Sicilian Defense - Four Knights Variation 9788682410034

Table of contents :
TABLE OF CONTENTS
KEY TO SYMBOLS
PREFACE
CHAPTER ONE 6.Qd3, 6.Bf4, 6.Be2 and 6.g3
CHAPTER TWO 6.a3
CHAPTER THREE 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Bb7
CHAPTER FOUR 8...Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.a3
CHAPTER FIVE 10.c4 Bb4 11.Ke2 f5 12.Nf2
CHAPTER SIX 12.exf6
CHAPTER SEVEN 6.Ndb5 Bb4
CHAPTER EIGHT 6...Bc5 7.Nd6+
CHAPTER NINE 7.Bf4
CHAPTER TEN EXERCISES
EXERCISES SOLUTIONS

Citation preview

GM Miloš Perunović

SICILIAN DEFENSE FOUR KNIGHTS VARIATION

Author GM Miloš Perunović Cover design Sirius 3D Studio Translator B. A. FM Vuk Žegarac Typesetting Katarina Tadić Editor-in-chief Branko Tadić

© Copyright 2023 Chess Fortress All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means: electronic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN 978-86-82410-03-4

Izdavač CHESS FORTRESS 11060 Beograd, Vojvode Micka Krstića 9, Srbija e-mail: [email protected] website: www.chessfortress.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS KEY TO SYMBOLS

5

PREFACE

6

CHAPTER ONE - 6.Qd3, 6.Bf4, 6.Be2 and 6.g3

9

CHAPTER TWO - 6.a3

26

CHAPTER THREE - 6.Nc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Bb7

40

CHAPTER FOUR - 8...Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.a3

59

CHAPTER FIVE - 10.c4 Bb4 11.Ke2 f5 12.Nf2

72

CHAPTER SIX - 12.exf6

95

CHAPTER SEVEN - 6.Ndb5 Bb4

120

CHAPTER EIGHT - 6...Bc5 7.Nd6+

134

CHAPTER NINE - 7.Bf4

147

CHAPTER TEN – EXERCISES

180

EXERCISE SOLUTIONS

185

KEY TO SYMBOLS ²

White stands slightly better

³

Black stands slightly better

±

White is better

µ

Black is better

+–

White has a decisive advantage

–+

Black has a decisive advantage

=

equality

∞

unclear

©

with compensation

‚

with an attack

ƒ

with initiative

„

with counterplay

ʘ

zugzwang

#

mate

!

a good move

!!

an excellent move

?

a weak move

??

a blunder

!?

an interesting move

?!

a dubious move

…

with the idea

™

only move

¹

better is

†

time

N

a novelty

(ch)

championship

5

PREFACE I have been playing chess for more than 30 years and my main weapon against 1.e4 is almost always 1...c5. During my career, I tried playing many variations of the Sicilian Defense, such as the Najdorf, the Kalashnikov, the Scheveningen, the Classical Variation and my main weapon – the Taimanov Variation. Until recently, I had no experience with the Four Knights Variation with either side – all that I knew was that White can force a transposition into the Sveshnikov with 6.Ndb5 or create serious problems for Black with 6.Nxc6. In 2019, while I was preparing for the World Rapid and Blitz Championships, I began to analyze the Four Knights Variation. My starting belief was that this variation is extremely good only in rapid and blitz games – however, after a lot of hard work, I concluded that the variation is fully playable in classical games as well. In the Four Knights Variation, Black develops his knights in a harmonious manner and pressures the important central squares e4 and d4. In comparison to the Classical Variation, where the d-pawn is on d6, in our variation the e-pawn is on e6 and this makes a considerable difference. Firstly, the dark-squared bishop can be developed on the b4 square from where it will create concrete threats against White’s center. Secondly, our d-pawn is flexible and if we manage to strike with ...d5, we will usually solve most of our problems. Another interesting thing that I noticed while studying the variation is that most of the pawn structures that arise are very different from those that arise in other variations of the Sicilian Defense. This means that Black needs to have a lot of knowledge and experience in the variation in order to play it successfully. However, luckily for us, White players find themselves in a similar situation – he has a narrow choice of variations that could pose any serious problems to Black’s position.

With the exception of the 6.Nxc6 and 6.Ndb5 variations, all other moves allow Black to create pleasant positions with simple moves such as ...Bb4 and ...d5. I noticed that many players opt for the 6.Ndb5 line hoping to transpose into the Sveshnikov – but this move order benefits Black as it avoids the critical 7.Nd5 move that is played after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Nd5! In this book, we will not deal with the Sveshnikov lines. Instead, we recommend that you try out 6...Bb4 and the modern 6...Bc5. The critical test of our variation is definitely 6.Nxc6. Because of this exchange, Black loses the control over the e5 square and White can use this to advance the e-pawn in order to weaken the d6 square. Similarly to the 6.Ndb5 variation, we also provided you with two options – 8...Bb7 with the idea to advance

6

the c-pawn in order to open the long diagonal and 8...Qc7 with the idea to force White to advance the f-pawn to f4 since this permanently weakens the a7-g1 diagonal. We believe that the 8...Qc7 line leads to complex positions that give Black a lot of practical chances. Today, the Four Knights Variation is found in the repertoire of many top grandmasters and the theory is constantly developing. This variation will suit ambitious and noncompromising players that want to outplay their opponents in complex battles. I also believe that young players should have this variation in their repertoire as it will greatly benefit their general understanding of chess. Dynamic and non-standard pawn structures enable young players to develop tactical skills and imagination. I hope this book serves as your reliable guide for many variations and I truly believe that it will have an immense effect on the current state of theory. To add to this, I also hope that it will inspire other players to investigate this variation as well! Enjoy!

GM Miloš Perunović Belgrade 2023.

7

SICILIAN DEFENSE Four Knights Variation

CHAPTER ONE 6.Qd3, 6.Bf4, 6.Be2 and 6.g3 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.g3

Check out the game P. Harikrishna – N. Vitiugov. B) 6.Bf4

White wants to develop his bishop peacefully and avoid any tactical complications that could arise in the opening phase. A) 6.Qd3

White occupies the h2-b8 diagonal with a direct threat of Ndb5. 6...Bb4 (It is also possible to transpose into the Lasker Variation with 6...d6 7.Ndb5 e5 8.Bg5 etc.) 7.Ndb5 Nxe4!? (Another, safer option is 7...0-0 8.Bd6 Qb6!?N) 8.Qf3 d5 9.Nc7+ Kf8 10.Nxa8 e5©

White’s plan is to transfer his queen to the kingside. By placing the queen on g3, White hinders Black’s kingside development and applies pressure along the h2-b8 diagonal. This idea became quite popular lately even in other variations of the Sicilian Defense such as Najdorf, Richter-Rauzer and Paulsen. 6...d5 7.exd5 Nb4 8.Qg3 Bc5!

9

Centralized pieces and the powerful pawn center give Black enough compensation. Check out the game A. Motylev – R. Makarian. C) 6.Be2

Both sides have their advantages in this position. White has the bishop pair that plays an important role in a potential kingside pawn advancement and attack on the black king. On the other hand, Black has a healthier pawn structure and the potential to pressure White’s weak cpawns. If White launches a kingside attack, Black should counter with play in the center.

White prepares to castle short and allows Black to transpose into several different variations of the Sicilian Defense with moves such as 6...Qc7 or 6...d6. 6...Bb4 A logical continuation for Black - he develops a piece, prepares to castle, and pressures White’s center. 7.0-0 White loses no time defending the pawn but plays in a

Check out the game E. Safarli – N. Abasov. P. Harikrishna (2719) – N. Vitiugov (2726) Belgrade 2022

principled manner. The pawn is sacrificed in order to obtain the initiative. (7.Qd3)

White tried to play in a manner that is quite popular in recent times - transfer of the queen to d3 via the g3 square. Pay attention to how Black reacted and punished his opponent’s play with ease.

7...Bxc3 8.bxc3 Nxe4 9.Bd3 d5!

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6

Check out the game R. Ponomariov – P. Eljanov. 6...Bb4 7.Bg2 d6 8.0-0 0-0 9.Ncb5 e5 10.Nf5 Bxf5 11.exf5 a6 12.Nc3 Bxc3 13.bxc3 h6∞

10

6.Qd3!? The idea is to transfer the queen to g3 after exchanging the knight on c6. White’s queen will prove to be problematic for Black when it comes to developing the kingside. To add to this, White’s queen controls key squares along the h2-b8 diagonal e5, d6, and c7. 6.f4 It is not advisable to play this move in variations where Black’s dark-squared bishop is free to develop along the h3-f8 diagonal, especially this early. 6...Bb4 7.Nxc6 (7.e5 Ne4 8.Qd3 d5 9.exd6 Nxc3

9...Bb4!³ F. Caruana 2842 – A. Grischuk 2777, Yekaterinburg 2020) 9...Bd6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Nxd5 Nxd5= The resulting position resembles Tarrasch Variation from the French Defense where Black solves all of his problems. Further plan is to develop the light-squared bishop with either ...Bd7 and ...Rc8 or ...b6 and ...Bb7.

10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.bxc3 Bxd6=) 7...bxc6 8.Bd3 (8.e5?! Ne4 9.Qd3 Qa5 10.Qxe4 Bxc3+ 11.Kf2

11...Rb8!µ) 8...d5 9.e5 Nd7 10.0-0 0-0∞

8...Bc5! An important in-between move! Black develops his bishop with a tempo and prepares to castle short.

6...d5 The most principled reaction. Another possibility is to transpose into the Paulsen Variation with 6...Qc7.

9.a3

7.exd5 Nb4 8.Qg3

White should not take the pawn with 9.Qxg7?? Rg8 10.Bb5+ Ke7

8.Qc4 Nbxd5 (Another interesting move is 8...Be7!? since Black does not have to hurry with taking on d5. A horrible blunder would be 9.dxe6?? because of 9...Qxd4–+) 9.Be2 (9.Bg5

11.d6+ Bxd6 12.Qh6 Bc5–+; 11

9.Bb5+ Kf8 10.a3

15.Bxh4? Bd6 16.f4 Bc5+ 17.Kh1 Ne3 18.Bxf6 gxf6 19.Rf3 Qd2µ White will be

10...Nbxd5 Transposes into to the main

unable to defend from Black’s threats after Black activates his rook via d8) 14...h4 15.h3 Nxc3 16.Nxc3 Rh5∞

line. 9...Nbxd5 10.Bb5+ 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.Nb5 0-0 12.Nc3 Qf5 13.Bd3 Qh5= S. Ter Sahakyan 2625 – A. Erigaisi 2689, Chennai 2022. 10...Kf8 11.Nde2 Bd7 12.Bxd7 Qxd7 13.Nxd5?? A blunder that loses the game for White. 13.0-0

13...Ne4!–+ White blundered this move! 14.Qb3 Bxf2+ 15.Kf1 exd5 16.Be3 Qf5 17.Nd4 Qf6 18.Nf3 Bxe3 19.Qxe3 Qxb2 20.Re1 Qxc2 21.Kg1 Qc5 22.Nd4 Rc8 23.h4 h5 24.Kh2

13...h5!?N Playing in Alpha Zero style! Black’s pawn will advance to h4 or even h3 if White allows it. After this, Black will activate his rook via h5. (13...Rd8= A. Tari 2639 – S. Vidit 2726, chess24.com 2021) 14.Qf3 (14.Bg5 White develops his bishop with a false belief that it prevents Black from playing 14...h4! An important accuracy!

24...Qd6+ 0 : 1 Conclusion: Black reacted to White’s early development of the queen in a principled manner. In order to create serious practical chances, it is essential that Black uses the 12

white queen’s position on d3 and develop pieces with tempi. Black had no problems converting his advantage after White’s 13.Nd5?? blunder. A. Motylev (2639) – R. Makarian (2460) Russia 2021 It is not rare that Black should choose to enter complicated positions in the Four Knights Variation - tournament practice shows that Black is able to create serious practical chances and win many games. In the following game, Black accepted White’s challenge and was able to obtain a better position.

A1) 9.Bg5 White tries to prevent ...d5. However, it is not recommendable to move the same piece more than once in the opening. White’s king is still in the center and Black will use this to obtain the initiative. 9...h6 10.Bh4

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4

10...d5! 11.exd5 e4! 12.dxc6 (12.Bxe4 Bxc3+ 13.bxc3 Re8 14.0-0 Rxe4 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.Ng3 Ra4 17.dxc6 bxc6³ with ...Be6 to follow and White will have problems defending all of his queenside weaknesses. To add to this, White’s g3 knight is not ideally placed) 12...exd3 13.Ne3 Qd4 14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.Qxd3 Rd8

The idea of this move is to pressure the important dark squares and directly threaten Nb5 and Nc7. 6.Be3 Bb4 Black is quick to pressure the e4 pawn. 7.Bd3 e5!? Untypical reaction. With this move Black complicates the position and hopes to come out on top. White’s e-pawn is now fixed on e4 and Black wants to strike with ...d5. The natural 7...d5 would lead to material reduction and no practical chances for Black.

16.Qc4 Rd4 17.Qe2 Qxc6 18.0-0 Bxc3 19.bxc3 Qxc3 The better pawn structure and the bishop that dominates the knight give Black a more pleasant position. A2) 9.0-0 Bxc3! We must not allow White to retreat his knight. 10.bxc3 d5 11.Ng3 Be6³

A) 8.Nf5 0-0

13

B) 8.Nxc6 bxc6 (Black can equalize after 8...dxc6= with ...Qe7 and ...Bc5 or ...Ba5-...Bb6 to follow) 9.0-0 0-0

12...Bg4!N 13.0-0 (13.Bxg4? Qa5+ 14.Qd2 Rfe8+ 15.Be2 Qxb5µ) 13...Bxe2 14.Qxe2 Qd5 We can compare this position with the one from the following variation: (to the line)1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.Bd3 e5 9.0-0 00 10.Be3 The difference is that in our position the pawn is on c2 and this benefits Black since he has easier time playing ...d5. 10.a3 Bxc3 11.bxc3 d5 12.f3 Qa5∞

A1) White’s try to gain the material advantage with 15.Nc7?! proves to be incorrect. 15...Qf5 16.Bd6

6...Bb4 Playing in the spirit of the opening. Black chooses to oppose White’s plan by creating counterthreats. Black can also choose to transpose into one of the most played variations of the Sicilian Defense with 6...d6 7.Ndb5 e5 8.Bg5 a6 and we transposed into one of the main lines of the Lasker Variation with a different move order. 7.Ndb5 Nxe4 Black accepts White’s challenge!

16...Qd7! and even though both rooks are under attack, they are untouchable for White! 17.Bg3 (17.Nxa8? Qxd6µ) 17...Rac8³

It is also possible to try 7...0-0 in order to avoid any sharp and complicated variations.

A2) 15.Qd3 Rad8= with an equal position but White has to be careful not to allow Black to trap the b5 knight.

A) 8.a3 Bxc3+ 9.Nxc3 d5 10.exd5 exd5 11.Be2 d4 12.Nb5

14

B) 8.Bc7 Qe7 9.Bd6 Bxd6 10.Qxd6 Qd8 is

8.Nc7+ Kf8 9.Nxa8? (9.Qf3 Transposes to

a transposition to the 6.Qc7 Bc5 7.Bf4 variation.

the main line).

C) 8.Bd6

9...Qf6!–+ 10.Qf3 Nxc3 11.Bd2 Nd4 12.Qd3 Qe5+ 13.Be3 Na4+ 14.c3 Nxb2 15.Qb1 Bxc3# A. Reggio – S. Tarrasch, Monte Carlo 1902.

8...Qb6!?N C1) Accepting the sacrifice with 9.Bxf8? is

8...d5 9.Nc7+ Kf8 10.Nxa8

not recommendable. 9...Kxf8 and Black has the advantage due to White’s lack of the dark-squared bishop and Black’s numerous tactical threats. 10.Be2 (10.Bd3 a6 11.Na3 Qd4µ) 10...a6 11.Nd6 Ne5 12.Nxc8 Rxc8 13.0-0 Bxc3 14.bxc3 Nxe4µ

10.0-0-0 Bxc3 11.bxc3 e5 (Another interesting possibility is 11...g5!?) 12.Nxd5

C2) 9.Bc7 Qc5 10.Bd6 Qb6= C3) 9.Bxb4 Nxb4 10.a3 Nc6 11.Qd2 (11.Na4 Qa5+ 12.b4 Qd8 13.Nd6 Ne8 14.Nxe8 Rxe8=) 11...d5 12.exd5 Nxd5 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.0-0-0 a6 15.Nd4 Re8∞

A) The most played move in this position is the incorrect 12...Ng5? 13.Qe3! White obtains the initiative by sacrificing the piece! 13...exf4 14.Qc5+ Ke8 (14...Kg8 15.Ne7++–) 15.Bb5 Bd7 16.Rhe1+ Ne6 17.Qd6 Rc8 18.g4!± and Black has no moves. B) 12...f5! An important move that protects the central position of Black’s e4 knight. This knight is an important piece since it allows Black to create threats against the white king. 13.Be3 Qa5 14.Bc4 Be6

Black has a weakness on d5 but White’s king is on the queenside meaning that Black will be able to create counterplay. 8.Qf3

15.Bb3 Rd8 16.c4 Kf7 17.g4

15

17...Rhf8! Just in time! Black develops his last inactive piece and prepares to transfer his king to safety. 18.Kb1 (18.gxf5? Qa3+ 19.Kb1 Bxd5 20.cxd5 Nc3+ 21.Ka1 Nb4 22.d6+ Ke8–+) 18...Kg8∞

20...Qd2+! 21.Qxd2 Nxd2 22.Kxd2 Ke7 23.Nc7 Rd8+ 24.Ke1 Bf5–+; 13.Nxe4 Qxe4+ 14.Be2 Nxc2+ 15.Kf1 Bxd2 16.Qxd2 Nxa1µ 13...Qf6 14.Nxe4 Nf3+

10...e5 11.Bd2 Nd4 Rarely does such a position arise. After “only” 11 moves, Black occupied all four central squares with his pieces. To add to this, Black’s knights on e4 and d4 look deadly. 12.Qd1 Qh4 13.g3™ 13.Be3? Nxc3 14.Qd2

15.Qxf3!? Black declines to repeat moves and continues complicating the position. 15.Ke2 Nd4+ 16.Ke1 (16.Ke3 Nf5+ 17.Kf3 Nh4+ 18.Ke3 Nf5+=) 16...Nf3+= D. Gukesh 2520 – A. Dreev 2655, Douglas 2019. 15...Qxf3 16.Bxb4+ Kg8 17.Nd6 Qxh1 18.0-0-0 Be6 19.Nc7 Qxh2 20.Nxd5 Bxd5 21.Rxd5 Qxf2 22.Rxe5

14...Nb3! Black has to be well-prepared in order to punish White’s mistake. This move demonstrates the strength of Black’s central knights. 15.axb3 Nb1! 16.Bc5+ Bxc5 17.Qxd5 (17.Rxb1 Bb4 18.c3 Qe4+– +; 17.Qe2 Bg4 18.g3 Qh6–+) 17...Qxf2+ 18.Kd1 Bg4+ 19.Be2 Qxe2+ 20.Kc1

22.Bc4

16

White decides to block Black’s pawn. It is possible to play in such a manner but it is not clear whether playing passively is a good decision. White is able to draw if he continues in a more active manner: 26.c4! h4 27.gxh4 gxh4 28.c5 h3 29.Bg3 h2 30.Bxh2 Rxh2 31.c6 Rh6 32.Nd8 The knight now controls the c6 square. The threat is to play c7. 32...Rh5 33.Nb7 Rh6=

22...Qe3+! An important check that forces the white king to move to a worse square. (22...Qxg3? 23.b3!+– White’s king is now safe and Black’s queen will be unable to defend from White’s four pieces) 23.Kd1

26...h4 27.gxh4 gxh4 28.Nd3 h3 29.Nf2 f5

(A serious blunder is 23.Rd2?? Qe1+ 24.Rd1 Qxb4–+ A.Firouzja 2759 – R. Rapport 2763 Paris 2021) 23...Qf3+ (23...Qxg3!?∞) 24.Kc1 Qe3+= 22...Qxf1+ 23.Re1 Qxe1+ 24.Bxe1

30.Kd1? 30.Nh1! Finding such a move is a hard task since there is no worse position for a knight than on the edge of the board. However, this is the only move that gives White chances for a draw. 30...f4 31.Kd1 Kf7 32.Bd2! f3 33.Bf4 Kg6 34.Ke1 Kf5 35.Bh2= White managed to block all black pawns.

24...h5! Black does not waste any time to protect the b7 knight and starts pushing his pawn in order to create a dangerous passed pawn.

30...Kf7 31.Ke2 h2 32.Nh1

25.Nxb7 g5 26.Nc5

17

32...Rg8?

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Be2 This continuation is most often found in the repertoire of players who do not want any complications in the early stages.

32...Re8+! Only move that wins! Finding it is difficult - the idea is to put the rook on the second rank and bring the king closer to the opponent’s king. 33.Kf1 f4 34.Bh4 Rb8 35.b3 Rc8 36.c4 Rg8 37.Bf2 a5 38.a3 Ke6– + 33.Bg3= f4 34.Bxf4 Rg1 35.Bxh2 Rxh1 36.Bb8 Rb1 37.b3 Rb2 38.a4 Rxc2+ 39.Kd3 Rb2 40.Kc3

6...Bb4 A concrete move. Black plays in the spirit of the Four Knights Variation and does not want to transpose into the Paulsen or the Scheveningen variations with 6...Qc7 or 6...d6. However, if your opponent does not play the Be2 systems in those variations, playing either of these two moves might be an interesting surprise weapon.

40...Rxb3+ 41.Kxb3 Ke6 42.Bxa7 Kd7 43.a5 Kc6 44.a6 Kb5 45.Bd4 Kxa6 1/2 : 1/2 Conclusion: This is a sharp variation with a lot of tactical possibilities. Black has two equally good choices - he can accept the challenge with 7...Nxe4 or avoid any sharp

7.0-0 The correct decision. White continues with his development and sacrifices the central pawn. In return, he gains the bishop pair advantage and will soon start pressuring Black along the dark squares.

positions and complications with 7...0-0. R. Ponomariov (2723) – P. Eljanov (2693) Ukraina 2012

The subsequent exchange of the knights with the idea to advance with the e-pawn gives Black a lot of good options. 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.e5 (8.0-0 d5=) 8...Ne4! 9.Qd4

In the following game you will learn how to react if White tries to surprise you with moves such as 6.Be2. The key thing is to play in the spirit of the Four Knights Variation – develop your pieces in a harmonious manner, pressure White’s center, and play for the ...d5 break if the position requires you to do so.

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10...Ne7!

Blocking

the

diagonal

and

preparing to castle short. (Playing in the similar fashion as in the 9.Bd3 variation is not advisable. 10...Qa5 11.Nb5 a6 12.Nd6+ Nxd6 13.Bxd6 Qd8 and now White has 14.Qg3!±) 11.c4 0-0 12.cxd5 (12.Bf3 Re8=) 12...exd5 13.c4 Re8 14.Bf3 Ng6 15.cxd5 Nf4 16.Qc2 Ng5= 9...Qa5! 10.a3 Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Nxc3 12.Bd3 (12.Bf3? Nb1+! 13.Kd1 Nc3+

9.Nxc6 dxc6 (9...bxc6? 10.Qd4±)

14.Ke1 c5 15.Qd2 Rb8µ) 12...c5 13.Qg4 Bb7 14.Bd2 c4! 15.Qxg7 0-0-0 16.Be2 Rhg8 17.Qf6 Rxg2∞ 7...Bxc3 Black accepts the challenge and takes the pawn. 8.bxc3 Nxe4 This is the first crossroads for White. A) 10.Bd3 Nc5 11.Qg4 Qf6 12.Bg5 Qxc3 13.Rad1 e5 14.Qg3 Be6 15.Bd2 Qb2 16.Bc1 Qc3 17.Bd2 (17.Qxg7 0-0-0=) 17...Qb2= B) 10.Qxd8+ Kxd8 11.Bf3 Nf6 B1) The Uzbek Grandmaster Vokhidov won two games against two strong Grandmasters with the move 12.Re1!? with

9.Bd3 White sacrifices another pawn. The idea of this move is to clear the way to the kingside for the queen.

the idea to prevent Black from playing ...e5.

9.Qd3 The queen defends the c3 pawn and prepares to move to the kingside via the 3rd rank. 9...d5 10.Ba3

12...Nd7!N 13.c4 (13.Bf4 e5! 14.Bxe5 Nxe5 15.Rxe5 Be6µ) 13...Kc7 14.Bb2 e5³ B2) 12.Rd1+ Bd7 13.Bf4 Aimed against ...e5. 13...Nd5 14.Bg3 b5 The

19

simplest way to relieve the position and force an equal endgame. 15.a4 Ke7 16.axb5 cxb5 17.Bxd5 exd5 18.Rxd5 Rhc8= 9...d5!

11...c5! 12.Bxe4 dxe4 13.Qxd8+ Kxd8 14.Bxc5 Kc7= 10.Ba3 White takes the advantage of the fact that Black lacks his dark-squared bishop and occupies the diagonal with the idea to prevent Black from castling. 10...Qa5 Black immediately attacks the

Moving the knight from the center would give White the initiative.

bishop. (Blocking the diagonal with 10...Ne7 allows White to play 11.Bxe4 dxe4 12.Nb5 Nf5 13.Qg4±)

White also obtains the initiative after 9...Nf6 10.Nb5ƒ Similar is 9...Nc5 10.Qg4ƒ;

A) 11.Nb5 a6 12.Nd6+ Nxd6 13.Bxd6 Qd8

9...Nxc3

14.Ba3 Qa5 Threefold repetition is the best option for both sides.

A) 10.Qg4 Qf6 11.Nxc6 h5 12.Qg3 dxc6 13.h4! 0-0 14.Bd2 Nd5 15.Rae1ƒ

15.Bd6 (15.Qc1?! White can no longer transfer his queen to the kingside and Black should use this with 15...f6³ with ...Kf7 to come. While the white queen was still on d1, Black was unable to play ...f6 due to Qh5+) 15...Qd8=

B) Another possibility is 10.Nxc6 dxc6 (10...Qf6 11.Qh5 bxc6 12.Ba3ƒ) 11.Qh5ƒ 10.Bxe4 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Ba3

B) 11.Qc1 Nxc3 Black hopes to compensate for his lack of development with another pawn. 12.Nb3 Qc7 13.Qe1 d4 14.f4 b6 20

Conclusion: White declares that he does not want to enter any early complications with the Be2 move and allows Black to transpose into many other variations of the Sicilian Defense. We believe that the development of the dark-squared bishop on b4 puts serious pressure on White’s center and prevents him from playing any calm developing moves.

B1) 15.Qh4! White prevents the black king from escaping with ...0-0-0. At the same time, he prepares to activate the h1 rook to e1. 15...Bb7 16.Rae1 Qd8 17.Qg4 Qd5 18.Qh4 (18.Qxg7? 0-0-0–+) 18...Qd8= O.

White is forced to enter complications since any peaceful tries would only lead to equal or slighty worse positions. By sacrificing a central pawn, White obtains the bishop pair advantage and plans to utilize Black’s weak dark squares and prevent Black from castling.

Mihok 2547 – L. Travadon 2404, Mitropa online cup 2021. If Black wants to continue playing, he can try 18...Kd7!?∞ B2) Incorrect is 15.Qg3? Bb7 16.Bc1 0-00–+ F. Caruana 2783 – M. Matlakov 2671, Chess.com 2022.

However, due to the strong central knight, Black is able to defend his position quite well. White can regain the sacrificed material but this only leads to almost dead equal opposite-colored bishop endgames.

10...dxe4 11.Ba3 Nxd4 12.cxd4

E. Safarli (2598) – N. Abasov (2665) Azerbaijan 2021 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.g3 12...Qa5= An important move that forces the white queen’s defense of the bishop. By the time Black finishes his development, White will regain the e4 pawn and equalize the position. 13.Qc1 f6 14.Re1 Bd7 15.Rxe4 Kf7 16.c4 Rhe8 17.Re3 Rac8 18.Qc2 Kg8 19.Rb1

No variation of the Sicilian Defense can prevent White from fianchettoing the lightsquared bishop. Variations where White fianchettoes his light-squared bishop are

Bc6 20.Bc5 Ba4 21.Qb2 b6 22.Bb4 Qf5 23.Rc1 Bc6 24.h3 b5 25.cxb5 Qxb5 26.Rc5 Qb7 27.Rec3 Bd5 28.Rxc8 Rxc8 29.Rxc8+ Qxc8 30.Bc5 a6 1/2 : 1/2 21

seen as solid since White develops his pieces before entering any complications.

structure. He also opens the d-file and threatens to play a3 in order to obtain the bishop pair advantage. However, this move is not strategically justified – White should not retreat his central knight unless Black forces him to do so. 9...a6! Black vacates the a7 square for the dark-squared bishop and prevents White from playing Nb5. 10.h3 (White is not in time to take

6...Bb4 is a principled reaction. Black develops his dark-squared bishop and threatens the e4 pawn at the same time. Black can also play 6...Qb6 7.Nb3 Bb4 8.Bg2 d5 with a transposition into the Grivas Variation that arises from the following move order: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Qb6 5.Nb3 Nf6 6.Nc3 e6 7.g3 Bb4 8.Bg2 d5.

control over the center after 10.a3 Bc5 11.Na4?! Ba7 12.c4? and White’s pieces are not in harmony with the pawn structure. Black should play in an energetic manner in order to punish White’s concept. 12...Ne5 13.b3

7.Bg2 0-0 8.0-0 d6 Black is ready to make some concrete strategical decisions. The idea is to weaken White’s pawn structure by taking the c3 pawn. After this, Black will play ...e5 in order to minimize the activity of White’s g2 bishop.

13...b5! 14.cxb5 axb5 15.Nac3 b4! 16.Nb5 Bc5µ) 10...Bc5 11.g4 Rb8 Black removes his rook from the diagonal with an idea to develop the bishop on b7. 12.Ng3 b5 13.g5 Nd7³

9.Ncb5!? White can also play a move that is natural for this type of positions: 9.Nde2

9.Nce2 is another example where White’s knight leaves the center.

White connects the knights in order to prevent Black from ruining the pawn

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9...e5 10.Nb3 Be6 11.c3 Bc5 12.Nxc5 dxc5³ and White has problems with his g2 bishop and the e2 knight. P. Michalik 2585 – D. Navara 2707, Prague 2019. It is incorrect to open the position with 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.e5 dxe5 11.Qxd8 (11.Bxc6 Ba6³) 11...Rxd8 12.Bxc6 Rb8³ 9...e5 10.Nf5

15...Nh7! 16.Bxe4 Re8 17.Bg2 Qxh4∞

10.a3 Nxd4 11.Nxd4 Bc5 12.Nf5 h6∞ 10...Bxf5 11.exf5 13.bxc3 h6

a6

12.Nc3

Bxc3

14...Qd7?! Black losses a valuable tempo and removes his queen from the important h4-d8 diagonal. This diagonal is important because it makes White’s idea of pushing the pawns harder to accomplish.

An interesting position from the strategic standpoint – a pair of knights against a pair of bishops.

Black obtains the initiative with a pawn sacrifice: 14...e4! 15.Rxb7 Ne5 16.Bf4 (16.Re1 Qc8 17.Re7 Qxf5 18.Qxd6 Nf3+ 19.Bxf3 exf3∞) 16...Re8∞

Black’s idea is to apply pressure along the c-file and control the center by advancing the pawns.

15.g4 e4 16.h4 Rfe8 17.g5 hxg5 18.hxg5 Nh7

White wants to use the position of his fpawn in order to launch an attack on the black king by pushing the h and g-pawns. Both sides have their advantages and practical chances to score a full point. 14.Rb1 14.g4 e4 15.h4

19.g6?! White attacks in a hasty manner.

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Correct is 19.Qg4 The queen enters the

25.Qa3 Ne5

attack. White must improve the position of his pieces before playing g6 or f6. 19...d5 20.Bh3 Ne5 21.Qg3 Qc6

More precise is 25...Nh5 with ...Nf4 to follow. 26.Qb3+ Kg6 27.Bxe5 Qxe5 28.Rfe1 Rd2 29.Qb6 Qf4 30.Rb4 Re6 31.Qc5 31.Bxe4+ Kg7 32.Qe3 Qg4+ 33.Kf1 (33.Qg3 Qxg3+ 34.fxg3 Rd7 with Rde7 and White faces material losses) 33...Rd1! 34.f3 Qh3+ 35.Ke2 Rxe1+ 36.Kxe1

22.Bf4 Nf3+ 23.Kg2 Rad8± 19...Nf6 20.Bg5 Qxf5 21.gxf7+ Kxf7 22.Bh4? Better is 22.Rxb7+ 36...Rxe4! 37.Rxe4 Nxe4 38.Qxe4

22...Re7 23.Rxe7+ Nxe7 24.Qd2 Rh8 with counterplay for Black. 22...Re7µ 23.Qxd6 g5 24.Bg3

38...Qh4+! Black is able to force a winning pawn endgame even though he is down a pawn! 31.Qe3 Qxe3 32.fxe3 Kh5! One does not have to always wait for the exchange of all major pieces to activate the king. Here we witness how the black king travels to g3 in order to threaten the white king.

24...Rd8 All of Black’s pieces are now active and it is unclear how White defends his king.

24

33.Rf1 exf2+ 34.Rxf2 Re1+ 35.Bf1

33.Rxb7 Kg4 34.Bf1 Kg3–+ Further plan is to transfer the knight to f3 via g4 and e5.

35...Qg3+ 0 : 1

31...Rxc2

Conclusion: Even though the Fianchetto Variation is seen as being solid and stable, Black was able to complicate the position and create practical chances.

31...Ng4!

It is certain that Black should weaken White’s queenside pawn structure and use the central pawn advantage in this variation. Unless he wants to play in a passive manner, White should launch an attack on the black king by advancing the kingside pawns.

32.Rbxe4 Rxe4 33.Bxe4+ Kh5–+ 32.Rxb7

We can compare this position with the one from the following variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 (back to the text)

Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.Bd3 e5 9.00 0-0 10.Be3 The difference is that in our position the pawn is on c2 and this benefits Black since he has easier time playing ...d5.

32...e3! The final blow!

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CHAPTER TWO 6.a3 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.a3

13.Rd3! The first stage. 13...Rb8 Some twenty or more years into past, the move a3 in the Sicilian Defense was considered dubious to say the least and one would need to have some serious arguments in order to play it. This move was often seen as weakening of the position and a waste of time - and we know that time is a valuable resource in the Sicilian Defense.

14.b4! The second stage. 14...Qa7 15.f5 a5

Times have changed and the Sicilian Defense became a mixture of prophylaxis and attack. One of the most memorable examples of such play is the game between two greatest players of our beloved game - many consider them to be the biggest experts of the Sicilian Defense as well: Anand – Kasparov (blitz) Zagreb 2021. After opening the game with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qc7 8.Bxf6 gxf6 9.Qf3 b5 10.a3 (prophylaxis against ...b4) 10...Nc6 11.0-0-0 Nxd4 12.Rxd4 Qc5 and White

And the final stage 16.Na2! Magnificent plan that allowed White to completely paralyze Black’s queenside. White will now be able to focus on playing on the kingside. The main idea behind the 6.a3 move is to prevent Black from playing ...Bb4. To add to this, White did not declare whether he

begins his prophylactic plan in three stages.

26

will play on the kingside, in the center or on the queenside.

A logical reaction in the center that allows Black to fight for control over the e5 square. Check out the game F. Caruana – A. Giri.

6...Be7 Flexible move. The idea is to wait

7...0-0 8.0-0 d6 9.Be3 e5 10.Nb3 Be6

with the central pawns before opting for ...d6 or ...d5. White can try playing in different manners, but there are two main plans - he will either castle short or castle long. Another possibility is 6...d5.

Black has a solid position that can also arise from the Richter-Rauzer Variation of the Sicilian Defense. Check out the game Z. Efimenko – T. Nguyen. If Black is unable to play ...Bb4, the most principled decision is to strike with ...d5. Only potential drawback of this move is that resulting positions often have an isolated central pawn, and not every player enjoys this. 7.exd5 (7.Bb5 Bd7) 7...Nxd5 Analysis

R. Rapport (2763) – S. Mamedyarov (2767) Wijk aan Zee 2022 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.a3

of this position is shown in the game R. Rapport – S. Mamedjarov. 7.Be2 The development of the queenside pieces gives White an additional option of castling queenside. 7.Be3 0-0 8.Be2 d6 9.Qd3 Bd7 10.f4 e5 6...d5 A strategically justified reaction. Black claims that White’s last move is pointless as it does not develop a piece nor does it gain control of any central squares. 7.exd5 The much more challenging line for Black is 7.Bb5 Bd7 8.exd5 exd5 9.0-0 Be7

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A typical position with an isolated central pawn emerged and White can play in several different ways: 10.Nde2 White transfers his knight to f4 in order to pressure the d5 pawn. (10.Re1 0-0 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bh4 a6 13.Bf1 Re8 14.Qd3 Rc8∞ A. Ramirez – S. Mamedyarov, chess.com 2022; 10.Nf3 Be6 11.Re1 0-0 12.h3 a6 13.Bd3 Re8∞; 10.h3 0-0 11.Be3 Re8 12.Ba4 Ne5 13.Bb3 Bc6∞) 10...Be6 11.Nf4 0-0 12.Re1

14...Bxf2+! (14...Nd4µ) 15.Kxf2 Ne4+ 16.Ke2 Nf2 17.Qd2 Qh4 18.Qxd5 Nd4+ 19.Ke1 Nxe6 20.Qxe6+ Kh8µ B) 13.Rxe6 fxe6 14.Nxe6 Bxf2+! 15.Kh1 Qd6 16.Nxf8 Rxf8³ The exchange that ensued benefits Black. The position of the white king is weak and it is unclear how White will defend from Black’s oncoming threats. C) 13.h3 Qb6 14.Nd3 Bd4∞ 7...Nxd5 Black uses the fact that his queen is on d8 and avoids a position with an isolated central pawn. 7...exd5?! 8.Be3!² with Qd2 and 0-0-0 to come. B. Deac – A. Bachmann, Chennai 2022. 8.Nxd5 Qxd5 9.Nxc6 9.Be3 Nxd4 10.Qxd4 Qxd4 11.Bxd4 Bd7 12.0-0-0 Bc6 13.f3 a6 14.Bd3 0-0-0= R. Edouard – M. Krasenkow, Nancy 2009;

12...Bc5! Black defends the important e6 and d5 squares by playing in a manner that is often seen in Tarrasch and French Defenses.

