DΑΝΙΕΙ KING

1

IΝβ GUIDES '

1 e4 c5 2 4Jc3 4Jc6 3 93

The Closed Sicilian

CHESS PRESS OPENING GUIDES

Other titles ίη this series include:

1901259056 Caro-Kann Advance Byron Jacobs 190125903 Χ Dutch Leningrad Neil McDonald 1901259 10 2 French Advance Tony Kosten 1901259 ΟΙ 3 Sicilian Τ aίmanov J ames Plaskett 190125902 1 Scandinavian John Emms 1901259099 Semi-Slav Matthew Sadler 1901259005 Slav Matthew Sadler 1901259048 Spanish Exchange Andrew Kinsman 190125908 Ο Trompowsky J oe Gallagher

For further details for Chess Press titles, please write to The Chess Press c/o Cadogan Books plc, 27-29 Berwick Street, London W1V 3RF.

Chess Press Opening Guides

The Closed Sicilian

Daniel King

;r w.m

The Chess Press, Brighton

\

First published 1997 by The Chess Press, an imprint οί First Rank Publishing, 23 Ditchling Rise, Brighton, East Sussex, ΒΝ1 4QL, ίη association with Cadogan Books plc

Copyright © 1997 Daniel King

Distributed by Cadogan Books plc, 27-29 Berwick Street, London WIV 3RF

ΑΙΙ rights reserved. Νο part οί this publication may be reproduced, stored ίη a retrieval system or transmitted ίη any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission ίη writing from the publishers.

Α CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 1 901259 06 4

Cover design by Ray Shell Design Production by Book Production Services Printed and bound ίη Great Britain by BPC Wheatons, Exeter

1 e4 c5 2 ctJc3 ctJc6 3 93

Bibliography 8 Introduction 9

Part Οηθ: Main Lίηθ (1 e4 c5 2LΔc3 LΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 ..tg7 5 d3 d6 6 14 e6 7 LΔ13 LΔge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο)

1 9 iιe3l2Jd4 10 e5 Pawn Sacrifice 14 2 Alternatiνes after 9 j,e3 42 3 White does not play 9 iιe3 52

Part Τννο: Sixth Μονθ Alternatives (1 e4 c5 2LΔc3 lίJc6 3 g3 g6 4 ..tg2 ..tg7 5 d3 d6)

4 6 f4 e5 65 5 6 iιe3 77 6 6l2Jge2 95 7 6 l2Jf3 and other SΊXth Moves for White 107

Part Three: Early Deviations (1 e4 c5)

8 Black plays ... e7 -e6 and ... d7 -d5 118 9 1 e4 c5 2 g3 127

Index of Complete Games 142

Books

Encyclopaedia ο/ Chess Openings vol.B, Sahovski Informator 1984

Beating the Anti-Sicilians, Gallagher (Batsford, 1994)

Winning with the Closed Sicilian, Lane (Batsford, 1992)

Periodicals

In/ormator

ChessBase MegaBase CD-R ΟΜ

New In Chess Yearbook

British Chess Magazine

Chess Monthly

Haνing spent alarmίngly large chunks of my life studying the white side of the Open Sicilian, Ι find myself ask­ing, why did Ι bother? Was Ι really so νain as to think Ι could refute the Dragon, or the Najdorf, or that funny line with ... e7 -e6 that Ι can neνer re­member the name of? (Is it a Kan, or a Taimanoν, and should Ι aνoid a trans­position to a Scheνeningen?) There are certain players who long ago took the attitude that life is too short for all that business, and Ι should haνe joined their ranks long before now. Vassily Smysloν, Boris Spassky, Vlastimil Hort and Oleg Romanishin are just a few of the great players who haνe mastered the Closed Sicilian. They are natural players who haνe deνeloped a 'feel' for the positions that arise rather than staking their reputations οη

hours and hours of home preparation. The great adνantage of the 'Closed'

is that it is possible to put your own stamp οη the opening - as all the aboνe players haνe done. There isn't one approνed method, and it's not

going to be refuted oνernight. What is important is an understanding of the ideas. Let's run through the first few moνes and look at the reasoning be­hind them: 1 e4 c5 2lΔc3

This moνe is important. Before White fianchettoes his king's bishop, it's crucial that ... d7-d5 is preνented, otherwise Black can cut across his plans. For instance, 2 g3 would allow 2 ... d5, which is still fine for White, as we shall see ίη Chapter 9, but it pre­νents the Closed Sicilian formation that we are heading for. 2 ... lΔc6

Systems with ... e7-e6 followed by ... d7 -d5 οη the next moνe are dis­cussed ίη Chapter 8. 3 g3 g6 4 iιg2 iιg7 5 d3

I'm taking this position as my fun­damental starting point. White fi­anchettoes his bishop which increases the influence oνer d5, and ίη general bolsters White's centre. When White decides to attack, the reason he can get away with it is that his pawn centre,

9

The CIosed SiciIian

a1though not dominant, is a tough one to crack. It is difficult for Black to get a counterρunch through the pawn wa11 c2-d3-e4. As we sha11 see, from this point White can play the opening ίη many different ways. After .,.

5 ... d6 ... the most frequently seen move is

still ... 6 f4

... aiming for a kingside attack. Α few years back Black genera11y played

6 ... ttJf6

However, there is a disadvantage to this natura1 developing move - it en­courages White to play the natura1 f4-f5 ...

10

White's f4-f5

Moving the pawn from f4 to f5 opens the dίagona1 of the bishop to h6 as well as the f-file for the rook οη f1. White mίght follow up by pushing his h-pawn a couple of squares to soften up Black's king position, or perhaps by doubling rooks οη the f-file, and so οη. The pawn οη e4, supported by a hea1thy pawn chain and the bishop οη g2, ensures that there is a strong bar­rier between Black' s pieces and White's king. Ιη view of the impres­sive power of White's attack with f4-f5, Black players started to prefer to adopt a dίfferent defensive formation

Black's ... f7-f5 After the standard Closed Sicilian opening sequence 1 e4 c5 2 4Jc3 4Jc6 3 g3 g6 4 .tg2 .tg7 5 d3 d6 6 f4, they usua11y played ... 6 ... e6!

see fo//owing diagram

... so that after ... 7 ttJf3 ttJge 7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 g4

... (a1ready threatening to push and cramp Black)

Black can immediately blockade with ... 9 ... f5!

When White captures with g4xf5 Black generally recaptures with ... e6xf5, maintaining a strong king ρο­sition (see Game 34). Here the fixed situation οί White's pawn οη ί4 makes an enormous difference to the posi­tion. It means that the bishop οη c1 is trapped ίη and unable to take part ίη the attack; the f-file is closed; and White's pawn centre has been stopped ίη its tracks. If White captures οη ί5 for a second time, Black recaptures with a piece, and the blockade contin­ues. It isn't clear how White can de­velop his attack from here.

Introduction

White's e4-e5 sacrifice Ιη view οί the strength οί Black's ... f7-ί5 blockade, White was forced to find different ways to prepare the attack. The most notable ίη recent years has been the introduction οί a pseudo­pawn sacrifice οη e5 with (1 e4 c5 2 tLJc3 tLJc6 3 g3 g6 4 i..g2 i..g7 5 d3 d6 6 ί4 e6 7 tLJf3 tLJge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο) 9 iιθ3 tΔd4 1 Ο e5!?

... blowing open the diagonals for White's bishops and giving the knight a square οη e4. As this variation has been at the forefront οί Closed Sicίlian theory over the past few years, Ι have examined it ίη some detail ίη Chapter 1. Chapters 2 and 3 also deal with the main line after 8 ο-ο ο-ο, examίning various alternatives to the pawn sacri­fice line for both White and Black are also concerned with 6 f4. Chapter 4 is concerned with the dynamίc 6 ί4 e5!?, while ίη Chapters 5-7 Ι examίne more subtle strategies for White, whereby he usually delays playing his f-pawn forward for some time, so that the c1-h6 diagonal remains open. If White can possibly exchange the dark­squared bishops, then he almost cer­tainly should do so ...

11

The CIosed SiciIian

Exchanging dark-squared bishops cient use of fire-power - but if the

Even if it appears that there is little chance of an immediate attack, it is remarkable how often Black's king does eventually suffer. The exchange of bishops also weakens Black's hold over the centre and queenside.

Pushing the b-pawn This last position brings me οη to one of Black's main sources of counter­play: advancing the b-pawn.

Here we have a typical C10sed Sicil­ian position. The b-pawn has forced the knight from c3, opening υρ the long diagonal for the king's bishop. At the moment White's rook is tied to

defending the pawn - hardly an effi-

12

white pawn moves to b3, then Black has complete control over the diago­nal: the rook can penetrate down the a-file, and the knight can safely settle οη d4. However, there can be draw­backs to the advance of the b-pawn. Black must take care that he isn't up­set by e4-e5 from White, undermίning the pawn οη c5 (see Game 77).

Positional trick White has more posltlve ways of meeting the advance of the b-pawn than simply moving the knight out of the way. Here's a nice positional trick:

White has already played a2-a3 and 1::ι.b 1 ίη readiness for the oncomίng black b-pawn. Black does not want to advance immediately, since after 11 ... b4 12 axb4 cxb4 13 lΔa4 he loses central control due to the side-step of his c-pawn. But if Black plays 11 ... a5, Whίte responds with 12 a4!, to meet 12 ... b4 with 13 lΔb5 and 12 ... bxa4 with 13 lΔxa4, when Black's pawn front has been broken.

White's b2-b4 Alternatively, it is possible to block

the b1ack b-pawn with b2-b4.

A1though general1y this move is strategical1y desirab1e - a wing pawn knocks out a centre pawn - White has to be carefu1 that the horse οη c3 isn't nobb1ed by a tactic οη the 10ng diago­nal or c-fi1e.

Summary 50 there we have some of the main strategic ideas ίη the Closed 5icilian. When we get stuck into the different chapters, Ι shal1 be examining these strategies ίη greater detai1. Patterns quick1y emerge. Even ίί you are οη1Υ

Introdυction

interested ίη one particu1ar 1ine, it's good to p1ay through as many games as possib1e, ίί you have time, as the same ideas can often be transferred from one kind οί position to another.

Ιη this book Ι have chosen to con­centrate οη new ideas for both sides, rather than repeating numerous 01d and well-known games.

And final1y, Ι have always found one οί the best ways to 1earn an open­ing is to study the games οί a particu-1ar expert to see how he interρrets the system. The obvious candidate to f01-10w ίη the Closed 5icilian is Boris 5passky. Throughout his career he has contributed so many new ideas; even when he is at his most peacefu1, there is a thoughtfulness about his p1ay which is revealing. For this book Ι have se1ected as many οί his games as possib1e, even when not direct1y re1e­vant from a theoretical point οί view.

Enjoy p1aying the Closed 5ici1ian, and don't forget: there is much more to this opening than just pushing the ί­pawn down the board!

13

Main Ιίηθ: 9 ~θ3 lίJd4 1 Ο e5 Pawn Sacrifice

1 e4 c5 2 liJc3 liJc6 3 g3 g6 4 ..tg2 ..tg7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 liJf3 liJge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 ..te3 liJd4 1 Ο e5

The most exciting deνelopment ίη the Closed Sicilian ίη recent years has been the introduction of the e4-e5 pawn sacrifice - and that's why I'm deνoting a large chunk of space to this chapter. Players such as Spassky and Balashoν enjoyed considerable success with this pseudo-sacrifice, which im­mediately plunges the game into great complications. From White's point of νiew, the appeal of the νariation is that there are many ways for Black to go wrong: just by playing 'normal' moνes he can find himself ίη an infe­rior position. Τ ake a look at this game, ίη which Black fails to appreci­ate the dangers and gets blown off the board.

1 e4 c5 2 liJc3 d6 3 f4 g6 4 liJf3

14

..tg7 5 g3 liJc6 6 ..tg2 e6 7 ο-ο

liJge7 8 d3 ο-ο 9 ..te3 liJd4 1 Ο e5!?

This is the moνe that shocked Black players at the end of the eighties. The pawn push has seνeral objectiνes ίη

ffiind: a) The diagonals of the bishops are

opened υρ across the board. b) The support for Black's pawn οη

c5 is undermίned. c) White's knight can hop into the

fantastic square οη e4. d) The f-file is often opened, giνing

White attacking chances οη the king­side.

Main Line: 9 ~e3 tΔd4 1 Ο e5 Pa wn Sacrifice

Heard enough? If you are not con­vinced οί the potential dangers, play οη:

10 ... lίJef5 Black's various other possibilities

here are discussed ίη Games 9-18. 11 .tf2 lίJxf3+

The most critical move. 11 ... ~b8 is considered in Game 7 and 11 ... d5 ίη

Game 8. 12 ~xf3 lίJd4

12 ... ~d7 is also playable - see Game 6. 13 ~d11:!.b8?

This move looks natural enough but, as we shall see, it is far too slow. Having got this far, Black should cap­ture twice οη e5 - see Games 2-4, since 13 ... dxe5 14 fxe5 ~b8 15 lbe4 (Game 5) and 13 ... d5 14 lba4 b6 15 b4 (Game 8, by transposition) are also promίsing forWhite. 14lίJe4! Α typical move for this variation:

the knight looks at the sensitive squares οπ c5, d6, and f6.

14 ... dxe5 15 c3 lίJf5 16 ~xc5 The rook οη ί8 and the pawn οη a7

are both under attack: White has a winning position. (The best practical

course for Black mίght have been to give υρ the exchange with 16 ... exf4.) 16 ... 1:!.e8 17 fxe5 b6

After 17 ... ~xe5 18 j,xa7 ~a8 19 ~ί2 White is a pawn υρ for nothing.

18 ~d6 1:!.b7 19 ~e2 1:!.d7 20 d4 ~b7 21 ~a3 ~c8 22 g4 ~a6 23 ~f2 ~xf1 241:!.xf1 lίJe7 1-0

... and Black resigned before White could decide whether to play lbd6 or 'i'xf7 + first.

Black puts υρ a better defence in the next game, but White's strategy still works perfectly.

1 e4 c5 2 lίJc3 lίJc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 ~g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 lίJf3 lίJge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 i.e3 lίJd4 1 Ο ~f2

The move order that Spassky em­ploys here to get to the sacrifice is slightly unusual, and has πο great ad­vantage over the more commonly played 10 e5. Indeed, it just gives Black more options. For instance, here Black could play 1O ... e5, exploiting White's

15

Τhe Closed Sicilian

slow manoeuvres with the bishop. (See Chapter 2 if you would like to look at the tamer 10 ~f2 ίη more de­taίl.) Anyway, ίη this game we quickly transpose to a familiar position from the sacrifice.

1 Ο ... l2Jxf3+ 11 i.xf3 l2Jc6 12 i.g2 l2Jd4 13 e5!? dxe5

Compare this with the last game, where Black played the mίserable 13 ... :b8 at this point. 14 fxe5 1ιΧθ5!

Ιη this particular position, the cap­ture is by far the best move. For a time, this move was actually the most popular way for Black to counter the whole 10 e5 variation. The dubious 14 ... :b8 is considered ίη Game 5.

16

15l2Je4 With this move White forces his

opponent to return the pawn. Al­though Black's pieces look active, ίη fact, they must retreat, though that isn't his maίn problem. The real ques­tion is, how can Black develop the bishop οη c8 when White's bishop οη g2 cuts across the whole board? 15 ... f5

If Black doesn't force the knight to capture οη c5, then after c2-c3 White will capture οη c5 with the bishop which, as we saw ίη the first game, is actually far more dangerous. For ex­ample, 15 ... 'iYc7 16 c3 4.Jc6 17 j"xc5 :d8 18 d4 (18 i.e3!?) 18 ... b6 19 ..5i.a3 ~b7 20 'iYf3 puts Black οη the defen­slve.

However, 15 ... c4?! is a crafty idea, trying to dίsrupt Whίte's pawn struc­ture, but it didn't pay οΗ ίη Liemann­Wolf, Germany 1991, since 16 c3! 4.Jc6 (16 ... 4.Jf5 is probably better, when J.L.Roos-Rotstein, French Team Championship 1996, continued 17 i.c5 :e8 18 d4 i.g7 with compensa­tion for the pawn, but probably ηο morej 17 dxc4 would have been a bet­ter way to exploit the stray position of Black's knight οη the kίngside) 17 i.c5 is strong, with the idea of 17 ... :e8 18 d4 ..5i.g7 19 4.Jd6. 16 l2Jxc5 ~d6

16 ... 'iYc7 is the major alternative -see Balashov-Karρman (Game 4). Ιη

the game Upmark-Borge, Stockholm 1996, Black attempted to randomίse the situation with 16 ... f4, but this is rather dangerous as it neglects his de­velopment and could thus easily re­bound.

Main Line: 9 1ιθ3 tΔd4 1 Ο e5 Pa wn Sacrifice

17 b4 The best moνe. White has to be a

little careful here. For instance, 17 l2Ja4 would haνe been strongly met by 17 ... f4, breaking through to White's king, while 17 l2Jb3?! was refuted by 17 ... l2Jxb3 18 axb3 i.xb2 19 l:.a5 i.c3 20 l:.a4 b5 21 l:.xa7 l:.xa7 22 i.xa7 e5 23 'iVf3 i..e6 24 Φh1 b4 with a clear adνantage for Black ίη Miles-Marin, Manila 1990. Finally, 17l2Jxb7? would haνe been a dreadful mistake, handing oνer the initiatiνe to Black after 17 ... ..txb7 18 i.xb7 l:.ab8 19 i.g2 l:.xb2. Here Black has solνed his major problem, how to deνelop the bishop οη c8, and his rook has thrown itself into the attack; far from being driνen back, the knight οη d4 looks like a fixture οη d4, unless White wishes to exchange it, but ίη that case he would definitely stand worse. 17 ... 1:tb8?!

Once again, this seemingly natural moνe is a mistake. 17 ... l2Jc6 is stronger, as we shall see ίη Game 3, where moνe order differences mean that the same position is reached after 18 moνes instead οί 17! 18 c3lίJb5 19 d4 ~f6

19 ... l2Jxc3? loses material to 20 dxe5 'iVxd1 21 l:.axd1l2Jxd1 22 l:.xd1. 20 ~b3

The picture becomes a little clearer. ΒΥ knocking out the pawn οη c5, White has gained greater control οί the centre. 20 ... b6 21 lίJd3 ~b7

Exchanging the bishops looks natu­ral- Black hopes that White's kingside will be weakened - but take a look at the backward pawn οη e6: target. 22 ~xb7 1:txb7 23 a4 lίJc7 24 1:tfe1 lίJd5 25 c4lίJe7

If 25 ... l2Jc7 then 26l2Je5 followed by b4-b5 and l2Jc6, with a complete stran­glehold oνer Black's position. 26lίJf4

17

Τhe Closed Sicilian

Α clever piece of calculation from Spassky. 26 ... tίJc6

26 ... i-xd4? 27 tΔxe6! i-xf2+ 28 Φχf2l:ίf6 (or 28 ... ~e8 29 ~ad1 ~b8 30 c5 and Black's kίng is caught ίη the crossfire) 29 ~ad1 ~c6 30 ~d8+ Φf7 31l:ίf8 mate. 27 1::txe6 ~xb4 28 ~d3 tίJθ7 29 .Jte1 ~b2 30 .Jtc3 ~b3

Spassky wouldn't allow Black's queen into his position unless he had something lined up οη the kingside. Although 15 ... f5 was necessary, this game is a good illustration of the ρο­tential drawbacks of this move: it opens up Black's king position. 31 1::txf6! 1::txf6 32 d5 'it>f7

Or 32 ... .tιf8 33 ~d4 with the famίl­iar battery. 33 tίJθ6

As usual, Spassky plays the attack incisively. There are two principal threats: tΔd8+ and tΔg5+. 33 ... 1::txe6 34 dxe6+ 'it>xe6

The king doesn't last long here. 35 1::te1+ 'it>f7 36 ~d4 ~xa4 37 ~g7+ 'it>e8 38 i.f6 'it>d8 39 ~f8+ ~θ8 40 1::td1+ 1::td7 41 i.xe7+ c7 42 ~xθ8 1-0

Ιη the next game Spassky' s ορρο­nent was far better prepared. Hjartar­son provides us with one of the most reliable methods of dealing with the 10 e5 pawn 'sacrifice'.

1 e4 c5 2 tίJc3 tίJc6 3 g3 g6 4 .i.g2

18

.i.g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 tίJf3 tίJge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 .i.e3 tίJd4 10 .i.f2

Once again, Spassky uses this quiet move as a means of entering the pawn sacrifice. Fair enough, but it is impor­tant to remember that Black is ηοΙ obliged to go into the pawn sacrifice lines. At this point he has several rea­sonable alternatives - see Chapter 2. 10 ... tίJec6 11 tίJxd4 tίJxd4 12 e5 dxe5 13 fxe5 .i.xe5 14 tίJθ4 f5 15 lΔxc5 ~d6 16 b4 tίJc6!

This is better than Gufeld's 16 ... ~b8 (see the previous game). Other moves are also ηοΙ as strong. For example, 16 ... i-g7 17 a4 (17 c3 tΔb5) 17 ... e5 18 c3 tΔc6 19 a5 gives White a strong queenside initiative, whi1e the greedy 16 ... tΔb5?!, attempting ΙΟ take the rook ίη the corner, has potentially fatal consequences after 17 a4! and:

a) 17 ... tΔc3 18 ~d2 tΔe4 19 liJxe4 fxe4 20 i-xe4 (20 d4 ~xf2) 20 ... ..txa1 21 ~xa1 with tremendous compensa­tion for the exchange.

b) 17 ... i-xa1 18 ~xa1 tΔc7 19liJxb7 i.xb7 20 iιxb7 ~xb4 21 ..txa8 ~a8 22 'iνe5 threatening ..td4. In both cases White develops tremendous pressure οη the long diagonal.

Main Line: 9 .iιe3 t:Δd4 10 e5 Pawn Sacrifice

17 ~b1 iιd4! Hjartarson finds a series of accurate

moves to hold the balance, but there are still plenty of pitfalls along the way. The obvious moves aren't as ef­fective. For instance:

a) 17 ... b6?! 18 lΔb3 .ib7 19 d4 and White controls the centre.

b) 17 ... Iϊb8 18 '1i'e1 (not 18 b5 lΔd4 19 lΔa4 f4!) 18 ... .ig7 19lΔb3 b6 20 c4 with the initiative ίη Radulovski­Georgiev, Stara Zagora 1991. 18 fid2 iιxf2+

This is a reliable move, but it is also possible to play 18 ... a5!?, bringing the rook οη a8 into play: 19 .ixc6 (this gives White some security οη the queenside, but giving up the bishop can easily rebound as the kingside is weakened; note that 19 a3 axb4 20 axb4 Iϊa2 is also irritating for White) 19 ... .ixf2+ (19 ... bxc6 20 c3 .ixf2+ 21 '1i'xf2 axb4 22 cxb4 e5 is balanced) 20 '1i'xf2 bxc6 and ... e6-e5 when Black is fine. However, 18 ... Iϊb8 didn't fare so well ίη Djurhuus-Mednis, Stavanger 1989: 19 .ixd4lΔxd4 20 c3 lΔb5 21 d4 b6 22 lΔd3 jιb7 23 .ixb7 Iϊxb7 24 a4 lΔc7 25 a5 b5 26 lΔc5 Iϊbb8 27 Iϊbe1 with a big clamp. 19 ~xf2 ~b8 20 a3 b6 21 t2Jb3 iιb7

21 ... e5 has been suggested instead, although Black's centre appears to be a little loose after 22 Iϊbe1. 22 d4

see fo//owing diagram

22 ... t2Jd8! This is a careful manoeuvre. Black

brings the knight over to the kingside, where it covers some crucial squares. After 22 ... e5?! 23 d5 lΔe7 24 c4 the

white pawns are rolling.

23 c4 t2Jf7 24 iιxb7 ~xb7 25 fie3 e5

This move is essential if Black is to free his position. Compare with Djur­huus-Mednis above, or Spassky-Gufeld for that matter.

26 dxe5 ΥΖ -ΥΖ Spassky plays it safe and simplifies,

accompanying his move with a draw offer. His judgement proves to be cor­rect, as there isn't much ίη the posi­tion after 26 ... '1i'xe5 27 '1i'xe5 lΔxe5. If instead 26 d5 then 26 ... b5 breaks up the queenside pawns. Hjartarson's treatment of the opening was reliable, though he had to play accurately to equalise.

19

Τhe Closed Sicilian

Ιη the next game we consider the a1-ternative 16 ... 'iYc7.

Gafiιet~ hQ,v;;;J<arpman

,CQwqΜΑΟΡen:1θ89" .' ,

1 e4 c5 2 tiJc3 tiJc6 3 g3 g6 4 .tg2 .i.g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 tiJf3 tiJge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 .te3 tiJd4 1 Ο e5 tiJef5 11 .i.f2 tiJxf3+ 12 ~xf3 tiJd4 13 ~d1 dxe5 14 fxe5 .txe5 15 tiJe4 f5 16 tiJxc5

This position ought to be familiar by now! Now something different: 16 .. :~ΙVc7

Perhaps not quite as good as 16 ... 'iYd6 but playable, as we shall see.

17 b4.tg7

This time 17 ... lbc6?! is somewhat lame: 18 d4 Sιg7 19 c3 a5 20 b5 lbe7 21 'iYb3 and White dominated ίη Lyr­berg-Nykopp, Helsinki 1992, while 17 ... lbb5?! is just greedy after 18 a4 Sιxa1 19 'iYxa1 lbd6 20 !ίe1 with a fierce attack οη the long diagona1 ίη Knutgen-Lendwai, Oberwart 1996. However, 17 ... f4!? is an interesting attempt to unsettle White οη the king­side before he establishes control ίη

20

the centre and οη the queenside. For example,

a) 18 c3 and now: a1) 18 ... f3 19 .i.xd4 .i.xd4+ 20 cxd4

fxg2 21 !ίχf8+ ~xf8 22 'iYf3+ 'iYf7 23 'iYxg2 and White is οη top.

a2) 18 ... lbb5 19 d4 fxg3 20 hxg3 iιg7 21 'iYd3 and White has estab­lished his familiar centra1 contro1.

a3) 18 ... lbf5!? 19 g4 f3 20 .i.xf3 (or 20 'iYxf3 lbh4) 20 ... .i.xh2+ 21 ~g2 lbg7 22 'iYe2 !ίb8 with an unclear ρο­sition.

b) 18 gxf4?! rather plays into Black's hands, a1though even this was unclear ίη the following game: 18 ... !ίxf4 19 c3 lbf5 20 d4 !ίχf2 21 !ίχf2 .i.xh2+ 22 ~h1 .i.g3 23 !ίf3 'iYe7 24 'iYd3 'iYh4+ 25 ~g1 Sιh2+ 26 ~f1lbg3+ 27 ~e1 b6 28 !ίχg3 iιxg3+ 29 ~e2 and the com­plications weren't over yet ίη Sa1aun­Pedersen, Cannes 1995 .

... f5-f4 is a1ways worth looking out for ίη these lines. At a stroke Black has the potentia1 to damage White's king­side. We will see more of this motif later (Game 10, for instance). 18 c3 tiJb5 19 ~b3!

Instead, 19 d4 gives Black fairly easy equality: 19 ... lbxc3 20 'iYe1 lbe4 21

Main LίΠθ: 9 iιθ3 tΔd4 1 Ο e5 Pawn Sacrifice

lίJxe4 fxe4 22 'iVxe4 'iVd6 23 il.e3 ~d7! (preferring to give up a pawn tempo­rarily to complete his development rather than take a pawn with vague consequences) 24 'iVxb7 il.xd4 25 ~xd4 'iVxd4+ 26 Φh11ίab8 with equal chances ίη Bastian-Kavalek, German Bundesliga 1986. 19 ... lΔxc3 20 nae1 ~f7 21 lΔxθ6 ~xθ6 22 1:ιΧθ6

White has a slight advantage due to

the powerful bishops raking across the queenside, but Black is aware οί the danger and seeks to liquidate as many pawns as possible. 22 ... a5! 23 bxa5 nxa5 24 1:ιθ7 ~xb3 25 axb3 nf7 26 nfe1 nb5 27 1:ιθ8+ nf8 28 1:ι8θ7 nf7 29 e8+ nf8 30 1:ι8θ 7 Υ:ι - Υ:ι

With accurate play Black was able to maίntaίn the balance, but White was always pressing.

Black's play ίη the next game 1S

provacative, to say the least.

1 e4 c5 2 lΔc3 lΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 ~g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 tZJf3 lΔge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 iιθ3 tZJd4 1 Ο e5 tZJef5 11 iιf2 lΔxf3+ 12 ~xf3 tZJd4 13 ~d1 dxe5 14 fxe5 nb8?!

It is very risky to leave the white pawn οη e5. The more standard 14 ... iιxe5 was considered ίη Games 1-4.

see fo//owing diagram

15 tZJe4! b6 16 tZJf6+! ~h8

Or 16 ... ~xί6 17 exf6 and now: a) 17 ... 'iYxf6 18 c3lίJf5 19 g4lίJd6 20

iιxc5 (or 20 .td4!? 'iYg5 21 iιί6 with attacking chances for the pawn) 20 ... 'iYe7 21 ~e3 and White can look forward to an attack οη the dark squares.

b) 17 ... h5 18 g4 with a strong kίng­side attack. 17 c3 tZJf5 18 g4 tZJe 7 19 ~f3 lΔd5 20 g5

White has a ferocious attack but, somehow, he doesn't quite manage to

clinch victory. 20 ... ~xf6 21 gxf6 ~b7 22 ~g31Δc7 23 iιxb7 nxb7 24 nae1 ~d5 25 ~g5 ~xd3 26 1:ιθ3 ~f5 27 ~h6 .1:I.g8 28 nh3 g5 29 iιxc5 'i6'g6 30 iιf8

21

The Closed Sicilian

'iVxh6 31 iιxh6 lLJd5 32 I:tg3 I:tg6 33 iιxg5 b5 341:td1 h6 35 iιc1 'it>h7 36 Φf2 I:tc7 37 I:tdg1 b4 Υ:ι - Υ:ι

Ιη the final position White has thrown away the greater part of his advantage.

The next game shows an interesting alternative approach for Black οη

move 12.

Game6,' indermann-Spasov

c. ~vi,,~ad'Olympiω1'1~90 '.

1 e4 c5 2 lLJc3 lLJc6 3 g3 g6 4 iιg2 .1ιg7 5 d3 e6 6 f4 lLJge7 7 lLJf3 ο-ο 8 ο-ο d6 9 iιe3 lLJd4 1 Ο e5 lLJef5 11 .1ιf2 lLJxf3+ 12 'iVxf3 ~d7

This has a similar motivation to 1O ... ~d7 (Games 16 and 17) - solving the problem of this light-squared bishop, and enjoyed some popularity after this convincing Black victory ίη 1990. White has a choice ίη this posi­tion: he can lead the game into well­known channels or plunge into com­plications. 13 ~xb7

Kindermann takes the plunge, but

22

there is nothing wrong with 13 l2Je4!?, which should transpose to Game 16 after 13 ... iιc6! However, 13 exd6?! iιc6 14 l2Je4 l2Jxd6 15 ~xc5 l2Jxe4 16 dxe4 iιd4+ is better for Black. 13 ... l:tb8 14 ~xa7 I:txb2 15 l:tac1

15 l2Je4!? has been suggested, but it doesn't appeal to me. After 15 ... ~xc2 16 g4 l2Jd4 17 iιxd4 cxd4 18 l2Jxd6 g5! (undermining the pawn οη e5) a messy position is reached, but personally that rook οη the seventh rank would ter­rify me. 15 ... dxe5

16 fxe5

If we are looking for improvements, then this mίght be the place. After 16 'iV a3 (Ι like the idea of expelling the rook before it can do any damage οη the seventh) 16 ... ~b8 (16 ... 'iVb8 17 ~b 1 hands the initiative over to White) 17 iιxc5 exf4 18 ~xf4 the posi­tion is quite unclear. White is a pawn ahead, but his forces are rather scat­tered compared to Black's very com­pact posltιon (Novicky-Zezulkίn, USSR 1991). 16 ... ~xe5 17lLJe4

After 17 'iVxc5 iιd6 18 'iVc4 ~b4 Black's active pieces promise good

Main Line: 9 .iιe3 CΔd4 1 Ο e5 Pa wn Sacrifice

compensation for the pawn. 17 ... i.c6 18 ~xc5 i.xe4 19 dxe4?!

19 ~xe4 .td4 20 .txd4 l2Jxd4 is un­clear according Ιο Spasoν, but Ι still prefer Black: his pieces are actiνe, his king is safe and White's army is scat­tered - νery much as ίη the remainder ofthe game.

19 ... i.d4 20 ~a3 lLJh6 21 i.f3 ~b6 22 i.xd4 ~xd4+ 23 Φh1 1:tc8 24 1:tfd1 ife5 25 ifa4 ~c3 26 1:tf1 ifd2 27 1:tfd1 ~θ3 28 1:tf1 ifd2 29 1:tfd1 'ii'c3 30 1:tf1 Φg7 31 ifa7 1:tc7 32 'ii'a4 lLJg8 33 i.g2 lLJf6 34 ~f3 lLJd7 35 ~g2 lLJe5 36 1:tf2 lLJd3 37 1:tf3 ~d2 38 1:tcf1 lLJe5 39 1:t3f2 ifc3 40 1:td1 h5 41 1:tfd2 lLJg4 42 1:te2 1:tcb7 0-1

There is ηο sensible defence Ιο

... .1:!b1.

Ιι is perhaps just a matter of taste, but Ι would prefer ηοΙ to go οη such a wild goose chase with my queen. Τ 00

often ίη these positions the queen 10ses connection with the rest of her army. As Ι mentioned aboνe, White has a satisfactory a1ternatiνe ίη 13 l2Je4, which should transpose to Lane-Sadler (Game 16).

1 e4 c5 2 lLJc3 d6 3 g3 lLJc6 4 ~g2 g6 5 d3 ~g7 6 f4 e6 7 lLJf3 lLJge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 i.e3 lLJd4 1 Ο e5 lLJef5 11 ~f2 1:tb8!?

Αη interesting a1ternatiνe Ιο the norma1 11. .. l2Jxf3+. With this moνe Black prepares Ιο support the c-pawn with ... b7-b6. 11 ... d5 is considered ίn the next game. 12lLJe4 b6

12 ... l2Jxf3+ ought Ιο transpose Ιο the game, and mίght actua11y be a more accurate moνe order, e.g. 13 ~xf3 dxe5? (it's the same old story: if Black captures ιοο early then he pays for ίι. Instead, 13 ... b6! transposes to the main game after 14 g4 ..tb7, a1-though White is certainly ηοΙ obliged Ιο play 14 g4) 14 .txc5 ne8 15 fxe5 Jιxe5 16 g4 l2Jh6 17 .te3 .td4 18 Φh1 .txe3 19 ~xe3 Φg7 20 l2Jf6 :h8 21 ~e5 na8 22 l2Jh5+ 1-0 Van der Veen­Burkhardt, Dortmund 1989. Α stark illustration of what can befa11 the un­wary.

23

The Closed Sicilian

13 g4 Why not 13 lΔxd4!? (this is why Ι

think it is better for Black to capture οη f3 first before playing ... b7-b6) 13 ... cxd4 14 g4 (with the simple idea οί capturing οη d6) 14 ... 'Ωe3 (not 14 ... lΔh4 15 iιxh4 iYxh4 16 'bxd6 but 14 ... dxe5!? could be Black's best, giv-ing υρ a piece for lots of pawns: 15 gxf5 exf5 16 'bd2 exf4 17 iYf3 and it's anyone's game) 15 iιxe3 dxe3 16 'bxd6 ί6 17 d4 and White is clearly οη top. 13 ... lΔxf3+ 14 "i\Vxf3 iιb7

This is the point οί Black's play. ΟηΙΥ ίη this way can he hold his posi­ιίοη together. If 15 gxf5?! exf5 16 exd6 fxe4 17 dxe4 iYxd6 18 ~ad1 iYc6 fol­lowed by ... ~fe8 or ... f7-f5 with tre­mendous pressure οη White's centre. 15 "i\Vh3

It mίght have been more sensible to play 15 iYe2 (but not 15 gxf5?! exf5 16 exd6 fxe4 17 dxe4 iYxd6 18 ~ad1 iYc6 followed by ... ~fe8 or ... f7-f5 with tremendous pressure οη White's cen­tre) 15 ... iιxe4 16 dxe4 'bd4 17 iιxd4 cxd4 18 exd6 iYxd6 19 e5 with chances for both sides. White could play the bishop to e4 to secure the pawn οη c2,

24

and then advance οη the kingside. 15 ... iιxθ4 16 dxe4 lΔd4 17 iιh4 f6

Not 17 ... lΔe2+? 18 Φh1 lΔxί4 19 iιxd8 'bxh3 20 iιe7 iιxe5 21 .txf8 Φχί8 22 iιxh3 winning for White (count the rooks) ίη Thorhal1sson­Petursson, Reykjavik 1989.

18 c3 lΔθ2+ 19 '1t>h1 dxe5 20 fxe5 g5 21 exf6 iιxf6 22 e5 iιg7 23 ~xf8+ iιxf8 24 ~θ3 gxh4 25 ~xθ2 ~g5

Ιη view οί the weakness οί the pawn οη e5, Black is slightly better, but White goes down with unneces­sary haste. 26 ~d1 iιg7 27 ~d7 ~f8 28 "i\Vd2 ~xg4 29 ~xa7 h3 0-1

1 e4 c5 2 lΔc3 e6 3 g3 lΔc6 4 iιg2 d6 5 f4lΔge7 6 lΔf3 g6 7 ο-ο iιg7 8 d3 ο-ο 9 iιθ3 lΔd4 1 Ο e5 lΔef5 11 iιf2 d5

This safe but uninspired move has been played οη a few occasions, usu­ally by Black players seeking Ιο avoid the more critical lines. However, it

Main Lίne: 9 Sιe3 tΔd4 1 Ο e5 Pawn Sacrifice

doesn't really test White's idea.

12 tΔxd4 tΔxd4 This position can also be reached,

with one move extra played by both sides, via the move order 11 ... lZJxf3+ 12 'i6xf3lZJd4 13 'i6d1 d5. 13 tΔa4 b6 14 b4! Τ esting Black' s idea. 14 c3 is also

possible: 14 ... lZJc6 15 d4 cxd4 16 cxd4 J.a6 17 ~e1 lZJb4 18 ~e3 and now Black will try Ιο drum up play οη the queenside, while White will play for a kingside attack with g3-g4 and f4-f5.

If Black is to avoid 10sing a pawn for nothing, then he must go ίη for the following: 14 ... i-d7 15 bxc5

υηιίΙ now, everyone has gone for the pawn οη c5, so it was surprising that a materialistic computer declined with 15 c4, and this may be even bet­ter as White keeps all the pressure οη Black's centre. The game AARD­WOLF-Stefansson, chess.net 1996, continued 15 ... dxc4 16 bxc5 ~xa4 17 iνxa4 bxc5 18 dxc4, when White's bishops are mightily impressive. 15 ... i-xa4 16 i-xd4 ':c8 17 cxb6 ':xc2 18 'ib'b 1 axb6

Black is going to be a pawn down,

but at least he has active pieces.

19.)ίΧb6!

After 19 ~xb6 ~xb6 20 i.xb6 ~b8, followed by activating the bishop οη g7 by ... i.f8, Black had sufficient compensation for the pawn ίη Abra­movic-Birmingham, Paris 1988. 19 .. :~d7 20 ':f2 ':fc8 21 ':xc2 .)ίχc2 22 'ib'b4 i-xd3

Sensibly, White returns the pawn to mobilise his pieces: 23 a4 i-f8 24 'ib'd4 .)ίa6 25 a5 'iVb7 26 h4 h5 27 ~e3 ':c2 28 ':c1 ':xc1+ 29 'iVxc1 i-c4?? 30 ~xc4 1-0

For a while after the 10 e5 variation became fashionable, 1O ... 'iYb6 was haίled as the correct antidote, based οη the game Spassky-Horνath (see below) ίη which the former W orld Cham­ρίοη faίled to achieve any advantage. But then White players struck back:

1 e4 c5 2 tΔc3 tΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 .)ίg2 .)ίg7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 tΔf3 tΔge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 i-e3 tΔd4 1 Ο e5 'tib6

25

The Closed Sicilian

11 l::tb1! This is more testing than 11 lLIe4!?

lLIef5 12 i.f2 'iWxb2 13 lLIxd4 cxd4 14 g4 tLJe3 15 iιxe3 dxe3 16 lLIxd6 f6 17 'iWe2 fxe5 18 tLJc4 ~d4 19 fxe5 1af2 20 'iWxe3 1axf1 + 21 1axf1 iιxe5 22 'iWxd4 i.xd4+ 23 Φh1 1ab8 24 1ab1 lh-lh Spassky-Horvath, European Club Cup, Rotterdam 1988. (White can eliminate one of the bishops after 24 ... b6 25 lLIa5, followed by lLIc6, for example, leaνing the position dead leνel.) White was ίη ηο danger ίη this game, but it is difficult to find im­proνements after 11 lLIe4 - for both sides. 11 ... lL\ef5 12 i.f2 lL\xf3+ 13 ~xf3 dxe5

13 ... lLId4 14 'iWd1 fxe5 15 fxe5 i.xe5 16 lLIe4 simply transposes to the text as it is again dangerous for Black to leaνe the pawn οη e5. For example, if instead of 15 ... i.xe5, 15 ... i..d7 then 16 lLIe4 i..a4 (or 16 ... i.c6 17 b4!?) 17 b3 .tc6 18 b4!? led to faνourable compli­cations for White ίη Balashoν­

Magerramoν, Pa1ma de Ma110rca 1989. 14 fxe5

White cannot justify playing the knight out to the edge: 14 lLIa4? 'iWc7

26

15 fxe5 i.xe5 16 i.xc5 i.d7 17 i.xf8 1axf8 18 lLIc3 i.d4+ 19 Φh1 lLIe3 20 'iWe4 'iWb6 21 1af4 e5 22 lLIe2 i..c6 23 lLIxd4 i..xe4 24 1axe4 exd4 25 i..f3 lίc8 26 1ae7 'iWf6 0-1 Bastian-Mίiller, Ger­man Bundesliga 1988. 14 ... iι.xe5 15 lίJe4 Α rea1 pawn sacrifice this time.

