The Catalan - Move by Move - Neil McDonald

Introduction
1 d4 d5 example, he obtains an endgame with a bet-

ter pawn structure or a superior bishop, but
a few vigilant moves by Black and it is time
to agree a draw. Never mind: you can’t win
rmblkans
8
at chess unless your opponent gives you some
opo0opop
7 help. There’s always the next game. — Is
there any drawback to the Catalan? Yes: aban-
0Z0Z0Z0Z
6
don hope all ye who want to smash your op-
Z0ZpZ0Z0
5
ponents in 20 moves with a kingside attack!
0Z0O0Z0Z
4 It can be done - there are some nice sacri-
ficial attacks in this book - but, well, it re-
Z0Z0Z0Z0
3
quires Black to stir up trouble for himself
POPZPOPO
2 by responding in risky style. — The bishop
SNAQJBMR
1 on g2 is pointing the wrong way if you want
to get at your opponent’s king. Some play-
a b c d e f g h
ers are consummate positional players, but
are easily bowled over by direct attacks. You
1. . . Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 g3 aren’t giving yourself the chance to exploit
2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 A kingside fianchetto this weakness in the Catalan. Instead you
by White is its defining feature. In contrast are planning a rook invasion on c7 in 10 moves’
to the Queen’s Gambit Declined, where Bd3 time. — It is, of course, a question of style
or Be2 is usually played, White will develop and what you are looking for from the open-
the bishop to g2. — There are a lot of beau- ing. If you want a safe game with few los-
tiful positional ideas in the Catalan. You can ing chances and a small plus, then the Cata-
only admire the way Kramnik and Giri and lan is for you. If you like grinding out wins
So and Caruana use the bishop on g2 like a in rook and pawn endgames it will suit you
magician’s wand. The spells they cast mean fine. — Despite the rather gloomy progno-
that their opponents play a series of natu- sis for Black above, I have examined some
ral, half decent moves and find themselves interesting counter measures for him. Al-
in a lost position with no idea why. — The most all of the world elite are prepared to
good thing for White in most lines of the Cata-defend against the Catalan and have intro-
lan Opening is that if he plays precisely, Black duced many weapons against it. — This book
never quite equalizes - he is almost com- aims to cover all the important ideas in ev-
pletely equal, but White’s tiny advantage usu- ery variation of the Catalan. Inevitably there
ally lingers on a long time, right until the will be gaps as it is such a wide, strategically
endgame. It is a rather unpleasant affair for complex and ever developing opening. I can
Black to be always a bit worse, and if he is only apologise in advance for any omissions.
careless his fears about his position can grow
from slight anxiety to serious alarm. — Some-
times White can do everything right in the
Catalan, but his advantage turns out to be
of a symbolic rather than real nature. For
1
8
rmblka0s
7
opo0Zpop
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
4
0ZPO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
PO0ZPO0O
1
SNAQJBZR
a b c d e f g h
2
Move Orders & Transpositions
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 g3
8
rmblka0s
7
opo0Zpop
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
4
0ZPO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
PO0ZPO0O
1
SNAQJBZR
a b c d e f g h
1 Nf3 Nf6 2 g3 d5 3 Bg2 e6 4 O-O Be7 5 c4

O-O 6 d4 dXc4 7 Ne5
1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 g3
1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Bg2 dXc4 5 Qa4+
Nbd7 6 QXc4 a6 7 Qc2! b5
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Bg2 Bb4+ 5 Bd2
Be7
3
1: The Closed Centre
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 when Black

chooses between:
4. . . Be7
8
rmblkZ0s
7
opo0apop
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
4
0ZPO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
PO0ZPO0O
1
SNAQJBZR
a b c d e f g h
4. . . Bb4+ 5 Bd2 Be7
4
White: Naiditsch, A. 1: Basel
Black: Kopylov, M.
Opening ECO: A14 2016
Result: 1-0
1 d4 3 g3
The Catalan can be reached through var- 3. . . Nf6 4 g3
ious move orders. The Catalan differs from the Queen’s Gam-
bit in that the bishop is developed to g2.
4. . . Be7
Many top players are happy to defend Black’s
8
rmblkans position after this modest move.
7
opopopop
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
8
rmblkZ0s
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
7
opo0apop
2
POPZPOPO
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
1
SNAQJBMR
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
a b c d e f g h
4
0ZPO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 g3 2
PO0ZPO0O
1 c4 e6 2 g3 d5 3 Bg2 Nf6 4 Nf3 Be7 5 O-O
O-O 6 d4 c6
1
SNAQJBZR
a b c d e f g h
1. . . d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3
4. . . Bb4+ 5 Bd2 Be7
4. . . c5
8
rmblkans 5 Bg2 O-O 6 O-O 6 Nbd2
7
opo0Zpop 6 Qc2
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z 6. . . c6
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0 Black has achieved a lot after only six moves.
4
0ZPO0Z0Z His king is safe and he has a solid centre
with no weaknesses.
3
Z0Z0ZNZ0
2
PO0ZPOPO
1
SNAQJBZR
a b c d e f g h
5
8 Nbd2!
One of the trademarks of the Catalan is
8
rmbl0skZ that White avoids a quick development of
7
opZ0apop his queen’s knight. He waits to see what is
the best square for it. In this example Naid-
6
0ZpZpm0Z itsch plans to use the horse to support the
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0 pawn advance e2-e4, but doesn’t want to al-
4
0ZPO0Z0Z low ...d5xc4 without the chance to recapture.
Therefore he puts the knight on d2 rather
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 than c3, which would interfere with his queen’s
2
PO0ZPOBO defence of the c4-pawn. — We shall see that
1
SNAQZRJ0 in certain variations White chooses to play
Nc3 rather than Nbd2. However, these tend
a b c d e f g h
to be less popular, more speculative tries for
advantage. Or perhaps White was denied
6. . . b6 7 cXd5 eXd5 8 Nc3 Bb7 9 Ne5 Na6 the chance to be flexible as he chose c3 for
10 Bf4 c5 11 Rc1 the knight before he knew for sure it was go-
7 Qc2 ing to be a Catalan. — A delayed develop-
QUESTION: Is this a strong and sensible ment of the queen’s knight, which probably
move? — ANSWER: Yes! On c2 the white goes to d2 in the end, is far more character-
queen defends the c4-pawn, ruling out any istic of the Catalan.
pawn snatch with ...d5xc4 followed by ...b7- 8. . . Bb7 9 e4
b5 clinging on to the material. Also think- QUESTION: I’m still slightly confused why
ing about the c-file, in this type of structure 4...Bb4+ 5 Bd2 Be7 is recommended instead
Black’s so-called freeing move is ...c7-c5. If as the correct procedure for Black. After all,
he can carry out this pawn break without he ’gifts’ White the developing move Bd2.
incurring any immediate disadvantage he hasHow big a difference would it make to the
good chances to equalize. The queen’s pres- game a slight or big change? — ANSWER:
ence on c2 deters the advance. Speaking We can debate whether the white bishop is
more generally, the white queen vacates the better on d2 than c1 White might find a way
d1-square for a rook, probably the one on to justify its placing on d2, or find a use for
f1, to support the d4-pawn. And, finally, she the vacated c1-square. However, the main
also aims at the e4-square in support of White’spoint is that White’s smooth build-up with
plan which is discussed below. Nbd2 and e2-e4 would have been obstructed
7. . . b6 because his knight is denied the d2-square.
With this reply Black continues his logical This seems to significantly outweigh any ben-
scheme of development: his queen’s bishop efits for White in having shifted his bishop
will go to b7, then the knight on b8 will be to d2 ’for free’. — As a rule, if White can
developed to d7 (jumping ahead I should achieve the e2-e4 advance before Black can
say this looks like a mistake see the note respond ...d5xc4 and ...c7-c5 in a safe way
to Black’s 9th, below), and the rook from a8 he will have a good game. — EXERCISE: What
will be shifted to c8. Finally he will be ready do you now think is the best move for Black
to strike out with the aforementioned ...c7- out of the following choice: 9...dxe4, 9...Na6
c5, which will be all the more effective in and 9...Nbd7 - ?
view of the white queen’s somewhat exposed 9. . . Nbd7?!
position on c2. The game move 9. ..Nbd7 proves one rou-
6
tine move too many. Naturally Black would love to exchange queens
to escape the danger of an attack on his king,
but this and his next move prove an utter
waste of time.
8
rZ0l0skZ
7
obZnapop
6
0opZpm0Z 8
rZqZnskZ
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0 7
obZnapop
4
0ZPOPZ0Z 6
0o0ZpZ0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 5
Z0ZpO0Z0
2
POQM0OBO 4
0Z0O0Z0Z
1
S0A0ZRJ0 3
Z0Z0ZNO0
a b c d e f g h
2
POQM0OBO
9. . . dXe4 10 NXe4 Nbd7 11 Rd1 c5? 12 NXf6+
1
S0A0S0J0
BXf6 13 Ng5! BXg5 14 BXb7 Rb8 15 dXc5! a b c d e f g h
RXb7 16 c6 Rc7 17 RXd7 RXd7 18 BXg5 QXg5
19 cXd7 12. . . Rc8 13 Qd1 Qc7 14 Nf1 Qc2 15 QXc2
9. . . Na6! 10 a3! c5! 11 eXd5 eXd5 12 Rd1 RXc2 16 Ne3 Rc8 17 Bd2
Rc8 13 dXc5 NXc5 14 b4 Ne6 15 Bb2 dXc4 13 Qd1
16 NXc4 Qc7 17 Rac1 Qb8 18 Qe2 Qa8 19 The queen doesn’t mind being pushed back
Ne3 home as the space advantage on e5 is per-
10 e5 manent. Besides if the knight on f3 moves
Thanks to Black’s passive ninth move, Whiteout of the way she has a direct route into at-
is able to establish a stable wedge in the cen- tack on the kingside via the g4- or h5-squares.
tre whilst keeping Black’s bishop on b7 shut 13. . . Qc6 14 Nf1 Rc8
in. EXERCISE: What move thwarts Black’s plans
10. . . Ne8 11 cXd5 cXd5 and adds vigour to White’s own? — ANSWER:
The black knights are deprived of the f6- 15 Ne3!
square, making the idea of a direct kingside The knight not only prevents 15...Qc2, forc-
assault attractive to White. ing the unwelcome exchange of queens af-
12 Re1 ter all, but also prepares to charge to g4 to
White’s so-called mysterious rook move hadlead a kingside assault. — It’s obvious Black
two purposes. Firstly, the rook deters any lost a tempo with ...Qc8, ...Qc6 and ...Rc8
challenge to White’s pawn dominance in the when he could have gone ...Rc8 and ...Qc7
centre with ...f7-f6 by putting indirect pres- in two moves, In that case White’s knight wouldn’t
sure on e6. And, secondly, it vacates the f1- have been in time getting to e3 to stop Qc2.
square for the knight on d2, allowing White 15. . . b5 16 h4
to build up pressure on the kingside and re- A move in the style of the King’s Indian
strain Black’s activity along the c-file. Attack. White’s h-pawn could be used as a
12. . . Qc8? battering ram to break up the black king-
7
side with h5-h6, or remain on h4 and sup- 22. . . gXf6 23 eXf6
port the attacking move Ng5.
16. . . Nb6
QUESTION: It seems Black is ready to elim-
inate White’s knight with 17...Nc4 and 18...Nxe3,
8
0ZrZ0skZ
when the idea of ...Qc2 reappears. What mea- 7
o0ZqapZp
sures should White take against this? 6
bm0ZpO0Z
17 b3!
ANSWER: After this simple precautionary
5
ZnZpZ0M0
move Black’s queenside counterplay is ham-
4
0o0O0Z0O
strung. 3
ZPZ0Z0O0
17. . . b4 18 Bd2 Nc7 19 Rc1 Qd7 20 Ng5 2
PZ0A0OBZ
White is justified in starting an attack against
the black king with potential sacrifices as Naid-
1
Z0SQS0J0
a b c d e f g h
itsch is rewarded for his careful strategic play.
Black is deprived of activity, which means
he has a queen, three minor pieces and a 23 eXf6 BXf6 24 Qh5 h6 25 QXh6 BXg5 26
rook sitting on the left side of the board, cut QXg5+ Kh7 27 RXc8 BXc8 28 Qh5+ Kg8
off from going to the aid of their king by the 29 Bh6 f5 30 Qg6+ Kh8 31 BXf8
blocked centre, and unable to distract the
white pieces from going all in against the 1-0
underdefended black king.
20. . . Ba6 21 Ng4 Nb5
QUESTION: can you see White’s winning
move?
8
0ZrZ0skZ
7
o0Zqapop
6
bm0ZpZ0Z
5
ZnZpO0M0
4
0o0O0ZNO
3
ZPZ0Z0O0
2
PZ0A0OBZ
1
Z0SQS0J0
a b c d e f g h
21. . . Bd3
22 Nf6+!
ANSWER!
8
White: Giri, A. 2: Saint Louis
Black: Grischuk, A.
Opening ECO: D02 2015
Result: 1-0
1 Nf3
Giri’s move order in this game is discussed
in the Introduction to the book.
8
rmblkZ0s
1. . . d5 2 d4 Nf6 3 c4 e6 4 g3 Bb4+!
7
opo0apop
Black intends to keep a pawn on d5, but 6
0Z0Zpm0Z
before putting his bishop on e7 he gives a
check.
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
5 Bd2
4
0ZPO0Z0Z
This is by far the most popular response
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
to Black’s check. 2
PO0APO0O
1
SNZQJBZR
a b c d e f g h
8
rmblkZ0s 5. . . Bd6 6 Bg2 O-O 7 O-O c6 8 b3 Nbd7 9
Nc3 Re8 10 Qc2 dXc4 11 bXc4 e5 12 e3 eXd4
7
opo0Zpop 13 eXd4
6
0Z0Zpm0Z 6 Bg2 O-O 7 O-O Nbd7
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
4
0aPO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 8
rZbl0skZ
2
PO0APO0O 7
oponapop
1
SNZQJBZR 6
0Z0Zpm0Z
a b c d e f g h
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
5 Nc3
4
0ZPO0Z0Z
5 Nbd2
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
5. . . Be7
2
PO0APOBO
1
SNZQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
7. . . c6 8 Qc2 b6 9 Rd1 Ba6 10 b3 Nbd7 11

Bf4
7. . . dXc4? 8 Qc2 a6 9 QXc4 b5 10 Qc2 Bb7
11 Rc1
9
8 Qc2 c6 go to a6 rather than b7? Should I play ...a7-
With his previous move White defends c4, a5 - ? When should I concede the centre
positions the queen to support a possible with ...d5xc4 - ? And if White plays Bf4, should
e2-e4 central advance, and clears the d1-squareI drive the bishop back with ...Nh5 - ? —
for use by a rook to bolster the centre. Black And for White there are questions such as:
strengthens his centre in response and gets should I put the dark-squared bishop on c3
his c-pawn off a potentially vulnerable square or f4? When is it preferable to develop the
on c7. He has two basic aims: to develop his knight from b1 to c3 rather than to d2? Should
queen’s bishop, and thereafter to achieve the I play Ne5 - ? In what cases is it feasible to
freeing advance ...c6-c5. He hopes to carry play a2-a4 to ram the black queenside with
out both operations without incurring any a4-a5 - ? — Any of these decisions will have
serious weaknesses in his pawn structure. an enormous effect on the rest of the game.
In the Catalan, this is easier said than done. White will lose his advantage with a couple
9 Rd1 of imprecise moves; Black might end up be-
QUESTION: What exactly is the point of ing tortured for another 50 moves because
this move? — ANSWER: White’s move is an he makes a passive move with his bishop.
example of what Nimzowitsch termed a ’Mys- Hopefully the discussion which follows will
terious Rook Move’: the rook goes to a blockedanswer these questions.
line because White anticipates that Black will 10 Bf4
try to free himself with ...c6-c5 or with ..d5xc4
when lines will open up. Paradoxically in
the game the rook only becomes useful on
d1 thanks to Black’s help. Though if Black
8
rZbl0skZ
played passively White could always aim to
lever the centre open with a well-planned
7
o0Znapop
e2-e4 advance. — The move 9 Rd1 might
6
0opZpm0Z
also be described as a useful waiting move. 5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
White knows that Black needs to develop his
queen’s bishop: therefore he makes a good
4
0ZPO0A0Z
centralizing move in anticipation of Black
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
loosening himself on the c-file. 2
POQZPOBO
9. . . b6 1
SNZRZ0J0
Of course, the bishop can’t sit on c8 for- a b c d e f g h
ever, but now White has a target on the c-
file. At first glance this might seem a very 10 b3
simple position: White will exert some queen-
side pressure with straightforward attacking 10. . . Ba6
moves, while Black will respond with solid
defensive moves. Common sense will pre-
vail with both players making decisions ac-
cording to classical precepts. — However,
the deeper we look, the more we realize this
is actually an extremely difficult position. There
are many subtle points which have been tested
in top level games. For example, Black must
consider: in what scenarios should the bishop
10
8
rZ0l0skZ 8
0Zrl0skZ
7
o0Znapop 7
o0Znapop
6
bopZpm0Z 6
bopZpm0Z
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0 5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
4
0ZPO0A0Z 4
0ZPO0A0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 3
ZPM0ZNO0
2
POQZPOBO 2
PZQZPOBO
1
SNZRZ0J0 1
S0ZRZ0J0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
10. . . a5 11 Ne5! Bb7 12 Nc3 12 Nbd2 c5! 13 dXc5 BXc5

10. . . Bb7 11 Ne5 Nh5 12 Bd2 Nhf6 13 cXd5 12. . . dXc4
cXd5 14 Nc6 BXc6 15 QXc6 Rc8 16 Qb5 Jumping ahead, White plans to builds up
Ne8 17 Qd3 Nd6 18 b3 Nf6 19 Nc3 Qd7 20 his centre with e2-e4 and then answer ...Nh5
f3 Nf5 21 e3 h5! 22 Ne2 Rfd8 23 Rac1 g5!? with Be3.
24 e4 dXe4 25 fXe4 RXc1 26 BXc1 NXd4! 27
NXd4 Bc5 28 BXg5 QXd4+ 29 QXd4 RXd4
30 RXd4 BXd4+
11 b3 Rc8
Strategically speaking the position is very
8
0Zrl0skZ
tense. Black is ready to advance ...c6-c5 and 7
o0Znapop
achieve at least equality if White plays with
insufficient energy.
6
bopZpm0Z
12 Nc3!
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
Gambiting the c4-pawn to keep Black un-
4
0ZpO0A0Z
der lock and key. Natural moves are not suf- 3
ZPM0ZNO0
ficient. 2
PZQZPOBO
1
S0ZRZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
12. . . Nh5 13 Bc1! f5 14 e3

12. . . c5? 13 e4!? cXd4 14 eXd5! eXd5 15
NXd4 Bc5 16 cXd5 Ng4 17 h3 Qf6 18 Ne4
Qg6 19 NXc5 QXc2 20 NXc2 RXc5 21 Nb4
13 e4!
White builds up his initiative in the cen-
tre. If you have looked at the analysis given
after 10...Ba6 above you’ll be aware of the
importance of the d5-square as a pivot point
11
for the black knight once it has been vacated on f4.
by ...d5xc4. Therefore it is important for White14. . . Nhf6
to rule out ...Nd5. QUESTION: Why does Black make the bishop
go back to e3 and then return the knight to
f6? — ANSWER: We have already seen that
forcing moves such as 13...c5 or 13...cxb3 don’t
work for Black. There aren’t any useful de-
8
0Zrl0skZ veloping moves for him either. And so be-
7
o0Znapop lieving that his pieces are on optimum squares
already, Grischuk stands his ground, giving
6
bopZpm0Z up as tempo to force back White’s bishop to
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 e3 which is a worse square for it than f4. The
4
0ZpOPA0Z move ...Ng4 might be handy for Black in the
future, and so Giri replies by defending this
3
ZPM0ZNO0 square with a pawn. The fact that this is
2
PZQZ0OBO the best move White can come up with in
1
S0ZRZ0J0 reply to 13...Nh5 and 14...Nhf6 shows that
Black hasn’t really lost anything by giving up
a b c d e f g h
a tempo.
13 e4 c5? 14 d5 eXd5 15 e5 Nh5 16 NXd5 15 h3 b5

NXf4 17 gXf4 Qe8 18 Bh3! Black bites the bullet and defends his c4-
pawn. If he ’passes’ White could force his
13. . . Nh5 hand with 16 Nd2.
16 bXc4 bXc4
The obvious plan for White is to try to pick
8
0Zrl0skZ up the c4-pawn at some point and leave Black
with a broken queenside pawn structure. How-
7
o0Znapop ever, it is not at all clear how this can be
6
bopZpZ0Z done without letting Black break out with a
5
Z0Z0Z0Zn well-timed ...c6-c5 move.
4
0ZpOPA0Z 17 Rab1
3
ZPM0ZNO0
2
PZQZ0OBO 8
0Zrl0skZ
1
S0ZRZ0J0 7
o0Znapop
a b c d e f g h
6
bZpZpm0Z
13. . . cXb3? 14 aXb3 Bb7 15 RXa7 5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
13. . . Bb4 14 Nd2! 4
0ZpOPZ0Z
13. . . b5 14 bXc4 bXc4 3
Z0M0ANOP
14 Be3 2
PZQZ0OBZ
Naturally White doesn’t want to be deprived
of his dark-squared bishop by an exchange
1
ZRZRZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
12
17 Qa4?! Bb5! 18 QXa7 Ra8 19 Qb7 Qa5
17. . . Qa5
Quite a good idea as it makes White’s bishop
8
0ZrZ0skZ
retreat a further square to d2.
7
o0Z0apop
18 Bd2 Qa3?
6
bmpZpm0Z
This, however, is a serious mistake. 5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0ZpOPZ0Z
3
l0M0ZNOP
2
PZQA0OBZ
8
0ZrZ0skZ 1
ZRZ0S0J0
7
o0Znapop a b c d e f g h
6
bZpZpm0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 19. . . Rb8 20 Re3 Qa5 21 e5 Nd5? 22 NXd5
QXd5 23 Ng5
4
0ZpOPZ0Z 20 Re3 Rb8?
3
l0M0ZNOP
2
PZQA0OBZ
1
ZRZRZ0J0 8
0s0Z0skZ
a b c d e f g h
7
o0Z0apop
18. . . Qc7 19 Bf4 Qa5 20 Bd2 Qc7
6
bmpZpm0Z
19 Re1!
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
Grischuk had been playing very slowly and 4
0ZpOPZ0Z
was unfamiliar with all the subtle points of
this variation. He must have underestimated
3
l0M0SNOP
this quiet rook move which will bring the
2
PZQA0OBZ
rook to the third rank to terrorize the black
queen.
1
ZRZ0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
19. . . Nb6
20. . . Nfd7 21 Nd5 Qd6 22 NXe7+ QXe7 23
Bc1! Rfd8 24 Ra3 Bb5 25 Ra5! h6 26 a4
21 RXb6!
13
8
0s0Z0skZ 8
0Z0Z0skZ
7
o0Z0apop 7
o0Z0apop
6
bSpZpm0Z 6
bZpZpm0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0ZpOPZ0Z 4
NZpOPZ0Z
3
l0M0SNOP 3
l0Z0SNOP
2
PZQA0OBZ 2
PZQA0OBZ
1
Z0Z0Z0J0 1
ZrZ0Z0J0
21 Nd5 Qd6 22 NXb6 RXb6 23 e5 22. . . Qd6 23 e5

21. . . RXb6 23 Kh2 c3
Grischuk uses all his resources to extri-
cate himself from immediate disaster.
8
0Z0Z0skZ 24 RXc3 Qb4 25 RXc6 Qb5
Now the Russian Grandmaster is actually
7
o0Z0apop the exchange up for a pawn, but his pieces
6
bspZpm0Z remain awkwardly placed. In particular the
rook is stranded on b1 and the queen is in
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 grave danger of being overloaded as she has
4
0ZpOPZ0Z to keep both the bishop on a6 and the rook
3
l0M0SNOP on b1 defended. — QUESTION: What is Black’s
counter threat? Can White ignore it and win
2
PZQA0OBZ material at once? If not, how does he safe-
1
Z0Z0Z0J0 guard his position and increase the pressure?
a b c d e f g h — ANSWER:
26 Ne5!
21. . . aXb6 22 e5 Nd7 23 Nb1! Black’s threat was 26...Bb7 when if the rook
22 Na4 retreats, 27...Bxe4 causes chaos in the white
Finally uncovering an attack on the black camp. The game move is excellent as it im-
queen. proves the coordination of the white forces
and adds the defence of the bishop on g2 to
22. . . Rb1+ e4, so ruling out any future ...Nxe4 tricks.
14
8
0Z0Z0skZ 8
0Z0Z0skZ
7
o0Z0apop 7
o0Z0apop
6
bZRZpm0Z 6
bZRZpm0Z
5
ZqZ0M0Z0 5
ZqZ0M0Z0
4
NZ0OPZ0Z 4
NZ0OPZ0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0OP 3
Z0A0Z0OP
2
PZQA0OBJ 2
PZQZ0OBJ
1
ZrZ0Z0Z0 1
Z0Z0ZrZ0
26 Nc3 27. . . Rb1 28 Nb2 Ra1 29 Nbc4

26 RXa6? QXa6 27 QXb1 QXa4 28 Nb2!
26. . . Ra1 A quiet move that was very hard for Grischuk
to meet in his habitual time trouble. It threat-
ens 29 Nbc4 when Black’s queen can no longer
keep both a6 and f1 defended.
8
0Z0Z0skZ
7
o0Z0apop
6
bZRZpm0Z
5
ZqZ0M0Z0 8
0Z0Z0skZ
4
NZ0OPZ0Z 7
o0Z0apop
3
Z0Z0Z0OP 6
bZRZpm0Z
2
PZQA0OBJ 5
ZqZ0M0Z0
1
s0Z0Z0Z0 4
0Z0OPZ0Z
a b c d e f g h 3
Z0A0Z0OP
26. . . Bb7 27 Nc3 Rb2 28 NXb5 RXc2 29 RXc2
2
PMQZ0OBJ
27 Bc3 Rf1
1
Z0Z0ZrZ0
a b c d e f g h
28 BXf1? QXf1
28. . . Qb7
EXERCISE: How does White close the trap
on the black rook on f1?
15
33 Qe2! Rc1
Grischuk must have been heartily sick of
8
0Z0Z0skZ shunting his rook along the eighth rank.
7
oqZ0apop 34 Qh5
6
bZRZpm0Z The attack on f7 is decisive.
5
Z0Z0M0Z0
4
0Z0OPZ0Z
3
Z0A0Z0OP
2
PMQZ0OBJ
8
0s0Z0j0Z
1
Z0Z0ZrZ0
7
o0Z0apoB
a b c d e f g h 6
qZ0ZpZ0Z
5
Z0Z0M0ZQ
28. . . Qe2 29 QXe2 BXe2 30 BXf1 BXf1 31
f3
4
0ZNO0Z0Z
29 RXa6!
3
Z0A0Z0OP
ANSWER!
2
PZ0Z0O0J
29. . . QXa6 30 Nbc4 NXe4 31 BXe4
1
Z0s0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
The game is most easily decided by a di-
rect assault on the kingside,
34 Qh5 g6 35 Qh6+
1-0
8
0Z0Z0skZ
7
o0Z0apop
6
qZ0ZpZ0Z
5
Z0Z0M0Z0
4
0ZNOBZ0Z
3
Z0A0Z0OP
2
PZQZ0O0J
1
Z0Z0ZrZ0
a b c d e f g h
31 BXf1 NXc3 32 QXc3

31. . . Rb8 32 BXh7+ Kf8
Three minor pieces are stronger than two
rooks, and here White also has a decisive at-
tack. To finish the game off Giri just has to
get his queen on to a square where she leads
the onslaught against the black king.
16
White: Giri, A. 3: Stavanger
Black: Topalov, V.
Opening ECO: E11 2015
Result: 1-0
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 g3 Bb4+ 5 Qc8 14 Rac1 Bc6 15 dXc5 bXc5 16 cXd5 eXd5
Bd2 Be7 6 Bg2 O-O 7 O-O c6 8 Qc2 Nbd7 17 Nh4 Re8 18 Nf5 Bf8 19 Bf4
9 Rd1 b6 10 b3 10. . . a5 11 Bf4 Ba6! 12 Nbd2 Nh5 13 Be3
Bd6
11 Bc3 Bb7
8
rZbl0skZ QUESTION: Since Black puts his bishop
7
o0Znapop on b7, has 10...a5 proved irrelevant?
6
0opZpm0Z
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
4
0ZPO0Z0Z 8
rZ0l0skZ
3
ZPZ0ZNO0 7
ZbZnapop
2
PZQAPOBO 6
0opZpm0Z
1
SNZRZ0J0 5
o0ZpZ0Z0
a b c d e f g h
4
0ZPO0Z0Z
10 Bf4 3
ZPA0ZNO0
10. . . a5 2
PZQZPOBO
1
SNZRZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
8
rZbl0skZ
7
Z0Znapop 11. . . Ba6 12 Nbd2 b5 13 e4! bXc4 14 bXc4
NXe4 15 NXe4 dXe4 16 Ne5!
6
0opZpm0Z 12 Nbd2
5
o0ZpZ0Z0 ANSWER: Not at all! Topalov’s feint to play
4
0ZPO0Z0Z ...Ba6 means that Giri has been dissuaded
from 11 Nc3 and opted for 11 Bc3, so his
3
ZPZ0ZNO0 knight will be developed to the inferior d2-
2
PZQAPOBO square. — Intending 13 e4 to gain space and
1
SNZRZ0J0 so provoking Black’s reply.
a b c d e f g h
12. . . c5 13 Ne5
Giri clears away the centre pawns, after
10. . . Bb7 11 Nc3 which Black is almost equal but not quite
equal and we know all the suffering that
10. . . Ba6 11 a4! c5 12 Na3!? Bb7 13 Qb2
means for him in the Catalan.
17
13. . . cXd4 14 BXd4 NXe5 15 BXe5 Qc8 put Black’s pawn back on a7 then it is diffi-
The queen moves away from a potential cult to see any advantage for White. If you
pin on the d-file and dissolves a real pin on put the pawns on a6 and b5 it also looks equal.
d5 by guarding the bishop on b7. However, with the pawns on a5 and b6 as in
16 Rac1 dXc4 17 BXf6 the game, the b6-pawn is slightly vulnera-
ble. It can be attacked in the long term with
Rc6 or Nc4. If Black advances it to b5 then it
remains open to attack with Rc5. Then the
8
rZqZ0skZ further advance b3-b4 would leave Black with
7
ZbZ0apop a weak pawn on a5 that could be attacked
with Rc5 and Nc4. — It might seem a tiny,
6
0o0ZpA0Z almost nebulous advantage for White in the
5
o0Z0Z0Z0 diagram position and, indeed, Topalov is very
4
0ZpZ0Z0Z close to equality, but as you will see the for-
mer world number one rated player was un-
3
ZPZ0Z0O0 able to defend it. If you play the Catalan you
2
PZQMPOBO have to believe in small advantages. It is a
question of having patience and self-belief.
1
Z0SRZ0J0
a b c d e f g h 21 Rc6
17 QXc4 BXg2 18 KXg2 Qb7+

17. . . BXf6 18 QXc4 BXg2 19 KXg2 Qb7+
20 Qe4 Rfb8
8
rs0Z0ZkZ
EXERCISE: Take the chance to examine this
7
ZqZ0Zpop
position and try to list the factors that favour 6
0oRZpa0Z
White. Which of these is White’s best plan?
(a) Play Rc6 to double up rooks on the c-
5
o0Z0Z0Z0
file. (b) Exchange queens and then bring
4
0Z0ZQZ0Z
the knight into the attack with Ne4. (c) Fix 3
ZPZ0Z0O0
Black’s pawns on dark squares with a2-a4
followed by exchanging queens then Nc4.
2
PZ0MPOKO
— ANSWER: White is slightly better. First
1
Z0ZRZ0Z0
we notice that he has control of the c-file. a b c d e f g h
Less obvious is the fact that the white knight
is stronger here than the black bishop. — 21 a4 b5 22 aXb5 QXb5
Everything else being equal, it is usually bet-
ter to have a bishop in an endgame, but here 21. . . Qd7
White’s pawns are solid and compact. There An excellent riposte.
is nothing for Black’s bishop to attack as White’s
queenside pawns are safely on light squares.
— Meanwhile Black’s pawns on a5 and b6
are slightly fragile. Despite the knight’s su-
periority, Giri would be more than happy to
exchange his knight for the bishop if in do-
ing so he ties down Black’s rooks to the de-
fence of their queenside pawns. — If you
18
c6, leaving Black will a gloomy defence.
8
rs0Z0ZkZ 25 Nd6 Rd7
Likewise Black faces a miserable defence
7
Z0ZqZpop after Bxd6 Rxb6. Capablanca said you should
6
0oRZpa0Z make your opponent use his rooks to de-
fend pawns in endgames .
5
o0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0ZQZ0Z
3
ZPZ0Z0O0
2
PZ0MPOKO 8
rZ0Z0ZkZ
1
Z0ZRZ0Z0 7
Z0Zrapop
a b c d e f g h
6
0o0MpZ0Z
21. . . Qd7 22 RXb6? Rd8 23 Rc6 Rac8 24
RXc8 QXc8 25 Qb1 Qd7
5
o0Z0Z0Z0
22 Rcc1
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
Most players hate to lose face by admit-
3
ZPZ0Z0O0
ting they have made a mistake or been out- 2
PZ0ZPOKO
foxed by the opponent. They press on re-
gardless with a plan, even when it leads them
1
Z0SRZ0Z0
a b c d e f g h
into disaster or, as here, the loss of advan-
tage. In fact this is one of the main ways
that strong players lose games. There is a 25. . . BXd6 26 RXd6
proverb that Russian authors love to quote: 26 Nc4
’Once you’ve said A, you have to say B’. It is The knight arrives at c4 having cajoled the
the equivalent of the English expression ’In black rook into moving away from the de-
for a penny, in for a pound’. However, hav- fence of b6.
ing said ’A’ with 21 Rc6, Giri has the strength
of mind not to say ’B’ with 22 Rxb6. 26. . . RXd1 27 RXd1 b5 28 Ne5 Bf6 29 Nd7
a4
22. . . Qb7 23 QXb7 It looks like Topalov has made a lot of progress.
Correcting his imprecise 21st move. This There isn’t much to fear in the endgame af-
finally confirms that in the exercise at move ter 30 Nxf6+ gxf6: Black would exchange with
20, the right answer was ’b’. Though don’t ...a4xb3 and then after a2xb3 attack b3 with
worry too much if you didn’t choose this plan ...Ra3 before White can organize an attack
as it took Giri two goes to find it! on the b5-pawn with Rd7 and Rb7.
23. . . RXb7 24 Ne4 30 Rc1
A paradox. The best square for the white A simple but vital move.
knight is c4. Therefore White moves it to
e4! The point is the knight can take a scenic
route to c4, disrupting the Black pieces in
the process.
24. . . Be7
Otherwise, White can break up Black’s king-
side with Nxf6+ gxf6, then put his rook on
19
side pawns forward with moves like e2-e3,
f2-f4, h2-h4-h5 and g4-g5, etc. The pawns
8
rZ0Z0ZkZ can be supported by the king. If holes ap-
7
Z0ZNZpop pear in the black kingside structure, such
as if h5-h6 eliminates or displaces the g7-
6
0Z0Zpa0Z pawn, then the white knight can escape via
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0 f6, when b5 drops or is forced to advance
4
pZ0Z0Z0Z to b4, after which it becomes a prey to the
white knight and rook. Alternatively, once
3
ZPZ0Z0O0 he has a pawn on f4 and his king on e4, White
2
PZ0ZPOKO has the option of Ne5, again rescuing his knight
1
Z0S0Z0Z0 and leaving the b5-pawn in grave danger.
a b c d e f g h 34. . . h5
It is very unpleasant to just sit and wait
30 Rc1 aXb3 31 aXb3 Ra3 32 Rc8+ for White’s attack. Therefore Topalov lashes
out. With the game move he wants to re-
30. . . aXb3 31 aXb3 Be7 32 Rc7 Rd8 33 Rb7 duce the pawn front on the kingside every-
Bd6 thing else being equal this will increase his
If Black were obliged to play ...b5-b4, the drawing chances. He also clears the h7-square
white knight could retreat via b6 and c4, with for his king.
the plan of Na5 and Nc6, picking up the pawn.
Alternatively, the white king might join the 35 gXh5
attack on the pawn, eventually reaching c4. Black probably underestimated this cap-
But as things stand, attack and defence have ture.
reached an equilibrium on the queenside: 35. . . Kh7
the b5-pawn can’t be directly defended. On If nothing happens Black will play ...Kh6
the other hand, the white rook has to stay and ...f7-f5, and then ...Kxh5 (he plays ...f7-
guarding the knight. If the horse is moved f5 so that Rxb5+ doesn’t come with check).
to b6 it blocks the attack on b4. And be- Black would then have a good game. White
sides, how can the knight escape as the squarestherefore needs a way to get his knight from
a4, c4 and d5 are all guarded by Black’s pawns?d7 so that Rxb5 becomes possible.
— EXERCISE: It looks as if Topalov has set
36 b4!
up an unbreakable defensive formation, but
A brilliant move. It looks totally counter-
he has reckoned without Giri’s plan. What
intuitive to put a pawn on a dark square.
can White do to improve his position? —
The point is White is creating an escape square
ANSWER:
on c5 for his knight.
34 g4
36. . . BXb4
It turns out that Black’s set-up is impreg-
nable to White’s pieces, but not to White’s
pawns. Club players are often in too much
of a hurry. In looking for ways to land blows
with their pieces, they miss the chance to
wear down their opponent slowly with their
pawns. And yet how often do you see a strat-
egy that doesn’t require the use of pawns at
some point? — Giri plans to push his king-
20
8
0Z0s0Z0Z 8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
ZRZNZpok 7
ZRZ0Zpok
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z 6
0Z0ZpZ0Z
5
ZpZ0Z0ZP 5
ZpZrM0ZP
4
0a0Z0Z0Z 4
0a0Z0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0 3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0ZPOKO 2
0Z0ZPOKO
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0 1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
36. . . Kh6 37 Nc5 BXc5 38 bXc5 37. . . f6 38 Nc6

37 Ne5 38 NXf7 RXh5
Now the threat of 38 Nc6 with a lethal fork Black now has three isolated pawns and
obliges Black to give up his f7-pawn. his rook is tied down to the defence of b5.
— EXERCISE: Still on the theme of pawns,
how can White energize his knight?
8
0Z0s0Z0Z
7
ZRZ0Zpok 8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z 7
ZRZ0ZNok
5
ZpZ0M0ZP 6
0Z0ZpZ0Z
4
0a0Z0Z0Z 5
ZpZ0Z0Zr
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0 4
0a0Z0Z0Z
2
0Z0ZPOKO 3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0 2
0Z0ZPOKO
a b c d e f g h
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
37 RXb5 RXd7 38 RXb4 Kh6
37. . . Rd5
38. . . Bc3!
If Black could jettison the b5-pawn, but
keep his pawns on e6, f7 and g7 intact he 39 f4
would have drawing chances. ANSWER: Giri makes brilliant use of his
limited material resources. With this new
pawn thrust he creates a new base for the
knight on e5 or on g5 from where it attacks
e6 and cuts off the rook on h5 from the de-
fence of b5.
21
39. . . Kg6 40 Ne5+ Kh7
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
ZRZ0Z0ok
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z 6
0Z0ZpZ0Z
7
ZRZ0Z0ok 5
ZpZ0ZrZ0
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z 4
0a0Z0O0Z
5
ZpZ0M0Zr 3
Z0Z0ZNZ0
4
0a0Z0O0Z 2
0Z0ZPZKO
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0 1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0ZPZKO a b c d e f g h
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h 43. . . Kg6 44 Kg3 Bc3 45 Kg4 b4 46 Rb6
Rd5 47 Ng5 Bf6 48 NXe6
40. . . Kf5 41 RXb5 KXf4 42 Nd3+ 44 Ng5+ Kh6 45 Kf3 Bd2
41 Nf7 Kg6 42 Ne5+ Kh7 43 Nf3
White is not satisfied with 43.Rxb5 Bd2
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
ZRZ0Z0o0
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
6
0Z0ZpZ0j
7
ZRZ0Z0ok
5
ZpZ0ZrM0
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z
4
0Z0Z0O0Z
5
ZpZ0Z0Zr
3
Z0Z0ZKZ0
4
0a0Z0O0Z
2
0Z0aPZ0O
3
Z0Z0ZNZ0
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
2
0Z0ZPZKO
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0 45. . . e5 46 Nf7+ Kh7 47 NXe5
a b c d e f g h
46 e3 b4 47 NXe6 Rh5 48 NXg7 RXh2
With a little care the connected passed pawns
43 RXb5 Bd2 will decide the day for White.
43. . . Rf5 49 Nf5+ Kg6 50 Ne7+ Kf6 51 Nd5+ Ke6
This leads to the loss of the e-pawn when 52 Ke4
it is hopeless for Black,
22
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
ZRZ0Z0Z0
6
0Z0ZkZ0Z
5
Z0ZNZ0Z0
4
0o0ZKO0Z
3
Z0Z0O0Z0
2
0Z0a0Z0s
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
52 NXb4 Rh3+
52. . . Rh3 53 Rb6+ Kd7 54 Kd3 Bc1 55 RXb4
Kd6 56 Kd4
. A hard positional struggle in which Giri
showed how to carry a small opening ad-
vantage over into the endgame.
1-0
23
White: Li Chao 4: Huai’an (rapid)
Black: Fressinet, L.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 1. . . Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Bg2 Bb4+ 5 Bd2

Be7 6 Nf3 O-O
2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 Bb4+
8
rmblkans QUESTION: If I adopt the Catalan move
order as Black intending to reach a Dutch
7
opopopop set-up, should I begin with ...Bb4+ to make
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z White go Bd2, or play ...Be7 straightaway?
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 — ANSWER: Well, in the main game Li Chao
makes White’s position look good answer-
4
0Z0O0Z0Z ing ...Bb4+ with Bd2 and then after the re-
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0 treat ...Be7 playing Bf4. So there’s no real
difference here: the white bishop could have
2
POPZPOPO gone straight from c1 to f4, or via d2, while
1
SNAQJBMR the black bishop on e7 could have gone straight
a b c d e f g h from f8 or via b4. The only difference shows
up in the number of moves. — Overall I would
1 c4 e6 2 g3 d5 3 Bg2 Nf6 4 Nf3 Be7 5 O-O say don’t play 4...Bb4+. White probably won’t
O-O 6 d4 Nbd7 7 Qc2 c6 8 Bf4 Ne4 9 Nc3 gain anything from having his bishop on d2
g5 10 Bc1 f5 rather than c1, but there’s no reason to give
him extra possibilities.
1 d4 f5 2 g3 Nf6 3 Bg2 e6 4 Nf3 Be7 5 O-O
O-O 6 c4 d5 7 Nc3 c6 8 Qc2 Ne4 9 Bf4 Nd7
10 Rad1 g5 11 Bc1
1. . . d5 8
rmblkZ0s
7
opo0Zpop
8
rmblkans
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
7
opo0opop
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
4
0aPO0Z0Z
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
2
PO0ZPO0O
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
1
SNAQJBZR
a b c d e f g h
2
POPZPOPO
1
SNAQJBMR 4. . . Be7 5 Bg2 Ne4 6 O-O f5 7 Nc3 c6 8 Ne5
a b c d e f g h Nd7 9 NXd7 BXd7 10 NXe4 fXe4 11 Bf4 O-
O 12 e3
24
5 Bd2 Be7 6 Bg2 O-O 7 O-O Nbd7 8 Qc2 square?
Ne4
Rather than play solidly with 8...c6 Black
decides on a Stonewall Dutch approach.
9 Bf4 8
rZbl0skZ
7
opZnapZp
8
rZbl0skZ
6
0ZpZpZ0Z
7
oponapop
5
Z0ZpZ0o0
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z
4
0ZPOnA0Z
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
3
Z0M0ZNO0
4
0ZPOnA0Z
2
POQZPOBO
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
2
POQZPOBO
1
SNZ0ZRJ0 10. . . Ndf6?! 11 Ne5
a b c d e f g h
10. . . NXc3?! 11 QXc3
10. . . f5 11 Rad1 g5 12 Bc1 Nd6 13 cXd5 cXd5
9 Nc3 NXd2 10 NXd2 c6
14 Ne5 Nb6 15 g4! Ne4 16 NXe4 fXe4 17 f3
9. . . c6 eXf3 18 eXf3 Nd7 19 Ng6! hXg6 20 QXg6+
Kh8 21 f4 Qe8 22 Qh6+ Kg8 23 f5 Rf6 24
QXg5+ Kh8 25 Rf3
8
rZbl0skZ 11 Be3
An active retreat.
7
opZnapop
6
0ZpZpZ0Z
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
4
0ZPOnA0Z 8
rZbl0skZ
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 7
opZnapZp
2
POQZPOBO 6
0ZpZpZ0Z
1
SNZ0ZRJ0 5
Z0ZpZ0o0
a b c d e f g h
4
0ZPOnZ0Z
9. . . g5 10 cXd5! gXf4 11 QXe4
3
Z0M0ANO0
10 Nc3 g5!?
2
POQZPOBO
Here, however, this move is tactically wa- 1
S0Z0ZRJ0
tertight. The first thing to note is that 11 a b c d e f g h
Nxe4?? now loses a piece after 11...dxe4. —
EXERCISE: Can you guess which one, and 11 Bc1 f5 12 b3 Nd6 13 Ne5 NXe5 14 dXe5
what the idea is behind putting it on that Nf7
25
11. . . Nd6
8
rZbl0skZ
8
rZbl0skZ
7
opZnapZ0
7
opZnapZp
6
0Z0mpZ0o
6
0ZpmpZ0Z
5
Z0ZpZ0o0
5
Z0ZpZ0o0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
4
0ZPO0Z0Z
3
Z0M0ANO0
3
Z0M0ANO0
2
PO0ZPOBO
2
POQZPOBO
1
S0L0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
13. . . f6
13. . . g4 14 Ne5
11. . . f5
14 h4!
12 cXd5 White will break open the h-file in order
to start a direct attack against the black king.
14. . . Nf5
8
rZbl0skZ
7
opZnapZp
6
0ZpmpZ0Z 8
rZbl0skZ
5
Z0ZPZ0o0 7
opZnapZ0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z 6
0Z0ZpZ0o
3
Z0M0ANO0 5
Z0ZpZno0
2
POQZPOBO 4
0Z0O0Z0O
1
S0Z0ZRJ0 3
Z0M0ANO0
a b c d e f g h 2
PO0ZPOBZ
12 b3 Nf5 13 g4 NXe3 14 fXe3 b5!
1
S0L0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
12. . . cXd5 13 Qc1!
A sly retreat of the queen. When he was 14. . . gXh4 15 BXh6
world champion Karpov could dominate his
opponents by making little queen moves on 15 hXg5 NXe3
the first rank, and it seems some of the magic Completing the plan begun with 11...Nd6,
has rubbed off on Li Chao. Rather than an but White has the better chances.
attacking weapon, the pawn on g5 is exposed 16 QXe3
as a liability. Another good feature of 12 cxd5 cxd5 13
13. . . h6 Qc1, compared to 12 b3 in the Eljanov game
mentioned above, is that White is able to
26
keep his pawn structure tidy and centralize 22 f4 BXe5
his queen on e3. Here she is unassailable
and can support an attack on the kingside.
16. . . hXg5 17 Bh3
Step by step White’s plan unfolds on the
8
rZbl0Z0s
kingside: all barriers are removed to get a
7
opZ0Z0j0
rook to h1. 6
0m0ZpZ0Z
17. . . Kg7 18 Kg2 Nb6 19 b3 5
Z0Zpapo0
A quiet move to stop Nc4. — QUESTION:
Does this slow White’s build-up? — ANSWER:
4
0Z0O0O0Z
Maybe, but he is pleased to see the black
3
ZPM0L0OB
knight head away from the kingside. 2
PZ0ZPZKZ
19. . . Rh8 20 Rh1
White finally gets his rook to the open file.
1
S0Z0Z0ZR
a b c d e f g h
He is intending 21 Bg4, followed by wrest-
ing the h-file from Black with Rxh8 and then
22. . . g4 23 BXg4
Rh1.
22. . . BXe5 23 QXe5+ Qf6
20. . . f5
This looks like a strong move as a fork with 23 BXf5!
21...g4 is on the cards, and White’s bishop Rather than recapture a piece, White sac-
would be blocked in on h3 after 21 g4 f4. In- rifices one to clear the h-file.
stead Li Chao offered a piece. 23. . . RXh1
21 Ne5!
I don’t imagine the Chinese Grandmaster
calculated this sacrifice too much, though
he had to plan it a long way in advance or
8
rZbl0Z0Z
else his strategy would have failed. 7
opZ0Z0j0
21. . . Bf6 6
0m0ZpZ0Z
5
Z0ZpaBo0
4
0Z0O0O0Z
8
rZbl0Z0s 3
ZPM0L0O0
7
opZ0Z0j0 2
PZ0ZPZKZ
6
0m0Zpa0Z 1
S0Z0Z0Zr
5
Z0ZpMpo0 a b c d e f g h
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
ZPM0L0OB 23. . . eXf5 24 QXe5+ Qf6 25 QXf6+ KXf6
26 RXh8
2
PZ0ZPOKZ 24 RXh1 Bf6 25 Bb1!
1
S0Z0Z0ZR The bishop retreats a long way back as White
a b c d e f g h wants to set up a battery with the queen in
front along the diagonal aiming at g6 and
21. . . g4 22 BXg4 fXg4 23 Qd3! h7.
27
25. . . Bd7?
8
rZ0l0Z0Z
7
opZbZ0j0
6
0m0Zpa0Z
5
Z0ZpZ0o0
4
0Z0O0O0Z
3
ZPM0L0O0
2
PZ0ZPZKZ
1
ZBZ0Z0ZR
a b c d e f g h
25. . . g4 26 Rh7+ Kf8 27 Qd3 Bg7

