Marcus Schmuecker

THE LONDON-/YJTEM
11

I I
 Marcus Schmuecker

The London System

© Marcus Schmuecker
www.123chess.de
info@123chess.de
email:

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information storage or retrieval systems, without prior written permission from
the author.

1 st Edition in English 2009

Translation from German: Timo Holloway

Front cover design:
Back cover design:
Concept and Type:
Indexer:
Printed and bound by:
Lars Rambach
Marcus Schmuecker
Marcus Schmuecker
Marcus Schmuecker
Top-Offset GmbH, Frankfurt
Contents Page

List of symbols 5
Dedication 5
Foreword 6
I ntroduction 9

C lassical Line

Chapter

1 Main position with . . .�d6 + 8 . . . 1We7 18

2 Main position with . . .�d6 + 8 .. J%e8 !? 22
3 Main position with . . . �d6 + the rest 30

4 7.l/Je5 32

5 Exchange on g3 - Part 1 35
6 Exchange on g3 - Part 2 38

7 6 . . . �e7 + 7 . . . l/Jxe5 42
8 6 . . . �e7 + 7 . . . 0-0 45

The route to the main position

9 3 . . . l/Jh5!? 48
10 4 . . . l/J h 5?! 51
11 3 . . . e6 + 4 . . . c5 52
12 3 . . . e6 + 4 . . .�d6 5.l/Je5 53
13 3 . . . e6 + 4 . . . �d6 5.�g 3 !? 56
14 4 ... �d6 5.�g3 b6!? 59
15 3 . . . e6, 4 . . . �e7 61
16 2 . . . e6, 3 . . .�d6 63
17 2 . . . c5!? 67

Attacking b2 with an "early" '<Wb6

18 4 . . . 1Wb6 ! ? + 5 . . . 1Wxb2 69
19 4 . . . 1Wb6!? + 5 . . . c4 72
20 4 . . . '<Wb6 !? + 5 . . . a6!? 79
 Attacking b2 with a "late" '!Wb6

21 5 . . . 'Wb6 I ntrodu ction 83

22 5 . . . '1Wb6 + 8 . . . e5? 89
23 5 . . . '1Wb6 + 8 . . . l"lxa3? 92
24 5 . . . 'Wb6 + 8 . . .�g4 96
25 5 . . . 'Wb6 + 8 . . . l"la5!? 97
26 5 . . . 'Wb6 + 8 . . . Ct:Ja7! 1 03
27 5 . . . 'Wb6 + 8 . . . e6 1 06

Sym metry

28 4 . . . dxc4 1 08
29 4 . . . e6?! 111
30 4 . . . c6 1 12
31 Main position with 6 . . Ct:Jbd7 113
32 Main position with 7 . . . dxc4 117
33 Reasons for 4.c4! 1 19

The Slav Way: 2 . . . c6

34 Line 1 to the main position 1 24

35 Line 2 to the main position 1 27
36 Main position with 7 . . .�e7 1 30
37 Main position with 7 . . . c5 1 32
38 2 . . . c6/. . . �g4 with Ct:Jf6 1 35
39 2 . . . c6/ . . .�g4 without Ct:Jf6 1 37
40 All the rest after 2 . . . c6 1 39

41 Caro-Kann Exchange Variation 141

42 Gruenfeld main line 1 44
43 Gruenfeld sideline 1 47
44 Schlechter set - up 151
45 C higorin - Defence 1 53
46 Stonewall 1 60
 5

List of Symbols
+ Check
++ Double check
# Mate
X Capture
!! Brilliant move
Strong move
!? Interesting move
?! Dubious move
? Mistake
?? Blunder
1 -0 White won
Y,-Y, The game was d rawn
0-1 Black won
+- With a winning advantage for White
± With clear advantage for White
;t With a small advantage for Wh ite
=
With equal play
+ With a small advantage for Black
-+ With a winning advantage for Black
(D) see diagram = main line
( D) see diagram = sideline
[ di rect side variation
( variation within the sideline

Dedication

My special thanks go to my two very good friends Daniel Schirm and Bernd
Scharta u .
6

Foreword
System (LS) would not have enough
bite to seriously endanger Black.

However, there are also a few people

You are looking for an among the top grandmasters who
opening with the following think otherwise. Gata Kamsky for
instance used the London System
attributes:
with reasonable success and the
London System is very popular one or
1. easy to learn perhaps two steps lower down at the
I M - to F M-Ievel, as White can easily
2. extremely solid avoid long theory variations, forcing
his opponent to play chess from the
very beg inning.
3. full of poison
The much-praised solidity should not
4. fascinating positions be mistaken for boredom as in truth
the concept for a very dangerous
kingside attack is in herent in the
5. relatively unknown
London System. N umerous games
have been decided in favour of White
6. plenty of scope for own long before the 301h move just
ideas because Black underestimated the
white set-up.
lt is interesting to note that the London
System is very well known in amateur Literature (Bibliography)
circles as White can reach a playable
position after the opening phase
without having to have a lot of theory
knowledge. This fact alone u nderlines
the solidity of the London System . Up to 2005 there was only one book
which seriously dealt with the London
As the system covers all variations System - "The London System" by
after 1 .d4 d5 (lazy people can also Andrew Soltis, which was published
use it against 1 . . . ti:lf6), it must be in 1 993 .
regarded as a un iversal weapon . But
if this system is so good, then why is it
still so little-known?

I can only guess at the reason -

probably the opinion established itself
at higher levels that the London
 7

Like many others I heard of the

a b c d e f h
system after losing a game and
quickly recognised its many 8
advantages. I always enjoyed looking
at chess scientifically and examining
the positions in detail. My own theory
6
grew and eventually the idea of writing
a book describing the London System
arose.

GM Vlatko Kovacevic (the London
System Guru) publ ished the first real ly
comprehensive book about the
London System called "Wi n with the
London-System" in 2005. While
studying the book I was very surprised
to see how many of my own ideas
were mentioned i n the book, and even
more surprised to find more new ideas
which I h ad a lso been thi n king about.
So the decision was made to publ ish
my own work.
History
3
2
a
Blackburne obviously liked the
open ing as he played it later - mostly
in London (where the name comes
from) - against opponents such as
Lasker, Chigorin and Stei n itz. Aljechin
also tested the system. The London
System turned up regu larly in London
for many years. lt must be presumed
that M ason invented the London
System as he had experimented with
if4 on various occasions before his
game against Blackbu rne.

Transposition i nto other openings

Attention must be paid to two

The London System was played for
the first time between M ason and
Blackburne (D) during the 2nd
I nternational C hess Tournament in
Vienna in 1 882 (Draw after 23
moves).
characteristics:
1 .) After 1 .d4 d5 2.lt:Jf3 c5 Black can
transpose into the Exchange Variation
of the S lav Defence with 3.c3 cxd4
cxd4.
8

The q uestion is whether this will often A1ou-� s��cAer­

happen in practice, as White can
Iserlohn, 31.08.2009
simply play from a safe position h alf a
tempo ahead . lt would not make m uch
sense for Black to actively beg in with
2 . . . c5 just to transpose into a passive
defence immediately.

2 . ) The second transposition is better.

Black can reach a Stonewal l position
with 1 .d4 d5 2.tt:lf3 e6 3.i.f4 c6 4.e3
f5!? (D). Even though th is is not part
of the London System, a detai led
theoretical explanation can be found
in the last chapter.

I hope my book will turn you i nto an

enthusiastic London System advocate
who will be able to celebrate many
great wins with th is wonderfu l
opening.
o Introduction o 9

Introduction
Often enough Black feels compelled
to offer his good bishop for an
exchange on d6, wh ich u nderlines
the strength of the ii.f4.
The characteristic set-up
If Black does not do something
against it, Wh ite can also put his
remaining pieces onto their most
desirable squares (see d iagram).

Basic set-up
a b c d e h

�w�
a c e g
S'+�
/7 ////'/

The bishop on f4 is clearly the main 2

feature of the London System. I n
addition , the London System i s a n all­
round weapon which can be used
against nearly all Black set-ups.

The ii.f4 h as three colleagues - d4, e3 We will be meeting this basic set-up
and ltlf3. These are also reg u lars in freq uently.
the London System set-up.
Wh ite has built u p an absolutely
The main idea of achievin g control u nshakeable centre with his three
over the black squares (and in pawns placed on c3/d4/e3. His main
particular over the square e5) motif in the middle of the board
becomes apparent straight away. consists of pushing through e4-e5 at
the right time. Otherwise, piece play is
At the same time White resolves the more likely to stand in the foreground.
problem of his bad bishop most
elegantly by positioning it outside his In many cases White can even be so
pawn chain. bold as to leave his King standing in
10 o Introduction o

the centre for some time. lt is no rarity

that Wh ite castles as late as the 201h
move. Often enough he simply has
better things to do beforehand.
.if1
The good bishop on d3, which often
plays a decisive role in an attack on
the king, assists here. The C/Jd2 is
very flexible and can q u ickly be
developed further to either the
kingside or queenside - depending on
where it is needed . The white q ueen
often finds itself on e2 or b3, but very
rarely on c2, because there it
obstructs the best retreat square of
the j,d3.

U nfortunately White cannot always

accomplish the desirable set-u p .
Therefore, he must always know how
to use h is three most flexible pieces
(�c2, j,f1 and C/Jb1 ): I n the London System the j,f1 is
nearly always developed to d3, but
there are a few exceptions. j,e2
8c2 should always be the reply to a setup
with . . . g6, because the later th reat
The handling of this pawn is easy to of . . . e5-e4 can be very unpleasant for
memorize. As soon as Black puts the White with a bishop at d3. If Black
white centre u nder pressure with . . . c5, reacts normally and plays . . . c5 or
White will strengthen his pawn on d4 even . . . e6 , then the j, can always be
with c2-c3. put onto d3 without hesitation .

If Black behaves passively with . . . c6 However, White often does not have
then one can continue actively with the necessary information right from
c2-c4, exerting pressure on d5. the start, therefore he usually has to
begin with the development of his �c2
and C/J b 1 .

Should Black for example develop

o Introduction o 11

with . . . �f5, then �d3 wou ld not be a Rule: Both pieces (.if1 and �b1) ·

promising option , as the good white should be deployed according to

bishop wou ld be exchanged for the the eA set.,.up.
bad black one. The correct reaction
would be c2-c4 with an active g ame Why is only 1 .d4 d5 covered?
on the q ueenside. If a position with
. . . c6/c4 arises and Black does not
take on c4, then White waits with the
development of h is bishop until he can
utilize �e2 to castle short.

lt gradually becomes clear that the

London System is extremely flexible
and White can start a fig ht on both
sides of the board .

ctJb1
The knight - as well as the bishop - is
also dependent on the position of the
c-pawn. a b c d e f g h
If this stands actively on c4, then of
course ti:lc3, increasing the pressure As explained in the introduction, White
on d5, should be played . obtains control over the dark squares
a b c d e h
with �d4, �f4, ti:lf3, �e3. This applies
particularly to the key square e5.
8 8
With 1 . . . d5 B lack did us a favour in
7 permanently weakening e5. If he goes
6 6 for 1 . . . ti:lf6 instead, he remains flexible
in the centre and can fight for the
5 5 black squares much more easily.
��
4 ;:,;+�
;;,, ///.-/
4 Wh ite can , of course, adopt his usual
3 3 set-up and reach a solid position .
However, if Black chooses to play the
2 Queen's Indian Defence or the King 's
Indian, no advantage can be gained
from the open ing with the London
System.
12 o Introduction o

On the other h a n d, after 1 . . . d5 Black 1 . a clear attacking target: �g8

will face a very hard fig ht. Therefore,
we are only dealing with positions 2. a clear attacking plan, for instance
after 1 .d4 d5 in this book. id3, �f3-h3 and g4-g5.

Whether the London System can keep
up with the Queen's Gambit - or if it is
even stronger - plays a secondary
role. I personally consider it to be at
least equ ivalent.
lt is already very difficult for Black to
find means against this as he does
not have any adequate counterplay.
Playing on the queenside with a6-b5-
b4 - or similar - takes far too long. If
Black takes on e5, then the important
defensive knight is forced to retreat
from f6 with dxe5.

By coincidence I myself played such a

game shortly before finishing this
book. (th e German version from 2007)

Schmuecker - Vicktor
1 4 .01 .2007

1 .d4 ltlf6 2.ltlf3 d5?!

Objectively speaking, this move

cannot be a mistake, but it allows the
London System.

3.i.f4 e6 4.e3 i.e7 5.ltle5!

Here we have a kind of desirable set­
up for White, wh ich often comes up
Preventing . . . tt:lh5 and occupying e5.
like this - or in a similar form - on the
board.
5 ... ltl bd7 6.ltld2 a6
How is it possible for Wh ite to win
Preparing his counterplay on the
countless games from such positions?
q ueenside.
The reason is q uite simple to
understand . White has
7 ..id3 c5 8.c3 0-0?! (0 1 )
o Introduction o 13

1 2
a b c d e h a b c d e h
8

The desirable position, which is Maintains the advantage in the most

similar to the one on the previous convincing way, as Black can hard ly
page, h as been reached. By castling take on e4 and . . . e5 is also prevented .
short Black offers a clear target for an [1 2 . tt:l xe7+? Wffx e7 1 3.e4 e5!= just
attack. shows how quickly an advantage can
become ancient history.]
9.Wfff3 c4?
1 2 ....tb7
Wins a tempo for the pawn attack on
the q ueenside, but is m uch too [1 2 . . . dxe4 1 3. tt:lxe4 tt:lxe4? 1 4.tt:lxe7+
committing. Wffx e7 1 5.Wffx e4+-]

1 0 ..tc2;t b5? 1 3.liJxe7+ Wffx e7 1 4.e5 tt:le8

1 5.Wffh 3+- g6
Black makes every mistake that one
can possibly make against the London The only hope for Black consists of
System. organizing counterplay with . . . b4, but
he will not be able to do so during th is
1 1 . tt:lc6 game.

Collecting the good bishop. [1 5 . . . h6 is worth considering, but it

makes a later g4-g5 possible.]
1 1 ... Wffe 8 1 2.e4! (02)
14 o Introduction o

1 6.ltlf3 with the hope of playing . . . e5.

Threatens igS or t'Llg5 in certain 1 9J�ae1 !

cases, therefore Black is practically
forced to play. A very precise move, as an additional
piece will be forced into a worse
16 .. .f6 1 7.exf6 ltl exf6 (03) position.

3 19 .. J��e8
a b c d e f g h
al.l - - �-· -a
Black's position can only be regarded
as sad. [ 1 9 . . . e5? 20 .dxe5 t'Llxe5

7 -� - 1.& -
2 1 .!'!xe5 '\Wxe5 22.lt'lxe5 ixh3
- ' 17 23.gxh3]

6 1 £ - _ , _ ,_6 20.ltle5 ltlxe5 21 ..ixe5

s_ i _ i _ - Is
4 1 _ , 0 �� - 4
A further advantage of 1 9.!'!ae1 is that
. . . b4 is again not possible.

3- �(� -tLJ-"i¥13 21 ... ltle4 (04)

21 8 �:��- 0 8 0 2
1���
�
- �
� �
-1:;1
� 11
offering a pawn, hoping to achieve a
draw with opposite coloured bishops.
a b c d e g h
22.f3?
lt is nearly impossible to list all the
advantages of the white position : pair This is the main reason why only one
of bishops, space advantage, more of my own games is included in th is
active pieces. The bishop on b 7 is book. I am much too perfection istic to
very passive, as all black's pawns torment the readers with such or
stand on light squares, e6 is a similar missed opportun ities.
permanent weakness and black's
king's position has been weakened The game should have earned
with g7-g6. Hence, the dark squares 22.!'!xe4! - 22 . . . dxe4 23.ixe4 !!a?
are weak and Wh ite will make use of 24.ixg6!+- I overlooked the last
this fact. But Black made no obvious move in the precalculation , but even
mistake. Exactly this is just one of the without striking on g6 Wh ite's
hidden strengths of the London advantage is obvious as the ieS is
System. more valuable than either of black's
rooks.
1 8 .0-0 ic8
o Introduction o 15

4 to me d uring the game. White plans to

occupy the f-file with l:H1 -f6. After
this, pushing the h-pawn to h5 would
be decisive. 29 . . J%a7 (29 ... Wf3 runs
into 30.'lt,e3) 30.'lt,f1 'gf7 3 1 .'l!,f6+-]

27.'Wg5

I mmediately h5 would have been

even stronger.

27 ... 'Wg7 28.h5 h6 (05)

5
a b c

As a small excuse, I wou ld like to

mention that the game was played in
a very important team event and 5
safety was first priority.

22 ... lflf6 23.'Wh6

Setting up the threat of .ixg6.

23 .. J�f8 24.g4

And again the threat becomes acute.

24 ...'Wf7 25.h4 lfld7 26.f4 Whoever finds the solution 29 .'Wh4!

gxh5 30.g5!, can be very proud of
himself. Wh ite threatens <j;Jh 1 and
Offers the transition into the endgame. there is simply no defence for Black.
My solution delays the decision .
26 ... lflf6
29 .'Wxg6? 'Wxg6 30 ..ixg6 lflxg4
[26 . . . tt'lxe5 27 .fxe5 Wg7 28 .'l!,xf8+ 31 . .id6
Wxf8 29.Wg5! The queens have to
remain on the board - this was clear At last material is lost.
16 o Introduction o

31 .. J!f6 (06) surrender, but my opponent will delay

resignin g . The game is therefore no
6 longer really i nteresting.

37 . . . 'it>f8 38.:Sh7 :Se8 39.:Se1 J.e6

40.:Sa7

and again the best continuation is

missed in time trouble. [40 ..ig7+!
<j{ga 4 1 .1"ih8+ mf? 42 .1"ixe8 mxe8
43.1"ixe6+]

40 ... i>g8 41 . .if4 J.f7 42.:Sxe8+ J.xe8

43.:Sa8 'it>f8 44 . .id6+ mf7 45.:Sxa6
lLlf6 46 ..ie5 ll:lxh5 47.B:xh6 'it>e7
48.'it>g2! (07)
7

a b c d e f g h

[31 . . J�d8 32 . .ie7 !'id? 33.1"ixe6+- is

also bou nd to lose.]

32.f5! J.d7

[32 . . . exf5 33.1"ie8+ mg? 34 .1"ie7+ <j{ga

35 ..ie5 and Black can resign.]

33 ..ie7?!

This move wins, bu t 33.fxe6! is even

stronger. [33.fxe6! 1"ixf1 + (33 . . 1"ixe6??
.

34. .if7+) 34.<j{xf1 ! whoever sees that

the king is able to take on f1 will have
recogn ised the win of the e6-pawn A nice motif with which a further pawn
straight away.] is captured .

33 ... :Sxf5 34.hf5 exf5 35 ..id6 :Sd8 48 ...f4 49.'it>f3 ll:lg3 50.'it>xf4 ll:le4
36.:Se7 J.cs 37.J.e5
Techn ically still a little bit tough.
Black's position stands shortly before
o Introduction o 17

51 .i.b8 8

51 ... tDf6 52.:ah1 cj;le6 53.:ae 1 + tDe4

54.b3 <j;ld7 ss.:ae3 cxb3 56.axb3
tDd2

The pawn was not really relevant to

me - invading on e5 with the king was
much more important:

57.cj;les <j;lc6 58.:ah3

With these three pieces a mating net

is imminent. a b c e g

58 ... tDxb3 59.:ah6+ <j;lb7 60.<j;lxd5!

(08) Conclusio n :The way the game went
is typical for the London System. The
A small tactical joke. proficient London System player will
win a lot of games playing like this.
60 ... tDa5 Often enough Black will ask himself
after the game what he did wrong!
[60 . . .i.f7+ 61 .cj;les <j;lxb8 62.1'%h8+ <j;lc? The theoretical part, starting to deal
63.1'%h7] with the main position of the classical
system, beg ins on the next page.
61 .:ah7+ <j;lc8 62 ..ie5 i.d7 63.:ah8+
<j;lb7 64.cj;lcs tDc4 65.:ah7 <j;lc8 Why did I not start with the lines that
66.i.h2 lead to that position? Well, I consider
it more important to first understand
[After 66 .1'%xd7 <j;lxd7 67.<j;lxb5 there the main positions and only then to
are still some drawing chances for see h ow they arise.
Black.]

66 ...i.e8 67.d5 tDb2 68.�a7 tDa4+

69.cj;ld6 tDb6 70.cj;le7 1 -0 I would now like to wish all of you a
lot of enjoyment with the London
Syste m !
18
C h a pte r 1

M a i n position with .id 6 + 8 Wfe7

.. . ...

1 .d4 d5 V!l)f3 c5 3.c3 ttlf6 4.i.f4 e6 The alternatives are handled similarly,
5.e3 ttlc6 6.ttl bd2 i.d6 7.J.g3 0-0 for example 8 . . . :t"\e8 9. tt:le5!.
8.i.d3 V!fe7 {09) Only 9 . . . tt:ld7 is very interesting here.

9 [9 . . . tt:ld7!? B lack prevents J.h4 and

plans to get rid of the knight with . . . f6.
1 O . tt:lxc6!?

(1 0. tLldf3 is also fine: 1 0. . . f5 1 1 . 0-0

tLlf6 1 2. ttJxc6 bxc6 1 3.J.xd6 Wixd6
14. tLle5 cxd4 1 5. exd4 c5 16. V!ffa4 c4
1 7. J.e2± Yedidia- lnkiov, French
Championship 1 996.)

1 O . . . bxc6 1 1 .Viffa4 J.b7 (1 1 . . . E\b8

1 2. Vlffx c6t.) 1 2 .J.xd6 1 2 . . . Viffx d6
1 3.Viffa3 ( 0 1 0)
10

9.ttle5!

9 ...J.xe5

Th is is definitely the best reaction .

Black forces a pawn to e5, which he
then hopes to put u nder pressure . He
gives u p his pair of bishops for this
purpose and must take care not to be
mated right away. Everything depends
on the result of the struggle for e5.
Chapter 1 - Main position with . . . �d6 + 8 . . ."®e7 19

1 3 . . ."®e7 ( 1 3 . . . e5 1 4.iJ5!) 1 4 .ll:'lb3 [9 ... �d7 1 O.f4 li:Je8 1 1 .0-0 f5 1 2 .�h4!

Otherwise there would be no pin on l/Jf6 (1 2 . . . "W'xh4? 1 3.ll:'lxd7+-) 1 3."W'f3!]
c5 any more. 1 4 . . ."®g5 1 5.li:Jxc5 "W'xg2
1 6. me2 "W'g4+ 1 7 . md2 li:Jxc5 1 8."\WxcS [9 . . . h6? 1 0 .f4 �d7 1 1 .�h4+- 1 -0
"W'f3 1 9.:gafH ( D 1 1 ) Lindam, I-Schultheis, H/playchess.com
2004 (28)]
White clearly has the better bishop.
He can u se the open g-file in order to [9 . . . cxd4 1 O .exd4 ll:'ld7 1 1 .f4 f5 1 2.0-0
initiate an attack on the black kin g .] l/Jf6 1 3 .�h4 We? 1 4 ."W'e2 ll:'le4 1 5. m h 1
�d7 1 6 .g4 �e8 1 7 .gxf5 exf5 1 8J:'\g 1 !
11 V . Kovacevic-Fressinet, Soli n/Split
2000.]

Back to the main line

1 0.dxe5 t!Lld7 1 1 .f4!� (012)

12

[9 . . J:l:d8 1 0.f4 ll:'ld7 1 1 .0-0 There is

nothing here to speak against
castli ng . The rook from f1 can quickly
be brought into the attack via f3.
1 1 . . . l/Jf8 covers h7 without the risk of
being pinned with �h4, as would be
the case after l/Jf6 1 2."W'e2?! Too
timid . (12. "W'h5!?!) 1 2 . . .f6 1 3.�h4 �d7
1 4 . li:Jxd7 :gxd7 1 5 .�h 1 :gea 1 6J'l:ae1
';!;' Bisguier-Frias Pablaza, Lone Pine
1 98 1 .] [1 1 .ll:'lf3 b 6 1 2."W'a4 �b7 1 3."W'g4 mea
(13 . . . f5) 1 4."W'h3 h6 1 5.0-0! Dresen­
Stanetzek, Aachen 2003.]
20
1 1 .. .f6 1 2.Wh5! (01 3)
Still not giving up the fight for e5.
[1 1 . . .f5 hopes for a slackening of
hostilities. But 1 2. tLlf3;t prepares �h4
again. An important tip: White should
never attack too blindly with g4. He
has already achieved good control 7
over all parts of the board. Therefore ,
g4 can be prepared very carefully.]
[ 1 1 . . . d4 1 2.0-0! With a clear
advantage for White, as Black can
neither strike on e3 nor on c3, as
White would keep control over d4 i n
both cases.
13
The text move 1 2. Wh5 forces a further
small weakness in Black's camp - and
indirectly strengthens White's control
over e5 at the same time.
12 ... g6 1 3 .exf6 (014)
Chapter 1 - Main position with . . . �d6 + 8 . . . We7
Otherwise the pawn on e5 would
simply be lost.
14
a b c d e h
6
5
4
3
1 3 ...Wxf6
seems to finally win the fight for e5 .
[ 1 3 . . . l/Jxf6 1 4 .Wg5 the control over e5
is very i mportant. Due to his pair of
bishops, White is in a comfortable
position. 1 4 . . . l/Jh5 1 5.Wxe7!? striving
for an endg ame. 1 5 . . . l/Jxe7 1 6.�h4!
(0 1 5) An excellent move which
provokes tt:Jf5. 1 6 . . . l/Jf5 1 7 .�f2;t and
Black will have to spend some time to
avoid losing a piece after g4.]
[13 . . . :1'\xf6 1 4.We2 !;t After this retreat
the threat of �h4 becomes acute.]
1 4.V;Yf3 !
. . . e5 is again not possible for Black as
wh ite q ueen cou ld take on d5. A
possible move seq uence could be
 :hapter 1 - Main position with . . . �d6 + 8 . . :t!f!e7 21

15 the scope of the !':'1J8 has been

increased and . . . t2J de5 was
a b c d e
threatened. There really are a lot of
8 resources in chess.

White 's position is actually very easy

to play, as after 0-0-0 and h2-h4-h5 I
6 hardly see any chances for Black to

4 [1 5.0-0-0? Wou ld run into the trap

1 5 . . . t2Jde5! 1 6 .WI'e2 t2Jxd3+ 1 7.WI'xd3=]

2
Conclusion: The classical variation
has lost much of its popu larity,
because White gets a strong attack
far too often without having to
sacrifice anything.
1 4... '!1Nd8! 1 5.i.c2! � ( 0 1 6)
Taking these considerations into
16 account, 8 .. J3e8 looks much more
promising.

Avoids a small trap, because on

account of the queen's retreat to d8,
22
C h a pter 2

M a i n position with . . .id6 + 8 . . J3:e8

.

1 .d4 e6 2.lL'lf3 c5 3.c3 d5 4 ..if4 lt'lf6 structure would be identical to the one
5.e3 lt'lc6 6.lt'lbd2 .id6 7 . .ig3 0-0 in the Stonewall (Dutch Defence),
8.id3 E:e8 !? (01 7) where Black sets up his pawns on
f5,e6,d5,c6 , but White has managed
17 to position his bad bishop outside the
pawn chain . The following variations
a b c d e g h
show how dangerous the white attack
s!.l - _trij.l - ·fia may become.

7 _ , _ _ , , ,7 [9 . . . tt'le7 1 0 .f4 a5 A desperate attempt

6 1 -lj)-.1. -6 to create counterplay

q ueenside. There is nothing else
on the

s - -.1.- - I s
Black can do. 1 1 ..ih4 tt'lg6 1 2 .ig5

41 - ��� - - 4
cxd4 1 3.exd4;!; ie? 1 4 .0-0 White's
pieces are ideally placed. 14 . . . tt'ld7

3 - D ���� tZJm 1 3 1 5 . .ixe7 V!J.xe7 1 6.tt'lxd 7?

exchange was not really necessary.
This

���-�---/��.��iV,�
(1 6. V!J.f3!) 1 6 . . ..ixd7 1 7 .V!J.h5 tt'lf8
1 8 .tt'lf3 f6 1 9 .!'1ae1 V!J.d6;!; 20.tt'le5!?=
� � � A neat move . (20. V!lh4;!;) 20 ... fxe5
a b c d e f g h 2 1 .fxe5 g6 22 .V!J.h6 V!J.e7 23.!'1f6 (D 1 8)

Once again . . . e5 is threatened . Even though Wh ite has sacrificed a

Besides supporting the advance of the
e-pawn , another advantage of . . . !'1e8
is that the f8-square becomes
accessible for other pieces .
9.lt'le5 he5! ?
Learn ing a l l the sidelines by heart
does not make a lot of sense, but one
should h ave a good look at them to
get a feeling for the positions.
it is very important to notice that black
must not allow the establishment of
the knight on e5 with f2-f4 .
After f2-f4, the resu lting pawn
whole piece for only one pawn ,
amazingly Black is powerless.
The wh ite plan is quite simple, he will
build up an artillery of heavy pieces on
the f-file. Subsequently, he will
weaken Black's king position with h2-
h4-h5. There does not seem to be
anything Black can do about this plan .
23 . . . V!J.g7 24.V!J.f4 .ic6 25.!'1f1 !'1e7
26. h4 !'1c7 27. !'1f3 b5 28.h5 g5 29.V!J.g4
h6. Allowing the bishop to go to g6,
but what else was possible? 30 ..ig6
mh8 3 1 .!'1f7+- !'1xf7 32 .!'1xf7 V!J.g8
33.V!J.f3 tt'ld7 34.!'1h7+ V!J.xh7 35.ixh7
Chapter 2 - Main position with . . . �d6 + 8 . . . l'l:e8 !? 23

!l:f8 36. \Wg4 lt>xh 7 Considering the one advantage of 8 . . . l'l:e8. . . 1 3.0-0
material, Black should be fine, but his \We? 1 4 .lbg4 (0 1 9) Sacrifices are in
pieces are placed very the air. 14 . . . \We??
inharmon iously. Therefore, White
faces no problems converting his 19
advantage. 37.\Wxe6 lb b8 38.\Wg6+
ltih8 39 .\Wxh6+ \t>g8 40.\Wg6+ lt>h8
4 1 .h6 l'l:g8 42.\Wf6+ lt>h7 43 .\Wf?+ 1 -0
Danielsen - Nijboer, Odenthal
Eikamp 1 98 1 A really nice g ame.]

18

g h

a) 1 4 . . .�e7! is the toughest

contin uation . 1 5.lDf2 c4 (15 . . . e5?
1 6. fxe5 fxe5 1 7.�g3 �d6 1 8.dxc5
hc5 1 9.e4 dxe4 20.he4+-) 1 6 .�c2
a b c d e g h tt:Jg6 1 7.�g3;t and White is only a little
bit better.

The theoretical significance of the b) 1 4 . . . b6? also loses by force . But at

move 9 . . . \We? is not absolute but the
game illustrates Wh ite's attacking
ideas in a very vivid way. 1 0.f4;!;
The white plan consists of �h4/'1Wf3-
h3, g4-g5 or of 0-0, followed by l'l:f3-
h3. Black can only wait and see,
hoping to survive, since there is no
sign of counterplay available to him.
1 O . . . tt:Jd7 1 1 . tt:Jdf3 f6 weakening g 6
and b y doi n g s o weakening h7 as
wel l , b ut Black wants to get rid o f the
tt:Je5 at all costs. 1 2 .�h4 lDf8 At least
least it offers a great show . . . 1 5.�xf6!
gxf6 ( 1 5. . . h5 1 6. lbh6+ gxh6 1 7. lbe5
he5 1 8. fxe5 \Wf7 1 9.�4 \Wd7
20.\WxhS+-) 1 6 .tt:Jxf6+ lt>f7 1 7.tt:Jxe8
Wxe8 1 8. lbe5 �b7 1 9.\WhS+ Wd8
20.e4 ! \Wg7 2 1 . exd5 exd5 22.lbf7+
We? 23.tt:Jxd6 lt>xd6 24.dxc5+ bxc5
25.l'l:ad 1 l'l:d8 26 .�e4 lbe7 27.c4+-
1 5. tt:Jfe5! �d7 (15 . . . l'l:d8 1 6.hf6! gxf6
24 Chapter 2 - Main position with . . . �d6 + 8 . . . Ei:e8 ! ?

1 7. CtJ h6+ c:J;g7 1 8. Wig4+ 4Jg6 19. hg6 1 -0 Jaeger, M-Federa u , J/Germany
hxg6 20. Wixg6+; 15 . . . Eib8 16 . .bf6 1 990 (27) A typical pawn break
gxf6 1 7. 4Jh6+ c:JJhB 1 8. 4Jhf7+ c:JJg B after. . . c4.]
1 9. Wig4+ 4Jg6 20.hg6; 15 . . . c:JJh8
1 6. 4Jxf6! gxf6 1 7. Wih5 c4 1B . .bh7) [9 ... h6?! would be even worse than
1 6.�xf6 ! gxf6 1 7 . 4J h6+ c:J;g7 1 8.Wig4+ 9 . . . g6. 1 O .f4 4Jd7 1 1 .Wih5 4Jcxe5
Black resigned in this position . After 1 2 .fxe5 �e7 1 3.0-0 Ei:f8+- 1 -0 Cuno,
1 8 . . . c:JJx h6 a mate in 7 moves will T -Svahn, X/I CCF-Cup8/9 V07 1 corr
follow: 1 9 .Ei:f3 4Jg6 20.�xg6 c:JJg 7 1 990 (28)]
2 1 .�xh7+ c:JJ h 8 22.Ei:h3 Wig? 23.4Jf7+
Wixf7 24.�f5+ Wih5 25.Ei:xh5# [9 . . . cxd4 gives White an edge, as the
e-file offers him some opportu nities.
The shown game is very important 1 O.exd4 Wic7 (10 ... .be5?! 1 1 . dxe5
and instructive becau se of the 4Jd7 1 2.Wih5! g6 13. Wie2+-) 1 1 .f4;t]
following aspects:

1. Attacking motifs [9 . . . g6?! is a sin concerning the ru le

2. Defensive resou rces "Do not unnecessarily weaken your
3. Exploitation of weaknesses. king's position!". 1 0 .f4 4J h5 1 1 .�f2 f6
4. Strong sacrificial motifs. 1 2. 4Jxg6 hxg6 1 3.�xg6 A sacrifice at
low risk in the game M i nasian-Tissir,
[9 . . . c4? As one might remember, c4 is Abu Dhabi 2004. After 1 3 . . . 4Jg7
nearly always bad - this position is no 1 4.�xe8 V!Jxe8 1 5 .dxc5 �xc5 1 6 .Wif3
exception : 1 0.�c2 Wie7 1 1 .f4;t 4Jd7 Wig6 1 7 .h4 �d7 1 8.h5 Wid3 1 9 .g4
1 2.Wif3 4Jf8 1 3. 0-0 f5 1 4 . b3 ! (D20). Black's pieces were obviously not
coord inated very well. ]
20

Back to the main line

1 0 .dxe5 llJd7 1 1 .llJf3! (21 )

Although 1 1 .f4!? might well be

possible, as pointed out by Kovacevic,
I believe that 1 1 .llJf3 is clearly
stronger.
Chapter 2 - Main position with . . . .id6 + 8 . . . :ge8 !? 25

21 14 ... b5? I n stead, the idea of 14 ... ttJc5

seems to be very strong . The knight is
heading for d3 and it is not clear to me
where the wh ite compensation has
disappeared.]

11 '\Wc7 (023)
...

23

[ 1 1 .f4 ! ? (Kovacevic) The following

pawn sacrifice is dangerous for Black,
but I do not believe in fu ll
compensation. 1 1 . . . c4! 1 2 . .ic2 '\Wb6
1 3 . .if2 '\Wxb2 1 4. :gc1 (022)

22

White suddenly seems to face a rea l

8 proble m: How to cover e5? This is
possibly the main reason why 1 1 .ctJf3!
has n o t been played very often .
6
[1 1 . . . f5 1 2 .exf6 '\Wxf6 (12. . . tDxf6
5 1 3. tDe5 a6 14. 0-0 ttJxe5 1 5.he5 .id7
1 6. 'lW c2 'lWe 7";. �-� Lloyd, D-
4 Bruckmayr,F/ICCF email 1 999 (33);
1 2. . . gxf6 13. .ic2!) 1 3 ..ic2!;!; when
3
. . . e5 is prevented.]
2
[ 1 1 . . . h 6 1 2 .0-0 \We? 1 3.e4 transposes
to the main line.]

[1 1 . . . ctJf8 1 2 .0-0;!; .id7 1 3.'\We2 h6

26 Chapter 2 - Main position with . . . �d6 + 8 . . . l"\e8! ?

1 4.l"\ad 1 f5 1 5.exf6 Wxf6 1 6 .e4! � g 6 [1 2 . . . h 6 ? ! Weakens the pawn

1 7 .Wd2 � ce7 1 8.l"\fe 1 �c6 1 9 .exd5
�xd5 20. �e5 l"\ad8 2 1 . �g4?! 1 -0
Blatny,P-Koelle ,A/Germany 1 990
(4 1 ) .
(2 1 . c4! is even stronger. 2 1 . . . �c6
22.We3 �xe5 23.he5+-) ]
1 2.0-0 !
structure volu ntarily, while the move
does not threaten anything.
Therefore, 1 3.e4! Wb6 1 4 .We2 !? is
the correct reply. Everything is
protected indirectly. 1 4 . . . c4 1 5 .�c2
�c5 (1 5. . . Wxb2?? 1 6. exd5 exd5
1 7. �h 7++-) 1 6.l"\ad 1 dxe4 1 7.�xe4
�xe4 1 8.Wxe4 Wxb2 1 9.Wxc4;!; (025)

Covering e5 by tactical means. 25

[ 1 2 .�xh7+? The bishop sacrifice is not

correct: 12 . . . �xh7 1 3 .�g5+ �g8
1 4.Wh5 �f8-+]

1 2 ... g6!? (024)

24

Wh ite has occupied the d-file and

Black has enormous problems
concerning the development of his
q ueenside.]