Doesn't the knight look better ίη the middle of the board?

15 ... lίJd4 The amusing 15 ... i..d7? 16 i..xc5

i..d4+ 17 Φh1! winning, occurred ίη Ba1ashoν-Κiseleν, Moscow 1989. 16 ~d1 f5 17 lίJd2 ~c7 18 c3 lίJb5 19 ~e2

Threatening d3-d4, which is actua1ly surρrisingly awkward to meet.

Main Line: 9 .iιe3 tΔd4 1 Ο e5 Pa wn Sacrifice

19 ... a6 Balashov deals with this move con­

vincingly, but 19 ... i.f6 is a possible improvement - see the next game. 20 a4 tΔa7

This is the drawback of 19 ... a6: Black's knight is mίserably placed. 21 tΔc4 ~f6 22 b4! cxb4 23 tΔb6 1:f.b8 24 tΔxc8 tΔxc8 25 ~xe6+ Φg7 26 cxb4

26 ~xb4 is also strong: 26 ... 'iVxc3 27 ~xb7+ ~xb7 28 i.xb7, when the bishops dominate the board. 26 ... ~d6 27 'i:Vxd6 tΔxd6 28 1:f.bc1

Balashov excels ίη technical situa­tions, and this endgame is a textbook example of how to exploit the poten­tial of the two bishops.

28 ... 1:f.f7 29 1:f.c5 .i.g5 30 h4 .i.d2 31 ~d4+ Φh6 32 1:f.d5 1:f.d7 33 .i.f3 1:f.bd8

33 ... i.xb4 34 g4 fxg4 35 .txg4 ~f7 36 ~b1 a5 37 ~b4 axb4 38 I:i.xd6 should be good for White. 34 ~b6 1:f.e8 35 i..c5 1:f.ed8 36 g4 fxg4 37 ~xg4 tΔf5 38 1:f.xd7 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 d3 tΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 .i.g2 i..g7 5 tΔc3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 tΔf3 tΔge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 i..e3 tΔd4 1 Ο e5 ~b6 11 1:f.b1 tΔef5 12 i..f2 tΔxf3+ 13 "tixf3 dxe5 14 fxe5 .i.xe5 15 tΔe4 tΔd4 16 ~d1 f5 17 tΔd2 "tic7 18 c3 tΔb5 19 ~e2

Up to this point we have been fol-10wing the previous game, Balashov­Pigusov. Black's response here is more pugnacious: instead of grovelling around with his knight οη the queen­side, he attempts a counterattack οη the kingside.

19 ... ii.f6 19 ... .tg7 is also possible.

20 d4

27

The Closed Sicilian

White can win the pawn back ίη a couple οί different ways, but Ι think this is the best. For example: 20 ~e3 :d8 21 a4 lbd6 22 'iVxc5 'iVxc5 23 .i.xc5 lbf7 24 d4 e5 and Black equal­ised ίη Seifried-Bauer, Germany 1994; or 20 lbb3 c4 21 dxc4 lbd6 22 c5 lbf7 and by comparison with the main game, the knight is less well placed οη b3. 20 ... tΔd6 21 dxc5 tΔf7 22 tΔc4 e5

1ι makes sense ιο go for the kingside counter straightaway. 22 ... ~d7 didn't work ουΙ toο badly ίη Staskin­Horνath, Hungarian Open Champi­onship 1994, but ίι is less energetic. After 23 :fdl lbd8 (23 ... :ae8 100ks stronger) 24lbd6 White stood better.

23 .i.d5 Φg7 24 I.ιbd1 tΔg5! 25 .i.e3 f4!

As White has so few pawns around his king, ίι makes sense Ιο expose ίι even more. 26 gxf4 exf4 27 i.d4

White's central control 1S 1mpres­sive, but Black will always have coun­terplay against his king. 27 ... i.h3 28 tΔd6!?

Bold stuff, but the simple 28 ':'fe 1 may have been better. Ι would still

28

give White the edge. 28 ... .i.xf1 29 I.ιxf1 f3 30 1ie3 h6 31 h4 \id7 32 Φf2 tΔh7 33 Φg3 i.xd4 34 ~xd4+ tΔf6 35 I.ιxf3 h5 36 I.ιf4

~e7 37 I.ιe4 'VJIic7 38 I.ιe6 I.ιae8 39 'i'e5 I.ιxe6 40 ..txe6 Φh7 41 b4 b6 42 .i.b3 bxc5 43 bxc5 tΔe8 44 i.c2 tΔg7 45 'i'g5 tΔf5+ 46 'it>h3 \ixc5 47 tΔxf5 gxf5 48 \ixh5+ Φg7 49 \ig5+ 'it>h7 50 'VJIih5+ Φg7 51 \ig5+ %-% Αη exciting game. Ι don't think that

Black's play overturns the basic as­sessment οί the 1O ... ~b6 variation (οη balance Ι feel that White should have the better chances), but at least he was kicking hard.

1η the next five games we 100k at 1O ... dxe5, a move that Joe Gallagher recommended ίη his book Beating the Anti·Sicilians.

1 e4 c5 2 tΔc3 tΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 i.g2 .i.g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 tΔf3 tΔge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 i.e3 tΔd4 1 Ο e5 dxe5

There is ηο doubt that this is one οί

Main Line: 9 Jιe3 I:i:Jd4 1 Ο e5 Pa wn Sacrifice

the most reliable methods σί meeting 10 e5, but it isn't a reason to giνe υρ

the whole νariation, and there are a couple σί new ideas for White which should keep Black players ση their guard. 11 lbxe5

11 fxe5!? is the subject σί Game 15. The position after 11 lbxe5 remίnds me σί a Leningrad Dutch (colours re­νersed). Considered ίη those terms, White isn't doing badly. 11 ... %:tb8!

Clearing the rook from the shadow σί the bishop, and preparing ... b7-b6, supporting the pawn ση c5 which is so often the source σί Black's problems ίn this νariation. 12 lbe4 b6 13 c3

The standard moνe. White's other possibilities here are dealt with ίη Game 14. 13 ... lbdf5

The alternatiνe retreat 13 ... lbdc6 is considered ίη Game 13. 14 ..tf2 "VJIic7

Gallagher's suggested improνement oνer 14 ... iιb7 (see the next game). White' s problem here is that while his deνelopment is good, Black's position

is so solid that it is dίfficult to build υρ an attack. Ιη contrast to other νaria­tions σί this 'sacrifice' line, the pawn ση c5 is securely protected, and Black's kίng position is a rock. 15 "VJIia4 Α proνocatiνe moνe. White is se­

cretly hoping that Black wil1 play 15 ... b5, when the queen simply re­treats to c2 and the pawn ση c5 is weak agaίn. The knight ση e5 is im­mune: 15 ... iιxe5 16 fxe5 'i'xe5 17 g4, fol1owed by iιg3. If instead σί 15 'ifa4 White plays 15 g4, then Gal1agher recommends the highly complicated piece sacrifice 15 ... lbd5!? 16 gxf5 exf5 17lbg3lbxf4. 15 ... lbd5

15 ... a5 allows White to break free: 16 g4lbd6 17lbxd6 "iVxd6 18 d4 cxd4 19 iιxd4 'i'c7 20 'i'b5 f621lbc6lbxc6 22 'ii'xc6 'ifxc6 23 iιxc6 was a bit bet­ter for White ίη Langner-Potomak, Czechosloνakίan Τ eam Champion­ship 1994.

Although 15 ... f6 rids Black of the annoying knight, it doesn't solνe all of his problems: the pawn ση e6 is weaker and the bishop ση g7 is now blocked ίη. Ι thίnk White should sim­ρΙΥ retreat: 16 lbf3 and then consider one σί the fol1owing plans, dependίng ση how Black plays:

a) Double rooks ση the e-fίle. b) Play for d3-d4. c) Play g3-g4 and .tg3.

16 %:tfe1 lbfe7 Ι don't like this retreat. The knίght

stands wel1 ση f5. 17 %:tad1

17 d4 is also possible. 17 ... %:td8 18 d4

29

The Closed Sicilian

This moνe liberates White's posi­tion. Through aίmless play, Black has handed oνer the initiatiνe to his ορ­ponent.

18 ... cxd4 19 ~xd4 a6 20 c4 ttJf6 The immedίate 20 ... b5! is stronger,

maίntaίning the knight οη d5, though Ι still prefer White's chances after 21 cxb5 axb5 22 'iWa7 although it's com­plicated! 21 ttJxf6+ ~xf6 22 i.f2 b5 23 !Ixd8+ 'iVxd8 24 !Id1 'iVc7 25 cxb5 !Ixb5 26 ~f1 iLxe5 27 fxe5 !Id5 28 !Ie1 Φg7 29 'iVf4 ttJg8 30 i.g2 !Ib5 31 !Ic1 'iVd8 32 b3 i.b7 33 iLxb7 !Ixb7 34 'iVc4 !Ib5 35 a4 !Id5 36 ..wxa6 !Id1+ 37 !Ixd1 'iVxd1+ 1-0

Ιη the next game we deal with Black's alternatiνes to 14 ... iYc7.

1 e4 c5 2 ttJc3 ttJc6 3 g3 g6 4 i.g2 iLg7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 ttJf3 ttJge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 .Yιe3 ttJd4 1 Ο e5 dxe5 11 ttJxe5 !Ib8 12 ttJe4 b6 13 c3 ttJdf5 14 iLf2

30

14 ... .Yιb7 14 ... ..ta6? is an outright mίstake: 15

iYa4 ~xd3 16 Cbxd3 iYxd3 17 1:.ad1 iY e2 18 1:.d2 'iWh5 19 h3 was winning for White ίn Kνeinys-Bachmeyer, Dresden Open 1994. Howeνer, 14 ... f6!? cuts the Gordίan knot. Black rids himself οί the knight, but mίght be storing up trouble for himself as the e6 pawn is weakened. In Papazoν­Dao Thien Haί, World U-16 Champi­onship 1993, Ι think White drifted; he neνer found a good plan after 15 Cbc4 Cbd5 16 1:.e1 iYc7 17 a4 1:.d8 18 iYc2 Cbh6 19 h3 Cbf7 20 Cbed2 a6 21 a5 b5 22 Cbe3 Cbe7 23 Cbb3 e5 24 Cbg4 h5 25 Cbh2 exf4 26 iιxc5 Cbf5 with a crush­ing counterattack. Instead, Ι would prefer 15 Cbf3 followed by either pres­sure οη the e-file; the d3-d4 break; or g3-g4 - or a combination οί all three οί these plans. 15 'iVa4

This moνe is surρrisingly difficult to counter. White threatens perhaps iYxa7; and perhaps Cbd7; and he mίght f1ick ίη g3-g4, depending οη Black's response. The alternatiνes are weaker:

a) 15 Cbc4? (agaίn White plays aίm­lessly) 15 ... Cbd5 16 'iie1 iVc7 17 Iίd1

Main Line: 9 ~e3 tΔd4 1 Ο e5 Pa wn Sacrifice

1:ίbd8 18 Φh11:ίfe8 19 iιg1 h6 20 'iVf2 b5 with a winning initiative ίη Lang­ner-Stohl, Czechoslovakia 1992.

b) 15 'iVe2 'iVc7 16 g4? (a nice idea, but simply a mistake ίη this case) 16 ... lbd5! (it is well worth remember­ing this motif: support for the knight οη e5 is undermined) 17 gxf5 exf5 18 .tg3 fxe4 wrecking White's position ίη Paulic-Renet, Belgrade GMA 1988. 15 ... a5

Again there are several alternatives here:

a) 15 ... 'iVc7?! 16 g4 lbd6 17 'iVd7 winning material!

b) 15 ... f6 16 lbd7 b5 17 'iVxa7 lbc6 18 lbexf6+ .txf6 19 .txc6 iιxc6 20 lbxb8 'iWxb8 21 'iixb8 1:ίχb8 22 iιxc5 was analysed by Stohl who assesses the ending as slightly better for White. Since then, this position has actually been reached in a game - which ended in a draw, after many adventures. Ι

would broadly concur with Stohl, but the situation is unclear enough that all three results are possible.

c) 15 ... Φh8 is given by Stohl, with the idea οί 16 g4 ί6 17 gxf5 exf5 'unclear', but that looks good for Black to me after 18 lbxf6 iιxί6 19

iιxb7 1:ίχb7. After 15 ... Φh8, White could just plonk a rook ίη the middle.

d) 15 ... lbd5 is also slapped with an unclear symbol by Stohl, which is rea­sonable. If 16 lbd7?! (16 ~fe1!) then Black should play 16 ... lbfe3! 17 lbxf8 .txf8 18 .txe3 lbxe3 19 ~ί2 lbxg2 20 1:ίχg2 ί5! winning back material . 161:1ad1

16 lbd7 doesn't work here due to 16 ... b5 17 'iixb5 .txe4 18 'iixb8 'iixd7. 16 ... VιlVc7 17 jVd7! 1:1fc8

Not 17 ... iιxe5? 18 fxe5 'iixd7 19 lbf6+. 18 g4 tίJh6 19 h3

Black is ίη a tangle. The knight οη h6 is out οί play, and it is difficu1t to get rid of the queen οη d7 without harming the position ίη some way. 19 ... tίJd5 20 tίJd6 ~c6 21 ~xc7 1:1xc7 22 tίJxc6 1:1xc6 23 tίJb5 1:1cc8 24 ~xd5 exd5 25 d4 c4 26 f5 ~f8 27 jιg3 1:1b7 28 f6 a4 29 tίJd6 ~xd6 30 jιxd6 g5 31 1:1de1 1:1d7 32 ~b4 'it>h8 33 1:1e5 1:1g8 34 'if.?g2 :g6 35 1:1e8+ 1:1g8 36 ~f8 1-0

Most players have favoured 13 ... lbdf5, as ίη Games 11 and 12, but 13 ... lbdc6 is arguably a more reliable

31

Τhe Closed Sicilian

moνe, as we see ίη the next game.

1 e4 c5 2 tΔc3 tΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 iιg7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 tΔf3 tΔge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 ~e3 tΔd4 1 Ο e5 dxe5 11 tΔxe5 1:tb8 12 tΔe4 b6 13 c3 tΔdc6

14 ~a4!?

Τ empting Black into taking the knight. The attempt to win a pawn with 14 4:'Ixc6?! 4:'Ixc6 15 4:'Ixc5 re­bounds οη White: 15 ... bxc5 16 i.xc6 ~xb2 17 i.xc5 .ixc3. White must tread with great care, and it is interest­ing to see that one οί the masters οί the νariation could make little head­way agaίnst Black's defence: 14 4:'Ic4 'iVc7 15 'iVe2 .ta6 16 ~ad1 'h-'h Balashoν-Cνitan, Warsaw 1990. Το be more precise, he didn't eνen make an attempt. 14 ... iιb7

Sensibly, Black declines the offer. It is more trouble than it is worth to

take either οί the pawns, e.g. 14 ... 4:'Ixe5 15 fxe5 i.xe5 (or 15 ... 'iVxd3 16 ii.g5 4:'Id5 17 4:'If6+ .txf6 18 exf6

32

with good compensation for Whίte) 16 ii.h6 ~e8 17 i.f4! 15 1:tae1 ~c7! 16 d4 b5

The simplest way οί coping with White's temporary initiatiνe seems to be 16 ... cxd4 17 cxd4 ί6 (the e6 pawn is easy enough to defend and, haνing rid himself οί the knight οη e5, Black has more manoeuνring space).

17 ~c2 cxd4 18 cxd4 tΔd5 19 ~f2 tΔxe5 20 ~xc7 tΔf3+ 21 i..xf3 tΔxc7 22 1:tc1 tΔe8 23 'it>g2 1:td8 24 tΔc5

24 ~fd1 would haνe giνen Whίte some adνantage: he controls the c-file and has more space.

24 ... ~xf3+ 25 'it>xf3 tΔd6 26 g4 ~c4 27 tΔb3 1:td5 28 1:tc2 a5 29 tΔd2 iιxd4 30 tΔxc4 bxc4 31 1:txc4 iιxb2

Main LίΠθ: 9 i.e3 lΔd4 1 Ο e5 Pa wn Sacrifice

32 1:I.b 1 SΙa3 33 1:I.b 7 SΙb4 34 SΙd4 1:I.dd8 35 f5 exf5 36 gxf5 1:I.d5 37 f6 1:I.f5+ 38 ~g2 SΙd6 39 1:I.d7 SΙe5 40 1:I.c5 1:I.g5+ 41 Φf3 iιxf6 42 1:I.xg5 SΙxg5 43 1:I.d5 SΙd8 44 1:I.d7 SΙh4 45 1:I.a7 SΙe1 46 SΙb6 1:I.c8 47 SΙxa5

~xa5 48 1:I.xa5 1:I.c3+ 49 Φf2 Φg7 50 a4 1:I.a3 51 1:I.a6 h5 52 Φg2 g5 53 1:I.a7 h4 54 1:I.a6 g4 55 1:I.a5 Φg6 56 1:I.a8 Φg5 0-1

50 far we have looked at games where White has played 13 c3 fol­lowed by a rapid 'i'a4, often leading to obscure tactics. Ιη the next game we look at what happens when White tries a different tack.

1 e4 c5 2 tιJc3 tιJc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 ~g7 5 d3 e6 6 SΙe3 d6 7 f4 lί:Jge7 8 tιJf3 tιJd4 9 ο-ο ο-ο 1 Ο e5 dxe5 11 tιJxe5 1:I.b8 12 lί:Je4 b6 13 a3!?

Another idea is 13 a4 ~b7 14 c3 lbdf5 15 ~f2 'i'c7 16 lbc4 lbd5 17 'iYe2 (ίη view of White's later play, 17 l:lfe1 followed by 'iYc2 or 'iYb3 and a4-

a5 might have been more to the point) 17 ... l:lbd8 18 l:lfe1 l:lfe8 19 'iYc2 ..ta8 20 'i'b3 lbf6 21 a5 lbd5 22 axb6 axb6 23 l:la6 ~b7 24 l:la7 l:la8 25 l:lxb7 'i'xb7 26 lbed6 lbxd6 27 lbxd6 'iYd7 28 lbxe8 l:lxe8 29 ~xd5 exd5 30 l:lxe8+ 'iYxe8 31 'iYxb6 and White should have cleaned υρ ίη 01esen­Moskow, New York 1993. White's strategy was straightforward and reli­able. 13 ... tιJdf5 14 ~f2 tιJd6 15 b4

15 'i'e2, to support the knight οη e5, mίght have been an improvement, and οηlΥ then b2-b4. 15 ... tιJxe4 16 ~xe4

16 dxe4 'i'c7 17 bxc5 bxc5 is more comfortable for Black. 16 .. :~Vc7 17 bxc5

17 ... f6? After 17 ... bxc5! White would still

have had a few problems to solve οη the a1-g8 diagona1, and after the fu­ture exchange of light-squared bishops, his king wou1d feel a touch exposed. 18 cxb6 axb6 19 tιJc4 f5 20 ~g2 ~xa1

How could Black even consider tak­ing this exchange? His game rapidly goes downhill now.

33

The Closed Sicilian

21 ΨBxa 1 iιa6 22 tΔe5 b5 23 tΔf3 ~b7 24 tΔg5 iιc8 25 1:te1 'iVd6 26 ΨBa2 1:tf6 27 ΨBb2 1:tf8 28 'iVb3 h6 29 tΔxe6 1:tf7 30 iιc5 'iVd7 31 tΔg5 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 tΔc3 tΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 iιg7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 tΔf3 tΔge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 ~e3 tΔd4 1 Ο e5 dxe5 11 fxe5

Ιη a sense, 11 fxe5 is more ίη keep­ing with the spirit of the whole varia­tion than the more popular 11 lZΊxe5 (see Games 11-14): the f-file is opened, as well as the c1-h6 diagonal, making an attack οη Black's king more likely. That's White's idea: to get into f6 and deliver checkmate! Alright, so that's the theory, but the reality might not square υρ to it. Read οη ... 11 ... tΔef5

This move was analysed by Stohl, but there is an important alternative that he failed to consider: 11 ... lZΊec6!? According to my sources, this has οηlΥ been played once, when after 12 lZΊe4 Black had to make an important

34

decision. Ιη the game Lyrberg-Ernst, Gausdal 1993, he chose 12 ... lZΊxe5 13 lZΊxe5 .txe5 14 c3lZΊf5 15 .txc5 :e8 16 d4 ~g7 17 g4 (17 'i'f3!?) 17 ... lZΊe3 18 'i'f3 lZΊxH 19 lZΊd6 :e7 20 :xf1 f6 21 lZΊxc8 :xc8 22 iιxe7 'i'xe7 231:le1 :c7 24 'i'e3 e5 25 g5 fxg5 26 .td5+ 'itth8 27 dxe5 b6 28 'itth1 1:lc8 29 e6 ~-~. White could still play for a win, but objectively, Black should hold the ρο­sition. What is clear ίη this line is that White has the better chances.

However, it seems to me that 12 ... lZΊxB+! is a stronger move: 13 'i'xf3 (13 .txf3 might be a better try, although after 13 ... lZΊxe5 14 iιxc5 %!e8 15 .tg2 [15lZΊd6? iιf8! or 15 d4lZΊxf3+ 16 'i'xf3 iιxd4+] 15 ... lZΊd7 16 iιa3 .txb2! 17 .txb2 'i'b6+ it is not clear whether White has enough for the pawn) 13 ... lZΊxe5 and now:

a) 14 'i'f4 f5 15 .txc5 (15 lZΊxc5 lZΊg4!) 15 ... fxe4 16 iιxf8 'i'xf8 17 'i'xe4 'i'e7 is tricky, but Ι would assess it ίη Black's favour.

b) 14 'i'e2 f5! (this is the key move, forcing White to capture οη c5 with the knight) 15 lZΊxc5 lZΊg4! (the essen­tial follow-up, grabbing one of the bishops) 16 c3 lZΊxe3 17 'i'xe3 e5 and again, Ι prefer Black. 12 ~f2

12 .tf4!? wasn't mentioned by Stohl ίη his analysis, but it may be better than the text move. After 12 ... lZΊxB+ 13 'i'xf3 g5 (if Black doesn't elimίnate the pawn οη e5 then White will have a wonderful attacking position after he plays lZΊe4) 14 .tc1 .txe5 15lZΊe4 f6 16 c3 'i'c7 17 'i'f2 1:ld8 (17 ... b6 is met by lZΊxg5, and although Black could attempt to hold ση to the pawn by

Main LίΠθ: 9 i..e3 lΔd4 1 Ο e5 Pawn Sacrifice

playing 17 ... c4 this would be a painful experience: 18 d4 iιd6 19 llJxd6 'iVxd6 20 b3 with oodles of compensation. White's bishops sizzle, and Black's king is potentially weak) 18 llJxc5 tib8 19 iιh3 (19 iιe4!?) 19 ... tid5 20 iιxf5 exf5 21 d4 iιd6 22 'iVf3 'iVf7 23 .te3 .txc5 a draw was agreed ίn Franke­Κίshnev, Germany 1993. The final position is complicated, but after 24 dxc5 iιe6 25 iιd4 tid7 26 tiae 1 Ι would give White the edge, as he has the plan of doubling rooks along the e­file.

12 ... 1:I.b8 1 3 t2Je4 b6 14 t2Jxd4 cxd4 15 t2Jf6+ .Jtxf6 16 exf6 ~xf6 17 g4 t2Jd6 18 .Jtg3 ~θ7 19 .Jte5 f6 20 i..xd4 e5 21 Jιc3 t2Jb5!?

Αll these moves were mentioned by 5tohl. Black has the better chances because of his strong pawn centre and White's weak king position. This is borne out by the game. 22 Jιd5+ Φg7 23 d4 t2Jxc3 24 bxc3 e4 25 'iVe2 f5 26 'iVg2 'iVd6 27 c4 Φh8 28 c3 i..d7 29 a4 1:I.be8 30 a5 b5 31 :ι::tab1 bxc4 32 i..xc4 f4 33 1:I.b7 f3 34 'iVg3 'iVxg3+ 35 hxg3 Jιxg4 36 Jιf7 e3 37 i..xe8 f2+ 38 Φh2 e2 39 1:I.bb1 exf1'iV 40 1:I.xf1 Jιθ241 1:I.xf2 1:I.xf2+ 42 Φg1 1:I.f343 d5 1:I.xc3 44 d6 ..tg4 0-1

1n principle 11 fxe5 appeals to me, but 11 ... llJec6 may be a problem. ΜΥ analysis needs checking, however!

Black's chief problem ίn the posi­tions that arise after 10 e5 is how to develop his queen's bishop. 1n the fol-10wing two games Black aims at solv­ing this question with 10 ... .td7 straightaway, rather than taking any of the pawns offered ίn the centre. 50 long as he sticks to this policy, Black has every chance of equalising. Mat­thew 5adler's games are model exam­ples of Black' s strategy ίn this line.

1 e4 c5 2 t2Jc3 d6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 .1g7 5 d3 t2Jc6 6 f4 e6 7 t2Jf3 t2Jge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 ~θ3 t2Jd4 1 Ο e5 ~d7

1t 100ks extraordίnary to leave eve­rything hanging ίn the centre, but, strangely enough, it seems that White is unable to take advantage of the situation.

35

The Closed Sicilian

11 t2Je4 11 l2Jxd4 isn't bad, but it doesn't

promise White a theoretical advan­tage, e.g. 11 ... cxd4 12 i.xd4 dxe5, when 13 i.xe5? is very unfortunate (instead 13 fxe5 i.c6 14 i.c5 i.xe5 15 .txc6 i.d4+ 16 iιxd4 'iνxd4+ 17 ~h1 l2Jxc6 18 'iνB is balanced) after 13 ... 'iνb6+ 0-1 Kristensen-Feher, Aar­hus 1992, οη account of 14 ~h1 f6 .. . wlnnlllg a plece.

If 11 exd6 then Black will win the pawn back, transposing to one of the lines considered later ίη this chapter after 11. .. l2Jef5 12 i.f2 i.c6 13 l2Je4 l2Jxf3+ (not 13 ... b6 14 l2Je5). Ιη gen­eral, ίη this particular variation it is a mίstake to release the tension too soon (and this comment applies to both sides). 11 ... t2Jef5 12 ~f2 t2Jxf3+

This is the critical move. Black's al­ternatives are unappealing:

a) 12 ... dxe5? (releasing the tension too early!) 13 l2Jxe5 (Black didn't υη­derstand the idea behind 1O ... .td7: now the light-squared bishop won't reach the long diagonal) 13 ... b6 14 g4 l2Je7 15 iιh4 f6 16 i.xf6 iιxf6 17

winning ίη Pavasovic-Applebury, Βυ­dapest 1994.

b) 12 ... iιc6? looks good but White has the cunning 13 l2Jfd2!, when the knight οη d4 is suddenly ίη a spot of trouble, e.g. 13 ... dxe5 14 fxe5 i.xe5 15 l2Jc4 i.g7 16 c3 l2Jb5 17 .txc5 :te8 18 a4 l2Jc7 19 l2Jed6 iιxg2 20 ~xg2 l2Jxd6 21 l2Jxd6 :te7 22 'iνB :td7 23 l2Jxf7 with a won position for White ίη

Langner-Obsivac, Czechoslovakian Team Championship 1992. 13 'iVxf3

The alternative recapture, 13 .txf3, is considered ίη the next game. 13 ... ~c6!

This is the whole point of 10 ... .td7: Black brings his bishop to the long diagonal to counter the bishop οη g2. Once again, capturing ίη the centre with 13 ... dxe5?! is not ίη the spirit of 1O ... iιd7: 14 i.xc5 :te8 15 fxe5 .txe5 16 g4 i.c6 17 'iνf2 'ii'h4 18 h3 'ii'xf2+ 19 :txf2 l2Jh4 20 l2Jf6+ i.xf6 21 i.xc6 :tac8 22 :txf6 :txc6 23 iιe3 :txc2 24 i.g5 winning, Papazov-Apro, Euro­pean U-14 Championship 1992. It is better to get the bishop to the long diagonal first.

l2Jxf6+ :txf6 18 l2Jxd7 'ii'xd7 19 .txa8 14 c3 1:!.c8!

36

Main Lίne: 9 Jιe3 l'Δd4 1 Ο e5 Pa wn Sacrifice

14 ... dxe5?! 15 iιxc5 exf4 (or 15 ... lLΊd6 16 fxe5 iιxe4 17 dxe4 iιxe5 18 1ιad1 "VJHc7 19 iιd4) 16 "VJHxf4 e5 17 "VJHf2 "VJHxd3 (if 17 ... 1ιe8 18 g4) 18 1ιad1 'iVb5 19 g4 lLΊh6 20 ~xf8 1ιχf8 21 tίJd6 lLΊxg4 22 lLΊxb5 lLΊxf2 23 1ιχf2 ~xb5 24 iιxb7 with a winning ending, Pavaso­vic-Shumiakina, Ljubljana 1992.

15 exd6 1nstead, White played 15 1ιfd1 ίη

Relange-Berestetzky, European Junior Championship 1991, after which Black commίtted the sin of releasing the tension too early: 15 ... dxe5? 16 iιxc5 1ιe8 17 iιxa7 and White had simply won a pawn. 1nstead, 15 ... b6 was correct, when play will follow along simίlar lines to the main game if he captures οη d6, or ίnstead White could play 16 d4!? maintaining the pawn οη e5. Chances are balanced. 15 ... lbxd6 16 ~e2 b6 17 1:tfd1 ~d7

Although there appears to be little to choose between the two sides, Ι

would favour Black here. Why? Be­cause he has a clear plan (pressure οη the d3 pawn combined with a potential break ίη the centre after ... 1:ϊfe8 and ... e6-e5) while White isn't quite sure what to do. If he attempts

an attack οη the kingside then it is likely to rebound (Black has four pawns around his king, White only three, plus the f-pawn has already advanced, exposing the white kίng); while Black is also well placed to meet the break ίη the centre, as we shall see.

18 h4?!

White has ηο realistic attacking chances, so this move merely weakens White's king. 1t would have been bet­ter to play 18 d4 immediately. 18 ... 1:tfe8 19 d4 lbxe4 20 i.xe4 .i.xe4 21 ~xe4 ~b5 22 1:td2 cxd4 23 i.xd4 1:ted8 24 ~b7 i.xd4+ 25 cxd4 ~a5 26 ~g2 1:tc4 27 ~f2 1:tdc8 28 a3 ~a4 29 Wh2 1:td8 30 1:tad1 1:td5 31 ~e3 a5 32 f5 1:txf5 33 b3 ~xa3 34 d5 ~c5 35 ~e2 1:tc1 36 d6 1:tf2+ 0-1 Α fine positional performance from

Sadler.

1 e4 c5 2 lbc3 d6 3 g3 lbc6 4 i.g2 g6 5 d3 i.g7 6 f4 e6 7 lbf3 lbge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 .i.e3 lbd4 1 Ο e5 .i.d7 11

37

The Closed Sicilian

tιJe4 tιJef5 12 iιf2 tιJxf3+! 13 iιxf3 13 'iVxf3 was seen ίη the preνious

game, Lane-Sadler.

13 ... iιc6! At the risk of sounding monoto­

nous: it is simply a mistake to release the tension before the bishop reaches the long diagonal. 13 ... dxe5?! 14 fxe5 (not 14 i.xc5? exf4 15 i.xf8 'iVxf8 with compensation for the exchange ίη Relange-Cheνalier, Paris 1991) 14 ... i.xe5 15liJxc5 iLc6 16 iLxc6 bxc6 17 c311b8 18 'iVe2 i.g7 19liJe4 'iVc7 20 iLc5 ~fd8 21 g4 liJh6 22 11f2 11d5 23 i.e3 ~h8 24 i.f4 e5 25 .txh6 i.xh6 26 g5 .i.g7 27 11af1 with the better chances for White, Geurink-Simons, Groningen Open 1994. 14 c3

Not 14 exd6?! as after the continua­tion 14 ... b6 15 c3 11c8 16 'iVe2 liJxd6 17 ~fd1 'iVe7 18 d4 c4 19 liJg5 'iVb7 20 i.xc6 'iVxc6 21 'iVf3 'iVd5 Black had a big positional adνantage ίη the game Turner-Wolff, London Lloyds Bank Masters 1994. 14 ... h5

As usual, White was hoping for 14 ... dxe5 15 fxe5 iιxe5 16 i.xc5 with a slight pull.

38

15 exd6?! I'm still not happy with this moνe. Ι

would offer two alternatiνes: a) 15 liJxd6!? liJxd6 16 i.xc5 liJfs 17

iιxf8 i.xf8 18 .txc6 bxc6 19 11f2. Two pawns and a rook is usually good νalue for two minor pieces, but ίη this case Black' s knight is well-anchored, and his kίng position secure, so, any­thing could happen.

b) 15 d4 is reasonable, holding the pawn οη e5. 15 ... b6 16 tιJf6+ iιxf6 17 .Jixc6 1::[c8 18 .Jib71::[b8 19 iιe4 ~xd6

There is little to choose between this and 19 ... liJxd6 , which was played ίη Kνeinys-Dokhoian, Βοηη 1994. That game is worth looking at as

Main Line: 9 .i.e3 CiJd4 1 Ο e5 Pawn Sacrifice

White's strategy is far better than ίη Sale-Sadler: 20 WNe2! (the queen should be οη this side οί the board, where ίι can protect the king ίί necessary) 20 ... WNc7 2ι1ιί3 Z:Ιfd8 22 Z:Ιadllbf5 23 Z:Ιfel Z:Ιd6 24 1ιe4 lbe7 25 h3 1ιg7 26 g4 (White can get away with this ad­vance as he has so many pieces around his king) 26 ... hxg4 27 hxg4 ί5, when chances are balanced and the game eventua1ly ended ίη a draw. 20 'iVa4?!

The queen is οη the wrong side οί the board!

20 .. 3ic7 21 'iVa6 b5 22 1:ιac1 1:ιfc8

23 1:ιfe1 1:ιd8 24 b4 i..e7 25 a4 1:ιd6 26 ~a5 ~xa5 27 bxa5 1:ιa6 28 axb5 1:ιχb5 29 1:ιb1 1:ιbχa5 30 1:ιb8+ Φg7 31 1:ιc81:ιa1 321:ιχa1 1:ιχa1+ 33 Φg2 lΔd6 34 1:ιc7 i..d8 35 1:ιc6 lΔxθ4 36 dxe4 1:ιa2 37 Φf3 1:ιc2 38 i..xc5 1:ιχc3+ 39 Φθ2 Φh 7 40 Φd2 i.a5 0-1

Whereas Black's kingside was rock solid, White's queenside, and eventu­ally his kingside, were a little shaky. Black exploited the weaknesses skil­fully.

Without doubt, 1Ο ... 1ιd7 is a sound

move, but Ι don't believe that we have seen the best yet from White ίη this variation. Ι have pointed ουΙ plenty οί instances where there is room for im­provement.

Ιη the final game οί this chapter Black takes a hot pawn and suffers for it ίη typical fashion.

1 e4 c5 2 lΔc3 lΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 i.g2 i..g7 5 d3 e6 6 f4 d6 7 lΔf3 lΔge7 8 i..e3lΔd49 ο-ο ο-ο 10 e5 lΔec6?!

This attempt ΙΟ steer away from the normal continuations οί 1O ... lbef5, 1O ... 'iIi'b6, lO .... dxe5 and 1Ο ... 1ιd7 can- . ηοι be recommended. The d6 and c5 squares aren't given sufficient protec­tion. White immediately looks to ex­ploit this weakenίng ίη Black's posi­tion. 11 lΔθ4 dxe5 12 lΔxθ5 lΔxθ5 13 fxe5 ~xθ5 14 c3 lΔf5 1 5 i.xc5 :e8 16 d4 i.g7 Α standard kind οί position has

arιsen ιη which White's better

39

The CIosed SiciIian

deνelopment proνides him with excel­lent prospects.

17 ~f3 h5 18 ϊ;;[ad1 .Jtd7 19 lLJd6 ..tc6 20 d5 ..txd5 21 :f.xd5 exd5 22 lLJxf5 gxf5 23 ~xf5 ~c7 24 ..td4

Now White has a blistering attack.

40

Black's extra exchange is irreleνant.

24 ... ..txd4+ 25 cxd4 :f.ad8 26 iιxd5 :f.d7 27 ~g6+ Wf8 28 ~xh5 :f.xd5 29 ~h8+ Φe7 30 :f.e1+ Φd6 31 ~xe8 ~d7 32 ~b8+ Φc6 33 ~xa7 :f.xd4 34 :f.c1+ Wd5 35 'i'xd4+ 1-0

Main Line: 9 iLe3 tΔd4 1 Ο e5 Pawn Sacrifice

Summary

The popularity of 10 e5 has waned over the last few years as Black has found adequate responses. For instance, Hjartarson's play ίn Game 3 was extremely solid; 1O ... f:xe5 (Games 11-15) is sensible; and the lines with 10 ... ~d7 (Games 16 and 17) also look sound for Black. However, Ι hope Ι have shown that the pos­sibilities ίn this complex position are far from exhausted. Ιn my ορίnίοn it is time for White to try out this line again.

1 e4 c5 2 lΔc3 lΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 i.g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 lΔf3 lΔge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 ~θ3 lΔd4 1 Ο e5!? (D) 10 ... lΔef5

10 .. :iYb6 11 ~b1l2Jef5 12 ~f2l2Jxf3+ 13 iYxf3 dxe5 14 f:xe5 .txe5 15l2Je4l2Jd4 16 iYd1 f5 17l2Jd2 iYc7 18 c3l2Jb5 19 iYe2

19 ... a6 - Game 9; 19 ... ..tf6 - Game 10 10 ... dxe5

11l2Jxe5 ~b8 12l2Je4 b6 (D) 13 c3

13 ... l2Jdf5 14 ..tf2 14 ... iYc7 - Game 11; 14 ... ~b7 - Game 12

13 ... l2Jdc6 - Game 13 13 a3 - Game 14

11 f:xe5 - Game 15 1O ... ~d7 11l2Je4l2Jef5 12 ~f2l2Jxf3+ (D)

13 iYxf3 - Game 16; 13 ~xB - Game 17 1O ... l2Jec6 - Game 18

11 ~f2lΔxf3+ (11 ... ~b8 - Game 7; 11. .. d5 - Game 8) 12 ~xf3 lΔd4 (12 ... ~d7 - Game 6) 13 ~d1 dxe5 (13 ... ~b8 - Game 1; 13 ... d5 - Game 8 [by transposition] 14 fxe5 ~xθ5 (14 ... ~b8 - Game 5) 15 lΔθ4 f5 16 lΔxc5 ~d6 (16 ... iYc7 - Game 4) 17 b4 (17 ... l2Jc6 - Game 3; 17 ... ~b8 - Game 2)

10 e5 12 ... b6 12 ... 'Δxf3+

41

Main Ιίηθ: Alternatives after 9 iιθ3

1 e4 c5 2 lΔc3 lΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 SΙg2 .iιg7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 lΔf3 lΔge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 jιθ3

Ιη this chapter we shall be looking at games where White plays 9 ~e3 but after 9 ... lίJd4 declines to play the pawn sacrifice with e4-e5 (Games 19-24); ΟΓ else Black refuses to play 9 ... lίJd4, thus avoiding the possibility οί the pawn sacrifice altogether (Games 25-27).

The emphasis ίη this chapter is οη new ideas. After 9 ... lίJM, for example, Ι haven't included any games with the older 10 ~b1 and 10 'iVd2, as very little has changed theoretically and Black has had few problems (see the ίηΙΓΟ­ductory section οη pushing the b­pawn for a discussion οί Black' s ΙΥρί­cal strategy). Instead Ι have placed the emphasis οη fresh ideas ΟΓ areas where there is room for innovation.

1 e4 c5 2 lΔc3 lΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 .iιg2

42

SΙg7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 lΔf3 lΔge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 SΙθ3 lΔd4 1 Ο jιf2

White retreats the bishop so that ίι is now possible Ιο exchange οίί the knight οη d4. This move has a solid, ίί somewhat uninspired, reputation and there is nothing ίη recent games to alter this assessment. As we saw ίη the first chapter, Spassky has employed this idea, sometimes using ίι Ιο enter the e4-e5 pawn sacrifice line (Spassky­Hjartarson, Game 3, for instance). 10 ... b6!? 11 lΔxd4 cxd4 12lΔθ2 e5 13 c3 dxc3 14lΔxc3 ~θ6 15 d4

15 'iVd2!? - compare with the next

game.

15 ... exf4 16 gxf4 d5 16 .. :iΊVd7 17 .Jth4 (17 f5 .Jtc4!) 17 ... f6

18 d5 i,h3 is unclear according Ιο Stohl. 17 .th4 f6 18 ~b3 ~d7 19 tZJxd5 tZJxd5 20 exd5 .iLf7 21 l:tae1 l:tfe822 f5 l:txe1 V2 -V2

The position is roughly level after 23 .Jtxe 1 :'d8.

1 e4 c5 2 tZJc3 tZJc6 3 g3 g6 4 .tg2 .tg7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 tZJf3 tZJge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 .iLe3 lbd4 1 Ο .tf2 e5!?

