1 1 g4 (9.1) side) 1 3 a3 �h8 1 4 Ad2 c£lg8 I S
White's intention is to stabilize c£lg2 Affi 1 6 Ac I Ae 7 I 7 b4 c£lg16
18 c£)a4 b6, and although it is not
93 easy to pierce Black's defences,
B White's initiative is clear.
Therefore Blark attempts to
maintain the tension on the �-side.
II . . . .£)16
11 . . . �h8, with the same aim,
is less good: 1 2 c£lg2 .£)16 1 3 Ad2 c5
14 §.b l Ad7 1 5 �h l '+!f'c7 1 6 a3
§.f7 1 7 ef gf 18 gS c£)h5 19 f4 c£)xf4
Classical VI: 7 0-0 �6 139
20 �xf4 ef2 1 �h5 l:!!I8 22 �xf4, b) 15 �e3 ( to prevent the queen
and the white pieces become check at b6) 1 5 . . . f4 16 Jl,f2 g5 1 7
menacingly active, Bilek:Stein, 't!f'd3 h5 1 8 h3 hg 1 9 hg lftf7 20
Stockholm IZ 19"62. �b5 �xb5 2 1 �xb5 §. h8 22
§, be l 't!f'g8 23 Jl,e 1 't!f'h7 24 §.c7,
The attempt to open up the game and Black has perpetual check,
completely on the �-side by 1 1 . . . Portisch-Stein, Erevan 1 965.
h5 is too risky, and does not achieve 12 . . . c6
its goal: 1 2 g5 h4 (otherwise White White has the better· game
stabilizes the pawn structure by after 1 2 . . . c5?! 1 3 A,d2 a6 1 4
h2-h4) 1 3 4)<13, and now: c£) f2 A,d7 1 5 H b l §,b8 1 6 b4 c b 1 7
a) 13 . . c;;n 1 4 c5! f4 1 5 �b3 b6
. §. xb4 c£)c8 1 8 �b l , Portisch
16 cd cd 1 7 �a3, Sanguinetti Taimanov, Budapest-Leningrad
Szmetan, Argentina 1 974 and after 1 97 1 .
the possible follow-up 1 7 . . . �c5 1 3 �f2 lt'h8
18 �xc5 be 1 9 b4 cb 20 �xb4 1 4 A,d2
�b6+ 2 1 �xb4 ab 22 a4 Black The queen manoeuvre 14 i!i'b3
cannot defend all his weaknesses on c5 1 5 i!i'a3 after 1 5 . . . a5 1 6 c£)b5
the �-side. §.a6 1 7 A,d2 A,d7 1 8 i!i'b3 �c8 1 9
b) 13 • f4 1 4 �h i �(7 1 5 c5!
. . �d 1 �d8 led to a blocked position
!:!h8 ( 1 5 . . . de 16 't!f'b3 is with equal chances, Sanguinetti
extremely unpleasant) 16 �b3 b6 Geller, Biel IZ 1 976.
17 cd cd 18 �a3 �c5 19 �xc5 be 14 . . . a5
20 b4! cb 2 1 �xb4, with a winning 1 5 a3 A,d7
position for White, Larsen-Tal, 1 6 · §. b l �b8
Match ( I ) 1 965. 1 7 b3
12 4)<13 Or 1 7 b4 ab 18 ab cd 19 cd b5,
1 2 �2 is also frequently played, with equality.
although here the knight occupies a 17 . . . gn
more passive posttlon. Black 1 8 �c l �c7
continues 1 2 . . . c6! 1 3 §. b l cd 1 4 1 9 b4 ab
cd �d7, and now: 20 §. xb4 §.affi
a) 15 �d2 §.c8 1 6 a4 �b6+ 1 7 The game is level. Black
�e3 �b4 1 8 g5 �h5 1 9 �b5 defends his b-pawn with his bishop
�xb5 20 ab �f4 2 1 �d2 �h3+ from c8, and retains sufficient
22 lfth 1 b6, with the better game counter-chances on the lfil-side,
for Black, Nikitin-Stein, Kislov Taimanov-Kavalek, Montilla
odsk 1966. 1977.
