Moscow

Moscow Variation
Written by GM Ruslan Scherbakov

Last updated Sunday, June 5, 2011
1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 c3 f6 4 f3 e6 5 g5 h6
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After 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 f3 f6 4 c3 e6 5 g5 the move 5...h6!? leads to the so

called Moscow variation. Before taking the pawn on c4 Black tries to clarify the bishop's
position. White has two reasonable possibilities; after 6 xf6 f6 we have reached the
starting position of the Moscow variation itself while the system after 6. h4!? is called the
AntiMoscow Gambit.
Themes in the Moscow
These two branches of the same system lead to completely different types of
position. The variation 6. xf6 f6 is rather quiet and much more strategic then tactical.
White concedes the bishop pair but gains a lead in development and increases his influence
in the centre, which helps him realise the pawn advance e3e4. On the other hand black has
a rather passive but solid position. His pair of bishops makes it not so easy for white to
realise his active plans, because any opening of the position would be in Black's favour. So
this system with its rather complicated strategy has a lot of adherents.
Experts
The main black experts are: Evgeny Sveshnikov, Alexey Dreev, Vladimir Kramnik,
Mikhail Gurevich, Igor Novikov and Robert Kuczynski. Objectively white has a small plus
but it's completely playable for black. Alexander Filipenko, Dreev's coach, popularised this
system at GM Panchenko's school. But in those days I was not going to change, despite the
fact that gaining the two bishops was one of the favourite methods of pupils of the school.
Trying to remember why I did not begin to play the Moscow variation only one thought
came to my mind. Because of 6. h4.
AntiMoscow Gambit
The AntiMoscow Gambit is a completely different story. As in the Botvinnik
variation Black has the possibility of taking the pawn on c4 and retaining his kingside
pawns, but there are of course some drawbacks. The main ones are: 1) White has a strong
pawn centre; 2) White has a development advantage; 3) Black's pieces are more passive,
especially his rooks.
Now it's much more difficult for Black to castle long but his king side pawn
structure has not been destroyed, only seriously weakened and Black castles there quite
often. Usually black develops his pieces so as to be well prepared for the central
breakthrough d4d5 but white also tries to create problems for black with action on both
wings so very complicated strategic and tactical play usually occurs.
Evaluation
I first had the idea to try this gambit with white when I was refreshing my
knowledge of the Noteboom variation while working on a book. There is a line where
White just ignores the pawn on c4; it was rather popular some ten years ago. Black's life is
not so easy there, all the positions are very unclear, but compared to the AntiMoscow
gambit Black in my opinion is better off, as his kingside has not been weakened by the
moves ...h7h6 and ...g7g5.
Of course it's only a first glance and things are much more complicated but I started
to feel that white has a promising position. At least it is interesting and unclear. This came
2
as a surprise to me because one of my addictions is to take the pawn on c4 with black.

Another surprise was the fact that I found less then 150 games in the big database. Almost
everyone used to take on f6. But not for example Garry Kasparov. That was something to
think about ...
Conclusion
The situation has completely changed now. Now I have about 400 games in my
database and the number is increasing. A curious idea came to my mind. In the Botvinnik
variation Black's life is difficult. In the AntiMoscow gambit Black starts to have problems.
Maybe Black will have to think about more solid systems like the Carlsbad and Cambridge
Springs? It's impossible to say exactly but what can we say now is that we'll see a lot of
exciting games with the Moscow variation in the near future.
Contents
1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 f3 f6 4 c3
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4...e6 5 g5 h6 6 h4
6 xf6 xf6 7 e3 (7 b3 D43 Moscow Variation/2 - 6 xf6 xf6 7 b3; 7 g3 D43 Moscow
Variation/1 xf6 xf6 various 7th move) 7...d7 8 d3 D43 Moscow Variation/3 - 6 xf6
xf6 7. e3
6...dxc4 7 e4 g5 8 g3 b5 9 e2
9 e5 D43 Moscow Variation/4 6 h4 early e5
9 e5 D43 Moscow Variation/5 6 h4 early 9. Ne5!?
9...b7
9...b4 D43 Moscow Variation/6 6. Bh4 9. Be2 NOT 9...Bb7
10 h4
10 00 D43 Moscow Variation/7 6. Bh4 9...Bb7 NOT 10. h4
10...g4
10..b4 D43 Moscow Variation/8 6. Bh4 9...Bb7 10. h4 NOT 10...g4
11 e5 h5
D43 Moscow Variation/9 6...h4 10.h4 g4 11 e5 various, 11...g8 D43 Moscow

Variation/10 6...h4 10.h4 g4 11 e5 g4pawn sac
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Moscow Variation/1 6. Bxf6 Qxf6

various 7th moves [D43]
Last updated: 02/06/05 by R.Scherbakov
1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 c3 f6 4 f3 e6 5 g5 h6 6 xf6 xf6
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The starting position of the Moscow variation. It is rather quiet and much more strategic
then tactical. White concedes the bishop pair but gains a lead in development and
increases his influence in the centre, which helps him realise the pawn advance e3
e4. On the other hand Black has a rather passive but solid position. His pair of
bishops makes it not so easy for White to realise his active plans, because any
opening of the position would be in Black's favour. White has some other
possibilities.
