CHESSBOOK REVIEWS

Latest book reviews of 1 December 2022

Wilhelminalaan 33 

7261 BP RUURLO 

The Netherlands.
           John Elburg


 

                                         


                                                                                                                 Chess DVD's

Understanding Middlegame Strategies Vol.5 - Sicilian Rossolimo and Maroczy Structures
by  Ivan Sokolov
http://www.chessbase.com
E-Mail info@chessbase.com
2022
 Price Euro 29.90
Windows 7 or higher
Minimum: Dual Core, 2 GB RAM, DirectX11, graphics card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 14/Fritz 16 or included Reader and internet access for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel i5 (Quadcore), 4 GB RAM, Windows 10, DirectX11, graphics card with 512 MB RAM or more, 100% DirectX10-compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet access for program activation.
MacOSX  only available as download! Minimum: MacOS "Yosemite" 10.10  

Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov belongs to one of maybe even the best chess coach in the world and it is a great honour to present this strong learning DVD on all kind of middle game strategies based on the Sicilian Rossolimo and Maroczy structures. Viktor Bologan once wrote a book about the Rossolimo with enormous theoretical lines  but here with Ivan Sokolov we learn to play and understand the Rossolimo.And that is not even more important.
For the good order much material on the Marcozy is based on the Classical main line bind.
All brought together in a impressive video time of 7 hours and 20 minutes.
But first a small index view for the upcoming user of this DVD:
Introduction
Rossolimo Structures
Rossolimo Structures: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
Video 1: 3...g6 4.0-0 Bg7 5.Re1 Nf6 6.e5 Nd5 7.Nc3 Nc7 8.Bxc6 dxc6 Rozentalis vs Carlsen
Video 2: 3...g6 4.0-0 Bg7 5.Re1 e5 6.a3 Nge7 7.b4 and 6.c3 Nge7 7.a3 0-0 8.b4 Botvinnik vs Furman/Veresov
Video 3a: 3...Nf6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.d3 and 4.e5 Nd5 5.0-0/Nc3
Video 3b: 3...Nf6 4.e5 Nd5 5.Nc3 Nc7 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7.h3 g6 Adams vs Kramnik
Video 4a: 3...g6 4.Bxc6 bxc6 5.0-0 Bg7 6.Re1 Nf6/f6/e5
Video 4b: 3...g6 4.Bxc6 bxc6 5.d4 Vachier-Lagrave vs Carlsen
Video 5a: 3...g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Qc7 and 5...Bg7 6.h3 Nh6/e5
Video 5b: 3...g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bg7 6.h3 Nf6 Caruana vs Carlsen
Video 5c: 3...g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bg7 6.0-0 Caruana vs Carlsen
Video 6: 3...e6 4.Bxc6 bxc6 5.d3
Maroczy Structures
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3
Video 1a: 7...Ng4 8.Qxg4 Nxd4 9.Qd1 Ne6 10.Qd2 d6 11.Be2 Bd7 12.0-0 0-0 13.Rac1 Bc6 14.b4 Keres vs Petrosian
Video 1b: 7...Ng4 8.Qxg4 Nxd4 9.Qd1 Ne6 10.Qd2 d6 11.Be2 Bd7 12.0-0 0-0 13.Rac1 Bc6 14.Rfd1 Keres vs Petrosian
Video 2: 7...Ng4 8.Qxg4 Nxd4 9.Qd1 Ne6 10.Qd2 b6 and 10.Rc1 Qa5 11.Be2/Qd2
Video 3: 7...Ng4 8.Qxg4 Nxd4 9.Qd1 Nc6 10.Qd2 d6/Qa5
Video 4: 7...0-0 8.Be2 d6 9.0-0 Bd7 10.Qd2 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Bc6 Carlsen vs Lie
Video 5: 6.Nc3 Nxd4 7.Qxd4 d6 8.Be2/Bg5 - a5 ideas
Video 6: 6.Nc3 d6 7.f3 Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Bg7 9.Be3 0-0 10.Qd2 a5 11.b3 Caruana vs Carlsen
Video 7: 6.Nc3 Nxd4 7.Qcd4 d6 8.f3 Bg7 9.Be3 0-0 10.Qd2 Be6 11.Rc1 Qa5 12.Nd5 Qxd2 13.Kxd2 Endgame and 12.b3 Rfc8 13.g4
Video 8: 7...Ng4 8.Qxg4 Nxd4 9.Qd1 Ne6 10.Qd2 d6 11.Be2 Bd7 12.0-0 0-0 13.Rad1 Bc6 Larsen vs Petrosian and plus a lot of exercises!
Conclusion: High quality learning material!

