The Modernized Marshall Attack - Milos Pavlovic

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Table of Contents Title page Key to Symbols Preface

PART I – The Marshall Attack with d4 Chapter 1 – Minor lines Chapter 2 – 15.Re4 Chapter 3 – 15.Be3 Chapter 4 – 15.Qe2 PART II – The Marshall Attack with d3 Chapter 5 – 13...Qh4 Chapter 6 – 13...Bf5 14.Qf3 Qf6 Chapter 7 – 13...Bf5 14.Qf3 Qh4 Chapter 8 – 13...Bf5 14.Qf3 Re8 PART III – The Anti-Marshall Chapter 9 – Alternatives after 8.c3 d5 Chapter 10 – 8.h3 Chapter 11 – 8.d3 Chapter 12 – 8.d4 Chapter 13 – 8.a4 b4 9.d3 Chapter 14 – 8.a4 b4 9.d4

Appendix – The Exchange Variation

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The Modernized Marshall Attack by Milos Pavlovic Thinkers Publishing 2020

www.thinkerspublishing.com First edition 2020 by Thinkers Publishing Copyright © 2020 Milos Pavlovic 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: Jamie Horton Software: Hub van de Laar Cover Design: Iwan Kerkhof Graphic Artist: Philippe Tonnard Production: BESTinGraphics ISBN: 9789492510853 D/2020/13730/05

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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

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Preface I think that nowadays it is pretty much common knowledge that the inventor of the Marshall Attack was the legendary grandmaster Frank Marshall. He famously played it for the first time in a game against Capablanca in Manhattan in 1918. Capablanca was able to pick his way through the complications and win that game, but despite its inauspicious beginnings the idea has not only survived but thrived in tournament play. The former world champion, Boris Spassky, reinvented the opening in his match against Mikhail Tal in 1965, and since then the Marshall Attack has been a key weapon in the Black arsenal against the Ruy Lopez. Indeed, today it is commonly considered as one of the top three best openings against 1.e4, along with the Berlin Defence and the Najdorf Sicilian. The list of famous players who have used and continue to use the Marshall is long indeed, with notable names being Nunn, Leko, Aronian, Svidler, and many others. I have noticed that Ding Liren is including the Marshall in his repertoire at the very highest levels. On a personal note, my knowledge of the Marshall helped me to become a grandmaster and has allowed me to play some of my best games. This book is about the Marshall Attack and the lines which can be grouped together under the banner of the so-called Anti-Marshall. The theory has developed so much in the last decade that there is more than enough material to be going on with just in those areas, but I also decided to include a detailed look at an important line in the Exchange Variation. Black’s key concept in the Marshall is giving up a central pawn in return for activity, and I have tried to give as many lines as possible which adhere closely to this principle. Why is this so significant? Well, for starters, usually in the Ruy Lopez Black is looking for long, slow games in solid, closed positions. The Marshall flips this on its head and Black tries to accelerate the play and radically change the character of the game at an early stage. Let’s briefly discuss the material of the book itself and the lines that I have decided to give. First of all, I started off with the standard Marshall Attack, after the initial moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5. I have given direct analysis wherever possible and I have tried to cover all the essential lines. Of course, with the passing of the years and the continual development of theory we can see how the popularity of some positions has shifted and, in some cases, how certain lines have simply been rendered obsolete. I also discovered, to my surprise, that there are still new, unexplored, and interesting paths for further analysis. Let’s have a look at some of the key positions for getting to grips with this system. A1) After 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 (the modern move order did actually originate with Frank Marshall, even if he used 11...Nf6 in the stem game) we have a number of options. A2) 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4!? g5 16.Qf1 Qh5 17.f3 White is simply looking to maintain the position of the rook on e4 for as long as possible. A3) 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Be3 Bg4 16.Qd3 Rae8 17.Nd2 Qh5 This is the so-called main line and is another important set-up to know.

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A4) 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5 14.Qf3 Qh4 (there is also the less popular 14...Re8) Today this is considered to be a critical test and Black needs to be aware of the ideas and subtleties. Obviously, this does not encompass the entirety of the book, and many other ideas are presented. Taken together, the lines in this book give a clear and up-to-date picture of the state of contemporary chess theory on this entire system. It is important to be aware of one key point, namely that in the lines mentioned above you simply have to know exact moves, it is not enough to just have a vague grasp of the ideas. This level of precision is not required for the other parts of the book, except for one other line, which is: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d5. There are many forced lines in this variation as well, so exact knowledge is important in order to successfully navigate the complications. The rest of the lines in the book tend to be more typical and well-known, and White generally tries to adopt slower set-ups in order to steer the game into calmer waters. These lines can be said to have more of the “traditional” Ruy Lopez characteristics. B) The line that begins 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.a4 is both a significant try and also a very popular choice at all levels. This set-up has always been an attractive option for White players who want to avoid the sharp theory battles. There are not so many forced lines in this variation and the game takes on a much more positional edge. A careful study of these lines will reveal many interesting positional elements that are definitely worth knowing. C) Another important set-up is the one after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.d4 d6 9.c3 Bg4. This line can also be seen against the regular Ruy Lopez, and many players with the white pieces prefer to explore the more open type of play that generally results. There are two main ideas, 10.d5 and 10.Be3. Both lead to interesting positions that merit (and reward!) deep understanding. The learning material presented in this book will undoubtedly help players of practically all strengths to really get to grips with the Marshall and the Ruy Lopez in general.

Milos Pavlovic Belgrade 2020

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Part I The Marshall Attack with d4 Chapter 1 Minor lines 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6

Chapter Guide Chapter 1 – Minor lines 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 a) 12.Re1 Bd6 13.g3 b) 12.Bxd5 cxd5 13.d4 Bd6 14.Re3 c) 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re2 a) 12.Re1 Bd6 13.g3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6

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Position after: 11...c6 This is the modern approach to the Marshall. It was actually suggested by Frank Marshall himself, though in the famous stem game against José Raúl Capablanca he chose 11...Nf6. The ex-World Champion Boris Spassky enjoyed success with this line against Mikhail Tal, and since then the Marshall Attack against the Ruy Lopez has received very serious attention. Nowadays it is commonly considered as one of the top 3 systems against 1.e4. 12.Re1 Bd6 13.g3

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Position after: 13.g3 This is an interesting line. If Black now plays 13...Qd7 then White is probably hoping for 14.d3 Qh3 15.Re4. 13...Bf5! A strong answer to this 13.g3 line. Black also has other alternatives which promise good compensation for his invested pawn. 14.d4 Qd7 15.Be3 Rae8 16.Nd2 Bg4

Position after: 16...Bg4 This is the critical position for this line. White has two main options here, both of which can transpose to the same thing. There are some slight differences to be aware of, but Black has good play in either case. 17.Qc2 17.Qb1 Re7 A logical response which seems to demonstrate that the white queen is somewhat misplaced. 18.Ne4 [18.Bg5 Rxe1+ 19.Qxe1 Re8 20.Be3 h5 With compensation due to the attacking chances and the awkward placement of the white pieces.] 18...Rfe8

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Position after: 18...Rfe8 White has a few possibilities here but none of them lead to anything in particular. 19.Bc2 [19.Nxd6 Qxd6 20.Qd3 Qf6 21.Bc2 g6 22.Qd2 Bh3 23.Bd3 Qf3 24.Bf1 Bxf1 25.Rxf1 h5 Black has a fine game. Fridel, J. – Milman, L. ICC USCL 2007; after 19.Bd2 Black has the strong shot of 19...Bf4! 20.gxf4 Bf3 21.Qd3 Qg4+ 22.Ng3 Rxe1+ 23.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 24.Bxe1 Nxf4 and Black is better.] 19...h6 20.Bd3 Bf3 21.Nxd6 Qxd6 22.Qc2 Nf4 23.gxf4 Re4 24.Bxe4 ½-½ (24) Ivanov, V – Boldysh, K corr. 2008 If we continue the line a little further... 24...Rxe4 25.Kf1 Qg6 26.Rec1 Qg2+ 27.Ke1 Rxe3+ 28.fxe3 Qg1+ 29.Kd2 Qg2+ 30.Ke1 Qg1+ ... we see that the game peters out to a draw. 17...Nxe3!?

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Position after: 17...Nxe3!? 18.fxe3 18.Rxe3 is not as accurate. 18...Rxe3 19.fxe3 c5 20.Qc1 Re8 21.Qe1 Qe7 22.Qf2 c4 23.Bd1 Bxd1 24.Rxd1 Qxe3 25.Qxe3 Rxe3 26.Kf2 Rd3 27.Ke2 f5 28.a4 f4 Black has good counterplay here. 18...c5

Position after: 18...c5 11

Now there is an obvious threat of ...c4. 19.a4 19.Qc1 h5 20.Bd1 cxd4

Position after: 20...cxd4 21.cxd4 [21.Bxg4? Qxg4 Inviting the queen directly over to the kingside is asking for immediate trouble. 22.exd4 Bxg3 23.hxg3 Qxg3+ 24.Kh1 Qh3+ 25.Kg1 Re6 26.Rxe6 fxe6 Black wins.] 21...h4 22.Bxg4 Qxg4 23.Qd1 Qg6 24.Qf3 hxg3 25.hxg3 Bxg3 Once again, Black has a promising attack.

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Position after: 25...Bxg3 19...c4 20.Ba2 Qc7 21.Nf1 Bf3!

Position after: 21...Bf3! 22.e4 f5 23.e5 Bb7! The queen on c6 will now be a serious asset. 24.h3 Qc6 25.Qh2 f4

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Position after: 25...f4 Black has a strong attack. White is under real pressure on the kingside. b) 12.Bxd5 cxd5 13.d4 Bd6 14.Re3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.Bxd5 cxd5 13.d4 Bd6 14.Re3

Position after: 14.Re3 14

This old line doesn’t hold any danger for Black and there are many reasonable ways to secure full compensation. As will be apparent throughout to those familiar with developments in Marshall theory, in this work I have decided to give different ideas (as far as possible) to my previous book on the Marshall. 14...Qh4 Another independent idea is: 14...a5!? 15.Nd2 b4 16.Nf3 bxc3 17.Rxc3 Bf5 Where the bishop pair and the pressure on the queenside give Black adequate play for his pawn.

Position after: 17...Bf5 18.Ne5 [18.Be3 a4 19.Rac1 Rb8 20.Qxa4 Rxb2 21.h3 Qa8 22.Qxa8 Rxa8 23.Rc6 Bf8 Both sides have equal chances here – the bishop pair is highly effective on the empty looking board.] 18...Qb8

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Position after: 18...Qb8 A) 19.Bf4 Qxb2 20.Rb3 Qc2 21.Qxc2 Bxc2

Position after: 21...Bxc2 22.Rb6 [Attempting to take the d5-pawn is not a good plan: 22.Rb5 Rfd8 23.Rxd5 Be4 and Black is better.] 22...Bb8 23.Be3 Re8 24.Rc1 Bf5 25.Nc6 Bd6 26.Rb5 a4 27.Rxd5 Ba3 28.Rc3 Bb2ƒ Black has managed to whip up enough play. B) 19.Rb3 Qc7 20.Qf3 Bxe5 21.dxe5 Qxe5 22.Bf4 Qe6 23.Re3 Qd7 The position is equal. 16

15.h3 Qf4 16.Re5 Qf6 17.Re1 Qg6 18.Qf3 h6!?

Position after: 18...h6!? An intriguing waiting move. We will investigate a little further. 19.Nd2 A) 19.Bf4 Bxf4 20.Qxf4 Bxh3 21.Qg3 Qc2 Black has no issues. B) 19.Be3 Ra7! 20.Nd2 Re7 21.Nf1 Rfe8 After the classy rook manoeuvre Black has nice prospects. C) 19.Qxd5 Bxh3 Black is simply better. 19...Bf5

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Position after: 19...Bf5 20.Nf1 20.Nb3 Rae8 21.Rxe8 Rxe8 22.Be3 Re4!? 23.Nc5 Rh4 24.Kf1 Kh7 The black counterplay seems very strong in this case. 25.Rc1 [25.Qxd5? is met by 25...Bxc5 and Black is better.] 25...a5 The compensation is obvious here. 20...Rae8 21.Bd2 Bc7!

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Position after: 21...Bc7! Black opens up the possibility of a later ...Qd6 to directly target the white king. 22.Ng3 22.Rxe8 Rxe8 23.Re1 Rxe1 24.Bxe1 Be6

Position after: 24...Be6 Now the pressure along the b1-h7 diagonal is even more pronounced. 25.Bd2 Qb1 26.b4 Qxa2 27.Bf4 Bd8 Black is fine here. 22...Be4 23.Qg4 Qd6 ...f5 is coming so... 24.Nxe4 dxe4 25.g3 f5 26.Qh5 Qc6

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Position after: 26...Qc6 Black has once again established a nice grip on the position in return for his sacrificed pawn. c) 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re2 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re2

Position after: 13.Re2 20

This line is not very common these days. It was much more popular in the past, and I faced it in a few tournament games. The idea is simply to improve the positioning of the rook in case Black decides to go ...Qh4. 13...Bf5!?

Position after: 13...Bf5!? Wherever I have found suitable, and am reasonably able to, I have decided to give a new path compared to my book from 2008. This particular line is one such example. Of course, I must note that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the usual and strong 13...Bg4 given in my old book. 14.Nd2 White does have other options: A) 14.Bxd5 This is a typical reaction in this line. 14...cxd5 15.Nd2 Bg4!? 16.f3 Bd7 17.Nf1 b4 18.cxb4 Qb8

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Position after: 18...Qb8 A1) 19.a3 Bb5 20.Re1 Bxf1 21.Kxf1 Bxh2 22.Qd3 [After 22.Be3 a5 Black has enough play.] 22...Bg3 23.Re2 Qd6 24.Bd2 Rfe8 25.Rc1 Qf6ƒ Black has sufficient counterplay thanks to the weakened white kingside and his superior bishop. A2) 19.a4!? Bxb4 20.b3 Rc8 21.Ba3 Bxa3 22.Rxa3 Qb4 23.Ra1 Rc3 24.Ne3 Be6 With equal chances. B) 14.Bc2 Bxc2 15.Rxc2 Qh4

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Position after: 15...Qh4 White has two possible ideas here: B1) 16.h3 Qe4 17.Re2 [17.Nd2 Qd3! Black sets up a highly annoying pin and is better.] 17...Qg6 18.a4 Rae8 19.axb5 axb5 20.Na3 Rxe2 21.Qxe2 Ra8 22.Nc2 Rxa1 23.Nxa1 Qb1 24.Nb3 Nxc3 25.Qe8+ Bf8 26.bxc3 Qxb3 27.Bf4 Qd5 28.Bc7 h5 29.Ba5 Qe6 The dust settles and Black has reached an equal endgame. B2) 16.g3 Qh3

Position after: 16...Qh3 17.Nd2 [17.c4 bxc4 18.Rxc4 Rae8 19.Rxc6 Re6 20.Nc3 Nxc3 21.Rxc3 Bb4 22.Be3 Bxc3 23.bxc3 Rc6 24.Qd3 Qc8 25.Rc1 Rc4 White has two pawns for the exchange, but the c3-pawn is weak and therefore we can say that Black has the better chances.] 17...f5 18.c4 Nf6 19.c5 Bc7 20.f4 Rfe8 21.Nf3 Qh5 22.Qf1 Re4 23.Rg2 h6 24.Bd2 Rae8 25.a4 Qf7 26.axb5 axb5 27.Ra7 R8e7 28.h3 Kh7 With his slightly safer king and strong grip on the e-file Black has very decent counterplay. 14...Nf4 15.Re3 Qg5

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Position after: 15...Qg5 16.g3 The alternative is: 16.Qf1 Qg6 17.Nf3 Bd3 18.Nh4 Qg4 19.Rxd3 Nxd3 20.Qxd3 Qxh4 21.g3 Qf6 22.Be3 Rfe8 Again we can see that Black is doing OK. 16...Qg6

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Position after: 16...Qg6 It seems that Black has sufficient counterplay here. Let’s explore a little further down the line... 17.Nf3 17.a4 Nh3+ 18.Kg2 Bf4 19.Nf3 Bxe3 20.Bxe3 Bg4 21.Qb1 Bf5 22.Qd1 Bg4 Is a possible way for the game to end peacefully. 17...Bg4

Position after: 17...Bg4 18.Nh4 18.Bc2 Qh5 19.gxf4 Bxf4 20.Rd3 Bc7 21.h3 Rae8 22.hxg4 Qxg4+ 23.Kf1 Qh3+ 24.Kg1 Qg4+ Yet another draw by perpetual check. 18...Qh5 19.f3 Bd7 20.Re4 Nh3+ 21.Kg2 g5

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Position after: 21...g5 22.Qe1 White doesn’t really have any time for waiting around here. He needs to act quickly in the face of Black’s aggressive build-up. A) 22.Bd2 Kh8 leads to a nice initiative for Black. B) 22.a4 Kh8 23.axb5 cxb5 [One possible attractive line is: 23...gxh4 24.Rxh4 Qxh4!? 25.gxh4 Rg8+

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Position after: 25...Rg8+ 26.Bg5 Nxg5 27.hxg5 Rxg5+ 28.Kf2 Rxb5 29.Bxf7 Rxb2+ 30.Kg1 Bh3 leading to a position with equal chances.] 24.d5 Rae8 25.Rxa6 Bc5 Black is better. 22...Kh8 23.g4 Qxh4 24.Qxh4 gxh4 25.Kxh3 f5

Position after: 25...f5 26.Re5 fxg4+ 27.fxg4 Rf3+ 28.Kxh4 Bxe5 29.dxe5 Re8 30.Bh6 Rxe5 31.Rd1 Rf6 32.Bg5 Rg6 33.Rxd7 Rexg5

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Position after: 33...Rexg5 This is just one possible idea. Our analysis demonstrates that Black has more then enough resources to find counterplay in this line.

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Chapter 2 15.Re4 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4

Chapter Guide Chapter 2 – 15.Re4 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5 a) 16.Nd2, 16.Qf3 b) 16.Qe1, 16.Qe2 c) 16.Qf1 Qh5 17.f3 Bf5 18.Nd2 Rae8 19.-d) 16.Qf1 Qh5 17.f3 Bf5 18.Nd2 Rae8 19.a4 a) 16.Nd2, 16.Qf3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 We are entering the main line of the Marshall Gambit.

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12...Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4

Position after: 15.Re4 This is a very important and complex line. Its popularity has changed over the decades, and it promises interesting and far from straightforward chess. At first glance the position of the rook on e4 appears clumsy, and an easy target for the f-pawn, the bishop, and perhaps even the knight. The exposed placement of this rook is actually key to White’s whole set-up, which revolves around a rather unusual defensive strategy. 15...g5 This has been considered to be the best try for Black for many decades. 16.Nd2 Another option for White is venturing out with the queen. This is not especially popular, but it is playable and crops up from time to time. 16.Qf3

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Position after: 16.Qf3 Previously this was a main line, but it seems that Black has more than adequate play here. 16...Bf5 17.Bc2 Bxe4 18.Bxe4 Qe6 19.Bxg5 f5 20.Bd3 f4 21.Qe4 Qd7!?N

Position after: 21...Qd7!?N This simple retreat is actually a novelty! Furthermore, it is not easy to find a good move for White here. [In my previous book I suggested: 21...Qf7 but that only leads to equal play.] 22.Nd2 Rae8 23.Qh1 [23.Qg2 Qg4 24.Bh6 f3 25.Qf1 Rf6 simply wins for Black.] 23...Qg7 24.Bh4 f3 31

Position after: 24...f3 The queen is trapped on h1 and, lest we forget, Black is also an exchange up! 25.Be4 [25.Nxf3 Qf7 ends the game on the spot.] 25...Qh6

Position after: 25...Qh6 Now Black has various threats at his disposal, and the queen on h1 looks rather silly. 26.Bxd5+ [26.Rd1 Ne3! 27.Ra1 Nc4 28.Nxc4 Rxe4 29.Nxd6 Re2 30.Rf1 Qd2 Black will follow up with ...Re1 and mate!] 26...cxd5 27.Nxf3 Re2 28.Qg2 Qg6 29.Ne5 Bxe5 30.dxe5 Rxe5 31.Rf1 Qd3 32

Position after: 31...Qd3 White has two pawns for the exchange, but the black heavy pieces dominate the board and Black stands better. 16...f5

Position after: 16...f5 17.Re3 33

The rook has three available squares, but none of them are particularly good: A) 17.Re2 f4 18.Qf1 Qh5 19.Ne4 Bh3 Black wins. 0-1 (33) Carlsson, D (2299) – Deltin, J (2136) Sweden 2000 B) 17.Re1 f4 18.Qe2 Bg4 19.Qd3 fxg3 20.fxg3

Position after: 20.fxg3 20...Rf2! Another nice miniature for Black. 0-1 Al Sayed, M (2486) – Kaplan, S (2402) Bad Wiessee 2006

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Position after: 17.Re3 17...Kh8 It is possible to chuck the f-pawn down the board immediately: 17...f4 18.gxf4 Qh6

Position after: 18...Qh6 19.Bxd5+ [19.Rg3 Bxf4 20.Ne4 Bxg3 21.hxg3 Ra7 22.Bxg5 Qg6 Black is better.] 19...cxd5 20.Qb3 gxf4 21.Re5 Bxe5 22.Qxd5+ Be6 23.Qxe5 Rae8 24.Ne4 Rf5 Yet another example of a speedy win for Black. 0-1 (27) Giaccio, A (2462) – Vescovi, G (2592) Sao Paulo 2006 18.Bxd5 cxd5 19.Qf1 Qh6 20.f4 gxf4 21.gxf4 Bxf4 22.Rh3 Qg5+

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Position after: 22...Qg5+ A quick search of the database reveals a not insignificant number of extremely rapid Black wins from this point. 23.Qg2 23.Kh1 Bxd2 24.Rg3 Qh6 25.Rh3 Bxc1 26.Rxh6 Bxh6 27.Re1 f4 28.Re7 Bf5 29.Kg1 Be4 30.Kf2 Rg8 31.Qh3 Rg6 White’s position is hopeless here. 0-1 Xu, H (2168) – Wang, X (2041) Kecskemet 2012 23...Be3+ 24.Kh1 Qxg2+ 25.Kxg2 f4 26.Rh4 Rg8+ 27.Kf3 Rg1 28.Nb3 Rf1+ 29.Kg2 Rf2+ 30.Kh1 Bf5 31.Bxe3 fxe3 32.Re1 Rg8

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Position after: 32...Rg8 Black chalks up another victim. 0-1 McDonald, N (2405) – Emms, J (2487) Southend 2009 b) 16.Qe1, 16.Qe2 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5

Position after: 15...g5 37

16.Qe1 A slightly more sophisticated idea compared to the 16.Qe2 line. 16.Qe2 This is a well-known sideline which leads to a more or less forced draw. 16...f5 17.Bxd5+ cxd5 18.Re6 f4 19.Rxd6 Bg4 20.Qf1 Qxf1+ 21.Kxf1 Rae8 22.Bd2 Bh3+ 23.Kg1 fxg3 24.hxg3 Re2

Position after: 24...Re2 A) Attempting to play for a win doesn’t bring White anything due to Black’s great activity: 25.Rh6 Rexf2 26.Na3 Rg2+ 27.Kh1 Rxd2 28.Rxh3 Rff2

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Position after: 28...Rff2 29.Rb1 Kg7 30.g4 Kg6 31.Rg3 h5 32.gxh5+ Kxh5 33.Rh3+ Kg6 Despite being a piece down Black is doing OK. The a3-knight is shut out of the game. ½-½ (62) Corrales Jimenez, F (2586) – Brunello, S (2460) Bergamo 2009 B) 25.Be3 Rxe3 26.fxe3 Rf1+ 27.Kh2 g4 28.a4 Rf2+ 29.Kg1 Rf1+ 30.Kh2 This is not the only game that has ended in a draw like this. ½-½ (30) Mista, A (2597) – Miton, K (2596) Czech Republic 2018

Position after: 30.Kh2 16...f5 17.Bxd5+ An important intermediate move. 17.Re6? Bxe6 18.Qxe6+ Kh8 19.Qxd6 Rae8

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Position after: 19...Rae8 Black is simply winning. Notice the lack of piece protection for the white king. 17...cxd5 18.Re6 Bc7

Position after: 18...Bc7 Once again Black asks the question of what White is going to do about the straightforward attacking idea of ...f4. Let’s have a look. 40

19.Rc6 A) 19.Nd2 f4 20.Re8 Bd7 21.Rxa8 Rxa8 22.Qf1 Re8! 23.Qxh3 Bxh3 24.Nf3 Re2 White is under heavy pressure. B) Taking a pawn is always an important option to consider. 19.Bxg5 f4 20.Rf6 Bg4 21.Rxf8+ Rxf8 22.Nd2 Qh5 23.Bh4 Re8 24.Qf1 Re2

Position after: 24...Re2 25.f3! Rxd2 26.fxg4 Qxg4 27.Re1 f3 28.Re8+ Kf7 29.Re7+ Kf8 30.Rxc7 Rd1 31.Qxd1 f2+ 32.Kxf2 Qxd1 The queen is a bit stronger than the rook and bishop here. 19...Bxg3!

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Position after: 19...Bxg3! Black detonates the white kingside. This is an important motif to be aware of. 20.fxg3 20.hxg3 f4 21.Qe5 f3 22.Qxd5+ Kh8 23.Qe5+ Kg8 24.Qxg5+ Kh8 25.Qe5+ Kg8 White must force the draw by perpetual. 20...f4

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Position after: 20...f4 21.Qe5 21.Nd2 Bg4 22.gxf4 Rae8 23.Qg3 Rxf4! Black crashes through again and wins. 21...f3 22.Qxg5+ Kh8 23.Qe5+ Kg8 24.Qxd5+ Kh8

Position after: 24...Kh8 Another draw by repetition. c) 16.Qf1 Qh5 17.f3 Bf5 18.Nd2 Rae8 19.-1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5 16.Qf1

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Position after: 16.Qf1 Nowadays this is held to be one of the main attempts for White, and deservedly so. This is White’s best defensive strategy by far in this line, and it involves a readiness to sac an exchange. 16...Qh5 17.f3 17.Nd2 Bf5 18.f3 leads to the same position. [The alternative is actually quite interesting: 18.Bd1!? Qg6 19.Re1 Rae8 20.Nf3 Bd3 21.Qg2 f6 22.Bd2 Re4 23.a4 Rfe8 24.axb5 axb5 25.Bb3 Qf5 and Black has enough play here. ½-½ (41) Lobanov, S (2526) – Esipenko, A (2603) Moscow 2019] 17...Bf5 18.Nd2 Rae8

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Position after: 18...Rae8 This is the starting position for this line. Now, apart from the main idea of 19.a4 (which will be dealt with in the next subchapter), White has a couple of interesting tries that all deserve some serious analysis. 19.Qf2 A) 19.Bd1 Bf4! Black ups the ante.

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Position after: 19...Bf4! A1) 20.Rxe8 Rxe8 21.Ne4 Bh3 There is now a further split.

Position after: 21...Bh3 22.Qe2 [22.Qf2 Rxe4 23.Bxf4 Rxf4! 24.gxf4 gxf4 25.Be2 Ne3 26.Bf1 Bxf1 27.Rxf1 Nxf1 28.Kxf1 Kf8= This leads to an equal endgame.] 22...f5 23.gxf4 gxf4 24.Bxf4 fxe4 25.Bg3 exf3 26.Qxf3 Qg6 27.Bb3 h5 28.Bxd5+ cxd5 29.Kh1 Bf5 30.Qxd5+ Re6 31.Qa8+ Re8 32.Qd5+ Re6= Neither side is able to make progress and so the game naturally ends in a draw. A2) 20.gxf4 Taking a piece can definitely be regarded as critical. 20...gxf4

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Position after: 20...gxf4 21.Kh1 [Some alternatives are: 21.Nb3 Bh3 22.Qe2 f5 23.Re5 Qg6+ 24.Kf2 Kf7 25.Ke1 Qg1+ 26.Kd2 Ne3 and Black wins; 21.Be2 Bh3 22.Qf2 Qg6+ 23.Kh1 Ne3 24.Bf1 Nxf1 25.Nxf1 Rxe4 26.fxe4 Qxe4+= and we reach another draw by repetition.] 21...Ne3 22.Qe2 Qg5

Position after: 22...Qg5 The complications are fantastic! It seems that the position still maintains a tenuous balance. 23.Rxf4!? [Saving the rook is not optimal, as after: 23.Re5 Rxe5 24.dxe5 Bd3 25.Ne4 Bxe2 47

26.Nxg5 Nxd1 Black has an edge.] 23...Qxf4 24.Nf1 Nxd1 25.Qg2+ Qg4!

Position after: 25...Qg4! A stunning rejoinder! 26.fxg4 Be4 27.Bh6 Bxg2+ 28.Kxg2 Re2+ 29.Kg1 Nxb2 30.Ng3 Rfe8 31.Nxe2 Rxe2 Black is at least equal. B) 19.Rxe8 Rxe8 20.Ne4 Bxe4 21.fxe4 Rxe4 22.Bd1 g4

Position after: 22...g4

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Here we reach another important position for illustrating the defensive possibilities open to White. White’s bishop pair will face off against Black’s extremely active pieces. 23.a4 c5 24.axb5 axb5 25.Bb3 c4

Position after: 25...c4 Again here we have a fork in the road, though both avenues lead to similar-looking positions: 26.Bd1 [26.Bc2 Re6 27.Qf2 Rf6 28.Qg2 Re6 29.Be4 Nf6 30.Bc6 Re1+ 31.Kf2 Re6 32.Bd2 Qf5+ 33.Kg1 Qd3 34.Re1 b4 35.Rxe6 fxe6 Black is OK here.] 26...Re6 27.Ra7 Nf6 28.Bc2 Ne4 Black’s well-placed pieces and the airy white king give Black excellent counterplay. 19...Bxe4

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Position after: 19...Bxe4 This is a critical test. 20.Nxe4!? This logical move was not played in the game but it jumped out at me in my analysis. Establishing a strong centralised knight is an important motif for White in some of these positions. 20.fxe4 f5 21.e5 f4! This is the same idea as in the So – Tomashevsky game that we will see in the next subchapter.

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Position after: 21...f4! 22.Qf3 would lead to the same position as that game, and taking the piece is inadvisable. [22.exd6 Re2 23.Bd1 f3! Black should win from here.] 20...Be7

Position after: 20...Be7 21.g4 21.Bd2 White can also try to develop first before taking action on the kingside. 21...f5 22.Nc5 Bxc5 23.dxc5 g4!?

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Position after: 23...g4!? 24.c4 [24.f4 Re4 is no problem for Black. The white dark-squared bishop is somewhat hemmed in.] 24...bxc4 25.Bxc4 gxf3 26.Rf1 f4! 27.gxf4 Re4 28.b3 Rxc4 29.bxc4 Nxf4 30.Bxf4 Rxf4 31.Kh1 Qh3 Black has given back the exchange and is by no means worse. 21...Qg6 22.Bc2 Leaping the knight to the tasty-looking f5-square is tempting but it should not worry Black: 22.Ng3 Bd6 23.Nf5 Re6 and Black is better. 22...Qh6

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Position after: 22...Qh6 23.h4!? The alternative 23.Ng3 might also be dangerous for White after 23...Bd6 24.Bd2 Bf4 25.Be4 Kh8 26.Rc1 Bxd2 27.Qxd2 Nf4∞ with some complications. 23...f5! It is crucial to play actively. 23...Qxh4 24.Qxh4 gxh4 25.Bh6 Looks to be somewhat better for White. 24.hxg5 Qh3 25.gxf5 Rxf5 26.Ng3

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Position after: 26.Ng3 26...Rxf3! 27.Bxh7+ Qxh7 28.Qxf3 Bd6 29.Nh5 Qc2 30.Bf4 Bxf4 31.Nxf4 Qxb2 32.Rf1 Qxc3 33.Qf2 Qe3

Position after: 33...Qe3 We have arrived at a roughly equal endgame where the white pawns will probably be slightly more vulnerable. This is an interesting line but it seems that Black is holding his own.

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d) 16.Qf1 Qh5 17.f3 Bf5 18.Nd2 Rae8 19.a4 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5 16.Qf1 Qh5 17.f3 Bf5 18.Nd2 Rae8 19.a4 Probing at the queenside and seeking to activate the a1-rook is another logical plan for White. Black now has two viable alternatives.

Position after: 19.a4 19...Bxe4 This is the standard reply but we will see that things are far from simple for Black. 19...b4!? This intriguing idea may well be Black’s best try. 20.c4 [White can also attempt: 20.Rxe8 Rxe8 21.Ne4 Bxe4 22.fxe4 Rxe4 23.Bd1 g4 24.Bd2 bxc3 25.bxc3 Ne3 26.Qe1 Bf8!

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Position after: 26...Bf8! This nice move leads to unclear play. Black intends to put his bishop on h6.] 20...Nf6 21.c5 Bc7 22.Rxe8 Rxe8 23.Bc4 g4

Position after: 23...g4 It appears to me that Black has sufficient counterplay here for his sacrificed pawn. Black has some important plus points in his favour, including control of the e-file, the potential use of the e4- and d5squares, and the weak d4-pawn to target. 24.Ne4 [24.f4 Nd5 25.Qf2 Qg6 26.Nf1 Bd3 27.f5!? 56

Position after: 27.f5!? White gives up a pawn in order to free the strong f4-square for his bishop. 27...Bxf5 28.Bxd5 cxd5 29.Bf4 Bxf4 30.Qxf4 Bd7 31.Qd2 a5 The position can still be classed as equal.] 24...Nxe4 25.fxe4 Bxe4 26.Bf4 Bxf4 27.Qxf4 Bd5!

