Table of Contents

Title page
Key to Symbols
Bibliography
Preface

PART I – Early Sidelines after 1.d4 f5

Chapter 1 – The Staunton Gambit

Chapter 2 – The System with 2.Nc3
Part 1 Part 2
Chapter 3 – The Göring Attack 2.Bg5
Chapter 4 – Minor Lines on the Second Move
Part 1 Part 2
Chapter 5 – Systems Including an Early c3 and/or Nh3
Part 1 Part 2

PART II – Classical Systems

Chapter 6 – Sidelines for White on Move Three

Part 1 Part 2
Chapter 7 – Lines with an Early b4
Chapter 8 – Systems with b3
Part 1 Part 2
Chapter 9 – The Aggressive 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3
Chapter 10 – The Classical Leningrad
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

PART III – Reti and English Move Orders

Chapter 11 – The Leningrad Dutch versus the Reti

Chapter 12 – The Leningrad Dutch versus the English
Part 1 Part 2

2
Conclusion

3
 The Modernized Dutch Defense

by
Adrien Demuth

Thinkers Publishing 2019

www.thinkerspublishing.com

First edition 2019 by Thinkers Publishing

Copyright © 2019 Adrien Demuth
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the prior written permission from the publisher.
All sales or enquiries should be directed to Thinkers Publishing, 9850 Landegem, Belgium.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.thinkerspublishing.com

Managing Editor: Romain Edouard

Assistant Editor: Daniël Vanheirzeele
Typesetting: Mark Haast
Proofreading: Ian Marks
Software: Hub van de Laar
Cover Design: Iwan Kerkhof
Graphic Artist: Philippe Tonnard
Production: BESTinGraphics
ISBN: 9789492510556
D/2019/13730/8

4
 Key to Symbols

! a good move
? a weak move
!! an excellent move
?? a blunder
!? an interesting move
?! a dubious move
™ only move
N novelty
‰ lead in development
ʘ zugzwang
= equality
∞ unclear position
© with compensation for the sacrificed material
² White stands slightly better
³ Black stands slightly better
± White has a serious advantage
µ Black has a serious advantage
+– White has a decisive advantage
–+ Black has a decisive advantage
‚ with an attack
ƒ with initiative
„ with counterplay
… with the idea of
¹ better is
≤ worse is
+ check
# mate

5
 Bibliography

Books

The Diamond Dutch, Viktor Moskalenko, New in Chess 2014

The Leningrad Dutch, Vladimir Malaniuk and Petr Marusenko, Chess Stars 2014
A Practical White Repertoire with 1.d4 and 2.c4 (Volume 3), Alexei Kornev, Chess Stars 2014
The Killer Dutch, Simon Williams, Everyman 2015
The Modernized Reti, Adrien Demuth, Thinkers Publishing, 2018
1.d4 Dynamic Systems Volume 2B, Boris Avrukh, Quality Chess 2019

Electronic/Periodical

Mega Database, Chessbase

Corr Datatabase, Chessbase
New in Chess Yearbook, New in Chess

6
 Preface

Finding the right opening against 1.d4 has always been a difficult task. Keeping the balance between a
solid position and having decent winning chances is very difficult. If you have experienced this
problem, have you ever tried the Leningrad Variation of the Dutch Defense? When you play 1...f5, your
opponent understands that you are not afraid and are out to win the game. Some White players like this,
since they will also get more winning chances, but your choice might also unsettle many others.
For a long time, my trainers used to tell me that the Dutch Defense was quite dubious, and that there
were many good ways to meet it and get an advantage with White. In fact the Dutch had a bad
reputation in general, so they succeeded in convincing me for a while. But around 2013, some very
strong players started to use it regularly; some of Kamsky’s games were very impressive and even the
World Champion, Magnus Carlsen, started to employ the opening occasionally. Most of the time when
the Dutch appeared in top level games, Black’s intention was to follow with an early ...g6, leading to
the Leningrad Variation, probably the sharpest version of the opening! Now many strong grandmasters
employ the Leningrad Variation from time to time.
After seeing these games which seemed to show that White was unable to find an edge in the main
lines, I decided to work closely on the variation. First of all I got two of the most recent books on the
Leningrad, by Malaniuk and Moskalenko, and even if I wasn’t fond of every line, they were really
inspiring. In 2015 I played my first games with the Leningrad. I even acquired a special feeling for this
opening, because my first game with it was a win against GM Zakhartsov which was crucial in scoring
my final GM norm in February 2015 at the Pfalz Open.
Since then I have included the Leningrad in my repertoire, even if only as my second or third choice
main weapon, the reason being that I like to vary a lot, and I also like more positional openings.
After writing my first book almost two years ago on the Reti, I was kindly offered the opportunity by
my editor to write another one on a subject of my own choosing. Obviously it was illogical to offer
another repertoire for White, so the choice of the Leningrad for Black was obvious. The opening was a
great source of interest to me, and I really wondered if I could devote a whole book to it. Also, I took a
bet with my editor, Daniël Vanheirzeele, who didn’t believe in the Dutch at all, that I would make him
like the book so much that he would play the Leningrad from the Black side. Time will tell if I have
succeeded!
Throughout the book I have tried not only to look for variations where there is always life and winning
chances for Black, but also to offer decent continuations, not just say that ‘Black has counterplay’,
when he might clearly be worse, which is the case in some books.
The work presented here is designed for every player willing to improve his or her general
understanding of the Dutch Defense, especially of the Leningrad Variation, with both colors. It
provides a full repertoire for Black not only against 1.d4, but also against 1.c4 and 1.Nf3. I believe that
the material offered here can help players from club level to GM level, and I hope you will enjoy
reading it as much I did writing it!

7
Adrien Demuth
Arpaillargues, June 2019

8
 Part I
Early Sidelines after 1.d4 f5

Chapter 1
The Staunton Gambit

1.d4 f5 2.e4

Chapter Guide

Chapter 1 – The Staunton Gambit

1.d4 f5 2.e4 fxe4

a) 3.f3
b) 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g4?!
c) 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Nc6
d) 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 g6 5.--
e) 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 g6 5.h4

a) 3.f3

1.d4 f5 2.e4!?

9
Position after: 2.e4!?

Where better to start our work on the Dutch Defense than with the Staunton Gambit! Staunton was the
first player to use this direct way to try to refute our system. He played it only once (to win a game in
his match against Horwitz in 1846), but nevertheless chess literature retained his name for the opening.
Even if it’s a rare guest in top-level games, Black has to be careful, as it’s easy to fall into a trap.

2...fxe4

Of course we have to accept the gift.

3.f3

I think it’s illogical to start with this move, but it happens from time to time. It’s reminiscent of the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, except that Black hasn’t moved any central pawn yet.

3...e6!?

I like this less-known approach, especially because we don’t get two ugly (even if quite strong) d-
pawns. The idea is generally to continue with ...c7−c5!
3...d5

10
Position after: 3...d5

This is the move recommended by theory, and is completely playable. 4.fxe4 [4.c4 e6 5.Nc3 Bb4 6.a3
Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 Nf6³; 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.fxe4 dxe4 transposes to 4.fxe4] 4...dxe4

Position after: 4...dxe4

This may seem quite ugly for Black, but he has an extra pawn and will probably be able to put pressure
on the center and disrupt White’s development with the e4-pawn. 5.Nc3 [5.Bc4 Nf6 6.Ne2 Nc6!³]
5...Nf6 6.Bg5 [6.Bc4 Nc6 7.Nge2 Bg4³] 6...Bf5!

11
Position after: 6...Bf5!

A) 7.Qe2?! Placing the queen in front of the bishop definitely looks strange. 7...Nc6 8.Bxf6 exf6 9.0-
0-0 Qd7! 10.Qe3 Bb4³
B) 7.Bc4 Nc6 8.Nge2 e6 Black is able to consolidate his center and has no problems at all. 9.0-0
[9.d5 Na5 10.Bb5+ c6 11.dxc6 bxc6 12.Qxd8+ Rxd8³] 9...Be7! 10.Bb3 [10.Qe1 Na5³; 10.d5? Nxd5!
µ] 10...Ng4!

Position after: 10...Ng4!

12
 Black trades the dark-squared bishops. The idea is to be able to bring the knight to e3, but it also
allows him to accelerate queenside castling. 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 12.Qd2 0-0-0³
C) 7.Nge2 e6 8.Ng3 Be7 9.Qd2 Nbd7!³ I prefer Black here, partly because it’s still not clear how
White will restore the material balance.

Position after: 3...e6!?

4.Nc3

The most played move.

A) 4.Nd2 is the computer’s suggestion and has been tried a couple of times, but I still like Black after
4...c5!N 5.fxe4 [5.dxc5 Nf6 6.fxe4 Nc6 7.Ngf3 Bxc5 8.Nb3 Bb6³ White probably regrets his early
f2−f3.] 5...cxd4 6.Ngf3 Nc6 7.Bb5 Nh6!? An interesting maneuver, to keep the dark squares under
control. 8.0-0 Nf7 9.Nb3 g6 10.Nfxd4 Bg7„
B) 4.fxe4?? Qh4+ 5.Ke2 Qxe4+ 6.Kf2 c5µ Even if White is not totally lost here, his opening has
been a big failure.
C) 4.Bf4 c5!N

13
Position after: 4...c5!N

White has weakened the dark squares, so it’s logical to strike back directly with the idea of opening
the a7-g1 diagonal. 5.Nc3 [5.dxc5 Bxc5 6.Nc3 Nf6 7.fxe4 0-0µ] 5...cxd4 6.Nb5 Qa5+ 7.Qd2 Qxd2+
8.Kxd2 Na6 9.fxe4 Bb4+ 10.Kc1 Nf6³

4...Bb4!

Position after: 4...Bb4!

14
5.Bd2

A) 5.Nh3?! exf3 6.Qxf3 Qh4+ 7.g3 Qxd4µ Two extra central pawns are simply too much. White
doesn’t even have an advantage in development.
B) 5.Qe2 Nc6!N 6.Be3 Nf6µ

5...d5!N

Position after: 5...d5!N

I believe that, played now, this is an improvement over the lines with 3...d5.

6.Qe2

6.a3 Bxc3 7.Bxc3 Nc6 8.Qe2 Nf6 9.0-0-0 0-0³

6...Nc6 7.fxe4 Nxd4 8.Qd3 dxe4 9.Nxe4 Bxd2+ 10.Qxd2 Nf6³

15
Position after: 10...Nf6³

Black has managed to keep his extra pawn and has the better prospects.

b) 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g4?!

1.d4 f5 2.e4!? fxe4 3.Nc3

Position after: 3.Nc3

16
In most games White starts with this move, which is going to be our main continuation.

3...Nf6

3...d5? This is the classical mistake and you have to keep the pattern in mind: 4.Qh5+ g6 5.Qxd5±.

4.g4?!

I believe this is objectively wrong, but Black has to play a slightly illogical – to my eyes – move.
4.f3 d5 transposes to the line 3.f3 d5 that we covered earlier.

4...h6!

This is the kind of move Black usually doesn’t want to make!

Position after: 4...h6!

It weakens the kingside, and if a bishop was miraculously dropped on to g6, the outcome would be
painful. But be assured, it won’t happen.

5.f3

A) 5.Bg2 This might seem the logical follow-up, but it’s not strong enough. 5...d5!µ
B) 5.h4 d5 6.Bh3

17
Position after: 6.Bh3

6...Nc6! [6...g5!? is an appealing option as well, and the position can soon get crazy.] 7.g5?! Bxh3
8.Nxh3 hxg5 9.Nxg5 [9.hxg5 Qd7! 10.gxf6 exf6–+ The knight is lost, and so is White’s position.]
9...Qd6µ
C) 5.g5 hxg5 6.Bxg5 d5 7.f3 – see the line 5.f3 d5 6.g5 hxg5 7.Bxg5.

5...d5!

Position after: 5...d5!

18
6.h3

This has been by far the most played move by White, but without much success.
A) 6.Bg2 c5! It’s clear here that, as often, when one faces a flank attack, one must react in the center.
7.fxe4 [7.dxc5 Nc6 8.fxe4 Bxg4 9.Bf3 Bxf3 10.Qxf3 d4µ] 7...cxd4 8.Nxd5 [8.e5?! dxc3 9.exf6
exf6µ] 8...Nc6 9.Nh3 e6µ
B) 6.Bf4 c5 7.Nb5 Na6 8.dxc5 e5 9.Bxe5 Bxc5µ
C) White remains worse after 6.g5 hxg5 7.Bxg5 Bf5 8.Bg2 Nc6! 9.fxe4 Nxe4 10.Bxe4 Bxe4
11.Nxe4 dxe4 12.d5 Nb4³.
D) 6.fxe4 Slightly illogical since g4 is no longer protected.
D1) 6...e5? has been played by a strong grandmaster, but it fails to convince the computer, and
White followed with a powerful sequence: 7.g5! hxg5 8.dxe5 Bg4 9.Be2 Bxe2 10.Qxe2 Nxe4
11.Nxe4 dxe4 12.Qxe4² ½-½ (30) Kasyan, A (2348) – Miroshnichenko, E (2670), Tashkent 2011.
D2) 6...dxe4 Simplest is best here. 7.h3 Nc6 8.Be3 e6 9.Qd2 Bb4³

6...e6!

Position after: 6...e6!

As g4 is no longer a target, we can change our mind and develop our dark-squared bishop.

7.fxe4

White tries to destroy Black’s pawn structure, but things are not that simple.
7.Bg2 c5! 8.fxe4 cxd4 9.Qxd4 Nc6 10.Qa4 Bb4µ

19
7...Bb4!N

Position after: 7...Bb4!N

This is the point: Black can take advantage of White’s lack of development and the holes in his camp.

8.g5!

The only challenging move, otherwise it’s not difficult for Black to be better.
8.e5 Ne4–+ ...Nxc3 and ...Qh4 are two threats which are hard to parry.

8...0-0!!

20
Position after: 8...0-0!!

A very strong sacrifice. Black bets ev-erything on his attack.

9.gxf6

9.gxh6 e5! [9...Nxe4 is fine as well, but I prefer this beautiful move.] 10.Bg5 [10.hxg7 Rf7! 11.Bg5
Qd6µ The queen is heading to g3, and White is in deep trouble.] 10...gxh6 11.Bh4 Nc6µ

9...Qxf6 10.Nge2!

10.Qe2 Nc6!

21
Position after: 10...Nc6!

11.Be3 [11.Qg2 e5! 12.dxe5 Qh4+ 13.Kd1 Nxe5–+] 11...Nxd4 12.Bxd4 Qxd4–+

10...Qh4+ 11.Kd2

Position after: 11.Kd2

I don’t think many players would like to play this as White. Black needs to be precise, as he is a piece
down, but objectively he has more than enough compensation.

22
11...Nc6 12.Qe1 Qxe4 13.Rg1 Nxd4 14.Nxd4 Qxd4+ 15.Bd3 e5µ

Position after: 15...e5µ

I doubt that White will hold this for very long.

c) 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Nc6

1.d4 f5 2.e4!? fxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5!

23
Position after: 4.Bg5!

This is the main continuation. It is hard to give global advice in this kind of position as the play is far
too concrete. It may also be difficult to remember the critical lines, as you might encounter this only
about once a year. That is partly why I decided to choose quite a simple line here, based on healthy
principles, instead of more abstract lines. But first, let’s discuss one of the main lines before moving on
to my main recommendation, 4...g6, in the next subchapter.

4...Nc6!?

Even if it’s not the line I would play, I’ll give you the gist of my analysis if you want to investigate it.
A) In one of the first games where the Staunton Gambit occurred, Black went wrong immediately by
falling for an obvious trick: 4...d5? 5.Bxf6 exf6 6.Qh5+ g6 7.Qxd5±, and Anderssen, the legendary
attacking player, easily converted his advantage in the game Anderssen, A – Dufresne, J Berlin 1851,
1-0 (26).
B) 4...c6!? I hesitated about offering this instead of 4...g6, but I feel White can obtain the better
middlegame after the thematic 5.f3!ƒ. I am not fond of the lines I checked in this variation for Black –
and we are already very low on development.

5.d5

A) 5.Bxf6?! exf6 6.d5 Ne5

Position after: 6...Ne5

These lines where White has already given up his bishop pair are not so frightening and in general
they’re quite easy to play. Black just needs to develop his pieces and try to open the position as much

24
 as possible. 7.Qd4 [7.Nxe4? f5 8.Ng3 Bc5 9.Be2 0-0 10.Nh3 Qh4 11.Qd2 f4µ] 7...Be7 8.Nxe4 d6
9.f4 Ng6=
B) 5.f3 d5 6.fxe4 [6.Bb5 Qd6! 7.fxe4 Nxe4 8.Nxe4 dxe4 9.Qd2 Bg4³] 6...Nxe4 7.Nxe4 dxe4 8.d5

Position after: 8.d5

This is the kind of line that I am not so fond of. Our structure is quite damaged, and I feel it’s going to
be difficult to win such a position. 8...Ne5! 9.Qd4 Nf7 10.Be3 e6 11.dxe6 Bxe6 12.Qxe4 Qd5=

5...Ne5

25
Position after: 5...Ne5

6.Qe2!

As pointed out by Simon Williams, this sideline is actually the best line for White. This is the reason
why I decided not to offer 4...Nc6 as my main line.
6.Qd4 Nf7 7.Bxf6 [7.h4 gives Black enough time to counterattack in the center: 7...c6 8.0-0-0 Qb6!
9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.Qxe4 Qxf2 11.Nf3 Bh6+ 12.Kb1 Qe3=] 7...exf6

Position after: 7...exf6

A) 8.Qxe4+?! Of course White shouldn’t try to trade queens. The compensation for his missing
bishop is his activity, and most of it vanishes once the queens are traded. 8...Qe7 9.Qxe7+ [9.0-0-0
Qxe4 10.Nxe4 f5 11.Nc3 Bc5³] 9...Bxe7³
B) 8.Nxe4 f5 9.Ng3 [9.Nc3 c5 10.Qe3+ Qe7 11.Nf3 Qxe3+ 12.fxe3 Nd6=] 9...g6 10.0-0-0 [10.h4
Bh6ƒ] 10...Bh6+!

26
Position after: 10...Bh6+!

Without this move, Black would be in trouble. It is vital not to let Re1+ happen. 11.Kb1 [11.f4 0-0
12.Nf3 Bg7 13.Qd2 b5 14.c3 c5 15.dxc6 dxc6³] 11...0-0³ This is why I don’t think 6.Qd4 was the
most accurate move. Black can develop a healthy position where he even gets the bishop pair, which
gives him the better prospects in this opposite-side castling type of position.

6...c6

Position after: 6...c6

27
7.f4!

A good move!
A) 7.Bxf6 gxf6 8.0-0-0 [8.Qxe4?! e6!³] 8...cxd5!? 9.Qh5+ Nf7 10.Qxd5 [10.Nxd5 e6!³] 10...e6
11.Qxe4 f5!„
B) 7.0-0-0 Nxd5! Black tries to simplify the position.
B1) 8.Nxe4!? d6 9.Nf3 [9.f4?! Nf7 10.c4 Nxg5!³; 9.c4?! Nf6 10.f4 Nxe4! 11.Qxe4 Ng4!³]
9...Bg4∞
B2) 8.Nxd5 Nf7!?

Position after: 8...Nf7!?

This very interesting intermediate move is the best try here, otherwise White will manage to keep the
upper hand thanks to his active pieces. 9.Nf4!? [9.h4 cxd5 10.Rxd5 b6!„; 9.Bh4 cxd5 10.Rxd5 b6!
„; 9.Nh3 cxd5 10.Rxd5 b6! 11.f3 Bb7 12.Rd1 exf3 13.gxf3 Qc7!? 14.Bf4 Qc5³] 9...Nxg5 10.Qh5+
Nf7 11.Bc4

28
Position after: 11.Bc4

11...g6! [11...d5? 12.Nxd5!‚] 12.Bxf7+ Kxf7 13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.Qxh8 Qa5!„ with an unclear,
messy position.

7...Neg4!?

Position after: 7...Neg4!?

A) 7...Nf7 8.Bxf6 exf6 9.Qxe4+ Qe7 10.0-0-0 Qxe4 11.Nxe4² I think White objectively keeps the

29
 better position here. Even if Black has the bishop pair, his pieces lack coordination.
B) 7...exf3

Position after: 7...exf3

This move countains a trap, but White has a solution. 8.Nxf3 [8.Qxe5? f2+!µ Of course the pawn is
untouchable.] 8...Nxf3+ 9.Qxf3 Nxd5 10.Bc4‚ Black needs to be accurate to survive.

8.0-0-0!

8.h3? Qb6!µ

8...Qb6 9.Bxf6 Nxf6 10.Nxe4 cxd5 11.Nxf6+ Qxf6 12.g3!

30
Position after: 12.g3!

Both protecting the f4-pawn and preparing the development of the bishop on the long diagonal if
needed.

12...g6 13.Rxd5 Bg7 14.c3 0-0 15.Nf3! Rb8 16.Qe3!²

Black is trying to develop a counterattack on the dark squares, but you have to be very optimistic to
believe it will work so easily.

d) 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 g6 5.--

1.d4 f5 2.e4!? fxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5! g6!?

31
Position after: 4...g6!?

I’m choosing one of the possible deviations from the main line. It gives White a lot of choices, but none
of them seems particularly frightening. In addition, playing a fianchetto is more in the spirit of the
Leningrad Variation which I am covering in this work. Usually in the Dutch Defense, when a bishop is
on g5, playing ...g6 is bad due to Bxf6, leaving Black with ugly doubled f-pawns, but as we have
already traded on e4, that is not the case here. Now White has a large range of choices (as is often the
case when you play a non-forcing move).
First we will consider various moves which are not connected with any particular idea, then in the next
subchapter, we will check the two ways for White to directly threaten our kingside.

5.f3

A) 5.Bc4!? c6!? Black prepares ...d5. White can choose whether to prevent it or not, but only on this
occasion! 6.d5!? The only way to prevent ...d5. [6.f3 d5 7.Bb3 I feel that Black should be fine. His
pawn on d5 is strong, blocking most of White’s play. 7...exf3 8.Nxf3 Bg7 9.0-0 0-0„] 6...Bg7

32
Position after: 6...Bg7

A1) 7.Qd2?! cxd5 8.Bxd5 Here, instead of 8...Qa5 as played in Shen, V (2394) – Kamsky, G (2673),
Chicago 2015, 0-1 (37), the computer shows that Black can just take the bishop pair: 8...Nxd5
9.Nxd5 [9.Qxd5 e6! 10.Qd2 Qb6 11.0-0-0 d5µ] 9...Nc6 10.0-0-0 d6 11.Kb1 h6! 12.Bf4 e6 13.Nc3
d5µ
A2) 7.Nge2 e6!? I like this move. We force White to let us have a pawn on d5. 8.dxe6 [8.Nxe4 0-0!?
9.dxe6 d5 10.Bb3! Bxe6ƒ is similar to the main line.] 8...d5 9.0-0 Bxe6 10.Nxe4! 0-0 11.Bb3
[11.Nxf6+ Bxf6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Bd3 Nd7³] 11...Nbd7 12.c3 Bf7 13.Nxf6+ Nxf6ƒ I still prefer
Black here. His pawn on d5 restricts White’s play and he has the f-file at his disposal to achieve
something on the kingside.
B) 5.Bxf6?! This move should definitely be considered a mistake. If White is in such a hurry to regain
his pawn, he shouldn’t be playing a gambit line. 5...exf6 6.Nxe4 d5!

33
Position after: 6...d5!

7.Ng3 [7.Nc3 Bh6!? 8.Bd3 Nc6 9.Nf3 Be6 10.0-0 Qd7 11.Re1 0-0³] 7...Qe7+!? 8.Qe2 If White puts
another piece on e2, Black can play ...Qb4+. 8...Nc6 9.c3 Bh6 10.Qxe7+ Nxe7 11.Bd3 Kf7³

5...d5

Position after: 5...d5

6.fxe4

34
 A) 6.Bxf6?! exf6 7.fxe4 dxe4 8.Nxe4 f5 9.Nc3 Qe7+! White has no choice but to trade queens,
otherwise he will have problems on the dark squares, such as e3, which is really weak already. 10.Qe2
Qxe2+ 11.Bxe2 Be6³
B) 6.Qd2 has already been seen with the move order 5.Qd2 d5 6.f3.

6...Nxe4 7.Nxe4 dxe4

Position after: 7...dxe4

True, Black has an ugly pawn structure, but he will try to counterattack quickly against the d4-pawn.

8.Bc4

In my opinion not very accurate, but it’s the most played move, so I will keep it as my main line. Of
course it’s a natural square for the bishop, but it’s not clear that it will be able to remain there for very
long.
A) 8.Qd2 Bg7 9.Ne2 Nc6

35
Position after: 9...Nc6

10.d5 [10.0-0-0 Qd5! Black develops his queenside actively and will be able to castle afterwards.
11.Kb1 Be6 12.b3 0-0-0 13.Be3 Qd6³] 10...Ne5 11.Nc3 c6 12.0-0-0 Bf5 13.dxc6 Qxd2+ 14.Rxd2
Nxc6=
B) 8.Bb5+N 8...Nc6 9.Qd2 Bg7 10.0-0-0 0-0 11.Ne2 Qd6„

8...Nc6!

Position after: 8...Nc6!

36
9.c3

9.Ne2N 9...Na5 We are very glad to trade this bishop; our light squares are going to be grateful.
10.Bb3 Nxb3 11.axb3 Bg7 12.0-0 Bf5³

9...Na5! 10.Be2

A) 10.Ne2?! Allowing the trade so easily is a strange reaction for a grandmaster. Black gets the better
position without any difficulty: 10...Nxc4 11.Qa4+ c6 12.Qxc4 Qd5!

Position after: 12...Qd5!

13.Qxd5 cxd5 14.Nf4 e6 15.Bf6 Rg8 16.c4 Bb4+ 17.Ke2 Rf8 18.Be5 dxc4µ Black is much better,
even if he eventually only drew. Kouatly, B (2453) – Narciso Dublan, M (2520), Barcelona 2015.
B) 10.Bb3N 10...Nxb3 11.Qxb3 c6! 12.Ne2 Qd5 Once again, the plan to trade queens in the center is
very effective. 13.Be3 Qxb3 14.axb3 Be6 15.b4 Bc4³ The least we can say is that our light-squared
bishop is having a great time with no natural predators!

10...Qd5!

37
Position after: 10...Qd5!

11.Be3 Bg7 12.b3

A necessary preventive move, otherwise ...Nc4 is going to be annoying.

12...0-0 13.Qd2

Thus far as in the game Alexiadis, H (2282) – Rychagov, A (2552), Kavala 2015, 0-1 (50). Now Black
could have prevented White from doing anything in the center by varying with

13...b5!N

38
Position after: 13...b5!N

14.0-0-0 e5 15.dxe5 Qxe5 16.Bd4 Qe7µ

Position after: 16...Qe7µ

It’s not so simple for White to finish his development, and his castled position has already been
undermined. Black clearly has the better chances.

e) 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 g6 5.h4

39
1.d4 f5 2.e4!? fxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 g6

Position after: 4...g6

5.h4!?

One of the most aggressive approaches. Even if it’s not the most played move there’s a lot to say about
it, so I decided to make it the main line.
5.Qd2 Continuing in the same spirit. White prepares 0-0-0, and will probably continue with h4−h5 and
Bh6 if he has time to. 5...d5
A) 6.0-0-0 Nc6 7.Bb5

40
Position after: 7.Bb5

And now I would play the simple 7...Bg7N 8.f3 0-0 9.fxe4 Nxe4 10.Nxe4 dxe4 11.Bc4+ Kh8 12.Ne2
[12.h4? Qxd4µ] 12...Qd6 13.Be3 Bg4!ƒ Black still has an extra pawn, and his position is no less
active.
B) 6.f3 Bg7

Position after: 6...Bg7

B1) 7.Bh6?! 0-0 8.0-0-0 Nc6 9.Bxg7 Kxg7 10.fxe4 dxe4 White hasn’t achieved much by trading the

41
 dark-squared bishops. Anyway, his attack on the h-file would have been too slow. 11.d5 Ne5
12.Qd4 Neg4 13.Nh3

Position after: 13.Nh3

Nikolaou, S (2068) – Rychagov, A (2556), Paleochora 2015, 0-1 (42), and now 13...e5!N 14.dxe6
Qxd4 15.Rxd4 Bxe6 16.Nxe4 Nxe4 17.Rxe4 Rae8³.
B2) 7.0-0-0!? Nc6 8.Bxf6 exf6 9.fxe4 dxe4 10.Nxe4

Position after: 10.Nxe4

42
 10...Qxd4!? The simplest way to get a good endgame. [10...f5 11.Ng5 Qxd4 12.Qe1+ Qe5 13.N1f3
Qxe1 14.Rxe1+ Kf8 15.Bb5 Rb8! Objectively the position is good for Black, but you need to
remember this line, otherwise it looks a bit awkward. 16.h4 Bf6 17.h5 h6 18.Ne6+ Bxe6 19.Rxe6
Kf7³] 11.Qxd4 Nxd4 12.Rxd4 f5 13.Rc4 fxe4 14.Rxe4+ Kd8!³

Position after: 14...Kd8!³

The king is heading to c7. Black has the bishop pair, and can try to push without much risk.

5...d5!

43
Position after: 5...d5!

It seems necessary to delay the fianchetto in order to bring the light-squared bishop into play.

6.h5

A) 6.Qd2N 6...Nc6 7.0-0-0 Bf5 8.f3 Qd7 Quick development in the center is the best solution. 9.g4
Be6 10.fxe4 0-0-0! 11.Bxf6 exf6 12.g5 Qf7=
B) 6.f3
B1) 6...Qd6!? 7.Qd2 Qg3+

Position after: 7...Qg3+

This is a decent alternative. The king loses some tempi in finding a safe haven, but so does our
queen, so it shouldn’t be seen as a great achievement either. [7...exf3!? 8.Nxf3 Qg3+ 9.Kd1 c6
10.Ne5 Ng4 11.Bf4 Qf2 12.Nxd5! cxd5 13.Bb5+ Nc6 14.Nxc6 a6 15.Ba4 Bf5³] 8.Kd1 Qd6
9.Bxf6 exf6 10.fxe4 dxe4 11.Nxe4 Qb6 12.c3 Bf5=
B2) 6...Bg7 7.Qd2 exf3 8.Nxf3 Ne4 9.Qe3

44
Position after: 9.Qe3

9...Nc6! 10.0-0-0 Nxc3 11.Qxc3 a6!³ Black has nothing to worry about, so he can easily prevent
Bb5 before thinking about his own development.

6...Bf5!

Position after: 6...Bf5!

7.Bxf6

45
7.Be2 Qd7 8.hxg6 Bxg6 9.Nh3 Nc6 10.Nf4 Bf7 Black’s position is too solid for White to crack, even
with the hardest of tries. 11.Bxf6 exf6 12.Bh5 Bb4! 13.Bxf7+ Qxf7 14.Qh5 Ne7³

7...exf6 8.g4 Be6 9.hxg6 Qd7!

Position after: 9...Qd7!

This strange-looking position has appeared on the board in a few games.

The general assessment should be about equal, but a lot can happen.

10.g5!

10.f4? Bxg4 11.Bh3 Bxh3 12.Rxh3 Nc6 13.Qh5 0-0-0 14.gxh7 Nxd4 15.0-0-0 Bc5µ ½-½ (34) Alvarez
Fernandez, E (2385) – Anton Guijarro, D (2570), Linares 2013.

10...fxg5 11.Qh5 Qg7 12.Qxg5 c6

46
Position after: 12...c6

13.f3!?N

This is a slightly better version for White, as our center is starting to crack.
13.Nge2 hxg6! Black has already proved that he is better here! 14.Nf4 [14.Rxh8 Qxh8 15.Qxg6+ Bf7
16.Qf5 Nd7³] 14...Rxh1 15.Nxe6

Position after: 15.Nxe6

The current position was seen in the game Trent, L (2470) – Anton Guijarro, D (2617), Gibraltar 2015,

47
½-½ (23). Black could have done better here if he had found 15...Qe7!N 16.Qxe7+ Kxe7 17.Nc7
White will temporarily be a piece up, but his knight on a8 won’t survive very long. 17...Bg7

Position after: 17...Bg7

18.0-0-0 [18.Nxa8 Bxd4 19.Nc7 Kd6 20.Ne8+ Kd7 21.Nxe4 Kxe8µ] 18...Kd6 19.Nxa8 Rh8! 20.Bg2
Na6µ The dust settles and Black keeps a healthy extra pawn.

13...hxg6 14.Rxh8 Qxh8 15.fxe4! Be7 16.Qxg6+ Bf7 17.Qf5 Qh4+ 18.Qf2 dxe4=

Position after: 18...dxe4=

48
The upcoming endgame is about equal. The white king is not in the best of spots, but Black should be
careful not to finish up in an endgame a pawn down.

49
 Chapter 2
The System with 2.Nc3

1.d4 f5 2.Nc3

Chapter Guide

Chapter 2 – The System with 2.Nc3

1.d4 f5 2.Nc3
a) 2...--, 2...d5
b) 2...Nf6 3.--, 3.Bf4
c) 2...Nf6 3.Bg5 --, 3...d5 4.f3 c5! 5.e4 Nc6! 6.Nge2
d) 2...Nf6 3.Bg5 d5 4.f3 c5! 5.e4 Nc6! 6.Bb5!
e) 2...Nf6 3.Bg5 d5 4.Bxf6 exf6 5.e3 Be6 6.Nge2, 6.Bb5
f) 2...Nf6 3.Bg5 d5 4.Bxf6 exf6 5.e3 Be6 6.Qf3
g) 2...Nf6 3.Bg5 d5 4.Bxf6 exf6 5.e3 Be6 6.Bd3
h) 2...Nf6 3.Bg5 d5 4.e3 e6 5.--, 5.Nf3 5...--, 5...Be7 6.--
i) 2...Nf6 3.Bg5 d5 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Be7 6.Bd3 0-0 7.0-0 Ne4

a) 2...--, 2...d5

1.d4 f5 2.Nc3

50
Position after: 2.Nc3

When I talk with people about the Dutch, I’m often asked, “The Dutch is very sharp and interesting, but
do you start with 1...f5?”. This is actually a decent question, as some people prefer to start with 1...e6,
which implies two things: (i) they are OK with the French if White plays 2.e4, and (ii) they have to play
the Classical or Stonewall, as the Leningrad is no longer possible. In order to play the Leningrad, Black
has the option of 1...d6 or 1...g6 on the first move, but there are some drawbacks, such as 2.e4
obviously. So why do people ask about playing ...f5 on the first move? Mainly because they consider
that the sidelines, especially on the second move, can be pretty annoying for Black. We are talking
mainly about 2.Nc3 and 2.Bg5. I have played these lines myself as White too, but I am really confident
in Black’s chances. I considered the two main options after 2.Nc3 (we will discuss 2.Bg5 in the next
chapter), but my choice went to 2...Nf6, because White is trying to play 3.e4, and we have to prevent it.
The other means of doing so, 2...d5, failed to satisfy me fully because of 3.Bf4, which we will discuss
in due course.

2...d5

This is the ‘other’ option, but I feel that in the Stonewall the bishop is stronger on f4 than on g5, so
naturally White continues with 3.Bf4.
A) Before looking at 3.Bf4, let’s consider the dubious 2...g6?. The aim is to develop the kingside
without allowing Bg5 as in the main line, which aims at destroying our pawn structure. 3.h4! White is
ready for this flank attack. [3.e4!?²] 3...Nf6 [3...Bg7 4.h5 Nc6 5.Nf3 d6 6.e4!±] 4.h5! Nxh5 [4...Bg7
5.hxg6 hxg6 6.Rxh8+ Bxh8 7.Qd2!± The queen heads for g5, and the g6-pawn is in great danger – as
is the king after g6 falls...] 5.Rxh5!

51
Position after: 5.Rxh5!

The thematic exchange sacrifice is strong in this case, and Black may suffer a quick and painful loss if
he isn’t careful. 5...gxh5 6.e4 d6 [6...Bg7?! 7.Qxh5+ Kf8 8.Qxf5+ Kg8 9.Nf3+–] 7.Qxh5+ Kd7
8.Qxf5+ e6 9.Qh3± One pawn for the exchange, the better development and a long-term attack
against the king are clearly more than enough compensation for White.
B) 2...e6?! It is almost a golden rule in the Dutch that you CAN’T let White play e2−e4 so easily,
otherwise he will open the position, underlining the weaknesses you created by playing ...f7−f5. This
case in no exception 3.e4! fxe4 [3...Bb4 4.exf5 exf5 5.Bd3 d6 6.Nh3!? Nf6 7.0-0±] 4.Nxe4 Nf6
5.Bd3 Nc6 6.Ng5!? The threat is Nxh7 followed by Qh5+. 6...g6 7.Nxh7!? Rxh7 [7...Nxh7? 8.Bxg6+
Ke7 9.Bxh7+– Bg5 is a deadly threat.] 8.Bxg6+ Ke7 9.Bxh7 Nxh7 10.Qd3 Nf6 11.Bg5±

3.Bf4

52
Position after: 3.Bf4

Now Black has various options, but none of them really satisfied me.

3...a6

This looks the best try. Black doesn’t want to stay in a Stonewall; he wants to play ...c7−c5, but needs
to prevent Nb5 first.
3...Nf6 merely gives White the additional option of playing 4.Nb5!? Na6 5.e3 c6 6.Nc3 and Black has
nothing better than 6...Nb8².

4.e3 Nf6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bd3 c5

53
Position after: 6...c5

This is one of the critical lines.

During my preparation for some games I tried to make it work, but never managed to do so.

7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.0-0 0-0

8...Nc6 9.Ne2 Qe7 Black intends ...e5 on the next move. 10.Ned4! 0-0 11.c4 This transposes to
Kornev’s idea that we discuss after 8...0-0.

9.Ne2!

54
Position after: 9.Ne2!

This strong maneuver is really annoying for Black. White intends both c2−c4 and Ned4, putting
pressure on the center.
The position would be easy equality if the f-pawn was on f7, but here Black often remains rather weak
on the central squares because of this pawn being on f5.

9...Nc6 10.c4 Qe7

A) 10...Nb4 11.a3 Nxd3 12.Qxd3 Bd7 13.Ned4²

B) 10...d4 11.exd4 Nxd4 12.Nexd4 Bxd4 13.Qe2²

11.Ned4!?

This is Kornev’s recommendation and I couldn’t find equality here either.

11.cxd5

55
Position after: 11.cxd5

This is also a simple way to keep an edge. 11...Nxd5 12.Bg5 Qd6 13.Bc4²

11...Bd7

11...Bxd4 12.exd4 dxc4 13.Bxc4²

12.Rc1

Position after: 12.Rc1

56
12...Bxd4

12...Bd6 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.cxd5 Nxd5 15.Bc4²

13.exd4 Nb4 14.c5!? Nxd3 15.Bd6 Qf7 16.Qxd3²

Position after: 16.Qxd3²

White’s advantage is indisputable. The pressure on the e-file and dark squares is significant, and Black
already has to fight for a draw.

b) 2...Nf6 3.--, 3.Bf4

1.d4 f5 2.Nc3 Nf6

57
Position after: 2...Nf6

I think this is Black’s best option. It invites White to keep fighting for the e4-square by placing the
bishop on g5, which is why we wait before playing ...d5 (so that the bishop isn’t on f4, objectively its
best square when facing a Stonewall set-up).

3.Bf4!?

This is played far less than 3.Bg5, but I am not sure why. Indeed two of the main moves for Black here
have major drawbacks.
A) 3.e4 fxe4 transposes into Chapter 1 on the Staunton Gambit.
B) 3.Nf3 will be analyzed later in Chapter 6.
C) 3.f3 d5 4.e4 [4.Bg5 – see 4.f3 in the current chapter] 4...fxe4 5.fxe4 dxe4 Please refer to the 3.f3
line of Chapter 1.
D) 3.g3 I won’t spend too long on this move as I believe we can reach an easy-to-play Stonewall
where the knight on c3 is misplaced, e.g. 3...e6 4.Bg2 d5! 5.Nf3 c5 6.0-0 Nc6 7.Bf4

58
Position after: 7.Bf4

7...Be7!? [You can also start with 7...Bd7 or 7...a6 if you want to prevent Nb5, but it’s fine for Black.]
8.Nb5 0-0 9.Nc7 Rb8 10.Nb5 Ra8= I think objectively White should take the draw ‘offer’. If he
wants to continue things could turn bad really quickly: 11.c4 dxc4 12.Qc2?!

Position after: 12.Qc2?!

12...a6! 13.Nc7 g5!! Trying to deflect one of the two minor pieces that can grab this pawn:
D1) 14.Nxg5 Nxd4 15.Qd1 [15.Qxc4 b5 16.Qd3 Ra7–+] 15...Ra7 16.e3 h6 17.Nh3 Nc6³

59
 D2) 14.Nxa8 gxf4 15.dxc5 Bxc5 16.Qxc4 Ne4 17.gxf4 b5 18.Qd3 Qe7
White is already fighting to avoid being really worse.

3...e6!?

Here comes my main move. I don’t want to offer a Stonewall system; I want to play ...Bb4 as soon as I
can if allowed to. White has to decide whether to let this happen or not.
A) 3...d5 transposes to the 2...d5 line that we covered earlier. (We even said that in this precise
position, 4.Nb5 is a decent idea that should lead to an edge for White.)
B) 3...d6 4.e3 g6

Position after: 4...g6

This is offered in some books as a decent set-up for Black, and it has been played in some games, but
I don’t really like it because of 5.h4! h6 [5...Bg7 6.h5 Nxh5 7.Rxh5 gxh5 8.Qxh5+ Kf8 9.0-0-0 Qe8
10.Qh4‚ I wouldn’t like to be Black in this line as White always keeps annoying long-term
compensation.] 6.Qf3ƒ

60
Position after: 6.Qf3ƒ

This is actually a transposition to another line I’m discussing in this book – see the next chapter (on
the Göring Attack): 2.Bg5 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.h4 h6 5.Bf4 Nf6 6.e3 d6 7.Qf3. This is going to be one of
our main lines, and it transposes to our current position except that our bishop is still undeveloped on
f8, the extra tempo being due to the c1-bishop going to f4 in two moves. One can argue that it can be
useful in order to defend the g6-pawn with ...Rg8, but it’s objectively worse, so I prefer not to enter
this line.
C) 3...g6 4.e3 Bg7 5.h4 h6 6.Qf3 d6 leads to the same as 3...d6.

61
Position after: 3...e6!?

4.e3

A) 4.a3

Position after: 4.a3

4...a6! [4...d5 5.Nb5 Bd6 6.Nxd6+ cxd6 7.e3 Even if it’s probably fine for Black, White can claim
that he’s managed to gain the bishop pair. We don’t have to allow him this small victory.] 5.Nf3
[5.d5?! Trying to prevent ...d5 is obviously slow and more than fine for Black: 5...d6 6.dxe6 Bxe6
7.e3 Nc6³] 5...d5 6.e3 c5

62
Position after: 6...c5

We have transposed into the line we discussed after 2...d5, but in this case White had to spend a
tempo playing the useless move a2−a3, so we are fine here. 7.dxc5 [7.Bd3 Nc6 8.0-0 c4 9.Be2 Bd6
10.b3 b5 11.a4 b4 12.Na2 cxb3 13.cxb3 Bxf4 14.exf4 Qb6=] 7...Bxc5 8.Bd3 Nc6 9.Ne2 [9.0-0?!
This is too slow. 9...Bd6! (…...e5) 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.Ne2 e5µ] White can try his logical knight
maneuver, but as we have an extra move we can prevent c4 by playing 9...b5!?, e.g.

Position after: 9...b5!?

10.a4 [10.Ned4 Bd7 11.0-0 Qe7ƒ and Black is ready to advance his center. White’s position can soon

63
 become very awkward.] 10...b4! 11.Ned4 Na5! 12.0-0 0-0 13.Qe2 Ne4ƒ

Position after: 13...Ne4ƒ

In this game with mutual chances, I would say ‘objectively’ that I prefer Black. He has put a lot of
effort into containing White’s play, and if he keeps doing so effectively, he should be able to get the
better position.
B) 4.Nb5?! A few players have tried this move, but it looks strange here. 4...Nd5 5.Bd2 a6 6.Na3 b5!
³ After this rather stupid-looking line, Black remains better and can seize the initiative on the light
squares.

4...Bb4!

64
Position after: 4...Bb4!

Pinning the knight seems logical as it continues the fight for the central light squares.

5.Bd3

A) 5.Ne2!? The only way to avoid doubled c-pawns. Obviously White is unlikely to play this, as it
looks ugly in terms of development. 5...0-0 6.a3 Be7

Position after: 6...Be7

65
 White has to find a weird plan in order to develop his kingside and castle.
A1) 7.g3 d6 8.Bg2 Nbd7 9.0-0 e5 10.Bg5 c6³
A2) 7.h4 is the computer’s move, but it doesn’t seem too impressive, as White’s pieces are not so
well-placed to set up an attack. 7...d6 8.h5 Nbd7 9.Qd2 c6! 10.0-0-0 a5 11.h6 g6„ Black intends to
continue with ...b5, with good attacking chances.
A3) 7.Nc1 b6 8.Be2 Bb7 9.0-0 d6 10.Nd3 c5ƒ
B) 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 0-0 7.c4

Position after: 7.c4

Here I would deviate from the game Bourached, A (1991) – Rendle, T (2359), Bunratty 2018, ½-½
(18), by playing 7...d6N 8.Nf3 Nc6 9.Bg3 Ne4³

5...Bxc3+!

Of course we can’t wait, otherwise White will continue with Ne2 and the bishop on b4 will have to
return to e7.

6.bxc3 d6 7.Nf3

66
Position after: 7.Nf3

Here, instead of 7...Qe7 as played in the game Schroer, M (2102) – Reinderman, D (2573), Delft 2013,
0-1 (38), I would rather play

7...0-0 8.0-0 Qe8!

I think the queen has more perspectives from here. It can go to either the queenside or, more likely, the
kingside. Black will have really good prospects on the light squares.

9.Rb1 b6 10.Qe2 Bb7 11.a4 Nc6³

67
Position after: 11...Nc6³

c) 2...Nf6 3.Bg5 --, 3...d5 4.f3 c5! 5.e4 Nc6! 6.Nge2

1.d4 f5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5!

Position after: 3.Bg5!

This is definitely more critical than 3.Bf4, indeed Black has to find a solution for his knight, since it
can’t go to e4 or simply be protected by ...Bg7. We need to decide which concession we want to make.

68
3...d5

Black keeps preventing e2−e4 by setting up a Stonewall pawn structure.

Granted, that’s not my goal in this book, but it is fine here for at least two reasons:
(i) the knight on c3 is misplaced, as White is unable to use his c-pawn right now, and
(ii) the bishop on g5 would clearly be more useful on f4. (One of its main goals now is to be traded on
f6.)
White has three main plans here:
(i) react in the center by means of f3/e4 (the choice of players who want to blast their opponents off the
board);
(ii) take on f6 and then play against Black’s weaknesses on d5 and f5, and (iii) develop his pieces easily
and try to get the better middlegame.
But first, let’s examine Black’s other possibilities:
A) 3...e6 This has been known to be quite dangerous for a long time, especially because of the
following miniature which I will give in its entirety. Most of you will already know the finale of this
game; now you know which opening it comes from. 4.e4 fxe4 5.Nxe4 Be7

Position after: 5...Be7

6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.Nf3 b6 8.Ne5 Objectively the game isn’t perfect, but nevertheless it’s difficult for
Black. 8...0-0 9.Bd3 Bb7 10.Qh5 Qe7

69
Position after: 10...Qe7

A well-known position, featuring one of the most famous queen sacrifices. 11.Qxh7+!! Kxh7
12.Nxf6+ Kh6 13.Neg4+ Kg5 14.h4+ Kf4 15.g3+ Kf3 16.Be2+ Kg2 17.Rh2+ Kg1 18.Kd2# 1-0
Lasker, E – Thomas, G, London 1912.
B) 3...Ne4?! 4.Nxe4 fxe4 5.e3 d5 6.c4 c6 7.Ne2!± White is already ahead in development. It is also
clear that it is going to be difficult for Black to develop his kingside while avoiding creating too many
holes and weaknesses.
C) 3...Nc6?!

70
Position after: 3...Nc6?!

This has been tried a few times, but there is no reason why this early development of the knight
should be particularly strong. 4.d5! Ne5 5.Nf3! Nf7 6.Bxf6 exf6 7.Qd3 g6 8.h4!‚

4.f3!?

Position after: 4.f3!?

This is the less popular way to treat this position, but that might change because it is Kornev’s
recommendation in his repertoire for White after 1.d4. (Al-though I doubt it, as Black is clearly OK.)

4...c5!

We are the first to strike in the center. I think the only good continuation for White is to follow
Kornev’s idea.

5.e4!

5.e3?! e6 6.Qd2 Going for long castling is the logical continuation. 6...Nc6 7.Nge2 Be7 8.0-0-0 0-0
9.Kb1 c4!?‚ Closing the center is not forced at all, but it secures attacking prospects against the white
king. Black will follow up with ...Rb8 and ...b5, when his attacking chances seem more concrete than
White’s.

5...Nc6!

5...cxd4?! 6.Qxd4 Nc6 7.Bb5²

71
6.Nge2!?

This rare move is Kornev’s recommendation! It must be treated with great caution.
6.exd5?! Nxd5

Position after: 6...Nxd5

Black’s pawn structure may seem odd because of the pawns on c5 and f5, but it’s compensated for by
his activity in the center.
A) 7.Bb5 h6! 8.Nxd5 [8.Bh4? Ne3–+] 8...hxg5 9.dxc5 e6 10.Nb4 Qa5! 11.Bxc6+ bxc6 12.Qd2 Bxc5
13.Nd3 Bb6 14.Qxa5 Bxa5+ 15.c3 Ba6³
B) 7.dxc5 Nxc3 8.Qxd8+ Nxd8 9.bxc3

72
Position after: 9.bxc3

This kind of endgame is usually fine for Black. The missing pawn is obviously compensated for by
the tripled c-pawns, and the c5-pawn will most likely fall. White may get some activity, but I think
Black keeps the upper hand if he plays precisely. 9...Bd7! [9...e5?! 10.Bb5+ Nc6 11.Be3 Bd7 12.0-0-
0² In this case, it’s not so easy to regain the pawn.] 10.0-0-0 e6 11.f4 [11.Be3 Rc8 12.Nh3 Bxc5
13.Bd4 Bxd4 14.cxd4 0-0³] 11...Nf7 12.Nf3 Bxc5ƒ

6...dxe4 7.d5 exf3 8.gxf3 Ne5

73
Position after: 8...Ne5

9.Nf4

This is the whole concept behind White’s pawn sacrifice. White takes control of some important
squares, and the development of Black’s kingside doesn’t seem too obvious.
9.Ng3 Bd7! 10.Qe2 Nf7 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.0-0-0 Bh6+ 13.Kb1 Nd6³

9...Qb6!

9...a6 is less good, but still a decent alternative, though ultimately I prefer White: 10.Qe2 Qd6 11.Qe3
Nf7 12.h4! h6 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.h5©.

10.Qe2

Position after: 10.Qe2

10...Nf7!

This strong reply was played in the only game that reached this position.
10...Qxb2?! This greedy continuation is Kornev’s main line. I think we need to deviate from this
forcing line: 11.Qxe5 Qxa1+ 12.Kd2

74
Position after: 12.Kd2

Black is an exchange and two pawns up, but, as in the romantic 19th century, greed is punished
severely: 12...Bd7 [12...c4 13.d6 Bd7 14.Nfd5 Nxd5 15.Qxd5 Bc6 16.Qe6 Bd7 17.Qxc4 e6
18.Qc7+–] 13.Qc7 Qb2 14.Bb5 Bxb5 15.Rb1 Qxb1 16.Nxb1 Bd7 17.Qxb7 Rd8 18.Kc1 g6 19.d6±

11.Bxf6

11.h4 Qxb2! 12.Qb5+ Qxb5

Position after: 12...Qxb5

75
13.Nxb5 [13.Bxb5+ Kd8 14.Ne6+ Bxe6 15.dxe6 Nd6„] 13...Kd7!?N [13...Kd8 is also fine for Black,
as in the following game: 14.0-0-0 Nd6 15.Ne6+ Bxe6 16.dxe6 a6 17.Nxd6 exd6 18.Bh3 Kc7³
19.Bxf5 Be7 20.h5 Rae8 ½-½ Sadkowsky, D (2235) – Bomans, A (2248), Charleroi 2018.] 14.0-0-0 a6
15.Nc3 Kc7 16.Ne6+ Bxe6 17.dxe6 Nd6³ White doesn’t have enough compensation for two pawns.

11...gxf6 12.Qb5+ Bd7 13.Ne6

Position after: 13.Ne6

13...Rc8! 14.Qxb6 axb6 15.Bb5 Bxb5

15...Ng5!?

76
Position after: 15...Ng5!?

Black manages to get rid of the annoying e6-knight. He will keep his extra pawn but it seems that
White can maintain the balance. 16.Kf2 Rg8!? [16...Bxb5 17.Nxb5 Nxe6 18.dxe6 Bh6∞] 17.h4
[17.Bxd7+ Kxd7 18.Nxf8+ Rcxf8 19.h4 Nf7 20.Na4 Kc7 21.Rae1=] 17...Nxe6 18.dxe6 Bxb5
19.Nxb5 Bh6 20.Nc3 Rd8 21.Rad1 Bd2 22.Nb1 Bf4 23.Rxd8+ Kxd8 24.Rd1+ Bd6 25.Nc3=

16.Nxb5 Kd7 17.Kf2 Bh6 18.a4 Rhg8 19.Rag1 Ng5³

Position after: 19...Ng5³

77
It’s not easy to convert this position, but Black is definitely the one trying to win.

d) 2...Nf6 3.Bg5 d5 4.f3 c5! 5.e4 Nc6! 6.Bb5!

1.d4 f5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5! d5 4.f3!? c5! 5.e4! Nc6! 6.Bb5!

Position after: 6.Bb5!

Both players are increasing the tension in the center. Obviously simplification will take place sooner or
later; the aim of each side is to obtain the more favorable version for itself. Black has two main
possibilities. I prefer to be the first to make a decision in the center.

6...fxe4!?

6...a6 This appeals to me less, as White has at least two continuations which are fine for him. 7.Bxc6+
bxc6

78
Position after: 7...bxc6

A) 8.e5 Nd7 9.e6!? This line is also quite difficult to face over the board. 9...Nf6 10.Nge2 Bxe6
11.dxc5 Bf7 12.Nd4 e5 13.Qe2 Qc7

Position after: 13...Qc7

14.Na4 [14.Nxf5 Bg6 15.Nh4 Bf7=] 14...Nd7 15.0-0-0 Nxc5 16.Nxc5 Bxc5 17.Bf4 Bxd4 18.Rxd4
0-0 19.Bxe5 Rfe8 20.f4= Even if Black is not under huge pressure, he is still fighting for a draw. This
depressing sort of line is the kind I hate coming out of the opening.

79
 B) 8.Nge2!

Position after: 8.Nge2!

This move has been played a few times recently. 8...e6 [8...dxe4 9.fxe4 cxd4 10.Qxd4 Qxd4 11.Nxd4
h6 12.Bxf6 exf6

Position after: 12...exf6

This happened in the game Bajarani, U (2509) – Babarykin, S (2339), Baku 2016, 1-0 (41), but Black
is the only one in danger. 13.Nxf5N 13...Bxf5 14.exf5 0-0-0 15.Rd1²] 9.exf5 exf5 10.0-0 Bd6 11.Na4

80
 cxd4

Position after: 11...cxd4

Once again, even if Black drew in Fier, A (2607) – Ju, W (2548), Auckland 2016, ½-½ (32), I believe
that White keeps an edge. 12.Qxd4 0-0 13.Rfe1²
Back to 6...fxe4!?.
Again, in this very tense situation, White has different ways to handle the position.

7.dxc5!N

This novelty is the computer’s recommendation for White. It doesn’t seem so logical to let Black have
a mobile pawn center, but on the other hand we need to keep this center strong. It’s easy to go wrong
for both sides.
A) 7.Bxf6?! exf6 8.fxe4 dxe4

81
Position after: 8...dxe4

A1) 9.dxc5?! This occurred in the game Neuman, P (2423) – Navara, D (2737) Slovakia 2016, 0-1
(39), but Black should now prefer 9...Be6!N 10.Nxe4 Qa5+ 11.Nc3

Position after: 11.Nc3

11...Rd8 [11...Bxc5?? 12.Qh5++– is a trap quite easy to fall into if you play too fast.] 12.Qh5+ g6
13.Qf3 Kf7!‚ Black has the bishop pair in this completely open position, and his attack has good
chances of success.

82
 A2) 9.d5 a6 10.Ba4 b5 11.dxc6 Qxd1+ 12.Rxd1 bxa4 13.Nge2 Ra7=
B) 7.fxe4 Nxe4 8.Nxe4 dxe4

Position after: 8...dxe4

9.Ne2 [9.d5? Qa5+ 10.Qd2 Qxb5 11.dxc6 Qxc6³] 9...Qa5+ 10.Nc3 cxd4 11.Qxd4 Qxb5 12.Nxb5
Nxd4 13.Nxd4 Bd7= White should be able to hold the draw with precise play, but already he has
almost no chances of winning.

7...d4

83
Position after: 7...d4

8.Bxc6+

8.Nxe4?? Qa5+–+

8...bxc6 9.Nxe4 Qd5! 10.Bxf6

10.Qd3 Bf5 11.Bxf6 exf6 12.0-0-0 Bxc5 13.Kb1 Bb6 14.Ne2 0-0-0„

10...gxf6!

Position after: 10...gxf6!

Sometimes we need the e-pawn to play ...e5 but we especially need it as protection in front of the king!
In this line, White often grabs a few pawns, but our compensation is great, and he needs to keep cool
and calm to hold the position.

11.Ne2

11.Qe2 Kf7! 12.Qd3 a5 13.Rd1 Rg8©

11...f5 12.Nf2

12.N4g3 e5 13.Qd3 Bxc5 14.Nxf5 a5 15.Neg3 0-0 16.0-0 Kh8© Black definitely has good
compensation.

12...e5 13.f4!?

84
Position after: 13.f4!?

This computer-like move is aimed at destroying Black’s center.

13...Ba6! 14.fxe5 Bh6

Look at those two beautiful bishops!

15.Qxd4

15.0-0 Be3 16.Kh1 Rg8 17.Ng3 Bxf1 18.Qxf1 Qe6!=

15...0-0-0 16.Qxd5 Rxd5 17.Nd3 Bxd3 18.cxd3 Rxe5

85
Position after: 18...Rxe5

19.Kf2 Rhe8 20.Nc3 Be3+ 21.Kf3 Bxc5 22.g3! Re3+ 23.Kg2 Rxd3=

The smoke has cleared, and the most likely result is a draw.

86
 e) 2...Nf6 3.Bg5 d5 4.Bxf6 exf6 5.e3 Be6 6.Nge2, 6.Bb5

1.d4 f5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5! d5 4.Bxf6 exf6 5.e3

Position after: 5.e3

This positional approach is the old main line, but it seems that Black has already proved the solidity of
his system, and it doesn’t enjoy the favor of theory anymore.

5...Be6!

The most played move and also the most logical. It’s pretty certain that the light-squared bishop will go
to e6, whereas we are not so sure about the other pieces.
Also, don’t be afraid: it won’t be so easy for White to place a strong knight on f4, chasing this bishop
and ruling the board.

6.Nge2

This logical move can be met in two different ways, depending on your fighting mood.
6.Bb5+

87
Position after: 6.Bb5+

This has been tried a few times recently. White agrees to give up a tempo in order to prevent ...Nc6, as
in the main line. 6...c6 [6...Nc6?! 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.Na4!ƒ White has good chances of getting two strong
knights in this closed position.] 7.Bd3 g6 8.Qf3 h5!?

Position after: 8...h5!?

This is directed against White’s plan of pushing g2−g4. 9.h3 [9.Nge2 Nd7 10.Nf4 Bf7 We have
transposed into a better version of the 6.Nge2 line, with the pawn on h2 instead of h4.] 9...Rg8!

88
Protecting the g6-pawn is necessary. 10.Nge2 Bd6 11.Nf4

Position after: 11.Nf4

This was played in the game Ma, Q (2645) – Yu, Y (2760), China 2018, ½-½ (47). I would now prefer
to keep the bishop pair by playing 11...Bf7!N 12.g4!? hxg4 13.hxg4 fxg4 14.Qxg4 f5 15.Qg2 Nd7
16.0-0-0 Qf6„ with mutual chances.
Back to 6.Nge2.

Position after: 6.Nge2

89
6...c6!?

This fighting approach has been played by the Dutch specialist Vladimir Malaniuk, quickly reaching a
comfortable game. 6...Bd6 is a more down-to-earth decision. Black decides to eliminate the knight as
soon as it reaches f4. This is less ambitious, but quite efficient. 7.Nf4 Bxf4 8.exf4

Position after: 8.exf4

Black is obviously slightly worse due to his bad bishop, but it’s really hard for White to create
anything, as his own bishop is not doing great either. For instance a game between two strong GMs
continued 8...c6 9.g3 Nd7 10.Bg2 Nb6 11.0-0 0-0 12.Qd3 Nc4 13.b3 Nd6=

90
Position after: 13...Nd6=

when perhaps White is symbolically better. Even if he didn’t deserve to, White went on to lose in
Granda Zuniga, J (2646) – L’Ami, E (2605), Reykjavik 2015, 0-1 (81).

7.Nf4 Bf7 8.Bd3 g6 9.h4

Position after: 9.h4

9...h5!

Black shouldn’t be too scared of the g6-weakness. The only way to attack it is to put a heavy piece on
g3, when we could play either ...Bd6, pinning the knight, or ...Rg8.
9...Nd7 10.h5 Allowing this advance is also possible, but not necessary, and doing so justifies White’s
play. 10...Rg8 11.Qf3 Bd6 12.0-0-0 Qe7 13.hxg6 hxg6 14.Rh7ƒ White has some initiative, with Nfxd5
coming, for example.

10.Qf3?!

According to the computer this move is not great, but it’s quite logical for a human player.

10...Nd7 11.0-0-0 Qc7 12.Rh3

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Position after: 12.Rh3

As we said, this idea is going to fail.

12...0-0-0 13.Rg3 Rh6!? 14.Nfe2 Bd6 15.Rh3 Kb8 16.Rhh1 Rhh8 17.Kb1 Nb6 18.g3 Qe7 19.Ka1
Bc7 20.Nb1 Nc8 21.Nd2 Nd6

Position after: 21...Nd6

Black has achieved the first part of his plan, whereas White hasn’t been able to come up with an

92
effective one.

22.Rc1 Ne4³

Jegorovas, A (2265) – Malaniuk, V (2471), Kaunas 2016, ½-½ (56).

f) 2...Nf6 3.Bg5 d5 4.Bxf6 exf6 5.e3 Be6 6.Qf3

1.d4 f5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5! d5 4.Bxf6 exf6 5.e3 Be6! 6.Qf3!?

Position after: 6.Qf3!?

This is more or less a waiting move. White waits until the knight is developed in order to pin it if
possible.

6...Nc6

Still, as there is no other obvious useful move, I accept being pinned!

7.Bb5!?

This is why White started with 6.Qf3, so it’s logical to consider it the main line.
A) 7.Nge2 Compared to the 6.Nge2 line, the situation has changed a little. Now the queen on f3
seems a bit exposed, so we can try to block White’s pieces by playing 7...g5!?N.

93
Position after: 7...g5!?N

In the previous games, Black had tolerated the knight on f4, but it’s not necessary. 8.h4 [8.Ng3 Qd7
9.Bd3?! The pawn is not in immediate danger because of the strong 9...Nb4!³. The f5-pawn is
tactically untouchable.] 8...h6 9.g3 Qd7 10.Nc1 [10.0-0-0 0-0-0 11.Kb1 Kb8 12.Nc1 Na5ƒ I prefer
Black’s prospects on the queenside.] 10...0-0-0 11.Nd3 Nb4! 12.0-0-0 Nxd3+ 13.Bxd3 f4!

Position after: 13...f4!

This underlines the problems of having the queen somewhat stuck on f3! Black frees himself under
favorable circumstances. 14.exf4 Bg4 15.Qe3 Bxd1 16.Nxd1 Rg8³

94
 B) 7.Bd3 Qd7!?

Position after: 7...Qd7!?

8.a3 A necessary loss of time. [8.Nge2 Nb4=] 8...0-0-0 9.Nge2 g5! 10.0-0-0 [10.Ng3? White’s play
is too naive. Obviously this fails tactically. 10...f4! 11.exf4 Nxd4 12.Qe3 Nxc2+! 13.Bxc2 d4µ]
10...Kb8!? 11.g3 [11.h3 h5! White starts wondering why he committed his queen to f3! 12.Ng3? g4!
13.Qe2 f4!µ] 11...Ne7!? 12.Kb1 Nc8!

Position after: 12...Nc8!

95
 We have already seen this strong maneuver which clearly gives Black easier play. 13.Nc1 Nd6³
C) 7.h4 Considering the problems encountered by the queen on f3 in the previous line, it is tempting
for White to secure its position. 7...Qd7 8.Nh3 0-0-0 9.a3 h5! 10.Nf4 Bf7=

Position after: 10...Bf7=

We have already considered this kind of position (in the 6.Nge2 line for instance). Black easily
secures his kingside, then tries to bring the knight to e4 via e7–c8–d6.

7...Qd7!?

Analysis indicates that 7...Qd6 is probably as good, but it seems simpler to remember to always put the
queen on d7.

8.Nge2 a6 9.Ba4

9.Bxc6 Qxc6 10.Nf4 Bb4! 11.Nxe6 Qxe6 12.0-0 Bxc3 13.bxc3 b5!=

9...g5!

96
Position after: 9...g5!

Stopping the knight from coming to f4. We have already met this idea in the 7.Nge2 line, to which it is
very similar.

10.Nc1

10.h4 contains no threat at all, so we can just play on the other side, e.g. 10...0-0-0 11.0-0-0 Kb8
12.Kb1 b5! 13.Bb3 Na5ƒ

10...0-0-0 11.Nd3

97
Position after: 11.Nd3

It seems smart for White to start with this maneuver before playing 0-0-0, when the knight’s route
would be obstructed by the king.

11...b5!

11...f4 I actually reached this position as White a few years ago, but I didn’t really remember the game!
Probably my opponent rushed a bit with this advance, but we will see that it could also have been very
interesting for Black. 12.Bxc6 Qxc6 13.exf4 g4 14.Qg3

98
Position after: 14.Qg3

14...Qc4?! [14...Bf5! 15.0-0-0 a5‚ The pawn runs to a3 in order to weaken my castled position,
leading to a dangerous attack.] 15.0-0-0 Qxd4 16.Rhe1= Bf5? Play would have been balanced after
16...Qb6, but my opponent missed an easy tactical idea: 17.Ne5! Qb4 18.Nf7 Bd6 19.Nxd5!+– 1-0
(24) Demuth, A (2541) – Grimberg, G (2281), Saint Quentin 2015.

12.Bb3 h5 13.Qe2 h4ƒ

Position after: 13...h4ƒ

I’m not sure where White should castle as his king can end up in trouble on both sides! Black has the
initiative.

g) 2...Nf6 3.Bg5 d5 4.Bxf6 exf6 5.e3 Be6 6.Bd3

1.d4 f5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5! d5 4.Bxf6 exf6 5.e3 Be6! 6.Bd3

99
Position after: 6.Bd3

6...Nc6!? 7.Nge2

A) 7.Qf3 – see 6.Qf3 Nc6 7.Bd3.

B) 7.a3 Qd7 8.Nge2 – see 7.Nge2. [8.Qf3 has already been analyzed via 6.Qf3 Nc6 7.Bd3 Qd7
8.a3.]

7...Qd7 8.a3

8.Nf4 Bf7 9.a3 Ne7!? 10.Qf3 h5 11.h4 0-0-0 12.Qg3 g6= Let’s reiterate that Black has no problems at
all on g6, and will bring his knight to e4 via c8 and d6.

8...g5!?

Black has a lot of moves at his disposal, but this is my preference. First, it stops Nf4, the obvious
continuation.

100
Position after: 8...g5!?

Second, it’s a useful waiting move. Black shouldn’t rush with queenside castling, because with 8.a3,
White not only prevents ...Bb4 but may also be intending to play b4 and Na4 to start an attack on the
queenside. My plan is to castle only once White has castled queenside too.

9.f4!?

9.Qd2 Ne7!? 10.0-0-0 Nc8 11.Kb1 Nd6 12.f3 0-0-0

Position after: 12...0-0-0

101
13.e4!? fxe4 14.fxe4 dxe4 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 16.Bxe4 Kb8= The position is more or less balanced, but I
think Black can be satisfied with the opening of the position because of his bishop pair.

9...Ne7!?N

9...Bd6 10.Qd2 [10.fxg5 fxg5 11.h4 gxh4 12.Rxh4 0-0-0 13.Qd2 Rdg8 14.Nf4 Rg4=]
A) 10...h6 I am not fond of the way Nakamura treated the position. He closed the kingside very early,
then had to hold the balance on the other side, but it wasn’t easy. 11.0-0 g4?! 12.Rfc1 a6 13.Nd1 Ne7
14.b3 Kf7 15.c4 c6 16.c5 Bc7 17.b4² with an interesting game which finally ended in a draw,
Iturrizaga Bonelli, E (2627) – Nakamura, H (2778), Istanbul 2012, ½-½ (30).
B) 10...0-0-0

Position after: 10...0-0-0

This looks superior, but the game is objectively balanced. 11.0-0-0 Rhg8 [11...Ne7 12.Nb5 Kb8
13.Nxd6 Qxd6] 12.g3 Kb8 This closed position seems balanced. 13.Na4 Nb4! 14.axb4 Qxa4 15.c3
Rg7=

102
Position after: 9...Ne7!?N

10.Qd2

10.b3 Nc8 11.Na4 b6 12.c4 Nd6„

10...0-0-0 11.b3

This is necessary if White intends Na4.

11...Kb8 12.Na4 b6 13.Nb2 h5 14.c4 c5!„

103
Position after: 14...c5!„

The fight is raging across the whole board, but Black is definitely doing fine.

h) 2...Nf6 3.Bg5 d5 4.e3 e6 5.--, 5.Nf3 5...--, 5...Be7 6.--

1.d4 f5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5! d5 4.e3

Position after: 4.e3

104
Recently this move has emerged as the main line, probably because White wasn’t achieving much in
the 4.Bxf6 variation.
He actually just wants to fight against a Stonewall system, claiming that his pieces are quite well placed
to do so.

4...e6

4...Be6!? is an interesting possibility which has been played a couple of times by super-GM Ian
Nepomniachtchi. Despite being fully playable, I find it too original.

5.Nf3

A) 5.g4 This move has been tried a few times, but Black has a natural reaction that works well:
5...fxg4 6.h3 g3!

Position after: 6...g3!

Giving the pawn back in order to deprive White of potentially dangerous play on the h-file. 7.fxg3
Bd6 8.Nge2 0-0 9.Qd2 c5 10.0-0-0 Nc6„ With opposite side castling the battle is always very tense
and murky, but I think Black is doing fine so far.
B) 5.Bd3 Be7

105
Position after: 5...Be7

6.Nge2 There is no reason to prefer putting the knight here as the important square is e5, and it’s
usually the other knight that comes to e2. [6.Nf3 – see the main line] 6...0-0 7.Nf4 This position was
reached in the high level game Zhou, W (2635) – Yu, Y (2738), China 2016, ½-½ (31), but I think
Black could easily have been better by playing 7...c5!

Position after: 7...c5!

8.0-0 Nc6 9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.Nh5 Be7 11.Nxf6+ Bxf6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6³

106
Back to 5.Nf3.

Position after: 5.Nf3

5...Be7!?

5...a6 This was my first idea. It’s less played, but has scored well for White who, unfortunately, seems
to have at least one very promising continuation: 6.g4!? fxg4 7.Ne5 Be7 8.h3 g3 9.f4! White secures
his center and will take the pawn later, but with the rook! 9...0-0 10.Rg1² 1-0 (18) Ovsejevitsch, S
(2602) – Nguyen, P (2397), Ceske Budejovice 2018.

6.Bd3!

White should finish his development and allow his knight the possibility of going to e2. White has tried
a couple of other knight moves, but in both cases it seems too early to make this kind of decision.
A) 6.Ne2 0-0

107
Position after: 6...0-0

A1) 7.c4N 7...c5! White is still far from castling, so we should punish him! 8.dxc5 Na6 9.Nc3
[9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Bxe7 Qxe7 11.Ned4 Nxc5 12.Bc4 Nb6 13.Bb3 Kh8 14.0-0 e5ƒ] 9...Nxc5
10.cxd5 Nce4! 11.dxe6 Bxe6 12.Qxd8 Rfxd8ƒ
A2) 7.Nf4 Ne4 8.Bxe7 [8.h4N Computers like this move, but it’s far from obvious from a human
point of view. It’s true that we can’t play ...h6 because of the g6-square, but White will sooner or
later have to castle, probably short, so h4 will prove to be a weakness. 8...c5 9.Be2 Nc6 10.Bxe7
Qxe7 11.0-0 Rd8„] 8...Qxe7 9.c3 c5

108
Position after: 9...c5

White didn’t get much out of placing his knight early on f4, and has also lost the possibility of
putting it on d4, so it seems that this move order is a fail. 10.Bd3 c4 11.Bc2 b5 12.0-0 Nc6 13.a3 a5ƒ
B) 6.Ne5 I think that this move is dubious. 6...0-0

Position after: 6...0-0

7.Bd3 [7.Be2 c5 8.0-0 Nc6 9.f4 Bd7! 10.Qd2 Be8 11.Rad1 Rc8³ I don’t see many perspectives for
White here. Both players have employed a Stonewall set-up, but Black’s simply seems better.] 7...c5
8.0-0 Nc6! 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.Na4 cxd4 11.exd4 Bd6³ Black should make sure that the dark squares
never become a problem, but right now it doesn’t seem dangerous. He will continue with ...Qc7,
threatening to both move the f6-knight and grab h2.

6...0-0

6...Ne4!? If you are convinced that 7...Ne4 in the main line is a decent way to handle the opening, you
can start with this move. It will merely transpose. 7.Bxe7 Qxe7

109
Position after: 7...Qxe7

White may even find himself in trouble here if he doesn’t wish to allow ...Nxc3.
A) 8.0-0 0-0 – see the main line. [8...Nxc3?! is not a real threat, because White will easily trade at
least one of his doubled c-pawns. 9.bxc3 0-0 10.c4²]
B) 8.Ne2 Qb4+! This can come as an annoying surprise. Black simply grabs the b2-pawn. White will
have to show compensation, but it’s not that easy. 9.c3 Qxb2 10.0-0 0-0 11.c4 Qb4 12.Qc2 Qe7
13.Rab1

Position after: 13.Rab1

110
 13...a5! Taking space. 14.cxd5 exd5 15.Rfc1 c6 16.Ne5 Nd7³ Black is solid and easily keeps his extra
pawn. Of course White has long-term compensation, but the pressure is not that great.

7.Ne2

Position after: 7.Ne2

Some players have tried to speed up c2−c4, but it doesn’t make much difference as the move will
hardly be possible without castling first.

7...Ne4

7...c5!? I tried this move against the strong Israeli GM Tamir Nabaty.
A) 8.c4 Qa5+! [8...b5!? 9.cxb5 c4 10.Bc2 a6© in the spirit of the Benko Gambit is also very
interesting.] 9.Nc3 h6!

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Position after: 9...h6!