[ 1 2 . . . �cxe5?? 1 3.�xe5 �xe5

1 4 .Wh5+- (026)

Sets up the threat against e5 again ,
but considerably weakens the dark
squares. But it is hard to see how
White can ever make use of this.
Alternatives are always answered with
1 3 .e4 !
Makes the point of 1 1 .�f3! clear and
also a significant disadvantage of
8 . . . !"\eS : covering the square e5
with . . . f6 is no longer possible. ]
Chapter 2 - Main position with . . . �d6 + 8 . . J::\e 8!? 27

26 More or less forced , as after 1 2 . . . g6

the threat to the e-pawn became real.
From a positional point o f view the
move is log ical as well: The bishop
h as fulfil led its obligations on the
d iagonal b1 -h7 and ensured

6 permanent weaknesses on the dark

squares. lt has done its job. I n
contrast, one should have a look at
the �c8!

1 3 .�b5! has not been played so far,

3
therefore my own analysis will follow.
2
1 3 ... a6

Black wants to create counterplay on

the q ueenside (where else?),
therefore the text move is very logical.
Back to the main li ne
1 4.i.xc6 V;V:Xc6 (028)
1 3.�b5! (027)
[ 1 4 . . . bxc6 1 5 .e4 Elb8 1 6 .b3 c4
1 7. exd 5 cxd5 1 8.b4;!;]
28 Chapter 2 - Main position with . . . .id6 + 8 .. J'l:e8! ?

This is the critical position . Both if Black simply sticks to his plans.
players have acted very log ically and
it is not clear right n ow how the [ 1 5 . . . dxe4?! 1 6.CiJd2! Heading for d6.
struggle will continue. Wh ite would The weakness of the dark squares
really l ike to play e4 but the pawn becomes apparent. 1 6 . . . 1Wd5? Black
would not be protected sufficiently. tries to keep his material at all costs.
Therefore, 1 5.'\Wc2 or 1 5.l'l:e1 come
into con sideration. But this loss of ( 1 6 . . .f5 activates White 's dark­
time would give Black the opportunity squared bishop. 1 7 .exf6 CiJxf6 1 8.CiJc4!
to organise an effective counterplay
on the queenside beg inning with . . . b5.
In this position , the control over
squares, especially over the weak
But if you really wish for someth ing ones in Black's camp, is much more
important than the material. 1 8. . . b5
1 9. CiJe5;!,; there are various ideas, such
1 5.e4! as .ih4, and as soon as one of
Black's pieces arrives on d5, c4! will
And it does work! Black gets no time follow, with fu rther destruction of the
for his own plans. opponent's pawn structure. Wh ite
controls the board , his deficit of one
1 5 b5 (029)
... pawn does not really matter. )

29 (1 6 . . . b5 1 7.Ele1 .ib7 1 B. CiJxe4;!,; The

a b c d e h knight will land on d6 sooner or later.)

8 (1 6 . . . e3 1 7.CiJc4!)

7 1 7.'\We2 CiJxe5 1 8.CiJxe4 CiJd?

6 1 9.l'l:ad 1 +- (030) Black can resign, as
upon 1 9 . . .'1Wc6 White can counter with
20.l'l:xd7 ! After 20 . . . .ixd7 2 1 .CiJf6+ �f8
(2 1 . . . �g 7 22.'\We5) 22.CiJxh7+ <l?g?
(22. . . �e 7 23.'\We5 �dB 24.Eld1 there
is no defence against CiJf6 . 24 . . . <l?cB
25. CiJf6 EldB 26. Eld6) 23 ..ie5+
(23.'\We5+ �xh7) 23 . . . <l?xh7 24.'\Wg4
with mate to follow sooner or later.]

The variations clearly show how risky

the acceptance of the pawn sacrifice
would be. Therefore, Black should not
Accepting the pawn sacrifice is far too take the pawn but try to draw the
dangerous. Let us see what happens
Chapter 2 - Main position with . . . ii.d6 + 8 . . J'&e8! ? 29

slightly worse endgame. Wh ichever answers with . . . cxb4, then after cxb4
way one looks at it, Black's position is his d -paw� would becom� very weak.
not to be envied . 1 7 . . . bxa4 IS answered w1th 1 8 . 1"lxa4 ,
after which the rook is dreaming of
30 being transported to the kingside.

Back to the main variation

1 6.exd5 exd5 Conclusio n : Thanks to 1 1 .tt:Jf3 ! ,

1 2. 0-0! a n d 1 3.1i.b5! the whole
variation starting with 8 . . . 1"\eB stands
As from now on the e-pawn is mobile, on very shaky legs.
motifs in connection with e5-e6 come
into consideration . This is going to be
an extremely important idea,
especially durin g an attack against
Black's king. [1 6 . . . '\WxdS 1 7 .'\We2+-].

1 7 .a4!;t; (031 )

White is better as he can successfu l ly

defend his queenside. Playing b4
soon is a good idea in order to fight
for control over d4, thus creating an
ideal square for the knight. If Black
30
C h a pter 3

M a i n position with . .. i.d6 + the rest

1 .d4 d5 V!ljf3 c5 3.c3 tt:lf6 4.J.f4 e6 1 2. ttJf3+- J,g4 (12 . . . V!!d6 1 3. tt'lxe5
5.e3 tt:lc6 6.tt:l bd2 J.d6 7.J.g3 V!!e 7 V!!x e5 14. J.xf6 gxf6�) 1 3 .'\Wa4+ J.d7
(032) 1 4 .J.b5 a6 1 5 .J.xd7+ '\Wxd7 1 6.'\Wxd?+
tt'lxd? 1 7 .0-0-0+-) 1 0 .J.g3! The main
32 line has appeared on the board now!
However, two other moves have been
played already:

b) 8 . . .J.e7 9.J.xe7 '\Wxe7 1 O.tt'le5�;

c) 8 . . . V!! b 6 9.dxc5 J.xc5 1 0 .b4 J.e7

(1 0. . . J.d6 1 1. tt'lc4!�) 1 1 .b5 tt'la5 (033)

33

This is a clever idea. Black delays

castling to avoid offering Wh ite a goal
for an attack. Instead, he immed iately
threatens to break through with . . . e5.

[7 . . . V!! c 7? is a fatal mistake frequently

occuring in Blitz games. 8.dxc5
Obviously the pawn is lost. . 8 . . . J.xg3
9.hxg3 e5 1 0. b4+-]
Optically this position does not look
[7 . . . tt'lh5!? lt is not easy to find the particularly good for Wh ite as he has
correct counter. 8.J.h4! to think about his backward ,0,c3.
However, this problem can be solved
a) 8 . . . tt'lf6 9 .J.d3 0-0 (9 . . . e5? Does not q u ickly: 1 2 .J.xe7 <Jlxe? 1 3 .c4 dxc4
work. 1 O .dxe5 tt'lxe5 1 1 . tt'l xe5 J.xe5 1 4. tt'lxc4 li:Jxc4 1 5 .J.xc4 :t"!d8 1 6 .'\Wa4�]
Chapter 3 - Main position with . . . i.d6 + the rest 31

[ 7 . . . li:Je4 8.i.xd6 '\Wxd69.li:Jxe4 dxe4 1 1 .�b3

1 0.li:Jd2 cxd4 1 1 .exd4 f5 1 2 .f3 0-0
1 3.fxe4 fxe4 1 4 .i.c4 e3 1 5 . li:Jf3;!; The bishop can only be defended by
Kovacevic-Lalev, Ruse 1 983.] the rook, but to do so the rook must
leave the a7-pawn.
8.lDe5 lDd7
1 1 . . J:�b8 1 2.i.xd6 �xd6 1 3.�a3!
[8 . . .i.xe5 9.dxe5 li:Jd7 1 0 .f4 (10.li:'lf3 1;(0 34)
WidB 1 1 .i.d3 '\Wb6 1 2.'\Wc2 c4 1 3.i.e2
0.c5 14. li:Jd2 i.d7 1 5. 0-0 Rubinstein­ 34
DuzKhotimirsky, Karlsbad 1 907.)
1 0 . . . 0-0 transposing to Chapter 1 with
8 . . . '\We7.]

9.lDxc6! ?

Transferrin g the battleground to the

queenside.

[9.f4 0-0 1 O.i.d3 f6 1 1 . li:J xc6 bxc6

1 2.'\Wc2 f5 ( 1 2 . . . g6 1 3.0-0 c4 1 4 .i.e2
e5 Kveinys-Nyback, Plovdiv Echt
2003. 1 5 .e4 exd4 1 6.cxd4 li:J b6
1 7. b3±) 1 3 .li:Jf3 a5 1 4 .i.h4 '\We8 Vega
Holm-Vallejo Pons, Ponferrada 1 997.
1 5.0.e5 i.xe5 1 6.dxe5 li:Jb6 1 7 .b3 a4
1 8.0-0;!;]

9 ... bxc6 1 0.�a4 The whole point, as Wh ite collects the

pawn with the threat of li:J b3-c5, since
Trying to take advantage of the otherwise the pawn on a7 is lost.
weakness in Black's camp. At first
glance it seems as though Black can Conclusio n : 7 ...�e7 is a good try,
get rid of his doubled pawns by but Wh ite can keep the better
playing cxd4 at some point, but this prospects with 9.li:Jxc6!? or 9.f4. No
idea will remain an i llusion . attention was paid to 7 ... lDh5!? up till
now, although this move could be
1 0 ...i.b7 used to test White at the least.

The only sensible defence of c6

[1 O . . . i.xg3 1 1 .hxg3;!;].
32
C h a pter 4

C l assical Line with 7 .�e5

1 .d4 d5 2.<!ljf3 tLlf6 3 ..tf4 e6 4.e3 c5 This is the most natural way to fight
5.tLlbd2 tLlc6 6.c3 i.d6 7.tLle5 (035) for the square e5.

35 [7 . . . \Wb6?? 8.tLldc4 dxc4 9.tt:Jxc4 iWd8

1 O. tt:Jxd6+ cj]e7 1 1 . dxc5 1 -0 Mehmet­
a b c d e h
Nadjar, Val Maubuee 1 990.]

[7 . . ..txe5? g ives up the good bishop

voluntarily and on top of that White
6 obtains great attacking possibilities.
What more could one wish for?
5 8.dxe5 tLld7 9 .\Wg4 1"lg8 1 0.tLlf3 g5
1 1 . .tg3± Tobak-Ugolik, Odessa
200 1 .]

[7 . . . 0-0!? 8 . .tg3 (036)

36

This is an extremely important line, as

Black can achieve this position almost
by force with an exact seq uence of
moves . At first glance it is not q uite
clear whether Wh ite can
advantageously maintain his central
knight on e5 or whether a forced
exchange will produce an
uninterestin g middlegame for him.
I mmediately giving up the pair of
bishops with 7 . . ..txe5 would be
favourable for Wh ite, as one will be
able to see.

7 ...V!! c7 lt would normally be risky to castle

into the king's attack Wh ite has
Chapter 4 - Classical Line with 7 .�e5 33

prepared. However, if Black plays is planning . . . b5 and . . . .ib7 , which

properly and maintains control over would lead to a balanced situation in
the important e4-square, it seems as the centre. However, with White
though he can keep a solid position. attacking on the kingside an
interesting struggle is in the offing.
This position is important because Black must be careful after 1 4.'1Mff3
of the chapter dealing with 3 e6 �fe4 1 5 .g5 (15. �xe4?! dxe4 1 6. .ixe4
...

followed by 4 .id6
... f6! 1 7. .ixh7+ @xh7 1 8.g5 fxg5
1 9. '1Mfh3+ @gB�). because
[8.�df3 is possible, even though less 1 5 . . . �xd2?!
ambitious. 8 . . . �h 5 (8. . . �e4!?) 9.�xc6
bxc6 1 0 ..ixd6 iMfxd6 1 1 .�e5 �f6 ( 1 5 . . . b5 is a better attempt, even
1 2.'1Mfa4 cxd4 1 3 .exd4 c5 1 4.'1Mfa3 � e4 though Wh ite can try 1 6. h4 .ib7
1 5 . .id3 cxd4 1 6 .'1Mfxd6 �xd6 1 7 .cxd4= 1 7.a3! so that after 1 7 . . . a5 1 8.h5 b4
Ristic-Stojanovic, Budva 2002.] 1 9.g6 bxc3 20. bxc3 �xd2 2 1 .<j;lxd2
the black q ueen cannot go to a5. After
8 . . . '1Mfc7 is critical. (8 . . . '1Mfe7 is 2 1 . . .fxg6 22.hxg6 h6 White keeps a
analysed in chapter 1 ) small edge because his pieces are
placed on better squares.)

1 6.<j;lxd2 b5 loses almost by force:

[9 . f4! ? is the aggressive contin uation. 1 7.�g4 .ib7 1 8. �f6+ gxf6 1 9 . .ixh7+
A mating attack is planned . But with @xh7 20.'1Mfh5+ <j;lg8 2 1 .gxf6+-]
an exact defence Black is probably
able to equali ze. 37

A)

9 . . . b6 misses the opportunity to reach

a balanced position . 1 0 . .id3 �e7 1 1 . 0-
0 .ib 7 1 2. '\Mff3 �f5 1 3. .if2 .ie 7
14. �g4 �xg4 1 5. '\Mfxg4 �d6 1 6. iMfh3
f5 1 7. .ih4 .ixh4 1 8. '1Mfxh4 c4 19 . .ic2
b5 20.a3 aS 2 1 . g4� S. Kovacevic­
Carbonell Bofill, Aragon
Championship 1 997.

B)

9 . . . �e7!? is possibly good enough to

equalize. After 1 O . .id3 �f5 1 1 ..if2 c4
1 2 . .ic2 .ie7! 1 3 .g4 �d6 (037) Black
34 Chapter 4 - Classical Line with 7. ltJeS

C) generate counterplay on the

queenside with b7-b5, it soon
9 . . . 'Lle4 1 0 .�d3 f5 1 1 . 'Ll xc6 bxc6 becomes clear why the queen is not
1 2.�xd6 Wxd6 1 3.'Lle5 cxd4 1 4 .exd4 on the correct square.
c5 1 5 .0-0 Wb6 (038) Helling-Keres Wh ite can therefore be absolutely
Dre � den 1 936. After 1 6 .Wb3 Whit� happy with his position.
achreves a promising endgame
example 16 . . . cxd4 1 7.Wxb6 �xb6
1 8 .cxd4 l"la4 1 9.'Ll c6 �b7 20.b3 l"la3
2 1 . 'Ll b4;!;)

Conclusio n : A freq uent strategy of

Back to the main line
8 ..ib5 .id7 9.ttlxd7 ttlxd7 1 o ..bd6 endgame.
'Wxd6 1 1.1�' g4 0-0 1 2.f4 ttlf6 1 3.'1Wf3
ttl e7 1 4. .id3 'Wb6 1 5.2"lb 1 ! (039)
th e London System is that White -
_
wrth one eye scrutinizing an attack
_ � Black's king - always plays
a �arns
wrth hrs other eye looking for the
transition into an advantageous

White is in total control of the situation

on the qu �enside. In the long run his
pia � consrsts of conducting an attack
� garnst the black king. Blacks q ueen
rs actually misplaced on b6·
Considering the fact that Black h as t�
 35
C h apter 5

Exchange on g 3 - Part 1
1 .d4 d5 V�jf3 ctJf6 3 ..if4 c5 4.e3 ctJc6 Hebden-Arkell, London 1 999.]
5.c3 e6 6.ctJbd2 .id6 7 ..ig3 i.xg3
8. hxg3 (040) [8 . . . cxd4 9.exd4 tLlg4!? 1 0 .�b5 �d7
1 1 .Wfe2 Wfc7t. S. Kovacevic-Diaz
40 Flares Garcia, Manresa 1 996.]

9 .ib5!? (04 1 )
.

41

An exchange on g3 only makes sense

for Black if he can successfully fight
for e5. If instead he continues to
develop normally, Wh ite will occupy The positional solution. The line
e5 with his knight and initiate a very 9.Wfc2!? is fu ll of tactics, as one will
strong attack on the kingside. see in the next chapter.
Therefore , Black only has one
reasonable move. 9 ...id7 .

8 ...Wfd6 Other continuations include:

[8 ... \We? 9.\Wa4 0-0 1 0.tLle5 tLlxeS [9 . . . a6 1 0 .\Wa4 i"i:b8 1 1 .�xc6+ Wxc6
1 1 .dxe5 tLl d 7 1 2 .tLlf3 c4 1 3 .Wd 1 f6 1 2 .\Wc2 We? 1 3 .tLle5 h6 1 4 .g4 tLld7
1 4.exf6 tLlxf6 1 5.\Wd4 tLle4 1 6.�xc4 1 5 . tLldf3 tLlf8 1 6.dxc5 Wxc5 1 7 .\Wa4+
tLlxf2 1 7 .\t>xf2 dxc4 1 8 .\Wxc4+- b5 1 8.\Wf4 i"i:b7 1 9.\Wd4 Wxd4
36 Chapter 5 - Exchange on g3 - Part 1

20.cxd4;!; Barva-Turzo, Aggtelek 13.tLlg6) 1 3.�c2 h6 (13. . . tLlf8 14. 0-0-0

2000.] iieB 1 5.dxc5 �xc5 1 6. e4 f6 1 7. tLld3
�c4 1 8.exd5+- Knezevic-Langeweg,
[9 . . . 0-0 1 O.�c2 h6 1 1 .iixc6 bxc6 Sarajevo 1 981 .) 1 4.g4 '8.ac8
1 2 . tLle5 tLld7 (12. . . '8.b8 Coloviz­ 1 5.0-0-0!;!; (043)
Todorovic, Herzeg Novi 200 1 . 1 3. g4!
cxd4 14.exd4 c5 1 5.g5 cxd4 1 6.cxd4 43
hxg5 1 7.�d3 g4 1 8. tLlxg4+-) 1 3 . lLldf3
a b c d e
cxd4 1 4 . exd4 c5 1 5.dxc5 tLlxc5 1 6 .0-
0-0 �e7 1 7.'8.h4 iib7 1 8 .'8.dh 1;!; 8
Blatny-Stone, Groningen 1 990.]

[9 . . . tLld7 1 O.�c2 h6 1 1 . g4 This pawn

6
mutates into a battering ram in some
variations. 1 1 . . . '8.g8 (1 1 . . . a6 1 2. ii.xc6 5
bxc6 1 3.g5 '8.g8 14.gxh6;!;) 1 2.0-0-0
tLle7 1 3 .tLle5 cxd4 1 4. exd4 a6 4
1 5.iixd7+ iixd7 1 6.'8.de 1 a5 1 7 .'8.h3 3
'8.a6 1 8. '8.f3+- Brava-Bence, Hungary
2003.]

1 O .ixc6 .ixc6 1 1 .c\Lle5 h6 (042)

.

42
( 1 5.'8.h3 was tried in Pozin-Potkin,
Eforie Nord 1 998 1 5 . . . b5 1 6. a3 a5
1 7 .g5 hxg5 1 8 .'8.h7 g4 1 9.'8.xg7? gxf3
20.�g6 and Black won with
20 . . . tLlxe5 2 1 .dxe5 �d8!! (044)

[ 1 1 . . . tLld7 1 2.lLldf3 �e7 (12 . . . f6?

 Chapter 5 - Exchange on g3 - Part 1 37

44 45
a b c d e f

22.2"1g8+ (22. Vfixf7 VfifB-+) 22 . . . �d7)]

Wh ite's dominance is overwhelming.
[ 1 1 . . . 0-0 1 2. g4 ct::ld 7 1 3.Vfic2 f5
1 4.ct::lxd7 �xd?;!; Kamsky-Di ugy, New Conclusio n : The positional answer
York 1 989.] 9 .�b5 g uarantees White a solid plus.

1 2.g4!?

Certainly stronger than 1 2 .a3, which

was played in Gyimesi-Sergienko,
Kecskemet 1 992.

12 ... tiJd7 1 3.tiJdf3 :ace 1 4.g5 V!fe7

[ 1 4 . . .Vfif8 1 5.g6 tt:Jxe5 (15. . . f6 1 6. tLlf7

!"1gB 1 7. dxc5 ttJxcS 1 8. tLld4 Vfie7
1 9. a4+-) 1 6 . tt:lxe5 f6 1 7.tt:lf7 l"\g8
1 8.Vfig4 f5 1 9 .Vfif4 �d7+-]

1 5.gxh6 gxh6 1 6.tiJxd7 �xd7 1 7.tlJe5

�b5 1 8. V!ff3 :ac7 1 9.:ah5+-(D45)
38
C h a pte r 6

Exchange on g3 - Pa rt 2
1 .d4 d5 2.tLlf3 tLlf6 3.i.f4 c5 4.e3 tLlc6 1 O.dxe5 ttJxe5 1 1 .ltJxe5 �xe5
5.c3 e6 6.tLl bd2 �d6 7.�g3 �xg3 1 2 .�b5+ underlines the advantage of
8.hxg3 �d6 9.�c2! (046) Wc2 , as after 1 2 . . .�d 7 1 3.�xd7+
Black can only recapture with the king
46 �xd ?;!; ( 1 3 . . . ttJxd7? 1 4 .!'lxh7) ]

[9 . . . h6 1 O.dxc5 Wxc5 1 1 .e4 dxe4

1 2.ltJxe4 ltJxe4 1 3.�xe4;!;]

[9 . . . a6?! lt does make some sense to

prevent the check on b5, but this
move loses time. g4 h6 ( 1 0 . . . ltJxg4
1 1 .!'lxh7;!; ) 1 1 .g5 ltJg4 1 2 .gxh6 No
matter how Black recaptures on h6,
Wh ite will maintain the better
prospects. ( 1 2 . . . !'lxh6 1 3 .!'lxh6 gxh6;!;
( 1 3 . . . ltJxh6 1 4 .Whn) 1 2 . . . gxh6 1 3 .g4!
+-]
1 0.g4 ! (047)

47

White prepares to castle long ,

keeping an eye on the e4-square at
the same time. Black can practically
forget about castling kingside. Another
advantage of the text move is that the
�f1 remains flexible

9 ...i.d7 !

Preparing to castle on the queenside

as well. Th is is the only way Black can
hope for equal chances.

[9 . . . e5?! Very attractive , but Wh ite has

armed h imself against this with 9.�c2.
Chapter 6 - Exchange on g3 - Part 2 39

The battering ram is set free. 1 4. lt'lxe5 Wxe5 ( 14 . . . lt'Jxe5 1 5. 0-0-0t)

1 5.4:lf3;!;]
[ 1 0 .0-0-0? seems to be very healthy,
but the h idden point of 9 ... �d7! is 1 1 .g5 .!Llg4 1 2 .gxh6 .!Llxh6! (049)
d isclosed only later.
1 O . . cxd4 1 1 .exd4 lt'l b4!(D48)
. 49

48

This is the only way for Black to keep

his kingside together. However, the
White is not forced to capture, that is knight on h6 is not placed very wel l.
correct, but w hat is the alternative?
1 2.Wb3 looks good - but suddenly [1 2 ... ESxh6 1 3 .ESxh6 gxh6 ( 1 3 ... lt'lxh6
1 2 . . . lt'lg4 is played and f2 can no 1 4 . .!Ll b3 ! The main scene suddenly
longer be guarded. 1 3.Wxb4 Wxb4 switches to the queenside.
1 4.cxb4 lt'lxf2 1 5.�e2 ESc8+ 1 6 .\t>b1 Unfortunately the excursion 1 4 .\Wh?
c:Jle7 1 7.EShf1 lt'lxd 1 1 8.ESxd 1 ESc7 does not bring any success. 14 . . c4 .

1 9.ESc1 ESxc1 + 20.<�xcn Due to his 1 5. lt'l c5 b6 (15. . . �c8 1 6.b3! b6

destructed pawn structure Wh ite 1 7. lt'Ja4 b5 1 8. 4Jc5 e5 19. a4;!;)
cannot even think of h aving an 1 6.lt'lxd7 c:Jlxd7 1 7.b3+-) 1 4 . lt'lb3]
advantage. B ut with a bit of luck he
might be able to achieve a draw.] 1 3 . .!Llb3 !

1 0 ... h6 On the kingside everything has been

cleared up for the time being .
[ 1 0 . . . lt'lxg4 1 1 .ESxh7 ESg8 (1 1 . . . ESxh7 Therefore, Black is tempted to
1 2.\Wxh!;t,) 1 2.ESh4 e5 1 3 .dxe5 lt'lgxe5 play . . . c4. After this White can
40 Chapter 6 - Exchange on g3 - Part 2

contemplate a pawn break with either

b3 or sometimes even e4. The best reaction.
1 3 ...c4 [14 ...j,c8?! (051) After this move
Bla?k cannot connect the rooks very
[13 ... cxd4 14.exd4 0-0-0 eas1ly, therefore
15.0-0-0;!;] 51
[13 ... b6?! 14.dxc5 bxc5 15.c4!;!; (050)
50
a b c

(1 7.ti:lxg5? would end in a wonderful

exd5 threatened, since the pawn on
IS flop: 17 ... e5 18 ti:le41. 'Wg61. 19 .g 5 j,f51.
c5 . "':'ould no longer be protected 20.ti:ld6+1 'W�d6 :g 21 .'Wxf5 ti:lxf5
·

suffiCiently. lt is not so easy to find a 22 l'l:xh8� @e7 23 xa8 exd4 24.exd4

ti:lh4. 1 N ow .Black . . an excellent
·

satisfying answer. 15 ... d4 16 exd4 · IS m

ti:lxd4 17 .ti:lbxd4 cxd4 1 8 . 0-0-0+- position, b.elng clearly better despite
.

e5?? 19.l'l:xd4 exd4 20·'We4+] the stunn1ng turns. 25.0-0-0 'Wf4+

26·�b1 'Wf5+ 27.�a1 (27. �c1
1 4.ti:lc5 'Wxg5+) 27 ... 'Wc2-+)

There is hardly any retreat square 1 7 ... b5 18.ti:lc5+- g5 cannot be held

avail. able for the knight - but in actual and the attempt 18 ... e5 would face the
fact it does not need one. answer 19.ti:lxg5 j,xg4 20.f3 j,c8
(20. . . j,t5 ? ? 2 1 . l'l:xh6! hc2 22. l'l:xd6
14 ... b6 hd1 23. @xd1+-) 21 .e4! Black
Chapter 6 -
Exchange on g3 - Part 2 41

cannot cope with the position being 1 6 ... b5

opened up. 21 ... exd4 22.cxd4 ct:lxd4
23.'\Wc3! '\Wxc5 24.exd5+-;
[14 ... 0-0-0?! 1 5.b3;t]
Back to the main line
1 5.lL!xd7 'i!?xd7! (052)
52
d
a b c e g h
[16 ... CUf5?! 1 7.ct:le5+! COxeS 18.dxe5;t]
1 7.ie2 b4
Black begins getting active himself.
Files are opened in order to get at the
white king. Thus White must continue
to play very energetically.
[1 7 ... !'labS 18.tt:le5+! demonstrates
that it is possible to get at the king on
d7 in some cases. 18 ... tt:lxe5 19.dxe5
'\Wxe5 20.e4!. Crushing violence
sometimes really is a solution ...
20 ...'1Wf4+ (20 ...'\WgS+ 21 .<j;lb1 '\Wxg2
22.exd5 exd5 with an advantage.)
21 .'tt>b 1 '\Wxf2 22.exd5;t]
1 8.lL!e5+ lL!xe5 1 9 .dxe5 \Wxe5
20.\Wa4+ 'it>e7 21 .\Wxb4+ <i>f6 22.g4
g6;!;

The position remains complex, but

White has the the better minor piece,
more grip in the centre - and his king
The rooks are connected and there is is also in a safer positio n.
no danger for the king on d7 right
now. [15 ...'\Wxd7 16.b3 b5 1 7 .a4;t] The Conclusion :
main reason for this evaluation is the The tactical continuation 9.'\Wc2 also
unguarded rook on a8] offers very good chances of attaining
an advantage, but the positions are
1 6.0-0-0 very complicated. Especially Black
must continuously solve difficult
[16.b3 b5 17.a4 a6 does not offer an problems, a task that is hardly
advantage any more, as the !'ia8 is possible during a practical game.
protected by now.]
42
C h a pte r 7

6 .ie7 + 7 . . . ttJ xe5

. . .

1 .d4 d5 2.tLlf3 tLlf6 3 . .if4 e6 4.e3 c5

5.c3 tLlc6 6.tLlbd2 i.e7 (053)

53 8 .. .'1Wb6 (054)

54

This is clearly more passive than

6 i.d6 but at the same time more The main idea of the queen , s move s
s�iid a� well. Actually Black sets up If Black. can exchange h1s�
.

the. threat of getting the pair of i.d7-b5. bad i., then he Will have solved all of
bIS h OpS Wl'th ""h5
. . . "l..l .
his problems.
7 .tLle5!
[8 .. i.d7!? The cl e verest attempt, as
Black wants to execute the same idea
.

Prevents ... tLlh5 as well as the natural as after 8 . WI'b6, but does not show
develo ping plan of ... b6/... .t.b 7.
Jt., ..

this right away.

7 ... tLlxe5
9.a4! (055) Highlights that the idea of
Brings immediate cla rification. Wl'b6/i.b5 has to be eliminated
immediately .
8.i.xe5
Chapter 7 - 6 ... ile7 + 7 ... lt:lxe5 43

(9.ild3?! iWb6 1 O.iWc2 cxd4 1 1 .exd4 12 ... b5 1 3.lt:lf3 b4 14.lt:le5 lt:lxe5

.�b5 12.0-0 0-0 1 3.ilxb5 iWxb5
14.l::l a e1 lt:ld7 15.ilg3 !i:ac8=
Suskovic-Dumitrache, Zagreb 1997.)
9 ... c4 Hoping to exploit the position of
the weakling on a4, but in the
meantime one should have learnt
that ... c4 is seldom good. The
queenside is cracked open with 10.b3
cxb3 1 1 .iWxb3 and White can possibly
play on both wings after 1 1 ... ilc6
12.ild3;t]
55
a b c d e g h
s i J. - - ·- M s
7- · -�- ·
6
1 - ' . .
15.ilxe5 iWa5 16.iWd2 ild7 17 .f3 iWb6
18.e4 a5= Georgievski-Stamnov,
Struga 1993.]
[8 ...ild6? 9.ilb5+ @f8 (9. . . ild7
1 0.ilxd6 ilxb5 1 1 .:Jlxc5+-) 10.lt:lf3;t]
Back to the main line (054)
9J�b1 ! ?
I think covering b2 with the queen
must be too passive. [9.iWc2?! ild7
1 O.a4 a5 1 1 .ild3 h6 12.0-0 0-0 13.h3
(13.dxc5!?, freeing the square d4 for
his knight) 13 ...ilc6 14.g4 lt:ld7
1 5.ilg3 with an equal game in
Brandies-Kern, Kecskemet 1992.]
£ 17
- 6
9 ... cxd4 1 O.exd4 .id7 1 1 .a4 (056)

5 rJ • m a 15 56

4� � -
�/ �r� B
� -�4
"'"'0

3� �
�"� �r� �
�r�
B 13"""0

2 1 D � �:� � 0 2
1 a -�=�a : l 1 h
a b c d e g

[8 ... 0-0?! Black should delay castling

9.ild3 lt:ld7 If Black remains passive,
then iWf3-h3 etc. is in the offing.
10.ilg3 f5 1 1 .0-0 c4 12.ilc2?! Very
natural, but the bishop has fulfil ed its
purpose on the diagonal b1-h7,
therefore the move ile2 would be
more appropriate. (12.ile2! b5
13.iWc2;t with the idea of b2-b3 and
perhaps a2-a4. White will play on the Apparently preventing ...ilb5.
queenside, keeping the initiative.)
44 Chapter 7 - 6 ... :lie? 7... 'Llxe5
+

1 1 ... 0-0

[1 1 ... '\Was 12J'�a1 'W'b6 (12 . . 'il,c8

1 3. :kd3) hoping for a repeti t i o n
.

moves, but this idea will be

prevented with 1 3.'il,a2! (057).
57

The rook is not placed particularly

strongly on a2, but what can be said
about the queen on b6? If in the
progress of the game Bla ck wants to
open up files on the queenside, he
can only do so with a timely a6-b5,
which would open up the a-file once
again. In this case the 'il,a2 would
suddenly be positioned ideally for
doubling the rooks.]
1 2.:kd3;!;

Black does not have any convincing

counterplay but White, on the other
hand, has clear ideas on the kingside.
 45
C h a pte r 8

6 .ie7 + 7
. . . . . . 0-0
1 .d4 d 5 2.lt:lf3 lt:lf6 3 ..if4 e 6 4.e3 c5 [7 ... ttJd7 is interesting, as Black is
5.c3 lt:lc6 6.lt:lbd2 .ie7 7.lt:le5! 0-0?! fighting for e5 before castling. 8.lt:lxd7
(058) .ixd? 9 ..id3;!; with a slight advantage
as the white pieces are more active
58 and Black has exchanged his
important defensive knight.]
[7 ...a6?! Does not produce much.
8 ..id3 .id? 9.0-0 c4 Giving at least a
certain sense to 7 ... a6. 10 ..ic2 b5
1 1 .'1Wf3! b4? was played in Obers-Van
Aurich, but White missed the shot
1 2. lLldxc4!+-]

Back to the main variation

8 ..id3 i.d7 (059)

59

[7 ...'1Wb6 8.Eib1 lt:ld? 6

(8 ... .id7 with the idea of .ib7-b5, but 5 5
this seems to be hardly possible: 4
9 ..id3! lt:lxe5 1 O.dxe5! (10. .ixe5?
cxd4 ... .ibS=) 1 O ... ttJg8 1 1 .e4!;!; ) 3 3

2
9 ..id3?! (9. ttJxd7! .ixd7 10.'\Wg4;!;)
9 ... ttJdxe5 10.dxe5 g5 1 1 .i.g3 h5 1
12.h3 .id? 1 3.i.e2 h4 and in the game =:..:.....,.:..:...,.--,-=:...,.,..;.;.;=..,.-:
Zurek-Polak, Czechoslovak Cht.
1991 both king's positions remained
vulnerable.] There is no simple solution for Black.
46
[8 ... 4Jxe5?! is very dangerous. 9.dxe5
t/Je8 10.h4 j,d7 1 1 .j,xh7+! (060).
This sacrifice should never be missed
in the London System.
60
d
c e h
8 Wb6 1 3.0-0-0 cxd4 14.exd4 Wd8
6
5 E\eB 1 1 . f4 t/Jh5 1 2. 0-0 t/Jg7 13.-hgl;!;
3 (10. Wf3;!;) 10 ... a6 1 1 .!':'\e 1 b5 12.a3 g6
2 16.Wf3 t/Je8 (16. . . !':'\eB 1 7.Wf4±)
a g
1 1 ...\t>xh7 12.Wh5+ �g8 1 3.4Jf3 After
this move there is no escape for
Black:
a)13 .. .f6 14.t/Jg5 fxg5 15.hxg5 Ei:f5
(15. . . -hgS 1 6. -hgS Wb6 1 7. Wh7+
�f7 1 8. E\h4 t/Jf6 19. exf6 1-0 Rinaldi-
Kaminskas, correspondence 1992.)
16.'11Nh 7+ �f8 1 7.g6 j,gS 18.Wh8+
�e7 19.j,xg5+ Ei:xg5 20.Wh4+-
b) 13 ... j,b5 14.Ei:d1 g6 15.Wh6 f6
16.Wxg6+ t/Jg7 1 7.t/Jg5 fxg5 18.hxg5
Ei:f5 ( 1 B. . . We8 19. Wh7+ i>f7 20.g6#)
19.'11Nh 7+ �f8 20.g6 �e8 21 .Wxg7+-;
c) l3 ... g6 14.W h6 � 15.Wxg6+ '1,g7
16.�h6 Ei:f7 17.h5 �e8 18.0-0-0 �f8
19.g4+-]
Chapter 8 - 6 ...j,e7 + 7... 0-0
[8... 4Jd7? 9.Wh5 f5 10.g4 4Jdxe5
1 1 .dxe5 g6 12.Wh3 Ei:f7 Needleman­
Hungaski, Buenos Aires 2003.
13.0-0-0±]
[8 ...j,d6?! can only be a loss of time
compared to 6 ... j,d6. 9.Wf3 Wc7
1 O.t/Jxc6 j,xf4 1 1 .Wxf4 Wxc6 12.Wh4
1 5.!':'\he1 g6 16.f4;!; Ernst-Ekstr6m,
Baden 1997.]
[8 ... cxd4 9.exd4 j,d7 (9. . . g6 1 0.j,h6
B. Balogh-Rosta, Hungarian
Championship 1992.) 10.0-0
1 3.!':'\e3 t/Jxe5 14.j,xe5 aS 15.!':'\h3 Ei:c8
1 7.!':'\xh7 j,f6 (1 7. . . �xh7 1 8.Wh5+
�gB 1 9.Wh8#) 18.Wh3 1 -0, Panic­
Stankovic, Belgrade 2003.]
9.'11Nf3 �ea
[9 ... t/Je8 is not convincing. 1 O.Wh3 g6
1 1 .t/Jdf3 t/Jxe5 12.t/Jxe5 f6 1 3.4Jxd7
Wxd7 14.0-0 c4 15.j,c2 j,d6 16.j,h6
E\f7 1 7 .e4± Knezevic-Cekro, Sarajevo
1981.]
After
1 0 .'11N h 3 g6 1 1 .j,hG �ea 1 2.f4 (06 1 )
Black can for instance continue with:
1 2 ...j,fa
[12 ... 4Jxe5 13.fxe5 t/Jh5 14.g4 t/Jg7
15.0-0 Ei:f8 16.t/Jf3 b5 1 7.j,f4 h5
18.gxh5 t/Jxh5 19.j,h6 t/Jg7 20.�h1
Chapter 8 - ...�e7 + 7 ... 0-0
6 47

b4 2U�g1 tt'lf5 22.tt'lg5 b�c3 important for White to pay attention to

23.�g7and White won in Sahovlc­
Franzoni, Bie l 1980.]
the idea of �d7-b5, as otherwise he
will not be able to get an attractive
position from the opening.
After having exa m ined all the main
positions i n detail, the following
chapters will now show you how to
get there !