9.Nb5 Qxd1+ 10.Kxd1 Rb8= 9...Qxc6 10.Be3

A) 13.Nxe6 fxe6 14.Rxe6

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10...Bd7! The precise move order.

22.Qf4+ Ke7 23.Qh4+ Kf7=

A seemingly logical 10...Bc5?! is not good

18...a5 19.Qf6 0-0 20.h4 b4 Just in time!

because of 11.Qh5! b6 (11...Bxe3?? 12.Bb5+–) 12.0-0-0 Bb7 13.Bxc5 bxc5 14.Be2±

21.h5

11.Qd2 Bc5 12.0-0-0 Bxe3 13.Qxe3 Rc8 14.c3 White does not close the d-file because it is in his interest to pressure the d7 bishop as it indirectly prevents Black from castling. 14.Bd3 Qc5 15.Qg3 0-0= 21...h6! The key defensive move from Black! The idea is to prevent White from pushing his pawn to h6 or taking hxg6 with the instant threat of gxh7. The resulting position is balanced with practical chances for both sides.

14...Qc5 15.Qg3 g6 16.Bd3 Ba4 17.Rd2

21...bxc3?? 22.h6 cxd2+ 23.Kxd2+– 22.axb4 22.hxg6 bxc3 and we see the importance of the 21...h6! move. 23.gxf7+ Rxf7 24.Qg6+ Rg7 25.Qxe6+ Rf7 26.Qg6+ (White can continue fighting with 26.Re2 cxb2+ 27.Kb1 Qc1+ 28.Ka2 Bb3+!

17...b5 Black does not hurry with castling, but tries to obtain the initiative on the queenside as soon as possible. 18.Qf4

29.Qxb3 Qxh1 30.Rxb2 Qxg2∞) 26...Rg7=

White can also try playing 18.h4 as it is a typical idea whenever Black has his kingside pawns on h7, g6 and f7. 18...a5 19.h5 b4 20.hxg6 bxc3 21.gxf7+ Kxf7

22...axb4 23.c4

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23...Qg5! Another advantage of the 21...h6 move. Black forces the exchange of queens and enters an equal endgame.

8...d5 A) 9.0-0-0?! e5! (9...Bd7∞ P. Svidler 2714 – S. Mamedyarov 2782, Saint Louis (blitz) 2021) 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.exd5 cxd5 12.Bg5 Be6! 13.Qxe5 Rb8µ

24.Qxg5 hxg5 25.hxg6 Bb3 26.Rh5 Bxc4 27.Bxc4 Rxc4+ 28.Kd1 fxg6 29.Rxg5 1/2 : 1/2

B) 9.exd5 Nxd5 (9...exd5!?) 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.Nxc6 Qxc6= Black solved all of his problems and White has to be careful not to enter a weaker position.

Conclusion: An amusing clash with opposite side castling that required precise play from both sides occured. The continuation 6...d5 is a legitimate try from Black, but he needs to be prepared to deal with different pawn structures that all require unique treatment.

8.f4

F. Caruana (2842) – A. Giri (2763) FIDE Candidates 2021 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.a3 Be7

A) If Black does not want to enter any well known positions he should play 8...e5!? A1) 9.Nf5 exf4 10.Bxf4

7.Be3 This continuation leaves White with a choice to castle long. 7...0-0 8.Be2 8.Qe2 30

10...d5! 11.Nxe7+ (11.Be2 Bxf5 12.exf5

B41) 10.Nf5?! Bxf5 11.exf5 d5 (11...Nd4µ)

d4µ P. Svidler 2723 – A. David 2428, chess.com 2020) 11...Qxe7 12.Be2 Re8 13.exd5 Bg4 14.0-0 Qc5+ 15.Kh1 Bxe2 16.Nxe2 Nxd5³

12.0-0-0 e4 13.Qe2 Rc8µ B42) 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.fxe5 Ng4! 12.exd6 Nxe3 13.Qxe3 Qxd6³ White’s lack of the dark-squared bishop and the poor position of the king give Black an advantage.

A2) 9.Nxc6 dxc6 10.f5 (10.fxe5 Ng4³) 10...Qxd1+ 11.Rxd1 g6=

8...d6 Black opts for a sharper continuation.

B) 8...d6 White has problems castling long because he has the a3 move inserted. Due to the insertion of this move, Black is just in time to strike in the center with the thematic ...e5.

Another possibility is 8...d5 A typical move that relieves Black from White’s pressure. 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.0-0

A) A seemingly logical 11...Rd8 leads Black to a worse endgame. 12.Bf3 Qc4 13.Nxc6!

B1) 9.Bd3?! e5³ B2) 9.Qd2 Black uses that fact that the g4 square is undefended with 9...Ng4 10.Bg1 Nxd4 11.Qxd4 e5 12.fxe5 Nxe5∞ B3) 9.Qe2 e5 10.Nf3 a6 (If Black does not want to waste time, he can try playing 10...b5!?) 11.0-0-0 Qc7∞ A typical position from the Sicilian Defense arose but it is unclear what is White’s queen doing on e2.

A1) 13...Rxd1 14.Nxe7+ Kf8 15.Rfxd1 Kxe7 16.Rd3± (16.Rd4±)

B4) 9.Qf3 e5

A2) 13...bxc6 14.Be2 (14.b3!?) 14...Rxd1 15.Bxc4 Rxa1 16.Rxa1² B) 11...Nxd4 12.Qxd4 Qxd4 13.Bxd4 Rd8

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14.Rfd1 Bd7 15.Bf3 Bc6 16.Bxc6 bxc6= and even thought the position is close to equal, Black has to be precise. M. Chigaev 2613 – A. Korobov 2686, Skopje 2019.

11...Ng4! 12.Bxg4 (12.Bd2 a6! 13.Nxd6 Bxd6 14.Qxd6 Nd4 15.Rc1 Re8ƒ) 12...Bxg4 13.Nd5 exf4 14.Bxf4 (14.Nxe7+ Qxe7 15.Bxf4

9.Qd3!? If White wants to castle long he can play 9.Qd2 but Black is able to carry out a tactical strike. For this reason, White put his queen on d3. 9...e5 10.Nb3 (10.Nf5? Bxf5 11.exf5 d5µ; 10.Nf3 Be6 11.0-0 h6 12.h3 Rc8=) 15...d5! 16.Qxd5 Qf6∞) 14...Bh4+ 15.g3 Bf6 16.h3 Bh5∞ 11...bxc6 12.0-0 exf4 13.Bxf4

10...Nxe4! 11.Nxe4 d5 12.Bf3 (12.Nc3 d4 13.0-0 dxe3 14.Qxe3 Bg5³ The bishop pair gives Black better practical chances) 12...dxe4 13.Bxe4 Be6= 13...Be6!? Black shows that he feels comfortable in this position and that he wants to play for a full point.

9...Bd7 10.f4 e5 11.Nxc6 11.Ndb5

Black can equalize immediately with 13...Bg4 14.Rad1 (14.Kh1 Bxe2 15.Qxe2 Re8=) 14...Bxe2 15.Nxe2 d5 16.exd5 (16.Ng3 Nxe4 17.Nxe4 dxe4 18.Qxe4 Qb6+ 19.Be3 Bc5=) 16...Nxd5= 32

14.Qg3 Nd7

the knight from where it will jump to d4. 18...g6 19.Ne2 Kh8 20.Bf3 Bf8 21.Nd4 Bg7 22.Be2∞

Some might claim that this move is against chess principles, but we can already guess what the engine suggest. 14...h5!? The Famous Alpha Zero pawn starts advancing! Black’s idea is to drive away the white queen from the comfortable g3 square from where it pressures the d6 pawn and threatens Bh6 ideas. 15.Kh1 h4 16.Qe1 Ng4 17.Rd1 Qc7 18.h3 Ne5∞

17...Ne5 18.b5 Rc8 19.bxc6 Rxc6 20.Nd5 Qf8 21.c3 Rac8 22.Rc1 Ng6 23.Bd2?! White does not use his last chance to activate his worst piece - the light-squared bishop. Better is 23.Bg4! Nxf4 24.Qxf4 Qe8! Black activates his queen and plans to attack the white pawns. 25.Bf5 Rc4 26.Qg4 Bxf5 27.Qxf5 Bd8ƒ

15.Rad1 Re8 16.Kh1 16.Bxd6 Qb6+ 17.Kh1 Bxd6 18.Rxd6 Qxb2∞

23...Bh4 24.Qe3 Rc5 25.c4

16...Qb8

25...h6! An excellent positional move. Black wants to play ...Bg5 and exchange the dark-squared bishops. This exchange would relieve him of any pressure on the d6 pawn and allow him to obtain control over the dark squares. After the exchange, Black will start pressuring the e4 and c4 pawns.

17.b4?! White wants to push b5 and gain control over the d5 square. The problem with this move is that it creates permanent pawn structure weaknesses. Better is 17.b3 Ne5

26.Qb3 Bg5 27.Bxg5 hxg5µ 28.Qg3 Qd8 29.Rcd1 Bxd5 30.exd5 Nf4 31.Qf2 R8c7! 32.Rd4 Qe8 33.Bf3 Rxc4 34.Rxc4 Rxc4 35.Qxa7 Ra4 36.Qf2?? A mistake that probably occured due to an energy draining game and the time pressure. 36.Qc7! White’s only chance is to play in an active manner. 36...Rxa3 37.h4! White relieves himself from Black’s first rank threats and pressures the position of the

18.Bh5! The idea of this move is not to attack but rather to put pieces on better squares – White vacates the e2 square for 33

obtain the initiative on the queenside, White weakened his pawn structure and Black was able to use this in the endgame.

black knight at the same time. (37.Qxd6? Rxf3! 38.gxf3 Qe2 39.Qb8+ Kh7 40.Qb1+ g6–+)

Pay attention to how Black plays in an uncompromising manner from the start, like a true Sicilian Defense player! Z. Efimenko (2599) – T. Nguyen (2627) Romania 2022 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.a3 Be7

37...Ng6! 38.hxg5 (38.Qxd6 Ra4 39.hxg5 Rh4+ 40.Kg1 Qe3+ 41.Rf2 Kh7!–+ A nice prophylactic move that secures the position of the black king. Black plans to activate his knight in the attack and White will have hard time defending the king) 38...Ra4 39.g3 Ne5 40.Bg2 Qf8µ Dominant position of the black knight, weak pawns and the open king give Black a better position.

Black continues his development and prepares to castle. His pawn structure is “elastic” and this allows him a wide array of different plans he could choose in the future, most of them being reactions to White’s various ideas.

36...Rxa3 37.h4 Qe5 38.hxg5 Qxg5 39.Re1 Ra8 Black does not want to risk anything. 40.Be4 Ra2 41.Rb1 Ra8 42.Re1 f5 43.Bb1 Kf7 44.Re3 Rh8+ 45.Kg1

7.Be2 7.f4 0-0 Since Black did not advance his central pawns White can make the mistake of playing 8.e5?! (Better is 8.Be3 Check out the game F. Caruana – A. Giri). 8...Nd5 9.Nxd5 exd5

45...Nxg2! 0 : 1 Conclusion: White was punished for playing in an overambitious manner. We believe that the move 18.b5 is the crucial mistake that lead to a loss. By wishing to 34

A) 10.Nxc6?! bxc6 11.Bd3

15...Bxf3! 16.Bxf3 Nxe5³ White’s main problem is his lack of development. Black managed to open the central files and he will use them to threaten the white king. 17.Bxb7 Bc5! 18.Bf4 Rfe8 19.Kf1 Ng6 20.Bg3 Rd2³) 15...Bxf3 16.gxf3 Bh4+ 17.Bg3 Nxe5!³ 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.e5 Nd5 9.Qg4 g6

11...Qb6!µ The queen prevents White from castling and pressures the b2 pawn at the same time. Due to this, White has problems developing his c1 bishop. Black’s further plan is to open the center with ...d6. (11...Bc5³ M. Carlsen 2847 – S. Mamedyarov 2770, chess24 2021). B) 10.Nf3

A) 10.Ne4 f5 Black relieves the tension with this move and solves all of his problems. 11.exf6 Nxf6 12.Nxf6+ Bxf6 13.Be2 d5 Black should not castle until White does so first. 14.0-0 (14.h4!? e5 15.Qg3 Bf5 16.h5 Kf7∞) 14...0-0 15.Qa4 Bd7ƒ B) 10.Nxd5 cxd5 11.Bd3

10...d6! 11.Qxd5 Be6 12.Qd3 dxe5 13.Qxd8 Raxd8 14.fxe5 Bd5 15.Bf4 (15.Be2

35

C3) An interesting solution is 11.Ne4!? dxe5 12.c4 Nf4 13.Qc3

11...Ba6! A well known tactical motif in this variation. Black exchanges his problematic light-squared bishop. 12.0-0 (12.Bxa6 Qa5+ 13.Bd2 Qxa6³) 12...Bxd3 13.cxd3 Qb8 14.Qd4 0-0= C) 10.Qg3 White retreats his queen from a

13...0-0! (Passive defense with 13...f6 is not good. 14.g3 Nh5 15.g4! Ng7 16.Bh6 00 17.Rd1 Qc7 18.c5 White has the initiative) 14.Qxe5 Nd3+ 15.Bxd3 Qxd3 16.Nf6+

potential ...f5 strike and supports the advanced e5 pawn. 10...d6 (10...Qb6!? with the idea of playing ...Ba6)

Bxf6 17.Qxf6 Rd8∞ Black threatens the mate on d1 and frees the d4 square for his queen. C4) 11.Nxd5 exd5 12.Bh6 Be6 C41) 13.Bd3

C1) 11.Bh6 Qb6 12.0-0-0 Nxc3 13.Qxc3 d5 14.h4 Rb8∞ C2) 11.h4 dxe5 12.h5

13...Bh4! An important move! 14.Qf4 dxe5 15.Qxe5 Qf6 (Also possible 15...Bf6 16.Qg3 Qb8=) 16.Bf4 Qxe5+ 17.Bxe5 Rg8= J. Santos Latasa – M. Ragger 2665 Struga 2021. C42) 13.exd6 Bxd6 14.Qc3 Kd7! 15.Be2 Re8 16.Be3 Qc7! Stopping short castle 17.0-0-0 Rab8∞ Mio. Perunovic 2415 – Mil.Perunovic 2542 Bajina Basta 2022.

12...g5! 13.Qxe5 Bf6 14.Qg3 Nxc3 15.bxc3 Qa5 16.Bd2 h6∞ A. Indjic 2607 – I. Kovalenko 2643, lichess.org 2021.

C43) 13.Qc3

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11...Rxb2N It is only principled to accept the sacrifice. (11...Qc7 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.00² V. Anand 2753 – I. Saric 2653, Zagreb (blitz) 2021) 12.0-0 0-0 D21) 13.Ne4 f5 14.exf6 Nxf6 15.Nxf6+ Bxf6 16.Bh6 (16.Bxg6? hxg6 17.Qxg6+ Bg7 18.Bc3 Rf6! 19.Bxf6 Qxf6µ) 16...Rf7 17.Rab1 Rb6 and White has yet to prove

13...Kd7! An important move! Black defends from both of White’s threats. 14.Bg7 Rg8 15.exd6 Bxd6 16.Bf6 Qc7∞ Black king is safe in the center. White has problems castling short due to the hanging h2 pawn. If he chooses to castle long, Black will launch an attack over the b-file.

that he has compensation for the sacrificed pawn. D22) 13.Na4 Rb7

D) 10.Bd2 Rb8 D1) A seemingly logical is 11.0-0-0? but Black has White’s compensation for the sacrificed pawn is his space advantage. To add to this, Black has problems developing his light-squared bishop. However, Black’s position is solid and without any significant weaknesses. Black should strive to develop his pieces and he will do so by playing ...d6 and ...f5. This position is complicated and both sides have practical chances, but we believe that Black has easier time finding better moves.

11...Bxa3! An effective bishop sacrifice! 12.bxa3 Qb6 13.Nb5 cxb5µ D2) 11.Bd3

D3) 11.Na4 White defends his b2 pawn and prepares to attack the d5 knight with c4.

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11...d6 (11...f5 12.Qg3 0-0 13.c4 Nb6 14.Nxb6 Qxb6 15.Bc3 c5∞) 12.c4 Nb6

11...Be6∞ with the idea of playing ...d5 or occupying the e5 square with ...Ng4

13.Ba5 (13.Nxb6 Qxb6 14.b4 c5 15.b5 00∞) 13...c5 (13...Qd7 14.Nxb6 axb6 15.Bc3 d5∞) 14.Rd1 d5 15.cxd5 exd5 16.Bb5+ Kf8 17.Qf4 g5 18.Qg3 h5∞

and ...Nge5;

7...0-0 8.0-0

9...e5 10.Nb3 Be6

9.Kh1 e5 10.Nb3 Be6 11.Be3 (11.f4 exf4 12.Bxf4 d5 13.e5 Nd7 14.Nxd5 Ndxe5=) 11...d5 12.exd5 Nxd5 13.Nxd5 Bxd5=

8...d6 It is also possible to play 8...d5 in this position, but 8...d6 leads to sharper positions. In order to avoid transposing to some of the heavily theoretical variations of the Scheveningen, Black will quickly play ...e5 and develop his bishop on e6.

The position from the Richter-Rauzer variation with the useless a3 move inserted for White arose: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Be3 Be6 11.Bf3 White prevents Black from playing the thematic ...d5 but has to give up the idea of active play with the f4 move.

9.Be3 9.f4 e5 10.Nf3 (10.Nf5 Bxf5 11.exf5 d5 12.fxe5 Nxe5∞; 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Kh1 Rb8∞) 10...exf4 11.Bxf4

11.Qd3 d5= 11...Rc8 12.Qd2

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16.Qe2 (16.Nxe7+ Nxe7 17.Bxg5 hxg5 18.Nc1 Ng6∞) 16...Nxf3+ 17.Qxf3 Rf8 with the idea of playing ...f5. Another possibility is 17...Nb8 Black transfers his knight to d7 and opens the c-file for his rook. 16.Bg4 Bxg4 17.hxg4 Ne7 18.Nc3 Qd7

12...h6! Black prepares a cunning idea. 13.h3 Re8 14.Nd5

19.f3 19.Qxd6 Qxd6 20.Rxd6 Bxe3 21.fxe3 Nf6∞ Black regains the pawn. 19...Red8= 20.Rfe1 Qc6 21.Qf2 b6 22.Rd3 Bxe3 23.Qxe3 Rd7 24.Red1 Rcd8 25.Nc1

14...Nh7! The idea behind 12...h6! 15.Rad1

Nf6 26.N1e2 Qc5 1/2 : 1/2

15.Nxe7+ Rxe7 (15...Nxe7!? 16.Rfd1 Ng6 17.Qxd6 Qf6 18.Bg4 Red8 19.Qb4 Bxg4 20.hxg4 Rxc2∞) 16.Rfd1 Rd7∞

Conclusion: Players that have the Sicilian Defense in their repertoire have to be ready for possible transpositions into other variations or even openings in some cases. In this instance, we transposed into the Richter-Rauzer Variation where White played the a3 move. That move does not benefit White in any way.

15...Bg5 Black exchanges the inactive bishop and vacates the e7 square for the knight. After this, he will exchange more pieces and relieve himself from White’s pressure.

White tried to use the central pawn structure in a typical manner - pressure over the d-file and placing the knight on d5. However, Black reacted to White’s plans properly and managed to equalize the position with the exchange of the darksquared bishop.

A more combative choice is 15...Ng5

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CHAPTER THREE 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Bb7 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6

Check out the game G. Jones – M. Carlsen) 12...Bxe2 13.Qxe2 Nd5 The idea of this move is to advance the epawn to e5 in order to block Black’s central pawns and obtain the initiative over the dark squares afterwards. 6...bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Bb7 A solid move that avoids potential complications that could arise after 8...Qc7. The idea is to advance the c-pawn and activate the lightsquared bishop. In order to provide you with more options, we also analyzed 8...Qc7.

White sacrifices the c5 pawn in order to launch an attack on the black king. Check out the game J. Zhu – K. Lagno. 9...c5 10.0-0 Qc7 11.Nd6+

9.Be2 The most played move in tournament practice. White intends to remove his king from the center before complications.

11.c4 Ne3 12.Bxe3 Bxe4

9.c4 is the most concrete move. White forces Black to remove the powerful knight from the center. 9...Nb4 10.c5 with the idea to prevent Black from activating his bishop along the h1-h8 diagonal. 10...Qb8 11.f4 Ba6 12.Be2 (12.a3 Bxf1 13.Rxf1 Nd5∞ Black solved his weak d6 square problems by exchanging the knights. The current position is equal with chances for both 40

sides. Check out the game D. Navara – L. D. Nisipeanu. 11...Bxd6 12.exd6 Qc6 13.f3 e5!?

White has no advantage after 9.Bd3

A new concept for Black. Even though he will lose a pawn by force, a concrete position with more than enough compensation for the sacrificed pawn will arise. Check out the game S. Ganguly – V. Fedoseev.

Resulting positions after 9...Qc7 give Black active play. 10.f4 Nb4 11.0-0 (11.Be2 c5 12.Bf3 c4∞) 11...c5

The most played move is 13...c4 14.Qd4 00 15.Bxc4 Qxd6 16.b3²

A) 12.b3

G. Jones (2567) – M. Carlsen (2714) Gausdal 2007 You need to be well prepared for the positions that arise after White plays 7.e5. This is especially true if White decides to play in an aggressive manner and seizes space with moves such as f4 and c4. However, if Black knows how to handle those positions, he should not fear any complications.

12...c4! 13.bxc4 Nxd3 (13...Qb6+ 14.Kh1 Qd4 15.Rb1 Bxe4 16.Bb2 Qe3 17.Bc1 Qd4=) 14.Qxd3 Rc8∞

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4

B) 12.Qe2 Be7 (12...Nxd3 13.cxd3 d5 14.exd6 Bxd6 15.Be3 0-0 16.Rac1 Bxe4

Bb7 9.c4 White plays in a concrete manner - the idea is to drive away the central knight.

17.dxe4 Rfb8=

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13.Kd1 f6 14.Bxd3 fxg5 15.Be4±) 11.Nd6+ Bxd6 12.exd6 Qa5 13.Bd2 Qe5+ 14.Be2

Black compensates for the weak c5 pawn with active play on the b-file. Soon, he will advance his a-pawn in order to weaken White’s queenside pawn structure) 13.b3 Nxd3 14.cxd3 0-0 15.Be3 Bxe4 16.dxe4 Rfb8= with ...a5 and ...a4 to come.

14...c5! Black defends the knight and opens the diagonal at the same time. (Capturing the pawn only leads to further complications. 14...Nd3+ 15.Kf1 Nxb2 16.Qc1 Na4 17.Rb1 Rb8 18.Rb4 Nc5 19.Bc3 Qxd6 20.Qg5 Ne4 21.Qxg7 Rf8

9...Nb4 10.c5 White prevents Black from playing ...c5 since that would open the diagonal for the light-squared bishop and vacate the c6 square for the black knight. To add to this, White achieved complete domination over the dark squares. However, this move significantly weakens the d5 square.

22.c5 Nxc5 23.g3©) 15.Bc3 Qg5 16.a3 (16.Bf3 Bxf3 17.Qxf3 0-0 18.0-0 a5=) 16...Qxg2 17.Rf1 Nc6 18.Qd2 0-0 19.0-0-0 e5∞ 10...Qb8

An equal position will arise after 10.Bd2 c5 11.Bxb4 cxb4 12.Nd6+ Bxd6 13.Qxd6 Qb6=; 10.Bg5!? An interesting move that is not often seen in tournament practice. Black is forced to react in a proper manner in order to equalize. 11.f4 11.Nd6+ Bxd6 A) 12.exd6

10...Qc7! (A seemingly logical 10...Qa5? is a mistake. 11.Nd6+ Bxd6 12.Qxd6 Nd3+ 42

and Black returns the sacrificed pawn) 13...Nxa6 14.0-0 0-0

12...Ba6 13.a3 (13.Bxa6 Nxa6 14.0-0 0-0 White has to defend the c5 pawn and this means that Black has enough time to activate the passive knight. 15.Be3 Nb4∞; 13.Qg4 0-0 14.Bh6 Nc2+ 15.Kd2 Qb4+

15.a3! White restricts Black’s knight and prevents it from returning to d5 via b4. 15...Qb5 Black is forced to think of the other way to return the knight back into the game. The queen on b5 allows Black to transfer the knight to d3 or b3 via c5. 16.Re1 Nc5 17.Re3!? White continues

16.Qxb4 Nxb4=) 13...Bxf1 14.axb4 Bxg2 15.Qg4 Bxh1 16.Qxg7 Qxb4+ 17.Bd2 Qe4+ 18.Be3 Qb4+ (An interesting position arises after 18...0-0-0 19.Qc3 White threatens Qa5 and even though Black is a rook up, he needs to find the only moves that keep him in the game. 19...Rhg8 20.Qa5 Qb4+! 21.Qxb4 Rg1+ 22.Kd2 Rxa1=) 19.Bd2 Qe4+ 20.Be3=

restricting the black knight - with his rook. At the same time, rook will go to g3 or h3 in order to create mating threats. 17...f5 18.b3 Rab8 19.a4 Qb6∞

B) 12.cxd6

With the idea of transferring the knight to d5 via a6 and b4. B1) The most logical is 12...Ba6 since it is

B2) 12...0-0!? 13.Bh6! A shocking move after which White threatens to play Qg4.

in the spirit of the position to exchange the light-squared bishops. The problem is that the knight finds itself on the edge of the board afterwards. 13.Bxa6 (13.Qg4 Nd3+ 14.Bxd3 Bxd3 15.Qxg7 Qb4+ 16.Bd2 Qe4+ 17.Kd1 0-0-0 with ...Rg8 to follow

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12.Be2 Check out the game J. Zhu – K. Lagno, Astana 2022. 12...Bxf1 13.Rxf1 Nd5

13...f5! It is imperative to keep calm and repel White’s threats. 14.exf6 Rxf6 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Qg4+ Kf7 17.Qxb4 14.Qd4 With this move, White centralizes the queen, defends the e5 pawn and prepares to advance the f-pawn. At the same time, the b2 pawn is defended and now the dark-squared bishop can come to d2. After this, White can even castle long, if necessary. 14.Rf3!? The rook enters the game via the third rank. The idea is to play Qc2, Bd2 and

17...c5! Black uses White’s lack of development to create counterplay. 18.Qh4 (Black is able to claim full compensation after 18.Qxc5 Bd5 19.b3 Rf5 20.Qd4 Qxd6©) 18...Qxd6 19.Qxh7+ Kf8 20.Be2 Qe5©

0-0-0. A) 14...a5 Black forces White to play b3 since it is the only move prevents Black from fixing White’s queenside pawns on a3 and b2.

11...Ba6 Black exchanges his least active piece.

15.b3 f5 16.exf6 gxf6 17.Bb2 Rg8 18.Qc2 Rg6∞

12.a3 White activates his h1 rook with a tempo, but at a cost of speeding up the process of the black knight’s centralization.

B) Another possible move is 14...Be7 15.Qc2 f5 16.exf6

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18...Qb3! Right on time! Black is able to obtain counterplay due to his active queen on b3. Black’s queen prevents White from castling long and allows the h8 rook to enter the game. 19.Rg3 Qc2 20.Nf6+ 20.e6 f6 21.exd7 Rad8 22.Nd6 Rxd7∞ 20...Nxf6 21.exf6 Rfe8+ 22.Kf1 g6 23.Qc3 Qe2+ 24.Kg1 Re5 25.Rf1 Rae8

B1) 16...gxf6 17.Nc3 (17.b3 f5 18.Nc3 Bf6∞) 17...f5 18.Nxd5 cxd5∞

26.b4?!

B2) 16...Nxf6 17.Nxf6+ Bxf6 18.Rb3 Qc7 19.Bd2 0-0∞

The correct move is 26.Qc1 with a threat of Qh6. This forces Black to place the queen on a more passive square. 26...Qh5 27.b4

14...Be7 15.f5 15.Bd2 0-0 16.0-0-0 f6 17.exf6 Bxf6 18.Nxf6+ Rxf6∞ E. Najer 2641 – Y.

Rf5 28.Rgf3 Rxf3 29.Rxf3=

Yakovich 2562, Sochi 2005. 15...exf5 16.Rxf5 0-0 Black finishes his development and prepares to strike in the center with ...f6.

26...Rd5!³ A great move that allows White to take over the initiative. Black prepares to put his rook on the second rank. 27.Qf3 Re4 28.h3 h5 29.h4 Kh7 30.Qxe2 Rxe2 Active rooks and weak pawns on a3, f6 and h4 make this position better for Black. White needs to play in a careful manner.

17.Bg5 17.Bd2 f6 18.0-0-0 fxe5 19.Rxe5 Qb3„ 17...Bxg5 18.Rxg5

31.Rff3 Re1+ 32.Kh2 Re4 33.Rh3 Rdd4 34.Kg1 Kg8?! A logical move. Black inteds to activate the king by transferring it to a more active square. However, this was not the right decision at the moment. Correct is 34...Rd1+ 35.Kh2 d5 36.cxd6 Rxd6³ with the idea of ...Ree6.

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35.Re3! Kf8 36.Rxe4 Rxe4 37.Rd3 Ke8 38.g3?! 38.Kf2! The king moves to the center! White takes over control of the e3 square and this will allow him to defend the f6 pawn in the future with Rd6.

42.Kg2! A difficult move! The white king moves away from the f-file so as not to allow Black to capture the f6 pawn with a check. At the same time, White prepares to put his rook on the seventh rank when the black king continues his advance towards the center. 42...Ke5 43.Rd3 Rxf6 44.Rd7

38...Rxh4 (38...Re6 39.Rd6=) 39.Re3+ Kd8 40.g3 White takes away the f4 square from the black rook and prepares to put his rook on the seventh rank. 40...Rh2+ 41.Kf3 Rh1 42.Kf2 Ra1 43.Re7 Rxa3 44.Rxf7= 38...Re6 39.Rf3 Since the king is not on f2, White does not have the option of playing 39.Rd6 Re3µ

44...a5 45.Rb7 axb4 46.axb4³ White has realistic chances to draw this game. In order to do so successfully, he will need to exchange the b4 pawn for the c6 pawn. 42...Ke5 43.Re3+ Kd5 44.Rd3+ 44.Rc3 Rxf6+ 45.Ke3 Re6+ 46.Kd3 Kd6µ 44...Kc4 45.Rd7 Too late. Black is able to create a passed pawn and this guarantees him a full point.

39...d6! The white rook was forced to leave the d-file and Black uses this to gain more space. Black will now start advancing with his king.

45...Rxf6+ 46.Ke3 Kxb4 47.Rxa7 c5 48.Rb7+ Kc3 49.a5 Re6+ 50.Kf4 c4 51.Rb6

40.cxd6 Kd7 41.Kf2 Kxd6 42.a4? An unnecessary weakening of the queenside pawn structure.

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1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Bb7 9.c4 Nb4 10.c5 Qb8 11.f4 Ba6 12.Be2

51...Kd4! 0 : 1 White resigned because Black promotes his pawn to a queen with a check after the rooks exchange ensues. 51...Kd4 52.Rxe6 fxe6 53.a6 c3 54.a7 c2 55.a8=Q c1=Q+

12...Bxe2 13.Qxe2 Nd5 The knight returns to the center of the board. At the same time, Black vacates the b4 square for the queen, since it is important to pressure the c5 pawn as early as possible.

56.Kf3 Qf1# Conclusion: White played in an aggressive manner and managed to seize a lot of space but in order to do so, he had to surrender the d5 square.

13...Qb5!? This is the idea of one of the most talented and creative players of our time – Hungarian grandmaster Richard Rapport. This decision is strategically justified. Black has control over the light squares and wants to exchange the queens as this would reduce White’s initiative. Only disadvantage of this move is that it weakens the pawn structure. 14.Qxb5 cxb5 15.Ke2 Nd5

After castling, Black was able to obtain some counterplay on the b-file. The move 26.b4?! was a small innacuraccy that allowed Black to take over full control of the position. Even though White had a few chances to enter the rook endgame that would probably end up in a draw, he missed all of them and Black capitalized on this. J. Zhu (2464) – K. Lagno (2547) Astana 2022 Unlike our previous game where White decided to defend his central pawns at a cost of not castling, here he sacrifices his pawn in order to obtain an attack on the black king. Since Black’s king spends a considerable amount of time in the center in this variation, it is important that Black knows how to deal with White’s threats.

16.a4! An improvement that allows White to gain an advantage. (Worse is 16.Bd2 F. Caruana 2786 – R. Rapport 2776

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Bucharest 2022) 16...b4 17.a5² and Black

Nxf6 19.Nxf6+ Bxf6 20.b3 Qb2 21.Qd3

will have problems defending the b4 pawn.

Qd4=

14.0-0

15.a3

14...Qb4

A principled pawn sacrifice that allows White to launch an attack on the kingside. 15...Bxc5+ 16.Kh1 Qb6

14...Be7N This move is the top choice of modern engines that is yet to be tested in tournament practice. The problem is that White seizes space after a few developing moves. 15.Be3 0-0 16.Bd4 f5 17.exf6 Nxf6 18.Rac1! Nxe4 19.Qxe4 Bf6 20.Rfd1

A) 17.f5 exf5 18.Rxf5 0-0 19.Qg4

Bxd4+ 21.Qxd4 Rf7² and even though the engines suggest that the position is equal, we believe that Black should not play such a passive position. 15.Kh1 19...Be3! Black correctly realizes that he should exchange as many pieces as possible. (Incorrect is 19...Kh8? 20.Qh4 Be7

15.Qc2

White’s defense of the c5 pawn gives Black enough time to finish his development. 15...Be7 (One should also consider 15...f5!?

21.Nf6! Bxf6 22.exf6 g6 23.Qh6 Rg8 24.Rf3+–) 20.Bxe3 Qxe3 21.Rf3 Qh6 22.Qxd7 Qe6 23.Qxe6 fxe6=

16.exf6 Qd4+ 17.Kh1 Nxf6 18.Nxf6+ gxf6∞) 16.Bd2 Qd4+ 17.Kh1 f5 18.exf6

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B) 17.b4 Be7 18.f5

18...Qb5! An important defensive idea!

22.Rf3! (White was unable to equalize after 22.a4 Qc4³ F. Caruana 2786 – V.

B1) 19.Qe1 exf5 20.Rxf5 (It is counterproductive to open the e-file with 20.Nd6+? Bxd6 21.exd6+ Kf8 22.Qf2 f6 23.Qxf5 Re8µ and Black will

15...Bxc5 16.Bd2

Fedoseev 2701, chess.com 2022) 22...f6 23.Rh3 g6 24.Rg3 fxe5 25.Rxg6+ hxg6 26.Qxg6+ Kh8 27.Qh6+=

play ...Re6, ...Ke7 and ...Rhe8) 20...0-0 21.Qg3

16.a3 Qb6 Transposes to the main line – 15.a3 16...Qd4

21...Kh8 Black avoids the Bh6 and Nf6 threats. He will now play the relieveing move ...f6 and it is not easy for White to prove compensation for the sacrificed pawn.

17.Rad1 17.Rae1 White brings his last piece into the game and controls the e3 square. The threat is Bc3. 17...Be7™ The bishop returns to the safe zone and allows the black queen to return to b6.

B2) 19.Qf3 exf5 20.Qxf5 0-0 21.Bd2 Rad8 Black has covered all of his weaknesses and White is forced to find a way to draw the game.

A) 18.Bc3 Nxc3 19.bxc3 Qd5! Black has pressured the e5 pawn in order to prevent White from playing f5. 20.Rb1 c5 21.Rfd1 Qc6

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Qe6 27.Nxe7 Qxc6 28.Nxc6 Rhc8µ) 21...Nxc3 22.Nf6+ Qxf6 23.Rxf6 Bxf6 24.bxc3 Bxc3

Black has a healthy position without weaknesses, with the only problem being that his king is still in the center. The game can continue in many ways, and most of them lead to a draw. We will look at some possibilities. 22.Nd6+ (22.f5 exf5 23.Nd6+ Bxd6 24.exd6+ Qe4 25.Qb5 0-0 26.Qxd7 g6=) 22...Bxd6 23.Rxd6 Qa4 24.f5 0-0 25.f6 gxf6 26.exf6 Rab8 27.Rbd1 Qf4 28.Qf3 Qxf3 29.gxf3=

Black has gained more than enough material and White is forced to draw the game. 25.Rxe6+ dxe6 26.Qxe6+ Kf8 27.Qd6+ Kf7 28.Qd7+= 17...Be7 18.Bc3 18.Bc1 Qa4! The queen remains on an active position. We will see the main idea behind the placement of the queen on a4 soon. 19.f5 exf5 20.Rxf5

B) 18.Qg4 g6™ Another forced move. Black wants to prevent White’s main idea, but... (18...0-0?? 19.f5! Qxe5 20.Bc3 Nxc3 21.f6+–) 19.f5! White is still able to accomplish his plans! 19...Qxe5 20.fxe6 fxe6 21.Bc3 (21.Nc3 Nf6 22.Qc4

20...Ne3! This is the point! An excellent tactical strike. After the exchange of knights, White’s attack loses all of its potential. 21.Nd6+ (21.Nc3 Qxd1+ 22.Nxd1 Nxf5³) 21...Bxd6 22.Bxe3 Be7=

22...Qh5! Queen prevents White from playing Bh6 since that would keep the black king in the center. Black’s king is now ready to escape the center and White has to sacrifice material in order to prevent his opponent’s king from escaping. 23.Rxe6 dxe6 24.Qxe6 Qg4 25.Qxc6+ Kf7 26.Nd5

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18...Qe3! An important move that puts the white queen to a more passive position and eliminates the threats that could arise after Qg4.