7 g3 d7 8 g2 dxc4 9 0-0
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This Catalan type of position may promise a slight edge for White.
9...e7
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The main continuation.
The natural 9...d6?! seems to be an inaccuracy since White has a rather annoying reply. 10
d2! (This is more precise than 10 e4 e7 11 fd2 as now both 11...c7 (and
11...b5!? are worthy of consideration) ) 10...b6 (10...xd4?? is impossible because
after 11 e3+ White wins the bishop by a fork in all lines, after 10...e7 11 xc4 c7
White obviously has many more sensible ideas than playing the knight to e4.) 11 e3
0-0 (The immediate 11...e5!? deserves attention. White could think about 12 de4!?
(or 12 d5!? ) 12...e7 13 d5 trying to utilise his development advantage.) 12 ce4
e7 13 xd6 (The immediate 13 f4!? was maybe more precise.) 13...xd6 14 f4 and
here in the game Kramnik Anand/Monaco 2000 Black could make life more tricky
for White by 14...b4!? followed by ...c6c5, while the idea of developing the
Bishop to d6 anyway after 9...d8 does not seem to fully equalize. For example, 10
d2 b6 11 e3 e7 (11...c5 12 xc4 cxd4 13 exd4 e7 14 e5) 12 e2 0-0 13 xc4
xc4 14 xc4 d7 15 fd1 with a certain advantage.
10 e3
7
10 e4 f5 11 fd2 is an alternative option.
10...0-0
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Here White chooses between
11 e2
and 11 d2, hoping for a small advantage but Black can be satisfied with his solid position.
Moscow Variation/2 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qb3

[D43]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.c3 f6 4.f3 e6 5.g5 h6 6.xf6 xf6 7.b3

This line is not very popular but maybe it's just underestimated.
7...a5!?
In case of 7...d7 the most precise reply seems to be 8.d1 (8.g3 gives Black an interesting
possibility: 8...dxc4!? (8...g6 leads to the main line) 9.xc4 e5 and Black looks okay.
For example, 10.0-0-0!? e7 (10...exd4!? 11.e4 g6 12.xd4 e7 13.h3 b6 14.e5
h5 15.xc8 xc8) 11.e4 (11.h3? b6, 11.g2 exd4 12.e4 g6=) 11...f5 12.c2
0-0 13.b1 exd4 14.xd4 a5 15.h3 (15.g2 f6 16.h3!?) 15...f6 16.xc8 axc8
17.xf6+ xf6 18.f5 cd8= with equality) and after 8...g6 9.g3 g7 10.g2 0-0
11.0-0 dxc4 12.xc4 e5 White has the interesting possibility 13.e4!? (13.d5 b6 is
fine for Black as White's active knight will be exchanged and the c8bishop will
activate comfortably.) 13...e7 14.d5!? b6 (14...cxd5 15.xd5 b6 did not solve
Black's problems as it does not exchange the knights. In the game R.Scherbakov
Shalimov/St. Petersburg 2000 White achieved a certain advantage after 16.c5!
xc5 (16...e6 17.b3 is also in White's favour) 17.xc5 The strong knight on c5
disturbs Black greatly, although objectively White's advantage is not so big. ) 15.d6!
That's the idea, White is getting a strong passed pawn in the center. 15...d8
(15...xc4? is losing by force: 16.dxe7 e8 17.d8 e6 18.xa8 xa8 19.d1 d5 20.b3+
and White wins a piece.) 16.c2 White's chances should be preferred but Black's
position is still rather solid and it is impossible to break it quickly. The pawn on d6
looks strong but White should play energetically to use its full potential,
R.Scherbakov Dreev/EUch (blitz) Neum 2000.
7...dxc4 may lead to the same position as 7 ...d7 after 8.xc4 d7 9.d1 and so on.
8.e4
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8...dxe4
As a rule, Black pushes his apawn with the idea to secure the b4square for the bishop
rather than to disturb his opponent's queen by 8...a4 this further pawn advance is
rarely played as it supposed to be in White's favour after 9.c2 dxe4 (Perhaps Black
should seriously think about pushing his pawn even further: 9...a3!? which is rather
unpopular but certainly deserves more attention) 10.xe4 b4+ 11.d1 the standard
king's retreat. White's knight remains on its strong position in the center while
Black's advanced bishop might be cut off from its camp by c4c5. (The dubious
11.c3?! gave White the initiative after 11...a3 followed by ...c6c5) 11...f4!? Only
this move can justify Black's approach. Here it does not win a tempo as White's
knight on e4 is protected but the queen would still be disturbing for White. (after
11...d8?! 12.c5 0-0 13.a3 a5 14.xa4 White keeps everything under proper
control and is going to secure his king by simple means: f1-d3, d1-e2 etc.