Understanding Middlegame Strategies Vol.6 - Ruy Lopez Structures
by  Ivan Sokolov
http://www.chessbase.com
E-Mail info@chessbase.com
2022
 Price Euro 29.90
Windows 7 or higher
Minimum: Dual Core, 2 GB RAM, DirectX11, graphics card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 14/Fritz 16 or included Reader and internet access for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel i5 (Quadcore), 4 GB RAM, Windows 10, DirectX11, graphics card with 512 MB RAM or more, 100% DirectX10-compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet access for program activation.
MacOSX  only available as download! Minimum: MacOS "Yosemite" 10.10


In volume 6 Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov digs in the strategies of the Ruy Lopez and well the Chigorin, Breyer and Zaitsev variations all in a impressive over 6 hour course Sokolov tries to give a ‘crash course’ on typical middlegame plans and  material imbalances.All with useful openings advices based on Sokolov his 40 years chess experiences.
But first a view on this DVD:
Introduction:
Ruy Lopez Structures
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3
Video 1: Zaitsev 9...Bb7 10.d4 Re8 11.Ng5 Rf8 12.Nf3 Re8 13. a4 h6 14.Nbd2 Bf8 15.Bc2 Qd7 Shirov vs Sokolov
Video 2: Breyer 9...Nb8 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.Bc2 c5 13.Nf1 Re8 14.d5 g6 Svidler vs Sokolov
Video 3: Breyer 9...Nb8 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.Bc2 c5 13.d5 g6 14.Nf1 Qc7 Cheparinov vs Sokolov
Video 4: Chigorin 9...Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Qc7 12.Nbd2 Nc6 13.d5 Nd8 14.a4 Rb8 15.c4 b4 16.b3 Bogoljubow vs Rubinstein
Video 5: Chigorin 9...Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Qc7 12.Nbd2 Nc6 13.d5 Nd8 14.a4 Rb8 15.c4 Bd7 Stein vs Ivkov
Video 6: Chigorin 9...Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Nd7 12.d5 Nb6 13.g4 h5 Fischer vs Keres
Video 7: Chigorin 9...Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Qc7 12.Nbd2 Bd7 13.Nf1 Nc4 14.d5 Nb6 Kasparov vs Petrosian
Video 8: Chigorin 9...Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Qc7 12.Nbd2 Bd7 13.Nf1 Rfe8 14.d5 c4 Landa vs Nikolic
Video 9: Breyer 9...Nb8 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.Bc2 Re8 13.Nf1 Bf8 14.Ng3 g6 Vachier-Lagrave vs Amin
Video 10: Chigorin 9...Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Qc7 12.Nbd2 Bd7 13.Nf1 cxd4 14.cxd4 Rac8 15.Ne3 Rfe8 Spassky vs Keres
Video 11: Chigorin 9...Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Qc7 12.Nbd2 cxd4 13.cxd4 Rd8 14.Nf1 exd4 15.Nxd4 d5 Grischuk vs Bologan
Video 12: Zaitsev 9...Bb7 10.d4 Re8 11.Nbd2 Bf8 12.a4 h6 13.Bc2 exe4 14.cxd4 Nb4 15.Bb1 c5 16.d5 Nd7 Kasparov vs Karpov
Video 13: Zaitsev type position 6.d3 d6 7.c3 0-0 8.Re1 Re8 9.Nbd2 Bf8 10.h3 b5 11.Bc2 Bb7 12.d4 g6 Carlsen vs Navara
Video 14: Chigorin 9...Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Qc7 12.Nbd2 Bb7 13.Nf1 cxd4 14.cxd4 Rac8 15.Bb1 Unzicker vs Keres
Video 15: Open Spanish 5...Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.c3 Bc5 10.Nbd2 0-0 11.Bc2 Nxf2 Short - Yussupow
Video 16: Chigorin 9...Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Qc7 12.Nbd2 Nc6 13.dxc5 dxc5 14.Nf1 Be6 Fischer – Kholmov and a collection instructive exercises.
Plus interactive training including video feedbackExtra: Model games database & Training with ChessBase apps - Play key positions against Fritz on various levels.
Conclusion: High class material!   

