Back to Basics:

Openings

by

Carsten Hansen

20 1 0
Russell Enterprises, Inc.
Milford, CT USA
 Back to Basics: Openings
by
Carsten Hansen

ISBN: 978- 1 -888690-44-6

Copyright 20 1 0

Carsten Hansen

All Rights Reserved

No part of this book may be used, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system

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Published by:
Russell Enterprises, Inc.
P.O. Box 5460
Milford, CT 06460 USA

http://www.russell-enterprises.com
[email protected]

Cover design by Janel Lowrance and Zygmunt Nasiolkowski

Printed in the United States of America

 Table of Contents

Author's Dedication; Bibliography 4

Introduction 5

My Own Experiences with Openings 8

2 Opening Principles 13

3 How do I Decide which opening to choose? 30

4 An Introduction to Opening Theory 34

5 The Open Games 39

6 The Semi-Open Games 84

7 The Closed Games 141

8 The Semi-Closed Games 167

9 Flank Openings 207

10 Where do I go from here? 231

Index ofNames and Variations 236

 Back to Basics: Openings

Author's Dedication

To my mother, who taught me to play chess,

and my father, who motivated me to improve.

Bibliography

Collins, Sam, Understanding the Chess Openings (Gambit Publications,

London, 2005)
Donaldson, John and Hansen, Carsten, A Strategic Opening Repertoire
(2nd edition, Russell Enterprises, Milford, 2008)
Emms, John, Play the Open Games as Black (Gambit Publications, London.
2000)
Giddins, Steve, How to Build Your Chess Opening Repertoire (Gambit
Publications, London, 2003 )
Hansen, Carsten, Improve Your Positional Chess (Gambit Publications,
London, 2004)
Larsen, Bent, Abn ingsspillet i skak (Samleren, Copenhagen, 1 96 5 )
Matanov ic, Aleksandar, ed. , Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, Vols. A
E, (Sahovski Informator, Belgrade)
N i e l sen, Peter H e i n e and Hansen, C arsten, The Sicilian Accelerated
Dragon (Batsford, London, 1 99 8 )
Nimzowitsch, Aron, Mit System (Hernovs Forlag 1 97 7 )
Seirawan, Yasser, Winning Chess Openings (Everyman Chess, London,
2003)
Watson, John, Mastering the Chess Openings, Vol. 1 (Gambit Publications,
London, 2006)

4
 Introduction

Introduction

Thanks for getting this book. You give you some direction about how
have probably started playing chess to obtain better results from your
quite recently and you are looking openings and how to approach a
for a quick c limb up the ladder to variety of situations relevant to our
chess excel lence. So, openings may topic of openings.
be t h e p l a c e to s t a r t b e c a u s e
openings come first i n the game, and The book is divided into the following
therefore should be your first topic chapters:
of study, right?!
Chapter 1
Wel l , perhaps not. In fact I would My Own Experiences wit h
recommend you first take a look at Openings
some of t he other books in this series
on tactics and endings, as these w i l l This first chapter w i l l give you a
help you better rea l i ze the more general i ntroduction to the
advantages from the positions this o p e n i n g , i n c l u d i n g how I h a v e
book will hopefu lly help you obtain. approached t h e study of openings,
Having noted that, thi s book w i l l which types of books I have worked
certa i n l y a s s i s t you gain a s o l i d w i th a n d m o s t i m p o rtan t l y, the
understanding of chess openings. m i stake s I h a v e made o v e r the
years, and how you can best make
Openings in c h e s s are q u i te the use of my experience, including, of
temptress, and many players spend course, how to avoid repeating my
year after year studying, yet never mistakes.
mastering them. In fact, when it
comes to chess, there are on average Chapter 2
1 - 3 new opening books, COs or Opening Principles
DVDs released in any given week,
52 weeks a year. Therefore keeping In this chapter, we w i l l examine the
up w i th the d e v e l o p m e n t o f a l l b a s i c p r i n c i p l e s p e rt a i n i n g to
openings is extremely difficult. deve l opment, w h i c h squares are
important, and how to get yourself
However, this book is not out to teach ready for the next phase of the game
everything there is to know about after the opening - the middlegame .
o p e n i n g s , b u t it w i l l h e l p y o u
understand and play openings much Chapter 3
better. It will also help instill a sense How do I decide which opening
of balance in your study of openings, to choose?

5
 Back to Basics: Openings

This chapter w i l l cover top ics such Chapter 6

as why some op enings are played The Semi-Open Games
mo re freq u e n t l y, why so me are
p l a y e d l e s s freq u e n t l y, w h i c h This chapter w i l l cover openings
openings are good and which are
starting with 1 e4, but where B lack
not, what you should consider when
replies with something other than
putt i n g your o p e n i n g reperto ire
l...e5.
t o g e t h e r, ho w to w o rk w i th
repertoire books, and much more.
The a n s w e r s are no t a l w a y s a s
simple as w e would li ke.

Chapter 4:
An Introduction to Opening
Theory

C h apter 4 w i l l g i v e you a goo d

handle on how to deal w i th the
s u c c e e d i n g c h ap t e r s , w h i c h a l l a b c d e f g h
concern themselves with opening
theory. It covers terms such "slight
Chapter 7
advantage," "with compensation,"
and many other simi lar terms of art, The Closed Games
which you encounter time and again
when studying opening theory, but Games that start with 1 d4 d5 are
which you may find difficult to get a covered in Chapter 7.
feel for when working on your own.

Chapter 5
The Open Games

This will cover all openings that start

with 1 e4 e5.

a b c d e f g h

Chapter 8
The Semi-Closed Games

Like its counterpart, Chapter 6, this

a b c d e f g h
chapter will cover openings starting

6
 Introduction

with I d4, but where Black repl ies Chapter 10

with someth ing other than l . . . d5. Where do I go from here?

I n th i s c h apter, I w ill g i v e you

pointers about how to continue your
studies and how to apply your new
found knowledge.

Remember, chess is supposed to be

fun, and while studying openings at
length w i l l pay some rewards - a
few q u i c k w i n s and s o m e g o o d
a b c d e f g h
positions - studying chess openings
Chapter 9
c o n s t a n t l y may b e c o m e b o r i n g
Flank Openings
unless you are already o n e of the
world ' s best players. Therefore,
A w o n d e r ful m i x t u r e o f w h a t
take a measured approach, spread
rem a i n s , such as more mundane
out your studies over a period of time,
openings like I c4 , I Nf3, l f4, and
and fol low the advice offered in this
I b3 as well as more bizarre choices
book. You will certainly be on your
like I b4, I g4, I Nc3 and several
way to better results for a long time
others.
to come.

In many openings where the lines are finely balanced, the

player with the better understanding has an excellent chance
for winning the game.

7
 Back to Basics: Openings

Chapter 1

My Own Experiences with Openings

Early Lessons spring of 1 982, I participated in another

scholastic tournament in my home town
My fi rst e x p e r i e n c e s w i th c h e s s of Senders0 on the Danish island of
openings came back i n 1 97 8 . I was six Funen. My results were unremarkable;
years old and participating in one of my I th ink I scored something like 3 points
first scholastic tournaments . I knew of a possible 7, so I didn 't win a prize in
little more than how the pieces were my age group. However, my younger
moving. My opponent, whose name I brother, Bent, did. What an unmitigated
can ' t recal l , must have sensed my disaster!
insecurities . The game went l ike this : I
e4 e5 2 Bc4 Nc6 3 Qh5 Nf6 4 Qxf7+ mate. Being a young man of action, I decided
that this would be the last time he would
win a prize a tournament when I didn 't.
In an earl ier tournament, I had won a
book on the 1 978 World Championship
match between Karpov and Kortschnoi.
The s t o ry l i n e had grabbed my
attention, and moreover my sympathies
J ay w i th the d e feated c h a l l e n g e r,
Kortschn o i . N ow, hav i n g to study
chess for the first time in my life, I had
to decide on what to study, and having
a b c d e f g h noticed that Kortschnoi favored the
English Opening, I c4, it became a
My dad, who was an experienced player natural choice for me.
rated j ust under 1 900, and who had
taken me and some other children to the That summer, I went through all my
tournament, saw this. Acknowledging father's copies of the Danish chess
my terrible defeat, he suggested to my magazine, Skakbladet, to locate games
opponent that we play another game with I c4, and whenever I came across
for practice before the next round. My one, I played through it. In the beginning
opponent reluctantly ob l i ge d , and I couldn't understand a great deal, but as
mated me in a similar fashion in the the weeks passed, I began to pick up more
second game as wel l ! This is the first than just the basic moves. The games
tournament experience I remember. were played by many of the greatest
players of that era: Botvinnik, Smyslov,
The next i n c i dent regard i n g chess Petrosian, Kortschnoi, Uhlmann, Geller,
open ings came several years later. I Polugaevsky, Ivkov, and of course my
remember playing a Jot of games in the compatriot Larsen, just to mention some
interim, often with decent results, but of the more prominent names guiding the
not showing much actual talent. In the white pieces.

8
 My Own Experiences with Openings

Towards the end of the summer, I played overwhelm the reader. After studying
my first tournament after gaining all this Larsen 's book, I decided to try a few
new knowledge . The result was an other openings, e.g., the Caro-Kann ( I
u n q u a l i fi e d s u c c e s s . I won t h e e4 c6)
scholastic group, which had a number
of children several years older than I
with the score of 7 out of 7 . That
certainly inspired me to do more. While
s t u dy i n g , fo r s o m e r e a s o n o n e
particular setup attracted m e more than
any other: I c4, 2 Nc3 , 3 g3, 4 Bg2, 5 e3,
6 Nge2, 7 0-0 and then 8 d4. I even won
a miniature with it: I c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3
g3 Nc6 4 Bg2 Bc5 5 e3 d6 6 Nge2 Be6 7
d4:
a b c d e f g h

against I e4; the Nimzo-Indian (I d4 Nf6

2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4);

4
a b c d e f g h 3
2
Black resigned, because after 7 . . . exd4 8 1
exd4 Bb4, White wins a piece with the
a b c d e f g h
pawn fork 9 d5 .

My next proj ect was a book by Bent and the Queen 's Indian ( 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4
Larsen, Abningsspillet i skak, wh ich e6 3 Nf3 b6)
means "The Opening Play in Chess ."
In some ways, the book resembles the
volume you are reading right now, while
in other ways it is very different. For
example, we wi ll spend a lot of time
e x a m i n i n g the d i ffe rent o p e n i n g
variations; i n Larsen 's book, written in
I 9 6 5 , the section covering a l l the
o p e n i n g s was reduced to a s i n g l e
chapter. The philosophy was that some
k n o w l e d g e is g o o d , b u t d o n ' t a b c d e f g h

9
 Back to Basics: Openings

against I d4. Other openings were not o n the Scandinavian by the Danish
considered at that time. master (and l ater corre s p o n d e n c e
gran dmaster), N i e l s J ergen F r i e s
W h i l e these open ings remained an Nielsen. I a l s o took up t h e Queen 's
integral part of my repertoire for the next Gambit as Black in reply to 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4
few years, I also added a number of e6 3 Nf3,
other openings to my arsena l . With
White, I started playing 1 N f3 , and on
occasion, I even dared 1 e4, particularly
if I had played a particular opponent
before and had trouble as White in my
English Open ing. As B lack I started
playing the Sicilian Accelerated Dragon
( I e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 g6)

a b c d e f g h

only then playing 3 . . . d 5 . Not all of this

was inspired by actual studying and
playing, but playing the same thing all
the time bored me, even if the results
were reasonably good.

a b c d e f g h I have found that playing and studying

a number of different openings also
as well as the Scandinavian ( 1 e4 d5 2 expands your overall knowledge and
exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3 Qa5) u n d e rstan d i n g of the g a m e m u c h
quicker than if you concentrate o n a few
openings all the time.

After a couple of bad experiences with

I c4, I began to use 1 e4 as my main
opening. While it meant that I had to
learn a massive amount of new opening
theory and was pun i s hed severely
several times when I did not have a clue
about certai n variations, it had the
b e n e fi t of g i v i n g m e a b r o a d e r
a b c d e f g h u n d e r s t an d i n g o f m a n y t y p e s o f
positions a n d pawn structures that I
the last being very popular after Larsen had not previous been familiar with.
used it to beat Karpov ; I was a l s o
assisted b y a n excellent book in Danish As my overall game improved, I began
to vary my openings more. For example,

10
 My Own Experiences with Openings

as B lack I played every variation of the wasn't as easy or quick; you relied on
S i c i l i an w i th some frequency. My chess magazines - in my case Chess
results in the Sicilian, quite predictably, Info r m a n t - as w e l l as o p e n i n g
were horrendous. I lost several games m o n o grap h s , ( re l e a s e d q u i te
in spectacular fashion , simply because infrequently compared to today's pace
I couldn ' t remember the theory and of publishing) and final ly, Batsford
therefore often mixed up the variations Ch ess Op e n i ngs b y K e e n e and
quite badly. After a few rapid-play Kasparov. I sti ll have my old, nicely
tournaments with several quick losses, maintained copy autographed by both
authors. It served me well in those early
I decided to settle on two lines in the
years.
Sicilian : the Dragon (I e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3
d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6)
Mistakes and Experiences

Looking back at how I studied and

allocated my time on openings over the
years, I can now see a p attern o f
erroneous dec i s i o n s , wasted t i m e ,
inconsistent and irrational work, with
the occasional smart moves.

From the previous section, you may

recall that I indiscriminately studied a
l arge v o l u m e o f g a m e s w i t h o n e
a b c d e f g h
particular starting move, I c4. Based on
my immediate better results, you may
and the Sveshnikov ( I e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 have come to the conclusion that this
d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 e5). was a smart move. Well, it wasn't! What
was worse, I repeated the mistakes many
times over, because when I found a
theoretical article, such as the "Game
of the Month," which in those days was
often were written by the famous
Yugoslav grandmaster Svetozar Gligoric
and w h i c h contained a number o f
theoretical references, I would look all
the games up in Chess Informant and
then play through the entire game, again
without understanding very much of
a b c d e f g h what was going on.

Of course, nowadays, the enormous Almost any time spent on actual chess
amount of theory in these l ines might will help you improve your game. Some
prohibit most students from taking them approaches, however, are better than
both up at the same time, but back then, others. For example playing over games
theory d e v e l o p e d s o m ewhat more by the best players in the world without
slowly and the access to information having much understanding of why

II
 Back to Basics: Openings

certa i n moves are being p l ayed or

k n o w i n g why c e rta i n m o v e s are
mistakes and other are not, is not really
a productive use ofyour time. Of course,
I did not have an overabundance of
material at that time as there were very
few books that were aimed at players at
my level, and those that were did not
appeal to me in the beginning.

What I should have done was to start

out with the book by Larsen (the one I a b c d e f g h
eventually picked up later), and read it
from cover to cover. When it came to nearly every m i stake known, and I
the theoretical section, I should have would encourage you to learn from my
played over a l l the exampl e s . This mistakes. While I am reasonably happy
would have enabled me to learn first the with the results I ultimately attained, I
basics of understanding the openings, am certain I could have made better
and then , when playing through the progress if I had spent my time on
opening variations, it could have given o p e n i n g s m o re p ro d u c t i v e ly. T h e
me ideas which openings to choose for lessons I want you t o remember are :
my repertoire. Ideally, if you have a
coach or acquaintance - rated at least
(1) Don ' t study material that is far too
1 600 - you might seek some additional
a d v a n c e d fo r y o u w i th o u t t h e
help in this process. They can help you
assistance of a stronger player.
stay clear of some of the pitfalls, so that,
for example, you do not decide to select
( 2 ) D o n ' t s p read y o u r o p e n i n g
openings that require deep strategic
repertoire too thin, but focus o n a few
understanding. A case in point would
be, for example, the Ruy Lopez, also openings and understand the typical
known as the Spanish Game, which plans well .
arises after 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 and
i s an i ntegral p a rt of a l m o s t any ( 3 ) D on ' t b u y every b o o k t h a t i s
grandmaster's repertoire in which 1 e4 available o n a particular opening. I f the
is played regularly. opening is an important part of your
repertoire, buy one that is aimed at your
Another example is the Griinfeld Indian l e v e l and that h a s re c e i ved g o o d
Defense (I d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 d5) (D), reviews.
which players like Kasparov, Fischer
and Botvinnik all played regularly, but (4) D on ' t spend more time on the
knowing how to combat the white center opening than you do on the middlegame
and understanding the large volumes and endgame, because without a good
of theory are subjects you should not understanding of a l l aspects of the
work on when you fi rst start out. game, you will rarely be able to take
advantage of the good positions you
When studying openings, I have made reach from the opening.

12
 Opening Principles

Chapter 2

Opening Principles

Before discussing opening repertoires Main Obj ectives of Opening Play

and theory, it is important to understand
some of the basic principles of opening I am confident that you already have a
p l ay, b e c a u s e w i t h o u t a s o l i d clear idea of what you should aim for in
understanding o f these principles, the the opening, but matters are not always
material presented in the fol lowing cut and dry. We often stray from what
c h apters m ay be appear we know is right, chasing an illusion or
incomprehensible, and the real reasons an ill-conceived idea. So let us remind
behind many of the moves may elude ourse l v e s of the b as i c p ri n i c i p l e s
you. behind opening variations and moves :

I f you have played for some time, but ( 1 ) Getting pieces developed onto good,
made no real progress, the reason could relevant squares.
well be that you don 't fully understand
some of the basic principles. Therefore, (2) Finding a safe place for the king.
take your t i m e g o i n g through t h i s
chapter, even if you think you have seen (3) Controll ing the center of the board.
it a l l b e fore. A l s o , in the c o m i n g
chapters o n opening theory, when you (4) Reaching a playable position that
encounter a move that doesn ' t seem you understand how to play.
o b v i o u s , try to l o o k at the b a s i c
principles discussed i n this chapter. These are all very broad definitions and
can mean different things when applied
O c c a s i o n a l l y, h o w e v er, y o u w i l l to different openings, but they are all
encounter moves that appear to follow i m p orta n t . We w i l l d i s c u s s t h e s e
no principles at all. In addition, there obj ectives, both individually a n d i n
are countless exceptions to established rel ati onship with e a c h other i n the
principles, which perhaps would be sections below. The fourth obj ective,
better considered as rules of thumb . however, should be regarded as most
However, j ust because you see the best important: reaching a playable position
players in the world break basic opening that you understand how to play. By
principles, don 't think you can do the this I don 't mean that you must have an
same and get away with it. They have a advantage or w i n n i n g p o s i t i o n as
well-defined sense of danger that allows White, nor do you have to equalize in
them to determine when they can push all openings as B lack, but you should
the envelope and when they cannot, not be clearly worse. Furthermore, you
and even then, they sometimes lose should understand the openings you
quickly. Studying this chapter carefully play, which means that you have a clear
should help you avoid many of these idea what both the obj ectives and main
kinds of disasters. plans of the opening are.

13
 Back to Basics: Openings

I e m p h a s ize t h i s b e c a u s e many
experienced players dive into opening 8
books with the avowed purpose of 7
learning a massive amount of theory as
6
quickly as possible. Unfortunately, as
5
o ft e n t ur n s o u t to be t h e c a s e ,
4
sometimes even when faced with a
p o s i t i o n w ith w h i c h he s h o u l d be 3

familiar, a player doesn't remember what 2

to do with the good position that was

reached. This lesson is one that I will a b c d e f g h
repeat several times i n th i s book,
because reaching a playable position Your pawn play and piece development
that you understand how to play is a s h o u l d foc u s on and around these
cardinal rule that you must never forget s q u a re s . T h i s o f c o u r s e c a n b e
or break, no matter how tempted you interpreted in countless ways, s o let me
are to do so. give some examples.

The Center In the Open Games, play starts with 1

e4 e5 .
In the opening, the center is the most
important part of the board. The center
proper consists of the fol lowing four
squares : e4, d4, e5, d5

8
7

4
a b c d e f g h
3
2
Each player has not only occupied a
s q u are i n t h e c e n t e r ( e 4 a n d e 5
a b c d e f g h respectively), but also controls another
square ( d5 for White, and d4 for Black)
and to that we can add the extended as well as a square in the extended
center which includes the c4, c 5 , f4, f5 , center (f5 and f4) . Furthermore, the
d3, e3, d6 and e6 squares. m o v e s have the a d d e d b e n e fi t o f

Don't study material that is far too advanced for you

without the assistance of a stronger player.

14
 Opening Principles

opening lines for the bishops on f1 and

fE. The game could continue with 2 Nf3
(attacking the pawn on e 5 , and also
aiming in the direction ofthe d4-square)
2 ... Nc6 (protecting the e5-pawn, and
also looking at d4) 3 Bc4 (developing a
piece and controlling the c4- and d5-
squares) 3 ... Bc5 ( th i s i s s i m i lar to
White's 3rd move) 4 Nc3 (taking control
over the d5-square and guarding the e4-
pawn) 4 ... Nf6 (attacking the e4-pawn
a b c d e f g h
and fighting for the d5-square) 5 d3
(guarding the e4-pawn and opening the
diagonal for the dark-squared bishop placing a second pawn in the center. I f
on c I) 5... d6 (with similar motives) 6 0-0 play now continues 5. . .exd4 6 cxd4 Bb6
(getting the k i n g to safety) 6 . . . 0-0 7 Nc3, White has gained control over
(ditto), and so on. the center, has more space and freer
development, as his position is less
This is quite elementary, so let us return restra i n e d c o m p ared to B l a c k ' s
to the position after Black's 3rd move . somewhat passive set-up. This doesn't
mean that B lack is lost in this position,
but only that White has an easier game
plan to follow.

In the classical Closed Game, there is a

simi lar interaction: 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3
Nc3 Nf6 4 Bg5 Be7 5 Nf3 h6 6 Bh4 0-
0 7 e3 Nbd7

8
7
a h c d e f g h
6
5
As you will discover in the theoretical
section, chapters 5-9, White has more 4
options to choose from in this position. 3
A common choice is 4 c3, which perhaps 2
at first glance does not look like much,
as it only guards the d4-square, but
a b c d e f g h
Wh ite has other ideas in mind. For
instance, if Black now plays 4 ... d6 to
and so forth. As you can see, every
guard the e5-pawn one more time and
move, with the exception of B lack's
prepare the development of the bishop
kingside castling which brings the king
on c8, White will then play 5 d4,

15
 Back to Basics: Openings

to safety, fought for the center. Note

that the bishop move Bg5 also was part 8
of the plan by pinning the knight and 7
thereby restricting its ability to compete
6
for the d 5 - and e4-squares. B lack ' s
attempts t o first release the p i n b y . . . Be7 5

a n d l ater threaten the b i s h o p are 4

designed to eliminate the white bishop's 3
sphere of influence. 2

With that in mind, how are moves such

a b c d e f g h
as I b3 and I g3 evaluated, since they
don 't seem to fight for the center? W ell,
i n some ways they do compete for and one might think that white is clearly
central control because the bishops will better, but moving all those pawns in
go to b2 or g2, from where they will the opening also constitutes potential
support pawn advances and further weak n e s s e s B l ack can eventua l l y
development that aims to fight for the targ e t ; g u a r d i n g a g a i n s t B l a c k ' s
center; the battle is not abandoned, just counterplay is not as easy a s i t seems.
postponed to a later time when more In the Aiekhine Defense, Black provokes
White to take control of the center: 1 e4
pi eces are devel oped . For instance, in
the Queen 's I ndian, B lack does not Nf6 2 e5 Nd5 3 d4 d6, and now 4 c4
always start the fight for the center right Nb6 5 f4
away : 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 b6 4 Nc3
Bb7 5 a3 (preventihg the pin by . . . Bb4
that immobilizes the knight and fi ghts
for the center) 5 ... g6

looks more tempting than it actually is.

I n fact the top players in the world
a b c d e f g h normally restrict themselves to playing
4 Nf3, happily holding on to the space
advantage gained, but not i n it i a l l y
6 d5 Bg7 7 e4. This theme also occurs
striving for more.
in the King's Indian Defense, where
Black lets White take over the center
I will finish the discussion of the center
completely: 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 off with a quote by Tarrasch : "If you
4 e4 d6 5 f4 0-0 6 Nf3 have no center, your opponent has a

16
 Opening Principles

freer position . If you do have a center, advantage, rather than to weaken your
then you really have something to worry position unnecessari ly aiming for a
about ! " Keep that in mind. l arge advantag e , o n l y to fac e the
unfortunate consequences of having
Pawn Play in the Opening rushed your pawns forward too soon.
Th i s was underscored by Tarrasch
At this point, let's discuss pawn play, (agai n ! ) when he said: "Noth ing so
which seems to be relatively easy to easily ruins a position as pawn moves. "
understand, but in fact can be very It makes more sense, particularly in the
di fficult to master. Wh ile it is very opening, to keep pawn moves to a bare
necessity, but by studying the openings
tempting to conquer the center with
you intend to play, you will quickly
pawns, looks can be deceiving. I have
learn which pawn moves are normal and
played many l ines with both Black and
which are seen less frequently. Until
White where I attempted absol ute
y o u fe e l v e ry c o n fi d e n t i n y o u r
c o n tro l of t h e c e n t e r, but a fter
hand l i n g o f the pawns i n a g i v e n
apparently having reached my goal, my opening, stick t o t h e tried-and-true
o p p o n e n t started attac k i n g my pawn moves.
"impregnable" center from the wings
and the front, playing around it, and all Pawn Structures
of a sudden I found myself with an
inferior position. I could not maintain While the moving of pawns is routinely
the apparently strong center and the handled when openings are studied,
weaknesses that formed when it was more often than not the related topic of
created. This taught me an important pawn structures is overlooked. There
l e s s o n , o n e that t h e G er m a n has been a recent trend, however, to
grandmaster Siegbert Tarrasch had put g i v e t h i s i m p o rtant s u bj e c t m o re
forth more than a century ago : each attention, and there are now opening
pawn move constitutes a weakness. books that deal with this - and these
While you most certainly have to move are the books that you should be using
your pawns to develop your pieces, you in your study of openings (see chapter
s h o u l d l i m i t y o u rs e l f to w h at i s I 0 for some g u i d an c e on o p e n i n g
necessary, and save the rest for later, books). I f you come across a n opening
book you are considering purchasing,
as has already been note in the example
make sure to look for the treatment of
with the Alekhine Defense.
pawn structures somewhere ; if you
don 't find it, you may well wish to pass
Determining where the balance l ies is
on the book !
another thing altogether, d i fficult to
assess unless you already have some In order to understand an opening well,
experience with the open ing you are i t is e s s e n t i a l to c o m p r e h e n d the
playing. Therefore, before you venture significance of the key pawn structures
out in an attempt to conquer the world, of the opening and its main variations.
do not start shoving all your pawns If you glibly pass this off with "Sure,
forward willy-nilly. It is, in my opinion, no problem," then you are really in for a
better to err on the side of caution, surprise. For instance, the fol lowing
limiting yourself to a potentially smaller pawn structure

17
 Back to Basics: Openings

course for your game p lan and will be

8 punished accordingly. Let's us look at
some actual examples.
7

6
From the French Defense : 1 e4 e6 2 d4
5 dS, and now White will obtain simi lar
4 pawn structures a fter a vari ety o f
3 moves : 3 e S , 3 Nd 2 Nf6 4 e S o r 3 Nc3
2 Nf6 (or 3 . . . Bb4 4 e5) 4 eS. In all cases,
the pawn center i s c losed with the
following central structure :
a b c d e f g h

8
can occur in openings as different as
7
the Caro-Kann Defense ( 1 e4 c6), the
Nimzo-Indian ( 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 6
Bb4) and the Queen's Gambit Accepted 5
( 1 d4 d5 2 c4 dxc4), just to mention some 4
of the more popular openings. The
3
pawn structure with an isolated d-pawn
2
is both fas c i nating and d i fficult to
understand; indeed, several books have
been dedicated to th is topic and its a b c d e f g h
rel ated structures. When I started out
in chess, I was absolutely terrified of The pawn structure gives White a space
ending up with an isolated pawn and advantage in the center, but furthermore
even more so a doubled pawn, because it "points" in the direction of Black's
I was never shown what the benefit of kingside, thus indicating that White
these structures could be and therefore should most likely target his play on
if I ended up with such a position I that side of the board. B lack, on the
thought I was essentially on the verge o t h e r h a n d , w i l l l i k e l y fo c u s h i s
of already losing. In contrast, ifl played attention on the queenside, because his
against them, I played with a sense of pawns " p o i n t " in t h at d i re c t i o n .
destiny, thinking I was already on the However, if B lack exclusively focuses
path to a full point on the board, even if his attention on the queenside, he may
my opponent actually had the better well find himself getting mated on the
position . kingside before anything ever happens
on the queenside. Therefore, B l ack
The reason that understanding pawn often makes a pawn break with ... f7-f6,
structures is so critical is that they attacking the e5 -pawn, changing the
usual ly dictate a lot of the play on both direction of the game. This can be seen
sides and therefore if you are unable to in the fol lowing line: 1 e4 e6 2 d4 dS 3
"read" your pawn structure correctly, Nd2 Nf6 4 eS Nfd7 5 Bd3 cS 6 c3 Nc6
you could well be setting the wrong 7 Ne2 Qb6 8 Nf3 cxd4 9 cxd4 f6

18
 Opening Principles

That may be the case, but i n those

instances where the pawn structure is
c omplete l y symmetrical, the fi n a l
d e c i s i o n ofte n d e p e n d s o n t h e
placement of the pieces and where they
are pointing, as well as where it possibly
would be relevant to make a pawn break.

It is easy to generalize, less easy to setup

concrete rules, and impossible to tell
exactly how you should treat pawn
a b c d e f g h
structures without knowing the opening
from which it arose and where the
1 0 exf6 Nxf6, and all of a sudden the pieces, in particular the minor pieces,
overall game plan for both sides has
are placed on the board. I repeat: do
changed.
not start playing an opening unless you
have at l e a s t a rud i m e ntary
I n the main line of the Classical King's
understanding of the most frequently
Indian, the plans for both players are
o c c u rr i n g pawn structures in that
also defined early on: 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6
opening.
3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4 d6 5 NO 0-0 6 Be2 e5
7 0-0 Nc6 8 d5 Ne7 9 Net Ne8 10 Be3
Minor Pieces
f5 11 t3 f4 12 Bf2 g5

When discussing development of the

8
pieces, the main consideration really
7 concerns the minor pieces. The German
6 theoretician Siegbert Tarrasch wrote
5 that, as a rule of thumb, knights should
be developed before bishops. This is
4
nearly al ways the case and worth
3
keeping in mind, though there are of
2
course many exceptions. For example,
both 1 e4 e5 2 B c 4 , the B i shop ' s
a b c d e f g h Opening, and the Trompowsky, 1 d4
Nf6 2 Bg5, are mainstream openings
Here it is even more apparent that B lack yet both break the rule ofknights before
will attack on the kingside and White b i shops.
on the queenside.
A common pattern of development is
In other o p e n i n g s , i t can be more knight, bishop (from the same wing),
difficult to determine, for example, when then knight again before bishop on the
b o t h c e n tral p a w n s h a v e b e e n other side. The minor pieces should be
exchanged or i f the position is developed to squares where they are
symmetrical, because i t may then appear as influential as possible considering
that both players have the same plan. the o p p o n e n t ' s p o s i t i o n and pawn

19
 Back to Basics: Openings

structure, and they should not be l iable apparent where they belong. A good
to be attacked right away. Does it matter rule of thumb is to place them on fi les
if you play a bishop to g5 and it is then that are either open or likely to be open
attacked with . . . h6? Not really, unless s h o rt l y. F o r e x a m p l e , the P etroff
neither Bxf6 nor Bh4 is a good move. Defense (a/k/a the Russian Game) : 1 e4
e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nxe5 d6 4 Nf3 Nxe4 5
Maj or Pieces d4 d5 6 Bd3 Be7 7 0-0 Nc6 8 Ret

While getting the so-called "maj or"

pieces - the queen and rooks - involved 8

in the action right from the beginning 7

has some appeal to beginners, it is 6
usually a very good idea to wait a bit 5
and only get these pieces into play once
4
the minor pieces have been developed
3
and the king has been tucked away.
2
While there are numerous examples of
openings (e.g., the Center Game, the
Scandinavian Defense) in which the a b c d e g h
queen in particular is developed early,
the major pieces, because of their value, is an example of the former, and the
easily become targets of simple threats King's Indian, Fianchetto Variation, of
from the opponent's developing pieces. the latter: 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nf3 Bg7 4
As a result, an early development of a g3 d6 5 Bg2 0-0 6 0-0 Nbd7 7 Nc3 e5 8
queen or rook can l ead to l o s s o f e4 c6 9 Qc2 Re8 1 0 Rd 1 .
important tempi and put you behind i n
development. F o r instance, i f White
8
attempts the Fool's Mate, 1 e4 e5 2 Qh5
7
Nc6 3 Bc4, Black can parry the threat
with 3 ... g6 and gain additional time after 6

4 Qf3 Nf6 5 Ne2 d6, and B lack i s 5

obviously doing fine. 4

3
A s a ru l e , the q u e e n s h o u l d be
2
developed after the minor pieces, but is
often developed before the rooks in an
attempt to clear the back rank, allowing a b c d e f g h
the rooks to connect. However, it
should only be developed to a square B oth s i d e s have prepared fo r the
where it is not l ikely to be attacked eventual opening of the center by Black
immediately, and where it may actually with .. exd4. However, you should not
.

play a role in the future game plan. automatically play the rooks the d- and
e-files because the pawn structure may
The development of the rooks is a more dictate something entirely different. For
difficult issue, because it is not always example, in another line of the King's

20
 Opening Principles

Indian, Black places a rook on e8, only

to see White close the center: 1 d4 Nf6 8
2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4 d6 5 Nf3 0-0 6 7
Be2 e5 7 0-0 Nbd7 S Qc2 ReS, and now
6
White can play 9 d5, after which one of
Black's best options is to move the rook 5

back to f8 . 4

3
Another good place for a rook is behind 2
an advancing pawn, where it will not
only support the pawn, but will also be
a b c d e f g h
ready in case the file opens up, e.g., 1
c4 e5 2 N c3 N c6 3 g3 g6 4 Bg2 Bg7 5
Nf3 d6 6 0-0 Nf6 7 d3 0-0 S Rb l There are many good plans in th i s
position. One such is t o play 1 1 Rab l ,
preparing the advance o f the b-pawn, a
8
common plan in positions with this
7
pawn structure, but 11 Rae 1 i s also
6 played here. This looks rather strange,
5 placing the rook behind the e3-pawn,
4 leaving no squares available for the fl
3
rook. The plan is to open the center,
which can be accomplished, for example,
2
with l l Ne4 1 2 Bxe7 Qxe7 13 Bxe4
..

dxe4 14 Nd2 f5 1 5 f3 exf3 16 Nxf3 Be6

a b c d e f g h 1 7 e4, while if B lack plays something
more modest like ll Be6, then White
..

supporting the advance of the b-pawn . will reply 1 2 Ne5 followed by 13 f4, and
all of a sudden both rooks are ideally
In some openings, it is not immediately placed.
obvious where the rooks belong and
indeed they could be placed logically The issue of rook development is even
on several different squares. In such more complicated when considered in
cases it is helpful to study games of the context of their relationship with the
strong players to see how they may have placement of the minor pieces. Players
handled the proper placement of the of a l l strengths struggl e with these
rooks. An example of an opening where sophisticated issues; they are not easy
it is not entirely clear what is best is the to master.
Exchange Variation of the Quee n ' s
Gambit Declined : 1 d 4 d 5 2 c 4 e 6 3 Nc3 King Safety and Castling
Nf6 4 cxd5 exd5 5 Bg5 Be7 6 e3 0-0 7
Bd3 c6 S Nf3 Nbd7 9 0-0 ReS 1 0 Qc2 Checkmate ends the game and as the
Nf8. king is a vulnerable piece that can only

21
 Back to Basics: Openings

move one square at a time, it is not likely

to be able to defend itself very well from 8
checks. Therefore, it is a good policy to 7
get the king into safety as soon as
6
po s s i b l e . T h i s i s u s u a l l y done b y
5
castling. Castl ing kingside is seen in
nearly all openings, but in sharp, risky 4
lines, it is not uncommon for the players 3
to castle queenside. For instance in the 2
S i c i l ian D e fense, W hite very o ften
castles queens ide in order to launch an
a b c d e f g h
attack against B lack 's king which will
normal ly be found on the kingside : 1 e4
c5 2 NO d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 development and prepare an attack
e6 6 Be3 Be7 7 Bc4 0-0 8 Qe2 a6 9 0- against White's king on the queenside
0-0 Nc6 w ith 10 ... b5 fol l owed by ... Bb7 and
...Nc5.

8
As mentioned in the section on pawn
7
play, you should limit pawn moves in
6 front of the castled k i n g to a bare
5 minimum and only then to what the
4 position dictates. It is quite common to
play either h3 or . . . h6, giving the king
3
some "room to breathe," but i f the
2
opponent has yet to c a s t l e or h a s
castled queenside, this innocent move
a b c d e f g h can constitute an immediate weakness
that the o p p o n e n t c a n target b y
with a position in which White w i l l launching a kingside attack: l .e4 c5
advance t h e pawns on t h e kingside 2.NO Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.h3
against the black king and B l ack i n e5 6.d3 f6 7.0-0 Nh6 8.Be3 Nfi 9.Nc3
return will attack with the pawns and g5 ( B l a c k starts the attack on the
pieces on the queenside. kingside, even before his own king is
castled) 1 0.Nh2 h5 l l .g4 Be6 1 2.b3
In some openings, one side will leave Qd7 1 3.0 Rh7 1 4.Ne2 hxg4 1 5.hxg4
the king in the center because it i s Nh8 1 6.Ng3 Ng6 1 7.Nf5 0-0-0 1 8.Rf2
ultimately the safest place for the time N f4 , a n d B l ac k is c l e a r l y b e t t e r
being: 1 e4 c5 2 NO d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 (Psomiadis-Kotronias, I karia 1 997).
Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6 6 Bg5 e6 7 f4 Be7 8 Therefore, unless strictly necessary, do
QO Qc7 9 0-0-0 Nbd7 1 0 g4 (D) not commit to any pawn moves in front
of the king until you feel confident that
and it is now too dangerous for B lack it will not become a target right away
to castle kings ide and therefore he will and you know where your opponent is
i n stead fo c u s o n fi n i s h i n g h i s castling.

22
 Opening Principles

Flank Play invest too much time on one proj ect

before you have more or less completed
Some openings lend themselves to flank your development and gotten your king
a c t i o n more t h a n o t h e r s . " F l a n k into safety.
Openings" are those that refer t o play
on the a-, b-, c-, f-, g-, and h-files. Early As with any rule, there are exceptions
advances of the b- and c-pawns are that need to be considered. When one
particularly characteristic, with kingside is deciding whether or not to pursue
pawn advances in the openi ng being fl a n k p l ay i n t h e o p e n i n g , s u c h
less common. The English Openi ng, I considerations are : w i l l i t faci litate or
c4, is an example of this. For instance i n accelerate your development; slow
the following l i n e : 1 c 4 e5 2 N c 3 N c 6 3 down your opponent's; or gain control
g3 g6 4 Bg2 Bg7 5 d3 d6 6 Nf3 f5 7 0- over crucial squares? A combination of
0 Nf6 these i deas may be found in the Benko
Gambit, which otherwise appears to
8 contradict normal opening principles: 1
7
d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 b5.

6
8
5
7
4
6
3
5
2
4

3
a b c d e f g h
2

White already at this stage readies

himselffor queenside action with 8 Rb 1, a b c d e f g h
i nt e n d i n g b 2 - b4 - b 5 . T h ere are
numerous openings where this i s a Both sides are just starting to develop
feature, but as in this example, it is their pieces. White has more space in
important to remember that any flank the center and easier access to piece
play should only be taking place in development, yet B lack offers up a
conj unction with healthy development, pawn out of the blue. How can that
with a particular goal in mind and with a possibly work for B lack? The idea
reasonably stable center. The reason for behind this opening is that Black, after
q u e e n s i d e fl a n k p l ay b e i n g m ore 4 cxb5 a6 5 bxa6 Bxa6 6 Nc3 g6,
common than kingside flank play is that fol lowed by . . . Bg7, . . . d6, . . . 0-0, obtains
in most openings, both sides will castle quick development i n return for the
kingside and thus pushing the kings ide pawn, opening fi les on the queenside.
pawns forward weakens the k i n g ' s This puts White under pressure, with
safety. Please keep in mind that, a s White having to be particularly careful
previously mentioned, you should not how exactly to bring out his pieces.

23
 Back to Basics: Openings

There is a well-known maxim which The Evans was even played several
states that improperly prepared flank t i m e s in m a t c h e s fo r the w o r l d
action should be countered by activity championship.
in the center. This is the reason that the
center has to be reasonably stable. If Although the Queen's Gambit, 1 d4 d5
you have good control over the center, 2 c4, strictly speaking is not a gambit
either with pieces or pawns, and the
because B l ack cannot successfu l l y
o p p o n e n t d o e s n ' t have any p a w n
hang o n t o the pawn after 2 dxc4 3 e4
...

breaks (or other active play) available

or 3 Nf3 followed by 4 e3 it can lead
-

in the center, you may be ready for play

to gambits, such as the Anti-Meran,
on the flanks.
that are currently popular at the top
Gambit Play levels of today 's chess, e.g., 1 d4 d5 2
c4 c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6 5 Bg5 dxc4 6
One of the more attract i v e , i f not e4 b5 7 e5 h6 8 Bh4 g5 9 Nxg5 hxg5 1 0
amusing elements of opening play, is Bxg5 Nbd7 1 1 exf6
that of gambit play, that is, when one
side sacrifices material, usually one or
more pawns, in an attempt to achieve a
lead in development, force the opponent
i n to a p a s s i v e p o s i t i o n or c reate
weaknesses in the opponent's position
in an atte m p t to h a n g on to t h e
sacrificed material .

In the 1 9th and early 20th centuries,

gambit play was much more common at
top levels than it is today. For instance, a b c d e f g h
it was not unusual to see the top players
essay the King's Gambit, 1 e4 e5 2 f4, or the Anti-Moscow Gambit 1 d4 d5 2
or the Evans Gambit in the Italian Game, c4 c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6 5 Bg5 h6 6
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5 4 b4. Bh4 dxc4 7 e4 g5 8 Bg3

a b c d e f g h

24
 Opening Principles

B o t h o p e n i n g s l e ad to m a s s i v e "Poisoned" Pawns
compl ications that require very detailed
knowledge. A further sub-topic to gambit play and
pawn grabbing is that of poisoned
At club level, gambit play is seen much paw n s . The label "poi soned pawn"
more frequently and playing gambits is derives from the idea that neglecting
a good way to learn about the value of development, casting caution to the
mate r i a l a s w e l l a s how to s e e k wind, may be dangerous - poison - to
compensation for sacrificed material.
one's position . Traditional ly, in the
opening, the pawns on b2 and b7 are
A good rule of thumb when playing
considered to be "poisoned" because
gambits i s that you at l east shou ld
grabbing them with the queen can only
obtain two tempi of development in
be done so at expense of a great deal of
return for a pawn, but this is a rather
time as well as considerable danger, as
inexact calculation, because many other
the queen runs the risk of not returr ing
factors play into the determination of
whether t h e re IS s u ffi c i e n t safely.
c o m p e n s a t i o n fo r t h e s a c r i fi c ed
material. For example, if the opponent An unfortunate example of my own is
simultaneously is forced into a passive the following:
p o s i t i o n o r to accept a structural
weakness, then one tempo may be more H. Nielsen-Ca. Hansen
than enough . Srmders0 1 984

Pawn Grabbing l.e4 cS 2.Nt3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6

S.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Be2 QaS?
Personal ly, I have never enjoyed being
material behind at any stage of the game
I had played the line 7 Bc4 Qa5 (see
and have therefore not liked playing
"Opening Traps" below) with success,
g am b i t s , but rat h e r fe l t more
c o m fortab l e a c c e p t i n g s a c r i fi c e d but in my youthful ignorance, I failed to
materi al and then hanging on t o it, see the problem with the opening strategy
although that can be a rather dangerous in this game until it was too late.
undertaking in the opening. The key to
successfully accepting gambit pawns 8.0-0 Qb4? 9.a3 Qxb2??
in the opening is to know how much is
too much and to be ready to return I recal l that alarm bells were going off in
material in exchange for other advantages. my head, but I could not see what my
You should usually not allow yourself to 400-point higher-rated opponent had in
get too far behind in development or mind against this pawn grab.
weaken your position too much in an
attempt to hang on to a pawn. 10.Na4

Don't buy every book that is available on a particular opening.

25
 Back to Basics: Openings

which Black often allows White to take

on g7 after 7 Qc7, e.g., 8 Qxg7 Rg8 9
.

7
Qxh7 cxd4 1 0 Ne2, with a sharp game.
See the theoretical section in chapter 6.
6

5 While grandmasters and other strong

4 players regularly get away with taking
3 t h e s e p o i s o n e d p a w n s , there i s
absolutely no reason for you to follow
in their footsteps; it simply involves
taki n g too many risks and usual l y
a b c d e f g h
req u i res a level o f calculation a n d
theoretical knowledge that m a y far
Oops ! The queen is trapped, and I exceed your current level.
dutifully resigned, learning a memorable
lesson about both pawn grabbing and Moving Pieces More Than Once
poisoned pawns. 1 -0
T h i s s h o u l d be a rath e r o b v i o u s
There are several theoretical lines in principle t o follow, but because there
which one of the players can take the are some blatant exceptions to the rule,
poisoned pawn and get away with it. s o m e p l ay e r s h a v e a hard t i m e
For example, in the Sicilian Najdorf, the determining when i t applies and when
Poi soned Pawn Variation has been it does not. For instance in the Main
employed successfully by the likes of L i n e Ruy L o p e z , we s e e W h i t e
Fischer, Kasparov and Anand: 1 e4 c5 repeate d l y m o v e h i s l i ght-squared
2 Nt3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6 bishop: 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4
6 Bg5 e6 7 f4 Qb6 8 Qd2 (Note that Nf6 5 0-0 Be7 6 Rei b5 7 Bb3 d6 8 c3 0-0
after 8 a3 , as in my game above, Black 9 h3 N a5 1 0 Bc2 c 5 . Despite the bishop
cannot play 8 . . Qxb2 on account of 9
.
ending up staring at its own e4-pawn,
Na4, winning the queen, but Black does White normally tries to preserve this
not have to take the pawn) 8 ... Qxb2. bishop which acts as a thematically
cohesive part of White 's position. In
Although the pawn-grab in the Najdorf general, you should not move a piece
is the most well-known, other openings unless the piece is threatened, will be
that have poisoned pawn variati ons threatened, or if there is otherwise a
involving the b2-pawn, inc lude the very specific reason
Torre Attack ( 1 d4 Nf6 2 Nt3 e6 3 Bg5
c5 4 e3 Q b 6 5 N b d 2), a n d the Opening Traps
Trompowsky ( 1 d4 Nf6 2 Bg5 c5 3 d5
Qb6 4 Nc3). Many players are attracted to opening
traps b e c a u s e t h e y p r e s e n t t h e
But there are also other poisoned pawn possibil ity of winning a game quickly,
variations, for instance, in the French or at l e a s t obtai n i n g a very g o o d
Winawer. 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 position right from the outset. W h i l e I
e5 c5 5 a3 Bxc3+ 6 bxc3 Ne7 7 Qg4, in certainly understand th i s and have

26
 Opening Principles

always had a couple of opening traps (a) 8 Qd2? Nxe4! 9 Nxc6 (or 9 Nxe4
included in my repertoire, they must Qxd2+ l 0 Nxd2 Nxd4 and Black has won
have sound underp innings to be truly a pawn) 9 Qxc3 ! 1 0 bxc3 Nxd2 1 1
...

e ffe c t i v e , b e c a u s e a n u n s o u n d Kxd2 bxc6, and Black i s a pawn u p with

approach will more often than not leave the clearly better position .
you with the worse position if your
opponent doesn 't fall into the trap. To (b) 8 f3? Qb4 9 Bb3 Nxe4 ! (again the
i l l u strate the d i fference between a loose knight on d4 is a problem) 1 0
sound and an unsound trap, let us have Nxc6 Bxc3+! 1 1 bxc3 Qxc3+ 1 2 Ke2
a look at a couple of examples. The first dxc6, and White cannot capture the
is from the Sicilian Accelerated Dragon: knight on e4 by 1 3 fxe4 because of
1 3 . . . Bg4+, winning the queen.
1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 g6
5 Nc3 Bg7 6 Be3 Nf6 7 Bc4 Qa5 I have had the opportunity to have six
players fall into this trap against me over
the years, mostly as a j unior, but even
grandmasters have played 8 f3 and been
punished for it. As noted, there is no
6
harm done if White avoids the trap.
5
Another trap I have had success with,
4 but no longer play, is the following one
3 from the Smith-Morra Gambit:
2
1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3 dxc3 (accepting
White 's gambit can be quite dangerous
a b c d e f g h
because White obtains a large lead in
development as compensation, and
In this position B lack has the obvious defending Black's position i s not to
threat of 8 . . . Nxe4, because the knight everybody's taste. A solid alternative
on c3 is pinned. White can remove the is 3 . . . Nf6, leading to a line in the so
king from the pin by playing 8 0-0, after called Alapin Sicilian - 2 c3 . ) 4 Nxc3
which the game will normally continue Nc6 5 Nf3 e6 6 Bc4 Nf6 7 0-0 Qc7 8
with 8 . . . 0-0 9 h3 d6 l 0 Bb3 Bd7 with Qe2 Ng4 ! ?
chances for both sides. This is standard
theory and has been played many times.
But some players with White wants to
enter the so-called Yugoslav Attack
l ines of the Sicil ian, in which White
castles queenside and will therefore opt
for either 8 Qd2 or 8 D, both moves
being part of the Yugoslav Attack setup
fo r Wh i t e and b o t h a p p a re n t l y
eliminating the p i n o n the c3-knight.
H ow e v e r, b o t h m o v e s are c l e ar
mistakes: a b c d e f g h

27
 Back to Basics: Openings

B l ack ' s p l ay t h u s far l o ok s fa i rly a piece in this variation) 5 . . . Qxg2 6 Rfl

harmless, but the last move contains a Qxe4+ 7 Be2 Nf3 mate. This looks simple
lot of poison as one of my opponents and neat, but White will likely smell the
(and he is not alone, many have fal len rat and simply obtain the clearly better
for this trap) found out after the normal chances with . . .
looking move . . .
4 Nxd4 exd4 5 0-0 and White is ahead
9 h3?? Nd4 ! in development with the better pawn
structure.
and White can resign because I0 Nxd4
Many books are devoted to the subj ect
allows IO . . . Qh2 mate, whereas I0 Qd3
of opening traps and miniatures; some
Nxf3+ I I Qxf3 Qh2 mate is only a move
are worth a read, but many are not. My
better, and other moves lead to the loss
suggestion is to avoid traps unless they
of White 's queen . Obviously, neither 9
are a natural part of the openings you
h3 nor 8 Qe2 are forced, and White has play, in which case they are also much
many reasonable alternatives that give more likely to be effective.
excel lent play for the gambit pawn,
another reason why I have given up this The Differences between Openings
trap in addition to it now being fairly
well-known. As noted in the previous sections, each
opening has its own characteri stics,
An example of a less sound trap is the pawn structures, piece development
following: and plans. I t is very important to keep
that in mind when you are playing. Do
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Nd4? not automatically assume that because
a move is good in one opening that it is
j ust as good in another one; you have
to look at the each position individually
and determine which move makes the
most sense. When your opponent has
made a move, write it down and look at
the position carefully and use the model
described in the last segment in thi s
chapter, it will help you make better
choices.

a b c d e f g h Before You Make a Move

This is a rather crude trap, but I have By now, I ' m sure you feel ready for the
seen some scholastic players fall into it next chapters, to tackle bigger topics
because the temptation of the loose as well as opponents, but before moving
pawn on e5 with the threat to f7 was ahead I will ask you to memorize a little
simply too much to pass up : 4 Nxe5?? t o o l that I u s e m y s e l f. I h a v e
Qg5 ! 5 Nxfl (5 Bxfl+ Ke7 is not much of recommended i t t o m y students over the
an improvement for White who will lose years as well as to the readers of my

28
 Opening Principles

book Improve Your Positional Chess the pieces for some time to come,
(Gambit Publications, 2004 ). It will help because you may not have time to
you to avoid most serious errors as well correct an incorrectly placed piece unti l
as make better, sounder decisions, both s o m e t i m e l at e r w h e n y o u have
short-term and long-term. Before making c o m p l eted y o u r d e v e l o p m e n t .
a move you need to consider: Therefore, you must make developing
moves with care . This i s of course
King safety closely connected with knowing some
Pawn structure and placement of theory of the openings y o u are
P i e c e c o o rd i n a t i o n a n d playing, but it is equally related to the
placement pawn structure. I n the event that you
U n protected p a w n s and have never encountered an opening
pteces variation and the accompanying pawn
Weak squares structure, make sure that your take
What would your opponent do suffi c i ent time to fi nd the optimal
on move? squares for your pieces.

This seems like a rather long Jist, and Unprotected pawns and pieces - While
but once you get in the habit of using developing your pieces will inevitably
it, it doesn 't take that long go through l e a v e s o m e p a w n s and p i e c e s
it, and often it can be done by asking unprotected, what really matters is the
how e a c h p l ayer ' s l a s t m o v e h a s extent of their vulnerability. Miniatures
affected the position. (games of 20 moves or less) are often
won as a result of one side's leaving
Let's quickly run through it the list: pieces u n g u ar d e d or poorly
coordinated - Forewarned i s forearmed !
King safety - In the opening, one of
your main goals is to get your king Weak squares - Pawn moves create
placed safely, out of harm 's way, though weaknesses, often permanently, so be
of course "safety" is a relative term . wary of making unnecessary pawn
moves. In part i c u lar, be espec ially
Pawn structure and placement - Most careful o f moving pawns which are in
long-term plans are determined by pawn front of your king, as the res u lting
structure a n d how the p a w n s are weaknesses may be difficult to correct.
configured on each wing. Entire books
have been written on individual types What would your opponent do on move?
of pawn structures and while knowing - This is a simple yet effective way to
and understanding all of them is a huge avoid obvious mistakes. By trying to
task, you should initially focus on the determine what your opponent's plans
most common ones that arise in the and threats may be, you can often
openings you play. prevent their realization.

Piece coordination and placement - Note that th is formula holds for the
Normally when using the list to decide entire game, although there are some
on moves, your pieces are already exceptions of a technical and practical
developed, but in the open ing you are nature in the endgame, but books
making decisions that will affect both dedicated to these specialized topics
the coordination and the distribution of may be consulted for more information.

29
 Back to Basics: Openings

Chapter 3

How do I decide which openings to choose?

In this chapter, we will look at the Bb5(+) and against 2 e 6 , perhaps you
. . .

process o f s e l e c t i n g o p e n i n g s and choose 3 d3 . Against all other moves,

putting an opening repertoire together, initially work it out over the board. The
as well as how to deal with set-backs in same procedure goes for Black's other
your chosen openings. We will also look main replies, such as l . e5, 1 . . e6, l . . c6,
. . . .

briefly about preparation for a specific and l . . . d6. Write down your choices
opponent. instead of j ust making a mental check
l i s t , that way y o u a v o i d g r o s s
Choose Some Openings You Like oversights. Here is a n example of how
to do this:
Studying opening theory can give you
m i sconceptions about your own Black - against I e4
abi l ities a s well a s your capacity to l ...e6
memorize and play certain lines well . - 2 d4 d5
This is a very common mistake and one a) 3 Nc3 Nf6
I have made several times, but having a 1 ) 4 Bg5 dxe4 5 N xe4 Be7 6 Bxf6 gxf6
learned from my past errors, I have now a2) 4 e5 Nfd7 5 f4 c5 6 Nf3 Nc6 7 Be3
selected some openings that suit me a6
well and in which it is unlikely that I will b) 3 Nd2 Nc6
fall victim to some novelty in a sharp c) 3 e5 c5 4 c3 Qb6 5 Nf3 Bd7
line or where I may not be completely d) 3 exd5 exd5
famil iar with latest developments. d l ) 4 Nf3 Nc6
d2) 4 Nc3 Nf6
Many players make serious mistakes in d3) 4 Bd3 Nc6
t h i s p h a s e and e n d u p c h o o s i n g - 2 d3 d5 3 Nd2 c5 4 Ngf3 Nc6 5 g3 Bd6
openings that don ' t match their skill 6 Bg2 Nge7
level and pay for it with lost games and
lost confidence. When you are done with your repertoire
against White's main openings, you can
Keep the following guideline in mind: make a quick outline of what to do
As Black, you need one main opening against other openings such as I Nc3 ,
against 1 d4, one against 1 e4, and I b3, I b4, I g3 and I f4, and then move
consistent and considered responses on to the white repertoire. The level of
to 1 c4 and 1 N f3 . As White pick one detail is up to you, but I would advise
opening move, for example I e4, and against making it too detai led, because
make s u re you have a c o n s i dered then it will take too much time.
response to B lack's main replies. For
example against the Sicilian, l . . . c5, you However, I cannot recommend that you
decide to play 2 N f3 , and when B lack inc lude any dubious gambits or
answers 2 . Nc6 or 2 . . . d6, you play 3
. . sidelines a s part o fyour main repertoire.

30
 How do I decide which openings to choose?

At some point you will encounter an When study i n g games from o n l i n e

opponent who is prepared and you may sources, you will often find that they
pay dearly. Similarly, do not think you are available in several commonly used
c a n m a t c h t h e reperto i r e s of t o p formats : PGN, Chess Base or Chess
grandmasters; their repertoires are far A s s i stan t . In order to access these
to detailed and will contain several very games you will need a "game viewer. "
theory-laden lines that you will have no There a r e P G N - v i ewers avai l a b l e
capacity to learn properly and even less multiple places o n line, and a product
chance of understanding. like ChessBase light, which is avai lable
for free on the www. chessbase .com
This phase may seem cumbersome and website and is quite excellent for these
unnecessary, but take my word for it: purposes as it reads multiple formats .
There is nothing easier than to start
studying material that has nothing to In this phase, it is also worthwhile to
do with the openings you had initially
get a book on the opening in question,
selected, resulting in wasted time and
but pick carefully; it has to be a book
effort. Therefore take your time, and
that is s u i te d to y o u r l e v e l of
don 't be afraid to change your opinion
understanding, so an encyclopedia or
a couple of times before settling on an
very advanced monograph is out of the
opening and its main lines. It is better
questio n .
to retain flexibil ity at this stage rather
change your mind later, when you have
Having located relevant material, you
invested hours in studying the theory.
should spend fair amount of time to
acquaint yourself with both the theory,
F a m i l i a rize Yo u rs e l f w it h Yo u r
and more importantly the typical ideas
Opening Choices
and strategies in the opening, as well
At this stage, I recommend you revisit as the tran s i t i o n from o p e n i n g to
the relevant chapters and sections in middlegame, as well as the middlegame
this book that concern themselves with itself arising from you chosen openings.
the particular lines you have chosen .
Once you have accomplished that task, Play the Openings in Games w ith
play over games with the openings you Shorter Time Limits
have chosen. These games can be found
in a number of places. I prefer the games After having worked over the theory
to c o n t a i n s o m e a n n otati o n s , fo r and gained some understanding of the
example, l i ke many found i n chess opening, test the opening in games with
magazines. Lacking that, there are many shorter time limits, ideally rapid-play
(perhaps too many) games available games with at least 20 minutes per player
o n l i n e , both w i th and w i th o u t for the entire game, but 5-minute blitz
annotations, and they also serve you games played on-line can also be useful .
well . Annotated games can be found on The reason for this exercise is that you
a n u m b e r of w e b s i te s s u c h a s get s o m e e x p e r i e n c e p l a y i n g the
ChessCafe, ChessBase, The Week i n opening and that you keep score of the
C h e s s o r i n t h e w e b arc h i v e s o f moves played. Yes , you record the
numerous on-line newspapers. moves in the rapid games too, at least

31
 Back to Basics: Openings

unti l you have 5-7 minutes left. Keeping those situati ons? M any p layers use
score of the game w i l l help you in the such games as an e x c u s e to start
next stage. playing another opening. But if you do
this every time you have a bad game,
Learn from Your Mistakes then you will soon run out of openings
in addition to spending a
This seems so obvious, but the vast disproportionately large amount of time
maj ority of players do not take the on the opening phase of the game,
necessary time to go over the games c o mpared to the m i d d l egame and
afterwards and pinpoint what went well endgame. Furthermore, the reason for
and what went bad ly. The l atter i s the bad game i s norma l l y not the
particularly important, because you need open ing, but rather your fai lure to
to look critically at every game to gain an remember the theory or understand the
understanding of where your strengths opening well enough .
and weaknesses are, both when playing
a particular variation, but also in general. As you will notice in the theoretical
When going over the games, preferably section of this book (chapters 5-9), most
do so with the assistance of a coach, a openings lead to either equal play or a
stronger player or alternatively a chess s l i ght advantage for one side. That
engine. Another person is the most ideal, means that if you were clearly worse or
because he is more likely to ask why you even losing out of the opening, you
played one move and rather than another. made a mistake and before you play that
If working with a chess engine, you have opening again, you need to find out
to ask yourself the questions, while still where and why you went astray. Note
being honest to yourself when answering. that the margin of error in the opening
is somewhat bigger compared to both
A good tool in this phase is to print out the middlegame and endgame, where,
a diagram of each position where you particularly in the endgame, a lost tempo
made a mistake. You may set the criteria can lead to an instant loss, while an
yourself for creating the diagrams, but inaccuracy in the opening will usually
in any event, they should serve as a only l ead to a s l ight d i sadvantag e .
healthy reminder of the mistakes you Therefore you can often get away with
made, also helping you to avoid making a few minor mistakes at that stage.
similar mistakes in the future. Once you
have tested the opening to the extent If you feel an opening variation has
that you fee l reasonably confident been refuted, then you will either have
about your understanding of it, you can played a very dubious opening from the
move on and include the opening in outset, with the logical consequences,
your repertoire. or simply have played an otherw i se
sound opening badly. The fact of the
How to deal with setbacks, refutations matter i s that t h e o d d s fo r y o u r
and bad games o p p o n e n t r e fu t i n g an e s t ab l i s h e d
opening are rather small .
If you have played chess for a while,
you will inevitably have games where Should you feel that you are constantly
you apparently never had a chance and being punished in some part of your
were beaten badly. What do you do in repertoire, you have to take extra time

32
 How do I decide which openings to choose?

to work over the games to see where critical line; or (c) Your opponent reacts
you went wrong, and work over the badly to surprises and spends too much
lines in question with the help of the time in such situations, but you also
opening monograph that you used understand the opening in question well
when studying the opening originally. enough to play it with some confidence.
U n t i l you have gone through th i s
process, m y advice is t o not even think What is best, 1 e4 or 1 d4?
about switching openings.
As a long-time 1 c4 player, I could be
Opponent-specific preparation cheeky and say neither. Despite claims
to the contrary, such as Fischer 's "Best
I f you part i c i p ate in tournaments by test" comment about 1 e4, there is
regularly, you will frequently run into literally no way to tell if one move is
an o p p o n e n t w h o m y o u k n o w better than another. In my opinion, it
re a s o n a b l y w e l l and w i t h w h o s e entirely depends on the playing style
openings you w i l b e familiar, just l ike and temperament o f the i n d i v i dual
he probably knows what you are likely player. Often I e4 i s considered to lead
to play. So what should you do in those to sharper, open positions, whereas I
d4 leads to somewhat more c l osed
s ituati ons? P l ay someth i n g outs ide
strategic positions, but these are broad
your repertoire to surpri se him or play
generalizations which may be highly
your usual opening? In my opinion, it
i n a c c u rate , b e c a u s e i n d i v i d u a l
very much depends on the individual
variations can make I d 4 openings as
situation, such as the situation in the
sharp as the sharpest I e4 openings,
tournament, and the psyche of both you
w h i c h in return c an l e ad to d u l l ,
and your opponent. In my games, I have
maneuvering positions that are more
many times side-stepped my standard
common after 1 d4.
repertoire both to make my opponent
uneasy and to avoid possible "home" Several authorities claim that it is best
preparation by my opponent. In some for a chess player 's development to
cases it has paid off handsomely, but in play 1 e4 in the formative years, but
other cases I have been punished in personally I don ' t think it is terribly
s i m i l a r fa s h i o n . T h e r e fo re I w i l l important. However, what I have seen
advocate the following approach ; stay much too often is a talented p l ayer
within your repertoire unless: restricting him or hersel f to a very
limited opening repertoire incorporating
(a) Your opponent consistently plays a a few different types of pawn structures
dubious line, you know a refutation, and and thereby l i m i t i n g the p l ayer ' s
what to do if he plays another variation exposure t o a wider variety o f positions,
of that particular opening; (b) You have holding back the player 's development
j ust lost a bad game in key part of your as an a l l - round p l ayer. The S w i s s
reperto ire and you know that your grandmaster Viktor Kortschnoi has said
opponent will likely follow that path too. that implementing new openings into
This notwithstanding, it still pays off your repertoire keeps your game fresh
more frequently than not to play a line and broadens your understanding of
within your current repertoire, even if it chess overal l . You should heed h i s
means that you need to play a less advice, but not do it too frequently.

33
 Back to Basics: Openings

Chapter 4

An Introduction to Opening Theory

Before we move to the chapters that ? A weak or bad move. This symbol is
discuss the indiv idual openings, we awarded to moves that sign i ficantly
need to examine some elements required worsen a position or unnecessari ly
to stud y and u n d erstand o p e n i n g reduce the potential in one. For example,
theory. I f the signs and expressions if you are winning and play a move that
below seem confusing, do not worry, decreases the advantage significantly,
eventually you will know them by heart. it merits a question mark. Similarly, if an
equal position worsens and becomes a
Symbols clearly inferior position, it also deserves
a question mark. It can also be given if
In most opening books, there will be a
a move makes a difficult position clearly
l i st of symb o l s with some brief
worse or extends the possibility of a win
explanations about what these symbols
considerably. I f you don 't understand
mean, but for the inexperienced student
why a question mark is given, then stop
or reader, these explanations may not
and analyze the position a bit until you
be sufficient, and we look a little closer
feel you have a clear idea why the move
at them in this segment.
is bad.

! A good move or a strong move. This ?? A blunder or a losing move. This

obviously is a very general explanation. symbol i s normal ly used i f a tru l y
For example, if I e4 is a good move, why terrible move is played, such a s moves
d o e s n ' t it d e s e rv e a " ! "? T h e that lose immediately, throw away a win
exclamation point is given t o a move or transform an equal position to a lost
that is better than the average move, one.
and not a forced or "only" move or a
move that is in some p o s i t i ve way !? An interesting and possibly good
surprising or unusual. But even all of move. This symbol is given to a wide
these "rules" don ' t explain the fu l l variety of moves, both good and better
picture, because moves that deserve an than-average moves, but which also
exclamation point are often a difficult have the q u a l i ty o f c re at i n g an
to find, surprising or gutsy, or maybe interesting position or an interesting
they j u st stop the opponent in h i s l i n e o f t h o u g h t , u n d e r s c o r i n g the
trac k s . W h e n e v e r y o u s e e a n unique t h i n k i n g b e h i n d the m o v e .
exclamation point, pause t o take stock Moves that are awarded an " ! ?" may be
and see if you can understand why the - but are not necessary always - the
move was awarded it. best move in the position.

! ! T h i s s h o u l d o n l y be g i v e n to ?! A dubious move. This symbol is

exceptional, truly surprising and very awarded to m o v e s t h at are n o t
strong moves, basically an extra degree completely bad, but that are clearly
of everything described above for " ! ". inferior to other possible moves.

34
 An Introduction to Opening Theory

+= or =+ A sl ight advantage for White Again it can apply to any number of

or for B lack. This evaluation is gi ven advantages, such a material advantage,
for those small advantages that are a winning attack, a passed pawn that
often of a fleeting nature or are of a size cannot be stopped and the like. It can
that will be insufficient to secure a win also be a positional advantage where
without further weak or inferior moves the weaker s i d e cannot prevent
from the other side. A slight advantage penetration o r is completely tied up.
can consist of many things: a strong
center, a space advantage, better placed = An equal position . You would think
pieces, control over an important file or that this is the simplest one to describe,
d i agona l , a m i s p l ac e d p i e c e , or a but an equal position can be so many
weakened pawn structure such as a d i ffe rent th i n g s , s u c h a s a d u l l
doubled or isolated pawn. For a strong symmetrical position where neither side
p l ayer, such an advantage may be is able to improve the position, but it
sufficient to put an opponent under can also be dynam i c a l l y balanced,
pressure for a long time, and maybe where one weakness compensates for
another. So if you don 't understand why
even lay the foundation for eventually
a position is equal, even or balanced,
winning the game, but for most players
look and dig a little deeper until you
a slight advantage will rarely amount to
fe e l y o u h a v e g a i n e d s o m e
much and should definitely not deter
understanding why a position has been
you from playing an opening if you like
designated "=".

the positions that arise from it, even if

the theory gives a slight preference for
Phraseology
this position to the other side. In many
cases it can be worthwhile taking on
There are also a number of phrases that
positions that are considered slightly are commonly found in chess books.
inferior i f you know, understand and
play them wel l, because your opponent Unclear This expression is used too
will more often than not be in the same frequently by annotators and authors
"comfort zone." who can ' t be bothered to get to the
bottom of a position, and therefore it
+/- or -/+ A clear advantage for White s h o u l d b e regarded w i th s o m e
or for B l ac k . If a s l ight advantage suspicion when encountered. On the
develops i nto a more obvious one, other hand, there are plenty of positions
perhaps of a more constant nature, or that are genuinely unclear, for example,
remains a more permanent factor in spite where the p l ayers have castled on
o f o t h e r fe atures o f t h e p o s i t i o n opposite sides and it is difficult, if not
changing. A clear advantage can also impossible, even with exhaustive
be a material one, such as a pawn or an analysis, t o determine who will strike
exchange. first and obtain an advantage if one is
even to be had. It can also be applied to
+- or -+ A d ec i s i ve advantage fo r positions that have so many imbalances
White or for Black. If the advantage for ( s e e b e l o w ) that it is d i ffi c u l t to
one side or the other is sufficient to win determ i n e h o w to w e i g h them
the game, this symbol should be used . individually and against each other.