An important move, in order to put more pressure on d4. 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.0-0 dxc4 12.Bxc4 Nc6!
13.dxc5 Qxc5 14.Qb3 Qe7= Play is balanced. White can’t really take advantage of our pawn on f5,
which can sometimes prove to be a weakness, but not in this case.
B) 8.dxc5!

Position after: 8.dxc5!

8...Qa5+ 9.c3 Qxc5 10.0-0 Nc6 11.Ned4 Ne4 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.c4! Nxd4 14.exd4 dxc4 15.Bxc4²

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 After a series of good moves, White has managed to keep a small edge. The game Nabaty, T (2644) –
Demuth, A (2548), Teplice 2017 finally ended in a draw, ½-½ (36).

8.Bxe7 Qxe7

Position after: 8...Qxe7

9.a3

This may be an improvement over the main line; the idea is quite sophisticated.
A) 9.0-0 This most logical move transposes into the main line, seen in the next subchapter.
B) 9.c4?! is too early: 9...Qb4+ 10.Nd2 [10.Kf1?! dxc4! 11.Bxe4 fxe4 12.Nd2 Nc6 13.Nxe4 Qxb2µ]
10...Qxb2 11.Qc1

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Position after: 11.Qc1

It seems that White has nothing better than this sad move. We have several ways to reach a good
position, e.g. 11...Qb4! 12.f3 Nxd2 13.Qxd2 Qd6³. We could have traded queens, but it’s absolutely
fine to keep them on the board too.

9...b6!?

I prefer to change my mind and take advantage of the fact that 9.a3 wasn’t such a useful move.
9...c5?! Let’s see what might be wrong with this move: 10.c4 dxc4 11.Bxc4

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Position after: 11.Bxc4

11...Nd6?! The wrong idea, as White has already played a2−a3. [11...Nc6 12.dxc5 Qxc5 13.Rc1 Qe7
14.0-0²] 12.Ba2! This is a huge improvement over the main line (next subchapter). 12...c4 won’t gain a
tempo on the bishop, and it has already reached a good square in order to get rid of the c4-pawn. 12...c4
13.b3! b5 14.bxc4 Nxc4 15.0-0±

10.0-0 Bb7 11.c4 Nd7 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Rc1 c5!„

Position after: 13...c5!„

i) 2...Nf6 3.Bg5 d5 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Be7 6.Bd3 0-0 7.0-0 Ne4

1.d4 f5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5! d5 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Be7!? 6.Bd3! 0-0 7.0-0

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Position after: 7.0-0

7...Ne4!

I am confident that this move solves Black’s problems. It’s unusual to be willing to trade the dark-
squared bishops when you play a Stonewall system, but here it will enable Black to develop his play in
the center quickly.

8.Bxe7

8.Bf4?! Obviously this is too slow, and Black takes over the initiative. 8...g5! 9.Be5 Nc6ƒ

8...Qxe7 9.Ne2

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Position after: 9.Ne2

9...c5!

9...Nd6 Of course, we have to mention Carlsen’s game, even if it was ‘only’ in a blitz tournament, as
he sometimes shows very good ideas. Here he played a set-up in his style, but it’s probably not the best
way to fight for equality: 10.Rc1 Nd7 11.c4 c6 12.Qb3

Position after: 12.Qb3

12...Kh8?! 13.Qa3 a5 14.Ne5 Kg8 15.f4± Magnus was soon going to be better, but right now he is in a

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bit of trouble, So, W (2770) – Carlsen, M (2855), Leuven 2016, ½-½ (45).

10.c4!

This is the obvious reaction. White is willing to open the center under favorable circumstances, and has
to act now.

10...dxc4!

Position after: 10...dxc4!

Now White has a tough choice. He can either take back the pawn or give up his bishop in order to
destroy our pawn structure.

11.Bxc4

This has been White’s choice in most cases.

11.Bxe4 fxe4

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Position after: 11...fxe4

A) 12.Nd2!?N 12...cxd4 13.Nxd4 e5! 14.Nb5 a6 15.Nc3 Be6 16.Ndxe4 b5 The knight on e4 is a
monster, so Black needs to create counterplay with his pawn majority on the queenside, and/or try to
trade that knight. 17.a3 Nd7 18.Qe2 Bf5=
B) 12.Ne5 b5!? 13.a4 b4

Position after: 13...b4

B1) 14.Nxc4 Ba6 As you will see, this pin is going to be very annoying for White. 15.Rc1 Nd7

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 16.a5 Rac8 Black has been playing very actively, and White was unable to solve his problems over
the board.

Position after: 16...Rac8

After 17.Qb3? White lost in Van Wely, L (2658) – L’Ami, E (2606), playchess.com 2016, 0-1 (30).
[He could have been more direct with 17.d5!, the only way for him to keep the balance: 17...Rfd8
18.Ng3 Bxc4 19.d6! Qf8 20.Rxc4 Nf6 21.Qc2 Qxd6 22.Nxe4 Nxe4 23.Qxe4=.] 17...cxd4!

Position after: 17...cxd4!

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 18.exd4 [18.Nxd4 Nc5 19.Qxb4 Qf6µ] 18...Nf6! 19.Rc2 Nd5 Black has devastating play. 20.Rfc1
[20.Ne3 Rxc2 21.Qxc2 Qg5! 22.Nxd5 exd5–+] 20...Qf6–+
B2) 14.Ng3 Bb7 15.Rc1 Bd5 16.Nxc4

Position after: 16.Nxc4

This position occurred in Dambacher, M (2490) – Reinderman, D (2591), Germany 2016, ½-½ (44).
I think Black should now play 16...cxd4 17.Qxd4 Nc6 18.Qd1 Rad8 19.Qe2 b3= He will continue
with ...Nb4 or ...Qb4 with good prospects on the queenside in order to compensate for his pawn
structure in the center.

11...Nd6!

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Position after: 11...Nd6!

A very important resource. Black pushes back the bishop and gains the initiative on the queenside.

12.b3

A) 12.Rc1 A small refinement compared to 12.Bd3, if White wants to place the bishop on b1. It’s not
necessarily better though, because it’s not clear the rook does much on c1. 12...b5 13.Bd3 c4 14.Bb1
Bb7

Position after: 14...Bb7

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 15.Nf4 In the top-level blitz game, Aronian, L (2792) – Giri, A (2782), Paris 2016, ½-½ (43), Giri
chose 15...Bd5. It’s even simpler to just finish development. [15.Ne5 Nd7 16.Nxd7 Qxd7 17.Nf4
a5³] 15...Nd7N 16.b3 Rac8 17.bxc4 bxc4 18.Qe2 c3ƒ Black’s c-pawn is becoming a real thorn in
White’s side.
B) 12.Bd3 c4 13.Bc2 b5 14.b3 Bb7 15.a4

Position after: 15.a4

Massive trades on the queenside are coming, and the position seems to be quite balanced. After
15...a6 16.axb5 axb5 17.Rxa8 Bxa8 18.bxc4 Bxf3 19.gxf3 bxc4 20.f4 Nc6= the game logically ended
in a draw in Rychagov, A (2550) – L’Ami, E (2606), Cappelle-la-Grande 2015.

12...b6!

It’s very logical to bring the bishop to the long light-squared diagonal.

13.Ne5

A) 13.dxc5 Nxc4 14.bxc4 Qxc5=

B) 13.Nf4 Nxc4 14.bxc4 Rd8 15.Qe2 Bb7 16.Rfd1 Nd7„

13...Nxc4 14.bxc4 Nd7!

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Position after: 14...Nd7!

Vallejo Pons treats the position in a very refined manner. As shown by the following moves, Black gets
a very easy position to play.

15.Nxd7 Bxd7 16.dxc5 bxc5 17.Qd2 Bc6 18.Qa5 e5 19.Nc3 f4ƒ

Position after: 19...f4ƒ

With promising play on the kingside. White had to be precise in order to keep the balance, and the draw

124
was agreed after a few more moves in Vidit, S (2651) – Vallejo Pons, F (2684), Berlin 2015, ½-½ (25).

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 Chapter 3
The Göring Attack 2.Bg5

1.d4 f5 2.Bg5

Chapter Guide

Chapter 3 – The Göring Attack 2.Bg5

1.d4 f5 2.Bg5
a) 2...--, 2...g6 3.--, 3.e3 Bg7 4.--
b) 2...g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.Nd2
c) 2...g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.--, 4.e3
d) 2...g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4
e) 2...g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.h4

a) 2...--, 2...g6 3.--, 3.e3 Bg7 4.--

1.d4 f5 2.Bg5

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Position after: 2.Bg5

Apart from the three main moves, 2.c4, 2.Nf3 and 2.g3, which might all lead to the same classical main
line, we come to the last principled alternative, 2.Bg5. It is played more often than the Staunton Gambit
and only slightly less than 2.Nc3.
The main alternatives have one thing in common: they fight directly for the important e4-square and
aim to play e2−e4 in favorable circumstances if possible. We will have a look at all the other sidelines
in the next chapter.
First, let’s name it. The 2.Bg5 line is called ‘The Göring Attack’. It is very aggressive and is aimed at
preventing ...Nf6 or ...e6. It also invites Black to start pushing his pawns to chase the bishop with ...h6
and ...g5, in order to use the weakened e8-h5 diagonal. As this is White’s aim, I decided not to enter
this line, and to offer the line starting with 2...g6.

2...g6!?

The idea is simple: White wanted to prevent ...Nf6, so we will fianchetto first, then develop the knight.
As ...g6 is not a real developing move, White has several possibilities to try to take advantage of its
provocative nature. We should be ready to meet them.
A) 2...Nf6 Some people play in similar fashion to the 2.Nc3 variation, but the knight is not yet on c3,
which gives White some additional ideas. 3.Bxf6 exf6 4.e3 d5 5.c4!?

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Position after: 5.c4!?

This is a way for White to take advantage of the fact the knight is not obstructing the march of the c-
pawn.
B) 2...h6 3.Bh4 g5 There is a lot of theory starting from this position. Of course the bishop is not
trapped, as White can advance his e-pawn with the mating threat of Qh5. Many players might be
happy to enter these lines, but in general I think that it is White who has more fun here.

3.e3

White players have recently been trying this move, and it is becoming more popular. I believe that,
apart from the main line, this is the most interesting try for White.
A) 3.e4 has little independent value. Play will most probably continue 3...fxe4 4.Nc3 d5 5.f3 as White
doesn’t have anything better. After 5...Nf6 it transposes into the main line of Chapter 1 on the
Staunton Gambit.
B) 3.h4 Bg7

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Position after: 3...Bg7

B1) 4.Nc3 This has been played in most games, and transposes to our main line.
B2) 4.h5?! h6 5.Bc1 Do you see a better square for the bishop? Sad, but I don’t. After 5...g5³ White
hasn’t achieved much, and his pawn on h5 looks more like a weakness than a threat to Black.
B3) 4.e3 h6 5.Bf4 Nf6

Position after: 5...Nf6

6.Nf3 [6.Nc3 transposes once again] 6...d6 7.Bc4 Nc6 8.Nc3 e6!„ We will soon become familiar

129
 with this type of position. Black’s plan is to follow up with ...Qe7, ...Bd7 and probably ...0-0-0.
C) 3.Nd2 has been played frequently, but has no independent value. Indeed after 3...Bg7 4.e4 [4.e3
transposes to 3.e3 Bg7 4.Nc3] 4...fxe4 5.Nxe4 transposes into the line with 3.Nc3.

3...Bg7

Position after: 3...Bg7

4.Nf3

A) 4.g4 This rare guest makes perfect sense as it not even a sacrifice, but White will lose a few
important tempi regaining the pawn. 4...fxg4 5.Qxg4 [5.h3 c5! 6.hxg4 Qb6 7.Ne2 cxd4 8.exd4 d6„
The moves in this sequence are far from forced, but show how Black should seek counterplay.]
5...c5!? 6.Nc3

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Position after: 6.Nc3

I would now vary from 6...Qa5, as played in the game Vaisser, A (2540) – Spraggett, K (2526),
France 2001, ½-½ (18), by playing 6...d6 7.Bb5+ Nc6 8.Qg2 a6 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.dxc5 [10.Qxc6+?!
Bd7 11.Qe4 Rb8 12.0-0-0 Qb6µ] 10...d5 11.Nge2 Qa5 12.Nd4 Qxc5ƒ. The situation is tense, but
Black will soon get the better middlegame thanks to his bishop pair and mobile center.
B) 4.Nc3 – see 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e3.

4...d6

Most players prefer to start with 4...Nf6, but I feel it can be useful to be able to push ...e5 quickly, as
Topalov did in the following game.

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Position after: 4...d6

5.c4

A) 5.h4 h6 This is an additional advantage to starting with 4...d6: here White is unable to play Bxf6
(since there is no knight on f6!) in order to gain time and attack the g6-pawn soon. 6.Bf4 Nf6„ This
is already a better version than the main line since the f3-square is usually occupied by the queen.
B) 5.Bc4 has been the most frequently played move. White takes advantage of the weak light-squared
diagonal. 5...h6 6.Bh4 g5 7.Bg3 e6 8.c3 Nf6 9.h3!? 0-0 10.Nbd2 Nc6 11.0-0 a6!?²

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Position after: 11...a6!?²

This is a situation we are going to meet many times in this book. The computer seems to like White,
but I believe Black’s position is fine for a practical game. As the evaluation is about 0.3, I can’t
objectively say that the position is equal, so I’ll leave a +/= at the end of the line.
Why do I go against the computer’s evaluation? Probably because I think it considers Black’s castled
position to be too exposed. In a computer game this might well be true, but for us poor humans, things
are different.
Black has a lot of flexibility. He is trying to play ...b5, in order to place the bishop on b7 later. Even if
White prevents that with a2−a4, we will simply continue with ...Qe7, ...Kh8, and, for instance, ...e5 at
some point. This seems to provide good prospects in the center and on the kingside, and it can soon
become very awkward to play as White. On the other hand, I think the computer idea for White is to
continue with Bd3, Qc2 and e4, in order to get decent play in the center and a straightforward plan.

5...h6 6.Bf4

6.Bh4 Nf6 7.Nc3 0-0 8.Qc2 c5!? 9.d5 g5 10.Bg3 Nh5„

6...Nf6!

6...Nd7 Topalov tried a different path in Monte Carlo, and play soon became quite wild:

Position after: 6...Nd7

7.Nc3 e5 8.Bg3 g5 9.h3 Ne7 10.Be2 0-0 11.0-0 f4 12.Bh2 exd4 13.Nxd4 Ne5 14.exf4 gxf4 15.Kh1²
Even if Black has decent play, I consider this position to be easier to play for White, as shown in the
game Grischuk, A (2747) – Topalov, V (2775), Monte Carlo 2011, 1-0 (44). White will stop the f-

133
pawn, and keeping the attack going is not so simple.

7.Nc3 0-0

Position after: 7...0-0

I won’t analyze this position, as it’s a transposition to the 3.Bf4 line of chapter 6, except that here we
have the extra move ...h6. This is a huge improvement, since trying to exchange the f4-bishop is one of
Black’s main ideas. I’ll just give the following line, which I think is quite important if White wants to
save his dark-squared bishop.

8.h3 Nc6 9.Bh2 e5 10.dxe5 Ne4!‚

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Position after: 10...Ne4!‚

White has some problems. He is unable to take the knight without completely disrupting his
coordination.

b) 2...g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.Nd2

1.d4 f5 2.Bg5 g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.Nd2 Nf6

Position after: 4...Nf6

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5.h4!?

This can be dangerous in this particular move order. Most of our natural responses are not so great.
A) 5.c3 Nc6!? This is a rare move at this point, but I think it is the most flexible one.
A1) 6.f4!? b6

Position after: 6...b6

The play is unusual, but I quite like the way Black has treated the position. 7.Bd3 Bb7 8.Ngf3 0-0
9.0-0 Qe8 10.Qe2 Nd8 11.Ba6 [11.e4 fxe4 12.Nxe4 Ne6² I think White is objectively better, but
Black is very solid and should gain the bishop pair. Many things can happen here.] 11...Bxa6
12.Qxa6 Nf7 ½-½ Crouch, C (2403) – Bellin, R (2361), Birmingham 2001.
A2) 6.Ngf3 d6

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Position after: 6...d6

7.Qb3 [7.Bb5 a6 8.Bxc6+ bxc6 Our structure is damaged, but the light squares are not an issue
anymore. 9.0-0 Rb8 10.Rb1 0-0=] 7...e6 8.h4N [8.e4 h6! 9.Bxf6 Qxf6 10.Bd3 0-0„] 8...h6 9.Bf4
Qe7

Position after: 9...Qe7

As in the main line, this pawn structure is very decent for Black. He will probably try to castle
queenside, and the pseudo-sacrifice with ...Bd7 might even be possible at some point. The real issue

137
 for White is that he doesn’t control the center, and Black will soon react. 10.0-0-0 e5! 11.Bg3 a6!?ƒ,
preventing Bb5. White’s play lacks direction.
B) 5.Bc4 e6!?

Position after: 5...e6!?

The bishop probably chose its square too soon because of this move: 6.Ne2 [6.Ngf3 Nc6 7.e4 h6
8.Bxf6 Qxf6 9.e5 Qf7=] 6...h6 7.Bf4 0-0 8.Bg3 Nh5 9.Be5 Nc6 10.Bxg7 Kxg7=.
Back to 5.h4!?.

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Position after: 5.h4!?

5...Ng4!?N

This is an interesting novelty to prevent White’s ideas. There are a few hidden points to the move, the
main one being simply to avoid the possibility of Bxf6.
A) 5...d6?! 6.h5! Nxh5 7.Rxh5 gxh5 8.Bc4!?© As usual in this sort of line, lots of compensation will
soon appear.
B) 5...h6?! 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.Nh3ƒ Heading directly towards the weak g6-pawn. White is definitely
better here.

6.f3

6.h5?! h6 7.Bf4 g5 8.Bg3 d6„

6...h6!

Position after: 6...h6!

7.Bf4!

7.fxg4 hxg5 8.Ngf3 d5 9.Nxg5 Bf6!‚ White will lose some tempi and soon his extra pawn too.

7...e5!

A very important counterattack, otherwise Black’s opening makes no sense at all.

8.fxg4

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8.dxe5?! Nxe5³

8...exf4 9.exf4

9.gxf5 fxe3 10.Nc4 d5 11.Nxe3 0-0‚

9...Qe7+ 10.Qe2 fxg4 11.Qxe7+ Kxe7∞

Position after: 11...Kxe7∞

The computers believe White is slightly better, probably because of the exposed black monarch, but
Black should be able to level the game with adequate play. I wouldn’t be afraid to play this position
over the board.

c) 2...g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.--, 4.e3

1.d4 f5 2.Bg5 g6!? 3.Nc3 Bg7

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Position after: 3...Bg7

In the Dutch Defense, we usually try to prevent White from playing e4 so easily, so if we let it happen
here, we should be confident that it’s not a big deal. But White isn’t forced to play it. 4.h4 has become
very popular recently, and I’ll make it the main line, due to the great results it has achieved.

4.e3!?

A very tricky move. Black has gone wrong in most of the games here (granted, it’s easy to do so) but
he has a rather strange set-up which has proved to be effective against White’s opening.
4.f3 Nc6

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Position after: 4...Nc6

5.e3 [5.d5 Ne5 6.e4 fxe4 – see the line arising after 4.e4 fxe4 5.f3 Nc6]
A) 5...Nf6 I will show the first few moves of the following game in order to illustrate the dangers for
Black if he doesn’t play carefully. He was very quickly outplayed in the opening after 6.Qd2 d5?! 7.0-
0-0 Be6 8.h3!? Bf7 9.g4 e6 10.f4! Qd7 11.Nf3 Ng8 12.Bb5± 1-0 (52) Chigaev, M (2555) – Potapov,
P (2479), Khanty-Mansiysk 2017.
B) 5...h6!?N 6.Bh4 Nf6 7.Qd2 e6 8.0-0-0 d6

Position after: 8...d6

142
 Once again, I use this very flexible pawn structure. 9.Bc4 Qe7 10.Nge2 g5 11.Bf2 Bd7 12.e4 fxe4
13.fxe4 0-0-0„

Position after: 13...0-0-0„

White is probably symbolically better according to the principles of the ‘center’, but Black is really
solid, and his pieces have good prospects, especially along the f-file.

4...d5!

Position after: 4...d5!

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A Stonewall with a kingside fianchetto might seem weird. It’s only justified here because White has
committed himself by playing an early Nc3. If you ask me if I believe it’s objectively equal, I would
say no, but I think it’s fully playable, hasn’t been refuted, and is hard to play for White in a practical
game, as shown by the good overall results for Black.
4...Nf6?! This logical-looking move is definitely wrong. 5.h4!

Position after: 5.h4!

5...d5 [5...Ne4 6.Nxe4 fxe4 7.h5²; 5...h6?! 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.Qf3± is exactly what you should avoid. The
g6-pawn is in huge trouble. 5...0-0?! 6.h5! Nxh5 7.Rxh5 gxh5 8.Nd5! Bf6 9.Qxh5 c6 10.Nxf6+ exf6
11.Bh6 Rf7 12.Nf3±] 6.h5 Be6 7.h6 Bf8 8.Nf3± and in Lysyj, I (2643) – Potapov, P (2497), Minsk
2017, Black managed to escape, but it wasn’t because of the opening – ½-½ (38).

5.h4!?

This seems the most logical continuation. White wants to take advantage of the early ...g6, and has
already made all the other logical moves with that aim in mind.
A) 5.Nf3 c6 6.Bd3 Nh6!? The knight heads for f7 in order to control the dark squares. Black will free
himself completely if he manages to play ...e5 in favorable circumstances.

144
Position after: 6...Nh6!?

A1) 7.Qd2 Nf7 8.Bf4 [8.h4 is analyzed via 5.h4] 8...Nd7 9.0-0-0 e5! 10.dxe5 Ndxe5=
A2) 7.Ne2 Nf7 8.Bh4 Qa5+!N This is stronger than 8...Qb6, which has already been played twice,
and is faster in terms of realizing the central breakthrough: 9.c3 e5! 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Bxe5
12.Qc2 0-0

Position after: 12...0-0

Black’s position may seem doubtful because he has advanced so many pawns, but it’s really hard for

145
 White to achieve anything. 13.0-0 [13.Nd4 Nd7 14.0-0 Qb6„] 13...Qc7 14.Bg3 [14.Nf4 Bxf4
15.exf4 Qxf4 16.g3 Qd6 17.Rae1 Be6 18.Re2 Nd7 19.Rfe1 Nc5=] 14...Bxg3 15.hxg3 Be6 16.Nf4
Bf7„
B) 5.Bd3 This move is included in the other plans, so it just amounts to the same thing. 5...c6 6.h4 –
see 5.h4. [6.Nf3 – see 5.Nf3.]
Back to 5.h4.

Position after: 5.h4!?

5...c6

A very useful waiting move, anticipating an attack on the d5-square, and giving us the possibility of
playing ...Nd7.
A) 5...Nf6? is the move White was waiting for: 6.h5 Nxh5 [6...h6? 7.Bxf6 Bxf6 8.hxg6+–] 7.Rxh5
gxh5 8.Qxh5+ Kf8 9.Nf3±
B) 5...Nh6?! 6.Qf3 c6 7.Qg3 Nf7 8.Bf4 Nd7 9.Nf3±

6.Bd3

A) 6.Nf3
A1) 6...Nd7?!

146
Position after: 6...Nd7?!

This has been played by Caruana! But it seems slightly inaccurate, because it lets White pursue his
idea with h5 (which he missed in the game!) 7.Bd3 [7.h5! h6? is the usual reaction, but it works out
badly for Black: 8.hxg6!! hxg5 9.Rxh8 Bxh8 10.Nxg5±. Nf7 and Qh5 are very strong threats, and
Black is unable to parry them properly.] 7...Ngf6 8.h5 Qb6 9.Rb1 Ne4 10.Bf4² 0-1 (36) Sunilduth
Lyna, N (2536) – Caruana, F (2813), Douglas 2016.
A2) 6...Nh6! 7.h5

Position after: 7.h5

147
 This is possible here as well, but is less dangerous than in the Caruana game above. 7...Nf7 8.Bh4
[8.h6 Bf8 – 8...Bf6 was acceptable as well, but I prefer the text move. – 9.Bf4 e6 10.Ne5 Nxe5
11.Bxe5 Rg8 12.Bf4 Nd7„] 8...Qb6 9.Na4 Qa5+ 10.c3 Nd7

Position after: 10...Nd7

Black can break with either...c5 or ...e5, so White should take measures. 11.b4 [11.Be2 b5! 12.Nc5
Nxc5 13.b4! Qa3 14.bxc5 Qxc3+ 15.Kf1 a5!∞] 11...Qd8 12.c4 Nf6 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.hxg6 hxg6
15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Rxh8+ Bxh8 17.Nc5

Position after: 17.Nc5

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 White might be visually better due to his strong knights, but this is fully playable for both sides.
B) 6.h5?! h6 7.Bh4 g5 8.Bg3 Nf6„

6...Nh6

Position after: 6...Nh6

7.Nf3

7.Bxh6 Some players have tried this interesting move. Because we’re in a closed position, it makes
sense to get rid of the opponent’s knights. 7...Bxh6 8.f4 This has been reached in a few games,
including the notable Moiseenko, A (2707) – Miton, K (2603), Poznan 2014, ½-½ (54). Black tried to
gain a tempo on the b2-pawn in order to accelerate his development. 8...Qb6 9.Qc1 Nd7 10.Nf3 Nf6
11.Ne5 0-0= In this very closed position, it’s not clear what White should do. If he tries to advance
with h5, it fails, e.g. 12.Be2 c5! 13.h5? g5!³ and White’s center is about to collapse.

7...Nf7 8.Bf4

8.Qd2 Nd7 9.0-0-0 Qc7

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Position after: 9...Qc7

10.h5! [10.Bf4 e5 11.dxe5 Ndxe5 12.Nxe5 Nxe5 13.Kb1 Qe7=] 10...e5 11.dxe5 Ndxe5 12.Bf4 Qe7
13.hxg6 hxg6 14.Rxh8+ Bxh8„ Again, this should be a slight edge for White, but nothing really
worrying for Black.

8...Nd7 9.h5 e5 10.dxe5 Ndxe5 11.Nxe5 Nxe5

Position after: 11...Nxe5

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Black has moved a lot of pawns already, and the risk is to end up with a weakened position, but right
now his pieces compensate and he should be fine, as proven by the following game.

12.Qd2 Be6 13.Ne2 Qb6=

0-1 (43) Mirzoyan, D (2341) – Sandipan, C (2570), Yerevan 2017.

d) 2...g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4

1.d4 f5 2.Bg5 g6!? 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4

Position after: 4.e4

Logical, and the most played move. Even if it’s not necessarily the most dangerous attempt, Black
doesn’t have any choice but to take.

4...fxe4 5.Nxe4

5.f3?! Is rarely played, but can be frightening because at first sight it looks like a better version of the
Staunton Gambit as we have spent two moves playing a fianchetto while White has developed two
pieces. However we can make use of our bishop already being on g7!

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Position after: 5.f3?!

5...Nc6! 6.d5 Ne5 7.fxe4 Nh6! A very important move. We are ready to castle, but also to defend the
important knight on e5. 8.Nf3 [8.Qd2N 8...Nhf7 9.h4 c5!? 10.0-0-0 d6 11.Be2 0-0ƒ] 8...Nhf7 9.Bf4!N
[9.Be3 0-0 10.Be2 e6 11.0-0 d6 12.Nd4 exd5 13.exd5 Qe7ƒ White is unable to get rid of the super-
strong knight on e5, so Black had the easier game in Csiszar, C (2429) – Kovachev, D (2208), Ohrid
2009, 0-1 (40).] 9...c5!

Position after: 9...c5!

10.Be2 [10.d6 e6 11.Qd2 0-0 12.0-0-0 Nxf3 13.gxf3 b5!‚] 10...0-0 11.0-0 Nxf3+ 12.Bxf3 d6³ Black

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has several advantages, e.g. his bishop on g7 is a monster and he should soon be able to start a pawn
storm on the queenside by means of ...Bd7, ...a6, ...Rb8 (if needed) and ...b5!

5...d5

Position after: 5...d5

6.Ng3!?

This has always been the move that gave me most problems, but I am happy with the solution that I
have come up with.
A) 6.Nc5 I don’t believe this is the right idea (heading towards b3 with no prospects), but strangely
enough, it’s the most frequently played move. 6...b6 7.Nb3 Nh6!

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Position after: 7...Nh6!

8.Nf3 [8.h4 Nf7 9.Nh3 0-0 10.Qd2 Nxg5 11.Nxg5 e5! White’s knights are completely pointless.
12.dxe5 Bxe5 13.c4 a5³] 8...0-0 9.Be2 [9.Qd2?! This only helps Black and takes away the d2-square
from the b3-knight. 9...Nf7 10.Bf4 c5 11.c3 c4 12.Nc1 Nc6 13.Be2 Bf5 14.0-0 Qd7 15.Bd1 e5³]
9...Nf7 10.Bh4

Position after: 10.Bh4

and now 10...c5!N 11.c3 c4 12.Nbd2 Nc6 13.0-0 b5ƒ improves on Black’s play in the game Chernin,

154
 A (2584) – Nijboer, F (2567), Sanxenxo 2004, which was drawn at this point.
B) 6.Nc3 From time to time White prefers to retreat the knight to where it just came from. I found this
very instructive game by Gata Kamsky, who, apart from his incredible strength, often employed the
Dutch, so is a reference. 6...Nh6! 7.Nf3 Nf7

Position after: 7...Nf7

From here, the knight stops Bh6 and protects the weak e5-square. It may also help Black to push ...e5
at some point. 8.Be3 Nc6 9.Qd2 Bf5 10.Be2 Qd7 11.0-0-0 0-0-0 Castling short by Black would only
encourage White’s plan of pushing h4−h5. 12.Kb1 Kb8 13.a3 h6 14.h3 g5 15.g4 Be6 16.Rhe1 Rhf8
17.Nh2 Nd6³

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Position after: 17...Nd6³

Kamsky’s position seems better already, and his opponent collapsed in only seven moves from this
position! 18.f3 Bg8 19.Nb5 a6 20.Nxd6 Qxd6 21.Nf1 e5 22.dxe5 Qxe5 23.c3 d4 24.cxd4 Qd5 0-1
Pardo Simon, D (2451) – Kamsky, G (2709), Gibraltar 2014.
Back to 6.Ng3.

Position after: 6.Ng3!?

6...c5!

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The best chance is to strike back directly in the center. Black has several choices here, but none of them
seems too scary after thorough analysis.
6...Nh6 used to be theory’s recommendation, but things are changing quickly, and it’s no longer the
current fashion. The position would be simple for Black if White didn’t have the following resource:
7.Nh5! gxh5 [7...Bf8 8.Qe2 Nc6 9.c3 gxh5!N 10.Bxh6 Bg4 11.Qe3 Bxh6 12.Qxh6 Qd6 13.Qxd6
cxd6² is similar to the line with 7...gxh5.] 8.Bxh6 Bg4 9.Qd2 Bxh6 10.Qxh6 Qd6

Position after: 10...Qd6

Because of his poor king, Black is keen to trade queens. Unfortunately, even if the following endgame
is probably holdable, his winning chances are slim, so I prefer to avoid these kinds of lines. 11.Qxd6
cxd6 12.Bd3²

7.Nf3

A) 7.Bb5+?! Nc6

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Position after: 7...Nc6

White can’t develop his kingside so simply because of the deadly threat of ...Qa5+. 8.c3 [8.Bxc6+
bxc6 9.c3 cxd4 10.cxd4 transposes] 8...cxd4 9.Bxc6+ [9.cxd4?? Qa5+–+; 9.N1e2 dxc3 10.bxc3 Nf6
11.0-0 0-0 12.Nf4 e6 13.Re1 h6 14.Bxf6 Qxf6µ Black was effortlessly better and won convincingly
in Lubczynski, R (2431) – Janaszak, D (2384), Poronin 2016, 0-1 (29).] 9...bxc6 10.cxd4 Nh6

Position after: 10...Nh6

If Black manages to castle next move, he will be better thanks to the bishop pair in an open position

158
 and his piece activity along the f-file and against the d4-pawn, so White has to grab some material to
keep the game approximately balanced.
A1) 11.Nh5?! We have already seen this pattern in the 6...Nh6 line that we refrained from playing,
but here it is much less dangerous, as the knight will soon be en prise here. 11...Bf8 12.Qe2 Qd6
13.Ng3 [13.Nf6+? Kf7 14.Bxh6 Bxh6 15.Ng4 Qb4+µ] 13...Nf7 14.Be3 Qb4+³
A2) 11.Qc1! Nf7 12.Qxc6+ Bd7 13.Qxd5 Nxg5 14.Qxg5 Bxd4‚ Black will probably regain the
b2-pawn. He remains better thanks to his bishop pair, but the result is most likely to be a draw.
B) 7.dxc5 White has achieved good results with this move. He hopes that his poor pawn structure will
be compensated for by his piece activity and lead in development, but that’s not necessarily the case.
7...Bxb2 8.Rb1 Bc3+ 9.Bd2 Qa5!

Position after: 9...Qa5!

10.Bb5+ [10.Nf3 Nf6 11.Rb3?! Bxd2+ 12.Qxd2 Qxd2+ 13.Kxd2 Nbd7 14.Bb5 0-0 15.Bxd7 Nxd7³
½-½ (56) Rakhmangulov, A (2395) – Firman, N (2542), Alushta 2011] 10...Bd7!N This novelty is
necessary to keep the balance, as practice has shown that 10...Nc6 couldn’t do the job. Black
shouldn’t be afraid of losing the b7-pawn, as he will grab the c5-pawn with the knight, gaining a
tempo on the rook. 11.N1e2 Bxd2+ 12.Qxd2 Qxd2+ 13.Kxd2 Nf6 14.Nf4 Bxb5 15.Rxb5 Nbd7=
White is more active, but Black is solid and has the better pawn structure. The game is roughly equal.

7...Nc6

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Position after: 7...Nc6

8.dxc5

White is unable to hold the center, so releasing the tension is best.

A) 8.Bb5?? Qa5+–+
B) 8.c3?! Qb6 9.Qd2 cxd4 10.cxd4 Nxd4³

8...Bxb2 9.Rb1 Bc3+ 10.Bd2 Qa5 11.Bb5 Nf6 12.0-0 Bxd2

160
Position after: 12...Bxd2

13.Nxd2

13.Qxd2N 13...Qxd2 14.Nxd2 Bd7 White doesn’t seem to be in a position to cause Black any trouble
here. 15.c4 [15.Rfe1 Rc8 16.c4 a6 17.Ba4 Na5 18.Bxd7+ Kxd7 19.Rbd1 Rhd8 20.cxd5 Rxc5=] 15...0-
0-0 16.Rfe1 Rhe8 17.cxd5 Nxd5=

13...0-0 14.c4 a6 15.Bxc6 bxc6 16.cxd5

Position after: 16.cxd5

This position occurred in quite an old game by the Armenian superstar, Aronian, L (2649) – Nikolic, P
(2647), Germany 2003, ½-½ (24). I think it’s better to take back with the knight.

16...Nxd5!N 17.Qc2 Be6 18.Rfe1 Nf4„

161
Position after: 18...Nf4„

e) 2...g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.h4

1.d4 f5 2.Bg5 g6!? 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.h4!?

Position after: 4.h4!?

This has become the main line. White would be happy to keep advancing to h5, taking advantage of our
knight still being on g8, but we have a solution.

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4...h6!

This is necessary in order to continue with ...Nf6.

5.Bf4

5.Bc1 This very rare move occurred in one of my games. It was a big surprise for me, and I tried to
react quickly in the center.

Position after: 5.Bc1

A) 5...Nc6!? This was my choice in the game, convinced that I had to strike back immediately. 6.d5
Ne5 [6...Bxc3+ This is the idea, but I am not fond of it. 7.bxc3 Ne5 8.Nf3 d6 9.Nxe5 dxe5 10.c4 Nf6
11.Qd3ƒ White has a weird pawn structure, but also the bishop pair, and Black’s position is not
without weaknesses.] 7.e4 fxe4 8.Nxe4 c6

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Position after: 8...c6

9.d6?! [9.c3!N This quiet move, simply preventing ...Qa5+ and blunting the pressure along the long
diagonal, would have been very unpleasant to meet, as Black is actually out of useful moves. 9...d6
10.Nf3 Nxf3+ 11.gxf3! Bf5 12.Ng3±] 9...Nf6! 10.Nxf6+ Bxf6 11.Qe2 Nf7 12.dxe7= and this game
against one of my friends ended peacefully, ½-½ Edouard, R (2621) – Demuth, A (2542), Guadeloupe
2018.
B) 5...Nf6?! It is easy to go wrong, as shown by 6.Nh3! d6?! 7.Nf4 Kf7 8.e4! fxe4 9.Bc4+ e6 10.d5!
±.
C) 5...d6!?N I think I would now choose a more down-to-earth approach. 6.e4 Nf6

164
Position after: 6...Nf6

7.Bd3 [7.exf5 Bxf5 8.Nf3 Qd7 9.Bc4 Nc6„] 7...Nc6!? 8.exf5 gxf5 9.d5 Nb4!= Black has already
gained some tempi, and I doubt if White will be able to make use of the weaknesses on the light
squares.

5...Nf6

Position after: 5...Nf6

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6.e3

A) 6.Qd2 is another approach, preventing ...0-0 and preparing 0-0-0. 6...d6 7.0-0-0 Nc6! 8.d5 Ne5
9.e3 0-0„
B) 6.Nf3 is rather passive as the knight doesn’t do much here. 6...d6 7.e3 Nc6 8.d5?! This typical
mistake is not forced, but I consider this position to be harmless for Black. With classical play Black
will be able to choose his most con-venient set-up. It may be with ...e6, ...Bd7 and ...Qe7, probably
followed by ...0-0-0, or it may be to play for ...e5. It all depends on White’s decisions. 8...e5! 9.dxc6
exf4 10.cxb7 Bxb7 11.exf4 Qe7+ 12.Be2 Bxf3! 13.gxf3 Nh5³
C) 6.Qd3 This will probably be similar to the main line. Even if White plays the queen to g3 more
quickly than usual, it is still less played. 6...d6

Position after: 6...d6

7.Qg3 [7.0-0-0 Nc6 8.e3 e6 9.Nf3 Bd7 10.e4 fxe4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Qxe4 Qf6„; 7.e4?! White is not
ready to play this move. The queen isn’t so well placed on d3, as it will be exposed in the event of
exf5 Bxf5. 7...Nc6!? 8.d5 Ne5=] 7...Kf7 8.e4 [8.e3 Nc6 transposes to the main line of this chapter.]
8...fxe4 9.Bc4+ e6 10.0-0-0 Nc6=

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Position after: 10...Nc6=

I consider this more or less level. We have an extra pawn that White is not yet able to win back, but
on the other hand our king is in the center, even if I don’t consider it to be in real danger. Black will
probably follow up with ...Na5 in order to get rid of the light-squared bishop.

6...d6

Position after: 6...d6

167
White has many moves at his disposal, but his main idea is clearly to aim at the g6-weakness.

7.Qf3!?

This is the main idea in this type of position: the queen is going to g3 when g6 will be in danger, but we
have an effective defender – the king! My advice is to go for quick development.

7...Nc6!

I really like this approach. I have been wanting to play it in a competitive game for a long time, but
have not yet had the opportunity. It doesn’t revolutionize the system, but I like the idea of keeping the
king on f7.
A) 7...c6? 8.Qg3!N 8...Kf7 9.Bc4+ d5 10.Be2±
B) 7...Nh5!? This is an interesting choice to confuse the issue and prevent Qg3, but I prefer a
developing move.
C) 7...0-0

Position after: 7...0-0

Most players have chosen this path. The king is now able to protect g6 from h7 (where I don’t think it
is safer), or by playing ...Qe8. I don’t think Black should go for opposite-side castling so readily. It
has been analyzed from both sides in different books, and the general conclusion is that the positions
are easier for White. 8.Bc4+ e6 9.Nge2 Nc6 10.a3 Kh7 11.Bg5!‚ This line is given by Schandorff as
being very dangerous for Black, and I agree with him.

8.0-0-0

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8.Qg3

Position after: 8.Qg3

8...Kf7 [The other way to defend the g6-pawn, 8...Ng4?!, is simply dubious. 9.0-0-0 e5 10.dxe5 Ngxe5
11.Nf3± 1-0 (40) Donchenko, A (2552) – Kristiansen, J (2411), Aarhus 2015.] 9.Bc4+ e6 10.0-0-0 a6
11.a3 b5 12.Ba2 Qe8„

8...e6 9.Qg3 Kf7

Position after: 9...Kf7

169
10.Nh3!?N

A very sensible continuation. White protects his bishop (which can always be useful in case of ...Nh5),
and intends to open the position with f3 and e4.
10.Bc4 – see 8.Qg3.

10...Qe8!

Also a multi-purpose move, defending the g6-pawn, allowing the king to move and intending to
continue with ...e5.

11.f3

11.Bc4 Sensible, in order to prevent ...e5, so we need to get rid of the bishop. 11...a6!

Position after: 11...a6!

12.a3 [12.f3 b5 13.Bb3 b4 14.Ne2 Na5³] 12...b5 13.Bb3! [13.Ba2 b4 14.axb4 Nxb4 15.Bb3 a5!µ]
13...Na5 14.Ba2 Nc4 15.e4 fxe4 16.f3 e5 17.dxe5 Nh5 18.Qf2 Bxh3!∞

170
Position after: 18...Bxh3!∞

A messy position. White seems to be losing a piece, but the computer shows equality, e.g. 19.Be3 Be6
20.g4 Nxe5= White is able to regain his piece, but Black’s king is safe and his pieces are active.

11...e5!

Position after: 11...e5!

The variations arising may be messy, but Black looks fine in every case.

171
12.Nb5!?

12.Bc4+ Kf8
A) 13.Nb5 Nh5! 14.Qe1 exf4 15.Nxc7 Qe7

Position after: 15...Qe7

16.Nd5! Qf7 17.Nb6 Qe7 [17...axb6 18.Bxf7 Kxf7 19.Nxf4 Nxf4 20.exf4 Rxa2∞ Again, a very
messy position.] 18.Nd5=
B) 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.Nb5

172
Position after: 14.Nb5

14...Nh5! [14...exf4 15.Nxf4+– White’s knights are destroying the poor king on f8.] 15.Qf2 Na5!
Black needs to be cold-blooded. Now the black knights are going to the flanks, to good effect.
16.Nxc7 Qe7 17.Nxa8 Nxc4 18.Bh2 Kf7µ

12...Nh5 13.Qh2 exf4!

Position after: 13...exf4!

14.Bc4+!

14.Nxc7?? Qxe3+ 15.Kb1 Be6–+

14...d5!

We will see why this ‘gift’ is very important.

15.Bxd5+ Kf8 16.Nxc7 Qxe3+ 17.Kb1 Nxd4

173
Position after: 17...Nxd4

18.Rhe1!

18.Nxa8? Ne2!! A terrible move for White. He is almost defenceless on the dark squares, and his king
is in huge trouble. 19.Rd3 [19.Bb3? Qe5 20.c3 Nxc3+ 21.bxc3 Qxc3 22.g3 Qa1+ 23.Kc2 Qb2+

Position after: 23...Qb2+

24.Kd3 Qc3+ 25.Ke2 Nxg3+ 26.Kf2 g5!–+ Simply protecting the super-important f4-pawn. 19.Rhe1
was already seen in 18.Rhe1.] 19...Qe5 20.c3 b5!µ White is completely out of moves! A crazy

174
situation!

18...Ne2

Here is why we gave away the d-pawn, so that this move would be playable!

19.Bc4!

The only way to keep the balance!

19.Nxa8 Nc3+!

Position after: 19...Nc3+!

20.Ka1 [20.bxc3?? Qxc3 21.Kc1 Qa3+ 22.Kd2 Bc3+ 23.Ke2 Ng3+ 24.Kf2 Qc5+–+ With mate.]
20...Qc5! 21.Nxf4 Nxf4 22.Qxf4 Nxd5 23.Qd2 Ne7µ

19...Qc5™

175
Position after: 19...Qc5™

20.Rd8+ Ke7 21.Rd2 Qxc4 22.Rdxe2+ Kf7 23.Re7+ Kg8 24.Nxa8 Qb4 25.Rxg7+ Kxg7 26.Qg1
Rd8=

Finally, the computer assesses this position as equal!

176
 Chapter 4
Minor Lines on the Second Move

1.d4 f5

Chapter Guide

Chapter 4 – Minor Lines on the Second Move

1.d4 f5 2.--
a) 2.--, 2.e3
b) 2.Nh3
c) 2.Qd3 e6
d) 2.Qd3 Nc6
e) 2.g4 d5 3.--
f) 2.g4 d5 3.g5
g) 2.h3 Nf6 3.g4 d5 4.--
h) 2.h3 Nf6 3.g4 d5 4.Nf3, 4.Nc3
i) 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6 4.--, 4.Nc3 e6 5.h3
j) 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Nf3, 5.Bd3

a) 2.--, 2.e3

1.d4 f5

177
Position after: 1...f5

We have a lot of moves to deal with in this chapter on the early sidelines. I will focus mainly on the
most important ones. In general, none of these lines should worry Black, but some of them contain
venom, and it’s important to know how to handle them, especially in the first few moves. It’s also
important to be aware that there might be transpositions into other systems.

2.e3

This timid-looking move has some followers. It is actually quite hard to analyze, so I won’t go into it
too deeply and will focus on quiet development by White.
A) 2.f3!? Although this is a rare attempt by White and, as we will see, there’s not much to say about
it, it’s important to mention a trap:
A1) The point behind White’s play is that Black might think that 2...Nf6?! will prevent e2−e4, but
that’s exactly what White’s waiting for. He can seize the initiative with 3.e4!, and it’s hard to decline
the offer, e.g. 3...fxe4 4.fxe4 Nxe4 5.Bd3!

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Position after: 5.Bd3!

5...d5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.0-0‚ White is maybe not objectively better, but his initiative looks scary
already, and I think his play is easier.
A2) 2...e6!?

Position after: 2...e6!?

3.c4 [3.e4 is the most principled move, but I will stop the analysis here, as it transposes into Chapter
1 on the Staunton Gambit after 3.f3. 3...fxe4 And here it transposes. I will simply remind you that it

179
 contains a trap: 4.fxe4?? Qh4+µ; 3.Nc3 Bb4!? 4.Qd3 b6!ƒ. 5...Ba6 is coming, and it’s hard to see
the point in White’s play.] 3...Nf6 4.Nc3

Position after: 4.Nc3

We have reached a position where quite a few games can be found. White’s score is decent, but this
system doesn’t seem so dangerous, and is quite unlikely ever to happen with our move order. It’s
true that since ...e6 has been played we are now unable to play a Leningrad, but I am convinced that
f2−f3 was a greater concession. 4...Bb4!? 5.Bd2 [5.a3?! Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 c5 I consider this position
akin to the Nimzo-Indian with 4.f3 or 4.a3, except that we already have a pawn on f5, which
prevents a white pawn storm in the center. 7.e3 Nc6 8.Bd3 0-0 9.Ne2 d6ƒ] 5...0-0 6.a3 Be7 This
time I prefer not to give up the bishop pair. For some reason I can’t really understand, 6...Bxc3 has
been played most of the time.

180
Position after: 6...Be7

7.e3 c5 8.d5 Na6„ Black will soon put pressure on the d5-pawn, and White is still far from castling.
B) 2.h4!? What an aggressive move! It obviously contains a lot of surprise value. Even if I don’t think
it’s particularly dubious, it seems obvious that there are clever ways to meet it. My advice is to vary
from ...Nf6. We do the same against 2.Nh3, but for different reasons. 2...e6!?

Position after: 2...e6!?

B1) 3.Bg5 only helps Black to get a comfortable middlegame. 3...Be7 4.Bxe7 [4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Nbd2

181
 transposes to the following Andreikin – Nakamura game after 5...0-0.] 4...Qxe7 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Nf3 0-
0 7.e3 b6ƒ
B2) 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Nbd2

Position after: 5.Nbd2

I would now vary from a game played by Nakamura. (Strangely enough, he has played 2.h4 against
the Dutch and faced it with Black.)
B2.1) 5...Ne4 6.e3 b6?! This dubious move order by Nakamura allowed Andreikin to grab a pawn
easily: 7.Nxe4 fxe4 8.Nd2 Bb7 9.Qh5+ g6 10.Qg4 h5 11.Bxe7 hxg4 12.Bxd8 Kxd8 13.Be2±.
After this logical sequence a pawn falls, and White is much better, even if he couldn’t manage to
convert it into a win. Andreikin, D (2683) – Nakamura, H (2741), Moscow 2010, ½-½ (57).
B2.2) 5...b6 6.Bxf6 [6.e3 Bb7 7.Bd3 0-0 8.c3 c5„ White would definitely be better with the pawn
on h2 instead of h4.] 6...Bxf6 7.e4 0-0!N This move is very important. It lets White decide what he
should do in the center, but none of his options is really satisfactory.

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Position after: 7...0-0!N

8.e5 [8.Bd3 d5 9.e5 Be7 10.g4 Ba6 11.Bxa6 Nxa6 12.g5 c5„] 8...Be7 9.Bd3 c5!„ Black has the
bishop pair, so decides to open the position as soon as he can.

2...Nf6

Position after: 2...Nf6

3.Bd3

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3.f4 A brief word about the Stonewall system with White. If Black is more ambitious than to play a
Stonewall set-up himself, he can try to make use of the fact that his d-pawn is still able to control the
e5-square in order to push ...e5 at some point, disrupting White’s center. 3...g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Bd3 0-0
6.0-0 d6

Position after: 6...d6

7.c4 [7.Nbd2?! Nc6 8.c3 Careless play like this by White is only heading for disaster. 8...e5N 9.fxe5
dxe5 10.dxe5 Ng4³] 7...e5!?N A very interesting pawn sacrifice if you want to keep a tense
middlegame, but not at all forced. 8.fxe5 dxe5 9.Nxe5 c5 10.d5 Nxd5 11.Nxg6 [11.cxd5 Bxe5³]
11...hxg6 12.cxd5 Qxd5 13.Nc3 Qf7„

3...g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.Nbd2

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Position after: 6.Nbd2

White is playing in the spirit of the Colle System. Once again, as is usually the case in the Leningrad,
our plan is to advance in the center with ...e5.

6...Nc6!? 7.c3 d6 8.e4

White can’t wait anymore, otherwise we will easily seize the initiative.

8...fxe4 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.Bxe4 d5 11.Qb3 e6

185
Position after: 11...e6

12.Bd3

12.Bg5?! This only helps us. 12...Qd6 13.Bd3 e5ƒ

12...Qd6

This important move centralizes the queen and prepares ...e5 with greater strength. Black doesn’t seem
in any trouble at all here, even if White plays logically.

13.Re1 e5 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 16.Bh6 Rf7=

With a balanced middlegame.

b) 2.Nh3

1.d4 f5 2.Nh3

Position after: 2.Nh3

What a strange attempt! It’s not unusual to place the knight on h3 against the Dutch, but rarely as early
as move two. Even if it can transpose into other systems, White might have another idea in mind.

2...g6!?

Usually Black doesn’t want to start with this move too early, but here White is unable to start an attack
with h2−h4. It has been rarely seen in practice (only three times on move two is nothing!), but I

186
couldn’t find any problems with the move.
2...Nf6 If you play with the hand, White is able to use another interesting set up: 3.Bg5!? With the
bishop on g5, and the knight coming to f4, White is clearly fighting for the light squares. 3...e6

Position after: 3...e6

A) White can also play 4.Nf4!? immediately with the intention of only playing e2−e3 once ...Be7 has
been played. Last summer I saw a friend of mine testing 4...d5 5.e3 Qe7 6.Nd2 Nbd7 7.c4 Qf7, but
his play was probably too original to be strong, and White was better in the opening after 8.cxd5 exd5
9.Be2 Bb4 10.Bxf6 Bxd2+ 11.Qxd2 Nxf6 12.Nd3² ½-½ (49) Admiraal, M (2479) – Lagarde, M
(2615), Escaldes 2018.
B) 4.e3 h6!? Black can try to get rid of the annoying bishop, but it’s more or less what White was
waiting for. 5.Bxf6 Qxf6 6.Nf4 g5 7.Nh5!? Qf7 8.Be2²

187
Position after: 8.Be2²

The middlegame is interesting, but the knight on h5 is quite annoying too, and I believe this position
is easier for White.
Back to 2...g6.

Position after: 2...g6!?

3.Nc3

If White doesn’t want to play a quick h4, this is the other attempt to take advantage of Black’s move

188
order.
A) 3.Nf4!?N A novelty on move three! Never move the same piece twice in the opening is a valuable
saying which makes sense, but here White would like to take advantage of the early ...g6. 3...Nc6!

Position after: 3...Nc6!

White attacks on the flank, so we react in the center!

A1) 4.d5 Ne5 5.h4 Nf6 6.Nc3 c6! Black strikes back straight away in the center. [6...Bg7?! is a
classic mistake with this kind of kingside set-up: 7.h5! g5?! 8.h6! A nasty intermediate move; Black
is unable to play ...h6 himself. 8...Bf8 9.Nh3 g4 10.Ng5±] 7.g3 [7.h5?! g5 8.Nh3 h6µ] 7...e6!?
8.dxe6 dxe6 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8=
A2) 4.h4 e5 5.dxe5 Nxe5 6.g3 [6.h5?! g5 7.Nd3 Nf7 8.c4 Nf6 9.Nc3 h6„] 6...Nf6 7.Bg2

189
Position after: 7.Bg2

A2.1) 7...Bg7 is playable, but we don’t want to justify White’s early h4. 8.h5 c6! [8...g5? 9.h6²]
9.hxg6 hxg6 10.Rxh8+ Bxh8 11.Qd6 Qe7 12.Qxe7+ Kxe7=
A2.2) 7...c6!? 8.Nd2 d5 9.0-0 Bg7 Once White has castled we can place the bishop here. 10.c4!? If
Black doesn’t react he will remain passive for the rest of the game. 10...dxc4 11.Qc2 Qd4 12.e3
Qc5 13.b4! An interesting gambit in order to seize the initiative. 13...Qxb4 14.Rb1 Qe7 15.Bb2 0-
0„
B) 3.Bg5 This could have been reached in the second chapter if White had played Nh3 on the third
move, but we didn’t consider it as it’s almost never played.

190
Position after: 3.Bg5

B1) 3...Nh6 is a playable option as well, but I prefer to give White less information. 4.Nc3 d5!?
5.Bh4 Bg7 6.e3 c6 7.Be2 0-0 8.Qd2 Qe8 9.f4

Position after: 9.f4

In the following game White decided to play a Stonewall pawn structure too. I think Black can be
happy about this, and he managed to get the upper hand: 9...Nd7 10.Nf2 Nf6 11.h3 Be6 12.a4 Nf7ƒ
½-½ (53) Rajlich, I (2411) – Bui, V (2461), Budapest 2007.

191
 B2) 3...Bg7N

Position after: 3...Bg7N

B2.1) 4.e3 h6 5.Bf4 g5 6.Bg3 Nf6 7.Nc3 d6 8.f3 Nc6ƒ We see the main drawback to an early
Nh3. White’s concept has failed.
B2.2) 4.Nf4 Nh6! Suddenly White’s pieces seem awkwardly placed. 5.e3 Nf7 6.h4 c6 7.Nc3
Nxg5 8.hxg5 e5! 9.dxe5 Bxe5³ Black has the bishop pair and grabs the g5-pawn. He is behind in
development, but White seems unable to activate his pieces quickly.
B2.3) 4.Nc3 h6 5.Bh4 [5.Bf4 d6 6.e4 Nc6 7.Bb5 fxe4 8.Nxe4 a6 9.Bxc6+ bxc6= Once again,
White would be better if only he hadn’t placed the knight on h3.] 5...g5 6.Bg3 f4 The bishop is lost,
but White gets some compensation. A funny computer line continues 7.Bxf4 gxf4 8.Nxf4 Nc6 9.e3
Nf6 10.Ng6 Rg8 11.d5

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Position after: 11.d5

11...Nb4 12.a3 Nbxd5! 13.Nxd5 Nxd5 14.Qxd5 e6 15.Qh5 Qg5 16.Qxg5 hxg5³. The knight on
g6 is in huge danger.
C) 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 transposes to Chapter 5.

3...Bg7

3...Nf6 4.Bg5! Bg7 5.e3²

193
Position after: 5.e3²

In comparison to the 3.Bg5 line, Black is unable to get rid of the bishop. 5...h6? 6.Bxf6 This makes a
major difference. 6...Bxf6 7.Nf4 Kf7 8.g4!+–

4.e4

4.Bf4 Nf6 5.e3 0-0

Position after: 5...0-0

White might not be worse, but the knight on h3 makes absolutely no sense here.

4...fxe4 5.Nxe4 d5

194
Position after: 5...d5

6.Neg5!

White has already moved his knight three times, and might do so again, but at least it finds an active
square here.
Other moves yield White no prospects, e.g. 6.Ng3?! Nc6 7.c3 Bxh3 8.gxh3 Qd6³. The black knights
will soon find strong outposts.

6...Nc6 7.Bb5

7.c3 This non-developing move is too slow. 7...e5! 8.dxe5 Nxe5 9.f4 Ng4³

7...e5! 8.Qf3

8.dxe5 h6 9.Nf3 Bxh3 10.gxh3 Nge7

8...Qe7!

195
Position after: 8...Qe7!

Offering the d5-pawn! If White takes it we gain some tempi for development.

9.Qxd5

A) 9.dxe5 Qxe5+ 10.Kf1 Qf5! 11.Qxf5 Bxf5 12.Nf4 Nge7 13.Nge6 Be5!= Everything is under
control!
B) 9.0-0 h6! 10.Qxd5 Bd7 transposes to the main line. [10...hxg5?? 11.Bxc6++–]

9...Bd7 10.0-0 h6 11.Nf3 0-0-0‚

196
Position after: 11...0-0-0‚

Engines give this line as equal, but I definitely prefer Black here as it’s already difficult to find a good
move for White.

c) 2.Qd3 e6

1.d4 f5 2.Qd3

Position after: 2.Qd3

197
This stunning variation used to be the pet line of my friend, IM Pierre Barbot. I had to face it on a
couple of occasions against him, and it’s definitely not so simple to handle as Black. The basic idea of
centralizing the queen so early is to provoke a defensive move such as ...e6 or ...g6 before striking on
the flank with g4.

2...e6

This was my choice on the rare occasions I faced this line. I find it less committal than 2...d5. White
has two ways to trade the f5-pawn in order to take a hold on the center.
2...d5!? Accepting a Stonewall structure is perfectly understandable against a queen on d3. The
drawback is that you have to be aware of the different typical maneuvers in this pawn structure.
A) 3.Bf4 Nf6 4.Nf3 e6 5.e3 Bd6 6.Be2 0-0 7.Ne5 c5! 8.c3 Nc6= The queen on d3 is quite awkward
in these systems.
B) 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.c4 c6 5.g3 e6 6.Bg2 Bd6 7.0-0 0-0 8.b3 Qe7!=

Position after: 8...Qe7!=

d3 is usually a useful square for the f3-knight in the Stonewall (via e5 or sometimes e1). Black will
continue with ...b6, ...Bb7 and ...c5 with a comfortable position.
C) For 3.g4!? see the subchapter on 2.g4.

3.g4!?

I find this continuation more dangerous to handle for Black. One important thing to remember against
this gambit is that you need to give the pawn back immediately in order to prevent White from opening
too many lines.

198
3.e4?!

Position after: 3.e4?!

I can’t really believe that White can hope for anything with the loss of so many early tempi with the
queen, but it has its adherents. 3...fxe4 4.Qxe4
A) 4...Nf6 5.Qh4
A1) 5...c5!? is a decent alternative. Black wants to exploit his lead in development by opening the
center. 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.c3 d5 8.Bd3 Bd6 9.0-0 0-0 10.Bg5 Qc7!= This indirectly protects h7. Black is
very active in this Tarrasch French-type position.
A2) 5...Be7 6.Bd3 0-0 7.Nf3 Nc6 Here White should have prevented ...Nb4 which happened in the
game Lava, G (2220) – Rotstein, A (2485), Cesenatico 1998, 0-1 (67), by playing 8.c3!N 8...d5
9.Bg5 h6! 10.Bxh6 gxh6 11.Qg3+ Kh8 12.Qg6‚ Black almost has the draw in his pocket and
should be able to hold.
B) 4...d5!?

199
Position after: 4...d5!?

This has been played only once, but I think it’s quite smart to avoid Qh4 by starting with this move.
5.Qe3!N From here the queen at least tries to prevent a straightforward ...c5. Even if it happens at
some point, I think it slows Black down. [5.Qd3?! c5! 6.Nf3 Nf6 7.c3 Nc6³] 5...Nf6 6.Nf3 Be7
7.Bd3 c5 8.dxc5 Nc6© Black has two central pawns and should get more than decent compensation
(and might even soon get his pawn back).

3...fxg4 4.h3 g3!

200
Position after: 4...g3!

Clearly best. The rook on h1 is probably sad, and that’s a good thing!

5.fxg3

White seems able to develop faster, but Black can react in the center.
5.Qxg3!? Nf6 6.Nf3 c5 7.Nc3 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Nc6 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.e4

Position after: 10.e4

This occurred in the game Abergel, T (2517) – Kasimdzhanov, R (2681), France 2008, ½-½ (21). Black
decided to occupy the center with 10...d5, but I would prefer 10...g6!? 11.Be2 Bb4 12.0-0 Qa5 13.Bd2
Nh5 14.Qd3 0-0„.

5...d5 6.Bf4 c5! 7.Nf3N

7.e3 Nc6 8.Nf3 Nf6 9.c3 cxd4 10.exd4 Nh5 11.Rg1 Nxf4 12.gxf4 Qf6³ ½-½ (43) Korchnoi, V (2566)
– Volokitin, A (2681), Novi Sad 2009.

7...Nc6 8.Nc3 Nf6 9.0-0-0 c4 10.Qe3 Bb4„

201
Position after: 10...Bb4„

With a complicated opposite side castling position (after ...0-0) where Black has already pushed a pawn
to the fourth rank.

d) 2.Qd3 Nc6

1.d4 f5 2.Qd3 Nc6!?

Position after: 2...Nc6!?

202
This move is almost a novelty! It has only been played three times, once in a high-level game by
Cheparinov. Black doesn’t want to waste time defending his f5-pawn, and develops a piece while
counterattacking the central d4-pawn. I find this idea very interesting and original, even if it needs
practical tests. If you want a more prosaic approach, I give some material on the two main moves,
2...d5 and 2...e6, which are perfectly playable.

3.Qxf5N

It might seem to White that Black loses material if he recaptures the pawn, so will probably be tempted
to take it. This is a courageous decision of course, but some players like to pick up the gauntlet. Still,
no-one has tried it yet!
A) 3.Nf3 e6

Position after: 3...e6

A1) 4.g3N This is probably a decent continuation for White. Black can develop normally, and at first
sight it’s hard to say who has made the greater concession with Qd3 or ...Nc6. 4...Nf6 This is clearly
fine for Black. 5.Bg2 Be7 6.0-0 0-0 7.c4 d6! 8.d5 Ne5 9.Qb3

203
Position after: 9.Qb3

This kind of line exists in the Classical Dutch, but White doesn’t spend two moves playing Qb3, so I
think Black is fine.
Surprisingly, this is actually a transposition to Chapter 11 on the Reti move-order! Check the main
line with 1.Nf3 f5 2.d3 Nc6 3.d4 e6. [9.Nxe5 dxe5 10.dxe6 e4!³ With more space and fluid
development, Black is already better.]
A2) 4.e4 Once again, this line simply can’t be good as White loses too many tempi. 4...Nb4 5.Qe2
fxe4 6.Qxe4 Nf6 7.Qe2 c5!

204
Position after: 7...c5!

Very aggressive play in the center is needed; the situation is easier for Black. 8.g3 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Bc5
10.Nb3 Bb6 11.Bg2 0-0 12.0-0 a5! Black is already better and went on to win convincingly in
Michalik, P (2553) – Cheparinov, I (2699), Gibraltar 2018, 0-1 (38).
B) 3.g4?! In the same spirit, but it’s not great. 3...fxg4 4.h3 g3!

Position after: 4...g3!

This is a better version than the line with 2...e6 3.g4 as Black has an extra resource: 5.fxg3 e5! 6.d5
[6.Nf3 exd4 7.Nxd4 Bd6 8.Nxc6 dxc6³] 6...Nb4 7.Qd2 Nf6 8.Nc3 Bc5³.
C) 3.d5 Nb4 4.Qb3 e6! 5.dxe6 dxe6 6.Nc3 Nf6 7.Nf3 a5! 8.a3 Nbd5ƒ

3...Nxd4

205
Position after: 3...Nxd4

4.Qh5+?!

4.Qd3 is safer, but not dangerous for Black. We can be happy to have traded our f-pawn for White’s d-
pawn. 4...e5 5.Nf3 [5.e3 Nc6 6.c4 Nf6 7.Nc3 Bb4 8.Bd2 0-0 9.Nge2 d6 10.Ng3 Be6„] 5...Nc6 6.e4
Nf6

Position after: 6...Nf6

7.Be3 White waits for us to move the f8-bishop or play ...d6 before developing the b1-knight in order to

206
avoid ...Bb4. [7.Nc3?! Bb4 8.Bd2 d6 9.Be2 0-0 10.0-0 Kh8„; 7.Be2 d5!? 8.Nbd2 dxe4 9.Qxd8+
Kxd8 10.Ng5 Ke8 11.Ngxe4 Nb4„] 7...Bb4+!? 8.c3 Provoking this move in order to prevent Nc3
seems a smart idea, even if it loses a tempo. 8...Be7 9.Nbd2 0-0 10.Be2 d6 11.0-0 Kh8= 12.Rad1?!
Ng4³

4...g6 5.Qe5

Position after: 5.Qe5

At first this looks terrible for Black; it looks like he’s losing a piece or burying the knight on a1,
besides having some trouble with his king. But we will see why White shouldn’t move his queen four
times in the first five moves, even if it gains a piece!

5...Nxc2+! 6.Kd1 Nf6!!

Playing for the initiative at the cost of a piece.

7.Kxc2

So the brave knight succumbs, but Black has a pawn and the center, while White has developed
absolutely nothing and both his king and queen are exposed!

7...Bg7

207
Position after: 7...Bg7

White has a lot of possibilities here. The computers claim it’s equal, but it seems easier to go wrong
with White, and is clearly more fun to play for our side!

8.Nc3

A) 8.e4 0-0 9.f3 White tries to blockade the light squares in order to prevent ...Bf5+, but it’s quite
slow and not so effective. 9...d5! 10.Nc3™ 10...c6! 11.Qg3 b5! 12.Qe1 Qa5!‚ with adequate play for
Black. I doubt if White can survive this!
B) 8.Bg5 d5 9.Bxf6?!

208
Position after: 9.Bxf6?!

9...Bxf6 [9...Bf5+?? 10.Qxf5 gxf5 11.Bxg7+–] 10.Qg3 Bf5+ 11.Kc1 0-0µ You only need to look at
those bishops to understand that White is in huge trouble.

8...d5!

Position after: 8...d5!

9.Bg5

209
This seems like the best try. White puts pressure on d5, and we need to decide whether we want to
protect it.
A) 9.Nf3 Bf5+ 10.Kd1 Nh5 11.Qxd5 Bxc3 12.Qxd8+ Rxd8+ 13.Nd2 Bg7µ
B) 9.e4 c6 10.Bf4

Position after: 10.Bf4

B1) 10...Rf8!? Not the strongest, but pretty interesting! 11.Bg3 [11.Qc7 d4! 12.Qxd8+ Kxd8
13.Nd1 Nxe4 14.Bg3 Rf5!©] 11...Qb6 12.Qc7 d4! 13.Qxb6 axb6 14.Nb1 Nxe4 15.Nf3 Nc5©
B2) 10...0-0?! 11.Qc7!²
B3) 10...Nh5! 11.Qc7 Nxf4 12.Qxf4 Qb6 13.Qd2 0-0 14.Na4 Qc7 15.Nc3 b5!‚

9...0-0!

This leads by force to a balanced endgame where White has to be very careful.
9...c6!?

210
Position after: 9...c6!?

10.Bxf6! [10.Qg3? Bf5+ 11.Kc1 d4–+ Black meets no obstacles at all, and his play is devastating.]
10...Bxf6 11.Qg3 Qa5 [11...Bf5+ 12.e4 dxe4 13.Qe3 Bd4 14.Rd1 Bxe3 15.Rxd8+ Rxd8 16.fxe3=]
12.e4 dxe4 13.Rd1 Bf5 14.Qe3 b5‚

10.Bxf6 Rxf6!

Position after: 10...Rxf6!

211
11.Qxd5+ Qxd5 12.Nxd5 Bf5+ 13.Kc1 Rc6+ 14.Nc3™ 14...Rd8 15.e3! Bxc3 16.bxc3 Rxc3+ 17.Kb2
Rc2+ 18.Ka3 Rd6!

Position after: 18...Rd6!

Black brings the rook to c3. White is still in big trouble.

19.Nf3 Rdc6 20.Ne5

20.Nd4? R6c3+ 21.Ka4 Rb2 22.Nb3 c5! 23.Ka3 Rbc2µ ...c4 is coming next, and Black is almost
winning.

20...R6c3+!

20...R2c3+ 21.Kb2! Rc2+ 22.Ka3=

21.Ka4 Rxf2

212
Position after: 21...Rxf2

Black already has two pawns for the knight, a few more might fall, and has dangerous activity, but
White is resourceful and keeps the balance.

22.Bc4+ Kg7 23.e4! Bxe4 24.Rhf1 Rf5!∞

e) 2.g4 d5 3.--

1.d4 f5 2.g4

213
Position after: 2.g4

This variation is called the Krejcik Gambit. It is reminiscent of the Staunton Gambit, but the
motivations are different. In this case, White wants to develop his kingside quickly, especially the rook
on h1. The idea is similar to the lines with 2.Qd3 that we have already considered, and 2.h3, which we
will see in the next part. My advice is to decline the gambit!

2...d5!?

I like this approach whereby Black decides to keep the tension. It wasn’t my suggestion after 2.Qd3,
simply because g4 hadn’t been played yet, and classical Stonewall positions don’t suit me, but with the
f5-pawn about to be traded, we can’t speak about a Stonewall-type position.
2...fxg4 This isn’t bad, but it’s what White is waiting for. 3.h3 [3.e4?! d5! This is well known to be
good for Black.] 3...g3

Position after: 3...g3

This has the reputation of being the best move, but I don’t see why White can’t claim a small initiative
thanks to his lead in ‘pawn development’ with no real weaknesses. (Only the g3-pawn can sometimes
be attacked if White isn’t careful). [3...d5 is another possibility and would have been my choice if 2...d5
wasn’t satisfactory.] 4.fxg3 d5 5.Bg2 Nf6 6.Bf4 c5 7.Nf3 Nc6 8.Nc3

214
Position after: 8.Nc3

White has developed quickly and logically. After 8...e6 we can deviate from the game Plat, V (2556) –
Akshat, K (2395), Budapest 2018, ½-½ (134), with: 9.e4!N 9...dxe4 10.Ne5ƒ

Position after: 2...d5!?

3.Qd3

This position can sometimes arise with the move order 2.Qd3 d5 3.g4.

215
 A) 3.gxf5?! This only helps Black’s development. 3...Bxf5

Position after: 3...Bxf5

4.Bh3 [4.c4 Nc6 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Nc3 0-1 (45) Teske, H (2518) – Kadziolka, B (2295), Bad Wiessee
2007. 6...e6 7.Bg2 Bb4 8.0-0 0-0 9.cxd5 exd5³ It’s clearly more useful and safer to have the f-file
open and not the g-file.] 4...Bxh3! [4...Qd7!? 5.Bxf5 Qxf5 6.Qd3 Qxd3 7.cxd3

Position after: 7.cxd3

This was seen in Soln, P (2388) – Muzychuk, A (2508), Murska Sobota 2008, 0-1 (29). I would now

216
 improve Muzychuk’s play with 7...Nc6!N 8.Nf3 e6 9.Bf4 Bd6„.] 5.Nxh3 Qd7 6.Nf4 Nc6 7.c3 e5!
8.dxe5 Nge7 9.e6 Qd6 10.Na3 a6© White’s development is pretty ugly and his king is unable to find
a safe haven. Black is likely to regain his pawn soon with the better position thanks to his more
harmonious pieces.
B) 3.Nc3 White can also wait, but it doesn’t change our plan of action much. 3...Nf6!

Position after: 3...Nf6!

Once again, we try to encourage White to take on f5.

B1) 4.h3 – see the next subchapter on 2.h3.
B2) 4.gxf5 Bxf5 Things are pretty much the same as after 3.gxf5. 5.Bf4 [5.Bg5 Nc6 6.e3 Qd7 7.Nf3
Ne4! 8.Rg1 e6 9.Nxe4 Bxe4„] 5...e6 6.e3 Nc6 7.Bb5 Bd6 8.Nge2 0-0 9.Rg1 Bxf4 10.Nxf4 e5!
11.dxe5 Nxe5³. White should be concerned about his king on e1.
B3) 4.g5 Ne4

217
Position after: 4...Ne4

This looks like a worse version for White than 3.g5 because our knight can jump directly into the
center. White will have trouble with this knight whether he takes it or not.
B3.1) 5.Nxe4 fxe4 6.f3 Bf5 7.Bg2 e5! A strong central reaction by Black. 8.dxe5 Nc6 9.fxe4 Even
if Black went on to win in Al Rachib, A (2350) – Sulskis, S (2555), Elista 1998, 0-1 (25), he took
back with the wrong piece. He should have played 9...dxe4! 10.Qxd8+ Rxd8 11.c3 Bc5 12.Nh3 0-0
13.Nf2 Nxe5µ with great play on the open files.
B3.2) 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bf4 Bb4

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Position after: 6...Bb4

After a few logical moves, White is about to lose a pawn already. 7.Qd3 c5 8.a3 Qa5! 9.Bg2 Nc6
10.0-0 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Qxc3µ
Back to 3.Qd3.

Position after: 3.Qd3

3...fxg4

I think it’s OK now to take on g4, because the queen on d3 is exposed, whereas ...d5 was clearly a
logical move.
3...g6!? Holding the center was Malaniuk’s choice in his book on the Leningrad, but I am not fond of it.
White’s play on the dark squares may become annoying. 4.g5! [4.gxf5?! Bxf5 5.Qb5+ Nc6 6.c3 Qd6
7.Bh3 Bxh3 8.Nxh3 0-0-0µ] 4...c5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.c3 Bg7 7.Bg2ƒ

4.h3 e5!N

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Position after: 4...e5!N

This strong reaction is actually a novelty. It is perfectly timed in order to take over the initiative.

5.dxe5

5.hxg4
A) 5...Nc6!?

Position after: 5...Nc6!?

220
 6.Rxh7 This variation leads to a funny position which is probably about equal, but interesting to play.
[6.dxe5 Nxe5 transposes to 5.dxe5.] 6...e4! 7.Qh3 Rxh7 8.Qxh7 Be6 [8...Nge7!? 9.Qh5+ g6 10.Qh8
Bxg4 11.Bh6 Kd7 12.Bg5! Qe8„] 9.Be3 Nf6 10.Qg6+ [10.Qh4 Bxg4 11.Nc3 Qd7 12.Bh3 Bxh3
13.Qxh3 0-0-0ƒ] 10...Bf7

Position after: 10...Bf7

The queen looks in trouble, but there is probably nothing better for Black than a draw. 11.Qf5
[11.Qg5 Qd7 12.Nc3 Be6 13.Qg6+ Bf7 14.Qg5 Be6=] 11...g6 12.Qg5 Be7 13.Nc3 Ng8 14.Qf4 Bd6
15.Qg5 Be7=
B) 5...e4!