Position after: 27...Bd5! After a series of exchanges we come to a position which seems to be fine for Black. 28.Bxa6 [28.Bxd5 Qxd5 29.Qxg4+ White takes a pawn with check, but Black retains his grip on the e-file and 57

has good play. 29...Kf8 30.Rf1 a5 31.Rf4 Re1+ 32.Kf2 Qh1 Black is very active and is fine. ½-½ (41) CoffeeOne – Dovahkiin Infinity Chess (blitz) 2015] 28...Qg6

Position after: 28...Qg6 Black sets up the straightforward idea of landing the queen on c2. White has a few ideas but none of them promise any sort of edge. 29.Bf1 [29.Qd2 Qe4 30.Qg5+ Kf8 Another perpetual raises its head. 31.Qh6+ Kg8 32.Qg5+ Kf8=; 29.Rc1 Ra8 30.Bf1 Rxa4 31.Rd1 h6 32.Bd3 Qg5 33.Qxg5+ hxg5 Black is once again fine.] 29...Qc2 30.Qf2 Qe4 31.Bg2 Qxg2+ 32.Qxg2 Bxg2 33.Kxg2 Re2+ 34.Kg1 Rxb2 35.a5 b3 36.a6 Ra2! Just in time!

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Position after: 36...Ra2! 37.Rb1 Rxa6 38.Rxb3 Ra4 39.Rb6 Rxd4 The endgame is equal. 20.Nxe4!? 20.fxe4 f5!

Position after: 20...f5! 21.e5 [Taking the piece is asking to be blown away on the kingside: 21.exd5 f4 22.g4 Qxg4+ 23.Qg2 Re1+ 24.Nf1 Qh5 25.dxc6+ Kg7 26.Bxf4 Rxa1 27.Bxd6 Rfxf1+ and Black wins.] 21...f4

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Position after: 21...f4 22.Qf3 [22.Qd1 f3 23.Nxf3 Here a draw was agreed in ½-½ (23) So, W (2710) – Tomashevsky, E (2706) Tromso 2013, but let’s look a little further for the explanation. 23...Qxf3 24.Qxf3 Rxf3 25.exd6 Re1+ 26.Kg2 g4 27.d7 Re2+ Now the draw is obvious.] 22...Qxf3 23.Nxf3 fxg3 24.axb5 axb5 25.exd6 Rxf3 26.Bxg5 gxh2+ 27.Kh1 Rf7 28.Be7 Rfxe7 29.dxe7 Rxe7 30.Ra6 Re1+ 31.Kxh2 Re2+ 32.Kg1 Rxb2 33.Bxd5+ cxd5 We have reached an equal endgame. 20...Re6!? This is the only reasonable move. 21.axb5 axb5

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Position after: 21...axb5 We have now arrived at an important crossroads. 22.Ra6!? A) 22.Bxg5 f5!? The game now erupts into a burst of complications and an eventual perpetual. 23.Nxd6 Qxg5 24.Nxb5 f4 25.g4 cxb5 26.Qxb5 Rd8 27.h4 Qxh4 28.Bxd5 Qg3+ 29.Kf1 Qh3+= The point is split. B) 22.Nxg5 Rg6

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Position after: 22...Rg6 23.f4 This leads to an immense mess in which Black has to walk precariously on the edge of ruin. [23.Ne4 Re8 24.Ra7 Bb8 25.Rb7 Qf5 26.Bd2 Kh8 27.Bxd5 Qxd5 28.Qh3 Kg7 With another complex position. ½-½ (33) Haubrich, N (1999) – Heyn, W Internet 2006] 23...Bxf4

Position after: 23...Bxf4 24.Bxf4 [24.gxf4!? f6 25.Ra6 fxg5 26.Rxc6 gxf4+ 27.Rxg6+ hxg6 28.Qxb5 Qg5+ 29.Kf1 Rf5 30.Qd7 Both kings are highly exposed, and this will probably lead to a draw.] 24...Nxf4 25.Nxf7 Nd5 26.Bd1 Qh4 27.Qg2 Nf4 28.Ne5 Qe7 29.Bb3+ Kg7 30.Qf1

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Position after: 30.Qf1 Again here we have a few previous games to go on. 30...c5 This is probably the better option. [30...Rg5 31.Re1 Ng6 32.Nf3 Qd8 With another really complicated position. ½-½ (50) Markus, R – Tylecek, D corr. 2013] 31.Bc2 cxd4 32.cxd4 Rg5 33.Qxb5 Nh3+ 34.Kh1 Rf2 Finally we can safely say that Black is doing OK here. ½-½ (35) Ressler, D (2284) – Detela, W (2257) corr. 2013 22...Be7 23.g4!

Position after: 23.g4! This is a key concept to justify White’s play. 23...Qg6 24.Ng3 24.Rxc6 Rxc6 25.Bxd5 Ra6 26.Bd2 Kh8 The second exchange sac at this moment is less clear than the text. 24...Re8 25.Rxc6!? Rxc6 26.Bxd5

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Position after: 26.Bxd5 26...Rb6 26...Ra6 27.Qxb5 Kf8 28.Be4 Qb6 29.Qxb6 Rxb6 30.Kf2 It is extremely difficult to accurately assess a position like this. In my opinion it is easier to play with White. 27.Nf5 Bd8 28.Bd2 Bc7

Position after: 28...Bc7 64

The play is highly complex. White has two pawns for two exchanges, but his pieces are very active and he has good control of the light squares. Black also has to worry about his vulnerable pawns and the weak squares around his king.

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Chapter 3 15.Be3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Be3

Chapter Guide Chapter 3 – 15.Be3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Be3 Bg4 16.Qd3 Rae8 17.Nd2 Qh5 a) 18.Bc2 b) 18.a4 Re6 19.axb5 axb5 20.-c) 18.a4 Re6 19.axb5 axb5 20.Nf1 a) 18.Bc2 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Be3

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Position after: 15.Be3 This is an important line which was one of the main battlegrounds in the Marshall for many decades. It was previously estimated to be a very serious test of the Marshall Attack, but in the last twenty years or so Black has discovered new and good ways to generate enough play. Following these improvements White players generally switched to other lines or went in search of entirely new ideas in order to try and secure an opening advantage. 15...Bg4 16.Qd3 Rae8 17.Nd2

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Position after: 17.Nd2 This is the starting point of the main system. Here I have chosen to recommend a line with an excellent pedigree that promises stability for Black. In my first book I also provided some alternative lines. 17...Qh5 This is commonly seen as Black’s best response in the eyes of modern theory. 18.Bc2

Position after: 18.Bc2 We will first look at some notable sidelines that used to be considered as main lines. In the end however, Black proved that there was enough play. The reasonable alternative in this position brings nothing for White: 18.Ne4 Bf5 19.Bd2 Rxe4 20.Rxe4 Nf6 21.f3 Qg6 22.Qe2 Nxe4 23.fxe4 Bxe4 24.Re1 Re8= and Black is absolutely fine. 18...f5 19.f3 This new idea revitalised the 18.Bc2 line and brought it back to the theoreticians’ consciousness after a period in the wilderness. Nonetheless, it seems that Black still has sufficient counterplay. 19...Bh3 20.Bf2 Nf4!

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Position after: 20...Nf4! This blow is one of the key points – Black players should remember this crucial motif. 21.Bb3+ Kh8 22.gxf4 Bxf4 23.Bg3 Qg5 24.Nf1 h5

Position after: 24...h5 Now White has a choice.

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25.Rxe8 Bringing the queen over to the defence is not a danger for Black. 25.Qc2 h4 26.Qf2 Bxf1 27.Qxf1 hxg3 28.Qh3+ Qh6 29.Qxh6+ gxh6 30.hxg3 Bxg3 31.Re6 Kg7 Black is not worse in this endgame. ½-½ (44) Rothman, I – Kyhos, A corr. 2014 25...Rxe8 26.Bf7 Re7 27.Bxh5 Bxf1

Position after: 27...Bxf1 28.Qxf1 28.Kxf1 Bxg3 29.hxg3 Qxg3 30.Qxf5 Qh4! Black forces the draw. ½-½ (30) Tylecek, D – Herzog, K corr. 2013 28...Be3+ 29.Kh1 Qxh5

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Position after: 29...Qxh5 In this position White remains a pawn up, but his chances of converting his material advantage into the full point are slim to none. 30.Be5 30.Qg2 f4! 31.Bf2 Qd5 32.Bh4 Re6! 33.Bg5 c5 34.dxc5 Rg6 35.h4 Bxc5 Black has excellent counterplay here. 30...Re6 31.Re1 f4 32.Re2 Rg6 33.Rg2 Qh3 34.Qe2 Qf5 35.Qd1 Rxg2 36.Kxg2 Qg6+ 37.Kh1 Kg8

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Position after: 37...Kg8 Black has enough pressure for his sacrificed pawn. ½-½ (43) Hyldkrog, L – Van der Hoeven, D corr. 2009 b) 18.a4 Re6 19.axb5 axb5 20.-1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Be3 Bg4 16.Qd3 Rae8 17.Nd2 Qh5 18.a4

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Position after: 18.a4 For a while it was believed that 18.Bc2 created problems for Black, but after it was established that Black is OK (as we have just seen), White resorted to other tries. 18...Re6 19.axb5 axb5

Position after: 19...axb5 20.Qf1 73

In this section I will deal with the not-so-popular lines which are still noteworthy enough to warrant some proper analysis. A) Taking on d5 is typical but brings nothing. 20.Bxd5 Qxd5 Recapturing with the queen is critical and one of the main points of playing ...Qh5. 21.b3 [21.c4 bxc4 22.Qxc4 Rb8 23.Ra6 Bf8 24.b3 Bh3 25.Qxd5 cxd5 Black has no issues here; 21.Qf1 Qh5 22.f3 Bf5 23.Qg2 Qg6 24.Bf2 Rxe1+ 25.Rxe1

Position after: 25.Rxe1 25...Be6 A typical manoeuvre with the bishop, heading for a centralised post on d5. Black has an easy game.] 21...Bh3 22.f3 Bf5 23.Qf1 Bc2 24.c4 Qf5 25.c5 Bc7 Black has adequate play. White has further weakened the pawn cover around his king, and the central pawns fixed on dark squares mean that Black can expect excellent play on the light squares. B) 20.Ne4 We saw the same idea in the previous section with the move 18.Ne4. The difference now is that the a-file has been opened. This does not change the evaluation however. Black is still OK! 20...Bf5 21.Bd2 Rxe4 22.Rxe4 Qg6 23.f3 Nf6

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Position after: 23...Nf6 Here White has a few choices but nothing stands out. 24.Qf1 [24.Qe2 Nxe4 25.fxe4 Bxe4 26.Re1 Bc2 27.Bxc2 Qxc2 28.Bf4 Qxe2 29.Rxe2 Bxf4 30.gxf4 Ra8 31.b4 g6 32.Re5 Ra6 33.h4 Kf8 34.Kf2 f6 35.Rc5 Ke7 36.Ke3 Kd6= Black should not be at all worried. ½-½ (63) Dothan, Y (2501) – Larsen, S (2347) corr. 2001] 24...Nxe4 25.fxe4 Bxe4 26.Bf4 Bd3 27.Qf2 Bxf4 28.Qxf4 h6 29.Re1 Bc2 30.Bxc2 Qxc2 31.Qf2 Qb3 32.Re7 b4=

Position after: 32...b4=

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This leads to simplifications which are pleasant for Black – White’s queenside is under a bit of pressure. 0-1 (61) Roberts, A (2292) – Daurelle, H (2290) Lechenicher SchachServer 2010 20...Rfe8 21.Bxd5 Qxd5 22.h3 Bh5 23.Qg2

Position after: 23.Qg2 This is a clever try, forcing Black into the exchange of queens. Unfortunately for the White players, this doesn’t change the overall evaluation of the line. 23...Qxg2+ 24.Kxg2 f5!

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Position after: 24...f5! This aggressive thrust also has in mind a potential bishop manoeuvre to d5 via f7! 25.Nf3 f4 26.Bd2 fxg3 27.Rxe6 Rxe6 28.Ra8+ Bf8 29.Ne5 gxf2 30.Kxf2 Re8 31.Ra6 c5 With level material and the bishop pair on an open board, Black is doing fine. 0-1 (46) Timkin, N – Herzog, K corr. 2013

Position after: 31...c5

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c) 18.a4 Re6 19.axb5 axb5 20.Nf1 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Be3 Bg4 16.Qd3 Rae8 17.Nd2 Qh5 18.a4 Re6 19.axb5 axb5 20.Nf1

Position after: 20.Nf1 We now come to the main defensive set-up in this variation. White’s other attempts have been dealt with in the previous subchapters. 20...Bf5 21.Qd2 Bh3 22.Bd1 Qg6 23.Bf3 Qf5

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Position after: 23...Qf5 We can reasonably say that this is the starting position, or tabiya, for the Nf1 idea. Black is ready to kickstart his counterplay with ...h5, whilst keeping the queen ready to recapture on d5 if necessary. 24.Qd1 Setting aside this move and the other main alternative, 24.Bh1, there are a few other ideas worthy of consideration: A) 24.Bg2 Bxg2 25.Kxg2

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Position after: 25.Kxg2 25...h5! 26.h4 Rfe8 27.Bg5 f6 28.Rxe6 Qxe6 29.Be3 f5 30.Bg5 f4 31.Qd3 Bc7 Black has good play against the white kingside. B) 24.Qe2!? At first glance this is somewhat illogical, as the queen steps into the sights of the rook on the e-file. However, as we will see in some other lines, this move defends f2 in case of the rook coming to f6. 24...Rfe8 25.Ra6 Bf8 26.Rea1

Position after: 26.Rea1 26...h5! 27.Bxh5 Rf6 28.Nd2 Nf4! Black steps up the pressure against the white king and has a threatening initiative. C) 24.Bh1 This is an important option for White. 24...Rfe8 25.Ra6 White benefits from being able to directly attack the c6-pawn. [25.Qd1 h5 26.Qb1 Qf6 27.Bd2 Re2!? 28.Rxe2 Rxe2 29.Be1 Bf5 30.Qd1 Bg4 It is not clear what White can really do to improve his position from here, so Black is doing fine.] 25...h5!? 26.Rxc6 h4 27.Ra6 hxg3 28.hxg3 Bxf1

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Position after: 28...Bxf1 29.Rxf1 [29.Bxd5 Qxd5 30.Rxf1 Rg6! Black prepares a menacing attack.] 29...Nxe3 30.fxe3 Qg5 31.Bg2 Qxg3 32.Rf3 Qg5 Here we observe yet another good example of the attacking potential of the black position. 24...h5 24...Rfe8

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Position after: 24...Rfe8 25.Ra6!? [25.Bh1 h5 transposes to the comments after 24.Bh1.] 25...Bf8!? In most cases the bishop retreats to c7, but Black should keep in mind his other options. 26.Bh1 Rf6 27.Qb1 Qh5 28.Ra1 Rfe6 29.Qd3 Bf5 30.Qd1 Bg4 31.Qc2 Bf5 32.Qb3 Bh3 The manoeuvring has not caused Black any problems and he is just fine here.

Position after: 24...h5 25.Ra6 25.Bxh5 is perhaps too greedy. After 25...Rf6 Black is better. 25...Bc7 26.Bh1 26.Bd2 Rf6 hands the advantage to Black. 26...Rf6!? Black prevents the white queen coming to f3 and creates a direct threat against f2. 27.Qe2 h4 28.Bd2 Re6

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Position after: 28...Re6 29.Qf3 The alternative leads to a more or less forced sequence of moves that should end up with a balanced game: 29.Be4!? Bxf1 30.Bxf5 Rxe2 31.Rd1 Rxd2 32.Rxd2 Bc4 33.Rxc6 Ra8 34.Bc2

Position after: 34.Bc2 34...h3! 35.f3 Bd8 36.b3 Ne7 37.Rc5 Be6 38.Rxb5 Nd5 Black’s minor pieces have excellent 83

potential and he is doing fine. 29...Rxe1 30.Bxe1 Bf4!

Position after: 30...Bf4! An interesting motif! 31.Bg2 31.gxf4 Qg6+ 32.Ng3 Re8 33.Ra1 hxg3 34.hxg3 Bg4 35.Qg2 Qc2 Again Black has drummed up strong counterplay. 31...Bg4 32.Qe4 Qc8 33.Ra1 Re8 34.Qc2 Bf5 35.Qd1 Bg4 36.f3

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Position after: 36.f3 White tries to go for the full point. 36...Bh3 37.Bd2 Bxg2 38.Kxg2 hxg3 39.hxg3 Bd6 40.f4 Qf5 41.Rc1 c5 42.Qf3 cxd4 43.cxd4 Bb4

Position after: 43...Bb4 Despite White maintaining his extra pawn, Black has enough resources to hold the balance.

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Chapter 4 15.Qe2 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Qe2

Chapter Guide Chapter 4 – 15.Qe2 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Qe2 Bg4 16.Qf1 Qh5 17.Nd2 a) 17...Rae8 b) 17...f5 a) 17...Rae8 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Qe2

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Position after: 15.Qe2 This is a relatively new idea in the Marshall which has appeared in the last couple of years, and for that reason it deserves to be taken extremely seriously. 15...Bg4 16.Qf1 Qh5 17.Nd2 Rae8

Position after: 17...Rae8 This is first of two main options for Black. 87

18.f3 White has an important alternative here which leads to similarly unclear play. 18.Rxe8 Rxe8 19.f3 Bh3 20.Qf2 Bf5 It seems to me that this is the correct approach for Black. 21.Nf1 Qg6

Position after: 21...Qg6 White has a few possible different ideas. 22.Bd2 With the plan of bringing the rook to e1, but... [22.Bxd5 cxd5 should be fine for Black after: 23.Ne3 Bd7 24.Ng2 b4 25.Bf4 bxc3 26.bxc3 Ba3 27.Ne3 h6 28.Qd2 Bb5 29.Re1 Qc6 30.g4 Rc8

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Position after: 30...Rc8 and Black has enough play.] 22...Bb1!?

Position after: 22...Bb1!? Sometimes chess can be very basic! Black simply blocks the a1-rook from entering the game. 23.a4 [23.Bxd5 cxd5 24.Ne3 h5 25.f4 h4 26.f5 hxg3 27.hxg3 Qg5 28.Rxb1 Bxg3 29.Qg2 Rxe3 This leads to a draw by perpetual.] 23...h5 24.axb5 axb5

Position after: 24...axb5 89

White has to be wary about a possible incursion by the black queen on d3 and the potential threat of Re2. 25.f4 Bd3 26.Bxd5 cxd5 27.Ne3 h4 28.g4 h3 29.Qg3 Be4 Black’s counterplay cannot be denied. 18...Bh3 19.Qf2 Rxe1+ 20.Qxe1 Bf4!

Position after: 20...Bf4! This strong tactical blow equalises for Black. 21.gxf4 Taking the piece is critical, of course, but White does have a choice between multiple reasonable moves. A) 21.Qe2 Be3+ 22.Kh1 Re8 23.Nf1 Bxf1 24.Qxf1 Bxc1 25.Rxc1 Kf8 26.Qf2 g6 27.Kg1 Qf5

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Position after: 27...Qf5 Black’s control of the e-file and resulting play give him compensation for the material deficit. ½-½ (40) So, W (2770) – Aronian, L (2792) Leuven (blitz) 2016 B) 21.Bxd5 Bxd2 22.Bxd2 Qxd5 23.Qe4 Qd7 24.Re1 Be6 25.a3 Re8 26.g4 f6 27.h3 Bf7 28.Qf4 Rxe1+ 29.Bxe1 h6 Positions like these are very straightforward draws.

Position after: 29...h6 ½-½ (37) Hou Yifan (2603) – Leko, P (2735) Wijk aan Zee 2013 91

21...Nxf4 22.Bd1 Nd3

Position after: 22...Nd3 23.f4 23.Qg3 f5 24.Nf1 f4 25.Bb3+ Kh8 26.Bxf4 Nxf4 27.Re1 Nd3 28.Re7 Qh6 White has given the piece back to reach a position where both kings are somewhat vulnerable and the play is unclear. 23...Bg4 24.Qg3 Bxd1 25.Qxd3 Re8 26.Qg3 f5!

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Position after: 26...f5! Black takes the chance to fix the f4-pawn in place, hemming in the queen and dark-squared bishop, and preparing ...Re6 now that White cannot respond with f5 hitting the back rank. 27.Nf1 Re6 28.Qf2 Re2 29.Ng3 Qg4 30.Qf1 h5 31.Qxd1 Rg2+ 32.Kxg2 Qxd1

Position after: 32...Qxd1 White is very tied down and the queen is easily able to hold its own against the rook and two pieces here. Black is definitely not worse. b) 17...f5 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Qe2 Bg4 16.Qf1 Qh5 17.Nd2 f5!?

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Position after: 17...f5!? Black sharpens the game immediately, which is actually probably best. 18.f3 White also has some other options. A) 18.Re6 f4!? 19.Rxd6 fxg3 20.hxg3 Kh8!

Position after: 20...Kh8! 94

Black gives up a whole piece and then follows up with a calm king move! I would be very worried if my opponent blitzed out this move over the board! 21.Rxc6 Bh3 22.Qd3 [22.Bd1 Qf7 23.Qe2 Rae8 24.Qf3 Qd7 Black is better.] 22...Rae8 23.Ne4 Bg4 24.Bxd5 Bf3 25.Qxf3 Qxf3 26.Bf4 Rxe4 Black is surely not worse here. B) 18.c4 B1) 18...f4 19.cxd5 c5!? An interesting zwischenzug.

Position after: 19...c5!? 20.Re4 After this, best play involves a forced sequence that should lead to a draw... [The alternative is not to be advised for White: 20.Re5 Bxe5 21.dxe5 fxg3 22.hxg3 Rae8 23.e6 c4 24.Bc2 Qxd5 25.Be4 Qd4 26.Qg2 Rxe6 27.Bd5 Rxf2! and Black wins.] 20...c4 21.Bc2 fxg3 22.hxg3 Bxg3 23.fxg3 Rxf1+ 24.Nxf1 Qh3 25.Re3 Rf8 26.Bd2 Bf3 27.Rxf3 Rxf3 28.Be4 Rxg3+ 29.Nxg3 Qxg3+

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Position after: 29...Qxg3+ 30.Kf1! [30.Bg2? An ambitious try. 30...Qd3 31.Be1 Qxd4+ 32.Bf2 Qxb2 33.Rf1 Qd2 Black took over the initiative and went on to win. 0-1 (41) Ivanchuk, V (2768) – Leko, P (2717) Ningbo 2011] 30...Qh3+ 31.Ke2 Qh2+ 32.Ke3 Qh3+ The king cannot safely escape the checks and a draw will result. B2) Even the alternative might be OK: 18...bxc4!? 19.Nxc4 f4!

Position after: 19...f4!

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20.Ne5 [20.Nxd6 fxg3 This gives Black excellent chances.] 20...fxg3 21.hxg3 Rae8 22.Nxg4 Qxg4 23.Rxe8 Rxe8 24.Be3 Rxe3! 25.fxe3 Qxg3+ 26.Qg2 Qxe3+ 27.Qf2 Qg5+ 28.Kf1 Qh5 29.Qe3 g5 30.Bxd5+ cxd5 31.Rc1 Kg7 32.Rc8 g4 Black has given up an exchange, but the white king is so exposed and Black has a strong pair of kingside pawns. Black is doing fine in this endgame. 18...Bh3 19.Qf2 Kh8

Position after: 19...Kh8 Black is ready for his usual attack now. Once again White has a variety of choices. 20.f4 We will examine all of the standard tries for White in this position. A) 20.Nf1 f4 21.g4 Qg5 22.Nd2 Nf6 23.Kh1 Rae8 24.Ne4 Rxe4! This is a disaster for White. 0-1 (28) Chargelegue, T (2094) – Hutois, M (2279) Sables d’Olonne 2015 B) 20.Bc2 Rae8 21.Rxe8 Rxe8 22.Nf1 Bxf1 23.Qxf1 f4 24.g4 Qh4 25.Bd2 Ne3 26.Be1 Qh6 27.Qf2 c5 The powerful knight on e3 and the pressure on the white position give Black strong counterplay here. C) 20.a4 Rae8 21.axb5 Rxe1+ 22.Qxe1 axb5 23.Qf2 Re8 24.Bxd5 cxd5

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Position after: 24...cxd5 In the database White has experimented with two different ideas here: 25.Ra6 [25.Nb3 h6 26.Bd2 f4 27.Re1 Rxe1+ 28.Bxe1 Kg8 29.g4 Qe8 30.Nc5 h5 Black has adequate play for the pawn. ½-½ (33) Florea, V – Simmelink, J corr. 2012] 25...Bc7 26.Nf1 h6 27.Bf4 Bxf4 28.gxf4 b4! Opening additional lines is a good idea. Black should play actively and he will be OK. ½-½ (29) Lovakovic, F – Frendzas, P corr. 2013 D) 20.Re6 Rf6 21.Rxf6 gxf6! 22.a4 Rg8 23.axb5 Bxg3 24.hxg3 f4

Position after: 24...f4 98

25.g4 [25.Ne4 fxg3 26.Qc2 Bf1 27.Nd6 g2! Black has a strong and scary attack.] 25...Bxg4 26.fxg4 Rxg4+ 27.Kf1 Ne3+ 28.Ke1 Rg2 29.bxa6 Rxf2 30.Kxf2 Qh4+ 31.Kf3 Qg4+ 32.Ke4 Qf5+= Black should bail out with a perpetual. E) 20.Bxd5 cxd5 21.f4 [21.Nb3 f4! 22.Bxf4 Rxf4!? 23.gxf4 Bxf4 24.Nc5 Rf8

Position after: 24...Rf8 Black has a straightforward plan of executing a rook lift via f5 or f6. 25.Kh1 Bxh2! 26.Qxh2 Qxf3+ 27.Kg1 Qg4+ 28.Kh1 Qf3+= The game ends in another perpetual.] 21...Rae8 22.Rxe8 Rxe8 23.Nf3 Re4!?

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Position after: 23...Re4!? Black ensures that the rook will not be shut out by a future Ne5. 24.Be3 h6 25.Ne5 a5 26.Re1 Bxe5 27.dxe5 Qg6! 28.a3 Qc6 There is long-term pressure on the white king and the light squares in particular are vulnerable to the active black pieces. 20...Nf6 21.Bd1 Bg4 22.Nf3 Rae8

Position after: 22...Rae8 We can see that White has prevented the usual ideas of ...g5 and established a great square for the knight on e5, both of which are beneficial for him. On the other hand, Black can count on the e4square and a tremendous lead in development. 23.Be3 Re4 24.h3!? The usual ideas of breaking on the queenside don’t help here: 24.a4 bxa4 25.Rxa4 g5! and Black is better. 24...Qxh3 25.Ng5 Qh5 26.Nxe4 Nxe4 27.Qh2 Qg6 It is fair to say that this position is balanced.

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Position after: 27...Qg6 In all likelihood, both sides would be well-advised to seek a repetition of moves. 28.Qg2 28.Qh4 Bxd1 29.Raxd1 Qf7 30.d5 cxd5 31.Kg2 Kg8 32.Rh1 g6 33.Bd4 h5 34.Qh2 Re8©

Position after: 34...Re8© Black has a strong knight and a pawn for the exchange. This is enough compensation. 101

28...Qh5 29.Qh2 Qg6 The two sides acquiesce to one of the possible draws.

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Part II The Marshall Attack with d3 Chapter 5 13...Qh4 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4

Chapter Guide Chapter 5 – 13...Qh4 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 Nf6 16.Rh4 Qf5 17.Nd2 Ng4 a) 18.-b) 18.f3 a) 18.-1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3

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Position after: 12.d3 This is a crucial variation and is considered today to be critical for the overall evaluation of the Marshall. I will analyse all the major aspects of this system because I think that it is both useful and important to be aware of recent developments in this line. 12...Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4

Position after: 13...Qh4

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I have decided to cover this traditional but no-longer popular move (see the note after White’s 15th move) because recently some new ideas have emerged. 14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4

Position after: 15.Re4 This is a key point for White in this line and when it was first utilised it appeared so effective that the entire system with 13...Qh4 was abandoned by Black players. 15...Nf6!? A rare choice which was not at all popular until the end of 2019 and the beginning of this year. Black does have a rationale for his play here. The old main line has simply been left by the wayside: 15...Qf5 16.Nd2 Qg6 17.Re1 f5 18.f4. This move in particular has been troublesome for Black after its introduction by GM Popovic in a game against me. One year later I came up with an improvement but still the entire system failed to deliver equality for Black. Both games did end in a draw, but Black should probably look elsewhere for firmer theoretical ground. In my first book on the Marshall I analysed this line, but it seems that 13...Bf5 has superseded it and is simply good enough for Black. 16.Rh4 Qf5

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Position after: 16...Qf5 17.Nd2! This is the critical response. 17.Bc2 Qg6 18.Nd2 Bg4 19.Nf3 Rad8 20.Kg2 Rfe8 21.a4 h6 22.axb5 axb5 23.h3 Bf5 24.Rd4 Qh5 25.Rh4 Qg6 26.Rd4 Qh5 27.Rh4 Black has sufficient play and compensation for the sacrificed pawn. ½-½ Duda, J (2758) – Giri, A (2768) Wijk aan Zee 2020 17...Ng4!?

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Position after: 17...Ng4!? This direct attempt has occasionally been seen before but some recent developments prompted me to include my analysis on this line. One idea of this move is to free the d8-h4 diagonal for the bishop to target the vulnerable rook on h4. 18.Ne4 This is one of White’s two most challenging tries. The other is 18.f3 which will be examined in the next subchapter. A) 18.Qf3

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Position after: 18.Qf3 The latest try from the White camp. 18...Be7! [18...Re8 19.Qxf5 Bxf5 20.Ne4 Be7 21.Bg5 Ne5 22.Bxe7 Rxe7 23.Rf4 Bg6 24.Nc5 Nxd3 25.Nxd3 Bxd3 Leads to an equal endgame. ½-½ (34) Sivuk, V (2557) – Sargissian, G (2689) Moscow 2020] 19.Qxf5 Bxf5 20.f3 Nf6 21.Ne4 Nxe4 22.Rxe4 Bxe4 23.fxe4

Position after: 23.fxe4 White has undoubted compensation for the exchange but probably no more. 108

B) 18.Qe2 Qg6!?

Position after: 18...Qg6!? B1) 19.Ne4 Be7 The clumsy rook on h4 means that Black is doing more than OK. B2) 19.Bd1 f5 20.Nf3 f4 Black has counterplay here. B3) 19.f3 Nf6 20.Ne4 Nxe4 21.Rxe4 Bf5 22.Re3 c5 23.Bd2 c4 24.dxc4 Bc5 Black has some initiative with his active bishop pair.

Position after: 24...Bc5 109

B4) 19.Nf1 Bf5 20.Ne3 Nxe3 21.Bxe3 Bxd3 22.Qf3 c5 23.Bd5 Rad8 24.Rd1 Bf5 25.Kg2 This results in more or less equal play. B5) 19.d4 Bd7 20.Nf1 Bf5 21.f3 Rae8 22.Qd1 Nf6 23.a4 Bd3 24.axb5 axb5

Position after: 24...axb5 The black pieces are well-placed here and it seems that Black has enough counterplay. 18...Be7 19.f3 Ne5 20.Rf4 Qd7 21.Nf2 c5

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Position after: 21...c5 Now things are starting to heat up. The rook on f4 is still rather precarious, and with ...c5 Black is ready to place his bishop on the b7-square. 22.Re4 22.d4 Ng6 23.Re4 Bb7 24.dxc5 Qxd1+ 25.Bxd1 Bxe4 26.Nxe4 Rfd8 27.Be3 Ne5

Position after: 27...Ne5 28.Bd4 Nc6 29.Be3 Ne5 30.Bd4 Nc6 31.Be3 A logical repetition of moves – neither side can really improve their position much. ½-½ Jakovenko, D (2536) – Smikovski, I (2503) Omsk 2001 22...Ng6 23.Re3 Bb7

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Position after: 23...Bb7 24.Qf1 24.a4 Rad8 25.Qf1 Rfe8 26.Bd2 Bd6 27.axb5 axb5 28.Rxe8+ Rxe8 29.Ne4 Bf8 Black has reasonable chances. His active pieces and strong centralisation ensure that the missing pawn is not too much of a concern. 24...Rfe8 25.Bd2 Bf8 26.Rae1 Rxe3 27.Rxe3 Rd8

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Position after: 27...Rd8 The strong bishop on b7, pressure along the half-open d-file against the weak d3-pawn and the loosening of the white kingside structure give Black compensation for the sacrificed pawn. b) 18.f3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 Nf6!? 16.Rh4 Qf5 17.Nd2! Ng4!? 18.f3!? Ne3 19.Qe2 Nd5

Position after: 19...Nd5 There have been a few new games in this line which have offered some interesting options for both sides. These developments persuaded me to include the line starting with 15...Nf6 despite its former unpopularity. As we will see, Black relies on the strange-looking rook on h4. The fate of this piece will determine if Black has enough play or not. 20.Qe4!? Logical, and quite possibly critical. White is ready for an endgame. A) 20.Ne4 Be7 21.g4 Nf4 22.Bxf4 Qxf4 23.Rh3 Bd7 24.d4 g6 Black’s idea is ...h5.