26 Qd3 Kf8 27 fXg5 Bg7 28 Qg6
With the threat of 29 Rf1+ when 29...Kg8
allows mate in one, while 29...Ke7 drops g7.
28. . . BXd4 29 Rh7 Qe8 30 Qh6+ Kg8 31
g6!
White doesn’t have to worry about his hang-
ing knight. His queen, rook, bishop and the
pawn on g6 combine their powers against
the defenceless black king.
31. . . BXc3 32 g7
8
rZ0ZqZkZ
7
opZbZ0OR
6
0m0ZpZ0L
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
3
ZPa0Z0O0
2
PZ0ZPZKZ
1
ZBZ0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
32 g7 ZZ– 33 Bg6 QXg6 34 QXg6
1-0
28
White: Tomashevsky, E. 5: Yaroslavl (rapid)
Black: Jakovenko, D.
Result: 1/2-1/2
1 d4 d5
8
rmbl0skZ
8
rmblkans
7
opo0apop
7
opo0opop
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
4
0ZPO0Z0Z
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
PO0MPOBO
2
POPZPOPO
1
S0AQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
1
SNAQJBMR
a b c d e f g h
6 Bf4!? dXc4 7 Qc2 c6 8 QXc4 b5 9 Qc2
Bb7 10 O-O Nbd7 11 Nc3 Rc8 12 Ne5 NXe5
1. . . Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Nf3 Be7 5 Bg2 O- 13 BXe5 Qb6 14 Qb3 Rfd8
O 6 O-O c6 7 Nbd2 b6 8 Qc2 Bb7 9 e4 Na6 6. . . b6!
10 e5 Nd7 11 cXd5 Nb4 12 Qb3 NXd5 13 ANSWER: I recall Nimzowitsch describing
Ne4 h6 14 Bd2 c5 15 dXc5 NXc5 16 NXc5 White’s Nbd2 move in a similar situation as
BXc5 17 Qa4 Qe7 18 a3 a5 ’decentralizing’. This seems paradoxical as
2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 Be7 5 Bg2 O-O 6 the knight on d2 is definitely centralized, right?
Nbd2 And yet it’s easy to see what the great Dan-
At first sight 6 Nbd2 seems a useful and ish master was getting at. The white knight
logical move. It develops and defends the sits on d2 with a circumscribed view of the
pawn on c4 in a way that seems as efficient world as it has access to neither of the cen-
as 6 Qc2. Indeed, it can be combined with tral squares c4 or e4. Its enemy in this re-
Qc2 to gain space in the centre with e2-e4. spect is the pawn on d5: if that can be re-
— EXERCISE: Can you see the potential draw- moved then the white knight will have in-
backs to the knight move which mean it is creased scope, but even then it will proba-
far less popular than 6 Qc2 as a way to de- bly be doing less work than on the post on
fend c4? c3 it spurned. We might say that Nbd2 de-
centralized the knight as it denied it the in-
fluence over the d5-square it would have gained
with Nc3. — And as David Bronstein sug-
gested, we might also ask the opinion of the
other pieces. What does the bishop on c1
think about being shut in by the knight? Is
29
the rook on a1 grumbling that it will take
even longer to see daylight? Is the white queen
pleased about having her view of the d4-square
8
rm0l0skZ
blocked? Not much, probably. — In defence
of 6 Nbd2, it might be said that if Black only
7
obo0apop
knows the 6 Qc2 dxc4 lines, or is making up
6
0o0Zpm0Z
the opening as he goes along, he is likely to
5
Z0ZPZ0Z0
be taken aback by the quiet knight move. 4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
PO0MPOBO
1
S0AQZRJ0
8
rmbl0skZ a b c d e f g h
7
o0o0apop
6
0o0Zpm0Z 8 b3 Nbd7 9 Bb2 c5 10 Rc1 Rc8 11 cXd5
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0 8. . . BXd5!
Here and in the Bauer game mentioned
4
0ZPO0Z0Z above, the bishop recapture looks totally cor-
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 rect.
2
PO0MPOBO
1
S0AQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
8
rm0l0skZ
6. . . dXc4 7 NXc4 7
o0o0apop
6. . . c6 7 O-O Nbd7 8 Qc2 b6 9 e4 Bb7 10
e5
6
0o0Zpm0Z
6. . . c5 7 cXd5 eXd5 8 dXc5 BXc5 9 O-O Nc6
5
Z0ZbZ0Z0
10 Nb3
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
7 O-O?
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
I don’t like this move as it gives Black the 2
PO0MPOBO
chance to recapture on d5 with his bishop
see move eight.
1
S0AQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
7 cXd5 eXd5 8 O-O Bb7 9 Ne5 a5 10 Qc2
c5 11 dXc5 bXc5 12 Nb3 Na6! 13 Bd2 Nb4 8. . . eXd5
14 Qf5 g6 15 Qh3 Qc7 16 Ng4 h5 17 Nh6+
Kg7 18 Nf5+ gXf5 19 QXf5 Rh8 9 Qc2 Nbd7 10 e4 Bb7
Black has all his minor pieces in play and
7. . . Bb7 8 cXd5 can’t be prevented from breaking out with
...c7-c5. The crux of the matter is whether
White can land a blow on the kingside.
11 e5 Nd5
The black knight is very pleased with this
central post from which he can never be evicted
30
by a pawn, though he might have some mis- Deciding to probe the kingside to persuade
givings about leaving his defensive role on his opponent into weakening his pawn struc-
f6. ture. As we shall see White is playing with
12 Ne4 fire.
EXERCISE: What is the best way to defuse
White’s kingside initiative? — ANSWER:
12. . . h6!
A key preventive move in this type of pawn
centre. It takes away g5 from the white mi-
8
0Zrs0ZkZ
nor pieces, after which they can no longer
7
ZbZ0lpo0
launch threats against the black king. 6
0o0ZpZ0o
13 Bd2 c5 5
o0anO0Z0
Jakovenko achieves his freeing move. The
opening has ended in fiasco for White.
4
0Z0Z0Z0M
14 dXc5 NXc5 15 NXc5 BXc5
3
O0Z0Z0O0
Now Tomashevsky has to tread carefully
2
0O0AQOBO
as all his opponent’s minor pieces are on ex-
cellent squares.
1
Z0S0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
16 Qa4 Qe7 17 a3 a5 18 Rac1
21 Rfd1
21. . . Qe8 22 Qg4?! f5! 23 eXf6 NXf6
8
rZ0Z0skZ Now the white queen and bishop on d2
are both hanging.
7
ZbZ0lpo0 24 Qe2
6
0o0ZpZ0o Back again, with Black’s kingside under-
5
o0anO0Z0 mined. — EXERCISE: Can you see the strong
4
QZ0Z0Z0Z reply that Jakovenko had prepared? — AN-
SWER:
3
O0Z0ZNO0 24. . . Ba6!
2
0O0A0OBO The impossible move happens (see the com-
1
Z0S0ZRJ0 ment to move 19). Black gets a rook to the
a b c d e f g h seventh rank.
25 QXa6 RXd2 26 Kh1
18 Rfe1? f5! 19 Nh4 f4! 20 Ng6?! BXf2+! The king retires as Black had tactics against
21 Kh1 Qf7 22 NXf8 f3! 23 Bh3 BXe1! 24 the f2-pawn: either 26...Bxf2+! or 26...Rxf2!
BXe1 f2 25 BXf2 Nf4+ 26 Bg2 NXg2 27 Kg1 when in either case the rook on c1 would
RXf8 28 BXb6 Ne3 29 BXe3 Qf3 drop if White captured on f2.
18. . . Rad8 19 Qc4 26. . . Rcd8
No longer fearing a ...Ba6 riposte after Black’s
last move the white queen returns to e2 where
she solidifies the white centre.
19. . . Rc8 20 Qe2 Rfd8 21 Nh4?
31
8
0Z0sqZkZ
7
Z0Z0Z0o0
6
Qo0Zpm0o
5
o0a0Z0Z0
4
0Z0Z0Z0M
3
O0Z0Z0O0
2
0O0s0OBO
1
Z0S0ZRZK
a b c d e f g h
26. . . BXf2?? 27 RXc8

26. . . RXb2!
27 b4 aXb4 28 aXb4 BXf2 29 Nf3 Rb2 30
Qa1 Re2 31 Qa6 Rb2
8
0Z0sqZkZ
7
Z0Z0Z0o0
6
Qo0Zpm0o
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0O0Z0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
0s0Z0aBO
1
Z0S0ZRZK
a b c d e f g h
31. . . b5
32 Qa1 Re2 33 Qa6
. White had a lucky escape in this game.
1/2-1/2
32
White: So, W. 6: Wijk aan Zee
Black: Wojtaszek, R.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 6 O-O dXc4 7 Qc2

6. . . c5
Played in the style of the Queen’s Gambit
8
rmblkans Tarrasch Defence. This ambitious thrust is
justified as White has weakened his support
7
opopopop of d4 and slowed down his development by
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z putting his queen on c2.
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
POPZPOPO
8
rmbl0skZ
1
SNAQJBMR
7
opZ0apop
a b c d e f g h 6
0Z0Zpm0Z
5
Z0opZ0Z0
1 c4 Nf6 2 Nf3 e6 3 g3 d5 4 d4 Be7 5 Bg2
O-O 6 Qc2
4
0ZPO0Z0Z
1. . . d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 Be7 5 Bg2 O-
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
O 6 Qc2
2
POQZPOBO
Quite a popular move. White defends c4
at once;
1
SNA0J0ZR
a b c d e f g h
6. . . c6 7 O-O b6
6. . . dXc4 7 QXc4 a6 8 Bf4!? Bd6 9 Ne5 b5?!
8
rmbl0skZ 10 Qc2 Nd5 11 Nc3 Bb7 12 NXd5 BXd5 13
e4 Bb4+ 14 Ke2 Bb7 15 Rhd1
7
opo0apop 7 O-O
6
0Z0Zpm0Z A sensible developing move.
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0 7 cXd5 cXd4! 8 NXd4 NXd5 9 O-O Nb4 10
4
0ZPO0Z0Z Qc3 e5
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 7 dXc5 d4 8 O-O Nc6 9 a3
2
POQZPOBO 7. . . Nc6
1
SNA0J0ZR
a b c d e f g h
33
9. . . BXc5? 10 b4 Bb6 11 b5 Na5 12 Bf4
8
rZbl0skZ 10 Rd1
Preparing his next move by pinning the
7
opZ0apop d4-pawn.
6
0ZnZpm0Z 10. . . e5 11 Nc3
5
Z0opZ0Z0 The most active development for the knight.
4
0ZPO0Z0Z 11. . . BXc5 12 Nd5!
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 The knight intrudes into Black’s half of the
board. — EXERCISE: Can you see the trap
2
POQZPOBO that So has prepared if Black plays the nat-
1
SNA0ZRJ0 ural 12...a4, for example?
a b c d e f g h 12. . . h6
7. . . cXd4 8 NXd4 e5 9 Nf5 d4 10 NXe7+ QXe7

11 b4 Be6 12 Nd2 Rc8 13 Qd3 Nc6 14 a3!?
8 dXc5 d4
8
rZbl0skZ
Black establishes a big pawn centre. This
7
ZpZ0Zpo0
is a source of dynamism if the advanced pawns 6
0ZnZ0m0o
remain strong as his pieces have a lot of squares
to manoeuvre behind them. On the other
5
o0aNo0Z0
hand, it becomes a liability if the pawns or
4
0ZPo0Z0Z
the pieces supporting them are successfully 3
O0Z0ZNO0
undermined. 2
0OQZPOBO
9 a3 a5!
The standard response in this type of po-
1
S0ARZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
sition is to restrain the pawns from advanc-
ing.
12. . . NXd5?? 13 cXd5 QXd5 14 Ng5 e4 15
NXe4
12. . . a4? 13 Ng5! g6 14 NXf6+ QXf6 15
Ne4 Qe7 16 Bh6! Re8 17 Bg5
8
rZbl0skZ 13 Bd2
7
ZpZ0apop A modest move, but with big dreams of
6
0ZnZpm0Z gaining a lot of space on the queenside with
14 b4.
5
o0O0Z0Z0 13. . . a4
4
0ZPo0Z0Z Black stops the 14 b4 advance, but White
3
O0Z0ZNO0 can reenergize his queenside play.
2
0OQZPOBO 14 Bb4! NXb4
1
SNA0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
34
20. . . Rfd8 21 Nd2 Be6 22 b5
Having rearranged the pieces to his satis-
8
rZbl0skZ faction, White now pushes forward on the
7
ZpZ0Zpo0 queenside. It took a lot of calculation and
judgement to confirm that he isn’t over ex-
6
0Z0Z0m0o tending his position as the c5-pawn becomes
5
Z0aNo0Z0 a target.
4
pmPo0Z0Z 22. . . Nb8 23 Qb4
3
O0Z0ZNO0 Guarding c5 and attacking a4, but it takes
self-belief to walk into a pin. Now one idea
2
0OQZPOBO for White is 24 Ne4 and 25 Nd6, which partly
1
S0ZRZ0J0 explains Black’s next move.
a b c d e f g h
23. . . f5
It seems as if Wojtaszek is about to take
14. . . b6 15 BXc5 bXc5 16 NXe5! NXe5 17 control. He only needs to play 24...e4, shut-
NXf6+ QXf6 18 BXa8 ting out the Catalan bishop, and then he is
14. . . Bd6 15 BXd6 QXd6 16 Rac1 ready for 25...Nd7 without allowing Bxb7. Af-
ter that he would pick up the c5-pawn in
15 aXb4 NXd5 16 bXc5 Nb4 17 Qd2 Nc6 18 exchange for the a4-pawn with an excellent
b4! game thanks to his own mobile centre pawns.
I assume Black missed or underestimated — EXERCISE: How can White stop this plan
the power of this move when he played 14...Nxb4.
in time? — ANSWER:
Exploiting the pin on the a-file, this thrust
changes the nature of the queenside pawn 24 Nb3!
structure. In one fell swoop the white pawns Again So utilizes the pin on the a-file at a
are transformed from a random heap into crucial moment in the game (see too move
a juggernaut which has the mobility to cre- 18). He defends c5 a second time and threat-
ate a passed pawn. Of course, Black is be- ens 25 Rxa4 without having to give up the
ing granted an immediate passed pawn, but strong c5-pawn.
it is isolated and sickly compared to White’s
compact mass of pawns.
18. . . Qe7 19 Qb2!
The queen vacates the d2-square for the
knight. From there the horse will defend c4
8
rm0s0ZkZ
and given the chance will take part in more
7
ZpZ0l0o0
aggressive ventures on the queenside or pos- 6
0Z0ZbZ0o
sibly in the centre with Ne4 and Nd6. At
the same time moving the knight to d2 will
5
ZPO0opZ0
open the diagonal for the bishop on g2.
4
pLPo0Z0Z
19. . . Bg4
3
ZNZ0Z0O0
Played to deter the plan of Nd2 as e2 will 2
0Z0ZPOBO
drop. So finds a simple solution. 1
S0Z0S0J0
20 Re1! a b c d e f g h
Defending e2 to make his knight mobile
again. 24 RXa4 RXa4 25 QXa4 QXc5 26 BXb7 e4
35
24. . . Nd7 25 BXb7!
This capture had to be worked out pre-
cisely.
8
0Z0s0ZkZ
7
Z0ZPZ0o0
6
0Z0ZbZ0o
5
ZPZ0opZ0
8
rZ0s0ZkZ 4
0Sro0Z0Z
7
ZBZnl0o0 3
ZNZ0Z0O0
6
0Z0ZbZ0o 2
0Z0ZPO0O
5
ZPO0opZ0 1
Z0Z0S0J0
4
pLPo0Z0Z a b c d e f g h
3
ZNZ0Z0O0 29. . . RdXd7 30 c5! BXb3 31 c6 Rd8 32 RXb3
2
0Z0ZPO0O 30 RXc4
1
S0Z0S0J0 ANSWER!
a b c d e f g h
30. . . BXc4 31 Rc1!
Without this resource White’s unsupported
25 RXa4 RXa4 26 QXa4 NXc5 27 NXc5 QXc5 pawn on d7 would tumble. Now, however,
28 BXb7 e4 it wins the game after 31...Bxb3 (or equally
25. . . Rab8 31...Bxb5 32 Rc8) 32 Rc8.
A tense situation as Black is attacking two 31. . . Be6 32 Rc8!
pieces. Anyway. There are other moves that win,
26 RXa4 but this forces a simple position where White
Not only activating the rook and saving will have an extra piece.
the knight from capture, but also defending 32. . . RXc8 33 dXc8Q+ BXc8 34 b6
the white queen which makes the queen-
side pawns mobile again by removing the
pin on c5.
26. . . RXb7 27 c6
8
0ZbZ0ZkZ
The fork comes to White’s rescue allowing
7
Z0Z0Z0o0
him to regain the piece. 6
0O0Z0Z0o
27. . . QXb4 28 RXb4 Rc7 29 cXd7 RXc4 5
Z0Z0opZ0
This is the move Black was relying on. He
breaks up White’s queenside phalanx leav-
4
0Z0o0Z0Z
ing him with apparently weak pawns on b5
3
ZNZ0Z0O0
and d7. — EXERCISE: What is the winning
sequence that Wesley So must have calcu-
2
0Z0ZPO0O
lated way ahead of reaching this position?
1
Z0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
34 b6 Kf7 35 Nc5
36
1-0
37
White: 2: Regaining the Pawn ?
Black: ?
Opening ECO: E01
Result: *
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3
, Black’s capture with
4. . . dXc4
and the reply
5 Bg2
lead to wide-ranging and complex vari-
ations which are examined from Chapters
Three to Six in this book.
8
rmblka0s
7
opo0Zpop
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
SNAQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
5 Qa4+ Bd7
38
White: Korchnoi, V. 7: 8th matchgame, London
Black: Kasparov, G.
Result: 1/2-1/2
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 6 QXc4 c5!

Qa4+ Black liquidates the white centre and gets
his ’bad’ bishop to an active post on c6, thereby
achieving two of his main aims in the open-
ing without much effort. It is no wonder
8
rmblka0s that world champions such as Karpov, Kas-
7
opo0Zpop parov and Anand have been happy to de-
fend this line as Black. — QUESTION: But
6
0Z0Zpm0Z hold on, isn’t Black giving up a pawn? —
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 ANSWER: As we shall see, it is only a tem-
4
QZpO0Z0Z porary offer. White won’t be able to defend
the c5-pawn in the face of pressure from the
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 Black’s bishop on f8, a knight on d7 (after
2
PO0ZPO0O ...Bc6 vacates the square), and a black rook
on c8.
1
SNA0JBZR
a b c d e f g h 7 Bg2
5 Bg2 c5 6 Qa4+ Bd7 7 QXc4 Bc6

5. . . Bd7!? 8
rm0lka0s
This is not at all bad for Black; 7
opZbZpop
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
5
Z0o0Z0Z0
8
rm0lka0s
4
0ZQO0Z0Z
7
opobZpop
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
2
PO0ZPOBO
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
1
SNA0J0ZR
a b c d e f g h
4
QZpO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 7 dXc5 Bc6 8 Nc3 Nbd7 9 Be3 Rc8 10 Bg2
2
PO0ZPO0O BXc5! 11 BXc5 BXf3 12 BXf3 RXc5 13 Qb3
b6 14 O-O O-O 15 Rfd1 Qb8
1
SNA0JBZR 7. . . Bc6
a b c d e f g h
5. . . Nbd7!
39
8
rm0lka0s 8
rZ0lka0s
7
opZ0Zpop 7
opZnZpop
6
0ZbZpm0Z 6
0Z0Zpm0Z
5
Z0o0Z0Z0 5
Z0ObZ0Z0
4
0ZQO0Z0Z 4
QZ0Z0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 3
Z0Z0ANO0
2
PO0ZPOBO 2
PO0ZPOBO
1
SNA0J0ZR 1
SNZ0J0ZR
7. . . cXd4 8 NXd4 Qb6 9 O-O 10 Qb4 a5 11 Qf4 BXc5 12 BXc5 NXc5 13

8 dXc5 Nbd7 Nc3 O-O 14 NXd5 NXd5 15 Qd4 Qb6 16
EXERCISE: White has to try to hold on to O-O Rac8 17 Rac1
the pawn for a while as 9 Nc3 Bxc5 is already 10. . . Bc6 11 Qc4 Bd5
fine for Black. Out of 9 Be3 or 9 b4, which Offering Korchnoi the chance of a repe-
would you choose? — ANSWER: tition. Naturally a legendary fighter doesn’t
9 Be3 deal in 12 move draws with White.
12 Qb4 Qc8
8
rZ0lka0s
7
opZnZpop
8
rZqZka0s
6
0ZbZpm0Z
7
opZnZpop
5
Z0O0Z0Z0
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
4
0ZQZ0Z0Z
5
Z0ObZ0Z0
3
Z0Z0ANO0
4
0L0Z0Z0Z
2
PO0ZPOBO
3
Z0Z0ANO0
1
SNZ0J0ZR
2
PO0ZPOBO
a b c d e f g h 1
SNZ0J0ZR
a b c d e f g h
9 b4 a5! 10 b5 Bd5
12. . . a5
9. . . Bd5
Black harasses the white queen and drives 13 Nc3 BXc5
her away from the defence of the c5-pawn.
10 Qa4
40
target it? — ANSWER:
8
rZqZkZ0s 22 Nb3!
The knight retreats in order to go to c5 or
7
opZnZpop a5 to attack the b7-pawn.
6
0Z0Zpm0Z 22. . . RXc1
5
Z0abZ0Z0 Kasparov seeks salvation in simplification.
He doesn’t want to risk his rooks being de-
4
0L0Z0Z0Z flected from the fight for the c-file by the
3
Z0M0ANO0 need to defend b7. He is willing to pay the
2
PO0ZPOBO price of an isolated pawn.
1
S0Z0J0ZR 23 RXc1 Rc8 24 RXc8+?
a b c d e f g h
13. . . NXc5 14 Qf4!

14 BXc5 QXc5 15 NXd5! NXd5 16 Qd2!
8
0ZRZ0ZkZ
After his astute exchange on d5 White has
7
opZ0Zpop
the advantage of the Catalan bishop versus 6
0m0ZpZ0Z
a knight. It’s not a great deal, but it can be
built upon. Korchnoi found a way to avoid
5
Z0ZnZ0Z0
the obvious 15 Qxc5 Nxc5 when Black’s knight
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
is activated. Furthermore, after the exchange 3
ZNZ0Z0O0
of queens the black king could have stayed
in the centre with ...Ke7 rather than castled.
2
PO0ZPOBO
— Korchnoi is shrewd enough to wait until
1
Z0Z0Z0J0
Black plays 17...0-0 before contemplating a a b c d e f g h
queen exchange.
16. . . Rc8 17 O-O O-O 18 Rac1 Qb6 24 Rc5! ZZ– 25 Ra5 a6 26 Rc5
According to Keene and Lawson in their 24. . . NXc8 25 BXd5 eXd5
book of the Kasparov-Korchnoi match, "Kas- Black has an isolated pawn, but his king
parov started to look worried" after White’s can be rushed to its defence. In Catalan endgames
next move. it’s important to be able to distinguish be-
19 Qd4! tween a symbolic advantage and one that
The offer to exchange queens is unpleas- can be built upon. Black’s vulnerable queen-
ant for Black. It opens the way for White’s side offered White a ’real’ advantage, whereas
knight to inveigle itself into the queenside. the isolated pawn is more symbolic. Of course,
At the same time the black knight on d5 comesa symbolic advantage between world-class
under pressure from the bishop on g2, and players in a Candidates match might con-
further down the diagonal the b7-pawn has stitute a real advantage on a rainy night at a
lost its defender. It is one of those positions match between Wood Green and the Kings
where Black is about equal, but not quite Head pub in the London Chess League.
dead equal. 26 Nc5 Nd6 27 Kg2 Kf8 28 Kf3 Ke7 29 Kf4
19. . . Rfd8 20 Rfd1 QXd4 21 NXd4 N7b6 f6!
EXERCISE: What is the most vulnerable A vital move to keep White’s king out of
point in Black’s queenside and how can White e5. Black has no problems in holding the
41
draw.
30 h4 g6 31 g4 b6 32 Na6 Ne4 33 f3 Nc5
34 Nc7 d4 35 Nd5+ Ke6 36 Nb4 a5 37 Nd3
Kd5 38 g5 f5 39 Kg3 NXd3
1/2-1/2
42
White: Kasimdzhanov, R. 8: European Club Cup, Eilat
Black: Dizdarevic, E.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 6 QXc4 a6 7 Bg2 b5

Qa4+ Nbd7! 6. . . a6!
Black’s best reply after which after which A common motif which we’ll also see in
it is difficult to prove any advantage for White. the Catalan Mainline with 7 Qc2 in Chap-
ters Nine and Ten. Black wastes no time in
arranging ...b7-b5 to clear the way for his
bishop to get to b7.
8
rZblka0s 7 QXc4 b5
EXERCISE: Before reading on, how would
7
oponZpop you assess the position after 8 Qc2 equal or
6
0Z0Zpm0Z a tiny edge for White or for Black? What are
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 the factors that influence your verdict?
4
QZpO0Z0Z 8 Qc6!?
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
PO0ZPO0O
1
SNA0JBZR
8
rZblka0s
a b c d e f g h
7
Z0onZpop
6
pZQZpm0Z
5. . . Qd7 6 QXc4 Qc6 7 Nbd2! QXc4 8 NXc4
Bb4+ 9 Bd2 BXd2+ 10 NcXd2
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
6 Bg2
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
PO0ZPOBO
8
rZblka0s
1
SNA0J0ZR
a b c d e f g h
7
oponZpop
6
0Z0Zpm0Z 8 Qc2 Bb7 9 O-O c5 10 a4 Rc8 11 aXb5 aXb5
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 12 Qb3 Qb6 13 Na3 Bc6
4
QZpO0Z0Z 8. . . Rb8
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
SNA0J0ZR
a b c d e f g h
43
only ends up with his rook trapped on e2.
8
0sblka0s
7
Z0onZpop
6
pZQZpm0Z 8
0Z0Z0skZ
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0 7
Z0ZnZpop
4
0Z0O0Z0Z 6
pZ0Zpm0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
2
PO0ZPOBO 4
0a0O0A0Z
1
SNA0J0ZR 3
Z0Z0ZbO0
a b c d e f g h
2
POrMPOBO
8. . . Ra7 9 Qc2!? Bb7 10 O-O 1
ZRZ0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
9 Bf4 Bb7!
Gambiting the c7-pawn for a strong ini-
tiative. 15. . . Nd5 16 Rfc1 Rfc8 17 Nb3 NXf4 18 gXf4
Bd5
16 NXf3 RXe2
8
0s0lka0s 8
0Z0Z0skZ
7
ZbonZpop 7
Z0ZnZpop
6
pZQZpm0Z 6
pZ0Zpm0Z
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0 5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
4
0Z0O0A0Z 4
0a0O0A0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
PO0ZPOBO 2
PO0ZrOBO
1
SNZ0J0ZR 1
ZRZ0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
9. . . Nd5? 10 Bg5! Be7 11 BXe7 QXe7 12

Nc3 Nb4 13 QXc7! Nc2+ 14 Kd1 NXa1 15 16. . . Nd5
Ne5!! O-O? 16 Nc6 Qe8 17 NXb8 17 a3 Be7 18 Rfc1
10 QXc7 Bb4+ 11 Nbd2 QXc7 12 BXc7 Rc8 Now Black has no defence against White’s
13 Bf4 Rc2 next move.
Kasimdzhanov has handed Black a strong 18. . . Nd5 19 Kf1
initiative for his pawn. The hunter hunted. White’s king has been
14 Rb1 O-O 15 O-O BXf3? terrorised by the black rook, but now it has
This, however, is very serious mistake. Diz- trapped it.
darevic is in a rush to get his pawn back, but 19. . . RXb2
44
After this it won’t be difficult for a former d2-d4 altogether in favour of d2-d3. — White
FIDE World Champion to exploit his extra could also play d2-d4 as normal, but delay
piece. Nf3 in favour of Bg2 so that the bishop on g2
prevents an easy ...b7-b5. — Another sub-
tlety is that having played Qa4+ and Qxc4,
White will probably be keen to get his queen
out of the way of the ...b7-b5 move - oth-
0Z0Z0skZ
8
erwise with the queen hanging on c4 there
Z0Znapop
7 would be no time to stop ...Bb7 next move.
This can be done by voluntarily withdraw-
pZ0ZpZ0Z
6
ing the queen with Qc2 or Qb3 before ...b7-
ZpZnZ0Z0
5 b5 is played. This retreat might be played
0Z0O0A0Z
4 in preference to a move like d2-d4 or Nf3 or
0-0 depending on the state of play. — This
O0Z0ZNO0
3
discussion might seem abstract, but it will
0s0Z0OBO
2 help you understand the ideas in the games
that follow. White might not get an objec-
ZRS0ZKZ0
1
tive advantage by obstructing an ultrafast ...Bb7,
a b c d e f g h
but he gets an interesting position and doesn’t
give Black straightforward development and
19. . . NXf4 20 gXf4 Re4 21 Rc7! Rd8 22 Ne5 a comfortable game.
RXd4 23 Nc6 Bd6 24 Ra7 Bc5 25 NXd4 BXa7
26 Nc6 Ra8 27 Rd1! Nf6 28 NXa7
1-0
20 RXb2 BXa3 21 Ra2 BXc1 22 BXc1 Rc8
23 Bd2 b4 24 Ne1 N7b6 25 RXa6 b3 26 BXd5
NXd5 27 Ra1 Nb6 28 Ke2 b2 29 Rb1 Na4
30 Nd3 h5 31 Nc5
. The game above wasn’t very impressive
for White from a theoretical viewpoint. We
might conclude that after Qa4+ and the re-
sponse ...Nbd7 Black has at least an equal
game if he gets in the moves ... a6, ...b5 and
...Bb7 without being immediately punished.
His bishop on b7 will be just as good as White’s
Catalan bishop on g2. I shall call this rapid
deployment of the bishop an ultrafast ...Bb7.
— What might stop the ultrafast ...Bb7 from
happening? Well Black might spoil it him-
self if he throws in the natural ...c7-c5-pawn
advance before completing it. This gives White
a vital tempo to obstruct the plan. — Alter-
natively, a witty move order by White might
trick Black out of an ultrafast ...Bb7. This
could involve delaying d2-d4 so that White
has got in Nf3 and Bg2 and is ready to an-
swer ...b7-b5 with Ne5, stopping ...Bb7. No-
tice that in these lines White might avoid
45
White: Artemiev, V. 9: Tashkent
Black: Safarli, E.
Result: 1/2-1/2
1 Nf3
An example of a delayed d2-d4. White will
use the tempo to deter an ultrafast ...Bb7. If
8
rmblka0s
you adopt this move order, remember that 7
opopopop
Black has options which are out of the scope
of this book.
6
0Z0Z0m0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNZ0
8
rmblkans 2
POPOPOPO
7
opopopop 1
SNAQJBZR
0Z0Z0Z0Z
6 a b c d e f g h
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 1. . . c5
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Bg2 dXc4 5 Qa4+
3
Z0Z0ZNZ0 Having mobilized his kingside pieces quickly
2
POPOPOPO to oppose a future ...b7-b5, White regains
his pawn.
1
SNAQJBZR 5. . . Nbd7 6 QXc4 a6
a b c d e f g h
EXERCISE: Having read the discussion above
can you guess White’s high-class positional
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Bg2 dXc4 5 Qa4+ move? — ANSWER:
Nbd7 6 QXc4 a6 7 Qc2 b5
7 Qc2!
1. . . Nf6 Exactly.
46
QUESTION: I understand Black wants his
bishop on b7, but what are the merits and
8
rZblka0s drawbacks of pushing the b-pawn one or two
7
ZponZpop squares to clear the way? — ANSWER: In
general, advancing ...b7-b5 is almost always
6
pZ0Zpm0Z better than ...b7-b6 if it gains time by hitting
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 the white queen. In this case she is evacu-
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z ated to c2 so it loses most of its sting. Nonethe-
less on b5 the pawn keeps the b6-square va-
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 cant for the black queen (she might also use
2
POQOPOBO the a5-square in an emergency). On the other
1
SNA0J0ZR hand, on b5 the pawn is exposed to attack
by a2-a4 and doesn’t protect the potentially
a b c d e f g h
fragile c5-pawn.
7 Qb3!
7 O-O b5 8 Qc2 Bb7
7 Qc2 b5? 8 Ne5 Nd5 9 Nc6 Qf6 10 O-O
7. . . c5
8
rZblka0s
White’s astute move order has cajoled Black
7
Z0ZnZpop
into what is very much Plan B for him in this 6
po0Zpm0Z
set-up. 5
Z0o0Z0Z0
8 d4
Finally we are in Catalan territory.
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
POQZPOBO
1
SNA0J0ZR
a b c d e f g h
8
rZblka0s
7
ZpZnZpop 8. . . b5 9 Ne5 Nd5 10 Nc3 NXe5 11 NXd5
6
pZ0Zpm0Z eXd5 12 dXe5 Bb7 13 O-O Be7 14 Rd1 Qd7
15 BXd5? BXd5 16 e4 BXe4!
5
Z0o0Z0Z0
9 Ne5
4
0Z0O0Z0Z This attacking move is necessary as oth-
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 erwise ...Bb7 would equalize at once for Black.
2
POQZPOBO 9. . . Nd5
1
SNA0J0ZR Black is obliged to block the diagonal with
his knight.
a b c d e f g h
10 Nc3
8 O-O b5 9 a4 Bb7
8 Nc3 Qc7!? 9 d4 b5 10 Bf4 Qa7
8. . . b6
47
8
rZblka0s 8
rZ0lka0s
7
Z0ZnZpop 7
ZbZnZpop
6
po0ZpZ0Z 6
po0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0onM0Z0 5
Z0opM0Z0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z 4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
Z0M0Z0O0 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
POQZPOBO 2
POQZPOBO
1
S0A0J0ZR 1
S0A0J0ZR
10 Nc6 Qc7 11 e4 N5f6! 12 d5 Bb7 13 O- 11. . . BXd5 12 BXd5 eXd5 13 Bf4 NXe5 14
O Bd6 14 Nd2 O-O 15 Nc4 eXd5 16 eXd5 BXe5
NXd5 17 BXd5 BXc6 18 Rd1 BXd5 19 RXd5 12 O-O NXe5 13 dXe5
Be7 20 RXd7 QXd7 21 NXb6 Qe6 22 NXa8 A familiar type of pawn structure for this
RXa8 23 Be3 Rc8 24 a3 variation. For example, it occurred in the
10. . . Bb7 Tkachiev game mentioned in the notes af-
ter 8...b6 above. Here Black adopts the same
queen manoeuvre.
8
rZ0lka0s 13. . . Qd7
The queen heads to e6 where she attacks
7
ZbZnZpop e5, helps defend b6 and d5, and is away from
6
po0ZpZ0Z any pin on the d-file.
5
Z0onM0Z0 14 Rd1 Qe6 15 Be3 Be7
EXERCISE: Our e5-pawn is hanging. We
4
0Z0O0Z0Z should do something to undermine Black’s
3
Z0M0Z0O0 pawn structure, but what? — ANSWER:
2
POQZPOBO 16 b4!?
1
S0A0J0ZR A very logical ’human’ move to weaken
the black pawn front.
a b c d e f g h
10. . . Nb4 11 Qd1 NXe5 12 dXe5 QXd1+ 13

KXd1 Ra7 14 a3 Rd7+ 15 Bd2 Nd5 16 NXd5
eXd5 17 b4 Rd8 18 Bg5
11 NXd5 eXd5
48
8
rZ0ZkZ0s 8
0ZrZ0skZ
7
ZbZ0apop 7
ZbZ0Zpop
6
po0ZqZ0Z 6
po0ZqZ0Z
5
Z0opO0Z0 5
Z0ZpO0Z0
4
0O0Z0Z0Z 4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0A0O0 3
Z0Z0L0O0
2
PZQZPOBO 2
PZ0ZPOBO
1
S0ZRZ0J0 1
Z0SRZ0J0
16 Qa4+! b5 17 Qa3 c4 18 Qa5 QXe5? 19 20 Rab1 Rc5 21 Qd4

Bd4 Qg5? 20 Qc7!
20. . . d4!
16. . . O-O 16. . . c4 17 Qd2 b5 18 a3 Rd8 19 Getting rid of the isolated pawn and the
Bd4 O-O bad bishop in one stroke.
17 bXc5 21 QXd4 RXc1
White finds it easier to attack Black’s hang-
ing pawns because he avoided 16...c4.
17. . . BXc5 8
0Z0Z0skZ
7
ZbZ0Zpop
8
rZ0Z0skZ 6
po0ZqZ0Z
7
ZbZ0Zpop 5
Z0Z0O0Z0
6
po0ZqZ0Z 4
0Z0L0Z0Z
5
Z0apO0Z0 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z 2
PZ0ZPOBO
3
Z0Z0A0O0 1
Z0sRZ0J0
2
PZQZPOBO a b c d e f g h
1
S0ZRZ0J0 21. . . RXc1 22 RXc1 BXg2 23 KXg2 QXa2 24
a b c d e f g h
e4! b5 25 Rc7 a5 26 Ra7 a4 27 Qd5 Qe2 28
17. . . bXc5? 18 Rab1! Rab8 19 RXb7! RXb7 Ra8
20 BXd5
17. . . BXc5 18 BXc5 Rfc8 19 Qb2 RXc5 20 1/2-1/2
Rab1 b5 21 Rbc1
18 Qb3?! BXe3 19 QXe3 Rac8 20 Rac1?
A little too routine.
49
White: 3: Black Holds on to c4 ?
Black: ?
Opening ECO: E04
Result: *
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2

. In this chapter Black snatches the pawn
on c4 and then prepares to defend it in Slav-
style with ...b7-b5. The resulting complica-
tions are one of the reasons that players of
White often choose a move order that avoids
the possibility. Perhaps they fear their op-
ponent’s preparation or just want a quieter
life. However, as we shall see it is a risky ap-
proach for Black. If White is prepared to en-
ter the maelstrom he has good chances.
50
White: Kantor, G. 10: Budapest
Black: Rydstrom, T.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Nf3 dXc4 5 Bg2

b5?!
EXERCISE: Can you work out why ...Nd5
8
rmblka0s
is an undesirable move for Black and how 7
o0o0Zpop
can White force Black into playing it? 6
0Z0Zpm0Z
5
ZpZ0M0Z0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
8
rmblka0s
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
7
o0o0Zpop
2
PO0ZPOBO
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
1
SNAQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z 6 a4! c6 7 Ne5 Nd5
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 6. . . Nd5
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
SNAQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
8
rmblka0s
7
o0o0Zpop
5. . . a6 6 O-O b5 6
0Z0ZpZ0Z
6 Ne5! 5
ZpZnM0Z0
ANSWER: Exactly. The threat to a8 virtu-
ally obliges Black to block with the knight
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
on d5.
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
SNAQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
6. . . c6 7 NXc6 Qb6 8 Na5! Nd5 9 Bd2 Nc6

10 NXc6 QXc6 11 O-O Bb7 12 e4 Nf6 13
d5! eXd5 14 eXd5 NXd5 15 Re1+ Be7 16
Bb4
7 a4
This quick pawn stab doesn’t give Black
time to develop with ...Bb7 and ...a7-a6, as
51
after 7...a6? 8 axb5 the rook on a8 isn’t yet
defended by the bishop on b7. We begin to
see why 5...b5 has led to a struggle on the
8
rm0lka0s
queenside that Black isn’t ready for. 7
obZ0Zpop
7. . . c6 6
0ZpZpZ0Z
White has extracted the moves ...c7-c6 and
...Nd5 from Black. With the pawn on c6, the
5
ZpZnM0Z0
bishop won’t enjoy an open diagonal on b7,
4
PZpO0Z0Z
and the knight on b8 is denied its optimum
square. Well, you expect that in a Slav set-
3
ZPZ0Z0O0
up: it’s a price you have to pay for having an
2
0Z0ZPOBO
extra pawn. Of much more significance is 1
SNAQZRJ0
that the king’s knight has been more or less a b c d e f g h
forced to d5. Not only has it cost Black a
tempo to put it there, but it is a target for an 9 e4 Nf6 10 Nc3 a6 11 d5 Be7
e2-e4 advance. This bolsters White’s chances
9. . . cXb3
of a central breakthrough with the follow up
move d4-d5, as occurs in the game. — As a
general rule, the knight being on d5 without
White having gone Nc3 is usually bad news rm0lka0s
8
for Black. With Nc3 played, he can always
meet e2-e4 with ...Nxc3, not losing time and
obZ0Zpop
7
reducing the pressure on his queenside. 0ZpZpZ0Z