221
Position after: 5...e4!

Probably the simplest way to play. Black blocks the center and has very easy development. 6.Qg3
Nc6 7.Nc3 Nb4 8.Kd1 Bd6 9.Bf4 Bxf4 10.Qxf4 Be6³

5...Nc6!

Position after: 5...Nc6!

This is a clever way to exploit the position of the white queen.

222
6.hxg4

6.Bf4 Nge7 7.hxg4 Ng6

Position after: 7...Ng6

A) 8.Qg3 White can try to keep his extra pawn, but Black gains some more tempi: 8...Nxf4!?
[8...Qe7!? 9.Nc3 Nxf4 10.Qxf4 Qb4 11.Qxb4 Bxb4 12.Bg2 d4 13.a3 dxc3 14.Bxc6+ bxc6 15.axb4
cxb2 16.Rb1 Bxg4 17.Rxb2 Rb8=] 9.Qxf4 Bc5 10.Nf3 Rf8 11.Qg3 Nd4 12.Na3 Qe7©.
B) 8.Qxg6+? Sometimes White gets some play with this kind of sacrifice thanks to his rook on h8, but
it doesn’t work well here as it’s the only dangerous piece: 8...hxg6 9.Rxh8 Bxg4–+.
C) 8.Bg3 Ngxe5 9.Qe3 d4 10.Qe4 Qe7 11.Nd2 Nxg4 12.Bg2 g6 13.Nb3 Bf5 14.Qxe7+ Bxe7

223
Position after: 14...Bxe7

White can regain his pawn, but he has to give up the bishop pair. 15.Bxc6+ [15.0-0-0?! 0-0-0 16.Bxc6
bxc6 17.Nxd4 Be4 18.Ngf3 h5µ] 15...bxc6 16.Nxd4 Bd7=

6...Nxe5 7.Qe3 Qe7

Position after: 7...Qe7

Already seven moves played and only one minor piece developed. It’s not a beginners’ game, just a

224
strange variation. Objectively Black should be able to seize the initiative. 7...Bd6!? 8.f4 d4 9.Qb3 Nf7=
This is a balanced middlegame, with a different type of play to the other line.

8.g5!

The pawn is no longer attacked, and also hampers the development of the black knight on g8.

8...Ng4 9.Qf3 c6 10.Nc3 g6 11.Bf4 Bg7 12.0-0-0 Bf5³

Position after: 12...Bf5³

225
 f) 2.g4 d5 3.g5

1.d4 f5 2.g4 d5!? 3.g5

Position after: 3.g5

I think this is the best option for White. It may look very strange, but the idea is actually quite sound.
White starts a blockade on the dark squares, and makes our development harder because the g5-pawn
prevents ...Nf6. In the long term, White has the idea of pushing his h-pawn as far as he can in order to
expand on the kingside. In addition, if we let him settle a strong piece on e5, we can soon find
ourselves in trouble, so we must react quickly!

3...c5

The fight for the dark squares should start immediately.

4.c3

This has been played in most games. It’s quite logical, as White wants to protect his d-pawn while still
being able to play Bf4.
A) 4.e3 The kind of move we wanted to provoke. Now the bishop is stuck on c1 and can no longer
reach f4. 4...e6 5.f4 [5.h4 Bd7 6.Bg2 Nc6 7.Nc3 Qb6 8.Nge2 h6 9.Na4 Qa5+ 10.c3 hxg5 11.hxg5
Rxh1+ 12.Bxh1 c4!³ and the ...b5−b4 advance will help Black gain some play on the queenside.]

226
Position after: 5.f4

A1) 5...h6? We will see that this reaction is fine in the 4.c3 line, but here Black forgets that the king
is on an unprotected diagonal, and even if it’s not so dangerous in a rather closed position, having
your king on d7 after only six moves is not necessarily what you want. 6.Qh5+ Kd7 7.Nc3²
A2) 5...Nc6 6.Nc3 [6.Nf3?! This is too early as Qh5+ is no longer possible. 6...h6! 7.Nc3 hxg5
8.Nxg5 Nf6 Being able to develop the knight here makes our life much easier, and Black simply has
the upper hand. 9.Bg2 Bd7µ] 6...Qc7

Position after: 6...Qc7

227
 7.Bg2 Bd7 8.Nf3 h6 9.h4 0-0-0 10.Bd2 hxg5 11.hxg5 Rxh1+ 12.Bxh1 Kb8= Play is roughly equal
in this kind of closed position where both kings will soon be on the queenside. A possible plan could
be to close the center with ...c5−c4, then try to bring the g8-knight to e4 via e7, c8 and d6. It’s very
likely that we will have time for that since this closed position permits slow maneuvers.
B) 4.Bg2 cxd4 5.Qxd4 e6

Position after: 5...e6

White is unable to destroy Black’s center, and the e5-square already looks less problematic. 6.c4 Nc6
7.Qd1 Black already looks much better. 7...Bb4+ 8.Kf1 dxc4 [8...Nge7!?³ also looks a pretty decent
option if you prefer to keep pieces on the board.] 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.Qxd8+ Kxd8 11.Nf3

228
Position after: 11.Nf3

This was played in Avagianos, S (2047) – Sivuk, V (2422), Paleochora 2011, 0-1 (31), and now I
suggest an improvement with 11...Ne7N 12.Bd2 a5 13.a3 Bxd2 14.Nbxd2 Ba6³.
C) 4.dxc5 e5!

Position after: 4...e5!

So logical – but what a picture! Five pawns on the fifth rank, but the connected d5/e5/f5-pawns seem
more impressive than the potentially weak c5- and g5-pawns. 5.Bg2 e4 6.b4 [6.Nh3 Bxc5 7.Nf4 Ne7

229
 8.h4 Nbc6 9.c3 Qd6³ Black’s central pawns are blockaded, but he remains very dynamic.] 6...a5 7.c3
axb4 8.cxb4 Nc6 9.Bd2 h6! 10.h4 hxg5 11.hxg5 Rxh1 12.Bxh1 Nge7µ Black is temporarily a pawn
down, but has a huge center and better development.

4...Nc6

Position after: 4...Nc6

5.Nf3

5.f4?! goes against what we just said and allows the strong 5...h6!N 6.Bg2 [6.gxh6?! e5! 7.fxe5 Qh4+
8.Kd2 Nxh6 9.Nf3 Qe4µ with a huge attack against the poor king.] 6...hxg5 7.fxg5 e6 8.Nf3 Bd6³

5...e6 6.Bf4 Bd6 7.e3 Nge7 8.h4 Qc7 9.Bxd6 Qxd6 10.Nbd2

230
Position after: 10.Nbd2

After decent play by both sides in Leniart, A (2368) – Muzychuk, M (2436), Lvov 2008, ½-½ (26), I
think Black rushed into playing 10...e5. It seems better to finish development first.

10...Bd7N 11.Qc2 0-0-0 12.0-0-0 Kb8

12...e5?! Once again, this is too early, but this time it is less obvious. 13.dxc5 Qxc5 14.b4! Qd6 15.b5
Na5 16.c4ƒ

13.Kb1 e5!

Now is the right time.

231
Position after: 13...e5!

14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Qxe5 16.Nf3 Qc7³

Black has a strong and solid center and is definitely the one pushing for a win.

g) 2.h3 Nf6 3.g4 d5 4.--

1.d4 f5 2.h3

Position after: 2.h3

232
In the same spirit as 2.g4, but a bit more cautious. For instance, Black can no longer decline the gambit
by playing ...g3 after h3 here because White will take back on g4 immediately, opening the h-file for
his rook. In our case, it doesn’t change much, except that White has spent a tempo playing h3.

2...Nf6 3.g4

3.Nf3 – see the next chapter.

3...d5!

Compared to 2.g4, we have played ...Nf6, and White spent a tempo on h3, while it’s not in our plan to
ever take on g4.
3...fxg4 4.hxg4 Nxg4?

Position after: 4...Nxg4?

This is exactly what White is waiting for: some open files and Black losing tempi in order to grab a
stupid pawn. White can easily take over the initiative. 5.e4! [5.Qd3!?‚ is very dangerous too, with the
trick 5...Nf6 which loses on the spot to 6.Rxh7!+– and White either checkmates early or wins a whole
rook.] 5...d6 6.Be2 Nf6 7.Nc3± Everybody loves White here.

233
Position after: 3...d5!

4.g5?!

Once again the most played move, but I think it’s already better for Black due to his strong knight.
A) 4.Qd3?! It’s important to remember kids’ principles sometimes – develop your minor pieces, not
your queen! 4...c5!

Position after: 4...c5!

5.dxc5 [5.gxf5 Nc6! 6.c3 Ne4! 7.Bg2 Bxf5µ Black already has a huge lead in development, and

234
 White still has to solve the problems with his queen.] 5...e5! 6.gxf5 Nc6 White is playing like a child,
while Black is developing incredibly quickly. 7.Bg5 Bxc5 8.Nc3 Qa5
A1) 9.0-0-0 d4 Everything is going right for Black. 10.Bxf6 dxc3! 11.Bxg7 [11.Bh4 Qxa2 12.bxc3
Ba3+ 13.Kd2

Position after: 13.Kd2

13...Be7!! 14.Bxe7 Kxe7 15.Ke1 Rd8–+] 11...Qxa2 12.bxc3 Rg8–+

A2) 9.Bxf6!

235
Position after: 9.Bxf6!

White’s best chance is to take now, in order to avoid any intermediate moves. 9...gxf6 10.0-0-0 Nb4
11.Qf3 Nxa2+ [11...d4 12.e3 Nxa2+ 13.Nxa2 Qxa2 14.Bb5+ Ke7 15.exd4∞] 12.Nxa2 Qxa2
13.Qxd5 Qa1+ 14.Kd2 Bb4+ 15.Ke3 Qa5© A crazy position, but Black clearly has huge
compensation for only one missing pawn.
B) 4.gxf5?! is obviously even worse than in the 2.g4 line.

4...Ne4

Position after: 4...Ne4

This is a huge improvement compared to the 2.g4 main line. The knight isn’t stuck on g8, and even
helps Black to drum up play, for instance against the f2-pawn.

5.Bf4?!

5.Nf3 c5 6.Bf4 [6.dxc5 e6 7.Bf4 Bxc5 8.e3 Qb6 9.Qc1 Nc6µ; 6.Bg2 cxd4 7.Nxd4 e5 8.Nb3 Nc6µ]
6...cxd4 7.Nxd4

236
Position after: 7.Nxd4

White has developed two minor pieces, but no longer has a pawn on d4, so Black should be able to rule
the center with his pawns. 7...e6 8.e3 Nc6 9.Nd2 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6³

5...e5!

Position after: 5...e5!

A strong blow which underlines the weaknesses in White’s camp caused by the advance of his kingside

237
pawns.

6.dxe5

6.Bxe5 ½-½ (43) Feldmann, M (2154) – Windelband, J (2159), Germany 2006. 6...Nc6!N 7.Bh2
[7.Nf3 Nxe5 8.Nxe5 Qxg5 9.e3 Bd6 10.Nd2 Qf6 11.Nd3 0-0µ] 7...h6!?

Position after: 7...h6!?

8.gxh6? [8.e3 Of course this is the lesser evil, but the position isn’t any good for White. 8...hxg5 9.f3
Nd6 10.Nc3 Be6³] 8...Qh4! White is unable to defend the f2-pawn properly. 9.Bg3 Nxg3 10.Nf3
Qxh6 11.fxg3 g5! 12.Bg2 g4–+

6...h6! 7.gxh6 Qh4!

238
Position after: 7...Qh4!

8.Be3 f4 9.Bd4 c5 10.hxg7 Bxg7 11.Nf3 Qe7 12.Bc3 Be6µ

White is two pawns up, but with such awful development his position is almost desperate.

h) 2.h3 Nf6 3.g4 d5 4.Nf3, 4.Nc3

1.d4 f5 2.h3 Nf6 3.g4 d5! 4.Nf3

4.Nc3

239
Position after: 4.Nc3

White is waiting for Black to take on g4, but it’s not part of our plan. We can simply strike back in the
center and exploit White’s difficulty in holding the d4-pawn. 4...c5!?
A) 5.e3 Nc6 6.dxc5 [6.Bg2 fxg4! 7.hxg4 Bxg4 8.f3 Bf5µ Black has finally decided to take the pawns,
in favorable conditions.] 6...fxg4 7.hxg4 Bxg4 8.Be2 Bxe2 9.Qxe2 e5µ
B) 5.dxc5 d4!

Position after: 5...d4!

6.g5! The best chance, but Black easily obtains a favorable endgame. [6.Nb1?! e5 7.c3 Bxc5 8.cxd4
exd4 9.Bg2 Nc6µ] 6...dxc3!N 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 8.gxf6 exf6 9.bxc3 Bxc5³

240
Position after: 9...Bxc5³

We have the better pawn structure, and White already has to struggle for a draw.

4...Nc6

Position after: 4...Nc6

5.Nc3

A) 5.Bf4 fxg4 6.Ne5!?N This looks more interesting than simply retaking on g4, but has never been

241
 played. [6.hxg4 Bxg4 7.Ne5 Nxe5 8.dxe5 Nh5 9.Be3 g6! This protects the knight on h5 and finishes
development. 10.Qd4 Bf5 11.Nc3 e6 12.0-0-0 Bg7³] 6...Nxe5 7.Bxe5 Bf5 8.hxg4 Nxg4

Position after: 8...Nxg4

Now we take with the knight and gain a tempo on the bishop! 9.Bg3 [9.Bh3 Qd7 10.Bxg4 Bxg4³]
9...e6 10.Qd2 Bd6 11.Bh4 Qd7µ
B) 5.Qd3 Qd6! 6.Nc3 The knight jump to b5 can be seen as a threat. It seems logical to prevent it in
order to keep our queen well placed on d6: 6...a6 7.a3 fxg4 8.hxg4 Bxg4

Position after: 8...Bxg4

242
 Black is finally able to grab this pawn, and by taking it he develops his bishop at the same time, which
makes a huge difference. Of course White is far from lost, but he has to prove that he can find some
compensation. 9.Bg5 0-0-0 10.0-0-0 e6³

5...Qd6!?

Position after: 5...Qd6!?

We have already seen that the queen is perfectly placed here. It may facilitate ...e5, and prevents the
natural developing move Bf4. It also prepares ...0-0-0, showing that playing h3/g4 was useless.

6.a3

A) 6.Nb5?! This move is not dangerous here, as the knight has to retreat immediately after 6...Qb4+³.
B) 6.g5 Ne4 7.a3 Nxc3 8.bxc3 e5! 9.dxe5 [9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4?? Nf3+–+] 9...Nxe5 10.Nxe5 Qxe5
Material is still balanced, but that is White’s only consolation. 11.Qd4 [11.Bg2 Qxc3+ 12.Bd2 Qc4µ]
11...Bd6³ 12.Bg2 c6³

6...a6! 7.g5 Ne4 8.Bg2 Bd7

243
Position after: 8...Bd7

White is pretty much out of useful moves.

9.Be3

9.0-0 0-0-0 10.Qd3 h6!‚

9...h6! 10.h4 f4 11.Bc1 g6µ

Position after: 11...g6µ

244
Who wants to be White here? Certainly not me!

i) 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6 4.--, 4.Nc3 e6 5.h3

1.d4 f5 2.Bf4!?

Position after: 2.Bf4!?

Of all the moves examined in this chapter, I think this is the most interesting for White, especially
against a Leningrad player. If you want to play the Classical Defense with ...e6 and ...d6, then it’s not a
real problem, but for the Leningrad player there may be some move order issues. Let’s see why!

2...Nf6

There is no real choice, as it would be more committal to start with a pawn move.

3.e3

It took me a while here to decide what line to offer. White has played very flexibly, and has many set-
ups at his disposal.
A) 3.Nf3 We will discuss this move in Chapter 6.
B) 3.Nc3 We have already considered this position in Chapter 2.

3...d6!

This flexible move was finally my choice! Black is ready to choose between ...e6 or ...g6, depending on

245
White’s next move.
3...g6?!

Position after: 3...g6?!

You might wonder what’s wrong with this move. Even more confusing, you’ll see my advice in the line
with Nf3 instead of e3 is to play 3...g6. So what’s the difference? 4.h4!
A) 4...Bg7?! 5.h5!

Position after: 5.h5!

246
 5...Nxh5? [5...0-0 6.hxg6 hxg6 7.Qf3± The g6-pawn is a big weakness and White’s attack is easy to
follow. The situation is already serious for Black. 5...d6 Maybe the lesser evil, but the opening has
obviously been a failure. 6.h6 Bf8 7.Nf3±] 6.Rxh5 gxh5 7.Qxh5+ Kf8 8.Qxf5+ Kg8 9.Nc3+– The
computer already considers this position lost for Black.
B) Since the queen is still eyeing the h5-square, 5.h5 is a threat we need to parry, so 4...h6!

Position after: 4...h6!

5.Nc3 [5.c4 d6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 Nbd7 8.Qc2 c5 9.d5 a6 10.h5 g5 11.Bg3 Qa5 12.Bd3 Ne4 13.Bxe4
fxe4 14.Nd2 Bxc3 15.bxc3 Nf6=] 5...Bg7 6.Qf3 d6±

247
Position after: 6...d6±

We have already covered this position in Chapter 3 on 2.Bg5, but it was Black to play there, due to
the loss of tempo by the dark-squared bishop. Obviously in this kind of critical line (I remind you that
our king should soon reach the f7-square to protect the g6-pawn), this makes a big difference, and I
didn’t even try to make this line playable.

4.Nc3

4.Nf3 g6

Position after: 4...g6

This is very likely to transpose to Chapter 6 with 3.Bf4. Right now the only difference is that we were
not supposed to play ...d6 so early, but it is in our plans a few moves later. We will focus here only on
the differences it can make.
A) 5.c4 This is the kind of move (like 5.Be2 or 5.Nbd2) that will make no difference compared to
chapter 6. 5...Bg7 6.Nc3 0-0 transposes to chapter 6 with 3.Bf4.
B) 5.h4!? Clearly less frightening since the knight is on f3, but still interesting. The problem is that
White will need to move again in order to allow Qxh5. 5...Bg7
B1) 6.Bc4 e6 Black is using the very solid type of set-up that we met a lot in the variations in
chapters 2 and 3 with 2.Nc3 and 2.Bg5. White might be tempted to sacrifice straight away, but it
fails, e.g. 7.h5? Nxh5 8.Rxh5 gxh5 9.Ng5 Qf6! This cold-blooded move is very efficient. 10.Qxh5+
Qg6 11.Qh2 Nc6µ
B2) 6.h5 Nxh5!

248
Position after: 6...Nxh5!

7.Rxh5 gxh5 8.Ng5 0-0™ Normally Black doesn’t have time for this move, and this is a major
difference. 9.Qxh5 [9.Nc3 e6 10.Qxh5 h6 11.Nf3 Qf6„] 9...h6 10.Nf3 Qe8 11.Qh4 [11.Bc4+
Preventing ...Be6, but allowing another type of development: 11...e6 12.Qh4 b5! 13.Bd3 Rf6³.]
11...Rf6 12.Nc3 Be6© Obviously the game is still complicated, but White usually gets a lot more
compensation when he sacrifices the exchange on h5. I think this position is totally fine for Black,
and playable for White in order to get a tricky position.
C) 5.Bc4

249
Position after: 5.Bc4

Against this move we need to adjust what we want to play in chapter 6 (because if ...d6 hasn’t been
played yet, Black follows with ...e6, in order to play ...0-0, then...b6). Of course it’s a minor problem.
5...e6 [If 5...Bg7 White has the opportunity to be pretty annoying with 6.Ng5! d5 7.Bb3 0-0². Black
will probably gain a few tempi, but we can’t say that we are happy with this Stonewall pawn
structure.]

Position after: 5...e6

C1) 6.h4 I don’t think that this kind of move should give Black much to worry about. 6...h6!?
7.Nbd2 Nc6 8.Qe2 Qe7 9.0-0-0 Bd7 10.Rhe1 0-0-0³

250
Position after: 10...0-0-0³

After a few logical moves we can already say that Black has the better position, thanks to his
flexibility in the center. 11.Bb5 Bg7! [11...a6 12.Bxa6!? bxa6 13.Qxa6+ Kb8 14.Nc4∞ The position
that occurred in the game Leenhouts, K (2499) – Eliet, N (2385), Belgium 2017, 0-1 (49), is maybe
acceptable for Black, but quite difficult to play, and I wouldn’t be happy to meet it.] 12.Kb1 White
doesn’t have much to do, so waits. 12...Kb8 13.Bg3 a6!³ Finally! Bxa6 isn’t possible anymore, so
we can chase the bishop: 14.Ba4?! Nxd4µ.
C2) 6.0-0 Bg7 7.Nbd2 Nc6 8.Qe2 0-0 9.c3 Qe8

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Position after: 9...Qe8

10.Bb3 [10.e4?? This move is never possible with a bishop on c4: 10...fxe4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Qxe4
d5–+] 10...Kh8 11.h3 [11.e4?! Nh5! The bishop on f4 can also be in trouble. 12.Bg3 f4 13.Bh4 h6„
The position is unclear. We might win a piece, but circumstances aren’t so bad for White.] 11...Bd7
12.Bh2

Position after: 12.Bh2

This position was reached in the game Dausch, R (2350) – Gofshtein, L (2539), Neuhausen 2007, 0-
1 (36). Black struck in the center right on time with 12...e5! 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Nxe5 dxe5 15.e4 f4!
16.Nf3 a5„.

4...e6!?

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Position after: 4...e6!?

Finally I think we should accept a Classical Dutch system, but only because White has committed his
knight to c3. We won’t enter a main line, though, and it seems acceptable to me.
4...g6 Kamsky tried this move once, but White still has the possibility of launching an attack on the h-
file. 5.h4 Be6 6.Nf3!

Position after: 6.Nf3!

[6.h5!? Nxh5 7.Rxh5 gxh5 8.Qxh5+ Bf7 This is an improvement for Black compared to other lines

253
involving Rxh5 ideas, as the king doesn’t have to move. Still, White seems to be better. 9.Qxf5 Nc6
10.d5²]
A) 6...h6?! Kamsky didn’t take advantage of his move order and played this rather timid move. After
7.Bd3 c6 8.e4 fxe4 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.Bxe4± White was much better and eventually won in
Morozevich, A (2683) – Kamsky, G (2637), Sochi 2016, 1-0 (26).
B) 6...Bg7!? 7.h5! Nxh5

Position after: 7...Nxh5

8.Rxh5! gxh5 9.Ng5 Bg8 The bishop is protecting the light squares, but White keeps a dangerous and
long-term initiative. 10.Qxh5+ Kf8 11.0-0-0‚

5.h3

This useful move has several goals. The main idea is to give the bishop a retreat square, but in this
precise situation I think White is still aiming at a quick attack on the kingside.

254
Position after: 5.h3

As we haven’t committed ourselves with ...g6, White seeks another breakthrough: he wants to play g4
and open the g-file.

5...Be7

We can let him continue with his idea.

5...g6 There is also a way of transposing into the set-ups we have already considered in Chapter 3. It
protects f5 one more time, and the center is still very flexible. The choice depends on what kind of
position you prefer. 6.g4 Bg7

255
Position after: 6...Bg7

A) 7.Bc4 This is quite logical too, but doesn’t give Black much to worry about. 7...Qe7 8.gxf5 exf5
9.Qf3 Nc6 10.0-0-0 Bd7 11.Bg5 0-0-0 12.Nge2 Rde8 13.Nf4 Qf8 14.Bxf6 Qxf6„ The game Aczel,
G (2573) – Nester, I (2353), Alba Iulia 2017, eventually finished in a draw.
B) 7.gxf5! exf5 8.h4!

Position after: 8.h4!

White is proceeding quite slowly, but his plan is straightforward.

256
 B1) 8...Nc6 9.h5 Ne4 10.Nxe4 fxe4 11.hxg6 hxg6 12.Rxh8+ Bxh8 13.c3² White remains slightly
better. He has a solid center and easy development, while his future Qd1–b3 won’t let us castle long
so easily.
B2) 8...h6?! 9.Qf3 Nc6 10.0-0-0 Ne7 11.Bc4 c6 12.Qg2±
B3) 8...Be6 9.h5 Nxh5 10.Rxh5 gxh5 11.Qxh5+ Bf7 12.Qxf5±

6.g4 Ne4!?

Position after: 6...Ne4!?

7.gxf5

7.Nge2 0-0 8.Bg2 d5 9.Nxe4 fxe4 10.c4 b6„ White has neglected the a6-f1 diagonal, so the light-
squared bishop heads to a6, where it will be very annoying.

7...exf5 8.Nxe4 fxe4 9.Bg2 d5 10.c4 c6 11.Ne2 Be6=

257
Position after: 11...Be6=

Play is more or less balanced. Black is trying to exploit his space advantage. The drawback is that the
bishop on f4 is quite powerful, however we may be able to trade it in the next few moves.

j) 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Nf3, 5.Bd3

1.d4 f5 2.Bf4!? Nf6 3.e3 d6! 4.Nc3 e6!?

Position after: 4...e6!?

258
5.Bd3

As this is the most flexible move, I think it deserves to be the main line.
5.Nf3
A) 5...g6 Once again we can fianchetto the bishop, if we prefer. 6.h3 Bg7 7.g4 Qe7

Position after: 7...Qe7

8.Rg1 [8.gxf5 exf5 9.h4!? Be6 10.h5 Nxh5 11.Rxh5 gxh5 12.Ng5 Bf7 13.Qf3 Nc6∞] 8...fxg4 9.hxg4
Nc6„ White eventually won, but play was complicated in Prie, E (2499) – Garbisu de Goni, U
(2448), Bergara 2010.
B) 5...Be7 6.Bc4 [6.Bd3 It is too late to be thinking about opening the center: 6...0-0 7.e4?? fxe4
8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Bxe4 Rxf4–+] 6...0-0 7.Qe2

259
Position after: 7.Qe2

7...Ne4! 8.Bb3 [8.0-0 d5 9.Bd3 g5 10.Be5 Nc6ƒ] 8...Nxc3!? 9.bxc3 Nc6 10.0-0 g5 11.Bg3 Na5ƒ
Black gets the bishop pair and also has a dangerous initiative on the kingside.

5...Nc6!?

White was threatening e3−e4, so keeping an eye on the d4-pawn seems a good way to prevent it.

6.Nf3 Nb4!?N

260
Position after: 6...Nb4!?N

This was a novelty when I first considered this line, but since then it has been played in an amateur
game. Black disturbs the bishop, but also heads towards the d5-square. If the bishop moves, and if we
trade the c3-knight, we will have full control of the e4-square! White now has various options: he can
open the center, keep the bishop pair, or simply castle in order to wait for Black to commit himself.

7.Be2

A) 7.0-0 h6

Position after: 7...h6

Black is not under any kind of pressure and can think about expanding on the kingside. 8.e4 [8.h3
Nxd3 9.Qxd3 g5 10.Bh2 Bg7 11.e4 fxe4 12.Nxe4 0-0„] 8...fxe4 9.Nxe4 Nxd3 10.Qxd3 Nxe4
11.Qxe4 Qf6 This is a transposition into the next line, 7.e4.
B) 7.e4 fxe4 8.Nxe4 Nxd3+ 9.Qxd3 Nxe4 10.Qxe4 Qf6

261
Position after: 10...Qf6

11.0-0 [11.0-0-0 h6 12.Rhe1 Be7 13.Kb1 0-0 14.Bg3 Qf5³ White’s play in the center is nothing
special. Black should be able to exploit his bishop pair.] 11...h6 This is always useful if you want to
play ...Be7 without allowing Bg5, trading the dark-squared bishops. 12.Rfe1 Be7 13.Rad1 g5 14.Bg3
Qf5! 15.Qe3 g4 16.Nd2 h5ƒ

Position after: 16...h5ƒ

It looked like Black had to finish his development quickly and castle, but he is actually not in any
danger, so he first starts activity on the kingside before deciding what to do with his king.

262
 C) 7.Bc4 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.a3

Position after: 9.a3

Sooner or later this move will push our knight to the center. We gladly accept. 9...Nbd5 10.Nxd5
exd5 11.Ba2 b5!? 12.c3 Be6=

7...Be7 8.a3 Nbd5 9.Nxd5 Nxd5

9...exd5 10.c4 Compared to 7.Bc4, White has this extra possibility at his disposal. 10...0-0 11.Rc1 Be6
12.Qb3ƒ

10.Bg3

263
Position after: 10.Bg3

10...b6!

Before castling, we would like to make sure of being the first on the diagonal.
10...0-0 11.c4 Nf6 12.Nd2 b6 13.Bf3 Black is still fine, but this makes our life a little bit harder.
13...Rb8 14.0-0 c5=

11.c4 Nf6 12.0-0 Ne4 13.Qc2 0-0 14.Bd3 Bb7=

I like Black here. He has various plans, including the possibility of ...g5, both gaining activity and
possibly chasing the minor pieces on f3 and g3.

264
 Chapter 5
Systems Including an Early c3 and/or Nh3

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6

Chapter Guide

Chapter 5 – Systems Including an Early c3 and/or Nh3

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6

a) 4.h4
b) 4.c3 Bg7 5.--
c) 4.c3 Bg7 5.h4
d) 4.c3 Bg7 5.Qb3 Nc6 6.h4
e) 4.c3 Bg7 5.Qb3 Nc6 6.Nf3
f) 4.c3 Bg7 5.Qb3 Nc6 6.Nd2
g) 4.c3 Bg7 5.Qb3 Nc6 6.Nh3
h) 4.Nh3 Bg7 5.Nf4 Nc6 6.--
i) 4.Nh3 Bg7 5.Nf4 Nc6 6.d5
j) 4.Nh3 Bg7 5.Nf4 Nc6 6.d5 (8.e4)
k) 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Nh3
l) 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Nh3 (8.0-0)

a) 4.h4

265
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6

Position after: 3...g6

With 3...g6 Black shows that he is planning to play a Leningrad. White has a wide range of systems at
his disposal. Even if he has started with the very common fianchetto against the Dutch, he still has a lot
of choices. In this chapter, we will focus on several systems which generally omit c4. First, we will
consider the aggressive 4.h4, then the little move 4.c3, which looks innocent, but has the idea of
preventing us from castling, then we will focus on 4.Nh3, generally with the idea to follow with Nf4
and h4, directly attacking our g6-pawn.

4.h4!?

This has rarely been seen, as it seems illogical to play g3 then h4. Nevertheless 5.h5 may come as some
kind of threat.

4...Bg7

4...d6!? If Black wants to avoid the perpetual that is possible after 4...Bg7, he can try this move. 5.h5!?
Nxh5 6.e4

266
Position after: 6.e4

A) 6...c6? Nakamura once played this, but objectively it’s not very good as Black is unable to take
back on f5. 7.exf5 Bg7 8.Nc3 Nf6 9.fxg6 hxg6 10.Rxh8+ Bxh8 11.Nge2 Bf5 12.f3 Nbd7 13.g4 Be6
14.Nf4± White is much better, even if he eventually lost in Mamedyarov, S (2763) – Nakamura, H
(2741), Moscow 2010, 0-1 (52).
B) 6...Qd7!
B1) 7.Rxh5?!

Position after: 7.Rxh5?!

267
 Black isn’t really afraid of this as he has taken the precaution of clearing the d8-square for his king:
7...gxh5 8.Qxh5+ [8.Nh3 Bg7 9.Qxh5+ Kd8 10.Ng5 Qe8 11.Nf7+ Kd7 12.d5 Rf8 13.Qxf5+ e6
14.dxe6+ Qxe6 15.Qxe6+ Kxe6∞] 8...Kd8 9.exf5 Nc6 10.Nf3 Bg7³.
B2) 7.Nc3!

Position after: 7.Nc3!

Black is a pawn up but White definitely has some compensation. I am not really willing to play this
position, but I’ll give a possible way to keep going: 7...Nc6! 8.Nf3 fxe4 9.Nxe4 Nf6∞.

5.Nh3

5.h5!? Nxh5 6.e4!

268
Position after: 6.e4!

A) 6...e6 7.Rxh5! [≤ 7.exf5 exf5 8.Rxh5 Qe7+!∞] 7...gxh5 8.Qxh5+ Kf8 9.exf5 Qe8 10.Qh4 exf5+
11.Kf1 Nc6 12.Nc3!ƒ
B) 6...fxe4! is objectively the best reaction, otherwise White will get a lot of play. 7.Rxh5 gxh5
8.Qxh5+ Kf8 9.Bh6!

Position after: 9.Bh6!

9...d5 10.Bxg7+ Kxg7 White has nothing better than to take a draw, and Black can’t escape it:

269
 11.Qg5+ Kf7 12.Qh5+ Kf8 13.Qh6+ Ke8 14.Qh5+=.

5...Nc6

Position after: 5...Nc6

6.Nc3

6.c3!? e5! transposes into the line 5.h4 Nc6 6.h5 of the first subchapter on the 4.c3 line.

6...d5

I don’t often advise playing a Stonewall system, but I do so here because White has played many
committal moves such as h4 and Nh3.

7.Nf4

A) 7.h5?! Nxh5 8.Nxd5 Nxd4 9.c3 Ne6³

B) 7.Bf4 Ne4 8.Nb5!? [8.e3 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Na5„] 8...0-0 9.Nxc7 This is a very dangerous concept by
White, as Black is ready to free himself with ...e5. 9...Rb8 10.c3 [10.Nb5? e5!µ] 10...e5 11.dxe5 Qxc7
12.Qxd5+ Kh8©

7...e6 8.0-0 0-0 9.e3 Ne4!?„

270
Position after: 9...Ne4!?„

Black will generally follow with moves like ...b6, ...Na5/e7 and ...c5 before deciding where his light-
squared bishop should go.

b) 4.c3 Bg7 5.--

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.c3

Position after: 4.c3

271
As we said in the previous subchapter, this move generally intends 5.Qb3 to prevent us from castling,
but White has other options that we will look at now.

4...Bg7

Now the situation is quite simple. Black will want to play ...0-0 at the first opportunity, but sometimes
White either prevents it or threatens something like a push in the center or on the h-file, which might
make Black defer castling. To my eyes, 4.c3 was a concession, and the only way to try to fully justify it
is to play 5.Qb3 as in the next subchapter, but other moves have been tried in practice.

5.Nf3

Of course this can’t be a bad move, but it doesn’t really justify 4.c3.
A) 5.Nd2 Nc6 6.e4 A reasonable way to justify White’s development, but it’s not so frightening for
Black. [6.Nh3 − see 5.Nh3.] 6...fxe4 7.Nxe4 Nxe4 8.Bxe4 d5! 9.Bg2 e5!

Position after: 9...e5!

When Black takes over the initiative in the center so easily, he can hardly be worse. 10.dxe5 Nxe5
11.f4! A good way to get rid of the knight and try to follow with Nf3, but Black won’t let that happen.
[11.Nf3 Bg4 12.h3 Bxf3 13.Bxf3 c6! 14.0-0 0-0 15.Bg2 Qd7ƒ; 11.Qxd5?! Bf5! 12.Qxd8+ Rxd8
13.Bg5 Rd7 14.Ne2 Nd3+ 15.Kf1 0-0³] 11...Bg4! 12.Ne2 Nc6 13.h3 Be6 14.Be3 Qd7=
B) 5.Nh3 Nc6

272
Position after: 5...Nc6

B1) 6.Nf4 e5! 7.dxe5 Nxe5 8.0-0 [8.Qb3 c6 9.Be3 Qe7 10.0-0 d5=] 8...c6 9.b3 0-0=

Position after: 9...0-0=

10.c4? White is too tempted to prevent ...d5, but at the cost of weakening the diagonal! 10...Nfg4!
And I believe that White has to lose some material: 11.Nc3 Nxh2! 12.Kxh2 Ng4+ 13.Kg1 Bxc3³.
B2) 6.Qb3 − see the main line.
B3) 6.Nd2

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 B3.1) 6...d5 is possible, but, as I’ve said, I don’t like to play a Stonewall set-up, especially since the
white knights are not so badly placed in order to reach the e5- and f4-squares, which are important
in this opening.
B3.2) 6...e5? 7.d5 Ne7 8.d6 cxd6 9.Nc4 0-0 10.Nxd6±
B3.3) 6...d6!? 7.d5 Ne5 8.Nf3!

Position after: 8.Nf3!

8...Nxf3+ [8...0-0 9.Nf4 Nxf3+ 10.Bxf3 c6] 9.Bxf3 [9.exf3?! e5! 10.dxe6 Bxe6 11.f4 c6 12.0-0
h6! This cuts the knight out of play, and is clearly worth a few moves with the king. 13.Re1 Kf7³]
9...Bd7!?N 10.Nf4 c6 11.0-0 cxd5 12.Nxd5 Bc6

274
Position after: 12...Bc6

I couldn’t find any major problems for Black in this position. 13.Qb3 Qd7 14.Nf4 d5!= Of course
we can’t let the knight reach the e6-square. Black is fine after this move.

5...d6

Position after: 5...d6

Delaying castling may help Black to advance ...e5 in favorable conditions.

275
6.0-0 Nc6 7.d5

A very logical attempt, but the knight can safely jump towards the center.
A) 7.Qb3 − see the move order 5.Qb3 Nc6 6.Nf3 d6 7.0-0.
B) 7.Nbd2 0-0 [7...e5?! It seems that Black is not yet ready for this. 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.e4 0-0 10.exf5
gxf5 11.Nc4²] 8.Re1 [8.b4 a6 9.Qb3+ e6 10.a4 Bd7 11.Re1 Ne4„] 8...e5! The inclusion of ...0-0/Re1
clearly favors Black, as he will get some play on the f-file, e.g. 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Nxe5 dxe5 11.e4
f4‚.

7...Ne5 8.Nxe5 dxe5 9.c4

Position after: 9.c4

If White wants to do anything, this will have to be played sooner or later. This position is actually very
similar to a main line − consider the position we will reach in Chapter 10 before 7...c6. Instead, 7...Nc6
8.d5 Ne5 9.Nxe5 dxe5 looks a lot like this position, except that Nc3 and ...0-0 have already been
played, and it is White to play, while it’s Black to play here! This extra tempo will help us to get a
comfortable position.

9...e6!?

Usually this move is very hard to realize for Black because White has already played Qb3, with Rd1
and c5 to follow soon, but here it’s fully playable.

10.Nc3 exd5 11.cxd5 0-0 12.Qb3

12.e4 f4 13.Bd2 Nh5 14.Rc1 Rf7ƒ Black has a very decent initiative on the kingside, and I like his

276
prospects here.

12...Rf7 13.Rd1 e4 14.Bf4 Ne8„

Position after: 14...Ne8„

From d6 the knight will play a major role in holding the queenside as well as the center. At some point
...g5 will happen in order to start an attack on the kingside.

c) 4.c3 Bg7 5.h4

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.c3 Bg7 5.h4

277
Position after: 5.h4

If White wants this move to be dangerous, he should probably do it on the previous move, as we
analyzed in the first subchapter, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad now, and it can be seen as a more
positional approach in order to secure the f4-square for a knight.

5...Nc6!? 6.Nh3

A) 6.h5N

Position after: 6.h5N

278
 This immediate shot seems to bring nothing except a perpetual check after 6...Nxh5 7.e4 fxe4 8.Rxh5
gxh5 9.Qxh5+ Kf8 10.Bh6 [10.Qf5+ Kg8 11.Qxe4 d6 12.Nf3 e5 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Nxe5 Bxe5³ We
can’t say that the black monarch is safe, but is it really worth an exchange here? I don’t think so, as I
don’t see any real danger.] 10...d5 11.Bxg7+ Kxg7 12.Qg5+ Kf7 13.Qh5+= There is no good way for
Black to escape the perpetual, and White does not have enough to try to play on.
B) 6.Nd2 d6

Position after: 6...d6

B1) 7.d5 Ne5 8.Nh3 c6 9.Nf4 This is very similar to lines we will meet in the subchapter on 4.Nh3,
except that White has played c3 and Nd2, two moves that don’t fight for the important d5-square.
9...cxd5 10.Nxd5 Nxd5 11.Bxd5 e6 12.Bg2 d5=
B2) 7.Nh3N 7...e5 Compared to the 6.Nh3 line, this looks like a better version for Black as he keeps
a pawn on e5, preventing the knight from reaching the desired f4-square. 8.Nc4 Qe7 9.Bg5 h6
10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.Ne3 Qf7=

6...e5!?

Always a logical reaction when Black wants to prevent Nf4. Here it leads to a long, fairly forced line.

7.d5 Ne7!N

279
Position after: 7...Ne7!N

Much better than retreating to b8, as once played.

8.d6

8.c4?! d6³ White has done some strange things and as a result Black is many tempi up in a perfect
King’s Indian set-up.

8...cxd6 9.Qxd6 Ne4! 10.Bxe4 fxe4 11.Ng5

Black’s position seems very difficult, but he has a way to break free.

280
Position after: 11.Ng5

11...a5! 12.Nxe4 Ra6 13.Qc5 d6!

13...d5?! It would be great if we could chase the knight away so easily − we would even be much better
− but White has a strong resource at his disposal: 14.Bg5! dxe4 15.Bxe7 Qxe7? 16.Qxc8++–.

14.Qb5+ Bd7

Position after: 14...Bd7

281
15.Qd3

15.Qxb7 Rb6 16.Qa7 Nc6 17.Nxd6+ Kf8 The queen seems trapped, but White has an escape:
18.Bg5™ 18...Nxa7 19.Bxd8 Rxd6 20.Bxa5 Kf7„.
This double-edged endgame seems to favor Black thanks to his big lead in development and the bishop
pair, but four pawns against a piece is something we should not underestimate.

15...d5 16.Nc5 e4 17.Qc2

17.Qd1 Rc6 18.Nxd7 Qxd7 19.Bf4 b5©

17...Rc6 18.Nxd7 Qxd7©

Black has great compensation.

Position after: 18...Qxd7©

It’s not clear if White will be able to castle safely, as his kingside is already quite weakened.

d) 4.c3 Bg7 5.Qb3 Nc6 6.h4

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.c3 Bg7 5.Qb3!

282
Position after: 5.Qb3!

White is trying to prevent Black from castling. By doing so, he wants to provoke either ...d5 or ...e6,
and we would not necessarily be happy to put all our pawns on light squares.

5...Nc6!?

As we will see, in the end we will often play ...d5, since there is no other way to be able to to castle
without putting a pawn on the diagonal, but first we would like to have freed our position with ...e5 in
order not to have a hole on this square.

6.h4!?

I am surprised that this move has been played so rarely. It’s true that it doesn’t look so impressive, as
the idea of playing h5 seems irrevelant, but it secures the f4-square for a knight.

6...d6

283
Position after: 6...d6

As usual, we’re playing for ...e5.

7.d5

7.Bg5 h6 8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.Nd2 e5

Position after: 9...e5

A) 10.e3 My computer wants to keep a flexible position, but I don’t really believe it can be very

284
 annoying. The only thing is that it’s quite complicated to castle, but the king can reach a safe place
anyway. 10...a5 11.a4 Kf8 12.Ne2 Kg7 13.0-0-0 Qe8„
B) 10.dxe5 Nxe5 11.Nh3 c6 12.Nf4 Qb6! Trading queens would of course be desirable for Black.
13.Qc2 Bd7 14.Nf3 Rg8 15.Rd1 d5 16.Nd4 0-0-0ƒ I like the way Black easily got a very nice position
in Girya, O (2505) – Muzychuk, A (2576), Monaco 2017, ½-½ (69).

7...Ne5!

When the knight can’t be traded, it’s obvious that the most convenient square is e5.

8.Nh3

8.Nf3 0-0 9.Nxe5 dxe5 10.c4 e6 11.0-0 exd5 12.cxd5 Rf7ƒ

8...c6!

Position after: 8...c6!

A well-timed challenge in the center by our Dutch specialist Anton Guijarro.

9.dxc6?!

9.Nf4! was probably necessary in order to keep the balance: 9...cxd5 10.Nxd5 e6 11.Nxf6+ Bxf6
12.Na3 Qe7„.

9...bxc6!N

Once again, Black is ready to give up material in return for active pieces and great compensation. The

285
following line is very nice for Black; it’s likely that the Spanish GM considered the line and believed,
wrongly, that it was too risky. He managed to win after 9...Nxc6 10.Nf4 Na5 11.Qd1 0-0 12.h5², but I
prefer to avoid this kind of attack for White, which seems quite easy to play. Saraci, N (2382) – Anton
Guijarro, D (2642), Skopje 2018, 0-1 (29).

10.f4 Neg4 11.Bxc6+ Bd7 12.Bxa8 Qxa8

Position after: 12...Qxa8

13.Rg1

13.0-0 In French, we have a chess expression which says that White is castling ‘cemetery side’. It’s
very likely that his king will face huge trouble here. 13...Nh5 14.Rf3 [14.c4 Bd4+ 15.e3 Nxg3–+]
14...Bc6 15.Rd3?! Bh1!–+

13...e6 14.Ng5 0-0!

Even stronger than 14...Ke7.

15.Nxe6 Rb8! 16.Nc7+ Rxb3 17.Nxa8 Rb7!µ

286
Position after: 17...Rb7!µ

The knight is trapped and will be eaten alive after ...Bc6 and ...Re7. White will be left with very bad
pieces and a far from obvious material advantage.

e) 4.c3 Bg7 5.Qb3 Nc6 6.Nf3

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.c3 Bg7 5.Qb3! Nc6!? 6.Nf3

Position after: 6.Nf3

287
With this move White tries to prevent Black from playing ...e5.

6...d6!?

This is not a novelty, but a large majority of players have chosen 6...e6 instead. However I believe we
can fight for ...e5 if we are allowed to.

7.d5

I think this is the reason why Black has been afraid of playing 6...d6, but we have solutions.
A) 7.0-0 e5 8.dxe5 dxe5 The position is quite open and we are unable to castle, but White fails to
achieve anything because his pieces are not particularly well placed.

Position after: 8...dxe5

9.Rd1 [Or 9.Bg5 h6 10.Rd1 Qe7] 9...Qe7 10.Bg5 [10.Nfd2?! e4 11.Nc4 Rb8!µ Black follows with
12...Be6 and is much better.] 10...h6 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.e4! Kf8! 13.Nbd2 Kg7 14.Nc4 f4ƒ
B) 7.Ng5 d5

288
Position after: 7...d5

8.h4 [8.Nf3 White has decided the pawn structure, but Black has played ...d5 for free! He can get an
easy position by playing ...e6, ...0-0 and ...b6.] 8...e5 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4 Qe7 11.Bxd5 Otherwise
Black is perfectly OK. 11...Nd3+ 12.Kf1 Nc5! [12...Nxf4?! 13.gxf4 Nxd5 14.Qxd5 h6? 15.Rh3+–]
13.Qc4 Nxd5 14.Qxd5 Bd7©

Position after: 7.d5

7...Na5!?N

289
I like this approach. Black wins another tempo on the queen, although the knight will find itself in
trouble, and we might need to sacrifice a pawn, but under favorable conditions.
7...Ne5 is fully playable too. 8.Nxe5 dxe5 9.0-0 0-0 10.c4 We discussed this kind of position in the
5.Nf3 line. The ideas are similar.

8.Qa4+ c6

Position after: 8...c6

9.b4!?

With this move White tries to refute Black’s idea by winning a pawn, but it creates weaknesses and is
quite slow.
A) 9.Nd4 This move is quite challenging, but I came up with a very good solution.
A1) 9...0-0 10.dxc6 e5

290
Position after: 10...e5

This approach was my first idea, but I realized that White is able to keep his extra pawn in
conditions that are not so bad for him. 11.c7! [11.cxb7?! Nxb7 12.Nb3 Qe7 13.0-0 a5! 14.Rd1 Bd7
15.Qa3 Be6©] 11...Qxc7 12.Nb5 Qd8 13.Nxd6 Qxd6 14.Qxa5² Obviously we have some
compensation, but we will have to prove it, and I think White can hope for an edge here.
A2) 9...Bd7?!

Position after: 9...Bd7?!

291
 10.Nxc6! [≤ 10.dxc6 This more logical move fails after 10...Nxc6 11.Nxc6 Qc7!³. A strong
intermediate move that secures the material balance, and thus an edge for Black thanks to his great
center.] 10...Qc8! [10...bxc6 11.dxc6 Nxc6 12.Bxc6²] 11.Qxa5 bxc6 12.dxc6 Bxc6 13.Bxc6+ Qxc6
14.0-0²
A3) 9...b5! Other moves failed to convince me. 10.Qb4 cxd5

Position after: 10...cxd5

A3.1) 11.Bxd5?! Giving up the bishop like this is very dangerous. 11...Nxd5 12.Qxb5+ Qd7!
13.Qxd5 [13.Qxa5 Bb7 14.0-0 e5!µ This time it’s also very hard for White, as we have managed to
keep our light-squared bishop, so White’s king is really likely to suffer.] 13...Bb7 14.Qxa5 Bxh1
15.f3 Rc8 16.Na3 Rc5 17.Qb4 a5 18.Qb6 Bg2³
A3.2) 11.Qxb5+?! Bd7 12.Qd3 Ne4 13.0-0 0-0µ Black’s center is impressive, and he also has the
open b- and c-files.
A3.3) 11.a4! A far from easy, but strong, move. White has given up the center, but at least he will
get the a-file and a strong pawn on b5. 11...Nc4! 12.axb5 Qc7 13.0-0 0-0 14.Nd2 Nb6 15.Nc6 e5ƒ
Of course I like Black here, but at least White is still in the game.
B) 9.dxc6 Nxc6 10.Nd4 Bd7 11.Nxc6 Qc7!³

9...Nc4 10.dxc6 0-0!

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Position after: 10...0-0!

11.Nd4

I think this is the most critical move. White blocks our main dangerous diagonal, and his own bishop on
g2 is now creating threats against b7.
A) 11.Nbd2 Ne4!

Position after: 11...Ne4!

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 12.Nd4! [12.Nxe4?! fxe4 13.Nd4 d5 14.0-0 Qd6 15.cxb7 Bxb7© Black has very active pieces which
clearly compensate for the missing pawn.] 12...Ncxd2 13.Bxd2 Qc7 [13...Nxd2?? 14.cxb7 Bxb7
15.Bxb7+–] 14.Bxe4 fxe4 15.0-0 Bh3!

Position after: 15...Bh3!

Here too Black has good long-term compensation. I think White should try to trade the dangerous h3-
bishop: 16.Qb3+ [16.Rfd1 Bxd4 17.cxd4 Qxc6„ is balanced too.] 16...Kh8 17.Ne6 Qxc6! 18.b5
[18.Nxf8? e3! Black has too many threats. 19.f3 exd2–+] 18...Bxe6! 19.bxc6 Bxb3 20.cxb7 Rab8
21.axb3 Rxb7=.
B) 11.cxb7?! Securing an extra pawn really helps Black. 11...Bxb7 12.0-0 d5!? 13.Nbd2 Ne4³

294
Position after: 13...Ne4³

The c3-pawn is under attack, and every black piece is perfectly placed. He definitely has enough
compensation.

11...Qb6!

Position after: 11...Qb6!

12.0-0

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12.cxb7? Bxb7 13.Bxb7 Qxb7 14.0-0 White is threatening to bring the knight to e6, but it actually
won’t do much there. 14...Rfc8!© Black is objectively better. White’s development and pawn structure
are really bad.

12...Ne4!?

Position after: 12...Ne4!?

Black is considering new tactical motifs on the long diagonal, such as ...Nxc3, but he is also able
simply to get a strong center by starting with ...d5 and then maybe ...e5.
I actually believe that White doesn’t have many other choices than to trade minor pieces in the center
(which will incidentally be very similar to 11.Nbd2).

13.Bxe4 fxe4 14.Nd2 Nxd2 15.Bxd2 Bh3

296
Position after: 15...Bh3

This was already seen in 11.Nbd2, except that our queen was on c7.

16.Qb3+! Rf7 17.Ne6 Bxf1 18.Rxf1 Qxc6 19.b5 Qd7 20.Ng5 e6 21.Nxf7! Qxf7 22.c4 d5„

Stockfish still prefers White slightly, but from a human perspective the position looks fine for Black.

f) 4.c3 Bg7 5.Qb3 Nc6 6.Nd2

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.c3 Bg7 5.Qb3! Nc6!? 6.Nd2

297
Position after: 6.Nd2

6...d5

In this case it makes sense to start with this move as 6...e5 is not fully playable. The reason is that
White has just developed his knight on d2, so both his knights are eyeing the f3-square (even if h3 is a
very reasonable square for the g1-knight).
6...e5?! If we try a similar sacrifice as against 6.Nh3, things won’t work so well. The reason is that the
e4-square is not available for our knight, and the g1-knight will find a much more useful square on f3
than on h3. 7.Bxc6 bxc6 [7...dxc6 8.dxe5 Ng4 9.f4±] 8.dxe5 Nd5 9.Ngf3²

7.Ndf3!

I think this is the best option. It prevents ...e5 and allows the other knight to develop on h3.
A) 7.Nh3 is the most played move in the current position, but it makes our life easier as we are
allowed to open the center: 7...e5 8.dxe5 Nxe5 9.Nf4 c6

298
Position after: 9...c6

The situation is quite simple. If White does nothing, we will continue with either ...0-0 or ...Ne4 with
a great center and no problems at all, so he should react as quickly as possible.
A1) 10.0-0 0-0 11.c4 g5! This works even better than after 10.c4. 12.Nd3 [12.cxd5? gxf4 13.gxf4
Nf7 14.dxc6 Rb8 15.cxb7

Position after: 15.cxb7

15...Bxb7! It’s already clear that this was a worse version for White than after 10. c4, but this move

299
 renders White’s concept completely irrelevant. 16.Bxb7 Qe7–+] 12...Nxd3

Position after: 12...Nxd3

13.Qxd3 [13.exd3 f4 14.Re1 Kh8 15.Nf3 g4 16.Ne5 f3 17.Bf1 d4ƒ] 13...Be6 14.cxd5 Nxd5³ Black
dominates in the center and will continue with ...f4 to get play on the kingside.
A2) 10.c4!?
A2.1) 10...d4 Having an isolated d-pawn is out of the question, so this is the most logical answer if
you don’t think about 10...g5. 11.0-0 0-0 12.c5+

300
Position after: 12.c5+

This prevents Black from playing ...c5 himself, so his d4-pawn may become weak at some stage.
12...Kh8 13.Nf3 [13.Nc4 Nxc4 14.Qxc4 Re8 15.Rd1 g5 16.Rxd4 Qe7 17.Nd3 Nd5∞] 13...Ne4
14.Qc2 Re8 15.Rd1ƒ Black is walking on eggshells; his position is not so easy to handle.
A2.2) 10...g5!N

Position after: 10...g5!N

I also really like this possibility, leading to a very complicated and unbalanced position. 11.cxd5!
[11.Nd3 Nxd3+ 12.Qxd3 Be6 13.Qe3 Qe7 14.Qxg5 dxc4 15.0-0 0-0ƒ] 11...gxf4 12.gxf4 Ng6
13.dxc6 Rb8! 14.cxb7 Bd7©

301
Position after: 14...Bd7©

White has four pawns for a piece, and Black is currently unable to castle, but White has still to
finish his development, and both b7 and f4 might fall soon. The game is very complicated.
B) 7.Ngf3?!

Position after: 7.Ngf3?!

I don’t like this move because the knights are getting in each other’s way. 7...a5!? 8.0-0 [8.a4 e6 9.0-0
0-0 10.Rd1 Re8 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Ng4 13.c4 Nxe5 14.cxd5 Ra6„] 8...0-0 9.c4 [9.Ne5 Nxe5

302
 10.dxe5 a4 11.Qd1 Ne4 12.f4 b5³] 9...e6 10.cxd5 exd5 11.Nb1

Position after: 11.Nb1

White is so out of useful moves that this might look necessary. Of course White can’t hope for an
edge after losing a tempo with the c-pawn and two with the knight. 11...a4 12.Qd1 Ne4ƒ

7...Ne4

Position after: 7...Ne4

303
8.Nh3

8.Bf4 Normally the g1-knight dreams about this square, but if White wants to prevent ...e5 again, he
has no other choice. 8...0-0 9.h4 Na5 10.Qc2 c5 11.e3 e6„

8...0-0

8...e5?! was my initial idea, because I like the idea of solving the opening problems with a more forcing
line, but analysis shows that it brings Black more problems than satisfaction. For instance after 9.dxe5
Nxe5 10.Nxe5 Bxe5 11.f3 Nf6 12.Bg5!± White intends 0-0-0 and e4 with a very dangerous initiative.

9.Nf4 e6

Position after: 9...e6

We have reached a Stonewall pawn structure with a kingside fianchetto, which won’t happen so often
in this book. To compensate, White has had to play a few strange and not so useful moves, such as c3
and Qb3, and more knight maneuvers than usual. Now White can play strategically, exploiting the fact
that he hasn’t castled yet and that his rook is still on h1.

10.h4!?

This looks more dangerous, but it’s not clear if White is really threatening 11.h5, as we would be able
to reply 11...g5 (even if we need to consider the intermediate 12.h6). But at least the idea is in the air.
10.Nd3!? is the positional approach, but it actually causes Black trouble in fighting for the initiative.
10...Na5!?N I think this is the more active way to react. Black frees the c-pawn in order to bring it to c5
quickly. 11.Qc2 I don’t think the queen’s square makes much difference. 11...b6! 12.0-0 c5 13.Bf4

304
Ba6!ƒ Black is ready to follow with ...Rc8, with very decent play on the queenside.

10...Na5

Position after: 10...Na5

11.Qc2

11.Qd1 has been played too, but it doesn’t make much difference. 11...c5!N

Position after: 11...c5!N

305
Probably stronger than 11...Nc4, which has already been played in two games. [11...b6!? would also be
similar to our main line.] 12.0-0 [12.dxc5 Qe7! 13.Nd3 Rd8! Black is in no rush to take the pawn back
as White is not really able to defend it properly. Black plans to bring his knight back to c6, and then
maybe push ...e5. 14.h5 g5 15.h6 Bf6³] 12...Qb6 13.e3 Bd7ƒ

11...b6

11...c5!? 12.dxc5 e5 13.Nd3 Nc6 14.b4 Qe7©

12.Nh3!N

Position after: 12.Nh3!N

Stockfish claims this to be the best. Of course, from a human point of view, it’s hard to consider such a
move, but Stockfish’s reason is that it wants to push h5 without allowing ...g5.
A) 12.h5 g5! 13.h6 Bh8 14.Nh5 c5ƒ It’s not so clear what White has really achieved by playing h5.
Our position is still very solid.
B) In the last game that reached this position, White tried the dubious 12.Ng5?!. The idea isn’t very
clear to me, as White doesn’t really want to take on e4. I guess his idea was to follow with 12...Qe7
13.g4, but with 13...c6!

306
Position after: 13...c6!

his opponent showed the best way to react. By protecting the d-pawn, he is able to take back on f5
with the e-pawn. 14.gxf5 [14.Nxh7!? A computer continuation, but it shouldn’t bring White more
than equality, e.g. 14...Kxh7 15.h5 gxh5! 16.Rxh5+ Kg8 17.Bxe4 fxe4 18.Ng6 Qf6 19.Nxf8 Qxf8=
and White still needs to show why he gave up material.] 14...exf5 15.Nd3?!

Position after: 15.Nd3?!

Now in the game Hausrath, D (2481) – Markgraf, A (2523), Germany 2016, ½-½ (48), Black could
have gone 15...Ba6! 16.Nf3 Rae8 17.Nfe5 c5!³ with a very nice initiative.

307
12...Bf6 13.Bg5 c5 14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.Ne5ƒ

Position after: 15.Ne5ƒ

White may still be objectively better, but it’s a minimal edge.

308
 g) 4.c3 Bg7 5.Qb3 Nc6 6.Nh3

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.c3 Bg7 5.Qb3! Nc6!? 6.Nh3

Position after: 6.Nh3

This has been the most popular move recently. I faced this position one of the first times I played the
Dutch a few years ago. I played 6...d5 because I thought I had to go for a Stonewall set-up, but that’s
not actually the case, and I am very happy to be able to show that we can directly open the center.

6...e5!

This move is a rare guest. At the time of writing it has been played only ten times, with pretty good
results for Black. It has been quite rare that White employed a challenging line.

7.Bxc6

I believe that only with this move can White challenge his opponent’s concept. The lines can get crazy
very quickly, and we only have a few practical games at our disposal.
A) 7.Bg5N 7...d6

309
Position after: 7...d6

8.dxe5 [8.Bxc6+? bxc6 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.Na3 Qd5µ] 8...Nxe5 9.Nf4 Black doesn’t face many
problems as long as he controls the light squares in his camp. 9...Qd7 10.Nd2 c6 11.Rd1 a5ƒ
B) 7.0-0N 7...d6 8.Rd1 Qe7 9.Na3

Position after: 9.Na3

This is the start of a real computer line. The knight is heading mysteriously towards b5.
B1) 9...h6 10.Nb5

310
 B1.1) 10...g5 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Be3 a6 13.Bc5! It seems crazy that such a move can work, but it
does. 13...Qxc5 14.Nxc7+ Ke7 15.Nxa8 g4

Position after: 15...g4

Both knights are in trouble, but White manages to handle the position very well with 16.Nb6! Be6
17.Bd5±.
B1.2) 10...a6 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Qa3! The point! 12...Qxa3 13.Nxc7+ Kf7 14.bxa3²
B1.3) 10...Kf8 11.Be3 Be6 12.d5 Bf7

311
Position after: 12...Bf7

13.Nxa7! Nxa7 14.Qxb7 Rd8 15.Bxa7²

B2) 9...a6!

Position after: 9...a6!

The simplest reaction may be to prevent it. 10.Be3 [10.Bg5 h6 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.e4 Qf7!?=] 10...e4
11.Bg5 b5!„ The game is complicated, but I believe in Black’s position here.
C) 7.dxe5?!

312
Position after: 7.dxe5?!

This is the most played move, but it doesn’t give Black many problems to solve. Still, it’s an
understandable reaction when you face 6...e5. 7...Nxe5 8.0-0 c6! 9.Nd2 [9.Bf4 Qe7 10.Nd2 d5
11.Bxe5 Qxe5 12.c4 Ne4ƒ] 9...Qe7 10.Nf4 d6 [10...d5 was another possibility, but Anna Muzychuk
preferred to keep a piece secured on e5.] 11.Nf3 Ne4 12.Be3

Position after: 12.Be3

Black was already safe and the game quickly ended in a draw in Papaioannou, I (2624) – Muzychuk,
A (2542), Chalkida 2009, ½-½ (18). Nevertheless, I think Black could have annoyed White more with
12...Ng4! 13.Bd4 Bxd4
C1) 14.Nxd4 g5!?ƒ [14...Nd2?! 15.Nxc6! Nxb3 16.Nxe7 Nxa1 17.Ned5 Kf7 18.Rxa1∞]
C2) 14.cxd4 g5 15.Nd3 Be6 16.Qc2 0-0-0ƒ

7...bxc6

313
Position after: 7...bxc6

We can take with the other pawn too, but I prefer to open lines on the queenside.

8.dxe5

8.Ng5 Nd5 9.dxe5 Bxe5 10.0-0 Ba6ƒ

8...Ne4!

8...Ng4?? Please don’t repeat this painful defeat for Black. 9.Bg5 1-0 Dresen, U (2227) – Vogel, C
(2078) Hilden 2004.

9.f3

9.f4!? d6

314
Position after: 9...d6

10.Nd2 [10.exd6 cxd6 11.Ng5 Nxg5 12.fxg5 d5 13.0-0 0-0 14.Bf4 Re8© Black can’t be worse in so
open a position with White having some weaknesses.] 10...Nc5 11.Qa3! [11.Qc2 dxe5 12.fxe5 Bxe5ƒ
If it’s so easy to regain the pawn, Black is fine. He has a damaged pawn structure, but great bishops,
and White doesn’t have such a great pawn structure either.] 11...0-0

Position after: 11...0-0

A) 12.0-0 This is more logical to my eyes, but it seems to be less accurate. 12...a5! 13.Nf3 a4 Trying
to paralyze the white queen, which can’t really move, and if it does leave its spot on a3, we will be

315
 able to play ...a3, weakening the long dark-squared diagonal. 14.Be3 Ne4 15.Rad1 Qe8!

Position after: 15...Qe8!

Black now has too much tactical pressure, and forces White to do something in the center. 16.exd6
[16.Nf2 Ba6! 17.Rfe1 c5ƒ] 16...Nxc3 [16...cxd6 17.Bd4] 17.bxc3 Qxe3+ 18.Rf2 Rd8 [18...cxd6
19.Qxd6 Qxc3 20.Nhg5 Ra7„] 19.Rd3 Qb6 20.dxc7 Qxc7©
B) 12.Nf3!? Opening up the possibility of a quick Be3. Even if I don’t believe in the likelihood of
White playing 0-0-0, it prevents us from playing ...a5–a4 as we saw in 12.0-0. 12...Qe8! 13.Be3 Ne4

Position after: 13...Ne4

316
 B1) 14.0-0-0 a5! 15.Nf2 a4 16.Nxe4 fxe4 17.Ng5 dxe5 18.fxe5 h6!

Position after: 18...h6!

19.e6™ 19...Rf5 [19...hxg5?? 20.e7 Rf7 21.Rd8+–] 20.e7 Bd7 21.Nh3 Bf6=
B2) 14.0-0 Again Black enjoys very good compensation for the missing pawn. 14...a5 15.Nf2!
[15.exd6 Nxg3! 16.hxg3 Qxe3+ 17.Kh1 cxd6 18.Qxd6 Be6µ] 15...a4© White has many equivalent
moves, but none of them seems to bring him any edge.

9...Nc5

317
Position after: 9...Nc5

10.Qa3

10.Bg5!? This leads by force to a balanced endgame. 10...Nxb3 11.axb3 Qxg5 12.Nxg5 Bxe5= White
might think that he’s better here, for instance by pressurizing the a-pawn, but the bishop pair in an open
position gives Black enough for equality.

10...Qe7!

10...Ne6?!

Position after: 10...Ne6?!

11.Nf4!N White gets a slight edge after this move. [11.f4? d6! 12.exd6 cxd6 13.Nd2 0-0 14.0-0 Re8
15.Nc4 d5 16.Ne5 Qb6+ 17.Nf2 Ba6µ Black is much better, even if she didn’t manage to convert in
Zhukova, N (2432) – Muzychuk, M (2167), Kusadasi 2006, ½-½ (36).] 11...Qe7 [11...Bxe5 12.Nxe6
dxe6 13.Qa4²] 12.Nd3! d6 13.Bf4 c5 14.Nd2²

11.Be3

11.f4 d6 12.Be3 Ne6 13.Nd2 dxe5 14.Qxe7+ Kxe7 15.fxe5 Bxe5 16.0-0-0 Kf7„

318
Position after: 16...Kf7„

Black’s pawn structure is damaged, but he should be able to drum up some play quickly, e.g. by
starting with ...Ba6, attacking the e-pawn, in order to force a rook to come to e1 to passively protect it.

11...Ne6

Position after: 11...Ne6

12.Qxe7+

319
12.f4 d6© transposes to 11.f4.

12...Kxe7 13.f4 d6 14.exd6+ cxd6 15.Nd2 Ba6!

It’s very important to prevent White from playing 0-0-0. On c1, the king could be a great protector of
the pawn on b2.

16.Kf2 Rhb8 17.Rab1 Nc7©

Position after: 17...Nc7©

The knight is heading for d5. White’s task is far from easy.

h) 4.Nh3 Bg7 5.Nf4 Nc6 6.--

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nh3

320
Position after: 4.Nh3

This is in the same spirit as the previous line we examined with 4.c3. The knight doesn’t want to bother
the bishop on g2, so looks at the f4-square, from where it has good control over some important
squares, especially d5 and e6 obviously, but it shouldn’t be underestimated that it also keeps an eye on
g6. In addition it could lend weight to a future h4−h5. On the other hand it doesn’t control the e5-
square, and this prompts us to try to reply with ...e5 at some point. I have tried to keep this in mind in
the lines I have chosen.

4...Bg7

4...d6!? is the other interesting move order. Black tries to prevent Nf4 by threatening ...e5. White
generally plays 5.d5, and play is quite different from the present chapter.

5.Nf4

A) 5.c3 Nc6 transposes to the previous subchapter with 5.Nh3.

B) 5.0-0 is not in the spirit of the position. At best for White it will transpose to a reasonable version
of the last subchapter of this chapter.

321
Position after: 5.Nf4

5...Nc6!

Black wants to reply with ...e5 as soon as he can. From e5, the knight will protect the g6-pawn (always
useful in case of h4−h5), and it will be very hard for White to dislodge it, as the main square to attack it
(with a pawn or the c1-bishop) is f4, a square that the knight doesn’t want to leave any time soon.
A) 5...0-0? This innocent move is very compromising. White gets a lot of play on the h-file and
against the g6-pawn: 6.h4! d6 7.c3! c6 8.h5! g5 9.h6! Bh8 10.Nh3 g4 11.Ng5±.
B) 5...g5?! The concept of chasing the knight fails very quickly: 6.Nd3 h6 7.h4! g4 8.Nf4±.

6.h4!?

White follows his plan with this move, but recently it has been played less than 6.d5, which we will
consider in the next subchapters.
6.Nc3

322
Position after: 6.Nc3

In general, the knight is badly placed in front of the c-pawn. If Black manages to play ...d5, White
won’t be able to challenge it with c4, and I don’t see how he can reasonably prevent it. 6...e5!
A) 7.Bxc6?! bxc6! 8.dxe5 Ng4!

Position after: 8...Ng4!

I don’t really understand White’s point. His extra pawn is doomed, and he has given up his important
fianchettoed bishop.

323
 9.e4?! [9.e6! was a lesser evil, but Black is fine anyway: 9...d6! 10.0-0 Ne5 11.Be3 0-0³.] 9...Nxe5
10.exf5 Ba6 11.Nd3 Qf6µ Black is much better and scored a quick win in Plischki, S (2398) –
Laznicka, V (2657), Pardubice 2015, 0-1 (18).
B) 7.dxe5 Nxe5

Position after: 7...Nxe5

8.0-0 [8.h4 − see the 6.h4 line with 8.Nh3; 8.e4?! fxe4 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.Bxe4 c6! 11.0-0 d5 − we will
analyze this position with e4 delayed.] 8...c6! This forces White to make a decision, because it’s his
last chance to play e4. 9.Nd3 [9.e4? is tempting, but it doesn’t solve all the problems, as Black keeps
a very comfortable position. 9...fxe4 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Bxe4 d5 12.Bg2 0-0³] 9...Nf7

324
Position after: 9...Nf7

10.b3!?N [10.Be3 Ng4!?N 11.Bf4 d5 12.h3 Nf6³; 10.e4 fxe4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Bxe4 d5 13.Bg2 0-
0³] 10...0-0 11.Bb2 d5 12.e3„ The computer claims that this position is balanced. In general I agree,
but I like Black’s space advantage.

6...e5! 7.dxe5 Nxe5

Position after: 7...Nxe5

325
The situation has changed. Black has managed to free himself in the center and protects the g6-pawn as
it’s very hard for White to get rid of the knight on e5 as long as his knight is on f4.

8.h5

8.Nc3 This position may also arise via the 6.Nc3 move order. As in many 1.d4 systems, I think it’s
very committal to place the knight in front of the c-pawn, something I’m not fond of. 8...c6 9.h5
[9.Qd6N At least White is trying to do something, but we can chase the invader: 9...Nf7 10.Qa3 d6³.]
9...Nfg4!?

Position after: 9...Nfg4!?

An interesting idea to prevent h6. It can also be mentioned that ...Qb6 might be a threat which will
force White to make a concession in order to protect the f2-pawn. 10.f3 [10.hxg6 hxg6 11.Rxh8+ Bxh8
12.Qd6 Bf6!³ 13.f3? Qb6! 14.fxg4 Qg1+ 15.Bf1 Qxg3+ 16.Kd1 Nxg4µ White is in huge trouble,
especially since Black also has the vicious threat of ...g5 to win his piece back.] 10...Nh6 11.hxg6 hxg6
12.Nd3 Nhf7 13.Rxh8+ Bxh8³ Black will follow with ...d5 on the next move and is just slightly better.

8...c6!

8...Nfg4?! works less well this time: 9.hxg6 hxg6 10.Rxh8+ Bxh8 11.Qd5².

9.h6 Bf8

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Position after: 9...Bf8

When White manages to force ...Bf8 with the advance of his h-pawn, it’s usually a great achievement.
The difference here is that White doesn’t have great development, for instance the knight on f4 blocks
the protection of the h6-pawn by the c1-bishop, and the bishop on g2 is clearly attacking a rock on c6.
Our plan is now to get rid of this annoying pawn if we can.

10.Qd4!?

10.Nd3?! I think this move just helps Black to attack the h6-pawn. 10...Nf7 11.c4

327
Position after: 11.c4

A) 11...Ng8 This looks neither very different nor bad, as the idea is the same, but it’s a little less
active and less flexible. 12.Nc3?! [12.Be3! This makes a major difference with 11...Ng4. 12...Ngxh6
13.Bd4 Rg8 14.Nd2ƒ] 12...Ngxh6 13.Qc2 Bg7 14.Bd2 d6 15.0-0-0 Ng4 16.f3 Nge5³

Position after: 16...Nge5³

As White didn’t exploit the bad position of the knight, Black has got a similar version of 11...Ng4 and
a good position. Lysyj, I (2635) – Kotsur, P (2559), Moscow 2011, 0-1 (55).
B) 11...Ng4!N 12.Nc3 d6

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Position after: 12...d6

13.Qc2 [13.e4 Bxh6 14.Bxh6 Ngxh6 15.Qe2 0-0 16.0-0-0 Ng4³] 13...Ngxh6 14.b3 Bg7 15.Bb2 0-0
16.0-0-0 Ng4³ The use of the rook on the h-file doesn’t fully compensate for the missing pawn.

10...Nf7N

Only 10...Qe7 has been tried before, but I think Black should try to get rid of the h6-pawn as soon as
possible, as it is the reason why our development is still difficult.

11.Nc3 Bxh6!

Position after: 11...Bxh6!

This isn’t forced, but there are no tactics to refute it.

12.Rxh6!

The best try, and the start of a very interesting line where White always remains some material down,
but tries to strangle Black.
A) 12.Qe3+ Kf8 13.b3 Bg7 14.Bb2 d5 15.0-0-0 Qd6³ Our center is strong, and White can’t show
enough compensation for the pawn.
B) 12.Nh5 Nxh5 13.Bxh6 Qb6 14.Bg7 Qxd4 15.Bxd4 0-0³

12...Nxh6 13.Nfd5! Nhg8 14.Bf4!

329
Position after: 14.Bf4!

A very nice concept by White.

14...d6!

It’s very important to prevent Bd6, otherwise we will get no play at all.
14...cxd5 15.Bd6 Kf7 16.Nxd5±

15.0-0-0!

330
Position after: 15.0-0-0!

The most challenging continuation.

15.Ne3 d5 16.0-0-0 Be6 17.Na4 Qe7 18.c4 Kf7 19.cxd5 Bxd5 20.Nxd5 cxd5 21.Bxd5+ Nxd5
22.Qxh8 Rc8+=

15...Be6 16.e4!

Basically, White couldn’t find such a line over the board, so he has to be in his prep if he plays
something like this.