12 4 e4: Averbakh
now the best chance for White is 1 4 1 4 �xd6 4)d7 I S .a,f3 �e5 1 6
.a,xd6 ef+ I S �xd2 .a,h6+ . .a,r4 �aS 1 7 b4 '!ltxa2 1 8 cS a6 1 9
Ir9 f3 Black has 9 . . . h6! 1 0 .a,e3 �c7, with more than sufficient
( 1 0 .a,xh6 is bad because or 1 0 . . . initiative for the pawn, Poluga
�rxe4 and I I . . . �h4+) 1 0 . . . yevsky-Geller, Amsterdam 1 970.
�h7 I I 0-0-0, Averbakh-A. b2) 12 • . �eS!, and in view of the
•
gradually evicted from b4, which i!fxb4! 12 .£)d5 i!fa3 1 3 Ab4 i!fb2
also allows White to keep a slight 1 4 � b l ?! (White should force a
advantage. draw by 1 4 Ac3 �b4 1 5 Ab4) 1 4
After 13 . . . Ad7, Poluga . . . �xa2 1 5 � a l .£)xd5! 1 6
yevsky-Gufeld, 37th USSR Ch, � xa2 .£)xb4 1 7 §a3 .£jc5, and
Moscow 1 969, continued 14 .£)d2 despi te the loss of his queen, Blac.:k
g ec8 ( 14 h6 deserves has good �hances, Shereshevsky
consideration here, and if 1 5 Ae3, Petkevich, USSR 1 973.
then 1 5 . . . .£)g4) 1 5 i!fb l h6 1 6 b) 9 • ..£)c6 1 0 h3 .£)d4! I I .£)xd4
.
� b 1 .£jb4! 1 5 a b cb, and Black had .£Jd 1 b3! 1 2 i!f' x b3 .£! ><e4 Black
a powerful attack. seized the initiative in Szabo
b) 9 a4! �a5 10 �d2 ab 1 1 �xb5 Szilagyi, Budapest 1 9SS.
�a6 1 2 .£Jge2 .£jbd7 1 3 o-o, and 8 ... �aS
White retained his extra pawn The most consistent move. The
without particular difficulty, alternatives are less good:
Uhlmann-Adamski, Polanica 8 . e5?! (Black incorrectly
• •
l!ab I i!fd4 20 -'l.e3 i!feS 2 1 f4 i!fe 7 -'l.xd3 c£J xd3 2 0 i!fxd3 -'l. x a l 2 1
22 d6!! l! ?<d6 23 eS l!e6 24 § xa l �gS!? 22 h4! �xh4 23
'{lff.3 ± Uhlmann-Sznapik, Berlin . 4)xe8! § xeS 24 �bS i!fd8 (24 .. . .
1 979. §c8 offered better chances) 2S
1 3 eS i!fxb7 �a8 26 c6! , with a decisive
After 13 �xeS? c£J xe2+ 1 4 advantage, Forintos-Trevelyan,
�xe2 i!fc8 White loses the Nice OL 1 974.
exchange. 1 7 -'l.xd3 §c8
In the event of 13 c£Jxd4 cd 1 4 If 1 7 . . . �xd3 18 i!fxd3 §c8
'!'+'xd4 c£Jxe4! I S i!fxe4 i!fxd6 1 6 (with the threat of 19 . . . � xeS) ,
�xb7 �ab8 1 7 �xa7 § xb2 it is the game can continue 1 9 l!ad I
not easy for White to parry his i!faS ( 1 9 . . . a6?! 20 c£Jc3 b6 2 1
opponent's activity. �xa6 be 22 �eS �g5 23 Jlxg7
13 . . . c£Jd7 when Black has no ·compensation
1 4 �xd4 lt>r the pawn, Forintos
A level position results from 1 4 Asmundsson, Reykjavik 1 974) .
l! e l �15 I S c£Jxd4 c d 1 6 i!fxd4 After 17 §c8, in
�xeS, Uhlmann-Bielczyk, Pol Uhlmann-Schmidt, Brno 1 97S,
anica Zdroj 1 97S. White tried to 'hang on' to his two
14 . . . cd bishops by 18 -'te2, but after 1 8 . . .