1 3.i.g5 �b8 1 4.Yff h4 i.e7 1 5.0-0 � h 5

1 6.i.xe7 Yffxe7 1 7 .Yffxe7 :axe7 1 8 .g4
�g7t (062)

Black could just about manage to

parry the attack but he wil still have a
disadvantage in the endgame.
Conclusion: The type of posi t ions
after 7 . . .0-0 are exactly what the
normal London System player wishes
for.
7 ... �xe5, on the other hand, is an
interesting attempt for equality, as
Black avoids castling kingside for the
time being and thereby does not give
White a target for an attack. lt is very
48
C h a pter 9
3 etJ h 5 ! ?
. . .
1 .d4 d 5 2.lt:Jf3 lt:\f6 3.�f4 lt:\ h5!?
(063)
63
a b c d e g h
Very unusual at this stage, but in
contrast to some other positions,
White cannot avoid the bishop
exchange by tactical means. A retreat
to d2 or e3 is out of question and the
petty 4.�c1 - in the hope of 4 ...lt:\f6
with a repetition of moves - is firstly
embarrassing and secondly Black can
continue with 4 ... f5
Very bad on the other hand is:
[3...�g4? White can win a tempo with
4.tt:'le5, which is already sufficient
refutation. �h5 (4 ...�f5 5.tt:'ld2 tt:'lbd7
6.e3 e6 7.g4 �e4 8.f3 �g6 9.h4 h6
1 O.tt:Jxg6 fxg6 1 1 .�d3+- Berkes­
Antal, Paks 1999.) 5.f3 An attack
against the � on h5 is being
prepared ... 5 ... e6 6.g4 �g6 7.h4 h6
8.tt:'lxg6 fxg6 9.tlt1d3+- Kovacs­
Schipkov, Budapest 1992. White's
advantage is more than clear.]
4 ..ig5
[4.�e5!? with the idea of provoking
...f6 is also an interesting way to
continue. 4 ...f6 5.�g3 tt:Jxg3 6.hxg3
The kingside looks extremely strange,
but there are simply not enough
practical games to carry out a detailed
evaluation.]
4 ... h6 5.�h4
Allowing the exchange.
[5.�d2!? I personally consider this to
be a clever choice. White waited until
Black played ... h6 and only now
retreats his bishop to d2. The idea
of .. .f5 is not recommendable because
of the weakness of the square g6 and
the fact that bringing the tt:'lh5 back
into the game will also cost some
more time. Unfortunately White can
forget about getting into a position of
the London System, but the game will
be a long way off any theoretical
variations ... !]
5 ... g5
Chapter 9 - 3 ... tLlh5!?
[5 ... tt:lc6 is inconsequent because
although White cannot avoid the
exchange of his bishop after 6.e3 g5
7.tt:lfd2 he is able to win some
valuable time: 7 ... tt:lg7 8.ii.g3 tt:lf5 9.c4
with a certain advantage.]
6.ii.g3 tt:lxg3 7.hxg3 ii.g7 (064)
Protects the rook and thus prevents
4lxg5. lt is not easy to give a defin ite
evaluation of the position. Black's
kingside has been weakened, but this
has secured him the pair of bishops.
On the other hand, the :gh1 was
developed for free. Therefore, castling
short would be extremely risky for the
black monarch. The chances for
White can be regarded as slightly
better. More important than anything
else is to know how to deal with this
position.
64
a b c d e
8
7
4
3
2 2
49
[7 ... ii.f5? 8.e3? ii.g7 9.ctJbd2 tLlc6
1 O.c3 \Wd6 1 1 .\Wb3 0-0-0= is equal,
as pointed out by Kovacevic
(Salamon-Kelly,Budapest 2003),
which is certainly correct. However, 1
would just take the pawn with 8.ctJxg5
on the 81h move, and although Black
will get some compensation, it should
not be sufficient.]
8.e3 c5 9.c3 (065)
Opening up the position with 9.c4 is
not exactly what White wants, as the
il,g7 would become too strong.
This is the critical position after
3 ... ctJh5. Black has many moves to
choose from and it is still not clear
which is the best.
65
9 ... tt:lc6
50
[9 ... "\Wd6!? Preparing to castle long.
1 O.�d3 (1 0. tt'la3 should also be taken
into consideration, as well as
10.tt:'lbd2.) 10 ... tt:'lc6 1 1 .tt:'lbd2 �d7
12.1We2 0-0-0 13.0-0-0 ltlb8 and
Black's pair of bishops compensates
for the weaknesses on the kingside.
(Leai-Magem, Dos Hermanas 2000).]
[9 ... b6?! 10.dxc5 bxc5 1 1 .�b5+;!;,
because the king has to move.]
1 0. tt:"l bd2
Chapter 9 - 3 ... tt:'lh5!?
solution.
[1 1 .dxe5 g4 12.tt:'lh4 0-0 1 3.�d3 d4
(13 . . . tt'lxe5 14.�f5 hf5 1 5. tt'lxf5
tt'ld3+ 1 6. mf1 "\Wg5 1 7. tt'lxg7 mxg7=)
14.tt:'lc4 b5?! 15.�e4+- Matovic-Pisk,
Brno 2001 .]
1 1 ... tt:"lxe5 1 2.dxe5;t; (066)
Now not only the kingside has been
weakened, but also the pawn on d5.

My recommendation! strongly 66
believe that the following alternative is
not quite as strong as the text move:
[1 O.dxc5 Opening up the position with
the �g7 still being on the board looks
double-edged, but White may well
allow himself the luxury of playing like
this. 10 ... 0-0 1 1 .tt:'lbd2 (1 1 .1Wc2 The
only game with 10.dxc5, but I must
admit that I do not quite understand
the following moves. 1 1 ... e5 12.tt:'la3
'.We? 1 3.tt'lb5 d4 14.tt:'ld6 dxe3 1 5.0-0-
0 (15. fxe3+- is easy and good.)
15 ...�e6 16.fxe3 f5 1 7.g4 fxg4+­
Masek-Trefny Czech Republic,
1993.) 1 1 ... e5 12."1Wb3 followed by
castling queenside looks very
promising.]
Conclusion: Black's pair of bi s hops
1 0 ... e5!? compensates for some deficits in his
camp, but White can probably count
The idea of 9 ... tt:'lc6. on his long-term advantages. From a
theoretical point of view 3 ...tt:'lh5!? is a
good move with which Black can fight
1 1 .tt:"lxe5! for equality. In any case, the London
System player does not have to fear
I consider this to be the easi e st this idea.
 51
C h a pter 1 0

4 ltJ h 5 ! ?
. . .

1 .d4 d5 V!l)f3 t!Jf6 3 ..if4 e6 4.e3 the tt:lh5. 6.ih4 g6 (6. . .id6 7.id3 0-0
ltl h5?! (067) 8. tt:lg5 fxg5 9.Vfixh5 h6 1 0.ig3"!)

67 (6. . . g5? 7. tt:lxg5+-)

a b c d e h
7.id3 id? 8.tt:le5 tLlg? A fianchettoed
knight is not seen every day. 9.Wif3
ie? 10.tt:lxd7 ttJxd?"!]
6.ixe7 Y!ffx e7 7.ltlbd2 ltld7

The black knight on h5 is clearly

misplaced. Black must take care not
to end up in an endgame with an
extremely passive light-squared
bishop.
8.i.e2 b6

c 9
(8. . . tt:lhf6 9. c4"!)

9.0-0 0-0 1 0.ttle5 ltl hf6 1 1 .f4 ttle8

White should always be prepared for
this knight move, since we will be (1 1 . . . a5 1 2.Vfie 1 ia6 13.c4"!)
meeting it over and over again.
1 2 . .id3 c5 1 3.c3 c4?! 1 4.i.c2 f5
5.i.g5 Ae7 1 5.b3 b5 1 6.a4 bxa4 1 7.bxc4±
Rozic-Jozsa, Peniscola girls 2002.
Other moves are worse.
[5 ...Wid6 6.tt:le5 g6 (6. . . tt:l f6 7. c3"!)
7 .Vfif3 f5 Such complications cannot
be good for Black. 8.g4 Wib4+
(8. . . tt:lg7 9. tt:lc3±) 9.tt:ld2 tt:lg? 1 O.gxf5
tt:lxf5 1 1 .0-0-0±]
[5 .. .f6 only weakens the kingside and
takes away the retreat square from
52
C h apte r 1 1

3 e6 + 4 c5
. . . . . .

1 .d4 d5 2.tLlf3 tLlf6 3 ..if4 e6 4.e3 c5 about getting a clear advantage.]

(068)
5 ...�b6
68
[5 ... tt:lc6 transposes into well-known
lanes, for instance 6.c3 .id6 7 ..ig3,
which leads to chapter 1]
6J�b1 cxd4 7 .exd4 .id7

Black threatens to exchange his bad

.id? via b5. Every London System
player will encounter this idea sooner
or later. Anyway, Black will not be
able to accomplish this idea without
drawbacks.
8.c3 .ib5 9.�b3! .txf1 1 0 .�xb6 axb6
1 1 . <i>xft t

White keeps a permanent plus due to

Exerts pressure on d4, while the black his better pawn structure.
queen is ready to go to b6.
Conclusio n : The system with 3 ... e6
5 )Li bd2! and 4 ... c5 demands an exact move
sequence by White. But if White plays
Allows the defence of b2 with �b1 and precisely, he might well obtain a small
by doing so the threats in connection edge.
with ... �b6 are diminished.
[5.c3?! is not very exact: 5 ... �b6
6.�b3 c4 7.�xb6 axb6 and tt:la3 is
not possible (this should be compared
to chapter 22) because of .txa3. This
is the trick of an early ... e6. Therefore,
on 6 ... c4, White should have reacted
with 7.�c2, but one has to forget

C h a pter 1 2
3 . e6 + 4 .id6 5.lbe5
. .
1 .d4 d5 2.c!l]f3 tL!f6 3 ..if4 e6 4.e3 .id6
(069)
69
Similarly to Chapter 2 (with 2 ... e6 and
3 ... .id6), Black strives for a quick
exchange of bishops. He is not
worried about voluntarily trading off
his good bis hop (Black's central
pawns are mainly standing on light
squares!) for White's bad one. The
fight for control over e5 is more
important to Bla ck.
There are two serious possibi lities
for White, 5 ..ig3 (wh ich will be
analysed i n the next chapter) and
the text move:
5.tLle5
53
. . .
Prevents the exchange and occupies
e5 at the same time.
[5 ..ixd6?! I personally do not like this
move, but it is playable: 5 ...Wxd6 6.c4
b6 (6. . . 0-0 7.tDc3 a6 8. 'Bc1 'BdB
9. cxd5 exd5 1 0. .id3 .ig4 1 1 . h3 .ih5
1 2. g4 .ig6 1 3. 4Je5 .ixd3= Hodgson­
Westerinen, Stavanger 1989)) 7.cxd5
exd5 8.4Jc3 0-0 9 . .ie2 a6 10.0-0
4Jbd7 1 1 .'Bc1 with a draw in Simic­
Drasko, Ulcinj 1998]
5 ... 0-0!
[5 ... c5? is already bad. 6 ..ib5+ and
the king must move because on
6 ... 4Jbd7 (6... '\tJel!?-;) a smashing
strike would follow: 7.4Jxf7! <;t>xf7
8 . .ixd6 Wb6 9 ..ixd7 Wxd6 (9. . . Wxb2?!
1 0. l1Jd2 .ixdl 1 1 . dxc5+-) 10 ..ixc8
'Bhxc8 1 1 .dxc5 'Bxc5 12.0-0+- with
White being a healthy pawn up.]
[5 ... 4Jbd7 pursues a very interesting
plan, but it takes too much time.
6.l1Jd2 CiJf8 7 ..id3 4Jg6 8 ..ig3 .ixe5
9.dxe5 CiJd7 1 O.Wh5 l1Jgxe5 1 1 ..ixe5
g6 12 ..ixc7 Wxc7 1 3.Wh6 We5 14.c3
4Jc5 15 ..ic2;!; Schmittdiei­
Prandstetter, Prague, 1 990.]
Attaining control over e4.
6 ... c5! (070)
54 3 ... e6 + 4 ... id6 5.t/Je5
Chapter 1 2 -

Prepares to actively develop the the main variation with id6 followed
knight to c6. by 8 ... V!ffe 7, Black's t/J stands on d7
and White's i is on f4 instead of g3.
70 Both are disadvantages for the
players because White cannot
advance his pawn to f4 whilst Black,
in case of an exchange on e5, wil
have to retreat with his t/Jf6 to e8.)
71

[6 ... t/Jbd7?! Black can probably

continue adopting his Queen's Gambit
set-up without having to pay attention
to the white piece placement. But it is
important to notice that the knight
blocks the queen's view onto the
bishop. 7.id3 Black cannot afford to (6 ... b6 7.id3 White keeps his c-pawn
move· the c-pawn as his id6 would on its initial square, ready to counter
no longer be protected and t/Jxf7 ia6 with c4 - if necessary.
would be possible. 7 .. Y!ie7 (7. . . b6
8.c3 ib7 9. Vfif3 V!ffe 7 1 0. 0-0 c5 1 1 . a4 A)
a6 1 2 . "f1Je 1 'aac8 13.'aad1 'afe8
14.ib 1 'aed8 1 5.Vfih3 b5 1 6. axb5
Kovacevic-Moeschinger, On 7 ...ia6 8.c4 dxc4 White should
axb5 1 7. g4t.
Mendrisio 1988.) 8.0-0 c5 9.c4!t. not continue with 9.V!fff3? because of
(D71) Exploits the fact that the pawn 9 ... cxd3 10.V!ffxa8 t/Jd5 1 1 .t/Jc6 t/Jxc6
has not moved yet. Due to his lead in 12.V!ffxc6 t/Jb4.
development opening up the position 9.t/Jdxc4 ib4+ 10.cj{f1 (D72) is much
certainly favours White. better.
(9.c3 is also possible. In contrast to Despite losing the right to castle
Chapter 1 2 - 3 ...e6 + 4 ...�d6 5.ctJe5 55

White achieves a very promising 1 O.f3. Fritz likes 9 ...Vfie8 1 O.g4 c5 and
position. 1 0 ... ctJdS now 1 1 .ctJg6!? (1 1 . c3, which
maintains the excitement, is a more
72 attractive option for the practical
player. Black has difficulties freeing
his position.) 1 1 ...�xf4 12.ctJxf8 ctJxf8
1 3.exf4 cxd4 14.ctJf3 with an unclear
position.
Back to the main variation

7 .c3 lt:lc6

After having avoided a few small

pitfalls, Black can really be satisfied
with himself. In contrast to the position
in Chapter 1 , the ctJf3 has moved to
e5 without awaiting the threat of ... e6-
e5. Thus White has not played �f4-
g3 by now. With his bishop still being
on f4, the plan of supporting the
(10. . . MJ7 1 1 .a3 �e 7 1 2. 'tkH) 1 1 . � g3 centrali s ed knight wi t h f2-f4 i s ruled
b5 12.ctJd2 Now the natural 1 2 ... c5 out. The real question is whether this
leads to a quick win for White: is really tragic?
13.dxc5 f6 (13 . . .hc5 14.hh 7+ cJlxh7
1 5. Wic2+ f5 1 6. Wixc5 b4+ 1 7. cJlg 1 ±) The best move in thi s posi t i o n is
14.Vfih5 lLlxe3+ (14. . . h6 1 5. Wig 6 fxe 5 8.�g3, transposing to the variation
1 6.Wih7+ cJlf7 1 7.�g6+ <:Jle 7 1 B.Wixg 7+ 7 ... 0-0 8.�g3! in Chapter 4.
+-) 15.fxe3 fxe5+ 16. <:Jl e2 g6 1 7.Vfixe5
Wic8 18.ctJe4 ctJc6 19.Vfig5 <:Jlg7
20.1"lhf1 :8f5 21 .:8xf5 exf5 22.Vfif6+
cJlg8 23.�c2 Gulko-MChess Pro 3.85,
Boston 1994. Any more questions
about 7 ...�a6?)
B)

7 ...�b7 8.Vfif3 ctJbd7 9.Vfi h3 This

position is difficult for Black as White
threatens to overrun his opponent with
g4-g5 etc. lt is too late for 9 ... ctJe4 as
the knight will be pushed back with
56
C h a pter 1 3
3 e6 + 4 .id 6 5 .ig3
. . . . . .
1 .d4 d5 2.<!i:lf3 tt:\f6 3.i.f4 e6 4.e3 �d6 [5
5.�g3!? {073)
73
Only this move seems to be a serious
alternative to 5.�e5, as White keeps
control over e5 for the time being. The
space advantage on the kingside
offers options for a very interesting
attack.
5 ... tt:\e4
Clearly the most critical move and
also the main point of 3 ... e6 in
connection with 4 ... �d6! Black forces
either an exchange on d6 or he can
be proud of getting the pair of
bishops. The alternative s ... b6!? will
be discussed in the next chapter.
.
... c5 6.tt:lbd2 Immediately preventing
... �e4. 6 ...Wb6?! (in order to
understand 6. . . �c6 7. c3, one should
have a look at Chapter 1) 7 .ixd6!
(7. lJ.b 1 ? ! ixg3 8.hxg3 cxd4 9. exd4
id? and the threat of �b5 can no
longer be parried. The position is
balanced.) 7 ...Wxd6 Black lost a
tempo by playing Wd8-b6xd6. White
can already make use of this
circumstance. 8.dxc5 Wxc5 9.c4 (074)
74
White wins even more time, because
cxd5 and lJ.c1 is in the air. But Black
can hope for a draw on account of the
symmetrical pawn structure.
9 ... 0-0 1 O.cxd5 tt:lxd5 1 1 .lJ.c1 WaS
12.ic4!;!; Planning 0-0 followed by e4
with a very active position.
Chapter 1 3 - 3 ... e6 + 4 ...j,d6 5.j, g3!? 57

[5 ... j,xg3 6.hxg3 We? (6 ... b6 7.t2Je5 c6 [6.t2Jbd2 Gives up the bishop
8.t2Jd2 Wd6 9.c3 ctJfd7 1 O.f4 t2Jxe5 voluntarily, hoping to create some
1 1 .fxe5 We? 1 2.Wg4± Blatny­ play on the h-file. But this idea is not
Streitberg, Biel 1991 .) 7.c3 t2Jbd7 sufficient for an advantage 6 ... t2Jxg3
8.t2Jbd2 e5 9.j,e2 c5 10.dxe5 t2Jxe5 7.hxg3 c5 (7. . . tlJd7 B.j,d3 c6 9.e4
1 1 .t2Jxe5 Wxe5 12.j,b5+± Vatter­ Wb6 1 0.e5 j,e7 1 1 . 'il,b 1 Wc7 12. c3;t,
Wegner German Bundesliga 94/95.] Kocovski-Mitkov, La Corufia 1995.)
6 ..ixd6!? (075) 8.c3 t2Jc6 9.Wc2 g6 10.0-0-0!? j,d?
1 1 .j,b5 cxd4 12.exd4 (076)
75
a b c d e g h
76

Why does White exchange on d6 only

now and not one move earlier? The
explanation is interesting: He just
waited for ... t2Je4, as the move has
also got some drawbacks for Black.
White will soon proceed with t2Jbd2
and if Black takes on d2, the black
king could feel a little bit unprotected
after having castled. If instead the
knig ht is defended, Black has to
reckon with doubled pawns on the e-
file. Retreating to f6 would just be a
loss of time.
12 ...Wf6 (12 . . . tlJb4! looks much
stronger.) 1 3. 'il,h6= M. Piket-Van der
Werf, Dutch Championships 2001 .]
6 ... �xd6
[6 ... t2Jxd6 7.t2Jbd2 (7.c4!? dxc4 B.hc4
ttJxc4 9.Wa4+ ttJc6 1 0. Wxc4 also looks
attractive.) 7 ... t2Jd7 8.c4;t, White has a
space advantage and the better
bishop.]
58
[6 ... cxd6!? 7.c4 has never been
played so far, but should be tried
sometime.]
7.<llJ b d2 <llJx d2
There is a lot of scope for new ideas
right here, for instance
[7 .. .1�'b4 8.�b1]
[7 ... 0-0 8.ti:Jxe4 dxe4 9.ti:Jd2 f5 10.j,e2
and White will soon advance his pawn
to f3.]
[7 ...f5 8.j,d3 White should always
keep an eye on possible transitions
into favourable endgames (j, against
j, or tiJ against j,).]
8.Wfxd2 0-0 9.c4� (077)
77
Black's important king's knight will be
Chapter 1 3 -3 ...e6 + 4 ... j,d6 5.j,g3!?
missing in the upcoming king's attack.
Similarly to the Queen' s Gambit,
White can exert pressure on the
queenside. An important tempo for an
attack along the c-file can often be
won with j,d3 and Wfc2 (h?).
However, White's advantage is quite
small due to the reduced material.
Black has good chances of achieving
a draw.
Conclusion : Black can exchange
pieces with 5 ... ti:Je4, but by doing so
he has not automatically equalised.
People who like an open position, in
which they as commander of the white
pieces can play for a win solidly and
almost without risks, will like this
variation.
 59
C h a pter 1 4

4 �d6 5 .�g 3 b6 ! ?
. . .

1 .d4 d5 2.ttJf3 ttJf6 3.�f4 e6 4.e3 i.d6 (7 ...�a6 8.�d3 White sets up his
5.�g3 b6! ? (078) pieces with c3, f4, �h4, or - if
possible - with �h4 and Wif3-h3,
78 having good chances for a strong
attack)]
8 [6 ... �b7 Achieving control over the
light squares, especially over e4.
7.�d3 Wfe7
6 6
(After 7 ... li:Je4 8.�xe4? (8. �4!;!;)
5 5 8 ... dxe4 9.li:Je5 White managed to
win in Travnicek,P-Paoli,E/Oiomouc
4 1982 (41 ))
3 3 8.Wfe2 (8. li:Je5!? is preferable, with
2 similar positions to the ones in the
variation mentioned above) 8 ... 0-0
9.�h4 ll:'lbd7 10.g4 1-0 Schmitt,A­
Vujic, Baden-Wuerttemberg 1997
(61 ). In this game - once again -
White went for the black monarch.
With this attempt Black plans to However, I do not think this idea is as
exchange his bad bishop with ...�a6. strong as in other positions.]
But such a plan always has its price.
7.ixa6! (079)
6.ttJbd2 �a6?!

[6 ...0-0 7.li:Je5 �b7

(7 ... c5 8.c3 �b7 9.�h4?! White should
wait with this move until he has played
�d3 and castled kingside. 9 ...�e7
10.�d3 li:Je4 1 1 .�xe7 Wfxe7 1 2.Wfc2
li:Jxd2 1 3.�xh7+ �h8 14.�xd2 Wih4
15.�d3 Wixf2+ 0-1 Brandics,J-
Bonnet,P/Kecskemet 1989 (38)
Certainly White had hoped for more ... )
60 Chapter 14 - 3 ...e6 4 ...�d6 5.�g3 b6!?
+

79 The nice idea 9 ... 'Llb4!? followed

by ... c5/'Llc6 does not work because
of the simple reply 1 O.a3 'Llc6 1 1 .�h4
and White has a certain advantage.
1 0. hxg3 'Wd6 1 1 .'Wa4 lL! b8 1 2J!acU
{08 1 )

Bartha,S-Szokacs,L/Hungary 1992
1 -0 (26). In the progress of the game
White continuously increased his
control over the queenside.
81

8
The fact that the knight on a6 is
misplaced is more important than the
7
exchange of bishops.
7 ... lL!xa6 8.c4 0-0 9.0-0 .txg3 {080)

80

Conclusion : In order to fi g ht for equal

chances, Black should try either
6 ...�b7 or 6 ...0-0.
5.�g3 therefore seems to be a good
alternative to 5.'Lle5
 61
C h a pter 1 5

3 e6, 4 .le7
. . . . . .

1 .d4 d5 2.ltlf3 ltlf6 3.�f4 e6 4.e3

�e7 (082) [To understand 5 ... 0-0 6.�d3 c5 7.c3
ltJbd7 8.ctJd2 one should just have a
82 look at 5 ... c5.;
5 ... c5 6.c3 ttJc6 7.ctJd2 can be found in
the classical line with ... �e7.]

Clearing the first rank, ready to meet

.. .'®b6 with :8b1 .
6 ... a6

[6 . . 0-0 7.�d3 c5 8.c3; 6 ... c5 7.c3 "!Wb6

8.:8b1 (D83)
.

83
a b c d e

Black chooses a very solid set-up,

but by playing 4 ...�e7 he actually 7
threatens ... ltlh5. So one really has to 6
be aware of this move!
5
5.ltle5!
4

5 ... ltl bd7

The knight stands more passively on

d7. Black cannot hope for an initiative.
62 Chapter 1 5 -3 ...e6, 4 ...�e7
Which of the two major pieces is now d4 and wants to create his own play
more usefully positioned? on the queenside. But this plan will
8 ... 0-0 9.�d3 f\d8 1 O.h4!? tt:lf8 1 1 .iWf3 simply cost too much time.
�d7 12.tt:lxd7 (12.h5!) 12 ... f\xd7 13.h5
h6 14.iWg3 cj;Jh8 15.tt:lf3 �d6 16.'Lle5±
Witkowski-Kasperek, Myslenice 9 ..ic2 b5?! 1 O.ltJc6! iWb6 1 1 .ltJxe7
1987.] i>xen

[6 ...tt:lxe5 7.�xe5! (084) (7.dxe5 tt:ld7

8.�d3 (8.iWg4? ? g5!-+) 8 ... c6 9.iWe2 Conclusion : The system with 4 ...�e7
iWb6 1 0.0-0-0!? tt:lc5 1 1 .h4oo) 7 ... c5 is very solid but too passive to reach
8.c3 0-0 9.�d3 tt:ld7 10.�g3 fle8 1 1 .0- equality.
0 �f6 12.tt:lf3 b6 13.e4 �b7 14.e5;!;]
85

7.c3 c5 8 ..id3 c4?! (085)

A clear positional mistake which a lot

of players will make over and over
again. Black removes the pressure of

C h a pter 1 6
2 . . .
1 .d4 d5 2.ll:lf3 e6 3 ..if4 .id6 (086)
86
Clever. Black immediately strives for
the exchange of bishops without
losing time with ... ctJf6.
4.e3! ?
White is prepared to accept a small
weakening of his pawn structure in
order to gain total control over e5. In
addition, the e-file is being opened.
[4 ..ixd6? is definitely not in the spirit
of the inventor. 4 .. .'1Wxd6 5.e3 'Wb4+
6.ctJbd2 'Wxb2 7 ..id3 ctJf6 8.0-0 ctJbd7
9.'\We2 '\Wc3 10.e4 dxe4 1 1 .ct:lxe4
ct:lxe4 12 ..ixe4 ctJf6 1 3.Eiab1 c6:j:
Schafer-Gasthofer, Staufer 1999.]
63
e6, 3 .id 6
. . .
[4.g3!? Very creative. If Black takes
on f4 the g-file will be opened for
White. A strong attack can frequently
be conducted. 4 ....txf4 5.gxf4 'Wd6
6.e3 'Wb4+ 7.ct:lbd2 '\Wxb2 is critical.
White achieves good compensation
with either of the two following moves
8.ct:le5 (or 8.E\g1 g6 9. c4 dxc4
1 0.hc4 ctJ f6 1 1. ctJe5) 8 ... ct:le7 9 . .td3
ctJd7 1 O.Eib1 '\Wa3 1 1 .'\Wh5 g6 12.'1Wh6
ctJf5 1 3 ..txf5 exf5 14.ctJxd7 .txd7
As.Arnason-Ar.Arnason, Reykjavik
1988.]
The fo llowing alternative must be
taken very seriously.
[4 ..tg3!? Perhaps even better than
4.e3!?. After for example 4 ...ctJf6 we
find ourselves back on our home
ground. Therefore, only 4 ... ct:le7 is of
independent relevance.
(4 .. . f5?! leads to a Stonewall that
does not look very promising .. .)
5.ct:lbd2 c5 (5 ... ctJf5?! 6.e4! (087)
Making use of his lead in development
6 ... ct:lxg3 7.hxg3 dxe4 8.ct:lxe4;t;)
6.e3 0-0 (6 ... ctJf5 7 ..txd6 'Wxd6 Black
seems to have achieved a lot, but the
ct:lf5 only appears to stand well. As
soon as .td3 is played, it wil be
forced to move. (7. . . ctJxd6? B.dxc5+-)
8.dxc5 '\Wxc5 9 ..td3;t;)
64 Chapter 1 6 - 2 ... e6, 3 ...i.d6
87 strives to castle queenside and lever
with e3-e4. 10. . . f6 1 1.0-0-0 e5 12.e4)
9 ...i.xg3 1 O.hxg3 "Wd6 1 1 ."Wc2 i.d7
12.dxc5 "Wxc5 13.e4 l"iac8:j: Van de
Mortei-Piket, Leeuwarden 1993.]
Let us return to the main variation

4 ...i.xf4

4 [4 ... Ci:Je7 5.Ci:Jbd2 c5 (5 ... Ci:Jg6 6.i.xd6

3 "Wxd6 7.c4;!; The black knig ht is
misplaced on g6.]
2 "Wxc5
[5 ...i.xf4 6.exf4 "Wd6 7.g3 c5 8.dxc5
9.c3 Ci:Jbc6 1 O.i.d3 b6 1 1 .0-0
i.b7 12.l"ie1 g6 13."We2 0-0 14.Ci:Jb3
g "Wd6 1 5.l"iad1 a6 16.h4 �g7 1 7.Ci:Je5;!;
Chuprikov-AI.Karpov, Russia
7.�d3 h6 8.c3 Ci:Jbc6 9.0-0?! (088) (Smolensk) 2000.) 6.dxc5 i.xc5 7.i.d3
1 disl i ke castling in this posi t i o n Ci:Jbc6 8.0-0 Ci:Jg6 9.i.g3 "Wf6 10.e4 0-0
because now after the exchange on 1 1 .c3 i.b6 12."Wc2;!; Bagheri-Akobian,
g3 there wil be no dangerous rook on Moscow 2000.]
h1 any more.
88 5.exf4 "Wd6 (089)

89
Chapter 1 6 - 2 ... e6, 3 ...�d6
The most active continuation, but
other moves are possible as well.
[5 ... b6 Black intends to exchange the
remaining two bishops. 6.c3 CiJe7
7.�d3 0-0 8.iWe2 aS 9.CiJbd2 9.CiJa3
Possibly more active - the idea of CiJbS
occurs. On �c8-a6 I would
recommend taking on a6 because
then Black has to decide between
keeping the knight guarded or
removing it at some point. 9 ...�a6
10.CiJeS cS 1 1 .�xa6 CiJxa6 12.CiJdf3
V'ifd6 13.0-0 f6= Gretarsson-Luther,
Clichy 199S]
[S... cS 6.dxcS iWaS+ 7.c3 iWxcS 8.�d3
tlif6 9.0-0 0-0 10.CiJbd2 b6 1 1 .1'=�e1
.lia6 12.�c2 CiJbd7 1 3.CiJeS Elad8
14.CiJb3 iWc7 1 S.CiJd4;!; And the knights
occupied prom1s1ng squares in
Plaskett-B6nsch, Sochi 1984.]
[S ... CiJf6 6.c3 0-0 7.�d3 b6 8.0-0 �a6
9.�xa6 CiJxa6 10.iWd3 iWc8 1 1 .CiJbd2 4
c5 12.a3 c4 1 3.iWc2 CiJc7 14.E\fe1
4Jce8 1S.CiJe5;!; I.Horvath-
Boguszlassjkij, Hungary 2000.]
6.'1Mfd2
[6.1Wc1 !? Has only one predecessor -
but a very famous one. 6 ... CiJd7 7.�d3
c5 8.0-0 CiJgf6 9.c3 0-0 1 0.2:'\e1 E\e8
1 1 .CiJe5 and in Aljechin-Rivier, Bern
1932, White got more from the
game.]
6 ... CiJf6
[6 ... b6 7.CiJc3 aS 8.�d3 �a6 9.fS exf5
65
1 O.�xfS CiJe7 1 1 .�d3 �xd3 12.1Wxd3
CiJbc6 1 3.0-0 0-0 14.CiJeS?! (Instead of
this White could have maintained the
initiative with 14.2:'\ae1 !.) 14 ... CiJb4=
Storm-Biatny, 2nd National League
1 990/1 .]
[6 ... CiJe7 7.CiJc3 0-0 8.0-0-0!? (090)
Gave Black good chances on the
queenside after 8 ... b6 9.h4 cS 10.g3
c4 1 1 .iWe2 CiJd7 12.�h3 Elb8 in
Efimov-Luther, Asti 1996, therefore I
think 8.�d3 is better.
90
8
7 7
6 6
5 5
3
2 2
The white king does not yet have to
commit himself to one of the two
castling possibilities. Instead, White
can immediately launch out on attack
against the king on g8. ]
7.CiJc3 a6 (091 )
66 Chapter 1 6 - 3 ...e6, 4 ...il.d6
91 1 2.tt:lxc6 �xc6 1 3.�e3 .ib7 1 4.:8ad1
:8fe8 1 5.a3 c\Dg4 1 6.�h3 f5 (092)
a b c d e f g h

92
a b c d e

Preparing counterplay on the

queenside.
Black's queenside initiative was
[7 ...0-0 8.il.d3 il.d7 9.0-0 c5 1 O.dxc5
sufficient compensation for his
�xc5 1 1 .tt:le5 l"ld8 12.l"i:fe1 tt:lc6
backward pawn on e6 in
1 3.l"i:ad1 il.e8 14.tt:le2 tt:ld7 15.tt:lg3 g6
16.h4;!; Eliet-Barsov, Bogny sur V.Kovacevic-Vagania n, Hastings
Meuse 2003.] 1982/3.
8 ..id3 b6 9.0-0 0-0 1 0.:8fe1 c5 Conclusio n : Bl a ck can equalise after
1 1 .tt:le5 4.e3!? by playing precisely, but with
only a single passive move the white
White is not afraid of ... c4 because forces will be storming the black king.
after this Black's position would lose However, 4.il.g3!? offers a very good
all dynamic potentia l. White could chance to play for the advantage.
comfortably go after the black king.
1 1 ... tt:lc6

[1 1 ... cxd4? A positional blunder.

12.tt::l e2 tt::l e4 1 3.il.xe4 dxe4 14.�xd4;!;]
 67
C ha pter 1 7

2 . . . c5 ! ?
1 .d4 d5 2.lLlf3 c5!? (093) 3 ... e6

93
a b c d e

4 ..if4 lL!c6 5.e3 Ad6

a c d e f g h
This reminds one a lot of the classical
An important explanation is necessary system with . . ..id6 . The difference is
concerning this move sequence. If that Black has not yet played . . . ttJf6 .
Black wants to prevent the usual
London System set-up at all costs, 6.Ag3 lL!ge7 ! ? (094)
this is one of the possible moves.
Is a better way to fight for control over
3.c3 e5.

The only move . 3.c4 is not our
subject, nor is 3. dxc5. On the other
hand, 3.e3 would lock in the bishop
and possibly lead to the Coll a
System . The desirable 3 . .if4? is met
by 3 . . .cxd4 4. ttJxd4 ttJd?!� when
Black threatens to win a piece with
. . . e5. Therefore only the text move
remains.
[6 . . . ttJf6 transposes to the classical
system with 6 . . . .id6]
[6 . . ..ixg3 7 . hxg3 iWd6 8.ttJbd2! In
actual fact Black can not really push
his pawn to e5. With 8 . . . ttJf6 ! The
position transposes to the chapter
"Classical Exchange on g3".
(But 8 ... e5? gets hit by 9 .dxe5 4Jxe5
1 O . ttJe4! 4J xf3+ 1 1 .gxf3 and Wh ite
68 Chapter 1 7 - 2 . . . c5!?

wins a pawn . 1 1 . . . 1Mfc6?? 1 2 .�b5 -

game over!) ] 1 5.Wff4!;!; (095)

94 Takes control of the dark squares and

prevents his opponent from castling.
a b c d e f g h

1 5 ... 0-0?! 1 6.Wfd6+-

95

7 ..id3 Lt:lg6 2

[7 . . . Lt:lf5 The knight is not placed well 1

on f5. 8.�xd6 1Mfxd6 Capturing with the =�___;.;.;.;___;.;.;.;...,.....;.;=--:-_;;.;..,.--:
q ueen is forced , as otherwise c5
would be lost. 9.Lt:lbd2 cxd4 1 0 .exd4
0-0 1 1 .0-0;!; Conclusion : Striving for the classical
Platonov-Lputian, Krasnodar 1 980.] line without . . . Lt:lf6 is not a bad idea.
Black can achieve a position close to
8.�xd6 Wxd6 9.CL!bd2 e5 1 0 .dxe5 equality.
CL!gxe5 1 1 .CL!xe5 Wfxe5 1 2.CL!f3 Wfh5
1 3.Wfa4 We are now switching to positions
with the exciting . . . Wfb6.
While Black won the fight for e5, d5
has been wea kened . White secures a
small advantage.