16...cxd5 17.exf5! gxf5 18.Re1 Qd7 19.Bxd5 Nxd5 20.Nxd5 0-0-0

Position after: 20...0-0-0

21.Rxe6

21.Qc3+!? Qc6 22.Rxe6 Qxc3 23.Nxc3 h6! 24.Nb5 Kd7 25.Rxd6+ Ke7=

21...Qxe6 22.Qc4+ Kd7 23.Qb5+ Kc8 24.Qc4+=

i) 4.Nh3 Bg7 5.Nf4 Nc6 6.d5

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nh3 Bg7 5.Nf4 Nc6! 6.d5

331
Position after: 6.d5

This move is the only decent way to prevent ...e5, but it doesn’t stop the knight from coming to that
square, so play is sometimes very similar, except that it is more closed, as no pawns have been traded.

6...Ne5 7.Nc3

This is the most sensible continuation. White defends his central pawn better, and prepares to bring the
e-pawn into play.
A) 7.Nd2!?

332
Position after: 7.Nd2!?

This is considerably less played than 7.Nc3, probably because the knight seems less active on this
square and doesn’t control the d5-square, but it’s actually quite decent.
A1) 7...Nf7 has been played by a couple of strong players, but I like it less, mainly because it’s not
in the spirit of our other selected variations. 8.e4! [8.0-0 e6 9.dxe6 dxe6 10.Nc4 0-0 11.Qxd8 Rxd8=
Black is doing fine, and the more experienced player went on to win in Demidov, M (2523) –
Kamsky, G (2676), Sochi 2017, 0-1 (56).] 8...e5!? 9.dxe6 dxe6 10.exf5

Position after: 10.exf5

10...gxf5!N Taking back with this pawn is probably more dynamic, but I think White keeps a
slightly better position. [10...exf5 11.Qe2+ Qe7 12.Qxe7+ Kxe7 13.0-0± Black managed to win, but
for the time being he is clearly worse. Berend, F (2350) – Bauer, C (2520), Metz 1998, 0-1 (60).]
11.0-0 e5 12.Nd3 0-0„
A2) 7...c6 8.e4

333
Position after: 8.e4

8...d6!? In order to play fully in the same spirit. [8...fxe4 9.Nxe4 As we will see in the 7.Nc3 line,
this is a slightly worse version than what we want to obtain.] 9.exf5 [9.0-0 0-0 10.exf5 Bxf5 11.Ne6
Bxe6 12.dxe6 amounts to the same.] 9...Bxf5 10.Ne6 [≤ 10.Nb3 0-0 11.0-0 Bg4! 12.f3 Bd7ƒ]
10...Bxe6 11.dxe6 0-0 12.0-0 Qb6„

Position after: 12...Qb6„

White has gained the bishop pair, but Black’s pieces are active. The outcome of the game will
depend on Black’s ability to maintain his activity.

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 B) 7.h4 c6

Position after: 7...c6

8.h5 [8.Nc3 − see 7.Nc3 c6 8.h4] 8...Qb6!? 9.h6?! [9.Be3!? Qxb2 10.Bd4 Qb4+ 11.c3 Qd6© This
position is very complicated. White still needs to prove his compensation.] 9...Neg4! 10.Nd3!
[10.hxg7?? Qxf2+ 11.Kd2 Qe3+ 12.Ke1 Qxg3+ 13.Kd2 Qxf4+ 14.Kc3 Qe5+ 15.Kb3 Rg8–+]
10...Bf8

Position after: 10...Bf8

335
 Our bishop is back on f8, but that is White’s only achievement. The rest of his position is pretty
alarming.
B1) 11.c4 e5! 12.dxe6 dxe6 13.f3 [13.Nc3?! e5!µ] 13...Ne3 14.Bxe3 Qxe3 15.Qd2 Qxd2+ 16.Nxd2
e5! 17.Nxe5 Be6©
B2) 11.Nc3 cxd5 12.Bxd5! Sadly for White, giving up the bishop is the only solution to get the
pawn back. [12.Nxd5?? Nxd5 13.Bxd5 Qa5+–+] 12...Nxd5 13.Nxd5 Qc6 14.N3f4 e6 15.f3 Ne5
16.Nc3 b6³
C) 7.0-0 c6 8.Nc3 is just another move order to 7.0-0 c6 8.Nc3.

Position after: 7.Nc3

7...c6!

In this opening Black should keep in mind that activity is very important. Trying to get rid of the d5-
pawn is the first priority in the position.
7...0-0 Again it is slightly inaccurate to start by castling because White can seize the initiative on the
kingside with 8.h4 c6 9.h5ƒ.

8.h4

We will consider 8.e4 in the next subchapter.

8...Qb6!?N

336
Position after: 8...Qb6!?N

Black had many moves at his disposal, but I preferred this one. For instance, he had already tried
8...Nf7, which is a very decent alternative, but the idea of attacking the f2-pawn, in order to encourage
White to castle or play e3 (in both cases stopping the action of one the white piece), seems promising
and original.

9.Be3

The most challenging move, making no concessions. White encourages his opponent to grab the
‘poisoned pawn’ in order to take over the initiative. 9.h5?! This move falls in exactly with Black’s idea.
9...Neg4! 10.e3 [10.0-0?! e5! 11.dxe6 dxe6 12.hxg6 e5! 13.Nh3 hxg6µ] 10...g5! 11.h6!

337
Position after: 11.h6!

Otherwise Black will play ...h6 and have no problems at all. 11...Nxh6 12.Nh5 Nxh5 13.Qxh5+ Nf7³
Black has some pressure to handle, but he is quite safe and has an extra pawn.

9...Qxb2!

Of course we came here in the frame of mind to take it.

10.Bd4! Neg4

338
Position after: 10...Neg4

Now many moves are possible for White, but Black seems to hold in every variation.

11.e4

A) 11.a3!? A nasty move, trying to trap the queen with Nd3 or Ra2. 11...Nxf2! 12.Kxf2 Ng4+

Position after: 12...Ng4+

13.Kf3™ [13.Ke1? This fails painfully due to 13...Qxc3+! 14.Bxc3 Bxc3+ 15.Kf1 Ne3+ 16.Kf2
Nxd1+ 17.Raxd1 e5–+.] 13...Ne5+ 14.Ke3 Ng4+ 15.Kf3=
B) 11.h5 This seems a bit ‘off topic’, as it’s now far from the action. 11...Qa3 [11...c5!? 12.Nd3 Qa3
13.Nxc5 b6 14.Nb3 Ba6„] 12.hxg6

339
Position after: 12.hxg6

12...e5! 13.dxe6 dxe6‚ Black is threatening ...e5, and White is struggling to parry it.
C) 11.0-0?! gives Black time to reorganize himself: 11...Qa3 12.e4 0-0 13.exf5 gxf5 14.f3 Ne3!
15.Bxe3 Qxc3 16.Bd4 Qa5³.

11...Qa3! 12.e5 Nxd5 13.Ncxd5 cxd5 14.Nxd5 0-0!∞

Black is a pawn up, and the e5-pawn is under attack. In compensation, White’s pieces are very well
centralized and coordinated. This is pretty complicated!

j) 4.Nh3 Bg7 5.Nf4 Nc6 6.d5 (8.e4)

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nh3 Bg7 5.Nf4 Nc6! 6.d5 Ne5 7.Nc3 c6! 8.e4

340
Position after: 8.e4

This is the most played move. It’s the logical continuation after 7.Nc3, so it’s no real surprise.

8...d6!

It’s always hard to play this kind of waiting move when there is so much tension in the center. That’s
probably why it has been played less than 8...fxe4, but I think it’s simply stronger.
8...fxe4?! This is probably inferior because opening the position favors White here. 9.Nxe4 Nxe4
[9...Nxd5 10.Nxd5 cxd5 11.Qxd5² e6? 12.Nd6+ Kf8 13.Qc5+–] 10.Bxe4 cxd5 11.Bxd5 e6 12.Bg2 0-
0 13.0-0²

9.0-0

9.exf5 Bxf5 10.h3 0-0 11.0-0 Qc8!?N

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Position after: 11...Qc8!?N

I like the idea of forcing White to commit himself on the kingside. 12.g4 Bd7 13.Re1 Kh8=

9...0-0 10.exf5

10.h3?! Believing that Black is unable to do anything in the center, and that he is waiting, is just a
dream. 10...fxe4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Bxe4

Position after: 12.Bxe4

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12...e6! A very nice way to take full control of the center. 13.Nxe6 Bxe6 14.dxe6 d5 15.Bg2 Qf6ƒ

10...Bxf5

Position after: 10...Bxf5

It’s easy to see that there is a hole on e6. Obviously a knight would be very powerful there, but getting
there is the hardest part. White has tried a few different moves in this position.

11.Nce2

A) 11.h3 – see 9.exf5.

B) Playing 11.Ne6 straight away isn’t too worrying for us. White gains the bishop pair, but our
knights are not worse in this situation. 11...Bxe6 12.dxe6 d5 13.Qe2 Nc4!

343
Position after: 13...Nc4!

14.Rb1 [14.b3 Nd6 15.Bb2 b5!ƒ is very similar to the game.] 14...Qa5 15.b3 Nd6 16.Bd2 Qd8
17.Rbd1 b5 18.Be3 Nfe8!³

Position after: 18...Nfe8!³

This happened in the game Milanovic, D (2564) – Strbac, M (2296), Sombor 2009, ½-½ (64). I think
Black’s position is preferable: his pieces are well placed, he is soon going to attack the e6-pawn, and
White doesn’t have any open files at his disposal.

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11...Qb6!?

Position after: 11...Qb6!?

Cleverly preventing Nd4!

12.c3!N

I believe this is the right move. White insists on playing Nd4.

A) 12.Nd4?! Bg4!

345
Position after: 12...Bg4!

13.f3?! This mistake occurred in the game Vasilevich, T (2377) – Malaniuk, V (2522), Odessa 2007,
0-1 (41), but Black didn’t exploit the possibilities of his position to the full. [13.Qd2 Nxd5 14.Nfe6
Nc7!? 15.Nxf8 Rxf8 16.h3 Bd7³ Black has amazing pieces compared to White’s, and a great center
once it starts to advance − definitely worth an exchange.] 13...Nxf3+! 14.Bxf3 Bxf3 15.Rxf3 Nxd5
16.c3 e5µ
B) 12.dxc6

Position after: 12.dxc6

This leads nowhere since White doesn’t have any chance to use the e6-square anymore. 12...Nxc6
13.h3 e5 14.g4 Bd7 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.Bxd5+ Kh8 17.Be3 Qa6=
C) 12.h3 cxd5!

346
Position after: 12...cxd5!

13.g4 [13.Nxd5 Nxd5 14.Qxd5+ e6 15.Qxb7 Qxb7 16.Bxb7 Rab8 17.Bg2 Nc4!³ This is a clearly
worse version of the main line.] 13...Be4 14.g5 Bxg2!

Position after: 14...Bxg2!

Here White committed a mistake (even if he won) in Barsov, A (2510) – Borisek, J (2560) Al Ain
2012, 1-0 (36). He should have played 15.gxf6!N [15.Kxg2 as played in the game is worse:
15...Ne8!N 16.Ne6 Rf7 17.f4 Nd7 18.Qxd5 Nc7 19.Nxc7 Qxc7µ] 15...Bxf1 16.fxg7 Rf7

347
Position after: 16...Rf7

17.Kxf1™ [17.Qxf1? Nf3+ 18.Kh1 Qc6–+ White is defenseless against ...e5 and ...d4 in both
possible orders.] 17...g5! 18.Be3 Qb4 19.Nxd5 Qh4‚ Despite being material down, Black enjoys a
very powerful attack and is better!

12...Nxd5! 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Qxd5+ e6 15.Qxb7 Qxb7 16.Bxb7 Rab8 17.Bg2

Position after: 17.Bg2

348
White seems to have a healthy extra pawn, but things are different if Black plays precisely.

17...Bd3! 18.Re1 Bc4

The new threat is ...Nd3.

19.Nf4

19.b3?! Nd3 20.Rd1 Nxc1 21.Nxc1 Bxc3 22.Rb1 d5³

19...g5 20.Nh5

20.Nxe6!? Simplifying the position seems a reasonable choice. 20...Bxe6 21.f4 gxf4 22.gxf4 a5
23.fxe5 Bxe5© White is far from developing his queenside, so Black is doing fine.

20...Bh8 21.b3 Nd3!©

Position after: 21...Nd3!©

Play is probably about equal, but still very complicated.

k) 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Nh3

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Nh3

349
Position after: 6.Nh3

This is the last subject of the current chapter. It is very close to the main line, but with slightly different
ideas. The knight is heading to f4 in order to control the e6-square. On the other hand, the e5-square is
not under control, so White will quickly have to prevent ...e7−e5. This part could have been included in
the chapter about the main line as it can be really similar, but I preferred to include it here with the
other Nh3 ideas.

6...d6 7.d5

The main continuation. White prevents ...e5 before thinking about castling.
A) 7.Qb3?! I don’t think White is prepared for this slightly illogical move, especially as the d4-pawn
is not protected at all! 7...Nc6

350
Position after: 7...Nc6

8.e3 [8.d5?! Na5 9.Qa4 c5 10.dxc6 bxc6 11.0-0 Bd7³ White has completely abandoned the center and
his play is leading nowhere.] 8...e5! 9.c5+ Kh8 10.cxd6 cxd6= Black has already reacted in the center
and is doing really well.
B) 7.0-0 If White allows ...e5, we should go for it, even if it requires accuracy. 7...e5! 8.dxe5 dxe5
9.Qxd8 Rxd8 10.Nd5

Position after: 10.Nd5

351
 I think this is the only way to try to cause Black worries. White is trying to take advantage of the weak
light-squared diagonal in front of the king. 10...Nxd5! 11.Bxd5+ Kf8 12.b3 [12.Bg5 Re8 13.Be3
Na6!= Black follows with ...c7−c6, and has no problems at all.] 12...c6! 13.Ba3+ Ke8

Position after: 13...Ke8

14.Bg8 This looks the most annoying continuation, but we have excellent responses. [14.Bg2 a5!ƒ It’s
true that the king on e8 is overexposed compared to the usual lines, but there is no way for White to
take advantage of it.] 14...h6 15.Rad1 Bf6!= Black follows with ...Be7 and looks fine.
C) 7.Nf4 c6 White has no real other choice than to play 8.d5, transposing to the text.

7...c6

352
Position after: 7...c6

8.Nf4

Even this move doesn’t really prevent our logical reaction.

8.0-0 − see the next subchapter.

8...e5 9.dxe6 Na6!?

Position after: 9...Na6!?

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It is also possible to continue with 9...Qe7 in order to regain the pawn, but I generally prefer to keep the
bishop pair.

10.h4

The most aggressive approach, and a pretty decent one. I think it requires an original treatment by
Black.
A) 10.Be3? g5! 11.Nd3 Ng4 12.Bd2 Bxe6³
B) 10.0-0 Nc5
B1) 11.Rb1 Nxe6 12.Nxe6 [12.b3 Nxf4 13.Bxf4 Nh5 14.Bd2 f4!ƒ] 12...Bxe6 13.b3 Qe7

Position after: 13...Qe7

This position is very similar to the main line that we will consider in Chapter 10. One pair of knights
has already been traded, but it doesn’t change the essence of the position. 14.Ba3 Rad8 15.Qd2
Nd7!? This precise maneuver towards c5 is very interesting. For tactical reasons, White is unable to
take on d6 and Black will solve his problems with the d6-pawn on the next move. 16.Rbd1
[16.Bxd6? Bxc3 17.Bxe7 Bxd2 18.Bxf8 Kxf8µ] 16...Nc5=
B2) 11.Qc2 g5 I like this aggressive move which has only been played twice. 12.Nh3 [12.Nd3 Nxe6
13.e3 Qe7 14.b3 Bd7= Black transfers his bishop to g6 where it will have good prospects once he
advances with ...f5−f4.] 12...h6 13.f4!

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Position after: 13.f4!

[13.Qxf5? Of course this greedy approach is easily refuted. 13...Bxe6 14.Qc2 Qd7µ] 13...g4 14.Nf2
Bxe6 15.b3 This position was reached in the game Kozul, Z (2620) – Gazik, I (2320), Sarajevo
2015, 1-0 (59). Now Black decided to attack the g3-pawn quickly with 15...h5!? 16.Be3 h4 17.Rad1
Qe7„ with a really tense position.

10...Ng4!?

10...Nc5 11.h5 g5 12.h6!ƒ A really annoying intermediate move, and the idea we are trying to prevent
when we play 10...Ng4 (with the same moves, ...Bxc3 would now win a piece for Black).

11.e4

11.0-0 Nc5 12.e4 Bxe6 13.Nxe6 Nxe6 14.exf5 gxf5„

11...Nc5

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Position after: 11...Nc5

12.exf5

A) 12.0-0 Bxe6 – see 11.0-0.

B) 12.h5 As we will see, this move doesn’t create a real threat. 12...Bxe6 13.hxg6 hxg6 14.Nxg6?!
Taking this pawn is too risky. White will soon regret not having castled yet. 14...fxe4 15.0-0
[15.Nxf8?? Nd3+–+] 15...Qe8!‚ 16.Nxf8?? Qh5–+

12...gxf5 13.0-0 Bxe6 14.Nxe6 Nxe6

And again we transpose to the 11.0-0 line.

l) 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Nh3 (8.0-0)

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Nh3 d6 7.d5 c6 8.0-0

356
Position after: 8.0-0

8...h6!?

In my opinion this rare move is really interesting as it’s directly aimed at the knight on h3 which can
find itself out of squares if we manage to play ...g6−g5. In practice White hasn’t shown any dangerous
continuation.
8...e5 If we compare Chapter 10 with 8.d5, this move seems acceptable, but as we will see, the new
positioning of the knight on h3 instead of f3 gives White an additional continuation. 9.dxe6 [9.e4 cxd5
10.cxd5 h6 11.f3 Qb6+ 12.Nf2 fxe4 13.fxe4 Na6=] 9...Bxe6 10.Qb3!

357
Position after: 10.Qb3!

I feel that White keeps the better position after this move, even if it’s still playable for Black. The main
difference with Chapter 10 is that 10...b5 is impossible in view of 11.Nxb5, so I prefer to avoid this
line. 10...Qc7 11.Ng5 Bf7 12.Bf4 [12.Nxf7 Rxf7 13.Bf4 Nh5 14.Be3 Nd7 15.Rad1 Be5=] 12...Nbd7
13.Nxf7 Rxf7 14.Rad1 Ne5 15.e4 fxe4 16.Nxe4 Nxe4 17.Bxe4 Raf8∞

9.Rb1

The most common move by a short edge, but it’s not a problem at all.
A) 9.Qb3 Na6! 10.dxc6 [10.Nf4 g5 11.Nd3 cxd5 12.cxd5 b6= Black follows with ...Nc5, with a great
position.] 10...bxc6 11.Bxc6 I don’t feel that this can be good for White. 11...Rb8 12.Qd1 [12.Qa3
Nb4 13.Ba4 g5‚] 12...g5!

Position after: 12...g5!

13...f4 is an obvious threat. 13.Bg2 Ne4 14.Nxe4 fxe4‚ Black has a great position, and the knight on
h3 is still in huge danger.
B) 9.Nf4 g5 10.Nd3 [10.Ng6 Even if it can be complicated, this more or less condemns the knight!
10...Re8 11.f4! Kh7 12.fxg5 hxg5 13.e4 Qb6+ 14.Kh1 Kxg6 15.exf5+ Kf7 16.Bxg5 Nbd7∞] 10...e5
11.dxe6 Bxe6= White has lost a few tempi with the knight, giving us time to expand on the kingside.
We are clearly fine.

9...e5!

358
Position after: 9...e5!

Now this works better!

10.dxe6 Bxe6 11.b3

11.Qb3?! Qe7! This is now good for Black since Ng5, chasing our bishop off the important diagonal, is
not possible.

11...Na6 12.Ba3 Nc5=

We have reached a classical position with the knight on h3, where it actually seems worse than on f3. It
will probably take two moves to bring it back to d3. The position is roughly balanced, and we will
continue with ...Qe7, ...Bf7 and probably ...g5.

359
 Part II
Classical Systems

Chapter 6
Sidelines for White on Move Three

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6

Chapter Guide

Chapter 6 – Sidelines for White on Move Three

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6

a) 3.--
b) 3.Bg5 e6 4.--, 4.Nbd2 Be7 5.--, 5.Bxf6
c) 3.Bg5 e6 4.Nbd2 Be7 5.e3
d) 3.Bf4 g6 4.e3 Bg7 5.Bc4
e) 3.Bf4 g6 4.e3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.--
f) 3.Bf4 g6 4.e3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 d6 7.h3 e6 8.c4
g) 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 d6 6.--
h) 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 d6 6.e3 0-0 7.--, 7.c5
i) 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 d6 6.e3 0-0 7.c5 Kh8 8.Bc4
j) 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 d6 6.e3 0-0 7.h3
k) 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 d6 6.e3 0-0 7.Be2

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 a) 3.--

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3

Position after: 2.Nf3

We still have quite a way to go on our road to the main line of the Leningrad system. Many players
start with this move which may lead to the main lines if White continues with g3, Bg2 and later c4, but
it may also be a sign that he wants to employ another system. Some are quite harmless, others are more
interesting. I will try to make things simple, despite all the possible transpositions!

2...Nf6

If you want to avoid some of the lines in this chapter (especially those with Bg5), you can start with
2...g6!?. It may seem less logical, but I actually couldn’t find a real problem, as h4 is hardly possible
with Nf3 already played.

3.h3

A) 3.e3 g6 4.Bd3 For these lines with e3, see Chapter 4 on the early sidelines with 2.e3.
B) 3.Nc3 e6!

361
Position after: 3...e6!

Punishing White for playing Nc3 too early. This intends 4...Bb4, pinning the knight and securing the
e4-square for our knight.
B1) 4.a3 White has no other choice if he wants to prevent ...Bb4, but it is a precious loss of time.
4...d5 5.Bg5 [5.Bf4 − We already considered this line in Chapter 2.] 5...Be7 6.e3 0-0 7.Bd3 c5ƒ

Position after: 7...c5ƒ

We considered this kind of position in Chapter 2, but White didn’t have to spend a tempo playing a3,

362
 so Black should easily be fine.
B2) 4.Bf4 Bb4 5.e3 Ne4 6.Qd3 0-0 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 b6³
B3) 4.Bg5 Bb4 5.e3 b6

Position after: 5...b6

Black understands that the battle for the light squares is paramount, a fight he is about to win. 6.Bd3
Bb7 7.0-0 Bxc3 8.bxc3 0-0 9.Qe2 h6 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.e4 fxe4 12.Bxe4 Bxe4 13.Qxe4 Nc6³

Position after: 13...Nc6³

363
 Black remains better thanks to the pawn structure. For instance in the endgame, he will be able to
place an annoying rook on a5 via f5. Black won easily in Hamdouchi, A (2314) – Williams, S
(2550), France 2009, 0-1 (26).
Back to 3.h3.

Position after: 3.h3

3...g6

Our goal is to play a Leningrad. I don’t think we have any other choice here, e.g.
A) 3...e6 4.Bf4 d6 5.e3 Be7 6.Bd3

364
Position after: 6.Bd3

This is a very decent way for White to fight against the Classical Dutch, and it’s not to my taste. h3 is
absolutely normal in this line, so there is no loss of time for White.
B) 3...d5 I don’t want to play this move if White hasn’t already played g4 as he hasn’t played any
really compromising moves. For instance he can play 4.Bf4 e6 5.e3 Be7 6.c4 c6 7.Nc3 0-0 8.Bd3.

Position after: 8.Bd3

These kinds of lines are dangerous for Black. White will probably continue with Qc2, g4 and 0-0-0,

365
 with a promising initiative.

4.g4

4.Bf4 Bg7 5.e3 − You will find the same position in the next subchapters on 3.Bf4.

4...d5!

Position after: 4...d5!

Always the same motifs: we wait for White to commit himself with g4 before playing this move. We
have already played ...g6, which is not very useful in this pawn structure, but it’s not awful either.

5.g5

5.gxf5 Bxf5 6.Bg2 Bg7³

5...Ne4

≤ 5...Nh5 6.e3 Bg7 7.Be2 e6 8.Rg1 c5 9.Nh4!² This is why the knight is worse on h5 than in the
center. White went on to win in Ivanisevic, I (2662) – Atalik, S (2565), Kragujevac 2015, 1-0 (41).

6.h4

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Position after: 6.h4

6...h6!?

I prefer to take matters in hand and not let White decide when he wants to push h5.
6...c5 7.h5 Bg7!? 8.h6 Bf8 9.Bf4 Nc6„

7.Bf4

7.gxh6 Qd6 8.Bg2 Bxh6 9.Bxh6 Rxh6=

7...hxg5 8.Nxg5 c5

367
Position after: 8...c5

There is already a lot of tension, and one thing is clear: there is only a slight chance that either side can
castle in the short term.

9.e3

9.dxc5 Nc6! 10.Bg2 e5 11.Nxe4 dxe4 12.Qxd8+ Kxd8 13.Bg5+ Ke8 14.Nc3 Bxc5„

9...Nc6 10.c3?! cxd4! 11.exd4

368
Position after: 11.exd4

11...e5! 12.dxe5 Bc5 13.Nxe4 fxe4µ

b) 3.Bg5 e6 4.--, 4.Nbd2 Be7 5.--, 5.Bxf6

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bg5

This system has gained some popularity recently. I was also very interested in it as White for some
time. White wants to take the knight in order to destroy Black’s pawn structure, but the other idea can
be to trade this knight in order to be able to play e4 at some point.

Position after: 3.Bg5

3...e6

I think this move deserves most attention. Black is ready to take back on f6 with the queen.
3...Ne4!? may seem like a typical reaction. It’s a decent continuation, but I think that, contrary to the
Trompowsky variation, White can make use of the f5-pawn already having advanced by playing 4.h4.
We can’t really take the bishop because it would be very hard to get rid of the pressure on the h-file.

4.Nbd2

A) 4.Nc3 – see 3.Nc3 e6 4.Bg5.

B) 4.e3 Be7 5.c4 is less usual, but after all is quite logical. White doesn’t take control of the e4-
square, so I think we should do so ourselves. [5.Bd3 b6 6.Nbd2 − see 5.e3] 5...0-0 6.Nc3 b6 7.Bd3
Bb7 8.0-0

369
Position after: 8.0-0

So far as in an old game between two strong players, Nogueiras Santiago, J (2575) – Yusupov, A
(2610), Rotterdam 1989, ½-½ (69). While Yusupov opted for the strange-looking 8...Nc6, I would
prefer 8...c5! 9.Rc1 [9.d5 Nxd5! 10.cxd5 Bxg5 11.dxe6 dxe6 12.Bc4 Nc6 13.Bxe6+ Kh8=; 9.Qe2
Ne4 10.Bxe7 Qxe7 11.Rad1 Nxc3 12.bxc3 Bxf3 13.Qxf3 Nc6=] 9...Ne4 10.Bxe7 Qxe7=

Position after: 10...Qxe7=

It’s really hard for White to get rid of the knight on e4. This resembles some Nimzo-Indian lines, but I
believe this version is very good for Black. 11.Qc2?! Nxc3 12.bxc3 Bxf3 13.gxf3 d6³

370
4...Be7

Position after: 4...Be7

5.Bxf6

After 5.c3 Ivanchuk chose 5...b6, but I don’t like it. It seems too slow when White hasn’t already spent
a tempo moving his e-pawn. [Black should instead play 5...0-0, and wait for 6.e3 before playing ...b6,
with a very similar position to the next subchapter (and c3 is quite useless).] 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.e4

Position after: 7.e4

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7...Bb7 [7...0-0 8.Bd3 d5 9.exf5 exf5 10.0-0 g6 11.Re1ƒ With the extra move c3, this is a slightly better
version for White than the 5.e3 line.] 8.Bd3 g6 9.h4ƒ 0-1 (22), Topalov, V (2752) – Ivanchuk, V
(2769), Astana 2012.

5...Bxf6

Position after: 5...Bxf6

6.e4

This has been played much more often than the 5.e3 line (next subchapter), but hasn’t been so popular
recently, which is why it’s not my main line in this variation. We’ll try to understand why it’s been
played less recently.
6.e3 makes no sense after taking on f6: 6...0-0 7.Bd3 c5 8.0-0 Nc6 9.c3 b6³.

6...0-0!

I think this is a very important move. Black shouldn’t allow a knight to the dominant e4-square.
≤ 6...fxe4 7.Nxe4

372
Position after: 7.Nxe4

This has been known to be very dangerous since the beginning of the 20th century! Let me show you a
spectacular game that you may already know: 7...b6 8.Ne5 0-0 9.Bd3 Bb7 10.Qh5 Qe7

Position after: 10...Qe7

11.Qxh7+!! A fantastic queen sacrifice, leading to a forced mate. 11...Kxh7 12.Nxf6+ Kh6 [12...Kh8
13.Ng6#] 13.Neg4+ Kg5 14.h4+ Kf4 15.g3+ Kf3 16.Be2+ Kg2 17.Rh2+ Kg1 18.Kd2#

373
Position after: 18.Kd2#

1-0 Lasker, E – Thomas, G, London 1912.

7.Bd3

7.e5 White can close the center, but we have the ...c5 or ...d6 pawn breaks to open the position.

Position after: 7.e5

7...Be7 8.Bc4 [8.Bd3 d6 9.c3 Nd7 10.0-0 dxe5 11.dxe5 Nb6 12.Bc2 Bd7!³] 8...d5 9.exd6 [9.Bd3 b6

374
transposes to the line starting with 7.Bxf6] 9...cxd6 10.Qe2 d5 11.Bd3 Nc6„

7...d5!

Position after: 7...d5!

8.exf5

8.e5 Be7 9.c4 Nc6! 10.cxd5 Nb4 11.Bc4 Nxd5 12.0-0 b6³

Position after: 12...b6³

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Black has full control of the very important d5-square. He will be able to put a lot of pressure on d4, or
can attack White’s center with ...c5.

8...exf5 9.0-0 Nc6

Position after: 9...Nc6

We have no problems at all. As we will see in the following game, only Black can play for an
advantage here.

10.Nb3

10.c3 Qd6 11.Qc2 g6 12.b4 Bd7 13.Rfe1 Rae8=

10...Qd6 11.Re1 Bd7 12.c3 b6 13.Qc2 g6 14.Re2 Rae8³

376
Position after: 14...Rae8³

None of the white minor pieces can find any interesting squares. In the long term, Black can try to play
...c5 in order to improve the range of his dark-squared bishop. Nevertheless, a draw was agreed after
some fight in Harikrishna, P (2709) – Giri, A (2749), Germany 2014.

c) 3.Bg5 e6 4.Nbd2 Be7 5.e3

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bg5 e6 4.Nbd2 Be7 5.e3 0-0

377
Position after: 5...0-0

6.Bd3

This is the more refined continuation. Compared to 5.Bxf6, White keeps more options. His g5-bishop is
still alive, so he will exchange on f6 only if he considers it useful. Black should keep in mind that Bxf6
followed by e4 (even with a lost tempo), is still an option, but it’s also possible to play in other ways.
6.Be2 This is less logical because it doesn’t fight for the e4-square. 6...b6 7.0-0 Bb7 8.c4 c5! 9.Qb3
Ne4 10.Bxe7 Qxe7 11.Rad1 d6

Position after: 11...d6

Our play is really flexible. We can continue with ...Nd7 and then ...Rf6 if we feel we can launch an
attack on the kingside.
12.Nxe4 White tries to fight against this plan, but the following game shows that it’s not easy for him
to find some play: 12...fxe4 13.Nd2 cxd4 14.exd4 d5 15.f3 Nc6 16.Qe3 Qf6„ 0-1 (52) Blomqvist, E
(2574) – Klein, D (2509), chess.com 2017.

6...b6

6...c5!?

378
Position after: 6...c5!?

If you want to avoid the simplification arising in the main line after, for instance, 7.e4, you have the
possibility of this continuation which should amount to the same as the main line in most cases. 7.dxc5
This is the only drawback to starting with this move, because we currently can’t take back with the b6-
pawn. [7.c3 b6 8.Qe2 Bb7 9.0-0 Ne4] 7...Bxc5 8.0-0 h6 9.Bxf6 Qxf6

Position after: 9...Qxf6

10.e4! [10.c3?! d5ƒ] 10...Qxb2 11.exf5 exf5 12.Bc4+ Kh8 13.Nb3 Bb4∞ Things are pretty unclear.
White has some compensation for the pawn, but doesn’t seem to have a direct path to follow.

379
Position after: 6...b6

7.Qe2

A) 7.Bxf6 Obviously this makes little sense now. We will be able to play similar lines to 5.Bxf6 with
the extra move ...b6, which can be useful in some cases. 7...Bxf6 8.e4 d5! [8...fxe4 9.Nxe4 Bb7
10.Qe2ƒ White will castle queenside and try to work up an attack.]

Position after: 8...d5!

A1) 9.e5?! Be7 10.0-0 c5 11.c3 Nc6 12.Qe2 g5!µ White has no prospects at all. His knights have no

380
 squares and Black can improve his position on both sides with his pawns and bring his c8-bishop
into play with ...Bd7−e8−h5. He is probably already much better.
A2) 9.exf5 exf5 10.0-0

Position after: 10.0-0

10...Nc6 [10...c5 This is tempting, but we can’t really unbalance the game. 11.c3 Nc6 12.Bb5! Qc7
13.Re1ƒ I think this is even easier for White, as he may be able to get the e5-square for one of his
knights.] 11.c3 Qd6ƒ This is similar to the Harikrishna – Giri game that we discussed in the 5.Bxf6
line. Black is the one who is pushing.
B) 7.e4 This line seems to lead more or less to a forced draw. It looks surprising to assess something
like this while no pieces have been traded, but analysis suggests it is the case. 7...fxe4 8.Nxe4 Nxe4
9.Bxe7

381
Position after: 9.Bxe7

9...Nxf2!? [9...Qxe7 10.Bxe4 d5 11.Bd3 c5 12.0-0 Nc6 13.Re1²]

B1) 10.Ng5!? looks surprising, but is actually playable. 10...Qxe7?? [10...g6 11.Bxd8 Nxd1
12.Rxd1 Rxd8 is just a transposition] 11.Bxh7+ Kh8 12.Qh5+–
B2) 10.Bxd8 Nxd1 11.Rxd1 Rxd8 12.Ng5 g6 [12...h6?? 13.Bh7+! Kf8 14.0-0+ Ke7 15.Rf7+ Kd6
16.Nf3+–] 13.0-0 It’s clear that White’s play is dangerous. We need to trade his bishop in order to
reduce the tension. 13...Ba6! 14.Rf2 Bxd3 15.Rxd3 Nc6 16.Rf7 h6 17.Rh3 hxg5 18.Rhh7= And
that’s that, perpetual is unavoidable.

7...c5

382
Position after: 7...c5

8.c3

8.e4 fxe4 9.Nxe4 Nc6 10.dxc5 bxc5 11.Nxf6+ Bxf6 12.Bxf6 gxf6!? 13.0-0 Rb8„

Position after: 13...Rb8„

A difficult position to assess. On the one hand Black has many pawns in the center, which might
become very strong; on the other it’s easy to go wrong and suffer because of the weaknesses.
Both sides will need to be very accurate in the few next moves.

383
8...Nc6

This has been played by the top Czech GM, David Navara. It seems that White missed a good
opportunity to seize the advantage.

9.0-0

Position after: 9.0-0

9...d5!?N

This is acceptable in order to prevent any e4 ideas, but it means you have to play a Stonewall pawn
structure, which might not suit your style. Personally I think it would be my choice.
9...Bb7 This logical move has already been played once. In the game Nikolaidis, I (2519) – Navara, D
(2726), Heraklio 2017, 0-1 (60), White could have played 10.dxc5!N 10...bxc5 11.e4 fxe4 12.Nxe4².
I’m not fond of Black’s pawn structure, which might prove to be quite weak.

10.Ne5

10.c4

384
Position after: 10.c4

This might be tempting in order to weaken our queenside, but it doesn’t really work due to 10...Nb4!
11.Bb1 h6 12.Bf4 Ba6ƒ.

10...Nxe5 11.dxe5 Ne4 12.Bxe7 Qxe7=

Position after: 12...Qxe7=

Usually in the Stonewall Black is unhappy when he is left with his light-squared bishop because of its

385
passivity due to the pawns being on same-colored squares, but here it’s quite different. It can quite
easily come into play from b7 and the ...d5−d4 push, opening the center. White shouldn’t be tempted
into taking on e4, which would instead open lines for our rooks.

d) 3.Bf4 g6 4.e3 Bg7 5.Bc4

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4

Position after: 3.Bf4

The London System against the Dutch Defense is relatively rare. Overall it is played less than against
other defenses, probably because it doesn’t fight for the e4-square, at least not immediately. As against
other defenses, it’s a very reliable and flexible system for White, and shouldn’t be underestimated.

3...g6

White has various ways to develop his pieces. We must distinguish two main kinds of development: (i)
when White refrains from playing c4 (we will consider these lines now) and (ii) when White wants
better control of the center by playing c4 sooner or later (which we will discuss later in the chapter).

4.e3

A) 4.h3 Bg7 5.e3 0-0 6.Be2 d6 7.0-0 transposes into the main line with 7.h3, as in Aronian – Caruana,
Zürich rapid 2014.
B) 4.h4 Bg7 5.e3 d6 This exact position has already been discussed in the previous chapter, in the
2.Bf4 subchapter.
C) 4.c4 – see the next subchapter.

386
4...Bg7

Position after: 4...Bg7

5.Bc4

This is the main move in the current position, but I consider the idea with Be2 to be more important, as
it may appear via various move orders – see the next subchapter.
5.Bd3 Some people might want to place the bishop here in order to have the possibility of playing e4 at
some point. My first impression is that this makes it the most logical square, but it has only been seen
rarely, for some reason or other. 5...d6
A) 6.0-0 0-0 7.Nbd2 Nc6 8.c3 Qe8 9.Bg3 e5 10.dxe5 dxe5

387
Position after: 10...dxe5

11.Bb5 [11.Bc4+ Kh8=] 11...Nh5 12.Qb3+ Kh8 13.Bxc6 bxc6 14.Qa3 Nxg3 15.hxg3 a5 16.e4 f4„
B) 6.Nbd2 Nc6 7.0-0 0-0 8.c3 Kh8!

Position after: 8...Kh8!

This is always a useful move when there is no pawn on c4, and especially when we want to push ...e5.
It prevents any checks, and here it contains a nasty trap if White does nothing to protect the d3-bishop
or move it. 9.Qe2 [9.a4? The kind of move White doesn’t have time for. 9...e5!µ 10.dxe5?! dxe5

388
 White would escape with Bc4+ if our king was still on g8. 11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.Bxe5 Qxd3–+; 9.h3?
meets with the same punishment after 9...e5!µ] 9...Qe8 10.Bg3 e5 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.e4 Nh5!³

Position after: 12...Nh5!³

Black doesn’t only want to take on g3, he may want to win the bishop with ...f4 and ...h6, threatening
... g5, with no tactic for White against the knight on h5 because it is protected by the queen.

5...e6!?

Position after: 5...e6!?

389
Some players have tried 5...d5. It’s probably playable, but I’m not fond of a Stonewall set-up, even if it
gains a tempo on the bishop.

6.h3

A) 6.Nc3
A1) 6...d5?! 7.Nb5!N

Position after: 7.Nb5!N

This new possibility is quite sound for White. 7...Na6 [7...dxc4 8.Nxc7+ Ke7 9.Nxa8 Na6 10.Ne5
Bd7 11.Nxc4 Qxa8 12.Qd3²] 8.Bb3 0-0 9.c4 c6 10.Nc3²
A2) 6...d6

390
Position after: 6...d6

White’s development looks like the first moves a child learns. I don’t think it’s particulary bad, but
White might soon find himself out of moves, and with pieces that may find themselves in Black’s
way. 7.h4 [7.Ng5?! It is crazy that some White players have opted for this stupid-looking move.
Black simply protects his pawn, and will easily chase the white knight. 7...Qe7 8.Qe2 h6 9.Nf3 g5
10.Bg3 a6ƒ] 7...0-0 8.Qe2 a6!? 9.a4?! Nc6 10.0-0-0 Qe8³
B) 6.Nbd2 0-0 7.h3 b6 8.Qe2 Bb7ƒ

Position after: 8...Bb7ƒ

391
 Black has an easy-to-play position. White might want to start a double-edged attack with opposite-
side castling, but he is not the one with the easier attack. 9.0-0-0?! d5 10.Bd3 c5! 11.c3 c4 12.Bc2 b5
13.g4 Nc6 14.Rdg1 b4 15.Ne5?! [15.Nb1 Qa5µ] 15...bxc3 16.bxc3 Qa5–+ White collapsed in the
game Dezelin, M (2350) – Malaniuk, V (2505), Budapest 1990, 0-1 (33).

6...0-0

6...d6 7.Nbd2 Nc6 Against this type of slow play by White, it can also be tempting for Black to opt for
a quick reaction in the center, but unfortunately it fails rather painfully: 8.0-0 Qe7 9.Re1! e5? 10.e4!±
A nice crush in the center, which proves that Black shouldn’t keep his king in the center for too long.

7.Nc3

7.0-0 d6 8.c3 Qe7 9.Nbd2 b6!

Position after: 9...b6!

I like this approach. We don’t make any decisions with the b8-knight and take possession of the long
light-squared diagonal. 10.Re1 Bb7 11.Qc2 Nbd7 12.Bh2 Kh8 13.Bd3 e5! 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.e4 f4ƒ

7...Kh8!?

392
Position after: 7...Kh8!?

Without paying too much attention to the theoretical and accuracy aspects, let’s consider a game by the
Dutch Defense specialist, David Anton Guijarro.

8.g4 a6

Black immediately seeks counterplay on the queenside.

9.a4 Nc6 10.Qe2 Nb4

White has prevented the main idea of ...b5, but has given away the important b4-square.

11.Bb3 b5

393
Position after: 11...b5

12.g5

12.axb5 Bb7 13.b6! This strong move may have been missed by both players. 13...cxb6 14.Bd6 a5
15.Bxf8 Qxf8² Of course even here Black has decent practical compensation.

12...Nh5 13.Bh2 Bb7 14.Rg1 f4 15.e4 Nc6 16.e5 Na5 17.Ba2

Position after: 17.Ba2

394
Black managed to confuse White in this original middlegame in Moreno Trujillo, A (2522) – Anton
Guijarro, D (2607), Madrid 2015, 0-1 (37), but missed that he could have completely destroyed his
center with

17...Bxf3!N 18.Qxf3 c5! 19.dxc5 Qc7µ

with a crushing position.

e) 3.Bf4 g6 4.e3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.--

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 g6 4.e3 Bg7

Position after: 4...Bg7

5.Be2

This modest move is the most logical to my eyes. The bishop can’t come under attack, it prepares
kingside castling and retains complete flexibility.
5.Nbd2 Chances are that this move will transpose into other variations, but we can still have a look at
other lines. 5...0-0

395
Position after: 5...0-0

A) 6.h3 d6 7.c3 [7.Be2 e6 8.0-0 b6 9.c4 Bb7 10.b4 Even this kind of pawnstorm on the queenside
can’t achieve much as Black is very solid on this part of the board. 10...Nbd7 11.a4 a5 12.b5 Qe7ƒ]
7...Qe8!?

Position after: 7...Qe8!?

Of course, as we have already seen, playing with ...e6 and ...b6 is possible, but here White has already
played two slow moves (h3 and c3), so we should be able to counter immediately in the center, e.g.
8.Bc4+ Kh8 9.0-0 Nc6 10.Qc2 e5 11.dxe5 Nxe5 12.Nxe5 dxe5 13.Bh2 Bd7=.

396
 B) 6.c3 d6 7.Bc4+ e6

Position after: 7...e6

8.Qb3 [8.h3 Qe7 9.0-0 b6!? We already reached this position in the previous subchapter.] 8...Qe7
B1) 9.Ng5?! This leads nowhere. 9...Re8!? [9...d5!? 10.Be2 c5³ is better for Black too] 10.0-0 h6
11.Ngf3 b6ƒ
B2) 9.0-0 Nc6 10.Bd3 Kh8 Black is ready to play 11...e5 if he is allowed to. 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bxf6
Qxf6 13.e4 e5=

5...0-0

397
Position after: 5...0-0

6.0-0

A) 6.c4
A1) 6...Ne4?! We will see a similar idea after 7.c4 in the present subchapter, but it works less well
here. The difference is that White hasn’t castled yet, and can take advantage of his rook on the h-file
(and the f6-knight having left its post) by continuing with the logical 7.h4!ƒ.
A2) 6...d6 7.Nc3 − see the next subchapter.
B) 6.Nbd2 d6 7.c3 Qe8 8.0-0 Nc6 9.h3 e5 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Bh2 Kh8„ Black has managed to free
himself in the center, but his e5-pawn is under pressure, so we can’t say that he is better. Play might
continue with

398
Position after: 11...Kh8„

12.Bb5!? Nd7 13.Nc4 a6 14.Bxc6 bxc6 15.Qa4 Nb6 16.Nxb6 cxb6= which is still more or less
balanced.

6...d6 7.h3

7.c4?! This is quite a poor moment to play c4 as Black now has the possibility to anticipate Nc3 with
7...Ne4!N

Position after: 7...Ne4!N

399
 A) 8.Nbd2? Trying to avoid doubled pawns in this way is tempting, but definitely dubious. Curiously
there is a lack of coordination in White’s camp after 8...e5! 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.Nxe4 [10.Nxe5? Qxd2–+;
10.Bg3 Nxg3 11.hxg3 e4–+] 10...exf4 11.Qxd8 Rxd8 12.Nc3 fxe3 13.fxe3 Na6µ.
B) 8.Nc3 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Nc6 10.Qc2 e5! 11.Bg3 Qe7³

Position after: 11...Qe7³

Black will follow with ...b6, perhaps playing ...Ba6 and ...Na5 in order to lay siege to the c4-pawn.

7...e6

Black is no hurry. It may seem like a loss of time, given the idea of pushing ...e5 at some point, but
Black is actually not sure yet whether he wants to. He will simply improve his position first, then
decide whether it’s possible or not, depending on what White has done in the meantime.
7...Ne4?! If White doesn’t start with c4, this move is clearly less effective. 8.Nbd2 e5 9.dxe5 dxe5
10.Bc4+

400
Position after: 10.Bc4+

This possibility is a major difference. Now Black will face problems with the f7-square. 10...Kh8
11.Nxe4 Qxd1 12.Raxd1 exf4 13.Neg5²

8.Bh2!?

Position after: 8.Bh2!?

The idea of securing the position of the bishop first is quite decent. White waits for Black to do

401
something.
A) 8.Nbd2 b6 has already been seen in the 5.Nbd2 line.
B) 8.c4 will be analyzed in the next subchapter.

8...b6!?N

I prefer this approach, not deciding yet where the b8-knight is going.
8...Nc6 9.Nbd2 Qe7 10.c3

Position after: 10.c3

This position has been reached via various move orders. Black is doing fine, but should be patient
before undertaking direct action.
A) 10...a5 11.a3?! doesn’t make much sense, as b4 will hardly be a great idea. In Bromberger, S
(2532) – Georgiadis, N (2473), Austria 2016, Black managed to get the upper hand after 11...b6

402
Position after: 11...b6

12.c4 [12.b4 Bb7 13.b5 Nb8 14.a4 Nbd7 15.c4 e5³] 12...e5 13.c5 bxc5 14.dxc5 Kh8 15.Rc1 Nd8
16.cxd6 cxd6 17.Nc4 Ba6ƒ. I like Black and his impressive center here. He eventually won, 0-1 (54).
B) 10...e5 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Bb5 e4 13.Bxc6 bxc6 14.Nd4 c5„ Black has more space, but his
queenside pawn structure is damaged. It’s not clear whether this will be a cause of concern or not.
C) 10...b6 11.b4 a5 12.Qb3 Bb7 13.a3 h6

Position after: 13...h6

403
 Maybe the only inaccuracy in Black’s opening. Caruana is getting ideas of pushing ...g5, but could
have done so by starting with ...Nd8 and ...Nf7, as in the next few moves. 14.c4 Nd8 15.c5 axb4
16.axb4 Nf7 17.Nh4 Kh7 18.cxd6 cxd6 19.Nc4 Bd5= Black has a few weaknesses, but he has an
amazing light-squared bishop, and good prospects on the kingside and in the center. The top level
game Aronian, L (2826) – Caruana, F (2781), Zürich 2014, quite logically ended in a draw.

9.c4 Bb7 10.Nc3 Qe7 11.Rc1 Nbd7

Position after: 11...Nbd7

12.b4!

12.Nd2 e5 13.Bf3!? e4 14.Be2 White has lost two tempi, but has forced Black to close the center,
which can be seen as an achievement. 14...c5!?= Nevertheless, it seems clear that Black has enough
play to easily keep the balance.

12...Ne4!?

12...e5?! 13.c5! White forcefully opens the queenside, and it’s important to remember that our king is
still on g8. White is clearly better in every line, e.g. 13...bxc5 14.bxc5 Kh8 15.Nb5! dxc5 16.Nxe5±.

13.Nxe4 fxe4 14.Nd2 c5!

404
Position after: 14...c5!

15.Qc2

15.dxc5 dxc5 16.b5 Be5!„

Position after: 16...Be5!„

Black wants to bring his knight to e5, but doesn’t want to allow the bishop to take it. Thus trading the
bishop first is necessary.

405
15...cxb4 16.Nxe4 e5ƒ

Position after: 16...e5ƒ

The position is very unbalanced. I like having both our bishops fianchettoed, waiting for the position to
open even more.

406
 f) 3.Bf4 g6 4.e3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 d6 7.h3 e6 8.c4

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 g6 4.e3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 d6 7.h3 e6 8.c4

Position after: 8.c4

8...Ne4!?N

As in the 7.c4 line of the previous subchapter, I like this move. I think Black has never tried it because
he may have missed the idea after 9.Nbd2. It more or less effectively prevents the knight on b1 from
developing and helps control the e5-square. 8...Qe7 9.Nc3 b6 10.Rc1 [10.Bh2 Bb7 was seen in the
8.Bh2 b6 line.] 10...Bb7 11.b4 Nbd7 12.c5 bxc5 13.bxc5 Nd5 14.Qb3²

9.Nc3

A principled response. White doesn’t want to slow down his development, and accepts what he
considers to be ‘good’ doubled pawns. I’m not so sure about this assessment.
A) 9.Nbd2?! e5!

407
Position after: 9...e5!

Compared to the 7.c4 Ne4 line of the previous subchapter, White has the extra move h3. Of course
it’s a huge improvement as the bishop can reach a safe haven on h2, but it’s not enough to think of
any advantage. 10.Bh2! [10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Bh2 Nxd2 12.Qxd2 Qxd2 13.Nxd2 Nc6 14.Rad1 Be6= is
objectively equal, even if easier to play from the black side.] 10...Nc6 11.d5 [11.dxe5 Nxd2 12.Qxd2
dxe5 13.Qd5+ Kh8 14.Qxd8 Rxd8 15.Rad1 Be6³] 11...Nxd2 12.Qxd2 Nb8 13.b4 Nd7 14.Rac1 a5
15.a3 Nf6ƒ

Position after: 15...Nf6ƒ

408
 A very good kind of King’s Indian for Black.
B) 9.Nfd2?! e5! 10.dxe5 dxe5

Position after: 10...dxe5

11.Bh2 [11.Nxe4? exf4!µ] 11...Nxd2 12.Qxd2 Qxd2 13.Nxd2 Nc6ƒ

C) 9.Bh2 b6

Position after: 9...b6

10.Nbd2 Of course ...e5 is no longer possible as it doesn’t gain a tempo on the f4-bishop. The

409
 simplest is to trade these knights. [10.Qb3 Bb7 11.Nc3 Nxc3 12.Qxc3 Nd7³] 10...Nxd2 11.Nxd2!
Bb7 12.Bf3 Bxf3 13.Qxf3 Nd7= Black will follow with ...e5 (or ...a5 first if he can, in order to
prevent the pawns advancing too fast on the queenside), with a balanced middlegame.

9...Nxc3 10.bxc3 Nc6

Position after: 10...Nc6

I think White should quickly resolve the issue of his doubled pawns, trying to trade them in some way
or other in the center, otherwise Black will continue with ...b6 and ...Ba6 in order to attack the c4-pawn.

11.d5!?

This is dynamically interesting. The main drawback is that it gives away the c5-square, but Black needs
to be precise in order to be able to exploit it.
11.c5!? This is one way to get rid of the doubled pawns. At least it tries! 11...dxc5 12.Rb1

410
Position after: 12.Rb1

12...b6 [12...cxd4?! 13.cxd4 Ne7 14.Qb3 Nd5 15.Bh2© White has interesting compensation on the b-
and c-files. I prefer his position here, as I don’t think our extra pawn is worth much.] 13.dxc5 Qe7!

Position after: 13...Qe7!

It looks like White and Black are playing ‘who wants to get doubled c-pawns’, and neither wants to
win! Obviously the remaining pawns would be really weak. 14.Qa4 [14.cxb6?! axb6 15.Qc2 e5 16.Bh2
Be6µ] 14...Bd7 15.Qc4 Na5 16.Qb4 Nc6 17.Qc4 Rac8!?=

411
Position after: 17...Rac8!?=

If Black doesn’t want to allow a draw so easily, he can simply protect his c-pawn, then continue with
...h6 and ...g5 in order to gain some initiative on the kingside.
Play is about equal, but Black’s plan is quite clear.

11...Ne5!

From here, the knight is sometimes able to reroute to d7 and then c5.

12.Nd4

12.Nxe5 dxe5 13.Bh2 Qe7³

12...Qe7!

Bearing in mind that we don’t really want to take on d5, we have to protect the e6-pawn. White lacks
active moves.

13.Rb1 b6 14.Qb3 exd5!

412
Position after: 14...exd5!

Finally we agree to undouble the c-pawns under favorable circumstances in order to reorganize our
pieces. The knight heads for c5.

15.cxd5 Nd7 16.Ne6! Nc5 17.Nxc5 bxc5=

g) 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 d6 6.--

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3

413
Position after: 5.Nc3

5...d6

There are a couple of reasons why I decided to start with this move instead of the logical 5...0-0. The
main one is that it is more flexible, as it allows Black to continue with ...Nc6, in order to take quicker
measures in the center. The second is that it is more convenient to do so, as this position may arise via
the move order 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 d6 (it’s safer to start with this move, as we will see in Chapter
9) 4.Nf3 g6 5.Bf4.

6.Qc2

A) 6.d5 This is a thematic move in the Dutch Defense when Black goes ...d6. White is trying to get
control of the light squares, but here it clearly fails because of 6...e5! 7.dxe6 Bxe6 8.e3 0-0 9.Be2
Na6=.
B) 6.h4 Normally this can’t be seen as a real threat, as the knight on f3 is not well placed for the idea
of pushing h4−h5. Nevertheless, Black should always seek counterplay in the center. 6...Ne4!?N

Position after: 6...Ne4!?N

I like this approach. Black wants to react with ...c5 on the next move.
B1) 7.h5 c5! 8.h6 [8.hxg6 hxg6 9.Rxh8+ Bxh8 10.e3 Nc6ƒ] 8...Bf6 9.Nd5 cxd4 10.Nxf6+ Nxf6

414
Position after: 10...Nxf6

Black has lost his important fianchettoed bishop. On the other hand he has taken the d-pawn, and it
is quite difficult for White to regain it in favorable conditions. 11.Qxd4 e5 12.Qe3™ 12...Ne4!µ
B2) 7.Nxe4 fxe4 8.Ng5 Bf5 9.g4!? Bxg4 10.h5 gxh5 11.Nxe4 0-0„
B3) 7.e3 c5 8.Rc1 Nc6 9.d5 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Ne5∞

Position after: 10...Ne5∞

C) 6.g3 0-0 7.Bg2 We will discuss this kind of option in Chapter 10 about the sidelines on the 7th

415
 move.
D) 6.Qd2 This is a naive approach. Of course Bh6 isn’t a dangerous threat. 6...Nc6!? 7.Bh6 [7.d5 e5!
8.Bh6 Bxh6 9.Qxh6 Nb4³ The queen has to come back, otherwise White’s position might collapse
straight away. 10.0-0-0? Ng4µ] 7...Bxh6 8.Qxh6 e5!ƒ

Position after: 8...e5!ƒ

Black is probably going to prepare to castle kingside, as will White, and remain with the better center.

6...0-0

416
Position after: 6...0-0

7.0-0-0

7.e4? It’s not so simple to open the center. White has to ensure that the conditions are in his favor, and
this is clearly not the case here, especially because of the potentially hanging bishop on f4. 7...fxe4
8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Qxe4 Nc6! 10.Be3 Nb4–+ The threat of ...Bf5 is quite nasty.

7...b6!?

Black has enough time to prepare ...c5, and his attack is easy to follow. For instance the game might
continue 7...Ne4!?N, a promising pawn sacrifice which opens many lines. I won’t analyze it though,
because I believe it’s not needed to get a fine position.

8.h4 c5

Position after: 8...c5

9.e3 Nc6 10.d5 Nb4 11.Qb1 Na6 12.Be2 Nc7‚

417
Position after: 12...Nc7‚

Black is ready to follow with ...a6 and ...b5, with good attacking prospects on the queenside.

h) 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 d6 6.e3 0-0 7.--, 7.c5

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 d6 6.e3

Position after: 6.e3

418
This is obviously the main move, and all the other possibilities have been explored in the previous
subchapter. Note that White’s move order on the last two moves could vary, e.g. 4.e3.

6...0-0 7.c5!?

This idea, which we also meet in some lines of the King’s Indian, has increased in popularity recently.
The general idea is to trade the c-pawn and make ...e5 harder to achieve as the position will be ‘too
open’ for that to be good.
A) 7.Qb3

Position after: 7.Qb3

White sometimes places his queen here, but without much success. It can be annoying for Black
because it eyes both the pawn on b7 and the king on g8, but I don’t think it should make us change
our plan. 7...e6 [7...Kh8 has been played more often, but I don’t see why we should lose a tempo like
that.] 8.Be2 Qe7 [8...Ne4 This interesting move implies an exchange sacrifice that leads to a
complicated game: 9.Nxe4 fxe4 10.Nd2 Rxf4! 11.exf4 Nc6 12.Nxe4 Nxd4 13.Qd1 Bd7 14.0-0 Bc6
15.Bd3 Qe7©] 9.0-0 h6!? 10.c5

419
Position after: 10.c5

We will see the same idea in the 7.c5 line. 10...g5 11.cxd6 cxd6 12.Bg3 Nh5 13.Nd2 Nxg3 14.hxg3
Nc6„ ½-½ (21) Melkumyan, H (2654) – Salem, A (2642), chess.com 2018.
B) 7.Bd3

Position after: 7.Bd3

We have already said that the bishop is generally not great on d3. 7...Nh5!?
B1) 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 g5 10.Nd2 Nf6 11.Bg3 e5!³

420
 B2) 8.0-0 If White had developed his bishop on e2 instead of d3, 8.0-0 would have been the most
natural continuation. Here we can take advantage of the bad position of the bishop on d3 with
8...Nc6 9.d5 Nb4 10.Be2 h6„. Black has various ways to break in the center such as ...c6, ...e6 or
...e5, and also has the possibility of expanding on the kingside by means of ...g5. I like all these
possibilities, while it’s not clear what White should do.
B3) 8.Bg3 Nxg3 9.hxg3 e5 10.Bc2 exd4 11.exd4 Re8+³

7...Kh8!

Position after: 7...Kh8!

8.h4

For 8.Bc4! see the next subchapter.

8.Qb3 While I was working on this specific line, I saw a totally random bullet game on Lichess
between Andrew Tang (well known on the website under the user name ‘penguingim1’) and Magnus
Carlsen − and Magnus was quickly busted as Black.

421
Position after: 8.Qb3

A) 8...b6?! This was played In the above-mentioned game. The value of a bullet game can be
doubtful, but White managed to show how he can quickly put pressure on Black: 9.cxd6 cxd6 10.h4!
h6

Position after: 10...h6

11.h5! [11.Ng5± was enough to bring White a pleasant advantage in the game. Black has long-term
problems on the light-squared diagonal which he was unable to solve.] 11...Nxh5 [11...g5 12.Bxg5!
hxg5 13.h6+–] 12.Rxh5 gxh5 13.Qd5+–

422
 B) 8...dxc5 9.dxc5 [9.Ng5? cxd4 10.exd4 Qxd4!µ] 9...c6!

Position after: 9...c6!

This is an efficient way to play. The queen gets new prospects on the queenside and we can play
...Nd5 if the pressure on the diagonal gets too strong.
B1) 10.Ng5? Nd5! 11.h4 Nxc3 12.bxc3 e5 13.Bh2 [13.Nf7+ Rxf7 14.Qxf7 exf4 15.Rd1 Bxc3+
16.Ke2 Nd7–+] 13...Qe7µ
B2) 10.h4 Qa5 11.Ne5 Nbd7 12.Nf7+ Kg8= Once again there is no good discovered check, and
White has to settle for the perpetual.
B3) 10.Rd1 Qa5 11.Ne5 Nbd7!

423
Position after: 11...Nbd7!

12.Nf7+ Kg8 13.Nh6+ [13.Bc4? White has no threat at all. 13...Nxc5 14.Ng5+ Kh8–+] 13...Kh8=
Black has to take the draw. Obviously he can’t go for the mirage of mate with 14.Qg8+?? Nxg8–+
Oops.

8...Be6!

Position after: 8...Be6!

424
A strong novelty at the time by Anton Guijarro. The bishop comes out to protect the light-squared
diagonal and can drop back to g8 if White goes for Ng5 at some point.
8...Nh5?! Two weeks before his game with White against Anton Guijarro, Mamedyarov tried this move
with Black against Gupta. It’s easy to understand that after the poor position he got from the opening he
wanted to play it with the other side. 9.Qb3 a5 10.Rd1 If Black takes on f4, it will strengthen White’s
center, which is why 8...Nh5 was not great. 10...c6 11.Na4 Ra7 12.Ng5 Qe8 13.Bc4+–

Position after: 13.Bc4+–

Black was in big trouble in Gupta, A (2625) – Mamedyarov, S (2756), Reykjavik 2015. The Azeri
super-GM escaped with a draw, but it wasn’t thanks to the opening (½-½, 51).

9.Qa4

The idea behind this move is that White wants to trade the light-squared bishops in order to have a
chance to place a knight on e6.
His next move will be Bc4 if Black does nothing.
9.Be2 Bg8 10.Qc2 Nc6 11.Bg5?!

425
Position after: 11.Bg5?!

This position occurred in Lalith, B (2587) – Sanchez Jerez, E (2257), Gibraltar 2017, 1-0 (29). Black is
able to open the center with 11...dxc5! 12.dxc5 Qe8! This prepares ...e5 and at the same time prevents
0-0-0. 13.0-0 [If 13.0-0-0? Nb4! 14.Qb1 Ne4!–+ White’s queenside collapses immediately.] 13...e5
14.e4 Nd4! 15.Nxd4 exd4 16.Nb5 fxe4 17.Nxc7 Qe5 18.Nxa8 d3!–+
Back to 9.Qa4.

Position after: 9.Qa4

426
9...Qe8!N

9...Qd7 The Spanish grandmaster opted for this square, but I think it’s slightly less accurate, as the d7-
square is normally reserved for the knight. 10.Qa3!N [10.Bb5 c6 11.Be2 Bg8 12.Rd1 b5!? 13.cxb6?!
Qb7 14.Ng5 axb6³ Black is already better and went on to win against his super-strong opponent in
Mamedyarov, S (2756) – Anton Guijarro, D (2614), Moscow 2015, 0-1 (42).] 10...a5 11.Rc1

Position after: 11.Rc1

White seems to enjoy the easier position, and if Black is not careful his position can quickly become
dangerous. For instance 11...Nc6?! 12.Bb5 Qd8 13.h5!² would be dubious. This is well timed, as Black
is unable to take with the knight because of d5.

10.Qa3

10.Qxe8 Endgames are clearly harmless. 10...Rxe8 11.Be2 Nbd7 12.0-0 Rac8 13.b4 Nd5 14.Nxd5
Bxd5= Black doesn’t have any real weaknesses and has a firm grip of the light squares.

10...Nbd7 11.Be2 Bg8! 12.cxd6 cxd6 13.0-0 Nb6„

427
Position after: 13...Nb6„

This definitely looks easier for Black.

i) 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 d6 6.e3 0-0 7.c5 Kh8 8.Bc4

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 d6 6.e3 6...0-0 7.c5!? Kh8! 8.Bc4!

Position after: 8.Bc4!

428
I think this is more effective than 8. h4, because it takes possession of the light-squared diagonal
straight away, before Black plays ...Be6.

8...Nc6 9.h4

After 9.0-0 Ne4 10.cxd6 Black had to decide which pawn should take back, and 10...exd6 was
probably a mistake in Nielsen, P (2639) – Gretz, D (2309), Germany 2017, 1-0 (46). 10...cxd6

Position after: 10...cxd6

It seems important to keep the option of ...e5 at some point. Also, the pawn on c7 can become a target
on the c-file. 11.Rc1 e5! 12.dxe5 Nxc3! 13.bxc3 [13.Rxc3?! dxe5 14.Qxd8 Rxd8 15.Bg5 Rd6³ Both the
c3-rook and g5-bishop can be in trouble in the next few moves.] 13...dxe5 14.Qxd8 Rxd8 15.Bg3 h6=

9...Nh5!?N

429
Position after: 9...Nh5!?N

10.0-0

A) 10.cxd6 cxd6 11.0-0 Nxf4 12.exf4 e5

Position after: 12...e5

Opening the center seems adequate. The only issue is to keep an eye on the dangerous possibility of
Ng5−f7+. 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.Ng5 [14.Qxd8 Rxd8 15.Ng5 Rd4! 16.Nf7+ Kg8 17.Nxe5+ Kf8 18.Bb3
Nxe5 19.fxe5 Bxe5 20.Rfe1 Bf6=] 14...Qxd1 15.Raxd1 exf4 16.Nf7+ Kg8

430
Position after: 16...Kg8

There is no particularly strong discovered check. 17.Nd6+ Kh8 Of course White can decide to take a
draw, but he can’t delay, otherwise we will parry the possibility. 18.Rfe1 Ne5 19.Bd5 Rb8=
B) 10.Bh2 f4! 11.0-0 Bg4 12.Be2 e5!ƒ Black puts a lot of effort into trying to take over the initiative,
and he is about to succeed.

Position after: 10.0-0

10...Bd7

431
10...Nxf4?! 11.exf4 dxc5 12.dxc5 e5 13.Qxd8 Rxd8 14.Nb5 exf4 15.Nxc7 Rb8 16.Ng5 Ne5 17.Bb3²

Position after: 17.Bb3²

Black faces some difficulties here in organizing his pieces. There are problems with both e6 and f7, and
even if he solves them he seems to be slightly worse.

11.cxd6 cxd6 12.Bh2 Rc8

Position after: 12...Rc8

432
13.Ng5 Nxd4! 14.Nf7+ Rxf7 15.Bxf7 Ne6©

Black will have a pawn and the bishop pair to compensate for the missing exchange. Anything can
happen!

j) 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 d6 6.e3 0-0 7.h3

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 d6 6.e3 0-0 7.h3

Position after: 7.h3

This is the second main alternative for Black after 7.Be2, which we will consider in the next
subchapter.
It has been played less often than 7.Bd3, which I think is a dubious position for the bishop.

7...Ne4!?

Almost never played in practice, but I think it’s a very interesting attempt to solve all the problems
immediately.

8.Nxe4

This is the principled move. Unfortunately for White, it doesn’t work so well.
8.Be2 Nxc3 9.bxc3 We have already discussed this position in the last subchapter on the lines without
c4. Black has the possibility of continuing with ...Nc6, ...b6 and ...Ba6 to put pressure on the c4-pawn.

8...fxe4

433
Position after: 8...fxe4

9.Nd2!

Here I struggled to find a good continuation, but I am happy with what I found.
9.Ng5 c5!? 10.Qd2 cxd4 11.exd4 Bxd4 12.Qxd4 Rxf4 13.Qd2 Rf8 14.Nxe4 Nc6=

9...c5!N

I think this move is necessary to keep the balance.

A) 9...Bxd4?! 10.exd4 Rxf4 11.g3 Rf8 12.Nxe4 Nc6 13.Bg2 Bf5 14.d5 Ne5 15.b3² White has the
better minor pieces and some weaknesses to exploit in Black’s camp.
B) 9...Na6!? 10.Nxe4 c5 11.Qd2 Qb6

434
Position after: 11...Qb6

12.d5 [12.Rd1 cxd4 13.exd4 Qxd4 14.Qxd4 Bxd4 15.Bh6 Bg7 16.Bxg7 Kxg7² also favors White
thanks to his better pawn structure] 12...Qxb2 13.Qxb2 Bxb2 14.Rb1 Bg7 15.g4!

Position after: 15.g4!

Taking away the f5-square from the bishop. This is slightly better for White, even if Black is still very
solid. 15...b6„

10.dxc5

435
10.Nxe4?! cxd4 11.Be2 Qa5+ 12.Qd2 Qxd2+ 13.Nxd2 dxe3 14.Bxe3 Bxb2³

10...dxc5 11.Be2

11.Qb3

Position after: 11.Qb3

It’s also very logical to find a way to protect the b2-pawn. On c2 the queen could quickly come under
attack from our knight. 11...Nc6! 12.0-0-0 Qa5 13.Nxe4 Bf5 14.f3 [14.Ng3 Bc8!= It’s important for
Black to threaten ...e5, so White more or less has to repeat moves with 15.Ne4.] 14...Bxe4 15.fxe4
Rad8

436
Position after: 15...Rad8

A) 16.Be2 Nd4! 17.exd4 Rxf4 18.dxc5 Rf2‚ All Black’s pieces are playing in this attack with
opposite-colored bishops and opposite-side castling! It clearly favors Black whose initiative is well
worth two pawns.
B) 16.Bd3 Be5 Black has a lot of squares, files and diagonals at his disposal. White’s position seems
about to collapse, but somehow he still has ways to keep the balance. 17.g3 [17.Rhf1 Bxf4 18.exf4
Nd4 19.Qa3 Qxa3 20.bxa3 e5!=] 17...g5!

Position after: 17...g5!

437
 18.Bxe5 [18.Bxg5?? Rf2–+] 18...Nxe5 19.Be2 Rf2 20.Rxd8+ Qxd8©

11...Bxb2

Position after: 11...Bxb2

12.Bh6!

12.Rb1 Bc3µ

12...Bxa1 13.Qxa1 Rf7 14.Nxe4 Qa5+ 15.Kf1 Qb6

438
Position after: 15...Qb6

White definitely has some compensation, but it doesn’t seem to bring him any edge. Play might
continue with

16.f4 Bf5 17.Ng5 Qf6 18.Qc1 e5©

Position after: 18...e5©

A very complicated position has arisen. I would still pick Black, but objectively both sides are still in

439
the game!

k) 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 d6 6.e3 0-0 7.Be2

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 d6 6.e3 0-0 7.Be2

Position after: 7.Be2

7...Ne4!?

Trying to solve the problems directly in the same spirit as against 7.h3. This simplifies the position, and
Black hopes that he can keep the balance.
The interesting 7...Nc6!? was my first idea. Aronian played this position three times as White, and
couldn’t manage to win, despite showing an edge in the later ones. Carlsen himself also played it, so it
has been considered the main line ever since.

8.Nxe4N

This is clearly the critical attempt to refute Black’s cheeky knight incursion in the center.
A) 8.h4

440
Position after: 8.h4

This makes sense, and has been tried once, but Black is quick to react in the center with 8...Nc6!N
9.Qb3 [9.h5 e5! 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Bh2 Nxc3 12.bxc3 Qe7µ] 9...e5 10.Bg5 Nxg5 11.hxg5 e4 12.Nd2
Na5 13.Qa3 b6ƒ.
B) 8.0-0 has already been analyzed with a different move order in the subchapter about lines without
an early c4 in the 7.c4 Ne4 8.0-0 line.
C) 8.Qc2 Nxc3 9.Qxc3

Position after: 9.Qxc3

441
 C1) 9...Nc6!? 10.c5! Kh8!? [10...e5 11.dxe5 dxe5 amounts to the same.] 11.cxd6 cxd6 12.0-0 Qe8„
is a way to keep pieces on the board and keep fighting for the win.
C2) It’s possible to start more slowly with 9...e5!?, which seems to solve our problems and reach an
equal position. 10.dxe5 Nc6

Position after: 10...Nc6

11.c5! This creates the possibility for White to give an important check. [11.0-0-0?! Qe8!³]
11...dxe5 12.Bxe5 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Qe7 14.Qb3+ The point of 11.c5. 14...Be6 15.Bc4 Bxe5
16.Bxe6+ Kh8 17.0-0 Qxc5 18.Qxb7 Qd6=

8...fxe4 9.Nd2

442
Position after: 9.Nd2

9...Bxd4!

9...c5 Be aware that we can’t play in similar fashion to the 7.h3 line because here White is ready to
castle: 10.dxc5! dxc5 11.0-0 Nc6 12.Nxe4 Bxb2 13.Rb1 Be5 14.Bh6±.

10.exd4 Rxf4 11.g3

Position after: 11.g3

443
11...Rf7!

The right square! It might seem weird to place the rook on a square where it could come under attack
from a knight on g5, but the reason is that it’s very important to prevent the possibility of Qd5 with
check.
11...Rf8 12.Nxe4 Bf5 [12...e5 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.Qd5+ Qxd5 15.cxd5²] 13.Nc3 e5 14.dxe5 dxe5
15.Qd5+ Qxd5 16.cxd5²

12.Nxe4 e5! 13.dxe5

13.0-0 Bf5 14.Nc3 Nc6 15.dxe5 dxe5= Black has been fighting to reach the d4-square with the knight,
which compensates for the relative weakness of the e5-pawn.

13...Qe7!

Position after: 13...Qe7!

White is ahead in development, but hasn’t castled yet, so we have time for a move such as this.

14.Qd5

14.Nf6+ Kg7 15.Nd5 Qxe5

444
Position after: 15...Qxe5

16.0-0 It seems that Black is only playing with two major pieces, but he will quickly develop the others
with a good game. [16.Qd2 Bg4 17.f4 Qxe2+ 18.Qxe2 Bxe2 19.Kxe2 c6 20.Nc3 Nd7=] 16...Nc6
17.Qd2 Bh3 18.Rfe1 Qd4! 19.Qxd4+ Nxd4³

14...Qxe5 15.Qxe5

15.0-0-0 Qxd5 16.cxd5 Bf5=

15...dxe5 16.0-0-0 Nc6=

445
Position after: 16...Nc6=

The knight on e4 is strong, but can be traded, and the pawn on e5 is weak, but is compensated by the
impressive knight coming to d4, where it will rule the board. The game is objectively balanced.

446
 Chapter 7
Lines with an Early b4

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6

Chapter Guide

Chapter 7 – Lines with an Early b4

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6

a) 4.b4
b) 4.c4 Bg7 5.b4
c) 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.b4
d) 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.c4 0-0 6.b4
e) 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.b4?!
f) 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b4

a) 4.b4

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6

447
Position after: 3...g6

In this chapter we will focus on systems and variations where White plays an early b4 at some point.
It’s not a move you see in every opening (especially sometimes as early as move 4!), but it’s quite
reasonable against the Dutch. The reasons are simple: (i) it’s not an opening with immediate tension in
the center; (ii) it’s logical considering each player’s plan: Black develops his play on the kingside, so
his long-term aim is to attack in this area, therefore (iii) it’s logical for White to start massive pawn
expansion on the other side to create counterplay.
As we will see, b2−b4 can’t be played as a random move, thinking it’s always fine. Its strength depends
on the situation. It’s also worth mentioning that in the few lines where White plays b4 very early, it
makes no difference whether he has played Bg2 instead of Nf3, as the lines will most likely transpose
sooner or later.