6
8 O-O Bb7
5
ZpZnM0Z0
4
PZ0O0Z0Z
3
ZpZ0Z0O0
8
rm0lka0s 2
0Z0ZPOBO
7
obZ0Zpop 1
SNAQZRJ0
6
0ZpZpZ0Z a b c d e f g h
5
ZpZnM0Z0 9. . . Nd7 10 aXb5 NXe5 11 dXe5 cXb5 12 bXc4
4
PZpO0Z0Z bXc4 13 Qa4+ Qd7 14 QXd7+ KXd7 15 Rd1
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 Kc7 16 Rd4! Nb6 17 Rf4 BXg2 18 KXg2
2
0O0ZPOBO 10 aXb5
1
SNAQZRJ0 This increases the scope of Black’s bishop
on b7, but it is positionally correct as it makes
a b c d e f g h
way for the central advance d4-d5 by remov-
ing Black’s pawn from c6.
8. . . a6 9 aXb5 cXb5 10 b3 cXb3 11 QXb3 Bb7
10. . . cXb5 11 QXb3
9 b3!? We can now see that with 9 b3 White has
QUESTION: What is the point of this move? secured the b3-square for his queen. Here
— ANSWER: All will become clear after move she attacks the b5-pawn and exerts pressure
11 below. along the a2-g8 in support of a d4-d5 ad-
vance in the centre. Another good point of
52
9 b3 is that the rook on f1 can in some cases 14. . . Be7 15 d6!
be deployed to d1 in support of the central 14. . . NXd5 15 Rd1
break now that the square has been vacated.
14. . . BXd5 15 Qe3! Qe7 16 Rd1! BXg2 17
11. . . a6 12 e4 Nf6 13 d5! KXg2 Qb7+ 18 Nc6+ Be7 19 Rd8#
White powers forward in the centre. Note
that the move ...Bb7 has weakened the e6- 15 Nc6 Qc7
and f7-pawns by denying them the support
of the bishop on c8. This will become of sig-
nificance due to Black’s lagging kingside de-
velopment.
rm0ZkZ0s
8
13. . . eXd5
Zbl0Zpop
7
6
pZNa0m0Z
5
ZpZPZ0Z0
8
rm0lka0s
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
ZbZ0Zpop
3
ZQZ0Z0O0
6
pZ0Z0m0Z
2
0Z0Z0OBO
5
ZpZpM0Z0
1
SNA0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
4
0Z0ZPZ0Z
3
ZQZ0Z0O0 15. . . BXc6 16 dXc6 O-O 17 c7
2
0Z0Z0OBO 16 Re1+ Kf8 17 Ba3!
1
SNA0ZRJ0 The black king and queen will be targeted.
a b c d e f g h 17. . . Nbd7 18 Rc1!
An unexpected change of front which is
13. . . Bd6 14 NXf7! KXf7 15 dXe6+ Ke8 16 immediately decisive. It shows the strength
Bb2 of White’s pieces that he is able to establish
a winning position despite having a rook on
14 eXd5 Bd6 a1 and a knight on b1 doing very little.
18. . . Ne8
8
rm0lkZ0s
7
ZbZ0Zpop 8
rZ0Znj0s
6
pZ0a0m0Z 7
ZblnZpop
5
ZpZPM0Z0 6
pZNa0Z0Z
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z 5
ZpZPZ0Z0
3
ZQZ0Z0O0 4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
2
0Z0Z0OBO 3
AQZ0Z0O0
1
SNA0ZRJ0 2
0Z0Z0OBO
a b c d e f g h 1
SNS0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
53
18. . . ZZ– 19 Na5! Qb6 20 BXd6+ QXd6 21
NXb7
18. . . BXc6 19 RXc6
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
18. . . Kg8 19 Ne7+
7
Z0Z0ZRo0
19 Na5! Nc5
6
0Z0s0j0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0ZBZ0Z0Z
8
rZ0Znj0s
3
Z0Z0Z0Op
7
Zbl0Zpop
2
0Z0Z0O0O
6
pZ0a0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
5
MpmPZ0Z0
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z 37 BXf7??
3
AQZ0Z0O0 37. . . Kg6 38 Re7
2
0Z0Z0OBO 1-0
1
SNS0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
19. . . Qb6 20 NXb7 QXb7 21 BXd6+ NXd6

22 Qb4 Qb8 23 Rc6
20 Qc3 Rc8
EXERCISE: What is the winning move? —
ANSWER:
21 Bh3!
The Catalan bishop breaks the deadlock
on the c-file. The black rook has to save it-
self, but then c5 drops, leaving White with
an extra piece.
21. . . Rd8 22 NXb7 QXb7 23 BXc5 QXd5 24
BXd6+ QXd6 25 Qa3
The win is very simple. Black’s bad devel-
opment means that he loses the a6-pawn as
well.
25. . . h5 26 QXa6 h4 27 QXd6+ NXd6 28 Bf1
Rh5 29 Rd1 Ke7 30 Nc3 Rc5 31 Ra7+ Ke6
32 Ne4 Rc6 33 RXd6+ RcXd6 34 NXd6 RXd6
35 BXb5 h3 36 Bc4+ Kf6 37 RXf7+
54
White: Eljanov, P. 11: Israeli League
Black: Novikov, I.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2 7. . . Nd5

a6 As in the Kantor game, Black’s problem
This pawn move might indicate that Black is that he is more or less obliged to put his
is preparing to defend c4 with 6...b5 on the knight on d5, wasting a tempo and leaving
next move, as is the case here. Or, alterna- it as a target for an e2-e4 advance.
tively, he might be planning to put his knight
on c6.
6 O-O 6 Ne5
6 Qa4+? b5 8
rmblka0s
6. . . b5?!
Black has delayed this pawn advance for
7
Z0o0Zpop
a move compared to 5...b5 in the game above.
6
pZ0ZpZ0Z
This means he has gained a tempo to fortify 5
ZpZnM0Z0
his queenside. Nonetheless this line is still
fraught with danger for him. — EXERCISE:
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
What now is White’s best attacking move?
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
SNAQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
8
rmblka0s 7. . . c6 8 b3! cXb3 9 NXc6 Qb6 10 Na5! Ra7
7
Z0o0Zpop 11 NXb3 Rd7 12 a4 bXa4? 13 Nc5! BXc5 14
6
pZ0Zpm0Z dXc5 QXc5 15 QXa4 O-O 16 Ba3
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0 8 a4
4
0ZpO0Z0Z Beginning the process of undermining Black’s
queenside.
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
SNAQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
6. . . Nc6
6. . . c5? 7 dXc5 QXd1 8 RXd1 BXc5 9 Ne5
7 Ne5!
ANSWER!
55
11. . . Nf6 12 Nc3 c6 13 d5!
8
rmblka0s
7
Z0o0Zpop 8
bm0lka0s
6
pZ0ZpZ0Z 7
Z0Z0Zpop
5
ZpZnM0Z0 6
0ZpZpm0Z
4
PZpO0Z0Z 5
ZpZPM0Z0
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 4
0ZpZPZ0Z
2
0O0ZPOBO 3
Z0M0Z0O0
1
SNAQZRJ0 2
0O0Z0OBO
a b c d e f g h
1
Z0AQZRJ0
8 e4 a b c d e f g h
8. . . Bb7
13 Bg5
13. . . cXd5
8
rm0lka0s
7
Zbo0Zpop
6
pZ0ZpZ0Z
8
bm0lka0s
5
ZpZnM0Z0
7
Z0Z0Zpop
4
PZpO0Z0Z
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
5
ZpZpM0Z0
2
0O0ZPOBO
4
0ZpZPZ0Z
1
SNAQZRJ0
3
Z0M0Z0O0
a b c d e f g h
2
0O0Z0OBO
1
Z0AQZRJ0
8. . . c6 a b c d e f g h
9 aXb5 aXb5 10 RXa8 BXa8 11 e4

QUESTION: If White’s plan is to attack in 13. . . Bd6 14 Ng4 O-O 15 dXe6 fXe6 16 NXf6+
the centre, why did he first open lines on gXf6 17 Bh6
the queenside? — ANSWER: In fact Eljanov’s 13. . . Be7 14 NXf7! KXf7 15 dXe6+ KXe6
preliminary campaign on the queenside abets16 Qf3 Nbd7 17 Bh3+ Kf7 18 Rd1 Ke8 19
his coming attack in the centre. For exam- Qf5 b4 20 e5! Nd5 21 Ne4
ple, White will be able to exploit the fact that
the knight on b8 is no longer defended by 14 eXd5 BXd5
a rook on a8 in a key variation given in the
notes to 14...Bxd5. Loose, undefended en-
emy pieces and pawns tend to help an at-
tack in unexpected ways, even if they are far
from the apparent scene of action.
56
The awkward position of the rook on h8
means that White can develop a winning at-
8
0m0lka0s tack on the black king.
7
Z0Z0Zpop 20. . . h5 21 Bc5+ Kg8 22 Be7!
6
0Z0Zpm0Z A neat tactic to force a breach in Black’s
kingside fortress.
5
ZpZbM0Z0
22. . . Qc8
4
0ZpZ0Z0Z
3
Z0M0Z0O0
2
0O0Z0OBO 8
0ZqZ0Zks
1
Z0AQZRJ0 7
Z0Z0Apo0
a b c d e f g h
6
0ZnZ0a0Z
14. . . NXd5 15 Qh5 g6 16 NXg6! fXg6 17
5
ZpZNZ0Zp
Qe5 NXc3 18 BXa8 4
0ZpZ0Z0Z
15 BXd5 eXd5
EXERCISE: How do we catch the black king
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
before he has the chance to castle?
2
0O0Z0O0O
1
Z0ZQS0J0
a b c d e f g h
22. . . BXe7 23 NXe7+ Kf8 24 NXc6

8
0m0lka0s 22. . . NXe7 23 NXf6+
7
Z0Z0Zpop 23 BXf6 gXf6 24 NXf6+ Kg7 25 NXh5+ Kh6
6
0Z0Z0m0Z 26 Qd6+ KXh5 27 Re4
5
ZpZpM0Z0
4
0ZpZ0Z0Z
3
Z0M0Z0O0
8
0ZqZ0Z0s
2
0O0Z0O0O
7
Z0Z0ZpZ0
1
Z0AQZRJ0
6
0ZnL0Z0Z
a b c d e f g h 5
ZpZ0Z0Zk
4
0ZpZRZ0Z
15. . . NXd5 16 Qh5 g6 17 NXg6 fXg6 18 Qe5
Nf6 19 QXe6+ Be7 20 Rd1 Qa5 21 Re1 Qd8
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
22 Bg5
2
0O0Z0O0O
16 Ng4!
1
Z0Z0Z0J0
ANSWER: Undermining the defence of d5 a b c d e f g h
and clearing the way for a rook check before
Black has time for 16...Be7 and 17...0-0. 27 Qf6! Rg8 28 Re4 Rg4 29 QXf7+ Kh6 30
16. . . Be7 17 NXf6+ BXf6 18 Re1+ Kf8 19 Re8 Qc7 31 Re6+ Kg5 32 Qg6#
NXd5 Nc6 20 Be3 27. . . Kg5
57
8
0ZqZ0Z0s
7
Z0Z0ZpZ0
6
0ZnL0Z0Z
5
ZpZ0Z0j0
4
0ZpZRZ0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
0O0Z0O0O
1
Z0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
27. . . Qd8 28 Rh4+ QXh4 29 gXh4 Rg8+ 30

Kf1 Nd8 31 Qe5+ Kh6 32 QXb5
28 h4+ Kh5 29 Qf6 Rg8 30 QXf7+
8
0ZqZ0ZrZ
7
Z0Z0ZQZ0
6
0ZnZ0Z0Z
5
ZpZ0Z0Zk
4
0ZpZRZ0O
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
0O0Z0O0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
30 QXf7+ Rg6 31 g4+ Kh6 32 g5+ Kh5 33

Qh7+
1-0
58
White: Grischuk, A. 12: Villarrobledo (rapid)
Black: Potkin, V.
Result: 1-0
1 Nf3 d5 2 c4 e6 3 d4
A somewhat curious choice of move or-
der.
8
rZblka0s
7
Zpo0Zpop
6
pZnZpm0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0A0
8
rmblkans 4
0ZpO0Z0Z
7
opo0Zpop 3
Z0Z0ZNO0
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z 2
PO0ZPOBO
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0 1
SNZQZRJ0
4
0ZPO0Z0Z a b c d e f g h
3
Z0Z0ZNZ0
2
PO0ZPOPO 7 Nc3
1
SNAQJBZR 7 e3
a b c d e f g h 7. . . Be7
White has a lead in development. After
3 g3 Nf6 4 Bg2 Be7 5 d4 the deflection of the important black pawn
3. . . Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2 a6 6 O-O Nc6 from d5 he has looming pressure along the
h1-a8 diagonal. This will increase further
once Black plays ...b7-b5 to hold on to the
c4-pawn. He also has more space in the cen-
8
rZblka0s tre and potentially mobile pawns there. In
return Black has an extra pawn. He has the
7
Zpo0Zpop chance to build up on the queenside with
6
pZnZpm0Z moves like ...b7-b5 and Rb8.
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 8 e3!
4
0ZpO0Z0Z An example of a concrete handling of the
problems of the opening. It seems strange
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 that Grischuk would want to defend the d4-
2
PO0ZPOBO pawn again instead of, say, developing his
1
SNAQZRJ0 queen’s knight. In fact the modest looking-
pawn move is a clever prophylactic stroke.
a b c d e f g h
6. . . b5
7 Bg5
59
8
rZblkZ0s 8
0s0l0skZ
7
Zpo0apop 7
ZpobZpop
6
pZnZpm0Z 6
pZnZpa0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0A0 5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z 4
0ZpO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ONO0 3
Z0M0ONO0
2
PO0Z0OBO 2
PO0Z0OBO
1
SNZQZRJ0 1
Z0SQZRJ0
8 e3 b5 9 Ne5 NXe5 10 BXa8 11. . . gXf6 12 Nd2!? b5 13 Qh5 f5

8 Nc3 Rb8 9 Nd2! b5 12 Ne4
8. . . Bd7 The knight enters the fray and uncovers
With the game move Potkin defends c6 at an attack on c4.
once, making ...b7-b5 possible. This, how- 12. . . b5
ever, is a little victory for White as Black would Black holds on to his pawn, but now Grischuk’s
rather have left the bishop on c8 for the time plan is revealed.
being or else played it to b7 after ...b7-b5. 13 b3!
On d7 it is passively placed and blocks the ANSWER: This is it! In answer to the ques-
queen’s influence on the d-file. tion above about where White is going to at-
9 Nc3 tack, the answer is everywhere: on the queen-
Only now, after White has extracted the side, in the centre and on the kingside. How-
move ...Bd7 from Black. ever, first of all he undermines Black’s queen-
9. . . O-O 10 Rc1 Rb8 side pawns. Imagine if Black now plays 13...cxb3.
At first glance it looks like Black is doing After 14 axb3 in reply we have the diagram
well as he is ready to support his extra pawn position below. — It’s important to grasp
with ...b7-b5. Meanwhile nothing is hap- the nature of White’s strategic pawn sacri-
pening in the centre to scare him. The way fice, as it will occur in various lines where
Grischuk gains control of the position will Black has played an early ...d5xc4 and held
therefore come as a surprise to those not on to the pawn. — Black is still a pawn up.
acquainted with this type of pawn structure. However, his queenside structure has lost
almost all its dynamism with the disappear-
11 BXf6 BXf6 ance of the c4-pawn. Instead of threatening
A difficult decision. — EXERCISE: After to roll forwards en masse, the pawns are a
the bishop recapture can you work out White’sliability and will need defending by the pieces.
strategy? Where is he going to attack - on Things are particularly awkward as White has
the queenside, in the centre or on the king- a rook bearing down along the c-file at the
side? vulnerable knight and beyond it the back-
ward pawn on c7. — There is also a nasty
hole on the c5-square which is inviting for
White’s knight. However, Black can play 14...Be7
60
and be ready to exchange off the knight for
his bishop when it sets foot on c5. So we
could refine White’s play after 13...cxb3 with
8
0s0ZqskZ
the interpolation 14 Nxf6+ Qxf6 and only then
15 axb3. Then Black’s defences along the c-
7
Z0obapop
file have been weakened as the black queen
6
pZnZpZ0Z
has been deflected from d8 where it defended
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
c7. — A case could also be made for 14 Nxf6+
Qxf6 15 Qxb3. White could then follow up
4
PZRO0Z0Z
with Rc5 and double rooks along the c-file,
3
Z0M0ONO0
with the white queen perhaps going to a3 to 2
0Z0Z0OBO
attack a6. A possible drawback to retaking
on b3 with the queen is that the c4-square
1
Z0ZQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
isn’t defended, so White would have to watch
out for ...Na5 and ...Nc4 by Black. — Whether
White recaptures with the queen or pawn, 17. . . Nd5! 18 NXd5! eXd5 19 RXc7 Bd6
or interposes 14 Nxf6+ Qxf6 or not, he has 20 Ra7 BXa4 21 Qa1 Rb6 22 Ne5 Bb5 23
full compensation for the pawn deficit. In NXf7! Qe6! 24 NXd6 BXf1 25 BXf1 QXd6
fact his game is preferable, or at least easier 26 Qa2 Rf7 27 Ra8+ Rf8 28 Ra7 Rf7
to play, as sooner or later he is likely to re- 18 d5! eXd5
gain his pawn whilst keeping the initiative.
13. . . Be7
Rather than assume a defensive attitude
Potkin decides to return the pawn. He hopes
8
0s0ZqskZ
that the activity of his rook on b8 and minor 7
Z0obapop
pieces will compensate for the inferiority of
his pawn structure.
6
pZnZ0Z0Z
14 bXc4 bXc4 15 RXc4 Nb4
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
EXERCISE: How can White meet the dou-
4
PZRZ0Z0Z
ble threat of 15...Nxa2 and 16...Bb5, winning 3
Z0M0ONO0
the exchange? — ANSWER: 2
0Z0Z0OBO
16 a4!
Killing two birds with one stone. But Black
1
Z0ZQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
persists in attacking a4.
16. . . Qe8 17 Nc3 Nc6? 18. . . Nb4 19 Ne5!
Black goes passive at the wrong moment.
19 NXd5 Bd6 20 Qc2 Na5
EXERCISE: How should White pursue his
attack? — ANSWER:
21 Rh4!
Exactly. It seems that Potkin was so fo-
cused on the queenside and how to gain coun-
terplay to offset the weakness of c7, he for-
got he had a king. It is very logical for White
to switch to a direct kingside attack, as Black’s
61
three minor pieces, especially the knight, are
a long way off and his queen isn’t well posi-
tioned for the defence either. It turns out
8
0Z0Z0skZ
Black’s last move was a mistake. He should
have played 20...h6!, when 21 Rh4 Qd8 leads
7
Z0MbZro0
to nothing clear for White. Therefore White
6
pZ0a0Z0Z
should continue more modestly with 21 Nd4,
5
Z0ZBZpl0
when 21...Nxd4 22 Rxd4 leaves Black suffer-
ing because of the weakness on c7.
4
PZQZ0Z0S
21. . . h6
3
ZnZ0O0O0
2
0Z0Z0O0O
1
Z0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
8
0s0ZqskZ
7
Z0obZpo0 27. . . Qf6 28 BXf7+ QXf7 29 Rh8+
6
pZ0a0Z0o 28 QXb3 BXc7 29 Rd1
5
m0ZNZ0Z0
4
PZ0Z0Z0S
3
Z0Z0ONO0 8
0Z0Z0skZ
2
0ZQZ0OBO 7
Z0abZro0
1
Z0Z0ZRJ0 6
pZ0Z0Z0Z
a b c d e f g h 5
Z0ZBZpl0
21. . . g6
4
PZ0Z0Z0S
21. . . f5 22 Qc3! Nc6 23 Ng5 h6 24 NXc7!
3
ZQZ0O0O0
BXc7 25 Bd5+ Kh8 26 RXh6#
2
0Z0Z0O0O
22 RXh6
1
Z0ZRZ0J0
Exploiting the potential fork on f6. Black’s a b c d e f g h
position is falling apart all over the board.
His king’s defences are full of holes and his 29 BXf7+ RXf7 30 Rh8+ KXh8 31 QXf7 Qd8
pawns and pieces are mostly hanging. 32 Rd1
22. . . f5 23 Rh4 Nb3 24 NXc7 Qe7 25 Ng5! 29. . . Be8 30 Qc4 Be5
The most energetic way to finish the game
is to clear the way for the Catalan bishop to
join in the attack.
25. . . QXg5 26 Bd5+ Rf7 27 Qc4 Rf8
62
8
0Z0ZbskZ
7
Z0Z0Zro0
6
pZ0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0ZBapl0
4
PZQZ0Z0S
3
Z0Z0O0O0
2
0Z0Z0O0O
1
Z0ZRZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
30. . . Bd8 31 QXa6

31 f4 Qe7 32 fXe5 QXe5 33 Qd4
Grischuk can take it easy as he will be the
exchange and a pawn up.
33. . . Qe7 34 Rf4 g6 35 e4
8
0Z0ZbskZ
7
Z0Z0lrZ0
6
pZ0Z0ZpZ
5
Z0ZBZpZ0
4
PZ0LPS0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
0Z0Z0Z0O
1
Z0ZRZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
35 Rh4
1-0
63
White: Smirnov, P. 13: Chelyabinsk (rapid)
Black: Kosyrev, V.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 e6 2 c4 Nf6 3 g3 d5 4 Bg2 dXc4 5 Nf3 lavish time and care on his favourite light-
a6 6 Ne5 squared bishop, while leaving the dirty jobs
Since 6 Ne5 gets an exclamation mark in to his dark-squared bishop. Here it guards
games in this chapter versus 5...b5 and 5...c6, the d4-pawn and shows a willingness to ex-
it certainly deserves to be considered here. change for a knight.
The obvious good point is that it stops both
6...b5 and 6...Nc6.
6. . . c5!?
However, this is a somewhat annoying re-
ply. Black renounces the plan of holding on
8
rmblka0s
to the c4-pawn with ...b7-b5 in order to coun- 7
ZpZ0Zpop
terattack against the white centre. It is all
the more effective as White’s previous move
6
pZ0Zpm0Z
has delayed his development and removed
5
Z0o0M0Z0
a defender from d4. 4
0ZpO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0A0O0
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
SNZQJ0ZR
8
rmblka0s a b c d e f g h
7
ZpZ0Zpop
6
pZ0Zpm0Z 7 Na3!? cXd4 8 NaXc4 Bc5 9 O-O O-O 10
Bd2 Nd5 11 Rc1 Nd7 12 Nd3 Ba7 13 Ba5
5
Z0o0M0Z0 Qe7 14 Qb3 Rb8 15 Qa3 QXa3 16 bXa3
4
0ZpO0Z0Z Nc5! 17 Nd6 b6
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 7. . . Nd5!
2
PO0ZPOBO Black has to go hunting the bishop on e3.
If he develops quietly White will recapture
1
SNAQJ0ZR on c4 at some point and have all the ben-
a b c d e f g h
efits of unrestrained pressure on b7 in the
Catalan.
6. . . Bb4+ 7 Nc3 Nd5 8 Bd2 b5 9 O-O BXc3 8 Nc3
10 bXc3 O-O 11 a4 f6 12 Ng4 Bb7 13 Qb1!
Qe8 14 e4 Nb6 15 Ne3 Bc6 16 d5
7 Be3!?
An awkward-looking, but effective move.
Again and again in the Catalan we see White
64
open diagonal and his knight on e5 is well
centralized. It will be difficult for Black to
8
rmblka0s shake off White’s grip in the centre. — The
7
ZpZ0Zpop drawbacks for White of the exchange are that
everything else being equal it is normally un-
6
pZ0ZpZ0Z welcome to have to exchange a bishop for
5
Z0onM0Z0 an enemy knight. Though compared to most
4
0ZpO0Z0Z opening lines White is more willing than usual
to swap his dark-squared bishop for a knight
3
Z0M0A0O0 in the Catalan. — Of more concern for White
2
PO0ZPOBO is that the e3-pawn looks vulnerable. It can’t
1
S0ZQJ0ZR be defended by another pawn unless it can
advance to e5, which is unlikely. Meanwhile
a b c d e f g h
it can be targeted by Bg5. Finally, White is
likely to spend a move regaining his pawn
8 dXc5!? Nd7 on c4, which could dissipate his initiative.
8. . . NXe3
8
rmblka0s 8
rmblkZ0s
7
ZpZ0Zpop 7
ZpZ0apop
6
pZ0ZpZ0Z 6
pZ0ZpZ0Z
5
Z0o0M0Z0 5
Z0o0M0Z0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z 4
0ZpO0Z0Z
3
Z0M0m0O0 3
Z0M0O0O0
2
PO0ZPOBO 2
PO0ZPZBO
1
S0ZQJ0ZR 1
S0ZQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
8. . . b5 9 NXd5 eXd5 10 dXc5

9. . . Nd7 10 NXc4 Be7 11 dXc5 BXc5 12 Nd6+
9 fXe3 Be7 BXd6 13 QXd6 Qe7 14 Qd4 O-O 15 O-O
EXERCISE: Assess the position and decide
what benefits White has gained through the 10 O-O O-O 11 d5!
exchange on e3. And what possible disad- Maintaining White’s initiative is more im-
vantages? — ANSWER: Firstly, we see that portant than keeping a compact pawn cen-
White has gained the open f-file for his rook. tre.
In conjunction with the knight on e5 this 11. . . Bf6
gives him attacking chances against f7. He
has also strengthened his hold on the d4 point
by transferring his f-pawn to e3. Further-
more, the sequence ...Nf6, ...Nd5 and ...Nxe3
has taken three moves, giving White a lead
in development. His bishop on g2 enjoys an
65
and d5-squares.
8
rmbl0skZ 13. . . Ra7 14 eXf7+ Kh8?
EXERCISE: Can you see White’s winning
7
ZpZ0Zpop idea after 14...Kh8 - ?
6
pZ0Zpa0Z
5
Z0oPM0Z0
4
0ZpZ0Z0Z
3
Z0M0O0O0 8
0mbl0s0j
2
PO0ZPZBO 7
s0Z0ZPop
1
S0ZQZRJ0 6
pZ0Z0a0Z
a b c d e f g h 5
Zpo0Z0Z0
11. . . eXd5? 12 NXf7! RXf7 13 BXd5
4
0ZNZ0Z0Z
11. . . Bg5 12 NXc4 Ra7 13 a4
3
Z0M0O0O0
12 NXc4 b5?
2
PO0ZPZBO
Black collapses under the pressure. Or per-
1
S0ZQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
haps he had underestimated White’s initia-
tive and thought the dark-squared bishop
gave him good counterplay? 14. . . RaXf7 15 Nd6 Rc7 16 NXc8 RXc8 17
Ne4 Qe7 18 a4
15 QXd8
ANSWER!
8
rmbl0skZ 15. . . RXd8 16 Nd6!
Exploiting Black’s weak back rank to launch
7
Z0Z0Zpop a deadly invasion.
6
pZ0Zpa0Z 16. . . Be6 17 Bd5
5
ZpoPZ0Z0 The white minor pieces swarm into Black’s
half of the board.
4
0ZNZ0Z0Z
3
Z0M0O0O0 17. . . BXd5 18 NXd5 Nd7 19 Ne8 Nf8 20 NdXf6
gXf6 21 RXf6
2
PO0ZPZBO With the f7-pawn defended and Black’s king
1
S0ZQZRJ0 cut off from approaching it, all that remains
is for White to bring his queen’s rook to the
a b c d e f g h
g-file to threaten Rg8 mate.
12. . . BXc3 13 bXc3 eXd5 14 QXd5 QXd5 15 21. . . Rd2 22 Raf1 Rd5 23 R1f4 Rg5
BXd5 Preventing an entrance to the g-file, but
now the d-file becomes an avenue for the
12. . . Ra7 13 a4!
other white rook.
13 dXe6
24 Rd6 Re7 25 Rd8 Rge5 26 Nd6
Not only uncovering an attack on a8, but
gaining access for White’s knights to the d6-
66
8
0Z0S0m0j
7
Z0Z0sPZp
6
pZ0M0Z0Z
5
Zpo0s0Z0
4
0Z0Z0S0Z
3
Z0Z0O0O0
2
PO0ZPZ0O
1
Z0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
26 Nd6 Kg7 27 Rg4+
1-0
67
White: Perez Ponsa, F. 14: Cappelle la Grande
Black: Quintiliano Pinto, R.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6
8
rmblka0s
8
rmblka0s
7
opZ0Zpop
7
opo0Zpop
6
0ZpZpm0Z
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
4
0ZPO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
3
Z0Z0ZNZ0
2
PO0ZPOBO
2
PO0ZPOPO
1
SNAQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
1
SNAQJBZR
a b c d e f g h
5. . . Be7 6 O-O O-O 7 Qc2 a6 8 QXc4 b5 9
Qc2 Bb7
3. . . c6 4 g3 Nf6 5 Bg2 dXc4 6 Ne5!
4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2 c6
Here Black begins his possible queenside
expansion with his c-pawn rather than the
b-pawn or a-pawn which were used in the
8
rmblka0s
games above. A drawback to the move is 7
opZ0Zpop
that the pawn on c6 takes away the best square
from the black knight on b8.
6
0ZpZpm0Z
5
Z0Z0M0Z0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
SNAQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
6 O-O b5 7 a4 Bb7 8 Ne5

6 a4 c5 7 O-O Nc6 8 dXc5 QXd1 9 RXd1
BXc5 10 Nbd2 c3 11 bXc3 O-O 12 Nb3 Be7
13 Nfd4 Bd7 14 Ba3 BXa3 15 RXa3
6. . . Bb4+
68
Black seeks to disrupt White’s build-up with QUESTION: Could you use this drawing
a bishop check in the style of Chapter Four. method versus Kramnik!? — ANSWER: No.
7 Bd2 Better to play a full length game and savour
Showing a readiness to sacrifice a couple the chance to play a former world cham-
of pawns for an attack. I think White’s chancespion even if you lose.
are excellent.
8
rmbZkZ0s
8
rmblkZ0s
7
o0Z0Zpop
7
opZ0Zpop
6
0ZpApm0Z
6
0ZpZpm0Z
5
ZpZ0l0Z0
5
Z0Z0M0Z0
4
0ZpZ0Z0Z
4
0apO0Z0Z
3
M0Z0Z0O0
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PO0ZPOBO
2
PO0APOBO
1
S0ZQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
1
SNZQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
10 f4!? Qc7 11 NXb5 cXb5 12 BXa8 Bb7 13
BXb7 QXb7 14 O-O Qb6+ 15 Kh1 Ne4!?
7 Nc3 Nd5 8 Bd2
10 Bc3 Qc5 11 Bd4 Qb4+ 12 Bc3 Qc5 13
7. . . QXd4 Bd4
The consistent move.
10. . . QXb2 11 O-O
EXERCISE: Assess the size of White’s com-
pensation for the three pawns. What are his
threats? — ANSWER: White has a sizeable
lead in development. His king is safely cas-
8
rmbZkZ0s tled whilst its opposite number is stuck in
7
opZ0Zpop the centre. This wouldn’t matter too much if
6
0ZpZpm0Z lines were closed, but here the d-file is open.
Already Black has to contend with ideas such
5
Z0Z0M0Z0 as Bxb8, removing the defender of c6 and
4
0apl0Z0Z clearing the way for both Bxc6+ and Qd6;
not that White would hurry to exchange off
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 his fabulous bishop which keeps the black
2
PO0APOBO king stranded on e8. The black queen is also
1
SNZQJ0ZR an attractive target, with ideas of Rb1 and
then Nxb5 afoot. — Hence Black blocks the
a b c d e f g h
d-file and the long diagonal towards c6 and
a8 with his knight. This is the only way he
7. . . BXd2+ 8 QXd2 can hope to survive.
8 BXb4 QXe5 9 Na3 b5 10 Bd6! 11. . . Nd5! 12 e4
69
Driving away the knight. It’s no surprise that Black collapses in such
an unpleasant position.
8
rmbZkZ0s
7
o0Z0Zpop
8
rZ0ZkZ0s
6
0ZpApZ0Z
7
o0ZbZpo0
5
ZpZnZ0Z0
6
0ZpApZ0o
4
0ZpZPZ0Z
5
ZpZnO0Z0
3
M0Z0Z0O0
4
0mpZ0ZQZ
2
Pl0Z0OBO
3
M0Z0Z0O0
1
S0ZQZRJ0
2
Pl0Z0OBO
a b c d e f g h 1
Z0Z0SRJ0
a b c d e f g h
12 Nc2!? Bb7 13 e4 Nc3 14 Qd2 c5 15 Qg5

Nc6 16 e5 Ne2+ 17 Kh1 QXc2 18 BXc6+!! 17. . . Rg8 18 Rb1 Qc3 19 Rfc1 Qa5 20 Nc2
BXc6+ 19 f3 18 QXg7 O-O-O
12. . . Nc3 13 Qh5 Perhaps Black thought he had escaped the
worst here, but:
19 NXc4!
I feel a cliché coming on: a knight on the
8
rmbZkZ0s rim isn’t always dim.
7
o0Z0Zpop
6
0ZpApZ0Z
5
ZpZ0Z0ZQ
4
0ZpZPZ0Z 8
0Zks0Z0s
3
M0m0Z0O0 7
o0ZbZpL0
2
Pl0Z0OBO 6
0ZpApZ0o
1
S0Z0ZRJ0 5
ZpZnO0Z0
0mNZ0Z0Z
a b c d e f g h 4
13 Qg4
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
13 Qd4??
2
Pl0Z0OBO
13. . . h6 14 e5 Bd7 15 Rae1
1
Z0Z0SRJ0
a b c d e f g h
White has no need to hurry. The black
king won’t find a safe refuge in the centre or
on either wing. 19 NXc4 bXc4 20 Rb1 Qc3 21 BXd5 eXd5
22 RXb4 Be6 23 Rb8+ Kd7 24 Qf6! RXb8
15. . . Na6 16 Qf3 Nd5 17 Qg4 Nab4? 25 Qe7+ Kc8 26 Qc7#
70
19. . . QXa2 20 Ne3
With ideas of 21 Ra1 and 22 Rxa7. The
fact that White’s ’bad’ knight is now fully in-
volved in the struggle tilts the game deci-
sively in his favour.
20. . . NXe3 21 RXe3 Nc2 22 Rd3
Planning 23 Rfd1 combined with Qxf7 and
Be7 to put fatal pressure on d7.
22. . . b4 23 QXf7 Qc4 24 Rfd1 b3 25 Qf3
Going after the indefensible b3-pawn.
8
0Zks0Z0s
7
o0ZbZ0Z0
6
0ZpApZ0o
5
Z0Z0O0Z0
4
0ZqZ0Z0Z
3
ZpZRZQO0
2
0ZnZ0OBO
1
Z0ZRZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
25 Be7 b2 26 BXd8? QXd3!

25. . . Nb4 26 Rd4
. Winning the knight followed by a quick
mate. An example of the extreme dangers
Black faces in this line.
1-0
71
White: Kramnik, V. 15: Doha
Black: Giri, A.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 Our familiar knight move to begin an as-

I should point out that I have changed the sault on c6.
move order for the first ten (!) moves. 6. . . Bb7 7 O-O Nf6
Black finally develops the knight having
used the delay to bolster his queenside de-
fences. Nonetheless he still has an uncom-
fortable position after White’s next move.
8
rmblkans 8 b3
7
opo0Zpop A typical motif in this variation: White prises
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z open the a-file and c-file so that he can put
pressure on the fragile black queenside struc-
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0 ture. He has good compensation for his pawn.
4
0ZPO0Z0Z In fact when Kramnik is White it feels like a
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0 forced loss for Black. Such is the power of
the former World Champion’s technique.
2
PO0ZPOPO
1
SNAQJBMR
a b c d e f g h
2. . . c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2 b5 6 b3

8
rm0lka0s
cXb3 7 aXb3 e6 8 O-O Be7 9 Ne5 Bb7 10 7
obZ0Zpop
0ZpZpm0Z
Nc3 6
2. . . c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6 5 g3 dXc4 6 Bg2
b5 7 Ne5 a6 8 O-O Bb7 9 b3 cXb3 10 aXb3
5
ZpZ0M0Z0
Be7
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
3 Nf3 c6 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2 b5
3
ZPZ0Z0O0
Black begins the game with a series of pawn
moves. By delaying ...Nf6 he gets in ...dxc4
2
PZ0ZPOBO
and ...b7-b5 before White has the chance to
1
SNAQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
play Ne5. This means that he isn’t obliged
to put his knight on d5 to block the long di-
agonal, as was the case in the Kantor and 8 a4 a6! 9 b3!? cXb3 10 Bb2 Nbd7 11 QXb3
Eljanov games. This is of great significance NXe5 12 dXe5 Nd5 13 Rd1 Qb6 14 Nd2
since not only did the knight’s move use up 8. . . cXb3 9 aXb3
a precious tempo, on d5 it became a target Simple and good as it guarantees long-term
for White’s e2-e4 centre push. pressure on the queenside.
6 Ne5
72
8
rm0lka0s 8
rm0lkZ0s
7
obZ0Zpop 7
ZbZ0apop
6
0ZpZpm0Z 6
pZpZpm0Z
5
ZpZ0M0Z0 5
ZpZ0M0Z0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z 4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
ZPZ0Z0O0 3
ZPM0Z0O0
2
0Z0ZPOBO 2
0A0ZPOBO
1
SNAQZRJ0 1
S0ZQZRJ0
9 QXb3? QXd4 10 Bb2 Qb6 11 Bg5

9. . . Be7 10 Nc3 a6 11. . . O-O 12 Qc2
Kramnik begins his campaign of exerting
piece pressure on the backward pawn on c6
and the vulnerable square in front of it.
8
rm0lkZ0s 12. . . Nfd7
7
ZbZ0apop Giri challenges the white knight. — EX-
6
pZpZpm0Z ERCISE: Which square does White want to
dominate and how can this be achieved?
5
ZpZ0M0Z0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
ZPM0Z0O0
2
0Z0ZPOBO 8
rm0l0skZ
1
S0AQZRJ0 7
ZbZnapop
a b c d e f g h
6
pZpZpZ0Z
10. . . O-O 11 NXb5 Nd5 12 Na3 c5 13 Bb2
5
ZpZ0M0Z0
Nd7 14 Nac4 cXd4 15 BXd4 NXe5 16 BXe5 4
0Z0O0Z0Z
11 Bb2 3
ZPM0Z0O0
A natural move. 2
0AQZPOBO
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
12. . . QXd4 13 Nd5 Qc5 14 NXf6+ gXf6 15

QXc5 BXc5 16 Ng4 Be7 17 NXf6+ BXf6 18
BXf6 Nd7 19 Bc3
12. . . Nbd7 13 NXc6 BXc6 14 BXc6 Rc8 15
BXd7 QXd7 16 Qd3 Qb7
73
13 Nd3!
ANSWER: Kramnik doesn’t want to ease
his opponent’s game by exchanges. Instead
8
rZbZ0skZ
he retreats his knight in order to gain con-
trol over c5. The square in front of a back-
7
Z0mnapop
ward pawn is always very attractive for a knight
6
0lpZpZ0Z
if it can be established safely there, as no
5
o0M0Z0Z0
enemy pawn can drive it away. 4
0o0ONZ0Z
13. . . Qb6 14 Ne4 a5 15 Ndc5
Mission accomplished.
3
ZPZ0L0O0
15. . . Bc8
2
0A0ZPOBO
QUESTION: Can we make Black weaken
1
S0S0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
his queenside pawns? ANSWER:
16 Qc3! 18. . . NaXc5 19 dXc5 Qc7 20 Nd6! BXd6?
Remember Bobby Fischer’s maxim ’Look 21 cXd6 QXd6 22 BXc6 Ra6 23 Bb5 Ra8
at the whole board!’. This threatens 17 d5 24 Rd1 Qe7 25 BXd7 BXd7 26 Qd4 f6 27
when mate looms on g7. QXd7
16. . . b4 19 NXd7 BXd7 20 Nc5 Be8 21 Ra2
A useful move with no definite plan in mind.
Perhaps White will double up rooks along
the a-file, or drop his bishop back to a1 and
8
rmbZ0skZ then switch his rook from a2 to c2 to add
7
Z0Znapop to the pressure on c6. In any case it keeps
6
0lpZpZ0Z Black guessing about where the attack is go-
ing to come from. — There is no need to
5
o0M0Z0Z0 hurry when your opponent’s pieces are tied
4
0o0ONZ0Z up defending pawns. If you wait a while he
might become reckless and do your work for
3
ZPL0Z0O0 you by staging an unsuccessful break out.
2
0A0ZPOBO 21. . . Qb5 22 Qd3!
1
S0Z0ZRJ0 An excellent stroke which combines a fine
a b c d e f g h positional sense with remarkable patience.
Kramnik sees that his opponent’s queen is
16. . . Nf6 17 NXf6+ BXf6 18 Ne4! Be7 19 holding together his queenside and so of-
d5 f6 20 d6 fers its exchange. He is confident that in the
endgame he can not only regain his pawn,
17 Qe3 Na6 18 Rfc1 Nc7 but retain enough pressure to cause Giri se-
rious problems.
22. . . QXd3 23 NXd3 Nd5 24 Ne5 Ra6
EXERCISE: Study this position and see if
you can find Kramnik’s clever way of increas-
ing the pressure. — ANSWER:
25 Bf1!
A precise move.
74
defeats this plan.
30 Bg2!
The e2-pawn is irrelevant. By returning
8
0Z0ZbskZ the bishop to the Catalan square White forces
the advance of the c-pawn. If 30...Rc8 then
7
Z0Z0apop the fork 31 Bb7 wins at once.
6
rZpZpZ0Z 30. . . Ra7 31 c6
5
o0ZnM0Z0 Here the pawn is defended three times and
can also be supported by Rac2. There is no
4
0o0O0Z0Z talk about it being a target now.
3
ZPZ0Z0O0 31. . . Be7 32 Be4 f6 33 Nf3 Rd8
2
RA0ZPO0O EXERCISE: How does White get his knight
1
Z0S0ZBJ0 into the attack again? — ANSWER:
a b c d e f g h 34 e3!
A simple move, but easily overlooked. White
25 e4 Nc7 26 Rca1 Nb5 27 RXa5 RXa5 28 creates a post on d4 for his knight.
RXa5 f6 29 Nd3 Bf7 34. . . e5
25. . . Nc3 Keeping out the white horse, but creating
Giri despairs of a successful defence and another weakness on e5.
so gives up a couple of pawns in search of 35 fXe5 fXe5 36 Rc1
activity for his bishops. The rook retreats to threaten 37 Nxe5 with-
out any pin with Bf6.
36. . . a4
8
0Z0ZbskZ
7
Z0Z0apop 8
0Z0s0ZkZ
6
rZpZpZ0Z 7
s0Z0a0op
5
o0Z0M0Z0 6
0ZPZ0Z0Z
4
0o0O0Z0Z 5
ZbZ0o0Z0
3
ZPm0Z0O0 4
pZ0ZBZ0Z
2
RA0ZPO0O 3
ZPZ0ONO0
1
Z0S0ZBJ0 2
RZ0Z0Z0O
a b c d e f g h 1
Z0S0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
25. . . Ra8 26 e4 Nc3 27 BXc3 bXc3 28 RXc3
26 BXc3 bXc3 27 RXc3 c5 28 dXc5 Bf6 29 f4 36. . . Bf6 37 Rc5 Ba6 38 RcXa5
Bb5 36. . . Bd6 37 Ng5 h6 38 Bd5+
Black intends to complete his piece de-
ployment with 30...Rc8 to oppose the advance37 bXa4
of the c-pawn and even win it, but Kramnik
75
8
0Z0s0ZkZ
7
s0Z0a0op
6
0ZPZ0Z0Z
5
ZbZ0o0Z0
4
PZ0ZBZ0Z
3
Z0Z0ONO0
2
RZ0Z0Z0O
1
Z0S0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
37 bXa4 RXa4 38 RXa4 BXa4 39 c7 Rc8 40

Bf5
1-0
76
White: 4: 5..Bb4+ or 5..Nc6 6 Qa4 Bb ?
Black: ?
Opening ECO: E04
Result: *
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2

Bb4+
. Here we investigate Black’s bishop check
on b4. The aim is to drain the energy from
White’s position by making him work hard
to regain the pawn on c4, or in some cases
hold on to his material in Slav-style with ...b7-
b5. However, as we shall see White has some
promising resources.
77
White: Wagner, D. 16: Biel
Black: Brkic, A.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2

Bb4+ 6 Bd2 a5
QUESTION: What are the good features
8
rmblkZ0s
of 6...a5 as played in the game? — ANSWER: 7
Zpo0Zpop
The obvious point of this move is to defend
the bishop rather than smooth White’s de-
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
velopment by capturing on d2. However, it
5
o0Z0Z0Z0
has another more subtle value once Black
plays ...b7-b5 to defend his c4-pawn and get
4
0apO0Z0Z
the queenside pawns rolling. Thanks to the
3
O0Z0ZNO0
addition of ...a7-a5, if White responds with 2
0O0APOBO
Ne5, uncovering an attack on a8, Black isn’t
obliged to answer ...Nd5 to block the diago-
1
SNZQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
nal as his rook could go to a7 or a6.
7 Qc2 BXd2+ 8 QXd2 c6 9 a4 Ne4 10 Qc2
Nd6 11 Nbd2 Na6 12 NXc4 Nb4 13 NXd6+
QXd6 14 Qd2 O-O 15 O-O Rd8 16 Rfd1 b6
17 Qc3 Ba6 18 Rd2 Rac8 19 Rad1 Qe7 20
8
rmblkZ0s h4 c5 21 dXc5 Rd5 22 RXd5 NXd5 23 Qe5
7
Zpo0Zpop QXc5
6
0Z0Zpm0Z 7. . . BXd2+
5
o0Z0Z0Z0
4
0apO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
8
rmblkZ0s
2
PO0APOBO
7
Zpo0Zpop
1
SNZQJ0ZR
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
a b c d e f g h
5
o0Z0Z0Z0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
6. . . Be7 7 Qa4+ 3
O0Z0ZNO0
6. . . BXd2+ 7 NbXd2 b5!? 8 a4 c6 2
0O0aPOBO
7 a3
Nimzowitsch used to call such a move ’putting
1
SNZQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
the question to the bishop’ as it has to choose
which diagonal it wants. 7. . . Be7 8 Qa4+ Bd7 9 QXc4 Bc6 10 Nc3
8 NbXd2 b5 9 b3!?
78
White makes his pawn sacrifice of a per-
manent nature.
8
rmblkZ0s
7
Z0o0Zpop
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
8
rmblkZ0s
5
opZ0Z0Z0
7
Z0o0Zpop
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
3
OQZ0ZNO0
5
opZ0Z0Z0
2
0Z0MPOBO
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
1
S0Z0J0ZR
a b c d e f g h
3
OPZ0ZNO0
2
0Z0MPOBO 10 NXb3 Bb7
1
S0ZQJ0ZR 10. . . c6
a b c d e f g h
White’s compensation for his material will
depend on his pressure against the c6-pawn
9 Ne5 Nd5? 10 O-O which is backward and on an open file. It
9. . . cXb3 can be assailed by the bishop on g2, a rook
or doubled rooks on the c-file, and in some
cases Ne5. The c5-square would be an ex-
cellent outpost for a white knight if White
8
rmblkZ0s gained stable control over it. If the c6-pawn
falls, then White will not only restore nu-
7
Z0o0Zpop merical equality, but leave Black with a vul-
6
0Z0Zpm0Z nerable pawn on b5.
5
opZ0Z0Z0 11 O-O O-O 12 Rfc1 Bb7 13 Qb2!
4
0Z0O0Z0Z The queen retreats to defend the d4-pawn
so that the knight on f3 is free to manoeu-
3
OpZ0ZNO0 vre. She also vacates the b3-square to allow
2
0Z0MPOBO the other knight to utilize it.
1
S0ZQJ0ZR 13. . . Na6?
a b c d e f g h A typical example of loss of patience un-
der long-term Catalan pressure.
9. . . c3 10 Nb1 b4 11 aXb4
10 QXb3!
A cruel decision for the white knight as it
is denied a sight of the c5-square. On the
other hand, by attacking b5 the white queen
provokes Black’s next move, after which his
bishop on c8 will be shut in;
79
8
rZ0l0skZ 8
rZ0l0skZ
7
ZbZ0Zpop 7
Z0Z0Zpop
6
nZpZpm0Z 6
nZbZpZ0Z
5
opZ0Z0Z0 5
opZnZ0Z0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z 4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
O0Z0ZNO0 3
O0Z0Z0O0
2
0L0MPOBO 2
0L0MPOBO
1
S0S0Z0J0 1
S0S0Z0J0
13. . . Nbd7 14 Ne1! Qb6! 15 Nd3 Rac8 16 15. . . Qb6 16 Ne5! ZZ– 17 Nec4 Qa7 18 QXb5
Nb3 Qa7 17 Qd2 a4 18 Nbc5 Ba8 16 RXc6 b4 17 aXb4 NaXb4 18 Rc5
14 Ne5 Nd5? Black’s position is highly unpleasant as the
a5-pawn can be attacked a third time with
Nc4 when appropriate and the knight on d5
can be undermined by a future e2-e4.
8
rZ0l0skZ 18. . . a4?!
7
ZbZ0Zpop
6
nZpZpZ0Z
5
opZnM0Z0 8
rZ0l0skZ
4
0Z0O0Z0Z 7
Z0Z0Zpop
3
O0Z0Z0O0 6
0Z0ZpZ0Z
2
0L0MPOBO 5
Z0SnZ0Z0
1
S0S0Z0J0 4
pm0O0Z0Z
a b c d e f g h
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
14. . . Nb8 15 Nb3 Nfd7 16 Nd3!
2
0L0MPOBO
15 NXc6
1
S0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
The c6 point collapses in a very favourable
way for White.
18. . . g6
15. . . BXc6
19 Rc4!
’Passed pawns should be pushed’ is a ven-
erable adage, but not when (a) the pawn is
deprived of one of its defenders and becomes
a weakling, and (b) the pawn relinquishes a
vital role in defending a piece. — After Wag-
ner’s simple retreat of the rook one square,
80
20 Rxb4 or 20 e4 are suddenly deadly threats. but shuts in the bishop and loosens the cen-
At the same time the rook on c4 indirectly tre. Here there is no dilemma for White as it
attacks the a4-pawn. leads to a win of material.
20. . . Nd3
8
rZ0l0skZ 8
rZ0Z0skZ
7
Z0Z0Zpop 7
Z0Z0Zpop
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z 6
0Z0ZpZ0Z
5
Z0ZnZ0Z0 5
l0ZnZ0Z0
4
pmRO0Z0Z 4
pZROPZ0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 3
Z0ZnZ0O0
2
0L0MPOBO 2
0L0M0OBO
1
S0Z0Z0J0 1
S0Z0Z0J0
19 e4? Nd3 20. . . a3 21 Qb3
19. . . Qa5 21 Qc2 N5b4

Still trying to play actively, but the black
knights get into a fatal tangle.
8
rZ0Z0skZ
7
Z0Z0Zpop
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z
8
rZ0Z0skZ 5
l0Z0Z0Z0
7
Z0Z0Zpop 4
pmROPZ0Z
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z 3
Z0ZnZ0O0
5
l0ZnZ0Z0 2
0ZQM0OBO
4
pmRO0Z0Z 1
S0Z0Z0J0
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 a b c d e f g h
2
0L0MPOBO 21. . . Nb6 22 QXd3 NXc4 23 NXc4
1
S0Z0Z0J0 22 Qc3
a b c d e f g h
EXERCISE: Can you see White’s unstop-
pable threat? — ANSWER:
19. . . Rb8 20 Qa3 Na6 21 RXa4 Nac7 22 Ne4
22. . . e5 23 Bf1!
20 e4 The bishop changes diagonal to gobble up
White should always carefully consider whethera black knight.
to play e2-e4 in the Catalan as it gains space,
23. . . eXd4 24 RXd4
81
8
rZ0Z0skZ
7
Z0Z0Zpop
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
l0Z0Z0Z0
4
pm0SPZ0Z
3
Z0LnZ0O0
2
0Z0M0O0O
1
S0Z0ZBJ0
a b c d e f g h
24 Qa3 NXf2 25 RXb4

24. . . Rad8
8
0Z0s0skZ
7
Z0Z0Zpop
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
l0Z0Z0Z0
4
pm0SPZ0Z
3
Z0LnZ0O0
2
0Z0M0O0O
1
S0Z0ZBJ0
a b c d e f g h
24. . . Rfd8 25 BXd3 RXd4 26 QXd4 Rd8 27

RXa4! RXd4 28 RXa5 g6 29 Bc4 RXd2 30
Ra8+ Kg7 31 Ra7
25 RXd3
. The pin on b4 means Black stays a whole
piece down.
1-0
82
White: Ragger, M. 17: Austrian League
Black: Haba, P.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2

Bb4+ 6 Bd2 c5
QUESTION: What’s the point of this move?
8
rmblkZ0s
— ANSWER: Without wasting time Black de- 7
opZ0Zpop
fends his bishop and attacks the d4-pawn.
After White exchanges bishops the black pawn
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
on b4 will stop the natural development of
5
Z0Z0M0Z0
White’s knight to c3. On the other hand, we
all know about the importance of the ...c7-
4
0opO0Z0Z
c5-pawn stab in challenging the white cen-
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
tre, and after the exchange on b4 this re- 2
PO0ZPOBO
source is no longer available. Furthermore,
Black’s queenside pawns may look impos-
1
SNZQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
ing, but they are actually vulnerable.
7 BXb4 cXb4 8 Ne5! 8 Qa4+
Nowadays chess has moved a long way from
old precepts such as ’Don’t move a piece twice8 Nbd2
in the opening before developing all your 8 a3
other pieces’. In fact even when Emanuel 8 O-O
Lasker and Capablanca were espousing such
rules to beginners, they were quick to point 8. . . O-O 9 a3!?
out there were lots of cases when you should In order to break up Black’s queenside pawns
break them. For example, positional play and open lines for the white pieces.
is about preventing your opponent playing
good moves, as well as making good moves
yourself, and sometimes you have to move
a piece twice to deny your opponent’s pieces
options. — If Black is left in peace for only rmbl0skZ
8
one move he could develop with 8...Nc6, with opZ0Zpop

7
at least an equal position. Therefore White
unleashes his king’s bishop and knight straight- 0Z0Zpm0Z
6
away to deter ...Nc6 and make the develop- Z0Z0M0Z0

5
ment of the bishop on c8 more awkward.

