[Event "It"]
[Site "Sochi (Russia)"]
[Date "1980.??.??"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Vaganian, Rafael"]
[Black "Panchenko, Alexander N"]
[Result "0-1"]
[EventDate "1980.??.??"]
[ECO "D36"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Annotator "R.Scherbakov"]
[Source "ChessPublishing."]
[SourceDate "2005.02.19"]

{Though the minority attack (b2-b4-b5xc6) is tempting in Karlsbad pawn
structures it is not the main White weapon with the Knight on e2. In this game
White gave up the Bishop to gain a tempo for this plan by 11 Bxf6 Bxf6 12 b4.
Nowadays it is well known this idea promises nothing for White but in many
respects it happened to be thanks to this excellent and very instructive game.} 
1.c4 Nf6 2.d4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bg5 c6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Bd3 Be7 8.Qc2 O-O 
9.Nge2 Re8 10.O-O Nf8 11.Bxf6 {White parts with a dark-squared Bishop to gain a
tempo for the minority attack. This idea is not very popular with the knight on
f3 here it is even less promising.} ( {Generally speaking, the minority attack
itself is not too effective with the Knight on e2. After} 11.Rab1 {Black has
many possible answers, including strange looking} 11...a6 $5 ( 11...Bd6 $6 
{with idea ...Bxh2+ and ...Ng4 is not good as White suddenly switches to the
alternative plan:} 12.Kh1 Ng6 13.f3 $1 Be7 {(there was no better way of meeting
e3-e4)} 14.Rbe1 Nd7 15.Bxe7 Rxe7 16.Ng3 Nf6 17.Qf2 {a clear advantage, Botvinnik
- Keres, URS-ch, Moscow 1952} ) ( {among other alternatives} 11...Ng6 {looks
quite good, for example:} 12.Nf4 Ng4 $5 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.h3 Nf6 15.Nce2 Nh4 
16.g3 Nf3+ 17.Kg2 Ng5 18.h4 Nge4 19.Rbe1 Nd6 20.Nc3 h6 {and Black has no
problems, Chernin - Inkiov, Saint John 1988} ) 12.b4 ( {in the game Tavadian -
Chekhov, Irkutsk 1983 White refrained from the minority attack:} 12.Na4 $5 Ng6 
13.Ng3 Bd6 14.Rbe1 h6 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.f4 Nf8 $5 17.Qf2 Qh4 18.Qd2 Qd8 19.Bb1 
Nh7 20.a3 Nf6 {and Black had achieved a good play} ) 12...g6 ( {with the pawn on
b4} 12...Bd6 $5 {is maybe not so bad as compared to the game Botvinnik - Keres.
White cannot switch so easily to the plan with e3-e4 as the pawn on b4 is
hanging. In the game Chekhov - A.N. Panchenko White find no better move than} 
13.Bf5 {and after} 13...g6 14.Bxc8 Rxc8 15.Kh1 Ne6 16.Bh4 Ng7 17.Bg3 {a draw was
agreed} ) 13.a4 a5 $5 {(another int eresting idea - Black himself provokes
b4-b5. As we'll see he would meet b4-b5 with a6-a5 anyway but his idea is
probably to deprive White from possible a4-a5 by analogy to the game Kortchnoi -
Karpov. However it gives White another option which should be taken into
account)} 14.bxa5 $5 Rxa5 15.Nc1 Ne6 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Nb3 Ra7 18.a5 Be7 19.Ra1 
Bd6 20.Ne2 Bd7 21.Ra2 Qh4 22.Ng3 Rea8 23.Rfa1 Qf6 {Black is OK and here a draw
was agreed in the game Vaisser - Inkiov, Sochi1983.} ) 11...Bxf6 12.b4 a6 13.a4 
g6 14.b5 ( {Here} 14.a5 {is not too dangerous for Black:} 14...Bg4 15.Na4 Bxe2 
16.Bxe2 Rc8 17.Nc5 {and a draw was agreed in the game Spassky - Morovic
Fernandez, Vina del Mar 1989.} ) 14...a5 $1 {Nowadays this is well known and
typical reaction for the minority attack but twenty years ago it was rather a
new method of defence. Now the weakness of the pawn c6 (and of the square c5 as
well) cannot be exploited directly as the square a4 is not available for a white
knight. As to the b-file, Black can use square b4 for his pieces while the
square b5 is just covered by the pawn on c6.} 15.Nc1 $6 {The whole plan
connected with the text move seems to be wrong. White is trying to put another
knight on c5 but 1) it is not too dangerous for Black would begin direct play
against the King and, 2) as we'll see, it is not so easy to realize.} ( {The
immediate} 15.e4 {should be preferred, the game Fedorowicz - Diaz, Mexico 1991
continued with} 15...dxe4 16.Bxe4 Qd6 17.Rad1 Bd7 $13 {with good play for
Black.} ) 15...Ne6 16.Nb3 Qd6 17.Rfd1 Bd7 18.Qd2 Red8 19.Be2 Bg7 $1 {Starting a
very strong redeployment of pieces. While White has no active plan Black finds a
way to launch an initiative on the kingside.} 20.Ra2 Be8 {At the same time Black
keeps pressure on the e4 pawn to deprive White from a possible e3-e4.} 21.g3 
Bf8 22.Rb1 Qe7 23.Rc2 Qf6 {Now Black is ready to begin kingside actions by ..
.h5-h4, then Black can play ...Kg7, ...Rh8 and so on. A dark-squared Bishop is
in no hurry to occupy its ideal position on d6 - it might be useful on b4 as
well. Notice that the square c5 is still covered twice to prevent Nc5.} ( 
{Immediate} 23...h5 $5 {also deserved attention preventing at the same time
White's next move.} ) 24.bxc6 bxc6 25.Bg4 Bd7 26.Qd1 h5 27.Qf3 $2 {White was
already short of time and so makes a big mistake which leads to disaster.
Nevertheless White's life was already not easy.} 27...Qxf3 28.Bxf3 Ng5 29.Bd1 ( 
29.Bg2 Bf5 30.e4 dxe4 $19 {was hopeless.} ) 29...Bf5 $19 {The white pieces have
made great but useless efforts to begin queenside actions, now finally one of
them is lost. The rest is easy.} 30.h4 Ne6 31.Ne2 Rdb8 32.Rbb2 Bxc2 33.Bxc2 c5 
34.Ra2 Rb4 35.dxc5 Bxc5 36.Nxc5 Nxc5 37.Nd4 Rc8 38.Kg2 Kg7 39.Ra3 Ne6 {White
resi gned. An excellent game which raised the popularity of this system greatly
and is also a very instructive example for everybody who wants to play these
positions better. By the way it was a very important win for Alexander Panchenko
who scored a GM-norm in that tournament.} 0-1

[Event "Roma"]
[Site "Roma"]
[Date "1985.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Cebalo, Miso"]
[Black "Inkiov, Ventzislav"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[EventDate "1985.??.??"]
[ECO "D36"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Annotator "R.Scherbakov"]
[Source "ChessPublishing."]
[SourceDate "2005.02.19"]

{Here we'll consider the most popular counter plan against White's long castling
- a pawn avalanche on the queenside. Black was playing an excellent game but in
heavy time-trouble he stumbled just one step before glory...} 1.c4 e6 2.d4 Nf6 
3.Nc3 d5 4.Bg5 Be7 5.cxd5 exd5 6.e3 c6 7.Bd3 Nbd7 8.Qc2 O-O 9.Nge2 Re8 10.h3 
Nf8 11.O-O-O b5 {The queenside pawn avalanche is known to be double-edged and so
is quite acceptable for Black.} 12.Kb1 a5 13.g4 a4 14.Ng3 Qa5 15.Nce2 Bd7 {The
position after 15...Bd7 has been tested many times and so is rather important.
White has a number of possibilities. The game continued with} ( {It seems that
Black should not hurry with} 15...a3 16.b3 {as the rigidity of the queenside
pawn structure reduces Black's attacking possibilities:} 16...Bd7 17.Nf5 ( 
{after} 17.Rhg1 Kh8 {we reach the position from Hulak - Spassky, Toluca 1982
where after} 18.Nf5 Bxf5 19.gxf5 Rac8 20.Nf4 N8d7 21.Qe2 c5 $1 22.dxc5 ( {or} 
22.Bxf6 Nxf6 23.Bxb5 Red8 $36 {U.Nielsen - Van der Sterren, London 1993} ) 
22...Nxc5 23.Bxf6 Bxf6 24.Nxd5 Na4 $1 $36 {Black obtained a strong initiative} 
) 17...Bxf5 18.Bxf5 {with better chances. The game Gorelov - Shestakov, Moscow
1987 was continued with} 18...g6 $6 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Qxc6 $1 Bh4 21.Bd3 Bxf2 
22.Rhf1 Bxe3 23.Qxd5 Qc7 24.Bxb5 $16 {and Black did not have sufficient
compensation for the pawn.} ) ( 15...b4 $6 {seems to be dubious:} 16.Qxc6 Bd7 
17.Qc1 Ne6 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Qd2 g6 20.h4 Bg7 21.g5 Qb6 22.f4 $1 $16 {followed by
f5-f6 and in addition to the extra pawn White has good attacking prospects,
E.Vladimirov - van der Sterren, Oostende 1990.} ) 16.Bf5 {which is probably not
so good for White.} ( {Among the alternatives} 16.Nh5 {deserves attention, a
possible continuation being} 16...Nxh5 ( {after} 16...Ne4 17.Bxe7 Rxe7 18.Bxe4 
dxe4 19.Qc5 Ree8 20.Nef4 b4 21.Qxa5 Rxa5 22.Rc1 f6 23.Rc4 Rb5 24.Rhc1 $14 
{White achieved small advantage in the endgame, Barlov - Perdomo, Cannes 1996} 
) 17.Bxe7 Rxe7 18.gxh5 b4 19.Qd2 Re6 20.Rdg1 Kh8 21.Rh2 Rf6 22.Rhg2 Ne6 23.f4 
h6 24.h4 a3 25.b3 Rg8 $13 {with complicated play, Paehtz - Hjartarson, BL
1992/GER-chT.} ) ( {the main} 16.Nf5 {will be considered in the next game.} ) 
16...b4 $1 {Who cares about the c6 pawn? The initiative is more important!} 
17.Qd2 ( 17.Bxd7 N8xd7 18.Qxc6 $4 {was impossible due to} 18...Rac8 19.Qb7 Rc7 
$19 {and the Queen is trapped} ) ( {the superior attempt} 17.Bxf6 $5 {did not
promise too much either because of} 17...b3 $1 ( {Ventzislav Inkiov pointed out
the following spectacular line:} 17...Bxf6 $6 18.Bxd7 b3 ( 18...Nxd7 $5 19.Qxc6 
Nb6 ) 19.Qxc6 a3 {To conclude Black's attack fully compensates his heavy
material losses but actually it is not so clear after the simple} 20.Bxe8 {, for
example:} 20...bxa2+ ( 20...axb2 21.a4 ) 21.Kxa2 axb2+ 22.Kxb2 Qa2+ 23.Kc1 Rb8 
24.Qc2 Qa3+ 25.Kd2 Rb2 26.Ba4 $18 ) 18.Qc3 ( 18.Qc1 bxa2+ 19.Kxa2 Bxf6 $17 ) 
18...bxa2+ 19.Kxa2 Bxf6 20.Qxa5 Rxa5 $13 {and Black should be satisfied with
this position as the white king is still not quite safe. However maybe it was
the best way for White.} ) 17...g6 18.Bxd7 N8xd7 19.Rc1 Rac8 ( {The immediate} 
19...c5 {was not so clear:} 20.dxc5 Nxc5 21.Bxf6 Bxf6 22.Qxd5 Rac8 $13 ) 20.Nf4 
Nb6 $36 {It becomes clear that Black has better chances - he has the initiative
on the queenside and so White should defend carefully.} 21.Rhd1 $6 ( 21.Bxf6 
Bxf6 22.Rc5 Qa7 23.Qxb4 {was not so good as after} 23...Nc4 {the Rook could be
trapped:} 24.Qc3 Be7 25.Rxc4 dxc4 26.Qxc4 c5 {with better prospects for Black} 
) ( 21.Nd3 $5 {seemed more necessary here.} ) 21...Nc4 22.Qe2 Qb5 23.h4 $6 ( 
{Still} 23.Nd3 $5 {was a good defensive option.} ) 23...Bd6 $1 24.h5 ( 24.Bxf6 
$2 {was bad because of} 24...Bxf4 25.Qf3 Bxg3 26.Qxg3 ( {or} 26.fxg3 b3 27.a3 
Rxe3 28.Qf4 Nxa3+ 29.Ka1 Nc2+ 30.Kb1 a3 $19 ) 26...b3 27.a3 Nxa3+ $1 28.bxa3 
Qe2 $19 ) 24...Ne4 25.Nxe4 Rxe4 26.Qd3 ( 26.hxg6 Bxf4 27.gxh7+ Kxh7 $19 ) 
26...b3 27.a3 Rce8 $1 {Preparing for the breakthrough.} 28.hxg6 fxg6 29.Rc3 
{There was already no good defence against Black's idea.} 29...Bxf4 $1 30.Bxf4 
Rxf4 $3 31.exf4 Re2 $1 $19 {A final blow after which White is hopeless. However,
time trouble becomes a very important factor now.} 32.Kc1 $5 {The only attempt.} 
( {Other moves lost without any resistance:} 32.Qxe2 Nxa3+ 33.bxa3 Qxe2 $19 ) ( 
{or} 32.Rxc4 Qxc4 33.Qxc4 dxc4 $19 ) 32...Rxb2 $4 ( {According to Inkiov,
correct was} 32...Nxb2 $1 33.Qxb5 cxb5 34.Rc8+ Kf7 35.Rd2 Rxd2 36.Kxd2 Nc4+ 
37.Kc3 Nxa3 38.Rb8 Nc4 39.Rxb5 b2 40.Rb7+ Ke6 41.Kc2 a3 42.Ra7 Nd2 $19 {and
Black is winning.} ) 33.Rxc4 $1 dxc4 34.Qe4 {Suddenly the black king finds
himself too exposed.} 34...Rc2+ 35.Kb1 c3 {A draw was agreed. An interesting
game and a very good performance by Ventzislav Inkiov despite of the big mistake
in time-trouble.} ( {Nothing but trouble would be brought by} 35...Qd5 36.Qe8+ 
Kg7 37.Re1 {but Black could still make a draw by} 37...Rb2+ $1 38.Kc1 Rc2+ $11 
) 1/2-1/2