Practice shows that Black is unable to disturb White's plans: 14...b5 15.cxb6! b7
16.c5 xb6 (16...c8 17.b3 d7 18.d3 b8 19.e2 a8 20.c2 xb6 21.hd1 c7
22.f1 was unsatisfactory for Black in the game Shulman Shabalov/Ledyard 2009)
17.xb7! xa4 18.xd8 xd8 19.c2 xd4 20.b3 a7 21.xd4 xd4 22.c3
with a small but comfortable edge in the ending) 12.c5 (or 12.d3 f5) 12...0-0
13.d3 d7 with complicated play.
9.xe4 b4+ 10.d1 f4
10
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11.d3
11.e3!? deserves attention: 11...xe3 Otherwise White will consolidate easily and
achieve an advantage. The game Sulava G.Timoshchenko/Arco 1999 continued
12.fxe3 e7 13.c5 0-0 14.e5 d7 15.c4 and White has got chances for some
advantage but Black's position is very solid.
11...f5 12.g3 c5 13.a3 a4 14.c2 a5
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A very complicated position is reached. According to tournament practice Black has good
counter chances.
11
Moscow Variation/3 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3

[D43]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.c3 f6 4.f3 e6 5.g5 h6 6.xf6 xf6 7.e3
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7...d7 8.d3
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A good alternative seems to be 8.a3 g6 9.b4!? g7 10.cxd5 exd5 11.d3 0-0 12.0-0 as
considered in the game Piket Dreev/Wijk aan Zee 1996. As Jeroen Piket explained
12
he was inspired to go for it when he realised that White is doing well here compared
to a line from the Grunfeld Defence: 1.d4 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4. f3 g7 5.g5
e4 6.cd5 g5 7 g5 e6 8.f3 ed5. But of course the game position is quite
playable for Black.
White can also begin with 8.c2 Then Black should probably go for a typical plan,
connected with ...g7g6 and ...f8g7 while 8...d8 9.d3 e7 is rather passive.
The game Gelfand Kasimdzhanov/Candidates (m/1) Elista 2007 continued 10.0-0
0-0 11.ac1 dxc4 12.xc4 b5 13.e2 b7 14.e4!? and White has increased control
of the key c5square.
8...dxc4
8...d8 is a bit passive: 9.0-0 (White might also think about Qside castling: 9.a3 e7
10.c2 0-0 11.h4!? (11.0-0 a6 was tested a couple of times. Here Vassily Ivanchuk
introduced an interesting plan he delayed his rook development, waiting for the
situation to become clearer in order to find the most precise square for both rooks.
12.e2!? d6 (In case of 12...b5 White would obtain the advantage by 13.cxd5 cxd5
14.fc1) 13.c5! b8 14.e4 e5 (This counter advance makes things more complicated
but only for Black. More accurate was 14...dxe4 15.xe4 e5 although here White's
chances look preferable too) 15.ad1 f5!? 16.exd5! e4 17.d6 White gives up a piece
but the bishop on b8 is completely locked out so it is not a real piece anymore.
17...exf3 18.f4 f6 (18...fxg2 19.fe1 with the initiative) 19.fe1 xd6 This is
forced otherwise Black just does not have the pieces to play. 20.cxd6 xd6 21.g3
White has proved the advantage, Ivanchuk Anand/Linares 1992) 11...a6 12.cxd5
(the immediate 12.0-0-0!? deserves attention) 12...exd5 13.g4 f6 14.g5 g4 15.0-00 White's chances are preferable, Polugaevsky Sveshnikov/Moscow 1985)
9...e7 10.e4 (Sometimes White begins with 10.a3 followed by b2b4, taking space
on the Qside) 10...dxc4 11.xc4 0-0 12.e2 White has maintained a small
advantage, Rowson Granda Zuniga/Palau 2008.
9.xc4
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13
9...g6
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As long ago as the early 80's Dreev's coach Alexander Filipenko popularized the bishop
fianchetto among pupils of Panchenko's school. In those days the Moscow variation
was a rare guest in tournament practice. Now the situation has changed and the
whole system, especially the setup with ...g6 and ...g7, has gained popularity.