Main Line: Alternatives after 9 Jιe3

Now that White has retreated the bishop to f2, this move looks logical Ιο me as the f4 pawn lacks support. 11 lbxd4 cxd4 12 lbe2 i..e6 13 c3 dxc3 14 tZJxc3

14 bxc3 doesn't seem much better: 14 .. :iνd7 15 d4 .Jtg4 16 dxe5 dxe5 17 iVxd7 i,xd7 18 i,c5 :'fe8 19 f5 iιb5 20 f6 i,xe2 21 :'f2 iιxf6 22 :'xf6 :'ac8 23 i,xa7 :'xc3 and Black was a pawn υρ ίn Lenart-Wells, Hungarian Team Championship 1994. 14 ... ~d7

Compare this posltlOn with the previous game (Abramovic-Stohl); Black is virtually a whole tempo up. 14 ... d5!? was another possibility . 15 ~d2 exf4 16 ~xf4 lbc6 17 ~d2 lbd4 18 .te3 f5 19 .th6 Φh8 20 l:tad1 l:tac8 21 l:tf2 b5 22 exf5 l:txf5 23 l:txf5 .txf5 24 .txg7+ ~xg7 25 l:te1 .th3 26 iιh1 l:tf8 27 lbd5 iιe6 28 a3 l:tc8 29 ~f2 l:tc2 30 ~e3 l:txb2 V2 -V2

1 e4 c5 2 tZJc3 d6 3 f4 g6 4 lbf3

43

The Closed Sicilian

iLg7 5 d3 liJc6 6 g3 e6 7 .tg2 liJge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 ..te3 liJd4 1 Ο .tf2 liJec6

Probab1y the most common re­sponse to 10 ~f2.

11 liJd2!? Αη interesting idea. White ducks

the challenge and hopes to driνe the knight back from d4. 1t is more com­mon to play 11 tbxd4 tbxd4, when ίη this position Spassky played 12 e5 against Hjartarson (Game 3). White tried another strategy ίη Daνies­Fossan, Gausdal 1992: 12 !:i.b1!? !:i.b8 13 a3 b6 14 iVd2 ~b7 15 tbd1 d5 16 e5 tbc6 17 b4 iVe7 18 tbe3 iVc7 19 tbg4 d4 20 tbf6+ 'i.t>h8 21 bxc5 bxc5 22 tbe4 when with his space adνantage, and beautifully p1aced knight οη e4, White had a clear adνantage. 11 ... :tb8 12 liJcb 1 liJe 7

A1though White has 10st time re­treating the knights, Black must also regroup. 13 c3 liJdc6 14 a4 b6 15 t2Jf3

The interesting 15 tba3!? was also possible. 15 ... e5 16 liJbd2 .ta6 17 'i'e2? Αη ugly moνe. White's queen is

caught ίη a crossfire of pins. 17 iVc2 looks more sensible.

44

17 ... exf4 18 gxf4 :te8 19 :tfe 1 liJd5 20 iLg3 iLh6 21 f5 t2Jf4 22 ..txf4 ..txf4 23 liJf1 d5 24 ~f2 dxe4 25 dxe4 liJe5 26 liJxe5 iLxe5 27 liJe3 ~g5 28 a5 .td3 29 axb6 axb6 30 ~a7 iLxe4 31 liJg4 ~xg4 32 ~xe4 iLxh2+ 33 ΦΧh2 ~xe4 34 .txe4 ~xe4 35 fxg6 ~xg6 36 ~xf7 ~h5+ 0-1 Αη impressiνe game from Portisch.

1 e4 c5 2 t2Jc3 t2Jc6 3 f4 g6 4 liJf3 ..tg7 5 g3 e6 6 .tg2 liJge7 7 d3 ο-ο 8 iLe3 liJd4 9 .tf2 d6 1 Ο ο-ο ~b8

The fact that Black has such a choice of reasonable moves ίη this ρο­sition is a fair indication that this is not the most critical variation ίη the Closed Sicilian. 11 a4 tbec6 12 tbe1

The same idea from Game 21 of ducking the knight οη d4 with the intention of driving it out later with c2-c3. Except that White never quite gets around to it here. 12 ... a6 13 g4!? b5 14 h4

Brutal! Hort's strategy is notewor­thy: instead of opening the a-file, he prefers to let Black pass with the b­pawn, thus ensuring that the queen­side remains closed.

14 ... b4 15 tbb1 iVb6 16 tbd2 tba5 17 ];tb1 i.d7 18 b3 f5 19 i.e3 fxg4 20 iVxg4 iVd8 21 ];tf2 Wie7 22 tbdf3 tbac6 23 i.h3 ];tbd8 24 Wig5 i.f6 25 'ίWg3 ~g7 26 Φh 1 e5 27 tbg2 tbxf3 28 ];txf3 exf4 29 tbxf4 tbd4 30 ];tf2 i.e5 31 ];tbf1 lLxf4 32 ~xf4 ];txf4 33 ttxf4 tbe2 34 iVg5 ];te8 35 ];tf7 'iVxf7 36 ];txf7 ~xh3 37 ];tf2 1-0

Before we leave our discussion of 9 .. .t2Jd4, here are a couple of games that deal with offbeat alternatives for

Main Line: Alternatives after 9 .i.e3

White ίη the main line.

1 e4 c5 2 g3 tbc6 3 i.g2 g6 4 d3 i.g7 5 f4 e6 6 tbf3 tbge7 7 t2Jc3 d6 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 i.e3 t2Jd4 1 Ο t2Jg5

Ι had to include this game. White's idea is inspired: although he loses time by moving the knight, he hopes to prove that by playing ... h7-h6, Black weakens his kingside; which he does! 10 ... h611 tbh3 Φh712 ~d2 e513 t2Jd1 i.g4 14 tbdf2lLf3

14 ... l2Jf3+ would have been a mίs­take due to 15 j,xf3 j,xf3 16 fxe5 dxe5 17 j,xc5. 15 c3 i.xg2 16 Φχg2 tbe6 17 g4 exf4 18 t2Jxf4 tbxf4+ 19 i.xf4 d5 20 'ίWe2 ~d7 21 ':ae1 b6 22 'ίWf3 ];tad8 23 Wih3 tbc6 24 ~h4

see fo//owing diagram

Threatening 25 .txh6 and g4-g5. 24 ... f6 25 ~g3 f5 26 exf5 gxf5 27 g5 hxg5 28 ~xg5 ];tde8 29 tbh3 ~f7 30 Φh1 tbe5 31 ~g3 'iVf6 32 tbg5+ Φg8 33 'iVh4 'iVg6 34 ];tg1 tbxd3 35

45

The Closed Sicilian

nxe8 nxe8 36 ctJh3 'ti'h7 37 ~h6 ne1 38 ~d8+ 'ii;ιf7 39 ctJg5+ 'it>g6 40 ctJxh7+ 1-0

1 ctJf3 c5 2 g3 ctJc6 3 ~g2 g6 4 ο-ο ~g7 5 d3 e6 6 e4 ctJge7 7 ctJc3 ο-ο 8 .te3 ctJd4 9 ctJh4 d6 1 Ο f4

Instead οί to g5, as ίη the previous game, the knight has gone to h4, aπd this strategy works here as well. 10 ... f5 11 'ti'd2 ~d7 12 ctJd1 nb8 13 c3ctJdc6

Black's knight retreats, so White's knight can return to a better square.

46

14 ctJf3 b6 1 5 exf5 ctJxf5 Or 15 ... exf5 16 d4!

16 d4 cxd4 17 cxd4 'ti'f6 18 ctJc3 ctJxe3 19 lΔe4 'ti'e7 20 'ti'xe3 nbc8 21 nad1 nfe8 22 'ti'a3 d5 23 ctJd6 ctJa5 24 ctJxe8 ~xa3 25 bxa3 nxe8 26 nc1 ~b5 27 nfe1 ctJc6 28 ned1 ~c4 29 Φf2 ctJe7 30 ~f1 ~xa2 31 nc7 ctJf5 32 ~b5 nf8 33 ~d7 .tb3 34 ~xe6+ Φh8 35 nd3 ~c4 36 ~xf5 gxf5 37 ne3 1-0

Ιη order to avoid the complicated 9 ... lZJd4 10 e5 variation, maπy Black players have switched to 9 ... b6 ίη re­cent years.

1 e4 c5 2 ctJc3 ctJc6 3 g3 g6 4 .tg2 ~g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 ctJf3 ctJge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 ~e3 b6

With this move Black supports the c-pawn aπd declares his intention to complete his development with ... .i.b7. The drawback is that this al-10ws White to carry out aπ advaπce ίη the centre with ...

10 d4 ... although Ι have my doubts as Ιο

whether this is really a move White wants to play. 10 ... d5!?

This was recommended by J oe Gal­lagher ίη Beating the Anti-Sicilians, but I'm ηοι convinced of its effectiveness. White cannot play 11 dxc5 as 11 ... d4 wins a piece, while 11 e5 is unattrac­tive due Ιο the forced variation 11. .. l2Jf5 12 i,f2 i,a6 13 J:.e1 cxd4 14 12Jxd4 12Jxd4 15 i,xd4 12Jxd4 16 'iVxd4 'iVc7 (Gallagher), when Black has a pleasant positional advantage: pressure down the c-file and ... f7-f6 is ίη the aίr, opening up the position for the dark­squared bishop. For 1O ... ~a6 see the next game. 11 exd5 lbf5!

If 11 ... exd5 then White can capture οη c5: 12 dxc5 d4 13 12Jxd4 and Black has problems οη the 10ng diagona1. 12 ~f2lbcxd4 13 lbe5

Ιι is important to stay active. Other moves give Black an easy time: 13 dxe6 (13 12Jxd4 12Jxd4 14 dxe6 .txe6 is simίlar) 13 ... ~xe6 (13 ... l2Jxe6 is rec­ommended by Gallagher, but Ι see nothing wrong with this natural

Main Lίne: Alternatives after 9 iιe3

recapture) when Black was more active than his opponent ίη the game Ma.Zelic-Belamaric, Croatian Team Championship 1995.

13 ... JLa6 14 1:e1 1:c8 Instead, if 14 ... exd5?! 15 12Jxd5 J:.c8

16 c3 12Je6 17 'iVa4 (Laurent-Nelson, Cappelle la Grande 1995), then Whίte is a tempo up οη Abramovic­Razuvaev, Paris 1989 (see the next note). 15 dxe6 lbxe6 16 lbd5 JLb7

17 c4!? Ιι seems strange ιο give Black the d4

square for his knights, but if the knight οη d5 is to be maίntaίned, then this move is necessary. The stem game which Gallagher quotes is Abramovic-

47

Τhe CIosed SiciIian

Razuνaeν, Paris 1989, which contin­ued 17 c3 .i.a8! 18 lbd7 ~e8! 19 'iWa4 Φh8! 20 lbe5 .1ιχe5 21 ~xe5 f6 22 ~ee 1 .i.xd5 ... aπd by super-precise play Black had emerged with aπ extra plece. 17 ... lbfd4 18 ~a4!

This is the crucia1 difference be­tween the two sides: White has aπ ac­tiνe square for his queen aπd caπ con­nect his rooks; Black's queen is stuck ίn the middle. 18 ... a5

18 ... ~a8!? lS a possible lmproνe­

ment. 19 ~d7!

Surprising aπd strong. 19 ... ~χθ5 20 1:t.xe5 iιxd5 21 ~xd5 'ikc7 22 1:t.ae1 1:tcd8 23 ~θ4 1:tfe8 24 h4

White has a faπtastic attack. 24 ... lbf5 25 h5 lbd6 26 'ike2 lbd4 27 ~d3 1:txe5 28 1:t.xe5 lb6f5 29 hxg6 hxg6 30 iιd5 lbc6 31 1:t.xf5!? gxf5 32 ~xf5 1:t.d6 33 g4 lbd4 34 'iii'e4 'iii'd7 35 f5 1:th6

The preliminary to aπ attempt to inνade the white kingside. Bastiaπ

now misses the best way to cope with Black's threats.

48

36 ~g3 36 g5! was the moνe.

36 ... ~d8 37 Φg2 ~f6 38 g5 'ikxg5 39 ~θ8+ Φh7 40 ~xf7+ ~g7 41 ~xg7+ Φχg7 42 iιθ5+ Φf8 43 f6 Φθ8 44 Φg3 Φd7 45 f7 Φθ7 46 ~c7 1:t.g6+ 47 Φh4 1:t.f6 48 Φh5 lbe6 49 .i.g3 lbf4+ 0-1

The wrong result! White should haνe won this game.

1 e4 c5 2 lbc3 lbc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 iιg7 5 d3 e6 6 f4 lbge7 7 lbf3 d6 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 ~θ3 b6 1 Ο d4 ~a6

Ι think that this is stronger than 1O •.. d5. Alternatiνely, 10 ... cxd4?! 11 t2Jxd4 SΙa6 12 ~ί2 t2Ja5 13 ί5 t2Jc4 14 SΙc1 ~xd4 15 'iNxd4 e5 16 'iNd3 'iNc8 17 ί6 should haνe giνen White a win­ning attack ίη Hartνig-Gabrielsen, Copenhagen 1996. 11 %1f2 Οί course 11 ~e 1 is also perfectly

playable. 11 ... ~c7!

This is stronger than capturing οη d4. 12 a4 :ad8 13 lίJb5 Sιxb5 14 axb5 lίJxd4 15 lίJxd4 cxd4 16 Sιxd4 e5 17 Sιc3 d5!?

The position is messy, but it seems to me that the odds are ίη Black' s fa­νour. Alternatiνely, 17 ... exf4 18 gxf4 (18 i..xg7 fxg3) 18 ... i..xc3 19 bxc3 d5 wasn't bad for Black ίη Koνaceνic­Paunoνic, Yugoslaνia 1989. White's position looks rather ragged. 18 exd5 exf4 19 ~xg7 fxg3 20 hxg3 Φχg7 21 ~d4+ Φg8 22 g4 lίJc8 23 c4 lίJd6 24 b3 ~θ7 25 b4 %1c8 26 ':c2?

White should haνe tried 26 i..f1, when the position is complex and too close to ca1l.

Main Line: Alternatives after 9 .i.e3

26 ... lίJxb5 27 ~d2 ~f6! 28 1:tac1 lίJd4 29 ~c3 %1ce8 30 c5 ~f4 31 1:td2 lίJθ2+ 32 1:txe2 %1χθ2 33 1:tf1 ~xg4 34 ':f21:txf2 35 Φχf2 ':e8 0-1

1 e4 c5 2 lίJc3 lίJc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 ~g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 lίJf3 lίJge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 Sιθ3 b6 1 Ο ~f2

It isn't necessary to play 10 d4, though the bishop moνe hardly tests Black's strategy.

10 ... Sιb7 11 ~d2 e5 It is logica1 to play this moνe when

the bishop has retreated to ί2: the

49

The Closed Sicilian

pawn ση f4 lacks support. Alterna­tively, 11 .. :iYd7 12 !:tae1 tbd4 13 tbh4 f5 14 Φh1 e5?! (misjudged; Black's ρσ­sition is fine after 14 ... ~ae8) 15 tbd5 tbxd5 16 exd5 ~ae8 17 c3 tbb5 18 ~e3 :Lf7 19 a4 tbc7 20 c4 and Black's mί­nor pieces ση the queenside were mίs­placed ίη Spassky-Krasenkov, Oviedo Rapidplay 1991. 12 1:tae1 ~d7 13 .i.e3 lίJd4 14 lίJh4 f6 15 f5!? g5 16 lίJf3 d5 17 lίJxd5 lίJxd5 18 exd5 lίJxf5 19 .i.h3 .i.xd5 20 lίJh4 gxh4 21 .i.xf5 ~c6 22 ~e2 Jιe6 23 ~g4 Jιxf5 24 1:txf5 hxg3 25 hxg3

With his unskaeable grip ση the kingside light squares, White has rea­sonable compensation for the pawn.

50

25 ... :f7 26 1:te2 ~h8 27 1:th2 Jιf8 28 1:tfh5 1:tc8 29 'iig6 ~d7 30 :f5 1:tg7 31 ~xf6 Jιe7 32 ~xe5 i.d6 33 'iid5 1:txg3+ 34 ~f2 .u.xe3 35 1:tf7 i.g3+ 36 ~xθ3 1:te8+ 37 ~d2 i.f4+ 38 Φc3 ~xd5 Υ:ι -Υ:ι

Main Line: Alternatives after 9 1ie3

Summary

After 9 .. .'~Jd4 10 ~ί2 (Games 19-22) is a sound alternative to 10 e5, and White's results with it are by ηο means bad. Ι think Black's most interesting response to 1O ... e5, attempting to exploit the slight weakening οί the ί4 square (Game 20). Instead οί 9 ... tbd4, 9 ... b6!? (Games 25-27) has been scorίng very well for Black. The only way for White to exploit the omίssion οί ... tbd4 is to play 10 d4 him­self, and then my bet is that we will be seeing more οί 10 ... ..t.a6 (Game 26) ίη the future, rather than 10 ... d5 (Game 25).

1 e4 c5 2 lbc3 lbc6 3 g3 g6 4 .tg2 .tg7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 lbf3 lbge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 .te3

9 ... l2Jd4 9 ... b6 (D)

10 ~f2 (D)

10 d4 10 ... d5 - Game 25; 10 ... SΙa6 - Game 26

10 iιί2 - Game 27

10 tbg5 - Game 23; 10 tbh4 - Game 24 10 ... b6

1O ... tbxf3+ 11 ~xί3 tbc6 12 ~g2 tbd4 13 e5 transposes to 10 e5 tbef5 11 ~ί2 tbxf3+ 12 "iWxf3 tbd4 13 'i'd1 ίn Chapter 1 1O ... e5 - Game 20 1O ... tbec6 (D)

11 tbxd4 tbxd4 12 e5 transposes to 10 e5 tbef5 11.Jtf2 tbxf3+ 12 'iYxf3 tbd4 13 "iWd1 ίη Chapter 1 11 tbd2 - Game 21

1O ... ~b8 - Game 22 11 lbxd4 - Game 19

9 ... b6 10 i.f2 10 ... lbec6

51

Μθίη Line: White does not ρlθγ 9 i.e3

1 e4 c5 2 l2Jc3 l2Jc6 3 g3 g6 4 .i.g2 .i.g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 l2Jf3 l2Jge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο

This chapter contaίns games where White plays 6 ί4, but does ηοΙ follow up with 9 iιe3, the standard move which we saw ίη the first two chap­ters. Although 9 iιe3 is by far the most popular move, there are alterna­tive strategies which deserve more than a second glance. If you are 100k­ing Ιο catch your opponent out with something that is a little offbeat, then you might find what you are 100kίng for here.

There are certaίn advantages to de­laying, or completely omίtting, i..e3, the maίn one being that ίί Black plays hίs knight ίηιο d4, ίι can be exchanged off straίghtaway by the knight οη f3 as there is ηο pawn fork to worry about. We shall start off with games ίη which White plays a controlled strategy (Games 28-33), then move οη to the crude (Games 34-36) and, finally, the bizarre (Game 37 and 38), which often involves something down the h-file.

52

1 e4 c5 2 l2Jc3 d6 3 g3 l2Jc6 4 Jιg2 g6 5 d3 .i.g7 6 f4 e6 7 l2Jf3 l2Jge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 a3

White secures his queenside posi­ιίοη before commίtting hίmself ίn the centre or kίngside. The ροίηι is Ιο

forestall Black's plan οί ... b5-b4, but also, under the right circumstances (protecting the knight οη c3 for a start) to play b2-b4, putting pressure

ΜΒίπ Lίne: White does not ρlΒΥ 9 ~e3

οη Black's queenside and centre. Sur­prisingly few players have tried this idea ίη exactly this position, but it looks sensible to me. At this point a reasonable idea for Black is to attempt to transpose into the next game with 9 ... l:tb8. 9 ... .i.d7 10 1::tb1 1::tc8 11 ~d2

Now White is ready to play b2-b4, but Black jumps ίη to stop it. 11 ... lΔd4 12 lΔθ2

Another plus οί playing l:tb1: the pawn οη b2 is covered. 12 ... ~a4 13 b3 ~c6 14 c4!

Increasing his control over the cen­tre. 14 ... lΔxf3+ 15 ~xf3 d5 16 .i.e3 d4 17 .i.d2 iVd7 18 g4 f5 19 lΔg3

Since White has the potential to

play οη both sides οί the board, Ι pre­fer his position, although the situation is just messy. Geller counterattacks well and by the end it is Spassky who is fighting for the draw. 19 ... Φh8 20 ~θ2 1::tce8 21 .i.g2 e5 22 b4 exf4 23 ~xf4 cxb4 24 axb4 b5 25 cxb5 ~xb5 26 gxf5 lΔd5 27 .i.h3 gxf5 28 'ikh5 lΔxf4 29 1::txf4 .i.xd3 30 1::txf5 iVc6 31 1::tc5 ~h6 32 ~xh6 ~xh6 33 1::td1 ~xθ4 34 lΔxθ4

1::txe4 35 1::tc8 .i.e3+ 36 Φg2 1::txc8 37 ~xc8 .t1e7 38 Φf3 Φg7 39 .i.a61::tf7+ 40 Φθ4 1::tf4+ 41 Φd3 .t1f2 42 .t1a1 Φf6 43 Φθ4 .t1f4+ 44 Φd3 1::tf2 45 Φθ4 Φg5 46 ~c4 ':c2 471::ta5+ Φh4 48 .i.f7 h6 49 .l:l.xa7 l:[b2 50 l:[a4 Φg5 51..1tc4 Υ:ι-Υ:ι

1 e4 c5 2 lΔc3 lΔc6 3 g3 e6 4 .i.g2 g6 5 d3 i.g7 6 f4 lΔge7 7 ίΔf3 ο-ο 8 ο-ο d6 9 .i.d2

This idea is closely connected to that ίη the previous game - indeed, it could potentia1ly transpose. 9 .i.d2 was also a favourite οί Spassky's, but this game has put a dampener οη the whole variation for White.

9 ... b5! If Black can get away with playing

this immediately, then why not go for it? 10 a31::tb8 111::tb1 c4! Αη important novelty at the time

this game was played. Black's most natural move here, 11 ... a5?!, is actually a mistake due to 12 a4! b4 (or

53

The Closed Sicilian

12 ... bxa4 13 lbxa4 and Black's pawn adνance has been halted and the a­pawn isolated) 13 lbb5 .i.a6 14 c4! and the knight οη b5 has been secured. This is the positional trick that Ι men­tioned ίη the introduction.

12 h3?! Α waste of time. 12 .te3 d5 13 dxc4

bxc4 14 lbd4 lbxd4 15 iιxd4 dxe4 16 SΙxg7 'ifxd1 17 .:l.fxd1 Φχg7 18 lbxe4 SΙb7 is giνen as unclear by Lputian. Ι can't imagine that either side should lose if they play sensibly. 12 ... b4!

Black has a powerful initiatiνe. 13 axb4 cxd3 14 cxd3 iVb6+ 15 ..t>h2 liJxb4 16 ~θ1 ~a6 17 ~f2 Ψic7 18liJe1 nfc8

54

Lputian reckons that 18 ... e5! is eνen stronger: 19 i.e3 d5 20 exd5 lbf5 with a νicious attack ίη the makίng. 19 nc1 Ψid7 20 ~d2 liJec6 21 na1 liJd4 22 na3 nc7 23 ~θ3 liJb5 24 nb3 liJc6 25 liJxb5 ~xb5 26 liJf3 ncb7 27 na1 a5 28 na2 ~c7 29 e5 dxe5 30 liJxe5 lί)xθ5! 31 fxe5 .i.xe5 32 .i.xb7 ~xg3+ 33 Φg1 ~xb7 34 nxa5 'iNd5 35 nc3 'iii'd8 36 i..a7 nb7 37 'iNg2 ~xa5 38 ~xb7 'iNa1+ 39 Φg2 'iii'xb2+ 40 Φχg3 'iNxc3 41 'iNb8+ Φg7 42 i..e3 i..xd3 43 'iιi'd6 e5 44 SΙc5 i..c4+ 45 Φf2 tic2+ 46 Φg1 tic1+ 47 Φh2 tif4+ 48 Φg2 h5 0-1 Α complicated game, but the odds

wereheaνily ίη Black's faνour.

1 e4 c5 2 lί)c3 liJc6 3 g3 g6 4 i..g2 i..g7 5 d3 e6 6 f4 d6 7 lί)f3 lί)ge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 lί)θ2

Christian Gabriel from Germany regularly practised this well-motiνated moνe a few years ago. Whίte swings the knight round to the kίngside and intends to coνer the d4 square by

Main Line: White does not p/ay 9 i.e3

playing c2-c3. The drawback is that it is time consuming and gives Black an easy plan: the advance οί the b-pawn. 9 ... 1:!.b8

The most critical response. Games 31, 32 and 33 consider 9 ... b6, 9 ... j,d7 and 9 ... d5 respectively. 10 c3

White dίd without c2-c3 ίη Kostrov­Al.Sokolov, Kstovo Open 1994: 10 Φh1 b5 11 g4 ί5 12 gxf5 exf5 13 lbg3 Φh8 14 'iWe1 'iWc7 15 'iWf2 (ίί White is going to play this crudely, then how about 15 h4 here?) 15 ... lbd4 16 c3 lbxf3 17 'iWxf3 c4 18 ~e1 j,b7 when White's centre is under enormous pressure. 10 ... b5! 11 ~c2 b4! 12 iLe3 bxc3!

Ιη a previous round ίη the same tournament, Black had played less ac­curately: 12 ... 'iWa5 13 lbd2 ~d8 14 g4 bxc3 15 bxc3 'iWc7 16 ί5 ί6 17 lbf4 e5 18 lbh3 j,d7 19 a3!? ~ί8 20 ~ί2 lba5 21 'iWa2+ Φh8 22 ~af1 j,c6 23 g5 with a strong attack, Gabriel-Markowskί, World Junior Championship, Singa­pore 1990. 13 bxc3 iLa6

Although White's POSltlOll is al­right, it is difficult to build υρ an

attack οη the kingside when his centre and queenside are so sensitive. The game is finely balanced. 14 1:!.fd1 ~a5 15 g4 ':fc8 16 ~f2 ~a3 17 1:!.ab1 iLb5 18 ~b2 ~xb2 19 1:!.xb2 ~a4 20 1:!.dd2

Not 20 ~dbl iιc2! 20 ... t2Ja5 21 e5 dxe5 22 t2Jxe5 ':xb2 23 1:!.xb2 g5 24 iLg3 gxf4 25 ~xf4 t2Jd5 26 j.xd5 exd5 27 t2Jg3 1:!.e8 28 t2Jh5 iLh8 29 g5 ':xe5 30 ~xe5 iLxe5 31 t2Jf6+ Wg7 32 t2Jxd5 ~c6 33 1:!.e2 ~d6 34 t2Jf6

34 c4!? might have been a better try. 34 .. .'ϊt>g6 35 h4 h6 36 t2Je4 ~xe4 37 1:!.xe4 hxg5 38 hxg5 Φχg5 39 :a4 ~c7 40 Wg2 f5 41 d4 cxd4 42 ':xd4 i..b6 43 ':a4 t2Jc6 44 Wf3 t2Je5+ 45 Wg3 t2Jd3 46 Φf3 f4 0-1

1 e4 c5 2 t2Jc3 t2Jc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 ~g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 l2Jf3 l2Jge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 t2Je2 b6

Sίmple development, but as we have seen, 9 ... 1:tb8 is more to the point. 10 c3 ~a6 11 g4 f5 12 gxf5 gxf5

55

Τhe Closed Sicilian

This justifies White's strategy: the should have got more from the posi­knight will find a good square οη h5. Ι tion. don't see what is wrong with 12 ... exf5. This position is worth investigating. Ι suppose that Black must have been worried about 13 t'Δg5 'iVd7 14 'iVb3+, a1though after 14 ... ~h8 Ι don't see how White should continue.

13 lίJg3 ~d7 14 1:1e1 1:1ae8 15 lίJh5 lίJg6 16 JLe3 lίJd8 17 ~d2 JLb7 18 1:1ad1 fxe4 19 dxe4 JLxe4 20 ~xd6 ~b7 21 'ib'd7 1:1e7 22 ~xb7 lίJxb7 23 lίJg5 JLxg2 24 Φχg2 h6 25 lίJe4 1:1f5 26 lίJeg3 1:1ff7 27 JLc1 lίJh4+ 28 Φh3 lίJf5 29 lίJxf5 1:1xf5 30 Φg4 .i.f8 31 1:1xe6 1:1ff7 32 f5 c4 33 .i.e3 1:1c7 34 :g6+ Φh7 35 lίJf6+ 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 lίJc3 lίJc6 3 g3 g6 4 i.g2 .i.g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 lίJf3 lίJge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 lίJe2 .i.d7

see fo//owing diagram

10 c3 ~b6 11 Φh1 f5 121:1b1 ~a6 Black attacks οη the light squares ίη

an origina1 manner, and perhaps he

56

13 iιe3 1:1ac8 14 a3 lίJd8 15 e5 lίJf7 15 ... dxe5!? 16 t'Δxe5 i.xe5 17 fxe5

~c6 is slightly risky as it weakens the kingside, but is consistent with the light-square strategy he has decided to

adopt.

16 exd6 ~xd6 17 c4 i.c6 18 b4 cxb4 19 axb4 a6 20 'ib'b3 1:1fd8 21 1:1bd1 ~d7 22 lίJc3 h6 23 .i.b6 1:1e8 24 d4 lίJd6 25 d5 exd5 26 cxd5 iιb5 27 lίJe5 1:1xc3 28 ~xc3 .i.xf1 29 tιxf1 lίJe4 30 lίJxd7 .i.xc3 31 tιd1 lίJc8 32 i.c5 1:1d8 33 .i.xe4 1:1xd7 34 .i.f3 lίJd6 35 1:1c1 i.f6 36 i-xd6 1:1xd6 37 1:1c8+ .i.d8 38 1:1b8 1:1d7 39 .i.d1 Φf8 40 i-a41:1xd5 Υ2-Υ2

Main Line: White does not p/ay 9 iιe3

......... Game3q" . 'Stao~c-Lend .... n,tjJJΊimpt'bnsh'

,< ",χ-"

1 e4 c5 2 lZJc3 lZJc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 ~g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 lZJf3 lZJge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 lZJe2 d5

10 e5 d4?! Ι don't like this moνe νery much at

all. If Black is going to play 9 ... d5, then he should at least be consistent and play 1O ... f6. Leaνing the pawn οη e5 giνes White the chance to bui1d υρ a strong attack (compare with Daνies­Fossan which Ι mentioned ίη the notes to Game 21; White also establishes a knight οη e4 ίη that game). 11 lZJg5! b6 12 lZJe4 ~a6 13 b3 lZJd5 14 g4 h6 15 :f3 :c8 16 :h3 :c7 17 g5

see fo//owing diagram

White's strategy is blunt but effec­tiνe. If 17 ... h5, then 18 lbg3 and lbxh5. 17 ... hxg5 18 lZJxg5 ~b7 19 lZJg3 lZJe3 20 i..xe3 dxe3 21 lZJ3e4 e2 22 \ie1 lZJd4 23 :c1 i..xe4 24 lZJxe4 1:td7 25 c3 lZJf5 26 ~χθ2 \ie7 27

lZJg3 274Jg5! was the moνe .

27 ... :fd8 28 ~θ4 a6 29 lZJh1 i.xe5 30 ~xf5 ~xf4 31 :f1 ~g5+ 32 ~g4 f5 33 :xf4 \ixf4 34 iVxe6+ Φg7 35 i..e2 \ic1+ 36 ~f1 ~xc3 37 ~xb6 :d6 38 ~b7+ :8d7 39 'iVf3 :e6 40 lZJf2 'iVd4 41 ~a8 ':d8 42 \ia7+ ':d7 43 iVb8 ':d8 44 iVc7+ iVd7 45 \ixc5 :c8 46 ~b4 :c1 47 \id2 \ic6 48 lZJd1 f4 49 'iVb2+ :f6 50 lZJf2 \ic5 51 :h7+ Φχh7 52 iVxf6 'iVe3 53 'iVf7+ '1t>h6 54 ~f8+ Φh7 55 ~f7+ Φh6 56 ~f8+ Φh7 %-%

Black should haνe been put away out οί the opening.

1 e4 c5 2 lZJc3 lZJc6 3 g3 g6 4 i.g2 i.g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 lZJf3 lZJge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 g4

With this moνe we are edging from the aggressiνe into the crude. If White were giνen one more moνe, then he could play f4-f5!?, sacrificing a pawn to get a good shot at his opponent's king. This is all νery well, but 9 g4 allows

57

Τhe Closed Sicilian

Black to reveal one of the main points of his piece formation: 9 ... f5!

This is a crucial move ίη Black's counterattack. It isn't just that White is prevented from playing f4-f5; it means that the pawn is fixed οη f4, restricting the scope of the bishop οη c1. Playing a move like 9 g4 is risky. Although it looks like jolly good ίυη to launch an attack from the begin­ning of the game, the whole exercise can easily rebound: White's king mίght find itself exposed ίη a few more moves. 10 gxf5 exf5

For 1O ... gxf5 see the next game. Ιη principle Ι prefer the recapture with

58

the e-pawn: Black's king keeps its pawn cover. The οηlΥ drawback can be if the a2-g8 diagonal becomes a lit­tle sensitive, or White can put the d5 square to good use. 11 ~θ3 Φh8 12 "iVd2 ~θ6 13 Itae1 ~d7 14 tiJg5

14 d4 runs into 14 ... fxe4 15 lbxe4 i.d5 and White should lose a pawn. 14 ... i.g8 15 tiJd5

White's strategy is a bit obvious, but Black falls for it nevertheless. There is really ηο need to capture the knight οη d5. 15 ... h6 is the move, when White will either have to ex­change οη e7, or make a mίserable retreat to h3. After 16 lbh3 ~ae8, the position is still complicated, but Black has enough pieces protecting his king, and he can decide exactly when, and if, he wishes to exchange the knight ond5. 15 ... tiJxd5 16 exd5 tiJd4 17 c3 tiJb5 18 ~f2 tiJc7

18 ... ~ae8 doesn't solve Black's problems: 19 d4! b6 20 lbe6 iιxe6 21 dxe6 ~xe6 22 dxc5, when White's bishops are impressive. 19 c4 Itae8 20 d4 b6 21 b3.if6 22 Itxe8 Itxe8 23 Ite1

Main Line: White does not p/ay 9 iL.e3

White has a pleasant space advan­tage, but ίη the remainder of the game Black is a little too cooperative ιη helping him to exploit it.

23 ... i.xd4 24 i.xd4+ cxd4 25 'iί'xd4+ ~g7 26 ~xg7+ Φχg7 27 1:txe8 l2Jxe8 28 l2Jf3 Φf6 29 <;t>f2 l2Jc7 30 l2Jd4 i. f7

30 ... a6, preventing White's coming knight manoeuvre, was a better defen­Slve try. 31 l2Jc6 a5 32 l2Ja7 l2Ja6 33 l2Jc8 l2Jb4 34 a4 l2Jd3+ 35 <;t>e3 l2Jc5 36 l2Jxd6 l2Jxb3 37 l2Jc8 i.e8 38 l2Jxb6 l2Jc5 39 Φd4 l2Jb3+ 40 <;t>c3 l2Jc5 41 i.f3 l2Jxa4+ 42 l2Jxa4 i.xa4 43 c5 g5 44 fxg5+ <;t>xg5 45 c6 Φf6 46 Φc4 Φe7 47 Φc5 i.b3 48 d6+ <;t>e8 49 c7 ~e6 50 ~c6+ <;t>f8 51 d7 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 l2Jc3 l2Jc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 ~g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 l2Jf3 l2Jge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 g4 f5 1 Ο gxf5 gxf5

For 10 ... exf5 see the previous game. ΒΥ capturing with the g-pawn, Black keeps as many pawns ίη the centre as

possible (that's the good news) , but leaves his kingside position slightly weaker (bad news). If Ι were playing 9 g4, Ι think Ι would be very glad to see Black recapture like this: it justifies White's blunt strategy. 11 l2Je2!

With this move Hennigan ρin­points the shortcomings of 1O ... gxf5: the knight is heading for h5. 11 ... 1:tb8 12 l2Jg3

As well as looking at h5, the knight keeps υρ the pressure οη the f5 pawn. 12 ... b6 13 Φh1 ~b7 14 c3!

Covering the d4 square.

14 ... 'iί'd7 15 ~c2 l2Jg6 16 exf5 exf5 17 ~d2 1:tbe8 18 1:tae 1 1:te 7 19 t2Jh5 1:tfe8 20 1:txe7 1:txe7 21 1:te1 1:txe1+

59

Τhe Closed Sicilian

22 ~xe1 White has the better chances as his

pieces are slightly more active. How­ever, the game should still be a draw.

22 .. :iVe6 23 ~b3 ~xb3 24 axb3

jιh6 25 LΔh4 LΔxf4 26 LΔxf5 ~g5 27 LΔxf4 ~xf4 28 ~g3 ~xg3 29 hxg3

Suddenly Black is unable to protect his d-pawn. 29 ... LΔa5 30 LΔxd6 ~xg2+ 31 Φχg2 LΔxb3 32 Φf3 h5 33 LΔc8 LΔc1 34 Φe3 Φf7 35 LΔxa7 Φe6 36 LΔc8 Φf5 37 LΔxb6 Φg4 38 LΔd7 Φχg3 39 LΔxc5 h4 40 LΔe4+ Φg2 41 LΔg5 LΔb3 42 d4 h3

43 LΔxh3 Φχh3 44 Φf4 Φh4 45 d5 Φh5 46 Φf5 Φh6 47 d6 LΔc5 48 b4 LΔd7 49 Φe6 1-0

60

1 e4 c5 2 LΔc3 LΔc6 3 f4 g6 4 LΔf3 ~g7 5 g3 d6 6 ~g2 e6 7 ο-ο LΔge7 8 d3 ο-ο 9 ~e1

White nudges the queen one square across the board; a11 very subtle. 9 ... 1:ί.b8

Ιη view οί what follows, Ι would suggest 9 ... f5, frustrating White's plan. 1 Ο a4 a6 11 g4 f5 12 'ii'h4

Perhaps not so subtle. Ιη fact, ex­tremely crude, but the kingside is definitely where the queen belongs, and there is ηο obvious way for Black

Main Line: White does not p/ay 9 1Le3

to exploit this early demonstration. 12 ... lZJd4 13 I;ιf2 lZJec6 14 'iVg3 b5 15 axb5 axb5 16 lZJg5

We have encountered this idea be­fore. White plays the knight to g5, with ηο particular idea ίη mind; ίη fact Black caπ chase away immediately. 16 ... h6 17 lZJf3 Α waste οί time? Νο. The g6 square

has been weakened. Ιη the game Black faίls to contaίn White' s attack.

17 ... b4 18 lZJd 1 lZJxf3+ 1 9 Sιxf3 lZJd4 20 Sιg2 Φh7 21 lZJe3 fxg4 22 lZJxg4 h5 23 lZJe3 Sιf6 24 f5 exf5 25 exf5 lZJxf5 26 lZJxf5 ~xf5 27 I;ιa7+ .tg7 28 'iVe3 g5 29 .1:txf5 .1:txf5 30 ~e4 'iVf6 31 'iVxg5 'iVxg5+ 32 ~xg5 I;ιbf8

33 .txf5+ I;ιxf5 34 Sιh4 Φg6 35 b3

~d4+ 36 Φg2 I;ιf4 37 .tg3 I;ιf6 38 I;ιd7 .te5 39 Sιxe5 dxe5 40 .ttd5 Φf5 41 .1:txc5 Φf4 42 .1:tc4+ Φe3 43 Φg3 .1:tf4 44 .1:tc8 Φd2 45 ':c5 .1:tg4+ 46 Φh3 .1:td4 47 Φg3 I;ιg4+ 48 Φf2 ':f4+ 49 Φg2 .ttg4+ 50 ~h 1 h4 51 h3 .l:.f4 52 Φg2 e4 53 .l:.c4 exd3 54 cxd3 .l:.f8 55 .l:.xb4 .l:.g8+ 56 .l:.g4 .l:.h8 57 b4 Φχd3 58 Φf3 .l:.h5 59 .l:.f4 .l:.h6 60 ~g4 ~e3 61 Φg5 .l:.b6 62 .l:.xh4 .l:.b5+ 63 Φf6 Φf3 64 .1:tc4 Φg3 65 h4 .l:.b8 66 Φe7 .l:.b6 67 Φd7 .l:.h6 68 b51-0

1 e4 c5 2 lZJc3 lZJc6 3 g3 g6 4 .tg2 .tg7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 lZJf3 lZJge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 h4

Now we come οη to the bizarre. Somehow thίs move is very appealing. ν aπ der Weide has made it his special­ity, with mίxed results.

9 ... e5 Quite logίcal; meeting a wing attack

with aπ advaπce ίη the centre. This seems more effective thaπ 9 ... h5 10 lbg5 lbd4 11 lbe2 aπd after expel1ing

61

Τhe Closed Sicilian

the knight, White's attack continues. 10 lίJg5!?