The Closed Sicilian
by  IM Andrew Martin
http://www.chessbase.com
E-Mail info@chessbase.com
2022
 Price Euro 29.90
Windows 7 or higher
Minimum: Dual Core, 2 GB RAM, DirectX11, graphics card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 14/Fritz 16 or included Reader and internet access for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel i5 (Quadcore), 4 GB RAM, Windows 10, DirectX11, graphics card with 512 MB RAM or more, 100% DirectX10-compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet access for program activation.
MacOSX  only available as download! Minimum: MacOS "Yosemite" 10.10  


The well known chess teacher IM Andrew Martin provides the user of this DVD with a detailed  5 hour coverage of the Closed Sicilian, solid and on the other hand a aggressive way of meeting the Sicilian Defence. White builds up slowly but the aim is a killing attack.
As we can see in the index the move order 2.d3 the so called Big Clamp is included and makes this DVD a very important reference DVD on the Closed Sicilian.
Introduction
Closed Sicilian: 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3
Introduction
2...Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6 6.Be3 e6 7.Qd2 Nge7: Adams vs Ward
2...Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.d3 Bg7 5.Be3 d6 6.Qd2 Rb8 7.Bg2 b5: Klinger vs Schumi
2...Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6 6.Be3 Rb8 7.Qd2 e6: Short vs Hossain
2...Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 e6 6.Be3 d6 7.Qd2 Nge7: Dragomir vs Pachia
2...e6 3.g3 Nc6 4.Bg2 g6 5.d3 Bg7 6.Be3 d6 7.Qd2 Nd4 8.Nd1 e5: Stripunsky vs Van Wely
2...Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6 6.Be3 e6 7.Qd2: Artemiev vs Zierk
2...Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nh3: Artemiev vs Carlsen
2...d6 3.g3 Nc6 4.Bg2 g6 5.d3 Bg7 6.Be3 e5 7.Nh3: Carlsen vs Wojtaszek
2...Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.h3 0-0 8.Qd2: Hjartarson vs Castaneda
2...Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.d3 Bg7 5.Be3 d6 6.Qd2: Stukopin vs Li
2...Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 e5 6.Be3 d6 7.Qd2: Chandler vs Kovalev
2...Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6 6.Nge2: Utegaliev vs Pranav
2...e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Nf6 5.d3: Alekseenko vs Goryachkina
2...d6 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 Nc6 5.d3 e6 6.f4 Be7 7.Nf3 Qc7 8.0-0: Sigurjonsson vs Petersen
Summary
The Big Clamp: 1.e4 c5 2.d3
2...Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.f4 d6 6.Nf3 Nf6 7.0-0 0-0: Korchnoi vs Karpov
2...Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.f4 d6 6.Nf3 e6 7.0-0 Nge7 8.c3 0-0: McShane vs Khalifman
2...g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 Nc6 5.f4 d6 6.Nf3 e6 7.0-0 Nge7 8.c3 b6: Movsesian vs Danchevski
2...g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 Nc6 5.f4 d6 6.Nf3 e5 7.0-0 Nge7 8.c3 0-0: Marin vs Tolnai
2...g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 Nc6 5.f4 d6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 Nf6: Fedorov vs Arvola
2...d5 3.Nd2 Nc6 4.g3 Nf6 5.Bg2 e6 6.f4 dxe4 7.dxe4 Be7: Fedorov vs Kurochkin
2..e6 3.g3 d5 4.Nd2 Nc6 5.Bg2 g6 6.f4 Bg7 7.Ne2 Nge7: Kuzmicz vs Robak
Summary
1.e4 c5 2.Be2
2...Nc6 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.d3 d6 6.0-0 Bg4: Jones vs Bates
2...Nc6 3.d3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 d6 6.0-0 e6 7.c3 Nge7: Kovalev vs Klekowski
2...d6 3.f4 Nc6 4.Nf3 g6 5.0-0 Bg7 6.d3 Nf6 7.Qe1 Bg4: Paravyan vs Kotanjian
2...Nc6 3.f4 d5 4.d3 dxe4 5.dxe4 Qxd1 6.Bxd1 Nf6/e5: Kupreichik vs Magerramov/Kovalev vs Vakhidov
2...Nc6 3.f4 d5 4.d3 g6 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.e5 Nh5 7.0-0 Ng7: Wei Yi vs Giri
2...Nc6 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 d6 6.d3 f5: Ider vs Rakotomaharo
2...Nc6 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 d6 6.d3 Nf6: Fedoseev vs Yu
2...Nc6 3.f4 e6 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.d3 d5 6.e5 Nd7 7.0-0 g6: Narciso Dublan vs Plaskett
Summary plus many exercises!
Conclusion: Must have material!