9...d6 is an old approach but it appears on stage from time to time. 10.0-0 (10.e4 b4+
is acceptable for Black but White is still able to obtain some edge: 11.e2!? (or
11.fd2 e7 12.0-0 0-0 and if 13.f4 then 13...c5) 11...e7 (11...g6!?) 12.a3 a5 13.c2
c7 14.ac1 0-0 15.hd1 d8 16.a2 and so on) 10...e7 11.e4 c7 12.c1 0-0
This is a typical position not only for the Moscow variation, but it may also arise
from the Cambridge Springs. Black seems to be suffocating but he has a solid
position without pawn weaknesses and a pair of bishops, which may play its role
some day. As a rule, the course of play is very similar but the understanding of
numerous subtleties should bring a positive result. 13.b3 (White tried other options,
such as 13.c2, or 13.e2 ) 13...d8 (The last move prevents 13...e5?!, which is now
met by 14.d5 cxd5 15.xd5 b8 (15...b6? 16.c5!) 16.fd1 with a clear advantage)
14.c2 (14.e2 is another popular option) 14...b8!? This seems to be the most
useful move at the moment.
a) After 14...f6 15.fd1 d7 16.c5 ab8 17.a3 e8 18.a2 White maintains the
pressure
b) Black also tried 14...a5 15.a3 b8, not losing control over the e5square too early
c) 14...f8 is a typical arrangement but it's possibly not the best. 15.e5!? (15.fd1
b8 leads to a typical boring play with a slight edge for White: 16.a3 d7 17.c5 e8
etc.) 15...d7 (15...f6!? is worth considering: 16.d3 h8 but here Black is under
pressure, too) 16.f4! and suddenly Black faces problems on the light squares as the
f4f5 push is a very serious idea, Zhu Chen E.Sveshnikov/KhantyMansiysk (ol)
2010.
Then if White is also waiting by 15.a3 then 15...e5!? may work! For instance, the direct
16.d5 is parried by 16...f6! and in case of 17.dxc6 bxc6 18.xf6+ xf6 19.xc6
d6 Black is doing well.
10.0-0
14
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10...g7
Black can prevent the forthcoming b2b4 by playing 10...e7 but now he misses a chance
to counter e4e4 with ...e6e5. 11.e4 Taking a good opportunity to push the pawn
forward. White also tried many other options, which lead to typical slow play with a
slight edge. (For example, 11.b1, preparing the bpawn's advance: 11...g7 12.b4
0-0 13.c2 (or 13.b3 b6 14.fd1 b7) 13...b6 (13...h8 does not solve the problems:
14.a4 e5 15.a5 f5 16.b3 e4 17.d2 f6 18.b5 and White's initiative on the queenside
soon allowed him to create weaknesses in Black's pawn structure) 14.a4 (or 14.fd1
b7 15.e2 fd8 16.a4 ac8) 14...b7 with a typical position with a small advantage
for White) 11...g7 (In case of 11...e5 12.d5 White gets clear benefit compared to the
line 10...g7 11. e4 e5) 12.e5 (The straightforward 12.d5 is interesting but it can
hardly give Black serious problems since it increases the power of his darksquared
bishop: 12...exd5 13.exd5 0-0 14.e1 (14.d6 f6 is unclear as White's advanced pawn
is not wellsupported) 14...b4 15.b3 c5 16.dxc6 bxc6 17.e5 xe5 18.xe5
xb3 19.axb3 f5 (19...e6 20.c1 g7 21.a4 d4 22.e3 d5 23.c5 fe8 is also
good for Black) 20.h3?! fd8 21.f3 xb3 22.e2 b6 23.ae1 g7 and Black's
chances are slightly better) 12...0-0 13.e1 (13.e2 is an alternative, which leads to
similar play. For example, 13...d8 (Black also played both 13...b6, and 13...b5 )
14.ac1 b6 15.fe1 b8 16.a6 c5 17.d5 xa6 18.xa6 exd5 19.xd5 e6 and
Black is holding on) 13...b5!?
15
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An active approach. Black wins time for the development of his lightsquared bishop but
weakens the important c5square. Since he must prepare ...c6c5 anyway from now
on his play should be very creative. (13...d8 with ...b7b6 and ...c8b7 is a
common option: 14.c2 b6 15.ad1 b7 16.a3 ac8 (16...a6?! seems to be slow:
17.a2 ac8 18.h4!? (or 18.e4!? a8 19.h4 b5 20.f4 c5 21.d5) 18...c5 19.d5 The
game Sakaev Potkin/RUSchT Sochi 2005 continued 19...c4! 20.h5! exd5
21.hxg6 c5! 22.d4 fxg6 23.xg6 f7 (23...d3? 24.b1!) 24.b1! xg6 25.xg6
and White has a clear advantage his Kside pawns are very strong while Black's
Qside pawns are well blocked) 17.a2 and here he already came up with 17...c5
18.d5 exd5 19.xd5 xd5 20.xd5 f8 21.e4 (after 21.a4 d7 22.c4 cd8 23.xd7
xd7 24.h4 e6 25.g3 c6 26.e3 f8 27.b3 e7 28.h5 g5 29.f5 d1+ 30.e1 xe1+ 31.xe1
a6! Black had no problems in the game Dizdar Dreev, Luzern 1997) 21...e6
22.c4 xd1!? (after 22...d7 23.g3 cd8 24.c1! h5 25.g2 h6 26.b1 c7 27.a4 White
has maintained his small advantage in the game Anand Dreev, Hyderabad 2002)
23.xd1 d8 24.xd8+ (here White would also think about 24.e1!? but Black could
probably equalise after 24...d4!?) 24...xd8 25.g3 d7 with almost equal play.)