35
 Back to Basics: Openings

Double-edged A double-edged about dealing with an actual advantage.

position may b e a n unclear position, but As you will see in the coverage of the
it can also be a sharp position in which o p e n i n g t h e o ry in the fo l l o w i n g
both sides have chances. There can be chapters, this is a very frequently used
double-edged positions that favor one term and it covers a wide variety of
side, but where the other side has sharp s i tuati o n s . H ow e v e r, w h i l e " w i t h
counterplay. compensation" may be the obj ective
evaluation by stronger p l ayers and
Initiative The initiative is the abil ity to theoret i c i a n s , you have to make a
create threats, and therefore is not subjective evaluation yourself, deciding
necessari ly a lasting advantage. By its whether you think that the positional
very nature, it is a fleeting advantage, compensation is sufficient for you ifyou
which may disappear if the other side intend to sacrifice the material in your
s u c c e s s fu l l y p a rr i e s t h e threats . own games or if it isn't. This is an
However, i f the defending side has important process and is one you must
troubles defending against the threats, do for yourself when studying opening
the initiative can develop into a real theory.
advantage. Also note, that if you don 't
use the initiative, it will likely disappear Transposition In many openings
a n d t h e o p p ortu n i ty for a real t h e re are s e v e r a l tran s p o s i t i o n s
advantage with it. available w ithin individual lines, but
occas i o n a l l y transpositions happen
Imbalance An imbalance is a number of from one opening to another, such as in
different elements in the white and black the following example: I c4 c5 2 Nc3 Nc6
position . Some examples are material 3 Nf3 g6 4 d4 cxd4 5 Nxd4 Bg7 6 Nc2 Nf6
i mbalances, such as a b i shop pair 7 e4, and now we have moved from a
aga i n s t k n i g h t + b i s h o p ; p a w n line in the Symmetrical English to the
structures such a s one side having three M ar o c z y B i n d i n t h e S i c i l i an
pawns on both wings, whereas the other Accelerated Dragon (I e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6
side has two pawns on the queenside 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 g6 5 c4 Nf6 6 Nc3 Bg7
and four pawns on the kingside; or one 7 N c 2 ) . Tran s p o s i t i o n s are w o rth
side has a doubled or an isolated pawn, looking out for because i f you are
w h i l e the other side doesn 't. An unaware of their existence you can end
i m b a l an c e i s n o t n e c e s s a r i l y a up in an opening or variation you don 't
disadvantage, but it could be. Positions know particularly well or didn ' t intend.
without imbalances may often be quite
b o r i n g , b u t a g a i n , th i s may n o t Plus I minus This is another way of
necessarily follow. descri bing an a d v antage or
disadvantage for one side or the other.
Compensation In terms of opening
theory, compensation will usually be for Counterplay In itself counterplay is
one or two pawns, a piece for a couple hard to define or measure, because it is
of pawns or knight/bishop for a rook. I f used very broadly. Counterplay can be
you don 't have full compensation for something akin to "equal chances" or a
sacrificed material, we may be talking "balanced p o s i t i o n , " but it i s a l s o

36
 An I ntroduction to Opening Theory

frequently used when one side has a blindly placed on the e- and d-files,
small advantage, but when used with a irre s p e c t i v e o f w h at ot herw i s e I S
limiting phrase such as "and B lack has happening o n the board.
counterplay" it indicates that whatever
advantage the other side may have, it With the Idea of Or "intending," i s
certainly is not one-sided. something worth paying attention to
when studying openings, because it
Lead in Develop m e n t U n l ike the defines a plan or intention from one
previous term, a lead in development is side. This can also be described as a
both obvious and tangible. Some of the variation containing moves from both
older masters such as Tarrasch counted players, or a probable line or a sequence
tempo advantages as compensation for of moves.
pawns won or sacrificed, but that is a
very inaccurate science, and I don ' t " O n ly" Move T h i s term is most
encourage you t o try t o determine any frequently used when c o n s i dering
lead in development by exactly how m i d d l e g a m e s a n d e n d g am e s , but
many p i e c e s you have d e v e l o p e d o c c as i o n a l l y i t i s a l s o used when
c o m p ared to y o u r o p p o n e n t . F o r discussing openings, where either one
instance, if a game starts with I b 3 d5 2 or more moves must be played by one
Bb2 c5 3 Nf3 f6 4 e3 e5 5 Be2, it is clear side in order to avoid a quick loss.
that White has developed more pieces, However it is j ust as frequently used to
while B lack so far has only moved describe the unique move that gains an
pawns. Yet, in this position, White does advantage o r a l l o w s a p l ay e r to
not have an advantage, because B lack equalize.
is able to develop his pieces freely and
to good squares wi thout any maj or Different Styles of Presentation
interruption from White. Therefore what
you should be paying attention to is Opening theory is usually presented in
the q u a l i ty o f d e v e l o p m e n t , i . e . , one of three ways, though occasionally,
developing the pieces to active squares they are combined.
and moves that allow for keeping the
king safe, such as clearing the path for (1) Encyclopedic
the king to castle. Th is type of presentation uses tables
of variations, with individual numbered
Also note that the development of the variations, and alternatives given in
queen and rooks are in most opening footnotes. For new players, I cannot
lines something best left for later, when recommend books that use type of
the pawn structure has been defined presentation, because the explanatory
and you therefore m ore easily can prose that elaborates typical plans and
determine which squares are optimal for ideas is usually absent, thus leaving the
the plan you wish to fol low. A l l too student without any c lear idea why
fre q u e n t l y, I s e e g a m e s w i th certain m o v e s are p l ayed or even
inexperienced players, in which the p r e ferred over other a p p a r e n t l y
queens get developed much too soon, equivalent moves. Another problem i s
or where the rooks, after castl ing, are that encyclopedic works are often rather

37
 Back to Basi c s : Openings

c o s t l y and do not get u p d ated as fo c u s o n the o p e n i n g and e a r l y

regu l a r l y a s m o n o g rap h s that middlegame, is the ideal. Opening books
concentrate on indiv idual openings. s u c h as the Chess Explained and
The benefit is of course that the reader Starting Out series are ideal for players
gets a wider presentation of openings who are not yet that advanced but who
and v a r i at i o n s than m o n o grap h s at the same time would like to learn how
provide. to play a particular opening well, and
both of these series have based their
(2) Tree presentation on mostly complete games.
In older opening monographs, the tree
style presentation was used almost Final thoughts before studying the next
exclusively, and while it is sti ll seen chapters
nowadays, it is usually in works aimed
at players with advanced skills. The From the outset, you should understand
tree-style can be recogn ized by the that you will not be able to remember all
variation being split up in A, B, C, etc . the theory you will come across in the
and then numbered as the variations next five chapters, nor should you try
break up further, so that you may be to do so; it is a waste of time.
able to see something like "A 1 542 ." A
presentation of this kind can be both "Theory" is mostly a collection of main
confusing and overwhelming to the less and other important lines, which can
experienced player, but for the more help steer you generally in the right
advanced player, variation trees allow direction. However, you should also use
more c l arity and assurance that a l l these lines to see which ones you prefer
relevant lines are being covered in a as you b e g i n to put together your
particular work. Unless the variations repertoire.
are supported by sufficient narrative, I
don 't recommend books of this type to Final ly, don ' t try to go through too
beginners and less experienced players, many chapters and variations in one
because the phrase "can ' t find the day, because you will get confused. As
forest for the trees" explains it well - described in chapter I , I once did this
there is simply too much information to myself, and the consequences of my
obtain a good picture of what is truly half-baked approach meant that I took
happen ing in a particular opening or up too many d i fferent l i nes, didn ' t
variation. understand them, mixed them u p and
lost a lot of games.
(3) Main Game
For inexperienced players, I think the When you are done with the chapters
model that bases opening discussions on theory, go back to chapter 3 before
on more or less complete games that again moving forward and read i n g
are fully annotated, though with a main chapter I 0.

D o not start playing a n opening unless you have a t least

a rudimentary understanding of the most frequently
occurring pawn structures in that opening.

38
 The Open Games

Chapter 5

The Open Games

For a very long time, the world's best

c h e s s p l ay e r s fo c u s e d a l m o s t
exclusively o n I e4 e 5 openings, the so
called "open" games. Therefore most
of the openings in this chapter have a
long history and complicated variation
trees, some of which make little or no
sense. Many chess coaches have either
written or spoken about the benefits of
starting out in chess by playing these
o p e n i n g s b e c a u s e t h e y g i v e an
excel lent balance fo r your a b c d e f g h
un d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e g a m e . T h e
openings presented below vary from the While the official starting position of
mundane and boring to the intrinsically the Scotch is 3 d4, the vast maj ority of
complicated and confusing, and in many the games continue with 4 Nxd4. The
cases backed by volumes of theory that alternatives are 4 B c 4 , the S cotch
can be difficult to understand. But fear Gambit, which will be covered below,
not, in all of the openings presented and 4 c3, which is the Goring Gambit
here, there are ways to avoid the most and can be found in the gambit section.
difficult and theory-heavy lines.
Now Black's main moves are 4 ... Bc5 and
Scotch Game and Scotch Gambit 4 . . . Nf6, and each has its own section,
but occas i o n a l l y B l ack tests other
Some years ago world champion Garry moves such as 4 ... Bb4+, 4 ... Qh4 and, to
Kasparov took up the Scotch Game as a lesser extent, 4 . . . Nge7 and 4 . . . Qf6. The
White, making the statement that it is first option, 4 . . . Bb4+, is considered a
the only serious alternative to the Ruy solid move and has been played by a
Lopez (3 Bb5) for White after I e4 e5 2 number of grandmasters who have not
Nf3 Nc6. It is sti ll seen quite frequently been afraid to deviate from the most
at top level , but nowhere near as often wel l-trodden paths, whereas 4 . . . Qh4 is
as the Ruy Lopez, which is strategically very risky, intending to pick up White's
far more complex. On the plus side for e 4 - p a w n at a c o s t of l a g g i n g
the Scotch Game fans, black players development and often sacrificing the
don 't invest nearly as much time in the right to cast l e . Therefore I cannot
Scotch as they do on the Ruy Lopez, so recommend this move to anyone except
there are p lenty of opportunities to those that love l iving life on the edge
surprise opponents. a n d c a n s t a n d d e fe n d i n g a s c ary
p o s i t i o n for some t i m e , h o p i n g to
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 exd4 4 Nxd4 eventually emerge relatively unscathed.

39
 Back to Basics: Open ings

Scotch Gambit s . Nf6!

. .

The main problem for White in the And when White now plays 6 cxd4,
S c otch Gambit is that the opening B lack plays 6 . . . Bb4+, and we have
usually transposes into something else reached the M e l ler Variation of the
rather quickly; some of these lines are Italian Game, which is covered below. If
quite interesting, whereas others offer it had been White intention to play the
less chances for an interesting game. Italian Game, he would probably have
played 3 Bc4 straightaway, though with
1 e4 eS 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 exd4 4 Bc4 thi s move order, White has avoided
some possible lines in the Two Knights
Defense.

4... Bc5 Variation

At the highest levels, this particular

variation has been Black's preferred
choice for quite some time, and as a
resu l t , the theory o f t h i s l i n e has
expanded at a very rapid pace, and even
fairly obscure sidelines are now seen
a b c d e f g h regularly in grandmaster games.

The starting position of this gambit; 1 e4 eS 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 exd4 4 Nxd4

Black now has the option of playing BcS
4 . . . Nf6, taking the game into the lines
that will be discussed in the section on
the Two Knights Defense.

4... Bc5!

This is the simplest option for Black.

5 c3

White invites Black to take the pawn

on c3, but if Black accepts the challenge a b c d e f g h
with 5 . . . dxc3, White recovers the pawn
with 6 Bxf7+ Kxf7 7 Qd5+ Kf8 8 Qxc5+ Black attacks the white knight, forcing
d6 9 Qxc3, with a better game for White. White to commit to one plan. In addition
Also 5 . . . d3 6 b4 Bb6 7 0-0 and 5 . . . d6 6 to the main lines which will be covered
cxd4 are better for White. Thus far, below, White has also tried 5 Nf5 , but
everyth ing looks quite promising for this can be met adequately a couple of
W h i t e . B l ack however has another ways : 5 . . . g6 6 Ne3 Nf6 7 Nc3 0-0 8 Bd3
simple solution . . . Re8 and the sharper 5 . . . d6 ! ? (or even

40
 The Open Games

S . . . dS), and here White should play 6

Ne3, with equal play, as 6 Nxg7+ Kf8 7
NhS Qh4 8 Ng3 N f6 9 Be2 NeS gives 7
Black ample compensation for the pawn.
6

5 Be3 5

4
The old main line is S Nb3 , but Black is 3
considered to be fine after S . . . Bb6 6 a4
a6 7 Nc3 , and here Black has the choice
between 7 . . . Nge7, 7 . . . d6 and 7 . . . Nf6, in
each case with approx i mate ly even a b c d e f g h
chances .
White can also consider the sharp and
Originally it was thought that S Nxc6 unclear 6 NbS ! ? to avoid the mountain
was inadequate for an edge because of of theory in the main line, but Black
S . . . Qf6 ! ?, threatening mate on f2 as well should be fine after 6 . . . Bxe3 7 fxe3 QeS
as the k n i ght on c 6 and therefore 8 Nd2 Kd8 .
av o i d i n g the d o u b l e d c - p aw n s .
However, i t has since been determined 6. . . Nge7 7 Bc4
that after 6 Qd2 ! ?, Black should accept
the doubled pawn with 6 . . . dxc6 anyway Another option is 7 g3, but 7 . . . hS is fine
in order to avoid lagging behind in for Black.
development. Now the theoretical main
line runs 7 Nc3 Be6 (7 . . . Ne7 is also fully 7 ... Ne5
playable) 8 Na4 Rd8 9 Bd3 Bd4 with
chances for both sides. Also 7 . . . 0-0 and even 7 . . . b6 are fully
playable for Black.
Quite recently, White has preferred a
somewhat curious looking move, 6 8 Be2 Qg6 9 0-0 d6
Qf3 !?, offering Black the opportunity to
g i v e W h i t e d o u b l e d f- paw n s . The Black cannot afford to take the pawn
theoretical verdict isn't quite in yet, but on e4 : 9 . . Qxe4 1 0 NbS , and B lack is
.

Black appears to be in good shape after essentially lost.

both 6 . . . Qxf3 7 gxf3 bxc6 8 Be3 Bxe3 9
fxe3, but at the higher levels, Black 10 f3 0-0 11 Kh l
usual ly prefers the immediate 6 . . . bxc6,
waiting to exchange on f3 when it suits And B lack can choose between the
Black better. solid I I . . . Bb6 and the sharper l l . . .dS,
i n both cases with a d e q u ate
5 ... Qf6 6 c3 counterplay.

Don't spend more time on the opening

than you do on the middlegame and endgame.

41
 Back to Basics: Openings

4... Nf6 Variation This is the starting position of the

Mikenas Variation . Black now has two
This l ine is often cal led the Mikenas equally viable lines to choose from .
Variation. B lack's idea is to provoke
White to advance his pawns to squares 8 Ba6
...

where prote c t i n g t h e m w i l l l e a v e
structural weaknesses and further force Taking advantage of Wh ite 's queen
White to develop pieces to awkward being on e2 by pinning the c4-pawn.
squares. Black in return concedes a fair The alternative is the immediate 8 ... Nb6,
share of space, and unless he is careful, and then after 9 Nc3 (if9 Nd2, then 9 . . . d6
he can end up with a passive position or 9 . . . Bb7 I0 b3 0-0-0 promises Black a
without counterplay. A delicate balance. decent game.) 9 . . . Qe6 (or 9 . . a5 ! ?) 1 0 Qe4
.

Ba6 1 1 b3 with a complicated position

I e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 exd4 4 Nd4 Nf6 where both sides have their share of
5 Nxc6 the chances.

5 Nc3 leads to the Scotch Four Knights, 9 b3 g6

covered below.
The alternatives include 9 . . . g5 ! ? (to
5 ... bxc6 6 eS Qe7 develop the f8 - b i s h o p , but also to
prevent f2-f4), 9 ... Qh4 and 9 ... 0-0-0; they
It is not immediately obvious why this all are considered more or less adequate
move is a good idea, but after a few for equal chances.
moves, things start getting clearer. The
alternative, 6 . . . Nd5 7 c4 Nb6 8 Bd3 , is 10 f4 f6 11 exf6 Nxf6 I 2 Bb2 0-0-0
pleasant for White.
A n d o n c e a g a i n we have a s h arp
7 Qe2
p o s i t i o n w i th more o r l e s s e q u a l
chances.
An awkward square for the queen, where
it blocks the development of the light
Four Knights Game
squared bishop.

For years the Four Knights Game had a

7 Nd5 8 c4
..

reputation of being exceed ingly dull

because of the symmetrical nature of
the Spanish Four Knights line. But in
the 1 980s the opening had a revival,
particularly in the hands of several of
the strongest E n g l i sh grandmasters
such as Short and Nunn . S ince then the
open i n g ' s popul arity has dec l i ne d
again, though it sti l l appears even at
grandmaster level .

a b c d e f g h I e 4 e S 2 Nf3 N c6 3 N c3 Nf6

42
 The Open Games

While this is seen most often, Black has

a maj or alternative in the Rubinstein
Variation, which immediately takes the
game in a sharper direction, often at the
cost of a pawn, the price for taking a
"boring" opening in a more exciting
direction : 4 . . . Nd4 ! ?

a b c d e f g h

Here the paths diverge. In addition, 4

Bc4 will take the game to the Italian Four
Knights and then finally White has the
overly solid 4 Be2 and the somewhat
bizarre 4 a3 that intends 5 d2-d4 without
allowing Black to play . . . Bb4. a b c d e f g h

Spanish Four Knights and now White has a number of options

avai lable, but the critical lines are the
Of the different versions of the Four
ones in which White play 5 Ba4. After
Knights, this main line of the Spanish
5 . . . Bc5 (5 . . . Nxf3+ 6 Qxf3 is more solid,
Four Knights is probab l y the l e ast
but a l s o s l i ghtly better for W h i t e ,
i n t e re s t i n g to m o s t p e o p l e , b u t
whereas 5 . . . c6 a l s o leads t o sharp play)
strategically i t is rather intriguing and
6 Nxe5 0-0 7 Nd3 Bb6 8 e5 (also 8 Nf4 is
this is undoubtedly why it became more
seen quite frequently, but Black is doing
popular in the early 1 990s.
fine in that line after both 8 . . . c6 and
4 Bb5 8 . . . d5) 8 . . . Ne8 9 Nd5 d6 (9 . . . c6 usual ly
transposes to the main line after 1 0 Ne3
d6) 1 0 Ne3 c6 ( 1 O . . Qg5 !? 1 1 exd6 Nxd6
.

with compensation for the pawn or

1 O . . . dxe5 1 1 Nxe5 Qg5 1 2 Nc4 f5 with a
sharp position) I I c3 Nf5 1 2 0-0 Bc7,
and once again Black has compensation
for the pawn. More recently, White has
also taken a liking to the more solid 5
Bc4, which gives a balanced game, but
where the stronger player has a good
chance of playing for a win without
a b c d e f g h taking unnecessary risks.

5 0-0 0-0 6 d3 d6 7 Bg5

4... Bb4

43
 Back to Basics: Openings

White sometimes sidesteps the main equal, with a prolonged strategic battle
l i n e s by p l a y i n g the s l i gh t l y odd ahead in each case.
looking, but perfectly logical 7 Ne2,
intending c2-c3, Ng3 and d3-d4. Scotch Four Knights

7 ... Bxc3 When studying the theory of the Scotch

F o u r K n i g h t s y o u w i l l fi n d a n
8 interesting m i x of players, well-known
and v i rtually unknown, along w i th
7
material that spans a period from the
6
1 880s through today. It is not currently
5 particularly popular at grandmaster
4 level, and it is doubtful whether it truly
3 ever will become a topical opening at
2 that level again, s i m p l y because it
doesn 't offer the degree of strategic
c o m p l e x i t y that is re q u i re d fo r
a b c d e f g h
gran dmasters to g i v e i t the i r fu l l
attention.
With the pin on the f6-knight, B lack
cannot afford to allow White to play 4 d4
Nc3-d5 . Therefore Black cedes White
the bishop pair.

8 bxc3 Qe7

This is considered best, intending to

deal with the pinning bishop on g5 by
re-routing the knight on c6 via d8 to e6;
8 . . . h6 9 Bh4 Bd7 is also ful ly playable.

9 Ret Nd8 1 0 d4 Ne6 1 1 Be l ! ?

It has been determined that this is the a b c d e f g h

best square for the bishop, but White
has played both I 1 Bd2 and I I Bh4 with 4 ... exd4
decent success, so these moves cannot
be entirely dismissed either. A sharper alternative is 4 . . . Bb4, which
leads to considerable complications.
Now B l ack can choose between
1 1 . . . Rd8, I I c5 and I I . . . c6, all o fwhich
... 5 Nxd4
have been used by top grandmasters,
though the last two are the more popular White can also essay the B e l grade
options. The chances are approximately Gambit which arises after 5 Nd5 .

44
 The Open Games

This is pretty much the starting position

of the Scotch Four Knights. Now White
has a number of options ava i l able
including II Qf3 and II Ne2, but the
next move i s the most popular
continuation and also the most critical
for both players.

11 Na4 h6 12 Bh4 ReS 13 c4 Bd6 14

cxd5 cxd5 with mutual chances.

a b c d e f g h
Four Knights Fianchetto

W h i l e it presents B lack with some

This variation is often called the Glek
problems, especially if not prepared, System after grandmaster Igor Glek who
Black can get a decent game in several has played this system repeatedly with
ways: 5 . . . Be7 (5 . . . Nxe4 is what White is v e ry g o o d re s u l t s d e s p i t e t h e o ry
hoping for, and while playable, both condemning it as fairly innocuous.
5 . . . N x d 5 and 5 . . . N b 4 l e a d to
complications with which White likely 4 g3
will be more familiar than Black. The text
move, 5 . . . Be7, is a simple solution that
lead to equal play) 6 B f4 (6 Bc4 is
answered by 6 . . 0-0 7 0-0 d6, and 6 Nxd4
.

by 6 . . .Nxd5 7 exd5 Nxd4 8 Qxd4 0-0, and

in both cases B lack has equalized rather
effortlessly) 6 ... d6 7 Nxd4 0-0 8 Nb5 Nxd5
9 exd5 Ne5 with a pleasant position for
Black.

5 ... Bb4 6 Nxc6 bxc6 7 Bd3 d5 8 exd5

cxd5 9 0-0 0-0 10 Bg5 c6 a h c d e f g h

8 You may notice some similarities in the

theory and that of 3 g3 in the Vienna
7
Game, and in some cases the variations
6
transpose. If you are going to play this
'5 line, you should have a rudimentary
4 knowledge of both l ines.
3
2 4 ... Bc5

In my opinion, this is the better move

a h c d e f g h for Black in this position, but according

45
 Back to Basics: Openings

to standard theory, Black is also doing We will cover 3 . . . Nf6, Three Knights
fine after 4 ... d5, e.g., 5 exd5 Nxd5 6 Bg2 Game, in the next section. Now White
Nxc3 7 bxc3 , and now both 7 . . . 8c5 8 0-0 can take the game in very d i fferent
0-0 9 Re I Qf6 and 7 ... Be7 8 0-0 0-0 9 Re I directions based on his choice of move
Bf6 are supposed to lead to equal play, in this particular position.
but White, usually being more familiar
with the resulting positions, tends to Italian Four Knights
score well in both lines.
4 d3 Nf6 5 Nc3 d6
5 Bg2 d6 6 d3 a6 7 0-0

White can also play 7 h3 , though after

7 . . . h6, play tends to continue down
6
similar paths as our main line, e.g., 8 0-0
5
Be6.
4
7 ... Be6 8 Be3 Bxe3 9 fxe3 Ne7! 10 Nh4 3
c6 and a sharp position with chances 2
to both sides has arisen.

a b c d e f g h
The Italian Game

There are a couple of openings in this This line is without a doubt one of the
chapter where the lines vary from fairly d u l l e s t l i n e s of t h e e n t i re I t a l i an
unexciting to high adrenaline, throw-in complex, but also one that I have played
the-kitchen-sink type of openings. The or faced numerous times as a scholastic
Italian Game is one of those and once player. It is a fairly simple setup, where
you become more familiar with the lines, the players have more or less identical
I ' m certain you will agree. plans, and usual ly the better player
wins because of a better ability to create
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5 and take a d v a n t a g e o f fa v o rab l e
imbalances.

6 Bg5

After 6 Be3, Black should not exchange

on e3 , allowing White to open the f-file,
but rather play 6 . . . Bb6, followed by
7 . . . Be6 and a similar retreat by White.
The text move aims to create a little more
action.

a b c d e f g h 6 ... h6 7 Bxf6

46
 The Open Games

Keeping the pin with 7 Bh4 does not 4...Bxb4

accomplish anything; it rather invites
B lack at a later stage to try . . . g7-g5 , Black can also decline the gambit with
taking the bishop entirely out of the 4 ... Bb6.
game and initiating a kingside attack for
Black. 5 c3 Ba5

7 ... Qxf6 8 Nd5 Qd8 9 c3 Ne7 10 d4 Ba7 If Black plays 5 . . . Bc5 or 5 . . . Be7, White
with chances for both sides. can play the desired 6 d4 with less risk.
With the text move, Black pins the c3-
Evans Gambit pawn, thus not allowing White to take
back with the c-pawn after 6 d4 exd4.
One of White 's sharpest approaches in
the Italian Game is the so-called Evans 6 0-0
Gambit invented by Capt. William Evans
in the 1 9th century. It was all the rage 6 d4 i s nevertheless poss i b l e , e . g . ,
towards the end of that century and was 6 . . . exd4 (or 6 . . . d6 ! ?) 7 0-0 Nge7 8 cxd4
debated intensely i n the matches d5 9 exd5 Nxd5 with sharp play and
between Steinitz and Chigorin for the chances for both sides.
world championship. Nevertheless, this
variation has never been refuted and is 6 ... d6 7 d4 Bb6 8 dxe5 dxe5 9 Qb3 Qf6
somewhat regularly employed by the 1 0 Bg5 Qg6 1 1 B d 5 with a sharp
English grandmaster Nigel Short and p o s i t i o n a n d a p p ro x i m a t e l y e v e n
was even used a couple of times by chances.
K a s p arov agai n s t other top
grandmasters. Max Lange Gambit

4 b4 !? This line should not be confused with

the M a x L a n g e Attac k , w h i c h i s
di scussed i n the section o n the Two
Knights Defense.

4 0-0 Nf6 5 d4! ?

a b c d e f g h

White sacrifices a pawn and hopes in

return to gain time to expand in the
center and develop his pieces more
easi ly. a b c d e f g h

47
 Back to Basics: Openings

A l th o u g h a d v o c a t e d in s e v e r a l between strong players, leaving the

repertoire books a s a weapon for White, impression that this opening may sti ll
this l ine was never subj ect to much be played with some hope of success.
s c r u t i ny, b u t w h e n M o v s e s i an
c o n v i n c i n g l y beat Adams with the 4 c3 Nf6
opening in Wijk aan Zee 2009, even
c a s u a l o b s e rv e r s started p ay i n g The only real alternative to this move is
attention. However, Black should b e fine the solid and somewhat passive 4 . . . Qe7,
provided he knows what he doing. e.g., 5 d4 Bb6 6 0-0 d6 7 h3 Nf6 8 Re i ,
which leaves White with more space
5...Bxd4 and an easier game, although Black's
p o s i t i o n i s perfectly p l ayable and
T h i s s e e m s l i ke B l a c k ' s s a fe s t theoretically equal.
continuation .
5 d4 ! ?
6 Nxd4 Nxd4 7 f4 d6 8 fxe5 dxe5 9 Bg5
Be6

While this is the main line, a recent

re c o m m e n d a t i o n of A m e r i c an
grandmaster Roman Dzindzichashvili is
9 . . . Qe7, and then after 1 0 Na3 , Black
plays the deep IO . . Rg8, preparing to
.

open the g-file when White exchanges

on f6.

a b c d e f g h
1 0 Na3 Qe7 1 1 c3 Nc6

And White has good compensation for White continues as if Black's moves
the sacrificed pawn; the pin of the f6- don 't matter. The more reserved 5 d3 is
knight virtually guarantees that White c o v e r e d b e l ow in t h e P i an i s s i m o
w i l l win the pawn back when he so segment.
desires.
5 ... exd4 6 cxd4
MoDer Attack
6 e5 d5 7 Bb5 Ne4! 8 cxd4 Bb6 9 Nc3 0-0
While still plenty of fun for the initiated, is fine for Black, and 6 0-0 dxc3 can take
the M e l ler Attack has entirely the game to Scotch Gambit, whereas
disappeared from top level play since 6 . . . Nxe4 is a line in the Two Knights
an idea for Black was introduced by the Defense.
Hungarian grandmaster Lajos Portisch
in 1 969. It did not refute White's play, 6... Bb4+ 7 Nc3
but i t l e ft h i m with no hope of an
advantage. Nevertheless, this line is still This is the classical main line, named
seen in correspondence chess games after the Dane Jmgen Meller who was

48
 The Open Games

one of the strongest S c a n d i nav i an 1 0 Re i Ne7 1 1 Rxe4 d6 1 2 Bg5 Bxg5

p l ayers around the end of the 1 9th 1 3 Nxg5 h6
c e ntury. As m e n t i o n e d in t h e
introduction t o this segment, this line Another option is 1 3 . . . 0-0, though the
is not seen very often any more. White answer 1 4 Nxh7 ! ? will likely terrifY some
usually deviates at this j uncture with players, but Black should be okay after
the more solid 7 Bd2, and after 7 . . . Bxd2+ 1 4 ... Kxh7 1 5 Qh5+ Kg8 1 6 Rh4 f6 1 7 Bd3
8 Nbxd2 d5 9 exd5 Nxd5 , a draw is often f5 ! , and B lack can defend.
agreed when I 0 Qb3 Na5 1 1 Qa4+ Nc6
I I Qb3 ( 1 1 Bb5 Bd7 at least lets the game 1 4 Qe2 ! hxg5 15 Ret Be6 16 dxe6 f6!
continue, but i s n ' t seen very o ften) 1 7 Re3
l l . . . Na5 follows. If B lack wants more,
he can try either I O . . . Nce7 or 8 . . . Nxe4 ! ?, 8
the latter leading to very sharp play that 7
supposedly is fine for B l ack, but he
6
really needs to be prepared for this line.
5

7 ... Nxe4! 8 0-0! Bxc3 ! 9 d5! 4

3
2

a b c d e f g h

White has compensation for the pawn,

but not much more.

Giuoco Pianissimo

A lot less committal than the M0ller is

the Pianissimo. Rather than pressing
forward, White takes the necessary time
The previous few moves have been
to develop pieces before making a move
established as the only way for White
in the center. At the same time, B lack is
to play for an advantage and the only
allowed to do the same. This line is seen
way for B lack to keep the balance, but
quite often at grandmaster level, even
at this juncture B lack has a couple of
in games between the very highest rated
moves to choose from .
players in the world.
9 ... Bf6
4 c3 Nf6 5 d3
The main line, but 9 . . .Ne5 1 0 bxc3 Nxc4
Note that this variation often arises via
1 1 Qd4 0-0 1 2 Qxe4 Nd6 1 3 Qd3 is also
the Two Knights Defense: 3 . . . Nf6 4 d3
possible, with equal chances.
Bc5 5 c3 .

Reach a playable position that you understand how to play.

49
 Back to Basics: Openings

5...d6 1 e4 e5 2 NO Nc6 3 Bc4 Nf6

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Black often plays . . . a7-a6 either here or

on one of the next moves in order to be Now White has a choice to make: take it
able to retreat the dark-squared bishop slow and continue development with 4
to a7 rather than to b6. H owever, often d3 , or try to punish B lack with either
the lines will transpose. the very direct 4 Ng5 or the sharp 4 d4.

6 0-0 The Quiet System

White has several alternatives at this If White is not easily provoked, then it
juncture, and while many of them allow is l ikely that White will opt for this
tran s p o s i t i o n to the m a i n l i n e , o f continuation, building up the position
independent significance i s 6 b4 ! ? , slowly and developing pieces rather
aiming to gain space on the queenside, than getting involved in chaotic hand
e.g., 6 ... Bb6 7 a4 a6 (or 7 ... a5 ! ?) 8 0-0 0-0 to-hand combat.
9 aS Ba7 I 0 Bb3 Ne7 I I Bb3 Ng6 with
chances for both sides. 4 d3 Be7 5 0-0 0-0 6 Bb3 d6 7 c3

6 ... 0-0 7 Bb3 a6 8 Nbd2 Ba7 9 h3 h6 1 0

R e t Be6

This position is considered the main

line and can be reached a number of
ways, and is assessed as about equal.

Two Knights Defence

B lack's sharpest response to the 3 Bc4

a b c d e f g h
i s u n d o u b t e d l y t h e Tw o K n i g h t s
Defense which immediately provokes a
reaction from White : This very much resembles some of the
lines in the Ruy Lopez discussed below.

50
 The Open Games

With Black inviting sharp play with his complicated and nearly impossible to
3rd move, it is quite possible that this reproduce at the board unless you have
type of play is not what he is looking a book or a computer to remind you of
for. a l l the moves, e . g . , 5 N x fl (at the
moment, this is considered the critical
7 h6 8 Nbd2 Re8 9 Ret Bf8 10 h3 Be6
... continuation, but previously 5 Bxfl+
K e 7 6 B d 5 was c o n s i d e r e d b e s t )
And the chances are more or less even. 5 . . . Bxf2+! 6 Kfl Q e 7 7 Nxh8 d5 8 exd5
Nd4 9 d6 ! Qxd6 I 0 Nfl Qc5, and Black
White plays 4 Ng5 ! ? may be fine. If none of this makes sense
to you, don 't worry - it doesn 't to most
While world championship candidate people, which is a good reason to stay
Siegbert Tarrasch scoffed at this move, away from this line.
it has many followers. White makes a
clear threat against the weakest spot in 5 exd5 Na5
Black's position; now Black has to come
up with a decent response.
7
4 Ng5 d5
6
'5

a b c d e f g h

When I was younger, I thought White

was winning after 5 . . . Nxd5 6 Nxfl, (the
a b c d e f g h s o - c a l l e d Fegate l l o or Fried L i ver
Attack), but what none of my opponents
This is an obvious choice, blocking the managed to fi n d was that B lack i s
bishop and apparently leaving White's actually doing fine after 6 . . . Kx f7 7 Qf3+
knight hanging in mid-air on g5 ; if only Ke6 8 Nc3 Ncb4, even if the defense of
matters were that simple. Black's position is by no means is easy.
Therefore, White should play the Lolli
B lack's only alternative is the Traxler Atta c k , 6 d4 ! , w h i c h is far more
Counter-Attack, also called the Wilkes problematic for Black.
Barre, 4 . . . Bc5, which apparently ignores
White 's threat against fl. Claims of But in addition to the text move, Black
having refuted this line have appeared actually has two other moves at his
periodically, but is as far as I know it is d i s p o s a l , n e i t h e r o f w h i c h are
stil l viable, if only theoretically, because parti cularly easy to understand : (a)
the analysis of this l ine is massively 5 . . . b5 (the Ulvestad Variation) 6 B fl (6

51
 Back to Basics: Openings

Bxb5 Qxd5 is fine for B lack) 6 . . . Nxd5 but B lack is should be doing fine in this
( 6 . . . N d4 transposes to line (b) below) 7 line.
Bxb5 (now that B lack does not have
. . . Qxd5 available any longer, this makes 9... e4 10 Ne5 Bd6 1 1 d4! ? exd3 1 2 Nxd3
good sense) 7 . . . Bb7 8 d4 exd4 9 0-0 Qf6 Qc7
with an unclear position; and (b) 5 . . . Nd4
( Fritz Variation) 6 c3 b5 7 Bfl Nxd5 8 And now after 1 3 b3 0-0 14 Bb2, White
cxd4 Qg5 9 Bb5 Kd8 1 0 Qf3 Bb7 1 1 0-0 has an extra pawn, but Black's active
Rb8 with another crazy position that pieces more or less compensate for the
appears to be devoid of any kind of material imbalance.
chess logic.
Max Lange Attack
6 Bb5+ c6 7 dxc6 bxc6
The Two Knights Defense is replete
with complicated and convoluted lines
that can be difficult to navigate without
serious and thorough study, and the
Max Lange Attack certainly belongs in
this group.

4 d4 exd4 5 0-0

a b c d e f g h

Black has sacrificed a pawn and hopes

that his easier access to developing the
minor pieces will provide an initiative
that will counterbalance the material
investment.

8 Be2 a b c d e f g h

It begs explanation why White does not White has a couple of alternatives at
just play 8 Qf3 . This move has actually this juncture : 5 Ng5 which is fine for
been played by several strong players, B lack after 5 . . . d5 ! ? 6 exd5 Qe7+ 7 Kfl
but although White after 8 . . . Rb8 can Ne5 provided Black knows the theory,
win a second pawn with 9 Bxc6+, he and 5 e5, which is the so-called Modern
should prefer 9 Bd3 to avoid getting too Attack. After 5 . . . d5 (both 5 . . . Ne4 and
far behind in development. even 5 . . .Ng4 can be played, even if they
are a bit more provocative than the main
8 ... h6 9 Nf3 l i n e ) 6 B b 5 Ne4 7 Nxd4 B d 7 (an
alternative is 7 . . . Bc5 ! ?) 8 Bxc6 bxc6 9 0-
B o t h S t e i n i t z and F i s c h e r g a v e 0 Bc5 1 0 f3 Ng5 I I f4 Ne4 1 2 Be3 Bb6,
preference t o the odd-looking 9 Nh3 , with chances for both sides.

52
 The Open Games

5 ... Bc5
8
This leads to lines which boggle the 7
mind. A simpler, more solid approach is
6
5 . . . Nxe4 and now after 6 Re 1 d5, White
5
should play 7 Bxd5 ! Qxd5 8 Nc3 Qa5 9
Nxe4 Be6 I 0 Bd2 (or 1 0 Neg5 0-0-0 1 1 4
N x e 6 fx e 6 1 2 R x e 6 B d 6 w i t h a 3
satisfactory position for Black) 1 O . . . Bb4 2
1 1 Nxd4 Nxd4 1 2 c3, and here B lack
should be fine after both 1 2 . . . Be7 and
a b c d e f g h
1 2 0-0-0.
...

6 eS dS 7 exf6 ! ? And we have reach e d the c r i t i c a l

position of the Max Lange Attack; the
theory continues on for some time, but
needless to say, you shouldn't even
think about entering this line with either
color unless you have studied it very
carefully.

Third Move Deviations

The openings covered in this segment

are seen only infrequently and are not
of any particular consequence, but it is
worth knowing the basics.
I f White prefers a calmer alternative,
then the option of 7 Bb5 Ne4 is sti ll The Hungarian Defense
available, transposing into the Modern
Attack above. The pure version of this variation is
seen very rarely these days because it
7 ... dxc4 8 Re 1 + is quite passive.

In spite of appearances, 8 fxg7 Rg8 9 1 e4 eS 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Be7

Bg5 Be7 1 0 Bxe7 Kxe7 is fine for Black.
IfWhite now plays 4 d3, and B lack then
8 ... Be6 9 NgS QdS! fol lows up with 4 . . . Nf6, we have a line
that normally originates in the Two
Note that 9 . . Qxf6 loses a piece to 1 0
. Knights : 3 . . . Nf6 4 d3 Be7, but with the
Nxe6 fxe6 1 1 Qh5+. present move order White should play
10 Nc3 QfS 11 Nce4 0-0-0 12 g4 QeS more actively.
13 Nxe6 fxe6 1 4 fxg7 Rhg8 1 5 Bh6 d3
16 c3 d2 1 7 Re2 Rd3 4 d4

53
 Back to Basics: Openings

8
,J J..e 8
- ...*
7
tr t T t t T
' t 7 l{ t t t t
6 . ' .
W// 6 . ' 0 t
5
' / 0 5


4
,fu = 4 .ft
""% '" 4J

W/

3 3
2
.ft .m .ft .m .ft
'1<
2 ,
''

.ft ifu .ft ifu ifu .ft ift
' '

4J ., 1
@ ' r . 1 - - -

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

4... d6 3 ... g6

On 4 . . . exd4, White may be tempted to Other moves include 3 . . . Bb4 and 3 . . . Bc5 .
play 5 c3 because of 5 . . . dxc3? 6 Qd5 ,
4 d4 exd4 5 Nxd4
which looks like it wins straight away,
6 . . . Nh6 being answered by 7 Bxh6, but A sharper alternative is 5 Nd5 , e . g . ,
7 . . . 0-0 ! wins the piece as a result of the 5 . . . Bg7 6 B g 5 Nce7 ( 6 . . . Nge7? loses t o 7
threat against the b2 -pawn and the Nxd4 Bxd4 8 Qxd4! Nxd4 9 Nf6+) 7 Nxd4
bishop on h6, and the fact that 8 Be 1 is c6 8 Nc3 h6 with approximately equal
answered by 8 . . . Nb4 9 Qd 1 c2. However, chances.
8 Bxg7 Kxg7 9 Nxc3 gives White an edge,
and so does 5 . . . d3 6 Qb3 Na5 7 Bxf7+ 5 ... Bg7 6 Be3 Nf6 7 Qd2 0-0 8 0-0-0 d6
Kf8 8 Qa4. But White's best is the simple 9 f3 and White has the better chances .
5 Nxd4 d6 6 0-0 Nf6 7 Nc3 with an
obvious space advantage. B lack has Ponziani Opening
played a Philidor with the knight on c6,
not a good combination. As with many of the other openings in
this chapter, the Ponziani has a long
5 d5 NbS 6 Bd3 Nf6 7 c4 and White has history, but in the case of the Ponziani,
the better chances. i t i s n ' t part i c u l arly d i st i n g u i s h e d ,
though a few strong players have given
Three Knights Game it some attention, in part i c u l ar the
Yu g o s l a v gran d m a s t e r D r a g o lj ub
The Three Knights Game only arise if Ve l i m i ro v i c a n d t h e S w e d i s h
Black declines to go in for the Four grandmaster Jonny Hector. Objectively
Knights, but generally speaking, White speaking, it should not cause B lack
s h o u l d be a b l e to g a i n a s m a l l many headaches because equality can
advantage, and therefore B lack would be obtai ned in several ways, but i f
be better advi sed to enter the Four White is well prepared, Black must be
Knights . careful.

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 c3

54
 The Open Games

one o f the o l d e s t , b e s t and m o s t

analyzed. I suppose you can call it the
granddaddy of chess openings. It is in
the repertoire of all serious players who
open with I e4 and has been featured in
the repertoire of every world champion.

1 e4 eS 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 BbS

a b c d e f g h

White intends to follow up with d2-d4

on o n e of t h e n e x t m o v e s , b u t
unfortunately for White, B l ack has to
move first.

3 Nf6
...

a b c d e f g h
B lack attacks the pawn on e4, forcing
White's hand. The main alternative is the With this move we reach the Ruy Lopez,
sharper 3 . . . d5, which leads to double also known as the Spanish Game, both
edged play after both 4 Qa4 and 4 Bb5, giving credit to the Spanish priest, Ruy
e.g., 4 ...dxe4 5 Nxe5 Qg5 6 Qa4 Qxg2 7 Rfl
L o p e z , w h o in t h e 1 5 th c e ntury
Bh3 with chances for both sides.
supposedly was the first to discover
and play this move. The bishop attacks
4 d4
the knight on c6, which is guarding the
pawn on e5, but as we shall see shortly,
Anyway, but 4 d3 is obviously rather
it isn't a question of an immediate threat,
passive and leads, after 4 . . . d 5 , to a
but rather long-term pressure against
Reversed Philidor.
Black's center.
4 Nxe4 5 dS Ne7
..

The main move now is 3 . . . a6, but first,

The alternative is 5 . . . Nb8 6 Nxe5 Qe7 7 let's have a look at some of the lesser
Qd4 Nd6 8 Qe3 Nf5 9 Qe2 d6, and both alternatives, several of which have had
sides have chances. their time in the spotlight, even quite
recently.
6 NxeS Ng6 7 Qd4 Qe7 8 Qxe4 QxeS 9
QxeS NxeS 1 0 Bf4 Bd6 and B lack has The Bird Variation
equalized.
T h e l e a s t l o g i c a l of t h e a b o v e
The Ruy Lopez continuations is B ird 's move, where the
knight leaps for the second time as
Of all chess openings, the Ruy Lopez is Black agrees to a doubled pawn.

55
 Back to Basics: Openings

3 ... Nd4?! The Cozio Defence

It seems logical that if the knight on c6

is threatened, then the other knight
should protect it.

3 .. Nge7
.

a b c d e f g h

Nowadays this move is rarely seen at

the top l e v e l , and o n l y then as a
s u r p r i s e w e a p o n . T h e i d e a i s to
eliminate White's pressure against the
e5-pawn by exchanging White's knight a h c d e f g h
on f3. With accurate play by White, this
move is insufficient for equal ity, but However logical it may appear, th is
against an unprepared player with the move is also quite passive and blocks
white pieces, Black has decent chances, the development of the dark-squared
e.g., when Khalifman played it against bishop. Black will deal with this problem
Kasparov and got away with a draw in by either playing . . . g7-g6 to fianchetto
their first encounter with this line. the bishop or . . . Ne7-g6, guarding the
e5 -pawn and clearing the path for the
4 Nxd4 exd4 5 0-0 c6 bishop on f8 .

You would think that with Black already 4 0-0

significantly behind in development,
getting pieces into the game would have White has other options, including 4
been Black's first priority. The problem Nc3 and 4 d4, both of which should lead
for Black is White's rapid control of the to a slighter better game for White, but
center and the kingside. B lack is solid in any event. In the main
line, White wants to grab the center and
6 Bc4 d5 7 exd5 cxd5 8 Bb5+ Bd7 9 h o p e s to c a p i ta l i z e on h i s e a s i e r
Ret + Ne7 1 0 Bxd7+ Qxd7 1 1 Qh5 development.

T h i s is by no m e a n s the o n l y 4 ... g6 5 c3 Bg7 6 d4 exd4 7 cxd4 d5 8

continuation for e i ther s i d e , b u t i t exd5 Nxd5 9 Ret + Be6 1 0 Bg5 Qd6 1 1
illustrates w e l l some of the problems Nc3 and White has the better chances.
Black encounters. In our final position,
Black is behind in development, has The Fianchetto Variation
central doubled pawns with the king
stuck in the center. T h i s l i ne was a fa vorite of world

56
 The Open Games

champion Vassily Smysl ov, leaving And after this series of exchanges,
Black with a solid if somewhat passive White has a slightly better game thanks
p o s i t i o n , although g i v e n the right to h i s superior pawn structure, but
circumstances, Black will be able to Black is certainly sti ll in the game.
develop satisfactory counterplay.
The Steinitz Variation
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 g6
Those players who fancy B lack's setup
in this variation usually play 3 . . . a6 4 Ba4
and only then 4 . . . d6, allowing Black
some more flexibility compared to the
line given below.

3 ... d6

a h c d e f g h

It looks a little strange to spend another

pawn move to develop the bishop to g7
from where it will be staring at the e5-
pawn. The point is that White sooner
or later will have to open the center, after
which the bishop will be excellently a h c d e f g h
placed on g7.
This is another fairly passive setup for
4 d4 Black and one which is only seen rarely
in modem praxis.
The main alternative is 4 c 3 , and then
4 . . . d6 5 d4 Bd7 6 0-0 Bg7 leaves Black 4 d4 Bd7 5 Nc3 exd4
with another solid position . The text
move is more aggressive . Or 5 . . . N f6 6 Bxc6 Bxc6 7 Qd3 Nd7, and
White has more space and the slightly
4 ... exd4 5 Bg5 Be7 better chances.

Black can also play 5 . . . f6, but that isn 't 6 Nxd4 g6 7 0-0 Bg7 8 Bxc6 bxc6 9 Rei
part i c u l arly aesthet i c a l l y p l e a s i n g and White has the somewhat easier game.
either.
The Cordel Variation
6 Bxe7 Ngxe7 7 Nxd4 d5 8 Nc3 ! ? dxe4
9 Bxc6+ Nxc6 1 0 Nxc6 Qxd l l l Rxd l One of the oldest lines to counter the
bxc6 Ruy Lopez is the C o rd e l . B l a c k ' s

57
 Back to Basics : Openings

response is quite logical, developing a took i t u p recently and achieved good

b i s h o p to an a c t i v e s q u are a n d results with it against some of the very
preparing t o castle. best players in world, including world
champion Vi swanathan Anand and
3 ... Bc5 former FIDE world champion Veselin
Topalov.

White appears to have decent chances

7
to obtain an edge, but Radj abov ' s
6
argument is that B lack's chances are no
5 worse than in any other variation or
4 o p e n i n g . T h i s is a l e s s o n w o rth
3 remembering.
2
3 ... f5

a b c d e f g h

4 c3

After 4 0-0, Black will often play 4 . . .Nf6,

transposing the game to the Berl i n
Defense.

4... f5

much sharper.
This is White 's most common choice,
5 d4 fxe4 6 Bxc6 dxc6 7 Nxe5 Qd5 8 but for a while in Radj abov 's games it
Bf4 Bd6 and White has a slightly better seemed like White 's best option was 4
game, but Black's position is dynamic d3 , which should offer White a slightly
and if nothing else, he has the pair of better game. Other reasonably good
bishops. choices include 4 d4 and 4 Bxc6.

The Schliemann/Jaenisch Gambit 4...fxe4

While seen occasionally at the higher A sharper alternative is 4 . . . Nd4, but it

levels, the S c h l iemann/Jaenisch has has been estab l i shed that White i s
been very rare at the highest levels clearly better after 5 Ba4 Nf6 6 Nxe5 Bc5
except for a rare appearance here and 7 Nd3 Bb6 8 e5 Ne4 9 Nd5 0-0 I 0 0-0.
there. So it was for many years, until
Azerbaij ani phenom Teimur Radj abov 5 Nxe4 Nf6

58
 The Open Games

Black can also opt for S . . . dS, but after repertoires of some o f the strongest
the sharp exchange 6 NxeS dxe4 7 Nxc6 players in the world.
QgS 8 Qe2 Nf6 9 f4 Qxf4 I 0 NeS+ c6 I I
d4 Qh4+ 1 2 g3 Qh3 1 3 Bc4, White has 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 Nf6
the upper hand, but needless to say,
matters are stil l very complicated.

6 Nxf6+ Qxf6 7 Qe2 Be7 8 Bxc6 dxc6 9

N xe5 0-0 1 0 0-0 Bd6 1 1 d4

4 a b c d e f g h

3
The starting position of the B e r l i n
2
Defense, b u t there are several sub
variations that are popular in their own
a b c d e f g h right.

4 0-0
And White has an extra pawn, but Black
h a s dy n a m i c c o u n t e r p l ay a s
This is the normal move for White, but
compensati on. Whether this
if White wants to prevent the popular
counterplay is quite enough t o fully
main line, 4 . . . Nxe4, there is also either 4
compensate for the pawn is an entirely
d3 or 4 Qe2, though ne ither move
different question and likely a matter of
represents any maj o r problems for
taste and style.
B lack, who equalizes without too much
effort.
The Berlin Defence
4... Nxe4
While never quite disappearing from the
repertoires of the worl d ' s strongest Nowadays this move is played almost
p l ay ers , t h i s v a r i a t i o n r e c e i v e d a exclusively in this position, but there
tremendous boost in popularity when are a couple of alternatives that deserve
V l a d i m i r Kram n i k u s e d it as t h e attention: (a) 4 . . . Bc5 5 c3 (White can also
cornerstone of his opening repertoire play 5 NxeS after which both 5 . . . Nxe4 6
in his successful challenge in 2000 to Qe2 and S . . . NxeS 6 d4 are supposed to
G arry K a s p arov fo r t h e w o r l d deliver a slight edge for White, but also,
champ ionship in London . This un l i ke t h e m a i n l i n e , l e a d to
popularity has never waned and the simplifications) 5 . . . 0-0 6 d4 Bb6 7 BgS
Berl in Defense to the Ruy Lopez has h6 8 Bh4 d6 9 Qd3 Bd7, and White has a
taken i t s p l a c e in t h e o p e n i n g slightly better game; and (b) 4 . . . d6 5 d4

59
 Back to Basics: Openings

Bd7 6 Nc3 exd4 7 Nxd4 Be7 8 Re I 0-0 9 the flexibi l ity to choose which rook to
Bxc6 bxc6 I 0 Qd3, and again White has put on d I or whether to do something
the upper hand. else entirely.

5 d4 Nd6 9... Ke8

Black aims for the so-called Berlin Wall This is sti ll the most popular move, but
Variation, the line that took center stage there are other interesting choices for
Black such as 9 . . . Bd7 (Kramnik's choice
as a re s u l t of Kram n i k ' s u s e of it
against Kasparov), 9 . . . a5 , 9 . . . Ne7 and
parti c u l a r l y i n t h e 2000 w o r l d
9 ... h6.
championship match against Kasparov.
The alternative is 5 . . . Be7 6 Qe2 Nd6 7
10 h3 h5
Bxc6 bxc6 8 dxe5 Nb7, which looks
bizarre, but is an accepted line for Black;
It is a good i n d i cation of the fast
one continuation for White now is 9 Nc3 development of the theory of this line,
0-0 10 Re i Nc5 I I Be3 Ne6 12 Rad l , and that this move now is considered the
W h i t e h a s t h e s o m e w hat better main line, closely followed in popularity
chances, but B lack's position is solid by I O . . . b6. The three main lines in the
and not without counterplay. re s p e c t e d Encyc lopedia of Chess
Openings published in 2000 are hardly
6 Bxc6 dxc6 7 dxe5 Nf5 8 Qxd8+ Kxd8 being played anymore - I O . . h6, I O . . .Ne7
.

and I O . . . a5 . The main point behind the

t e x t m o v e is to m a k e g 2 - g4 l e s s
attractive for White.

11 Bf4 Be7 1 2 Rad l

And White has more space, is better

developed and appears to have the
initiative, but B lack's position is very
solid, full oflatent resources and White
has to be quite careful not to overstep
a b c d e f g h his boundaries. White may have a slight
advantage, but it is hardly more than
We have reached the starting position that.
of the Berlin Wall Variation, which has
been the battleground for an almost Ruy Lopez Main Lines
endless stream of top encounters the
last ten years . The main lines of the Ruy Lopez are the
9 Nc3 ones starting with the move attributed
to the 1 9th-century American genius
Another option for White is 9 Rd I +, but P a u l M o rp h y : 3 . . . a 6 . T h e re is a
after 9 . . . Ke8 1 0 Nc3 , Black can safely tremendous volume of theory in these
choose between I O . . . Be7, I O . . . Ne7 and lines, but even so, there is plenty of
I O . a5 , all with approximately equal
. . room fo r ori g i n a l p l ay, as t h e re
chances. After the text move, White has n u m e r o u s l i n e s that are l e s s

60
 The Open Games

theoretically intensive. However, there now go for the utterly boring 5 d4 exd4
are also plenty oflines that most players 6 Qxd4 Qxd4 7 Nxd4 that results in any
should stay away from, partly because hopes White may have had for an
of the mass of theory, but also because advantage to evaporate.
they are so strategically complex that
most of us will simply not understand 5 0-0
the play that ensues.
White cannot win a pawn with 5 Nxe5
Exchange Variation because of 5 . . . Qd4, but with the text
move White threatens 6 Nxe5 and Black
W h i l e t h e E x c h a n g e Vari a t i o n has to address this threat.
undoubte d l y h a s a reputation as a
b o r i n g o p e n i n g , i t i s n ' t e n t i re l y 5 ... f6
d e s e rv e d . L a s k e r u s e d i t to b e a t
Capablanca in one of the most famous There are numerous alternatives at this
games ever played, their encounter at juncture such as 5 . . .Ne7, 5 . . . Qe7, 5 . . . Be7,
St. Petersburg 1 9 1 4. Fischer used the 5 . . . Qf6, 5 . . . Bd6, 5 . . . Bg4 and last but not
opening repeatedly with good results least 5 . . . Qd6, which is probably B lack
against top opposition. Former Dutch main alternative to the text move. Now
world champ i o n s h i p candi date Jan White can either play the slower 6 d3
T i m m a n h a s p l ay e d t h e o p e n i n g followed by Be3 and Nbd2 or the more
throughout h i s career, and last but not direct 6 Na3 , intending Nc4, forcing
least, FIDE world champion Rustam B lack to address this immediate threat,
K a s i m dz h a n o v u s e d t h e o p e n i n g
which can be done with either 6 . . . b5 7
repeatedly with good results in the
c3 c5 8 Nc2 or 6 . . . Be6 7 Qe2 f6 8 Rd I c5
knock-out tournament in which he
9 c3 B g4 in b o t h c a s e s w i th
gained the title.
approximately equal chances.

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Bxc6

6 d4 exd4
dxc6

Black can also play 6 . . . Bg4, after which

B lack can also play 4 . . . bxc6, but Black
the normal continuation 7 dxe5 Qxd I 8
fa l l s b e h i n d in d e v e l o p m e n t . S o
Rxd I fXe5 9 Rd3 Bd6 I 0 Nbd2 Nf6 with a
effectively, this i s the starting position
fairly even position.
of the Exchange Variation. White can

7 Nxd4 c5 8 Nb3 Qxd1 9 Rxd 1 Bg4 1 0

8 f3 Be6 and the chances are about level.
7

6 4th Move Alternatives for Black

5
Before entering into the territory of the
4
real main lines, there are a number of
3 lesser, but not entirely insignificant lines
2 we need to cover.

f g h 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 d6

61
 Back to Basics: Open ings

Nc3 g6 7 d4 exd4 8 Nxd4 Bg7 9 Be3 Nge7

with approximately equal chances; (b)
5 0-0 Bg4 (5 . . . Bd7 is more solid, but after
6 c3 play will usually transpose to our
main line after 5 c3) 6 h3 h5 ! ? 7 d4 ! Qf6
8 Bxc6+ bxc6 9 Nbd2 Be6 and 7 . . . b5 8
Bb3 Nxd4 9 hxg4 hxg4 I 0 Ng5 Nh6, in
both cases with an advantage for White;
and (c) 5 Bxc6+ bxc6 6 d4 f6 ! 7 Be3 Ne7
8 Nc3 Ng6, and while Black's position
looks quite passive, it is very solid and
a b c d e f g h contains p lenty of latent counterplay;
the chances are fairly even .
This is the Steinitz Variation Deferred
we t o u c h e d b r i e fl y u p o n w h e n 5 ... Bd7
discussing the Steinitz Variation above.
But in this more flexible form, there are The normal Steinitz move, but B lack
also has the so-called Siesta Variation
truly amazing variety of lines, sharp,
avai lable: 5 . . . f5 , which spices up the
p a s s i v e , s o l i d , aggre s s i v e and
game immediately, e.g., 6 exf5 Bxf5 7 0-0
something in between .
(7 d4 e4 8 Ng5 Bf5 is fine for Black)
7 . . . Bd3 8 Re i Be7 9 Bc2 ! ? (on 9 Re3 ,
However, Black also has a couple of
Black plays 9 . . . e4) 9 . . . Bxc2 I 0 Qxc2, and
other lines at this j uncture that deserve
White is ready to break in the center
a briefmention: (a) 4...f5 is a bad version with the d-pawn .
of the Schliemann/Jaenisch Gambit and
is best countered with 5 d4 ! exd4 6 e5 6 d4 g6
Bc5 7 0-0 Nge7 8 c3 , and B lack is behind
in development with a worse position ;
(b) 4 ... b5 5 Ba4 Na5 is the so-called
N o r w e g i a n Var i ati o n , w h i c h w a s
p i oneered by Norwegians and h a s
occasionally attempted t o b e revived by
some of their more recent grandmasters,
but nevertheless, it is sti l l a dubious
line, e.g., 6 0-0 (even 6 Bxf7+ is playable,
but quite unnecessary) 6 . . . d6 7 d4 Nxb3
8 axb3 f6, and while Black's position is
re a s o n a b l y s o l i d , he is b e h i n d in a b c d e f g h
development with numerous structural
weaknesses. A n other s o l i d o p t i o n for B l ac k i s
6 . . . Nge7, e.g., 7 0-0 Ng6 8 d 5 Nb8 9 c4
5 c3 Be7 I 0 Nc3 , and White has more space
and the upper hand.
The main move, but also here there are
alternatives to consider: (a) 5 c4 Bd7 6 7 0-0 Bg7 8 Ret

62
 The Open Games

White can also consider 8 dxe5, 8 d5 and center this soon isn 't without risk, when
8 Be3. The last two in particular offer White White is ahead in development) 8 a4
good chances for a small plus. Bg4 9 h3 Bh5 I 0 b4 Bb6 with chances
for both sides.
8 Nge7 9 d5 Na5 10 Bxd7+ Qxd7 11
...

Nbd2 6 Bb3 Bb7

And White is marginally better thanks

to more space and the initiative.

The Archangel, New Archangel and

Moller Variations

I n t h e 1 9 8 0 s three l i n e s b e c a m e
immensely popular and these related
l ines are what we are going to discuss
in this segment. a b c d e f g h

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 I n the New Archange l , B lack plays
5 0-0 b5 6 . . . B c 5 i n stead, postpon i n g the
fianchetto of the light-squared bishop.
The Mel ler deviates at this juncture, After 7 c3 d6 8 a4 (White can also play
w h e n B l a c k p l ay s t h e i m m e d i ate 8 d4, but after 8 . . . Bb6 9 a4, we are back
5 ... Bc5 !?. in the same line) 8 . . . Rb8 9 d4 Bb6 1 0
axb5 axb5 I I Na3 0-0 1 2 Nxb5 Bg4, and
the pin on the knight on f3 along with
Black's pressure on the white pawn
6 center compensates for the sacrificed
pawn.
5

4
7 Rel
3
2 One alternative to this is the very sharp
7 c3, inviting all sorts of madness, e.g.,
a b c d e f g h 7 c3, after which one line runs as follows:
7 . . . Nxe4 8 d4 Na5 1 0 9 Bc2 exd4 1 0 b4
There is a lot of theory on this line, but Nc4 I I Bxe4 Bxe4 1 2 Re i d5 1 3 Nxd4 c5
not as much as its two cousins also 1 4 bxc5 Bxc5 , with a very complicated
covered in this section. One line runs 6 struggle ahead.
c3 b5 7 Bc2 ( Black's move order allows
White to play this directly instead of A safer, and nowadays a more popular,
going first to b3 , but some players prefer choice is 7 d3 , after which 7 . . . Be7
7 B b 3 , tra n s p o s i n g i n t o the N e w transposes to the Closed Variations, but
Archangel) 7 . . . d 6 ( 7 . . . d5 has also been 7 ... Bc5 8 a4 0-0 9 Nc3 b4 1 0 Nd5 Nxd5 1 1
played quite a bit, but open ing the Bxd5 d6 is about equal .

63
 Back to Basics : Openings

7 ... Bc5 8 c3 d6 9 d4 Bb6 10 a4 0-0 1 1 Ng3 and so on. It doesn't look like much
Bg5 h 6 1 2 Bh4 and now B lack can and it really shouldn 't be, but B lack
choose between 1 2 . . . exd4 1 3 cxd4 Re8, nevertheless has to be careful, because
12 . . . Re8 and 12 . . . Qe7, in all cases with a with a well-timed d3 -d4 at some point,
complicated strategic middlegame battle White may be able to seize the initiative.
ahead.
5 ... b5 6 Bb3 Bc5 7 c3 d6 8 d3 h6 9 0-0
5 Qe2 and Other Early Deviations 0-0 and the chances are about even.

White's last chance to deviate before Open Variation

entering variations with some of the
most massive opening theory will now The Open Variation has experienced a
be d i s c u s s e d h e r e . O bj e c t i v e l y couple of revivals . First Bent Larsen
speaking, the l i nes should be fairly brought it back to life in the 1 960s, but
harmless, but because they are seen it soon disappeared again, and then later
much less frequently, W h ite has a in the 1 970s Viktor Kortschnoi started
d e c e n t c h a n c e fo r s u r p r i s i n g h i s playing it regularly with good results.
opponent at this j uncture. Despite an occas i onal setback, for
example an amazing game by Kasparov
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 against Anand in the i r 1 99 5 World
5 Qe2 Championship match, the opening is
st i l l seen with some fre q u e n c y at
grandmaster level.

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6

5 0-0 N xe4

a b c d e f g h

Now both 5 Bxc6 (IfWhite wants to make

the exchange on c6, he should either play
it on the 4th move or on the 6th) and 5
Nc3 offer White no real chances of an a b c d e f g h
edge, but 5 d4 is a different story, though
Black can get a decent game after 5 . . .exd4 This is a very provocative reaction to
6 e5 Ne4 7 0-0 Nc5. White's opening play. B lack makes the
claim that despite the fact that White is
Last, but not least, is the unassuming 5 well ahead in development, B lack can
d3 after which White intends to build snap off the white e-pawn and easily
up slowly with c3, Nbd2, 0-0, Re i , Nfl , weather the storm.

64
 The Open Games

6 d4 line) l l . . .Nxe6 1 2 cxd4 Ncxd4 1 3 Ne4

(here 1 3 a4 ! ? is a worthwhile alternative)
Neither 6 Qe2 nor 6 Re 1 offer White any 1 3 ... Be7 1 4 Be3 Nf5 1 5 Qc2 0-0 1 6 Rad l
real chances of an advantage. With the Nxe3 1 7 fxe3 Qc8, with a sharp position
text move, White wants to open the in which both sides have their share of
position to take advantage of B lack's the chances.
lack of development and vulnerable king
that is stil l on the open e-file.
9 .. Bc5
.

6 ... b5 7 Bb3 d5 8 dxe5 Be6

B lack can also p l ay the more solid
9 ... Be7, for instance l 0 Nbd2 Nc5 1 1 Bc2
Bg4 1 2 Re l 0-0 (or 1 2 ... Qd7) 1 3 Nfl Bh5
1 4 Ng3 Bg6, and White is perhaps a little
6 better after 1 5 Be3 , but only time will
5 tell by how much.
4
10 Nbd2 0-0 11 Bc2 Nxf2 ! ?
3
2
N o rm a l l y i t i s n o t c o n s i d e r e d a
particularly good idea to give up two
a b c d e f g h minor pieces for a rook and a pawn
under simi lar circumstances, but in this
We have reached the starting position
of the Open Variation, which is steeped 8
in theory and genera l l y s h o u l d b e 7
a v o i d e d u n l e s s you e i t h e r have a
6
prepared sideline or really have spent a
5
lot of time memorizing and
understanding the theory of this line. 4

3
9 c3 2

Two alternatives for White are : (a) 9

a b c d e f g h
Qe2 Be7 1 0 Rd 1 0-0 ( l O . . . Nc5 is also
played) 1 1 c4 bxc4 12 Bxc4 Bc5 is about
case it has been estab lished as a main
even, but quite complicated; and (b) 9
l ine option for B lack - the so-called
Nbd2 Nc5 1 0 c3 d4 (with this move Black
D i l w o rt h Attac k . The " s an e r "
continues to provoke, but I O . . . Be7 and
alternatives are l l . . . Bf5 1 2 Nb3 Bg6 1 3
1 O . . . Bg4 can also be played) I I Bxe6
Nfd4 Bxd4 1 4 cxd4 and l l . . . f5 1 2 Nb3
( b o t h Karpov and K a s p arov have
Bb6 1 3 Nfd4 Nxd4 1 4 Nxd4 Bxd4 1 5
preferred the ultra-sharp 1 1 Ng5 ! ? in
Qxd4, both marginally better for White.
world championship matches. The idea
is that l l . .Qxg5 is answered by 1 2 Qf3 , 1 2 Rxf2 f6!
regaining the piece, though it is by no
means clear that White is better in this Opening the f-file is the only way to

65
 Back to Basics: Openings

claim compensation for B lack for the White can sti l l avoid some of the
uneven exchange on fl . heaviest theory, but even the lines in
this section have been the topic of fairly
1 3 exf6 Bxf2+ 1 4 Kxf2 Qxf6 1 5 Nfl i ntense research and are reg u l arly
Ne5 1 6 Be3 Rae8 played at grandmaster level, even by
the very highest rated players in the
W h i l e estab l i s hed o p e n i n g theory world.
claims White to be slightly better, it is
easier to play Black than White. 6 Qe2

Closed Variations

In my o p i n i o n , s o m e o f the m o s t
strategically complicated opening lines
in all opening theory can be found in
the fol lowing sections. The play can be
rather convoluted and nearly impossible
to understand for the uninitiated, yet I
see many inexperienced players head
into these lines, knowing a fair share of
a b c d e f g h
the theory, but not understanding why
the moves are being played.
This is the Worral l Attack, which not
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 too long ago was the main subject of an
5 0-0 Be7 absolutely massive tome on the Ruy
Lopez.

The main alternatives are : (a) 6 d4 exd4

7 Re 1 (or 7 e5 Ne4 8 Nxd4 Nxd4 9 Qxd4
6 Nc5 1 0 Nc3 0-0 is about equal) 7 . . . 0-0
5 (7 . . . b5 8 Bb3 d6 9 Bd5 Bb7 w ith a
4 complicated game is also possible) 8 e5
N e 8 9 c3 d x c 3 1 0 N x c 3 w i t h
3
compensation for the pawn; (b) 6 Bxc6,
t h e s o - c a l l e d D e l ay e d E x c h a n g e
Variation, which makes more sense now
a b c d e f g h when Black has committed to developing
the bishop to e7 and therefore is less
are the starting moves in all of the interested in spending another tempo
remaining lines in the coverage of the guarding the e5-pawn with . . . Bd6. This
Ruy Lopez. means that B lack normally will have to
retreat the remaining knight to d7 and
Delayed Exchange, WorrallAttack and often play . . . f7-f6. After 6 . . . bxc6, White
Other 6th Move Alternatives has tried a handful different moves: 7
Re i , 7 Qe2, 7 Qe 1 , 7 Nc3 and 7 d3, of

66
 The Open Games

which the last is probably the best, e.g., c h a n c e s , b u t t h e p l ay is q u i t e

7 ...Nd7 8 Nbd2 0-0 9 Nc4 (9 b3 ! ? is also complicated.
worth a try) 9 . . . f6 (preparing to move
the knight to a more active square) I 0 Anti-MarshaU
Nh4 ! ? Nc5 1 1 Nf5 Bxf5 I 2 exf5 Qd7 with
chances for both sides; and (c) 6 d3, With the emergence of the Marshal l
o ften used whenever the Mars h a l l Attack as one of Black's primary answer
Attack is in vogue, like the last several to the Ruy Lopez at top levels over the
years. One of the main lines runs as last few years, the need for alternatives
follows : 6 . . . b5 7 Bb3 Bb7 8 Nc3 (White to the main lines has become apparent.
can also play 8 c4, but this should not Therefore White has resorted to two
worry Black too much either) 8 . 0-0 (or
.. moves that prevent the Marshall.
8 . . . d6 9 a4 Na5 I O Ba2 b4 1 1 Ne2 c5 1 2
Ng3 0-0 with equal chances) 9 Bd2 d6 6 Rel bS 7 Bb3 0-0
1 0 a4 Na5 I I Ba2 b4 I 2 Nd5 Nxd5 I 3
exd5 c5, and again Black has equalized. B l a c k ' s l a s t m o v e i s u s u a l l y an
indication for White 's alarm bel ls to
6 ... b5 7 Bb3 0-0 8 c3 d6 sound, because the normal 8 c3 can now
be met with the Marshall Attack, a sharp
Black can also play the more aggressive gambit that currently seems to be in the
8 . . . d5, and after 9 d3 Re8 I 0 Re I Bb7 I I black repertoires of nearly every world
Nbd2 Nf8, the chances are more or less c l a s s p l ayer. The M arsha l l w i l l be
balanced . covered in the next section.

8 I f B lack does not really intend to play

the Marshall, 7 . . . d6 may be played first
7
and then after 8 c3, 8 . . . 0-0 will take the
6
play to the Closed Main Lines. However,
5 after 7 . . . 0-0, White has to make a
4 decision whether to avoid the Marshall
3 altogether or to allow it.
2
8 a4

a b c d e f g h
8
7
9 d4
6

There are several other interesting 5

options for White, e.g., 9 a4 and 9 Rd i . 4

3
9 ... Bg4 1 0 Rd l exd4 1 1 cxd4 d5 1 2 eS 2
Ne4 13 Nc3 Nxc3 14 bxc3 Qd7 and
both s i d e s have the i r sh are of the
a b c d e f g h

67
 Back to Basics : Openings

White also frequently plays 8 h3 at this of the opening variations that bear his
point, and this can take the game to the name should appeal to players who
Closed Main Lines after 8 . . . d6 9 c3, but enjoy sharp chess. The Marshall Attack
more often Black will attempt to take first grabbed the attention of the chess
advantage of White 's move order by world at an encounter between the
playing 8 . . . Bb7, and then after 9 d3 , future world champion, the great Cuban
Black can choose between the Chigorin p l ayer J o s e Rau l Capablanca, and
l ike 9 . . . d6 1 0 a3 Na5 (or 1 0 . . . Nb8, Marshall, New York 1 9 1 8.
intending 1 1 ... Nbd7) 1 1 Ba2 c5 with
chances for both sides or Aronian 's 6 Re 1 b5 7 Bb3 0-0 8 c3 d5
favorite move, the Marshall-like 9 ... d5 ! ?
I 0 exd5 Nxd5 where 1 1 Nxe5 Nd4 gives 8
B lack decent compensation for the 7
pawn and therefore 1 1 a4 has been given
6
preference by players such as Anand.
5

Two other l ines for White that prevent 4

the Marshall are 8 d3 and 8 d4, both of 3
which have also seen a lot of activity 2
the last few years.

a b c d e f g h
8 .. b4 9 d4
.