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Position after: 24...g6 25.Rg3 [25.Nf2 Bd6 26.Nd3 Qg5 27.Ne5 Rae8 Black is doing OK here.] 25...Rae8 26.a4 Kh8 27.Qd2 Qxd2 28.Nxd2 Bd6 29.Rg2 f5 30.g5 Re7 Black has enough play here – the bishop pair, good control of the dark squares, and the e-file are all notable plusses for the second player. B) 20.c4 This has been recently tested (again). Let’s have a look: 20...Nc7

Position after: 20...Nc7 21.d4 [21.Ne4 Be7 22.g4!? A rather drastic measure, but perfectly possible. The rook is heading to 114

h5. 22...Qd7 23.Rh5 g6! 24.Rh6 Ne6 25.Be3 c5 26.Qg2 Bb7 27.Rd1 Rfd8! 28.Qh3 Bxe4 29.dxe4 Qc7 30.Rxd8+ Rxd8 31.Rxh7 Bf6 Black is fine.] 21...Qg6

Position after: 21...Qg6 22.Nf1 [22.Qe4 Bf5! 23.Qxc6 Rfe8 24.Ne4 Be7 25.Qxg6 hxg6 26.Ng5 Ne6 27.Nxe6 Bxh4 28.gxh4 Bxe6 29.d5 bxc4 30.Bxc4 Rac8 31.Bxa6 Rc5 32.d6 Ra5 33.Bb7 Rb8 34.Be4 f5 35.Bc2 Ra6 Black is doing fine.] 22...Re8 23.Re4 Bf5 24.Re3 Ne6 25.Qf2

Position after: 25.Qf2

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25...c5! The most challenging. [25...Be7 26.Re1 This also generated unclear play in ½-½ (33) Pranesh, M (2425) – Svane, R (2608) Moscow 2020.] 26.d5 Nd4 27.Bd2 h5 28.Rae1 Rxe3 29.Bxe3 h4 Black has typical Marshall attacking play. 20...Bd7!? The idea is to develop quickly, ...Rae8 is on the cards. 20...Bc7!? Black anticipates a white knight leaping into e4 with tempo, and also hints at disturbing the rook on h4 by placing the bishop on d8 at some point. 21.a4 Rb8 22.axb5 axb5 23.Qxf5 Bxf5 24.Ne4 Ra8 25.Rb1 Bg6 26.Bd2 Rfe8 27.Kf1 h6 Once again we see that the rook on h4 is misplaced.

Position after: 27...h6 White will have to spend a not-inconsiderable amount of time and effort to try and bring it back into the game.

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Position after: 20...Bd7!? 21.a4 There are some other possible ideas here. Practical play has not provided us with any examples so far, and so I have analysed some logical tries. A) 21.Qxf5 Bxf5 22.Ne4 Be7 23.Bg5 Bxg5 24.Nxg5 f6 25.Ne4 g5 26.Nd6 gxh4 27.Nxf5 hxg3 28.hxg3 Kh8 29.Nd4 Rac8 White has compensation for the missing exchange but no advantage. B) 21.g4 Qxe4 22.Nxe4 Be7 23.Rh5 f5

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Position after: 23...f5 24.Bg5!? Bxg5 25.Nxg5 h6 26.Nh3 Kh7 27.Bxd5 cxd5 28.g5 f4 29.Rh4 Bxh3 30.Rxh3 d4 31.gxh6 g6 32.cxd4 Rad8 Black is doing OK in this endgame – the h3-rook is far from the action. 21...Rae8 22.Qxf5 Bxf5 23.Ne4 Be7 24.Rh5 g6 25.Rh6 b4 26.g4 Be6

Position after: 26...Be6 Black has enough play for the sacrificed pawn. The white rooks are ineffective and Black is nicely centralised.

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Chapter 6 13...Bf5 14.Qf3 Qf6 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5 14.Qf3 Qf6

Chapter Guide Chapter 6 – 13...Bf5 14.Qf3 Qf6 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5 14.Qf3 Qf6 a) 15.-b) 15.Nd2 a) 15.-1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5

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Position after: 13...Bf5 This is definitely Black’s best, sidestepping the straightforward 13...Qh4 idea. It is important to realise that the main point of 12.d3 is to support the refined defensive manoeuvre of Re4. If we compare the plan of Re4 with the pawns on d3 or d4 respectively, we can see that the former is much more stable for White. This usually allows him to defend much better against Black’s attacking ideas. Another factor to take into account is the possibility of landing a knight on e4, where it will be an important asset for White. Obviously this is far more feasible with the pawn on d3. 14.Qf3 Other moves don’t really promise much for White, for example: A) 14.g3 Re8 15.Rxe8+ Qxe8 16.a4 b4 17.d4 Bh3 18.cxb4 Bxb4 19.Na3 Qe4 20.f3 Qe7 21.Nc2 Re8 22.Bc4 Bd6 23.Bxa6 h5 24.Bf1 Bxf1 25.Qxf1 h4 Gives Black adequate counterplay. B) 14.Nd2 Nf4 15.Ne4 Nxd3 16.Re3 Bxe4 17.Rxe4 Nxc1 18.Rxc1 Qf6 19.g3 Rfe8 20.Qe2 Rxe4 21.Qxe4 Bc5 22.Rf1 g6 Leads to equal play. ½-½ (33) Yu Yangyi (2729) – Carlsen, M (2840) Doha 2016 14...Qf6

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Position after: 14...Qf6 This is an interesting try which appeared several years ago, but the conclusion of my analysis is that Black is almost forced into playing a slightly inferior endgame. 15.Bxd5 The main line. A) 15.Be3 Qe5 16.g3 Bxd3 17.Nd2 Rfe8 18.a4 Bg6 Black is doing fine. B) 15.Nd2! is White’s best in my opinion – see the next subchapter. 15...cxd5

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Position after: 15...cxd5 White has a few alternatives here. 16.Bf4 A) 16.Be3 Qe5 17.g3 Bxd3 18.Nd2 Rfe8 19.Kg2

Position after: 19.Kg2 19...Qe6! [19...Be4 20.Nxe4 dxe4 21.Qe2 Bf8 22.Rad1 Qe6 23.a3= Chances are equal. 1-0 (52) 122

Vallejo Pons, F (2693) – Atalik, S (2562) Bangkok 2014] 20.Bf4 Be2!³ Atalik’s analysis of this position concluded that Black has a nice initiative, and I agree. B) Grabbing another pawn is, of course, also possible: 16.Qxd5 Qg6 17.Nd2 Rad8 18.Qf3 Bxd3

Position after: 18...Bxd3 19.Nf1 [19.Qe3 f6 20.Qh3 Rfe8–+ Black is winning. 0-1 (35) Wang Jue (2364) – Muzychuk, A (2598) Batumi 2012] 19...Rfe8 20.Be3 Be4 21.Qh3 Bd5 Black has no reason to be concerned here. The bishop pair controls both sides of the board and he can continue with ...a5 and generate some annoying pressure on the queenside. 16...Bxf4 17.Qxf4 d4!

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Position after: 17...d4! This thematic central thrust is a key idea in these types of positions for Black. After this we can safely conclude that Black is doing OK. 18.cxd4 Rad8 19.Nc3 19.Re5 Bxd3 20.Qxf6 gxf6 21.Re3 Bxb1 22.Rxb1 Rxd4 23.Rbe1 Rd2 24.R3e2 Rfd8= This rook endgame is simply equal. 19...Rxd4 20.Qf3 Bxd3 21.Qxf6 gxf6 22.Rad1 Rfd8 23.f3 b4 24.Ne2 R4d7 25.a3 Bb5 26.Rxd7 Rxd7 27.axb4 Rd2 28.Nc3 Rxb2

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Position after: 28...Rxb2 The position is equal. Black has regained his pawn, and the damaged kingside structure will not count for much at all. b) 15.Nd2 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5 14.Qf3 Qf6 15.Nd2!

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Position after: 15.Nd2! In my opinion this is the best way forward for the first player. White gives back the pawn but secures the bishop pair in the endgame, allowing him to play for a win in what is effectively a two-results game. 15...Qg6 16.Bd1 Bxd3 17.Ne4 Bxe4 18.Qxe4 We have arrived at the position which defines our judgment on this variation. The bishop pair and the rapidly approaching endgame favour White, and although it does not amount to so much objectively, it does mean that White can press without any real risk for many moves.

Position after: 18.Qxe4 18...Qxe4 There is a possible alternative, but it quickly leads to very similar play. 18...f5 19.Qe6+ Qxe6 20.Rxe6 Rae8 21.Rxe8 Rxe8 22.Kf1

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Position after: 22.Kf1 22...Kf7 [22...Bxh2 The famous ...Bxh2, as demonstrated so notably by Bobby in Rejkjavik, is not actually that scary here. 23.g3 f4 24.g4 f3 25.Bxf3 Kf7 26.a4 Ke6 27.axb5 axb5 28.Ra6² White does maintain some pressure however.] 23.g3 Rd8 24.Bd2!?N The idea is Rc1 and c4 [24.a4 b4 25.cxb4 Bxb4 26.a5 Led to a pull for White as well in ½-½ (39) O’Toole, R – Kahl, F corr. 2014.] 24...Nb6 25.a4! White has an edge. 19.Rxe4 Rae8 20.Rxe8 Rxe8 21.Kf1

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Position after: 21.Kf1 21...Be5 Black can also try the logical plan of exchanging off the dark-squared bishops in the hope of simplifying his defensive task. 21...Bf4 22.Bxf4 [Even in the high-level game which saw this line, Black had difficulty making a draw. 22.Bf3 Bxc1 23.Rxc1 Kf8 24.a3 Rd8 25.c4 Nf4 26.Bxc6 Nd3 27.Rc2 bxc4 28.Rxc4 Nxb2 29.Rc2 Rc8! Only now is Black safe. ½-½ (34) Anand, V (2770) – Svidler, P (2758) Khanty – Mansiysk 2014] 22...Nxf4 23.Bf3 This might be somewhat unpleasant for Black, with the rook coming to d1 next. 22.Bd2 Rd8 22...b4 23.Rc1 bxc3 24.bxc3 Bf4 25.Bxf4 Nxf4 26.Bf3 Nd5 27.c4 Nb4

Position after: 27...Nb4 28.a3! [28.Rb1 c5! Black manages to secure balanced play. ½-½ (76) Caruana, F (2774) – Kasimdzhanov, R (2699) Thessaloniki 2013] 28...Nd3 29.Bxc6 White is a pawn up and has all the chances. 23.Bf3 Nb6 24.Rd1

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Position after: 24.Rd1 White has some pressure here. Black has to worry about his queenside pawns, whereas White can sit on his comfortable bishop pair advantage and probe for as long as he likes.

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Chapter 7 13...Bf5 14.Qf3 Qh4 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5 14.Qf3 Qh4

Chapter Guide Chapter 7 – 13...Bf5 14.Qf3 Qh4 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5 14.Qf3 Qh4 15.g3 Qh3 a) 16.Nd2 b) 16.Be3 c) 16.Bxd5 cxd5 17.-d) 16.Bxd5 cxd5 17.Be3 a) 16.Nd2 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5 14.Qf3 Qh4 15.g3 Qh3 16.Nd2

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Position after: 16.Nd2 This is one of the three best options for White in this position. 16...Rae8 17.Ne4 Bg4 18.Qg2 Qxg2+ 19.Kxg2 f5 20.h3 Bh5

Position after: 20...Bh5 21.Bf4

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A standard reply, which was also seen recently at the World Cup. 21.g4!? This is an interesting attempt to play for the win: 21...fxg4 22.hxg4 Bxg4 23.a4 Now that the knight on e4 is secured, White kickstarts the action on the queenside. 23...b4

Position after: 23...b4 24.Bd2!? [24.c4 Nf4+ 25.Bxf4 Bxf4 26.c5+ Kh8 27.Nd6!? Bf3+! 28.Kf1 Rxe1+ 29.Rxe1 h5 The black bishops are extremely strong and Black has nothing to fear.] 24...bxc3 25.Nxd6 Rd8 26.bxc3 Rxd6 27.Re5 Bf5 28.Bc4 Rg6+ 29.Kf1 h5 Black has managed to generate enough play. 21...Bxf4 22.gxf4 fxe4 23.dxe4 Bf3+ 24.Kxf3 Rxf4+ 25.Kg3 Rfxe4 26.Rxe4 Rxe4 27.f3

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Position after: 27.f3 After a more or less forced sequence we have reached a simplified position where Black still has a little bit of work to do before he is out of the woods. 27...Re2 This was the choice of Ding Liren and it seems to be Black’s best. Another recent game which drew my attention featured a clever idea from a Greek GM: 27...Re5 28.c4 bxc4 29.Bxc4 a5 30.Rc1 Kf8

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Position after: 30...Kf8 31.Bxd5!? Black is facing a somewhat unpleasant rook endgame. 31...cxd5 32.Rc5 a4 33.a3 Kf7 34.Ra5 Re2 35.Rxd5 Rxb2 36.Rd4 This position is a technical draw but Black needs to proceed with some caution. ½-½ (52) Mastrovasilis, D (2596) – Sargissian, G (2690) Batumi 2019 28.c4 bxc4 29.Bxc4 Rxb2 30.Bxa6 g5!

Position after: 30...g5! 31.Bc4 31.a4 Kg7 32.a5 Nf4 33.Bf1 Kg6! 34.h4 Kf5 35.hxg5 Kxg5 Black will continue with the simple Nh5-Nf4+ and the game will end in a perpetual. 31...Kg7 32.Bxd5 cxd5 33.a4 h5 34.h4 Kg6 35.a5 Rb7 36.a6 Ra7 37.hxg5 Kxg5

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Position after: 37...Kxg5 This is just a draw. ½-½ (43) Radjabov, T (2756) – Ding Liren (2812) Shamkir 2019 b) 16.Be3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5 14.Qf3 Qh4 15.g3 Qh3 16.Be3

Position after: 16.Be3 135

16...Bxd3 17.Nd2 A) 17.Bd4 Qf5 18.Nd2 Transposes to the main line of this subchapter. B) 17.Bxd5 cxd5 18.Qxd5 Rad8 Transposes to the final section of this chapter. 17...Qf5 18.Bd4

Position after: 18.Bd4 This line has only been developed fairly recently. White gives back the pawn in the hope of reaching a favourable endgame. White’s concept takes advantage of the strength of the a4 break in these positions. On the other hand, Black is not material down and his pieces occupy sensible squares. The b5-pawn and the knight on d5 can be challenged, but aside from that the black position lacks major drawbacks. 18...Rfe8 This is not the only option and in fact, the main alternative has been the preferred choice in the few recent games in this line. 18...Rfd8!? In the latest top-level games that have been played this has been the standard choice. I have not decided to give it as the main line here because there have been so few practical tests. Furthermore, I cannot see anything wrong with either of the two lines, so I have stuck with tradition. 19.a4 h6 20.h4

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Position after: 20.h4 This position has been tested a few times in recent encounters. 20...Rac8 [20...Bf8 21.Qxf5 Bxf5 22.Ne4 a5!?

Position after: 22...a5!? Now we see the point of putting the rook on d8 instead – the knight on d5 is reinforced. 23.Rad1 b4 24.f3 bxc3 25.bxc3 Rab8 Black is doing fine. ½-½ (33) McShane, L (2682) – Sargissian, G (2690) Batumi 2019] 21.Qxf5 Bxf5 22.Ne4 137

Position after: 22.Ne4 A) One famous game from the World Cup went: 22...Bf8 23.Nc5 Nc7!? This is a possible improvement for Black. [The game saw: 23...Nb4 24.Re5 g6 25.axb5 cxb5 26.Ne6!?

Position after: 26.Ne6!? And already here we can see some problems for Black, which eventually proved to be insurmountable. 1-0 (46) Radjabov, T (2758) – Ding Liren (2811) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019] 24.Kg2 Bxc5 25.Bxc5 Rd2 Black is fine, and will meet any rook sortie to e7 by dropping the bishop back to 138

e6. B) 22...c5!? This is the latest try from Adams and it seems perfectly OK: 23.Nxd6 Rxd6 24.Be5 Rd7 25.axb5 axb5 26.c4 Nb4 27.cxb5 c4 28.Bd1 Nd3 29.Re3 Rd5 30.Bc3 Rxb5 31.Ba4 Black found a good way to equalise and this is just a draw. ½-½ McShane, L (2677) – Adams, M (2701) London 2019 19.a4 Now Black has a few ideas here, and White has not really posed a problem in any of the lines.

Position after: 19.a4 19...h6 A very solid choice. The main alternative has also stood up to scrutiny. 19...Kf8!?

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Position after: 19...Kf8!? A) 20.h4 h6 21.Qxf5 Bxf5 22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 23.axb5 axb5 24.Ra6 Ne7 25.Be3 Kg8 26.Ba2 Rd8 27.Bb6 Re8 28.Be3 Rd8 Black had no problems equalising the game. ½-½ (30) Karjakin, S (2778) – Carlsen, M (2843) Shamkir 2018 B) 20.axb5 Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 axb5 22.Kg2 Ne7 23.Re3 Qxf3+ 24.Kxf3 Bg6 25.Ne4 Bxe4+ 26.Rxe4 Nf5 Black has prevented White from invading down the a-file, and he will probably continue by removing the white dark-squared bishop from the board. Black is fine here. C) 20.Kg2 f6

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Position after: 20...f6 Black reveals one of the points of shifting the king – the knight is no longer pinned. 21.Qxf5 [21.Rxe8+ Rxe8 22.axb5 axb5 23.Qxf5 Bxf5 24.Ra6 Re2 25.Rxc6 Be5! 26.Bc5+ Ke8 27.Bxd5 Rxd2 28.Bf3 Rxb2 Black has equalised.] 21...Bxf5 22.axb5 Rxe1 23.Rxe1 axb5 24.Ne4 Be7

Position after: 24...Be7 White can choose how he wants to proceed here, but Black has no reason to be afraid. 25.Nc5 [25.f3 h5 26.Bc5 Bxe4 27.fxe4 Bxc5 28.exd5 cxd5 29.Bxd5 Rd8 Black is holding the balance with no real difficulty. ½-½ (40) Tari, A (2603) – Grandelius, N (2651) Malmo 2018] 25...Kf7 26.f3 h5 27.h3 Re8 28.g4 hxg4 29.hxg4 Bxc5 30.Rxe8 Kxe8 The position is equal.

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Position after: 19...h6 20.Kg2 Again here we come to a crossroads. A) 20.Rxe8+ Rxe8 21.axb5 axb5 22.Kg2 Re2 Black has counterplay. B) 20.Qxf5 Bxf5 21.Nf3 Be6 22.Be5 Bc5 23.Nd4 Bxd4 24.Bxd4 Nf4 25.Bxe6 Nxe6 26.Be3 Nc7! 27.Kg2 Nd5 Black was doing OK and the game was soon drawn in ½-½ (30) Caruana, F (2811) – Svidler, P (2768) Wijk aan Zee 2018. C) 20.h4 Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 Rd8 22.Qxf5 Bxf5 23.axb5 axb5 24.Bxd5 cxd5 25.Ra1 b4 26.Ra5 Be6 27.Nf1 bxc3 28.bxc3 Rb8 Once again Black showed that he was very comfortable in this line, and quickly halved out. ½-½ (34) Saric, I (2662) – Aronian, L (2801) Hersonissos 2017 D) 20.a5!? Kf8 21.Qxf5 Bxf5 22.Bxd5 cxd5 23.b4

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Position after: 23.b4 An interesting positional concept. White does have a small edge, but it is not obvious how he can ever achieve more than that. 23...f6 24.f3 Kf7 25.Kf2 h5 26.Nb3 Bc2 27.Nc5 Bxc5 28.Bxc5 g5 This is an equal endgame. ½-½ (39) Kryvoruchko, Y (2669) – Aronian, L (2758) Douglas 2019

Position after: 20.Kg2 20...Qxf3+

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Both recaptures are possible here. 20...Bf8 21.axb5 axb5 22.Qxf5 Bxf5 23.Rxe8 Rxe8 24.Bxd5 cxd5 25.Nf1 b4 26.Ne3 Be6 27.Ra5 bxc3 28.bxc3 Rd8 This is a very defensible endgame for Black. ½-½ (33) Balogh, C (2634) – Miton, K (2605) Hockenheim 2018 21.Nxf3 21.Kxf3 Rxe1 22.Rxe1 Bf5 23.Ne4 Bf8 24.Nc5 Nb6 [24...Bxc5 25.Bxc5 Be6 26.Ra1 Rb8 also looks to be acceptable.] 25.g4 Nd7! Black challenges the well-placed knight on c5 and is doing fine. ½-½ (31) Adams, M (2740) – Aronian, L (2805) Tromso 2014 21...Rac8 22.axb5 axb5

Position after: 22...axb5 This is quite possibly the critical position for this variation. 23.Ra6 A) 23.Nd2 Nc7!? Looks sensible. It stops the rook from coming to a6 and also prepares a re-routing of the bishop to e6. [23...Rxe1 24.Rxe1 c5 25.Bxd5 cxd4 26.cxd4 Bb4 27.Re3 White is better here. 1-0 (51) Saric, I (2650) – Brkic, A (2584) Mali Losinj 2016] 24.Re3 Bf5 25.Ra7 Be6 26.Bxe6 Nxe6 27.Bb6 Rb8 White’s pressure is insubstantial – Black is fine. B) 23.Ne5 Bxe5 24.Rxe5 Rxe5 25.Bxe5 Re8 26.Bd4 Re2 27.Bxd5 cxd5 28.b4 h5 The opposite colour bishops put this game firmly in the equal camp. ½-½ (34) Kokarev, D (2636) – Tomashevsky, E (2724) Novosibirsk 2016 144

23...Rxe1 24.Nxe1 Nc7! 25.Rb6 Bf5 26.Bc2 Be6 27.Be4 Nd5 28.Ra6 b4 29.c4 Nf6 30.Bf3 Bxc4

Position after: 30...Bxc4 Another good game by Aronian in this line. His games are an excellent model for learning how to handle these positions. ½-½ (43) Vachier Lagrave, M (2796) – Aronian, L (2785) Sharjah 2017 c) 16.Bxd5 cxd5 17.-1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5 14.Qf3 Qh4 15.g3 Qh3 16.Bxd5 One of the critical replies, and a line in which the evaluation has not really changed since my first book. White is a pawn up but Black possesses a strong bishop pair which holds up well. 16...cxd5

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Position after: 16...cxd5 17.Qxd5!? It is important to notice some move order subtleties here. Taking on d5 with the queen at once allows some quick Qg2 ideas. This does cut out some possible lines for Black. A) 17.Bf4 An old attempt, but nothing has really changed, and Black is fine after: 17...Bg4 18.Qg2 Bxf4 19.Qxh3 Bxh3 20.gxf4 d4 when there is enough counterplay. B) 17.Be3 is discussed in the next subchapter. 17...Rad8 18.Qg2

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Position after: 18.Qg2 18...Qh5!? 18...Qxg2+ This is not the only move, but Black’s options are basically restricted to exchanging on g2 or dropping back to h5. None of the other tries really make that much sense. 19.Kxg2 Bxd3 20.Be3 transposes to the line with 17.Be3 and 19.Qg2. 19.Be3 There is a transposition to a note in the next subchapter in the case of 19...Bxd3, but Black has another sharp idea at his disposal... 19...Bh3 20.Qh1 f5

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Position after: 20...f5 21.Bb6

Position after: 21.Bb6 21.f4 Bc7 22.Nd2 Rxd3 23.Nb3 Bg4 24.Qg2 Bf3 25.Qf2

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Position after: 25.Qf2 25...g5!? [25...Ba8 Steered the game into unclear waters in ½-½ (48) Shirov, A (2740) – Jakovenko, D (2711) Dagomys 2008.] 26.Nc5 gxf4 27.Bxf4 Bb6 28.Re6 Rfd8 29.Rf1 Rd1 30.Rxb6 Rxf1+ 31.Qxf1 Rd1 32.Rb8+ Kf7 33.Qxd1 Bxd1 34.Rb7+ Kg6 35.Nd7 This brings the game to its conclusion: another entertaining draw! 21...Rb8!? A) Going all-in with the sacrifice doesn’t seem to work in this case. 21...Bxg3!? 22.hxg3 Rxd3 23.Bd4 f4 24.Qb7 Qg5 25.Nd2 Rxd2 26.Re7 Rxd4 27.cxd4 fxg3 28.f4! White refutes what is admittedly a rather unusual sacrifice even by the standards of the Marshall. B) 21...Rd7 22.Qd5+ Kh8 23.Nd2 Bxg3 24.Qxd7 Bf4 25.Qc6 Bxd2 26.Qd6!

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Position after: 26.Qd6! The critical response. [26.Bc5 Rg8 Now the play is unclear. 0-1 (36) Paravyan, D (2525) – Swiercz, D (2645) Moscow 2017] 26...Qg5+ [26...Rg8 27.Qg3 f4 28.Re5! Qxe5 29.Qxh3 We reach yet another position where Black has some chances. It must be acknowledged however that material is important, and White is still a pawn up.] 27.Qg3 Qh6 28.Bd4 f4 29.Qf3 Bxe1 30.Rxe1 Qg6+ 31.Kh1 Bd7 32.Qg2 Re8 33.Re5 Bc6 34.f3 Qf7 35.Kg1 h6 36.Rxe8+ Bxe8 37.Be5 Kg8 We arrive at an opposite-colour bishop endgame where Black has reasonable holding chances. C) 21...f4!? 22.Bxd8 f3 23.Nd2 Bg2 24.Qxg2 fxg2 25.Bb6

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Position after: 25.Bb6 In this highly unusual position the engines give some advantage to White but in a practical game I am really unsure of the evaluation here. 22.Qd5+ Kh8 23.Bd4 Rbd8 24.Qc6 Qh6!? 25.f4 25.Na3 f4 Black has an attack. 25...Bxf4 26.Qxh6 Bxh6 27.Na3 f4

Position after: 27...f4 Black opens up the position further and has good counterplay for his material. d) 16.Bxd5 cxd5 17.Be3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5 14.Qf3 Qh4 15.g3 Qh3 16.Bxd5 cxd5 17.Be3

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Position after: 17.Be3 17...Bxd3 18.Qxd5 Rad8 19.Qf3 The main alternative 19.Qg2 is also notable and was seen recently in a game between Carlsen and Ding Liren. With this move order Black has a plethora of options and isn’t obliged to take on g2, though of course he can if he so chooses.

Position after: 19.Qg2

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A) 19...Qc8 This was the path chosen by Ding Liren. 20.Nd2 Bf5 21.Bd4 Rfe8 22.f3 Bf8 23.a3 Re6 24.Rxe6 Qxe6 25.Qf2 Re8 26.Nf1 h5 27.Ne3 Bh3

Position after: 27...Bh3 Black is doing OK here, but in the game Ding mistakenly allowed the exchange of rooks and darksquared bishops and eventually went down. 1-0 (59) Carlsen, M (2870) – Ding Liren (2801) Kolkata 2019 B) 19...Qxg2+ I recommended this course of action in my previous book and my old analysis holds up well. 20.Kxg2 Be4+! 21.f3 Bc6 22.Nd2 Rfe8 23.Nb3 f6

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Position after: 23...f6 Black is doing OK with his bishop pair and active pieces. 24.Bb6 Rb8!? [24...Rxe1 also led to a draw in ½-½ (35) Bacrot, E (2705) – Aronian, L (2757) Kallithea 2008.] 25.Bc5 Be5 26.Kf2 Kf7 27.Rad1 Bc7 28.Nd4 Bd7 We can see that Black is following a strategy of avoiding minor piece exchanges. ½-½ (40) Durarbayli, V (2624) – Sevian, S (2484) Saint Louis 2014 C) 19...Qh5!? This is my current recommendation. 20.Nd2 b4!? 21.c4 Rc8

Position after: 21...Rc8 Black’s main idea here is to place his bishop on e5 and, in the case of a later b3, onto the c3-square, from where it would pressure the white position. 22.Qb7 A direct attempt which is probably best. [22.Rac1 Be5 23.Qd5 Rcd8 24.Qc5 Qf5 25.Qxb4 Rb8 26.Bb6 Qf6 27.Rxe5!? Qxe5 28.c5 h5 The game has taken an interesting turn, but I believe that it is still balanced. Black’s control of the light squares helps him to maintain equality.] 22...Qf5

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Position after: 22...Qf5 23.Bd4 [23.Qxa6 Be5! 24.Qa4 Bxb2 25.Qxb4 Bxa1 26.Rxa1 Rb8 Next will come ...Rfc8 and Black has good play.] 23...Bxc4 24.Nxc4 Rxc4 25.Rad1 Rfc8 26.Qxa6 Bf8

Position after: 26...Bf8 Black is still a pawn down, but the situation on the board has simplified in a useful way for him. The pawns on a2 and b2 are far from being a danger to the second player. 27.Qb7 Rc2 28.Kg2 Qa5 29.Ra1 R2c6 The black position is holding well here. 155

19...Bf5 20.Nd2 White can use different move orders to reach the same position, for instance: 20.Qg2 Qxg2+ 21.Kxg2 Be4+ 22.f3 Bc6 takes us back to the note after 19.Qg2 in the Bacrot – Aronian game. 20...Be6

Position after: 20...Be6 21.Bd4 One interesting attempt is: 21.a4!? Bc7 22.axb5 Bd5 23.Ne4 axb5 24.Rad1 Qe6 25.Bc5 f5 26.Ng5 Qxe1+ 27.Rxe1 Bxf3 28.Bxf8 Bd5 29.Bc5 h6 30.Re7 hxg5 31.Rxc7 Re8 32.Be7 g4 and the position finally peters out into a draw. 21...Bb8

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Position after: 21...Bb8 22.Ne4 White has a couple of alternatives here. A) 22.Qg2 Qh5!? 23.f3 Qg6 24.a3 h5 25.Re2 Rfe8 26.Rae1 Bd7 This looks very much like standard compensation in this line. B) 22.Qe2 Bd5 23.f3 Qd7 24.Qf2 h5 25.Re2 Rfe8 26.Rxe8+ Rxe8 Black is doing fine. 22...Bd5

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Position after: 22...Bd5 23.Ng5 A) 23.Bxg7 Kxg7 24.Qf6+ Kg8 25.Qg5+ Kh8 26.Qf6+ Kg8 A straightforward perpetual. ½-½ Bacrot, E (2725) – Aronian, L (2724) Khanty-Mansiysk 2005 B) 23.Bc5 f5! 24.Ng5 Qh6 25.Qd3 Qxg5 26.Bxf8 Kxf8 The powerful bishop pair means that Black is better. 23...Bxf3 24.Nxh3 Rfe8

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Position after: 24...Rfe8 There is similar play in all of the types of positions where the queens have come off. Black’s strong bishop pair and control over the light squares give him compensation. He should avoid exchanging minor pieces and try to stay active.

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Chapter 8 13...Bf5 14.Qf3 Re8 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5 14.Qf3 Re8

Chapter Guide Chapter 8 – 13...Bf5 14.Qf3 Re8 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5 14.Qf3 Re8 15.Rxe8+ Qxe8 16.Nd2 Qe1+ 17.Nf1 Bg6 a) 18.g3 b) 18.h3 a) 18.g3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5 14.Qf3 Re8

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Position after: 14...Re8 This is another very interesting line. In early 2000 I was in a team with Radjabov and Nataf and we played a match by SMS against another team of GMs. We decided to test this line and enjoyed some success with it, though the line has certainly evolved since then. My personal experience with it has not been the happiest, as later on I lost a game against Kotronias. After that defeat I was under the impression that the line was pretty much finished at GM level. Upon returning to it many years later for this book and giving it a fresh new look, I must confess I am quite unsure as to what is going on. Let’s explore further together. 15.Rxe8+ The alternative is not impressive. 15.Be3 Nxe3 16.Rxe3 Rxe3 17.Qxe3 Bxd3 18.Nd2 Qd7 19.Re1 Kf8 20.Qf3 Bg6 21.Rd1 Re8 Black has the bishop pair and preferable chances. 0-1 (71) Kovalenko, I (2640) – Kravtsiv, M (2665) Tbilisi 2017 15...Qxe8 16.Nd2 Qe1+ 17.Nf1 Bg6 18.g3 This is one of two main directions that White can choose to go in, and the one that was originally seen in the SMS match. 18.Bc2

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Position after: 18.Bc2 This allows a nice tactical shot: 18...Nxc3! [18...b4 19.c4 b3 20.Bd1 Nb4 21.Bd2 Qe5 22.Bc3 Qc5 23.Bxb4 Qxb4 24.Bxb3 White is better. 1-0 (43) Karjakin, S (2762) – Svidler, P (2727) Baku 2015] 19.bxc3 Qxc3 Black is simply better.

Position after: 18.g3 18...b4

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This is, of course, Black’s main idea and our team’s original choice. 18...Re8 This may well be a tricky alternative option, even if Black doesn’t regain the pawn here. The activity of the black pieces and the weak pawn on d3 provide some compensation. 19.Bd1 Qe6 20.Bd2 Qd7 21.Bb3 Nf6 22.Re1 Rxe1 23.Bxe1 h6 24.Qd1 c5 25.d4

Position after: 25.d4 Black remains a pawn down but all of his pieces are well placed, and conversion by White will not be easy. 25...cxd4 26.cxd4 Be4 27.Ne3 h5 28.a3 Ng4 29.Bb4 Nxe3 30.fxe3 Bxb4 31.axb4 Qc6 32.Qf1 Bf3 This shows one possible example of how Black can obtain balanced play here.