Sicilian Dragon: The Real Deal! Part 2 and 3
by  Chris Ward
2022
E-Mail info@chessbase.com
Price Euro 54.90
Windows 7 or higher
Minimum: Dual Core, 2 GB RAM, DirectX11, graphics card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 14/Fritz 16 or included Reader and internet access for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel i5 (Quadcore), 4 GB RAM, Windows 10, DirectX11, graphics card with 512 MB RAM or more, 100% DirectX10-compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet access for program activation.
MacOSX  only available as download! Minimum: MacOS "Yosemite" 10.10 


The famous GM and Dragon expert Chris Ward digs in a impressive over ten hour coverage of the Sicilian Dragon, one of the most controversial opening in chess.The opening is named for the serpent like pawn formation of black’s kingside.
Following on from ‘Part 1: Understanding The Dragon’ where important themes and concepts were explained, now it’s time to delve into more main theory
Part 2*
Introduction
Yugoslav Attack 9.0-0-0
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 0-0 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.0-0-0
Introduction to 9…d5 and Accepting The Pawn
9...d5 10 exd5 Nxd5 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bd4 Bxd4 13.Qxd4 Qb6
9...d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bd4 Nxc3
9...d5 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Bh6 and 11.Bc4
9...d5 10.Qe1
9...d5 10.Kb1
Old Main Line - New twist: 9...d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bd4 e5 13.Bc5 Be6/Re8
9...Nxd4 10.Bxd4 Be6
Yugoslav Attack 9.g4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 0-0 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.g4
9.g4 Bd7 and 9.0-0-0 Bd7
Without Bd7: 9...Nxd4/Be6/Bxg4
The Dragadorf and Beyond
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 a6
8.Qd2 Nbd7/b5 and 6...a6 7.f3 b5 (Accelerated Dragadorf)
8.Qd2 h5 and 6...a6 7.Qd2; 6...Nc6 7.f3 h5
Part 3*
Introduction
Yugoslav Attack 9.Bc4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 0-0 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Bc4
Soltis Variation Part 1: 9...Bd7 10.h4
Soltis Variation Part 2: 9...Bd7 10.0-0-0 Ne5 11.Bb3 Rc8 12.Kb1
Chinese Variation Part 1: 9...Bd7 10.0-0-0 Rb8 11.Bb3 Na5 12.Kb1/g4
Chinese Variation Part 2: 9...Bd7 10.0-0-0 Rb8 11.h4 b5 and 11.Bb3 Na5 12.Bh6
Topalov System 9...Bd7 10.0-0-0 Rc8 11.Bb3 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 b5
9...Nxd4 10.Bxd4 Be6/Qa5
Old Variations: 9...Nd7; 9...Bd7 10.0-0-0 Qb8/Qc7
Old Variations: 9...Bd7 10.0-0-0 Rc8 without h5; 9...Bd7 10.0-0-0 Qa5
9...Bd7 10.Bb3 and h4
Non-Yugoslav lines
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6
Long Castles Classical Variation: 6.Be2 Bg7 7.Be3 Nc6 8.Qd2 0-0 9.0-0-0
Classical Variation: 6.Be2 Bg7 7.0-0
Modern Classical Variation: 6.Bc4
Fianchetto Variation: 6.g3
Levenfish 6.f4 and 6.Bg5
All well explained and many lines as the Chinese Variation are razor sharp!
Conclusion:This is ChessBase top material!

ChessBase Magazine issue 210
November 2022
ChessBase
 http://www.chessbase.com
E-Mail info@chessbase.com
ISSN 1432-8992
Euro 19.95
System requirements:
Minimum: Pentium III 1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, Windows Vista, XP (Service Pack 3), DirectX9 graphic card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 12/Fritz 13 or included Reader and internet connection for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel Core i7, 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, DirectX10 graphic card (or compatible) with 512 MB RAM or better