Or 9 d3 d6 1 0 Nbd2 Na5 1 1 Ba2 Be6 1 2 This fascinating gambit seems to go in

B x e 6 fx e 6 w i th a c o m p l i c at e d and out of fashion at regu lar intervals.
middlegame ahead, where the chances In the 1 960s, it was Spassky and Tal,
are approximately level. but as mentioned above, it now seems
that all of the top players - even more
9...d6 1 0 dxe5 dxe5 positionally oriented players - have the
Marshall in their repertoires .
Black can also play 1 O . . . Nxe5 . After the
9 exd5
text move, White will normally continue
with 1 1 Qxd8 Rxd8 1 2 Nbd2 Bd6 1 3 a5 This is only critical reply to the Marshall,
h6 1 4 B c 4 , after w h i c h he has an although White has also tried 9 d4 to
apparent advantage, but not much more avoid the theory - l aden main l i n e s .
than that.
9. . .Nxd5 1 0 Nxe5 Nxe5 1 1 Rxe5 c 6 (D)
The Marshall Attack
I n the stem game, M arshall played
The A m e r i c a n grandmaster Frank 1 1 . . . Nf6, intending . . . Bd6, . . . Nf6-g4 and
Marshall was one o f the strongest . . . Qh4. Capablanca parried Marshal l 's
players in the early part of the 20th attack a n d w o n a b r i l l i a n t g am e .
century and even played a match for Nowadays, this line is seen very rarely;
the world cham p i o n s h i p . Marsha l l the same goes for 1 1 . . . Bb7 which has
loved sharp tactical games and several also seen some attention over the years.

68
 The Open Games

8 8
7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3
2 2

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

1 2 d4 constant flux, although real ly beyond

the scope of t h i s book. If you are
W h i t e has several other adeq uate interested in this opening, you should
alternatives, for example 1 2 d3 , 1 2 g3 study separate literature devoted to this
and 1 2 Re I , all of which have been used variation and the l atest games and
frequently in recent years. theory available online. Some general
thoughts on openings of this nature can
1 2 ... Bd6 13 Re t be fo u n d in t h e c h apter " W h i c h
openings should I choose?"
1 3 Re2 has also been popular, but Black
should be fine after 1 3 . . . Qh4 1 4 g3 Qh3 Closed Main Lines
1 5 Nd2 Bf5 , with chances for both sides.
In this final section in the coverage of
13 ... Qh4 14 g3 Qh3 15 Be3 the Ruy Lopez, we will quickly look at
the large amount of theory that exists
Two interesting choices are 1 5 Bxd5
in these lines. As previously mentioned,
cxd5 1 6 Qf3 Bf5 or Petrosian 's 1 5 Re4,
the l i n e s are v e ry d i ffi c u l t to
which is best met by 1 5 . . . g5 in order to
understand, because the main l ines are
prevent White from playing Rh4. Both
the result of over I 00 years worth of
l ines lead to positions where B lack is
trial and error by the best players in the
supposed to have ful l compensation for
world. Therefore, trying to work out why
the sacrificed pawn.
one move is better than another i s
1 5 ... Bg4 1 6 Qd3 Rae8 17 Nd2 Re6 nearly impossible and s o are attempts
to memorize the theory because its
Also 1 7 . . . f5 is fully playable. volume is so enormous.

1 8 a4 f5 1 9 Qfl Qh5 (D) 6 Re t b5 7 Bb3 0-0 8 c3 d6 9 h3 (D)

This and the alternative main lines have This prevents . . . Bg4 and thus prepares
been played numerous times and the the advance of the d-pawn , which
evaluation of which l ine is the most nevertheless is played in two different
critical from either side seems to be in widely different variations: (a) 9 d3 is

69
 Back to Basics: Openings

8 8
7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3
2 2

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

rather slow, but still of interest because it the Breyer Variation, looks odd. Why
avoids the heaviest theory and allows the make th i s knight retreat this early?
player with the better understanding to B lack thinks that the knight is more
play for a win with less risk, but Black is ideally placed on d7, where it does not
still fine after 9 . . .Na5 I 0 Bc2 c5 I I Nbd2 block the advance of the c-pawn and
Nc6 1 2 Nfl Re8; (b) 9 d4 is frequently the scope of a bishop on b7. This line
seen at grandmaster level and is regularly has been a favorite of world champion
played by American grandmaster Gata B o r i s S pa s s k y a n d g r a n d m a s t e r
Kamsky. The main line continues 9 . . Bg4 .
A lexander Beliavsky t o mention but a
I 0 Be3 (or 1 0 d5 Na5 I I Bc2 c6 1 2 h3 Bc8
few : 1 0 d4 Nbd7 1 1 Nbd2 Bb7 1 2 Bc2
1 3 dxc6 Qc7 with about even chances)
Re8 1 3 Nfl Bf8 1 4 Ng3 g6 1 5 a4 c5 1 6 d5
l O . . exd4 I I cxd4, and now Black can
.
c4 with a strategically complex struggle
choose between l l . . .Na5 1 2 Bc2 c5 or
ahead; (d) 9 Nd7 bears the name of
...

l l . . .d5 1 2 e5 Ne4, in both cases with

world champion Anatoly Karpov. After
chances for both sides.
l 0 d4 Bf6 (Black can also play l O . . . Nb6)
In the diagrammed position, Black has an 1 1 a4 Bb7, White can choose between
amazing selection of interesting moves 1 2 axb5, 1 2 Na3 , 1 2 Be3 and 1 2 d5, of
available, ofwhich the most important are: which the last perhaps is best, trying to
(a) 9 Be6, named after the late Soviet
...
take advantage of B lack's somewhat
grandmaster Ratmir Kholmov: I 0 d4 Bxb3 artificial set-up, but it is entirely a matter
I I axb3 ( I I Qxb3 is also played, but it is of taste; (e) 9 Bb7 I 0 d4, Re8
...

not as critical as the text move) l l ... exd4

1 2 cxd4 Nb4 1 3 Nc3 c5 (the point of the 8
previous move) 1 4 Bg5 , and White is 7
perhaps slightly better; (b) 9 h6, the ...

6
Smyslov Variation; it often leads to lines
in the Zaitsev Variation if the players so 5
d e s i r e , but there is a l s o p l enty o f 4
independent theory i n this line too: I 0 d4 3
Re8 l l Nbd2 Bf8 1 2 a3 ( 1 2 Nfl is a good
2
alternative) 1 2 . . . Bb7 1 3 Bc2 Nb8 1 4 b4
Nbd7 1 5 Bb2 g6 with chances for both
sides. (c) 9 Nb8,
... a b c d e f g h

70
 The Open Games

also closely associated with Karpov as (Black can at thi s j u ncture consider
it bears the name of his long-time second moves such as 1 3 . . . Rd8, 1 3 . . . Bd7 and
Zaitsev and was popularized by Karpov. 1 3 . . . Bb7) 14 Nb3 a5 1 5 Be3 a4 1 6 Nbd2,
This line has been heavily developed and the chances are approximately
thanks to repeated use by many of the equal , though perhaps with a marginal
world's leading players over the last edge for White.
four decades. One main line runs: I I
Nbd2 ( I I Ng5 Rf8 1 2 N f3 Re8 with a Black's Second Move Alternatives
draw by repetition, played numerous
t i m e s , i n c l u d i n g several t i m e s by In this section, there is an incredible
Karpov as B lack) l l . . . B f8 1 2 a4 ( 1 2 d5 diversity of openings, from the very
and 12 Bc2 are two good alternatives) solid and sound, to the very sharp and
12 ... h6 1 3 Bc2 exd4 1 4 cxd4 Nb4 1 5 Bb l unsound, along with a few things that
c5 1 6 d5 Nd7 1 7 Ra3 ( i ntend ing to fall betwixt and between.
transfer the rook to kingside ), and here
both 1 7 . . . c4 and 1 7 . . . f5 have been played The Petroff or Russian Game
c o u n t l e s s t i m e s . T h e t h e o ry i s
incredibly dense i n this line and should This opening has been part of nearly
really be avoided by players below every top grandmaster's repertoire over
master level; (t) 9 Na5, B lack's most
... the last three decades. It combines the
ambitious line. It bears the name of the need for a solid opening that seeks
Russian grandmaster Mikhail Chi gorin, equality as the primary goal, with the
a world championship candidate in the potential of playing for a win without
1 9th century. taking unnecessary risks. However,
thanks to the constant use by many of
8
the world's best players, some of the
lines are decidedly boring and can really
7
only be of interest to those players who
6 enj oy studying the finesses of dead
5 equal positions. Nevertheless, there are
4 many opportunities for both sides to
sharpen the game to i n c re a s e the
3
chances for a decisive outcome.
2

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6
a b c d e f g h

After 1 0 Bc2 c5 (the young Polish

grandmaster Gregor Gaj ewski recently
came up with the new gambit 1 0 . . . d5 ! ?)
1 1 d4 Qc7 ( B l ack has several good
alternatives in l l . . .Nd7, l l . . .Nc6 and
l l . . . Bb7, each of which has its own
considerable theory) 1 2 Nbd2 cxd4 (or
1 2 . . . Nc6 after which both 1 3 dxc5 and
1 3 d5 deserve attention) 1 3 cxd4 Nc6
a b c d e f g h

71
 Back to Basics: Openings

While this is the starting position of the seen slightly more frequently, but much
Petroff, there are countless standard depends on recent trends and these
positions that occur later, even much change frequently.
later, and it is important to realize that in
order to play the main l ines of thi s 3 Nxe5 d6
opening successfully you will need to
invest a serious amount of time to 3 . . .Nxe4 is considered dubious because
u n derstand a n d p l ay t h e m w e l l . White picks up a pawn after 4 Qe2 Qe7
Therefore if you are at a level where the 5 Qxe4 d6 6 d4 dxe5 7 dxe5 Nc6 8 Bb5
material in this book is new to you, then
Bd7 9 Nc3 , though matters aren ' t as
you ought to stay well clear of the main
clear and simple as they may appear,
l ines and instead seek refuge in some
since Black does get some counterplay.
of the numerous respectable sidelines
that obj ectively offer chances that are 4 Nf3
just as good as anything you will come
across in the main l ines. The logical, but again , not the only
move. The obvious alternative is 4 Nc4,
White has a couple of alternatives at though B l ack equalizes without too
this juncture. Of the lesser lines, 3 Bc4 much difficulty after 4 . . . Nxe4 5 d4 d5 6
immediately jumps to mind, intending Ne3 Qf6. However, if you are tactically
3 ... Nxe4 4 Nc3 Nxc3 5 dxc3 , and here the i n c l i n e d a s W h i t e , you can a l s o
theory usually continues with B lack
consider the brutally direct 4 Nxf7 ! ?,
trying to hold on to the pawn with 5 . . . f6
which can cause B lack trouble if he
6 Nh4 ! ? g6 7 f4 Qe7 8 f5 Qg7. White has
doesn ' t know how to conduct the
compensation for the pawn, but Black
defense after 4 . . . Kxf7 5 d4 ! ; White
can make it simpler by opting for either
normally gets decent compensation for
5 . . . c6 6 Nxe5 d5 7 0-0 Bd6 or 4 . . . Nc6 ! ?,
after which 5 Nxe4 d5 6 Bd3 dxe4 7 Bxe4 the piece in form of a space advantage
Bd6 is not a problem for Black. with the pawns.

Another move i s 3 Nc3, which w i l l 4 ... Nxe4 5 d4

usual ly lead t o the Four Knights when
B lack if 3 . . . Nc6, since the alternative
3 . . . Bb4 is consi dered to be s l ightly
better for White and 3 . . . d6 4 d4 is a
P h i l idor's Defense, which is not to
everybody 's liking.

The two main moves are 3 Nxe5 and 3

d4, which will be covered in the next
two sections.

3 Nxe5 Lines a b c d e f g h

If either of the two principal moves at White has other choices as well : (a) 5
this point is to be considered the main Qe2 aims to bore Black to death; former
line, it is probably this move, which is world champion Boris S passky has

72
 The Open Games

played this line several times, though Black, even at the cost of some time.
very rarely winning. The position after One line now runs 9 cxd5 Nxd3 I 0 Qxd3
5 ... Qe7 6 d3 Nf6 7 Bg5 Qxe2+ 8 Bxe2 Be7 Qxd5 I I Re I Bf5 with approximately
is quite uneventfu l ; (b) 5 c4 is more equal chances.
interesting, though also considered to
lead to equal chances; (c) 5 Nc3 has in 9 Be2
recent years enjoyed a lot of attention
at top grandmaster level with even White invests a tempo to avo id the
p l ayers l i ke A n a n d , To p a l o v and exchange, even if it means retreating the
Kramnik playing it several times and not b i s h o p to a l e s s a c t i v e s q u a r e ,
w i thout s u c c e s s . H owev er, it now understanding that the b4-square will
seems like B lack has found adequate not be the final destination of the knight
ways to defend after both 5 . . . Nxc3 6 dxc3 on b4.
Be7 7 Bf4 and 7 Be3 . In both cases White
continues with 8 Qd2 and 9 0-0-0. 9 ... 0-0 1 0 Nc3 Bf5 1 1 a3 Nxc3 1 2 bxc3
Nc6 13 cxd4 Qxd5 and while opening
5 ... d5 6 Bd3 Be7 t h e o ry c a l l s th i s e q u a l , t h e re i s
obviously plenty o f play i n the position .
Black's two main alternatives are : (a)
6 ... Bd6 7 0-0 0-0 8 c4 c6 9 cxd5 (two 3 d4 Lines
other good alternatives are 9 Re I and 9
Qc2) 9 . . . cxd5 1 0 Nc3 Nxc3 1 1 bxc3 Bg4 White 's principal alternative to 3 Nxe5
1 2 Rb I Nd7 1 3 h3 Bh5 with a complicated is 3 d4, which at times has been as
game with chances for both sides; and popular, if not more so, than 3 Nxe5 . It
(b) 6...Nc6 7 0-0 Bg4 8 c4 Nf6 9 Nc3 Bxf3 often leads to play that is quite different
1 0 Qxf3 Nxd4 (Black wins a pawn, but from 3 Nxe5, though in some lines the
White gets excellent compensation) I I play closely resembles 3 Nxe5 .
Qe3 Ne6 1 2 cxd5 Nxd5 1 3 Nxd5 Qxd5 1 4
Be4 Qb5 1 5 a4 Qa6 1 6 R d I , and Wh ite 3 d4
has the initiative.
8
7 0-0 Nc6 8 c4
7

Another option at this juncture is 8 Re I , 6

and now after 8 . . Bg4, White has to

. '5
choose between the sharp 9 c3 f5 I 0 4
Qb3 0-0 I I Nbd2 Kh8 and the less sharp, 3
but equally interesting 9 c4 Nf6 I 0 cxd5
2
Nxd5 1 1 Nc3 0-0, in both cases with more
or less even chances.
a b c d e f g h

8 Nb4

A challenge is immediately issued in the

The exchange of the l i ght-squared center, forcing Black to decide what kind
bishop will be an accomplishment for of game he wants .

73
 Back to Basics: Openings

3 ... Nxe4 after 5 Nbd2 Nxd2 6 Qxd2 and 6 Bxd2,

but this line has not been explored
All the center pawns are exchanged in m u c h , l e a v i n g p l e nty o f room to
another main line: 3 . . . exd4 4 e5 Ne4 5 surprise an unsuspecting opponent.
Qxd4 d5 6 exd6 Nxd6
4...d5

Surprisingly, B lack can actual ly play

4 . . . Nc6 ! ?, for instance, 5 d5 Nc5 6 dxc6
6
e4 7 cxb7 Bxb7 or 5 Bxe4 d5 6 Bg5 (also
5 6 Nxe5 is played from time to time)
4 6 ... Qd6 7 dxe5 Qb4+ 8 Nc3 dxe4, in both
3 cases B lack wins back the piece, but in
2 the l atter examp l e , W h ite has the
initiative as a result of the black queen
wanderings, losing time, just to keep the
3 b c d e f g h position together.

Despite the symmetrical and unexciting 5 Nxe5 Nd7

pawn structure , Wh ite has a s l ight
in itiative because he has access to
easier development and somewhat more
active squares for his pieces. The fact
that the queen has been developed so
early h e l p s k e e p B l a c k re l at i v e l y
passive; this is one of the few cases
w h e re it pays to have t h e q u e e n
developed before the other pieces. The
main line now runs: 7 Bd3 (or 7 Nc3 Nc6
8 Qf4 Nf5 9 Bb5 Bd6 1 0 Qe4+ Qe7 I I
Bg5 f6 1 2 Bd2 Bd7 with approximately a b c d e f g h
equal chances) 7 . . . Nc6 8 Qf4 g6 (8 . . . Be7
9 Nc3 Be6 \ 0 Be3 Bf6 1 1 0-0 0-0 1 2 Rad \ The main alternative for Black is 5 . . . Bd6,
leaves White with the initiative) 9 Nc3 e . g . , 6 0-0 0-0, and here White has
Bg7 I 0 Be3 Be6 I I 0-0-0, and White has several moves available, but the main
the better chances. l ine runs forward with a long sequence
of more or less pre-determined moves:
4 Bd3 7 c4 Bxe5 8 dxe5 Nc6 9 cxd5 Qxd5 I 0 Qc2
Nb4 I I Bxe4 Nxc2 1 2 Bxd5 Bf5 1 3 g4
Wh ite occasionally experiments with 4 Bxg4 14 Bxe4 Nxa 1 . Black is up materially,
dxe5, when the tempting 4 . . . Bc5 gives but the k n i ght on a 1 i s not g o i n g
Wh ite a strong initiative after 5 Bc4 ! ?, anywhere and in addition, White has
e.g., 5 . . . Nxf2 6 Bxf7+ Kxf7 7 Qd5+, so the bishop pair. One line continues with
Black will usually prefer 4 . . . d5, which 1 5 Bf4 f5 1 6 Bd5+ Kh8 1 7 Re i c6 1 8 Bg2
leads to approximately equal chances Rfd8, with approximately equal chances.

74
 The Open Games

6 Nxd7 some with a fair amount of success,

showing you cannot ever really write
White has numerous alternatives, but these openings off altogether.
this is the main move.
Philidor's Defense
6... Bxd7 7 0-0 Qh4
The P h i lidor dates back to the 1 8th
century and is named after the strongest
p l ayer at the t i m e , the Frenchman
Fran9ois-Andre Philidor.

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 d6

6
a b c d e f g h 5

4
T h i s is a very sh arp continuat i o n .
3
Another option is 7 . . . Bd6, e . g . , 8 c 4 c6,
and now White can go pawn grabbing
with I 0 Qh5, which, after I 0 ... 0-0 I I Qxd5
Bc6 1 1 Qh5 g6 1 2 Qh3 Ng5, leaves Black a b c d e f g h
with adequate compensation; or I 0 Nc3
Nxc3 I I bxc3 0-0 with approximately
Black's original idea in the Philidor was
even chances.
to play an early . . . f7-f5 , but although
advocated by E n g l i s h grandmaster
8 c4 0-0-0 9 c5 g5 1 0 Nc3 Bg7
Tony Kosten i n a book in the early
1 990s, it has never caught on; there
With a c o m p l i c a t e d p o s i t i o n a n d
were simply too many l ines that didn ' t
c h a n c e s fo r both s i d e s ; t h i s l i n e
look promising for B lack. Nevertheless,
requ i res very detai led and spec i fi c
that book by Kosten gave the opening
knowledge and should not b e played
a new wave of popularity that is sti ll
by anyone from either side without
going strong today. While it is certainly
proper preparation.
true that it isn ' t being played in every
Minor Continuations grandmaster tournament, it occurs often
enough at that level and may even be
The "minor" continuations are indeed found in the repertoires of some 2700+
minor compared openings such as the rated players.
Ruy Lopez and Italian, but at the club
l e v e l , these openings appear quite 3 d4 Nf6
frequently. However even grandmasters
have been known to play the lines in Aside from 3 . . . f5 , B lack can also play
this section with some frequency, and 3 . . . Nd7 and 3 . . . exd4, but both moves are

75
 Back to Basics: Openings

considered to lead to s l i ghtly better Note that the tempting 6 Bxf7+ does not
positions for White. achieve much after 6 . . . Kxf7 7 Ng5+ Kg8
8 Ne6 Qe8 9 Nxc7 Qg6, when I 0 Nxa8?
4 Nc3 Qxg2 is quite bad for White; also after 6
dxe5 dxe5 7 Bxf7+ Kxf7 8 Ng5+ Kg6 ! ,
White has an annoying alternative in 4 and here 9 Ne6 i s answered with 9 . . Qg8,.

dxe5 ! ?, which after 4 . . .Nxe4 5 Qd5 Nc5 6 with an advantage for Black.
Bg5 Be7 7 exd6 Qxd6 8 Nc3 Qxd5 9 Nxd5
Bd6 1 0 0-0-0, leads to an initiative for 6... 0-0 7 Re t
White. For this reason, B lack often
adopts another move order to reach the
8
Philidor: 1 e4 d6 2 d4 Nf6 3 Nc3 e5, and
7
now 4 N f3 transposes to our main line,
whereas 4 dxe5 dxe5 5 Qxd8+ Kxd8, 6
generally speaking, is fine for B lack. 5

4
4...Nbd7
3
2
This is the so-called "Improved Hanham
Variation," the original Hanham being
3 . . . N d 7 , w h i c h was advocated by a b c d e f g h
N i m z o w i t s c h and leads to a s o l i d
position. The alternative i s 4 . . . exd4, and White can also play moves like 7 Qe2, 7
after 5 Nxd4 (5 Qxd4 is also possible, a4, 7 h3, in many cases transposing to
but Black is fine after 5 . . . Be7), Black has our main line, but other moves are
two alternatives: (a) 5 .. g6, the Larsen
.
considered inadequate for an edge.
Var i a t i o n , w h i c h i s c o n s i dered
i n a d e q u ate fo r e q u a l i ty b y m o s t 7 ... c6 8 a4 b6
sources, e.g., 6 Be3 Bg7 7 Qd2 0-0 8 0-0-
0 Re8 (also 8 . . . Nc6 is possible) 9 f3 a6,
The alternatives 8 . . . a5 and 8 . . . Qc7 are
and a sharp position has arisen, where
also p l ayable, though they s l i ghtly
the slightest misstep from either side
favor White.
can cause serious problems; and (b)
5 . . . B e 7 , n a m e d after grandmaster
9 b3 a6 1 0 Bb2 Bb7 1 1 Qd2 Qc7
Vladimir Antosh in and is stil l played at
grandmaster level by, among others, the
With a typical Hanham position where
Romanian grandmaster Liviu-Dieter
White has more space, but Black has a
Nisipeanu. One line runs 6 Bf4 (some
sources give 6 Bc4 and 6 Be2 as leading solid position.
to an advantage for White, but B lack
should be fine) 6 . . . 0-0 7 Qd2 c6 (other Latvian Gambit
moves are also possible at this stage,
e.g., 7 . . . d5, 7 . . . Nc6 and 7 . . . a6) 8 0-0-0 b5 Though favored by a small crowd of
with a sharp game. fanatics, the Latvian Gambit is nowadays
considered to offer White a fairly clear
5 Bc4 Be7 6 0-0 advantage, although it can be difficult to

76
 The Open Games

prove if White is not very familiar with Center Game

the intricacies of this dubious gambit.
This opening is quite rare, but it can
1 e4 e5 Nf3 f5? ! lead to complications that Black may not
be ready for unless he knows at least a
little about it.

1 e4 e5 2 d4 exd4 3 Qxd4 ! ?

a b c d e f g h

Like a Reversed King's Gambit, but

White 's extra tempo makes a world of
difference. a b c d e f g h

3 Nxe5 I t m a y s e e m a l i t t l e strange that

developing the queen before any of the
S imple and best. White can also play 3 other pieces can be a good idea, but if
Bc4 and 3 exf5 , but those moves are B l ack i s n ' t carefu l he can get into
closer to what Black is hoping for. trouble.

3 ... Qf6 3 ... Nc6 4 Qe3 Nf6 5 Nc3 Bb4

The sharp 3 . . . Nc6 is also seen, inviting T h i s is B l a c k ' s m o s t a g g re s s i v e

White to play 4 Qh5+, but the simple 4 response, but 5 . . . Be7 is also playable.
d4 offers White a solid advantage.
6 Bd2 0-0 7 0-0-0 Re8
4 Nc4
And B lack has equalized, for now if
Or 4 d4 d6 5 Nc4 fxe4, and now 6 Nc3, 6 Wh ite plays 8 Qg3 , B lack can play
Be2 and 6 Nc3 a l l lead to a small 8 . . . Rxe4 ! after which White doesn ' t
advantage for White. have quite enough compensation for the
pawn.
4 ... fxe4 5 Nc3 Qf7 6 Ne3 c6
Vienna Game
Played in true gambit style; 6 . . . Nf6 7 Bc4
Qg6 8 d3 is clearly better for White. U n l i k e the other o p e n i n g s in th i s
"M inor Continuations" section, the
7 Nxe4 d5 8 Ng5 Qf6 9 Nf3 Bd6 1 0 d4 Vienna Game includes several widely
and B l ack doesn ' t have s u ffi c i ent diverse lines, some of which do not
compensation for the pawn. seem as if they could be the result of

77
 Back to Basics: Openings

White 's apparently peacefu l second

move.

I e4 e5 2 Nc3

a b c d e f g h

quite frequently at club level, though

less commonly in grandmaster play: (a)
a b c d e f g h 3 f4 (th i s move resembles a King's
Gambit, but Black cannot play 3 ... exf4
This looks like White is ready for slow because of 4 e 5 , and the knight i s
game, but black players beware, White already causing B lack headaches. One
may be up to something . . . of my chi ldhood friends, international
master Jan S e r e n s e n , p l ay e d t h i s
2 Nf6
open ing for years with very decent
results) 3 ... d5 ( 4 fxe5 Nxe4 5 Nf3 - 5 d3
On 2 ...Nc6, White can choose solid moves Nxc3 6 bxc3 is also fully playable -
such as 3 g3 or 3 Nf3, taking the game to 5 . . . Be7 6 Qe2 Nxc3 7 dxc3 (recapturing
a Three K n i ghts or Four Knights, away from the center in order to keep
depending on how Black follows up, but the development fluid) 7 . . . c5 8 Bf4 Nc6
more importantly, White has the sharp (or 8 . . 0-0 ! ?) 9 0-0-0 Be6 with chances
.

Vienna Gambit available, viz., 3 f4 ! ? (D) for both sides; (b) 3 g3 Bc5 (just one of
and one line runs 3 . . . exf4 4 Nf3 g5 5 d4 g4 many options at th i s p o i n t ; Wh ite
( 5 ... Bg7 or other moves are too dangerous doesn 't mind 3 ... d5 4 exd5 Nxd5 5 Bg2
for B lack, but you could say the same for Nxc3 6 bxc3 Bd6 7 Nf3 (7 Ne2 can also
the main line ... ) 6 Bc4 ! gxf3 7 Qxf3 with a be played) 7 . . . 0-0 8 0-0 Nd7, and the
gambit that somewhat resembles the c h a n c e s are a p p ro x i mate l y e q u a l
Muzio Gambit, (cf. the King's Gambit). accord i n g to standard theory, b u t
Here White has ample compensation for playing it for B lack isn ' t without its
the piece; defending the black side of this problems.
gambit requires steady nerves and patient
defense. 3 ... Nc6

3 Bc4 B l ac k c h o o s e s t h e s o l i d o v e r t h e
chaotic; here Black can let the game
White has a couple of other interesting take an entirely d i fferent shape by
moves at this juncture ; both are seen playing 3 . . .Nxe4

78
 The Open Games

4 d3 Na5

Normally moving a piece twice this early

in the opening is not advisable, but here
it serves a specific purpose, eliminating
the strong white bishop on c4. However,
other moves such as 4 . . . Bb4 and 4 . . . Bc5
are also fully playable.

5 Nge2 Nxc4 6 dxc4 Bc5 7 0-0 d6 8

a b c d e f g h Qd3

Now both 4 Nxe4 d5 and 4 Bxf7+ are

inadequate for White, whereas 4 Nf3 7
takes us to the Petroff Defense, but if 6
White knows the opening well, you may 5
see 4 Qh5 ! ? appear on the board. This
4
leads to the so-called Frankenstein
Dracula Variation (named so by the I rish 3

master and author Tim Harding) 4 . . . Nd6 2

5 Bb3 (White can continue timidly with
the drawish 5 Qxe5+ Qe7 6 Qxe7+ Bxe7,
a b c d e f g h
but after 4 Qh5 ! ?, it is more a matter of
honor to continue aggressively) 5 . . . Nc6
An odd-looking move, but one, as you
(5 . . . Be7 is decidedly more solid and also
will see, with a specific purpose in mind.
m o re adv i s a b l e u n l e s s you l i k e
incredibly complicated positions, e.g.,
8 Be6 9 b3 0-0 10 Be3 Bxe3 11 Qxe3
...
6 Nf3 Nc6 7 Nxe5 g6 8 Nxc6 dxc6 9 Qf3
with an interesting position where both
0-0 1 0 0-0 with fairly equal chances) 6
sides have their share of the chances.
Nb5 ! (the central theme is the attack and
defense off7) 6 . . . g6 7 Qf3 f5 8 Qd5 Qe7 !
9 Nxc7+ Kd8 I 0 Nxa8, and we have a Bishop's Opening
position on the board where Black is
down a rook and has lost the right to Every now and then, a top grandmaster
castle. However, the knight on a8 is a plays the B i shop 's Opening; it was
lost cause, and B lack has a lead in originally dusted off from obscurity by
d e v e l o p m e n t a l o n g w i th a s p a c e the Danish grandmaster Bent Larsen at
a d v a n t ag e , g i v i n g B l a c k g o o d the I nterzonal in Amsterdam in 1 964.
compensation for t h e materi al, e . g . ,
I O . . . b 6 1 1 Nxb6 axb6 1 2 Q f3 Bb7 1 3 d3 2 Bc4 Nf6
Nd4, and Black has the initiative, though
theory claims the slightly better chances If Black simply copies White 's moves,
for White; this entire line should not be e.g., 2 . . . Bc5 3 Nc3 Nc6, he will get a
tested unless you really have studied wake-up call after 4 Qg4 ! , after which
these lines very careful ly. 4 . . . Qf6 doesn 't work on account of 5

79
 Back to Basics: Openings

Nd5 ! : 5 . . . Qxf2+ 6 Kd l , and now the 6 Nc3

threats against c7 and g7 makes Black 's
life untenable. White can also consider 6 exd5 , but
6 . . . cxd5 is considered to be sufficient
3 d3 for equality.

The solid and sensible move, but Black 6 dxe4 7 Ng5 0-0 8 Ncxe4 Nxe4 9 Nxe4
..

also has to be ready for the much and the chances are fairly level.
sharper 3 d4 ! ?, which can cause B lack
serious headaches if he doesn 't know Gambits
what he is doing. The main line runs
3 . . . exd4 4 Nf3 Nxe4 5 Qxd4 Nf6 6 Bg5 One of the essential components in
Be7 7 Nc3 becoming a strong chess player is to
understand dynamic compensation for
sacrificed material. One way of acquiring
such understanding is to play gambits,
and the Open Games have quite a few
of these as we have already seen in
previous secti on, but I have left some
of the more important fundamental
gamb i t s for last to round o ff t h i s
chapter.

Danish Gambit

Some gambits fell out of favor a long

time ago, not because they are not
7 . . . Nc6 (7 . . . c6 8 0-0-0 d5 9 Rhe 1 Be6 1 0
playable, but simply because they fail
Bd3 Nbd7 looks more solid, but isn't a
walk in the park either after 1 1 Qh4, with to prov i d e t h e k i n d o f g a m e t h e
compensation for the pawn) 8 Qh4 d6 9 gambiteer is hoping for. T h e Danish
0-0-0 Be6 1 0 Bd3 Qd7 I I Bb5 0-0 with a Gambit is such a gambit, and it seems
sharp game where White has sufficient that its reputation is based on such
compensation for the pawn. m i sconcep t i o n s . Sure, B l ack has a
couple of ways to obtain an equal game,
3 ... c6 4 Nf3 d5 but in all honesty, few B lack players
know how to play these lines wel l .
B lack can also play 4 . . . Be7 with about Therefore this opening should b e an
even chances. excellent surprise weapon.

5 Bb3 Bd6 1 e4 e5 2 d4 exd4 3 c3 dxc3

Note that 5 . . . dxe4 isn't answered with 6 3 . . . d5 ! ? is a good alternative, which will
Nxe5?? on account of6 . . . Qa5+, winning
the knight, but rather 6 Ng5 ! , forcing often transpose to the l ines we w i l l
6 ... Be6 7 Bxe6 fxe6 8 Nxe4 Nxe4 9 dxe4 cover under the Goring Gambit
Qxd I 1 0 Kxd 1 with a slightly better (Declined).
endgame for Wh ite because of the
superior pawn structure. 4 Bc4 ! ?

80
 The Open Games

4 Nxc3 Nc6 5 Nf3 is a Goring Gambit by And White has enough compensation
transposition. for the pawn.

4 ...cxb2 5 Bxb2 GOring Gambit

Some gambits never get particularly

popular, not because they are unsound,
but because nearly everybody declines
them and the re s u l t i n g p o s i t i o n i s
incredibly dull; such has been the fate
of the Goring Gambit. In addition, the
gambit in itself isn 't all that dangerous,
although it was played by some of the
top Yu g o s l a v p l ay e r s , s u c h as
Ljubojevic and Velimirovic, at the end
of the 1 960s and early 1 970s.
a b c d e f g h
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 c3
T h i s is the starting position of the
Danish Gambit. White has sacrificed two
pawns for a solid lead in development.
The white bishops look rather menacing 7
and they can cause B lack plenty of 6
problems if he is not really careful. In 5
praxis, Black usually gives up at least
4
one of the two pawns in order to catch
up a bit on development. 3

5 ... d5! ?

5 . . . Nf6 is also playable, intending to a b c d e f g h

meet 6 e5 with 6 . . . d5, which is known to Now White hopes for 4 . . . dxc3 5 Nxc3,
lead to positions with approximately which i s the starting position of the
even chances. gambit, but Black usually opts for 4 ... d5
5 exd5 Qxd5 6 cxd4 Bg4 (6 . . . Nf6 is also
6 Bxd5 Nf6 7 Nc3 fully satisfactory) 7 Be2 Bb4+ (Black can
also play the sharper 7 . . . 0-0-0, keeping
White doesn 't win B lack's queen after the isolated d-pawn in his sites, though
7 Bxf7+ Kxf7 8 Qxd8 because of8 ... Bb4+. the play is more like what White was
After 9 Qd2 Bxd2+ I 0 Nxd2, the chances aiming for when playing the gambit,
are considered to be about equal, but it sharp and unclear) 8 Nc3 Bxf3 9 Bxf3
isn't quite as simple as it may appear, Qc4! 1 0 Qb3 Qxb3 1 1 axb3, and now both
and I have seen books where authors 1 l . . .Nge7 and l l . . .Nxd4 1 2 Bxb7 Rb8
have c l aimed that White has the lead to equal positions.
initiative and the better chances. The
text move, 7 Nc3 , is much sharper, 4 ... dxc3 5 Nxc3
keeping the opening a gambit.
If White doesn 't like the main line, then
7 ... Be7 8 Qe2 Nxd5 9 Nxd5 he can also consider 5 Bc4 in the style

81
 Back to Basics: Openings

ofthe Danish Gambit, e.g., 5 . . . d6 (taking Shirov some years ago, and the former
the b2-pawn is too dangerous since the seemed to tire of thro w i n g pawns
knight has already been developed to away ... Since then, no one has picked
c 6 ) 6 N x c 3 N f6 7 Q b 3 , w i t h up and carried the mantle of this ancient
compensation for the pawn. opening into battle.

5 ... Bb4 6 Bc4 d6 7 Qb3 Bxc3+ 8 bxc3 2 exf4

Qd7 9 Ng5 Nh6 with a position where

White has adequate compensation for Accepting the gambit is obviously the
the pawn . critical reply, just as it is in most gambits,
but Black actually has a couple decent
King's Gambit alternatives: (a) 2 Bc5 3 Nf3 d6 4 Nc3

(also 4 c3 is playable, but it too leads to

Of all romantic openings, the one which approximately equal chances) 4 . . . Nf6 5
shines the brightest is the King's Gambit. Bc4 Nc6 6 d3 Bg4 7 h3 Bxf3 8 Qxf3 exf4 9
However, the King's Gambit is no longer Bxf4 Nd4 I 0 Qd I c6, and the chances
considered a formidable weapon for are about even; and (b) 2 ... d5 (B lack
White; B l ack simply has too many counters with a gambit of his own) 3
adequate answers to it, and currently
e x d 5 c 6 ( 3 . . . e4 i s t h e F a l k b e e r
there are not any grandmasters who play
Cou ntergam b i t , w h i c h a l s o works
t h i s open i n g w i th any regul ari ty.
sufficiently well to ensure adequate play
Nevertheless, that has never been a
for Black: 4 d3 Nf6 5 dxe4 Nxe4 6 Nf3 c6 7
deterrent for players at club levels.
Nbd2 Nt0 8 dxc6Nxc6 9 Bd3 Be7 1 0 0-0 0-
0, and B l ack is consi dered to have
1 e4 e5 2 f4 sufficient counterplay for the pawn) 4 Nc3
exf4 5 Nf3 Bd6 6 d4 Ne7 7 dxc6 Nbxc6 8
Bc4 0-0 9 0-0 Bg4, with a complicated
game and chances for both sides.

3 Nf3

This is the normal move, but again

White has alternatives that deserve
consideration : (a) 3. Bc4 (the Bishop 's
Gambit) 3 . . . d5 ! ? (B lack can also play
3 . . . Nf6 4 Nc3 c6 5 d4 or 3 . . . Qh4+ 4 Kfl
a b c d e f g h c6 5 d4 g5, in both cases with sharp
After the Austrian grandmaster Rudolf positions and chances for both sides) 4
Spielmann, romantic master of attack Bxd5 Qh4+ 5 Kfl g5 6 Nc3 Bg7 7 d4 Ne7
who was also known as the last knight 8 Nf3 Qh5 with an unclear position; and
of the King's Gambit, gave up on the (b) 3 Nc3 (the Steinitz Gambit, which is
opening, it really has not been seen genera l l y c o n s i d ered to be overly
much at top levels. It is true that players provocat i v e , but i t i s p l ayab l e for
l i k e Bronste in and S passky have White) 3 . . . Qh4+ 4 Ke2 d5 5 Nxd5 Bg4 6
o c c a s i o n a l l y p l ay e d i t , and more Nf3 Bd6 7 d4 Nc6 8 Kd3 Qh5 9 c3 0-0-0
re c e n t l y grandmasters such a s I 0 Kc2, and the white king is finally
Gallagher and Fedorov have used i t with somewhat safe. Needless to say, this
some frequency, but the latter gave up line is quite dangerous for White if he
on it after he lost amazingly fast against doesn 't know what he is doing.

82
 The Open Games

3 ... g5 8 . . . Kxf7 9 d4 Qxd4+ I 0 Be3 Qf6 I I Bxf4

Ne7 1 2 Nc3, and White has sufficient
compensation for the sacrificed material,
but probably not more than that. This line
is great fun to both play and analyze, and
therefore it is a good variation to use as
an analytical exercise with a couple of
friend s . See if you can find how to
develop an adequate attack for White or
a defensive setup for Black, and then play
it against each other in I 0- or 1 5-minute
games. In this fashion, you will develop
a b c d e f g h your attacking and defensive skills.
Black logically starts the defense of his
recently gained pawn, yet several other 4 ... g4 5 NeS
moves are good alternatives: (a) 3 ... d6
4 d4 g5 5 h4 g4 6 Ng l f5 ! ? 7 Nc3 Nf6 After 5 Ng5 h6, White does not obtain
with a sharp game; (b) 3 ... Be7 4 Bc4 N f6 a d e q u ate c o m p e n s a t i o n fo r the
( 4 . . . Bh4+ is answered with 5 Kfl , and sacrificed piece, e.g., 6 Nxf7 Kxf7 7 Bc4+
B lack has simply lost time with the d5 8 Bxd5+ Kg7 9 d4 f3 ! , and White's
bishop) 5 e5 Ng4 6 Nc3 d6 7 exd6 Bxd6 8 initiative will soon run out of steam .
Qe2+ Qe7 9 Qxe7+ Kxe7 1 0 Nd5+, and
White wins the pawn on f4 back with 5... d6
fairly even chances; and (c) 3 ... d5! ?
(B lack gives the pawn back right away
for smoother development) 4 exd5 Nf6
5 Bc4 (or 5 Bb5+ c6 6 dxc6 Nxc6 7 d4
Bd6 is fine for Black) 5 . . . Nxd5 6 Bxd5
Qxd5 7 Nc3 Qd8 8 d4 Be7 9 Bxf4 0-0 I 0
0-0, and while White has regained the
pawn, Black should be quite pleased
with the outcome of the opening, which
leaves him with equal chances.

4 h4
a b c d e f g h
I n recent years, this continuation has
been the preferred choice by White, but Or 5 . . . Nf6 6 d4 d6 7 Nd3 Nxe4 8 Qe2 Qe7
this has not always been the case. Some 9 Bxf4 Bg7 with equal chances.
ofthe sharpest lines ofthe King's Gambit
arise after 4 Bc4, and here Black's main 6 Ng4 Nf6 7 Nf2 Nxf6+
choices are: (a) 4... Bg7 5 0-0 h6 6 d4 d6 7
c3 Nc6 with a complicated game and White doesn 't gain anything from 7
chances for both players; and (b) 4 g4 5
..
Nxf6+ either, e.g., 7 ... Qxf6 8 Nc3 Nc6 with
0-0 (the Muzio Gambit; White sacrifices an unclear position.
his knight to get even further ahead in
development) 5 ... gxf3 6 Qxt3 Qf6 7 e5 Qxe5 7...Rg8 8 d4 Bh6 9 Nc3 Nc6 1 0 Qd3 Bd7
8 Bxf7+ (throwing more wood on the fire) and Black has at least equal chances.

83
 Back to Basics: Openings

Chapter 6

The Semi-Open Games

The openings we w i l l cover in thi s In an attempt to make sense of the many

chapter undoubtedly offer the greatest variations, they have been split into the
variety in sty les and complexity of any fol lowing groups:
in this book. On high, the Sicilian reigns
with its many different variations and The Open Sicilia ns Lines where
-

its huge popularity, but several others White p l ays 2 N f3 , and in reply to
deserve s e r i o u s atte n t i o n t o o , for 2 . . . Nc6, 2 . . e6 or 2 . d6, plays 3 d4
. . .

example the French Defense or the Caro followed by 4 Nxd4.

Kann Defense, while the majority of the
The Offbeat Sicilians Lines, where
-
other are re latively i n s i g n i fi cant i f
Black, after 2 Nf3, does not play 2 . . Nc6, .
j udged b y the i r current popularity.
2 . . e6 or 2 . . . d6.
.

However, as you will see many of the

l e s s p o pu l ar l i ne s o ffer p l enty of
The Anti-Sicilians Everything else,
-

opportunity for creating i nteresting

including popular moves like 2 c3, 2
games too and should be explored. Nc3 , as well as more exotic options.

The Sicilian Defense The Open Sicilians

O n e of the m o s t i n tere s t i n g and White's most popular answer to the

versatile openings in all of chess is the S i c i l ian is also the most aggressive.
S i c i l i an D e fe n s e . H o w e v er, t h e White exchanges a his central pawns
variations of the Sicilian are so diverse for B lack 's c-pawn, in return for easy
that I think that calling it one opening development.
is s o m e w hat of a c o n c e p t u a l
misunderstanding. The starting position 2 Nf3
of the Sicilian arises after

1 e4 c5

a b c d e f g h

And here the coverage branches in

a b c d e f g h three different directions: (a) 2 Nc6; (b) ...

2 e6; and (c) 2 d6.

... ...

84
 The Semi-Open Games

W h i l e each has its own set o f and can be confusing to sort out. Aside
characteristics, there i s sti ll plenty of from the above-mentioned moves, Black
opportu n i ty to tran spose from one can play 4 . . . e6 leading to a Taimanov
variation to another. Black has a number Sicilian, which is covered in the 2 . . . e6
of other second moves avai lable; these section, 4 . . . N f6 5 Nc3 d6, the so-called
will be covered in the Offbeat Sicilians C lassical Sicilian, found under 2 . . . d6,
section. and the finally B l ack can also play
4 . . . Qb6, a system by itself, in which
The 2 ... Nc6 Sicilians Black intends to prove that forcing 5
Nb3 is worth spending a tempo on, as
The oldest variations ofthe Sicilian have B lack will later have to play . . . Qc7 .
B lack playing 2 . . Nc6. This, however,
.

doesn ' t mean that the l ines are old 4 ... e5 Lines
fashioned. Several of the l ines in this
segment are still quite popular. In one of the oldest games with the
Sicilian, the 1 9th century French player
2 ... Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Louis de Labourdonnais played the
provocative move which is topic of this
section. It was discred ited for many
years, but several strong players have
inj ected new i deas and resu lting in
renewed popularity of these lines.

4... e5 5 Nb5

a b c d e f g h

Black main options are : (a) 4 ... e5; (b)

4 . . . N f6 5 N c 3 e5 ( S v e s h n i k o v
Variation); and (c) 4 ...g 6 (Accelerated
Dragon).

As mentioned earlier, it is important to a b c d e f g h

remember that B lack has many other
choices available, not j ust here, but also The only way for White to claim any
later. These additional lines can lead to sort of advantage against Black's fourth
transpositions to other lines or actually move is to attack the d6-square, which
have independent significance. I will Black weakened with his 4th move. Now
point out some of the more important Black has a choice between two moves :
transpositions, because some are rather (a) 5 ... a6 (Lowenthal); and (b) 5 ... d6
obvious, whereas others are quite deep (Kalashnikov ) .

85
 Back to Basics: Openings

The Lowenthal Variation 8 ...Qg6 9 Nc3 Nge7

I n th i s l i n e , B l ack continues as i f B l a c k d o e s b e s t to c o n t i n u e h i s
White 's 5th move is a bluff and forces development, but the sharp 9 . . d 5 i s .

that which White aimed to do in the first also seen; White has the better chances
place. after 1 0 Nxd5 Qxe4+ 1 1 Be3 , but it can
be a mine field if Black knows what he
5 ... a6 6 Nd6+ Bxd6 7 Qxd6 Qf6 is doing and White doesn 't.

1 0 h4

7 Threatening to evict the queen from its

6 ideal square.
5
1 O h5 1 1 Bg5 d5 12 exd5 Nb4 13 Bxe7

4
Kxe7 14 d6+
3
2

7
a b c d e f g h
6

5
Black is already ahead in development, 4
but at the cost of h i s dark-squared 3
bishop. The absent b i shop and the
2
weakened dark squares force B lack to
play actively to keep the chances more
or less even. In recent years it has a b c d e f g h
m a i n l y been the t o p S p a n i s h
grandmaster Francisco Val l ej o-Pons And now the theoretical main l ine
who has taken on the responsibility of p r o c e e d s w i th 1 4 . . . K d 8 , w h i c h i s
keeping this variation alive for Black. supposed to leave White with a clear
advantage after 1 5 Bd3 Nxd3+ 1 6 Qxd3
8 Qd1 Qxd3 1 7 cxd3 , but now rather than
1 7 . . . Bf5 , B lack can obtain an even game
This move may seem surprising - White with 1 7 ... Kd7 or 1 7 ... Be6. However, even
"un-develops" his queen. The argument better is 1 4 . . . K f8 , and after 1 5 Bd3
White is trying to make is this square is Nxd3+ 16 Qxd3 Qxd3 1 7 cxd3 , Black
in fact the ideal one for the queen to plays 1 7 . . . Rh6 intending . . . Rxd6, . . . Bf5
keep Black from developing counterplay and . . . Rad8 with at least equal chances.
based on . . . d7-d5 and attacking in the
center. However, according to current The Kalashnikov Variation
opening theory, 8 Qc7, 8 Qa3 or even 8
Qxf6 are also considered to be better Despite its modem name, this line is
for White. older than the previous line, but it was

86
 The Semi-Open Games

g i v e n an o v e r h a u l by R u s s i a n 11 0-0 Nf6 12 Nc2 0-0 and the chances

g r a n d m a s t e r E v g e n y S v e s h n i ko v are about equal .
starting in the late 1 980s after which it
gained a fairly large following. It is in The Sveshnikov Variation
many ways similar to the Sveshnikov
S i c i l i an w i th i t s p a w n s t r u c t u r e . The Sveshnikov Variation traces its
However, White is given more freedom o r i g i n s b a c k b e fore the R u s s i an
to choose his pawn set-up, allowing the grandmaster Evgeny Sveshnikov led
option of the so-cal led Maroczy B ind the movement that brought the opening
structure . to the forefront of opening theory. Until
quite recently, it seemed like all of the
5 ... d6 6 c4 world's top players had the variation
i n c l u d e d in t h e i r reperto i r e s , and
therefore the volume of theory is quite
large.

4 ... Nf6 5 Nc3 e5 6 Ndb5 d6 7 Bg5

a b c d e f g h

This must be considered the critical

variation for White. Setting up with
pawns on e4 and c4, White makes it
more difficult for Black to accomplish a b c d e f g h.
the traditional . . . d6-d5 and . . . b7-b5 pawn
breaks. However, B lack in tum focuses White 's 7th move is worth noting. Aside
attention on the kingside and realizing from some purely tactical reasons in
the ... f7-f5 break. this position, the main goal behind Bg5
is to exchange the knight on f6 to gain a
6 Be7 7 N l c3 a6 8 Na3 f5
.. better c o ntrol over the d 5 - sq u are .
However, White also has other moves
B lack can also play 8 . . . Be6, and then avai lable, for example 7 a4, to restrain
after 9 Nc2 Bg5 exchange the dark B lack's queenside and prevent him for
squared bishop, gaining control over playing the active . . . a7-a6 and . . . b7-b5 .
the d4-square.
Another o p t i o n i s 7 N d 5 , forc i n g
9 exf5 Bxf5 1 0 Bd3 Be6 7 . . . Nxd5 8 exd5 , which gives White a
pawn maj ority along w i th a space
Black cannot allow the exchange of the advantage on the queenside. This line
light-squared bishop. isn ' t particularly difficult for Black to

87
 Back to Basics: Openings

play against, and he should be able to ready to start c o u nterp l a y on the

obtain a decent p o s i t i o n after the kingside : 13 a4 bxa4 1 4 Rxa4 a5 1 5 Bc4
counter-intuitive 8 ... Nb8 (8 ... Ne7 is also Rb8 1 6 b3 K h 8 1 7 0-0 f5 , w i th a
seen, but the knight tends to get in the complicated position where both sides
way of Black 's own pieces and pawns have chances.
when B l ack wants to d e v e l o p the
kingside) 9 c4 a6 10 Nc3 Be7 I I Be2 0-0 9 ... gxf6 1 0 Nd5 f5
1 2 0-0 f5 1 3 f4 Bf6, with chances for both
players. A more recent try for B lack is the so
called Novosibirsk Variation: I O . . . Bg7,
and now I I Bd3 Ne7 12 Nxe7 Qxe7 1 3 c3
7 ... a6 8 Na3 b5
f5 14 0-0 0-0 1 5 Nc2 Rb8 with another
sharp position. However, I O . . f5 remains
.

the most popular option for Black.

11 c3

White has several other lines available

at this juncture . I I Bxb5 and I I Nxb5
are two very sharp options for White,
but B lack should be fine, although the
l i nes are very comp l i cated and not
particularly logical, for instance, I I Bxb5
a b c d e f g h
axb5 1 2 Nxb5 Ra4 1 3 Nbc7+ Kd7 .
Another main line is I I Bd3 Be6 1 2 Qh5
Formerly, B l ack frequently p l ayed
Rg8 13 g3 Nd4 14 c3 fXe4 1 5 Bxe4 Bg4 1 6
8 . . . B e 6 , but n ow a d a y s t h i s i s
Qxh7 Rg7 1 7 Qh6 Nf3+, with mutual
considered inadequate on account o f 9
chances.
Nc4 Rc8 I 0 Bxf6 gxf6 I I Ne3 , even if
Black does have some counterplay. The ll ... Bg7 1 2 exf5 Bxf5 1 3 Nc2 0-0 14
position we now have reached can Nce3 Be6
rightfully be considered the starting
position of the Sveshnikov Variation, D e s p i te W h i t e ' s a l ready h a v i n g
because nearly all games in this opening established control over the d5-square,
reaches this particular position. B lack cannot afford to exchange his
light-squared bishop as he may need it
9 Bxf6 to evict the knight later. Furthermore,
B l ack i s getting ready to start h i s
A major alternative for White is 9 Nd5 , counterplay
a i m i n g to take c o n t r o l o v e r t h e
weakened d 5 - square. A ft e r 9 . . B e 7 ,
. 1 5 Bd3 f5 1 6 0-0 Ra7 1 7 Qh5 Rati and
White normally exchanges on f6 to again we have reached a double-edged
maintain his knight on d5 : 1 0 Bxf6 Bxf6 p o s i t i o n w h e r e both s i d e s h a v e
I I c3 0-0 1 2 Nc2 Bg5, and Black gets chances.

Your pawn play and piece development should

focus on and around the central squares.

88
 The Semi-Open Games

The Accelerated Dragon (b) the more tactica1 7...0-0 8 Bb3 a5 9 f3

d5 \ 0 exd5 Nb4 1 1 Nde2 a4 1 2 Nxa4 NfXd5
A personal favorite of m i ne is the in which B lack is supposed to have
Accelerated Dragon. sufficient compensation for the pawn.

4 g6 5 c4
. Other tries such as 6 Nxc6, 6 Be3 Nf6 7
Nxc6 or 6 Be3 Nf6 7 Be2 are also seen
from time to time, but Black has nothing
to worry about in these lines.

s ... Bg7

A popular line for B lack is the so-called

Gurgenidze Variation, which arises after
5 . . . Nf6 6 Nc3 d6 7 Be2 (White can also
opt for 7 f3, but Black should be fine
after 7 . . . Nxd4 8 Qxd4 Bg7 9 Be3 0-0 1 0
a b c d e f g h Qd2 Be6 1 1 Re i Qa5 1 2 Nd5, and now
not 1 2 . . . Qxd2+ 1 3 Kxd2 Bxd5 1 4 cxd5
The m a i n c o n s i derat i o n for B l ac k with a very uncomfortable game for
between choosing the "normal" Black, but 1 2 . . . Qxa2 1 3 Nxe7+ Kh8 with
Dragon and the Accelerated Dragon i s a complicated middlegame) 7 . . . Nxd4 8
that White can employ the so-called Qxd4 Bg7, and in this position, White
Maroczy Bind against the Accelerated has numerous continuations avai lable,
Drago n . T h i s restra i n i n g s e t u p - one of which has been a source of
characterized by white pawns on c4 and irritation for Black: 9 Bg5 0-0 10 Qd2 Be6
e4 - e n s u r e s W h i te a s o l i d space I I Re i Qa5 1 2 f3 Rfc8 1 3 b3 a6 1 4 Na4
advantage, but B lack has a number of Qxd2+ 1 5 Kxd2 Nd7 1 6 g4 f6 1 7 Be3 f5,
ways to deal with it. B lack can aim for and, in this position which may be
pawn breaks such as . . . b7-b5 and . . . f7- reached in a number of ways, Black is
f5 , but may also take a positional nearly equal, but the position is slightly
approach, trying to play against the easier for White to play.
dark squares White has weakened by
placing the two central pawns on light 6 Be3
squares.
White can also avoid the main line with
White also frequently plays 5 Nc3 Bg7 6 Nc2 d6 7 Be2 Nf6 8 Nc3 Nd7 9 Bd2 0-0
6 Be3 Nf6 7 Bc4, and here Black has two I 0 0-0 Nc5, and the chances are fairly
options : (a) The positional 7 Qa5 8 0-
... even .
0 0-0 9 Bb3 (9 Nb3 Qc7 I 0 f4 d6 1 1 Be2
b6 1 2 Bf3 Bb7 is also possible, where 6... Nf6 7 Nc3 0-0
B l ack, despite h i s p a s s i v e - l o o k i n g
position, h a s suffi cient counterplay) In the late 1 980s, Larsen tried, with some
9 ... d6 1 0 h3 Bd7 I I f4 Nxd4 12 Bxd4 Bc6 success, to revive 7 . . . Ng4; after 8 Qxg4
with approximately even chances; and Nxd4 9 Qd l Ne6 1 0 Rc l , and now IO . Qa5
. .

89
 Back to Basics: Openings

1 1 Be2 b6 12 0-0 Bb7 1 3 f3 g5, and Black 4 a6 5 Bd3

...

seeks to set up a bind on the dark

squares; White is slightly better, but This is just one of three main lines; each
B lack has counterplay. has its pros and cons. The play can
move in very different directions, all
8 Be2 d6 9 0-0 Bd7 1 0 Qd2 depending on how B lack decides to
respond.
White also plays 1 0 Rc 1 frequently,
although play usually continues as in The first alternative is 5 c4, but this is
the main line. hardly the critical test of Black's choice
of variation. If White likes this type of
10 ... Nxd4 1 1 Bxd4 Bc6 1 2 f3 a5 1 3 b3 "bind" structure, 5 Bd3 followed by c2-
Nd7 and here White has to decide c4 later is the proper order. After the
whether to exchange the dark-squared immediate 5 c4, Black continues with
bishops with 1 4 Bxg7 Kxg7 or retreat 5 . . . Nf6 6 Nc3 and now both 6 . . . Qc7 and
the bishop to e3 or f2 . The latter is 6 . . . Bb4 7 Bd3 Nc6 1ead to a decent game
usually preferred. I n both cases, White for Black.
has more space, but B lack's position is
s o l i d and B lack s h o u l d eventual l y A much sharper continuation is 5 Nc3,
generate sufficient counterp lay. after which B lack can choose between
5 . . . b5 and 5 . . . Qc7 : (a) 5 ... b5 6 Bd3
The 2 ... e6 Sicilians (another interesting choice is 6 g3 Bb7
7 Bg2 Nf6, which leads to about equal
Of the three main continuations for chances) 6 . . . Qb6 (6 . . . Bb7 7 0-0 is also
B lack on the second move (2 . . . Nc6, playable) 7 Be3 Bc5 8 Be2 Nc6 with a
2 . . . d6 and 2 . . . e6), the 2 . . . e6 Sicilian is complicated game and approximately
currently the least popular. Thi s has equal chances; and (b) 5 ... Qc7 6 Bd3
nothing to do with actual quality of the Nc6 7 Nxc6 dxc6 8 0-0 e5 9 f4 Nf6 1 0 Kh I
l ines, part i c u l arly the Kan and the Bc5, and both sides have their share of
Taimanov, but more with the fact that the chances.
n e i th e r l i n e i s a m a i n s t a y i n t h e
repertoires of the top players. 5... Nf6

2 ... e6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 B lack usual ly plays th i s move, but

another continuation has gained ground
And now we will split the coverage into in recent years : 5 . . . Bc5. This is another
three sections: (a) 4 ... a6 (Kan Variation); one of those moves that is a bit difficult
(b) 4...Nc6 (Taimanov Variation); and (c) to understand, because after the normal
2 ... e6 Specialties. 6 Nb3 , B l ack is forced to move the
bishop once again. The idea is that the
The Kan Variation knight on b3 is not as well placed as the
knight on d4. The variations after 5 . . . Bc5
Also known as the Paulsen, the Kan is require a little thinking outside the box
an amazingly flexible variation in which from Black, but he is generally fine.
both sides have a wide selection of
moves. After 6 Nb3 , Black can choose between :

90
 The Semi-Open Games

(a) 6 Ba7 (a bizarre-looking move

.. With t h i s move B l a c k a i m s fo r a
which appears to leave the d6-square "Hedgehog" setup, something which is
vulnerable, but White has difficulties primari ly known from the Symmetrical
taking advantage of this) 7 Nc3 Nc6 8 English, but can be used by Black in a
Qe2 d6 9 Be3 Nge7 1 0 0-0 e5, with a number of openings because it is both
position that is at best slightly better fle x i b l e and s o l i d . I f B l ack is not
for White; and (b) 6 ... Be7 7 Qg4 g6 (an concerned about not reaching tactically
ugly necessity. Black weakens his dark compl icated positions right away, but
squares further, but both 7 . . . Nf6 and is satisfied with a strategically rich
7 . . . Bf6 are weaker alternatives) 8 Nc3 d6 position where c o m p l ications w i l l
9 f4 Nd7 I 0 Be3 Ngf6 I I Qe2 h5 12 0-0-0 usually only appear later on, this setup
Qc7, with a complicated position and is a very good choice for Black.
more or less equal chances .
Black can also play 7 . . . g6, 7 . . . Be7 and
In addition, Black can also play the 7 . . . Bd7, all of which should result in
curious-looking 5 . . . g6, which has been similar positions, but all have their own
played by several grandmasters, but it twists and turns.
requires thorough understanding by
Black in order for the multiple weak dark 8 Nc3 Bb7 9 Qe2 g6
s q u ares n o t to h a v e s e n o u s
consequences. It isn ' t really necessary for Black to
choose th is double fianchetto set-up,
and alternatives include 9 . . . Be7 and
6 0-0 d6
9 . . . Nc6, but our main line is the more
flexible continuation.
Alternatively 6 . . . Qc7 can be played .
One continuation is 7 Qe2 d6 8 c4 g6 9
10 b3 Bg7 1 1 Bb2 0-0 1 2 Rad l Nbd7
Nc3 Bg7 1 0 Rd l 0-0 I I N f3 Nc6, with
approximately equal chances, where
And now B lack continues with . . . Qc7,
White has more space, but B lack has a
... Rfe8 and ... Rad8 with a balanced game.
s o l i d a n d fl e x i b l e p o s i t i o n , q u ite
While the Kan looks strange and a little
common for the Kan Variation.
p a s s i v e fo r B l a c k , t h e p l a n s are
frequently s i m i l ar, and the critical
7 c4 b6 positions can be reached through a
variety of move orders . Therefore it is
also a good system to play because it
offers plenty of opportunity to play for
a win with careful play. White gains a
space advantage that can be exploited,
but White also has to understand these
l ines and the strategic nuances very
well in order not to run into a well-timed
counter-punch by Black.

The Taimanov Variation

a b c d e f g h
Russian grandmaster Mark Taimanov is

91
 Back to Basics : Openings

frequently only remembered for his 6-0 Black can also play 5 . . . a6, which can
loss against Fischer in the quarterfinals transpose to our main line, but it also
of the 1 97 1 candidates matches, but he provides both sides with additional
w a s fo r d e c a d e s a v e ry strong options such as 6 Be2 Nge7 and 6 Nxc6
grandmaster and an important opening bxc6 7 Bd3 d5 8 0-0 Nf6, both of which
theoretician with many important lines lead to approximately even chances .
and discoveries to his credit.
6 Be3
4... Nc6
The main l ine, but 6 Be2 and 6 g3 can
also be played by White, though neither
p r o m i s e s W h i t e a n y p a rt i c u l ar
advantage.

6 ... a6 7 Be2

Another option is the more aggressive

looking 7 Bd3 , but after 7 . . . Nf6 8 0-0,
B lack can obtain a decent game in
several ways, e . g . , 8 . . . B d 6 , 8 . . . b 5 ,
a b c d e f g h 8 . . . Nxd4 9 Bxd4 Bc5 o r 8 . . . Ne5 9 h3
(otherwise the knight can often j ump to
5 Nc3 g4 with annoying threats) 9 . . . Bc5 I 0
Kh 1 d6 I I f4 Ned7.
W h i l e t h i s i s t h e m ore c o m m o n
continuation, another frequently played
7 . Nf6 8 0-0 Bb4 9 Na4!
..

line is 5 Nb5, and then after 5 . . . d6, White

can choose between the sharp 6 Bf4 and
the more positional 6 c4: (a) 6 Bf4 e5 7
Be3 Nf6 (7 . . . a6 8 N5c3 Nf6 9 Bg5 Be7 7
also leads to a complicated position) 8 6
Bg5 Be6 9 Bxf6 gxf6 1 0 Nd2 a6 1 1 Nc3 f5
5
with a sharp position and chances for
4
both sides; (b) 6 c4 usually leads to a
Hedgehog type position after 6 . . . Nf6 7 3
N I c3 a6 8 Na3 Be7 (Kasparov played 2
the ultra-sharp gambit 8 . . . d5 ! ? twice
against Karpov and scored 1 Y2 points
a b c d e f g h
with it, and despite the passing of more
than 20 years, the j ury is stil l out) 9 Be2
0-0 I 0 0-0 b6 I I Be3 Ne5 (or 1 I ... Bb7 1 2 This move is both strong and surprising.
Qb3 Nd7 with chances for both players) B lack appeared to be threatening to
12 f4 Ned7 followed by ... Bb7 and ... Qc7, exchange on c3 and win the e4-pawn,
after w h i c h B l ack has reached the b u t W h i t e s i de s t e p s t h i s p l an b y
normal Hedgehog setup. removing the knight. B lack cannot take
the pawn on e4 because of 9 . . . Nxe4 1 0
5 ... Qc7 Nxc6 Qxc6 1 1 Nb6 Rb8 1 2 Qd4 B f8 1 3

92
 The Semi-Open Games

Bf3 f5 , and now 1 4 Rad l leaves White The Four Knights Variation
with enormous compensation for the
pawn. But the idea behind the move is While not exactly the most popular line
even more surprising . . . at grandmaster level, it is nevertheless
still seen with some frequency.
9 Be7
...

5 ... Nc6
Black can also try other moves such as
9 . . . Bd6 and 9 . . . 0-0, but the main l ine is This position can of course also be
the more flexible option. reached after 2 . . . Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4
Nf6 5 Nc3 e6, whereas 5 . . . d6 would take
10 Nxc6 bxc6 1 1 Nb6 Rb8 1 2 Nxc8 us to the C lassical Sicilian.

It is amazing that White i nvests this 6 Ndb5

much time in exchanging a developed
knight for an apparently bad bishop that Another popular option for White is 6
is buried by its own pawns on a6, c6, d7 Nxc6 bxc6 7 e5 Nd5 8 Ne4, which looks
and e 6 . So why is that? There are at first glance rather problematic for
several reasons: White gains the pair B lack, because the knight on d5 can be
o f b i shops, a space advantage and kicked with c2-c4, leaving Black with an
general ly an easier game. Yet, this line apparent problem on the dark squares,
is considered adequate for B lack after. . . in particular the d6-square. H owever,
matters are far from simple: 8 . . Qc7 ! ? 9
.

1 2 Qxc8 1 3 e 5 Nd5 1 4 Bel Bc5 1 5 c4

. f4 Qb6 (even 9 . . . Qa5+ 1 0 Bd2 Qb6 is
Ne7 1 6 b3 Qc7 playable) 10 c4 Bb4+ 1 1 Ke2 f5 1 2 exf6
Nxf6 is complicated but more or less
B lack intends to play . . . d7-d6 and then even.
exchange the dark-squared bi shops
after which White risks being left with 6 Bb4
.

a bad light-squared bishop against a

strong knight. However, the chances
should be about equal. The Taimanov
is a strategically complicated line which
c a n b e d i ffi c u l t to u n d e rs t a n d ,
particularly for Black.

2 e6 Specialties
..

In addition to these main lines, B lack

has a couple of variations that are seen
a b c d e f g h
with some frequency. After 3 d4 cxd4 4
Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3: (a) 5 Nc6 (the Four
..

Knights Variation); and (b) 5 Bb4 (the

.
W h i l e th i s looks q u i te sharp, It I S
actually a very solid continuation.
Pin Variation)

93
 Back to Basics: Openings

7 a3

The sharpest continuation is 7 B f4, 7

which appears problematic, but Black
6
doesn 't have any serious problems after
5
7 ...Nxe4! 8 Qf3 (8 Nc7+ Kf8 9 Nxa8? Qf6!
10 Qf3 Nxc3 is very good for Black) 8 . . .d5 4
9 Nc7+ Kf8 10 0-0-0 Bxc3 1 1 bxc3 g5, 3
with a very complicated position. 2

7 ...Bxc3+ 8 Nxc3 d5
a b c d e f g h

After this, Black takes on an isolated

pawn, but he hopes that his more active The only logical response for White,
piece play w i l l compensate for thi s otherwise he will have to react much
structural deficiency; in practice, this more passive ly, a l l ow i n g B l ack to
has more or less proven to be the case . develop his pieces aggressively.

6...Nd5
9 exd5 exd5 1 0 Bd3 0-0 1 1 0-0 d4 1 2
Ne2 Bg4 Black can also play 6 . . . Ne4? ! , but after
7 Qg4 Nxc3 8 Qxg7 R8 9 a3, White gets
B lack has taken an aggressive stance, a clear advantage.
t a k i n g on an i s o l ated pawn e v e n
pushing it t o d4 . In addition, White has 7 Bd2 Nxc3 8 bxc3 Be7 9 Qg4 0-0 10
the bishop pair, which may lead you to Bh6 g6 1 1 h4
think that White is comfortably better
in t h i s p o s i t i o n . H o w e v e r, W h i te White should not take the exchange as
doesn ' t have a lot of space for h i s it allows B lack counterplay on all the
pieces which makes i t difficult t o take dark squares and against White's weak
advantage of h i s positional trump s . pawns. Now after 1 1 h4, on the other
T h e o ry a s s e s s e s th i s v a r i a t i o n as hand, Black is facing trouble on the
minimally better for White, but at all kingside and doesn ' t have sufficient
levels below grandmaster play, B lack 's counterplay.
active position easily provides Black
with equal chances. The 2 ... d6 Sicilians

The Pin Variation The lines covered in this section have

all at some point been very popular and
We have already seen how flexible and therefore have very large bodies of
solid the 2 . . e6 lines can be, but B lack
.
theory attached to them, but there are
also has a sharp and uncompromising many sidelines that makes it possible
line available: the Pin Variation. to take up these openings w i thout
having to memorize an endless amount
5 ... Bb4 6 e5 of theory.

94
 The Semi-Open Games

2 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3

.

6
5

3
2

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
The Boleslavsky is somewhat similar to
its contemporary, the Classical Variation
Now we have ( 1 ) S ... Nc6 (Classical
of the NajdorfVariation, 5 . . . a6 6 Be2 e5 .
Variation); (b) S...g6 (Dragon Variation);
H o w e v e r, b e c a u s e the k n i gh t h a s
(c) S ... e6 (Scheveningen Variation); and
already been developed t o c 6 , Black's
(d) S... a6 (NajdorfVariation)
position is slightly less flexible, though
j ust as solid.
The Classical Variation
6 Be2 eS
While not currently favored by many
top players, the Classical Variation is
This is a fairly aggressive reaction to
perfectly p l ayable and has over the
White 's fai rly d u l l response to the
years been an in tegral part of the
Classical Sicilian. Note that Black could,
repertoires of such players as Botvinnik
if he so desired, have played 6 . . . g6 and
and Kramnik, as well as many other top
entered the Classical Variation of the
players.
Dragon.
s Nc6
...