— This position has been reached 66 times
0opO0Z0Z
4
on my database. White has tried 8 Ne5 56 O0Z0Z0O0

3
times; 0O0ZPOBO
2
1
SNZQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
83
9 a3 bXa3 10 NXa3 Qa5+? 11 Qd2 QXd2+
12 KXd2
9 NXc4 Nc6 10 e3 e5 11 dXe5 QXd1+ 12
8
rZbl0skZ
KXd1 Ng4 13 Ke2 NgXe5 14 Nbd2 Bg4+
7
opZnZpop
15 f3 Bf5 16 NXe5 NXe5 17 f4 Bd3+ 18 Kf2 6
0Z0Zpm0Z
Ng4+ 19 Kf3 Nf6 20 Rac1 5
Z0Z0M0Z0
9. . . c3?
A poor reaction as it gives back the pawn
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
without causing any disruption to White’s
3
O0M0Z0O0
build-up. 2
0Z0ZPOBO
1
S0ZQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
8
rmbl0skZ 11. . . Qa5 12 Qd2 Rd8
7
opZ0Zpop 12 O-O!
White isn’t afraid of simplification. One
6
0Z0Zpm0Z thing we learn in the Catalan is that exchanges
5
Z0Z0M0Z0 often clarify White’s advantage rather than
4
0o0O0Z0Z dissipate it. Of course, the bishop on g2 tends
to be an exception to this rule. As we shall
3
O0o0Z0O0 see, White guards its life carefully in this game.
2
0O0ZPOBO 12. . . NXe5 13 dXe5 QXd1
1
SNZQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
9. . . Nc6 10 BXc6 bXc6 11 aXb4 Qb6 12 O-

8
rZbZ0skZ
O QXb4 13 Qd2 c5 14 QXb4 cXb4 15 Rc1
7
opZ0Zpop
Bd7 16 Nd2 c3 17 bXc3 bXc3 18 RXc3 6
0Z0Zpm0Z
10 bXc3 bXc3 11 NXc3 5
Z0Z0O0Z0
EXERCISE: How big do you think is White’s
advantage - small, large, or decisive? — AN-
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
SWER: Among strong human players of a sim-
3
O0M0Z0O0
ilar level I would expect White to win this
position maybe seven times out of ten. Af-
2
0Z0ZPOBO
ter all, he has everything he hopes for in the
1
S0ZqZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
Catalan: pressure on b7 that keeps the en-
emy bishop on c8 tied down, control of the
c6-square preventing ...Nc6, an open c-file 13. . . Ng4 14 QXd8 RXd8 15 Rfd1 Bd7 16
that his rooks will get to first and no weak- Rab1
nesses in his own camp. He also has the
14 RfXd1
advantage of an extra centre pawn which is
Black is rid of White’s dominant knight,
not typical of the Catalan.
but at the cost of conceding the d-file to White’s
11. . . Nbd7 rook.
84
14. . . Ng4 The rook gets out of the range of 19...Ne3,
QUESTION: What should White do about which would otherwise force the exchange
the attack on e5? — ANSWER: Counterat- of his strong bishop, and intends to seize
tack against b7! the seventh rank.
15 Rab1! 19. . . Rd8 20 Rb6!
White is still in no hurry to regain his pawn.
20. . . Nf6
8
rZbZ0skZ EXERCISE: How do we keep Black under
restraint? — ANSWER:
7
opZ0Zpop 21 e4!
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z White prevents 21...Nd5 which would force
5
Z0Z0O0Z0 him into the unwelcome exchange 22 Bxd5
exd5 as the rook needs to stay on b6 to de-
4
0Z0Z0ZnZ fend d6. White might expand with e4-e5 at
3
O0M0Z0O0 some point to increase his dark-squared con-
2
0Z0ZPOBO trol and support the knight, though this would
have to be carefully judged as it allows ...Nd5
1
ZRZRZ0J0 again. More likely White would play 22 Rc7.
a b c d e f g h
Instead, the game came to an abrupt end.
21. . . e5?
15 f4 Ne3 16 Rd6 NXg2 17 KXg2 b6
A good positional move as it stops White’s
15. . . NXe5 16 Nb5 further central expansion and shuts in the
bishop on g2. If now 22 fxe5 Ng4 and the
e5-pawn is very weak. But as Réti remarked,
tactics always come before strategy in chess.
8
rZbZ0skZ 22 NXc8
7
opZ0Zpop . The knight on f6 is hanging so Black loses
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z a piece. A drastic finish, but don’t expect
any gifts like this from strong opponents un-
5
ZNZ0m0Z0 less you keep them under lock and key with
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z a series of accurate pressing moves.
3
O0Z0Z0O0
2
0Z0ZPOBO 1-0
1
ZRZRZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
16 BXb7 BXb7 17 RXb7 a5

16. . . a6 17 Nd6 g6 18 f4
Ragger is still in no hurry to get back the
pawn. Instead he dislodges the one active
black piece from its central post.
18. . . Ng4 19 Rdc1
85
White: Tari, A. 18: Vasteras
Black: Sjodahl, P.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 e6 2 c4 Nf6 3 Nf3 d5 4 g3 Bb4+

Black keeps the option of answering 5 Bd2
with 5...Be7, maintaining the pawn on d5 as
8
rmblkZ0s
in Chapter One. 7
opo0Zpop
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
4
0aPO0Z0Z
8
rmblkZ0s 3
Z0Z0ZNO0
7
opo0Zpop 2
PO0MPO0O
6
0Z0Zpm0Z 1
S0AQJBZR
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0 a b c d e f g h
4
0aPO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 5 Nc3 dXc4! 6 Bg2 Nc6 7 O-O O-O 8 a3 Be7
9 e4 Na5 10 Be3 Rb8 11 Qe2 b5
2
PO0ZPO0O 5. . . dXc4 6 Bg2 b5!
1
SNAQJBZR Bold and best. With his knight commit-
a b c d e f g h
ted to the passive d2-square White isn’t able
to exert enough energy to make the black
4. . . dXc4 5 Bg2 Bb4+ queenside pawns tumble.
5 Nbd2
It is somewhat against the spirit of the Cata-
lan to put the knight on d2 as White shuts
in the bishop on c1 and loses the flexibility
inherit in delaying the development of the
8
rmblkZ0s
horse. 7
o0o0Zpop
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
4
0apO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
PO0MPOBO
1
S0AQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
86
6. . . c3 7 bXc3 BXc3 8 Rb1 Nc6 9 Qc2! BXd4
10 Ba3!
7 O-O
8
rmbl0skZ
EXERCISE: Now 7...Bb7 looks very natu-
7
o0Z0Zpop
ral. Can you see why it is actually a mistake? 6
0ZpZpm0Z
7 O-O Bb7? 8 NXc4! bXc4 9 Qa4+ Nc6 10 5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
Ne5 Nd5 11 NXc6 Qd7 12 BXd5 eXd5 13
QXb4 QXc6 14 b3
4
PapO0Z0Z
7. . . O-O
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
The game move also looks like an impre-
2
0O0MPOBO
cision. 1
S0AQMRJ0
7. . . a5! 8 a3!? Be7 9 b3 cXb3 10 QXb3 O-O a b c d e f g h
11 QXb5 c5! 12 dXc5 Ba6 13 Qb2 Nc6 14
Qc3 BXe2 15 Re1 9 aXb5 cXb5 10 Ng5 Nd5 11 e4 QXg5 12
8 a4 eXd5 eXd5 13 NXc4 Qd8 14 Ne3 Be6 15
Our standard move to put pressure on the Bd2! BXd2 16 QXd2 Nc6 17 Ra6 Rc8 18
queenside pawns. f4
8. . . c6 9. . . Nd5
Blocking the long diagonal and so meet-
ing the threat of 10 axb5;
8
rmbl0skZ
7
o0Z0Zpop
6
0ZpZpm0Z 8
rmbl0skZ
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0 7
o0Z0Zpop
4
PapO0Z0Z 6
0ZpZpZ0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 5
ZpZnZ0Z0
2
0O0MPOBO 4
PapO0Z0Z
1
S0AQZRJ0 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
a b c d e f g h
2
0O0MPOBO
8. . . c3 9 Nb3 cXb2 10 BXb2 bXa4 11 Ne5
1
S0AQMRJ0
Nd5 12 Nc5 BXc5 13 dXc5 f6 14 Nd3 c6 15 a b c d e f g h
QXa4
9 Ne1 9. . . QXd4 10 Nc2 Qc5 11 aXb5 QXb5 12
NXb4 QXb4 13 b3! Rd8 14 bXc4
10 e4 Nf6
87
13 Qh5
Here we can conclude that Tari has rea-
8
rmbl0skZ sonable practical chances. Even if the com-
7
o0Z0Zpop puter programs like Black’s extra pawn, you
aren’t likely to get a perfect defence on the
6
0ZpZpm0Z kingside from a human player.
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0 13. . . Ra7 14 Nf3 f5
4
PapOPZ0Z Understandably Sjodahl wants to challenge
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 White in the centre before the attack gets
any nearer to his king.
2
0O0M0OBO 15 eXf6 NXf6?
1
S0AQMRJ0 In effect the decisive mistake as Black’s de-
a b c d e f g h
fence now becomes very difficult.
10. . . Ne7 11 Nc2! BXd2 12 BXd2

10. . . Nc7 11 e5! Nd5
11 e5
If White had played 9 Ne5 then the chance
8
0mbl0skZ
to gain space with 11 e5, driving the enemy
7
s0Z0Z0op
knight from f6 and clearing the e4-square 6
0ZpZpm0Z
for his other knight, would have been un-
available. The e4-square is actually a supe-
5
opZ0Z0ZQ
rior post for a white horse in the centre, as
4
PapONZ0Z
on e5 it can more readily be dislodged by
the pawn move ...f7-f6. Furthermore, from
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
e4 the knight can swing to g5 to aid a king-
2
0O0Z0OBO
side attack. 1
S0A0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
11. . . Nd5 12 Ne4 a5
15. . . gXf6!
16 NXf6+ QXf6 17 Ne5 Qf5
8
rmbl0skZ EXERCISE: What is White’s best response
7
Z0Z0Zpop to the offer to exchange queens? — ANSWER:
6
0ZpZpZ0Z 18 Qe2!
5
opZnO0Z0 Of course, he is having none of it! You
can see the damage done to Black’s game by
4
PapONZ0Z 15...Nxf6? - White’s knight is sitting pretty
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 on e5 and the c6-pawn is a target. White in-
tends to build up with Bf4. How Black misses
2
0O0Z0OBO the knight on d5!
1
S0AQMRJ0 18. . . c3 19 Be4 Qh3 20 Bg2
a b c d e f g h
Since his opponent collapses in short or-
der Tari was justified in focussing on a king-
12. . . Be7 13 Qg4 Kh8 14 Nf3 side attack.
88
8
0mbZ0skZ
8
0mbZ0skZ
7
s0Z0Z0o0
7
s0Z0Z0op
6
0ZpZpZ0o
6
0ZpZpZ0Z
5
o0Z0M0Z0
5
opZ0M0Z0
4
pa0O0ZPl
4
Pa0O0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0A0Z0
3
Z0o0Z0Oq
2
0ZQZ0OBZ
2
0O0ZQOBO
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
1
S0A0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
25. . . Ba6 26 Be4 g5 27 hXg5 hXg5 28 Kg2
BXf1+ 29 RXf1 Bd6 30 Rh1
20 aXb5 cXb5 21 Nd3! cXb2 22 QXb2 Bd6 26 Be4 g5
23 QXb5
20. . . Qf5 21 h4
After a little repetition White threatens to
win the queen with 22 Be4 Qf6 23 Bg5. 8
0mbZ0skZ
21. . . cXb2 22 QXb2 h6 23 Be3 7
s0Z0Z0Z0
6
0ZpZpZ0o
5
o0Z0M0o0
8
0mbZ0skZ 4
pa0OBZPl
7
s0Z0Z0o0 3
Z0Z0A0Z0
6
0ZpZpZ0o 2
0ZQZ0O0Z
5
opZ0MqZ0 1
S0Z0ZRJ0
4
Pa0O0Z0O a b c d e f g h
3
Z0Z0A0O0
26. . . Qf6 27 f4
2
0L0Z0OBZ
27 Kg2
1
S0Z0ZRJ0 There’s no good way to stop 28 Rh1 win-
a b c d e f g h
ning the queen.
27. . . Rf4 28 f3
23 g4 Qf6 24 g5
23. . . bXa4 24 g4 Qf6 25 Qc2 QXh4
Now it’s simple for White;
89
8
0mbZ0ZkZ
7
s0Z0Z0Z0
6
0ZpZpZ0o
5
o0Z0M0o0
4
pa0OBsPl
3
Z0Z0APZ0
2
0ZQZ0ZKZ
1
S0Z0ZRZ0
a b c d e f g h
28 Rh1 RXg4+ 29 Kf3 Rf4+ 30 Ke2 Ba6+

31 Kd1
1-0
90
White: Evdokimov, A. 19: Moscow
Black: Harutyunian, T.
Result: 1/2-1/2
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2 Obstructing the white queen’s attack on

Nc6 c4 whilst developing the bishop with check.
EXERCISE: You might like to stop and have 7 Bd2 Nd5!
a think about the good and bad points of QUESTION: What is the purpose of this
this move, which are? — ANSWER: It is cer- move?
tainly a fighting move. Black rapidly mobi-
lizes his queenside pieces with the aim of
holding on to the c4-pawn. This involves
delaying the development of the bishop on
f8 to see if it can be deployed more actively
on b4 rather than its usual e7-square. —
8
rZblkZ0s
The drawback to Black’s set-up is that the
7
opo0Zpop
typical attack on White’s centre with ...c7- 6
0ZnZpZ0Z
c5 is blocked, and also the bishop on c8 re-
mains boxed in for the time being.
5
Z0ZnZ0Z0
6 Qa4
4
QapO0Z0Z
I believe this is the best approach for White:
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
he plays to regain the pawn at once; 2
PO0APOBO
1
SNZ0J0ZR
a b c d e f g h
8
rZblka0s 7. . . BXd2+? 8 NbXd2
7
opo0Zpop 8 BXb4
6
0ZnZpm0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 8
rZblkZ0s
4
QZpO0Z0Z 7
opo0Zpop
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 6
0ZnZpZ0Z
2
PO0ZPOBO 5
Z0ZnZ0Z0
1
SNA0J0ZR 4
QApO0Z0Z
a b c d e f g h
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
6 O-O Rb8 7 Nc3 b5
2
PO0ZPOBO
6 Nc3 Rb8 7 O-O a6
1
SNZ0J0ZR
a b c d e f g h
6. . . Bb4+!
91
8 Qb5 BXd2+ 9 NbXd2 c3 10 bXc3 NXc3 16 Rfd1!?
11 Qb2 Na4 12 Qc2 Nb6 13 e3 O-O 14 O- 11 Qb5!
O Qe7 15 Rac1
8. . . NXb4 9 O-O 9 a3 b5! 10 QXb5 Nc2+
9. . . Rb8 8
0sbl0skZ
7
opo0Zpop
8
0sblkZ0s
6
0ZnZpZ0Z
7
opo0Zpop
5
ZQZ0Z0Z0
6
0ZnZpZ0Z
4
0mpO0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
3
M0Z0ZNO0
4
QmpO0Z0Z
2
PO0ZPOBO
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
SNZ0ZRJ0 11 NXc4? b5
a b c d e f g h
11. . . b6!
White will be forced into a pin.
9. . . Rb8 10 a3 b5 11 Qd1 Nd5
12 QXc4
10 Na3
Stopping 10...b5 and developing the knight.
8
0sbl0skZ
7
o0o0Zpop
8
0sblkZ0s
6
0onZpZ0Z
7
opo0Zpop
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0ZnZpZ0Z
4
0mQO0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
3
M0Z0ZNO0
4
QmpO0Z0Z
2
PO0ZPOBO
3
M0Z0ZNO0
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
S0Z0ZRJ0 12 NXc4? Ba6
a b c d e f g h
12. . . Ba6 13 Nb5
Things look awkward for White, but if he
10 Nc3 a6 11 Ne5 O-O 12 NXc6 NXc6 13 is allowed to play 14 Rfc1 followed by 15 a3
BXc6 bXc6 14 QXc4 Qd6 it will be the black pieces in trouble. Black
10. . . O-O 10. . . a6 11 Ne5 O-O 12 NXc6 NXc6 therefore has to continue actively.
13 QXc4 QXd4 14 BXc6 QXc4 15 NXc4 bXc6 13. . . Qd5! 14 QXd5 NXd5
92
8
0s0Z0skZ 8
0s0Z0skZ
7
o0o0Zpop 7
o0o0Zpop
6
bonZpZ0Z 6
bo0ZpZ0Z
5
ZNZnZ0Z0 5
mNZnM0Z0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z 4
PZ0O0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PO0ZPOBO 2
0O0ZPOBO
1
S0Z0ZRJ0 1
S0Z0ZRJ0
14. . . eXd5? 15 Nc3 16 NXa7?! BXe2

15 a4 16 Rfc1? Nb3
16. . . Rbd8
Dealing with White’s threat.
8
0s0Z0skZ
7
o0o0Zpop
6
bonZpZ0Z
5
ZNZnZ0Z0
8
0Z0s0skZ
4
PZ0O0Z0Z
7
o0o0Zpop
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
6
bo0ZpZ0Z
2
0O0ZPOBO
5
mNZnM0Z0
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
4
PZ0O0Z0Z
a b c d e f g h 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
0O0ZPOBO
15 Nc3 NXc3 16 bXc3 BXe2 1
S0Z0ZRJ0
15. . . Na5! a b c d e f g h
Once again, Black has to strive for tactical
counterplay. He can’t afford to play slowly 16. . . c6 17 NXa7 BXe2 18 Rfe1
or else 16 Rfc1 will leave him in trouble along
the c-file. At the same time Black has cleared 17 NXa7 Nb4!
the way for 16...c6, driving the knight from Once again Black has to avoid falling into
b5 when the e2-pawn is lost. a positional bind.
16 Ne5!
The best riposte. White threatens 17 Nd7.
93
8
0Z0s0skZ 8
0Z0Z0skZ
7
M0o0Zpop 7
M0S0Zpop
6
bo0ZpZ0Z 6
bo0ZpZ0Z
5
m0Z0M0Z0 5
m0Z0M0Z0
4
Pm0O0Z0Z 4
Pm0s0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
0O0ZPOBO 2
0O0ZPOBO
1
S0Z0ZRJ0 1
Z0Z0ZRJ0
17. . . BXe2 18 Rfe1 Ba6 19 Nac6 NXc6 20 19 Nb5 BXb5 20 aXb5 f6 21 e3 Rdd8 22 Nf3
NXc6 Rd6 21 Rac1 h6 22 BXd5 eXd5 23 Ne7+Rf7 23 Bh3 Re7 24 Rc3 Kf7 25 Ra1 Rd3! 26
Kh7 24 RXc7 Bf1 RXc3 27 bXc3 Nd5 28 c4 Nc3 29 c5 Rd7
18 Rac1 30 Nd4 Ne4 31 cXb6 cXb6 32 Rc1 Nc5
19. . . BXe2 20 Rfc1 f6! 21 Nec6
8
0Z0s0skZ
7
M0o0Zpop
8
0Z0Z0skZ
6
bo0ZpZ0Z
7
M0S0Z0op
5
m0Z0M0Z0
6
0oNZpo0Z
4
Pm0O0Z0Z
5
m0Z0Z0Z0
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
4
Pm0s0Z0Z
2
0O0ZPOBO
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
1
Z0S0ZRJ0
2
0O0ZbOBO
a b c d e f g h 1
Z0S0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
18 Rfc1? Nb3
18. . . RXd4 19 RXc7 21 Nd7? Rd8 22 NXb6 Rd1+
21. . . NbXc6 22 NXc6 NXc6 23 R7Xc6 Rfd8!
Winning time to coordinate the rooks as
if 24 Rxb6 Rd1+ wins a piece. — EXERCISE:
White needs to make a hole for his king on
h2. Should he play 24 h4 or 24 h3 to achieve
this? (Warning: the answer is very deep!)
94
8
0Z0s0ZkZ 8
0Z0Z0ZkZ
7
Z0Z0Z0op 7
Z0Z0Z0op
6
0oRZpo0Z 6
0o0spo0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
PZ0s0Z0Z 4
PO0Z0Z0O
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
0O0ZbOBO 2
0Z0ZbOBZ
1
Z0S0Z0J0 1
Z0S0Z0J0
23. . . RXa4 24 RXe6 Bh5 25 RXb6 26 Rc6 RXc6 27 BXc6 Kf7 28 b4 Ke7 29 f4
24 h4 Kd6 30 Kf2 Bc4 31 Be4 h6 32 Bc2
26. . . Rd4 27 Re1
EXERCISE: Try now to decide if Black’s bishop
should run away to c4 or g4. How big is the
8
0Z0s0ZkZ difference?
7
Z0Z0Z0op 27. . . Bc4?
6
0oRZpo0Z ANSWER: A serious mistake. Black plans
to exchange bishops with ...Bd5 (after the
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 preparatory move ...Kf7), based on the prin-
4
PZ0s0Z0O ciple that all rook and pawn endgames are
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 drawn. Well, getting rid of the white bishop
which controls key squares on the queen-
2
0O0ZbOBZ side is by no means a bad idea.
1
Z0S0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
24 h3 R8d6 25 RXd6 RXd6 26 b4 e5! 27 b5

Kf8 28 Rc8+ Ke7 29 Bc6 f5 30 f3!
8
0Z0Z0ZkZ
24. . . R8d6 25 RXd6 RXd6 26 b4
7
Z0Z0Z0op
6
0o0Zpo0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
PObs0Z0O
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
0Z0Z0OBZ
1
Z0Z0S0J0
a b c d e f g h
95
27. . . Rd1?? 28 RXd1 BXd1 29 a5 bXa5 30
bXa5 Be2 31 Bb7
27. . . Bg4 28 Re4 Rd1+ 29 Kh2 h5
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
28 a5 bXa5 29 bXa5 Kf7 30 Rc1
7
Z0Zrj0o0
White cajoles Black into an exchange of
6
0Z0Zpo0Z
bishops as he sees that the rook endgame 5
O0Z0Z0Zp
offers offers him good prospects of victory. 4
0Z0Z0J0O
30. . . Bd5 31 Ra1 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
0Z0Z0O0Z
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
S0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
7
Z0Z0Zkop
6
0Z0Zpo0Z 35 f4! Ra7 36 Kd4 Kd7 37 a6 Kc6 38 Kc4
5
O0ZbZ0Z0 Kb6 39 Kb4 RXa6 40 RXa6+ KXa6 41 Kc5
4
0Z0s0Z0O 35. . . Ra7 36 a6 Kd6 37 g4 g6 38 gXh5 gXh5
39 Ra5 Kd7 40 Ke4 Kc6 41 Kd4 Kb6
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 White has played according to the win-
2
0Z0Z0OBZ ning plan outlined in the note to 35 Kf4, but
he hasn’t created the right disposition of pawns
1
S0Z0Z0J0 on the kingside. The fact that he has a rook’s
a b c d e f g h
pawn allows Black to escape by the skin of
his teeth.
31 BXd5
42 RXh5 RXa6 43 Rh6 Ra4+ 44 Ke3 Kc5 45
31 Rc7+ f4
31 a6
31. . . BXg2 32 KXg2 Rd7 33 Kf3
We won’t look at the rook endgame in ex-
haustive detail. Suffice to say that the out-
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
side passed pawn imperils Black’s survival.
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
33. . . Ke7 34 Ke4 h5 35 Kf4?
6
0Z0Zpo0S
5
Z0j0Z0Z0
4
rZ0Z0O0O
3
Z0Z0J0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
45 RXf6 RXh4 46 RXe6 Kd5

45. . . e5!
96
Correctly calculating that the black king
will be close enough to stop the h-pawn af-
ter simplification.
46 RXf6 RXf4 47 RXf4 eXf4+ 48 KXf4 Kd6
49 Kf5 Ke7 50 Kg6 Kf8
1/2-1/2
97
White: 5: Black Plays in the Centre ?
Black: ?
Opening ECO: E01
Result: *
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 ZZ–
rmblka0s
8
opo0Zpop
7
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
4
0ZPO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
PO0ZPO0O
Z0Z SNAQJBZR
1
a b c d e f g h
4. . . c5
4. . . dXc4 5 Bg2 c5
*
98
White: Korobov, A. 20: Gjakova
Black: Ermeni, A.
Result: 1-0
1 d4
8
rmblka0s
8
rmblkans
7
opZ0Zpop
7
opopopop
6
0Z0Z0m0Z
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0opZ0Z0
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
PO0ZPO0O
2
POPZPOPO
1
SNAQJBZR
a b c d e f g h
1
SNAQJBMR
a b c d e f g h 5. . . cXd4 6 dXe6 BXe6 7 QXd4 Nc6 8
QXd8+ RXd8 9 Bg2 Nb4 10 Na3 BXa2 11
1 Nf3 d5 2 d4 e6 3 c4 c5 4 cXd5 eXd5 5 Nc3 O-O a6 12 Be3 Bd5 13 Rfc1 Be7 14 Bb6
Nc6 6 g3 Nf6 7 Bg2 Rb8 15 Bh3! O-O 16 Nd4
1 d4 d5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 g3 e6 4 Bg2 c5 5 O-O 6 Bg2 Nc6 7 Nc3 Be7

Nc6 6 c4 dXc4 7 Qa4
1. . . d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 c5
Black immediately challenges the 8
rZblkZ0s
d4-pawn. White’s opening build-up is very
natural, but have a close look at the
7
opZ0apop
previous note as it discusses
6
0ZnZ0m0Z
transpositions/the effect of Black playing a
later ...c7-c5.
5
Z0opZ0Z0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
5 cXd5 eXd5 3
Z0M0ZNO0
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
S0AQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
7. . . cXd4 8 NXd4 Be7 9 O-O O-O 10 Bg5

8 dXc5!?
Now that Black has spent a tempo on
...Be7, and so can’t play ...Bf8xc5 in one go,
99
White exchanges on c5 to clear a way for an White’s dark-squared bishop the chance to
attack on d5. go to b2 where it enjoys an open diagonal,
aiming at Black’s kingside and adding its
weight to the battle for d4.
10. . . a6
8
rZblkZ0s
7
opZ0apop
6
0ZnZ0m0Z 8
rZbl0skZ
5
Z0OpZ0Z0 7
ZpZ0Zpop
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z 6
pZnZ0m0Z
3
Z0M0ZNO0 5
Z0apZ0Z0
2
PO0ZPOBO 4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
S0AQJ0ZR 3
O0M0ZNO0
a b c d e f g h 2
0O0ZPOBO
8 O-O cXd4 9 NXd4 O-O 10 b3!?
1
S0AQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
8. . . BXc5 9 O-O O-O 10 a3!?
QUESTION: What are the reasons for this 10. . . Re8 11 b4 Bb6 12 Bb2 Bg4 13 Rc1 h6
little pawn move? — ANSWER: In a 14 Na4 Bc7? 15 BXf6 gXf6
position with an isolated pawn, control of
10. . . Ne4 11 Qc2 NXc3 12 QXc3 Be7 13
the square in front of the pawn is of serious
Nd4 Bg4 14 NXc6 bXc6 15 QXc6 BXe2 16
strategic value. In this specific case the
Re1 Bc4 17 Bf4 Bf6 18 Rad1
d4-square would be a great outpost for a
white knight as it would be immovable by 10. . . a5 11 Bg5 d4 12 BXf6 QXf6 13 Ne4
an enemy pawn and have important Qe7 14 NXc5 QXc5 15 b4! Qb6 16 b5
influence over the centre. However, at the QXb5 17 NXd4 NXd4 18 QXd4 QXe2 19
moment Black’s bishop on c5 and knight Rfe1 Qa6 20 Rab1
on c6 are keeping out the white knights. — 11 b4 Be7
With 10 a3 the fight begins to wrest the
square from Black. White intends to play
11 b4 to discomfort Black’s bishop. It would
like to stay on the a7-g1 diagonal where it
8
rZbl0skZ
watches over d4, but then it loses the
option of retreating to e7 to defuse the
7
ZpZ0apop
move Bg5, which would otherwise pin the
6
pZnZ0m0Z
knight which defends the d5-pawn. 5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
Furthermore, White might go the whole
hog and advance b4-b5, to force the black
4
0O0Z0Z0Z
knight away from c6, when it also loses
3
O0M0ZNO0
contact with the d4-square. This would 2
0Z0ZPOBO
have to carefully judged as White doesn’t
want to loosen his queenside pawns too
1
S0AQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
much. — At the same time 11 b4 will give
100
11. . . Ba7 12 Bg5 d4 13 Ne4
12 Bb2 Re8
At some point over the next few moves
8
rZ0lrakZ
Black should play ...Bg4 to activate his
7
ZpZ0Zpo0
bishop and gain counterplay. His overly 6
pZnZbZ0o
passive approach lets White build up
pressure in peace.
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
13 Rc1 Bf8
4
0O0ZnM0Z
EXERCISE: Can you see a good plan for
3
O0Z0O0O0
White to increase the pressure on the
d5-pawn? Clue: think of a way to redeploy
2
0A0M0OBO
the knight from c3.
1
Z0SQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
17 Nd4! NXd4 18 QXd4

8
rZblrakZ 17. . . Bf5 18 Nb3 Ne7 19 Nc5!
7
ZpZ0Zpop
6
pZnZ0m0Z
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0 8
rZ0lrakZ
4
0O0Z0Z0Z 7
ZpZ0mpo0
3
O0M0ZNO0 6
pZ0Z0Z0o
2
0A0ZPOBO 5
Z0MpZbZ0
1
Z0SQZRJ0 4
0O0ZnM0Z
O0Z0O0O0
a b c d e f g h 3
13. . . Bg4
2
0A0Z0OBO
14 e3!
1
Z0SQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
ANSWER: White fixes the d5-pawn by
increasing his grip on the d4-square. At the
same time he clears the way for a brilliant 19 Nd4 Bh7
knight manoeuvre via e2 to f4. On its new 19. . . b6
kingside post the horse will attack d5 just
as it did on c3, but with more potency as
the bishop on b2 has an open diagonal and
so there is a threat of Bxf6 followed by
Nxd5. On f4 the knight will also be able to
join in a direct kingside attack if that
becomes the best strategy.
14. . . h6 15 Ne2 Ne4 16 Nf4 Be6 17 Nd2!
QUESTION: Why does White avoid 17 Nd4
which looks very natural and seems to be
tactically sound?
101
21. . . b5
8
rZ0lrakZ 21. . . a5 22 Nd4
7
Z0Z0mpo0 22 RXc1 Qa8
Casting our minds back to the 17th move,
6
po0Z0Z0o we can see that Korobov has been
5
Z0MpZbZ0 vindicated in his decision to avoid the
simplifying 17 Nd4 Nxd4 18 Qxd4. By
4
0O0ZnM0Z keeping the play complex he has allowed
3
O0Z0O0O0 his lower-rated opponent the opportunity
2
0A0Z0OBO to make some doubtful decisions.
1
Z0SQZRJ0 23 Nd4 Bd7
a b c d e f g h
19. . . NXc5 20 RXc5 8

qZ0ZrakZ
20 Nb3!
If you want to play the Catalan well you
7
Z0Zbmpo0
have to play manoeuvres of this type to
6
po0Z0Z0o
weaken the opponent’s pawns. The knight 5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
goes forward; a pawn attacks it; then it
retreats. The quiet nature of the position
4
0O0MnM0Z
makes the loss of time in White’s
3
O0Z0O0O0
manoeuvre of little importance. On the
other hand, the fact the pawn can’t return
2
0A0ZQOBO
to b7 means that the a6-pawn and the
1
Z0S0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
c6-square have both permanently lost a
defender.
20. . . Rc8 21 Qe2 23. . . b5 24 NXf5 NXf5 25 Qd3 Ne7 26
Already the a6-pawn has become a target. NXd5 QXd5 27 QXe4
21. . . RXc1 23. . . Bh7

24 Rc7!
Korobov sends his rook to the seventh rank
not to capture pawns, but to break the
8
0Z0lrakZ coordination of the black pieces and thus
7
Z0Z0mpo0 facilitate an attack on the kingside. Black’s
6
po0Z0Z0o next move is helpful to say the least.
5
Z0ZpZbZ0 24. . . Ba4
The bishop abandons the fight.
4
0O0ZnM0Z
3
ONZ0O0O0
2
0A0ZQOBO
1
Z0s0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
102
8
qZ0ZrakZ 8
0l0ZrZkZ
7
Z0S0mpo0 7
Z0Z0apo0
6
po0Z0Z0o 6
po0Z0Z0o
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0 5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
4
bO0MnM0Z 4
bO0MnM0O
3
O0Z0O0O0 3
O0Z0O0O0
2
0A0ZQOBO 2
0A0ZQOBZ
1
Z0Z0Z0J0 1
Z0Z0Z0J0
24. . . Rd8 26. . . RXe7 27 Nf5 Rd7 28 Qg4

25 h4 27 Nf5
QUESTION: What is the purpose of this QUESTION: Why did Black resign? —
move? — ANSWER: When carrying out an ANSWER: At first glance White’s advantage
attack you shouldn’t just move the big in firepower on the kingside might not look
pieces. By putting the pawn on h4 White decisive. However, he has three minor
rules out any defence of the black king pieces (two knights and the bishop on b2)
based on ...Ng5. all aiming at the black king, and his queen
is ready to join in the action with Qg4. —
25. . . Qb8
Meanwhile Black’s queen and bishop on a4
EXERCISE: Now it looks as if the rook must
are out of things, while the knight on e4
retreat back to c1. Can you do better? —
can be exchanged off with Bxe4, removing
ANSWER:
a key defensive piece. The rook on e8
26 RXe7! doesn’t do much to protect its king, so that
Having to respond to White’s play on the leaves only the bishop on e7 and the pawns
queenside and against d5 has caused a on f7, g7, and h6 to resist an attack by the
disharmony in Black’s position that makes white queen and three minor pieces. It’s
a kingside attack decisive. The first blow is hopeless odds. White can always give up a
to remove the knight on e7 from the minor piece to fragment the black kingside
defensive equation. pawns and still have more than enough
26. . . BXe7 material to force a mate.
103
8
0l0ZrZkZ
7
Z0Z0apo0
6
po0Z0Z0o
5
Z0ZpZNZ0
4
bO0ZnM0O
3
O0Z0O0O0
2
0A0ZQOBZ
1
Z0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
27 Nf5 f6 28 Qg4
1-0
104
White: Caruana, F. 21: Dortmund
Black: Naiditsch, A.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Bg2 dXc4 5 Nf3

c5
A natural counterattack against d4, but of
8
rZblka0s
course any loosening of the black 7
opZ0Zpop
queenside is welcomed by the white
bishop on g2. Even if Black succeeds in
6
0ZnZpm0Z
completing his development, it will be
5
Z0o0Z0Z0
difficult for him to shake off the pressure
against b7. — Before making this type of
4
QZpO0Z0Z
pawn thrust in one of your own games, try
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
to decide in which of the following 2
PO0ZPOBO
categories it belongs: a) It is a freeing move
that disposes of the enemy centre - a good
1
SNA0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
thing. — b) It opens lines for the better
developed enemy pieces - a bad thing. —
Of course the value of a positional decision 7 Ne5!?
is usually debatable. In a lot of cases it is 7 dXc5 QXd1 8 RXd1 BXc5 9 Nbd2 c3 10
the superior precision, knowledge and bXc3
imagination of one player during the rest
of the game that will retrospectively assign 7. . . Bd7
the idea to ’a’ or ’b’. Meeting the threat to the knight whilst
preparing a discovered attack on the white
6 O-O queen with 8...Nxd4.
White gets his king out of the centre before
deciding on his plan.
6 Qa4+ Bd7 7 QXc4 Bc6
6 Nc3 Nc6 7 Qa4 Bd7 8 QXc4 cXd4 9
8
rZ0lka0s
NXd4 Rc8 10 O-O NXd4 11 QXd4 Bc5 12 7
opZbZpop
Qh4 O-O 13 BXb7 Rb8 14 Bf3 Rb4 15
Qg5 Bd4 16 Qd2
6
0ZnZpm0Z
6. . . Nc6 7 Qa4
5
Z0o0Z0Z0
Caruana aims to regain the pawn on c4
4
QZpO0Z0Z
whilst forcing Black to confront the threat
of 8 Ne5 when the pinned knight on c6 will
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
be attacked three times.
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
SNA0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
105
7. . . cXd4 8 NXd4 QXd4 9 BXc6+ Bd7 10
Rd1 QXd1+ 11 QXd1 BXc6 12 Nd2 b5 13
a4 bXa4 14 NXc4
8
rZ0lka0s
8 QXc4
7
o0ZbZpop
Regaining the pawn and attacking c5. 6
0ZnZpm0Z
8. . . b5 5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
QUESTION: Why does Black play this
seemingly loosening pawn move?
4
0Z0o0Z0Z
3
Z0L0ZNO0
2
PO0ZPOBO
8
rZ0lka0s 1
SNA0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
7
o0ZbZpop
6
0ZnZpm0Z 9. . . Rc8 10 dXc5 Nd5 11 Qd2 BXc5 12 Nc3
5
Zpo0Z0Z0 Bb4 13 Qd3 BXc3 14 bXc3
4
0ZQO0Z0Z 9. . . Qb6 10 Be3 c4 11 Ne5!
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 9. . . b4 10 Qd3 Rc8 11 dXc5 BXc5 12 Bg5
2
PO0ZPOBO O-O 13 Nbd2 Be7 14 Rfd1
1
SNA0ZRJ0 10 NXd4 NXd4 11 QXd4 Rc8
a b c d e f g h QUESTION: How would you assess the
position? — ANSWER: Black has evacuated
8. . . cXd4 9 NXd4 all his pieces from the h1-a8 diagonal. He
would have preferred to have exchanged
9 Qc3 off light-squared bishops rather than have
his bishop sitting on d7, so he hasn’t yet
equalized. Nonetheless, White’s advantage
8
rZ0lka0s is minimal.
7
o0ZbZpop 12 Bf4
QUESTION: But can’t White grab the pawn
6
0ZnZpm0Z on a7 now?
5
Zpo0Z0Z0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
Z0L0ZNO0
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
SNA0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
9 Qd3
9 QXb5? NXd4 10 Qd3 Bb5
9. . . cXd4
Black has a choice of moves here.
106
attack the supposedly under-defended
black kingside? — ANSWER: Patience! As
8
0Zrlka0s after 12 Bf4 we have to look beyond the
7
o0ZbZpop present position to see White’s chances.
Black is going to castle, after which the
6
0Z0Zpm0Z bishop on d7 loses one defender, and then
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0 White will challenge its other defender.
4
0Z0L0A0Z This will lead to the black kingside
becoming depleted of defenders. Let’s see
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 how the game unfolded.
2
PO0ZPOBO 14 Nd2 O-O 15 Ne4
1
SNZ0ZRJ0 Here we are: White threatens to win a piece
a b c d e f g h by capturing on f6.
15. . . Nd5
12 QXa7 Bc5 13 Qa6 Nd5 14 BXd5 eXd5
15 Nd2 O-O
12. . . Bc5
A very natural reply. Black develops with
8
0ZrZ0skZ
gain of time and deals with the attack on
7
o0ZbZpop
a7. 6
0l0ZpZ0Z
13 Qd3 5
ZpanZ0Z0
Notice how White’s unobtrusive 12th move
gained power after Black’s reply, because 14
4
0Z0ZNA0Z
Bb7 now threatens to win the exchange.
3
Z0ZQZ0O0
The bishop didn’t threaten anything at the
time it went to f4, as Black had the option
2
PO0ZPOBO
of ...Rc4. But that is the way it sometimes
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
happens in chess: a move gains strength
after the opponent’s best reply. In reality
White exchanged one threat (13 Qxa7) for 15. . . NXe4 16 BXe4
another (14 Bb7). And after Black’s next 15. . . Rfd8 16 NXf6+ gXf6 17 Qf3
move - which is again ’best’ - we see
another chance for White to increase the 16 Ng5!?
pressure suddenly appear. Caruana aims to exploit his advantage in
firepower on the kingside.
13. . . Qb6
Black meets the threat of 14 Bb7 and puts
the queen on an active square where she
ties down the rook on f1 to the defence of
f2. She also solidifies the queenside in
general. On the other hand, the bishop on
d7 is left somewhat hanging and Black’s
kingside is short of defenders. —
QUESTION: But the bishop on d7 is
defended twice! How is it somewhat
hanging? And where are the white pieces to
107
8
0ZrZ0skZ 8
0ZrZ0skZ
7
o0ZbZpop 7
o0ZbapZp
6
0l0ZpZ0Z 6
0l0ZpZpZ
5
ZpanZ0M0 5
ZpZnA0M0
4
0Z0Z0A0Z 4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
3
Z0ZQZ0O0 3
Z0ZQZ0O0
2
PO0ZPOBO 2
PO0ZPOBO
1
S0Z0ZRJ0 1
S0Z0ZRJ0
17. . . f6 18 BXd5 fXg5 19 Bf3 Bc6

