August 2013

The Masters Bulletin

Topical Theory 2

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GM Jan Smeets on 9.d4 g4 10.e3 in the Closed Ruy Lopez, Part 2

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GM Victor Mikhalevski on 7...a6 in the Gruenfeld, Russian System

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GM Melikset Khachiyan on Hikaru Nakamura playing the Veresov

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The Masters Bulletin

August 2013

Topical Theory
9.d4 g4 10.e3 in the Ruy Lopez, Part 2
GM Jan Smeets

This is the second and final part of GM Jan Smeets' coverage of 9.d4 in the Ruy Lopez, the move that allows 9...g4 but has been tried by several World Champions nonetheless. At the end, Smeets includes a game he won with 9.d4 shortly after finishing this article!
The line 10...exd4 11.cxd4 a5 12.c2 c5 high profile games. I believe White has chances to fight for an advantage but it will require lots of deep analysis. Those interested can start their analysis by checking JakovenkoGrischuk, Saint Vincent 2005.) 15...xe3 16.xe3 cxd4 17.xd4 Bartel-Postny, Barcelona 2008. 15.xd4 pushing d5 or exchanging one of White's bishops. However, I think White has more than one way of preserving some edge. a1) 15...c8 16.d1 (16.b3 allows 16...c6 17.d1 d5 18.exd5 xd4 19.xd4 c5 with enough activity for the pawn) 16...d7 (Planning to exchange the passive bishop on e7 for the monster on d4. 16...c6 17.c3 as in Carlsen-l'Ami allows White to develop comfortably ensuring an advantage.) 17.c3 f6 18.c1 (18.e2 also looks good. The idea of both moves is to overprotect the bishop on c2 so that d5 can be played.) and now: a1a) back! The machine recommends xe3 18...g5 19.b1 and now 19...f6 (19...c6 20.e3 21.xe3 ce5 22.b3 c5 23.d5) The only difference compared to the position 2 moves ago is that the rook has mysteriously gone to b1. This is probably a very minor achievement for white as b2 is preemptively defended now. 20.e2 e8 (20...e5 21.xe5 dxe5 22.d2 c7 23.a4) 21.d5; 2 of 3

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13.h3 13.dxc5 c4! (13...dxc5 is played almost exclusively. The line is complicated and not bad for Black but there is a much easier way.) 14.cxd6 xd6 with great compensation for the pawn. This was first played in TalBeliavsky 1987(!) but then apparently forgotten for 25 years. It resurfaced in a high level game in Firat-Ragger, Istanbul Olympiad 2012. 13...cxd4 a) 13...xf3 14.xf3 cxd4 (14...c4 15.c3 This simply looks pleasant for White and avoids all complications. 15.dxc5 has been played in many

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Black voluntarily went for a position where White has the bishop pair and he is stuck with a weak pawn on d6. Why? White is not yet fully developed and Black will be able to activate his pieces with gain of tempo (c8 and c6). In a best-case scenario Black will convert his activity into something more tangible such as 2 of 24

The Masters Bulletin

a1b) 18...e5 19.d5; a1c) 18...c6 So far we are following Timofeev-Carlsen, Skanderborg 2005 but now I suggest 19.xf6N followd by d2, with a solid plus for White. a2) 15...c6 Shomoev-Romanishin, Warsaw 2005 looks good for White. In most lines he ends up with a dangerous passed pawn on d6. Some sample lines: a) 21...d7 22.exd6 f6 23.d4 e5 24.d5 d3 25.xc4N (25.c3 c8) 21...e8 is the engine move. 22.f4! (22.exf6 xf6 23.d4 e1+ and White is in trouble) 22...d7 23.exd6 f6 24.c3. b) 13...h5

August 2013
say that White usually plays d5 at some point and the long term plan is to advance the kingside pawns. That said, I don't think White has an advantage here as Black is very solid and can start quenside counterplay combined with the pressure on e4. If this position is not to your liking perhaps analysing 14.dxc5 a bit more makes sense, especially since 14...c4! has never been played. 14.xd4 h5 14...xf3 15.xf3 simply transposes to 13...xf3 14.xf3 cxd4 15.xd4.

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16.e3 b4 (16...d5 gets rid of the backward pawn but allows white to develop unchallenged. 17.exd5 xd5 18.d2 the bishop pair will be a force to reckon with in the endgame.) a2a) 17.a3 was played 2013 but in I Kryvoruchko-Kravtsiv

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b1) 14.bd2 to cxd4 13...cxd4 15.xd4 14.Bxd4 transposes Bh5 15.Nbd2. Black equalises with 15...c6 16.e3 d5 as in E.CarlsenBryn, Oslo 2006. b2) 14.dxc5 c4!N is similar to 13.dxc5 Nc4. (14...dxc5 is the only move that has been played so far. White can try 15.c3 c4 16.e5 and black has to be very careful.) 15.cxd6 xd6 16.bd2 xe3 17.xe3 f4 with great play for the pawn; b3) 14.c3 c4. b4) 14.d5 c4. b5) 14.g4 The other moves don't promise anything so we bravely go forward! 14...g6 15.bd2 and now black has played many moves; fd7 and e8 seem most reasonable. It is hard to analyse this position as the lines branch out quickly. I will just 3 of 24

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15.c3 The pin on the d1h5 diagonal is very annoying of course, but we will only play g4 after Black plays c6. That way we avoid c4 lines, especially the transposition to 15.g4 g6 16.c3 c8 17.c1 c4. a) 15.g4 Is the main line but I cannot find an advantage for White after 15...g6 16.c3 c8 17.c1 (17.h4 c4 18.xg6 hxg6 19.e2 d5) 17...c4 (17...c6 is played more often but here white has some possibilities) 18.d5 h5!N I analysed this position in some depth but couldn't come up with anything convincing for White. b) 15.bd2 c6 16.e3 d5 E.Carlsen-

don't like this move. 17...c8 18.e2 c6!N Black is very active, this should compensate for his permanent minuses, the d6-pawn and the bishop pair. It is not easy to meet e5 as the queen has no comfortable hiding places. 19.b3 - or 19.d1 e5 20.f5 b4 21.b1 - 19...e5. a2b) 17.b3 d3 18.d1 (18.e2 is an option as well but the upcoming dance of the queen is so artificial that it's hard to recommend 18...e5 19.f5 g6 20.f4 d3 21.f3 e5 22.g3 xe4 23.f4 f6 24.c3 and for those willing to memorize the line a great, active position awaits.) 18...xb2 19.d2 c4 20.xc4 bxc4 21.e5 as in

The Masters Bulletin

Bryn, Oslo 2006. 15...c6 15...c8 16.b3N still postponing g4. 16...c6 (16...xb3 17.axb3 now a6 will give Black some headache) 17.g4 g6 (17...xg4 18.hxg4 xg4 19.g2 xf3+ 20.xf3 and even though the king feels a bit naked he can quickly run back home to get some underwear. White is better.) 18.h4 most likely this knight will go to f5 in the near future and I think White enjoys a small advantage. 16.g4 g6 a) 16...xg4 17.hxg4 xg4 18.g2 f6 19.e5 xe5 (19...xd4 20.xd4 xf3+ 21.xf3 xe5 22.d3 and white has the initiative) 20.e3 Nd5 will follow soon. White consolidates and may start his own attack. b) 16...xd4 17.xd4 g6 18.g5 and White is too active. 17.b3 17.e3!? 17...c8 This is a transposition to 15...c8 16.b3 c6 17.g4 g6. 18.h4 Instead of making look look it up I will copy the assessment: most likely this knight will go to f5 in the near future and I think White enjoys a small advantage. Ponomariov-Eljanov Ukrainian Championship (Kiev), 2013 Now we finally get to the game that inspired this article. I will give provide extensive analysis on Black's 14th and 16th move alternatives because they are critical for the assessment of this line. The rest of the game will also be covered simply because it is an enjoyable game. 1.e4 e5 2.f3 c6 3.b5 a6 4.a4 f6 5.00 e7 6.e1 b5 7.b3 d6 8.c3 00 9.d4 g4 10.e3 exd4 11.cxd4 d5 12.e5 e4 13.h3 h5 14.bd2!?