7 Nf3
Develop kni ghts before b i s hops i s
Tarrasch's old rule that Black seems to Obviously White could also retreat his
be fo l l o w i n g . It is a very fl e x i b l e knight to b3 , but that approach has been
variation for B lack, and depending on proven fairly harmless against B lack 's
which main line White now chooses, solid setup.
Black has a wide variety of answers
avai lable. (D) 7... h6

White has (a) 6 Be2 eS (Boleslavsky A n e c e s s ity, otherw i s e W h i te w i l l

Variation); (b) 6 Bc4 (Sozin Variation); proceed w i th B e l - g 5 x f6 a n d gain
and (c) 6 BgS (Richter-Rauzer Variation) complete control over the position.

The Boleslavsky Variation 8 0-0 Be7 9 Re i

95
 Back to Basics : Openings

6 Bc4 Qb6
E J.. i\fp ,'Z
.t '
f
8 l.
w; -, __ .

7 .t iD 0

.
6 . '4)T ,"'-
f. f.
:a , .
7

iD
W//.
5 0 . ' 0
6

4 , W///.
W////.
5

3 p;; p;; p;;

ft ft
.,'' '/.
4

2 ft 1] 3

1
@
;:. . g . .
2

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
White 's setup and plan of development
look slow and non-threatening, but the This move is the first choice if B lack
idea is to prevent B lack from playing wants to maintain a pure C l assical
. . . d6-d5 by restraining the Black center Sicilian, whereas 6 ... e6 will transpose to
without incurring any weaknesses of his the lines we will cover in the section on
own. At an opportune moment, White the Scheveningen. The text move looks
may play Nd5, offering to exchange a strange to the untrained eye. Why is
piece, but in return White will gain a Black willing to invest a tempo to force
pawn majority and a space advantage, the knight back to b3 and then a few
both of which may be difficult for Black moves later retreat the queen to c7?
to handle. Ideally White doesn 't want his knight
on b3 ; he wants to keep it on d4 where
9 . .0-0 1 0 h3 Be6 1 1 Bfl Nb8!
.
it can help apply pressure against e6
and the entire black kingside.
B l ack ' s p o s i t i o n i s d e c i d e d l y l e s s
flexible with the knight o n c 6 than it i s 7 Nb3
o n d 7 (such a s in the Najdorf Variation
- see b e l o w for compari s o n ) . F o r White has tried a number of other
instance, if White plays his knight to moves at this juncture, e.g., 7 Nde2, 7
d5, with a black knight on c6, the d5- Ndb5, 7 Nxc6 and even 7 Be3, and while
k n i g h t w o u l d o n l y b e a b l e to b e a l l of t h e s e c o n t i n u a t i o n s are
exchanged b y the bishop, and not the interesting, Black essentially is fine after
f6-knight, because of the resulting c6/ all of them, provided he knows what he
e6 fork. is doing.

1 2 b3 a6 13 a4 Nbd7 14 Bb2 Rc8 1 5 7 ... e6 8 0-0

Nd2 Nc5 and the position i s more or
less even. Or 8 Bf4 Ne5 9 Be2 Bd7 9 Be3 Qc7,
intending . . .Nc4, and Black has more or
The Sozio Variation less equalized.

One of White 's most popular lines 8 ... Be7 9 Bg5 Ne5 1 0 Be2 Bd7 1 1 Be3
against the Classical is the sharp Sozin. Qc7 1 2 f4 Nc4 13 Bd4 0-0 with an

96
 The Semi-Open Games

unclear position and chances for both up with either f2-f4 or f2-f3, depending
sides. The Sozin Variation has a lot of on what B lack plays.
theory, but is a fun line to play and is a
good way to practice your attacking 7 a6...

skills.
Currently this move is considered best
The Richter-Rauzer Variation because it is much more flexible than
the other main line 7 . . . Be7, in which
With the Classical Sici lian as a whole White can claim a tiny edge after 8 0-0-
currently taking a backseat to other 0 0-0 9 f4 (a popular alternative is 9 Nb3
Sicilian lines, the Richter-Rauzer isn ' t to avoid a possible exchange ofknights
seen a s frequently a s it once was. on d4) 9 ...Nxd4 1 0 Qxd4 Qa5 1 I Bc4 Bd7
(this looks like it loses a piece after
6 Bg5 e6 White 's next move, but Black has a
clever point) 1 2 e5 dxe5 I 3 fxe5 Bc6 (if
White now takes on f6, then the bishop
is hanging on g5 with check) 1 4 Bd2
Bd7 I 5 Nd5 Qd8 I 6 Nxe7+ Qxe7 1 7 Rhe i ,
and W h i te h a s t h e s l i gh t l y better
chances thanks to his space advantage
and the fact that h i s dark-squared
bishop is stronger than Black's light
squared bishop.

8 0-0-0 Bd7
a b c d e f g h
Black also plays 8 . . . h6 here, but B lack
has to be fami liar with the theory; there
The normal move, not immediately is quite a bit of it and not all of it is easy
allowing White to double B lack's pawns to understand. White can retreat the
though this in itself isn ' t necessarily a bishop to both e3 and f4, both leading
threat, and, as we will see below, there to c o mp l i c ated and d o u b l e - e dg e d
are several lines in which B lack allows position s .
the doubled pawns anyway. Aside from
the text move, B lack can also play 9 f4 Be7
moves like 6 . . . Qb6 and 6 . . . Bd7, both of
which carry a much smaller theoretical A sharp alternative is 9 . . . b5, which can
load and are considered fine, if a little lead to lines that are quite typical of the
passive, for B lack. Richter-Rauzer, e.g., I 0 Bxffi gxffi I I Nxc6
Bxc6 1 2 Qe I with chances for both sides,
7 Qd2 B lack will keep the king in the center
while trying to mobilize an attack on the
This and White 's next move are part of queenside against the white king.
the standard setup for W hite in the
Richter-Rauzer. Then White will follow 10 Nf3 b5 1 1 Bxf6 gxf6 1 2 Kbl Qb6

97
 Back to Basics: Openings

A sharp position has arisen in which The Levenfish Variation

B l ack often also castles queenside
because the kingside simply isn ' t safe White cannot expect to claim an edge
enough to harbor the king. against the Dragon if he sidesteps the
Yu g o s l a v Attac k , b u t w i th t h e
The Richter-Rauzer offers both sides an Leven fish, White can a t least avoid the
amazing number of vari ations and mountains of theory that exists in nearly
sidelines, all of which require good a l l o t h e r l i n e s , a n d t h a n k s to the
understanding and excellent theoretical unbalanced the nature of the positions
knowledge.
that arise, White will have good chances
of success because so relatively few
The Dragon Variation
employ this l ine against the Dragon.
The Dragon Variation is one of the very
6 f4
sharpest lines in the Sicilian Defense. It
goes in and out of fashion and at the
moment it is once again becoming White intends to follow up with a quick
popular thanks to the young Norwegian e4-e5 to exploit his easier access to
grandmaster Magnus Carlsen who is development, but B lack isn't without
employs it regularly against top-rated resources.
grandmasters.
6... Nc6
s ... g6
This is the main line, but B lack can also
8
play 6 . . . a6, 6 . . . Nbd7 and even 6 . . . Bg7.
7
7 Nxc6 bxc6 8 eS Nd7!
6

3
2

a b c d e f g h

This move introduces B lack's most

aggressive setup; all of Black's pieces
are developed with active counterplay a b c d e f g h
in mind. The main continuations for
White are: (a) 6 f4 (Levenfish Variation); With this clever move Black compels
(b) 6 Be2 (Classical Variation); and (c) 6 White to exchange the central pawns
Be3 Bg7 7 f3 (Yugoslav Attack). White on B l a c k ' s c o n d i t i o n s rather than
has of course several other options White 's.
available such as 6 g3 and 6 Bc4, to
mention but a few. 9 exd6 exd6 10 Be3

98
 The Semi-Open Games

On 1 0 Qd4, Black simply plays 1 O . . .Nf6, play 1 0 g4 after which Black has to be
and after 1 1 Be3 follows l l . . . Be7 1 2 Be2 very carefu l , yet play actively at the
0-0 1 3 0-0-0 d5 with chances for both same time, e.g., 1 O . . Rc8 1 1 g5 Nd7 1 2
.

sides. Qd2 Nb6 1 3 0-0-0 Nb4 with chances for

both players.
10 ... Be7 1 1 Qd2 0-0 12 0-0-0 Nb6 13
Be2 d5 8 ... 0-0 9 Nb3

With a complicated struggle ahead. If White doesn't play this move, B lack
will be able to play the thematic . . . d6-d5
The Classical Variation counterthrust in the center with even
chances.
Having played the Dragon extensively
m y s e l f, I can s a fe l y say that t h e
9 ... Be6 1 0 f4 ReS
Classical Variation is o n e of B lack 's
minor worri e s . The prolonged
Black can also safely play 1 0 . . . Na5 and
maneuveri ng that fol l ows promises
I O ... Qc8, intending l l . . Rd8 and . . . d6-d5 .
.

B lack chances that are every bit as good

The text move has only become popular
as White 's.
more recently.

6 Be2 Bg7 7 Be3

11 Kh 1

On 1 1 f5 , B lack retreats the bishop to

d7 followed by . . . Ne5 with the threat of
sacrificing the exchange on c3 followed
by . . . Nxe4.

1 1 ... a6

Also the immediate ll . . . Na5 is fully

playable.

1 2 Qd2 Na5 13 Nxa5 Qxa5 and Black

White can also opt for 7 0-0 0-0 8 Nb3 has a comfortable game.
N c 6 9 B g 5 , the s o - c a l l e d Karpov
Vari ati o n ; B lack obta i n s adequate The Yugoslav Attack
counterplay after 9 ... a6 I 0 f4 b5 I I Bf3
Bb7. The line most Dragon players anticipate
playing against is the Yugoslav Attack;
7 ... Nc6 8 0-0 it is also the most dangerous line to face.
The Dragon Variation is not for the
A sharp alternative is 8 Nb3 0-0 9 f4 Be6, faint-hearted !
and now instead of I 0 0-0, which will
transpose to our main line, White can 6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 0-0

99
 Back to Basics: Openings

B lack can also play 7 . . . Nc6 and after 8 cxdS 1 3 QxdS Qc7 ! 1 4 Qc5 ! Qb8 ! is fine
Qd2 play 8 . . . Bd7 followed by . . . Rc8 and for Black) 1 2 . . . e5 1 3 BcS Be6 (B lack
. . . Ne5 without castling, but this is not doesn 't mind giving up the rook on f8
particularly problematic for White. for White 's dark-squared bishop) 1 4
Another, more recent attempt to deviate Ne4 R e 8 , and w e have reac h e d a
fo r B l a c k i s 7 . . . a 6 , t h e s o - c a l l e d position that is j ust the starting point
" Dragodorf, " a combination of the in this variation.
Dragon and Najdorf. Black wants to play
. . . b 7 - b 5 a n d take t h e g a m e i n a 9 Bd7 10 0-0-0
...

somewhat different direction than the

usual Yugoslav Attack. The exact move order ofWhite's moves
Bb3, h2-h4 and 0-0-0 is in most cases a
8 Qd2 Nc6 matter of taste, but B lack must stay
very alert, because a setup that works
8 ag a i n s t o n e m o v e o r d e r d o e s n ' t
7
necessarily work against another.

6 t O ReS
...

4 It is has been established that this move

in all l ikelihood is Black's best move,
3
but it also has a tremendous amount of
2
theory associated with it. This has made
it attractive for B lack to investigate
a b c d e f g h other m o v e s at th i s j u ncture . F o r
instance, 1 O . . . Q c 7 and I 0 . . . Q b 8 have
This is more or less the starting position been played numerous times, but both
of the Yugoslav Attack about which I a p p e a r to l e a v e W h i te w i th an
have about a dozen books, which should advantage provided he knows what he
give you a fair indication of j ust how is doing.
comprehensive the theory is in these
l ines. Neither player should enter this A more recent idea is the so-called
variation w i thout being thorough ly Chinese Variation, 1 O . . . Rb8, which is still
prepared and up-to-date with the latest in the developmental phase, and is
developments. seeing a fair amount action at all levels.
H o w e v e r, of B l a c k ' s 1 Ot h m o v e
9 Bc4 a l t e r n at i v e s I O . . . Q a S i s b o t h t h e
sharpest a n d m o s t attractive. At the
While this move is certainly the most moment, it is considered better for White
p o p u l ar, 9 0-0-0 is a l s o both very in the Yugoslav Encyclopedia ofChess
interesting and frequently played. The Openings, but the leading authority,
main line is 9 . . . d5 (9 . . . Nxd4 and 9 . . . Bd7 E n g l i s h grandmaster C h r i s Ward ,
are the alternatives) 1 0 exd5 (White can maintains B lack has adequate chances
also consider 1 0 Kb 1 and 1 0 Qe 1 ) if he knows what he is doing. One line
1 0...Nxd5 1 1 Nxc6 bxc6 1 2 Bd4 ( 1 2 Nxd5 runs 1 1 Bb3 Rfc8 12 h4 Ne5 1 3 Kb 1 Nc4

1 00
 The Semi-Open Games

1 4 Bxc4 Rxc4 1 5 Nb3 Qc7 1 6 Bd4 Be6 1 7 typical Dragon play: 1 3 . . . Bxh6 (Black can
h5 a5 1 8 a4 b5 ! 1 9 Nxb5 Qb8 20 Nc3 Rb4, also play 1 3 . . . Nc4) 1 4 Qxh6 Rxc3 ! (a
a n d B l a c k h a s c o u n t e rp l ay a n d typical exchange sacrifice in the Sicilian
compensation for the pawn. Note the and in particular in the Dragon) 1 5 bxc3 ,
sub-variat i o n s are someth i n g of a and here Black has to choose between
labyrinth and can be difficult to sort out, 1 5 . . . Qa5 , 1 5 . . . Qc7 and 1 5 . . . Qc8, all of
because they appear simi lar, but are in which should be adequate for B lack.
fact very different.
13 ... Rc5!
11 Bb3 Ne5 1 2 h4 h5
It took a l ittle time after this move was
8 first played for it to establish itself.
7
W h i l e it l o o k s d e c i d e d l y o d d , it
supports the advance o f the b l ac k
6
queenside pawns, helps t o prevent a
5
white e4-e5 and in many variations, the
4 rook may be sacrificed for the white
3 bishop on g5 or on d5, if White places a
2 bishop or knight on that square.

14 Kb1
a b c d e f g h

White can also play 1 4 f4 or the very

This is the so-called Soltis Variation. s h arp 1 4 g 4 , i n both c a s e s w i th
The other main line is 12 ... Nc4 1 3 Bxc4 approximately even chances, though
Rxc4 which is still ful ly playable, but it both sides need to be very familiar with
allows White several forced draws and the theory.
therefore isn ' t particularly attractive if
B lack is playing to win. Nevertheless, 14 ... b5 1 5 g4 aS
the t o t a l n u m b e r of p o s s i b l e
continuations i s quite amazing. The
8
main move is 14 h5 ( 1 4 g4 is also seen
7
quite frequently), and after 1 4 . . . Nxh5 1 5
g4 Nf6, White can choose between : 1 6 6
e5, 1 6 Kb l , 1 6 Nd5 , 1 6 Nde2, 1 6 Nb3 1 6 5
Bh6, 1 6 b3 and even 1 6 Rdg l , all with 4
th e i r s p e c i a l c h aract e r i s t i c s a n d
3
nuances that Black must know in detai l;
2
however, if he does, he is doing fine.

1 3 Bg5 a b c d e f g h

The main alternatives at this j uncture B lack can also play 1 5 . . . hxg4; one line
are the positional 1 3 Kb 1 and the more runs 1 6 h5 Rxc3 1 7 bxc3 Nxf3 1 8 Nxf3
confrontational 1 3 Bh6, which leads to Nxe4 1 9 Qh2 Nxc3+ 20 Kb 1 Qa5 with a

101
 Back to Basics: Openings

very sharp position, in which Black has Attack); (b) 6 Be3 (English Attack); (c)
s u ffi c i e n t c o m p e n s at i o n fo r t h e 6 f4 (Tal Variation); (d) 6 Bc4; (e) 6 Be2
sacrificed material. ( C l a s s i c a l Variati o n ) ; and ( f) 6 g3
(Fianchetto Variation).
1 6 gxh5 Nxh5 1 7 Nd5 ReS
The Keres Attack
And in this compl icated position, both
As previously noted, the Keres Attack
s i d e s have their share of c hance s .
is quite feared; even Kasparov, when
Needless t o say, the Dragon Variation
playing B lack, avoided the traditional
is extremely compli cated, and very
Scheveningen move order to stay clear
entertaining, but you really need to
of this variation.
know what you are doing if you are to
enter the main l ines of the Yugoslav
6 g4
Attack with either color.

The Scheveningen Variation With th i s m o v e , W h ite makes h i s

i ntentions clear from the outset: he
The S cheveningen is named after a wants to attack on the kingside and
Dutch town where one of the first games therefore B lack is actively discouraged
w i th t h e v a r i at i o n w a s p l ay e d . from castling there.
Nowadays Black normally reaches the
main l ines via other move orders, such 6... h6
as from the Naj dorf or the Taimanov
Variations because the Keres Attack ( 6
g4 by White) is feared by many black
players. Objectively speaking, however,
Black should be fine if he knows what
he is doing.

5... e6

a b c d e f g h

Many things have been tried against

the Keres Attack, but it seems that the
text move is both the safest and best.
The central counter-thrust 6 . . . e5 i s
effectively met b y 7 Bb5+ B d 7 8 Bxd7+
Qxd7 9 Nf5, and neither 6 ... Nc6 7 g5 Nd7
8 Be3 Be7 9 h4 0-0 I 0 f4 nor 6 . . . a6 7 g5
N fd7 8 Be3 b5 9 a3 Bb7 1 0 h4 i s
The official starting position of the particularly attractive for B lack unless
S c heven i n g e n . Now W h ite ' s m a i n you are ready to defend yourself from a
continuations are : (a) 6 g4 ( Keres positively scary attack on the kingside.

1 02
 The Semi-Open Games

7 Rgl

Both 7 g5 hxg5 8 Bxg5 Nc6 9 Qd2 Qb6

and 7 h4 Be7 8 Rg l d5 ! ? have been
6
played several times; in both cases the
game is quite unclear. 5

4
7 ... Nc6 8 h4 h5! 3

This looks completely counterintuitive. 2

B lack provokes White into playing g4-

g5 after j ust trying to prevent it. The a b c d e f g h
idea is that White has weakened his
l ight squares, and g4 in particular, when extra option of the traditional Naj dorf
he played h2-h4, and therefore if White move 6 . . . e5 and the more provocative
now plays 9 g5, then Black will continue 6 . . . Ng4. In many ways it seems l ike a
with 9 ...Ng4! 1 0 Be2 g6! 1 1 Nxc6 bxc6 1 2 slower version of Keres Attack, but at
Bxg4 hxg4 1 3 Qxg4 Bg7 1 4 Bd2 Qb6, and the same time it isn't, because it is far
B l a c k h a s c o m p e n s a t i o n for t h e more flexible and not as committing.
sacrificed pawn .
7 Qd2 b5 8 f3 Nbd7 9 g4 h6
9 gxh5 Nxh5 1 0 Bg5 Nf6 11 Qd2 Qb6
Just as is in the Keres Attack, it is in
Black forces the white knight to a less Black's interest to restrain White's
active square. kingside advance.

12 Nb3 Bd7 13 0-0-0 a6 and the chances 10 0-0-0 Bb7

are m o re or l e s s e v e n in t h i s
complicated position. Black can also play 1 O . . b4 followed by
.

l l . . . d5 with a complicated game.

The English Attack

Nowadays one of the most popular lines 11 h4 b4 1 2 Na4

against the S cheveningen and the
Najdorfis the English Attack which was It seems a l ittle surprising that placing
almost unknown before 1 980, but since the knight on this vulnerable square is
the mid- 1 980s the volume ofgames and the best continuation for White, but
therefore theory has exploded. current theory shows this to be better
than the alternatives 1 2 Nb 1 d5 and 1 2
6 Be3 a6 Nce2 d5 .

This position can of course also be 1 2 ... Qa5 13 b3 Nc5 14 a3 ! (D)

reached via the Naj dorf move-order
5 . . . a6 6 Be3 and now 6 . . . e6. However, We have been taught that we shouldn 't
that move order also allows B lack the move the pawns in front of the king,

1 03
 Back to Basics: Openings

via the Naj dorf move order, 5 . . . a6 6 f4

8 e6, but most Naj dorf players will likely
opt for 6 . . . e5 instead, as the lines with
7
6 . . . e6 tend to favor White slightly, e . g . ,
6
7 Qf3 (7 B d 3 and 7 B e 3 are two popular
5
alternatives) 7 . . . Qb6 8 Nb3 Qc7 9 g4 b5
4 10 Bd3 Bb7 1 1 g5 Nfd7 12 Bd2 Nc5 13 0-
3 0-0 Nxd3+ 1 4 Qxd3 Nd7 1 5 Rhe 1 , and
2 White has the initiative and the better
chances.

a b c d e f g h
7 Be3 Be7 8 Qf3 Qc7 9 Bd3 0-0-0

but here it is a n e c e s s i t y, and

White can also play 9 0-0-0 a6 1 0 g4
surpri singly the white king turns out to
Nxd4 1 1 Bxd4 e5 1 2 fxe5 dxe5 1 3 Qg3
be rather safe.
Bd6 with a sharp position.

14 ... Nxa4 1 5 axb4 Qc7 1 6 bxa4 d5 1 7 9 ... a6 1 0 Nb3 b5 11 0-0 Bb7 12 Qh3 0-
e 5 Nd7 1 8 f4 with a complicated game 0 13 Rae1 Rfe8
ahead.

A n d t h e c h a n c e s are a b o u t e v e n ,
The Tal Variation
though Black needs t o b e aware of and
prepare for an eventual g2-g4-g5 pawn
A third aggressive setup for White also
push by White.
makes White's intentions clear from the
outset.
The Bc4 Lines
6 f4
The l ines in this section are known by
many names such as the Fischer Attack,
the Sozio Attack, or the Vel i mirovic
7
Attack, each with its o w n s e t o f
6 nuances. But they have a couple o f
5 things i n common : the lines are sharp
4 and there is a lot of theory to remember
and work through.
3
2
6 Bc4 (D)

a b c d e f g h 6... a6

6... Nc6 6 . . . Nc6 is another move which can

transpose to our main line, resulting in
A maj or alternative for Black is 6 . . . a6 , a position that can also be arrived at
with a position that may also be reached via the Classical S icilian, 5 . . . Nc6 6 Bc4

1 04
 The Semi-Open Games

Najdorf, with 5 . . . a6 6 Bc4 e6 7 Bb3 , 7 . . . b5

m i g h t s e e m to be a m o re n atural
continuation. This is, of course, also
entirely playable for B lack. These lines
are also known as the Fischer Attack.
One main line runs 8 0-0 Be7 9 Qf3 (also
9 f4 is seen with some frequency) 9 . . . Qb6
(or 9 . . . Qc7 1 0 Qg3 0-0 1 1 Bh6 Ne8 with
chances for both sides) 1 0 Be3 Qb7 1 1
Qg3 0-0 1 2 Bh6 Ne8 1 3 Rad 1 Bd7 1 4 Rfe 1
Kh8, and B lack has deflected White 's
a b c d e f g h
first wave of attack; the chances are
balanced.
e6. Desp ite the l i ke l i h o o d of
transposition, there are some nuances
8 0-0 Be7 9 Be3 0-0 1 0 f4 Nxd4
that should be noted, because, whereas
in our main line White plays Bb3 right
This i s the most common move, but
away, in the lines with an early . . . Nc6,
Black can also enter less forced lines
White o ften waits w i t h the b i shop
with 10 ... Qc7 1 1 Qf3 Nxd4 12 Bxd4 b5 1 3
retreat until later, keeping the option of
a 3 Q b 7 , w i th appro x i m at e l y e v e n
Bd3 open as an alternative.
chances.

The so-called Velimirovic Attack arises

11 Bxd4 b5 1 2 e5 dxe5 13 fxe5 Nd7 1 4
after 6 ...Nc6 7 Be3 Be7 8 Qe2 O-O (or 8 ... a6
Ne4 Bb7 1 5 Nd6 Bxd6 16 exd6 Qg5 1 7
9 0-0-0 Qc7 1 0 Bb3 ) 9 0-0-0. It was once
R f2 and the chances are about even,
considered very dangerous for Black,
with both sides having their pieces on
but several ways for B l ack to meet
active squares.
White 's setup have been devised over
the years, for instance: 9 . . . a6 1 0 Bb3 Qc7 The Classical Variation
1 1 Rhg l (or 1 1 g4 Nd7 1 2 Nf5 exf5 1 3
Nd5 Qd8 1 4 gxf5 Nf6 1 6 Rhg l Nd5 1 7 The Classical lines at first glance look
exd5 Bf6 with chances for both sides) slow and positional, but as you will see,
l l . . .Nd7 12 g4 Nc5 1 3 Nf5 b5 14 Bd5 White can rapidly develop a kingside
Bb7 1 5 g5 Rfc8 16 Rg3 Bf8 17 Qh5 g6 1 8 attack if Black isn ' t careful.
Nh6+ Kh8, again with a double-edged
p o s i t i o n and approx i mately even 6 Be2 a6
chances . From these two examples i t is
c l ear that t h e l i n e s are extre m e l y A major alternative for Black is 6 . . . Nc6,
c o m p l i c a t e d a n d c a r e fu l s t u d y i s and s i n c e t h e s e l i n e s can a l s o be
requ ired b y both sides. reached via the Taimanov Variation, it
i s one of the move order "tricks" Black
7 Bb3 Nc6 can use to enter the S cheveni ngen
w ithout a l l o w i n g the feared Keres
For those that h ave arr i v e d at the Attack: 1 e4 c5 2 N f3 e6 3 d4 cxd4 4
position after White 's 7th move via the Nxd4 Nc6 5 Nc3 d6 6 Be2 Nf6. One of

1 05
 Back to Basics: Openings

the main lines runs as follows: 7 0-0 Be7 1 2 Bf3

8 Be3 Be7 9 f4 e5 ! 1 0 Nb3 exf4 1 1 Rxf4
Be6 1 2 Nd5 Bxd5 1 3 exd5 Ne5 with a T h i s is considered the m a i n move, but
sharp position with mutual chances. White has tried other moves, e . g . , 1 2
Qe l , l 2 Bg l , 1 2 Qd2, l 2 a5 , and l 2 Bd3 ,
7 0-0 Be7 8 f4 0-0 9 Be3 Nc6 10 a4 j u st to m e n t i o n s o m e of the m o re
important alternati v e s ; in each l i n e

8 White h a s a particular s e t of obj ectives

and Black has different ways to counter
7
them . N e e d l e s s to s ay, there is an
6
abundance of theory to master and
5 understand if you are considering taking
4 up this opening with either color. But,
3 as you may have realized already, this

2 i s a common theme for all the 2 ... d6

Sicilians.

a b c d e f g h
8
7
The b i g question for White at thi s
j uncture is whether t o allow Black to 6
play . . . b7-b5 or not. The text move of 5
c o u r s e prevents i t , but fre q u e n t l y 4
White allows it a n d instead p lays 1 0
3
Kh 1 which aims to sharpen the game .
2
The main line runs 1 O . . . Qc7 1 1 Qe 1 (to
transfer the queen to g3 , targeting the
black kingside and the g 7 -pawn in a b c d e f g h
particular) 1 1 . . .Nxd4 12 Bxd4 b5 13 a3
Bb7 1 4 Qg3 Bc6 1 5 Rae l Qb7 1 6 Bd3 b4 1 2 ... Bd7
with an unclear position and chances
for both players. B lack has tried several other things
here, but the text move is Kasparov's
1 0 Qc7 11 Kh 1 ReS
.. favorite and i s considered best.

You may wonder what the urgency is, 13 Nb3

i . e . , why does Black prioritize placing
his rook on e8 this quickly? The idea is Making the option l 3 . . .Nxd4 14 Bxd4 e5
to clear the f8-square for the bishop on impossible.
e7, allowing it to assist in the defense
of the g7-square, and sometimes even 13 ... b6 14 g4 Bc8!
after . . . g7 -g6 fi anchetto ing it on g 7 .
Furthermore, o n e 8 , the rook is ready to An excellent lesson : Don 't look at what
support applying pressure on White 's was played earlier, but which move is
center with . . . e6-e 5 . the best in a given position . White

1 06
 The Semi-Open Games

threatens g4-g5 and the knight on f6 Rb8 1 1 h3 Qc7 1 2 g4 h6 1 3 Ng3 g5, with
needs a retreat square; the one on d7 is an unclear position.
ideal for th i s purpose, allowing the
k n i g h t t o retreat fu rt h e r to f8 i f 7 Bg2 Qc7 8 0-0 Be7 9 a4
necessary, o r spring to life on c5 .
White can also consider a number of
1 5 g5 Nd7 16 Bg2 Bb7 1 7 Qb5 Nb4 other moves at this juncture, e.g., 9 f4, 9
Re 1 and 9 Be3 , all l e a d i n g to
The weakness White left behind when unbalanced positions.
he played a2-a4 was the b4-square,
which Black now utilizes for his knight. 9...Nc6 1 0 Nb3 b6

18 Rf2 Bf8 19 Raft g6 20 Qb3 Bg7 Or 1 0 . . . 0-0.

and a sharp position has ari sen, both
sides have the i r chances and w h i l e 11 f4 0-0 12 g4 Rc8 13 g5 Nd7 13 Be3
White 's position o n the surface looks Bb7 with a sharp position and chances
attractive w i th its e x tra space and for both sides.
attacking potential, Black 's is solid and
offers plenty of opportunity for active Tbe NajdorfVariation
counterplay.
This opening was popularized by the
Tbe Fianchetto Variation Argentine world c h am p i o n s h i p
candidate Miguel Naj dorf and has since
While White 's setup in this l ine seems
been a favorite of numerous top players,
a l ittle slow at first, it in fact can tum
most notably world champions Bobby
out to be quite aggressive, once White
Fischer and Garry Kasparov.
has castled.

5... a6
6 g3

6
5

3
2

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h

The Naj dorf's trademark. What does

6... a6
Black achieve with his 5th move? It
Black often opts for 6 . . . Nc6 7 Bg2 Bd7 ; doesn 't look like guarding the b5-square
one line runs 8 0-0 a6 9 a4 Be7 1 0 Nde2 or preparing . . . b7-b5 is a particularly

1 07
 Back to Basics: Openings

noteworthy achievement. With the text the Scheveningen section, and 6 . . Ng4, .

move, Black prepares . . . e7-e5, evicting which looks strange and provocative,
the wh ite knight from d4, w i thout but it forces White to decide what to
allowing it to go to b5 . This is one of do with his dark-squared bishop. The
the fundamental ideas of the Naj dorf, normal move is 7 Bg5, but occasionally
but in reality, many players as Black do White plays 7 Be I , and then B lack can
not play . . . e7-e5 when given the chance, offer a repetition of moves with 7 . . . Nf6.
b u t rather p r e fe r to p l ay t h e l e s s If, however, White isn't interested in a
c o m m i ttal . . . e 7 - e 6 , i n m a n y cases quick draw and stil l wants to play the
tran s p o s i n g t o a S c h e v e n i n g e n English Attack, he could play 8 f3 first,
Variation. White's chief replies against followed by 9 Be3 . After 7 Bg5, one main
the Naj dorf are : (a) 6 Be3 (English l ine runs 7 . . . h6 8 Bh4 g5 9 Bg3 Bg7 I 0
Attack); (b) 6 Be2 (Classical Variation); Be2 h5 I I Bxg4 Bxg4 1 2 f3 Bd7 1 3 B f3
(c) 6 g3 (Fianchetto Variation); (d) 6 f4; Nc6, with approximately even chances.
and (e) 6 Bg5. White can also try 6 Bc4,
but it tran s p o s e s to l i n e s a l ready 7 Nb3
c o v e re d i n the s e c t i o n o n t h e
Scheveningen. W hite can also p lay 7 N f3 , but i n
contrast t o the Boleslavsky Variation
The E nglish Attack where Nf3 is the better move, with the
bishop already having committed to the
This variation is often referred to as the e3-square, b3 is a better place for the
Byrne Vari ation by purists, because knight.
American grandmaster Robert Byrne
was the one to introduce this variation 7 ... Be6 8 f3 h 5 ! ?
into practice.
You may wonder what makes B l ack
6 Be3 weaken the kingside like this early in
the opening, especial ly when castling
queens i d e doesn ' t appear to be an
8
opti o n . With the text move, B lack
7
restrains White on the kingside and
6 halts further pawn advances on thi s
5 wing for some time t o come. In fact, in
4 many cases, B lack eventually castles
3 kingside, when White has focused his
attention elsewhere . Other playable
2
moves include the more normal-looking
continuations like 8 . . . Be7 and 8 . . . Nbd7 .
a b c d e f g h

9 Qd2 Nbd7 1 0 0-0-0 Rc8 1 1 Kb l Be7

6... e5
Aside from . . . h7-h5, everyth ing has
Two common alternatives are 6 . . . e6, been standard developing moves. Now
which transposes to lines covered in W h i te h a s to c h o o s e a d i re c t i o n ,

1 08
 The Semi-Open Games

usually between 1 2 Bd3 and our text play f2-f4 quickly. In the other, White
move. aims to exploit the weakness on d5, in
some cases requiring the knight to
12 Nd5 Nxd5 13 exd5 Bf5 14 Bd3 Bxd3 proceed b3-c I -a2( d3 )-b4.
1 5 Qxd3 Qc7 w i t h a c o m p l i c ated
struggle ahead. 7 ... Be7 8 0-0 0-0 9 Be3

Another popular continuation is 9 Kh I ,

The Classical Variation
after which B lack has tried more than a
h a l f- d o z e n c o n t i nuati o n s : 9 . . . B e 6 ,
Admittedly the Classical Variation looks
9 . . . Bd7, 9 . . . Qc7, 9 . . . Nbd7, 9 . . Nc6, 9 . . b5
. .

rather tame for White, but for years it

a n d 9 . . . b 6 , s e v e r a l of w h i c h are
was Karpov 's preferred line against the
considered adequate for equal chances.
Najdorf and he scored several beautiful
wins with it. This line demands a good 9 ... Be6 1 0 Qd2
u n d e rs t a n d i n g of t h e positional
intricacies b y both sides, because what White often plays I 0 f4 at this j uncture,
appears to be careful maneuvering can but Black is considered to be fine after
actually tum out to be playing without I O . . exf4 followed by l l . . .Nc6.
.

a clear plan.
10 ... Nbd7 1 1 a4 ReS
6 Be2 e5
8
6 . . . e6 is a common way to transpose to
7
the Scheveningen.
6

7 Nb3 5

3
2

a b c d e f g h

Initially, it can be difficult to spot where

Black's counterplay will be coming from,
because White seems to have
everything neatly under control. Black,
a b c d e f g h however, will be aiming to put pressure
on White 's queens ide by preparing to
It has been determined that the knight play either . . . d6-d5 or . . . b7-b5 , while
is better placed on b3 than on f3 in this controll ing the c-file and the c4-square
line; there are two main plans for White in particular.
against Black 's setup. In the first, White
targets B lack 's kingside and wants to 12 aS Qc7 13 Rfd 1 Qc6

1 09
 Back to Basics: Openings

B lack encourages White to place his The knight may initially look a little
bishop on the more passive f3 -square, clumsily placed on e2, but the idea for
removing a guard for the c4-sqaure. White is continue with h2-h3 , g3-g4 and
then Ne2-g3 , supporting a kingside
14 Bf3 Rfe8 15 Qe1 h6 16 Ncl attack. However, occasionally White
also retreats the knight to b3 , although
W h i te b e g i n s one o f t h e k n i g h t th i s d o e s n o t p o s e B l a c k m a n y
maneuvers that are s o typical of this problems.
variation.
7 ... b5 8 Bg2 Bb7 9 0-0 Be7 10 h3 0-0
1 6 ... Ra8 17 Nd3 b5 18 Nb4 Qb7 and 11 g4
w h i l e W h i te ' s p o s i t i o n looks more
comfortable, B l ack has an adequate As previously noted, the plan of attack
game with a solid position. on the kingside.

The Fianchetto Variation ll ... Nbd7 12 Ng3 Nc5 1 3 Be3 ReS 14

a3 g6 and the chances are more or less
Never a very popular variation at top balanced.
level, it has nevertheless seen steady
support from grandmasters over the The 6 f4 Variation
years, including the Americans Gata
Kamsky and. Alexander Ivanov. As a sharp alternative to 6 Bg5, but
without the same tremendous amount
6 g3 e5 of theory to master, 6 f4 has offered
W h i t e p l ayers a g o o d alternat i v e .
Nevertheless, Black should still b e able
to hold his own in this line too .

6 f4 e5

The best and most direct response to 6

f4 . The m a i n alternat i v e i s 6 . . . e 6 ,
transposing to a Scheveningen, but
6 . . . Nbd7 and 6 . . . Qc7 are also seen with
some frequency.

7 NO Nbd7 8 a4 Be7 9 Bd3 0-0 (D)

This i s the principal challenge to the
Fianchetto Variation, but B lack can of
This is more or less the standard setup
course a l s o c o n s ider 6 . . . e 6 , w h i c h
for both sides in thi s variation.
tran s p o s e s to the Scheven ingen
Variation.
10 0-0 Nc5

7 Nde2 B lack frequently plays I 0 . . exf4, but

.

1 10
 The Semi-Open Games

the less experienced p l a y e r, I

8 recommend you play through the lines
given below to gain a rudimentary
7
understanding of the possibilities, but
6
otherwise stay clear of them.
5

4 6 ... e6 7 f4
3
2 8
7

a b c d e f g h 6

5
those lines are more compl icated and 4
make less sense.
3
2
11 Kh l d5! 12 Nxe5 dxe4 1 3 Be2 Qc7
14 Qe1 b6 15 Qg3 Bb7 16 Be3 Rad8
a b c d e f g h
Both Black and White have developed
their pieces to attractive squares and If White wants to avoid the main lines,
the chances are fairly balanced. then there are a couple of alternatives
here, 7 Qd3 and 7 Qf3, but neither is
The 6 Bg5 Main Lines particularly critical for Black.

The only move fo r W h i te that 7 Be7

..

discourages Black from playing ... e7-e5

is White 's Bg5, which has also long This is a crucial j unction in the main
been established as the most critical line N aj dorf. B lack has several other
response to the Naj dorf. It also comes choices available, some of which are so
with an enormous amount of theory to c o m p l i c at e d that I w i l l a c t i v e l y
master. d i s c ourage y o u from p l a yi ng them
unless you are a full-time chess player
6 Bg5 or really don 't know what to do with
you time.
With this move we enter a veritable
labyrinth o f c o m p l i c at e d lines, B l a c k can a l s o c o n s i d e r 7 . . . N c 6 ,
i n c o mp re h e n s i b l e m o v e s , m a s s i v e 7 . . . Nbd7 and 7 . . . Qc7 in this position.
amounts of theory and everything else Each of these moves has a reasonable
that l o vers o f open i n g theory w i l l reputation and has the added benefit of
undoubtedly enjoy. Books have been not having an overwhelming amount of
written on several of the sub-variations theory.
that b e g i n w i th th i s m o v e and the
consequences for even small mistakes The first of the ultra-sharp alternatives
can be immediate and disastrous. So for is 7 . . . b 5 , the so-called Polugaevsky

Ill
 Back to Basic s : Openings

Variation, which at first glance looks like the queen intends to take on b2 on the
mistake because it allows 8 e5 with an next move. Black does without normal
unpleasant pin on the knight. B lack, developing moves in order to wreak
however, can get out of the pin with havoc in White 's position. This line is
8 . . . dxe5 9 fxe5 Qc7 ! . c o n s i derab l y more v i a b l e than the
Polugaevsky Variation, but is still quite
8 dangerous for B l ack, even though

7 players l ike Fischer and Kasparov have

played it several times, and a player like
6
Latv ian grandmaster Alexei S h i rov
5 claims that it is Black's best line against
4 6 Bg5 ! White has numerous l ines to
3 choose from, many quite dangerous,

2
and one w h e re h e s i m p l y av o i d
immediate complications, i.e., 8 Nb3 , not
allowing Black to take the pawn on b2 .
a b c d e f g h
The main line is 8 Qd2 Qxb2 9 Rb I
In this position, White has two main ( Spassky tried 9 Nb3 a couple of times
choices, both of which are in practice against Fischer, but Black is should be
q u i te dangerous for B l ack, despite fine after 9 ... Qa3 1 0 Bxffi gxf0 I I Be2 Nc6)
being theoretically satisfactory : (a) 10 9 . . . Qa3 1 0 f5 (this is j ust one of many
Qe2 Nfd7 l l 0-0-0 Bb7 1 2 Qg4Qxe5 with
possibilities; White also gets adequate
incredibly sharp play, where White has
compensation after I 0 Be2 and 1 0 Bxf6
compensation for the pawn thanks to
gxfO 1 1 Be2) 1 0...Nc6 1 1 fxe6 fxe6 1 2 Nxc6
Black's almost non-exi stent
bxc6 1 3 e5 dxe5 1 4 Bxffi gxf0 1 5 Ne4 Be7
development; and (b) 10 exf6 Q e 5 + I I
1 6 Be2 h5 1 7 Rb3 Qa4 with an unc lear
Be2 Qxg5 1 2 0-0 Ra7 l 3 Qd3 Rd7 1 4 Ne4
position, where both sides need to play
Qe5, and B lack's position holds, but
just barely. Only a very fe w very accurately, but as you may have

grandmasters have played this variation noticed, Black's setup is very artificial
with any regularity. and demands very good knowledge of
the theory to stay afloat in the ensuing
The second ultra-sharp continuation for complications.
B lack is the so-called Poisoned Pawn
Variation, where after 7 . . . Qb6 8 Qf3 Qc7 9 0-0-0 Nbd7

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3
2 2

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

1 12
 The Semi-Open Games

This position can be consi dered yet few e r prob l e m s o b t a i n i n g a g o o d

another b a s i c start i n g point of the position . These are :
(a) 2 ...g6 (Hyper
Naj dorf Variation . White has a number A c c e l erated D r a g o n ) ;
(b) 2 . . . N f6
of reasonable continuations avai lable: (Nimzowitsch Variation); and (c) 2 a6 ..

10 Qg3 , I 0 Be2, I 0 Bd3 , but the sharpest (O ' Kelly Variation).

and best is our main line move.
The Hyper-Accelerated Dragon
10 g4 b5 11 Bxf6 Nxf6 12 g5 Nd7
I f B iack wants to reach the Accelerated
White 's pieces are actively placed and
Dragon, but doesn ' t want to a l l o w
he has a large space advantage on the
White the opportunity t o play 2 . . . N c 6 3
k i n g s i d e , w h i c h should d i scourage
Bb5, as covered below, B lack has the
Black from castling in that direction. All
option of playing 2 . . . g6, which usually
of this will probably make you wonder,
transposes to the desired variation, but
why isn't B lack j ust in serious trouble?
it also allows White some extra options:
This is a very good question, with no
easy answer. However, Black's position
2 ... g6
is solid with relatively few weaknesses,
and his pieces are developed on good
8
squares.
7
13 f5 6

5
Sometimes White plays 1 3 h4 before
4
proceeding with this pawn advance .
3
13 ... Bxg5+ 2

Some years ago, this was considered

inferior to 1 3 . . . Nc5 , but it has since been a b c d e f g h
d e t e r m i n e d that W h i te o b ta i n s a
dangerous initiative with 1 4 f6 gxf6 1 5 3 d4
gxf6 Bffl 1 6 Rg l , intending 1 6 . . . Bg7 1 7
Rg7 ! . This is the normal continuation, but
White can also play 3 c3, taking the play
14 Kb1 Ne5 1 5 Qh5 Qe7 16 Nxe6 Bxe6 into lines similar to those of the 2 c3
17 fxe6 g6 1 8 exti+ Kxti 19 Qe2 and Sicilian.
the p o s i t i o n is rath er u n c l ear, but
probably a little easier to play for White. 3...cxd4

The Oftbeat Sicilians Another line is 3 . . . Bg7, but White gains

the upper hand after 4 dxc5 Qa5+ 5 c3
The lines covered in this section are less Qxc5 6 Be3 Qc7 7 Bd4.
popular, but strictly speaking, they are
fully playable though they pose White 4 Qxd4

1 13
 Back to Basics: Openings

White can obv i o u s l y take w i th the better position for White after 5 dxc3
knight as well, but then 4 . . . Nc6 takes us Nc6 6 Bf4 e6.
straight into the Accelerated Dragon as
hoped for by B lack. 5 Nxd5 exd5 6 d4 Nc6

4 ...Nf6 5 Nc3 Nc6 6 Qa4 d6 with a This leads to a sharpening of the play,
complicated position, where both sides but the alternative, 6 . . . d6, is clearly
have their share of the chances. better for White after 7 Bb5+ Nc6 8 0-0
Be7 9 c4.
The Nimzowitsch Variation
7 dxc5 Bxc5 8 Qxd5 d6 9 exd6 Qb6
A cousin of the Alekhine Defense, the
Nimzowitsch Variation is even more
And Black has some if not entirely full
provocative and is therefore rarely seen
compensation for the sacrificed pawn
at any l e v e l of p l ay, but in recent
(the d6-pawn will be won back) thanks
theoretical works some respectabi l ity
to the lead in development and White 's
has again been found in this opening.
vulnerable queen. B lack's initiative can
provide excel lent winning chance s ,
2 Nf6

particularly a t the club level.

The O'KeUy Variation

Named after the Belgian grandmaster

Alberic O ' Kelly de Galway, this line i s
somewhat more tricky than it appears
at first glance.

2 a6 3 c4

a b c d e f g h

3 e5

If White wants to keep the p l ay in

normal lines, 3 Nc3 can be tried, after
which Black can agree and return to
normal theory with 3 . . . d6 or continue
along independent paths with 3 . . . d5 ! ?
o r 3 . . . Nc6 4 d4 d5 .
a b c d e f g h
3 Nd5 4 Nc3 e6! ?
..

White can play 3 d4, but that helps to

Black also has the more solid option of
demonstrate the i dea behind B lack 's
4 . . . Nxc 3 , which leads to a marginally
second move: 3 ... cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3

1 14
 The Semi-Open Games

eS, and now unlike the Sveshnikov and with fl-f4 (Grand Prix Attack); and (h) 2
Lowenthal, White doesn ' t have NbS Nc3 with g2-g3 (Closed Sicilian).
available, and therefore after 6 NO Bb4,
Black is doing fine. Wing Gambit

The Wing Gambit is hardly ever seen

A better alternative for White is 3 c 3 ,
anymore by players of master level, but
w h i c h re s e m b l e s a s o rt o f A l a p i n
it is playable.
Variation, where 3 . . .a 6 isn't as useful as
Black would l ike.
2 b4

3 ...d6

B lack should preferably play 3 . . . e6,

which after 4 d4 cxd4 S Nxd4 leads to
the Kan Variation.

4 d4 Bg4

Again Black should consider 4 . . . cxd4,

but even after the text, Black is only at a
minimal disadvantage.

The Anti-Sicilians The Russian Grandmaster Bezgodov

devised a different version of the Wing
W i t h the l arge v o l u m e of t h e o ry Gambit: 2 a3 followed by 3 b4.
involved with most of the lines we have
looked at, it is not surprising that White 2 ... cxb4 3 d4
often tries to avoid the main path s .
There are quite offew anti-Sicilians, and On 3 a3 , Black plays 3 . . . dS 4 exdS QxdS
therefore we will separate them into two S Bb2 (note that S axb4?? is met by
categories: Lines without 2 Nf3; and S . . . QeS+, winning the rook on a I ) S . . . eS
lines with 2 Nf3. 6 axb4 Bxb4 7 Na3 Nc6 8 NbS Qd8 9 NO
N f6 , and White has s u ffi c i e nt
Lines without 2 Nf3 compensation for the pawn, but not
more.
There i s quite a selection to choose
from in thi s section, some are sharp 3 ... d5 4 e5 Nc6 5 a3 Qb6 6 Be3 Bf5 7
gambits, others far more positional ;(a) Bd3 Bxd3 8 Qxd3 e6 9 Ne2 Nge7 1 0
2 b4 (Wing Gambit); (b) 2 b3 ; (c) 2 g3 ; 0 - 0 N f5 a n d W h i t e h a s s o m e
(d) 2 d4 (Smith-Morra Gambit); (e) 2 f4; compensation for the pawn, though I
(f) 2 c3 (Alapin Variation) ; (g) 2 Nc3 prefer B lack.

It is usually a very good idea to wait a bit and only get the queen
and rooks into play once the minor pieces have been developed
and the king has been tucked safely away.

1 15
 Back to Basics : Openings

The 2 b3 Sicilian

While seen infrequently, this variation

does have regular support even by fairly
strong players .

2 b3 d6 3 Bb2 Nf6 4 Bb5+ Nbd7

6 Nc6 7 h3 Bh5 8 Nc3 Nf6 9 d3 Qd7

..

and despite the fact White has lost the

r i g h t t o c a s t l e , the c h a n c e s are
approximately balanced.

a b c d e f g h The Smith-Morra Gambit

For good reasons the S m ith-Morra

4 . . . Bd7 5 Bxd7 Qxd7 6 Nc3 g6 7 Nd5 Bg7
Gambit is quite feared amongst lower
8 Nxf6+ exf6 was played in a recent
rated players; small mistakes on Black's
grandmaster game.
part can lead to big problems, whereas
W h i te ' s m o v e s are u s u a l l y m o r e
5 Qe2 a6 6 Bxd7+ Bxd7 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3
principled.
Bc6 9 d3 Be7 with chances for both
sides . 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3 dxc3

The 2 g3 Sicilian B lack can avoid the l ine entirely with

3 . . . Nf6, and after 4 e5 Nd5 , we have a
2 g3 d5 position often reached from the Alapin
Variation.
If B lack p lays 2 . . . Nc6, the game can
follow along the lines of the C losed 4 Nxc3
Sicilian, but without the knight being
developed to c3 : 3 Bg2 g6 4 d3 Bg7 5 f4
d6 6 Nf3 e5 7 0-0 Nge7 8 c3 0-0 with a
complicated struggle ahead.

3 exd5 Qxd5 4 Nf3 Bg4 5 Bg2 Qe6+ 6

Kfl (D)

White has to give up the right to castle

because 6 Qe2 Qxe2+ 7 Kxe2 Nc6 8 Nf3
Nf6 i s very good for B lack.
a b c d e f g h

1 16
 The Semi-Open Games

White 's easy development and B lack 's position White has been hoping for. The
lack of same gives White immediate text move introduces a gambit for which
compensation for the sacrificed pawn. Black obtains sufficient compensation.

4 Nc6 5 NO d6 6 Bc4 e6 7 0-0 Nf6 8

.. 4 Bb5+
Qe2 a6 9 Rd1 Qc7 1 0 Bf4 Be7 l l Rac1
0-0 1 2 Bb3 Qb8 Or 4 c4 e6 5 dxe6 Bxe6 with a good game
for B l ac k because of the structural
Black's position is passive and solid, weaknesses in White 's position.
W h i te ' s aggre s s i v e w i th p l enty of
potential. White has compensation for 4 ... Bd7 5 Bxd7+ Qxd7 6 c4 e6 7 Qe2
the pawn and B l ack has to be very Bd6 8 dxe6 fxe6 9 d3 Nc6 10 NO 0-0
careful to keep the balance. and Black has a good game with ample
compensation for the pawn.
The 2 f4 Sicilian
The Alapin Variation
This line ofthe Sicilian has more or less
been abandoned in favor of the Grand Similar to what is now known as the
Prix Attack where White plays 2 Nc3 Sveshnikov Sicilian, the Alapin Variation
before playing f2-f4. was not a particularly popular line for
W h i t e a g a i n s t t h e S i c i l i an b e fore
2 f4 d5! S v e s h n i ko v took u p the vari at i o n .
Nowadays it i s t h e main stay i n the
r e p e rt o i r e s of a number of
grandmasters .

2 c3

a b c d e f g h

Black's only way to demonstrate the

flaws in White 's setup is this central
counterthrust.

3 exd5 Nf6!
For many players on the black side of
White doesn't mind 3 . . . Qxd5 4 Nc3 Qd8 the S i c i lian, this move is the closest
5 Nf.3 Nf6 6 Ne5 e6 7 Qf.3 Be7 8 b3 0-0 9 thing to unsportsmanlike conduct you
B b 2 , and t h o u g h t h e c h a n c e s are can get in opening play. B lack doesn 't
supposed to be even, this is the kind of get all the excitement and fun he is

1 17
 Back to Basics : Openings

hoping for, but rather the course of the 6 Nb6 7 Bb3 d6

..

game is now mostly dictated by White,

who i s j ust looking for a tiny edge or 8
maybe just the initiative.
7

6
2 Nf6
..

B lack's main alternative i s 2 . . . d5, and 4

then after 3 exd5 Qxd5, White plays 4 3
d4, inviting Black to isolate the White 2
d-pawn. B lack has to be very careful in
this line, otherwise White will quickly
a b c d e f g h
generate an initiative that can take on
dangerous proportions. The main line
is 4 . . . Nf6 5 Nf3, and now: 5 . . . Nc6 6 dxc5 Tak i n g t h e p a w n on c 3 i s v e ry
Qxc5 or 5 . . . Bg4 6 Be2 e6 7 h3 Bh5 8 0-0 dangerous and cannot be
Nc6 9 Be3 cxd4 1 0 cxd4 Be7 1 1 Nc3 Qd6 recommended.
or 5 . . . e6 6 Bd3 (White has several
alternatives such as, for example, 6 Na3 8 exd6 Qxd6 9 0-0 Be6 1 0 Na3 with a
o r 6 B e 3 that are a l s o s e e n q u i t e sharp position where Black needs to be
frequently) 6 . . .Nc6 7 0-0 cxd4 8 cxd4 Be7 very careful, as a slight mis-step can
9 Nc3 Qd6 1 0 Be3 0-0 in all cases with lead to a quick loss, but if he knows
sharp positions and chances for both what he is doing, he should be fine.
sides, though playing them requires a
lot of p re c i s i o n and good The Grand Prix Attack
understanding.

The Grand Prix was popularized by

3 e5 Nd5 4 d4 cxd4 5 Nf3 Bri ti sh p l ayers who developed the
opening on the British Grand Prix circuit
Of course White can recapture with (weekend tournaments). The opening
both the queen and the pawn on d4, isn ' t as popular as it once was, but it is
but n e i th e r line is c o n s i de r e d still to be found in the repertoires of
particularly dangerous for Black. some grandmasters, though still mainly
British ones .
5 Nc6
..

2 Nc3 Nc6 3 f4 (D)

Black can also play 5 . . . e6, and then after
6 cxd4 either opt for 6 . . . b6 or 6 . . . d6, with A variation of this l i n e i s the odd
interesting play to follow. looking 3 Bb5, where White after 3 ... Nd4
4 Bc4 tries to show that Black has played
6 Bc4 h i s k n i g h t to d4 p r e m ature ly. The
evidence isn't overwhelming, but the
The main alternative is 6 cxd4 after line is interesting.
which 6 . . . d6 7 Bc4 Nb6 8 Bb5 dxe5 9
Nxe5 Bd7 leads to a sharp game . 3 g6 4 Nf3 Bg7 5 Bb5
..

1 18
 The Semi-Open Games

3 g3 g6 4 Bg2 Bg7 5 d3 d6

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
Wh ite can also play 5 Bc4. The text
move has been recommended by, for Most games in the Closed Sicilian reach
example, Dzindzhichashvili on several this position without much thinking
of his DVDs and books. It certainly from either player, and only now does
deserves atte n t i o n , even i f B l ack, the game start taking shape.
obj ectively speaking, should be alright.
6 f4
5 Nd4 6 Bd3 d6 7 Nxd4 cxd4 8 Ne2
..

Nf6 9 0-0 0-0 10 Qel Nd7 with a sharp The main alternative for White is 6 Be3,
game and chances for both sides. intending 7 Qd2 and 8 Bh6, which has
been recommended in several repertoire
The Closed Sicilian books for White. Black should be fine,
but it is important to know what you
A favorite among positional players such
are doing and some of the l ines are quite
as Smyslov, Spassky and Adams, the
sharp .
Closed Sicilian is ideal for those who don't
mind a lot of maneuvering and slowly
6... e6
built-up attacks. If Black isn't careful, the
consequences can be quite dramatic as
Black can also play 6 . . . e5, but the text
demon strated in some of the games
move is the main line.
between the future world champion
S p a s s ky and his opponent i n the
7 Nf3 Nge7 8 0-0 0-0 9 Be3 Nd4 and in
candidates tournament, Efim Geller, where
th i s position White usually chooses
White won some exciting games that
either 1 0 B f2 or the sharper 1 0 e5, and in
deserve careful study, even today.
e ither case, the p l ay leads to
approximately even chances, but both
2 Nc3 Nc6
sides have to know what they are doing.

Black can of course play 2 . . . e6, 2 . . . d6 or

a number of other moves, but the text Lines with 2 Nf3
move is the main line, and the play will
o ft e n tran s p o s e to th i s v a r i a t i o n There is an almost endless stream of

eventually. Anti - S i c i l i ans whose intention i s to

1 19
 Back to Basics: Openings

avo i d the m a i n l i ne s of the O p e n

Sicilian. I n many ways the lines in this
section offer White better chances than 7
lines without 2 Nf3 do: (a) 2 Nc6 3 .

6
Nc3 ; (b) 2 Nc6 3 Bb5 (Rossol imo
..

5
Var i at i o n ) ; (c) 2 d 6 3 c3 (Kopec
...

Variation); (d) 2 d6 3 Bb5+ (Moscow

...
4
Variation); (e) 2 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Qxd4
... 3
(4 Qxd4 Variation); and (t) 2 e6 3 d3 ...
2
(King's Indian Attack).

a b c d e f g h
2 Nc6 3 Nc3
...

T h i s l i n e is m o s t l y u s e d by those 3 ... g6
players who, as White, want avoid the
Sveshnikov Variation, but who do not 3 . . . e6 is a popular alternative: 4 0-0 (4
mind other l ines of the Sicilian. For Bxc6 bxc6 5 0-0 Ne7 6 b3 Ng6 7 Bb2 is a
instance, if B lack plays 3 . . . g6 or 3 . . . e6, w o rthwh i l e o p t i o n for W h i te too)
White will play 4 d4 and enter the Open 4 ... Nge7 5 c3 (5 Re l and 5 b3 can also
Sicilian. I f B lack does not agree with be tried) 5 . . . a6 6 Ba4 b5 7 Bc2 Bb7 8 Re i
that g a m e p l a n he h a s a g o o d Rc8 with a complicated position.
alternative.
4 0-0
2 Nc6 3 Nc3 e5

An increasingly popular alternative is

3 . . . N f6 can l e ad t o a l i n e in t h e the immediate exchange on c6, e.g., 4
Nimzowitsch Variation - see above. Bxc6 dxc6 5 h3 Bg7 6 d3 Nf6 7 Nc3 0-0 8
Be3 b6 with about even chances.
4 Bc4 Be7 5 d3 Nf6 6 Ng5 0-0 7 f4 exf4
8 Bxf4 d6 9 0-0 h6 and the chances are 4 ... Bg7 5 Ret
about even .
White can also consider 5 c3 .

Rossolimo Variation 5 ...Nf6

This variation used to be considered If Black tries 5 . . . e5, White can consider
fairly harm l e s s , but it has become the sharp 6 b4 ! ? or the more positional
increasingly popular. 6 Bxc6, depending on White's taste.

2 Nc6 3 Bb5 (D)

.
6 c3

White threatens to give B lack doubled Or 6 e5 Nd5 7 Nc3 Nc7 8 Bxc6 dxc6 with
c-pawns, and while this may not look or a sharp game.
sound like a serious threat, it can lead
to an uncomfortable positional game for 6 0-0 7 d4 cxd4 8 cxd4 d5 9 e5 Ne4
...

B lack ifhe is not careful. and the chances are about even .

1 20
 The Semi-Open Games

Kopec Variation

C a l l ing th i s the Kopec Variation i s

actu a l l y a b i t inaccurate , because
Ameri can international master Dan
Kopec used to play the strange-looking
3 Bd3 first, and only then follow up with
4 c 3 . In fact, its roots go back at least to
American grandmaster Arthur Bisguier
who p layed it before Kopec was even
born . While ful ly playable, it is less
flexible than the immediate 3 c3, which a b c d e g h
reserves the right to develop the bishop
to e2 or b5 as well as to d3 . Additionally, has no higher strategic agenda in mind,
White also has the options of 3 b3 , 3 but rather hopes to get his p i e c e s
d3 , 3 Bc4 and finally 3 Nc3 ; all being a developed t o reasonably good squares,
matter of personal preference. while preventing Black from getting the
usual active counterplay that is to be
2 ... d6 3 c3 Nf6 4 Be2 had in the Najdorf, the Scheveningen
or the Dragon, which are the most
White 's main alternatives are 4 Bd3 and
common l ines for Black after 2 ... d6.
4 h 3 , both leading to appro x imate
equality.
3 ... Bd7
4 ... g6 5 0-0 Bg7 6 Bb5+ Bd7 7 Bxd7+
Not the only option, but the most logical
Qxd7 8 Rel 0-0 9 d4 cxd4 1 0 cxd4 d5
one and also the one most frequently
11 e5 Ne8 and the chances are more or
seen. Other choices include 3 . . . Nd7,
less even.
which is somewhat more ambitious,
Moscow Variation though not necessarily better, but it has
a tendency to generate play that more
While considered less dangerous for resembles the Open Sicilian than the
Black than the Rosso limo Variation, the other lines after 3 Bb5+. 3 . . . Nc6 leads to
Moscow variation is sti l l a good way a position that can also be reached via
for White to avoid the mountains of the Rossolimo move order, 2 ...Nc6 3 Bb5
theory that exist after 3 d4 . Several d6. One line runs 4 0-0 Bd7 5 c3 Nf6 6
g r a n d m a s t e r s p l ay t h i s v a r i at i o n Re I a6 7 Bfl (also 7 Ba4 and 7 Bxc6 can
frequently with very decent results, be considered) 7 . . . Bg4 8 d3 e6 9 Nbd2
which of course is a good indication Be7 with chances to both sides.
that it is perfectly playable at all levels.
4 Bxd7+ Qxd7
2 ... d6 3 Bb5+
Black can also consider taking with the
In this l ine W h ite i s n ' t necessari ly knight on d7, but recapturing with the
trying to give Black doubled pawns and queen is considered the main line.

121
 Back to Basics: Openings

5 c4 dangerous weapon, because Black may

not be fami liar with the theory and will
With this move, White takes the game then often go wrong early, al lowing
into something similar to a Maroczy White an easier game.
Bind, which isn't strictly necessary. For
in stance a good alternative can be 4 Nc6
..

found in 5 0-0 Nc6 6 c3 Nf6 7 Qe2 (7 Re I

leads to similar positions, but 7 d4 is a The normal and logical move, but B lack
sharper option) 7 . . . e6 8 d4 cxd4 9 cxd4 can also play 4 . . . a6 or 4 . . . Bd7 with the
d5 I 0 e5 Ne4 I I Rd I Rc8, and the game intention offollowing up with . . . Nc6, but
is more or less balanced. without al lowing the pin and exchange
of the knight on c6.
5 ... Nf6 6 Nc3 Nc6 7 0-0 g6 8 d4 cxd4 9
Nxd4 Bg7 1 0 Nde2 0-0 5 Bb5 Bd7 6 Bxc6 Bxc6

White has more space and appears to This looks fairly harmless for B lack, but
h a v e an e a s i e r g a m e, but B l ack ' s now White usually sharpens the game
position is both solid and flexible, and by castling queenside.
there are plenty of opportunities for
counterpunches; the chances are equal . 7 Nc3 Nf6 8 Bg5 e6 9 0-0-0 Be7 10
Rhel 0-0 with a compl icated position
4 Qxd4 Variation that is considered about even by theory,
but where B lack sti l l has to be very
Th is line presents White with another careful.
opportunity to avoid the theoreti cal
main lines of the Open Sicilian . King's Indian Attack

2 . .d 6 3 d 4 cxd4 4 Qxd4
. There are many different versions of the
King's Indian Attack. One of the more
popular lines is the one that arises from
the 2 . . . e6 Sicilian.

2 e6 3 d3
..

a b c d e f g h

At grandmaster level, this line isn't seen

particularly often because Black should
equal ize without too many problems,
but at l o w e r l e v e l s , i t can be a a b c d e f g h

1 22
 The Semi-Open Games

White has a number of alternatives at Games . Another move is 3 . . . c6, which

this j uncture, such as 3 b3 , 3 c 3 , 3 g3 as Black intends to follow up with 4 . . . Qa5
well as 3 Nc3 , but none of these lines is and 5 . . . e5, which is called the Czech
considered particularly dangerous for Defe n s e . B oth l i nes are consi dered
Black. slightly favorable for White. Now White
has several different choices: (a) 4 Nf3
3 ... Nc6 (Classical System ) ; (b) 4 Be3 ( 1 5 0
Attack); and (c) 4 f4 (Austrian Attack) .
If Black plays 3 . . . d5 here or on one of
the next few moves, it takes us over to There are other moves too, for instance
lines that are normally reached via the 4 Be2, 4 Bg5 and 4 Bc4 or even 4 g3, all
French. have their supporters, even i f they are
not supposed to lead to any advantage
4 g3 g6 5 Bg2 Bg7 6 0-0 Nge7 7 Ret for White.
d6 8 c3 0-0 9 Nbd2 b6 1 0 Nfl Bb7 and
the chances are split approxi mate ly The Classical System
even .
4 Nf3
The Pirc Defense

1 e4 d6 2 d4 Nf6 3 Nc3

Wh ite can also play 3 f3, which after

3 . . . g6 4 c4 Bg7 5 Nc3 transposes to a
Sami sch Variation of the King's Indian
Defense . Another alternative is 3 Bd3 .

3 ... g6

With thi s move we reach the starting a b c d e f g h

position of the Pirc . Black intends to
c o m p l ete h i s development and see This setup aims for straightforward
w h i c h setup White c h o o s e s before development with an eventual look to a
deciding on a line of action. Nowadays slight plus thanks to a space advantage
the Pirc isn ' t particular popular at the in the center.
top of the chess hierarchy, but some
years back the opening was championed 4 Bg7 5 Be2 0-0 6 0-0 Bg4
..

by sharp creative players such as Jan

Timman, M i khail Gurevich and Yasser This takes some of the dynamic potential
Seirawan. out ofWhite 's game. Other tries include
6 . . . c6, 6 . . . c5 and 6 . . . Nbd7 .
Black also has other moves available at
thi s j uncture, e . g . , 3 . . . e5 4 Nf3 Nbd7 7 Be3 Nc6 8 d5 Bxf3 9 Bxf3 Ne5 1 0
leads to a Phil idor Defense, which is Be2 c 6 1 1 f4 Ned7 1 2 dxc6 bxc6 and
discussed in the chapter on the Open while White has more space, Black has

1 23
 Back to Basics: Openings

a s o l i d and fl e x i b l e p o s i t i o n . The
chances are about even . 8
7
The 1 50 Attack
6
The name of thi s variation, the 1 5 0 5
Attack is actually a kind ofjoke. " 1 50"
4
comes from the English rating system
3
and is equivalent to an ELO rating of
2
1 800, thus indicating the line is not for
very strong players . However, it has
been recommended in a number of a b c d e f g h
repertoire books for White because it
is easy to learn and carries a punch if A main alternative for B lack is the
Black isn't careful. immediate 5 ... c5, where White can either
take on c5 with 6 dxc5 after which Black
4 Be3 Bg7 5 Qd2 c6 6 t3 plays 6 . . . Qa5 7 Bd3 Qxc5 which leads to
about even chances or 6 Bb5+ Bd7 7 e5
Ng4, and now after 8 e6 ! ?, Black has
t w o fas c i n a t i n g l i n e s to c h o o s e
between : 8 . . . fxe6 9 Ng5 Bxb5 I 0 Nxb5
Qa5+ 1 1 c3 Qxb5 1 2 Qxg4 with an unclear
position or 8 . . . Bxb5 9 exf7+ Kd7 ! 1 0
Nxb5 Qa5+ I I Nc3 cxd4 1 2 Nxd4 and
again we have a position that has been
p l ayed numerous times, yet is sti l l
considered unclear.

6 Bd3

6 ... b5 7 Bh6 Bxh6 8 Qxh6 Nbd7 with

White often plays 6 Be3 as well .
chances for both sides.

The Austrian Attack 6... Nc6

The critical choice against the Pirc is B lack has a number of alternatives is
the Austrian Attack, which grabs a 6 . . . c5, 6 . . . Nbd7, 6 . . . Bg4 and 6 . . .Na6.
space advantage and the i n itiativ e .
While B lack's situation b y no means is 7 e5 dxe5 8 fxe5 Nh5 9 Be2 Bg4 1 0
threatening, White 's position is usually Be3 and White has p e rhaps a tiny
a little easier to play. As always, ifWhite edge, b u t B l a c k ' s c h a n c e s are
is not careful, B lack can take over the considered fully adequate.
initiative.
T h e K i n g ' s F i a n c h etto ( " M odern
4 f4 Bg7 5 NO 0-0 Defense")

1 24
 The Semi-Open Games

Like the Pirc, the King's Fianchetto has 1 e4 e6

been out of fashion for quite a while,
but it i s of course sti ll fully playable
and it i s in fact a very flexible opening,
7
and is a particular favorite of players
6
with a creative flair.
5

1 e4 g6 4

3
2

a b c d e f g h

This is one of Black 's oldest and most

solid setups . Black wants to chal lenge
White in the center w ith . . . d7-d5 , often
followed by . . . c7-c5 . One ofBiack's main
concerns is the l i ght-squared bi shop
a b c d e f g h which is severely restricted by pawns
on the e6 and d5 . The second player
This opening can often transpose to the often remedies this by playing . . . b7-b6,
Pirc Defense if Black wishes, but Black . . . Bd7-b5 or . . . Bd7-e8 followed by . . . f7-
can give the opening its own flavor by f6, and then the bishop may go to g6 or
waiting to develop the g8-knight. h5 via e 8 .

2 d4 Bg7 3 Nc3 2 d4

White can also play 3 c4 taking the game White usually grabs the center squares
to something that looks a bit l ike a when they are av a i l a b l e , but
King's Indian, but again Black can wait occasionally he in stead chooses the
to develop the knight on g8, making it King's Indian Attack setups which can
slightly different. be reached with 2 d3 d5 3 Nd2 c5 4 Ngf3
Nc6 5 g3 Nf6 6 Bg2 Be7 7 0-0 b6 8 Qe2
3 d6 4 f4
.. Bb7 with chances for both sides. This
line was an early favorite of B obby
A good alternative is 4 Be3 followed by F i scher, but i s n ' t that popular these
5 Qd2. days in top level chess, while it is seen
more often at lower levels because it is
4 ... c6 5 Nf3 Bg4 6 Be3 Qb6 7 Qd2 and easy to learn and play and offers White
White has the slightly better chances. excellent attacking chances.

The French Defense 2 ...d5

1 25
 Back to Basics : Openings

Black attacks White 's center from the

flank and will often follow it up with an
i n i t i at i v e on the queenside.
Occasionally Black will also open up
the f-file with . . . f7-f6.

4 c3 Nc6 5 Nf3 Qb6

Black puts pressure on White 's center

pawn on d4 . If White now plays 6 Bd3 ,
then B lack has to be aware of the trap
a b c d e f g h
6 . . . cxd4 7 cxd4, and now B lack cannot
take the d-pawn with 7 . . . Nxd4 ?? because
Now we have reached the first main fork
of 8 Nxd4 Qxd4 9 Bb5+, and the black
in the road, where White can take the
queen is lost. Instead, B lack should
game in very different directions: (a) 3 p l ay 7 . . . Bd7, and then B l ack really
e5 ( A dvance Vari ati o n ) ; (b) 3 exd5 threatens to take the pawn on d 4 ,
( E x c h a n g e Var i a t i o n ) ; (c) 3 N d 2
because the check o n b5 is no longer
(Tarrasch Variation); and (d) 3 Nc3.
available for White.