1 3 ....ih3!? 1 4 ..ie2 .id7

[ 1 4 . . ..ixg2?? 1 5 .Lt:lh4+-]
 69
C h a pter 1 8

...
4 '\1Wb6 ! ? + 5 '\1Wxb2 ...
1 .d4 d5 2.lL!f3 lL!f6 3.j,f4 c 5 4.e3 8.ilxd7+ �xd7 9.tLle5 �f5 1 0. �e2 a6
�b6 !? (096) 1 1. g4 '1Mff4 1 2. gxh5 Wc 1 + 1 3.Wd1
Wxb2 14. ttJd2 Wxd4 1 5. tLlef3+-)
96 For 6 . c3 one should have a look at
the chapter on the Exchange Variation
a b c d e f g h

s ! .I B J.-·rl Ms
of the Caro-Kann- Defence.]

' , ,7
97
7- · -
1 � - - -
"'" � a b c d e f g h

s i B� -·- Ms
6 6

5�lf - · - - 1 5 7 llfi - Wl i Wi i l 7
4 1 - ��� ���. -4 - -
�

6 ' -
'"" �
6

3- , - �:� 'L1- '/. '3 - ' � "if - � 1 5

2 1 � �� � - 0 � 0 2
5

41 - •
. M •.-•,/. 134
�/'/. �
1 a� -i¥=�- :a l 1 3- B""0���
a b c d e f
2
g

1 � �,� � -i¥�,,� � �" 2

h /

Clearly shows the small d rawb � ck of

the move j,f4: the b2-pawn no
longer protected by the bishop. White
1 a �- = rJ :a l 1
IS

a b c d e g h
can not respond with �b3, therefore a
special idea is needed. [4 . . . tt:'lc6 5.c3 e6 leads to the basic
position of the classical system]
[4 .. .t2Jh5? Loses, but the variation is
worth noting: 5.j,xb8 E\xb8 6.j,b5+! [4 . . . j,g4?! is also not a good idea:
j,d7 7.j,xd7+ '1Wxd7 8.tt:'le5 '1Wf5 9.'1We2! 5.c3 leads into known channels �nd
(097) tt:'lf6 1 0.'1Wb5+ tLld7 1 1 .tt:'lc3 cxd4 d oes so without the poss1ble
1 2.exd4 E\d8 (12 . . . f6 1 3. g4 �e6 adventure after 5.dxc5.
14. tLlxd5+-) 1 3 .tLlxd 5 '1We4+
1 4.<j;lf1 +-] (5.dxc5!? is certainly fu nny - but only
for White . . .
[4 . . . cxd4 5 .ex d4 tt:'lc6 (5. . . ttJ h5 ? Wi t
similar variation to the one a e
��
a) 5. . Wa5+ 6. tLlc3 tt:le 4 (6. . . a6!)
.
4 . . . tLl h5?: 6.ilxb8 E\xb8 7.j,b5+ j,d7 7. Wxd5 tt:lxc3 8. \lli axb 7 +- Gozzoli-
70
Fauconnier, France 1998.)
b) 5. ..CiJc6 6.ih5 Wa5+ 7. liJc3 a6 London System. The ,l_\,b2 is tactically
(7. . . e6!) B. .ixc6+ bxc6 9. \Wd4 .ixf3
1 0.gxf3 g6 1 1 .�e5 �gl 1 2. a4 0-0
13.b4+- Nemeth-Grabher, Budapest
1 993.
c) 5. . . liJbd7 6.ih5 .ixf3 7.gxf3 g6 B. c4
dxc4 (B. . . a 6) 9.\Wa4 WeB (9. . . �g7
1 0. liJc3 0-0? 1 1 . "8.d1+-) 1 0. c6+-)
Back to 5.c3
a) 5 . . . e6 6 .'1Wb3 Wb6 7.4J e5 Wxb3
(7. . . �f5 ?! B.�b5+ liJc6 9.a4+-) 8. axb3
�f5 9.�b5+;!;
b) 5 . . . Wb6 6.\Wb3 c4 7.Wxb6 axb6
8.4Je5 (B. .ixbB "fJ.xbB 9.b3 b5 Y2-Y2
Montalvo-Borges Mateos, Santa
Domingo 200 1 .) 8 . . . �f5 9. 4Ja3;!;]
Back to the main variation
5.lLlc3! (098)
98
Chapter 1 8 - 4 . . . Wb6! ? + 5 . . .'�xb2
Here one meets a big exception in the
protected . But isn 't this move ugly,
especially as in the London System
one would prefer to play c2-c3 at
some point? In fact, Wh ite does plan
c2-c3, after having played liJb5, when
the typical pawn structure of the
London System arises once again.
[5.b3 As the author of the London
System I cannot agree with such a
move. Noth ing more than an equal
game is possible. 5 . . . 4Jc6 (5. . . �f5
6.�e2 liJc6 7.c3 e6 B. dxc5 .ixc5 9.b4
�e l 1 0. a4 a6 1 1 .a5 WdB 1 2. liJ d4
liJxd4 13.exd4 0-0 = in Kadas­
Hajnai, Heves 2000.) 6.c3 �g4 7.�e2
e6 8.0-0 �e7 9.4Jbd2 0-0 1 0.h3 �h5
1 1 .a4 l"!:fc8 1 2.a5 Wd8 1 3.a6 b6 =
Sahovic-Komarov,Belgrade 1 995.]
[5.\Wc1 is quite popular. After 5 . . . 4Jc6
6 .c3 �f5 7.�e2 White can conclude
his development without weakening
his position , but that's about all he can
do.]
5 .. .'\&xb2?
Whoever is as g reedy as that should
be pun ished straight away.
6.lLlb5 lLla6 7 .a3!! (099)
My refutation always went on with
7."8.b 1 , but Kovacevic's idea is even
better and very nice indeed .
Chapter 1 8 - 4 . . . �b6 !? + 5 . . . �xb2 71

7 ....if5 8.dxc5! 1 1 . t2J bd4! (01 00) .ig6

White threatens .ie5. � bs +

[ 1 1 . . . .ic8 1 2 .� J/':\d7
'"lJ 1 3.c6+- ,·
1 1 . . ..id? 1 2. c6]
8 ....ixc2
1 00

1 2 ..ib5+ '.!?d8 1 3.c6+-

[S . . . tLld? g _ t2Jfd4 .ig4 1 0.f3 e5 �eveals
the second motif of tra ppm g the Black is not to be envied.
queen . 1 U�b1 �a2 1 2.�c1 exd4
1 3J:\b2 �xb2 1 4.�xb2+-] .
Conclusion : Black should keep hts
fi ngers off forbidden fru its.
9.'Wc1 'Wxc1 + 1 0J3xc1

Black is a pawn up but his position will

soon collapse because of c5-c6.

1 0 ....if5

[ 1 0 . . . .ia4 1 1 .c6 b6 1 2.t2Jd6+! exd6

1 3.ii.xa6+-]

[1 0 . . . ii.g6? 1 1 .c6]
72
C h a pter 1 9

4 �b6 ! ? + 5 c4
. . . . . .

1 .d4 dS 2.�f3 �f6 3 ..tf4 cS 4.e3 1l;Vb6 7 . tt:J b5 tt:Ja6 8.l'lb1 Wa2 9.l'la1 Wb2=]
s.�c3 c4! 6.:Sb1 (1 01 )
6 ....tg4
101
This is probably the only move giving
Black a chance of equality. The
position is even considered to be
slightly better for Black. But my
discovery will change this
assessment. . .

[6 . . ..tf5 7.tt:Je5 e6 8.f3 Gaining space

on the kingside. 8 . . . tt:J c6 9.g4 .ig6
1 0.h4 tt:Jb4 1 1 .e4 h6 1 2.tt:Jxg6 fxg6
1 3.a3 (13.e5 ttJd7 14.a3? A blunder
which occurred in Vidmar-Reti,
Kosice 1 9 1 8 . 14 . . . Wxd4!-+) 1 3 . . . tt:Jc6
1 4. e5 tt:Jd7 1 5.tt:Je2 with a solid
advantage for White.]
a b c d e g h
7 ..te2

As in no other position in the London [7.b3? Definitely much too early.

System Wh ite absolutely focusses on 7 . . . tt:Je4!=i=)
the pawn breaks b3 and e4 and hopes
to get an advantage with his active 7 .. e6 8.0-0
.

pieces. If Black can keep the position

closed, the wh ite pieces (tt:Jc3, l'lb 1 , Wh ite completes his development
.tf1 ) will be out of work. Therefore , before doing anything else.
Wh ite must proceed according to
dynamic principles. 8 ... tt:Jc6 9.h3 (01 02)

[6.a4 All White can achieve through [9.b3? Wa5 1 0.tt:Ja4 b5 1 1 .tt:Jc5 .txc5
this is a repetition of moves: 6 . . . Wxb2 1 2. dxc5 tt:Je4-+)
Chapter 1 9 -
4 . . . i¥fb6! ? + 5 . . . c4 73

1 02 1 0.hf3 .ie7 1 1 .e4 ! ! (01 03)

1 03

9 ....ixf3

[9 . . . .ih5f? is certainly also worth a try. In no other position of the London

1 O.b4! The threat is b5, followed by
the advance e3-e4! 1 0 . . .�e7
(10 . . ilxb4? ?
. 1 1 . a3) 1 1 . b5 4Ja5
1 2. 4::l e5 �xe2 1 3 .i¥fxe2 0-0 1 4. 1"\fd 1
)'lfe8 1 5 .e4
White has solved all of his problems.
1 5 . . . dxe4 1 6 . 4Jxe4 4Jxe4 1 7 .i¥fxe4
1"\ad8 1 8.c3;!; This variation could be
an example of how the game
develops after ... �h5. Wh ite stands
more actively, but Black's compact
position looks very safe.]
System is this thematic move more
stunning. Of course, a detailed
analysis of the value of 1 1 .e4 must be
carried out. The main reason why this
move can work surely lies in the fact
that the black king is still i n the centre.
[1 1 .4Je2? is played with the intention
of proceeding with c3 . B ut how can an
advantage be reached with such a
passive move? lt is no real surprise to
me that Wh ite gets into d ifficulties
after 1 1 . . .i¥fa5 1 2 .a3 h6 1 3 .c3 g5
1 4.�h2 h5!=i= ( 01 04)

Back to the main variation

74 Chapter 1 9 - 4 . . . 1Wb6!? + 5 . . . c4

1 04 105

Med una-Van der Sterren, Prague 1 6 J:l:fd 1 gxd 1 + 1 7.gxd 1 + lt>c8

1 992. ] Keeping the pawn on the board as a
sort of king's shield.
11 ... dxe4 (01 08)
(1 7. . . \t>xcl 1 8. gd4 Wet + 19. \t>h2 Wg5
The following alternatives are also (1 9 . . . Wxb2?? 20.'1We5+) 20. Wxc4+
very im portant. lt>b8�)

[1 1 . . . 1Wxd4 1 2.exd5 1Wxf4 (12. ..tiJxd5 1 8.g3 However, Black must capture
13. CiJxd5 exd5 14./ie3 Wxd1 on c7 after all. 1 8 . . . 1Wxc7 1 9.gd4 1Wb6
1 5. gfxd1 +-; 1 2. . . exd5 1 3./ie3 Wxd1 (1 9 . . . <;t>b8? 20.CiJ b5+- 1Wc5 2 1 .gxc4
1 4. gfxd1 +-) 1 3 .dxc6 gd8 1 4.1We2 gd2 1Wxb5 22.gc8+ gxc8 23.1Wxb5 gc7)
(14 ... bxc6 1 5.hc6+ lt>fB 1 6. gfd1+-) 20.gxc4+ lt>b8 2 1 . CLJ b5� ( D1 06)
1 5. c 7! (0 105)
The wh ite attack remains dangerous.
1 5 . . . lt>d7 Such a pawn can q uickly After 1 1 . . .1Wxd4 Black can be happy if
become very valuable. he can hold the position until reaching
(1 5 ... 0-0? 1 6.g3 Wd4 (16. . . gxe2 the time control.]
1 7.gxf4 gxc2 1 8./ixb l} 1 7. CiJb5+-)
Chapter 1 9 -
4 . . . '1Wb6 !? + 5 . . . c4 75

1 06 1 07

1 2. ltlxe4 ltlxd4
[ 1 1 . . . ct:Jxe4 Avoiding the complications
is com bined with getting into a Because of the high tactical content it
passive position : 1 2. ct:Jxe4 dxe4 is very d ifficult to give detailed text
1 3.i.xe4;!; With his pair of b ishops comments.
White stands more than comfortable.]
[1 2 . . . ctJd5? 1 3. ctJd6+! i.xd6 1 4.i.xd6
[1 1 . . . 0-0 !? Simply ig noring everyth ing . ct:Jxd4 1 5.i.xd5 l"\d8 1 6.i.xc4 l"\xd6
1 2.exd5 ct:Jxd4 (12. . . exd5 13.CiJxd5 1 7. c3 1Wc6 1 8.cxd4 1Wxc4 1 9.!"1c1
ct:Jxd5 1 4. hd5;!;) 1 3. dxe6 ct:Jxf3+ 1Wxa2 20. l"\c8+ l"\d8 2 1 . l"\xd8+ mxd8
(13 . . . ct:Jxe6 1 4.i.e3) 1 4 .'\Wxf3 fxe6 22.1Wg4+-)
1 5.1We2;!; The pawn structure is clearly
favourable for White. [1 2 . . . 1Wxd4?! 1 3.ctJd6+ mf8
(13 . . . hd6? ? 14.hc6+) 1 4 .i.g3 1Wxd 1
[ 1 1 . . .l"\d8 1 2 .exd5 ct:Jxd4 1 3 .i.e3 (14 . . . hd6 1 5.hd6+ 'ittg 8 1 6.'\Wxd4
ct:Jxf3+ 1 4 .1Wxf3 1Wa6 1 5.dxe6 fxe6 ct:Jxd4 1 7.hb 7 !"\dB 1 8.i.e5) 1 5 .l"\fxd 1
1 6.l"\bd 1 0-0 1 7 .l"\xd8 l"\xd8 1 8 . l"\d 1 i.xd6 1 6 .i.xd6+;!;)
8xd 1 + 1 9.'\Wxd H Similarly to the
previous variation , the better pawn 1 3.ct:Jxf6+ gxf6! (01 08)
structure guarantees White a plus.]
Only this move seems to cause Wh ite
Back to the main variation any d ifficu lties. Therefore, this
variation is very important. The idea
lying behind 1 3 . . . gxf6 is to halve the
d angerous pair of bishops.
76 Chapter 1 9 - 4 . . . 1Mfb6 !? + 5 . . . c4

1 08 follow, with more than sufficient

compensation .]
a b c

1 6.cxd4

[1 6 .�e5?? l2Jc6]

1 6 .. .fxe4

[1 6 . . . !'\xd4? is also refuted i n a very

4 nice way. 1 7.�xb7+ <;t>xb7 1 8.1Mff3+
Wc6 (1 8 . . !'\d5 19.b3+-) 1 9 .Wxc6+
.

<;t>xc6 20.�e5;!;]

1 7.E!c1 ! (01 09)

1 09

[ 1 3 . . .�xf6 1 4.�e4 0-0 1 5.�e3;!;]

14.�e4!

Another move which actually seemed

to be impossible - because of . . . f5.
Only after a deeper analysis did I
discover that in reality f5 was not good
for Black. With . . . f5 not working, White
is well advised to try to keep the pair
of bishops at all costs.
1 4 ... 0-0-0

lt is not easy for Black to find a safe

position for his king. The pieces on
the queenside will take over the job of
protecting their monarch . After the explosion in the centre the
smoke has settled and the game
[ 1 4 . . .f5? 1 5 .�e5 lt is really just as continues. White recognises that his
easy as that! 1 5 . . . 0-0-0 1 6.�xh8 !'i:xh8 rook on b1 has done its job and would
1 7 .c3;!;] now be much better placed on the c­
1 5.c3 f5 fi le. To achieve this, Wh ite is actually
prepared to sacrifice a second pawn .
[After 1 5 . . .CZlc6 1 6.1Mfa4, b3 is going to
Chapter 1 9 -
4 . . . Wb6! ? + 5 . . . c4 77

1 7 .. J:'!:xd4 [ 1 8 .. .:1'\hdB 1 9. gxc4+ gxc4 20.Wxc4+

Wc6 2 1 .We2 ! gd5 22.Wxe4;!;]
Accepting the sacrifice seems
sensible. 1 9.Wxc6+ bxc6 20.i.e5 �hd8
[ 1 7 . . . Wxd4?? 1 8.Wa4] 21 .i.xd4 �xd4

[ 1 7 . . . i.d6 1 8.gxc4+ \ilb8 1 9 .Wd2 gc8 An amusing endgame has come u p

20.gfc1 gxc4 2 1 .gxc4;!;] which Black hopes to draw on account
of his two additional pawns. The
1 8 .Wa4 Wc6 (01 1 0) solution is qu ite inventive.

Apparently the only serious defence. 22.�fd1 ! (01 1 1 )

[ 1 8. . .Wb4 1 9.Wxa7 ghd8 20.i.e5 g4d5 An exchange on d 1 is ruled ou � so

(20. . . gd3 2 1.Wb8+ \ild7 22.Wc7+ \ilea � h ite w �n s
on � tempo in companson
23.gxc4+- Dominant is the correct w1th the 1mmed 1ate gfe 1 .
word for White's position .) 2 1 . b3
(2 1.Wba+ \ild7 22.Wc7+ \ilea 23. gxc4 22 ... �d3
vtib5 24. gxe4) 2 1 . . . gc5 22.i.c3! Wb5
23.a4 Wa6 (23. . . Wxb3? 24. gb 1; [22 . . . gxd 1 +? 23.gxd 1 i.f6 24.gc1
23 ... Wc6 24.i.b4 c3 25.i.xc5 Wxc5) i.xb2 25.gxc4 f5 26.gxc6++-]
24.Wxa6 bxa6 25.i.b4+- If the rook
retreats to c7, then White wins the 111
exchange after i.a5]

23J'!:e1 �d4
78
[23 . . J:'i:d2 24J:'i:xe4 Elxb2 25. Elexc4 c5 Finally the king is activated .
26.Elg4 (26. El 1 c2 Elb 1 + 2 7. <:l2h2)
26 . . . Elxa2 27.Elg7 a5 (27. . . r:JJ d7) ]
24J3c2
The idea is Elec1 .
24 ... �g5
[24 . . . c5 25.Ele3!;!;]
[24 . . . f5 25.Elec1 �g5 26.Elxc4 �xc1
27 .Elxd4 cJJ c? (27. . . e3 28. Eld6;
27 . . . hb2 28. Eld6) 28.Ela4 The
endgame is also clearly better for
White. 28 . . . cJJ b6 (28. . . hb2 29. Elxa7+
r:JJb 6 30. Elxh7 c5 3 1 . r:JJf1! This stops
the c-pawn just in time . The two
passed pawns on the a- and h-files
decide the day.) 29.<;t>f1 c5 30.b3 and
it becomes clear that Wh ite is much
better, probably already wi n ning.]
25.'ti?f1 ! (01 1 2)
112
Chapter 1 9 - 4 . . . '<Mib6! ? + 5 . . . c4
25 .. .f5 26.me2 ci;; c7 27J3d1 e5
28J3xd4 exd4 29J3xc4t
The black pawns seem to be pretty
dangerous, but after
29 ... d3+ 30.ci;;d 1
all danger has been wiped out.
Such detailed analysis can hard ly be
g iven without any mistakes but the
variations have certainly proved that
1 1 .e4! is the only correct idea in the
position .
With moves other than 1 1 .e4, White
abandons the attempt to fight for an
advantage.
On account of the high tactical content
the analysis is very extensive , but one
can - at the very least - learn a
n umber of motifs from the variations.
I sometimes feel I should apologise
for the long analysis, but several days
of work on the position arising after
1 1 . e4 ! were just too enjoyable.
Conclusion : Also after 5 . . . c4! , Wh ite
gets into a position with very good
chances.
 79
C h a pter 20

4 J&b6 ! ? + 5 a 6 ! ?
. . . . .

1 .d4 d 5 2.c!l:lf3 c!Df6 3 ..tf4 c5 4.e3 VNb6 1 O . lt:Jxd5 lt:J xd5 1 1 .VNxd5 e6 1 2 .VNh5+-
5.c!Dc3 a6!? (01 1 3) Forbes-Summerscale, British
Championships (Eastbourne) 1 99 1 .]
113
1 14
a b c d e
a b c d e
8
8

d e g h
g h
Prevents tt:lb5 and pursues similar
ideas to 5 ... c4. 5 . . : e6 6.tt:lb5 tt:la6 7.c3!? c4
80 Chapter 2 0 - 4 . . . Wb6!? + 5 . . . a6!?

Back to the main variation Accordingly, 6.a3!? is not adequate

for ach ieving an advantage.)

? .ie2 e6 8.0-0 tt:lbd7 S.Kovacevic-

·
Not be�ng a fral'd of the rule "A knight Sagall, Capelle la Grande 1 994. Whi'te
on the rim is dim!". should now continue with 9.tt:la4 wc6
1 0 . tt:l xc5 tt:lxc5 1 1 .dxc5 ixc5 1 2.tt:le5
[6.a3!? is tricky. 6 . . . ig4 ixe2 1 3 .Wxe2 Wa4 1 4 .c4;!;.]

(6 . . . Wxb2?? 7 . tt:la4) 6 ...'\Wa5+ 7.c3 (01 1 6)

(6 . . . cxd4! 7.exd4 tt:lc6 8. h 3 if5 9. tt:la4 116

Wd8 1 0 . tt:lc5 and now 1 0 . . . e6! proves '
( 01 1 5)

7 ... cxd4

[Also with 7 . . . tt:lbd7 Black will not be

able to obstruct the wh ite initiative
8 .tt:lxc5! tt:lxc5 9.b4! Wa3 1 O.bxcS
Wxc3+ 1 1 .tt:ld2 ( 0 1 1 7) The pawn
stru cture guarantees White a long­
.
lasting initiative on the queenside
1 1 . . .llf5 1 2.Wc1 Wxc1 + 1 3J:'\xc1 l:'lcS
·
{ 'hapter 2 0 -
4 . . . '11Mb 6! ? + 5 . . . a6!? 81

1 4. Elc3+-] 1 7 ... .ixf4

117 118
a b c d e a b c d e

8 8

6 6 6

5 5 5 5

3 3 3 3

�
�"
�/,_,,_3
� 2 2

8.exd4 e6 9.b4 '11Md 8 1 0.id3 [ 1 7 . . . b5? 1 8.tLlxd6+ 11Mxd6 1 9.tLlc5

ltld8 20.f5 '11Md 5 2 1 . Elxe4! 0-0
tLl c5 right away is answered by . . . b6. (2 1 . . . '11Mxf5 22.Ele5 '11Mg 6 23. tLlxb 7
The knight on the rim is waiting tLlxb7 24.'\1Mf3+-) 22.f6+-; 1 7 . . . Eld8
patiently for its opportunity. 1 8. ltlaxb6 ixf4 1 9.ixf4 11Mxf4 20.Elf1
11Mg5 2 1 .'11Me2 f5 22.a4 tLle7 23.tLla5
1 0 ... .id6 1 V t)e5 '11Mc7 1 2.0-0 ltlc6 id5 24.c4 ia8 25.tLlxa8 Elxa8
1 3J�e1 b6 14.ig3 ib7 1 5.f4 26. b5+-]

The last moves were all q u ite normal. 1 8 ..ixf4 11Mxf4 1 9J�xe4! V!Jc7
White has planted in a knight on e5 20.ltlaxb6 �d8
and increased the control over this
important central square in general. [20 . . . tLle7 2 1 .'11Ma 4++-]

15 ... ltl e4 1 6.ixe4 dxe4 1 7.ltlc4! 21 .d5 0-0

(01 1 8)
Despite having castled, the king does
The opportunity appears. not really feel safe.

[ 1 7.Elxe4? ru ns into the trap 22.d6 '11M b 8 23.�h4 V!fa7 24.V!fh5 h6

1 7 . . . tLlxb4 !] (01 1 9) 25.V!fc5?!
82 Chapter 20 - 4 . . . tM!'b6! ? + 5 . . . a6!?

wh7 36.mxf3 E:d7 37.mf2 tLld4

38.E:xe5 E:f7+ 39.tLlf4 E:f6 40.E:e7
(01 20)

"�- � b c d e f g h

Understandable, but unnecessary.

[25.l"i:d 1 ! is much easier as there is
hardly anything available to meet the
plan of l"i:d3-g3. 25 . . . f5 (25 .. .f6
26.tM!'c5!) 26 .tM!'e2 l"i:f6 27.d7 � 5 1 -0 in Mastrapa- Med ina, Cuban
2a.mh1 l"i:g6 29.tLld5 l"i:e6 30.l"i:h5 w1th 2000.
a winning position for Wh ite .]
Conclusion: 5 . . . a6!? is an interesting
25 ...f5 26.a4 f4 27."1&f2 f3 28.g3 E:f5 attem pt to stamp the white knight as a
29.E:e1 E:f6 30.E:he4 e5 problem child . But White can make
good use of the horse on his
lt is not possible to defend e6 any q ueenside.
longer. [30 . . . Wf7 3 1 .l"i:f4 l"i:xf4 32.gxf4
tLl b8 33.tM!'e3 ic8 34.f5+-]

31 .ll:ld5 E:fxd6 32.ll:lxd6 E:xd6

The fight is all over.

[32 . . .tM!'xf2+ 33.Wxf2 l"i:xd6 34.c4 a5

35.b5 tLlb4 36.l"i:d 1 ttJxd5 37 .cxd5 mf7
38.l"i:xe5+-]

33.\&xa7 ttJxa7 34.c4 ll:lc6 35.Wf2

 83
C h a pter 2 1

5 VNb6
. . . - Introd u ction
1 .d4 d 5 2.ctJf3 l2Jf6 3 ..if4 c 5 4.e3 ct:lc6 the Caro-Kann Exchange Variation.]
5.c3 [5 . . . if5?! g ives away the pawn .
6.dxc5 e6 (6 . . . ixb1 ? ! 7 J'1xb1 ct:le4
White sets up the threat of simply 8.ct:le5 ct:l xc5 9 ..ib5+- :!'k8? ! 1 0.'1Wf3
winning a pawn with 6.dxc5. WaS (10. . . ctJe4 1 1. ctJxf7) 1 1 .'1Wxd5
Cibulka - Husek, Slovakia 200 1 .)
5 ... �b6 (01 2 1 ) 7 . ct:ld4 ixb1 8. E!xb 1 ixc5 9.'1Wa4!]

1 21 [5 . . . ct:lh5!? could be a sort of personal

tip, but was only tested once at a high
a b c d e h
level so far 6 .dxc5! The best is ... ct:lxf4
a J. 8 7 .exf4 e6 8.b4 '1Wf6 9.'1Wd2 (b5!?) ct:lxb4
(9 . . . a5; %-% in Kovacevic-Greenfeld ,
Lju bljana/Portoroz 1 989. The game
6 ends at the most exciting point. . .
1 0. b5 ct:le7 1 1 .g3 (01 22) is forced .

1 22
a b c d e h

a b c d e g h

This is the most energetic

contin uation . Black is trying hard to 4
obtain activity and wou ld like to
demonstrate the absence of the .if4 3
from the queenside. The following
chapters are the most exciting and
complex in the whole London System.
Anybody entering into these without c
sufficient knowledge of the basics will
go down with all flags flyin g . T h e desirable 1 1 .'1Wd4 would be met
by 1 1 . . . ctJf5! with an unclear position .
[5 . . . cxd4 6 .exd4 would transpose to If Black leaves out 1 0 . . . ct:le?, then
84
1 1 .'\Wd4 is good. Therefore, the
supporting 1 1 .g3 is the correct move
in this position; White increases his
influence in the centre and can claim
a small advantage. Be that as it may,
even here Black is not without counter
chances.) 1 0 .cxb4 Wxa 1 1 1 .ib5+
cj;Jd8 1 2.0-0 Wf6 is the startin g point
for interesting complexities. 1 3.lt:Jc3
c:Jlc7 1 4 .ge1 with the idea of lt:Je5 and
some noticeable compensation .]
5 . . .ig4!? Very natural and not bad at
all. 6.lt:J bd2! (6.'1Wb3 Wb6 7.dxc5
(7.'\Wxb6 axb6 B.lt:Ja3! ?) 7 . . . Wxb3
8.axb3 ixf3 9 .gxf3 e5 = Konig-
Oesterle, 2nd National League
Germany, 1 990/1 .) 6 . . . e6 (6. . . cxd4
7. exd4 -> Caro-Kann, once again .)
7 .'\Wa4 !? A truly unusual place for the
q ueen in the London System. 7 . . . c) 9 .id3 ! (0 1 24) The following
ixf3! (7. . . id6? B.ia6! can be missed analysis is g iven by Kovacevic.
easily.) 8.lt:Jxf3 Wb6 (01 23)
1 23
a b c d e h
8
This has already been tested at a very
Chapter 2 1 - 5 . . . '\Wb6 - Introduction
high level.
a) 9.'1Wb5 is recommended by Soltis .
9 . . . '\Wxb5 1 O.ixb5 a6 1 1 .ie2 c4
1 2 . lt:Je5 (12.b3!?) 1 2 . . . id6 1 3 .b3 cxb3
1 4 . lt:Jxc6 ixf4 1 5.exf4 bxc6 1 6.axb3
Accord ing to Kovacevic the position is
balanced after 1 6 . . . lt:Je4. Herzog­
Nogueiras, Lucerne OL 1 982.
b) 9.gb1 ie7 1 0.id3 0-0 1 1 .0-0 gfd8
1 2.ig3 gac8 1 3.lt:Je5 lt:Jh5 1 4 .'\Wc2 g6
1 5. lt:Jxc6 Wxc6 and B lack could have
equalised easily in Keres- Reshevsky,
Kemeri 1 937. lt should be examined
whether it would have been better had
Wh ite taken on c5 on the 1 1 th or 1 21h
move. After all, he had the advantage
of the two bishops.
1 24
a
8 J. 8
a c d e g h
Nothing more log ical than that:
Chapter 2 1 - 5 . . . �b6 - Introduction 85

White goes for a qu ick development, unusual sidelines we return to the

but nobody at all has thought of this main position .
idea before. Three moves will be
examined more closely. 6.�b3 (01 25)

[9 . . . c4 1 0 .ic2 �xb2 1 1 .0-0 and now 12 5

1 1 . . .ia3 ! is the best continuation .
a b c d
Nevertheless, Wh ite will get the
advantage. The 1 1 th move alternatives 8 .E. 8
are clearly worse:

a) 1 1 . . .�xc3? 1 2 . tt:le5 ctJd? (12 . . . id6

1 3. tt:lxc6) 1 3.tt:lxc6 bxc6 1 4.�xc6+-;
b) 1 1 . . .ie7? 1 2 .!'1ab1 �xc3
1 3.!'1xb7+-;

Back to 1 1 . . . ia3: 1 2. !'1ab1 �xc3

1 3.!'1xb7 0-0 1 4 .ixh7+ tt:lxh?
(14 . . . <J:Jxh 7 1 5. ctJg5+ rJJg B 1 6. �xc6
E1ac8 1 7.�a 6 tt:le4 1 8. tt:lxe4 dxe4
1 9. !'1xa7 ib2 20.id6+-) 1 5.�xc6 ib4
1 6.tt:le5 !'1ac8 1 7.�a6 �a3 1 8 .�b5 d e g h
id6 1 9.tt:lxf7 ixf4 (19 . . . !'1xf7 20. !'1xf7
rJJxf7 2 1 .�d7+ ie7 22. �xc8) 20.exf4 This is the traditional main line. 6.tt:la3
ctJf6 2 1 .tt:lg5+-] or 6.�c2 are the recommended
moves, but I believe these two
[9 . . . �xb2?! 1 0 .0-0 c4 (10 . . . ie 7? choices do not include Wh ite 's best
1 1 . !'1ab 1 �xc3 1 2. !'1xb7 0-0 13.�xc6 option . After the queen's move , White
�xd3 1 4. !'1xe 7+-) 1 1 .!'1ab1 �xc3 does not have to fear 6 . . . �xb3, as the
1 2.!'1xb7 cxd3 1 3.!'1c7 �c4 1 4 .�xc4 half-open a-file would benefit him.
dxc4 1 5.!'1xc6 ctJd5 1 6.!'1xc4 tt:lxf4 Moreover, the doubled pawns would
1 7 .exf4 id6 1 8.tt:l e5;!;] not represent a weakness.

[9 . . . tt:lh5! 1 0.0-0 tt:lxf4 1 1 .exf4 and
now: 1 1 . . . c4 ( 1 1 . . .cxd4 1 2 .f5! ? ic5
(12. . . id6 1 3. fxe6 fxe6 14. ctJxd4 e5
1 5. ctJ f5 �cl 1 6. c4 d4 1 7.�b5+-)
1 3 .fxe6 fxe6 1 4 . b4 id6 1 5.tt:lxd4 0-0
1 6.tt:lxe6 !'1f6 1 7.tt:lg5 h6 1 8 .ctJf3 tt:le5
1 9.ie2;!;) 1 2 .ie2 id6 1 3 .f5 0-0 1 4 . b3
cxb3 1 5 .axb3;!;]
After this small excursion into perhaps
[6. tt:la3!? Leads to wild compications.
6 ... �xb2 7.tt:lb5 tt:le4 Whoever is
interested, can invest time in the
arising positions.
6.�c2 cxd4 (6 ... g6 7.ctJbd2 ig7 B.ie2
0-0 9. 0-0 ctJh5 1 0. ig5 h6 1 1. ih4
cxd4 1 2. tt:lxd4 ctJf6 1 3.�b3 �aS
1 4. ig3 = Wirthensohn-Pelletier,
Swiss Cht 1 999.; 6 . . . ig4 7. ctJbd2 e6
86
8.h3 i),f5 9. '1Wb3 h6 1 0. l/Je5 c4
1 1 . '\Wxb6 axb6 1 2. a3 l/Ja5 13.f3 h5
1 4. 'iflf2 ltJgB 1 5.g4 hxg4 1 6. fxg4 iJ,h 7
1 7.1J,g2 = Borbjerggard-Hector,
Stockholm 2002.) 7. exd4 i),f5! 8.'1Wb3
and Wh ite may be an ounce better,
but 6 . . . c4 would also not have been
bad.]
6 c4 (01 26)
...
1 26
There is noth i ng better available. The
disadvantage of 6 . . . c4 is that no more
pressure is being put on d4, but on
the other hand the '1Wb3 is forced to
make a decision.
[6 ... 1J,f5? 7 .dxc5 '\Wxb3 8.axb3 l/Jd?
(8. . . l/Jh5 9. liJd4+-) 9 .b4 e5 1 0.1J,g3 f6
1 1 . b5 l/Je7 1 2.b4+-]
Let us take a deep breath at this
moment and pause for a while. The
position on the board is extremely
important for the London System. G M
Chapter 2 1 - 5 . . . '\Wb6 - Introduction
Kovacevic and also GM Soltis suggest
retreating with the queen . I have a
different approach :
My recommendation is to exchange
on b6. But why?
The strategy behind 7.'\Wc2 i),f5 and
8.'\Wc1 is the consideration that the
long-term potential of the position
belongs to White. Since Black has got
his central pawns fixed with . . . c5-c4,
it is Wh ite who dreams about
achieving b3 or even e4 sooner or
later. Black, on the other hand, has
secured a space advantage on the
q ueenside as well as a lead in
development. The factors of the
position are considered to be
balanced , accordingly there is no
objective proof of an advantage for
White . An exchange on b6 is frowned
upon as Wh ite did not achieve
reason able results. But in my opin ion
this is not a reason to doubt the
q uality of th is move.
GM Kovacevic proclaimed that the
positions after 7.'1Wxb6 are often
complicated and that Wh ite nearly
always tries to cause some trouble on
the q ueenside with the help of his
minor pieces. U nfortu nately this would
often lead to the pieces becoming
endangered. I think many mistakes
concerning the evaluation of the
position simply happen - as often in
many new and unknown paths -
because the secrets of the positions
are not recog nised . I found a few of
these secrets, but there are certainly
many more to be found.
But first let us have a look at the
consequences of 7.'\Wc2:
Chapter 2 1 - 5 . . . Wb6 - Introduction 87

7.1Mfc2 �f5! (01 27) b5 (1 1 . . . �e 7 1 2. 0-0 0-0 13.E\e1 b5

1 4. b4 Wb6 1 5. g4 and now the players
127 agreed to a draw in Kharlov-Volzhin,
Linares 1 997.) 1 2.a3 Wb6 1 3 .0-0 l:l:c8
a b c d e f g h
1 4.l:l:e1 �e? 1 5.�d 1 0-0 1 6 .i.c2 How
is something like this supposed to
produce an advantage? 1 6 . . .Wb7
1 7.Wb 1 i.xc2 1 8 .'Wxc2 a5 1 9 .e4 b4 =
Drazic-Brancaleoni, Saint Vincent
2003.]

9.ctJbd2 (01 28)

This is the critical position of the line

with 6 .Wb3-c2-c1 . The losses of
tempo speak against White but Black
has fixed his pawns in the centre with
c5-c4 and White has the pawn breaks
b2-b3 as well as e3-e4 at his
disposal . I n the long run he will have
promising chances. Black, in contrast,
7 . . g6 is just a loss of time.
.
must look for dynamic possibilities.

8.'!Mfc1 e6 1 28

Looks good , but allows Wh ite to pose

the q uestion to the � on f5 with his
knig ht.

[8 . . . ctJ h5 ! ? 9.�g5 h6 1 0 .�h4 g5

1 1 .�g3 'Wa5 1 2.ctJbd2 ltJxg3 1 3 . hxg3
�g7 1 4 . e4 dxe4 1 5. ltJ xc4 We?
1 6. ctJfd2 0-0 1 7.Wb 1 ;!; Semeniuk­
Rublevsky, Russian Cht (Tomsk)
200 1 .]