August 2013
I've tried it myself, but White is just too disorganized. 15...a5! was twice played by Shvidler (not a typo) and effectively refutes White's setup. 14...xd2 a) 14...b4 adds another pin. a1) 15.g4 comes close but not close enough: 15...g6 16.a3 a1a) 16...a5?! 17.c1 d7 18.xe4 dxe4 (18...xe4 19.d2) 19.d5! (19.e6 fxe6 20.g5 h8 is a mess) 19...xe1 20.xe1 exf3 21.xc6 e4 22.c5 White is in complete control. a1b) 16...xd2 17.xd2 a5 18.xe4 xe4 (18...xb3 19.f6+ gxf6 20.xb3 with the initiative) 19.c2 f5 with an unclear position. a2) 15.c2 a2a) a2b) 15...xf3 15...a5 16.xf3 16.xe4 a5 dxe4 17.e2; (16...xe1? 17.eg5 g6 18.c5 xb3 19.axb3) 17.g5 c8 18.xe4 g6 19.h4 xe4 20.xe4 xb3 21.axb3 and White has great compensation for the exchange. a2c) 15...xd2 16.xd2 a5 17.a3 g6 18.d1 xb3 19.xb3 and Black is stuck with his pawn on c7. a2d) 15...xd2 16.xd2 b4 17.b1 xd2 (17...g6 18.xe4 dxe4 is a strange position, probably somewhat better for White.) 18.xd2 g6 19.c1 d3 20.c6 once again with great compensation for the exchange. b) 14...d7 as in Schneider-Mueller, Bundesliga 2008 looks like a very reasonable move. I recommend 15.a3 (15.xe4 dxe4 16.e6 looks attractive but doesn't promise much after the cool 16...d6) 15...xd2

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Strategically speaking, this position is very unbalanced. White has a great centre but Black has a powerful knight on e4. Black can try to undermine White's centre but if he fails White will use the half-open c-file to attack a lot of weak pawns. In a surprising amount of lines White can sacrifice an exchange to achieve domination. a) The main line is 14.c3 xc3 15.bxc3. Compared to the 14.bd2 line White has strengtened his centre but lost the half open c-file. Now Black has to quickly target White's center with ...c5 and a possible ...b4 before White starts a kingside avelanche. a5c4 and d7 & d8 e6 both lead to complicated play. 15...d7 (15...a5 16.c2) 16.c2 d8 17.b1 g6 18.xg6. b) 14.g4 g6 15.h2 prepares f3f4 f5 winning a piece or at least gaining a lot of space. It looks tempting, 4 of 24

The Masters Bulletin

16.xd2 now we see the point of a3: b4 is not possible. 16...xf3 17.gxf3 a5 (17...xh3 cannot be recommended as the d5 pawn is crucial. 18.xd5 d7 19.b3 and White's bishops have a great future.) 18.h2 a4 19.c2 a5 and the lines could go on forever but for all practical purposes this is enough. White has good attacking chances. 15.xd2 xf3 16.c3! glorious future might be waiting for this rook on g6.

August 2013

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A great move. 16.gxf3 allows Black to go for a more harmonious setup. For example 16...b4 17.c2 a5 followed by d7 and c6. 16...xg2 a) 16...xe5 temporarily wins a pawn but after 17.dxe5 e4 18.f3 White comes out on top. 18...c5 (18...f5 19.ed1 e6 20.c6) 19.xc5 c8 20.xe7 xe7 21.e3. b) 16...b4 17.xc6 xe1 18.xe1 e4 19.f3 and as in many other lines the verdict is: with great compensation for the exchange. c) The surprising 16...b8 (diagram) is recommended by the engines and makes sense once you accept the fact that Black will lose a piece anyway. The time White needs to capture it is used to lift the rook to b6. This still doesn't inspire awe but a more

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a) 17.gxf3? d7! and suddenly White is in trouble. h3 is hanging and b4 is a threat as well. 18.ec1 removes the rook from e1 and attacks the knight. The other rook moves are also bad but the lines are not as pretty. 18...xh3 19.xd5 (19.xc6 b6 wins the queen) 19...b4 20.b3 (20.e4 f5 21.exf6 d6 22.f4 g4+ 23.g2 xf6) 20...b6 21.e4 would be good for White if it wasn't for 21...h8!! 22.xc7 h6 23.xh6 gxh6 with g8 to follow. b) 17.ec1 xg2 18.xg2 b6 and Black is solid. d7 is next and ...f5 will be played when necessary. c) 17.xc6 b6 18.c3 g6 19.g3 looks dangerous but White will be able to chase away or exchange the f3 bishop. Then White can hope to some day exploit his kingside pawns or the weak c-pawn. 17.xg2 b8 18.ac1 c6 19.h2 White has more than enough compensation: attacking chances, the bishop pair, a backward pawn on c6, and Black's pieces are just awfully passive. Sounds good doesn't it? Still, Black might be able to hold if he is able to block the kingside. 5 of 24

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19...f5 The move ...f5 is necessary only after White plays f4. It makes a lot of sense to wait for that move because it will limit the scope of the e3 bishop. For example 19...a7 20.g1 h8 21.f4 f5 20.g1 a7 21.g2 d7?! Wasting precious time. The king had to urgently step aside. 22.cg1 f7 23.d1! g6 24.h5 f8 25.f4 This allows the queen to transfer to the kingside. All White's pieces have reached maximum activity and a sacrifice will follow soon. 25...e8 This loses immediately. The only way to prolong the struggle was 25...g7 26.h6 e6 27.xg7 xg7 and the game continues, at least for now.

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The Masters Bulletin

26.xg6+! The end is brutal. 26...hxg6 27.xg6+ g7 28.e6 f8 29.c5 e7 30.d6 h4 31.xa7 1-0 10...h5 and conclusion 1.e4 e5 2.f3 c6 3.b5 a6 4.a4 f6 5.00 e7 6.e1 b5 7.b3 d6 8.c3 00 9.d4 g4 10.e3 Some of you may have noticed that I have not mentioned 10...h5. In all the lines that I have recommended White plays the move h3 as soon as possible. That means we are bound to transpose back to one them after 11.h3. If you have made it this far, congratulations! We have covered many, many lines and most promise White at least a small advantage. Ponomariov's idea against one of the main lines is very interesting, offers White attacking chances and takes play into uncharted territories. Unlike some commentators/writers trying to 'sell' an opening I am trying to stay objective so here comes the bad news. Against the following lines I have not been able to find an advantage: 10...exd4 11.cxd4 a5 12.c2 c5 13.h3 h5 and 10...exd4 11.cxd4 a5 12.c2 c4 13.c1 c5 14.b3 a5. There is no reason to abondon 9.d4 alltogether; no one and no opening can promise a plus in all lines. I am sure 9.d4 will serve you well. If that assurance is not enough, then remember that many World Champions and elite players have played 9.d4. If you like 9.d4 and hate playing against the Marshall I have a After writing the articles I felt more than ready to play 9.d4 myself and decided to give it a try at the recent Dutch championship. The game was played on July 10th, after the first newsletter was published, so there was a chance my opponent would have read the first article. Luckily he had not but surprisingly the arbiter had! 1.e4 e5 2.f3 c6 3.b5 a6 4.a4 f6 5.00 e7 6.e1 b5 7.b3 d6 8.c3 00 9.d4 g4 10.e3 exd4 11.cxd4 d5 12.e5 e4 13.h3 h5 14.bd2 d7 d7 makes a lot of sense as the knight on c6 is protected and the h3 pawn is hanging in some lines. A side effect is that the rooks are connected as well. I expect this move to become more popular. I had already written the first version of this analysis and remembered that 15.a3 is the way to go. A young Karpov played like this (without the inclusion of h3 and h5), Karpov-Detkov 1967. White is now ready to increase the pressure on e4 by playing c2 - no 6 of 24 Smeets-Ernst Dutch Ch (Amsterdam), 2013 Post Script: recommendation: after 7...00 try 8.d4!. 8...d6 9.c3 transposes right back into 9.d4. You do have to check 8...exd4 and, more importantly, 8...xd4 but it is going to be a lot less work than going through the entire Marshall!

August 2013
more b4 - and can comfortably take back on d2 with the queen no more b4. (15.xe4 dxe4 16.e6 looks attractive - 16...fxe6 17. e5! - but doesn't promise much after the cool 16...d6.) Black has lots of reasonable moves; I will provide suggestions against all of them.

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a) 15...a5 is a very ambitious move. Black is going for a5a4, gaining space and securing the c4 square, followed by a5c4. 16.b1 Looks like a strange square but c2 is reserved for the bishop - White really wants to get rid of that knight on e4. 16...xd2 (16...f5? pins the d5pawn 17.xe4 fxe4 18.xe4; 16...a4 17.c2 xd2 18.xd2 g6 19.f4 xc2 20.xc2 a5 21.f5 gives White a nice initiative on the kingside that should outweigh Black's advantage on the queenside.) 17.xd2 f5 (17...g6 18.c2 a4 transposes to 16... a4 17.c2 xd2 18.xd2 g6.) 18.f4 and Black will manage to achieve the perfect setup on the queenside with a4 and a5c4 but after that he might run out of ways to improve his position. I think White is better as he has lots of useful moves as and will gradually prepare himself for the g4 break.

