No.
45, November 11, 2009
OPENINGS
what’s hot and what’s not?
XIIIIIIIIY
World Champions 9rsnl+-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
lead in Moscow 9wq-zp-+-+-0
9-+-zPP+-+0
9+-zP-vLN+-0
By IM Merijn van Delft & IM Robert Ris 9P+-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-tR-mKL+R0
In the strongest tournament of 2009 the 14th and xiiiiiiiiy
15th World Champion are both in excellent shape.
Theory on 1.d4 is being pushed forward with big steps. Frequency
Furthermore we checked the Spanish League and the
Barcelona GM tournament.
what’s hot?
In the first 25 games in Moscow, 1.d4 was played 19 times, 1.e4 5 times and
1.c4 once (a reversed Sicilian). Earlier this year Leko-Gelfand meant good Score
news for White in the Petroff, but this time Black equalized with a positional
exchange sacrifice. Svidler-Ponomariov hit the ball back in White’s court
concerning the Berlin Wall. Svidler-Ivanchuk was a Ruy Lopez with 4...¥c5
in which Black had no problems either. Morozevich-Leko was a Scotch that
did give White an advantage (see PGN file).
In Moscow there were no less than nine games with the Grünfeld so far
and to create an overview we list them up here: Ivanchuk-Carlsen (3.¥f4),
Ponomariov-Anand (Fianchetto), Aronian-Svidler and Gelfand-Carlsen
(4.¥g5), Ivanchuk-Anand (5.e3), Anand-Svidler (5.¥d2), Kramnik-Svidler
(7.¥e3 and in the diagram position 10...¥g4), Kramnik-Anand (7.¤f3) and
Ponomariov-Aronian (7.¥c4).
Interestingly, Aronian seemed to be tired of just defending the Semi-
Slav (with Black) and battling the Grünfeld (with White) and succesfully
joined both discussions from the opposite perspective as well! Even more
interesting is the new Kramnik we’re seeing: playing for a win with both
colours. Shirov-Gashimov showed that the Benoni is still doing very well
for Black. Source: Megabase + TWIC, 2500+ only
The amount of knowledge and skills one needs to be able to play the Semi-Slav with Black is slowly but surely reaching the tolerance
limit. Black soon needs some sort of short-cut, cutting out some nasy chapters (compare the recent developments in the Grünfeld),
because at the moment nasty chapters are being added on a weekly basis. In the third round
Aronian beat Leko with the Anti-Moscow Gambit and in the fifth round Anand did the same
what’s Not?
by introducing a very tricky novelty. Maybe Black should play the Botvinnik, like Shirov does?
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ChessVibes OPENINGS what’s hot and what’s not? No. 45, November 11, 2009
Kramnik playing in Bosboom style
In the chat of our Tal Memorial live commentary, GM Sipke Ernst remarked: “Good to see
Kramnik playing in Bosboom style!”, referring to the racing h-pawn within an otherwise rather
positional context, so typical for the creative Dutch IM. It certainly took Svidler by surprise.
17.¥xg7 ¢xg7 18.¥c4 and the black kingside is
game of the week falling apart after the subsequent ¤e5.
17.¦xh6
Kramnik, V (2772) - Svidler, P (2754) development. 11...e6 12.c4²; 11...¥xf3 12.gxf3 After 17.£xh6?! £xa2 we don’t see a clear way
Tal Memorial (Moscow), 08.11.2009 ¤d7 13.c4 £c7 14.f4 e5 15.fxe5 ¤xe5 16.¥e2 for White to proceed.
D85, Grünfeld-Indian, Exchange £e7 17.f4 ¤d7 18.¥f3² Khenkin-Romanishin, 17...¦f6
Ohrid 2001. We recommend 17...¤c7 although White’s
1.d4 ¤f6 2.c4 g6 3.¤c3 d5 4.cxd5 ¤xd5 5.e4 12.h4!? chances remain better after 18.¤e5.
One day prior to this game, Anand tried XIIIIIIIIY 18.¤e5 £a4
5.¥d2 against Svidler, and won after the latter 9r+-+-trk+0 Threatening 19...£e4.
blundered horribly (see page 4). 9zpp+-zppvlp0 19.£e3!