[Event "URS-ch otbor"]
[Site "Minsk"]
[Date "1986.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Nenashev, Alexander"]
[Black "Panchenko, Alexander N"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2405"]
[BlackElo "2435"]
[EventDate "1986.??.??"]
[ECO "D36"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[Annotator "R.Scherbakov"]
[Source "ChessPublishing."]
[SourceDate "2005.02.19"]

{Here White undertakes his plan in a most direct fashion but Black seemed to be
very well prepared for it. White King is escorted into Black's camp as far as h5
where it is checkmated. A game everybody has to see...} 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 
d5 4.Bg5 c6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Bd3 Be7 8.Qc2 O-O 9.Nge2 Re8 10.O-O Nf8 
11.f3 {The most direct and dangerous plan for Black. White is going to advance
e3-e4 immediately or after some preparation.} 11...Ng6 ( {Black has tried heaps
of possibilities here not all of them really deserve attention.} 11...Nh5 
{White has a small but stable advantage:} 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.e4 dxe4 14.fxe4 $14 
Bg4 ( {in the case of} 14...Be6 15.Rf2 $1 Nf6 16.h3 Rad8 17.Raf1 $36 {White's
advantage is also beyond doubt as has been proven in a number of games.} ) 
15.e5 $1 Rad8 16.Ne4 Ng6 17.Rad1 Rf8 18.h3 Bxe2 19.Bxe2 Nhf4 20.Bc4 {with a
clear edge, Ivanchuk - Yusupov, Bruxelles (m/3) 1991.} ) ( 11...Be6 {is a solid
and popular alternative which leads to the same positions quite often.} ) 12.e4 
{A straightforward approach.} ( {Both} 12.Rad1 ) ( {and} 12.Kh1 {, trying to
advance e3-e4 in the most favourable situation, seem to be more dangerous for
Black. Also deserving of attention is the plan of the f-pawn advance by Rae1,
Ng3, f3-f4 and so on.} ) 12...dxe4 13.fxe4 Be6 14.Rad1 ( 14.h3 $5 {leads to very
sharp play after} 14...c5 $5 ( 14...Nh5 $5 {deserves attention to avoid big
complications:} 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 16.e5 Qh4 17.Ne4 Nhf4 18.Nxf4 Nxf4 $13 {with a good
counterplay, A.Petrosian - Akopian, Erevan 1989} ) 15.Bxf6 ( {after} 15.d5 Bd7 
16.d6 $5 Bxd6 17.Bxf6 gxf6 18.Rad1 ( 18.Nd5 $5 Be5 19.Qxc5 $13 ) 18...Bc6 $1 
19.Bc4 Qe7 20.Nd5 Bxd5 21.Bxd5 $44 {White is not without compensation for the
pawn but it is obviously not Black who should be worried about the future} ) 
15...Bxf6 16.e5 Bg5 $1 ( {in case of} 16...cxd4 {White can achieve good
attacking possibilities by} 17.exf6 dxc3 18.bxc3 gxf6 19.Ng3 $1 $36 ) 17.d5 $1 
{but the games Vaisser - Pigusov, Pula 1988 and Baburin - Gleizerov, Voronezh
1988 have proved Black is probably holding on.} ) 14...Ng4 $1 15.Bc1 ( 15.Bxe7 
{is also in Black's favour:} 15...Qxe7 16.Qd2 c5 17.d5 Bd7 18.h3 N4e5 $15 {with
a small advantage, Padevsky - A.N.Panchenko, Moscow (GMA) 1989.} ) 15...c5 $1 
{Getting a very good square e5 for the pieces.} 16.d5 ( {In the game Neverov -
Gelfand, Uzhgorod 1987 White failed to equalized after} 16.Bb5 Qc7 17.g3 Red8 
18.d5 Bc8 $15 {with better chances.} ) 16...Bd7 17.Bb5 $2 {White is asking for
real trouble.} ( 17.h3 {had to be played but it is obvious that Black has little
to worry about:} 17...Qb6 ( {the simple} 17...N4e5 $5 {is worth considering} ) 
18.Bc4 $5 ( {after} 18.Qb3 $5 {a draw was agreed in the game Ruban - Baburin,
Voronezh 1988} ) ( 18.hxg4 $2 {is too bad:} 18...c4+ 19.Kh1 cxd3 20.Qxd3 Bxg4 
21.Qg3 h5 $17 {with a big advantage, Naumkin - Dreev, Vilnius 1988} ) 18...N4e5 
19.b3 $13 {with complicated play.} ) 17...Bxb5 18.Nxb5 Qb6 19.Nbc3 c4+ 20.Nd4 
Bf6 21.Ne2 N6e5 $17 {Black's initiative is very strong.} 22.h3 Nd3 $1 23.Qxc4 ( 
23.hxg4 Bxd4+ 24.Kh1 {was no better:} 24...Rxe4 {and} 25.Qxc4 {is impossible due
to} 25...Nxb2 $1 $19 ) 23...Nxc1 {Destroying a very important defender. Now
Black's dark-squared Bishop becomes monstrous.} 24.Rxc1 Rxe4 $1 ( 24...Ne3 $6 
25.Rxf6 $1 {could be much less evil for White.} ) 25.hxg4 Rxd4 $1 $19 {The
decisive blow. The white king is invited on a long trip...} 26.Nxd4 Bxd4+ 
27.Kh2 Qh6+ 28.Kg3 Qe3+ 29.Kh4 ( {Other moves would not help:} 29.Rf3 Be5+ 
{with Qh6 to follow} ) ( {or} 29.Kh2 Be5+ 30.Kh1 Qh6+ 31.Kg1 Bh2+ $1 32.Kf2 Re8 
$1 33.Qe4 $5 Qf6+ $19 ) 29...g5+ $1 30.Kh5 Qg3 31.Rh1 Qd6 32.Kxg5 Qf6+ 33.Kh5 
Be3 {White resigned.} 0-1

[Event "Borzhomi"]
[Site "Borzhomi"]
[Date "1988.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Scherbakov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2380"]
[BlackElo "2360"]
[EventDate "1988.??.??"]
[ECO "D36"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[Annotator "R.Scherbakov"]
[Source "ChessPublishing."]
[SourceDate "2005.02.19"]

{The plan ...Ng6 followed by ...Bd6 intending to trap the Bishop by h7-h6 seems
to be a more active attempt to achieve a counterplay although it does not work
every time. Here Black has surprisingly (and quickly!) found himself in a better
situation but White managed to hold balance with precise play.} 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 c6 6.e3 Nbd7 7.Bd3 Be7 8.Qc2 O-O 9.Nge2 Re8 10.O-O 
Nf8 11.a3 Ng6 {The text move seems to be the most active attempt to achieve
counterplay: Black has in mind the standard ...Bd6 followed by ...h6 trapping
the Bishop on g5.} ( {Black has lots of possible continuations.} 11...a5 $6 
{seems to be dubious:} 12.f3 ( {here} 12.Rab1 $5 {deserves attention, in the
game Vaganian - Kharitionov, Yaroslavl 1982 White achieved big advantage thanks
to the queenside weaknesses:} 12...Ng6 13.Ng3 Ng4 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.h3 Nf6 16.Na4 
$1 $16 ) 12...Ng6 13.e4 dxe4 14.fxe4 Bg4 ( 14...Be6 $5 ) 15.Bxf6 ( 15.Bc4 $5 b5 
16.Bxf7+ Kxf7 17.e5 Kg8 18.exf6 gxf6 19.Bh6 $36 ) 15...Bxf6 16.e5 Bg5 17.Bc4 
Be6 18.Bxe6 ( {deserving of attention was} 18.Ne4 $5 Be7 ( 18...Nf4 19.Nd6 $5 
Bxc4 20.Qxc4 Nxe2+ 21.Kh1 $40 ) 19.Bxe6 fxe6 20.Rad1 $14 {with a small
advantage, according to Valery Salov} ) 18...Rxe6 19.Ne4 Be7 ( 19...Be3+ 20.Kh1 
Bxd4 $2 21.Rad1 c5 22.Nxc5 $18 ) 20.Rad1 Qd5 21.N2c3 Qc4 22.b3 Qa6 23.Na4 b6 
24.Rf3 {with a definite advantage, Salov - Beliavsky, Reykjavik 1991} ) ( 
11...Ng4 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.h3 Nf6 14.Ng3 Be6 15.Rae1 $14 {with the better chances,
Polugaevsky-Torre,Zagreb izt 1987} ) ( 11...Be6 12.b4 Rc8 {looks solid but
somewhat illogical as an advance ...c6-c5 is not on the agenda. A possible
continuation is} 13.f3 Ng6 ( 13...N6d7 14.Bxe7 Rxe7 15.Rad1 $14 {Olafsson - Van
der Sterren, Manila 1992} ) 14.e4 dxe4 15.fxe4 a5 $132 {and Black had achieved
counterplay, Gulko-Van der Sterren,Munich 1990. White probably should have done
more preparation for e3-e4, such as Rad1 or Kh1.} ) ( 11...g6 {can lead to the
game Kasparov - Short, London (m/15) 1993 after} 12.b4 a6 {and so on.} ) 12.b4 
( {Immediate} 12.Ng3 {was also tested:} 12...Bd6 13.Rae1 ( 13.f4 {looks
interesting, look how skilfully Black solved his problems in this game:} 
13...Be7 14.h3 Bd7 15.Rae1 Rc8 16.Qf2 Nf8 $5 17.Nf5 Bxf5 18.Bxf5 Rc7 19.Bb1 Ng6 
{(how many times has this knight has been here?)} 20.Qf3 h6 21.f5 Nf8 {(it seems
like the Knight is on charge here)} 22.Bh4 N8h7 23.Kh1 Rd7 24.Re2 Ng5 25.Bxg5 
hxg5 $15 {and Black's chances are already slightly better, G. Georgadze -
Pigusov, Minsk 1986} ) 13...h6 {Now in the game Ligterink - Van der Sterren,
Amsterdam 1987 White went for} 14.Bxh6 $5 gxh6 15.Bxg6 fxg6 16.Qxg6+ Kh8 17.e4 
{and now} 17...Bf4 $13 {with unclear play had to be preferred.} ) 12...a6 
{Black has to waste a tempo to prevent b4-b5.} 13.Ng3 ( 13.Na4 Bd6 14.Ng3 h6 
15.Bxf6 Qxf6 {was nothing special, Fedorowicz - Spassky, New York 1987} ) ( {in
the game R.Scherbakov - A.N.Panchenko, Russia (ch) Elista 1995 White achieved a} 
13.Rad1 Ng4 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.h3 Nf6 16.Ng3 a5 17.Qb2 axb4 18.axb4 Be6 19.b5 c5 
20.dxc5 Qxc5 21.Nce2 $14 ) 13...Bd6 14.Rae1 h6 15.Bxg6 $6 ( 15.Bxh6 $5 {looked
more promising, although Black's chances should not be worse after} 15...gxh6 
16.Bxg6 fxg6 17.Qxg6+ Kh8 18.e4 Bf4 $13 {with unclear play, Z.Polgar - Ivanchuk,
Monaco 1993.} ) 15...hxg5 $1 16.Bd3 Be6 $15 {Black has achieved the better
chances. Now White should play carefully to avoid the worst.} 17.Na4 Rc8 $1 
18.Nc5 Rc7 19.Bf5 $1 {Otherwise Black's initiative on the kingside would become
dangerous: ...g6, ... Kg7, ...Bc8, ...Rh8 and so on.} 19...Bxf5 20.Qxf5 Nh7 
21.e4 $1 {White should open the center despite isolating the pawn on d4.} 
21...Bxg3 ( 21...dxe4 {came into mind to keep the Bishop on the board but after} 
22.Rxe4 {the capture on g3 was more or less forced anyway} ( 22.Ngxe4 g6 ( 
22...Be7 $5 ) 23.Qf3 Bf8 $15 ) ) 22.hxg3 g6 23.Qf3 dxe4 24.Rxe4 Rxe4 25.Qxe4 
Re7 26.Qd3 Nf6 $15 {Still Black is better but a very strong knight on c5 makes
White's task not so difficult.} 27.Qd2 {Reminding black about the pawn on b7 by
means of Re1.} 27...Ne4 28.Qb2 Nf6 29.Qd2 Qd5 30.Re1 $1 Rxe1+ 31.Qxe1 b6 $1 
32.Nxa6 Qxd4 {I was quite satisfied with the position. Black looks dominant: the
c-pawn is fast while the White pieces are passive and cannot create any
counterplay because his King is not safe - after ...Ng4 some tricks are possible
using 1st rank or h-file. But fortunately White has a very important resource.} 
33.a4 $1 c5 34.a5 ( 34.bxc5 $6 bxc5 {looked suspicious for White as his knight
could get into trouble. Besides the pawn is on its way...} ) 34...bxa5 ( 
34...cxb4 35.axb6 Qxb6 36.Nxb4 ) 35.bxc5 $1 {Very precisely calculated.} 
35...a4 ( {Black could force perpetual by means of the spectacular} 35...Ng4 
36.c6 Nxf2 37.Qxf2 Qa1+ 38.Qf1 Qd4+ 39.Kh2 Qh8+ $11 ) ( {White would still have
to work after} 35...Qc4 $5 36.Qf1 ( {of course not} 36.Qxa5 $4 Qc1+ 37.Kh2 Ng4+ 
38.Kh3 Qh1+ 39.Kxg4 Qh5# ) 36...Qc2 {but being unde r time pressure I wanted to
advance my pawn as quickly as possible.} ) 36.c6 Qc4 37.c7 $1 a3 ( 37...Qxa6 $4 
38.Qe7 $18 {with next Qd8 was terrible for Black.} ) 38.Qb4 Qc1+ 39.Kh2 a2 {At
first sight Black is winning but the cool} 40.Qd4 $1 {has dampen my ardour.} 
40...a1=Q {After Alexey's unexpected move I was very close to lose by time being
a little bit shocked.} 41.c8=Q+ $1 ( 41.Qxa1 $4 {would be terrible for White due
to} 41...Ng4+ $1 42.Kh3 Nxf2+ 43.Kh2 Qxa1 44.c8=Q+ Kg7 $19 {and Black is
winning.} ) 41...Kg7 ( {After} 41...Qxc8 42.Qxa1 Ng4+ 43.Kg1 Qc4 {White has
slight problems due to the badly placed knight which could be solved by
something like} 44.Qf1 Qc3 45.Qd1 ) 42.Qxa1 {Quite an unusual question to
ponder: which queen should be captured?!} 42...Qxa1 43.Qc4 Qb2 44.f3 Nd7 {Black
still has some chances to confuse his opponent.} 45.Nc5 Ne5 46.Qb3 Qd4 47.Ne4 
g4 48.Ng5 {With the idea of Qxf7+!} 48...gxf3 49.Nxf3 ( {White is not so
stupid:} 49.Qxf7+ $4 Nxf7 50.Ne6+ Kf6 51.Nxd4 f2 $19 ) 49...Ng4+ 50.Kh3 Nf2+ 
51.Kh2 Qa1 52.Ng1 Ng4+ 53.Kh1 Nf2+ 54.Kh2 Ng4+ 55.Kh1 Qe1 {With the idea o Ne3
but unfortunately the white pieces are too passive...} 56.Qxf7+ $1 {A very nice
finish. An interesting and rather instructive game.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Magnitogorsk (Russia)"]
[Site "Magnitogorsk (Russia)"]
[Date "1989.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Maksjutov"]
[Black "Scherbakov, Ruslan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[EventDate "1989.??.??"]
[ECO "D36"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[Annotator "R.Scherbakov"]
[Source "ChessPublishing."]
[SourceDate "2005.02.19"]