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August 2013

b)

15...ad8

overprotects

the

20...f5 (20...h3 21.c3 xf3 transposes) 21.c3! xf3 22.ac1 and now: d1a) 22...xd4 is a strange computer recommendation 23.xd4 c5 24.f4 h5 25.f3 h3 26.e1 and Black has run out of steam. d1b) 22...b8 23.xc7 d1c) 22...g4+ 23.f1 h3+ 24.e2 h5+ 25.e1 It all looks very scary but to continue the initiative Black has to sac the knight now. 22...xe5 would have transposed. 25...xe5 26.dxe5 h1+ 27.e2 h5+ 28.f3 h2+ 29.f2 h4 30.f1 White has consolidated and will soon start his own attack. d2) 17...a5 This is more solid and possibly Black's best bet overall against 14.bd2. 18.h2 a4 19.c2 White has chances for a kingside attack but Black is pretty solid. 15...h8?! was played in the game.

or f5 in the near future but it never really works. This move is too slow. 16.c2 16.c1 is the other reasonable move. 16...a5 17.c2 xd2 18.xd2 c4 19.d3 g6 20.c3 and White looks slightly better. 16...g6?! 16...xd2 17.xd2 g6 18.c3 b4 is the way to keep some couterplay; 16...f5 allows some tactics. 17.ac1 e8 18.xe4 fxe4 19.xc6! xc6 20.xc6 xc6 21.c1 and White crashes through. 17.ac1 There are no tricks, for example 17...c5 18.c3. 17...xd2 18.xd2 a5 19.g5 White is conquering the c5 square for his rook. 19...f6? 20.e6+ d8 21.xc6 e8 22.c5 fxg5 22...xc5 23.dxc5 fxg5 24.e7. 23.xd5 b8 24.xg5 b7 25.d3 g6 26.g3 g7

d5 pawn. 16.c1 (16.c2 allows 16...xd2 17.xd2 g6 18.c1 f6! with an unclear position, the rook on d8 turns out to be quite useful. 16.a2 a5) 16...a5 17.c2 xd2 18.xd2 c4 19.d3! g6 20.c3 looks nice for White. c) 15...a5 16.c2 xd2 17.xd2 c4 18.c1 does not bring Black anything; b3 will chase away the knight. d) 15...xd2 is the most forcing line. 16.xd2 Now we see the point of a3; b4 is not possible. 16...xf3 17.gxf3

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d1) 17...xh3 cannot be recommended as the d5 pawn is crucial. 18.xd5 d7 19.b3 and White's bishops have a great future. That was my assessment before this update. In essence it is correct but unfortunately the proof is in a very long line. 19...ad8 20.ed1! This is the key move. The e1square will later be used by the white king (!).

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Getting out of the a2g8 diagonal is useful if Black wants to go for f6

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27.d7 xd7 28.exd7 10

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August 2013

7...a6 in the Gruenfeld, Russian System GM Victor Mikhalevski

Garry Kasparov's favourite answer to the Russian System (4.f3 g7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 0-0 7.e4) was the move 7...a6, and he played several games with it in his matches with Anatoly Karpov. At the Beijing Grand Prix, the knight move resurfaced!

The Russian System with 7...a6 Hello everyone. In my first opening survey for Chess.com of theory I would in It the first like to tell you about the latest developments Defense with Russian System of the Gruenfeld 7...a6. appeared in tournament practice in the game Kramer-Prince, Hilversum 1940 and despite having its ups and downs, it has never disappeared from the radars. One of the most important adherents of the system was the 13th World Champion Garry Kasparov, who introduced a lot of important ideas, most of them still being actual. Especially important for the development of the system were the World Championship matches Kasparov-Karpov, in which the system was studied by the specialists and two teams in detail. Recently it enjoyed a "second youth" with two games in the recent Grand Prix tournament in Beijing. From Black's points of view, one of the main ideas of the system is to attack the centre by means of ...c7c5. After White closes the position with d4-d5, Black usually answers

with ...e7-e6 and takes on d5. Other important ideas are fighting for the e4-square by means of ...f5, ...e8 and ...b6, which is sometimes followed by ...b4. White, at his turn, is trying to support the isolated d-pawn by his rook from d1 and prove that it's more a strength than a weakness. White is usually happy to advance the pawn to d6 to restrict Black's forces, although sometimes it may become a weakness there. The main line, which I'm considering in the game Gelfand-Topalov, is 10. 0-0. Gelfand has chosen an ambitious line with 12.f4, where the main alternatives include 12.e3 and 12.d1. In my opinion, the critical continuation in the 12.f4-line is 14...f6 instead of Topalov's 14...g5. The latter is too agressive and yields White good chances for obtaining advantage. The rare line, which occured in the game MorozevichGelfand shouldn't cause Black any problems if he deviates from the most popular 11...e6 with the Dorfman's 11...a5. Gelfand-Topalov Grand Prix (Beijing), 2013 8 of 24

1.d4 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.f3 g7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 00 7.e4 a6

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The popularity of this system is getting back with at least two games in the recent Grand Prix tournament in Beijing. Curiously, in both games the current vice-Champion, Boris Gelfand, was involved, playing once with White and once with Black. It has to be said that main adherent of this system in the last 15 years of the 20th century was none other than the 13th World Champion Garry Kasparov, who played it in the World Championship Anatoly Karpov. 8.e2 c5 9.d5 e6 10.00 Boris goes for the main line. A few days later Gelfand faced 10.g5 in his game against Morozevich, which matches against

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August 2013

you'll see below. 10...exd5 11.exd5 f5 The most popular move order. Black's idea behind the line is to fight for the central square by means of ...e8 and then to jump there with the knight putting pressure along the a1h8 diagonal. Black can also start with 11...e8, which may either transpose to the text after 12.f4 f5 or 12.d1 giving the game an independent value. However the position after 12...f5 may arise in the 11...f5line if White meets it with 12.d1. 12.f4

which is 13.b3 fe8 14.ad1. a1) The well-known exchange sacrifice 14...xe3 is interesting, but doesn't seem to fully equaflize: 15.fxe3 g4 16.a4 d6 17.f4! xf4 18.exf4 a1a) 18...e3 f8!N I 19.xa6 suggest bxa6 this 20.xc5

(The immediate 16...b4!? looks interesting. 17.xc5 c2 18.b4 a3 19.b5 a4 20.f1 b6 with a serious initiative for the pawn.) 17.a4 b4 18.g5 (18.f1! was better.) 18...c2 19.xd8 xd8 with at least sufficient compensation for an exchange, Khalifman-Kasparov, Linares 2000. b) 12.d1 is an important alternative. 12...b6 (12...e8!?) 13.h4 (The rare 13.h3!? followed by 14.g4 is an interesting idea too. Moreover it seems to be White's only chance to fight for an advantage in the 12.d1line. 13.d6 has been known to be good for Black since the following game 13...ad8 14.a4 c6 15.e3 e4 Anand-Kasparov, Frankfurt 1999.) Now the Kasparov's 13...c2! 14.d2 f5 seems to equalize. 15.d1 c2 16.d2 and a draw was agreed in Anand-Kasparov, Frankfurt (rapid) 1999. 12...e8! Black has to prepare ...e4 as soon as possible. 13.ad1 e4 14.b5!

improvement. The idea is to invite White's king to f1, where it's on the same diagonal with the knight on a6. (The only game, which reached this position featured 20...xd1?! 21.xd1 f8 C.Horvath-Z.Ilic, Skopje 2002. Now there was nothing wrong with the simple 22.xa6 and despite the bishop pair Black's compensation for two pawns isn't sufficient. For example, 22...d6 23.e5 c8 24.c4! An important resource, which doesn't work with the king on f1!) 21.xa6 xf1! 22.xf1 d6! although White seems to retain slightly better chances after 23.b4! with the idea of 24.c5. a1b) 18...b4!? 19.d2 e3 Now I would like to improve White's play by means of 20.e1!? (After 20.c1 bxd5 21.d3 (21.g3!? b6 with certain compensation for the exchange.) 21...xf4 22.xf5 xf5 23.xc5 e6 and Black was okay in Korotylev-Baikov, Moscow 1999.) 20...ec2 21.c1 b6 22.f2 Here White seems to have more chances for a win than after 20.c1. a2) 14...ad8! The most natural. Black brings the last piece into the game. 15.h3 (15.a4 d6 16.xc5 xc5 17.xc5 d7 is good for Black as White can't hold the d5pawn.) 15...a5 16.fe1 d7 9 of 24

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An ambitious line, which has the purpose of bringing the queen's rook to d1. a) In the database you can find the most games with 12.e3, which has been ignored by the players of the 2700club. Nevertheless, I would like to give you an idea how play may develop here. Since I'm a Gruenfeld player myself, I like to follow Kasparov and Svidler, two top authorities in the opening. They both preferred 12...b6 over 12...e8. So let us go with the experts. Now I'll focus on the main line of 12.e3,

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Control over the d6square is important here. 14.d3 is met by 14...xc3 15.bxc3 b5 16.xb5

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August 2013

xc3 17.xa6 xd3 18.xd3 e2+ 19.h1 xf4 20.c4 d6= with a comfortable position for Black in M.Gurevich-Kasparov, Moscow 1988. 14...g5!? An agressive, but rare alternative to Kasparov's 14...f6. Topalov wants to gain control over the d6square. Earlier this move occured in the games of unknown players. It would be interesting to see what Gelfand had prepared after 14...f6!.

b1)

In

the

stem

game

White

17.d3 (Both 17.a3!? and 17.d5!? also come into consideration.) 17...d7 18.d2! xd2 19.xd2 when a strong passed pawn and a weakened kingside yield White serious compensation for the sacrificed pawn.