The main file is good for over 7000 entries well counted 7579 entries.And where a small 45 of them are more than excellent analysed.
A fine example of play is: So,Wesley (2773) - Sindarov,Javokhir (2629) [E60]
Olympiad-44 Chennai (4.3), 01.08.2022
[So, Wesley]
First of all let me say that the Olympiad in India was no less than amazing. Truly, they left no stone unturned to welcome and host  chess teams from around the world. Not only were the Indian people exceptionally welcoming, but the place we stayed in was beautiful and the food they served us delicious. Every day was exciting and full of adventure. Thank you to Chennai for giving us such a wonderful experience!
This game was played in the 4th round. Few would have guessed it at that time, but we were playing the eventual gold medalist winners of the tournament: Uzbekistan!
Team USA started out shaky. Already in the first round there were  worrying signs when Levon got a losing position against Angola. Fortunately his opponent accepted a draw. In the second round we won by a bare minimum 2.5-1.5 against Paraguay, and the third round match against Georgia also had scary moments.
My opponent in round 3 is the 16 year old wonderkid Javokhir Sindarov, who made headlines last year after playing so well in the World Cup 2021, eliminating amongst others, top player Alireza Firouzja and Jorge Cori. I knew he was going to be a dangerous opponent. Zunächst einmal mÃchte ich sagen, dass die Olympiade in Indien nicht weniger als erstaunlich war. Sie haben wirklich nichts unversucht gelassen, um Schachmannschaften aus der ganzen Welt zu empfangen und zu beherbergen. Die Inder waren nicht nur auÃYergewÃhnlich gastfreundlich, sondern auch die Unterkunft war wunderschÃn und das Essen kÃstlich. Jeder Tag war aufregend und voller Abenteuer. Vielen Dank an Chennai, das uns eine so wunderbare Erfahrung ermÃglicht hat!
Diese Partie wurde in der 4. Runde gespielt. Nur wenige hätten es zu diesem Zeitpunkt vermutet, aber wir spielten gegen den späteren Goldmedaillengewinner des Turniers: Usbekistan!
Das Team USA begann wackelig. Schon in der ersten Runde gab es besorgniserregende Anzeichen, als Levon gegen Angola in eine Verluststellung geriet. Glücklicherweise akzeptierte sein Gegner ein Remis. In der zweiten Runde gewannen wir knapp mit 2,5:1,5 gegen Paraguay, und auch in der dritten Runde gegen Georgien gab es Schrecksekunden.
Mein Gegner in Runde 3 ist das 16-jährige Wunderkind Javokhir Sindarov, der letztes Jahr für Schlagzeilen sorgte, nachdem er bei der Weltmeisterschaft 2021 so gut spielte und unter anderem den Spitzenspieler Alireza Firouzja und Jorge Cori ausschaltete. Ich wusste, dass er ein gefährlicher Gegner sein würde. 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 Javokhir has a narrow repertoire, and he plays the Grunfeld. In our team meeting the night before the game, Levon Aronian suggested why not 3.h4? He argued that it's a healthy line and it leads to complex but playable positions. When Caruana also gave his approval I realized that it's meant to be and I simply cannot miss the opportunity to play their recommendation. Javokhir hat ein schmales Repertoire, und er spielt das Grünfeld. In unserer Teambesprechung am Abend vor der Partie schlug Levon Aronian vor, warum nicht 3.h4? Er argumentierte, dass dies eine gesunde Variante sei und zu komplexen, aber spielbaren Stellungen führe. Als Caruana ebenfalls seine Zustimmung gab, wurde mir klar, dass es so sein sollte und ich die Gelegenheit nicht verpassen kann, ihren Vorschlag zu spielen. 3.h4 Javokhir has not faced this position before and he started using some time.
Obviously the point of playing 3.h4 first compared to 3.î?¨c3 is to be able to meet an early ...c5 with d4-d5, heading for Benoni or Benko type of positions. Grischuk introduced it and made it popular in 2019, playing it in a bunch of games with very good results.
Ding Liren played it also in the 2020 Candidates, playing an exceptional game against Vachier Lagrave.