[8 . . .1k8 9 . ctJ bd2 h6 1 0 .�e2 e6 1 1 .0-0

�e? 1 2 .b3! cxb3 1 3 .axb3 0-0 1 4.Wb2
a5 1 5. h 3 E\a8 1 6 J''\ a4 E\fc8 1 7. l:l:fa 1 ;!;
Meduna-Jirovsky, Czech Republic a b c d e g h
1 993.]
[8 . . . h6 Seems to be slow but is very [9. ctJ h4 brought nothing in Kamsky­
flexible. 9. h 3 e6 1 0.�e2 'Wa5 1 1 . ctJ bd2 Pinter, Paris 1 990. 9 . . .i.e4 1 0.ctJd2
88 Chapter 2 1 - 5 . . . Wb6 - Introduction

ie7 One will probably remember this 1 2. g4 i.g6 1 3. tt:Jxg6 hxg6 14.ig2 i.d6
idea from Wh ite's point of view?! 1 5. ixd6 Wxd6 1 6.b3"f Schlindwein­
1 1 .ie2 0-0 1 2 .l2'l h f3 ig6=] Har-Zvi, Rotterdam 1 998.) 1 1 .f3 ig6
1 2. e4 tiJ h5 1 3.ig3 ie7 (13 . . . tt:Jxg3
9 .. .'lWd8 1 4. hxg3 Wg5 1 5.l'g,h3 We3+ 1 6.i.e2
t"iJe7 1 7. tiJf1 Wxc 1 + 1 8.l'g,xc 1 =)
[9 .. . 1k8 1 0 .ie2 ie7 1 1 .0-0 0-0 1 4 . tiJxg6 hxg6 1 5.if2 f5 1 6 .Wc2 Wd7
1 2.:1:\e1 Wa5 1 3.a3 b5 1 4 .id 1 Wb6 1 7 . b3 cxb3 1 8.axb3 l'g,c8 1 9.Wb1 =
1 5.ic2 a5 1 6 .ig5= Petran-Gonda, Sch lindwein-Pinter, National League
Budapest 200 1 .] 97/8]

[9 . . .ie 7 1 0 .ie2 0-0 1 1 . 0-0 :1:\fc8 1 0 ... b5 1 1 .a4 a6 1 2.ie2 ie7 1 3.0-0
1 2.:1:\e1 Wd8 1 3.Ct:Je5 tiJxe5 1 4.ixe5 0-0 1 4.Wb2 Wd7 1 5JUd1 h6 1 6.t"iJe5
b5 1 5.if3 id3 1 6 .e4 b4 1 7 .ixf6 ixf6 tt.Jxe5 17 .dxe5 tl.Je4 1 8.bxc4 bxc4
1 8.exd5 exd5 1 9. tiJf1 = Kovacevic­ 1 9.tl.Jxe4 �xe4 20 .i.xc4= (01 29)
Dizdarevic, Mravinci 1 995.]
1 29
[9 . . .Wa5 1 O.ie2 b5 1 1 . b4 Wb6 1 2 . a4
bxa4 1 3 .:1:\xa4 ie7 1 4.0-0 0-0=
Plaskett-Pinter, Copenhagen 1 985.]

1 0 .b3

lt is not clear which of the possible

options to recommen d . We have
reached a position in which the
stronger player will have the better
prospects. Neither side can claim an
objective advantage.

[ 1 0 .ie2 h6 (10 . . . ie7 1 1 . 0-0 0-0

1 2. tt:Je5 tt:Jxe5 13.ixe5 b5 1 4. f3 i.g6
1 5.g4 tiJd7 1 6.i.g3 f6 1 7. f4 Wb6
1 B.if3= Blatny-Zso. Polgar, Brno
1 99 1 .) 1 1 .0-0 (1 1 . t"iJe5 :1:\cB 1 2. 0-0 b5
13.b4 a5 1 4.a3 i.d6 1 5. tt:Jxc6 :1:\xc6
1 6.ixd6 :1:\xd6 1 7.Wb2 0-0= Meduna­
Van Wely, Moskau 1 994.) 1 1 . . . ie7 With 7.'\Wc2 White achieves
1 2 .tiJ e5 tiJxe5 1 3 .ixe5 b5 1 4 .ixf6 absolutely playable positions, which
ixf6 1 5. f4 0-0 1 6 .if3 id3:j: Bagheri­ the better player will win in the end.
Yagupov, Moscow 2000.] But neither side can claim an
[1 0 . tiJ h4 !? ie4 (10. . . ig4 1 1 .h3 ih5 objective advantage.

C h a pter 22
5 'Wfb6 + 8 e5?
. . .
1 .d4 d 5 2.tLlf3 tLlf6 3.�f4 c 5 4.e3 tLlc6 all the variations. In many cases the
5.c3 �b6 6.�b3 c4 7.�xb6 axb6
8.tLla3! (01 30)
1 30
a b c d e h
8
7 8 .ct:la3 ! . Without this knight move
6
3
2 order t o understand the variations we
We are now reaching my favourite
position in the London System. There
are a surprising number of difficulties
as well as complex problems to be
solved , even though the q ueens were
exchanged and the pawn structu re is
determi ned to a large extend. The
half-open a-file looks very prom ising
for Black, but White does not have to
be worried about this.
As mentioned in the last chapter, th is
position is not aspired to as the resu lts
clearly speak against White. But the
main reason is probably that the
correct approach for White has not
been found yet. This applies to nearly
89
. . .
material on hand was just not enough
and h ad to be completed with self
analysis. With such at one's disposal,
the London System player now
obtains an extremely dangerous
weapon.
Now we move on to an explanation of
Black could just let b5-b4 etc. follow
and White could no longer hope for an
advantage. Therefore, coming to this
decision was not really difficult.
Besides preventing the opponent's
ideas , Wh ite might well th reaten to
play ct:la3-b5-c7 at some point. I n
will begin by looking at Black's worst
answer.
8 ... e5?
Despite being very tempting, pushing
th rough . . . e5 is just not as easy as
that. . .
9.lDb5 :!!a S
Otherwise the pawn on e5 would
vanish from the board without any
compensation .
1 0.tLlc7+
White had no option but we already
see the first big point of 7 .'1Wxb6 .
Regard less o f how Black contin ues, a
90 Chapter 22 -
5 . . . Wb6 + 8 . . . e5?

very strong piece sacrifice is going to 2S.<;t>c2 tt'la3+ 26.�b2 c4 Black

fol low in any case . . . controls every corner of the board.
27.f3 �e6 28.1"1ad1 �c5 29.g3 1"1b8+
1 0 @d8
... 30.<;t>a1 �f2 31 .1"\e2 fxg3 32 .hxg3
�xg3 33.1"\b2 tt'lb5 34.1"\c1 �f4
[ 1 0 . . . �d7 has similar con sequences: 35.1"\cc2 tLla3 36.1"\g2 1"\d8 37.1"\g 1 �e5
1 1 .tt'lxe5+ ( 1 1 .dxe5? followed in the 38.1"\c1 h5 39.1"\b6 1"\d2 40.f4 �xf4
only practical game. But it illustrates
an instructive mistake. 1 1 . . . tLlh 5 1 32
1 2. tLlxd5 1"\xdS 1 3.�xc4 1"\cS 1 4.�xf7
a b c d e 9 h
tLlxf4 1 5.exf4 ( 01 31 )

131
a b c d e h

8 8

2
c
9
White actually got four pawns for the
piece , but there is another important
feature in the position : The pawn
structure is no longer compact and
hence open to attack. I n the progress
of the game Black made use of this
and eventually went on to win :
1 5 . . . <;t>e? 1 6.�b3 �g4 1 7 .tt'ld2 g5!
1 8.tt'le4 gxf4! (01 32) Yet another
exchange sacrifice. 1 9. tt'lxc5 bxc5
20 .�d5 tt:Jxe5 2 1 .�xb7 tLld3+ 22.�d2
tLlxb2 Where have all the pawns
gone? 23.1"\he1 + <;t>f6 24.�e4 tt'l c4+
4 1 . 1"\f1 <;t>es 42.1"\xe6+ <;t>xe6 43. 1"\xf4
1"\h2 44.1"\f1 h4 45.1"\h1 1"\xh 1 + 46 .�xh 1
@d6 47.@b2 tt'lb5 48 .<;t>c2 @cs
49.<;t>d2 h3 50.a4 tLlc7 5 1 .a5 @bS
52.<;t>e3 <;t>xa5 53.�d4 @bS 54.�f3 h2
55.�h 1 tt'le6+ 56.�e5 �a4 5?.<;t>xe6
@b3 58. @f5 <;t>xc3 59.<;t>f4 �d2
60.@g3 c3 6 1 .�xh2 c2 62.�f3 c 1 W
63.<;t>g3 <;t>e3 64.�a8 Wg 1 + 65.�g2
Wf2+ 66.@g4 Wxg2+ 67.<;t>fs We4+0-1
Olszewski , M- Borovikov, V/Kazimierz
Oolny 200 1 ) 1 1 . . . tt:Jxe5 1 2.�xe5 tt'lg4
1 3.tt'lxd5 tt'lxe5 1 4.tLlxb6+ �c7
1 5.tt'lxc8 tt'ld3+ 1 6 .�xd3 cxd3 1 7.�d2
�xc8 1 8 .e4+- is also more than
favourable for White .]
Chapter 22 - 5 . . . Wb6 + 8 . . . e5? 91

1 1 .ltlxe5! {01 33) Wh ite can stand better i n this position .

This move was never played in the
few games covering 8 . . . e5. Therefore ,
it is no surprise that even in the
position after 1 0 . ltl c7 + <±>d8 Black
achieved satisfying resu lts!
He got three pawns for the piece and
h as an absolutely flexible pawn
structure. Wh ite must, of course, act
very carefu lly. But g radually the
pawns will advance, with a crushing
effect on Black's position .

1 33 1 34
a b c d e g h

si 8� 1.11 �-;; -� 8
7 - ' v·�..� �- " �8 £ £ 1 7
/;- ////;

'

6 1 -� 8 - - 6
/'
/. . ,

� ;;
�/,,_.,�

5�- 8 £ ��%8 1 5
4 1 8:�.t. D :i + � - 4
r�
:;:,,_ ///;'/

3- 8 13
;:A ""
:::-::: 0//Y,::
'Wf/�
� ""
"""""

'Wf
2 1 � 0 8 �"��� � 0 �" 2
1
g� 8 �01�
a �- " � 8
b
�al1
c d e g h

1 1 ... ltlxe5

[ 1 1 . . . �xc7 1 2 .ltlxf7+ �d7 1 3.tL:lxh8

ct?e8+-]

12 ..ixe5 ltl e4 1 3. ltlxd5! �xdS

14 ..ixc4 �d7 1 5 ..ib5 �e7 1 6.f3+­
(D1 34)

Conclusion: lt is very interesting to

see how PC programmes judge this
position , as they are not capable of
foreseeing the long-term
consequences. Humans, on the other
hand, will see at first glance that only
92
C h a pter 23

5 .'\&b6 + 8 J�xa3?
. . ..

1 .d4 d5 2.<lfjf3 �f6 3.il.f4 c5 4.e3 �c6 1 0.�e5! (01 36)

5.c3 Wfb6 6.'1Wb3 c4 7.'1Wxb6 axb6
8.�a3 :axa3? (01 35) Some solutions cannot be recognised
immed iately. Long analysis did not
1 35 bring any results until I finally found
the text move. The idea behind the
knight's move is anything but obvious.
Wh ite will voluntarily return some
material in order to free the important
b 1 -square for his rook.

1 36

This is a very creative exchange

sacrifice which luckily enough, is not
q u ite correct. Black plans to
completely constrict Wh ite with . . . �f5,
e6, and �xa3-b2. If he succeeds in
realising this plan, then the sacrifice
has to be con sidered to be absolutely
correct. [A small excerpt from my own
9.bxa3 .ifS! analysis: 1 O. ll:ld2 Moving back
passively in order to gain control over
Clearly the best continuation . e4. lt seems as th ough the move is
playable, but finding the correct
[9 . . . l/Je4? is really too optimistic: continuations is far from easy.
1 OJ'k1 ! e6 1 1 .a4 �a3 1 2.1"ic2+-] Anyway, the possibilities are certainly
worth looking at: 1 O . e6 1 1 .�g5 The
..
Chapter 23 - 5 . . . 1Wb6 + 8 . . .1:%xa3? 93

knight has to move. At the same time
events are forced . 1 1 . . .ibxa3
( 1 1 . . . b5 prevents a later li:Jxc4. Wh ite
can sti ll gain an advantage with
absolutely exact moves 1 2 .ibxf6! gxf6
1 3.e4! dxe4 1 4.g4! ( 01 37)
it. 1 4 . . . ibxb1 1 5.li:Jxb1 'Bxg7 1 6 .md2
b5 1 7 . mc2 iba 1 1 8.a3 md7 1 9.li:Jd2
Places his hopes on the extra piece.
Wh ite has to give away three pawns
now. 1 9 . . . 'Bg8 With the plan of getting
to aB. 20.ibe2 ibxc3

1 37 1 38

Two pawns are sacrificed in order to (20 . . . b4 2 1 .axb4 'Ba8 22.ibxc4 dxc4
break through the stranglehold. 23. li:Jxc4 All of a sudden White is a
14 ... ibxg4 A retreat to g 6 does not whole piece down but his
help. (14 . . . ibg6 1 5.ibg2 .ha3 1 6. 'Bb 1 compensation is obvious
e3 1 7. li:Je4 exf2+ 1 8. mxf2� b4 nonetheless.) 21 .mxc3 'Bxg2 22.ibh5
1 9. li:Jd6+ me7 20. li:Jxc4 ibxb 1 2 1 . 'Bxb 1 Striving for an endgame without
'Ba8 22. ibxc6 bxc6 23. cxb4 'Ba4 rooks. 22 . . . 'Bxf2 23.'Bf1 'Bxf1 24.li:Jxf1
24. 'Bb3 ibc1 25.a3+-) 1 5 .'Bb1 li:Ja7 me? 25.li:Jg3 ( 0 1 39)
The disturbing knight was pushed
back. 1 6 . a4! Softening up the c4- Black's three extra pawns are
square. 1 6 . . . b4 1 7.'Bg 1 1 7 . . .ii.f5 relatively immobile but nevertheless it
1 8. li:Jxc4 li:J c6 1 9. li:Je3 ibg6 20.md2 f5 will be d ifficult for White to win due to
2 1 .li:Jc2 ii.h6+ 22.mdH) the small amount of remaining
material.]
1 2.ibxf6 ibb2 1 3.ibxg7 'Bg8 1 4 . 'Bb 1 ! !
( 01 38) A beautiful motif: The bishop is
trapped and Black must try to rescue
94 Chapter 23 - 5 . . .'�Mb6 + 8 . . . :9:xa3?

1 39 capture on c3 . 1 1 . . . ti:Jxc3 1 2 .e4 This

lever is certainly annoying . . . 12 . . . dxe4
( 1 2 . . . �e6 1 3.:9:c1 ! ti:Jb5 (13 . . . ti:Jxa2?
1 4. :9:c2+-) 1 4.exd5 �xd5 1 5 .�xc4
�xc4 1 6 .:9:xc4 ti:Jbxd4+-) 1 3.�xc4
li:Jxe5 1 4.�xe5+-]

[ 1 0 . . . ti:Jxe5 1 1 .dxe5 li:Je4 1 2 .f3 li:Jxc3

1 3. e4 is much better for White]

1 1 .g4! (01 40)

1 40

Back to the main variation (01 36)

1 36
a b c

3 The crucial point.

1 1 ... �e4

The bishop should not g ive up the

control over b 1 .

[1 1 . . . �xg4? 1 2 . ti:Jxg4 li:Jxg4

1 0 ... e6
1 3.:9:b1 +- ]
[1 O . . li:Je4 1 1 .f3 Even aiding Black to
.
Chapter 23 - 5 . . . iM!b6 + 8 . . . Eixa3? 95

[1 1 . . . t1Jxg4 1 2. l2Jxg4 �xg4 1 3.Eib1 141

\tld7 1 4 .Eixb6 \tlc8+-; 1 1 . . . �c2
1 2.\tld2 �a4 1 3.f3 �xa3 1 4.Eib1 b5
1 5.l2Jxc6 bxc6 1 6.�g2+-]

1 2.f3

And that is the finish for him.

1 2 ... t1Jxe5 1 3.fxe4 .!Df3+ 1 4.Wf2 .!Dd2

1 5.exd5 exd5

[ 1 5 . . . t1Jxd5 1 6 .We1 l2Jxf1 1 7 .E\xf1 with

the advantage.]

1 6.'it>e1

Black really does look silly without the

light-squared bishop. And hardly any questions are left
unanswered .
1 6 ... .!Dde4 1 7 J3b1 .!Dxg4

[ 1 7 . . . l/Jd7 1 8 .�g2 l/Jxc3 1 9.Eic1 +-] Conclusion : Despite its great idea,
the 8 .. J3xa3? exchange sacrifice is
1 8J3xb6 .!Dxc3 1 9J3xb7+- (0141 ) just not good enough .
96
C h apter 24

5 �b6 + 8 .ig4
. . . . . .

1 .d4 d5 V!ljf3 ltlf6 3 ..if4 c5 4.e3 ltlc6 The bishop on g6 is not playing at all
5.c3 '!Wb6 6.'1Wb3 c4 7.'1Wxb6 axb6 and it will take some time for the rook
8.ltla3 �g4 on h8 to enter the game as wel l .
(18. . . �aB) 1 9 . .id3�]
Has hardly ever been played , but is
doubtless much better than the moves 142
examined previously.

The alternative is 9.lub5, but White

has something else in mind.

9 . . .:Sa5 1 0.e4 e6 (0142)

1 1 .ltlaxc4 ! !

Welcome to the fantastic world of the

London System! In the fol lowing we
will experience d ifferent variations of
this piece sacrifice time and again.
Wh ite gets 2-3 pawns for the piece as
well as long lasting compensation .

1 1 ...dxc4 1 2.f3 �h5 1 3.ltlxc4 :Sa7 1 4.tt:lxb6+-

[ 1 3 . . . �a6 Preferring to give away only
two pawns after recognising that
Wh ite has no strong discovered
attacks with his knight. 1 4.g4 .ig6
1 5. h4 h5 1 6.g5 tt:ld7 1 7 . tt:ld6+ .ixd6
1 8 ..ixd6 �aS Despite only having two
pawns for the piece, White obtains
more than enough compensation.
Conclusio n: The piece sacrifice was
not the forced contin uation after
8 ... J.g4, but the main aspect of this
chapter is the demonstration of this
very common idea.
 97
C h a pter 2 5

5 � b 6 + �aS ! ?
. . .

1 .d4 d 5 V�jf3 lt:lf6 3 ..if4 c5 4.e3 lt:lc6 b6. Black has to make a difficu lt
5.c3 'Wb6 6.'Wb3 c4 7.'Wxb6 axb6 choice. Should he defend b6 or
8.lt:la3 E:a5!? (01 43) continue with his development? lt
becomes clear that only two moves
1 43 come into consideration .
a b c d e h
[9 . . . e5?! Trying to make use of the
8 8 knight on a3. 1 0 . �c2 e4 1 1 .�d2 Ela6
(0 1 44)
7
1 44

5
4
3

A clear declaration of war, as � b5 will

no longer be allowed . I n addition,
Black may renew his th reat of b6-b5.
The move 8 ... Ei:a5 is qu ite popular and
therefore very important for the
evaluation of the London System.
9 . .ic7
Very log ical. Wh ite focusses on the b­
pawn , which is pinned. But one has to
be aware of the fol lowing trick: The
bishop can possibly get trapped on
the q ueenside! Therefore Wh ite is not
really keen on capturing the pawn on
Looks good for Black, but with the
following plan Wh ite gets the
advantage . 1 2 .a4 ! The idea is b4-b5.
The pawn chain e4-d5-c4 is very
vulnerable. Sooner or later i t will be
disrupted. 1 2 . . . b5? 1 3.axb5 Ei:xa 1 +
1 4 . �xa1 �a? 1 5.b3 �xb5 1 6 . .ia5 b6
1 7 . .ixb6 �xc3 1 8 . .ia5 �a2 1 9. bxc4
.ia6 20.c5 .ixf1 2 1 .Ei:xf1 +- �c1 22.f3
98 Chapter 25 - 5 . . . '1Wb6 + 8 . . . 1"i:a5! ?

lie? 23.�d 1 tt:ld3 24.�e2 0-0 25 .fxe4
dxe4 26. tt:lxe4 tt:lxe4 27.�xd3 f5
28.g4 g6 29.gxf5 gxf5 30.tt:lb3 lih4
3 1 . tLl d2 tLlf2+ 32 .�e2 tt:l h 3 33.c6 f4
34.tt:lf3 1 -0 Kovacevic-Kristensen ,
Thessa-loniki 1 988/]
[9 . . . 1"i:a6?! invites us to the already
well known piece sacrifice. 1 0. tt:lxc4 !
dxc4 1 1 .1ixc4 1"i:a8 1 2.1ixb6 etc.]
[ 9 .. . e 6!? Very solid. Anyhow, there are
a few pitfalls White has to be aware
of. The lieS is not worth much more
than a pawn, but Black plans to make
use of it l ater on. 1 O. tt:lc2 ( 01 46)
1 46
a b c d e

[9 . . . tt:ld7?! defends c7 but forgets 7

about the square e4 - a fact which is

exploited immed iately. 1 O.e4! e6 it is
not worth capturing the pawn as it 5
cannot be retained anyway and c4
would become too weak. 1 1 . tLlc2 1"i:a6 4
1 2.exd5 exd5 1 3.tLle3;!; (0 1 45)

1 45
d e h
8 c d

6 ( 1 0 .Iixb6? The first trap: 1 0 . . . 1"i:xa3!

1 1 . bxa3 lixa3:j: and now it is only
5 White who faces difficulties.)

4 Before having a closer look at the

variations, it is worthwh ile pausing for
3
a moment in order to understand the
2 situation on the board . The main
elements of such a closed position
are branded strategically - not
a e g tactically. The main plan for White is
found quickly. He would like to
After the excursion via a3 and c2 the accomplish e3-e4, but to do so he
kn ight has reached a very strong must first gain control over the e4-
square, from which it can constantly square , for instance with tt:ld2.
put pressu re on d5. Wh ite's How can B lack counter e3-e4? If he
advantage is not very big, but it is takes on e4, then lines will be opened
permanent.]
Chapter 25 - 5 . . . '\Wb6 + 8 . . .1'%xa5!?
and c4 has to be protected with b6- aforementioned plan .
b5. In this case there would be
another plan available for White in the
endgame: Creatin g a passed pawn
with f4-f5! If B lack does not take on
e4, then he will have to deal with a
permanent weakness on d5.
This will of cou rse not become acute
for some time, but Wh ite can slowly
work towards it.
Which plans are available for Black?
On the queenside, . . . l"lb5 can never
be taken into consideration because
of b2-b4. The pressure on a2 will
cease soon because of a2-a3. The
bishop on c7 must d isappear to allow
the rook to become flexible, but this
takes time. Even if this is achieved,
how to continue? There is no q uick
route from a8 to e8 at the moment, as
the ic8 has to be developed
beforehan d . No matter how the game
goes on , Black wil l continue to have
two bad pieces for a long time. As he
can hardly conduct an attack on the
queenside, Black will have to organize
some play in the centre. This would
once again be in the spirit of White,
who is well prepared for this.
All in all Wh ite just has the better
chances.
1 0 .. .<�d7 lt is logical for Black to drive
the bishop out of his camp, but by
doing so the knot on the q ueenside
will be pulled even tighter.
[ 1 0 . . .ie7 1 1 .tiJd2! ( D 1 47) I nitiates the
99
1 47
b
8
7
6
5
4
3 3
2 2
a c d e g
1 1 . . . l"la6! U n pins the rook, thus
making b6-b5 possible .
(1 1 . . . 0-0?! 1 2 . b3! Even in this kind of
position tactical motifs can be seen .
Wh ite makes use o f the p i n along the
d iagonal c7-a5. (12. a3 would also be
possible.) 1 2 . . . tiJe8? Black would like
to get rid of the annoying bishop, but
overlooks a minor detail. (12 . . . cxb3
1 3. axb3� Wh ite has the better
position , but this is the way Black
should play.) 1 3.!xb6 l"lb5 1 4.ic5
!xc5 1 5.dxc5 and all of a sudden
Black stands in a heap of ru bble, as
the pawn on c5 is protected tactically.
1 5 . . . l"la5 (15. . . l"\xc5? Apparently
winning back the pawn, but. . . 1 6.b4
l"\b5 1 7. a4 l"\b6 1 8. a5 l"la6 1 9.b5 l"\xa5
20. bxc6 l"lxa 1 + 2 1 . tiJxa 1 bxc6+- just
loses a piece.) 1 6 .tiJd4 l"lxc5 1 7.bxc4
dxc4 1 8.tiJxc4+-)
100 Chapter 25 - 5 . . . 'l!Mb6 + 8 . . . l"\xa5!?

1 2.a3 is played under the motto 9 .if5! (0149)

...

"Extend Control". White uses his time

before the real fight starts. The line
will continue as mentioned . 1 49

(12. l?Jxc4? unfortunately does not

a b c d e h

work because after 12 . . . dxc4 13 . .ixc4 8

2"\aB 14 . .ixb6 White must soon play
.ic5, after wh ich the pawn structure
receives a h ard blow. There is really
7
not enough compensation for the
6
piece at hand.) ] 5
1 1 . .ig3 b5 (01 48)

1 48
b d
��� 8
a c e g h

£ 17
1 2. a3 hereby fin ally eliminatin g . . . b4,
because the l?Jc2 protects the 2"\ on
a1 . 1 2 . . . l?Je4 1 3 ..if4 !?;!; The
alternative 1 3 .l?Jd2 is good as well -
which one to play is simply a matter of
taste.
Back to the main variation
An active developing move can hardly
ever be bad . With the text move Black
takes control of the c2-square. All of
a sudden, . . . e6 would become a
serious threat to the knight on a3 .
Therefore it looks as thoug h Wh ite
has to capture on b6.
Let us have a short look
at . . . 1 O ..ixb6? ! l"\a6 1 1 ..ic7 �d7
1 2. l?J b5 e6 (01 50) Wh ite will have to
defend his Knight with a2-a4 after
wh ich Black will double his rooks on
the a-file (actually an advantage of
8 . . . l"\a5) . The a4-pawn can then only
be defended with .ie2-d 1 and Black
will stil l have enough compensation
for the sacrificed pawn . I can only
warn against such a passive
treatment of the position and again
recommend i nstead a move out of my
fund.
( 'hapter 25 - 5 . . .'\Mfb6 + 8 . . J::\xa5!? 101

1 50 151
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f

si - - -�
�/7//?//; Ms 8 8
7- , ��� · - i - i l 7 7
6 1 .! _1.1\_ i _ -6 6
s - tt:J - i - 1. - I 5 s

41 - .�.�:� - -4 4
3 - ��r��':; �:�tt:J- 1 3 3
-;,;; ,/�/,

2 1 8 �:� - 0 8 0 2
1
�� - =�- �gl1 ' �
a b c d e f g h
1 0 ... ci>d7
1 0.lDd2 ! ?
Very creative - and that is the way the
A
The idea is simple. sacrifice on c4 is variations will go on . . .
being prepared.
[1 0 ... e5 Threatens to weaken the 1 1 .hb6 1 1 J:!a6 1 2 ..ic5 (01 52)
white pawn structure. 1 1 .dxe5 �xa3
1 2. bxa3 ltJg4 1 3 .e4! (0 1 5 1 ) 1 52

This move forces the following line.

1 3 ... �xe4 1 4.f3 tt'le3 1 5.fxe4 ltJc2+
1 6.�d 1 ttJxa 1 1 7 .exd5 2::\xd5
1 8.�xc4+-]

[ 1 0 . . . e6 I g noring White 's idea

completely . 1 1 . ltJ axc4 dxc4 1 2. ltJxc4
:c\a6 ( 1 2 . . . 2::\ a ? 1 3.�xb6 2::\ a 8 1 4 .f3 etc.;
12 ... 2::\d 5 1 3 .f3 2::\ d ? 1 4 .�xb6;!;) 1 3 . ltJxb6
ga5 with the same motif.]
102 Chapter 25 - 5 . . . '\Wb6 + 8 . . . l::l xa5!?

1 2 ... b6! For the two pieces Wh ite got a rook

Prepared to try something .
( 1 2 . . . e5 is the boring continuation .
1 3 .ixf8 l::lxf8 1 4 .dxe5 ct:Jxe5 1 5.ctJf3
ct:Jxf3+ (15. . . ctJd3+? 1 6.ixd3 ixd3
1 7. ctJe5++-) 1 6.gxf3;!; with a positional
advantage.)
1 3 .tL!axc4 bxc5
and two pawns, which are connected
passed pawns. Therefore, they can
q uickly become extremely dangerous.
Conclusio n: The idea of 1 0.tLld2 !? is
very sound and realizes the knight
sacrifice in a direct way. The
advantage is that White follows a
simple recipe which is easy to
remember.

(13. . . dxc4 14.ixc4 l::\a B 1 5.ixb6 l::\b B

1 6.ic5 l::\xb2 1 7.ib3 ctJe4 1 B. ltJxe4
ixe4 19.ia3 l::\b 1 + 20. l::\xb 1 ixb 1
2 1 . �e2 ig6;!;;)

1 4.tLle5+ tL!xe5 1 5.ha6 cxd4

1 6.cxd4;!; (01 53)

1 53
 103
C h apter 26

5 �b6 + 8
. . . . . . ltl a 7 !
1 .d4 d5 2.lLlf3 ltJf6 3 ..if4 c5 4.e3 lLlc6 9.b3! (01 57)
5.c3 �b6 6.�b3 c4 7 .�xb6 axb6
8.lLla3 ltJa7! (01 54) This is the only way to fight for an
edg e . T h e big drawback o f 9.b3 or
1 54 9 . b4 lies in weakening the £>,c3 . A
defin ite analysis is nearly impossible
a b c d e h as there are several options to
8 choose from in each position .
Therefore I tried to work out certain
ideas and plans in the following
variations. A lot of practical tests with
6 8 . . . l2Ja7 would certainly be desirable.

[9. b4? At first glance this seems to be

the solution to all problems . 9 . . ..id?!
3 (D1 55)
1 55

What is happening here?! Some

people will certainly ask this q uestion .
No normal person will earnestly 5
consider this move in a game, but it
does contain some poison. The b5- 4
square will be control led again and 3
b6-b5 is being prepared . But this is
not the whole plan, because the idea
of tLla7-c8-b6-a4 also comes to
mind. In addition , the threat of . . . e5 1
seems to become acute again. Wh ite ���=----:==--:-==-:-'
is well advised to take great care.
Quick action is necessary. Thus, the
idea of pushing the b-pawn strikes This is the refutation of 9.b4 .
one's mind . . . . Should it go to b3 or to However, the probabil ity o f meeting
b4? this line in a practical game is very low
104
as B lack has to find the two difficult
moves 8 . . . tt:Ja7 and 9 . . . �d7. After the
text move the square c8 becomes
available for the tt:Ja7 and the bishop
takes over the task of protecting the
b5-square. Consequently, Black will
accompl ish the manoeuvre tt:J c8-d6-
b5, or Wh ite will have to g ive up his
bishop pair on d6. Both would be very
good for Black.
[9 . . . tt:Je4?! %-% Pavlovic, D.­
Kosic,D. /Jahorina 2000/EXT 2001
(9). This game ended in a draw,
although Wh ite could have g ot a clear
edge with 1 0 .�xc4! dxc4 1 1 .tt:Jxc4+-.]
[9 . . . �f5 1 O. tt:Jd2 e6 1 1 .�e2 As soon as
the knight moves away from a?, the
a3-knight goes to b5! The further plan
consist of 0-0, f3 , e4 - with a
pleasant position for White .]
1 0 .tt:Jd2 tt:Jc8! ( 01 56)
1 56
Chapter 26 - 5 . . . Wb6 + 8 . . .l2la7!
with the idea of tt:Jd6-b5, with a lot of
pressure on c3. 1 1 .ctJab1 ctJd6
1 2.�xd6 exd6� The doubled pawns
look horrible, but in reality they are
very strong. Wh ite does not manage
to accomplish a2-a4, thus keeping a
backward a-pawn . I cannot see a way
to prevent the simple plan of . . . �e7,
0-0, �a?, �fa8]
Let us go back to the main
variation
1 57
9 e5!?
...
Very concrete and therefore the main
line.
Chapter 26 - 5 . . . 1Wb6 + 8 . . . ti:la7!
[9 . . . b5 The London System fan can not
fail to l ike this, because b5 is no
longer accessible for the black pieces.
1 O.ti:ld2 prevents . . . ti:le4 - before the
decision of what will happen on c4 is
made.]
[9 ... cxb3 1 0 .axb3 is in White 's spirit.]
[9 . . . e6 is not q u ite as ambitious as
9 . . . e5, but not to be u nderestimated .
1 0. Ci:lc2 ti:l b5 1 1 .bxc4 ti:lxc3 (0 1 58)
1 58
1 2.j,d3 White really wants to
complete his development, even
sacrificing a pawn to do so. 1 2 ... dxc4
(12. . . '8xa2 1 3. '8xa2 ti:lxa2 14. 0-0 with
good compensation .) 1 3.j,xc4 The
position remains very exciting for
both sides.]
1 O .dxe5 j,xa3 1 1 .exf6 j,b2 1 2.'8d1 !
(01 59)
105
1 59
a b c d e g h
Defends the knight on d2 and allows
Wh ite to fin ish his development
without bei ng d isturbed .
1 2 ... j,xc3+ 1 3)t:ld2 cxb3 1 4.fxg7
�g8 1 5.axb3 ttJc6 1 6 . .id3
After 0-0 Wh ite should have the edge
due to his better pawn structure, but
Black's active pieces compensate for
some of his own disadvantages.
Hence, an exciting struggle is
g uaranteed.
Conclusion : My recommendation for
B lack is clearly 8 .. ttJa7! After this
.
both sides have difficult decisions to
make but with the ideas I have
described I hope to have shown you
the proper direction.
106
C h a pter 27

5 . . . Wfb6 + 8 . . . e6
1 .d4 d5 V!fjf3 tL!f6 3.i.f4 c5 4.e3 tlJc6 Therefore, White tries to secu re the
5.c3 '1Wb6 6.'1Wb3 c4 7.'1Wxb6 axb6 pair of bishops and keeps the game in
8.tlJa3 e6 9.tlJc2 ! (01 60) calm and quiet waters. 1 0 . . . i.xd6
1 1 .i.xd6 tt:le4! Forces the bishop to
1 60 q u it from the diagonal a3-f8.
Additionally, after b5-b4, c3 will be
a b c d e t g h unprotected. 1 2.i.c7 h inders b5
(12.i.f4 �b5) 1 2 . . . �b5!:j: creating
counterplay ]
9 ... tlJe4!?

[9 . . . b5 1 0.a3 tt:le4 1 1 . tt:ld2 tt:lxd2

1 2. 1!ixd2 resembles the main line.]

[9 . . . tt:lh5! Again important 1 0.i.e5! b5

1 1 .a3 tt:lf6! (1 1 . . . tt:lxe5 1 2. dxe5 g6
1 3. i.e2t,) 1 2 .i.f4 tt:lh5 1 3.i.c7
(13.i.e5=) 1 3 . . . 1!/d? 1 4 .i.b6 �a6
1 5.i.c5 i.xc5 1 6.dxc5 Can Wh ite keep
his extra pawn on c5? 1 6 . . . tt:lf6 ( 01 61 )
161
a b c d e t g h
Making an excursion with 9.tt:lb5 �a5
is very temptin g, but actually Wh ite
would achieve nothing u seful through
this. After all, Black has locked in his
i.c8 with 8 . . . e6 and this tu rn s c2 into a
very safe square for the knight. The
a-file is sealed after a3 - White can
carefully plan the development of his
pieces.

[9.tt:l b5?! �a5 (9. . . �d7? 1 0. tt:lg5 + -)

1 0. tt:ld6+! ? Alternatives l ike 1 0 . tt:lc7+
do not bring anything, because White
must play a4 sooner or later, after
which the black b5-pawn-break
would cause some big problems.
Chapter 27 - 5 . . . �b6 + 8 . . . e6 107

1 7. lt'l b4l 1"la5 1 8. lt'lxc6 bxc6 1 9. lt'l e5+ 1 5 . . . b4 1 6.ltlxb4 .ta4 1 7.ci>e2� (01 63)
rJJ c 7 Otherwise c6 falls. 20.f3 l ?
Securing c5 permanently. (20.lt'lxf7 i s
more cou rageous. 20 . . . 1"lf8 2 1 . lt'le5 1 63
CiJe4 22 . .ie2! offering f2 . 22 . . . lt'lxc5
(22. . . 1"lxf2 ?! 23. .if3 1"lxb2 24 . .ixe4
dxe4 25. 0-0t.) 23.0-0 stil l being very
excitin g . Both sides have
chances.) 20 . . . 1"lf8 (20. . . CLld7 2 1 . CLlxf7
ElfB 22. lt'lg5t.) 2 1 . .ie2 cu d ? 22.lt'lxd7
.bd7 The endgame should be equal.]

Back to the main variation

1 0.ltld2 ltlxd2 1 1 .ci>xd2 bS 1 2.a3

lLlaS 1 3J=!e1 ltl b3+ 1 4.ci>d 1 .id7 !
(01 62)

1 62

Conclusio n : The endgame coming

up after 8 ... e6 is very exciting indeed .
Black can probably equalise
(9 . . . lt'l h5). Nevertheless, the resulting
positions offer enough possibilities for
aggressive continuations.

Strives for . . . b4 followed by .ia4!

1 5.g4!