{Here will consider another possible set-up connected with f-pawn advance.
Black's pieces suddenly faced the problem of the lack of possible retreat
squares. Fortunately there was just enough room on the boar for active
counterplay...} 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.e3 c6 7.Bd3 
Be7 8.Nge2 O-O 9.Qc2 Re8 10.O-O Nf8 11.Rad1 {A modern approach. White tries to
keep his plan in secret for a while. Nevertheless it is hard to believe he has
something other than e3-e4 (after f2-f3) in mind.} 11...Ng6 ( {Black has a
number of alternatives:} 11...Ne4 $6 {is dubious:} 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Bxe4 dxe4 
14.Ng3 f5 15.d5 {with a clear edge, Toth - Radnoti, Budapest 1968} ) ( 11...Ng4 
{grants White small but stable advantage:} 12.Bxe7 Rxe7 13.h3 Nf6 14.Ng3 $14 
{Tukmakov - Timoshchenko, USSR 1987} ) ( 11...Nh5 $5 {with the same idea seems
to be more precise:} 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Rfe1 ( {after} 13.Na4 Ng6 14.Rfe1 Bg4 
15.Bf5 Bxf5 16.Qxf5 Nf6 17.Ng3 Ne4 18.Nxe4 Qxe4 $11 {Black had completely
equalized in the game Drasko - Mirkovic, Belgrade 1989} ) 13...Ng6 ( {the idea
to part with the Bishop by} 13...Bg4 14.h3 Bxe2 {does not solve the problems:} 
( 14...Bd7 $5 ) 15.Qxe2 Nf6 16.f3 Ne6 17.Qf2 c5 18.dxc5 $5 ( {after} 18.Bc2 $5 
a6 19.dxc5 Qxc5 20.Bb3 Rad8 21.Re2 Nc7 22.Rd3 Nb5 23.Nxb5 Qxb5 24.Red2 $14 
{White has obtained a small but lasting edge, Tukmakov - Lputian, Sochi 1987} ) 
18...Qxc5 19.e4 $1 {the game V.Milov - V.Bagirov, Biel 1999 further continued
with} 19...d4 $6 ( {according to Vadim Milov, Black should have played} 
19...dxe4 20.Nxe4 Nxe4 21.Bxe4 Qxf2+ 22.Kxf2 Nc5 23.Bd5 Rxe1 24.Kxe1 $14 {with a
worse ending} ) 20.Ne2 Rad8 21.f4 Qa5 22.Ng3 Nc5 23.a3 Qb6 24.b4 Na4 25.Rd2 Nc3 
26.e5 Nfd5 27.Nf5 $36 {and White had achieved a rather strong initiative.} ) 
14.Ng3 Nxg3 15.hxg3 Be6 16.a3 Qd6 {with quite a solid position, V.Milov -
Asrian, New York 1998.} ) ( {in case of} 11...g6 12.f3 Ne6 13.Bh4 Nh5 14.Bf2 
{White keeps better chances, Avrukh - Lugovoi, Beer Sheva 1999 and Vasilevich -
Hunt, Bratislava 1993.} ) 12.Ng3 ( {By means of} 12.f3 {White can transpose to
the main lines which will be considered in the next games.} ) 12...Be6 {As we
have already seen the manoeuvre ...Be7-d6 followed by ...h7-h6 is not possible
every time.} 13.h3 Rc8 14.f4 {White chooses another possible plan connected with
the f-pawn advance. This set-up is rather poisonous as the black pieces look
slightly overcrowded in the center. Besides this advance wins a couple of tempi.
Its main drawback is that the pawn e3 becomes detached and White's central pawns
cannot be improved with e3-e4 because the pawn d4 would become isolated in this
case. We have already seen a very similar position in the game G. Georgadze -
Pigusov, Minsk 1986 - see the comments to the game Shirov - Scherbakov. The only
difference is that the Rook was on d1 there but in my opinion it is doubtful if
it is better placed on e1.} 14...Nf8 ( {Pigusov preferred to retreat with the
Bishop by} 14...Bd7 {in similar situation.} ) 15.f5 ( {In a game of his
Georgadze postponed this pawn advance and played} 15.Qf2 {having the Bishop g5
protected.} ) 15...Bd7 16.Qf2 ( 16.Bf4 c5 $13 {would lead to unclear and
complicated play.} ) 16...Ng4 $1 17.hxg4 Bxg5 18.e4 {My opponent looked quite
satisfied after this move but he had obviously missed the following
redeployment.} 18...Bh6 $1 {A very difficult move but a very strong one.} ( 
{After} 18...dxe4 $6 19.Ncxe4 {following with Bc4 White's pieces could become
very active.} ) 19.Rfe1 Qg5 $1 20.Qf3 Rcd8 $1 {The tension is growing...} ( 
20...dxe4 21.Ngxe4 Qf4 $13 {was not at all bad but it gives White's pieces more
possibilities to be activated while my own forces are still rather passive,
especially the bishop on d7.} ) 21.e5 $2 {Surprisingly enough this natural move
is a big mistake which totally deprives White of active possibilities. The
central pawns look strong but actually require a lot of attention.} ( {The more
concrete} 21.exd5 $1 {should have been preferred after which Black had a choice
between} 21...Re3 ( {and} 21...cxd5 {with unclear and complicated play} ) ) 
21...Bc8 {Regrouping the pieces and preparing for the break.} 22.b4 Nd7 23.Na4 
b6 24.Kf2 Bb7 25.Rb1 ( 25.Rh1 {could be met by} 25...Nf6 ( {or by} 25...g6 
{every time} ) ) 25...Ba8 26.Re2 Rc8 27.Ba6 Rc7 28.Rc2 {White has more or less
prevented ... c6-c5 but Black has some possibilities on the other side of the
board.} 28...g6 $1 ( 28...Nf6 $2 {was hasty:} 29.exf6 Re3 30.Re1 $1 Rxf3+ 
31.gxf3 {and Black suffers from the weakness of his back rank.} ) 29.Ne2 $2 {A
decisive mistake in the time-trouble - White has forgotten about Black's idea.
In fairness, it was already not so easy to prevent ...Nf6 or ...c5.} 29...Nf6 
$1 $19 30.Bd3 $2 Nxg4+ 31.Kg1 Qh4 {White resigned. A rather instructive game.} 0-1

[Event "Leningrad-chT"]
[Site "Leningrad"]
[Date "1989.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Vladimirov, Evgeny"]
[Black "Baburin, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2565"]
[BlackElo "2415"]
[EventDate "1989.??.??"]
[ECO "D36"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[Annotator "R.Scherbakov"]
[Source "ChessPublishing."]
[SourceDate "2005.02.19"]