Preventing ... i.g4, but also opening up the possibility of playing f4-f5. Nevertheless, 10 h5 i.g4 11 hxg6 hxg6 12 'iVe1 is worth considering. 10 ... exf4 11 gxf4 h6 12 lίJh3 f5

Black thought he was being crafty ίη Van der Weide-Los, Leeuwarden Open 1993, but he soon came un­stuck: 12 ... d5 13 f5! dxe4 (13 ... gxf5 14 exd5 l2Jd4 15 'iVh5!) 14 f6 i.xf6 15 ~xf6 'iVd4+ 16 1:1f2 and White man­aged Ιο consolidate his extra piece. 13 h5 gxh5 14 ~xh5 ~θ8 15 ~χθ8 .1:Ιχθ8

White's strategy has been successful: he has the better pawn structure and goes into the ending with a slight ad­vantage. 16 lίJb5 :d8 17 c3 :b8 18 Ji.e3 a6 19 lίJc7 b6 20 lίJd5 lίJxd5 21 exd5 lίJθ7 22 .tf2 Ji.f6 23 :fe1 lίJg6 24 i.f3 :b7 25 Ji.h5 :g7 26 Φh2 Φh7 27 :e3 lίJθ7 28 .tf3 Ji.d7 29 :g1 b5 30 1:txg7+ Φχg7 31 c4 Φf8 32 b3 ::tb8 33 lίJg1 a5 34 lίJθ2 a4 35 Φg2 axb3 36 axb3 1:ta8 37 lίJg3 1:ta3 38 i.d1 1:ta1 39 1:te1 i.c3 40 1:th1 Ji.g7 41 .th5 1:ta2 42 1:tb1 b4 43 Φf3 .te8

62

44 Ji.xe8 Φχθ8 45 1:te1 Φd7 46 1:txe7+ Φχθ7 47 lίJxf5+ Φd7 48 lίJxg7 1:tb2 49 Ji.h4 1:txb3 50 Φθ2 1:tb1 51 Φd2 1:tg1 52 Ji.f6 1:tg4 53 f5 1:tg2+ 54 Φc1 1:tg1+ 55 Φc2 1:tg2+ Υ:ι-Υ:ι

1 e4 c5 2 lίJc3 lίJc6 3 f4 g6 4 g3 Ji.g7 5 Ji.g2 d6 6 d3 e6 7 lίJh3

1ι is ηοΙ uncommon for the knight to develop to h3 ίη the C10sed Sicilian, but ίι is usually combined with i.e3 and "iVd2 with the idea of exchanging the dark-squared bishops. In this case, White has an aggressive plan ίη mίnd. 7 ... lίJge7 8 lίJf2 1:tb8

Black has an ink1ing that White is planning something blunt οη the kingside and hangs back with castling for a moment. He clearly had ηο de­sire to get embroiled ίη the manic complications that mίght follow after 8 ... 0-0 9 h4!? (with the rook still οη h1, this is too tempting ΙΟ resist) 9 ... h5 10 g4 hxg4 11 "iVxg4 (11 tΔxg4!? f5 12 tΔf2) 11 ... tΔd4 12 \td1. 1η these

Main Line: White does not p/ay 9 Sιe3

νariations, White's king is ίη just as much danger as Black's. Anything could happen. 9 g4 h5 10 g5

Black was probably relieνed to see the kίngside close, but the space which White has gained οη the kίngside is pleasant. 10 ... l2Jd4 11 ο-ο b5

The adνance of the b-pawn οηlΥ helps White to gaίn play οη the queenside. Perhaps it would haνe been wiser to play the more modest 11 ... b6 followed by ... .tb7. The pawn οη c5 would haνe had sufficient support -see the rest of the game, but also think back to Chapter 1 where the c5 pawn is often a problem for Black.

12 l2Je2 b4 13 a3 a5 14 axb4 axb4 15 l2Jxd4 ~xd4 16 'iVe1 ο-ο 17 c3 ~g7 18 Jιθ3 ~b6 19 e5 bxc3 20 bxc3 d5 21 1:!.b1 ~xb1 22 ~xb1 1:!.xb 1 23 1:!.xb 1 d4 24 cxd4 l2Jf5 25 Jιd2 l2Jxd4 26 l2Je4 Jιd7 27 l2Jxc5 Jιc6 28 l2Je4 1:!.d8 29 1:!.b6 Jιxθ4 30 Jιxθ4 Jιf8 31 Φf1 1:!.c8 32 Jιθ3 l2Jc2 33 Jιf2 l2Jb4 34 d4 1:!.d8 35 Φθ2 l2Jd5 36 SΙxd5 1:!.xd5 37 Φd31:!.a5 38 Jιθ1 1:!.d5 39 1:!.b8 Φg7 40 Wc4 ~e7 41 1:!.b7 .tf8 42 1:!.a7 1:!.d8 43 Jιa5 :Ιb8 44 SΙc7 1:!.b4+ 45 Φc3 1:!.b5 46 Jιd8 1:!.b8 47 Jιa5 Φg8 48 ~c7 1:!.b5 49 1:!.a8 Φg7 50 Jιd81:!.b7 51 ~f6+ Φg8

52 d5 exd5 53 Φd4 h4 54 Φχd5 h3 55 Φc61:!.b2 56 Jιθ7 1:!.xh2 57 1:!.xf8+ Φg7 581:!.a8 :Ιc2+ 59 Φd5 1-0

63

The Closed Sicilian

Summary

Lputian's noνelty ίη Game 29 has remoνed any danger which might haνe existed ίη the system with 9 iιd2, and this probably a1so applίes to Game 28, which is likely to transpose. 9 lbe2 (Games 30-33) is sensible but, if handled correctly, a bit tame. 9 g4 (Games 34 and 3S) just looks too crude to me, so long as Black plays 9 ... fS, and recaptures οη fS with the e-pawn. Ι can't belίeνe that 9 h4 (Game 37) is terribly good, but it's ίυη, and 1'11 be giνing it a punt ίη the next blίtz game Ι play.

1 e4 c5 2 tΔc3 tΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 i..g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6

7 tΔf3 7 lbh3 - Game 38

7 ... tΔge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο (D) 9 a3 9 .i.d2 - Game 29 9lbe2 (D)

9 ... ~b8 - Game 30 9 ... b6 - Game 31 9 ... iιd7 - Game 32 9 ... ds - Game 33

9 g4 fs 10 gxfS 10 ... exfS - Game 34 lO ... gxfS - Game 35

9 ~e1 - Game 36 9 h4 - Game37

9 ... i..d7 (D)

9 ... ~b8 10 a3 - Game 29 (by transposition) 10 ~b1- Game 28

8 ... 0-0 9 tΔθ2

64

9 ... i..d7

6 f4 e5

1 e4 c5 2 lίJc3 lίJc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 iιg7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e5

If Black wants to engage ίη a more open position than those that occur after 6 f4 e6, then he might choose to reply to 6 f4 with 6 ... e5. When the centre is so fluid, it is difficult for White to embark οη some of the at­tackίng ideas contained ίη the first three chapters (though it isn't clear one would wish to prevent these any­way). ΒΥ meeting 6 f4 with 6 ... e5, one could argue that Black is doing half White's job for him, as he voluntarily opens the f-file. Οη the other hand, Black often gains the e5 square for his minor pieces, so it's a trade off. Ιη Games 39-41 White meets 6 ... e5 with the straightforward 7 tΔf3; and ίη Games 42-48 he plays 7 tΔh3, which, accordίng to existing theory, is meant to be the better move. We sha11 see.

Η, having reached the end of the chapters οη 6 f4, you are still waiting for a discussion of 6 ... tΔf6, then Ι would refer you to Game 60: Ι have included this system ίη the chapter οη

6 iιe3 as it often transposes. The poor reputation of 7 tΔf3 can

be traced back to the following game. Larsen plays the opening a little care­lessly, and Portisch emerges with a slight, but permanent, advantage ίη the form of the two bishops and pres­sure οη White's centre.

1 e4 c5 2 lίJc3 lίJc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 ~g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e5 7 lίJf3

65

The CIosed SiciIian

7 ... ίΔge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 i.e3 The speculative 9 f5 is considered ίη

Game41. 9 ... ίΔd4 1 Ο ~d2 exf4

10 ... iι.g4 is the subject of the next game. 11 iιxf4

11 gxf4 is similar to Games 34 and 35 if Black chooses to block with 11 ... f5. Ιη fact, this may be a slightly improved version from White's view­point as Black has already commίtted himself to ... tΔd4. 11 ... ίΔΧf3+

Here 11 ... ~g4 isn't terribly good: 12 l2Jxd4 cxd4? (12 ... ~xd4+ 13 ~e3 and White stands comfortably: after the exchange of bishops White dou­bles rooks οη the f-file) 13 tΔb5 a6 14 tΔxd6 g5 15 tΔxb7 'iVb6 16 iιd6 'iVxb7 17 'iVxg5 iι.e2 18 e5 was winning for White ίη Fahnenschmίdt-Gauglitz, German Bundesliga 1994.

12l:txf3 This recapture is never commented

οη ίη theory books, but 12 iιxf3 is ηο better and ηο worse. For instance, 12 ... iιh3 13 iιg2 iιxg2 14 'iVxg2 'iVd7 15 g4! (5passky likes to play ίη this way οη the kingside as well) 15 ... b5 16

66

I:ιae1 b4 17 tΔd1 tΔc6 18 Wh1 l:.ad8 19 tΔe3!? tΔe7, as ίη Benschop-Cameron, Dutch Women's Championship 1989. White has the slightly freer position, although Black flunked the challenge: what would have happened if Black had taken the pawn? 19 ... iιxb2!? 20 l2Jc4 ~e5 21 iιg5 I:ιc8 22 tΔxe5 tΔxe5 23 I:ιf4 'iVe6 24 I:ιef1 is one plausible line, when White has attacking chances ίη return for the pawn. 12 ... ~b6! Α well-timed move. White would

like to get οη with his kingside attack by doubling rooks οη the f-file, ex­changing bishops with iιh6, for ex­ample, but he must first deal with the threat to b2. If he tries 13 b3, then the knight's support is undermίned and Black can exploit this with 13 ... 'iVb4. If 13 tΔd1, then 13 ... i.g4. 50 White is reduced to playing .. . 13 l:tb1

... but assigning a whole rook to the defence of a lousy pawn is hardly de­sirable. White must also take care that Black doesn't throw in a discovered check with ... c5-c4 at some awkward moment. 13 ... iιe6

14..11ιg5?!

That one is a waste of time: the knight was going οη a trip anyway. Portisch's second at the event, Forin­tos, recommends 14 ~ff1 instead, and that does remove the rook from its vulnerable square. 14 'i.t>h1 is also rea­sonable (it might be useful to keep the rook οη f3 for a moment, ίη case it becomes possible to double οη the f­file). 14 ... tLJc6 15 ..I1ιe3?

14 iιg5 wasn't great, but it seems to me that this is the real blunder. Ιn­stead, 15 ~H1 should be alright for White. 15 ... tLJe5 16 ~ff1 tLJg4 17 ..I1ιf4 c4+ 18 ~h1 cxd3 19 cxd3 ..I1ιd4!

This forces the win of the two bish­ops, and from here οη, White's king is lnsecure. 20 h3 tLJe3 21 ~fe1 tLJxg2 22 ~xg2 ~c6! 23 ..I1ιe3 ..I1ιh8 24 ~bc1 ~d7! 25 ~h2! a6

25 ... iιxh3 26 liJd5 confuses the issue enough to make Black think twice about capturing. 26~g2

Both 26 g4 and 26 h4 create too many holes ίη White's kingside.

6 '4 e5

26 ... ~ac8 27 d4 ~d8 28 d5 ..I1ιd7 29 ..I1ιf4 ~e7 30 ~d2 ..I1ιe5 31 ~f1 ~ce8 32 ~ce1 f6 33 a3 h5 34 tLJe2 g5 35 ..I1ιxe5 ~xe5 36 tLJd4 h4 37 ~g1 ~f7 38 tLJf3 hxg3+ 39 ~xg3 ~f4 40 ~f1 ~xd2+ 41 tLJxd2 ~c8 42 ~xg5 ~h8 43 e5 dxe5 44 tLJe4 ~c2+ 45 ~g 1 ~h6 46 ~g3 f5 47 b4 b6 48 lbg5+ ~e 7 49 tLJf3 ~f6 50 ~g8 ~xh3 51 ~b8 f4 52 ~xb6+ <ot>f5 53 ~f2 ~g3+ 54 ~f1 ..I1ιb5+ 55 ~e1 ~xf2 56 <ot>xf2 ~e4 57 tLJd2+ ~xd5 58 a4 ..I1ιd3 59 ~f6 ~e3 60 tLJb3 ~e2+ 61 ~g1 ~b2 62 tLJc5 ..I1ιe2 63 ~b6 Φd4 64 tιJd7 Jιf3 65 ~e6 ~e3 66 ~xe5+ ..I1ιe4 0-1 Α positional masterρiece from Por­

tisch.

1 e4 c5 2 tLJc3 tLJc6 3 g3 g6 4 ..I1ιg2

Jιg7 5 d3 d6 6 Jιe3 e5 7 'iVd2 tLJge7 8 f4 tLJd4 9 tLJf3 ο-ο 1 Ο ο-ο ..I1ιg4

11 tLJh4 exf4 12 ..I1ιxf4 Another idea is 12 ~xf4!? iιe6 13

~f2 d5 14 iιh6 ~c8 15 iιxg7 'i.t>xg7 16 ~af1 f6 17 exd5 liJxd5 18 liJe4 and White had the better chances ιη

67

The Closed Sicilian

Lijedahl-Spassky, Gothenburg 1973. As is so often the case, if White can exchange the dark-squared bishops, then he has the better chances due to

the weak squares around Black' s king. 12 ... ~d7 13 !If2 b5 14 i.h6 !Iae8 15 !Iaf1 b4 16 i.xg7 <joJxg7 17CΔd1

17 ... Sιxd1 !

Black appreciates that the knight will contribute greatly to White's at­tack if it arrives at e3, so he hacks it off. 18 iYxd1 d5!

Another good move. Black is fight­ing for the initiative. If he doesn't, then White will build υρ unopposed οη the kingside. Nevertheless, Ι still prefer White. 19 c3 bxc3 20 bxc3 CΔdc6 21 iYf3 d4 22 iYf6+ <joJg8 23 c4

see fo//owing diagram

23liJf3!? is worth a thought. 23 .. :~ΙVe6 24 "iVg5 iYe5 25 "iVd2 f6 26 i.h3 <joJg7 27 CΔg2 g5! 28 iVd1 iVd6 29CΔe1 CΔe5 30 Sιf5 !Ib8 31 h4 !Ib6 32 Sιxh7 CΔf7 33 Sιf5 ~xg3+ 34 CΔg2 CΔe5 35 !If3 CΔxf3+ 36 !Ixf3 ~b8 37 !If1 CΔxf5 38 exf5 !Ih8 39 !Ie1 gxh4 40 ~g4+ <joJf7 41 ~g6+

68

<joJf8 42 !Ie6 !Ib1 + 43 <joJf2 ~g3+ 44 iVxg3 hxg3+ 45 <joJe2 <joJf7 46 !Ic6 !Ie8+ 47 <joJf3 !If1+ 48 <joJxg3 !Ig8+ 49 <joJh2 !Ixf5 0-1

1 g3 c5 2 Sιg2 CΔc6 3 e4 d6 4 d3 g6 5 f4 Sιg7 6 CΔf3 e5 7 ο-ο CΔge7 8 CΔc3 ο-ο 9 f5!?

I'm surprised that this hasn't been seen more often. Ι haven't a clue what's going οη, but it seems ιο create enough panic ίη Black's camp judging by the two games which I've υη­earthed.

9 ... gxf5 1 Ο ctJh4 This must be stronger than 10 ttJg5,

though Black failed to find the right answer ίn Pikryl-Kupcik, Moravian Championship 1994: 10 ... h6 (Ι suspect that 1O ... f6 is the right move, when Ι can't see anything better for White than retreating the knight to f3. Nev­ertheless, it is worth looking at the rest of the game, as White plays a sen­sational attack) 11 exf5 i.xf5 12 ~xf5 ttJxf5 13 i.e4 ttJcd4 14 'iVh5 hxg5 15 g4 'iVf6 16 gxf5 'iVh6 17 'iVxh6 i.xh6 18 f6 ttJxc2 19 ~b1 ttJd4 20 h4 '.t>h8 21 '.t>f2 ttJe6 22 ttJd5 ~fe8 23 hxg5 i.g7 24 i.d2 ~ac8 25 ~h1+ '.t>g8 26 fxg7 '.t>xg7 27 ~h7+ '.t>f8 28 g6 1-0. 10 ... fxe4 11 dxe4 ctJd4?!

Risky. The knight could find itself offside ίn a couple of moves if Black isn't careful. 11 ... f5 is critical, but White has a wide choice of responses. Ι like 12 i.g5. 12 ctJd5! ctJxd5 13 exd5

13 ... .i.f6 Also risky, but the more orthodox

13 ... f5 (13 ... i.d7 14 c3 ttJb5 15 i.e4 is also promising for White) wasn't very good: 14 c3 ttJb5 15 'iVh5 'iVe8 (or 15 ... ~d7 16 i.h3) 16 ~xe8 ~xe8 17

6 '4 e5

ttJxf5 and White has a large positional advantage thanks to the bishop pair and kingside pawn majority. 14 ~h6

Or perhaps even 14 c3!? iιxh4 15 cxd4 (15 gxh4 ttJf5!) 15 ... iιg5 16 dxe5 dxe5 17 d6 and White has compensa­tion for the pawn. 14 ... .i.xh4 15 gxh4 'iVxh4 16 ~xf8 .i.g4?

Black would have still been very much ίn the game after 16 ... '.t>xf8. 17.i.e7 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 ctJc3 ctJc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 .i.g7 5 d3 d6 6 ctJh3 e5 7 f4

7 ttJh3 has proved to be a more popular move than 7 ttJf3 ίn recent years, thanks to its adoption by the likes of Spassky, but also because there are a couple of tricky lines which the unwary can easily stumble into. The unwary here is James Howell who, ίn spite of being a good deal stronger than his opponent, is unable to re­cover from his difficult start.

69

The CIosed SiciIian

7 . ..c:iJge 7 8 ο-ο Black's best move here is 8 ... exf4 -

see Games 44-46; but there are quite a few players who have played the seemingly natural ... 8 ... 0-0?

... οηlΥ to be shocked by ... 9 f5! f6

If the pawn is accepted then Black falls prey to a vicious attack. Here are just a couple of examples to give a f1a­vour of the carnage, although Ι could have provided many more: 9 ... gxf5 10 exf5 ~xf5 (1 Ο ... ctJxf5 11 'tIVh5 also gives White a strong attack) 11 l:ixf5 ctJxf5 and now:

a) 12 ~e4 'tIVd7? (12 .. .'~Jcd4 13 'tIVhs transposes to the next variation) 13 'tIVg4 ctJce7 14 ctJd5 'tIVe6? 15 ctJxe7+ ctJxe7 16 ~xh7+ 1-0 Seret-Juglard, Bel­fort Open 1989.

b) 12 'tIVh5 ctJcd4 13 Jte4 'tIVf6 14 ctJd5 'tIVg6 15 ctJe7+ (15 'tIVd1!, e.g. 15 ... 'tIVe6 16 ctJg5! 'tIVd7 17 c3 f6 18 ctJxh7!) 15 ... ctJxe7 16 ~xg6 fxg6 17 'tIVd1 h6 18 c3 ctJf3+ 19 c;t>g2 l:if7 20 Jte3 b6 21 a4 l:iaf8 and Black had compensation for the queen ίη

Kroeze-Kharlov, Leeuwarden 1994. This is the best that Ι have seen Black do with this variation but Ι think 15 'i'd1 would have been a killer. 10 g4 ΒΥ declining the pawn sacrifice

Black has staved off immediate disas­ter, but his long-term prospects are poor: White's kingside pawn wedge is formidable and he has a clamp οη the centre, making it impossible for Black to organise counterplay. The win takes time, but there is a feeling of inevitability about it.

70

10 ... 4Jd4 11 Sιe3 g5? This allows White complete free­

dom to build οη the kingside.

124Jd5 h6 13 Φh1 ~f7 144Jg1 i.f8 15 c3 lίJxd5 16 exd5 4Jb5 17 4Je2 4Jc7 18 4Jg3 ..td7 19 i.e4 Sιe8 20 Φg2 ~h7 21 ~h1 h5 22 gxh5 Sιh6 23 ~d2 Sιf7 24 c4 ~f8 25 i.f3 g4 26 Sιxg4 Sιxe3 27 ~xe3 b5 28 Φf2 ~b8 29 b3 Sιe8 30 ~ag1 Φh8 31 ~g2 a5 32 ~hg1 a4 33 Sιd1 i.d7 34 4Je4 axb3 35 axb3 4Je8 36 h6 bxc4 37 dxc4 Sιxf5 38 ~g3 ~xh6 39 ~g8+ ~xg8 40 ~xg8+ Φh7 41 4Jxd6 ~xh2+ 42 Φe1 lLIxd6 43 ~xb8 ~b2 44 ~f8 lLIe4 45 d6 ~d2 46 ~f7+ Φh6 4 7 ~xf6+ lLIxf6 48 Φχd2 lLIe4+ 49 Φc1 lLIxd6 50 i.c2 Sιxc2 51 Φχc2 e4 52 ~g8 e3 53 Φd3 lLIf5 54 ~c8 4Jd4 55 Φχe3 lLIxb3 56 ~g8 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 lLIc3 d6 3 g3 lLIc6 4 i.g2 g6 5 d3 i.g7 6 f4 e5 7 4Jh3 4Jge7 8 ο-ο lLId4

Spassky won a famous game (playing White) with this line against

Hort ίη 1978, and it is surρrising that Psakhis chose to repeat it. His ορρο­nent eνen manages to improνe οη Spassky's play. 8 ... h6 9 i.d2 (9 f5!? looks inνiting: 9 ... gxf5 10 ~h5 with similar play to the main game) 9 ... i.e6 10 g4 exf4 11 ttJxf4 ~d7 12 h3 i.d4+ 13 Φh1 h5 14 g5 i.e5 15 ttJxe6 fxe6 16 h4 0-0-0 17 i.h3 gaνe White a slight adνantage ίη Spassky-Tan Lian Αηη, Manila Interzona11976.

9 f5! This sacrifice agaίn.

9 ... gxf5 1 Ο ~h5! This moνe is neνer commented οη

ίη theoretical works, but if Ι were playing White Ι would want to make sure that Ι had something worked out against 1O ... ttJxc2 before playing my queen out. Ιη fact, after a little exami­nation, Ι think Black would haνe to be suicidal to take the pawn: 1O ... ttJxc2? 11 ttJg5! ttJg6 (11 ... l2Jxa1 12 ttJxf7!) 12 exf5 ttJxa1 13 ttJxf7 Φχf7 14 fxg6+ is the end for Black. 10 ... h6 11 1:tf2 ~e6 12 ~e3 ~d7

After 12 ... fxe4 White could simply recapture οη e4 with the pawn which would guarantee good compensation, but it is tempting to pile οη the

6 (4 e5

pressure straightaway with 13 ':'af1. 13 1:taf1 0-0-0 14 ~xd4!

This appears to be eνen stronger than the moνe played by Spassky: 14 ttJd5 fxe4 15 ttJxe7+ ~xe7 16 J.xd4 cxd4 17 .:.xf7 ~e8 18 J.xe4 ~f8 19 J.f5 ~xf7 20 ~xf7 ~xf7 21 J.xe6+ ':'fd7 22 ~f7 Φc7 23 J.xd7 I:ϊxd7 24 ~xd7 + Φχd7 25 Φg2 with a clear ad­νantage to White ίn the endgame ίη Spassky-Hort, Bugojno 1978. 14 ... cxd4

14 ... exd4 15 exf5 ttJxf5 16 ttJd5 is νery simίlar to the game. 1 5 exf5 tίJxf5

15 ... dxc3 (or 15 ... J.xf5 16 1hf5! ttJxf5 17 ttJd5) 16 fxe6 fxe6 17 ':'f7 leaνes White with a clear adνantage.

16 lΔd5 lΔe3 17 1:txf7! lΔxd5 18 1:txd7 1:txd7 19 'ii'g6 lΔc7 20 lΔf2

1:te7 21 ~h3 d5 22 ~xe6+ tίJxe6 23 tίJg4 tίJd8 24 b4 1:the8 25 b5 e4 26 ~f5+ Φb8 27 ~xd5 e3 28 tίJxh6 ~xh6 29 'ii'd6+ 'it>a8 30 'ii'xh6 lΔf7 31 'ii'h5 e2 32 1:te1 tίJd6 33 νi'd5 lΔf7 34 'it>g2 1:te6 35 a4 tίJh6 36 h3 1:te5 37 νi'xd4 lΔf5 38 νi'c3 tίJe3+ 39 'it>g1 tίJf5 40 'it>h2 1:t5e6 41 a5 tίJe3 42 g4 'it>b8 43 'it>g1 tίJf1 44 νi'd4 1:tf8 45 1:txe21-0

71

The Closed Sicilian

Α convincing victory by White. It is worth bearing ίη mind that Black is a much stronger player than his ορρο­nent, but even he could find ηο an­swer to the attack.

'Gitme44 . Spassky-Sax ..' ( ija#k,.World Cup1988

1 e4 c5 2 tίJc3 tίJc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 ~g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e5 7 tίJh3 exf4

This is by far the best way for Black to play. ΒΥ capturing οη f4 here (or after 7 ... 4.Jge7 8 Ο-Ο) Black rules out any nonsense with f4-f5.

8 tίJxf4 Theory has tended to favour 8 ..txf4

(see Games 45-46), but it is not en­tirely clear which is better. It is inter­esting to see that Spassky, the great expert, isn't sure himself: he has used both recaptures. Οη the surface, it would seem that Black has left himself with a poor pawn structure compared to White. Not so fast! Although White has d5 under control, Black will be able to use the e5 square for his mi­nor pieces, and the bishop οη g7 is a tremendous piece, searing right across

72

the board. 8 ... tίJge7

8 ... 4.Jf6 is simίlar. The game Bole­hradski-Κnezevic, Yugoslav Team Championship 1992, provided an ex­cellent example of how not to play for White: 9 h3 ο-ο 10 ..te3 ~b8 11 ο-ο b5 12 !tb1 (this leaves the a-pawn vulner­able; it is better to play 12 a3) 12 ... b4 13 4.Jcd5 4.Jxd5 14 tιJxd5 ..te6 (this is the point: White cannot avoid the ex­change of the knight, and ίη this par­ticular position, that's bad and now he gets done οη the dark squares) 15 'iVd2 .ixd5 16 exd5 4.Jd4 17 c3? (17 g4) 17 ... bxc3 18 bxc3 4.Jb5 19 ~b3 'iVa5 20 .ί:rc1 .ie5 21 Φh2 !tb6 22 c4 'iVxd2 23 .ixd2 4.Jd4 and White's position was ugly ίη Bolehradski-Κnezevic, Yugo­slav Team Championship 1992. 9 ο-ο ο-ο 1 Ο iιe3 %:tb8

1O ... 4.Je5 was played ίη Spassky­Franke, German Bundesliga 1981, when the game continued 11 h3 .te6 12 'iVd2 'iVd7 13 a3 !tae8 14 Φh2 b6 15 g4! 'iVd8 16 Φh1 .tc8 17 'iVe1 .tb7 18 'iV g3 and White had the better chances. Spassky likes playing g3-g4 and supporting the pawn front with 'iWg3; compare with this game and Spassky-Portisch (Game 45) for ίη­stance. 11 a3

Also possible is 11 'iWd2 b5 12 a3 a5 13 !tab1 b4 14 4.Jcd5 4.Jxd5 15 4.Jxd5 ..te6 16 4.Jf4 .1ιd7 17 c3 l2Je5 18 Φh1 and now, instead of closing the queen­side with 18 ... b3 (Spassky-Franco, Buenos Aires 1979), Black should have just covered the d5 square with 18 ... .tc6, when chances would have been about equal.

11 ... tLJe5 12 Φh1 b6 13 ~θ2 ~b7 14 g4 tLJ7c6 15 h3 ~d7 16 ~f2 tLJe7 17 'it'g3

There we go again. Spassky achieves his favourite formation, although it isn't clear what he should do now. 17 ... Φh8 18 1::I.f2 b5 19 1::I.af1 a5 20 iLc1 b421 axb4 axb4 22 tLJcd5

22lbdl1ooks better. 22 ... tLJxd5 23 exd5

White's knight ση f4 just gets ίη the way of the rooks and bishops, al­though 23 lbxd5 is also pleasant for Black: 23 ... ~xd5 24 exd5 2:la8. It is difficult for White to generate play ση the kingside, while Black is able to

probe ση the other f1ank. However, it mίght make a difference if Black has a pawn ση h6. Confused? See the next few games where White plays the re­capture i.xf4! 23 ... 1::I.fe8 24 ~θ4 b3 25 c3 c4 26 dxc4 tLJxc4 27 iLg2 iLa6 28 1::I.d1 1::I.e7 Υ:ι - Υ:ι

Ι imagine that Spassky was relieved to hear Black offer a draw here: he has a rotten position. Black will double rooks ση the e-file; he can use e5 for his minor pieces; and White's king is a little exposed.

6 f4 e5

1 e4 c5 2 tLJc3 tLJc6 3 g3 g6 4 iLg2 iLg7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e5 7 tLJh3 exf4 8 iLxf4

It looks more logical to recapture with the knight ση f4, securing con­trol over the d5 square, but as we saw ίη the previous game, Black can cover with the knight ση e7 and bishop ση e6. ΒΥ keeping the bishop's dίagonal open, White hopes to exchange σΗ the dark-squared bishops, and thereby weaken Black's king position. 8 ... tΔge7 9 ο-ο h6

73

The Closed Sicilian

Portisch is alert to Spassky's idea and instead of castling, first plugs a few holes. Don't think that White's strategy has a11 been ίη vain though: the pawn οη h6 gives White a tiny weakness to latch οη to, and it can make a11 the difference to an attack. For 9 ... 0-0 10 ~d2 see the next game. 101:tb1

10 ~d2 is worth considering. Ιη or­der to castle Black must play 10 ... g5, and while his king is secure ίη the short-term; ίη the long-term there is a tendency for the kingside to unravel, e.g. 11 .te3 ο-ο 12 ltJf2 with a tense scrap ίη prospect. 10 ... 0-011 a3

Spassky is fond of these prophylac­tic measures οη the queenside. I'm fairly certain it was never his intention to play for b2-b4, but he is ready to meet Black's plan of ... b5-b4.

11 .. . iιe6 12 iιe3 Its job completed, the bishop drops

back to a110w the knight into play. 12 ... lίJe5 13 lίJf4 iιd7 14 Φh 1 1:tc8 15 'iVd2 ~h7 16 h3 .tc6 17 g4 ~d7 181:Η2 b6

As Forintos points out, 18 ... b5 can be met by 19 b4!

74

191:tbf1 .tb7 20 'iVe2 1:tce8 21 iιc1 ~g8 22 ~e3 b5 23 'iVg3

Spassky has achieved his desired at­tacking formation, just as ίη the previ­ous game. 1s there any difference at a11? What happens if Black continues as Sax did by playing 23 ... a5 24 ltJcd5 ltJxd5 25 ltJxd5 iιxd5 26 exd5 here? This position is very simίlar to one which Ι considered ίη the previous game. Black is a little less advanced with his play οη the queenside, a1-though that is hard1y significant. But look at the kingside. Black's pawn stands οη h6 rather than h7, and that gives White something to bite οη. The plan is .te4 followed by ~h4. Such plans reveal the strength of Spassky's attacking formation of g3-g4 and ~g3. 23 ... b4

Premature. This spoils Black's pawn structure. 24 axb4 cxb4 25 lίJd 1 d5 26 d4 lίJ5c6 27 exd5 lίJxd4 28 c4 bxc3 29 bxc3 lίJb3 30 iιa3 1:tc8 31 c4 lίJa5 32 :e2 1:tfe8 33 1:tfe1 iιf8 34 lίJh5 lίJxd5 35 cxd5 gxh5 36 gxh5+ iιg7 37 iιb2 f6 38 iιxf6 1:txe2 39 :txe2 'iVf7 40 1:te6 1-0

Boris at his best.

1 e4 c5 2 l2Jc3 l2Jc6 3 g3 g6 4 Sιg2 .iιg7 5 d3 e5 6 f4 d6 7 l2Jh3 l2Jge7 8 ο-ο exf4 9 .iιxf4 ο-ο

Black decides not to mess around and castles straightaway, but the ex­change of bishops proves to be awk­ward for him. 1 Ο ~d2 b6 11 Sιh6! l2Jd4 12 nf2 .iιb7 13 .iιxg7 'it>xg7 14 l2Jf4l2Je6 15 naf1 l2Jxf4 16 nxf4

6 f4 e5

Black' s kίng is less secure, and he has less control over the centre. For instance, White has the option to break with d3-d4, although ίη the game he gets side-tracked into a hunt for bigger game .. 16 ... 'iVd7 17 .iιh3!

This unusual tactic gaίns an imme­diate reward. Of course if 17 ... 'iixh3 18 1::1:h4 and 'iih6+. 17 ... 'iVe8? 18 .iιθ6! fxe6 19 nxf8 'iVxf8 20 nxf8 nxf8 21 l2Jb5 d5 22 ~g5 l2Jc6 23 exd5 exd5 24 'iVxd5 nf5 25 'iVg2 1:[f6 26 tΔc7 :f7 27 l2Je8+ 1-0

75

The Closed Sicilian

Summary

Ιι is difficult for White ιο fίnd a significant improvement ίη Game 39, so ίι must be concluded that 7 tΔί3 is solid, but uninspired - unless you wish ιο play lίke the gentleman ίη Game 41, a1though Ι suspect this pawn sacrifice should carry a hea1th warning. Good for a giggle, though. 7 ~h3 is more dangerous, particu­larly ίί Black a110ws one οί the f4-f5 pawn sacrifices (Games 42 and 43). If Black captures οη ί4, then οη due reflection my preference would be for ..txf4 (Games 45 and 46), rather than tΔxί4 (Game 44), a1though I'm prepared to be convinced otherwise. There's not much ίη ίι. Ιη these kίnd οί positions where manoeu­vring domίnates, an understanding οί the dίfferent plans and set-ups plays a much greater role than following a prescribed varίation ίη routίne fashion.

1 e4 c5 2 tLJc3 tLJc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 ~g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e5

7 tLJf3

7 tΔh3 7 ... tΔge7 8 ο-ο (D)

8 ... 0-0 - Game 42 8 ... tΔd4 - Game 43 8 ... exf49 iιxί4 - see 7 ... exf4 8 iιxί4 tΔge7 9 ο-ο below

7 ... exf4 (D) 8 tΔxί4 - Game 44 8 iιxί4 tΔge7 9 ο-ο

9 ... h6 - Game 45; 9 ... 0-0 - Game 46 7 ... tLJge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο (D) 9 ~e3

9 ί5 - Game41 9 ••. tLJd4 1 Ο ~d2 exf4

10 ... iιg4 - Game 40 11 ~xf4 - Game 39

8 ο-ο

76

7 ... exf4 8 ... 0-0

6 iιe3

1 e4 c5 2 tΔc3 tΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 .Jtg7 5 d3 d6 6 ~θ3 Τ σ Closed Sicilian sophisticates, 6 f4

is just too bruta1: how can such a di­rect attack possibly succeed? Black can see that White is intent ση an assault, and prepare himself accordingly. Ιη recent years, the more subtle practi­tioners of the opening have tended to

opt for iιe3 and 'iYd2 before playing f2-f4, so that they can exchange bish­ops, and σηΙΥ then hit their opponents over the head ση the kingside. If White can exchange off the dark­squared bishops, then he not σηΙΥ im­proves his attacking chances, but he a1so loosens Black's hold over the cen­tre. ΒΥ refraining from f2-f4, White a1so retains more flexibility. He might attack with h2-h4 instead, or break ίη the centre, or play f2-f4 eventua11y anyway, depending ση how Black de­velops. Sounds good ίη theory, and it's not bad ίη practice either. Ιn Games 47-51 Black plays the most logical move: 6 ... e5. Games 52-55 feature 6 ... e6; then we move ση to 6 ... !:.b8

(Games 56-58); 6 ... tΔf6 (Games 59 and 60) and 6 ... b5 (Game 61).

1 e4 c5 2 tΔc3 tΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 d3 ~g7 5 iιθ3 d6 6 ~d2 e5

If White is going to exchange dark­squared bishops, then it makes sense for Black to erect a pawn front ση the black squares. That way he maintains a hold over the centre if the bishops are exchanged.

77

Τhe Closed Sicilian

7 ~g2 l2Jge 7 8 ~h6 Haνing got this far White inνaria­

bly goes for the exchange, but 8 Μ!? is worth checking out (Game 51). Note that 8 f4 tbd4 transposes to a position that commonly arises from 4 iι.g2 ~g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e5 7 tbf3 tbge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 tbf3 tbd4 1 Ο 'iV d2 iι.g4 after 9 tbf3 ο-ο 10 ο-ο Jιg4 (see Game 40), a1though Romanishin has a1so ex­perimented with 10 ο-ο-ο!? 8 ... ~xh6

8 ... 0-0 is more commonly played (see Games 48-50) but it isn't clear that it is a better moνe. 9 ~xh6l2Jd4

Black giνes up the idea of castling kίngside for the moment, but counter­attacks ίη the centre and queenside. 100-0-0

Ι prefer castling queenside to other moνes, a1though 10 1:ic1 was successful ίη Rohde-Dlugy, USA Championship 1986: 10 1:ic1 Jιe6 11 tbf3 'iVb6 12 tbd1 'iVa5+ 13 c3 tbxf3+ 14 Jιxθ 'iVxa2 15 ο-ο tbc6 16 tbe3 0-0-0 when White was allowed to build up a strong attack οη the queenside. But why not 16 ... 'iVxb2 instead? White has compensation, but Ι don't belieνe it's enough.

78

10 ... ~e6 1O ... b5!? raίses the stakes.

11 l2Jd5 11 'iVg7?! Φd7! 12 .th3 'iνf8 13

'i"xf8 1:ihxf8 gaνe Black the better end­ing ίη Bakhrakh-Yurenko, St Peters­burg Open 1994. 11 ... ~xd5 12 exd5 ~a5 13 Φb1 l2Jef5 14 ~c1 ~b6 15 c3l2Jb5

Black's early initiatiνe has faded leaνing his queen and knight mίs­placed οη the queenside. Ι would pre­fer to play White, but Kengis eνentu­a11y manages to subdue his weaker opponent. 16 l2Jf3 h6 17 1Ihe1

17 g4!? tbe7 18 tbd2 was a1so possi­ble. 17 ... Φf8 18 l2Jd2 Φg7 19 l2Jc4 'ii'd8 20 f4 f6 21 g4l2Jh4 22 ~e4 'iVd7 23 f5 g5 24 ~e3 1Iad8 25 l2Jd2 a5 26 'iVe2 a4 27 a3 l2Jc7 28 d4 cxd4 29 cxd4 l2Jb5 30 dxe5 dxe5 31 1Ic1 h5 32 h3 Φh6 33 ~c4 1Ih7 34 'iVb4 l2Jd4 35 1Ie3 b5 36 Φa2 ~a7 37 1Icc3 1Ihd7 38 1:tc5 Φg7 39 1Iec3 l2Je2 40 1:td3 l2Jf4 41 1Idc3 l2Je2 42 1Ie3 l2Jd4 43 l2Jf1 1:tf7 44 l2Jg3 hxg4 45 hxg4 l2Jb3 46 1:tcc3 'iVd4 47 :Ιe1 l2Jd2 48 l2Jh5+ ~h6 49 :Ιc6 l2Jxf5 50

ct::Jxf6 ~xb4 51 axb4 ct::Jd4 52 l:!.h1+ Φg7 53 l:!.h7+ Φf8 54 l:!.h8+ Φθ7 55 l:!.c7+ Φχf6 56 l:!.xf7+ Φχf7 57 l:!.xd8 'Δχθ4 58 l:!.d7+ Φf6 59 l:!.d8 Φθ7 60 l:!.g8 ct::Jc2 61 l:!.g6 ct::Jxb4+ 62 Φa3 ct::Jxd5 63 b3 axb3 64 Φχb3 ct::Jdf6 65 Φb4 ct::Jxg4 66 Φχb5 ct::Je3 67 l:!.a6 g4 68 l:!.a3 ct::Jc2 69 l:!.a8 g3 70 Φc4 Φf7 71 l:!.a7+ Φf6 0-1

1 e4 c5 2 ct::Jc3 ct::Jc6 3 g3 g6 4 .Jig2 ~g7 5 d3 d6 6 jιθ3 e5 7 ~d2 ct::Jge7 8 .Jih6 ο-ο

9 h4 Going for mate ση the h-file. Black

is not going to fall for that, is he? Probably nat, but he has to be careful. For 9 ~xg7 see Games 49 and 50. 9 ... .i.xh6

It looks odd to inνite White's queen into the heart σί the kingside, but this is actually the best moνe. Instead, 9 ... f6?! is less good: 10 .1ιχg7 Φχg7 11 h5 g5 12 h6+! Φh8 13 ί4! (Black's kingside is a bit shaky: the pawn ση h6 is a long-term problem for the

6 ~e3

black king) 13 ... 4Jg6 14 4Jd5 (14 ί5!? 4Jge7 15 tiJh3) 14 ... gxf4 15 gxf4 ί5 16 exf5 .txf5 17 fxe5 4Jgxe5 18 0-0-0 was fun for White ίη Franke-Gupta, Ger­man Bundesliga 1988/89. 10 ~xh6 f6!

This is the trick: ίί White plays 11 h5, then Black closes the kingside with 11 ... g5 and traps the queen ση h6. 11 ~d2

This retreat is the most sensible moνe. C.Morrison-Howell, London Lloyds Bank Masters 1988, shows what might happen if White ploughs ση blindly with his attack: 11 4Jd5?! 4Jxd5 12 exd5 4Je7 13 i..e4 .1:Η7 14 h5 g5 15 ί4 exf4 16 gxf4 g4 17 0-0-0 .1ιί5 18 4Jf3 (or 18 4Je2 Φh8 and ... 4Jg8) 18 ... gxf3 19 1:.dgl+ Φh8 20 ~xf54Jxf5 21 'iWg6 'iWd7 0-1. 11 ... ct::Jd4 12 ct::Jge2 .i.d7

12 ... ~g4! is stronger. In that case Ι don't see that White has any adνan­tage at all.