The Advance Variation 6 Be2 cxd4 7 cxd4 Nge7 8 Na3 Nf5 9

Nc2 Bb4+ 10 Kfl Be7 1 1 h4 and White
3 e5 has a slightly better game because of
his space advantage . The loss of the
With th i s advance, White g a i n s an
right to castle is not a b i g concern ;
i m m e d i ate space adv antage in the
White will play g2-g3 and place his king
center and on the kingside. This move
on g2 .
was popularized by Nimzowitsch and
much later by Sveshnikov. These days
The Exchange Variation
th i s v a r i a t i o n h a s g o n e through a
renaissance and it is once again played
3 exd5 exd5
frequently at top level.

3 ... c5

a b c d e f g h

The exchange on d5 makes the position

1 26
 The Semi-Open Games

completely symmetrical, and is usually Now Black can choose between three
perceived as an attempt by White to main continuat i on s : (a) 3 . . . c 5 ; (b)
get a draw, but this is by no means a 3 ... Nf6; and (c) 3 ... dxe4 (Rubinstein
guaranteed result because all the pieces Variation).
are sti l l on the board.
Tarrasch with 3 ... c5
4 Bd3 Bd6 5 c3 Nc6
3 ... c5
B lack can also play 5 . . . c6 and keep the
game symmetrical, but if Black wants to This is Black 's most aggressive option,
play for more than a draw, he can do so he immediately chal lenges Wh ite 's
s a fe l y b y d e v e l o p i n g h i s p i e c e s center.
actively.
4 exd5 exd5
6 Nf3 Nge7 7 0-0 Bg4 8 Ret Qd7 9
Nbd2 and here Black can choose 9 . . 0-0 .

and keep the game relatively quiet and

even, or the sharp 9 . . . 0-0-0 where Black
will follow up with a kingside attack, and
White will attack with his pawns on the
queenside. In either case, both sides
have their chances.

The Tarrasch Variation

a b c d e f g h
3 Nd2

With t h i s m o v e B l a c k accepts an
i solated pawn, and in return he gets
easy development for his minor pieces,
including the c8-bishop which often
gives B lack headaches in the French.
B lack has an alternative in 4 . . . Qxd5,
which breaks o n e o f t h e o p e n i n g
principles b y developing the queen too
soon. In this case, however, it is difficult
for White to take advantage of it. One
a b c d e f g h possible continuation is 5 Ngf3 cxd4 6
Bc4 Qd6 7 0-0 Nf6 8 Nb3 Nc6 9 Nbxd4
With this move, White aims for a solid Nxd4 1 0 Nxd4 Bd7 I I b3 0-0-0 1 2 Bb2
setup i n the c e n t e r w h e re h e c a n Qc7 with a sharp position.
support his d-pawn with c2-c3 a t an
opportune moment and then he can 5 Ngf3 Nc6 6 Bb5 Bd6 7 dxc5 Bxc5 8
place his knights on f3 and e2 . 0-0 Ne7 9 Nb3 Bd6 1 0 Re i 0-0

1 27
 Back to Basics: Openings

Both sides are getting close to having 3 dxe4 4 Nxe4

...

finished their development, but White,

t h a n k s to h i s s l i ghtly better pawn
structure (Black's isolated d-pawn) has
a small advantage .

Tarrasch with 3 Nf6...

3 Nf6 4 e5 Nfd7 5 Bd3

...

a b c d e f g h

This variation can also arise after 3 Nc3

dxe4 4 Nxe4, which is why I have saved
it for now. This is a solid, but slightly
passive variation for Black, but it is often
played if B lack is satisfied with a draw
as it is quite solid and flexible enough
a b c d e f g h to ward off White 's aggression.

White can also consider the very sharp 4 Nd7 5 Nf3 Ngf6 6 Nxf6+
..

5 f4 which leads to a complicated game

after 5 . . . c5 6 c3 Nc6 7 Ndf3 cxd4 8 cxd4 6 Bg5 Be7 will transpose to the Bum
Qb6 9 g3 Bb4+ I 0 Kf2 g5 , and because Variation which can be found in the next
of the pin of the d4-pawn, White cannot section.
play I I fxg5 because of l l . . . Ndxe5 , and
therefore often plays 1 2 Be3 g4 1 2 Nd2 6 Nxf6 7 Bg5 h6 8 Bxf6 Qxf6 9 Bb5+
.

f6 , and b o t h s i d e s h a v e to p l ay c6 10 Bd3 Bd7 11 c3 Bd6 12 Qe2 c5

carefully. and w i th th i s counterpunch in the
center, B lack is ready to commence
5 ... c5 6 c3 Nc6 7 Ne2 cxd4 8 cxd4 f6 counterp l ay, tran s ferri ng the l i ght
squared bishop to the active c6-square.
Black doesn 't want to allow White time The chances are fairly even.
to settle down and develop easily. By
attacking White 's center, B lack gets to 3 Nc3 Variations
place his pieces on more active squares.
Generally speaking, the 3 Nc3 l ines lead
9 exf6 Nxf6 1 0 0-0 Bd6 1 1 Nf3 0-0 with to sharper play than 3 Nd2, although
a position that has occurred in many there are plenty of positional options
games. The chances are evenly split. for both sides.

The Rubinstein Variation 3 Nc3

1 28
 The Semi-Open Games

4 c5 5 a3 Bxc3+ 6 bxc3 Ne7

...

7
This is essentially the starting position
of majority ofthe games in the Winawer.
6
White can take the game into two very
5
different directions: (a) 7 Nf3 (Rauzer
4 Variation); and (b) 7 Qg4 (Poisoned
3 Pawn).

The Rauzer Variation

a b c d e g h
7 Nf3

This is an invitation to some of the Thanks to the pawn structure, the plans
sharpest lines of the French : (a) 3 ... Bb4 for both sides are clearly defined: White
(Winawer Variation); and (b) 3 ... Nf6 will play on the kingside and B lack on
(Classical Variation). the queenside. With this in mind, it is
surprising that the white king belongs
B lack has other options of course, on the kingside and the black king on
including 3 . . . dxe4 as noted above, but the queenside.
also 3 . . . Be7 and 3 . . . Nc6 as well as other
more unusual lines. However, the two 7 Nbc6
..

main lines mentioned above are by far

the most popular, though very different. Black has several alternatives, such as
7 . . . Qc7 and 7 . . . b6, but our chosen main
The Winawer Variation line well i l lustrates the typical type of
play in the Rauzer.
3 ... Bb4
8 Be2 Qa5 9 Bd2 Bd7
With the pin on the c3 -knight, White
has to make a decision regarding the B lack may get tempted to play 9 . . cxd4
.

center. I 0 cxd4 Qa4, because I I c3 Qxd I + 1 2

Rxd I Na5 1 3 h 4 Bd7 leads t o a
4 e5
comfortable game for B lack, but I I
White closes the center and, as in the Rb l ! ? Nxd4 1 2 Bd3 Ndc6 1 3 Rb3 gives
advance variation, White's game is often White a dangerous i nitiative for the
d i rected towards the k i n g s i d e . pawn.
Alternatively, White can play 4 exd5 and
after 4 . . . exd5, the game is a version of the 1 0 0-0 c4 1 1 Ng5 h6 1 2 Nh3 Ng6 1 3
Exchange Variation. Furthermore, White B h 5 0-0-0 1 4 f4 and White has a slight
can also consider sharp continuations like i n i t i at i v e because he is som ewhat
4 a3 and 4 Ne2; in either case Black should further ahead with his plans than B lack.
be fine, but careful play on both sides will
still be required.

1 29
 Back to Basics: Openings

The Poisoned Pawn 4 Bg5

7 Qg4 White postpones the pawn advance for

a short while, though the immediate 4
Again we see a move that appears to e5 is also very popular. One example is
go a ga i n s t tra d i t i o n a l o p e n i n g 4 ... Nfd7 5 f4 c5 6 Nf3 Nc6 7 Be3 cxd4 8
principles. However, White is trying to Nxd4 Bc5 9 Qd2 0-0 1 0 0-0-0 a6 1 1 h4
take advantage o f the a b s e n c e o f Nxd4 1 2 Bxd4 b5, with mutual chances.
Black's dark-squared bishop. Black can
only protect the pawn with 7 . . . K f8 , 4 ... Be7
which obviously i s n ' t desirable, though
it i s p l ay ab l e , or p l ay t h e v e ry This is one of a number of interesting
provocative 7 . . . 0-0, which has become continuations for B lack, who may also
a main line itself. Whole books have c o n s i d e r 4 . . . d x e 4 , s i m i l a r to t h e
been devoted to this position, but one
Rubinstein Variation ( 3 . . . d x e 4 ) we
typical line runs 8 Bd3 Nbc6 9 Qh5 Ng6
looked at earlier, except this line, called
I 0 Nf3 Qc7 I I Be3 c4 1 2 Bxg6 fxg6 with
the Burn Variation, is considered to
a complicated game, tending to favor
offer Black better chances of equalizing,
the first player.
e.g., 5 Nxe4 Be7 6 Bxf6 Bxf6 7 Nf3 0-0 8
Qd2 b6 9 Nxf6+ Qxf6 I 0 Bd3 Bb7 with a
7... Qc7
solid position for Black. The surprising
4 . . . Bb4, the MacCutcheon Variation, is
With this move Black goes directly for
also a valid try for Black, e.g., 5 e5 h6 6
counterp lay along the c-file and in the
Bd2 (White doesn 't achieve anything
c e n ter. C o u p l e d w i th h i s l e ad i n
development, B lack hopes this after 6 Bh4 g5 7 Bg3 Ne4) 6 ... Bxc3 7 bxc3
counterplay will offset White 's material Ne4 8 Qg4 g6 9 Bd3 Nxd2 1 0 Kxd2 c5
gains on the kingside. with a complicated struggle.

8 Qxg7 Rg8 9 Qxh7 cxd4 1 0 Ne2 Nbc6 5 e5 Nfd7 6 Bxe7 Qxe7 7 f4 0-0 8 Nf3
11 f4 dxc3 12 Qd3 Bd7 c5 9 Qd2 Nc6 1 0 0-0-0 and in this line
W h i t e ' s c h a n c e s are c o n s i d e r e d
Black continues his development while preferable.
W h i t e is try i n g to stab i l i z e a n d
consolidate his position. The Caro-Kann Defense

1 3 Nxc3 a6 1 4 Rbl Na5 1 5 h4 Nf5 with

Although the Caro-Kann has always
a complicated struggle and chances to
had a reputation as a solid opening and
both sides.
had the support of strong players in
The Classical Variation nearly all eras since it first appeared,
including players such as Nimzowitsch,
3 Nf6
..
B o tv i n n i k , S m y s l ov, B ro n s t e i n ,
Petrosian, and Larsen to mention some
B lack tries to force White to close the ofthe more recognizable names, it didn't
center. truly become an everyday weapon for

1 30
 The Semi-Open Games

countless top grandmasters unti l world ( 4 . . . Qxd5 5 Nc3 Qd8 6 d4 transposes to

champion Anatoly Karpov made it his a variation in the Alapin Sicilian) 5 Bb5+
primary answer to I e4. Today it is regu (the sharper 5 Nc3 and even 5 Qa4+ are
l arly seen in the games of players such also commonly seen) 5 . . . Nbd7 6 Nc3 a6
as world champion Viswanathan Anand, 7 Qa4 Rb8 8 Bxd7+ Qxd7 9 Qxd7+ Bxd7
Ve s e l i n To p a l ov, Alexander I 0 Nge2 is about equal; (b) 2 d3 is a
Morozevich, Peter Leko and Vassily version of the King's Indian Attack,
lvanchuk, not to mention many other though against the Caro-Kann, it isn't
2600+ rated players. However, it is also considered particularly dangerous, de
an opening that can be played by much spite it being used frequently by par
lower-rated players because the strate ticularly Ljubojevic. The play usually
gies are simple to understand and fol continues with 2 . . . d5 3 Nd2 e5 4 Ngf3
low, yet complex enough to offer some Bd6 5 g3 Nf6 6 Bg2 0-0 7 0-0 Re8 8 Re 1
thing for the strongest players. Nbd7 with chances to both sides; and
(c) 2 Nc3 (2 Nf3 will usually lead to the
One benefit for Black is that in the main same variation, but a line with a sting is
lines there are many options, and Black 2 . . . d5 3 exd5 cxd5 4 Ne5 ! ?, but 4 . . . Nc6 5
is able to dictate to a l arge extent in d4 e6 6 Bb5 Bd7 should be satisfactory
which direction the play will go. for B lack) 2 . . . d5 3 N f3 , and we have
reached the Two Knights Variation.
1 e4 c6 Now B lack can play 3 . . . dxe4 4 Nxe4, but
it should be followed by either 4 . . . Bg4
or 4 . . . Nf6 in this position, since 4 . . . Bf5
only leads to headaches, e.g. 5 Ng3
Bg6? ! ( 5 . . . Bg4 i s the only playable
move) 6 h4 h6 7 Ne5 Bh7? ! 8 Qf3 Nf6 9
Qb3 with simultaneous threats against
f7 and b7. The main line is 3 . . . Bg4 4 h3
Bxf3 (4 ... Bh5 5 exd5 cxd5 6 Bb5 Nc6 7 g4
Bg6 8 Ne5 Rc8 9 d4 e6 is also possible)
5 Qxf3 Nf6 6 d3 e6, and here White can
choose between 7 Bd2 Nbd7 8 g4 ! ? and
a b c d e f g h the more solid 7 g3 , in either case with
chances for both sides.
2 d4
2 ...d5
White usually prefers this move, but
there are other options that should not Here we have reached a major cross
be discounted to easily: road, where White has to choose be
tween (a) 3 t3 (Fantasy Variation); (b) 3
(a) 2 c4, which can transpose into a exd5 (3 exd5 Lines); (c) 3 e5 (the Ad
Panov-Botvinnik Attack after 2 . . . d 5 vance Variation); and (d) 3 Nc3 (Main
(2 . . . e 5 i s also possible) 3 exd5 cxd5 4 d4, Lines). 3 Nd2 is also seen rather fre
but White can also opt for 4 cxd5 . Black quently, but usually transposes to the
then usually continues with 4 . . . Nf6 lines after 3 Nxc3 with 3 . . . dxe4 4 Nxe4.

131
 Back to Basics: Openings

The only exception is 3 . . . g6, but White Diemer Gambit, which should not cause
is better after 4 Ngf3 Bg7 5 h3 Nh6 6 B lack too many problems.
Bd3 0-0 7 0-0.
4...Bb4 5 Bf4 Nf6 6 Qd3 b6 7 Nge2 Ba6
The Fantasy Variation 8 Qe3 0-0 9 0-0-0 c5

White 's sharpest option is undoubt

A very complicated position has arisen,
edly the Fantasy Variation, which does
both s i d e s have t heir s h are of the
not get as much recognition as it possi
chances.
bly deserves and therefore is often ig
nored by black players, but it can be
3 exd5 Lines
quite dangerous if Black does not know
what he is doing.
The play can go in two very different
directions in the lines in this section.
3 f3
3 exd5 cxd5 4 c4

a b c d e f g h

White intends to maintain a strong cen

ter by allowing himself the option of
This i s the starting position o f the
taking back on e4 with the f-pawn.
Panov-Botvinnik Attack. I f White pre
3 ... e6 fers a slower and more positional game,
he can instead opt for the Exchange
B lack must tread carefully in this line. Variation, which arises when White re
There are several alternatives including frains from 4 c4, but rather chooses 4
3 . . . e5 ! ?, 3 . . . g6 and even 3 . . . dxe4 4 fxe4 Bd3 (4 Nf3 and 4 c3 can also be played,
( 4 Nc3 transposes to a version of the transposing) 4 . . . Nc6 5 c3. The position
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit) 4 . . . e5, in all resembles an Exchange Variation of the
cases with very sharp play. The text Queen 's Gambit Declined, but with the
move is the most solid. colors reversed. B lack should be doing
okay after 5 ... Nffi 6 Bf4 Bg4 7 Qb3 Qd7 8
4 Nc3 Nd2 e6 9 Ngf3 Bxf3 1 0 Nxf3 Bd6 with
more or less equal chances.
4 Be3 dxe4 5 Nd2 exf3 6 Ngxf3 Nffi 7 Nc4
Nbd7 is odd version of a Blackmar- 4 ... Nf6 5 Nc3 e6

1 32
 The Semi-Open Games

Black has two good alternatives : (a) leads to a position that may originate
5 Nc6 6 Nf3 (another good move is 6
.. either from Queen's Gambit Accepted
Bg5, but 6 . . . e6 will usually take the play or a number of lines in the Nimzo-In
to the main line after 5 . . . e6) 6 . . . Bg4 7 dian Rubinstein Complex.
cxd5 Nxd5 8 Qb3 Bxf3 9 gxf3 e6 (Black
can avoid the exchanges that fol lows 7 ... Nxd5 8 Bd2 Nc6 9 Bd3 Be7 10 0-0
by playing 9 . . . Nb6, but 1 0 Be3 e6 1 1 0- 0-0 1 1 Qe2 Nf6 and although this posi
0-0 followed by d4-d5 is pleasant for tion is considered about equal, there is
White) 1 0 Qxb7 Nxd4 1 1 Bb5+ Nxb5 1 2 a wealth of play ahead, and very good
Qc6+ Ke7 1 3 Qxb5 Qd7 1 4 Nxd5+ Qxd5 understanding is required of both play
1 5 Qxd5 exd5 with an endgame that has ers, but B lack will need to be particu
been played many times. The current larly vigilant.
evaluation is that the position is equal,
but there is a lot of play left in the posi The Advance Variation
tion, despite the reduced material; and
(b) 5 ... g6 involves a pawn sacrifice for This variation was for many years con
Black: 6 Qb3 Bg7 7 cxd5 0-0 8 Be2 Nbd7 sidered quite harmless, despite it being
9 Bf3 Nb6 1 0 Nge2 Bf5 1 1 0-0 Bd3 , with played by Tal against Botvinnik in the
a sharp game and chances for both 1 960 world championship match. How
sides; Black's active pieces compensate ever, a number of ideas for White, first
for the sacrificed pawn. in the 4 Nc3 lines in the 1 980s, and much
later in several other lines, gave this line
6 Nf3 Bb4 a newfound popularity it had never pre
viously enjoyed.
6 . . . Be7 is a fully playable alternative.

7 cxd5 3 e5 BfS

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

This is hardly White 's only move, but The only alternative for B lack is 3 . . . c5,
the alternatives tend to transpose to which is best answered by the il logical
other openings, e.g., 7 Bg5 h6 8 Bxf6 looking 4 dxc5 as discovered by Tal .
Qxf6 9 Qb3 leads to a line in the Queen's
Gambit, and 7 Bd3 dxc4 8 Bxc4 0-0 9 0-0 4 Nf3

1 33
 Back to Basics: Openings

Although this line was used countless

times before English grandmaster Nigel
Short refashioned and refined the strat
egies behind this move, the variation
now bears his name. However, White
has many of alternatives at this j unc
ture, the main ones being: (a) 4 h4 -
4 . . . h5 5 c4 dxc4 6 Bxc4 e6 7 Nc3 Nd7,
with a sharp position and about equal
chances; (b) 4 Be3 - 4 . . . e6 5 Nd2 Nd7 6
Be2 c5 7 Ngf3 Rc8 with a sharp battle
a b c d e f g h
ahead; (c) 4 Nd2 looks completely il
l o g i c a l , but became p o p u l a r after
Kramnik used it to defeat Leko in the 4 e6 5 Be2 Nd7
.

last, must-win game oftheir world cham

pionship match, allowing Kramnik to Black's main alternatives are 5 ... Ne7 and
level the match score and thus keep his 5 . . . c5, both of which are fully playable.
title. Now follows 4 ... e6 5 Nb3 Nd7 6
6 0-0 Ne7
Nf3 Ne7 7 Be2 Nc8 (allowing the bishop
on f8 to develop) 8 0-0 Be7, and Black Here Black has also played 6 . . . Bg6 and
will now continue with . . . 0-0 and then 6 . . . h6 with success.
prepare the . . . c6-c5 advance, against
which White can try to find a suitable 7 Nbd2 Ne7 8 Nb3 Nc8 9 a4 Be7 with
plan. The ideas for White include a4- another strategically complex line with
a5, and N f3 -e l -d3 . While White has mutual chances.
more space, Black's position is solid and
he has a clearly defined plan; and (d) 4 Main Lines
N c3 - White's sharpest move. It experi
enced a surge of popularity in the be With the resurgence of popularity of the
ginning of the 1 980s, and while it isn 't Caro-Kann Defense, the volume of
played as much now as it once was, it theory attached to the main lines has
remains a popular option for those who exploded by leaps and bounds, but it is
like complex and unclear positions. Now still possible to find minor lines that suit
4 . . . e6 (playab le alternatives include j ust about any type of player.
4 . . . Qd7, 4 . . . Qb6, 4 . . . a6 and 4 . . . h5) 5 g4
Bg6 6 Nge2 c5 (Black can also consider 3 Nc3 dxe4
6 . . . f6 and 6 . . . Ne7) 7 h4 (D)
As with 3 Nd2, Black can also play 3 . . . g6
7 . . . cxd4 (7 . . . h5 8 Nt Bh7 9 Nxh5 Nc6 at this point, but here too, White ob
and 7 . . . f6 8 Nf4 Bf7 are considered fine tains the better chances: 4 Nf3 (4 e5 Bg7
for Black) 8 Nxd4 h5 9 f4 hxg4 I 0 Bb5+ 5 f4 is also possible) 4 . . . Bg7 5 h3 (pre-
Nd7 I I f5 Rxh4 12 Rfl , with incredible venting a possible . . . Bg4) 5 . . . dxe4 (other
compl ications and chances for both moves include 5 . . . Nf6 and 5 . . . Nh6) 6
sides. Nxe4 Nd7 7 Bd3 Ngf6 8 0-0.

1 34
 The Semi-Open Games

4 Nxe4 Nimzowitsch also played 5 ... exf6, which

is best met by 6 c3 Bd6 7 Bd3 0-0 8 Qc2
Re8+ 9 Ne2 h6 with chances for both
s i d e s . The text move is named the
Bronstein-Larsen Variation after the
two dynamic players who did a lot to
promote this move.

6 c3 Bf5 7 Nf3 e6

Black can also consider 7 . . . Qc7 and

7 . . . Nd7, the former planning queens ide
castling, the latter kingside castling.
a b c d e f g h
8 g3

The starting position of the main line Other moves have proved inadequate
Caro-Kann. Play may now go in many for an advantage.
directions, each leading to its own type
of game. 8.. Qd5 9 Bg2 Qc4 1 0 Be3 Nd7 1 1 Nh4
.

Bg6 1 2 Nxg6 hxg6 and while Black has

Nimzowitsch's 4... Nf6 prevented White from castling at the
moment, the black queen is susceptible
In this line, Black offers to take on a to being pushed around a bit. Theory
doubled pawn in return for dynamic play. considers White's chances somewhat
It isn't seen as often as it once was, but it more favorable.
is still fully playable, even if the theory
claims a small advantage for White. The Smyslov Variation

Though named after world champion

4 ...Nf6 5 Nxf6+
Vassily Smyslov, it was another cham
pion, Anatoly Karpov, who brought it
White can also dec l i ne the offer to back to the l imelight, and it has since
double pawns with 5 Ng3 , but then Black been used by many grandmasters, most
has no worries at all . notably Anand.

5 ... gxf6 4 ... Nd7 5 Ng5

3
2

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

1 35
 Back to Basics: Openings

This move was not played until the late a slight in itiative and more space with
1 980s, but it is currently the main line. which to work, but Black 's position is
Other continuations include 5 Nf3 Ngf6 6 solid and full of resources and as such
Ng3 e6 7 Bd3 c5 with chances for both is a perfect way to start a game.
players, and the former main line 5 Bc4
Ngf6 6 Ng5 e6 7 Qe2 Nb6 (White threat 4 ...Bf5 5 Ng3
ened 8 Nxf7) 8 Bd3 (8 Bb3 is also pos-
White sometimes experiments with
sible, e.g., 8 ... h6 9 N5f3 a5 with about equal
Bronstein's 5 Nc5, but B lack is fine af
chances) 8 ... h6 9 N5f3 c5 1 0 dxc5 Bxc5 I I
ter 5 . . . b6 6 Nb3 e6 7 Nf3 Bd6.
Ne5 Nd7 1 2 Ngf3 Bc5 with a complicated
and approximately equal position.
5 ... Bg6 6 h4

5 .. Ngf6 6 Bd3 e6
.

Black has to be a little careful, e.g., 6 ... h6

is met by 7 Ne6 ! .

7 N 1 f3 Bd6 8 Qe2 h 6 9 Ne4 Nxe4 1 0

Qxe4 Nf6

a b c d e f g h

White uses the somewhat exposed po

sition of B lack's light-squared bishop
to gain some space. He can allow him
self to do this because he frequently
will castle queenside, and even if the
white king ends up on the kingside, the
knight on g3 will protect the pawn once
it has reached h5.
Another option is l O . . . Qc7, allowing I I
Qg4, but B lack should be fine after Other alternatives can be considered by
I I . . .Kffl 12 O-O c5. White in this position: (a) 6 N 1 e2 (6 Nh3
usually leads to the same position) 6 ...Nf6
11 Qe2 Qc7 1 2 Bd2 b6 1 3 0-0-0 Bb7 7 Nf4 e5 8 Nxg6 hxg6 9 Be3 Nbd7 is about
1 4 Kb 1 0-0-0 and the chances are ap even; (b) 6 f4 e6 7 Nf3 Bd6 8 Be2 Ne7,
proximately equal. intending ... c5, is also fine for Black; and
(c) Tal's old favorite 6 Bc4 e6 7 N 1 e2 was
The Classical Main Line for some time used by both Tiviakov and
Rublevsky, but it has been established
Currently this perennial favorite is at its that Black should be fine, even ifthe po
peak of popularity. As with other solid sitions become quite complex: 7 . . .Nf6 8
openings, such as the Petroff or the Nf4 Bd6 9 c3 Nbd7 1 0 Qf3 Nb6 1 1 Bb3 a5,
French lines with ... dxe4, White obtains with chances for both sides.

1 36
 The Semi-Open Games

6 ... h6 7 NO Nd7 Caro-Kann Defense. White has perhaps

a slight advantage, but Black's position
Conventional wisdom suggested that is resilient and his long-term prospects
B lack should play this move to prevent are fine. If White overreaches in an at
White from playing his knight to e5 on tempt to push for a win, Black is poised
the next move, but in recent years, Black to strike back.
has with some frequency allowed White
that possibility with 7 . . . Nf6 ! ?, hoping The Alekhine Defense
to prove that White overextends him
selfafter 8 Ne5 Bh7 9 Bc4 (or 9 Bd3 Bxd3 The A l ekhine i s a somewhat
1 0 Qxd3 e6 I I Bd2 Nbd7 1 1 f4 Be7 1 2 0- provocative, but mostly a n ambitious
0-0 0-0 with a sharp battle ahead) 9 . . . e6 opening, where Black hands over the
1 0 Qe2 Nd5 (White threatened 1 1 Nxf7) center and initiative to White at the very
1 1 Bd2 Nd7 1 2 0-0-0 Nxe5 1 3 dxe5 Qc7 beginning of the game, only to start
14 f4 0-0-0, with another complex posi chipping away at it and eventually
tion where both sides can expect to play working to equalize or even take over
for a win. t h e i n i t i a t i v e . It h a s n e v e r b e e n
particularly popular a t any level o f play,
8 h5 Bh7 9 Bd3 Bxd3 10 Qxd3 Qc7 but for those who knows the opening
reasonably well, it can be a faithfu l
s e r v a n t , s u c h a s i t h a s b e e n fo r
g r a n d m a s t e r a n d t h re e - t i m e U . S .
Champion Lev A Iburt.

l. . Nf6 2 e5
.

If White doesn 't want to discuss the

Alekhine, then 2 Nc3 is a reasonable
alternative, after which 2 . . . d5 keeps the
game in the Alekhine, whereas 2 . . . e5
transposes to the Vienna Game.

This is not mandatory; Black often plays 2 ... Nd5 3 d4

either 1 O . . . e6 or 1 O . . Ngf6, but the lines
.

usually transpose to our main line, e.g.,

IO . . . Ngf6 1 1 B f4 Qa5+ 1 2 Bd2 Qc7
( 12 . . Bb4 ! ? provoking 13 c3 Be7 is also
playable), reaching a position in the main
line, but with an extra move played by
each side.

11 Bd2 e6 1 2 0-0-0 Ngf6 1 3 Ne4 0-0-0

and we have reached a typical position
that has been tested in hundreds of
games in the C lassical Main Line of the a b c d e f g h

137
 Back to Basics: Openings

The "Hunt" variation, 3 c4 Nb6 4 c5 Nd5 White a slight nod, the black position
4 Bc4, gives Black an adequate position is fully playable.
after both 4 . . . e6 and 4 . . . c6, but Black
needs to know the theory to stay out of Some years ago 4 ... g6 was a much more
trouble. popular alternative, but White appears
to get the better chances after 5 Bc4
3 ... d6 4 Nf3 Nb6 6 Bb3 Bg7 7 a4 aS 8 Qe2.

This is the solid and sane main line, but

5 Be2 e6
W h ite has a c o u p l e of i ntere s t i n g
alternatives. After 4 c 4 Nb6, White can
Another option is 5 . . . c6.
take the game in two different directions:

6 0-0 Be7 7 c4 Nb6 8 h3 Bh5 9 Nc3 0-

(a) 5 f4, the Four Pawn Attack, which
0 10 Be3 and White has the better
may look attractive, especially to the
chances thanks to his more space and
inexperienced player. White gains an
easier mobility of the pieces.
amazing space advantage, but Black's
position is solid, and White 's isn't all it
The Scandinavian Defense
appears to be: 5 ... dxe5 6 fXe5 Nc6 7 Be3
B f5 8 Nc3 e6 9 Nf3 Be7 with a sharp
I e4 d5
p o s i t i o n and a p p ro x i m a t e l y e v e n
chances.

(b) 5 exd6 cxd6 (5 . . . exd6 is also playable,

leading to a fairly balanced game) 6 Nc3
g6 7 Be3 Bg7 8 Rc I 0-0, with mutual
chances .

4... Bg4

Black has several alternatives here. The

great Danish grandmaster Bent Larsen
a b c d e f g h
provoked the former world champion
Mikhail Tal with 4 . . . dxe5 5 Nxe5 Nd7 ! ?,
inviting the tactical wizard to sacrifice Along with the Alekhine Defense, the
on f7 . N o w 4 0 + y e a r s l a t e r, t h e Scandinavian Defense, also known as
consequences are sti ll unclear. While the Center Counter, is one of the most
this l i ne has been seen w i th some provocative answers to l e4.
frequency, a more popular line for Black
2 exd5 Qxd5
is 5 . . . c6, which was popularized by the
British grandmaster Tony Miles, and has This is the more popular move. B lack
been taken up by several grandmasters exposes his queen to an attack from the
including the Norwegian grandmaster knight on b I , but Black claims that the
and w u n derkind M ag n u s Carl s e n . exchange of the central pawns and his
B lack intends t o follow u p with . . . Nd7 easier development compensates for the
with a solid position. While theory gives loss of time spent moving the queen in

1 38
 The Semi-Open Games

the open ing. Less frequently, B lack of opening play) 7 . . . Nd5 8 Nxd5 Qxd5
plays 2 . . . Nf6, hoping to recapture the with mutual chances.
pawn on d5 with the knight. If White
now plays 3 c4, B lack can play 3 . . . c6! 4 d4 Nf6 5 NO c6
(3 ... e6 4 dxe6 Bxe6 5 Nf3 is a sharp, but
ultimately unsound gambit), and here 4 Black can also play 5 . . . Nc6 or 5 . . . Bg4,
dxc6 Nxc6 fo l lowed by . . . e 7-e 5 i s both o f w h i c h are c o n s i d e r e d
pleasant for Black thanks to his easy insufficient for equal chances, whereas
development and control over the d4- 5 . . . Bf5 usually can be substituted for
square. Therefore White usually plays 5 . . . c 6 , because these l i nes tend to
4 d4, and after 4 . . . cxd5, we have arrived, transpose .
by transposition, to a Panov-Botvinnik
Attack in the Caro-Kann. White does 6 Bc4 Bf5 7 Bd2 e6 8 Qe2
best to p lay 3 d4, and after 3 . . . Nxd5 4
Nf3 g6 5 c4 Nb6 6 Nc3 Bg7 7 Be2 0-0 8 0-0
Nowadays White often opts for 8 Nd5
Nc6 9 d5, White has the slightly better
or 8 Ne4, and after 8 ... Qd8 9 Nxf6+, Black
chances thanks to his space advantage,
has the opportun ity to take back with
but B lack's position is solid.
either the pawn or the queen . In either
case, the theory ever-so-slightly favors
3 Nc3
White, but B lack's position is of course
fully playable and is indeed seen quite
Attacking the queen makes the most
fre q u e n t l y in g a m e s b e t w e e n
sense, but White frequently plays 3 d4
grandmasters.
as well ; B lack meets this with either
3 . . . Nc6 or 3 . . . e5, both of which lead to
approximately equal chances. 8 Bb4 9 0-0-0 Nbd7 1 0 a3 Bxc3 1 1
...

Bxc3 Qc7 1 2 Ne5 Nd5 with more o r less

3 Qa5
..
even chances.

Of B lack's avai lable choices, this one The Nimzowitsch Defense

remains the most popular, although
3 . . . Qd8 and in particular 3 . . . Qd6 have T h i s i n v e n t i o n of t h e D a n i s h
gained popularity in recent years. One grandmaster Aron Nimzowitsch has
illustrative line runs as follows : 3 . . . Qd6 never been particularly popular and, in
4 d4 Nf6 5 Nf3 c6 (also 5 . . . a6 and 5 . . . g6 all fairness, it never will be. However,
are played in this position, but the text that doesn ' t make it a bad opening and
move is a favorite of Dutch grandmaster there have been many players at nearly
Sergei Tiviakov, one of the greatest al l levels of play who have made use of
specialists in this l ine) 6 Ne5 (White the opening on a regular basis.
often plays 6 g3 , but after 6 . . . Bg4 7 Bg2
e6, Black has a solid position) 6 . . . Nbd7 1. .. Nc6 (D)
7 Bf4 (or 7 Nc4 Qc7 8 Qf3 Nb6 9 Bf4 Qd7
with, for this variation, a typ i c a l l y 2 d4
strange position where both sides set
aside the most fundamental principles D e s p i te the open ing's i n fe r i o r

1 39
 Back to Basics: Openings

to an o ffb e a t l i n e of t h e F r e n c h
somewhat favorabl e for W h i t e , ye
playable for Black.

3 ... f6 4 f4 Bf5 5 Ne2 e6 6 Ng3 fxe5 7

fxe5 Qd7 and White has the slightly
better chances. There are good several
books on the Nimzowitsch Defense, and
playing this opening can be lots of fun
if you know you way around. Studying
it i s n ' t very hard work because the
amount of important theory on this
a b c d e f g h
opening is very limited.

reputation, many players as White opt

U nusual Responses to 1 e4
for 2 Nf3 to steer the game back into
normal lines, simply because they don 't
Only rarely played unusual openings
know the theory. Black can then either
remain for u s to examine, yet this
choose to play 2 . . . e5, transposing into
doesn 't mean that they are not being
a classic Open Game; 2 . . . e6, which after
played, even at grandmaster level.
3 d4 d5 will lead to a line in the French
o r keep i t offbeat, b y playing 2 . . . d 6 , e.g :
l ...a6 was once used by Miles to beat
3 d4 Nf6 4 Nc3 Bg4 followed by ... e7-e6,
then world champion Anatoly Karpov
w h i c h is s l i ghtly better for W h ite
at the European Team Championship in
according to the theoretical manuals
1 9 8 0 , but W h i te obtains the better
but obviously Black can easily play thi
chances with simple, natural moves: 2
without too many headaches.
d4 b5 3 Bd3 Bb7 4 Nf3 e6 5 Qe2 Nf6 6 a4
with a slightly better game.
2 ... d5

l ...b6 is called Owen's Defense, and is

Nimzowitsch himself played this move,
seen far more frequently than l ... a6. It
but Black can also opt for 2 . . . e5, which
has been a pet variation o f a few
is slightly less provocative and was
used by the late English grandmaster contemporary grandmasters. White is
Tony Miles. White can then choose 3 c o n s i d e r e d to b e s l i gh t l y b e tter,
d5 Nce7 4 Nf3 Ng6, which looks bizarre, because B l ack ' s setup is somewhat
but is playable, or 3 dxe5 Nxe5 4 N f3 passive and isn't as flexible as perhaps
Bb4+ 5 c 3 Nxf3+ 6 Qxf3 Bc5, and White the Pirc or some of the more solid lines
is at best slightly better. in the Sicilian, but Black's game is fully
playable. If B lack knows the opening
3 e5 reasonably well, he can easily play it
on a regular basis, even against strong
3 Nc3 is a good alternative for White opposition. One line runs: 2 d4 Bb7 3
since both 3 . . . dxe4, 3 . . . e5 and 3 . . . Nf6 all Bd3 (or 3 Nc3 e6 4 a3 Nf6) 3 ... Nf6 4 Qe2
lead to a solid plus for White, and e6 5 Nf3 c5 6 c3 Be7 with perhaps a tiny
therefore Black may have to choose the edge for White, but certainly nothing
passive-looking 3 . . . e6, which takes us to cause B lack major concern.

Don't look at what was played earlier, but

which move is the best in a given position.
1 40
 The Closed Games

Chapter 7

The Closed Games

The openings that begin with 1 d4 d5

fall into the category of the "Closed
Games," yet the name, as was the case
with the "Open G a m e s , " does not
accurate ly and fai r l y d e s c r i b e the
openings and variations that fal l into
this category, because they can be just
as open, complicated, tactical or closed
and boring as the openings in any other
category. However, the name is sti ll
used as a common label for this group
of openings. a b c d e f g h

The majority of what follows falls within wants the pawn back, it i s almost
the Queen 's Gambit, arising after 1 d4 impossible for B lack to hold onto it after
d5 2 c4. 2 . . . d x c 4 . We w i l l d i s c u s s the
repercussions of the Queen 's Gambit
Accepted in the third section of this
chapter (Other Queen 's Gambits).

2 e6
...

This is the classical answer to White 's

second move. B lack supports the center
with the e-pawn, opening the way for
the dark-squared bishop, thus getting
one step c l o s er to deve l o p i n g the
a b c d e f g h
kingside pieces and castling. However,
one of the main implications of B lack's
We will sort the material as follows: (a) second move is the fact that the pawn
The Queen 's Gambit Declined ( I d4 d5 on e6 blocks the path of the c8-bishop,
2 c4 e6); (b) The Slav ( 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6); something we have also discussed in
(c) Other Queen 's Gambits; (d) The the chapter on the French Defense.
Catalan; and (e) Offbeat Variations Depending on the particular line, Black
may deal with the issue of the light
The Queen's Gambit Declined squared bishop in a number of ways.
Black can play . . . b7-b6 and fianchetto
1 d4 d5 2 c4
the bishop, or, at a later stage, try to
I t s d e s i gn a t i o n as a " g a m b i t " break the center open with . . . e6-e5, re
notwithstanding, the Queen 's Gambit i s opening the diagonal . More about that
not real ly a gambit, because, if White later.

141
 Back to Basics : Openings

3 Nc3

Frequently White plays 3 Nf3 first.

O ft e n t h i s w i l l o n l y a m o u n t to a
transposition to lines we will cover after
3 Nc3 , but there are a few exceptions. If
White wants to play the Catalan, Nc3 is
usual ly avoided, because the knight
may not fit into White 's plans as we
will see later. However, there are also
other lines in which this move can wait
a b c d e f g h
if White does not like the prospect of
facing . . . Bb4 from Black or wants to
make B lack think that the knight may be center pawn on d5 . It was the opinion
developed to d2. There can be many of Tarrasch that Black receives fully
reasons for this. adequate counterplay as a result of the
easy development of his minor pieces.
Here we reach the first fork in the road: (a) This opening is not as popular as it used
3 ... c5 (Tarrasch Defense); and (b) 3 Nf6
.
to be in the early 1 980s when the young
(Queen's Gambit Declined, Main Line) Kasparov played it quite frequently.

4 cxd5
Other moves include 3 . . . c6, which we
will cover below in the sub-chapter on T h e o n l y way fo r W h i te to tru l y
the Slav, and 3 . . . Bb4, which is quite rare, challenge B lack i n this variation is to
w hereas 3 . . . B e 7 can be u s e d as a immediately force B lack to recapture,
transpositional tool to avoi d certain creating an isolated d-pawn. Tarrasch,
lines of the Exchange Variation, while on the other hand, c laimed that the
sti ll allowing for the main lines. natural and best continuation was 4 e3
Nf6 5 Nf3 Nc6 with an equal game, an
The Tarrasch Defense evaluation which is sti l l valid a century
after he introduced this l ine.
T h e German w o r l d c h am p i o n s h i p
contender and theoretician S i egbert You would now think Black only has
Tarrasch was a man of many principles one response in this position, but in
and in his opinion there was only one fact, there are two : the sharp 4 ... cxd4
correct way to counter the Queen 's ( S c h ara- H e n n i g G a m b i t ) a n d t h e
Gambit, and that was of course with the obvious 4. . .exd5, recapturing the pawn.
variation that carried his name.
The Schara-Hennig Gambit
3 ... c5
T h i s s h arp g a m b i t c a n be v e ry
T h i s s h arp re s p o n s e i m m e d iate l y dangerous if White is not properly
challenges White t o a n all-out battle for prepared, as the white queen is drawn
the center. It also allows White the out early while the black minor pieces
opportunity to give Black an isolated are able to develop rapidly.

1 42
 The Closed Games

4... cxd4 5 Qxd4 Panov-Botvinnik Attack in the Caro

Kann Defense, but with colors reversed.
Another move is 5 Qa4+, but it will lead
to the same position after 5 . . . Bd7 6 Qxd4 5 Nf3
exd5 7 Qxd5 Nc6.
White has other options such as 5 e4
5 ... Nc6 6 Qdl exdS 7 QxdS Bd7 and 5 dxc 5 , but neither should pose
great problems for B lack.
Obviously B lack cannot allow White to
exchange queens j ust yet, because with
s ... Nc6 6 g3
White having already invested three
moves with the queen to win a pawn
The P o l i s h Grandmaster Akiba
(and it will be forced to move again)
Rubinstein first introduced this move.
B lack can gain tempos by developing
Despite its vintage - it dates back more
pieces while at the same time attacking
than 8 0 ye ars - t h i s v a r i a t i o n i s
the white queen.
considered White 's best against the
Tarrasch. White aims to block B lack's
8 Nf3 Nf6 9 Qdl Bc5 1 0 e3 Qc7 1 1 a3
isolated pawn on d5 with a knight on d4
0-0-0 1 2 Qc2 Kb8
and then target the "weak" pawn on d5
with the knight on c3 , the bishop on g2
and heavy pieces on the d-file.

W h i t e p l ays 6 e 3 l e s s fre q u e n t l y,
reaching a position from the 4 e3 move
order mentioned above.

6... Nf6 7 Bg2 Be7 8 0-0 0-0 9 BgS

8
a b c d e f g h 7

6
with a sharp, unbalanced p o sitio n .
5
W h i t e ' s c h a n c es are n o rm a l l y
4
considered t o b e better, but because of
B lack's lead in development, White has 3
to be quite careful. 2

The Tarrasch Defense, Main Line

a b c d e f g h

Returning to the main l i nes of this

I n contrast to the Panov-Botv i n n i k
variation, B lack's natural response is . . .
Attack in the Caro-Kann, White has
4...exd5 more aggressive moves avai lable, and
Black has to be aware of some defensive
This position is similar to that of the considerations. Another popular way

1 43
 Back to Basic s : Openings

for White to play is 9 dxc5 Bxc5 I 0 Bg5 And here White may take the game in
d4 1 1 Bxf6 Qxf6 1 2 Nd5 Qd8 1 3 Nd2, several different directions : (a) 4 cxd5
though it is considered about equal. (the Exchange Variation); (b) 4 Nt3; and
(c) 4 Bg5.
9 ... cxd4 1 0 Nxd4 h6 1 1 Be3
The Exchange Variation
Wait a minute, doesn 't the bishop block
the e-pawn? Sure it does, but for the
In many openings, exchange variations
time being the e-pawn does not need to
are considered somewhat boring and
move because the l ight-squared bishop
perhaps even drawish. Such is the case,
is wel l-placed on g2 and it is far more
for example, in the French Defense, the
important that the knight on d4 i s
Ruy Lopez and the S l av. But in the
supported a s it blocks the isolated d
Queen's Gambit Declined, the Exchange
pawn.
Variation is actually a sharp and critical
continuation. Its main drawback is that
ll ...Re8 12 Rc1 Bf8 1 3 Nxc6 bxc6 14
it is not as strategically complex as some
Na4 Bd7 15 Bc5
of the other main lines, but it can be an
e ffe c t i v e weapon i n the h a n d s o f
This position has been played many
dynamic players and i t has enj oyed the
times at grandmaster leve l , and it is
support of players with diverse styles,
considered a tiny bit better for White
s u c h a s B ot v i n n i k , K a s p arov and
because of the b lockade of Black's
Karpov to mention but a few.
hanging pawn p a i r o n c 6 and d 5 .
However, this i s the type o f position
4 cxd5
B lack has to be willing to play if he
wants to sharpen the battle w ith a
Some players prefer to wait with this
Tarrasch Defense.
exchange until after the development of
some of the m i nor p i e c e s , but the
Queen's Gambit Declined, Main Line
immediate c apture opens for some
added possibilities for both sides.
The natural continuation of B lack 's
development is . . .
4 ... exd5 5 Bg5 Be7
3 ... Nf6
B lack can also play 5 . . . Nbd7 and 5 . . . c6,
both usually transposing to our main
line, but there are some finesses such
as 5 . . . Nbd7 6 Nf3 Bb4 or 5 . . . c6 6 e3 Bf5 ,

taking the play away from more standard

Exchange Variation paths.

6 e3 c6 7 Qc2

This looks a bit odd - why develop the

queen so early? The answer lies in the
a h c d e f g h variation 7 Bd3 Ne4 8 Bxe7 Qxe7 with

1 44
 The C losed Games

equal chances for Black, whereas after and subtleties o f each l i n e i s very
7 Qc2 Ne4, White wins a pawn after 8 important.
Bxe7 Qxe7 9 Nxd5 because 9 . . . cxd5
allows 10 Qxc8+. 4 Nf3 Variation

7 ... Nbd7 8 Bd3 0-0 9 Nf3 W h i t e ' s fo urth m o v e in t h i s

continuation w i l l often transpose to
8 l ines covered below, but there are a
7
couple of variations that are specific to
this move order.
6

5
4 Nf3 Bb4
4

3
2

a b c d e f g h

W h i t e a l s o h a s a s h arper opt i o n
available at this point, 9 Nge2 Re8, and
now Wh ite can choose between
castling short, I 0 0-0, followed b y f2-f3 a b c d e f g h
and eventually e3-e4, or 1 0 0-0-0 with a
pawn storm on the kingside in mind.
This is the Vienna or Ragozin Variation,
depending on how the game continues.
9 .. Re8 10 0-0
.
Another popular move is 4 . . . Be7, after
which 5 Bg5 will take us to the main
Remember White can also consider
lines below, but White can play 5 Bf4,
castling queenside in this line, leading
which leads to a different type of game,
to pawn storms against the respective
for instance, 5 . . . 0-0 6 e3 c5 7 dxc5 Bxc5 8
kings. Qc2 Nc6 9 Rd l Qa5 1 0 a3 Be7 with a
IO.. Nf8 .
complicated game and chances for both
sides.
White has played an amazing variety of
moves in this position : I I Rab 1 and 1 1 5 cxd5
a3 , to start a minority attack on the
queenside with b2-b4-b5 ; 1 1 Ne5 and The Vienna Variation is reached after 5
1 1 Rae I to play in the center; or 1 1 h3 to Bg5 dxc4 6 e4 c5. It is very complicated
play on the kingside, j ust to mention and demands extens i v e theoretical
some of the most popular continuations. knowledge. One ofthe main l ines run 7
The chances in each of these variations Bxc4 cxd4 8 Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9 bxc3 Qa5 1 0
are considered fairly even, but a good Bb5+ Nbd7 1 1 Bxf6 Qxc3+ 1 2 K fl gxf6
understanding of the small differences and White has good compensation for

1 45
 Back to Basics : Openings

the pawn, but I rea l l y recommend 6 . . . Nxd5 ! 7 Bxd8 Bb4+, and White has
against playing l ines like this as Black no choice but to block the check with
until you have studied the line carefully. his queen, 8 Qd2, and then 8 . . . Bxd2+ 9
Kxd2 Kxd8 follows. Therefore White will
5 ... exd5 6 Bg5 usually play 5 e3 , and then 5 . . . c6 6 Nf3
Qa5
Note that White does not accomplish
anything with 6 Qa4+ Nc6 7 Ne5 , as
B lack can play 7 . . . Bd7, and on 8 Nxc6,
B l ac k has 8 . . . B x c 3 + 9 b x c 3 Bxc6
available, with a solid position .

6 ... Nbd7 7 e3 c5 8 Bd3 c4 9 Bf5 Qa5 10

Qc2 0-0 1 1 0-0 ReS with an interesting
battle ahead. White will primarily try to
play in the center and on the kingside,
whereas Black will try to control the e4-
a h c d e f g h
square and advance h i s q u e e n sid e
pawns .
l e a d s to t h e C a m b r i d g e S p r i n g s
Queen's Gambit Declined, Main Line Variation. After 7 cxd5 (after 7 Nd2 bxc4,
(continued) White has to remember that his bishop
on g5 is threatened by the queen on a5)
4 Bg5 Be7 7 . . .Nxd5 8 Qd2 Bb4 9 Rc l 0-0 l 0 Bd3 h6
I I Bh4 e5 with chances to both players.
In the endless sea of variations we will
also find that after 4 . . . Nbd7 5 e3 0-0 6 Nf3

3
2

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

there are independent continuations. Here B lack can go in two directions, the
first being a little old fashioned and not
First we need to dispel the notion that
seen that often anymore, but it was once
White will win a pawn after 5 cxd5 exd5
very popular: (a) 6... Nbd7 (Orthodox
6 Nxd5 . This is actually a well-known Variation); (b) 6 .... h6 (Neo-Orthodox
trap that costs White a p i e c e after Variation)

1 46
 The C losed Games

In addition, there are versions of lines Part ofthe waiting game in this variation;
that are covered in the Neo-Orthodox Black wants to play . . . dxc4 followed by
section in which Black does not play . . . e5 at some point, but wants to wait
6 . . . h6. These lines are 6 . . . b6 and 6 . . . Ne4, with the exchange on c4, until White
and while they are playable, they are has moved the light-squared bishop to
considered somewhat more passive than d3 . This j ousting can be continued if
the 6 . . . h6 variation and therefore they White now plays 8 Qc2, B lack replies
are seen much less frequently. 8 . . . a6, and then 9 a4 Re8, and only then
will White have run out of productive
Orthodox Variation moves and will have to play I 0 Bd3 .

In the first part of the 20th century, the 8 Bd3 dxc4 9 Bxc4 Nd5
most popular response to the Queen 's
Gambit was the so-cal led Orthodox 8
Variation. B lack usually does not play 7
. . . h7-h6 until later and instead continues
6
with solid development.
'5

6...Nbd7 4

3
B l ack's setup in this variation looks 2
quite passive, but the idea is that B lack,
at some point, will break in the center
a b c d e f g h
with . . . dxc4 followed by either . . . c6-c5
or ... e6-e5, which Black hopes will result
in some exchanges and a good game. This is named after Capablanca. Black's
However, things are rarely that simple. idea is to exchange the f6-knight for
White's knight on c3, and also exchange
7 Rc1 the dark-squared bishops, making the
c e n t r a l break . . . e 6 - e 5 , e a s i e r to
The classical continuation, but White can accomplish and more effective.
try to sharpen the game with 7 Qc2. The
idea is to castle queenside. If Black now 10 Bxe7 Qxe7 1 1 0-0
plays 7 . . . h6, then White can consider the
piece sacrifice 8 h4!?. Therefore Black A lekhine, who encountered this
usually plays 7 . . . c5, and here White can v a r i a t i o n several t i m e s a s W h i te ,
play 8 0-0-0 with a sharp game, or the more occasionally tried I I Ne4 t o avoid the
positional 8 cxd5 cxd4 9 Nxd4 Nxd5 1 0 exchange of knights, but nowadays this
Bxe7 Nxe7 1 1 Be2 Nf6 1 2 0-0 Bd7 with a is not considered a problem for B lack.
s o l i d position and perhaps a s l i ght
initiative for White because of somewhat 11 .. Nxc3 12 Rxc3 e5
more active pieces.
Finally B lack has achieved the much
7 ... c6 desired pawn break in the center.

1 47
 Back to Basics: Openings

1 3 dxe5
8
White can also sharpen the game with 7
1 3 Qc2, accepting an isolated pawn after
6
1 3 . . . exd4 1 4 exd4, but 1 4 . . . Nb6 1 5 Re3
Qd8 1 6 Bb3 Nd5 is considered solid, 5

leading to more or less equal chances. 4

3
1 3 ... Nxe5 1 4 Nxe5 Qxe5 1 5 f4 Qe4 2

This position has been played many

a b c d e f g h
times. White will chase B lack's queen
away with his bishop and then try to
advance his e- and f-pawns, whereas also has been played many times. The
B lack will create counterplay down the type of position that arises is more
d- a n d e - fi l e s . T h e c h a n c e s are similar to the Orthodox lines previously
considered more or less even, perhaps discussed: 7 . . . Bxf6 8 Rc I c6 9 Bd3 Nd7
with a slight pull for White. 1 0 0-0 dxc4 1 1 Bxc4 e5 1 2 h3 cxd4 1 3
exd4Nb6 1 4 Bb3 B5 1 5 Re i Re8 1 6 Rxe8+
Neo-Orthodox Qxe8 1 7 Qd2 Qd7 1 8 Re 1 with chances
for both sides - B lack has the better
Nowadays B lack prefers to play in a pawn structure, White the better light
more flexible fashion and that includes squared bishop. B lack now has the
challenging the white bishop on g 5 , choice between two good moves : (a)
s i mu ltaneously creating a breathing 7 . Ne4 (Lasker Variation); and (b) 7...b6
. .

hole for the castled king. Tartakower Variation).

6 ... h6 7 Bh4 The Lasker Variation

This is actually the "Improved" Lasker

8
Variation, because Lasker used to play
7
his line with 6 . . . Ne4 directly.
6

5 7 ... Ne4
4

3
The idea behind this move is not unlike
Capablanca's method we saw in the
2
section on the Orthodox; B lack wants
to exchange a pair of knights and the
a b c d e f g h dark-squared bishops.

U sually White retreats his bishop, but 8 Bxe7 Qxe7 9 cxd5

7 Bxffi
The exchange on e4 does not
accomplish much for White: 9 Nxe4 dxe4

1 48
 The Closed Games

1 0 Nd2 f5 1 1 Re i Nd7 1 2 Qc2 c6 1 3 c5 e5 It has been included in the repertoires

with chances for both sides. Another of numerous grandmasters and even
and more popular option is 9 Rc I c6 I 0 w o r l d c h a m p i o n s , i n c l u d i n g both
Bd3 Bxc3 I I Rxc3 dxc4 1 2 Bxc4 Nd7 1 3 Karpov and Spassky, who lost a famous
0-0 e 5 with a balanced game. game in this variation in his 1 972 match
against Fischer.
9 ... Nxc3 10 bxc3 exd5 1 1 Qb3 Rd8
8 Be2
8
7
This is just one of many continuations
avai l a b l e to W h i t e ; other o p t i o n s
6
include 8 Bxf6, 8 Qc2, 8 Qb3 , 8 Re i , 8
5
Bd3 and 8 cxd5 .
4

3 8 ... Bb7 9 Bxf6

2
8

a b c d e f g h 7

6
White has a pawn advantage in the 5
center, but B lack has a solid position 4
and the opportun i ty to develop h i s
3
pieces t o good squares.
2

12 c4 dxc4 1 3 Bxc4 Nc6 1 4 Be2 b6 1 5

0-0 Bb7 with chances for both sides. a b c d e f g h

The Tartakower Variation Sometimes chess openings seem quite

contradictory, and this certainly falls
A dear child has many names, and that into that category. Why did White play
is certainly the case for this variation, Bh4 a few moves ago only to exchange
w h i c h is a l s o k n o w n as t h e the b i shop v o luntari ly a couple of
Bondarevsky System and Makagonov moves l ater? C i rcumstances decide
Variation. w h i c h m o v e s are b e tter, and the
p o s i t i o n has changed considerab ly
7...b6 since White retreated the bishop on
move 7; the point behind this move will
Rather than waiting for a chance to soon become evident.
break in the center with . . . e6-e5 , B lack
decides to fianchetto his bishop on b7 9... Bxf6 1 0 cxd5 exd5
or even put it on a6 in some variations.
This line is quite solid, but also offers White played 9 Bxf6 to force Black to
B lack a good position from which he p l ay th i s m o v e . If W h ite had not
can play for a win, ifWhite is not careful. exchanged on f6, but instead played 9

1 49
 Back to Basics: Openings

cxd5, Black would have played 9 . . . Nxd5

with a pleasant position. Now, on the
other hand, the pawn on d5 limits the
scope of the light-squared bishop on
b7.

11 b4 c6

What is the point of this move? As if

the d5-pawn were not already restricted
enough, Black now puts another pawn
a b c d e f g h
on the diagonal . B lack wants to play
. . . a7-a5 to chal lenge the white pawn on
b4, but the immediate 1 1 . . . a5 is met by In many ways th is is the most solid
1 2 b5 with a better game for White, as response for B lack against the Queen 's
he can apply press ure on the c-file Gambit. Now White has a number of
against B lack's backward c-pawn. very different choices : (a) 3 cxd5 cxd5
(The Exchange Variation); (b) 3 Nf3 Nf6
1 2 0-0 ReS 13 Qb3 a5 1 4 bxa5 Rxa5 4 Nc3 dxc4 (The Main Line Slav); (c) 3
with a balanced game and chances for Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6 5 e3 (The Meran); (d)
both players. 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6 5 Bg5 (The Semi
S lav and Anti -Meran); and (e) Slav
The Slav Specialties.

In recent years, many of the openings The Exchange Variation

covered in this section have become
among the most popular lines in all of Many chessplayers who play the S lav
chess opening theory, and as a result as B lack dread facing the Exchange
several l i nes have developed w i th Variation. It can be excessively boring
breathtaking speed. The Slav has been if White so desires, but the other hand,
a popular open ing for decade s ; for if both sides play for a win, it can rapidly
example it was the battleground in the develop into an interesting battle.
1 9 3 5 w o r l d c h a m p i o n s h i p match
between A lekhine and Euwe and again 3 cxd5 cxd5 4 Nc3
as r e c e n t l y as t h e 2 0 0 6 w o r l d
championship match, where i t almost A s s o m e o n e who has p l ay e d t h i s
seemed like there was a rule that the opening regularly, I think this move i s
players had to play the Slav ! more accurate than 4 N f3 , because 4 Nc3
limits Black's options somewhat and
1 d 4 d 5 2 c 4 c6 adds some extra possibilities for White.

4...Nf6

On the immediate 4 . . . Nc6, White can

consider 5 e4 ! ? with a sharp game.

1 50
 The C losed Games

However, in a similar fashion, Black can queenside. This is the reason why the
also consider the sharp 4 . . . e5 at this Slav Exchange Variation is more popular
j uncture. than many other exchange variations : it
is far more than just a one-trick pony.
5 Bf4
8 Bh5 9 Nge2 e6 10 Rc1 Bg6 1 1 0-0

Again it is a matter of taste which move Be7 and both sides have chances in
is better here. On 5 N f3 , players l ike the battle ahead.
Kramnik have tried 5 . . .Ne4, and in other
l ines B lack can play . . . Bg4, pinning the The Main Line Slav
k n i g h t on f3 . T h e r e fore t h e
1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 dxc4
development of the bishop is the normal
move for White.

5 Nc6 6 e3 a6
..
7

3
2

1
a b c d e f g h

While B lack is certainly better equipped

a b c d e f g h
to protect the pawn in this position than
in the Queen's Gambit Accepted, White
Another main line is 6 . . . B f5 7 Nf3 e6, can stil l regain the pawn with ease .
and if White lacks ambition to play for However, White will have to make a
a win, he can play as many others have positional concession which
done in the past, 8 Bd3 B xd3 9 Qxd3 compensates Black for having conceded
Bd6 l 0 Bxd6 Qxd6, and a draw is usually White a pawn maj ority in the center.
soon agreed. However, both 8 Ne5 and
8 Bb5 are worthwhile continuations with 5 a4
i n t e re s t i n g p o s s i b i l i t i e s fo r b o t h
players. The so-called Alapin Variation. With the
last move, White prevents B lack from
7 Bd3 Bg4 8 f3 ! ? playing . . . b7-b5 , holding on to the c4-
pawn. In the sharp Geller Gambit, 5 e4,
This is the reason why White held back White intends to prove that the broad
the knight on g l . Now the bishop has center is more valuable than the pawn
to move again and White will play Nge2, on c4. Current praxis does not support
working for a central break, a kingside White's claim after 5 . . . b5 6 e5 Nd5 7 a4
attack o r e v e n i n fi l trat i o n o n t h e e6 8 axb5 Nxc3 9 bxc3 cxb5 I 0 Ng5 Bb7

151
 Back to Basics: Openings

1 1 Qh5 g6 12 Qg4 Be7 1 3 Be2 Bd5, and take the game in two directions. In the
B l ack has stab i l i z e d h i s p o s i t i o n , first, Black sacrifices a piece after 6 . . . e6
retaining the extra pawn. 7 f3 Bb4 8 e4 Bxe4 9 fxe4 Nxe4 1 0 Bd2
Qxd4 1 1 Nxe4Qxe4 1 2 Qe2 Bxd2+ 13 Kxd2
Another option i s 5 e3 , which also Qd5+ 1 4 Kc2 Na6 1 5 Nxc4 0-0-0 with a
allows B lack to play 5 . . . b5, but here compli cated game. B l ack has three
White can regain the pawn after 6 a4 b4 pawns for the piece and the white king
7 Na2 e6 8 Bxc4 Bb4, and the chances has yet to find a safe place to settle.
are about even. The second option is 6 ... Nbd7 7 Nxc4
Qc7 8 g3 e5 9 dxe5 Nxe5 I 0 Bf4 Nfd7 1 1
5 ... 8f5 B g 2 , and now B lack can choose
between the ultra-sharp l l . . g 5 and the
.

This was establ ished as B lack 's main somewhat more solid l l . . . f6 1 2 0-0 Nc5
move a long time ago, but nevertheless 1 3 Ne3 Bg6, and in either case the
B l a c k has two g o o d and s o l i d players really need to have studied the
alternatives: 5 . . . Na6 6 e4 Bg4 7 Bxc4 e6 theory and the latest developments
8 Be3 Be7 9 0-0 and 5 . . . Bg4 6 Ne5 Bh5 7 carefully.
g3 e6 8 Bg2 Bb4 9 0-0 0-0 I 0 Nxc4, in
both cases with at best a tiny advantage 6 ... e6 7 Bxc4 Bb4 8 0-0 0-0 9 Qe2
for White.
8
6 e3
7
After this move, the players will head 6
for a solid position that has been played 5
thousands of times. But White has a
4
much sharper alternative in 6 Ne5 ! ? .
3
2

a b c d e f g h

White can also consider eliminating

B l ack's l i ght-squared b i shop with 9
Nh4, but 9 . . Nbd7 I 0 Nxf5 exf5 1 1 Qc2
.

g6 is considered fine for B lack.

9 ... Nbd7 1 0 e4 Bg6 1 1 Bd3 Bh5 12 e5

a b c d e f g h
Nd5
White wants to recapture the c4-pawn
with the knight and also play f2-f3 and
W h i te has once again managed to
e2-e4, creating a broad center and
establish a nice looking center and a
harassing the bishop on f5 . These lines spatial advantage, but Black's position
have received a lot of attention over the is solid and should not be a cause for
last couple of decades. Now B lack can concern.

1 52
 The Closed Games

The Meran main lines and just play chess. However,

because of the popularity of the Meran,
The variations covered in this and the these lines have also seen a lot of top
fo l l o w i n g s e c t i o n are curre n t l y level games. Black now usually plays
extremely popular. 6 . . . Bd6, after which White can consider
the sharp 7 g4 with the idea 7 . . . Nxg4 8
3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6
Rg l and White will win the g7-pawn.
One of the strongest players in the Also worth consideration are the more
world before World War I was the Polish normal continuations such as 7 Be2, 7
grandmaster Akiba Rubinste in, who Bd2, 7 b3 and 7 Bd3 . There is quite a bit
introduced this opening for B lack in of theory for all of these lines and the
1 924 in a tournament in Merano, Italy, chances are considered more or less
and from there it has retained its name. even, although there is plenty to study.

5 e3
6...dxc4
White protects his pawn on c4, before
continuing his further development. As As we saw in the Orthodox Queen 's
we will see in the fol lowing section, Gambit Declined, Black is ready to make
Black will otherwise take the pawn and th i s e x c h a n g e o n c e W h i te h a s
hold on to it. White can also play 5 Qb3 , developed bishop t o d3 . B lack can also
but this is normally considered fine for play 6 . . . Bd6 or 6 . . . Be7, but these lines
Black after 5 . . . dxc4 6 Qxc4 b5 7 Qd3 are a little more passive and not seen as
Nbd7 8 g3 Bb7 . frequently.

The sharp 5 Bg5 is covered in the next

7 Bxc4 b5 8 Bd3
section.
This square is undoubtedly the best for
5 ...Nbd7 6 Bd3
the b i shop because fro m d3 it can
support the advance of the e-pawn,
even i f the knight on c3 should get
kicked away when B lack plays . . . b5-b4.
Two other moves which also deserve
attention are 8 Bb3 and 8 Be2, both of
which get played from time to time, but
are considered less critical .

8... a6

a b c d e f g h Black supports the b5-pawn one more time

in order to prepare the . . . c6-c5 counter
While this is the most popular move for stroke against White 's center. Other
White, another move, 6 Qc2, has also moves include 8 . . . b4, 8 ... Bb7 and 8 . . . Bd6.
received a lot of attention. The idea is
to stay clear of the heavi ly-analyzed 9 e4 c5

1 53
 Back to Basics: Openings

1 6 Nf5 and 1 6 Nf3 several times in top

grandmaster games. It appears that
Black is doing fine in these lines, though
it should be noted that the theory runs
several moves deeper and the game
quickly becomes even m o re
complicated.

The Semi-Slav - Anti-Meran

One ofthe most eagerly debated and most

a b c d e f g h
complicated openings of today is the
Anti-Meran. In these lines, both sides
B lack has to strike back in the center seem eager to sacrifice material, mostly
immediately. When the battle gets so pawns, for different types of dynamic
intense so early in the game, with both compensation. Venturing into these lines
sides not yet fully developed and both unprepared against a knowledgeable
k i n g s are s t i l l i n t h e c e n ter, t h e opponent is asking for trouble.
c o m p l i c a t i o n s are b o u n d t o b e
considerable and rather confusing. 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6 5
Bg5
1 0 d5
White is daring B lack to take the pawn
Another popular continuation is 1 0 e5 on c4, the capture of which would be
cxd4 1 1 Nxb5 Nxe5 (it is possible to answered by e2-e4 with a strong center
capture the knight on b5 : 1 1 ... axb5, but for White.
after 1 2 exf6 Qb6 1 3 0-0 gxf6 we have
another complicated position) 1 2 Nxe5 5...dxc4
axb 5 , and here one continuation runs
1 3 Bxb5+ Bd7 14 Nxd7 Qa5+ 1 5 Bd2 Qxb5 Black does it anyway. It was Botvinnik
1 6 Nxf8 Rxf8 with a double-edged who first determined that B lack can get
position . The text move, 1 0 d5, has away with this indiscretion. The main
superseded 1 0 e5 in popularity, but this alternative for Black is the more solid 5 ... h6,
can of course change again.

1 0...c4 1 1 dxe6 fxe6

The alternative is 1 1 . . . Bxd3 1 2 exd7+

Qxd7 1 3 0-0 Bb7 14 Re 1 Be7 1 5 e5 Nd5
1 6 Ne4 0-0 with complications and
chances for both players.

12 Bc2 Bb7 13 0-0 Qc7 1 4 Nd4 Nc5 1 5

Be3 e 5 and here White has tried both

1 54
 The Closed Games

the Moscow Variation. After 6 Bxf6 Qxf6 7. . .h 6 8 B h 4 g5

7 e3 Nd7 8 Bd3 dxc4 9 Bxc4 g6 I 0 0-0
Bg7 I I Rc I 0-0, the position reminds us
s o m e w h a t of a re g u l ar Orth o d o x
Queen 's Gambit. Black has a solid, but
6
somewhat passive position, and the
chances are considered more or less 5

equal. Therefore in recent years a sharp 4

alternative has been revived for White, 3
6 Bh4, the so-called Anti -Moscow
Gambit. It is constantly being re-evaluated,
so it is difficult to say who currently holds
a b c d e f g h
the theoretical upper hand, but one line
runs 6 . . . dxc4 7 e4 g5 8 Bg3 b5 9 Be2 Bb7
I 0 0-0 Nbd7 1 1 Ne5 Bg7. 9 Nxg5

White often plays 9 exf6 as well, e.g.,

9 . gxh4 I 0 Ne5 Qxf6 with chances for
..

both sides.

9 hxg5 1 0 Bxg5
..

Thanks to the pin, White immediately

wins the piece back.

1 0 Nbd7 1 1 exf6 Bb7

..

B lack i s n ' t necessari ly interested in

Now the main line continues 1 2 Nxd7 taking the pawn back on f6 since it only
renews the pin on the diagonal, and
Nxd7 1 3 Bd6 a6 with complications
Black should normally be able to regain
w h e re White has a d e q u ate
the pawn later anyway.
compensation for the pawn on account
of B lack's king not having a safe home
1 2 g3 c5 13 d5 Nxf6
and White having a nice pawn center.
Needless to say, this position is very
It is worth noting, that the Moscow
sharp with mutual chances.
Variation and the Anti-Moscow Gambit
are primari ly played by very strong
Slav Specialties
p l ayers ; the ir popularity has yet to
trickle down to the level of club players. In addition the many main lines just
discussed, there are a number of other
6 e4 b5 7 e5
lines that have also been popular with
At first glance, this looks problematic players who are not inclined to engage
for B lack, but there is a solution to the in a duel over the latest cutting-edge
problem . . . theory in super- sharp l i n e s . In this

155
 Back to Basics: Openings

section, we will take a brief look at some possibility of Black playing . . . dxc4 when
of these l ines: the supporting move . . . b7-b5 can result
in Black winning a pawn. Other versions
1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 of the . . . a6 S lav arise after 1 d4 d5 2 c4
c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 e3 a6 and I d4 d5 2 c4 c6
And now we look at: (a) 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e3 a6.
Nc3 a6 (The Chebanenko Variation); (b)
3 Nf3 Nf6 4 e3 Bf5; (c) 3 Nc3 e6 4 Nc3 5 c5! ?
dxc4 (The Noteboom Variation); and (d)
3 Nc3 e6 4 e4 (The Marshall Gambit) You should usually refrain from playing
moves l ike this, because once your
The Chebanenko Variation opponent plays . . . e7-e5 (or e2-e4 with
the colors reversed), the pawn center
Two decades ago, this line was almost can become very l o o s e and weak.
unknown, but it has gained a lot of H owever, i n t h i s case, i t has been
popularity and is now regularly featured established that White can normally
i n t h e repert o i re s o f s o m e o f the prevent B lack from making the pawn
strongest p l ayers . One o f its main break. Aside from the main move, White
attractions is that it still is relatively has played j ust about every other legal
unknown and unusual compared to the move in this position, though only a
main variations of the Slav, despite the few are consi dered challenging for
fact that e n t i re b o o k s h a v e b e e n B lack: 5 a4, 5 e3 and 5 Ne5 , with all of
devoted t o this line. them having a fairly large body of theory
to support them .
3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 a6
5 ... Nbd7 6 Bf4

A s mentioned above, Wh ite has to

careful to prevent Black from play ... e7-
e5.