5...¤xc3 6.bxc3 ¥g7 7.¥e3 c5 8.¦c1
9n+-+-+p+0 XIIIIIIIIY
Using this move-order, Kramnik avoids some 9-+-tr-+k+0
variations. 8.¤f3 £a5 9.£d2 ¤c6 is covered in
9wq-zpP+-+-0
9-+-+P+lzP0 9zpp+-zp-+p0
Malakhatko-Sutovsky, CVO 33. 9n+-+-trltR0
8...£a5 9.£d2 0–0 9+-zP-vLN+-0
9P+-wQ-zPP+0 9+-zpPsN-+-0
As White has not developed his ¤ fo f3,
releasing the tension would be premature, 9+-tR-mKL+R0 9q+-+-+-+0
giving White an additional possibility: 9...cxd4 xiiiiiiiiy 9+-zP-wQ-+-0
10.cxd4 £xd2+ 11.¢xd2 (11.¥xd2 0–0 12.¤f3 A home-prepared idea by Kramnik. In earlier 9P+-+-zPP+0
¥g4 13.¦c7 ¥xf3 14.gxf3 ¥xd4 15.¦xb7 ¤c6 games White tried 12.¤g5 and 12.¥e2 but in 9+-tR-mKL+-0
16.¥a6 ½–½ Kramnik-Svidler, Dortmund 2004.) both cases Black can achieve some counter xiiiiiiiiy
11...0–0 12.¥d3 e6 13.¤e2! ¤c6 14.¦c4 ¦d8 chances with the thematical sacrifice 12...c4!. In 19...£f4
15.¦b1 ¥d7 16.¤c3 ¥e8 17.e5 ¦ab8 18.f4 and case of 12.c4?! the weak pawn on a2 will fall Alternatives were no better. For example:
White had free play on both wings in Radjabov- after 12...¤b4. a) 19...£e4 fails to 20.¦xg6+!;
Kamsky, Dresden 2008. 12...f5? b) 19...¤c7 20.¥c4!±;
10.¤f3 Svidler immediately answers in the centre, but c) 19...¤b4 20.¤xg6! (20.cxb4?! £xb4+ 21.£c3
XIIIIIIIIY as it turns out this only further weakens his (21.¦c3 £b1+ 22.£c1 £e4+=) 21...£f4! is
9rsnl+-trk+0 position. Now, the other break move 12...e6? is unclear.) 20...hxg6 21.£h3!+-.
9zpp+-zppvlp0 refuted by 13.¤h2!; Black’s best chance would 20.£xf4 ¦xf4 21.¤xg6 hxg6 22.¦xg6+ ¢f7
9-+-+-+p+0 have been 12...c4! which justifies his previous 23.¦g5
move. 13.h5 (13.¥xc4?! ¦ac8 gives Black ample White has won a pawn and Kramnik doesn’t
9wq-zp-+-+-0
play for the pawn and 13.¤h2 ¥d7 14.h5 ¤c5 have any problems converting it with his
9-+-zPP+-+0 is fine as well.) 13...¤c5! (but not 13...¥xh5?! flawless technique.
9+-zP-vLN+-0 14.¥h6 with a strong attack.) 14.hxg6 fxg6 with 23...¦e4+
9P+-wQ-zPPzP0 a complicated battle. Still 23...¤c7 was advisable for Black.
9+-tR-mKL+R0 13.exf5 ¥xf5 24.¥e2 ¢f6 25.¦h5 ¢g6 26.g4 ¦f8 27.¦d1 ¦f6
xiiiiiiiiy 13...¦xf5? 14.¤h2! loses the ¥ while 13...¥xf3 28.¦h8 ¢g7 29.¦d8 ¦b6 30.f3
10...¥g4 14.gxf3 ¦xf5 15.¥h3 ¦xf3 16.h5 allows a Everything could still be spoiled by 30.¦d7? ¦b2
A topical alternative is 10...¦d8 11.d5 e6 while dangerous initiative over the white squares. 31.¦d2 ¦b1+ 32.¦d1 ¦b2 with a draw.