In the old days moves such as 3.h4 would be unthinkable, but modern engines give rise to aggressive and unconventional ideas. Javokhir war mit dieser Stellung noch nicht konfrontiert und hat etwas Zeit verbraucht.
Der Sinn, 3.h4 im Vergleich zu 3.Sc3 zuerst zu spielen, ist offensichtlich, dass man einem frühen ...c5 mit d4-d5 begegnen kann, was zu Benoni- oder BenkÃ-Stellungen führt. Grischuk führte es ein und machte es 2019 populär, indem er es in einer Reihe von Partien mit sehr guten Ergebnissen spielte.
Ding Liren spielte es auch bei den Kandidatenkämpfen 2020 in einer auÃYergewÃhnlichen Partie gegen Vachier Lagrave.
Früher wären Züge wie 3.h4 undenkbar gewesen, aber moderne Engines bringen aggressive und unkonventionelle Ideen hervor. [After Nach 3.Nc3 d5 (3...Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 0-0 6.Be3) 4.h4 c5! this is a well-known equalizer for Black. Carlsen has tried Dies ist ein bekannter Ausgleichszug für Schwarz. Carlsen hat kürzlich 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Na4 recently, but it's more or less just a rare try for one game. versucht, aber es ist mehr oder weniger nur ein seltener Versuch für eine Partie.] 3...c5 [Black has many options against 3.h4. One of them is Schwarz hat viele Möglichkeiten gegen 3.h4. Eine von ihnen ist 3...Bg7 4.Nc3 0-0 5.e4 d6 6.Be2 Aiming for the King's Indian. This line with h4 has been played in a few games recently. Ding Liren, Deac, Oparin, Artemiev, Vachier, are some of  the big names who tried it with White.
Now the Benko variation of Strebt den KÃnigsinder an. Diese Variante mit h4 wurde in letzter Zeit in einigen Partien gespielt. Ding Liren, Deac, Oparin, Artemiev, Vachier, sind einige der groÃYen Namen, die es mit WeiÃY versucht haben.
Jetzt ist die Benko-Variante mit 6...c5 7.d5 b5 8.cxb5 a6 makes good sense, since White has spent a tempo moving the bishop to e2. sehr sinnvoll, da WeiÃY ein Tempo aufgewendet hat, um den Läufer nach e2 zu ziehen.] 4.d5 b5 Going for the Benko setup makes sense, but I don't think my opponent has much experience in this structure. Die Benko-Variante macht Sinn, aber ich glaube nicht, dass mein Gegner viel Erfahrung mit dieser Struktur hat. [The main line of 3.h4 here is Die Hauptvariante von 3.h4 ist hier 4...Bg7 5.Nc3 d6 6.e4 e6 opting for a Benoni structure. , was eine Benoni-Struktur anstrebt. 7.Be2 exd5 8.exd5 and now und jetzt 8...Nbd7 activating his queenside pieces and delaying castling for the moment. This is what Vachier Lagrave chose against Ding Liren. , was die Figuren am Damenflügel zu aktiviert und die Rochade für den Moment verzÃgert. Das ist es, was Vachier Lagrave gegen Ding Liren wählte.] 5.cxb5 a6 6.e3 An important move, in order to take on b5 in one move and to be able to keep castling rights compared to the normal Benko. Ein wichtiger Zug, um b5 in einem Zug zu nehmen und im Vergleich zum normalen Benkà das Rochaderecht behalten zu kÃnnen. [6.bxa6 Bxa6 7.Nc3 Bg7 8.e4 Bxf1 9.Kxf1 d6 this is probably okay for Black, since he always has the g4-square for his knight later. Dies ist wahrscheinlich für Schwarz in Ordnung, da er später immer das g4-Feld für seinen Springer hat.] 6...axb5 [During my preparations I thought it was more critical to go for Während meiner Vorbereitungen dachte ich, dass es kritischer sei, mit 6...Bg7 keeping the tension on the b5-square. After die Spannung auf dem b5-Feld zu halten. Nach 7.Nc3 0-0 8.Nf3 e6 9.a4 White is slightly behind in development, and has to play accurately in order to consolidate his pawn. ist WeiÃY in der Entwicklung leicht im Rückstand und muss genau spielen, um seinen Bauern zu konsolidieren. 9...exd5 10.Nxd5 Bb7 11.Nxf6+ Qxf6 Black has compensation for the pawn. Schwarz hat Kompensation für den Bauern.] 7.Bxb5 Qa5+ 8.Nc3 Ba6 Black's idea is to try to prevent me from castling comfortably. Schwarz versucht, meine bequeme Rochade zu verhindern. [Both Sowohl 8...Ne4 9.Nge2 Bg7 10.a4;