6 ... Nh5 7 Bg5 h6 8 Bd2 Nhf6 9 Qc2

a b c d e f g h

This peculiar looking move has gone

from being completely unknown before
the 1 970s to becoming one of the most
popular answers to the Queen's Gambit.
B lack 's idea is to play . . . b7-b5 and grab
space on the queenside, while at the
same time, White has be aware of the

1 56
 The Closed Games

White can also play 9 Bf4 again, and

after 9 . . . Nh5 , the bishop will go to e5 :
1 0 Be5 Nxe5 1 1 Nxe5 Nffi 1 2 e4 Be6 with
a complicated game and chances for
both sides.

9 Qc7 10 e4 dxe4 11 N xe4 Nxe4 1 2

Qxe4 Nf6 1 3 Qc2 Be6 1 4 Bd3 and

White is considered to be slightly better
in this line, but it is a line which is in
continuous development and therefore
the evaluation is in a constant state of a b c d e f g h
flux.
The Noteboom Variation
The 4 e3 Bf5 Variation
The sharp Noteboom is an attempt by
The solid 4 e3 prevents the S lav lines Black to unbalance the game right from
w i th . . . d x c 4 , but r e s t r i c t s t h e the outset.
d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e d a rk - s q u ared
bishop. 3 Nc3 e6 4 Nf3 dxc4

4... Bf5 For the time being B lack wins a pawn,

but it cannot be safely held.
With the k n i ght on f3 , t h i s l i n e i s
considered a solid choice, but note that 5 a4 Bb4 6 e3 b5 7 Bd2 aS 8 axb5 Bxc3
after 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e3, 4 ... Bf5 is considered 9 Bxc3 cxb5 1 0 b3
dubious : 5 cxd5 cxd5 ? ! (5 . . . Nxd5 is
considered safer, but also better for
White) 6 Qb3 Bc8 (6 . . . Qb6 loses a pawn
to 7 Nxd5 and 6 . . . Qd7 7 Nf3 Nc6 8 Ne5
Qc7 9 Bb5 is very good for White) 7 Nf3 6
e6 8 Ne5 Be7 9 Bd3 and White is clearly 5
better. B lack can also consider 4 . . . a6,
4
4 . . . e6, 4 . . . Bg4 and even 4 . . . g6.
3

5 Nc3 e6 6 Bd3 (D) 2

Rather than offering the even exchange a b c d e f g h

of bishops, White can also try 6 Nh4,
though Black can meet it with 6 . . . Bg4,
6 . . . Bg6 or 6 . . . Be4. The consequences of B lack's opening
play - only developing the dark-squared
6 Bxd3 7 Qxd3 Nbd7 8 0-0 Be7 9 e4
.. b ishop and otherwise making pawn
dxe4 1 0 Nxe4 Nxe4 1 1 Qxe4 0-0 and moves - now becomes evident. White
though White has more space, the wins the pawn back, has more central
chances are fairly even. pawns and a lead in development. Yet

1 57
 Back to Basics: Openings

matters are not entirely clear as Black B lack has won a pawn, but at the same
has two connected passed pawns on t i m e , B l ack ' s p o s i t i o n h a s b e e n
the queenside. weakened b y the absence of the dark
squared bishop. This often means that
1 0 ... Bb7 1 1 bxc4 b4 1 2 Bb2 Nf6 13 Bd3 castling kings ide is out of the question .
Nbd7 1 4 0-0 0-0 with a complicated White will try to show that Black's early
struggle ahead. q u e e n s o rt i e a l o n g w i th o t h e r
undeveloped pieces creates a n unsafe
The MarshaU Gambit situation for the black king. Black on
the other hand has won a pawn and will
Rather than allowing the Noteboom try to develop pieces, get his king to
Variation, White has a sharp response, safety, possibly on the queenside, and
sacrificing a pawn. then start consolidating.

3 Nc3 e6 4 e4! ? 8 Be2 Na6 9 Bc3 Ne7 1 0 Bxg7 Rg8 1 1

Bf6 Qf4 1 2 Bxe7 Kxe7 and White has
won h i s pawn back and the game
remains compl icated. This line can be
very dangero u s for both sides and
should be studied carefully by both
players as otherwise the consequences
could be disastrous.

Other Queen's Gambits

1 d4 d5 2 c4
a b c d e f g h

White takes advantage ofBlack's knight

not yet being developed to f6.

4 ... dxe4 5 Nxe4 Bb4+ 6 Bd2 Qxd4 7

Bxb4 Qxe4+

a b c d e f g h

I n addition to the Queen 's Gambit

Declined lines already discussed, there
are several other options, sharp and
solid, that are playable for Black : (a)
2 ...dxc4 (Queen 's Gambit Accepted); (b)
2 ... e5 ( A l b i n Cou nter Gamb i t ) ; (c)

! 58
 The C losed Games

2 Bf5 (Baltic Defense); and (d) 2 ... Nc6

5 Bxc4 Bb4+ 6 Nbd2 Nc6 7 0-0 Nf6 8 e5
(Chigorin Defense). Nd5 9 Nb3 , and White will soon win the
d-pawn back with perhaps a slightly
Queen's Gambit Accepted better game.

By accepting the Queen 's Gambit, Black 3 ... Nf6

does not have any i l l u s i o n s about
actually being able to hang on to the A g a i n B l a c k can c o n s i d e r t h e
pawn . For starters, White can win it alternatives : 3 . . . c5 4 d5 Nf6 5 N c 3 e 6 6
back immediately with 3 Qa4+, though e4 leads to a compli cated position,
this move is considered harmless for which is a bit better for White. Then
Black. there are the attempts to hold the pawn :
3 . . . b5 4 a4 c6 5 e3 e6 6 axb5 cxb5 7 b3
1 d4 d5 2 c4 dxc4 ( th i s m o v e w a s a l s o s e e n i n t h e
Noteboom Variation a s a method t o win
The Queen 's Gambit Accepted is Black's back the pawn - keep it in mind) 7 ... Bb4+
most solid alternative to the main l ines, 8 Bd2 Bxd2+ 9 Nbxd2 a5 I0 bxc4 b4, and
and has been used by a number of the with his good center, White is slightly
s t r o n g e s t p l ay e r s o v e r the years , better; or 3 . . . a6 4 e4 b5 5 a4 Bb7 6 axb5
i n c l u d i n g Kramn i k , Kasparov and axb5 7 Rxa8 Bxa8 8 Nc3 e6 9 Nxb5 Bxe4
Karpov, to mention but a few. I 0 Bxc4 N f6 with chances for both
players.
3 Nf3
4 e3 e6 5 Bxc4 c5 6 0-0

Another popular option for White is 6

Qe2, aiming for a different type of game,
e.g., 6 . . . a6 7 dxc5 Bxc5 8 e4 Nc6 9 0-0
with sharp play.

6 ... a6 7 Qe2

a b c d e f g h

White can continue in a number of

ways, but this is the most common. An
obvious alternative is 3 e4, which lays
c laim to the center. Black can meet this
move in several ways, for example 3 ... e5
(other popular moves are 3 . . . Nf6 and a b c d e f g h
3 . . . Nc6; both are considered to lead to
approximately even chances) 4 Nf3 exd4 If White is not keen on allowing Black

1 59
 Back to Basics: Openings

queenside expansion with . . . b7-b5 , A full-blown charge against White's

White can play 7 a4, which however, center, trying to show that White has
weakens the b4-square considerably; weakened his position with 2 c4 !
after 7 . . . Nc6 8 Qe2 cxd4 9 Rd 1 Be7 I 0
exd4 0-0 1 1 Nc3 Nd5 1 2 Bd3 , a sharp 3 dxe5 d4!
position has arisen with chances for
both sides. B lack takes the c3-square away from
Wh ite 's knight, making Bb4+ more
7 ... b5 8 Bb3 potent at a later stage.

This is the more common move for

4 Nf3 Nc6 5 g3 Bg4 6 Bg2 Qd7 7 Nbd2
White, but 8 Bd3 is also fully acceptable,
0-0-0 8 0-0 and White is supposed to
for instance, 8 . . . cxd4 9 exd4 Be7 1 0 a4
be b e t t e r, t h o u g h it is w o rt h
bxa4 1 1 Rxa4 0-0 1 2 Nc3 Bb7 1 3 Rd 1 with
remembering that B l ack has some
a double-edged position.
compensation for the pawn as a result
of the possibility of a potential kingside
8 ... Bb7 9 Rd 1
attack, and B lack may in fact be able to
win back the gambit pawn with .. Ng8-
9 a 4 b4 1 0 Nbd2 B e 7 c a n also be
e7-g6. White should focus on getting a
considered.
queenside attack ro l l ing as soon as
possible.
9 ... Nbd7 10 Nc3 Qc7 w i th mutual
chances.
The Baltic Defense

The Albin Counter-Gambit

This line enj oyed a brief popularity in
the late 1 980s and early 1 990s, but is
One of the sharpest answers to Queen 's
still seen as a surprise weapon in some
Gambit is the Albin Counter-Gambit. It
strong players ' repertoires.
has never had a large following at the
highest levels, but a strong player like
1 d4 d5 2 c4 Bf5
Morozevich has used it as a surprise
weapon on several occasions.

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5

a h c d e f g h

A somewhat safer version for Black is 2

Nf3 Bf5 3 c4, where White does not have
a h c d e f g h

1 60
 The Closed Games

some of the sharper continuations avail play. Black's play is a little awkward thanks
able. After 3 ... e6 4 Nc3 Nc6 (4 ... c6 takes to the early development of the queen.
the game to a variation of the Slav De
fense that is also fully playable for Black)
The Chigorin Defense
5 Bf4 Nf6 6 e3 , and now both 6 . . . Be7
and 6 . . . Nb4 7 Rc 1 dxc4 8 Bxc4 c6, in
Even more provocative than the Albin
tending 9 . . . Nbd5 is playable for Black,
is the Chigorin Defense is the Chigorin,
though somewhat better for White.
named after its inventor, the Russian
grandmaster Mikhail Chigorin, one of
3 cxd5
the strongest players of the late 1 9th
century.
Another option is 3 Nc3 e6, and now 4
Qb3 and 4 cxd5 exd5 5 Qb3 are both met
1 d4 d5 2 c4 Nc6
by the s h arp re sponse . . . N c 6 w i th
chances for both sides. Similarly 3 Qb3
can be answered by 3 . . . e5 leading to
hair-raising complications that should
not be entered unless studied carefully
before a game.

3 ... Bxbl

This is necessary because if 3 . . . Qxd5 ,

there fol lows 4 Nc3 and e2-e4 with a
clearly better game for White. a b c d e f g h

4 Qa4+! Black aims for quick development of his

pieces at the cost of conced ing the
The intermediary check helps to take center and in many lines, the bishop pair
the sting out of Black's counterplay al to White.
though 4 Rxb 1 has been played by sev
eral grandmasters too, but 4 . . . Qxd5 5 a3 3 Nt3 Bg4 4 cxd5 Bxt3 5 gxt3 Qxd5 6
Nc6 6 e3 seems fine for Black. e3 e5 7 Nc3 Bb4

4 ... c6 5 Rxbl Qxd5 6 Nt3 Necessary.

White can also consider the sharp 6 f3 , 8 Bd2 Bxc3 9 bxc3 exd4 10 cxd4 and
intending e2-e4, and the developing 6 White has the slightly better chances.
e3.
The Catalan
6... Nd7 7 a3
Some openings are seen quite often at
And White intends to continue develop top level, but hardly ever at lower levels
ment with 8 e3 , develop the kingside of p l ay. The C at a l a n i s o n e s u c h
bishop to e2 and then initiate queenside opening.

161
 Back to Basics: Openings

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 g3 just captured, although it may be held

if White allows it.

5 Bg2 Be7

B l a c k h a s a n u m b e r of o t h e r
continuations avai lable, e . g . , 5 . . . c 5 6
0-0 Nc6, 5 . . . a6, 5 . . . Nc6, 5 . . . B d 7 ,
5 . . . Nbd7 and 5 . . . Bb4+ to mention some
of the more usual move s .

6 0-0 0-0 7 Qc2 a6 8 Qxc4

a b c d e f g h

8
Another move order is I d4 N f6 2 c4 e6
7
3 g3 d5 . White aims to put pressure on
Black's queenside restricting Black's 6
development. Now we have (a) 3 Nf6 ... 5
4 Nf3 dxc4 (The Open Variation); and 4
(b) 3 Nf6 4 Nf3 Be7 5 Bg2 0-0 6 0-0
...
3
(The C losed Variation).
2

The Open Variation

a b c d e f g h
The l i n e u s u a l l y preferred by top
players is the Open Variation, which White can also try to restrict Black with
a l l ow s B l ack a number o f option s , 8 a4, but after 8 . . . Bd7 9 Qxc4 Bc6 l 0 Bg5
including trying t o hang o n t o the pawn. B d 5 I I Q d 3 c5 t h e c h a n c e s are
approximately even.
3 Nf6 4 Nf3 dxc4
...

8 b5 9 Qc2 Bb7 1 0 Bd2 Be4

...

6
5

3
2

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h

As in the Queen 's Gambit Accepted,

Black should not hope to keep the pawn Over the years, th is move has been

1 62
 The Closed Games

established as the main line, but B lack 6...Nbd7 7 Qc2 c6 S Rd 1 b6 9 Bf4 Bb7
frequently also plays I O ... Nc6 I I e3 Nb4, 1 0 Nc3 ReS
or even the peculiar-looking I O . . . Ra7,
intending I I Rfc l Be4. Black prepares to break in the center
with . . . c6-c5 . This position and ones like
it are more or less equal, but there is
11 Qc l Nbd7
p lenty of play, as well as room for
mistakes for both sides.
B l a c k can a l s o i n v i t e a draw by
repetition with l l . . . Bb7, and now of Offbeat Variations
course 1 2 Qc2 Be4 is the path to
splitting the point, but usually White Many of the lines discussed below can
goes in for 1 2 B f4 or 1 2 Rd l and the also arise via various move orders.
game continues.
l d4 d5
12 Ba5 ReS 1 3 Nbd2 BaS with chances
And now we have quite a choice of
for both sides.
l ines, from the unsound, to the sharp,
and to solid: (a) 2 e4 (Blackmar-Diemer
The Closed Variation
Gambit); (b) 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 e3 (Colle
S y s te m ) ; (c) 2 Bg5 ( P s e u d o
While the Open Variation can lead to Trompowsky); and (d) 2 Nc3 .
over-analyzed lines, the C losed
Variation leads t o a slower maneuvering The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
game, where the player with the better
u n d e rs t an d i n g of t h e g a m e o ft e n There are some openings that are quite
prevails. feared at lower levels, and this is one of
them. At the higher levels, it is not
regarded as equalizing for White.
3 ... Nf6 4 Nf3 Be7 5 Bg2 0-0 6 0-0

1 d4 d5 2 e4 dxe4 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 f3

8

3
2

a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h
As in the Orthodox Queen 's Gambit,
B lack has to find a way to develop the This i s the starting position of the
l ight-squared bishop. This is usually Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. Several books
accompl ished by fianchettoing it to b7. have been written about this opening,

1 63
 Back to Basics: Openings

but generally by enthusiasts who are 6 c3 and 6 b3 have been played, even at
not particularly strong and therefore fairly high levels of competition
the coverage is heav i ly biased in favor
of White's chances. 3 ... e6

4... exf3 5 N xf3 Black can also try to take advantage of

White 's slow setup and play 3 . . . Bf5 .
The so-called Ryder Gambit 5 Qxf3? is
just bad after 5 . . . Qxd4 6 Be3 Qg4 ! 7 Qt2 4 Bd3 c 5 5 b3
e5, and Black has two extra pawns and
White no real compensation. The original Colle System had White
playing 5 c3 , but Black is fine after
5 e6 6 Bg5 Be7 7 Qd2 0-0 8 Bd3 c5 9
.. 5 . . . Nc6 6 Nbd2 Bd6 7 0-0 0-0 8 Re I e5 .
Qf4 cxd4 1 0 Qh4 and here Gallagher
has recommended I O . . . g6! I I Nxd4 Nd5 5 Nc6 6 Bb2 Bd6 7 0-0 0-0 8 Nbd2 b6
..

1 2 Bxe7 Qxe7 1 3 Qxe7 Nxe7, and White 9 Ne5 Bb7 1 0 a3 Ne7 1 1 f4 Ne4 with
does not have sufficient compensation mutual chances.
for the pawn.
The Pseudo-'frompowsky
The Colle System
W i t h t h e Tro m p o w s k y g a t n t n g
In its original form, the Colle is fairly popularity by leaps and bounds, Black
h a rm l e s s , but in s o m e of i t s needed to find a good way to p lay
incarnations, it carries a b i t more o f a against I d4 d 5 . With the Pseudo
punch. Trompowsky, White may have found a
new wrinkle.
1 d4 d5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 e3
1 d4 d5 2 Bg5

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h

This does not appear either logical or White plays the bishop to g5, attacking
particularly dangerous for Black. But if the "shadow" of the black knight. This
the move order is somewhat different, l ine has been developed by several
it can be both, e.g., I d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 e6 3 English grandmasters, primari ly Julian
e3 c5 4 Bd3 Be7 5 0-0 Nc6 and now both Hodgson, after whom this line is often

1 64
 The Closed Games

named. B lack has established several The 3 Bf4 System

ways to obtain a pleasant position.
This variation tends to lead to a setup
2 h6 3 Bh4 c6 4 e3 Qb6 5 Qc1
..
called the Barry Attack.

White often also plays 5 b3, but Black 3 Bf4 g6 4 Nf3

can use the same method as in our main
line to get a good game: 5 . . . Bf5 6 Nf3 e6
The start i n g p o s i t i o n of the B arry
7 Bd3 Bxd3 8 Qxd3 Nd7 9 0-0 Be7 I 0
Attack has been reached. B lack can
Bxe7 Nxe7, and B lack has nothing to
worry about. obviously play other third moves such
as 3 . . . Bf5 and 3 . . . c6, with even chances.
5 ...Bf5 6 Nf3 e6 7 Be2 Nd7 8 Be2 Be7
9 Bxe7 Nxe7 10 c4 0-0 with a solid 4 ... Bg7 5 e3
position and fairly even chances.
5 Qd2 is also a popular alternative.
2 Nc3 Variations
5 0-0 6 Be2 c6
..

The lines in this section are decidedly

unorthodox in the sense that the knight 8
on c3 blocks the advance of the c-pawn,
7
contrad icting conventional open ing
wisdom. While perfectly playable, the 6
l i n e s d o n ' t e nj o y a w i d e sp re ad '5
popularity a t the higher levels of play, 4
but they are seen frequently at lower
3
levels.
2

1 d4 d5 2 Nc3 Nf6
a b c d e f g h

Black can also consider 6 . . . c5 and 6 . . . b6.

7 h3 Nbd7 8 a4 a5 9 0-0 b6 1 0 Bh2 Bb7

11 Ne5 e6 with mutual chances.

The Richter-Veresov Attack

While overall less popular than the 3

a b c d e f g h Bf4 line, the Richter-Veresov has been
covered m o re fre q u e n t l y in
monographs. A s with the previous l ine,
and now (a) 3 Bf4 ; and (b) 3 Bg5
Black has several adequate answers.
(Richter-Veresov Attack).
You should not automatically play the rooks the
d- and e-files because the pawn structure may
dictate something entirely different.

1 65
 Back to Basics : Openings

3 Bg5 Nbd7 4 Nf3

4 e3 and 4 f3 are also possible, but offer

Black excellent chances. The text move
is more solid.
6

5
4 ... h6 5 Bf4
4

3 White has a sharp alternative in 5 Bh4

2 e6 6 e4 g5 7 Bg3 Nxe4 8 Nxe4 dxe4, which
is very complicated and requires careful
a b c d e f g h study from both players, but in the end
is considered fine for B lack.
Other popular replies include 3 ... c5 and
3 . . . Bf5 , both of which are fully adequate 5 ... a6 6 e3 e6 7 Bd3 c5 8 0-0 Be7 9 Re t
to obtain even chances. b5 and B lack has a pleasant game.

The German theoretician Siegbert Tarrasch wrote that,

as a rule of thumb, knights should be developed
before bishops. This is nearly always the case
and worth keeping in mind,
though there are of course many exceptions.

It is quite common to play either h3 or .. h6, giving the king

some "room to breathe, " but if the opponent has yet to castle
or has castled queenside, this innocent move
can constitute an immediate weakness that the opponent
can target by launching a kingside attack.

1 66
 The Semi-Closed Games

Chapter 8

The Semi-Closed Games

In this chapter we will examine all the threatens to double White 's c-pawns
openings that start with 1 d4, but where and take control over the center.
W h ite doesn ' t answer l . . . d 5 . T h i s
inc ludes all the popular Indian White can now take the game in several
Defenses, such as the Nimzo-Indian, directions : (a) 4 a3 (Samisch Variation);
King's Indian and Queen 's Indian, but (b) 4 Bg5 ( Leningrad Variation); (c) 4
also sharp and provocative openings Nf3 (Flexible Variation); (d) 4 Qc2
l ike the Modern Benon i , the Benko (Capablanca Variation); and (e) 4 e3
Gambit, the Dutch Defense, as well as (Rubinstein Complex).
many less popular defenses. We will
also have a look at some of the so-called The Samisch Variation
Anti - I n d i an Openings, such as the
Trompowsky, the Torre Attack and the White 's sharpest and most direct
London System. response to the N imzo-lndian is the
Samisch; White forces a resolution in
The Nimzo-lndian Defense regards to the pin of the knight on c3 .

Of all the openings we will cover in this 4 a3

c h apter, the N i m z o - I n d i a n i s
undoubtedly the most respected. I t is A related line is 4 f3, which immediately
the brainchild ofAron Nimzowitsch, but leads to very sharp play, e.g., 4 . . . d5 5 a3
since his adventures with it in the early Bxc3+ 6 bxc3 c5 7 cxd5 Nxd5 8 dxc5 (8
decades of the 20th century, it has been Qd3 b6 i s the alternative, which is
p l ayed by j u st about every w o r l d supposed to be fine for B lack) 8 . . . Qa5
champion since. with an unclear position .

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 Bxc3+ 5 bxc3 0-0 6 e3 c5

.

8
8
- -...
7 tr t r' t m t r
t
7

6
' m
mt
6

'0.m m, m W///,

5 5

ft f<;'
W///
//.

4 4

3
m m<////,

3

2 ft ,'
ft i
ft '
2

1
f A
::::; . i . . . ;.

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

With the pin on White 's knight, B lack B l ac k h a s s e v e r a l o t h e r o p t i o n s

restrains Wh ite from playing e2-e4, available here, but th i s i s generally

1 67
 Back to Basics : Openings

considered the critical line; the doubled The pin isn't a major concern for Black,
c-pawns are fixed, and Black will start but at least Wh ite has developed the
ap p l y i n g p r e s s ure a g a i n s t t h e m , bishop outside the pawn structure d4-
whereas White will start developing an e3 which is so typical in the Nimzo
i n itiative i n the center and on the I ndian.
kingside.
4 c5..

7 Bd3 Nc6 8 Ne2 b6 9 e4 Ne8

B lack can also play 4 . . . h6, but it usually
This odd-looking move is standard . only leads to a transposition to the main
Black wants to avoid the pin with Bg5
line after 5 Bh4 c5 6 d5.
and also reserves the option of playing
. . . t7-f5 , when White plays f2-f4.
5 d5 h6 6 Bh4 Bxc3+
1 0 0-0 Ba6 11 f4 f5
An enj oyably sharp a l ternat i v e i s
6 . . . b 5 ! ? which can end u p resembling a
This is more or less a necessity because
Blumenfeld Gambit after 7 dxe6 fxe6 8
otherw i s e White 's initiative on the
cxb5 d5.
kingside gains too much momentum
after f4-f5 .
7 bxc3 d6 8 e3 e5 9 Bd3 Qe7 10 Ne2 g5
1 1 Bg3 Nbd7 and the chances are about
1 2 Ng3 g 6 with a sharp position with
even .
which Black should be pleased.

The Flexible Variation

The Leningrad Variation

White 's most non-committal move is 4

If White likes sharp play, but doesn 't
N f3 , after which the game may take a
necessarily enj oy the theory-heavy
number of different directions .
main l i ne s , W h ite can opt for the
Leningrad, which has been a favorite of
4 Nf3 c 5
Spassky and Bareev.

Black's main alternative is 4 . . . b 6 , after

4 Bg5
which 5 Bg5 transposes to a line you
will find under the Queen's Indian, 4 Nc3
8
Variation, but 5 Qb3 is also a plausible
7 continuation, e.g., 5 . . . c5 6 Bg5 Bb7 7 a3
6 BaS 8 0-0-0 with an interesting game.
5 Should B lack opt for 4 . . . d5, then 5 e3
4
leads to the Rubinstein Nimzo-I ndian,
w h i l e 5 Bg5 i s a Ragozin Queen 's
3
Gambit. There is little doubt why this
2
line is called the Flexible Variation.

a b c d e f g h 5 g3

1 68
 The Semi-C losed Games

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

With t h i s move we tran spose to a of time involved with this maneuver.

F ianchetto Variation or Romanishin The related line, 4 Qb3 is less critical,
Variation as it is also known, when because the queen is less well-placed
White has played N f3 . Alternatively when B lack avoids the exchange on c3,
W h i t e can a l s o p l ay 5 e 3 , w h i c h e.g., 4 ... c5 5 dxc5 Nc6 6 Nf3 Ne4 (if the
transposes t o the Rubinstein, covered queen had been on c2, this move would
below. not have been possible) 7 Bd2 Nxd2 8
Nxd2 Bxc5 with equal chances.
5 ... cxd4 6 Nxd4 0-0
Of B l ac k ' s many avai lable
5 . . . Ne4 is also possible. continuations, the main ones are : (a)
4... d5; (b) 4... c5; and (c) 4 .. 0-0.
.

7 Bg2 d5 8 cxd5 Nxd5 9 Bd2 Nxc3 1 0

bxc3 Be7 1 1 Rb l Nd7 and the chances The Capablanca Variation, 4...d5
are approximately balanced.
If B lack wants to unbalance the game
The Capablanca Variation quickly, the best option is undoubtedly
4 . . . d5.
Also known as the Classical Variation,
4 Qc2 for many years lived a life in 4 ... d5 5 a3
relative obscurity until the line, in the
1 980s, was taken up by a number of the
strongest players including Kasparov
and Karpov. Nowadays this line, along
6
with 4 e3 , is considered the most critical
5
response to the Nimzo-Indian .
4
4 Qc2 (D) 3
2
White wants to avoid the doubling of
the c-pawns and hopes that gaining the
a b c d e f g h
bishop pair will compensate for the loss

1 69
 Back to Basics: Openings

The main alternative is 5 cxd5 after 8 Bg5 can also be considered.

which B lack can play 5 . . . exd5 6 Bg5 h6
7 Bh4 (7 Bxf6 is safer) 7 . . . c5 8 dxc5 g5 9 8 ... Bb7 9 Rd l Nc6 1 0 e3
Bg3 Ne4 I 0 e3 Qa5 I I Nge2 Bf5 with an
unclear position, or 5 . . . Qxd5 6 Nf3 (6 e3 Or 1 0 b4 Nh5 1 1 Be l Be7 1 2 e4 Rc8 1 3
c5 7 Bd2 Bxc3 8 Bxc3 cxd4 9 Bxd4 Nc6 is Be2 Qc7 1 4 Nb5 Qb8 1 5 Rxd7 Nf6 1 6
more or less equal) 6 . . . Qf5 ! ? 7 Qxf5 Rd I Ne5, and B lack has an excellent
(White can avoid the exchange with 7 game.
Qd l ) 7 . . . exf5 8 a3 Bd6 9 g3 Be6 1 0 Bf4
10 ... Nh5 1 1 Bg5 Be7 1 2 Bxe7 Nxe7 1 3
Nd5 1 1 e3 Nxf4 1 2 gxf4 c6 1 3 0-0-0 Nd7
Be2 Nf6 1 4 0-0 a 6 1 5 Qd2 d 5 with
and the chances are a l m o s t l e v e l ,
approximately equal chances.
perhaps only with slight edge for White.

The Capablanca Variation, 4...0-0

5 ... Bxc3+ 6 Qxc3 Ne4
4 ... 0-0 5 a3
Black can also consider 6 . . . dxc4 7 Qxc4
b6 or 6 . . . c5 7 dxc5 d4.
After 5 e4 d5 6 e5 Ne4, B lack is doing
fine.
7 Qc2 c5 8 dxc5 Nc6 9 e3

Or 9 cxd5 exd5 I 0 e3 Bf5 leads to unclear 5 ... Bxc3+ 6 Qxc3 b6

play.
8
9 ... Qa5+ 1 0 Bd2 Nxd2 11 Qxd2 dxc4 7
12 Bxc4 Qxc5 and B lack has equalized.
6

5
The Capablanca Variation, 4...c5
4
The solid 4 . . . c5 is also a popular choice 3
for Black. 2

4 ... c5 5 dxc5 0-0 6 a3 Bxc5 7 Nf3 b6 8

Bf4 a b c d e f g h

8
Other options for B lack include 6 . . . Ne4,
6 . . . d6 and the gambit 6 . . . b5 ! ?, intending
7
7 cxb5 c6 with compensation for the
6
pawn.
5

4 7 Bg5
3
2
White often plays 7 N f3 , but B lack is
okay after 7 ... Bb7 8 e3 d6 9 Be2 Nbd7 1 0
0-0 Ne4 I I Qc2 f5 with chances for both
a b c d e f g h sides.

1 70
 The Semi-Closed Games

7 ... Bb7 8 e3 d6 9 Nge2 Nbd7 10 Qc2 Now B lack can take the game in several
different directions: (a) 4 b6; (b) 4 ... c5;
.

Sometimes White also places the queen and (c) 4 0-0 ( M a i n L i n e ) . 4 . . . d 5 ,

..

on d3, but it is matter of taste. 4 . . . Nc6, 4 . . .d 6 and even 4 . . . Ne4 can also
be tried for B l ac k in this position,
1 0 c5 1 1 Rd 1 Qe7 1 2 Nc3 h6 1 3 Bh4
... though these options tend to offer
cxd4 1 4 Rxd4 Rfd8 and this position is White the better chances.
considered almost equal, though White,
thanks to the pair of bishops has a tiny The Rubinstein, 4 b6 ..

edge, w h i c h he surpri s i n g l y o ften

manages to convert. This dynam i c move was a F i scher
favorite. The bishop can be developed
to both a6 and b7.
8

7
5 Ne2

6
8
5
7
4
6
3
5
2
4

3
a b c d e g h
2
The Rubinstein Complex
a b c d e f g h
Named after the Polish grandmaster
Akiba Rubinstein, this flexible approach On 5 Bd3 , B lack can react a Ia the
remains one of White 's most popular Classical Dutch: 5 . . . Bb7 6 Nf3 Ne4 7 0-0
continuations. The volume of theory
f5 8 d5 Bxc3 9 bxc3 Nc5 l 0 Ba3 Nba6,
attached to this complex of variations
which, after l l Re i or I I Nd4 leads to a
is enormous. A few years back I wrote
slightly better game for White, or he can
320 packed pages on this variation, and I
try 6 . . . 0-0 7 0-0 c5, after which White
had to make significant cuts in the material
should play the awkward looking 8 Na4,
to make it fit. A testament to its enduring
and then 8 . . . cxd4 9 exd4 Re8 l 0 a3 B f8
p o p u l arity is that many of the
subvariations carry the names of many of I I b4 followed by Bb2 leaves White with
the strongest players in chess history. more space and the s l ightly better
chances.
4 e3
5... Ba6
A flexible setup which allows White to
choose a number of piece A popular alternative is 5 . . . Ne4 6 Bd2
configurations, depending o n Black's (also 6 Qc2 Bb7 7 Nf4 0-0 8 Bd3 f5 is
choice of line. possible) 6 ...Nxd2 7 Qxd2 Ba6 8 a3 Bxc3

171
 Back to Basics: Openings

9 Nxc3 d5 I 0 b3 Nc6 with chances for 5 ... Nc6 6 Nf3 Bxc3+ 7 bxc3 d6 (D)
both players. 5 . . . Bb7 is also seen with
some frequency, but 6 a3 Be7 7 d5 0-0 8 This is the so-called Hubner Variation.
Ng3 d6 9 Be2 leaves White slightly Black closes the center to shut down
better. F i na l ly, B l ac k has the very
Wh ite 's in itiative and complete h i s
provocative 5 . . . c5, which after 6 a3 Ba5,
development.
looks like B l ack is going to get his
bi shop trapped, but after . . . Qe7 and
. . . Na6 Black normally doesn 't have any 8 0-0
problems.

6 Ng3 Bxc3+ 7 bxc3 d5 8 Ba3

3
2
a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h Black has fewer problems after the more

conventional 8 e4 e5 9 d5 Ne7 1 0 Nh4
Or 8 Qt3 0-0 9 cxd5 Qxd5 I 0 e4 Qa5 with h6 1 1 t3 Qa5 12 Bd2 Ng6.
a sharp position and chances for both
players. 8 ... e5 9 Nd2 0-0 1 0 Ret

8 ... Bxc4 9 Bxc4 dxc4 10 0-0 h5 1 1 Qf3 White still avoids closing up the center,
Q d 5 1 2 e4 Q g 5 a n d W h i t e h a s which is what Black is striving for.
compensation for t h e pawn b u t not
more than that. 1 0 ... cxd4 1 1 cxd4 exd4 1 2 exd4 Bg4 1 3
f3 B h 5 1 4 Nb3 a n d White has the
The Rubinstein, 4 ... c5 somewhat better chances.

5 Bd3 The Rubinstein, Main Line

White can obviously also play 5 Ne2 in 4 ... 0-0 5 Bd3 (D)
this line, which leads to interesting play,
for instance, 5 ... cxd4 6 exd4 d5 7 c5 (or 7 White plays 5 Nt3, reserving the option
a3 Be7 8 c5 0-0 9 g3 b6 with chances for of developing the knight to e2. Also
both players) 7 ... Ne4 8 Bd2 Nxd2 9 Qxd2 p o s s i b l e is 5 N e 2 , the s o - c a l l e d
a5 1 0 a3 Bxc3 I I Nxc3 a4 1 2 Bd3 b6, and Reshevsky Variation ; after 5 . . . d5 6 a3
Black is doing fine. Also note that 5 . . . b6 Be7 7 cxd5 Nxd5 (7 . . . exd5 is also
transposes to the line mentioned under playable) 8 Qc2 Nd7 9 e4 Nxc3 10 Nxc3
4 . . b6.
. c 5 , with chances for both sides.

1 72
 The Semi-Closed Games

Karpov Variation, which can also be

8 reached via the Panov Attack in the
7
Caro- Kann or the Queen 's Gambit
Accepted. White takes on an isolated
6
pawn in return for easy development
'5
and active piece play. One line runs 1 0
4 Bg5 Bb7 1 1 Ne5 Bxc3 1 2 bxc3 Nbd7 1 3
3 Nxd7 Qxd7 1 4 Bxf6 gxf6, with an unclear
2 p o s i t i o n . B l ack can a l s o c o n s i d e r
8 . . . Qe7, 8 . . . Nbd7 o r 7 . . . Nbd7, each o f
which carry its own volume o f theory.
a b c d e f g h
8 a3 Bxc3
5 ... d5 6 Nf3

6 a3 is also possible, taking the game to Black can also play 8 . . .dxc4 9 Bxc4 cxd4
a S a m i s c h type o f p o s i t i o n a ft e r 1 0 exd4 Be7 1 1 Re i b6 1 2 Bd3 Bb7 with
a sharp position.
6 . . . Bxc3+ 7 bxc 3 , whereas 6 Ne2 is the
Modem Variation, when 6 . . . dxc4 7 Bxc4
9 bxc3 dxc4
c5 8 0-0 cxd4 9 exd4 Nc6 is considered
adequate for Black.
Even without this exchange, 9 . . . Qc7 is
an interesting option.
6... c5

1 0 Bxc4 Qc7
There are numerous side lines in the
Rubinste i n . 6 . . . b6 is an i nteresting
alternative for Black, e.g., 7 0-0 b6 8 a3 8

Bd6 9 b4 dxc4 I 0 Bxc4 Nbd7, and the 7

chances are about balanced. 6

5
7 0-0 Nc6
4

3
8
2
7

6
a b c d e f g h
'5

4
I n t h i s p o sition, White has p l ayed
3 nearly every reasonable move available,
2 e.g., 1 1 Be2, 1 1 Bd3 , I I Ba2, I I Bb5, I I
Qc2, 1 1 h3 , I I a4, I I Re I and the move
a b c d e f g h we will use for our main line . . .

1 1 Bd3
A major alternative for Black is 7 . . . dxc4
8 Bxc4 cxd4 9 exd4 b6, the so-called Deciding which move is the better line

1 73
 Back to Basics: Openings

is a matter of taste, but this, 1 1 Ba2, and 4 a3

I I Bb2, are usually given preference by
White. The idea behind this move is to prevent
B lack from playing . . . Bb4 when White
ll ... e5 12 Qc2 ReS follows up with 4 Nc3 .

Threatening . . . e4 with a fork. 4 Bb7

..

Black can also consider 4 . . . Ba6 forcing

13 dxe5 Nxe5 1 4 Nxe5 Qxe5 1 5 f3 Bd7
White to protect the c-pawn rather than
1 6 a4 B c 6 w i th a strate g i c a l l y
following the standard plan. White's
complicated position where both sides
normal moves are either 5 Nbd2 or 5
have chances.
Qc2, in both cases with interesting play
The Queen's Indian Defense to follow.

The second brainchild ofNimzowitsch 5 Nc3 d5 6 cxd5 Nxd5

s the Queen 's Indian, which even today
ts one of the most important defenses
for Black against I d4.

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 b6

a b c d e f g h

A somewhat more solid, yet also slightly

more passive continuation is 6 . . . exd5 ,
e.g., 7 g3 Be7 8 Qa4+ c6 9 Bg2 0-0 I 0
a b c d e f g h Ne5 , with a slight pull for White.

White now has several different ways 7 e3

to meet this opening; the main ones are:
Another popular continuation is 7 Qc2
(a) 4 a3 (Petrosian Variation); (b) 4 Nc3;
Nxc3 8 bxc3 Be7 9 e4 0-0 I 0 Bd3 c5 I I 0-
and (c) 4 g3 (Fianchetto Variation).
0 Qc8 with approximately even chances
for the contestants.
The Petrosian Variation
7 ... Be7 8 Bb5+ c6 9 Bd3 Nxc3 1 0 bxc3
This line was first bought into focus by
t h e l ate w o r l d c h a m p i o n T i gran White appears to have a nice pawn
Petrosian and the line carries his name. center, but B lack ' s p i eces develop
Again it became very popular in early easily, and if White isn't very careful,
1 980s when Kasparov used it frequently. the white pawns will j ust become weak.

1 74
 The Semi-Closed Games

10 ... c5 11 0-0 Nc6 12 Qe2 0-0 13 Bb2 ultra-sharp and complicated to level or
Rc8 1 4 Rad 1 cxd4 1 5 cxd4 Bf6 and the even boring positions, all depending on
chances are about even. your temperment.

4 Nc3 Variation 4 g3 Ba6

This line is very dynamic and had its

heyday in the 1 980s when many of the
top players took on this line with either
color.

4 Nc3 Bb7

4 . . . Bb4 can transpose to the Nimzo

Indian.

5 BgS Bb4 a b c d e f g h

N o w a d a y s t h i s i s t h e p r e ferred
7 continuation, even if it is an old idea by
N i m z o w i t s c h h i m s e l f. T h e m a i n
6
alternative i s o f course the more obvious
5
4 . . . Bb7, which tends to lead to more
4 balanced positions, e.g., 5 Bg2 Be7 6 0-
3 0 0-0 7 Nc3 Ne4 ! (ifBlack wants a more
2 compli cated position then 7 . . . d5 or
7 . . . Na6 are alternatives to consider) 8
Qc2 (8 Bd2 Bf6 is also popular) 8 . . . Nxc3
a b c d e f g h 9 Qxc3 f5 with perhaps slightly better
chances for White. Final ly, Black can
This can lead to one of the sharpest also play 4 . . . Bb4+, taking the game to a
positions in the entire Queen 's Indian . Bogo- Indian type of position.
I f B lack is more solidly inclined, then
5 . . . Be7 is a good alternative. S b3

6 e3 h6 7 Bh4 gS 8 Bg3 Ne4 9 Qc2 This is one of several continuations for

Bxc3+ 10 bxc3 d6 1 1 Bd3 Nxg3 1 2 fxg3 White. Also to be considered are 5 Qc2,
Qe7 with a complicated game and 5 Qa4 and 5 Nbd2, all with interesting
play to follow.
chances for both sides.

Fianchetto Variation s. Bb4+

..

A perennial favorite in top level chess Black can also play 5 . . . d5 or 5 . . . Bb7, but
is the Fianchetto Variation, which has the text move aims to exploit the fact
numerous sidel ines that can lead all that White cannot develop the knight
types of positions, everything from to its natural square on c3 at the moment.

1 75
 Back to Basics: Openings

6 Bd2 Be7 Black's main idea is to exchange his

dark-squared b i s h o p for its w h i te
This looks like Black has lost a tempo counterpart. W h i te may choose to
by playing . . . Bb4+ and then retreating to avoid this approach, trying to show that
e7, but keep in mind that the white bishop B l ack ' s d e v e l opment i s somewhat
on d2 is not on its ideal square either. awkward.
7 Bg2 c6 S Bc3 d5
4 Bd2

Usually White obliges by playing this

move, but a sharper alternative exists
in 4 Nbd2, for instance 4 . . . 0-0 5 a3 Be7 6
e4 d 5 7 Q c 2 d x e 4 8 N x e 4 , w i t h
complicated play.

4 ... Qe7

This is B lack's most popular move,

a b c d e f g h though by no means the only one; other
perfectly reasonab l e moves include
With this move, B lack finally starts 4 ... c5, 4 ... a5, 4 ... Be7 and 4 ... Bxd2. All of
challenging the white center. these moves are stil l being played on a
regular basis at all levels of competition,
9 Ne5 Nfd7 10 Nxd7 Nxd7 1 1 Nd2 12 though White is considered to have a
0-0 ReS 13 e4 c5 and the battle is in full slight edge in most of these lines. The
swing, with more or less even chances. i d e a b e h i n d t h e text m o v e is not
immediately obvious, but soon will be.
The Bogo-lndian Defense
5 g3 Nc6 6 Bg2 Bxd2+ 7 Nbxd2
This opening is sometimes called the
Bogoljubow Indian after the two-time
world champ i o n s h i p chal l enger to Ideally, White would have liked to play
Alekhine. 7 Qxd2 followed by Nc3 with a pleasant
p o s i t i o n a n d t h e b e tt e r c h a n c e s .
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Bb4+ However, here w e see the point behind
B lack's 4th move - on 7 Qxd2? ! , Black
plays 7 . . . Ne4, and then 8 Qc2 Qb4+ ! 9
Nc3 Nxc3 I 0 Qxc3 Qxc3+ I I bxc3, and
B lack has the slightly better chances
because of White 's weakened pawn
structure .

7 d6 S 0-0 a5 9 e4 e5 1 0 d5 NbS
..

This may look a little odd : why does

Black develop the knight to c6 and then
a b c d e f g h

1 76
 The Semi-Closed Games

retreat it to b8 rather than perhaps . . . d7-d 5 . Now the main continuations

playing it to d8? In this case it is because are: (a) 4 e4 d6 5 0 (Siimisch Variation);
from b8 it can move to both a6 and d7, (b) 4 e4 d6 5 f4 (Four Pawns' Attack) ;
after which it can go to c5 or continue (c) 4 e4 d6 5 Be2 0-0 6 Bg5 (Averbakh
to the kingside. Variation); (d) 4 e4 d6 5 NO 0-0 6 Be2
(Classical Variation); and (e) 4 NO d6 5
11 Net h5 12 h4 Bg4 1 3 0 Bd7 with g3 (Fianchetto Variation). White has
chances for both players. several other reasonably popular lines,
but we will l imit ourselves to the above.
The King's Indian Defense
The Siimisch Variation
The King's Indian is a perennial favorite
at all levels of play, though it has been One of the sharpest ways for White to
in and out of fashion many times. At meet the King's Indian is the Siimisch,
top levels, it was incredibly popular in which has drawn both attacking and
the 1 950s and 1 960s, then disappeared p o s i t i o n a l p l ay e r s in a m o n g s t i t s
somewhat after that unt i l Kasparov adherents .
started playing it in the late 1 980s. After
suffering some defeats against Krarnn i k, 4 e4 d6 5 0 0-0
K a s p arov gave up on it a n d i t s
popularity once again faded. Nowadays 8
Teimur Radjabov in particular happily 7
takes on the black pieces in the King's
6
Indian and has scored much better than
5
could have been expected against his
super-grandmaster colleagues. 4

3
1 d4 N f6 2 c4 g6 3 N c3 Bg7 2

8
a b c d e f g h
7

6 White wants to build a strong center

'5 and develop h i s p i eces b e h i n d the
4 c e n t r a l p aw n s , and then o n c e
development i s complete, attack on
3
whichever wing suits the position.
2

I 6 Be3
a b c d e f g h
White can also opt for 6 Bg5, which tends
This is the starting position of the to transpose to the Kapengut Variation in
King's Indian Defense, though ifWhite the Modem Benoni, when Black plays the
doesn ' t p l ay e2-e4, B lack can sti l l customary 6 . . . c5, e.g., 7 d5 e6 8 Qd2 exd5
transpose t o the Griinfeld Indian with 9 cxd5 . A third option is 6 Nge2, though

1 77
 Back to Basics : Openings

this usually only leads to a transposition T h e c r e at i v e m i n d o f R u s s i an

into the lines after 6 Be3 . grandmaster David Bronstein came up
the fantasti c , but not I 00% correct
6... e5 queen sacrifice 8 . . . Qh4+ 9 g3 Nxg3 1 0
Q f2 Nxfl I I Qxh4 Nxe3 1 2 Ke2 Nxc4.
B l ack has many alternatives at th is Black gets decent compensation for the
particular j uncture, for example 6 . . . c6, queen, but White maintains the better
6 . . . b6, 6 . . . a6, 6 . . .Nc6 and 6 . . . c5 ! ? . In this overall chances .
last line, it looks like White can win a
9 0-0-0 a6
pawn with 7 dxc5 dxc5 8 Qxd8 Rxd8 9
B x c 5 , but B lack obtai n s suffi c i ent
Despite having started action on the
counterplay after 9 ... Nc6 1 0 Nd5 (or 1 0
kingside, it doesn ' t make sense for
Ba3 a5 I I Rd l Be6 1 2 Nd5 Bxd5 1 3 cxd5
B lack to open a full-scale battle on that
Nb4) I O ... Nd7 ! I I Bxe7 Nxe7 1 2 Nxe7+
wing with his own king in the line of
Kf8 1 3 Nd5 Bxb2 1 4 Rd l Nc5 with fi re. Therefore B l ack has to s e e k
compensation for the pawn. Therefore counterplay on the queenside a s well .
W h i t e o ften p r e fe r s 7 d 5 , w h i c h
transposes t o Benon i - l i ke positions 1 0 Kb 1 Nd7 1 1 Bd3 Nc5 1 2 Bc2 b5 ! ?
after 7 . . . e6 or 7 Nge2, which may in turn
tran spose to a S i c i l ian Accel erated Black sacrifices a pawn t o open files and
Dragon after 7 ... cxd4 8 Nxd4 Nc6. diagonals for his pieces.

7 d5 13 cxb5 axb5 1 4 Nxb5 Ba6 1 5 Nc3 Qb8

and Black has compensation for the
The closing of the center is the most pawn.
common choice for White, though 7
Nge2 has also been played frequently. Four Pawns Attack

7...Nh5 An attractive p l an for White is to

attempt to gain complete control over
Also possible is 7 ... c6. the game with the space grabbing Four
Pawns' Attack.
8 Qd2 f5
4 e4 d6 5 f4

8
7

6
5

3
2

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h

1 78
 The Semi-Closed Games

This looks impressive, but looks can be In many lines in the King's Indian, Black
deceiving. Black can obtain an adequate seeks to gain counterplay with . . . e7-e5 .
game in several ways. In the Averbakh Variation White aims
to limit this possibility.
5 ...0-0 6 Nf3 N a6
4 e4 d6 5 Be2 0-0 6 Bg5
The other main continuation is 6 . . . c 5 ;
now 7 d5 e 6 8 Be2 exd5 9 cxd5 lead t o a 8
line we will discuss below under the
7
Modern Benoni . However, there are
6
some alternatives for both sides. For
example, White can also recapture on 5

d5 with the e-pawn, 9 exd5 , though this 4

i s c o n s i dered q u i te harm l e s s after 3
several moves including 9 . . . Re8 and 2
9 . . .Nh5 (intending lO . . . Bxc3+ 1 1 bxc3 5).
Other options for White are 7 dxc5 and
a b c d e f g h
8 dxe6. B lack can also consider the
B enko-sty l e 7 . . . b 5 . The text move
became popular in the 1 980s and proved If B lack now plays 6 . . . e5?, he will lose
a solid alternative to the sharp 6 . . . c5 . material after 7 dxe5 dxe5 8 Qxd8 Rxd8 9
Nd5 . IfBiack insists on playing . . . e7-e5,
7 Be2 e5 8 fxe5 dxe5 9 d5 the way to do it is 6 . . . Na6 7 Qd2 e5 8 d5
c6 9 f3 cxd5 l 0 cxd5 Bd7 with a sharp
9 Nxe5 c5 1 0 Be3 Nb4 is pleasant for position.
Black.
6...c5
9 ... Nc5 10 Bg5 h6 11 Bxf6 Qxf6 1 2 b4
N a6 1 3 a3 c 5 w i th a c o m p l i c ated In addition to the previous possibilities,
struggle ahead. Black can also play 6 . . . Na6, 6 . . . Nbd7
and 6 . . . h6.

8
7 d5 e6 8 Qd2
7

6 8 dxe6 Bxe6 is fine for Black.

5

4 8 ... exd5 9 exd5 Re8 1 0 Nf3 Bg4 1 1 0-0

Nbd7 and Black should not have much
3
to worry about.
2

Classical Variation
a b c d e f g h
The main battle ground for many years
has been the C lassical Variation, where
The Averbakh Variation Black usual ly ends up attacking on the

1 79
 Back to Basics : Openings

kingside and White on the queenside. Re i a5 with a typical King's Indian

T h i s of course leads to sh arp and p o s i t i o n w h e re b o t h s i d e s h a v e
fascinating play. chances; (b ) 7 Na6 8 R e 1 (8 Be3 Ng4 9
...

Bg5 Qe8 is also possible) 8 . . . Qe8 9 B fl

4 e4 d6 5 Nf3 0-0 6 Be2 eS Bg4 1 0 d5 Nb4 1 1 Be2 (Black threatened
l l ...Bxf3 1 2 Qxf3 Nc2) l l ...a5 1 2 Be3 Bd7
8 1 3 Nd2 Na6 1 4 Rb l h5 with a double
7
edged position; and (c) 7 Nbd 7 8 Re l
..

(or 8 Qc2) 8 . . . c6 9 Bfl a5 1 0 h3 ( 1 0 Rb l

6
Re8 1 2 d5 Bd7 leads to a different type
'5
of position that is also very common in
4 this variation) l O . . . exd4 1 1 Nxd4 Re8 1 2
3 Bf4 Nc5 1 3 Qc2 Nh5 1 4 Be3 a4 with fairly
2 even chances.

8 d5
a b c d e f g h
White can also consider 8 Be3 in this
Black can also choose 6 . . . Bg4 and 6 . . . c5 , position, after which B l ack usually
t h o u g h b o th o f t h e s e l i n e s are replies either 8 ... exd4 or 8 ... Ng4.
considered sl ightly better for White .
Finally Black can try both 6 . . . Nbd7 and 8... Ne7
6 . . . Na6, but these usually transpose to
lines covered below.
8
7
7 0-0
6
W h i t e h a s s e v e r a l i m p ortant 5
alternatives at this juncture: (a) 7 dS 4
(The Petrosian Variation) 7 ... a5 8 Bg5
3
h6 9 Bh4 Na6 10 Nd2 Qe8 1 1 0-0 Nh7
2
with chances for both sides; (b) 7 dxeS
(The Exchange Variation) 7 ... dxe5 8 Qxd8
Rxd8 9 Bg5 Re8 I 0 Nd5 Nxd5 1 1 cxd5 c6 a b c d e f g h
1 2 Bc4 cxd5 1 3 Bxd5 Nd7 with equality;
and (c) 7 Be3 Ng4 8 Bg5 f6 9 Bh4 Nc6 1 0 This is a crucial position that has been
d 5 Ne7 1 1 Nd2 Nh6 with a complicated reached in many games.
struggle ahead.
9 Ne l
7 ... N c6
A testament t o the popularity o f the line
Again on this move, there are several can be found in how many different
alternatives. The most i mportant of continuations White has tried at this
these are: (a) 7 exd4 8 Nxd4 Re8 9 f3 c6
.. j uncture : (a) 9 b4 i s the so-called
1 0 Kh 1 Nbd7 1 1 Bg5 h6 1 2 Bh4 Nc5 1 3 B ayonet Attack, which nowadays is

1 80
 The Semi-Closed Games

White 's most popular option : 9 . . . Nh5 The battle l ines are being drawn.
(this is preferred by Radjabov, but 9 . . . a5
I 0 Ba3 axb4 I I Bxb4 b6 1 2 a4 is also 14 cxd6 cxd6 1 5 Re t a6 1 6 Nf2 Rf7 17
playable) 1 0 Re I f5 (or 1 O . . . a5) 1 1 Ng5 a4 Ng6 1 8 b4 b6 and the typical pattern
Nf6 12 Bf3 c6 with a sharp position with of White attacking on the queenside
chances for both sides; (b) 9 Nd2 a5 (or and Black on the kingside i s evident. A
9 . . c5 1 0 Rb 1 b6 I I b4 Ne8 12 bxc5
.
compl icated struggle can be expected.
bxc5 1 3 Nb3 f5 leads to an unclear
position) 10 a3 Nd7 ( 1 O . . Bd7 is also
.
The Fianchetto Variation
playable) 1 1 Rb l f5 1 2 b4 Kh8 1 3 Qc2
Ng8 14 f3 Ngf6 with double-edged play. One of the most solid ways for White
White also plays 9 Bd2, 9 Bg5 and 9 a4, to m e e t t h e K i n g ' s I n d i an i s the
but less frequently. Fianchetto Variation. White aims to
develop h i s p i eces to good squares
9...Nd7 before starting the battle with Black for
the control over the center.
With this move Black guards against
White's plan of c4-c 5 , but blocks the 4 Nf3 d6 5 g3 0-0 6 Bg2 Nbd7
path of the bi shop on c8. The sharper
alternative is 9 . . Ne8, which is also fully
.

8
playable.
7

1 0 Nd3 6

5
The other main l ine is I 0 Be3 , and here 4
the play usually continues: I O . f5 1 1 f3
. .

3
f4 1 2 Bf2 g5 1 3 Rc l Ng6 1 4 c5 ! ? Nxc5 1 5
b4 Na6 1 6 Nd3 R f7 1 7 Nb5 , and White 2
has c o m p e n s a t i o n fo r the p a w n
because of Black's poorly coordinated a b c d e f g h
pieces.

10 ... f5 1 1 Bd2 Nf6 1 2 f3 f4 1 3 c5 g5 Black 's main alternative i s the sharp

Panno Variation 6 ... Nc6, which starts
8 compl ications immediately : 7 0-0 a6
7 (Black can also play 7 . . . Bf5, 7 . . . Rb8 and
7 . . . e5) 8 d5 (also 8 Bg5 and 8 h3 are worth
6
consideration) 8 . . . Na5 9 Nd2 c5 1 0 Qc2
5
Rb8 1 1 b3 b5 1 2 Bb2 Bh6 ( 1 2 . . . h5 ! ?) 1 3
4 f4 bxc4 14 bxc4 Ng4 1 5 Nd 1 Rxb2 1 6 Qxb2
3 Bg7 1 7 Qc I e5 ! 1 8 dxe6 Bxe6 with an
2 unclear position, but B lack has ful l
compensation for the exchange thanks
to his strong bishops.
a b c d e f g h

181
 Back to Basics: Openings

Alternatively, Black can play 6 ... c5 7 0-

0 Nc6, which, after 8 d5 Na5 9 Nd2, can
lead to the Panno Variation with 9 . . . a6
or to independent play after 9 . . . e 5 .

7 0-0 e5 8 e4 c 6 9 h3 exd4

Black has several other options here,

e.g., 9 . . . Re8, 9 . . Qa5 and 9 . . Qb6, all
. .

leading to approximately even chances.

a b c d e f g h
10 Nxd4 ReS 11 Rb l a5 1 2 Ret Nc5 1 3
b 3 Nh5 1 4 Be3 Qe7 1 5 Q d 2 and White
has a space advantage, which offers him W h i te has four m a i n responses to
the s l i gh t l y e a s i e r g a m e , but not Black's opening: (a) 4 cxd5 (Exchange
necessari ly a guaranteed advantage. Variation); (b) 4 Nf3 (Three Knights);
(c) 4 Bf4 ; and (d) 4 g3 (Fianchetto
Variation).
8
7 The Exchange Variation
6
The most logical and in many ways the
5
most critical response to the Grtinfeld
4 is the Exchange Variation. White builds
3 a broad center, which Black aims to
2 break down with careful play.

4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 e4 Nxc3 6 bxc3 Bg7

a b c d e f g h

The Griinfeld Indian Defense

The Grtinfeld is a provocative opening

in the sense that B lack hands White a
broad, well-supported pawn center with
easy development and a space
advantage, yet Black does this willingly
and with good results. Its popularity
has been up and down over the years,
b u t the fac t i s that it h a s been a a b c d e f g h
successful weapon for B lack for three
world champions - Botvinnik, Fischer This i s the starting position of the
and Kasparov - in three different eras. Exchange Variation, a line which looks
awfully good for White unless you are
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 d5 fam i l iar w ith the i ntricac ies of the
variati on and th i s part i c u l ar pawn

1 82
 The Semi-Closed Games

structure. The theory of the lines in this where it would help underm ine the
variation often runs 20 or more moves protection of the white pawn center.
deep, which may serve as a deterrent
for many to take up this opening as 8 0-0 9 Be2 cxd4
...

Black, but there are many alternatives

that are less steeped in theory but Black occasionally plays 9 . . .Nc6, forcing
should allow prospective Black players White to play 1 0 d5 Ne5 ( 1 O . . . Bxc3+ 1 1
to take up this opening. Bd2 Bxd2+ 1 2 Qxd2 is also possible, but
it is considered quite dangerous for
While B lack seems to start the game Black) 1 1 Nxe5 Bxe5 1 2 Qd2. White will
fighting from behind in this variation, often fol low up with f2-f4 and even c3-
he is planning to attack White 's center c4 with an even broader center; B lack 's
with . . . c7-c5 and . . . Nb8-c6, attacking the counterp l ay on the dark squares i s
w h ite d4-paw n . W h ite ' s obj ec t i v e u s u a l l y s u ffi c i e n t t o b a l a n c e t h e
obviously is t o h o l d on t o the center chances.
B lack has so graciously handed to him.
1 0 cxd4 Qa5+ 11 Bd2 Qxa2
Exchange Variation, Modern Variation
This pawn hunt looks risky and quite
In the 1 980s, White developed a new hazardous for B lack, but theory has
plan that gained enormous popularity, established that B lack should be fine.
and even today it rem a i n s o n e o f However, the variations are very long,
W h i t e ' s m o s t p o p u l ar l i n e s i n the e x c e e d i n g l y c o m p l i cated and n o t
Exchange Variation and indeed against always particularly logical . Therefore
the Griimfeld as a whole. p l ayers on e ither side of the board
should not enter this particular variation
7 Nf3 c5 8 Rb l unless very w e l l -p repared. I would
discourage you, dear reader, to spend
8 your t i m e more producti v e l y than
m e m o r i z i n g the m i n u t i ae of th i s
7
variation.
6
s Exchange Variation, Main Line
4
One of the most popular ways for White
3
to play the Exchange Variation is called
2
the Main Line. It is a very logical way
for W h ite to p l ay and every move
a b c d e f g h serves to protect the white center.

White 's last move doesn 't immediately 7 Bc4 c5 8 Ne2 0-0 9 0-0 Nc6 1 0 Be3
stri ke you as part i c u l ar l y l o g i c a l .
H owever, the idea is to tie B lack 's Thus far both sides have attacked and
bishop to the defense of the b7-pawn defended the center in the prescribed
and thus prevent it from going to g4 fashion, and it looks like White has won

1 83
 Back to Basics : Openings

In 1 9 8 7 , Karpov in h i s w o r l d
8 championship match against Kasparov
7
in Seville repeatedly - and with some
success - played 1 2 Bxt7+ Rxt7 1 3 fxg4
6
Rxfl + I 4 Kxfl . Despite winning a pawn,
5
this variation is considered harm less
4 because Black has ample compensation
3 for the pawn.
2
12 ...cxd4 1 3 cxd4 Be6 1 4 d5! ?

a b c d e f g h The old main line runs I 4 R c I Bxa2 1 5

Qa4 Be6 1 6 d5 Bd7 1 7 Qb4 with chances
the first battle by holding on to the for both sides. B lack has an extra pawn,
center. but White has more space and a strong
center as compensation. With the text
1 0 ... Bg4 move, White sacrifices the exchange to
gain control over the dark squares
At first glance, this move makes no which, in the absence of B lack 's dark
sense at all, because White can j ust squared bishop, become quite weak.
play f2-f3 and break the pin. Yet this
innocent pawn move in fact also results 14 ... Bxa1 15 Qxa 1 f6 16 Bh6 ReS 1 7
in the weakening of the dark squares Kh l Bd7 1 8 e 5 with a sharp game and
around White 's king and the b6-g I chances for both sides. This too is a
diagonal . line that neither side should venture into
w i th o u t h a v i n g fi rst a n a l y z e d i t
B Jack also has a less theoretical carefully.
alternative i n I O . . . Qc7, intending . . . Rd8,
putting even more press ure on the 8
center.
7

6
1 1 f3 Na5!
5

8 4

7 3

6 2

4 a b c d e f g h
3
Three Knights
2

Another popular continuation is the

a b c d e f g h development of the kingside knight, yet
th i s , a s we w i l l s o o n s e e , is n o t
1 2 Bd3 necessarily a recipe for quiet pl ay.

1 84
 The Semi-Closed Games

4 Nf3 Bg7 5 Qb3

a b c d e f g h
5 c5
..

As we have seen, there isn't much in

the Grtinfeld that seems to fol low the 5 . . . 0-0 is also of interest. White can win
normal ru l e s of engagement. T h i s a pawn with 6 cxd5 Nxd5 7 Nxd5 Qxd5 8
particular line has been the battleground Bxc7, but B lack is thought to have full
fo r w o r l d c h a m p i o n s a n d o t h e r compensation for the pawn thanks to
grandmasters for decades. his active pieces and easy development.

Another popular continuation is 5 B f4, 6 dxc5 Qa5 7 Re t Ne4 8 cxd5 Nxc3 9

which can be met with 5 ... c5 6 dxc5 Qa5 Qd2 Qxa2 1 0 Rxc3 with unbalanced
7 cxd5 Nxd5 8 Qxd5 Bxc3+ 9 Bd2, with a comp l ications and chances for both
complicated game and chances for both players.
sides.
The Fianchetto Variation
5 ...dxc4 6 Qxc4 0-0 7 e4 a6
T h i s l i n e i s often arrived at many
This is j ust o n e o f many p o s s i b l e different ways, e.g., I d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3
continuations for Black in this position. g3 Bg7 4 B g2 d5 or 3 Nf3 Bg7 4 g3 d5 .
Other p o s s i b l e and fu l l y adeq uate White usually holds off on playing his
moves are 7 ... Bg4, 7 ... Na6, 7 ...Nc6, 7 ... c6, knight to c3 unti l a little later.
and 7 . . . b6.
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 g3 Bg7 4 Nf3 d5 (D)
8 Be2 b5 9 Qb3 c5 1 0 dxc5 Nbd7 1 1 e5
Nxc5 12 Qb4 Nfd7 with mutual chances. 5 cxd5

4 Bf4 Variation Former world champion Anatoly

Karpov often played 5 Bg2 0-0 6 0-0 c6
4 Bf4 Bg7 5 e3 (D) (6 . . . dxc4 is also fine for B lack) 7 cxd5
cxd5 8 Ne5 with perhaps a trace of an
Here 5 Nf3 will transpose to the previous edge for White. This type of position
line. demands a thorough understanding

1 85
 Back to Basics: Openings

B lack wants to play . . . e7-e5, e ither

straightaway or prepared by . . . Nbd7 .

3 Nc3
6

5 If White p lays 3 N f3 , B lack has the

4 additional options of3 . . . Bf5 and 3 . . . Bg4,
3 and therefore White usually develops
2 the knight on b I first.

3 ... e5
a b c d e f g h
B lack isn ' t overly concerned about the
and Karpov frequently managed to
loss of the right to castle after 4 dxe5
squeeze out wins in this line.
dxe5 5 Qxd8+ Kxd8, because White 's
pawn structure is actual l y s l i ghtly
5 ... Nxd5 6 Bg2 0-0 7 0-0 Nb6 8 Nc3
Nc6 with approximately even chances. weakened by c2-c4; after 6 Nf3 Nfd7 !
(6 . . . Nbd7 7 Rg l ! , intending g2-g4, is
Old Indian Defense actually better for White) 7 Bd2 c6 8 0-
0-0 f6 with a balanced game.
The last and least common ofthe Indian
Defenses is the Old Indian, which is 4 Nf3 Nbd7 5 e4
considered passive, without offering
B l a c k m u c h in the w ay of a c t i v e White can also consider 5 g3 and 5 Bg5 .
counterplay. B u t for solid players in n o
rush t o equalize, it can be a perfectly
5 Be7 6 Be2 c6 7 0-0 0-0 8 Ret
..
good weapon, particularly if you are
facing an aggressive player with a great
deal of theoretical knowledge; chances 8
are that the player with the white pieces 7
may get impatient and push too hard.
6

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 d6 (D) 5

3
2

a b c d e f g h

T h i s i s j u s t one o f many p o s s i b l e
continuations for White who can also
consider 8 b3 , 8 Rb l , 8 Qc2 and 8 Be3 .
All of these offer White good chances
a b c d e f g h of a small plus.

1 86
 The Semi-Closed Games

8 ... a6 9 Rb l ReS 10 b4 exd4 11 Nxd4 (Pawn Storm Variation); (c) 6 e4 g6 7

Bf8 12 Bfl c5 and White is sl ightly Nf3 Bg7 8 h3 (Modern Variation); (d) 6
better. e4 g6 7 N f3 Bg7 8 Be2 ( C l assical
Variat i o n ) ; ( e ) and 6 N f3 g6 7 g3
Modern Benoni (Fianchetto Variation).

In my old opening books, it is explained The Kapengut Variation

that Benoni means "the son of sorrow,"
which may well be the case. There are, The name of Soviet international master
as we shall see, several versions of the Albert Kapengut may not ring a bell
Benon i , some see the dark-squared with all chess players, but for those
bishop develop to e7, others to g7. The interested in the Modern Benoni , it will
most popular of the Benoni systems is soon become a familiar one once you
the Modern Benoni. start studying the theory, because he
is a m aj o r c o n t r i b u t o r to t h e
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 e6 4 Nc3 development of most of the lines in the
Modern Benoni . He is also known as
Another option is 4 g3 , which allows the coach fo r s e v e ra l top p l ayers
4 . . . exd5 5 cxd5 b5 6 Bg2 d6 with a including Gelfand.
complicated game.
6 e4 g6 7 f3
4...exd5 5 cxd5 d6

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
The lines in this section can often arise
The so-called "Snake" Benoni arises via transposition from the King's Indian
after 5 ... Bd6 6 Nf3 0-0 7 g3 Bc7 8 Bg2 d6 S a m i s c h ( s e e above ) , when B l ac k
9 0-0, and White has the better chances. chooses t h e l ines with . . . c7-c 5 , and
White answers d4-d 5 .
After the text move, we have reached
the starting position of the Modern 7. . . Bg7 8 Bg5
Benoni. Black intends to follow up with
. . . g7-g6 and . . . B g 7 . Now the main White can also play 8 Bd3 , 8 Nge2 or 8
continuations are : (a) 6 e4 g6 7 f3 Be3 , but none o f these lines i s
(Kapengut Variation); (b) 6 e4 g6 7 f4 particularly problematic for Black.

1 87
 Back to Basics: Openings

8 0-0 9 Qd2 a6
... If Black is afraid ofthe complicated lines
are covered b e low, B l ac k can also
consider 7 ... Qe7, which avoids a lot of
8
the theory and is reasonably playable.
7

6 8 Bb5+
5
This is the so-called Taimanov Variation,
4
which has deterred many players from
3 playing the Modem Benoni with the
2 standard move order (2 . . . c5 3 d5 e6),
only opting for the Modem Benoni with
2 . . . e6 3 Nt3 c5.
a b c d e f g h
White, of course, can also play 8 N t3 0-
The theoretical main line is 9 . . . h6 ! ?, but 0 9 Be2, after which Black can play the
it d e m a n d s a l o t of t h e o r e t i c a l solid 9... Bg4 I 0 0-0 Nbd7 I I h3 Bxt3 1 2
knowledge. For instance, o n 1 0 Bxh6, Bxt3 Re8 1 3 Re i a6 1 4 a4 Rb8, with
Black has I O . . Nxe4 ! I I Nxe4 Qh4+ 1 2
chances for both sides, or enter the
.

g3 Qxh6 1 3 Qxh6 Bxh6 1 4 Nxd6 Nd7, with

maddeningly sharp lines after 9 . Re8 ..

complications and I 0 Be3 a6 I I a4 h5 1 2

I 0 e5 (White can also avoid this l ine
Nge2 Nbd7 1 3 Nc l Re8 1 4 Nd3 Ne5 1 5
with I 0 Nd2 Nbd7 I I 0-0 c4 1 2 a4 Nc5 ,
B f2 Nh7 1 6 Be2 f5 with very sharp play,
w i t h adequ ate chances for B l ack)
are j ust a coup l e o f strand s i n the
I O ... dxe5 I I fxe5 Ng4 1 2 Bg5 Qb6 13 0-0
massive web of variations that make up
Nxe5 1 4 d6 Qxb2 1 5 Nd5 Bf5 , with an
this line.
unclear position.
1 0 a4 Re8 1 1 Nge2 Nbd7 1 2 Ng3 h5 1 3
8...Nfd7
Be2 Qa5 with chances for both sides.