27...f6!

19.Qc2 Qb6 20.Bd4 c5! 21.Nxc5 Rc8

28.exf6??

Black cannot capture the piece because of the back-rank threats. 27...Rxc5?? 28.fxe6+–

22.Rc1 0-0 23.Qf2 Qb5 24.b3 Rc6? Black doubles his rooks on the c-file. By doing so, he ignores White’s main ideas.

Correct is 28.fxe6 Rxe6 29.Bxa7 Rxc4 30.bxc4 Qxc4 31.Bd4 h6= 28...Nxf6? Probably due to the lack of time, Black failed to calculate the consequences of capturing the piece.

The correct move is 24...f6. A typical relieving move in this position. Black prevents White’s attacking threats. 25.exf6 Bxf6 26.Bxf6 Nxf6=

The winning move is 28...Rxc5! 29.fxe6 Nxf6 30.exd7 Rxc4! 31.Qxa7 Nxd7 32.bxc4 Qxc4–+

25.Rc4? White misses his chance to continue his attack with 25.f5! exf5 26.a4 Qa5 27.Nxd7

29.fxe6?? Leading to an equal position is 29.Bxa7 Rxc4 30.bxc4 Qxf5 31.Qxf5 exf5 32.Rxf5 Rxc4=

Rxc1 28.Rxc1 Rd8

29...Rxc5 30.a4 Qb6 31.a5 Qb5 32.exd7

29.e6!! fxe6 30.Qg3+– 25...Bxc5 26.Bxc5 Rfc8 27.f5! 32...Rxc4! 0 : 1 Conclusion: Unlike the previous game, here White castled after blocking Black’s 51

central pawns. This enabled him to play in an aggressive manner and sacrifice a pawn in the middlegame. White blundered, probably due to the lack of time, and Black was able to obtain a significant material advantage that lead to a victory.

13.Qd4 Qb6 14.Qxb6 (14.Rd1 Rc8∞; 14.Qxc4 Nb4ƒ) 14...axb6 15.Bxc4

D. Navara (2703) – L. D. Nisipeanu (2656) Bundesliga 2021

15...Nb4 16.Bd3 f5 17.Nd6+ (17.Nc3

We believe that Black should also be well prepared if White opts for a calm approach. Pay close attention to Black’s 11...Ne3, since it is the key move in the position that nullifies White’s advantage and gives Black a comfortable position. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Bb7 9.Be2 A calm approach from White – he wants to finish his development and castle short before playing in the center.

17...Rg8© with the idea of ...g5. Black wants to use his powerful b7 bishop) 17...Bxd6 18.exd6 Kf7 19.Bd2 Nxd3 20.cxd3 Rhc8 21.Bc3 Rc6ƒ

9...c5 10.0-0 Qc7

11...Ne3 12.Bxe3 A forced transition into an endgame with opposite-colored bishops arises after 12.Nd6+ Bxd6 13.exd6 Qc6

11.c4 A move that poses no problems to Black from an objective standpoint. Exchanging the pieces in this position can only benefit Black. White can continue with 11.f4 but this allows Black to establish control over the dark squares after 11...c4! 12.Kh1 Be7

14.Bf3 Nxd1 15.Bxc6 Bxc6 16.Rxd1 0-0 17.Be3 Rfc8! Black defends his c5 pawn in a tactical manner. 18.Rd3 (18.Bxc5? Ba4

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19.b3 Rxc5 20.bxa4 Rxc4µ) 18...a5 19.Ra3 f6= 12...Bxe4

18...fxe5 This is a premature reaction from Black. It was correct to keep the tension in the center and improve the position of the pieces. 18...Rf7 19.Qd2 (19.exf6 Bxf6 20.Be5 Raf8∞) 19...Raf8∞

This type of position is similar to those that occur in the Paulsen Variation of the Sicilian Defense. Black’s idea is to finish his development with ...Be7, ...0-0 and play

19.Bxe5 Bh4 20.g3 Bf6 21.f4 Bxe5 22.Qxe5 Rf5 23.Qe2 a5

either ...d6 or ...f6. 13.Bf4 13.f4 Be7 14.Bf3 (14.Bd3 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 Rd8 16.Rad1 0-0 17.Qe4 d6 18.exd6 Rxd6=) 14...Bxf3 15.Qxf3 0-0 16.Bd2 White transfers his bishop to c3 from where it stands better in case Black plays ...f6 or ...d6.

24.Bg2?! White takes no risks and exchanges Black’s strong dark-squared bishop. White could continue 24.Rd2 Raf8 25.Bh3 R5f6 26.Qd3² with the idea of playing Re5. 24...Bxg2 25.Rb3 Qa6 26.Kxg2 Raf8= 16...f6 17.Bc3 fxe5 18.Bxe5 d6 19.Bc3 Rae8= S. Bressac 2345 – P. Tregubov 2586, Brest 2019. 13...Be7 14.Re1 Qb7 15.Bf1 0-0 16.Qe2 Bc6 17.Rad1 f6 18.Rd3

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27.Rd1 a4 28.Re3 Qb7+ 29.Qf3 29.Kg1 h6 30.Red3 R8f7= 29...Qxb2+ 30.Re2 Qb4 31.Rxd7 Qxc4 32.Qe4 Qxe4+ 33.Rxe4 Rd5 1/2 : 1/2 Conclusion: Instead of seizing as much space as possible in the opening, White gave priority to the rapid development of the pieces.

11.Nd6+ This move is the critical test of the 8...Bb7 variation. 11...Bxd6 12.exd6 Qc6 13.f3

Black nullified White’s advantage by playing 11...Ne3, forcing the exchange of

White does not have the enough time to create pressure along the h1-a8 diagonal with 13.Bf3 because of 13...c4 14.Qd4 00=

knights. Black had no serious problems keeping the position equal throughout the game. S. Ganguly (2608) – V. Fedoseev (2686) Biel 2022 Pay close attention to the following game! We decided to offer you a new way of handling the line that many consider to be the critical test of the Four Knights Variation. 13...e5!? is a move that should come as a surprise to most of your opponents. It is interesting that the modern engines evaluate the resulting positions as equal even thought White has the material advantage.

13...e5!? A new idea. Black does not prevent White from playing c4 with the idea to drive away the central d5 knight. Instead, he secures the f4 square. The ultimate goal is to transfer the knight to d4 via e6. However, after White takes the knight on f4 with the bishop and plays Qd2, Black will be unable to defend the pawn.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Bb7 9.Be2 c5 10.0-0 Qc7

The most played move is 13...c4 14.Qd4 00 15.Bxc4 Qxd6 16.b3²

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This position is definitely playable. If you were to look at correspondence games, you would see that Black reaches a draw in the most position. However, we believe that this variation requires extremely precise play from Black and for this reason we do not recommend it. After the exchange of queens White will obtain the bishop pair advantage.

18...Qe6 19.Be3 0-0 20.Bxc5 Qg6²) 15.Bf3 Nxd1 16.Bxc6 Bxc6 17.Rxd1

14.c4 17...f5! The best reaction. Black sacrifices a pawn in order to put his pieces on active squares. Activity of pieces is an important factor in positions with opposite-colored bishops. 18.fxe5 Kf7 19.Rd3 (19.Be3 Rhe8 20.Bxc5 Rxe5 21.Bf2 Re2 22.Rac1 Be4=) 19...Rhe8 20.Bf4 h6 21.h4 g5 22.hxg5

14.f4

hxg5 23.Bxg5 Rxe5 24.Kf2 (24.Rd2 Rg8 25.Bf4 Re4 26.Rf1 c4=) 24...Rg8 25.Rg3 Re4=

14...Ne3 Black reaches a satisfactory

14.Re1

position after a series of moves. (Black should not enter the complications that arise after 14...Nxf4 15.Bf3 e4 16.Bxe4 Ne2+ 17.Qxe2 Qxe4 18.Re1

14...c4 Black secures the position of his knight in the center. (Another option is

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14...0-0 15.Bf1 Rfe8 16.b3 Re6 17.Bb2

15.Re1 Ne6 16.Bf1 f6∞

Rae8∞) 15.Bf1 f6

15...exf4 16.Qd2 0-0 17.Qxf4

A) 16.b3 Ba6! The battle for the c4 square continues! 17.f4 0-0∞

How can Black obtain compensation for the sacrificed pawn? Black achieved everything he wanted and now it is White that needs to seek quick simplifications of the position. In the continuation we will see what could happen if White plays with fire and decides to accept the sacrificed material. 18.fxe5 fxe5 19.bxc4 Bxc4 20.Bxc4 Qxc4 21.Rxe5?! Rae8! 22.Rxd5 Re2 23.Bf4™ (23.Bb2??

– He will double the rooks along the e-file. – He will pressure the weak d6 pawn. – The queen will go to a6 and b6 in order to pressure White’s queenside pawns. – He will advance his pawns to f5 and g6 in order to gain space. If he manages to accomplish all of this, his pieces will control all the key squares on the board.

Qg4–+; 23.Rg5? Qd4+! Deflection! 24.Be3 Qxe3+ 25.Kh1 h6 26.Rg3 Qe4µ It is unclear how White will defend from all the threats after Black plays ...Rf2) 23...Qe4 24.Rg5 Rxf4 25.Qd5+ Qxd5 26.Rxd5 Rxc2µ White will have to play a lot of precise moves in order to hold this endgame.

17...Rae8 18.Bd3 18.Qd2 Re6 19.Rad1 Rfe8 A) 20.Rf2 Qb6 21.Bf1 (21.f4 Re4 22.Qc2 R8e6=) 21...a5 22.Re2 Rxe2 23.Bxe2 g6= B) 20.Rfe1 g6 21.Kf2 Rf6= with the idea of Ree6.

B) 16.Qd4

18...Re6 19.Rad1 White indirectly defends the d6 pawn. White has a few possible options in the position: A) 19.Rfd1 g6 20.Bf1

16...c3! 17.bxc3 0-0 18.Qe4 Qxd6∞ 14...Nf4 15.Bxf4

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2593 – S. Gagare 2514, Kavala 2022) 23.Rxd1 Bxe4 24.fxe4 Rb8 25.b3 Rb7 26.Rd5 Rc7= C) 19.Bf5 Qxd6 20.Qxd6 Rxd6 21.Rad1 Ra6 22.Bb1 Rd8 23.Rfe1 Re6= 19...g6 Black threatens to take the d6 pawn, but more importantly, the f5 square is now under control and this prevents White’s threat of Bf5.

20...Qb6! An important prophylactic move that prevents White’s idea to activate the rook along the third rank. (20...Rfe8 21.Rd3²) 21.b3 Rfe8 After he managed to block the third rank, Black can continue with his plan. 22.Rd3 a5 23.Rad1 Bc6=

20.Be4 White has several more options at his disposal but none of them give him an advantage.

B) 19.Rfe1 Qxd6 (A typical 19...Rfe8? is incorrect because of 20.Rxe6 Rxe6

A) 20.Rfe1

20...Rfe8 21.Rxe6 Rxe6 22.Bc2 Qb6 23.b3 Qa5 24.a4 Qc3=

21.Bf5! Qxd6 22.Qh4 Rh6 23.Qd8+ Qf8 24.Qxd7+– is incorrect) 20.Qxd6 Rxd6 21.Rad1 g6 (A simpler path to an equal

B) 20.Bc2

endgame is 21...Re6=) 22.Be4

20...Qa6 21.Bb3 Rfe8 22.h3 1/2 : 1/2 I. Iljiushenok 2551 – M. Chigaev 2641, Poikovsky 2022.

22...Rxd1 (After the imprecise 22...Rb6 Black reaches a passive rook endgame. 23.b3 Bxe4 24.Rxe4 Rd8 25.Re5² G. Gopal

C) 20.h4

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21...Qa5! The queen takes control over the e1 square and prepares to infiltrate White’s position with ...Qc3. 22.h4 (22.Qd2 The exchange of queens benefits Black. 22...Qxd2 23.Rxd2 Rfe8 24.a3 a5=) 22...Qc3 23.h5 f5∞ With Rfe8 to come and Black maximized his piece’s potential. 20...Qa6 21.Bxb7 Qxb7 22.Rd2 Rfe8 23.h4 Re5 Black prevents further advancement of the h-pawn.

20...Qxd6 21.Qxd6 Rxd6 22.Be4 Rxd1 23.Rxd1 Bxe4 24.fxe4 Rb8 25.b3 Rb7 26.Rd5 Rc7= Black is in time to defend all of his pawns.

Another option with the same idea is 23...h5=

D) 20.b3

24.Rfd1 a5 1/2 : 1/2

One of the main tests for Black’s position. White defended the b-pawn and now he is ready to attack Black’s kingside with his hpawn. 20...Qa6! (Taking the pawn 20...Qxd6?! is not recommendable because of 21.Qxd6 Rxd6 22.Be4 Rxd1 23.Rxd1 Bxe4 24.fxe4² and now Black

A draw was agreed in this dynamically balanced position. Even though White has the material advantage, Black’s control over the e-file and active pieces give more than enough compensation. Neither side can further strengthen their position.

cannot play Rb8 with tempo because the bpawn is now defended. Black is forced to sacrifice a pawn and defend a weaker endgame position) 21.Bb1

Conclusion: We believe that Black’s 13...e5 changed the established way of playing this line. Black sacrifices the pawn and obtains the initiative because of the control of the e-file and constant pressure on White’s pawns. It is certain that this line will further develop in tournament practice, especially since the resulting positions are evaluated as equal by the modern engines despite the material deficit.

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CHAPTER FOUR 8...Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.a3 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4

Black is not afraid of c4 because he has the ...Nc3 response ready. For this reason, he does not waste time and plays a useful move that prevents the advancement of the b and c-pawns.

Qc7

10...Ne3

The most reliable line. Black provokes f4 since this move weakens the g1-a7 diagonal and the e3 square. 9.f4 Qb6 The queen occupies the long diagonal and secures the e3 square for the knight.

The most concrete move. Black uses the weakened e3 square and exchanges his knight for the bishop. 11.Qd3 Nxf1 12.Rxf1 Ba6 13.c4 f5 Check out the game D. Paravyan – S.Vidit, Chess. com 2022.

10.a3 A popular prophylactic move that takes away the b4 square from Black’s dark-squared bishop. At the same time, White prepares to kick the knight from the d5 square with c4. This is a modern approach and Black is able to reply in a few different manners.

10...Rb8

10...a5

The rook enters the game via b8. This idea is similar to the one behind 10...a5!? – Black is fighting against the advancement of White’s pawns. After White plays c4, the b3 square will be weak and Black wants to

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use this for his advantage. Check out the analysis of 10...Rb8!

This is a very concrete approach – Black wants to use the weakened e3 square as soon as possible.

11.c4 Ne3 12.Qd3 Nxf1 13.Rxf1 Ba6∞

11.Qd3 Nxf1 12.Rxf1 Ba6 13.c4 White threatens to take control of all the important squares on the board with b4 followed by Be3. For this reason, Black has to react in an energetic manner.

Check out the analysis of 10...a5!? D. Paravyan (2617) – S. Vidit (2723) Chess.com 2022 The following game shows how Black can use the weakened e3 square to generate practical problems for White. This approach is the most concrete one, but since we believe that you should have more than one option in your games, we also analyzed the 10...Rb8!? and 10...a5 ideas that you can find after the end of this game.

13...f5! 14.exf6 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.exd6

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4

15...c5! The last chance to open the long h1-a8 diagonal for the dark-squared bishop. 16.Rf3 Bb7 17.Rg3 Rg8 18.b3 Be4 19.Qd2

Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.a3

10...Ne3

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19...g5! 20.Bb2 (20.fxg5 e5„ with ...f4 followed by the ...Rg6 threat) 20...g4 21.Re3 a5= 14...d5 15.f7+ All other possibilities give the black king an opportunity to take refuge on the queenside with long castle. A) 15.Qh3 15...Bxc4 16.Qc3 (16.Qd2 c5∞) 16...Qb3∞ 15...Kxf7 16.Ng5+?! An imprecise move that makes the defense easier for Black. The king is now able to hide to a much safer position. 16.f5! 15...0-0-0!∞ (Taking the piece is no good because Black’s king will soon come under attack. 15...dxe4? 16.Qxe6+ Kd8 17.f5+– with Bg5 and 0-0-0 to come). B) 15.Qc3 dxe4 16.fxg7 Bxg7 17.Qxg7 00-0 18.Qc3 Rhg8 19.Be3 Qb7 20.Rd1 Rxd1+ 21.Kxd1 Rd8+∞

16...h6! An important prophylactic move! Black takes control over the important g5 square and prepares to retreat the king on g8. (Black should not take the knight with 16...dxe4?? 17.Qd7+ Be7 18.fxe6+ Kg8 19.Qxe7+–) A) 17.fxe6+ Kg8 A position has arisen in which all lines lead to a draw.

The rook is active along the d-file and the position is close to equal. C) 15.Be3

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A1) 18.Be3 dxe4 19.Qxe4 Bc5 20.e7 Bxe3

attack with 21.Rf7! Qxb2 (White has a

21.e8=Q+ Rxe8 22.Qxe8+ Kh7 23.Qe4+ Kg8=

significant advantage after the exchange of the queens. 21...Bxd3 22.Rxb7 and thanks to the passed e-pawn, White has the decisive advantage) 22.Rb1 Qxg2

A2) 18.Ng3 Bxc4 19.Qg6 Bxf1 20.Nh5 and Black should continue with the active 20...Qd4! preventing the Nf6 threat. 21.Qf7+ (A perpetual check occurs after 21.Kxf1 Qd1+ 22.Kf2 Qd4+ 23.Kf1=) 21...Kh7 22.Qf5+ Kg8= (Or 23.Nf6+ Kg7 24.Ne8+ Kh7=).

22...g6

A3) 18.Nf6+ gxf6 19.Qg6+ Bg7 20.Rxf6 Qg1+ 21.Rf1 Qd4 22.Qf7+ Kh7 23.Qf5+= B) 17.Qg3 dxe4 18.Qg6+ Kg8 19.Qxe6+

23.Qf3!+–

Kh7 20.Qg6+=

C2) 17...Bxc4!?

C) 17.Be3

C3) 17...Qa5+! 18.Bd2 (18.b4 Bxb4+ 19.Kf2 dxe4 20.Qd7+ Be7 21.fxe6+ Kg6 22.Qxe7 Bxc4∞) 18...Qc7 Due to the check on a5, White’s light-squared bishop had to retreat to d2 and White lost control of the c5 square. 19.fxe6+ Kg8

C1) The passive 17...Qb7? move leads Black to serious difficulties. 18.fxe6+ Kg8

20.Bc3! White must continue playing in an active manner. C31) Black must continue playing carefully – he should not take the e4 knight. Black’s main problem is that White will obtain initiative on the queenside if he takes the knight. 20...dxe4? 21.Qxe4 Rd8 Black prevents White from castling long, but

In the game K. Alekseenko 2702 – B. Bellahcene 2512, Warsaw 2021, White should have continued with 19.Nc5! Bxc5 20.Bxc5 Bxc4 and White can use the fact that the f8 bishop is missing for an effective

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16...Kg8

White continues to attack the black king after the exchange of the rooks.

17.Qe2? A mistake after which White’s 22.Rd1! Rxd1+ 23.Kxd1 Even though Black has the material advantage, his h8 rook is too passive. 23...Bc8 24.Qg6 Qd6+ 25.Kc1 Bxe6 (25...Qxe6 26.Rxf8+ Kxf8 27.Qxg7++–)

position collapsed. White has not found a way to break free from the pin along the a6f1 diagonal and the c4 pawn will soon fall. Correct is 17.b3 Re8 18.Ra2 because White has to activate his rook. The resulting position is non-standard and both sides have their advantages. (18.Be3?! dxc4 19.Qe4 Qxb3 20.f5 c3!³) 18...h6 19.Nf3

26.Rf6!+– C32) 20...Bxc4

19...h5! Black finds a way to develop the h8 rook. 20.Re2 Rh6∞ 17...Re8–+ Black is able to defend from the threat whereas White has not solved his c4 pawn problem. 18.f5 Bxc4 19.Qh5

21.Rf7! A mandatory counterattack that leads to an equal position. 21...Bxd3 22.Rxc7 dxe4 23.e7 Bxe7 24.Rxe7 Rh7= White will regain the pawn and Black will activate his rook – the position will soon be drawn. 63

19...Re7! After this defensive move White has no way to continue the attack.

11.c4 White plays in a principled manner and drives away the knight from the center.

20.fxe6 g6 21.Rxf8+ Kxf8 22.Qg4 Kg7 23.b3 Qg1+ 24.Kd2 Qf2+ 25.Kc3 Be2 26.Qf4 Rf8 27.Qd6 Qf6+ 28.Kc2 Kg8 29.Nf7 Rxe6 30.Nh6+ Kh8 31.Qg3 Ba6

11.Bd3 White develops his bishop and saves him from the potential ...Ne3 idea. 11...Be7 12.c4

32.Bb2 Re2+ 0 : 1 Conclusion: Black prevented White from obtaining a decisive spatial advantage and managed to create a position with mutual chances by playing the timely 13...f5! move. White missed his chance to sacrifice the knight with 16.f5! – this move is definitely the critical test of the position. Instead of playing 16.f5!, White opted for a dubious plan and this lead to a loss.

12...f5! A typical reaction. 13.Nf2 (13.Ng5 Bxg5 14.fxg5 Ne7∞ with ...a5, ...c5, ...Bb7 and ...Nc6 to follow). A) Black can also continue with 13...Nc7 and even though the knight might seem passive at first, Black wants to play ...a5 and then transfer the knight to c5 via a6. 14.Qh5+ (14.b4 a5∞) 14...g6 15.Qf3 a5 16.Rb1 Na6∞ L. Engel 2553 – N. Abasov 2664, Tornelo 2021.

The 10...Rb8!? analysis In the following analysis we will present you the prophylactic 10...Rb8!? idea. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.a3 Rb8!? Black activates

B) 13...Bc5 14.Qh5+ g6 15.Qe2 Ne7∞

the rook with the idea to use the b3 square that will become weak after White plays c4.

White can also try to defend the e3 square with 11.Qd3 and now the queen defends the e3 square, supports the c4 advance, and prevents Black from activating the light-squared bishop via a6. 11...f5 12.exf6

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knight to c5 via c7 and a6. 12.c4 (12.Bd3 White’s indecisiveness to attack the knight with c4 can be used to exchange the lightsquared bishop. 12...Ba6! and now White cannot play 13.c4?

12...gxf6!?N Black maintains the tension by keeping the knights on the board. (12...Nxf6 13.Nxf6+ gxf6 14.Be2² I. Nepomniachtchi 2773 – P. Ponkratov 2641, chess.com 2022) 13.c4 (White does not achieve anything with a pawn sacrifice. 13.f5?! exf5 14.Ng3 Bc5³) 13...f5 An obligatory reaction. 14.cxd5 (If White removes his knight from the center, Black can finish his development with 14.Ng3 Nf6 15.b4 c5 16.Bb2 Bg7 17.Be2 0-0∞ or 14.Ng5 h6! Another in-between move.

because of 13...Qd4! 14.cxd5 Bxd3 15.Nf2 Rb3µ and Black has a clear advantage. White would only suffer more after 16.dxc6? Bc5–+; 12.Be2 Be7 13.c4 f5 14.Nf2 Nc7 15.0-0 Na6∞ and Black places his knight on the c5 square.) 12...f5!

15.Nf3 Nf6∞) 14...fxe4 15.Qxe4 Qa5+ 16.Bd2 Qxd5∞ 11.Qf3 Another way to defend the e3 square and prepare the c4 advance.

A standard reaction in this type of positions. After the knight gets attacked with c4, we react with a counterattacking move ...f5. B1) 13.Nd6+?! Bxd6 14.exd6 Nf6³ After a series of logical moves such as ...c5, ...Bb7 and ...Ne3, White is unable to defend the

A) 11...Be7 12.c4 f5 13.Nd6+ (13.Nd2? Ne3 14.Bd3 g5µ L. Aronian 2781 – S. Mamedyarov 2770, chess24.com 2021) 13...Bxd6 14.exd6 Nf6 15.b4ƒ with initiative.

d6 pawn. B2) 13.Nf2 Ne7∞ with ...c5 and ...Nc6 to come. (13...Nc7∞ with ... Na6 and ...Nc5). B3) 13.exf6 Nxf6 14.Nxf6+ gxf6 15.Qh5+

B) 11...a5!?N Black prevents White from playing b4 and prepares to transfer the

Kd8 16.Bd2 Bc5∞

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11...Ne3 12.Qd3 Nxf1 13.Rxf1

14.Bd2

13.b4. An interesting in-between move. The black knight has no retreat squares anyway and White wants to use his turn to seize space on the queenside.

White can try 14.f5 exf5 15.Nc3 Qb3∞ with an unclear position. 14.Rf2 White defends the b2 pawn and threatens Be3 followed by b4. 14...Qb3!N This is the idea behind 10...Rb8! The queen occupies the b3 square and blocks White’s queenside pawns. (Black loses precious time with 14...Ba6?! 15.Be3± and the queen cannot move away from the c5 pawn. Black worsened his position even more with 15...f5? 16.exf6 d5

13...c5! Black must not allow White to play c5! 14.b5

17.f5! and White launches a winning attack with the pawn sacrifice! 17...dxe4 18.f7+ Kxf7 19.fxe6+ Kg8 20.Qd7 h6 21.Qf7+ Kh7 22.Rf6 Black resigns because he cannot defend from the Rh6# threat. 1 : 0 P. Michalik 2585 – G. Dudin 2477, Terme Catez 2022) 15.Nd6+ (Black’s light-

14...d5! and Black obtains space to develop his pieces after a few pawn break moves. 15.exd6 f5 16.Ng5 Bxd6 17.Rxf1 00∞

squared becomes powerful after the exchange of the queens. 15.Qxb3 Rxb3 16.Kd1 a5 17.Kc2 a4 with the idea of 18.Nc3 Ba6∞ or 15.Rf3 Qxd3 16.Rxd3 Ba6∞) 15...Bxd6 16.Qxd6

13...c5 This move opens the a8-h1 diagonal for the light-squared bishop and prevents White from seizing space with b4 and c5. 66

long with an advantage due to the powerful e5 knight. 15.Ke2 Qd4 One should also consider 15...Qb3!? 16.Qxd4 Dangerous looking move is 16.Rab1 but Black is able to relieve himself from pressure after a series of exchanges 16...Qxd3+ 17.Kxd3 Rxb1 18.Rxb1

16...Rb6! Black wants to ensure that his king will be able to castle short. On the other side, White’s king is unable to do the same, and this gives Black compensation. 17.Qxc5 Rc6 18.Qxa7 0-0© Black will take the c4 pawn and has the better position due to the poor position of White’s king.

18...d5! Just in time! 19.exd6 f5 20.Nxc5 Bxd6= 16...cxd4 17.Rab1 17.Kd3?! f5!³ with the idea of playing 18.exf6 d5µ

14...Qxb2N Taking the pawn is the right decision – Black should accept the oncoming complications. 14...d5 15.exd6 f5 16.Ng5 Bxd6 (16...h6?

17...Ra8! A difficult decision! Black is forced to give up the b-file and return his rook on the starting square. However, it is imperative that he does not allow the white rook to penetrate the eight rank.

17.Qh3!+– Y. Kryvoruchko 2686 – B. Jobava 2582, Riga 2021) 17.Bc3 h6 18.Nf3 0-0 19.Ne5² and White will castle

Incorrect is 17...Rxb1? because Black does not have the counterplay that he had in the

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16.Rab1 line. 18.Rxb1 d5 19.exd6 f5 White

27...Ke6! Black is forced to return the

king is not on d3 and this allows his rook to enter the eight rank and this makes the position lost for Black. 20.Rb8!+–

material. The resulting position is equal. 28.Rxc4 Rxc4+ 29.Kxc4 Bxa3=) 22...Rd8 23.c5 Bd5 24.Re1+ Be4+ 25.Rxe4+! fxe4+

18.Bb4

26.Kxe4 Even though Black is a rook up, White’s passed pawn and the powerful rook on the seventh rank force Black to return the material. Resulting positions are equal and most likely lead to a draw.

18.Kd3 d5 19.exd6 f5 20.Ng5 h6

A) An interesting piece sacrifice is 21.Nxe6!? Bxe6 22.Rb7 (22.Rfe1 Kd7 23.Rb7+ Kxd6

26...Bxd6! 27.cxd6 Rd7 28.Rb8+ Rd8= B) 21.Nf3 Bxd6 22.Nxd4 Kf7∞

24.Ba5! A cunning move! White threatens to play Rc7 and Black will find himself in a mating net. 24...Rc8! 25.Rxa7 Bxc4+ 26.Kxd4 Rg8 27.Rc1

18...Bb7! White blocked the b-file and Black uses this to develop his light-squared bishop with a tempo. 19.Kd3 19.Nd6+ Bxd6 20.Bxd6 Bxg2 21.Rg1 Be4 22.Rbd1 Rg8 23.Rxd4 Bc6= White has the space advantage for the pawn, but Black is able to balance the position with ...f5 and ...Kf7.

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19...f5 20.exf6 Bxe4+ 21.Kxe4 gxf6 22.Bxf8 Rxf8= Conclusion: White has to adapt to his opponent’s plans quite often in the Four Knights Variation. The idea behind the 10...Rb8 move is of prophylactic nature – Black is ready for the advancement of White’s queenside pawns. We believe that Black should be satisfied with the resulting positions. However, he needs to be precise at times – 17...Ra8! and ...f5 or ...d5 pawn strikes being perfect examples.

14.f5 The most concrete try from White. He uses the position of the f1 rook and absence of Black’s pieces to launch a direct attack on the black king. 14.Be3? Bxc4!µ; 14.Bd2 Qxb2 15.Bc3 (15.Ke2

The 10...a5!? analysis The following analysis contains the most important details and variations that you should know if you decide to opt for the 10...a5!? line. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.a3

15...c5! 16.Rfb1 Qd4 17.Qxd4 cxd4 18.Kd3 f5 19.Nd6+ Bxd6 20.exd6 Rc8= S. Ganguly 2589 – N. Abasov 2646, Saint Louis 2022) 15...Qb3 16.Nd2 Qb6 17.Rb1 Qc5∞; 14.Rf2 White wants to play Be3 and 0-0-0, but Black has a tactical reaction ready. 14...Be7 15.Be3

10...a5!? With the ...a5 move Black prevents White from taking space on the queenside. 11.c4 Ne3 12.Qd3 Nxf1 13.Rxf1 Ba6

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15...Bxc4! A hidden tactical strike that

Another

saves Black’s position. (15...c5? 16.0-0-0± D. Paravyan 2617 – F. Caruana 2786, chess.com 2022) 16.Qxd7+ Kxd7 17.Bxb6

requires several difficult defensive moves from Black, which, with correct play on both sides, ultimately gives White a more promising endgame.

Bd5=

possibility

is

17...Ke7.

This

14...exf5 15.Rxf5 Be7 16.Bg5 The idea is to keep the black king in the center and weaken the defense of the d6 square. Black is not in time to retreat his king to the kingside after 16.Rf2 0-0 17.Bf4 c5 18.0-00 Qe6 19.Rc2 a4∞

18.Kf1! The king covers the threat of ...Qg1 and vacates the e1 square for the rook to come into play. 18...f6 Another obligatory defensive move! 19.Re1 Kd8 20.e6 dxe6 21.Rxe6

16...Bxg5™ A mandatory move! Black has to enter complications and has no right to make a mistake. Overambitious is 16...Qxb2?? because White is able to bring his final inactive piece into the attack. 17.Rd1+– and White won with ease. 17...d5 18.exd6 Bxg5

21...Kd7™ This is actually the only move! White has no good discovered checks! 22.Qe4 Kc7 23.Nb5+ (White does not achieve more than a draw after 23.Re7+ Kb8 24.Rxg5 fxg5 25.Qe5

19.d7+ Kd8 20.Nxg5 Kc7 21.Rxf7 Rad8 22.Ne6+ Kb7 23.Rb1 1 : 0 D. Paravyan 2589 – M. Matlakov 2662, chess.com 2022. 17.Nd6+ Kd8

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25...Rf8+! A necessary defensive move that chases away the knight from the attack! 26.Nf5+ Kc8 27.Qe6+ Kb8 28.Qe5+=) 23...Kb8 24.Qf3 with the threat of Qg3.

White can leave the queens on the board with a pawn sacrifice. 21.Rf7 Qxe5+ 22.Ne4 Qe6 23.Qg3+ Kc8 24.0-0-0 (24.Rf4 Bxc4 25.0-0-0 Bd5∞) 24...Qxc4+

(24.Rxc6 Qe3 25.Qd5 Qc1+ 26.Kf2 Qe3+=)

25.Qc3 Qxe4 26.Rdxd7 Qc4 27.Rc7+= 21...Qxd6 22.exd6+ Kb6 23.Rc1 h6 24.Nf3 c5©

24...Ra7! A unique way to defend. Black frees the a8 square for the king. 25.Rxc6 Qe3 26.Qxe3 Bxe3 27.Nxa7 Bb7 28.Re6 Bxa7 29.Rxa5²

Black will soon return the d6 pawn and the position will be equal.

From the materialistic point of view, the position is balanced. However, three connected passed pawns on the queenside make the position more comfortable for White.

Conclusion: Black shows his willingness to fight. If White reacts in an aggressive manner, the resulting positions has both kings in the center. In the only game in this line, Matlakov made the mistake of taking the b2 pawn with 16...Qxb2 and this allowed White to launch an attack on the black king. Correct decision was to exchange the darksquared bishops with 16...Bxg5.

18.Nxf7+ White’s attack loses its intensity after 18.Rxg5 Qg1+ 19.Qf1 Qe3+ 20.Qe2 (20.Kd1 Kc7³) 20...Qg1+= 18...Kc7 19.Nxg5 Qg1+ 20.Rf1

Resulting positions are complex and both sides need to calculate well.

20.Kd2 Qxa1 21.Qd6+ Kc8 22.Rf7 Qxb2+ 23.Kd1 Qa1+= 20...Qc5 21.Qd6+

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CHAPTER FIVE 10.c4 Bb4 11.Ke2 f5 12.Nf2 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4

Check out the game V. Ivic – Mil. Perunovic, Paracin 2022. 16...Qb6 17.Be2 This line leads to very complex positions. The main features of the resulting positions are the non-standard position of the white king and the amount of space in the center that White is able to occupy.

17.b3 White consolidates his pawn structure. 17...c5 Black continues with his typical plan and opens the diagonal for the bishop.

10...Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5! 12.Nf2 In comparison to the alternative 12.exf6, this is a more positional approach. 12...Ba6 13.Kf3 We rarely come across positions where after the 13th move the white king is the most advanced piece! 13...Ne7 14.Be3 Bc5 15.Bxc5 Qxc5 From a strategical standpoint, White stands better due to a better pawn structure, domination across the dark squares and a better bishop. On the other hand, Black hopes to use the poor placement of White’s king with ...d6 and ...g5 pawn breaks. In order to activate the light-squared bishop, Black will have to open the a8-h1 diagonal with ...c5.

Check out the game P. Velicka – Mil. Perunovic, Austria 2022. 17...Rd8 With ...Nc8 and ...d6 to come. Check out the game F. Caruana – R. Rapport, Buchurest 2022. 17...g5 Black is quick to strike on the kingside.

16.Qd6 16.Qa4!? 72

10...Bb4+ 11.Ke2 White is unable to protect his king. 11.Bd2? Qe3+ 12.Qe2 Bxd2+ 13.Nxd2 Qxe2+ 14.Kxe2 Nxf4+–+ 11...f5 12.Nf2 Ba6 13.Kf3 Ne7 14.Be3 14.Qa4? White tries to exploit the position of Black’s bishops. The main threat is Nd3 winning a piece. However, Black is able to punish this idea with the energetic 14...g5! Active play is the only way for Black to counter White’s threats!

Check out the game F. Kazur – I. Cheparinov, Porec 2022. V. Ivic (2628) – Mil. Perunovic (2543) Serbia (blitz) 2022 The following game is of great importance to you – it is very hard to play positions that arise after 10.c4 if you are not familiar with all the positional and tactical intricacies. The Four Knights Variation of the Sicilian Defense has lines that are demanding for both sides – you should use this to your advantage and be better prepared than your opponents.

A) And now White is unable to play 15.Nd3? because of 15...Bxc4 16.Nxb4 (16.Qxb4 Bxd3 17.Qxb6 Be4+ 18.Kf2 axb6µ) 16...g4+ 17.Kg3

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4 An aggressive move that forces Black to enter complex positions that contain a lot of tactical ideas. White starts occupying space in the center with a tempo. However, there is also a price to pay – White will lose his castling rights.

17...h5! with the threat of ... h4#! 18.h4 gxh3 19.Kxh3 Rg8!–+ In order to prevent the threat of Qf2, White must give the piece back. After he does so, only Black can be better - the position is equal and Black has the initiative due to the poor position of the white king.