{The most dangerous plan for Black. In this game he solved the problems rather
confidently but the variation is still not well-developed and improvements are
quite possible.} 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 c6 7.Qc2 
O-O 8.Bd3 Nbd7 9.Nge2 Re8 10.O-O-O Nf8 11.h3 b5 {Still, the of a queenside pawn
avalanche remains to be the main Black's weapon in this line.} ( {Black has also
tried for counterplay with other moves:} 11...Qa5 12.Kb1 ( 12.g4 Ne4 13.Bxe7 
Nxc3 14.Nxc3 Rxe7 15.Kb1 $14 {E.Vladimirov - Granda Zuniga, Cordoba 1990} ) 
12...Be6 13.f4 $5 Rad8 14.g4 Bc8 15.Bh4 Ne4 16.Be1 Nxc3+ 17.Nxc3 Qc7 18.Bf2 $14 
{with a small advantage, Ward - van der Sterren, London 1992} ) ( 11...Be6 
12.g4 Rc8 13.Kb1 a6 ( {The immediate} 13...c5 $5 {was worthy of consideration} 
) 14.f4 Rc7 15.f5 Bc8 16.Bf4 Bd6 17.Rhe1 Rce7 $14 {and Black was able to hold
the balance with careful play, J.Ivanov - Grosar, Sochi 1989} ) 12.Kb1 a5 13.g4 
a4 14.Ng3 Qa5 15.Nce2 Bd7 16.Nf5 {Logical and probably the best continuation.} 
16...Bxf5 17.gxf5 ( {As we'll see White would not achieve too much with the open
g-file so} 17.Bxf5 $5 {deserves serious attention. A possible continuation would
be} 17...Ra6 ( 17...g6 $2 {is a big mistake because of} 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Qxc6 $1 
Bh4 20.Qxd5 $1 Bxf2 ( {after} 20...gxf5 $2 {Black has no good defence against
Rhg1 with Qg2 to follow} 21.gxf5 ) 21.Qf3 Bh4 ( 21...Bxe3 $2 22.Be4 ) 22.Be4 
Ra7 23.Bd5 Ne6 24.e4 $16 {with a huge advantage, Granda Zuniga - Montecatine,
Dos Hermanas 1991} ) 18.Bd3 ( 18.Nf4 {seems to be less precise:} 18...b4 19.Qd2 
Ne4 $1 20.Bxe4 Bxg5 {with excellent play, M.Marin - Condie, Oakham 1986} ) 
18...Rb6 19.Ng3 b4 20.Qd2 g6 {with complicated and double-edged play where
White's chances are maybe slightly better, Ward - Olesen, Hillerod 1995.} ) 
17...Rac8 18.Rhg1 Kh8 19.f3 $5 {With the text move White not only covers the e4
square but opens the 2nd rank for the Queen which can immediately go to the
g-file.} ( {This continuation looks much stronger than the usually played
alternatives:} 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Nf4 Nd7 21.Rc1 b4 ( {or} 21...a3 22.b3 c5 $5 $13 
{Tisdall - Inkiov, Gausdal 1990} ) 22.Qd1 a3 23.b3 c5 $36 {with initiative,
Kecskes - P.Horvath, Nagykanizsa 1993} ) ( {or} 19.Nf4 N8d7 20.Qe2 a3 21.b3 c5 
$1 {and we have transposed to the games Hulak - Spassky, Toluca (izt) 1982 and
Nielsen - Van der Sterren, London 1993 where Black's position was overwhelming-
refer to the my comments in the game Cebalo - Inkiov, Roma 1985.} ) 19...c5 
20.Nf4 N8d7 21.Qg2 Rg8 {Neutralizing White's ideas connected with the open
g-file.} 22.dxc5 Bxc5 23.Rge1 a3 24.b3 Rce8 {Black is completely OK.} 25.Qc2 
Qb6 ( 25...Bxe3 $2 {was a clear mistake because of} 26.Rxe3 $1 Rxe3 27.Ng6+ 
fxg6 28.Bxe3 $36 {with the advantage thanks to the strong pair of bishops.} ) 
26.e4 dxe4 27.fxe4 Bb4 28.Rf1 Bd6 29.Qf2 {Here a draw was agreed. White should
probably pay more attention to 17 Bf5!?} 1/2-1/2

[Event "US Masters, Oak Bridge, IL USA"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2000.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Baburin, Alexander"]
[Black "Ziatdinov, Rashid"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2590"]
[BlackElo "2470"]
[EventDate "2000.??.??"]
[ECO "D36"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[Annotator "R.Scherbakov"]
[Source "ChessPublishing."]
[SourceDate "2005.02.19"]

{An instructive game. Black was punished for his superficial play very
conclusively.} 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 O-O 7.Bd3 
Nbd7 8.Nge2 c6 9.Qc2 Re8 10.O-O Nf8 11.f3 Be6 12.Rad1 Qa5 $6 {This Queen sortie
is rather unusual. Its main idea is probably to make it more difficult for White
to advance with e3-e4, as his Bishop on g5 will be hanging after dxe4. Besides
the typical manoeuvre Bh4-f2 is not possible immediately, because of the
unexpected Nf6-g4! However White finds a good way to show the drawbacks of the
Queen's placement.} ( 12...Ng6 ) ( {and} 12...Rc8 {are the main continuations,
after which White has a wide choice - see the game Sadler - Asrian, Las Vegas
FIDE-ch KO 1999 for analysis.} ) 13.a3 $1 {This modest pawn advance is the
point. b2-b4 is on the agenda now despite the fact that the pawn on a3 is
unprotected.} ( 13.Bh4 $2 Ng4 $1 ) 13...Rac8 14.Kh1 {A good prophylactic move.} 
( {Now after} 14.Bh4 Ng4 $6 {does not have the same effect because of} 15.Bxe7 
Nxe3 16.Bb4 $1 {but White has other ideas in mind too.} ) 14...a6 15.b4 $1 
{White takes the opportunity to widen his sphere of influence on the Q-side. It
is important to deprive Black of the c6-c5 possibility, after which the advance
e3-e4 will come with heightened effect.} 15...Qc7 ( 15...Qxa3 $4 {is impossible
as after} 16.Rb1 $18 {the Queen is trapped as there is no defence against Rb3.
Notice that without the move a7-a6 Black could save his Queen with b7-b5
securing the a6 square.} ) 16.Na4 Nh5 17.Bxe7 Rxe7 18.Nc5 $16 {Black's position
is difficult there is no sign of counterplay and e3-e4 is coming.} 18...Rce8 
19.e4 dxe4 20.fxe4 Bc8 ( {According to Alexander Baburin} 20...Bg4 {does not
solve Black's problems:} 21.e5 {and the attempt} 21...f6 $2 {fails to} 22.h3 $1 
( {or} 22.Qc4+ $1 Kh8 23.d5 $18 {winning} ) 22...Bxe2 23.Qb3+ Kh8 24.Bxe2 g6 
25.Bxh5 gxh5 26.Rxf6 $18 {and White is winning.} ) 21.e5 {Securing a n outpost
on d6 for one of his Knights. Taking into consideration the fact that the Knight
on h5 cannot be supported by g7-g6 as it fatally weakens the f6 square, Black
goes for a pawn break which only hastens the bitter end.} 21...f6 22.Bc4+ Kh8 
23.Ne4 $1 {The decisive manoeuvre.} 23...fxe5 24.dxe5 {Material losses are
inevitable.} 24...Ng6 ( {More stubborn was} 24...Qxe5 25.Nd6 Nf6 26.Nxe8 Rxe8 
$16 {with a large advantage to White according to Baburin.} ) 25.Ng5 $1 $18 
{The final accuracy.} ( {If} 25.Nd6 Nxe5 26.Nxe8 Rxe8 $132 {Black has some
counterplay.} ) 25...Qxe5 26.Nf7+ Rxf7 27.Bxf7 {Black resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Porto Mannu op 8th"]
[Site "Porto Mannu Palau"]
[Date "2016.06.10"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Moroni, Luca Jr"]
[Black "Brunello, Sabino"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2448"]
[BlackElo "2570"]
[EventDate "2016.06.04"]
[ECO "D36"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Annotator "Illingworth,Max"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[Source "ChessPublishing.com"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.20"]