13 ct::Jd1 ~g4 14 ct::Jxd4 cxd4 15 c4 ct::Jc6 16 f3 .i.e6 17 ct::Jf2 Φg7 18 .i.h3 ~xh3 19 ct::Jxh3 h6 20 ο-ο a5 21 Φg2 'fie7 22 l:!.ae1 g5 23 ct::Jf2 ct::Jd8 24 l:!.h1 ct::Je6 25 hxg5 hxg5 26 ct::Jg4 l:!.h8 27 l:!.xh8 l:!.xh8 28 'iVxa5 Φg6 29

79

The Closed Sicilian

1::th1 1::txh1 30 Φχh1 lbc5 31 ~d2 'iVh7+ 32 Φg2 'iVd7 33 b3 'iVc8 34 lbf2 lbe6 35 ~b4 lbc5 36 'iVb6 'iVd7 37 'JJIJa7 Φg7 38 'iVa8 f5 39 b4 lba4 40 exf5 lbc3 41 f6+ Φχf6 42 ~f8+ Φg6 43 lbe4 lbxe4 44 fxe4 'iVg4 45 'JJIJxd6+ Φh5 46 'iVf6 'iVe2+ 47 'iVf2 'JJIJxd3 48 'iVf3+ 'iVxf3+ 49 Φχf3 g4+ 50 Φe2 Φg5 51 a4 Φf6 52 c5 Φe6 53 b5 Φd7 54 a5 Φc7 55 Φd3 Φd7 56 Φc4 Φc7 57 Φb4 Φd7 58 Φb3 Φc7 59 Φc4 Φd7 60 c6+ Φc7 61 cxb7 Φχb7 62 Φb3 Φa7 63 Φb4 Φb7 64 Φc4 Φc7 65 a6 Φb6 66 Φb4 Φa7 67 Φc5 d3 68 Φc6 d2 69 b6+ Φχa6 70 b7 d1~ 71 b8'iV Υ:ι-Υ:ι

White had nothing from the open­lng.

1 e4 c5 2 lbc3 d6 3 g3 lbc6 4 i..g2 g6 5 d3 ~g7 6 ~e3 e5 7 'JJIJd2 lbge7 8 .th6 ο-ο 9 ~xg7 Φχg7 1 Ο f4

9 h4 is fun if Black doesn't know what he is doing, but this is more reli­able. Boris knows best.

10 ... .te6

80

Solid, but Ι think 10 ... lZJd4 is more to the point - see the next game. 11 lbf3 f6 12 ο-ο lbd4 13 lbh4

Without the dark-squared bishop, Black's pawn structure is strong but inf1exible. If he advances one οί his centre pawns, then the rest οί the structure creaks, and this gives Whίte time to develop an attack. Spassky is preparing lZJd1, followed by c2-c3, and then lZJe3. De Firmίan is aware οί that, and tries too cut across his plan. 13 ... 'iVb6 14 1::tf2!

14 lZJd1 c4! 15 Φh1 cxd3 16 \lVxd3 ~ac8 is getting a bit too busy for White.

14 ... c4 Not 14 ... \lVxb2 15 ~b1 'iVa3 16

~xb7 with the initiative, but 14 ... ~ac8 looks quite solid. 15 dxc4 ~xc4 16 b3 ~g8 17 lΔa4 'iic7 18 c3 lΔdc6 19 c4!? lΔd4 20 1::tc1 1::tad8 21 ~h3 h6 22 lΔg2 b5 23 cxb5 ~b 7 24 lΔe3 lΔxb5 25 lΔc3 lΔxc3

If 25 .. .'~Jd4 26 ~cf1 and White is ση the attack.

26 ~xc3 ~xe4 27 ~g2 ~d4 28 ~xd4 exd4 29 lΔc2 lΔf5 30 1::td 1 1::tfe8 31 lΔxd4 lΔxd4 32 1::txd4 1::te1+ 33 ~f1 1::td7 34 1::tfd2 d5 35 ~f2 1::ta1 36 ~g2 ~f8 37 1::ta4 ~e6 38 ~e3 95 39 Wd4 gxf4 40 gxf4 1::te1 41 1::ta5 Wf7 42 ~xd5 1::tf1 43 We4 f5+ 44 We3 1::te 7 45 ~xe6+ 1::txe6+ 46 Wd3 1::txf4 47 1::txa7+ Wf6 48 Wc2 1::tf1 49 b4 f4 50 b5 f3 51 1::ta6 We7 52 1::txe6+ Wxe6 53 b6 f2 54 Wd3 1::tb1 55 1::txf2 1::txb6 56 Wc4 1::ta6 57 Φb5 1::ta3 58 1::td2 Wf5 59 Wb4 1::ta8 60 a4 1::tb8+ 61 Φc5 1::tc8+ 62 Wb5 1::tb8+ 63 Wa6 1::tc8 64 1::ta2 We6 65 a5 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 lΔc3 d6 3 g3 lΔc6 4 ~g2

6 i.e3

g6 5 d3 ~g7 6 ~e3 e5 7 'iid2 lΔge7 8 ~h6 ο-ο 9 ~xg7 Wxg7 1 Ο f4 lΔd4

We saw 1O ... Jιe6 ίη the previous game.

11 lΔf3 ~g4 12 ο-ο ~xf3! Α few years before this game Ι had

reached the same position and played 12 ... f6?! 13 ~f2 'i!Vb6 (the right idea but a couple of moves too late) 14 4Je1! Jιe6 15 4Jd1 ~ac8 16 c3 4Jdc6 17 4Je3 (now Black is stuck for a plan) 17 ... exf4 18 gxf4 f5 19 4Jd5! .txd5? (19 ... 'i!Vd8 is better, but 20 4Jc2 is good for White since Black's kίngside is draughty) 20 exd5 l2Jb8 21 c4 l2Jd7 22 4Jf3 h6 23 l:Ie1 4Jg8 24 'i!Vc3+ 'h-'h SeΡΡeur-Κίηg, German Bundesliga 1985/86, but White stands well, e.g. 24 ... ~f6 25 4Jg5 'i!Vb4!? 26 l2Je6+ 'iiιh7 27 'i!Vxb4!? cxb4 28 ~fe2.

12 ... 'i!Vd7? should have lost a pawn ίη Ljubojevic-Van der Wiel, Tilburg 1983, to 13 fxe5! 4Jxf3+ 14 .txf3 dxe5 15 .txg4 'i!Vxg4 16 'i!Vf2 (Van der Wiel) 13 ~xf3 'iib6!

Ι prepared this after my game with Seppeur, but it took me seven years before Ι had a chance to play it! 14l2Jd1

Ι think it would have been better to

81

The CIosed SiciIian

play 14lίabl or 14lίf2. 14 ... c4 15 ~h1 cxd3 16 iVxd3

16 cxd3 keeps a stronger centre. Ιη view of what now happens, White should certainly have played this. Now he is quickly overrun. 16 ... 1:I.ac8 17 c3 tiJxf3 18 1:I.xf3 f5

White' s position is a wreck and he simply doesn't have time to coordi­nate his position. 19 b3 d5! 201:l.f1 dxe4 21 iVd71:1.fe8 22 tιJb2 ncd8 23 iVa4 exf4 24 gxf4 tιJc6 25 tiJc4 'iVc5 26 iVa3 ~xa3 27 tιJxa3 1:I.d3 28 1:I.ac 1 1:I.ed8 29 tiJb5 a6 30 tιJc7 ~f6 31 c4 tiJe7 0-1

'~<>;)<. ~ /, ~

4;;;\ ··:>~Game $1 :cg;:lit 1 e4 c5 2 tιJc3 tιJc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 ~g7 5 d3 d6 6 ~e3 e5 7 'iVd2

White can try 7 tZJh3, hoping to transpose to positions from Chapter 4 (Game 44). However, if Black is alert, he will play 7 ... hS!? 8 ο-ο tZJge7 9 f4 iιg4 10 iNd2 h4 with a pleasant initia­tive, as ίη Uritzky-Soffer, Israeli Championship 1996. 7 ... tιJge7

82

7 ... tZJf6 is probably best met by 8 h3, preserving White's options and preventing ... tZJg4. 8 h4!?

8 iιh6 is invariably played here, but Hort is a 'natural' player and likes to go his own way. 8 ... h5 9 tιJh3 tιJd4 1 Ο f4 ~g4 11 ο-ο exf4 12 tιJxf4 ο-ο 13 1:I.f2 ~h7 14 1:I.af1

White's attack has developed with great speed. Ι like the doubled rooks. 14 ... 'iVd7 15 tιJcd5 tιJg8

Otherwise a knight would land οη f6. 16 ~h2 tιJc6 17 tιJh3 f6

Proof that Black is already ίη some trouble.

18 c3 lίJθ5 19 d4 lίJc4 20 ~d3 lίJxθ3 21 lίJxθ3 lίJh6 22 lίJf4 cxd4 23 cxd4 ~θ8 24 ~h3 ~xh3 25 ~xh3 ~d7+ 26 ~g2 l:!.ae8 27 d5 l:!.e7 28 e5 f5 29 e6 ~θ8 30 lίJc4 ~b8 31 lίJθ3 'ike8 32 l:!.c2 a6 33 lίJc4 ~b8 34 lίJb6 l:!.c7 35 l:!.e2 l:!.e8 36 lίJd7 ~d8 37 lίJh3 ~f6 38 lίJf2 ~θ7 39 l:!.c2 l:!.ec8 40 l:!.fc1 l:!.xc2 41 l:!.xc2 l:!.xc2 42 'i6'xc2 ~d4 43 ~c7 lίJg8 44 lίJh3 ~xb2 45 ~xb7 ~c1 46 ~xa6 ~g7 47 lίJg5+ ~xg5 48 hxg5 ~b2+ 49 ~h3 'ika1 50 lίJf8+ ~h8 51 'ike2 ~g7 52 e7 'i6'h1+ 53 ~h2 ~θ4 54 θ8~ 'ikxe8 55 lίJθ6+ ~h7 56 ~b2 'ikf7 57 ~b4 lίJθ 7 58 a4 ~g8 1-0 Α heavyweight struggle.

1 lίJc3 c5 2 e4 lίJc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 .tg7 5 d3 d6 6 ~θ3 e6 7 ~d2lίJge7

This is rarely played, and with some justification: it does nothing to cross White's plan. Note also that 7 ... l2Jd4 is well countered by 8 l2Jdl followed by c2-c3, when the knight is forced into an embarrassing retreat.

6 il.e3

8 ~h6 ~xh6 8 ... 0-0? wouldn't be very bright due

to 9 Μ! Compare with Games 48-50: this really is powerful now. Black will simply be a move down οη Game 48 if he tries 9 ... iιxh6 10 'ii'xh6 f6 11 iYd2 e5. 9 ~xh6 lίJd4 1 Ο 0-0-0 lίJec6

At the moment Black has reason­able control ίη the centre, but so long as White plays steadily and doesn't rush his attack, then he stands well . Black's basic problem is simple: he cannot castle. 11 lίJge2 .td7 12 lίJxd4 cxd4 13 lίJθ2 ~a5 14 Φb 1 'i'a4 15 c3 dxc3 16 lίJxc3 ~b4 17 d4 :tc8 18 ~g7 l:!.f8 19 l:!.he1 lίJa5 20 lίJd5 ~a4 21

83

The Closed Sicilian

'iff6 lZJc6

22.!::.c1 Apparently, 22 'i'h4 wins: 22 ... h6

(22 ... exd5 23 exd5+ tbe5 24 'i'f6!) 23 tbf6+ <3;e7 24 e5 dxe5 25 iιxc6 and a double check to follow. 22 ... 'ifa5 23 ~h4 h6 24 lZJf6+ ~e7 25 lZJd5+ ~e8 26 b4 g5 27 bxa5 gxh4 28 lZJf6+ ~e7 29 tZJxd7 ~xd7 30 a6 lZJxd4 31 .!::.ed1 .!::.xc1+ 32 ~xc1 .!::.c8+ 33 Φb2 lZJc6 34 axb7 .!::.b8 35 ~c3 .!::.xb7 36 f4 .!::.b5 37 .!::.d2 .!::.c5+ 38 ~b2 lZJa5 39 .!::.d4 .!::.c4 40 .!::.d3 h3 41 .iLf3 .!::.b4+ 42 ~c2 lZJc6 43 a3 lZJd4+ 44 ~c3 .!::.a4 45 ~h5 lZJb5+ 46 Φd2 Φe7 47 .!::.b3 a6 48 ~e2 .!::.xe4 49 .itxb5 axb5 50 .!::.xb5 d5 51 .!::.b7+ ~f6 52 .!::.a7 h5 53 :a8 ~g7 54 f5 .!::.g4 55 fxe6 fxe6 56 .ί:te8 .ί:te4 57 'ittd3 'ittf7 58 .!::.a8 .!::.e1 59 .!::.h8 .!::.h1 60 .!::.xh5 .!::.xh2 61 ~c3 l:th1 62 a4 h2 63 ~b2 d4 0-1

Well saved, but the theoretical as­sessment οί 7 ... tbge7 is doubtful.

1 e4 c5 2 lZJc3 lZJc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2

84

.iLg7 5 d3 e6 6 .iLe3 d6 7 ~d2 'it'a5

If Black is going to play with ... e7-e6, then delaying the development οί the king's knight is his best policy. 7 .. :t1Va5 is another Gallagher recom­mendation from Beating the Anti­Sicilians. ΒΥ pinnίng the knight οη c3, and then establishing the knight οη d4, Black hopes to tie White up for long enough to divert him from the kingside. This is a sound strategy. White must attempt to prove that the queen is misplaced οη the queenside . 8 lZJge2

The most straightforward, and Ι think the best, way to develop. 8 ... lZJd49 ο-ο lZJe7 10 Φh1

Howabout 10 a3 followed by ~ab1 and, with a bit οί luck, b2-b4? It is tempting to gain a tempo οη the queen. 10 tbc1 is also playable, with the idea οί tbb3. 10 ... ~d7

ECO gives as its maίn lίne: 1O ... tbec6 11 a3lbxe2 12 'i'xe2 tbd4 13 'i'd2 ο-ο 14 .ί:tab1 (14 1::i.ac1 would best be met by 14 ... ~e8! 15 iιh6 iιh8) 14 ... ~b8 15 ί4 ί5 'unclear', Panbuk­chan-Popov, Sofia 1978, which doesn't really help us much.

11 f4 .ί:tb8 12 g4

Α well-motivated move. Smyslov sees that Black's queen is far from the kίngside, so he seizes the chance to begin an attack. 12 ... h5

Or 12 ... 0-0 13 f5! 13 f5! ~e5 14 fxg6 tίJxg6 15 g5 lίJxe2 16 ~xe2 ~xc3 17 bxc3 ~xc3 18 ~f2 ~g7 19 d4

White has tremendous compensa­tion for the pawn: two bishops and Black's weakened kingside. The situa­tion is still unclear, but Smyslov gets there ίη the end after a f1uctuating struggle. 19 ... b6 20 .ί:tad1 ~b5 21 .ί:tfe1 ο-ο 22 ~g3 .ί:tbc8 23 d5 exd5 24 .ί:txd5

6 ~e3

.ί:tcd8 25 i..d2 h4 26 'ilt'b3 i..c6 27

.ί:tf5 ~d4 28 .ί:tf6 c4 29 ~c3 'iVxc3 30 Sιxc3 .ί:tfe8 31 Wg1 J:[d7 32 i..h3 J:[de7 33 .ί:txd6 i..xe4 34 i..f6 Sιxc2 35 iι..xe7 Sιa4 36 J:[d8 .ί:txd8 37 Sιxd8 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 lίJc3 e6 3 g3 lίJc6 4 i..g2 g6 5 d3 Sιg7 6 Sιe3 d6 7 ~d2 .ί:tb8

Α common move, but there remaίn many unanswered questions surround­lllg lt.

8lίJge2

Α few years previously, Roman­ishin had preferred 8 lΔh3 lΔd4 9 ο-ο b5 10 Wh1 b4 11 lΔd1 h6 12 f4 (perhaps 12 c3!? - isn't it better to keep the bishop's dίagonal open?) 12 ... lΔe7 13 .i.g1 ο-ο 14lΔe3 f5 15 exf5 exf5, although he dίdn't get very far; Romanishin-Geller, Sochi 1983.

I'm not sure why 8 lΔB (threatening d3-d4) isn't seen more often, e.g. 8 ... lΔd4 (8 ... e5!?) 9 ~xd4 cxd4 10 lΔb5 'iib6 (1O ... e5 is also met by 11 ~b4) 11 ~b4 Wd7 12 e5 {12

85

The Closed Sicilian

lίJd2!? is worth a shot, when 12 ... a6 13 lίJc4 'iYc5 14 'iYxc5 dxc5 15 lίJb6+ Φe7 16 lίJa3 is slightly better for White) 12 ... dxe5 13 lίJd2 a5 14 'iY a4 Φd8 15 lίJc4, as ίη Zakharov-Karpesov, USSR 1981. This position is assessed as slightly better for White by ECo. 8 ... l2Jd4 9 ο-ο

Here 9 .txd4?! cxd4 10 lίJb5 'iYb6 11 'iYb4 Φe7 12 'iYb3 a6 13 lίJa3 'iYxb3 14 axb3 b5 is a little better for Black. 9 ... l2Je7

For the more popular 9 ... b5 see the next game. 1 Ο JLh6! 12Jxe2+

Or 1O ... .txh6 11 'iVxh6 lίJxc2 12 .IIacllbb4 13 d4 with a strong attack. 11 12Jxe2 JLxb2

If 11 ... 0-0 12 .txg7 Φχg7 13 d4! 12 :tab1 it.f6

Black's king is caught ίη the middle, so White blows open the centre.

13 d4! cxd4 14 12Jxd4 a6 15 :tfd1 .i.d7 16 12Jf3 12Jc8 17 e5 dxe5

Not 17 ... .txe5? 18 lίJxe5 dxe5 19 .itg71:ϊg8 20 .txe5 ~a8 21 ~xb7. 18 12Jg5 JLe 7 19 12Je4 :tg8

Black is also ίη trouble after 19 ... f6 20 .itg7 1:tg8 21 .txf6! .txf6 22 l2Jxf6+ 'iYxf6 23 'iYxd7+ Φf8 24 'iYc7.

86

20 Jιg5 JLxg5 21 12Jxg5 b5 22 12Je4 12Jb6 23 ~d6 :tc8 24 ~xe5 f5 25 12Jd6+ Φe7 26 12Jxc8+ 12Jxc8 27 ~c5+ Φf6 28 JLc6+- :tg7 29 ~d4+ e5 30 ~h4+ 1-0 Α crisp attack from Romanishin.

1 e4 c5 2 12Jc3 12Jc6 3 g3 g6 4 iLg2 JLg7 5 d3 d6 6 .i.e3 :tb8 7 12Jge2 12Jd48 ο-ο e6 9 ~d2 b5

The move order was a little differ­ent to the last game, but don't let that put you off. It' s the same variation. Ιη the last game Black played 9 ... lίJe7

instead of 9 ... b5. 10 tZJd1 tZJe7

Or 1O ... b4 11 f4?! (11 tLJc1 should transpose to the main game with 11 ... tLJe7) 11 ... tLJe7 12 c3 tLJxe2+ 13 'iVxe2 bxc3 14 bxc3 ο-ο 15 g4?! f5 16 gxf5 exf5 17 e5 ~a6 with a tremen­dous position for Black, Waitzkin­Quinn, World U-16 Championship 1992. 11 tZJc1

White's maneuverings with his knights look tortuous, but he is keep­ing his origina1 aim ίπ mind: to ex­change off the dark-squared bishops with ~h6. 11 tLJxd4 is less effective as is clear from the following: 11 ... cxd4 12 ~h6 ο-ο 13 iιxg7 \t>xg7 14 f4 f6 15 iιh3 e5 16 tLJf2 Sιxh3 17 tLJxh3 'h-'h Spassky-Portisch, Mexico Candidates 1980. 11 ... b4 12 a3

For 12 c3 see the next game. 12 ... a5 13 axb4 axb4 14 c3 bxc3 15 bxc3 tZJdc6 16 ~h6

Goa1 achieved. 16 ... 0-0 17 ~xg7 Wxg7 18 tZJe3

White has a slight initiative which he a1most manages to convert into a Wlll.

6 ~e3

18 ... d5 19 ~c2 d4 20 tZJc4 e5 21 tZJb3 dxc3 22 ~xc3 tZJd4 23 tZJxd4 cxd4 24 ~a3 f6 25 ~c5 1:tb7 26 f4 exf4 27 1:txf4 1:tc7 28 ~b6 g5 29 1:tff1 tZJg6 30 1:ta5 1:tcf7 31 ~c5 ~θ6 32 tZJd61:td7 33 1:ta6 ~θ7

Better is 33 ... tLJe5 34 'iWa3 12Jxd3 35 'iYxd3 ~xd6 with an equa1 position. White now gets the better of the forthcoming long endgame but Por­tisch is a fine defensive player and he holds οπ for a draw.

34 1:tb1 tZJe5 35 ~a3 1:tfd8 36 1:tbb6 Φg6 37 h3 Φg7 38 ..Itf1 1:tf8 39 'iVa1 h6 40 Wg2 1:tfd8 41 ttJb5 ~f7 42 1:txf6 ~b4 43 1:tab6 tZJxd3 44 ttJd6 'iVd2+ 45 Φh1 1:txd6 46 1:tbxd6 1:txd6 47 1:txd6 tZJf2+ 48 Φg 1 tZJxe4 49 ~xd4+ ~xd4+ 50 1:txd4 tZJxg3 51 ..Itd3 tZJh5 52 1:td6 tZJf4 53 ..Itf5 ..Itg6 54 ..Itc8 tZJd3 55 Wg2 tZJe5 56 Wf2 h5 57 1:ta6 tZJd3+ 58 We3 tZJf4 59 Wd4 Wf7 60 1:tb6 Wg7 61 I:I.b5 Wf6 62 1:ta5 tZJe2+ 63 We3 tZJf4 64 1:ta6+ Wg7 65 I:I.a2 tZJd5+ 66 Wd4 tZJf4 67 1:ta5 Wf6 68 Φθ3 tZJg2+ 69 Wf3 tZJh4+ 70 Wf2 tZJf5 71 1:ta6+ '8t>g7 72 ..Itd7 tZJd4 73 h4 gxh4 74 We3 tZJf5+ 75 'ίt>f4 tZJh6 76 Wg5 tZJf7+ 77 'ίt>xh4 tZJe 5 Υ:ι - Υ:ι

87

The Closed Sicilian

1 e4 c5 2 tίJc3 tίJc6 3 g3 g6 4 iLg2 i.g7 5 d3 d6 6 iLe3 1:tb8 Α different move order, but this

game soon transposes to the previous one. White's other possibilities, 7 f4 and 7 CLJge2, are considered ίη Games 57-58. 7 ~d2 b5 8 tίJge2 b4 9 tίJd 1 tίJd4 1 Ο ο-ο

Not 10 CLJc1? ~g4! 10 ... e6

10 ... tίJxe2+!? 11 'iWxe2 e6 12 'iWd2 'iib6 was suggested by Tringov. 11 tίJc1 tίJθ7 12 c3

12 ... bxc3 13 bxc3 tίJdc6 The position is exactly the same as

the previous game except that the a­pawns are still οη the board. That keeps a bit more tension οη the board. 14 i.h6 ο-ο 15 iLxg7 'it'xg7 16 tίJθ3 .tb7

If Black attempts to play ίη the same way as Portisch then he will come under pressure: 16 ... d5 17 exd5 exd5 18CLJb3! 'iid6 19 d4 cxd4 20 cxd4.

88

17 tίJb3 a5 18 a4 i.a6 19 1:tfb1 Ύi'b6 20 h4 tίJθ5

20 ... h5 would have been more sen­sible. 21 d4 tίJc4 22 Ύi'θ1 cxd4 23 cxd4 tίJxθ3 24 Ύi'xθ3 1:tfc8 25 Φh2 tίJc6 26 tίJc5 Ψ&a7 27 1:txb8 tίJxb8 28 tίJxa6 tίJxa6 29 h5 'Ji!ie7 30 h6+ Φg8 31 1:tc1 1:txc1 32 ~xc1 'Ji!id8 33 i.f1 tίJb4 34 'itg1 f6 35 d5 e5 36 'iVc4 'itf7 37 iLh3 Ψ&b8 38 ~θ6+ Φθ7 39 iLg8 f5 40 iLxh7 Φf6 41 exf5 Ύi'h8 42 fxg6 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 tίJc3 tίJc6 3 g3 g6 4 .tg2 iLg7 5 d3 d6 6 iLe31:tb8 7 f4

This is hardly ever played here, which surprises me. If Black attempts 7 ... b5, then it will be met by a coun­terblast ίη the centre: 8 e5! 7 ... tίJd4 8 iVd2

The game Romanishin-Stefansson, World Team Championship, Lucerne 1993, continued instead 8CLJf3!? ~g4 9 ο-ο e6 10 'ii d2 ~xB 11 ~xB CLJe7 (11 ... CLJxf3+!? 12l:b:f3CLJe7 13 d4 b6 14

~d1) 12 iιg2 ο-ο 13 tΔd1 and White had a pleasant advantage.

8 ... b5 9 lZJd1 f5 9 ... b4 10 c3 bxc3 11 bxc3 tΔc6 12 e5

hands the initiative Ιο White. 1 Ο c3 lZJe6 11 t2Jf3 t2Jh6 12 lZJf2 ~b7 13 ~e2 ~d7 14 ο-ο ο-ο 15 ~ae1 lZJd8 16 h3

White has the makings of a strong attack, but ίι takes someone of Hort' s calibre to play ίι so well. 16 ... lZJhf7 17 g4 ~c8 18 ι;t>h1 e5 19 exf5 gxf5 20 ~g1 ι;t>h8 21 gxf5 exf4 22 f6 ~xf6 23 iιxf4 ~f5 24 iιh2 ~c7 25 lZJe4 ~e7 26 lZJfd2 ~g7 27 ~ef1 ~g6 28 ~f2 ~ee8 29 ~h4lZJe5 30 ~xf8+ ~xf8 31 lZJxc5 t2Jxd3 32 lZJxd3 ~xd3 33 ~g4 ~f6 34 lZJe4

6 ~e3

iιe7 35 lZJxd6 iιxg2+ 36 'ί!fxg2 ..ίtf6 37 lZJe4 ~d5 38 lZJxf6 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 lZJc3 lZJc6 3 g3 g6 4 iιg2 iιg7 5 d3 ~b8 6 iιe3 d6 7 lZJge2

This is also sensible. If Black is go­ing to prepare a wing attack with ... ~b8 then ίι seems logical ιο me to

continue developing (here) or go for a quick central break (the previous game). Ι think these moves are more fitting than 7 'i'd2, which is actually more commonly played. 7 ... b5

7 ... tΔd4 led Ιο some amusing com­plications ίη ν an der Wiel-Sosonko, Wijk aan Zee 1984: 8 ο-ο b5 9 b4!? e6 (after 9 ... tΔxe2+ 10 tΔxe2 iιxa1 11 'i'xa1 tΔf6 12 bxc5 White would have had excellent compensation for the exchange) 10 a4! a6 11 axb5 axb5 12 ~b1 iιd7 13 tΔa2 tΔe7 14 bxc5 dxc5 15 c3 tΔxe2+ 16 'i'xe2 ~c8 17 f4 ο-ο 18 'i'f2 and here a draw was agreed, al­though White has the better position. 8 a3lZJf6 9 h3 ο-ο 10 b4

89

The CIosed SiciIian

If 10 ο-ο then Black continues ση the queenside: 1O ... a5 and White doesn't have the standard positional trick available: 11 a4 b4 12 tΔb5 iιa6, as White's rook needs to be ση b1 for c2-c4 to work. However 11 'iHd2!? is possible: 11 ... b4 12 axb4 axb4 13 tΔd1 followed by ~h6 with a tense game ahead.

10 ... lZJd7 11 ~b1 cxb4 12 axb4 a5 13 bxa5 jt'xa5 14 i.d2

14 'iHd2 b4 15 tΔd1 'iHa2 is irritating. 14 ... b4 15lZJd5 e6 16lZJe3

That was the idea of iιd2 - to give the knight a square ση e3. 16 ... i..a6 17 ο-ο lZJc5

Black's play ση the queenside is ex­tremely well developed. Although

90

Polgar loses her way ίη the mίddle (before pulling off the win!) she has certainly won the opening battle. 18 f4 ~b6 19 f5 b3 20 Φh2 ~d8 21 c4 b2 22 lZJg4 h5 23 lZJh6+ Φh7 24 lZJxf7 ~xf7 25 fxg6+ Φχg6 26 lZJf4+ ~xf4 27 gxf4 ~e8 28 f5+ Φf6 29 i.c3+ e5 30 ~xb2 ~xb2 31 ~xb2 ~h6 32 ~c1 ~h8 33 h4 lZJd4 34 .th1 i..f4+ 35 ~xf4 exf4 36 ~xf4 Φe7 37 ~g1 lZJe2 38 i..g5+ Φd7 39 jt'e3 ~b2 40 ~g2 ~b7 41 Φh3 lZJc3 42 ~f6 ~e2 43 jt'f3 jt'd2 44 jt'xh5 jt'xd3+ 45 Φh2 lZJ3xe4 46 ~f7+ Φc6 47 ~d8 lZJd7 48 ~e6 lZJe5 49 ~e8+ Φc5 50 ~b5+ Φd4 51 i.b6+ Φc3 52 1ιa5+ Φc2 53 ~a4+ Φb2 54 ~b4+ Φc1 55 ~e1 + Φc2 56 ~f1 lZJg4+ 57 Φg1 jt'e3+ 0-1

1 e4 c5 2 lZJc3 lZJc6 3 g3 g6 4 i..g2 i..g7 5 d3 d6 6 ~e3 lZJf6

White's best move here is ... 7 h3

... to take away the g4 square from the black knight. Black hopes to prove

that he has gained a tempo for his de­velopment, but White can take heart that if he throws his f-pawn up the board, it will reach f5 without being blocked by Black's pawn. 7 ... 0-0 8 tιJge2

8 f4 will probably transpose into Game 60. Another possibility is 8 'ilid2!? t2Jd4 9 t2Jce2 e5 10 c3 t2Jc6 11 f4 b6 12 t2Jf3 exf4 13 1ιχf4 1ιa6 14 ο-ο ~e8 15 c4 b5 16 cxb5 1ιχb5 17 ~f2 with an attack down the f-file, Ljubo­jevic-Sunye, Brasilia 1981. 8 ... tιJd7

Or 8 ... ~b8 9 f4 t2Je8 10 ο-ο iιd7 11 f5 b5 12 'ilid2 b4 13 t2Jd1 t2Jd4 14 t2Jf4 t2Jc7 15 h4 with a strong attack, Ham­douchi-Pineda, Erevan Olympiad 1996. 9 g4 I:tb8 1 Ο tιJg3 b5 11 ~d2 tιJd4 12 f4 b4 13 tιJd 1 a5 14 c3 bxc3 1 5 bxc3 tιJc6 16 ο-ο a4 17 e5!? Αη enterprising sacrifice. 1t was pos­

sible to continue the attack ίη standard fashion with 17 f5 and 1ιh6, but this is more dynamic, denying Black the use of e5, and opening more lines.

17 ... ~c7 18 tιJe4 dxe5 19 f5 c4 20 ~h6 a3 21 ~xg7 Φχg7 22 fxg6 fxg6 23 dxc4 tιJa5 24 tιJe3 I:tb2 25 'i'd3

6 i.e3

tιJf6 26 g5 tιJxe4 27 "iVxe4 "iVc5 28 I:txf8 ΦΧf8 29 I:tf1+ 'iitg7 30 'ilkf3 ~f5 31 'iith1 e6 32 I:td1 "iVc7 33 c5 e4 34 ~f1 tιJc6 35 'i'c4 ~xh3 36 "iVxe4 ~xg2+ 37 tιJxg2 tιJd8 38 ~d4+ e5 39 ~xd8 ~xd8 40 I:txd8 I:txa2 41 I:ta8 I:ta1+ 42 Φh2 a2 43 c6 I:tc1 44 I:txa2 I:txc3 45 I:ta7+ 'iitf8 46 c7 'it>e8 47 I:ta8+ 'iitd7 48 c8"iV + I:txc8 49 I:txc8 Φχc8 50 Φg3 Φd7 51 Φf3

Φe6 52 Φe4 Φf7 53 tιJe3 Φe6 54 tιJg4 Φd6 55 tιJf6 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 d3 d6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 ~g7 5 f4 tιJc6 6 tιJf3 tιJf6 7 tιJc3 ο-ο 8 ο-ο

Υ ou mίght be thinking that this game looks a little out of place ίη this chapter, but it is possible to arrive ίη this variation via 6 iιe3 t2Jf6 7 h3, as will soon become clear. Black's set-up here l1as never qUΊte recovered from the mauling it got ίη the Spassky­Geller Candidates match ίη 1968 - Ι won't quote those games agaιn. 1nstead, I'm giving this more recent

91

The Closed Sicilian

effort ίη which White plays the attack ίη a slightly different way. 8 ... 1:i.b8 9 h3 b5

Spassky played 10 a3 and opened the a-file, after which he won bril­liantly, but hey, you want to see something new! 10 iιe3 b4 11 lΔe2 a5 12 g4 lΔe8 131:i.b1 lΔc7 14 f5lΔb5 15 h4 a4 16 h5 a3 17 b3 lΔbd4

17 ... lZJc3! 18 lZJxc3 bxc3 and ... lZJb4 strikes me as stronger.

18 'tid2 lΔxf3+ 19 1:i.xf3 lΔe5 20 1:i.g3 .tb7 21 1:i.f1 1:i.c8 22 hxg6 hxg6 23 .th6 Φh7 24 1:i.h3 1:i.h8 25 g5 Sιxh6 26 1:i.xh6+ Φg8 27 1:i.xh8+ Φχh8 28 f6 Φg8 29 'iVf4 1:i.c6 30 'iVh4 1:i.b6 31 lΔf4 exf6 32 gxf6 d5 33 lΔh3 dxe4 34 lΔg5 lΔf3+ 35 1:i.xf3 'iVd4+ 36 1:i.f2 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 lΔc3 lΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 .tg2 .tg7 5 d3 d6 6 iιe3 b5

This move enjoyed a period of popularity ίη the early 1980s, but since then has been seldom encountered.

92

Hardly surprising. Το my eyes it is asking for trouble.

7 e5 Α good start: open the centre while

Black fiddles around at the side. 7 ... 'iVd7

7 ... iιb7?! 8 exd6 exd6 9 lZJxb5 lZJge7 was played ίη Ljubojevic-Miles, Lon­don 1982, and now Miles recommends 10 lZJe2 which he assesses as 'slightly better for White'. Νο one has repeated this with Black, not least Miles himself who varied when he faced Ljubojevic a year later (see the next note) . 8 exd6

8 lZJf3 is also fine for White, al­though Miles managed ιο work some magic οη the position: 8 ... lZJh6 9 exd6 exd6 10 lZJe4lZJf5 11 iιg5 (11 ~f4!? is more dangerous: 11 ... 0-0 12 ο-ο iιb7 13 iιh3!) 11 ... 0-0 12 ο-ο f6 13 iιc1 (13 iιd2!? was suggested by Miles) 13 ... iιb7, when Black was fine ιη Ljubojevic-Miles, Plovdiv 1983. 8 ... exd6 9 lΔge2 lΔge 7

Or 9 ... b4 10 lZJd5 iιxb2 11 lib1 iιg7 12 ο-ο iιb7 13 c3 with a slight advantage {Romanishin}. 1 Ο d4 b4 11 lΔe4 ο-ο 12 .th6

12 ο-ο!? was also worth a second

glance here. 12 ... c4

12 ... iιa6 13 iιxg7 Φχg7 14 d5 l2Je5

6.te3

15 ο-ο iιc4! was Black's best according to Romanishin. 13 JLxg7 ~xg7 14 d5 LΔθ5 15 f4 LΔg4 16 h3 LΔh6 17 g4 f5 18 ~d4+ ~g8 19 LΔf6+ 1:txf6 20 ~xf6 fxg4 21 ~θ6+ ~xθ6 22 dxe6 d5 23 LΔd4 1:tb8 24 0-0-0 1:tb6 25 1:the1 ~g7 26 1:te5 JLb7 27 1:tde1 1:td6 28 1:tg5 gxh3 29 JLxh3 1:td8 30 1:tg3 ~f6 31 ~d2 %:td6 32 a3 c3+ 33 bxc3 bxa3 34 1:ta1 1:ta6 35 iιf1 %:ta4 36 iιb5 1:ta5 37 JLd3 a2 38 1:th3 ~g7 39 LΔb3 1:ta3 40 1:tah1 LΔeg8 41 1:ta1 LΔg4 42 f5 g5 43 LΔd4 LΔ4f6 44 e7 <ttf7 45 LΔb5 1-0

93

The Closed Sicilian

Summary

6 ... e5 continues to be a sound reply to 6 j,e3, even ίί Black has to play with care οη some occasions. Black's play ίη Games 47 and 50 is particularly worth look­ing at. 6 ... e6 7 ~d2 ~a5 (Game 53) is solid enough, but 7 ... llb8 gives White chances for an advantage (Games 54-56) as he 1S able to exchange bishops οη the kίngside. 6 ... 1:ϊ.b8 (Games 57 and 58) is double-edged, but White should be able to build υρ an attack ίί he plays correctly - and that is all we can ask for! 1 e4 c5 2 lbc3 lbc6 3 g3 g6 4 iLg2 iLg7 5 d3 d6 6 i.e3 (D) 6 ... e5

6 ... e6 7 ~d2 7 ... CL\ge7 - Game 52; 7 ... ~a5 - Game 53 7 ... 1:ϊ.b8 8CL\ge2CL\d4 9 ο-ο

9 ... CL\e7 - Game 54 9 ... b5 10 CL\d1 b4 11 CL\c1 CL\e7

12 a3 - Game 55; 12 c3 - Game 56 6 ... llb8

7 ~d2 b5 8CL\ge2 b4 9CL\d1CL\d4 10 ο-ο e6 - Games 55 and 56 (by transposition) 7 ί4 - Game 57; 7CL\ge2 - Game 58

6 ... CL\f6 7 h3 ο-ο 8CL\ge2 - Game 59; 8 ί4 1:ϊ.b8 9CL\f3 b5 10 ο-ο - Game 60

6 ... b5 - Game 61 7 ~d2 lbge7 (D) 8 iLh6

8 ί4 CL\d4 9 CL\f3 ο-ο 10 ο-ο iιg4 - Game 40 (by transposition) 8h4-Game51

8 ... .txh6 8 ... 0-0 (D)

9 h4 - Game48 9 j,xg7 Φχg7 10 ί4

10 ... j,e6 - Game 49; 1O ... CL\d4 - Game 50 9 ~xh6 - Game 47

6.te3 7 ... lbge7

94

8 ... 0-0

6 ttJge2

1 e4 c5 2 l2Jc3 l2Jc6 3 g3 g6 4 1ιg2 .i.g7 5 d3 d6 6 l2Jge2

The advantage of 4Jge2 is its flexi­bility. White can wait and see how Black develops and then, depending οη what is presented, play .te3 and iVd2; play .tg5; advance the h-pawn; advance the f-pawn, break ίη the cen­tre or play οη the queenside ... U nfor­tunately, the non-committal nature of the move also applies to Black too: he has a wide choice of options, most of which are reasonable. Ι think one should pick one's opponent carefully for 6 4Jge2. If you have the feeling that you are facing a theoretical mon­ster, then this could well be suitable: there isn't a system which is clearly best for Black, so it comes down to an understanding of strategy. This is a subtle way to play: there are many transpositional tricks and a good knowledge of diHerent kinds of posi­tions is helpful.

This chapter is structured as fol­lows: Games 62-64 deal with systems where Black plays an early ... 4Jf6,

6 ... e5 is dealt with ίη Games 65-67 and 6 ... e6 ίη Games 69 and 70. Finally, 6 ... 4Jd4 is discussed ίη Game 71.

1 e4 c5 2 g3 l2Jc6 3 .i.g2 g6 4 l2Je2 1ιg7 5 ο-ο l2Jf6 6 l2Jbc3 ο-ο 7 h3 d6 8 d3l:tb8

8 ... tbd4 is considered ίη Game 64. 9 f4

Turner isn't backward about com­ing forward, and his strategy pays οΗ

95

The Closed Sicilian

here. There is also a more subtle ap­proach: 9 i.e3 b5 10 'iVd2 b4 11 lί:Jd1 followed by i.h6, exchange οη g7, and lί:Je3. According to how Black plays White can attack οη the kingside, or break ίη the centre. 9 ... .iιd7 10 .iιe3

The even more brutal 10 g4 is dis­cussed ίη the next game. 10 ... b5 11 ~d2

11 a3 is calmer: 11 ... lί:Je 8 12 d4 cxd4 13 lί:Jxd4 b4 14 lί:Jxc6 i.xc6 15 axb4 1hb4 16 1::i.xa7 1::i.xb2 17 e5 and a draw was soon agreed ίn Spassky-Fischer, Belgrade 1992.

that creates problems, e.g. 21 b3 lί:Jf6 22lί:Jb2 and lί:Jc4.