played 18.xe5, but obtained no advantage. 18...d6 19.g4 f4 20.d7 c4! 21.g3 c5! 22.c7 xg4 Black plays for a win. (22...a6!? is enough for a draw as White has nothing better than 23.d7 c5=) 23.xc5 d7 24.e2 (24.c2!? looks better.) 24...xb2 25.b4 c3 with a roughly equal position in IvanchukDorfman, Lvov 1988.) b2) 18.xb7 This continuation was tested in two recent games: 18...ee8! 19.d6!? (Curioulsy, we can find Ivanchuk on the other side of the board 24 years later. 19.xa6 ab8 (The immediate 19...xb2!? also looks good.) 20.c6 xb2 21.d3? (21.d6!= allows to retain the balance.) 21...c3 22.de1 ec8 and Black was better in GiriIvanchuk, London 2012.) 19...xd6 20.xa6 f5! The simpliest way to equality. 21.xf6 xf6 22.xf5 gxf5 23.d2 (or 23.b3 e2=) 23...c4 24.c1 ec8 25.g3 ab8= and Black equalized in Atalik-Dominguez, Loo 2013. 15.e3! The important alternative 15.xg5 has never been tried on practice, but I'm pretty sure both players analysed it at home. 15...xg5 16.d6! f6! The only move. 17.xe8 xe8 18.b5 d8 19.e3 with a position of dynamic equality. 15...h6 Protecting the g5pawn. Black prepares a blockade on d6. In case of 15...xb2 Veselin probably didn't like 16.d6! However the capture on b2 seems to be critical. 16...f6 10 of 24

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Garry defended Black's position in this line not less than three times and it looks perfectly playable for Black as some recent games confirmed. 15.d3 and now: a) In the first game Kasparov played 15...b4, but after 16.c7 xd3 17.xe8 19.de1! better, xe8 White 18.xd3 was xb2 London/ somewhat

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16.d6! Time to push the pawn. 16.b3!? protecting the b2pawn is a reasonable alternative. 16.d3 d6?! (16...b4! 17.xe4 xe4 18.xc5 b6 yields Black compensation for the sacrificed pawn.) 17.xd6 xd3 18.xd3 xd6 19.h4! was better for White in Bai-Dolgener, Budapest 2013. 16...d7! Allowing the d-pawn to d7 looks risky. For example, 16...xb2 17.d7! e6 (17...xd7? is dubious due to 18.d6! xd6 19.xd6 e6 20.fd1 d4 21.6xd4! cxd4 22.xd4 with an extremely strong initiative.) 18.h4! g4 19.d2. 17.a3!? Gelfand restricts the a6knight; a common idea in the a6system. 17...ad8 After 17...xb2!? White retains serious a initiative for the pawn

Karpov-Kasparov,

Leningrad 1986. b) 15...d7! An improvement of Kasparov's team member Dorfman, who introduced it back in 1988 in his game against Ivanchuk. 16.e5! The only chance to fight for an edge. (In case of 16.c1 xb5 17.xb5 d6= Black is doing fine.) 16...xb5! 17.xb5 xe5

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August 2013

thanks to his strong passed pawn on d6. 18.d5! g6 19.d3 e6 20.h4! 18.c1! Finally White finds time to protect the b-pawn. Moreover White creates the threat of 19.xa7. The immediate 18.xa7? would be wrong due to 18...xd6 attacking the queen. 18...e6! Taking carse of the d6pawn. 19.b4! The only move, which allows to retain slightly better chances. This way White gains access to d4. 19...cxb4 19...b6 20.c4 is better for White. 20.fd4! f6 Probably a slight inaccuracy as it allows White to take on b4 first. 20...d7!? deserved attention, trying to transpose to the game. 21.xf5 (21.axb4 xb4) 21...xf5 transposes to the game. 21.xf5 After 21.axb4!? d7 (The difference with 20...d7 line is White's idea of 21...xb4 22.f4! g4 23.xf5 xf5 24.xa7) 22.fe1!! White seems to retain a solid advantage. 21...xf5

After a series of brilliant moves White goes astray and lets Black off the hook. In case of the correct 22.axb4! xb4 23.c4! White is better. 22...c3! 23.xc3 bxc3 24.d3 f6 25.xa6? 25.b5! was necessary. 25...bxa6

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Black started to take over and after some inaccuracies from the white side he won the game. 26.c5 f5 27.b6 d7 28.a4 e2+ 29.a3 c2 30.c1 f8 31.c5 e5 32.b4 a5 33.c3 xd6 34.b3 e2 35.c4 de7 36.c6 7e6 37.c8+ f8 38.b2 d3 39.g3 d2 40.c3 xc3 41.xc3 de2 01 14...f6 seems to be a more

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A relatively rare alternative to 10.00, although it has already been tested at the highest level. Nevertheless, it's more a check of intentions than a real attempt to fight for an advantage. 10...exd5 The modern move, which gained popularity thanks to Kasparov. 10...h6!? A rare, but nevertheless interesting alternative of the text, which hasn't been tested enough, although it has been played in the first few games that featured the 10.g5line. 11.xf6 a) 11...xf6!? may transpose to 11...xf6 after 12.e5 (12.d6! e5! 13.d1 might be the critical test of 11...xf6.) when 12...f5!N

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22.xa7?

solid alternative to the slightly adventurous 14...g5, and the ball is in White's court as I tried to prove in my annotations.

(instead of 12...d8) seems to equalize. b) 11...xf6 b1) 12.e5, which was advocated at least three times by Sosonko, can be answered by 12...exd5! (instead

Morozevich-Gelfand Grand Prix (Beijing), 2013 1.d4 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.f3 g7 5.b3 dxc4 6.xc4 00 7.e4 a6 8.e2 c5 9.d5 e6 10.g5 11 of 24

of 12...g7 13.d6 , which seems to give White an upper hand. SosonkoSax, Amsterdam 1979.) 13.xd5 g7 14.000 b1a) 14...h8 15.f4?! (15.c3! was critical.) Uhlmann-Szabo, Buenos

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August 2013

Aires 1960. Now both 15...c7 and 15...e8 look better than 15...a5 which was played in the game. b1b) 14...d7!N seems to be more precise than Szabo's 14...h8. For example, 15.f6+ (After 15.he1 b4! 16.xb4 cxb4 17.xb4 c8+ 18.b1 f5+ 19.a1 c7! Black obtains sufficient initiative for the sacrificed pawn.) 15...xf6 16.exf6 e8! 17.d2 b4! Although it looks risky Black seems to maintain the balance thanks some tactical ideas connected with b5. 18.hd1 (18.a3 c6 19.hd1? d4! 20.xd4 cxd4 21.xd4 b5! is better for Black.) 18...b5 19.h4 xa2+! seems to force a draw. 20.b1 xe2! 21.xd7 a5 22.1d2 xd2 23.xd2 b4 24.xh6 a2+ 25.c1 a1+ 26.b1 a2+ 27.c2 b4+ 28.c3 a2+ 29.b3 c4+ 30.c2 b4+ 31.c3 a2+ 32.c2= and White can't avoid repetition. b2) 12.d1!? deserves attention. b3) 12.000 doesn't promise any advantage, to say the least. 12... exd5!N (12...a5!? in KasimdzhanovVan Wely Istanbul 2000 should be sufficient for equality as well.) 13.xd5 e6! 14.xf6+ xf6 seems to give Black a comfortable position, where only Black has chances for advantage. b4) 12.00!? exd5 13.exd5?! (13.xd5! has never been tested in practice, while it seems to be the critical test of 10...h6.) in AurellLittlewood, Bad Woerishofen 1992 is fine for Black after 13...b6!= 11.xd5 11.exd5?! doesn't make sense in view

of 11...h6.

for Black.) 15...e6 16.c3 and White retains some chances to seize an advantage. 12.d1!

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11...e6!? This move was introduced by Kortchnoi and a few months later approved by Kasparov. 11...a5+!, which was introduced by Dorfman, seems to solve Black's problems. 12.d2 (12.b4? xb4 13.xf6+ xf6 14.xf6 d5+ 15.f1 xf6 is bad for White, Lazarev-Bolzoni, Antwerp 1997.) 12...d8 13.xf6+ The only attempt to play for a win. (13.g5 may lead to repetition after 13...a5+ and in fact in a few games a draw was agreed like this.) 13...xf6 seems to be less accurate than the other capture. (13...xf6?! looks like an improvement. 14.c3 (14.e5 e6 15.f4 f5! and Black doesn't seem to have any problems.) 14...e6 15.xg7 xc4 16.xc4 xg7 17.xa6 bxa6 18.c1 b8 19.b3 a5! 20.xc5 a4 21.d2 and now for example, 21...a6!? 22.h4 fc8 23.xc8 xc8 24.d1 axb3 25.axb3 c3 26.e1 f6 with sufficient compensation for a pawn.) 14.e5 g7 Farago-Dorfman, Budapest 1988 and now White should have played 15.a3! (Instead of 15.c3 e6 in the aforementioned game, which is good 12 of 24