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Position after: 18...b4 19.c4 A) 19.Bxd5 cxd5 20.Qxd5 Rd8 21.Bg5 Qxa1 22.Bxd8 Bf8= This is the continuation from our famous SMS game, and we didn’t experience any problems here. B) Ivanchuk tried to experiment here but unfortunately it didn’t produce the desired outcome. 19.h4 h5 20.c4 Nf6 21.Bd1 Re8 22.Bd2 Qe5 23.Rc1 Bc5 Already we can say that Black has seized the initiative. 0-1 (31) Ivanchuk, V (2720) – Svidler, P (2745) Reykjavik 2015 19...Nf6

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Position after: 19...Nf6 20.Qxc6 The critical test. Now we embark upon a more or less forced sequence. The other option for White doesn’t really promise much. 20.Bd1 Re8 21.Bd2 Qe5 22.Qxc6 Bf8 23.Bb3 Bxd3 24.c5 Be4 25.Qxa6 Qf5 Black was better in 0-1 (35) Stellwagen, D (2639) – Gustafsson, J (2606) Germany 2008. 20...Rd8 21.Qb6 Rd7 22.Bc2 Ng4 23.Rb1 Qe2 24.Bd2 Ne5 25.Qe3 Qh5 26.Bd1 Qf5 27.Be2 f6 28.b3 Bc5 29.Qf4 Qxf4 30.Bxf4 Nxd3

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Position after: 30...Nxd3 This position has seen some practical tests but I was really unable to see any problems for Black in those games. 31.Be3 This is actually a plausible alternative which has not yet been tried. 31.Bxd3 Rxd3 32.Re1 [White does have alternative paths. 32.Rc1 Kf7 33.Be3 Bf8 34.Bb6 a5! 35.Ne3 Be4 36.Bxa5 Bc5! 37.Nd5 Rd2 38.Bb6 Bxb6 39.Nxb6 Rxa2 Black is fine here – the rook and bishop work well together and are good enough to hold, despite the pawn deficit.]

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Position after: 32.Re1 The database provides a few examples of this position, and although White was able to win some of those games, I do not see how Black can be worse here, even with one less pawn. 32...Bd4! This is a key defensive idea, after which the black bishops are shown to be very strong. [It would be an inaccuracy to play: 32...Kf7 33.Be3! Bd6 34.Bb6 with some chances for White. 1-0 (48) Saric, I (2650) – Matlakov, M (2693) Gjakova 2016] 33.Re6 [33.Re2 a5! 34.h4 a4 35.bxa4 Ra3 36.Bd6 Bc3 37.c5 Bh5 38.Rc2 Bd1 39.Rc1 Bxa4 40.c6 Bxc6 41.Bxb4 Bxb4 42.Rxc6 Rxa2 43.Rc8+ Kf7 This is just a draw. ½-½ (43) Geana, D – Haapameki, M corr. 2016] 33...a5 34.Ra6 a4! A nice thematic strike.

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Position after: 34...a4! White cannot take with the rook because his kingside will fall apart. 35.bxa4 [35.Rxa4 Rd1 36.Kg2 Be4+ 37.f3 Bd3 38.Nd2 g5 The white pieces are in a horrible tangle and Black is doing very well; 35.Rd6 axb3 36.axb3 Kf7 37.Be3 Bc3 38.Rxd3 Bxd3 39.Nd2 Bc2 Black is fine here.] 35...Ra3 36.Rd6 Bc3 37.c5 Rxa2 38.c6 b3 39.Rd5 Rxa4 40.c7 Rc4 41.Ne3 b2 42.Rd8+ Kf7 43.Nxc4 b1=Q+ 44.Kg2 Qe4+ 45.f3 Qe2+

Position after: 45...Qe2+ This leads to a fantastic draw. White cannot avoid a repetition of moves. 31...Bxe3

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Position after: 31...Bxe3 32.Nxe3! 32.fxe3 Nc5 33.Rb2 a5 This should not be a concern for Black – the knight on c5 dominates the board. 32...Nxf2 33.Re1 Nd3 34.Rd1 Ne5 35.Nd5 a5 36.Kf2

Position after: 36.Kf2 169

This looked logical to me, as I thought that although White is no longer a pawn up, the passed c-pawn and the strong knight on d5 are notable assets. 36...Kf7 37.Ke3 Nc6!?

Position after: 37...Nc6!? Black stops the white king running to the queenside, and now we can safely say that the position is balanced. b) 18.h3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5 14.Qf3 Re8 15.Rxe8+ Qxe8 16.Nd2 Qe1+ 17.Nf1 Bg6 18.h3

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Position after: 18.h3 This exact move is the one which proved to be much more dangerous than I had previously thought. In my game against Kotronias I was unable to reach equality. 18...Re8 19.Bd1 Bh2+ 19...Nxc3 is also possible. 20.bxc3 Qxc3 21.Rb1 Re1 22.Bf4 Bxf4 23.Qxf4 h6 24.Bc2 Rxb1 25.Bxb1 This was played in 1-0 (48) Kotronias, V (2587) – Pavlovic, M (2471) Vrnjacka Banja 2005.

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Position after: 25.Bxb1 Here Black’s best chance would have been 25...Qb2! and after 26.Nd2 c5 27.Kh2 c4 28.dxc4 Bxb1 29.Nxb1 Qxb1 30.c5 Black is teetering on the brink but should be able to make a draw after 30...Qxa2 31.c6 Qe6. 20.Kxh2 Qxf1 21.Bd2 Bh5!?N

Position after: 21...Bh5!?N I didn’t find it back then, but now I have discovered a novelty which may change the evaluation of this line. Taking on d3 immediately leads to a favourable endgame for White. 22.g4 Snapping off the bishop is, of course, an important option available to White. 22.Qxh5 Qxf2 23.Bg5 h6 24.Bxh6 [After 24.c4 hxg5 Black is actually winning.] 24...gxh6 25.Bb3 Qf4+ 26.Kh1 Re5

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Position after: 26...Re5 White has a few ideas here. 27.Qd1 [27.Qg4+ Qxg4 28.hxg4 Re2 29.Rb1 Ne3= This leads to a good endgame for Black; 27.Qf3 Qxf3 28.gxf3 Nf4 Black has the initiative.] 27...Ne3 28.Qf3 Qxf3 29.gxf3 Rf5 30.Rg1+ Kf8 31.Rg3 Nf1 32.Rg2 Ne3 33.Rf2 c5 The black rook and knight are very strong here. 22...Bg6

Position after: 22...Bg6 173

It seems that provoking g4 helps Black immensely. 23.Qg3 23.Rc1 h5!?

Position after: 23...h5!? 24.Bb3 [24.c4 bxc4 25.dxc4 Be4 Allowing the bishop to come to e4 cannot be wise – Black is better here; 24.g5 h4! Now the bishop will preoccupy White’s mind by threatening to come to h5.] 24...Qe2 25.Qxe2 Rxe2 26.Rd1 Rxf2+ 27.Kg3 Re2 Black has regained his pawn and is doing fine. 23...Bxd3 24.Rc1 24.a4 This is inadvisable, as after: 24...Be4 25.f3 Bc2 Black is better. 24...Be4

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Position after: 24...Be4 Now we see the very obvious advantage of provoking g4 – Black is whipping up a mating attack! 25.Bf3 25.f3 Bc2! 26.Qg2 Qxg2+ 27.Kxg2 Bxd1 28.Rxd1 Re2+ 29.Kf1 Rh2 30.Kg1 Re2 Here we have an unusual draw by repetition. 25...Qd3 26.Re1 Qxd2 27.Rxe4 Rf8 28.Re2 Qd3

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Position after: 28...Qd3 29.h4! 29.Kg2 g5! Now the knight is eyeing up the juicy f4-square and Black is better. 29...h6 30.Re5 Qd2 31.g5 Rd8 32.Re2 Qf4=

Position after: 32...Qf4= Black is able to deal with the position in a clean way. The black pieces are active and well-placed, and White cannot claim an objective advantage in this endgame.

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Part III The Anti-Marshall Chapter 9 Alternatives after 8.c3 d5 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5

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Position after: 8...d5 In this chapter we will deal with some of the less-played lines which seek to avoid the complications and dynamic counterplay of the Marshall. 9.d4 A) 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.d3 Bb7! 11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.Rxe5 Qd6!?N

Position after: 12...Qd6!?N

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13.Re1 [13.d4 Bf6 14.Re1 Rae8 Black has good compensation.] 13...Rae8 14.Nd2 c5 When we compare this position with the one that arises after 8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d5, we can see that Black has obtained an improved version. 15.a4 c4 16.dxc4 Nf4 17.Nf3 Nxg2!?

Position after: 17...Nxg2!? An enterprising sacrifice. 18.Qxd6 Nxe1 19.Qc7 Nxf3+ 20.Kf1 Be4 21.Be3 Bd3+ 22.Kg2 Nh4+ 23.Kg1 Bd8 24.Qb7 bxc4 25.Bd1 Re7 26.Qd5 Rfe8 Black has very strong play for the sacrificed material. B) 9.d3 dxe4 10.dxe4 Qxd1 11.Bxd1 h6 12.Nbd2 Be6 13.Nf1 Nd7

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Position after: 13...Nd7 14.Bb3 [14.Bc2 Rfd8 15.Bd2 Nc5 16.b4 Nd3 Black achieves a good endgame. ½-½ (74) Bryant, J (2401) – Sevian, S (2185) Freemont 2012] 14...Bxb3 15.axb3 a5 16.Be3 Rfd8 17.Red1 Nf6 18.Ng3 Bf8 19.h3 g6 Again, this leads to a balanced endgame. 9...dxe4 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Qxd1 12.Bxd1 Nd7

Position after: 12...Nd7 This is an interesting line which has been given the stamp of approval by Aronian. The opening decisions of all top players should be given credence, but especially when they are experts in a particular system, like Aronian is in the Marshall. 13.Rxe4 Taking the pawn is critical, of course. 13.Nd2 Nxe5 14.Rxe4 Bf6 15.Nf3 Nc4 Black is fine in this endgame. 0-1 (54) Daly, C (2340) – Hebden, M (2540) Kilkenny 2012 13...Nc5 14.Rd4 14.Re2 Bg4 15.f3 Bf5 16.Be3 Rfd8 17.Nd2 Bd3 18.Rf2 Bg6 19.f4 Nd3 20.Rf1 Nxb2 21.Bf3 Bd3 22.Rf2 Rac8 Black achieved adequate counterplay in ½-½ (48) Ponkratov, P (2632) – Aronian, L (2775) Moscow 2019. 14...Ne6 15.Rd2 Bg5 16.Rc2 180

Position after: 16.Rc2 16...Rd8 16...Bxc1 is also possible. After: 17.Rxc1 Nf4 18.Bf3 Rb8 19.Rd1 Ng6 20.Nd2 Nxe5 21.Be4 Nc4 Black regained his pawn and reached a favourable endgame. ½-½ (81) Kurnosov, I (2649) – Khalifman, A (2614) Nakhchivan 2013 17.Bf3

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Position after: 17.Bf3 17...Bxc1! It would be imprecise to play: 17...Bb7 18.Bxg5 Nxg5 19.Nd2 Nxf3+ 20.Nxf3 Rd3 21.Rd2 Rxd2 22.Nxd2 Re8 23.Re1 as White emerges a pawn up. ½-½ (83) Halkias, S (2583) – Melkumyan, H (2642) Hersonissos 2017 18.Rxc1 Rb8

Position after: 18...Rb8 19.Rd1 19.Na3 Nf4 20.Rd1 Bf5 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 22.Rd1 Rxd1+ 23.Bxd1 Ng6 Black will regain the pawn on e5 and has nothing to worry about. 19...Rxd1+ 20.Bxd1 Nc5 21.Nd2 Be6 22.Bc2 Na4 23.Bxa4 bxa4 24.b3 Rd8 25.Nf3 Rd3

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Position after: 25...Rd3 White is technically a pawn up but the black pieces are far more active than their counterparts, and the white queenside is under heavy pressure. Black is doing just fine.

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Chapter 10 8.h3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.h3

Chapter Guide Chapter 10 – 8.h3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 a) 11.a4 b) 11.Nc3 c) 11.Nbd2 d) 11.Nxe5 a) 11.a4 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.h3 Bb7 9.d3

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Position after: 9.d3 A very important line which was extremely popular for many decades until it was discovered that Black can still go for immediate active play with 9...d5. The fact that this move works is quite simply a game changer, because sacrificing a central pawn like this undermines White’s whole concept of trying to gradually establish positional pressure. White’s hopes for a typical Ruy Lopez grind are instantly dashed. 9...d5 Currently one of the most critical variations. It has been established that this gambit is playable for Black. It is significant that Black can still get away with such ideas in the modern game, and it shows that all the typical Marshall themes are very much alive today, even after so many decades. 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.a4 Nd4

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Position after: 11...Nd4 A typical reaction from Black. 12.Nbd2 12.Nxd4 exd4 13.axb5 axb5 14.Rxa8 Bxa8 15.Na3 Bb4 16.Bd2 Bxd2 17.Qxd2 Qf6

Position after: 17...Qf6 After a semi-forced sequence of moves we arrive at this interesting position with somewhat reduced 186

material. It seems that Black is doing OK – let’s explore a little further. 18.Bxd5 [Taking the pawn is wrong: 18.Nxb5?! Nf4 19.f3 Qh6! 20.Kh2 Bxf3 Black is better.] 18...Bxd5 19.Nxb5 Bxg2 20.Kxg2 Qc6+

Position after: 20...Qc6+ The exposed white king means that Black has no worries here. 21.Kh2 [21.Kg1 Qxb5 22.Qf4 Qxb2 23.Qxc7 Qb8 24.Re7 g6= This will in all likelihood end up in a draw.] 21...Qxb5 22.Qf4 c5 23.b3 Re8 24.Rxe8+ Qxe8 25.Qc7 Qf8 26.Kg3 g6 This queen endgame is also good for Black. 12...Nxb3 13.Nxb3 Nb4

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Position after: 13...Nb4 14.Nxe5 The alternative only promises a draw (at best) for White. 14.axb5 Bxf3 15.gxf3 Qd7! 16.bxa6 Qxh3 17.f4 [17.c3 f5!!

Position after: 17...f5!! The tables are instantly turned. Black is winning with the unstoppable threat of a rook lift via f6.]

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17...Bh4 18.Rxe5 f6

Position after: 18...f6 19.Rc5 [Trying to prevent a perpetual is unwise: 19.Re3? Bxf2+! 20.Kxf2 Qh2+ 21.Kf1 Qh1+ 22.Ke2 Qg2+ And Black wins.] 19...f5 20.Qf1 Qg4+ 21.Qg2 Qd1+ The game fizzles out to a draw. 14...Qd5 15.Nf3 Qd7 16.Ne5 Qd5 17.f3

Position after: 17.f3 189

This is White’s attempt to play for a win and avoid the otherwise inevitable draw. 17...Bd6 Now White has tried a few options. 18.Ng4 18.d4 Rad8 19.Bd2 Rfe8 20.axb5 axb5 21.Bxb4 Bxb4 22.c3 Bd6 23.Qc2 c5„ With the bishop pair and strong central control, Black has decent play for the pawn. ½-½ (31) Hansen, E (2559) – Tomashevsky, E (2715) Gibraltar 2014

Position after: 18.Ng4 18...bxa4!? A) 18...Bg3?! 19.Re4 gives White some momentum: 19...Qd6 20.Rd4 Qe7 21.Bd2 c5 22.Bxb4 cxb4

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Position after: 22...cxb4 23.Nh6+! gxh6 24.Rg4+ Kh8 25.Rxg3+– 1-0 (29) Vachier Lagrave, M (2774) – So, W (2767) Internet 2019. B) 18...Rae8!? 19.Bd2 f5 20.Nf2 Nc6 21.axb5 axb5 22.Na5 Nxa5 23.Bxa5 Qd4 24.Bc3 Qf4 Black is fine here.

Position after: 18...bxa4!? 19.Nd2 191

19.Rxa4?! runs into 19...Qc6³ attacking a4 and c2. 19...f5 20.Ne3 Qb5 21.Ndc4 Bg3 22.Re2 Rae8 23.c3 Nd5 24.Nxd5 Bxd5

Position after: 24...Bxd5 Black has actually regained his pawn here, even if it is doubled and not especially inspiring. That is not so important however, as it is the active black pieces and the weakened white king which mean that Black has enough play here to feel confident in his position. b) 11.Nc3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Nc3 Nxc3 12.bxc3 Bf6

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Position after: 12...Bf6 There are a few possible paths that White can choose between here. 13.Nd2 A) 13.a4 e4 14.Rxe4 Na5 15.Rg4 Nxb3 16.cxb3 Bxc3 17.Bh6 f5 18.Rg3 f4 19.Rg4 Bxf3! Black wins. B) 13.Bd2 Re8 14.Nh2 Na5 15.Ng4 Nxb3 16.Nxf6+ gxf6!? 17.axb3 Kh8 18.Re3 Rg8 19.Rg3 Qd5 20.Qe2 f5 21.Re1 f6ƒ

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Position after: 21...f6ƒ The open g-file and the battery on the long diagonal give the initiative to Black. 0-1 (77) Pourkashiyan, A (2273) – Melkumyan, H (2528) Dubai 2009 C) 13.Bb2 Re8 14.Nd2 Na5 15.Ne4 Nxb3 16.axb3 Be7 17.Qh5 f6

Position after: 17...f6 18.c4 [18.Re3 Rf8 19.c4 Rf7 20.Rae1 Bf8 21.Rg3 bxc4 22.dxc4 Bxe4 23.Rxe4 Qd2 Black has tightened the bolts on the kingside and now starts to generate counterplay.] 18...Qd7 19.Re2 Bf8 20.Qf3 Kh8 21.Qg3 Bc6 22.h4 Qf5

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Position after: 22...Qf5 We can conclude here that Black has a good position, even if the stronger player was later able to find his way to the point in 1-0 (39) Onischuk, V (2518) – Belyakov, B (2394) Kharkov 2011. 13...Na5

Position after: 13...Na5 14.Ba3 195

14.Ne4 Be7 15.Qf3 [15.Be3 Nxb3 16.axb3 Qd5 17.c4 Qc6³ Black will continue with ...f5 and take a firm grasp of the initiative. 0-1 (44) Chrzaszcz, M (2050) – Szczepkowska, K (2398) Hucisko 2016] 15...Kh8 16.Qh5 Nxb3 17.axb3 f6= Black has the bishop pair and a solid structure – he is doing fine here. 14...Re8

Position after: 14...Re8 15.Ne4 15.Qg4 g6! 16.Bb4 Nxb3 17.axb3 Bg7³

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Position after: 17...Bg7³ With the two bishops and the potential for breaking with ...f5, Black has nothing to worry about. ½-½ (37) Madl, I (2329) – Ragger, M (2677) Austria 2012 15...Nxb3 16.axb3 Bh4!?

Position after: 16...Bh4!? The plan is to play ...f5. 197

17.g3 17.Qf3 a5 18.g3 Bg5 19.Qg4 Be7 20.Bxe7 Qxe7³ Black is fine. 17...Be7 18.Bxe7 Qxe7 19.Qf3 19.b4 Bc6 leads to unclear play. 19...Bc6 20.Ra5 Rf8 21.g4 f6 22.Rea1 Bb7 23.b4 Rae8„

Position after: 23...Rae8„ Black will try to create counterplay in the centre to compensate for his worse pawn structure. c) 11.Nbd2 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Nbd2 This is the main way to proceed if White declines to take the pawn. It is certainly not the only way to handle this position. There are also some other notable ideas, which have been discussed in the previous subchapters. 11...Qd7

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Position after: 11...Qd7 Black gets on with his development and continues to ignore the fact that the e5-pawn is undefended. 12.Nxe5 We always have to consider taking the pawn. White does have a multitude of options though, which are also critical for our assessment of the line. A) 12.Ne4 Rad8 13.Bd2 Kh8 14.Ng3 f6 Leads to unclear play. 1-0 (34) Sanal, V (2490) – Brkic, A (2563) Skopje 2018 B) 12.Nf1 Bc5!?

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Position after: 12...Bc5!? 13.Nxe5 [13.Ng3 Rfe8 14.c3 Rad8 15.Ng5 Bf8 16.Qh5 h6 17.N5e4 Re6 18.Nf5 Na5 19.Bc2 c5

Position after: 19...c5 This line gives typical Ruy Lopez play where both sides have chances. 1-0 (35) Aravindh, C (2572) – Dragnev, V (2461) Tarvisio 2017] 13...Nxe5 14.Rxe5 Rae8 15.Rxe8 Rxe8 16.Ng3 Nf6 17.Qf1 h5 18.Bd2 h4 19.Ne2 Bb6 20.Re1 c5 Black has the initiative in return for a pawn. C) 12.a4 200

Position after: 12.a4 12...Rae8 Solidifying the e5-pawn is also fine. [12...f6 13.Ne4 Na5 14.Ba2 c5 15.Bd2 b4 16.c3 Kh8 The play is complex and unclear. 0-1 (46) Wallace, J (2413) – Wagner, D (2564) Douglas 2017] 13.axb5 axb5 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.Rxe5 Nf6 16.Nf1 Bd6 17.Rxe8 Rxe8 18.Be3 Qf5 19.Qe2 Qg6 20.f3 Bd5 21.c4 Be6

Position after: 21...Be6 Black’s pieces are well placed to start aggressive actions on the kingside, and he has compensation 201

here. ½-½ (31) Anand, V (2782) – Aronian, L (2805) London 2017 12...Nxe5 13.Rxe5 Nf4

Position after: 13...Nf4 14.Nf3 After 14.Ne4 Ng6 the rook is trapped in the middle of the board. 14...Nxg2! 15.Kxg2 a5!

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Position after: 15...a5! A stunning attacking strategy. The existence of this particular idea established the viability of this line and Black’s compensation. Black’s plan is to activate the rook from a6, and he also has the idea of ...a4, possibly driving the bishop off the active a2-g8 diagonal. 16.Rxe7 Other moves have been tried but they have not proved dangerous for Black. A) 16.a4 Ra6 17.Qe2 Rg6+ 18.Kh2 Bd6 19.Nh4 Bxe5+ 20.Qxe5 Re8 21.Qf4 Rf6 22.Qg3 Re1 23.Bh6

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Position after: 23.Bh6 23...Rxf2+! 24.Qxf2 Rxa1 Black is better. ½-½ (37) Guliyev, N (2556) – Gustafsson, J (2636) Germany 2014 B) 16.c3 Ra6 17.d4 Rg6+ 18.Kh2 a4! 19.Bc2 Bd6

Position after: 19...Bd6 20.Bf4 [20.Nh4 f6! 21.Nxg6 hxg6 Black is just winning.] 20...Rf6 21.Qd2 Bxf3 22.Qd3 g6 23.Qxf3 Rxf4 24.Qxf4 f6 Black has excellent play here. 204

C) 16.c4 Ra6 17.d4 Rg6+ 18.Kh2 Rf6 19.Re3 Bd6+ 20.Kg2 Rg6+ 21.Kf1 Qxh3+ 22.Ke2

Position after: 22.Ke2 22...Rf6 [22...Rg2ƒ Gave Black the initiative in the stem game: 0-1 (33) Jolly, J (2376) – Gozzoli, Y (2529) La Massana 2014.] 23.d5 bxc4 24.Bxc4 Bc5 This is just a winning attack for Black. 16...Qxe7 17.c3 Ra6 18.d4 Rf6 19.d5 a4 20.Bc2 Rd8 21.Qe1 Qd7 22.Ng5 h6 23.Ne4 Rg6+ 24.Kh2 f5 25.Ng3 Qxd5

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Position after: 25...Qxd5 A well-known game which went badly for the famous Ukrainian GM. 0-1 (26) Ivanchuk, V (2715) – So, W (2762) Wijk aan Zee 2015 d) 11.Nxe5 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Nxe5

Position after: 11.Nxe5 This is a real test of course, after all the pawn is on d3, not c3 as in the original main line, which should favour White. Nevertheless, there is plenty of play to come. 11...Nxe5!? The most direct response, in keeping with the spirit of the Marshall. It should be noted for completeness that 11...Nd4 has also been chosen by several top level players. 12.Rxe5 Qd6 13.Re1 Rae8 14.Nd2 c5 We have come to the beginning of the line. White has a choice in front of him.

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Position after: 14...c5 15.Ne4 A) 15.a4 c4! It is important to eliminate a guardian of the e4-square. 16.dxc4 Nf4

Position after: 16...Nf4 17.Nf3 [17.Qg4 h5! 18.Qf5 Bh4! 19.Ne4 Rxe4 20.Rxe4 Qd1+ 21.Kh2 Bxf2 22.Be3 Qxa1 23.Bxf2 Bxe4 24.Qxe4 bxa4 Nice play. 0-1 (40) Tan, J (2250) – Illingworth, M (2394) Melbourne 2012] 207

17...Nxh3+ 18.Kf1 Qg6 19.Qd3! [19.Qd7 Bxf3 20.Qxh3 Bg4 21.Qh2 Bb4! Leads to a win for Black.] 19...Qg4 20.Qd4 Qg6= The game could end here with a repetition of moves. B) 15.Qf3 Qd7 16.Ne4

Position after: 16.Ne4 16...c4! Again we see this thematic strike. 17.dxc4 Nf6 18.Qd3 Qc6 19.cxb5 axb5 20.f3 Nxe4 21.fxe4 Qg6 22.Bd5 Bxd5 23.Qxd5 Bh4 24.Rf1 Rxe4 25.Bf4 Re2 This also gave Black enough play. ½-½ (27) Marosi, L (2274) – Holm, K (2353) Kecskemet 2015 15...Qc6 16.c4 Nb6

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Position after: 16...Nb6 Black has positioned his pieces on their optimum squares, and now both ...bxc4 and ...f5 present an imminent danger for White. 17.cxb5 White can refrain from taking on b5 but that does leave the option of ...bxc4 always open to Black. 17.f3 Bh4

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Position after: 17...Bh4 18.Rf1 [18.Re2 bxc4 19.dxc4 f5 20.Nc3 Rxe2 21.Nxe2 g5!? 22.Be3 Re8 23.Bf2 Bxf2+ 24.Kxf2 g4 25.Qd3 Qh6 Black has an attack; 18.Re3 Qc7 19.Qe2 Re7 20.Bd2 bxc4 21.dxc4 Rfe8 22.Rd1 Bxe4 23.Rxe4 Rxe4 24.fxe4 Bf6 25.Kh1 Qc6= Black is OK here. The black king is far more secure than his counterpart, and Black has strong pressure against the white pawns.] 18...bxc4!? 19.dxc4 f5 20.Nc3 Bg3 21.Ne2 Be5 Another example of play which gives Black decent compensation. The dark squares around the white king are very weak. 17...axb5

Position after: 17...axb5 18.Qf3! Probably best under the circumstances. A) 18.f3 Bh4 19.Re2 Rd8 20.a4 c4 Black is better. B) 18.a4 bxa4 19.Bxa4 Nxa4 20.Qxa4 Qd5

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Position after: 20...Qd5 21.Qa2 [21.Qc4 Qxc4 22.dxc4 Bd8 Black is better, as next ...f5 will come. 0-1 (40) Manik, M (2394) – Ali Marandi, C (2385) Olomouc 2014] 21...Qxd3 22.Nc3 Qg6! 23.Nd5 Bh4 The white queen is misplaced on a2 and Black has a free hand to attack. 18...c4 19.dxc4 19.Bc2 Qd7 20.Qg3 f5 21.Ng5 Nd5 22.dxc4 Bd6 23.f4 Rxe1+ 24.Qxe1 Re8 25.Qh4 Nf6 Black is better.

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Position after: 25...Nf6 0-1 (59) Kovalev, V (2661) – Esipenko, A (2611) Poikovsky 2019 19...bxc4 20.Bc2

Position after: 20.Bc2 20...Ba8!? It is important that the bishop is protected. 20...f5 21.Nc3 Qxf3 22.gxf3 Bxf3 23.Bf4 I actually prefer this endgame for White on account of the passed a-pawn. ½-½ (44) Svidler, P (2749) – Muzychuk, A (2580) Gibraltar 2012 21.Bd2 f5

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Position after: 21...f5 22.Ng5 A) 22.Nc3 Qd7 23.Qd1 Qc6 24.f3 g5 25.Ba4 Bc5+ 26.Kh1 Rxe1+ 27.Bxe1 Qg6 Black’s attacking play provides good compensation for the pawn. The plan is to play ...g4. B) 22.Ng3 Qc7 23.Qd1 g6 Black is doing OK – his pieces are more active than their opposite numbers. 22...Qg6! Once again we see the relevance of the bishop being on a8 and not b7. 23.Qg3 f4 24.Bxg6 fxg3 25.Bxh7+ Kh8 26.Rxe7 gxf2+ 27.Kf1 Rxe7 28.Bb4 Re1+ 29.Rxe1 fxe1=Q+ 30.Kxe1 Re8+ 31.Kf1 Nd5

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Position after: 31...Nd5 There is still play left in this highly imbalanced endgame, but Black is doing absolutely fine.

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Chapter 11 8.d3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.d3

Chapter Guide Chapter 11 – 8.d3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.d3 d6 a) 9.c3 b) 9.a3 a) 9.c3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7

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Position after: 5...Be7 6.Re1 6.d3 This option is important to note because it changes the move order possibilities for both sides. 6...d6 7.c3 0-0 8.Re1 Re8 9.Nbd2 Bf8 10.Nf1 b5

Position after: 10...b5 11.Bc2!? This is a relatively new idea. White retreats the bishop immediately to c2 instead of going to 216

b3 and waiting to be forced back by the black knight. This concept has had some impact on the evaluation of this system but it shouldn’t be overstated. Let’s examine the difference between the two bishop retreats. The bishop on b3 puts pressure on f7 and hinders ...d5 ideas, whereas the bishop on c2 is more static but now the e4-pawn is better supported and White can hope for a quick d4. [11.Bb3 This will basically transpose to one of the main lines in this chapter after: 11...h6 12.Ng3 Be6.] 11...Ne7!? Black capitalises on the fact that there is no pressure on f7.

Position after: 11...Ne7!? 12.a4 This is best. [12.d4 If White goes for his usual central play then Black is well-placed to meet it. 12...Ng6 13.h3 h6 14.Ng3 c5 15.Be3 Bd7 16.Qd2 cxd4 17.cxd4 exd4 18.Nxd4 d5!

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Position after: 18...d5! 19.exd5 Nxd5 20.Be4 Nxe3! 21.Rxe3 Rc8 After the liquidation in the centre and some piece trades, Black is fine. This motif to defuse White’s central build-up is worth remembering.] 12...Rb8 13.axb5 axb5 14.d4 Ng6

Position after: 14...Ng6 Here the game could go in a number of different directions. A) 15.Ng3 h6 16.b3 c5 218

Position after: 16...c5 17.d5 [17.b4?! Bg4 18.h3 Bxf3 19.Qxf3 exd4 20.cxd4 cxd4 21.Bb2 d5 Black is fine here. If White doesn’t include h3 then he often has problems controlling the d4-square.] 17...Bd7 18.Be3 Ra8 Black should not be worried in these types of position. B) 15.d5 Bd7 16.b4 Ra8 17.Bg5 Be7 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.g3 Rxa1 20.Qxa1 Qa8 21.N3d2 Qb7 22.Nb3 Ne7 The manoeuvring will continue, but Black is not worse here. ½-½ (23) Motylev, A (2663) – Onischuk, A (2667) Poikovsky 2013 C) 15.h3 Bb7 16.Ng3 h6 17.Bd3 c6 18.Qc2 Qc7 19.Bd2

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Position after: 19.Bd2 19...Bc8! In closed positions, it is important to know the best locations for your pieces, because you usually have the time to redeploy them to their ideal squares. Here, the bishop wants to be on d7. [19...Ra8 20.dxe5 Nxe5 21.Nxe5 dxe5 22.c4 White had some pressure in 0-1 (64) Kosintseva, N (2486) – Chuprov, D (2571) Moscow 2009.] 20.Ra3 Bd7 21.Rea1 c5 22.d5 c4 23.Bf1 Rec8 White has secured the a-file for the moment, but it is not clear exactly what that brings him. Black is doing OK. 6...b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.d3

Position after: 8.d3 In general, all these d3 lines actually pose less problems for Black because White doesn’t force Black into major decisions straight off the bat. The key in the Ruy Lopez for White is establishing some central pressure and then using that pressure to take advantage on one of the flanks. Proceeding with an early d3 is a slow way to the same end, but, of course, its lack of immediacy gives Black time to choose how to fight against White’s strategy. 8...d6 9.c3

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Position after: 9.c3 This line leads us to a standard set-up which can arise from many different move orders and openings. For example, many forms of the Italian Game and the Ruy Lopez can end up here. White will continue in a slower fashion, first re-routing his b1-knight to a better square and only then preparing for play on either wing or in the centre. 9...Re8 10.Nbd2 10.Ng5 Rf8 11.Nf3 Re8 If both players have somewhere they need to be, then this is one way that the game can end abruptly. 10...Bf8 11.Nf1 h6

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Position after: 11...h6 There is nothing unusual here from the black side, this is one of many typical plans. In my first book on the Marshall and the Ruy Lopez I gave another defensive system for Black, but for this work I looked for a different solution. 12.a4 This is just one of White’s many ideas in this position. A) 12.Ne3 Na5 13.Bc2 c5 14.h3 Bb7 The alternatives don’t offer much for White.