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B) 15.a3 g4+ 16.Kg3

large material losses) 19...hxg5–+ White cannot prevent ...f4. C2) 17.Be3 Bd5+ 18.Kf2 c5 19.Qxb4 (19.Nxb4

16...Be1! 17.Qc2 h5–+ C) 15.fxg5 Ng6 16.Nd3 19...f4! An excellent in-between move! 20.Nxd5 fxe3+ 21.Nxe3 Qxb2+ 22.Nc2 00+ 23.Kg1 Rab8!–+ It is a well known rule that one should use as many pieces as possible when attacking. This move does two things - Black threatens to play ...Rb4 and prevents White from playing Qb3. 24.Qc4 Nxe5 25.Qe2 Rb4! With the threat of ...Rc4 or ...Rbf4) 19...cxb4 20.Bxb6 axb6

16...Bxc4! Black sacrifices a piece in order to create a devastating attack!

21.Nxb4 Be4µ

C1) If White were to accept the sacrifice with 17.Nxb4 Black would play 17...Nxe5+ 18.Kg3

14.b3? White defends the c4 pawn and threatens Nd3.

14...g5! 15.Nd3 (15.fxg5 Bc3µ) 15...Bc3 16.Be3 c5! 17.Rc1 (17.Bxc5 Bb7+ 18.Ke2 Qc6µ) 17...Bb7+ 18.Ke2 Bb4µ

18...h6! Even though White is a piece up, it is unclear how can he defend the king from Black’s active pieces. 19.Bxc4 (19.g6 Rg8 20.Bxc4 Rxg6+ 21.Kh3 Qd4 22.Qd1 Qxc4–+ White will very quickly find himself facing indefensible checkmate threats or

14.Qb3

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14...Bc5! 15.Qxb6 axb6 16.Be3 Bxe3 17.Kxe3 c5³

24...0-0! 25.Qxe7 Rab8 26.Be2 (26.Qd6 Rb2 27.Rd1 Qf2 28.Nxd7 Qc2+ 29.Kd4

14...Bc5 15.Bxc5 Qxc5

Qe4+ 30.Kc3 Qc2+=) 26...Rb4 27.Nb3 Re4 28.Rhe1 Re3+ 29.Kc2 Rc8+ 30.Kb2 Qxe5+ 31.Ka3 Qa5+ 32.Kb2 Qe5+= B) Another possibility is 16...Qb6 with ...c5 and ...Bb7 to come. 17.h4 c5 18.Kg3 (18.Qd2 Rd8 19.Rd1 0-0 20.Kg3 d5! 21.exd6 Nc6∞ with ...e5 or ...Nd4) 18...d5! 19.exd6

16.Qa4 A modern plan which was first implemented at a high level by the acclaimed Russian Grandmaster Esipenko. The idea is to transfer the queen to a3 from where it will control the a3-f8 diagonal and the a-file at the same time. 16.b3

19...0-0-0!∞

A) 16...g5 17.Qd6 g4+ 18.Ke2 Bxc4+!N A

16...Bb7 17.Qb3

necessary piece sacrifice, otherwise Black remains passive. (18...Qa5? 19.Nd3+– Xu,Y 2507 – M. Matlakov 2674, Chess.com 2022) 19.bxc4 Qxc4+ 20.Kd1 (20.Nd3? Qc2+ 21.Ke1 Qc3+–+) 20...Qxf4 21.Nd3 Qa4+ 22.Kd2 c5! 23.Nxc5 Qf4+ 24.Kd3

The critical test for Black is 17.h4 A multifunctional move. White prevents ...g5, prepares to activate the rook via h3, and vacates the h2 square for the king. 17...Qb6 18.Qa3 c5+ 19.Kg3 h6 (Incorrect is 19...0-0?! because black is left with no chance to organize counterplay on the kingside with the ...h6 and ...g5. 20.Rd1 Rfd8 21.Be2± and White’s king is out of reach. In the game, White was able to obtain the initiative along the d-file and 75

score a full point. A. Esipenko 2716 – N. Abasov 2656, FIDE World cup 2021) 20.Rd1 (White can continue with 20.Nd3 but the knight blocks the d-file and Black can use it to play ...d6. 20...Rc8 21.Be2 and now Black should play 21...0-0∞ because now he is in time to play ...Rfd8 and break the center with ...d6). 28...Rh7!³ An excellent prophylactic move! Black prepares to defend the d7 pawn after the exchange of the light-squared bishops. White is unable to defend all of his weaknesses) 27...Rg8 28.Kf2 Rxg5 29.g3 Rh5 30.Be2 Rh2+ 31.Ke1 Rh6³ With ...Ng6 to come. The h6 rook prevents White from playing Nxe6. A3) 22.Qxb4 cxb4 23.h5 g5 24.hxg6 Nxg6 25.Nd3 Be4 26.Nxb4 Rdg8∞

20...0-0-0!?N Black’s king ended up castling long - this is very uncommon for this variation. The rooks are now connected and everything is ready for ...g5. (Another option is 20...Rg8 with the idea to support the ...g5 advance).

B) 21.Rh3 g5 22.Kh2 Qb4 23.Qxa7 Nc6 24.a3 Nxa7 25.axb4 cxb4∞ C) 21.Nd3 g5

A) 21.Rd6 Qb4

Black is implementing his ideas – White’s king is in danger and the e5 pawn is weak.

A1) The a7 pawn is “poisoned”. 22.Qxa7?! Nc6 23.Qa3 Qxa3+ 24.bxa3 g5!µ White cannot defend both his center and the kingside.

22.Nxc5 (22.Qxc5+ Qxc5 23.Nxc5 gxf4+ 24.Kf2 Rhg8∞; 22.hxg5 hxg5 23.Rxh8 gxf4+ 24.Kxf4 Rxh8 25.Qxc5+ Kd8!?∞) 22...gxf4+ 23.Kh2 Nc6 (Another possibility is 23...Bc6 with the idea to keep the light-

A2) 22.Nd3?! Qxa3 23.bxa3 g5! 24.hxg5 hxg5 25.Rxh8 Rxh8 26.Nxc5 Bc6 27.fxg5 (27.Be2 gxf4+ 28.Kf2

squared bishop. 24.Rd3

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24...a5! The only move! Black must prevent White’s threat of playing Rb3 and Qa6. The idea of ...a5 is to vacate the a7 square for the queen. 25.Rb3 Qa7∞).

19...c5! It is imperative that Black does not allow White to block the c5 square. Due to a temporary pawn sacrifice, Black is in time to activate his pieces. 20.Qxc5 (White cannot take with the knight. 20.Nxc5?? Nd5!–+) 20...Qe4+ 21.Kf2 Rc8 22.Qe3 Qxe3+ 23.Kxe3 Rxc4 24.Rxc4 Bxc4=

C1) 24.Rd6 Rhg8 C11) 25.Be2

25...Nxe5!? (An interesting alternative is 25...Rg3 26.Bf3 Rxf3 27.gxf3 Rg8∞) 26.Rxb6 Rxg2+ 27.Kh3 axb6 28.Nxb7 Rdg8 29.Nd6+ Kb8 30.Bh5 R8g3+ 31.Qxg3 Rxg3+ 32.Kh2 Ng4+ 33.Bxg4

17...Qb6!? A risky move. Black allows White to play c5 and this will make the position of the light-squared bishop problematic. However, in return he gets the d5 square for the knight. The only way Black will be able to activate the bishop is via a6.

fxg4∞ C12) 25.Nxb7 Qf2 26.Qa6 Qg3+ 27.Kg1 Qe3+=

The alternative is 17...Rb8

C2) 24.Nxb7 Qxb7 25.c5 Kb8„

A) 18.Qc3 White prepares b4-c5 or Nd3-

17.Nd3 Qd4 18.Qb4 Ba6 19.Rc1

c5. 18...g5 19.Nd3 (19.fxg5 Ng6 20.Re1 h6 21.gxh6 Rxh6©)

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Conclusion: With the early development of the queen on a4 White managed to prevent Black from carrying out one of the basic ideas of the Four Knights Variation – Black was not in time to open the a8-h1 diagonal for his light-squared bishop due to the position of White’s knight on c5. However, such manner of play from White allowed Black to use the d5 square for the knight. To add to this, Black was able to develop the light-squared bishop on a6 from where it fought for the important a6-f1 diagonal.

19...Qd4! This tactical motif is hard to spot over the board! 20.Qxd4 c5+ 21.Ke3 cxd4+ 22.Kxd4 gxf4∞ B) 18.h4 Qa5 19.Kg3 c5 20.Rd1 Nc6∞

The game also contains the standard ...g5 break that is played with the idea to pressure White’s central pawns. In an approximately equal position, the game ended because of White’s blunder – keep in mind that the game was played under blitz time control where blunders are more common.

18.c5 Qc7 19.Bc4 g5 20.g3 Rb8 Better is 20...Rg8. 21.Qa3 a5 22.h4 g4+ 23.Kg2 Nd5 24.Rhd1 Kf7 25.Rac1 Ra8 26.Rd4 Rhb8 27.b3

P. Velicka (2366) – Mil. Perunovic (2542) Austria 2022 We are going to continue analyzing the 10.c4 line. In this game, White opted for 17.b3 – the most played move that many strong players consider to be one of the critical tests of the whole Four Knights Variation. We believe that Black should not be afraid of this move – he has more than enough means to complicate the matters and fight for an advantage.

27...Ba6∞ Black solved his light-squared bishop problems. There is no reason to consider Black’s position worse. 28.Nd1 Rb4 29.Nc3? A blunder that came as the result of time issues - this was a blitz game. 29...Bxc4 30.bxc4 Ne3+ 31.Kf2 Nxc4 32.Rxc4 Rxc4–+ 33.Rd1 a4 34.Ne2 Ke7 35.Qd3 Rxc5 36.Qa3 Raa5 37.Nc1 Kf7 38.Nd3 Rd5 39.Ke2 c5 40.Rc1 Qb6 41.Qc3 Rb5 42.Rc2 h5 43.Qc4 Rd4 44.Qc3 c4 45.Nf2 Rb1 46.Rd2 Rxd2+

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5 12.Nf2 Ba6 13.Kf3 Ne7 14.Be3 Bc5 15.Bxc5 Qxc5 16.Qd6 Qb6

47.Qxd2 Rb2 0 : 1 78

17.b3 This is the most played move found in the chess database. The idea is to consolidate the pawn structure – the b2 pawn is no longer under attack, the c4 pawn is well defended, and White will transfer his knight to c5 via d3.

17...Qxb2 (In the game against the Serbian Grandmaster Todorovic, the author of this book tried 17...Rd8 but after 18.Qa3! it is unclear how Black achieves equality. If Black wants to fight for a full point, he can try 17...g5!?∞) 18.Nd3 (18.Qxd7+ Kf7 19.Qd2 Qa3+ 20.Qe3 Qa5∞) 18...Qxa2

17.b4?! This is overambitious. The idea is to prevent Black from playing ...c5 and continue with the domination of the dark squares. White did not develop most of his pieces and the king’s position is unstable and Black can use this with 17...c5!

and all moves lead to an equal position.

A) 18.b5 Bb7+ 19.Ke3

A) 19.Nb4 Qa3+ 20.Rd3 Qa1 21.Nxa6 (Leaving the bishop in the game is dangerous. 21.Qxd7+?! Kf7 22.Nxc6 Rhe8³) 21...Qxa6 22.Qxd7+ Kf7 23.Rd6 Qc8∞ B) 19.Nc5 Bxc4 20.Bxc4 Qxc4 21.Rd4 Qa2

19...g5! A well known motif by now! 20.Nd3 (20.fxg5? f4+! 21.Ke2 Qa5–+) 20...gxf4+ 21.Nxf4 Qxd6 22.exd6 Nc8 23.Nd3 Nxd6 24.Nxc5 Rc8 25.Nxb7 Nxb7³ Black will put the knight on c5 and advance his central pawns. B) 18.bxc5 Qb2 19.Be2 (19.Bd3?! Bb7+ 20.Ke3 g5µ) 19...Qa3+ 20.Nd3 Bxc4³ 17.Rd1

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22.Rd2 (Deflecting the black queen only

18.h4 White takes control of the g5 square, thereby preventing further kingside attacks. 18...Bb7+ 19.Ke3 Nc8 20.Qxb6 axb6

leads to a draw. 22.Ra1 Qxa1 23.Qxd7+ Kf7 24.Qxe6+ Kf8 25.Qc4 Nd5 26.Rxd5 cxd5 27.Ne6+ Ke7 28.Qc7+ Kxe6 29.Qd6+ Kf7=) 22...Qc4 23.Rb1 Rd8

21.Be2 (21.a4 Ne7∞ The knight is headed to d4 or b4. After he accomplishes this, Black’s idea is simple ...Rg8, ...h6

24.Rd4 Qc3+ 25.Rd3 Qc4=

and ...g5).

17.Qa3!? White voluntarily removes the queen from the d6 square with the idea to put the rook there. To add to this, the concrete threat is c5. 17...c5 18.h4 This prevents Black from playing ...g5.

21...Ra3!N Before playing in the center, Black must block the a2 pawn. (Black does not equalize with 21...d5 22.exd6 Nxd6 23.a4!² M. Vachier Lagrave 2784 – L. Dominguez Perez 2758, Internet 2021) 22.Nd1 d5 23.cxd5 exd5∞;

18...Rd8N Black wants to advance his dpawn before White gains control over the d-file. 19.Rd1 d5 20.exd6 Rxd6 21.Qa4+ (21.Rxd6 Qxd6 22.Nd3 Bxc4 23.Qxc5

18.Kg3 Bb7 19.Be2 Nc8 20.Qd2 d5 21.cxd5 Bxd5∞

Bd5+ 24.Kf2 Qxc5+ 25.Nxc5 Kf7=) 21...Kf7 22.Rxd6 Qxd6 23.Nd3 Rd8∞

18...Bb7+ 19.Ke3 The e3 square is much safer for the white king. White benefits from the fact that the king is no longer under direct attack after Black plays ...g5. To add to this, after the exchange of the queens, the king is closer to the queenside and could potentially play an important role.

17...c5 Black must not miss the chance to open the diagonal and solve his lightsquared bishop problems.

19.Kg3

18.Rd1

80

19...Qxd6 (Another possibility is 19...Rd8!?

20.Qxb6

A standard way of defending the d7 pawn. Black will play ...Nc8 next).

20.Nd3 Rhc8=; 20.Be2 Rhd8 21.Nd3 Rac8=

A) White cannot maintain his blockade with 20.Rxd6?! g5! 21.Nd3 (21.fxg5 h6 22.h4 hxg5 23.hxg5 Rxh1 24.Nxh1 Ng6µ) 21...gxf4+ 22.Kxf4 Ng6+ 23.Ke3 Rc8µ

20...axb6 21.Rxd7 Bc6 22.Rd2

White has problems finishing his development and preventing the ...Ke7 with ...Nxe5 threat. I. Ilijushenok 2545 – A. Dreev 2657, Yaroslavl 2019. B) 20.exd6 22...g5 First played by the 13th World Champion Garry Kasparov. An equally good option is 22...Ra3 The a2 pawn is blocked and Black will double the rooks with ...Rha8. 23.Nd3

20...Ng8! 21.Nd3 Rc8 22.Be2 Nf6∞ Black has the weak c5 pawn and White has the weak d6 pawn. The position is dynamically balanced.

The idea is to place the knight on c1 in order to defend the a2 pawn. (23.Nd1 By transferring the knight to c3, White weakens his defense of the important f4 and e5 pawns. 23...g5! Black uses this immediately! 24.fxg5 h6 25.gxh6 Ng6© with h6 and e5 pawns to fall and Black is more active) 23...Rd8

19...Kf7 Black opts for a pawn sacrifice. What is the idea behind this move? First and foremost – Black relieves himself from the pressure along the d-file. Secondly, he gets a semi-open a-file that will allow him to pressure the a2 pawn.

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23.fxg5

A) 24.h4!? White prevents ...g5 and prepares to activate the rook via h2. 24...Rd4 (24...b5!?) 25.Rh2 Re4+ 26.Kf2 Ra8! Black uses the disharmonious position of White’s rooks and starts pressuring along the d-file. 27.Be2 Rd8 28.g3 Red4© V. Susla – I. Kovalenko, corr. 2021.

23...h6 Black implements ideas from the Benko Gambit, but on the kingside! 24.gxh6 (24.Nh3 Ng6 25.gxh6 Nxe5© M. Chandler 2565 – G.Kasparov 2740, Hamburg 1987) 24...Ng6 25.Nd3 Rxh6 Black threatens ...Rh4 and ...Re4. 26.h4 (26.Nf4 Nxe5 27.Be2 Rg8© Black exerts maximum pressure on the kingside. 26.h3 Rh4©).

B) 24.Rg1 Be4 Vacating the c6 square for the knight.

B1) 25.Be2 Nc6 26.Rgd1 An interesting decision from a strategical standpoint is 26...Bxd3!? (26...Rd4©) 27.Bxd3 h6 with the idea of pushing ...g5. 28.h4 (28.Bb1 Nd4 29.g3 g5=) 28...g5 29.hxg5 hxg5

26...Rah8N Black regains a pawn. White still did not solve his problems – the e5 pawn is weak and the a2 and g2 pawns are also potential weaknesses. Black has more than enough compensation for the sacrificed pawn. (Abbasov made a blunder with 26...Be4?? 27.h5 Ke7

30.Be2 Rxd2 31.Rxd2 g4= B2) 25.Nc1 Rxd2 26.Kxd2 Nc6© Black has full compensation for the pawn. His idea is simple – weaken White’s pawns with ...g5 and obtain the initiative. S. Karjakin 2765 – S. Vidit 2726, Internet 2021. 23.Nh3

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28.Nf2!+– This move was overlooked by Black. The f2 knight defends the rook and attacks the e4 bishop. D. Navara 2676 – N. Abasov 2652, Struga 2021).

31...Ke7! 32.Rxc6 Nxc6 33.Bxc6 Rh1= Black’s active rook is not weaker than White’s two minor pieces. White has problems defending the queenside pawns. R. Cvak – D. Cleto Junior, corr. 2020.

A) One should also consider 27.h5 because it forces the exchanges and this decreases Black’s pressure on the e5 pawn. 27...Rxh5 28.Rxh5 Rxh5 29.Nf4 Nxf4 30.Kxf4 Rh1 31.Bd3 Rh4+ 32.Ke3

23.Nd3 Ng6 24.fxg5 h6 – Transposes to 23.fxg5. 23...h6 24.Rg1 Rhg8?! The desire to keep the tension on the kingside turned out to be incorrect.

Rg4 33.Bf1 f4+ 34.Kf2 Be4 Black prepares to advance with his king to f5. 35.Rd6 (35.Rd8 Rg3=)

The best move is 24...g4! 25.Nf2

25...b5! 26.Nd1 (26.cxb5?! Nd5+ 27.Ke2 Bxb5+ 28.Ke1 Bxf1 29.Rxf1 Rhc8³ with ...c4 to come and White has to fight for a draw) 26...bxc4 27.Bxc4 Nd5+ 28.Bxd5 exd5©

35...Rg3! 36.Rxb6 Rc3= The position is equal due to Black’s active pieces. B) 27.Nf4 Nxe5 28.Be2 Rxh4 29.Rxh4 Rxh4 30.Rd6 Rh6 31.Bf3 (31.Nd5 b5 32.Kf4 bxc4 33.bxc4 Rh4+ 34.g4 Rh2=; 31.Nd3 Nxd3 32.Bxd3 Bxg2 33.Bxf5 Rh5 34.Bg4 Rh4 35.Bxe6+ Ke7 36.Rd2 Kxe6

25.g3 Ra3 Black sticks to his plan. Black should have still continued with 25...g4 26.Nf2 b5 27.Nd1 bxc4 28.Bxc4 Nd5+ 29.Ke2 The f4 pawn is well defended and White does not have to give up his bishop. 29...h5²

37.Rxg2=)

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26.Bd3?! White misses his chance to punish Black’s incorrect decisions with 26.fxg5! hxg5 27.Be2 f4+ (27...g4 28.Nf4 Rh8 29.Rd6±) 28.gxf4 gxf4+ 29.Kf2 Rxg1 30.Kxg1 Ng6 31.Bh5 Kg7 32.Bxg6 Kxg6 33.Nxf4+ Kf5 34.Nxe6! Kxe5 35.Ng5± and Black has to fight for a draw.

31...Nd5+!? This is a nice-looking move but nothing more. 32.cxd5 exd5 33.Bxf5 d4+ 34.Kd3 Rxf2 35.Ra1!= Re2 36.Ra7+ Kf8 37.Rc7 Re3+ 38.Kd2 Re2+ 39.Kd3 Re3+ 40.Kd2 Re2+ 1/2 : 1/2 Conclusion: Black managed to take over control of the position after the sacrifice of the d7 pawn – the powerful b7 bishop and pressure on White’s pawns after 22...g5 give more than enough compensation.

26...g4 Finally! 27.Nf2 Rga8 28.Rb1 28.Bb1 b5

White solved his problem of the underdeveloped kingside with a few logical moves, but this allowed Black to shift his focus on the queenside. Pay attention to the 24...g4 followed by the 25...b5 sacrifical idea as it is very instructive – Black closed the kingside and opened the queenside from where he could apply serious pressure on White’s position.

A) 29.cxb5 Nd5+ 30.Ke2 Bxb5+ 31.Bd3 Bxd3+ 32.Nxd3 c4! 33.Nc1 (33.bxc4? Nc3+ 34.Ke3 Ne4 35.Rdd1 Rd8–+ Next is Nc5) 33...cxb3 34.axb3 h5=

F. Kaczur (2483) – I. Cheparinov (2686) Croatia 2022

B) 29.Rc1 bxc4 30.Rxc4 Nd5+ 31.Rxd5 Bxd5 32.Rxc5 Bf3=

In order to master the Four Knights Variation you need to learn how to react properly when faced with a surprise – in the following game White played the interesting 17.Be2 and Black reacted in a thematic manner with 17...g5!? Even

28...Rxa2 29.Rxa2 Rxa2 30.b4 Bf3 31.b5!

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though this might not be the best move, it shows that Black is familiar with all the important ideas of the position and it paid off – he managed to create a position with good practical chances. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5

18.fxg5 Ng6

12.Nf2 Ba6 13.Kf3 Ne7 14.Be3 Bc5 15.Bxc5 Qxc5 16.Qd6

One should consider 18...h6!?N because this move pressures White’s exposed king. 19.Rad1 hxg5 20.Qxd7+ Kf7 The following line shows that even the black king is not safe.

16...Qb6 17.Be2 White does not want to lose a tempo with b3 – he continues with the development instead. 17...g5!? Black is quick to carry out the thematic ...g5 strike. Because White did not play b3 with the idea to consolidate the queenside pawn structure, as he will be unable to activate the knight on the d3 square – the c4 pawn is hanging after Nd3.

21.Ne4! An effective tactical strike with the idea to open the f-file – this would put Black’s king in grave danger. 21...g4+ (It is also possible to play 21...fxe4+ 22.Kxe4 Rh4+ 23.g4 Rh7 24.Rhf1+ Kg8 25.Qxe6+ Kh8 26.Rf7 Rxf7 27.Qxf7 Qxb2 28.Qf6+ Kg8 29.Qxg5+ Kh8 30.Qh6+ Kg8 31.Rd2 Qb1+ 32.Bd3 Qb4 33.a3 Qc5

Incorrect is 17...Qxb2? because after 18.Nd3 White’s knight gets to c5 with a tempo. 18...Qb8 19.Nc5± 17...Rd8 Check out the game A. Firouzja – R. Rapport, Bucharest 2022.

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B) 20.gxh6 Qa5 21.Rad1 (21.c5 Bxe2+

It is difficult to give a final assessment of the position. White has three pawns for a bishop, Black has a knight out of play on a6, but White’s king is in the center of the board, which gives Black a real chance for counterplay). 22.Kf4 fxe4 23.Rhf1 Rh7! An excellent defensive move that vacates the h8 square for the king.

22.Kxe2 Qb5+ 23.Nd3 Qa4∞) 21...Nxe5+ 22.Kg2 0-0-0„ 19...Qb8 20.Qxb8+ 20.Nd3?! Bxc4 21.Qxb8+ Rxb8 22.h5 Ne7³ 20...Rxb8 21.b3 Nxe5+ 22.Ke3

A) 24.Kxe4+ Kg8 25.Qxe6+ Kh8 26.Rf7 (26.Qf6+ Rg7 27.Qh6+ Rh7 28.Rf8+ Rxf8

22.Kf4 d6 23.g4 White wants to break Black’s pawn structure. 23...Ng6+ 24.Kg3 (24.Kf3 c5 25.gxf5 exf5 26.Rhe1 h6∞)

29.Qxf8+ Ng8 30.Rd8 Rg7∞)

24...f4+ 25.Kh3 c5 A strange position. White has the pawn majority on the kingside, whereas Black has one in the center. 26.Rhf1 (26.Bf3 Ne5 27.Be4 Ke7 28.Rhf1 d5 29.Nd3 Nxd3 30.Bxd3 e5∞; 26.Bd3 Ne5 27.Rhe1 Bb7∞) 26...Ke7 27.Bf3 Ne5 28.Bh1 Rbg8∞ N. Bernaert – T. Gruhn, corr. 2020. 26...Nd5! 27.cxd5 Rxf7 28.Qxf7 Bxe2=

22...0-0

B) 24.b3 Kg8 25.Qxe6+ Kh8 26.Qf6+ Rg7 27.Rd7 Re8∞

Better is 22...c5 because Black does not show where he will go with the king yet – opening the a8-h1 diagonal is always a good idea. 23.g4 (23.Nd3 Nxd3 24.Bxd3 Ke7=) 23...0-0 24.gxf5 exf5 25.Nd3 f4+!

19.h4 19.g3 White prepares to retreat his king.

26.Kd2 Nxd3 27.Bxd3 f3= 23.Rac1 23.Nd3 Nxd3 24.Bxd3 d5∞ 23...c5 24.g3?! This is too passive. Exchanging the strong central knight is a better decision. 24.Nd3 Nxd3 25.Bxd3 Bb7 26.Rhg1 e5 27.g3 f4+ 28.gxf4 Rxf4 29.h5=

19...h6! (19...Qb8?! 20.Kg2 Nxe5 21.Qa3² White secured the king, did not exchange the queen, and the black king will quickly find himself in danger). A) 20.h4 hxg5 (20...Qa5„) 21.hxg5 0-0-0„

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24...Nc6! Black’s knight is headed to the d4 square from where it will exert pressure.

31...Ng7 34.Rf2=

25.Nd3 d6 26.g4

29.Kd2

26.Nf4 Nd4 27.Nh5 e5 28.Nf6+ Rxf6! 29.gxf6 Kf7³

One should also consider taking the material with 29.Bxe8 Rxe8+ 30.Kd2 Re2+ 31.Kd1 Rxa2©

26...Nd4

27.gxf5

exf5?!

Black

32.Rf1

Rxf4

33.Rxf4

Nxh5

29...Re4 30.Nf2 Re5 31.Nd3 Bb7 The battle continues! Black continues sacrificing the material, but White refuses to take it.

unnecessarily breaks his pawn structure and closes the f-file for the rook. Correct is 27...Nxf5+ 28.Kd2 Bb7 29.Rh2 Nd4³ And Black has the advantage. He will now double the rooks along the f-file and advance his e-pawn.

31...Re4= 32.Rhf1

28.Bh5! White reacts in a proper manner and prevents the rook from coming to e8.

We believe that Black does not have more than compensation after 32.Nxe5 dxe5 33.Rhe1 e4 34.Kc3 f4 35.b4 f3 36.bxc5 Nf5∞ 32...Re4 33.Nf4 a5 34.Rce1 Bc6 35.Rxe4 fxe4 36.Be2 Nf3+ 37.Bxf3 exf3 38.Nd5 Bxd5 39.cxd5

28...Rbe8+!? Black is not satisfied with a draw! Leading to an equal endgame is 28...Bb7 29.Rhe1 f4+ 30.Nxf4 (30.Kf2 a5∞) 30...Nf5+ 31.Kd3

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39...Rf4= All the complications resulted in

62...Kd3!

an equal position. There is still a lot left to be played.

63...Kc2 64.Rb5 Kb2 65.Kg1 Rc2 66.Kh1 h2–+ and the king returns to c6 from where it will chase away the rook from the b-file.

40.Ke3 Rxh4 41.Rxf3 Rd4 42.Rf5 Kg7 43.Kf3 Rd2 44.Kg4 Rg2+ 45.Kh5 Rh2+ 46.Kg4 Rd2 47.Kh4 Rd4+ 48.Kg3 Kg6 49.Rf6+ Kxg5 50.Rxd6 h5 51.Rd8 h4+

63.Rb6

(63.Kxh3

c4!–+)

59...c4 60.Rc5

52.Kf3 Kf5 53.Ra8 a4 54.Ra5 axb3 55.axb3 Rd3+ 55...Rxd5 56.b4= 56.Kg2 Rc3 57.d6 Ke6

60...Rg3+? Correct is 60...h3+! 61.Kh2

58.Rb5? Black’s persistence paid off. White does not find a way to draw and losses the d-pawn without gaining anything in return. 61...Ke6! and White is in zugzwang.

Leading to a draw is 58.b4! cxb4 (58...c4 59.Ra6 Rb3 60.Rb6 Kd7 61.b5=) 59.Rb5 b3 60.Rb6 Rd3 61.Kh2 h3 62.Kh1 Kd5 63.d7

A) 62.Rh5 Rb3 63.b5 (63.Rc5 Rxb4 64.Kxh3 Kd6 65.Rc8 Kd5–+) 63...Kd6–+

Kc4 64.Rb7=

B) 62.Rc8 Kd5–+

58...Kxd6 59.b4

C) 62.Kh1 Rc2 63.Kg1 Kd6 64.Kh1 h2–+ and White will lose.

59.Rb8 h3+ 60.Kh2 Kd5 61.Rb6 Kd4 62.Rb5

D) 62.b5 Kd6 63.Rc8 Kd5–+ is also hopeless for White. 61.Kh2 c3 62.Rc8?? White unnecessarily lets Black’s king advance into his half of the board. The black king remains cut off after 62.Kh1!

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followed by ...d6 with the idea to relieve yourself from White’s pressure along the dfile, the ...c5 idea to activate the lightsquared bishop on the b7 square, and the ...g5 idea with the intention to seize kingside space and threaten the white king. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5 12.Nf2 Ba6 13.Kf3 Ne7 14.Be3 Bc5 15.Bxc5 Qxc5 16.Qd6 Qb6 17.Be2 Rd8

62...h3 63.Kh2 Re3 64.Kh1 Rf3 65.Kh2= and Black cannot improve his position. 62...Kd5–+ 63.b5 Kd4 64.b6 Rg7 65.Kh3 65.Rc7 Rg6 66.b7 Rb6 67.Kh3 Kd3 68.Kxh4 c2–+ 65...Rb7 66.Rc6 Kd3 67.Kxh4 c2 68.Rd6+ Kc3 69.Rc6+ Kb2 70.Kg4 c1=Q 0 : 1 Conclusion: Black was able to accomplish all of his strategical tasks in this game – he carried out the ...g5 strike and temporarily sacrificed the pawn in order to weaken the e5 pawn that soon fell, the b7 bishop had the open diagonal and the knight was dominant in the center.

Black prepares to chase away the queen with ...Nc8. After this, he will confront White’s pawn structure with ...d6. 18.b4

Sadly, the 27...exf5 inaccuracy was enough to equalize the position. In the end, Black’s persistence paid off.

18.Rhd1

White did not defend precisely in the rook endgame and Black managed to score a full point. A. Firouzja (2804) – R. Rapport (2776) Bucharest 2022 18...g5! The absence of the white rook from the kingside can be used to carry out a thematic attack on the kingside. (Black can also stick to his plan with 18...Nc8 19.Qa3 c5 20.Rac1 d6 21.Nd3 Bb7+ 22.Kf2 0-0∞) 19.fxg5 h6 20.gxh6 Rxh6 21.b3 (21.h3?!

In the following game Black was ready for White’s 17.Be2 idea. We believe that you should have both ...Rd8 and ...g5!? moves in your repertoire as this will make you less predictable for your opponents. Pay attention to three important motifs ...Nc8

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Ng6 22.g3 f4!³) 21...Ng6 22.g3 Rxh2 23.Nd3 c5!„ 18.Rad1 Nc8 (The thematic move 18...g5? 19.fxg5 is not good because of 19...h6 20.h4±) 19.Qa3 c5 20.Rd2 d6 21.Rhd1 00∞ K. Achatz – V. Caron, corr. 2021. 18...Nc8 19.Qc5 White’s queen on e5 looks powerful – it seems that Black has a lot of problems to solve. White threatens to play c5 and attack the e6 and g7 pawns at the same time. It is worth considering 21.Rhc1!? A cunning move. White prepares to exchange queens and advance with the pawn to c5. This would leave the d6 square permanently weak for Black. 21...Qxc5 22.bxc5 Nf7 Black prepares ...e5. 23.Rc3 (23.Nd3

White tries to maintain the blockade of the dark squares. Incorrect is 19.Qd2?! because Black obtains the initiative with 19...c5 20.b5 Bb7+ 21.Kg3 d5ƒ

White prevents Black from playing ...e5 but this enables Black to play on the kingside with 23...g5 24.g3 Ke7= with ...e5 or ...Kf6, ...e5) 23...e5 24.Ra3 Bc8 25.Rxa7

19...d5 20.exd6 After the exchange of queens, Black obtains counterplay with 20.Qxb6 Nxb6 21.c5 (21.b5 Bb7 22.c5 Na4 23.Rhc1 d4!∞ Black prepared to open the diagonal for the bishop and is ready to infiltrate White’s position with ...Nc3) 21...Bxe2+ 22.Kxe2 Nc4= and Black will start breaking White’s pawn structure with ...a5 and ...g5. 20.cxd5 Bxe2+ 21.Kxe2 Qxc5 22.bxc5 20.Rhc1 Qxc5 21.bxc5 Ne7=

25...g5! 26.g3 0-0© Black has full compensation for the pawn. C. Rodriguez – P. Moujan, corr. 2021.

20...Nxd6 21.Qe5

21...c5!

Rxd5=

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A) 23.Rad1? h5! 24.Qe5 Rh6 25.bxc5 (25.Nd3 Bb7+ 26.Kf2 Ne4+ 27.Kf1 cxb4 28.c5 Qc6–+) 25...Qb7+ 26.Kg3

Stay calm! Black eliminates White’s biggest threat and opens the a8-h1 diagonal for the bishop at the same time. 22.Qxc5 The safest approach. After the queens exchange, the position is relieved of tension.

26...Re8! It is important to include all pieces in the attack! (26...Rg6+ 27.Kh4 Qxg2 28.Qe3∞) 27.Qd4 Rg6+ 28.Kh4 Qe7+ 29.Kh3 Qxe2 30.Rhe1 (30.cxd6 Rxg2!–+)

White would come under attack after 22.bxc5? Qc6+ 23.Kg3 Nf7 24.Qe3

30...Qg4+! The final touch! 31.Nxg4 fxg4+ 32.Kh4 Nf5+ 33.Kxh5 Rh6+ 34.Kxg4

24...g5!µ

Nxd4 35.Rxe8+ Kxe8 36.Rxd4 Rg6+–+ After all complications, Black is a piece up. White’s pawns are weak and Black will soon capture them.

Taking the central pawn opens the e-file and this would endager White’s king. 22.Qxe6+ Kf8 White has to be very careful. The threat is ...Bb7+ and White might lose

B) 23.Rhd1 The only move that keeps

a queen soon.

White in the game. The idea is to indirectly defend the queen from Black’s threats.

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23...h5! Playing in the Alpha Zero manner! Black prepares to activate the rook via the h6 square while simultaneously threathing ...h4 with the idea to cut off the white king. (23...Bb7+ 24.Kg3 Ne4+ 25.Nxe4 Qxe6 26.Rxd8+ Ke7 27.Rxh8 Bxe4 28.Bh5! Defends from the ...Qg6

22...Nf7!? (One should consider 22...Rf8 23.Kg3 Nf7 24.Bh5 Ke7 25.Kh3 cxb4∞) 23.b5 (23.Nh3 Bb7+ 24.Kg3 Ke7 25.Ng5 Rdf8ƒ) 23...Bb7+ 24.Ke3 (Incorrect is 24.Kg3?? because after 24...Ke7–+ White cannot defend from the threats along the gfile) 24...e5! Black advances towards the white king and closes the queen’s path.

threat and threatens to play Re8. 28...Qh6 29.Re8+ Kf6 30.Rf8+ Ke6 31.Re8+=) 24.Qe5 Rh6 (If Black tries 24...cxb4

This is the critical position and White must proceed carefully since Black threatens to play ...Qd6 and ...Qa5.

25.Kg3! The white king moves away from the attack. 25...h4+ 26.Kh3 Nf7 27.Rxd8+ Qxd8 28.Qc5+ Qe7 29.Qxe7+ Kxe7∞

A) 25.fxe5??

After a series of exchanges, we got to a position with material balance and equal chances in the endgame) 25.Nd3 cxb4 (25...Bb7+ 26.Kf2 Ne4+ 27.Kf1∞ White’s rooks are connected and the king can hide on f1) 26.Nc5 Bb7+ 27.Nxb7 Qxb7+ 28.Rd5 h4∞ A sharp position with equal chances for both sides.

25...Qa5! with the threat of Qd2#! 26.Nd3

Taking the g7 pawn also leads to sharp positions. 22.Qxg7

(26.Rad1 Qc3+ 27.Rd3 f4+ 28.Kxf4 Rxd3

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29.Bxd3 Qd2+ 30.Kg3 Qe3+–+) 26...Qc3 27.Rac1 f4+ 28.Kf2 Qd4+ 29.Kf1

Black has several ways to return the pawn and equalize the position. 29...Rd6!!–+ The final blow! The rook transfers to the g-file. 30.Qxh8+ Nxh8 31.exd6 Nf7 And White cannot prevent the knight from coming to e3 via d6 and f5. Even though White does have a material advantage, his king is too weak and Black is able to exploit this.