16 NXc5!? QXc5 17 Be5 Rfd8 18 Rfd1
18 Nf3 Bc6 19 Qd2
16. . . g6
EXERCISE: Can you see White’s threat? And
what happens if Black plays 19...Bf6 or
19...Rfd8 to meet it?
8
0ZrZ0skZ 19. . . f6
7
o0ZbZpZp Finally Caruana has extracted a long-term
structural advantage through his positional
6
0l0ZpZpZ (we might say tactical) pressure on the
5
ZpanZ0M0 kingside.
4
0Z0Z0A0Z
3
Z0ZQZ0O0
2
PO0ZPOBO
8
0ZrZ0skZ
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
7
o0Z0a0Zp
a b c d e f g h 6
0lbZpopZ
5
ZpZnA0Z0
16. . . f5 17 BXd5 4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
16. . . Nf6 17 NXh7! NXh7 18 QXd7 3
Z0Z0ZNO0
17 Be5
White continues his kingside build-up.
2
PO0LPOBO
17. . . Be7
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
19. . . a6 20 Qh6 f6 21 Ng5! Rf7 22 NXf7

19. . . Bf6 20 e4! BXe5 21 eXd5
19. . . Rfd8 20 e4! Nf6? 21 Qg5! Nd5 22
Qh6 Bf8 23 Qh4 Be7 24 Ng5 BXg5 25
QXg5 f6 26 BXf6 NXf6 27 QXf6
108
20 Bd4 Qb7
8
0Zrs0ZkZ
8
0ZrZ0skZ
7
oqZba0Zp
7
oqZ0a0Zp
6
0Z0ZpopZ
6
0ZbZpopZ
5
ZpZnZ0Z0
5
ZpZnZ0Z0
4
0Z0A0Z0Z
4
0Z0A0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNOB
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
PO0LPO0O
2
PO0LPOBO
1
Z0S0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
22. . . e5 23 BXc8 RXc8 24 Bc5!
23 RXc8 BXc8
20. . . Bc5 21 Rac1 BXd4 22 NXd4
21 Rac1
8
0Zbs0ZkZ
8
0ZrZ0skZ
7
oqZ0a0Zp
7
oqZ0a0Zp
6
0Z0ZpopZ
6
0ZbZpopZ
5
ZpZnZ0Z0
5
ZpZnZ0Z0
4
0Z0A0Z0Z
4
0Z0A0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNOB
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
PO0LPO0O
2
PO0LPOBO
1
Z0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
1
Z0S0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
23. . . RXc8 24 e4
24 Rc1 Bd7 25 Bc5!
21 Bh3 e5!? 22 BXc8 RXc8 Black’s pawn structure is entrenched on the
21. . . Rfd8 22 Bh3 light squares, but not guarding central dark
Aiming the bishop at the undefended squares like c5 and d4. The exchange of
pawn. bishops emphasizes Black’s fragility whilst
vacating d4 for White’s knight or queen.
22. . . Bd7
25. . . BXc5 26 RXc5 Rc8
Black is aiming to draw through
simplification, but there is a favourable
way for White to exchange rooks.
27 b4!
109
So far Caruana has shown restraint in the
use of his foot soldiers, but now is the
moment for his pawns to get involved in
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
the struggle. The exchange of rooks will
yield him a passed pawn. If Black refuses
7
o0Zbm0j0
then 28 Nd4 will increase the pressure.
6
0Z0lpZpo
27. . . RXc5 28 bXc5 Qc7 29 e4!
5
ZpO0OpZ0
The threat of this advance has hung over
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
Black’s knight for many moves. Now at last
it is time to strike.
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
29. . . Ne7 30 Qd4!
2
PZ0Z0OBO
Not only defending the c-pawn, but more
1
Z0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
importantly attacking f6. Black can’t reply
30...e5 without dropping his bishop, and so
he has to allow the further advance of 33. . . Nd5 34 Nd4
White’s e-pawn. 33. . . Qd8 34 Nd4
30. . . Kg7 31 e5 f5 32 Bg2! 34 eXd6
The bishop has performed its role on h3 Only this way: White wants two passed
and now returns to g2 to fight for the pawns and access to e5 for his knight.
crucial d5-square.
34. . . Nc6
32. . . h6 Naiditsch’s minor pieces are now blocking
the pawns and his king is ready to join in
the action. White has to act fast before
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z Black plays moves like ...Kf6, ...e5-e4, ...Ke6
and ...Kd5 to attack the c5-pawn.
7
o0lbm0j0 35 Ne1!
6
0Z0ZpZpo
5
ZpO0OpZ0
4
0Z0L0Z0Z 8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 7
o0ZbZ0j0
2
PZ0Z0OBO 6
0ZnOpZpo
1
Z0Z0Z0J0 5
ZpO0ZpZ0
a b c d e f g h
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
32. . . Nd5 33 Ng5! Qc6 34 Kf1! h6 35
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
BXd5 QXd5 36 QXd5 eXd5 37 Nf3 Kf7 38 2
PZ0Z0OBO
Nd4 1
Z0Z0M0J0
33 Qd6! a b c d e f g h
An offer to exchange Black can’t refuse.
33. . . QXd6 35 Nd2!
35. . . a5 36 Nd3 b4
110
Black has guarded against Nb4, but an
approach via e5 is still available to the
white knight.
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
37 h4
7
Z0Z0Z0j0
6
0Z0OpZpo
5
obO0ZpZ0
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z 4
0o0m0Z0O
7
Z0ZbZ0j0 3
Z0ZNZ0O0
6
0ZnOpZpo 2
PZ0Z0OBJ
5
o0O0ZpZ0 1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0o0Z0Z0O a b c d e f g h
3
Z0ZNZ0O0 38. . . Kf6 39 f4 Be8 40 Ne5
2
PZ0Z0OBZ 39 Ne5 Kf6 40 c6!
1
Z0Z0Z0J0 A neat finish;
a b c d e f g h
37 BXc6 BXc6 38 Ne5 a4! 39 NXc6 b3 40

aXb3 aXb3 41 d7 b2 42 d8Q b1Q+ 43 Kg2 8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
Qe4+ 44 Kf1 QXc6 7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
37. . . Nd4 38 Kh2! 6
0ZPOpjpo
5
obZ0MpZ0
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
4
0o0m0Z0O
7
Z0ZbZ0j0
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
6
0Z0OpZpo
2
PZ0Z0OBJ
5
o0O0ZpZ0
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
4
0o0m0Z0O
3
Z0ZNZ0O0 40 f4
2
PZ0Z0OBJ 40. . . BXc6
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
38 Ne5? a4 39 NXd7 b3
38. . . Bb5
111
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0ZbOpjpo
5
o0Z0MpZ0
4
0o0m0Z0O
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PZ0Z0OBJ
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
40. . . KXe5 41 d7 NXc6 42 BXc6

41 NXc6
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0ZNOpjpo
5
o0Z0ZpZ0
4
0o0m0Z0O
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PZ0Z0OBJ
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
41 NXc6 NXc6 42 BXc6

1-0
112
White: Laznicka, V. 22: Jerusalem
Black: Kobo, O.
Result: 1-0
1 Nf3 Nf6 2 g3 c5 3 Bg2 Nc6 4 O-O d5 5 d4

e6 6 c4 dXc4 7 Ne5
An aggressive and tricky move that is likely
8
rZ0lka0s
to upset an unprepared opponent. 7
opZbZpop
However, if he defends well Black has more
chances to equalize than after the more
6
0ZnZpm0Z
positional 7 Qa4 of the previous game.
5
Z0o0M0Z0
7. . . Bd7!
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
The best reply. Black develops a piece,
meets the threat to c6 and deters White
3
M0Z0Z0O0
from trying Qa4.
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
S0AQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
8
rZ0lka0s 8 NXd7 QXd7
7
opZbZpop 8 NXc6 BXc6 9 BXc6+ bXc6
6
0ZnZpm0Z 8. . . cXd4
5
Z0o0M0Z0 As former world champion Wilhelm
Steinitz would say, ’A centre pawn is worth
4
0ZpO0Z0Z a little trouble.’
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 9 NaXc4 Bc5
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
SNAQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h 8
rZ0lkZ0s
7. . . NXd4? 8 e3 Nc6 9 BXc6+ bXc6 10
7
opZbZpop
QXd8+ KXd8 11 NXf7+
6
0ZnZpm0Z
8 Na3
5
Z0a0M0Z0
4
0ZNo0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
S0AQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
9. . . Be7 10 Bf4 O-O 11 Qb3 Qc8 12 Rac1
113
Nd5 13 Rfd1 NXf4 14 gXf4 Rd8 15 Be4 11. . . NXe5? 12 NXe5 b6? 13 b4! BXb4 14
Qc7 16 Qf3 BXa8 QXa8 15 NXd7 NXd7 16 QXd4
10 Bf4 11. . . Rc8 12 Nd3 Be7 13 Nd6 Rc7!?
12 NXd7
ANSWER: In general White is reluctant to
8
rZ0lkZ0s exchange his knight for Black’s awkwardly
placed bishop, but here he needs to clear a
7
opZbZpop way for his bishop on f4 to the e5-square.
6
0ZnZpm0Z This will involve the exchange of both
5
Z0a0M0Z0 white knights.
4
0ZNo0A0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PO0ZPOBO
8
rZ0l0skZ
1
S0ZQZRJ0
7
opZNZpop
a b c d e f g h
6
0ZnZpZ0Z
5
Z0anZ0Z0
10 Qb3 O-O 11 Bf4 Rc8 12 QXb7 NXe5 13
NXe5 Rb8 14 Qf3 RXb2 15 Rfc1 Bd6 16
4
0ZNo0A0Z
Nc4 BXf4 17 QXf4 Rb4 18 QXd4 Bb5 19
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
Qc5 RXc4 20 RXc4 BXc4 21 QXc4 2
PO0ZPOBO
10. . . O-O 11 Rc1 1
Z0SQZRJ0
The rook not only makes the black bishop a b c d e f g h
uneasy, but adds to the pressure on c6.
11. . . Nd5 12 BXd5 eXd5 13 Na5 NXa5 14 RXc5 Bh3
Blocking the attack on c6, as well as 15 Re1 b6 16 Rc1 Rc8 17 RXc8 QXc8 18
introducing the idea of ...Nxf4. — QXd4 f6 19 Nd3 Qc4!
EXERCISE: How can White keep on setting 12. . . QXd7 13 Ne5 Qd6??
Black problems? A serious mistake.
8
rZ0l0skZ 8
rZ0Z0skZ
7
opZbZpop 7
opZ0Zpop
6
0ZnZpZ0Z 6
0ZnlpZ0Z
5
Z0anM0Z0 5
Z0anM0Z0
4
0ZNo0A0Z 4
0Z0o0A0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PO0ZPOBO 2
PO0ZPOBO
1
Z0SQZRJ0 1
Z0SQZRJ0
114
13. . . NXe5 14 BXe5 Bb6 15 BXd4 17. . . ZZ– 18 Qb3
14 NXc6 NXf4 15 Na5! 18 b4 a5 19 Qb3!
A decisive move. Because the black knight This is now lethal.
is hanging on f4 there is no time to deal 19. . . Nf4
with the threat of 16 Nxb7.
15. . . NXg2
8
rZrZ0ZkZ
7
Z0Z0Zpop
8
rZ0Z0skZ 6
0Z0ZpZ0Z
7
opZ0Zpop 5
o0MqZ0Z0
6
0Z0lpZ0Z 4
0O0o0m0Z
5
M0a0Z0Z0 3
ZQZ0Z0O0
4
0Z0o0Z0Z 2
PZ0ZPO0O
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 1
Z0S0ZRJ0
2
PO0ZPOnO a b c d e f g h
1
Z0SQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
19. . . Qc6 20 b5 Qd6 21 Ne4 Qe5 22 Qf3
20 gXf4 Qh5 21 f3 aXb4 22 Nd3 h6 23
15. . . b6
RXc8+ RXc8 24 QXb4 Rc2 25 Re1 Qg6+
15. . . Bb6 16 Nc4 26 Kh1
16 NXb7 Qd5 17 NXc5 1-0
Material is equal, but the black knight
won’t be getting out of g2. — EXERCISE:
can you see the best way for White to go
about winning the trapped horse?
17. . . Rfc8
8
rZrZ0ZkZ
7
o0Z0Zpop
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z
5
Z0MqZ0Z0
4
0Z0o0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PO0ZPOnO
1
Z0SQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
115
White: 6: Black Counterattacks ?
Black: ?
Opening ECO: E04
Result: *
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2

Bd7
. I would recommend this line to players of
Black who are looking for a hard fight. If
White plays in a slow, elaborate style he
can find himself crushed by a kingside
attack in about 30 moves. And how often
does that happen to him in other lines of
the Catalan? It is only in this variation that
Black sends his king to the queenside, into
the jaws of the bishop on g2. And
remarkably he (or she) often lives to tell the
tale. — The drawback to having 5...Bd7 as
your repertoire move is that which afflicts
most enterprising lines against the
Catalan: with a crafty move order White
can avoid it along with other lines that
emanate from 4...dxc4.
*
116
White: Sharevich, A. 23: U.S. Women’s Ch, Saint Louis
Black: Nemcova, K.
Result: 0-1
1 d4 d5 2 Nf3 e6 3 c4 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2 6. . . Bc6

Bd7
The aforementioned provocation: the
bishop heads for c6 to challenge White’s
control of the long diagonal. Black will
8
rm0lka0s
forfeit the bishop pair, but achieve a
7
opo0Zpop
powerful concentration of pieces in the
centre. — Black’s manoeuvre reminds me
6
0ZbZpm0Z
of the Fort Knox variation of the French
5
Z0Z0M0Z0
Defence which begins 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 4
0ZpO0Z0Z
dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bd7 5 Nf3 Bc6. In both cases
Black gives priority over development to
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
the problem of the bad bishop on c8.
2
PO0ZPOBO
However, the two lines are 1
SNAQJ0ZR
temperamentally unrelated: in the French a b c d e f g h
Black is looking for a peaceful life through
conceding some space, whereas here the 6. . . Nc6 7 NXc4!
aim is to start a hard fight.
7 NXc6 NXc6 8 O-O 8 Qa4?! Qd7 9 QXc4
6 Ne5 NXd4 10 BXb7 Rb8 11 Bg2 Bb4+ 12 Bd2
Sharevich unleashes the bishop and O-O! 13 BXb4 RXb4 14 QXb4?? Nc2+ 15
attacks b7, thereby ensuring she gains the Kf1
bishop pair.
8 e3 Qd7 9 O-O O-O-O
8. . . Qd7
Preparing to castle queenside.
8
rm0lka0s
7
opobZpop
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
8
rZ0Zka0s
5
Z0Z0M0Z0
7
opoqZpop
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
6
0ZnZpm0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
PO0ZPOBO
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
1
SNAQJ0ZR
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
a b c d e f g h 2
PO0ZPOBO
1
SNAQZRJ0
6 Qc2 c5! 7 QXc4 Bc6 a b c d e f g h
117
8. . . QXd4?? the horse can’t be driven back by c2-c4.
8. . . NXd4 9 BXb7 Alternatively if White tries e3-e4 to evict
the knight then d4 becomes weak and the
8. . . Nd5 9 e3 a6 10 Nc3 NXc3 11 bXc3 Na5 bishop on g2 is shut in by its own pawn. Of
12 f4! course, the knight won’t be entirely stable
9 e3 sitting on d5, but it is a serious obstacle to
Guarding the d4-pawn. White’s attack. — Aggressively speaking,
Black has a source of counterattack on the
kingside. It transpires that with 4 g3 White
has created a hook for the pawn advance
rZ0Zka0s
8 ...h5-h4. The disappearance of the knight
on f3 facilitates this ramming move.
opoqZpop
7
Furthermore, the situation in the centre
0ZnZpm0Z
6 isn’t entirely fixed. If White tries a
one-sided plan of attack on the queenside
Z0Z0Z0Z0
5
she has to watch out for an ...e6-e5
0ZpO0Z0Z
4
break-out by Black. — Nonetheless, this is
Z0Z0O0O0
3 a double-edged plan for Black full of
danger as well as opportunity. Castling
PO0Z0OBO
2
queenside into the fire of the bishop on g2
SNAQZRJ0
1 isn’t asking for a quiet life.
a b c d e f g h
10 Qa4
The most aggressive approach. White not
9 Nc3!? NXd4 10 BXb7 Rb8 11 Bg2 Be7 only aims to regain her pawn on c4, but
12 e3 Nb5 13 Qc2 NXc3 14 QXc3 Qb5 15 also threatens to smash up Black’s
b3 O-O queenside with 11 Nxc6.
9. . . O-O-O 10. . . Nd5
Nemcova completes a plan that is Nemcova blocks the attack on c6 and puts
astounding in the Catalan. Normally Black her knight on a central square which has
is trying to withstand pressure on his the status of a ’pseudo outpost’: if White
queenside pawns from the bishop on g2 - tries to eject it with e3-e4 she undermines
you would imagine the last thing she wants her centre.
is her king sitting on b8. — EXERCISE: 11 QXc4 h5!
What positional factors do you think justify The advance of the h-pawn aims to make
Black’s plan of castling queenside? You White regret she ever weakened herself by
might like to make a list. — ANSWER: playing the Catalan move 4 g3.
Firstly, Black is solidly centralized and
actually has a lead in development. 12 Bd2
Secondly, at the moment White’s White vacates the c1-square for the rook so
queenside pawns are passive on a2 and b2. it can exert pressure along the half open
They are a long way from being utilized as file. At the same time the bishop positions
battering rams against the black king. This itself to support a counterattack on the
gives Black time to organize counterplay queenside with b2-b4, etc.
and fortify her defences. — The pressure
from the bishop on g2 can be plugged with
...Nd5. Because Black has played ...d5xc4
118
EXERCISE: What is White’s threat and how
should Black prevent it? — ANSWER:
8
0Zks0a0s 16. . . Kb8
7
opoqZpo0 Black guards the important a7-square.
6
0ZnZpZ0Z
5
Z0ZnZ0Zp
4
0ZQO0Z0Z 8
0j0s0a0s
3
Z0Z0O0O0 7
opoqZ0Z0
2
PO0A0OBO 6
0ZnZpZ0Z
1
SNZ0ZRJ0 5
Z0ZnZpo0
a b c d e f g h
4
QZ0O0Z0Z
12 h4 g5! 13 hXg5 h4
3
Z0M0O0O0
12. . . h4 13 Rc1 hXg3 14 hXg3 f5!
2
PO0A0OBZ
With the pawn thrust Black stabilizes the
1
S0S0Z0J0
knight on d5 as now e3-e4 will no longer a b c d e f g h
dislodge it. The pawn can support a
second wave of attack against the g3-pawn
16. . . ZZ– 17 Nb5 a6 18 RXc6! QXc6 19
with ...g7-g5 and ...f5-f4. And, finally, the
Na7+
pawns are being cleared out of the way of
the black queen so that she can go to h7 to 17 NXd5 eXd5 18 b4 Bd6
lead the assault on the white king.
15 Nc3?
This feels too slow. 8
0j0s0Z0s
7
opoqZ0Z0
6
0Zna0Z0Z
8
0Zks0a0s 5
Z0ZpZpo0
7
opoqZ0o0 4
QO0O0Z0Z
6
0ZnZpZ0Z 3
Z0Z0O0O0
5
Z0ZnZpZ0 2
PZ0A0OBZ
4
0ZQO0Z0Z 1
S0S0Z0J0
3
Z0M0O0O0 a b c d e f g h
2
PO0A0OBZ
1
S0S0Z0J0 18. . . f4!? 19 b5? NXd4! 20 eXd4 fXg3 21
Qb3 gXf2+ 22 Kf1 Rh2! 23 Rc3? Bb4! 24
a b c d e f g h
Rd3 RXg2 25 KXg2 Qg4+ 26 Rg3 Qe2 27
Rf1 BXd2 28 RXf2 Qe4+ 29 Qf3 Bf4 30
15 b4 QXe4 dXe4 31 Rc3 e3 32 Rfc2 RXd4
15. . . g5! 16 Qa4 19 b5?!
119
As so often this proves a naive attacking
gesture because Black’s initiative on the
kingside carries a lot more punch.
8
0j0s0Zns
7
opoqZ0Z0
6
0Z0a0Z0Z
8
0j0s0Z0s
5
ZPZpZpo0
7
opoqZ0Z0
4
0Z0O0O0Z
6
0Zna0Z0Z
3
ZQZ0O0O0
5
ZPZpZpo0
2
PZ0A0ZBZ
4
QZ0O0Z0Z
1
S0S0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
3
Z0Z0O0O0
2
PZ0A0OBZ 21 BXd5 Nf6 22 Bg2 gXf4 23 eXf4 Rdg8 24
1
S0S0Z0J0 Be1 Ne4
a b c d e f g h
21. . . Nf6 22 fXg5
Seeing no long-term answer to her
19 BXd5 f4 20 BXc6 bXc6 21 eXf4 gXf4 22 opponent’s build-up Sharevich tries to
QXc6 fXg3 23 QXd7 RXd7 24 f4 Rh2 25 counterattack which leads to a speedy
Be3 Re7 collapse.
19. . . Ne7 22. . . Ne4
Such is the power of Black’s looming attack The knight finds a commanding square
that she might already be adjudged to have after a journey from b8 via c6, e7, g8 and f6.
a winning position. 23 Be1 Qh7 24 QXd5 BXg3 25 Qe6 NXg5
20 f4 Now the horse removes the last pawn
A radical way to stop the ...f5-f4-pawn barrier on the kingside.
thrust. 26 Qc4 BXe1 27 RXe1 Ne4 28 Qc2 Rdg8
20. . . Ng8! 29 Rac1 Qh1#
The knight moves out of the way of the 0-1
queen to allow her to go to h7 to lead the
attack down the h-file. At the same time
the horse heads for e4, a marvellous
outpost in the centre created by White’s
previous move.
21 Qb3
120
White: Veinberg, N. 24: Jerusalem
Black: Baron, T.
Result: 0-1
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2

Bd7 6 Ne5 Bc6 7 NXc6 NXc6 8 O-O Qd7 9
e3 O-O-O 10 Qa4 Nd5 11 QXc4 h5 12 Bd2
8
0Zks0a0s
h4 13 Rc1 hXg3 7
opoqZ0o0
6
0ZnZpZ0Z
5
Z0ZnZpZ0
8
0Zks0a0s 4
0OQO0Z0Z
7
opoqZpo0 3
Z0Z0O0O0
6
0ZnZpZ0Z 2
PZ0A0OBZ
5
Z0ZnZ0Z0 1
SNS0Z0J0
4
0ZQO0Z0Z a b c d e f g h
3
Z0Z0O0o0
15 Nc3
2
PO0A0OBO
1
SNS0Z0J0 15. . . g5!
ANSWER!
a b c d e f g h
13. . . f5 14 b4 hXg3 15 hXg3

14 hXg3 f5 15 b4
8
0Zks0a0s
EXERCISE: Here Black has four ways of 7
opoqZ0Z0
handling the position. What do you think is
best? (a) Eliminate the pawn on b4 before
6
0ZnZpZ0Z
it can advance further with 15....Ncxb4; (b)
5
Z0ZnZpo0
Look for counterplay immediately with 4
0OQO0Z0Z
15...g5; (c) Consolidate his queenside with
15...Kb8; (d) Develop with 15...Bd6.
3
Z0Z0O0O0
2
PZ0A0OBZ
1
SNS0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
15. . . NcXb4 16 a3 Nc6 17 Qb3 Kb8 18

Nc3 Nce7 19 Rab1 b6 20 a4
15. . . Bd6 16 b5 Nce7 17 a4
15. . . Kb8? 16 b5 Nce7 17 a4 Nc8 18 Qb3
Nd6 19 Nc3 NXc3 20 BXc3 Ne4 21 a5 Qd5
121
22 Qb2 Bd6 23 b6 Rh6 24 Bb4 Rdh8 25
BXd6 Rh2 26 BXc7+ Ka8 27 Qa2
16 b5 Nce7 17 a4 f4!
8
0Zks0a0s
In a battle between advancing pawn fronts
7
opoqZ0Z0
every tempo is crucial. Baron strikes at e3 6
0Z0ZpZ0Z
to deflect White from his queenside
assault. If he had spent a move on 15...Kb8
5
OPZnZno0
he wouldn’t have been in time to hit White
4
0ZQO0Z0Z
with this counterstroke. — Whatever the
verdict of the computer programs, Black is
3
Z0Z0O0O0
having the fun here in a game between
2
0Z0A0ZBZ
humans. He gets to aim his pieces at a 1
SNS0Z0J0
white king who is rapidly denuded of pawn a b c d e f g h
cover, while his own monarch can seek
sanctuary on d7 in key lines given below. 19. . . Qd6! 20 b6 QXg3 21 bXa7 Kd7!
White will have a nominal material
advantage, but his rook on a1 and knight 20 e4?
on b1 don’t contribute much to the It’s no surprise White crumbles quickly.
struggle.
18 a5?
In a straight race between attacks White
will prove second best.
8
0Zks0a0s
7
opoqZ0Z0
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z
8
0Zks0a0s
5
OPZnZno0
7
opoqm0Z0
4
0ZQOPZ0Z
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
5
OPZnZ0o0
2
0Z0A0ZBZ
4
0ZQO0o0Z
1
SNS0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
3
Z0Z0O0O0
2
0Z0A0OBZ 20 b6 Qh7 21 Kf2 Bd6! 22 bXa7 Kd7!
1
SNS0Z0J0 20. . . Nde3 21 Qc3 Qh7!
a b c d e f g h
The open lines are fatal to the white king.
22 eXf5
18 e4?! fXg3! 19 eXd5 eXd5 20 Qd3 gXf2+
21 Kf1 Nf5
18 gXf4! gXf4 19 e4 Rg8! 20 Kf1! Nb6 21
Qc2 RXg2!? 22 KXg2 e5 23 Qc3 Ng6 24
a5? Qg4+ 25 Kf1 Na8
18. . . fXg3 19 fXg3 Nf5!?
122
8
0Zks0a0s 8
0Zks0a0Z
7
opo0Z0Zq 7
opo0Z0Z0
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z 6
0Z0ZpZ0Z
5
OPZ0ZPo0 5
OPZ0Z0o0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z 4
0ZKOqZ0Z
3
Z0L0m0O0 3
Z0L0A0Zr
2
0Z0A0ZBZ 2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
SNS0Z0J0 1
SNZ0S0Z0
22 BXe3 Qh2+ 23 Kf1 NXg3+ 24 Ke1 29 Nd2 QXe3 30 QXe3 RXe3 31 Re1
Bb4! 25 QXb4 QXg2 29. . . Qd5+ 30 Kd3 QXb5+ 31 Kc2 Bb4 32
22. . . Qh2+ Na3 Qf5+
Frustratingly for Veinberg his king will be
chased all the way to c4, without a
moment’s respite to carry out his threat of
mate on c7.
8
0Zks0Z0Z
23 Kf2 QXg2+ 24 KXe3 QXg3+ 25 Ke2
7
opo0Z0Z0
Qg4+ 26 Kd3 QXf5+ 27 Kc4 Rh3 28 Be3 6
0Z0ZpZ0Z
O0Z0Zqo0
Qe4 5
4
0a0O0Z0Z
8
0Zks0a0Z
3
M0L0A0Zr
7
opo0Z0Z0
2
0ZKZ0Z0Z
6
0Z0ZpZ0Z
1
S0Z0S0Z0
a b c d e f g h
5
OPZ0Z0o0
4
0ZKOqZ0Z 32. . . Qf5+ 33 Qd3 Rh2+
3
Z0L0A0Zr 0-1
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
SNS0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
28. . . e5! 29 Kb3 Qf7+ 30 Qc4 RXe3+ 31

Kb2 QXc4 32 RXc4 eXd4
29 Re1
123
White: Ulibin, M. 25: Biel
Black: Brkic, A.
Result: 1/2-1/2
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Bg2 dXc4 5 Nf3

e3 O-O-O 10 Nd2!
8
0Zks0a0s
An important alternative to 10 Qa4 in the 7
opoqZpop
games above. The knight will be much
better posted on c4 than on c3. —
6
0ZnZ0m0Z
EXERCISE: Do you think Black should
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
persevere with the idea of attacking on the
kingside with 10...h5 in the style of the
4
0ZNO0Z0Z
games above, or should he try 10. ..e5 to
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
counterattack in the centre? — ANSWER: 2
PO0Z0OBO
10. . . e5! 1
S0AQZRJ0
This seems a necessary change of plan. a b c d e f g h
12 Qa4
8
0Zks0a0s 12 Qb3
7
opoqZpop 12. . . Qe6!
QUESTION: Why is this a better move than
6
0ZnZ0m0Z capturing the pawn on d4 straightaway?
5
Z0Z0o0Z0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0O0O0 8
0Zks0a0s
2
PO0M0OBO 7
opo0Zpop
1
S0AQZRJ0 6
0ZnZqm0Z
a b c d e f g h
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
10. . . h5 11 NXc4 Nd5 12 Bd2 h4 13 b4!
4
0ZNO0Z0Z
hXg3 14 hXg3 BXb4 15 BXb4 NdXb4 16
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
Qb3 Rh5 17 Rab1 Rdh8 18 Ne5! NXe5 19
QXb4 Ng4 20 QXb7+ Kd8 21 Rfc1 Qd6
2
PO0Z0OBO
22 Rc6 Qd7 23 Rbc1 e5 24 RXc7
1
S0AQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
11 NXc4 eXd4 12 eXd4?!
12. . . NXd4 13 Be3

12. . . QXd4 13 Qa4
124
13 Qa4 ANSWER: The knight has returned to e4 to
The white queen runs from danger on the block in the bishop on g2 and put a barrier
d-file whilst defending her knight and against a white rook on e1- not that it is a
putting pressure on the queenside. very secure barrier, as we shall see. — If a
13. . . RXd4 positional queen sacrifice for a rook and
Black wins a pawn whilst pinning the white bishop is going to work then the giver
knight. needs a safe king and a solid pawn
structure. Above all, the opponent mustn’t
14 b3 have a strong passed pawn, which doesn’t
White threatens not only 15 Bxc6 followed apply here. So on the whole White is
by capturing on a7, but also the simple 15 looking at least okay. The problem will
Be3 when he drives back the black rook appear when in order to get rid of the
and coordinates his pieces. This would knight on e4 he is obliged to compromise
leave Black facing a massive attack on his his kingside, after which his king becomes
king, but Brkic can seize the chance to play a strategic factor - not what you want when
in the centre. your opponent has an unopposed queen.
14. . . Ne4! So the verdict seems to be White has
EXERCISE: The knight blocks the attack on sufficient compensation for the queen, but
c6 and introduces a strong tactical threat. not more.
Can you see it? — ANSWER: The threat was 18 Rae1 f5 19 g4
15...Nc3 trapping the white queen. The With the laudable aim of eliminating the
game move stops it whilst hitting the black defender of the knight, but White is taking
rook. Nonetheless the white queen is still liberties with his kingside.
short of squares.
15 Bb2 Nc5! 16 QXc6!
8
0ZkZ0a0s
8
0ZkZ0a0s
7
o0o0Z0op
7
opo0Zpop
6
0ZpZqZ0Z
6
0ZQZqZ0Z
5
Z0Z0ZpZ0
5
Z0m0Z0Z0
4
0ZNAnZPZ
4
0ZNs0Z0Z
3
ZPZ0Z0Z0
3
ZPZ0Z0O0
2
PZ0Z0OBO
2
PA0Z0OBO
1
Z0Z0SRJ0
a b c d e f g h
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
19 f3 Qd5! 20 fXe4 QXd4+ 21 Kh1 Bb4 22
16 Qa3 Nd3 17 Qa4 NXb2 Rd1 Qc3 23 Rc1 Qd4 24 Rcd1 Qc3 25 Rc1
Qd4 26 Rcd1
16 Qb5 a6 17 QXc6 bXc6
19. . . Bd6!?
16. . . bXc6 17 BXd4 Ne4 Aiming straight at h2.
EXERCISE: Evaluate the position! What do
you think of White’s queen sacrifice? —
125
8
0ZkZ0Z0s 8
0ZkZ0Z0s
7
o0o0Z0op 7
o0o0Z0op
6
0ZpaqZ0Z 6
0ZpZ0Z0l
5
Z0Z0ZpZ0 5
Z0Z0ZPZ0
4
0ZNAnZPZ 4
0ZNARa0Z
3
ZPZ0Z0Z0 3
ZPZ0Z0Z0
2
PZ0Z0OBO 2
PZ0Z0ZBO
1
Z0Z0SRJ0 1
Z0Z0ZRJ0
19. . . Qd5 22 RXf4 QXf4 23 RXe4 Qc1+ 24 Kf2 Rf8

25 Ne3 Rf7
19. . . Qd7
22. . . QXh2+ 23 Kf2 Qg3+
20 gXf5 Qh6 Black calls it a draw too soon.
The threat of mate saves the black knight.
21 f4
8
0ZkZ0Z0s
8
0ZkZ0Z0s
7
o0o0Z0op
7
o0o0Z0op
6
0ZpZ0Z0Z
6
0Zpa0Z0l
5
Z0Z0ZPZ0
5
Z0Z0ZPZ0
4
0ZNARa0Z
4
0ZNAnO0Z
3
ZPZ0Z0l0
3
ZPZ0Z0Z0
2
PZ0Z0JBZ
2
PZ0Z0ZBO
1
Z0Z0ZRZ0
a b c d e f g h
1
Z0Z0SRJ0
a b c d e f g h
23. . . Rf8! 24 Rg1
21 NXd6+ NXd6 22 Rc1 NXf5 23 RXc6 24 Kg1 Qh2+ 25 Kf2 Qg3+
Qf4 24 BXa7 Nh4 25 Rfc1 NXg2 26 R1c4 1/2-1/2
Qe5 27 Bd4 Qh5 28 RXc7+ Kb8 29 KXg2
Qg4+ 30 Kf1 Qd1+ 31 Kg2 Qg4+
21. . . BXf4 22 RXe4
126
White: Postny, E. 26: European Club Cup, Skopje
Black: Nakar, E.
Result: 1/2-1/2
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Bg2 dXc4 5 Nf3

e3 O-O-O 10 Nd2 e5 11 NXc4 eXd4 12 Qa4
8
0Zks0a0s
7
opoqZpop
6
0ZnZ0Z0Z
8
0Zks0a0s 5
Z0ZnZ0Z0
7
opoqZpop 4
QZNo0Z0Z
6
0ZnZ0m0Z 3
Z0Z0O0O0
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 2
PO0Z0OBO
4
QZNo0Z0Z 1
S0A0ZRJ0
3
Z0Z0O0O0 a b c d e f g h
2
PO0Z0OBO 12. . . dXe3? 13 BXe3
1
S0A0ZRJ0 12. . . h5 13 b4! Kb8 14 b5 Nb4 15 eXd4 h4
a b c d e f g h
16 Ne5
12 eXd4 Qe6! 12. . . d3 13 b4! NXb4 14 QXa7
12 Qb3!? Nd5! 13 Bd2!? Bc5!? 14 Rac1 13 eXd4 Kb8

dXe3!? 15 NXe3 BXe3 16 BXe3 Qe6 17 Of course, a7 drops after 13...Nxd4.
BXa7!? NXa7 18 Rfe1 Qf5 19 Rc5 c6 20 14 Rd1
BXd5 RXd5 21 Re7 Qb1+ 22 Kg2 Rd7 23 A simple move to consolidate the centre
RXd7 Qe4+ 24 Kh3 KXd7 25 QXb7+ Kd6 before the next wave of attack is launched
26 QXa7 Qe6+ 27 Kg2 Qe4+ 28 Kh3 on the queenside. Black has been unable to
12. . . Nd5 disrupt White’s build-up by a counterattack
along the d-file.
14. . . Be7?
A rather routine move. The bishop takes
away the e7-square from the knight on c6,
from which it could help defend the vital
d5-square. — EXERCISE: How should
White now set about removing the barrier
to his attack on d5?
127
8
0j0s0Z0s 8
0j0s0Z0s
7
opoqapop 7
opoqapop
6
0ZnZ0Z0Z 6
0mnZ0Z0Z
5
Z0ZnZ0Z0 5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
QZNO0Z0Z 4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 3
Z0Z0M0O0
2
PO0Z0OBO 2
POQZ0OBO
1
S0ARZ0J0 1
S0ARZ0J0
14. . . h5 15 h4 16 BXc6 NXa4 17 BXd7 RXd7

14. . . f6 15 Qb3 Nce7 16 Bd2 h5 17 h4 c6 16. . . Bf6?
18 Rac1 g6 Black wants to put his knight on d4 and so
prepares to support it with the bishop. He
15 Ne3?
is happy to entice White’s pawn to d5
An obvious bid to evict the knight from d5,
where it blocks an attack on b7 by the
but it lets Black gain counterplay in the
Catalan bishop.
centre after all.
8
0j0s0Z0s
8
0j0s0Z0s
7
opoqapop
7
opoqZpop
6
0ZnZ0Z0Z
6
0mnZ0a0Z
5
Z0ZnZ0Z0
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
QZ0O0Z0Z
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0M0O0
3
Z0Z0M0O0
2
PO0Z0OBO
2
POQZ0OBO
1
S0ARZ0J0
1
S0ARZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
15 Qb3! 16. . . NXd4 17 Qe4 c5 18 Kh1 f5? 19 NXf5!

QXf5
15. . . Nb6 16 Qc2
17 d5
As we shall see in the game, White’s pawn
at d5 proves a powerful support of his
queenside attack rather than a hindrance.
It also takes away retreat squares from the
knight on d4.
128
17. . . Nd4 18 Qd3 a6
Evidently Black was afraid of his knight on
d4 being surrounded by a move like a2-a4
8
0jns0Z0s
and then attacked with Bd2 and Bc3
without having a safe flight square. And so
7
ZpoqZpop
he prepares to retreat it to b5.
6
pm0Z0a0Z
19 Nc2 Nb5 20 a4 Nd6 21 Nd4 Ndc8?
5
Z0ZPZ0Z0
It is baffling why Black would withdraw the
4
PZ0Z0Z0Z
horse from its excellent blockade square.
— EXERCISE: Can you see a way to
3
ZNZQZ0O0
immediately exploit Black’s disastrous
2
0O0Z0OBO
decision? 1
S0ARZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
8
0jns0Z0s 22 Nc6+! bXc6 23 QXa6 NXd5 24 BXd5
cXd5 25 Rd3 Nb6 26 Bf4
7
ZpoqZpop 22. . . NXa4 23 Qc2 Nd6 24 Be3 Rhe8
6
pm0Z0a0Z
5
Z0ZPZ0Z0
4
PZ0M0Z0Z 8
0j0srZ0Z
3
Z0ZQZ0O0 7
ZpoqZpop
2
0O0Z0OBO 6
pZ0m0a0Z
1
S0ARZ0J0 5
Z0ZPZ0Z0
a b c d e f g h
4
nZ0Z0Z0Z
21. . . Rhe8 22 a5 Nbc4
3
ZNZ0A0O0
22 Nb3?
2
0OQZ0OBO
Postny builds up his game confident that
1
S0ZRZ0J0
his initiative will eventually lead to a strong a b c d e f g h
attack.
24. . . Nb6 25 Rdc1
25 Na5 Nb6 26 Nc6+!
With all his pieces well placed for the
attack, Postny decides it is time for a
sacrifice to break up the black king’s pawn
wall. It involves a very neat piece of
calculation.
26. . . bXc6
EXERCISE: As a test of your analytical
powers, you might like to see if you can
work your way through to a queen and
129
opposite-colour bishop endgame where A crucial move that White had to see at the
White is winning despite equal material. start of his combination.
27 BXb6
The only move.
8
0Z0s0Z0Z
7
j0Z0Zpop
8
0j0srZ0Z 6
qo0S0a0Z
7
Z0oqZpop 5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
pApm0a0Z 4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0ZPZ0Z0 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z 2
0OQZ0OBO
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 1
Z0Z0Z0J0
2
0OQZ0OBO a b c d e f g h
1
S0ZRZ0J0
a b c d e f g h 32 Qc7+ Nb7
32. . . Qa1+
27 RXa6 RXe3!
27 dXc6 Qf5!
27. . . cXb6 28 dXc6 Qc8 8
0Z0s0Z0Z
7
j0Z0Zpop
6
0o0S0a0Z
8
0jqsrZ0Z 5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
7
Z0Z0Zpop 4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
6
poPm0a0Z 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 2
0OQZ0OBO
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z 1
l0Z0Z0J0
3
2
0OQZ0OBO
1
S0ZRZ0J0 32. . . RXd6 33 Qc7+
a b c d e f g h 33 Bf1 RXd6 34 Qc7+ Ka8 35 QXd6 BXb2
It might appear that Black has escaped the
28. . . Qa7 worst, but in fact his terrible king position
leads to a loss of a couple of pawns.
29 RXa6!
Again the only move for White. One of the 36 Qc6+ Kb8 37 Qe8+
many threats is 30 c7+ Qxc7 31 Ra8 mate.
29. . . QXa6 30 c7+ Ka7 31 cXd8Q RXd8 32
RXd6!
130
8
0j0ZQZ0Z
7
Z0Z0Zpop
6
0o0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
0a0Z0O0O
1
l0Z0ZBJ0
a b c d e f g h
37 QXb6+
37. . . Kc7 38 QXf7+ Kd6 39 Qf8+ Kc7 40
Qe7+ Kc8 41 Qe6+ Kc7 42 Qc4+ Kd6 43
Qd3+ Bd4 44 QXh7 Qe1 45 Qg6+ Qe6
46 Qd3
And draw agreed (¡-¡) according to the
database.
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0o0
6
0o0jqZ0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0a0Z0Z
3
Z0ZQZ0O0
2
0Z0Z0O0O
1
Z0Z0ZBJ0
a b c d e f g h
46 Qd3 Qf6 47 Qd2

1/2-1/2
131
White: 7: The Main Line: 7 Ne5 ?
Black: ?
Opening ECO: E05
Result: *
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 Be7 5 Bg2 7. . . Nc6! 8 BXc6

O-O 6 O-O dXc4 7 Ne5 7. . . c5
. Instead of the usual 7 Qc2, White
advances his knight. The shadow boxing is *
over: Black has to decide how to meet this
intrusion into his half of the board. — In
his book ’Common Sense In Chess’, which
was based on a series of lectures he gave in
1895, the great world champion Emanuel
Lasker says there are three types of move:
developing, which bring new forces into
play; moves which increase the work rate
of your own pieces; and, thirdly, moves
which undo the work of the enemy pieces.
— With 7 Ne5 White unleashes the bishop
on g2 and puts the knight on a central
square. But his main concern is with
undoing the potential work of the enemy
pieces by making it hard for Black to
develop his bishop from c8. He also denies
the black knight the chance to go to c6
except at the penalty of broken up pawns.
7. . . ZZ–
rmbl0skZ 8
opo0apop 7
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
5
Z0Z0M0Z0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PO0ZPOBO
Z0ZZ SNAQZRJ0
1
a b c d e f g h
132
White: Wang Hao 27: Danzhou
Black: Hou Yifan
Result: 0-1
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Nf3 Be7 5 Bg2 9. . . Qe8 10 NXe7+ QXe7 11 Qc2