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Position after: 14...Bb7 A1) 15.b4 cxb4 16.cxb4 Nc6 17.a3 d5 18.Ng4 Nxg4 19.hxg4 dxe4 20.dxe4 Qxd1 21.Rxd1 a5 Black is doing fine. 0-1 (33) Shankland, S (2725) – Ding Liren (2813) Wijk aan Zee 2019 A2) 15.Nf5 d5 16.Qe2 c4 17.dxc4

Position after: 17.dxc4 17...Nxc4! [17...dxe4 18.Nd2 Qc8 19.Ne3 White has a small edge here. ½-½ (57) Fedorchuk, S (2599) – Matras, A (2210) Warsaw 2006] 18.exd5 Qxd5= Black has successfully equalised and the chances are level. A3) 15.Nh2 A typical attacking plan for White. 15...d5 16.Nhg4 Nxg4 17.Qxg4 d4 18.Nf5 Kh7 19.f4 g6 20.Ng3 exf4 21.Qxf4 Bg7 22.Bd2

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Position after: 22.Bd2 22...Nc6! Black is fine in view of the fact that taking on f7 is bad for White. [22...Qe7 23.cxd4∞ Was rather unclear in the game: ½-½ (59) Jakovenko, D (2708) – Tkachiev, V (2652) Dresden 2007.] 23.Qxf7 Rb8 24.Qf2 Rf8 25.Qe2 Qd6 Black has an excellent position and his pieces will coordinate much better in the centre and on the kingside. Black should probably go on to win. B) 12.Ng3 Be6!

Position after: 12...Be6!

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This is a key plan – Black challenges the bishop on b3 directly. 13.Bxe6 Rxe6 14.d4 d5! 15.dxe5 Nxe4 16.Nd4 Nxd4 17.cxd4 c5 Black has enough play here. ½-½ (27) Perunovic, M (2477) – Zivanic, M (2416) Herceg Novi 2001 C) 12.h3 Be6!? Again we see this idea. 13.Ne3 Bxb3 14.Qxb3 Qd7 15.Nh2

Position after: 15.Nh2 15...Nd8! [Black can also consider: 15...Ne7 16.Nhg4 Nxg4 17.Nxg4 Qe6 18.Qxe6 fxe6 19.a4 Reb8 20.b4 which is not bad either. Black has a solid set-up. ½-½ (29) Balogh, C (2631) – Hracek, Z (2610) Slovakia 2017] 16.Nhg4 Nxg4 17.hxg4 Ne6 The e6-knight is an excellent piece. D) 12.a3 Ne7!

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Position after: 12...Ne7! Here I think it is possible to transfer the knight across to the kingside. If White doesn’t play actively then Black can dream of taking over the initiative. 13.Ng3 Ng6 14.d4 c5 15.d5 c4 16.Bc2 Nf4 17.a4 Bd7 18.Nf1 The play is unclear, as it so often is in the Ruy Lopez. 1-0 (37) Almasi, Z (2630) – Pavlovic, M (2535) Vrnjacka Banja 1998 12...Be6!?

Position after: 12...Be6!? 226

This idea differs from the standard reactions in this position, such as the plans involving sticking the knight on a5 and following up with ...c5 that have been seen so many times before. 13.Bxe6 A) 13.Ne3 Qd7 14.axb5 axb5 15.Rxa8 Rxa8 16.d4 exd4 17.cxd4 d5 18.e5 Ne4 Black has counterplay. B) Avoiding the exchange and dropping back with the bishop is also in White’s deep and varied Ruy Lopez arsenal. 13.Bc2 Ne7 14.d4 Ng6 This also leads to a standard, complicated position. 13...Rxe6

Position after: 13...Rxe6 14.Ng3 White wants to get in d4, whilst also being happy with the space advantage conferred by the pawn on a4. 14.Ne3 Ne7 15.h3 c6 16.Ng4 Nd7 17.d4 Ng6 18.axb5 axb5 19.Rxa8 Qxa8 20.dxe5 Ndxe5 21.Nd4 Re8 22.Nf5 c5 Black is doing OK. 0-1 (55) Karthikeyan, M (2578) – Inarkiev, E (2723) Moscow 2017 14...Rb8!? 15.axb5 axb5

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Position after: 15...axb5 The rook on e6 is excellently placed and serves a multifunctional purpose, as after a later ...d5 it will protect the c6-knight. 16.Qc2 Breaking in the centre directly doesn’t bring anything for White. 16.d4 d5 17.Nxe5 Nxe5 18.dxe5 Nxe4 Black is doing OK here. 16...d5 17.Be3 Re8 18.h3 Qd7 19.Ra6 Ra8 20.Rea1 Rxa6 21.Rxa6 Nb8 22.Ra5 Nc6 23.Ra1 Nd8 24.Ra6 Nb7

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Position after: 24...Nb7 Black has got his central pawn break in and is holding his own in the battle for space. b) 9.a3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.d3 d6 9.a3

Position after: 9.a3

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White tries a different tack. The intention is to keep the bishop for as long as possible on the a2-g8 diagonal. Another point is have possible b4 ideas in reserve. 9.a4 b4 transposes to lines with 8.a4 b4 9.d3 d6 covered in Chapter 13. 9...Na5 10.Ba2 c5

Position after: 10...c5 A standard reaction from Black in the Ruy Lopez. The black knight hops out of the way to enable space-gaining in the centre and on the queenside. 11.Nc3 White plays directly for control of d5. Of course, there are other options at his disposal. A) 11.Bd2 Nc6 12.Nc3 Bd7!? It is always important to look ahead and anticipate how the position might develop. Black prepares his pieces for action on the queenside. 13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.Bxd5 a5!

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Position after: 14...a5! A1) 15.a4 bxa4!? Now the main point of having a bishop on d7 is revealed. 16.Bc1 Ra7 17.c3 [17.Nd2 Bg5 18.Nc4 Bxc1 19.Qxc1 Nd4 Black is doing OK.] 17...Bf6 18.Ba2 White hatches a plan to round up the a4-pawn by re-routing the bishop to c2. It turns out that this is easier said than done, however!

Position after: 18.Ba2 18...Ne7 19.Bb1 Nc8! 20.Nd2 Nb6 21.Nc4 Nxc4 22.dxc4 Bg5! 23.Qxd6 Bxc1 24.Rxc1 Qg5 231

25.Bd3 Rc8 26.Bf1 Rb7 Black has good counterplay along the b-file. A2) 15.c3 a4 16.d4 Qc7 17.Be3 Rae8 Black has adequate play here with his queenside space. B) 11.Nbd2 Nc6 12.Nf1 Be6 13.Bxe6 fxe6

Position after: 13...fxe6 This position (or similar) is not an infrequent guest in tournament play. Black has strong control of the centre, whereas White will try to get in b4 (and potentially c4) to attack the black structure and demonstrate that the doubled pawns are a weakness as opposed to an asset. 14.Ng3 [14.c3 Qd7 15.Ng3 c4!? 16.b4 cxd3 17.Qxd3 Nd8 18.c4 Nf7 19.Bd2 Rac8 20.cxb5 Qxb5 21.Qb3 Qc4 22.Qxc4 Rxc4 23.Rac1 Rfc8 24.Rxc4 Black has nothing to worry about. ½-½ Anand, V (2792) – Aronian, L (2750) Mainz 2007] B1) 14...Qd7 15.c3 c4 transposes to the Anand – Aronian game just above. B2) 14...Qc7 15.c3 d5

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Position after: 15...d5 16.b4! [16.exd5 exd5 17.Nf5 Rae8 18.a4 Bd8 19.axb5 axb5 20.Ng3 h6 21.Be3 c4 22.dxc4 bxc4 Black has the better chances. This game illustrates just how dangerous Black’s centre can be if it gets rolling. 0-1 (32) Svetushkin, D (2608) – Prohaszka, P (2567) Zug 2013] 16...cxb4 17.cxb4 a5 18.bxa5 Rxa5 19.exd5 exd5 20.Bb2 This response from White is much more to the point, and the position is double-edged. B3) 14...Qe8!? Black has other moves as well – the play is not super forcing in these types of positions. 15.c3 Nd7 16.b4 Qf7 17.Be3 d5 The game is unclear and both sides will have chances to outplay the other. 11...Be6

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Position after: 11...Be6 12.Bg5 A logical reply – White is prepared to trade his bishop for the knight on f6 in order to establish firm control over the d5-square. A) 12.Bxe6 fxe6 13.Ne2 Nc6 14.Ng3 transposes to the previous line. B) 12.Nd5 Nxd5 13.exd5 Bg4! 14.b4 Nb7 15.h3 Bh5

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Position after: 15...Bh5 The black knight on b7 will not be winning any prizes for its activity but it does play an important defensive role on the queenside. Meanwhile, ...f5 will bring excellent play for Black on the other flank. 16.Be3 Qc7 17.c4 f5 18.bxc5 Nxc5 Black is doing fine here. 0-1 (33) Shankland, S (2705) – Ding Liren (2811) Internet 2019 12...Nc6 12...Bxa2 13.Rxa2 Nc6 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Nd5 Ne7 16.Nxf6+ gxf6 17.Nh4 Qd7 18.Qh5 Kh8

Position after: 18...Kh8 19.b4! [19.Re3 Rg8 20.Ra1 Qe6 The position is complex and will reward the player who is more at ease with its less-than-straightforward nature. 0-1 (52) Shankland, S (2705) – Ding Liren (2811) chess.com 2019] 19...Rg8 20.a4ƒ Qe6 21.Rea1 In this line the rook actually justifies its position on a2 and White has some meaningful pressure. 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Nd5 g6 Here we are faced with a position which resembles certain Sicilian lines in the Pelikan or, in modern parlance, the Sveshnikov (and also some others). Black has more space and the bishop pair, whereas White has the strong d5-square firmly in his grasp.

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Position after: 14...g6 15.c3 15.b4 Bg7 16.c4 Bg4! [16...cxb4 17.cxb5 axb5 18.Nxb4 White is forcing the pace of the game with his queenside endeavours. ½-½ (51) Svetushkin, D (2534) – Thybo, J (2550) Batumi 2019] 17.h3 Bxf3 18.Qxf3 Kh8 This is completely unclear. 15...Bg7

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Position after: 15...Bg7 16.b4 Playing on both sides of the board is not always advisable: 16.h4 Kh8 17.g3 f5 18.Ng5 Bg8 19.exf5 gxf5 20.Qh5 h6 21.Kg2 Ne7 22.Qf3

Position after: 22.Qf3 22...c4! This is a very strong blow and instantly gives the advantage to Black. [In the game Black missed this chance but still managed to achieve decent play after: 22...Ra7 23.Nxe7 Rxe7 24.Bxg8 Rxg8 with an unclear game. 1-0 (75) Kamsky, G (2762) – Karjakin, S (2775) Beijing 2012] 16...Ne7 17.Ne3

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Position after: 17.Ne3 17...Bxa2 17...Qd7 18.Bxe6! [Another encounter from the online match between China’s leading light and one of the top Americans showed a thematic continuation here. 18.a4 Rfb8 19.Bxe6 Qxe6 20.Qc2 Bh6 21.Qa2 Bxe3 22.Rxe3 Qxa2 23.Rxa2 cxb4 24.cxb4 Nc6 Black is better. ½-½ (35) Shankland, S (2705) – Ding Liren (2811) Internet 2019] 18...Qxe6 19.bxc5 dxc5 20.c4! This idea is important to be aware of, as usually it benefits White.

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Position after: 20.c4! Indeed, this can be said to be one of the main points of White’s play in these lines. 20...Qd6 21.Qe2 Rfb8 22.Reb1 Bh6 23.Nd5 Nxd5 24.cxd5 Ra7 25.Ra2 a5 26.a4 b4 27.Rc2 Rc7 28.Rc4 I have continued the line here with some (semi-) random moves but it is clear that White has a decent amount of pressure. 18.Rxa2 d5! Black must play actively and decides that the time is now right to break in the centre. 19.bxc5 Rc8 20.a4 Rxc5 21.axb5 axb5 22.Qb3 d4

Position after: 22...d4 Black has a worse structure but his activity in the centre and reasonably well-placed pieces mean that he has counterplay.

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Chapter 12 8.d4 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.d4

Chapter Guide Chapter 12 – 8.d4 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.d4 d6 9.c3 Bg4 a) 10.d5 b) 10.Be3 a) 10.d5 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.d4 d6 9.c3 Bg4

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Position after: 9...Bg4 This denotes the beginning of a major set-up for White, not only in terms of the Marshall but also against other Black answers to the Ruy Lopez. This line has a tendency to develop the game in a different way to the usual traditional paths of the Spanish. 10.d5 This is White’s premier choice. The first player simply decides to speed up the game and force matters. Black will eventually have to retreat the bishop and go for a break with ...c6. White will in turn look to take advantage of this loss of time and use his rapid development to achieve superior play. 10...Na5 11.Bc2 c6 12.h3 Bc8 13.dxc6 Qc7 14.Nbd2 Qxc6

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Position after: 14...Qxc6 Commonly considered to be the main idea for Black. The recapture with the queen leaves open the choice of diagonals for the light-squared bishop and the knight stays on a5 for the moment so it stays in touch with the potentially useful c4-square. 15.Nf1 White can also deviate here by probing at the black queenside: 15.a4 Bb7!? This reaction is somewhat outdated but, as we will see, the evidence is not so clear-cut. 16.Nf1 Nc4 17.Ng3 g6 18.Qe2 Rfc8

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Position after: 18...Rfc8 19.axb5 [19.Nh2 b4! 20.cxb4 Nxb2 21.Bb3 Qc3 22.Bxf7+ Kxf7 23.Bxb2 Qc2 Black has blown open the queenside and has a comfortable game.] 19...axb5 20.Rxa8 Rxa8 21.Bd3

Position after: 21.Bd3 21...Bc8 [Another interesting option is: 21...Nd7!? 22.b3 Ncb6 23.Bd2 Ba6 24.b4 Nc4 25.Bg5 f6! 26.Bh6 Ndb6 with a complex position.] 22.b3 Na5 23.b4 Nc4 24.Nd2 Be6 25.Nxc4 bxc4 26.Bb1 Ne8!? 243

Position after: 26...Ne8!? This is actually a new idea which improves on the old game Sutovsky – Gabriel from Bad Homburg, 1997. Black will continue by bringing the knight to b5, whilst White will look to launch an attack. 27.f4 Bh4 28.Qf3 Ra1 29.Bb2 Ra7 30.Rf1 exf4 31.Qxf4 Bf6 The game is imbalanced and unclear. 15...Nc4 16.Ng3 Re8 17.a4 g6!?

Position after: 17...g6!?

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This idea drew my attention and I decided to take a deeper look. 18.b3 A) 18.axb5 axb5 19.Rxa8 Qxa8 20.Bd3 Qc6 21.Qe2 Bd7

Position after: 21...Bd7 The b5-pawn is not vulnerable in this line. 22.b3 [22.Nd2 Nxd2 23.Bxd2 Black is OK – the pawns on b5 and d6 are not weak. ½-½ (26) Sharif, M (2380) – O’Kelly de Galway, A (2460) Jakarta 1978] 22...Nb6 23.Be3 Rb8 24.Rc1 Bf8 The play remains murky. B) 18.Bd3 Nb6 19.axb5 axb5 20.Rxa8 Nxa8 21.Bh6 Nc7 22.Qe2 Bf8 23.Qd2 Bg7 24.Bc2 Ne6 25.Nh4

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Position after: 25.Nh4 25...Nf4!? [25...b4 26.Bxg7 Kxg7 27.cxb4 Nd4 gave Black compensation in 1-0 (50) Sznapik, A (2425) – Hawelko, M (2460) Warsaw 1987.] 26.Bxf4 exf4 27.Qxf4 b4 Again, Black gets good play for the sacrificed pawn. C) 18.Nh2 Be6 19.Ng4 Nxg4 20.hxg4 f6 A sharp struggle awaits both players. D) 18.Qe2 Bd7 19.b3 Na5 20.Bd2 Qc7 21.axb5 axb5 22.Ra2 Nb7 23.Rea1 Rxa2 24.Rxa2 Nd8 25.b4 Ne6 26.Bb3 Bf8 We see this same structure again and the play remains similarly unclear and complex. 18...Nb6

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Position after: 18...Nb6 19.a5 If he wishes, White can also opt for: 19.axb5 axb5 20.Rxa8 Nxa8 21.Qd3 [21.Bb2 Nc7 22.Qd2 Ne6 23.Rd1 Bb7 Black has no worries. 0-1 (65) Pecner, D (2200) – Franzen, J (2290) Hlohovec 1975] 21...Bb7 22.Bb2 Nc7 23.Ra1 Ne6„ Another good example of what Black should be doing in this line. The knight is excellently placed on e6. ½-½ (39) Malmstroem, J – Kuipers, J corr. 1999 19...Nbd7 20.Bd2 Bf8 A) 20...Nf8 is possible but this is a rather passive set-up for Black.

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Position after: 20...Nf8 21.Rc1 [21.Bd3 Be6 22.Ng5 d5 23.Nxe6 Nxe6 24.exd5 Qxd5 In this version Black is doing fine. ½-½ (33) Ulibin, M (2495) – Chiburdanidze, M (2495) Sochi 1989] 21...Be6 22.Ng5 d5 23.exd5 Bxd5 24.c4! This counterpunch gives White the advantage. The small nuance in move order could very well undermine this entire idea for Black. B) Black can try to accelerate his play: 20...Bb7 21.b4 d5 22.exd5

Position after: 22.exd5

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22...Qd6!? The idea is to take with the bishop. [In the stem game White managed to disturb the black king and gain the initiative: 22...Nxd5 23.Bb3 Rad8 24.Qc2 Kg7 25.Rad1 Nc7 26.h4ƒ 1-0 (53) King, D (2495) – Van der Wiel, J (2545) Palma de Mallorca 1989.] 23.Bb3 Rac8 24.Qc2 Bxd5 25.Rad1 Bf8 26.Bxd5 Qxd5 Black should be satisfied here. He has got rid of his potential weakness on d6 and now it is White who might have to worry about his structure in the long run. 21.b4 Bb7

Position after: 21...Bb7 In a way, this is what both sides wanted. 22.Bb3 22.Rc1 d5 23.exd5 [23.Qe2 dxe4 24.Nh2 e3 25.fxe3 e4 Black is better. ½-½ (37) Pavlov, S (2505) – Petkovic, R (2280) Senta 2011] 23...Qd6!?

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Position after: 23...Qd6!? We see this idea again and it is certainly worth remembering. Black wants to take on d5 with the bishop in order to exert more control over the e4-square. 24.Ng5 Bxd5 25.h4 Qc6 26.h5 Rad8 27.hxg6 hxg6 The waters are murky once again and both sides have their chances. 22...d5

Position after: 22...d5

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23.Qe2 23.exd5 Qd6!? 24.Qc2 Bxd5 25.Rad1 Bxb3 26.Qxb3 Qe6 This should pose no problems for Black. 23...Rad8 24.Rad1 Qc8 25.Nh2 Bg7 26.Ng4 Nxg4 27.hxg4 Nf6 28.Bg5 dxe4 29.c4 Rd3 30.Bxf6 Rxb3 31.Bxg7 Kxg7 32.cxb5 e3 33.f3 axb5

Position after: 33...axb5 The evaluation is unclear here. I admit that this line is perhaps a little bit too long and unforced to be of real value, but it does give an indication of how the game might continue, and nicely illustrates the complexity of the play in these types of positions. b) 10.Be3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.d4 d6 9.c3 Bg4 10.Be3

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Position after: 10.Be3 This is yet another system which challenges Black to play in a slightly different way to usual. Black will need to play more dynamically than in the standard closed Spanish positions. Many lines of the Ruy Lopez tend to be solid and tense with lots of manoeuvring, but this one and the previous line incline more in the direction of an open game. 10...exd4 11.cxd4 Na5 12.Bc2 Nc4 This is considered to be the main line of this system and it is undoubtedly logical. 13.Bc1 c5 Obliging White to temporarily go passive allows Black the time to attack the white centre and regroup his pieces. 14.b3 Nb6

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Position after: 14...Nb6 15.Nbd2 There are some other possible ideas here which lead off down independent paths. A) 15.dxc5 dxc5 16.Nbd2 Rc8

Position after: 16...Rc8 The last move advertises Black’s main plan, which is to aim for ...c4. 17.h3 Bh5 18.Qe2 [18.a4 c4 253

19.bxc4 Nxc4 20.axb5 axb5 21.Nxc4 Rxc4 Black has obtained equal chances.] 18...Re8 19.Bb2 c4 20.bxc4 Nxc4 21.Nxc4 Rxc4 22.Rad1 Qc8

Position after: 22...Qc8 Here we can conclude that the chances are level. Let’s have a look at some more moves: 23.Bd3 Ra4 24.e5 Nd5 25.Bxh7+ Kxh7 26.Rxd5 Qf5 27.g4 Rxg4+ 28.hxg4 Qxg4+ 29.Kh2 Qf4+ 30.Kg2 Qg4+=

Position after: 30...Qg4+=

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The game ends with a repetition. B) 15.d5 Nfxd5!? 16.exd5 Bf6 17.Nc3 b4 18.Bxh7+ Kxh7 19.Ne4 Kg8 20.Bg5 Bxf3 21.Bxf6 Bxd1 22.Bxd8 Rfxd8 23.Raxd1 a5 After the dust has settled following a flurry of tactics and exchanges, it turns out that Black is fine. C) 15.Bb2 cxd4 16.Bxd4 Nfd7 17.h3 Bxf3 18.Qxf3 Rc8 19.Qd1 Bf6 20.Bxf6 Qxf6 21.Nd2 Rfe8 22.Rc1 g6 23.Nf3 d5 Black gets in his central break and this looks perfectly fine for him. 15...cxd4

Position after: 15...cxd4 This is more or less the tabiya for this line. The centre has disappeared and we are left with piece play and the pair of opposing pawns on e4 and d6. Black wants to get in ...d5 in a satisfactory manner whilst White is hoping to use the slight space advantage conferred by the e4-pawn to help his play and perhaps even start some sort of attack. 16.h3 There are other ideas as well but the main difference between them usually revolves around whether h3 has been included or not. 16.Bb2 Rc8 17.Qb1 This is the only independent try. [17.Bxd4 Nfd7 18.h3 Bh5 transposes to the note after 18.Bxd4] 17...Re8!? 18.Nxd4 Bf8 19.Nf1 Nbd7

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Position after: 19...Nbd7 We have reached an interesting phase of the game – the position is tightly balanced. 20.Ne3 [20.Ng3 Nc5 21.h3 Bd7 22.Qd1 g6 23.Qd2 Bg7 24.Rad1 Qc7 This leads to unclear play.] 20...Bh5 21.a4 Bg6

Position after: 21...Bg6 22.axb5 [22.f3 d5 Black gets in his ...d5 idea and generates counterplay.] 22...axb5 23.Ndf5 Qb6 24.Bd3 Ne5 25.Bf1 d5 26.exd5 Rcd8 27.Bd4 Qb8 28.d6 Bxd6 29.Ra5 Nc6 30.Bxf6 gxf6 31.Rxb5 Bxh2+ 32.Kh1 Qf4 Black has counterplay. This is by no means a forced line but it does demonstrate 256

some of the ideas and paths the game may follow. 16...Bh5 17.Bb2 Rc8

Position after: 17...Rc8 White has many different plans at his disposal here. 18.g4 A) 18.Rc1 Nbd7 19.Bxd4 Nc5 20.Nf1 Ne6 21.Bb2 d5!

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Position after: 21...d5! Once again we see this crucial central break. 22.Ng3 [After 22.e5 Ne4 Black is fine.] 22...dxe4 23.Nxh5 Qxd1 24.Rcxd1 Rxc2 25.Bxf6 gxf6 26.Rxe4 Rd8 Quite a few pieces have been traded, but Black is doing OK here as well. B) 18.a4 bxa4 [18...Nbd7!? 19.axb5 axb5 20.Bxd4 Ne5 21.Bb1 Nfd7 22.Qe2 Bf6 This leads to complex play.]

Position after: 18...bxa4 19.Bd3!? [The straightforward recapture doesn’t bring much for White: 19.bxa4 Nbd7 20.Bxd4 Nc5 21.Bxc5 Rxc5 22.Bd3 a5 Black is fine.] 19...d5 20.e5 Nfd7 21.Bxd4 Nc5 22.Qb1 Nxd3 23.Qxd3 axb3 24.Qxb3 Nc4 Black has enough play to be comfortable here. C) 18.Qb1

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Position after: 18.Qb1 C1) Black can try putting either knight on d7. 18...Nbd7!? 19.Nxd4 Bg6 20.Nf1 Re8 21.Ng3 Bf8

Position after: 21...Bf8 22.Ndf5 [22.f4 This natural space-gaining try allows Black to get on the front foot with 22...d5! 23.e5 Rxc2! 24.Nxc2 Bc5+ 25.Kh1 Ng4 and Black has the initiative.] 22...Qc7 23.Bd3 d5! 24.exd5 Nxd5 25.Rxe8 Rxe8 Another good equalising method for Black. C2) 18...Nfd7 19.Nxd4 Bf6 20.Nf1 Bg6 21.Ne3 d5 22.exd5 Bxd4 23.Bxd4 Bxc2 24.Nxc2 Nxd5 259

25.Ne3 Nxe3

Position after: 25...Nxe3 In both of the correspondence games which reached this position, White was unable to demonstrate any advantage. The game is just equal. 26.Bxe3 [26.Rxe3 Nc5 27.Qd1 Ne6 28.Be5 Qxd1+ Black will continue by bringing a rook to d8. ½-½ (28) Janosi, E – Godat, T corr. 2009] 26...Nc5! 27.Rc1 Ne6 28.Rxc8 Qxc8 29.Qe4 Qd7 30.Rc1 Rc8 31.Rxc8+ Qxc8 We have reached another drawish position. ½-½ (36) Langer, R – Hruby, M corr. 2010 D) 18.Bxd4 Again Black has a choice of knights to re-route via d7.

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Position after: 18.Bxd4 D1) 18...Nbd7!? 19.g4 [19.a4 Nc5 20.axb5 axb5 21.Qb1 Bg6 22.Nh4 Ne6 23.Be3 d5! 24.Nxg6 hxg6 25.e5 And now Black obtained an edge with 25...d4! 0-1 (41) Ligterink, G (2440) – Klovans, J (2490) Jurmala 1978.] 19...Bg6 20.Nh4 Ne5!

Position after: 20...Ne5! 21.f4 [21.Nxg6 fxg6! Now Black will have strong play along the f-file; 21.Nf5 Bxf5 22.exf5 Nd5 23.Nf3 Nf4 Once again we have an imbalanced and interesting game.] 21...Nfxg4 22.Nxg6 fxg6 23.hxg4 Rxf4 Black has given up a piece to destroy the pawn cover around the white king and he has a promising attack. D2) Black can also drop the kingside knight back. 18...Nfd7

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Position after: 18...Nfd7 D2.1) 19.Bd3 Nc5 20.Be2 d5 21.Ne5 Bxe2 22.Rxe2 Qd6 23.exd5 Nxd5 24.Bxc5 Qxc5 25.Ne4 Qc7 26.Qxd5 Rcd8 27.Qc6 Qxe5 The central position has been clarified and Black is fine. ½-½ (28) Marek, S – Silva, A corr. 2007 D2.2) 19.g4 Bg6 20.Nf1 Bf6 21.Ng3 Ne5 22.Nxe5 Bxe5 23.Bxe5 dxe5 24.Qe2 Qh4 This leads to another good position for Black. ½-½ (54) Chapotot, H – Druon, R Rosny sous Bois 1972 D2.3) 19.a4 Ne5 20.axb5 axb5 21.Ra2 Nc6 22.g4 Bg6 23.Nf1 Nd7 24.Bb1 h5 The underlying strategic tensions have not been resolved, and there is complicated play ahead of us. 18...d3!?

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Position after: 18...d3!? The point of this move is to lure the bishop onto the undefended d3-square. This will lend strength to a later ...d5 break. 19.Bxd3 Bg6

Position after: 19...Bg6 There are a few different paths available to White here. Let’s examine how he should deal with the 263

position. 20.Rc1 A) 20.Nd4 d5! 21.Nf5 dxe4 22.Nxe4 Bxf5 23.gxf5 Nbd7 24.a4 Qb6 25.axb5 axb5 26.Qe2 Nxe4 27.Bxe4 Some simplifications have occurred and Black has no worries. 27...Bf6 ½-½ (42) Berg, E (2627) – Naiditsch, A (2685) Stockholm 2011 B) 20.Qe2 Nbd7 21.Rad1 [21.a4 bxa4 22.Nd4 Nc5 23.Bxa6 Nxa6 24.Qxa6 h5 25.Nc6 Qd7 26.Nxe7+ Qxe7 27.e5 Nxg4!? 28.hxg4 Rc2 29.Qxd6 Qh4 30.Rxa4 Rd8 Black has the initiative and can put White under some pressure.] 21...Re8 22.Bb1 Bf8

Position after: 22...Bf8 Here we see the dynamics of the position start to come into their own. Both sides have developed their armies and have their respective trumps. A look at some sample lines will illustrate the possibilities open to both players. 23.Qe3 [23.Qf1 Nc5 24.e5 dxe5 25.Bxg6 hxg6 26.Nc4 Qc7 27.Ncxe5 Ne6 Black is fine; 23.Nh4!? Bxe4 24.Nxe4 Nxe4 25.Bxe4 Qxh4 26.Qf3 Ne5 27.Bxe5 Rxe5 28.Bb7 Rc2 29.Bxa6 Rxa2 30.Rxe5 dxe5 31.Rd7 Qf6 32.Qxf6 gxf6 33.Bxb5 Bc5 34.Bc4 Rxf2 This leads to a draw.] 23...Nc5 24.Qf4 Ne6 25.Qg3 Nc5 26.Qf4 Ne6 Objectively, this is best play for both sides. The game is just balanced. 20...Rxc1 21.Qxc1 Nfd7

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Position after: 21...Nfd7 22.Bb1 22.Nd4 Bg5 23.Qd1 Re8 24.Bf1 Bf4 25.Nf5 Ne5 26.Nf3 Bxf5 27.Nxe5 Bxe4 28.Rxe4 dxe5 29.Qxd8 Rxd8 30.a4 bxa4 31.Rb4 Nd5 32.Rxa4 Nc7 This continuation from a correspondence game was not forced but it shows Black’s ability to hold the balance well. ½-½ (39) Wuerschner, M – Vayser, V corr. 2013 22...Re8 23.Nf1 d5! We return to this key idea again and again. If Black can get this break in under favourable circumstances then he is usually at least equalising.

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Position after: 23...d5! 24.Ng3 24.exd5 Bxb1 25.Qxb1 Nxd5 26.Qf5 N7b6 27.Qe4 [27.Bd4 Bf6 Black is OK.] 27...Nc7 28.Qc6 Nbd5 Black’s pieces are well-placed and he has nothing to worry about. 24...dxe4 25.Bxe4 Bf8

Position after: 25...Bf8 266

This is another simple way of equalising matters in this line. The centre has been liquidated and the black pieces have similar scope to the white ones.

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Chapter 13 8.a4 b4 9.d3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.a4 b4 9.d3

Chapter Guide Chapter 13 – 8.a4 b4 9.d3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.a4 b4 9.d3 d6 a) 10.Nbd2 b) 10.a5 Be6 11.Nbd2 c) 10.a5 Be6 11.Bxe6 a) 10.Nbd2 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.a4

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Position after: 8.a4 One of the main ideas in the so-called Anti-Marshall systems. This queenside thrust is in fact designed especially to meet this specific move order from Black. White challenges the structure on the queenside whilst simultaneously opening up a retreat square for the b3-bishop on a2. 8...b4 Probably the best response. In the last decade or so this move has tended to prevail amongst the adherents of these lines. Black releases the tension at once and, in many cases, the pawn on b4 can become an asset. 9.d3 This is the slower of the two main approaches for White here. In recent years the direct 9.d4 has actually overtaken this more measured treatment in terms of popularity. We will examine the more immediately combative approach in the next chapter. 9...d6 10.Nbd2

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Position after: 10.Nbd2 This is one of the possible ideas for the first player that we will look at in this chapter. White hurries on with his development and ignores the option of a5 for the moment. 10...Na5 A typical reaction in the Ruy Lopez. Black doesn’t just chase the bishop but improves his control in the centre by following up with ...c5. 11.Ba2 c5 We have arrived at the starting point of this line – let’s see how the game might continue... 12.c3 Rb8

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Position after: 12...Rb8 Keeping up some pressure along the b-file is one of the key ideas for Black in these types of positions. 13.Nc4 This is not the only move here. White can also try to play in the centre directly. 13.d4 Qc7 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.Nc4 Nxc4 16.Bxc4 bxc3 17.bxc3 a5

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Position after: 17...a5 We have reached a balanced position – let’s go a bit further and see how it might develop. 18.Qc2 [18.Qe2 Bb7 19.Nd2 Bc6 20.Bd3 Nd7 21.Nc4 Nb6 22.Nxa5 Bxa4 23.Be3 Bd7= Both sides have equal play.] 18...Nd7 Transferring the knight to b6 is a significant idea for Black.

Position after: 18...Nd7 A) 19.Bb5 c4 20.Be3 Nb6 21.Red1 [21.Qe2 Be6 22.Nd2 Rfd8! 23.Bxb6 Rxb6 Black is fine here.] 21...Be6 22.Rab1 Bc5 23.Bxc5 Qxc5 The pawns have been fixed on the queenside and the game is balanced. B) 19.Be3 Nb6 20.Bf1 Be6 21.Nd2 c4 22.Reb1 Nd7 23.Rb5 Rfd8 24.Qa2 Rbc8 25.Rab1 Bc5! 26.Bg5 f6 27.Bxc4 Bxf2+ 28.Kxf2 Bxc4 29.Qxc4+ Qxc4 30.Nxc4 Rxc4 31.Be3 Ra8 32.Rb7 Nf8 Black should be doing absolutely fine in this endgame. 13...Nc6

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Position after: 13...Nc6 14.h3 A useful waiting move, cutting out the possibility of the bishop coming to g4 after any potential d4 break. 14.Ne3 Be6 15.Nd5 Bxd5 16.Bxd5 Nxd5 17.exd5 Na5 18.d4 exd4 19.cxd4 c4 Black has the initiative. 0-1 (30) Losonczi, M (2276) – Valsecchi, A (2494) Vienna 2019 14...Be6 15.Ng5 Bc8

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Position after: 15...Bc8 16.f4!? Now the position starts to sharpen. 16.Ne3 h6 17.Nf3 Be6 This is OK for Black. 16...b3!?