14.f1
a) White also tried other bishop retreats: 14.b3 b7 15.c1 ad8 (15...fd8 is also
playable: 16.e2 (16.e4? can be met by 16...xe5!) 16...c5! 17.e4 cxd4 18.c7
ab8 with good counter chances) 16.e2 c5! 17.e4 xe4 18.xe4 cxd4 19.c7
b4! and Black has achieved the better chances
b) 14.d3!? deserves serious attention: 14...b7 15.e4 ab8 16.a3 fd8 17.c2
with small advantage for White
14...d8 15.c1 b7 16.b3 The game Geller Galkin/RUSchT Sochi 2005 continued
16...a6!? (an immediate 16...c5!? seemed good enough to solve the problems if they
existed: 17.xb5 a6!? 18.d6 xf3 19.xf3 cxd4 20.c4 g5 21.e4 c5 22.f3 d7=)
17.e4 c5! 18.xc5 xc5 19.xc5 xd4! 20.xb5! axb5 21.xd4 d5 22.xb5
xa2 and Black has achieved excellent play for the pawn.
11.b4
One of the main plans, White takes the opportunity to gain space on the queenside.
16
There are some other possibilities. 11.e4 e7 12.c2 does not look too dangerous for
Black. After 12...0-0 13.b3 e5 14.fe1 (14.ad1 was also tried but without much
success: 14...exd4 15.exd4 b6!? 16.fe1 g4 17.ed2 d6 18.h3 f5 19.e4 f4 and Black
had solved all his problems) 14...h8! (Less precise was preparing ...f7f5 with
14...h7 because after 15.c3 f5 16.e4 exd4 17.exf5 White could utilise the Black king's
bad placement.) 15.ed2 e8! with the idea of ...e5e4 Black achieved excellent
play in the game Dautov Dreev/Yerevan (ol) 1996
The immediate 11.e4 is not very popular. After 11...e5 12.d5 b6 13.b3 (13.d2 also
promises nothing: 13...g5 (or 13...0-0 14.a4 d8 15.a5 xc4 16.xc4 g5 17.b3 h3
18.e3 ab8 19.ac1 f8 20.h1 d7 with good play for Black) 14.e2 0-0 15.fd1
h3 16.f3 ad8 17.b3 c8 18.c4 xc4 19.xc4 h5 followed by ...g7h6
with sufficient counterplay) 13...g4 Black solves all his problems. The game Rebel
Century Junior6/Cadaqu 2000 continued by 14.h3 xf3 15.xf3 xf3 16.gxf3
e7 17.dxc6 bxc6 with an obviously drawn endgame. The weakness of the cpawn
can hardly be exploited while White cannot be too proud of his kingside pawn
structure.
11.c1 is one of the main continuations, 11...0-0 12.e4
a) White also tried other options: 12.e4!? e7 13.b3 Stopping the typical
development of Black's lightsquared bishop to b7. The game Aronian
Gelfand/WCh Mexico City 2007 continued 13...d8! 14.c2 e5 15.fe1 h8 and
here White came up with the interesting 16.g4!? and after 16...f8! 17.g5 f5!?
18.gxf6 xf6 Black has reasonable counterplay but it seems that White could still
manage to maintain somewhat the better chances.
b) after 12.e1 the most precise continuation is supposed to be 12...d8! (12...e7
13.e4 gives White a slight edge) 13.c2 (after 13.e2 e7 14.e4 a5 15.b3 b6 16.c3
b7= Black is okay) 13...e7 14.a3 b6 15.e4 b7 A rather typical position for this
system has arisen. White has more space but Black has no weaknesses and is ready
to use any opportunity to open up the game to use his pair of bishops.
12...e5
a) 12...d8 13.e5 e7 14.e2 b6 (the immediate 14...c5!? is interesting: 15.d5 xe5!?
16.xe5 exd5 17.f3! xe2 18.xe2 e6 with complicated play) 15.fe1 gave White
somewhat better chances in the game Rebel Century Shredder 4/Cadaqu 2000
b) while the surprising novelty 12...c5!? may not be fully equalising: 13.e5!? (after
13.d5 b6 14.b3 exd5 15.xd5 d8 16.h3 xc4 17.bxc4 e8 18.e1 d7 19.d2 c8 20.f4
b5!? 21.e5 g5! 22.g3 bxc4 23.ed1 c6! Black had excellent play in the game Anand
Giri/Wijk aan Zee 2011) 13...d8!? (13...e7 does not seem to solve the problems:
14.e1 b6 15.e4 cxd4 16.xd4 d8 (16...xc4?! 17.f6+!?) 17.d6!? (17.f6+
xf6! 18.exf6 xd4 19.xd4 xf6 20.ed1 is only somewhat better for White) 17...xe5
18.xe5 xd6 19.f4 xc4 20.xc4 with some initiative for the pawn) 14.dxc5
xe5 15.xe5 xe5 16.e2 and White keeps some pressure as it's still not so easy
for Black to develop his Qside.