4.b4!?

Of course we have to look at this move right now! It’s not very popular, probably because it’s not so
logical to play b4 right after playing g3 without completing the fianchetto with Bg2. Also, I believe that
it’s a bit too early.

4...c6!?

448
Position after: 4...c6!?

This is the kind of line where precise knowledge of theory is not essential. Knowing the ideas behind
what you are doing is more important than exact moves. That’s why, for this chapter, I decided to be
rigorous and respond with an immediate ...c6 each time White plays b4, in order to challenge him on
the queenside with either ...a5 or ...d5, depending on the situation. I will make a couple of exceptions
when b4 is played after the sixth move, such as in the main line.

5.Bb2

A) 5.c4 Bg7 transposes to 4.c4 Bg7 5.b4.

B) 5.Bg2 Bg7 − see 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.b4. As you can see, this is also very convenient for the move order.

5...a5!N

449
Position after: 5...a5!N

We were already in a very rare situation, but this move has never been tried before. It forces White to
do something with his b-pawn while b4−b5, usually the logical continuation, isn’t really possible.

6.a3

A) The other way to defend the b4-pawn, 6.c3, is not very impressive, because the c-pawn is going to
be traded for an a-pawn. 6...axb4 7.cxb4 Na6 8.a3 Nc7 9.Bg2 d6 10.0-0 Bg7 11.Nc3 Be6³

Position after: 11...Be6³

450
 Black has good control of the light squares: c4, d5 and e4 will be a source of problems for White.
B) 6.b5?! I don’t believe in a such an early pawn sacrifice, and of course we accept it: 6...cxb5 7.e3 b4
8.a3 e6 9.axb4 Bxb4+ 10.c3 Be7 11.Bg2 d5³.

6...axb4 7.axb4 Rxa1 8.Bxa1 Na6!

Position after: 8...Na6!

As we can see, White is unable to play c4 in this line, so his opening can be considered a failure.

9.c3

The bishop on a1 is unlikely to be happy with what has happened on the previous few moves!

9...d6 10.Bg2 Be6!? 11.Ng5?!

11.Nbd2 Bh6!? 12.0-0 b5ƒ

11...Bd5! 12.Bxd5 cxd5³

Black gets great squares, and the c3-pawn is a long-term weakness.

451
Position after: 12...cxd5³

In the meantime, White cannot really make use of the e6-square.

b) 4.c4 Bg7 5.b4

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.b4

Position after: 5.b4

452
In my opinion it makes more sense to play b4 after c4 (compared to the 4. b4 line).

5...c6

As I already said, once b4 is played, we respond with ...c6.

5...Nc6!? I was very close to proposing this move instead of systems with ...c6. The basic idea is that
b4−b5 is quite compromising as the knight would jump to a5, threatening c4, with the possibility of
continuing with ...d5. It’s interesting and, I believe, fully playable, but I didn’t recommend it because of
the following line: 6.Qb3! d6 7.Bb2 0-0 8.Bg2

Position after: 8.Bg2

8...Qe8! Black plays to free himself with ...e5, as is often the case in the Leningrad Dutch. 9.Nbd2 e5
10.dxe5 Nxe5 11.0-0ƒ Maybe I’m wrong, but I believe that this sort of position is always easier to play
for White. He has possible pressure on the queenside, and Black is nowhere close to having an attack.

453
Position after: 5...c6

6.Bb2

A) 6.Nc3 It’s quite rare to see the knight coming here, as it is usually more useful on d2, where it
doesn’t block the long diagonal and protects c4. 6...0-0 7.Bb2 d5

Position after: 7...d5

A1) 8.c5?! We will meet this move in other variations, but it’s not a great idea to close the center
even more in order to gain some space. The bishop might find itself looking very stupid on b2.

454
 8...Ne4 9.Bg2 b6 10.0-0 bxc5 11.bxc5 Nd7

Position after: 11...Nd7

Black starts to threaten ...Ndxc5, and might also have the idea of playing ...e5. 12.Qc2 Rb8 13.Rab1
Qc7³ Black may follow with ...Ba6, and ...e5 is an increasing possibility.
A2) 8.e3N This is a real computer move. It seems to think that the bishop is much more useful on e2
than g2, so accepts that g3 was just a weakening move and loss of time. I doubt if many players will
think that way! 8...Ne4 9.Qb3 Be6 10.Be2 Na6„
A3) 8.Bg2? Of course White is not ready to sacrifice the c4-pawn: 8...dxc4 9.0-0 Nd5 10.a3 Nd7
11.e3 N7f6 12.Qe2 b5µ.
A4) 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.Bg2 Nc6 10.a3 Be6 11.0-0 Ne4=

455
Position after: 11...Ne4=

Black gets an active position, and can exploit the weak spots in White’s camp, such as c4. The game
Girya, O (2436) – Muzychuk, A (2593), Dilijan 2013, ended in a draw.
B) 6.Nbd2 This is very similar to 6.Bb2, as White is going to play both moves anyway, and it has the
same idea of delaying castling. We can respond in similar fashion: 6...a5! 7.b5 cxb5 8.cxb5 a4!

Position after: 8...a4!

This move prevents White from playing a4 himself, and frees the a5-square for the queen or a rook. It

456
 means that White will always have to keep an eye on his b5-pawn.
B1) 9.Ba3!? This is a way to exploit the move order where Bb2 is delayed, but it’s not particularly
annoying. 9...d6 10.e3 Nbd7 11.Bd3 Nb6 12.0-0 0-0 13.Qe2

Position after: 13.Qe2

This position was reached in the game Iotov, V (2503) – Ikonnikov, V (2588), France 2006, 0-1
(24). Black now played the safety move 13...Kh8, but I think it’s simpler and stronger to develop
with 13...Be6!N 14.Nc4 Nbd5 15.Rfc1 Ne4„. The position is more or less balanced, but White’s
play seems slightly unnatural.
B2) 9.e3 d6 10.Bc4

457
Position after: 10.Bc4

We’ve already said that it’s quite difficult for humans not to place the bishop on g2 once g3 has been
played, but the bishop is quite decently placed on c4 − until it gets chased! 10...Qa5!? 11.0-0 Nbd7
12.Ng5 Nb6 13.Ne6 [13.Bf7+? Kf8 14.Be6 h6 15.Bxc8 Rxc8 16.Ne6+ Kf7 17.Nxg7 Kxg7µ]
13...Kf7! 14.Ng5+ Kf8

Position after: 14...Kf8

B2.1) 15.Ne6+ Kg8! We don’t even let White take a draw! The king is perfectly safe here, as there

458
 is no interesting discovered check! After 16.Nxg7+ Kxg7 17.Be2 Be6µ Black’s pieces are much
more active, and his bishop on g7 was useless anyway.
B2.2) 15.Qe2! d5 16.Bd3 Ne4„
C) 6.Bg2 − see the move order 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.b4 c6 6.c4.

6...a5

Position after: 6...a5

7.b5

Ambitious, but committal at the same time.

7.a3 axb4 8.axb4 Rxa1 9.Bxa1 Na6!

459
Position after: 9...Na6!

10.Qa4 This position was reached in a game by the Dutch Defense specialist in Gozzoli, Y (2377) –
Malaniuk, V (2556), Cap d’Agde 2002, 0-1 (26). Here Black missed a nice pawn sacrifice allowing him
to take over the initiative with minimum risk (as he will most probably regain his pawn easily). [10.b5?
cxb5 11.cxb5 Qa5+³; 10.Qb3 Probably best, but Black gets the light squares after 10...b5! 11.cxb5
cxb5 12.Bg2 e6= 13.0-0?! 13.d5 was necessary, but even here Black can play 13...0-0 and get a very
decent position. 13...Bb7³] 10...b5!N

Position after: 10...b5!N

460
11.cxb5 cxb5 12.Qxb5 Qc7 13.Bc3 Ne4 14.Qa5 Bb7 15.Bg2 0-0 16.b5 [16.0-0?? Nxc3 17.Qxc7
Nxe2+ 18.Kh1 Nxc7–+] 16...Rc8!= White still needs to find accurate moves in order to keep the
balance. It is worth mentioning that the natural moves are actually mistakes: 17.Qxc7? [17.bxa6??
Qxa5 18.Bxa5 Rc1#] 17...Nxc7 18.Bb4 Nxb5 19.0-0 Nxd4µ.

7...a4

We are familiar with this idea in the 6.Nbd2 line. The only game that reached this position saw the
move

8.Qd3

This is quite logical: the queen controls the important a3- and e4-squares. Cheparinov won a nice game,
but I think Black can react directly in the center.
8.e3N 8...cxb5 9.cxb5 d6 10.Nc3 Qa5 11.a3 Nbd7„

8...d5!

Position after: 8...d5!

9.Bg2

9.Nc3?! Be6! 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.a3 Nb6³ As often, White has some problems on the light squares.

9...Qa5+

461
Position after: 9...Qa5+

10.Nc3!

10.Bc3 dxc4! 11.Qxc4 Qxb5³

10...Ne4 11.Rc1 dxc4 12.Qxc4 Nd6 13.Qd3 Nxb5 14.0-0 0-0©

White still needs to be accurate in order to keep some compensation, but his position is far from
desperate here.

462
Position after: 14...0-0©

c) 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.b4

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.b4

Position after: 5.b4

5...c6 6.c4

6.Bb2 a5 This position has been analyzed in the line with 4.b4.
It’s true that Bg2/Bg7 wasn’t included, but it won’t make any major difference, so I think it would be
redundant to analyze this again.

6...d5!

We’ve already said that this position may arise with the move order 4.c4 Bg7 5.b4 c6 6.Bg2.
6...a5

463
Position after: 6...a5

I’m not advising this move anymore. The reason comes after the following moves: 7.b5 a4?! [7...d5
8.Nc3 Ne4 9.Qd3 dxc4 10.Qxc4 Nxc3 11.Qxc3 cxb5 Black gains a pawn, but will suffer on the light
squares. 12.Qb3! b4 13.Ng5 Rf8 14.Bd5!±] 8.0-0 It’s mainly because this move can be played so
readily that Black can’t easily start his initiative on the queenside. Also, the queen won’t be able to
come to a5 safely, as long as the bishop on c1 has the possibility of going to d2. 8...cxb5 9.cxb5 d6
10.Nc3²

7.cxd5

7.Nbd2 Ne4 8.Bb2 a5

464
Position after: 8...a5

This position will be considered in our main line with 0-0 included for both sides. Obviously it doesn’t
change much, and will transpose sooner or later.

7...cxd5

Position after: 7...cxd5

8.0-0

465
8.a4!? Even when White has traded the c-pawns, it’s quite reasonable for him to take as much space as
he can. In the following game Black tried to fight for space in the same area of the board; I think his
play was interesting. 8...Ne4 9.Ba3 Nc6 10.e3 0-0 11.0-0 a6! Black prepares ...b5, as well as
preventing b4−b5 by White. 12.Nbd2 b5!? 13.Rc1 Bd7 14.Nb3 Of course when there are pawns on b5
and d5 the c5-square feels neglected, but so is c4 in White’s camp. And here Black even managed to
free himself and trade the queenside pawns. Unfortunately, after a long fight and against a strong
opponent, it wasn’t enough to achieve a draw. 14...a5!=

Position after: 14...a5!=

1-0 (107) Van Wely, L (2689) – Collas, D (2394), Haguenau 2013.

8...0-0 9.e3 Nc6 10.Qb3 Ne4 11.a4 Be6

466
Position after: 11...Be6

We are already familiar with the plan of playing ...a6 and ...b5.
If you don’t like it, or if you want to keep an unbalanced position as much as possible, you can choose
the following kind of plan.

12.Ba3 Bf7!? 13.b5 Na5 14.Qb4 Re8

14...Nc4!? 15.Qxe7 a6© is playable too, but you have to be confident in your position.

15.Nbd2 Nc4 16.Nxc4 dxc4=

467
Position after: 16...dxc4=

The c4-pawn can be seen as a source of satisfaction for Black as long as it doesn’t become a weakness.

d) 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.c4 0-0 6.b4

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.c4 0-0 6.b4

Position after: 6.b4

White has managed to advance all his pawns, but it doesn’t change the situation much.

468
6...Nc6!?

This seems like a very provocative move because the brazen knight can be chased by two pawns, but
right now we will see that it is fine.
6...c6!? There is absolutely nothing wrong with this move. It’s going to be similar to lines already
discussed, but I would like to show how you can sometimes use another idea which works perfectly
well in this exact situation.

7.a3

A very sensible continuation, trying to retain every option at his disposal.

Other options are:
A) 7.b5 Maybe the most logical move, but it gives away the a5-square and the queenside pawns may
experience some problems. 7...Na5 8.Nbd2 a6 9.a4 d5!

Position after: 9...d5!

It’s essential to try to break up White’s queenside right now when he is not ready, in order to force
him to make some concessions. 10.c5 [10.cxd5?! axb5 11.axb5 Qxd5 12.0-0 Qxb5³] 10...Ne4 11.Qc2
axb5 12.axb5 Bd7 13.Rb1 Qe8 14.Qd3

469
Position after: 14.Qd3

14...c6! 15.bxc6 Nxc6!? Other pieces could have taken on c6, but I prefer this option. 16.0-0 Ra4
17.e3 Na5ƒ
B) 7.Qb3?! In a note to the 4.b4 line, I mentioned that I’ve usually preferred ...c6 to ...Nc6 because of
this move, but here Black is fine. 7...d5!

Position after: 7...d5!

White doesn’t have a good way to meet this move.

470
 B1) 8.Nc3 Be6! This forces the c-pawn to advance, as taking on d5 clearly gives Black too much
immediate activity. 9.c5 Bf7 10.0-0 Ne4 11.e3 e5!ƒ This pawn is untouchable due to ...d4. Black has
a great position.
B2) 8.Nbd2 Be6 9.c5 Ne4 10.e3 b6!³

Position after: 10...b6!³

White has some problems if he doesn’t take on b6, either on the b-file or on the long dark-squared
diagonal, and if he does take, Black doesn’t lack space and is more than fine.
B3) 8.Bb2 dxc4 9.Qxc4+ Qd5! 10.Qxd5+ White has to trade queens if he wants to keep the material
balance. [10.Qc1 Nxb4 11.0-0 Qd6³] 10...Nxd5 11.a3 Nb6! The point. The knight heads for a4 or
c4, depending on what is allowed, and in addition Black might be able to free himself with ...e5 in
the near future. 12.e3 Na4 13.Bc3! a5ƒ

7...d6!

471
Position after: 7...d6!

8.Bb2

8.d5?! Ne5! 9.Nxe5 dxe5 10.Bb2 e4 11.Nc3 e6!ƒ The bishop on g2 is buried and the position is very
promising for Black.

8...e5!

This is exactly what White was trying to prevent, but we still manage to play it! As we will see, the
idea is definitely valid.

9.dxe5

Of course the critical reaction.

9.d5 Ne7 10.0-0 h6 11.Nc3 g5ƒ

472
Position after: 11...g5ƒ

Let’s compare this with similar positions arising in the King’s Indian. It’s true that this kind of attack is
not so popular against KID lines with g3, but here Black has managed to play ...f5 without having to
lose two tempi with the f6-knight, and White has played a3 and Bb2 which are quite useless (and
maybe even worse than if they hadn’t been played) because from b2 the bishop is unable to protect
anything on the kingside. So it seems more than playable for Black.

9...dxe5!N

Black once tried 9...Ng4 to be sure of taking the pawn back, but the text move is simply stronger.

10.Qxd8 Rxd8 11.Nxe5™

Of course if White doesn’t take he will have to face ...e4 at some point with a great center for Black.

11...Nd4!

473
Position after: 11...Nd4!

This is the point! We force the important dark-squared bishop to take the dangerous knight in order to
have long-term compensation on the diagonal.

12.Bxd4 Rxd4 13.Nd2

A) 13.0-0 Ne4!

Position after: 13...Ne4!

474
 14.Nf3 [14.f4 Bxe5 15.fxe5 Be6 16.c5 a5 17.Bxe4! Rxe4 18.Nc3 Rxe5³] 14...Rxc4 15.Nbd2! Nxd2
16.Nxd2 Rc2 17.Rad1 c6³ With the bishop pair and an active rook, Black has the upper hand (even if
White might be able to escape by means of b5 at some stage).
B) 13.f4 Ng4 14.Nxg4 fxg4 15.e3 Rd3 16.Ke2 Rxe3+ 17.Kxe3 Bxa1ƒ

13...Ne4

Position after: 13...Ne4

Once again White has an unpleasant choice of lines that all look easier for his opponent.

14.Nxe4

A) 14.Nd3 Rd6! 15.Rd1 Bc3 16.Bxe4 fxe4 17.Nc5 Bf5!

475
Position after: 17...Bf5!

White is in trouble with his knight on d2, but fortunately for him he can get rid of our pinning bishop.
18.Na4! Bg7 19.Nc5! [19.Nb3? e3!–+ The deadly new threat is ...Bc2, winning one of the knights.]
19...b6 20.Ncxe4 Rd7 21.Rc1 It’s essential to break the pin. 21...Rad8‚ Black is two pawns down, but
his compensation is fantastic, and he is actually much better.
B) 14.f4!? This is the computer’s solution to save the game, but it’s highly unlikely that a human
would choose it. (While it doesn’t lose a piece, it looks quite ugly.) 14...Nxd2
B1) 15.Rd1 Nb3 16.Rb1 Be6 17.Rxb3 Bxe5 18.fxe5 c6³

476
Position after: 18...c6³

We will take the c-pawn, and clearly keep the better pawn structure. It’s very hard to defend this
kind of endgame with White, as there are already no winning prospects at all.
B2) 15.e3! Cold-bloodedness is needed. 15...Rd6 16.c5

Position after: 16.c5

B2.1) 16...Bxe5 17.fxe5 Rd3 18.Ke2 Rd8 19.Rhd1 f4! This line looks very promising too, but it
only leads to a draw. 20.Rxd2 Bg4+ 21.Ke1 fxe3 22.Rxd8+ Rxd8

477
Position after: 22...Rxd8

23.h3™ 23...Rd2! 24.Bxb7 Bxh3 25.Rd1 Rc2 26.Rd3 Rc1+ 27.Rd1 [27.Ke2?? Bf1+–+] 27...Rc2
28.Rd3=
B2.2) 16...Ne4!? A very clever way to give up the rook, as the knight will remain pinned on e5.
White has to understand what’s going on, and it’s very easy to lose track in the maze of variations.
17.cxd6 cxd6 18.Bxe4 fxe4 19.Rd1 dxe5 20.Rd8+ Kf7 21.0-0! Ke7 22.Rg8

Position after: 22.Rg8

On the verge of defeat, White manages to escape with one of the multiple move repetitions that
Black can now choose. For instance the game could end in a draw after 22...Bf8 23.fxe5 Bf5 24.g4
Bxg4 25.Rf6 Rc8 26.Rh8 h5 27.Rh7+ Ke8 28.Rh8 Ke7 29.Rh7+=

14...fxe4! 15.f4™

478
Position after: 15.f4™

15...exf3 16.Nxf3 Rd8!

16...Rxc4 17.Rd1 Bf5 18.Ne5!= We have regained the pawn, but suddenly White has a few tactical
tricks at his disposal and should be able to keep the balance.

17.Rc1 Bh6 18.Rc3 Bf5 19.0-0 c6©

Position after: 19...c6©

479
I still prefer Black here. It’s very unlikely that White will threaten anything with his e-pawn.

e) 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.b4?!

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.b4?!

Position after: 7.b4?

This might seem a clever move order, as ...c6 no longer seems logical, now that we have committed
ourselves with 6...d6 (playing ...d5 at some point now would be a big loss of tempo). But, of all the b4
lines you have seen in this chapter, this is clearly the worst, as there is a very simple − and obvious −
way for Black to refute it. However it has been played no fewer than 200 times, which is approximately
the same as most of the other b4s in this chapter.

7...e5!

It’s very logical that this move works. With the bishop not yet on b2, it’s hardly imaginable that the
pawn on e5 can be taken twice.

8.dxe5

Most games have seen this move. At least White’s position seems less depressing when the center has
been opened.
8.Bb2 In a few games White tried to hold the center like this, but it’s very favorable for Black to take
some space and close the center: 8...e4! 9.Nfd2 [9.Ne1 is probably even worse as the knight won’t get
back into play so easily after 9...d5 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Nc3 c6 12.Nxd5 cxd5³.] 9...d5 10.b5 Be6
11.Na3

480
Position after: 11.Na3

11...a6! 12.Qb3 axb5 13.cxb5 Nbd7µ White’s queenside is a massive fail, and Black’s center easily
gave him an edge in Loos, R (2377) – Milov, L (2405), Bavaria 2016, 0-1 (38).

8...dxe5!

There’s no need for preparatory moves like ...Ng4 or ...Nfd7 as the tactics are in Black’s favor.

9.Bb2

A) 9.Qb3 is the other logical move, especially as the opening indicates that White is a kind of
attacking player, so may want to prevent any possibility of a queen trade. 9...e4!

481
Position after: 9...e4!

A1) 10.Ng5?! h6 11.Rd1 Qe8 12.Nh3 g5 Black is much better. As we will see in the following line,
even the pawns on the queenside may prove to be weak, whereas that was supposed to be White’s
strong side. 13.f4 g4 14.Nf2 Be6 15.Na3 a5! 16.b5 Nbd7 17.Bb2 Nc5 18.Qc2 Qe7µ

Position after: 18...Qe7µ

Thus far a game between two chess legends, Korchnoi, V (2673) – Spassky, B (2549), St Petersburg
1999. Spassky has the upper hand, but the prime of his chess career was already past, and the game
quickly ended in a draw.

482
 A2) 10.c5+?? This innocent move actually loses material immediately: 10...Qd5!

Position after: 10...Qd5!

Black offers the trade of queens, but White can’t take because it would open the long diagonal
(which makes us wonder why White waited for so long without playing Bb2). 11.Nd4 [11.Ne5
Qxb3 12.axb3 Ng4–+] 11...Qxb3 12.axb3 Nd5 13.Bb2 Nxb4–+
A3) 10.Rd1 Qe8 From e8, the queen can’t be attacked with a possible Ba3 or Bc5, and it prepares
the transfer to h5 after ...g5. 11.Nd4 Nc6 12.Bb2 Nxd4 13.Bxd4 Be6³
B) 9.Nxe5?

483
Position after: 9.Nxe5?

9...Nfd7! [≤ 9...Qxd1 Unfortunately, this move doesn’t really work properly: 10.Rxd1 Nfd7 11.f4
Nxe5 12.fxe5 Bxe5 13.Bh6!³. The resource that keeps Black in the game!] 10.Qd5+ Kh8 11.f4 Nc6
12.Bb2 Ndxe5 13.fxe5 Qe7µ Black has the better pawn structure while White remains with many
weaknesses and a strange-looking queen on d5, ready to be chased.

9...e4 10.Nd4

Position after: 10.Nd4

10...Ng4!

10...a5!? Disrupting White’s harmony on the queenside immediately is also possible. There are actually
many ways to get a small edge with Black; you just need to choose the one you feel most comfortable
with! 11.b5 c5 12.bxc6 Nxc6 13.Nb5 Be6 14.N1a3 Qe7³ and Black went on to win a nice game in
Akshat, K (2342) – Caspi, I (2487), Escaldes 2017, 0-1 (37).

11.c5!?

This is probably the best move. White prevents ...c5, obviously, but also moves likes ...Nc6, as Qb3+
would protect the bishop on b2 because of the check.
A) 11.h3 Of course after this move our idea is not to move the knight, as we can take advantage of the
long diagonal with 11...Nc6!

484
Position after: 11...Nc6!

A1) 12.Nxc6? This even loses material: 12...Qxd1 13.Rxd1 Bxb2 14.Ne7+ Kf7 15.Nxc8 [15.hxg4
Kxe7–+] 15...Ne5!–+.
A2) 12.hxg4 Nxd4ƒ White needs to take care because of the problems of discovery against the
bishop on b2.
B) 11.Na3

Position after: 11.Na3

485
 This move was tried in the game Milov, V (2622) – Lu, S (2546), Dubai 2014, 0-1 (53), but once
again we can simply increase the pressure against the d4-knight: 11...Nc6N 12.Nac2 Nce5 13.c5 a5!
14.b5 Nc4 15.Bc3 Nge5³. Black is having a lot of fun with his knights which can basically do
anything!

Position after: 11.c5!?

11...Rf7!

Protecting against possible checks and thus making ...Nc6 possible again!
11...Qd5!?³ This centralizing move is also very interesting, but I would like to follow Svidler’s game
instead.

12.Na3 Nc6

486
Position after: 12...Nc6

13.Nxc6?!

13.Nac2 Rd7!? [13...Nxd4!? 14.Bxd4 Rd7 15.e3 Ne5³ is playable too if you want to keep more pieces
on the board.] 14.Nxc6 Rxd1

Position after: 14...Rxd1

15.Raxd1 [15.Nxd8 Rxf1+ 16.Rxf1 Bxb2 17.Rd1 reaches the same position with a different move
order!] 15...Qe8 16.Rd8 Qxd8 17.Nxd8 Bxb2 18.Rd1 Ne5³

487
13...Qxd1 14.Raxd1 Bxb2 15.Nc4

Position after: 15.Nc4

Black won a very nice game, Lenic, L (2659) – Svidler, P (2753), Dubai 2014, 0-1 (39), but he could
probably have improved his play with the very unnatural possibility of giving back the bishop pair,
destroying his own pawn structure, in order to destroy White’s queenside in return.

15...bxc6!N 16.Nxb2 a5 17.bxa5

17.a3 axb4 18.axb4 Ra2 19.Rb1 Rd7µ

17...Rxa5 18.a4 Rf8! 19.Rc1 Be6µ

488
Position after: 19...Be6µ

White has many weak pawns and passive pieces. He will have a hard time trying to draw this position.

f) 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b4

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b4

Position after: 6.b4

489
When we think of the b4-system against the Leningrad Dutch, we probably think of this very position.
Indeed, this is probably the best moment to play it.

6...d5!?

At the beginning of this chapter I said that I was going to try to offer ...c7−c6 as an automatic response
to b2−b4 in most cases. Here I will make another exception, as I believe that Black can react more
quickly.

7.Bb2

Of course, this is the most logical continuation, so I will keep it as the main line, but objectively it
might be a step in the wrong direction. Now that Black has played ...d5, the bishop’s most logical spot
could be f4. That’s why we should also have a look at other moves.
A) 7.a4!?

Position after: 7.a4!?

To my eyes, this is one of the most logical follow-ups. White takes more space on the queenside, and
kind of deters Black from bringing his queen to d6 (often a normal idea, as we will see). It also keeps
open the possibility of playing Bf4. 7...Ne4 Also a very logical continuation. The knight is strong
here, and it may now jump to d6 in order to invade the weak c4-square. I think this plan is too slow,
but it’s important to keep it in mind.
A1) 8.Bb2 Qd6!? 9.c3 Nd7

490
Position after: 9...Nd7

Black has reacted very effectively in the center and is ready to continue with ...e7−e5. 10.Nbd2
[10.a5 b5! Now White has to decide whether to take or not, but if he doesn’t, his queenside initiative
has vanished for the rest of the game. 11.axb6 cxb6 12.Qb3 Ndf6 13.Bc1 Bb7 14.Bf4 Qc6„]
10...e5! 11.c4 Nxd2 12.Nxd2 e4 13.b5 Re8= White has some initiative on the queenside, but we can
be satisfied with our advances in the center.
A2) 8.Bf4

Position after: 8.Bf4

491
 A2.1) 8...Be6 This original move was tried by Sadler. His position was very playable even if he
eventually went on to lose: 9.Qc1 Nd7 10.Bh6 a5 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.b5 c6 13.bxc6 bxc6 14.Nbd2
Bf7= 1-0 (37) Van Wely, L (2691) – Sadler, M (2637), Wolvega 2012.
A2.2) 8...a5!N 9.b5 c5 10.e3 Nd7„ Black is also fighting for the initiative.
B) 7.c4?! This move is clearly over-optimistic. 7...dxc4!

Position after: 7...dxc4!

In Stonewall systems it’s rarely a good idea to take on c4, even if White is unable to take back
immediately. Here it’s slightly different, as the pawn already being on b4 makes it playable. 8.Na3!
This is the right place for the knight as it prevents ...b7−b5. [8.Nbd2?! Be6 It’s nearly impossible for
White to get his pawn back now, as the d4-pawn would be hanging after Ne5. He should try to get
compensation, but even this is difficult. 9.Qc2 b5 10.Ng5 Bd5µ]
B1) 8...Be6!? is very playable: 9.Ne5 Ne4 10.Naxc4 Bxc4 11.Nxc4 Qxd4

492
Position after: 11...Qxd4

12.Qb3 Qc3!= [12...Qxa1? 13.Bb2+–]

B2) 8...a5 9.b5 c6

Position after: 9...c6

While White is trying to get his pawn back, we are destroying his queenside. 10.bxc6 [10.Bf4 Be6
11.Rc1 Ne4 12.e3 cxb5 13.Nxb5 Na6=] 10...Nxc6 11.Nxc4 Be6 12.Nce5 Nxe5! 13.Nxe5 Bd5=
Black has a queenside majority and active pieces, and probably already has the easier position.

493
 C) 7.c3 This innocent move doesn’t do much except give us some time to react. 7...a5 8.b5 Ne4 9.Bf4
c6 10.a4 Nd7ƒ Black has no problems and tries to bring his knight to b6.

7...a5!?N

Position after: 7...a5!?N

Black has tried many moves, but this one is a novelty. We have already seen this idea of inviting White
to push b5, in order to keep harassing this pawn.

8.b5

A) 8.a3?! would only leave White with weak points, e.g. 8...axb4 9.axb4 Rxa1 10.Bxa1 Nbd7
11.Nbd2 Nb6³. It’s hard to find a reason for having the pawn on b4 and the bishop on a1.
B) 8.c3 Keeping the tension also shows the limits of White’s system, as he will clearly lack activity.
8...Ne4 9.e3 Nd7 10.a4 Nb6ƒ

8...c6

494
Position after: 8...c6

Now White has a choice of how to deal with his attacked pawn. He can either trade or protect it, but
neither possibility is convincing.

9.Na3!

A) 9.a4 cxb5 10.axb5 Nbd7ƒ The knight goes to b6, which is also good for Black.
B) 9.bxc6 Nxc6 10.Nbd2 b5! Black develops a queenside initiative so easily. 11.a4 [11.Nb3?! If
White thinks he will be able to occupy a weak point, he is clearly mistaken: 11...a4 12.Nc5 a3 13.Bc3
Ne4µ.] 11...b4 12.Nb3 Ne4³

9...Ne4 10.e3

495
Position after: 10.e3

10...cxb5!

10...Be6 11.Qe2 Nd7 12.c4ƒ This might give White some kind of initiative.

11.Nxb5 Be6 12.Qe2 Nd7=

Position after: 12...Nd7=

It’s true that the knight on b5 is strong, but we have easy play on the c-file, and again the possibility of

496
bringing a knight to c4. The game is balanced.

497
 Chapter 8
Systems with b3

1.d4 f5

Chapter Guide

Chapter 8 – Systems with b3

Side lines

1.d4 f5
a) 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.b3 g6 4.Bb2 Bg7 5.e3
b) 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 g6 4.b3 (without g3)
c) 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.b3
d) 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.b3?!

Main systems

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.b3 0-0 6.Bb2 d6 7.0-0 c6
e) 7.-- alternatives, 8.Nbd2 --, 8...a5 9.a3
f) 8.Nbd2 a5 9.--
g) 8.Nbd2 a5 9.c4
h) 8.c4 Na6 9.--, 9.Nbd2 e5! 10.dxe5 Nd7 11.--, 11.Ba3
i) 8.c4 Na6 9.Nbd2 e5! 10.dxe5 Nd7 11.Qc2

498
 a) 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.b3 g6 4.Bb2 Bg7 5.e3

1.d4 f5

Position after: 1...f5

In the previous chapter we focused on lines where White plays b4, so it’s logical to follow with the
more prosaic idea of playing b3. This system is clearly more critical than those featuring b4, especially
since it’s Avrukh’s recommendation in his books on 1.d4. The basic idea is to be ready to deal with
Black’s idea of playing ...e5 by either preventing it or countering it appropriately. Variations in this
chapter start as early as move two, as there are many ways to play with b3 − it can be played with or
without a kingside fianchetto, and with the knight on e2 or f3. I will try to be exhaustive on all the
possibilities!

2.Nf3 Nf6 3.b3 g6 4.Bb2 Bg7 5.e3

This set-up is only rarely seen. It may be viewed as a Colle System against the Leningrad Dutch.

499
Position after: 5.e3

I don’t really believe in White’s concept, and we are likely to be faster in pushing ...e5 than White in
pushing e4.

5...0-0

Now White has to make the hardest decision in his opening: where should the f1-bishop go? Players are
divided about this, as every square can have advantages and disadvantages.

6.Bd3

6.Nbd2 d6

500
Position after: 6...d6

A) 7.Bc4+ From here the bishop slows down possibilities of playing ...e5, but it doesn’t control the
e4-square, and we can adjust our plans. 7...e6 8.Qe2 b6

Position after: 8...b6

9.0-0 [9.e4?? Of course this is a blunder, and is one of the drawbacks of the bishop being on c4.
9...fxe4 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Qxe4 d5–+] 9...Ne4 10.Rad1 c5 11.Bd3 Bb7 12.c4 Nd7³

501
Position after: 12...Nd7³

White finds himself without a plan, except maybe playing Ne1 and f3, but it takes time and creates
other weaknesses on the dark squares.
B) 7.Be2 The bishop is modestly placed here. White will need to move it again if he wants to play e4.
7...e6 8.0-0 b6 9.Re1 Bb7 10.a4 a5ƒ

Position after: 10...a5ƒ

I prefer to stop White’s ideas before continuing with ...Nbd7, ...Qe7 and ...e5 or ...c5. Black definitely

502
 has the upper hand.

6...d6 7.0-0

7.Nbd2 Nc6 8.0-0 doesn’t change anything.

7...Nc6

Position after: 7...Nc6

8.Nbd2

8.c4?! is even worse, as shown in the following variation: 8...e5 9.dxe5?! [9.d5N A necessity, since
opening the position is worse for White. 9...Nb4 10.Be2 Na6 11.a3 Nc5 12.b4 Nce4ƒ Black gets a fine
version of a King’s Indian.] 9...dxe5!

503
Position after: 9...dxe5!

This time this move is on, and clearly better for Black.
A) 10.Nxe5? Ng4 White has too many hanging pieces and loses material. 11.Nxc6 Qd6!

Position after: 11...Qd6!

The point! 12.Ne5 [12.g3 Bxb2–+] 12...Nxe5 13.Be2 Qxd1 14.Rxd1 Nf3+ 15.Bxf3 Bxb2 16.Nd2
Bxa1 17.Rxa1 Rd8µ Black should be able to convert his advantage quite easily.
B) 10.Be2 Qe7 11.Ba3 Nb4 12.Nc3 a5³

504
8...e5! 9.dxe5 Nd7

Position after: 9...Nd7

This is the kind of variation where Black takes advantage of the position of the bishop on d3. It will
come under fire from a knight on e5, or possibly the threat of a fork on e4.

10.Rb1

Sooner or later White will need to protect the bishop if he doesn’t want to suffer a nasty discovered
check which would win it.
10.Nc4
A) 10...dxe5?! 11.e4! A strong reaction. Black seems to be tied to the protection of the e5-pawn.
11...f4 12.Re1 Re8 13.Bf1 Qf6 14.Na5!² White would be happy to trade the knight (which isn’t
hanging, thanks to Qd5+). I think he is slightly better here, even if Black won in Schnitzspan, L
(2324) – Jankovic, A (2562), Germany 2014.
B) 10...d5! 11.Ncd2 Ncxe5 12.Qc1 Qe7ƒ

505
Position after: 12...Qe7ƒ

Black was ‘forced’ to push ...d5, which can be seen as a concession, but it enabled him to gain a few
tempi.

10...Ndxe5 11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.Be2 Qe7„

Position after: 12...Qe7„

The knight on e5 is strong and secures Black easy equality.

506
 b) 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 g6 4.b3 (without g3)

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 g6

Position after: 3...g6

Now we will look at very similar positions to 3.b3 in the previous subchapter.
The difference is that White has already played c4. This can be seen as a drawback (as it deprives
White of possibilities such as Bc4+), or as an advantage (since ...Nc6 will be met with d5, a move not
possible in the previous lines because the d5-square was not controlled by any white piece).

4.b3

4.e3 It’s possible to start with this move, but it’s risky to defer b3, as Black may be able to push ...e5,
creating problems on the long diagonal. 4...Bg7 5.Nc3 0-0

507
Position after: 5...0-0

6.Be2 The bishop is better placed here in view of the coming ...e5, as it won’t be under threat from the
pawn. [6.Bd3 d6 7.b3?! e5! This is one of the cases where White regrets having deferred b3... 8.dxe5
dxe5 9.Nxe5 Ne4–+] 6...d6 7.b3 e5 This is not forced, for instance Black can also wait and start with
...Ne4. Here White can keep a decent position. 8.dxe5 dxe5

Position after: 8...dxe5

9.Ba3! [9.Nxe5?? Ne4–+] 9...Re8

508
 A) 10.Qc2 e4 11.Rd1 Nbd7 12.Nd4 c6 13.0-0 Qc7= Both players might be happy with their position.
White has active pieces, and Black has managed to get his pawn to e4, which is always a great
achievement. Chances are probably balanced.
B) 10.Qxd8 Rxd8 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.cxd5 e4 13.Nd4 Bxd4 14.exd4 Nd7„ A complicated endgame
has arisen. If Black manages to control the bishop pair and grab the central pawns he will be more
than fine, but White can try to develop a quick initiative on the c-file. Concrete play is required.

4...Bg7 5.Bb2 0-0

Position after: 5...0-0

6.e3

A) 6.Nc3 d6 7.g3 [7.Qc2 c5 8.e3 f4 9.exf4 Nc6 10.dxc5 Bf5 11.Qd2 dxc5©] 7...Nc6 8.d5 [8.Bg2 e5
9.d5 Nb4 10.0-0 Na6ƒ

509
Position after: 10...Na6ƒ

The knight drops back, en route to e4, and Black can be happy with his King’s Indian type of position
(where b3/Bb2 is hardly to be recommended).] 8...Ne5!?

Position after: 8...Ne5!?

We have already met this knight jump in Chapter 4. Black is ready to allow his pawns to be doubled,
but will get a pawn mass in the center. We should also mention that b3/Bb2 is not normally in White’s
plan (he should usually go with c5, Qb3 and Rd1). 9.Nxe5 [9.Nd4 c5! As Bg2 hasn’t been played yet,

510
 it’s easy to free ourselves in the center. 10.dxc6 bxc6 11.Bg2 Qb6 12.0-0 Bd7ƒ] 9...dxe5 10.Bg2 e4
11.0-0 e6 12.Qc2

Position after: 12.Qc2

12...Qe7 This move keeps more pieces on the board and retains flexibility. [12...exd5 13.Nxd5 c6
14.Nxf6+ Bxf6 15.Rad1 Qe7 16.Bxf6 Qxf6=] 13.Rad1 Bd7=
B) 6.Nbd2 d6 7.Qc2 Sometimes White decides to wait with his f1-bishop. It’s against the principle of
speedy castling, but at least Qc2 protects the b2-bishop, so ...e5 followed by ...Nd7 is no longer a
good idea. [7.e3 − see 6.e3 d6 7.Nbd2; 7.g3?! e5! 8.dxe5 Nfd7³ We have already seen this motif; it’s
easy to understand that Black will get a strong center, ready to advance.] 7...c5

511
Position after: 7...c5

B1) 8.d5 e5 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.e3 Nc6 11.Be2 f4! Black was already more than fine, but this move
allows more pieces to come into play. Let’s not forget that White’s king is still on e1! 12.exf4 Re8
13.0-0 Bf5 14.Qd1 Nh5! 15.Bxg7 Nxf4 16.Bb2 Nxe2+ 17.Kh1 Nb4µ Our knights are a
(k)nightmare for White.
B2) 8.e3 cxd4 9.exd4 Nc6

Position after: 9...Nc6

512
 Here we see one of the drawbacks of the queen on c2. The c6-knight is not scared of being chased as
it will gain an important tempo on the queen. 10.Be2 Nh5! The knight heads towards f4, and allows
...e5 to be played on the next move. 11.0-0 e5! 12.dxe5 Nf4 13.Rfe1 dxe5³
C) 6.g3 In the majority of games, White decided to transpose into the main systems with a double
fianchetto, but a more classical move order, not delaying kingside development, was more natural.

6...d6

Position after: 6...d6

As in similar positions which we have seen a couple of times, White is once again at a crossroads
concerning his development.

7.Be2

This is problably the move order where White is best placed to meet ...e5 ideas, so we’ll change our
mind and take advantage of the fact that the bishop can’t control the e4-square.
A) 7.Bd3 To me, it’s quite unlikely that White will be able to play e4, since he has already played c4.
Of course if Black does nothing, it might become playable, but the chances that ...e5 is coming soon
are great − as we see immediately! 7...e5! 8.dxe5 dxe5

513
Position after: 8...dxe5

9.Bxe5 The only possibility, otherwise White’s development is clearly dubious. [9.Nxe5?? Ng4! As
usual, the pin on the long diagonal is just winning. 10.f4 Nd7–+] 9...Nc6

Position after: 9...Nc6

A1) 10.Bb2?! f4 [10...Nb4!? 11.Be2 Qxd1+ 12.Kxd1 Ne4 13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.Rf1∞] 11.0-0 Nb4
12.Bc2 Qxd1 13.Bxd1 fxe3 14.fxe3 Nd3 15.Bc3 Bh6³
A2) 10.Bc3 The bishop looks odd on this square, but at least it’s protected and prevents ...Nb4.

514
 10...f4! 11.0-0 fxe3 12.fxe3 Re8© Black has the better development and will probably regain his
pawn soon.
B) 7.Nc3

Position after: 7.Nc3

7...Nc6!? I like to fight for ...e5 as much as I can, and this move seems playable despite the possibility
of 8.d5. [7...e6!? Of course the other plan that we have met a few times in this subchapter is perfectly
playable too. 8.Be2 Qe7 9.0-0 b6„] 8.d5 [8.Be2 e5 9.0-0 e4 On principle I like to advance to e4 if I
can. The next mission is to stop White’s advance on the queenside. 10.Nd2 a6!? Preventing a future
b5, and waiting for White to decide on his next move. 11.a3 d5!„] 8...Ne5 9.Nxe5 dxe5 10.Be2 e6N

515
Position after: 10...e6N

I don’t think Black experiences many problems here. 11.0-0 [11.e4 fxe4 12.0-0 exd5 13.cxd5 Bf5=]
11...exd5 12.cxd5 a6 [12...Rf7?! doesn’t work very well here after 13.Bc4! Qe8 14.d6 Be6 15.Nb5!.
This is why we prefer to include ...a6/a4 in our variation. 15...Bxc4 16.bxc4 Rd8 17.dxc7!! The pawn
is simply too strong here. 17...Rxd1 18.Raxd1 Rxc7™ 19.Nxc7±] 13.a4 Rf7 14.Bc4 Qe8! 15.b4 Bf8
16.b5 Bd6„

Position after: 16...Bd6„

516
 A very double-edged position has arisen. It is definitely hard for White to crack Black’s queenside.
C) 7.Nbd2 Nc6!? A nice idea in my opinion. White will probably want to prevent ...e5 with 8.d5.
[Black can also play 7...e5 8.dxe5 Nfd7= There is no problem with this continuation either.]

Position after: 8.d5

8...Nb8! The knight quietly returns. 9.Be2 c6! The point. White can’t protect his d-pawn, so he should
probably take, and let Black have a free hand in the center. 10.dxc6

Position after: 10.dxc6

517
 10...Nxc6 [10...bxc6!? 11.c5! d5 12.0-0 Nfd7 13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.b4 e5² A complicated position!
White has good prospects on the queenside, and while Black’s development is dubious, his center is
impressive.] 11.0-0 e5 12.Nb1! Be6 13.Nc3 h6 14.Qd2 Qe7 15.Rad1 Rfd8„ Play is balanced.

7...e6!? 8.0-0 Qe7 9.Nc3 b6

Position after: 9...b6

10.Nd2

10.b4 White has tried this logical move recently, but it costs him a tempo. 10...Bb7 11.Qb3 Nbd7

518
Position after: 11...Nbd7

12.d5?! [12.b5 Kh8 13.a4 a5! 14.Nd2 e5 15.Bf3 e4 16.Be2 g5ƒ] 12...e5 13.Rac1 Kh8 14.Ng5 Don’t
worry, the knight won’t stay on e6 for very long. First we force it to come in... 14...Bh6 15.Ne6 Rfc8
16.Nb5 Nf8!=

Position after: 16...Nf8!=

And now it is traded, and as Black manages to slowly develop his play, White’s initiative vanishes. A
draw was soon agreed in Nagy, G (2464) – Hoang Thanh Trang (2448), Hungary 2019.

10...Bb7

10...e5 If you don’t want to trade the light-squared bishop, this could be the move for you, but be aware
that it might be a bit too early. 11.c5!?ƒ

11.Bf3 c5 12.Bxb7 Qxb7 13.Nf3 Qe7 14.Qc2 Nc6=

519
Position after: 14...Nc6=

I like Black in this flexible kind of position.

c) 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.b3

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.b3

Position after: 4.b3

520
Playing b3 so quickly may transpose to the main subchapters, but White also has a few other set-ups
that we will discuss now.

4...Bg7 5.Bb2 0-0 6.Nd2

A) 6.Nh3

Position after: 6.Nh3

This has been seen in a few games. It is quite rare to associate b3 with Nh3 (as the idea of playing b3
is generally to prevent ...e5), but at least it leaves both long diagonals open. 6...d6
A1) 7.c4 c6 8.0-0 e5!? 9.dxe5 Ng4 This classical motif works well here because of the misplaced
knight on h3. 10.Nc3 dxe5 11.e4 Na6„ Black has decent activity, and his dream is to bring a knight
to d4, even though the road is quite long.
A2) 7.d5
A2.1) 7...Nbd7 8.0-0 Ne5 9.c4 e6 10.Nc3 exd5 11.Nxd5 c6 12.Nxf6+ Qxf6 13.Kh1²

521
Position after: 13.Kh1²

I think White is always better in this kind of middlegame. The pawn on d6 is rather weak and Black
doesn’t have the same play as in the lines with 8.d5 of Chapter 10. White went on to win in Luther,
T (2567) – Georgiadis, N (2473), Austria 2016.
A2.2) 7...c6 8.c4 e5 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.0-0 Na6 11.Nf4 Bf7„ Play is very similar to Chapter 10.
B) 6.Nf3 transposes to the main line.

6...d6

522
Position after: 6...d6

7.e4

This seems the critical way to take advantage of the move order. Unfortunately for White, he is not
really ready for this!
A) 7.Nh3 Nc6 8.d5 [8.Nc4 e6 9.Nf4 Bd7 10.0-0 g5 11.Nd3 b5 12.Ne3 Rb8„

Position after: 12...Rb8„

A very strange position. Many pawn breaks are possible, and the next few moves seem very important
to determine who will take over the initiative.] 8...Ne5 9.c4 e6 10.0-0 Qe7 11.Nf4 exd5 12.Nxd5
Nxd5 13.Bxd5+ Kh8= Black is ready to follow with ...f4 and develop his initiative on the kingside.
B) 7.c4 e5 8.dxe5 Nfd7

523
Position after: 8...Nfd7

It makes sense to put the knight here instead of g4 if we want to be sure of taking back on e5 with the
pawn. (Due to h3 in the other case it might be impossible.) 9.Ndf3?! The beginning of a bad idea, but
the only way not to just be slightly worse. White can’t hope for much with his knight still on g1, and
the logical spot on f3 is taken. [9.Nh3 dxe5 10.0-0 Qe7 11.Nf3 Nc6 12.Qd5+ Kh8 13.Rad1 a5³]
9...dxe5 10.Qd5+?! Kh8

Position after: 10...Kh8

524
 11.Nxe5? Unfortunately for White this is refuted easily. [11.Nh3 Qe7³ There is no reason for the
queen to be on d5.] 11...c6! The queen is unable to maintain the protection of the knight, so White
loses material. 12.Nf7+ Rxf7 13.Qxf7 Bxb2 14.Rd1 Na6 15.Nf3 Bc3+

Position after: 15...Bc3+

We don’t even let White develop his pieces correctly. 16.Kf1 Qf8µ
C) 7.Ngf3 Nc6 8.0-0 Ne4 − once again, see the main subchapter.

7...fxe4 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Bxe4 c5!

525
Position after: 9...c5!

Black strikes back in the center at once.

10.Ne2 Nc6 11.Qd2

11.0-0 Bh3!

Position after: 11...Bh3!

A) 12.Re1 d5! 13.Bh1 Tolerating the bishop on h3 makes sense if White wants to keep his own bishop
alive, but it’s dangerous too! 13...cxd4 14.Nf4 [14.Nxd4 Qb6! 15.Bxd5+ Kh8 16.c3 e5 17.Nf3
Rad8µ Black’s advantage is overwhelming.] 14...Rxf4! 15.gxf4 e6 16.Qf3 Bf5³
B) 12.Bg2 Bxg2 13.Kxg2 Qd7 14.Qd2 Qf5 15.Kg1 [15.f3 Nxd4 16.Nxd4 cxd4 17.Bxd4 Bxd4
18.Qxd4 Qxc2+ 19.Rf2 Qc6³] 15...Rad8ƒ White is still under pressure.

526
Position after: 11.Qd2

11...Bg4!?

This seems the simplest way to follow up.

A) 11...d5 12.Bg2 cxd4 13.Nxd4 e5 14.Nxc6 bxc6 15.c4=
B) 11...Bh3 If you want a complicated game and long-term compensation, this move is made for you!
12.Nf4

Position after: 12.Nf4

527
 Logical in order to get rid of the bishop, but it allows a nice exchange sacrifice. 12...Rxf4! 13.gxf4
[13.Qxf4?! d5 14.Bd3 Nxd4µ] 13...d5 14.Bd3 Nxd4 15.0-0-0 Qd6 16.Qe3 Bd7 17.Rhe1 e6³ Black
has a massive center and full compensation.

12.0-0 Bxe2 13.Qxe2 cxd4³

Position after: 13...cxd4³

Black follows with ...e5 and keeps his extra pawn.

d) 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.b3?!

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.0-0

528
Position after: 5.0-0

Some people start with 5.0-0 instead of the more usual 5.b3, thinking that it might be more flexible.
That’s actually not the case, since White denies himself a couple of other options on move 7 (see the
next subchapters).

5...0-0 6.c4

This is by far the most played move, and is obviously not a bad one, but in association with 7.b3, it’s a
bad idea!
6.b3 d6 7.Bb2 − see the next subchapter of the current chapter.

6...d6 7.b3?!

529
Position after: 7.b3?!

In the previous chapter we considered the exact same position with b4 instead of b3 and said that it was
a bad idea due to the following move.

7...e5!

Once again this works well. Granted, it’s less powerful than after 7.b4 since White is more solid as the
pawn on b3 isn’t hanging and protects the c4-pawn, but it’s still good for Black!

8.dxe5!

I think White should open the position, otherwise Black’s play is too simple.
A) 8.Bb2 In my opinion committing the bishop to this square is even worse than committing the
knight to c3, because in general White won’t choose to develop the bishop to b2 if his d-pawn is likely
to be blocked on d4. 8...e4!

530
Position after: 8...e4!

A1) 9.Nfd2 Nc6 10.a3 h5!? In the following game, Black started his attack immediately, a very
interesting decision. [10...e3 11.fxe3 Qe7©] 11.e3 h4 12.Nc3 hxg3 13.hxg3 Bd7 14.f3?! White is
trying to give his king some fresh air, but the weakness of the g3-pawn is too important. 14...Nh5
15.Qe1 Qg5µ White lost a pawn and later the game in Garcia, J (2232) – Dzhumaev, M (2549),
Manila 2008, 0-1 (33).
A2) 9.Ng5 d5!N

Position after: 9...d5!N

531
 10.Nh3 [10.Nc3?! Falling into Black’s trap. 10...dxc4 11.bxc4 Ng4 12.h4 h6 13.Nh3 Bxd4µ] 10...c6
11.Nc3 Na6 12.e3 Nc7³ Black is now ready to take back on d5 with his knights in order not to open
the c-file and will now try to advance his pawns on the kingside.
A3) 9.Ne1 d5! 10.Nc2 Be6

Position after: 10...Be6

11.c5 [11.cxd5 Nxd5 12.Nc3 c6 13.f3 Kind of necessary if White wants to find any activity, but it
weakens the center. 13...exf3 14.Bxf3 Nxc3 15.Bxc3 Nd7³; 11.Nc3?! dxc4! 12.Ne3 cxb3 13.axb3
Nc6! 14.d5 Nxd5–+] 11...Nbd7 12.Nc3 c6 13.b4 Qc7

532
Position after: 13...Qc7

With this move Black intends 14...f4. 14.e3 g5 15.f4! exf3 16.Bxf3 Ne4³
B) 8.Nc3 e4 9.Ne1 c6!

Position after: 9...c6!

When we don’t have the knight on c6, it makes sense to follow with this move, intending ...d5.
10.Nc2 [10.d5? Nxd5µ] 10...d5 11.Bg5 [11.Ba3 Re8 12.Rc1 Be6 13.cxd5 Nxd5 14.Nxd5 Qxd5!?³]
11...h6 12.Bxf6 Rxf6³ White is unable to put enough pressure on the d5-pawn, so Black stands better
thanks to his great center, and may start a kingside attack soon.

8...dxe5

533
Position after: 8...dxe5

9.Ba3

The best try. White should aim to be as active as possible.

A) 9.Bb2 e4 10.Ng5 Nc6 11.Nc3 Qe7ƒ
B) 9.Nxe5?! Nfd7! 10.Qd5+ Kh8 11.f4 Nxe5 12.fxe5 Qxd5 13.cxd5 Bxe5

Position after: 13...Bxe5

534
 14.Bh6! Re8 15.Na3 Bxa1 16.Rxa1 Na6© At least White gets some compensation thanks to his two
bishops and the weak spots in Black’s camp.

9...e4!?

Black once tried this interesting exchange sacrifice. Despite looking dubious, it is really interesting. I
would love to try it in a game.
9...Qxd1 This move has been played in most games, and Black has achieved fine results with it. It is
fully playable and sufficient for equality, but it doesn’t pose White many problems. 10.Rxd1 Re8
11.Nc3 e4 12.Nd4 [12.Ne1 c6 13.Rac1 Be6 14.Nc2 Na6 15.Nd4 Bf7=] 12...c6

Position after: 12...c6

A) 13.Nc2 Nbd7 14.Bb2 Nc5 15.b4 Ncd7 16.Nb1?! White employs a strange plan and gets punished.
16...Nb6 17.Nba3 Be6 18.c5 Na4 19.Bd4 Nd5µ With lots of weaknesses, White ended up losing in
Wagh, S (2356) – Harsha, B (2454), Abu Dhabi 2018, 0-1 (40).
B) 13.e3 Nbd7 14.Rd2 Ne5 15.Rad1 Bd7= Black has an interesting position with some holes to
exploit, but White’s activity compensates.

10.Bxf8 Qxf8

535
Position after: 10...Qxf8

11.Nd4

11.Ne1 Ng4! 12.Nc2 Bxa1 13.Nxa1 Be6³

11...Ne8!N

This move is just what Black was needing! The knight keeps the c7-pawn protected and opens the long
diagonal. He will soon restore the material balance.
11...e3? Opening the diagonal for the g2-bishop is not really something Black should be doing. 12.f4
Ng4 13.Nb5? After this move Black has a great option. [White should prefer 13.Nc2 Bxa1 14.Nxa1 c6
15.h3± when Black is behind in development and will soon lose the important e-pawn.] 13...Na6!
14.N5c3 c6

536
Position after: 14...c6

Black doesn’t care about material; he simply paralyzes White. 15.Qc1 Qe7 16.a3 Nc5 17.Qc2 Ne6
18.Ra2 Nd4 19.Qd1 h5µ White is almost out of moves and lost quickly in Puraev, A (2220) – Smirnov,
P (2566), Tomsk 2011, 0-1 (28).

12.Qd2

A) 12.e3 c5 13.Nc2 Nc6 14.Nba3

Position after: 14.Nba3

537
 14...Bxa1! [14...Be6 Trying to play as in the Smirnov game is interesting, but less strong in this case.
15.Rc1 Ne5 16.Qe2 a6 17.Rfd1 Nd6©] 15.Qxa1 Qe7³ Black keeps more space and the upper hand.
B) 12.Nc3? c5! 13.Ndb5 a6µ
C) 12.Nc2 Nc6 13.Qd5+ Qf7 14.Qxf7+ Kxf7 15.Nba3 Bxa1 16.Rxa1 a5!ƒ Black intends ...Nb4,
retaining the initiative.

12...Nc6

Position after: 12...Nc6

13.Nxc6!

13.e3?! Nxd4 14.exd4 c5! 15.Nc3 cxd4µ

538
Position after: 15...cxd4µ

Obviously this is crushing, and my only advice for White is to give back a piece on e4.

13...Bxa1 14.Nd4 c5 15.Nc2 Bg7 16.f3! exf3 17.Bxf3=

Position after: 17.Bxf3=

This should be about equal, as White will get some squares for his knights. On the other hand, the dark
squares are suffering because of his missing bishop.

539
 e) 7.-- alternatives, 8.Nbd2 --, 8...a5 9.a3

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.b3

Position after: 5.b3

This is the most precise move order for White. He doesn’t allow any ...e5 ideas, as the bishop quickly
goes to b2.
It also gives Black as little information as possible concerning the development of the c-pawn and b1-
knight.

5...0-0 6.Bb2 d6

Now of course 7.0-0 is the main move, but we should have a look at other continuations as well,
bearing in mind that they might transpose later.

7.0-0

A) 7.d5?! This is a typical move when Black threatens ...e5, but here it’s too soon. 7...c6!

540
Position after: 7...c6!

Immediately challenging White’s pawn. 8.dxc6 [8.c4?! Dreaming of keeping the pawn here is just
another mistake: 8...cxd5 9.cxd5 Qa5+ 10.Nc3?! Ne4µ.] 8...bxc6 9.0-0 e5 10.c4 Na6 11.Nc3 Qc7³
B) 7.c4 c6

Position after: 7...c6

8.Nbd2 [8.0-0 White has transposed into the main line in most cases. We will discuss the position
after 8.Nc3 Na6 9.0-0 later.] 8...Na6 9.0-0 It makes little sense for White to postpone this move, so it

541
 will probably transpose (unless he comes up with any crazy ideas!).
C) 7.Nbd2 c6 8.0-0 − see 7.0-0.

7...c6!?

Position after: 7...c6!?

I believe this is the most fighting move; it’s no coincidence that it has been played in most of the recent
games by top players. Black once again prepares ...e5, but will do so slowly. Now White has two main
ways to continue, 8.c4 and 8.Nbd2. I won’t choose the same set-up for both as it allows different
possibilities for White, but first let’s have a look at what may seem the more timid move.

8.Nbd2 a5!

The knight can no longer come to c3, so I prefer to have the chance of playing ...a4 at some point (as
well as preventing White from advancing too much on the queeside). This has been Black’s decision in
most recent games.
8...Na6 In contrast to the next subchapter with 8.c4, this move is not my preference. The reason is
mainly because White is able to fight for e2−e4 very quickly.

542
Position after: 8...Na6

A) 9.c4 − see the main line in the next subchapter.

B) 9.Ne1!? This is another interesting approach, trying to play e4 at the earliest opportunity. 9...e5 If
Black waits with this move, it will be even worse as White will be able to push e4. 10.dxe5 Nd7
11.Nc4 dxe5 12.Qd6² White manages to keep the initiative thanks to his control of the d-file.
C) 9.Re1! Ne4 10.c4!?

Position after: 10.c4!?

543
 White is in no hurry. He can wait for his opponent to make a decision. 10...Qc7 A logical attempt to
control the e5-square once more. [10...e5?! clearly fails here: 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Nxe4 fxe4 13.Qxd8
Rxd8 14.Ng5±.] 11.Nxe4! fxe4 12.Ng5 [12.Nd2 d5 13.cxd5 cxd5] 12...d5 13.Rc1 Taking advantage
of 10...Qc7. 13...Qb6 14.Qd2²

9.a3

Position after: 9.a3

White anticipates ...a4, ready to respond with b4.

9...Na6 10.Re1

Preparing for e4 is still the most logical continuation.

A) 10.Rb1 Protecting the bishop is always an option. My suggestion is to regroup our pieces: 10...Nc7
11.c4 Nd7

544
Position after: 11...Nd7

Black is aiming to play ...e5, so White goes first. 12.e4 f4! This is often a logical continuation when
the f4-square is not well controlled by White. It keeps the position closed and creates an initiative on
the kingside. The game might continue with 13.Qc2 e5 14.c5!? exd4 15.cxd6 Ne6

Position after: 15...Ne6

16.Nxd4! Ne5! This closes the long diagonal, and Black is ready to regain his pawn with a
complicated position. [16...Nxd4? 17.Bxd4 Bxd4 18.Qc4++–] 17.Rfd1 Qxd6„

545
Position after: 17...Qxd6„

Objectively White might be slightly better, but our prospects on the kingside seem promising and easy
to follow.
B) 10.c4 This is played in most cases, but see 10.a3 in the main line.

10...Nc7!?

Position after: 10...Nc7!?

546
11.c4!?

11.e4 This looks the most logical continuation, but it’s actually not that great. 11...Nxe4 12.Nxe4 fxe4
13.Rxe4

Position after: 13.Rxe4

White has achieved one of his classical aims against the Leningrad Dutch, but it’s not particularly great
here as his other pieces at not very powerful. Black has at least two good ways to continue. 13...a4!?
[13...Bf5 14.Re1 Qd7= is probably enough for equality, but I prefer the other continuation.] 14.b4 b5=
This is another approach, trying to get more out of the light squares on the queenside.

11...e5!N

547
Position after: 11...e5!N

We have already seen this idea: Black has waited until c4 was played before playing ...e5, thus he
won’t have to face an annoying Nc4 on the next move, attacking the dark squares.

12.dxe5

12.e4 Nxe4 13.dxe5 d5! It seems important to keep a strong knight on e4. 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.Rc1 Ne6„

12...Ng4 13.exd6

White temporarily wins a pawn, but I am not sure it will last very long.
13.Qc2 Nxe5 14.Rad1 Qe7= Black can be satisfied with the way he has opened the position.

13...Bxb2

548
Position after: 13...Bxb2

14.Ra2!

An important intermediate move. White wants to get rid of the bishop while it’s impossible to take on
a3, so Black gives up his bishop in order to keep the material balance. 14.dxc7?! Qe7 15.Rb1 Bxa3=

14...Qxd6 15.Rxb2 Qxa3 16.Qa1! Qc5 17.e3 Na6„

Position after: 17...Na6„

549
The computer seems to prefer White, but to human eyes this looks fully playable for Black, who has
good knights and a potentially dangerous queenside majority.

f) 8.Nbd2 a5 9.--

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.b3 0-0 6.Bb2 d6 7.0-0 c6!? 8.Nbd2 a5!

Position after: 8...a5!

9.Re1!?

Curiously enough, this has only been rarely tried by White, whereas it’s the most annoying move after
8...Na6.
A) 9.Ne1 A few players have tried the same plan as against 8...Na6, but it seems less effective, and
Black has a strong reply.
A1) 9...Na6 This is playable, but less difficult to meet for White than B). 10.Nd3 [10.e4?! fxe4
11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Bxe4 a4 13.c4 Qb6³ White’s development is not impressive and he has to suffer
pressure on the d4-pawn and along the a-file, plus his misplaced bishop on e4 will probably have to
retreat soon.] 10...Nb4!?

550
Position after: 10...Nb4!?

11.Nxb4 axb4 12.a3 bxa3 13.Rxa3 Rxa3 14.Bxa3 Qa5 15.Bb2 Be6= Of course Black is not in any
kind of trouble right now, but it’s quite hard to unbalance the game, and he was unable to do so in
Kurajica, B (2551) – Wang, H (2726), Istanbul 2012, ½-½ (65).
A2) 9...a4!

Position after: 9...a4!

A2.1) 10.e4?! is hardly satisfactory for White: 10...a3! 11.Bc1 [11.Bc3?! This makes things even

551
 worse. 11...fxe4 12.Nxe4 Nd5! The bishop can’t retreat to d2 as d4 would be hanging. 13.Qe2
Nxc3 14.Nxc3 e5!³ White will miss the dark-squared bishop.] 11...e5!? With the bishop on c1 and
knight on e1, it’s logical to want to open the center. 12.dxe5 Nxe4 13.Nxe4 fxe4 14.Bxe4 Bxe5
15.Rb1 Qf6³
A2.2) 10.c4 e5! 11.dxe5 Ng4 White is unable to play Nc4 right now (that’s why we had to wait
before playing ...e5), so we are doing well. 12.Qc2 [12.Nd3 Nxe5 13.Qc2 Na6 14.Nf3 Qc7„]
12...Nxe5 13.b4 Be6 14.Nd3 Nbd7=

Position after: 14...Nbd7=

Black has managed to free himself in the center, has centralized his pieces, and created some
weaknesses in White’s queenside. His opening can be qualified as a success (even if it’s not
enough to be better).
B) 9.e3 This is played from time to time in many variations, but it’s not particularly ambitious.
9...Na6 10.Qe2 Here I would probably deviate from the game Mancini, M (2240) – Pytel, K (2500),
Chambery 1994, 0-1 (34), where Black followed a dubious plan starting with 10...h6, by playing
10...a4!?

552
Position after: 10...a4!?

11.c4 [11.bxa4 Nc7„ Black will take the a4-pawn and get some play on the a-file.] 11...Nc7 12.e4
fxe4 13.Nxe4 Bf5! 14.Nxf6+ exf6!=

9...Na6

Position after: 9...Na6

10.e4

553
This is the logical follow-up to White’s last move. 10.a3 − see 9.a3 Na6 10.Re1, which we’ve already
considered.

10...fxe4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Rxe4 Bf5

Position after: 12...Bf5

Now White has to decide which square is best for his rook.

13.Re1

A) 13.Rh4?! This can be interesting, but here the rook doesn’t do much. 13...Nc7 14.Qd2 a4ƒ
B) 13.Re2 Bg4 14.Re3 Bh6

554
Position after: 14...Bh6

The choice is the same as after 13.Re3 Bh6 14.Re2 Bg4. 15.Re4!? Bf5 16.Rh4 Bg7= The extra tempo
compared to 13.Rh4 is useful, but not enough for a real initiative.
C) 13.Re3 Bh6!

Position after: 13...Bh6!

14.Re1 [14.Re2 Bg4 15.Re1 Qd7!ƒ Preventing h3 and threatening ...Qf5.] 14...Nb4 15.Re2 Bg4
16.Re4 Bf5 17.Re2 Bg4 18.Re4

555
Position after: 18.Re4

Black can already take the draw, but may want to continue the game, so I suggest 18...Bxf3!? 19.Bxf3
Nxc2„, winning a pawn. He will have to face White’s initiative in the following moves, but also gets
the important d5-square for his knight (assuming that White doesn’t take it, and simply moves the
rook).

13...Nb4 14.Re2 Bg4 15.a3!?

Position after: 15.a3!?

556
15...Rxf3!

15...Bxf3 16.Bxf3 Rxf3 17.axb4 Rf7 18.bxa5 Rxa5 19.Rxa5 Qxa5=

16.h3

A) 16.Bxf3? Bxf3 17.axb4 axb4!–+ Black will keep a safe extra pawn and the better bishop.
B) 16.axb4 Rf7 17.f3 Bxf3 18.Bxf3 Rxf3 19.Rxa5 Rb8!³

16...Rxb3 17.cxb3 Bxe2 18.Qxe2 Na6∞

White’s activity (compensation) should be just enough to keep the balance, but he will need to play
accurately.

g) 8.Nbd2 a5 9.c4

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.b3 0-0 6.Bb2 d6 7.0-0 c6!? 8.Nbd2 a5! 9.c4

Position after: 9.c4

Probably the most logical move, especially if we consider that White may want the c2-square for his
queen. From here, it will allow the opening of the position with e4.

9...Na6 10.Qc2

This is the most played move, so will logically be our main line. Of course the black knight might come
to b4, but it hardly does anything there. It’s important to mention that the queen protects the bishop, so
the usual tactical way to play ...e5 is not possible here.

557
 A) 10.Ne1 e5! White is doing things slowly, but was threatening e4. It’s logical to be first! 11.dxe5
Nd7 12.Nd3 dxe5 13.e4

Position after: 13.e4

Definitely the most logical move, preventing ...e4, but it also weakens the d3-square. Black should
have taken advantage of this by varying from Zhao, J (2583) – Wang, H (2733), Beijing 2012, 1-0
(95), with 13...Nac5! 14.Nxc5 [14.Qc2 Nxd3 15.Qxd3 Nc5 16.Qxd8 Rxd8 17.Rad1 a4!ƒ] 14...Nxc5
15.Ba3 Qb6 16.Qe2 f4!ƒ Black not only has more space, but also the plan of bringing his knight to
d4, underlining the weak spots in White’s camp.
B) 10.e3?! Re8!

558
Position after: 10...Re8!

As White is playing slowly, we have time to prepare ...e5, and White can’t really prevent it. 11.Qe2
Don’t put a queen in front of a rook! [11.a3?! Way too slow. 11...e5! 12.dxe5 Ng4 13.Qc2 dxe5 14.h3
Nh6 15.Rad1 Qe7³] 11...Qc7! 12.e4 Black will continue with ...e5 anyway, so he is more than fine:
12...e5! 13.dxe5 dxe5

Position after: 13...dxe5

14.exf5 [14.Rfe1 Nc5 15.exf5 e4! 16.Nh4 gxf5³] 14...Bxf5 15.Bxe5 [15.Nh4 Bg4 16.f3 Bc8ƒ Black
is very dynamic. He will soon bring his knight into play via c5 or b4, depending on White’s move.]

559
 15...Ng4! 16.Bxc7 Rxe2

Position after: 16...Rxe2

17.Bb6 [17.Bxa5? This is even worse, giving Black an open a-file. 17...Nc5! 18.Bb6 Nd7 19.Bc7
Bxa1 20.Rxa1 Nxf2µ] 17...Bxa1 18.Rxa1 Nb4³.
C) 10.a3

Position after: 10.a3

We have already seen that this move can be played with different move orders. The idea is to continue

560
 with Qc2 without fearing any knight jumps to b4. Black should probably strike back immediately in
the center with 10...e5! It is no coincidence that this move has brought Black amazing results. 11.dxe5
Ng4

Position after: 11...Ng4

[11...Nd7 is probably equally good; it might encourage White to play h3, which would be both
weakening and an unnecessary loss of time.] 12.b4N My computer wants to take advantage of the pin
on the a-file. I’m not convinced that it’s great, but I usually trust it, so I should mention the idea.
[12.Qc2 Played in most games. 12...Nxe5 I don’t think Black has any problems. We have considered
this kind of position several times in this chapter already, and things seem to be going well. 13.Rad1
Qe7 14.e3 Nc5„] 12...Nxe5 13.Nxe5 dxe5

561
Position after: 13...dxe5

14.b5 The point. 14...Nc7!? [14...Nc5 15.bxc6 e4 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.cxb7 Bxb7²] 15.bxc6 bxc6
16.Bxc6 Ra6 17.Ba4 Rd6 18.Bc3 Bh6 19.e3 Ne6 20.Qc2 Bb7© Black definitely has compensation
due to White’s weak castled position.

10...Qc7

Position after: 10...Qc7

562
11.a3!

A) 11.Rad1 White won’t gain much by dispensing with a3 as it’s needed to stabilize the position in
order to play e4. 11...Re8 12.Rfe1 e5!

Position after: 12...e5!

White is basically doing nothing, so Black takes over the initiative. 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.e4 Nb4! 15.Qb1
fxe4 16.Nxe4 Nxe4 17.Qxe4 Bf5 18.Qe2 Nd3!µ

Position after: 18...Nd3!µ

563
 A nice move that appeared in the game Unuk, L (2253) – Cheparinov, I (2709), Skopje 2018, 0-1
(48). Black uses a nice tactical idea to win some material. White collapsed here; he could have played
the lesser evil 19.Rxd3 Bxd3 20.Qxd3 e4 21.Rxe4 Bxb2!µ. Black should be able to convert his
advantage if he manages to keep a safe king.
B) 11.e4?! Of course this move is not great. 11...Nb4 12.Qb1 fxe4 13.Nxe4 Nxe4 14.Qxe4 Bf5
15.Qe2 e5!³ And ...Bd3 is now a threat as Qe6+ is not a possible escape anymore.

11...Re8

Position after: 11...Re8

12.e4

Most White players decide not to wait. 12.Rfd1 e5! 13.c5!? This gives White a few squares to use.
[13.dxe5 dxe5 14.e4 Nc5!ƒ] 13...e4! 14.cxd6 Qxd6 15.Nc4 Qc7

564
Position after: 15...Qc7

From here the queen still protects the a5-pawn. 16.Nfe5 Be6 Black has managed to set up a strong
center which White must challenge, in my opinion. 17.f3 [17.Rac1 Nb8!? A decent way to bring the
knight into play. 18.e3 Nbd7³] 17...exf3 18.exf3 [18.Bxf3 Bd5!³] 18...f4!?ƒ This buries White’s bishop
on g2, and frees the f5-square for our own bishop. I like Black’s play here.

12...fxe4 13.Nxe4

Position after: 13.Nxe4

565
Now we have a choice between two interesting continuations.

13...Nxe4!

13...Bf5!? After thorough analysis, this seems less strong because of 14.Nxf6+! [14.Nh4?! Bxe4
15.Bxe4 Nxe4 16.Qxe4 e5!ƒ] 14...Bxf6 15.Qd2 Qb6 16.Nh4!

Position after: 16.Nh4!

White gets the better position with this strong move. 16...Qxb3?! [16...Bxh4 17.gxh4 e6 18.h5‚ Of
course, with the dark-squared bishop off the board, it may soon become very dangerous to handle this
position.] 17.Nxf5 gxf5 18.Rac1 Qb6 19.Bc3 Nc7 20.Rfe1±

14.Qxe4 Bf5

14...e5!? 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.Qe3 Bf5 Finally transposing to the same position.

15.Qe3

15.Qe2 Qb6! White shouldn’t have left the b3-pawn without protection. 16.Qd1 e5ƒ

15...e5!

566
Position after: 15...e5!

16.dxe5

16.Rfe1N It’s easy to criticize allowing the pawn to advance further, keeping a healthy pawn structure.
16...e4! 17.Nh4 Qf7! 18.Nxf5 gxf5 19.f3 Nc5ƒ

16...dxe5

Position after: 16...dxe5

567
After a few logical moves, a critical position has arisen. Black has an isolated e-pawn, but it’s too soon
to say whether it will be a strength or a weakness. The next few moves should tell.

17.Ng5

17.Bc3

Position after: 17.Bc3

This move occurred in quite an old game.