The Pawn Storm Variation B lack can also play 8 . . . Nbd7, but this is
an invitation for trouble after 9 e5 dxe5
One of the most critical approaches 1 0 fxe5 Nh5 I I e6 Qh4 1 2 g3 Nxg3 1 3
Black faces is the Pawn Storm Variation; hxg3 Qxh I 1 4 Be3, with complications
it can be difficult to play for B lack. that are supposed to be better for White.

6 e4 g6 7 f4 Bg7 9 a4 0-0

8
7 7

6 6
5 5

4 4
3 3
2

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

1 88
 The Semi-Closed Games

9 . . . Qh4+ and 9 . . . a6 can also be tried in excellent compensation for the pawn;
this position. or 10 Nxb5 Re8 1 1 Nd2 Nxd5 12 Nc4 Re6
1 3 0-0 Nb4 1 4 Be2 Ba6 1 5 Nc3 Nd7, and
1 0 Nf3 Na6 1 1 0-0 Nc7 1 2 Bc4 Nb6 1 3 B lack is doing fine.
Ba2 Bg4 1 4 a5 N d 7 with chances for
both players. 1 0 a4 Re8 1 1 0-0 Nbd7 1 2 Ret Nh5 1 3
Bg5 Bf6 1 4 Be3 N e 5 1 5 Be2 Nxf3+ 1 6
The Modern Variation B x f3 N g 7 and t h e c h a n c e s are
approximately balanced.
Like many "modem" variations, this line
was w e l l - known before i t became Classical Variation
popular in the 1 980s. In the beginning
While the C lassical Variation is typical
of its new-found popularity, it caused a
of Modem Benoni play for both sides,
lot of headaches for black players, but
it is also difficult to play and it takes a
Black now has several ways to fight for
lot of understanding from both players
equality.
to play this variation well .

6 e4 g6 7 Nf3
6 e4

Actually I have to mention that White I should point out that White often
often plays 6 Nf3 Bg7 7 h3 and only plays 6 Nf3 , and then after 6 . . . g6, rather
then 8 e4, because after the text move, than playing 7 e4, which allows 7 . . . Bg4,
B lack can play 7 . . . Bg4 with a likely he plays 7 Nd2, and then after 7 . . . Bg7 8
transposition to the C lassical Variation e4 0-0 9 Be2 Re8 1 0 0-0 we have
after 8 e4 Bg7 9 Be2 0-0. transposed to a position in the Classical
main line.
7 ... Bg7 8 h3 0-0 9 Bd3 a6
6 ... g6 7 Nf3 Bg7 8 Be2 0-0 9 0-0
8

7 8

6 7

5 6

4 5

3 4

2 3
2
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
Black also has another extremely sharp
alternative available in 9 . . . b5 ! ?, e.g., 1 0 This is the real starting point of the
Bxb5 Nxe4 1 1 Nxe4 Qa5+ 1 2 Nfd2 Qxb5 C lassical Variation.
1 3 Nxd6 Qa6 1 4 N2c4 Rd8 1 5 Bf4 Bf8 1 6
Qe2 Bb7 1 7 Nxb7 Qxb7 and Black has 9 ... Re8

1 89
 Back to Basics: Openings

Black has several alternatives here, of pieces are more active than the white
which the following lines are the most counterparts . The chances are fairly
interesting ones: 9 . . .Na6 10 Nd2 ( 1 0 Bf4 balanced .
is probably better) 1 O . . Nc7 1 1 a4 b6 1 2
.

Nc4 Ba6; 9. . .Bg4 1 0 h3 Bxf3 1 1 Bxf3 Re8 Fianchetto Variation

1 2 Bf4 a6 1 3 Re 1 B f8 ; and 9 . . a6 1 0 a4
.

Bg4 1 1 Bf4 Bxf3 1 2 Bxf3 Qe7 1 3 Re 1 Nbd7

I f White wants to avoid the often sharp
a l l leave the chances more or less
battle that c a n e n s u e in the l i n e s
b a l a n c e d . H ow e v er, t h e re i s an
previously covered, h e can consider the
enormous amount of theory that must
s o l i d F i a n c h etto Var i a t i o n , w h i c h
be learned in these l ines.
doesn't offer the same tactical fireworks,
1 0 Nd2 Na6 but will allow the better player a chance
to outplay the opponent.
An important alternative is 1 O . . . Nbd7 1 1
a4 Ne5 1 2 Qc2 g5 ! ? 1 3 Ra3 g4 1 4 Nc4 6 Nf3 g6 7 g3 Bg7 8 Bg2 0-0 9 0-0
Nh5 with a sharp and unclear position .
8
1 1 f3 Nc7 1 2 a4 b6 1 3 Nc4 Ba6
7

6
8
5
7
4
6
3
5
2
4

3
a b c d e f g h
2

Here B lack has to make an initial choice

a b c d e f g h about which direction he wants to take
the game. In addition to our main line,
White would like to break in the center he can also consider 9 . . .Na6, 9 ... Re8 and
w i t h e 4 - e 5 w h e n it s u i t s h i m and 9 . . . Nbd7.
therefore B lack needs to prepare to
prevent this. By exchanging the light 9 ... a6 1 0 a4 Nbd7 1 1 Nd2
squared bishop for the knight, B lack
usual ly can put a temporary end to Another interesting possibility is 1 1 Bf4,
White's ambitions in the center; at the but Black should be fine in this line too.
moment, the bishop pair is of secondary
importance. ll ...Re8 12 h3 Rb8 1 3 Nc4 Ne5 14 Na3

14 Kh l Rb8 15 Bg5 Qd7 16 Ret Bxc4 This move looks strange : why would
17 Bxc4 a6 18 Bfl h6 19 Bh4 Nh5 20 White allow Black to take the e5-square,
Qd2 g5 21 Bf2 f5 and B lack has opened while he himself retreats his knight to
the battle on the kingside where his the ugly a3-square? On a3, the knight,

1 90
 The Semi-Closed Games

8
7

3
2

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

along with its colleague on c3 and the 1 2 Qd2 Nf6 followed by . . . Kh8 and
pawn on a4, helps to prevent B lack from . . . Ng8, and though White has more
playing . . . b7-b5 ; White would like to s p a c e a n d t h e s o m e w h at better
extract the knight on e5 with e2-e4 chances, Black has a solid position with
fol lowed by f2-f4, though this is easier long-term counterplay.
said than done.
6 0-0 7 Bg2 Ne8 8 Nge2 Nd7 9 0-0 a6
.

1 4 ... Nh5 1 5 e4 Bd7 with an unclear 1 0 a4 g6

position and chances for both players.
We see Black employ the same plan time
Czech Benoni and again in th is openi ng, which makes
it an easy opening for B lack to learn.
The Czech Benoni, like the Old Indian,
is a s o l i d and s o m e w h at p a s s i v e
1 1 Bh6 Ng7 1 2 Qd2 Nf6 13 h3 Kh8
o p e n i n g that s h o u l d b e p l ayed b y
followed by . . . Ng8 (or . . . Nd7) and . . . f7-
p a t i e n t p l ay e r s w h o d o n ' t s e e k
f5 with some counterplay eventually.
immediate, active counterplay, but who
can wait for the opponent to overreach.
Schmid Benoni
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 e5 4 Nc3 d6 5 e4
Be7 (D) 1 d4 c5 2 d5 Nf6 3 Nc3

Black intends to castle and then slowly Before proceeding any further, I should
build up on the kingside with . . . Ne8, also mention that 3 Nf3 w i l l l ikely
... Nd7, ... g7-g6, . . Ng7 and then at some transpose to the main line, but it can
point . . . f7-f5 . White can claim an edge also lead to independent p lay if B lack
according to the theoretical works, but goes in for the sharp 3 . . . b5, and now 4
in practice, it is rather more difficult. (D) B g 5 Q b 6 5 B x f6 g x f6 l e a d s to a
com p l i cated gam e , where W h i te i s
6 g3 supposed t o b e better, but proving it
may not be so easy.
Another setup is 6 Nf3 0-0 7 h3 Ne8 8
Bd3 Nd7 9 g4 ! ? a6 1 0 a4 g6 I I Bh6 Ng7 3 ... g6 4 Nf3 Bg7 5 e4 d6

191
 Back to Basics: Openings

opening - 7 Bxg5 Qxg5 8 Nf3 Qd8 9 Nd2

Nd7 1 0 a5 , and White is slightly better.

5 Bb5+ Kf8

a b c d e f g h

Occasionally B lack plays 5 . . . 0-0, but 6

e5 Ne8 7 h4 d6 8 e6 ! ? fxe6 9 h5 is very
dangerous for B lack, and 6 . . . Ng4 7 Ng5 a b c d e f g h
h5 8 f4 doesn't look promising for Black
either. Both 5 . . . Nd7, blocking the c8-bishop,
and 5 . . . B d 7 , exchangi n g the l i ght-
6 Be2 squared bishop are in White's favor.

White can also consider 6 Bb5+, but 6 f4 exf4 7 Bxf4 Bg5 8 Qd2 and White
B lack should be okay after 6 . . . Nbd7 . has the upper hand.

6 ... 0-0 7 0-0 Na6 8 Bf4 Nc7 9 a4 b6 1 0 Benko Gambit

Rel a 6 1 1 h 3 Bb7 1 2 Bc4 Qd7 with a
dynamically balanced position. In Europe, this opening is often called
the Volga Gambit, named after the
Old Benoni Russian river because some players
from that region helped develop and
This line resembles the Czech Benoni, p o p u l arize it. In E n g l i sh-speaking
but leaves White with more options and countries, it is named after the former
thus is easier to play for White. world championship candi date P a l
Benko.
1 d4 c5 2 d5 e5 3 e4 d6
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 b5 (D)
In contrast to the Czech Benoni, White
has yet to play c2-c4, which gives him Nowadays this opening isn't seen very
the option ofBb5+. frequently at the very top level, but is
otherwise played enthusiastically by
4 Nc3 Be7 p l ayers at a l l other l e v e l s . B l ac k
sacrifices a pawn t o gain counterplay
Black can also play 4 . . . a6 5 a4 Be7 6 Be2 along the a- and b-files with support on
Bg5 - a standard maneuver in this the long diagonal from g7 to a 1 .

1 92
 The Semi-Closed Games

In my opinion, thi s i s B lack 's best

option, but many other moves have
been tried, e.g., 4 . . . b4, 4 . . . Bb7, 4 . . . bxc4
as well as 4 . . . e6, which transposes to
the Blumenfeld Gambit, covered below.

5 cxb5

White can also consider 5 a4, after

w h i c h both 5 . . . b4 and 5 . . . bxc4 are
adequate for Black, or 5 Qc2 a6 with a
a b c d e f g h
sharp game.

White now has several options, the

5 ... a6 6 Nc3
most important ones being: (a) 4 NO; 4
cxb5 a6 5 Nc3 (Zaitsev Variation); (b) 4
This is j ust one of several sharp lines
cxb5 a6 5 e3 (Modern Variation); (c) 4
that include 6 Qc2 and 6 e4 .
cxb5 a6 5 b6; and (d) 4 cxb5 a6 5 bxa6
(Benko Gambit Accepted).
6 ... axb5 7 d6! ? Qa5+ 8 e3 exd6 9 Bxb5
4 NO Variation Ne4 10 Bd2 Nxc3 11 Bxc3 Qxb5 1 2
Bxh8 Ba6 and thanks to the white king
Just because White doesn ' t accept the being stuck in the center, B lack has
pawn doesn't mean that he has peaceful compensation for the exchange.
intentions.

4 NO

4 a4 is another way of dec lining the

pawn; Black is considered to be fine
after both 4 . . . bxc4 and 4 . . . b4. Other ideas
include 4 Qc2 and 4 Nd2 with similar
intention s .

4 ... g6
a b c d e f g h

The Zaitsev Variation

A popular sharp option for White is the

variation named after one of Karpov
long-time seconds, Igor Zaitsev.

4 cxb5 a6 5 Nc3

a b c d e f g h

1 93
 Back to Basics: Openings

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

White gives back the pawn in the hope 9 Bxg5 Nxe4 1 0 Bf4 Bg7
that he can gain a lead in development.
White can try something similar with 5 The alternative is I O . . Qa5 , which also
.

f3 , e.g., 5 . . . axb5 6 e4 Qa5+ 7 Bd2 b4 8 leads to an unclear position .

Na3 d6 9 Nc4 Qc7, with approximately
even chances. In addition, B lack can 1 1 Qe2 Nf6 1 2 Nxd6+ Kf8 13 Nxc8
keep it a gambit with 5 . . . e6 and 5 . . . g6. Qxc8 1 4 d6 exd6 1 5 Bxd6+ Kg8 with a
c o mp l i c ated and u n c l ear p o s i t i o n .
5 axb5 6 e4 b4 7 NbS
.. White has won a pawn and B lack's king
is awkwardly placed on g8, but B lack
D e s p i t e i t s apparently v u l nerab l e has a lead in development, and it is not
location, the knight is usually quite safe at all that easy to determine who is better.
on b5 from where it helps White to H owever, note that the continuation
generate an attack. given in the Encyclopedia of Chess
Openings - 1 6 Nf3 Qf5 - is flawed
7...d6 because White can win with 1 7 g4 ! . If
you are not sure why, try to analyze the
B l a c k c a n n o t take t h e e 4 - p aw n : position.
7 . . . Nxe4?? 8 Qe2 Nf6 9 Nd6 mate. Who
said the knight was out of play on b5? The Modern Variation

8 Bf4 In the 1 980s, this variation gained a lot

of s u p p o rt , b u t it h a s s i n c e b e e n
White can also consider 8 Bc4 and 8 determ i n e d that B l ac k gets fu l l
Nt3. compensation i n several ways.

8 ... g5! ? (D) 4 cxb5 a6 5 e3

Other options include 8 . . . Nbd7, 8 . . . g6 IfBlack takes on b5, White will take with
and even 8 . . . Nxe4, but the text move has the bishop and follow up with Nc3 , a2-
been determined to be the best and a4, Nf3 (or Nge2), 0-0 and finally e3-e4,
safest for Black. w i th a c l amp on B l ack 's p o s i t i o n .

1 94
 The Semi-Closed Games

However, Black doesn 't have to be that

accommodating.

5 ... g6

a b c d e f g h

White argues that with the black pawn

on a6, Black's position on the queenside
a b c d e f g h is a bit c lumsy and White therefore has
the better chances because B lack will
Or 5 ... axb5 6 Bxb5 Qa5+ 7 Nc3 Bb7 8 Bd2 not have a sufficient answer to White's
Qb6 9 Qb3 e6 1 0 e4 Nxe4 1 1 Nxe4 Bxd5 1 2 play in the center.
Qd3 Qb7 1 3 f3 c4, and Black wins back
the piece after 1 2 Bxc4 Bxc4 1 3 Qxc4 d5 5... Qxb6
with a complicated position. This is just
one of the many variations in which the Black has several alternatives including
players need first-hand knowledge ifthey 5 ... e6 6 Nc3 exd5 (another idea is 6 ... Bb7,
are to play this, so be prepared to do some with which I experimented back when 5
studying if you want to play 5 e3 as b6 was considered a problem for B lack)
White. The text move keeps the game in 7 Nxd5 Nxd5 8 Qxd5 Nc6 9 Nf3 Rb8 I 0 e4
more Benko-like positions. Be7 1 1 Bc4 0-0 with even chances.

6 Nc3 Bg7 7 Nf3 0-0 8 a4 Bb7 9 Ra3 6 Nc3 d6 7 e4 g6 8 a4

axb5 10 Bxb5 e6 11 dxe6 fxe6 and both
players have their share of the chances; White often plays 8 Nf3, which can also
White has an extra pawn, but Black is be quite tricky for B lack to meet.
better developed and his pieces are
better coordinated. 8 ... Bg7 9 a5 Qb4 ! ?

The 5 b6 Variation

The Latvian grandmaster Alexei Shirov

introduced some new ideas in the late 6

1 980s in this otherwise largely ignored 5

line against the Benko Gambit. But it 4
was soon determined, that the variation
3
had other benefits to offer White other
than just the violent approach endorsed 2
by Shirov.
a b c d e f g h
4 cxb5 a6 5 b6

1 95
 Back to Basics: Openings

If B lack plays passively, e.g., 9 . . Qc7,

.

then White will follow up with l 0 f4 and 8

l l Nf3 with a strong initiative in the 7
center.
6

10 Ra4 Qb7 1 1 Bc4 Bd7 1 2 Ra3 0-0 1 3 5

Nf3 Bb5 and Black has a pleasant game. 4

3
The Benko Gambit Accepted 2

The critical response against the Benko

a b c d e f g h
Gambit is undoubtedly to accept the
pawn sacrifice.
White, but adds others. The chances
are approximately even.
4 cxb5 a6 5 bxa6 g6
1 1 Qc2 Qa5 12 Rd 1 Rfb8 and B lack
has the typical kind of compensation
he receives in the Benko Gambit.

Blumenfeld Gambit

There are many gambits that have a

somewhat dubious reputation, and the
Blumenfeld Gambit belongs in that group,
but perhaps this is unjustified. In recent
years, the Romanian grandmaster
a b c d e f g h N i sipeanu has taken up the opening
against top level competition with decent
results, so maybe the winds are shifting.
B lack can also take the pawn on a6
immediately, but by playing . . . g7-g6
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 c5 4 d5 b5! ?
first, B lack limits White 's options.

6 Nc3 Bxa6 7 Nf3

White's main alternative, 7 e4 Bxfl 8 Kxfl 6

g6 9 g3 (other choices here are the sharp 5
8 g4 and 8 h3, after which the king travels
4
to h2 instead of g2) 9 . . . Bg7 l 0 Kg2 0-0
3
1 1 Nf3 Nbd7 1 2 h3 Qa5 1 3 Re i Rfb8, and
B lack's pressure on the a- and b-files 2
compensate for the sacrificed pawn.
a b c d e f g h
7 d6 8 g3 Bg7 9 Bg2 Nbd7 1 0 0-0 0-0
..

B lack here often plays 1 O . . . Nb6 first, This sharp position can also be reached
which e l i m inates some options for via the Benko Gambit move order 1 d4

1 96
 The Semi-Closed Games

Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 b5 4 Nf3 e6. Black hopes 9 e4 g5! ? 10 Bd3 Bb7 11 0-0 g4 12 e5

to build a broad center to compensate Qg7 1 3 Nd2 Qxe5 14 Re1
for the pawn. However, the main recipe
for White is usually to decline the pawn And White has a dangerous initiative for
sacrifice. the pawn. This is hardly what Black was
hoping for when he played 5 . . . b5 : being a
5 Bg5 pawn up, but struggling to get pieces into
play with the king stuck on d8.
White can of course accept B lack's
gambit with 5 dxe6 fxe6 6 cxb5, but Black Budapest Gambit
has a decent initiative after 6 . . . d5 7 e3
While the Budapest Gambit can lead to
Bd6 8 Be2 0-0 9 0-0 Nbd7 I 0 Nbd2 Bb 7
Black's sacrificing a pawn, Black usually
I I b3 Qe7 1 2 Qc2 Rac8 thanks to his
wins the pawn back rapidly.
broad center and well-placed pieces .
However, we have to remember that
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e5
White has an extra pawn in return for
B lack's attractive position.

5... h6 7

6
Many things have been tried for B lack,
5
including 5 . . . exd5, 5 . . . b4 and 5 . . . Qa5+,
and some of them definitely should be 4
given attention, if this main line is not 3
to Black's liking. 2

6 Bxf6 Qxf6 7 Nc3

a b c d e f g h
7 Qc2 exd5 8 cxd5 Na6 9 Nc3 Rb8 is
another possibility. In principal this is a sharp opening, but
the main lines tend to lead to a small
7... b4 8 Nb5 Kd8 plus for White, though well-prepared
black players should not have too much
to fear.

3 dxe5 Ng4
6

5 B lack has a fun and sharp alternative in

4 the Faj arowicz Gambit, which arises
after 3 . . . Ne4. I n this line B lack usually
3
doesn 't get his pawn back, but hopes
2
that his slight lead in development will
compensate for the sacrificed pawn.
a b c d e f g h One l ine runs 4 a3 d6 5 Qc2 (White has
to be careful, for instance 5 exd6 Bxd6 6
8 . . . Na6 is also a possibility. g3?? runs into 6 . . . Nxt2 ! 7 Kxt2 Bxg3+,

1 97
 Back to Basics: Openings

and Wh ite l o s e s the queen) 5 . . . d 5 Dutch Defense

(B lack would love t o play 5 . . . Bf5 , but it
doesn 't work here because of 6 Nc3 ! Some openings go in and out of favor
Ng3 7 e4 Nxh I 8 ex5 dxe5 9 Be3 Nc6 I 0 for no real reason, and that has certainly
Rd I ! , and White is much better) 6 cxd5 been the case with the Dutch Defense,
Qxd5 7 Nf3 Nc6 8 Nc3 Nxc3 9 Qxc3 Bg4 which re-emerged after a long period of
I 0 Bf4 with a better game for White, obscurity and was very popular in the
though Black is not entirely without late 1 9 80s and early 1 990s, only to
counterplay. disappear again. By its very nature it is
a sharp opening, but there are also many
4 Nf3
solid lines.

Other options include the sharp 4 e4

1 d4 f5
Nxe5 5 f4 Nec6 6 Be3 Bb4+ 7 Nd2 Qe7
and 4 Bf4 Nc6 5 Nf3 Bb4+ 6 Nbd2 Qe7 7
e3 Ngxe5 8 Nxe5 Nxe5 9 Be2 b6, in both
c a s e s w i t h c o m p l i c a t e d p l ay a n d
chances t o both sides.

4 ... Bc5

a b c d e f g h

Black weakens, apparently without any

reason, the k i n g ' s pawn s h i e l d by
advancing the f-pawn on the very first
move. This weakness has caused a lot
of people to attempt to take advantage
of this by means of all sorts of gambits
Accuracy is necessary, for instance and sharp lines. H owever, all these
4 . . . Nc6? ! is met by 5 Bg5 Be7 6 Bxe7 lines have one thing in common : they
Qxe7 7 Nc3 0-0 8 Nd5 Qd8 9 e3 with the don 't work very wel l ! Usually, B lack
better game for White. obtains at least equal chances if well
prepared. So I recommend that if you
5 e3 Nc6 6 Nc3 Ngxe5 7 Nxe5 Nxe5 8 consider taking up the Dutch, study the
Be2 0-0 9 0-0 Re8 1 0 b3 a5 1 1 Bb2 Ra6
small side lines first and carefully since
and White chances are c o n s i dered
you are l ikely to run into them quite
slightly preferable, though B lack has
frequently.
excellent counterchances.

Flank play should only take place in conjunction with

healthy development, with a particular goal in mind
and with a reasonably stable center.

1 98
 The Semi-Closed Games

The coverage divides as follows: (a) 2 White frequently plays either 7 b3 or 7

c4 N f6 3 g3 (Main Lines); and (b) d5, in both cases with chances for both
Various Anti-Dutch Setups. sides.

The Main Lines

7... Qe8
The scope and extent of these l ines is
quite amazing. From the solid Stonewall 8
to the sharp Leningrad. 7

6
2 c4 Nf6 3 g3 5

4
8
3
7
2
6

5
a b c d e f g h
4

3 This is currently one of the most popular

2 moves in this position, but other moves
have also been played frequently here,
e.g., 7 . . . c6, 7 . . .Na6, and 7 . . .Nc6.
a b c d e f g h

8 d5
White can also play the immediate 3
N f3 , but it l i m i t s W h ite ' s options
There are s e v e r a l o t h e r perfe c t l y
considerably, and should be postponed.
playable alternatives a t this j uncture, for
Now B lack can go in several directions :
example, 8 Nd5, 8 Re 1 and 8 b3, but Black
(a) 3 ... g6 ( Leningrad Variation); (b) has excellent chances of equalizing
3 ... e6 4 Bg2 d5 (Stonewall Variation); against all of them.
and (c) 3 e6 4 Bg2 Be7 ( Classical
..

Dutch). 8 Na6 9 Rbl c5 1 0 dxc6 bxc6 1 1 b4

.

Bd7 w i th a comp l icated game and

The Leningrad Variation
chances for both sides.
Black's sharpest option is undoubtedly
the Leningrad Dutch. The StonewaU Variation

This variation first came to prominence

3 ... g6 4 Bg2 Bg7 5 Nf3
when Soviet world champion M ikhail
Botvinnik began employing it regularly.
This is the normal move, but White can
also choose a setup with 5 Nc3, followed
3 e6 4 Bg2 d5
.

by 6 d5 and 7 Nh3 .

5 0-0 6 0-0 d6 7 Nc3

...
Black can also play 4 . . . Be7 before . . . d7-
d5, but it l imits his options and adds
Again we will follow the main line, but some for White.

1 99
 Back to Basics: Openings

5 Nf3 thus restrain B lack's movements. The

k n i g h t retreat a l s o c reat es t h e
White can also consider 5 Nh3 .
possibil ity of f2-f3 , kicking B lack's
5 ... c6 6 0-0 Be7 knight from the e4-square.

1 1 . Qh5 12 f3 Ng5 12 Nd3 Nh3+ 1 3

.

Kh 1 B d 6 1 4 f4 and Wh ite h a s the

7
slightly better chances.
6
5 The Classical Dutch
4
This actually covers many variations,
3
some quite common, others relatively
rare.

a b c d e f g h 3 ... e6 4 Bg2 Be7

T h e s o - c a l l e d M o d e rn S t o n e w a l l Another line is 4 . . . Bb4+.

Variation sees Black playing the more
aggressive 6 . . . Bd6, immediately fighting 5 Nf3 0-0 6 0-0 d6
for the control over the e5-square. One
variation runs 7 b3 Qe7 (to prevent 8
White from playing Ba3 and exchanging 7
the dark-squared bishops) 8 Bb2 0-0 9
6
Ne5 Bd7 1 0 Qc l Be8 1 1 Ba3 Nbd7 1 2
Nd3 , and White has perhaps the slightly 5
better chances. 4

3
7 b3 0-0 8 Qc2 Ne4 9 Bb2 Nd7 1 0 Nbd2
2
Qe8 1 1 Ne1

a b c d e f g h
8
7
Alekhine on occasion favored 6 . . . Ne4,
6
but White obtains better chances after
5 both 7 Nbd2 and 7 b3, though not all
4 the lines are entirely clear.
3
7 Nc3 Qe8
2

In this line Black can also consider 7 . . . c6.

a b c d e f g h
8 b3 a5 9 Bb2 Na6 1 0 e3 c6 1 1 Qe2 Nc7
Why Ne I ? Ideally, White wants to place and both sides have their chances,
his kni ghts on d3 and f3 (or e 5 ) to though White is generally considered
contro l the weakened e5-square and to be slightly better in this position.

200
 The Semi-Closed Games

O n e of B l ac k ' s m o s t p r o v o c a t i v e
Various Anti-Dutch Set-ups openings is the Knight's Tango, which
isn 't as bad as it may look at first glance.
White has tried many different plans
against the Dutch and to examine them
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 Nc6 ! ?
individually in detai l would require a
separate book. So what follows is a brief
review of each of them:

(a) 2 e4 (The Staunton Gambit) 2 ... fxe4

3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bg5 (4 f3 d5 5 Bg5 B f5 is
better for Black) 4 . . . Nc6 ( 4 . . . d5? 5 Bxf6
exf6 6 Qh5+) 5 d5 Ne5 6 Qd4 Nt7 7 Bxf6
exf6 8 Nxe4 Be7 9 0-0-0 0-0, and although
White has won back the pawn, Black is
at least equal.
a b c d e f g h
(b) 2 Bg5 g6 (note that White doesn 't
lose the bishop after 2 ... h6 3 Bh4 g5, This move dares Wh ite to push the
because of 4 e3, but 4 ... Nf6 5 Bg3 d6 is pawns forward, but White doesn 't have
about equal) 3 Nd2 Bg7 4 e3 d6 with to oblige.
equal chances .
3 Nc3
(c) 2 N c 3 d5 3 Bg5 (3 e 4 has t o b e met
by 3 . . . dxe4, and tran sposes into a White 's alternatives are also of interest:
version of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, 3 Nf3 e6 4 Nc3 Bb4 5 Qc2 leads to a
that is playable for White: 4 Bf4 Nf6 5 f3 variation of the N imzo-Indian that is
exf3 6 Nxf3 e6 with chances for both considered slightly better for White, but
sides) 3 . . . g6 (or 3 . . . Nf6 4 Bxf6 exf6 with which is fully playable for Black or 3 d5
more or less equal play) 4 h4 Bg7 5 e3 Ne5 4 Qd4 Ng6, intending . . . e7-e5 or
c6 6 Bd3 Be6 7 Nf3 Nd7 8 h5 Ngf6, and . . . e7-e6, depending on White 's next
B lack has equalized. move; in either case, B lack is doing fine.

(d) 2 g4 (2 h3 fol lowed by g2-g4 is 3 ... e5 4 d5 Ne7 5 e4

another version of the Wing Gambit)
2 . . . txg4 3 e4 (3 h3 d5 ! 4 hxg4 Bxg4 5 Bg2 If White plays 5 h4 to discourage B lack
Nf6 is better for Black) 4 . . . d5 4 e5 c5 5 from playing . . . Ng6, Black instead plays
dxc5 Nc6 6 Bf4 Be6 7 h3 g5 8 Bxg5 Bg7 5 . . . Neg8 ! followed by development of
with sharp compl ications. the dark-squared bishop to b4 or c 5 ,
then . . . d7-d6 and . . . Ne7.
(e) 2 c4 Nf6 3 Nc3 e6 (3 ... g6 4 Bg5 Bg7 5
Qd2 c5 6 d5 d6 is also possible with 5 ... Ng6 6 Bd3
unclear play) 4 Nf3 Bb4 5 Bg5 0-0 6 Rc I
d6 with chances for both players . 6 Be3 Bb4 7 f3 Bxc3+ 8 bxc3 d6 is fine
for Black.
Knight's Tango

20 1
 Back to Basics: Openings

6... Bc5 7 h3 d6 8 Nge2 a6 with perhaps After 4 Nf3 Bg4 5 e3, B lack can play
slightly better chances for White, but 5 . . . c5 with more or less equal chances.
B lack's position is fully playable.
4 ... e5
King's Fianchetto
B lack has other choices available at this
In this short section, there are two move j uncture: 4 ... Nc6 5 d5 Nd4 6 Be3 c5 7
orders worth noting. Nge2 Qb6 with a complicated position
or 4 ... Nd7 5 Nf3 e5 6 Be2 Ne7 7 0-0 0-0 8
1 d4 d6 Be3 h6 with a position somewhat similar
to the King's Indian.
The other move is the immediate 1 . . . g6,
w h i c h o ft e n tran s p o s e s to o t h e r 5 Nf3 exd4 6 Nxd4 Nc6 7 Be3 Nge7 8 h4
openings, e.g., 2 c 4 B g 7 3 Nf3 (3 N c 3 c 5
4 d5 Bxc3+ 5 bxc3 f5 is a fun line, that
isn 't particular easy to play for either
side) 3 . . . c5 4 e4, and now 4 . . . cxd4 (also
4 . . . Qb6 and 4 . . . Qa5 are possible) 5 Nxd4
Nc6 is a Sicilian Accelerated Dragon,
Maroczy Bind.

2 c4

2 Nf3 may transpose, but Black can also

p l ay 2 . . . B g 4 , w h i c h l e a d s to an a b c d e f g h
unbalanced game after both 3 e4 N f6 4
Nc3 e6 and 3 c4 Bxf3 (or 3 . . . Nd7 4 Qb3 8 Be2 0-0 9 0-0 f5 is considered fully
Rb8) 4 exf3 g6 5 Nc3 Bg7. These lines acceptable for Black.
are considered better for White, but are
difficult to play. 8 ... f5 9 h5 fxe4 10 hxg6 hxg6 1 1 Rxh8
Bxh8 12 Nxe4 Bf5 with an unclear
position, considered slightly better for
2 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4
..

W h i t e , b u t w h i c h d e m a n d s very
accurate play.

7 Keres-Mikenas Defense
6
5
This opening is a sort of an accelerated
B ogo-Indian, where both sides have
4
some extra options to sharpen the game.
3
2 1 d4 e6 2 c4 Bb4+ (D)

B lack can also p lay 2 . . . b6 which leads

a b c d e f g h
to the English Defense.

202
 The Semi-Closed Games

6
5

3
2

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

3 Bd2 a5 Other continuations include 2 ... d5 3

Bxf6 exf6 (3 . . . gxf6 is also playable) 4 e3 ;
Or 3 . . . Qe7 4 e4 Nc6 5 Nf3 Nf6 6 Bd3 2 ... e6 3 e4 h6 4 Bxf6 Qxf6 5 Nc3 Bb4 6
Bxd2+ 7 Nbxd2 d6 8 0-0, and White has Qd2 c5 or 2 ... c5 3 Bxf6 (3 d5 Qb6 4 Nc3
the slightly better chances. Black can Qxb2 5 Bd2 Qb6 6 e4 with compensation
also transpose to a line in the Dutch for the pawn is also possible) 3 . . . gxf6 4
with 3 ... Bxd2+ 4 Qxd2 f5 5 g3 Nf6. d5 Qb6 5 Qc 1 f5 6 g3 Bg7 7 c3 d6 8 Nd2
0-0, in all cases with interesting play and
4 Nc3 d6 5 e4 e5 6 a3 Bxc3 7 Bxc3 Nf6 chances for both sides.
8 f3 exd4 9 Qxd4 and White 's position
is preferable. 3 Bf4

3 Bh4 d5 4 f3 Nd6 5 Nc3 Nf5 6 Bf2 c5 is

Trompowsky Attack
another strange line of this exciting
opening.
For a long period of time, this opening
was relegated to relative obscurity, but
3 ... c5 4 f3 Qa5+ 5 c3 Nf6 6 Nd2 cxd4 7
in recent years it has developed a large
Nb3 Qb6 8 cxd4 d5 9 Ret Nc6 and
fol lowing; the theory has developed
B lack has succeeded in equalizing.
great l y i n p art because o f several
excellent books on the topic.
Torre Attack

1 d4 Nf6 2 Bg5 (D)

1 d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 e6

White threatens to exchange on f6 and

2 . . . g6 doesn ' t proh i b i t White from
give Black a doubled f-pawns. This in
playing the Torre either, for instance 3
itself is no disaster for Black, but it takes
Bg5 Bg7 4 Nbd2 0-0 (or 4 . . . c5 ! ? to
the game out the normal types o f
sharpen the game) 5 c3 ( 5 e3 d6 6 Bd3
positions B lack is seeking in the Semi
Nbd7 7 0-0 h6 8 Bh4 e5 is fine for Black)
Closed Games.
5 . . . d6 6 e4 Nbd7 7 Bc4 h6 8 Bh4 e5 with
more or less even chances.
2 ...Ne4

203
 Back to Basics: Openings

3 Bg5 1 d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 e6

The London can also be played against

2 . . . g6: 3 Bf4 Bg7 4 e3 d6 5 h3 0-0 6 Be2
c5 7 c3 b6 8 0-0 Bb7 9 Nbd2 Nbd7 I 0 a4
a6 with fairly even chances.

3 Bf4 c5 4 e3 b6 5 Bd3 Bb7 6 h3 Be7 7

c3 0-0 8 0-0 d5 9 Nbd2 Qc8 1 0 Re t
Ba6 with an even game.

8
7

This is a well-respected way for White 6

to avoid the theoretical main l ines after 5
3 c4 and has been regularly played at
4
a l l level s , including in some world
championship matches. 3
2
3 ... c5

An interesting alternative is 3 . . . h6 4 a h c d e f g h
Bxf6 Qxf6 5 e4 d6 6 Nc3 Nd7 7 Qd2 a6
with sharp play. Fianchetto System
4 e3 Be7
This careful setup can often transpose
The immediate 4 . . . b6? ! runs into 5 d5 ! to the Catalan, the King's Indian, the
exd5 6 Bxf6 Qxf6 7 Nc3 with the better Queen 's Indian, the Pirc or even the
chances for White. English Opening, depending on Black's
replies, so both sides have to be careful
5 Nbd2 b6 6 Bd3 Bb7 7 c3 cxd4 8 exd4
in order not to transpose into an inferior
Nc6 9 0-0 0-0
line of these openings .
Black should usually be careful castling
kingside, waiting to fi rst see where 1 d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 e6
White castles.
Or 2 . . . g6 3 g3 Bg7 4 Bg2 0-0 5 0-0 d6 6 b3
10 Qe2 Nd5 1 1 Bxe7 Ncxe7 and B lack (6 Re I , 6 N c 3 and 6 a4 are other
has equalized. possibilities) 6 ... e5 ! ? 7 dxe5 Nfd7 8 Bb2
Nc6 9 e4 dxe5 with a balanced game.
London System

The London can be considered an even 3 g3 b5! ? (D)

more solid version of the Torre Attack.
It is hardly ever played at grandmaster Black can also play 3 . . . c5 4 Bg2 Nc6 5 0-
level, but has numerous fans at lower 0 cxd4 6 Nxd4 Qb6 7 Nxc6 dxc6 8 Nd2 e5
levels because it is an easy opening to 9 Nc4 Qc7, with equality.
play as White.

204
 The Semi-Closed Games

ends the game rather abruptly. But af

ter the text move, Black 's position is
quite awful. He has only j ust managed
to level the material imbalance, but has
done so at the cost of three queen
moves and picking up the "poisoned"
b2-pawn. He is now far behind in devel
opment and will have to spend time get
ting the queen back to safety as well as
pieces into play.

Polish Defense

4 Bg2 Bb7 5 0-0 c5 6 c3 Na6 7 Bg5

1 d4 b5 2 e4 Bb7
Be7 8 Nbd2 0-0 with more or less even
chances.

Lesser Variations

Englund Gambit

1 d4 e5? !

This gambit is entirely unsound, but

has a nasty trap that has worked for me
several times in blitz games when I was
much younger. a b c d e f g h

2 dxe5 Nc6 3 Nf3 Qe7 4 Bf4 Qb4+ 5 Of course, if Black played 2 . . . a6, then
Bd2 Qxb2 6 Nc3 ! we would enter the line I e4 a6 2 d4 b5,
covered in chapter 6. But the line here
is slightly better.

3 f3 a6 4 Be3 e6 5 Nd2 d5 6 Bd3 Nf6 7

e5 Nfd7 8 f4 c5 9 c3

This position very much resembles one

that could have arisen from the Classi
cal French, 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 N f6 4
e5 Nfd7 and the play that arises is also
a b c d e f g h quite similar in style. White is margin
ally better, but since White played I d4
on the first move, he may not be all that
The trap occurs if White here plays 6
familiar with the specific plans that are
Bc3 ?, which is strongly met by 6 . . . Bb4,
commonplace with this pawn structure.
and now 7 Qd2? Bxc3 8 Qxc3 Qc 1 mate
Therefore the chances are more or less

205
 Back to Basics: Openings

equal, with perhaps a slight preference 4 Nd2 Nce7 5 a3 Bxd2+ 6 Bxd2 d6 7 e4

for White. f5! ? with a sharp position in which both
sides have chances.
Accelerated Knights Tango
Queen's Fianchetto
1 d4 Nc6 1 d4 b6 2 c4 Bb7

The play that we will see in this line will

often b e able to tran s p o s e to the
7
Knights Tango covered above, after 1
d4 N f6 2 c4 Nc6, but there are a number 6
of clearly defined differences. 5

4
2 c4
3
2
A fun alternative is 2 d5 Ne5 3 e4 e6 4 f4
Ng6 5 dxe6 fxe6 6 N f3 Bc5 7 Nc3 Nh6
with a messy position where White per a b c d e f g h
haps has the slightly better of it, but
not by much. 2 . . . e6 would be a direct transposition to
the English Defense.
2 ... e5 3 d5 Bb4+
3 Nc3

3 d5 e6 is also possible, again trans

7 posing to the English Defense.
6
3 N f6 4 Nf3 d5
..

4 4 . . . e6 transposes to a Queen's Indian.

3
5 cxd5 Nxd5 6 a3 Nd7
2

6 . . . e6 would again lead to a Queen's In

a b c d e f g h dian, this time the Petros ian Variation.

Both with 2 . . .Nf6 and 3 . . .Nce7 4 e4 Ng6 7 Qc2 e6

5 Nf3 Nf6, play could transpose to the
"nonnal" Knights Tango. The text move Tran s p o s i n g i nto a more standard
Queen's Indian Defense, with chances
takes the game in a slightly different
for both sides.
direction.

Do not think you can match the repertoires of top grandmasters; their
repertoires are far to detailed and will contain several
very theory-laden lines that you will have no capacity to learn
properly and even less chance of understanding.

206
 Flank Openings

Chapter 9

Flank Openings

The openings in this chapter are an odd and Krarnn i k to dynamic tactical players
blend of flexible and popular openings like Kasparov, who in the late 1 980s
such as the English and the Reti and i nj ected several new i deas into the
t h e w e i rd a n d rare s u c h as t h e opening. As previously noted, this is
Orangutan and Grob. Though they are my favorite opening and it is the first
called "Flank Openings," their aim is to opening I ever studied. I have since
get s o m e p i e c e s i n t o p l ay b e fore written two books exclusively devoted
occupying the center. You may notice to the theory on this opening.
the "reverse" nature of some of these
openings. For instance 1 d4 f5 is the There is a large body of theory, and we
Dutch, whereas 1 f4 d5 is the B ird; 1 d4 will cover it in the fol lowing sections :
Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 b6 is the Queen 's (a) l ...e5 (King's English); (b) l ...c5
Indian, and 1 b3 d5 2 Bb2 c5 3 e3 is the (Symmetrical English); (c) l. ..Nf6 (Anti
Nimzo-Larsen Attack, etc. Indians); (d) l ...b6 (English Defense);
and (e) Other English Variations.
English Opening
The King's English
1 c4
You wouldn 't be completely wrong if
you describe this opening as the Sicilian
Reversed . I ndeed some of the sub
variations use this description, but this
opening is a lot more than that.

1 c4 e5

a b c d e f g h

The naming of 1 c4 as the Engl ish

Opening stems back to the 1 9th-century
British master Howard Staunton's use
of this move. lt is a very flexible opening
t h at c a n l e ad to numerous
transpositions t o other openings. It i s a b c d e f g h
mostly a dynamic, positional opening,
but it can also tum very sharp. Among Thi s appears to be the most logical
its adherents are all sorts ofplayers from answer to the English opening, giving
mostly positional players l ike Smyslov Black easy access to the development

207
 Back to Basics: Openings

of his kings ide. Personally I think that (both 3 . . . Ba5 and 3 . . . Bc5 are met with 4
this is the easier move for White to play b4 with the better game for White) 4 d4
agai n s t , because it g i v e s Wh ite a d6 5 e4 Nf6 6 Nxe7 Qxe7 7 f3, and now
greater o p p ortu n i ty to d i c tate the Black can play either 7 . . .exd4 8 Qxd4 Nc6
direction of the game. I ndeed when I or 7 . . . Nh5 followed shortly by . . . t7-f5 .
first started playing the English, I felt In both cases I think White is better,
that after I . . . e5, I was already reasonably b u t t h i s type of p o s i t i o n i s v e ry
sure that I was on the way to winning different from solid, maneuvering types
the game. What the mind can do to of positions that White usually hopes
you . . . for in the English Opening.

2 Nc3 2 d6 Variations
...

Normally White chooses this move, the After the flexible 2 . . . d6, the game may
natural fol l ow-up to h i s fi rst move, take three d i s t i n c t i v e l y d i ffe rent
because it continues development and directions, all depending on White 's
takes contro l over the e4- and d 5 - third move.
squares. H owever, because Black has
had a fair amount of success with the 2 d6 3 Nf3

sharp 2 . . . B b 4 , many p l ayers have

started to use a different move order
and play 2 g3 to prevent this possibility
for Black. This line usually transposes
to other variations with g2-g3 , but the
main exception is when Black counters
it with 2 . . .Nf6 3 Bg2 c6, which resembles
an A l ap i n S i c i l ian w i th the c o l ors
reversed, but in the Engl ish Opening,
the setup is named after the Estonian
world championship candidate Paul
Keres. After 4 d4 ( 4 N f3 e4 5 N d4 d5 is a b c d e f g h
also possible) 4 . . . exd4 ( 4 . . . Bb4+ 5 Bd2
Bxd2+ Qxd2 d6 6 Nc3 0-0 is also feasible, White 's alternatives are the central
if easier to play for White) 5 Qxd4 d5 6 response with 3 d4, after which B lack
NO Be7 7 cxd5 cxd5 9 Qa4 0-0 (9 . . . Qb6 usually gets an adequate game with
can also be considered) I 0 Be3 Ne4 I I 3 . . . exd4 4 Qxd4 Nc6 (4 . . . Nf6 is also
Rd I and White is better. playable) 5 Qd2 Nf6 6 b3 (6 g3 Be6 7 e4
a5 is fine for Black) 6 ... g6 (or 6 ... Be6 7 e4
After 2 Nc3 , the main options for B lack a5 8 Bd3 g6 also leads to approximately
are: (a) 2 d6; (b) 2 Nf6; and (c) 2 Nc6.
. .. even chances) 7 Bb2 Bg7 8 g3 0-0 9 Nh3
And of course we have prev iously (note that 9 Bg2 Re8 I 0 Nh3 can be met
noted 2 ... Bb4, which intends to disrupt with the surprising I O . . . d5 with very
White's game with an exchange on c3, sharp play) 9 . . . Re8 I O Nf4 Ne5 I I Bg2
if White allows it. Therefore White 's with a position that is slightly easier for
best is 3 Nd5 , and then after 3 . . . Be7 White to play.

208
 Flank Openings

The second alternative to the main l ine 2 ... Nf6 3 g3 g6

is 3 g3 , which leads to a position that
resembles the Closed Sicilian Reversed, This line takes the game closer to King's
which we will cover in the section on Indian setups for B lack. B lack's two
2 . . . Nc6. For instance 3 . . . g6 (3 . . . f5 4 Bg2 main alternatives are 3 . . . Bb4 4 Bg2 0-0 5
Nf6 is also playable though 5 e3 Be7 6 e4 (or 5 Nf3 Re8 6 0-0 e4 7 Ne 1 Bxc3 8
Nge2 followed by 0-0, d2-d3 , f2-f4 and dxc3 d6 with chances for both sides)
b2-b4 is better for White) 4 Bg2 Bg7 5 5 ... Bxc3 6 bxc3 c6 7 Ne2 d5 8 cxd5 cxd5 9
d3 f5 6 e3 Nf6 7 Nge2 a5 8 0-0 0-0 with a exd5 Nxd5 1 0 0-0 Nc6 with a balanced
sharp battle ahead. game, and the Keres Variation, 3 . . . c6 4
Nf3 e4 5 Nd4 d5 6 cxd5 Qb6 7 Nb3 cxd5
3 ... f5 4 d4 8 Bg2 Bf5 9 d3 Bb4 1 0 0-0, with a better
game for White.
Here 4 g3 would transpose to 3 g3 .
I nstead, with the text move, White 4 Bg2 Bg7 5 NO d6 6 0-0 0-0 7 d3
attacks the black center hoping that the
weaknesses in B lack 's position w i l l 8
compensate for the time White invests
7
in probing them.
6

4 ... e4 5 Ng5 c6 5

4
5 . . . Be7 6 Nh3 c6 is also possible, and 3
then of course 5 . . . h6 6 Nh3 g5 looks 2
tempting, but White has the surprising
7 Ng I followed by h2-h4, with the better
a b c d e f g h
chances.

6 g3 Be7 7 Nh3 Nf6 8 Bg2 0-0 9 0-0 This position is often reached when
B lack seeks a King's Indian Defense,
Na6 1 0 d5
but White doesn 't want to oblige. The
move order is therefore frequently: 1 c4
White has to be careful not to let Black
(or I Nf3 first and only c2-c4 later) 1 ... Nf6
play . . . d6-d5 and consolidate the center.
2 Nf3 g6 3 g3 Bg7 4 Bg2 d6 5 0-0 0-0 6
Nc3 e5 7 d3 . If White had played d2-d4
10 Nc7 1 1 f3 with a complicated battle
..
anywhere in the above sequence, the
ahead, the chances are more or less game would have transposed to the
balanced. F i anchetto Variation of the K i n g ' s
Indian.
2 Nf6 Variations
..

The position that arises after 7 d3 was

Very often, B lack develops both knights the subj ect of some scrutiny in several
early in the English. Those lines will be chapters of the second edition of A
covered in the next section; below we Strategic Opening Repertoire which I
will only look at lines in which B lack co-authored with John Donaldson.
does not play . . . Nc6 on one of the next
few moves. 7... Nc6

209
 Back to Basics: Openings

This is the more common move, but

Black can also play moves like 7 . . . ReS, 8
7 . . .Nh5, 7 . . . Nbd7, 7 . . . c6 and even 7 . . . h6, 7
all in line with a typical King's Indian
6
for Black. You could argue that with the
5
text move, we have transposed to the
King's English Four Knights which 4
belongs in the next section, but the 3
position we have reached here very 2
rarely comes from a traditional Four
Knights move order.
a b c d e f g h
8 Rb 1 a5 9 a3 h6
on the next move) which can transpose
B lack often plays this move to prevent to the main line covered in the previous
White from playing Bg5, pinning the section. The main move, however, is 5
knight and gaining more control over d3 , and then after 5 ... d6, White has
the d5-square. several interesting moves available: 6
e3, e.g., 6 ... 5 7 Nge2 Nf6 S 0-0 0-0 9 Rb 1
1 0 b4 axb4 1 1 axb4 Be6 1 2 b5 Ne7 1 3 a5 1 0 a3 Ne7 1 1 b4 axb4 1 2 axb4 with
Bb2 with a sharp battle ahead, in which chances for both sides; 6 Rb 1 , aiming
the play is clearly defined: White tries for an immedi ate queens i d e attack
to break through on the queenside and b e fore b o t h e r i n g w i t h k i n g s i d e
Black hopes to get a kingside attack development, e.g., 6 . . . a 5 7 a 3 Nf6 S b4
rolling. axb4 9 axb4 0-0 1 0 b5 Nd4 1 1 e3 Ne6 1 2
Nge2 ReS and the chances are about
2 ... Nc6 Variations balanced; and 6 e4, w h i c h can be
difficult to play against as B lack; the
For the sake of simplicity, we will cover main line runs 6 . . . 5 7 Nge2 Nf6 S 0-0 0-
the remaining lines in this section, even 0 9 Nd5 Be6 1 0 Bg5 Qd7 1 1 Re i Nh5 1 2
if the positions reached in this section exf5 Bx5 1 3 Qd2 with a better game for
just as often come from B lack p laying White. Finally, 6 Nf3 transposes to the
2 . . . N f6, before . . . Nc6 is played. For main line in the previous section. These
example, in the Four Knights, it usually lines all fall within the category of the
d o e s n o t matter w h i c h k n i g h t i s Closed Sicilian Reversed.
developed first.
3 ...Nf6
2 ... Nc6 3 Nf3 (D)
The starting position in the K i n g ' s
White commonly plays 3 g3 here as well. English Four Knights. B lack can also
It can easily transpose to other lines, try 3 . . . g6 and 3 . . . Bb4, but these are less
but many times it does not: 3 ... g6 4 Bg2 common. A sharper alternative can be
B g 7 , and here W h i t e has s e v eral found in 3 . . . f5 , and now 4 d4 e4 5 Ng5
s p e c i a l t i e s l i k e 5 Rb 1 , 5 e3 ( m y N f6 6 e3 h6 7 Nh3 g5 S f3 exf3 9 Qxf3
childhood favorite) and 5 N f3 (here or leads to a double-edged position.

210
 Flank Openings

4 g3 4... Bb4

White has an amazing variety of choices

available at this juncture, and all of them
7
h a v e fo u n d a fo l l o w i n g , e v e n at
grandmaster level. Some of these l ines 6

are positional and slow, others are quite '5

sharp and complicated : 4

3
(a) 4 a3 d6 5 e3 g6 6 d3 Bg7 7 Be2 0-0
2
and 4 d3 Bb4 5 Bd2 0-0 6 e3 Re8 7 Be2
are positional lines, where neither side I
tends to get hurt early on. a b c d e f g h

(b) The illogical-looking 4 e4 Bb4 (or A g a i n B l ac k h a s s e v e r a l w o rthy

4 ... Bc5 5 Nxe5 Nxe5 6 d4 Bb4 7 dxe5 Nxe4 alternatives to choose from: 4 ... Bc5 5
8 Qd4 Nxc3 9 bxc3 Be7 with an unclear Bg2 d6 6 0-0 0-0 7 d3 h6 8 a3 a6 9 e3 Bb6
position) 5 d3 d6 6 g3 0-0 7 Bg2 a6 8 0-0 I 0 b3 Bf5 with chances for both sides;

is an interesting and somewhat off-beat 4 ... Nd4 is an idea of Kortschnoi 's that
line. has become popular relatively recently :
5 Bg2 Nxf3+ 6 Bxf3 Bb4 7 Qb3 Bc5 8 0-0
(c) The sharp 4 d4 also leads to unusual 0-0 9 d3 h6 I 0 e3 a6 1 1 Rd I , and White
pawn structures after 4 ... exd4 5 Nxd4 Bb4 has the somewhat better chances; and
6 Bg5 h6 7 Bh4 Bxc3+ 8 bxc3 Ne5 9 f4 4 ... d5, the Reversed Dragon Variation,
Ng6 with a complicated struggle ahead. is one of Black's main alternative to the
text move and is also popular. After 5
cxd5 Nxd5 6 Bg2 Nb6 7 0-0 Be7 8 d3
(d) Ofthe "minor" alternatives to the text
(White can also play 8 Rb 1 0-0 9 b4 or 8
move, 4 e3 is the most common: 4 . . . Bb4
a3 0-0 9 b4 Be6 1 0 Rb 1 f6 I I d3 in both
(4 ... Be7 is the more solid alternative) 5 Qc2
cases with plenty of play for both sides)
0-0 (Black can also play 5 . . . Bxc3 6 Qxc3
8 ... 0-0 9 a3 Be6 1 0 b4 f6 1 1 Bb2 a5 1 2 b5
Qe7 7 a3 d5 8 cxd5 Nxd5 with an even
Nd5 1 3 Nd2 with a sharp position and
game) 6 Nd5 Re8 7 Qf5 (hello, what was
chances for both players.
that?) 7 . . . d6 8 Nxf6 Qxf6 (Black can also
take the with pawn, but that is very
5 Bg2
complicated) 9 Qxf6 gxffi 1 0 a3 Bc5 1 1 b4
Bb6 1 2 Bb2, and White may have a tiny White also often plays 5 Nd5, e . g . ,
edge, but nothing that should overly 5 . . . B c 5 6 B g 2 d6 7 0 - 0 0 - 0 with a
concern Black. somewhat different type of position.

Note that it may be tempting for B lack 5 ...0-0 6 0-0 e4

to play an early . . . d7-d5 against 4 d3, 4
a3 a n d 4 e 3 , b u t th i s i s u s u a l l y On 6 . . . Re8, White usually plays 7 Nd5 ,
something White is hoping for B lack to e.g., 7 . . . Bc5 8 d3 Nxd5 9 cxd5 Nd4 1 0
play, and why play straight into White's Nd2 d6 I I e3 , and White has a more
hands? comfortable game.

21 1
 Back to Basics: Openings

7 Ng5

8
7

3
2
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
and ( d ) 2 N c 3 N c 6 3 g3 ( P ure
Or 7 Nel Bxc3 8 dxc3 h6 9 Nc2 Re8 1 0 Ne3 Symmetrical).
d6, and Black is doing okay. The text move
forces B lack's next two moves. The Anti-Benoni

7 ... Bxc3 8 bxc3 ReS 9 f3 exf3 This name appears to be confusing; you
would think that by playing 1 c4 and 2
In their 1 9 8 7 World Champi onsh i p N f3 , White has avo ided a l l o f the
match, Karpov surprised Kasparov with Benonis. The label comes from the fact
the sharp pawn sacrifice 9 . . . e3 , which is that we can reach these l ines after 1 d4
best not accepted, but after 1 0 d3 d5 1 1 Nf6 2 c4 c5, and now 3 Nf3 avoids the
Qb3 Na5 1 2 Qa3 c6 1 3 cxd5 cxd5 1 4 f4, Benoni , and we have the same position
White has slightly better chances. as with our move order.

10 Nxf3 d5 1 1 cxd5 Qxd5 1 2 Nd4 Qh5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 e6

13 Nxc6 bxc6 with an unclear position
and approximately even chances. B lack can play 4 . . . Nc6 and then fol low
up with 5 . . . e6, which w i l l transpose to
The Symmetrical English the main line. However, there are some
independent alternatives. For instance,
One of the common misconceptions
about the Symmetrical English is that it
is a boring opening. The opening is as
varied as many of the sharp l ines in the
Sicilian.

1 c4 c5 (D)

The coverage will be broken up into the

fol lowing sections: (a) 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 d4
(Anti-Benoni); (b) 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 g3 b6
(Hedgehog); (c) Asymmetrical Lines;

212
 Flank Openings

the sharp 4 . . . e5, the so-called Kasparov

Gambit, sacrifices a pawn for fast and 8
easy development: 5 Nb5 d5 6 cxd5 Bc5
7
( 6 ... Nxd5?? loses a piece to 7 Qxd5 Qxd5
6
8 Nc7+) 7 N5c3 0-0 8 e3 e4 9 Be2 Qe7 1 0
a3 Rd8, and Black has compensation for 5

the pawn; he is likely to pick up the d 4

pawn sooner or later. 3
2
4 . . . b6 is also commonly seen, e.g., 5 Nc3
Bb7 6 f3 e6 7 e4 d6 8 Be2 a6 9 Be3 Be7 1 0
a b c d e f g h
0-0 0-0 1 1 Qd2 Nbd7 where B lack has
chosen a s o - c a l l e d Hedgehog ( see
below for further explanation) against a This provocative move forces White to
Maroczy Bind setup from White. The play e2-e4, a move which he would
chances are approximately equal. rather have saved for later. The fact that
Black spends a move to provoke it and
5 Nc3 then loses a tempo when White chases
the queen away l ater, speaks to the
Often White plays 5 g3 immediately, s i g n i fi c an c e of l u r i n g the e-pawn
against which Black has tried j ust about forward.
any available move. The best moves for
B lack are probably 5 . . . Bb4+ 6 Bd2 Qb6, 8 e4 Bb4 9 Qe2 d6 1 0 f4 Nc6 1 1 Be3
5 . . . Nc6, 5 . . . Qb6 and 5 . . . Qc7 and in all Bxc3+ 12 bxc3 Qc7 13 Bg2 0-0
cases, B lack has excellent chances of
equalizing. Amazingly, thi s is more or less the
starting position when p l aying this
S Nc6
..
variation. W hite can now sacrifice a
pawn with 1 4 0-0 b6 1 5 Nd4 Nxd4 1 6
Here both 5 . . . a6 and 5 . . . Bb4 are equally cxd4 Ba6 with a complicated game or
good o p t i o n s , but c arry a l e s s e r play it safer with 1 4 c5 dxc5 1 5 Bxc5 Rd8
theoretical burden. with another sharp position. Needless
to say, you really need to know this
6 g3 variation well before you include it in
your repertoire, and unless you have
W h i t e h a s a c o mp l i c at e d - l o o k i n g studied the theory carefully, you should
alternative in 6 Ndb5 , but it usually avoid this line with either color.
quickly fizzles out to an even endgame
after 6 . . . d5 7 B f4 e5 8 cxd5 exf4 9 dxc6 The Hedgehog
bxc6 Qxd8+ Kxd8 1 1 Rd 1 + Bd7 1 2 Nd6
Bxd6 1 3 Rxd6 Rb8, and most of the One of the most popular defensive
excitement is behind the players. setups for B lack in the Symmetrical
English is the so-called Hedgehog. The
6 ... Qb6 7 Nb3 NeS v a r i at i o n , m u c h l i ke i t s r e a l - l i fe

213
 Back to Basics: Openings

counterpart, is an odd creature, that sharper: 7 ... d6 8 e4 a6 9 d4 cxd4 I 0 Nxd4

gives the appearance o f being shy, (now this move is possible thanks to
unassuming and very careful, but when Re I and e2-e4) I O . . . Qc7 I I Be3 Nbd7
you provoke it, its nastier side may (the c - p awn l o o k s tasty, but a fter
emerge, and you will likely hurt yourself l l . . .Qxc4 12 Rc l , the threat of Nd5 or
on its spikes. Ncb5 will cause Black serious problems)
1 2 Re i 0-0 1 3 f4 Rfe8 1 4 g4 Nc5 with an
2 Nf3 Nf6 3 g3 b6 4 Bg2 Bb7 5 0-0 e6 unclear position and chances for both
(D) sides. White has more space, but he has
to be careful because Black's pieces are
The Hedgehog has a cousin in the so ready to jump into action after a well
called double fianchetto, which is also timed ... e6-e5 or ... d6-d5 .
seen quite frequently, e.g., 6 Nc3 (also
6 b3 Bg7 7 Bb2 0-0 8 Nc3 Na6 9 d4 d5 is 7 ... cxd4 8 Qxd4 d6 (D)
possible) 6 . . . Bg7 7 d4 cxd4 8 Qxd4 (like
in the Hedgehog, it is Black's interest This is the starting position of the main
line Hedgehog. White has several good

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

to exchange the light-squared bishops, options to choose from, 9 b3 and 9 Bg5

and therefore White usually avoids 8 for instance, in addition to our chosen
Nxd4 Bxg2 9 Kxg2 0-0 w ith equal main line . . .
chances) 8 . . . Nc6 9 Qf4 0-0 10 Rd l Rc8
with an i nteresting struggle ahead. 9 Rd l a6 1 0 b 3 Nbd7 1 1 e 4 Qc7 1 2 Ba3
White has more space, but B lack 's Nc5 1 3 e5 dxe5 1 4 Qxe5 ReS and
p o s i t i o n i s s o l i d a n d loaded w i th White has at best a tiny advantage. The
dynamic counterplay. Hedgehog setup for Black is very solid
and can arise from any number of
6 Nc3 Be7 7 d4 d i fferent open i n g s - the Kan and
Paulsen Sicilians, the Queen 's Indian,
White has two main alternatives at this and s e v e r a l d i fferent l i n e s in the
j uncture . 7 b3 is consi dered fairly E n g l i s h . W h i t e d o e s b e s t to p l ay
harmless and offers B lack a relatively carefully, but actively, Black on the other
easy game, whereas 7 Re I i s much hand should maintain a flexible position

214
 Flank Openings

and usually wait for White to weaken

h i m s e l f, though sometimes a l i ttle
p r o v o c a t i o n is needed fo r th i s to
happen . Needless to say, the Hedgehog
has an enormou s amount of theory
attached to it. Entire books have been
devoted to the study of this opening,
and in fact a recent one covered the
subj ect in depth in 575 pages ! Do not
play this line unless you have studied
it very carefully.
a b c d e f g h
The Asymmetrical Variations
choose 4 e4 d6 5 d4 cxd4 6 N x d4
This appears to be a contradiction of followed by Bd3 and Qe2 .
terms - how can the S ymmetri c a l
English b e asymmetrical? Wel l , in the 4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 g3
Symmetrical English it is a way to
describe those lines that do not fal l in I f White is the type of player to be
under the label Pure Symmetrical, satisfied with a smal l edge from the
opening, then 5 d4 is a good choice,
which we w i l l cover be low. In my
e.g., 5 . . . cxd4 (5 . . . Nxc3 6 bxc3 Bg7 is
opinion, some of the most interesting
similar to a Gliinfeld Indian) 6 Qxd4 Nxc3
lines of the Symmetrical English are
7 Qxc3 Nc6 8 e4 e6 (now Black threatens
those we will look at in this section.
. . .Bb4, pinning the queen) 9 Bb5 Bb7 I 0
0 - 0 , and W h i te i s a tiny b i t more
2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Nf3
comfortable. For the more adventurous,
White can play Nimzowitsch 's 5 e4,
White can also play 3 g3 after which which can be a lot of fun if both players
3 . . . d5 4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 Bg2 Nc7 leads to a are up for it: 5 . . . Nb4 (5 . . . Nxc3 6 dxc3 - 6
variation of the Rubinstein Variation, bxc3 g6 7 d4 Bg7 i s a Griinfe l d -
which we will look a little closer at below. 6 . . . Qxd I + 7 Kxd I looks boring, but is
difficult for Black to play) 6 Bc4 (6 Bb5+
3 ...d5 (D) N8c6 7 d4 cxd4 8 a3 dxc3 9 Qxd8+ Kxd8
I 0 axb4 cxb2 I I Bxb2 1 2 0-0 f6 leaves
B l ac k h a s s e v e r a l i n t e re s t i n g White with adequate compensation for
alternatives, e.g., 3 . . . e6, which after 4 the pawn, but not much more than that)
g3 d 5 5 cxd5 , can either lead to a 6 . . . Nd3+ 7 Ke2 ! Nf4+ 8 Kfl Ne6. (D)
Tarrasch Queen 's Gambit after 5 . . . exd5
6 d4 or a Semi-Tarrasch after 5 . . . Nxd5 6 White has lost the right to castle, but
d4. The latter doesn 't allow an isolated B l ack has spent six moves to put a
d-pawn, but is in many other ways more knight on e6 and has not developed any
difficult to play for Black. Also 3 . . . b6, other piece s ! White now usually
trying for a Hedgehog is possible, but sacrifices a pawn with 9 b4, hoping to
aside from 4 g3 , which will take us to get even further ahead in development:
the lines covered above, White can also 9 . . cxb4 I O Ne2 Nc7 I I d4 e6 I 2 h4 and
.

2I5
 Back to Basics : Openings

The Pure Symmetrical

When people think of the Symmetrical

7
English as dull, the lines in this section
6
is what they have in mind. However, as
with many other openings where the
4 lines are finely balanced, the player with
3 t h e better u n d e rs t an d i n g h a s an
2 excellent chance for winning the game.
1
2 Nc3 Nc6 3 g3 g6 4 Bg2 Bg7 5 Nt3 (D)
a b c d e f g h
I can already hear the yawns. White has
White has excellent compensation for several alternatives, e.g., 5 e4, which
the pawn. does not carry the same punch as when

5 Nc6 6 Bg2 Nc7 7 0-0 eS

...

a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h
B lack has a pawn on e5 instead of c 5 ,
b u t n e v e rt h e l e s s s t i l l i s q u i te
The so-called Rubinstein Variation, interesting: 5 . . . Nf6 6 Nge2 0-0 7 0-0 d6 8
w h i c h essenti a l l y is a Accelerated d3 Ne89 Be3 Nd4 with even chances or
Dragon, Maroczy Bind, with the colors 5 e3 e5 (5 . . . e6 6 Nge2 Nge7 7 0-0 0-0 is
reversed, and many of the same ideas truly boring, no excuses here) 6 Nge2
apply for both players. Nge7 7 0-0 0-0 8 a3 d6 9 Rb I a5 , again
8 d3 Be7 9 Nd2 Bd7 with chances for both sides or 5 a3 a6 6
Rb I Rb8 7 b4 cxb4 9 axb4 b5 I 0 cxb5
Black does not allow White to exchange axb5 and despite the obvious symmetry,
his light-squared bishop on c6 as the there is plenty to play for although the
pawns will be difficult to guard long position is quite difficult to play well.
term.
5 Nf6
...

10 Nc4 f6 with approximately even

The so-called Wedberg Variation arises
chances.
after 5 . . . e5, and now 6 0-0 Nge7 7 a3 0-0

216
 Flank Openings

8 d3 d6 9 Rb l a5 1 0 Ne l Be6 1 1 Nc2 d5
1 2 cxd5 Nxd5 1 3 Ne3 Nde7 with a
complicated struggle ahead. 5 . . . e6 and
5 .. d6 are also fully playable.

6 0-0 0-0 7 d4

Nothing exciting is created after 7 d3 or

7 b3 .

7...cxd4 8 Nxd4 Nxd4

a b c d e f g h
B lack can also play 8 . . . Ng4, though the
position that ari ses after 9 e3 d6 1 0 b3 Frequently B l ack p l ays 2 . . . g6 first,
Nxd4 I I exd4 Nh6 is easier for White to which usually transposes, but can have
play. independent relevance after 3 Nf3 d5 4
Qa4+ which i s very popular at the
9 Qxd4 d6 1 0 Qd3 a6 1 1 Bd2 Rb8 1 2 moment at top levels: 4 ... Bd7 5 Qb3 dxc4
Rac l b 5 with chances for both sides, 6 Qxc4, and it seems a little odd that
and the position is by no means boring. White has invested so many queen
moves on forcing the black bishop to
The Anti-Indians d7, but the truth is that the bishop does
not stand well on this square and Black
The label for the variati ons in this would also rather have his knight on f6
section stems from Black wanting to relocated to the queenside.
play one of the Indian openings, such
3 cxd5 Nxd5 4 Nf3
as the Nimzo-Indian, the Queen's Indian
or the Grtinfeld Indian, but White does
Or 4 g3 g6 5 Bg2 Nxc3 (5 . . . Nb6 is also
not oblige, avoiding d2-d4, yet B lack
possible but leads to a better game for
goes ahead with his plan anyway.
White) 6 bxc3 Bg7 7 Rb l Nd7 8 Nf3 0-0
with chances for both players.
1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3
4 ... g6 5 Qa4+
And now: (a) 2 ... d5 3 cxd5 Nxd5 (Anti-
Grtinfeld); (b) 2 ... e6 3 Nf3 Bb4 (Anti- If White is satisfied with a draw then 5
N i mzo); and (c) 2 ... e6 3 e4 (Flohr e4 is a decent choice, e.g., 5 . . . Nxc3 6
Mikenas Attack). dxc3 (6 bxc3 is a regular Griinfeld)
6 ... Qxd l + 7 Kxd l Nd7 8 Bf4 c6 9 Kc2 f6
The Anti-Griinfeld I 0 Nd2 e5 with equality. (D)

There are a couple of different versions 5 ... Bd7 6 Qh4 Nxc3

of this variation.
Here 6 . . . Bc6 7 Qd4 f6 8 e3 leads to a
2 ...d5 somewhat better game for White.

217
 Back to Basics: Openings

solid, whereas 4 g4 ! ? is sharp and fun :

4 . . . h 6 5 R g I d 6 6 h 4 with a n unclear
position.

6 4 ...0-0 5 a3 Bxc3 6 Qxc3 b6

'5

4 B lack can also consider 6 . . . d6 and

6 ...Nc6.
3

7 b4 Bb7 8 Bb2 d6 9 e3

a b c d e f g h 9 g3 is also an accepted continuation

for White.
7 bxc3 Nc6 8 e4 e5 9 Bg5 Be7 and Black
is fine. 9 ... Nbd7 10 Be2 Qe7 11 0-0 c5 12 d3
and while the chances are considered
The Anti-Nimzo approximately even, White's position is
far easier to play and the results in this
This is an opening you hardly ever see variation are heavily in White 's favor.
used by anyone except very strong
players.
8

7
2 ... e6 3 Nf3 Bb4
6

7 4

6 3

5 2

3 a b c d e f g h
2
The Flohr-Mikenas Attack

a b c d e f g h In addition to allowing B lack to enter

the Anti-N imzo, White has a sharp
3 . . . b6 is met by 4 e4 Bb7 5 Bd3 (or 5 alternative with which he immediately
Qe2) 5 . . . d6 6 Bc2 c5 7 d4 cxd4 8 Nxd4 a6 provokes a crisis in the center.
9 b3 Be7 with another version of a
Hedgehog; in this case White has the 2 ... e6 3 e4 (D)
better chances.
Because of the direct threat of e4-e5 ,
4 Qc2 B lack has to react immediately. After
White has several alternatives available facing this as B lack in one of the first
at this j uncture, e.g., 4 Qb3 and 4 g3 , games with this variation, Nimzowitsch
which are commonly seen and are fairly used this move on several occasions.