after 10...cxd4 11.cxd4 £xd2+ 12.¤xd2 ¤c6 14.h5 30...¦e3 31.¦d3 ¦e5 32.¢f2 ¦h6 33.¥f1 ¦h2+
13.¤f3 White still has the right to castle. Here it’s already evident that Black’s 12th move 34.¢g3 ¦xa2 35.d6! exd6 36.¦3xd6 ¦e7
11.d5! didn’t lead to any active piece play. 37.¦6d7 and Black resigned. The poor ¤ has
Nothing is achieved for White by 11.¤g5 cxd4 14...¦ad8 15.hxg6 ¥xg6 16.¥h6 ¥xh6 been sitting on a6 the whole game. A mighty
12.cxd4 ¤c6 13.£xa5 ¤xa5 14.h3 ¥d7 15.¥d3 Allowing the exchange on g7 is suicidal: 16...¤c7 performance by a reborn Kramnik. 1–0
¦fc8 16.¢d2 b5 with a balanced game in San
Segundo Carrillo-Svidler, Donostia 2009.
11...¤a6
This is Black’s best way to complete
kramnik - svidler
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ChessVibes OPENINGS what’s hot and what’s not? No. 45, November 11, 2009
this week’s harvest
Sicilian Rauzer, 6...¥d7 1.e4 c5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.¤xd4 ¤f6 5.¤c3 d6 6.¥g5 ¥d7 7.£d2 ¦c8
XIIIIIIIIY 8.f4 ¤xd4 9.£xd4 £a5 10.e5 dxe5 11.fxe5 e6 12.0–0–0 ¥c6 13.¤b5 ¥xb5 14.exf6 ¥c6
9-+r+-+k+0 15.h4 g6 16.¥c4 ¥c5 17.£g4 h5 18.£g3 0–0 19.¥d2 £b6 20.¥xe6 ¥e4 21.¥xc8 ¦xc8 22.£b3
9zpp+-+p+-0 Dreev ist mostly known for his Caro-Kann and French, but his 6...¥d7 Rauzer has been another one of his
9-wq-+-zPp+0 pet lines for many years, and serving him well. This may have come to an end though, since in their race for
tournament victory in Barcelona, the young rising star Alsina Leal beat the maestro in the very main line. Firstly,
9+-vl-+-+p0
on a side note, 7.¥e2!? is a critical alternative, analyzed by Wells to a solid edge for White in Experts vs the
9-+-+l+-zP0 Sicilian. 8.f4! is the most accurate move order, since 8.0–0–0 allows the exchange sacrifice on c3 two moves
9+Q+-+-+-0 later, as was shown in Lopez Martinez-Almeida Quintana from the same tournament. What follows is a series of
9PzPPvL-+P+0 forced moves up to 18.£g3!, which is incidentally recommended in the Rybka 3 book. With the novelty 19.¥d2!
9+-mKR+-+R0 followed by 20.¥xe6! White improved on the move order, winning the exchange (see diagram) and after a tough
xiiiiiiiiy battle the game as well.
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.¤f3 ¤f6 4.¤c3 e6 5.¥g5 h6 6.¥h4 dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.¥g3 b5 Anti-Moscow Gambit
9.¥e2 ¥b7 10.0–0 ¤bd7 11.¤e5 ¥g7 12.¤xd7 ¤xd7 13.¥d6 a6 14.a4 e5 15.¥g4 exd4 XIIIIIIIIY
16.e5 c5 17.¦e1 ¤xe5 18.¥xe5 0–0 19.¥xg7 ¢xg7 20.¤e2 f5 21.¥h5 f4 22.¤xd4 cxd4 23.¦e6 9r+-wq-tr-+0
In the third round Aronian went for the 9.¤e5 ¥b7 10.h4 g4 11.¤xg4 line, trading queens with the novelty 15.£g5!? 9+l+-+-mk-0
and outplaying Leko in the subsequent queenless middlegame. Two rounds later things came even worse for Leko, 9p+-+R+-zp0
as Anand had prepared the nasty 22.¤xd4!? novelty, which is credited to Kasimdzhanov (and may well have been
9+p+-+-zpL0
prepared for Bonn last year). According to Anand, Black’s problems after this move are almost impossible to solve
at the board. With the help of the computer the right way out of the labyrint looks something like (from the diagram
9P+pzp-zp-+0
position) 23...¦f6! 24.£e1 ¥d5! 25.¦e7 ¢g8! 26.axb5 (26.¦e8 £xe8 27.¥xe8 ¦e6! is the key idea with compensation
9+-+-+-+-0
for the queen) £d6! 27.¦xa6 ¦xa6 28.bxa6 £xa6 29.¦e8 ¦f8 30.¦xf8 ¢xf8 31.£e8 ¢g7 32.£e5 ¢h7 33.£xd4 and 9-zP-+-zPPzP0
here GM Shipov points out the cool idea 33...¥f7! 34.£d7 ¢h8! with equality because of the weak back rank. Not to 9tR-+Q+-mK-0
mention possible sidelines along the way, of course. xiiiiiiiiy