A) 17...Rad8 18.Rad1 Rxd1 19.Rxd1 Qe7 20.Qb6²

568
Position after: 20.Qb6²

Black has problems protecting his queenside, which is why I think the rook should remain on a8.
20...a4? 21.b4 e4 22.Bxg7 exf3 23.Bc3 fxg2 24.Qd4!+– and Black was unable to escape in Ikonnikov,
V (2485) – Timmerman, G (2325), Huy 1993, 1-0 (33).
B) 17...Qe7!N The idea of this move is to allow ...Nc5. 18.Rfe1 Nc5

Position after: 18...Nc5

19.Nxe5 [19.Nh4 Be6 20.Rab1 Qf8!„] 19...Nxb3 20.Ra2 Qc5!ƒ

17...Bh6! 18.h4 Qe7 19.Rad1 Nc5„

569
Position after: 19...Nc5„

The game is more or less balanced as Black has enough play to compensate for his isolated e-pawn.
In a high-level game that reached this position, White didn’t manage to find a safe path and soon found
himself in trouble.

20.Rd2?! Ne6! 21.f4 exf4 22.gxf4 Nxg5 23.Qxe7 Nf3+ 24.Rxf3 Rxe7µ

Black clearly has the better endgame thanks to his pawn structure. He managed to convert it in
Georgiev, K (2596) – Cheparinov, I (2693), Kozloduy 2018, 0-1 (55).

h) 8.c4 Na6 9.--, 9.Nbd2 e5! 10.dxe5 Nd7 11.--, 11.Ba3

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.b3 0-0 6.Bb2 d6 7.0-0 c6!? 8.c4

570
Position after: 8.c4

This is played slightly more often than 8.Nbd2 which we considered in the previous subchapters.

8...Na6

8...a5 Now this move is more open to criticism. Indeed White is able to follow with 9.Nc3 and the idea
of playing ...a4 is out of the question. I’ll cut the analysis here.

9.Nbd2

Placing the knight on d2 is generally the main option in the double fianchetto systems. It’s no surprise
that it’s the most played move here, but Black has all the ingredients to free himself: the bishop on b2 is
not protected and the knight on d2 is unable to reach c4 as the square is already occupied.
A) 9.Qc2

571
Position after: 9.Qc2

If White wants to prevent what happens after 9.Nbd2 (9...e5!), he should think about defending his
bishop. This has actually scored insanely well for White. 9...Qc7! Black can take time to prepare ...e5.
10.Nbd2 [10.a3 Re8 11.Nbd2 e5! 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.e4 Nc5

Position after: 13...Nc5

White is very close to collapsing in the center, but he can keep the balance with a nice jump
controlling the f5-square: 14.Nh4! Ncxe4 15.Nxe4 fxe4 16.Bxe4 Nxe4 17.Qxe4 Qf7=] 10...Re8

572
Position after: 10...Re8

11.e4 [11.a3 e5 12.c5 e4 13.cxd6 Qxd6 14.Nc4 Qc7 15.Nfe5 Be6³]

A1) 11...Nxe4 This continuation is less precise. 12.Nxe4 Nb4 13.Qd2 [13.Qe2?! This is what Black
was waiting for. 13...fxe4 14.Qxe4 e5 15.dxe5 Bf5 16.Qh4 dxe5 17.Ng5] 13...fxe4 14.Qxb4 exf3
15.Bxf3² White remains very slightly better.
A2) 11...fxe4 12.Nxe4 Bf5

Position after: 12...Bf5

573
 13.Nxf6+ [13.Nh4 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 Bxe4 15.Qxe4 e5! 16.dxe5 Nc5 17.Qe3 Bxe5 18.Bxe5 Rxe5=
Black’s king is a bit weak, but he has activity and the better pieces.] 13...exf6! 14.Qd2 Be4= Black
will probably trade a few pieces and keep a safe position.
B) 9.Nc3 Many players have preferred this move, but it’s actually a transposition to Chapter 10 with
8.b3. I think it’s a better choice than the other options that White has here.

9...e5!

Quickest is best! Black forces matters in order to sort out his position.
9...Nd7

Position after: 9...Nd7

I investigated this interesting move for a while, as it seemed promising to me, but unfortunately the
computers come up with a very strong idea:
A) 10.Ne1?! This was played in the game that gave me the idea of playing 9...Nd7, but it’s too slow.
10...e5 11.e3 e4! 12.f3 d5 13.cxd5 cxd5³ Black is definitely better and managed to win in Liu, Y
(2474) – Cheparinov, I (2702), China 2018, 0-1 (33).
B) 10.e4! f4 11.Re1 e5 12.c5! dxc5 13.d5!‚ White follows with Nc4 if he can, and the e5-pawn is in
great danger.

10.dxe5

574
Position after: 10.dxe5

10...Nd7

10...Ng4 shouldn’t make much difference as Black will take back with the knight anyway. Now White
has a range of moves at his disposal.

11.Ba3!?

With this move, White tries to force matters.

A) 11.e4?! f4!N There is no reason to deviate from this move which takes the initiative on the f-file.
12.Qe2 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 dxe5ƒ
B) 11.Nd4!? At first this move looked slightly dubious. It lets our knight come to e5, while his knight
is not doing much on d4 except not being open to trade

575
Position after: 11.Nd4!?

(and Black wouldn’t have wanted to take it anyway). But then I found out that it was Avrukh’s
recommendation, which slightly changed my point of view.
Avrukh writes about the position: “This is the way to force Black to recapture on e5 with the knight
rather than the pawn”. I believe that Black is fine, but we need to improve on Avrukh’s variation.
11...Nxe5 12.a3! I hadn’t considered this move in my initial work, which is probably why I thought
this line was harmless. White’s plan is to follow with b3−b4 and put the queen on b3, which is more
active. [12.Qc2?! This was my original analysis, but Black easily finds counterplay, and White’s
queen isn’t doing anything great here. 12...f4 13.Rad1 Qe7 14.a3 Bg4ƒ] 12...Qe7N

576
Position after: 12...Qe7N

Avrukh focused only on 12...Nc7, but it seems too passive. Black should be ready to counterattack.
13.b4 c5! This is the reason why we had to keep the knight on a6.
B1) 14.b5?! may seem logical, but White’s pieces will lack activity. 14...Nc7 15.N4b3 f4!ƒ Black
could already gain the bishop pair, but there is no hurry, and developing the initiative on the kingside
is more important.
B2) 14.Nb5 Of course occupying the new weak square in Black’s camp is the obvious main move.
14...Be6 15.Qb3 Nc7 It makes a lot of sense to counter the dangerous invader. All of Black’s pieces
are now doing well, enabling us to get enough counterplay. 16.Nxc7 Qxc7„

11...Nxe5

Position after: 11...Nxe5

12.Nxe5

A) 12.Rc1 Nf7 13.Nb1 Nc5 14.Qc2

577
Position after: 14.Qc2

This position was reached in Musialkiewicz, P (2266) – Wcislo, D (2403), Poronin 2017, 0-1 (33).
Now Black can strengthen his grip on the queenside: 14...a5N 15.Nc3 Qe7 16.Rfd1 Re8 17.e3 Bd7„.
B) 12.b4!?N

Position after: 12.b4!?N

This surprising move (at least for a human) is Avrukh’s novelty in this variation. It’s probably not a
bad one, but I don’t think it changes the overall evaluation of the line 12...Nc7!? [12...Nxf3+?!

578
 13.Nxf3 Bxa1 14.Qxa1± would be an improved version of the main line for White, since he has
managed to play b4 for free.] 13.b5 Nf7 14.bxc6 bxc6 15.Rb1

Position after: 15.Rb1

Sooner or later, White will have to move this rook (even if we didn’t want to take it). 15...Ne6„
Black will follow with ...Bd7, ...Qe7 and ...Rab8 with a very decent position.

12...Bxe5

Position after: 12...Bxe5

579
13.Nf3!?

An interesting exchange sacrifice. White wants to gain the important dark-squared bishop.
I had known the game Shirov – Bareev (see below) for a long time, and thought it was too dangerous to
play for Black, but I had never analyzed it before. It’s actually fully playable, even if Black should react
with great caution.
A) 13.Qc2 It’s amusing to see that Shulman recently tried the same idea. I think that it’s slightly less
promising, but that’s based only on the results of the two games. 13...Bxa1 14.Rxa1 Qe7 15.Rd1 Be6
16.Bb2 h6!

Position after: 16...h6!

Black is looking for a long-term safe spot for his king. 17.Qc3 Kh7 18.b4 Rad8 19.Nf3 c5! 20.a3 d5!
µ Black powerfully opens the position, which helped him convert his material advantage in Shulman,
Y (2568) – Laznicka, V (2679), Arlington 2014, 0-1 (33).
B) 13.Rc1 A couple of players have preferred to keep the material balance, but it’s not really
dangerous. 13...Qa5! 14.Nb1 Be6 15.Qc2 Rad8 16.e3 Rf7=

13...Bxa1 14.Qxa1 Nc5 15.Rd1

Now White’s threat is obvious. Black needs to find the right square for his queen.

580
Position after: 15.Rd1

15...Qe7!N

Actually this is not a novelty anymore, since I played it myself a few weeks after writing this chapter. I
didn’t remember many of the ideas, but at least I remembered the main ones. Unfortunately it wasn’t
really helpful, because my strong opponent varied from what I had analyzed.
15...Qf6?! This is definitely Black’s first mistake of the game as it helps White reorganize his forces,
while every tempo counts a lot! 16.Qc1 Qe7 17.Bb2 Ne4 18.Qe3 Be6 19.Qd4 Kf7

581
Position after: 19...Kf7

20.h4! Rad8 21.Ng5+ Nxg5 22.hxg5 Rd7 23.f4‚ Black has a lot of threats and long-term
compensation to deal with, and he didn’t manage to solve his problems in the impressive game Shirov,
A (2500) – Bareev, E (2590), Lvov 1990, 1-0 (38).

16.Qc1!?

16.Qd4

Position after: 16.Qd4

This move, which I quite overlooked during my analysis, seems interesting.

A) 16...Ne4 seems less precise. My opponent actually missed an important move, but he kept
interesting compensation, and I totally collapsed a few moves later (which also shows the difficulty of
playing this line as Black!). 17.Nd2 Nc5 18.b4?! Qxe2! 19.Nf3 Ne6 20.Qa1 f4 21.g4!

582
Position after: 21.g4!

So far it has been a complicated game, but probably not worse for Black. However I now missed a
decisive idea. 21...Qxc4? 22.Rxd6 Ng7 23.Bf1! I completely overlooked this move, bringing the
bishop to the diagonal my queen is standing on. 23...Qe4 24.Ne5 Re8 25.Bc4+ Kh8 26.Bb2 Be6
27.Bxe6 Nxe6 28.Nd7+ 1-0 Gledura, B (2630) – Demuth, A (2510), Skopje 2019.
B) 16...Qf6 17.Qd2 seems similar to 15...Qf6 16.Qc1, but there is actually a major difference.
[17.Qxd6?! Qxd6 18.Rxd6 Ne4 19.Rd3 Re8³] 17...Ne4! 18.Qc1 a5 19.Bb2 Qe7©

Position after: 19...Qe7©

583
 This is similar to the main line. Black intends to continue with ...a4 in order to help activate his rook,
while White still needs to show his counterplay.

16...a5 17.Bb2 a4!

As stated it’s a good idea to create counterplay on the a-file quickly in order to bring the rook into play.

Position after: 17...a4!

18.b4

18.Qc3 Kf7! 19.b4 Ne4 20.Qd3 Be6³

18...Ne4 19.a3 Be6 20.h4 d5!©

584
Position after: 20...d5!©

White has managed to stop our counterplay on the queenside, so we try to open the center in order to
bring our rooks into play.
The position is complicated.

i) 8.c4 Na6 9.Nbd2 e5! 10.dxe5 Nd7 11.Qc2

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.b3 0-0 6.Bb2 d6 7.0-0 c6!? 8.c4 Na6 9.Nbd2 e5! 10.dxe5
Nd7

585
Position after: 10...Nd7

11.Qc2

This move is a novelty in the current position, but we will reach many games that arose from the
10...Ng4 move order.

11...Nxe5 12.Rad1

White has opened the d-file, so it’s logical to place the rook there straight away. Of course we didn’t
want to keep our queen on d8 forever, so it’s not so annoying.
A) 12.a3 Qe7 13.Nd4 This position occurred in the game Arizmendi Martinez, J (2529) – Pardo
Simon, D (2468), Linares 2015, 0-1 (40). Even if Black won, he could have taken over the initiative
immediately.

Position after: 13.Nd4

13...f4!N 14.b4 This weakens c4, but also prevents ...Nc5. [14.Rad1?! Bg4 15.Rfe1 Nc5!‚] 14...fxg3
15.hxg3 Ng4 16.Qb3 Qe5!‚ Black transfers the queen to h5, and White will have to keep a knight on
f3 in order not to be mated or lose the f2-pawn. This is quite unpleasant to meet for White!
B) 12.Bc3

586
Position after: 12.Bc3

A strange attempt, however its two ideas are to prevent ...Nb4 and be able to follow with Qb2.
12...f4N Not necessary at all, but very similar to the lines with 12.a3. 13.Qb2 Qe7 14.Nxe5 Bxe5
15.Bxe5 dxe5ƒ

12...Qe7

Position after: 12...Qe7

587
13.a3

White opts for slow measures against ...Nb4, wanting eventually to continue with b4, preventing
...Nc5. I believe we can react directly on the other side.
13.Ba3!? White may consider that the bishop doesn’t have great prospects on its current diagonal, so
moves it to attack the d6-pawn, at the same time preventing ...Nb4.
A) 13...Nc5 I am less fond of this approach, which has been tried in a couple of games. 14.Nxe5!N
This is probably the best; it’s not clear which piece should take back. [14.b4 Ne6 15.Nb3?! f4 16.b5
c5 17.Qe4 Rb8 Black gets a great position, and his opponent collapsed quickly. 18.Qd5 b6 19.Bc1
Kh8 20.Bh3 Nc7–+ 0-1 (23) Douriet Duany, A (2271) – Soto Hernandez, H (2437), Matanzas 2017]
14...Bxe5 [14...Qxe5 15.b4 Nd7 16.Nb3² The pressure on the d6-pawn is quite significant, and
Black’s pieces are not well coordinated. 14...dxe5 Black remains with a pinned knight and it’s
difficult to break it. 15.Nb1! e4 16.Nc3 b6 17.Na4±] 15.b4 Ne6 16.b5 c5 17.Bd5 Kh8 18.e3²

Position after: 18.e3²

White simply takes the d4-square away from the knight and will probably continue with Nf3 and Bb2,
with good play on the long diagonal and an amazing bishop on d5.
B) 13...Nf7! 14.e4 Nc5 15.Rfe1

588
Position after: 15.Rfe1

B1) 15...fxe4?! It wasn’t easy to handle the pressure. Now White gets an easy position, slightly
better for him, which he managed to convert. 16.Nxe4 Nxe4 17.Rxe4 Qc7² 1-0 (73) Ikonnikov, V
(2548) – Szabolcsi, J (2411), Baden 2001.
B2) 15...Re8!N I believe that this is the right move. Black shouldn’t waste any time in bringing his
rook into play. 16.exf5 It’s not clear what else White can play instead of this move, as all his pieces
seem to have reached maximum effect, but even this move is not enough for an advantage.
16...Bxf5! Of course Black needed tactics to hold the position. 17.Rxe7 Bxc2 18.Rde1 Rxe7 19.Rxe7
Bf6! 20.Re3 a5=

589
Position after: 13.a3

13...f4!?N

Black can immediately develop his initiative on the kingside. It will also allow him to develop his light-
squared bishop on an active square.
13...Be6 14.Nd4 Bd7 15.e3 Rad8 16.b4² White still seems to have the better position, and eventually
won in Kozhuharov, S (2450) − Filev, G (2329), Sunny Beach 2015, 1-0 (66).

14.Nxe5

14.b4 Nc7

Position after: 14...Nc7

We can’t go to c5? Never mind, we’ll use the c7-square to transfer the knight towards e6 and d4.
15.Nxe5 dxe5 16.Ne4
A) ≤ 16...Bg4 17.Nc5! [17.Nd6 Ne6 18.c5 Nd4 − see the main line] 17...Ne6? [17...a5 18.Bc3 Na6!?
19.Nxa6 Rxa6 20.b5²] 18.Rd7±
B) 16...Bf5! 17.b5 Ne6 18.bxc6 bxc6 19.Qa4

590
Position after: 19.Qa4

White is about to win a pawn, but we can sacrifice it in order to activate all our pieces and get enough
compensation. 19...Kh8 20.Qxc6 Rab8 21.Bc3 Nd4 22.Bxd4 exd4 23.gxf4 Rb2©

14...dxe5 15.Ne4 Nc5 16.Nd6

16.Nxc5 Qxc5 17.b4 Qe7 18.b5 Bf5 19.Qa4 c5„ White has the d5-square, so we should quickly
develop our initiative on the kingside.

16...Bg4!?

16...Ne6 17.b4 Nd4 18.Nxc8! Raxc8 19.Qe4 Qg5² Here White probably keeps a small edge due to his
two bishops and his queen safely dominating from e4.

17.b4 Ne6 18.c5 Nd4„

591
Position after: 18...Nd4„

The knight on d6 is strong, but our pieces have reached pretty active outposts, so it seems fully playable
for Black.

592
 Chapter 9
The Aggressive 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3

1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6

Chapter Guide

Chapter 9 – The Aggressive 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3

1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 d6 4.Bg5 Nbd7 5.Qc2 g6

a) 3.Bg5?!
b) 3...g6
c) 4th and 5th move alternatives
d) 6.Nf3, 6.e4
e) 6.e3, 6.h4 c6 7.--, 7.0-0-0 Bg7 8,-- 8.e3
f) 6.h4 c6 7.0-0-0 Bg7 8.Nh3

a) 3.Bg5?!

1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Bg5?!

593
Position after: 3.Bg5?!

This strange-looking move has been played almost 200 times. I didn’t really know which chapter to
cover it in, but decided to place it here, as it is reminiscent of the main line that will be covered in this
chapter after 3.Nc3 d6 4.Bg5.
3.Bf4 There is no reason for this move to have any independent value. White will follow with Nf3,
Nc3 or both anyway, and it will transpose to Chapter 6 with 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 after 3...g6.

3...Ne4!?

This resembles a Trompowsky except that c4 and ...f5 have been included. I think this is to Black’s
advantage since White often experiences trouble on the a5-e1 diagonal towards his king since c3 is not
playable anymore. 3...e6 is another safe option.
We chose this move in the same position with the knight on f3 instead of the move c4. I decided to go
for the more dangerous 3...Ne4 because I believe we can exploit the weakness of the a5-e1 diagonal.

4.Bf4

4.Bh4?! c5!

594
Position after: 4...c5!

The bishop has abandoned any possibility of protecting the a5-e1 diagonal. At the moment we can’t use
the f8-bishop, as moving the e-pawn is impossible, so logically we bring the queen into play.
A) 5.e3? Qa5+!

Position after: 5...Qa5+!

A1) 6.Nd2 g5! 7.Bg3 cxd4µ This just wins a pawn since White is un-able to take back due to ...f4,
winning a piece. And we should mention that Qh5+ doesn’t achieve much, as White will have to

595
 protect the d2-knight afterwards.
A2) 6.Nc3 g5 [6...Nc6!? More than 100 years ago, the young Alekhine faced this position as White.
He couldn’t manage to cope with the pressure and was outplayed by his opponent: 7.Rc1 cxd4
8.exd4 e6 9.d5 Ne5 10.Nf3 10...Nxf3+ 11.gxf3 Nxc3 12.bxc3 Ba3µ 0-1 (50) Alekhine, A –
Koyalovich, B, St. Petersburg 1912.] 7.Bg3 Nxc3 8.Qd2 cxd4µ
B) 5.Nc3?! Qa5 6.Rc1 g5!–+
C) 5.Nf3 Qb6!

Position after: 5...Qb6!

White experiences some problems protecting his pawns. 6.Nbd2 cxd4 7.Nxe4 fxe4 8.Nxd4 Qxb2
9.Nb5™ 9...Qb4+! 10.Qd2 Qxd2+ 11.Kxd2 Na6µ
D) 5.Nd2 Maybe the lesser evil, but White is in trouble anyway. 5...Qb6!

596
Position after: 5...Qb6!

Black is winning a pawn, and there is nothing White can do about it. 6.Nxe4 fxe4 7.e3 Qxb2 8.Ne2
Qb4+ 9.Qd2 Qxd2+ 10.Kxd2 cxd4 11.Nxd4 Na6µ

4...e5!

Position after: 4...e5!

I really like this move. Black gains a tempo in order to accelerate ...Bb4+ and get in other strong

597
moves.

5.dxe5

5.Bxe5? It is definitely less logical to abandon control of the d2-square. 5...Bb4+ 6.Nc3

Position after: 6.Nc3

6...d6! A strong intermediate move. [6...Nxc3 7.Qb3 Nxa2+ 8.Kd1 White is obviously in trouble, but
he is going to regain his piece. 8...d6 9.Bxg7 Qg5! 10.Qe3+™ 10...Qxe3 11.fxe3 Rg8 12.Bh6 a5³]
7.Bf4 [7.Bxg7? Tempting, but losing quickly, e.g. 7...Qg5! 8.Bxh8? Nxc3–+ 9.Qb3?

598
Position after: 9.Qb3?

9...Nb1+! 10.Qxb4 Qc1# A quick and painful mate.] 7...Nxc3 8.bxc3 Bxc3+ 9.Bd2 Bxd4µ Winning
the exchange was possible, but I prefer to grab a central pawn and keep the strong bishop.

5...Nc6!?N

Position after: 5...Nc6!?N

It seems stronger to wait before making a decision about the bishop.

5...Bc5 6.Nh3! g5 7.Bd2!? g4 8.e3

599
Position after: 8.e3

8...d6 [8...gxh3? 9.Qh5+ Ke7 10.Qxf5+–] 9.b4 Nxd2 10.Qxd2 gxh3 11.bxc5 dxe5 12.Qxd8+ Kxd8
13.g3=

6.Nd2

6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Rc1 Qe7 8.e3 Nxe5 9.Bxe5 Qxe5 10.Nge2 b6³

6...Bb4 7.Ngf3 g5 8.a3 Bxd2+ 9.Bxd2 g4

600
Position after: 9...g4

If the knight goes back to g1, Black has a great position, so White needs to be creative.

10.Be3!

A sacrifice which results in a strong pawn chain and decent compensation for the piece.
Definitely a difficult move to find!

10...gxf3 11.exf3 Ng5 12.f4 Nf7 13.Qh5©

Position after: 13.Qh5©

White has some compensation, but he still needs to prove that it’s sufficient in the long term.

b) 3...g6

1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6

601
Position after: 2...Nf6

3.Nc3

Recently many players have adopted this move order. White waits for 3...g6 in order to launch an
attack with 4.h4.
As we will see, this idea is very dangerous, which is why I opted for the other, less committal, main
option, 3...d6 (when 4.h4 would make little sense).

3...g6

This is the most played move, but I believe this is what White is waiting for. I think most Black players
either didn’t know about White’s dangerous attempt, or didn’t know that they had another option.
Some, of course, believe in their position, but having worked on the line with both colors, I am not fond
of Black’s possibilities if White goes for the troublesome lines. I will show you the most critical lines
for 3...g6 here, and will consider 3...d6 in the next subchapters.
3...e6!?

602
Position after: 3...e6!?

We won’t investigate this move as we don’t want to play a Classical Dutch or a Stonewall system.
However it’s good to know that White’s move order has the drawback of allowing this move, with the
extra possibility of ...Bb4, compared to the lines where White develops the kingside first and castles
before playing c4 and Nc3.

4.h4!

Position after: 4.h4!

603
I believe this is the critical test of this line. It’s true that in most cases White simply played 4.Nf3, 4.g3
and even 4.Bg5 (which is quite illogical), but it is now well-known that the text move causes Black
problems.

4...d6

According to recent theory, this is the reliable response. Its aim is to be able to take back on f5 with the
bishop, in order to develop quickly and keep the g6-pawn in its defensive position.
4...Bg7?! is probably even worse, e.g. 5.h5! Nxh5 [5...0-0 6.hxg6 hxg6 7.Nf3 d6 8.Bg5±] 6.e4!

Position after: 6.e4!

6...Nf6 [6...fxe4? 7.Rxh5! is a well-known exchange sacrifice. Sometimes Black is basically fine, but in
this case his king will struggle for a long time. 7...gxh5 8.Qxh5+ Kf8 9.Bh6 d6 10.Nxe4‚] 7.exf5 gxf5
8.Nf3 0-0 9.Bh6‚

604
Position after: 9.Bh6‚

White has managed to open the h-file without losing tempi, whereas Black has spent two moves
moving his knight, so White’s attack is effective. He will follow up with Qd2 and 0-0-0 in order to
bring the other rook into play quickly.

5.h5!

White’s main idea, gaining time and developing the initiative.

5.Bg5!?

605
Position after: 5.Bg5!?

White can also develop his queenside. This may transpose to our main line, except that we didn’t have
to play against ...Nbd7. 5...Bg7 6.Qc2
A) 6...Nc6!? is another interesting attempt to deviate from ...Nbd7, but the position seems simpler to
handle for White. 7.e3 h6 8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.0-0-0 e6 10.f4!?

Position after: 10.f4!?

An interesting concept. White intends h5, and prevents both ...e5 and ...g5!. 10...Bxh4? 11.d5 exd5
12.cxd5 Nb8 13.Nf3 Bf6 14.g4± with an overwhelming advantage for White that he managed to
convert easily in Lagarde, M (2615) – Beukema, S (2396), Belgium 2018, 1-0 (26).
B) 6...c5!?N An interesting way to handle the position. 7.d5 [7.dxc5 dxc5 8.Rd1 Qa5 9.Bd2 Nc6!
White is unable to get anything from the discovered attack after 10.Nd5 Qd8 11.Bh6 Qa5+™ 12.Bd2
Qd8= … 13.Bc3 Nd4!„.] 7...Nbd7 8.Nf3 0-0 9.e3 Nh5

606
Position after: 9...Nh5

Granted, it seems weird to play both ...f5 and ...c5, but in this case it is quite reliable. The threat is
simply to play ...h6 and grab the bishop pair. 10.e4 fxe4 11.Nxe4 Ndf6„

5...Nxh5

Position after: 5...Nxh5

6.e4!

607
6.Rxh5 is considered to be too early, even if it has been played in most cases. 6...gxh5 7.e4 fxe4
8.Qxh5+ Kd7 9.Qg4+ Ke8„ It’s not clear whether White has a good way to keep playing, but Black
looks fine.

6...Nf6 7.Bd3!

Position after: 7.Bd3!

Now taking on e4 would only help White develop his initiative and target the g6-pawn.

7...Bg7! 8.exf5

8.Nf3 fxe4 9.Nxe4 0-0 10.Neg5 Nc6©

8...Bxf5 9.Bxf5 gxf5©

608
Position after: 9...gxf5©

Theory continues further in this line. Black is probably fine, but I feel it’s easier to play as White. It’s
true that he has to justify his missing pawn, but his pieces are well placed.

c) 4th and 5th move alternatives

1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 d6!?

Position after: 3...d6!?

609
I’ve always preferred this less-played move. The idea is to delay ...g6 so that White is not tempted to
attack with an early h4.

4.Bg5

A) 4.Nf3 In general, players only play this move with the idea of transposing into the main lines with
g3. Other independent ideas are not great. 4...g6

Position after: 4...g6

A1) 5.Qc2 Bg7 6.Bg5 Nbd7 − see the main line with 6.Nf3 Bg7.
A2) 5.Bf4 A few players use the 3.Nc3 move order to transpose into this system which we covered
in Chapter 6 with ...d6 already played. Fortunately, we were going to play ...d6 anyway, so it doesn’t
change anything for our repertoire, e.g. 5...Bg7 6.e3 0-0 and it has transposed to Chapter 6.
A3) 5.g3 Bg7 6.Bg2 0-0 This is the classical main line. See the following chapters.
A4) 5.Bg5 Bg7 6.h4!?

610
Position after: 6.h4!?

We have already seen that playing both h4 and Nf3 doesn’t make much sense, and that is still the
case here. 6...Ng4!? I like this idea. This is a good square for the knight, and White has difficulties
pushing h4−h5. 7.e4 [Black obviously wants to meet 7.h5?! with 7...h6, when there is no capture on
f6: 8.Bd2 g5³.] 7...h6 8.Be3 Nc6 9.h5!?

Position after: 9.h5!?

A4.1) 9...e5 10.dxe5 Nxe3 11.fxe3 Nxe5 12.hxg6 Nxg6 13.Bd3² White’s great activity
compensates for his strange pawn structure and missing bishop. He won quickly in Moskalenko, V

611
 (2505) – Avshalumov, A (2480), Paris 1992, 1-0 (20).
A4.2) 9...g5!N 10.exf5 Bxf5 11.Bd3 Qd7 12.0-0 0-0³
B) 4.f3 e5!

Position after: 4...e5!

White was wanting to play e4, but he missed that our last move actually prepared ...e5, which white
moves other than 4.f3 could have prevented. 5.dxe5 dxe5 6.Qxd8+ Kxd8 It’s hard to imagine that
Black could have any problems if he is sufficiently precise. 7.Bg5 c6 8.e4 Kc7 9.exf5 Bxf5 10.0-0-0

612
Position after: 10.0-0-0

Black scored a fine win in Aliyev, R (2346) – Cheparinov, I (2718), Abu Dhabi 2018, 0-1 (33), but I
would rather place the knight in the centre, instead of on a6, as in the game: 10...Nbd7 11.Bd3 Be6=.
C) 4.h4

Position after: 4.h4

A few bold players have gone for this approach, trying to prevent Black from reaching a Leningrad
system with ...g6. The drawback is the same as for 4.f3: it doesn’t prevent ...e7−e5. 4...e5!
C1) 5.dxe5 dxe5 6.Qxd8+ Kxd8 I don’t think White can prove an advantage with such an early
queen trade, especially since we took the center while White played h4. 7.Nf3

613
Position after: 7.Nf3

This position was reached in the game Zwardon, V (2430) – Kociscak, J (2473), Czech Republic
2016, 0-1 (69). I would now improve with 7...Nc6! 8.Bg5 Be6 9.0-0-0+ Kc8= The f6-knight is
ready to jump to g4, so White probably has to give up the bishop pair.
C2) 5.Nf3

Position after: 5.Nf3

C2.1) 5...Nbd7?!N 6.Qc2! [6.e3 g6 7.Be2 Bg7 8.Ng5 Qe7 9.Nb5 Nb8!„] 6...e4 7.Ng5 Nb6² is

614
 definitely a worse version.
C2.2) 5...e4 6.Ng5

Position after: 6.Ng5

Transposing to a position that usually arises after 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.Nf3. The line chosen by White
is not known to be particularly strong, and Black has achieved good results. 6...Be7 7.g3 [7.e3 0-0
8.Be2 c5 9.d5 h6 10.Nh3 Nbd7 11.b3 Ne5 12.Bb2 Bd7 13.Qc2 a6 Black is going to follow with
...b5, and has a great position, ½-½ (40) Mirzoev, E (2443) – Mamedov, R (2689), Lvov 2017.
7.Nh3 0-0 8.Nf4 c6 9.g3 Na6 10.Bg2 d5ƒ] 7...c6

615
Position after: 7...c6

8.Nh3 [8.Bg2 0-0 9.Qb3 Kh8 10.Bd2 Na6 11.0-0-0 Nc7 12.f3 d5 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.Bf4 Bd6³ 0-1
(30) Maisuradze, N (2302) – Ivanchuk, V (2733), Cap d’Agde 2013] 8...Na6 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bxf6
Bxf6 11.e3 g5!? 12.Be2

Position after: 12.Be2

As in Wirig, A (2498) – Krasenkow, M (2642), Haguenau 2013, 0-1 (33). Even if Black isn’t afraid
of losing the right to castle, I think he should now have opted for quick development with 12...Be6
13.Bh5+ Kd7!³. The king runs towards the queenside, and Black has a good initiative on the
kingside and a strong bishop pair.

616
Position after: 4.Bg5

4...Nbd7

It’s obviously necessary to defend the knight in order to avoid a dubious pawn structure.
4...e6!? I believe that this move is also acceptable. In general, I am not fond of letting White advance
with e4 so easily, but as he has already also played c4, his center may become weak. However I prefer
the text move.

5.e3

Recently, a few games have continued with this quiet move. Although I don’t think it’s bad, it’s
definitely not the most troublesome.
5.e4?! I don’t believe that this move makes much sense here. Black has different ways to get an
acceptable position, e.g. 5...Nxe4!N 6.Nxe4 fxe4 7.Ne2 Nf6 8.Nc3 g6! Black offers his pawn back,
but at the price of the bishop pair. White has to decide if it’s worth it, but either way Black just has the
better position.

5...g6

617
Position after: 5...g6

6.h4

6.Nf3 Bg7 7.Bd3 0-0 8.0-0 e5!= White can’t hope for an edge by playing such moves, allowing Black
to react directly in the center.

6...h6! 7.Bxf6

White has to give up the bishop pair.

7.Bf4 e5!=

7...Nxf6

618
Position after: 7...Nxf6

8.Qc2

8.Nh3?! trying to reach the f4-square, is naive. It would be great because of the weak g6-pawn, but
fails immediately: 8...e5!

Position after: 8...e5!

9.Qc2 [9.dxe5 dxe5 10.Qxd8+ Kxd8 11.0-0-0+ Bd7³ The king is going to reach c7, when Black will
enjoy his bishop pair and strong center.] 9...Bg7 10.0-0-0 Qe7 11.Bd3 0-0 12.h5 e4!

619
Position after: 12...e4!

13.Be2 [13.hxg6 This positional piece sacrifice was probably needed in order to keep chances, even if I
still prefer Black. 13...exd3 14.Qxd3 c6! 15.Nf4 Ne4³] 13...g5µ This position was reached in the game
Rakhmanov, A (2667) – Kobalia, M (2628), Tallinn 2016, 0-1 (41). Black is more than fine since his
opponent is unable to set up any kind of attack.

8...e5

Position after: 8...e5

620
9.0-0-0!

9.dxe5 dxe5 10.Nf3 Qe7 11.0-0-0 Bg7=

9...Bd7 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.h5 g5„

Of course Black has to be careful over the next few moves, but he has good prospects with his
impressive pawns in the center.

Position after: 11...g5„

d) 6.Nf3, 6.e4

1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 d6!? 4.Bg5 Nbd7 5.Qc2 g6

621
Position after: 5...g6

6.e4

This used to be theory’s recommendation, but Black appears to be doing fine, so in the most recent
games White has been trying something different. Still, we have to examine it thoroughly. We will
consider 6.e3 and 6.h4 in the next subchapters.
6.Nf3 Bg7 7.0-0-0 [7.e4 fxe4 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Qxe4 c5 is just a transposition − see 6.e4] 7...0-0 8.e3
c6!

622
Position after: 8...c6!

9.h3 [9.Kb1 Qe8 10.h3 e5ƒ] 9...Qe8 10.g4 I think this kind of development is the only decent plan for
White, but Black is fully prepared to face it. 10...fxg4 11.Nh4 g3 12.f4 Nb6 13.Bd3 e5!„ 0-1 (58)
Wehmeier, S (2410) – Koch, W (2315), Germany 1996.

6...Nxe4

6...fxe4 Black generally prefers this move order, but it leaves White with another possibility, viz.
7.Nge2!?. Black should be fine, but I prefer to avoid it.

7.Nxe4 fxe4

Position after: 7...fxe4

8.Qxe4

8.Ne2?! Now this move makes little sense. 8...Nf6 9.Nc3 Bg7 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Qxe4 Bf5³

8...Bg7 9.Nf3

A) 9.0-0-0 c5 10.Nf3 White has to transpose to the main line.

B) 9.Bd3?! has been played a few times, but is already a serious mistake. 9...c5! 10.Nf3 cxd4³ We
have freed the c5-square for our knight, and the threat of it landing there is definitely a nuisance for
White.

9...c5!

623
Position after: 9...c5!

It’s very important to strike back in the center immediately. It also allows the queen to reach the
queenside quickly if needed.

10.0-0-0 Nf6!

After this move, White has tried two different queen retreats, but they are not his only options.
I also quite like 10...cxd4!?, e.g. 11.Nxd4 Nc5 12.Qe3 h6 13.Bh4 g5 14.Bg3 Qb6!„

Position after: 14...Qb6!„

624
The drawback is that things can soon get really crazy, and you may need to memorize some lines in
order to enter this maze. The other option is safer.

Position after: 10...Nf6!

11.Qe1

An unusual square for the queen, but from here it keeps an eye on e6 and the e7-pawn.
A) 11.Qc2?! cxd4 12.Nxd4 Qa5! Attacking both a2 and g5, so White has to make concessions.
13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Kb1 0-0 15.Nb3

625
Position after: 15.Nb3

Even if Black won in Fidalgo, A (2187) – Martins, D (2397), Cascais 2018, 0-1 (71), we can improve
his play with 15...Qc7 16.h4 a5‚.
B) 11.Bxf6N This hasn’t been tried yet. It looks a bit sad, as it’s pretty obvious that Black’s dark-
squared bishop will be a monster, but at least it enables White to keep his queen in the center.
11...Bxf6 12.dxc5 Qa5!

Position after: 12...Qa5!

White has no choice but to keep grabbing pawns. 13.cxd6 [13.a3 Qxc5µ] 13...Qxa2 14.Qb1
[14.dxe7?? Qxb2#] 14...Qa6! 15.dxe7 Be6 16.Bd3 Kxe7! 17.Rhe1 Rac8³ In this completely wild
position, Black’s king looks the safer, so he retains the better chances. His missing pawn is totally
irrevelant.

626
Position after: 11.Qe1

11...Qb6!N

11...Qc7 Even if this leads to a decent position, it’s slightly less active. 12.Bd3 0-0 13.h3 Bd7„ 0-1
(25) Saiyn, Z (2360) – Dastan, B (2409), Al Ain 2013.

12.dxc5

12.Bd3 0-0 13.h4 cxd4 14.h5 Nxh5!

627
Position after: 14...Nxh5!

15.Bxe7 Rxf3!? 16.gxf3 Nf4µ Black will soon open the long diagonal, as White will be unable to keep
a piece on d3 without conceding material.

12...Qxc5 13.Be3 Qc7 14.Bd3 0-0 15.Kb1 Bg4ƒ

Position after: 15...Bg4ƒ

In this double-edged middlegame, Black’s play on the queenside seems really easy to develop.

e) 6.e3, 6.h4 c6 7.--, 7.0-0-0 Bg7 8,-- 8.e3

1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 d6!? 4.Bg5 Nbd7 5.Qc2 g6

628
Position after: 5...g6

6.h4!?

This has been the most popular move recently. White shows his intentions on the kingside straight
away.
6.e3 can be played in the same spirit or as a different type of position. 6...Bg7

Position after: 6...Bg7

A) 7.h4 c6 8.0-0-0 − see the main line with 8.e3.

629
 B) 7.Nge2 e5 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.0-0-0 c6 10.g4!?

Position after: 10.g4!?

An interesting sacrifice in order to bring the e4-square under control. 10...fxg4 11.Ng3 Qa5 12.h4 e4!
13.Ngxe4 0-0 14.Nd6 Ne5 15.Be2 Nh5!?ƒ and Black won a nice game in Piket, J (2615) – Topalov,
V (2460), Oviedo 1992, 0-1 (38).
C) 7.Bd3 e5 White is more committed if we start with this move, directly threatening ...e4. 8.f3 0-0
9.Nge2 c6 10.h3 Qa5

Position after: 10...Qa5

630
 C1) 11.Qd2! This was necessary to keep the balance. 11...f4!? 12.exf4 exd4 13.Nxd4 Re8+ 14.Nde2
[14.Nce2 Qxd2+ 15.Kxd2 Nc5 16.Rae1 d5©] 14...Nb6© Preparing ...d5 with a nice initiative.
C2) 11.Bh4? e4! An excellent strike by Nijboer. 12.fxe4 fxe4 13.Bxe4 Nxe4 14.Qxe4 Nb6 15.Qd3
Qa6 16.b3 d5 White is unable to defend his pawn, and Black has a great position, even if he couldn’t
manage to convert it. 17.e4 dxc4 18.Qd1 Qa5µ ½-½ (28) Kazhgaleyev, M (2579) – Nijboer, F
(2606), France 2007.

6...c6

Position after: 6...c6

I prefer to start with this move, which is less usual than 6...Bg7, as I think it’s more forcing. Indeed, by
controlling the d5-square, Black is threatening to continue with ...e5.
6...e5? is clearly too early: 7.dxe5 dxe5 8.h5!±.

7.0-0-0

It seems natural to anticipate ...e5.

A) 7.Nh3?! The knight heads for the f4-square, but won’t manage to reach it. 7...e5! 8.dxe5 dxe5!

631
Position after: 8...dxe5!

9.0-0-0 [9.h5?! is nothing compared to 8.h5 in the 6...e5 line. The reason is simply that White has no
threats on the h-file. 9...Nc5! 10.Rd1 Bd7³] 9...h6 10.Bxf6 [10.Be3 Ng4 11.Bd2 Bc5³] 10...Qxf6³
B) 7.e3 h6!?

Position after: 7...h6!?

I like this move. True, it weakens the g6-pawn, but since White is unable to exploit it I prefer to force
him to make a decision with his bishop.

632
 B1) 8.Bxf6N 8...Nxf6 9.0-0-0 [9.Nh3 e5!³] 9...Qa5 10.Nf3 e5! 11.Kb1 Bg7„
B2) 8.Bf4 Bg7!? 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.Be2 Qe8ƒ White is unable to prevent ...e5 and we get an active
position. It is no surprise that he lost in Mamedyarov, S (2775) – Ponomariov, R (2756), Riga 2013,
0-1 (35).

7...Bg7

Position after: 7...Bg7

8.e3

We will consider 8.Nh3 in the next subchapter.

8...h6!?

I have investigated this interesting move which has the advantage of being reminiscent of the 7.e3 h6
line. 8...0-0!? is also very playable, and was actually the move order of the Mamedyarov – Ponomariov
game mentioned above.

9.Bxf6

9.Bf4 has already already been seen in 7.e3 h6.

9...Nxf6 10.Nh3

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Position after: 10.Nh3

This version seems slightly inferior as we are unable to advance with 10...e5, but it’s still fully
playable.

10...0-0 11.Nf4 Qe8

Defending the g6-pawn and threatening 12...e5.

12.h5!

12.d5?! cxd5 13.Ncxd5 Nxd5 14.Nxd5 Qf7³

12...g5 13.Ng6 Rf7

634
Position after: 13...Rf7

The knight on g6 is annoying, but not necessarily stable, as Black may be able to make ...Nxh5 work at
some point.

14.Bd3

14.f3 Nxh5! 15.Rxh5 Rf6 16.Nxe7+ Qxe7=

14...e6! 15.Qe2

White has to play this move if he wants to protect the h5-pawn properly.
15.Kb1?! Nxh5! 16.Rxh5 Rf6 17.Rh2 Qxg6©

15...b5!?

635
Position after: 15...b5!?

A pure computer move, even if I think it’s actually pretty logical to launch the attack.

16.cxb5 Rb8 17.f4

A) 17.bxc6?! Qxc6µ
B) 17.Kb1 Bd7 18.bxc6 Bxc6 19.f3 Rfb7‚

17...g4 18.e4 cxb5 19.exf5 Rc7

636
Position after: 19...Rc7

Material doesn’t really count compared to the attack.

20.Kb1

20.Kd2 Qf7! 21.fxe6 Bxe6‚

20...Rxc3 21.bxc3 Nd5©

Position after: 21...Nd5©

A very complicated position has arisen in which I like Black’s chances.

f) 6.h4 c6 7.0-0-0 Bg7 8.Nh3

1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 d6!? 4.Bg5 Nbd7 5.Qc2 g6 6.h4!? c6 7.0-0-0 Bg7 8.Nh3

637
Position after: 8.Nh3

Many white players have tried this move. I actually faced it once recently, and wasn’t convinced with
the move I came up with.

8...Qa5!?

This is the approach I like the most. Black removes his queen from the d-file in order to be able to push
...e5 and take back with the pawn. 8...e5 is the move I tried when I faced this line. At the board my
opponent managed to find a quite complicated line to meet.
A) 9.e3?! h6 10.Bxf6 Qxf6= I don’t think Black should experience many problems here, mainly
thanks to his bishop pair. He managed to win in Jones, G (2650) – Nijboer, F (2566), Netherlands
2016, 0-1 (80).
B) 9.e4 h6! 10.Be3 f4 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Bc5∞
C) 9.dxe5 Nxe5

638
Position after: 9...Nxe5

[9...dxe5 10.e4!² is obviously difficult for Black.] 10.e3! This quiet move is very strong. I thought for
more than half an hour, but didn’t come up with a good idea. [10.h5 Nf7 11.Bh4 Qa5 12.e3 Nxh5
13.Ng5 Nxg5 14.Bxg5 Be5= White obviously has enough compensation to keep the balance, 0-1 (34)
Laurusas, T (2420) – Neiksans, A (2570), Vilnius 2014.]
C1) 10...0-0? 11.h5!

Position after: 11.h5!

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 11...h6 [11...Qe7 12.hxg6 hxg6 13.Nf4±] 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.hxg6 Nxg6 14.Ne2!± White is clearly
better. My opponent played a good game but spoiled his advantage, and the game finally ended in a
draw, ½-½ (47) Alonso Rosell, A (2559) – Demuth, A (2517), Barcelona 2019.
C2) 10...Nf7!?N

Position after: 10...Nf7!?N

This is probably the best move. I considered it, but didn’t like the following line: 11.Bf4 Qe7
12.Qd2!?² Black is losing the d6-pawn, and finding enough compensation doesn’t seem so easy. I
don’t recommend this line.

9.Nf4

This is the most logical, and was played in both games that reached this position.
9.e3N 9...e5 10.dxe5 dxe5

640
Position after: 10...dxe5

11.Be2 [11.e4?! This move is not a problem anymore because we are able to develop our pieces.
11...Nc5 12.exf5 Bxf5 13.Qe2 0-0–+ ...Qxa2 is the nicest of the various threats!] 11...0-0 12.Kb1 Nc5
13.h5 gxh5!„ I think it’s better to have doubled h-pawns than to open the h-file and allow a weak g6-
pawn. Black will follow with ...Be6 with very good attacking chances on the queenside.

9...Nf8

Position after: 9...Nf8

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10.h5!?

This is definitely logical, but tactically not so strong.

I also checked 10.Kb1N, securing White’s king first. 10...Ng4!?

Position after: 10...Ng4!?

This strange-looking move is aimed at trapping the bishop on g5.

A) 11.e4 Bold players may appreciate this move, but it doesn’t fully work: 11...h6 12.Bxe7 Kxe7
13.f3 Nf6

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Position after: 13...Nf6

14.Qd2!? [14.c5 dxc5 15.d5 fxe4 16.dxc6 bxc6³ 17.Nxe4? Bf5–+] 14...Qd8 15.Bd3 Kf7 16.exf5
Bxf5 17.Bxf5 gxf5∞.
B) 11.Nh3! This is the only good way to create some space for the bishop. 11...Ne6 12.e3 Bd7„
Black has given himself the possibility of castling queenside. He just needs to prevent Bxe7, but there
are various ways of doing so. This middlegame is complicated, but very reasonable for Black.

10...Ne4!

Position after: 10...Ne4!

11.h6

11.Nxe4N 11...fxe4 12.c5!?

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Position after: 12.c5!?

Again, an interesting piece sacrifice. [12.h6 Bxd4 transposes to the main line.] 12...Ne6!? I would
probably prefer to decline the offer. [12...h6 is playable, but hard to do so over the board. 13.Bxe7!
Kxe7 14.cxd6+ Kxd6! This looks dangerous, but at least it gets rid of the annoying pawn. 15.hxg6 Ne6
16.Nh5∞] 13.h6 [13.Nxe6 Bxe6 14.Qxe4 Qxa2 15.cxd6 0-0! 16.dxe7 Rf5‚ The threat is ...Rc5; White
is in trouble.] 13...Nxg5 14.hxg7 Rg8 15.cxd6 [15.e3 d5³] 15...exd6 16.d5 e3!ƒ

Position after: 16...e3!ƒ

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A very complicated position. Black buries the f1-bishop and gives himself the possibility of playing
...Bf5 with greater effect.

11...Bxd4! 12.Nxe4

12.Rxd4? Nxg5µ

12...fxe4

Position after: 12...fxe4

13.Bxe7!

13.Rxd4? Qxg5–+

13...Qxa2!

Agreeing to a crazy game!

14.Rxd4!

A) 14.Bxd6?! Qa1+ 15.Kd2 Qxb2 16.Qxb2 Bxb2³

B) 14.Bxf8?! Qa1+

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Position after: 14...Qa1+

15.Kd2 [15.Qb1! is the lesser evil. It is probably a better move in that it reduces Black’s advantage,
but it allows him easy play: 15...Bxb2+ 16.Kc2 Qxb1+ 17.Kxb1 Rxf8! 18.Nxg6 Rf6! 19.Kxb2
Rxg6µ.] 15...e3+!! 16.fxe3 [16.Ke1 Qa5+–+; 16.Kd3 Qa5!!–+ White is defenseless against
17...Bf5+.] 16...Qa5+ 17.Kc1 Bxe3+ 18.Kb1 Bf5 19.Nd3 Rxf8–+

14...Qa1+ 15.Kd2 Qa5+

Position after: 15...Qa5+

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16.b4

This was White’s choice in the only game to reach this position, so I’ll keep it as the main line.
A) 16.Ke3?! Kxe7 17.Rxe4+ [17.Qxe4+?! Kf7!µ White’s king is definitely the one in more danger.]
17...Kd8 18.Qd3 Qc5+ 19.Kd2 Qb4+ 20.Kd1 Bf5

Position after: 20...Bf5

21.Qd4! Rg8 22.Qf6+ Kc7 23.Re7+ Nd7 24.Ne6+ Kc8 25.Rxd7! White has nothing better than to
force his opponent to take the perpetual check: 25...Qb3+ 26.Ke1 Qb4+ 27.Kd1 Qa4+ 28.Ke1
Qb4+=
B) 16.Kd1 Qa1+! Of course White can already take the draw, but if he wants to play on his position
in the endgame is not better. 17.Qc1 Qxc1+ 18.Kxc1 Kxe7 19.Rxe4+ Kf6! 20.e3 Ne6=

16...Qxb4+ 17.Kd1 Kxe7 18.Rxe4+

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Position after: 18.Rxe4+

18...Kd8!N

18...Ne6 was the move chosen by Muzychuk, but it’s already losing, and the game didn’t last long:
19.Rh3 Re8 20.Rb3 Qa5 21.Qb2 Qf5

Position after: 21...Qf5

22.Qg7+ Kd8 23.Nxe6+ Bxe6 24.Rxb7 Qa5 25.Rxe6 Qa4+ 26.Kc1 1-0 Laznicka, V (2679) –
Muzychuk, M (2483), Legnica 2013.

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Position after: 18...Kd8!N

19.c5!?

This was maybe the reason for Muzychuk’s decision on the previous move, but we should trust our
position.
19.g4 g5! 20.Nd3 Qa3 21.Bg2 Ne6„

19...Qa3™

19...Qxc5? 20.Qb2! Rg8 21.Qf6+ Kc7 22.Qf7+ Bd7 23.Qxg8 d5 24.Nd3! Qc3 25.Rf4± Granted,
despite the rook down, things aren’t lost yet, but Black shouldn’t have enough.

20.g4!

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Position after: 20.g4!

The only effective way to prevent 20...Bf5.

20...Bxg4

20...Qa1+ 21.Kd2 d5 This is one of the ways to keep playing. The game is obviously still complicated,
but roughly balanced. 22.Ra4 Qf6 23.g5! Qe5! 24.e3 Kc7=

21.Bh3 Qa1+ 22.Kd2 Qa5+

Of course, taking on h1 would be pure gluttony for Black, since his remaining pieces are really badly
placed. His king wouldn’t survive very long.

23.Kd1 Qa1+=

650
Position after: 23...Qa1+=

651
 Chapter 10
The Classical Leningrad

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7

Chapter Guide

Chapter 10 – The Classical Leningrad

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.c4 0-0 6.0-0 d6 7.Nc3 c6
a) 5.0-0 & 6.Nbd2
b) 6.Nc3
c) 7.-- alternatives
d) 8.-- alternatives
e) 8.Re1
f) 8.Rb1
g) 8.d5 e5 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.--, 10.Qd3 Re8 11.--
h) 8.d5 e5 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.Qd3 Re8 11.Ng5
i) 8. d5 e5 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.b3 Na6 11.--, 11.Ng5
j) 8. d5 e5 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.b3 Na6 11.Bb2
k) 8.b3 Na6 9.Bb2 Qc7 10.Re1, 10.d5
l) 8.b3 Na6 9.Bb2 Qc7 10.Rc1

a) 5.0-0 & 6.Nbd2

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1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.Nbd2

Position after: 6.Nbd2

This is quite an unusual system which I have always thought was a bit underrated. The basic idea is to
get in an early e2−e4, which is considered to be an achievement against the Dutch, without having to
play c4. Thus White will be able to play c3, keeping a safe center, with good positional play.

6...d6

6...Nc6!?

653
Position after: 6...Nc6!?

This is an interesting move order. The idea is to wait for Re1 to be played, before shutting down any
possibility of White playing e4. 7.Re1 I don’t want to spend much time on this line since this amounts
to a loss of time. After 7...d5 we can see that Re1 was pointless. The downside is that Black has to play
a Stonewall with ...g6 included, which I am not too keen on, although some people may like it.

Position after: 6...d6

7.Re1

Black now has various ways to prepare to meet 8.e4. We’ll look some of them to try to understand why
this line might be quite dangerous if you don’t know how to handle it.
A) 7.b3 − see Chapter 7 on b3 ideas, as it will transpose. 7...c6 [7...c5!? This is also a good way to
take advantage of White’s move order. I’ll let you analyze it if you wish.] 8.Bb2 And here we are,
back in Chapter 7.
B) 7.c3 This has also been played quite often. I think it’s clearly logical to wait before threatening e4.
It’s actually a transposition to the first subchapter of Chapter 5, but as it’s quite hard to see the
transposition (and quite short), I’ll give you the analysis again. 7...Nc6 8.Re1 [8.b4 a6 9.Qb3+ e6
10.a4 Bd7 11.Re1 Ne4„] 8...e5! Including ...0-0/Re1 clearly favors Black, as he will get some play on
the f-file. 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Nxe5 dxe5 11.e4 f4‚
C) 7.e4? Sometimes this kind of pseudo-sac works, but it’s simply wrong here. 7...fxe4 8.Ng5 d5 9.f3
Nc6! 10.c3 h6 11.Nh3 e5!³

654
Position after: 7.Re1

7...Nc6!

In my opinion the best continuation. The threat is ...e5, so White has no choice. Black will be able to
strike back in the center, and still be able to develop his light-squared bishop.
A) 7...Ne4 Probably the second-best option, but I am not fond of it. 8.Nxe4! fxe4 9.Ng5 d5 10.f3!

Position after: 10.f3!

655
 Black has some issues as he will remain worse if he simply trades pawns. 10...h6 11.Nh3 Nc6
[11...exf3 12.exf3 Nc6 13.c3 e5 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Bxh6!?²] 12.c3 e5 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.fxe4 dxe4
15.Qxd8 Rxd8 16.Nf2² White is about to grab the e-pawn, and Black has to fight for survival.
B) 7...Nbd7?! This has similar ideas to 7...Nc6, but is slightly less active and less effective. 8.e4!

Position after: 8.e4!

B1) 8...fxe4 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.Rxe4 e5 11.Re1! White starts by securing the position of his rook. In
contrast to the main line, Black is unable to use his c8-bishop, so has to make a decision which is not
simple. 11...exd4 12.Bg5 Nf6 13.Nxd4±
B2) 8...f4 The aggressive approach fails too. 9.e5!? Ng4 10.h3

656
Position after: 10.h3

10...fxg3 [10...Nh6 11.Ne4±] 11.hxg4 gxf2+ 12.Kxf2 dxe5 13.Nc4± Needless to say Black does not
have enough compensation.
C) 7...c6?! This will not help Black create counterplay with ...e5 as that would weaken the d6-pawn,
so he will probably remain passive. 8.e4

Position after: 8.e4

8...fxe4 [8...f4?! 9.c3 fxg3 10.hxg3 Ng4 11.Qb3+ Kh8 12.Ng5± 1-0 (17) Langrock, H (2432) – Welz,

657
 P (2156), Berlin 2005] 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.Rxe4 Bf5 11.Re1 Nd7 12.Nh4!±
D) 7...Ng4?! 8.e4 f4

Position after: 8...f4

9.gxf4! Rxf4 10.c3 Nc6 11.h3 Nf6 12.Ng5± White has a great center, and Black already has to find a
way to parry Qb3+.

8.e4

658
Position after: 8.e4

8...e5!

I like this idea. In general, I prefer to leave my opponent a large range of choices. Obviously he will
sometimes have a strong continuation, but he also has more chance of choosing a poor line if he doesn’t
understand all the possibilities. That’s also the case here.
8...Nxe4 9.Nxe4 fxe4 10.Rxe4

Position after: 10.Rxe4

This position has arisen in most of the games that featured this line, but I don’t think it’s great for
Black.
A) 10...e5 11.dxe5 dxe5 [11...Nxe5?! 12.Nxe5 Bxe5 13.Bh6! Re8 14.c3±] 12.Qe2 Once Black’s
initiative vanishes, he will be left with a very weak isolated pawn. 12...Bf5 13.Qc4+! Kh8 14.Re1²
B) 10...Bf5 11.Re1

659
Position after: 11.Re1

B1) 11...Nb4 This idea fails tactically. 12.Nh4! Bxc2 13.Qd2 It’s clear that Black will struggle not
to lose a piece. 13...c5 [13...Nd3 14.Rf1+–] 14.a3!

Position after: 14.a3!

14...Bxd4 [14...Nd3 15.Rf1 Bxd4 16.Qxc2 and after 16...Nxf2 or 16...Rxf2 17.Rxf2 Nxf2 White just
plays 18.Nf3 and wins.] 15.Bf3!! Cold blood allows White to refute Black’s concept. 15...Qa5
16.axb4 Qxa1 17.Bd5+ Kh8 18.Rxe7!!+–

660
Position after: 18.Rxe7!!+–

The mating threat Rxh7+ and Qh6# is very hard to meet.

B2) 11...e5 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.Qe2 Qd7 14.c3²
B3) 11...Qd7 12.c3 Kh8 13.d5 Ne5 14.Nxe5 Bxe5 15.Be3²

Position after: 15.Be3²

In this type of middlegame Black often remains with the worse king and less space, so it’s very hard
to claim equality. I am not surprised that the game Gavrikov, V (2510) – Klawa, P (2306), Germany

661
 2007, 1-0 (41), went smoothly for White.
Back to 8...e5.

Position after: 8...e5!

9.exf5

Now Black as a choice between developing his bishop or bringing another pawn to the center. It seems
that getting two hanging pawns in the center is the better solution.
A) 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.exf5 gxf5 returns to the main line.
B) It’s also possible for White to keep the tension with 9.c3!?N, although this has never been tried.
9...exd4! 10.cxd4 fxe4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Rxe4

662
Position after: 12.Rxe4

This is clearly a better version than 8...fxe4. The pawn on d4 is weak, and we have already opened the
position. 12...d5! 13.Rf4 White needs to neutralize our play on the f-file. [13.Re1?! Bg4µ] 13...Bf5
14.Qb3 Qd7!= Play is probably balanced, as our pawn on d5 is also under pressure.

9...gxf5

9...Bxf5 10.dxe5 dxe5 As often happens when we accept an isolated e-pawn, we might find ourselves
slightly worse. 11.c3 Kh8 12.Nh4 Be6 13.Qe2²

10.dxe5

10.Nf1

663
Position after: 10.Nf1

This has been played once. 10...e4 [10...Qe8 might be playable too, but gives White a chance to keep
the better position: 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Nxe5! Nxe5 13.f4 Ne4 14.fxe5 Qxe5 15.c3².] 11.Ng5 d5!?
12.Nh3 Ne7 13.Bg5 h6 14.Bd2 Ng6„

Position after: 14...Ng6„

This position was reached in the game Lubbe, N (2515) – Kuznecovs, N (2130), Germany 2017, 1-0
(29). Black has a strong center; the only drawback is that the f4-square is under White’s control. Black

664
should probably place his queen on e8 to give himself the possibility of playing ...Nh5 at some stage,
given that Nf4, trading the knights, looks on the cards.

10...dxe5

Position after: 10...dxe5

This position has occurred five times. Only once did White decide to enter the principled line, which is
to take on e5.

11.Nxe5

A) 11.Nb3 e4 12.Nfd4 Ne5 13.f3 c6ƒ

B) 11.c3 In most cases White has preferred this move, but weakening the d3-square is hardly an
achievement. 11...e4

665
Position after: 11...e4

12.Ng5 [12.Nh4N 12...Ne5! 13.Bf1 Qe7ƒ] 12...Ne5 13.Bf1 Nfg4 14.f4 h6! 15.Ngxe4 fxe4 16.fxe5
Nxe5 17.Bg2

Position after: 17.Bg2

After some good moves by both sides, Black was the first who could have improved his play in
Richter, M (2473) – Pruijssers, R (2529), Germany 2014, 0-1 (36), with 17...Nf3+!N 18.Nxf3 Qxd1
19.Rxd1 exf3 20.Bf1 f2+ 21.Kg2 Bg4 22.Bc4+ Kh8 23.Bf4 [23.Rf1? Bf3+ 24.Kh3 Rae8 25.Bf4 Rf5–

666
 +] 23...Bxd1 24.Rxd1³.

11...Nxe5 12.Rxe5 Ne4!

Position after: 12...Ne4!

This is probably the position that put off the players who didn’t want to play 11.Nxe5. Now White has
to decide whether to sacrifice the exchange or try to preserve the rook.

13.Rxe4!

A) 13.Ra5?!

667
Position after: 13.Ra5?!

13...Nxf2!! A necessary and very strong resource. The knight is untouchable. [13...c6 14.Ra3± …Rd3]
14.Qf1 [14.Kxf2? Accepting the sacrifice is definitely worse: 14...Qd4+ 15.Kf1 f4 16.Bd5+™
16...Kh8 17.Kg2 fxg3 18.hxg3 Rf2+ 19.Kh1 Bg4 and White’s position is lost according to the
computers. 20.Qg1 Re8 21.Bg2 Qf6!–+ White is out of moves.] 14...Ng4 15.Nb3 c6³

Position after: 15...c6³

Black has restored the material balance. The white kingside is potentially weak, and the rook is

668
 awkwardly placed on a5. Black’s only drawback is the pawn on f5 and resultant weak f4-square.
B) 13.Bxe4!? This might be best as the main line fails to convince me for White who certainly can’t
dream of being better here. 13...Bxe5 14.Bd3 Bg7= Quite similar to the main line. Black is only a
pawn down, but on the other hand the pawn on f5 is blocking some of his pieces.

13...fxe4 14.Qe2

Position after: 14.Qe2

14...e3!N

A very strong move, disrupting White’s harmony.

14...Qe7 15.Nxe4 Bf5 I think this kind of middlegame should be more or less balanced, as for example
in Hoffmann, M (2462) – Wiersma, E (2409), Netherlands 2006, ½-½ (20).

15.Qxe3!

It’s more logical for White to keep a healthy pawn structure.

15.fxe3 Qe7 16.Nb3 a5!ƒ

15...Re8

669
Position after: 15...Re8

16.Be4!

A) 16.Ne4?? Qd1+ 17.Bf1 Bh3–+

B) 16.Qc5 Re1+ 17.Nf1 Qf8!? 18.Qa5 [18.Qxc7 Bf5!–+ We will follow with ...Rd8 and ...Rdd1 with
tremendous pressure and probably already a winning position.] 18...Qe8!

Position after: 18...Qe8!

670
 19.Qxc7 Bd7 [19...Bf5 20.Bd5+ Kh8 21.Bh6! Rxf1+ 22.Rxf1 Bxh6 23.Bxb7∞ The bishop pair is
strong, but four pawns are a lot for a piece.] 20.Bxb7 Rd8µ White is still paralyzed, so we keep the
upper hand.

16...Bh3 17.Qe2 Qd7 18.Nf3 Kh8

Position after: 18...Kh8

19.Bf4

19.c3?? Rxe4 20.Qxe4 Re8 21.Qc2 Qd5–+

19...Bxb2 20.Re1 Bc3 21.Rb1 Bf6!³

671
Position after: 21...Bf6!³

The position is still complicated. Both kings are potentially weak, but Black’s extra exchange should
count for something, so he should be better here.

b) 6.Nc3

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.c4 0-0 6.Nc3 d6

Position after: 6...d6

672
Little by little, we are getting closer to the main line (which would arise here after 7.0-0). In this
subchapter, we will focus on every sideline that White has on move seven, and will do likewise in the
next subchapter, where White has played 0-0 instead of Nc3. Obviously all these sidelines are rarely
seen, and we don’t need to go too deeply into the variations.

7.d5

White sometimes prefers to start with this move. Of course it’s more classical on the next move. There
are probably several good choices for Black in order to exploit White’s move order, but I think the
simplest is to leave White the possibility to transpose.
A) 7.Bf4 Nc6!?

Position after: 7...Nc6!?

Black is trying to equalize by force. [7...c6!? is possible too, as there are only a few chances that
White will try something other than 8.0-0 (a position that can merely happen in other move orders).]
A1) 8.0-0 Ne4! 9.d5 [9.Nxe4?! fxe4 10.Ng5 Nxd4 11.Nxe4 c5!?=] 9...Nxc3 10.bxc3 Ne5

673
Position after: 10...Ne5

White can’t really hope for an edge with this pawn structure. 11.Qb3 [11.Nxe5 dxe5 12.Be3 b6
13.Rb1 f4ƒ The next step is to create a battery with ...Bf5 and ...Qd7, directly targeting White’s
castled position. We have the initiative here.] 11...Nxf3+ 12.Bxf3 [12.exf3 e5 13.dxe6 Bxe6³]
12...b6 13.Rfe1 Qe8 14.e4 fxe4 15.Bxe4?!

Position after: 15.Bxe4?!

15...Rxf4! This is the sort of thing that shows how things can go bad for White very quickly: his

674
 kingside will be really weak and both of Black’s bishops will be great. Things are very difficult for
him after 16.gxf4 Qf8µ.
A2) 8.d5

Position after: 8.d5

This is probably the most complicated line. 8...e5!N [Only 8...Na5 has been tried in previous games,
but our novelty has to be preferred.] 9.dxc6 [9.Bg5?! Na5 10.b3 h6 11.Bc1 e4 12.Nd4 c5 13.dxc6
Nxc6 14.Bb2 d5= With such a strong center, it’s clear that Black must be fine.] 9...exf4 10.Nd4
Ne4!

675
Position after: 10...Ne4!

This knight maneuver is a pawn sacrifice which, if accepted, will open lines for the c8-bishop and
f8-rook. 11.Nxe4 fxe4 12.Bxe4 bxc6! 13.Nxc6 Qe8 14.Ne7+ Qxe7 15.Bxa8 Bxb2 16.Bd5+ Kg7

Position after: 16...Kg7

A2.1) 17.Rb1?! White will find himself in trouble if he tries to keep his extra exchange, e.g.
17...Bc3+ 18.Kf1 Bh3+ 19.Kg1 [19.Bg2? If White is counting on this move, then he has clearly
forgotten something. 19...fxg3 20.hxg3 Qe3! 21.f3 Bd4–+ A very nice finish! 22.Qe1? Rxf3+!
23.exf3 Qxf3+ 24.Qf2 Qxf2#] 19...Qe5‚.
A2.2) 17.0-0 Bh3 18.Rb1! fxg3 19.hxg3 [19.Rxb2?? Qf6!! 20.hxg3 Bxf1–+] 19...Bxf1 20.Kxf1
Qf6=
B) 7.Bg5?!

676
Position after: 7.Bg5?!

This is too early to be strong. The center is not stable, and it’s not clear what the bishop is doing here.
7...Ne4! 8.Be3 [8.Nxe4 fxe4 9.Nd2 Bxd4 10.Nxe4 Bxb2 11.Rb1 Bg7=] 8...e5! 9.Qb3 [9.h4 Nxc3
10.bxc3 e4 11.Nd2 Nd7 12.h5 g5!³ Now that his h-pawn has advanced so far, it’s not clear if White
will be able to castle.] 9...Nxc3 10.bxc3 f4 11.Bc1 Nc6ƒ

Position after: 11...Nc6ƒ

It looks like Black has been playing on his own for the last few moves and has even managed to
damage White’s pawn structure.

677
 C) 7.Qc2

Position after: 7.Qc2

Again, this kind of move, the sole idea of which is to play e4, is played too early to be good. 7...Nc6
8.d5 [8.e4? Nb4!µ White is in trouble. His logical follow-up fails painfully. If he tries to keep
protecting e4, we trade everything there and finish the game with ...Bf5 followed by ...Nc2+.] 8...Nb4
9.Qb3 Na6 10.Be3 c5 11.0-0 Nc7= We will continue with ...a6, ...Rb8 and even ...Bd7 if needed
before playing ...b5.
D) 7.Qb3 Nc6 8.0-0 [8.c5+ e6 9.cxd6 cxd6 10.0-0 Ne4!?„] 8...Ne4!

678
Position after: 8...Ne4!

I like this move. Black prepares ...e5, and White is unable to take the knight. I think he needs to come
up with a new move now.
D1) 9.c5+ e6 10.cxd6 cxd6„
D2) 9.Be3 e5!N 10.dxe5 Nxc3 11.Qxc3 [11.bxc3 dxe5³] 11...dxe5 12.Rad1 Qe7ƒ
D3) 9.Rd1!?N At least this prevents ...e5. 9...e6

Position after: 9...e6

10.Be3 [10.Nxe4?! fxe4 11.Ne1 Nxd4 12.Qe3 e5 13.Bxe4 c6³] 10...Na5! 11.Qb4 [11.Qa4?! Nxc3
12.bxc3 b6 13.c5 Bd7 14.Qc2 Qe8³] 11...b6 12.Nxe4 fxe4 13.Nd2 d5ƒ Fighting for the initiative.
White’s set-up doesn’t look so great.

7...c6!

679
Position after: 7...c6!

8.Nd4

This is the only independent try. It has not been played so often, but makes sense if White doesn’t want
to allow ...e5. 8.0-0 will transpose to positions covered later in this chapter.

8...c5 9.Nc2

9.Nf3 This position has arisen lots of times, but with White to move! Black can get easy play on the
queenside: 9...Na6 10.0-0 Rb8 11.Re1 Bd7 12.e4 fxe4 13.Nxe4 [13.Ng5 Nc7„] 13...Nxe4 14.Rxe4
b5ƒ.

9...Nbd7

680
Position after: 9...Nbd7

10.0-0

10.a4 Ne5 11.Na3 a6 This move highlights that White has placed his pieces in a very strange manner.
12.0-0 Rb8 13.f4 Neg4 14.h3 Nh6 15.Qd3 Bd7 16.Kh2 Qe8ƒ Black keeps the more dynamic position.

Position after: 16...Qe8ƒ

Two possible breakthroughs are ...b5 and ...e5. The game Panno, O (2530) – Rodriguez, A (2260),
Potrero de los Funes 1995, eventually ended in a draw.

681
10...Ne5 11.b3 Nh5! 12.Bd2 f4 13.Ne4

Position after: 13.Ne4

This occurred in the old game Ziembinski, M (2260) – Matkowski, W (2250), Gdynia 1982. It ended in
a quick draw, but there is obviously a lot of life in the position. I would probably play

13...h6!N 14.Bc3 g5 15.Ne1 Qe8‚

Our initiative on the kingside is quite promising.

c) 7.-- alternatives

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.c4 0-0 6.0-0 d6

682
Position after: 6...d6

As in the previous subchapter, we are examining White’s possible sidelines on move seven, when he
doesn’t want to reach the main lines. I remind you that 7.b3 and 7.b4 have already been discussed in the
previous chapters, and that 7.Nc3 obviously leads to the main line. We will check the other possible
moves, keeping in mind that they might just transpose to the other lines.

7.Qc2

A) 7.Nbd2 I find this move pretty illogical. Still, this position occurs quite often. 7...Re8!N It’s crazy,
but this completely logical move is a novelty. Even more surprisingly, computers claim here that the
best for White is 8.Nb1. Obviously we won’t discuss this line.

683
Position after: 7...Re8!N

8.d5 e6 9.dxe6 Nc6! 10.b3 Bxe6 11.Bb2 Nd7ƒ Black agrees to trade dark-squared bishops. His idea is
to play his queen to f6, then take control of the play with the two knights coming to c5 and e5.
B) 7.d5

Position after: 7.d5

For some reason this move is sometimes played before Nc3. It seems a bit premature since we
weren’t threatening ...e5, but I don’t think there is any real way to exploit it. As in the previous

684
 subchapter, I prefer to leave White the possibility of transposing to the main line with 8.d5. 7...c6
8.Nd4 Once again, as in the previous subchapter, this seems the only independent try. [8.Nc3 − see
8.d5 in the following subchapters] 8...c5!? 9.Nc2 [9.Nf3 Na6 10.Nc3 – see the previous subchapter]
9...Nbd7 10.Nc3 What else? Once again, see the previous subchapter.
C) 7.Qb3 Nc6

Position after: 7...Nc6

8.Rd1! [8.Nc3 This position has already been analyzed in the previous subchapter with 7.Qb3.]
8...Ne4!? 9.Be3 [9.Nc3 e6 This also transposes to the previous subchapter.] 9...e6 10.Nbd2 It’s
probably a slight improvement for White to put the knight on d2, but we are still able to generate
enough play to keep the balance. 10...a5!? 11.d5 a4 12.Qa3 exd5 13.cxd5 Ne5

685
Position after: 13...Ne5

14.Nxe5 [14.Nxe4? Nc4 15.Qb4 Nxe3 16.fxe3 fxe4µ] 14...Nxd2! 15.Rxd2 dxe5„

7...Qe8!?

Position after: 7...Qe8!?

This prepares ...e5, but also anticipates that White is planning to play Rd1, which would prevent it.

686
8.Nc3

8.d5 e5 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.b3 Nc6 11.Bb2 Rd8„

Position after: 11...Rd8„

Giving the bishop the possibility of returning to c8 if it comes under attack with Ng5. This kind of
middlegame is very similar to the ones in the 8.d5 line of the main line. We haven’t even had to play
...c6 yet, which can be seen as a plus, since the d6-pawn is not weak.

8...e5!

There is no reason to refrain from playing this move.

9.dxe5 dxe5 10.Rd1

10.e4

687
Position after: 10.e4

It’s always sensible for White to try to stop our pawn advance, but it’s pretty unsuccessful here.
10...Nc6 11.Be3 f4! 12.gxf4 exf4 13.Bxf4 Bg4‚ Black has multiple threats not only on the f-file, but
also linked to the d4-square. White is already in trouble.

10...e4 11.Nd4 Na6 12.a3 Qf7ƒ

Position after: 12...Qf7ƒ

688
Black has got what he wanted, a strong pawn phalanx that restricts the action of the g2-bishop.

d) 8.-- alternatives

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.c4 0-0 6.0-0 d6 7.Nc3

Position after: 7.Nc3

7...c6!?