Position after: 16...b3!? 274

17.Bb1 White can also choose to remove the pawn from the board and willingly enter into the complications, resulting in a messy position: 17.Bxb3 exf4 18.Bxf4 Rxb3 19.Qxb3 Nh5 20.Nxf7 Rxf7 21.Bh2 g5!

Position after: 21...g5! Black wants to close the h2-b8 diagonal as soon as possible by putting a knight on f4. 22.Qb6 [22.Rf1 Nf4 23.Bxf4 gxf4 24.Nb6 c4!? 25.Nxc4 Be6 26.Qb7 Bxc4 27.Qxc6 Bxd3 28.Rf2 d5 29.exd5 Rf6 30.d6 Qxd6 With the two bishops Black can be confident in having enough play here; 22.e5 dxe5 23.Nxe5 Nxe5 24.Rxe5 Kg7 25.Qd5 Qxd5 26.Rxd5 Nf4 27.Bxf4 gxf4 Yet another line in which Black is doing OK.] 22...Qxb6 23.Nxb6 Be6 24.Nd5 Nf4 25.Bxf4 gxf4 26.Nxe7+ Rxe7 27.Rf1 Rf7 Black is not doing badly here, especially in light of the counterplay that can be created by the knight on e5. 17...g6!? After closing down the entire queenside (just look at the a1-rook and b1-bishop), Black is ready to deal with the white activity on the kingside. 18.Nf3 Nh5!?

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Position after: 18...Nh5!? Forcing White to decide whether he wants to advance or take on e5. 19.fxe5 The alternative is also important to consider: 19.f5 Kh8 20.Kh2 [20.Bh6 Rg8 21.Ne3 Bh4 22.Rf1 gxf5 Black can use the g-file and has an advantage.] 20...Ng7 21.Bh6 gxf5 22.exf5 Nxf5 23.Bxf8 Bxf8 24.Ra3 Bh6 25.Rxb3 Bf4+ 26.Kh1 Be6 27.Rxb8 Qxb8 Black’s activity and dark-squared control mean that he is doing OK here. 19...Nxe5 20.Ncxe5 dxe5 21.Nxe5 Qc7 22.d4

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Position after: 22.d4 22...Bxh3! Black is alert to the tactical possibilities. 23.gxh3 f6 24.Nf3 Qg3+ 25.Kh1 cxd4 26.cxd4 Qxh3+ 27.Nh2 Bd6 28.e5 fxe5 29.Qg4 Ng3+ 30.Kg1 Ne2+ 31.Kh1 Ng3+ An action-packed game ends in a perpetual. b) 10.a5 Be6 11.Nbd2 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.a4 b4 9.d3 d6 10.a5

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Position after: 10.a5 An important strategic blow. White takes possession of the a5-square and also liberates the a4-square for potential use by his pieces. It is most likely to be the bishop which takes advantage, switching back to its original diagonal at an opportune moment. 10...Be6 11.Nbd2 Bxb3!? 12.Nxb3 Re8

Position after: 12...Re8

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Let us examine this type of position, following on from Black’s choice to seek some early simplification. 13.Bg5 A) 13.c4 bxc3 14.bxc3 Rb8 15.c4 Rb7 16.Bd2 Qd7 17.Qc2 Reb8 18.Reb1 Nb4 19.Bxb4 Rxb4 Black is doing OK in this position – he has some pressure on the queenside. ½-½ (83) Markidis, K (2378) – Kourkoulos Arditis, S (2379) Anogia 2015 B) 13.h3 h6

Position after: 13...h6 B1) 14.Nh4 Bf8 15.Nf5 Ne7 16.Ne3 Qd7 17.Ng4 Nh7 18.d4 exd4 19.Nxd4 c5 20.Ne2 h5 21.Ne3 Nf6 In this game one of Russia’s great players showed a good example of Black’s strategy. ½-½ (44) Anand, V (2776) – Svidler, P (2745) Moscow 2016 B2) 14.d4 exd4 15.Nfxd4 Qd7 16.f3 Nxd4 17.Nxd4 c5 18.Nb3 Qc6 19.Be3 d5 Black has counterplay. ½-½ (23) Anand, V (2792) – Adams, M (2707) Wijk aan Zee 2006 B3) 14.Bd2 d5 15.Nh2 dxe4 16.dxe4 Qd6! 17.Qf3 Qe6 18.Nf1 Bf8 19.Ne3 Rad8 Black’s queen is nicely centralised and he has good counterplay. C) 13.d4 Striking directly in the centre is, unsurprisingly, critical. 13...exd4

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Position after: 13...exd4 14.Nfxd4 [14.Nbxd4 Nxd4 15.Qxd4 d5 16.exd5 Qxd5 17.Qxd5 Nxd5 18.Bg5 f6 19.Rad1 Rad8 20.Bc1 Kf7 Black has clarified matters in the centre and he is doing fine. ½-½ (33) Hracek, Z (2557) – Tomashevsky, E (2702) Biograd na Moru 2018] 14...Nxd4 15.Nxd4 Bf8

Position after: 15...Bf8 Now Black is ready to pressurise the e4-pawn. C1) 16.Nc6 Qd7 17.Nxb4 Qb5 18.c3 [18.Nd5 Nxd5 19.exd5 Rxe1+ 20.Qxe1 Re8 21.Qc3 Qxd5 280

22.Be3 c5 Black is fine. ½-½ (40) Filipenko, A (2278) – Pogorelskikh, S (1744) Kazan 2016] 18...Nxe4 19.Be3 Nf6 20.Qd3 Reb8 21.Ra2 c5 Black is once again doing OK. ½-½ (40) Szabo, L (2450) – Unzicker, W (2470) Bern 1987 C2) 16.f3

Position after: 16.f3 C2.1) 16...c5 17.Nf5 d5!? [17...Re6 18.Bg5 h6 19.Bh4 g6 20.Ne3 White had a slightly better position in a supertournament clash. ½-½ (30) Short, N (2655) – Sokolov, I (2645) Linares 1995] 18.e5 Qc8 19.Ng3 Qe6 20.f4 Nd7 The position is sharp and demanding. C2.2) 16...h6!? 17.Nc6 Qd7 18.Nxb4 d5 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.exd5 Rxe1+ 21.Qxe1 Qxd5 Black has decent compensation for the pawn here.

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Position after: 13.Bg5 13...Nd7 A) It is possible to play in a different manner by breaking in the centre, either immediately or with the inclusion of ...h6. 13...d5 14.Nfd2 h6 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Qf3!? [16.exd5 Qxd5 17.Qf3 Qxf3 18.Nxf3 e4 19.Rxe4 Rxe4 20.dxe4 Bxb2 With an equal game.] 16...Bg5! [16...d4 17.g3 g6 18.Qg2 Bg5 19.Nc4 h5 20.Re2 Rb8 21.Rf1 Rb5 22.Kh1 Bh6 23.f4 h4 24.f5 White has an easy game. 0-1 (93) Stellwagen, D (2489) – Naiditsch, A (2576) Pulvermuehle 2004]

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Position after: 16...Bg5! This is an important intermediate move. 17.Nf1 [Resolving the tension in the centre is not at all threatening, after: 17.exd5 Bxd2 18.Nxd2 Nd4 19.Qd1 Qxd5 Black is fine.] 17...d4 18.g3 Re6 19.h4 Be7 20.Nfd2 Rf6 21.Qg2 Qd7 22.Kh2 Now 22...g5!? gives Black adequate play.

Position after: 22...g5!? B) 13...h6 14.Bh4 d5 15.Nfd2 d4 16.Nc4 Nd7 17.Bg3 Rb8 18.Rf1 Rb5 We have another complex Ruy Lopez game. ½-½ (45) Leko, P (2739) – Naiditsch, A (2574) Dortmund 2003 14.Be3

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Position after: 14.Be3 14...Nf8!? 14...Bf8 15.c3 bxc3 16.bxc3 Rb8 17.d4 exd4 18.cxd4 Nb4 19.Bg5 Qc8 20.Re3 Qb7 21.Nfd2 c5 22.Rc1 cxd4 23.Nxd4 d5 Black organised his forces well and timed his break excellently in ½-½ (44) Stellwagen, D (2573) – Beliavsky, A (2626) Wijk aan Zee 2006. 15.c3 15.d4 exd4 16.Nbxd4 Nxd4 17.Qxd4 c5 18.Qc4 Bf6 19.c3 bxc3 20.bxc3 Ng6 21.Nd2 Qd7 The play is balanced. 15...bxc3 16.bxc3 d5 17.Qc2 Ne6 18.Rad1 Bf8 The game is unclear. Black has managed to get in his break and the tension in the centre remains unresolved. Both sides are well-organised and all three results are possible.

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Position after: 18...Bf8 c) 10.a5 Be6 11.Bxe6 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.a4 b4 9.d3 d6 10.a5 Be6 11.Bxe6!?

Position after: 11.Bxe6!? This strategic approach is becoming very popular at the moment. Although it may appear at this point 285

that Black has a very strong centre, White will try to show that actually after a later c3 and d4 this is not the case. There is interesting positional play ahead of us. 11...fxe6 12.Nbd2

Position after: 12.Nbd2 White wants to first transfer his knight to g3 and then continue by playing in the centre with c3 and d4. This will increase the pressure on the black position. 12...Qe8 Not the only move available to Black. A) 12...d5

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Position after: 12...d5 13.Nb3 [13.c3 Bc5 14.Nb3 Ba7 15.Be3 bxc3 16.bxc3 dxe4 17.dxe4 Qxd1 18.Raxd1 Rab8 19.Nc5 Bxc5 20.Bxc5 Rfd8 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 Perfect timing for exchanging some pieces. Black solved his problems in ½-½ (46) Howell, D (2696) – Adams, M (2703) London 2018.] 13...d4 14.Bd2 Rb8 15.Rc1 Rb5 16.h3 Qd6 Blocking up the centre entirely is not a terrible idea. We have balanced play. ½-½ (25) Vachier Lagrave, M (2773) – Aronian, L (2763) Karlsruhe/Baden Baden 2019 B) 12...Rb8

Position after: 12...Rb8 287

13.c3 [13.Nc4 Nd7 14.c3 Rb5 15.d4 bxc3 16.bxc3 exd4 17.Nxd4 Nxd4 18.cxd4 Qe8 19.Be3 Qg6 This leads to complicated play. 0-1 (31) Grigoriants, S (2561) – Kravtsiv, M (2672) Riyadh 2017] 13...Rb5 14.d4 bxc3 15.bxc3 exd4 16.cxd4 Nb4

Position after: 16...Nb4 We have reached another intriguing set-up. White can either choose to take direct action in the centre or delay for the moment. 17.d5!? [17.Ba3 Nd3 18.Rf1 Nf4 19.g3 Nh3+ 20.Kg2 Ng5 21.Nxg5 Rxg5 22.Qb3 Qd7 23.e5 Nd5 24.Ne4 Rgf5 We have murky play. ½-½ (35) Swiercz, D (2655) – Ding Liren (2812) Astana 2019] 17...Ng4 18.Rf1 c5 19.dxc6 Nxc6 20.Nb3 Bf6 21.Ra4 Qd7 22.Ba3 Nge5 23.Nxe5 Nxe5 24.Nd4 Rb7 Another good example of how to handle the black pieces from Ding Liren. ½-½ (64) Amin, B (2709) – Ding Liren (2812) Astana 2019

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Position after: 12...Qe8 13.c3 13.Nb3 Nd8!? 14.Bg5 [14.c3 Rb8 15.Bd2 bxc3 16.bxc3 c5 This leads to equal chances.] 14...c5 15.Nbd2 Nc6 16.c3 Nh5 17.Be3 Qg6 18.Nc4 Rab8 A tense strategic struggle lies ahead in this complex position. 13...Rb8 14.d4 Rb5 15.dxe5 dxe5

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Position after: 15...dxe5 Black deliberately maintains his doubled pawns in the centre, as together they control an awful lot of squares. In addition, Black can be pleased with the b5-rook, which is rather active. 16.Nc4 h6 17.Qe2 Qg6 18.Bd2

Position after: 18.Bd2 18...Nh5 18...Bc5 19.Rad1 Ba7 20.h3 Nh5 21.Kh1 bxc3 22.bxc3 Qf6 23.Ra1 Rd8 24.g3 Rf8 25.Kg2 Qg6 26.Kh2 Qf7 27.Kg2 Qg6 28.Kh2 Nf6 29.Kg2 Nh5

290

Position after: 29...Nh5 Both sides have chances here and all three results are possible. 19.Rad1 19.h3 bxc3 20.bxc3 Nf6 21.Rad1 Rd8 22.Bc1 Rxd1 23.Qxd1 Bc5 24.Qc2 Ne8! 25.Qd3 Nd6

Position after: 25...Nd6 Black re-routes the knight to a more active central post and should not be concerned here. 291

19...bxc3 20.bxc3 Rfb8 21.h3 Nf6 22.Bc1 Kh7

Position after: 22...Kh7 The position has reached an uneasy strategic balance. Both sides have their trumps and the player who can best navigate the complex manoeuvring to come will be at a decided advantage. For the moment, the game remains equal.

292

Chapter 14 8.a4 b4 9.d4 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.a4 b4 9.d4

Chapter Guide Chapter 14 – 8.a4 b4 9.d4 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.a4 b4 9.d4 d6 10.dxe5 a) 10...Nxe5 11.-b) 10...Nxe5 11.Nxe5 c) 10...dxe5 11.Qxd8 d) 10...dxe5 11.Nbd2 a) 10...Nxe5 11.-1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.a4 b4 9.d4

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Position after: 9.d4 This is a critical idea for White and Black must know how to respond. White is aiming to generate fast play and disturb the black position before the second player is fully developed. 9...d6 10.dxe5 Nxe5 This is first of the two major options for Black that we will examine in this chapter, and also the more recently popular choice. Black is trying to dull any potential white initiative by the age-old strategy of exchanging pieces. 11.Nbd2 With this move, White is aiming to leave some tension in the centre and try to claim that the e4-pawn affords some advantage compared to the d6-pawn. 11.Bf4 A logical possibility open to White here. The idea is simple development and preparing to bring the knight to d2.

294

Position after: 11.Bf4 11...Ng6 An excellent riposte. It is not easy to find a useful square for the bishop. 12.Bg3 [12.Bg5 h6 13.Bc1 c5 14.c3 Bb7 15.Bc2 Re8 16.c4 Bf8 17.Nbd2 Re6 18.b3 Qe7 Black has no worries here. ½-½ (39) Mekhitarian, K (2503) – Perdomo, L (2387) Sao Paulo 2009] 12...Bb7

Position after: 12...Bb7 13.Nbd2 [13.e5 dxe5 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.Bxe5 Ne4! Black seizes the initiative; 13.Qd3 Nd7 Now that the bishop is unable to easily access e3, the knight will sit very pretty on c5.] 13...Nh5 14.Bd5 295

[14.Nc4 a5 15.Nd4 Nxg3 16.hxg3 Bf6 17.c3 Re8 18.Qc2 bxc3 19.bxc3 Qd7 There is counterplay here for Black.] 14...Bxd5 15.exd5 Bf6 16.Nc4 Qd7 17.Qd3 Ne7 18.Nfd2 g6 19.Re2 Rfe8

Position after: 19...Rfe8 White has more space but the Black position remains compact, and he is doing OK. 11...Nfd7

Position after: 11...Nfd7 296

12.Nd4 White does have some other tries. A) 12.Nxe5 Nxe5

Position after: 12...Nxe5 13.Nf1!? White’s plan is to station his knight on e3 and then potentially proceed with f4. [13.Nc4 Nxc4 14.Bxc4 Bf6 15.Qd3 a5 16.Bd5 It seems that the duel between the respective bishop pairs only leads to dynamic equality. 16...Rb8 17.Qb3 Bd7 18.Bf4 Qe7 We have balanced play.] 13...Be6 14.f4 Nd7 15.Be3 Bf6 16.Bxe6 fxe6 17.Rb1 a5 Black is doing OK. B) 12.Nc4 Nxc4 13.Bxc4 Bf6 14.Bd5 Rb8

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Position after: 14...Rb8 15.Nd4 [15.Rb1 Bb7 16.Bxb7 Rxb7 17.Be3 Re8 18.Bd4 c5 19.Bxf6 Nxf6 20.e5 dxe5 Black has largely defused White’s attempts to whip up an initiative, and he is doing fine here.] 15...Bb7 16.Nc6 [16.Bxb7 Rxb7 17.f3 g6 18.Rb1 c6 19.Be3 Qc7 20.b3 Rbb8 21.Qd3 a5 22.Ne2 Rfd8 Once again, Black is doing OK.] 16...Bxc6 17.Bxc6 b3!?

Position after: 17...b3!? 18.cxb3 [18.Bd5 bxc2 19.Qxc2 Bd4 20.Rb1 c5 21.Be3 Bxe3 22.Rxe3 Rb4 23.b3 Nb6! Black finds 298

yet another equaliser.] 18...Ne5 19.Bd5 c6 20.Bc4 Nxc4 21.bxc4 Bxb2 Black regains his temporarily sacrificed pawn and the game is equal. 12...Bb7

Position after: 12...Bb7 There are a few ideas for White here. 13.Bd5 A) 13.Nc4 Nxc4 14.Bxc4 Bf6 15.Bd5 Qc8 16.Nc6 a5 17.Qg4 Kh8 18.Bg5 Bxc6 19.Bxf6

299

Position after: 19.Bxf6 Now Black has the unaesthetic 19...gxf6!? which leads to a draw after 20.Bxc6 Ne5 21.Qf4 Nxc6 and White will take the perpetual. ½-½ (25) Rafiee, M (2322) – Gustafsson, J (2640) Munich 2017 B) 13.f4 Ng6 14.N2f3 Bf6

Position after: 14...Bf6 White currently has a strong central pawn formation but Black can exert pressure on the e4-pawn and this set-up is not easy to maintain for White. After: 15.Bd5 Bxd5 16.exd5 Ne7 17.Qd3 Nc5 300

18.Qc4 Qd7 Black got a good game in 0-1 (38) Palac, M (2571) – Beliavsky, A (2651) Slovenia 2013. 13...Qc8

Position after: 13...Qc8 14.f4 14.Nf1 Re8 15.Nf5 Bf8 16.N1g3 Nf6 17.Bxb7 Qxb7 18.Bg5 Ned7 19.Qf3 g6 Black has enough play on account of his pressure against the e4-pawn. 14...Bxd5!? 15.exd5 Ng6 16.Nc6 Re8 17.Nc4 Bf8

301

Position after: 17...Bf8 We can say that White has probably achieved as much as he could have hoped for. He has strong pressure against the b4-pawn and an advanced outpost on c6, nevertheless his d5-pawn remains vulnerable. 18.Bd2 If White goes for the pawn immediately then Black can start to generate some activity. 18.Nxb4 Rxe1+ 19.Qxe1 Nf6 20.Qd1 Qb7 21.Nc6 Re8 22.Ra3 Ne7 23.Rb3 Qa8 24.Nxe7+ Rxe7 25.Ne3 Re4 Black has good counterplay. 18...Rxe1+ 19.Qxe1 Nf6 20.Nxb4 Ne7 21.Ne3 a5 22.Nd3 Qb7 23.c4 Re8 24.Qb1 c6

302

Position after: 24...c6 Black’s pressure on the e-file compensates for his small material deficit. b) 10...Nxe5 11.Nxe5 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.a4 b4 9.d4 d6 10.dxe5 Nxe5 11.Nxe5 dxe5

Position after: 11...dxe5 303

12.Qxd8 It is important for Black not to subconsciously relax here. The endgames in this line with 8.a4 b4 shouldn’t be taken lightly. There are a few other ideas besides the immediate exchange. A) 12.Qe2 Bc5 13.Be3 Bd4

Position after: 13...Bd4 14.Bxd4 [14.c3 bxc3 15.Nxc3 Rb8 gives Black decent counterplay.] 14...Qxd4 15.c3 bxc3 16.bxc3 Qc5 17.Nd2 a5 18.Qe3 Qxe3 19.Rxe3 Rb8 20.Bc4 Rd8 21.Nb3 Ra8 22.f3 Kf8 23.Ree1 Ke7 24.Kf2 Rd6= Black has nicely centralised pieces and comfortably holds his own. 0-1 (60) Kulaots, K (2538) – Sargissian, G (2689) Tallinn 2019 B) 12.Nd2!? A recent try at an improvement by the five-time world champion. Viswanathan Anand decided to try developing his knight first. 12...Bc5 13.h3 a5 14.Qf3 Qe7 15.Nc4 Be6!

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Position after: 15...Be6! It is worth paying attention to this strategy for Black. 16.Be3 Nd7 17.Rad1 Rfd8 18.Rd2 Bxc4! 19.Bxc4 Bxe3 20.Qxe3 Nb6 Black has managed to equalise. A good game between two experts in these lines. ½-½ (27) Anand, V (2767) – Ding Liren (2805) Zagreb 2019 C) 12.Qf3 This is one of the most important lines in the whole 8.a4 b4 9.d4 system. White attempts to create some strong kingside play with a rapid Nd2-f1-g3. 12...Bc5 The matter is not so straightforward however, as Black is also seeking active play.

Position after: 12...Bc5 305

C1) 13.Nd2 Ng4 14.Rf1 Qh4 15.h3 Nf6 16.Nc4 Be6 17.Nxe5 Bxb3 18.Qxb3 Qxe4 19.Nd3 Bd6 Black is OK. ½-½ (46) Mamedov, N (2589) – Kravtsiv, M (2657) Kocaeli 2017 C2) 13.Be3 Bd4 14.c3 bxc3 15.bxc3 Bxe3 16.Qxe3 Qe7 17.Nd2 Be6 18.Bxe6 Qxe6 An example of typically good strategic play from Black. 0-1 (52) Sebag, M (2495) – Batsiashvili, N (2472) Hersonissos 2017 C3) 13.Bg5 h6 14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.Qxf6 gxf6 16.Nd2 Bd4 17.Rab1 Rd8 18.Bd5 Rb8 19.Nb3 Bd7 Black has doubled pawns but they are not especially exploitable here. The bishop pair and open lines give Black a good endgame. C4) 13.h3 This seems logical, but White must be wary of Black’s ideas as well. 13...Bb7 14.Nd2 Kh8 15.Qg3 Qe7 16.Qh4 g5!!

Position after: 16...g5!! A stunning move, and timed to perfection! White was just about to embark upon the previously mentioned knight tour to g3. 17.Qxg5 Rg8 18.Qf5 Rg7 19.Nf3 Rag8 20.Bg5 Nxe4!!

306

Position after: 20...Nxe4!! 21.h4 Nxg5 22.hxg5 Rxg5 23.Nxg5 Rxg5–+ An impressive game full of fireworks. Here Black has a winning attack. 0-1 (44) Inarkiev, E (2683) – Ding Liren (2774) Palma de Mallorca 2017 12...Rxd8 13.Nd2 Bc5

Position after: 13...Bc5 We will see that the bishop is well-placed on c5. 307

14.Nf3 A) 14.a5 Bb7 15.h3 Rd4!? 16.Nf3 Rxe4 17.Be3 Bxe3 18.fxe3 h6 19.Rad1 Kf8 20.Kf2 Ke7 Black will eventually have to give up the rook on e4, but even after an exchange sacrifice the position is manageable for the second player. B) 14.Nc4 Nxe4 15.Be3 Bxe3 16.Rxe3 Nc5 17.Nxe5 Nxb3 18.Rxb3 c5 Black is fine here. C) 14.Bc4 a5 15.Nb3 Bb6 16.Be3 Rd6 17.f3 Bd7 This is another good example of logical and useful play in this endgame by Black. D) 14.h3 Bb7 15.Bc4 a5 16.Bd3 Nd7 17.Nb3 Bb6 18.Be3 Bc6 The game is equal. 14...Ng4 15.Be3 Bxe3 16.fxe3

Position after: 16.fxe3 An interesting strategy from White, accepting doubled pawns but hoping to target f7 and e5. 16...Rd6 17.Rad1 17.Ng5 Be6! 18.Bxe6 fxe6 19.Nf3 Rad8 Black has achieved a balanced game. 17...Be6!

308

Position after: 17...Be6! A promising defensive strategy Black should keep in mind. 18.Rxd6 18.Bxe6 Rxe6 19.Rd5 Rc6 20.Re2 f6 [20...Re8 21.h3 Nf6 22.Rxe5 After this White had something to hope for in ½-½ (40) Robson, R (2660) – So, W (2786) Saint Louis 2018.] 21.Ne1 a5 22.Nd3 Nh6 23.Nc5 Nf7 24.h4 h5 The pressure that Black can exert on the e4-pawn (with a possible ...Nd6) means that we have an equilibrium. 18...cxd6 19.Rd1

309

Position after: 19.Rd1 19...Bxb3!? 19...Rc8 20.h3! Nxe3 21.Rxd6 Bxb3 22.cxb3 f6 23.Kf2 Nc2 24.Rxa6 Na1! Even after this inventive move, Black faced some problems in holding the balance. ½-½ (43) Nepomniachtchi, I (2776) – Ding Liren (2811) chess.com 2019 20.cxb3 Nf6 21.Rxd6 Nxe4

310

Position after: 21...Nxe4 22.Rb6 22.Rc6 Rd8 23.Kf1 a5 24.Nxe5 f6 25.Nf3 Nd2+ 26.Ke2 Nxb3 Black finds an active solution which leads to an equal endgame. 22...a5 23.Nxe5 Nc5 24.Nc6 Nxb3 25.Rb5 Kf8 26.Kf1 Rc8 27.Nxa5 Nxa5 28.Rxa5 Rc1+ 29.Ke2 Rc2+

Position after: 29...Rc2+ This should be a fairly straightforward draw. c) 10...dxe5 11.Qxd8 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.a4 b4 9.d4 d6 10.dxe5 dxe5

311

Position after: 10...dxe5 We now come to the second of the two main options for Black, which is also very logical. Black insists upon having a pawn in the centre. 11.Qxd8 Exchanging the queens directly is obviously a possibility for White. 11...Rxd8 12.Nbd2 White will try to use the c4-square to target some extra firepower at the e5-pawn – a very sound strategy. In opposition Black will attempt to defuse any pressure with accurate manoeuvres by his minor pieces, for example using the c5-square to good effect. 12...Bd6

312

Position after: 12...Bd6 We have reached an interesting endgame – let’s have a look at how the game might continue... 13.a5 Seizing control of the a5-square is a standard reaction from White but not the only one. White has a plethora of options here, with 13.Nc4 being a notable choice. We will examine that one last. A) 13.Bd5 is not threatening, as after: 13...Nxd5 14.exd5 Ne7 15.Nxe5 Bf5 16.Nb3 Nxd5 Black is fine. B) 13.Bc4 Na5 14.Bd3 h6 15.b3 Be6 16.Bb2 Nd7 17.Red1 f6 18.Nh4 Nc5 Black obtains typical play for this endgame and stands well. C) 13.h3 h6 14.Bc4 Na5 15.b3 Bb7 16.Bd3 Nd7 17.Bb2 f6 Here we see another similar example which gave Black decent play. D) 13.Nc4 h6

313

Position after: 13...h6 D1) 14.Be3 Nxe4 15.Nxd6 [15.Bxh6 Nc5 16.Bg5 f6! Black has exchanged a strong central pawn for a flank pawn and there are no tactics. Black is doing fine.] 15...Rxd6 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.Bf4 Bf5 18.Bxe5 Rd7 19.Rad1 Rad8 20.Rxd7 Rxd7 21.Bc4 Nc5 22.Rc1 Nxa4 23.Bxa6 c6 24.b3 Nc5 Black is OK. D2) 14.Nxd6 cxd6 15.Be3 White obtains the bishop pair. This is an important positional try with the white pieces. 15...Be6 16.Bb6 Rd7

Position after: 16...Rd7 314

A number of ideas have been seen here. D2.1) 17.a5 Bxb3 18.cxb3 d5 19.exd5 Rxd5 20.Red1 Rb8 21.Rxd5 Nxd5 22.Rc1 Nce7 23.Nxe5 Nxb6 24.axb6 Rxb6 25.Kf1 Re6

Position after: 25...Re6 This is an equal endgame. ½-½ Radhey Derling, D – Potrata, J corr. 2012 D2.2) 17.Rac1 a5 18.Bxe6 fxe6 19.Nd2 Ra6 20.Be3 Rc7 21.c3 bxc3 22.bxc3 Nb8 23.f3 Nbd7 24.c4 Nb6

315

Position after: 24...Nb6 Another excellent example of how to handle this line. ½-½ (37) Wyrwala, M – Hoehne, E corr. 2008 D2.3) 17.Bxe6 fxe6 18.a5 Rc8 19.Rac1 Rb7 20.c4 bxc3 21.Rxc3 Na7 22.Nd2 Rxc3 23.bxc3 Nb5! 24.c4 Nc3 25.Re3 Na4

Position after: 25...Na4 Black is doing OK here as well. His pieces are well-placed and active. ½-½ (38) Schulz, V – Buecker, J corr. 2007 D2.4) 17.Nd2 Rc8 18.f3 Ne7 19.Rac1 Bxb3 20.cxb3 Rxc1 21.Rxc1 d5 22.Rc2 Rd6 23.Bc7 Re6 24.Bd8 dxe4 25.fxe4 Nc6=

316

Position after: 25...Nc6= Once again, Black has managed to get in his break with ...d5 and exchange some pieces. There are equal chances. 13...h6

Position after: 13...h6 14.Bc4 317

14.h3 Rb8 15.Bc4 Nd7!? 16.Nb3 Nc5 17.Be3 [17.Nxc5 Bxc5 18.b3 Kf8 19.Bb2 f6=] 17...Be6! 18.Bxe6 Nxe6 19.Red1 f6 20.g3 Kf7 21.Rd2 Bf8! 22.Rad1 Rxd2 23.Rxd2 Bd6 24.Rd5 h5 25.h4 Ne7 26.Rd1 Rb5= Black has largely neutralised White’s attempts to eke out a positional advantage and his position is solid. The game is equal. 14...Re8!

Position after: 14...Re8! Black needs to confront the bishop on c4. 15.Nb3 A) 15.b3 Be6! 16.Bb2 [16.Bxe6 Rxe6 17.Nc4 Rd8 18.Bb2 Nd7 19.Red1 f6 20.Ne1 Nc5 21.f3 Ree8 22.Ne3 Kf7 Black has equal play.] 16...Nd7 17.h3 f6 18.Nh4 Nc5 19.Nf5 Bf8 Black keeps hold of his bishop pair and has a well-placed knight on c5. He should not be worried. ½-½ (60) Negi, P (2642) – Sargissian, G (2663) Ningbo 2011 B) 15.h3 Be6 16.Bxe6 Rxe6 17.Nc4 Bc5 18.Kf1 Rb8 19.b3 Ne8 20.Ra4 f6 21.Nb2 Nd6 22.Nd3 Rb5 Black has good play. 15...Be6!