13.d5 b6 14.dxc6 bxc6 15.e2 Thanks to the better pawn structure White keeps a slight
edge but Black's position is very solid.
11...0-0 12.a4
17
12.c1 is the main alternative, Black usually plays 12...e7 and after 13.b3 chooses
between two way of developing the lightsquared bishop. 13...b6 Intending to
transpose the bishop to e8. (13...b6 is known to be safe: 14.fd1 (after 14.b5 b7
15.bxc6 xc6 16.e2 ac8 17.d2 b8 18.a4 fd8 Black has no problems) 14...b7 15.e4
fd8 16.a3 ab8 with good play) 14.d3 d8 15.e4 d5 16.a3 (16.b5 d7) 16...d7
17.c5 e8 with a very solid position, Pr.Nikolic Anand/Groningen 1997. You
may remember that Black used to play a very similar setup in the Cambridge
Springs with an early ...d5xc4.
12...e7
12...b6 is also not so bad. After 13.a5 b8 14.axb6 axb6 15.a7 b7 16.a2 e7 17.b3 c5
18.b5 White maintains some pressure but in practice Black did not have too many
problems in holding the balance.
The immediate 12...e5 does not solve the problems due to 13.a5! exd4 14.exd4 d6
(14...d8 is worthy of consideration) 15.b1! and Black is still not allowed to move
the knight from d7! The game Azmaiparashvili Dreev/ECC Neum 2000 continued
by 15...h7?!
a) Black has tried some alternatives but it looks like he is already suffering. For
example, 15...b6 16.e1 bxa5 17.bxa5 (17.xa5 b8 18.xa7 xb4 19.a2) 17...c5
18.b5!
b) 15...g5 16.e4 f4 17.e1
c) 15...b5 16.a2 a6 17.e4 f4 18.d3 ae8 19.fe1 c8 20.g3 c7 21.ac1
b8 22.d5 with the initiative in all cases.
16.b3! with a rather annoying initiative.
13.b3 d8!? 14.fd1 b6 15.e2 d5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+ltr-+k+0
9zpp+-wqpvl-0
9-+p+p+pzp0
9+-+n+-+-0
9PzP-zP-+-+0
9+QsN-zPN+-0
9-+-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Thanks to the space advantage White keeps a typical slight edge but Black has a solid
position and quite acceptable play.
18
Moscow Variation/4 6. Bh4 early 8. e5

[D43]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 f3 f6 4 c3 e6 5 g5 h6 6 h4 dxc4 7 e4 g5 8 g3 b5
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zp-+-+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-+-zp-0
9-+pzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+NvL-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This is the starting position of socalled AntiMoscow Gambit. As in the Botvinnik
Variation Black takes the pawn on c4 but here he retains his kingside pawns. Of
course, there are some drawbacks the main ones are: 1) White has a strong pawn
centre, 2) White has a development advantage, 3) Black's pieces are rather passive,
especially his rooks. Now it's much more difficult for Black to castle long but his
kingside pawn structure has not been destroyed, only seriously weakened, and Black
castles there quite often. Usually he develops his pieces so as to be well prepared for
the central breakthrough d4d5 but White also tries to create problems for Black
with action on both wings so very complicated strategic and tactical play usually
occurs.
9 e5
19
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zp-+-+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-zP-zp-0
9-+pzP-+-+0
9+-sN-+NvL-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This pawn push was always supposed to be rather harmless for Black but it recently gained
some popularity. White clarifies the central pawn structure a bit early, losing control
over the d5square and depriving himself of the thematic d4d5 break. However, he
thinks that his strong knight on e4 might overcome such drawbacks. By the way, this
position might also be reached via the Botvinnik Variation if White suddenly moves
his bishop back to g3 instead of capturing the g5pawn with the knight...