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Morozevich follows a recent game of his compatriot, Lysyj. 12.000 has been known to promise nothing since Kasparov's improvement upon Korchnoi's game back in 1988. 12...xd5 13.xd5 b6! 14.xf6 xf6! 15.e5 f5! (After 15...e7? 16.hd1 White is better, FlearKortchnoi, Lugano 1988.) 16.d3 c8 (16...e6! 17.d6 e7 looks even more precise.) 17.d1 (17.e4! is better.) 17...b5! 18.h4 b4 with good play for Black. 19.xg6? An unsound piece sacrifice, However Black's defence is far from being obvious. (19.d6!? was better.) 19... fxg6 20.d7 e8! 21.e7 h6+! 22.b1 d8! 23.d6 c6! 24.a3 xd6 25.exd6 xd6 26.axb4 cxb4+ with a decisive advantage for Black in Beliavsky-Kasparov, Belfort 1988. 12...a5+ Earlier this move was played by Shredder 7. 12...xd5 is a possible alternative of the text. 13.xd5 b6 is better than 13...a5?! playing similar to the 11.000 line. However

The Masters Bulletin

August 2013

here it's less effective as White's king is safer on the kingside. (13...a5+?! 14.d2 and White was better in Lysyj-Gabrielian, Yekaterinenburg 2013.) 14.xf6 (14.d2 c6 15.xf6 xf6 16.00 ad8 17.fd1 xd2 18.xd2 is just slightly better for White thanks to the misplaced knight on a6.) 14...xf6 15.e5 e6 16.g5 e7 17.f4 ad8 18.00 and White seems to retain a slight edge. 13.d2 a) Obviously not 13.c3? xc3+ 14.bxc3?? (14.xc3 b4! is better for Black too.) 14...xe4 01 Freccia-Comp Shredder 7, Vicente Lopez 2003. b) 13.d2! deserved serious (13...d8 attention. 13...xd5

The

only

chance

to

fight

for

21...xf7! 22.d7 f8! The only, but sufficient defense. 23.g5+ (23.d6? is bad due to 23...g7+) 23...g8! The only move again. 24.e4!

advantage. 17...b4!? Bringing the knight to d4 via c6. 17...g7!? chances. 18.f4 18.c1 c6! (After 18...b6?! 19.d7! e7 20.f4! g7 21.c7 White's edge is out of question.) 19.xc5 xc5 20.xc5 d4! 21.xd4 xd6 22.c7 xd4 23.xd4 xd4 24.f1 f8! 25.xb7 b6! White can't avoid exchange of rooks. The latter leads to an equal endgame with oppositecoloured bishops. 26.b5 c8! 27.d3 e8! 28.d7 d8= 18...g7 19.h4 h5 There was also a tactical solution of the Black's problems, although the text looks safer. 19...d5 20.xd5 xe2 21.h5 h6! 22.hxg6 b4! 23.c1 fxg6 24.xc5 xd6 25.c7+ e7 26.xe7+ xe7 27.c7 e6 28.d7 b6= 20.c4 c6 21.xf7! also promised equal

(24.e6 also leads to a draw after 24...xa2 25.h6 xe6 26.xg6+ h8 27.h6+=) 24...e7! 25.d6! f5! 26.e1! h8! 27.xf6! xf6 28.e8+ h7 (28.e5 g7 29.e6+ xe1+ 30.xd8 (30.xf6

31.h2 xf2=) 30...xd8 31.e8 f8 32.xf8 xf8 33.e8 h6!=) 28...f8 29.b4!? (29.f7+ h7! 30.xd8 xd8 31.xf8 xf8 32.e8 h6! 33.d8 c1+ 34.h2 f4+ with (But the not perpetual.) 29...cxb4?? 29...c7! 30.xg6+)

30.f7+ (30.xg6 xd7 31.e6 g7! 32.xh5+ h7 33.d1 f7 34.xf8 xf8 and Black survives.) 30...h7! 31.xd8 xd8 32.xf8 xf8 33.e8 h6! 34.d8 c1+ 35.h2 f4+ with the perpetual. 22.xg6!+ The only move. 22...e5 After 22...xg6 23.d5!+ White's attack is unstoppable. 23.g5 f4 24.xh5 xd2 25.h7+ f6 26.h5 26.d1!?+ wins too. 26...e6 27.g6+ d5 28.xd2 xd2 29.d1 d4 30.xd4+ 30.f3+!?+ 30...cxd4 31.b4 xd6 32.g7 df6 33.xb7 c4 34.b5 10 In my opinion the safest way to meet the line with 10.g5 is 10...exd5 11.exd5 a5! and I don't see many chances for White to fight for the advantage.

14.c3!) 14.exd5 b6 15.00 fe8 (or 15...ae8 16.fe1 e4 (16...e4 17.c1 fe8 18.c4) 17.f4! xb2 18.f1! d6 19.xd6 xe1 20.xe1 xd6 21.b1 g7 22.xb7) 16.fe1 e4 (16...e4 17.c1 ae8 18.c4) 17.f4 ad8 18.f1 d6 19.xe8+ xe8 20.c2 when the knight on a6 is rather useless 13...xd5 13...c7! seems to equalize. 14.xf6 xd5 15.exd5 xf6 16.00 ad8 17.fd1 fe8! when 18.d6?! is always answered by 18...e6 followed by 19...d4. 14.exd5 fe8! In case of 14...b4!? 15.xb4 xb4 16.xf6 xf6 17.a3 a6 18.00 fd8 19.c1 White is slightly better. 15.xf6! Certainly the knight can't be allowed to e4. 15...xf6 16.00 ad8 17.d6!

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A clever try, which shocked Gelfand. 21...f8?? Missing White's move, Black succumbs to the pressure and blunders again. The sacrifice had to be accepted. 13 of 24

The Masters Bulletin

August 2013

Nakamura's Veresov

GM Melikset Khachiyan in cooperation with IM Danny Rensch The Veresov is quite popular at club level, but "you'll never see the top guns give it a go". Well, Hikaru Nakamura disagrees! The American grandmaster has played it five times this year, once even in a classical game!
Nakamura-Becerra Rivero U.S. Chess League, 2009 Its always fun to observe when players of the highest level choose slightly offbeat opening variations. How, why and when do they make these choices? These are mysteries that often remain unsolved to the uneducated viewing amateur chess player. Super-GMs usually make these well-timed decisions in an attempt to catch their opponents off guard. Maybe they think their opponent has been sleeping on a specific line? Sometimes the hope may be as simple as trying to grab a quick point in miniature fashion of a rapid game. Other times, their offbeat choice of opening is actually shown to be full of accurate, challenging preparation that they believe will stand up even in classical tournaments against the worlds elite. The Veresov Opening, and its very sharp, evolving theory, represents just that type of option for White - or at least Supers on the level of GM Hikaru Nakamura seem to think so! Nakamura has featured this variation as a consistent part of his repertoire in both rapid and classical style chess settings. The dangerous variations of the Veresov have the potential to catch players of all levels off guard, and can lead to some very interesting, exciting, and potentially memorable games for you if youre looking for something fresh to add to your own repertoire. I myself have played the Veresov for years, and so, with the analytical help and collaboration of my friend IM Danny Rensch, I have prepared what should be a fun look at this relatively unknown to most, but potentially very dangerous monster of a sideline opening! 1.d4 d5 2.c3 f6 3.g5 c6/3...f5, allowing White to create a doubled f-pawn with 4.xf6, is covered in Nakamura-Mamedyarov. 3...c5 is covered in the Hector vs Evdokimov game of this Bulletin. 4.f3 More popular these days is 4.d3, with idea to prepare the same push in the middle (e4), but without creating any potential kingside weaknesses. 4.d3 is a bit slower than 4.f3. In games where White truly wishes to bring the heat against an unsuspecting opponent, 4.f3 is often the way to go... 4...e6 A very viable alternative to the move chosen in the game is: 4...c6 5.d2 e6 6.000 e7 and now:

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3...bd7 We start off with a rapid game (online) between these two U.S. heavy weights. Becerra chooses the most popular response for Black, who tries to protect the integrity of his kingside pawn structure. 3... 14 of 24

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a) 7.e4 xe4 8.xe4 (8.xe7 xd2 9.xd8 xf1 10.g5 f6 11.f4 e5 12.dxe5 fxe5 13.e1 00 14.xe5

The Masters Bulletin

August 2013

e8 15.f4 xe5 16.fxe5 e3! is a key idea at the end of these lines where Blacks knight seems to almost get trapped. Rxe3 is met by d4, with an equal endgame.) 8...dxe4 9.xe7 xe7 10.fxe4 e5!=. b) 7.e1 This is one of my own ideas (Khachiyan) to keep more fire on the board and prevent trades, instead of the "objectively better" 7.e4. One possible line could be: 7...b5 8.e4 b4 9.b1 h6 10.d2 b6 11.e5 g8 b1) 12.h3!? with the interesting idea of f4h5, targeting the g7 square and Blacks undeveloped kingside, is an interesting alternative. Should Black choose to preven the knights infiltration to h5, which could be dangerously followed by g3 at some point, with a move like ...g6, White will have more targets for a kingside pawn storm (Rensch). 12...xd4 13.xh6 xe5 14.xe5 xe5 15.xg7 h5 16.f4 (16.g4!?) 16...f5. b2) 12.e3 c5 13.g3 (13.h3 c4 14.f4 a6 where Blacks initiative seems to be arriving first.) 13...f8 14.dxc5 xc5 15.f2 d7 16.d2 c8 17.b1 e7 18.e2 f5 19.d4 xe3 20.xe3 e7 21.f4 00 22.e2 a6. 5.e4 e7 6.e5 g8 (diagram) 7.e3! A critical, important retreat by Nakamura. White intends to head for variations similar to a Classical French, with advantages in terms of development because of Blacks