318

Position after: 15...Be6! Opposing the light-squared bishop on the a2-g8 diagonal is a key defensive idea for Black. 16.Bd3 16.Bf1 Red8 17.Nfd2 Nd7 18.Nc4 Nc5 19.Nxc5 Bxc5 20.Be3 Bd4 21.Bxd4 Nxd4 22.Rac1 f6 After the trade of several pairs of minor pieces, Black should not be concerned. 16...Red8 17.Nfd2 Nd7

319

Position after: 17...Nd7 18.Nc4 18.Bc4 Bxc4!? 19.Nxc4 Nc5 20.Nxc5 Bxc5 21.Be3 Bxe3 22.Nxe3 Rd2 23.Rec1 Rb8 Black is doing absolutely fine. 18...Nc5 19.Nxc5 Bxc5 20.Be3 Bxe3 21.Nxe3

Position after: 21.Nxe3 21...Rd6 21...b3 22.Bf1 Nd4 23.cxb3 Nxb3 24.Ra3 Rd2 Black also had easy play here in ½-½ (34) Adams, M (2744) – Aronian, L (2781) London 2015. 22.Red1 A draw was agreed here in ½-½ Ortiz, M – Canizares Cuadra, P corr. 2016. This decision cannot be criticised, because after, let’s say... 22...f6

320

Position after: 22...f6 We can very reasonably conclude that Black has equalised. d) 10...dxe5 11.Nbd2 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.a4 b4 9.d4 d6 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Nbd2

Position after: 11.Nbd2 321

This is yet another way of handling this line. White opts to keep the queens on the board and heads for a middlegame which will be characterised by slow manoeuvring. 11...Bc5

Position after: 11...Bc5 Black should play actively. 12.a5 This is by no means forced. White can also try to play in a more dynamic fashion: A) 12.Qe2 Qe7

322

Position after: 12...Qe7 13.Nc4 [13.Bd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 Nd4! 15.Nxd4 Bxd4 16.Nb3 Qd6 17.Nxd4 exd4 This is harmless for Black. ½-½ (27) Vetoshko, V (2497) – Kociscak, J (2510) Slovakia 2019] 13...Bg4! 14.c3 Rab8 15.Rb1 Nh5 16.g3 Nf6 17.Ne3 bxc3 18.bxc3 Bxe3! 19.Qxe3 Na5 Now Black will have good play. B) 12.h3 h6 13.Qe2 [13.a5 Qd6 transposes to the main line.] 13...Qe7

Position after: 13...Qe7 B1) 14.Bd5 Nxd5 15.exd5 Nd4! Again we see this active knight jump, and 16.Nxd4 Bxd4 17.Nf3 323

Qc5 leads to an equal game. B2) White has to be careful, because Black can obtain a favourable position against slightly inaccurate play. 14.a5 Be6! 15.Bc4 Nh5 16.Bxe6 Qxe6 17.Qc4 Qxc4 18.Nxc4 Rfe8 19.Be3 Bxe3 20.Nxe3 Nf4 21.Rad1 Red8 22.h4 f6 23.Kf1 h5 24.Nc4 Kf7 25.g3 Ne6 0-1 (67) Wei Yi (2724) – Svidler, P (2740) Ningbo 2015 B3) 14.Nc4 Be6! 15.Be3

Position after: 15.Be3 15...Rfd8 [In the stem game Black failed to equalise: 15...Nd7 16.a5 Rfd8 17.Red1 Rab8 18.Ba4 White has an edge. ½-½ (41) Dominguez Perez, L (2763) – Caruana, F (2818) Saint Louis 2019] 16.a5 Rab8 17.Ba4 Bxe3 18.Qxe3 Bxc4 19.Bxc6 Qd6 20.Ba4 Bb5 Black is OK here. 12...h6 13.h3 13.Ba4 Nxa5 14.Nxe5 Bxf2+ This offers nothing for White. 13...Qd6

324

Position after: 13...Qd6 Black is ready to neutralise the b3-bishop with its opposite number. It is important to note that 13...Qe7 is not possible due to the strong reply: 14.Bd5!. 14.Qe2 Be6 15.Nc4 15.Bxe6 Qxe6 16.Nb3 Nd4 17.Nfxd4 Bxd4 18.Nxd4 exd4 19.e5 Nd7 20.Bd2 Rab8 21.Qe4 c5 22.f4 f5 The game is balanced. 0-1 (38) Strugnell, C (2255) – Harutyunian, T (2515) Lisbon 2017 15...Qe7

325

Position after: 15...Qe7 This can be taken as the principal starting point of this line. 16.Be3 16.c3 bxc3 17.bxc3 Nh5

Position after: 17...Nh5 18.g4!? [18.Ba4 Ng3 19.Qc2 Bxc4 20.Bxc6 Rad8 21.Bd5 Bb5 22.Be3 Bxe3 23.Rxe3 Nh5 24.c4 Bd7 326

25.c5 Bb5 Black is doing OK. Both sides have weaknesses that they need to look after.] 18...Nf4 19.Bxf4 exf4 20.Ncd2 Rfd8 21.e5 Rab8 22.Rab1 Nxa5 In this game White failed to demonstrate proof of concept for his rather aggressive play. 0-1 (56) Karjakin, S (2779) – Svidler, P (2762) Sochi 2016 16...Rab8 Black needs to be wary here. The various alternatives have not proved effective in securing equality. A) 16...Rfd8 17.Ba4! White has some initiative. B) 16...Rad8

Position after: 16...Rad8 17.Bxc5!? [In the actual game White wasn’t able to show anything. 17.Ncd2 Bxe3 18.Qxe3 Nd4 19.Nxd4 Rxd4 20.Bxe6 Qxe6 21.c3 bxc3 22.Qxc3 Rb8„ The black rooks are well-placed and he has counterplay here. ½-½ (30) Sevian, S (2587) – Swiercz, D (2645) Saint Louis 2017] 17...Qxc5 18.Ncd2 Bc8 19.Qe3 Nd7 20.Bd5 Qxe3 21.Rxe3 White has a preferable endgame.

327

Position after: 16...Rab8 17.Bxc5 A) 17.Ba4 Bxe3 18.Nxe3 Qc5 19.Qxa6 Nxa5 20.Be8 Nc4 21.Qc6 Qxc6 22.Bxc6 Rb6 23.Nxc4 Rxc6 24.b3 Bxc4 25.Nxe5 Bb5 26.Nxc6 Bxc6 27.f3 Rb8 The material imbalance means that the game still encompasses all three results but, importantly, Black is not worse in this position. ½-½ (29) Jenkins, R – Hablizel, F corr. 2015 B) 17.Red1 Nxe4 18.Ba4

328

Position after: 18.Ba4 18...Nd4! [18...Ng3 19.fxg3 Bxc4 20.Qxc4 Bxe3+ 21.Kh2 Nxa5 22.Qe4 Bb6 23.Rd5 Nb7 24.Rxe5 White has some initiative here. ½-½ (41) Karjakin, S (2770) – Svidler, P (2743) Kazan 2014] 19.Bxd4 exd4 20.Qxe4 Bxc4 21.Qxe7 Bxe7 22.Nxd4 Bf6 Black is doing fine. 17...Qxc5 18.Ncd2 Bxb3 18...Rfe8 is misguided on account of 19.Qxa6 whereupon White is better. 1-0 (38) Aronian, L (2763) – Svidler, P (2735) Karlsruhe/Baden Baden 2019 19.cxb3!? We have found ourselves in a position where some unusual tactics are hiding below the surface. 19.Nxb3 Qb5 20.Qe3 Rfe8 gives balanced play.

Position after: 19.cxb3!? 19...Nxa5 20.Rec1 20.Qxa6 Rb5 21.Rec1 Qb6 22.Qxb6 cxb6 The black set-up on the queenside looks a little odd but it is very solid. Black is OK. 20...Qb6 21.Nxe5 Qb5

329

Position after: 21...Qb5 22.Nec4 22.Qxb5 Rxb5 Black is relying on a nice tactical idea. 23.Nc6 [23.Nec4

Position after: 23.Nec4 23...Nxe4! The point! 24.Rxa5 Nxd2 25.Rxb5 Nxb3 26.Rc3 axb5 27.Rxb3 bxc4 28.Rxb4 We have ended up in a drawn position.] 23...Nxe4! 24.Rxa5 Nxd2 25.Rxb5 axb5 26.Nxb4 Nxb3 27.Rxc7 Rd8 330

This is another equal endgame. 22...Nc6 23.Re1 Rfe8 24.e5 Nd7 25.f4 Nc5

Position after: 25...Nc5 A complex struggle awaits. White will want to advance his e- and f-pawns to menace the black king, whereas Black will hope that his queenside/central pressure will keep White honest and perhaps eventually tip the game in his favour.

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Appendix The Exchange Variation 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.0-0 f6

Appendix Guide The Exchange Variation 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.0-0 f6 6.d4 exd4 7.Nxd4 c5 a) 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bg4 10.f3 Be6 11.Be3 (with 16.--) b) 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bg4 10.f3 Be6 11.Be3 (with 16.f4) c) 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bg4 10.f3 Be6 11.Be3 (with 16.Nxe6) d) 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bg4 10.f3 Be6 11.Bf4 e) 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bg4 10.f3 Bd7 f) 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bd7 g) 8.Ne2 (with 14.f3) h) 8.Ne2 (with 14.a4) a) 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bg4 10.f3 Be6 11.Be3 (with 16.--) 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.0-0

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The famous Exchange Variation. For a while it was a frequent weapon of Bobby Fischer, and ever since it has been a regular guest in tournaments. White tries to accelerate his development and put early pressure on the black position. In this section I have decided to cover the endgame line. This is not always a popular choice, but it is most certainly key to understanding the nature of endgames in the Ruy Lopez. 5...f6

Position after: 5...f6 Black chooses to defend his e5-pawn with this little move and thereby leave open his options for deploying his pieces. There is also an idea of a potential ...c5, establishing a firm grip in the centre. 6.d4 The main point of White’s play and the critical option chosen by many grandmasters and other respected players. 6.d3 Slower play doesn’t offer White any chances for an advantage. 6...Ne7 7.Be3 Ng6 8.Nbd2 c5

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Position after: 8...c5 9.Nc4 [9.Qe2 Be6 10.c3 Bd6 11.d4 Qe7 12.Nc4 b5 13.Na5 cxd4 14.cxd4 Bg4 Black has enough play here.] 9...Be7 10.Qe1 0-0 11.Kh1 b6 12.a4 Be6 13.b3 Qd7 14.Qc3 a5 15.Rae1 Rae8 16.Bc1 Bd6 17.Nfd2 Ne7! 18.Nb1 Nc6 Black has no problems here. This game shows us a good example of the long-term manoeuvres that are available to Black in these lines. 0-1 (37) Ginzburg, M (2450) – German, G (2495) Villa Martelli 1997 6...exd4 7.Nxd4 c5 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bg4 10.f3 Be6

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Position after: 10...Be6 This is Black’s main reply to White’s concept. Black has the two bishops and is hoping that by provoking f3 he might have some tactical options later. On the other hand, White has faster development and his king is closer to the centre. It is also important to note that White has a 4-on-3 kingside pawn majority, whilst Black has doubled pawns on the queenside. Overall, the position is balanced but obviously there is plenty of play to come. 11.Be3 11.Nc3 Bd6 12.e5?! White tries to take an early initiative. [12.Be3 b6 transposes to our main line.] 12...fxe5 13.Ne4 0-0-0 14.Bg5 Nf6 15.Nxf6 h6 16.Bh4 Be7 17.Nh5 Bxh4 18.Nxg7 Bxb3 19.axb3 e4 20.fxe4 Bf6 Black is very active and should be fine. 11...b6

Position after: 11...b6 12.Nc3 White also has an alternative with: 12.a4 Kf7 13.Bf4 [13.Nc3 Bd6 14.a5 c4 15.Nd4 b5 is a transposition.] 13...Rc8 14.Nc3 c4 15.Nd4 Bc5 16.Kf1 Ne7 17.Nxe6 Kxe6

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Position after: 17...Kxe6 A) 18.Nd5 Nxd5 19.Rxd5 c6 20.Rd2 Rhd8 21.Rxd8 Rxd8 22.Ke2 f5 This is another good example of how to handle this line with the black pieces. The play here is similar to the continuation in the main line. ½-½ Borkowski, F (2375) – Panczyk, K (2415) Mikolajki 1991 B) 18.Ke2 g5 19.Bg3 h5 20.Bf2 Bd6 Black is fine. C) 18.Bg3!?

Position after: 18.Bg3!? 336

18...h5! The correct reaction. [18...g5 19.Bf2! Bxf2 20.Kxf2 Here White has some chances because the pawn stays on a4, as compared to the main line when it can be targeted on a5. ½-½ (25) Iuldachev, S (2511) – Peng, X (2574) Shenyang 1999] 19.Bf2 Bd6! 20.Rd4 Bxh2 Black has fine play. 12...Bd6

Position after: 12...Bd6 13.a4 This is an important plan in these types of position. White launches a minority attack to pressurise the black structure and create some targets. A) 13.Nd5 0-0-0 Jumping into d5 with the knight is too early here, and poses no problem for Black, who has easy play. B) 13.Rd2 Ne7 14.Rad1 Be5 15.Ne2 g5 16.c3 Ng6 Black must be OK here. 13...Kf7 This is the most well-trodden path. Black defends his bishop on e6 and intends to bring the knight to e7 in short order. Most importantly, Black is ready to meet White’s a5 ideas. The alternatives are weaker. A) 13...a5 14.Nb5 0-0-0 15.Nxd6+ cxd6 16.Nd2 Ne7 17.c4 Rhe8 18.b3 Bf7 19.Kf2 Kc7 20.g4 White has some pressure. B) 13...0-0-0 14.a5 337

Position after: 14.a5 Perhaps this possibility is playable for Black, but it is undoubtedly a bit risky. 14...Kb7 [14...Bxb3!? is a rare guest in the database but it is possible. 15.cxb3 b5 16.Nd5 Ne7 17.Rac1 Nxd5 18.Rxd5 Be5! Now the worst might be over for Black.] 15.e5 Be7 16.Rxd8 Bxd8 17.Ne4

Position after: 17.Ne4 17...Bxb3 [17...Kc6? 18.axb6 cxb6 19.Nbxc5! Bc8 20.Nxa6 fxe5 21.Nb4+ This famous game should be mentioned, but of course Spassky misplayed it rather badly. 1-0 (21) Fischer, R (2785) – 338

Spassky, B (2560) Belgrade 1992] 18.cxb3 Ne7 19.axb6 cxb6 20.exf6 gxf6 21.Rd1 Black cannot be too happy – his position is worse, and although he may defend it in the end it will not be a lot of fun. 14.a5 c4 15.Nd4 b5

Position after: 15...b5 In my opinion 16.Nxe6 should be treated as the main line, but the other options for White are also significant. 16.Nce2 A) 16.Nf5 Bxf5 17.exf5 Ne7 18.g4 h5 19.Bf2 hxg4 20.fxg4 Bxh2+ 21.Kg2 Be5 Black is better. 0-1 (44) Timman, J (2550) – Kortschnoj, V (2670) Leeuwarden 1976 B) 16.b3 cxb3 17.cxb3 Ne7 18.Rac1 Rhd8 19.Nxe6 Kxe6 20.Nd5 Rac8 21.Kf2 c6 22.Nxe7 Kxe7 23.Ke2 Ke6 24.Bb6 Rd7 Black achieved equal chances in ½-½ (35) Predojevic, B (2566) – Sasikiran, K (2692) Sarajevo 2006. C) 16.Nd5 Bxd5 17.exd5 Ne7

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Position after: 17...Ne7 18.Ne2 [18.Bf2 Rhd8 19.f4 Rd7 20.Ne2 Re8 21.Kf1 h5 22.g3 Nf5 Here we see another perfect setup for Black. 0-1 (51) Wells, I (2325) – Biyiasas, P (2450) Lone Pine 1981] 18...Rad8 19.Rd2 Rhe8 20.Kf2 Nf5 Black has nice play and chances to press on and claim an advantage. 1-0 (123) Leger, M (1890) – Rouleau, P (1870) Montreal 1996 16...Ne7 17.Bf4

Position after: 17.Bf4 340

The critical try. 17...Be5 A) 17...Rad8 18.Nxe6 Kxe6 19.Bxd6 Rxd6 20.Rxd6+ cxd6 Both players decided they weren’t in the mood for wringing blood from a stone and the game ended peacefully. ½-½ (20) Gdanski, J (2480) – Davies, N (2505) Osterskars 1995 B) 17...Rhd8 18.Bxd6 Rxd6 19.Nf4 Bd7 20.b4 cxb3 21.Nxb3 g5 22.Nd3 Be6 23.Nbc5 Rc6 24.Rac1 Rb8 25.Nb4 Rxc5 26.Nxa6 Nc6 27.Nxc5 Nxa5 28.Ra1 Nb7 29.Nd7 Rc8 30.Ra7 Nd8 31.Nb6 White exploited the weaknesses on the queenside well and won a smooth game in 1-0 (31) Gurevich, I (2410) – Prakash, G Singapore 1990. 18.Nxe6 Kxe6

Position after: 18...Kxe6 19.Bxe5 19.Nd4+ Kf7 20.Bxe5 fxe5 21.Nf5 Nxf5 22.exf5 Rad8 23.Kf2 Kf6 24.g4 h5

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Position after: 24...h5 We have arrived in an equal rook endgame. 25.Kg3 [25.Rxd8 Rxd8 26.Ke3 Rd4 27.Rg1 c3 ½-½ (27) Malisauskas, V (2500) – Psakhis, L (2585) Moscow 1989] 25...c5 26.Rxd8 Rxd8 27.Rf1 b4 28.Rf2 c3 Black is fine here – his queenside play is already well-advanced. ½-½ (50) Dunnington, A (2365) – Sasikiran, K (2470) Hampstead 1998 19...fxe5

Position after: 19...fxe5 342

20.f4!? White goes for the direct attempt to create a passed pawn on the kingside. 20.Kf2 Rhd8 21.Ke3 Nc6 22.f4 Nb4 23.Rxd8 Rxd8 24.Rc1 Na2 25.Ra1 Nb4 26.Rc1 Na2 There was nothing better than the repetition. ½-½ (26) Schmittdiel, E (2505) – Psakhis, L (2575) Groningen 1990 20...Rhd8 21.f5+

Position after: 21.f5+ 21...Kf7 21...Kf6 22.g4 Nc6 23.Kf2 Nd4 24.Rd2 Rd6 25.Rf1 b4 26.h4 Rad8 27.g5+ Kf7 28.Nxd4 Rxd4 29.Rxd4 exd4 Black has an excellent endgame. Even with reduced material we see that the old adage of countering action on the flank with play in the centre holds true. 22.Kf2 Nc6 23.c3 Rxd1 24.Rxd1 Rd8 25.Rxd8 Nxd8 26.Ng1

343

Position after: 26.Ng1 26...Nc6!N 26...g5 27.fxg6+ Kxg6 28.Nf3 Nc6 29.g4 Kf6 [29...h6!] 30.g5+ Ke6 31.Kg3! White has the initiative. ½-½ (38) Rozentalis, E (2490) – Psakhis, L (2560) Klaipeda 1988 27.Nf3 Kf6 28.h4 h6 29.g4 g5! 30.fxg6 Kxg6 This endgame is a draw.

344

Position after: 30...Kxg6 It is important to be aware of this evaluation because these endgames can be a nightmare if you encounter them for the first time over the board. This case is a perfect example of where prior familiarity will serve you well. 31.Kg3 31.Ke3 Kf6 32.g5+ hxg5 33.hxg5+ Kg7 This is also a draw. 31...Kg7 32.h5 Kf6 33.g5+ hxg5 34.Kg4 Nxa5 35.Nxg5 Nb3 36.h6 Nc5 37.Kh5 a5

Position after: 37...a5 White can’t make any progress. b) 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bg4 10.f3 Be6 11.Be3 (with 16.f4) 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.0-0 f6 6.d4 exd4 7.Nxd4 c5 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bg4 10.f3 Be6 11.Be3 b6 12.Nc3 Bd6 13.a4 Kf7 14.a5 c4 15.Nd4 b5 16.f4

345

Position after: 16.f4 16...Ne7 16...Re8!?

Position after: 16...Re8!? A) 17.e5 fxe5 18.fxe5 Bxe5 19.Ne4 Bg4 20.Rf1+ Kg6 White’s adventurous play didn’t pay off in 01 (40) Zumtobel, T (2125) – Ciolac, G (2405) Goetzis 1996. 346

B) 17.Nxe6 Rxe6 18.e5 fxe5 19.f5 This is an interesting pawn sac for White. 19...Re8 20.Ne4 Rd8!

Position after: 20...Rd8! 21.Bc5 Nf6 22.Bxd6 cxd6 23.Nxd6+ Ke7 24.Nb7 Rxd1+ 25.Rxd1 Rc8 26.Rd6 Rc7 27.Rb6 Rd7 28.Re6+ Kf8 29.Nc5 Rd1+ 30.Kf2 Rd2+ 31.Kf3 Rxc2 32.Rxa6 Rxb2 Black is OK. This line is a little lengthy but it does demonstrate clearly how Black can defuse the pressure. C) 17.Rf1 Bc8 18.e5 Bc5 19.Rae1 Ne7! 20.Ne4 Bxd4 21.Bxd4 Nc6 22.c3 Nxd4 23.cxd4

Position after: 23.cxd4 347

23...Rd8 24.Rd1 Bg4 25.Rd2 Bf5 26.Nc5 Bd3 27.Rfd1 Rxd4 Black is doing fine. D) 17.Ndxb5!? So far nobody has played this move! It is crying out to be analysed, and in fact it appears to be critical. 17...axb5 18.Nxb5 Nh6

Position after: 18...Nh6 19.f5 [19.a6 Re7 20.a7 Ra8 21.Ra6 Bd7 22.Nxd6+ cxd6 23.Raxd6 Bf5! 24.Rd8 Bxe4 25.Bc5 Raxa7 26.Bxa7 Rxa7 27.R1d7+ Rxd7 28.Rxd7+ Kf8 29.Rd4 Bxc2 30.Rxc4 After some adventures the game reaches a peaceful conclusion.] 19...Bc8 20.Rxd6 cxd6 21.Nxd6+ Ke7 22.Rd1 Rd8 23.Bc5 Rxd6 Black has to give some material back. 24.Rxd6 Rd8 25.Re6+ Kd7 26.h3 Re8 27.Rxe8 Kxe8 28.Kf2 Nf7 29.Ke3 Ne5 30.b4 cxb3 31.cxb3 Kd7 32.b4 Ba6 Now the position is just a draw. 17.e5 17.Nf3 Nc6 18.e5 Be7 19.Ne4 Rhd8 Black is fine. 17...fxe5 18.fxe5 Bxe5 19.Rf1+ Bf6

348

Position after: 19...Bf6 White has a couple of ideas here but it seems that Black is well prepared for this early attack. 20.Rae1 A) 20.Ne4 Bd5 21.Nxf6 gxf6 22.Bg5 Rag8! 23.Rxf6+ Ke8 Black is better. 0-1 (69) Bednarski, J (2325) – Norgaard, J (2290) Copenhagen 1983 B) 20.Bg5 Bd5! [20...Rad8 21.Bxf6 gxf6 22.Ne4! White has some pressure. 1-0 (36) Farkas, R (2198) – Montolio Benedicto, C (1972) Budapest 2013]

349

Position after: 20...Bd5! 21.Rae1 [21.Nf5 Bxg5! 22.Nxe7+ Kxe7 23.Nxd5+ Kd7 24.Rf7+ Ke6 25.Rxg7 Kxd5 26.Rxg5+ Kc6 27.Re1 Rad8 28.Re6+ Kb7 29.Rg7 Rd1+ 30.Kf2 Rc1 Black is doing OK.] 21...Rhd8! 22.Bxf6 gxf6 23.Rf2 Rd7!

Position after: 23...Rd7! Black has nothing to worry about – there are no tactical tricks for White. 20...Bd7 21.Bg5 Rhe8!

350

Position after: 21...Rhe8! 22.Re5 One interesting line is: 22.Bxf6 gxf6 23.Ne4 Nd5 24.Nc5 Rxe1 25.Rxe1 c3!!

Position after: 25...c3!! 26.b3 [26.Nxd7 cxb2 27.Rb1 Rd8 28.Nc5 Nc3 29.Rxb2 Rxd4 Black is better.] 26...Nb4! The point! Now the c2-pawn is weak and the knight on d4 will come under pressure because it cannot be 351

supported by a pawn on c3. 22...Kg6 22...Ng8!? 23.Rc5 c6 24.Nxc6 Bxc6 25.Rxc6 Re6 26.Rc7+ Kg6 27.Bxf6 Nxf6 White has regained his pawn but Black is doing just fine. 23.Bxf6 gxf6 24.Rc5 c6!?

Position after: 24...c6!? Black will follow up with the active ...Rad8 next. 25.Rf3 Rad8 26.Ne4 Nf5! 27.Nxf5 Bxf5 28.Rcxf5 Rxe4 29.Rxf6+ Kg7 30.Rxc6 Re2

352

Position after: 30...Re2 This endgame holds no dangers for Black – his rooks are extremely active. A draw is the most likely result. c) 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bg4 10.f3 Be6 11.Be3 (with 16.Nxe6) 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.0-0 f6 6.d4 exd4 7.Nxd4 c5 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bg4 10.f3 Be6 11.Be3 b6 12.Nc3 Bd6 13.a4 Kf7 14.a5 c4 15.Nd4 b5 16.Nxe6 Kxe6

353

Position after: 16...Kxe6 Now once again we have a major fork in the road. 17.Ne2 This is a logical continuation. A) White can also try: 17.b3 cxb3 18.cxb3 Ne7 19.Rac1 Ba3 20.Rc2 Rad8! 21.Nd5 Nxd5

Position after: 21...Nxd5 22.Rc6+ [Straightforward simplification holds no demons for Black. 22.Rxd5 Rxd5 23.exd5+ Kxd5 24.Rxc7 Re8 25.Kf2 Re7 The game is equal.] 22...Rd6 23.exd5+ Kd7 24.Rc2 g5 25.h4 Re8 26.Kf2 Re5 27.Rh1 h6 28.f4 Re7 Black has equalised. B) 17.Kf2 Ne7 18.f4 Rad8 19.Ne2 Kf7 20.c3 Rhe8 21.Kf3 c5 22.g4 g5 23.e5 fxe5 24.fxg5 e4+ 25.Kg2 Ng6 Black whips up some counterplay. ½-½ (57) Meijers, V (2415) – Onischuk, A (2495) Hamburg 1993 17...Ne7

354

Position after: 17...Ne7 18.Nd4+ A) 18.Bf4 Be5 Black has no problems. B) 18.b3 cxb3 19.Nd4+ Kf7 20.Nxb3 Rhd8 White will hope to exploit the c5-square but Black is solid and can dream of landing a knight on c4 at some point. The second player should not have any difficulty here. 0-1 (81) Huber, W (2220) – Zoebisch, H (2245) Austria 1996 C) 18.Rd2 Nc6 19.Nd4+

355

Position after: 19.Nd4+ This trade is not threatening to Black. ½-½ (19) Schussler, H (2460) – Djuric, S (2415) Copenhagen 1979 D) 18.Nf4+ Kf7

Position after: 18...Kf7 19.Kf2 [19.Nd5 Rhd8 20.Nxe7 Bxe7 21.Kf2 g6 We have a similar type of endgame to the main variation – see comment immediately below.] 19...Rhd8 20.Nd5 Nxd5 21.Rxd5 Bb4 22.Rxd8 Rxd8 23.Ke2 g6 24.f4 h5 25.Kf3 f5 This endgame is fine for Black. Notice how he attempts to fix the white pawns on the dark squares. 18...Kf7 19.Kf2 Rad8! 20.f4 c5!

356

Position after: 20...c5! 21.Ne2 21.Nf5 Nxf5 22.exf5 g6! Now we see why Black chose to centralise the a8-rook.

Position after: 22...g6! The h8-rook is ideally placed to profit from the opening of lines on the kingside. 23.g4 h5 24.fxg6+ Kxg6 25.h3 hxg4 26.hxg4 Rh2+ 27.Kf3 Rh3+ 28.Ke4 Re8+ 29.Kd5 Rhxe3 30.Kxd6 Re2 31.Kxc5

357

Rxc2

Position after: 31...Rxc2 Once again Black is doing fine. 21...Nc6 The a5-pawn is weak and this means that the play is balanced. 22.Kf3 Be7 23.Nc3 Nb4 24.Rac1 Rxd1 25.Nxd1 Na2 26.Ra1 Nb4

358

Position after: 26...Nb4 This is one way that the game could come to a swift conclusion. d) 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bg4 10.f3 Be6 11.Bf4 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.0-0 f6 6.d4 exd4 7.Nxd4 c5 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bg4 10.f3 Be6 11.Bf4

Position after: 11.Bf4 This is another approach which is often taken by the first player. Black is forced to play an early ...c4. 11...c4 12.Nd4 12.Na5 Immediately harassing the queenside pawns doesn’t bring anything for White. 12...b6 13.Nc6 Bc5+ 14.Kf1 Bd7 15.Nd4 0-0-0

359

Position after: 15...0-0-0 16.Nc3 [16.c3 Ne7 17.Nd2 Ba4 18.Rdc1 Nc6 19.Nxc6 Bxc6 20.Nxc4 Bb5 21.b3 g5 22.Bg3 Rd3 23.a4 Bxc4 24.bxc4 Kb7 25.Ra2 g4 Black is OK. ½-½ (39) Edighoffer, H – Kuhne, D corr. 2004] 16...Ne7

Position after: 16...Ne7 Here we see that Black has managed to develop and all of a sudden the bishop pair will start to come to the fore, along with a potential ...f5 break. 17.Rd2 g5 [17...Bb4 18.Nde2 Be6 19.Rad1 Rxd2 360

20.Rxd2 h5 21.Kf2 Re8 22.Be3 Bf7 Black has a good endgame. 0-1 (46) Dovzik, J (2360) – Landa, K (2440) Kobanya 1992] 18.Be3 h5 19.Rad1 Bd6 20.Kg1 b5 21.a3 Rhg8 22.Nde2 f5 23.Bf2 h4 There is decent counterplay here. ½-½ (39) Ibarra Jerez, J (2538) – Narciso Dublan, M (2505) Linares 2013 12...0-0-0 13.Nc3 Bf7 Black does not, of course, want to give up his main asset of the bishop pair.

Position after: 13...Bf7 14.Nf5 White has a solid alternative (but nothing spectacular) with: 14.Kf2 Ne7 15.Be3 [15.a3 g6 16.Rd2 Bg7 17.Rad1 Rd7 18.Be3 Rhd8 19.Nde2 f5 Black is doing fine. ½-½ (24) Orlov, A (2519) – Baramidze, D (2527) Dortmund 2009] 15...h5

361

Position after: 15...h5 16.Rd2 [16.Nde2 Re8 17.Nf4 Nc6 18.Nfd5 Ne5 19.Rd2 Be6 20.Rad1 b5 The position is doubleedged. 0-1 (37) Howell, D (2487) – Fedorchuk, S (2576) Marseille 2006] 16...Ng6 17.Rad1 Ne5 18.a3 g6 19.Nde2 Rxd2 20.Rxd2 Bg7 21.Nf4 Re8 We have similar play to the sub-variations we have just seen. 1-0 (60) Rozentalis, E (2592) – Bojkov, D (2553) Queenstown 2012 14...Rxd1+ 15.Rxd1 g6 It is not absolutely necessary to drive the knight away, but I do think that this is best. If Black doesn’t choose this option he runs the risk of arriving in a dry position where he has no real chance to get into the game. 15...Ne7 16.Bd6! Nxf5 17.Bxf8 Rxf8 18.exf5 This leads to a position which is objectively a draw but not an immediate one. The position is dry and Black will have to defend with virtually no chances to create counterplay.

362

Position after: 15...g6 16.Ne3 16.Nd4 A) 16...Ne7!? The alternative is actually quite interesting. 17.e5 [17.Kf2 Bg7 18.Be3 b6 19.h3 Re8 Leads to a complicated endgame where both sides have chances – exactly what Black is looking for! ½-½ (43) Kaliksteyn, A (2378) – Sagalchik, G (2531) Seattle 2002] 17...Bg7

Position after: 17...Bg7 363

18.e6 [18.exf6 Bxf6 19.Ne4 Bg7 20.Ng5 And now with 20...Rd8! Black seized the initiative.] 18...Bg8 19.Ne4 h6 20.Nc6 Nxc6 21.Rd7 Bf8 22.Rxc7+ Kd8 23.Rd7+ Kc8 The game will fizzle out to a draw. B) 16...Bc5 B1) 17.e5 Ne7!

Position after: 17...Ne7! 18.Kf1 [18.exf6 Nf5 19.Nce2 Bxd4+ 20.Nxd4 Rd8 21.c3 c5 Black is winning a piece for some pawns and will have the better chances.] 18...fxe5 19.Bxe5 Rd8 20.Bf6 Nd5 21.Bxd8 Ne3+ 22.Ke2 Nxd1 23.Nxd1 Bxd4 24.Bg5 Kd7 Black has no issues here. B2) 17.Be3 Ne7 18.Nf5 [18.Kf2 Bd6 19.h3 b5 Black is doing OK.] 18...Bb4

364

Position after: 18...Bb4 19.Nxe7+ [19.Nh6 Be6 20.Bd4 Rf8 21.a3 Bd6 Leads nowhere for White.] 19...Bxe7 20.Nd5 Bd8 21.Kf2 Re8 22.Bd4 Bxd5 23.exd5 Kd7 Black has good play in this endgame. 16...Bc5 17.Kf2 Ne7

Position after: 17...Ne7 18.Ke2 365

18.h4 b5 19.Bh6 Re8 20.Kf1 f5 21.Ned5 Nxd5 22.Nxd5 Rd8 Black was fine in ½-½ (44) De la Villa Garcia, J (2467) – Kuzmin, A (2567) Andorra 2004.