218
 Flank Openings

Nf3 . After 7 . . . e5, White can of course

transpose back to our main l ine with 8
d 4 , b u t a l s o c o n t i n u e d o w n an
independent path with 8 Bd3 Bd6 9 0-0
Na6 I 0 Bc2 Bg4 I I d4 Bxf3 12 Qxf3 Qxf3
1 3 gxf3 exd4 1 4 Re i + Kd8 1 5 cxd4 with a
slight initiative for White.

7 ... e5 8 Nf3 exd4 9 Bg5 Qe6+ 1 0 Be2

B e 7 1 1 c x d 4 and W h i te h a s t h e
i n i tiative thanks to his lead in
a b c d e f g h
development.

3 ... d5 The English Defense

An even sharper option is available with After hav ing l ived a l i fe in relative
3 . . . c 5 , allowing White to play e4-e5 : 4 obscurity, the English Defense gained
e5 Ng8 5 Nf3 (or 5 d4 cxd4 6 Qxd4 Nc6 7 popularity in the 1 970s when a number
Qe4 d6 with good chances to equal ize) of t h e stro n g e s t E n g l i s h p l ayers
5 . . . Nc6 6 d4 cxd4 7 Nxd4 Ne5 8 Ndb5 a6 included it in their repertoires.
9 Nd6+ Bxd6 10 Qxd6 f6 I I Be3 Ne7 1 2
Bb6 Nf5 1 3 Qc5, and White has excellent 1 c4 b6 2 d4
compensation for the pawn thanks to
h i s active p i ec e s , more space and
bishop pair.

4 e5 d4 5 exf6 dxc3 6 bxc3

6 fxg7 cxd2+ is quite harmless for Black.

6 ... Qxf6 7 d4

a b c d e f g h

White can stay in the Engl ish Defense

proper with 2 Nc3 Bb7 3 e4 e6 4 Nf3 Bb4
5 Bd3 Ne7, but this is not considered
critical for B lack. The only way to test
Black is with the text move, which makes
the game a k i n d of Queen ' s Pawn
Opening.
a b c d e f g h
2 ... e6 3 Nc3
More recently, it has been established
that White has a good alternat iv e i n 7 3 e4 i s also possible, but White has to

219
 Back to Basics: Openings

be a little careful when playing against 5 ... Nf6 6 g3 Na6 7 Bg2 Nc5 8 Nh3 Bd6
the English Defense, because the center 9 0-0 Be5 1 0 Q c 2 0-0 w i th a
pawns can easily become vulnerable, dynam i c a l l y c o mp l i cated p o s i t i o n
and hanging on to them usually mean where both sides have chances.
creating further weaknesses : 3 . . . Bb7 4
Bd3 (4 Qc2 Qh4 ! ? 5 Nd2 Bb4 6 Bd3 f5 is Reti Opening
a good example of the mischief B lack
may create) 4 . . . Nc6 5 Ne2 Nb4 6 Nbc3 Before we start discussing the Reti in
Nxd3+ 7 Qxd3 d6 8 0-0 Nf6, and White this section and the K i n g ' s I n d ian
has the more active position and has
Attack i n t h e next, w e need to
sl ightly better chances.
understand the differences between the
3 ... Bb7 4 a3 two open i n g s . I n the R e t i , W h i t e
follows u p with c2-c4 a t some point,
Again White can consider 4 e4, and whereas in the King's Indian Attack,
a g a i n t h e c o m p l i c a t i o n s start White plays his pawn to e4, sometimes
immediately: 4 . . . Bb4 5 f3 (also 5 Qc2 and as in e2-e4, but also as in e2-e3-e4. So
5 Bd3 are possible) 5 . . . f5 6 exf5 Nh6 ! 7 for example, I Nf3 d5 2 g3 c6 3 Bg2 Nf6
fxe6 (7 Bxh6 is met by 7 . . . Qh4+, leaving 4 0-0 Bf5 5 d3 e6 6 Nbd2 h6 7 b3 Be7 8
B lack with excell ent compensation) Bb2 0-0, and now White can play 9 c4
7 ... Nf5 ! (threatening ... Qh4+) 8 Bf4 dxe6, and it is a Reti or 9 Re I followed by I 0
and Black has sufficient compensation e4 and it is a King's I ndian Attack.
for the pawn.
1 Nf3 d5
4... f5

With 4 . . . N f6 5 Nf3 the play transposes

to the P e t ro s i an Var i a t i o n of the
Queen's Indian.

5 d5

As you can probably imagine from

reading the previous comment, the Reti
can be terribly confusing and reached
through a number of different move
a b c d e f g h orders. For the sake of both the reader
and author's sanity, I will stick with this
White can also play the normal 5 Nf3 move order, because Black can also play
and the somewhat offbeat 5 Nh3 , which l . . . Nf6 first followed by 2 . . . d5 or 2 . . . e6
has scored quite well for White. or 2 . . . c6.

220
 Flank Openings

The coverage w i l l be split into two With 3 . . . c 5 , the game can become a
sections: White plays 2 c4; and White Benko Gambit Reversed with 4 b4 or a
plays c2-c4 later. Benoni Reversed with 4 Bg2 Nc6 5 d3
e 5 6 0 - 0 N f6 6 e 3 ; b o t h l e ad to
White plays 2 c4 approximately equal chances.

In this section we cover what I call the 4 Bg2 e5 5 d3 Nf6 6 0-0 aS 7 N a3

Reti proper.

2 c4 d4

a b c d e f g h

White can also break immediately in the

a b c d e f g h center with 7 e3, which will normally
transpose to other lines with 7 . . . Be7 8
White has had a hard time proving an exd4 exd4, but here Black can also opt
for 7 . . . dxe3 8 Bxe3 Be7 with a sharp,
advantage after the simple 2 . . . dxc4, e.g.,
unbalanced position.
3 Na3 a6 4 Nxc4 b5 5 Ne3 Bb7 6 g3 Nf6 7
Bg2 e6 8 0-0 Nbd7 and the chances are 7 ... Be7
fairly even . Also after the alternatives 3
e4, 3 Qa4+, 3 g3 and 3 e3, B lack has 7 . . . Bc5 is also played in this position.
equalized with relative ease. White 's
best may w e l l be to transpose to a 8 Nc2 0-0 9 b3 ReS 10 a3 h6 and the
Queen's Gambit Accepted with 3 e3 chances are about even.
followed by Bxc4 and d4.
White plays c2-c4 later
3 g3
For the sake of s i m p l i ci ty, we w i l l
discuss the lines in this section with
The most interesting alternati ve for
White playing c2-c4 on move 4, because
White is undoubtedly 3 b4 which, after it gives us the opportunity to look at
3 . . . c5 can lead to a Benko Gambit things in a somewhat simpler light.
R e v e r s e d o r B l u m e n fe l d G a m b i t
Reversed, depending o n White 's follow 2 g3 Nf6 3 Bg2 (D)
up. Also 3 . . . f6 4 e3 e5 5 c5 could be fun,
if quite unclear. And now we will look at two separate
lines: (a) 3 ... c6 4 c4 (S lav Set-ups); and
3 ... Nc6 (b) 3 ... e6 4 c4 (Semi-Catalan).

22 1
 Back to Basics: Openings

T h i s is the s o - c a l l e d C a p a b l a n c a
Variation. B lack has three alternatives
worth mentioning: (a) 4 ... g6 5 b3 Bg7 6
Bb2 Nbd7 7 0-0 Bg4 8 d3 Nbd7 9 Nbd2
Re8 1 0 Rc I with a slightly better game
for White; (b) 4 ... Bf5 (The Lasker or
New York Variation) 5 0-0 (or 5 cxd5 cxd5
6 Qb3) 5 . . . e6 6 d3 h6 7 cxd5 exd5 8 Nc3
Be7 9 Nd4 Bh7 I 0 e4 with the better
chances for White; and (c) 4 ... dxc4,
which can be a little problematic for
a b c d e f g h W h i te u n l e s s he d o e s n ' t m i n d
sacrificing a pawn : 5 0-0 Nbd7 6 Qc2
The Slav Setups Nb6 7 Na3 Qd5 8 Nh4 Qe6 9 e4 g6 1 0 b3
Bg7 1 1 Bb2 cxb3 1 2 axb3 0-0 1 3 d4 with
The S lav ( I d4 d5 2 c4 c6) is easily one good compensation for the pawn.
of the most popular ways to meet the
Queen 's Gambit today, and therefore 5 0-0 e6 6 cxd5 exd5 7 d3 Nbd7 8 Qc2
many of the Slav players aim to reach it
through English or Reti move orders as White can also play 8 Nc3 Bd6 9 Qc2
well. intending e2-e4.

3 ... c6 4 c4 Be7 9 e4 0-0 10 Nc3 Nc5 and chances

are about even .

The Semi-Catalan

The name of this variation is not exactly

official, but makes sense to me because
it is quite similar to the Catalan, even
though White normally does not play
d2-d4.

3 ... e6 4 c4 Be7
a b c d e f g h

Many white players prefer to play 4 b3

first in order to avoid B lack playing
4 . . . dxc4. After 4 b3 Bf5 (or 4 . . . Bg4 5 c4
e6 6 Bb2 Nbd7 7 0-0 Bd6 8 d3 0-0 with
fairly even chances) 5 c4 e6 6 Bb2 Nbd7
7 0-0 h6 8 d3 Be7 9 Nbd2 0-0 1 0 a3 a5
with chances for both players.

4 ... Bg4
a b c d e f g h

222
 Flank Openings

In th i s p o s i t i o n B l ack o ften p l ays to a normal King's Indian Defense,

4 . . . dxc4, thus avoiding the Catalan White 's extra tempo does not mean that
proper, which would ari se i f B l ack much.
played 4 . . . Be7, and White then replied
5 d4. 4 . . . dxc4 is usual ly met by 5 Qa4+ 3 Bg2 c6
Nbd7 6 Qxc4 c5 7 Qb3 (7 d3 and 7 0-0
Another setup for Black involves 3 . . . g6
are also frequently played) 7 . . . Rb8 8 d3
4 0-0 Bg7 5 d3 0-0 6 Nbd2 c6 7 e4, which
Bd6 9 a4 b6 I 0 Nc3 a6 with chances for is in my opinion easier to play for
both players. White.

5 0-0 0-0 6 b3 b6 4 0-0 Bg4

Or 6 . . . c5 7 Bb2 Nc6 8 e3 d4 9 exd4 cxd4

1 0 Re i Ne8 I I d3 f6 1 2 Na3 e5 1 3 Nc2
and although the chances are more or
less even, the white position has proven
easier to play.

7 Bb2 Bb7 8 e3 c5 9 Nc3 dxc4 1 0 bxc4

Nc6 1 1 Qe2 Qc7 with a balanced game
and approximately even chances.

King's Indian Attack a b c d e f g h

The King's Indian Attack can arise from Another popular setup is, just like in the
a surprising number of openings: the Reti, 4 . . . Bf5 and now White can choose
French ( 1 e4 e6 2 d3 d5 3 Nd2 or 2 Qe2), to include b3 and Bb2 before playing d3,
the Caro-Kann ( I e4 c6 2 d3 d5 3 Nd2), Nbd2, Qe I and e4 or play d3 , Nbd2, Qe 1
the Sicilian ( 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 d3 or and e4 directly. In either case the chances
2 . . . d6 3 c3 Nf6 4 d3) and in its original are more or less even, but shouldn't be
form, which we will focus on here. The underestimated by Black.
King's Indian Attack looks like a fairly
harm l e s s o p e n i n g , but has been a 5 d3 Nbd7 6 Nbd2
favorite of attacking champions like
Bobby Fischer and Leonid Stein as well
as many other grandmasters.

1 Nf3 d5 2 g3 Nf6

B lack can also play 2 . . . c 5 , and then 3

Bg2 Nc6 (or 3 . . . g6 4 0-0 Bg7 5 d3 Nc6
followed by Nbd2 and e4) 4 0-0 e5 5 d3
N f6 6 N b d 2 B e 7 7 e4 0 - 0 w i t h
approximately even chances. Compared
a b c d e f g h

223
 Back to Basics: Openings

White often di spenses with the text

move and plays 6 Qe I directly, e.g.,
6 ...e5 7 e4 dxe4 8 dxe4 Bc5 9 Nbd2 0-0 I 0
h3 Bh5 I I Nc4 with an easier game for
White.

6... e5

Or 6 ... e6 7 h3 Bxf3 8 Nxf3 Be7 8 Qe 1 0-0

9 e4 dxe4 I 0 dxe4 e5, and B lack has
equalized.
a b c d e f g h
7 e4 dxe4 8 dxe4 Bc5 9 Nc4 0-0 10 h3
Bh5 11 Qd3 and Wh ite has a tiny somewhat better chances after 6 0-0 c5
advantage. 7 Nc3 Qb6 8 e3 Be7 9 Qe2.

1 Nf3 Specialties 3 Bg2 Bb7 4 0-0

The Reti and the King's Indian Attack White can also consider 4 Na3 followed
are not exactly the favorite openings to by c2-c4.
play against for a lot of black players,
so it is hardly surprising, that Black has 4 ... e6 5 d3 d6
tried several offbeat ideas to unsettle
things a bit when facing I N f3 . 5 . . . d5 is another option.

1 Nf3 6 e4 Be7 7 Nbd2 0-0 8 Net Nfd7 and

Black is doing fine.
And now we will look briefly at the
following lines: l ...Nf6 2 g3 b5 (Polish The Reti-Dutch
Defense); and l. .. f5 (Reti-Dutch).
When Black steers for the Dutch after I
The Polish Defense N f3 , he opens himself to a couple of
very sharp ideas from White.
T h i s o p e n i n g c o m e s in s e v e r a l
variations; w e will look a t two of the l ...f5 2 d3
more common ones after I Nf3.
This move is an improved version of
l . .. Nf6 2 g3 b5 (D) the Lisitsyn Gambit, which some will
argue doesn 't need improvement! This
In recent years, Black has frequently gambit runs 2 e4 with the idea 2 ... fxe4 3
employed a different line: 2 . . . a6 3 Bg2 Ng5 Nf6 4 d3 exd3 5 Bxd3 which already
b5 4 b3 Bb7 5 c4 e6, which often is now threatens 6 Nxh7 and 7 Bg6 mate !
reached via 2 c4 e6 3 g3 a6 4 Bg2 b5 5 b3 In this particular l ine Black does best
B b 7 . W h i t e appears to obta i n the either play 4 . . . e5 5 dxe4 Bb4+ 6 c3 Bc5

224
 Flank Openings

or 3 . . . d5 4 d3 Qd6, in either case the

positions are complicated and unclear.
Probably Black's best option is 3 . . . Nc6
4 d3 e3 5 Bxe3 e5 with more or less equal
chances.

2 ...d6

Obviously 2 ...Nf6 3 e4 fXe4 4 dxe4Nxe4? 5

Bd3 Nf6 6 Ng5 leads to the previous line.

a b c d e f g h
3 e4 e5 4 Nc3 Nc6

l ...d5

This is like a Dutch with colors reversed.

A popular alternative for Black is the sharp
From's Gambit, which aims to exploit the
fact that White has weakened his kingside
structure and made the king somewhat
vulnerable. After l ... e5 ! ? 2 fXe5 (note that
2 e4 is a King's Gambit by transposition)
2 ... d6 3 exd6 Bxd6 4 Nf3 g5, and here both
a b c d e f g h 5 g3 g4 6 Nh4 Ne7 7 d4 Ng6 8 Nxg6 hxg6 9
Qd3 Nc6 and 5 d4 g4 6 Ne5 Bxe5 7 dxe5
4 . . .Nf6 looks more logical, but 5 ex5 Bx5 Qxd l + 8 Kxd l Nc6 9 Nc3 Bc6 lead to
6 d4 e4 7 Nh4 has been found to be positions with chances for both players.
better for White.
Another option is l . . . Nf6, after which
5 exf5 Bxf5 6 d4 Nxd4 7 Nxd4 exd4 8 White can try Larsen 's 2 N f3 g6 3 b4
Qxd4 c6 and B lack has solved h i s
B g 7 4 B b 2 0-0 5 e3 d 6 w i t h an
opening problems successfully.
approximately balanced game.
Bird's Opening
2 Nf3 Nf6
W h i t e ' s s h ar p e s t o p e n i n g in th i s
chapter i s undoubtedly the Bird, which 2 . . . Bg4 has also been recommended, but
has never had a great following at any White gets to play 3 e3 Nc6 4 h3 Bxf3 5
level . Nevertheless, for players who Qxf3 , and now 5 . . . e5 will be met with 6
know what they are doing, it offers g4, with a sharp position.
White excellent attacking chances and
good opportunities to shake things up,
3 e3
while forcing both players to think for
themselves right from the beginning of
Or 3 g3 g6 4 Bg2 Bg7 5 0-0 0-0 6 d3 c5 7
the game.
c 3 N c 6 and both s i d e s have th e i r
l f4 chances.

225
 Back to Basics : Openings

3 ... g6 4 Be2

the Alekhine Defense actually worsens

his position.
4 b3 is also interesting, for instance
4 . . . Bg7 5 Bb2 0-0 6 Be2 c5 7 0-0 Nc6 8
3 ... Nf6 4 Nf3 Bd6 5 0-0 0-0 and we have
Ne5 Bd7 and the chances are about
reached a Pirc Defense Reversed, where
even.
Black has no problems maintaining the
balance.
4 ... Bg7 5 0-0 0-0 6 d3 c5 7 Qe1 Nc6 8
Qh4 b6 9 Nbd2 Ba6 and the p l ay
GrobAttack
resembles a sharp C lassical Dutch with
the colors reversed and a double-edged
Of the more unusual openings in this
position .
chapter, this opening is probably the
most dubious one.
Barcza Opening

1 g4
There are very few lines that retain
independent significance when White
opens with 1 g3 , but those that do are
often called the Barcza Opening. Aside
from the inventor, Gideon Barcza, and
his countryman Istvan Bilek, it was also
employed occasionally by Larsen early
in his career.

1 g3 e5 2 Bg2 d5 3 d3 (D)

Larsen tried 3 Nf3 once and won a

beautiful game against Geller, but Black
gets the better chances after 3 . . . e4 White weakens the kingside for no real
(Geller played 3 . . . Nc6) 4 Nd4 c5 5 Nb3 c o m p e n s at i o n ; it cannot be
c4 6 Nd4 Bc5, and the fact that White recommended for anything other than
has an extra tempo over a similar l ine blitz games.

226
 Flank Openings

l ...e5

W h i t e p l ayers t e n d to h o p e fo r
continuations like l . . . d5 2 Bg2 Bxg4 3
c4 after which 3 . . . c6 4 cxd5 cxd5 5 Qb3
with queen side pressure. However,
Black can get a pleasant game with
3 . . . dxc4 ! ? 4 Bxb7 Nd7, and B lack gets
amble compensation for the exchange.
Of course, the s o l i d 2 . . . c 6 is a l s o
p l ayab l e , avo i d i n g t h e sharp l i ne s
a b c d e f g h
altogether.

2 Bg2 d5 3 h3 c6 The move order with 1 Nf3 prevents

Also 3 . . . Nc6 4 c4 dxc4 is possible for Black from playing 1 . . . e5, but adds other
B l ack, though it may lead to w i l d options for Black: l . . . d5 2 b3 Bg4 (2 . . . c5
positions. 3 e3 Nf6 4 Bb2 fol lowed by Bb5 was
Nimzowitsch 's idea, j ust like in the
4 d4 e4 5 c4 Bd6 6 Nc3 Ne7 7 Bg5 f6 8 Nimzo-Indian) 3 Bb2 (3 e3 e5 is fine for
Bd2 0-0 Black) 3 . . . Bxf3 4 gxf3 e6 5 e3 Nf6 with
chances for both players.
B lack is already very comfortable, and
White 's early kingside pawn thrust has l ...e5
done nothing, but weakened the dark
squares. Many other moves, including l . . . d5,
l ... c5, and I . . Nf6, are possible.
.

Nimzo-Larsen Attack
2 Bb2 Nc6 3 e3
There are a few nuances I should point
out from the outset regard i n g t h i s
opening. Nimzowitsch, the inventor o f
so many opening lines, usual ly played
this opening with I Nf3 fol lowed by 2
b3 or 2 e3 and then 3 b3 ; my compatriot
Bent Larsen took it a step further and
played I b3, thus al lowing B lack some
extra options, most importantly l . e 5 . . .

Thanks t o the efforts of Larsen, this

opening saw a fair amount of action at
top levels in the late 1 960s and early a b c d e f g h
1 970s, but has been seen much less
frequently. Or 3 c4 Nf6 4 e3 d5 5 cxd5 Nxd5 6 a3 Bd6
with a position that is a Sicil ian with
1 b3 colors reversed.

227
 Back to Basics : Openings

3 ...d5

Or 3 . . . Nf6 4 Bb5 d6 (or even 4 . . . Bd6 ! ?

with chances for both players) 5 Ne2 a6
6 Bxc6 bxc6 7 0-0 Be7 8 d3 0-0 with
approximate equality.

4 Bb5 Bd6 5 c4

White has the ultra-sharp 5 f4 available

as well, for instance, 5 . . . Qh4+ 6 g3 Qe7
7 Nf3 f6 8 Qe2 exf4 9 gxf4 with a double
edged position.
3 Bxe5 Nf6 4 c4 0-0 5 e3 Nc6
5 ... dxc4 6 bxc4 Bd7 7 Nf3 Qe7 and the
Or 5 . . . d5 6 cxd5 Nxd5 followed by either
chances are more or less even .
. . .Nc6 or . . . c7-c5, and then . . . Nc6, and in
either case Black has a comfortable game.
Orangutan/Sokolsky Opening

6 Bb2 d5 7 cxd5 Nxd5 8 Nf3 Bg4 9 Be2

White 's opening is either named after
ReS 10 0-0 with chances for both sides.
an orangutan in New York's Central Park
White has to be careful not to let B lack
Z o o or t h e S o v i e t m a s t e r A l e x e i
develop an initiative on the kingside,
Sokolsky. I am personally familiar with
whereas B lack has to watch White 's
the opening because my father played
central pawns.
it regularly and it was featured in the
first tournament game between us,
The Dunst
which ended in a draw after a short, but
i ntense battle. With best play from
This is an opening that has more names
Black, White shouldn ' t expect to be
than it m e r i t s : D e r L i n ks s p r i n g e r
able to gain an advantage, but it is
(German for "the knight on the left"),
perfectly playable.
the Van Geet, the Quee n ' s K n i ght
Attack, and the Dunst.
1 b4 e5
There are a number of independent lines
A safer and more solid setup for B lack in t h i s o p e n i n g , but it c o n ta i n s
is I . . . d5, e.g., 2 Bb2 Nf6 3 Nf3 e6 4 b5 c5 n u m e r o u s tran s p o s i t i o n s to o t h e r
5 e3 Be2 b6 6 Be2 Bb7 followed by ... Bd6, o p e n i n g s ; o n e o f the more t r i c ky
. . . Nbd7, . . . 0-0 and . . . Qe7, with a pleasant aspects of p l aying thi s opening for
game for Black. B l ack i s to stay c l ear o f p o s s i b l e
unfavorable transpositions.
2 Bb2 Bxb4 (D)
1 Nc3 d5 (D)
2 . . . f6 is also possible, though both 3 b5
and the sharp 3 e4 Bxb4 4 Bc4 followed Clearly this is far from Black's only move
by f2-f4 are interesting options for White. in this position. l . . . e6 or l . . . c6, can

228
 Flank Openings

seeking, e . g . , 3 Nce2 c5 (or 3 . . . e5 4 Ng3

Be6 5 Nf3 Nd7 6 c3 c5 7 cxd4 cxd4 8 Be2
with chances for both sides) 4 Ng3 Nc6
5 Bb5 e5 6 Bxc6+ bxc6 7 d3, followed by
f2-f4 with the type of position White is
hoping for.

3 Nxe4 Nd7

B l a c k h a s a n u m b e r of p e r fe c t l y
playable moves available here, including
a b c d e f g h
3 . . . c6, 3 . . . e6, 3 . . . Nf6, 3 . . . Bf5 , 3 . . . e5 and
even 3 . . . Qd5 , since 4 Nc3 transposes to
transpose to the French or Caro-Kann the Scandinavian .
respectively if White then plays 2 e4. 4 Bc4 e6
Another option is l . . . c5, after which 2
Nf3 Nc6 (or 2 . . . e6 and 2 . . . d6, in either
case Black is also fine) 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4
g6 (4 . . . Nf6 5 Bg5 is one ofthe lines White
is hoping for, though it is by no means
lethal for B l ack) 5 Be3 (5 e4 is an
Accelerated Dragon) 5 . . . Bg7 6 Nxc6
bxc6 7 Bd4 Nf6, and Black is doing fine.
Finally l . . . e5 is possible, after which 2
e4 leads us to the Vienna Game, but 2
Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 exd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Bg5 is
not easy to play against for Black. Also
after l ... e5 2 e3, Black should avoid 2 ... d5
because of the sharp 3 Qh5 , and Black The normal-looking 4 . . . Ngf6 allows the
will have a very hard time hanging on ultra-sharp 5 Bxt7+ Kxt7 6 Ng5+ Kg8 7
to both central pawns . So if B lack Ne6, which is reasonably playable for
usual ly answers I e4 with l . . .e5, the White.
answer to I Nc3 should be l . . . Nf6 ,
intending t o meet 2 e 4 with 2 . . . e5 . 5 d3 Ngf6 6 Nf3 Be7 7 0-0 0-0 and
Black follows up with . . . a7-a6 and . . . b7-
2 e4 b5 with equal chances.

2 d4 Nf6 3 Bg5 transposes to the Richter Other Flank Openings

Veresov, which is covered in the chapter
on closed games. The remaining opening are not even
really worth spending much time on, but
2 dxe4
... should sti l l be mentioned :

Of course 2 . . . d4 is entirely possible, but (a) 1 a3 (Anderssen's Opening) l . . .g6

these l i nes are o ften what White i s ( l . . . d5 and 1 . . .e5 are of course also

229
 Back to Basics: Openings

perfectly playable, but White has the options that aren 't normally avai lable
advantage of actually being able to when starting from a Queen's Gambit
transpose to several d i fferent l ines move order) 2 . . . d5 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 g3 Be7
where a2-a3 is a sensible move, such as with a version of the King's I ndian
l . . . e5 2 c4) and now 2 b4 B g 7 i s Attack that is quite harmless for Black.
obviously comfortable for Black, s o 2
c4 Bg7 3 Nc3 d6 4 Nf3 Nf6 (or even 4 . . . f5 (c) 1 e3 (Van 't Kruij 's Opening) doesn 't
with a Leningrad Dutch set-up, where have any real independent relevance,
a2-a3 doesn 't make a particularly great and will normally transpose to other
impression) 5 d4 0-0, and we have a openings, such as the C o l l e (when
King's Indian where White has wasted White plays d2-d4), the English (when
a tempo. c2-c4 follows), or the N imzo-Larsen
Attack (b2-b3 ). The only thing Black
(b) 1 c3 (Saragossa Opening) is in my s h o u l d n ' t d o is undere s t i m ate the
opinion best met by l . . .e5 ( l . . .d5 2 d4 opponent ' s p l ay, because the move
transpose to a number of Queen 's Pawn order employed may be an attempt to
openings, such as the Torre, London or transpose into a favorable line of a
Colle, which are all perfectly playable standard opening.
for White, if not exactly threatening to
Black) 2 d3 (2 e4 Nf6 is pleasant for Black, (d) 1 Nh3 (Pari s Opening) l . . . e5 is fine
and 2 d4 exd4 3 cxd4 d5 is an Queen 's for Black, e.g., 2 g3 d5 3 Bg2 c6 4 f3 Bd6
Gambit, Exchange Variati on, where 5 Nf2 Nf6, and Black has already at least
White has given Black a lot of extra equalized.

Viktor Kortschnoi has said that implementing new openings

into your repertoire keeps your game fresh and broadens
your understanding of chess overall. You should heed
his advice, but not do it too frequently.

If you are at a level where the material in this book is

new to you, then you ought to stay well clear
of the main lines and instead seek refuge in some
of the numerous respectable sidelines that objectively offer
chances that are just as good as anything you will
come across in the main lines.

230
 Where do I go from here?

Chapter 1 0

Where do I go from here?

H a v i n g fi n i s h e d the c h apters on of building an opening repertoire again,

opening theory, you are undoubtedly you can start thinking about how you
motivated to try all sorts of openings, continue your opening studies. The first
and quite possibly feeling confident most obvious step is . . .
about your understanding and abi lity
to handle these open ings. After a l l , Which opening books should you buy?
wasn 't that the purpose of studying the
c h apters on o p e n i n g t h e o ry ? M y New opening books are published every
answer t o you i s a resounding "No ! " week, and therefore it can be very
Just hit the brakes and settle down for difficult to decide which books to buy
a bit! and w h i c h to av o i d . B e fore e v e n
thinking about browsing for opening
Before you get upset, thinking I have books to buy, you should take a good
made you waste your time studying the look at yourself and ask the following
previous chapters, know that I have had question s :
severe bouts of this ai lment on several
o c c a s i o n s b e fo re d e v e l o p i n g t h e - Am I reasonably certain about my
understanding to k n o w what I was decisions regarding myfuture opening
do i ng wrong. A s mentioned in the repertoire ?
chapter "An I ntroduction to Opening
Theory," the theoretical chapters only This is an important question because
skim the surface of the vast ocean of a lot of chess libraries, my own included,
o p e n i n g t h e o ry, and w h i l e y o u r are filled with books on openings that
knowledge and understanding o f these players thought they would be p laying
opening has probably increased many even though they had not made clear
fold, you stil l essentially know little d e c i s i o n s regard i n g t h e i r o w n
compared to what is recommended repertoires. It is a very quick way to
before starting to play an opening with spend too much money and time on
confidence. openings if you have not sorted out
which openings you are going to play.
Therefore, instead of fal ling into the
very common trap of thinking you now - Which openings are the cornerstones
know enough, it is now time to go back of my repertoire (both colors) ?
to chapter 3 and review the process of
building an opening repertoire, and this In many ways, this question is an direct
time you have the added benefit of continuation of the previous one, but it
actual ly having studied a little opening is also important by itself. Initial ly, do
theory and thus knowing slightly more not spend money on books that are not
about what you are doing. crucial to your opening repertoire. It is
more important that you get a grasp of
Once you have gone over the exercise the openings that you really need to

23 1
 Back to Basics : Openings

understand, such as your key replies to - How can I find out if a book is good
I d4 and I e4, as well as the main answers before I order it?
to your opening move of choice. For
the openings that are in the periphery Read the reviews before buying any
of your main repertoire, they can be c h e s s b o o k . You can fi nd rev i e w s
covered by lines suggested in either several places, on t h e internet ( e . g . ,
e n c y c l o p e d i c type b o o k s or i n www.chesscafe .com), in many chess
repertoire books (more about both types magazines and a few other places. Many
below). of the reviews you will read are either
very short and therefore not particularly
- How much money should I to spend informative or don ' t tell prospective
on opening books ? buyers for whom the book i s most
relevant. In my opinion, you should not
There is an almost never-ending flow buy a book u n l e s s you know it i s
of o p e n i n g b o o k s a p p e ari n g , and relevant for you, which puts the burden
therefore it i s quite easy to end up on you to seek out reviewers that tel l
spending a disproporti onate ly h i gh the readers which audience a particular
amount of money on opening books if book is written for, along with other
you buy all titles that pertain to even pertinent details of the book, including
j u st the key parts of your opening of course which lines are covered. Few
repertoire. Therefore decide how much things are more frustrating than buying
money you are going to spend on books a book that you think covers an opening
and software overall and how much of you are playing, but the l ines you use
the overall budget you will spend on in your repertoire are only covered
opening books. briefly.

- Do I really need the book I 'm about Furthermore, you can also seek out
to order? bookstalls at tournaments, where you
can see for yourself if a book meets
B e fore b u y i n g a new b o o k on an your needs. In addition, many of the
opening, did you really read and study major book chains will allow you to
the other book(s) you bought on that special order books.
opening? If you didn ' t, don ' t purchase
another on the same opening until you - Where should I buy my chess books ?
have fi n i shed the previous one you
bought. It is common sense, but that is Personally, I think you should support
often not what considered first when an exclusive chess store, which is more
most people shop for books. The same likely to be able to give advice as to
principle should be used on books on which books are good and relevant for
any top i c . For instance, there is no a player of your level, but is also more
reason to buy another book on the l ikely to have a wider selection of books
e n d g a m e if you h a v e n ' t read t h e than the local chain bookstore. The third
previous one you bought; the new book option is to go to one of the many on
is j ust as likely to collect dust on the l ine vendors that offer books at often
shelf. much deeper discounts than what you
w i l l fi n d o t h e r p l ac e s . H o w e v e r,
regardless of where you order your

232
 Where do I go from here?

books, check out the return policies better moves when you go over your
first; often there is a re-stock fee if you games at home. You can also use them
return books , so th ink fi rst before to practice openings you are intending
ordering. to u s e , p l ay i n g t h e m a ga i n s t t h e
program, perhaps even from a particular
Software starting position .

There is a great deal of chess software Opening CD-ROMs

avai lable and even what seems to be
basic software can be expensive, so let Most of these cater to players rated
us quickly go over what is available and above certain levels, so before buying
what you may need. In addition, keep these, check the reviews .
in mind that once you have brought the
program home and opened it, you will Opening D VD-ROMs
in most cases not be able to return the
item unless it is damaged. D V D - R O M S usual l y feature v i deo
recordings by a well-known player or
Database programs coach. Some are very good, some are
not. Agai n , I strongly suggest you
Nowadays everybody seems to have a check the reviews before purchasing an
database program . I t i s n ' t stri c t l y item. But see the next section for some
necessary, though i t does make studying general issues regarding this type of
openings somewhat easier, but for the product.
vast majority of players it really is quite
unimportant. D VDs / VHS

Should you, however, feel you need to There are many products avai lable in
have one, there are some freeware this category, and again some are quite
options such as, e.g., ChessBase Light, useful and others considerably less so.
which will do just fine for most players. Not m a n y of t h e s e are re v i e w e d
regularly, s o you will not find much help
Engines I A nalysis modules there. However, should you feel tempted
by some t i t l e s , buy one item by a
While I find most software superfluous particular presenter and see if you like
for beginners, I think that most chess the presenter's style and the level of
engines will be able to assist players of player the product is aimed at; that
nearly every strength. One program will should give you a c l ear idea about
normally be adequate and it doesn ' t whether you want to buy more in the
even have t o b e the latest version. Keep future.
in mind that the earliest versions of Fritz,
Junior, Hiarcs, etc . , were also used by One note of warning, however: many of
grandmasters in the i r stud i e s , and these products seem to be assembly
therefore should be quite capable of l i ne material, q u i c k l y put together
assisting you for your relatively simple without too much effort. Keep in mind
obj ectives. Chess engines for lower that material presented in a video would
rated players should really only be used rarely be thorough enough to make it to
as "blunder checkers" and to suggest book format. Too many lines are covered

233
 Back to Basics: Openings

v e ry s u p e rfi c i a l l y o r fo r more of overall concept. However, be a little

problematic lines, perhaps not at all. skeptical as the quality of the material
may vary a lot.
ChessBase Magazine
Types of Books
As far as I ' m aware , Ch essBase
Magazine is the only digital magazine In this section, I will quickly peruse the
published. You get a DVD-ROM every most common types of opening books.
two months with a great deal of top
qual ity material, including numerous Starting Out . . .
opening specials, usually written by top
talent. For an ambitious player, it is This series from Everyman Chess i s by
worth the investment as it contains so and large written for players at a level
much study material on all phases of that would include most readers of this
the game, openings, tactics, strategy, book, though occasionally some of their
endgames, annotated games and much titles may be more advanced. They tend
m o re . S p e c i fi c a l l y regard i n g t h e to be instructive and are a good place
openings, I would sti ll qualify much o f to start when getting acquainted with
it a s being too advanced for novice or an opening for the first time.
beginning players, but the rest of the
magazine definitely caters to a wide Chess Explained. . .
audience of all levels.
Gambit Publications, another o f the big
On-line Sources chess publishers, releases this series,
which is aimed at a slightly higher level
While we are looking at the digital and than the "Starting Out" series. This
electronic media, we should mention the includes players rated as low as 1 500,
wide selection of material online. Online but probably not much lower than that.
sources for games, such as The Week T h e y h a v e a great e m p h a s i s o n
in Chess, have already been noted, but explanations and typical ideas, with
other websites offer regular opening lesser emphasis on theory.
updates , the most prom inent being
www. c h e s s p u b l i s h i n g . c o m w h i c h Winning with . . . and Repertoire Books
o ffers m o n t h l y updates i n tw e l v e
different categories. The updates are Any book promising you easy wins or
written by grandmasters or international guaranteed advantages out of the
masters who are all specialists on the opening should carry a warning label ,
topics about which they are writing. because they usually don ' t deliver on
The price i s affordable, and i n my their promise. That being said, they are
opinion, in fact, a bargain, considering not all bad, and many of these books
the volume of material that is available are reasonably well-written and will i n
to you fro m day one of y o u r many cases p u t you in a position t o get
subscription. H owever, much of the a decent position from the outset.
material is quite advanced and it rarely
caters to w e a k e r p l ay e r s . O t h e r A repertoire book is a different kind of
websites offer opening analysis a s part opening book. Many titles are very

234
 Where do I go from here?

good and if the author does his or her Yearbooks

job properly, the suggested repertoire
is consistent, leading to positions that The main "yearbooks" at the time of
are explained and discussed in detai l . It this writing are Chess Informant and
is worth checking reviews of these kinds New In Chess Yearbook, both excellent
of books because some reperto ire books w ith a great deal of q u a l i ty
books are very advanced, loaded with material. Note however that they cater
t h e o ry and do n o t o ffe r m a n y to more advanced players. The former
explanati ons; y o u s h o u l d stay away is primarily a game collection of the best
from those books if you are rated below games p l ayed in the prev i o u s 3 -4
2000. months period, but there are a number
of other features which makes it very
Opening Monographs attractive for training purposes. There
are combinations, endgames from recent
Monographs focus on one opening or games, as well as a section on endgame
e v e n j u s t o n e l i n e a n d v ary studies (compositions), along with a lot
tremendously in quality and style. Some more interesting material. As an overall
are excellent and some are not that good, source of study material, it is very good,
though i n recent years, chess but everyth ing is in " l anguage less
publishers have been more careful about annotations" (i.e., using symbols to
the books they publi shed, trying to indicate evaluations of moves) which
e n s u re good v a l u e fo r the reader. can be difficult for the inexperienced
However, this fact should not make you player. New In Chess Yearbook has a
purchase opening books lot more text, but the maj ority of the
indi scri m inate ly, because the target g a m e s are a l s o p r e s e n t e d w i th
audience of a book may not be right for languag e l e s s annotat i o n s , and the
your level of play. Another thing to keep focus is entirely on openings.
in mind is that many books focus on an
opening with an emphasis on either a Hopefully this chapter has given you
white or black perspective, so while a the guidance you need to make good
book may have received great reviews, decisions about how to consider which
it may not help you very much if it books to buy, and which to avoid. In
presents material only "from one side conj unction w i th the advice i n the
of the board." Another piece of advice previous chapters, all that remains is to
is to be careful when it comes to books wish you good luck in your opening
on obscure openings and gambits. They endeavors, though I will repeat what I
are rare ly obj ective, and o ften the have previously said: Don't spend too
authors are weaker compared to those much time on the opening compared to
w h o w r i t e m o n o g rap h s on more the other phases of the game. It is a
mainstream openings. tempting trap into which that too many
players over the years fal l .

235
 Back to Basics: Openings

Index of Names & Variations

1 5 0 Attack - Pirc Defense Anti -Sicilian - Sicilian Defense

Antoshin Variation - Philidor s De
Accelerated Dragon - Sicilian De fen s e
fense Archangel Variation - Ruy Lopez
Accelerated Knights Tango 206 Aronian, Levon 68,
Adams, M ichael 4 8 , 1 1 9 Austrian Attack - Pirc Defense
Advance Variation - Caro-Kann Averbakh Variation - King s Indian
Defense, French Defense Defense
A lapin Variation - Sicilian Defense,
Slav Defense Baltic Defense - Queen s Gambit
Albin Counter Gambit - Queen s B arcza, Gideon 226
Gam bit Barcza Opening 226
Alburt, Lev 1 3 7 Bareev, Evgeny 1 68
Alekhine, Alexander 1 47 , 1 5 0, 1 76, Barry Attack 1 65
200, B ayonet Attack - King s Indian
Alekhine Defense 1 6, 1 7 , 1 1 4, 1 3 7 , Defense
1 3 8, 226 B e lgrade Gambit - Four Knights
- Four Pawns Attack 1 3 8 , Game
- Hunt Variation 1 3 8 Beliavsky, Alexander 70
Anand, Vi swanathan 26, 5 8 , 64, 6 8 , Benko, Pal 1 92
73, 1 3 1 1 35, Benko Gambit 2 3 , 1 67 , 1 92 , 1 97
'
Anderssen Opening 229 - Benko Gambit Accepted 1 93 , 1 96
Anti-Benoni - English Opening - Modem Variation 1 93 , 1 94
Anti-Dutch 1 98 , 20 1 - Zaitsev Variation 1 93
Anti-Griinfeld Variation - English B en k o G a m b i t R e v e r s e d - Reti
Open ing Open ing
Anti- I n d i an Variation - English Benoni Reversed - Reti Opening
Op en ing Berlin Defense - Ruy Lopez
Anti-Indians 1 67 , 207, 2 1 7 Berlin Wal l Variation - Ruy Lopez
Anti-Marshall - Ruy Lopez Bezgodov, Alexei 1 1 5
Anti-Meran - Slav Defense B i l ek, I stvan 226
Anti- M eran Gambit - Slav Defense Bird 's Opening 207, 225
Anti-Moscow Gambit - Slav De - From 's Gambit 225
fense B i rd Variation - Ruy Lopez
Anti-Nimzo Variation - English Bisguier, Arthur 1 2 1
Open ing B ishop 's Gambit - King s Gambit

236
B ishop 's Opening 1 9, 79 - Fantasy Variation 1 3 1 , 1 3 2
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit 1 32 , 1 63 , - King 's Indian Attack 1 3 1 , 223
20 1 - Nimzowitsch Variation 1 3 5
- Ryder Gambit 1 64 - Panov-Botvinnik Attack 1 3 1 , 1 3 2,
Blumenfeld Gambit 1 68, 1 93 , 1 96 1 3 9, 1 43 , 1 73
B lumenfeld Gambit Reversed - Reti - Smyslov Variation 1 3 5
Open ing - Two Knights Variation 1 3 1
Bogo-Indian Defense 1 7 5 , 1 76, 202 Catalan Opening 1 4 1 , 1 42, 1 6 1 , 204,
Bogolubow Indian - Bogo-Indian 222
Defense - C losed Variation 1 62, 1 63
Boleslavsky Variation - Sicilian De - Open Variation 1 62
fen s e Center C ounter - Scandi navian
B ondarevsky S y s t e m - - Queen s Defense
Gamb it Center Game 7 7
Botvinnik, Mikhail 8, 1 2, 95, 1 30, 1 33, Chebanenko Variation - Slav De
1 44, 1 54, 1 82, 1 99 fense
Breyer Variation - Ruy Lopez Chess Informant 1 1 , 235
Bronstein, David 82, 1 3 0, 1 3 6, 1 7 8 Chigorin, Mikhail 4 7 , 7 1 , 1 6 1
Bronstein-Larsen Variation - Caro Chi gorin Defense - Queen s Gam
Kann Defense bit
Budapest Gambit 1 97 Chinese Variation - Sicilian De
- Faj arowicz Gambit 1 97 fense
Bum Variation - French Defense Classical Main Line - Caro-Kann
Byrne, Robert 1 08 Defense
Byrne Variation - Sicilian Defense C lassical System - Pirc Defense
C l a s s i c a l Variation - Dutch De
C a m b r i d g e S p r i n g s Vari a t i o n - fense, French Defense, King s In
Queen s Gambit dian, Modern Benoni, Nimzo-In
Capablanca, Jose Raul 6 1 , 6 8 , 1 47 dian Defense, Sicilian Defense
Capablanca Variation - Nimzo-In Closed Game 6 , 1 5 , 1 4 1
dian Defense, Reti Opening C losed Sicilian - Sicilian Defense
C apablanca ' s Method - Queen s Closed Sicilian Reversed - English
Gamb it Open ing
Carlsen, Magnus 97, 1 3 8 Closed Variation - Catalan Open
Caro-Kann Defense 9 , 1 8 , 84, 1 3 0, ing, Ruy Lopez
1 3 9, 1 43 , 229 Colle System 1 63 , 1 64, 2 3 0
- Advance Variation 1 3 1 , 1 3 3 Cordel Variation - Ruy Lopez
- B ronstein-Larsen Variation 1 3 5 Cozio Defense - Ruy Lopez
- C lassical Main Line 1 3 6 Czech Benoni 1 9 1 , 1 92
- Exchange Variation 1 3 2 Czech Defense - Pirc Defense

237
 Back to Basics: Open ings

Danish Gambit 80, 82 - Reversed Dragon Variation 2 1 1

de Labourdonnais, Louis 85 - Rubinstein Variation 2 1 5 , 2 1 6
Delayed Exchange Variation - Ruy - Symmetrical English 3 6 , 9 1 , 207,
Lopez 212
Der Linkspringer - The Dunst - Wedberg Variation 2 1 6
Di lworth Attack - Ruy Lopez English Defense - English Open
Donaldson, John 209 ing
Dragodorf Variation - Sicilian De Englund Gambit 205
fense Euwe, M ax 1 5 0
Dragon Variation - Sicilian Defense Evans, William 47
Dunst The 228 Evans Gambit - Italian Game
Dutch Defense 1 67 , 1 98 , 207, 224, Exchange Variation - Caro-Kann
225 D efe n s e , Fre n c h D efe n s e ,
- Classical Variation 1 7 1 , 1 99, 200, Grunfeld Indian Defense, King s
226 Indian Defense, Queen s Gambit
- Leningrad Variation 1 99, 2 3 0 Declin ed, R uy L op ez, Slav De
- Modem Stonewall Variation 200 fen s e
- Staunton Gambit 20 1
- Stonewall Variation 1 99 F aj arow i c z G a m b i t - B u dapes t
- Wing Gambit 20 1 Gamb it
Dzindzichashvili, Roman 48, 1 1 9 Falkbeer C ountergamb it - King s
Gambit
Encyclopedia of Chess Openings 60, Fantasy Variation - Caro-Kann De
1 00, 1 94 fen s e
Engl i sh Attack - Sicilian Defense Fedorov, Alexander 82
Engl ish Opening 8, 1 0, 2 1 , 2 3 , 204, Fegatello (Fried Liver) Attack - Two
207, 222, 2 3 0 Kn ights Defense
- Anti-Benoni 2 1 2 Fi anchetto System 204
- Anti-Glii n fe1d 2 1 7 F i anch etto Variation - Grunfeld
- Anti-Indian Variations 2 1 7 In dian Defense, King s Indian,
- Anti-N imzo Variation 2 1 7, 2 1 8 Mo dern B e n o n i, Nimz o - In dian
- Closed Sicilian Reversed 209, 2 1 0 Defense, Queen s Indian Defense,
- English Defense 202, 206, 207, 2 1 9 R uy Lopez, Sicilian Defense
- F lohr-Mikenas Attack 2 1 7 , 2 1 8 Fi scher, Bobby 3 3 , 52, 6 1 , 92 , 1 07 ,
- Four Knights Variation 2 1 0 1 1 2 , 1 25 , 1 49, 1 7 1 , 1 82, 223
- Hedgehog Variation 2 1 2 , 2 1 3 , 2 1 5 F i scher Attack - Sicilian Defense
- Kasparov Gambit 2 1 3 Flank Openings 7, 2 3 , 207
- Keres Variation 208, 209 Flexible Variation - Nimzo-Indian
- King 's English 207, 2 1 0 Defense
- Pure Symmetrical 2 1 2 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 6 Fool 's Mate 20

238
Four Knights F i anchetto - Fo ur G lek, Igor 45
Knights Game G lek System - Four Knights
Four Knights Game 42, 54, 7 1 , 78 Gligoric, Svetozar I I
- Belgrade Gambit 44 Goring Gambit 39, 80, 8 1
- Four Knights F i anchetto 45 Grand Prix Attack - Sicilian De
- Glek System 45 fense
- Rubinstein Variation 43 Grob Opening 207, 226
- Scotch Four Knights 42, 44, 45 Griinfeld Indian Defense 1 2 , 1 82,
- Spanish Four Knights 42 2 1 5, 2 1 7
Four Kni ghts Variation - English - Exchange Variation 1 8 2
Open ing, Sicilian Defense - Fianchetto Variation 1 82 , 1 8 5
Four Pawns Attack - Alekhine De - Main Line 1 83
fense, King s Indian Defense - Modern Variati on 1 8 3
F rankenste in-Dracula Variation - - Three Knights Variation 1 82, 1 84
Vienna Game Gurevich, Mikhail 1 23
French Defense 1 8 , 1 2 5 , 1 3 6, 1 40, Gurgenidze Variation - Sicilian De
1 4 1 , 1 44, 229 fense
- Advance Variation 1 26
- Burn Variation 1 3 0 H an h a m Va ri a t i o n - P h ilido r s
- Classi cal Variation 1 2 9, 1 3 0, 205 Defense
- Exchange Variation 1 26 Hansen, Bent 8
- King 's Indian Attack 1 2 5 , 223 H ansen, Carsten 2 5
- M acCutcheon Variation 1 3 0 Harding, Tim 79
- Rauzer Variation 1 29 Hector, Jonny 5 4
- Poisoned Pawn Variation 26, 1 29 Hedgehog Set-up 9 1 , 9 2
- Rubinstein Variation 1 2 7, 1 2 8 , 1 3 0 H e d g e h o g Va r i a t i o n - Englis h
- Tarrasch Variation 1 26, 1 2 7 Open ing
- Winawer Variation 26, 1 29 Hodgson, Julian 1 64
Fries-Nielsen, Niels Jergen 1 0 HUbner Vari ation - Nimzo-Indian
Fritz Variation - Two Knights De Defense
fense Hungarian Defense 53
From 's Gambit - Bird s Opening Hunt Variation - Alekhine Defense
Hyper-Accelerated Dragon - Sicil
Gaj ewski, Gregor 7 1 ian Defens e
Gaj ewski Gambit - R uy Lopez
Gallagher, Joe 82 I m p r o v e d H a n h a m Var i a t i o n -
Gelfand, Boris 1 87 Philidor s Defense
Geller, Efim 8, 226 I m p r o v e d L a s k e r Va ri a t i o n -
Geller Gambit - Slav Defense Queen s Gam bit
Giuoco Pianissimo - Italian Game Ital ian Four Knights - Italian Game

239
 Back to Basics: Openings

Italian Game 40, 46, 75 - B i shop 's Gambit 82

- Evans Gambit 24, 47 - Falkbeer Countergambit 82
- Giuoco Piani ssimo 48, 49 - Muzio Gambit 78
- Ital ian Four Knights 4 3 , 46 - Steinitz Gambit 82
- Max Lange Gambit 4 7 King 's Indian Attack - Caro-Kann
- M0l ler Attack 40, 48 Defense, French Defense, Sicilian
lvanchuk, Vassily 1 3 1 Defense
Ivanov, Alexander 1 1 0 King 's Indian Defense 1 6, 1 67 , 1 77 ,
lvkov, Boris 8 202, 204, 209, 223 , 230
- Averbakh Variation 1 77 , 1 79
Kalashnikov Variation - Sicilian De - Bayonet Attack 1 80
fense - C l assical Variation 1 9, 1 77 , 1 79
Kamsky, Gata 70, 1 1 0 - Exchange Variation 1 80
Kan Variation - Sicilian Defense - F ianchetto Variation 20, 1 77 , 1 8 1 ,
Kapengut, Albert 1 8 7 209
K a p e n g u t Va r i a t i o n - Mo de rn - Four Pawns Attack 1 77 , 1 7 8
Ben o n i - Panno Variation 1 8 1 , 1 82
Karpov, Anatoly 8, 1 0, 65, 7 0 , 7 1 , 92, - Petrosian Variation 1 80
1 09, 1 3 1 1 3 5 , 1 40, 1 44, 1 49 , 1 5 9, - Samisch Variation 1 2 3 , 1 77 , 1 87
'
1 69, 1 84, 1 8 5 , 1 86, 1 93 , 2 1 2 Knight 's Tango 20 1 , 206
Karpov Variation - Nimzo-Indian Kopec Variation - Sicilian Defense
Defense, Ruy Lopez, Sicilian De Kortschnoi, Viktor 8, 3 3 , 64, 2 1 1 , 230
fense Kosten, Tony 7 5
Kasimdzhanov, Rustam 6 1 Kotronias, Vasilios 2 2
Kasparov, Garry 3 9 , 47, 56, 5 9 , 60, Kramnik, V ladimir 59, 6 0 , 7 3 , 9 5 ,
64, 6 5 , 92, 1 02 , 1 07 , 1 42 , 1 44, 1 5 9, 1 34, 1 5 1 , 1 5 9, 1 77 , 207
1 69, 1 74, 1 77, 1 82, 1 84, 207, 2 1 2
Kasparov Gambit - English Open Larsen, Bent 8 , 9, 1 0, 1 2 , 64, 79, 89,
ing 1 3 0, 1 3 8, 225, 226, 227
Keene, Raymond 1 1 Larsen Variation - Philidor s De
Keres, Paul 208 fense
Keres Attack - Sicilian Defense Lasker, Emanuel 6 1
Keres Variation - English Open Lasker Variation - Queen s Gam
ing bit, Reti Opening
Keres-Mikenas Defense 202 Latvian Gambit 76
Khalifman, Alexander 5 6 Leko, Peter 1 3 1 , 1 34
Kholmov, Ratmir 7 0 Leningrad Vari ation - Dutch De
Kholmov Variation - Ruy Lopez fense, Nimzo-Indian Defense
King 's English - English Opening Levenfish Variation - Sicilian De
King's F i anchetto 1 24, 202 fense
King 's Gambit 24, 78 , 82, 225 Lisitsyn Gambit 224

240
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir 8 1 , 1 3 1 Morozevich, Alexander 1 3 1 , 1 60
L o l l i Attack - Two Kn ights De Morphy, Paul 60
fense Moscow Variation - Sicilian De
London System 1 67 , 204, 2 3 0 fense, Slav Defense
Lopez, Ruy 5 5 Movsesian, Sergei 48
Lowenthal Variation - Sicilian De Muzio Gambit - King s Gambit
fense Meller, Jergen 48
Meller Attack - Italian Game
Main Line - Griinfeld Indian De Meller Variation - Ruy Lopez
fe n s e , Nimz o - Indian D efe n s e ,
Queen s Gambit, R uy Lopez, Slav Najdorf, Miguel ! 07
Defense N aj dorf Vari ation - Sicilian De
M akogonov Variation - Queen s fense
Gambit Neo-Orthodox Variation - Queen s
Maroczy Bind - Sicilian Defense Gambit
Marshall, Frank 68 New Archangel Variation - R uy
Marshal l Attack - Ruy Lopez Lopez
Marshall Gambit - Slav Defense New York Variation - Reti Open
Max Lange Attack - Two Knights ing
Defense Nielsen, Henning 25
Max Lange Gambit - Italian Game Nimzo-Indian Defense 9, 1 8 , 1 67,
Meran Variation - Slav Defense 20 1 , 227
Mikenas Variation - Scotch Game - Capabl anca Variation 1 67 , 1 69
M i les, Tony 1 3 8, 1 40 - C lassical Variation 1 69
M odern Attack - Two Knights De - Fianchetto Variation 1 69
fense - Flexible Variation 1 67, 1 68
Modern Benoni 1 67 , 1 7 7 , 1 79, 1 8 7 - HUbner Variation 1 72
- C lassical Variation 1 8 7 , 1 89 - Karpov Variation 1 73
- F ianchetto Variation 1 8 7 , 1 90 - Leningrad Variation 1 67, 1 68
- Kapengut Variation 1 77 , 1 87 - Main L ine 1 7 1 , 1 72
- Modern Variation 1 8 7 , 1 8 9 - Modern Variation 1 73
- Pawn Storm Variation 1 87 , 1 8 8 - Reshevsky Variation 1 72
- Taimanov Variation 1 8 8 - Romanishin Variation 1 69
M odern D e fe n s e King 's - Rubinstein Complex 1 3 3 , 1 67, 1 68,
Fianchetto 1 69, 1 7 1
Modern Stonewall Variation - Dutch - Samisch Variation 1 67 , 1 73
Defense Nimzo-Larsen Attack 207, 227, 230
Modern Variation - Benko Gambit, Nimzowitsch, Aron 1 26, 1 3 0, 1 3 5 ,
Griinfeld Indian Defense, Modern 1 3 9, 1 4, 1 67, 1 74, 1 75, 2 1 5 , 2 1 8, 227
Benoni, Nimzo-Indian Defense Ni mzowitsch Defense 1 3 9

24 1
 Back to Basics: Openings

N i mz o w i t s c h Vari a t i o n - Caro - Hanham Variation 76

Kann Defense, Sicilian Defense - I mproved Hanham Variation 7 6
Nisipeanu, Liviu-Dieter 76, 1 96 - Larsen Variation 76
Norwegian Variation - Ruy Lopez Pin Variation - Sicilian Defense
Noteboom Variation - Slav Defense Pirc Defense 1 2 3 , 1 2 5 , 1 40 , 204
Novosibirsk Variation - Sicilian De - 1 5 0 Attack 1 2 3 , 1 24
fense - Austrian Attack 1 2 3 , 1 24
Nunn, John 42 - C lassical System 1 2 3
- Czech Defense 1 23
Offbeat S i c i l ian - Sicilian Defense Pirc Defense Reversed 226
0 ' Kelly de Galway, Alberic 1 1 4 Poi soned Pawn Variation - French
O ' Kelly Variation - Sicilian De Defense, Sicilian Defense, Torre
fense Attack, Trompo wsky Attack
Old Benoni 1 92 Polish Defense 205 , 224
Old Indian Defense 1 8 6, 1 9 1 Polugaevsky, Lev 8
Open Game 6, 1 4, 3 9 , 1 2 3 , 1 40 P o lugaevsky Variation - Sicilian
Open Sicil ian - Sicilian Defense Defense
Open Variation - Catalan Open Ponziani Opening 54
ing, Ruy Lopez Porti sch, Laj o s 48
Orangutan Opening 207, 228 Pseudo-Trompowski Attack 1 6 3 ,
Orthodox Variation - Queen s Gam 1 64
bit Psomiadis, Stavros 22
Owen 's Defense 1 40 Pure Symmetrical - English Open
ing
Panno Variation - King s Indian
Defense Queen 's F ianchetto 206
Panov-Botvinnik Attack - Caro Queen 's Gambit 24, 1 4 1 , 222
Kann Defense - A lbin Counter Gambit 1 5 8 , 1 60
Paris Opening 2 3 0 - Baltic Defense 1 5 9, 1 60
Paulsen Variation - Sicilian De - Bondarevsky System 1 49
fense - Cambridge Springs Variation 1 46
Pawn Storm Variation - Modern - Capablanca 's Method 1 47 , 1 48
Beno n i - Chigorin Defense 1 5 9, 1 6 1
Petroff Defense - Russ ian Game - Exchange Variation 2 1 , 1 3 2 , 1 44,
Petrosian, Tigran 8, 1 3 0, 1 74 230
Petros ian Variation - King s Indian - Improved Lasker Vari ation 1 48
Defense, Queen s Indian Defense - Lasker Variation 1 48
Philidor, FranYois-Andre 75 - Main Line 1 44
Phi lidor 's Defense 7 1 , 7 5 , 1 23 - Makogonov Variation 1 49
- Antosh in Variation 76 - Neo-Orthodox Variation 1 46

242
- Orthodox Variation 1 46, 1 5 5 , 1 63 Reversed King 's Gambit 77
- Queen 's Gambit Accepted 1 8 , 1 3 3 , Reversed Phil idor 55
1 4 1 , 1 5 1 , 1 5 8, 1 5 9, 1 73 , 22 1 Richter-Rauzer Variation - Sicilian
- Queen 's Gambit Declined 1 4 1 , 1 42, Defense
1 44, 1 5 3 , 1 5 8 Richter-Veresov Attack 1 65 , 229
- Ragozin Variation 1 45 , 1 68 Romanishin Variation - Nimzo-In
- Schara-Hennig Gambit 1 42 dian Defensen
- Semi-Tarrasch 2 1 5 Rossolimo Variation - Sicilian De
- Tarrasch Defense 1 42 , 2 1 5 fense
- Tartakower Variation 1 48 , 1 49 Rubinstein, Akiba 1 43 , 1 5 3 , 1 7 1
- Vienna Variation 1 45 Rubinstein Complex - Nimzo-In
Queen 's Indian Defense 9, 1 6, 1 67 , dian Defense
1 68 , 1 74, 204, 206, 2 1 4 Ru b i n s t e i n Var i a t i o n - Englis h
- Fianchetto Variation 1 74, 1 7 5 Op en ing, Fo u r Kn igh ts Game,
- Petrosian Variation 1 74, 206, 220 French Defense
Q u e e n ' s K n i g h t ' s Attack - Th e Rublevsky, Sergei 1 3 6
Dunst Russian Game 20, 7 1 , 79, 1 3 6
Queen 's Pawn Opening 2 1 9, 2 3 0 Ruy Lopez 1 2 , 50, 5 5 , 7 5 , 1 44
Quiet Variation - Two Knights De - Anti-Marshal 1 67
fense Archangel Variation 63
- Berlin Defense 59
Radj abov, Teimur 5 8 , 1 77 , 1 8 1 - Berlin Wal l Variation 60
Ragozin Variation - Queen s Gam - B ird Variation 5 5
bit - Breyer Variation 7 0
Rauzer Variation - French Defense - Chigorin Variation 7 1
Reshevsky Vari ation - Nimzo-In - Closed Variation 6 6
dian Defense - Cordel Vari ation 5 7
Reti Opening 207, 220 - Cozio Defense 5 6
- Benko Gambit Reversed 22 1 - Delayed Exchange Variation 6 6
- Benoni Reversed 22 1 - D i lworth Attack 65
- B lumenfeld Gambit Reversed 22 1 - Exchange Variation 6 1
- Capablanca Variation 222 - Fianchetto Variation 5 6
- King 's Indian Attack 220 - Gaj ewski Gambit 7 1
- Lasker Variation 222 - Karpov Variation 70
- New York Variation 222 - Kholmov Variation 70
- Semi-Catalan 22 1 , 222 - Main Line 26, 60
- S lav Set-up 22 1 - Marshall Attack 67, 68
Reti-Dutch 224 - Meller Variation 63
Reversed Dragon Vari ation - En - New Archangel Variation 63
glish Open ing - Norwegian Variation 62

243
 Back to Basics: Openings

- Open Variation 64 - Alapin Variation 1 1 5 , 1 1 6, 1 1 7, 1 3 1 ,

- Schliemann/Janisch Gambit 5 8 208
- Siesta Variation 6 2 - Anti-Sicilians 84, 1 1 5
- Smyslov Variation 7 0 - Boleslavsky Variation 9 5 , l 08
- Steinitz Variation 5 7 - Byrne Variation l 08
- Stein itz Variation Deferred 62 - Chinese Variation 1 00
- Worrall Attack 66 - C lassical Variation 8 5 , 9 5 , 9 8 , 99,
- Zaitsev Variation 70 1 02, 1 04, 1 05 , 1 08 , 1 09
Ryder Gambit - Blackmar-Diemer - Closed Sicil ian 1 1 5 , 1 1 6, 1 1 9
Gam bit - Dragodorf Variation 1 00
- Dragon Variation 1 1 , 9 5 , 9 7 , 1 2 1
Samisch Variation - King s Indian - English Attack 1 02, 1 03 , 1 08
Defense, Nimzo-Indian Defense - Fianchetto Variation 1 02, 1 07, 1 08,
Saragossa Opening 2 3 0 1 10
Scandinavian Defense I 0, 1 3 8 , 2 2 9 - F ischer Attack I 04
Schara-Hennig Gambit - Queen s - Four Knights Variation 93
Gambit - Grand Prix Attack 1 1 5 , 1 1 7 , 1 1 8
Scheveni ngen Variation - Sicilian - Gurgenidze Variation 89
Defense - Hyper-Accelerated Dragon 1 1 3
Schliemann/Janisch Gambit - Ruy - Kalashnikov Variation 8 5 , 86
Lopez - Kan Variation 90, 2 1 4
Schmid Benoni 1 9 1 - Keres Attack I 02, 1 05
Scotch Four Knights - Fo u r - King 's Indian Attack 1 20, 1 22 , 223
Knights Game - Kopec Variation 1 20, 1 2 1
Scotch Game 3 9 - Levenfish Variation 98
- 4 0 0 0 Bc5 Variation 40 - Lowenthal Variation 85, 86, 1 1 5
- 40 0 o N f6 Variation 42 - M aroczy B ind 89, 1 22 , 202, 2 1 3 ,
- Mikenas Variation 42 216
Scotch Gambit 39, 40, 48 - Moscow Variation 1 20, 1 2 1
Scotch Gambit - Scotch Game - Naj dorf Variation 26, 9 5 , 96, 1 02,
Seirawan, Vasser 1 2 3 1 04, 1 05 , 1 07 , 1 2 1
Semi-Catalan - Reti Opening - Nimzowitsch Variation 1 1 3
Semi-Closed Game 6, 1 67 - Novosibirsk Variation 8 8
Semi-Open Game 6, 84 - O ' Kelly Variation 1 1 3 , 1 1 4
Semi-S lav - Slav Defense - Offbeat Sicilian 84, 1 1 3
Semi-Tarrasch - Queen s Gambit - Open Sicilian 84, 1 2 1
Shirov, Alexei 82, 1 1 2, 1 95 - Paulsen Variation 90, 2 1 4
Short, Nigel 42, 47, 1 1 2 , 1 34 - Pin Variation 9 3 , 94
Sicilian Defense 22, 30, 84, 1 40, 227 - Poisoned Pawn Variation 26, 1 1 2
- Accelerated Dragon I 0, 27, 36, 8 5 , - Polugaevsky Variation I l l
89, 1 1 4, 202, 2 1 6, 229 - Richter-Rauzer Variation 9 5 , 97

244
- Rossolimo Variation 1 20, 1 2 1 S o k o l sky Ope n i n g - Orangutan
- Scheveningen Variation 9 5 , 1 02 , Open ing
1 08 , 1 1 0, 1 2 1 Soltis Variation - Sicilian Defense
- Smith-Morra Gambit 27, 1 1 5 , 1 1 6 Sozio Vari ation - Sicilian Defense
- Soltis Variation 1 0 1 S p a n i s h F o u r K n i g h t s - Fo u r
- Sozio Variation 9 5 , 96, 1 04 Knights Game
- Sveshnikov Variation 1 1 , 8 5 , 8 7 , Spanish Game - Ruy Lopez
1 1 5 , 1 20 Spassky, Boris 6 8 , 70, 72, 82, 1 1 2 ,
- Taimanov Variation 8 5 , 90, 9 1 , 1 02, 1 1 9, 1 49, 1 68
1 05 Spielmann, Rudolf82
- Tal Variation 1 02 Staunton, Howard 207
- Velimirovic Attack 1 05 Staunton Gambit - Dutch Defense
- Wing Gambit 1 1 5 Stein, Leonid 223
- Yugoslav Attack 2 7 , 9 8 , 99 Steinitz, Wilhelm 47, 52
Siesta Variation - Ruy Lopez Steinitz Gambit - King s Gambit
Skakbladet Steinitz Variation - Ruy Lopez
S lav Defense 1 4 1 , 1 42 , 1 44, 1 5 0, Steinitz Variation Deferred - Ruy
222 Lopez
- Alapin Variation 1 5 1 Stonewall Variation - Dutch De
- Anti-Meran 24, 1 50 , 1 54 fense
- Anti-Meran Gambit 24, 1 5 5 Sveshinkov, Evgeny 87, 1 1 7 , 1 26
- Anti-Moscow Gambit 24, 1 5 5 Sveshnikov Variation - Sicilian De
- Chebanenko Variation 1 5 6 fense
- Exchange Variation 1 5 0 S y m metri c a l E n g l i s h - English
- Geller Gambit 1 5 1 Open ing
- Main Line 1 5 0, 1 5 1 Serensen, Jan 7 8
- Marshall Gambit 1 5 6, 1 5 8
- Meran Variation 1 5 0, 1 5 3 Taimanov, M ark 9 1
- Moscow Variation 1 5 5 Ta i m a n o v Va r i a t i o n - Mo de rn
- Noteboom Variation 1 5 6 , 1 5 7 Benon i, Sicilian Defense
- Semi-Slav 1 50, 1 54 Tal, Mikhail 68, 1 3 3 , 1 3 6, 1 3 8
S l av Set-Up - Reti Opening Tal Variation - Sicilian Defense
S m i t h - M orra G a m b i t - Sicilian Tarrasch, Siegbert 1 6, 1 7 , 5 1 , 1 42 ,
Defense 1 66
Smyslov, Vassily 57, 1 1 9, 1 3 0, 1 3 5 , Tarrasch Defense - Queen s Gam
207 bit
S m y s l ov Vari ation - Caro-Kann Tarrasch Variation - French De
Defense, R uy Lopez fense
Snake Benoni 1 87 Tartakower Vari ation - Queen s
Sokol sky, Alexei 228 Gambit

245
 Back to Basics: Openings

Three Knights Game 46, 54, 78 Vallej o-Pons, Franci sco 86

Three Knights Variation - Grilnfeld Van Geet Opening - The Dunst
Indian Defense Van ' t Kruij 's Opening 2 3 0
Timman, Jan 6 1 , 1 2 3 Velimirovic, Dragoljub 5 4 , 8 1
Tiviakov, Sergei 1 3 6, 1 3 9 Ve limirovic Attack - Sicilian De
Topalov, Veselin 5 8 , 7 3 , 1 3 1 fen s e
Torre Attack 1 67 , 2 0 3 , 204, 2 3 0 Vienna Gambit - Vienna Game
- Poisoned Pawn Variation 26 Vienna Game 4 5 , 7 7 , 1 3 7, 229
Tra x l e r C o u n t e r - A t t a c k - Two - Frankenstein-Dracula Variation 79
Knights Defense - Vienna Gambit 78
Trompowsky Attack 1 9 , 1 64, 1 67 , Vienna Variation - Queen s Gam
203 bit
-Posioned Pawn Variation 26 Volga Gambit - Benko Gambit
Two Knights Defense 40, 47, 48, 49,
50 Ward, Chris I 00
- Fegatello (Fried Liver) Attack 5 1 We d b e rg Va r i a t i o n - Englis h
- Fritz Vari ation 5 2 Open ing
- Lolli Attack 5 1 W i l k e s - B a rre Var i a t i o n - Tw o
- Max Lange Attack 47, 5 2 , 5 3 Kn ights Defense
- Modem Attack 5 2 , 5 3 Winawer Vari ation - French De
- Quiet Variation 5 0 fen s e
- Traxler Counter-Attack 5 1 Wing Gambit - Dutch Defense, Si
- Ulvestad Variation 5 1 cilian Defense
- Wilkes-Barre Variation 5 1 Worral l Attack - Ruy Lopez
Two Knights Variation - Caro-Kann
Defense Yugoslav Attack - Sicilian Defense

Uhlmann, Wolfgang 8 Zaitsev, Igor 7 1 , 1 93

Ulvestad Variation - Two Knights Zaitsev Variation - Benko Gambit,
Defense R uy Lopez

246
 ChessCafe Back to Basics Chess Series
Back to Basics : Fundamentals
by Bra n islav F ra ncuski 1 92 p p .
978- 1 -888690-42-2 S R P : $22 . 9 5
. .

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Basics: Fundamentals, the essential building
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Back to Basics : Tactics

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247