Grünfeld-Indian, 8.¦b1 1.d4 ¤f6 2.c4 g6 3.¤c3 d5 4.cxd5 ¤xd5 5.e4 ¤xc3 6.bxc3 ¥g7 7.¤f3 c5 8.¦b1 0–0 9.¥e2 cxd4
XIIIIIIIIY 10.cxd4 £a5+ 11.¥d2 £xa2 12.0–0 ¥g4 13.¥g5 h6 14.¥h4 g5 15.¥g3 ¤c6 16.d5 ¦ad8 17.¦xb7 e6
9-+-tr-trk+0 Since the mid-nineties 8.¦b1 has taken a secure place in the theory on the Grünfeld. White forces the ¥ on c8
9zpR+-+pvl-0 to limit itself to protecting b7, but in doing so leaves his own pawn on a2 en prise. Hence, Black’s most consistent
9-+n+p+-zp0 reply is to take the plunge grabbing the pawn. Players like Kramnik and Gelfand have spent countless number of
hours on this ultra sharp line and still new stuff is being found. In Wijk aan Zee, Grünfeld expert Dominguez took
9+-+P+-zp-0
White’s chances too lightly by pushing his a-pawn instantly. In Kramnik-Anand, the Indian improved with 17...e6
9-+-+P+l+0 (after 17...f5, 18.¦c7! might be unpleasant, but not 18.exf5?! as in Mamedyarov-Grischuk where the latter held
9+-+-+NvL-0 balance with 20...¦d3!) 18.¥c7 ¥xf3! on the old game Chernin-Horvath, and equalized quite comfortably. Like
9q+-+LzPPzP0 in Kramnik-Svidler, this ...f5 break again seems to be too weakening here. It indicates that an human-eye on
9+-+Q+RmK-0 the position is still valuable, as engines prefer that move over Anand’s choice. It is quite possible to play this line
xiiiiiiiiy against 8.¦b1, but we do warn you for many pitfalls the variation contains, e.g. 13.¦xb7, 14.¥xe7 and 14.¥e3.
Nimzo-Indian, 4.£c2
1.d4 ¤f6 2.c4 e6 3.¤c3 ¥b4 4.£c2 0–0 5.a3 ¥xc3+ 6.£xc3 d5 7.¤f3 dxc4 8.£xc4 b6 XIIIIIIIIY
In our last issue we drew your attention to the dynamic Nimzo victory Anand obtained against Karpov. Not 9rsnlwq-trk+0
surprisingly, other players started to borrow his idea. In the first round Kramnik battled out a sharp fight with Carlsen, 9zp-zp-+pzpp0
who certainly didn’t get anything out of the opening. However, even more surprisingly was Morozevich’ performance 9-zp-+psn-+0
two days later. Spending half an hour, Moro came up with an unorthodox solution (12.¢xf1?!), aiming to bring his ¦
9+-+-+-+-0
into play via h3. As so often in this line, White can’t permit himself such luxuries and Kramnik beautifully exploited
White’s back rank problems with the original ¤d7-c5-b3-c1! manoeuvre. In Dreev-Fier, the Russian GM voluntarily
9-+QzP-+-+0
returned his advantage of the two ¥s, but the Brazilian didn’t find difficulties in holding the balance. As we stated
9zP-+-+N+-0
last week, Black doesn’t seem to have any problems in this line. His ¤s are very annoying for White’s undeveloped 9-zP-+PzPPzP0
camp. White’s best try might be 7.e3 b6 8.¤f3, to be at least capable of taking back on c4 with the ¥ any moment, 9tR-vL-mKL+R0
although practice has confirmed Black doesn’t need to fear that much there as well. xiiiiiiiiy
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ChessVibes OPENINGS what’s hot and what’s not? No. 45, November 11, 2009
opening expert
Who: Viswanathan Anand
Born: December 11, 1969
Nationality: India
Rating: 2778
Expertise: Lately some successes with the Grünfeld and 1.d4
Why: Anand’s opening repertoire was not his strongest part, and hence a few
years ago he changed his team of seconds. Georgian GM Ubilava’s role
vanished and instead Vishy added Danish theoretician GM Nielsen to
his team. Both players significantly tasted the fruits of their cooperation,
as the Dane is now close to the 2700 barrier as well. For his match with
Kramnik, Anand brought a team of other theoreticians together, among
them Kasimdzhanov and Wojtaszek, who convinced his to switch to 1.d4.