Or wie auch 8...Bb7 9.Bd2 do not lead anywhere for Black. führen für Schwarz nicht weiter.] 9.Bxa6 Qxa6 10.Nge2 Not the ideal square for my knight, also having a vulnerable g4-square bothered me a little, but at least I have an extra pawn and I'm ready to castle next. Das ist nicht das ideale Feld für meinen Springer, und auch das verwundbare g4-Feld stÃrt mich ein wenig, aber wenigstens habe ich einen zusätzlichen Bauern und bin bereit, als nächstes zu rochieren. [Slightly more precise is Ein wenig genauer ist 10.e4 threatening e4-e5 and forcing Black to play , was e4-e5 droht und Schwarz zwingt zu 10...d6 11.Nge2 Bg7 12.a4 0-0 13.0-0 when White is on the way to consolidating and , wonach WeiÃY auf dem Weg zur Konsolidierung ist und 13...Nbd7 can be even met by begegnet werden kann sogar mit 14.Nb5 threatening the fork î?¨c7 and preparing to bring the other knight to c3. begegnet werden kann, was die Gabel Sc7 droht und sich darauf vorbereitet, den anderen Springer nach c3 zu bringen. 14...Qb7 15.Qc2 Black is simply a pawn down with not enough compensation. Schwarz hat einfach einen Bauern weniger und nicht genug Kompensation.] 10...Bg7 11.0-0 0-0 12.a4 [Here Hier funktioniert 12.e4 d6 13.a4 works just as well, transposing to a similar position. In addition it prevents Black from having this idea of ...î?¥c4. funktioniert genauso gut und führt zu einer ähnlichen Stellung. AuÃYerdem verhindert es, dass Schwarz die Idee ...Dc4 hat.] 12...Qc4 Sindarov is very tactical and he immediately seeks active counterplay. The queen controls a lot of squares on the fourth rank. Sindarov ist sehr taktisch und er sucht sofort nach aktivem Gegenspiel. Die Dame kontrolliert eine Menge Felder auf der vierten Reihe. 13.g3?! [Much stronger is Viel stärker ist 13.Nf4! you don't normally see a knight on f4 in the Benko, but it is actually quite active here, controlling the d5-square. I didn't realize how strong this move is, and the point is that Black's queen on c4 can also become vulnerable. Normalerweise sieht man im Benkà keinen Springer auf f4, aber hier ist er tatsächlich ziemlich aktiv und kontrolliert das Feld d5. Mir war nicht klar, wie stark dieser Zug ist, und der Punkt ist, dass Schwarz' Dame auf c4 auch verwundbar werden kann. 13...d6 (13...e5 14.dxe6 dxe6 15.Nb5±; 13...Na6 14.Nb5 b3 comes with tempo next, and Black has problems with his queen. b3 kommt als Nächstes mit Tempo, und Schwarz hat Probleme mit seiner Dame.) 14.Nb5 now the Black queen is actually getting trapped. Jetzt sitzt die schwarze Dame tatsächlich in der Falle. 14...Nbd7 and now both 15.b3 and 15.î?§d2 are just much better for White. und jetzt sind sowohl 15.b3 als auch 15.Ld2 einfach viel besser für WeiÃY.] 13...e6? Black looks for counterplay, but at the worst possible moment. He does not have enough time to break open the center. Schwarz sucht nach einem Gegenspiel, aber zum denkbar schlechtesten Zeitpunkt. Er hat nicht genug Zeit, um das Zentrum aufzubrechen. [Just the normal Nur das Übliche 13...d6 gives Black good compensation for the pawn. c5 is now well protected and it's not easy for White to consolidate because of the weak squares around his camp. gibt Schwarz eine gute Kompensation für den Bauern. c5 ist jetzt gut geschützt und es ist für WeiÃY nicht einfach, sich zu konsolidieren, da die Felder um sein Lager herum schwach sind. 14.b3 (14.f3 Nbd7 15.b3 Qb4 16.Ba3 Qa5") 14...Qg4 15.f3 Qh3! this counterplay is very annoying. It prevents White from consolidating. dieses Gegenspiel ist sehr ärgerlich. Es hindert Weiß daran, sich zu konsolidieren. 16.Rf2 Nbd7 17.Rh2 Qf5 18.Nf4 Nh5 19.g4 Qf6" the position gets very messy. die Lage wird sehr unübersichtlich.] 14.b3 Qg4 15.Ba3 Unfortunately for him c5 is very vulnerable. His queen is misplaced, and Black's position quickly falls apart. White has gained a lot of time attacking the enemy queen, and I am clearly no longer behind in development. Zu seinem Pech ist c5 sehr verwundbar. Seine Dame ist falsch platziert, und Schwarz' Stellung fällt schnell auseinander. WeiÃY hat viel Zeit gewonnen, um die gegnerische Dame anzugreifen, und ich bin in der Entwicklung nicht mehr im Rückstand. 