[ 1 5 ..ie2? b4 ! 1 6 .e4 .ia4-+]

108
C h a pter 28

Sym m etry with 4 ... dxc4

1 .d4 d5 2.tlJf3 tiJf6 3 ..if4 .ifS 4.c4! straight away but gets rid of his bad
(01 64) bishop. However, after 6.ixd3 cxd3
7 .Wfxd3;!; Wh ite stands better because
1 64 of his lead in development.]
a b c d e
[5 . . . e6 6.ixc4 tL'lbd7 (6 ... 1lxb 1 7."11xb 1
8 ib4+ 8. mft;!; Losing the right to castle
is not really tragic.) 7.0-0 ie7 8.h3 0-0
7 9.tL'lc3 c6 1 O.tL'lh4 ig6 1 1 .tL'lxg6 hxg6;!;
�-� Pakleza,Z
6
Czakon,J/Castelldefels 2006 (34)]
5
[5 . . .ixb1 trying to keep the extra
4 4 pawn. 6.Wixb1 b5 (6. . . e6 7.1lxc4;
6 ... Wfd5 7.Wfc2 b5 B.b3;!;) 7.b3 and
3 Black must take care not to be
2 overrun . ]

[ 5 . .. CLJd 5!? ( 0 1 65)

1 65
4.c4! The answer to the question of
a b c d e f g h
why 4.c4! is correct in this position is
explained in chapter 33 "Reasons for
4.c4!".

4 ... dxc4

Accepting the pawn sacrifice results in

positions similar to those in the
Queen's Gambit Accepted .

5.e3 b5

Only with this move can 4.c4 be

challenged .

[5 . . . id3 Black gives the pawn back

{ 'hapter 28 - Symmetry with 4 . . . dxc4 109

The idea l ies in . . . tt'l b4-d3. 6.�g3 � b4 [8 . . . b4? 9. �b5+-]

7.�a3 ti:ld3+ This also does not
suffice for eq uality. 8.�xd3 �xd3
(8. . . cxd3 9.Wfb31;) 9. �e5 e6 1 0 . � xd3
( 1 0.Wf3!? �b4+ 1 U�:rd 1 0-0 1 2 .�xd3
.0.xa3 (12. . . cxd3? 13.Wfxb7+-)
1 3 .Wxb7 �d7 1 4 . bxa3 cxd3 1 5.Wxc7
White h as the edge but he is probably
not enjoying the fact that his king is
stuck in the middle.) 1 0 . . . cxd3
(10 . . �a3 1 1.Wfa4+ ti:lc6 1 2.Wfxc41;)
. crushed on the queenside. 1 O. bxc4
1 1 .0-01;]
6.a4 c6 7 .axb5 cxb5 8.cll:l c 3 'Wb6
(01 66)
9 .ll:le5!
My original idea 9.b3 does not work,
which is why I nearly had to forget
about this line. The main point of
9.�e5 is to prevent 9 . . . e6 .
[9.b3? e6! After this White will be
�b4 1 1 .Wb3 bxc4 1 2 .Wxc4 �d5-+
Here White can only offer a draw and
hope h is silent prayers for acceptance
will be heard . . . ]

1 66 9 ... ttl bd7

a b c d e f g h [9 . . . e6?? 1 0.Wf3 ti:ld5 1 1 .�xd5 exd5
1 2 .Wxd5+- winning material.]

[9 . . . �c6 1 O.Wf3 l"\c8 1 1 .�g5! ( 01 67)

1 67

a c d e g h

Wh ite will be clearly better if he

manages to get his pawn back.
Therefore Black must secure the
material with the help of h is q ueen.
How will White conti n ue? Normal
developing moves such as 9.�e2 are
not convincing at all.
 110
With a n attack on the i.f5, ... e 6 will be
provoked - an important detail in the
variation 1 1 . . .e6 1 2.ctJxc6 l"\xc6
1 3 .i.xf6 gxf6 1 4 .l"\xa7;!; , as after
1 4 . . . 'Wxa7 1 5 .'Wc6+ Black can no
longer play i.d7.]
1 0.g4! (01 68)
1 68
The position is highly dynamic.
Therefore normal moves will not be
any good for Wh ite. 9 . . . ctJbd7 took
away im portant retreat squares of the
i.fS. This circumstance will be
exploited immediately.
1 0 ... .\LlxeS
[1 O . . . i.e6 1 1 . ctJxd7 i.xd7 blocks d7.
(1 1 ... ctJxd7? 1 2.'Wf3 l"\dB 1 3.d5 and
the bishop is trapped in the middle of
the board.) 1 2 .g5;!;]
1 1 .gxf5 c\Llc6 1 2 .i.g2 (01 69)
Chapter 28 - Symmetry with 4 . . . dxc4
Wh ite has a very active position for
the pawn and the further development
of the kingside will cause Black a few
headaches. White will break open the
q ueenside with b2-b3 after having
castled on the other flank. After that,
he will set all the dogs loose on his
opponent.
1 69
a b c d e h
Conclusion: Accepting the pawn
sacrifice with 4 . . . dxc4 leads to very
exciting positions in wh ich White
always gets more than enough
compensation. Anyone not aware of
this will stumble very quickly.
 111
C h a pter 2 9

Sym m etry with 4 e6?! . . .

1 .d4 d5 2. ltlf3 ltlf6 3 ..if4 .ifS 4.c4 squares on the queenside will remain
e6?! (01 70) � feature of the position for a long
time and can quickly become very
1 70 problematical for Black. On 5 . . . Wc8, a
prompt l::\ c 1 would be annoying.

Ignores his queenside, a carelessness

which is pun ished immediately.

6.ltlc3 .id6!? 7 ..txd6 Wfxd6 8.:B:c1

After this Black will be an noyed that After this Wh ite continues to develop
normally and can be happy about a
he d id not play . . . c6 straight away,
because now he will have to weaken slight but permanent advantage. He
h is q ueenside permanently. should play carefully and always think
twice about such attempts as c5 (8.
5 ... b6 (0 1 7 1 ) c5? Dd8=). Normal developing moves
s uch as 9.e3, .te2 and 0-0 look very
One might get the wrong i mpression logical.
that the light-squared weaknesses
cannot be exploited immed iately. This
might be true, but having weakened
1 12
C h a pter 30

Sym m etry with 4 c6 . . .

1 .d4 d5 2.ttlf3 ttlf6 3.�f4 �f5 4.c4 c6 he game Bagheri- Bezgodov ' Cap d
�Agde
{01 72) 2002.]
1 73

4 ... c6 has no independent relevance , 6.b� should also be playable' but is

thus not a lot has to be said about it. not tn the spirit of our opening.
5.e3 '!Wb6 6 ... dxc4

[5 ... e6 6.ttlc3 leads to the next ?th � rwise a transposition of moves is

chapter] mevlt ble, leading to one of the
� chapters.
followmg
[S ....ixb1 ?! 6.'1Wxb1 e5 Th e "d ea of
1
5 ......."" .xb1 . 7.�xe5 .ib4+ 8 lt>d1 do�� 7 .hc4 e6 8.tiJbd2 tiJ bd7 9 .0-0 aS
not look good, but after B ... 0-0 9 1 O . tlJ h4 a4 1 1 .'1Wxb6 tlJxb6 1 2.tlJxf5
1"i:e8 1 O ..id3 �bd7 1 1 .�xd77 'IW�d7 exf5 1 3.� d3 .ib4 1 4. E:!a d1 g6 1 5. tlJc 4
12 ..if5 '!Wd8 1 3 . .ig5 (01 3) it tiJbd5 1 6 ..ie5
becomes clear that the white monarch Wl"th a small edge . for League
Wh"te 1
feels very happy on d 1 Th e extra (Nikola _0 stl , National
1988/8 �)
·

pawn promised a clear advantage in

.
 1 13
C h a pter 3 1

M a i n positio n with 6 lb bd7 . .

1 .d4 d 5 2.<\ljf3 lDf6 3 ..tf4 .ifS 4.e3 e6 [9 . . . .ie7 1 0.h3 (1 0. b4 ? lDh5=) 1 0 . . . 0-0
5.c4 c6 6.lDc3 lDbd7 7.'1M/'b3 'IMJ'b6 1 1 . b4 a6 1 2.lDd2 2"\fe8 1 3 .ll:Jb3 .id8
(01 74) 1 4 . b5 e5 1 5.dxe5 ll:Jxe5 1 6 .bxc6?;!; ·

Wirthensohn-Saesseli, Swiss Cham­

pionship 2002. (1 6. i.xe5!+-)]

1 75
c d e

This position can also be the result of

6 . . . 1Wb6 7 .'Wb3 liJbd7.
8.c5! 'IMJ'xb3 9.axb3;!; (01 75)
Black should avoid this pawn
formation as White will put dangerous
pressure on the queenside with the
help of the half-open a-file. There is
no adequate cou nterplay in sight for
Black.
9 ... a6
[9 . . . b5? 1 0.2"\a6 ll:J b8 1 1 . .ixb8 2"\xb8
1 2. b4+-]
[9 . . . lDh5!? must be taken very
seriously. 1 O . .ic7! ( 01 76)
Other attempts produced nothing
since Black pushes his pawn to e5
and creates counterplay against d4.
The knight's move to h5 does not only
h ave advantages as the piece set-up
on the kingside has become prone for
a pawn fork (g4) .
1 14 Chapter 3 1 - Main position with 6 . . tt:lbd7

1 76 bait, here to provoke f6.

1 1 . . . a6! Alternatives are clearly worse.

[1 1 .. .f6? 1 2.�d6! (01 78)

1 78

The rook is to be lured to c8 with the

bishop move. 10 . . J''i c8 1 1 .�e5! (0 1 77)
1 77

The bishop still does not go to g3, but

keeps up the pressure. After the
exchange on d6 Black will either lose
the pawn on a? or even a piece.
1 2 . . .�xd6 1 3 .cxd6 Now a? is
unprotected 1 3 . . . a6 1 4 . h3 lt is already
very difficult for Black after this move.]

[1 1 . . . tt:l xe5? 1 2.tt:lxe5 That is the point

of 1 O .�c7: a? and g2-g4 are
threatened at the same time. 1 2 . . . f6
( 1 2 . . . a6 1 3 .�e2 ! (1 3.g4?! f6 14. gxf5
fxe5 1 5.�e2 tt:lf6 1 6. fxe6 exd4
1 7. exd4 'ifle 7!=) 1 3 . . . tt:lf6 (13 . . . f6
1 4. hh5+ g6 1 5. tt:lxc6 gxh5
The piece sacrifice allowed with 1 6. tt:la5+-) 1 4 .g4 �g6 (14 . . . �c2
1 1J'i xa7 wou ld just not be enough. 1 5. cZ1d2 hb3 1 6. 'l:l,a3 �c4 1 7.hc4
The former �f4 is repeated ly used as
Chapter 3 1 - Main position with 6 . . lil bd7 1 15

dxc4 1 8.g5 ltJd5 1 9. lilxc4t.) 1 5. h4 1 0.b4 �ea

lild ? 1 6 . lilxd7 mxd? 1 7 . h 5 �c2
1 8.lil a4 me? 1 9. lilb6 Ei:d8 20.�d2 [1 0 . . . 0-0-0?? 1 U 'lxa6 bxa6 1 2 .�xa6#
�xb3 2 1 .�c3 �c4 22 .�xc4 dxc4 can be played in a blitz game from
A
23.lilxc4+- n ice example of a really time to time.]
strong kin g . ) 1 3. lilf3 a6 already losing 1 1 .h3
a piece. 1 4 .h3 e5 1 5 .g4+-]
Indeed , Black did prevent b5, but i n
1 2.h3 lilhf6 (12. . . �c2?! 13.�h2! return b? has become weak now.
�xb3? 14.�d3 With the threat of Sd2 White should organise a retreat
14 . . . �c4 1 5. hc4 dxc4 1 6. lil d2+- square for his bishop before starting
Fortunately White managed to get rid concrete actions on the queenside.
of his doubled pawns.) 1 3.�h2t.
(01 79) 1 1 . .�e7 (01 80)
.

1 79 1 80
a b c d e

I n contrast to the main variation , the 1 2.<llj d 2!

bishop stands on h2 instead of h4, but
at the same time the b-pawn is sti ll on The simple threat of lild2-b3-a5
b3. Despite the small time loss, White already brings Black into d ifficulties.
can play the position precisely l ike
similar positions - for instan ce try to 1 2 ... 0-0
play b4 followed by lild2-b3-a5. Let
us go back to the main variation . [1 2 . . . �d8 Planning to get the ltJ as
soon as it reaches a5. 1 3 .�d6!
1 16 Chapter 3 1 - Main position with 6 . . ti:lbd7

(13. ti:Jb3 is simpler but only sufficient 1 8 ..ixa6!! :Sxa6 1 9.tiJxc6 :Sxc6
for a slight advantage. 13 . . . 0-0
14 . .id6 E\e8 1 5. ti:Ja5 haS 1 6. bxa5 e5 [1 9 . . . l"lxa 1 20.ti:Jxe7+ 'it>f8 2 1 .ti:Jxg6+]
1 7. E\a4� with the idea of l"lb4,
Kharlov-Dokuchaev, Russian 20.:Sxa6 :Sc8 21 .:Sha1 bxc5 22.:Sa8
Championships (Kazan) 1 995.) :Sf8 23.bxc5+- Kovacevic - Byrne,
1 3 . . . .ic7 1 4 . .ixc7 l"lxc7 1 3 ..id6 looks Wijk aan Zee 1 980
like a mistake since Black managed to
exchange the bishop and is ready to 1 81
castle kingside. However, the first
rank was weakened with l"lxc7 for a
moment and this is already enough . . .
1 5. b5 0-0 (1 5. . . tLlb8 1 6. bxa6 bxa6
1 7. E\a2+- Kovacevic-Arzimendi,
Mislata 1 995.) 1 6. bxa6 l"la8 (16 . . . bxa6
1 7.l"lxa6 l"lb8 1 8.l"la2 e5 (1 8 . . . E\cb7
1 9. g4 .ig6 20.g5 ti:le4 2 1 . tLldxe4
.ixe4 22. ti:lxe4 dxe4 23. .ig2+-)
1 9 . .ie2 exd4 20.exd4 l"lcb7 2 1 .g4!+-)
1 7 .l"la2 bxa6 1 8 .g4! .ig6 1 9 .g5 ti:Je8
20.h4 l"lb8 2 1 . h 5 .ifS+-]

1 3.g4;!;

1 3 ....ig6 1 4.tLlb3 :Sa8 1 5.tiJa5 :Sa?

(01 8 1 )
A sad place for the rook.
1 6.f3 :sea 1 7 .'i!?d2
Conclusion : Black can hard ly find
anything to compete against White 's
simple plan on the queenside starting
with 8. c5.

Tactical threats are g radually created.

1 7 ... b6?

[ 1 7 . . . 'it>f8? 1 8.ti:Jxb7! l"lxb7 1 9 ..ixa6

l"lbb8 20 . .ixc8 l"lxc8 2 1 .l"la7 'it>e8
22.l"lha 1 +-] Only with 1 7 . . . l"le8 !� could
Black have stayed in the game.
 1 17
C h a pter 32

M a i n pos iti on with 7 ... dxc4

1 .d4 d5 2.tt:lf3 tt:\f6 3 ..if4 .ifS 4.e3 e6 dxc4 1 3 ."Wxc4;!; M uzychuk-Yakivchik,
5.c4! c6 6.tt:\c3 �b6 (01 82) (B
Dnepropetrosvk 2004.) 8 . . . b6 . "Wc7
. .

should be clearly favourable for Wh ite

1 82 after the simple answer 9. l::\ c 1)
9.fle2;!;]

7."Wb3 dxc4! (01 83)

1 83
a b c d e

8
7
6 6
5
4
3 3
[6 . . . .ie7 7."Wb3 "Wb6 8.c5 "Wxb3 9.axb3
2
leads to well-known set-ups.]

[6 . . . h6 7 ."Wb3 "WeB 8.1k1 fie? 9.4Je5

4J bd7 1 0 .ile2 4Jxe5 1 1 .flxe5 0-0
1 2.cxd5 4Jxd5 1 3.0-0 4Jxc3 1 4 ."Wxc3 [7 . . . 4J bd 7 leads to 6 . . . 4J bd7 .]
a5 1 5 .a3 l:l:d8 1 6 .ilf3 with a slight
white advantage, Crouch-J.Houska, 8 ..ixc4
British League 200 1 /02.]
With the exchange on c4 White was
[6 . . . ild6 7.ilxd6 "Wxd6 8 ."Wb3 White allowed to immediately develop his
forces a clarification on the q ueenside bishop but on the other hand the
and avoids the exchange of his pressu re in the centre has decreased .
valuable bishop. (8.ild3 I consider this The q ueens will be exchanged very
to be worse: 8 . . . ilg6 9. 0-0 4Jbd7 soon - how can one play for
1 O.l:l:c1 0-0 1 1 .ilxg6 hxg6 1 2 .i'h'b3 advantage?
1 18 Chapter 32 - Main position with 7 . . . dxc4

8 ... llJ bd7 9.lDh4! (01 84) 1 85

More active than 9.h3. [9.h3 /le?

(9. ..ti'ld5 offers a better chance for
equality. 1 0./lg3 't"f!ixb3 1 1 . /lxb3 ilb4
1 2. 'ik 1 tiJ 7f6 1 3.1lxd5 exd5 14.a3
H aba-W. Richter, National Leag ue
1 992/93.) 1 0.0-0 0-0 1 U':l:fe1 /lg6
1 2.1"\ad 1 Ei:fe8 1 3.tiJe5 tiJxeS 1 4./lxeS
tiJe4 1 5. tiJxe4 't"f!ixb3 1 6 ./lxb3 ixe4
1 7 .a3 1"1ed8=]

1 84

Conclusion: The position seems to

be only a tiny bit better for Wh ite. I n
the London System Black will seldom
come as close to equality as this.

9 ...'t"f!ixb3 1 0.i.xb3 i.d3 1 1 .0-0-0 i.a6

1 2.<�jf3 (01 85)
 1 19
C h a pte r 33

Reasons fo r 4.c4 !

1 .d4 d 5 2.lL!f3 lL!f6 3.J.f4 J.f5 4.e3 e6 5.c4 J.xb1 ! (01 87)
(01 86)
That's it! Black gives up his pair of
1 86 bishops in order to keep the wh ite
king in the centre permanently.
a b c d e
I nteresting positions with marvellous
8 complications arise on the board . But
u nfortunately I was not able to find an
advantage for White.
6
1 87
a b c d e g h

I n the London System there exist a lot

of hidden points . This is just one of
them - but a very special one indeed.
People rarely thi n k for very long here,
they just carry out the move 4.e3 .
How can such a normal move - which
prepares the further development - be
dubious? The answer comes along 6.:Bxb1
with the question : "How is White
going to become active?". Certainly [6.'�a4+ tt:l c6! 7.1''1 xb 1 J.b4+ 8.�d 1 co
only with c2-c4! But the snag has not (8 . <tt>e 2 i¥fd7l 9.c5?? tt:lxd4+-+) did not
yet been fou nd. Let us look at what really fi ll me with enthusiasm.
happens:
6 ...J.b4+ 7.<tt> e 2 (01 88)
1 20
Looks suspicious, but a good chess
player should always be objective. Let
us have a closer look at the position :
White has the pair of bishops and
threatens to win a piece with c5
followed by a3 and b4. Another idea
is to give a check on a4 , followed by
li:le5. The b 1 -rook is also well placed
for a pawn storm. If only the king was
not standing on e2 . . . ! This is of course
exactly the reason for Black's
compensation !
1 88
7 .td6!
...
Clearly the best move. The black
problem piece retreats from b4 and
offers itself for an exchange against
the active bishop on f4.
[After 7 . . . 0-0? the i.b4 is really cut off
from fresh air: 8.c5 li:l e4 An attempt to
defend the bishop by tactical means.
(8 . . . c6 lt is not as easy as that,
Chapter 33 - Reasons for 4.c4!
because after 9.i.d6 :8e8 1 0 .1Wb3+­
b7 is also under attack.) 9.1Wa4 li:lc6D
(9 . . . a5?? 1 O.a3 li:lc6 1 1 . axb4 axb4
1 2.1Wb3+-) 1 0 .a3 i.a5 1 1 .1Wc2 The
current problem is that White cannot
immed iately play b4. White leaves
Black no other option apart from the
q ueen's move. 1 1 . . . g5 1 2.i.g3 f5
(01 89) ( 1 2 . . . g4 1 3.b4 i.xb4 1 4 .axb4
gxf3+ 1 5.gxf3 li:lxg3+ 1 6.hxg3+-)
1 89
1 3. :8d 1 ! Still refraining from b4
because in that case Black could
open important files and d4 would
become weak. 1 3 . . . g4 (13 . . . f4 ?
1 4. exf4 g4 1 5. li:le5+-) 1 4.li:lg 1
Withdrawing from all exchanges, thus
winning the bishop after all. The
q uestion remains whether Black can
get enough compensation for the
piece, but this probably will not be the
case.]
Chapter 33 - Reasons for 4 . c4 ! 121

[ 7 . . . dxc4?! Snatching the pawn. 191

8.Wa4+ 4Jc6 9.4Je5 ( 0 1 90) 9 . . . id6
(9 . . . 4Jd5 h as been tried as well . After
a b c d e g h
1 0. 4Jxc6 'Wd7 1 1 .ig3 Wxc6 1 2.Wxc6+
bxc6 1 3. mf3 White wins his pawn
back. The pair of bishops in
combination with the better pawn
structure promises a small edge. 1 -0
H u lak,K-Rowley, R/New York 1 989/
(47))

1 90

Also without the exchange on f4 Wh ite

will h ave a certain advantage. His king
in the centre stands safely as well as
actively. Besides the advantages of
the pair of bishops and the better
structure, the king 's position is a clear
plus for White. 1 5 .gxf4 c5 1 6.d5
Opposite coloured bishops do not
automatically ensu re a d raw! Even
thoug h there is only a small amount of
material left, White will be able to
conduct strong attacks - meanwhile,
the i on d6 does not exactly know
The bishop move is better, but after what to do.]
1 O . l2lxc6 'Wd7 1 1 . g3 1 1 . . .Wxc6
(1 1 . . . tLld5) 1 2 .Wxc6+ bxc6 13 . mf3it [7 . . . c6? 8.Wb3 l2la6 9.c5 Wc8 1 0.md 1 !
4Jd5 1 4.ixc4 ( 1 9 1 ) the question Threatening to win a piece once
arises whether Black can hold the agai n . 1 O . . . ia5 1 1 .ixa6 bxa6
endgame with opposite coloured 1 2.Wa4+-
bishops. lt is already impossible for Black to
defend c6 satisfactorily.]

8.'Wb3 (01 92)

1 22 Chapter 33 - Reasons for 4.c4!

1 92 1 93
a b c d e f h

e f g h

Wh ite must proceed energetically He will be able to complete his

since otherwise the king's placement development with ct?d 1 , j,d3, ct?e2 .
will q u ickly h ave a negative effect on Thanks to the c-file he can - seen
his position. The alternative 8.j,g5 is longterm - exert some pressure on
far too harmless and g ives up the fight the q ueenside.
for an advantage, because after
8 . . . dxc4! 9.Wifa4+ lt:lc6 1 0.Wifxc4 there 9.Wifxb7 .!Llbd7 1 0.exf4 (01 94)
are no problems for Black to solve. 1 94
Wh ite, on the other hand, has to be
very carefu l .
T h e queen on b3 defunds c 4 and
attacks b7 simultaneously.

8 J.xf4!
...

Again very logical . The b7-pawn is

sacrificed , Black wants to open more
files against the white king. A lot of
complications arise.

[8 . . . b6 does not cause any problems

because now 9.j,g5 works wel l , as for
instance after 9 . . . c6 1 0.cxd5 cxd5
1 1 .1k1 , ( 0 1 93) Wh ite stands a little bit
better.
Chapter 33 - Reasons for 4 .c4! 123

There is no other position in the whole

London System that is tainted with so 1 95
many complications. Usually one
the advantages of the London System
a b c d e g h
is the good control the white pieces
attain over the position . This feature is
is completely missing here. Wh ite has
an extra pawn, but his king is stuck in
the middle of the board . His structure
has been damaged permanently. I n
addition , completing h i s development
will cost some more time. In summary:
No easy task is awaiting White . Black
on the other hand has no
weaknesses, but nevertheless it is not
easy for him to organise play in the
centre. Anybody liking such
u nbalanced positions will be exactly in
his element. The fol lowing variations
are for orientation purposes only, as
they are all new territory.
and the king found a safe home.

1 0 ... dxc4 Conclusio n : Even though the

positions are very complex and
Further files are opened - noth i ng interestin g I could not find an objective
more logical than that. way to get an advantage. Wh ite takes
the ixb 1 /ib4+ possibility out of the
[1 0 . . . 0-0 1 1 . c5 ct'le4 1 2 .� e 1 ct'lc3! position with 4.c4 ! . Therefore, the
1 3 .!'\a1 ElbB 1 4 ."\Wxa? !'\aB move is more precise than 4.e3.
( 1 4 . . . !'\xb2?? 1 5."\Wa3) 1 5."\Wb? leads
to a repetition of moves.]

[ 1 0 . . . !'\bB 1 1 ."\Wxa? !'\aB 1 2 ."\Wb? Elxa2

1 3 .ct'le5 0-0 1 4 . ct'lc6 "\WeB 1 S. cj{e 1 !
"\WaB 1 6 ."\WxaB E\fxaB 1 7 .id3;t]
1 1 .l!Je5 l!Jxe5?

( 1 1 . . . c5!co open ing even more files.)

1 2.fxe5 l!Jd7 1 3.cj{f3 !� (01 95)

1 24
C h a pter 34

Line 1 to the m a i n position

1 .d4 d5 2.ttlf3 c 6 (01 96) the following the only question will be:
which q ueen stands better/ worse?
1 96 Wh ite will let c2-c4-c5 follow very
soon and is on the lookout for play on
the q ueenside. Black delays the
development of his ti:Jg8 for the time
being .

1 97

This is the Slav way. Black probably

hopes for 3.c4 with a transposition
into the Slav Defence . lt is very
important for the London System
player to know that the normal pawn
structure c3.d4.e3 against c6 d5 e6
does not really produce much . [4. ti:J bd2!? An interesting gambit,
Therefore c4 becomes essential though probably not quite sufficient to
sooner or later. But as the variations bring an advantage. 4 ... W!'xb2 (4 ... if5
will show, this must be prepared very 5. t!Jb3 t!Jdl 6. e3 a5 7. a4 e6 B. .ie2
carefu lly. t!Jgf6 9.h3 .ie l 1 0. 0-0 t!Je4 with a
balanced position in Gagloshvili­
3 ..if4 V;Vb6 4.V;Vc1 (01 97) Stripunsky, Ceske Budejovice 1 994.)
5.e4 ti:Jf6 6 ..id3 (6.e5 t!Je4 is less
This is the traditional main line. 4.b3 is convincing.) After 6 . . . tt:Jxe4 (6 . . . e6 7.0-
playable but it fulfils no purpose and I 0 t!Jbd7 (7. . . W!'b6?! B. c4 .ie l 9.'!!f1c 2
would therefore not recommend it. I n 'W1d8 1 0. cxd5 exd5 1 1. e5 t!Jh5 12.i.e3
Chapter 34 - Line 1 to the main position 1 25

g6 13.jj)6± Rutman-Shabanov, White 's lead in development is

Sochi 1 998.) 8.Si.c7 tt:Jxe4 9.ii.xe4 evident. 1 1 ... ii.e7 1 2.Wf4 lt is
dxe4 1 O . tt:J xe4 Wa3 1 1 .:E� e 1 ttJf6 surpns m g what 7.ii.xb8 has
1 2.tLlxf6+ gxf6 1 3.c4 Black faces a lot prod u ced . . . 1 2 . . . Eia8 (12. . . e5 1 3. tLlxe5
of problems regarding completing h is fxe5 14.Wxe5+-) 1 3.ttJd6+ ii.xd6
development; Jost-Papa, Baden 1 4 .Eixd6 Wc5 Raud-Sergejew,
2002 . ) 7.tt:Jxe4 dxe4 8.ii.xe4 Wb4+ Estonian Championsh ip 1 996. 1 5 .b4 !
9.ii.d2 Wd6 1 0.0-0 tLld7 1 1 .Eib1 e6 g5
1 2.Eie1 We? 1 3 . tLle5 tt:Jxe5 1 4. dxe5
White obtained compensation for the (15. . . Wf5 1 6.Wd4) 1 6.Wxf6 tt:Jxf6
sacrificed pawn in the game Csiszar- 1 7.bxc5±]
Varga, Zalakaros 2002.]
[4 . . .Si.g4 5.tt:Je5 And again we have
4 ...iJ5 reached a variation in which Wh ite
wins a tempo on the g4-bishop.
[4 . . . c5?! Has B lack never heard of
chess sins? 5. dxc5!? Wxc5 6.ttJc3 f6
7 .Si.xb8! Otherwise White would lose
some time retreating with his bishop
after e7-e5. 7 . . . Eixb8 8 .Wd2 and by
the way Black must narrow-mindedly
play 8 . . . e6 now: 8 . . . e6. 9.e4 dxe4 5 . . . ii.f5 6.e3 ttJd7 (Or 6 .. . f6?!. Very
1 o . tt:Jxe4 Wc6 1 1 . 0-0-0 ( 0 1 98) attractive, but what is black going to
do with his kingside. 7. ttJf3 g5 B.ii.g3
1 98 tLld7 9.c4 e6 1 0. ttJ c3 h5 1 1 .h3 ttJh6
1 2. ttJd2 h4 1 3.ii.h2 Wf7 14.tLlf3 ii.e 7
1 5. Wd2 EiacB 1 6.ii.e2 Was 1 7. a3± V.
Kovacevic-P. N ikolic, Sarajevo 1 983.)
7 . ttJxd 7 ii.xd7 8.c4 ttJf6 9.tLlc3 g6
1 O .ii.e5 d 5 will fall. 1 O ... dxc4 1 1 .ii.xc4
ii.g7 1 2.0-0 0-0 1 3 .tt:Ja4 Wd8 1 4.tt:Jc5±
Stohi-Shirov, Dresden Rapid Game
1 999.

Back to the main variation

5.e3 e6

[5 ... tt:Jf6 leads to the variation 2 . . . c6

with . . . tt:J f6]
a b c d e g h
6.c4!? (01 99)
126 Chapter 34 - Line 1 to the main position

My tip for Wh ite would be to always
try to reach the main position of the
system. Therefore, 6.i.e2! would be
the correct decision in this position.
More about this idea can be found in
the conclusion!
(7 . . . t2J hS?! 8.cS '!MfaS 9.i.eS!? I do like
this move. 9 . . . t2Jd7 (9 . . . f6? 1 0 .i.xb8
1"lxb8 1 1 .t2J h4±) 1 O.i.e2 ttJxeS
1 1 . t2JxeS t2Jf6 1 2.g4 i.g6 1 3.h4 t2Jg8
1 4 .hS i.e4 1 S.f3 f6 1 6 .t2Jxc6 bxc6
1 7 .fxe4±)

6 ...i.xb1 ?!
8.c5 Wd8
1 99
(8 . . . WaS! The queen could become a
target on aS but she does impede b4
8 for the moment. 9.t2Jh4 tlJhS 1 O.ttJxfS
t2Jxf4 1 1 . exf4 exfS 1 2.i.d3 g6 1 3.1Mfe3+
i.e7 1 4. 0-0 �f8 1 S.a3 draw, Gu lko-
6 Smag i n , Riga 1 98S. After 1 S . . .i.f6! I
do not see a great advantage any
5 more . )

4 9.h3 tt:\ e4 1 0.b4 i.e7 1 1 ..te2 0-0 1 2.0-

0 i.f6 1 3.tt:lxe4 .txe4 1 4.i.d6 .txf3
3 1 5.i.xf3

(Miles-Wojtkiewicz, Reykjavik 2000)

1 5 .. J�e8 1 6.Wc3 e5 1 7 .b5;!;

Conclusion: Black is able to equalize

Played with the intention of bringing with 8 . . . '!MfaS!. I believe the main
the wh ite forces into a slight muddle. reason he can do so is that Wh ite
played the move c4 too early.
[6 . . .t2Jf6 !? is examined by Kovacevic Therefore I would recommend playing
via the move sequence 1 .d4 dS 2.ltJf3 6.i.e2! instead of 6.c4 . By the way the
c6 3.i.f4 1Mt'b6 4 .1Mt'c 1 t2Jf6 S.e3 ifS move offers a great merit, because
6 . c4 e6?! (6 . . . t2Ja6!), but in my opin ion there is no better move for Black than
the position can only be reached via 6 . . . t2Jf6, transposing to the main
this chapter. 7. t2Jc3 t2Jbd7 position of the system. Therefore,
Wh ite does not have to bother
(7 ... i.e7 8.cS Wd8 9.h3 h6 1 0 .i.e2 0-0 learn in g a countless number of
1 1 .0-0 bS 1 2 . b4 aS 1 3 .a3 t2Je4 transpositions.
1 4 . t2Jxe4 dxe4 1 S .t2Jd2 axb4 1 6 .axb4
t2Jd7 1 7 .1Mt'b2� l onescu-Savchenko,
Bucarest 1 996 .)
 127
C h apte r 35

Line 2 to the m a i n position

1 .d4 d5 2 . .!Llf3 .!Llf6 3 ..if4 c 6 4.e3 �b6 [5 . . . .!Ll h 5 ! ? This possibil ity should not
5.�c1 .ifS {0200) be underestimated . If Black halves the
pair of bishops then he will be all right.
200 Therefore, 6 . .ig3 is out of question.
6 . .ie5! The only way. The following
a b c d e h
tactical tricks can be applied
frequently. 6 . . .l2Jd7
8
(6 . . . f6? ! 7 . .ixb8! Elxb8 8 . h3;!; is one
idea of 6 ..ie5 . Wh ite threatens to play
6 the powerfu l 9.g4 and at the same
5 time a further square is taken away
from the .ic8. Black can transpose to
4 4 a type of Stonewall with 8 . . .f5, but
Wh ite should have the better position
3 d ue to his excel lent control over e5
2 and the successful exchange of his
bad b ishop.)

g 7 .h3! (020 1 )
201
lt is no wonder that this variation was
tested at a high playing-level so often a b c d e h

because the bishop's development to

f5 is absolutely natural and certainly
the strongest choice. However, the 7
key feature of this move sequence lies
in an early . . . tt:lf6 !

[5 . . . tt:le4?! J ust too early 6 . tt:l bd2

5
tt:lxd2 7 . tt:l xd2 .ifS 8 . c4 tt:ld7 9. c5 �d8 4
The following 1 O.b4 h6 1 1 .�c3
increases the control over e5 even 3
more. 1 1 . . . g5 1 2 . .ig3 .ig7 1 3 . .ie2 0-0
1 4 .0-0;!; Thomsen-An. Bykhovsky,
Torshavn 2000.]

[5 . . ..ig4 6 . tt:le5!? As always!]

1 28 Chapter 35 - Line 2 to the main position

Forces an exchange on e5, otherwise 202

White wou ld just continue with i.h2.
The time loss is not really tragic, as
the lbh5 will h ave to move again as
well. 7 ... tbxe5 8.dxe5 The pawn on e5
does not look nice but certainly
constricts Black's kingside whilst
being difficult to attack. U nfortunately
this exciting and important position
has never been tested practical ly,
therefore a few sample variations
have to be sufficient for the time
being . 8 . . . g6

(B... f5 is really not good : 9. c4)

9 . c4 g2-g4 can possibly be slipped in

a b c d e g h
later. But first of all some pressure will
be put onto d5. 9 ... i.e6 Back to the main variation

(9 . . . e6 would finally bury the i.c8.

(9. . . dxc4 1 0.tbbd2 with the idea of
1 1 .tbxc4 should be sufficient for an
advantage.) 1 O ."Wc3!;!; (0202) This is a
mysterious queen move which has a
few advantages. The queen stands
much more actively on c3 than on c1 ,
she clears the first ran k so that White
can accomplish castling q ueenside (!).
At the same time ... f6 is also blocked .
Black has some problems to solve
concerning the development of his
kingside, as ... i.g7 would lose the ttJ
on h5. Therefore, the knight must go
to g7 soon, but what is the i.f8 going
to do in that case? On the other hand
White simply plays lbbd2/0-0-0 as
well as perhaps c4-c5 and will stand
a b c d e g h
better d ue to his lead in development
and his space advantage.] 6.c4?!
Chapter 35 - Line 2 to Main position 129

This is exactly the problem. Having 1 5.'1Wc2 .ixd3 1 6.'1Wxd3! Hulak-

appreciated the strength of Black's Kuligowski, Wijk aan Zee 1 983.)
next move , 6 ..ie2 ! - transposing into
the main position - is clearly 9 ... llJxf4! (0204)
preferable.
204

6 ... llJa6! (203)

203
a b c d e h

[1 0 . .ixa6? C2Jxg2+ -+]

g Looks very reasonable as Black is not
An important improvement in Black's
strategy. The threat is . . . ctJ b4 ,
therefore White has to play ctJa3 o r
lose some time with a3 . T h e point lies
slightly d eeper because the idea of. . .
ctJ h 5 will gain in strength after having
prevented White from capturing the
knight on b8.
1 0 ... g6!?
afraid of 1 1 . .ixa6. White would have
to contin ue with b4 very soon .
However, Black would use his
dou bled a-pawn i n order to open files
on the q ueenside. The ,0,d4 would be
put under pressure after ctJc7-e6 and
.ig? . Therefore I evaluate this position
as being equal.]