O-O 6 O-O dXc4 7 Ne5 Nc6! White puts the queen on a square where
Anyway. Black favours activity over a solid she attacks c4 and keeps e2 defended.
pawn structure. White has played a slow
opening (g2-g3, Bg2, moving the knight
twice) and so the women’s number one
player seeks to grab the initiative from him. 8
rZbZ0skZ
8 BXc6 7
o0o0lpop
White gets his pawn back and leaves his
opponent with a broken queenside
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
structure. Indeed, the weakness of the
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
c4-pawn in what follows means that Black
is virtually forced to gambit it, meaning
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
that White is going to be a pawn up. On the
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
other hand, giving up the ’Catalan’ bishop 2
POQZPO0O
is a serious concession. Black’s
light-squared bishop suddenly has no rival,
1
SNA0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
which means that Hou Yifan will always
have counterplay, despite the pawn deficit.
11 Qa4
11 Na3 Rd8 12 Qc2! Ba6! 13 NXc4 c5 14
dXc5 QXc5 15 b3 BXc4 16 Bb2 Rac8 17
8
rZbl0skZ BXf6 gXf6 18 Rfc1 Qe5 19 bXc4 Rd4 20
7
opo0apop Rab1 RdXc4 21 QXc4 RXc4 22 RXc4 QXe2
6
0ZBZpm0Z 23 Ra4 a6 24 Kg2 Qe5 25 Rd1 h5 26 Rd3
Qb5 27 Raa3 Qc6+ 28 Kg1 Qc1+ 29 Kg2
5
Z0Z0M0Z0 Qc6+ 30 Kg1 Qc1+ 31 Kg2
4
0ZpO0Z0Z 11. . . c5
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 Black jettisons c4 in order to be rid of the
2
PO0ZPO0O sickly pawn on c7 and break up White’s
centre.
1
SNAQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
8 NXc6
8. . . bXc6 9 NXc6
Beginning a forcing sequence which will
end with White picking up the c4-pawn.
133
13. . . Bb7 14 Bg5 Rfd8 15 Qh4
8
rZbZ0skZ 14 Qh4 Rb8
The white queen is dislodged and the black
7
o0Z0lpop rook eyes the b2-pawn.
6
0Z0Zpm0Z 15 b3
5
Z0o0Z0Z0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 8
0sbZ0skZ
2
POQZPO0O 7
o0Z0lpop
1
SNA0ZRJ0 6
0Z0Z0m0Z
a b c d e f g h 5
Z0Z0o0Z0
11. . . e5 12 Rd1!? Bb7!? 13 Nc3 Qe6 14
4
0Z0Z0Z0L
dXe5 Ng4 15 Bf4 h6 16 e4 g5 17 h3 gXf4 18
3
ZPZ0Z0O0
hXg4 fXg3 19 f3 QXe5 20 Kg2 h5 21 gXh5?! 2
PZ0ZPO0O
f5! 22 Nd5 1
SNA0ZRJ0
12 QXc4 cXd4 13 QXd4 a b c d e f g h
EXERCISE: Can you work out which of
13...Bb7, 13...Rb8 or 13...e5 is the best move 15 Nc3 Rb4 16 e4 h6
for Black? — ANSWER:
15 Bg5 RXb2 16 Nc3 Qe6 17 e4
13. . . e5!
Chess strategy is not only about putting 15. . . Qe6
your pieces on good squares - that is,
making them work harder. You also need to
think about how to undo the work of the
opponent’s pieces.
8
0sbZ0skZ
7
o0Z0Zpop
6
0Z0Zqm0Z
8
rZbZ0skZ
5
Z0Z0o0Z0
7
o0Z0lpop
4
0Z0Z0Z0L
6
0Z0Z0m0Z
3
ZPZ0Z0O0
5
Z0Z0o0Z0
2
PZ0ZPO0O
4
0Z0L0Z0Z
1
SNA0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PO0ZPO0O 15. . . Rb4 16 Ba3!
1
SNA0ZRJ0 16 Na3
a b c d e f g h
13. . . Rb8 14 Qe5! Bb7 15 Nc3
134
20 Nc4 Rbc8 21 Rf2 Qh5
EXERCISE: Try to work out if it is better for
8
0sbZ0skZ White to play 22 Bb2 or 22 Be3.
7
o0Z0Zpop 22 Be3?
6
0Z0Zqm0Z
5
Z0Z0o0Z0
4
0Z0Z0Z0L 8
0Zrs0ZkZ
3
MPZ0Z0O0 7
obZ0Zpop
2
PZ0ZPO0O 6
0Z0Z0m0Z
1
S0A0ZRJ0 5
Z0Z0Z0Zq
a b c d e f g h 4
0ZNZpZ0Z
16 Bg5 Nd5
3
ZPZ0APO0
16. . . Rd8 17 Qc4 Qh3
2
PZQZPS0O
The threat of 18...Ng4 forces White to
1
S0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
weaken his king’s defences.
18 f3 Bb7 19 Qc2?!
22 Bb2! Ba6!?
After this Black will get a fearsome
initiative, even if objectively speaking 22. . . eXf3 23 eXf3 BXf3 24 Bg5 Be4 25
White can still defend. Qc1 Ng4 26 Re2
The rook chooses e2 to stop 26...Ne5,
planning 27...Nf3+, with a crushing attack.
26. . . Bf3
8
0s0s0ZkZ White’s rook is hanging. It has to stay on
7
obZ0Zpop the second rank to guard h2. If it goes to d2
6
0Z0Z0m0Z the bishop is lost, while other safe squares
allow 27...Rd1+ winning material.
5
Z0Z0o0Z0
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
3
MPZ0ZPOq
2
PZQZPZ0O
8
0Zrs0ZkZ
1
S0A0ZRJ0
7
o0Z0Zpop
a b c d e f g h
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Aq
19 Bg5 4
0ZNZ0ZnZ
19 e4
3
ZPZ0ZbO0
19. . . e4!
2
PZ0ZRZ0O
Using the f3-pawn as a lever for opening up
the long diagonal. Black has bags of play
1
S0L0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
for a mere pawn.
135
26. . . Bf3! 27 BXd8 BXe2 28 Bh4 Qc5+ 29
Kg2 Qf2+
0-1
136
White: Kramnik, V. 28: Paris (blitz)
Black: Nakamura, H.
Result: 0-1
1 Nf3 Nf6 2 g3 d5 3 Bg2 e6 4 O-O Be7 5 c4

O-O 6 d4 dXc4 7 Ne5
It’s worth noting that if you play Kramnik’s
8
rZbZ0skZ
move order to get to the Catalan mainline 7
o0o0lpop
and then choose 7 Ne5 as here, you cut out
a lot of theory.
6
0Z0Z0m0Z
7. . . Nc6 8 BXc6 bXc6 9 NXc6 Qe8 10
5
Z0Z0o0Z0
NXe7+ QXe7 11 Qa4
4
QZpO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PO0ZPO0O
8
rZbZ0skZ 1
SNA0ZRJ0
7
o0o0lpop a b c d e f g h
6
0Z0Zpm0Z 11. . . e5 12 Rd1? eXd4
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 11. . . c5 12 Qc6 Bb7 13 QXc5 QXc5 14
4
QZpO0Z0Z dXc5 Rfc8 15 Be3 Ng4 16 Bd4 e5 17 Bc3
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 RXc5 18 Rd1
2
PO0ZPO0O 12 dXe5 QXe5 13 QXc4
1
SNA0ZRJ0 QUESTION: After the game move not only
is Black down a pawn, he also has broken
a b c d e f g h
queenside pawns. If everything else were
equal, this would surely be more than
11 Qc2 enough for an arch-strategist like Kramnik
11. . . e5! to bag the point as White. So what is Black’s
compensation?
137
8
rZbZ0skZ 8
rZ0Z0skZ
7
o0o0Zpop 7
o0o0Zpop
6
0Z0Z0m0Z 6
0Z0Zbm0Z
5
Z0Z0l0Z0 5
Z0Z0l0Z0
4
0ZQZ0Z0Z 4
0ZQZ0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PO0ZPO0O 2
PO0ZPO0O
1
SNA0ZRJ0 1
SNA0ZRJ0
13 Nc3!? Ne4!? 14 QXc4 NXc3 15 bXc3 13. . . Bb7 14 Nc3

Be6 16 Qd3 Rad8 17 Bf4 Qc5 18 Qc2 13. . . Bh3 14 Re1
Qc6 19 f3 Bh3 20 Rfd1? Qc5+ 21 Kh1
Qf2 22 Rg1 Rfe8 23 Rae1 Bg2+! 24 RXg2 14 Qd3
QXe1+
13. . . Be6
ANSWER: It is imperative for Black that he
gains time by hitting the white queen. Not
8
rZ0Z0skZ
only the bishop, but also the black rooks
7
o0o0Zpop
can be mobilized with gain of time by 6
0Z0Zbm0Z
harassing her. She is obliged to defend the
e2-pawn and shouldn’t wander too far
5
Z0Z0l0Z0
from the kingside as her assistance is
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
needed in thwarting any attack led by the 3
Z0ZQZ0O0
black queen. This explains her tortuous
manoeuvres. On the other hand, the prize
2
PO0ZPO0O
is worth a lot of suffering. If White can
1
SNA0ZRJ0
escape the pressure then he has enough a b c d e f g h
material advantage to win the game.
14 Qc2 Bf5 15 Qd2 Bh3 16 Re1 Rad8 17
Qe3 Qd5 18 f3 Ng4 19 Qc3 Rfe8 20 Na3
Qb7 21 Bf4 Qb6+ 22 e3 Qb7 23 e4 Qb6+
24 Be3 NXe3 25 RXe3 Be6 26 Kg2 Rd4 27
Re2 Red8
14. . . Rad8 15 Qe3 Qh5
Of course, the exchange of queens is
anathema for Black. Now White meets the
threat of 16. ..Ng4, which would win at
once, and creates a hideaway for his queen
on f2.
138
8
0Z0s0skZ 8
0Z0srZkZ
7
o0o0Zpop 7
o0o0Zpop
6
0Z0Zbm0Z 6
0Z0Z0m0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Zq 5
Z0Z0Z0Zq
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z 4
0ZbZ0ZPZ
3
Z0Z0L0O0 3
Z0M0LPZ0
2
PO0ZPO0O 2
PO0ZPZ0O
1
SNA0ZRJ0 1
S0A0ZRJ0
15. . . Qa5 16 Qa3 Qh5 17 Nc3 18 Qg5 Qh3

16 f3 Bc4 18 Qf2 Nd5 19 Re1
Black wastes no time in aiming at e2, the 18. . . Qg6!
weakest square in White’s centre.
8
0Z0srZkZ
8
0Z0s0skZ 7
o0o0Zpop
7
o0o0Zpop 6
0Z0Z0mqZ
6
0Z0Z0m0Z 5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
5
Z0Z0Z0Zq 4
0ZbZ0ZPZ
4
0ZbZ0Z0Z 3
Z0M0LPZ0
3
Z0Z0LPO0 2
PO0ZPZ0O
2
PO0ZPZ0O 1
S0A0ZRJ0
1
SNA0ZRJ0 a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
18. . . Qh3 19 Qf2 Nd5 20 Ne4! f5

16. . . Rfe8 17 Qg5 Qh3 18 Qc5 Bd5 19 e4
18. . . RXe3 19 gXh5 Re6 20 Kf2
NXe4 20 fXe4 BXe4 21 Qf2
19 Qf2 Nd5 20 NXd5 RXd5
17 Nc3 Rfe8 18 g4!
QUESTION: This seems subtle! Why did
Kramnik prefer this to moving his queen to
g5 or f2?
139
8
0Z0ZrZkZ 8
0Z0ZrZkZ
7
o0o0Zpop 7
o0o0s0o0
6
0Z0Z0ZqZ 6
0Z0Z0ZqZ
5
Z0ZrZ0Z0 5
Z0Z0ZpOp
4
0ZbZ0ZPZ 4
0ZbZPA0O
3
Z0Z0ZPZ0 3
Z0Z0ZPZ0
2
PO0ZPL0O 2
PO0Z0L0Z
1
S0A0ZRJ0 1
Z0S0S0J0
20. . . RXe2 21 QXe2! BXe2 22 Ne7+ 26 b3 Bf7 27 e5

21 Re1 h5 22 g5 f6? 26. . . BXa2 27 QXa7 Bf7 28 RXc7
8
0Z0ZrZkZ 8
0Z0ZrZkZ
7
o0o0Z0o0 7
L0S0sbo0
6
0Z0Z0oqZ 6
0Z0Z0ZqZ
5
Z0ZrZ0Op 5
Z0Z0ZpOp
4
0ZbZ0Z0Z 4
0Z0ZPA0O
3
Z0Z0ZPZ0 3
Z0Z0ZPZ0
2
PO0ZPL0O 2
0O0Z0Z0Z
1
S0A0S0J0 1
Z0Z0S0J0
22. . . BXe2! 23 RXe2 Rd1+ 24 Kg2 RXe2 25 28 e5

QXe2 RXc1! 26 RXc1 QXg5+ 28. . . RXc7 29 QXc7 fXe4 30 RXe4 RXe4 31
23 h4 Rde5 24 e4 f5 25 Bf4 R5e7 26 Rac1 fXe4 QXe4
A blitz game inaccuracy. Black has broken out and has enough for a
draw due to the exposed white king.
32 Qe5 Qf3 33 Bg3??
Don’t judge Kramnik on this howler played
in a blitz game.
140
8
0Z0Z0ZkZ
7
Z0Z0Zbo0
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0L0Op
4
0Z0Z0Z0O
3
Z0Z0ZqA0
2
0O0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
33 Qe3
33. . . Bd5
Suddenly there is no good way to stop mate
on g2.
34 Qe8+ Kh7 35 g6+ Kh6 36 Qh8+ KXg6
37 Qe8+ Kh7
. White’s attempt at a perpetual has fizzled
out.
0-1
141
White: So, W. 29: Saint Louis
Black: Nakamura, H.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 g3 Be7 5 Bg2

O-O 6 O-O dXc4 7 Ne5 Nc6 8 NXc6
8
rZbl0skZ
7
o0o0apop
8
rZbl0skZ
6
0ZpZpm0Z
7
opo0apop
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0ZNZpm0Z
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
3
M0Z0Z0O0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
2
PO0ZPOBO
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
1
S0AQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
SNAQZRJ0 9 BXc6 Rb8 10 Nc3 Bb7 11 BXb7 RXb7 12
a b c d e f g h
e4 c5 13 dXc5 QXd1 14 RXd1 BXc5 15 Kg2
e5! 16 Rd2 Bd4 17 Rc2 Rfb8
8 BXc6
9 Qa4 QXd4 10 Rd1 Qb6 11 Be3 Qa6 12
8. . . bXc6 QXc6 QXc6 13 BXc6 Rb8 14 BXa7 RXb2
EXERCISE: Black’s queenside pawn
9 e3 Ba6 10 BXc6 Rb8 11 Nc3 Nd5! 12
structure is now wrecked, with tripled
NXd5 eXd5 13 Qf3 Bb7 14 BXb7 RXb7 15
pawns along the c-file. Assuming he hasn’t
b3 c3!? 16 e4 dXe4 17 QXe4 c6! 18 QXc6
gone mad, can you think of some reasons
Rc7 19 Qe4 Bd6 20 Bf4 Re8 21 Qf3 c2
why Nakamura would let his opponent
smash up his queenside? 9. . . BXa3
QUESTION: Why does Black give up his
9 Na3!?
excellent dark-squared bishop? —
ANSWER: In some positions even a
powerful bishop has to be exchanged for a
galloping horse. If White is allowed to play
10 Nxc4 unopposed the knight could then
go to e5 or a5 to conquer c6. White would
have a crushing game.
142
10. . . Nd5 11 Qa4 Nc3 12 Qc2 Nb5 13 e3
Nd6 14 a4!?
8
rZbl0skZ 10. . . a5 11 BXc6 Rb8 12 Qc2 Ba6 13 Rd1
7
o0o0Zpop Nd5 14 e4 Ne7 15 Ba4 f5? 16 d5! eXd5 17
6
0ZpZpm0Z eXd5 NXd5? 18 Bc6
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 11 Qd2!
ANSWER: With this move White intends to
4
0ZpO0Z0Z put his queen in the thick of the queenside
3
a0Z0Z0O0 attack on a5, whilst temporarily keeping d4
2
PO0ZPOBO defended.
1
S0AQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
8
rZ0l0skZ
9. . . Rb8 10 NXc4 c5 11 Na5 Bd7 12 dXc5
BXc5 13 Nb7 Qe7 14 NXc5 QXc5 15 Be3
7
o0o0Zpop
9. . . Ba6 10 Qa4 Qc8 11 NXc4
6
bZpZpm0Z
10 bXa3 Ba6
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
Black develops his bishop to an active
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
square and defends the pawn that matters 3
O0Z0Z0O0
- the passed pawn. He doesn’t have to
worry about jettisoning the c6-pawn as
2
PZ0LPOBO
after 11 Bxc6 Rb8 he will generate a lot of
1
S0A0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
play with ...Nd5, etc, in the style of the
Seirawan and Kravtsiv extracts above. —
EXERCISE: After 10...Ba6 what is White’s 11 Qa4 Bb5 12 Qa5 QXd4 13 Be3 Qd6 14
best way to get his queen into the attack? a4 Qa3!
11 BXc6 Rb8 12 Qa4 Rb6
11. . . Rb8
8
rZ0l0skZ The rook gets off the danger diagonal,
7
o0o0Zpop seizes the b-file and intends to bolster the
queenside third rank with ...Rb6.
6
bZpZpm0Z 12 Qa5
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 As planned.
4
0ZpO0Z0Z 12. . . Qc8
3
O0Z0Z0O0 Nakamura defends the bishop and moves
his queen on to a light square, where she
2
PZ0ZPOBO can’t be harassed by White’s dark-squared
1
S0AQZRJ0 bishop in the future.
a b c d e f g h
10. . . Rb8 11 Qa4 QXd4 12 Be3 Qe5 13

QXc4
143
did he chose 15 Rfb1 over 15 Rab1, which
looks more natural? — ANSWER: All will be
8
0sqZ0skZ explained in the notes to Black’s 17th,
7
o0o0Zpop below.
6
bZpZpm0Z 15. . . Rb6
5
L0Z0Z0Z0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
3
O0Z0Z0O0
8
0ZqZ0ZkZ
2
PZ0ZPOBO
7
o0o0Zpop
1
S0A0ZRJ0
6
bspZpm0Z
a b c d e f g h
5
L0Z0Z0Z0
4
PZps0Z0Z
12. . . QXd4 13 Be3 3
A0Z0Z0O0
12. . . Rb6 13 a4 Qd6!? 14 Qc3 Nd5 15 2
PZ0ZPOBO
BXd5 QXd5 16 Ba3 Re8 17 Bc5 Rbb8 18
f3 e5 19 e4 eXd4 20 BXd4 Qg5
1
SRZ0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
13 a4
Not only preparing to develop the bishop 15. . . ZZ– 16 RXb8 QXb8 17 QXa6
to a fine post on a3, but also denying the
black pieces the b5-square, so that the 15. . . RXb1+ 16 RXb1
queen can never be evicted by ...Rb5. 15. . . Nd5 16 QXa6!
13. . . Rd8 14 Ba3 RXd4 16 Bc5 Rd7
8
0sqZ0ZkZ 8
0ZqZ0ZkZ
7
o0o0Zpop 7
o0orZpop
6
bZpZpm0Z 6
bspZpm0Z
5
L0Z0Z0Z0 5
L0A0Z0Z0
4
PZps0Z0Z 4
PZpZ0Z0Z
3
A0Z0Z0O0 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PZ0ZPOBO 2
PZ0ZPOBO
1
S0Z0ZRJ0 1
SRZ0Z0J0
14. . . Rb6 15 e3 16. . . Rd5 17 BXd5 cXd5 18 BXb6 aXb6 19

15 Rfb1! Qb4
This was Wesley So’s improvement on 17 Rd1!
theory at the time of this game. — One of the golden rules of chess is: do not
QUESTION: What is White’s idea and why rush.
144
19. . . cXb6 20 Qd2 c5 21 Rd1
White has managed to coordinate his
8
0ZqZ0ZkZ pieces along the d-file. Once he has forced
7
o0orZpop the exchange of queens, his king will be
able to rush over to the queenside and
6
bspZpm0Z obstruct the onrush of Black’s pawn mass.
5
L0A0Z0Z0 White is not only the exchange up, he is in
4
PZpZ0Z0Z effect a king up as well, as Black’s king can
only watch events from a distance.
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 21. . . Nf6 22 Kf1!
2
PZ0ZPOBO A vital move in White’s plans. Black can
1
S0ZRZ0J0 only mark time with his king, whereas the
a b c d e f g h white monarch edges over to c1.
22. . . Kh7 23 Qc2+ Kg8 24 Qd2 Kh7 25
17 BXb6 cXb6 18 Qe5 h6 19 Rd1 Nd5 20 Qd8 QXd8 26 RXd8 c3 27 Ke1
e4? Nb4 Just in time to head off the c-pawn. There
is a well-known rule that if you are the
17. . . h6 exchange up in an endgame, you should
Let’s try and work out why So preferred 15 try to exchange off the opponent’s
Rfb1, so that besides a rook on d1 he has a remaining rook. Here we see that once the
rook on a1 rather than f1 in the game passed pawns are neutralized the black
position. minor pieces are no match for the wide
ranging white rook.
27. . . Bc4 28 Kd1 BXa2 29 Kc2 Bc4 30 e3
8
0ZqZ0ZkZ The c3 pawn is doomed - there’s no need to
give Black the e2-pawn.
7
o0orZpo0 30. . . b5 31 KXc3 a6 32 Ra8 Nd5+ 33 BXd5
6
bspZpm0o eXd5 34 a5!
5
L0A0Z0Z0 Fixing the a6-pawn as a target and
4
PZpZ0Z0Z maintaining a potential outside passed
pawn.
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 34. . . b4+ 35 Kd2 Bf1
2
PZ0ZPOBO EXERCISE: What is the correct technique to
1
S0ZRZ0J0 decide the game? — ANSWER:
a b c d e f g h 36 Rc8!
The passed pawns have to be forced on to
17. . . Rb2 18 RXd7 NXd7 19 Bd4! RXe2 20 light squares where they can be totally
Bf3 Rc2 21 Be4 Re2? 22 BXh7+! Kf8 23 blocked by the white king.
Qg5 f6 24 Bc5+! NXc5 25 QXc5+ Kf7 26 36. . . c4 37 Rb8 b3 38 Kc3
Qh5+
17. . . Nd5 18 e4 Nf6 19 Bf1
18 RXd7 NXd7 19 BXb6
Finally it is time to cash in the exchange.
145
8
0S0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Zpok
6
pZ0Z0Z0o
5
O0ZpZ0Z0
4
0ZpZ0Z0Z
3
ZpJ0O0O0
2
0Z0Z0O0O
1
Z0Z0ZbZ0
a b c d e f g h
38 Kc3 Bd3 39 Rd8 Be4 40 Rd6 Bd3 41

RXd5
1-0
146
White: Kelires, A. 30: Luxembourg
Black: Villegas, P.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Bg2 Be7 5 Nf3 8. . . BXc5 9 QXd8 RXd8 10 Nc3 Nc6 11

O-O 6 O-O dXc4 7 Ne5 c5 NXc6 bXc6 12 BXc6 Rb8 13 Bf4 Rb4 14
Rfd1 Rf8 15 Na4
9 NXc4 QXc5
8
rmbl0skZ EXERCISE: How can White meet the threat
to the knight whilst also continuing to
7
opZ0apop build up the pressure? — ANSWER:
6
0Z0Zpm0Z 10 b3! Rd8
5
Z0o0M0Z0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 8
rmbs0ZkZ
2
PO0ZPOBO 7
opZ0apop
1
SNAQZRJ0 6
0Z0Zpm0Z
Z0l0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h 5
7. . . Nc6
4
0ZNZ0Z0Z
7. . . Nbd7 8 NXc4 c5 9 dXc5 BXc5 10 Nc3
3
ZPZ0Z0O0
Nb6 11 NXb6 BXb6 12 Bf4 2
PZ0ZPOBO
8 dXc5 Qc7 1
SNAQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
8
rmbZ0skZ 10. . . Nc6 11 Ba3 Qh5 12 BXe7 NXe7 13
Nc3
7
opl0apop 11 Nbd2 Qc7
6
0Z0Zpm0Z The queen goes back to help defend the
5
Z0O0M0Z0 queenside. Black is almost equal, but in the
4
0ZpZ0Z0Z Catalan there is a big difference between
’almost equal’ and completely equal.
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
SNAQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
8. . . QXd1 9 RXd1 BXc5 10 Nc3 Nc6 11

NXc4
147
8
rmbs0ZkZ 8
0l0sbZkZ
7
opl0apop 7
opZ0apop
6
0Z0Zpm0Z 6
0ZnZpZ0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 5
Z0ZnZ0Z0
4
0ZNZ0Z0Z 4
0ZNZ0Z0Z
3
ZPZ0Z0O0 3
ZPZ0ONO0
2
PZ0MPOBO 2
PA0ZQOBO
1
S0AQZRJ0 1
Z0S0Z0J0
11. . . Qh5?! 12 e3 QXd1 13 RXd1 Nd5 14 19. . . Nb4 20 Be5 Qa8

Bb2 Nc6 15 Nf3 Bd7 16 e4 Nf6 17 Nfe5 20 Nfe5
NXe5 18 BXe5 Bb5 19 Bd6! Bf8 20 e5 The game reverts to its normal flow.
12 Bb2 Nc6 13 Rc1 Bd7 14 e3! 20. . . Bf6?
At the moment both queens are These type of positions are very hard to
uncomfortable as they stand on the same defend for humans as they get restless and
file as an enemy rook, but White is able to don’t like to wait passively. We could make
create an excellent central post on e2 for this comment about the Catalan as a
his queen. Meanwhile his opposite whole. White’s modest aim is to put a little
number slinks away on to the back rank on pressure on his opponent, whilst depriving
the queenside. him of winning chances. This approach
14. . . Rac8 15 Qe2 Be8 16 Rfd1 Qb8 17 often works spectacularly well as Black
Nf3 RXd1+ 18 RXd1 Rd8 19 Rc1?! loses patience and ’inexplicably’ falls apart.
8
0l0sbZkZ 8
0l0sbZkZ
7
opZ0apop 7
opZ0Zpop
6
0ZnZpm0Z 6
0ZnZpa0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 5
Z0ZnM0Z0
4
0ZNZ0Z0Z 4
0ZNZ0Z0Z
3
ZPZ0ONO0 3
ZPZ0O0O0
2
PA0ZQOBO 2
PA0ZQOBO
1
Z0S0Z0J0 1
Z0S0Z0J0
19 Nfe5 20. . . NXe5 21 BXe5 Qa8 22 Qg4

19. . . Nd5?! 21 NXc6 BXc6 22 BXf6 gXf6
148
Black has the choice of losing on the
kingside or the queenside.
8
0l0s0Z0Z
7
opZ0Zpjp
8
0l0s0ZkZ
6
0ZbZpo0Z
7
opZ0ZpZp
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0ZbZpo0Z
4
0mNZPZ0L
5
Z0ZnZ0Z0
3
ZPZ0Z0O0
4
0ZNZ0Z0Z
2
PZ0Z0OBO
3
ZPZ0O0O0
1
Z0S0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
2
PZ0ZQOBO
1
Z0S0Z0J0 25. . . Ne7 26 e5 Ng8 27 eXf6+ NXf6 28
a b c d e f g h Qg5+
26 e5!
22. . . NXf6 23 BXc6 bXc6 24 Na5 Qb5 25 White wins the g5-square for his queen and
QXb5 cXb5 26 Nc6 Rd2 27 NXa7 g5 28 a3 e5 for his knight, which makes the rook on
d8 and the pawn on f7 into tactical targets.
23 Qg4+ Kh8 24 Qh4
If Black’s queen were on a square where she 26. . . fXe5 27 Qg5+ Kf8 28 NXe5
had contact with the kingside, say e7, a
successful defence might still be possible.
However, as things stand the white queen
is able to run amok with no restraint from
8
0l0s0j0Z
her opposite number. 7
opZ0ZpZp
24. . . Kg7 25 e4! 6
0ZbZpZ0Z
A golden rule of chess strategy is that you
have to utilize your pawns at some point if
5
Z0Z0M0L0
you want your plan to be successful. Black’s
4
0m0Z0Z0Z
knight is evicted from its central post. 3
ZPZ0Z0O0
25. . . Nb4 2
PZ0Z0OBO
1
Z0S0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
28 NXe5 Qc7 29 Qf6 Rd6 30 Qh8+ Ke7

31 QXh7
1-0
149
White: 8: Main Line: 7 Qc2 b6 & 7..b5 ?
Black: ?
Opening ECO: E05
Result: *
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 Be7 5 Bg2

O-O 6 O-O dXc4 7 Qc2
8
rmbl0skZ
7
opo0apop
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
POQZPOBO
1
SNA0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
7 Qa4!? a6 8 QXc4
7. . . a6
.
8
rmbl0skZ
7
Zpo0apop
6
pZ0Zpm0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
POQZPOBO
1
SNA0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
7. . . b6
7. . . b5
*
150
White: The Bukavshin Variation ?
Black: ?
Opening ECO: E05
Result: *
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 Be7 5 Bg2

. Ivan Bukavshin was an enormous chess
talent from Russia. He died from a stroke in
2016 at the tragically young age of 20. His
rating was already 2658, and his games
were full of interesting concepts. One of
these was
7. . . b6!?
in the Catalan, which he championed
versus Artemiev and Leko and others
without suffering any defeats. It is certainly
an intriguing idea. — Trying for an outright
refutation with
8 Ne5 QXd4 9 BXa8
doesn’t seem to lead to more than a
balanced position where Black has lots of
activity for the exchange. More challenging
for Black are lines where White is content
for a small positional plus. On the other
hand, these can hardly be called
refutations of the system.
*
151
White: Michalik, P. 31: German League
Black: Hansen, SB.
Result: 0-1
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Nf3 Be7 5 Bg2

O-O 6 O-O dXc4 7 Qc2 b6!?
Here it is. Bukavshin’s bold move leaves
8
0mbZ0skZ
Black open to attack down the long 7
o0o0apop
diagonal, but can White exploit his
audacity?
6
0o0Zpm0Z
8 Ne5
5
Z0Z0l0Z0
The critical test of course. Other (quieter)
4
0ZpZ0Z0Z
moves for White are examined in the next
game.
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
8. . . QXd4!
2
POQZPOBO
The consistent move; Black will obtain a
1
SNA0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
healthy pawn for the exchange and also
break up the white pawn centre.
10 Nd2 QXe2 11 Bf3 Qd3 12 QXc4 Ba6
13 QXd3 BXd3 14 Re1 Na6 15 a3 Rd8
10 Bf3 Nd5 11 QXc4 Ba6 12 Qa4 c5 13
8
rmbZ0skZ Rd1 Bf6
7
o0o0apop 10 Bf4 Qh5 11 Bf3 Ng4 12 BXg4 QXg4 13
6
0o0Zpm0Z Nd2 QXe2
5
Z0Z0M0Z0 10. . . Nd5
EXERCISE: Can you see some good
4
0Zpl0Z0Z positional reasons for this move? —
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 ANSWER: Most importantly, the black
2
POQZPOBO knight stops the strong developing move
11 Bf4 which would harass the queen. At
1
SNA0ZRJ0 the same time it clears f6 for the bishop to
a b c d e f g h
attack b2. The knight may in some cases go
to b4 to attack the white queen.
8. . . Nd5 9 QXc4 Bb7 10 Rd1
9 BXa8 QXe5 10 Bg2
152
14. . . Nc6
EXERCISE: Black’s minor pieces look
8
0mbZ0skZ imposing. How can White take away some
7
o0o0apop of their energy and give it to his own
pieces?
6
0o0ZpZ0Z
5
Z0Znl0Z0
4
0ZpZ0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
8
0Z0Z0skZ
2
POQZPOBO
7
o0o0Zpop
1
SNA0ZRJ0
6
bonZpZ0Z
a b c d e f g h
5
Z0Zna0Z0
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
10. . . Nd5 11 e4? Nb4 12 QXc4 Ba6 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
10. . . b5 11 a4 2
PO0ZPOBO
11 QXc4 Ba6
Black’s bishop seizes an active diagonal
1
SNARZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
and puts pressure on e2.
12 Qe4 Bf6?! 14. . . BXe2 15 Re1
Black supports the queen and puts the
bishop on a strong diagonal. Nonetheless 15 BXd5?
this wasn’t the best idea for him.
8
0Z0Z0skZ
8
0m0Z0skZ 7
o0o0Zpop
7
o0o0Zpop 6
bonZpZ0Z
6
bo0Zpa0Z 5
Z0ZBa0Z0
5
Z0Znl0Z0 4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
4
0Z0ZQZ0Z 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 2
PO0ZPO0O
2
PO0ZPOBO 1
SNARZ0J0
1
a b c d e f g h
15 e4 Ndb4 16 Nc3
12. . . QXe4 13 BXe4 Rd8! 14 Bf3 Nd7 15. . . eXd5 16 RXd5 BXe2
13 QXe5 BXe5 14 Rd1! Black only has a pawn for the exchange,
Remember what we said about keeping the but his light-squared bishop has no rival.
white rooks passive? Thanks to Black’s 17 Nc3 Bc4 18 Rd1 Nb4 19 Bf4 BXc3!
imprecise 12th move, White’s rook seizes
the d-file.
153
8
0Z0Z0skZ 8
0Z0Z0s0Z
7
o0o0Zpop 7
o0o0Zkop
6
0o0Z0Z0Z 6
0o0Z0o0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 5
Z0ZnZ0Z0
4
0mbZ0A0Z 4
0ZbZ0Z0Z
3
Z0a0Z0O0 3
Z0O0Z0O0
2
PO0Z0O0O 2
PZ0A0O0O
1
S0ZRZ0J0 1
S0Z0S0J0
19. . . BXf4 20 gXf4 c5 21 Rd7 22. . . c5! 23 Re4 Bd3 24 Re6 Rd8! 25 Rae1
20 bXc3 Nd5 21 Bd2 Kf7
23 Re4! b5
Now Black is obliged to weaken his pawns
after all,
8
0Z0Z0skZ
7
o0o0Zpop
6
0o0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0ZnZ0Z0
8
0Z0Z0s0Z
4
0ZbZ0Z0Z
7
o0o0Zkop
3
Z0O0Z0O0
6
0Z0Z0o0Z
2
PZ0A0O0O
5
ZpZnZ0Z0
1
S0ZRZ0J0
4
0ZbZRZ0Z
a b c d e f g h
3
Z0O0Z0O0
2
PZ0A0O0O
21 Rd4 b5 22 Bd2 1
S0Z0Z0J0
21. . . f6 22 Re1 Kf7 a b c d e f g h
Sometimes a natural move can jeopardize
the game. 23. . . Bd3 24 Rd4
24 a4!
At last White activates his rook on a1.
24. . . a6 25 aXb5 aXb5 26 Ra7 Rd8 27 h4 h5
28 Kh2?
154
8
0Z0s0Z0Z 8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
S0o0Zko0 7
Z0orZko0
6
0Z0Z0o0Z 6
0m0Z0o0Z
5
ZpZnZ0Zp 5
ZpZ0Z0Zp
4
0ZbZRZ0O 4
0ZbZRZ0O
3
Z0O0Z0O0 3
S0O0Z0O0
2
0Z0A0O0J 2
0Z0Z0O0J
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0 1
Z0Z0A0Z0
28 f3 30 Be3
28. . . Rd7 29 Ra3 30. . . Bd5
White is drifting.
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z 7
Z0orZko0
7
Z0orZko0 6
0m0Z0o0Z
6
0Z0Z0o0Z 5
ZpZbZ0Zp
5
ZpZnZ0Zp 4
0Z0ZRZ0O
4
0ZbZRZ0O 3
S0O0Z0O0
3
S0O0Z0O0 2
0Z0Z0O0J
2
0Z0A0O0J 1
Z0Z0A0Z0
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0 a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
30. . . c5
29 f3 31 Rd4 c6 32 Ra1 Nc4
The light-square holes around the white
29. . . Nb6 30 Be1
king have become alarming. Already
For no good reason the white rook and now
33...Ne5 is looming. If White had kept his
the bishop have retreated to passive
bishop on an active square he could have
squares.
stopped this with Bf4.
33 g4?
155
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z 8
0Z0Z0ZkZ
7
Z0ZrZko0 7
S0Z0Z0o0
6
0ZpZ0o0Z 6
0ZpZ0o0Z
5
ZpZbZ0Zp 5
ZpZbZ0ZP
4
0ZnS0ZPO 4
0Z0ZrZ0Z
3
Z0O0Z0Z0 3
Z0O0A0J0
2
0Z0Z0O0J 2
0Z0Z0O0Z
1
S0Z0A0Z0 1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
33 Rdd1 41 Rc7 Rc4 42 Bd2

33. . . hXg4! 41. . . Rc4 42 Bd2 Bf7 43 Rc7 BXh5 44 f4
Good judgement. Bg6
Two pawns up, Hansen’s excellent
technique now wraps up the game.
45 Kf2 Be4 46 Rd7 Bd5 47 Rc7 Kh7 48
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z Rd7 Kg6 49 Rc7 Ra4 50 Ke2 Ra8 51 Be3
7
Z0ZrZko0 Rg8 52 Re7 Kf5 53 Kf2 Kg4 54 Rd7 g5 55
fXg5 fXg5 56 Bd4 Rf8+ 57 Ke2 Rf7 58 Rd6
6
0ZpZ0o0Z Rh7
5
ZpZbZ0Z0 0-1
4
0ZnS0ZpO
3
Z0O0Z0Z0
2
0Z0Z0O0J
1
S0Z0A0Z0
a b c d e f g h
33. . . Ne5 34 gXh5 Nf3+ 35 Kg3 NXd4 36

cXd4
34 RXg4 Ne5 35 Rf4 Re7
Threatening a fork on d3.
36 Bd2 Nf3+ 37 RXf3 BXf3
So Black has won the exchange back after
all, and in a manner more favourable than
in the previous note: he is a pawn up to
boot.
38 Kg3 Bd5 39 Be3 Re4 40 Ra7+ Kg8 41
h5
156
White: Maletin, P. 32: Khanty-Mansiysk
Black: Goganov, A.
Result: 1/2-1/2
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 g3 Be7 5 Bg2

8
rmbl0skZ
7
o0o0apop
8
rmbl0skZ
6
0o0Zpm0Z
7
opo0apop
5
Z0Z0Z0A0
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
2
POQZPOBO
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
1
SNZ0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
2
POQZPOBO
1
SNA0ZRJ0 8 e4?! Bb7 9 Nbd2 b5 10 b3 cXb3 11 aXb3
a b c d e f g h
Nc6
8 Nbd2 Bb7 9 NXc4 Be4 10 Qb3 Nc6
7 Qa4 b6 8 Ne5 QXd4 9 BXa8 QXe5 10
QXa7 Na6 11 Nc3 Nd5 12 Bd2 8 QXc4 Bb7 9 Nc3 c5 10 dXc5 BXc5 11
Bf4 Qe7 12 Rad1 Rc8
7. . . b6 8 Bg5
After many hours of consideration I finally 8 Rd1 Ba6 9 Ne5 Nd5 10 a3! Nd7 11 Nc6
decided I liked this move best for White. I Qe8 12 e4 N5f6 13 Nc3
checked on the database, and the first 8. . . Ba6
game with 8 Bg5 was played by a certain Black develops and defends c4. On the
young boy called... Magnus Carlsen! He other hand, the bishop doesn’t contest the
wasn’t yet 12 years old when he tried it h1-a8 diagonal which means that White
versus Arngrimsson in a junior event in can try for an initiative in the centre.
Norway in 2002. Did Magnus know
everything about chess even then?
157
prepares to answer the centre expansion
e2-e4 with ...Nb4.
8
rm0l0skZ 10 BXe7 QXe7 11 Ne5 Rc8
7
o0o0apop Black wants to free his game with ...c7-c5
6
bo0Zpm0Z which would break up the white centre.
5
Z0Z0Z0A0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 8
rmrZ0ZkZ
2
POQZPOBO 7
o0o0lpop
1
SNZ0ZRJ0 6
bo0ZpZ0Z
a b c d e f g h 5
Z0ZnM0Z0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
8. . . Nbd7 9 Ne5 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
8. . . Bb7? 9 BXf6 BXf6 10 Ng5! BXg5 11
BXb7 Nd7 12 BXa8 QXa8 13 QXc4
2
POQZPOBO
9 Rd1
1
SNZRZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
11. . . c5 12 dXc5
8
rm0l0skZ 12 Nd2
7
o0o0apop EXERCISE: What do you think is Black’s
6
bo0Zpm0Z best plan? Should he continue with ...c7-c5
or switch to ...b6-b5 to hold on to the
5
Z0Z0Z0A0 c4-pawn?
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
POQZPOBO 8
rmrZ0ZkZ
1
SNZRZ0J0 7
o0o0lpop
a b c d e f g h
6
bo0ZpZ0Z
9 Nbd2 Nd5 10 BXe7 QXe7 11 e4!? Nb4
5
Z0ZnM0Z0
12 Qc3 c5 13 a3 N4c6 14 d5 Na5 15 Rfe1
Nd7
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
9 Ne5 QXd4 10 NXf7! c6 11 Be3 Qg4 12
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
Ng5
2
POQMPOBO
9. . . Nd5
1
S0ZRZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
QUESTION: Is this a good move? —
ANSWER: Black plugs the long diagonal to
avoid the tactical threats, offers the 12 NXc4? c5
exchange of bishops to ease his game, and
12. . . c5?!
158
ANSWER: As stated this is a risky plan as
White’s pieces are well placed to exploit the
opening of lines in the centre.
8
rm0Z0ZkZ
7
o0Z0lpop
6
bo0ZpZ0Z
8
rmrZ0ZkZ
5
Z0snM0Z0
7
o0Z0lpop
4
0ZpZNZ0Z
6
bo0ZpZ0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
5
Z0onM0Z0
2
POQZPOBO
4
0ZpO0Z0Z
1
S0ZRZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
POQMPOBO 14 e4? Ne3 15 fXe3 RXe5
1
S0ZRZ0J0 14 Ne4 Ne3 15 fXe3 RXe5 16 Nc3 Bb7 17
a b c d e f g h
BXb7 QXb7 18 Rd8#
14. . . Rc8 15 Nc3
12. . . b5! 13 a4 c6 14 Be4 g6 15 Bg2 Now the d5 point falls and White gains
13 dXc5 RXc5?! control of the d-file.
15. . . Bb7 16 NXd5 eXd5 17 BXd5 BXd5 18
RXd5 Nc6
8
rm0Z0ZkZ At last Black completes his development.
7
o0Z0lpop 19 NXc6 RXc6 20 Rad1 g6 21 Rd7
The obvious move, but it lessens his grip
6
bo0ZpZ0Z somewhat.
5
Z0snM0Z0
4
0ZpZ0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 8
rZ0Z0ZkZ
2
POQMPOBO 7
o0ZRlpZp
1
S0ZRZ0J0 6
0orZ0ZpZ
a b c d e f g h 5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
13. . . Nc6! 14 NXc6 RXc6 15 Ne4 Rb8 16
4
0ZpZ0Z0Z
Rd2 h6
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
14 Ne4!
2
POQZPO0O
White drives back the black rook that 1
Z0ZRZ0J0
defends d5 and prepares to attack the key a b c d e f g h
central point with his next move.
21 R1d4! Qe6 22 Qc3 Re8 23 e3 a6 24 a4!
21. . . Qe6 22 e3 b5
159
Compared to the line in the note above, 28. . . Rc8 29 RXc8 RXc8 30 Rd8+
Black is able to gain space with his Forcing a draw by perpetual or else Black
queenside pawns and secure the defence might find a way to utilize his strong
of c4. Nonetheless the position remains queenside pawns (pawns which just a few
difficult for him. moves ago were weak because they were
23 Qc3 Qf6 targets for white’s rooks).
Guarding against the threat of 24 Rd8+. 30. . . RXd8 31 QXd8+ Kg7 32 Qd4+ Kg8
24 Qb4 a6 25 R1d4 Rf8 26 Qd2 Qf5 27 33 Qd8+ Kg7 34 Qd4+ Kg8 35 Qd8+
Kg2 Qb1 1/2-1/2
8
0Z0Z0skZ
7
Z0ZRZpZp
6
pZrZ0ZpZ
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
4
0ZpS0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0O0O0
2
PO0L0OKO
1
ZqZ0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
27. . . Qc5
28 Rd8
Giving up his winning attempt.
8
0Z0S0skZ
7
Z0Z0ZpZp
6
pZrZ0ZpZ
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
4
0ZpS0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0O0O0
2
PO0L0OKO
1
ZqZ0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
28 Rf4! Re6 29 Qd4 QXa2 30 Rd8 Ree8 31