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kingside confusion. 7...a6 7...c5 Possibly its better for Black to attack Whites center immediately. Black needs not worry about b5, because the d6square is sufficiently protected. 8.ce2! Another important move by Nakamura in this postion! He is going to protect his center now by placing his pawn on c3. This relocation of his forces is key for White to reach an advantage in the Veresov middlegame. 8...b6 With the idea to prepare a trade of light-colored bishops by playing a5. 9.d2 Perhaps even better was 9.f4 c5 10.c3 with the idea that its important to keep the light-squared bishops in this position. Now 10...a5 is met by 11.b5 a6 12.a4!? and an eventual relocation to the b1h7 diagonal. White is also preparing ideas of f4h5 with this interesting move. 9...c5 10.c3 a5 11.a3 a6 12.h4 And though we will all see how quickly and aggressively Nakamura turns this move / idea into a dominant kingside attack, in reality, its practical bluff. 15 of 24

The notes to Whites 9.f4 move should be remembered for serious Veresov players. Here White has to go "all in" and keep the attack running on the kingside or his development issues might bankrupt his position. One important, and instructive note from Nakamuras move in general is that White needs to push the h-pawn first before playing f4. This is because White needs the c1h6 diagonal open to infiltrate with the bishop and queen at the right time.

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12...f8?! Black took the bait! Needed was: 12...xh4+ It was very important for Black to realize this is the only move. In the game he simply found himself defending a passive position until his ultimate demise. 13.g3 e7 14.f4 (14.h3 with the intentions of building up an attack more slowly was also possible.) 14...xf1 15.xf1 f8 16.ge2 e7 17.g2 h6 18.f2 a4 19.g4 c6 20.h5 where lots of play remains. White has achieved some level of compensation for the pawn, but a long game remains to be played. 13.h5 h6 14.f4 Note that White only plays this move

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August 2013

after Black has pushed the h6pawn, weakening the light squares and making the idea of g4 and f5 more viable for White. 14...e7 15.f3 c7 16.g4 a4 17.h3!

xd2 b8?!

27.xd2

xg6

28.xg6

44...e8 45.d1 xg6 46.xg6 f7 47.h6 gxh6 48.xh6 d7 49.c1 Safety first! 49...h7 50.d2 f7 51.b1 f3 52.a2 e4? Blacks best was 52...f7 This move highlights that Black needed to be a little less confident about his chances. Overextension of the queens position, and therefore the neglect of the black king, is what ultimately led to Becerras defeat in this game. One line that highlights how hard pressed Nakamura would have been to try and win this position is as follows: 53.c2 b5 54.f1 g8 55.f2 e8 56.g1 g7 57.h1 h7

Naturally preparing to defend the e6pawn with the apparently out of play bishop on a6 (moving it to c8), but unfortunately, this move again gave White chances to keep the attack going, and Nakamura didnt slip up twice! Better was to play de8 with idea to protect e6 pawn with the rook, and most important to meet g5 move with a series of trades starting with xg5. 29.g5 c8 30.f1!? White punishes Black for leaving the critical diagonal on the queenside! 30...df8 31.d3 c4 Black his takes away queenside

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Another great desicion by Naka! Whites bishop joins the kingside advance, and leaving Blacks bishop on a6 forever hopeful of an exchange that wont happen. 17...c6 18.f5 e7 19.fxe6 fxe6 20.c2 According the most to computer analysis, accurate continuation

worries, but in the process ensures that White is playing for two results on the kingside since Nakamuras piece active placement

was 20.f4! which makes the most direct threats on Blacks kingside and the e6 weakness. 20...f8 21.g5 cxd4 22.cxd4 d7 23.g2 000 24.000 a5 25.b1 b7 26.gxh6 xh6 27.xg7 20...f8 21.f4 d7 22.f2?! 22.g6 stronger! 22...a5 23.g6 g8 24.g3?! Fancy! Exciting Nakamura style chess, but in reality, too slow! Better was 24.xe7 with connection of hiting c5 square and keeping eyes on the a4pawn. 24...b3 25.ae1 000 26.d2 g8 23.g5! was much

leaves his holding all the cards. 32.b1 b5 33.c1 xg5 36.xg5 h8 39.g6 34.xg5 f7 c7 hxg5 35.e2 d7 37.g4 e7 38.h7 40.f2 xf2 41.xf2 d7 42.e2 d8 43.f1 f8 44.g1 A good decision by White rook in again. order He to
A top GM playing the Veresov: Hikaru Nakamura

needs to keep the continue the attack. 16 of 24

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August 2013

58.xh7 xh7 59.f6 f7 60.h8+ f8 61.h5+ f7 62.h6 f5 63.h8+ f8 64.h5+=

fire. 56.xb6 h1 57.f6 f1? h5 might have actually kept the balance in the game. Blacks rook needs to be very active in order to save this game. Now the position goes downhill quickly. 58.d6 f4 59.xd5 e6 59...f3 60.d6 f2 61.f6+ 60.d6+ f5 61.f6+ g4 62.e6 e1 63.d5 g5 64.f7 e5 65.e7 Finally this very exiciting game by Naka, with many mistakes for both sides, comes to an end. A very typical for Veresov victory and despite Nakamuras missed early opportunities, he seemed to be pushing the entire time. 10 Khachiyan-Bojkov Los Angeles Metropolitan, 2011 1.d4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.g5 bd7 4.d3

11.e3 c5 12.000 cxd4 13.xd4 b6 14.c4 d7 15.e5 ad8 16.e2 a4 17.f4 e7 18.g4 h8 19.h4 d7 20.h3 with a nice initiative, Nakamura-Caruana, Tal Memorial blitz (Moscow) 2013) 10.000 00 11.f3 b6 12.e5 b7 13.g1 c5 Nakamura-Ponomariov, Thessaloniki 2013 which ended in a draw on move 49. 5.e4 dxe4 6.xe4 g7 7.000 White has more space, and might like to avoid the trades, but it is too time consuming after 7.c3 00 8.0 00 b6 where Black has caught up in development. 7...xe4 8.xe4 f6 9.xf6 Played preparation instantly, from my suggesting opponent

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53.f2? Nakamura misses his chance to end the game decisively, but Becerra still realizes that his queen has no future and he must trade into the much worse rook ending. 53.g5! was a desicive blow with threats to backdoor Black with g8a8. Lines that might have followed are below: 53...h1 (53...e7 54.g8; 53...c2 54.g8 b3+ 55.b1 e7 56.a8 and Blacks queen is tragically misplaced. White is going to mate the black king shortly...) 54.xh1 xh1 55.g7+ c6 56.e7 h3 57.d6+ b7 58.d7+ b8 59.c6! a7 60.xa4+ b7 61.d7+ b8 62.c6 a7 63.c7+ a6 64.a4+ 53...f5!? e7? 55...c7 miserable, might but have potentially offered more 54.xf5 exf5 55.g6

(Bojkov). 9.h4?! is worse after 9...d5! centralizing the queen with tempi! 10.c4 (10.b1 e6) 10...a5 11.b1 f5+ 12.a1 e4 and Blacks initative is taking over. 9...xf6 10.f3 c6 10...00 immediately allows Whites kingside attack to get going with 11.h4. There is the interesting pawn sacrifice 10...f5!? 11.xb7 00 12.d3 (12.c4) 12...b8 with the potential for compensation. 11.c4 It should be noted here that White cannot easily advance the pawns: 11.g4?! d5 12.xd5 cxd5 13.g5 g4 14.g2 xf3 15.xf3 xg5+. 11...f5 12.f4 d6 13.e5 13.xd6 exd6 14.d5 c5. 13...e6 Black must defend f7 and remove the strong bishop on c4 if possible. 13...00 14.g4 e6 15.xe6 xe6

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As said, the more popular move order is usually the more aggressive 4.f3. 4...g6 Nakamuras only classical game with the Veresov went 4...h6 5.h4 e6 6.e4 dxe4 7.xe4 e7 8.xf6+ xf6 9.xf6 xf6 (9...xf6 10.f3 00 17 of 24

promising defensive chances. 56.f6 h5 as its unclear exactly what winning plan exists for White here. Perhaps a long journey of the king on a2 to the kingisde? But it wont be easy with the b2pawn coming under

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August 2013

16.b1 might in fact transpose; the move in the game though gives some extra options for Black. 14.xe6 xe6

16.xc6 After the game Melik suggested the brave 16.xg6 (Bojkov). a) The idea is 16...a1+ 17.d2 a5+ 18.d3! (18.c1 g5 traps the queen.) 18...b5+ 19.c3! and the king is perfectly safe in the open air. That said, the position remains extremely unclear after the move 19...c5! (19.c4? b3+ +). b) However, the move is refuted by 16...hxg6 17.xf6 000 18.xe7 a1+ 19.d2 xb2. 16...00 Also interesting was 16...f8!? 17.e5 (17.h6+ g7; 17.b4 a1+ 18.d2 xb2) 17...a1+ 18.d2 xb2 19.d7+ g7 20.xf6 exf6 21.b1 a2 22.xb7 ac8 23.c1 he8+. Not good enough however was 16...bxc6 17.xf6 00 18.xe7 a1+ 19.d2 xb2 20.c5 which is less clear. 17.xe7