Finally here we are in what I consider to be the main line. 7...c6 hasn’t been the most played move in
the current position, but nowadays it seems to enjoy the favor of theory. However I will quickly discuss
Black’s other two main continuations and why I am not fond of them.
A) 7...Qe8 This is actually the most played move. Black prepares ...e5, but of course White has
several ways to prevent it. Three of them seem pretty decent to me:
A1) 8.d5 Obviously the main move is one of the critical attempts. Lots of lines arise from this
position, but White is generally doing well.
A2) 8.Nd5!? Nxd5 9.cxd5

689
Position after: 9.cxd5

Now White has doubled d-pawns, and the one on d5 is potentially weak, but it’s also pretty
annoying, as it prevents us from moving our c- and e-pawns.
A3) 8.Re1

Position after: 8.Re1

This is the last of the moves I am not satisfied with as Black when I play the Leningrad with 7...Qe8.
I find the variation too abstract. For instance one of the main continuations is 8...Qf7 9.e4 fxe4

690
 10.Ng5 [10.Nxe4!?] 10...Qxc4 11.Ngxe4 Nxe4 12.Rxe4 Qf7 13.Rf4 Bf6 14.Nd5∞

Position after: 14.Nd5∞

and even here lots of complications may arise.

B) 7...Nc6 I have always thought that this move is slightly dubious, or at least I did until I lost to
Rapport against it. Obviously, in practical play, it is interesting, but still it’s not to my taste. 8.d5!

Position after: 8.d5!

B1) 8...Na5 9.b3! This sideline is now a source of trouble for Black in this variation. If he is greedy,

691
 things may go wrong very quickly. 9...Ne4 10.Nxe4 Bxa1 11.Neg5 h6 [11...Bg7 12.Nd4±] 12.Nh3
Bg7 13.Qd2! c5 14.Nf4 Kh7 15.Re1‚
B2) 8...Ne5 9.Nxe5 dxe5 10.Qb3ƒ White can follow with c5 and Rd1, which is normally quite
strong.

Position after: 10.Qb3ƒ

It’s true that Black can instigate a pawnstorm on the kingside with ...h6 and ...g5, but he is generally
unable to carry out this attack properly.
Back to 7...c6.

692
Position after: 7...c6!?

Now, before entering the main continuations, let’s discuss the side possibilities that White sometimes
prefers.

8.Qc2

A) 8.Qb3 With this move, White sometimes intends c4−c5+, changing the nature of the pawn
structure. That’s probably why Black has continued with 8...Kh8 in most games, but I prefer another
approach: 8...Na6!?

Position after: 8...Na6!?

9.Rd1! [9.c5+ I don’t think this should be seen as a real threat. 9...Kh8 10.cxd6 exd6 11.Bf4 Ne4!ƒ
Black has decent play; it’s hard to see what White has gained from trading pawns.] 9...Nc7

693
Position after: 9...Nc7

I like this calm approach. The knight can’t reach b4, so it takes control of some important central light
squares.
A1) 10.Rb1 I don’t get the logic in placing the queen on b3 in front of the b-pawn, then the rook on
b1. 10...Rb8 11.a4 Kh8 12.d5 Bd7 13.Qa3 c5 14.Bd2 Na6 15.b3 h6 16.Qc1 Kh7„ 1-0 (56) Berkes,
F (2663) – Renner, C (2440), Germany 2010.
A2) 10.c5+ This does nothing specific, nor does the rook on d1 do much in this kind of pawn
structure. 10...Kh8 11.cxd6 exd6 12.Bg5 Qe7=
A3) 10.d5 I faced this position once before writing this chapter and was quite satisfied with the
position I got out of the opening after 10...c5 11.Qc2 a6 12.a4 Rb8 13.a5 b5!? 14.axb6 Rxb6 15.b3.

694
Position after: 15.b3

This may look ugly for Black, but it’s actually really active. The long-term pressure on the b-pawn is
very annoying for White. I could now have opened the center and deviated from my game Bobadilla
Viera, J (2318) – Demuth, A (2519), Rochefort 2019, ½-½ (40), with 15...e6!?N 16.dxe6 Nxe6
17.Bb2 Bb7„.
B) 8.b4

Position after: 8.b4

695
 These kinds of lines were deeply analyzed in Chapter 7 when we looked at various ways for White to
play with b4, but we never checked it when it was played so late! 8...e5!? As is often the case once
White weakens the long diagonal by moving the b-pawn, this is a logical reaction. 9.dxe5 dxe5

Position after: 9...dxe5

B1) 10.Qb3 e4! 11.Rd1 Qe7 12.Nd4 Qf7!N This move has never been tried. It seems logical to me
to start putting pressure on the c-pawn. 13.Rb1 Nbd7 14.c5 a5! An important motif in order to bring
the a8-rook into play, but also to weaken White’s queenside. 15.Qxf7+ Rxf7

Position after: 15...Rxf7

696
 16.a3 [16.Ne6 axb4 17.Rxb4 Bh8 18.Nd8! Re7 19.Nxb7 Ng4© The c5-pawn can fall at any time
and Black is completely fine.] 16...axb4 17.axb4 Nf8ƒ
B2) 10.e4! White really should prevent ...e4, and this is the only way. Black seems to have
demonstrated in the past that he is fine. 10...Qxd1 11.Rxd1 f4

Position after: 11...f4

B2.1) White might try to weaken our queenside with 12.b5, but he got nothing in the following
game: 12...fxg3 13.hxg3 Bg4 14.Ba3 Rc8! 15.Rab1 Nbd7 16.bxc6 bxc6 17.Bd6

Position after: 17.Bd6

697
 17...Bf8 [17...Ne8!?= This might even be a way to expel the bishop and keep more pieces on the
board.] 18.c5 Re8 19.Bxf8 Rxf8 20.Rd6 Bxf3 21.Bxf3 Nxc5 22.Rxc6 Rac8= ½-½ (26)
Miroshnichenko, E (2602) – Filippov, A (2615), Kocaeli 2014.
B2.2) 12.Bb2 fxg3 13.hxg3 Bg4 14.Re1

Position after: 14.Re1

This was reached in the game Leko, P (2737) – Ponomariov, R (2723), Dortmund 2014, ½-½ (43).
Now, instead of the game’s ...Nbd7, I would move the f6-knight instead, in order to be able to
bring the other one to a6: 14...Nfd7 15.Nd2 a5! 16.b5 Nc5 17.Ba3 Nbd7ƒ.
C) 8.Bg5

698
Position after: 8.Bg5

This move doesn’t make much sense to me as I am not sure White wants to keep the bishop pair in the
event of an early ...h6. But anyway Black has other options, so he doesn’t need to answer this
question! 8...Nbd7 [8...Ne4 is another idea that I think is equally good. 9.Nxe4 fxe4 10.Ne1 d5„]
9.Qd2 e5 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Rad1 Qc7=

Position after: 11...Qc7=

White is able to trade the dark-squared bishop, but it’s only a small achievement compared to the
pawn coming to e4.

699
 D) 8.Bf4 Nh5!?

Position after: 8...Nh5!?

It’s a good idea to put the question to White’s bishop. It can either move, which would allow ...e5, or
stay put, when Black would be glad to take it. 9.Bg5 [9.Qd2 Nxf4 10.gxf4 Nd7 11.Rad1 Nf6=] 9...h6
10.Bc1 e5ƒ

8...Na6!?

Position after: 8...Na6!?

700
9.a3

A) 9.Rb1 Nc7 10.b4 Be6! 11.Nd2 d5! 12.c5 f4! 13.gxf4 Bf5 14.Qb2

Position after: 14.Qb2

White can play e2−e4 if he doesn’t want to give up the exchange, but it would be a structural
catastrophe. 14...Bxb1 15.Qxb1 Qc8= This kind of unbalanced middlegame should give each side
about equal chances. Black will probably try to open the queenside by means of ...a5.
B) 9.b3 Qc7! 10.Rd1 This looks like the best move order to retain the possibility of playing Ba3.
[10.Bb2 e5 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Rad1 e4!ƒ] 10...e5 11.dxe5

701
Position after: 11.dxe5

11...Nb4 [11...dxe5 12.Ba3 c5= may be about equal, but I’m not satisfied with playing ...c5 here.]
12.Qd2 dxe5 13.Na4 a5 14.a3 Ne4=
C) 9.e4?! A rare idea which backfires. 9...Nxe4! 10.Nxe4 Nb4!

Position after: 10...Nb4!

11.Qb3 [11.Qb1? fxe4 12.Qxe4 Bf5 13.Qh4 Nc2 14.Rb1 Qb6µ White is getting nowhere and needs
to deal with the multiple threats.] 11...fxe4 12.Ng5 Na6 13.Be3 Qb6!ƒ

9...Qc7

702
Position after: 9...Qc7

10.b4

10.e4?! fxe4 11.Nxe4 Bf5 12.Nxf6+ exf6 13.Qb3 Be4=

10...e5 11.dxe5

11.b5!?N This might be an improvement for White, but we can’t say that it refutes Black’s play.
11...Nb8 12.bxc6 bxc6 13.c5 e4!? 14.cxd6 Qxd6 15.Bf4 Qe7 16.Ne5 Be6„

11...dxe5 12.e4 f4ƒ

703
Position after: 12...f4ƒ

We have already seen this idea several times. It has worked really well for Black in practice, and I
won’t go any further into the specifics.

704
 e) 8.Re1

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.c4 0-0 6.0-0 d6 7.Nc3 c6!? 8.Re1

Position after: 8.Re1

The idea of advancing with e4 has already been discussed lots of times in the previous chapters. In
general, I would say that it is less effective when White has already played c4, as the d4-pawn is
weaker, but Black has played ...c6, so it’s harder to put pressure on the d4-pawn.

8...Na6!?

This is definitely the safest continuation. Black anticipates e4, and develops his pieces in order to
respond to it quickly.
8...e5!?N Amazingly, this move is a novelty. Obviously I tried to make it work. 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.Nxe5
Qxd1 11.Rxd1 Ne4! This is the point of Black’s play: if White takes on e4, the knight on e5 is trapped
in the center.

705
Position after: 11...Ne4!

However I don’t think it’s enough to get an equal position. 12.Nd3 Nxc3 13.bxc3 Bxc3 14.Rb1² The
material balance has been restored, but White clearly has the more active pieces, and it won’t be easy to
develop our queenside.

Position after: 8...Na6!?

9.b3

This position might arise via 8.b3 Na6 9.Re1, but it’s clearly more logical with the current move order.

706
 A) 9.e4?!

Position after: 9.e4?!

This move is too early. 9...fxe4 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Rxe4 e5!? Played less often, but it has worked well
in practice. [11...Bf5 12.Rh4∞ I think this is the best try for White. It prevents any ...Bg4 ideas and
may allow Bh6 at some point.] 12.Bg5 [12.dxe5 dxe5„] 12...Qc7

Position after: 12...Qc7

A1) 13.Re1 Bg4 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.Qe2 Rf5! Very strong. Black gains an important tempo in order to

707
 double rooks on the f-file. 16.Qe3 Raf8 17.Nh4 Rxf2! 18.Bh6 [18.Qxf2 Rxf2 19.Kxf2 Nc5 20.Kg1
Nd3 21.Re3 Qb6–+ Black has too many threats, e.g. ...h6, gaining material, and White’s position is
collapsing.] 18...Bxh6 19.Qxh6 Nb4–+ 0-1 (31) Halay, T (2320) – Nijboer, F (2529), Dieren 2005.
A2) 13.dxe5 dxe5 This kind of position with an isolated e-pawn can be difficult for Black, but in this
case it will be easy to follow with ...Bf5 and ...Nb4, with dangerous piece play. 14.Nd2 Qf7 15.Re2
Bg4

Position after: 15...Bg4

The idea is simply to block the g2-bishop. 16.f3 Bf5 17.Ne4 Bxe4 18.fxe4 Qxc4³
B) 9.a3

708
Position after: 9.a3

Some people have also tried this slow move. The point is to prepare Qc2, without being annoyed by
the knight coming to b4. 9...Nc7!?
B1) 10.Qd3 Nh5! In the same spirit, this works well too. 11.e4 If White waits any longer, Black will
be able to play 11...e5 with good play. 11...f4! 12.Ne2 e5 13.dxe5 [13.c5? dxc5!µ Here the d-pawn
is pinned, which is why I consider the queen better placed on c2.] 13...dxe5 14.Qxd8 Rxd8 15.Bd2
Bg4 16.Bc3 Rd3!ƒ
B2) 10.e4 fxe4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Rxe4 Bf5

709
Position after: 12...Bf5

Again it seems pretty clear that White hasn’t gained much by opening the center. 13.Re1 Qd7=
B3) 10.Qc2 Nh5

Position after: 10...Nh5

B3.1) 11.e3 This prevents ...f4, but not the following line: 11...e5 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.b4 Be6 14.Nd2
Qe7³. Black is already better, and I am very surprised that the Dutch specialist misplayed this
game and lost quite quickly in Van Oosterom, C (2380) – Nijboer, F (2530), Netherlands 2014, 1-0
(36).
B3.2) 11.e4 f4 12.Ne2

710
Position after: 12.Ne2

12...Bg4! [12...e5?! 13.c5!± Our pawn chain is going to be destroyed.] 13.gxf4 e5! Really well
timed. White is in trouble on the f-file. 14.c5 Nxf4 15.Nxf4 exf4 16.cxd6 Qxd6ƒ
C) 9.Rb1

Position after: 9.Rb1

White mixes ideas, and takes advantage of the fact that ...a5, in order to prevent b4, is no longer
possible. 9...Ne4 10.Qc2 Qa5 Of course the knight is untouchable because of ...Bf5 at the end. 11.a3

711
 Nxc3

Position after: 11...Nxc3

12.Bd2 [12.b4!? Qc7 13.Qxc3 e5 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.e4 f4ƒ] 12...f4 Freeing the f5-square for our
bishop. [12...e5!? This seems even simpler than Mamedyarov’s choice. 13.Bxc3 Qc7ƒ] 13.Qxc3
Qxc3 14.Bxc3 Nc7 15.gxf4 Rxf4ƒ 0-1 (69) Stopa, J (2427) – Mamedyarov, S (2804), chess.com
2018.

9...Qc7!?

712
Position after: 9...Qc7!?

Preparing ...e5 is a very reasonable continuation.

10.Ba3

Clearly the best. White prevents both ...e5 and different knight jumps.
10.e4?! Once again, I don’t believe in this move. 10...fxe4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Rxe4 Bf5

Position after: 12...Bf5

13.Rh4 I am not really afraid of this move now, as White has already weakened the long dark-squared
diagonal. [13.Re1 should be safer for White. 13...Bg4 14.Re4 Bf5 15.Re1 e5!?= Obviously Black can
agree to a draw by repetition, but he can also try to keep the game going, despite being objectively
equal.] 13...e5!
A) 14.dxe5?! dxe5 15.Bg5 [15.Bh6? Bxh6 16.Rxh6 Qg7 17.Rh4 Rad8 18.Qc1 Nc5–+] 15...Nc5µ It’s
hard to see where White’s pieces are going, and he is very close to losing.
B) 14.d5! Nc5 15.b4 Nd3 16.Be3 h6!ƒ

713
Position after: 16...h6!ƒ

The rook is in trouble on h4. Let’s see how things can quickly go bad for White: 17.Bxh6? Bxh6
18.Rxh6 Qg7 19.Rh4 e4! 20.Nd2 g5 21.Rh5 Nxf2–+. Both White’s rooks are now in danger, and he
will soon have to give up material.

10...Ne4 11.Qc2 Nxc3 12.Qxc3 Nc5

Position after: 12...Nc5

714
A clever way to bring the knight into play.

13.Ng5

A) 13.Bxc5 dxc5 14.e3 a5 15.Rad1 Qb6 16.Qc2?! a4ƒ

Of course Black never takes on d4, which would open the e-file for White, and continues with his play
on the queenside.
B) 13.Nd2 a5 14.e3 Nd7„

13...h6 14.Qd2 hxg5 15.dxc5

Position after: 15.dxc5

15...dxc5!

15...Bxa1 16.cxd6! This intermediate move makes Black’s life harder. 16...exd6 17.Rxa1 f4 18.Bxd6
Qg7 19.Rd1² Black won in Pashikian, A (2615) – Anton Guijarro, D (2627), Martuni 2016, 0-1 (46),
but it seems that White has full compensation for the exchange, and this looks rather dangerous and
unpleasant to play.

16.Rad1!

16.Bxc5?! Now Black can safely take the exchange: 16...Bxa1 17.Rxa1 f4µ.

715
Position after: 17...f4µ

White is not getting a pawn back, and the pawn on e7 controls some important dark squares.

16...f4! 17.Bxc5 a5=

Position after: 17...a5=

White is unable to make use of the d-file, and Black has a number of pawn breaks at his disposal.

f) 8.Rb1

716
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.c4 0-0 6.0-0 d6 7.Nc3 c6!?

Position after: 7...c6!?

Now let’s focus on what I consider to be the three main choices for White: 8.Rb1, 8.d5 and 8.b3. These
three lines aim at different kinds of position, so we can’t generalize about White’s ideas. Nor can I say
which is the best, and I’ve been working on all three as White too.

8.Rb1!?

We start with the least played of the three moves. I believe that 8.Qc2, which we covered earlier, and is
played more often nowadays, is stronger. The basic idea of Rb1 is obviously to push b4. In addition, the
rook leaves the long diagonal, so is not a potential target for our g7-bishop. However it can become one
for our c8-bishop, for instance if there is a major trade on e4.

8...a5!?

This looks like the most logical move. I prefer to stop White’s plan straight away. Black has other
options, but I will quickly show why I don’t really like them.
A) 8...Na6 9.b4 Nc7!? 10.Qb3 Kh8 11.Rd1 Be6 12.d5!ƒ
B) 8...Qe8 9.b4 e5 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.e4 f4 12.b5‚

717
Position after: 12.b5‚

White’s play is clearly further advanced, and he will continue with Ba3 on the next move.
C) 8...Ne4 9.Qc2 Nxc3 10.bxc3!

Position after: 10.bxc3!

Strangely enough, after this move, Black has trouble developing his plan. 10...e5 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Ba3
Re8 13.Rfd1 Nd7 14.e4± Black can fight, but the logical move backfires: 14...f4?! 15.Bh3+–.

718
Position after: 8...a5!?

9.Qb3

This has been the most played move in the current position. Compared to 8.Qb3 in the previous
subchapter, the main difference is that ...a5 has already been played, so the b6-square can sometimes be
a bit weak, and we should take this into account.
A) 9.d5 This is the main alternative. A position very similar to the 8.d5 line in the next subchapter can
arise. 9...e5! 10.dxe6 Not taking this pawn would make no sense at all. 10...Bxe6 11.b3

719
Position after: 11.b3

A1) 11...Qe7 Mamedyarov played this move recently, probably because he wanted to be able to
protect the d6-pawn with his rook, but it’s actually not that useful, as we have another clever way to
do it: 12.Bf4 Rd8

Position after: 12...Rd8

13.Qd2 [13.Ng5!? If White wants to prevent ...d5, he should probably play this move to chase the
bishop.] 13...d5! This equalizes by force. 14.cxd5 Nxd5 15.Nxd5 Bxd5 16.Bg5 Bf6 17.Bxf6 Qxf6
18.Rfd1 Nd7=

720
Position after: 18...Nd7=

The stronger player has managed to impose himself, but the position was about equal in Sarana, A
(2543) – Mamedyarov, S (2791), Sochi 2017, 0-1 (70).
A2) 11...Na6!?

Position after: 11...Na6!?

A2.1) 12.Bf4?! Nh5! With exactly the same solution if we hadn’t played Rb1/...a5. 13.Bg5 Qd7!?
14.Na4 [14.Qd2 f4!? Not necessary, but pretty strong. 15.Bxf4 Nxf4 16.gxf4 This was reached in
two different games, including Jumabayev, R (2584) – Kazhgaleyev, M (2584), Dushanbe 2015,
½-½ (77), but Black didn’t manage to find the best move: 16...Bh3! 17.Ne1 Nc5 18.e3 Rae8© With
the magnificent bishop on g7 and the open files, Black enjoys full compensation for the pawn.]
14...Rae8! 15.Rc1 f4! 16.Nb6 Qf7! 17.Qxd6 h6 18.Bxf4 Rd8!

721
Position after: 18...Rd8!

19.Qa3 Nxf4 20.gxf4 Qxf4³ Black has the mating plan of ...Bg4 followed by ... Bxf3 and ...Be5.
A2.2) 12.Bb2 Nc5 13.Qd2 Qe7 14.Rbd1 Rad8= Black has reached an ideal set-up.
A2.3) 12.Ng5 White puts the question to the bishop. Black can either retreat it, with the idea of
returning later, or protect it. 12...Bc8!? In general I prefer to keep the bishop, but both 12...Re8 and
12...Qe7 are very decent alternatives. 13.Bb2 Nc5 14.Qd2 h6 15.Nf3 Qe7 16.Rbd1 Rd8„
B) 9.b3 Na6 10.Bb2 Qc7

722
Position after: 10...Qc7

B1) 11.Re1 e5 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.e4?! This was played in the game Wang, H (2735) – Ponomariov, R
(2731), Beijing 2013, 0-1 (29). I think Black can simply grab the pawn now, and claim an edge:
13...fxe4 14.Ng5 Bg4! 15.Qc1 Nb4³. White has allowed his opponent too much activity and has to
find a way not to lose more material.
B2) 11.d5 e5 12.dxe6 Bxe6 13.Ng5 Bc8 14.Qd2 h6 15.Nf3 Nc5 16.Rfd1 Rd8„

Position after: 16...Rd8„

This is similar to the 9.d5 line of the current subchapter, but is also very close to the line we will
discuss in the next subchapter on 8.d5. This pawn structure is really solid for Black, who will
continue with ...Qe7 and ...Be6, and at some point bring the other rook into play.
C) 9.a3?!

723
Position after: 9.a3?!

This has been played many times, but I think it’s bad. As the a3-square is taken, we can transpose to
lines we discussed on the eighth move with a3/...a5 included, where White won’t be able to play Ba3.
For instance 9...Ne4! This is now pretty strong. 10.Qc2 e5! [10...Nxc3?! is less precise. After 11.bxc3
e5 12.c5! e4 13.Qa2+!² White either gets the e5-square or plays Ng5 with the threat of Nf7+.] 11.Rd1
[11.dxe5 Nxc3! 12.Qxc3 dxe5³] 11...Nxc3 12.bxc3 e4ƒ

Position after: 12...e4ƒ

I already prefer Black here.

724
9...h6!

An important waiting move, allowing Black to play ...Be6 without fearing Ng5.
9...Na6 would now be met with 10.Na4!². The knight is heading for b6, which is quite a nuisance.

Position after: 9...h6!

10.Rd1

A) 10.Nh4?! g5! 11.Ng6 The only logical follow-up, but it’s clear that the knight is in danger here.
11...Rf7„

725
Position after: 11...Rf7„

12.e4? fxe4 13.Nxe4 Bf5–+

B) 10.c5+ Kh7 11.cxd6 exd6 12.d5 a4! 13.Qa3 Ra6!= Here the rook is protected, so the a4-pawn is
not pinned, and it can protect the d6-pawn.

10...Na6

Position after: 10...Na6

11.Na4?!

11.Be3 Rb8„ Of course the position is complicated, but now Black is ready to move the bishop to e6 if
he wants to, and White still needs to find a constructive plan.

11...Be6! 12.d5

12.Qxb7?! Bxc4 13.Qxc6 Bxa2 14.Ra1 Nb4µ

12...cxd5 13.cxd5 Bd7

726
Position after: 13...Bd7

14.Be3

14.Nb6?? Nc5–+

14...Ne4!ƒ

Black is very active and plans to continue with ...b5 on the next move.

g) 8.d5 e5 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.--, 10.Qd3 Re8 11.--

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.c4 0-0 6.0-0 d6 7.Nc3 c6 8.d5

727
Position after: 8.d5

This is the old main line. 8.d5 is still the most played move, but the top players now favour 8.b3, which
we will cover later. The basic idea is to prevent Black from keeping a pawn on e5, as after ...e5 the d-
pawn won’t be able to take it.

8...e5!

Obviously best. Theory indicates that Black is fine in these positions. White has no choice but to take.

9.dxe6 Bxe6

728
Position after: 9...Bxe6

10.Qd3

In my opinion, this move is not dangerous at all. The queen is exposed on d3. It’s true that it accelerates
possible threats against the d6-pawn, but that’s the only achievement.
A) 10.Bf4?! This pawn trade leads to a very easy game for Black. 10...Bxc4

Position after: 10...Bxc4

729
 A1) 11.Qxd6 Qxd6 12.Bxd6 Rd8 13.Rfd1 Nbd7³ These endgames are always slightly better for
Black as his bishop on g7 has better prospects than its counterpart on g2, and the possibility of
creating a passed pawn is simpler for Black with his c-pawn than for White with the e-pawn.
A2) 11.Bxd6 Re8

Position after: 11...Re8

12.Ne5 [12.Bf4?! The game Sargsyan, A (2340) – Vidit, S (2711), chess.com 2019, 0-1 (42), saw
12...Qxd1. Although Black won, why not keep the queens on? 12...Nbd7!?N 13.Qc2 Nd5 14.Nxd5
Bxd5ƒ; 12.Qd4 Ba6! 13.Qb4 Qb6!³ Black still has the better pawn structure. The c6-pawn blocks
both the c3-knight and the g2-bishop while the e-pawn is potentially a target.] 12...Be6 13.Qd3
Nbd7 14.Nxd7 Qxd7 15.Rad1

730
Position after: 15.Rad1

I reached this position last year in the game Sulypa, A (2487) – Demuth, A (2529), Porto Carras
2018, ½-½ (35). I went for simplifications with 15...Ne4, but it’s also possible to keep more pieces
on the board: 15...Qf7!?N 16.b3 Rad8 17.Qc2 Bd5 18.Nxd5 cxd5 19.Bf4 Ne4ƒ.
B) 10.Qb3?! A very naive move, trying to counterattack b7 while defending the c4-pawn. 10...b5!

Position after: 10...b5!

11.Nd4 Maybe the lesser evil, in order to get some counterplay against the c6-pawn. [11.Nd2 a6!

731
 12.Rd1 Qe7³ White is unable to unpin the c-pawn without losing it. A very unpleasant situation.]
11...Bxc4 12.Qc2 b4 13.Na4 Bf7

Position after: 13...Bf7

14.Bg5! [14.Nxc6? Nxc6 15.Qxc6 Rc8 16.Qa6 Ne4µ] 14...Qc7 15.Rfd1 Ne4!=
White seems to keep some compensation, but still needs to be precise if he doesn’t want to end up
worse.

10...Re8!

732
Position after: 10...Re8!

This move is only the sixth most played in the position. Of course there are other ways to equalize with
Black, but I like this move, setting a far from obvious trap.

11.Bf4?!

The most logical way to attack the pawn, since it looks difficult to defend it. Also, the threat is to take it
with the bishop, so that Black is unable to take back the pawn on c4. But this was the trap we were
waiting for when we played 10...Re8.
A) 11.Rd1 Nbd7 12.Qxd6 [12.b3 d5! 13.cxd5 Nxd5 14.Bb2 Nc5 15.Qc2 Nb4 16.Qc1 Qe7ƒ]
12...Bxc4ƒ

Position after: 12...Bxc4ƒ

The structure is similar to the 10.Bf4 line, and we have already discussed why it’s pretty easy to play
as Black. The fact that White seems to have some pressure on the d-file is an illusion; it will soon
disappear.
B) 11.b3 d5!?N

733
Position after: 11...d5!?N

Since the long diagonal is weakened, this move seems pretty obvious. 12.Ng5! [12.Bb2?! dxc4
13.bxc4 Na6³ The c4-pawn is now a long-term weakness.] 12...Na6! 13.Nxe6 Rxe6 14.cxd5 Nxd5
15.Bxd5 cxd5 16.Bb2 Nc5 17.Qf3 Ne4ƒ

11...Ne4!

A strong move. The knight is untouch-able.

Position after: 11...Ne4!

734
White has different ways to respond, but none of them seems to equalize.

12.Nd4

A) 12.Nxe4?? fxe4 13.Qxe4 Bf5–+ Oops! The queen is trapped in the center. This is something
White can easily miss while considering 11.Bf4.
B) 12.Rfd1 Na6 [12...Nd7!? 13.Bxd6 Nxd6 14.Qxd6 Nb6³ Black is about to regain his pawn, which
also seems slightly better for him, but I prefer the other version.] 13.Nd4!

Position after: 13.Nd4!

13...Nb4! 14.Nxe6 [14.Qb1?! Bxc4µ] 14...Nxd3 [14...Rxe6 15.Qb1 Nxc3 16.bxc3 Bxc3 17.Qb3
Bxa1 18.Rxa1 a5] 15.Nxd8 Nxc3 16.bxc3 [16.Rxd3?! Nxe2+ 17.Kf1 Nxf4 18.gxf4 Raxd8µ]
16...Nxf4 17.Nxb7

735
Position after: 17.Nxb7

B1) 17...Nxe2+ 18.Kf1 Nxc3 19.Rxd6! It’s easy to see that White is giving up an exchange, but the
resulting position is still complicated. 19...Ne4 20.Bxe4 Bxa1 21.Bxc6 Re7 22.Bd5+ Kg7 23.Nd8!
Rb8 24.c5© The c-pawn is dangerous, and I am not sure I would pick Black anymore if I could
choose.
B2) 17...Nxg2! 18.Kxg2 Rab8 19.Rab1 [19.Nxd6?! Rxe2! 20.Re1 Rd2 21.Red1 Rbb2 22.Rxd2 Rxd2
23.Nc8 Bxc3 24.Rb1 Bd4µ] 19...Rxe2 20.Rxd6 Rxa2 21.Rd8+ Rxd8 22.Nxd8 c5³

Position after: 22...c5³

736
 This endgame is still good for Black. He will combine threats against the f2-pawn with the advance
of the dangerous a-pawn, which is difficult to stop because the bishop already controls the promotion
square.

12...Nxc3

Position after: 12...Nxc3

13.bxc3

13.Qxc3N Maybe best, but it looks pretty dubious to voluntarily pin the knight while ...c5 is always a
possibility. 13...Qb6 14.Rfd1

737
Position after: 14.Rfd1

A) 14...c5?! 15.Nxe6 Bxc3 16.bxc3∞ I don’t like this position, as White seems to have enormous
compensation for the queen.
B) 14...Bf7!? 15.Bxd6 c5 16.Bxc5 Qxc5 17.Bxb7 Nc6! 18.Bxc6 Bxd4™ 19.Qf3 Bxf2+ 20.Kf1 Bxc4
21.Bxe8 Rxe8 22.Qxf2 Qc6

Position after: 22...Qc6

White has had to find several only moves, and is still under pressure.

738
 C) 14...Nd7 I prefer to keep the tension and bring the last forces into the battle. 15.Rab1! [15.Bxd6?
c5 16.Nxe6 Bxc3 17.bxc3 Rxe6 18.Bd5 Qxd6–+] 15...c5 16.Nxe6 Bxc3 17.bxc3 Rxe6

Position after: 17...Rxe6

18.Bd5! [18.Rxb6 Nxb6!] 18...Kf7 19.Rxb6 Nxb6 20.Bxe6+ Kxe6 21.Rxd6+ Ke7ƒ

Position after: 21...Ke7ƒ

Even this is still slightly easier to play for Black, who will take the c4-pawn on the next move.

739
13...Na6!

Position after: 13...Na6!

14.Nxe6

14.Rab1 Nc5 15.Nxe6 Rxe6 16.Qd2 Qa5³ White has many weaknesses, and the knight on c5 is
wonderful, but even if White manages to trade it with his dark-squared bishop, he will stand worse.

14...Rxe6 15.Be3 Nc5 16.Bxc5 dxc5 17.Qc2

17.Qxd8+ Rxd8 18.Rab1 Rd7µ

Even with opposite-colored bishops, it will be difficult for White to achieve a draw. He will need to
trade both rooks and try to lose only one pawn.

17...Qf6 18.Rab1

740
Position after: 18.Rab1

This position was reached in the game Dubov, D (2666) – Potapov, P (2479), St. Petersburg 2017, ½-½
(81). I guess Black was satisfied with a draw, which explains why he decided to trade some pieces on
c3, but he could have kept the upper hand with

18...Re7! 19.e3 Qxc3 20.Qxc3 Bxc3 21.Rb3 Ba5 22.Rfb1 Bb6 23.a4

Position after: 23.a4

741
White has some pressure against our queenside, but it seems that with precise play we can keep the
better position.

23...Rb8 24.Ra1 Kf7 25.a5 Bc7 26.a6 b5 27.Bxc6 b4³

A draw still looks the logical result, but it’s possible to misplay this as White.

h) 8.d5 e5 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.Qd3 Re8 11.Ng5

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.c4 0-0 6.0-0 d6 7.Nc3 c6 8.d5 e5! 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.Qd3 Re8!
11.Ng5!

Position after: 11.Ng5!

White’s best option. Black’s bishop is not really able to return to c8, so we need to agree to give up the
bishop pair in the best possible circumstances.

11...Nbd7 12.Nxe6 Rxe6 13.Qc2!

White needed to anticipate ...Ne5.

13...Nb6 14.b3 d5

742
Position after: 14...d5

Black is freeing himself. White has a strong move at his disposal, but quite difficult to grasp for a
human.

15.a4!N

White says he isn’t afraid to lose the c-pawn, and will even force it with a5 if he has to.
A) 15.cxd5N 15...Nfxd5 16.Bb2 Nxc3 17.Bxc3 Bxc3 18.Qxc3 Rxe2

Position after: 18...Rxe2

743
 If you glance at this position it seems that Black has an extra pawn for no compensation, but things
are not so simple, and it seems that White can still equalize. 19.Rad1! [19.Rfe1? Not at all precise.
19...Qd2 20.Qxd2 Rxd2 21.Re7 Rd7µ] 19...Qe7 20.a4! This is the way to keep the balance. White
doesn’t just want to chase the knight; the real idea is to push the pawn to a6 in order to destroy our
queenside. 20...Rd8 [20...a6?! 21.Qd4!² The knight is in trouble.] 21.Rxd8+ Qxd8 22.a5 Nd5 23.Qc5
a6 24.Rd1= The game should end in a draw.
B) 15.Bb2 dxc4 16.bxc4

Position after: 16.bxc4

This was played in Vasilev, M (2465) – Reinderman, D (2510), Netherlands 2007, 0-1 (69). [Taking
the pawn was a mistake. He should just have improved his position with 16.Na4 cxb3 17.Qxb3 Nfd5
18.e4 fxe4 19.Nc5 Re7³.] 16...Qe7!N 17.Qb3 Nfd7!³ Black’s knight will soon dominate the game.

744
Position after: 15.a4!N

15...Ne4!

15...dxc4 16.bxc4 Qe7 17.a5 Nxc4 18.Qb3 Ne5 19.Rb1²

Position after: 19.Rb1²

White is going to regain his pawn under favorable circumstances.

16.Nxe4 dxe4 17.Rb1 Nd7=

745
Position after: 17...Nd7=

I consider this kind of middlegame to be level. Black’s strong pawn structure compensates for the
bishop pair.

746
 i) 8. d5 e5 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.b3 Na6 11.--, 11.Ng5

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.c4 0-0 6.0-0 d6 7.Nc3 c6 8.d5 e5! 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.b3!

Position after: 10.b3!

I think this is the best way to defend the c-pawn as it doesn’t expose the queen. Once White
understands that the danger on the long diagonal is not real, the choice seems pretty obvious.

10...Na6!?

We are not in a rush to defend the d6-pawn. White is not well enough organized to be able to attack the
weakness. 10...Ne4?! 11.Nxe4 Bxa1?!

747
Position after: 11...Bxa1?!

It’s quite rare for Black to be able to take this rook without being punished, and here it fails quite
straightforwardly: 12.Nxd6 Qe7 13.Ba3 Bf6 14.Qc1+–.

11.Ng5

This has been played less than 11.Bb2, but in a way it’s perhaps the most precise move as the bishop
can’t go to d7 after 12.Ng5 (which we will check later), and it’s slower to bring it into play from c8.
However it doesn’t change the general evaluation of the position.
A) 11.Bf4?! This approach fails. Why play b3 and not fianchetto the bishop? 11...Nh5!

748
Position after: 11...Nh5!

A1) 12.Bd2 f4! Black takes advantage of the situation to start his attack. 13.Rc1 Qe7 14.Na4 d5!
15.cxd5 Bxd5 16.Bc3 fxg3 17.hxg3 Nf6³ Black is already better thanks to his play in the center, and
eventually won convincingly in Ahlander, B (2424) – Gavrikov, V (2539), Gothenburg 2001.
A2) 12.Bg5 Qa5 13.Qxd6 [13.Na4 Rae8! 14.Bd2 Qc7 15.Rc1 f4ƒ] 13...Rae8! 14.Na4 Bxc4 15.bxc4
Qxa4 [15...Bxa1 I consider this inferior. White will enjoy full compensation. 16.Rxa1 Qxa4 17.Rb1
Qxc4 18.Rxb7©] 16.Rab1 Rf7³

Position after: 16...Rf7³

749
 It’s still very complicated, but Black’s better pawn structure and active pieces give him the easier
position.
B) 11.Ba3?!

Position after: 11.Ba3?!

Saying that this is dubious is a bit of an exaggeration, but the fact is that the bishop isn’t really doing
anything here. 11...Nc5! 12.Ng5 Bc8 13.Qd2 This might look dangerous as White is trying to attack
d6, and ...Rd8 won’t be playable since the d6-pawn would be pinned and unable to take back on c5.
13...Qa5 14.Bb2 h6

750
Position after: 14...h6

15.Nd5! White has to find this clever idea to reach a draw by repetition. [15.Nf3 Nfe4! 16.Nxe4
Qxd2 17.Nexd2 Bxb2³] 15...Qxd2 16.Ne7+ Kh8 17.Nxg6+ Kg8 18.Ne7+=

11...Bc8

11...Qe7

Position after: 11...Qe7

Agreeing to give up the bishop pair is another possible approach. In general, Black keeps a very solid
position and doesn’t lose tempi retreating it and reorganizing his pieces. 12.Nxe6 Qxe6 13.Bb2 Rad8
14.Qc2 Rfe8 15.Rfd1 Nc5=

12.Bb2

12.Qd2 Nc5 13.Bb2 Qe7 14.Rad1 h6 15.Nh3 Rd8

751
Position after: 15...Rd8

White generally finds it difficult to achieve anything. It is really hard to open the position with e2−e4,
as it would simply lead to lots of trades and expose the h3-knight to the c8-bishop. 16.Qc2 [16.Rfe1
g5!? 17.e4 Nfxe4 18.Qc2 Be6 19.Nxe4 Nxe4 20.Bxg7 Kxg7 21.Bxe4 fxe4 22.Qxe4 Re8=] 16...Be6
17.e3 Bf7 18.Rfe1 Re8„

Position after: 18...Re8„

Voilà! Black has reorganized his forces and reached a normal middlegame.

752
12...Qe7

Position after: 12...Qe7

13.Qc2

13.Qd2 h6 14.Nf3 [For 14.Nh3 Be6 15.Rfe1 see 15.Rfe1 in the main line. It’s just a transposition since
the only difference is that the bishop spent a few moves on c8 instead of d7.] 14...Be6

Position after: 14...Be6

753
15.Nh4 This kind of attack leads nowhere for White. 15...Bf7 16.Rad1 Rad8 17.Rfe1 Nc5! This doesn’t
completely prevent e4, but it’s good enough. 18.e4!? [18.Qc2 Rfe8=] 18...Ncxe4 19.f3 [19.Nxe4 fxe4
20.Bxf6 Qxf6 21.Bxe4 d5! 22.cxd5 Bxd5 23.Bxd5+ Rxd5 24.Qc2 Rxd1 25.Rxd1 g5=] 19...d5!!

Position after: 19...d5!!

A strong resource that Black had to see in advance. [19...Nxd2? 20.Rxe7+–] 20.fxe4 dxe4 Black has
enough compensation, e.g. 21.Qe2 b5! 22.cxb5 Ng4!‚. Black has multiple threats, the main one being
...Qc5+, both endangering the king and attacking the c3-knight (the reason why we just played ...b5).

13...Bd7 14.Rad1 Rad8

754
Position after: 14...Rad8

15.e3

In general, Black is satisfied when White plays e3. If he now plays ...Ne4 at some stage, and White
trades it, then ...fxe4 would underline White’s weaknesses on the light squares.
A) 15.Rfe1 Bc8 [15...Nc5 This looks even simpler, in order to prevent any e4-ideas.] I give the
following game to show how things can go badly for White if he is not focused: 16.Ba3 Ng4

Position after: 16...Ng4

755
 17.Bc1? Nb4! 18.Qd2 Bxc3 19.Qxc3 Nxa2 20.Qd2 Nxc1 21.Qxc1 f4µ 0-1 (30) Richter, C (2435) –
Nijboer, F (2545), Netherlands 2005.
B) 15.e4?! h6 16.Nf3 Nxe4 17.Nxe4 fxe4 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Rfe1 Bf5³

15...Nc5 16.Rfe1 Ng4! 17.Nh3 a5

Position after: 17...a5

Black has a stable position. White’s attempts to cause disorganization in his camp are not succeeding.

18.Nf4

18.e4 fxe4 19.Nxe4 Bf5=

18...g5! 19.Nd3

19.Nh5 Bh8

19...Nxd3 20.Qxd3 Be8ƒ

The bishop heads towards g6 or h5, and the possibility of playing ...f4 at some point is very interesting.

756
Position after: 20...Be8ƒ

j) 8. d5 e5 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.b3 Na6 11.Bb2

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.c4 0-0 6.0-0 d6 7.Nc3 c6 8.d5 e5! 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.b3! Na6!?
11.Bb2 Qe7

Position after: 11...Qe7

12.Ng5!?

757
 A) 12.Nd4 I had to face this move last year. It’s slightly less troublesome, since the bishop can easily
escape to f7, but it sometimes gives White additional ideas of sacrificing on c6. 12...Bf7 13.Qd2 Nc5
14.Rad1

Position after: 14.Rad1

A1) 14...Rad8 15.Bxc6!? This is the kind of sac I didn’t want to allow. Two pawns, a rook, and some
weaknesses in the center seemed to me to be worth two pieces. 15...bxc6 16.Nxc6 Qb7 17.Nxd8
Rxd8 18.Nb5 Nce4 19.Qa5 Rd7 20.f3!± 0-1 (48) Bilobrk, F (2360) – Galyas, M (2512), Biograd na
Moru 2018.
A2) 14...Rac8!? This preventive move was my choice. It can also be useful if Black wants to play
...d5 once the queen has gone to c2. 15.Qc2 Rfe8 16.e3 Nfe4= This is balanced, and my game quite
logically ended in a draw, ½-½ (30) Gaehwiler, G (2429) – Demuth, A (2547), Bad Ragaz 2018.
A3) 14...a5! This might be my choice now. There is no rush in moving the rooks, so it seems
sensible to try to create some weaknesses on the queenside. 15.Qc2 a4

758
Position after: 15...a4

16.e3 [16.b4 Ncd7 17.Nxa4 Ne5ƒ Black gains enough counterplay against the c4-pawn.] 16...axb3
17.axb3 Rfe8= Black has a fine game. 18.Nxc6?! This is not really possible anymore. 18...bxc6
19.Bxc6 Rab8 20.Bxe8 Bxe8³ Thanks to the light-squared weaknesses, Black should be able to keep
the upper hand.
B) 12.Qc2

Position after: 12.Qc2

759
 Against this kind of careless move Black can already free himself and get an equal position. 12...d5!?
13.cxd5 Nxd5 14.Nxd5 Bxd5 15.Bxg7 Kxg7= I still think that this structure is easier for Black, but
objectively the position is equal.

12...Bd7 13.Qd2 h6!?

Position after: 13...h6!?

It’s more usual to start with 13...Rad8. It probably doesn’t change the evaluation of the position, but I
would prefer to chase the knight first.

14.Nh3

14.Nf3 has never been tried, probably because White knows his knight doesn’t have many prospects
from here. 14...Be8 [14...Be6 is probably less precise since it gives White the idea to play the sacrifice
we have already discussed. 15.Rad1 Rad8 16.Nd4 Bf7 17.Bxc6!²] 15.Rad1 Rd8 16.Nd4 Nc5 17.e3
Nfe4=

14...Be6!?

760
Position after: 14...Be6!?

15.Rad1

15.Rfe1 has been tried once, but it probably makes less sense to start by moving this rook. 15...Ne4!?
And this is a clever way to play, taking advantage of the misplaced knight on h3. 16.Nxe4 Bxb2
17.Qxb2 fxe4 18.Qd4 Bf5=

Position after: 18...Bf5=

The position is balanced. In the only game that reached this position, White collapsed very quickly:

761
19.f4? e3! 20.Kh1? Nb4! 21.Rac1 Nc2 22.Rxc2 Bxc2 23.Ng1 Rae8µ 0-1 (33) Riemersma, L (2420) –
Nijboer, F (2525), Hoogeveen 2012.

15...Rad8

Position after: 15...Rad8

16.Ba3

This move has been played twice. It shows that White is pretty much out of ideas, because it seems
clear that the bishop won’t achieve much here.
16.Nf4 Bf7 17.Nd3 White’s knight prevents ours from coming into play, but it has cost a few tempi,
and we are able to develop our initiative on the kingside: 17...g5!?N 18.Rfe1 Bg6!„.

16...Nc5 17.f4?!

762
Position after: 17.f4?!

This move makes sense only if White manages to play e4 at some point, otherwise he will just remain
with some weak spots in his position. In the following well-known game, he didn’t manage to do so.
17.Nf4 Bf7 18.Nd3 Nce4! 19.Nxe4 Nxe4 20.Qe3 Rfe8

Position after: 20...Rfe8

Now the obvious threat is ...Nc3, against which White doesn’t really have an answer. It’s impressive to
see how things go badly for White when he plays without a clear plan. 21.Bb2 Bxb2 22.Nxb2 Qf6

763
23.Qd4 Qxd4 24.Rxd4 Nc3µ 0-1 (41) Thorhallsson, S (2059) – Stefansson, V (2294), Runavik 2017.

17...Qc7 18.Nf2 Rfe8 19.Kh1 Qb6³ 20.Qc2?! d5!

Position after: 20...d5!

Perfectly timed! This sacrifices a pawn, but since Black’s position is so powerful, it is completely
justified.

21.cxd5 cxd5 22.Nxd5 Nxd5 23.Bxc5 Qc7

764
Position after: 23...Qc7

There is no way for White to solve all his problems as his pieces are so badly placed.

24.Rd2

24.Qc1 b6 25.Bxd5 Rxd5 26.Bb4 Qxc1 27.Rxc1 a5 28.Be1 Bd7µ

Position after: 28...Bd7µ

Black will soon restore the material balance with a great position.

24...Bc3 25.Nd3 b6 26.Bf2 Bxd2 27.Qxd2 Qc3–+

Kamsky managed to convert this winning position easily in Gelfand, B (2751) – Kamsky, G (2762),
Tashkent 2012, 0-1.

765
Position after: 27...Qc3–+

Even if this is a slightly older game, I still think it’s very important to know it, as it illustrates White’s
problems in this line.
Incidentally, since this game, Gelfand has been playing the 8.b3 line which we analyze in the following
pages!

k) 8.b3 Na6 9.Bb2 Qc7 10.Re1, 10.d5

1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nf3 g6 4.g3 Bg7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 d6 7.Nc3 c6 8.b3

766
Position after: 8.b3

This is what I will call the ‘new main line’. It has surpassed 8.d5 in popularity, mainly because it has
become clear that 8.d5 was not fully satisfactory for White.
White simply prepares a fianchetto directed against our own on g7. Black has tried a lot of different
moves, but I like to maintain a standard approach. First, we develop our other knight, then try to play
for ...e5.

8...Na6!? 9.Bb2

As we already mentioned in Chapter 8, this position may arise with a different move order, and starting
with 6.b3 is a very common one.
9.Ba3 A few players have tried this move, but it doesn’t make much sense right now, since the bishop
is not threatening anything. 9...b5!? Of course there are other possibilities, but I like surprising moves,
and this is a pretty good one. Of course Black needs to deal with a few things (such as the problems on
the long light-squared diagonal), but it seems that he is doing well. 10.cxb5 cxb5

Position after: 10...cxb5

A) 11.Bb2?! b4 12.Na4 Bb7³ This easily gives Black a good game, e.g. he has the idea of bringing a
knight to c3, a particularly weak and accessible square.
B) 11.Nxb5? Such greed is severely punished: 11...Qa5 12.Qd3 Bd7 13.Nxd6! Qxa3! 14.Nc4 Qb4µ.
C) 11.Ng5! Rb8 12.Nd5 Probably the best continuation, but it’s not enough to claim an edge.
12...Nc7!? 13.Nxc7 Qxc7 14.Bb2 h6 15.Nh3 e6„

767
Position after: 15...e6„

I like Black, who is very flexible. He will probably follow with ...g5 soon.

9...Qc7

Position after: 9...Qc7

Now the threat is 10...e5. White has two main ways to meet this move. He can either push 10.d5, which
will be very similar to the previous subchapters with 8.d5, or he can try to take advantage of the

768
‘exposure’ of the queen on the c-file, even if this exposure is not completely clear right now.

10.d5

This has been played more often than 10.Rc1, (next subchapter), but is probably less critical for the
evaluation of our variation. And it’s really similar to the previous subchapters. 10.Re1 has been tried a
few times, but only rarely followed up with the best idea. 10...e5

Position after: 10...e5

A) ≤ 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.e4 Re8!?N [12...Rd8 This is equally good, but the rook will go to e8 anyway, so
I think it’s simpler to go there straight away. 13.Qb1 Re8 14.Rd1 Nc5 15.Nh4 f4 16.Ba3 Bf8³ 0-1
(33) Nguyen, A (2412) – Laznicka, V (2666), Ho Chi Minh City 2016] 13.Nh4

769
Position after: 13.Nh4

Trying to force matters is one way to find a plan. 13...f4! 14.Nf3 Bg4 15.Qc2 Rad8³
B) 11.e4! fxe4
B1) 12.Nxe4 Nxe4 13.Rxe4 Bf5 14.Re3 e4 15.Nh4 d5

Position after: 15...d5

16.f3! White should probably try to trade this dangerous central pawn. [16.Nxf5 gxf5 17.cxd5 cxd5
18.Rc1 Qb6³ If Black manages to bring the knight to c6 or e6, the d4-pawn will be lost.] 16...Nb4!?

770
 17.fxe4 dxe4! 18.Bxe4 Rae8! 19.Qe2 Bxe4 20.Rxe4 Rxe4 21.Qxe4 Qd7 22.Rd1 Re8 23.Qf4 c5³
B2) 12.dxe5

Position after: 12.dxe5

12...exf3!N [12...dxe5?! 13.Nxe4 Bg4 Now in the game Cvitan, O (2499) – Kovacevic, B (2480),
Porec 2016, 1-0 (29), White could have kept the better game with 14.Nxf6+ Bxf6 15.Re3! Rad8
16.Qe1².] 13.exf6 Bxf6 14.Bxf3 Qg7=

Position after: 14...Qg7=

771
 The position is about equal. The weak d6-pawn is compensated by Black’s activity.

10...e5 11.dxe6 Bxe6

Position after: 11...Bxe6

We considered this position in the previous subchapter, but with the queen on e7, which we preferred to
c7. Obviously therefore this could be regarded as a slightly worse version, but it’s not enough to change
the general evaluation of the position.

12.Ng5

12.Nd4 Bf7 13.e3 Rfe8 14.Qd2 [14.Rc1 Rad8 15.Qc2

772
Position after: 15.Qc2

I faced this position in Sermier, G (2368) – Demuth, A (2548), Asnières-sur-Seine 2017, ½-½ (46), and
should probably have stuck to my idea of pushing ...d5: 15...d5! 16.cxd5 Nxd5 17.Nxd5 Bxd5ƒ.]
14...Rad8 15.Rad1 d5!ƒ

12...Bd7

Position after: 12...Bd7

773
13.Qd2

13.Qc2 Rad8 14.Rad1 Nc5 15.e3 a5 16.Rfe1 Bc8

Position after: 16...Bc8

White has centralized all his pieces, but now finds himself almost out of moves. In the next ten moves,
not much will change, but it’s interesting to see how Black gradually takes over the initiative. 17.Qb1
Rfe8 18.Qc2 Qe7 19.Nf3 Ng4 20.h3 Ne5 21.Nd4 Nf7 First Black brings his knight to a square from
where it protects d6, can jump to many interesting squares quickly, and doesn’t get in the way of the
g7-bishop. 22.f4 Qc7 23.Kh2 Re7 24.Re2 Rde8

774
Position after: 24...Rde8

Now he pressurizes White’s weakness with both rooks. 25.Rde1 Qb6 26.Qd1 a4!ƒ And finally he
creates more weaknesses on the other side of the board, Giri, A (2734) – Ponomariov, R (2731),
Beijing 2013, 0-1 (53).

13...Rad8

Position after: 13...Rad8

14.Rad1

14.Rfd1 Bc8 15.Rac1 Qe7 16.e3

775
Position after: 16.e3

A) 16...Nc5!? is also very playable. Black simply wants to put a knight on e4. As we’ve already said,
it’s a common idea once White has pushed e3, weakening the light squares. 17.b4 h6 18.Nh3 Nce4
19.Nxe4 fxe4 20.Nf4 Bf5 21.h3 g5 22.Ne2 h5 23.b5 Qd7 24.bxc6 bxc6 25.Kh2 Rf7 26.Bc3 Qc8
27.Ba5 Rdf8ƒ with a dangerous attack on the kingside. Black won quickly in Yilmaz, M (2557) –
Motylev, A (2656), Yerevan 2014, 0-1 (35).
B) 16...Ng4 17.Nf3 Nc5=

14...Bc8 15.Rfe1 Nc5 16.Qc2 a5 17.Nf3 Rfe8=

776
Position after: 17...Rfe8=

This was played in the game Gelfand, B (2764) – Ponomariov, R (2756), Elancourt 2013, ½-½ (24).
Play is completely normal and similar to the previous subchapter.

l) 8.b3 Na6 9.Bb2 Qc7 10.Rc1

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.c4 0-0 6.0-0 d6 7.Nc3 c6 8.b3 Na6!? 9.Bb2 Qc7 10.Rc1 e5

Position after: 10...e5

777
11.Nb5!?

White has decided to go for this pseudo-sacrifice in most games. It made a great impression on me the
first time I saw this position (in a game next to mine!).
A) 11.d5

Position after: 11.d5

This move seems very strange to me. In general White pushes d5 earlier, in order to be able to take the
e-pawn en passant. I don’t think it makes much sense here, but it has been played by a well-known
theoretician... 11...e4!?N [11...c5 12.e4 fxe4 13.Ng5² White’s play was quite justified here in Marin,
M (2556) – Alvarado Diaz, A (2402), Benasque 2018, 1-0 (78).] 12.Nd4 c5 13.Nc2 [13.Ndb5 Qe7
14.f3 Bd7ƒ] 13...Qe7„

778
Position after: 13...Qe7„

Black will follow with ...Bd7, ...Nc7, ...a6 and maybe ...b5 if he is allowed to. On the other hand,
White should try to open the center with f3, but it’s not clear that it’s really going to work.
B) 11.c5?!

Position after: 11.c5?!

This is not a great idea, but Black should immediately deviate from the only game to have seen this
position, Shishkin, V (2512) – Gumularz, S (2258), Krakow 2015, ½-½ (54), by playing 11...e4!

779
 12.cxd6 Qxd6 13.Ne5 Be6 14.e3 Nb4³. Black has the stronger center and an obvious square on d5 for
his knights.
C) ≤ 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Nb5

Position after: 12.Nb5

This is the same idea, and Black can transpose either with 12...Qe7 or 12...Qd8, but here he has an
additional idea which might be even stronger: 12...Qb6!?. This move was not possible in the other
move order, since the queen had to keep defending the d6-pawn. 13.Nd6 e4 14.Ng5 Qc7 15.Nxc8
Qxc8= Black has a strong pawn chain, but is missing his light-squared bishop. It should be about
equal.

780
Position after: 11.Nb5!?

11...Qe7!

This has been played less often, but seems stronger to me.
A) 11...Qd8 This is Black’s other option. 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.Ba3

Position after: 13.Ba3

13...e4! [13...Ne4 14.Bxf8 Qxf8 15.Nc3 Nxc3 16.Rxc3 e4 17.Nd4² Black doesn’t seem to generate

781
 enough counterplay in this line. 17...c5?! 18.Nb5 Bxc3 19.Nxc3±] 14.Ng5 h6 We are in the middle of
a forcing sequence, at the end of which I slightly prefer White. 15.Nh3 cxb5 16.cxb5 Nb8 17.Bxf8
Qxf8 18.Nf4

Position after: 18.Nf4

A1) 18...Qe8?! This was played in the game next to me the first time I saw this 11.Nb5 idea. Black
was severely crushed. After 19.Nxg6 Bd7, in Hera, I (2622) – Vuilleumier, A (2370), Bad Ragaz
2016, 1-0 (33), the Hungarian grandmaster could even have improved his play with 20.Nf4 Qe5
21.Bh3± when it’s very difficult for Black to develop his queenside.
A2) 18...Kh7! 19.f3 exf3 20.Bxf3© White’s game definitely seems easier to play. He will try to
invade the seventh rank, and combine attacks on b7 and against Black’s king.
B) 11...cxb5? 12.cxb5 Qb6 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.bxa6± White obviously stands much better if we accept
the Trojan horse.

12.dxe5

12.Nxd6? This is an obvious blunder. 12...Qxd6 13.dxe5 Qxd1µ

12...dxe5

782
Position after: 12...dxe5

13.Ba3™

Any other move would already be better for Black.

A) 13.Qd6?! Qe8! This is an improvement over Cheparinov’s game that I’ve already played once. [≤
13...Qxd6 14.Nxd6 e4 Now in the game Huzman, A (2557) – Cheparinov, I (2689), Gibraltar 2017,
½-½ (34), White could have kept a good position with 15.Ng5!N 15...h6 16.Nxc8 Rfxc8 17.Ne6².]
14.Nc3 Playing this move is tantamount to admitting that White’s concept has failed, but there is
nothing really better. [14.Nxe5 cxb5 15.cxb5 Qxb5 16.Rfd1 Qe8„] 14...e4

783
Position after: 14...e4

15.Nd4 [15.Ne1 might be best, but is quite depressing, e.g. 15...Be6 16.Nc2 Rd8 17.Qa3 Rf7ƒ] This
was my game Rios, C (2482) – Demuth, A (2519), Rochefort 2019, ½-½ (20). Black could now have
kept a great position with 15...Nh5! 16.Rcd1 [16.Nc2 f4! 17.Rcd1 e3 18.fxe3 Be5 19.Qa3 Bf5
20.exf4! Bxc3 21.e4! Bxb2 22.Qxb2 Bg4µ] 16...Rf6! This is the point. Black has taken the f4-square
away from the queen. 17.Qa3 Bf8

Position after: 17...Bf8

18.Qa4 [18.b4 Nxb4µ] 18...Nc5 19.Qa5 b6µ The queen is in trouble, and White is about to lose
material. He just has a choice of evils.
B) 13.Nd6? e4 14.Ng5 Rd8 15.Nxc8 Raxc8 16.Qc2 e3!µ

784
Position after: 16...e3!µ

Black’s threat is 17...Ng4, and his opponent is almost defenseless against it. I actually reached this
position once in a rapid game in Catalonia and White collapsed quickly: 17.Nf3? Ng4 18.Bxg7 Qxg7
19.c5 exf2+ 20.Rxf2 Nxf2 21.Kxf2 0-1 Cervello (2250) – Demuth (2542), Sabadell rapid 2017.

13...Nb4!?N

Position after: 13...Nb4!?N

785
A new move that I prepared some time ago, but which hasn’t been played yet. It leads to a forcing line.
13...c5

Position after: 13...c5

I feel it’s inferior to weaken the light squares like this. If Black has another option, he should play it.
14.Qd6 Qxd6 15.Nxd6 e4 16.Ng5² This occurred in Yilmaz, M (2633) – Nepomniachtchi, I (2733),
Heraklio 2017, ½-½ (35). I think it’s quite decent for White.

14.Qd6!

A) 14.Nc3? e4 15.Nd4 a5µ

B) 14.Nd6? a5 15.Nxc8 Rfxc8µ

14...Qxd6 15.Nxd6 a5!

786
Position after: 15...a5!

First we stabilize the knight. White is unlikely to be willing to take it now, since it would effortlessly
bring our rook into play.

16.Nxe5!

A) 16.Nxc8?! Raxc8 17.Nxe5 Rfe8 18.Bxb4 axb4 19.f4 Nh5! 20.e4 Bxe5 21.fxe5 fxe4 22.Bxe4
Rxe5=
B) 16.Bb2?! e4! 17.Ng5 Nxa2 18.Ra1 Nb4 19.Bc3 Ra6!³ White has achieved nothing but to let the e-
pawn live, blocking his g2-bishop.

16...Nxa2 17.Rc2!

The right square, not necessarily an obvious one, since it stays on the knight’s route.
17.Rcd1 Nc3

787
Position after: 17...Nc3

18.Rd3 [18.Rd2 Rd8 19.Nef7 Rd7 20.Rc2 Nce4ƒ Once again, White should be careful not to lose
material.] 18...Nxe2+ 19.Kh1 a4! 20.bxa4 [20.b4? Ne4!µ Many pieces are hanging in White’s camp
and the rook on f8 is no longer a target for the a3-bishop.] 20...Rxa4 21.Re1 Nd4!=

17...Nb4

Position after: 17...Nb4

788
White faces his first real choice. He has two ways to try to get the better middlegame.

18.Rd2

18.Bxb4 Not the most logical to me, as it allows our rook to come into play straight away, but White
wants to target our b4-pawn. 18...axb4 19.Nd3! Ra3 20.Rb1! Ne4 21.Nxe4 fxe4 22.Bxe4 Bc3©

Position after: 22...Bc3©

It seems to me that Black enjoys enough compensation. He will bring his king to the center, probably
e7 to begin with. Then a possible plan is to play ...Be6 followed by ...b5.

18...Ne4!

789
Position after: 18...Ne4!

19.Nxe4

19.Bxe4 Bxe5 20.Nxc8 Raxc8 21.Bg2 Rcd8 22.Rfd1 Rxd2 23.Rxd2 Bc3=

19...Bxe5 20.Nc5

20.f4?! Bb8

Position after: 20...Bb8

790
21.Ra1 fxe4 22.Bxb4 Ba7+ 23.Kf1 axb4 24.Rda2 g5 25.e3 Bxe3 26.Rxa8 gxf4 27.gxf4 Bxf4= I think
this is even simpler to play as Black.

20...Bc3 21.Rdd1 Nc2!

Position after: 21...Nc2!

I think this is the easiest way to play. I won’t go deeply into the variation, as we are already quite far
from the latest games, but the general assessment is that it’s fine for Black.

22.Na4

A) 22.Bc1?! Nd4 23.e3 Ne2+ 24.Kh1 Nxc1 25.Rxc1 Bb4³

B) 22.Rc1 Nd4 23.Kh1 Bb4 24.Bxb4 axb4 25.e3 Ne6 26.Nd3 Ra3ƒ
C) 22.Rd3 Bf6 23.Bc1 Nb4 24.Rd2 Na6=

22...Nxa3 23.Nxc3 a4! 24.Nxa4 Nxc4=

791
Position after: 24...Nxc4=

Clearly the most likely result now is a draw.

792
 Part III
Reti and English Move Orders

Chapter 11
The Leningrad Dutch versus the Reti

1.Nf3 f5

Chapter Guide

Chapter 11 – The Leningrad Dutch versus the Reti

1.Nf3 f5
a) 2.b3
b) 2.e4
c) 2.g3
d) 2.d3 Nc6 3.--, 3.e4
e) 2.d3 Nc6 3.d4

a) 2.b3

1.Nf3

793
Position after: 1.Nf3

If you’re aiming to play the Dutch against 1.d4, you also have to be ready for 1.Nf3 and 1.c4. It would
be illogical to prepare another reply, as White might play d4 later, transposing to a totally different
opening from the Dutch. I don’t think that Black has any reason to refrain from playing 1...f5 in either
case.

1...f5 2.b3 d6!

Position after: 2...d6!

794
I think this is the best move order. After 2...Nf6 3.Bb2, Black finds himself with a difficult choice,
whether to allow 4.Bxf6, damaging his kingside pawn structure, or not. I prefer to avoid this and
threaten 3...e5. Now it’s White’s choice to allow it or not.

3.Bb2

3.d4 This has been the most played move, but has little independent value, indeed, in Chapter 8, we
discussed many possibilities for White to play with b3. Black was going to play ...d6 sooner or later
anyway, so it should merely transpose. 3...Nf6 4.Bb2 g6 5.e3 Bg7 6.Bd3 0-0 7.Nbd2

Position after: 7.Nbd2

For instance this is actually a transposition to the first subchapter of Chapter 8.

3...e5

This kind of opening can hardly cause Black any problems.

795
Position after: 3...e5

I’ll quickly go over the main ideas, some akin to previous games.

4.c4

A) 4.d3 Nf6 5.e4 This kind of Lisitsyn Gambit deferred doesn’t seem dangerous at all. The bishop on
b2 doesn’t create much of an impression. 5...c5!? [5...fxe4?! 6.dxe4 Nxe4 7.Nxe5! dxe5? 8.Qh5+± is
White’s idea. Avoiding this trap shows how limited his concept is.] 6.Nbd2 Nc6 7.a3

Position after: 7.a3

796
 In the following game, White realized that he wasn’t doing much, so tried do bring new forces into the
game, starting with his queenside pawns. 7...Be7 8.c3 Now, instead of 8...a5 as played in Tripoteau, N
(2363) – Nijboer, F (2528), Rhodes 2013, 0-1 (26), it’s possible to play something simpler like 8...0-0
9.b4 Kh8 10.Be2 fxe4 11.dxe4 Nh5!ƒ with a nice initiative on the f-file.
B) 4.d4 e4! 5.Nfd2 e3!?

Position after: 5...e3!?

Not forced at all. Black can also play for a quick ...d5 and claim that he is already better, thanks to his
space advantage, but the text move is interesting too. 6.fxe3 d5 7.g3 Nf6 8.Bg2

797
Position after: 8.Bg2

I would now vary from the game Noe, C (2332) – Weidemann, J (2294), Baden 2014, 1-0 (26), with
8...Ng4 9.Nf1 c6 10.c4 Be6 11.Nc3 Be7©, with good long-term compensation for Black.
C) 4.e3 Nf6 5.Be2 Be7 6.c4

Position after: 6.c4

This kind of position may sometimes arise from an English Opening move order. There was nothing
special about the moves, but Black enjoys the healthier development and can be satisfied to have
taken control of the center. 6...0-0 7.Nc3 a5 8.0-0 Na6 9.d4 e4 10.Nd2 c6ƒ Marton, J (2159) – Zsirai,
P (2269), Hungary 2014, 0-1 (28). Black will soon play ...d5 with a nice space advantage, and
possibly follow up with ...f4 in order to start an attack on the kingside.

4...Nf6

4...Be7!? 5.d3 Na6 6.g3 Nh6!?

798
Position after: 6...Nh6!?

This is a bit too original for my taste, but it’s actually quite reasonable, as neither of the knights gets in
the way of the bishops. It’s a way of saying that Black can try lots of things in this opening, which is a
nice feeling. 7.Bg2 0-0 8.0-0 Qe8 9.e3 c6 10.Nc3 Bf6 11.Rc1 Be6 Black won a nice game in Ali
Marandi, C (2495) – Gorovets, A (2533), Saint Louis 2017, 0-1 (41). He was soon able to start his
attack with ...f4.

5.g3

5.e3 g6

799
Position after: 5...g6

You’ve probably noticed that in general in this subchapter, I’m not offering variations including a
kingside fianchetto for Black, but it’s also very reliable, as shown by Carlsen in an internet game:
6.Be2 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Nc3 Nc6 9.d4 e4 10.Ne1 Ne7 11.d5 g5!‚.

Position after: 11...g5!‚

Magnus continued with ...Ng6 and ...f4, and his opponent’s position barely lasted another ten moves.
So, W (2815) – Carlsen, M (2832), chess.com 2017, 0-1 (21).

5...Be7 6.Bg2 0-0

800
Position after: 6...0-0

At some point White will have to decide how to react in the center. We just need to be ready for that
moment when it arrives.

7.0-0 Qe8 8.e3 c6

8...Nc6

Position after: 8...Nc6

801
Maybe it’s too early to put the knight here, where it’s exposed to the potential advance of White’s
pawns. 9.Nc3 [9.d4 e4! 10.Ne1 d5! 11.Nc2 Be6 12.cxd5 Nxd5 13.Nc3 Ncb4³ White will have to
accept having to fight against a strong knight, either on d3 or d5. Black won nicely in Paster, A (2046)
– Ivanov, O (2441), Moscow 2019, 0-1 (55).] 9...Nb4!? 10.d3 c6 11.a3 Na6„

9.Nc3 Be6 10.d3 Na6ƒ

Position after: 10...Na6ƒ

Black is ready to play ...d5 at some point, but can also push ...e4 if White goes d4. His game is
definitely the more straightforward.

b) 2.e4

1.Nf3 f5 2.e4

802
Position after: 2.e4

Our study of Reti systems against the Dutch leads us to an interesting sacrifice, the Lisitsyn Gambit.
Objectively, it’s not particularly strong, but some players have been outplayed after facing it
unprepared. My solution is to quickly give the pawn back! You’ll also notice that it’s similar to From’s
Gambit (1.f4 e5!?).

2...fxe4 3.Ng5 Nc6!

Position after: 3...Nc6!

803
Some other lines have proven to be satisfactory for Black, but this is my preference. White is free to
take his pawn back, but at the cost of some tempi.

4.d3

4.Nxe4?! d5 5.Ng3 e5 6.Be2 Nf6³ obviously can’t be good for White.

4...e3!

This is the idea. Black returns the pawn, after which the white pawn on d3 will deprive the light-
squared bishop of its natural developing square.

5.Bxe3 e5

Position after: 5...e5

Now White has a range of options. Most of them are quite weak, but we will try to be exhaustive.

6.Be2

This is the most played move in the position, but I don’t feel it’s particularly precise. Now we can
really threaten the knight without fearing Qh5+.
A) 6.c3?! Trying to play with d4 is just too slow. 6...Be7 7.h4 Nf6 8.d4 d5 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bd4 Qd6³

804
Position after: 10...Qd6³

Black already has a nice lead in development, and nothing to worry about.
B) 6.d4? exd4 7.Bd3 Of course this is White’s idea, otherwise his last move makes no sense at all.
7...Nf6 8.Bf4 Bb4+ 9.c3 Qe7+ 10.Kd2!

Position after: 10.Kd2!

White tries to mix things up. 10...dxc3+ 11.bxc3 Bd6! 12.Bg3 Nd8!µ Black simply brings the knight
to e6, covering the e-file.

805
 C) 6.Nc3

Position after: 6.Nc3

6...Bb4 [6...Be7 7.h4 d5 8.d4 exd4 9.Bxd4 Nxd4 10.Qxd4 Nf6³ was also good for Black in Dragun,
K (2425) – Malaniuk, V (2509), Gorzow Wielkopolski 2012, ½-½ (20).] 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Nf6
9.Be2 0-0 10.0-0 d5ƒ
D) 6.Qh5+ g6 7.Qf3 Qe7 8.Nc3 Nd4 9.Qd1 c6µ

Position after: 9...c6µ

806
 Black has parried all the threats. Once he has developed his kingside he will stand much better.
E) 6.c4 The main idea of this move is to prevent Black from completely occupying the center with
...d5. 6...Nf6 7.Nc3 Bb4 8.Be2 d5!

Position after: 8...d5!

9.a3 [9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Nge4 0-0 11.0-0 Nf4!ƒ] 9...Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 dxc4 11.0-0 Bf5 12.dxc4 Qxd1
13.Rfxd1 h6 14.Nf3 Kf7= Black has the better pawn structure, but objectively the position should still
be about equal because of White’s bishop pair.
F) 6.f4 exf4 7.Bxf4 Qf6!

807
Position after: 7...Qf6!

This move allows Black to assume the initiative. 8.Qc1 d5 9.Be2 [9.Nc3? Bb4 10.Bd2 Bg4!
11.Nxd5? Qxg5 12.Nxb4 Qe7+ 13.Kf2 Nxb4–+] 9...Bc5 10.c3 Nge7 11.d4 Bb6 12.0-0 h6 13.Nf3 0-
0³
G) 6.g3

Position after: 6.g3

6...Be7 [You could also consider 6...Nf6 , but 6...Be7 looks more precise.] 7.Bg2! White doesn’t need
to protect the knight on g5, so he should get on with his development. [7.h4?! Nf6 8.Bg2 d5 9.d4
Bg4µ] 7...d5 [7...Bxg5? 8.Qh5+±] 8.0-0 Bf5!= Black hasn’t decided which side to castle yet, but he is
fine anyway.

6...Be7!

808
Position after: 6...Be7!

7.Nf3

A) 7.h4 Nf6 8.Bh5+ is an attempt to weaken our kingside, but it’s too slow, e.g. 8...g6 9.Bf3 h6
10.Ne4 d5³ and Black’s control of the center gives him the advantage.
B) 7.Bh5+? White might fall for this trap. 7...g6 8.Nxh7?

Position after: 8.Nxh7?

809
 8...Kf7! A very important resource, otherwise Black is lost. The king is safe here and the knight is
trapped, so Black is just winning. 9.Qf3+ Kg7–+

7...Nf6 8.0-0

8.d4 exd4 9.Nxd4 Nxd4 10.Bxd4 0-0 11.c4

Position after: 11.c4

It’s true that Black can no longer plant a strong pawn on d5, but he can still take over the initiative in
the center with 11...c5 12.Bc3 d5 13.cxd5 Nxd5 14.0-0 Be6= Prasannaa, S (2218) – Sandipan, C
(2555), Jammu 2018, ½-½ (32).

8...0-0 9.d4 exd4 10.Nxd4 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 d5=

810
Position after: 11...d5=

White has managed to react in the center, but Black is still stronger there as his d-pawn controls some
important squares and is easy to protect. White will probably have to trade it with c2−c4 in order to
maintain equality. Anyway, Black won in Zude, E (2365) – Lutz, C (2590), Gladenbach 1997, 0-1 (62).

c) 2.g3

1.Nf3 f5 2.g3

811
Position after: 2.g3

In most cases White will transpose into another system, either the main lines if he plays d4, or the
English if he plays c4. Other lines are quite rare, and we can just have a quick word about them.

2...Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.0-0 Bg7 5.d3 d6

Position after: 5...d6

As 6.c4 would transpose to the next chapter, we will explore the different ways for White to play for
e2−e4, the other logical advance in the center.

6.Nc3

A) 6.e4?! This gambit has been tried only three times, probably because it’s not so great! 6...fxe4
A1) 7.Ng5 exd3 8.Qxd3

812
Position after: 8.Qxd3

This occurred in the game Ricardi, P (2544) – Claverie, R (2273), Buenos Aires 2002, 1-0 (49),
where Black didn’t choose the simplest path. He should have played 8...0-0 9.Qb3+ d5 10.c4 e6!
11.Re1 Na6!µ

Position after: 11...Na6!µ

followed by consolidating his center with ...c6 and eventually chasing the annoying knight (which by
the way, is unable to create real pressure on the e6-pawn, as we can see).

813
 A2) 7.dxe4 Nxe4!

Position after: 7...Nxe4!