RXf7 KXf7 32 Rd7+ Re7 33 Qd5+ Kg7 34
RXe7+ Kh6 35 Qd4
160
White: Smith, A. 33: Kecskemet
Black: Munkhgal, G.
Result: 1-0
1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 Be7 4 Bg2 O-O 5 d4 no longer available. Furthermore, in

d5 6 O-O dXc4 7 Qc2 b5 contrast to the structure in the mainline
Black holds on to the c4-pawn and after 7...a6 8 Qxc4 b5 9 Qc2 Bb7, White can’t
threatens 8...Bb7, solving the problem of try to exploit the dark squares with 10 Bd2
his ’bad’ bishop and at the same time intending Ba5 in some cases - the b4-pawn
neutralizing the enemy bishop on g2. is in the way. Meanwhile the b4-pawn is
White has to respond vigorously. well defended and difficult to attack.
8 a4! 9 Nbd2
The appraisal above begs the question why
7...b5 isn’t a more popular move. I guess
the slight lack of appeal arises because of
8
rmbl0skZ the modest but irritating approach
7
o0o0apop adopted by White in the present game. —
With his queenside pawns dislocated,
6
0Z0Zpm0Z Black is slightly loose on the light squares:
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0 this means the white knight finds a good
4
PZpO0Z0Z post on the c4-square, from which it can no
longer be driven by a black pawn on the
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 b-file or on the d-file. Nor has Black solved
2
0OQZPOBO the perennial problem of the backward
1
SNA0ZRJ0 pawn on c7.
a b c d e f g h
8 a4 c6 9 aXb5 cXb5?? 10 Ng5! Nd5 8

rmbl0skZ
8. . . b4!
There is some positional justification for
7
o0o0apop
Black’s two moves with his b-pawn even if
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
he has to return the pawn. The pawn on b4 5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
takes way the c3-square from the white
knight on b1. It has cleared the way for
4
PopO0Z0Z
...Bb7 to deploy the bishop, or in the event
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
of 9 Qxc4, 9...Ba6, developing with gain of
time - though the bishop will probably
2
0OQMPOBO
retreat to b7 in short order. — White has
1
S0A0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
less flexibility on the queenside as he is
already committed to the pawn move
a2-a4. For example, he can’t undermine the 9 QXc4 Ba6 10 Qc2 Nbd7 11 Ne5 NXe5
b4-pawn or try to open the a-file as a2-a3 is 12 BXa8 QXd4 13 Bg2 c5
161
9 Bg5 Ba6 10 Nbd2 b3 11 Qc1 Nc6 12
NXc4 Rc8 13 Rd1 Nb4 14 BXf6 BXf6 15
Qc3 Nc2 16 Rac1 c5 17 QXb3 NXd4
8
rm0l0skZ
9 Ne5 QXd4! 10 NXc4 Nd5 11 Be3 Qf6 12
7
o0o0apop
Nbd2 6
0Z0Zpm0Z
9 Nfd2 c6 10 NXc4 QXd4 11 Rd1 Qc5 12 5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
Be3 Qh5 13 Nbd2 Ng4 14 Nf3 NXe3 15
NXe3 a5
4
PoNObZ0Z
9. . . Bb7
3
ZQZ0ZNO0
2
0O0ZPOBO
1
S0A0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
8
rm0l0skZ
7
obo0apop 11 Qd1 c5 12 dXc5 Nbd7!
6
0Z0Zpm0Z 11. . . Nc6 12 Rd1!
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
PopO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 8
rZ0l0skZ
2
0OQMPOBO 7
o0o0apop
1
S0A0ZRJ0 6
0ZnZpm0Z
a b c d e f g h
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
9. . . b3 10 QXc4 Ba6 11 QXb3 BXe2 12
4
PoNObZ0Z
Re1 Ba6 13 Ne5 Nd5 14 Ne4 3
ZQZ0ZNO0
10 NXc4 Be4 11 Qb3! 2
0O0ZPOBO
It takes both courage and calculation for
White to walk into a potential pin and leave
1
S0ARZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
the d4-pawn precariously placed when the
retreat 11 Qd1 was available, but you don’t
become a grandmaster by playing safe 12 e3?!
moves which allow your opponent to 12. . . Bd5
equalize without any trouble. EXERCISE: What is Black’s threat with
12...Bd5 and how should White meet it?
162
Black’s initiative has reached its peak with
the renewed threat of 15...Nxa5, but White
8
rZ0l0skZ is just in time with his counterattack in the
7
o0o0apop centre.
6
0ZnZpm0Z 15 Nfe5! BXg2
5
Z0ZbZ0Z0
4
PoNO0Z0Z
3
ZQZ0ZNO0
8
0Z0l0skZ
2
0O0ZPOBO
7
o0o0apop
1
S0ARZ0J0
6
0ZnZpm0Z
a b c d e f g h
5
OrZ0M0Z0
4
0oNO0Z0Z
12. . . BXf3 13 QXf3 NXd4 14 Qd3! Nf5 15 3
ZQZ0A0O0
BXa8 QXa8 16 Bf4 2
0O0ZPObO
12. . . Qd5 13 Bf4 1
S0ZRZ0J0
13 a5! a b c d e f g h
ANSWER: Stopping 13...Na5 which would
have won a piece. 15. . . NXa5 16 Qa4! BXc4 17 NXc4
13. . . Rb8 14 Be3! 15. . . Qa8 16 NXc6 QXc6 17 Ne5! BXb3?
A calm move not afraid of ghosts. White 18 NXc6 Bd6 19 Rdc1
wants to break the pin on c4 before Black
has time to play 14...Rb5 reigniting the 15. . . NXe5 16 BXd5! NXd5 17 NXe5 Qe8
threat to the white horse with 15...Nxa5. 16 KXg2 Qd5+ 17 f3 Re8
This inert rook move shows that Black’s bag
of tricks is finally empty.
8
0s0l0skZ
7
o0o0apop 8
0Z0ZrZkZ
6
0ZnZpm0Z 7
o0o0apop
5
O0ZbZ0Z0 6
0ZnZpm0Z
4
0oNO0Z0Z 5
OrZqM0Z0
3
ZQZ0ANO0 4
0oNO0Z0Z
2
0O0ZPOBO 3
ZQZ0APO0
1
S0ZRZ0J0 2
0O0ZPZKO
a b c d e f g h
1
S0ZRZ0Z0
a b c d e f g h
14 Qc2?! b3 15 Qc3 Nb4
14 Nfe5 BXg2 17. . . NXa5 18 RXa5! RXa5 19 NXa5 QXa5
14. . . Rb5 20 Nc6
163
18 NXc6 QXc6 19 Ne5 Qd5 b4- and c7-pawns become ripe for the
After the exchange of queens it’s easier for harvest.
White to exploit the holes in Black’s 25. . . Re6 26 Nd8 Re8 27 Nc6
queenside. We’re allowed a little fun in a winning
position.
27. . . Re6 28 BXd6+ RXd6 29 Ra4
8
0Z0ZrZkZ
7
o0o0apop
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
8
0Z0Z0j0Z
5
OrZqM0Z0
7
Z0onZpop
4
0o0O0Z0Z
6
pZNs0Z0Z
3
ZQZ0APO0
5
OrZpZ0Z0
2
0O0ZPZKO
4
Ro0O0Z0Z
1
S0ZRZ0Z0
3
ZPZ0ZPO0
a b c d e f g h 2
0Z0ZPJ0O
1
Z0S0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
19. . . Qa8
20 QXd5 eXd5 21 Nc6
29 Rc2
This reminds me of Kramnik’s knight
sitting nonchalantly on c6 in a game at 29. . . Nc5!
Dortmund 2007 - see the note to 14...Qd6 A commendable attempt to break out from
in Evdokimov-Abdyjapar in Chapter Ten. the bind.
His young Norwegian opponent went on to 30 RXb4 RXb4 31 NXb4 NXb3 32 RXc7
become number one in the world, but he NXa5
couldn’t save Black’s position either. Losing
control over the square in front of the
backward c7-pawn is often disastrous, and
especially so if White can turn it into a 8
0Z0Z0j0Z
comfortable stable for his horse. 7
Z0S0Zpop
21. . . a6 22 b3
Fixing the b4-pawn as a target, rather than
6
pZ0s0Z0Z
allowing Black any chance of counterplay
5
m0ZpZ0Z0
with ...b4-b3 and maybe ...Bb4 in the 4
0M0O0Z0Z
future. 3
Z0Z0ZPO0
22. . . Bd6 23 Kf2 Nd7 24 Rdc1 Kf8
QUESTION: White has control, but how
2
0Z0ZPJ0O
does he make progress? — ANSWER:
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
25 Bf4!
Sometimes a ’bad’ bishop is performing an
important defensive role. Smith exchanges 32. . . NXd4
off Black’s dark-squared bishop so that the 33 e3 Rb6
164
Blundering the rook, but the weak pawns
on a6 and d5 seal Black’s doom anyway.
34 Rc8+
8
0ZRZ0j0Z
7
Z0Z0Zpop
6
ps0Z0Z0Z
5
m0ZpZ0Z0
4
0M0O0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0OPO0
2
0Z0Z0J0O
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
34 Rc8+ Ke7 35 NXd5+ Kd7 36 NXb6+

1-0
165
White: 9: Main Line: 7 Qc2 a6 8 a4 ?
Black: ?
Opening ECO: E05
Result: *
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 Be7 5 Bg2

O-O 6 O-O dXc4 7 Qc2 a6 8 a4
. We are now well into Catalan mainline
territory. The move 8 a4 is popular among
the world elite at the time of writing. It has
a good track record, with former world
champion Anand losing twice against it,
and Adams and Nakamura among the
other victims. Therefore we should
investigate it carefully in this chapter.
*
166
White: Damljanovic, B. 34: Paracin
Black: Cvetkovic, N.
Result: 1-0
1 c4 e6 2 Nf3 d5 3 d4 Nf6 4 g3 Be7 5 Bg2 9 dXc5 BXc5

O-O 6 O-O dXc4 7 Qc2 a6 8 a4
8
rmbl0skZ
8
rmbl0skZ 7
ZpZ0Zpop
7
Zpo0apop 6
pZ0Zpm0Z
6
pZ0Zpm0Z 5
Z0a0Z0Z0
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 4
PZpZ0Z0Z
4
PZpO0Z0Z 3
Z0Z0ZNO0
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 2
0OQZPOBO
2
0OQZPOBO 1
SNA0ZRJ0
1
a b c d e f g h
9. . . Nbd7 10 c6! bXc6 11 QXc4

8 QXc4 b5 9 Qc2 Bb7
10 QXc4
8. . . c5
8
rmbl0skZ
8
rmbl0skZ
7
ZpZ0apop
7
ZpZ0Zpop
6
pZ0Zpm0Z
6
pZ0Zpm0Z
5
Z0o0Z0Z0
5
Z0a0Z0Z0
4
PZpO0Z0Z
4
PZQZ0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
0OQZPOBO
2
0O0ZPOBO
1
SNA0ZRJ0
1
SNA0ZRJ0
8. . . Bd7 10 Nbd2 b5!? 11 aXb5 Bb7 12 bXa6 NXa6

8. . . Nbd7? 9 Nbd2! c5 10 NXc4 13 QXc4 Bd5 14 Qh4 Be7 15 Qf4 Bd6 16
Qh4 Be7 17 Qf4 Bd6 18 Qh4
8. . . Nc6 9 QXc4 Qd5 10 Nbd2 Rd8 11 e3
QXc4 12 NXc4 Bd7 13 Bd2 10. . . Qe7?!
167
Black defends the bishop and evacuates 12. . . Bb7! 13 aXb5 aXb5 14 RXa8 BXa8 15
the queen from d8 where she might be a NXb5 Nbd7 16 Nc3 Rb8
target for a future Rd1. He also keeps the 13 Ng5!
option of using his b-pawn actively. ANSWER: Now the rook on a8 is en prise.
Nonetheless the queen isn’t entirely happy
on e7 because of a possible Bg5 pin in the
future.
8
rmbZ0skZ
7
Z0Z0lpop
8
rmbZ0skZ 6
pZ0Zpm0Z
7
ZpZ0lpop 5
Z0a0Z0M0
6
pZ0Zpm0Z 4
Po0Z0Z0L
5
Z0a0Z0Z0 3
Z0M0Z0O0
4
PZQZ0Z0Z 2
0O0ZPOBO
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 1
S0A0ZRJ0
2
0O0ZPOBO a b c d e f g h
1
SNA0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h 13 Ne4 NXe4 14 QXe4 Bb7
13. . . Bb7 14 Nce4
10. . . b6!? 11 Nc3 Bb7 12 Bg5 Nbd7 13 White has a fearsome attack with the threat
Rfd1 Qc8 14 Qf4 of mate in two. Black dare not exchange on
e4 as 14...Bxe4 15 Bxe4 leaves both a8 and
11 Nc3 b5 12 Qh4 b4?!
h7 hanging. The upshot is that White is
Helping White build up his initiative. —
able to eliminate the defender of the black
EXERCISE: We don’t often get to attack the
queen with his next move and so win a
king in the Catalan, so let’s try to get it right.
pawn.
What is the strongest attacking move?
14. . . Nbd7 15 NXc5 NXc5
8
rmbZ0skZ 8
rZ0Z0skZ
7
Z0Z0lpop 7
ZbZ0lpop
6
pZ0Zpm0Z 6
pZ0Zpm0Z
5
Z0a0Z0Z0 5
Z0m0Z0M0
4
Po0Z0Z0L 4
Po0Z0Z0L
3
Z0M0ZNO0 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
0O0ZPOBO 2
0O0ZPOBO
1
S0A0ZRJ0 1
S0A0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
168
15. . . BXg2 16 NXd7 All the better for being delayed for 21
16 NXh7! BXg2 moves. Hardly any attack can succeed
EXERCISE: Which of these options is the without the help of pawns. It isn’t enough
best way for White to continue? (a) Pin the to push the big pieces around and expect
black knight with 17 Bg5; (b) Recapture his the opponent’s defences to cave in: they
piece with 17 Kxg2; (c) Exchange with 17 have to be undermined by pawns. —
Nxf6+ then recapture on g2. — ANSWER: EXERCISE: Can you see a clever way for
White to simplify the position if given the
17 Bg5! chance?
The correct approach is to keep up the
attack on the kingside.
8
rZ0s0ZkZ
7
Z0Z0Zpo0
8
rZ0Z0skZ 6
pZ0Zpm0Z
7
Z0Z0lpoN 5
Z0l0Z0M0
6
pZ0Zpm0Z 4
Po0ZPZ0L
5
Z0m0Z0A0 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
4
Po0Z0Z0L 2
0O0Z0OKO
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 1
S0ZRZ0Z0
2
0O0ZPObO a b c d e f g h
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
21 e4 ZZ– 22 e5 QXe5 23 Qh8+! KXh8 24
NXf7+ Kg8 25 NXe5
17 NXf6+ QXf6 18 QXf6 gXf6 19 KXg2 21. . . RXd1 22 RXd1 Qc2
Nb3 20 Rb1 Rfd8 21 Be3 Rac8 Still trying to distract White from his
17 KXg2? Qb7+ initiative by widening the struggle.
17 Bg5 ZZ– 18 NXf6+ gXf6 19 BXf6 23 Re1! e5
17. . . Nce4
The best way to defend f6 as it allows an
exchange on g5 to ease the pressure. 8
rZ0Z0ZkZ
18 KXg2 NXg5 19 NXg5 Rfd8 20 Rfd1 Qc5 7
Z0Z0Zpo0
It looks at first glance as if Black has
avoided the worst. He is a pawn down, but
6
pZ0Z0m0Z
the white queen and knight are ’offside’
5
Z0Z0o0M0
whereas his own queen can terrorize 4
Po0ZPZ0L
White’s queenside with ...Qc2. However
with his next couple of moves Damljanovic
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
shows that his kingside attack is still alive
2
0OqZ0OKO
and well. 1
Z0Z0S0Z0
21 e4! a b c d e f g h
169
23. . . ZZ– 24 e5 Nd5 25 Re4!
24 Re3!
Gambiting the b2-pawn to gain a decisive
attack.
24. . . QXb2
QUESTION: It looks like Black has serious
counterplay with his passed pawn, doesn’t
he? — ANSWER: There is a move that gives
vital energy to White’s attack. The b-pawn
won’t matter.
25 g4
The game move clears the way for the rook
to combine its power with the queen on
the h-file.
8
rZ0Z0ZkZ
7
Z0Z0Zpo0
6
pZ0Z0m0Z
5
Z0Z0o0M0
4
Po0ZPZPL
3
Z0Z0S0Z0
2
0l0Z0OKO
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
25 Rf3 ZZ– 26 RXf6 gXf6 27 Qh7+ Kf8 28

QXf7#
25. . . Qc2 26 Rh3 Kf8 27 Qh8+ Ng8 28
Rh7
Now there is no way to defend g7 as 28...g6
allows mate in two moves.
28. . . Ke7 29 QXg7
. With the f7- and e5-pawns both hanging,
Black has no time to utilize the b-pawn
before his king is butchered.
1-0
170
White: Nakamura, H. 35: Saint Louis
Black: Anand, V.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 g3 Be7 5 Bg2

O-O 6 O-O dXc4 7 Qc2 a6 8 a4 Bd7
The main move. The bishop heads for the
8
rm0l0skZ
long diagonal to challenge its counterpart 7
Zpo0apop
on g2. 6
pZbZpm0Z
9 QXc4 Bc6
Mission accomplished. — EXERCISE:
5
Z0Z0Z0A0
Before reading further, can you see any
4
PZQO0Z0Z
drawbacks for Black to having his bishop
on c6?
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
0O0ZPOBO
1
SNZ0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
8
rm0l0skZ
7
Zpo0apop 10 Bf4
6
pZbZpm0Z 10 Nc3 b5! 11 aXb5?? aXb5
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 10. . . Bd5
4
PZQO0Z0Z Black prepares his freeing move ...c7-c5
with gain of time by hitting the white
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 queen.
2
0O0ZPOBO
1
SNA0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
8
rm0l0skZ
9. . . b5 10 Qc2 bXa4?! 11 Ne5 Nd5 12 Nc3
7
Zpo0apop
10 Bg5
6
pZ0Zpm0Z
ANSWER: Here are some possible minus
5
Z0ZbZ0A0
points to the bishop being on c6: a) It
blocks the c7-pawn, thus ruling out a quick
4
PZQO0Z0Z
freeing ...c7-c5 advance. — b) The bishop
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
takes away the c6-square from the knight 2
0O0ZPOBO
on b8. — c) If White arranges e2-e4 then
Ne5 could be strong for him as the
1
SNZ0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
exchange with ...Bxg2 won’t be possible in
reply.
10. . . Nbd7 11 Nc3 h6 12 BXf6 NXf6 13
Rfe1
171
10. . . a5 11 b4 Na6 12 BXf6 BXf6 13 e4 14. . . RXd8
NXb4 14 Rd1 Black has liquidated White’s pawn centre
11 Qc2 Be4 without incurring any obvious weaknesses
Driving the queen back even further. in his own pawn structure. His pieces are
on active squares and he has brought his
12 Qd1 ’problem’ bishop to c6 to contest control of
the long diagonal. — It feels like Black has
solved most of his problems and yet
Anand, a world champion at many time
8
rm0l0skZ controls, won’t be able to hold Black’s
7
Zpo0apop position against Nakamura’s probing. Such
6
pZ0Zpm0Z is the difficulty of defending very slightly
worse positions in the Catalan endgame.
5
Z0Z0Z0A0 — QUESTION: Should White continue with
4
PZ0ObZ0Z 15 Nbd2 or 15 Nc3 to develop his
queenside?
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
15 Nbd2
2
0O0ZPOBO
1
SNZQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
8
rm0s0ZkZ
12 Qc1 h6 13 BXf6 BXf6 14 Rd1 a5 15 7
ZpZ0Zpop
Nbd2 Bh7?! 16 Nb3 c6 17 Qc3 Be7 18
Nc5 Qc7 19 Ne5 Na6 20 NXb7! QXb7 21
6
pZ0Zpm0Z
BXc6 Qc7 22 BXa8 QXc3 23 bXc3 RXa8 24
5
Z0a0Z0A0
Nc6! 4
PZ0ZbZ0Z
12. . . c5 13 dXc5 BXc5 14 QXd8 3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
0O0MPOBO
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
8
rm0L0skZ a b c d e f g h
7
ZpZ0Zpop
6
pZ0Zpm0Z 15 Nc3 Bc6
5
Z0a0Z0A0 15. . . Bc6 16 Nb3 Be7
Breaking the pin on f6.
4
PZ0ZbZ0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
0O0ZPOBO
1
SNZ0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
14 Nbd2 Bc6 15 Ne5 BXg2 16 KXg2 Be7

17 Rc1 Nbd7 18 NXd7 QXd7 19 Nf3 QXd1
20 RfXd1 Rfc8 21 Ne5
172
8
rm0s0ZkZ 8
rm0s0ZkZ
7
ZpZ0apop 7
ZpZ0apZ0
6
pZbZpm0Z 6
pZbZpZ0o
5
Z0Z0Z0A0 5
M0ZnM0o0
4
PZ0Z0Z0Z 4
PZ0Z0A0Z
3
ZNZ0ZNO0 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
0O0ZPOBO 2
0O0ZPOBO
1
S0Z0ZRJ0 1
S0Z0ZRJ0
16. . . Bb6 17 Ne5 BXg2 18 KXg2 Nbd7 19 21. . . NXf4 22 gXf4 BXg2 23 KXg2 Nd7 24
Nd3 Rac8 20 Rfc1 Nd3 Rab8 25 Rfc1 Bd6 26 Rc3
17 Na5 h6 18 Be3 22 Bd2 Bf6 23 Nd3
8
rm0s0ZkZ 8
rm0s0ZkZ
7
ZpZ0apo0 7
ZpZ0ZpZ0
6
pZbZpm0o 6
pZbZpa0o
5
M0Z0Z0Z0 5
M0ZnZ0o0
4
PZ0Z0Z0Z 4
PZ0Z0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0ANO0 3
Z0ZNZ0O0
2
0O0ZPOBO 2
0O0APOBO
1
S0Z0ZRJ0 1
S0Z0ZRJ0
18 Bd2? BXf3 23 NeXc6 NXc6 24 NXc6 bXc6 25 Rab1

18. . . Nd5 19 Bd2 Nb6 20 Bf4 Be7 26 Rfc1 Nb4 27 BXb4 BXb4 28 RXc6
White’s bishop plays cat and mouse with a5
the black knight. 23. . . b6 24 Nc4
20. . . Nd5 21 Ne5 White’s knights are going backwards and
At last the bishop stops running. forwards, not landing any strong blow, but
not allowing Anand to kill off the game
21. . . g5 either and forcing him to be vigilant.
One more kick at the cleric.
24. . . b5 25 BXd5 bXc4
173
White defends his own knight and
regroups his bishop to e4, where it will
8
rm0s0ZkZ hassle the black knight on c6.
7
Z0Z0ZpZ0 30. . . Nc6 31 Be4
6
pZbZpa0o Prudent.
5
Z0ZBZ0o0
4
PZpZ0Z0Z
3
Z0ZNZ0O0
8
rZ0sbakZ
2
0O0APO0O
7
Z0Z0ZpZ0
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
6
pZnZpZ0o
a b c d e f g h 5
Z0M0Z0o0
25. . . RXd5 26 Nb6
4
PZ0ZBZ0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
25. . . BXd5 26 Nb6 Ra7 27 aXb5 2
RZ0APO0O
25. . . eXd5 26 Nce5 bXa4 27 NXc6 NXc6 28
RXa4 Nd4
1
Z0S0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
26 BXc4 BXb2
The idea is that Black gets his piece back
after 27 Nxb2 Rxd2 with even chances. 31 BXa6? BXc5
Nakamura finds a way to keep the tension. 31 NXa6? RXd3!
27 Ra2 Bg7 31. . . Rdc8 32 Kf1
Nakamura edges his king nearer to the
attack and prevents any ...Nd4 move
coming with the threat of a fork on e2.
8
rm0s0ZkZ 32. . . Ra7 33 Nb3
7
Z0Z0Zpa0 The knight retreats to facilitate a pin by
6
pZbZpZ0o White’s rooks along the c-file.
5
Z0Z0Z0o0 33. . . Rac7 34 Rac2 Bd6
EXERCISE: Nakamura has kept the game
4
PZBZ0Z0Z alive by avoiding exchanges, retreating
3
Z0ZNZ0O0 when necessary and regrouping his pieces,
2
RZ0APO0O but it seems that Black has successfully
survived the ’interrogation’ on the
1
Z0Z0ZRJ0 queenside. Can you see how the American
a b c d e f g h
Grandmaster added one more bit of
pressure to finally make his renowned
27. . . Bd4 opponent buckle? — ANSWER:
28 Rc1 Be8 29 Nc5 Bf8 35 f4!
EXERCISE: What is the best way to meet Opening a second front on the kingside.
the threat to c5? — ANSWER:
30 Bd3!
174
8
0ZrZbZkZ 8
0mrZbZkZ
7
Z0s0ZpZ0 7
Z0s0Z0Z0
6
pZnapZ0o 6
pZ0apZ0o
5
Z0Z0Z0o0 5
Z0Z0Zpo0
4
PZ0ZBO0Z 4
PZ0Z0O0Z
3
ZNZ0Z0O0 3
ZNZBZ0O0
2
0ZRAPZ0O 2
0ZRAPZ0O
1
Z0S0ZKZ0 1
Z0S0ZKZ0
35 f4 gXf4 36 BXf4 e5 37 BXh6 36. . . Rb8! 37 Rc3 Bb4 38 Rc4 Ba3

35. . . f5?! 37 RXc7 RXc7 38 RXc7 BXc7 39 fXg5 hXg5
40 Nc5
White’s persistence is rewarded with the
win of a pawn.
8
0ZrZbZkZ 40. . . Bd6 41 NXe6 BXa4 42 NXg5 Bd7 43
7
Z0s0Z0Z0 Bc3
6
pZnapZ0o . White can advance his h-pawn up the
board.
5
Z0Z0Zpo0
1-0
4
PZ0ZBO0Z
3
ZNZ0Z0O0
2
0ZRAPZ0O
1
Z0S0ZKZ0
a b c d e f g h
35. . . Ba3 36 Rb1 Be7

36 Bd3
In an interview after the game Anand was
disappointed with himself and said he had
suffered "a one-move loss". He said he had
forgotten that White’s bishop could go to
d3, thinking it could only retreat down the
long diagonal.
36. . . Nb8?
Actually it is only here that Black loses the
game.
175
White: Giri, A. 36: Wijk aan Zee
Black: Aronian, L.
Result: 1/2-1/2
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 g3 Be7 5 Bg2

O-O 6 O-O dXc4 7 Qc2 a6 8 a4 Bd7 9
QXc4 Bc6 10 Bf4
8
rm0l0skZ
QUESTION: Why does White put the 7
Zpo0Zpop
bishop on f4? — ANSWER: Black wishes to
arrange the freeing advance ...c7-c5. A
6
pZbapm0Z
possible plan for him is to play ...Bd5,
5
Z0Z0Z0A0
getting the bishop out of the way of the
pawn with gain of time by attacking the
4
PZQO0Z0Z
white queen. Putting the bishop on f4
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
prevents, or at least delays, this plan as 2
0O0ZPOBO
...Bd5 would allow Qxc7. 1
SNZ0ZRJ0
10. . . Bd6 a b c d e f g h
A natural response, guarding the c7-pawn
and challenging White’s bishop. 11 Nc3 BXf4 12 gXf4
11 Qc1!? BXf4 12 QXf4
11. . . Nbd7 12 Nc3
8
rm0l0skZ EXERCISE: What is White’s positional
threat? — ANSWER: White mustn’t be
7
Zpo0Zpop allowed to play 13 e4 unchallenged. If he
6
pZbapm0Z does then he denies Black’s pieces any
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 influence over the e4- and d5-squares,
rendering Black’s plan of ...Bd7 and ...Bc6
4
PZQO0A0Z useless. There would also be a threat of 14
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 e5 winning a piece, or in some cases 14 d5
with the same effect. Black’s pieces would
2
0O0ZPOBO be badly bunched together.
1
SNZ0ZRJ0 12. . . h6 13 BXf6 NXf6
a b c d e f g h
Black must recapture this way or White
plays 14 e4 after all. White is often content
10. . . a5 11 Nc3 Na6 12 Ne5 BXg2 13 KXg2 to give up the fabled bishop pair in the
Nd5 14 Rad1 NXf4+ 15 gXf4 Bd6 16 e3 Catalan, although first of all, we should be
more precise: White is seldom happy to
11 Bg5
swap his light-squared bishop for a knight
in the Catalan. His bishop on g2 is often
key to his strategy, and in such an
exchange, he would like to have an extra
pawn to cheer himself up (see the 7 Ne5
176
Nc6 8 Bxc6 bxc6 9 Nxc6 line). We might restrained. — By advancing 14 a5 White
add though that White is often happy to fixes a space advantage for himself on the
exchange it off in return for Black’s queenside, rather than having his own
light-squared bishop. — In contrast, it is b-pawn restrained by ...a6-a5.
often even desirable for White to swap his
dark-squared bishop for a knight. This is
because the light-squared bishop has a
nice haven from the bustle of the centre on
g2 and a clear strategic role. In contrast the
8
rZ0l0skZ
bishop on c1 normally has no safe and
7
Zpo0Zpo0
useful square away from the centre - apart 6
pZbapm0o
from in the 8 Qxc4 mainline, where it
sometimes finds its nirvana through the
5
O0Z0Z0Z0
manoeuvre Bd2 and Ba5. — White’s pawn
4
0ZQO0Z0Z
on d4 helps to clutter the dark squares, 3
Z0M0ZNO0
reducing the options for his bishop. And
generally speaking the blocked nature of
2
0O0ZPOBO
the struggle - there are still seven pawns on
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
the board in both armies - reduces the a b c d e f g h
value of the bishop over the knight.
Furthermore, Bg5 and Bxf6 often has the 14 b4 Bd5! 15 NXd5 eXd5 16 Qb3 c6
good point of deflecting the other black
knight from the build-up to a freeing 14 a5 Bd5 15 Qd3
...c7-c5 or ...e6-e5 advance. In fact it not 14. . . Qe7
only slows down Black’s preparation of A useful prophylactic move.
...c7-c5, but also clears the c1-square with
gain of time, thereby facilitating a Rac1 15 Nd2
move to obstruct ...c7-c5. — EXERCISE:
White wants to advance on the queenside.
Should he play 14 a5 or 14 b4? — ANSWER: 8
rZ0Z0skZ
14 a5
A move needs to be judged on what it does
7
Zpo0lpo0
for a player’s strategic chances, and also on
6
pZbapm0o
what it takes away from the opponent. 5
O0Z0Z0Z0
Everything else being equal, being one
square forwards makes a pawn more
4
0ZQO0Z0Z
valuable in an endgame. The reason is
3
Z0M0Z0O0
simple: it is one step closer to being a
queen. — Here the pawn physically blocks
2
0O0MPOBO
Black from advancing 14...a5 himself. This
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
would equalize space on the queenside
and make the b4-square a strong point for
Black - or if you prefer a hole in White’s 15 Rfe1 Bb4! 16 Ne5 BXg2 17 KXg2 c5!
pawn structure. White no longer has a 15. . . Bd5
dark-squared bishop to fight for the Trying to create some imbalance.
b4-square, and the b2-pawn remains
177
8
rZ0Z0skZ 8
0s0Z0skZ
7
Zpo0lpo0 7
Zpo0Zpo0
6
pZ0apm0o 6
pZ0a0Z0o
5
O0ZbZ0Z0 5
O0ZQZ0Z0
4
0ZQO0Z0Z 4
0Z0ONZ0Z
3
Z0M0Z0O0 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
0O0MPOBO 2
0O0ZqO0O
1
S0Z0ZRJ0 1
S0Z0S0J0
15. . . BXg2 16 KXg2 c5 20 NXd6 cXd6 21 QXd6

16 BXd5 eXd5 17 NXd5 NXd5 18 QXd5 20. . . QXb2
QXe2 19 Ne4
Black looks very close to complete equality,
but as so often in the Catalan, precision is
required to remove White’s lingering edge.
8
0s0Z0skZ
19. . . Rab8?
7
Zpo0Zpo0
A routine passive move. 6
pZ0a0Z0o
5
O0ZQZ0Z0
4
0Z0ONZ0Z
8
0s0Z0skZ 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
7
Zpo0Zpo0 2
0l0Z0O0O
6
pZ0a0Z0o 1
S0Z0S0J0
5
O0ZQZ0Z0 a b c d e f g h
4
0Z0ONZ0Z 20. . . Qb5 21 QXb5 aXb5 22 NXd6 cXd6 23
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 Re7
2
0O0ZqO0O 21 Rab1 Qc2 22 Rec1 Qe2 23 Re1 Qc2
1
S0Z0ZRJ0 Giri now decides he wants his rooks on b1
a b c d e f g h and e1, and so...
24 NXd6 cXd6 25 Rb6!
19. . . Bb4! 20 QXb7 Rab8 21 Qc6 QXb2 22 A classy move. Giri isn’t afraid to be a pawn
QXa6? QXd4 23 Qc6 f5 down as he sees that his winning chances
depend on keeping the black pieces boxed
20 Rfe1 up. — EXERCISE: Black wants to challenge
White gains time to activate his rooks by White’s control of the open file by putting a
harassing the black queen. room on e8. Well, which one would you
choose?
178
25. . . Rfe8! 26 RXe8+ RXe8 27 RXb7 Re6!
8
0s0Z0skZ 26 Rf1!
After this quiet move Black is left with a
7
ZpZ0Zpo0 hanging pawn on b7 and an inactive rook
6
pS0o0Z0o on f8.
5
O0ZQZ0Z0 26. . . Qe4?
His inaccuracy on the previous move
4
0Z0O0Z0Z seems to have flustered Aronian.
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
0ZqZ0O0O
1
Z0Z0S0J0 8
0Z0ZrskZ
a b c d e f g h 7
ZpZ0Zpo0
25 RXb7 RXb7 26 QXb7 Qc3
6
pS0o0Z0o
25 QXd6 Rfd8
5
O0ZQZ0Z0
25. . . Rbe8
4
0Z0OqZ0Z
Throughout chess history a lot has been
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
written about players putting the wrong 2
0Z0Z0O0O
rook on an open file. As White’s last move
indicated he was going after the d6-pawn
1
Z0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
rather than the b7-pawn, Aronian decided
to push the passive one on b8 to the open
file. He might also have thought the rook 26. . . Re7 27 RXd6 Rfe8
on f8 was doing a good job defending f7 27 QXb7 QXb7
and in fact he probably assumed that
White would exchange on e8 whichever
rook he put there, so it didn’t matter
much...
8
0Z0ZrskZ
7
ZqZ0Zpo0
6
pS0o0Z0o
8
0Z0ZrskZ 5
O0Z0Z0Z0
7
ZpZ0Zpo0 4
0Z0O0Z0Z
6
pS0o0Z0o 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
5
O0ZQZ0Z0 2
0Z0Z0O0O
4
0Z0O0Z0Z 1
Z0Z0ZRJ0
3
2
0ZqZ0O0O 27. . . QXd4 28 RXa6
1
Z0Z0S0J0 28 RXb7 Re4 29 Rd1 Rc8 30 Rb6?
a b c d e f g h
White’s winning chances depend on
undermining Black’s kingside pawns whilst
179
at the same time ensuring that f2 is 31 RXd6 Ree2 32 Rf1 Ra2 33 RXa6 Red2
adequately defended if Black’s rooks are 34 h4 g6 35 h5 gXh5 36 RXh6 RXa5
doubled against it. This can be achieved by 31. . . g5!
bringing the rook on d1 into an attack on Thanks to White’s imprecise play, Black’s
f7. kingside pawns aren’t victims, but rather
stakes he wishes to drive through the heart
of the white king.
8
0ZrZ0ZkZ 32 h3
7
Z0Z0Zpo0
6
pS0o0Z0o
5
O0Z0Z0Z0
8
0Z0Z0ZkZ
4
0Z0OrZ0Z
7
Z0Z0ZpZ0
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
6
pS0o0Z0o
2
0Z0Z0O0O
5
O0Z0Z0o0
1
Z0ZRZ0J0
4
0Z0OrZ0Z
a b c d e f g h
3
Z0ZRZ0OP
2
0ZrZ0O0Z
30 Ra7! Rc2 31 Rb1! Ra2 32 Rb8+ Kh7 33 1
Z0Z0Z0J0
Rbb7 RXa5 34 RXf7 Rg4 35 Kg2 Ra4 36 h4 a b c d e f g h
h5 37 d5 a5 38 Rad7 Rg6 39 Rd8 Ra2 40
Rf5 Rh6 41 Rff8 Rf6 42 RXf6 gXf6 43 RXd6 32 RXa6 Re1+ 33 Kg2 g4 34 h3 h5!
30. . . Rc2! 32 RXd6 Re1+ 33 Kg2 g4 34 h3 h5 35 hXg4
Now White won’t have time to double his hXg4 36 Rd5! Kh7
rooks on the seventh rank as Black would
get in first against f2. 32. . . h5 33 Rf3 g4 34 hXg4 hXg4 35 Rf4
Giri is obliged to exchange rooks in order to
31 Rd3 keep f2 guarded and meet the threats to his
back rank mentioned in the previous note.
He wins a pawn or two, but now that there
8
0Z0Z0ZkZ is only one white rook, the black king is
able to be strongly activated.
7
Z0Z0Zpo0 35. . . RXf4 36 gXf4 Ra2 37 RXa6 Kg7 38
6
pS0o0Z0o Kg2 Kg6!
5
O0Z0Z0Z0 Giving up the d6-pawn with check is a
small price to pay for getting the king to the
4
0Z0OrZ0Z f5-square.
3
Z0ZRZ0O0 39 RXd6+ Kf5 40 a6
2
0ZrZ0O0O
1
Z0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
180
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z 8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0ZpZ0 7
Z0ZPZ0Z0
6
PZ0S0Z0Z 6
PS0ZkZ0Z
5
Z0Z0ZkZ0 5
Z0Z0ZpZ0
4
0Z0O0OpZ 4
0Z0Z0ZpZ
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0 3
Z0Z0Z0J0
2
rZ0Z0OKZ 2
rZ0Z0O0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0 1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
40 Kg3 Ra3+ 46 f3 Ra3

40. . . KXf4 41 Rf6+ Kg5 42 Rb6 Kf4 43 d5 46. . . KXd7 47 Rf6 Ke7 48 Rh6
Ke5
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z 7
Z0Z0j0Z0
7
Z0Z0ZpZ0 6
PZ0Z0Z0S
6
PS0Z0Z0Z 5
Z0Z0ZpZ0
5
Z0ZPj0Z0 4
0Z0Z0ZpZ
4
0Z0Z0ZpZ 3
Z0Z0Z0J0
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0 2
rZ0Z0O0Z
2
rZ0Z0OKZ 1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0 a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
48 RXf5 RXa6 49 KXg4 Ra8

43. . . g3 44 d6 RXf2+ 45 Kg1 48. . . Kf7
44 d6 Ke6 45 Kg3 f5 46 d7+ . If you want to play the Catalan you have
to believe in small endgame advantages. It
took some astute defence by Aronian and a
couple of imprecisions by the Dutch
Grandmaster to let Black off the hook.
1/2-1/2
181
White: Khamitskiy, S. 37: Chojnice
Black: Rawicz, K.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 g3 Nf6 4 Bg2 Be7 5 Nf3 9. . . c5 10 dXc5 BXc5 11 Ne5 Qc8 12 QXc4

O-O 6 O-O dXc4 7 Qc2 a6 8 a4 Bd7 9 Rd1 Bb5 13 Qb3 Bc6 14 NXc6 NXc6 15 Na3
10 Nc3
This is a very dangerous line for Black to
8
rm0l0skZ face. Routine developing moves will
quickly lead to disaster.
7
Zpobapop 10. . . Nbd7?
6
pZ0Zpm0Z Just what White was hoping for. Black
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 innocently brings out his knight, not
realizing that a cataclysm is going to hit his
4
PZpO0Z0Z centre.
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
0OQZPOBO
1
SNARZ0J0 8
rZ0l0skZ
Zponapop
a b c d e f g h 7
9 QXc4
6
pZbZpm0Z
9. . . Bc6
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
PZpO0Z0Z
3
Z0M0ZNO0
8
rm0l0skZ 2
0OQZPOBO
7
Zpo0apop 1
S0ARZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
6
pZbZpm0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 10. . . Nd5 11 e4 Nb4 12 Qe2 Nd3 13 Be3
4
PZpO0Z0Z Bb4 14 Ne1 NXe1 15 RXe1 a5 16 QXc4
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 Qe7
2
0OQZPOBO 10. . . BXf3
1
SNARZ0J0 11 e4 b5
EXERCISE: If you were playing White how
a b c d e f g h
would you handle the breakthrough in the
centre? What would be your next two
9. . . Nc6 10 QXc4 b5 11 aXb5 aXb5 12 moves? — ANSWER:
RXa8 QXa8 13 QXb5 Qa1 14 Nc3 NXd4
15 Qb7 12 d5! eXd5 13 e5!
It isn’t always right to recapture.
182
8
rZ0l0skZ 8
rZ0l0skZ
7
Z0onapop 7
Z0onapop
6
pZbZ0m0Z 6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
ZpZpO0Z0 5
ZpmRO0Z0
4
PZpZ0Z0Z 4
0ZpZ0Z0Z
3
Z0M0ZNO0 3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
0OQZ0OBO 2
0OQZ0OBO
1
S0ARZ0J0 1
S0A0Z0J0
13 eXd5 Bb7 16. . . Qe8 17 Ng5!

13. . . Ne4 17 RXa8
ANSWER!
17. . . QXa8 18 RXd7!
8
rZ0l0skZ Setting up a discovered attack on the black
queen.
7
Z0onapop 18. . . NXd7 19 Ng5
6
pZbZ0Z0Z A hyped-up version of a familiar tactical
5
ZpZpO0Z0 motif in the Catalan and Queen’s Indian
4
PZpZnZ0Z set-ups. Normally it’s a black rook that’s the
victim on a8, but here it’s the queen.
3
Z0M0ZNO0 19. . . g6
2
0OQZ0OBO There’s no way to stop mate on h7 and save
1
S0ARZ0J0 the queen.
a b c d e f g h 20 BXa8
1-0
13. . . Nc5 14 Nd4 Bb7 15 eXf6 BXf6 16
aXb5 aXb5 17 RXa8 BXa8 18 NXd5! BXd5
19 Nc6
14 NXd5 BXd5 15 RXd5 Nec5 16 aXb5
aXb5
EXERCISE: Can you see a winning
combination for White?
183
White: Khenkin, I. 38: Belgian League
Black: Rozentalis, E.
Result: 1/2-1/2
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 g3 Be7 5 Bg2

O-O 6 O-O dXc4 7 Qc2 a6 8 a4 Bd7 9 Rd1
Bc6 10 Nc3 BXf3
8
rZ0l0skZ
Black exchanges off the bishop before 11 e4 7
Zpo0apop
leaves him facing the d4-d5 advance that
proved so powerful in the previous game.
6
pZBZpm0Z
At the same time the c6-square is cleared
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
for the black knight. 4
PZpO0Z0Z
11 BXf3 Nc6 3
Z0M0Z0O0
2
0OQZPO0O
1
S0ARZ0J0
8
rZ0l0skZ a b c d e f g h
7
Zpo0apop
6
pZnZpm0Z 12 d5? Nb4
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 12 e3 Na5!
4
PZpO0Z0Z 12. . . bXc6 13 a5
3
Z0M0ZBO0 Clearing the a4-square for White’s rook or
queen, after which the c4-pawn looks
2
0OQZPO0O doomed. Nonetheless, the Lithuanian
1
S0ARZ0J0 Grandmaster Eduardas Rozentalis
a b c d e f g h manages to survive the pressure, which no
doubt encouraged him to try his luck again
11. . . c6 12 a5! Nd5 13 Qa4 Nb4 14 Ne4 with this line versus Barnusz in the 2016
Austrian League. The trouble is that an
12 BXc6 opponent rated over 2600 is likely to have
QUESTION: Why does White exchange off devised some fresh instruments of torture.
his bishop for the knight rather than attack
it with 12 d5 or at least play 12 e3 to secure
the d4-pawn?
184
8
rZ0l0skZ 8
0Z0l0skZ
7
Z0o0apop 7
Z0o0apop
6
pZpZpm0Z 6
pZpZpm0Z
5
O0Z0Z0Z0 5
O0Z0Z0Z0
4
0ZpO0Z0Z 4
RspO0Z0Z
3
Z0M0Z0O0 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
0OQZPO0O 2
NOQZPO0O
1
S0ARZ0J0 1
Z0ARZ0J0
13 Bg5 Rb8 14 e3!? Rb4 15 Rab1 a5 16 15 RXb4 BXb4

Na2 Rb6 17 BXf6 BXf6 18 QXc4 Qd5 19 15. . . RXa4 16 QXa4 Qb8 17 QXc4
Rdc1 Qf3? 20 Rc2 Rfb8 21 Nc1 e5 22 dXe5
BXe5 23 Nd3 Bd6 24 e4! Rb3 25 Rd2 g6 26
Rbd1 Qg4 27 QXc6 h5 28 e5 Bf8 29 Nf4!
RXb2 30 h3 Qf5 31 RXb2 RXb2 32 h4 Rb1
8
0l0Z0skZ
33 RXb1 QXb1+ 34 Kg2 Qb6 35 Qa8 Qb4
36 e6! Kg7 37 eXf7 KXf7 38 Qd5+ Ke8 39
7
Z0o0apop
NXg6 Bd6 40 Qe6+ Kd8 41 Nh8! Be7 42
6
pZpZpm0Z
Nf7+ Ke8 43 Ne5 Qd6 44 Qf7+ Kd8 45 5
O0Z0Z0Z0
Qg8+ 4
0ZQO0Z0Z
13. . . Rb8
The best defensive move. Black prepares to
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
challenge the white rook before it can
2
NO0ZPO0O
begin chomping through the black pawns 1
Z0ARZ0J0
with Ra4 and Rxc4, when c6 would soon a b c d e f g h
drop.
14 Ra4 Rb4 15 Na2! 17 QXc6? Qb3 18 Nc3 Bb4
17. . . Qb7
Rozentalis has managed to secure his
flimsy queenside structure, albeit at the
cost of the c4-pawn. His queen is active,
eyeing the b2 pawn, and in the long term
the white pawn on a5 might become a
target of his bishop.
18 Bg5
The bishop doesn’t want to remain tied to
b2. White therefore sacrifices a pawn for a
second time in order to try for the initiative.
18. . . QXb2 19 Nc3
185
8
0Z0Z0skZ 8
0Z0Z0AkZ
7
Z0o0apop 7
Z0o0Zpop
6
pZpZpm0Z 6
pZpZpZ0Z
5
O0Z0Z0A0 5
O0Z0Z0Z0
4
0ZQO0Z0Z 4
0ZQO0Z0Z
3
Z0M0Z0O0 3
Z0m0Z0O0
2
0l0ZPO0O 2
0l0ZPO0O
1
Z0ZRZ0J0 1
Z0ZRZ0J0
19 BXf6 gXf6! 20 Nc3 Qb4 21 QXc6 QXa5 21 Re1 Rb8 22 QXa6 h6 23 Qd3 Ra8
22 Rb1
21. . . NXd1 22 QXa6
19. . . Nd5 20 BXe7 NXc3!
8
0Z0Z0AkZ
8
0Z0Z0skZ 7
Z0o0Zpop
7
Z0o0Apop 6
QZpZpZ0Z
6
pZpZpZ0Z 5
O0Z0Z0Z0
5
O0Z0Z0Z0 4
0Z0O0Z0Z
4
0ZQO0Z0Z 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
3
Z0m0Z0O0 2
0l0ZPO0O
2
0l0ZPO0O 1
Z0ZnZ0J0
1
Z0ZRZ0J0 a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
22 Bb4 Qb1
20. . . NXe7 21 Rb1 Qc2 22 e4
22. . . Ne3!
21 BXf8 A pretty move to force a draw.
Acquiescing in a draw.
186
8
0Z0Z0AkZ
7
Z0o0Zpop
6
QZpZpZ0Z
5
O0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0m0O0
2
0l0ZPO0O
1
Z0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
22. . . KXf8 23 Qc8+ Ke7 24 QXc7+ Kf6 25

Qf4+ Kg6 26 Qg4+ Kh6 27 Qh4+ Kg6 28
Qg4+
23 fXe3
Mate was threatened.
23. . . Qb1+
The players could shake hands here, but
Khenkin wants to make sure his king can’t
escape. Or perhaps they are keen to play a
few more moves to show some fighting
spirit as it was a team competition? In fact
the game had already been played before
up until the first drawing sequence in
P.Leko-L.Aronian, Istanbul Olympiad 2012.
24 Kf2 Qf5+ 25 Ke1 Qb1+ 26 Kd2 Qb2+
27 Kd3 Qb3+ 28 Kd2 Qb2+ 29 Ke1
Qb1+ 30 Kf2 Qf5+ 31 Kg2 Qe4+ 32 Kh3
Qf5+ 33 g4 Qf1+ 34 Kg3 Qg1+ 35 Kf3
Qf1+ 36 Kg3
1/2-1/2
187
White: 10: Main Line: 7 Qc2 a6 8 Qxc ?
Black: ?
Opening ECO: E05
Result: *
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 Be7 5 Bg2