23.c3 (23.c1 b2+ 24.b1 c3+ 25.a2 b2#) 23...f4+ 24.c2 f5+ 25.b2 xc8 wins for Black; b) 18.e3 a1+ 19.d2 a5+; c) 18.d3 a1+ 19.d2 a5+ 20.e2 xe7+; d) 18.d6 fd8+. 17...ac8! 17...xe7 18.xe7+ g7 19.f5+ gxf5 (19...h8!?) 20.g5+ h8 21.f6+=; 17...bxc6 18.xf6 a1+ 19.d2 xb2 20.d7 also offers Black a slight edge, but is less clear than the game. 18.xf6 18.b4 a1+ 19.d2 xb2 20.xf6 xb4+ 21.e2 xc2+ 22.f1 a5. 18...xc6 The difference in the kings positions clarifies the situation. Black has a decisive attack. 19.e5 a1+ 20.d2 xb2 21.c1 The only way to save the c-pawn, as 21.e4 would be met with 21...xc2+! (not 21...d8? 22.e8+ xe8 23.xe8+ g7 24.e5+ f6 25.e7+ h6 26.e3+ g5 27.d3= or b4+ 21...c3+?! 22.e2 xc2+ 23.e2 xe7+ with a 23.xc2 xc2+ 24.f1) 22.xc2 technical win. 21...c4! 21...d8? 22.e8+=. 22.d5 22.d7 fc8 23.e4 a5. 22...d4+ 23.e2 23.e3 c3+ 24.e2 d2+ 25.f3 xd5. 23...b5+ The d5pawn is won in the attacking process, and this leads to an immediate collapse of Whites position.

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The critical moment of the game as well as for our purposes with this Bulletin. The decision made here was the wrong one and the analysis below (after 15.b1) should be what our readers first remember about the position that was reached from this Veresov opening. I went into deep thought, and as it happens sometimes right after preparation, I made a mistake. 15.he1?! Over-optimistic and wrong. Best was: 15.b1 000 (15...xe5 16.dxe5 (16.xe5 xe5 17.dxe5 d8=) 16... 00 17.h4 ad8!? (17...fd8 18.h5 f5 19.xf5 (19.h6 g5!) 19... gxf5=) 18.h5 where White maintains a small initiative.) 16.he1 xe5 17.xe5 f6 18.xf6 exf6 19.e7 he8?! It was only at home I found that this is ill-calculated; it is safer to play: (19...d7=) 20.xf7 xd4 21.c1! 15...xa2 Bojkov correctly evaluates he has nothing to fear and grabs the pawn!

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"This is why White went for the line. Melik thought he could force a perpetual check." (Bojkov). In the line 17.xe7+ g7! the knight is in danger: a) 18.c7 a1+ 19.d2 xb2 20.d5 fe8 21.d6 ac8! 22.xc8 b4+ 18 of 24

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August 2013

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24.e1 24.c4 b2+ 25.f3 (25.e3 d2+ 26.f3 d3+) 25...d3+ 26.e4 e2+ 27.f4 xf2+ 28.g4 xg2+ 29.f4 f3+ 30.e4 g4+ 31.f4 xf4#. 24...xd5 25.e3 fd8 26.f3 26.c4 b4+ 27.f1 (27.e2 d2+ 28.f3 8d3) 27...d1+ 28.xd1 xd1+ 29.e2 e1+. 26...b4+ 01 White resigned due to the lines: a) 27.c3 h4+ (27...b2 28.e8+ g7 29.xd8) 28.e2 d2+ 29.xd2 (29.f1 d1+ 30.xd1 xd1+ 31.e2 e1#) 29...xd2+ 30.xd2 xe7; b) 27.f1 d1+ 28.xd1 xd1+ 29.f2 h4+ 30.g3 xh2#; c) 27.f2 h4+ 28.e2 d2+ 29.xd2 xd2+ 30.xd2 xe7. Hector-Evdokimov Politiken Cup (Denmark), 2008 Another strong GM whos played the Veresov Opening for years is GM Johnny Hector from Sweden. Though Ive studied many of his games in this line, as hes definitely one of the strongest GMs pushing along Veresov Theory at the high levels of chess, I chose only this

particular game for the Masters Bulletin because I found it to be very interesting and entertaining. Even for myself, playing this line for many years, I can definitely say I learned something new from Hector in this performance! 1.d4 f6 2.c3 d5 3.g5 c5

f5 10.ge2 f6 11.h3 000 For many years, I believed this was the best White could hope for. My plan was to prepare g4, try to capture on f5, breaking open the center and trying to target Blacks d5 and f5 pawns for the remainder of the game. Blacks well placed queen on f6 made it very difficult to achieve these goals, because Black is also consistently looking to trade queens with moves like g6 and h6, an endgame White doesnt really want in view of Blacks bishop pair. Hector taught all Veresov players a new way to play this line with his 8.f3 move! 8...b4 9.d3

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At some point, this was a very popular approach for Black. I think the way Hector (White) played this game was very influential on the entire theory of this variation, and a big reason why we dont see Black take this approach as often any longer. 3...bd7 is the main line these days. Observing Hectors approach to Blacks terrible kingside pawn structure in this game makes it very clear why Black prefers this move! 4.xf6 gxf6 5.e3 c6 6.h5 cxd4 7.exd4 e6 7...xd4 8.000! Its not hard to imagine White establishing a very strong initiative in exchange for the sacrificed d-pawn. 8.f3 Before Hectors game here I had always played 8.000 and play normally continued... 8...d7 9.f4 19 of 24

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The key points behind Hectors new approach? First, White is no longer intending to castle queenside, bringing the White king into the danger zone. Secondly, The white knight is more aggressively placed on f3 and eyes the e5square should the pawn on f6 ever advance. Finally, Whites attack is developing much more quickly with the more natural developing moves of f3 and d3. 9...d7 10.00 xc3 Otherwise White will play e2, solidify the pawn structure with c2

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August 2013

c3, bring the knight from e2 to g3 and Black is looking at a potentially much worse middlegame. 11.bxc3 a5 Definitely a plan that makes positional sense for Black. If he could play on the queenside undisturbed by threats (with moves like c8, etc) he would be doing just fine. Unfortunately for Black however, Whites active pieces have cruel intentions in the center (e-file) and on the kingside. 12.fe1 Immediately threatening 13.xd5. 12...e7 Preparing to castle queenside. Blacks development is just too many steps behind Whites here... 12...c8? 13.xd5+ 13.h4! With the obvious threat of 14.f5! 13...g8 13...000 14.xd5 14.xh7 f8 15.f5!

c6 18.d5 b6! 19.a3 xg2+ Pure desperation... The simple 19...xd5 is met by 20.b5+ d8 21.d6+ c8 22.a6+ b7 23.c6+ +. 20.xg2 xd5+ 21.f1 h3+ 22.e2 f3+ 23.d2 f4+ 24.e3 xf2+ 25.e2 f4+ 26.e1 000 27.xa7 g8 28.a6+ d8 29.xb6+ d7 30.e3 d6 31.a7+ d8 32.b1 10 Nakamura-Mamedyarov Tal Memorial Blitz (Moscow), 2013 Here's a win for Nakamura in the Veresov against a much higher level opponent. 1.d4 d5 2.c3 f6 3.g5 f5 As played in the Becerra game, the more popular main line choice for black is 3...bd7 in order to keep the pawn structure as healthy as possible. In this game we will see the American Super-GM execute the plan we described for White in the Becerra Analysis. Black often plays 3...c6 which normally transposes after 4.xf6 exf6 5.e3 f5 but in the most recent game between Nakamura and Kramnik, at the Geneva Masters rapid tournament, play went 5... f5 6.d3 g6 7.f3 d7 8.00 d6 9.e2 00 10.c4 dxc4 11.xc4 e7 12.c3 f6 with mutual chances. 4.xf6 exf6 4...gxf6 5.e3 c6 6.d3 g6 7.f4 (7.h4 e6 8.ge2 d7 9.g4 b6 10.h5 xd3 11.xd3 c5 was fine for Black in Nakamura-Kramnik, Monte Carlo 2011) 7...e6 8.f5 exf5 9.h3 e7 10.f3 h6 11.f4 d7 12.h4 xf4 20 of 24

13.xf4 h5 14.000 000 15.de1 b6 16.xf5+ xf5 17.xf5+ e6 18.hf1 h6 was Nakamura-Kramnik, Tal Memorial blitz (Moscow) 2013. 5.e3 Whites approach is generally as follows: simplify the position with a few critical minor piece exchanges; prepare to change the pawn structure with the eventual central break of e4; execute a long-term positional advantage on the queenside with the four vs three pawn majority. In this case, Whites play would be very similar in philosophy to the Ruy Lopez, Exchange Variation. 5...c6 6.d3

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Move 15 and White already claims a decisive advantage! Strong preparation by Hector and a great understanding of the power of the initiative in the Veresov! 15...h6 16.xd5 xh4 17.xa5