7 .a3 lD h 5 8.c5 '!Wd8 9.llJbd2 Conclusion : The London System

player should not meet 2 . . . c6 too
(9 .. .f6?! 1 O . b4 g5 1 1 . .ig3 ctJxg 3 blindly and is well advised to
1 2 . hxg3 ctJ c? 1 3 .'1Wc3 rj{f? 1 4 . .id3 '1Wd7 memorize this rule of th umb.
1 30
C h a pter 36

M a i n position with 7 . . . J.e7

1 .d4 d5 2.tLlf3 c6 3.i.f4 'Wb6 4.'Wc1
.ifS 5.e3 e6 6 ..ie2 tLlf6 7 .0-0 (0205)
205
with this idea. 8.i.e5! (0206)
The move looks strange, but 8 . . . f6?
would lose a piece on account of
9 .i.xb8.
8 . . . tt::l d 7 9.h3;!; 1

7 . tt::l bd2 is out of question as the a b c d e f g h

knight clearly belongs at c3 .

After 7.0-0 the most important main [7 . . . tt::l b d7 8.c4 Wd8 (B

. . i.e l 9. c5;!;
.

position of the system with 2 . . . c6 and usw.) 9. h3 tt::l e4 1 0 .tt::l c3 i.d6 1 1 .i.xd6
3 . . . Wb6 has been reached . tt::l x d6 1 2.c5 tt::l e4 1 3.b4 0-0 1 4.a4;!;]

[7 . . . tLla6?! After castling short, tt::l a 6-

b4 is no longer a serious threat, so
Wh ite can simply continue with his
plan . 8.c4 ! tt::l b4 9.c5 Wd8 1 0 .ctJe1;!;
7 ...ii.e7 lt is just as easy as that! All invasion
s � uares are covered and the knight
. . .
Before start1n � con ?rete act1v1ty, Black w111 be d riven away, winning a tempo.]
should also bnng h1s king into safety. [7 . . . h6?! loses more time 8 . c4 dxc4
[7 . . . ctJh5?! White must always reckon 9 .ctJfd2! We have seen this several
Chapter 36 - Main position with 7 . . ..ie7 131

times already. 9 . . . tt:Jd5 1 O . .ig3� ] Wh ite transfers his knight to the

q ueenside, winning a tempo against
8.c4 dxc4 the black q ueen and preventing . . .
tt:J h 5 . At the same time he prepares a
[8 . . . 0-0 allows 9 .c5 Wd8 1 O . h 3 q u ick f3 and e4, gaining further space
Safeguards the bishop just in time. in the centre.
1 O . . . tt:Jbd7 1 1 . tt:Jc3� because of the
space advantage on the q ueenside. 9 ... 0-0 1 o.tt:Jxc4 '\l;Yd8 1 1.li:lc3
1 1 . . . tt:Je4 1 2. b4 (12. tt:Jxe4 he4 1 3. b4 1 1 ....ig6
a5 1 4.b5 hf3 1 5.hf3 cxb5 1 6. Wb2
b4 1 7.a3) 1 2 . . . .if6 1 3 . tt:Jxe4 .ixe4 Now ctJ h S h as become a th reat again.
1 4.Wc3 Ei:e8 1 5 . .id6 .ixf3 1 6 ..ixf3 e5
1 7 .Ei:fe1 exd4 1 8.exd4�] 1 2.h3!;!;

[8 . . ..ixb 1 ?! does not look very strong The pawn structure is very similar to
any more. 9 .Ei:xb1 dxc4 1 0 . tt:J e5 0-0 the one in the Slav Defence except for
1 1 . tt:J xc4 Wd8 1 2.a3 aS 1 3.Ei:d 1 ctJdS one detail: Wh ite did not weaken the
14 . .ig3� Yz-Yz Gasanov-Voloshi n , square b4 by playing a4. His pieces
Czestochowa 1 992/ (67) . Wh ite have occupied n ice squares. The Wc1
secures a permanent advantage won the fight for the better position of
because of his pair of bishops.] q ueens and Wh ite can try to occupy
the centre with f3 followed by e4.
9.4Jfd2! {0207) However, Black's position is very
compact and without any
207 weaknesses.
a b c d e g h Conclusion: With 7 ... .ie7 Black is in
-� 8 possession of a very solid

£ 17
conti n uation . However, White gets a
favourable version of the Slav
Defence after 9. 4Jfd2!

This is an extremely clever move.

132
C h apter 37

M a i n position with 7 c5 ...

1 .d4 d 5 V�)f3 c 6 3 ..if4 WfbG 4.wrc1 symmetry - the position would be
.ifS 5.e3 e6 6 ..ie2 ltJf6 7.0-0 c5! ? practically equal. 1 0.Ct:Ja4 ! (0209)
(0208)

208 ( 1 0.dxc5 \WxcS (10 . . . hc5 1 1 . Ct:Ja4)

209
a b c d e f 9 h

s i .I B -·- -a
7.� ... ·� ·��·· 17
6 1 �� /- _ , _ -6
s JB _' i _.i._ I s

4 1 - D g �- 4
3-� - �:� ttJ - 13
21 §;�DJ}-��:� t!J 0 2
'�

1 �:JJ ttJ � - � = 1 1
a b c d e f 9 h

11e7· li:la4
Even though Black has not yet
castled , he takes the risk of opening '1Wb4 1 2 .\Wxc4 \Wxc4 1 3 ..bc4

�
up the position and moves his c-pawn
for the second time. Su rprisin 1
�� 2. '1.Jb3!+-)
enough , it is not at all easy to ach ie
an advantage.
8.c4
Quite obvious.
8 ... ltJc6 9.ltJc3 cxd4
(9 . . . dxc4 Probably hoping for 1 O .dxcS
after which - on account of th �
.
1 4 . .ib5 looks good for White.)
0. \WaS 1 1 .Ct:Jxc5 .ixcS (1 1 . . .b6?
;,
1 2.dxc5 \WxcS
(1 2 . . . .id3?! 1 3.hd3 cxd3 14 . .id6t)
1 � .\Wxc4 '1Wxc4 1 4 . .ixc4;t White is a
bit better due to his slight lead in
development and the pair of bishops.
However, the symmetrical pawn
structure makes a draw quite
probable.]
Chapter 37 - Main position with 7 . . . c5 133

1 0.llJ b5! (021 0) promising against 1 2 . . . �e4 .

with the idea of occupyin g d4 with a 1 3 ... dxc4

knight.
[1 3 . . . "Wxb2? 1 4."Wa4++- is too risky for
21 0 Black.]

[1 3 . . . �c5 1 4 ."Wa4+ ctt e ? 1 5 .tt:lb3 dxc4

1 6. ct:Jxc5 "Wxc5 1 7.�fd 1 �hd8 1 8.�xd8
�xd8 1 9 ."Wxc4 \Wxc4 20.�xc4;!; and
also here Wh ite stands slightly better
d ue to his pair of bishops.]

21 1

a b c d e f g h

[ 1 O.tt:lxd4 ? ! brought nothing after

1 0 . . . tt:lxd4 1 1 .exd4 dxc4 1 2 .�xc4 �e7
1 3 .�b5+ ctt fB 1 4 . "We3 �c8 1 5 .a4 a6
1 6.a5 �xc3! (1 6 . . . "Wd8 1 7. �e2 SUJ4
1 8.�f3= Y:z-Y:z Djurhuus,R­
Espinoza , R/Manila olm 1 992/ (52))
1 7.axb6 �xe3 1 8 .fxe3 axb5 1 9 .�a8+
C/J e8 20.�c1 f6+]
1 4.\Wa4+ lt"ld7 1 5.�xc4 \Wb4
1 o .. J��c8 1 1 .ltlfxd4 ltlxd4 1 2.ltlxd4
.ig6 1 3 .\Wd1 ! Trading off q ueens, thereby hoping to
achieve eq uality.
(021 1 )
[ 1 5 . . . �xc4? This i s a nice trick, but it
Aims in the direction of the ctt e 8! does not work. 1 6.\Wxc4 e5 1 7."Wc8+
White 's lead in development becomes '1Wd8 (1 7. . . <Jle 7 1 8. �fe 1 ! and the king
evident particularly after accepting the will never be happy again - Wh ite is
pawn sacrifice. This idea is also very winning.) 1 8.\Wxd8+ <Jlxd8 1 9.�g5++-
etc.]
134 Chapter 37 - Main position with 7 . . . c5

1 5 . . . a6 1 6Jl:ac 1 ;!; and the b2-pawn is 1 8 ..tb5 ! (21 3)

taboo because of .txe6!.]
1 6 . .tb5 Wfxa4 1 7 ..txa4;!; (021 2)
21 2
This underlines the drawback of the
rook's move. Wh ite should by no
means play 1 8 . b3?? because of
1 8 . . . l"i:xa4 1 9 .bxa4 e5!]

213

White is better developed and his

pieces are placed very actively, which
finally brings a plus. From Black's
point of view, the worst thing in his
position is the pinned knight.
N ow the trick . . . e5 has become a the drawing range. However, there
really serious threat.
[ 1 7 . . . .te7 1 8.l"i:ac1 +-]
1 s ...gcs 1 9.b4+-
Conclusion: lt is not easy to face the
opening sin 7 . . . c5 since Black's main
idea is to reach a symmetrical pawn
structure and by doing so to increase
are enough dynamic possibilities to
highlight the drawbacks of 7 . . . c5.

[1 7 . . . a6 1 8 .:1Hd 1 b5? 1 9. ltJxb5 axb5

20 . .txb5+-]
 135
C h a pter 38

2 . . . c6/ .ig4 with ltJ f6

. . .

1 .d4 d5 2.ltJf3 ltJf6 3 ..if4 c6 4.e3 J.g4 [5 . . . ltJbd7 6 . tt:Jc3 e6 7.1:Wb3 J.xf3 8 .gxf3
(02 1 4) etJh 5 (B. . . '�cB 9.cxd5 tLlxd5 1 0. tLlxd5
exd5 1 1 . J.h3 a5 1 2. 0-0-0 a4 13.Wfc2
214 WfdB 14.'il.hg1 g6 1 5. e4 Wfh4 1 6. J.xd7+
r:JJxd7 1 7. 'il.g4 '{Nh3 (Crouch-Baburin,
a b c d e
Britisch league 2000/1 ) 1 8. 'il.g3 Wfh4
8 1 9. J.e5 f6 20.'il.g4 Wih3 2 1 . J.g3±)
9 .J.g3 tt:Jxg3 1 0.hxg3 ( D2 1 5)
7
21 5
6
5
8
4

3
6

3
White must seek the initiative on the
q ueenside before the pin starts getting
u n pleasant:

5.c4 Wib6
[5 . . . a6 pursues the idea of answering
6 .Wlb3 with b5?! A plan which is more
than dou btfu l though . (6. . . Wfc8 7. tLle5
J.f5 B. tLlc3 e6 9.'il.c1;!;) 7 . cxb5 cxb5
a.t2Je5 Wfa5+ 9.tt:Jc3 J.e6 (9. . . J.f5
1 O.g4 J.e6 1 1 .J.g2±) 1 O.J.e2 tt:J e4
1 1 .J.f3 b4 1 2.Wfa4+ W!xa4 1 3 . C2Jxa4 f6
1 4.CtJd3± P . Petran-M. Nemeth ,
Zalakaros 1 995.]
There are plenty of players who
generally have a thing against
doubled pawns . We already met a few
in the London System and here is
another example. The wh ite position
wins enormously through this, as he
now holds control of the h -file . The
king is fine on g2. All in all, the
dou bled pawns offer a lot of merits.
1 O . . . 'il.b8 1 1 .Wic2 g6 1 2 .J.d3 J.g7
1 3. cj;Jf1 dxc4 1 4 .J.xc4 0-0 1 5. c;t>g2�
136
Wirthensohn-Cherniaev, Scuol 200 1 .]
[5 . . . �xf3 6 . gxf3 tt:lbd7 (6. . . e6 7.VIib3
V!ia5+ B. tLl c3 �b4 9.a3 hc3+
1 0. V!ixc3 V!ixc3+ 1 1 .bxc3 dxc4
1 2.hc4 tLld5 1 3.hb8 'll,xbB 14. <;l;d2
<:J:Je7 1 5.a4 'll,h eB (Meduna-Hort,
National League 1 989/90)) 7 .V!ib3
Vlib6 8 .tt:lc3 e6 9.c5 V!ixb3 1 0.axb3
tt:l h 5 1 1 .�g3 a6 1 2 . b4 '8,c8 1 3 .�d 3;!;
H u lak-Wessmann, Novi Sad OL
1 990.]
[5 . . . e6 6.VIib3 V!ic8 7.tt:le5 �f5 8.tt:lc3
tt:l bd7 9.cxd5 exd5 1 0 .tt:lxd 7 �xd7
1 U " lc1 �e7 1 2 .�e5 0-0 1 3 .�xf6 �f6
1 4. tt:lxd5 �g5 1 5 .tt:lc3 b5 1 6.�d3±
Gretarsson-K. Rasmussen ,
Copenhagen 1 997.]
Back to the main variation
6.'1Wb3 e6 7.c5 '!Wxb3 (02 1 6)
21 6
S . Kovacevic-Moloney, Cappelle l a
Leading t o similar structures to the Grande 1 995.
ones discussed in the chapters on the
Chapter 38 - 2 . . . c6/ . . . �g4 with tt:lf6
symmetrical system.
[ 7 . . . V/ia5+ 8.tt:lc3 b6 9.tt:le5 �f5 1 0.a3
�e7 1 1 .�e2 0-0 1 2 .g4 �e4 1 3 .f3 �g6
1 4 . h4 h6 (14 . . . bxc5 1 5.h5+- V.
Kovacevic-86hm, Wijk aan Zee
1 980) 1 5. tt:lxg6 fxg6 1 6 .V!ib4 V!ixb4
1 7 .axb4±]
8.axb3 ltl bd7 9.h3 .ixf3
[9 . . .�f5?! can q u ickly go wrong for
Black: 1 O. tt:lc3 h6 (1 O. . . a6 1 1 .b4 '8,c8
1 2. tLld2 �c2 1 3.�e2;!;) 1 1 .b4 �e7
1 2 . b5 0-0 1 3.bxc6 bxc6 1 4 .�a6 1 -0
S .Kovacevic-Gomez Manzano,
Valencia 200 1 .]
1 0.gxf3 ltl h 5 1 1 ..ih2 f5 1 2.b4 a6
1 3.b5 cxb5 14 . .ixb5 �c8 1 5.id3 g5
1 6.�g 1 ± (02 1 7)
217
 137
C h a pter 39

2 c6/ il.g4 with out ltlf6

. . . . . .

1 .d4 d5 2.tLlf3 c6 3 ..if4 .!g4 4.tLle5!? 9 . .!d2) 9.l'J:h3;l; White can secure an
(02 1 8) edge with l'J:b1 and the idea of l'J:xb? .)

21 8 7 .lt:Jxg6 hxg6 8 . .!g2 e5 9.dxe5 fxe5

1 O . .!xe5 l'J:xh4 1 1 .�d4 l':l:xh 1 + 1 2 . .!xh 1
a b c d e f lt:Jd7 1 3 . .!g3;l; P . Horvath-B. Steiner,
8 Zalakaros 1 99 1 .]

5.g4!? (021 9)

219
d e f

c d e f g h
The knight occupies e5, winning a
tempo against the .! on g4. This is
the most ambitious contin uation . 2

4 ....!f5

This is the best square for the bishop.

Whoever fi nds this line too sharp, can
[4 . . . .!h5 keeps the e2-pawn pin ned , also try the calm alternative 5.e3 . But I
but 5.g4 ! ?, winning space on the do like this consistent way of handling
kingside, looks very promising as well . the position - it strongly resembles
5 . . . .!g6 6 . h4 f6 Nobody should the Caro-Kann Defence.
seriously th i n k about h 7-h6 . . .
[5.e3 i s of course less committing.
( 6 . . . �b6 A little bi t too optimistic. 5 . . .f6 (5. . . lt:Jd7 6 . .!d3 ibxd3 7.cxd3 e6
7.lt:Jc3 �xb2 8. lt:Jxg6! More precise B. lt:Jxd7 �xd7 9.0-0 lt:J f6 1 0. lt:Jc3 .!e7
than 8.l'J:h3. 8 . . . hxg6 (B. . . �xc3+ ? 1 1 . �e 2 0-0 1 2 . l"i:ab 1 b5 1 3. l"i:bc1 �b7
138 Chapter 39 - 2 . . . c6/ . . . i.g4 without lt:Jf6

1 4.i.g5 i.dB 1 5. 1lxf6 1lxf6 1 6. f4 Up to now the game went very

Eiber- Kreuzer, Germany 1 995.)
6 .lt:Jf3 lt:Jd7 7.c4 i.xb 1 8.\Wxb 1 e6 9.a3
f5 1 O .i.e2 lt:Jgf6 1 1 .0-0 lt:Je4 1 2.\Wc2
!J.e7 1 3 . lt:Je5 0-0 1 4.lt:Jxd 7 \Wxd7 1 5. b4
iJ.d6 1 6.c5 i.xf4 1 7. exf4;t Karlik­
S hishki n , Litomysl 1 996.]
logically and it is not clear how White
will continue. The black monarch will
certainly castle queenside soon,
therefore a plan with a4 should be
considered .

5 ... ie6! ? 1 3. b3 ig7 1 4.a4 aS 1 5.c3 �h8

1 6.�xh8+ ixhB 1 7.�f3;t (022 1 )
Looks artificial but i s not bad a t all.
221
[5 ... i.c8 Perhaps the best square.
After 6.e3 lt:Jd7 I li ke the idea of
7 .lt:Jd3. An exchange of knights would
only benefit Black. From d3, the
knight is covering important squares.
Wh ite should seriously con sider the
following plan : lt:Jc3,'1Wd2 ,f3 , 0-0-0 with
a strong attack on the kingside.]

6.e3 �d7 7.�d2 �gf6 8.�xd7 �xd7

9.id3 g6 1 0.h4 �b6 1 1 .h5 �g8
1 2. hxg6 hxg6 (0220)

220

Wh ite 's position is more flexible, but

this fact on its own cannot ensure a
permanent advantage.

Conclusion: The sharp idea 5.g4!? is

possibly not enough to gain an
advantage. From a theoretical point of
view the solid continuation 5.e3 is to
be preferred .
 139
C h a pter 40

All the rest afte r 2 . . . c6

1 .d4 dS Vllj f3 c6 3 ..if4 .ifS 4.e3 e6 transpose into well known positions,
S.c4! (0222) for i nstance 6 . . . dxc4 (6. J i Jf6 7. CiJc3
CiJbd7 B.c5) 7. CiJfd2!;!;]
222

6J�xb1 ! '!WaS+

Snatch ing a pawn .

[6 . . . .ib4+ Right now the check on b4

is rather harmless. This is the
drawback of delaying . . . CiJf6. 7 . CiJd2
CiJf6 8.a3 .id6 9 ..ixd6 Wxd6;!; Wh ite
plans to gain even more space on the
q ueenside with c5 and b4. ]

7.llJd2! (0223)

223

Black delays . . . CiJf6 as well as . . . Wb6

for the moment, hoping to bring his
.if8 into the game very soon . . .

S ... .ixb1 ?

[5 . . . .id6 6 . .ixd6 Wxd6 7.Wb3 b6;!;

White plays CiJc3 , :gc1 and always
keeps a slig htly better position due to
the long-term weakness of the light
squares in Black's camp (b7-b6) . Of
course, this advantage will not bring a
win immed iately, but Black will always
have to take care of it.]

[5 . . . Wb6 6.Wc1 and Black will have to

1 40 Chapter 40 - All the rest after 2 . . . c6

7 .. .'\Wxa2 Conclusion: The greedy capture of

the pawn is refuted in a very
[7 . . . 'Llf6 8 .i.d3 'Wxa2 9.0-0+-] convincing manner.

8J�a1 ! 225

Sacrificing another pawn in order to

a b c d e f
open the b-file.

8 ...1Mfxb2 9.�b1 1Mfa3 1 o.�xb7 �d7

1 1 .cxd5 cxd5 (0224)
6
224

[1 1 . . . exd5 is also not very nice. Wh ite

simply plays i.e2 and 0-0 with an
overwhelming position.]

1 2 .i.b5 � gf6 1 3.0-0+- (0225)

Black is powerless against threats

such as 'Wc2 , i.xd? , 'We? , the pin of
the i.b5 against the �d? is just too
strong .
 141
C h a pter 41

Caro-Ka n n Exch a n g e Variation

1 .d4 d 5 2.<!ijf3 lt:\f6 3.i.f4 c 5 4.e3 not have any direct weakness but
cxd4! ? 5.exd4 lt:\c6 6.c3 (0226) White is in possession of the half­
open e-file, controls e5 and can adopt
226 an active set-up without really being
b d e disturbed. All this means Black must
a c
defend hard just to finally celebrate a
8 draw like a win.
6 . . .i.g4 (0227)

227
a b c d e g h

8 1 J. - - · - ��� 8
7�
�� .�. -
� · - · 17
61 - -6
" - �/

-�-
s- fJ .l - - Is
41 - ��� �+j j_ - 4
The usual move sequence to reach 3-� �"-� • /1";\ � I 3
�r� -�-
this position would be 1 .e4 c6 2.d4 d5 2 1 � ��� - 0 � 0 2
3.cxd5 cxd5 4.�f4, although the
moves 4.c4 (Panov-Attack), 4.�d3
and 4.c3 are the most popular. Does 1 U lZJ-iV =� - M
b c d e
11
this mean that 4.�f4 and perhaps a g h

even the London System in general
has to be evaluated as bad?
No, not at all: First of all Black must
know where exactly he has landed.
Secondly, he must comprehend the
Caro-Kann Defence very well. Even
with sufficient knowledge of the
position after 4.�f4, achieving equal
chances is far from easy. Black does
There are various move sequences
which lead to this position, mostly
beginning with ... cxd4.
[6 ... g6 7 .tt::l bd2 �g7 8.�d3 0-0 9.0-0
�f5 10.hf5 gxf5 1 U 2le5 lt:\xe5
12.i.xe5 tt::l e4 1 3.i.xg7 r;:t>xg7 14.tt::l xe4
fxe4 15.f3 f5 1 6.fxe4 dxe4 17.W'd2;!;
Kharlov-Galkin, Ekaterinburg 1997 .]
1 42 Chapter 4 1 - Caro-Kann Exchange Variation

[6 . . . a6 7. tt:lbd2 i.f5 8 .i.e2 e6 9.0-0 [7 . . . e6 8.Wb3 Wc8 9 . tt:le5 tt:lxe5

i.d6 1 0.i.xd6 Wxd6 1 U''1 e 1 0-0 1 2 .i.f1 (9. . . i.e 7? 10.f3 i.f5 1 1.g4 i.g6 12.h4
i.g4 1 3.We2 1"lab8 1 4.a4 tt:ld7 h5 1 3. tt:lxg6 fxg6 14.Wc2 wins for
1 5.We3;!; Svesh nikov-Evseev, M insk Wh ite, Pytei-Grimberg , France
2000.] (Chambery) 1 994.) 1 O.i.xe5 a6
1 1 .i.d3 i.e7 1 2. 0-0 tt:ld7 (1 2. . . i.f5?
[6 ... i.f5 7.Wb3 Wc8 8.i.e2 e6 9.0-0 Shabanov-Guliev, Oriol 1 992.
i.e7 1 0 . tt:l bd2 0-0 1 1 . 1"lac1 tt:le4 1 3. bf5 exf5 14. bf6+-) 1 3.i.f4 Wc6;!;)
1 2.1"lfe 1 h6 1 3. tt:lxe4 i.xe4 1 4 . tt:le5;!;
Kovalevskaya-Kadymova, Moscow 8.i.d3 e6 9.0-0 (0228)
1 994.]
228
7.tt:lbd2 ab c d e 9 h
White is not in a h urry to play Wb3
and prefers to develop the knight
beforehan d .

[7.Wb3 has been played more often .

7 . . . Wc8

(7 . . . tt:la5 8.Wa4+ i.d7 9.Wc2 1"lc8

(9 . . . Wb6 1 0. tt:le5 i.bS 1 1 . b4 tt:lc6
1 2. bb5 Wxb5 13.a4 Wb6 1 4.a5+ ­
Rausis-Gerstner, 2nd National
German League 1 995/6.) 1 O .i.d3 Wb6
1 1 .0-0;!; Schlindwein-D ittmar, Lade
Constance 1 999.)

8. tt:le5 i.d7 (8. . . tt:lxe5? 9.dxe5 tt:ld7

1 0.Wxd5+-) 9.tt:ld2 g6 1 0. tt:l xd7 Wxd7 Other moves are also well playable.
1 1 .i.b5 a6 1 2.i.e2 i.g7 1 3 .0-0 0-0
1 4 .a4 1"lac8 1 5.a5;!; Pavasovic-S.Orel, [9.a4 i.d6 1 O.i.xd6 Wxd6 1 1 .0-0 i.hS
Ljubljana 1 993.] 1 2.1"le1 tt:ld7 1 3.We2 0-0 1 4 .We3 i.g6
1 5.i.xg6 hxg6 1 6 .a5 1"lfe8 1 7 .tt:le5;!;
7 . . a6
.
S . Kovacevic-Kiagojevic, Jugoslavia
1 994.]
[7 . . .Wb6 8.Wb3 e6 9.h3 i.hS 1 O .i.d3
i.e7 1 1 .0-0 0-0 1 2 .1"lfe 1 1"lac8 1 3.Wxb6 [9.Wb3? ! is no good any more.
axb6 1 4 .tt:le5 tt:lxe5 1 5.i.xe5;!; Pribyi­ 9 . . . i.d6! 1 0.tt:l e5
Krutti, London 1 999.]
Chapter 41 - Caro-Kann Exchange Variation 143

(1 O.ixd6 Wxd6 1 1 .Wxb7?! 0-0 [1 1 . J f je7 occu rred in Larsen-

1 2 .Wb3 eS! 1 3 . dxeS �xeS 1 4 . �xeS Pachman, Amsterdam IZ 1 964
WxeS+ 1 S .�f1 l"lfe8 1 6.Wc2 ie2+ 1 2. c4 ! ? dxc4 1 3.�xc4 Wd8 1 4 . �feS
1 7.�g 1 (1 7.il.xe2 Wxe2+ 1 8. �g 1 ifS with nearly equal chances.]
�e4-+) 1 7 . . .ixd3 1 8.Wxd3 We2
1 9.Wxe2 l::l xe2 20. �f1 l::l x b2-+) 1 2.Wfe3 i.hS 1 3J�fe1 .ig6 1 4 ..if1 0-0
1 0 . . . 0-0 1 1 .0-0 1 5.llJe5 llJcxeS 1 6.dxe5 Wfb6
1 7.Wfxb6 llJxb6 1 8.a4;t (0230)
(1 1 .Wxb7?? �a5) 1 1 . . . �xeS 1 2.ixeS
(12.dxe5?! �h5 1 3.ie3 il.xe5 14.f4 230
id6 1 5.h3 if5 1 6. il.xf5 exf5 1 7.Wxb 7
l::l e8:j:J

1 2 . . . ixeS 1 3.dxeS �d7 1 4 .1::1 a e 1 �cS

1 S.Wc2 �xd3 1 6.Wxd3 ifS=]

9 ....id6

[9 . . . ihS 1 O.l::le 1 ie7 1 1 .Wc2 ig6

1 2.�eS �xeS 1 3 .ixeS 0-0 1 4 ..ixg6
hxg6 1 S.Wb3 Wd7 1 6.�f3;!; Fejtek­
S . Kasparov, Tatranske Zruby 200 1 .]

1 O ..ixd6 Wfxd6 1 1 .Wfe1 llJd7 (0229)

229 a b c d e f g h

Rakic-Bagirov, Frunze 1 983.

Conclusio n : White can secure a

small advantage, but 7.Wfb3 also
represents a very promising option .

a b c d e f g h
1 44
C h apter 42

G ru enfeld m a i n l i ne
1 .d4 d5 2.lL!f3 lL!f6 3 ..if4 g6 4.e3 .ig7 Pursues a very ambitious plan.
5 ..ie2 0-0 6.0-0 c5 7.c3 lL!c6 8.lL!bd2
(0231 ) [8 .. .'�b6 9 .'1Wb3 c4 1 0.'1Wxb6 axb6
231 1 1 .tLle5 tLlxe5 1 2 ..ixe5 .id? 1 3 . .if3
.ic6 1 4. gfe1 gfe8 1 5 .a3 e6 1 6.ge2
CLJd7 1 7 ..ixg7 li>xg7 1 8 .e4;!; Wang
Rui-Li H aoyu , Tianjin200 1 .]

(8 . . . b6 is a little bit too slow. 9.h3 ib7

1 O.tLle5 CLJd7 1 1 .tLlxc6?!

( 1 1 . tLlxd 7! (0232)
232
a b c d e g h

With . . . g6 Black has clearly adopted

the most active set-up. The
d arksqu ared bishop on g7 is a perfect
defender of the king. But on the other
hand the development of the .ic8
causes more trouble than in any other
position of the London System . Black
can , of course, exchange it for the
knight on f3. B ut this would not really
a g
worry Wh ite. Another idea would be Forces the queen to go to d7 and
the development of this m itre to b7, surprising ly wins a pawn after
but this costs time. If Black can solve 1 1 . . .'1Wxd7 1 2 .dxc5! because after
the problem of his bishop he will have 1 2 . . . bxc5? the white knight makes
equalised . use of the unprotected queen with
1 3. tLle4! . 1 3 . . . e5 1 4 .ig5! '1Wf5 Does
8 ... lL!h5 not threaten anything in reality, as
1 5.g4 '\Wxe4? 1 6.f3+- loses the
Chapter 42 - Gruenfeld main line 145

queen .) Whenever possible I prefer to keep

the pair of bishops. [ 1 1 .�g 3 ltJxg3
1 1 ... �xc6 1 2 . ltJf3 e6 (12 ... 'Bc8 1 3. �a6 1 2. hxg 3 cxd4 1 3.exd4 �f5 1 4 .'Be1
'B a B 1 4 . a4 ltJb B 15.�e2t. Kosikov­ Wd6 1 5.ltJb3 b6= and Black was not
Shianovsky, Kiev 200 1 ) 1 3.a4 a6 worse in Malakhatko-Niknaddaf,
(13 .. ." Wie 7 14.'Be1 a 6 1 5. Wb3 'BfcB Erevan 2001 although he went on to
1 6.Vfia3 h6= Soos-Dzevlan , Budapest lose the game.]
1 99 1 ) 1 4 .Wc2 We? 1 5. Bfc1 h6 1 6.h4
f5 1 7. c4 with chances for both players 1 1 ... .!Llf6
in the game Mensing-Zso. Polgar,
Curacao 2002.] [1 1 . . . gxh4 1 2 .�xh5 is certainly
playable, but the pawn structu re
[8 . . . ltJd7 is a critical alternative. would be damaged permanently.]
Strangely enough only one single
game has been played with this move: 12 ..tg3 .!Lld7 (0234)
9.Wb3 e5?! (9. . . c4 1 0.Wa3 b5 1 1 .b3t.)
1 O.dxe5 ltJdxeS 1 1 .ltJxe5 ttJxeS 234
1 2 . 'Bad 1 �e6 (12 . . . c4 1 3. Wa3 Wb6
1 4. ltJ f3±) 1 3 .Wxb7 WaS 1 4 .Wa6 Wxa6
a b c d e h
1 5.�xa6 c4 1 6 .�xe5 �xe5 1 7 .e4± 8I I B
�L �
L� 8
Anastasian-P. Sobolewski, Len ingrad
1 990.] ��
7- · -
""'� 7
9.�g5 h6 1 0.�h4 gS 1 U l) e1 ! (0233) 61 -� - 6
5- ·- 5
-
233
41 - �f� :::1 '%

3 - �'� �r
4
� �� !"+� 3
a b c d e f g h """0
��
:::1
%uu0 '% ;,uu0

l b ��r�" v·m� � �r�

��b
/7 /// y

2 2

u� b -�m ; ll �01
"""0 // ' " "' %uu0
1
� i'L �- --Y'
a d c h e g

Black strives with vengeance for . . . e5

with all forces. He was successful in
catching a moment when the white
pieces (especially the ltJe 1 ) no longer
kept optimal control over e5.
However, Black's kin gside is
a b c d e g h considerably weakened and although
146 Chapter 42 - Gruenfeld main line

White cannot make use of this 1 6.f4 !?

positional disadvantage im med iately,
it can be exploited later on . Anybody wanting t o have a quieter
game can consider 1 6 .li:lf3. However,
1 3.tt:\ef3! 1 6.f4 is the most ambitious way to
make use of B lack's weakened king's
White allows a piece exchange on e5, position. I believe the wh ite chances
but still h as an im portant iron in the are slightly better.
fire . . .
235
[1 3.li:ld3 c4 1 4 . li:le1 e 5 leads to a
compl icated game with chances for
both sides (Aivarez Fernandez-Lopez 8 8
del Alamo, Oropesa del Mar 2001 ).
7 7
1 3.i.f3 !? attacks d5 and seems to 6
make the planned pawn advance
more difficult to accomplish . But 5
1 3 . . . e5! is possible anyway. ( 1 3 . . . cxd4
1 4.cxd4 li:lf6 (14. . . e6 1 5. li:l d3±)
4
1 5.li:ld3 '1Wb6 1 6 .Eic1 i.f5 1 7 . li:l b3;t) 3 3
1 4 .i.xd5 cxd4 1 5.cxd4 exd4 1 6.e4
li:le7?! ( 1 6. . . li:lb6foo) 1 7 .i.c4 li:lg6 2 2
1 8.li:l d3;t]

1 3 ... e5 a e g
[ 1 3 . . . g4 ?! 1 4 .li:lh4;t]

1 4.li:lxe5 tt:\dxe5 1 5.dxe5 tt:\xe5 Conclusio n : The Gruenfel d variation

(0235)
As so often in the London System the
breakthrough . . . e5 does
automatically lead to equality. Black
forgets - or often overlooks - the fact
that t!Sd5 becomes a weakling. If Black
manages to solve this problem by
playing . . . d4 in the right moment, then
he will be doing fine.
is very solid for Black. White must pay
attention to the fact that after . . . e5 the
t!Sd5 becomes very weak and B lack is
not left with his i.c8. These characteristics
should be sufficient for an edge in a
practical game.
 147
C h a pter 43

G ru e nfeld sideli n es
1 .d4 d5 V!ljf3 ltlf6 3 ..if4 g6 (0236) Even though a lot of good playe �s
.
chose .id3, I believe the b1shop IS
236 better off on e2, where it stands very
safely - particularly after Black has
advanced his pawn to eS.

237

The Gruenfeld set-up can arise after 1 �:;:_;:=..:;:;�..::r-����"h

either 1 . . . d5 or also after 1 . . . Sf6. We
will examine the positions where
Black starts with the double step of his
d-pawn, after wh ich the centre ha s
.
been fixed to a certain extend. Black,s
most important idea consists of . . .
tt'lfd7/. . . e 5 - a plan which i s d ifficult to H aving two attractive squares for t� e
prevent. If Black pursues a completely bishop is the main reason why Wh ite
.
d ifferent approach without p repanng usually starts with tt'l bd2!
the breakthrough . . . eS, White normally
gets a pleasant game as Black's 5 ... 0-0
.
bishops are difficult to act1vate.
[5 . . . tt'l h 5 6 . .ig5 h6 7 . .ih4 g5 8.tt'le5
4.e3 .ig7 5.ie2! (0237) (8. tt'lfd2 etJf4! is relatively equal, e�en
though Black is slightly less flexible
with his pawn on dS th an would be
1 48 Chapter 43 - Gruenfeld sidelines

the case with the pawn on d6.) 8 . . . tt:lf6 tt:le4 1 4. tt:lxe4 dxe4 1 5. a5±
(B . . . tLlf4 9. exf4 gxh4 1 0. Vfid31;) 9.�g3 Andrianov- L6ffler, Cannes 1 995.)
tt:le4 1 O.c4 tt:lxg3 1 1 .hxg3 dxc4 9.h3 tt:lbd7 1 0.tt:le5 tt:lxe5 1 1 .�xe5
1 2.tt:la31; meant an improvement over tt:ld7 1 2 .�xg7 �xg7 draw, Watanabe­
the game Ree-Langeweg, Braga, Brazil 1 99 1 . 1 3.f41;]
Amsterdam 1 967, which was
contin ued with 1 0.0-0.] [The position after 6 . . . tt:lh5!? 7.�g5 h6
8.�h4 g5 9.tt:le5 tt:lf6 1 0 .�g3 tt:le4 is
6.0-0 cS by no means bad for Black. 1 1 .tt:lc3
tt:lxg3 1 2 .hxg3 Wh ite strives for f4, but
[6 . . . �g4?! g ives up the pair of bishops very interesting complications arise
too carelessly: 7 .h3 �xf3 8.�xf3 c6 after 1 2 . . .�xe5 1 3 .dxe5 �e6 1 4.�g4.]
(Davidovic-An ka, Szolnok 1 987) 9.c4!
(0238) 7.c3

238 I n general it is risky for Black to attack

the bishop with . . . tt:lh5 after having
played . . . c5, as White may take on c5
and it will be extremely d ifficult for him
to get the c5-pawn back.

7 ... cxd4

This avoids Black's anxiety about

dxc5, but benefits Wh ite's
development.