O-O 6 O-O dXc4 7 Qc2 a6
. After White recaptures the pawn with
8 QXc4
, Black is able to put his light-squared
bishop on the long diagonal with
8. . . b5 9 Qc2 Bb7
. He is very close to equality, which is why
the Catalan mainline is popular as Black
among the world’s best players. All that
remains is to be rid of the weakness on c7
with a well-timed ...c7-c5 advance. — Of
course, White must prevent or render
ineffective the ...c7-c5 break if he wishes to
keep an advantage. It was dissatisfaction
with his chances of doing so after 10 Bf4 or
10 Bg5 that made attention focus on 10
Bd2. All three bishop moves are analyzed
here. As we shall see, White maintains a
slight plus after 10 Bd2, though Black has
good chances of a successful defence.
*
188
White: Zaja, I. 39: Bosnjaci
Black: Blagojevic, M.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Nf3 Be7 5 Bg2 Catalan White’s bishop on f1 has a lot of

O-O 6 O-O dXc4 7 Qc2 a6 8 QXc4 b5 care lavished on it. Right at the beginning
Now with his queen hanging White has no of the game two moves are spent on
time to stop the black bishop reaching a establishing it in a safe and comfortable
delightful diagonal. residence on g2. Not so the bishop on c1. It
9 Qc2 finds its activity circumscribed by its own
The most sensible reply. On c2 the queen pawn on d4 and sometimes on e3 as well.
White keeps an eye on c7, the main And so it is frequently sent off to f4 or g5
weakness in Black’s camp, and also has where White is somewhat relieved when it
influence over the e4-square. Also on c2 is exchanged off for a knight. — However,
the queen can be used with one of the then another route for the bishop was
rooks to exert pressure on c7 and help discovered: it could go to d2 and shoot off
restrain ...c7-c5 after a future Rc1. to a5, where it has a key role in attacking
Black’s backward pawn on c7. The
9. . . Bb7 circumstances have to be right for Ba5 to
In old books Black’s light-squared bishop is be a good idea, but even if they aren’t, the
described as his problem child in the latent threat of Ba5 is annoying for Black.
Queen’s Gambit. In contrast, once it sits on
b7 it is the pride of the Catalan family. It is 10. . . Nbd7
in no whit inferior to White’s bishop on g2. Blagojevic develops and pointedly ignores
In fact, White frequently makes an effort to the idea behind his opponent’s last move.
exchange off the bishops for each other, as
Black’s is a source of counterplay and
prevents White establishing a bind on the
queenside. — QUESTION: But I’ve heard it rZ0l0skZ
8
said that that ’if Black manages to Zbonapop

7
exchange off light-squared bishops he will
ease the pressure on the queenside.’ — pZ0Zpm0Z
6
ANSWER: Well, let’s hope your future ZpZ0Z0Z0

5
opponents believe that is true as you’ll win

a lot of games! Though jumping ahead it
0Z0O0Z0Z
4
must be admitted that in the present game Z0Z0ZNO0

3
Black would have been delighted if his POQAPOBO

2
light-squared bishop wasn’t on the board...
SNZ0ZRJ0
1
10 Bd2! a b c d e f g h
Other moves are analyzed later in the
chapter. — QUESTION: What is the point
10. . . Bd6
of this move and why has it got an
exclamation mark? — ANSWER: In the 10. . . Nc6
189
11 Ba5 blocks the white queen’s pressure on c7.
Here attacking c7 is a good idea. Naturally Even worse, it cuts off the retreat of the
if Black had played 10...Nc6 (as in bishop on a5. Black could change his mind
Evdokimov-Abdyjapar below), the bishop’s about developing his knight and respond
visit to a5 would be ruled out, at least 12...Nb8! with the threat of 13...Nc6,
temporarily. Though as we shall see ...Nc6 attacking both the bishop and the pawn on
is a problematical move for Black: the d4. White has no good way to meet this. If,
knight is active, but it blocks the freeing for example, he plays 13 b4 then 13...Nc6
advance of the c-pawn. — Instead, Black and 14...Nxa5 will smash up his queenside
might have delayed ...Nbd7, say with pawns.
10...Bd6 (Caruana-Karjakin below). Then 12. . . Qe8
the bishop’s foray 11 Ba5? could be Breaking the pin on c7 and so clearing the
rebuffed by 11...Nc6, gaining time to way for 13...c5.
develop and forcing the cleric into
shamefaced retreat. In fact as long as the
black knight is on b8 playing Ba5 looks
dubious, but of course the black knight
can’t remain forever on b8. A situation
8
0ZrZqskZ
might arise where both players are looking 7
Zbonapop
around for useful waiting moves, White not
wanting to play Ba5 and Black not wanting
6
pZ0Zpm0Z
to play ...Nbd7 or ..Nc6. — If White is
5
ApZ0Z0Z0
unable to land his bishop on a5, it still has 4
0Z0O0Z0Z
a possible role on d2 in supporting the
pawn advance b2-b4, to put a clamp on the
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
c5-square. In this type of centre Black, of
2
POQMPOBO
course, dreams of playing ...c7-c5 in a safe
way. It would rid him of the only serious
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
weakness in his camp, the backward pawn
on c7.
12. . . Nb8 13 a3!? Nc6 14 Bc3
11. . . Rc8
Black defends his pawn and completes the 13 b4!
development of his queenside. Exactly. White must stop Black from
freeing his game.
12 Nbd2
EXERCISE: Give some reasons why this is a 13. . . Bd6
better square for the knight than c3. — Black switches to the plan of 14...e5
ANSWER: From d2 the knight has the followed by 15...exd4. This would weaken
option of going to b3 to add its weight to White’s grip on the c5-square, whereupon
the fight for the c5-square. At the moment 16...c5 becomes possible again.
this square is a hole in Black’s queenside 14 e4! e5 15 Rfe1!
pawn structure, but the defect would Defeating Black’s plan, or rather delaying it,
vanish should Black be able to advance as if 15...exd4 16 e5 wins material due to
...c7-c5. Therefore it is critical that all the the fork.
white pieces contribute to restraining this
freeing move. — On c3 the knight wouldn’t 15. . . Qe7 16 a3
have access to any useful squares and Not letting the b4-pawn be captured.
190
16. . . Rfe8 17 Rad1
White has found time to bring up all his
pieces into the battle.
8
0ZrZrlkZ
17. . . Qf8
7
ZbZ0Zpop
EXERCISE: Having evacuated the queen 6
pZpZ0m0Z
from e7, Black is once again ready to play
17...exd4 and then 18...c5. How can White
5
ApZ0a0Z0
nip this plan in the bud? — ANSWER:
4
0O0ZPZ0Z
18 dXe5 NXe5 19 NXe5 BXe5 20 Nb3!
3
ONZ0Z0O0
At last the knight gets to b3 to prevent
Black’s freeing move. There is also the
2
0ZQZ0OBO
threat to win a piece with 21 f4 Bd6 22 e5.
1
Z0ZRS0J0
a b c d e f g h
20. . . Bd6
8
0ZrZrlkZ 21 Nc5
7
Zbo0Zpop Winning the battle for the c5-square in
6
pZ0Z0m0Z decisive style.
5
ApZ0a0Z0 21. . . Re7 22 Bh3!
The Catalan bishop has the last word.
4
0O0ZPZ0Z
3
ONZ0Z0O0
2
0ZQZ0OBO
1
Z0ZRS0J0
8
0ZrZ0lkZ
a b c d e f g h
7
ZbZ0spop
6
pZpZ0m0Z
20 f4 Bd4+
5
ApM0a0Z0
20. . . c6?
4
0O0ZPZ0Z
A horrible-looking move that shuts in the
bishop on b7. Black also makes the bishop
3
O0Z0Z0OB
on a5 a stronger piece by allowing it
2
0ZQZ0O0O
control of the d8-square. 1
Z0ZRS0J0
a b c d e f g h
22 Bh3 Rce8 23 NXb7 RXb7 24 QXc6

1-0
191
White: Caruana, F. 40: Wijk aan Zee
Black: Karjakin, S.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Nf3 Be7 5 Bg2 or Nc3 and e2-e4: or by pinning the knight
O-O 6 O-O dXc4 7 Qa4 a6 8 QXc4 b5 9 on f6 with Bg5 and then Bxf6 and e2-e4.
Qc2 Bb7 10 Bd2 Bd6 Black, for his part, has defensive resources
EXERCISE: Before reading on, would you based on arranging ...e6-e5. — Instead
like to suggest some reasons for putting the Caruana settles for ’normal’ queenside
bishop on d6? — ANSWER: There are many pressure, planning b2-b4 to bolster his
reasons for Black playing 10...Bd6. Firstly, it control over the c4-square. Any e2-e4
adds a defender to c7. It positions the advance will come later (jumping ahead it
bishop ready to contest the e5-square will come on move 40!).
should a white knight invade with Ne5. It
clears the e7-square for the black queen.
The move ...c7-c5 isn’t the only pawn break
in town: Black could build up towards 8
rm0l0skZ
...e6-e5 with ...Nbd7 and ...Qe7. — If White
decides to play Bf4, he now has to reckon
7
Zbo0Zpop
with doubled pawns after the exchange
6
pZ0apm0Z
...Bxf4 and recapture g3xf4. We could
debate who profits the most from the
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
exchange, and Black probably wouldn’t
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
play ...Bxf4; but in any case Bf4 is no longer 3
Z0Z0ZNO0
a free ride for White in putting pressure on
c7. — When you assess a move you also
2
POQAPOBO
have to ask yourself what hasn’t the player
1
SNZ0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
done in choosing the move? With 10...Bd6
he has avoided committing the knight on
b8. This means that the idea of Ba5 is 10. . . Nbd7
unavailable for White as ...Nc6 chases the
bishop away. Leaving the knight on b8 also 11 a3 Nbd7 12 b4
means that the c6-square is better
defended for now. — EXERCISE: So much
for the good points of 10...Bd6. Can you see
a drawback and how can White try to
exploit it? — ANSWER: An obvious
disadvantage to 10...Bd6 is that the bishop
and the knight on f6 are now lined up for
an e4-e5 fork. In other games White has
tried to exploit this with ideas such as Nh4
or Ng5, exchanging the light-squared
bishops, and then e2-e4; or Re1 and e2-e4;
192
A common idea in the Catalan mainline.
The bishop forces the white queen to an
8
rZ0l0skZ inferior square. — QUESTION: I can see
7
ZbonZpop that, but after the queen retreats isn’t White
going to play Nbd2, forcing the black
6
pZ0apm0Z bishop to go away, and then Qc2,
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0 recouping the time he has lost? So Black
4
0O0O0Z0Z hasn’t profited by the manoeuvre, except
by gaining time on the clock? — ANSWER:
3
O0Z0ZNO0 Well, the bishop will go back to d5, where it
2
0ZQAPOBO is slightly better placed than on b7. So
1
SNZ0ZRJ0 Black has achieved something.
a b c d e f g h 14 Qc1
12 Ba5 Qb8 13 b4 e5!

12. . . Ra7 8
0Z0l0skZ
QUESTION: What is the point of this
distinctly non-classical move? — ANSWER:
7
s0onZpop
It defends b7 against a surprise attack;
6
pZ0apm0Z
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
4
0O0ObZ0Z
8
0Z0l0skZ
3
O0A0ZNO0
7
sbonZpop
2
0Z0ZPOBO
6
pZ0apm0Z
1
SNL0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
4
0O0O0Z0Z 14 Qb3
3
O0Z0ZNO0 14 Qa2
2
0ZQAPOBO 14 Qd2
1
SNZ0ZRJ0 14 Qb2 Nb6!
a b c d e f g h
14. . . Qa8!
EXERCISE: Try to work out why Karjakin
12. . . Ne8 13 Ng5! prefers a8 for his queen rather than e7. —
12. . . e5 13 dXe5 NXe5 14 NXe5 BXg2 15 ANSWER: The queen takes possession of
NXf7! RXf7 16 KXg2 the square vacated by 12...Ra7. Notice that
in terms of influence she is just as
13 Bc3
centralized here as on e7, or even more so,
Caruana’s plan unfolds. He deters ...e6-e5
as she looks down the long diagonal at
and clears the way for Nbd2 followed by
some key light squares. She adds her
either Nb3, aiming at a5 or c5, or perhaps
weight to that of the bishop on e4 and
e2-e4, gaining space.
knight on f6 in restraining a future e2-e4
13. . . Be4 space grab by White. Furthermore, she
193
pins the knight on f3 which reduces White’s
freedom of action and might facilitate a
...e6-e5-pawn break to liquidate the white
8
qZ0Z0skZ
centre. The black queen also adds a
defender to the sensitive c6-square and in
7
s0o0Zpop
some cases will support an ...a6-a5 freeing
6
pZ0apm0Z
advance.
5
ZpZbZ0Z0
15 Nbd2 Bd5 16 Qc2
4
nO0O0Z0Z
The queen returns to c2, clearing the
c1-square for the rooks and lending a hand
3
O0A0Z0O0
to a future e2-e4 advance.
2
0ZQMPOBO
16. . . Nb6
1
S0Z0MRJ0
a b c d e f g h
Black rules out any chance of White
nibbling at his queenside with a3-a4 and
plans counterplay along the a-file himself if 17. . . BXg2 18 NXg2
given the chance.
17. . . Na4 18 e4? NXc3 19 QXc3 NXe4
17 Ne1!
18 Nb3
QUESTION: What does White achieve with
White deters the ...a6-a5 break. Notice that
this knight retreat? — ANSWER: First of all,
Caruana waited until it was necessary to
White escapes the pin on f3 in a way that
play this move as it loosens his hold on the
defends his bishop. He threatens to gain
c4- and e4-squares.
space with 18 e4 - in fact this would win a
piece in view of the potential 19 e5. 18. . . Be4
Meanwhile the white knight can re-emerge
from e1 on d3 where it controls the c5- and
e5-squares, or on g2 after an exchange of
bishops there. — The exchange of
8
qZ0Z0skZ
light-squared bishops often facilitates 7
s0o0Zpop
White exploiting the weaknesses in Black’s
queenside structure. As a rule White
6
pZ0apm0Z
doesn’t need to be concerned about being
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
mated in the Catalan mainline, whereas 4
nO0ObZ0Z
Black has to worry about losing the
defender of c6.
3
ONA0Z0O0
17. . . Na4!
2
0ZQZPOBO
’The best answer to a threat is to ignore it’.
1
S0Z0MRJ0
a b c d e f g h
18. . . BXg2 19 NXg2

18. . . Ne4 19 Bb2
19 BXe4 QXe4
Threatening 20...Qxc2 21 Nxc2 Nxc3,
winning a piece.
20 Ra2!
194
The only good move. 21 QXc3 e5 22 Nf3! eXd4 23 NfXd4
The only thing that has been freed by
21...e5 is White’s knight, which has gone
from obscurity on e1 to a starring role on
8
0Z0Z0skZ d4.
7
s0o0Zpop 23. . . Raa8 24 Rc2
In the absence of any counterplay, the
6
pZ0apm0Z backward pawn and hole on c6 are looking
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0 ominous for Black.
4
nO0OqZ0Z 24. . . Nd5
3
ONA0Z0O0
2
RZQZPO0O
1
Z0Z0MRJ0
8
rZ0Z0skZ
a b c d e f g h 7
Z0o0Zpop
6
pZ0a0Z0Z
20 Rc1 NXc3 21 QXc3 QXe2 5
ZpZnZ0Z0
20 QXe4? NXe4 21 Bd2 a5! 22 bXa5 NXd2
23 NXd2 RXa5
4
0O0MqZ0Z
20. . . NXc3?
3
ONL0Z0O0
Despite the expression ’a knight is grim on
2
0ZRZPO0O
the rim’, Karjakin should avoid this 1
Z0Z0ZRJ0
exchange in order to keep an imbalance in a b c d e f g h
the position. He plans to free his game with
...e6-e5, but it backfires and he ends up in a 24. . . Qg6
bleak endgame.
25 Qf3!
The art of exchanging wisely. Black’s
weaknesses on the c-file are fixed forever,
8
0Z0Z0skZ so the exchange of queen’s clarifies White’s
advantage. Most crucially, Caruana will be
7
s0o0Zpop able to use his king to support an advance
6
pZ0apm0Z of his 4-3 kingside majority without any
worries about his safety.
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
25. . . QXf3 26 NXf3 Rfe8 27 Rd1 Nb6
4
0O0OqZ0Z EXERCISE: How do we stop Black’s knight
3
ONm0Z0O0 going to c4 and attacking a3? — ANSWER:
2
RZQZPO0O 28 Na5!
1
Z0Z0MRJ0 It’s the turn of the white knight to go to the
edge of the board.
a b c d e f g h
28. . . g6 29 e3
20. . . Raa8 The first sign of life from White’s kingside
pawns. It is their advance combined with
20. . . Re8
195
the pressure on the queenside that will 50. . . Nd5
overwhelm the black defence.
29. . . Kg7 30 Rd3 Rac8 31 Rc6
Crushing any hope of Black ever advancing
...c7-c5.
8
rZ0Z0a0Z
31. . . Rb8
7
Z0o0ZkZ0
The threat was 32 Rdxd6 cxd6 33 Rxb6
6
pZNZ0ZpZ
winning a piece. 5
MpZnOPZ0
32 Kf1 h5 33 h3 4
0O0Z0ZKZ
White wants to manoeuvre his knight from
f3 to b3 to strengthen his queenside grip;
3
O0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0S
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
8
0s0ZrZ0Z
7
Z0o0Zpj0 50. . . gXf5+ 51 KXf5
6
pmRa0ZpZ 51 f6
5
MpZ0Z0Zp The black bishop is now as blocked in as
4
0O0Z0Z0Z his pawns.
3
O0ZRONOP 51. . . NXf6+ 52 eXf6 KXf6
Black’s knight sacrifice allows him to
2
0Z0Z0O0Z extend the game a long time. He ’only’ has
1
Z0Z0ZKZ0 to exchange rooks and eliminate every
a b c d e f g h pawn on the board, throwing in his bishop
as a gift, when it is well known that two
33 Nd2 h4 knights can’t force checkmate against a
lone king. Naturally there is more chance
33. . . Kf6 34 Nd2 Kg7 35 Ndb3 Re6 36 of you or me beating Magnus Carlsen than
Kg2 Kf8 Caruana allowing that to happen. — The
EXERCISE: How should White increase his remaining moves were:
advantage? — ANSWER:
53 Rf2+ Ke6 54 Re2+ Kd5 55 Rd2+ Ke4
37 f4! Ree8 38 Kf3 Red8 39 Rc2 Rd7 40 e4 56 Nb7 Ke3 57 Rd7 Re8 58 RXc7 Bh6 59
Ke8 41 e5 Be7 42 RXd7 KXd7 43 Rd2+ Nc5 Rf8 60 Re7+ Kd2 61 Re6 Rf1 62 Na7
Ke8 44 Nc6 Ra8 45 Nba5 Be3 63 RXa6 Ke2 64 RXg6 Rf4+ 65 Kh3
The white knights assume the role of Rf3+ 66 Rg3 Rf7 67 NXb5 Bf2 68 Rb3 Rf4
blockading Black’s queenside pawns, 69 Nc3+ Kf1 70 Rb1+ Be1 71 RXe1+
freeing the rook to support White’s pawn . There is a fork on d3 coming. A fine
advance on the kingside. example of Caruana’s relentless technique.
45. . . f5 46 g4 hXg4+ 47 hXg4 fXg4+ 48 1-0
KXg4 Kf7 49 Rh2 Bf8 50 f5
It’s all too easy. White’s pawn majority
plays a decisive role on the kingside,
whereas Black’s queenside pawns are
paralyzed by the white knights.
196
White: Evdokimov, A. 41: Moscow
Black: Abdyjapar, A.
Result: 1-0
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Nf3 Be7 5 Bg2 11. . . Nb4

dXc4 6 O-O O-O 7 Qc2 a6 8 QXc4 b5 9 The horse therefore leaps forward again
Qc2 Bb7 10 Bd2 Nc6 and attacks her Majesty.
Black prevents any Ba5 ideas and attacks 12 BXb4
d4, but of course the knight is now in the Since his centre pawns are on dark squares,
way of the ...c7-c5 advance. White isn’t adverse to exchanging his ’bad’
11 e3 bishop for a knight. The lack of pawn
EXERCISE: Can you suggest a good plan for exchanges and White’s firm structure
White if Black plays passively? — ANSWER: means that Black’s bishop pair doesn’t have
After White’s modest pawn move much to attack. Meanwhile the white
defending d4, the black knight is knights can dream of exploiting the holes
awkwardly placed on c6. Given the chance on a5, c5 and c6 in Black’s queenside.
White will play moves like Rc1 and a2-a3 12. . . BXb4 13 a3!
(to stop ...Nb4) then Ne1, attacking c6 and
with the plan of Nd3 aiming for control of
the c5-square. If White can arrange Nc5 in
this type of structure and oblige Black to 8
rZ0l0skZ
respond with ...Bxc5 then after Qxc5 he will
be close to winning from a positional
7
Zbo0Zpop
viewpoint due to Black’s weak dark squares
6
pZ0Zpm0Z
and the continuing pressure along the
c-file. However, if after Nc5 and ...Bxc5
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
White was obliged to recapture d4xc5, then
4
0a0O0Z0Z
most of his advantage vanishes: the attack 3
O0Z0ONO0
along the c-file is blocked and Black is
entrenched on the light squares. White
2
0OQZ0OBO
might still have some edge, though, on
1
SNZ0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
account of exchanging a knight for Black’s
prize bishop. — In such situations White
should almost always recapture with a 13 Nbd2 c5! 14 dXc5 Rc8 15 Nb3 Be4! 16
piece, queen or rook, rather than pawn: Qc1 Qe7
and he shouldn’t rush to occupy c5 with 13. . . Be7 14 Nbd2
the knight if he ends up with a pawn on Only now. The knight plans a journey to
that square. — Returning to the game, to the c5-square where it will loom
add to Black’s problems if left unanswered menacingly over the queenside, unless
there is 12 Ne5 winning the exchange. If Black eliminates it with ...Bxc5, but then
you suggested that as White’s best plan, after the recapture Qxc5 White will
well done - a threat is also a plan! dominate the dark square holes in Black’s
structure.
197
14. . . Qd6
8
rZrZ0ZkZ
8
rZ0Z0skZ
7
Z0o0apop
7
Zbo0apop
6
pZ0lpm0Z
6
pZ0lpm0Z
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
4
0Z0ObZ0Z
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
ONZ0ONO0
3
O0Z0ONO0
2
0OQZ0OBO
2
0OQM0OBO
1
S0S0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
16. . . Nd7 17 Ng5! BXg5 18 BXb7
14. . . c5? 17 Qe2 Qb6 18 Nc5 BXc5 19 RXc5

Black is far from lost, but the opening has
14. . . Rc8 15 b4 a5 16 Ne5 Nd5 17 Nb3! clearly been a success for White. He has
aXb4 18 Na5! Ba8 19 Nac6 BXc6 20 NXc6 restrained Black from breaking out with
Qd7 21 BXd5! eXd5 22 aXb4 Rfe8 23 Ra5 ...c7-c5 and can double his rooks against
Bf8 24 Ne5 Qe6 25 RXb5 Rb8 26 RXb8 c7. Abdyjapar disagrees with this verdict
RXb8 27 QXc7 Bd6 28 Qa5 BXb4 29 Rb1 and soon gets into hot water.
Qd6 30 Qa4
19. . . Nd7 20 Rc3?
15 Rfc1
It is possible that White will play b2-b4 in
the future to increase his control of c5,
when Black might try to undermine the 8
rZrZ0ZkZ
pawn with ...a6-a5. Then the a-file
becomes open after ...a5xb4 and the
7
Z0onZpop
recapture a3xa4. Alternatively, White
6
pl0ZpZ0Z
himself might open the a-file by playing 5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
a3-a4 to target b5. Therefore it is sensible
to keep a rook on a1 and move the other
4
0Z0ObZ0Z
one to c1. In the Catalan mainline Rfc1
3
O0S0ONO0
seems White’s default choice of rook to play
to c1. There is normally a reason specific to
2
0O0ZQOBO
a particular position when he prefers Rac1.
1
S0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
15. . . Rfc8 16 Nb3 Be4
Deflecting the white queen to a less active
square. 20 Ng5! Bg6 21 Rc6 Qb8 22 Rac1
20. . . c5?
Black makes another positionally desirable
move that is tactically unsound. If carried
on too long this approach is bound to lead
to disaster, if not in one game then in the
198
next one. As the renowned strategist Reti Black’s attempt to gain counterplay by
affirmed the foundation of positional play sacrificing the exchange is doomed if
is control of tactics. White plays steadily.
21 Rac1
8
rZrZ0ZkZ
8
rZrZ0ZkZ 7
ZqZNZpo0
7
Z0ZnZpop 6
pZ0ZpZ0o
6
pl0ZpZ0Z 5
Zpo0Z0Z0
5
Zpo0Z0Z0 4
0Z0O0Z0Z
4
0Z0ObZ0Z 3
O0S0O0O0
3
O0S0ONO0 2
0O0ZQObO
2
0O0ZQOBO 1
Z0S0Z0J0
1
Z0S0Z0J0 a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
23. . . Qd6 24 KXg2 QXd7 25 RXc5

21 Ng5! BXg2 22 Qh5 Qc6 23 QXh7+ Kf8
24 Qh5! g6 25 Qh7 24 NXc5 RXc5 25 dXc5 Qc6 26 Rd3 Bf3 27
Qf1
21. . . h6? Here the queen guards the g2-square and
also protects the rook on c2, ruling out any
back-rank tricks.
8
rZrZ0ZkZ 27. . . Rc8 28 Rd6 Qb7 29 b4 Qa8 30 Qd3
Be4 31 Qd4 e5 32 QXe5 Bh1 33 c6
7
Z0ZnZpo0 Giving back one of his extra pawns to kill
6
pl0ZpZ0o off Black’s activity.
5
Zpo0Z0Z0 33. . . BXc6 34 Qd4 Qb7 35 Rc5
4
0Z0ObZ0Z 1-0
3
O0S0ONO0
2
0O0ZQOBO
1
Z0S0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
21. . . c4 22 b3 Qd6!
21. . . Bb7 22 Ng5! BXg2 23 Qh5!
22 Ne5!
Winning the c5-pawn with a simple
combination.
22. . . BXg2 23 NXd7 Qb7
199
White: Feller, S. 42: Cappelle la Grande
Black: Perez Ponsa, F.
Result: 1/2-1/2
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 g3 Be7 5 Bg2

O-O 6 O-O dXc4 7 Qa4 a6 8 QXc4 b5 9
Qc2 Bb7 10 Bg5
8
rZ0l0skZ
A direct move; 7
Zbonapop
6
pZ0Zpm0Z
5
ZpZ0Z0A0
8
rm0l0skZ 4
0Z0O0Z0Z
7
Zbo0apop 3
Z0Z0ZNO0
6
pZ0Zpm0Z 2
POQZPOBO
5
ZpZ0Z0A0 1
SNZ0ZRJ0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z a b c d e f g h
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
POQZPOBO 10. . . Nc6 11 Rd1 Nb4 12 Qc1 Rc8 13 BXf6
BXf6 14 Nc3 c5 15 dXc5 Qe7 16 a3 BXc3
1
SNZ0ZRJ0 17 QXc3 Nd5 18 Qd4 QXc5 19 QXc5
a b c d e f g h RXc5 20 Rac1 RXc1 21 RXc1 Rc8 22 RXc8+
BXc8 23 Ne5
10 Bd2 10. . . Be4!? 11 Qc1 Nbd7 12 Nbd2 Bd5 13
10. . . Nbd7 Nb3 Rc8 14 Nc5 NXc5 15 dXc5 c6 16 Rd1
Black hopes to equalize with a quick Ne4 17 Be3 Qc7 18 b4 a5
...c7-c5, ridding himself of the backward 11 BXf6
pawn on c7 and dissolving the white As we shall see, the key strategic theme in
centre. what follows is: can Black break out with
...c7-c5 without being punished? If he can
then he should be equal, but there are
some cases where even after achieving his
aim he remains under irritating pressure.
200
utilizes the e4-square which is left
undefended after White’s last move, and
8
rZ0l0skZ also the d5-square with his knight.
7
Zbonapop
6
pZ0ZpA0Z
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0 8
0Zrl0skZ
4
0Z0O0Z0Z 7
Z0o0apop
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 6
pZ0Zpm0Z
2
POQZPOBO 5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
1
SNZ0ZRJ0 4
0Z0ObZ0Z
a b c d e f g h 3
ZNZ0ZNO0
11 Nbd2 c5 12 BXf6 BXf6 13 dXc5 Rc8 14
2
POQZPOBO
Nb3 Bd5 15 Rfd1 Qe7 16 e4 BXb3 17
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
aXb3 RXc5 a b c d e f g h
11. . . NXf6
13. . . c5!? 14 dXc5 Be4 15 Qc3 Bd5 16
Rfd1 Ne4 17 Qe1 BXc5 18 NXc5 RXc5 19
Ne5 f5 20 f3 Nd6 21 e4 fXe4 22 fXe4 Bb7
8
rZ0l0skZ 23 Qb4 RXe5 24 RXd6 Qc7 25 Rad1 Bc8
7
Zbo0apop 14 Qc3 Nd5
6
pZ0Zpm0Z
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z 8
0Zrl0skZ
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 7
Z0o0apop
2
POQZPOBO 6
pZ0ZpZ0Z
1
SNZ0ZRJ0 5
ZpZnZ0Z0
a b c d e f g h 4
0Z0ObZ0Z
11. . . BXf6? 12 Ng5! BXg5 13 BXb7
3
ZNL0ZNO0
12 Nbd2
2
PO0ZPOBO
An arms race: White wants to get his knight
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
to b3 before Black can arrange 12...Rc8 and
13...c5.
12. . . Rc8 13 Nb3 14. . . c5? 15 NXc5
Just in time to stop ...c7-c5 - maybe not! 14. . . Qd5 15 Rfc1 Rfd8 16 Qa5 Qb7 17
13. . . Be4 Nc5 BXc5 18 RXc5 Nd7 19 Rcc1
Black still hopes to drive the white queen 15 Qc6
from the c-file in order to facilitate the The c6-square looks like a risky place for
freeing move ...c7-c5. For this purpose he the white pieces to have a picnic, but both
201
the queen and a rook will utilize it over the Beginning a long tactical sequence.
coming moves. The stakes are high. Black 17. . . Nf4
can unleash a dangerous discovered attack
from the bishop on e4 (once it is guarded
of course), but if this fails to give enough
dynamism then he will be left with weak
pawns and squares on the queenside.
8
0ZrZ0skZ
7
Z0o0apop
6
pZRZpZ0Z
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
8
0Zrl0skZ 4
0Z0Obm0Z
7
Z0o0apop 3
ZNZ0ZNO0
6
pZQZpZ0Z 2
PO0ZPOBO
5
ZpZnZ0Z0 1
S0Z0Z0J0
4
0Z0ObZ0Z a b c d e f g h
3
ZNZ0ZNO0
2
PO0ZPOBO 17. . . ZZ– 18 RXa6
1
S0Z0ZRJ0 17. . . Nb6!? 18 Rcc1 Na4 19 Nfd2 BXg2 20
KXg2 NXb2 21 Rc6
a b c d e f g h
18 RXa6 NXe2+ 19 Kf1 Bd3
15 Qc1 Nb4 16 Ne1 Bd5 17 BXd5 QXd5 A series of precise moves will prevent White
18 Qc3 c5 from exploiting the awkward position of
the black knight and bishop on d3.
15 Qd2 c5 16 dXc5 BXc5 17 NXc5 RXc5 18
Rac1 RXc1 19 RXc1 Qa8 20 Qd4 Nf6 20 Ne5 NXg3+ 21 Ke1
It seems as if Black must lose a piece as he
15 Qa5 Bb4 16 QXa6 c6 17 Ne5 BXg2 18 has two hanging, but...
KXg2 Ne7 19 e4 f6 20 Nd3 Ra8 21 Qb7
21. . . Bb4+ 22 Nd2
15. . . Qd6
EXERCISE: What are the good points of this
move? — ANSWER: With his last move
Black defended his a6-pawn and 8
0ZrZ0skZ
challenged the white queen. Now 16 Qxd6?
cxd6 would be a miserable exchange for
7
Z0o0Zpop
White - the weakling previously on c7 now
6
RZ0ZpZ0Z
defends the c5- and e5-squares, and the 5
ZpZ0M0Z0
black rook on c8 is presented with an open
file. Therefore in order to assert his control
4
0a0O0Z0Z
over the c-file White is obliged to allow the
3
Z0ZbZ0m0
exchange of queens when he has a rook on
the c6-square. This is worse than having
2
PO0M0OBO
the queen there, as Black is free to move his
1
S0Z0J0Z0
a b c d e f g h
knight from d5.
16 Rfc1 QXc6 17 RXc6
202
22 Kd1 Be2+
22. . . Be4! 23 f3
Again two of Black’s pieces are en prise, but
8
0Z0s0skZ
there are more tactical blows to come.
7
Z0o0Z0op
23. . . f6! 24 hXg3
6
RZ0ZpZ0Z
5
ZpZ0o0Z0
4
0Z0OPZ0Z
8
0ZrZ0skZ 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
7
Z0o0Z0op 2
PO0aKZBZ
6
RZ0Zpo0Z 1
S0Z0Z0Z0
ZpZ0M0Z0
5 a b c d e f g h
4
0a0ObZ0Z 26. . . Rcd8 27 Bh3 RXd4 28 BXe6+ Kh8 29
3
Z0Z0ZPO0 Rd1 Rfd8 30 Bd5 Be3 31 Ra5 RXd1 32
2
PO0M0ZBZ KXd1 b4 33 Ke2 Bb6 34 Rb5 Rf8 35 RXb4
h5 36 Rb3
1
S0Z0J0Z0 1/2-1/2
a b c d e f g h
24 Ng4 Bb7! 25 Ra7 Nf5 26 RXb7 Nd6 27

Ra7 Nc4 28 Rd1 NXb2 29 Rb1 Bc3 30 Bf1
Rfd8
24. . . fXe5 25 fXe4 BXd2+ 26 Ke2
8
0ZrZ0skZ
7
Z0o0Z0op
6
RZ0ZpZ0Z
5
ZpZ0o0Z0
4
0Z0OPZ0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PO0aKZBZ
1
S0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
26 KXd2? Rf2+ 27 Ke3 RXg2

26. . . Rcd8
203
White: Anton, T. 43: Kazan
Black: Kravtsiv, M.
Result: 0-1
1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Bg2 Be7 5 d4 10. . . Nd5 11 Nc3 NXf4 12 gXf4 Nd7 13
O-O 6 O-O dXc4 7 Qc2 a6 8 QXc4 b5 9 Rfd1
Qc2 Bb7 10 Bf4 10. . . Bd6 11 Bg5 Nbd7 12 Nbd2 Rc8! 13
BXf6 NXf6 14 Nb3 c5 15 dXc5 Ne4 16
Rad1 NXc5 17 NXc5 RXc5 18 QXc5 BXc5
8
rm0l0skZ 19 RXd8 RXd8 20 Ne5 BXg2 21 KXg2
7
Zbo0apop 11 Rd1
Defending d4. — QUESTION: Is that
6
pZ0Zpm0Z because after 11 Nbd2 or 11 Nc3 can Black
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0 play 11...Nxd4 to nab a pawn?
4
0Z0O0A0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
2
POQZPOBO 8
rZ0l0skZ
1
SNZ0ZRJ0 7
Zbo0apop
a b c d e f g h 6
pZnZpm0Z
10 Bd2
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
10 Nbd2 Nbd7 11 Nb3 Be4 12 Qd1 c5
4
0Z0O0A0Z
10. . . Nc6
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
Black meets the threat and counterattacks 2
POQZPOBO
against the d4-pawn. This might be
regarded as the ’modern’ move.
1
SNZRZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
11 Nbd2 NXd4 12 NXd4 BXg2 13 NXe6

8
rZ0l0skZ fXe6 14 KXg2 c5 15 Nf3 Qe8! 16 Rad1
7
Zbo0apop Nd5 17 Qe4 Qc6 18 Kh1 Rac8
6
pZnZpm0Z 11 Nc3 NXd4? 12 NXd4 BXg2 13 Rfd1!
Bd5 14 e4 b4 15 NXd5 eXd5 16 Nc6 Qd7
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0 17 e5 Nh5 18 RXd5
4
0Z0O0A0Z 11. . . Nb4
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 After White defends d4, Kravtsiv moves his
knight to b4. Strategically speaking it is not
2
POQZPOBO comfortable for Black to have his knight in
1
SNZ0ZRJ0 front of the backward pawn, as ...c7-c5 is
a b c d e f g h his key freeing advance. That is why he is
204
in a hurry to move the horse again. He 13 Ne5?!
reroutes it to d5 before White has the
chance to restrict it and fix it as a target on
c6 with 12 a3.
12 Qc1
8
rZ0l0skZ
The queen retreats, keeping c7 under
7
Zbo0apop
attack. 6
pZ0Zpm0Z
5
ZpZnM0Z0
4
0Z0O0A0Z
8
rZ0l0skZ 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
7
Zbo0apop 2
PO0ZPOBO
6
pZ0Zpm0Z 1
SNLRZ0J0
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0 a b c d e f g h
4
0m0O0A0Z
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 13 Nbd2!? NXf4 14 gXf4 c5 15 dXc5 Qc7
16 Nb3 Rac8 17 Ne5 BXg2 18 KXg2 g5!?
2
PO0ZPOBO 19 Nd3
1
SNLRZ0J0 13. . . Rc8
a b c d e f g h Continuing his provocative strategy.
12 QXc7? QXc7 13 BXc7 Nc2

12. . . Nbd5
The knight defends c7 and attacks the
8
0Zrl0skZ
white bishop on f4. 7
Zbo0apop
6
pZ0Zpm0Z
5
ZpZnM0Z0
8
rZ0l0skZ 4
0Z0O0A0Z
7
Zbo0apop 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
6
pZ0Zpm0Z 2
PO0ZPOBO
5
ZpZnZ0Z0 1
SNLRZ0J0
4
0Z0O0A0Z a b c d e f g h
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 13. . . NXf4 14 QXf4 BXg2 15 KXg2 c5 16
2
PO0ZPOBO Nc6 Qd7 17 NXe7+ QXe7 18 Nc3 cXd4 19
1
SNLRZ0J0 QXd4 Rfd8
a b c d e f g h
14 Nc6
The knight would be brilliant on c6 if it
12. . . Rc8 13 Nc3 Nbd5 14 NXd5 BXd5 15 could be maintained there. As this is not
Be3 Ng4 16 Ne1 BXg2 17 NXg2 Qd5 18 the case, the plan began with 13 Ne5 looks
h3 NXe3 19 QXe3 c5 suspect.
205
14. . . Qd7 15 NXe7+ QXe7 16 Bg5 19. . . RXc5? 20 QXc5 QXc5 21 BXb7
EXERCISE: You might like to have a go at 19. . . BXd5 20 b4
analyzing the freeing advance 16. ..c5 by
working out the variations after 17 Bxf6. 20 b4 d4!
Clearing the way for the bishop and at the
16. . . c5! same time stopping White developing with
This is the correct decision though you 21 Nc3.
have to be ready to make a pawn sacrifice.
17 BXf6 QXf6
8
0ZrZ0skZ
8
0ZrZ0skZ
7
ZbZ0lpop
7
ZbZ0Zpop
6
pZ0Z0Z0Z
6
pZ0Zpl0Z
5
ZpO0Z0Z0
5
ZponZ0Z0
4
0O0o0Z0Z
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PZ0ZPO0O
2
PO0ZPOBO
1
SNLRZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
1
SNLRZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
20. . . QXe2 21 Nc3 Qf3 22 Rd4
17. . . gXf6 21 RXd4 QXe2 22 Qe3?
17. . . NXf6 18 BXb7 QXb7 19 dXc5 This leads to a forced loss.
18 dXc5 Qe7
Forcing White’s hand by attacking c5.
19 BXd5 eXd5! 8
0ZrZ0skZ
Did you find this important recapture? 7
ZbZ0Zpop
6
pZ0Z0Z0Z
5
ZpO0Z0Z0
8
0ZrZ0skZ 4
0O0S0Z0Z
7
ZbZ0lpop 3
Z0Z0L0O0
6
pZ0Z0Z0Z 2
PZ0ZqO0O
5
ZpOpZ0Z0 1
SNZ0Z0J0
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z a b c d e f g h
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PO0ZPO0O 22 Nd2 Rfd8 23 Qc3
1
SNLRZ0J0 22. . . Qb2 23 Qc3 Rfe8!
a b c d e f g h Anton must have missed the strength of
this developing move. White is mated on
206
e1 if he takes the queen, which means he
cannot get his queenside pieces into the
game. The immediate threat is 24...Qxa1
which would still be the answer to 24 h4 as
25 Qxa1 then allows mate in two.
24 Rd1 Rcd8 25 RXd8
8
0Z0SrZkZ
7
ZbZ0Zpop
6
pZ0Z0Z0Z
5
ZpO0Z0Z0
4
0O0Z0Z0Z
3
Z0L0Z0O0
2
Pl0Z0O0O
1
SNZ0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
25 Rf1 Qe2 26 c6 Bc8 27 Na3 Rd3 28 Qc1

Qf3
25. . . RXd8 26 c6 Rd1+
8
0Z0Z0ZkZ
7
ZbZ0Zpop
6
pZPZ0Z0Z
5
ZpZ0Z0Z0
4
0O0Z0Z0Z
3
Z0L0Z0O0
2
Pl0Z0O0O
1
SNZrZ0J0
a b c d e f g h
26. . . Rd1+ 27 Kg2 QXc3 28 NXc3 BXc6+

0-1
207

The Catalan - Move by Move - Neil McDonald

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The Catalan - Move by Move - Neil McDonald

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Introduction

1 d4 d5 example, he obtains an endgame with a bet-

1 Nf3 Nf6 2 g3 d5 3 Bg2 e6 4 O-O Be7 5 c4

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 when Black

4. . . Bb4+ 5 Bd2 Be7

7. . . c6 8 Qc2 b6 9 Rd1 Ba6 10 b3 Nbd7 11

10. . . a5 11 Ne5! Bb7 12 Nc3 12 Nbd2 c5! 13 dXc5 BXc5

12. . . Nh5 13 Bc1! f5 14 e3

13 e4 c5? 14 d5 eXd5 15 e5 Nh5 16 NXd5 15 h3 b5

21 Nd5 Qd6 22 NXb6 RXb6 23 e5 22. . . Qd6 23 e5

26 Nc3 27. . . Rb1 28 Nb2 Ra1 29 Nbc4

31 BXf1 NXc3 32 QXc3

17 QXc4 BXg2 18 KXg2 Qb7+

36. . . Kh6 37 Nc5 BXc5 38 bXc5 37. . . f6 38 Nc6

1 d4 1. . . Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Bg2 Bb4+ 5 Bd2

25. . . g4 26 Rh7+ Kf8 27 Qd3 Bg7

32 g7 ZZ– 33 Bg6 QXg6 34 QXg6

26. . . BXf2?? 27 RXc8

1 d4 6 O-O dXc4 7 Qc2

7. . . cXd4 8 NXd4 e5 9 Nf5 d4 10 NXe7+ QXe7

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 6 QXc4 c5!

5 Bg2 c5 6 Qa4+ Bd7 7 QXc4 Bc6

7. . . cXd4 8 NXd4 Qb6 9 O-O 10 Qb4 a5 11 Qf4 BXc5 12 BXc5 NXc5 13

13. . . NXc5 14 Qf4!

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 6 QXc4 a6 7 Bg2 b5

9. . . Nd5? 10 Bg5! Be7 11 BXe7 QXe7 12

10. . . Nb4 11 Qd1 NXe5 12 dXe5 QXd1+ 13

16 Qa4+! b5 17 Qa3 c4 18 Qa5 QXe5? 19 20 Rab1 Rc5 21 Qd4

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Nf3 dXc4 5 Bg2

6. . . c6 7 NXc6 Qb6 8 Na5! Nd5 9 Bd2 Nc6

reducing the pressure on his queenside. 0ZpZpZ0Z

19. . . Qb6 20 NXb7 QXb7 21 BXd6+ NXd6

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2 7. . . Nd5

9 aXb5 aXb5 10 RXa8 BXa8 11 e4

22. . . BXe7 23 NXe7+ Kf8 24 NXc6

27. . . Qd8 28 Rh4+ QXh4 29 gXh4 Rg8+ 30

30 QXf7+ Rg6 31 g4+ Kh6 32 g5+ Kh5 33

8 e3 b5 9 Ne5 NXe5 10 BXa8 11. . . gXf6 12 Nd2!? b5 13 Qh5 f5

30. . . Bd8 31 QXa6

8. . . b5 9 NXd5 eXd5 10 dXc5

26 Nd6 Kg7 27 Rg4+

6 O-O b5 7 a4 Bb7 8 Ne5

12 Nc2!? Bb7 13 e4 Nc3 14 Qd2 c5 15 Qg5

25 Be7 b2 26 BXd8? QXd3!

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 Our familiar knight move to begin an as-

2. . . c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2 b5 6 b3

9 QXb3? QXd4 10 Bb2 Qb6 11 Bg5

12. . . QXd4 13 Nd5 Qc5 14 NXf6+ gXf6 15

37 bXa4 RXa4 38 RXa4 BXa4 39 c7 Rc8 40

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2

19 e4? Nd3 20. . . a3 21 Qb3

19. . . Qa5 21 Qc2 N5b4

24 Qa3 NXf2 25 RXb4

24. . . Rfd8 25 BXd3 RXd4 26 QXd4 Rd8 27

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dXc4 5 Bg2

one move he could develop with 8...Nc6, with opZ0Zpop

away to deter ...Nc6 and make the develop- Z0Z0M0Z0

ment of the bishop on c8 more awkward.

on my database. White has tried 8 Ne5 56 O0Z0Z0O0

9. . . Nc6 10 BXc6 bXc6 11 aXb4 Qb6 12 O-

16 BXb7 BXb7 17 RXb7 a5

1 d4 e6 2 c4 Nf6 3 Nf3 d5 4 g3 Bb4+