1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 c6 6.e3 Be7 7.Bd3 Nbd7 8.Qc2 O-O 
9.Nge2 {This setup is the most popular at present, probably influenced by
Botvinnik and Kasparov, but I'll demonstrate that here too Black is able to
obtain equality with some very clear plans.} 9...Re8 10.O-O ( 10.O-O-O $6 {is
rarely seen and with good reason, as Black is already fighting for an advantage
with} 10...b5 $1 11.Kb1 a5 {. Since virtually nobody plays this way as White,
I'll limit myself to one practical example:} 12.Bf4 Ba6 13.h3 b4 ( 13...Nb6 $5 
) 14.Na4 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 Nb6 16.Nxb6 Qxb6 17.Rc1 Ne4 $17 18.Rhf1 Bd6 19.f3 Bxf4 
20.fxe4 dxe4 21.Qc4 Bxe3 22.Rxf7 Qa6 23.Qxa6 Rxa6 24.Rcf1 c5 25.dxc5 Bxc5 
26.Rc7 Bd6 27.Rd7 Be5 28.Rff7 Rc6 29.a4 bxa3 30.bxa3 Rb8+ 31.Rb7 Rb6+ {0-1 (31)
Zidek,V (2166)-Horak,J (2256) Nachod 2011} ) 10...Nf8 11.f3 ( 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 
12.b4 {is less effective here than with the knight on f3 (where it still wasn't
that great!) as now we don't have to worry about Ne5 at any moment.} 12...a6 
13.a4 g6 14.b5 Ne6 15.bxc6 bxc6 {Traditionally you don't want to have two 'weak'
pawns on the queenside, but here it works because a4 is not available for
White's knight or queen.} 16.Rab1 a5 $15 {and Black will hold the queenside by
placing his bishops on d6 and d7, while steadily pursuing his kingside play. I
think Black's game is already more pleasant.} ) ( 11.Rab1 {likewise feels a bit
inconsistent, and Black should have several good replies.} 11...a5 12.a3 b5 $5 
{I like this one for two reasons - it's creative, and the engine has no idea how
to meet it, wanting to play Ra1!} 13.f3 g6 14.Nd1 Bb7 15.Nf4 Kg7 16.Nf2 h6 
17.Bxf6+ Bxf6 $11 ) ( 11.Rae1 $5 {was generally thought to be inaccurate because
it allows ...Nh5, but I think White can play those positions.} 11...g6 ( 
11...Nh5 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 {feels quite a bit easier for White to play, like in this
email game:} 13.Nc1 Be6 14.f3 Nf6 15.Qf2 Rad8 16.Bb1 b6 17.Nd3 Bc8 18.Ne5 Qd6 
19.Bd3 Bb7 20.g4 N6d7 21.f4 f6 22.Nf3 c5 23.Nh4 g6 24.Nf3 cxd4 25.Nxd4 Nc5 
26.Bb5 Re7 27.Rd1 Nfe6 28.Nc2 Qc7 29.Rd2 a6 30.Be2 b5 31.Rfd1 Red7 32.b4 Qc6 
33.Qg2 Ne4 34.Nxe4 dxe4 35.Rxd7 Rxd7 36.Rxd7 Qxd7 37.f5 Qc8 38.fxe6 Qxc2 39.Qg3 
Qxe2 40.Qb8+ Kg7 41.Qxb7+ Kh6 42.Qxe4 Qe1+ 43.Kg2 Qe2+ 44.Kg1 {1/2-1/2 (44)
Moise,O (2455)-De Blasio,M (2564) ICCF email 2005} ) 12.Nf4 $5 {A very decent
independent option, playing against ...Ne6. Instead} ( 12.f3 {transposes to 11.
f3.} ) 12...Kg7 13.Bh4 Ne6 14.Nfe2 $5 {White managed to keep all the pieces on
the board, but the standard plan still seems all right for Black:} ( 14.f3 {is
rarely a transformation that will favour White.} 14...Nxf4 15.exf4 Nh5 16.Bxe7 
Rxe7 17.Qd2 Rxe1 18.Rxe1 Qf6 $11 ) ( 14.Nxe6+ Bxe6 15.f3 Rc8 {on the other hand
gives Black quite free development with the trade of knights, and he can play
for the ...c5 break to eventually free himself. For example:} 16.Na4 ( {or} 
16.Qe2 c5 $132 {and in some cases even ...c4 and ...b5-b4 could follow.} ) 
16...Nd7 17.Bxe7 Qxe7 18.Nc3 c5 $11 ) 14...b5 $5 15.h3 Kg8 $1 {(to meet f4 with
...Ng7)} 16.Nb1 $5 Bd7 17.Nd2 Rc8 18.Nb3 a5 $11 {and Black will liquidate the c5
hole with ...a4 or ...c5, depending on White's play.} ) 11...g6 $1 {This is my
favourite option, though obviously there are playable alternatives. One of the
more unusual ideas is} ( 11...Ng6 12.Rad1 ( 12.e4 dxe4 13.fxe4 Be6 14.h3 c5 
15.d5 Bd7 {is known to be fine for Black, e.g.} 16.d6 $5 Bxd6 17.Nd5 Be7 
18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Nxf6+ gxf6 20.Ng3 Re5 21.Be2 Bc6 22.Rad1 Qe7 23.Nf5 Qf8 24.Ne3 
Bxe4 25.Bd3 Bxd3 26.Qxd3 Kg7 27.Nf5+ Kh8 $11 ) 12...h6 $5 {, which actually
isn't a pawn sacrifice but it feels quite artificial.} 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Bxg6 
fxg6 15.e4 Bg5 16.f4 Bh4 17.e5 Bf5 18.Qd2 Rf8 $11 {and Black is able to maintain
the blockade on the centre and equalise, though I guess it's not to my taste.} 
) ( 11...Be6 12.Rad1 Rc8 13.a3 {in turn seems to offer White a small edge.} ) 
12.Rad1 {It is extremely natural to place the rook opposite Black's queen.} ( 
12.Kh1 Ne6 13.Bh4 b5 {might actually transpose to the game after 14.Rad1.
Instead,} 14.a3 ( 14.Rac1 Bb7 15.Nd1 {is a reasonable-looking regrouping, but
Black is in time to get counterplay with} 15...Rc8 16.Qb1 Nd7 17.Bxe7 Qxe7 
18.Nf2 Nc7 $1 19.e4 dxe4 20.fxe4 c5 $15 ) 14...Bb7 15.Rad1 a5 {This is logical
when White played a3, to avoid the clamping down of the queenside with b4.} 
16.Qc1 ( 16.Bg3 Bf8 {followed by ...Rc8, ...b4 and ...c5 is also equal.} ) 
16...Rc8 ( 16...b4 17.Na4 Nd7 {is suggested by the machine, to accelerate the
...c5 break, but even here Black will probably play ...Rc8, so the move order is
not critical.} ) 17.e4 $6 b4 18.axb4 axb4 19.Na4 c5 {and Black's pieces are more
harmoniously placed for the liquidation of the centre:} 20.Nxc5 Nxc5 ( 
20...dxe4 $1 21.fxe4 Nxe4 $15 {is tactically in Black's favour.} ) 21.dxc5 Rxc5 
22.Qe3 Nd7 23.Bf2 Ra5 $11 {and while the engine gives equality, one feels that
White's centre is under pressure, ½-½ (46) Kristiansen,J (2412)-Hansen,S (2576)
Svendborg 2015} ) ( 12.Rae1 {is a very ambitious move, but if White can't
achieve the e4 break, the rook will look a bit curious here.} 12...Ne6 13.Bh4 ( 
13.Bh6 $5 {might not be worse, since it can be useful to have the e3-pawn
protected after the ...c5 dxc5 Bxc5 transformation.} 13...c5 {This break is the
most direct, and would probably be my choice in blitz:} ( 13...Bd7 {is a natural
move, keeping options of both ...c5 and ...b5 open, e.g.} 14.Nf4 Rc8 15.Qf2 c5 
$1 {with fine counterplay, as the d4-pawn is not on:} 16.Nfxd5 $2 Nxd5 17.Nxd5 
Bh4 18.g3 Bg5 19.Bxg5 Nxg5 {and both ...Nh3 and ...Bh3 are on the cards.} 
20.Kh1 Bc6 21.e4 Bxd5 22.exd5 Qxd5 23.Rxe8+ Rxe8 24.Bb5 Rd8 25.dxc5 Qxa2 $15 ) 
( 13...Bd6 14.Nf4 {This allows a very nice tactical opportunity:} ( 14.h3 $6 
Nh5 $1 {shows up the new weakness on g3.} ) ( 14.Kh1 {is possibly the most
thematic move.} 14...Bd7 15.Qd2 b5 $5 16.g4 $1 {The problem for Black here is
that the thematic ...c5 will be met with g5.} 16...Qb6 17.Bc2 a5 18.Nf4 a4 
19.Nce2 b4 {and Black has queenside counterplay, though I suspect White has some
edge with best play.} 20.b3 $1 $14 ) 14...Ng4 $1 {(naturally, taking on f4 was
also possible)} 15.fxg4 Qh4 16.Qf2 Qxh6 17.g5 Qg7 18.Nxe6 Bxe6 19.e4 {and
because White has doubled f-pawns, e4-e5 is not such a big positional threat:} 
19...Rad8 $5 ( 19...dxe4 20.Nxe4 Be7 {is also fine, naturally.} 21.Nf6+ Bxf6 
22.gxf6 Qf8 $11 ) 20.e5 Be7 $11 ) 14.Nf4 {This gives Black a critical choice
between ...c4 and ...cxd4.} ( 14.dxc5 Bxc5 15.Kh1 Bd7 $11 {The structure is fine
for Black, who in the worst case can play ...d4 to liquidate the IQP, though
honestly I think e3 is at least as weak as d5, so I would play normally with
...Rc8, ...Bc6 and so forth.} ) 14...c4 $1 ( 14...cxd4 15.Nxe6 Bxe6 16.exd4 $14 
Rc8 {looks equal, until you see the following tactic:} 17.Rxe6 $1 fxe6 18.Bxg6 
Bf8 19.Bxe8 Bxh6 20.Ba4 Be3+ 21.Kh1 Bxd4 22.Qd2 $36 {and White has the safer
king and some initiative - the most important factors in opposite-coloured
bishop positions.} ( {Even} 22.Re1 Bxc3 23.bxc3 Qc7 24.Rxe6 Qxc3 25.Qxc3 Rxc3 
26.Kg1 Kf7 27.Re1 $14 {is an endgame White can grind.} ) ) 15.Be2 Nxf4 16.Bxf4 
Bf5 17.Qd2 a6 18.Be5 ( {Slower play with} 18.a3 b5 19.Rf2 Qb6 $11 {might even be
dangerous for White, as ...a5/...b4 will be very strong if Black is given the
time.} ) 18...b5 19.e4 dxe4 20.fxe4 Nxe4 21.Nxe4 Bxe4 22.Bxc4 bxc4 23.Rxe4 Qd5 
$11 {and ...Bd6 is coming to kill White's attacking attempts.} ) 13...b6 {This
is how Bruzon played against Jones, going for ...Bb7, ...Rc8 and ...c5.} ( 
13...Ng7 $6 14.Kh1 Nf5 15.Bf2 {would be an unfortunate manoeuvre for Black - now
e4 will come with tempo.} ) ( 13...Bd7 $142 {however is probably the best move,
based on the following email game:} 14.Kh1 ( 14.e4 dxe4 15.fxe4 {might have put
people off in the past, but a good counter is} 15...Bc8 $1 {when White lacks a
proper way to maintain his centre, for instance} 16.e5 Ng4 17.Bxe7 Rxe7 18.Ne4 
Nxd4 19.Qc3 Nf5 $11 {leaves White fighting for equality rather than an
advantage.} ) 14...Rc8 ( 14...b5 {could also be played immediately.} ) 15.Qb1 ( 
15.g4 {would be quite good if it prevented ...c5, but it doesn't:} 15...c5 $1 
16.dxc5 Nxc5 17.Qb1 Bc6 $11 {and ...Nfd7 comes next, when White has slight
issues with his weakened kingside.} ) 15...b5 16.a3 a5 17.Nf4 {Rescinding the e4
plan usually isn't a great sign for White as far as fighting for an edge goes.} 
( 17.g4 $6 b4 18.Na4 c5 $1 {however is quite nice for Black after} 19.Nxc5 Nxc5 
20.dxc5 Bxc5 $15 ) 17...Nxf4 18.exf4 Nh5 19.Rxe7 Rxe7 20.f5 Qe8 21.fxg6 hxg6 
22.Bxe7 Qxe7 $15 {and Black had outplayed his opponent in ½-½ (62) Brooks,I
(2569)-Feco,J (2426) ICCF email 2012} ) 14.Kh1 ( 14.Bf2 {relieves the pin and
the reduced pressure would even allow Black to play} 14...c5 $5 {immediately, so
that Bb5 could be met with Bd7.} 15.Qd2 Bd7 {This looks funny, but the bishop
will be stronger here than on b7 if White plays Nf4 and Black swaps.} 16.Nf4 ( 
{Slower play with} 16.b3 Bc6 17.Nf4 Nc7 $1 $11 {is not dangerous for Black, who
always has the option to gradually improve his position with ...a6/...b5 or just
complete his development.} ( 17...Bd6 $6 18.Nxe6 Rxe6 19.Bh4 $1 {is not a fatal
pin, but nonetheless should be avoided.} ) ) 16...Nxf4 17.exf4 c4 18.Bc2 b5 $11 
{With the bishop on b7 White would take the initiative with f4-f5!, but here it
is not effective, and Black's queenside play is more significant.} ) ( 14.Qc1 
$5 {is how the machine wants to play, apparently as a preparation for Nf4 or
f4.} 14...Bb7 15.f4 $1 ( 15.Nf4 Nc7 $1 ( 15...c5 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.a3 $14 {is a
good structure for White, as Black's king is more exposed in the long-term.} ) 
16.a3 c5 $11 {and Black does not experience problems in this structure.} ) 
15...Ng4 ( 15...Ng7 16.f5 c5 {gives White a lot of promising options. I like} 
17.fxg6 hxg6 18.Bb5 Rf8 19.Nf4 Nf5 20.Bg5 $14 {with a kingside initiative after
Bd3 next move.} ) 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 {Now we see the value of Qc1 - otherwise the
e3-pawn would be threatened and Black would clamp down with ...f5 next move.} 
17.f5 $1 $36 {and against most continuations White will break with e4, the one
exception being} 17...Qd6 ( 17...Ng5 18.Ng3 c5 19.Rf4 $1 $16 ) 18.Ng3 Nc7 
19.fxg6 hxg6 20.Rf4 Bc8 21.h3 Nf6 22.Ref1 $16 ) 14...Bb7 15.Qb3 $6 {I struggle
to understand the purpose of this move. Perhaps White wanted to avoid the ...c5
dxc5 bxc5 structure, but it seems unlikely.} ( 15.Nf4 Nxf4 16.exf4 Nh5 17.Bxe7 
Rxe7 18.g3 Qd6 $11 {is equal, but I like Black's superior structure.} ) ( 
15.Rd1 {is targeted against ...c5, but Black can either change plans with ...b5
or offer trades with} 15...Nh5 $5 16.Bf2 Bd6 17.g4 ( 17.e4 Nhf4 $11 ) 17...Nhg7 
$11 {and Black's position is extremely flexible.} ) ( 15.Bf2 c5 16.Bb5 Rf8 
17.dxc5 bxc5 18.Rd1 Qb6 19.Rd2 Rfd8 20.Rfd1 Bd6 $11 {was hardly a critical test
in ½-½ (50) Amico,R (2393)-Ivanov,A (2503) ICCF email 2012 - over the board I
would probably even take Black.} ) 15...Rc8 ( 15...Nh5 16.Bf2 Bd6 {is the
engine's line, but less thematic than playing for ...c5.} ) 16.e4 $6 
{Consistent but not very good.} ( 16.Qd1 {is the slightly entertaining first