9...d5
9...h5!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zp-+-+p+-0
9-+p+p+-zp0
9+p+-zP-zpn0
9-+pzP-+-+0
9+-sN-+NvL-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is also quite typical, Black takes care of his opponent's potentially dangerous bishop: 10
e2 (White can also begin with 10 a4!?, which might be more precise. Then after
10...a6 (10...b7!?, 10...b4!?) 11 e2 b7 might be a transposition to 10. e2,
although here White has got the interesting 12 xg5!? xg3 13 xf7 xf7 14 fxg3
with good attacking chances see 10. e2.) 10...g7!? Black leaves his vulnerable
d6square without any protection, fortifying his Kside first of all.
a) The immediate 10...xg3!? deserved attention as well: 11 hxg3 (here 11 fxg3?!
does not promise much: 11...d7 12 0-0 g7 13 a4 0-0) 11...d7 (11...b7 12 e4 e7 13
fxg5!) 12 a4 b7 (12...b4 would be strongly met with 13 f1! b7 14 axb5 c5 15 g4
with better chances for White) 13 axb5 cxb5 (13...c5!? 14 0-0) 14 xb5 and here
20
14...b6! would give Black acceptable play. (14...g4?! is dubious: 15 d2 xg2 16 h2

b6?! 17 xg2 xb5 18 xc4 b7 19 f1 h5 20 h2+) Then after 15 a4 a6 16 d6+
xd6 17 exd6 xd6 18 xc4 c8 19 d3 g4 20 h4 f6 21 0-0 0-0 22 e3 g7
Black should be fine.
b) 10...b7 is also playable for Black but here the immediate 11 xg5! might pose
problems.
b1) 11 a4!? can be met by 11...b4! (in case of 11...a6 White plays the same 12 xg5!
xg3 13 xf7 xf7 14 fxg3 with good attacking prospects for the sacrificed piece:
14...h7!? (after 14...g8 15 0-0 d7 16 g4 e7 17 e4 Black found himself under
pressure in the game Kramnik Anand/Beograd 1997, while 14...g7!? 15 h5 h7 16
0-0 might be far from clear) 15 0-0+ g8 16 g4 d7 17 xe6+ h8 18 g4 g7
19 h3 with the initiative) 12 e4 c5! 13 xc5 xc5 14 dxc5 xd1+ 15 xd1 d7
16 d4 c8 17 xc4 xc5 and Black has obtained a slight edge in the endgame
b2) 11 0-0 promises nothing: 11...d7 12 a4 a6 13 h1 (here 13 xg5? is impossible
because White has already castled: 13...xg3 14 xf7 xe2+ check!) 13...g7 14 e4
f5 15 fd2 b6 with excellent play
11...xg3 12 xf7 xf7 13 fxg3 h7 (13...g8 14 0-0 a6? 15 e4 g7 16 h5 is bad for
Black) 14 0-0+ g8 15 g4 (15 e4?! h8) 15...h8 (15...c8!? 16 e4 h8) 16
xe6 Almost the same position can be reached with the inclusion of the moves a2
a4 and ...a7a6, which might be important compare this with the line 11. a4!? a6
12. xg5! 16...d7 (16...a6!? 17 e4 b4 is worth considering, using the vacant
a6square for the knight's transfer) 17 g4 g7 18 h3 e7 19 e4 g7 20 d6
f8 and here 21 g4! would have secured somewhat the better chances for White
11 a4 (The immediate 11 e4 might be less dangerous for Black: 11...0-0 12 c2 (here the
straightforward 12 fxg5?! is insufficient: 12...xg3 13 hxg3 hxg5 14 c2 f5! 15 exf6 xf6
16 xf6+ xf6 17 h7+ f7 and White lacks resources for the attack) 12...a6
(12...g4!? is a logical alternative: 13 h4 b6! 14 0-0-0!? d7 with very complicated
and unclear play) 13 d1!? (13 0-0-0 should be met by 13...b4! 14 b1 g4 15 h4 f5 16
exf6 xf6 with better chances) 13...b4 14 b1 This position has been tested in the
game Jakovenko Motylev/RUSchT Dagomys 2010: 14...f5 (Black could have
tried other interesting options, such as 14...g4!? 15 fd2 c5!?) 15 exf6 xf6 and here
White had some decent options, such as 16 d6!? (16 e5!?) 16...xe4 17 xb4 d6
(17...f4? 18 g3) 18 e5 with more than sufficient compensation for the pawn.)
11...a6!? (11...b6? looks more natural but in fact Black's queen might be needed on
d8 since after 12 e4 0-0 White has the strong 13 fxg5! xg3 14 hxg3 d7
(14...hxg5? 15 f6+ xf6 16 c2! d8 17 exf6+) 15 a5 c7 16 c2 d8 17 h7! c5 18
ef6+ xf6 19 exf6 cxd4 20 e4 and Black can resign) 12 e4 (After 12 axb5 cxb5
13 xb5 axb5 14 xa8 b7 15 a1 0-0 Black has reasonable compensation for the
exchange) 12...0-0 This position arose in the game Gongora Reyes
Gagarin/Barbera del Valles 2010. White came up with 13 fxg5!? xg3 14 hxg3
hxg5 15 c2 f5! 16 exf6 xf6 17 xf6+ xf6 18 h7+ f8 19 a3! An excellent
resource, which White has got because he cleverly inserted a2a4! 19...xd4?!
(19...e7!? 20 f3 xd4 seemed to be the more precise order of moves) 20 f3+?!