21 b3 t2Jf6 22 g5 t2Jd7 Or 22 ... lί:Jh5!? 23 1::i.a2!? ~e5 24 1::i.a7

with an attack. 23~h4

Perhaps 23 f6+!? instead. 23 ... t2Je5

Cou1d Black have captured οη c2? 23 ... 'iVxc2!? 24 f6+ exf6 25 gxf6+ Φh8 26 1::i.f4 (26 ~h6 1::i.g8 27 1::i.f4 g5 28 1::i.f5 1::i.g6 29 ~h5 i.xd3) 26 ... g5 wins for Black. 24 t2Jf2

Suddenly White has an attack out of 11 ... b4 12 t2Jd1 t2Je8 13 f5 t2Jd4 14 nowhere. g4 a5

After 14 ... lί:Jxe2+ 15 ~xe2 a5 16 ~d2 a4 17 i.h6 White's attack hasn't been slowed down. 15 t2Jxd4 cxd4 16 ~h6 ~c7 17 iLxg7 'it>xg7 18 a3!

The counterρlay οη the a-file is use­fu1. 18 .. :iVc5 19 axb4 axb4 20 ~f2 .iιb5

Ιη view of the game continuation it looks advisable to block the kingside completely with 20 ... g5, though even here White has chances: Black's queen is tied to defending the d-pawn and

96

24 ... 'it>h8 25 t2Jg4 iLc6 26 f6 t2Jxg4 27 hxg4 exf6 28 gxf6 1:tb5 29 1:ta6

~b7 30 'tirVh6 lιg8 31 lιf3 'tirVg5 32 'tirVxg5 lιxg5 33 lιxd6 Sιc8 34 lιxd4 Sιxg4 35 lιg3 h5 36 Sιf3 lιc8 37 lιc4 lιxc4 38 bxc4 Φg8 39 Sιxg4 hxg4 40 Φf1 lιa5 41 lιxg4 lιa2 42 lιg2 Φf8 43 lιθ2 Φθ8 44 Φf2 g5 45 c5 g4 46 c6 lιa6 47 Φg3 lιxc6 48 e5 lιc3 49 lιd2 lιa3 50 Φχg4 lιa2 51 lιh2 Φd7 52 Φg3 Φθ6 53 d4 lιa8 54 Φf4 Φd5 55 1:!.h7 lιa7 56 Φf5 Φχd4 57 lιxf7 nxf7 58 e6 1:!.c7 5917 lιxc2 60 e 7 b3 61 f8'tirV b2 62 'tirVf6+ Φd3 63 e8'tirV b1'tirV 64 'tirVe4+ Φd2 65 'iVfd4+ 1-0

One needs strong nerves to play such positions. The game can turn οη one move.

Here is another example of a king­side hack. For a while it looked prom­ising, but then ...

1 e4 c5 2 lZJc3 lZJc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 ~g7 5 d3 d6 6 lZJge2 lιb8 7 ο-ο lZJf6

Ι feel that if Black is going to play ... ~b8 then he may as well be consis­tent and follow up with 7 ... b5 8 f4 b4 9 lΩd5 f5. Ιη Brunthaler-Maίnka, Germany 1995, White messed around now with 10 h3, but Ι think he should have played 10 exf5 gxf5 11 a3 with a double-edged position. 8 f4 ο-ο 9 h3 SΙd7 10 g4

This is more direct that 10 iιe3, which we saw ίη the last game. 10 ... b5 11 lZJg3 b4 12 lZJce2 a5 13 f5 a4

6 tΔge2

Black varied with 13 ... lΩe8, but White still achieved a powerful attack with 14 ~b1 a4 15 iιg5 a3 16 b3 lΩd4 17 ~d2 iιc6 18 iιh6 'i'b6 19 ~h1 lΩxe2 20 lΩxe2 lΩf6 21 ~g5 ~h8 22 lΩf4 iιxh6 23 ~xh6. 14 Sιf4lZJe8

15 lιb1 15 ~c1!? is a thought, attempting to

gaίn a tempo οη the game. The οηlΥ way for Black to exploit it is 15 ... a3 16 b3 iιb2 17 'i'd2 1ιχa1 18 ~xa1lΩg7 19 iιh6, when White has some attack for the exchange. 15 ... a3 16 b3 lZJc7 17 'iVd2 lZJb5 18 ~h6 lZJc3 19 SΙxg7 lZJxe2+ 20 lZJxe2 Φχg7 21 lιf2 f6 22 g5 fxg5

Ιη Maus-Moiseev, Germany 1995, 23 lιbf1

97

The Closed Sicilian

23 ~xg5! was the way to continue. 23 ... h6 24 h4

White gets over-excited.

24 ... gxh4 25 t2Jf4 g5 26 f6+ exf6 27 t2Jh5+ 'ίt>h7 28 t2Jxf6+ 'ίt>h8 29 'iVe2 t2Je5 30 'iVd1 Jie6 31 'iVh5 'ίt>g7 32 'iVd1 'iVe7 33 d4 cxd4 34 'iVxd4 'ίt>h8 35 'ίt>h2 1:1bd8 36 ~h3 ~xh3 37 'ίt>xh3 ~g7 38 1:1f5 g4+ 39 'ίt>g2 t2Jf3 40 ~b6 0-1

1 e4 c5 2 t2Jc3 t2Jc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 ~g7 5 d3 d6 6 t2Jge2 t2Jf6 7 h3 ο-ο 8 ο-ο t2Jd4

98

Ι was surprised to see that ECO gives this as its maίn line. 9 t2Jxd4

Not mentioned ίη ECO, but Ι think we should trust Boris. 9 ... cxd4 1 Ο t2Je2 t2Jd7 11 f4 f5

Black has ηο desire to allow f4-f5 aπd be subjected to aπ attack. 12 'it>h2 'ίt>h8 13 exf5 gxf5 14 c3 dxc3 15 bxc3 ~a5 16 ~e3 t2Jc5

17 ~d4! Α splendid move, either forcing the

exchange of bishops aπd thus weaken­ing Black's king, or tempting ... 17 ... e5

Black's pawn front is not particu­larly stable after this. 18 i..e3 .1ιe6 19 1:1b 1 1:1ad8 20 d4 t2Je4 21 1:1xb7

Now that Black has played .. e7-e5, his second raπk is also weaker. 21 ... ~xa2 22 1:1b4 ~d5

see fo//owing diagram

231:1g1! It is hard to appreciate at fίrst, but

this is a brilliaπt move. 23 l:ta4 faίled to 23 ... l2Jxc3! 23 ... .1ιa8 24 1:1a4 'it'b2 25 1:tb4 'it'a2 26 na4 'iVb2 27 1:1xa7 t2Jxc3 28

tZJxc3 'iVxc3 29 'iVh5! exd4

Or 29 ... 'iVxe3 30 'iVg5 ~g8 (30 ... i.f6 31 'iVh6) 31 ~xg7! 30 :xg7! 1-0

30 ... ~xg7 is met by 31 ~c1 'iVxe3 32 ~c7+ and mate. Α gem.

:,Garι1e:·~~5,,~~, ~ c ~~t;~:~~~f:'~.:,

. "i~~~nn.Mini96~~~jf:(~:i;; . . IQ~na.Open 1.9lt~·'X7<'

1 e4 c5 2 tZJc3 tZJc6 3 g3 g6 4 iιg2 iιg7 5 d3 d6 6 tZJge2 e5

This is a perfectly respectable move here. Black doesn't want to allow some appalling attack with f4-f5.

7 h4 Ι just couldn't resist including this

6 tΔge2

idea. Wittmann has made something οί a speciality out οί it, and there's more to it than meets the eye. Ι should emphasise, this is not the most usual move here. Most players prefer to cas­tle (see Games 66 and 67). 7 ... tZJf6

Not 7 ... lΔd4?! (wasting time) 8 lΔxd4 cxd4 9 lΔd5 i,e6 10 c4 dxc3 11 bxc3 ~xd5 12 exd5 'iVa5 13 ο-ο lΔe7 14 'iVb3 'iVa6 15 ~b1 and White had a pleasant initiative οη the queenside (and the bishops!) ίη Wittmann­Kraschl, Austrian Τ eam Champion-ship 1996. Ι suppose ίί 7 ... h5 then 8 lΔd5, intending Ιο meet 8 ... lΔge7 with 9 i.g5. 8 iιg5 iιe6 9 tZJd5 h6 1 Ο iιxf6 iιxf6 11 h5

White already has a clear positional advantage .

11 .. . iιg7 12 hxg6 fxg6 13 iιh3

iιxh3 14 :xh3 'iVd7 15 :h2 h5 16 'iVd2 0-0-0 17 0-0-0 iιh6 18 f4 :df8 19 Φb1 tZJe7 20 tZJec3 :h7 21 :f1 :hf7 22 tZJxe7+ ~xe7 23 :hf2 'iitb8 24 tZJd5 ~d7 25 :f3 exf4 26 gxf4 g5 27 'iVh2 h4 28 :h3 iιg7 29 f5 iιe5 30 ~g2 iιg3 31 ~f3 :g8 32 'iVg4 'iVe8 33 :hh1 ~e5 34 :f3 a6

99

The Closed Sicilian

35 f6 l:th 7 36 b3 ~e8 37 l:txg3 1-0

,',,', "

. Game66····· βΡaSSI(Υ-Ηοrt

ΣC:ife'Y'fniJtt2 Bundesliga 1985/86.".oYx~:

1 e4 c5 2 tZJc3 tZJc6 3 g3 g6 4 .Jtg2 ~g7 5 d3 e5 6 tZJge2 tZJge7 7 ο-ο

Boris likes to take things steadier.

7 ... d6 8 a3 Game 67 deals with 8 ~e3.

8 ... 0-0 9 l:tb1 f5 Hort sets a trap.

10.Jtd2 If 10 b4 f4 White can't capture οη f4

as the knight οη c3 hangs.

10 ... a5 11 a4 .i.e6 12 tZJd5 h6 13 c3 Φh7 14 ~e3 iι.f7 15 f4 tZJxd5 16

100

exd5 tZJe7 17 ~b3 b6 18 l:tbe1 l:ta7 19 c4 tZJg8 20 fxe5 .txe5 21 d4 iι.g7 22 dxc5 bxc5 23 tZJc3 l:te7 24 tZJb5 l:tfe8 25 .Jtd2 i.e5 26 g4!? Αη amazing moνe.

26 ... tZJf6 If 26 ... fxg4 I'm sure it was Spassky's

intention to play 27 ~xe5! dxe5 and now either 28 d6 or 28 "iYe3!? offers White compensation for the material. 27 gxf5 gxf5 28 l:txf5 i.d4+ 29 tZJxd4 l:txe1+ 30 .txe1 l:txe1+ 31 Φf2 ~e7 32 l:txf6 ~xf6+ 33 Φχe1 ~xd4 34 ~g3 ~xc4 35 ~xd6 ~c1+ 36 Φf2 ~xb2+ 37 Φg3 ~g7+ 38 Φf2 ~d4+ 39 Φg3 Φg7

40 ~f4? After 40 ii c7 a draw would haνe

been οη the cards. 40 .. :~xf4+ 41 Φχf4 Φf6 42 Jιe4 c4 43 d6 Jιe8 44 Jιd5 Jιxa4 45 Jιxc4 Jιc6 46 Jιa2 a4 47 Jιc4 Jιd7 48 Φe3 a3 49 'ίt>d4 Jιe6 50 d7 Jιxd7 51 'i.t>c3 Jιe6 52 Jιe2 0-1 Α great struggle.

,'\ΖΙ\:F';' Garn,e",~Ί::', '." · Neumark-Goet,

i'RLNS, Ί988 λ -", ;~, '. /~, o}C

1 e4 c5 2 lΔc3 lΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 Jιg2 Jιg7 5 d3 e5 6 lΔge2 lΔge7 7 ο-ο ο-ο 8 Jιe3

The most orthodox way οί playing the position.

8 ... d6 9 ~d2 Jιe6 It is more accurate for Black to play

9 .. .'!lJd4 first. 10 f4

It would have been better to play 10 .th6! 'i\Yd7 11 i.xg7 'it'xg7 12 f4. White' s attack is stronger without the bishops and Black's centre less secure. 10 .. :~d7

10 ... tΔd4 is stronger, e.g. 11 ':ae1 'iVd7 12 tΔc1 ':ad8 13 tΔd1 b6 14 c3 tΔdc6 with equality, as ίη Kholmov­Tal, USSR Championship 1962.

6 tΔge2

11 fxe5!

Black cannot capture with the pawn, so this is strong.

11 ... lΔxe5 12 Jιh6! f5 13 Jιxg7 'i.t>xg7 14 lΔf4 fxe4 15 lΔxe4 Jιf5 16 I:tae1 lΔ7c6 17 c3 I:tae8 18 b3 b6 19 d4lΔg4 20 h3 lΔh6 21 lΔg5 I:txe1 22 I:txe1 I:te8 23 g4 lΔxg4 24 hxg4 Jιxg4 25 I:txe8 ~xe8 26 Jιxc6 'iVxc6 27 lΔfe6+ Jιxe6 28 lΔxe6+ Φg8 29 ~f4 "i'e8 30 ~f6 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 lΔc3 lΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 Jιg2 Jιg7 5 d3 d6 6 lΔge2 e6

101

The Closed Sicilian

This is another perfectly reasonable response to 6 Cbge2. 7 ο-ο tΔge7 8 1::tb1

For 8 .tg5, see Game 69. 8 ... 0-09 SΙe3

Threatening d4, when Black has a poor Sicilian (weak pawn οη d6). 9 ... tΔd4

10 b4!

This was the point of ~b1: the black knight had to jump to d4 and that permitted b2-b4. 10 ... b6

It is staggering that Black can get away with this.

11 e5 tΔd5 12 exd6 12 Cbxd5? exd5 13 .txd5 .th3 14

Cbxd4 cxd4 15 .txd4 dxe5 wins.

102

12 ... tΔxe2+ 13 tΔxe2 cxb4 14 ~d2 a5

14 .. :iWxd6? 15 iιxb4 15 a31::ta7

15 ... bxa3 16 c4 a2 17 ~a1 iιxa1 18 'iVxa1 is good for White. 16 axb4 tΔxb4 17 SΙxb4 axb4 18 ~d2 ~xd6 19 1::txb4 SΙd7 20 1::tfb1 b5 21 tΔc3 SΙxc3 22 ~xc3 1::tc8 23 'ii'b3 1::ta4 24 c4 bxc4 25 dxc4 1::txb4 26 ~xb4 ~xb4 27 1::txb4

The ending should be a draw.

27 ... Wg7 28 f4 Wf6 29 Wf2 e5 30 fxe5+ Wxe5 31 We3 g5 321::tb7 SΙc6 33 SΙxc6 1::txc6 34 1::tb5+ We6 35 Wd4 f5 36 g4 1::td6+ 37 Wc3 fxg4 38 1::txg5 1::ta6 39 Wb4 1::ta2 40 1::th5 1::ta7 41 c5 1::tf7 42 Wb5 Wd7 43 1::tg5 1::tf2 44 1::tg7+ Wc8 45 1::txh7 1::tf6 46 1::th4 1::tf2 47 Wb6 1::tb2+ 48 Wc6 Wb8 49 1::th8+ Wa7 50 Wd6 1::td2+ 51 Wc7 1::tf2 52 1::th7 1::tf8 53 c6 1::tg8 54 1::te7 g3 55 Wd6+ Wb6 56 hxg3 1::txg3 57 1::tb7+ Wa6 ~-~

1 e4 c5 2 tΔc3 tΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 i..g2

~g7 5 d3 d6 6 '2Jge2 e6 7 ο-ο '2Jge7 8~g5

8 ... 0-0

Black wisely resists attacking the bishop: 8 ... h6 9 iιe3 l2Jd4 10 "iVd2 and ίι takes time to arrange castling. 9 'iVd2 1:!.b8 1 Ο .Jrιh6 b5 11 .Jrιxg7 Φχg7 12 f4

12 a3 l2Jd4 would have transposed to Simagin-Taίmanov, USSR Cham­pionship 1951, where, after 13 l2Jxd4 cxd4 14 l2Je2 e5 15 c3 dxc3 16 bxc3 Sιg4 17 f3 SΙe6 18 f4 f6 19 h3 l2Jc6 20 ktab1 "iVa5 21 Φh2l2Jd4 Black had cre­ated enough counterρlay οη the queenside. 12 ... '2Jd4 13 '2Jxd4 cxd4 14 '2Je2 e5

15 c3

6 t:Δge2

15 f5!? f6 (15 ... gxf5!? 16 "iVg5+ l2Jg6 17 "iVxd8 %:txd8 18 exf5 l2Jf8 19 c3 is finely balanced) 16 g4 g5 17 c3 is more double-edged than the game, although Ι don't think Black should be too afraίd.

15 ... dxc3 16 bxc3 f6 17 rJo>h1 a5 18 '2Jg1 ~e6 19 '2Jf3 ~c7 20 1:!.ac1 1:!.bc8 21 ~b2 1:!.b8 22 ~d2 :tbc8 23 'iVb2 Υι- Υι

And here is another beautiful game from Spassky. It's a one-sided encoun­ter; his opponent isn't ίη the same class, but the former W orld Cham­pion's strategy is delightful.

1 e4 c5 2 '2Jc3 '2Jc6 3 g3 g6 4 ~g2 .Jrιg7 5 d3 d6 6 '2Jge2 '2Jd4

Perhaps this is a little premature here. 7 '2Jxd4 cxd4 8 '2Je2 ~g4 9 f3 ~d7 10 h4

This looks curious: ίι doesn't really fit ίη with the rest of White's strategy ίη this game.

103

Τhe Closed Sicilian

10 ... J:1c8 11 .I1ιd2 ~b6 12 ~b1 e6 13 ο-ο CΔθ7 14 a4! ο-ο 15 b4! f5 16 ~b3! fxe4 17 fxe4 1:!.xf1 + 18 J:1xf1 ~c6 19 .I1ιh3 ~xc2 20 .I1ιxe6+ <ot>h8 21 ~xc2 I1xc2 22 .I1ιxd7 J:1xd2 23 J:1f7 J:1xe2 24 J:1xe7 .I1ιe5 25 .I1ιe6

.I1ιxg3 26 J:1xb7 1ιχh4 27 J:1xa7 g5 28 a5 h5 29 J:1f7 J:1b2 30 a6 1-0

Game71 ••. < Kiιig-lVJeis~~r':,T

!::<!I:e~nBun4esliia:~~94+:

1 e4 c5 2 CΔc3 CΔc6 3 CΔge2 g6 4 g3 .I1ιg7 5 .I1ιg2 e6

Let' s see what can happen if Black delays ... d7-d6.

6 d3 CΔge7 7 h4

104

Ν ow you know why Ι was so im­pressed by Wittmann's idea against ... e7-e5 (Game 65): I've been wheeling out some similar stuff myself. The move doesn't just have shock value. Black already finds himself with a di­lemma: he must do something about h4-h5, so should he play his h-pawn forward one square or two? 7 ... h5

7 ... h6!? 8 h5!? (8 .te3! llJd4 9 ~d2) 8 ... g5 9 f4 gxf4 10 iιxf4 followed by ~d2 and 0-0-0 gives both sides chances. 8 .I1ιg5 Α pleasant square for the bishop.

Black finds the ρίη annoying, but has ηο desire to play ... f7-f6, blocking his own bishop and spoiling his kingside structure. 8 ... J:1b8 9 a3 b5 1 Ο J:1b1

Ι took some tips from Spassky. 1 Ο ... d6 11 ~d2 .I1ιd7 12 ο-ο a5?

Mistake!

13 a4! bxa4 13 ... b4 14llJbs and the knight is se­

cure. 14 CΔxa4 CΔθ5 15 b3 ΜΥ plan is simple: to round υρ the

a-pawn.

15 ... f6 16 Sιf4 t2Jf7 17 t2Jb2 t2Jc6 18 t2Jc4 Sιc8 19 Sιe3 e5 20 1:ta1 1:ta8 21 1:ta4 Sιe6 22 1:tfa1 Sιxc4 23 dxc4 ~d7 24 ~d5 1:tc8 25 'it>h2 g5 26

6 tiJge2

iLh3 g4 27 Sιg2 iLh6 28 t2Jc3 'it>f8 29 ~d3 ~e6 30 t2Jd5 'it>g7 31 Sιd2 Sιxd2 32 ~xd2 1:tb8 33 t2Je3 t2Jh6 34 t2Jf5+ t2Jxf5 35 exf5 ~d7 36 Sιxc6 ~xc6 37 1:txa5

Mission accomplished. 37 ... 1:tbd8 38 1:ta7+ 1:td7 39 1:t1a6 ~c8 40 1:txd7+?

40 iYxd6 would have been simpler. ΓΗ blame the clock for that one. 40 .. :i'xd7 41 ~xd6 ~xd6 42 tιxd6 1:ta8 43 'it>g2 e4 44 'it>f1 e3 45 fxe3 1:ta1+ 46 'it>e2 1:tg1 47 b4 cxb4 48 c5 1:ta1 49 1:td4 1:ta2 50 'it>d3 1:ta3+ 51 'it>e4 1:tc3 52 'it>d5 1:txc2 53 1:txb4 1:td2+ 54 1:td4 1-0

105

The Closed Sicilian

Summary

It is interesting to see the different interpretations of 6 lίJge2. Spassky generally plays solidly, but it is also possible to play ίη a more unorthodox manner - see Games 65 and 71. Pushing the h-pawn is not as silly as it looks. If Black replies to 6lίJge2 with 6 ... lίJf6 then he is inviting an attack, but he gaίns good counter­play οη the queenside (Games 62 and 63). The jury is still out οη this variation. 6 ... e5 and 6 ... e6 are the most solid choices; Karpov's play ίη Game 69 is exem­plary.

1 e4 c5 2 tίJc3 tίJc6 3 g3 g6 4 .tg2 .tg7 5 d3 d6 5 ... e6 6lίJge2 tΩge7 7 h4 - Game 71

6 tίJge2 tίJf6 6 ... e5 (D)

7 h4 - Game65 7 ο-ο tΩge7

8 a3 ο-ο - Game 66 8 ~e3 ο-ο - Game 67

6 ... e6 7 ο-ο tΩge7 (D) 8 ~b1- Game 68 8 ~g5 - Game 69

6 ... tΩd4 - Game 70 7 ο-ο ο-ο 8 h3 1:tb8

8 ... lίJd4 - Game 64 9 f4 .td7 (D) 1 Ο .te3

10 g4 - Game 63 10 ... b5 - Game 62

6 ... e5

106

7 ... tίJge7 9 ... i..d7

6 tΔf3 and other Sixth Moves for White

1 e4 c5 2 lΔc3 lΔc6 3 g3 g6 4 i.g2 .i.g7 5 d3 d6

The modest 6 tίΊf3 system has a lit­tle more bite to it than it might appear at first sight. White brings out his pieces unpretentiously and keeps his options open. Depending οη how Black plays, he might manoeuvre posi­tionally, or perhaps institute a king­side attack. Don't be put off by the move orders ίη these games, they of­ten come from the Reti opening, but White can arrive at this system just as easily from standard Closed Sicilian paths. Ιη the first three Games (72-74) Black grabs more control ίη the centre with 6 ... e5, which at first sight looks powerful, but White's manoeuvres shouldn't be underestimated. 6 ... e6 (Game 75) is perhaps the most canny move, while 6 ... tίΊf6 (which is often reached via a Reti move order) has been the subject of a great many games, as we see ίη Games 76-80. There are several players who have specialised ίn this system for White and developed some strong attacking

ideas. Ιn the final game of the chapter we take a look at 6 tίΊh3 (Ι couldn't think where else to put it) and I've included ίn the notes a couple of other sixth move options for White.

1 lΔf3 c5 2 g3 g6 3 i.g2 i.g7 4 ο-ο lΔc6 5 e4 d6 6 d3 e5 7lΔc3 lΔge7

8lΔd2!

Ι think that this is the best way for White to handle the position. Before

107

The Closed Sicilian

deciding οη where to make a pawn break, kingside or queenside, White brings his knight to a better square. 8 lbh4 is considered ίη Game 74. 8 ... lLJd4?

The knight οηlΥ has to retreat a few moves later. 8 ... !:i.b8 is more accurate -see the next game. 9 lLJc4 ο-ο 1 Ο lLJe3 l:!.b8 11 lLJcd5 lLJxd5 12 lLJxd5 iιθ6 13 c3 lLJc6 14 a3 a5 15 a4

White already has a slight but clear strategic advantage. 15 ... lLJe7 16 iιg5 f6 17 iιθ3 f5 18 exf5! lLJxf5

18 ... j,xdS 19 j,xds+ tιJxdS 20 'i'b3 wins the piece back and maίntaίns central control.

108

19 iιd2 Wh8 20 ~θ2 ~d7 21 'iί'θ4 lLJe7 22 lLJxe7 "V/!/xe7 23 f4 iιg8 24 fxe5 l:!.xf1 + 25 l:!.xf1 d5 26 'iί'g4 b5 27 iιg5 ~xθ5 28 iιf4 ~θ8 29 iιxb8 ~xb8 30 ~d7 d4 31 l:!.e1 dxc3 32 bxc3 bxa4 33 iιd5 iιxd5 34 l:!.e8+ ~xθ8 35 ~xθ8+ iιg8 36 ~xa4 iιxc3 37 ~d7 iιd4+ 38 Φf1 iιb3 39 ~d8+ Wg7 40 'iVxa5 h5 41 ~b5 iιθ6 42 ~b7+ Wf6 43 Φg2 iιf5 44 ~f3 Φg7 %-%

Why dίdn't White play to win this position? Of course, it would have been hard work, but even more so for the defender.

1 e4 c5 2 lLJf3 lLJc6 3 g3 g6 4 iιg2 iιg7 5 ο-ο e5 6 lLJc3 lLJge7 7 d3 d6 8 lLJd2 l:!.b8

see fo//owing diagram

9 a4 a6 10 lLJc4 b5 Ill-judged. Even though Black wins

this game quickly, Ι am not convinced by his plan. He doesn't prevent the knight from arriving at dS, and

6 tΔf3 and other Sixth Moves for White

White's rook οη the a-file is a thorn ίη his side.

11 tZJe3 ο-ο 12 axb5 axb5 13 tZJcd5 f5 14 exf5! gxf5 15 f4!

White has ηο weaknesses ίη his ρο­sition, while Black's pawns are over­extended.

15 ... .te6 16 ~a6 ~d7 17 .Jtd2 17 'iYh5 is more powerful: Black is

under severe pressure οη both sides of the board. Over the next few moves White drifts a little. 17 ... Φh8 18 c3 tZJxd5 19 tZJxd5 tZJe7 20 tZJxe7 ~xe7 21 iVf3 .tc8 22 ~a8?

22 ~a5 would have kept White very much ίη the game, although Black is over the worst after 22 ... ~b7. 22 ... e40-1

1 e4 c5 2 tZJf3 d6 3 d3 tZJc6 4 g3 g6 5 .tg2 .tg7 6 ο-ο e5 7 tZJc3 tZJge7 8 tZJh4

Personally, Ι prefer 8 lbd2 to this move, but it does also have its merits. Positions simίlar to Games 45 and 46 ίη Chapter 4 are reached. 8 ... 0-09 f4 exf4 10 .txf4 h6

1O ... iιe6 is also respectable, though, as usual, the exchange of bishops gives White more chances οη the kίngside. 11 'iYd2 d5 12 ~h6 d4 13 tbe2 tbe5 14 h3 f6 15 iιxg7 Φχg7 16 ~f2 'iYd6 17 ~afl ~ad8 18 g4 h6 19 tbf4 and al­though Black holds a positional advan­tage, it isn't easy to control White's attack, Hodgson-Eingorn, Sochi 1986. 11 .te3 tZJe5 12 h3 b5 13 a3 .1Ld7 14 tZJf3

14 "ji'd2 is natural and best. 14 ... tZJ7c6 15 tZJd5 tZJxf3+ 16 'iVxf3 tZJd4 17 iVd1 i.e6 18 c3 .1Lxd5 19 exd5 tZJf5 20 .1Lf2 a5

White has played carelessly. Black's bishop οη g7 is a monster, and if

109

The Closed Sicilian

White waits, then ... b5-b4 will rιp open the queenside.

21 g4 tίJh4 22 iιe4 f5 23 gxf5 gxf5 24 ~h5 ~g5+ 25 ~xg5 hxg5 26 iιxh4 fxe4 27 iιg3 exd3 28 iιxd6 1::txf1+ 29 1::txf1 iιf8 30 iιxf8 :!:!.xf8 31 a4

31 ~xf8+? ~xf8 32 ~f2 c4 wins for Black. 31 ... c4

31 ... ~xH+? 32 ~xf1 bxa4 33 c4 wins for White! 32 axb5 :!:!.d8 33 :!:!.f5? d2 34 :!:!.f1 :!:!.e80-1

1 e4 c5 2 lbf3 g6 3 tίJc3 iιg7 4 g3 tίJc6 5 iιg2 d6 6 d3 e6

see following diagram

This is a very standard way to con­tιnue.

7 ο-ο tίJge7 8 iιg5 h6 Black's best response. If 8 ... 0-0 then

9 'i\Vd2 and ~h6, and White can claim to have achieved something. 9 iιe3 tίJd4 1 Ο ~d2

110

That Black has been prevented from castling for a few moments is a minor inconvenience. White can make very little of it. 10 ... 'iVa5

White would like to drop back the knight from c3 and kick Black' s knight out of d4 with the pawn, but that is unlikely after this move. The endings are never a problem for Black. 11 tίJe 1 tίJec6

If it comes to it, Black can play ... h6-h5 and then castle. 12 f4 iιd7 13 'iVf2 f5 14 Φh1 tίJe7

Black loses the plot around here. 14 ... 0-0 suggests itself. 1 5 tίJf3 tίJxf3 16 .txf3 .tc6 17 d4 cxd4 18 Jιxd4 e5 19 fxe5 .txe5 20

6 'Δf3 and other Sixth Moves for White

i.xe5 dxe5 21 ~θ3 0-0-0 22 .I::1.ae1

Now Black is struggling: his pawns are weak and his king too open. He does well to groνel into a poor endίng. 22 ... fxe4 23 1ιχθ4 tΔf5 24 ~f3

1ιχθ4 25 .Ι::1.χθ4 h5 26 .I::1.fe1 .I::1.he8 27 a3 .I::1.d4 28 .I::1.xd4 tΔxd4 29 ~f7 .I::1.e6 30 .I::1.f1 ~d8 31 Φg1 ~θ8 32 ~χθ8+ .Ι::1.χθ8 33 tΔθ4 tΔf5 34 .I::1.f3 .I::1.d8 35 .I::1.c3+ Φb8 36 .I::1.c5 tΔd4 37 tΔg5 .I::1.c8 38 .I::1.xc8+ Φχc8 39 c3 tΔc6 40 Φf2 Φd7 41 Φθ3 Φθ 7 42 Φθ4 Φf6 43 tΔf3 Φθ6 44 a4 a5 45 tΔd2 tΔd8 46 tΔc4 tΔf7 47 tΔxa5 tΔd6+ 48 '1t>d3 Φd5 49 c4+ Φc5 50 tΔb3+ Φb4 51 tΔd2 e4+ 52 Φd4 Φχa4 53 c5 e3 54 Φχθ3 tΔf5+ 55 Φf4 h4 56 g4 tΔg7 57 Φθ5 Φb5 58 tΔθ4 tΔθ8 59 tΔd6+ tΔxd6 60 cxd6 Φc6 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 tΔf3 d6 3 tΔc3 tΔf6 4 g3 tΔc6 5 ~g2 g6 6 ο-ο ~g7 7 d3 ο-ο 8 h3 Α preparatory moνe so that the

white bishop can sit οη e3 without being hassled by ... liJg4. For what it's

worth, let's see how our mentor han­dled the position: 8 .tg5 h6 9 ~d2 e5 10 a3 .te6 11 kϊb1 a5 12 a4 d5 13 exd5 liJxd5 14 liJxd5 .txd5 15 .te3 c4 with tremendous complications ίη Spassky­Τ al, Tbilisi Candίdates 1965 (Spassky won the game!). 15 ... c4 is the kind of moνe which Τ al would find hard to

resist, but 15 ... b6 instead would haνe maintained Black's space adνantage, when Ι prefer his position. Spassky's opening play was, for once, not terri­bly impressiνe.

8 ... .I::1.b8 9 a4! White can gain good play for his

rook οη the a-file. 9 ... a6 10 ~g5 Τ empting Black into playing ... h7-

h6. It isn't clear whether he should play this or not. 10 .te3 is considered ίη Games 77-80. 10 ... b5

Ι think that Black should call his opponent's bluff and play 1o ... h6 11 iιe3 b5 12 axb5 axb5 13 'iid2 'it>h7. It isn't clear to me that White has gaίned anything, but he mίght try 14 e5!? (compare with Game 77). Howeνer, Ι don't think Black stands worse here. 11 axb5 axb5 12 ~d2 b4 13 tΔd5 e6

111

The Closed Sicilian

If 13 ... tLJxd5 14 exd5 then White 8 h3 11b8 9 a4 a6 10 .iίθ3 can hope to put pressure οη e7. 14 lΔxf6+ iιxf6 15 iιxf6 ~xf6 16 c3

White has the more pleasant posi­tion. He intends d3-d4; Black prevents it, but eventually finds that his pawn structure is simply too rigid to do any­thingwith. 16 ... e5 17 lΔθ1 ~θ7 18 lΔc2 bxc3 19 bxc3 11b2 20 ~ c 1 11b3 21 lΔθ3

iιθ6 22 f4 f6 23 f5 iιf7 24 h4 ~d8 25 fxg6 hxg6 26 lΔg4 .1ιθ8 27 11a2 lΔb8 28 11af2 lΔd7 29 .iίh3 11b7 30 lΔθ3 lΔb6 31 iιθ6+ iιf7 32 11xf6 .1ιχθ6 33 11xf8+ ~xf8 34 11xf8+ Φχf8 35 c4 lΔd7 36 lΔd5 Φf7 37 'ilih6 lΔf8 38 h5 iιxd5 39 exd5 11e7 40 g4 Φg8 41 ~g5 11f7 42 Φg2 Φh7 43 "iVd8 gxh5 44 gxh5 lΔd7 45 "iVc7 Φh6 46 'iVxd6+ Φχh5 47 'i'e6 11g7+ 48 Φf3 Φg5 49 d6 11h7 50 Φθ4 11g7 51 Φd5 e4 52 dxe4 Φf4 53 'ilif5+ 1-0

. Garne17,:i~!· JSibilio':Gik~s>

<ΆiJ,~gάnΌοΡί?n :1989!ζ ....

1 lΔf3 lΔf6 2 g3 g6 3 .1ιg2 iιg7 4

10 ... b5 This allows White the option οί

opening up the position. The more conservative 1O ... iιd7 is dealt with ίη Game 79 and 10 ... e5 ίη Game 80. 11 axb5 axb5 12 e5!?

This radically changes the character of the game. The more sedate 12 ii'd2 is considered ίη Game 78. 12 ... lΔθ8

Black ought to capture: 12 ... dxe5 13 .ixc5 when Ι prefer White, but don't let that sway you! The position is just complicated, and ίη any case, Black must try this. Ιη the game he is simply worse.

ο-ο ο-ο 5 d3 d6 6 e4 c5 7 lΔc3 lΔc6 13 exd6 exd6 14 d4! c4 15 d5 lΔb4

112

6 t'Δf3 and other Sixth Moves for White

16 lΔd4 lΔc7 17 ~d2 ~e8 18 ~g5 f6 19 ~f4 g5 20 ~e3 .ί:i.e5 21 lΔcxb5

lΔcxd5 22 lΔc6 lΔxc6 23 ~xd5+ ιJ;>h8 24 ~xc6 ~xh3 25 ~fd1 ~c8 26 ~xd6 ~g4 27 ~d4 ~exb5 28 ~xb5 ~f3 29 ~d7 ~f8 30 ~c6 1-0

;:.;',;.>;~~Ι~~~~:Ιθ;a~~ 78'ζ'%~:/'8 ' .. "British Cham

co, , . ,j,""

1 lΔf3 lΔf6 2 g3 g6 3 ~g2 ~g7 4 ο-ο ο-ο 5 d3 d6 6 e4 c5 7 lΔc3 lΔc6 8 h3 ~b8 9 a4 a6 1 Ο ~e3 b5 11 axb5 axb5 12 ~d2

12 e5!? was considered ίη Game 77.

12 ... b4 13lΔd5 This has been seen a few times, and

looks promising, but 13 lΔe2 and 13 lΔd1 are good alternatives. 13 ... lΔxd5 14 exd5lΔe5

14 ... lΔd4 initiates interesting com­plications with 15 lΔxd4 cxd4 16 iιh6. Now after the exchange of bishops White can get good play by attackίng the pawns οη e7, d4 and b4, so Black usually decides to complicate with 16 ... ~xh6 (McDonald, a fierce attack­ing player, must have had bad vibes about this move and chose instead

16 ... b3 17 iιxg7 Φχg7 18 ~f4 bxc2 19 ~xd4+ Φg8 20 Iϊfc1 ~b6 21 ~xb6 ~xb6 22 ~xc2, although he was a clear pawn down and eventually lost ίη Norwood-McDonald, British Cham­pionship 1990) 17 ~xh6 b3 and now instead of 18 c4 as ίη Herzog-Weis, Germany 1992, Ι think White could have won by playing 18 Iϊa4! bxc2 (18 ... 'iVb6? 19 c3) 19 1hd4 e5 20 ~h4 ~e8 21 ~xh7 + Φf8 22 ~h6+ Φe7 23 'iVg5+ Φd7 24 ~c1!? with a winning position. 15 lΔxe5 ~xe5 16 d4 ~xd4 17 Sιxd4 cxd4 18 ji'xd4

White stands better. He has a space advantage and can play οη the weak pawns οη b4 and e7. 18 ... .1ιf5 19 ~fc1 ji'b6 20 'iVxb6 ~xb6 21 g4 Sιc8 22 ~a7 ~b7 23 ~e1 ~θ8 24 ~θ3 ιJ;>f8 25 ~e4 h6 26 h4 ~c8 27 ιJ;>f1 ~c4 28 f3 f5 29 gxf5 gxf5 30 JLxf5 ~xh4 31 JLe6 ~b5 32 ~e4 ~xθ4 33 fxe4 ιJ;>g7 34 ιJ;>f2 ~b6 35 ιJ;>e3 ιJ;>f6 36 ιJ;>f4 ~b5

37 ~d7 e5+ 38 ιJ;>g4 ~b6 39 ιJ;>h5 b3 40 c3 ~xd5 41 exd5 e4 42 ~θ6 ιJ;>θ5 43 Φg4 ~b8 44 ιJ;>g3 ~f8 45 ~f7 ~g8+ 46 Φf2 ~g5 47 ~f8 ~h5 48 Φθ3 ~g5 49 ~g8 ~h5 50 ~b8

113

The Closed Sicilian

~g5 51 ~g8 ~h5 52 ~g2 ~h1 53 ~f2 1-0

/ .. GtArne79 ..~!> •. indel'C~mpo-Vel,duga;:;; , . i3diyamo 1990 .. .

1 e4 c5 2 lί:Jf3 d6 3 g3 lί:Jf6 4 lί:Jc3 g6 5 i.g2 lί:Jc6 6 ο-ο i.g7 7 d3 ~b8 8 a4 a6 9 h3 ο-ο 1 Ο i.e3 i.d7

Black had an inkling that White wanted to play e4-e5, so hangs back for a moment with ... b7-b5. 11 ~d2 ~e8

Although it is quite common for Black to try to preserνe his dark­squared bishop ίη this way, ίη this case Ι think it is a mistake. The course οί the game bears out my feeling: it is too risky for Black to a110w the bishop around his king, not to mention the knight οη g5. 12 i.h6 .Jth8 13 lί:Jg5! b5 14 axb5 axb5 1 5 f4 c4 16 f5 b4 17 lί:Je2 b3 18 d4 bxc2 19 iVxc2 lί:Jb4 20 ~c3 iVc8 21 b3!

see fo//owing diagram

Ν ow the ί7 square becomes the tar­get!

114

21 ... gxf5 22 bxc4 fxe4 23 ~ab1 lί:Jc6 24 ~xb8 lί:Jxb8 25 g4 .i.e6 26 'iVe3 i.g7 27 lί:Jxe6 \'ixe6 28 ~g5 lί:Jh5 29 ~xh5 .Jtxh6 30 g5 .i.g7 31 i.xe4 h6 32 gxh6 i.f6 33 1:f4 Φh8 34 d5 ~e5 35 \'ixf7 iVg5+ 36 Φf2 \'ig8 37 1:[xf6 lί:Jd7 38 ~xg8+ Φχg8 39 1:[g6+ Φf7 40 lί:Jg3 lί:Jf6 41 1:[g7+ Φf8 42 i.f5 1:b8 43 i.e6 1-0

1 lί:Jf3 lί:Jf6 2 g3 g6 3 i.g2 .Jtg7 4 ο-ο ο-ο 5 d3 c5 6 e4 ttJc6 7 ttJc3 1:[b8 8 a4 d6 9 h3 a6 1 Ο i.e3 e5!