move of the computer.} ) 16...c5 $1 17.Bb5 $6 {0-1 (46) Jones,G (2665)-Bruzon
Batista,L (2664) Tromso 2014. Now White's overly forcing play could be punished
with} ( 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Nxd5 Bg7 $1 {gives Black a great initiative.} ( 
18...Bxd5 19.Qxd5 Qxd5 20.exd5 Nxd4 21.Nxd4 Bxd4 22.b3 $11 {however would not be
anything substantial.} ) ) 17...cxd4 $1 18.Bxf6 ( {or} 18.Bxe8 Nc5 19.Qa3 dxc3 
20.Bb5 a6 {and White's bishop runs out of squares, as ...Nd3 is also a problem.} 
) 18...Nc5 $1 19.Qd1 Bxf6 20.Nxd5 Bxd5 21.exd5 Re3 {and Black is clearly better,
because of the tactic} 22.b4 a6 $1 23.bxc5 axb5 24.cxb6 Qxb6 $17 {which might be
what both players missed during the game.} ) ( 12.Bh4 {is perhaps the most
sensible move, anticipating ...Ne6, but usually it will just transpose to
another move.} 12...Ne6 {and the logical moves 13.Rad1, 13.Rae1 and 13.Kh1
transpose to the same move on move 12. An independent try is} ( 12...b5 $5 {is a
novelty, trying to do without ...Ne6.} 13.Nd1 ( {Quiet improving moves will not
be sufficient for an edge:} 13.Rac1 Bb7 14.Rfe1 Rc8 15.Kh1 a6 16.Qd2 c5 17.dxc5 
Bxc5 $11 {and Black has a nice harmony to his position.} ) 13...Bb7 14.Rc1 Rc8 
15.Nf2 N6d7 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 17.e4 c5 $5 {It is also possible to light the board on
fire in the QGD!} ( 17...a6 {and then ...c5 is also playable though, if you are
less adventurous.} ) 18.Bxb5 dxe4 19.fxe4 cxd4 20.Qd2 a6 21.Rxc8 Rxc8 22.Bxd7 
Qxd7 23.Rd1 Ne6 $11 ) 13.a3 $5 {as played in a correspondence game a few years
ago.} ( 13.Rac1 b6 14.a3 {transposes to 13.a3.} ) 13...b6 ( 13...Bd7 14.Rad1 b5 
{is how I would prefer to play, by virtue of being more active.} 15.e4 Qb6 
16.Bf2 dxe4 17.Bxe4 ( 17.fxe4 $6 Ng4 $15 {is a tactical motif every QGD player
should know.} ) 17...Qc7 $11 ) 14.Rad1 ( 14.Rac1 Bb7 15.Rfe1 Nd7 16.Bg3 a6 
17.Qd2 c5 {is safe for Black.} ) 14...Bb7 15.Qc1 $1 {The queen seems to be most
flexible on this square in this variation - you might think of the
Caruana-Houska game from the 2016 Isle of Man Open.} 15...Rc8 16.e4 a6 $6 ( 
16...c5 $1 {would be by far the best try in an OTB game, not allowing White to
establish the d4/e5/f4 front.} 17.dxc5 bxc5 18.Bb5 d4 19.Bxe8 Qxe8 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 
21.Nd5 Bxd5 22.exd5 Nc7 23.d6 Nd5 24.Ng3 c4 {and Black has very real
compensation for the exchange, since he will probably pick up d6 and then the
d4/c4 duo supported by the bishop and knight cover all the key squares.} ) 
17.e5 Nh5 18.Bxe7 Qxe7 {This is a structure Black should avoid in the vast
majority of cases, as the game shows.} 19.Na4 Qc7 20.Qh6 c5 21.g4 Nhg7 22.f4 
Qc6 23.f5 Qxa4 24.f6 $16 {My engine gives Black a winning advantage at first,
but actually Black is lost.} 24...Rc7 ( 24...Red8 25.Bb1 Ne8 26.Rd3 Rd7 27.Rh3 
Nf8 28.e6 fxe6 29.Bxg6 $1 Nxg6 30.f7+ Rxf7 31.Rxf7 Kxf7 32.Qxh7+ Ng7 33.Rf3+ 
Ke7 34.Qxg7+ Kd6 35.Qxb7 {is one very classy variation. Black will not survive
with such a king on d6.} ) 25.Bb1 Rec8 26.Rd3 Ne8 27.Rh3 Nf8 28.Rhf3 Qd7 29.Bf5 
Qd8 30.Bxg6 Nxf6 31.exf6 fxg6 32.f7+ Kh8 33.Qf4 Qe7 34.Re3 Qxf7 35.Qxf7 Rxf7 
36.Rxf7 Bc6 37.Ree7 Kg8 38.Rg7+ Kh8 39.Rc7 Rd8 40.Rge7 {1-0 (40) Galanov,S
(2486) -Antonov,N (2346) ICCF email 2012} ) 12...Ne6 {After all, the whole point
of 11...g6 was to permit this move.} 13.Bh4 b5 $1 {This is the modern approach
by Black to the Nge2 Exchange - rather than waiting for White to take the
initiative with a well-prepared e4, Black grabs queenside space and hits with .
..c5 first. I first saw the idea in Zhigalko-Kovalenko, Warsaw 2015 and while
the light-squared bishops were traded in that example, it seems to work just as
well with all the pieces on the board.} ( 13...Nh5 {gave Howell success a couple
of years ago, but I prefer the ...b5 plan.} 14.Bxe7 Rxe7 ( 14...Qxe7 15.Qd2 $1 
b6 ( 15...Rd8 $5 {is a good prophylactic move, but it doesn't stop e4 forever:} 
16.Rfe1 b6 17.e4 dxe4 18.Nxe4 $14 {and White has better piece coordination, and
furthermore c6 is just as exposed as d4.} ) 16.e4 {is somewhat better for White,
who will get in e5 like in the correspondence game under the 12.Bh4 note.} ) 
15.Kh1 ( 15.b4 $1 {is a bit better for White, as now the ...c5 break is hard to
achieve.} 15...Qd6 16.Qd2 $5 {This is the cheap trick of the engine.} ( 16.b5 
c5 17.dxc5 Qxc5 18.Qd2 Bd7 19.Kh1 $14 {is also a bit better for White, as e4 can
be an annoying break in many cases.} ) 16...b5 {This is probably not sufficient
for equality after} 17.a4 $1 a6 18.Rb1 $14 {as Black can't get his knight to c4,
and e4 at the correct moment can give White a central initiative.} ) 15...f5 {I
don't really like this move, but Black didn't have any great options.} ( 
15...b6 16.Qc1 $1 {(so e4 can't be met with ...Nhf4)} 16...Bb7 17.e4 Nhg7 18.e5 
{also gives White an advantage, mind you.} ) 16.b4 $6 ( 16.e4 $1 {was very
natural - White has a serious lead in development so he must open the position.} 
16...Nef4 {and now the engine wants to go positional with e5. I would favour} 
17.exd5 Nxd3 18.Qxd3 cxd5 19.Rfe1 $14 {with the much better minor piece for
White. Furthermore, the weakness of the e5-square is a major issue Black can't
resolve.} ) 16...Nc7 17.Qd2 {0-1 (53) Jones,G (2664)-Howell,D (2657) Douglas
2014} 17...Re8 $1 $11 {and the idea of ... Qg5 secures Black an equal share of
the chances.} ) ( 13...b6 {was played at the Baku Olympiad:} 14.Kh1 {A typical
move for the variation.} ( 14.Qc1 $1 {shows up the slowness of Black's plan, by
preparing e4.} 14...Nh5 ( 14...Bb7 15.e4 $1 ) 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 16.e4 Bb7 17.e5 $14 
{and White reaches the 'dream structure'.} ) 14...Bb7 15.Bf2 Qc8 ( 15...Rc8 
16.e4 dxe4 17.fxe4 b5 18.a3 $14 {however is also in White's favour, as she
dominates the centre.} ) 16.e4 dxe4 17.fxe4 c5 18.d5 $6 ( 18.Bb5 cxd4 19.Nxd4 
Rd8 20.Qe2 $14 {still gave White an edge, despite the damaged structure, as
Black's queen and a8-rook are out of play.} ) 18...c4 19.dxe6 Qxe6 20.Nd4 cxd3 
21.Qxd3 Qg4 22.h3 Qh5 23.Bg3 Rad8 $15 {White has lost her initiative and Black
came out of the complications with the bishop pair and better pawn structure,
½-½ (71) Khademalsharieh,S (2429)-Zimina,O (2389) Baku 2016} ) 14.Kh1 {A lot of
moves have been tried here, but Black's moves tend to be the same against most
approaches.} ( 14.Nc1 {looks more profound than it is - the knight on b3 will
stop ...c5 for some time, but be offside:} 14...a5 $1 15.a4 b4 16.N3e2 Qb6 
17.Nb3 Bd7 ( 17...Nd7 $1 18.Bxe7 Rxe7 {is fine for Black, e.g.} 19.Rc1 Bb7 
20.Rfe1 Rae8 21.Qd2 Kg7 22.Kh1 c5 {(not forced, but it's hard to reject a direct
equaliser)} 23.Nxc5 Ndxc5 24.dxc5 Nxc5 25.Nd4 Ne6 $1 $11 ) 18.Kh1 ( 18.Nf4 $1 
Nxf4 19.exf4 $14 {favours White according to the engine, but it's not a typical
blitz move.} ) 18...Rac8 19.Bxf6 $2 ( 19.Nf4 Ng4 $1 {is now quite fine for
Black.} ) 19...Bxf6 20.e4 c5 $1 21.exd5 cxd4 22.Qd2 Bxa4 23.dxe6 Bxb3 24.exf7+ 
Bxf7 $19 {and White was very lucky to draw this position, ½-½ (64) Sargissian,G
(2702)-Mamedyarov,S (2747) Huaian 2016} ) ( 14.Rc1 Bb7 15.Rfe1 a6 16.Qd2 Qa5 $1 
{Quite a clever move, though it's also fine to stick to the program with} ( 
16...c5 {or first} ) ( 16...Rc8 ) 17.Ne4 Qxd2 18.Nxd2 c5 19.dxc5 Nxc5 20.Bc2 
Ncd7 $11 {The engine gives Black a tiny plus, but objectively it's equal, ½-½
(42) Perevertkin,V (2614)-Langeveld,R (2696) ICCF email 2010} ) ( 14.Rfe1 {A lot
of correspondence games went this path, and all of them were draws.} 14...Qb6 ( 
14...Bb7 {first would also be fine, e.g.} 15.Rc1 a6 {actually transposes to
14.Rc1.} ) 15.Nc1 Bb7 16.Bf1 ( 16.Nb3 a5 17.a4 b4 18.Ne2 Nd7 $11 {is similar to
Sargissian-Mamedyarov.} ) 16...Rac8 17.a3 c5 $5 ( 17...a5 {is another approach.} 
) 18.dxc5 Qxc5 19.Qf2 a6 20.Nd3 Qb6 21.Nb4 Nc7 $11 {and White had no edge in ½-½
(29) Koegler,K (2551)-De Oliveira, J (2576) ICCF email 2010} ) 14...Bb7 ( 
14...Bd7 {looks ugly, but might also be OK, e.g.} 15.Rfe1 Rc8 16.Rc1 Nh5 
17.Bxe7 Qxe7 $11 {and Black will stabilise the position with ...f5 and ...a5.} 
) 15.Bf2 ( 15.a3 a5 16.Bg3 Bd6 $11 {is not a threat to Black.} ) 15...Rc8 16.e4 
$6 {It turns out Black is better prepared for the opening of the position.} ( 
16.Nf4 {seems the best move, but it is not a major threat:} 16...Nxf4 17.exf4 
Bd6 18.f5 Nh5 19.Ne2 Qf6 20.g4 Nf4 21.Nxf4 Bxf4 $11 {and Black is very safe, ½-½
(38) Lafarga Santorroman,D (2636)-Velilla Velasco,F (2566) ICCF email 2010} ) ( 
16.a3 a5 ( 16...a6 {to prepare ...c5 is also sensible, since} 17.e4 c5 $1 
{turns out well for Black, and 17.b4 can be met with ...a5.} ) 17.Qb3 {I suppose
this is to stop .. .c5 plans, but if this is the best White has, it's a very
good sign for Black.} 17...Nh5 18.f4 b4 ( 18...f5 $2 {would be positionally
great, but tactically fails to} 19.g4 $1 fxg4 20.f5 $16 ) 19.axb4 axb4 20.f5 
gxf5 21.Na4 Nhg7 22.Qc2 Ra8 23.b3 Ng5 $11 {and White has compensation for the
pawn, but not more, ½-½ (46) Munoz Moreno,F (2525)-Velilla Velasco,F (2566) ICCF
email 2010} ) 16...b4 $1 ( 16...a6 {would normally be a mistake due to e4-e5,
but here it is possible for tactical reasons:} 17.e5 Nh5 18.g4 Nhf4 19.Nxf4 
Nxf4 20.Ne2 Nxd3 21.Rxd3 f6 $1 22.f4 Qd7 23.h3 c5 $1 {with good counterplay.
Even so, I prefer Brunello's move in the game.} ) 17.Na4 Qa5 $1 18.e5 ( 18.a3 
$5 {is given by the computer, but it's not very human.} ) 18...Nd7 19.f4 c5 
{This break arrives just in time.} 20.Nxc5 Bxc5 $1 ( 20...Ndxc5 21.dxc5 Nxc5 
22.Bd4 Ne4 23.Qb3 Bc6 24.Bxe4 dxe4 25.Qe3 {is fine for White.} ) 21.dxc5 Ndxc5 
22.Bxc5 $2 {This is a major concession, as the dark-squared bishop was White's
pride and joy of the position.} ( 22.f5 $1 {In a sharp position it's very
important to find the way to counter the opponent's threat with a threat of your
own.} 22...Nxd3 ( 22...Ne4 $4 23.fxe6 Rxc2 24.exf7+ Kxf7 25.Bb6+ {is a vital
tactical point.} ) 23.Qxd3 Ba6 24.Qf3 Ng5 25.Qe3 {with a very complicated
position.} 25...f6 26.fxg6 hxg6 27.Rfe1 Bxe2 28.Qxe2 Ne4 $1 $11 {and the engine
is giving 0.00.} ) 22...Nxc5 $36 23.Qb1 ( 23.b3 Ne4 24.Qb2 Nc3 {is unpleasant
too.} ) 23...Qb6 $1 {A very accurate move, which can be understood by examining
23...Nxd3.} ( 23...Nxd3 24.Qxd3 Ba6 {is tempting, but after} 25.Qe3 $1 Rc2 ( 
25...Qxa2 $2 26.Ra1 Qc4 27.Rfe1 $1 $14 {will see White regain the pawn as the
a-file pin is too much.} ) 26.Rfe1 Rxb2 27.Qxa7 Rxa2 28.Nd4 Bc8 29.Qb8 $1 $15 
{and it is not easy for Black to consolidate his position.} ) 24.Bc2 ( 24.b3 
Ne4 $1 25.Bxe4 dxe4 26.Rd6 Rc6 $17 {is much better for Black. The bishop is
clearly superior to the knight and the passed e-pawn is a bonus.} ) 24...Rc7 
{Keeping the tension proves a great decision in the game, but the engine wants
to play directly with} ( 24...Ne4 25.Bxe4 dxe4 {with similar play to the 24.b3
note.} ) 25.Nd4 $2 ( 25.Rfe1 Rec8 26.Rd2 {was the best defence.} ) 25...Ne4 $17 
{Now it is challenging for White to find a constructive move.} 26.Bb3 a5 ( 
26...Ba6 27.Rf3 Rec8 {with cheapos like ... Nd2 in mind was probably best. But
waiting does not spoil anything either.} ) 27.Kg1 $2 {Self-pinning is rarely the
best idea, but it was already a very difficult position.} ( 27.Rf3 Rec8 28.Qa1 
{is horrible, but was the only way to continue the struggle.} ) 27...Ra8 ( {or} 
27...Rec8 ) 28.Kh1 a4 29.Bc2 Rc4 30.Bxe4 dxe4 31.Ne2 e3 {This position is
already close to resignable - Black's pieces dominate.} 32.Rd6 Qc5 33.Qd3 Be4 
34.Rd8+ Kg7 35.Qd7 Rxd8 36.Qxd8 Qc6 37.Nd4 Rxd4 38.Qxd4 Bxg2+ 39.Kg1 Bxf1 
40.e6+ Kh6 0-1