22...Qxc5 23.bxc5 Nb7 24.c6 (24.Rhd1 Ke7=) 24...Na5 25.Nd3 Nxc6=

B) 25.Bh5! exf4+ 26.Ke2 Qe6+ 27.Kf1 Qxc4+ 28.Kg1 Rf8∞ with a demanding

24.b5

22...Bxc4 23.Bxc4 (23.Qxb6 Bd5+ 24.Ke3 axb6=) 23...Qxc5 24.bxc5 Nxc4 25.Rhc1 Na5= 23.Qxb6 axb6 24.Rhc1 Bb7+ 25.Kg3 (25.Ke3 Nxc4+

26.Bxc4 Rxc4 27.Rhc1 Rxc1 28.Rxc1 Kd7 29.Nd3 Ra8 30.Ne5+ Kd8=) 25...Nxc4 26.Rhc1

position for both sides. 22.Kg3!? White hopes to secure the position of his king.

26...Nd6 27.Rxc8+ Bxc8= 22...Nf7 23.Qxc5 Qxc5 24.bxc5 Ke7∞

24...Bxc4 25.Bxc4

22...Rc8

25.a4 Ke7 26.Nd3 Bd5+ 27.Ke3 Rxc1 28.Rxc1 Ra8= 25...Nxc4 28.Ke2

26.Nd3

Ke7

27.a4

Rhd8

28.Ne5 Nxe5+ 29.fxe5 Rxc1 30.Rxc1 Rd3+ 31.Kf2 Rd2+=

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40...Rcc2 41.Rdd3 Rf2+ 42.Ke3 Rbc2 43.Rdb3 Rcd2 44.Rd3 Rc2 45.Rd1 Ra2 46.Rdd3 Rac2 1/2 : 1/2 Conclusion: This was another instructive example where we saw Black sacrificing a pawn in order to obtain compensation. The idea was to drive away the queen from the center in order to secure the king’s position with castling.

28...Rd4 29.a5 bxa5 30.bxa5 Rcd8 31.Rc3 Re4+ 32.Kf2 Red4 33.Ne5 Nxe5 34.fxe5 R8d7 35.a6 Ra7 36.Ra5 Rd2+ 37.Kf3 Rb2 38.Rc6 g5 39.Rd6 Rc7 40.Ra3

After 21...c5! Black’s three pawns were under attack but he still had counterplay! White did not want to play in a risky manner and the game quickly ended in a draw.

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CHAPTER SIX 12.exf6 pressure Black’s central pawns along the d-file. Further plan is to advance the gpawn after Rg1.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5

16.g4 Taking space on the kingside and preparing to develop the bishop on the g2 square.

12.exf6 This is considered to be White’s main path and the critical test of the whole Four Knights Variation. 16...c5! Black activates his light-squared bishop with a tempo! 17.Rg1 Ne4∞ Check out the game D. Navara – R. Ris, Ulcinj 2019.

12...Nxf6 13.Be3 Qd8 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.Qxd6 From the positional point of view, White has the bishop pair, a better pawn structure and domination across the dark squares. However, his king on e2 is a weakness. Black’s idea is to use his active pieces and to play against White’s king with moves such as ...Ne4, ...c5, ...d5 and sometimes ...e5.

16.Rg1 White removes his rook from Black’s pin and prepares to advance the gpawn.

15...Bb7 16.Rd1

16...Ne4 17.Qe5 c5 18.Qxg7 Qh4!∞ Check out the game Xu Yinglun 2533 – Li Shilong 2490, China 2018. The best continuation for White. His rook gets developed on d1 with the idea to

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16.Kd1 The king seeks shelter on the

Check out the game M. Manatrier – H. Willamson, corr. 2022.

queenside and clears the path for the f1 bishop.

D. Navara (2703) – R. Ris (2454) Ulcinj 2019 The following game shows how Black should react if White plays in an inaccurate manner with 16.g4?!, hoping to seize space on the kingside as soon as possible. Even though this move does not look like a mistake at first, Black is able to impose serious problems on White’s position if he reacts properly. Pay attention to how Black uses his initiative to punish White.

16...c5! 17.Qxc5 Be4© Check out the game J. Ress – H. Corti corr. 2021. 16...Rc8 Black prepares to open the diagonal with ...c5.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Be3 Qd8 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.Qxd6 Bb7 16.g4?! Black should use

17.g4 c5 18.Rg1 Qc7

this hasty advancement of the g-pawn to gain the initiative.

Check out the game V. Brunori – P. Derling, corr. 2020. The alternative is 18...Rc6 16...c5 17.Rg1 Ne4 18.Qd3 Centralizing the queen with 18.Qe5? is not recommendable. An interesting situation happened in the FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament 2019. The identical position occurred in the games between Shirov – Yu and Karjakin – Dreev. To make matters worse, these two games were played next to each other! Sadly, in both games, Black

Check out the game R. Barten – S. V. Caron, corr. 2022. 96

18...Qh4 19.Rd1?? White tries to create

players continued with the imprecise 18...Qh4?

threats along the d-file, but overlooks Black’s answer in the process. The correct move is 19.Bg2 Qxh2 20.Kd1 Nf2+ 21.Bxf2 Bxg2 22.Bxc5 with an amusing position. Both kings are in the center and both sides have numerous attacking possibilites due to their powerful bishops. 22...Rc8

18...0-0! (18...Qh4? 19.Bg2! Qxg4+ 20.Bf3 Nc3+ 21.Kd3 Qxf3 22.Kxc3+– A. Shirov 2658 – Yu Yangyi 2736, Douglas 2019) 19.Bg2

A) 23.Qd6 Bf3+ 24.Kc1

19...d6! A great pawn sacrifice that initiates opening of the e-file. 20.Qxe6+ Kh8 The threat is ...Rf6 and the queen is trapped. A) White can save his queen with 21.g5 since now the queen has the retreat square on h3. However, this move only further

24...Kd8! Black removes his king from checkmate threats. 25.Re1 Prevents ...Be4

weakened White’s king. 21...Qb6 22.b3 (22.Bxe4 Rae8–+) 22...Rae8 23.Qh3 d5–+

and threatens Rxe6. 25...Rxc5!? Black sacrifices his material in order to remove White’s strong dark-squared bishop and obtain the initiative. (Another possibility is 25...Bxg4 26.b4 Bf5 27.Qe7+ Kc7

B) 21.Bxe4 Rf6 White does not have enough compensation for the queen after 22.Bxb7 (or 22.Qxf6 Qxf6 23.Bxb7 Qxb2+–+ V. Lukovic 2421 – Mil. Perunovic 2589, Beograd (blitz) 2019) 22...Rxe6

28.Qd6+ Kb7 29.Qxd7+ Rc7 30.Qd2 Qxd2+ 31.Kxd2 Rd8+ 32.Ke3 Rd3+ 33.Kf2 h5= Engines believe that Black has a slight advantage, but we think that the position is equal) 26.Qxc5 Qxf4+ 27.Kc2

23.Bxa8 Qxa8–+

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27...h5!ƒ Black’s last inactive piece, the h8 rook, gets developed. It is unclear how White will defend from Black’s threats.

29...Rc8‚ White cannot defend from the rook’s descent to c2. White’s main problem is the poor position of his king and complete lack of coordination between his pieces.

B) 23.Bxa7 0-0!? This is the most interesting move. Black sacrifices his piece in order to secure the king and activate the rook. 24.Qe2 Qxf4 25.Qxg2 (25.Rxg2

19...0-0!

Qf1+–+) 25...Rxc4 All of Black’s pieces participate in the attack!

Black finished his development and secured his king with the last move. It is unclear how White defends from Black’s numerous threats.

B1) A seemingly logical 26.Re1 with the idea to play Be3 is a mistake and Black can punish it with 26...Rc6! A nice looking move!

20.h3 White defends the h- and g-pawns and prepares Bg2.

The threat is ...Rd6. 27.Be3 Rd6+ 28.Bd2 Qa4+ 29.Kc1 (29.b3 Qd4–+ with ...Qxa1 and ...Rf2 threats) 29...Rc8+ 30.Bc3 Rd3 31.Qc2 Qf4+ 32.Kb1 Rdxc3 33.bxc3 Rb8+

20.Qxd7 Qxh2+ 21.Bg2 Rab8–+ 20...Rxf4!–+ An astonishing sacrifice that dismantles White’s position!

34.Qb2 Rxb2+ 35.Kxb2 Qxg4µ B2) 26.Qd2 Qf3+ 27.Qe2 Qd5+ 28.Qd2 Qc6 Black’s threats are ...Qa4 and ...Rxg4. (We can always repeat moves with 28...Qf3+=) After the necessary 29.Be3

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29...Qg2+ 30.Kb3 Qf3+ 31.Ka4 Qc6+ 32.Ka5 e5 33.Qb8 d6 34.Qd8 h6 35.a3 e4 36.b4 cxb4 37.axb4 e3 38.b5 Qe8 39.Qh4 Qe5 40.Ka6 e2 41.Qe1 Ke7 42.b6 Kd7 43.c5 Kc6 44.Qb1 e1=Q 45.Qb5+ Kd5 46.c6+ Ke6 47.Qb3+ Qd5 48.Qc2 Qee4 49.Qxe4+ Qxe4 50.Kb7 Kd5 51.c7 Kc5+ 52.Ka7 Qc6 0 : 1 21.Qb3

Conclusion: White’s wrong move order proved to be fatal for him. Even though White knew that he needed to advance his g-pawn in order to threaten the black knight on f6, he made the crucial mistake – it is important to remove the rook from the h1a8 diagonal first!

21.Bxf4 Qf2#; 21.Qxd7 Rf2+ 22.Bxf2 Qxf2+ 23.Kd3 Qxg1 24.Qxb7 Rd8+ 25.Kxe4 Rxd1–+ 21...Rf2+ 22.Bxf2 22.Kd3 Bc6–+

Due to this inaccuracy, Black was able to secure the e4 square for the knight with a tempo.

22...Qxf2+ 23.Kd3 Qxg1 24.Qxb7

Xu Yinglun (2533) – Li Shilong (2490) China 2018

26.Qxd7 Rf4+ 27.Ke5 Rf5+–+) 25...Qh2+ 26.Kb1 Rb8–+

Similarly to our last example, White wants to seize space on the kingside with the g4 advance. In this game however, White removed his rook from the h1-a8 diagonal before pushing g4. This idea will prove to be too slow and Black can use it with a few correct moves.

25.Qxe4 Rxf1 26.Rxf1 Qxf1+ 27.Kc2 Qxh3 28.Qa8+ Kf7 29.Qxa7

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4

24...Rf8 Faster is 24...Qg3+ 25.Kc2 (25.Kxe4 Rf8

Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Be3 Qd8 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.Qxd6 Bb7 16.Rg1 The rook moves away from the h1-a8 diagonal and supports the g4 advance. This idea is too slow and Black can use it to immediately activate his pieces.

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16...Ne4! 17.Qe5

A) A move that leads to interesting and complicated positions is 21...d6 Black sacrifices a pawn in order to open the e-file. 22.Qxe6+ Kb8 Both sides have a lot of possibilities. Engines say that the position is equal, but we do not think that humans are capable of playing such complex positions without making any mistakes. 23.Qh3 (23.Bf3 Rde8 24.Qd7 d5!?∞) 23...Qf6 24.Kc2

17.Qd4 c5 is a transposition to the main line. 17...c5 18.Qxg7 Qh4!

A great move from a tactical standpoint. The h8 rook is untouchable for White’s queen and Black prepares to castle long. 19.g3 19.Qxh8+? Kf7 20.Qxa8 (20.Qe5 d6–+ The white queen is trapped in the center) 20...Bxa8–+ The poor position of the king

24...Ka8!? with the idea to play ...Rb8 and ...Bc6. (24...Rde8 25.Rae1 Ng3 26.Bd3 Bc8 27.Qxh7 Rg7 28.Qxg7 Qxg7 29.hxg3 Qxg3∞) 25.Bf3 Rb8 26.Rad1 Bc6

and the lack of coordination are problems that White cannot solve even though he has the material advantage.

27.Bc1 Rb7 with the idea to play ...Rgb8 and ...Nf2. 28.Rge1 Nf2 29.Qh5 Bxf3 30.gxf3 Nxd1 31.Re8+ Rxe8 32.Qxe8+ Rb8 33.Qc6+ Rb7=

19.Kd3 White prepares to develop his light-squared bishop on e2 and tries to find a safer square for his king. 19...0-0-0 20.Be2 Rhg8 21.Qe5

B) 21...Qxh2 Black regains the pawn and has the hidden threat of ...Rg5.

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22.Bf3 (22.Rh1 Qg3 White has nothing better than Bf3 with a transposition to the

24...Rg8 All variations lead to a draw! 25.Qxa7 (25.f5 Bxf1+ 26.Rxf1 Qe4+

main line) 22...Rg5 23.Rh1 Qg3 24.Rh3 Rxe5 25.Rxg3 Nxg3 26.fxe5 Bxf3 27.gxf3 Rf8 28.f4 h5=

27.Qe3 Qxe3+ 28.Kxe3 Rxg3+=) 25...Rxg3 26.Qxd7+ Kf6 27.Qd8+ Kf7=

19.h3 The h-pawn is not under attack anymore but this created a hole on g3. 19...0-0-0 20.g3 Qh5+ 21.g4 Qh4 22.Bg2 Ng3+ 23.Kd3 Bxg2 24.Rxg2 Qxh3∞

Black can repeat moves with 21...Qh2+

19.Re1 0-0-0 20.Kd1 d5 21.g3 Qxh2∞

22...Qh2+

21...Qh5+

22.g4 22.Ke1?! 0-0-0µ

19...Qxh2+ 20.Rg2 Qh1

23.Bg2?? This move is a serious blunder that leads White straight to a defeat.

21.Rg1

White must continue to pressure Black’s queen with 23.Rg2 Ng3+

21.Bxc5 Nxc5 (If you are in a fighting mood you can continue 21...0-0-0!? 22.Bxa7 Rhe8© with the idea to play ...e5. 23.Ke1∞) 22.Qxh8+ Kf7 23.Qe5 Bxg2 24.Qxc5

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24.Ke1!

(24.Kd3?

In

the

game

N.

26.f5 Ng3+ 27.Kf2 Nxf5! 28.gxf5 Rhg8–+

Salimova 2250 – I. Videnova 2330, Pleven 2018, Black continued with 24...Bg2 and after 25.Bxg2 0-0-0 26.Rg1 the resulting

26...Rhe8 27.Qf7 d5 28.Rae1 Nd6 29.Qh5 Qg3 30.Qh3

position is unclear. Winning is 24...Be4+! An important in-between move that forces the king to go to c3.

30...Rxe3+! The final blow! 31.Rxe3 Qf2 32.Rge1 Qxb2 The fastest path to a checkmate is 32...dxc4+ 33.Kc3 Ne4+ 34.Kxc4 Qc2+ 35.Kb5

25.Kc3 Bxg2 26.Bxg2 0-0-0 White cannot defend his bishop with Rg1 because of ...Ne2+. 27.Bf3 Ne2+ 28.Bxe2 Qxe2–+) 24...Bxg2 25.Bxg2 Qxg2 (Trying to continue the game with 25...0-0-0 does not bring much. 26.Bf3 White’s bishop are too powerful and Black must satisfy with a draw. 26...Qh3 with the threat of ...Qf1+. 27.Kf2 Qh2+ 28.Ke1 Qh3=) 26.Qxh8+

35...Bc6+! 36.Kxc6 Qa4# 33.Re5 dxc4+ 34.Ke3

26...Ke7 27.Qg7+ (Same is 27.Bxc5+ d6 28.Bxd6+ Kxd6 29.Rd1+ Ke7 30.Qg7+ Ke8 31.Qg8+ Ke7=) 27...Ke8 28.Qg8+ Ke7=

34...Nf5+ 0 : 1

23...0-0-0–+ Black uses his chance to remove his king from the center.

Conclusion: Black is more than willing to enter the tactical battle in the Four Knights Variation. White has to be careful, since his

24.Qe5 d6 25.Qxe6+ Kb8 26.Kd3 102

advantages, namely the spatial advantage and the bishop pair do not guarantee an easy game. By sacrificing the g-pawn and potentially sacrificing the h8 rook, Black forced the white queen to relocate to the kingside and this allowed Black to castle long. The e4 square for the black knight also played an important role in the skirmish against White’s king. One wrong decision was enough for Black to launch the

16...c5! Black has to react in an energetic manner. By sacrificing the pawn, he opens the diagonal for the light-squared bishop. This bishop pressures the g2 pawn and will be centralized on e4 in the near future with the idea to prevent White’s plan.

decisive attack. J. Ress – H. Corti corr. 2021

17.Qxc5 A principled decision. White accepts the sacrificed pawn and Black has to prove that he has compensation.

The following example contains positions in which White tries to prevent Black from castling by keeping the queen on the a3-f8 diagonal. It is important that you know how to react to this idea as there are some moments where you need to know the exact moves. If Black is well prepared, he should not be scared of this idea.

Inaccurate is 17.Bxc5?! because Black gains the initiative after 17...Ne4

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 e6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Be3 Qd8 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.Qxd6 Bb7 16.Kd1 Perhaps the most logical move. White clears the way for his f1 bishop and wants to secure his king on b2 – his idea is to play Kc2, b3 and Kb2.

18.Qe5 Nxc5 19.Qxc5 Qf6³ White cannot defend the pawn. After he plays Qe5, Black will answer with ...0-0. Soon, Black will regain the material and have the advantage due to his active pieces. B. Savchenko 2648 – I. Khenkin 2647, Bornholm 2008 (19...Rf8³). White can ignore the c-pawn and continue with his development. 17.Bd3 Rc8

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B1) 20.Rhe1 Bxg2 21.Rg1 Be4 22.Rxg7 (22.Bxe4 Nxe4 23.Rxg7 Nd6ƒ The knight goes to the ideal f5 square) 22...Bg6! Black forces the exchange of the light-squared bishops in order to open the h-file. 23.Bxg6+ hxg6 24.Rg1 Rxh2+= Lu Shanglei 2606 – Yu Yangyi 2723, China 2015. A) 18.Bxc5 Be4! A typical move for this kind of positions. Black wants to exchange the light-squared bishops in order to weaken the position of the white king. 19.Ba3 (19.b4 Rc6 20.Qd4 Bxd3 21.Qxd3 Qc7∞ White cannot defend from both ...Qxf4 and ...d6 threats at the same time) 19...Rc6 20.Qd4 Bxd3 21.Qxd3

B2) 20.a4 with the idea top play a5 and break Black’s pawn structure. B21) Taking the pawn with 20...Bxg2 This is how Navara played, but it is not the most accurate. After 21.Rhg1 Be4 22.Bxe4 (22.Rxg7 Bg6= P. Czarnota 2534 – D. Navara 2734, Katowice 2019) 22...Nxe4

23.Kd3! Nd6 24.a5! bxa5 25.Rxa5 Kf7 26.Rxc5² Black has to be precise in order

21...Qc7∞ Both c4 and f4 pawns are hanging. Black will soon regain the material. M. Cornette 2591 – C. Navrotescu 2358, Capelle la Grande 2016.

to equalize. B22) 20...0-0 The g7 pawn is now defended and Black threatens ...Bxg2. 21.Rhg1 Ng4 22.Bd2

B) 18.Kc2 Qb6 If White decides to exchange the queens, Black’s pawn structure will improve. 19.Qxb6 axb6

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22...Nf2= Black wants to deprive White of

A1) 22.Rg1

the bishop pair. The resulting position contains opposite-colored bishops and is close to equal. 23.a5 (Keeping the bishop pair with 23.Be2 can lead to an unpleasant position for White after 23...Be4+ 24.Kc3

A11) An interesting tactical strike is 22...Ng4!? 23.Bd4 (23.Bxg4? Qh4+ 24.Kd2 Qxg4µ) 23...e5ƒ A12) 22...d5ƒ A2) 22.Rd1 Bxg2 23.Rg1 Be4 24.Qxa7

Bg6 25.Be3 Ne4+ 26.Kb3 d5³) 23...Nxd3 24.Kxd3 bxa5 25.Rxa5 d6= 17...Be4 Black continues with his plan while the e4 bishop looks powerful. Next are ...d6 and ...0-0.

24...Bg6© Black defends from the threat on g7 and frees the e4 square for the knight. Black has full compensation for the pawn. B) 19.Bxa7 Rc6 20.Qb8 (20.Qa3 d6 21.Ke1 0-0ƒ It is extremely difficult to defend this position in a practical game) 20...Rc8 21.Qd6 (Overambitious is 21.Qe5? 0-0 22.Bd4

18.Be2 18.Qd6 White tries to prevent Black’s plan and thereby delays the completion of his development. 18...Rc8 Black sacrifices another pawn. The idea is to play ...Rc6 in order to drive away the queen from the d6 square in order to close the a3-f8 diagonal with ...d6 and finish the development with ...0-0 afterwards. A) 19.Be2 Rc6 20.Qa3 d6 21.Ke1 (21.Qxa7 0-0© with the idea to play ...d5 and ...e5) 21...0-0

22...Bf5! with the idea to defend the e6 pawn and prepare ...d6 and ...e5 pawn advancement) 21...Rc6= Both sides have to be satisfied with a repetition in this position. 18.Rg1!? White wants to permanently solve his g2 pawn problem in order to

105

develop the f1 bishop. 18...d6 19.Qd4 0-0

B1) 21.Bxe4 dxc4+ 22.Kc2 Nxe4 23.Rhd1

20.Be2 Qe8©

(23.Kb1 c3!∞) 23...Qh4 24.Kb1 (24.Qa6 Qg4 25.Kb1 c3∞) 24...c3! 25.bxc3 Qxh2∞ B2) 21.c5

With the idea to play ...e5. Black has compensation for the sacrificed pawn. A. Tari 2603 – S. Vidit 2707, Malmo 2018.

B21) Black can also try 21...d4 22.Bd2 Qd5

18.Qa3 A new idea. White wants to exchange the light-squared bishops with Bd3. 18...d6 19.Bd3 0-0

B21a) 23.Bxe4 Nxe4 24.Qf3 Qf5 25.Bb4 (25.c6 Nxd2 26.Kxd2 Rab8©) 25...Rad8© B21b) 23.Re1 Qf5© A. Hong 2504 – B.

A) 20.Bxe4 Nxe4 21.Kc2 (21.Qd3 Rxf4;

Daggupati 2488, Saint Louis 2022.

21.Rc1 d5 22.Qd3 dxc4 23.Qxd8 Rfxd8+ 24.Kc2 Nf6 25.Kb1 Nd5 26.Bd2 Rac8 27.Rhe1 Kf7=) 21...Qf6©

B22) 21...Bxg2 22.Re1 (22.Rg1 d4 23.Bf2 Be4∞) 22...Ng4∞ 18...Rc8! In this case, Black abandons the main idea of blocking the a3-f8 diagonal with the move ...d6.18...Rc8 has the idea to

B) 20.Rc1 d5

chase away the queen from the diagonal in order to castle short and finish the development. The advantage of this move is that it also prevents the white king from running away to the queenside, whereas the disadvantage is that it sacrifices the pawn.

106

Even though engines hold this position for Black, we believe that the lines are far too complex for a human player. The following variation shows how White managed to carry out his idea and gain an advantage. 18...d6 19.Qd4 0-0 20.Kc1

d5 22.Bd4 (22.c5 Nd7©) 22...Rf7© V. Akopian 2713 – T. Radjabov 2742, Crete 2007. 19...0-0 Even though White is two pawns up, the poor position of his king provides Black with a lot of practical chances. The idea is to open the center with ...d5 or ...d6 followed by ...e5.

The best continuation for Black is the prophylactic 20...a5! with the idea to defend the d6 pawn with ...Ra6 in case of Rd1. To add to this, if White tries to connect his rooks with b3 and Kb2, Black can create threats with ...a4. (20...Qc7 21.b3

20.Qd4 The most logical move. White centralizes the queen and prepares to answer ... d5 with c5. One of the main engine proposals is 20.a4 White wants to bring the rook into play via

e5 22.fxe5 dxe5 23.Qc5 Qb7

the a3 square and he also prepares to advance his queenside pawns. A) The move that leads to complicated positions is 20...Qe7!? 21.Ra3 Rc6 The rook enters the play via the 6th rank and clears the path for the f8 rook. The concrete threat is to play ...Qb4 because White cannot answer with ...Qb6. 22.Bd2 (22.Rb3 Rfc8©) 22...Rfc8 23.Qd4 Rd6 24.Qe3 Rb8© with full compensation for Black. E. Laine – M. Huuskonen, corr. 2022.

24.Kb2!± M. Vachier Lagrave 2749 – R. Praggnanandhaa 2608, Krasnaya Polyana 2021). 19.Qxa7

B) 20...d5 Black sticks to his plan and uses the position of White’s queen. 21.Qd4 dxc4

In the first game in this position, White did not take the a7 pawn. Instead he opted for 19.Qa3 with the idea to prevent Black from castling. 19...d6 20.Ke1 White wants to transfer his king to the kingside and frees the d1 square for the rook. 20...0-0 21.Rd1

22.Qxd8 Rfxd8+ 23.Ke1 (23.Kc1?! Nd5 White’s king is in big trouble).

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B1) It is possible to equalize with 23...Rb8

Rf7 23.Qd4 Qf8 24.a3 d6© with the ...e5

24.Bxc4 (24.Bc1 Bxg2 25.Rg1 Bd5 26.a5 Ne4 27.a6 Rb3=) 24...Rxb2 25.Bxe6+

idea. V. Pavlov – V. Chupin, corr. 2020. 20...Qe7 White prevented Black from playing ...d5, therefore Black prepares to play ...d6 and ...e5.

25...Kh8 Black is two pawns down, but it is White who has to be careful. 26.Rf1 The only move that prevents Black from playing ...Bd3 because White would answer with Rf2. 26...Rxg2 27.Rf2 Rg1+ 28.Rf1 Rg2=

21.c5 White continues fighting against Black’s idea. 21.b3 d6 22.Re1 (White’s king cannot get to the queenside safely. 22.Kc1? e5 23.Qd2 exf4 24.Bxf4 Nd5! 25.Bg3 Qf6

B2) 23...c3 24.bxc3 Rxc3 25.Bb6 (25.Kf2 Bd5= with the threat of ...Ne4) 25...Rd6 26.a5 Rc2= The knight will be moved to d5 and will start threatening White’s position.

26.Qb2 Nc3 27.Bg4 d5!–+; 22.Ke1 Bxg2 23.Rg1 Bc6©) 22...e5© 21.Ke1 d5 22.c5 Nd7© with the ...e5 threat. K. Moen – K. Drygas, corr. 2022.

20.Rf1!? This move was played in two correspondence games. White provokes Black to take the g2 pawn since this would lead to the opening of the g-file. If Black does not react properly, White’s idea is to put the rook on the f2 square and retreat the king to g1.

21...Rfd8 22.Qd6 22.Ke1? d6 23.cxd6 Rxd6 24.Qa7 Rc7 25.Qa3

25...Nd5µ; 22.Rc1 d6 23.cxd6 Rxc1+ 24.Kxc1 Rxd6 25.Qe5 Rc6+ 26.Kd1 Qb4©

20...Bxg2 (It is also possible to play the standard move 20...d5) 21.Rg1 Be4 22.b4

108

22...Qf7 A complicated position occurred. Black is planning to dismantle White’s blockade with ...d6 and he can do this in two ways – the first one is to play ...Rc6 and the other one is to play ...Bd5 with the idea of ...Ne4. 23.Ke1 Bd5 Black opted for the ...Ne4 followed by ...d6 approach!

The bishop pair and the queenside passed pawns provide White with good practical chances. 25.Qe5 Nxc5 26.Bxc5 Rxc5© 27.Rf2 27.b4 Rc2 28.Rf2 Rdc8© 27...Rdc8 30.Kxf2

28.Qe3

Rc2

29.Bd3

Rxf2

30.Qxf2 Qh5 31.h3 e5©

24.Rf1! This move is both prophylactic and developmental.

Black regains the pawn after 30...g5

24.Qe5 Ne4 25.b4 d6 26.cxd6 Nxd6©; 24.Rd1 Ne4 (24...e5? 25.Rxd5!+–) 25.Qe5 Nxc5© 24...Ne4 White is ready for Black’s strike. 24...e5!? 25.fxe5 Rc6 31.Qg3 31.f5 Qf6 Black defends the g5 pawn and attacks the b2 pawn simultaneously. 32.Re1 (White cannot protect the b2 pawn with 32.Qd2 Rb8) 32...Qxb2+ 33.Re2 Qf6 34.Qe5= 31...Qxf4+

26.Rxf6! Now we see the idea behind Rf1! 26...gxf6 27.Bh5! Qe6 (27...Qxh5 28.Qxd5+ Re6 29.Rd1²) 28.Qxe6+ Rxe6 29.Kd2 Rxe5 30.Bd1

32.Qxf4

gxf4

33.a4

Rb8

34.Bb5 Kf8 35.Rd1 Ke7 36.Rd4 Bc6= 37.Bxc6 Rxb2+ 38.Kf3 dxc6 39.Rxf4 Rb3+ 40.Kf2 c5 41.Rh4 Kd6 42.Rxh7 Rb2+ 43.Kf3 Rb3+ 44.Ke2 Rb2+ 45.Kf3 Rb3+ 46.Ke2 Rb2+ 47.Kf3 1/2 : 1/2

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the rook and pressure the d7 pawn since this forces the black queen to stay on d8.

Conclusion: The poor position of White’s king in the center is Black’s main advantage and it is imperative for him that the white king does not leave the center. In comparison to other variations, here Black should put the light-squared bishop on the e4 square in order to prevent the white king from escaping to the queenside. By doing this, Black obtains enough compensation for the sacrificed pawn and creates counterplay chances.

16...Rc8 The main move after which numerous complications arrise. The idea is to prepare the ...c5 advance. We spent a lot of time analyzing 16...c5 but the conclusion is that this pawn sacrifice does not provide Black with compensation. 16...Ne4!?N is another possibility that should be tried in practice. 17.Qe5 c5 18.Qxg7 Rf8 Black’s plan is to defend the d7 pawn with ...Bc6 and create threats with ...Qh4 or ...Qa5-b6. After the queen moves, Black can castle long and secure the position of his king.

R. Barten – S. V. Caron corr. 2022 The following game might be considered the most important for you in this chapter – we will analyze 16.Rd1, the move that is

17.Rg1 Taking

seen by some as the critical test of the Four Knights Variation of the Sicilian Defense. We tried to make 16...c5 work, but we were not satisfied with the results. However, the 16...Rc8 idea seems to solve all of Black’s problems.

the

pawn

with

17.Bxa7

is

dangerous because the bishop might get trapped. 17...c5

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Be3 Qd8 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.Qxd6 Bb7 16.Rd1

A) 18.Bxc5 Ne4 19.Bb6 Nxd6 20.Bxd8 Nxc4 21.Bh4

This is the most played and the best variation for White. The idea is to bring in

110

21...Rf8! Black does not hurry to regain the

A) Black can continue with 19...Qc7!? and

material! Instead, he brings the last inactive piece into play. White will have hard time defending all of his weaknesses. 22.Rd4 Rf5! 23.b3 (23.Kf2 Nxb2µ) 23...Na3µ The rook descends into White’s position and the knight goes to the b5 square. It is unclear how White defends the position.

White is forced to exchange the queens. 20.Qb6 (Worse is 20.Bh3? c5–+) 20...Qxb6 21.Bxb6 c5© with compensation. B) 19...Nd6 20.Bh3 Ra8 21.Qd4 (21.Qb6 Qxb6 22.Bxb6 Nxc4 23.Bd4 Kf7∞) 21...00! Another position in which Black sacrifices the e-pawn in order to retreat the king and open the e-file. 22.Bxe6+

B) 18.Bb6 Qe7 19.Qxe7+ Kxe7 20.a3 A prophylaxis against ...Rc6 followed by ...Ra8. 20...d5 21.Ke1 Rhf8ƒ E. Najer 2661 – A. Dreev 2677, Moscow 2019. 17.Qc5 White prevents Black from opening the diagonal with ...c5. However, the dpawn can now advance.

22...Kh8© This position is complicated and Black has good chances. 17...c5 18.g4

17...d5!? (An equally good alternative is 17...Qb6) 18.g3 with the plan to develop the bishop on h3. (Taking the pawn is not recommendable. 18.Qxa7?! Qd7 19.Ke1 0-0µ with the threats of ...Ra8 with ...Rce8 and ...e5. White has hard time defending this position) 18...Ne4 19.Qxa7

18...Rc6 Black chases away the queen from the d6 square and this enables him to castle short. The resulting positions require precise play from Black – the difference between this variation and previously analyzed ones is that Black does not have a powerful knight in the center. 19.Qe5 0-0 20.g5 Leading to a sharp position is 20.Bg2 Nxg4 21.Qc3 d5

111

A) 22.cxd5 Ba6+ 23.Kd2 Nxe3 24.Qxe3 (24.Kxe3

22.Bxe6+ Taking the pawn with the queen also requires precise play from Black. For example: 22.Qxe6+ Kh8

24...Qh4! 25.Qe5 Rb6∞) 24...Bc4 25.Kc1 Bxd5 26.Qe5 Rc7 27.Bxd5 exd5 28.Rxd5 Qe8=

A) 23.Qd7 Qb8 24.Bg4

B) 22.Rxd5 exd5 23.Bxd5+ Kh8 24.Bxc6 Bxc6 25.Rxg4 Qd7 26.Rg3 Re8©

24...Nxf4+! 25.Bxf4 Rd8 with a repetition! (White is able to utilize the open f-file after 25...Rxf4? 26.Rgf1±) 26.Qf5 Rf8 27.Qd7 (27.Qe4? Re8 28.Be6 Rb6 29.Qe3 Bc8µ) 27...Rd8=

Black has enough compensation due to the poor position of White’s king. 20...Nh5 21.Bh3 d6 The e6 pawn sacrifice is the standard motif in this variation.

B) 23.Qg4 Qe8∞ C) 23.Rgf1 Rb6 24.b3 Ra6 C1) 25.Rd2 d5! 26.Qe5 Re8

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C11) 32.Bc4 Nd7 33.Bc3 (33.e6 Ne5 34.Bd5 h6=) 33...Nb6 34.Be6 g6=

27.cxd5! This queen sacrifice was first seen in the game between the Chinese Grandmaster Wei Yi and the Brazilian Grandmaster Alexander Fier. 27...Rxe5 28.fxe5 A rook, two passed pawns in the center, the poor position of Black’s knight and the weak back-rank provide White with full compensation for the sacrificed queen.

C12) 32.exf6 Qxd5 33.f7 Qe4+= White cannot escape the perpertual check. C2) 25.Qd7 Qb8 Black avoids the queen exchange and threatens to play ...Bc8.

26.Qg4 Rxa2+ 27.Rd2 Rxd2+ 28.Bxd2 (28.Kxd2 Be4! 29.f5 d5„) 28...Qe8+

28...Bxd5! 29.Bg2 Rxa2! (In the mentioned

29.Kd1 (Black’s position gets tested after 29.Kf2 How demanding it is to play this line can best be seen at this moment. Black remains in the game only with the knight sacrifice, but even after that move, one more precision is necessary to remain undefeated! 29...Nxf4! 30.Bxf4 h5! Perfect! Black opens the g-file in order to create threats against the White’s king. 31.gxh6 gxh6 White cannot move his king away from the open f-file and Black threatens to play ...Qe4. 32.Re1 Qf7 33.Re6 Qxf4+ 34.Qxf4 Rxf4+ 35.Kg1 Kg7=)

game, Black made the mistake of playing 29...c4? and the position was soon lost after 30.Bxd5 c3 31.Bb7 cxd2 32.Bxa6+– Wei Yi 2733 – A. Fier 2561, Moscow 2019) 30.Bxd5 Rxd2+ 31.Bxd2 Nf6! The key move! Black will either activate the knight or remove White’s powerful light-squared bishop.

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29...Qe4! An excellent move! Black sacrifices the knight in order to draw. 30.Qxh5 Qd3! 31.f5 Qxb3+ 32.Ke1

36...Qc2+ 37.Kg3 (37.Kg1?? 37...Qc3+ 38.Kf2 Qc2+=

Re2–+)

C23) 33.fxg6 Qb1+ 34.Ke2 Qe4+ 35.Kd1 Qb1+= 22...Kh8 23.Qc3 Nxf4+ 24.Bxf4 Rxf4

32...g6! Another mandatory move that blocks White’s queens activity along the h5-e8 diagonal and this allows the rook to enter the attack via the e8 square!

25.Rdf1! A temporary piece sacrifice with the idea to conquer the 7th rank.

C21) If White decides to return the material, he cannot hope for more than equality. 33.Qe2 Qxh3 34.Qe7 Qh4+ 35.Rf2 Qe4+ 36.Qxe4 Bxe4 37.f6 Bd3=

25...Re4+ 26.Kd1

Rxe6

27.Rf7

Qg8

28.Rxb7 Rc8 The rook has to get back. Even though the position might look passive, Black has a concrete path to equality. This position was tested in many correspondence games and all of them finished in a draw.

C22) After 33.Qg4 Black continues to threaten White’s king with all of his pieces. 33...Re8+ 34.Kf2 Qd3 35.Bc1 (35.Bf4 gxf5 36.Qh5 Re6 37.Re1 Qxc4 38.Rxe6 Qxf4+ 39.Kg1 Qd4+ 40.Kf1 Ba6+ 41.Re2 Bxe2+ 42.Qxe2 Qf4+ 43.Kg1 Qxg5+=) 35...gxf5

29.g6 29.Rxa7 Re4 30.b3 d5„

36.Qh5

29...h6 30.Rf7 Rb8

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35...Rd8 A draw was agreed in this position because White is unable to keep his material advantage. After 35...Rd8 White could have tried 36.b3 but the position will transpose into an equal queen endgame. 36...Rxd2 37.Qxd2 Qf1+ 38.Kb2 Qf6+ 39.Kc2 Qf5+ 40.Qd3 Qf2+= Conclusion: Black took the maximum risk by opting for the 18...Rc6 variation and

31.Kc1 White can try something different as well, but Black is able to create counterplay by opening the d-file. For example: 31.a3

keeping the queens on the board. Since it was not possible to secure any of the central squares for the black knight, he ended up on the edge of the board and this became Black’s main problem. With concrete play, White was able to create practical chances in the endgame with heavy pieces. However, since this was a correspondence game, it was much easier for Black to find all the right defensive moves.