[After 7 . . . tt:lh5?! 8 .�xb8 gxb8 9.dxc5

Wh ite obtains pressure against d5 as
well as tactical motifs in connection
with the u nprotected a-pawn .]
a b c d e
8.exd4 (0239)

tt:l bd7 (9. . . dxc4 1 0. Vfic21; b5?! 1 1 . a4

tLld5 12.�g3±) 1 O .Vfib3 Vfib6 1 1 . tt:l c3
dxc4 1 2 .Vfixc4 gae8 1 3.�g31;]

[The preparation of 7 . . . c5 with 6 . . . b6

is an ou nce too slow: 7 . tt:l bd2 �b7 This opens the e-file, and a
8 .c3 c5 . . tLlbdl 9.a4 tLlh5 1 0. �g5 symmet rical
(B .
pawn structure is
h6 1 1 .�4 g5 1 2 . tLl e 1 tLlhf6 1 3. �g3 avoided , after wh ich the d rawing
Chapter 43 - Gruenfeld sidelines 149

chances would be increased. 1 0 . .ie3 f!c7

8 ... lt:lc6 9 .c!t) bd2 Preparing the occupation of the

This position can result from the
following move sequence as well:
3 . . . c5 4.c3 tt:lc6 5.tt:ld2 g 6 6.ctJf3 .ig7
7 .il.e2 0-0 8.0-0 cxd4 9.exd4.
However, we do not have a normal
Caro-Kann Exchange Variation, as
the bishop would usually stand on d3
rather than on e2 .
239
a b c d e h
s i.
square f4.
[1 0 . . . '1Wd6 1 1 Jl:e 1 f5 1 2. ctJ b3 f4 1 3 ..id2
<j;Jh8 Turov-Burmakin , M oscow OL
1 994. 1 4.tt:lg5 is critical for Black.]
[ 1 0 . . . f5 1 1 . tt:l b3 f4 (1 1 . . . ctJf6 1 2.'f!c 1
aS 13."8e 1 b6 14.il.b5± Sygulski­
Szymczak, Polanica Zdroj 1 983)
1 2.il.d2 <j;Jh8 1 3 .tt:lc5 'f!d6 1 4 . tt:ld3 .if5
1 5."8e 1 .ixd3 1 6 . .ixd3 "8ae8 (Sydor­
Maciejewski, Lodz 1 980) 1 7 . tt:lg5!? e5
1 8.tt:lxh7 <j;Jxh7 1 9 .'\Wxh5+ .ih6
8 20.dxe5 tt:lxe5 2 1 . .ic2±]

1 1 ."8e1 .ig4
6
[After 1 1 . . .f5 1 2 .tt:lb3 which occurred
in the game Andrianov-M .
Damjanovic, Tei-Aviv 1 99 1 , Black
should have tried the consequent
1 2 . . . f4 !? instead of 1 2. . . e6 13."8c1
3 tLlf6 1 4. il.b5 ctJg4 1 5. .id2 ctJdB?! 1 6.c4
2 dxc4 1 7.il.b4, which , in the end, led to
a win for White) ]

e g 1 2.lt:lb3 lt:lf4 1 3 ..ib5!? (0240)

1 3 ... lt:lh5

[lt would be interesting to know what

[As B lack's main source for Keres had planned on 1 3 . . . a6!?. He
counterplay l ies in the f4-square and would probably have tried to make
the mobility of his f-pawn, 9 . . . il.f5 use of the weaknesses on the
seems to be inconsequent: 1 0 ."8e 1 q ueenside with 1 4 .il.f1 b6 1 5 .h3 il.f5
"8c8 1 1 . tt:le5 ctJd7 1 2. tt:l xc6 "8xc6 "" 6?. 1 7 . ""
"" e 5 , as 1 6 . . . 't..le
1 6 . 't..l 't.JXC 6 \111
sXC6
1 3.'1Wb3 "8b6 1 4.'\Wxd5 %:\xb2 1 5. tt:l c4 1 8. g4+- wou ld lose a piece.]
il,e6 1 6.'1Wf3± Zilbermann-Kantsler,
Tei-Aviv 2002.]
1 50 Chapter 43 - Gruenfeld sidelines

240 Wh ite h ad a very pleasant game

d uring the encounter between Keres
and Bronstein , Tbilisi 1 959.

Conclusio n : The sidelines in the

Gruenfeld formation are relatively
promising for White - mainly because
Black faces problems concerning the
development of his queen 's bishop.

[ 1 5.tLlc5!?;t]

1 5 ... :Sfe8 1 6 ..ih6 .ihB 1 7 ..if1 (0241 )

241
 151
C h a pte r 44

Sch lechter set-u p

1 .d4 d5 2.tLlf3 tLlf6 3.i.f4 g6 (0242) passive. In general, the London
System player should memorize the
242 following ru le:
a b c d e

4.e3 .ig7

[4 . . . c6 5.c4 i.g7 6.tLlc3 0-0 7 .i.d 3 i.g4

8 .h3 i.xf3 9.'Wxf3 dxc4 1 0.i.xc4;!;
Dreev-Bagirov, Sevastopol 1 986.]

5.i.e2 c6 6.0-0
[If White prefers a typical London set­
[6.tLlc3 leads to a variation of the up, then 7.h3 is probably the best
Barry attack, in which Black h as made choice. 7 . . . 'Wb6 (7 . . . tLlbd7 8 . tLlbd2 l::le 8
a concession with . . . c6] 9.c4 e6 1 0 . b4 b6 1 1 .l::\ c 1 i.b7 1 2.a4
l::l c8 1 3 .'Wb3;!; Gerasimenyk-Kopasov,
6 ... 0-0 7 .c4! (0243) St. Petersburg 2003) 8.'Wc1 c5!
(8 . . . tLl e4 9.c4 i.e6 1 O .c5 Wifd8 1 1 .b4
The Schlechter set-up with . . . c6 is b6 1 2. tLl bd2 tLlxd2 1 3.Wifxd2 f6?!
slightly more solid than the G ruenfeld 1 4 . l::\f c1 ctJd7?! 1 5.b5! bxc5 1 6.bxc6
variation, but at the same time more lt:l b6 1 7 .l::\x c5, 1 -0 Falchetta-Piasec,
1 52 Chapter 44 - Schlechter set-up

Caorle 1984) 9.c3 ti:Jc6 10.ti:Jbd2 .if5
1 1 .a4 cxd4 1 2.exd4 l"\ac8 1 3.!'\a3 ti:Ja5
14.b4 ti:Jc6 15.a5 1Mid8 16.1Mi a1 ti:Je4
1 7.b5;t Galego-Frois, Caldas de
Felgueira 1999.]
7.ti:Jbd2 and 7.c3 can be answered
with 7 ... ti:Jh5, but 7.ti:Je5!? is worth a
try.]
9 . .ixc4 t!Ll b6 1 O ..ib3 .ifS ( D 24S)
[10 ... ti:Jbd5 1 1 . .ie5 .ig4 12.h3 .ixf3
1 3.1Mixf3 ti:Jxc3 14.bxc3 ti:Jd7 15 . .ixg7
lt>xg7 16.e4 e5 17.1Mie3 "We? 18.f4±
Roder-Marek, Cappelle la Grande
1994.]
245

7 .. .c!L!bd7
a b c d e f 9 h
[7 ... ti:Jh5?! is not convincing: 8 ..ie5 f6 81 I - � - · - 8
9 ..ixb8 l"\xb8 1 O.ti:Jfd2 f5 1 1 ..ixh5 7- · - - · - · 1 7
gxh5 12.cxd5 1Mixd5 1 3.ti:Jc3 (13.1Mfxh5 6 1 -
e5 14.tLlf3 e4 1 5. tLlg5 h6 1 6. tLlc3 "Wd6 · - - · -6
1 7. ti:Jh3±) 1 3 ... 1Mif7 14.f4;t]
fR - -.i.- I
s s

8.t!Llc3 dxc4 41 �- �'� �+� � -4 %uu0 / uuY

[8 ... !'\e8 9.!'\c1 ti:Jf8 10.cxd5 ti:Jxd5 3--�� - 13

�/� CLJ � /'/ . . % u, /

1 1 .ti:Jxd5 1Mixd5 12 ..ic4 1Mih5? (0244) 21 � 0 - ��� � 02

244 1 0 - if - M CY1 1 1
a b c d e a b c d e 9 h
The bishop is now developed and
8 Black fights for the d5-square. Has he
solved all his problems? The answer
6 is clear: No!
1 1 .1Mie2 as 1 2 .a3 t!Ll bdS 1 3.t!LlxdS
t!LlxdS 1 4.-ieS f6

Black should not allow the exchange

of bishops.
1S ..ig3 .ie6 1 6.1Mic2 .if7 1 7.:Bfd1 e6
1 8.:Bac1 ±

Askarian-Grinblat, Kharkov 2002.

(12. . . "Wf5 1 3. .ie5±) 1 3.ti:Jg5+-
Kirpichnikov-Ten, Togliatti 2001.]
 153
C h a pter 45

C h igori n - Defense
1 .d4 d5 V!l)f3 ti:Jc6 3.i.f4! (0246) (4 ... ti:Jf6 5.c4 e6 6.ti:Jc3)
246 (4 ... li:Jb4 5.ti:Ja3 e6 6.c3 ti:Jc6 7.ti:Jb5
d f i.d6 8.ti:Jxd6+;!; Apicella-Prie, France
a b c e g h
(Nantes) 1993.)
8 I . - .t ��� . �m�
-� ��-� 8
(4 ... e6 5.c4 i.d6 6.i.g3 ti:Jge7 7.ti:Jc3
.. .

7_ , · - · 17 0-0 8.i.h4 dxc4 9.i.xc4 �d7 1 O.l"lc1

ti:Jg6 1 1 .i.g3 i.xg3 12.hxg3;t Belikov­
61 - -6 Tishin, Alushta 2001 .)
s - - · - - Is 5.c4 e6 6.ti:Jc3 ti:Jf6 (6 ...i.b4 7.cxd5
4 1 - D �� - 4 exd5 8.l"lc1;!; Miles-Merwin, Reno
1999.) 7.i.e2 i.d6 8.i.g5 i.e7 9.i.xf6
3 - - -lb- 13 i.xf6 1 O.cxd5 exd5 1 1 .�b3 ti:Je7
2 l 8 �t� 8 - 8 0 8 0 2 12.�xb7+- Wojtkiewicz-Mahmuti,
Bernd 1996]
1 U tLJ- ifm� - M I 1
a b c d e f g h 4.e3 e6 5.c4! (0247)

Declines the invitation to enter the 247

Chigorin-Defence with 3.c4? and
steers the game into London System a b c d e

channels.
3 ... .ig4

3 ... ti:Jf6 or 3 ...i.f5 are also possible, 6

but do not fit in the Chigorin System
style. Black prefers to develop 5
actively, which looks perfectly 4
reasonable optically.
[3 ... ti:Jf6 4.e3 ti:Jh5 5.i.g5 h6 6.i.h4 g5
7 .ti:Jfd2 ti:Jg7 8.i.g3 ti:Jf5 9.c4 ti:Jxg3
1 O.hxg3 i.g7 1 1 .cxd5 �xd5 12.ti:Jc3 1
�d8 1 3.i.b5+- Yedidia-Curdo, USA =�......:.:.:.;�...,..:.;=...:.:.:.;=---:
1997 .] [3 ...i.f5 4.e3 a6
1 54 Chapter 45 - Chigorin-Defence

Even the alternative is unpleasant for (1 2 ... 4Je7!? With the plan of ... ctJf5
Black. it often frustrates Chigorin and ... c6 is better. But White can
players to play against if4 - they do claim an advantage with 13.c5. The
not get their usual active game. Or in immediate threat is obvious. (13.a3
other words: The 4Jc6 looks even ia5) 1 3 ... c6 14.a3 ia5 15.4Jxa5
more ridiculous than in any other �xa5 1 6.b4 �c7 (1 6. . . �xa3? 1 7.�d2
variation. a5 1 8.bxa5 ifS 1 9. Ela 1 �b3 20. Ela2
and White is winning.) 1 7.a4 f6
[5.ie2 id6 6.ig3 4Jge7 7.4Jbd2 0-0 18.b5;!;)
8.0-0 Black has problems because of 1 3.Elxc4 id6 (0249)
his space disadvantage. 8 ... ctJf5 In
order to show some compensation, he 249
hopes to at least keep his pair of
bishops. 9.c4 As the ig3 has already
fulfil ed its obligations, one should not
have anything against the exchange
on g3. 9 ... 4Jxg3 1 O.hxg3 (0248)
248
a b c d e f g h
s l .l -
• �
%' 1/;
··-
�s
/uu.J

�� , �"�
m - m · I7
.•

7 �. - · �"�
6 1 - �- · - - 6
sa - · - - I s
4 1 - � n - j. - 4
3��. - �?�Q:J�-� 1 3
• "'••u0 "'""!/,: White fancies playing d5 - creating a
21 � n � � n � - 2 double attack against c6 and g4. But
at the moment Black stil has the reply
1 ��
��
-'if-
� �
��� 11 ... 4Je5. With 14.4Jc5 White exerts
dangerous pressure on the
a b c d e g h
queenside. Of course Black could
Even though no rook remains on the take on c5 but that would cost him the
h-file, the pawn on g3 also has its only ace he has. 14 ... Elb8 15.�d2
merits: White secured permanent 4Je7 16.Elfc1 c6 17.id3 if5 18.e4
control over f4. 1 0 ... ib4 1 1 J�c1 Elc8 winning further space. 18 ... ig6
1 2.ctJb3 dxc4?! Due to his lack of 19.�e3 Ele8 20.!'14c3 4Jc8 21 .g4
space, Black feels obliged to take on gradually planning g3, �g2, Elh1 .
c4. 21 ... 4Jb6 22.Ela3 4Jc8 pure
Chapter 45 - Chigorin-Defence 155

helplessness. 23J:l:b3 Wffc7 24.g3 ttJb6
(24 ... �g3? only fails to 25.e5+-)
25.�g2 ttJd7 26.e5 fie?
(26 ...fixd3? 27.exd6+-;
26 ...fif8 27.fixg6 fxg6 is the only way
to prevent being mated on the h-file,
but the pawn structure speaks
volumes.)
3 1. CDf6+! gxf6 32.Wif4! - and again
there is no defence against the mate
on the h-file.) 30.g5 fid8 31 .Wfff4 fie?
32.ctJf6+! ttJxf6 33.gxf6 1-0 in Rogers
- Ye Rongguang, Kuala Lumpur
1990.]
Back to the main variation
5 ll:\f6 (0251 )
...

27.fixg6 hxg6 28.ttJe4 (D250) 251

250

There are also plenty of alternatives at

this point.
The white mating attack on the h-file
is slow - but deadly. The motif of [5 ...dxc4 6.fixc4 fid6 7 .fig3 ctJf6
ttJf6+ also emerges as an idea. (7. . . a6 8. CD c3 CDf6 9.0-0 �g3 1 0.hxg3
0-0 1 1. fie2 Wid6 1 2. 'l'!,c1 'if,fdB 13.a3
28 ...Wffa5 (2B. . . ttJb6 29. 'i!,h 1 ttJd5 ttJ e 7 1 4. b4 �f3 1 5.�f3 c6 1 6.Wib3
30.Wic1 WidB 3 1. Wig 1 ! f5 32. exf6 �f6 ttJg6 1 7. 'if,fdtt. Malakhatko-Swic,
33.g5 is a further example of how Polanica Zdroj 2001 .) 8.ttJc3 0-0
quickly the game can end.) (B. . . �g3 9.hxg3 Wid6 1 0. a3 a6
1 1 . Wic2 h6 1 2.fid3 e5 13. ttJe4 ttJxe4
29.'l'!,h1 Wffd 5 (29. . . Wixa2 The dying 1 4.�e4 �f3 15.gxf3 exd4 16. 0-0-0
may eat everything . .. 30.g5 'if,f8 Trying 0-0-0 1 7. 'i!,h5"! Hansen-Miladinovic,
to establish a defence with ...f6/f5 Malm6 1 998.) 9.0-0 ttJa5 1 O.fie2 c5?
156 Chapter 45 - Chigorin-Defence

1 1 .dxc5 hc5 12.Wxd8 1-0 Szekely- 1 7. b4 Wxa3 1 8.hxg6+-) 15.1"lc3 c6

Veltkamp, Haarlem 2001 .] 16.dxc6 ttJxc6 17.i.c4 tLlh4 18.Wg4
Wh8 19.1"ld3 We7 20.0-0;t)
[5 ...i.d6 A popular continuation. 6.i.g3
tLlf6 (6. . . ttJge7 7.i.e2 dxc4 B.hc4 ctJf5 252
9.tLlc3 a6 1 0.i.e2 0-0 1 1 .hd6 ttJxd6
a b c d e g h
1 2.h3 i.h5 1 3. 0-0 Wt6 1 4. 1"lc 1 ElfdB
1 5.Wc2 ElacB 1 6. 1"lfe 1;!; Nordahi­
Bromann, Gausdal 2003.) 7.ctJc3 0-0
8.cxd5 exd5 (8 ... ttJxd5 9.i.e2 ttJxc3
1 O.bxc3 Wf6 1 1 .1"lb1 b6 and now
1 2.e4!;!; (12. ctJd2?! he2 13.Wxe2
ttJa5 1 4. 0-0 hg3= Martinovi c ­
Degraeve, Sremic Krsko 1998.) )
9.i.e2 1"le8 10.0-0 i.xg3 1 1 .hxg3 ttJe7
12.Wb3 Wd6 1 3.1"lfc1 Wb6 1 4.Wxb6
axb6 15.tLlb5+- Martinovic-Trifunovic,
Estensi 2001 .]
[5 ...i.b4+ In the spirit of Chig orin.
6.tLlc3 ttJge7 (0252) Black pursues
another plan with this move: He wants
to continue with ttJg6 and e5. But this 7 ... 0-0 8.i.d3 (8.h3!? is only enough
is a bit too slow.' (6 ...i.xc3+!? 7.bxc3 for equality by now. 8 ...i.xf3 9.Wxf3
ttJge7 8.h3 i.f5 9.1"lc1 (9. tLlh4;!;) 9 ... 0-0 e5!? 1 0 .dxe5 d4 1 1 .exd4 Wxd4
1 O.i.e2 ttJa5 1 1 .cxd5 exd5 12.ctJd2 12.i.e2 ttJg6 1 3.i.e3 Wxe5 14.0-0 i.d6
1"lc8 13.Wa4 c5 14.ctJb3 ttJxb3 1 5.g3 i.c5 16.i.xc5 Wxc5= Vezzosi­
1 5.axb3;!; Karlsen-Johannessen, Oslo Skembris, Montecatini Terme 2000.)
2003) 8 ... ttJg6 And White has to be very
7 .1"lc1 ?! After this move White will find careful. 9.i.g3 (After 9.h3? 'Black can
it much more difficult to obtain an continue with' 9 ...i.xf3 1 O.Wxf3 dxc4
advantage. 1 1 .i.xc4 ttJxd4! and the position after
1 2.Wxb7 ttJxf4 1 3.exf4 (13.Wxb4 ?
(7.h3! i.h5 8.1"lc1 0-0 9.a3 i.xc3+ ttJxg2+ 1 4. Wf1 ttJxe3+ 1 5. fxe3 Wf6 + -
(9. . . i.d6 1 0.hd6 Wxd6 1 1 . cxd5 exd5 +) 1 3... 1"lb8 14.We4 Schussler-Hector,
1 2.i.e2 a6 1 3. 0-0 f5 14. Wd2 ;!; and Schweden (Malmo) 1986. 14 ... tLlf5!
after f4 White has the reply e4.) (14 . . . i.a5 is very sharp and difficult to
10.1"lxc3 dxc4 1 1 .1"lxc4! tLlg6 12.i.h2 evaluate.) 1 5.0-0 (15. i.d3 i.d6:f.)
i.xf3 13.Wxf3 e5 All Black's hopes 15 ... ttJd6 16.Wd3 ttJxc4 17.Wxc4 i.d6
were based on this move. 14.d5 ttJa5 1 8.b3 1"lb4-+)
(14 . . . ttJce7 1 5.h4 c6 1 6.h5 Wa5+
Chapter 45 - Chigorin-Defence 157

9 .. .f5l? 253

(9. . . dxc4 1 O.hc4 il.d6 1 1 . il,b5 CiJ ce 7

a b d e

1 2. 0-0 CiJf5 13.il.e2 CiJxg3 14.hxg3 c6

1 5. CiJe4 il,c7 1 6. CiJc5� Yermolinsky­
Rahman, Stratton Mountain 2000.)
1 O.h3 il.h5 1 1 .cxd5 exd5 12.0-0 f4 6
1 3.il.xg6 il.xf3 14.Wxf3 fxg3 5
(14 . . . hxg6 1 5. il.h2 fxe3 1 6. Wxe3 Wd7 4
1 7.Wd3�)
1 5.il.f5 il.xc3 1 6.bxc3 gxf2+ 1 7.!'gxf2 3
!'gf6?! 18.il,e6+ <j;Jh8 19.Wxd5�]
Back to the main variation
g h
6.ltlc3 ib4 {0253)
[7.h3 il.xf3 8.Wxf3 CiJe4 9.1'k1 We?
[The modern 6 ... a6 is met by 7.il.e2 10.cxd51 2. We2�)
exd5 1 1 .Wd1 (1 1 . il.b5 0-0
1 1 ... 0-0 12.il.e2 CiJd8 1 3.0-0
(7.h3 il.h5 8.il,g5 dxc4 9.hc4 il.e7
1 O.hf6 hf6 1 1. il.e2 il,g6 1 2. 0-0 e5 il,xc3 14.bxc3 CiJe6 1 5.il.h2 !'gfd8
1 3. dxe5 CiJxe5 14.Wb3� S.Agdestein­ 16.c4� Ki.Georgiev-Pirrot, Bad
E.Agdestein, Norway (Steinkjer) W6rishofen 2002.]
1 986.) 7 ... dxc4 8.il,xc4 il.d6 9.il.xd6
(9.il.g5�) 9 ... cxd6 10. 0 -0 0-0 1 1 .il.e2 7 . 0-0
..

e5 12.dxe5 dxe5= Frois-Skembris,

Linares 2000.] [7 ... CiJe4l? Very risky. 8.h3 il.xf3
(8 ...il.h5 9.il.d3 0-0 1 O.cxd5 (1 O.Wc2
f5 1 1 . cxd5 exd5 1 2. CiJe5 CiJxe5
1 3. he 5 c6 1 4. 0-0�) 1 O ... exd5 1 1 .Wc2
As is common in the Queen's Gambit , il.xf3 12.gxf3 CiJg5 1 3.h4! CiJxf3+
it is all about the bishop's tempo. The 14.<j;lf1 +-) 9.Wxf3 We? 10.cxd5 exd5
knight is supported by !'gc1 and the 1 1 .Wd 1 Wh4 12.!'gc2 0-0 1 3.il.d3 !'gae8
idea of gaining control of the important 14.0-0�; 7 ... dxc4 is harmless by now.
c-file becomes apparent immediately. 8.il.xc4 CiJd5 9.il,g3 0-0 10.0-0 CiJxc3
1 1 .bxc3 il.d6 1 2.il.b5! Very important,
[7.il.g5 h6 8.il.xf6 Wxf6 9.cxd5 exd5 as otherwise, for instance after
1 O.il,e2 0-0 1 1 .0-0 il,xc3 12.bxc3 CiJa5 12.il.e2, Black will accomplish the
1 3. CiJe5� P. Cramling-Arencibia, important pawn break ... e5. 12 ... CiJe7
Malaga 2000.] 1 3.il.d3 il,xg3 14.hxg3�]
158 Chapter 45 - Chigorin-Defence

8.h3!? {0254) [9 ...�xc3+ 1 O.bxc3 We? 1 1 .Wd1

(1 1 .cxd5 tt::lxd5 (1 1 . . . exd5 1 2.�d31;)
254 12.�c4"1;) 1 1 ...e5 12.�g5 exd4 1 3.�xf6
c d e f g h
Wxf6 14.cxd4"1; Moreno Ruiz-Moreno
a b
Carnero, Apanien (Seville), 2004.]
1 0.�g5! {0255)

255
a b c d e

The attentive reader will have noticed 3

that h3 is very important in this
variation. The difficulty lies in
detecting exactly the right moment to 1
pIay it. =;;.._.,___;.:,;.:.;;;;;._...,.
c
_ .;.;.;
d
....:.; ;;;._....,.
e
_ ;.:.;;
...;. ;;;._...,.
g _ ....
h .. .:

[8.�e2 f\e8 9.0-0 dxc4 1 O.�xc4 e5? Black planned ... e5 and would have
(10. J i Jh5!) 1 1 .dxe5 Wxd1 1 2.f\fxd1 attained equality with this idea after
�xf3 13.gxf3 tt::l xe5 (13. . .hc3 14.exf6 10.�d3. To avoid this White must
hf6 1 5.ii.b5+-) 14.tt::l b 5+- Simic­ move his bishop for a second time.
Yeo, Belg rade 2003.] Supported by his lead in development,
Black tries to complicate the position.
.. 8 . .txf3 If he does not manage to do so, he
will simply be worse off.
[8 ...�h5 9.a3! �xc3+ (9... �d6
1 0. cxd5!? exd5?! 1 1.�g5+-) 10. f\ xc3 [1 o.�d3? e5! 1 1 .dxe5 tt::l x e5 12.�xe5
We? (10. . . tt:le7 1 1.�e2 c6 1 2. 0-0 tt:le4 Wxe5=]
1 3. E\c21;) 1 1 . � e2 dxc4 12.f\xc4 l2ld5
1 3.�h2 f5 14.0-0"1; Cebalo­ 1 0 ....ixc3+
Gruskonvnjak, Portoroz 2004.]
[1 O ... f\fd8? 1 1 .cxd5+-]
9.1.Wxf3 ffe7
Chapter 45 - Chigorin-Defence 159

1 1 J'!xc3 256
b d f h
[1 1 . bxc3? '\Wa3 12.�c2 tt:Je4-+ is what a c e g

Black dreams of.]

1 1 ... VAfb4

Looks very strong.

12 ..txf6 VAfxb2 1 3.�b3! (0256)

Forcing the transposition into a better

endgame .
1 3 ...VAfc1 + 14.VAfd1 VAfxd1 + 1 5.'it>xd1
dxc4 1 6J'!xb7 gxf6

There are three reasons for White's

advantage: the pawn structure, the Conclusio n: Also against the
better minor piece and the king, which Chigorin Defence the London System
is more centralised. represents a brilliant weapon in the
fight for a permanent advantage.
1 7.Wc2!

Controlling all possible invasion

squares. [1 7 .Wd2?! and Black could
still hold on in Kramnik-lvanchuk,
Linares 1998.]
1 7 . . .�ab8 1 8.�xb8 �xb8 1 9 ..txc4
'it>f8 20. 'it>c3 We7 21 .�dU

White controls every part of the board

and plans e4, followed by d5, with the
justifiable hope of extending his
advantage.
160
C h a pte r 46

Sto n ewa l l
1 .d4 d 5 2.lLlf3 e6 3.i.f4 f5 4.e3 lLlf6 However, with the position at hand
5.c4 (0257) Black has completely g iven up the
257 control over e5. Therefore he is no
longer able to exploit the position of
the �f4 - in fact, quite the opposite is
true.

5 ... c6
6 [5 . . . �d6 6. ti:lc3 0-0 (6 . . . �xf4?! 7.exf4
5 0-0 8.�e2 b6 9.0-0 �b7 1 0 .Elc1 ti:Jbd7
1 1 .b4 dxc4 1 2 .�xc4 ti:ld5 1 3.�xd5
4 4 exd5 1 4 .Ele1 lLlf6 1 5 .ti:Je5+- Sakaev-
3 Radu lski, Jugoslavia 1 996. Because
of f3 Black will never be able to
2 occupy e4 .) 7.�d3 c6 (7 . . . b6 8.0-0
tt:Je4 9 .�xd6 "'&xd6 1 0.cxd5 exd5
1 1 . Elc1 c6 1 2.ti:Je5 �b7 1 3 .f4;!; Suran­
Orlowski, Bavaria 1 997 .) (7 ... ti:lc6 8.0-
0 �d7 9.�xd6 cxd6 1 O.cxd5 exd5
The typical reaction against an early 1 1 ."'&b3+-Vyzhma.navin-Padevsky,
�f4 in the Dutch Defence is . . . b6 and Gelsenkirchen 1 99 1 .)
refraining from pushing the pawn to
d5. The advantage is that Black's 8 .0-0 "'&c7 (8 . . . ti:le4 9.�xe4? ! (9."'Mfc2
position remains flexible. As we will fits in much better.) 9 . . . fxe4 1 0.lLle5
see, the Stonewall is not always the "'&e7 1 1 .c5 �c7 1 2.f3 exf3 1 3 .Elxf3 b6
correct recipe. Therefore , one should 1 4. tt:Ja4 �a6 1 5.Elc1 b5 1 6 .lLlc3 b4=
not fear this transposition. Sokolov - Lukov, M aribor 1 990.)
9. ti:le2 (9.g3) 9 . . . lLlh5 1 0.�xd6 "'&xd6
Why do we not h ave a look at the 1 1 .c5 "'&c7 1 2 .b4 ti:Jd7 1 3.1&c2 g6
move sequences 1 .d4 f5 or 1 .d4 e6? 1 4."'&b2 Ele8 1 5 .tt:Je5! (D258)
The reason is quite simple: Similarly 1 5 . . . tt:J xe5 1 6 .dxe5 g5 1 7.f4 g4
to 1 .d4 ti:Jf6 , Black is still in a position 1 8.tt:Jd4+- Lal ic-de Ios Santos,
to fight for e5. Malaga 2002.]
I n his book about the Leningrad
System, GM Kindermann proved the 6.lLlc3 i.e7
d isadvantages of an early �f4 in the
Dutch Defence. [6 . . . �d6?! There is nothing to say
Chapter 46 - Stonewall 161

against this exchange from White 's Strives for counterplay, mainly against
point of view since the e-file will be the � on c3. [8 . . . i.d7 9.�e5 �a6
opened : 7.i.d3 0-0 8.0-0 �e4 9.Wc2 1 O . a3 �c7 1 1 .cxd5 � cxd5 1 2 .i.g3
i.xf4 1 O. exf4 �d7 1 1 . E'1fe 1 �df6 �h5 1 3.�f3 �xg3 1 4.hxg3;!;
1 2.�e5 �d6 1 3 .c5 �f7 1 4.b4+­ Scherbakov-Grabarczyk, Koszalin
Savchenko-lliushin, Linares 1 998.] 1 99 7 . ; 8 . . . �h8 9.h3 �e4 1 0.g4 i.d6
1 1 .i.xd6 �xd6 1 2 . �e5 �d7 1 3.0-0-0
258 We? 1 4 .cxd5 cxd5 1 5.f4 �f6 1 6 .h4
i.d7 1 7 . h5+- Pogorelov-Guliev,
M oscow 1 996.]

9.g4! (0259)

This is the point of Wh ite's set-up.

The king will most likely go to e2,
sometimes White will be castling
q ueenside. Due to the safe position in
the centre, e2 is probably the best
place for the monarch . Black on the
other hand will have to get prepared
for the attack on his king which Wh ite
will conduct. As the variation will
show, Black does not have enough
dynamic resources in the centre.
259
a b c d e

[If Black does not castle, Wh ite can

strive for the central breakthrough e4:
7 . . . � bd7 8.h3 �e4 9.'<Wc2 �df6 7
1 O.�e5 �xc3 1 1 . bxc3 �e4 1 2 .0-0 0-0
1 3 .f3 �d6 1 4 .E'1ab1 �f7 1 5.e4;!; 6
S u lypa-Baron , Elancourt 2004.]

8.'<Wc2

All pieces are developed to active

positions. [8.�e5 followed by castling
kingside is also absolutely playable,
but the move would not q uite fit in 1
with the plan of playing g2-g4.] =�___;.;.;.;.;.;.;.;....�;..;.;.;_----:--'-;.;.;.;.;..-:--'
Chapter 46 - Stonewall 163

1 0.a3 1Mfa5 1 6.-teS! :E!f7 1 7.1Mfc2 Ad7 1 8.Ad3 +-

Renewing the th reat of . . . ctJb4. Wh ite achieves a clear advantage .

1 1 .1iil e 2! (0261 ) dxc4

[1 1 . . . g5 1 2.Ae5 fxg4 1 3 .ixe4 dxe4
Yermolinsky-Mi licevic, Los Angeles
2002. 1 4 .ctJd2! ctJb8 1 5.'W'xe4 ctJd7
1 6. b4 'W'd8 1 7 .'W'xg4;!;; 1 1 .. .id7
1 2.ctJe5 ie8 1 3 .f3 l2Jxc3+ 1 4 . bxc3
ctJc? (14 . . . g6 1 5.gxf5 exf5 16.'EJ,ag 1
cJJh B 1 7.h4 'W'dB 1 B.ih6 'EJ,gB 1 9. ixf5
gxf5 20. 'EJ,xg8+ cJJxgB 2 1 . 'li,g 1 + cJJh B
22. 'W'xf5 1 -0 Khenkin-Hustert, Ruhr
District 1 995.) 1 5 .gxf5 dxc4 1 6 . C2Jxc4
'W'd5 1 7.ixc7 exf5 1 8. ctJ e5 1 -0
l konnikov-Speck, Winterthur 2002.]
261
a b c d e h
8 8
7
Conclusion : Playing a Stonewall
against all White 's set-ups is
certainly not recommendable for Black
- and definitely not against the London
System! The positions are a little bit
too complicated for a blitz game, but
in a tournament battle Black will face
enormous difficulties. Information on
the question concerning why White
does not already play 2.if4 after 1 .d4
f5 or 1 .d4 e6 can be found in the
foreword.
F inally I would like to wish all of
you a lot of very exciting and
successful games with this
opening system!

5
4
3
2

1 2.ixc4 lL!xc3+ 1 3.'\Wxc3 '1Wb6

1 4.gxf5 :E!xfS 1 5.:8hg1 lL!c7

Hellsten-Straeter, National Leag ue

200 1 , and now
162 Chapter 46 - Stonewall

9 &Lia6
... F.)

Forcing the next move, which suits [9 . . .�a5!? Pinning the knight. 1 0.gxf5!
White's position very well . (0260) claryfiing the situation on the
kingside. ( 1 0.�e2 is answered by
A.) ia3!?. Black achieves an unbalanced
position through tactical tricks after
[ 9 . . . tLl d 7?! 1 O .gxf5 exf5 1 1 .cxd5 cxd5 1 1 Jlac1 tLlxc3+ 1 2 .�xc3 �xc3
1 2. tLlxd5 �aS+ 1 3.�e2 id6 1 3.l=lxc3 ixb2 1 4 . l=lb3 fxg4
(13 . . . �xd5? ? 14.ic4) 1 4. b4 �d8 Shabariyazdanov-Radjabov, B iel
1 5.ixd6 tLlxd6 1 6 . tLlc7 1 -0 Arkhipov­ 2000. A completely unclear position . . .
Stockmann , M uenster 1 99 1 .] The threat is . . .ixd4. ) 1 0 . . . exf5
1 1 . �e2 ct:Jxc3+ ( 1 1 . . . �e6 1 2.cxd5
B.) cxd5 1 3.�b3 tLld7 1 4 . �hg 1 �h8
1 5.tLle5 �fc8?! 1 6.ixe4 fxe4 1 7.tLlxd7
[9 . . . id6 1 O .ie5 tLlxc3 1 1 .bxc3 ixe5 �a6+ 1 8.�b5+- Aagaard-Pedersen,
1 2. tLlxe5 tLld7 1 3.tLlxd7 �xd7 1 4.a4 Ringsted 1 992 .; 1 1 ... ia3!?)
�d6 1 5.f4 �h8 1 6. g 5 b6 1 7 . a5�
J a kab-Antal, Budapest 2002.] 260
a b c d e h
C.)
a J. 8
[9 . . . ib4 1 0. �e2 ixc3 1 1 . bxc3 b6
1 2.l=lhg 1 ia6 1 3 .gxf5 exf5 1 4. tLl e5 7
tLld7 1 5 .f3 �h4?! 1 6 .l=lg2 tLlef6?!
(16. . . tLlxe5 1 7.be5 tLl f6 is also clearly
6
better for White.) 1 7 .l=lag 1 tLlxeS
1 8. l=lxg7+ �h8 1 9. .be5 �ae8 20.�d 1
l=lxe5 2 1 . dxe5 tLlh S 22.�g2
1 -0 Seres-Vajda , Eger 2002. ]

D.)

[ 9 . . . tLlxc3 1 O .bxc3 dxc4 1 1 .ixc4 fxg4 1

-'
�---:----:--___--:-___9
___-:-
h
1 2.tLle5 ig5?! 1 3 .id3+- Volzhin- c
Farell, Canberra 200 1 .]
1 2. bxc3 ie6 1 3.�b3 dxc4 1 4.ixc4
E. ) ixc4+ 1 5.�xc4+ �d5 1 6.�xd5+ cxd5
1 7.� h b 1 b6 1 8. �b5 �d8 1 9. l=lc1 tLl a6
[ 9 . . . � h 8!? is a useful waiting move. 20. a4 �ac8 2 1 .a5+- Rustemov­
1 0. gxf5 exf5 1 1 .0-0-0 ie6 1 2. tLle5� Schaffarth, Bad Wiessee 1 999.]
Novikov-Makarychev, Tallinn 1 988.]
You are looking for an opening

with the following attributes:

1. easy to learn

2. extremely solid

3. ful l of poison

4. fascinating positions

5. relatively unknown

6. p lenty of scope for own ideas

lt is interesting to note that the London-System is very well known in amateur

circles as Wh ite can reach a playable position after the opening phase without
having to have a lot of theory knowledge. This fact alone underlines the solidity of
the London-System .

As the system covers all variations after 1 .d4 d5 (lazy people can also use it
against 1 . . . tt:Jf6), it must be regarded as a universal weapon. But if this system is so
good , then why is it still so l ittle-known?

I can only guess at the reason - probably the opinion established itself at higher
levels that the London-System (LS) would not have enough bite to seriously
endanger Black.

H owever, there are also a few people among the top grandmasters who think
otherwise. Gata Kamsky for instance used the London-System with reasonable
success and the London-System is very popular one or perhaps two steps lower
down at the I M- to FM-Ievel, as Wh ite can easily avoid long theory variations,
forcing his opponent to play
chess from the very beginning.

The much-praised solid ity should not be mistaken for boredom as i n truth the
concept for a very dangerous kingside attack is inherent in the London-System.
Numerous games have been decided in favour o f White long before the 30'h move
just beca use Black underestimated the white set-up.