[Event "ch-CZE 2017"]
[Site "Ostrava CZE"]
[Date "2017.05.07"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Malinovsky, Karel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2732"]
[BlackElo "2479"]
[EventDate "2017.04.29"]
[ECO "D36"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[Annotator "Illingworth,Max"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[Source "ChessPublishing.com"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]

{As a bonus to this update, I've included a couple of model, very recent games
that made a strong impression on me when I played through them.} 1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 
d5 ( 2...Nf6 3.e4 {avoids transpositions to the QGD, but of course this is Flank
Openings territory.} ) 3.d4 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 c6 6.e3 Be7 7.Bd3 Nbd7 {I
covered the main move order points elsewhere in this update - see
Nakamura-Onischuk.} 8.Nge2 O-O 9.Qc2 $1 Re8 10.f3 $5 {An interesting move order
to avoid ...Ne4, though I think allowing the ...c5 break is at least as
annoying.} ( 10.O-O h6 ( 10...Ne4 $2 11.Bxe4 dxe4 12.Bf4 $16 {would be very
awkward.} ) 11.Bh4 Ne4 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Bxe4 dxe4 {The engine gives White a tiny
edge based on a quick d5, but Black's position looks fine to me. In this rapid
game, the minority attack also failed to give any edge:} 14.Rab1 ( 14.d5 f5 $5 
15.Rfd1 Ne5 16.dxc6 bxc6 17.Na4 Ba6 $11 {The d3-square gives Black enough
compensation for his questionable structure.} ) ( 14.Rfd1 Nf6 15.d5 cxd5 
16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.Rxd5 Bg4 ( 17...b6 18.Qa4 Be6 19.Rd4 $14 {seems a better version
for White, because of the weakening ...b6.} ) 18.Ng3 ( 18.Nc3 $1 Be6 19.Rd4 f5 
{is only a tiny bit better for White after} 20.Rad1 Rad8 $11 ) 18...Be6 19.Rdd1 
f5 20.b3 Rac8 21.Qb2 Red8 $11 {Black was completely fine in ½-½ (26) Neto,H
(2615)-Keuter,K (2509) ICCF email 2012, as the knight is misplaced on g3.} ) 
14...Nf6 15.Na4 $6 ( 15.b4 $142 {, but Black can play in the same way.} ) 
15...b6 $1 16.Rfe1 Ba6 17.Rbc1 Rac8 $15 {and Black was starting to outplay White
in 0-1 (90) Brown,M (2478)-Akobian,V (2645) chess. com INT 2017} ) 10...Nf8 ( 
10...h6 11.Bh4 Bd6 12.Bf2 ( 12.Qd2 {avoids ...c5 ideas due to Nxd5, but Black
has another source of queenside counterplay:} 12...b5 $1 13.O-O Nb6 14.b3 a5 
$132 {and ...a4 is coming.} ) 12...c5 13.O-O a6 {seems the right way to deal
with White's move order, when the position is balanced (based on this
correspondence game and a few others):} 14.dxc5 Nxc5 15.Rac1 b5 16.Nd4 Nxd3 
17.Qxd3 Bd7 $11 {1/2-1/2 (26) Mendl,M (2507)-Keuter, K (2512) ICCF email 2013} 
) 11.O-O ( 11.Bh4 {isn't a refinement here, as Black has fast counterplay:} 
11...Ng6 12.Bf2 c5 13.O-O a6 {seems fine for Black.} ) 11...Be6 {This move is
just as popular at a high level as 11...g6, but it scores considerably worse in
recent games.} ( 11...c5 $2 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.dxc5 Rxe3 14.Rad1 Be6 15.Be4 $16 
{is a trick that has caught out some strong players.} ) ( 11...g6 {(intending
...Ne6) is my recommendation from the Archives, and there haven't been any
developments since.} ) 12.Rad1 Rc8 ( 12...Bd6 $2 {is just bad as long as White
avoids e4 (dxe4 fxe4 Bxh2!). So White can just play} 13.h3 {when it's hard to
find a better move than ...Be7.} ) ( 12...Ng6 13.Ng3 {(already the computer
advises going back with 13...Nf8 - not a good sign!)} 13...Rc8 {is an unpleasant
position for Black, and I speak from personal experience!} 14.a3 Qc7 ( 14...c5 
15.dxc5 Bxc5 16.Kh1 {and either Nf5 or Nh5 is positionally worse for Black.} ) 
15.Rfe1 Rcd8 16.Na4 Nf8 17.Nc5 Bc8 18.b4 $14 {White had a positional edge in ½-½
(31) Bubir,A (2546)-Michalek,M (2472) ICCF email 2013 he already made some
inroads on the queenside, and in the meantime he can gradually prepare e4, while
Black's main plan is to wait patiently.} ) 13.Kh1 {A useful move in general for
preparing e4.} ( 13.Ng3 {is now well met by} 13...g6 ) ( 13.e4 {would be
premature:} 13...dxe4 14.fxe4 Ng4 15.Bf4 Ng6 16.e5 Bg5 ( 16...Nxf4 $6 17.Bxh7+ 
Kh8 18.Nxf4 Ne3 19.Qd3 Nxf1 20.Nxe6 fxe6 21.Bg6 Bg5 22.Rxf1 $14 {and Ne4 is a
problem for Black.} ) 17.Bxg6 hxg6 18.Qc1 Bxf4 19.Nxf4 Bc4 20.Rf3 c5 $1 $11 
{1/2-1/2 (40) Ferre Perez,A (2188) -Grube,F (2201) ICCF email 2012} ) ( 13.a3 
{is beneficial in these positions too.} 13...a6 14.Na4 N6d7 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 
16.Rfe1 $14 ) 13...a6 {This waiting move has been popular, but it doesn't feel
that natural to me.} ( 13...Ng6 {might be best, now that Kh1 has been played.} 
14.a3 ( 14.Ng3 Nh5 $1 {shows a disadvantage of the king being on h1.} 15.Nxh5 
Bxg5 16.f4 Bg4 $11 ) ( 14.g4 $5 {is obviously double-edged, but might be
necessary for White to claim some sort of edge.} ) 14...Qc7 15.Nf4 Bd7 16.Qf2 
Rcd8 17.Nxg6 hxg6 18.Bf4 Bd6 19.Bxd6 Qxd6 $11 ) 14.a3 N6d7 ( 14...b5 {is
possible even after a3, but I like} 15.h3 ( 15.Bh4 Ng6 16.Bf2 c5 $11 {gave Black
counterplay in 1-0 (39) Aleksandrov,A (2569)-Kiselev,V (2505) Jurmala 2014} ) 
15...Nh5 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 17.Qd2 $14 {White looks to have a slight positional
advantage, due to Black's weakened queenside.} ) 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 16.Nf4 h6 {A
normal enough move, but it's a reflection of Black's difficulties finding an
active plan in these middlegames.} 17.Qf2 Nb6 $6 {The knight is only misplaced
here, but it was tough to find a useful move.} ( 17...Qf6 {is probably the best
defence, at least slowing up the e4 break.} 18.g3 $14 ) 18.e4 $16 {It's quite
apparent that Black didn't hold back White's ideas.} 18...Red8 ( 18...f6 {to
slow down e5 is ugly, but may be the best try.} ) ( 18...dxe4 19.fxe4 $16 {with
the threat of d5 is White's dream. With the dark-squared bishops traded, Black
must constantly fear e5/Ne4-d6.} ) 19.e5 c5 {Black was counting on this as a
source of counterplay, but White's central control is the pivotal factor here.} 
20.Nce2 $2 {This was careless, leaving the centre insufficiently controlled for
one move.} ( 20.Nfe2 $1 {intends f4-f5, and now} 20...Nc4 {fails to the
advancement} 21.Bxc4 dxc4 22.d5 Bf5 23.f4 $16 ) 20...Na4 $2 ( 20...Nc4 $1 {is
now fine for Black, as the trade on c4 gives Black pressure on the White
centre.} 21.Nxe6 ( {If} 21.Bxc4 dxc4 22.d5 Bd7 {and White is unable to defend
the e5-pawn.} ) 21...fxe6 22.Bxc4 dxc4 23.f4 cxd4 24.Nxd4 Kh8 $11 ) 21.Ng3 $16 
{Now White's script continues uninterrupted.} ( 21.Rb1 $16 ) 21...Qh4 {The queen
is only a target on this square.} ( 21...g6 22.Bb1 Nb6 {is the computer
suggestion, but it also looks passive for Black.} 23.Ba2 $36 {makes sense to
pressure d5 and cover against ...Nc4, and White might follow by moving the
f4-knight and pushing f4-f5.} ) 22.Nfh5 $18 Qxd4 {There's nothing to discuss
after this desperate queen sacrifice, but after} ( 22...cxd4 23.Nxg7 Nxb2 
24.Qxb2 Kxg7 25.f4 {White has a winning attack, as f5 will deprive Black's
pieces of good squares.} ) 23.Bh7+ Nxh7 24.Rxd4 cxd4 25.f4 Bd7 26.e6 $1 
{Conclusion: I find it hard to recommend 11...Be6 as Black is largely playing a
reactive game to White's attemtps to break with e4, and this might explain
White's superb score in practice, despite the engines only rating White's
advantage between +0.2 and +0.3. If you want to play the Exchange as Black, go
for my old recommendation 11...g6, or check the ideas in Nakamura-Onischuk.} 1-0