Α good move. Black prevents White

6 4:Jf3 and other Sixth Moves for White

from playing e4-e5 and clamps down οη the centre. 11 ~d2 b5 12 axb5 axb5 13 .Jίg5

Mr Urban obviously wasn't satis­fied with his play ίη this game and three years later tried something else: 13 ltJh2 b4 14 ltJe2 ltJd4 15 ltJxd4 cxd4 16 iιg5 'Yi'b6 17 b3 'Yi'c5 18 f4 ltJh5 19 iιh4 h6 20 f5 g5 21 f6 ltJxf6 0-1 Ur­ban-Stocek, Budapest 1994. Back to the drawing board. 13 ... .Jίe6 14 CLJh2 ~d7 15 f4

If White is to make anything of the position then he must try this move. For a pawn he gets some attack. 15 ... exf4 16 gxf4 .Jίxh3 17 f5 .Jίxg2 18 ~xg2 b4

Not 18 ... ltJe5 19 .txf6 .txf6 20 ltJd5 ~h8 21 ltJf3 and with a bit of luck, mate οη the h-file. 19 .i.xf6 bxc3 20 ~xc3 .JTιxf6 21 ~xf6 CLJe5 22 b3 ~a8 23 ~h4 ~d8 24 f6 h5 25 ~g5 Φh7 26 ~ae1 ~h8 27 CLJf3 ~e8 28 CLJh4 ~e6 29 CLJf5 CLJg4 30 ~h1 Φg8 31 ~a1 ~xa1 32 ~xa1 Φh7 33 ~xg4 ~xf6 34 ~h1 d5 35 CLJe3 Υ:ι -Υ:ι

1 e4 c5 2 CLJc3 CLJc6 3 g3 g6 4 .i.g2 ~g7 5 d3 d6 6 CLJh3

This will often transpose to other systems, for instance, after 6 ... e5 7 f4 we are into Chapter 4, but it does have independent significance. While we are dealing with strange sixth moves Ι should mention the following: 6 h4 h5 7 ltJh3 e6 8 ο-ο ltJge7 9 .tg5 with a reasonable position ίη Kislov-

Horvath, Budapest 1989; and 6 ltJd5 e6 7 ltJe3 ltJge7 8 f4 ο-ο 9 ltJf3 d5 10 ο-ο (10 e5!?) 1O ... d:xe4 11 d:xe4 b6 12 e5 i.a6 13 c4 (13 ~e1) 13 ... 'Yi'xd1 14 ~xd1 ~ad8 15 b3 ltJf5 with equal chances ίη Jovic-Bernard, Dortmund 1989.

6 ... CLJf6 If Ι were White, the aggressive 6 ... h5

would concern me. 7 ο-ο .JTιg4 8 f3 .JTιxh3 9 ~xh3 ο-ο 10 .JTιe3 CLJe8 11 ~d2 CLJc7 12 ~ae1 b6 13CLJd1 d5 14 ~e2 e6 15 f4 f5

The posltιon is approximately equal, but that doesn't mean it is drawish. What Ι like about Spassky's play here is his patience: he doesn't wreck his position with a rash kίng­side attack, but waits while the

115

The Closed Sicilian

position opens for his bishops. 16 i.c1 1::I.f7 17 i.g2 ~d7 18 lίJf2 1::I.d8 19 c3 b5 20 exd5 exd5 21 .Jίd2 c4 22 ~f3 lίJe 7 23 dxc4 bxc4

23 ... dxc4 would have been met by 24.te3! 24 b3! lίJc8 25 bxc4 dxc4 26 i.c1 ~a4 27 1::I.d1! 1::I.df8

If 27 ... .aΌxd1?! 28 .aΌxd1 or 27 ... .aΌfd7?! 28 .aΌxd7 .aΌxd7 29 .aΌe 1. 28.Jίe3!

28 ... lίJb6 Perhaps 28 ... 'ilHxa2?! 29 .tc5 .aΌe8 30

'ilHc6 with the idea of 31 .td5. 29.Jίc5

Αη interesting alternative was 29 lbh3!? h6 30 .aΌd6. 29 ... 1::I.c8 30 .Jίb4 lίJa6

30 ... a5? wou1d have been met by 31 i.c5. 31 i.d6 ~a5 32 94 ~xc3 33 ~e2! 'iVf6 341::1.fe1! 1::I.d7 35 i.e7! 1::I.xe7

Not 35 ... 'ilHf7? 36 .aΌxd7 lbxd7 37 iιb7! 36 "fixe7 ~xe7 37 1::I.xe7 lίJc5 38 gxf5

see fo//owing diagram

38 ... c3! 38 ... gxf5 would have been met by

116

39 .th3!, when Black's king begins to feel the draught.

39 fxg6 hxg6 40 1::I.e2 40 .aΌxa7 iιd4! 41 .aΌxd4 c2 42 .aΌd1

lbd3! offers Black good counterplay. 40 ... 1::I.c7 41 lίJe4 lίJe6! 42 lίJxc3!

The sea1ed move.

42 ... lίJd4! Not 42 ... lbxf4 43 .aΌe8+ Φf7 44

lbb5! 43 1::I.e5! .Jίxe5 44 fxe5 1::I.xc3 45 l:txd4 Φf7 46 :d6 1::I.c5 47 1::I.f6+ Φg7 48 i.e4 l:txe5 49 l:txg6+ Wf7 50 .Jίc2

1t would have been better to play 50 ~g4! and only then 51 iιc2. 50 ... 1:I.e1+ 51 Φf21::1.a1 52 1::I.c6 1::I.xa2 53 h4 lίJd5 54 Φf3 1::I.a3+ 55 Φθ4 1:I.c3 ΥΖ-ΥΖ

6 tΔf3 and other Sixth Moves for White

Summary

White's system ίn Games 76-80 shouldn't be taken lightly. Game 77, ίn particu­lar, is worth a second look. Perhaps Black's best defensive idea is seen ίn Game 80. However, Game 75 showed that it is difficult to make progress against 6 ... e6.

1 e4 c5 2 tΞJc3 tΞJc6 3 g3 g6 4 iιg2 iιg7 5 d3 d6

6 tΞJf3

6 ... e5 6 t2Jh3 - Game 81

6 ... e6 7 ο-ο t2Jge7 - Game 75 6 ... t2Jf67 ο-ο ο-ο 8 h3 .ϊ::i.b8 9 a4 a6

10 iιg5 - Game 76 10 iιe3 (D)

1O ... b5 11 axb5 axb5 (D) 12 e5 - Game 77 12 iYd2 - Game 80

1O ... iιd7 - Game 78 1O ... e5 - Game 79

7 ο-ο tΞJge7 8 tΞJd2 (D)

8 t2Jh4 - Game 74 8 ... ~b8

8 ... t2Jd4 - Game 72 9 tΞJcd5 - Game 73

10 iιθ3 11 ... axb5 8 tΞJd2

117

Black plays ... θ 7 -e6 and ... d7-d5

So far Ι have οηlΥ considered systems ίη which Black fianchettoes his king's bishop. But what happens ίί he at­tempts to cut across White's standard plan οί development by an advance ίη the centre? After 1 e4 c5 2 CL:\c3 e6, White may play either 3 CL:\f3 or 3 CL:\ge2 followed by 4 d4, transposing back into a standard Open Sicilian, but we are playing the Closed to avoid all that theoretical nonsense, right? For that reason Ι am οηlΥ considering the Closed Sicilian move 3 g3 here. Play is generally much quieter than ίη the earlier chapters. It really all de­pends οη one's style. Black can be fairly sure that he won't be check­mated ίί he plays solidly, but White rnight be able to count οη a slight ad­vantage ίί he understands what he is doing. Ιη Games 82 and 83 White plays an early d2-d4 and the position becomes quite tactical - immediately contradicting what Ι wrote above. Spassky's game against Kasparov is definitely worth studying, but perhaps the most promising way for White to

118

play is shown ίη Game 86.

1 e4 c5 2 lΔc3 e6 3 g3 d5 4 exd5 exd5 5 d4!?

Ιη this chapter I'm mainly going to be exarnining 5 ..tg2 at this point. However 5 d4 is a tricky move that rnight be worth trying out ίί well­prepared beforehand.

5 ... cxd4 Most people play this, but it isn't

necessarily the best. For instance, 5 ... lbc6 6 dxc5 d4 7lbe4 ~xc5 8lbxc5 'iVa5+ 9 ~d2 'iVxc5 10 i.g2 is assessed by Gary Lane as slightly better for White because of the bishops, and that 100ks about right; but 5 ... lbf6 is more sensible, e.g. 6 ~g2 cxd4 7 lbce2 (for 7 'iVxd4 lbc6 8 'iVa4 - see the next game) 7 ... ~M+ 8 .i.d2 .i.xd2+ 9 'iVxd2 lbc6 10 lbxd4 lbxd4 11 'iVxd4 ο-ο 12 0-0-0 .i.f5 with good counter-chances for Black οη the queenside ίη Rossetto­Bronstein, Buenos Aires 1989. 6 ~xd4 t2Jf6 7 1ιg5

7 i.g2 transposes to the next game. 7 ... 1ιθ 7 8 1ιb5+

A1so interesting is 8 ο-ο-ο!? lbc6 9 'iVa4 iιe6 10 iιg2 ο-ο 11 lbge2 'iVb6 (11 ... lbg4!?) 12 .i.e3 i.c5 13 ~xc5 'iVxc5 14 lbf4 with chances for both sides ίη Kupreichik-Morawietz, Ger­many 1996. 8 ... t2Jc6 9 1ιχf6 1ιΧf6 1 Ο ~c5

This is exactly the same as a Goring Gambit reversed, with the exception that White has a pawn οη g3 rather than g2 - which doesn't help. The following sequence is just about forced for Black if he wishes to avoid any problems and with best play the

Black plays ... e 7-e6 and ... d7-d5

resulting endgame should be equal. 10 ... 1ιχc3+ 11 bxc3 'Yi'e7+ 12 ~xθ7+ ΦΧθ7 13 0-0-0 1ιθ6 14 t2Je2 1:!.hd8

14 ... Wd6 is a little risky: 15 !:the1 Wc5 16 c4 dxc4 17 ~xc6 bxc6 (17 ... Wxc6! should still hold after 18 lbd4+ Wc7 19 lbxe6+ fxe6 20 ~e6 ~he8) 18 lbf4 with a powerful initia­tive for White ίη Lane-Nunn, England 1980. 15 1:!.he1 1:!.d6 16 1ιχc6?!

16 4:Jf4! is more comfortable for White to play than Black. 16 ... 1:!.xc6 17 1:!.d4 nac8 18 1:!.a4 a6 19 nb4 1:!.8c7 20 ~d2 d4 21 1:!.xd4 1ιχa2 22 t2Jf4+ ~f6 23 t2Jh5+ ~g6 24 t2Jf4+ ~h6 25 1:!.e3 g6 26 h4 ~g7 27 g4 h6 28 h5 g5 29 t2Jd5 1ιΧd5 30 1:!.xd5 1:!.f6 31 f3 1:!.cc6 32 %:td4 nb6 33 1:!.b4 a5 34 %:txb6 %:txb6 35 1:!.e5 %:td6+ 36 ~c1 %:tf6 37 %:te3 %:tf4 38 ~b2 Φf6 39 ~b3 b5 40 ~b2 a4 41 ~a3 ~g7 42 ~b2 ~f8 43 Φa3 f6 44 Φb2 Φf7 45 ~a3 ~g8 46 ~b2 ~f8 4 7 ~a3 Φf7 48 Φb2 f5 49 1:!.d3 Φθ6 50 %:te3+ Φd5 51 %:td3+ Φc5 52 %:te3 fxg4 53 fxg4 1:!.xg4 54 1:!.e6 ΥΖ - ΥΖ

1 e4 c5 2 t2Jc3 e6 3 g3 d5 4 JLg2 It is more accurate for White to cap­

ture οη d5 first as here Black has the option to play 4 ... dxe4, giving him a comfortable position: ... 4:Jc6, ... iιe7, ... 4:Jf6 and so οη. However, 4 ... d4 isn't that great. White gets a favourable re­versed Κing's Indίan. 4 ... t2Jf6 5 exd5 exd5 6 d4

119

The Closed Sicilian

6 l2Jge2 or 6 d3 are more usua1. 6 ... cxd4 7 ~xd4 tΔc6 8 'iYa4!?

That's the new idea. 8 'iVdl is too passive. After 8 ... d4 9 l2Jce2 iιc5 10 l2Jf3 iιf5 11 ο-ο ο-ο 12 l2Jf4 Black had a space advantage, and ηο difficulties (the pawn οη c2 is also weak) ίη Sut­tles-Tal, Hastings 1973/74.

8 ... d4 Simple development also wasn't

bad: 8 ... iιe7 9 l2Jge2 iιd7! tests White's idea. If 10 'iVb3 here, then 1O ... l2Ja5 is embarrassing. 9 tΔce2 .id7 1 Ο ~b3 1ιb4+ 11 c3 iιa5 12 tΔf3 dxc3 13 tΔxc3

Instead of this Ι would suggest 13 bxc3 ο-ο 14 ο-ο iιb6 15 ~dl or 13 ο-ο!? with play for a pawn. 13 ... ~e7+ 14 Sιe3 1ιe6 15 'iYa4 tΔd5 16 ο-ο iιxc3 17 bxc3

Why Black now takes οη c3 is be­yondme. 17 ... tΔxc3

17 ... l2Jxe3 18 fxe3 ο-ο is very good for Black. 18 ~c2 tΔd5 19 1ιc5 'V/IJc7 20 1:tac1 a6 21 'V/IJb2 1:tg8 22 tΔd4 tΔxd4 23 iιxd4 ~d7 241:tfe1 g5 25 1:tcd1 1:tc8 26 .if6 Φf8 27 1:txd5 1ιχd5 28 ~a3+ 1-0

120

1 e4 c5 2 tΔc3 e6 3 g3 d5 4 exd5 exd5 5 iιg2 d4

More normal is 5 .... l2Jf6, as in Games 85-90. The pawn advance is generally frowned υροη by established theory because of ... 6 'V/IJe2+!

This check is rather awkward.

6 ... i.e7! Not 6 ... iιe6? 7 iιxb7 or 6 ... 'iVe7 7

l2Jd5 'iVxe2+ 8 l2Jxe2 with a great lead ίη development. 7 tΔd5 tΔc6 8 d3 iιe6 9 tΔf4 iιd7 1 Ο g4!?

Radical, but if White is content to draw then 10 l2Jd5 iιe6 11 l2Jf4 iιd7 12 l2Jd5 was agreed drawn by repeti­tion ίη Davies-Beim, Tel Ανίν 1992. 10 ... tΔf6 11 g5 tΔg4 12 tΔd5 tΔge5 13 iιf4 tΔg6 14 iί..c7 ~c8 15 h4 .te6 16 i.g3 i.d8 17 h5 tΔge7 18 h6 tΔxd5 19 hxg7 1:tg8 20 .ixd5 1:txg7 21 tΔf3 'V/IJd7 22 iιxe6

After 22 iιe4!? or 22 iιb3!? the ρο­sition stilllooks favourable to White.

22 ... 'iVxe6 23 'iVxe6+ fxe6 24 'it>f1 'it>d7 25 1:!.h6 !i.e7 26 1:!.e1 1:!.f8 27 'it>g2 1:!.gf7 28 tΔe5+ Υι -Υι

Ι don't think that the assessment οί this line has changed; Black must suf­fer for a while ίί he plays 5 ... d4.

:c,~, Game8~. ·'Casper-Vaiser c

.. ··ΆrBerlin 1982

1 e4 c5 2 tΔc3 e6 3 g3 d5 4 exd5 exd5 5 !i.g2 tΔf6 6 d3

For 6l2Jge2 see Games 88-90.

6 ... d4 Ιη Game 87 Black delays this move

ίη favour οί 6 ... i.e7. 7 tΔe4 tΔxe4 8 !i.xe4

8 dxe4 is the subject οί the next game. It is impossible to say which is better; it is purely a matter οί taste. 8 dxe4 unbalances the position a little more, while 8 i.xe4 is extremely safe: Black has ηο point ίη White's position which he can attack. 8 ... tΔd7!

If the knight isn't played over to the kingside, then Black may αιη into dif­ficulties. 9 tΔe2 tΔf6 1 Ο !i.g2 !i.d6 11 ο-ο ο-ο

Black ρlays ... e7-e6 and ... d7-d5

12 h3 1:!.b8 13 iLf4 b5 14 .i.xd6 'iVxd6 15 tΔf4 1:!.e8 16 tΔh5 tΔd5 17 'iVf3 ~b7 18 'iVg4 'i'g6 19 1:!.fe1 'it>f8 20 'iVh4 h6 21 ~xd5 .i.xd5 22 tΔf4 'iVd6 23 tΔxd5 'iVxd5 24 ~f4 1:!.bc8 25 b3

Α typical scenario for this variation. Black has managed to quell White's slight initiative, and the one open file ensures that further liqUΊdation is about to occur. Yawn. vaίser battles οη but he never had any serious win­ning chances. 25 ... c4 26 bxc4 bxc4 27 dxc4 'iVxc4 28 a3 'iVc3 29 ~d6+ 'it>g8 30 1:!.xe8+ 1:!.xe8 31 1:!.d1 1:!.e4 32 ~b8+ 'it>h7 33 'iVb3 1:!.e2 34 'iVxc3 dxc3 35 1:!.d7 a5 36 1:!.xf7 1:!.xc2 37 1:!.c7 1:!.c1 + 38 'it>g2 'it>g6 39 1:!.c5 a4 40 'it>f3 'it>f6 41 'it>e2 c2 42 'it>d3 1:!.a 1 43 1:!.xc2 1:!.xa3+ 44 'it>e4 1:!.b3 45 1:!.c6+ 'it>f7 46 1:!.c7+ 'it>g6 47 1:!.c6+ 'it>h7 48 1:!.a6 a3 49 h4 1:!.b4+ 50 'it>f3 1:!.b3+ 51 'it>e4 Υι - Υι

1 e4 c5 2 tΔc3 e6 3 g3 d5 4 exd5 exd5 5 ~g2 tΔf6 6 d3 d4 7 tΔe4

121

The Closed Sicilian

l2Jxe4 8 dxe4 Objectiνely, this might be ηο better

than 8 j,xe4, but it is certainly more . . lnterestlllg.

8 ... .1ιθ7 9 l2Je2 Playing the knight to d5 straight­

away is the correct plan. 9 f4 and tLJf3 haνe also been tried, but Black's queenside pawn majority is more dan­gerous ίη that case. 9 ... 0-0 1 Ο ο-ο l2Jc6 11 l2Jf4 ~θ8 12 l2Jd5 Α beautiful square for the beast. It is

now much harder for Black to ad­νance the queenside pawns. 12 ... ~d6

13 c4 This is the most sound moνe, ce-

122

menting the knight and also blocking Black's pawns.

13 f4!? is fairly crude, when 13 ... ~b8 14 c4 i..f8 15 e5 i..e6 16 ~e4 led to a powerful attack for White ίη Lommen-Ottens, Porz 1991. Ι would haνe put a stop to the pawns immedi­ately with 13 ... f5. 13 ... dxc3

Black remoνes one of the knight's supports, but ίη so doing giνes away his protected passed pawn and, more to the point, giνes White use of the d­file. Alternatiνely, 13 ... tLJe7 14 ~g5! iYd7 (not 14 ... f6 15 i..xf6 gxf6 16 tLJxf6+ Φg7 17 tLJxe8+ iYxe8 18 f4 and the pawn storm is ultimately irresisti­ble) 15 ~xe7 ~xe7 16 f4 b6 17 'tid3 i..b7 18 ~ae1 with a strong initiatiνe. 14 bxc3 ~b8 15 'iVc2 .i.e6 16 1:I.d1 f6 17 ~f4 i.xf4 18 l2Jxf4 'iVe7 19 l2Jxe6

White plays ίη classical style, secur­ing a large and permanent positional adνantage. It was also possible to start hacking with 19 e5!?, threatening tLJxe6 and i..d5, e.g. 19 ... iιc4 20 e6 ~bd8 21 i..e4 with a juicy attack. 19 ... 'iVxe6 20 ~d5 'iVe7 21 %:tad1 ~bd8 22 'iVb3 l2Ja5 23 'iVb5 b6 24 ~d7 a6 25 ~a4

25 ~e7? would haνe spoilt eνery­thing: 25 ... :xdl+ 26 iιH axb5 27 ~xe8+ Φf7 28 ~b8 tLJc4 and Black is back ίη the game. The key to the posi­tion is to keep the knight trapped οη the edge. 25 ... ~xd7 26 ~xd7 'iVe5 27 ~d5 ~θ7 28 f4 ~d8 29 e5 1:I.xd5 30 .i.xd5+ Wf8 31 ~θ4! 96 32 94

Korchnoi claims that 32 e6! iYd6 33 f5 is the most powerful continuation.

32 ... fxe5 33 ~xe5 ~xe5 34 fxe5 Φe7 35 Φf2 ~d7 36 Φe3 lΔc6 37 Φe4lΔe7

37 ... b5 38 e6+ Wd6 39 iιxc6 Wxc6 40 We5 a5 41 Wf6 b4 42 e7 wins. 38.1Lb7!

Forcing a crucial weakness οη the queenside. 38 ... a5

The game is reminiscent of the fa­mous endgame Fischer-Taimanov from their Candidates match ίη 1971. 39 a4! Φc7 40 kd5 g5 41 kc4 Φd7 42 kf7 Φc7 43 ke8! 'it>d8 44 kb5 Φc7 45 h3 h6 46 c4

Zugzwang. 46 ... Φd8 47 e6! lΔc8

Or 47 ... Wc7 48 We5. 48Φe5

48 wd5 We7 49 iιd7 tΔd6 50 j,c6 tΔc8 51 iιb5 tΔd6 52 j,d7 Zugzwang. 48 ... Φe7 49 kd7 lΔd6 50 'it>d5! lΔb7 51 Φc6 lΔd6 52 'it>xb6 lΔxc4+ 53 Φχc51-0

' ..• <;. Game 8'1>' Murey-Ungure ~>ιi;~

Cdppftl1e la' Grande Qpen 1995

1 e4 c5 2 lΔc3 e6 3 g3 d5 4 exd5

Black ρlays ... e7-e6 and ... d7-d5

exd5 5 ..tg2 lΔf6 6 d3 .1Le7 7 lΔge2 d4 8lΔe4 ο-ο

8 ... tΔxe4 would be fairly dull if White recaptured with the bishop: 9 iιxe4 tΔd7 10 ο-ο ο-ο 11 iιg2 tΔf6 12 iιg5 h6 13 j,xf6 iιxf6 14 tΔf4 iιe5 15 iYf3 !:ιb8 16 !:ιfe1 !:ιe8 17 !:ιe2 iVd6 18 !:ιae 1 iιd7 19 tΔd5 b6 when White is minutely better, but if Black is sensi­ble, and he was, then a draw is ίη the bag, as ίη Taimanoν-Polugayeνsky, USSR Championship 1965. However, 9 dxe4 isn't bad, as we have seen. 9 lΔxf6+ ..txf6 1 Ο ο-ο t2Jc6 11 t2Jf4 ke5

11 ... tΔe5 transposes to Chigorin­Tarrasch, Ostend 1907 (hot theory!), which continued 12 tΔd5 iιg4 13 f3 ~e6 14 tΔxf6+ iVxf6 15 f4 tΔc6 16 iYh5 with a clear advantage to White, according to ECo. 12 J::!.e1 ..td6 13 ~h5

The difference between this game and the one ίη the note above is that Black' s king is less well protected: the manoeuvre ... tΔd7-f6 is ίmportant to Black's defence, as we see ίη the next game.

13 ... lΔe7 14 .td2 J::!.b8 15 a4 a5 16 J::!.e2.td7 17 b3 b6 18 J::!.ae1 .tc6 19

123

The Closed Sicilian

~xc6 12Jxc6 20 12Jd5 12Jb4 21 iιg5 f6 22 iιxf6 gxf6 23 12Je7+ Φh8 24 12Jg6+ Φg7 25 12Jxf8 'iVxf8 26 'iVg4+ Φh6 27 'iVh3+ Φg6 28 1:!.e4 h5 29 g4 h4 30 'iVf3 'iVh6 31 'iVf5+ Φg7 32 'iVd7+ Φg8 33 'iVxd6 1:!.f8 34 1:!.e8 12Jxc2 35 'iVd5+ 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 12Jc3 e6 3 g3 d5 4 exd5 exd5 5 ~g2 12Jf6 6 12Jge2 d4 7 12Je4 12Jxe4 8 iιxe4 12Jd7 9 ο-ο 12Jf6 1 Ο iιg2 ~d6

Kasparov has carried out the stan­dard manoeuvre, ... tbd7-f6, and looks set to completely equalise. (He actu­ally assesses the position after 11 d3 ο-ο 12 Sιf4 ':'e8 as slightly better for Black.) But Spassky has a different idea ίn mίnd.

11 c3! One of the points behind this move

is that after 11 ... dxc3 White recaptures with the d-pawn - see Game 90. 11 ... d3!?

Mixing ίι. Kasparov judges the posi­ιίοn after 11 ... 0-0 12 cxd4 cxd4 13 d3

124

':'e8 to be equal. See the next game ΙΟ find ουΙ whether this is true! 12l2Jf4 ο-ο

12 ... Sιxf4 13 'iia4+ i..d7 14 ':'e1+ Φf8 15 iYxf4 is good for White, as the bishop can always emerge after b2-b3. 13 12Jxd3 iιxg3 14 fxg3! Νοι 14 hxg3 'iixd3 15 'iif3 Sιf5!

14 ... 'iVxd3 15 'iVf3 'iVxf3 15 ... .:.d8 16 'iixd3 !Ixd3 17 1'Ϊe1 fol­

lowed by iιH should untangle and then the bishops have some fun. 16 iιxf3 ~h3 17 ~xb7

17 ':'dl tbg4 was played ίn an ob­scure game ίn Germany, but as Kas­parov poίnts ουΙ, the logical move is to exchange bishops with l7 ... iιg4!, solving Black's problems. 17 ... llae8

After 17 ... i..xf1 18 iιxa8 .i.d3 19 iιf3 ':'e8 20 b3 White untangles, re­maining a pawn υρ - Kasparov. 18 ~g2 iιxg2 19 Φχg2 1:I.e2+ 20 1:!.f2 1:!.fe8 21 b3

21 ':'xe2 isn't much of an improve­ment: 21 ... .:.xe2+ 22 Φf3 .:.xh2 23 b3 tbd7 24 d4 cxd4 25 cxd4 f5 26 a4 Φf7 27 b4 tbf6 28 i..e3 1:Ib2 29 d5 1:Ixb4 30 .iιxa7 tbxd5 31 a5 and eventually drawn ίn Dudek-pfrommer, Germany 1996. 21 ... 1:!.xf2+ 22 Φχf2 12Jg4+ 23 Φg2 f5 Νοι 23 ... .:.e1? 24 .i.b2 1:Ie2+ 25 Φf3

1:Ixd2 26 .i.a3 tbxh2+ 27 Φe4 with a clear advantage (ΚasΡarοv). 24 h3 12Je5 25 d4 cxd4 26 cxd4 12Jd3 27 iιg5 h6 28 1:!.d1 hxg5 29 1:!.xd3 1:!.e2+ 30 Φf3 1:I.xa2 31 d5 Φf7 32 d6 Φe8 %-% Α likely finish being: 33 l::ϊe3 Φd7

34 !Ie7 Φd6 35 ':'g7 1::ϊb2 36 :g5 Φe6

37 Φf4 ~f2 38 Φe3 ~b2. Equal. These notes were based ση Kasparov' s illu­mίnating comments ίη In/ormator 33.

1 e4 c5 2 lίJc3 e6 3 lίJge2 lίJf6 4 g3 d5 5 exd5 exd5 6 i.g2 d4 7 lίJe4

lίJxe4 8 i.xe4 lίJd7 9 ο-ο lίJf6 1 Ο iιg2 ~d6 11 c3 ο-ο

Varying from Kasparov's 11 ... d3.

12 cxd4 cxd4 13 d3 1:te8 This is the position that Kasparov

assessed as equal. Let's see. 14lίJf4

This knight is White's problem. If it were ση c4, then everything would be fine, but at the moment it is ση a bad circuit, and rather gets ίη the way. 14 liJxd4 is obviously critical; but Black has 14 ... ~xg3 15 hxg3 νi'xd4, when he is very active. Note also that 14 ~f4? wouldn't be too bright: 14 ... ~g4 15 f3 ~h5 and there is a gaping whole for Black to fill ση e3. 14 ... ~b6!

Putting pressure ση b2 and protect­ing b7 enabling the bishop to move.

Black plays ... e7-e6 and ... d7-d5

15 ~b3! ~a5 16 ~c2 ~f5 17 i..d2 i.b4 18 ~xb4 ~xb4 19 a3 ~b5 20 ~d2 h6 21 h4 1:tac8 22 1:tfc1

'Equal' is the correct assessment, though Black now overplays his hand. 22 ... b6 23 1:txc8 l:1xc8 24 1:tc1 1:tc5 25 b4 1:txc1+ 26 νi'xc1 ~e5 27 νi'd2 Φf8 28 i-f3 g5 29 hxg5 hxg5 30 lίJe2 i.g4 31 iιxg4 lίJxg4 32 'iib2 ~b8 33 ~xd4 Υ:ι - Υ:ι

1 e4 c5 2 lίJc3 e6 3 g3 d5 4 exd5 exd5 5 iιg2 lίJf6 6 lίJge2 d4 7 lίJe4 lίJxe4 8 iιxe4 lίJd7 9 ο-ο lίJf6 1 Ο ~g2 iιd6 11 c3 dxc3? Α poor move. Black underestimates

White's position.

12 dxc3 ο-ο 13 νi'c2 The pawn ση c5 is ugly: there is

nothing to stop the bishop ση g2 rak­ing across the board, and the bishop ση d6 is misplaced as it stands, without support ση the open file. 13 ... 1:tb8? 14 1:td1 ~e7 15 1:txd6 ~xd6 16 i..f4 'iie7 17 i..xb8 i..g4 18 ~xa7 1-0

125

The Closed Sicilian

Summary

Ιη Games 82 and 83 an early d2-d4 was interesting, but Ι suspect not enough for the advantage if Black plays accurately. Game 86 was the most dynamίc way for White to play - at least the pawn structure becomes unbalanced. Spassky's idea was interesting, but agaίnst accurate play should be fine for Black, as Games 88 and 89 both showed. Ιη conclusion, 2 ... e6 3 g3 d5 remaίns a solid and viable ορ­tion for Black.

1 e4 c5 2 tΔc3 e6 3 g3

3 ... d54 exd5 4 j,g2lbf6 5 exd5 exd5 - see Games 85·90

4 ... exd5 5 ~g2 5 d4 cxd4 6 ~xd4 lbf6 (D)

7 .i.g5 - Game 82 7 .i.g2 - Game 83

5 ... tΔf6 5 ... d4 - Game 84

6 d3 6lbge2 d4 7lbe4 lbxe4 8 j,xe4lbd7 9 ο-ο ltJf6 10 ..tg2 ..td6 11 c3 (D)

11 ... d3 - Game 88 11 ... 0-0 - Game 89 11 ... dxc3 - Game 90

6 ... d4 6 ... ..te7 - Game 87

7 tΔθ4 tΔxθ4 (Ο) 8 ~xθ4 8 dxe4 - Game 86

8 ... tΔd7 - Game 85

6 ... tΔf6

126

11 c3 7 ... tΔxe4

1 e4 c5 2 93

Strictly speaking, this fina1 chapter doesn't really fall into the category of the 'Closed Sicilian', which is nor­ma11y classed as a11 positions arising out of 1 e4 c5 2 LΔc3 LΔc6 3 g3. I've decided to include a chapter οη 2 g3 as ίη certain cases White can achieve a much improved version of the kind of Closed Sicilian positions which Ι ex­amίned ίη the first four chapters. Υ ου might reca11 that ίη many

games White experienced difficulties οη the 10ng diagonal: the pawn οη b2 was sometimes νulnerable; the knight οη c3 could be attacked by the b­pawn; and it was often difficult to ex­pel the knight οη d4. So οη the face of it, leaving the knight οη b 1 and play­ing the pawn to c3 makes good sense. This system, often named 'The Clamp' as White intends squashing Black οη a11 sides of the board, has a good reputation. As with the usua1 Closed Sicilian with LΔc3, White can play the system ίη many different ways (the same applies to Black as well) , so an understanding of typica1

positions is often more important than 'variations' - there aren't any.

Theoretica1 ορίηίοη has not yet crysta11ised οη this system. However, getting into the system is often the problem. Many players (myself ίη­cluded) like to begin with 1 g3 g6 2 .tg2 iιg7 3 e4 and so οη. The reason being that after 1 e4 c5 2 g3, Black may play the 10gica1 move 2 ... d5!, cut­ting across White's plans completely. I'm not saying that this is good for Black, the position is very compli­cated, but it prevents White setting υρ his 'Clamp" (See Games 91-93.) ΑΙ­ternatively, White can play 1 e4 c5 2 d3, hoping that Black makes the stan­dard moves .... g7-g6, ... iιg7 etc., and doesn't 100k at what is going οη ίη front of him. If Black is a1ert, and ca­pable of playing other systems, then 2 ... LΔc6 3 g3 d5! 4 lbd2 will transpose to some kind οί reversed Κing's Ιη­dian, though that mίght not be to eve­ryone's taste.

Games 94-103 feature the Clamp ίη a11 its glory.

127

The Closed Sicilian

, ",' : Game:91 '. , 'Sepp .. Malisauskas .. '

1 e4 c5 2 g3 d5 Black takes advantage of the fact

that White has omitted tiJc3 and breaks ίη the centre. As the long di­agonal is slightly νulnerable, this is a sound and potentially dangerous move for White to meet. He must already compromιse.

3 exd5 ~xd5 4 tιJf3 The only decent move. 4 iVf3 iVxf3

5 lΔxf3 tiJc6 promises White nothing and ίη fact Ι prefer Black as he has a space advantage. 4 ... iιg4 5 iιg2 ~e6+

If it weren't for this check, then White could castle and perhaps take advantage of the queen οη ds.

6 Wf1

It's a trade off. White would rather not have his king οη f1, blocking ίη the rook οη h1, but Black is also a lit­tle behind ίη development as the queen blocks the e-pawn. White is forced to move his king since 6 iVe2 'iVxe2+ 7 ~xe2 tiJc6 gives Black a

128

pleasant endgame. 6 ... iιh3

This is the old move, originally rec­ommended by theory. Ιη principle one would like to exchange off the bishop οη g2, but here Black is taking liberties. He is already lagging ίη de­velopment, and this gives White a chance. 6 ... tiJc6 is the subject of Games 92 and 93. 7 b4!?

This shocking move is White's best chance of upsetting Black. Instead 7 d4 doesn't achieve the desired effect, e.g. 7 ... cxd4 8 tiJxd4 'iVd7 9 tiJc3 tiJc6 10 tiJxc6 'i!fxc6 11 iVdS 'i!fxd5 12 tiJxd5 .txg2+ 13 ~xg2 0-0-0 should be equal once Black develops οη the kingside, as ίη Pachman-Taimanov, Buenos Αί­res 1960. 7 tiJc3 tiJc6 8 d3 'i!fd7 9 i..e3 .txg2+ 10 ~xg2 e6 is also level 7 ... cxb48 a3

White knocks out one of Black's centre pawns so that he can roll for­ward with his own. The pawn sacri­fice also opens up files and diagonals for the attack. 8 ... b3

8 ... tiJc6 9 axb4 tiJxb4 10 tiJa3 'iVd7 11 d4 i..xg2+ 12 ~xg2 e6 13 c4 is a quite typical position ίη which White has a tremendous initiative, as ίη Korolev-Panjushkin, Correspondence 1978. 9 tιJc3

Rapid development is crucial. 9 ... tιJf6 10 1:tb1 iιxg2+

Or 1O ... g6 11 ~xb3 (Κοrοleν­Rusakov, Correspondence 1978) and now Lepeshkin analyses 11 ... b6!? 12 tiJbs tiJa6 13 1:e3 'iVd7 14 iVe2 i..h6 15 1:d3 iVe6 16 'iVxe6 i..xe6 17 tiJfd4 as

being better for White. 11 Wxg2 ~c6 12 g,xb3 e6 13 d4 !iLe7 14 d5!

14 ... ~c8 If 14 ... exd5 15 .ί:le1 giνes White an

irresistible attack and 14 ... lLJxd5 like­wise: 15 lLJxd5 νi'xd5 16 νi'xd5 exd5 17 .ί:le1.

15 ~e2 ο-ο 16 dxe6 fxe6 17 g,e1 !iLc5 18 ~xe6+ ~xe6 19 g,xe6 b6 20 liJe4 liJbd7 21 !iLb2 liJxe4 22 g,xe4 liJf6 23 g,e2 g,ae8 24 g,xe8 g,xe8 25 liJe5 g,c8 26 g,d3! !iLe7 27 c4 Φf8 28 Wf3 We8 29 g4 g,c5 30 g5 liJg8 31 h4 h6 32 Wg4 hxg5 33 hxg5 b5 34 g,h3 bxc4 35 g,h8 c3 36 g,xg8+ !iLf8 37 liJg6 1-0

6 ... iιh3 has been discredited by 7 b4! Black has to be νery foolish or νery braνe to go into this sacrifice.

1 e4 c5 2 g3 d5 3 exd5 ~xd5 4 liJf3 .tg4 5 .tg2 ~e6+ 6 Wf1 liJc6!

This is stronger than 6 ... .i.h3. Black thinks about deνeloping the rest of his pieces, and it is also useful to maintain

2 g3

the ρίη οη the knight.

7 h3

It is best to flick this moνe ίη. White prepares to break the ρίη and rules out ... .i.h3. 7 ... !iLh5 8 liJc3

8 d3 is considered ίη the next game 8 ... liJf6

This is the most popular moνe here, but Ι don't think it is the most accu­rate. After 8 ... νi'd7 9 d3 e6 10 a4 lLJf6 11 a5 .ί:ld8! 12 g4 .i.g6 13 lLJh4 iιe7 14 lLJxg6 hxg6 15 h4 a6 16 .i.e3 νi'c7 17 g5 lLJh5 the game was already swinging ίη Black's direction ίη Short-Sνeshnikoν, European C1ub Cup 1992. 9 d3 ~d7 1 Ο g4 iιg6 11 lίJh4

White grabs the two bishops, but at the cost of compromising his kingside pawn structure. 11 .i.f4!? e6 12 g5 lLJg8 13 νi'e1lLJge7 14 h4 .i.h5 15 lLJe5lLJxe5 16 .i.xe5 lLJc6 17 a4 was better for White ίη Speelman-Sunye Neto, Graz 1981, and still hasn't been improνed upon. 11 ... e6!

This is the structure that Black should aim for. It is important to coνer a few of the light squares. 1 2 !iLe3 .te 7

129

The Closed Sicilian

13 l2Jxg6 13 g5 is worth considering ίη this

position, e.g. 13 ... ~h5 (13 .. .'~:Jh5 is met by 14 iιί3, but 13 ... ttJd5!? is pos­sible) 14 'iVe1 ttJg8 (not 14 ... ttJd5? 15 ttJxd5 exd5 16 iιxc5) 15 ttJe4 ttJd4 16 'iVc3.1:1c8 17 b4 b6 18 bxc5 e5 19 ~xd4 exd4 20 'iVb3 (perhaps 20 'iVd2!? iιxc5 21 11e 1, and ίί 21 ... ttJe7? 22 ttJf6+ gxf6 23 gxf6) 20 ... iιxc5 21 11e1ttJe7 22ttJg3 ~g6 23ttJxg6 hxg6 24 h4 11d8 25 iιe4 Φί8 26 Φg2 ~d6 27 :e2 :c8 and Black was fine ίη Shaw-Wells, Oak­ham 1994. 13 ... hxg6 14 h4

For the moment Hort is careful not to lunge forward with the g-pawn. That would cede the ί5 and h5 squares to Black. White would have a promis­ing position ίί he could find a safe place for his king - he has a superb bishop οη g2, and the makings οί a pawn storm οη the kingside - but that isn't easy. The position οί the king also means that the rooks don't con­nect. 14 ... l2Jd4! Α powerful square for the knight: it

hits c2 and restricts the movement οί White's queen.

130

15 a41::td8! As one mίght expect from Ribli, his

strategy is careful and sensible: he clears his pieces from the long diago­nal out οί the line οί the bishop οη g2. White can make little progress οη the queenside. 161::th3 Φf8 Α curious situation: both kings have

been displaced, though this is rather common for this line. Black is right not to castle. Ιη that case he would face the pawn storm. 17 Φg1 b6 18 1::tc1 Φg8 19 b3 1::th7 20 Φh1 1::th8 21 g5

Hort can think οί ηο other way to proceed. This does give him a little more room to manoeuvre, but it also gives Black some squares as wel1. 21 ... l2Je8 22 ~g4 l2Jd6! 23 l2Je4 'ii'c8 24 l2Jxd6 iLxd6 25 iLe4 l2Jf5 26 Φg2 .ite5 27 1::tch1 1::th5 28 .i.f3 iLd4 29 ~θ4 1::th8 30 .itf4 'ii'd7 ΥΖ - ΥΖ

Neither side can make much prog­ress. If White breaks with 31 h5, then 31 ... gxh5 32 ~xh5 g6 33 iιg4 :xh3 34 11xh3 Φg7 and Black remains solid.

1 e4 c5 2 g3 d5 3 exd5 ~xd5 4 l2Jf3 .i.g4 5 .i.g2 ~θ6+ 6 Φf1 l2Jc6 7 h3 iLh5 8 d3 ~d7!

As we saw ίη the previous game, it is best to delay developing the knight to f6. 9 l2Ja3

9 g4 iιg6 10 ttJh4 e6 11ttJa3 iιe7 12 ttJxg6 hxg6 13 ttJc4 ttJf6 14 a4 ttJd5 15 iιd2 g5 16 a5 11d8 was similarly good

for Black ίη King-Sveshnikov, Neu Isenburg 1992. Ι thrashed around οη the queenside, but eventually the weaknesses ίη my kingside told. De­laying .. .'~Jf6 enables Black to 'clear υρ' the situation οη the kingside by playing ... ~e7, forcing the capture. Now you know why Ι prefer to enter the 'Clamp' system via the move or­der 1 g3 g6 2 ~g2 ~g7 3 e4. 9 ... e6 1 Ο t2Jc4 f6

Another reason for delaying ... lΔf6. Black has managed to organise the bishop's escape. White now has little to compensate for his poor king posi­tion.