Best to take it. White’s calm play so far has not really prepared him for such a gambit, so there is
little chance of it being strong. 8.Re1 Nf6! 9.Nc3 0-0 10.Qe2 e5³
B) 6.c3 e5! 7.Qb3 Qe7! 8.e4

Position after: 8.e4

If White doesn’t play something direct like this, Black will just play ...c6 and ...Be6 in order to chase

814
 the queen. 8...fxe4 9.dxe4 Na6 White needs to parry 10...Nc5, otherwise his opening makes no sense.
10.Be3 Ng4! 11.Bg5 Nc5! 12.Qc2 [12.Bxe7 Nxb3 13.axb3 Kxe7 14.c4 Nf6 15.Nc3 c6= is obviously
very comfortable for Black.] 12...Qf7ƒ
C) 6.Nbd2 Played slightly more often than 6.Nc3, but I find the knight less active here, so I would
probably prefer to have it on c3 if I was White. 6...0-0

Position after: 6...0-0

C1) 7.Re1 e5 8.e4 f4!? A very classical motif. This move more or less implies a pawn sacrifice.
9.gxf4 [9.d4 fxg3 10.hxg3 Ng4 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Qe2 Qf6ƒ] 9...Nh5!

815
Position after: 9...Nh5!

Of course we don’t want to take back on f4, as it would block our f-file. Even if it’s sometimes
possible to follow with ...g5−g4, I prefer the text move. 10.fxe5 dxe5 11.Nf1 Nc6 12.c3 Bg4 13.h3
[13.Ng3 Nf4 14.Bxf4 Rxf4 15.h3 Be6!‚ Black will follow with ...Qd7 and ...Raf8, with great
counterplay.] 13...Bxf3 14.Bxf3 Qh4!‚ The bishop on f3 is pinned and Black easily develops his
initiative.
C2) 7.c3 e5 This could help White develop his play. 8.Qb3+ Kh8 9.Ng5

Position after: 9.Ng5

9...Qd7! [9...d5?! 10.e4 Nh5?! 11.Ndf3 h6 12.Nh4! A very strong blow which shows that Black is
not well enough coordinated. 12...hxg5 13.Nxg6+ Kh7 14.Nxf8+ Qxf8 15.exf5±] 10.Bxb7 Bxb7
11.Qxb7 Nc6 12.Qa6 Black has some compensation, but you need to accept being a pawn down.
C3) 7.e4 fxe4 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.dxe4 e5 10.c3 Qe8 11.Be3 Nc6=

816
Position after: 11...Nc6=

Black wants to develop his attack on the kingside with ...h6, ...g5 and probably ...Qh5. Meanwhile,
White will push his own pawns on the queenside.

6...e5 7.e4 fxe4 8.dxe4

8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.dxe4 0-0 transposes to the main line with 6.Nbd2.

8...0-0 9.h3

817
Position after: 9.h3

9.Be3 Nc6 10.Qd2 Kh8=

9...Nbd7

9...Nc6!? One of my young students played this in his decisive game in the French Youth
Championships in 2018. He also managed to get a very nice position out of the opening, and eventually
won the game. 10.Be3 h6 11.Qd2 Kh7 12.Nh2 White is struggling to find a plan, but I don’t like this
one, as I think the resulting hanging pawns are quite weak.

Position after: 12.Nh2

12...Be6 13.f4 exf4 14.gxf4 Qd7 15.Rf2 Ne7 16.h4 Rad8µ Black is now ready to strike in the center
with ...d5, and was already better in Vlachos, A (2346) – Travadon, L (2344), Agen 2018, 0-1 (31).

10.Be3 b6!?

I also like this plan, finding a decent spot for our bishop and potentially restraining White’s play on the
queenside. Play may continue:

11.Ne1 Bb7 12.Nd3 a5=

818
Position after: 12...a5=

Black has various plans, such as developing an initiative on the kingside by means of ...h6, ...g5 and
maybe ...Rf7, allowing the d7-knight to go to g6.

d) 2.d3 Nc6 3.--, 3.e4

1.Nf3 f5 2.d3!?

Position after: 2.d3!?

819
When an author writes about two repertoires, one with each color, there comes a moment when he
needs to fight (in total objectivity!) against his own recommendations. Here comes this moment for me!
Indeed, in my first book, The Modernized Reti, I recommended 2.d3 against the Dutch. Of course every
player knows this feeling, as there has to be an opening that you play with both sides, and you have to
handle it without suffering from schizophrenia or being totally dishonest. I will try to do the same here.
Actually the makings of a solution for Black already appeared in my Reti book, so we’ll go deeper into
it.

2...Nc6!

I still think this is the best for Black. It’s quite similar to 2...d6, but slightly more accurate in case of
3.e4, as we will sometimes be allowed to play ...d5 in one move. On the other hand, White can play
3.d4, taking advantage of the knight being slightly misplaced on c6.
2...Nf6?! It’s important to understand that it is not a great idea (useless, in fact) to try to prevent e2−e4.
3.e4!

Position after: 3.e4!

This works well anyway. 3...fxe4 4.dxe4 Nxe4 5.Bd3 Nf6 6.Ng5!‚ with a dangerous initiative for
White, who is threatening ideas starting with Nxh7.

3.e4

Let’s see what happens if White follows the same plan as against 2...d6.
We will consider 3.d4 in the next subchapter. Apart from these two moves, we can just mention that
after almost any move, Black will be able to play 3...e5, reaching a comfortable position.

820
3...e5!

Position after: 3...e5!

As already said, this is the point behind 2...Nc6. Now, White has at least three main options.

4.Nc3

A) 4.d4 I won’t analyze this position. I don’t think your opponent is likely to play it, reason being that
we have now transposed to a Vienna Game with colors reversed and the same tempo − check the
moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.f4 d5. I doubt if many players would play a ‘black system’ as White. You
can find some theory in the books, or just look at some games. It’s quite easy to develop an initiative
with this opening, and the positions are generally equal, which is very satisfying since we are playing
Black.
B) 4.exf5?! Giving away the center like this hardly seems good, and should be met with 4...d5! 5.g4
[5.Bg5?! Be7 6.Bxe7 Ngxe7 7.g4 h5µ] 5...h5! White is unable to hold his kingside and Black will
remain better without any trouble.

821
Position after: 5...h5!

6.gxh5 [6.Bh3?! hxg4 7.Bxg4 Nf6 8.Bg5 Qd6 9.Bxf6 Qxf6 10.Nc3 Bb4µ 0-1 (31) Wantola, I (2330)
– Reinderman, D (2590), Netherlands 2014] 6...Bxf5 7.Bg5 Be7 8.Nh4 Bh7 9.Bxe7 Qxe7 10.Ng6
Bxg6 11.hxg6 Nf6µ Black is still a pawn down, but White’s development is miserable and the pawn
on g6 is almost lost anyway. 0-1 (26) Laurent, J (2342) – Gorovets, A (2471), Lille 2013.

4...Bb4!?

Position after: 4...Bb4!?

822
This has been played much less than 4...Nf6, but it has proven its strenght. I would play it without any
hesitation. 4...Nf6!? also leads to an equal game, but White is generally better prepared, and can
develop his ideas. I prefer the other continuation which is simpler and less known.

5.Bd2

Most players choose this move, but it hardly seems possible to create difficulties for Black with such a
move.
A) 5.d4

Position after: 5.d4

This is very similar to the Vienna Game, which we discussed after 4.d4, except that it is an even better
version for Black as he is usually unable to pin the knight on c3. The game might continue 5...fxe4
6.Nxe5 Nf6 7.Be2 Qe7 8.Nxc6 dxc6 9.0-0 0-0ƒ.
B) 5.Bg5 Nf6 6.exf5 d5

823
Position after: 6...d5

7.d4 [7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Bxf5 9.Be2 0-0³ This kind of middlegame is obviously good for Black. His
control of the center is much more important than the bishop pair − and look at that bishop on e2...]
7...exd4 8.Nxd4 0-0

Position after: 8...0-0

B1) 9.Ne6? Quite a serious mistake. Black can quickly claim a winning advantage. 9...Bxe6 10.fxe6

824
Position after: 10.fxe6

Now I would vary from Kanep, M (2510) – Neiksans, A (2454), Liepaja 2006, 0-1 (44), with
10...d4! 11.a3 [11.Bc4 Qe7 12.a3 dxc3 13.axb4 cxb2 14.Rb1 Qxb4+–+] 11...dxc3 12.axb4 cxb2
13.Rb1 Qxd1+ 14.Rxd1 Ne4–+.
B2) 9.Be2!N At least White can now castle quickly and reach a decent middlegame. 9...Qe7 10.a3
Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Re8

Position after: 11...Re8

825
 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.0-0 Nxd4 14.cxd4 Bxf5³
C) 5.a3?! Going along with Black’s idea. 5...Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 fxe4 7.dxe4 Nf6 8.Bc4

Position after: 8.Bc4

White’s structure is severely damaged, so he should try to prevent Black from castling. 8...Na5 9.Ba2
Qe7 10.0-0 b6!³ It’s clear that the king will be safe on the queenside, so Black prepares ... 0-0-0 and
finds a spot for the bishop to attack the e-pawn. He is simply better.
D) 5.exf5 d5 6.d4 [6.Bg5 Nf6 See 5.Bg5.] 6...e4

826
Position after: 6...e4

D1) 7.Ne5 Nxe5 8.dxe5 Bxf5 9.Bd2 We need to do something about the threat of 10.Nxe4. I
propose a radical solution! 9...Bxc3! 10.Bxc3 Ne7³ Black has the better prospects. He has good
chances of grabbing the e5-pawn at some point and can also try to advance his central pawns with
...c5 and ...d4.
D2) 7.Bg5 Be7!

Position after: 7...Be7!

Very precisely played by Ivanchuk – bringing the bishop back in order to trade it is indeed best.
8.Bxe7 Ngxe7 9.Nh4 Bxf5 [9...Nxf5? 10.Qh5+±] 10.Qh5+ g6 11.Qh6 Qd6 12.Bb5

827
Position after: 12.Bb5

This was played in Malakhov, V (2654) – Ivanchuk, V (2714), Zagreb 2018, ½-½ (30). Even if he
castled long a few moves later, I don’t see any reason to delay it: 12...0-0-0! 13.0-0-0 Bg4 14.f3 exf3
15.gxf3 Bh5µ. Black has the better pawn structure and very well coordinated pieces. His advantage
is not in any doubt.

Position after: 5.Bd2

5...d6!

828
The most accurate in my opinion, dealing with any of White’s ideas to take on f5.
5...Nf6 6.exf5 d5 7.Nh4!∞

6.a3 Bxc3 7.Bxc3

Position after: 7.Bxc3

In the game Oliva Castaneda, K (2427) – Narciso Dublan, M (2538), Montcada 2014, 0-1 (43), Black
took on e4, but I don’t see why we should help our opponent develop his light-squared bishop.

7...Nf6 8.exf5 Bxf5 9.Be2 0-0 10.0-0

829
Position after: 10.0-0

Thus far Grigorian, M (2181) – Shaydullina, S (2203), Sochi 2017, 0-1 (21). Now, instead of 10...Nd5,
I prefer the following:

10...Qd7 11.Re1 Qf7 12.b4 h6³

Position after: 12...h6³

White is still looking for a plan, while things are pretty simple for Black. He will organize his forces in

830
order to be able to advance in the center at some point.

e) 2.d3 Nc6 3.d4

1.Nf3 f5 2.d3 Nc6 3.d4!?

Position after: 3.d4!?

This is an interesting way to try to exploit the Black knight being on c6. Obviously White loses a
tempo, but if it helps chase the knight it’s probably worth it. Black has different ways to meet this
move. My preference is for the Classical Dutch, where we will try to prove that the extra move ...Nc6
is useful.

3...e6

I prefer this way of playing, keeping the position dynamic.

4.g3

4.c4

831
Position after: 4.c4

In general, I don’t think White can get anything with this move since Black will be able to play ...Bb4
at some point. 4...Nf6
A) 5.Nc3 Bb4 6.Bd2 0-0 7.g3 d6 8.Bg2

Position after: 8.Bg2

In the game Spoelman, W (2583) – Nijboer, F (2559), Amstelveen 2015, 0-1 (42), Black traded on c3
in order to bring the knight to e4, but I prefer a completely different way of playing: 8...e5!N 9.d5

832
 [9.a3 Bxc3 10.Bxc3 Ne4 11.Qc2 Qf6ƒ with a better version of the game, since a3 was useless.]
9...Ne7 10.0-0 c6!³ It’s hard for White to maintain the pawn on d5.
B) 5.d5 Bb4+! 6.Bd2 Bxd2+ 7.Qxd2 Ne4 8.Qd1 Ne7 9.dxe6 d6

Position after: 9...d6

It’s more effective and more active to take back on e6 with the bishop. 10.e3 Nc6 11.Be2 0-0 12.0-0
Bxe6=

4...Nf6

833
Position after: 4...Nf6

5.Bg2 Be7

5...d5!? I don’t really want to play a Stonewall, but it’s an acceptable option. The extra move ...Nc6
prevents Black from playing the usual ...c6 for now, but it can soon reach another square.

6.c4!

Position after: 6.c4!

Playing this now that our bishop has already moved to e7 looks the most logical to me. Of course it can
be played later, but it gives White additional options.

6...0-0 7.0-0

7.d5

834
Position after: 7.d5

I actually faced this position once with Black! My opponent didn’t want to enter the classical lines,
being the Nc6-tempo down, so he tried this move, but I doubt if it can bring White an edge.
A) 7...Bb4+ 8.Bd2 Bxd2+ 9.Qxd2 Ne4 10.Qc1 exd5 11.cxd5 Ne7

Position after: 11...Ne7

A1) 12.Qc4 This was my opponent’s choice, but I reacted well here by sacrificing a pawn: 12...c6!
13.dxc6+ d5 14.cxb7 [My opponent declined the offer with 14.c7 dxc4 15.cxd8=B Rxd8 16.Nbd2=

835
 and the game ended quite quickly in a draw, Petrov, N (2573) – Demuth, A (2547), Bad Ragaz
2018.] 14...dxc4! [I wasn’t sure about this move, and would probably have played 14...Bxb7 15.Qb4
Rb8©] 15.bxa8=Q Qb6 16.0-0 Ba6 17.Qxf8+ Kxf8©

Position after: 17...Kxf8©

With plenty of play for Black, which might give him the better chances.
A2) 12.Nfd2!N The computer wants to play this move, but it doesn’t look particularly annoying.
12...Nf6 13.Nc3 d6 14.0-0 Qe8 15.Nb3 Qh5 16.e3²

Position after: 16.e3²

836
 It’s not so simple to keep the attack going, so I’d say that it’s probably slightly better for White.
B) 7...Na5!? I think I’d now go for this move. 8.Qd3 b6

Position after: 8...b6

This seems very healthy for Black, who will aim to put pressure on the white center.
B1) 9.0-0?! Ba6! 10.dxe6 [10.b3? Nxd5µ] 10...dxe6 11.b3 Qe8 12.Nc3 Rd8ƒ
B2) 9.Nc3 Bb4 10.0-0 Bb7 11.Bd2 c6 12.dxe6 dxe6„

7...d6

837
Position after: 7...d6

Black has transposed to the Classical Variation with the extra move ...Nc6. This is testing for White, as
the line with 7...Nc6 exists in the Classical Dutch.

8.d5!

This was my suggestion in my Modernized Reti book, and I still think it’s the only way for White to try
to achieve something.
8.Nc3 This quiet move is probably too slow and allows Black to continue with his idea, always with an
extra tempo compared to the usual main lines of the Classical Dutch. 8...Ne4!

Position after: 8...Ne4!

9.Nxe4 This is White’s usual solution, but here it’s not great. 9...fxe4 10.Ne1 [10.Nd2 d5! 11.e3 a5!?
Black has time to develop his play on the queenside. 12.f3 exf3 13.Nxf3 b6=] 10...d5!

838
Position after: 10...d5!

In general White experiences some difficulties in fighting against our center, and sooner or later will
have to play f3 in order not to end up worse, as in the following game: 11.Be3 [11.Nc2 a5 12.b3 b6
13.f3 dxc4 14.bxc4 Ba6„] 11...Bf6 12.Nc2 Bd7 13.Qd2 Kh8 14.b4 Ne7 15.b5 Nf5³

Position after: 15...Nf5³

½-½ (82) Danielian, E (2426) – Hoang Thanh Trang (2448), Khanty-Mansiysk 2018.

8...Ne5!

839
Position after: 8...Ne5!

9.Qb3!?

Defending c4 and keeping an eye on the b7-pawn, which can be useful.

9.Nd4 This is a thematic pattern, but in the Classical line, White has already played Nc3. This is an
important dif- ference of course, and we can claim an equal game. 9...Nxc4! 10.dxe6 d5! 11.Nxf5 Bxe6
12.Nxe7+ Qxe7„

Position after: 12...Qxe7„

840
White has the bishop pair, but he has to fight against a strong center. Black’s play is pretty simple.
Normally these kinds of lines are not playable for Black, since with the inclusion of Nc3 the d5-pawn
would be hanging. Black lost in the game Moranda, W (2588) – Piorun, K (2586), Poland 2015, 1-0
(44), but he had no problems at all from the opening.

9...Nxf3+

Position after: 9...Nxf3+

10.exf3!

10.Bxf3?! e5 11.Nc3 Nd7 12.Qc2 a5! White has a difficult game, and can’t even react in the center.
13.e4 f4!ƒ

10...e5N

841
Position after: 10...e5N

This move was a novelty at the time of my book on the Reti, but has been played twice since. The idea
is to follow with 11...f4, burying the bishop on g2, and it is evident that White needs to prevent it.

11.f4!

It’s essential to prevent Black from playing ...f5−f4, and this is the only way. White is trying to
suffocate Black, starting with his c8-bishop, which no longer seems to have any great prospects.
11.Nc3 f4! 12.gxf4 exf4 13.Bxf4 Nh5 14.Bg3 Nf4 15.Bxf4 Rxf4© We will always enjoy enough
compensation for a pawn in this kind of middlegame.

11...Nd7!

This would be my choice now. I didn’t analyze this move in my book; I only discovered the possibility
later, and it was eventually played by the Indian grandmaster Sandipan last year.
A) 11...e4

842
Position after: 11...e4

12.f3! [12.Nc3 leaves Black the possibility of playing 12...c5!? 13.Bd2 Rb8 14.f3 exf3 15.Bxf3 Re8
16.Rae1 Bd7„.] 12...exf3 13.Bxf3 Re8 14.Nc3 Bf8 15.Bd2² White has more space and keeps the
upper hand.
B) 11...exf4 12.Bxf4 Nh5 13.Bd2 f4 14.Nc3

Position after: 14.Nc3

Black has gained some space and some activity for his pieces, but is still worse, mainly because of his

843
 awkward knight on h5. 14...Bg5!? 15.Qd1!²

12.Nc3 exf4 13.Bxf4 g5!?

Position after: 13...g5!?

A clever idea, and an ambitious one. Black chases the bishop in order to better develop his pieces.

14.Bd2!

Definitely the right square.

14.Be3?! f4 15.Bd4 f3 16.Bh1 g4³

844
Position after: 16...g4³

Now White is in effect playing a piece down. His king can also be in danger in such lines.

14...Nc5

14...f4 is also a very interesting try, but maybe a bit too direct. 15.gxf4 gxf4 16.Ne2 Nc5 17.Qf3 Bf6„

15.Qd1

Position after: 15.Qd1

845
The most human move, controlling the important f3-square. In the only game that saw this position,
Black had no trouble equalizing.
15.Qc2!?N 15...f4! 16.b4 Nd7 17.Be4 Ne5!

Position after: 17...Ne5!

A) 18.Bxh7+ Kh8 19.Be4 [19.Bd3? is too early. After 19...Qd7 White is busted, as both ...Nf3+ and
...Qh3 are threatened.] 19...f3‚

Position after: 19...f3‚

846
 Black aims to follow with ...Qd7 and ...Qh3. A basic idea, but hard to meet! 20.Bd3! Qd7 21.Rfe1
Kg7! 22.Bf1 Qg4µ Black intends ...Rh8 and ...Qh5 with dangerous mating threats.
B) 18.Nb5! Necessary, according to the computer, but a difficult move to find! The knight makes
some space for the bishop, and returns to d4, from where it will control the f3-square. 18...Bf6!
19.Bc3 Kh8 20.Rfe1 Bh3‚ Stockfish keeps preferring White in this situation, but it seems fully
playable in practice!

15...Bf6 16.f4 g4 17.Be3 a5!? 18.Bd4 Bd7 19.Re1 Bxd4+ 20.Qxd4 Qf6=

Position after: 20...Qf6=

White is unable to do anything on the e-file, so Black was fine in Rahman, Z (2495) – Sandipan, C
(2573), Kolkata 2018, ½-½ (30).

847
 Chapter 12
The Leningrad Dutch versus the English

1.c4 f5

Chapter Guide

Chapter 12 – The Leningrad Dutch versus the English

1.c4 f5
a) 2.--
b) 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4, 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.e4
c) 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6 6.e4 (Botvinnik System)
d) 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.e3
e) 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 d6!?
f) 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.Nc3 d6 7.d3 e5 8.--, 8.Bd2
g) 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.Nc3 d6 7.d3 e5 8.Rb1

a) 2.--

1.c4

848
Position after: 1.c4

Having considered the 1.Nf3 move order, intending to play Reti variations against the Dutch, it’s
logical to look at the English. Treating this large opening complex in only one chapter may seem
ambitious, but, when you think about it, it makes sense. As soon as White plays d4, you can refer to the
previous chapters, and possibilities for White that do not include d4 are quite limited. There are three
main categories: (i) White plays for e4, taking advantage of his d-pawn being able to help from d3, and
the g1-knight generally remains on its initial square until e4 has been played. (ii) White plays slowly
with e3 and Nge2, trying to reach a flexible middlegame. (iii) White places his knight on f3 (it can
often arise via the 1.Nf3 move order), and tries to expand on the queenside with Rb1 and b4−b5. As
you can see, the plan White chooses depends mainly on the placing of his g1-knight. The subchapters
will follow this order, so let’s start with the possibilities for White to play e4.

1...f5 2.g3

2.e4

849
Position after: 2.e4

A kind of mix of Staunton Gambit (1.d4 f5 2.e4), and Lisitsyn Gambit (1.Nf3 f5 2.e4), which have both
already been covered. It’s not exactly a bad sacrifice, but it’s not so dangerous either. 2...fxe4 3.d3
A) 3...Nf6 Presumably it’s also possible to start with this move, as it should transpose to the same
position after 4.dxe4 Nxe4 5.Bd3 Nf6. The only difference is that we are already on move five,
instead of move four! So if you’re likely to end up in time trouble, think about it. ☺
B) 3...exd3!? 4.Bxd3 Nf6

Position after: 4...Nf6

850
 This opening is also reminiscent of From’s Gambit with colors reversed (1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6
Bxd6 4.Nf3), except that c4 has already been played, which is not necessarily an improvement.
Indeed it might prove to have weakened the center, especially the d4-square.
B1) 5.g4? Here we can see a big difference compared to From’s Gambit (where 4...g5 is the main
line), as this move fails: 5...d5! 6.g5? dxc4! 7.Qa4+. Of course White doesn’t want to trade queens,
but we have a strong reply: 7...b5 8.Qxb5+ c6!

Position after: 8...c6!

Keeping the queen under attack. 9.Qxc4 Ba6 The material balance is going to be restored, but White
will remain with a disastrous position. 10.Qb3 Qxd3 11.Qxd3 Bxd3 12.gxf6 exf6–+
B2) 5.Nf3 e6

851
Position after: 5...e6

B2.1) 6.Ng5 This maneuver is similar to the one in the line 1.Nf3 f5 2.d3 Nf6?! 3.e4 that we have
discussed already and that is good for White, but here White has spent a move playing c4, which is
enough to see his initiative vanish. 6...Bb4+! And since c3 is not available, Black will have time to
castle. 7.Bd2 Bxd2+ 8.Nxd2 0-0³
B2.2) 6.0-0! White shouldn’t look for a quick win. He is a pawn down, but still has a playable
position. 6...Nc6 7.Nc3 g6!

Position after: 7...g6!

852
 Now that White has castled, we no longer need to fear h4−h5, so can decide to play a fianchetto.
The move also curtails the action of the d3-bishop against our kingside. 8.Bg5 Bg7 9.Re1 0-0
10.Qd2 d6³ I think Black’s position is simpler to play. White still needs to show why one of his
pawns is missing.

2...Nf6 3.Bg2 g6

Position after: 3...g6

4.d3

White prepares e2−e4 as quickly as possible.

4.b3 Usually when White plays a double fianchetto (as in Chapter 8), the issue is to prevent Black from
playing ...e5. Here White simply allows it! 4...e5 5.Bb2 d6 6.e3 [6.Nf3 We have already considered this
kind of position after 1.Nf3 f5 2.b3.] 6...Bg7 7.Ne2 0-0 8.0-0 c6

853
Position after: 8...c6

A) 9.d4 This kind of reaction in the center will always be met with the same reply: 9...e4 10.Nbc3
Na6!? 11.Qd2 Nc7= Black intends ...d5, and to follow with a slow attack on the kingside, where
White’s pieces have difficulty defending because of the strong e4-pawn.
B) 9.Nbc3 Na6 10.d3 Qe7=

4...Bg7!

4...d6

854
Position after: 4...d6

I had actually played the same idea, but in a different way. I preferred to have the pawn on e5, instead
of the bishop on g7, but it’s actually not as strong, and I will show why. 5.e4 e5 6.h4?! [6.exf5! was the
right way to go. 6...Bxf5 7.Bxb7 Nbd7

Position after: 7...Nbd7

Of course if White takes on a8, it’s very similar to our line, but White can sim-ply develop his pieces.
8.Nc3! Rb8 9.Be4!²] 6...h6 7.h5 g5 8.exf5 Bxf5 This was just a slightly better version for me. The
pawn on h5 is doing nothing and is potentially weak. 9.Bxb7 Nbd7 10.Bxa8 Qxa8 11.Qf3 Qxf3
12.Nxf3 Bxd3

855
Position after: 12...Bxd3

Black can be happy with his compensation, and the position is much easier to play for him. 13.Nbd2?!
Bg7 14.a4 0-0 15.Nh2 e4 16.Ra2?! Ne5 17.b3 Nfg4!–+ There are too many threats for White to
handle. I won quickly in Jolly, J (2345) – Demuth, A (2531), La Massana 2015, 0-1 (23).

5.e4

White can also develop his knights, but it will just transpose to other variations.

5...d6 6.exf5

6.Nc3 transposes to the main line of the next subchapter.

6...Bxf5!

856
Position after: 6...Bxf5!

This pawn sacrifice is quite strong. White doesn’t have to accept it, but Black will be fine anyway.

7.Bxb7

7.Nc3 0-0 8.h3 Nc6 9.Nge2 e5³

7...Nbd7 8.d4!

Probably best, in order to prevent the knight intrusion.

8.Bxa8? is actually even worse as Black’s play is way too strong: 8...Qxa8

857
Position after: 8...Qxa8

9.f3 [9.Qf3 Qb8! 10.Nc3 Ne5 11.Qd1 Nxd3+ 12.Kf1 Ng4–+] 9...Nc5 10.Nc3 Nxd3+ 11.Kf1 0-0–+.
The king has nowhere to find a safe spot.

8...e5!

Position after: 8...e5!

Black can try to free the e5-square anyway!

858
9.Ne2! Rb8 10.Bg2 exd4 11.Nxd4 Qe7+ 12.Qe2 Qxe2+ 13.Kxe2 Bg4+

By no means forced, but Black intends a strong piece sacrifice. A real computer continuation!

Position after: 13...Bg4+

Of course you have more human choices, but this is objectively strong.

14.f3 0-0!! 15.fxg4 Nxg4 16.Bd5+ Kh8 17.Nf3 Bxb2 18.Bxb2+ Rxb2+ 19.Nbd2

Position after: 19.Nbd2

859
19...Re8+ 20.Kf1 Nde5 21.Re1 Rf8 22.Kg1 c6 23.Be4 Nxf3+ 24.Nxf3 Nf2µ

White is paralyzed and doesn’t even have a real material advantage.

b) 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4, 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.e4

1.c4 f5 2.Nc3 Nf6

Position after: 2...Nf6

3.g3

3.e4 fxe4 4.g4?! This has been tried a few times, actually even more often than 4.d3, but it’s not great.
[4.d3 exd3 5.Bxd3 e6 Once White plays Nf3, we will have transposed to 2.e4 in the previous
subchapter.] 4...h6! This looks like an ugly weakening of the light squares, but White is unable to reach
them for now. 5.Bg2 e5! 6.h4

860
Position after: 6.h4

Here the young Vallejo Pons lost in only twelve moves in the game Mellado Trivino, J (2455) – Vallejo
Pons, F (2420), Oropesa del Mar 1996. Instead of the losing move 6...Be7, he could have played 6...d5!
7.g5 hxg5 8.hxg5 Rxh1 9.Bxh1 Ng4!

Position after: 9...Ng4!

This is why we needed to move our d-pawn, otherwise Qh5+ would have been killing. 10.cxd5 Qxg5
11.Nxe4 Qg6³ Black has managed to stabilize his position. He just needs to castle and will stand very
well.

861
3...g6 4.Bg2 Bg7

Position after: 4...Bg7

We have reached a standard position where White has several ways to play. He can still play 5.d4, of
course, and transpose to the classical systems, or can also play 5.Nf3, which will be covered in the last
subchapters of this book. This means we only need to check moves such as 5.d3, 5.e3 and 5.e4.

5.e4?!

You’ll probably know already (I’ve said it loads of times in the book!) that White often tries to open
the position with e2−e4, so this looks like a sensible approach. However the important thing to
understand is whether it’s under favorable conditions or not − and here it doesn’t seem so great.

5...fxe4 6.Nxe4 Nxe4 7.Bxe4 c6!

862
Position after: 7...c6!

A very concrete approach. Black reacts in the center immediately.

8.Ne2

8.d4?! Qb6!? 9.Be3 Qb4+ 10.Qd2 Qxc4³

8...d5 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.Bg2 Nc6! 11.0-0

Position after: 11.0-0

863
11...Bg4!

11...0-0 12.d3 e5 13.Qb3 Be6

Position after: 13...Be6

Black gives up a pawn in exchange for some tempi and the opening of the b-file. 14.Qxb7 Qd6 15.Qa6
Qd7 16.Bd2 Rab8© 1-0 (35) Grivas, E (2509) – Ruijgrok, D (2329), Wijk aan Zee 2008.

12.h3 Bxe2 13.Qxe2 Nd4 14.Qg4 Qd6³

The knight is doing a fantastic job on d4, and is clearly worth one of White’s bishops.

c) 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6 6.e4 (Botvinnik System)

1.c4 f5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7

864
Position after: 4...Bg7

5.d3 d6 6.e4

Other moves would just transpose to other systems.

6...Nc6 7.Nge2 0-0 8.0-0 e5

Position after: 8...e5

Reaching the important Botvinnik System with the thematic c4-d3-e4 pawn structure.

865
There are several ways to play with White.

9.Nd5

This is definitely White’s main move, attacking the c7-pawn. Black must keep this in mind.
A) 9.f4 Some players feel that they are ready to open the center, but it’s Black who can decide which
pawn structure he wants. 9...fxe4 10.dxe4 [10.Nxe4?! Nxe4 11.Bxe4 Bg4!³] 10...exf4 11.gxf4 Be6
12.Nd5 Qd7 13.Qd3 Bg4 14.Nec3

Position after: 14.Nec3

Now in the game Suslova, A (2196) – Matlakov, M (2663), St. Petersburg 2012, 0-1 (47), I think
Black should have focused on the f4-pawn with 14...Nh5!? 15.Bd2 Rf7 16.Rae1 Raf8³.
B) 9.Rb1?! Now that there is a pawn on e4, it’s less logical to advance the b-pawn, as it wouldn’t
weaken the long light-squared diagonal. 9...f4!? is a typical pawn sacrifice, an idea we will meet again
in the following variations. 10.gxf4 Nh5!

866
Position after: 10...Nh5!

11.fxe5 [11.f5 Qh4! 12.Nd5 Rf7 13.fxg6 hxg6 14.f3 Nf4!µ Black has very good play on the dark
squares and is actually much better.] 11...dxe5 12.f3 Be6 13.Be3 Nd4 14.Qd2 Rf7!³
C) 9.h3?! I think this move is already a serious mistake. We are perfectly placed to try to refute
White’s opening. 9...f4! 10.gxf4 Nh5

Position after: 10...Nh5

This is an even better version than in the 9.Rb1 line, as the h3-pawn will be hanging in many lines and

867
 it will be dangerous for White once our queen arrives on h4.
C1) 11.fxe5? Qh4! 12.Qd2 [12.exd6?? Bxh3 13.f4 Bxg2 14.Kxg2 Ne5!! The white queen is in great
danger. Black is already winning and just needs to be accurate. The game could continue 15.fxe5
Qg4+ 16.Kh1 Ng3+ 17.Nxg3 Qh3+ 18.Kg1 Qxg3+ 19.Kh1 Bxe5–+.] 12...Nxe5 13.Qe3

Position after: 13.Qe3

The queen tries to protect the h3-pawn, but we have a great solution: 13...Rf3! 14.Qg5™ [14.Bxf3?
Bh6–+] 14...Qxg5 15.Bxg5 Rxd3µ.
C2) 11.Nd5 Qh4!

868
Position after: 11...Qh4!

Black doesn’t care about the c7-pawn. 12.f5 [12.Nxc7 exf4! 13.Nxa8 f3! 14.Bxf3 Rxf3–+ The
computers already say that it’s forced mate.] 12...gxf5 13.Nxc7 [13.Ng3 Nxg3 14.fxg3 Qxg3
15.Nxc7 Rb8 16.Qf3 Now, instead of agreeing to a short draw in Balashov, Y (2578) – Dubinsky, R
(2269), Moscow 1999, ½-½ (17), Black could have kept a great position with 16...Qg6! 17.Be3 f4
18.Bf2 Qh6!µ.] 13...f4 14.f3

Position after: 14.f3

While this stops ...f3, it also creates a huge hole on g3. 14...Rb8 15.Qe1 Ng3 16.Nxg3 fxg3 17.Be3
Bxh3µ
C3) 11.f5 Qh4

869
Position after: 11...Qh4

12.Qd2 [12.Ng3 Nxg3 13.fxg3 Qxg3 14.Rf3 Qh4 15.fxg6 Be6 16.gxh7+ Kxh7‚] 12...h6! A precise
move. Black doesn’t want to allow a queen trade in these circumstances. 13.f3 gxf5 14.Qe1 Qxe1
15.Rxe1 fxe4 16.fxe4 Nb4 17.Rd1 Nf4µ
D) 9.exf5 Bxf5

Position after: 9...Bxf5

This line can’t really be considered dangerous either. Black develops his bishop without losing time.

870
 It’s now easy to prepare ...Bh3.
D1) 10.d4 Nxd4 11.Nxd4 exd4 12.Qxd4 c6! 13.Qd1 Ng4!?

Position after: 13...Ng4!?

White quickly went wrong in Kantans, T (2496) – Milos, G (2583), Tromso 2014, 0-1 (20). He
should have developed his dark-squared bishop: 14.Bf4 Ne5 15.Qb3 Qb6!„. Black has centralized
his pieces and I would take his side without any hesitation.
D2) 10.h3 Qd7

871
Position after: 10...Qd7

11.g4 [11.Kh2 Rae8 12.Be3 Be6 13.Nd5 Nd4 14.Nxd4 exd4 15.Bg5 c6=] 11...Be6 12.Ng3 [12.b3
h5! We disrupt White’s kingside, mainly in order to get the f5-square. 13.g5 Nh7 14.Kh2 Ne7³ 0-1
(24) Reiss, T (2403) – Bacrot, E (2716), Germany 2011] 12...h5 13.gxh5 Bxh3! 14.hxg6 Bxg2
15.Kxg2 Qe8!³

9...Be6

Position after: 9...Be6

10.Bg5

White likewise brings a bishop into play. 10.h3 Qd7 11.Kh2 f4!

872
Position after: 11...f4!

The thematic motif once again, in this case with the white king on h2. As the dark squares may soon
open up, this might play an important role. 12.gxf4 Nh5! 13.f5!? [13.fxe5? This obviously falls in with
Black’s play, and he won quickly in the following game: 13...dxe5 14.f3 Nd4 15.Ndc3 Nxe2 16.Nxe2
Rad8µ 0-1 (29) Glud, J (2514) – Gurevich, M (2581), Cappelle-la-Grande 2013.] 13...gxf5 14.exf5
Bxf5 15.Ng3!

Position after: 15.Ng3!

An important move for White, helping to straighten out his kingside pawns. I think the game is more or

873
less balanced; Black has strong pieces, but the knight on d5 is important too. 15...Nxg3 16.fxg3 Nd4=

10...Qd7

Position after: 10...Qd7

11.Qd2!

I consider this the best set-up for White. He activates all his pieces without loss of tempo, and
effectively prevents ...f4.
11.Rc1 White is hoping for Black to take on d5 at some point in order to open the c-file, but obviously
we are not going to do so. However that means that we will have to tolerate the knight on d5. 11...Nh5

874
Position after: 11...Nh5

A) 12.exf5 Rxf5 13.Be3 Now in the game, Baghdasaryan, V (2354) – Triapishko, A (2508), Moscow
2019, ½-½ (88), Black brought the rook back to f8, but I think the possibility of doubling rooks is
stronger: 13...Rf7! 14.Nec3 Raf8 15.Ne4 h6!= and, of course, we prevent White from bringing the
knight to g5!
B) 12.Qd2 Rf7!? 13.b4 f4! 14.gxf4 Bh3 In this version of the pawn sacrifice, the queen is unable to
come to h4, but we can start by trading the light-squared bishops. We have a good initiative on the
kingside. 15.f3 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 Raf8³

11...Nh5

875
Position after: 11...Nh5

Stubborn, trying to play it anyway!

12.exf5

12.Bh6?! f4! 13.Bxg7 Qxg7

Position after: 13...Qxg7

14.f3!? Maybe the lesser evil. [14.gxf4 Nxf4 15.Nexf4 exf4µ Black is able to use the dark squares, and

876
White can’t even take on f4 because of ...Qh6, winning the knight.] 14...fxg3 15.hxg3 g5!³

12...Bxf5

12...gxf5?! would make little sense as White would stop ...f4 forever with 13.f4!±.

13.b4 Rae8 14.b5 Nd8

Position after: 14...Nd8

15.Bxd8!

It’s rare to see someone trading a bishop for a knight on the eighth rank for no obvious reason, but here
it is motivated by the fact that the knight was the sole protector of the b7-pawn and other important
light squares such as c6.
15.Nec3 c6 16.Nb4 cxb5 17.Nxb5 Nf7 Finally White has to lose time with his bishop, so he should
have traded it when he could. 18.Be3 e4!„

15...Rxd8 16.Nb4

16.Ne3!?

877
Position after: 16.Ne3!?

Even if it has been played only once, I find this move very interesting.
A) 16...Bh3 17.Bxb7! A very interesting exchange sacrifice, especially since White is trying to get the
upper hand on the light squares. The following game shows why it seems easier to play for White:
17...Bxf1 18.Rxf1 Bh6 19.Nc3 Ng7 20.Qe2² Nguyen, P (2408) – Martinovic, S (2583), Zadar 2017,
1-0 (37).
B) 16...c6!?N 17.Nxf5 gxf5

Position after: 17...gxf5

878
 Here Black should be able to get decent counterplay in the center, for instance 18.bxc6 [18.Qg5 Nf6
19.Rab1 d5„] 18...bxc6 19.Nc3 Nf6ƒ when he will continue with ...d5 if he can.

16...Rb8!

Position after: 16...Rb8!

17.Qe3

17.Nc3 Bh3 18.Bxh3 Qxh3 19.Ne4 Nf4!?

879
Position after: 19...Nf4!?

This temporary piece sacrifice seems to bring Black either a draw by perpetual or an equal position.
[19...Nf6 is also playable, with a roughly balanced middlegame. 20.Qe2 Bh6 21.f3 Qd7„] 20.gxf4!
Qg4+ 21.Ng3 exf4 22.f3 Qg5 23.Rae1 [23.Kh1?? Bxa1 24.Rxa1 Qf6–+] 23...Bh6=

17...Bh3

Position after: 17...Bh3

Trading the light-squared bishops ensures that Black will have no problems on the long diagonal. The
next step will be to advance in the center.

18.Rab1 Bxg2 19.Kxg2 c6 20.Qxa7 cxb5 21.cxb5 Qxb5 22.Qe3 Rbc8=

880
Position after: 22...Rbc8=

This position occurred in the game McShane, L (2615) – Rowson, J (2579), England 2010, ½-½ (64); it
seems fully equal.

d) 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.e3

1.c4 f5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.e3

Position after: 5.e3

881
In the introduction to this chapter, I mentioned that it’s quite a common plan to play the opening slowly
like this. White is not in any hurry to define the center, and remains very flexible.

5...0-0 6.Nge2 d6 7.0-0

A) 7.d3 e5 8.Rb1 [8.0-0 − see 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3] 8...c6! 9.b4 a6 10.a4 Be6

Position after: 10...Be6

Black can build a solid position on the queenside which will allow him to be able to strike back in the
center. 11.b5 axb5 12.axb5 Qc7 13.0-0 Nbd7³
B) 7.d4

882
Position after: 7.d4

This position could have occurred with a 1.d4 move order, even if we didn’t consider it. 7...e5 Of
course, the main problem with this system is that Black can easily play ... e5, one of his main aims in
the Leningrad.
B1) 8.b4 White can try to advance all his queenside pawns, but it gives Black time to develop his
initiative. 8...c6 9.0-0 e4

Position after: 9...e4

883
 10.f3 [10.Nf4?! This move only helps Black develop his attack on the kingside. 10...g5 11.Nfe2
Be6] 10...exf3 11.Bxf3 Be6 12.d5 Bf7 13.Rb1 cxd5 14.Nxd5 Nbd7³
B2) 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.Qxd8 Rxd8 10.e4

Position after: 10.e4

Otherwise White has a hard time developing his c1-bishop properly. 10...c6 11.0-0 Na6 12.Be3
[12.Bg5 h6!³] 12...Ng4 13.Bg5 Bf6 14.Bxf6 Nxf6³ Black can take control of the d4-square, which
gives him the better chances.

7...e5

884
Position after: 7...e5

8.d3

A) 8.b3 c6 9.Ba3 [9.Bb2 Na6 10.d3 Qe7 11.Qd2 Bd7 12.Rad1 Nc7= If White doesn’t do anything
specific, we can quietly regroup our forces before the storm.] 9...Re8! It’s important to be able to
move the d-pawn. 10.d4 e4 11.Nf4 Na6‚
B) 8.Rb1 c6 9.d4 e4 10.b4 Be6! 11.d5 cxd5 12.cxd5 Bf7³ Black will soon bring his b8-knight to e5
with a great position.

8...c6

885
Position after: 8...c6

This the main position of the system with e3. White has tried various ways of playing this opening, and
even if we have met some of the ideas already, we will have a more detailed look starting from this
position.

9.b4

A) 9.Rb1 Be6 10.b4

Position after: 10.b4

886
 As White has played slowly, we can start play in the center immediately. 10...d5! 11.cxd5 [11.d4 e4
12.c5 a6 13.a4 Nbd7=] 11...cxd5 12.d4 e4! 13.Na4 Nc6 14.Nc5 Bc8 15.Qa4 g5‚ Black has managed
to stabilize his position and can develop his own initiative. He won convincingly in Iskandarov, M
(2376) – Guseinov, G (2616), Konya 2015, 0-1 (34).
B) 9.b3 This is clearly less dangerous for Black than b2−b4, since there are no longer any ideas with
b4−b5, White’s main way to develop his initiative. 9...Be6 10.Ba3 Re8 11.d4

Position after: 11.d4

This occurred in the game Indjic, A (2575) – Cheparinov, I (2703), Warsaw 2017, 0-1 (49). Black is
doing perfectly well, but should have closed the center: 11...e4! 12.d5 cxd5 13.cxd5 Bf7 14.Rc1 Na6!
³. The d5-pawn is finally a weakness. White will have some trouble defending it!
C) 9.f4

887
Position after: 9.f4

If White doesn’t want to expand on the queenside, this reaction is quite logical too. It prevents Black
from trying to attack on the kingside. Now we need to centralize our forces. 9...Re8 10.h3 [10.Rb1
Be6 11.b4 Nbd7 12.b5 Rc8³] 10...Be6 11.b3

Position after: 11.b3

Kollars, D (2422) – Piorun, K (2546), Stroebeck 2015, 0-1 (45). Now Black is ready to open the
center. 11...exf4!

888
 C1) 12.Nxf4?! Nh5! Black takes advantage of the hanging knight on c3. 13.d4 [13.Qe1 Nxf4
14.gxf4 Nd7³] 13...Nxg3 14.Rf3 Ne4³
C2) 12.gxf4 d5! 13.Nd4 Bf7³

9...Be6 10.b5

Position after: 10.b5

Of course White can push b4−b5 at once. It is important to remember that we never take on b5; we
always keep the pawn on c6. It’s super-important to keep control of the d5-square.

10...Qc7 11.Qa4

11.Rb1 Nbd7 12.bxc6 bxc6 13.Ba3

889
Position after: 13.Ba3

This was played in the game Kulon, K (2370) – Ju, W (2567), Riyadh 2017, 0-1 (46). Now Black
should prepare the defense of the c6-pawn: 13...Rfc8!N 14.Qa4 Bf8 15.Rfd1 Nb6 16.Qa5 e4! 17.c5 d5!
The knight obviously cannot be taken and Black is doing great.

11...Rc8 12.Bb2 Nbd7 13.Rac1 Bf7 14.Qb3 a6 15.bxc6 bxc6 16.Na4 Rab8 17.Qc2

Position after: 17.Qc2

890
Now, in the game Gomez, J (2481) – Cheparinov, I (2698), Ho Chi Minh City 2017, ½-½ (50), Black
could have played

17...d5!N 18.cxd5 Nxd5³

891
 e) 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 d6!?

1.c4 f5 2.Nf3

Position after: 2.Nf3

In the previous subchapters, we discussed all the systems where White was in no rush to develop the
knight to f3. Now we have to do exactly the opposite! This is the most usual way to play when using
the English opening, and there are of course various transpositions to the 1.Nf3 move order.

2...Nf6 3.Nc3

This move is very flexible. It gives away no information, as White doesn’t indicate whether he is going
to play d3 or d4, or play a kingside fianchetto or not! That’s why I think that on this particular occasion,
we can also make a flexible move that tries to restrain White’s possibilities.

3...d6!?

3...g6

892
Position after: 3...g6

White generally has more choices after this move, a couple of which I have never really liked for
Black.
A) 4.b4 First, this move becomes very acceptable for White. He will keep his light-squared bishop on
e2 in order to support his pawn, which is not in the same spirit as in Chapter 7. For example play
might continue 4...Bg7 5.Bb2 [5.Qb3 d6 6.d4„] 5...d6 6.d4 0-0 7.e3ƒ and I am not so fond of this
position.
B) 4.d3!? Bg7 5.e4!

893
Position after: 5.e4!

Nor have I ever liked this system. 5...d6 6.exf5 Bxf5 [6...gxf5?! 7.d4² This is generally quite weak for
Black, since it’s now rather difficult to push ...e5 under satisfactory conditions.] 7.d4² The point.
White prevents ...e5 and will trade the light-squared bishops with Bd3 as soon as possible,
highlighting our weaknesses on the light squares, especially e6.

Position after: 3...d6!?

4.d3

White may also want to retain the idea of playing for e4, but now we don’t need to fear d2−d4 anymore
as it would be an important loss of time, and can improve our center.
A) 4.g3 Once this move is played, it’s pretty clear that White is not going to play for e4, and I prefer
to return to our Leningrad formation. 4...g6 [4...e5 5.d4 I don’t really want to enter this specific
variation.] 5.Bg2 Bg7 6.0-0 0-0 This position will be examined in the next subchapters.
B) 4.b4 I don’t think this move makes much sense here, indeed we can take advantage of the fact that
we haven’t planned to fianchetto our dark-squared bishop yet. 4...e5 5.d3 [5.Bb2 e4! 6.Nd4 c5 7.Nc2
Nc6 8.b5 Ne5ƒ] 5...d5!?

894
Position after: 5...d5!?

The pawn on b4 is also under attack.

B1) 6.cxd5 Bxb4 7.Bd2 Nxd5 8.Qb3 This leads to major trades. [8.Nxd5? Bxd2+ 9.Qxd2 Qxd5µ]
8...Bxc3 9.Bxc3 Nxc3 10.Qxc3 Nc6 11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.Qxe5+ Kf7!ƒ

Position after: 12...Kf7!ƒ

In this unusual middlegame, Black’s king seems fine. We will continue with 13...Re8 and try to
make White’s development as difficult as possible, e.g. with 14...Qd5. Black looks fine.

895
 B2) 6.Nxe5 d4 7.Qa4+ c6 8.Nd1 Qd6 9.f4 Qxb4+ 10.Qxb4 Bxb4+ 11.Bd2 Bc5!=

Position after: 11...Bc5!=

White has traded a flank pawn for a central pawn, which is a good deal for him, but our pawn on d4
is very annoying as it prevents easy development.
C) If White doesn’t want to allow ...e5, he might like to play 4.d4. This move order has already been
discussed in Chapter 9.

4...e5!

896
Position after: 4...e5!

This position generally occurs from the move order 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 d6 3.d3 f5 4.Nf3 Nf6, and has
proven to be satisfactory for Black.

5.e4

5.g3 is the most common move, but it has little independent value. 5...g6 [5...Be7 is also possible, but
would be a totally different system.] 6.Bg2 Bg7 We usually reach this position with the pawn on e7 and
...0-0 already played, which are only small differences. 7.0-0 [7.Bg5 h6! We don’t wait for White to
play Nd5. 8.Bxf6 Qxf6 9.Nd5 Qf7³ This makes little sense for White, because Black is even able to
play ...c6 soon.] 7...0-0 This finally transposes to the next subchapters.

5...Be7

Position after: 5...Be7

6.exf5

A) 6.Bg5 This kind of move doesn’t get White very far. 6...0-0 7.Qd2?! Na6 8.0-0-0 c6 9.h3

897
Position after: 9.h3

This opposite side castling middlegame occurred in Hansen, V (2125) – Jones, G (2578), Fagernes
2011, 0-1 (67). Black could now have started his attack quickly, e.g. 9...Nc7!? 10.Kb1 b5! 11.cxb5
Nxb5 12.Nxb5 cxb5‚. On the other hand, it’s not really clear how White will start his own attack.
B) 6.Be2 0-0 7.0-0 c5!? Black now has good control of the center, so White needs to find counterplay
on the flanks, e.g. 8.a3 Nc6 9.Rb1 Nd4! 10.b4

Position after: 10.b4

898
 And now in the game Buliga Contras, M – Mozes, E (2358), Bavaria 2001, 0-1 (32), Black could have
kept the tension with 10...b6! 11.exf5 Bxf5 12.Bg5 Qd7ƒ and I still prefer Black.

6...Bxf5 7.d4!

Position after: 7.d4!

This might be the most critical line, and Black has to display some accuracy.

7...e4 8.Nh4!

8.Ng5?! Qd7! 9.f3 exf3 10.Nxf3 0-0=

8...Bd7N 9.g3 0-0

899
Position after: 9...0-0

10.Ng2!

According to the computer, this is the only line that can trouble Black. It doesn’t look so scary, but the
idea is that White will have good control of the dark squares.
10.Bg2?! Nc6!= Of course the knight on h4 is pretty misplaced, so we don’t risk much with our e4-
pawn. 11.Nxe4? Nxe4 12.Bxe4 Bxh4

Position after: 12...Bxh4

900
13.Qh5! [13.gxh4 Qxh4–+] 13...h6 14.Qxh4 Qxh4 15.Bd5+ Kh8 16.gxh4 Nxd4µ

10...Na6!? 11.Ne3 Qe8 12.Bg2 c6∞

Position after: 12...c6∞

The position may objectively be a little better for White, but it’s fully playable for Black, and besides,
the chances that it will ever appear are quite low.

f) 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.Nc3 d6 7.d3 e5 8.--, 8.Bd2

1.c4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3

901
Position after: 3.g3

In most cases White doesn’t develop his b1-knight yet, and goes directly for a kingside fianchetto.
This will be the subject of the last two subchapters of this book.

3...g6

By comparison with the previous subchapter, Black doesn’t gain anything by starting with ...d6,
because White is not planning to play e4 anyway, and after ...e5, we would always have to check for
d2−d4, which might be difficult to meet. So I prefer to develop my pieces in a more usual way.

4.Bg2 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.Nc3 d6

902
Position after: 6...d6

This is the last occasion for White to play d4 in order to transpose into the classical lines.

7.d3

Delaying d2−d3 doesn’t make much sense. For instance after 7.Rb1 e5 The threat is to play ...e4, so
White should simply transpose to the main line if he doesn’t want to get a worse position already.

7...e5

903
Position after: 7...e5

We have reached the starting position of our last two subchapters.

It is important to note that it is actually a typical Closed Sicilian position with colors reversed! Black
hasn’t developed his knight to c6 yet, which can be advantageous in terms of being able to play ...c6,
chasing a knight or helping with ...d5. In the next subchapter, we will focus on 8.Rb1, which is theory’s
main line, a logical move preparing to expand on the queenside in order to strengthen the g2-bishop.
Besides, it’s not so appealing to move the b-pawn immediately as White could experience some trouble
on the long dark-squared diagonal. In this subchapter we will have a look at the various alternatives at
White’s disposal.

8.Bd2

This is a flexible move, perhaps preparing Qc1, but the main idea is simply to protect the knight in
order to move the b-pawn. The drawback is that Ba3, to support the pawn expansion on the queenside
and attack the d6-pawn which can be weak after the trade of c-pawns, is no longer possible.
A) 8.b4 We’ve already mentioned the drawback to this move, and that it makes sense for White to
avoid possible problems on the long diagonal, but we still need to have a look at how things could
continue. 8...e4!? If we want to try to refute this line, we have to play this move. Of course there are
other fully playable alternatives.

Position after: 8...e4!?

A1) 9.Ne1?! d5 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Nxd5 Qxd5! 12.Rb1 Qxa2 13.Bf4 Nc6ƒ
A2) 9.dxe4!?N Not so bad according to the computer, but it has never been tried. The reason is quite
obvious: White doesn’t want to open the long diagonal even more! 9...Nxe4 10.Nxe4 fxe4

904
Position after: 10...fxe4

A2.1) 11.Bg5!? Qe8 12.Nd2! Here, Black probably shouldn’t take the rook on a1 if he doesn’t
want to suffer an attack on his king. 12...Bf5 13.Rc1 a5 14.b5 Nd7„ White might be symbolically
better, but we have a very reasonable position.
A2.2) 11.Qd5+ Kh8 12.Nd4 Nc6 13.Bb2 Qf6 14.e3 Nxb4 15.Qxe4 Qf7=
A3) 9.Nd2?! Ng4!

Position after: 9...Ng4!

905
 Now White needs to protect both the knight on c3 and the e3-square in order to prevent ...e3.
10.Ndb1! Nc6 11.b5 Na5 12.dxe4 fxe4 13.h3 Nf6³ White’s development can hardly be called a
success.
A4) 9.Nd4!? White has won all his games with this move, so we need to find an effective solution.
9...Ne8!N 10.dxe4 c5! 11.bxc5 dxc5

Position after: 11...dxc5

White is unable to avoid the loss of the exchange. Thereafter it will all depend on his ability to keep
enough compensation. 12.Nc2 [12.Ndb5? Qxd1 13.Rxd1 a6µ] 12...Qxd1 13.Nxd1 Bxa1 14.Nxa1
fxe4 15.Bxe4 Nf6 16.Bg2 Nc6© Obviously this is playable for White, and I think it’s quite
balanced.
B) 8.c5?!

906
Position after: 8.c5?!

I’m not fond of this move. I feel that after trading the c-pawns, it will just help Black to advance his
center. 8...Nc6 9.cxd6 [9.Qb3+ Kh8 10.Ng5? d5µ] 9...cxd6 10.b4 [10.Bg5?! h6 After this move,
retreating simply helps Black, and taking on f6 doesn’t look like a great achievement. 11.Bxf6 Qxf6
12.Qb3+ Kh7 13.e3 Qe6=] 10...e4!

Position after: 10...e4!

The same reaction as after 8.b4. The long diagonal has been weakened, so we take advantage of it.
11.dxe4 fxe4 12.Nd4! [12.Ng5 d5 13.b5 Na5³] 12...d5!? 13.Bg5 Qe8 14.Rc1 Nxd4 15.Qxd4 Be6=

907
 C) 8.e4?! Nc6

Position after: 8...Nc6

We have transposed to the Botvinnik System, which we have already covered, but with the knight on
f3 instead of e2. The difference doesn’t help White as the knight can’t go to c3 once the other one has
gone on d5, and it also blocks both the g2-bishop and the f-pawn. The only thing in its favour is the
possibility of playing Ng5 if Black goes ...Be6 too early.
C1) 9.h3?! f4! The same motif as in the Botvinnik System works really well here too. 10.gxf4 Nh5!
11.fxe5 Nxe5 12.Nxe5 dxe5µ Black follows with ...Qh4 with a huge attack.
C2) 9.exf5 Bxf5 10.h3 Qd7 11.Kh2 Rae8³ White should stop ...e4, and we have already developed
all our pieces.
C3) 9.Bg5 f4!N

908
Position after: 9...f4!N

A very strong reply. 10.gxf4 [10.Nd5 Bg4! An important idea, in order to get permanent access to
the d4-square for our knight. 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 Nd4 13.Bg2 c6µ] 10...h6! 11.Bxf6 [11.fxe5 hxg5!
12.exf6 Qxf6 13.Nd5 Qd8µ Black plays ...g4 on the next move and gets fabulous play on the dark
squares.] 11...Qxf6 12.Nd5 Qd8! 13.fxe5 dxe5 14.h3 Necessary in order to prevent ...Bg4. 14...Nd4!
15.Nxd4 exd4 16.f4 c6 17.Nb4 Qh4µ White’s pawns are too weak.
D) 8.Bg5?!

Position after: 8.Bg5?!

909
 This idea is justified only if Black has already played ...Nc6. While it allows the c3-knight to reach
the d5-square, in this situation it would be easy to chase the knight with ...c6. 8...h6 9.Bxf6 Qxf6

Position after: 9...Qxf6

D1) 10.Nd5?! Qf7 11.Qa4 Be6 [11...c6? 12.Nb6±] 12.Nd2 Rc8!µ Black intends ...Nbd7 and ...c6.
White’s play is clearly too artificial.
D2) 10.Nd2 c6 11.b4 Be6 12.b5 Rc8!

Position after: 12...Rc8!

910
 13.Nb3 Qd8! [13...Nd7 14.Na5!± Attacking both b7 and c6.] 14.Qc2 Nd7³
D3) 10.Rb1 c6 11.Nd2 Be6 12.Qc2 Nd7 13.a3 a5= Black will soon be able to play ...d5 with good
prospects in the center.

8...Nc6

Position after: 8...Nc6

9.Rb1

In general I believe that White should play this on the previous move. It’s not clear that playing 8.Bd2
really improves White’s position, as he is now unable to play Nd2 or bring the bishop to a3 in order to
put pressure on the d6-pawn.
A) 9.Qc1 a5 [9...Re8!? If Black wants to keep his bishop, and eventually prepare ...e4, this is the
move! I just prefer the text move, because I think it’s rather slow for White to play for Bh6.] 10.Bh6
Be6 11.Bxg7 Kxg7

911
Position after: 11...Kxg7

The bishop can retreat to g8, which is why Ng5 was nothing to worry about. 12.Rd1 Bg8!= Black
anticipates the possible d4−d5 advance.
B) 9.a3?!

Position after: 9.a3?!

This is a loss of time. Black might want to trade the a-pawn, which will be easy if White advances his
b-pawn, so Black can leave the pawn on a6 for the time being, and White will have to spend another

912
 move on a4 in order to take back with the a-pawn. 9...h6! 10.b4 a6! 11.Rb1 Be6

Position after: 11...Be6

12.a4 There it is, the lost tempo with the a-pawn. [12.b5?! is a bad way for White to open the
queenside. After 12...axb5 13.cxb5 Na5µ he has many weaknesses.] 12...g5 13.b5 axb5 14.axb5 Ne7ƒ

9...h6 10.b4 g5 11.b5 Ne7

Position after: 11...Ne7

913
12.a4

12.Ne1 White wants to prevent our light-squared bishop from moving, but we can find another way to
develop our initiative. 12...Qe8 13.Nc2 f4! 14.Nb4 Qh5

Position after: 14...Qh5

Black wants to play ...Bh3 and probably ...Ng4. 15.e3? [15.Nbd5 Nexd5 16.Nxd5 Rf7„] 15...f3!
White probably missed this strong idea. Of course the bishop can’t go to h1, so he has to accept the gift.
16.Bxf3 Ng4 17.Bxg4 Bxg4 18.f3 Rxf3 19.Rxf3 Bxf3 20.Qe1 Rf8µ 0-1 (29) Pham, L (2341) – Koneru,
H (2600), Mardin 2011.

12...Be6 13.a5 Rb8

914
Position after: 13...Rb8

This is a usual way to protect the b7-pawn, but keep in mind that we can’t play it if White is able to
play Qa4, attacking the a7-pawn.

14.Ne1 Qd7 15.e3 f4

Black finally opens the position, even if it costs him a pawn. He has a great position to play, and his
mating threats look far more dangerous than White’s possibilities of merely opening the queenside.

16.exf4 gxf4 17.Nc2 Bh3‚

Black eventually won in Komljenovic, D (2454) – Kazhgaleyev, M (2596), Cergy Pontoise 2004, 0-1
(67).

g) 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.Nc3 d6 7.d3 e5 8.Rb1

1.c4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.Nc3 d6 7.d3 e5 8.Rb1

915
Position after: 8.Rb1

Definitely the main move. White doesn’t give any indication of his other piece placements, and follows
the straightforward plan of advancing on the queenside.

8...Nc6!

8...a5 For a long time I thought it was useful to include this move, which aims to open the a-file for our
rook, but now I think it only helps White. First, because it’s not at all clear how we want to make use of
the a-file, since our play is based more on an attack on the kingside, and second, it weakens the b6-
square, which sometimes helps White achieve his plan of playing b5−b6 to weaken the d6-pawn.

9.b4

9.Bg5?!

916
Position after: 9.Bg5?!

This leads nowhere. 9...h6 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Nd5 Qf7 12.b4 Nd8! Immediately getting rid of the
annoying d5-knight, after which we will be able to advance in the center. 13.b5 c6 14.bxc6 bxc6

Position after: 14...bxc6

15.Nb4 [15.Nd2 e4! 16.Ne3 exd3 17.exd3 f4³ We have managed to open some diagonals for our
bishops and definitely have the upper hand.] 15...a5 16.Nc2 Ne6³

9...h6 10.b5

917
White has other moves, but he gains little by delaying this move, and the others will generally
transpose.

10...Ne7

Position after: 10...Ne7

This is the real crossroads of this line. White’s main idea is to continue his expansion on the queenside,
but he has also tried many other possibilities.

11.a4

A) 11.Ne1 g5 12.Nc2

918
Position after: 12.Nc2

A1) 12...f4 13.Nb4 A potentially annoying move to meet if you want to keep playing for a win. The
reason is that Black can’t move the c8-bishop, leaving the b7-pawn unprotected, and if the the rook
goes to b8, then we have a problem on a7 after Qa4. Finally, if we bring the queen to the kingside
with 13...Qe8, then 14.Na6!² and Black has nothing better than to bring the queen back to d8.
A2) 12...a6!? 13.a4 [13.b6?! This can’t be good as it releases the tension on the queenside. 13...c6
14.e3 f4! 15.exf4 exf4 16.gxf4 Nh7! 17.Ne4 gxf4ƒ] 13...axb5 14.axb5 f4!

Position after: 14...f4!

919
 Now that we have opened the a-file, it’s easier to develop the play on the kingside, as we no longer
have to worry about our a-pawn, in comparison to the previous lines. 15.Nb4 Rb8 16.Bd2 [16.Qa4
Be6 17.Qa7 Qc8³ Both protecting the b7-pawn and intending ...Be6−h3.] 16...Qe8 17.Nbd5
Probably the best idea for White is to trade knights in order to release the tension. 17...Nexd5
18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19.Bxd5+ [19.cxd5 b6! It’s very important to prevent b6 by White. 20.Qc2 Rb7
21.Qc6 Ra7 22.Qxe8 Rxe8 23.Ra1 Rxa1 24.Rxa1 Bd7 25.Ra7 Rc8 26.gxf4 exf4 27.h4= White keeps
the balance since Black is not really able to take on b5 because of Bh3.] 19...Be6 20.Bg2 Qd7ƒ

Position after: 20...Qd7ƒ

I still think that Black has the easier position. We are going to trade the light-squared bishops, plus
the pressure on the kingside is unpleasant, even if White should objectively be able to keep the
balance.
B) 11.Qb3

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Position after: 11.Qb3

With this move, White generally intends to continue with c4−c5. As we don’t want to choose a square
for our king (which can sometimes be weaker on h7, sometimes on h8, and it’s hard to tell right now),
I prefer to develop the bishop. 11...Be6 12.Nd2 The logical follow-up, threatening the b7-pawn.
12...Nd7!? [12...Rb8 13.Qa4ƒ Attacking the a7-pawn is obviously White’s idea.] After ...Nd7 it’s
quite difficult to find a logical continuation for White, for example 13.Ba3 [13.Qc2 c6 14.e3 Qc7„]
13...Rb8!

Position after: 13...Rb8!

921
 14.Qa4 Qc8. Obviously White is un-able to take on a7 this time. 15.Bb2 Ra8=
C) 11.Ba3?!

Position after: 11.Ba3?!

I think this is too committal, both for the bishop and the a2-pawn, which can no longer advance. We
can start our counterplay: 11...g5 12.c5 Be6! Stopping any ideas on the light-squared diagonal, and
intending a quick ...d6−d5 if possible. 13.cxd6 [13.c6?! b6 14.Bb2 f4 15.Ne1 d5 16.a4 Ng6µ 0-1 (24)
Tokarev, I (2295) – Matinian, N (2478), Kazan 2014] 13...cxd6

Position after: 13...cxd6

922
 14.Nd2 [14.Qd2 Even if White keeps an eye on the e5-pawn, he won’t be able to prevent ...d6−d5 for
long. 14...Ng6 15.Rfc1 Rf7³] 14...d5 15.Qb3 Re8! 16.Rfc1 Qd7³.
D) 11.c5?! Be6 12.cxd6 [12.Ba3 g5 See 11.Ba3.] 12...cxd6 13.a4 Rc8

Position after: 13...Rc8

14.Bb2 This happened in the game Hansen, T (2473) – Smirin, I (2642), Stockholm 2014, 0-1 (35). I
think Black should now do something on the kingside, e.g. 14...g5!?N 15.Rc1 Ng6 16.e3 Qd7³ with
...f5−f4 to follow very soon in order to play ...Be6−h3.
E) 11.Nd2!? g5

923
Position after: 11...g5

E1) 12.Ba3 a6! White would definitely like to play a4! 13.Qb3 axb5 14.cxb5+ Kh8 15.Nc4 f4ƒ
E2) 12.a4 Rb8 Compared to 12.Nd2 in the main line, we have played ...g5 instead of ...Be6, but the
character of the position remains the same. 13.a5 Be6 14.Qc2 Qe8

Position after: 14...Qe8

15.b6?! [15.a6!? b6 16.e3 f4 17.Bb2„] 15...axb6 16.axb6 c6 17.Ba3 Qd7 18.e3 f4µ 0-1 (29)
Movsziszian, K (2513) – Cvitan, O (2496), Bled 2018.
E3) 12.Qb3 Obviously, in comparison to 11.Qb3, we are no longer able to play ...Bc8−e6. On the
other hand, the knight is no longer on f3, so we can more easily put our king on h8, without having
to fear any Nh4-ideas. 12...Kh8 13.Nd5 [13.a4 Rb8 14.Ba3 Be6 15.Nd5 f4=] 13...Nexd5 14.cxd5 f4
15.a4 Qe8

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Position after: 15...Qe8

16.Qc4?! [16.Ne4! was probably needed in order to trade knights, but this is still good for Black.
16...Qh5 17.Nxf6 Bxf6 18.Qc2 Rf7ƒ] This was seen in the game Dimitrov, R (2424) – Zherebukh,
Y (2629), Athens 2012, 0-1 (48). Now Black has a very dangerous move at his disposal: 16...Qh5!N
17.Qxc7 [17.Bf3 Ng4! 18.Bxg4 Bxg4 19.f3 Bh3 20.Rf2 Rf7µ The attack continues.] 17...fxg3

Position after: 17...fxg3

18.fxg3! [18.hxg3?? Ng4 19.Rd1 Qh2+ 20.Kf1 Ne3+ 21.Ke1 Nxg2+ 22.Kf1 Qh1#] 18...Bh3‚

925
 Black wants to trade the bishops quickly and follow with ...Ng4. The position is already of concern
for White.

11...Be6

Position after: 11...Be6

12.Ba3

A) 12.a5 Black also has many options. Anticipating problems on the long diagonal seems best.
12...Rb8!?

926
Position after: 12...Rb8!?

A1) 13.b6?! This was played in the game between the highest rated players to reach this position, but
I think that White is going in the wrong direction as it is easy to react in the center. 13...axb6
14.axb6 c6 15.c5

Position after: 15.c5

As in the game Michalik, P (2557) – Vojta, T (2350), Prague 2017, 0-1 (53). Now it’s probably best
to simply take the pawn: 15...dxc5! 16.Na4 Nd7 17.Ba3 e4! 18.dxe4 fxe4 19.Nd2 e3 20.fxe3 Nd5³.
A2) 13.Ba3 g5 14.c5 [14.Nd2 f4 15.a6 b6„] 14...b6! Immediately restricting White’s possibilities in
this area. 15.axb6 axb6 16.cxd6 cxd6 17.e4 [17.Na4?! f4 18.Nd2 d5 19.Qb3 Re8³ 0-1 (38)
Andreasson, I (2355) – Furhoff, J (2305), Sweden 1996] 17...g4 18.Nh4 f4! 19.f3 Qd7ƒ
B) 12.Nd2

927
Position after: 12.Nd2

B1) 12...Qc8!? This is always interesting in order to protect b7 and prepare ...Bh3, trading the light-
squared bishops. 13.e3 g5 14.Ba3 f4 15.exf4 exf4 16.Qe2!?

Position after: 16.Qe2!?

It seems that Black is in trouble with a number of hanging pieces, but he has a strong reply.
16...Nf5! 17.Bxb7 Nd4 18.Bxc8 Nxe2+ 19.Nxe2 Bxc8© Black’s bishops should provide him with
enough compensation.

928
 B2) 12...Rb8 13.a5 [13.Ba3 I think this move is too slow, as Black develops his initiative very
quickly. 13...f4 14.e3 Qd7‚] 13...c5!?N

Position after: 13...c5!?N

There are other possible moves such as ...g5 or an immediate ...f4, but this move seems effective in
stopping White’s activity on the queenside. If he wants to do anything there, he needs to take,
otherwise he won’t be able to open the position. 14.bxc6 bxc6 15.Rxb8 Qxb8 16.Ba3 Qc7 17.Qa4
Rb8 18.Rb1= Obviously the position is quite likely to end in a draw.

12...g5

12...Rc8

929
Position after: 12...Rc8

This was played by the great Kasparov, and has been the most played move ever since, but I don’t
necessarily consider it to be the strongest. I’ll give you a few moves of the game, but I prefer another
approach. 13.Nd2 b6 14.e3 [14.a5 g5 15.axb6 axb6 16.e3 Qd7 17.Qe2 f4=] 14...g5

Position after: 14...g5

15.d4?! Probably too direct. White should have started with a preparatory move such as Re1. 15...exd4
16.exd4 f4 17.Re1 Bg4! 18.Nf3 Qd7‚ 0-1 (30) Psakhis, L (2575) – Kasparov, G (2800), Murcia 1990.

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13.c5

A) 13.a5 Rb8 See 12.a5.

B) 13.Nd2 Rb8

Position after: 13...Rb8

Ding Liren reached this position in his youth. The game is far from perfect, but I’ll give it in order to
show you some attacking ideas. 14.Qb3 Ng6 15.Nd5 h5 16.Rfc1 b6?! Probably too weakening. Black
should have kept advancing his kingside pawns. 17.a5 h4 18.Bb4 hxg3 19.hxg3 Nh5 20.Ra1 f4

931
Position after: 20...f4

This kind of attack is really easy to play for Black. 21.Ne4 g4 22.axb6 axb6 23.Qd1?! The position is
difficult to play for White, but this move is too slow. 23...Bh6 24.Bd2 Rf7 25.Ra3

Position after: 25.Ra3

Now in Li, S (2512) – Ding, L (2395), Beijing 2008, 0-1 (43), the future star could have played the
superstrong move 25...Nh4!! 26.gxh4? [26.d4 Bxd5 27.cxd5 Nxg2 28.Kxg2 exd4µ] 26...Qxh4–+
White will collapse very quickly after ...g4−g3.

13...Rf7!

932
Position after: 13...Rf7!

14.e4

Trying to stop Black’s advance in the center.

14.Qd2 Ng6 15.cxd6 cxd6 16.Rfc1 g4 Life is so easy for Black in this kind of middlegame. 17.Ne1
h5µ 0-1 (43) Mgeladze, T (2400) – Olcum, A (2274), Kesan 2018.

14...f4

933
Position after: 14...f4

Black takes over the initiative on the kingside and White needs to react quickly.

15.gxf4

15.d4?! g4! 16.d5 Bd7 17.Nd2 dxc5 18.Bxc5 f3 19.Bh1 Nh7‚ Black is going to be threatening mate
soon.

15...gxf4 16.d4 Ng6 17.cxd6 cxd6 18.Rc1 Bg4 19.Qb3 Qd7=

The game is very tense and should be about equal.

934
 Conclusion

And so the time to conclude this book has come. I think I have fulfilled my goal of providing you with
a complete repertoire for Black with the Dutch Defense against 1.d4, 1.c4 and 1.Nf3! Of course, not all
the variations are of the same nature. I am very satisfied with the positional variations I offer against
White’s sidelines such as (1...f5) 2.Bg5 and 2.Nc3, and in Chapter 6 on 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bf4/g5. In these
chapters Black should focus not only on the main ideas, but also the move orders, which can sometimes
be very tricky for both sides.
In general I have been unwilling to let White call the shots, for instance in the Staunton Gambit, where
I offer the sideline 4...g6. Black should dictate the play! This is also the case in Chapter 5 on the c3 and
Nh3 ideas. It is often important to understand White’s ideas in order to counter them effectively.
But this book is not only about strategic play. In the main lines you will find many very sharp
variations, especially in the lines with 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3, where the play can become crazy very quickly -
it’s one of the rare occasions in the book where we talk about attacks with opposite side castling. Of
course, not only this variation, but also the ones in Chapters 8 and 10 dealing with White’s main
weapons, require thorough memorization of the lines. Accurate play is needed, and the ice under your
feet is sometimes very thin.
The positions arising from the English and Reti move orders are very diverse. It’s particularly
important to understand the different move orders in these openings, since they can sometimes
transpose to 1.d4 systems.
My aim throughout has been to give variations where Black can play for a win, not just defend
passively, as can be the case in other openings. You need to bear in mind that you are playing a very
ambitious system, aimed at winning with the black pieces. However I have also chosen lines where
Black doesn’t go all-in, and where the positional play is generally sound.
I hope this repertoire will suit you, and that you will enjoy it, and employ it, with a lot of success!

935
Table of Contents
Title page 4
Key to Symbols 5
Bibliography 6
Preface 7
Chapter 1 – The Staunton Gambit 9
Part 1 50
Part 2 87
Chapter 3 – The Göring Attack 2.Bg5 126
Chapter 7 – Lines with an Early b4 447
Chapter 9 – The Aggressive 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 593
Part 3 747
Chapter 11 – The Leningrad Dutch versus the Reti 793
Conclusion 935

936