[Event "1 d4 d5 2 c4"]
[Site "ChessPub Guide"]
[Date "2017.10.16"]
[Round "?"]
[White "QGD/12 Exchange Variation"]
[Black "Main lines with Ng1-e2"]
[Result "*"]
[EventDate "2017.10.16"]
[ECO "D36"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[Annotator "ChessPublishing.com"]
[Source "ChessPublishing.com"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.16"]
[SourceTitle "1 d4 d5"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 O-O 7.Bd3 Nbd7 ( {Black can
also delay this,} 7...c6 8.Qc2 h6 9.Bh4 Re8 10.Nge2 Nh5 $5 
{Caruana,F-Kramnik,V/Douglas 2017.} ) 8.Nge2 c6 9.Qc2 Re8 10.O-O ( {Another
option is} 10.O-O-O {Long castling with the knight on e2 is a rather dangerous
plan for Black who really has to know what he is doing.} 10...Nf8 11.h3 b5 {A
queenside pawn avalanche remains to be the main Black's weapon in this line - it
is known to be double-edged and so is quite acceptable for Black.} ( {Black has
also tried for counterplay with other moves:} 11...Qa5 12.Kb1 ( 12.g4 Ne4 
13.Bxe7 Nxc3 14.Nxc3 Rxe7 15.Kb1 $14 ) 12...Be6 13.f4 $5 Rad8 14.g4 Bc8 15.Bh4 
Ne4 16.Be1 Nxc3+ 17.Nxc3 Qc7 18.Bf2 $14 ) ( 11...Be6 12.g4 Rc8 13.Kb1 a6 ( 
13...c5 $5 ) 14.f4 Rc7 15.f5 Bc8 16.Bf4 Bd6 17.Rhe1 Rce7 $14 {with a small
advantage in both cases} ) 12.Kb1 a5 13.g4 a4 14.Ng3 Qa5 15.Nce2 Bd7 {This
position has been tested many times and so is rather important. White has a
number of possibilities. This position has been tested many times and so it is
rather important.} ( {It seems that Black should not hurry with} 15...a3 16.b3 
{as the rigidity of the queenside pawn structure reduces Black's attacking
possibilities:} 16...Bd7 17.Nf5 Bxf5 18.Bxf5 {with better chances.} ) 16.Nf5 
{Logical and probably the best continuation.} ( 16.Bf5 {which is probably not so
good for White due to} 16...b4 $1 17.Qd2 ( 17.Bxd7 N8xd7 18.Qxc6 $4 {was
impossible due to} 18...Rac8 19.Qb7 Rc7 $19 {and the Queen is trapped} ) ( {the
superior attempt} 17.Bxf6 $5 {did not promise too much either because of} 
17...b3 $1 18.Qc3 ( 18.Qc1 bxa2+ 19.Kxa2 Bxf6 $17 ) 18...bxa2+ 19.Kxa2 Bxf6 
20.Qxa5 Rxa5 $13 {and Black should be satisfied with this position as the White
king is still not quite safe. However maybe it was the best way for White.} ) 
17...g6 18.Bxd7 N8xd7 19.Rc1 Rac8 20.Nf4 Nb6 $36 {Black's chances are preferable
- he has the initiative on the queenside and so White should defend carefully,
Cebalo - Inkiov/Roma 1985.} ) ( {Among the alternatives} 16.Nh5 {deserves
attention, a possible continuation being} 16...Nxh5 17.Bxe7 Rxe7 18.gxh5 b4 
19.Qd2 Re6 20.Rdg1 Kh8 21.Rh2 Rf6 22.Rhg2 Ne6 23.f4 h6 24.h4 a3 25.b3 Rg8 $13 
{with complicated play} ) 16...Bxf5 17.Bxf5 $5 ( {White would not achieve too
much with the open g-file:} 17.gxf5 Rac8 18.Rhg1 Kh8 {and c6-c5 comes soon, with
a good counterplay as was proved in a couple of games} ) 17...Ra6 18.Bd3 ( 
18.Nf4 {seems to be less precise:} 18...b4 19.Qd2 Ne4 $1 20.Bxe4 Bxg5 {with
excellent play} ) 18...Rb6 19.Ng3 b4 20.Qd2 g6 $13 {with complicated and
double-edged play where White's chances are maybe slightly better.} ) ( 10.f3 
$5 h6 ( 10...Nf8 11.O-O {transposes to the mainline.} ) 11.Bh4 Bd6 12.Bf2 c5 ) 
10...Nf8 {A starting position for this system. White has a lot of possible
continuations.} 11.f3 {The most direct and dangerous plan for Black. White is
going to advance e3-e4 immediately or after some preparation.} ( 11.a3 Ng6 
{Black has in mind the standard ...Be7-d6 followed by ...h7-h6 trapping the
Bishop on g5.} ( 11...g6 {can lead to the game Kasparov - Short/London (m/15)
1993 after} 12.b4 a6 {and so on.} ) 12.b4 a6 13.Ng3 ( {White can achieve a small
advantage after} 13.Rad1 Ng4 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.h3 Nf6 16.Ng3 a5 17.Qb2 axb4 
18.axb4 Be6 19.b5 c5 20.dxc5 Qxc5 21.Nce2 $14 ) 13...Bd6 14.Rae1 h6 15.Bxg6 $6 
( 15.Bxh6 $5 {looked more promising, although Black's chances should not be
worse after} 15...gxh6 16.Bxg6 fxg6 17.Qxg6+ Kh8 18.e4 Bf4 $13 ) 15...hxg5 $1 
16.Bd3 Be6 $15 {and Black has achieved the better chances, Shirov -
R.Scherbakov/Borzhomi 1988.} ) ( 11.Rad1 {A modern approach. White tries to keep
his plan in secret for a while. Nevertheless it is hard to believe he has
something other than e3-e4 (after f2-f3) in mind.} 11...Ng6 ( 11...Nh5 $5 
{deserves attention:} 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Rfe1 Ng6 14.Ng3 Nxg3 15.hxg3 Be6 16.a3 
Qd6 {with quite a solid position} ) 12.Ng3 ( {By means of} 12.f3 {White can
transpose to the main lines} ) 12...Be6 {The manoeuvre ...Be7-d6 followed by
...h7-h6 is not possible every time.} 13.h3 Rc8 14.f4 {White chooses another
possible plan connected with the f-pawn advance. This set-up is rather poisonous
as the Black's pieces look slightly overcrowded in the center. Besides this
advance wins a couple of tempi. Its main drawback is that the pawn e3 becomes
detached and White's central pawns cannot be improved with e3-e4 because the
pawn d4 would become isolated in this case.} 14...Nf8 15.f5 Bd7 16.Qf2 ( 16.Bf4 
c5 $13 {would lead to unclear and complicated play.} ) 16...Ng4 $1 17.hxg4 Bxg5 
18.e4 {In the game Maksjutov - R.Scherbakov/Magnitogorsk 1989 Black realised a
strong rearrangement:} 18...Bh6 $1 ( {after} 18...dxe4 $6 19.Ncxe4 {following
with Bc4 White's pieces could become very active} ) 19.Rfe1 Qg5 $1 20.Qf3 Rcd8 
$1 $132 {with very complicated play} ) ( 11.Bxf6 {White parts with a
dark-squared Bishop to gain a tempo for the minority attack. This idea is not
very popular with the knight on f3 here it is even less promising.} 11...Bxf6 
12.b4 a6 13.a4 g6 14.b5 a5 $1 {Nowadays this is well known and typical reaction
for the minority attack but twenty years ago it was rather a new method of
defence. Now the weakness of the pawn c6 (and of the square c5 as well) cannot
be exploited directly as the square a4 is not available for a white knight. As
to the b-file, Black can use square b4 for his pieces while the square b5 is
just covered by the pawn on c6.} 15.e4 ( {an attempt to put the knight on c5 by} 
15.Nc1 $6 {doesn't work, as was proved in the very instructive game Vaganian -
Panchenko/Sochi (Russia) 1980:} 15...Ne6 16.Nb3 Qd6 17.Rfd1 Bd7 18.Qd2 Red8 
19.Be2 Bg7 $1 {Starting a very strong redeployment of pieces. While White has no
active plan Black finds a way to launch an initiative on the kingside.} 20.Ra2 
Be8 {At the same time Black keeps pressure on the e4 pawn to deprive White from
a possible e3-e4.} 21.g3 Bf8 22.Rb1 Qe7 23.Rc2 Qf6 {and Black is ready to begin
kingside actions by ...h5-h4, then ...Kg7, ...Rh8 and so on. A dark-squared
Bishop is in no hurry to occupy its ideal position on d6 - it might be useful on
b4 as well. Notice that the square c5 is still covered twice to prevent Nc5.
Black's chances are clearly better.} ) 15...dxe4 16.Bxe4 Qd6 17.Rad1 Bd7 $13 
{and Black is okay} ) ( {Generally speaking, the minority attack itself is not
too effective with the Knight on e2. After} 11.Rab1 {Black has many possible
answers, including strange looking} 11...a6 $5 ( 11...Bd6 $6 {with idea ...Bxh2+
and ...Ng4 is not good as White suddenly switches to the alternative plan:} 
12.Kh1 Ng6 13.f3 $1 Be7 {(there was no better way of meeting e3-e4)} 14.Rbe1 
Nd7 15.Bxe7 Rxe7 16.Ng3 Nf6 17.Qf2 ) ( {among other alternatives} 11...Ng6 
{looks quite good, for example:} 12.Nf4 Ng4 $5 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.h3 Nf6 15.Nce2 
Nh4 16.g3 Nf3+ 17.Kg2 Ng5 18.h4 Nge4 19.Rbe1 Nd6 20.Nc3 h6 {and Black has no
problems, Chernin - Inkiov, Saint John 1988} ) 12.b4 g6 ( {with the pawn on b4} 
12...Bd6 $5 {is maybe not so bad as compared to the game Botvinnik - Keres.
White cannot switch so easily to the plan with e3-e4 as the pawn on b4 is
hanging.} ) 13.a4 a5 $5 {Another interesting idea - Black himself provokes
b4-b5. He would meet b4-b5 with a6-a5 anyway but his idea is to deprive White
from possible a4-a5 by analogy to the game Kortchnoi - Karpov. However it gives
White another option which should be taken into account.} 14.bxa5 $5 Rxa5 
15.Nc1 Ne6 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Nb3 Ra7 18.a5 Be7 19.Ra1 Bd6 20.Ne2 Bd7 {with good
play for Black.} ) 11...Be6 ( {Nowadays Black begins with ... Be6 rather than
with} 11...Ng6 {This seems reasonable because, as we have already seen, 1) the
idea to trap the bishop g5 by ...Be7-d6 followed by h7-h6 is hardly possible
here and 2) the knight is quite often forced to go back to f8 where it has more
possibilities for the manoeuvring. Still, the same positions arise quite often.} 
12.e4 {A straightforward approach.} ( {Both} 12.Rad1 ) ( {and} 12.Kh1 {, trying
to advance e3-e4 in the most favourable situation, seem to be more dangerous for
Black. Also deserving of attention is the plan of the f-pawn advance by Rae1,
Ng3, f3-f4 and so on.} ) 12...dxe4 13.fxe4 Be6 14.Rad1 ( 14.h3 $5 {leads to very
sharp play after} 14...c5 $5 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.e5 Bg5 $1 ( {in case of} 16...cxd4 
{White can achieve good attacking possibilities by} 17.exf6 dxc3 18.bxc3 gxf6 
19.Ng3 $1 $36 ) 17.d5 $1 {- the position looks dangerous for Black but he is
probably holding on as was proved in a couple of games} ) 14...Ng4 $1 15.Bc1 ( 
15.Bxe7 {is also in Black's favour:} 15...Qxe7 16.Qd2 c5 17.d5 Bd7 18.h3 N4e5 
$15 {with a small advantage} ) 15...c5 $1 {Getting a very good square e5 for the
pieces.} 16.d5 ( 16.Bb5 Qc7 17.g3 Red8 18.d5 Bc8 $15 ) 16...Bd7 {and Black is at
least not worse, Nenashev - Panchenko/Minsk 1986.} ) ( 11...g6 $1 {is our
favourite option,} 12.Rad1 Ne6 13.Bh4 b5 $1 {Moroni,L-Brunello,S/Porto Mannu
Palau 2016.} ) ( 11...Nh5 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.e4 dxe4 14.fxe4 Be6 15.Rf2 Rad8 
16.Raf1 Nf6 17.h3 Ng6 18.a3 Rf8 19.b4 a6 20.Na4 Nd7 21.e5 Qh4 22.Nf4 Nxf4 
23.Rxf4 Qh6 24.Qf2 Nxe5 25.Bxh7+ Qxh7 26.dxe5 Qg6 27.Nc5 Bxh3 28.Rf3 Bc8 29.Rg3 
Qh6 30.Ne4 g6 31.Nf6+ Kg7 32.e6 Bxe6 33.Qb2 Kh8 34.Ng4+ Qg7 35.Rh3+ Kg8 36.Nh6+ 
{1-0, Evgeny Bareev 2560 - Bjorn Ahlander 2395, Naestved op, Naestved, 1988} ) 
12.Rad1 {There are some alternatives:} ( 12.Rae1 Rc8 13.Kh1 N6d7 ( {After} 
13...c5 14.dxc5 Rxc5 15.Nd4 $14 {White has a certain advantage} ) ( 13...a6 
14.a3 h6 15.Bh4 c5 {is similar:} 16.dxc5 Bxc5 17.Nd4 $14 {with a small edge.} ) 
14.Bxe7 Qxe7 ( 14...Rxe7 {has been played a couple of times but in my opinion a
capture with queen looks more natural.} ) 15.Qd2 ( {The immediate} 15.e4 {could
be met well by} 15...dxe4 16.fxe4 c5 $132 {with a good counterplay.} ) 15...Nb6 
{The Knight is rather useful here.} 16.b3 ( 16.e4 c5 $11 {was fine for Black.} 
) 16...Rcd8 {Not only placing the rook on the d-file to meet e3-e4 head on but
at same time keeping in mind a possible knight transfer to d6 (via c8). Black's
position looks quite solid now, Lutz - Yusupov/Tilburg 1993.} ) ( 12.Kh1 Rc8 
13.Rad1 {transposes.} ) 12...Rc8 {The main continuation.} ( 12...Ng6 13.Ng3 ( 
13.Kh1 {and so on} ) ) ( 12...Qa5 $6 {was proved to be dubious in the game
Baburin - Ziatdinov/Oak Bridge 2000} 13.a3 $1 ( 13.Bh4 $2 Ng4 $1 ) 13...Rac8 
14.Kh1 a6 15.b4 $1 Qc7 ( 15...Qxa3 $4 16.Rb1 $18 ) 16.Na4 Nh5 17.Bxe7 Rxe7 
18.Nc5 $16 {Black's position is difficult there is no sign of counterplay and
e3-e4 is coming.} ) 13.Kh1 Ng6 ( 13...a6 14.a3 N6d7 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 16.Nf4 
{Navara,D-Malinovsky,K/Ostrava CZE 2017.} ) 14.e4 {Quite logical play. Compared
to the game Nenashev - Panchenko White makes the thematic advance in a better
situation - the inclusion of the moves Kh1 and ...Rc8 is definitely in his
favour as the king is hidden from possible tricks on the g1-b6 diagonal.} ( 
14.a3 {is the most common.} ) ( 14.Ng3 $5 {looks quite good leaving the advance
e3-e4 for later and trying to achieve some advantages beforehand. A possible
continuation is} 14...a6 ( 14...Nh5 15.Bxe7 Nxg3+ 16.hxg3 Qxe7 17.Kg1 c5 
18.Bxg6 hxg6 19.dxc5 Qxc5 ( 19...Rxc5 20.Qe2 a6 21.Rd4 Rc4 22.Rfd1 Qc5 23.Qd2 
f5 24.Kf2 Rc8 25.Rxc4 dxc4 26.Qd6 Kf7 27.Qxc5 Rxc5 28.Rd6 Rc7 29.e4 $14 ) 
20.Rd4 b5 21.a3 $14 ) 15.Nf5 Bf8 16.e4 Bxf5 17.exf5 Ne7 18.g4 Qd6 19.Qf2 Nd7 
20.Bb1 $14 {and White' s chances look preferable.} ) 14...dxe4 15.fxe4 Ng4 
16.Bc1 c5 17.e5 $1 {In the game Nenashev - Panchenko White could not even think
about this possibility.} 17...cxd4 18.Nxd4 Qxd4 19.Bxg6 Qxe5 20.Bf4 Qc5 
21.Bxh7+ Kh8 22.Be4 {At first sight Black looks completely OK but actually he
has still to avoid some dangers connected with the slightly opened position of
his king, Sadler - Asrian/Las Vegas 1999.} *