31...d5!

32.cxd5

Rxg6

33.Rxg6

Qxf7

34.Rxh6+ Kg8 35.Re6 Qh5+ 36.Kc1 Qxd5=

M. Manatrier – H. Willamson corr. 2022

31.Qc2 White prevents Black from playing ...Rxg6, but Black can play 31...d5! 32.cxd5 Reb6 33.b3 Rf6! 34.Qxc5 (34.Rxf6 Qxd5+ 35.Kc1 gxf6 34...Rxf7 35.gxf7 Qxf7=

36.g7+

In the following game, White opted for the 21.Qxe6 move. Pay attention to how Black should react in order to stabilize the game and achieve equality.

Kg8∞)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4

31...Rxg6! 32.Rxg6 Qxf7 33.Rxh6+ Kg8 34.Rxd6 Qf4+ 35.Rd2

Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Be3 Qd8 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.Qxd6 Bb7 16.Rd1 Rc8 17.g4 c5 18.Rg1 Qc7 19.g5 Ne4 20.Qe5 d6!?

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Another typical sacrifice of the e6 pawn with the idea to open the e-file. Black’s king has not castled yet and this increases White’s attacking chances.

28...Bxg2+ 29.Kxg2 Rxc3= with an equal rook endgame. 23...Rxe6 24.h8=Q+ Re8 25.Qxg7

21.Qxe6+ Kd8 22.g6!

25.Qh4+ Nf6 26.Bh3 Qe7 27.Rd3 Rb8∞ (27...Be4∞)

This is an excellent practical solution! Black continues playing in an active manner.

25...Qb6 The threat is ...Rc7 and ...Qxb2. 26.Rg6 White counters Black’s threats actively.

Black slowly but surely obtains the initiative after 22.Bg2 Re8 23.Qg4 Rb8© with the threat of ...Bc8.

Passive defense allows Black to further develop the initiative. 26.b3?! Rc7 27.Qb2 d5!©

22...Re8

Leading to an interesting outcome is 26.Rd3 Rc7 27.Rb3 Qa6

23.gxh7! White can continue 23.Qf7 hxg6 24.Qxc7+ Rxc7 25.Rxg6 Rce7 after the exchange of the queens, Black is able to create concrete threats along the e-file. 26.Bg2

28.Qxc7+! Kxc7 29.Rg7+ Kc6 30.Rbxb7 Qxc4+ 31.Ke1 Qxa2 32.Bb5+ Kd5 33.Bxe8 Qb1+ 34.Ke2 Qc2+ 35.Ke1 Qb1+=

(Trying to secure the bishop leads to a forced repetition. 26.Re1 Ng5 27.Kf2 Ne4+

26...Rc7

28.Ke2 Ng5=) 26...Nc3+ 27.bxc3 Rxe3+ 28.Kf1

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V. Brunori – P. Derling corr. 2020 If you do not wish to enter complications that arise after the sacrifice of the e6 pawn, you should analyze the ...Kf7!? continuation. We believe that this move can also be tried in practice. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Be3 Qd8 14.Nd6+ Bxd6

27.Rgxd6+! Nxd6 28.Qf6+ Kc8 29.Rxd6 Rc6 Even after 29 moves, we are still in the theory! This position occurred five times in tournament practice!

15.Qxd6 Bb7 16.Rd1 Rc8 17.g4 c5 18.Rg1 Qc7

30.Rxc6+ Bxc6 31.Kf2 Bd7 32.Qg5 32.Qxb6 axb6 33.a3 Rh8 34.Kg3 Rg8+ 35.Kf3 Rh8 36.b4 Rxh2 37.bxc5 bxc5 38.Bxc5 Kc7= T. Nguyen 2629 – V. Ivic 2583, Ankara 2022. 32...Qxb2+ 33.Be2 Qa3 34.Qxc5+ Qxc5 35.Bxc5 Rh8 36.Bxa7 Rxh2+= 1/2 : 1/2

In comparison to the 18...Rc6 idea that was analyzed in another game, here Black initiaties the exchange of the queens in order to minimize White’s tactical opportunities. 19.g5 A bishop and three pawns against a rook. White has the material advantage, but all of White’s pawns are isolated meaning that they are not as strong. Black is able to keep the balance and achieve a draw.

19.f5 Qxd6 20.Rxd6 Ke7 21.Rd3 A) 21...Ba6?! 22.g5! (22.b3 d5 23.g5 Ne4 24.fxe6 d4 25.Bg2 Bb7 26.Bxd4 cxd4 27.Rxd4 Rcd8 28.Rxe4 Bxe4 29.Bxe4 Kxe6² E. Bacrot 2673 – J. Van Foreest 2682, Linares 2020) 22...Ne4 23.f6+ gxf6

Conclusion: In this example we saw another interesting try from Black to sacrifice the e-pawn in order to open the efile. We believe that this approach is risky since the black king remains in the center.

24.gxf6+ Nxf6 25.Rg7+ Kf8 26.Bh6

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21...g6 Black prevented White’s idea of advancing the g and f-pawns. His plan is to play ...Rhe8 in order to defend the d-pawn. After this, he will advance the d-pawn.

26...Rg8! 27.Rxg8+ Kxg8 28.b3± B) 21...exf5!N

22.Qxc7 22.Rd3 Rhe8 23.Rgd1

22.gxf5 Kf7∞ with ...Rhe8 to come. 19...Ne4 20.Qe5

23...d5! By striking in the center, Black relieves the pressure. 24.Ra3 d4 25.Rxa7 (25.Bc1 a5 26.Bg2 Nd6 27.Bxb7 Nxb7∞) 25...Re7 26.Bg2 (26.Bc1 Nd6„) 26...Qxe5 27.fxe5 Ng3+ 28.hxg3 Bxg2 29.Rxe7+ Kxe7= 20...Kf7!? A versatile move. The direct threat is the trap the white queen with ...d6. The g7 pawn is defended and the rooks are connected. 20...d6!? Check out the game M. Manatrier – H. Willamson. 21.Bh3 Prophylaxis against ...d6. The defended passed pawn and the better bishop are Black’s compensation for the pawn. 118

22...Rxc7 23.Bg2 a5= 1/2 : 1/2

pawns are blocked and Black can strengthen the knight’s position in the center by advancing the d-pawn. In case White wants to remove the knight, he will have to enter an opposite-colored bishops endgame that is most likely to end in a draw.

Black will play ...d5 and fight for control over the center. This will give him equality. Conclusion: In comparison to the last game, Black’s position was much more stable due to the exchange of the queens. White’s

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CHAPTER SEVEN 6.Ndb5 Bb4 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5

8...d5 9.exd5 9.Bd3 dxe4 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Bxe4 Qxd1+ 6...Bb4 Even though this move is in the spirit of the Four Knights Variation, it is rarely seen at the top level.

12.Kxd1 Bd7 Black is able to apply pressure on White’s position thanks to the poor placement of the white king.

Black players usually opt for the Sveshnikov Variation with 6...d6 or for the aggressive move 6...Bc5 that gained a lot of popularity lately and that will be analyzed in the upcoming chapter. The connoisseur of the 6...Bb4 variation is none other than the imaginative Grandmaster Richard Rapport! The only problem with this variation is that Black is forced to give up his bishop pair in the early stage of the game and is forced to play passively. When we started analyzing this move, we were of belief that White can obtain an advantage in numerous ways.

Check out the game V. Kramnik – R. Rapport, Paris 2021. 9...exd5 10.Bd3 0-0 11.0-0 Bg4

However, as we delved deeper into the analysis, we came to the conclusion that Black can defend his position with very concrete moves. 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.Nxc3

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Check out the game I. Nepomniachtchi – R. Rapport, Paris 2021. V. Kramnik (2753) – R. Rapport (2763) Paris (blitz) 2021 In the following example you are going to see how Black should use the poor position of White’s king in the center to create counterplay and equalize the position without much hassle. The key thing to remember is that playing in a passive manner is rarely a good choice in the Four Knights Variation – pay attention to how every Black’s move contains some kind of a direct or indirect threat.

13...Na5³ with ...Qc7 to come and White has serious problems to solve) 9...Kf8 A similar position is analyzed in the following chapter, with the important difference being that here the bishop is on b4 instead of c5. The bishop on b4 is much more active because it pins the knight and allows Black to obtain the initiative by striking in the center.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bb4

A1) 10.Bg5 d5! The key difference! Black is able to create concrete threats in the center. 11.Bxf6 (11.exd5 Qxd5 12.Ng3

7.a3 White has a few more options at his disposal, but no continuation threatens Black’s position: 7.Bf4 Nxe4 Transposes to the first chapter – 6.Bf4. 7.Nd6+ Ke7 A) 8.Bf4 e5 9.Nf5+ (9.Nxc8+?! Rxc8 10.Bg5 h6 11.Bxf6+ gxf6 12.Qd2 Bxc3 13.bxc3

12...h5!³ The knight on g3 simply invites us to advance our h-pawn!) 11...Qxf6 12.Qxd5 Bxf5 13.exf5 Rd8

121

A11) 14.Qe4

A better pawn structure gives Black a lasting advantage! B) 8.Nxc8+ Rxc8 9.Bd3

14...g6! A great way for Black to keep the initiative. 15.Bd3 (15.fxg6 hxg6µ) 15...Rd4 16.Qe3 e4! 17.Bb5 Ne7! 18.0-0 Nxf5µ

9...Re8 The most solid continuation for Black. The idea is to transfer the king to g8 from where it will be safe from any attacks. (After the logical move 9...d5 White can answer with 10.0-0! with a prepared inbetween move that comes after 10...Bxc3

A12) 14.Qf3 e4! 15.Qe3

15...g6! An excellent move that allows Black to connect the central pawns. White’s position worsens due to the opening of the h-file because the king remains in the center. 16.fxg6? hxg6µ

11.exd5!) 10.0-0 Kf8 11.Bd2 Ne5=

A2) 10.Bd2 Bxc3 11.Bxc3 d5 12.exd5

The line 7.Bg5 was tried twice by the Russian Grandmaster Alexander Morozevich in his rapid games.

Nxd5 13.Ne3 Nxc3 14.Qxd8+ Nxd8 15.bxc3 Be6³

122

7...h6 White has to unveil his idea after this logical move.

7...Nxe5 8.Bf4 d6 9.a3 Bxc3+ 10.Nxc3 0-0 11.Qd2

A) Incorrect is 8.Bh4? because Black can obtain an advantage by force after

11...Nd5 The simplest way to equalize the position. 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.Qxd5 Qf6 8...g5! 9.Bg3 Nxe4! 10.Nc7+ Ke7 11.Nxa8

14.Bxe5 dxe5 15.Bd3 Rd8 16.Qe4 g6=

Nxc3 12.Qd3 Qa5 13.a3 Ne4+ 14.c3

7...Bxc3+ 8.Nxc3 d5

14...d5! 15.Nc7 (15.cxb4 Nxb4 16.axb4

9.Bd3 dxe4

Qxa1+ 17.Qd1 Qxb2–+) 15...Bc5–+

If Black wants to try to obtain more than equality he can opt for 9...d4 but he has to be very careful.

B) 8.Bxf6 Qxf6 9.a3 Bc5 10.Nd6+ Ke7³ 7.e5!? An interesting pawn sacrifice!

10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Bxe4 Qxd1+ 12.Kxd1

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12...Bd7 White has the bishop pair advantage but his king is weak on d1. Black has to play in an active manner – he needs to advance his e and f-pawns in order to threaten White’s position.

A) 14.Bd3 Ne5 15.Be2 Ng4 16.Bd4 (16.Bc5 b6 17.h3 bxc5 18.hxg4 Bc6 19.gxf5 exf5=) 16...Bc6 A1) 17.Kc1 e5 18.Bxg4 (18.Bc3 0-0-0=) 18...fxg4 19.Re1 Kf7 20.Rxe5 Rhe8 21.Rxe8 Rxe8 22.Kd2 a6=

13.Re1 White brings his rook into play and prevents ...f5.

A2) 17.Ke1

13.b3 0-0-0 14.Bb2

17...e5! 18.Bc3 (If White captures the pawn carelessly with 18.Bxg4?! Black can punish

14...Nd4! An important tactical move that helps Black relieve the pressure.

him with 18...fxg4 19.Bxe5 Bxg2 20.Rg1 Bf3 21.Bxg7 Rg8 22.Bd4 0-0-0 23.c3 Rge8+ 24.Kd2 Re2+ 25.Kd3 h5³) 18...0-00

A) 15.Kc1 Be8!? An interesting option for Black – he does not hurry to exchange the bishops on c6! He improves his pawn structure instead. (Another possibility is 15...Bc6 16.Re1 Rhe8 17.Bc3 e5 18.Kb2 f6=) 16.Re1 f6 17.Bc3 e5 18.Kb2 Bg6= B) 15.Bxd4 Bc6 16.Bxc6 Rxd4+ 17.Ke2 bxc6= K. Shevchenko 2649 – Xu Xiangyu 2577, Jeruslaem 2022. 13.Be3 f5

124

A21) 19.h3 Nf6 20.Bxe5 Rhe8 21.Bxf6 (21.f4 Nd7³) 21...gxf6 22.Kf1 Bxg2+ 23.Kxg2 Rxe2= A22) 19.Rg1 Rhe8= V. Sanal 2581 – S. Mamedyarov 2764, Internet 2020. B) 14.Bf3 e5 15.Kc1 Rc8 16.Re1 (16.g3 Na5! 17.Kb1 Bc6 18.Bxc6+ Nxc6=; 16.Rd1 f4) 16...Kf7 17.g3 Be6 (17...Na5!?

13...0-0-0 14.Be3 f5 15.Bd3 e5 Black must quickly take concrete measures until White improves the position of his pieces. (Another equally good alternative is 15...Ne5 with the idea to answer 16.Bxa7 with 16...Bb5).

with the idea to play ...Bc6).

B1) If White starts with 18.b4 Black has 18...f4! 19.gxf4 exf4 20.Bxc6 (20.Bxf4?! Nd4³) 20...Rxc6 21.Bxf4 Rhc8 22.Re2 Bb3= B2) 18.Rd1 White prevents ...Nd4 and

A) 16.Bg5 Rde8 17.Kd2

prepares to seize space and connect his rooks with b4 and Kb2. 18...Rc7 19.b4 Rhc8 20.Rd2 Kf6= Leading to equality is 20...Nd4 21.Bxd4 exd4 22.Kb2 Kf6= 13.f3!? A prophylactic move thats worth analyzing. The idea is to prevent White from playing ...Ne5 and ...Ng4 after 13...f5 14.Bd3. At the same time, he creates space for the dark-squared bishop to come to f2.

17...Re6! The rook is active along the sixth rank. 18.Bxf5 Rd6+ 19.Bd3 Bf5 20.Rhg1 White prepares for ...Bxd3 and ...Rg6. 20...h6 21.Be3 Rhd8= Black regains the pawn and the position is equal. B) 16.Kc1 f4 17.Bf2

125

14...Nd4! An already seen tactical motif! Black plays very concrete moves – he puts his knight on an active square and prepares to exchange the light-squared bishops after ...Bc6.

17...Rhf8! with the idea to play ...Bf5. 18.Rd1 (18.Bxh7?! g6! 19.Bxg6 Rg8 20.Be4 Rxg2 21.Bc5 Be6³) 18...Bf5= C) 16.Re1 f4 17.Bd2 g6 18.b4 Rhe8= with ...Bf5 to come.

15.Bd3

D) 16.Ke2

15.Bxd4 Ba4!= Black must not allow White to defend the bishop with c3. 15.Kc1 Bc6 16.Bxc6 Nxc6 17.c3 Rd5 18.Kc2 Rhd8= 15...Bc6 16.f3

16...e4! 17.fxe4 fxe4 18.Bxe4 Rhe8 19.Bd3 (If White captures the h7 pawn with 19.Bxh7? Black will punish him! 19...Re6!µ Black threatens both ...Rde8 and ...g6 and White has no solution; 19.Bf3 Nd4+ 20.Kf2 Rxe3! 21.Kxe3 Nxc2+ 22.Kf2 Nxa1 23.Rxa1=) 19...Ne5= and ...Nxd3 to follow.

with

16...Nb3! Black continues with tactical solutions!

...Bg4

17.Rb1

13...0-0-0 14.Be3

17.Ra2 Bb5 18.Bxa7 Rd6 19.Re5 Bxd3 20.cxd3 Rc6 21.Be3 Rd8 22.Rb5 Rxd3+

14.Bd2 Nd4 15.a4 Bc6 16.Ra3 Rd7 17.Kc1 Bxe4 18.Rxe4 Rhd8=

23.Ke2

126

38.Kc3 Be4 39.Bh4 Bf3 40.g5 Bd1 41.f5 Bg4 42.g6 hxg6 43.fxg6 fxg6 44.b4 Bd1 45.a5 bxa5 46.bxa5 Kb5 47.Kd3 1/2 : 1/2 Conclusion: The poor position of White’s king allowed Black to create concrete threats and equalize the position. Black did not allow White to utilize his bishop pair advantage with effective tactical moves in the center. In the end, Black was able to force an equal endgame without any practical chances for either side.

23...Rd2+! 24.Bxd2 Nd4+ 25.Kd3 Nxb5= and the knight goes to d5 via c7. 17...Bb5 18.Bxa7

I. Nepomniachtchi (2792) – R. Rapport (2763) Paris (blitz) 2021 The following game shows how Black defends his position and equalizes when White plays all the correct moves. Even thought we do not believe that Black can expect more than a draw (unless White makes a serious mistake), having the 6...Bb4 line in your repertoire has its benefits. Pay attention to three elements of Black’s play – the transfer of the lightsquared bishop to g6, the ...Ne4! idea and

18...Rxd3+! Black forces an endgame with opposite-colored bishops. 19.cxd3 Bxd3 20.Re3 Bxb1 21.Rc3+ Kd7 22.Rxb3 Kc6= 23.Ke2 Ba2 23...e5= 24.Rc3+ Kd7 25.b3 Rc8 26.Bc5 Rc6 27.Kd2 b6

the ideal a6 square for the black queen. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bb4 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.Nxc3 d5 9.exd5 exd5

27...Bb1=

28.Bf8 Rxc3 29.Kxc3 Bb1 30.Bxg7 Kc6 31.a4 Kd5 32.Bd4 Kc6 33.Bf6 Kd5 34.g4 e5 35.Kd2 e4 36.Bd8 Kc6 37.f4 e3+

10.Bd3

127

10.Bg5 Trying to hastily capture the d5

to weaken the g1-a7 diagonal and the e3 square. 11...d4 is the most played move in this position.

pawn is no good. 10...0-0 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 A) 12.Qxd5?? Rd8 13.Qh5 (13.Qf3 Bf5–+) 13...Re8+ 14.Be2 Nd4–+

12.f3

B) 12.Nxd5? Qe5+ 13.Ne3 Qxb2µ

It looks unnatural to play 12.Qd2 but White

10.Qe2+ White plans to castle long. 10...Be6 11.Bg5 h6 This move is always useful.

does not weaken his pawn structure. The idea is to develop the queen on f4 or g5 and activate the dark-squared bishop afterwards. 12...Re8 A) 13.h3 Bh5 14.f4!?

12.Bh4 (12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.0-0-0 d4 14.Ne4 Qf4+ 15.Kb1 0-0 16.Nc5 Bf5∞) 12...0-0 An interesting move suggested by the engines. The idea behind it is simple – White wants to trap Black’s light-squared bishop. Black has to react properly. 14...d4 15.Na2 Ne4! 16.Bxe4 Rxe4 17.g4

13.0-0-0 Rc8 The main problem of White’s position is the queen on e2 that blocks White’s pieces. 14.Kb1 (White should not take the pawn with 14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.Nxd5? Bxd5 16.Rxd5 Nd4µ; 14.f3 d4 15.Ne4 g5! Playing without fear! 16.Bg3 Nxe4 17.Qxe4 Re8³ White has to play carefully in order to defend his position) 14...Re8³ 10...0-0 11.0-0

17...Bxg4! 18.hxg4 Qh4 19.Qh2 (19.Qg2? Rae8µ with ...Re2 to follow) 19...Qxg4+ 20.Qg2 Qf5 21.Qg5 (Slow is 21.Bd2? Re6! 22.Rf3 Rg6 23.Rg3 Rxg3 24.Qxg3 Qxc2 25.Qe1 a5!µ) 21...Qh3 22.Qg2 Qf5=

11...Bg4!? An old idea that has been revived thanks to Richard Rapport. Black forces White to advance his f-pawn in order

B) 13.Qf4

128

B1) Another interesting possibility is 13...d4 with the idea to obtain the initiative with active play. 14.Ne4

13.Bg5 A logical move. White wants to punish Black’s 11...Bg4 concept. 13.Kh1 d4 14.Ne2 (14.Ne4 Nxe4 15.Bxe4 Re8 16.Qd3 Bg6=) 14...Qb6 15.Nf4 (15.Bg5 Nd5) 15...Bg6 16.Nxg6 hxg6 17.f4 (17.Re1 Rfe8)

14...Be2! 15.Bxe2 (15.Nxf6+ Qxf6³ Black’s rook will descend to the second rank) 15...Rxe4 16.Qd2 Qd6 17.h3 Rae8 18.Bd3 R4e7∞

17...Nd5 (An equally good possibility is 17...Ne7 Black has to prevent White from advancing the f-pawn. 18.Qf3 Rfe8 19.Bd2

B2) 13...Bh5 Black continues with his plan. He wants to exchange the bishops with ...Bg6.

Nf5= L. Dominguez 2754 – A. Erigaisi 2689, Internet 2022) 18.f5 Ne5 19.fxg6 fxg6∞ 13...Qb6+ 14.Kh1 14.Rf2 Rad8 The rook is pinned along the g1-a7 diagonal and White has development issues due to this. (It is also possible to try 14...Ne4) 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Ne2 (16.b4 Ne5 17.Bf1 d4 18.Ne4 Rfe8∞) 16...Bg6 17.Ng3 Rfe8 18.f4 Bxd3 19.cxd3 Nd4∞

14.Qh4 (14.Bd2 d4 15.Nb5 Bg6=) 14...d4 15.Ne4 Bg6 16.Nxf6+ Qxf6 17.Qxf6 gxf6= 12...Bh5

129

14...Ne4! The key move!

17...Bg6 18.Rab1 Qe5 19.Bxg6 hxg6 20.Rxb7 Qxg5 21.Qxc6 Qa5 22.Rc7 Rab8=

15.Nxe4

17.Qd5 Centralizing the queen and threatening to trap the black queen with Rfb1 and Bd2.

15.Nxd5 Nf2+ 16.Rxf2 Qxf2 17.Be3 Qh4 18.c4 Rfe8³; 15.Bxe4 dxe4 16.Nxe4 Qxb2= 15...dxe4 16.Bxe4

17...Bg6 It is important to get rid of White’s powerful bishop. 18.Bxg6 hxg6 19.Rab1 (19.Rfb1 Qc3=) 19...Qxa3 20.Rxb7

16...Qxb2 Even though the position looks dangerous for Black due to the Rb1 and Rxb7 threat – engines are able to defend it with ease. If you believe that you are capable of defending this position and are satisfied with a draw, you should give this variation a try. However, as you will see in the next chapter, Black is not forced to enter positions similar to this one. 17.Qb1

20...Qa6! Remember this move. This is the best square for Black’s queen in this position. 21.Rfb1 Rae8 The threat is ...Qb7. 22.h4 Re1+ 23.Kh2 Rxb1 24.Rxb1 Re8= K. Piorun 2611 – Xu Xiangyu 2577, Jerusalem 2022.

17.Qd7

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17.Qd6 The queen protects the a3 pawn – the idea is to chase the queen with the a1 rook.

20...Bxc2! 21.Qa1 Qxa1 22.Rxa1 Rac8 23.Bxc6 Rxc6 24.Raxa7= B) 19.Rb1 White voluntarily leaves the seventh rank in order to connect the rooks and save the bishop pair.

17...Bg6 18.Rab1 Qc3 19.Rxb7 (19.Bd5 Rab8=) 19...Bxe4 20.fxe4 Qc4 21.Qd3 Ne5 22.Qxc4 Nxc4 Black has compensation due to the powerful knight and White’s weak pawns. 23.Be7 (23.a4 Nd6 24.Rb4 Rfe8=) 23...Rfb8 24.Rxb8+ (24.Rc7 Rc8=) 24...Rxb8= 17.Rb1 Qxa3 18.Rxb7

19...Bg6 20.Bd5 The idea behind 19.Rb1. Now Black does not have ...Bxc2. 20...Rac8 21.Ra1 (21.f4 Bf5=) 21...Qb6 22.c4

18...Qa6! Again, the optimal square for Black’s queen. From there it defends the knight, forces the white queen to defend the f1 rook and prevents White’s c-pawn from advancing to c4. A) 19.Rd7 Bg6 20.Bd5

22...a5!= The knight will jump to b4 and remove White’s light-squared bishop from the game. C) 19.Rc7

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23...Nb4! 24.Rc1 (24.Rb2 Nc6=) 24...Na2 25.Rd1 Rxa3 26.Rxa3 Rxa3 27.Rd8+ Kh7 28.Rd7 Kg8 29.Rxb7 Nb4 30.Rc7 Ra2 31.c4 Ra1+

19...Rac8 20.Rxc8 Rxc8 21.Re1 Bg6=

32.Bg1 Nd3 33.h3 Rc1= Trying to save the bishop pair with 19.Bd5 does not achieve anything.

17...Qb6! It is of outmost importance that Black plays this move – he must enter the endgame with opposite-colored bishops in order to draw the game. 17...Qxb1 18.Raxb1 and White’s pressure is too much. 18.Qxb6 axb6 19.Rfb1

19...Bg6 20.c4 Ra4= Black is able to

White can capture the pawn with 19.Be3 as

pressure White’s queenside pawns.

well, but after 19...Bg6 20.Bxg6 hxg6 21.Bxb6 Ra4! Black blocks White’s queenside pawns. 22.Rfb1 Rfa8 23.Rb3 (23.Bc5 R4a5 24.Bd6 Rd5 25.Bg3 Rda5

19...Bg6 Another important idea in the position is to get rid of White’s powerful e4 bishop. 20.Bxc6

26.Rxb7 Rxa3 27.Rxa3 Rxa3 28.h3 Ra2 29.c3 Ra3 30.c4 Rc3=)

20.Bxg6

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20...hxg6 21.Rxb6 Nd4 22.c3 Nc2 23.Rc1

Much simpler is 23...Bxc2!

Nxa3 24.Rxb7 f6 25.Be3 Nc4 26.Bd4 g5 27.Rc7 Rfc8 28.Rxc8+ Rxc8=; 20.Rxb6

24.Rxc6 Ba4= and White cannot improve his position. 24.a4 c5 25.Bc3 Re3 26.Bd2 Re2 27.Bf4 Rce8 28.Bg3 Rxc2 29.a5 Ree2 30.a6 Ra2 31.Rxa2 Rxa2 32.Kg1 Bd3 33.Rc6 Ra1+

20...Bxe4 21.fxe4 f6 22.Bf4 Rf7 23.h3 Ra4= 20...bxc6 21.Rxb6 h6

34.Kf2 Ra2+ 35.Kg1 Ra1+ 36.Kf2 Ra2+ 1/2 : 1/2 Conclusion: After a careful examination of Rapport’s two blitz games, we came to the conclusion that the ...Bb4 line is playable. However, keep in mind that Rapport’s defensive skills and precision are unique and played an important role in both games. The key to equalizing the position is the transfer of the light-squared bishop to g6.

22.Be7 22.Bf4 Bxc2 23.Rxc6 Rfc8 24.Bc7 Ba4 25.Rc3 f6 26.h4 h5= I. Nepomniachtchi

With the move 14...Ne4! Black was able to obtain the much needed initiative and prevent White from ideally placing his pieces.

2792 – F.Caruana 2758, Saint Louis 2022. 22...Rfe8 23.Bb4 Rac8

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CHAPTER EIGHT 6...Bc5 7.Nd6+ 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5

7...Nxe5 8.Bf4 d6 9.Na4 Ng6 White has a few variations at his disposal but none of them give him an advantage. Check out the 7.e5!? sideline.

By playing this move, Black shows his willingness to enter complicated positions in order to outplay his opponent. Positions that occur after 6...Bc5 are more demanding than those that emerge after 6...Bb4.

7...Ke7 8.Bf4 White can also continue with 8.Nxc8+ Rxc8 9.Bd3 Qc7 10.0-0 h5!? Black has the playing ...Ng4.

Black’s bishop serves both as a defending and an attacking piece – it defends the dark squares and targets the f2 pawn.

concrete

threat

of

7.Nd6+ 7.Be3?! Bxe3 8.Nd6+ Ke7 9.fxe3 Qc7! White cannot solve his weak pawn structure problems.

Check out the game K. Paveto – Di. Flores. 8...e5 9.Nf5+ Kf8 10.Bg5 10.Be3 Bb4 White is unable to stop Black from striking in the center with ...d5! Check out the game S. Tadic – Mil. Perunovic. 10...d6 11.Bc4 Be6 12.Bb3 h6 13.Bxf6 Qxf6

Check out the 7.Be3?! sideline. 7.e5!?

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9...Qc7!

An

important

move!

Black

pressures the powerful d6 knight before White is able to stabilize his advantage with Qd2 and 0-0-0. 10.Nc4 10.Ncb5 Qb6 11.Qd2 Ng4 12.0-0-0 Qxe3 13.Be2 Qxd2+ 14.Rxd2 Nf6³ with ...Ne8 to come.

Check out the game D. Vocaturo – G. Guseinov.

10.Ndb5 Qe5³ 10...a6 11.a4 White prevents Black from playing ...b4 since it is important that his knight stays on the c4 square.

The 7.Be3?! sideline 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5 7.Be3?!

11.Nd5+!? exd5 12.exd5 d6 13.dxc6 Qxc6³ (13...b5!?³) 11...Rd8 Black prepares to strike with ...d5! 12.a5 d5! 13.exd5 exd5 14.Nb6

White’s idea is simple – exchange the darksquared bishops in order to weaken Black’s dark sqaures. The disadvantage of this move is that it weakens the pawn structure.

14...d4! The move that Black had to see before he decided to play 12...d5! The weak position of White’s king in the center and the activity of Black’s pieces are the prerequisite for the rook sacrifice.

7...Bxe3 8.Nd6+ 8.fxe3 0-0³ 8...Ke7 9.fxe3

15.exd4 Taking the rook with 15.Nxa8? leads White to unsolvable problems. 15...Qe5 16.Ne2 (16.Bd3 dxc3 17.bxc3 Be6 18.Nb6 Qxc3+ 19.Kf1 Ng4–+) 16...dxe3 17.Qc1 Nb4

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Engines prove that Black dominates the position. The easiest way to convert the advantage is to play ...Nb4. The threat is to attack the c2 pawn with ...Rd2, ...Qe4 or ...Bf5. 18.Ra4 (18.Nb6 Qe4–+) 18...Qe4

The idea is similar to the one from the 7.Be3?! variation – White wants to use Black’s weak d6 and c7 squares. The difference is that instead of compromising the pawn structure, White sacrifices the epawn.

19.Rxb4 Qxb4+ 20.c3 Qh4+ 21.g3 (21.Ng3 Qf4–+) 21...Qe4 22.Rg1 Rd2–+

7...Nxe5 Black has to accept the sacrifice.

15...Nxd4 16.Nbd5+

8.Bf4

16.Nxa8? Qe5+ 17.Be2 Bg4–+

8.Nd6+

16...Nxd5 17.Qxd4 Nxc3 18.Qxc3 Qxc3+ 19.bxc3 Be6³

8...Kf8! An untypical reaction that is worth remembering. In most of the cases the black king goes to e7, but here it is important that it goes to f8 in order to leave the e7 square for the retreat of the darksquared bishop. (8...Ke7 9.Nde4©) 9.Nde4 (9.Be3 Bxe3 10.fxe3 Qb6 11.Qd2

Conclusion: Exchanging the dark-squared bishop with Be3 does not seem good for White. Black has a more pleasant position due to his better pawn structure – it is important that you remember the ...d4! idea since it is the key to creating an advantage.

Neg4 12.Nc4 Qc7 13.0-0-0 d5 14.h3

The 7.e5!? sideline 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5 7.e5!? 136

14...Ne5 10.Nxe4

15.Nxe5

Qxe5³)

10.Bg3

9...Nxe4

White can return the sacrificed material with 10.Bxd6 Bxd6 11.Qxd6 Qxd6 12.Nxd6+ Ke7 13.0-0-0 h5!∞ The position is close to equal. Black has no problems after 10.Nxc5 Nxf4 11.Qxd6 Qxd6 12.Nxd6+ Ke7 13.0-0-0 b6= 10...0-0 White has nothing better than to force a draw after a series of exchanges.

10...Be7³ White has no compensation for the pawn.

11.Nxc5 dxc5 12.Qxd8 Rxd8 13.Nc7 Rb8 14.Na6 Ra8 15.Nc7 Rb8=

8...d6 It is also worth considering 8...a6 9.Bxe5 (9.Nd6+ Bxd6 10.Qxd6 Ng6 11.Be3 Nh4 with ...Nf5 to come)

Conclusion: The surprise factor is extremely important in the era of modern chess. Deviating from the main lines can often create unpleasant situations for unprepared players – especially in an opening that is as demanding and complex as the Sicilian Defense.

9...axb5 10.Nxb5 0-0∞ 9.Na4 Ng6

We believe that the 7.e5!? variation is not a serious threat to Black’s position and that

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Black’s path to equality is not hard to remember.

the center and Black can exploit this with 10...d5! 11.e5

K. Paveto (2462) – Di. Flores (2566) Buenos Aires 2022 The following example shows a valuable motif that one should remember - the ...h5 with ...Ng4 idea. In many positions that occur in this line, this is the only way to create concrete threats and fight for an advantage with Black.

11...Ne4! Black sacrifices a pawn in order to open the files that lead to the white king. 12.Nxe4 (12.Bxe4 dxe4 13.Nxe4 Rhd8 14.Qe2 Nd4 15.Qf2 Bb4+ 16.c3 Qc4! 17.Qd2 f5!µ) 12...dxe4 13.Bxe4 Rhd8 14.Qh5 Nb4! The knight enters the attack!

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5 7.Nd6+ Ke7

It is unclear how White defends his position. 15.a3 (15.c3 Nd3+ 16.Bxd3 Rxd3µ)

8.Nxc8+ By exchanging the knight for the c8 bishop, White’s pressure on Black’s position decreases. 8...Rxc8 9.Bd3 Qc7 This is usually the best square for the black queen.

15...Nxc2+! 16.Bxc2 Bb6 17.Bd1 (17.Bxh7 Qc5 18.Qh4+ Ke8–+; 17.Be4 Qc4 18.Qf3 Rd4 19.Bxb7 Rc7–+) 17...Rd3 with ...Rcd8

9...Rg8!? The idea is to advance the gpawn to g5 in order to secure the e5 square for the knight. Black wants to use the dark squares to pressure White. 10.0-0 g5 11.Qe2 Nd4 12.Qd1 Qc7 13.Be3 h5∞ with

to come. 18.Bd2 Rxd2! 19.Kxd2 Qc5 20.Qh4+ (20.Qf3 Qd4+ 21.Ke1 Qxb2µ) 20...Ke8 21.Ke1 Qe3+ 22.Be2 (22.Kf1 Rc4 23.Qg3 Rxf4+ 24.Bf3 g5–+) 22...Rc2 23.Qg4 Rxb2 White is a rook up but his

the ...Ng4 idea. P. Velicka 2372 – D. Navara 2717, Czech Republic 2019.

position is falling apart. 24.Qf3 Rxe2+ 25.Qxe2 Qc3+ 26.Qd2 Qxa1+ 27.Qd1 Qa2µ

10.0-0 10.f4?! White takes away the e5 square from the black knight. The disadvantage of this move is that White’s king remains in

10...h5!

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square can be often seen in the Richter Rauzer Sicilian, whereas the ...h5 and ...Ng4 idea is usually seen in the Paulsen Sicilian. S. Tadic (2353) – Mil. Perunovic (2543) Podgorica (rapid) 2022

11...Ng4!–+ Black is winning!

Pay attention to how Black decided not to exchange the dark-squared bishop after the e-pawn advanced to e5. The key move in the game that lead to a position with equal chances is ...d5. However, the resulting positions can seem a bit drawish for some players. In the case you are not satisfied with such a result, you can opt for the ...d6 move.

11...Kf8 Black removes his king from the pin and continues to threaten ...Ng4.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5 7.Nd6+ Ke7

12.Bxf6

8.Bf4 e5 9.Nf5+

12.Qd2 Black wins the battle over the dark squares with 12...Ng4 13.Bf4 Bd6! 14.Bxd6+ Qxd6 15.f4 g5!³

9.Nxc8+ Rxc8 10.Bg5 Bb4 11.Bd3 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 h6 (12...Kf8!? with the idea to not allow White to damage the kingside pawn structure. 13.0-0 h6 14.Bc1 d6 15.Ba3 Kg8∞) 13.Bxf6+ gxf6 14.0-0 Qc7∞ with the idea to transfer the knight to e6 via the d8 square.

A well known motif from the Paulsen Sicilian. Black wants to use his control over the dark-squared diagonals and create threats with ...Ng4. 11.Bg5 11.h3? It seems like White defended from the ...Ng4 threat. However, after

12...gxf6∞

Conclusion: Both sides have their chances in the resulting position. White has the healthier pawn structure but Black’s pieces are more active.