Position after: 22...Rd8 18...Rd8 19.Rxd8+ Kxd8 20.Ng4 A clever idea. White tries to exploit Black’s decision to play 15...g6. 20...Ng8

366

Position after: 20...Ng8 Now Black will reach a good endgame against any of White’s tries. Further exchanges do not help White to find an advantage. 21.Nh6 21.h4 h5 22.Ne3 Ne7 23.Kd2 b5 Black is comfortable. ½-½ (38) Teterev, V (2507) – Maiorov, N (2490) Minsk 2006 21...Nxh6 22.Bxh6 b5 23.a3 Kd7 24.Bf4 h5 25.g4 hxg4 26.fxg4 g5 27.Bg3 c6 28.h4 gxh4

Position after: 28...gxh4 Black is in no danger and perhaps can even dream of using his bishop pair in a (very!) long endgame. ½-½ Solak, D (2589) – Kasimdzhanov, R (2690) Konya 2012 e) 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bg4 10.f3 Bd7 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.0-0 f6 6.d4 exd4 7.Nxd4 c5 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bg4 10.f3 Bd7

367

Position after: 10...Bd7 The bishop is placed less aggressively, but the idea is simply to castle long as soon as possible. 11.Bf4 The alternative doesn’t promise anything for White. A) 11.Nc3 0-0-0 12.Bf4 simply transposes. B) 11.Be3 b6 12.Nc3 0-0-0 13.a4 a5 14.Bf4 [14.Rd2 Bd6 15.Rad1 Ne7 An example of Black obtaining good play; 14.Nb5 Nh6 15.c4 Nf7 16.Nc1 g5 17.Ne2 f5 Black is quick to create his counterplay.] 14...Ne7

368

Position after: 14...Ne7 15.Bg3 [15.Nb5 Bxb5 16.Rxd8+ Kxd8 17.axb5 g5 18.Bg3 Bg7 19.c3 h5 20.Nd2 h4 21.Bf2 Kd7 22.Rd1 Ke6 23.Nc4 f5 24.exf5+ Nxf5 The position is equal.] 15...h5 16.h3 h4 17.Bf4 Ng6 18.Be3 Bd6 19.Nd5 Be6 Now it is Black who is playing for an advantage. He already has the upper hand. 0-1 (45) Jicman, L (2133) – Atalik, E (2409) Calimanesti 2014 11...0-0-0 12.Nc3 c4

Position after: 12...c4 369

This is one of the key points to remember in this line. The bishop is not as aggressive as it would be on e6 but by provoking f3 Black now benefits from speedy development. 13.Na5 Critical, yet also potentially a move with large ramifications. The knight may end up trapped out of the game. The alternative does not test Black as much. 13.Nd4 Ne7 14.Bg3 [14.Rd2 Ng6 15.Be3 Bd6 16.Rad1 Rhe8 17.Kf2 h5 18.Nce2 h4 19.h3 Re7 20.Nc3 Rde8 21.Nd5 Rf7 Here we have complex play. 0-1 (50) Kotronias, V (2590) – Adams, M (2630) Chalkidiki 1993] 14...Ng6 15.Nd5 Ne5 16.Rd2

Position after: 16.Rd2 Black can choose between an aggressive kingside thrust or quieter centralisation. 16...h5 [16...Bc5 17.Bf2 Rhe8 18.Rad1 Bf8 19.h3 b5 20.Nc3 Nf7 With unclear play. ½-½ (42) Brunner, L (2475) – Malaniuk, V (2635) Luzern 1993] 17.h4 Bd6 18.Ne2 Bc6 19.Rad1 b5 20.Ne3 Bd7 21.Nf5 Bxf5 22.exf5 c3 23.bxc3 Nc4 24.Rd3 Rhe8 25.Nf4 Ne3 26.Rc1 Nxf5 Black is better. This game demonstrates some nice tactical ideas for the second player. 0-1 (40) Ivanov, V (2460) – Korneev, O (2540) Moscow 1995 13...Bc5+

370

Position after: 13...Bc5+ 14.Kf1 The main choice. 14.Kh1 b5 15.Nd5 Ne7 16.Bxc7 Nxd5 17.Bxd8

Position after: 17.Bxd8 This line does illustrate one difference, namely that now there is no check on e3. 17...Ne3 18.Nb7 371

Nxd1 19.Nxc5 Nf2+ 20.Kg1 Nxe4 21.Nxe4 Rxd8 22.Rd1 Kc7 Nevertheless, Black is fine. 14...b5

Position after: 14...b5 15.a4 If White chooses instead to immediately centralise his knight then we enter a well-known line in which Black has no problems whatsoever. 15.Nd5 Ne7! 16.Bxc7 Nxd5 17.Rxd5 Kxc7 18.Rxc5+ Kb6 19.b4 cxb3 20.Nxb3 Be6 21.Rc3 Rc8 22.Rxc8 Rxc8 23.Nd4 Bf7 24.Ke1 Rc4 25.Rd1 Rc3 26.Kd2 b4 27.Nb3 a5 28.Rb1 Rc8 29.Nc1 Rd8+ 30.Ke1 Rc8 This leads to a draw. 15...Ne7

372

Position after: 15...Ne7 We have an interesting position before us. For the moment the knight on a5 is strong and is creating some tactical problems for Black, but as soon as pieces start to be exchanged it might become a liability. 16.Ke2 White has another important option. 16.axb5 Bxb5 This somewhat surprising recapture is one of the main points of Black’s play. Black is trying to release the tension on the d-file and simultaneously keep the knight on a5 out of the game for at least a little while.

373

Position after: 16...Bxb5 A) 17.Rxd8+ Rxd8 18.Ke2 Bb4 19.Nxb5 axb5 20.c3 Bd6 21.Bxd6 Rxd6 22.b3 cxb3 23.Nxb3 Kb7 24.f4 Nc6 25.Ke3 Kb6 26.Ra8 Rd8 27.Rxd8 Nxd8 Black has equal chances in this endgame. ½-½ (32) Kindermann, S (2519) – Jenni, F (2483) Germany 2003 B) 17.Ke2 Rxd1 18.Rxd1 Bb6 19.Nxb5 axb5 20.Bd2 Rd8 21.Be1 Rxd1 22.Kxd1 Kd7 Now we can say that it is Black who can exert some pressure. ½-½ (45) Sigalas, F (2277) – Skembris, S (2434) Aghia Pelagia 2004 C) 17.Bd2 Rhe8 18.Nxb5 axb5 19.b3 cxb3 20.Nxb3 Bb6 21.Bc3 Rxd1+ 22.Rxd1 Ng6 Black has a fine endgame. 16...Rhe8 The alternative leads to a strange sort of position where the a5-knight is stuck. 16...Bb4 17.axb5 Bxc3 18.bxc3 Bxb5 19.Rd4 Rhe8 20.Kf2 Ng6 21.Be3 Nf8 22.Rxd8+ Rxd8 23.g4 Ne6 24.h4

374

Position after: 24.h4 24...Rh8!? 25.h5 Re8 In this interesting position it seems that the white knight is permanently shut out of the game, and although White has a kingside majority it is not clear that he can make significant progress. 17.Be3 Bb4 18.axb5 axb5 19.Kf2 f5 A logical approach. 20.e5 h6

375

Position after: 20...h6 21.Ne2 A) White can also go for a path connected with a pawn sac and deep tactical ideas. 21.h4!? Ng6 22.f4 Nxh4 23.g3 Ng6 24.Ne2 Nf8 25.Rxd7! Kxd7 26.Rd1+ Kc8 27.Rxd8+ Rxd8 28.Nc6 Ne6 29.Nxb4 Kb7 30.g4 g6 31.gxf5 gxf5 32.c3 c5 33.Nc2 Kc6

Position after: 33...Kc6

376

Even after all the tactical tricks available to White it seems to me that Black has enough to weather the storm. I think that here we can say that he is out of danger. 34.Ne1 Rd1 35.Ng2 Ng7 36.Nh4 Rb1 37.Bc1 Kd5 38.Ke3 Ke6 39.Kd2 B) 21.Nxc4 bxc4 22.Ra8+ Kb7 23.Rxd8 Rxd8 24.e6 Kc8 25.exd7+ Rxd7 26.Ra1 Nd5 27.Ra8+ Kb7 28.Nxd5 Rxd5 29.Ra4 Rb5 30.h4 Kc6 31.h5 Kd5 After all the little tactics Black has active play. 21...f4!

Position after: 21...f4! A nice blow. 22.Bxf4 22.Nxf4 Nf5 23.Ba7 g5 24.Nd5 Bxa5 25.Rxa5 Bc6 26.Ne3 Rxd1 27.Nxd1 Rxe5 Leads to a draw. 22...Bc5+ 23.Be3 Bxe3+ 24.Kxe3 Nf5+ 25.Kf2 Rxe5 26.Nxc4 Rxe2+ 27.Kxe2 Re8+ 28.Kf2 bxc4

377

Position after: 28...bxc4 The endgame is imbalanced but Black is fine. ½-½ (156) Komodo 8 – Stockfish 5 64 Internet (rapid) 2014 f) 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bd7 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.0-0 f6 6.d4 exd4 7.Nxd4 c5 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bd7 Provoking f3 and then bringing the bishop to d7 is a perfectly worthy option, but, as we will see, the immediate deployment of the bishop is also based on solid logic.

378

Position after: 9...Bd7 Note that now the e4-pawn is undefended, providing Black with some extra options down the line. 10.Bf4 Critical and best. A) 10.Be3 As in the line with f3 included, this brings nothing for White. 10...b6 11.Nc3 0-0-0 12.a4 a5 13.Bf4 Ne7 14.Nb5 Bxb5 15.Rxd8+ Kxd8 16.axb5

379

Position after: 16.axb5 16...Nc8 17.e5 fxe5 18.Bxe5 Nd6 19.Rd1 Kc8 20.Bxd6 Bxd6 21.Nd2 Rd8 22.Kf1 Be5 23.c3 c6 24.bxc6 Kc7 Black has the better endgame. 0-1 (61) Adams, M (2729) – Leko, P (2741) Yerevan 2008 B) 10.Nc3 0-0-0 will transpose to either the 10.Bf4 or the 10.Be3 line. 10...0-0-0 11.Nc3 Be6!? Black reveals the idea behind his set-up. Without f3 White cannot swiftly place his king on f2 and this helps Black to generate rapid counterplay.

Position after: 11...Be6!? 12.Rxd8+ Kxd8 13.Rd1+ Kc8 White has the quicker development but one pair of rooks has been exchanged, and that makes Black’s life much easier. 14.Nd5 Bxd5 15.Rxd5 b6

380

Position after: 15...b6 Despite the reduced material, this position has a lot going on. The absence of the pawn on f3 means that Black is much faster with his counterplay, but he has had to pay the price of giving up his bishop pair. 16.Rd1 One of the three main moves here. There are in fact many different options for White which we will briefly examine, but we will see again and again that Black can whip up some speedy counterplay. It is important to understand where Black’s activity will come from. The knight will come to e7 and then has the option of going to either c6 or g6. Black can also try to combine a rapid ...g5 and ...h5 with an ...f5 break to undermine the e4-pawn and create pressure all over the board. From White’s perspective, he doesn’t mind further exchanges but it is essential that he gets the kingside majority rolling. A) 16.c4 Ne7 17.Rd2 Nc6

381

Position after: 17...Nc6 18.Bg3 [18.Kf1 g5 19.Bg3 h5 Black will get good activity here.] 18...g6 [18...Be7 19.f4 g5 also gives Black adequate play.] 19.f4 h5 Black has good counterplay. B) 16.f3 c4 17.Nc1 Ne7 18.Rd1 f5 Black strikes in the centre and creates fast counterplay. C) 16.h4 c4 17.Nd2 Ne7 18.Rd4 b5 19.Nf3 Nc6 20.Rd2 Be7 Black has enough play to hold the balance comfortably. D) 16.a4 Ne7

382

Position after: 16...Ne7 D1) 17.Rd1 Nc6 Play will proceed in a similar fashion to what we have already seen. For example: 18.c3 h5 19.h3 g5 20.Bh2 Rh7 21.Kf1 Rd7 22.Ke2 Rxd1 23.Kxd1 Bd6 24.Bxd6 cxd6 25.Nd2 Kd7 26.Nf1 Ke6 27.Ne3 b5 28.axb5 axb5 29.Ke2 Ke5 30.f3 h4 Black is fine. It is important to study and understand lines such as these because they demonstrate exactly what Black is looking for in these endgames. D2) 17.Rd2 g5 18.Bg3 [18.Be3 Ng6 19.Nc1 Bd6 20.Ne2 Ne5 Black gets fine play.] 18...Bg7 19.h4 h6 20.hxg5 hxg5 21.a5 f5 Black is doing OK. ½-½ (36) Farkas, R (1873) – Pregun, B (1883) Budapest 2010 E) 16.Nc1 Ne7 17.Rd2

Position after: 17.Rd2 17...f5!? [The alternatives are not bad either. 17...g6 18.Ne2 Bg7 19.b3 f5! This is a good example of the pawn on e4 missing its protection. 20.exf5 Nxf5 21.f3 Nd4 22.Nxd4 cxd4 Black is fine; 17...h5 18.h3 Ng6 19.Bh2 c4 20.Ne2 Bc5 21.Kf1 Re8 22.f3 Be3 23.Rd5 h4 24.Bg1 c6! 25.Rd1 Bxg1 26.Kxg1 Kc7 27.Kf2 Nf8 Black has no worries here – this game shows another good example of rapid counterplay along the e-file.] 18.Nd3!?

383

Position after: 18.Nd3!? 18...fxe4 [18...g6 19.Be5 Rg8 20.Bf6 fxe4 21.Ne5 Bg7 22.Bxg7 Rxg7 Black has no cause for concern. 1-0 (44) Milos, G (2510) – Carvalho, H (2250) Fortaleza 1989] 19.Ne5 Rg8 20.Nf7 Nc6 21.Ng5 Be7 22.Nxe4 Rd8 23.Rxd8+ Bxd8 24.c3 Kd7 25.f3 Ke6 26.Kf2 c4 27.Ke3 Kd5 This also looks OK for Black. F) 16.Kf1 A logical try. 16...Ne7 17.Rd2 g5 18.Bg3 h5! 19.h3 g4 20.Re2 Bh6 21.Nd2 f5 22.exf5 Nxf5 Black is fine. G) 16.Nd2 Ne7 17.Rd3

384

Position after: 17.Rd3 G1) Black has two different plans to choose between. 17...Nc6 18.c3 b5!? 19.b3 [19.Rd5 Nd8 20.b3 Ne6 21.Bg3 h5 22.h3 Be7 23.Kf1 h4 24.Bh2 Kb7 25.Ke2 Kc6 26.Nf3 Bd6 This just looks fine for Black.] 19...Bd6! 20.Bxd6 Rd8

Position after: 20...Rd8 21.Nf1! This makes sense because it aims to restrain Black’s ...d5 idea. [21.Kf1 cxd6 22.Ke2 Ne7 Black is threatening to break in the centre and he has no issues. 0-1 (47) Svatos, J (2314) – Lahner, J (2314) Czechia 2008] 21...Rxd6 22.Rxd6 cxd6 23.f4 Kd7 24.Kf2 Ne7 25.Ne3 Kc6 26.c4 bxc4 27.bxc4 Kb6! 28.Ke2 Ka5 29.Kd3 Ka4 30.Kc2 Ka3 31.Kb1 Nc6 32.Nf5 Kb4 33.Nxd6 Kc3 A fantastic endgame demonstration – this is the way to go when creating counterplay. G2) 17...g5 18.Bg3 h5!

385

Position after: 18...h5! 19.h3 [19.f3 Nc6! 20.Nc4 Nb4 21.Rd2 h4 22.Bf2 Nxa2 23.c3 Nc1 24.Ne3 Rh7 Black is simply a pawn up; 19.h4 g4 20.Nc4 Bh6 21.Ne3 Rd8 22.Rxd8+ Kxd8 23.Nf5 Nxf5 24.exf5 c4! 25.Kf1 Bc1 26.b3 cxb3 27.cxb3 Bb2 Black has no problems here.] 19...Bg7 20.c3 f5 21.exf5 Nxf5 22.Bh2 g4 23.Bf4 Rf8 24.hxg4 hxg4 25.g3 Ne7 26.Kg2 Ng6 27.Bg5 Ne5 28.Re3 c4 Black has counterplay. 16...Ne7

386

Position after: 16...Ne7 17.Nd2 A) 17.c3 Ng6 18.Bg3 h5 19.h3 h4 20.Bh2 Bd6! 21.Bxd6 Rd8 22.Kf1 cxd6 Black uses a little tactic to exchange bishops and, with his kingside structure restraining the white position, he has no issues. B) 17.Bg3 Nc6 18.c3 [18.f3 c4! 19.Nc1 Be7 20.Kf1 Rd8 21.Rxd8+ Kxd8 22.c3 Kd7 23.Ke2 Nd8 Black is doing OK – he has a potential plan of bringing his knight to c5.] 18...h5!

Position after: 18...h5! Again we see this thematic gain of space on the kingside. 19.h3 [19.h4 g6 20.Kf1 Bh6 21.f3 Ne7!? Black will follow up with ...f5 and should be doing just fine.] 19...h4 20.Bh2 Bd6! We have already seen this motif – Black is OK. C) 17.Kf1 Ng6! 18.Bg3 h5 19.h3 h4 20.Bh2 Bd6!

387

Position after: 20...Bd6! Again! This key idea is definitely worth remembering. 21.Bxd6 Rd8 22.Ke2 Black is doing well, next will come 22...cxd6. ½-½ (22) Kaufman, L (2400) – Chellstorp, C (2360) Chicago 1973 D) 17.f3 h5! 18.Kf2 h4 19.Ke2 Ng6 20.Be3 Bd6 Black gets his kingside expansion in and is doing OK. E) 17.Nc1 Nc6 18.Ne2 c4 19.Kf1 Bc5 20.a3 Rf8! It is often useful to drive this bishop away from the c1-h6 diagonal.

388

Position after: 20...Rf8! 21.Bg3 Rd8 22.Rxd8+ Kxd8 23.f3 Bd4! 24.c3 Be3 Now Black is fine because the d3-square can be used for counterplay. 17...Nc6

Position after: 17...Nc6 18.c3 18.Nc4 Nd4 19.Rd2 b5 20.Na5 [20.Ne3 Ne6 21.Bg3 c4 22.f3 Bb4 23.Rd1 Rd8 24.Rxd8+ Kxd8 25.Kf1 Kd7 This is just good for Black.] 20...Ne6 21.Be3 c4 22.Nc6 Bc5 23.Bxc5 Nxc5 24.f3 Kb7 25.Ne7 Re8 26.Nd5 Rd8 27.Rd1 c6 28.Ne3 Rxd1+ 29.Nxd1 Kb6 30.Kf2 Ne6 Black has the worse structure in this knight endgame but he is nice and active. 18...Nd8!? It is worth taking note of this motif. This knight manoeuvre can prove very useful for Black. 18...b5!?

389

Position after: 18...b5!? 19.b3 [19.Nf1 c4 20.Ne3 Bc5 Black activates his bishop and he is doing well here; 19.Kf1 c4 20.Ke2 Bc5 21.f3 Rd8 Again, Black is very active.] 19...g5 20.Bg3 Bg7 21.Nf1 Re8 22.f3 f5 23.exf5 Bxc3 24.Bf2 Bd4 25.Ng3 Rf8 Black has decent counterplay. 19.Nc4 Ne6 20.Bg3 b5 21.Ne3 c4 22.Kf1 Bc5

Position after: 22...Bc5

390

Black’s pieces are nicely placed and he should not be worried in this position. g) 8.Ne2 (with 14.f3) 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.0-0 f6 6.d4 exd4 7.Nxd4 c5 8.Ne2

Position after: 8.Ne2 A modern attempt which sidesteps the old main line with 9.Nb3. The knight is flexible on e2 and is eyeing up future prospects on the d5-square. 8...Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bd7 The best reaction. Black prepares to castle long. 10.Nbc3 White can also choose to handle the line with: 10.Bf4 0-0-0 11.Nbc3 Ne7 12.Bg3

391

Position after: 12.Bg3 An important option to be aware of for White. A Nf4 jump is in the air and from there it can hop into d5 and put pressure on c7. 12...Re8 13.Nf4 [13.Rd2 Ng6 14.Rad1 Bc6 15.Nd5 Ne5 16.Bxe5 fxe5 17.Ng3 b6 18.Rd3 Kb7 19.Rf3 g6 20.Rf7 Bd6 Black is fine here because the white knights are restricted. ½-½ (25) Prie, E (2450) – Spassky, B (2550) France 1994] 13...Nc6

Position after: 13...Nc6 14.Nfd5 [14.f3 Ne5 15.Nh5 Be6 16.Bf2 Bf7 17.Ng3 b6 18.a4 a5 19.Nf5 g6 20.Ne3 In the final 392

position Black is doing OK – his position is solid. ½-½ (20) Anand, V (2803) – Bruzon Batista, L (2652) Leon 2006] 14...Ne5 15.f4

Position after: 15.f4 A direct approach, but White has to be careful because the e4-pawn may become a target. 15...Nf7 16.Re1 [16.e5?! fxe5 17.fxe5 Nxe5 18.Ne4 Bc6 Black is simply better. 0-1 (56) Malisauskas, V (2540) – Landa, K (2455) Polanica Zdroj 1993] 16...Bd6 17.Re2 b5 18.Rae1 b4 19.Nd1 Bb5 Black is better. We can see how fast Black’s counterplay develops if White overplays his hand. 10...0-0-0 11.Be3 Re8 12.Rd2 Bc6 13.Rad1 b6

393

Position after: 13...b6 In some sense we can say that this is the starting point of the line. Black wanted to exchange a pair of rooks but could not find an easy way to do so. Instead Black will organise his play in a slightly different way by putting immediate pressure down the e-file. This is a slight departure from what we saw in the 9.Nb3 line – the main difference, of course, being the position of the bishop on c6. 14.f3 Now we see an important idea. 14...Ne7 15.Nf4 Ng6

394

Position after: 15...Ng6 16.Nxg6 This is the main path but there are other ideas available. A) 16.Nfd5 Ne5 17.b3 h5!? 18.h4 Kb7 19.Kf2 Bd6 20.Ne2 Rhf8 21.Ng3 g6 22.c4 Rf7 We have a complex endgame. 0-1 (37) Dubkov, A (2311) – Jenni, F (2481) playchess.com 2006 B) 16.Ncd5 Ne5 17.b3 c4 18.Kf2 Kb7 19.g4 a5 20.h4 Ba3 21.Nh5 Rhg8 This gives similar play to the line below with 16.Nh5. ½-½ (53) Vescovi, G (2615) – Onischuk, A (2647) Poikovsky 2003 C) 16.Nh5 Ne5 17.b3 c4 Black manages to get in this pawn advance, with the idea of undoubling his pawns. 18.Nd5 a5

395

Position after: 18...a5 19.Kf2 [19.a4 Kb7 20.Kf2 cxb3 21.cxb3 Nd7 22.g4 Nc5 23.Bxc5 Bxc5+ 24.Kg2 Rhg8 Black has adequate play here.] 19...Kb7 20.g4 Rg8 21.h3 Ba3 22.Bd4 [22.Bf4 cxb3 23.cxb3 Ref8 24.Be3 Rf7 25.Ng3 g6 26.f4 Nd7 The game is unclear. ½-½ (48) Maze, S (2518) – Sasikiran, K (2670) La Roche sur Yon 2006] 22...cxb3 23.axb3 Nd7 Here we can also conclude that Black is doing OK. ½½ (49) Maze, S (2518) – Werle, J (2514) La Roche sur Yon 2006 16...hxg6 17.Bf4 Be7 18.Nd5 Bd8 Now Black has doubled pawns on both flanks, but his bishop pair and the flexibility in his position give him enough counterplay here.

396

Position after: 18...Bd8 19.Ne3 This is not the only move but it is probably the only one with a clear positional idea in mind, namely to stop ...f5 (even with g4 if necessary) and then start to look for a constructive plan. White does have other options but these mostly revolve around a wait-and-see strategy. A) 19.h3 f5 20.exf5 gxf5 21.Bg3 Bg5 22.Bf4 Bd8 23.Bg3 Rhf8 24.c4 g5 Black is fine. 1-0 (71) Bojkovic, N (2420) – Sachdev, T (2425) Dresden 2008 B) 19.g4 This is actually just bad, because it does not even prevent Black’s next. 19...f5! 20.gxf5 gxf5 21.Rg2 fxe4 Black is already winning. 0-1 (28) Malisauskas, V (2503) – Georgiev, V (2535) Turin 2006 C) 19.b3 a5 20.a4 f5 21.Re2 c4! 22.bxc4 fxe4 23.fxe4 Bxa4 Such positions are usually OK for Black. He has made some progress in changing the structure. 0-1 (43) Dvorak, T (2319) – Biolek, R (2449) Czechia 2004 D) 19.c4 A logical follow-up. 19...f5

397

Position after: 19...f5 20.Re2 [20.exf5 gxf5 21.Rd3 Re2 22.Bd2 Bxd5 23.Rxd5 Bf6 Black is better here. ½-½ (23) Socko, B (2660) – Ronchetti, N (2416) Spoleto 2011] 20...g5 21.Bg3 Rh6 22.Rde1 f4 23.Bf2 Bd7! 24.h3 Reh8 25.Kf1 c6 26.Nc3

Position after: 26.Nc3 26...Be6 27.b3 Bxh3 28.gxh3 Rxh3 29.Rd2 Rxf3 Excellent play! After this inventive sacrifice Black is much better. 0-1 (43) Shaw, J (2465) – Stefanova, A (2478) Catalan Bay 2004 398

E) 19.Re2 f5 20.e5 g5 21.Bc1 Bb5 22.Ree1 Bd7

Position after: 22...Bd7 23.c4 [23.b3 Rh6 24.Bb2 Be6 25.c4 c6 26.Ne3 Reh8 27.h3 g4 Black has attacking chances with the open h-file and the bishop pair. 0-1 (43) Malec, S (2167) – Nurkiewicz, M (2417) Warsaw 2011] 23...Be6 24.b3 c6 25.Nc3 Be7 26.g3 Rd8 Black is doing fine. ½-½ (45) Lemmers, O (2392) – Lingnau, C (2395) Senden 2000 F) 19.Bg3 F1) Black has a choice between two different ways to treat the situation. 19...g5

399

Position after: 19...g5 20.c4 [20.h3 g6 21.b3 f5 This leads to typical play similar to what we have already seen.] 20...g4!? 21.Re1 gxf3 22.gxf3 g5 23.Ne3 Bd7 24.Red1 Be6 25.b3 Rh7 26.Kf2 Rf8 Black should not be worried. ½-½ (29) Socko, B (2621) – Akopian, V (2713) Port Erin 2006 F2) 19...f5 20.Nf4!? [20.Re2 g5 21.c4 The game may transpose to 19.c4] 20...Bg5! 21.Nxg6 Bxd2 22.Rxd2

Position after: 22.Rxd2 White has strong compensation for the exchange: 22...Rd8! 23.Rxd8+ Rxd8 24.exf5 Rd1+ 25.Kf2 Rd2+ 26.Kg1 [26.Ke3 Rxg2 Black is better.] 26...Rd1+ With a possible draw.

400

Position after: 19.Ne3 19...Rhf8! The alternative is not bad either. 19...g5 20.Bg3 g6 21.Bf2 White’s idea is to get in g4 immediately. This is an important concept – White is hoping to block any counterplay with ...f5 and then he can try later to create pressure on the kingside with h4. 21...Rh7!?

Position after: 21...Rh7!? 401

22.c4 [22.g4 Bd7 23.Kg2 Rf7 24.b3 f5 25.gxf5 gxf5 26.Nxf5 Bxf5 27.exf5 Rxf5 28.Bg3 c4 Black has got in his break and he is doing OK.] 22...Reh8 23.g4 f5! 24.gxf5 gxf5 25.Nxf5 g4 26.fxg4 Bxe4 27.Bg3 Bf3 28.Re1 Bxg4 29.Ne3 Bd7 Once again, Black has a fine position. 20.g4 f5! 21.gxf5 gxf5 22.Nxf5 Bf6! 23.c3 g6 24.Ne3 Be7 25.Bg3 Bg5 26.Re2 Rxf3

Position after: 26...Rxf3 Black is much better. All his pieces are very active. 0-1 (36) Asanov, A (2108) – Severina, M (2221) Samara 2014 h) 8.Ne2 (with 14.a4) 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.0-0 f6 6.d4 exd4 7.Nxd4 c5 8.Ne2 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bd7 10.Nbc3 0-0-0 11.Be3 Re8 12.Rd2 Bc6 13.Rad1 b6 14.a4

402

Position after: 14.a4 This is an important option and deserving of its own sub-chapter. 14...Ne7 15.a5 With this active approach, White wants to put pressure on the queenside pawn chain. 15...Kb7

403

Position after: 15...Kb7 Not only defending the potential weakness on b6, but also opening up the possibility of re-routing the knight via c8 (a useful option to keep in mind). 16.axb6 White finds himself at a crossroads. Should he take or wait a little longer? We are about to see some interesting lines in both cases. Black needs to be vigilant in order to avoid entering a worse endgame. A) 16.Bf4 g5 17.Bg3 h5 18.h4 b5! Now Black is fine. The c5-pawn is no longer a target. 0-1 (35) Huschenbeth, N (2411) – Naumann, A (2522) Germany 2010 B) 16.Ng3 Nc8 17.axb6 Nxb6!

Position after: 17...Nxb6! 18.b3 g6 19.Nd5 Bxd5 20.exd5 Bd6 Black is OK. ½-½ (62) Oleksienko, M (2568) – Kasimdzhanov, R (2709) Moscow 2013 C) 16.Nf4 C1) 16...Ng6 17.axb6 cxb6 18.f3 a5

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Position after: 18...a5 C1.1) 19.b3 f5 20.Nfd5 Ne7 21.Bf4 [21.Nxe7 Bxe7 22.exf5 Rhf8 is also not a problem for Black. ½-½ (31) Meier, G (2658) – Ragger, M (2568) Austria 2010] 21...fxe4 22.fxe4 Nxd5 23.exd5 Bd7 Black is fine here. C1.2) 19.Ncd5! a4 20.Nxg6 hxg6 21.Nf4 g5 22.Ng6 Rh6 23.Nxf8 Rxf8 24.h3 Rhh8 This should lead to a draw but it must be said that the white position is a little easier to play. C2) 16...Nc8!? 17.b3 Bd6! 18.axb6 Nxb6

405

Position after: 18...Nxb6 Taking with the knight is an important positional idea in these lines. 19.f3 f5 20.Nd3 fxe4 21.fxe4 c4 22.Nc5+ Bxc5 23.Bxc5 cxb3 24.cxb3 Re6 D) 16.Rd8 Rxd8 17.Rxd8

Position after: 17.Rxd8 17...g5!? [17...Ng6 is a reasonable alternative. 18.axb6 cxb6 19.Nd5 Bxd5 20.exd5 Kc7 21.Ra8 Kb7 22.Rd8 Kc7 This is one possible draw. ½-½ (24) Vandevoort, P (2353) – Bojkov, D (2552) Belgium 2011] 18.Nd5 [18.Ng3 Bg7 19.Rxh8 Bxh8 20.f3 Bd7 Black is doing fine.] 18...Nxd5 19.exd5 Bb5 20.c4 Bxc4 21.Nc3 h6 22.axb6 cxb6 23.Rd7+ Kc8 24.Rf7 Bd6 25.Rxf6 Bc7 Black has some counterplay. E) 16.b3!? A solid waiting move and probably the best of the options if White chooses not to take immediately on b6. 16...Nc8!? [16...Ng6 17.axb6 cxb6 18.Ng3 I am not convinced by this type of plan for Black as it limits the ideas he has available. Now any ...f5 ideas are very difficult to organise.] 17.axb6 Nxb6

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Position after: 17...Nxb6 18.f3 [18.Ng3 c4! Gives Black direct counterplay; 18.Rd3!? Bd6 19.f3 Rhf8 20.Bf2 Rf7 The game is balanced.] 18...f5 19.Ng3 g6 20.Bf2 Bg7 21.Rd3 Bxc3 22.Rxc3 fxe4 23.Nxe4 Bxe4 24.fxe4 Rxe4 25.Bxc5 Re6 26.Bf2 Rhe8 27.Rcd3 Re2 28.c4 R8e7 Black has equalised. 16...cxb6

Position after: 16...cxb6

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17.f3 A) 17.Bf4 Ng6 18.Bg3 a5 19.b3 h5 20.h3 h4

Position after: 20...h4 21.Bh2 [21.Bd6 Rd8! Contesting the d-file is key for Black here.] 21...c4! 22.bxc4 Ne5 23.Bxe5 fxe5 24.Nd5 Rc8 25.Nc1 Be8 Black is very active. B) 17.Nf4 Nc8!

408

Position after: 17...Nc8! In my opinion it is crucial to deploy the knight to c8 in this line. 18.b3 Rg8 19.Nh5 Be7 20.Ng3 Bd8 Black is OK. C) 17.Ng3 g6 Now, seeing as the knight is still well-placed on e7, Black hasn’t lost any time. 17...Ng6 The alternative is also viable for Black. 17...f5 18.Rd8 Rxd8 19.Rxd8 Kc7 20.Rd1 fxe4 21.fxe4

Position after: 21.fxe4 21...Nc8! [21...Ng6 22.Nf4 Be7 23.Ncd5+ Bxd5 24.Nxd5+ Kc6 25.Nxe7+ Nxe7 26.Bf4 Ng6 27.Rd6+ Kb5 28.Bg5 Re8 Black is not in any danger. ½-½ (52) Guseinov, G (2664) – Onischuk, A (2647) Astana 2019] 22.Bf4+ [22.Nf4 Bd6! 23.Ne6+ Kb7 24.Nxg7 Be5 25.Ne6 Re8 26.Nd8+ Kc7 27.Nxc6 Kxc6 Black is fine.] 22...Bd6 23.e5 Be7 24.e6+ Bd6 25.Bxd6+ Nxd6 26.Nf4 Re8

409

Position after: 26...Re8 The pawn on e6 is much more a liability than it is an asset. 18.b3 f5 19.Bf2 fxe4 20.Nxe4 Be7

Position after: 20...Be7 Black can be satisfied with his position. His pawns have been undoubled on the queenside, he has got in his break in the centre and he retains the bishop pair. ½-½ (41) Solak, D (2632) – Mista, A (2613) 410

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Table of Contents Title page Key to Symbols Preface Chapter 1 – Minor lines Chapter 2 – 15.Re4 Chapter 3 – 15.Be3 Chapter 4 – 15.Qe2 Chapter 5 – 13...Qh4 Chapter 6 – 13...Bf5 14.Qf3 Qf6 Chapter 7 – 13...Bf5 14.Qf3 Qh4 Chapter 8 – 13...Bf5 14.Qf3 Re8 Chapter 9 – Alternatives after 8.c3 d5 Chapter 10 – 8.h3 Chapter 11 – 8.d3 Chapter 12 – 8.d4 Chapter 13 – 8.a4 b4 9.d3 Chapter 14 – 8.a4 b4 9.d4 Appendix – The Exchange Variation

3 4 5 7 29 66 86 103 119 130 160 177 184 215 240 268 293 332

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