15...Na6 16.Rc1 Black does not have time to defend all his vulnerable pawns. Schwarz hat nicht die Zeit, alle seine verwundbaren Bauern zu verteidigen. 16...exd5? [16...Rfb8 17.Nb5 Nxd5 18.Bxc5 Nxc5 19.Rxc5+-] 17.Nf4 Rfb8 18.Nb5 It's incredible how fast Black's position deteriorated from a completely playable position a few moves ago! Unglaublich, wie schnell sich Schwarz' Stellung von einer noch vor wenigen Zügen völlig spielbaren Stellung verschlechterte! 18...Qxd1 19.Rfxd1 d6 20.Bb2 Rb7 21.Bxf6 Bxf6 22.Nxd5 Bg7 23.Rd3 Rab8 24.g4 The knights on d5 and b5 are killing any possible counterplay by Black, not to mention the extra pawn. Die Springer auf d5 und b5 machen jedes mögliche Gegenspiel von Schwarz zunichte, ganz zu schweigen von dem zusätzlichen Bauern. 24...c4 25.Rxc4 Nc5 26.Rd1 Nxb3 27.Nxd6 Ra7 [27...Rd7 any move wins, probably the simplest is jeder Zug gewinnt, am einfachsten ist wahrscheinlich 28.Rc8+ Rxc8 29.Nxc8] 28.Nc8 I was really pleased with this quick win, thanks to Black's blunder on move 13. As Carlsen has said before "You got to beat them when they're young"! I was hoping that this win would help our team convert into match victory, as right after my game it seemed like the posiitons on the other three boards were more or less equal. However it wasn't meant to be, and our team performance as a whole was topsy turvy at best.
No doubt these young talents from Uzbekistan have a very bright chess future ahead of them, and I send big congratulations to them for winning the gold medal. I am sure we all look forward to seeing what they will accomplish in the future! Ich war wirklich sehr zufrieden mit diesem schnellen Sieg, dank des Fehlers von Schwarz in Zug 13. Wie Carlsen schon sagte: 'Man muss sie schlagen, wenn sie jung sind'! Ich hatte gehofft, dass dieser Sieg unserem Team zum Matchsieg verhelfen würde, da es nach meiner Partie so aussah, als ob die Stellungen an den anderen drei Brettern mehr oder weniger gleich wären. Aber es sollte nicht sein, und unsere Mannschaftsleistung insgesamt war bestenfalls durchwachsen.
Zweifellos haben diese jungen Talente aus Usbekistan eine groÃYe schachliche Zukunft vor sich, und ich gratuliere ihnen herzlich zum Gewinn der Goldmedaille. Ich bin sicher, dass wir alle gespannt darauf sind, was sie in der Zukunft erreichen werden! 1-0
But there is more as the following opening surveys:
Roven Vogel: English 1.c4 e5 2.g3 f5 3.Bg2 Be7
Martin Lorenzini: Scandinavian 3...Qa5 and 6.Ne5 (II)
Patrick Zelbel: Modern Defence 4...a6 5.g4
Petra Papp: Grivas Sicilian 4...Qb6 5.Nb3 Nf6 6.Nc3 e6
Krisztian Szabo: Sicilian O’Kelly Variation (Part I) 3.d4/3.c3
Sergey Grigoriants: Philidor Defence 6.Bf4
Robert Ris: Open Ruy Lopez Dilworth
Evgeny Postny: Botvinnik Variation 12.h4
Alexey Kuzmin: Nimzoindian 4.e3 0–0 5.Bd3 d5 6.a3
Andrey Sumets: Catalan 5.Bg2 a6 6.0-0 Nc6 7.Qd2.
Plus a super made endgame contribution from the great Karsten Müller: "Endgame highlights by Ding Liren" and much more! As smashing opening videos,

and more as  the chess Olympiad 2022: Review with analyses of more than 20 participants and Ivan Sokolov's contribution "Steps to Gold" - "Special" on the new World Championship candidate Ding Liren: exclusive collection of 18 annotated games + contributions on strategy and endgame - "The Indian Gambit": Daniel King presents a fresh and exciting idea in the English Opening: 1.c4 e5 2.Sc3 Sf6 3.Sf3 e4 4.Sg5 c6!? (Video) - "Practical Tips for the Tournament Player" Episode 3: How to play against a stronger opponent (Video by Jan Markos + small collection of exercises) - "Full Throttle in the Open Spanish": Robert Ris examines the highly topical Dilworth Variation and much more.
Conclusion: This is a super issue!