9...Kf8 10.Be3 Bb4 Black should not exchange the dark-squared bishop since it would significantly weaken his position. With ...Bb4, Black pins the White knight -

This line shows that it is useful to know motifs from different variations of the Sicilian Defense. The black king on the e7 139

directly threatening to take the e4 pawn and preparing for the ...d5 advance. 11.Bd3 White can play in a few different manners: 11.Nd6

18...Nd8! A nice defensive idea. (Black can also try 18...f6 but this allows White to complicate matters with 19.Rxf6+!? Qxf6 20.Qd7 Rd8 21.Qxb7∞) 19.Qd3 Kg7³ with ...f6 to follow and Black solidified the position of his king and can try to pressure White’s weakened pawn structure in the future.

The d6 knight blocks the d-pawn and this prevents Black from developing his queenside. 11...Qe7 (Attacking the knight with 11...Qc7 is incorrect because of 12.a3!²)

B) 12.Nf5 Qd8= If Black wants to fight for a full point, he can try 12...Qe6!?∞ 11.Bc4 A logical developing move with the idea to prevent Black from striking in the center with ...d5. However...

A) Taking the bishop with 12.Nxc8 decreases White’s pressure. 12...Rxc8 13.Bd3 (13.Qd3 Na5ƒ) 13...d5 14.exd5 Nxd5 15.0-0

11...d5! 12.Bxd5 (Incorrect is 12.exd5? Na5! and both the c4 bishop and the f5 knight are under attack. 13.Bd3 e4µ White loses a piece) 12...Bxf5 13.Bxc6 Nxe4 14.Bxb7 (14.Bxe4 Bxc3+ 15.bxc3 Qxd1+ 16.Kxd1 Bxe4=) 14...Nxc3 15.bxc3 Bxc3+

15...Nxe3 Black should simplify the position and damage White’s pawn structure. 16.fxe3 Bxc3 17.bxc3 (17.Qg4 Rc7 18.bxc3 g6³ with ...Kg7 and the development of the h8 rook to come) 17...g6 18.Bc4

16.Ke2 Qc7 (16...g6!?∞) 17.Qd5 Re8∞ 11.a3

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18.Nxf7! A tactical strike that saves White. 18...Qc7 19.Ng5 (19.Bxe7? Qxc4 20.Nd8 Rxd8 21.Bxd8 e4 22.Qg3 Nxc3 23.Qe3 Kf7 24.Bh4

11...Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 d5 Black sticks to his idea. (Taking the pawn is dangerous 12...Nxe4 13.f3 Nf6 14.Qd6+ Kg8 15.Bg5 h6 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.Qxf6 gxf6 18.Nd6² White has a powerful knight on the d6 square and it is unclear how Black finishes his development. White will play 0-0-0, Bc4 and f4) 13.exd5 Nxd5 14.Bc5+ (14.Bc4)

24...Re8µ White’s king will remain in the center. After the black king retreats to g8, Black will launch an attack on the white king) 19...Qxc5 20.Bb3

14...Kg8

20...e4! An important in-between move that forces further exchanges. 21.Nxe6 exf3

A) Leading to further complications is 15.Nd6 Be6 16.Qf3 (16.Bc4 Nce7³) 16...b6 Black has other options, but this is the most logical one and White has to be precise in order to save his piece. 17.Bc4 Nce7 (17...bxc5 18.Bxd5 Qxd6 19.Bxc6

22.Nxc5 fxg2 23.Rg1 bxc5 24.0-0-0 Rd8 25.Rxg2 The d5 knight is pinned and Black cannot prevent White from repeating moves with 25...Kf7 26.Rg3 Rd7 27.Rf3+! Ke6 28.Re3+ Kf6 29.Rf3+ Ke6 30.Re3+=

Rc8 20.Rd1 Qe7=)

B) 15.Bc4 Bxf5 16.Bxd5 Qf6 17.0-0 h6= with ...Kh7 to follow. 11.Qd3 White defends the e4 pawn and prepares to castle.

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11...d5 12.exd5 Bxf5 13.Qxf5 Nd4 14.Qd3 Nxd5 15.Bd2 (15.Bxd4 exd4 16.Qxd4 Qa5

15...g6 16.Nh6 f6 17.Bc4 Qxd1 18.Rfxd1 Na5 19.Bd5 Kg7 20.Nf7 Rf8 21.Nd6 Rd8

17.0-0-0 Nxc3 18.bxc3 Qa3+ 19.Kb1 Bxc3 20.Qd6+ Qxd6 21.Rxd6 Ke7=) 15...Rc8 16.0-0-0 Nxc3 17.Bxc3 Bxc3 18.bxc3 Ne6∞

22.Bf3 f5∞ 15...g6=

11...d5 This reaction leads to equal positions. If Black wants to play for a full point, an equally good alternative is 11...d6 since it keeps the tension on the board.

Conclusion: White lost the fight for the d5 square with the Be3 move and thus he also lost the chance to positionally harass Black’s position. As it usually happens in other variations of the Sicilian Defense, Black’s strike in the center was more than enough to provide him with good practical chances.

12.exd5 Nxd5 13.0-0 Bxc3 Another possibility is 13...Nf4 14.Be4 Bxf5 15.Bxf5 Bxc3 16.bxc3 g6= 14.bxc3 Nxe3 15.Nxe3

D. Vocaturo (2612) – G. Guseinov (2661) Terme Catez 2022

15.fxe3 White damages his pawn structure in order to activate the f1 rook along the half-open f-file.

One of the main advantages of having the Four Knights Variation in your repertoire is that you will never have problems with the development of your dark-squared bishop as this piece plays the crucial role in many lines. In the following example, we will

142

show you the importance of having the bishop on the c5 square and how you can utilize this to your advantage. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5 7.Nd6+ Ke7 8.Bf4 e5 9.Nf5+ Kf8 10.Bg5

12...Bxf2+! 13.Ke2 Qc5 14.Nxf6 Bxf5 15.exf5 gxf6µ 11.Qd2

10...d6 An equally good alternative is 10...Bb4 but we do not want to recommend playing with the same piece twice in the opening if it is not necessary.

11...Bxf5 12.exf5 Bb4 13.0-0-0 Rc8∞ I.

11.Bc4

Bulmaga 2446 – A. Donchenko 2647 Gibraltar 2020.

White has several more options available. Careless is 11.Nd5? because Black has a tactical reaction prepared.

11.Bd3

11...h6

11...Qa5+! The most precise way to punish

12.Bxf6

(White

cannot

keep

pressuring along the h4-d8 diagonal with 12.Bh4 g5! 13.Bg3 Bxf5 14.exf5 d5³) 12...Qxf6 13.Nd5 Qd8 14.0-0 g6 15.Nfe3 Kg7 16.c3

White’s premature ...Nd5? 12.Bd2 (12.Qd2 Bxf2+! 13.Kd1 Qxd2+ 14.Bxd2 Nxe4µ)

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16...a6= Black secures the a7 square for the bishop. He will develop his lightsquared bishop on e6 and solve all of his opening problems.

19...Ne7= M. Zufic 2366 – B. Grachev 2612 chess.com 2020. 11...Be6 12.Bb3 h6 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.0-0 14.Nd5 Qd8 15.0-0 g6 16.Nfe3 Kg7=

Taking the knight with 11.Bxf6 before ...h6 is played makes the position easier for Black.

14...Bxf5 Black accepts the challenge and takes the pawn. Another possibility is 14...g6 15.Bxe6 (Taking the pawn with 15.Nxd6? is incorrect. 15...Rd8 16.Nd5 Bxd5 17.Nxb7 Bxb3 18.Nxd8

11...Qxf6 12.Nd5 Qd8 13.Nfe3 g6 14.c3 a6

A typical reaction to White’s c3 – the idea of c3 is to attack the bishop with b4 therefore Black needs to free the a7 square. 15.b4 Ba7 16.Bd3 Be6 17.0-0 Rc8 18.Qd2 Kg7 19.Kh1

18...Bc4!µ and Black is a piece up. 15.Ne3 Kg7 16.Ncd5 Qd8 17.c3

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17...a5=) 15...fxe6 (Leading to a calm position is 15...Qxe6 16.Ne3 Kg7 17.Ncd5

17.Nd5! exd5 18.Nxb7 dxe4 19.Nxd8 Nxd8 20.Qd5 Bb6

17...Rad8 with ...Ne7 to come. Unlike in

21.a4! An excellent move that forces Black to play ...a5 after which the b6 bishop becomes unstable. 21...a5 22.Qxe4 Kg7∞ with equal chances for both sides.

some standard positions where the black bishop remains on the e7 square, his current placement makes the position more pleasant for Black).

15.Nd5 An in-between move! 15...Qg5 16.exf5 Qxf5 17.c3 Ne7 18.Kh1 18.Nxe7 Kxe7 19.Qd5 Rab8 20.Rae1 Rhf8 21.Kh1

16.Nxd6! Rd8

21...Kf6!∞ Black removes his king from the pin and defends the queen at the same time. The idea is to solidify the position with ...g5 or ...g6 and ...Kg7.

145

18...Nxd5 19.Qxd5 g6 20.Qxb7 Kg7

Conclusion: In comparison to other variations of the Sicilian Defense where White exploits the d5 square, in our line Black has a powerful bishop on c5 instead of e7. This makes an immense difference in the general evaluation of the position.

21.Rad1 a5=

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CHAPTER NINE 7.Bf4 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5 7.Bf4

Black should play in the center with 11...d5∞ Check out the game A. Tate – P. Dobrowolski. 11.Nc7

White takes control over the dark squares by developing the bishop on f4. His plan is to exchange the dark-squared bishops and create pressure along the d-file in order to prevent Black from developing the queenside.

The idea is to prevent Black from chasing away White’s queen with ...Ne8. To add to this, White creates a sort of blockade along the dark squares and this can potentionally slow down Black’s development. 11...Rb8 12.Be2 b5! After this move, Black obtains the necessary space to activate his pieces.Check out the game G. Mammadzada – C. Yoo.

7...0-0 8.Bc7 Less precise is 8.Bd6 Black can ignore the threat and continue 8...Qb6 9.Bxc5 Qxc5 10.Qd6 Qb6= The queen on b6 prevents White from castling long. Check out the game S. Gauri – T. Ringoir.

11.Be2

8...Qe7 9.Bd6 Bxd6 10.Qxd6 Qd8 11.0-00 Black has no development problems after 11.Qc7

11...a6 12.Nc7 Ra7 13.e5 Nxe5 14.Qxe5 b6= Check out the game T. Baron – D. Dubov.

147

Black should use every unforced retreat of the white queen from the d6 square to strike in the center. 11.Qd2

12.Qg3 a6 13.Nd6 Nxd6 14.Qxd6 b5 15.h4 Bb7 16.Qxd7 Qb6© Black sacrifices a pawn in order to develop his pieces on active squares and White is forced to defend.

11...d5 12.exd5

12...Nxd5!N Check out the 11.Qd2 sideline.

Check out the 11.0-0-0 Ne8 main line.

Black reacts in an identical manner after 11.Qg3

12.Nd4 Ne7!?

Black’s plan is to develop his queenside with ...b5, ...Bb7 and ...Rc8 after which he will chase away the white queen from d6. White will use this time to create kingside threats. The resulting positions are complex and full of play for both sides.

11...d5 12.0-0-0 a6 13.exd5 exd5 14.Nd4 Re8∞ Check out the 11.Qg3 sideline. 11...a6 11...Ne8!?

13.h4

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13.a4 b5! Check out Georgiadis – V. Asadli.

the

game

I.

13...b5 14.h5 h6 15.Bd3 Bb7 16.g4 Rc8!?N

A) 8...e5 A1) 9.Bg5?! d6 White could soon have problems with the b5 knight so it is logical that he continues with 10.Nd5 Check out the game S. Lobanov – M. Schekachikhin. S. Gauri (2353) – T. Ringoir (2474) Charlotte 2021 In the following game White opted for the less precise 8.Bd6 and Black was able to equalize comfortably. We provide you with two options – the calmer 8...Qb6 and the

10...Bxf2+! 11.Kf1 Bc5 12.Qc1 White prepares to take the f6 knight and place his queen on the h6 afterward. Black must react energetically. 12...Be6 13.Nbc7 (13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Nbc7 The threat is Qh6.

more aggressive 8...b6!? In case you are not satisfied with a draw, you should choose the second one.

14...Nb4! Black must continue fighting against the d5 knight. 15.Nxa8 Bxd5 16.a3 Na2! 17.Qd2 Bxe4 18.Rxa2 Qxa8µ) 13...Bxd5 14.Nxd5

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5 7.Bf4 0-0

8.Bd6 Inconsistent is 8.Be2 because Black is in time to cover the dark squares.

14...Nxd5! The d5 knight must be removed at any cost. 15.Bxd8 Ne3+ 16.Kf2 Raxd8µ

149

with ...f5 to follow and White struggles to secure the position of his king. A2) 9.Be3 d6 10.Bxc5 dxc5 11.Qxd8 Rxd8= B) Another equally good option is 8...d5 9.exd5 exd5 10.Nc7 15...d3! 16.Bf3 Qxf2+ 17.Kc1 Nxb4–+) 15...Bf5 16.a3 Rfe8 17.Nc5 d3! 18.Nxd3 Rxe2+ 19.Qxe2 Nd4 20.Qd1 Bg4–+ B2) 14.0-0 Qf5! Black removes the queen from the pin with a tempo! 15.Bg3 dxc3 16.Bd3 Qf6 17.Nxc3 Be6= with an equal position.

10...d4! 11.Na4 (11.Nxa8 dxc3 12.Qxd8 Rxd8 13.bxc3 Nd5 14.Bg3 Nxc3µ)

8.e5!? White tries to punish Black’s development in a concrete manner. This move vacates the e4 square for the knight and opens the b1-h7 diagonal.

11...Bb4+ 12.c3

12...Nd5!

13.Nxd5

(13.Nxa8?

Nxf4

14.cxb4 Nxg2+ 15.Kf1 Bh3–+) 13...Qxd5

8...a6! An important counter-attack! If Black plays the passive 8...Ne8 White would dominate the dark squares after 9.Ne4. 9.Nd6 (Weaker is 9.exf6?! Qxf6 Because two of White’s pieces are hanging. 10.Bg3 axb5 11.Bxb5 d5³)

B1) Taking the piece 14.cxb4? is incorrect because of 14...Qxg2 and it is unclear how White defends from ...Bf5, ...Rfe8 and ...d3. 15.Rf1 (15.Kd2

A) Dubov punished Black’s mistake in a fantastical manner after 9...Bxd6? 10.Qxd6 Qb6 11.exf6 Qxb2

150

12.Kd2! Qxa1 13.Bh6!+– Black cannot defend his king. D. Dubov 2703 – P. Basso 2521, Skopje 2019. Sacrificing another rook also leads to a full point. 13.Bd3! Qxh1 14.Bxh7+! Kxh7 15.Qxf8 Qxg2

14...Bxc3+! A counter-strike that secures the draw by perpertual check. 15.bxc3 Qxc3+ 16.Ke2! This move forces Black to play (16.Kd1? Qxa1+ 17.Bc1 Qd4+ 18.Ke1 Ne5 19.Qxh7+ Kf8–+) 16...Nd4+ Obstructing the queen’s path to the kingside and losing the option of the ...Ne5 idea to defend the f7 square! 17.Kd1 Qc2+ (17...Qxa1+?? 18.Bc1 Rd8 19.Bd3+–

16.Bg3 gxf6 17.Qxf7+ Kh8 18.Bh4+– B) 9...Ne8! 10.Nce4 Bd4 11.Nxe8 Rxe8 12.Qh5!

Black is unable to defend from White’s attack) 18.Ke1 Qc3+ 19.Kd1 Qc2+= 8...Qb6 The best move. Black forces the exchange of the dark-squared bishops in order to decrease White’s control over the dark squares. Another noteworthy option is 8...b6!? Black sacrifices the exchange in order to obtain control over the dark squares. If White decides to take, Black’s pieces will become dangerous due to their activity. To add to this, White is behind in development and his b5 knight is not ideally placed.

12...Qa5+ (Taking the poisoned pawn 12...Bxb2? is incorrect because of 13.Ng5!+– and Black cannot defend both h7 and f7 squares at the same time) 13.c3 (13.Kd1 h6!µ A crucial defensive move that prevents the Ng5 threat. White’s attack is restricted and Black’s threats of ...Bxe5 and ...Bxb2 remain) 13...Bxe5 14.Ng5

9.Bxf8 Qxf8

151

A) 11.Nxa8 Nfg4 White must defend precisely or else he will end up in a weaker position.

10.Nc7! White loses no time and tries to solve the bad position of his knight. The idea is to force the exchange after 10...Rb8 11.Na6 Bxa6. (All other lines are good for Black. 10.a4? White wants to retreat his knight to a3. 10...a6 11.Na3

A1) 12.f3? Bf2+ 13.Kd2 Ne3 14.Qe2

14...N3c4+! An important accuracy! The e3 square is now free for the bishop. (14...N5c4+? 15.Kc1 Qb4 16.Rb1+–) 15.Kc1 (15.Qxc4 Nxc4+ 16.Bxc4 Qc5 17.Nd1 Bg1–+) 15...Be3+ 16.Kb1 Qb4–+

11...Bd4! The black queen’s path to c5 or b4 is cleared. 12.Bd3 Qb4 13.Qc1 Bxc3+ 14.bxc3 Qxc3+ 15.Kf1 d5µ; 10.Be2?! a6 11.Na3 b5 12.Nab1 b4 13.Na4 Ba7 14.Nd2 d5 15.exd5 Nd4! 16.0-0 Bd7 17.b3

A2) 12.f4? Bf2+ 13.Kd2 Be3+ 14.Ke1

exd5³; 10.Bd3 a6 11.Na3 b5 12.Nab1 Ne5 13.0-0 Qd6 14.Be2 Qc7 15.Nd2 Bb7³) 10...Ne5!? Black sacrifices the other rook as well! His initiative is quite powerful and he has full compensation. White has a few options at his disposal.

14...Qc5 The queen enters the game with the threat of ...Bf2+ and ...Qe3# 15.Qe2 Bf2+ 16.Kd1

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D) 11.f3 White prevents ...Ng4.

16...Nc4!–+ A3) 12.Bd3 Nxf2 13.Qh5 Nexd3+ 14.cxd3

11...Rb8 12.Qd2 Qd8 13.N7b5 (13.Na6

Nxd3+ 15.Kd2 Nxb2©

Bxa6 14.Bxa6 b5! 15.Bxb5 Qb6‚) 13...a6 14.Nd6 (14.Nd4 b5 15.0-0-0 Bb7 16.Nb3 Be7©) 14...b5 15.0-0-0 Qb6 16.Kb1 Be3 17.Qe1 Bf2 18.Qd2 Be3 19.Nxc8 (19.Qe1 Bf2=) 19...Rxc8 20.Qd6 Nc6 21.Bd3

B) 11.f4

11...Neg4 12.Nxa8 Bf2+ 13.Kd2 (13.Ke2? Qc5 14.Qd2 d5–+ White’s king cannot defend from Black’s numerous threats) 13...Be3+ 14.Ke1 Bf2+=

21...h6© Black controls all the dark squares and has a clear plan – he will advance the queenside pawns. We believe that Black has full compensation for the sacrificed material.

C) 11.Be2

9.Bxc5 Qxc5 10.Qd6 White is unable to support the d6 knight. 10.Nd6?!

11...Bxf2+! 12.Kf1 (12.Kxf2?! Qc5+ 13.Kf1 Qxc7³) 12...Qc5 13.Nxa8 Nfg4 14.Bxg4 Ba6+ 15.Be2 Bg3 16.hxg3 Ng4 17.Qe1 (17.Ke1 Qf2+ 18.Kd2 Qe3+=) 17...Ne3+ 18.Kg1 Ng4+=

153

10...Nd4!

Black

intercepts

the

white

queen’s support of the d6 knight, thereby breaking the blockade and forcing the exchange of the knight for the lightsquared bishop. 11.Nxc8 Rfxc8 12.Bd3 b5³ Black has the initiative. The idea is to advance the queenside pawns in order to gain the space advantage. 12...Qb6= Neither side has a better option than to repeat the moves.

10.Qd2 White prepares to castle long. 10...d5 Black uses his chance to strike in the center with ...d5 immediately. 11.exd5 exd5 12.0-0-0 Rd8 with the threat of ...d4. 13.Nd4 Ne4 14.Qe3 Nxc3 15.Qxc3 Qxc3 16.bxc3 Kf8=

Conclusion: After the exchange of the darksquared bishops Black obtains control over the g1-a7 diagonal and this prevents White from castling long due to the hanging f2 pawn.

10...Qb6 White’s main problem is that he cannot castle long because the b6 queen threatens the f2 pawn. Black’s threat is ...a6.

White has to search for alternative ways to threaten Black’s position but none of them provides him with an advantage. A. Tate (2283) – P. Dobrowolski (2418) Pardubice 2019 It is not rare that White players try to quickly exchange the queens when playing the 6.Ndb5 line against the Four Knights Variation. However, if Black is familiar with all the ideas and the typical ...d5 pawn advancement, he is more than safe. Pay attention to the 17.Bf5!N novelty since it allows Black to equalize in a simple manner.

11.Qc7 11.a4?! Ne8 12.Qa3 a6 13.a5 Qd8 14.Nd6 Nxd6 15.Qxd6 Nxa5³ White has no compensation for the lost pawn. 11.Qd2 d5! Black must not miss his chance to advance the d-pawn. (After 11...a6 White prepared 12.Na4 Qd8 13.Nd6∞) 12.exd5 exd5 13.0-0-0 In the game A. Kosteniuk 2524 – M. Muzychuk 2464, Moscow 2010, Black could have equalized with 13...Bf5=

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5 7.Bf4 0-0 8.Bc7

11...Qc5 12.Qd6

154

This is the correct move order – the queen must be forced to e7 before the bishop goes to d6.

17...Ng4! Black saves his knight from the exchange with a tempo. (17...dxc3? 18.Ne7+!) 18.Rhe1 b5 19.Bb3 dxc3 20.Ne7+ Rxe7 21.Rxd8+ Nxd8 22.Rxe7 cxb2+ 23.Kxb2 Kf8µ

8...Qe7 9.Bd6 Bxd6 10.Qxd6 Qd8 11.Qc7 White hopes to exchange the queens since this would strategically weaken Black’s position.

A2) 17.N3d5 b5 18.Bb3 Nd7 19.Rhe1 Kf8µ B) 14.Ne2 Qd5 15.Nexd4

11...d5 12.exd5 exd5 13.Qxd8 13.0-0-0 d4

15...Bg4! 16.f3 Nxd4 17.Rxd4 (17.Nxd4? Qxa2 18.fxg4 Rac8 19.Qf4 Qa1+ 20.Kd2 Qxb2 21.Bd3 Rfd8µ) 17...Qxa2 18.fxg4 Qa1+ 19.Kd2 Rfe8 20.Bc4 Qxh1 21.Bxf7+

A) 14.Bc4?! a6 15.Qxd8 Rxd8 16.Nc7

Kh8 22.Bxe8 Rxe8∞ 13...Rxd8 14.Ne2 Incorrect is 14.0-0-0? because Black is able to apply pressure on the weak f2 pawn.

16...Ra7! The white knight is trapped. (16...Rb8³ D. Fernandez 2447 – Mil. Perunovic 2567 Beograd 2021). A1) 17.N7d5 155

B) 19.Rxd4 Nxa2+ 20.Kb1 Rxd4 21.Nexd4 Nb4µ Black is a pawn up. 14...d4!

14...d4! 15.Ne2 (15.Nb1? a6 16.N5a3 Ne4µ) 15...Ne4 16.Rg1 Nxf2 17.Rd2 Ne4 18.Rd1 Nb4! Black does not allow White to block the isolated d-pawn. White’s kingside is underdeveloped and Black sacrifices the pawn in order to exploit this. 15.Rd1 d3 16.Rxd3 16.cxd3 The simplest way for Black to equalize is 16...Nb4 (16...Bf5!? 17.Ng3 Bg6©) 17.a3 Nxd3+ 18.Rxd3 Rxd3 19.Ned4 Rxd4 20.Nxd4 Bd7=

A) 19.a3?

19...d3! 16...Rxd3?! Inaccurate move that allows White to keep the material advantage.

A1) 20.cxd3 Nxd3+ 21.Kc2 (21.Kb1 Bf5– +) 21...Nef2 22.Rd2 Bf5–+

The best move is 16...Bf5!N

A2) 20.axb4 d2+ 21.Kb1 Nf2 22.Nbc3 (22.Nec3 Nxd1 23.Nxd1 Bg4 24.Bc4 Re8– +) 22...Nxd1 23.Nxd1 Bg4 24.h3 Bxe2 25.Bxe2 Re8 26.Nc3 (26.Bd3 Re1 27.Rf1 Rae8–+) 26...Rac8 27.Rd1 Rxc3 28.bxc3 Rxe2–+

156

Conclusion: White’s ides to exchange the queens in order to put pressure on the isolated d-pawn along the d-file is not unsound. Black must play in a concrete manner – he should sacrifice the d-pawn in order to prevent White from obtaining the positional advantage.

17.Rxd8+ (17.Rd2?! Rxd2 18.Kxd2 Rd8+ 19.Kc1 Ng4³) 17...Rxd8 18.c3 Be6

It is important that you remember the 16...Bf5!N idea since it is a significant improvement over the played game.

A) 19.Nc1 Nd5 20.Nd3 (20.Be2 a6 21.Na3 Nf4 22.Rg1 Ne5©) 20...Nf6 21.Nc1 Nd5= B) 19.b3 Nd5©

T. Baron (2531) – D. Dubov (2699) Douglas 2019

C) 19.a3 Bc4 20.Ned4 (20.Nbd4 Re8! 21.Nxc6 bxc6© and it is unclear how White

If White is able to keep the queen on the d6 square well into the middlegame he is able to claim an advantage – Black must not allow him to accomplish this task. Luckily for us, the ...Ne8 idea proves to be more than enough to solve all of our problems. In the following game White tried to prevent this by placing the knight on c7, but Black was able to counter this.

finishes his development) 20...Bxb5 21.Bxb5 (White cannot save the pawn after 21.Nxb5 a6 22.Nd4 Nxd4 23.cxd4 Rxd4=) 21...Nxd4 22.cxd4 Rxd4 23.Ke2 Rd5 24.Bd3

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Ndb5 Bc5 7.Bf4 0-0 8.Bc7 Qe7 9.Bd6 Bxd6 10.Qxd6 Qd8 11.Be2 24...Rc5= 17.cxd3²

11...a6 12.Nc7 12.Nd4

157

A) 12...Ne7!? A fascinating idea that is

B) Another possibility is 12...Qb6 13.Nb3

possible even after 11.0-0-0. The black knight temporarily abandons the action in the center – the idea is to chase away the white queen with Ne8 as soon as it becomes possible.

(13.0-0-0 Ne8 14.Na4 Qa5 15.Nxc6 bxc6 16.Qa3 Nf6 17.f3 d5∞) 13...Ne8 14.Qg3 (14.Qd2 Qc7 15.0-0-0 b5 16.a3 Rb8∞) 14...d6 15.0-0-0 Qc7 16.f4 b5 17.a3 Rb8∞ 12...Ra7

A1) 13.e5 A direct attempt that does not bring anything to White.

The knight might get trapped on the c7 square after ...b6 so White has to react quickly.

13...Ne8 14.Qb4 Ng6 15.Nf3 b5 16.a4 (16.h4?! Qc7³) 16...Bb7 17.axb5 axb5 18.0-0 (Taking the pawn is dangerous. 18.Rxa8 Qxa8 19.Qxb5?! Bc6 20.Qb4 f6

13.e5 A forced move. 13...Nxe5 14.Qxe5 b6 White can return the material in a few different ways.

21.exf6 Rxf6³ with ...Nf4 to follow) 18...Rb8∞ with ...f6 to come – it is crucial to open the f-file in this type of positions since it allows all the black pieces to come into play.

15.N7d5 15.N7b5 axb5 16.Nxb5 Ra8= H. Raja 2494 – J. Wang 2317, Charllote 2021. 15.Nxe6 fxe6 16.0-0-0 Rc7∞

A2) 13.0-0 Ne8 14.Qg3 d6 15.Rad1 Qc7 16.f4

15...Nxd5 16.Nxd5 exd5∞

16...b5∞ A typical position in the Sicilian Defense. Black has no weaknesses and prepares to develop his pieces with ...Bb7, ...Rd8 and ...Nf6.

White must proceed carefully because it is not easy to return the sacrificed material due to Black’s counterplay along the e-file.

158

Conclusion: White’s attempt to keep the queen on the d6 square with the Nc7 idea seems to be overambitious. To add to this, returning the knight to the center after 11...a6 does not fully justify the development of the bishop on the e2 square.

12.0-0-0 a6; White can apply pressure with 12.Bb5

G. Mammadzada (2459) – C. Yoo (2466) Internet 2021 A) An interesting alternative is 12...b6 13.00-0 (13.Bxc6? dxc6µ) 13...Bb7 14.f3 Rc8 15.Na6

The following game is similar to the last one we analyzed – Black’s main idea is to regain the control over the crucial d6 square. Pay attention to all the ideas that are essential to play the position properly – the ...b5 advance, the ...Ne7-...Nf5 transfer, the ...Ne8 in order to chase the queen idea, the ...Rc6 in order to trap the queen, and the ...f6-f5 advance. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5 7.Bf4 0-0 8.Bc7 Qe7 9.Bd6 Bxd6 10.Qxd6 Qd8

15...Qe7∞ B) 12...a6 13.Bxc6 dxc6 14.0-0-0 (Retreating the knight deserves some attention as well. 14.N7b5!?) 14...Bd7 (Black is not on time to trap the c7 knight after 14...Qxd6 15.Rxd6 e5 16.f3 Bd7 17.g4 h6 18.h4²) 15.g4 Rc8 16.g5 Ng4 17.Qxd7

11.Nc7 We are already familiar with this idea – White prevents Black from chasing the queen away from the d6 square with ...Ne8. 11...Rb8 12.Be2 White completes his development and prepares to advance the e-pawn since the g4 square is now taken away from the f6 knight.

159

B1) 16.e5

B1) Black can continue playing in a different manner as well. 17...Qxg5+ 18.Kb1 Qe5 19.Rd6 (19.Nxe6 Qxe6∞; 19.Nxa6 bxa6∞) 19...Qf6 20.Nxe6 fxe6 21.Rxe6 Rcd8 22.Rxf6 Rxd7 23.Rxf8+ Kxf8= B2) 17...Qxc7∞

16...Qa5! Black uses the position of the white king in the center to grab the initiative. 17.exf6 (17.0-0?! Rb4 18.Qe3 Ng4 19.Bxg4 Rxg4³ with ...Bb7 to follow) 17...Rxc2 18.fxg7 Re8 19.0-0 Qxc3 20.Qxc3 Rxc3 21.Rfc1 Rxc1+ 22.Rxc1 Bb7 23.Rc7 Bc6 24.Bxa6

12...b5! Seizing the initiative! Why should Black lose any time on ...a6? 13.e5 Capturing the pawn 13.Bxb5?! is incorrect because the c7 knight gets trapped.

24...Kxg7= The endgame is close to equal but White has to proceed carefully. B2) 16.0-0 Qb6 17.Qxb6 Rxb6= with ...Rc6 to come. 13...Ne8

13...Rb7 14.e5 Nh5 15.Bxc6 dxc6 16.Na6 (16.Qxd8 Rxd8 17.Na6 Rxb2 18.Nc5 Rxc2–+) 16...Qa5 17.Nc5 Rxb2 18.0-0 Qxc3 19.Na4 Qxc2 20.Nxb2 Qxb2–+

The counter-attacking 13...b4?! move is inaccurate because of 14.exf6 bxc3 15.fxg7 Kxg7 16.Qg3+ Kh8 17.Qxc3+ e5 18.Nb5!² White controls the key d4 square and is a pawn up.

13.N7xb5 a6 A) 14.Na7!? Bb7 15.Nxc6 Bxc6 16.b3 Nxe4 (An equally good alternative is 16...Bxe4) 17.Nxe4 Bxe4=

14.Nxe8 Rxe8

B) 14.Nd4 Nxd4 15.Qxd4 Rxb2

160

15.0-0

17...Ne7 18.Nxb7 (Taking the d7 pawn leads White to serious problems. 18.Nxd7?

A blunder is 15.Nxb5? because Black captures two pieces for a rook after 15...Rxb5! 16.Bxb5 Qa5+ 17.c3 Qxb5–+

Rc8 19.0-0-0 Nd5–+ with the threat of ...Rc6. 20.Bb5 Qa5; 18.Qxd7? Qxd7 19.Nxd7 Rbc8 Trapping the knight! 20.0-00 Rc7 21.Bb5 Rec8 22.Rd2 Be4 23.Ba4 h5µ The d7 knight is trapped. Black slowly

15.Bxb5 Qa5 16.Bxc6 Rxb2! 17.0-0 Qxc3 18.Bxd7 Bxd7 19.Qxd7 Ra8= Black will capture the c2 pawn and White is left with the weak e and a-pawns.

improves his position and will capture the knight soon) 18...Rxb7

15.f4 White strengthens the e5 pawn, prevents the ...Qg5 threat and keeps both castling options at his disposal.

A1) 19.0-0-0?! Nd5 20.Rxd5 (After 20.g3 Black can organize a successful attack on the queenside where the white king is. 20...Rb6 21.Qc5 Qb8! The queen clears the path for the e8 rook to enter the attack. 22.Qd4 Rc8 23.Bc4 Qc7 24.Bb3 a5 with the threat of ...a4 followed by ...b3. 25.Kb1 Rc6µ).

15...b4 16.Ne4 Bb7 A) 17.Nc5 White’s idea is to exchange the knight for the bishop in order to control the h1-a8 diagonal with the light-squared bishop afterward.

A11) More precise is 20...Rb6!

161

21.Qxd7 (21.Qc5 exd5 22.Qxd5 d6µ) 21...exd5 22.Qxd8 Rxd8µ

21...Qxd6! This sacrifice works because of the unstable white king’s position.

A12) 20...exd5 21.Qxd5 Rc7µ E. Hansen 2606 – K. Sychev 2534 chess.com 2022.

22.0-0 f5 (22...Nc4„) 23.Bd3 (23.Qxa5

A2) 19.Bf3 Occupying the long diagonal and preventing the knight from coming to d5. 19...Rb6 20.Qc5 d6 21.exd6 Qxd6 22.Qxd6 Rxd6=

22.Qxa5 Qxf4 23.Bd3 (23.Qxb4 f5∞) 23...Qe3+ 24.Kf1 (24.Kd1?! Red8 25.Qb5

Qd4+ 24.Kh1 fxe4„) 23...Nc4„

B) 17.Qc5 The queen vacates the d6 square for the knight. B1) An interesting attempt is 17...Na5 since this is not a standard manouver for this type of position. The typical square for the knight is e7, but the placement of the knight on a5 is not unsound either. 18.Bd3 Bxe4 19.Bxe4

19...d5!? (19...Rc8!? 20.exd6 Rc8

20.Qxa7

25...Rc3!!µ An amazing tactical idea! The rook enters the attack via the c3 square that is guarded by the b2 pawn. Taking the rook with 26.bxc3 is losing because White cannot defend from the checkmate threat after 26...bxc3. The current threat is ...Rxd3) 24...e5ƒ Black has a powerful initiative. The idea behind the ...e5 move is to allow the rook to enter the attack via the 6th rank. To add to this, there are some lines where Black wants to advance the e-pawn. It is unclear how White defends his position.

d6∞)

B12) 21.Qd4 Rc4 22.Qd3

B11) 21.Qxa7

162

23.Nc4 Rc6 24.b3 Qa8 25.Qxa8 (25.Qd4 Ra6= Black returns the material) 25...Rxa8 26.a4 White tries to get rid of the weakness before Black plays ...Rca6. 26...bxa3 27.Rxa3 Rxa3 28.Nxa3 Ra6 29.Nb5 Ra2 30.Nd4

22...Qf6! An important move. The queen threatens the b2 and the f4 pawns and fights for the control over the d4 square as the rook would be ideally placed there. 23.0-0 Qd4+ 24.Qxd4 Rxd4 25.Bf3 Rxd6= B2) 17...Ne7 18.Nd6 Rf8 19.0-0 Bd5! Black should not let White capture the lightsquared bishop.

30...g5!= 15...b4 16.Ne4 Bb7 17.Nc5 17.Qc5 White frees the d6 square for the knight.

B21) 20.a3 Nc8 21.Nb5 (21.axb4 Nxd6 22.Qxd6 Rc8∞ with a double threat of ...Rc6 and ...Rxc2) 21...a6 22.Nc7 bxa3 23.bxa3 d6 24.exd6 Nxd6 25.Nxd5 Rc8!