11 ~θ3 Iιd8! Usually the best square for the rook

ίη this line. White was threatening to break out with g3-g4 and d3-d4. 12 g4 .1ιf7 13 a4 b6 14 ~θ2 t2Jge7 15 jιf4 t2Jd5 16 .1ιg3 .1ιθ7 17 h4 ο-ο 18 h5 h6 19 t2Jh4 t2Jd4 20 ~d1 e5 21 g5

I11-judged, but Ι don't trust White's position anyway: his king is badly placed and Black is tremendously powerful ίη the centre. 21 ... fxg5 22 t2Jxe5 ~θ6 23 .1ιh3 gxh4 24 .1ιΧθ6 .1ιΧθ6 25 Φg 1 hxg3

2 g3

26 fxg3 t2Je3 27 ~d2 ~g5 0-1

1 e4 c5 2 d3 g6 3 g3 .1ιg7 4 .1ιg2 e6 5 f4 t2Je7 6 t2Jf3 ο-ο 7 ο-ο t2Jbc6 8 c3

This is one of the basic starting ρο­sitions of the 'C1amp'. Ι have found it difficult to organise these C1amp games into a sensible structure. First because οί the vast number οί games played with the system; and second because there aren't neat lines and es­tablished variations to give guidance. Therefore, Ι have grouped the games according to similar early mίdd1egame plans rather than specific variations. For instance, Games 94-96 feature an early ... d7 -d5 from Black; ίη Games 97-99 Black plays ... e7-e5; and 100-103, others. The difficulties I've had order­ing these games ref1ects one οί Black's problems. He does have a wide choice οί plans, and to a certain extent may choose how he wishes to position his pawns ίη the centre; but which is the best? As a White player, Ι have used

131

The Closed Sicilian

the Clamp οη several occasions and found that my opponents were often racked by indecision. For the sake of comparison, 8 tt:Jc3 would be a 'normal' C10sed Sicilian. 8 ... b6

Here's a good example of the inde­cision Ι mentioned above: 8 ... Ilb8 9 J.e3 b6 (if he had wanted to keep playing for ... b7-b5, then 9 ... d6 was the move) 10 tt:Ja3 J.b7 11 J.f2 d6 12 'iiYd2 ~a6 (another change of mind) 13 tt:Jc2 e5 (and another!) 14 Ilfe1 exf4 15 gxf4 'iiYc7 16 d4 Ilfe8 17 Ilad1 Ilbd8 18 d5 lba5 19 b3 J.c8 20 lbe3 lbb7 21 ~h4 with an enormous position for White ίη King-Gunawan, London 1994. 9 liJa3

As c3 has been taken from the knight, this is probably the best square for it, eyeing c4 and b5. Very often the knight drops back to c2, and then over to e3, ίη the long-term. 9 ... ~a6 10 .ίIe1 d5

1O ... d6 is a more patient approach, although the game Shchekachev­Khalifman, St Petersburg Open 1994, showed that even the strongest players ίη the world aren't entirely at ease οη the black side of the position: 11 ~e3 l1c8 12 ~f2 'iiYd7 13 tt:Jc2 ~b7 14 'iiYe2 !:!fe8 15 ~ad1 a6 16 d4 cxd4 17 tt:Jfxd4 'iiYc7 and White stands more com­fortably (this was a good choice of opening agaίnst Khalifman who is usually well-versed ίη the maίn lines of openings). 11 e5

Ιη general, this kind of pawn struc­ture favours White as he has good chances to build an attack οη the king-

132

side ίη the long-term. The plan is usu­ally g3-g4 and f4-f5. Obviously, it takes a lot of organising, but the space advantage helps.

11 ... d4?! Black was worried that White was

going to play d3-d4 himself (possibly), but this is an over-reaction. Ν ow White can use the e4 square for a bishop or, better, a knight. 12 c4 'iVd7 13 liJg5! tΔf5 14 liJc2 iιb7 15 jVe2 .ίIae8 16 tΔe4!

White is ready to push with g3-g4, or break with b2-b4 οη the queenside. Black has to break himself before he gets squashed, but White still holds the trumps. 16 ... f6 17 exf6 iιxf6 18 tΔxf6+ .ίIxf6 19 a3 e5 20 iιd5+ .ίIfe6 21 b4! b5 22 bxc5 bxc4 23 ~xc4 Φg7 24 iιxe6 .ίIxe6 25 .ίIb 1 ~a8 26 ~f2 'iVd5 27 .ίIe4 ~xc5 28 g4 liJd6 29 f5 liJxe4 30 dxe4 .ίIe8 31 iιh6+ Φg8 32 fxg6 tΔd8 33 'iVf6 'iVc7 34.ίIf1 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 d3 g6 3 g3 ~g7 4 ~g2

tZJc6 5 f4 e6 6 tZJf3 tZJge 7 7 ο-ο ο-ο 8 c3 b6 9 jιe3

Often they will transpose, but White can choose to leave the knight οη b 1 for a while if he wishes and perhaps develop it to d2 or, if the cen­tre clears, c3 after all.

9 ... .i.a6 1 Ο tZJa3 10 iιf2 "VJHc7 (1O ... e5!? 11 fxe5 4Jxe5

124Jxe5 ~xe5 13 Iϊe1 ~g7 14 d44Jc6 15 e5 Iϊc8 16 4Jd2 d5 17 a3 cxd4 18 cxd4 f6 was fine for Black ίη Maki­Sadler, Tyniste 1995) 11 Iϊe1 Iϊae8 12 4Ja3 f5 13 d4 (13 e5! looks stronger to me: 13 ... d6 144Jg54Jd8 15 exd6 "VJHxd6 16 "VJHb3 4Jec6 17 4Jb5 "VJHd7 18 a4) 13 ... fxe4 14 Iϊxe4 c4 worked out well for Black ίη Mikac-Zagrebelny, Ljubl­jana Open 1994. 10 ... d5 11 e5 f6

Black is wise to play this before it is too late. Thereafter his position is less cramped. 12 exf6 .i.xf6 13 ~e1

13 ~f2 e5 14 fxe5 4Jxe5 15 4Jxe5 Sιxe5 16 Iϊe1 "VJHd6 17 d4 iιg7 18 ~e3 1'Iad8 19 "VJH a4 was better for White ίη Arkhipov-Nevostrujev, Vladivostock 1995, but Black isn't obliged to play ... e6-e5.

2 g3

13 .. .'iVd7 14 ~f2 tZJf5 15 g4 tZJg7 16 tZJc2 .i.e 7 17 .i.g3 ~f7 18 ~d2 I:.af8 19 ~f1 ~d6 20 tZJe5 tZJxe5 21 fxe5 jιe7 22 ~xf7 ~xf7 23 tZJe1 d4 24 c4 jιb7 25 .i.xb7 "iVxb7 26 "iVg2 ~xg2+ 27 Φχg2

White is slightly better due to the poor position of Black's knight ση g7, but it is very hard to making anything of it. 27 ... tZJe8 28 tZJf3 a5 29 a3 tZJc7 30 b4 cxb4 31 tZJxd4 bxa3 32 tZJc6 ~c5 33 d4 jιf8 34 jιe1 b5 35 .i.xa5 bxc4 36 tZJd8 ~d7 37 .i.xc7 ~xc7 38 tZJxe6 ~a7 39 d5 .i.b4 40 d6 a2 41 d7 Υ:ι - Υ:ι

Black's opening play was sound and sensible.

1 e4 e6 2 d3 c5 3 g3 tZJc6 4 .i.g2 g6 5 f4 .i.g7 6 tZJf3 tZJge7 7 ο-ο ο-ο 8 c3 d5

Black doesn't mess around and plays the pawn to d5 straίghtaway. At least it is a clear decision .

133

The Closed Sicilian

9 e5 It is also possible to wait for a bit

before making this push. Ι like to gaίn some space οη the queenside: 9 a4 b6 10 liJa3 dxe4 (Black couldn't stand the tension!) 11 dxe4 iιa6 12 liJb5 "iVxd1 13 :Ixd1 :Iad8 14 iιe3, when my space advantage gave me the better prospects ίη King-Hausner, Bundesliga 1992. 9 ... b6

If Black plays ... b7-b5, he might find that the c5 square becomes weak, e.g. 9 ... b5 10 d4! cxd4 11 cxd4 "iVb6 12 iιe3 iιa6 13 liJc3! :Ifc8 14 iιf2 :Ic7 15 g4 b4 16 liJa4 "iVa5 17 :Ie1 :Iac8 18 liJc5! (see what Ι mean) 18 ... iιf8 19 liJxa6 "iVxa6 20 iιf1 "iVb6 21 iιd3 b3 22 a3 liJa5 23 l1e2 liJc4 24 f5 exf5 25 gxf5 liJxf5 26 iιxf5 gxf5 27 iιM with a strong :1tt:1ck ίn Strikovic-Rodriguez Aguilera, Seville 1994. Αη excellent example of White's strategy. 101:ί.e1

Also effective was 10 a4!? iιb7 11 liJa3 liJa5?! 12 b4 cxb4 13 cxb4 liJac6 14 liJc2 "iVd7 15 b5 liJa5 16 liJcd4 with a dominating position ίη Prie-Bacrot, Nice 1994. 10 .. :~d7 11 iιθ3 iιb7 12 iιf21:ί.fd8 13 tιJbd2 Ψlic7 141:ί.c1 tιJb8 15 Ψlie2

134

tιJd7 16 g4 1:ί.f8 17 i..g3 1:ί.ae8 18 d4 Ψlic8 19 h3 i.a6 20 Ψlie3 iLb5 21 tιJb3 Ψlic7 22 tιJh4 iLh6 23 tιJd2 ~b7 24 lZJhf3 Ψlia6 25 i.h4 tιJc6 26 a3 1:ί.c8 27 i..g5 i.xg5 28 tιJxg5 cxd4 29 cxd4 tιJe7 30 Ψlif2 1:ί.χc1 31 1:ί.χc1

1:ί.c8 32 Ψlie1 1:ί.χc1 33 Ψlixc1 ~c8 34 Ψlixc8+ tιJxc8 35 f5 gxf5 36 gxf5 tιJf8 37 fxe6 fxe6 38 h4 h6 39 tιJh3 tιJθ 7 40 'it>f2 tιJf5 41 tιJf3 tιJg6 ~ - ~

Ivanchuk played with great care, but even he found himself under pres­sure.

Now we come to games where Black plays his pawn to e5. Note my move order ίη the next game!

1 g3 c5 2 i..g2 tιJc6 3 e4 e5 4 d3 g6 5 f4 i..g7 6 tιJf3 d6 7 ο-ο tιJge7 8 c3 ο-ο 9 tιJa3

I've reached this position οη a cou­ple of occasions. Black must play with great care. 9 ... b6?

This is an outright blunder. Κing­Stohl, Bundesliga 1994, continued: 9 ... d5 10 "iVe1! (Black finds himself ίη a reversed King' s Indίan - which fa­vours White) 10 ... d4 (or 10 ... exf4 11 gxf4 and White's queen is ready to leap to h4) 11 c4 gave me the better chances, but 11 cxd4 cxd4 12 liJc4 may have been even stronger). 9 ... Φh8 10 f5! gxf5 11 liJh4 fxe4 12 dxe4 iιe6 13 liJf5 iιxf5 14 exf5 f6 15 'iYh5 gave White a strong attack ίη Κing-Fossan, Gausdal 1994. However, 9 ... exf4 is a

solid reaction. I've had some blitz games with J oe Gallagher that went 10 gxf4 (10 iιxf4 is more solid) 10 ... f5 11 'ii'b3+ Φh8 12 tLJg5 tLJa5!? 13 tLJf7+ Φg8 and now White can take a draw if he wants to, or play this ending: 14 tLJxd8+ tLJxb3 15 axb3 .:ί.χd8 which Ι reckon is better for White and J oe thinks is better for Black. The truth is probably somewhere ίη between. 10 f5!

If you have already gone through the earlier chapters then this positional pawn sacrifice ought to be famίliar. 10 ... gxf5 11 lZJh4 fxe4 12 dxe4 jLa6?

Black had to try 12 ... iιe6 13 tLJf5 'ii'd7, but anyway White has great compensation after 14 "iWh5 (14 tLJxg7 Φχg7 15 "iWh5 also isn't bad). 13 1:tf2 Wiic7 14 lZJc2 jLc4 15 lZJe3 jLe6

White has gaίned so much time, that the attack is now irresistible. 16 lZJd5 ~d7 17 lZJf6+ 1ιχf6 18 1:txf6 Φh8 19 lZJf5 lZJg8 20 1ιg 5 1:tad8 21 ~h5 lZJce7 22 lZJxe7 "iYxe7 23 1:taf1 1:tde8 24 jιh3 jLxh3 25 1:txf7 1:txf7 26 1:txf7 ~xf7 27 ~xf7 1:te6 28 Φf2 1:tg6 29 jLd8 a6 30 Φe3 b5 31 ~f8

2 g3

1ιg4 32 ~e7 1-0 Black οηlΥ plays ... e6-e5 later ίη the

game here, but it doesn't 100k particu­larly convincing. His structure is just too flimsy.

1 e4 e6 2 d3 c5 3 g3 lZJc6 4 .i.g2 g6 5 c3 ~g7 6 1ιe3 d6 7 f4 lLJge7 8 lZJf3 ο-ο 9 ο-ο b6 1 Ο lZJa3 ~a6 11 1:te1 ~d7

The game which turned Shirov οη to this variation was 11 ... 1:Ic8 12 d4 cxd4 13 lΔxd4 tLJxd4 14 ii.xd4 e5 15 ii.e3 'ii'd7 16 'ii'b3 exf4 17 .i.xf4 :Ic5 18 :Iad1 ii.e5 19 .iιxe5 1axe5 20 lΔc2 ii.b5 21 'iYa3 tLJc8 22 :d4 !ίfe8 23 'ii'b3 Φg7 24 tLJb4 tLJe7 25 'ii'd1 ~d8 26 c4 .i.c6 27 'ii' d2 tLJc8 28 tLJd3 1:.e7 29 b4 :Ide8 30 c5 "iic7 31 cxd6 tLJxd6 32 e5 .txg2 33 exd6 1-0 Kaίdanov-Shirov, Moscow GMA 1989. Α convincing victory. When White manages to achieve d3-d4 ίη these positions and exchanges the dark-squared bishops, then the combination of weakened kingside and weak pawn οη d6 makes

135

Τhe Closed Sicilian

life awkward for Black. Like the chap who bought the razor company, Shi­rov was so impressed he thought he would try the system ουΙ himself. 12 lbc2 e5 13 d4 cxd4 14 cxd4 exd4

This gives the centre to White. Ιη­stead, what about 14 ... exf4 15 gxf4 (15 iιxf4 is stronger, when White has the slightly better position.) 15 ... d5 16 e5 l2Jf5 with a decent blockade? 15 lbfxd4 J::tac8 16 ~d2 lbxd4 17 lbxd4 ~b7 18 J::tad1 J::tfd8 19 ~f2 ~e8 20 b3 ~d7 21 a4 a6 22 lbe2 b5 23 ~b6 1::te8 24 a5 ~e6 25 lbd4 ~d7 26 J::te3 f5 27 ~h3 d5 28 e5 ~f8 29 ~g2 ~a8 30 nd3 Wh8 31 lbc2 ~g7 32 lbb4 ~b7 33 lbxd5 lbxd5 34 ~xd5 ~xd5 35 J::txd5 ~e6 36 ~d3 g5 37 J::td6 ~e7 38 ~d8 ~f7 39 J::td7 'iVe6 40 ~xg5 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 g3 lbc6 3 ~g2 g6 4 d3 ~g7 5 f4 d6 6 lbf3 e6 7 ο-ο lbge7 8 c3 ο-ο 9 ~e3 b6 10 ~f2

This idea of retreating the bishop

136

back to f2 before developing the knight οη b 1 is a popular way of play­ing the C1amp. One of the advantages is that ίι is useful for the bishop to be out of range of the knight if White pushes οη with e4-e5 after ... d6-d5. However, Black should box clever and meet 10 ~f2 with ... 10 ... e5

This is mildly irritating for White as the f4 pawn doesn't have the same support as ίη the previous game for example. 11 lba3

Instead 11 d4? is a blunder: 11 ... exd4 12 cxd4 ~g4 13 'iYd2 ~xf3 14 ~xf3 l2Jxd4 Wagener-Borge, Υ erevan 01ympiad 1996. 11 f5 is worth a sec­ond glance, but obviously isn't as ef­fective with the bishop οη f2: 11 ... gxf5 12 l2Jh4 fxe4 13 dxe4 iιe6 14 l2Jf5 d5 15 ~g4 l2Jxf5 16 exf5 i.c8 17 .ie3 e4 18 ~h6 'iYf6 19 iιg5 'iYe5 20 l2Jci2 h5 21 'iYxh5 iιxf5 22 .tf6 .ig6 23 iιxe5 ~xh5 24 ~xg7 Φχg7 25 I:.f5 ~g6 26 I:.xd5 f5 27 l2Jc4, as ίη Brandner­Petrone, European Junior Champion­ship, Arnhem 1989. 11 ... h6

11 ... exf4 is a more severe test, a1-though according Ιο these games White passes after 12 gxf4 and now:

a) 12 ... d5 13 iιh4 f6 14 l2Je5 (an ex­traordinary move, just to give his queen a decent square) 14 ... ~e6 (or 14 ... fxe5 15 exd5 'iYd7 16 dxc6 l2Jxc6) 15 l2Jxc6 l2Jxc6 16 'iWf3 l2Je7 17 I:.ae1 ~f7 18 f5, as ίη Υ andemirov­Poluljahov, Cheliabinsk 1991 ..

b) 12 ... iιh6 13 f5 Φh8 14 .tg3 f6 15 l2Jb5 gxf5 16 l2Jh4 f4 17 'iih5 fxg3 18 'iYxh6 gxh2+ 19 Φh1 iιa6 20 I:.xf6

with a winning attack ίη De Jong­Damljanovic, Wijk aan Zee 1990.

Alternatively, 11. .. l::!.b8 12 lίJc2 exf4 13 gxf4 d5 14 ~h4 'iνd7 15 l::!.e1 ~b7 16 lίJe3 l::!.be8 17 'iνd2 d4 18 lίJc4 lίJc8 19 f5 dxc3 20 bxc3 f6 with a powerful attack. Strikovic-Cabrilo, Yugoslav Team Championship 1993. Α com­mon theme ίη these ~f2 lines is mov­ing the bishop out to h4, 100king at f6 and also pinning the knight.

Finally, 11 ... ~b7 12 f5 gxf5 13lίJh4 fxe4 14 dxe4 f5 and now 15lίJc41ed to random complications ίη King-Espig, Bundesliga 1995, but 15 lίJxf5 lίJxf5 16 exf5 l::!.xf5 17 'iνd3 is simple and strong. White has excellent compensa­tion for the pawn. 12l2Jh4

12 f5!? gxf5 13 lίJM isn't Balashov's style, but is worth considering. 12 ... exf4 13 gxf4 1:tb8 14 ~g3 f5

Black is persuaded to play ... f7-f5, blocking White's pawn, but Balashov has rea1ised that because Black has played ... h7-h6, the pawn οη g6 has been severely weakened. That's why the knight is sitting οη h4. His subtle strategy almost pays οΗ. 15 l2Jc2 ~e8 16 l2Je3 'VJIif7 17 ~f3

2 g3

~e6 18 'ife2 1:tbd8 19 ~g2 Black's position is about to crack, so

Magerramov decides to do it οη his terms. He gives up a pawn and sur­vives into an ending. 19 ... d5 20 l2Jxg6 ~xg6 21 exd5 l2Jxd5 22 l2Jxd5 'VJtf7 23 l2Jxb6 axb6 24 ~xc6 1:txd3 25 a3 1:tfd8 26 1:tae1 1:t8d6 27 1:te2 Φh7 28 1:tfe1 ~c4 29 ~e8 'iff6 30 1:te7 ~d5 31 ~h4 'VJtxe7 32 ~xe7 ~xg2 33 ~xd6 ~e4 34 ~c7 1:td2 35 ~xb6 1:tg2+ 36 Φf1 1:txb2 37 .i.xc5 ~xc3 38 1:td1 :ίχh2

39 1:td7+ Φh8 40 ~b4 .i.xb4 41 axb4 h5 42 ~g6 h4 43 1:th7+ Φg8 44 1:th5 1:tb2 ΥΖ - ΥΖ

Ιη the following game Black hangs back ίη the centre, retaining a degree of f1exibility with his pieces and wait­ing for White to make the first break. Ιη my experience playing the white side of these positions, Ι have a1ways found this to be the most diHicult strategy to deal with. Should one be advancing οη the kingside, or is it best to gain more space ίη the centre with d3-d4? Ιη these games White mainly advances with d3-d4, though it is a1so possible to sit tight and then advance οη the kingside (Game 103).

1 e4 c5 2 g3 l2Jc6 3 .i.g2 g6 4 d3 .i.g7 5 f4 e6 6 l2Jf3 l2Jge7 7 ο-ο ο-ο 8 c3 d6 9 ~e3 b6 10 :ίe1

Or 10 .iιf2 .iιa6 (1O ... ~d7 11l::!.e1 h6 12 d4 cxd4 13 cxd4 iιb7 14lίJc3 <oifh7 15 h4 l::!.ae8 16 .iιh3 f5 17 h5 gxh5 18 d5 exd5 19 exf5 lίJxf5 20 l::!.xe8 'iixe8

137

Τhe Closed Sicilian

21 i.xf5+ ~xί5 22 'i!Vc2 should win for White, as ίη Makarichev-Dolmatov, USSR Championship 1979) 11 ~e1 'i!Vd7 12 l2Ja3 ~ac8 13 d4 cxd4 14 cxd4 (after this Black gets good counterplay οη the queenside; 14 l2Jxd4! would have been better) 14 ... d5 15 e5 l2Ja5 16 b3 ':'c3 17 ~e3 ~xe3 18 iιxe3 ~c8, when White is too busy defending οη the queenside to develop an attack; Cherniaev-Gallagher, Hastings 1993. 10 ... ~b7 11 d4

The advantage οί playing d3-d4 with the knight still οη b 1 is that after an exchange οί pawns οη d4, White may play the knight to its best square, c3. Another example is 11 iιί2 'i!Vc7 12 d4 f5? 13 exf5 exf5 14 dxc5 dxc5 15 l2Jg5 l2Jd8 16 i.xb7 'i!Vxb7 17 'i!Vb3+ with a winning position, as ίη Braga­Bischoff, Υ erevan Olympiad 1996. 11 .. :iVc7 12 tιJa3 ~ad8 13 iιf2 h6 14 ~b1 e5 15 d5 tιJb8 16 c4 tιJc8

The plan White chooses looks pow­erful at first glance, but Black survives. Perhaps 17 ί5 could be considered ίη­stead. When the kingside closes, White can play οη both wings. Black would then have had a miserable defence ahead οί him.

138

17 h4 'fie7 18 h5 tιJd7 19 tιJh4 'fIf6 20 hxg6 exf4 21 gxf7+ ~xf7 22 tιJf5 tιJe 7 23 .th3 tιJxf5 24 exf5 fxg3 25 iLxg3 tιJθ5 26 'fIh5 'fig5 27 'fIxg5 hxg5 28 f6 ~xf6 29 ~xe5 dxe5 30 ~θ4 ~f4 31 ~be1 Wf8 32 tιJb5 ~f6 33 tιJxa7 ~a8 34 tιJc6 ~xa2 35 tιJxe5 Φg7 36 ~xf4 gxf4 37 tιJd3 i-a6 38 tιJxf4 i.d4+ 39 Wh 1 .txc4 40 d6 .tb5 41 tιJe6+ Wf6 42 tιJxd4 cxd4 43 d7 iιxd7 44 iLxd7 ~xb2 45 ~θ6+ Wg5 46 ~d6 ~b4 47 Wg2 Wf4 48 Φf2 ~b2+ 49 We1 Φθ5 50 ~h6 d3 51 ~h4 ~θ2+ 52 Wd1 ~θ4 53 ~h6 Wd4 54 ~d6+ Wc5 55 ~c6+ Φd4 56 ~xb6 Φθ3 57 .tf5 ~f4 58 ~e6+ Φd4 59 i.g6 ~f1 + 60 Wd2 ~f2+ 61 Wc1 ~f1+ 62 Wb2 ~g1 63 .th5 ~g2+ 64 Wb3 ~g5 65 .td1 ~b5+ 66 Wa2 ~θ5 67 ~d6+ Wc3 68 ~c6+ Wd2 69 .tg4 1:1g5 70 ~c4 ~a5+ 71 Wb3 ~b5+ 72 Wa3 Φθ3 73 Φa2 Wd2 74 ~c7 Φθ1 75 ~e7+ Wf2 76 Wa3 ~g5 77 i.e6 % - %

Ιη the next game, unusually for the 'Clamp', White plays an e4-e5 pawn sacrifice similar to that ίη Chapter 1. The most notable difference is that White can't play his knight to e4. However, White does manage to cap­ture the pawn οη c5 and establish a strong pawn chain which is very much as we saw earlier. It just shows that it is worth taking into account lots οί different variations as the ideas can often be transferred between them

1 e4 c5 2 g3 tιJc6 3 .tg2 g6 4 d3

~g7 5 f4 e6 6 lΔf3 lΔge7 7 ο-ο ο-ο 8 c3 d6 9 i.e3 1:tb8 1 Ο i.f2 b6 11 lΔa3

11 ... b5 Once again we see evidence of inde­

cision. Black has option paralysis. He can't just follow variations by rote. 12 e5 a6

12 ... dxe5 13 fxe5 tιΊxe5 14 tιΊxe5 .1ιχe5 15 iιxc5 followed by d3-d4 is more comfortable for White to play than Black, although with hindsight this is stronger than the game con­tinuation. 13 1:te1 h6 14 ~e2 i.b7 15 lΔc2 dxe5 16 fxe5 ~c7 17 a4 g5

17 ... b4!? might have been better. Ιη the game the open a-file is decisive. 18 axb5 axb5 19 i.xc5 lΔxe5 20 d4 tιJxf3+ 21 i.xf3 i.xf3 22 ~xf3 'iib7 23 'iixb7 1:txb7 24 lΔb4 1:tc8 25 1:ta6 ~f8 26 ~f2 lΔf5 27 i.xf8 ~xf8 28 1:te5 1:tc4 29 d5 1:tc5 30 1:tc6 1:txc6 31 dxc6 1:tb6 32 1:txf5 1-0

Ιη the last two games Black lashes out with ... f7-f5, which is an under­standable reaction: He isn't exactly sure where his play is coming from, and this 100ks like a constructive way of putting pressure οη White's centre.

2 g3

The move isn't quite as effective as ίη the earlier chapters as White has the crucial d4 square covered.

1 f4 g6 2 tιJf3 ~g7 3 g3 c5 4 ~g2 lΔc6 5 e4 e6 6 ο-ο tιJge 7 7 d3 ο-ο 8 c3 d6 9 i.e3 f5 1 Ο lΔbd2 1:tb8 11 a4

Ι don't like a2-a4 ίη this position. First and foremost, Ι don't think that Black was actually threatening ... b7-b5, at least not if White develops hίs queen, e.g. 11 'iVe2 b5 12 e5! (an echo of the previous game) , when the c5 pawn becomes νulnerable. It is also possible to play the queen to c2, but Ι prefer it οη e2 keeping an eye οη the e-file - see the next game. 11 ... b6 12 d4 fxe4

12 ... cxd4 13 tιΊxd4 tιΊxd4 14 cxd4 (not 14 .1ιχd4 e5!) 14 ... fxe4 15 liJxe4 liJd5 16 .1ιf2 is better for White if he plays οη e6 with J;te1, 'iVb3, liJg5, and so οη. 13 tιJxe4 tιJf5 14 i.f2 d5 15 tιJeg5 h6

Eventually Black pays for having

139

The Closed Sicilian

weakened his kingside pawns. 16 tίJh3 cxd4 17 cxd4 3ιd7 18 .1:Ie1 .1:Ic8 19 .1:Ic1 tίJb4 20 .1:Ixc8 "iYxc8 21 g4 tίJe7 22 tίJe5 3ιχe5 23 fxe5 tίJc2 24 .1:If1 3ιχa4 25 "iYd2 Φg7 26 3ιh4 tίJg8 27 tίJf4 g5 28 tίJh5+ 'ίt>h8 29 3ιf2 ~c4 30 .1:Ic1 a5 31 3ιf1 "iYb4 32 .1:Ixc2 3ιχc2 33 ~xc2 "iYe7 34 3ιe3 "iYh7 35 3ιd3 "iYf7 36 3ιe2 "iYh7 37 "iYxh7+ Φχh7 38 3ιd3+ Φh8 39 3ιd2 tίJe7 40 3ιc3 tίJc6 41 tίJf6 .1:If7 42 3ιb5 .1:Ic7 43 Φf2 tίJb4 44 'ίt>e3 tίJa2 45 'ίt>d3 tίJxc3 46 bxc3 .1:Ia7 47 c4 dxc4+ 48 3ιχc4 .1:Ie7 49 3ιb5 'ίt>g7 50 ~d7 b5 51 3ιχb5 .1:Ib7 52 tίJe8+ Φf8 53 tίJd6 .1:Ib8 54 Φc4 Φe7 55 d5 .1:If8 56 tίJe4 exd5+ 57 Φχd5 .1:Ib8 58 tίJd6 Φf8 59 Φc6 Φe7 60 Φd5 Φf8 61 Φe6 .1:Ia8 62 Φf6 .1:Id8 63 tίJf5

.1:Ib8 64 e6 .1:Ib6 65 3ιd7 1-0 Το finish, appropriately enough, a

win from the great champion of the Closed Sicilian. 1t is interesting to see that he plays the Clamp ίη his own style, more ίη keeping with the tradi­tional Closed Sicilian strategy rather than the games we have been 100king at so far with the system.

'.: .. ' . G~m~ ΙΡΙ ,.,. . ,. ",' ~g~~sls:v,.Ηοffmi1η~;i~;; ;~;:}~;~«!·ζ;'iuganο.ορen198Ί· ""

1 e4 c5 2 d3 Note Spassky's move order - see

my comments οη this ίη the introduc­tion to the chapter. 2 ... e6 3 g3 tίJc6 4 jιg2 g6 5 f4 tίJge7 6 tίJf3 3ιg7 7 ο-ο ο-ο 8 c3 d6 9 tίJa3 b6

Black pushed the b-pawn το b5 ίη Damljanovic-Jukic, Cetinje 1990, bur

140

White got the better position: 9 ... 1::i.b8 10 lbc2 b5 11 a3 a5 12 .td2 b4 13 axb4 axb4 14 lbe3 .td7 15 g4 bxc3 16 bxc3 f5 17 gxf5 exf5 18 lbc4 fxe4 19 dxe4 .te6 20 'i'e2 h6 211::i.a6 and White has uncomfortable pressure. We can see how important ίτ is το have the pawn οη c3, preventing Black's knίght from arriving οη d4. 1 Ο tίJc2 iιb7

11 "iYe2 Sharply played. 1t has not escaped

Spassky's attention that Black's e6 square is weakened as the bishop has moved to b7. The significance of this becomes apparent later οη, although I'm sure that Spassky just played 'iVe2 οη ίηιυίτίοη.

11 ... ~d7 12 3ιd2 .1:Iac8 13 .1:Iae1 .1:Ife8 14 iιc1 .1:Icd8 15 g4! f5 16 tίJg5 h6

If 16 ... fxe4 17 'i'xe4 e5 18 fxe5 .txe5 19 lbf7 gives White a ferocious attack. 17 exf5 exf5 18 tίJe6 .1:Ib8 19 g5 h5 20 tίJxg7 Φχg7 21 ~e6 .1:Ibd8 22 "iYf6+ Φg8 23 c4.1:If8 24 3ιd5+ Φh7 25 3ιf7 jιa8 26 tίJe3 .1:Ig8 27 tίJd5 tίJxd5 28 cxd5 t!.g7 29 dxc6 ~xc6 30 3ιχg6+ 1-0

2 g3

Summary

The Clamp has an excellent reputation. Ι mίght add that ίn my own games, my opponents have experienced great dίfficulty ίη findίng a constructive plan. This variation is not always to the taste of Sicilian players who are not used to waίting before getting down to hand-to-hand fighting. The problem is, how to reach it. 1 e4 c5 2 g3 d5! has its drawbacks (if Black plays accurately - see Game 93 ίη par­ticular); otherwise, 2 d3 is a bit lame, and 1 g3 can lead anywhere; likewise 1 f4. If you want to try the Clamp, it is a case of weighing υρ which is the lesser evil.

1 e4 c5 2 g3 tΔc6 2 ... d5 3 exd5 ~xd5 44Jf3 j"g4 5 j"g2 ~e6+ 6 ΦΗ (D)

6 ... iιh3 - Game 91 6 ... 4Jc6 7 h3 .th5

8 4Jc3 - Game 92; 8 d3 - Game 93 3 iιg2 g6 4 d3 iιg7 5 f4 e6

5 ... e5 - Game 97 6 tΔf3 tΔge7 7 ο-ο ο-ο 8 c3 (DJ b6

8 ... d5 - Game 96 8 ... d6

9.te3 9 ... b6 (D)

10 4Ja3 - Game 98; 10 .tf2 - Game 99; 10 1:ie 1 - Game 100

9 ... 1:ib8 - Game 1 ΟΙ 9 ... f5 - Game 102

9 4Ja3 - Game 103 9 tΔa3

9 .te3 - Game 94 9 ... i.a6 - Game 95

6 r!;f1 8 c3 9 ... b6

141

Abramovic-Damljanovic, Yugoslav Championship 1989 48 Abramovic-Koch, Paris Championship 1989 43 Abramovic-Stohl, Vrnjacka Banja 1989 42 Balashov-Karpman, Moscow GMA Open 1989 20 Balashov-Magerramov, Smolensk Open 1991 136 Balashov-Pigusov, USSR Team Ch., Podolsk 1990 25

Bartsch-Clemens, German Bundesliga 1982/83 119 Bastian-Loew, German Championship, Binz 1995 46 Bastian-Pieper Emden, German Bundesliga 1986/87 33 Baum-Howell, German Bundesliga 1992 69 Becke-Steiger, RLN 1983 79 Berg-Dinstuhl, Richmond 1994 91 Bergonzi-Κropff, Asuncion San Cristobal Open 1995 34 Bilek-Barczay, Sousse Interzonal1967 107 Bojkovic-Markovic, Belgrade 1988 28 Borngaesser-Blaskowski, NRWII 1995 125 Bomgaesser-Mozny, Prague 1990 120 Casper-Vaiser, Berlin 1982 121 Claesen-Dgebuadze, World Student Ch., Leon 1996 39 Degenhardt-Szabo, Frankfurt 1988 110 Denoth-Ecabert, Berne Open 1991 68 Donev-Felsberger, Austrian Team Championship 1995 121 Flower-Aseev, London Lloyds Bank Masters 1994 130 Fries Nielsen-Jansa, Esbjerg 1981 45 Fήtsche-Κengίs, German Bundesliga 1994/95 77 Gabriel-Miladinovic, WorldJunior Ch., Singapore 1990 54

142

Gabήel-Stangl, Altensteig 1992

Gavήkοv-Ιvanchuk, USSR o,ampionship, Lvov 1987

Gdanski-Wojtkiewicz, Warsaw match 1993

Haakert-Glek, Bad Ragaz Open 1994 Haik-Mednis, Cannes Open 1994

Hebden-Κrasenkov, Dhaka 1995

Hennigan-Kuznecov, Oakham YoungMasters 1986

Hennigan-Muir, British Championship 1987 Hort-Mifί, Tunis lnterzonal1985

Hort-Hodgson, Wijk aan 2εε 1986

Hort-Portisch, Wijk aan 2εε 1968

Hort-Ribli, Baden Baden 1992

Hort-Weidemann, German Bundesliga 1981/82

Hug-Ribli, Luceme Olympiad 1982

Idelstein-Brunner, Budapest Spring Open 1989

Keitlinghaus-Mololkin, Pardubice Open 1994

Κharlov-Sherbakov, Russian Championship, Elista 1994 Κindermann-Spasov, Νουί Sad Olympiad 1990 Κing-Ernst, Gausdal1993

Κing-Meister, German Bundesliga 1994

Kuceva-Gladisheva, Pardubice Open 1992

Kurcubic-Garcia del Blanco, World Student Ch., Leon 1996 Lane-Sadler, London Lloyds Bank Masters 1992

Larsen-Portisch, Rotterdam Candidates 1977

Le Blancq-Raymaekers, Guemsey Open 1988

Ledger.D-Roberts, British Championship 1993

Ljubojevic-Polgar.J, Monaco Rapidplay 1995

Ljubojevic-Tringov, Luceme Olympiad 1982 Marjanovic-Lputian, Erevan 1989

Μartίn.Α-Βήttοn, Bamsdale Young Masters 1989

Martin del Campo-Verduga, Bayamo 1990

Maus-Boensch, German Bundesliga 1993

Minasian-Cao, Yerevan Olympiad 1996

Murey-Ungure, Cappelle la Grande Open 1995 Nadyrhanov-Imanaliev, Bishkek 2onal1993

Narayana-Κing, Calcutta Open 1993

Neumark-Goet, RLNS 1988

Parker-Hennigan, British Championship 1995

Patino-Salgado Lopez, La Coruna Open 1996

Index of Games

55 133 118 108

62 49 57 59 44 83 82

129 88

125 23

111 132 22

134 104

30

60

35 65 24

113 89

88 53 14

114 97

137 123 138 81

101

139 21

143

The Clased Sicilian

Piceu-Vaklίnov, European υ18 Championship 1996 46 Prasad-Kuzmin, New Delhi 1984 56 Rasmussen-Berg, Danish Championship 1991 27 Romanishin-Horvath.J, Euro Club Cup, Balatonbereny 1993 67 Romanishin-Torre, Indonesia 1983 92 Romanishin-Van Wely, Novy Smokovec 1992 85 Sale-Psakhis, Portoroz Open 1995 70 Sale-Sadler, Cannes Open 1995 37 Sepp-Malisauskas, Vilnius Zonal1993 128 Shachar-Gofshtein, Israeli Championship 1994 109 Shchekachev-Galliamova, Kstovo Open 1994 32 Shchekachev-Mezentsev, Russian Championship, Orel1992 75 Shirov-Κhalifman, Amsterdam 1995 135 Sibilio-Gikas, Lugano Open 1989 112 Smyslov-Kottnauer, Moscow-Prague 1946 84 Spassky-Brochet, French Team Championship 1991 103 Spassky-Chandler, German Bundesliga 1986/87 101 Spassky-De Firmian, London Lloyds Bank Masters 1984 80 Spassky-Gel1er, Sukhumi Candidates 1968 52 Spassky-Gipslis, USSR Championship, Baku 1961 98 Spassky-Gufeld, Wellington 1988 15 Spassky-Hjartarson, European Club Cup 1991 18 Spassky-Hoffmann, Lugano Open 1982 140 Spassky-Hort, German Bundesliga 1985/86 100

Spassky-Karpov, Bugojno 1986 102 Spassky-Κasparov, Bugojno 1982 124 Spassky-Petrosian, World Championship, Moscow 1966 115 Spassky-Portisch, Geneva Candidates 1977 73 Spassky-Portisch, Mexico 1980 86 Spassky-Sax, Reykjavik World Cup 1988 72 Stanec-Lendwai, Austrian Championship 1995 57 Strikovic-Kurajica, Ibercaja Open 1994 131 Todorcevic-Portisch, Szirak Interzonal1987 43

Turner-Hennigan, British Championship 1995 95 Urban-Steinmacher, Baden Baden Open 1991 114 Uritzky-Rechlis, Israeli Championship 1996 90 Van der Weide-Langeweg, Dutch Ch. Semi-Finei[t.[JI91 61 Wittmann-Miniboeck, Vienna Open 1986 99

'... . ,- L ~

144

Tlle CΙosed vaΓίatiοη (1 e4 c5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 g3) l1as

always been [egarded as an ίnteΓestίng and

dynaIl1ic \vay to Il1eet tl1e aggressive Sicilian

Defence. At tlle l1ighest level, former World CΙlaIllpionS

Boris Spassky and Vassily Smyslov l1ave eIl1ployed it οη a [eg­

tιlar basis, \vlΊile Vassily Ivanchuk has also used it as a sιιφΓise

\yeapon. Tlle CΙosed Sicilian is ideally snited to clnb and

toΙΙΓnall1eηt ΡΙaΥeΓS, as it does not ΓequίΓe tl1e nlemorising of

reams of coIl1plicated vaIiations; an nnderstanding of typical

theIl1es being ηΙ0Γe impoΓtant than theΟΓeticaΙ kno\Yledge.

Ιη tl1is book GΓandΙl1asteΓ Daniel King explains t!le suate­

gy and tactics of tlliS popLI!aI" opening. Throngl1 the Llse of

Il1ode! gal11es fOI" bOt!l sides, tl1e aιιthoI" provides a tl10ΓOllgl1

gΓOunding ίn tl1e key ideas .

• WΓίtten by a !eading eΧΡeΓt οη tl1e CΙosed Sici!ian, one of Britain's toρ plaYeΓs, GΓandΙl1asteΓ Danie! King

• EXDlains tlle IΙλς;Γ ,,!ριηρn> c."~.~~;~" "-~tics for

natoΓΥand

ISBN 1-901259-06-4

Ι Ι 111 9 781901 259063 7