l S 4)bS c£lc4 19 b3 (or 1 9 i!fa4 c£J xb2 20
If l S �xd4 4)xeS 1 6 -'\_xeS i!fb4 aS!, with advantage to Black)
� xd4 1 7. -'l.xd4 -'l_xd4 18 §ad , 19 . . . c£lb2 20 �d2 (20 i!rc l is
152 4 e4: Averbalch
somewhat better) 20 . . !! xeS 2 1
. with �c2 and JtgS does not
�b4 !!c2 22 �d l oi)cl3 23 �a4 guarantee White an opening
� xf2 24 � xf2 .£)xf2 25 He I oi)cl3 advantage, although it leads to a
he was forced to capitulate. game rith in possibilities for both
'
Thus the system of development sides.
13 4 e4: Various
1 d4 .£!1'6
100
2 c4 g6
3 .£lc3
B
.
_Qg 7
4 e4 d6
Instead of further development
along the lines of the Classical
System, 5 .£!f3 and 6 �e2, and the
Averbakh 5 �e2 0-{) 6 .Q.g5 White
can resort to various deviations. A
number of these occur compara
tively rarely, and are considered in 5 ... 4):6
sections A to E. 6 .£Jge2 e5
We divide the material as follows: 7 d5 .£Jcl4!
A S �d3 8 .£Jxd4 ed
B 5 .£Jge2 9 .£lb5 0-{)
c 5 h3 Black is already ahead of his
D 5 .Q.g5 opponent in development.
E 5 �f4 1 0 0-{) �e8
F 5 �e2 1 1 �el .£Jg4
G 5 .£lf3 0-D 6 .Q.g5 1 2 h3
A This was the course taken by
5 �d3 ( 100) Korchnoi-Ligterink, Amsterdam
White develops his bishop, while 1 976. By continuing 1 2 . . . a6 1 3 hg
leaving e2 available for his knight . ab 14 cb i!rh4! Black could havegain
. But · on d3 the bishop is only ed excellent attacking chances for the
apparently more actively placed pawn: he threatens 1 5 . . . �xg4,
than at e2. In fact the d4 square is while if 1 5 g5 then 15 . . . �e5.
weakened, and Black easily gains B
count�r-play. 5 .£Jge2 ( 10 1)
154 4 e4: Various
game continued 13 . . . lf(c7 1 4
/OJ
� !5 .Q.lli? 1 5 !! xd7! lf(xd7 1 6
B .Q.xe5 . .·
the same time White's control ofd4 d5 e6 transposes into a Benoni type
is weakened, and Black can exploit of position) 6 4:Jg3 (here White can
this. transpose by 6 f3 or 6 g3 into
5 ... 0-{) variations considered earlier, in
The most exact . For the moment chapters 3 and 4) 6 . . . a6 7 a4 a5! 8
Black does not disclose his .a,e2 �a6 9 h4 h5 I 0 .a,g5 '§'b6,
intentions. and Black has the initiative on the
The immediate 5 . . . e5 is also fr-side, Navarovszky- Filip, De
possible, and now: brecen 1 969.
a) 6 .a,gs h6 7 .a,h4 g5? (this 6 4Jg3 e5
weakens the white squares on the The alternatives are weaker:
lfi'-side; 7 . . . c6 or 7 . . . �bd7 6 . �c6 7 d5 �e5 8 Ae2 c6 9
. .
gives Black a good game) 8 .a,g3 f4 �ed7 1 0 .a_e3, and White is well
�h5 9 de de 10 "¥txd8+ lt( xd8 I I ahead in development, Bertok
0-D-D+ �d7 1 2 �d5 c6 1 3 �e3, Bilek, Budapest Z 1960.
with a clear advantage for White, 6 . . . �fd7 (as in the previous
Botvinnik-Smyslov, USSR Ch line Black aims for piece pressure on
(Match Tourney) 194 1 , e.g. as the d4) 7 .a_e3 c5 8 d5 b5 9 cb a6 10
4 e4: Various 155
�d2 ab 1 1 �xb5 �a6 1 2 �xa6 C
4)xa6 1 3 �h6, and Black has to 5 h3 ( 102)
demonstrate that he has sufficient
compensation for the sacrificed 102
pawn, Szabo-Gufeld, Leningrad B
1 967.