17...Ba8 A prophylactic move – Black retreats the bishop before it gets attacked with Nd6. At the same time, the knight is

26.Qd4 Nb5 27.Qf2 exd5= B22) 20.Qxa7 Rb6 In order to win the pawn, White had to displace his queen on the edge of the board. Black’s active pieces provide him with more than enough initiative for a cost of a pawn. 21.Bc4 White wants to exchange Black’s powerful bishop. (21.c4 bxc3 22.bxc3 Rb2 23.Bf3 Bxf3 24.Rxf3 Nc8 25.Nxc8 Qxc8=; 21.Bb5 Nc8

now free to go to d5 via e7 since the b4 pawn is now defended by the rook. Black can also think about the ...f5 idea. 18.Rad1 Rf8 Another prophylactic move. The rook goes back to the f8 square in order to prepare the ...f6 advance. A) 19.Nd6 f6! Black uses his chance to strike in the center. 20.f4 (20.exf6 Qxf6∞)

22.Nxc8 Rxb5 23.Nd6 Ra5 24.Qd4 Qa8 25.Rf2 Rxa2=) 21...f6 22.Bxd5 Nxd5

163

20...fxe5 21.f5! (21.fxe5? Qg5µ) 21...Nd4

A) 19.Qxd7 Qxd7 20.Nxd7 Rbc8 21.Bb5

22.Qxe5 Nxe2+ 23.Qxe2 Rf6∞

(21.Rd2 Rc7 22.Bb5 Rec8µ) 21...Bc4 22.Bxc4 Rxc4³

B) 19.f4 Ne7 20.Nd6

B) 19.Nxd7 Rc8 The threat is ...Nf5. 20.Bd3 Prophylaxis against the threat. (20.Bb5 White finds a tactical solution to save his knight. 20...Qa5 21.Nf6+ gxf6 22.Bxe8 Rxe8 23.exf6 Nf5 24.Qf4 Kh8! The idea of this move is to pressure White’s kingside with ...Rg8. The ideal position of Black’s pieces make this position favourable for him) 20...Ng6!? A

20...a5∞ Black covered all of his weaknesses – the idea is to first exchange the queens with ...Qb6 and then exchange

tricky idea that keeps the pressure on the board. (After the logical 20...Qa5 Black prepares to trap the white queen with ...Rc6.

the knights with ...Nc8. The ...f6 advance is the most logical continuation after the exchanges occur.

However, White has an amazing resource to save his material.

17.Rad1

21.Nf6+! gxf6 22.exf6 Ng6 23.Bxg6 hxg6 24.Qf4! White uses holes in Black’s

White wants to pressure the d7 pawn as soon as possible! However, Black has a good response. 17...Ne7 18.Nc5 Bd5!

kingside to create a deadly threat of Qh6 followed by Qg7#. 24...Qd8 25.Rd4 White brings his rook into the attack. The threat is Qg5 followed by Rh4 and Rh8+. 25...e5 Not the only, but without a doubt the simplest way to defend from White’s threats. 26.Qh6 Qxf6 27.Rxd5 Rxc2 28.Rd2 Rec8=) 21.f4 White prevents Black’s ...Nf4 followed by ...Qg5 threat. 21...Nh4 22.Rf2

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18.Nxd7?! Rc8 19.Nc5 Qxd6 20.exd6 Rxc5 21.dxe7

22...Kh8! A nice prophylactic idea. Black removes his king from the potential Nf6+ idea. White is in constant danger due to the loose d7 knight.

21...Rxc2³ Black will remain with a pawn up. 18.Qxd7 Qxd7 19.Nxd7 Rbc8 20.a3 Rxc2 21.Bb5 bxa3 22.Rxa3 Ra8 23.b3 Rc7 White still did not solve his loose d7 knight problem.

17.a3

18.a3

bxa3

19.Rxa3

Bd5

20.Rxa7

(20.Qxd7 Qxd7 21.Nxd7 Rxb2 22.Rxa7 Rxc2=) 20...Nc6 21.Rxd7 Qg5 22.g3 Qxe5 23.Qxe5 Nxe5 24.Rc7 Rxb2= 18...Rxb7 19.Rfd1 Nf5 19...Nd5=

White opens the a-file for the rook in order to launch an attack on the a7 pawn. On the other hand, the b-file will get opened and Black can use this to organize counterplay. 17...bxa3 18.Rxa3 Ne7 19.Nc5 (19.Rxa7 Bxe4 20.Rxd7 Qc8 21.Rxe7 Rxe7 22.Qxe7 Qxc2=) 19...Bc6= E. Zhao – C. Yoo 2455 chess.com 2021.

19...Qc7= 20.Qd2 Qc7 21.Bf3 Rbb8 22.Re1 22.Qxd7 Qxe5 23.a3 a5= 22...Rb5 Another option is 22...d5 since it is a simple way for Black to get rid of the weak pawn. 23.exd6 Nxd6=

17...Ne7!

23.Rac1 Rxe5

18.Nxb7 165

to place the knight on the d6 square. Whenever you are met with such a decision from White, the first move that you should think about is whether you can advance the d-pawn to d5. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5 7.Bf4 0-0 8.Bc7 Qe7 9.Bd6 Bxd6 10.Qxd6 Qd8 11.Qd2

24.Qxb4? White’s capture is inaccurate. He should have gone for the d7 pawn instead. Correct is 24.Rxe5 Qxe5 25.Qxd7 Rf8 26.c3 bxc3 27.bxc3 Qc5= 24...Rb8 25.Qa3 Ra5 26.Qd3 Rxb2µ 27.a3 g6 28.Be4 Nd6 29.Rb1 Rxb1 30.Rxb1 Qc5 31.Rb3 Nxe4 32.Qxe4 Rxa3 33.Rb8+ Kg7 34.h3

White frees the d6 square for the knight but this is too slow. 11...d5 A principled reaction. After 11...a6 12.Nd6 Black would have to defend an unpleasant position. 12.exd5 12.0-0-0 dxe4 13.Nd6 (13.Qe3 Qa5∞; 13.Qxd8 Rxd8 14.Rxd8+ Nxd8 15.Nd6 Bd7 16.Ncxe4 Nxe4 17.Nxe4 Bc6=) 13...Qc7 14.Ncxe4 Nxe4 15.Nxe4 Rd8 16.Bd3 b6∞

34...Ra1+ 0 : 1 Conclusion: In this game Black showed a lot of tenacity and patience and it was only

with ...Bb7 and Black solves all of his problems.

a matter of time that White would make a mistake in such a complex position. All of Black’s moves revolved around the central idea of this line – taking control over the d6 square. The 11.Qd2 sideline The following analyses are supposed to demonstrate how Black should react if White willingly retreats his queen in order

12...Nxd5!N

166

In tournament practice all games continued 12...exd5 but we came to a conclusion that the position is easier to play for Black if one pair of knights get exchanged.

16...Re8 17.g3 Re4! It is not often that one

13.Nxd5

18.Nb3

sees a rook in the center of the board so early. Black wants to break White’s blockade.

13.0-0-0 a6 14.Nd4 Nce7∞ 13...exd5 14.0-0-0 a6 15.Nd4

18...a5! 19.Nc5 The natural developing move 19.Bg2? leads White to an almost lost position!

15...Qf6 Another reason why 12...Nxd5!N is the better choice – the f6 square is ideal for the black queen. It is worth analyzing 15...Re8!? with the idea to play ...Re4. 16.h3 White prevents Black from developing the bishop on g4 with a tempo and prepares to develop his light-squared bishop on g2 after he advances the g-pawn to g3 or g4.

19...a4! 20.Nc5 Rc4 21.Bxd5 White uses the weakness of Black’s back-rank in order to try and salvage his position. (21.Qxd5 Rxc2+!–+) 21...Rxc5 22.Bxc6

After 16.g3 Black can force a draw with 16...Bg4!

17.Be2 Bxe2 18.Nxe2 Qxf2 19.Nf4 Qxd2+ 20.Rxd2 d4 21.Ne2 Rad8 22.Rhd1 Rfe8=

167

22...Be6! 23.Bxa4 Against any other move White would be in time to play a3. 23...Rca5 24.Bb3 Bxb3 25.cxb3 Rxa2–+ Taking

the

pawn

19.Qxd5?!

is

too

dangerous.

21...Bxd3! 22.cxd4 22.Nxd3 Rc4ƒ with ...d4 to follow. 22...Bg6 Black sacrificed an exchange in order to open the c-file. His g6 bishop is quite powerful as it prevents White’s king from retreating to a1 via b1. Black’s initiative is too strong and it is very hard for White to proceed.

19...Bf5 20.Bd3 Nb4 21.Qxb7 Nxd3+ 22.Rxd3 Ree8 Black connects his rook and threatens ...Bxd3 and ...Be4. 23.Re3 Rec8 24.c3 a4 25.Nc5 Rab8 26.Qa7 Bg6!

23.Qf4! The only move! White threatens to exchange the queens and vacates the d2 square for the king.

27.Rhe1

23...Qd8©

27...h5µ Black has to get rid of his backrank weakness. It is unclear how White defends from all of Black’s threats.

Black has more than enough compensation for the sacrificed material. His threats are very concrete – ...b6, ...Rc8, ...Nb4 etc.

19...Rd4 Black continues his rook in the center adventure. One can also consider 19...Bf5!?

Conclusion: By playing in an aggressive manner, Black managed to prevent White from obtaining positional advantage. In order to create weaknesses in White’s position, Black sacrificed his material and

20.Bd3 Bf5 21.c3

168

launched a deadly attack against White’s king on the queenside.

It is worth nothing that Black can also try 14...Nxd4 since it would temporarily dislocate White’s rook. 15.Rxd4 Qb6 16.Qe5 Bf5!? 17.Rd2 Be6∞ with the idea to

The 11.Qg3 sideline

play ...Qa5 followed by ...b5 and ...b4.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6

14...Be6!?∞

5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5 7.Bf4 0-0 8.Bc7 Qe7 9.Bd6 Bxd6 10.Qxd6 Qd8 11.Qg3

15.Qf4 White improves the position of his queen. Black was threatening to decrease White’s pressure with the exchanges that would emerge after ...Ne4. The other function of the 15.Qf4 move is to prepare the f3 and g4 pawn advancement. 15...Ne5 16.f3 b5 17.Nb3 White clears the way for the d1 rook in order to pressure the d5 pawn. To add to this, the b4 square is now guarded by the f4 queen and Black cannot advance his b-pawn.

The same idea was seen in our last analysis – White retreats the queen in order to free the d6 square for the b5 knight. You can already guess how Black should react.

17.g4 b4 18.Nce2 a5 19.Ng3 a4 20.g5 Nfd7∞

11...d5 12.0-0-0 a6 13.exd5 exd5 14.Nd4 White cannot threaten Black’s position with 14.Nc7?!

17...Ra7!? The most efficient way to activate the rook. 18.Kb1 White can also launch an immediate attack with 18.g4 but this leads to complicated positions after 18...Qc7 19.Kb1

14...Nh5! 15.Qf3 Qxc7 16.Qxh5 Qf4+ 17.Rd2 g6 18.Qd1 d4ƒ with the initiative for Black. S. Mauritsson 2362 – B. Grachev 2608, Ulcinj 2019. 14...Re8

169

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5 7.Bf4 0-0 8.Bc7 Qe7 9.Bd6 Bxd6 10.Qxd6 Qd8 11.0-0-0

19...Nxf3!? 20.Qxf3 Bxg4 21.Qf2 Bxd1 22.Nxd1 Ne4 23.Qd4 Raa8∞ 18...Rd7∞ 11...Ne8 A modern idea. Black wants to chase away the queen from the d6 square right away.

The resulting position is dynamic and both sides have their practical chances. White controls the d4 square but Black is able to advance his queenside pawns in order to attack the white king. To add to this, the c4 square is ideal for the black knight.

12.Qg3 12.Qd2 a6 13.Nd4 (13.Nd6 Nxd6 14.Qxd6 b5 transposes to 12.Qg3 a6 13.Nd6)

Conclusion: Similarly to the 11.Qd2 line, Black was able to immediately solve his problems by advancing the d-pawn.

13...Nxd4 14.Qxd4 b5 15.e5 Rb8∞ 12...a6 13.Nd6 Nxd6 14.Qxd6 14.Rxd6 The rook on d6 does not threaten Black in any way.

Even though White played in a typical manner – he created a blockade on the d4 square, Black was able to organize an attack on the queenside. The 11.0-0-0 Ne8 main line We finally come to the main line – instead of retreating the queen in order to free the d6 square for the knight, White decides to castle long, simultaneously increasing the pressure along the d-file and moving the king to safety.

14...b5 Black has no problems with the d7 pawn and can continue playing actively on the queenside. 15.Be2 Qa5 16.Kb1 b4 17.Nd1 Qc5∞ K. Jakubowski 2475 – C. Yoo 2514, chess.com 2022.

Our suggestion is 11...Ne8, a well-known motif in the variation that was not tried in this position many times.

14...b5 15.h4 15.f4

170

15...Bb7! Black disregards the d7 pawn and continues his development.

21...Nxa5³ B) 16.Kb1 Qa5

A) 16.Qxd7?! Qb6 The threat is ...Rd8. 17.Qd2 Qa5!

B1) 17.e5 Nb4N Black opens the diagonal for the bishop and plans to transfer the knight to d5. To add to this, he creates the potential threat of taking on c2 followed by ...b4. (17...b4 18.Ne4² R. Vasquez Schroeder 2441 – C. Yoo 2455, Internet (blitz) 2020, 18...b3 19.axb3 Nb4 20.Nc3

A1) 18.Kb1? b4 19.Ne2 Rad8 20.Qc1

Rac8 21.Rd4 Nd5). B11) 18.Qxd7?! Accepting the sacrifice only leads to trouble. 20...b3! 21.Nc3 (21.axb3 Rxd1 22.Qxd1 Rd8 23.Qc1 Nb4 24.Nc3 Bxe4–+) 21...bxc2+ 22.Qxc2 Nb4 23.Qb3 Bxe4+! A2) 18.a3 b4 19.Na2 (19.Nb1 Qb6³) 19...bxa3 20.Qxa5 axb2+ 21.Kxb2

18...Be4! 19.Bd3 (19.Nxe4? Qxa2+ 20.Kc1 Rad8–+) 19...Bxd3 20.cxd3 Rfd8

171

21.Qb7 Rac8 The threat is ...Rxc3. 22.a3

20.Rg3 Qxa4 21.Rxg7+ Kxg7 22.Qg5+

Rxc3! 23.axb4 Qxb4µ

Kh8 23.Qf6+ Kg8=

B12) 18.a3 Nd5 19.Nxd5 Bxd5∞ with the idea to play ...Rb8 and ...b4.

20...Ne5 21.a3 Bxe4 22.axb4 Qxb4!∞

B2) 17.a3 Rfc8∞ with ...b4 to come. 15.Kb1 Bb7 16.Qxd7 Qb6 17.Qd2 Rfd8 18.Bd3 Ne5© 15...Bb7 16.Qxd7 Qb6 17.Qd2

Conclusion: The idea behind ...Ne8 is simple to understand – Black wants to chase away the queen from the d6 square and force the exchange of the knights. After the exchange, even though White is able to retain the control over the d6 square, Black is able to advance his queenside pawns in order to create counterplay.

17...Rac8 Black decides to keep the queens on the board in order to retain his attacking chances.

Such advancement of black pawns on the queenside is typical for most of the variations of the Sicilian Defense with opposite-side castling.

Another option is 17...Rad8 with the idea to weaken White’s pawn structure after 18.Qe3 Qxe3+ 19.fxe3 Rxd1+ 20.Nxd1 Ne5 21.Nf2

I. Georgiadis (2467) – V. Asadli (2575) Mayrhofen 2022 In the following game you should pay close attention to the ...b5 idea as it is sometimes the only way that Black can achieve satisfactory counterplay. You should always strive for activity on the queenside – if Black plays in a passive manner it is only a matter of time before White storms the kingside with his pawns.

21...f5© Black has good compensation due to the activity of his pieces. 18.Rh3

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5 7.Bf4 0-0 8.Bc7 Qe7 9.Bd6 Bxd6 10.Qxd6 Qd8 11.0-0-0

18.Qe3 Qa5© 18...b4 19.Na4 Qa5 20.b3

a6 12.Nd4 Ne7

172

knight journeys on the kingside after ...Ng4. The e8 knight should chase away the d6 queen and then go to d5 via c7 afterward. A) 14.Qa3 This move is directed against ...b5 since the a8 rook is undefended. 14...Ng6 The queen is dislocated on a3 and Black can use this to his advantage. 15.Bd3 (15.Nf3 Nxe5! with ...Qg5+ to follow) 15...Qg5+ 16.Kb1

A typical idea that is usually seen in the Paulsen Variation of the Sicilian Defense. Black wants to finish his development with ...b5, ...Bb7, ...Rc8. After this, he will chase away the white queen with ...Ne8. While Black tries to accomplish all of this, White will storm the kingside with his pawns in order to create checkmate threats. Resulting positions are of complex nature and provide both sides with practical chances.

Qxe5 17.h4∞ B) 14.Qb4 b5 (Inaccurate is 14...Ng6 because after 15.Nf3 Black cannot take the e-pawn (15...Nxe5 16.Nxe5) due to 17.f4 after 16...Qg5+ (17.f4)) 15.Bd3 Bb7 16.f4

13.a4 An untypical move when White already castled long. The idea is to prevent Black from developing his queenside with ...b5.

16...Rb8! A nice move! Black does not place the rook on the standard c8 square but prepares ...a5 by placing it on b8. 17.Rhg1 White prepares to advance his

White has a few different moves at his disposal. 13.e5

pawns and prevents ...a5 at the same time. 17...Nc7 Black sticks to his idea. (If Black were to continue 17...a5 White can capture the pawn with 18.Qxb5 Bf3

A common idea – White wants to increase his control over the dark-squares. However, this does not trouble Black as much since he is able to focus on fighting for the lightsquares instead. 13...Ne8 We do not believe Black should opt for any kind of

173

19.Bxh7+! The first tactical strike that

as good because of 18...Rxc7 19.Ncxb5!

White prepared. 19...Kh8 20.Nxe6! The second tactical strike! 20...fxe6 21.Rxd7 Qc8 22.Qd3ƒ Three pawns for a piece and the powerful initiative give White more than a pleasant position) 18.g4 Ncd5 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Qd2 f6!ƒ Black has achieved everything that he wanted. The bishop has reached the long diagonal, the knight is placed on the ideal d5 square and now it is time to undermine White’s pawn structure. This could have been done with ...d6 or ...f6. We believe that ...f6 is more precise since it activates the f8 rook.

axb5 20.Nxb5² It seems to us that two pawns and a rook are better than two pieces in this position) 19.Nb3 d5= B) 14.g5 Ne8 15.Qg3 b4 16.Nce2 (16.Na4 Qa5 17.b3 d6³ with ...Bd7 to follow) 16...Bb7 17.Bg2 Rc8 (Another option is 17...a5 with the idea to advance the apawn on the next move) 18.h4 Qc7 The simplest way to proceed. If White accepts the exchange, his attacking potential decreases.

13.g4

B1) 19.f4 White wants to continue threatening Black’s kingside. 19...f5 This is an important moment. Even though the standard rule is that we should not push our pawns on the side we are getting attacked, Black must oppose White’s attack with a direct ...f5 or sometimes ...f6. (Another way to obtain the initiative is 19...Nd6 20.Qd3 Nc4³ with ...a5 and ...a4 to follow) 20.e5 (20.gxf6 Nxf6 21.Qe3 Nh5 22.Rhf1 Ng6µ White is unable to defend all

13...b5 Black can also accept the sacrificed pawn but there is no need to give White the initiative. A) 14.a3 Bb7 15.f3

of his weaknesses) 20...Bxg2 21.Qxg2 Qc4 22.Kb1

15...Ne8 A standard reaction. (An interesting idea is 15...Nc8 16.Qg3 Nb6 17.h4 Rc8∞) 16.Qg3 Rc8 17.h4 Qc7 18.Qxc7 Nxc7 (Taking with the rook is not 174

22...Nc7³ The knights are coming! The e7 knight goes to d5 and the c7 knight goes to b5. After this, Black will have some serious queenside threats.

18...Qb6! 19.Rxd7 Qa5 20.a3 The only way that White can defend the a2 pawn. A horrible blunder is 20.Rxb7 because of 20...Qe1#. 20...Rad8 All of Black’s pieces are active and working in harmony.

B2) 19.Qxc7 Rxc7∞ Black takes with the rook since he plans to transfer the e8 knight to c4 via d6. After this, he will advance his f-pawn to f6 and start to undermine White’s pawn structure.

A) 21.Rxd8 Rxd8 22.Bd3 (22.Qc3 Qb6 23.Qe3 Qxe3+ 24.fxe3 Rd5=)

13.Qg3

22...b4! 23.Bxf5 bxa3 24.Qxa3 Qxe5 25.Bh3 Bxg2! 26.Bxg2 Qg5+ 27.Qe3 Qxg2∞ White voluntarily moves the queen. The idea is e5 and after ...Ne8 the white queen is already on the kingside. 13...b5 14.e5 Nfd5 Some players also tried ...Ne8 with the idea to cover the d6 square. 15.Nxd5 (15.Ne4 Qb6 with this move Black hinders

B) 21.b4 Qb6 22.Rxd8

White’s idea to develop the bishop on d3. 16.Nd6 Bb7 17.Bd3 f5! 18.exf6 Rxf6∞) 15...Nxd5 16.Nf5 A concrete reaction from White. The idea is to weaken Black’s pawn structure. 16...exf5 17.Rxd5 Bb7 18.Rd4

22...Rxd8© Black has full compensation for the sacrificed pawn. 13.Nb3

175

14.axb5 axb5 15.Bxb5 15.Ndxb5 Bb7 16.f3 Ra1+ 17.Kd2 Ra6 18.Qc7 Qa8 15...Bb7 16.f3 16.Rhe1 Nc8 17.Qb4 Qb6© 16.Bd3 Nc8 17.Qb4 Qc7 16...Nc8 Black chases away the d6 queen and prepares to develop his queen.

A very solid move. Retreating the knight from the center benefits White for a few reasons. The d1 rook applies pressure along the d-file and this makes it harder for Black to achieve ...Bb7 and ...Ne8 because the d7 pawn is under attack. The b3 knight is able to go to c5 from where it controls all the important queenside light squares. To add to this, after Black chases away the c5 knight with ...b6, the knight will always be able to return to d4. 13...b5 14.h4 Bb7 15.f3 Nc8= Since Black is not able to attack the queen with ...Ne8, he will

17.Qb4 Qc7 The idea is to advance the dpawn to d5 and activate the pieces with ...Na7, ...Rfc8 and ...Rfb8 afterward. 18.Kb1 18.Nb3 d5 19.Qc5 Qb8∞

do so with ...Nc8. (Engines suggest 15...h5 but even though we salute this move, we think it requires too much precision from Black afterward) 16.Qd4 Ne7! The knight completed his task and will now search for a better square. 17.h5 (17.Qd6 Nc8=) 17...h6 18.g4 Qc7∞

18...d5 19.Nb3 19.Rhe1 dxe4 20.fxe4 Na7 21.Bf1 Rfb8© 19.exd5 Bxd5!

13...b5! Black cannot afford not to play this move. After White accepts the sacrifice Black will have open a and b-files at his disposal.

A critical moment. Taking on d5 with the knight is more common but here we decide to take with the bishop. The idea is to keep the tension on the board. Keep in mind that

176

the queen and the knight are a deadly attacking combo in this position. 20.Nxd5 Nxd5 21.Qb3 Nd6 22.c4 Rfb8 23.Rhe1 (Taking the knight 23.cxd5 would lead to quick surrender. 23...Nxb5 24.Nxb5 Qa5 25.dxe6 Rxb5 26.exf7+ Kf8–+)

21...Rfc8µ White is unable to defend the e4 pawn. 21...Qb8 22.e5 22.exd5? Bxd5µ is the right decision. 22...Nd7 23.Qc7 Nxe5³ Conclusion: Black retreats his c6 knight to

23...Qc5© With the powerful initiative on the queenside.

e7 in order to prepare the b5 advance. This idea is crucial in most of the variatons that were seen in this game and you should get well acquainted with the resulting positions – even if White tries to prevent it with 13.a4, Black should not be scared to sacrifice the

19...Na7 20.Qc5?! Better is 20.Bd3 with the idea to keep the bishop. 20...dxe4 21.fxe4 Nc6 22.Qc5 Qb8© Black removes his queen from the potential Nb5 threat. The idea is to activate the rook along the c-file and use the e5 square for the knight.

b-pawn. S. Lobanov (2516) – M. Schekachikhin (2417) St. Petersburg 2021 The following game shows how Black should react if White decides to advance his h-pawn before fully finishing his development. The only thing that you need to remember is that you should not allow the pawn to get to h6 – you need to block it on the h5 square with ...h6.

20...Nxb5! 20...Qb8©

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5 7.Bf4 0-0 8.Bc7 Qe7 9.Bd6 Bxd6 10.Qxd6 Qd8 11.0-0-0

21.Nxb5 21.Qxb5

a6 12.Nd4 Ne7 13.h4

177

17.g5 hxg5 18.h6 g6∞ 17.Nde2 Ne8 18.Qg3 b4 19.Na4 Qa5 20.b3 Bc6‚

13...b5 14.h5 h6 It is crucial to stop the hpawn on h5. Another option is 14...Ne8 15.Qh2! h6 (15...b4 16.h6!) 16.g4 b4 17.Na4 (17.Nce2 Bb7 18.f3 Rc8 19.Kb1 Qc7 20.Qxc7 Rxc7=)

17...Rxc3! Typical sacrifice in the Sicilian Defense!

17...d6 18.Rg1 Bd7 19.b3 e5 20.Nf3 f6∞

18.bxc3 Bxe4 19.g5 hxg5 20.Rxg5 Bxd3 21.Rxd3

15.Bd3 Bb7 16.g4 Rc8!?N An interesting theoretical novelty! Black prepares to sacrifice the exchange in order to obtain counterplay on the queenside.

21.cxd3 Ne8 22.Qg3 (22.Qxa6 Nd5∞) 22...f6 23.Rg4 f5 24.Rg5 Qa5 25.Kb2 Nd5∞

16...Nc8?! 17.Qg3 b4 18.g5 hxg5

21...Ne4 22.Rxg7+ Kxg7 23.Qe5+ Nf6

19.Rhg1!N (In the game S. Lobanov – M.

24.h6+

Schekachikhin, St. Petersburg 2021, White continued with the logical 19.Qxg5 Black could have played 19...Nd6 20.Rhg1

24.Rg3+ Ng6 25.hxg6 fxg6∞ 24...Kh7 25.Qxf6 Nf5 26.Qxd8 Rxd8

Nfe8∞ The resulting position contains practical chances for both sides) 19...Nxh5 (19...bxc3? 20.Qxg5±) 20.Qh2 bxc3 (20...Nf4 21.Nd5!±; 20...g6 21.Na4 with Be2 to follow) 21.Qxh5 g6 22.Rxg5 Kg7

27.Nxf5 exf5=

23.Rdg1‚ with a strong attack. 17.Rhg1

178

Conclusion: Black was able to stop White’s early h-pawn advancement and create practical chances on the queenside for himself. The resulting positions were extremely complex but the ultimate result was a draw.

179

CHAPTER TEN EXERCISES 1. Intermezzo

4. It’s endgame time

1... ? –+

1... ? –+

2. A quick finish!

5. Keep White’s King in the center

1... ? –+

1... ? –+

3. Knight’s tango

6. Converting material to positional advantage

1... ? µ 1... ? µ

180

7. The king is the most important piece

11. Play like a strong grandmaster!

1... ? =

1... ? µ

8. Play like a grandmaster

12. You must activate the b7 bishop!

1... ? =

1... ? ∞

9. Just play actively!

13. The king goes forth!

1... ? ∞

1... ? ∞

10. Queenside is not safe for White’s king

14. Better to lose the queen than to get mated

1... ? µ

1... ? ∞

181

15. Find the fork

19. A rook lift!

1... ? =

1... ? –+

16. Play actively to save the king

20. Destroy the main defender!

1... ? =

1... ? –+

17. Think wisely to save the king

21. Centralization

1... ? ²

1... ? µ

18. A distraction!

22. We need a new defender

1... ? µ

1... ? ∞ 182

23. White’s queen is astray! Use that!

27. Don’t lose time!

1... ? µ

1... ? ³

24. Active defence

28. Run away from the fire!

1... ? =

1... ? ∞

25. Prepare for evacuation

29. Try to play like Petrosian!

1... ? µ

1... ? =

26. Just calculate precisely!

30. King is in the center, be careful!

1... ? –+

1... ? = 183

31. Ignore White’s threat!

35. An intermediate move

1... ? µ

1... ? –+

32. Use the pin and equalize!

36. A thematic reaction

1... ? =

1... ? ∞

33. Keep the initiative!

37. I need to breathe!

1... ? –+

1... ? ∞

34. Let’s go! You can become a queen!

1... ? –+ 184

EXERCISES SOLUTIONS 1. Intermezzo

5. Keep White’s King in the center

1...Ne4! 2.Qb3 Bxf2+ 3.Kf1 exd5–+

1...Nb1+! 2.Kd1 2.Kf1 Ba6+ 3.c4

2. A quick finish! 1...Qf6! 2.Qf3 2.Be3 Nxc3 3.bxc3 Bxc3+ 4.Ke2 Bxa1–+ 2...Nxc3 3.Bd2 Nd4 4.Qd3 4.Qxf6 Nxc2# 4...Qe5+ 5.Be3 Na4+ 6.c3 Nxb2–+ 3...Qc3! 4.Qxc3 Nxc3–+ 3. Knight’s tango

2...Nc3+ 3.Ke1 c5 4.Qd2 Rb8µ

1...Nb3! 2.axb3 2.cxb3 Nb1 3.Bc5+ Bxc5–+

6. Converting material to positional advantage 1...e5! 2.Bxe5 2.Bg3 f6µ 2...Nxe5 3.Rxe5 Be6µ 7. The king is the most important piece 1...h6!

2...Nb1! 3.Bc5+ Bxc5 4.Qxd5

1...bxc3? 2.h6 cxd2+

4.Rxb1 Bb4 5.c3 Qe4+ 6.Be2 Qxb1+–+ 4...Qxf2+ 5.Kd1 Bg4+ 6.Be2 Qxe2+ 7.Kc1 Qd2+! 8.Qxd2 Nxd2 9.Kxd2 Ke7 10.Nc7 Rd8+ 11.Ke1 Bf5µ 4. It’s endgame time 1...Rxe4! 2.Rxe4 Nxe4 3.Qxe4 Qh4+!–+

3.Kxd2+–

185

1...h6! 2.axb4 2.hxg6 bxc3 3.gxf7+ Rxf7 4.Qg6+ Rg7 5.Qxe6+ Rf7 6.Qg6+ Rg7= 2...axb4 3.c4

5...Rd8!∞ 10. Queenside is not safe for White’s king 1...Bxa3! 2.bxa3 Qb6

3...Qg5! 4.Qxg5 hxg5 5.hxg6 Bb3= 8. Play like a grandmaster 1...Ba6! 2.0-0 2.Bxa6 Qa5+ 3.Bd2 Qxa6³ 2...Bxd3 3.cxd3 Qb8 4.Qd4

3.Nb5 cb5µ 11. Play like a strong grandmaster! 1...h6! 2.Qb3 Bg5 3.Bxg5 hxg5µ 12. You must activate the b7 bishop!

4...0-0=

1...Qd4! 2.Qxd4 c5+ 3.Ke3 cxd4+ 4.Kxd4 gxf4∞

9. Just play actively! 1...0-0!

13. The king goes forth!

1...f6?! 2.g3 Nh5 3.g4 Ng7 4.Bh6 0-0 5.Rd1 Qc7 6.c5±

1...Kd7! 2.Bg7 Rg8 3.exd6 Bxd6 4.Bf6 Qc7∞

1...0-0! 2.Qxe5 Nd3+ 3.Bxd3 Qxd3 4.Nf6+ Bxf6 5.Qxf6

186

14. Better to lose the queen than to get mated 1...Qb4+! 2.Qxb4 Rg1+ 3.Kd2 Rxa1∞ 15. Find the fork 1...Nxe4! 2.Nxe4 d5 3.Bf3 3.Nc3 d4=

8...Qg4+! 9.Nxg4 fxg4+ 10.Kh4 Nf5+ 11.Kxh5 Rh6+ 12.Kxg4 Nxd4 13.Rxe8+

3...dxe4 4.Bxe4 Be6=

Kxe8 14.Rxd4 Rg6+–+ 16. Play actively to save the king 20. Destroy the main defender!

1...Ne3!

1...Rxf3! 2.gxf3

1...0-0?! 2.Qg4 Kh8 3.Rh5± 1...Ne3! 2.Nd6+ 2.Nc3 Qxd1+! 3.Nxd1 Nxf5³ 2...Bxd6 3.Bxe3 Be7= 17. Think wisely to save the king 1...Kd7! 2.Qe4 Kc7 3.Nb5+ Kb8 4.Qf3 Ra7! A new piece in the defense.

2...Qe2 3.Qb8+ Kh7 4.Qb1+ g6–+

5.Rxc6 Qe3 6.Qxe3 Bxe3 7.Nxa7 Bb7 8.Re6 Bxa7 9.Rxa5²

21. Centralization 1...Qd4! The thematic ...f5 does not work, therefore we need to find another solution. 2.cxd5 Bxd3 3.Nf2 Rb3µ

18. A distraction! 1...Qd4+! 2.Be3

22. We need a new defender

2.Qxd4 Re1#

1...Qb5! 2.Qf3

2...Qxe3+ 3.Kh1 h6 4.Rg3 Qe4µ 19. A rook lift! 1...h5! 2.Qe5 Rh6 3.bxc5 Qb7+ 4.Kg3 Re8 5.Qd4 Rg6+ 6.Kh4 Qe7+ 7.Kh3 Qxe2 8.Rhe1

187

2...Nxf6 3.exd7 3.a4 Qa6–+ 3...Rxc4! 4.Qxa7 4.bxc4 Qxd7–+ 4...Nxd7 5.bxc4 Qxc4–+ 27. Don’t lose time!

2...exf5 3.Qxf5 0-0 4.Bd2 Rad8∞

1...d4! 2.exd4 2.Nxa8 Qe5 3.Ne2 dxe3 4.Qc1 Nb4 5.Ra4 Qe4 6.Rxb4 Qxb4+ 7.c3 Qh4+ 8.g3 Qe4 9.Rg1 Rd2–+

23. White’s queen is astray! Use that! 1...Rd6! The threat is ...Rg6. 2.Qxh8+ Nxh8 3.exd6 Nf7µ

2...Nxd4 3.Nbd5+ Nxd5 4.Qxd4 Nxc3 5.Qxc3 Qxc3+ 6.bxc3 Be6³

24. Active defence 1...Bxc3+! 2.bxc3 Qxc3+ 3.Ke2!

28. Run away from the fire!

3.Kd1? Qxa1+ 4.Bc1 Qd4+ 5.Ke1 Ne5 6.Qxh7+ Kf8–+

1...0-0-0!∞ 1...dxe4? 2.Qxe6+ Kd8 3.f5+–

3...Nd4+ 4.Kd1 Qc2+ 4...Qxa1+? 5.Bc1+–

29. Try to play like Petrosian!

5.Ke1 Qc3+ 6.Kd1 Qc2+=

1...Ra8! A great positional move! Black keeps the rook that protects his queenside.

25. Prepare for evacuation

2.Bb4

1...Qh5!µ with the idea of castling short.

2.Kd3 d5 3.exd6 f5 4.Ng5 h6 5.Nf3 Bxd6=

1...Qc7 2.Bh6©;

2...Bb7 3.Kd3

1...Qb8 2.Bh6©

3.Nd6+ Bxd6 4.Bxd6 Bxg2 5.Rg1 Be4 6.Rbd1 Rg8 7.Rxd4 Bc6=

1...Qh5!µ 2.Rxe6 dxe6 3.Qxe6 Qg4 4.Qxc6+ Kf7 5.Nd5 Qe6 6.Nxe7 Qxc6 7.Nxc6 Rhc8µ

3...f5 4.exf6 Bxe4+ 5.Kxe4 gxf6= 30. King is in the center, be careful! 1...Rc8! Prophylaxis against White’s threat

26. Just calculate precisely!

of Rc7 followed by c5+ and Re5#

1...Rxc5! 2.fxe6 2.f7+ Kf8–+ 188

2.Rxa7 Bxc4+ 3.Kxd4 Rg8 4.Rc1 Ke6

34. Let’s go! You can become a queen!

5.Rxc4 Rxc4+ 6.Kxc4 Bxa3=

1...d3! 2.axb4 2.cxd3 Nxd3+ 3.Kb1 Bf5–+

31. Ignore White’s threat!

2...d2+ 3.Kb1 Nf2 4.Nbc3

1...Bxc4! 2.Qxb4

4.Nec3 Nxd1 5.Nxd1 Bg4 6.Bd3 Re8–+

2.Nxb4 g4+ 3.Kg3 h5! 4.h4 gxh3 5.Kxh3 Rg8–+

4...Nxd1 5.Nxd1 Bg4 6.h3 Bxe2 7.Bxe2 Re8 8.Nc3 Rac8 9.Rd1 Rxc3 10.bxc3

2...Bxd3 3.Qxb6 Be4+ 4.Kf2 ab6µ

Rxe2–+

32. Use the pin and equalize!

35. An intermediate move

1...Nd4! 2.Bd3

1...Be4+!

2.Bxd4 Ba4!=;

1...Bxg2? 2.Bxg2 0-0-0 3.Rg1∞

2.Kc1 Bc6 3.Bxc6 Nxc6=

1...Be4+! 2.Kc3 Bxg2 3.Bxg2 0-0-0–+

2...Bc6 3.f3 Nb3! 4.Rb1 Bb5 5.Bxa7 Rxd3+ 6.cxd3 Bxd3=

36. A thematic reaction 1...f5! 2.Nf2

33. Keep the initiative!

2.exf6 Nxf6∞

1...a4! 2.Nc5

2.Nd6+ Bxd6 3.exd6 Nf6∞

2.Bxe4 axb3–+

2.Ng5 Bxg5 3.fxg5 Ne7∞

2...Rc4 3.Bxd5

2.cxd5 fxe4 3.Bxe4 cxd5∞

3.Qxd5 Rxc2+!–+

2.Ng3 Nc7∞ With idea a5, Na6-Nc5.

3...Rxc5 4.Bxc6 Be6 5.Bxa4 Rca5 6.Bb3

2...Bc5 3.Qf3 Ne7∞

Bxb3 7.cxb3 Rxa2–+

37. I need to breathe! 1...d5! 2.exd6 f5 3.Ng5 Bxd6 4.Rxf1 0-0∞

189

190