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6...xd3?! A very common mistake perhaps even worthy of a full question mark made by many players in this position, but not one we would expect from a player of Shakhriyars level (though it was blitz). Black cant just trade the bishop, allowing White an easy road to simplification and execution of his positional advantage in the center. Black now knows (partly because of this game) that they must play 6... e6! here in order to keep the bishop and prepare f6f5 - holding

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more control over the central light squares. 6...e6 and f6f5 to follow is Blacks best approach to maintain the dynamic imblanaces of this position. 7.xd3 g6?! Another unnecessary move. Black should play the simply 7...a6 with idea of 8...d6, and try to finish development quickly. 8.ge2 8.e4 is already a real possibility, and might lead to a slight edge just as easily. White is creating the four vs three on the queenside, and a long term positional edge to go along with it. 8...f5

Very aggressive and overoptimistic for sure. Black wants to keep the king safe on kingside, and believes he can fight back against Whites center with a move like ...c5 eventually. But as we will see, the Black kingside, the weakened light squares and the open e-file are too much for Mamedyarov to defend. 15...00 16.b4 to c7 17.f4. 16.f4! Practically speaking, a very strong move, even if it was slightly unnecessary. White immediately Necessary continue

but even here its hard for Black to fully equalize against Whites pressure. 19.ae1 d7 20.e4 d6 (20...h6 21.d3) 21.c4 d8 22.h1 d7 23.d5 d8 24.c5 cxd5 25.cxd6 dxe4 26.dxe7+ xe7 27.g1 e5 28.e3 c7 29.c1+ b8 30.d3 e7 31.c5 e6 32.xe4 he8? (32...c8 33.c3 c6 34.h4 and White maintains all the winning chances. Black is hard pressed to unbind himself.) 33.ce1+. 19.d3 19.xe7+ was absolutely enough to bring home the full point. Not sure why Nakamura chose the more fancy route... 19...g5 20.e6+ h8 21.fe1

fighting for equality was 15...000.

launches his plan to punish 15... f5. Though the computer eventually points out a possible defense for black, in this rapid time control, blacks chances of defending accurately were very slim. The analysis also proves that the Veresov itself was successful in the opening stage, even before Nakas unnecessary sacrifice. It should be noted that 16.d2 is more than enough to maintain a clear edge for White. 16...fxe4 17.xe4 f5 18.e2

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9.h3 Before going on with the e4 plan, White first wants to provoke the move h5, since the move 10.g4 is already a big threat... 9...h5 10.f3 d7 11.e4 fxe4 12.fxe4 dxe4 13.xe4 a5+ 13...h4+ 14.g3 e7 15.000 doesnt do much to change the concrete details of this position, ie that White is positionally much better. 14.c3 e7 15.00 f5?!

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18...00 18...f8 was the best defence, 21 of 24

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21...ae8 Black misses his chance to punish Nakamuras fancy 19.d3 retreat with 21...c5! 22.xc5 xc5 23.dxc5 xc5+ 24.h1 and though we still love Nakamuras chances to expose Mamedyarovs king position, the game is far from over. 22.xd7 g3 23.xe7 10 Great and quick work by Nakamura in this game and a nice end of our Veresov article!

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August 2013

In the News
Mamedyarov Wins Beijing Grand Prix; Topalov qualifies for Candidates
In what was an excellent summer for the Azerbaijani, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov won the fifth FIDE Grand Prix in Beijing, shortly after he took first place in two rapid events. Veselin Topalov has won the overall Grand Prix.
Mamedyarov finished 7.0/11, which was half a point more than Alexander Grischuk of Russia. Shared third came Peter Leko of Hungary and Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria, who has now secured victory in the overall FIDE Grand Prix with one tournament The top two players in the Grand Prix qualify for the 2014 Candidates Tournament. Mamedyarov is now in to go. With 410 Grand Prix points the former FIDE World Champion cannot be overtaken. second place with 390 points, but he is not certain of qualification yet. If either Fabiano Caruana or Alexander Grischuk finishes clear first in the final GP tournament, Mamedyarov will be out. Read the final report on Beijing online here.

L.A. Resolution for Vishy Anand

Los Angeles city councilman Paul Krekorian introduced a resolution on behalf of Viswanathan Anand during the Indian's visit to Southern

California in July 2013. Anand joined coaching activities and gave a simul; one board was against the World via Chess.com's "Voting Chess" platform.

Mekhitarian Wins Death Match #16

Regning Krikor Brazilian Sevag Champion GM won with four straight wins early on, and afterwards Hungaski said: "Those four games definitely came back to haunt me." The match saw some fascinating and instructive endgames! 22 of 24

Mekihitarian

Chess.com's Death Match 16 by a score of 13-10 over GM Robert Hungaski. Mekhitarian started well

The Masters Bulletin

August 2013

In the Spotlight
Why Chess.com for Titled Players and Coaches?
We are the world's #1 chess website, with the most members, the best features, and the most powerful platform to give you and your accomplishments the exposure you deserve. If you are interested in starting an online chess business, offering coaching services online, or reaching a huge new audience as a chess blogger, Chess.com has you covered!
Here are some of Chess.com's features that will be valuable to you as an elite player: Learn: Powerful tools like Tactics Trainer and Chess designed to make coaching convenient and effective. Our interactive Analysis Board provides the ultimate online classroom, including integrated voice chat, graphical arrows, and support for both one-on-one and group lessons. With our Analysis Board you can paste FEN/PGN on the fly, from practically any source, and most importantly, all your analysis during the lesson is automatically "building" a potential PGN to be copied back and saved to whatever chess program you use. You also have easy access to students' games, and the ability to copy, annotate, and send games via Chess. com messaging (avoiding the hassle of emailing games back and forth). Resource Material: Chess.com has more training tools and features than any other chess website in the world. Assign an Article that reinforces a strategic principle you just taught, encourage your students to watch a Video Lecture on their opening, find a Mentor Course to improve their endgame skills, or use Computer Workout to drill on critical techniques... Your lucky students will never run out of homework! Mentor challenge players of any level to stay sharp in their quest for chess perfection. Play: Real-time action is always available on our Live Chess server; find thousands of other members online, 24 hours a day! You can also start as many Online or "Turnbased" games as you want and play correspondence-style with dozens (or hundreds) of your friends, fellow Titled Players, and other members. Play from anywhere with our amazing apps for Android and iOS. Watch: Check out live relays and commentary during top tournaments. Chess.com/TV features an array of chess personalities and fellow Titled Players! Publish: Feature your blog on Chess.com and build a bigger fan base than you ever thought possible! Top-notch chess-publishing tools make it painless. Teach: Yes, professional Chess Coaches have excellent reasons to offer online lessons on Chess.com: Students: With seven million members (and growing), Chess.com is the best place to find students. Use our searchable coaching profiles (classifieds) to promote your accomplishments and the services you offer to our huge community of chess enthusiasts! Innovative Coaching Tools: We have a suite of features 23 of 24 More info For more information and video tutorials, do check our online version of this article!

The Masters Bulletin

August 2013

Featured Blogs
TigerLilov's Blog Last 9 weeks: 4 post 4,093 reads How to Play Openings Better? July 26, 2013 How to Avoid Positional Mistakes - July 15, 2013 Chess Massacre - Tiger plays Blitz: Part II - July 10, 2013 danheisman's Blog Last 9 weeks: 2 posts 2,306 reads There's Not Always A Clearly Best Move or Idea - July 22, 2013 I'll Never Forget the Brilliant NM Alan Baisley - June 7, 2013 A Talk to Remember Coach Donald Byrne - April 12, 2013 Alexander Ipatov's Blog Last 9 weeks: 3 posts 1,883 reads All games from the 7th Simul June 30, 2013 Dates for Next Two Simuls in June & July Are Confirmed! June 11, 2013 Games from the 6th Simul June 2, 2013

Leaderboards - Top Titled Players

Bullet
# 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 Name IM brute4ever FM TigerLilov GM SultanOfKings GM erichansen GM dretch GM LittlePeasant GM jark GM FabianoCaruana IM Mikun123 GM Parimarjan Rating 3004 2903 2777 2769 2703 2678 2678 2673 2653 2651

Blitz
# 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 Name GM gmwesley_so FM Kulinarist GM lorcho GM NigelShort GM FabianoCaruana NM TheTruth GM honestgirl FM TigerLilov GM CaptainJames GM Janosik Rating 2632 2617 2595 2588 2577 2571 2553 2548 2547 2547

Daily Chess/Correspondence
# 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 Name GM Julio_Becerra IM elobispo
GM Kalif88

Rating 2736 2730 2623 2612 2598 2595 2569 2539 2535 2509

FM The_Evil_Ducklings FM Soilsurf NM RWHaines

FM VPA NM BMcC333 FM ImmortalTechnique

IM dpruess

(Standings reflect the top titled players, active within the last month on Chess.com)

The Master's Bulletin is Chess.com's monthly PDF magazine for titled players. Any copying or distribution (reproduction, via print, electronic format, or in any form whatsoever), as well as posting on the web, is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. 2013 Chess.com

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