6. . c5 7 d5 e6 8 �e2 ed 9 cd!?
.
5 . . . 0-{) 6 .£)1'3 e5 4
6 4jf3 c5 7 �e2 cd 8 c£)xd4 4Jc6 12
8 . . . c£)a6 / 7
7 d5 e6 8 �e2 ed 9 cd 19
9 ed 20
9 e5 22
6 . . . c£)bd7 7 �d2 56
7 4)h3 58
6 . . . b6 7 �d3 a6 59
7 . . . �b7 60
5 . . . 0-{) 6 �e3 c£)c6 7 �d2 67
7 c£)ge2 a6 8 a3 71
8 c£)c l 73
8 �d2 73
Index of variations 165
6 . . . e5 7 de 101
7 �e3 103
7 0-{) ed JOB
7 0-{) c6 109
7 0-{) �bd 7 8 I!el c6 9 �n a5 / 10
7 0-{) �6 8 �e3 / 16
8 d5 �e7 9 b4 118
9 �d2 124
9 c£)<12 126
9 c£)e l 130
Various 1 d4 4Jf6 2 c4 g6 3 �3 �7 4 e4 d6
5 �d3 153
5 �e2 153
5 h3 155
5 �5 159
5 �4 161
5 �e2 162
5 .£lr.3 0-{) 6 �5 162
ILLUSTRATIVE GAMES
Alekhine-Euwe 46
Korchnoi-Geller 49
Korchnoi-Stein 39
Larsen-Tal /36
N ei-Pol uga yevsk y 23
Petrosian-Gligoric 123
Stein -Geller /60
Tal-Dvoretsky /05
Tal-Fischer 92
Tal-Tolush 30
Uhlmann-Geller 15
S y mbols
+ Check
Balanced position
;!;; Slight advantage for White
:f Slight advantage for Black
± Clear advantage for White
+ Clear advantage for Dlar.k
±± Winning advantage for White
++ Winning advantage for Black
00 The position is unclear
Good move
!? Interesting move ·deserving attention
?! Dubious move
? Weak move
?? Blunder
1 -{) Black resigned
0-1 White resigned
! -! Draw agreed
Ch Championship
Corres Correspondence game
OL Olympiad
c Candidatci
IZ Interzonal
Z Zonal
F Final
!F Semi final
!F Quarter final
W or B Beside each diagram, indicates the player to move.
Over the last twen ty years the King's survey of the King's I ndian ; i t also
I ndian Defence has proved i tself to be an examines the u nderlying c haracteristics
ideal weapon for tournament play. I t of each system and explains the correc t
provides a tense and dynamic struggle i n strategy for bot h sides.
the vast majori ty of lines a n d i s ideal for Eiim Geller, the curren t USSR
a player trying to \\'in with Black. Champion , is one of the world's leading
All lines i n which White plays an theoreticians and has made many
early e4 are covered in this book while a significant con tri bu tions to this popular
comp,anion \·olume King's Indian Defence: defence.
gJ Systems deals with variations i n which ;
\Vhite fianchet tos his king-bishop,
I
NimzowitschfLarsen Attack
Benko Counter Gambit
R D Keen e
D :'\ L L<.T\'
Ruy Lopez: Breyer System
Benoni
L S Blackstock
\ \' R Harts ton
SiciHan Dragon: Yugoslav Attack
Colle, London and Blackntar
A .J � � iles, E � loskow
Diemer Systems
T D Hardi ng S"cilian
1 " : •es • •
.i
T D H a rding :
French: Classical Lines
\V Heidenfeld , T D Hardi ng Sicilian: Lasker-Pelikan
R G \\'adc,J S Speelman ,
French: MacCutcheon and
N' E Povah, L S Blackstock
Advance Lines
T D Harding Sicilian: Najdorf .
M F Stean
King's Indian Defence: g3 · • ·
• . .
Nimzo-Indian 4 �: Nhnzowitsch,
.
. .
Kj