With sharp opening lines, Vishy managed to dominate the match and
keep the title. Since then, the Indian has not played that much (mainly
rapid games), but the option of playing both 1.d4 and 1.e4 makes him a
more complete player.
Key game: Anand - Svidler, Tal Memorial (Moscow) 07.11.2009
At the Tal Memorial, the Grünfeld has been the 17.0–0 f6 18.¦fe1 ¦ad8 19.¥f1 Anand grabs the initiative, as I don’t believe Black
main subject of theoretical debate. With Black White slowly improves his position, while the can take full control over e5, now the knight is
he drew convincingly in sharp lines with Kramnik ¤on b6 is out play. already on d4.
and Ponomariov. Using the White pieces, Vishy 19...¥f7 22...¥f7
opted for a less forcing line, chosing 5.¥d2. That 19...¤d7? is not good in view of 20.¤d5 ¥xd5 Obviously 22...gxf5 loses to 23.exf5.
this system is not without venom, was shown in 21.exd5 winning the pawn on c7. 23.¤g4 gxf5 24.¤h6+ ¢h8
typical Vishy style. Svidlers ¤s were somewhat 20.¤h2 ¥e6 21.f4 ¤d4?! 24...¢g7 25.£xd4! ¢xh6 (25...¦xd4? 26.¤xf5+)
unluckily placed, and so Vishy perfectly sensed 21...¦fe8 is a safer attempt. 26.exf5 is not recommended for Black.
to start an attack. Feeling the pressure growing, XIIIIIIIIY 25.£f2 fxe4?
the Russian GM blundered badly. 9-+-tr-trk+0 A blunder, based on miscalculation. Vishy
1.d4 ¤f6 2.c4 g6 3.¤c3 d5 4.cxd5 ¤xd5 5.¥d2 9+pzp-wq-+p0 immediately strikes. It was called for 25...f4
¥g7 6.e4 ¤b6 7.¥e3 0–0 8.h3 e5 9.¤f3 exd4 9psn-+lzpp+0 26.£xf4 £e5.
10.¥xd4 ¥xd4 11.£xd4 £e7 12.£e3 ¤c6 26.¦xe4 £d6
9+-+-+-+-0
12...f5?! 13.¥e2 fxe4 14.¤xe4 ¥f5 15.¤c5 26...¤e6 27.¦ce1±.
£xe3 16.fxe3 ¤8d7 17.¤xb7 ¦ae8 was seen
9-+-snPzP-+0 27.¦d1 c5 28.¤xf7+ ¦xf7 29.b4!
in Sokolov-Sutovsky, Gothenburg 2005, and
9+PsN-wQ-+P0 Undermining Black’s position.
now 18.¢f2 would have given White the better 9P+-+-+PsN0 29...f5 30.bxc5 fxe4 31.£xf7 ¤f3+ 32.£xf3
chances. 9+-tR-tRLmK-0 and Svidler resigned, since 32...£xc5 can be
13.¥b5 ¤b4 14.¦c1 ¥e6 15.b3 a6 16.¥e2 ¤c6 xiiiiiiiiy answered with 33.£f2. A pity the game ended
Otherwise White would have played 17.¤d4. 22.f5! abruptly after Svidler’s horrible 25...fxe4. 1–0
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