(White had an interesting option 20 g6!?, which might have been more promising
in this line his rook would be used on the hfile) 20...e7 21 g8! xb2! 22 0-0
d7 23 f7+ d6 and Black seems to be able to hold on in such a messy position.
21
10 d2!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zp-+-+p+-0
9-+p+p+-zp0
9+p+nzP-zp-0
9-+pzP-+-+0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
White shifts his knight to e4 without delay, not only improving the knight itself but also
giving support to the other one on c3.
In case of 10 e2 Black can think about the more concrete 10...a5!? (or even 10...b4!?,
while the position after 10...b7 usually arises after 9. e2 b7 10.e5 d5 and it is
also quite playable for Black.)
10...b7
Black also tried some other possibilities.
10...d7 seems playable as well: 11 e2 (11 a4 might be less promising: 11...b4 12 ce4 c3
with good counter chances) 11...b6 (11...a5!? 12 0-0) 12 a4 b4 13 de4 with
good compensation
10...b4 11 de4 a5 would be met with 12 a3!
while 10...a5!? 11 de4 b4!? would also be a serious alternative.
10...h5 is typical for the AntiMoscow Gambit but in this particular position it has been
played rarely. In my opinion, Black should still take care of his Qside development
first of all: 11 h4 g4 12 de4
a) Other typical moves are also playable for White. For example, 12 e2 d7
(12...a5 13 0-0 xc3 14 bxc3 xc3 15 e4 a3 16 d2) 13 a4 b7 14 0-0 a6 15 de4
b6 16 d2
b) or 12 a4 b7 13 e2 (13 de4!?) 13...xc3 14 bxc3 c5 15 axb5 xg2 16 g1 d5
17 xc4 xc4 18 xc4 d7 19 f1! cxd4 20 g2 dxc3 21 c6 with initiative in
both cases
12...d7 13 e2 (the aggressive 13 f3?! is too doubleedged as Black gets a lot of counter
chances: 13...g8 (he could have thought about 13...e3!? 14 d2 f5 15 f4 b7,
keeping many important squares under control) 14 fxg4 xg4 15 f3 b4 and Black
has obtained excellent counter chances, Moiseenko Sharapov/UKRchT Alushta
2010) 13...b6 14 0-0 b7 15 a4 White keeps more than sufficient compensation for
the pawn.
11 e2 d7 12 0-0 b6
22
Both sides are improving their pieces, preparing for the forthcoming collision.
13 a4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+kvl-tr0
9zpl+n+p+-0
9-wqp+p+-zp0
9+p+nzP-zp-0
9P+pzP-+-+0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9-zP-sNLzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
13 de4 can be well met by the thematic 13...c5 14 dxc5 xc5 (not 14...xc5? 15 xd5 xd5
16 f6++) 15 a4 xc3 16 xc3 and here 16...d8!? is maybe the most promising
continuation, which secures the better chances for Black.
13...a5!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+kvl-tr0
9+l+n+p+-0
9-wqp+p+-zp0
9zpp+nzP-zp-0
9P+pzP-+-+0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9-zP-sNLzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
This pawn advance deserves serious attention. Black's idea is to push his c6pawn after a
preliminary ...b5b4.
The natural 13...a6 is also playable. Black supports his Qside pawn massive, intending to
advance his cpawn and open his lightsquared bishop. However, White usually
gets very good compensation for the pawn: 14 de4 0-0-0!? This seems to be the
most reliable of Black's options.
a) Black also tested 14...e7 which can be answered by 15 d6+!? (after 15 d2?!
c5! 16 dxc5 xc5 17 xc5 xc5 18 e4 d8!? White has to do a good work to prove his
compensation for the pawn) 15...xd6 16 exd6 with more than sufficient
compensation after the possible 16...c5 17 dxc5 xc5 18 d4
23
b) In case of 14...c5 White can begin concrete action in the center: 15 xd5! exd5
(15...xd5 couldn't extinguish White's initiative: 16 c3 cxd4 17 xd5 exd5 18 h5) 16
g4! and White has got a strong initiative, Stocek Krejci/CZEch Ostrava 2010.
15 d2!? (After 15 h5 Black keeps sufficient counter chances by 15...f4! 16 xf7
xe5! 17 xe6+ b8! 18 e2 (the queen sacrifice 18 xf4 gxf4 19 dxe5 xd1 20 fxd1 is
worth considering but Black's chances seemed preferable after 20...b4 21 f6 a5 22
ce4 a7 23 d7 c3 24 bxc3 bxc3 25 ac1 b4) 18...g7 (it was also possible to play
18...ed3!? 19 b3 xd4! 20 xd4 xd4 21 f5 b4 with more than enough compensation)
19 xf4 gxf4 20 xf4 xd4 and Black takes the initiative) 15...c5 The thematic
pawn advance. Black should not be afraid to make his king more vulnerable as the
activity of his pieces, especially his lightsquared bishop, is more important! 16
axb5 axb5 17 xd5 xd5 18 c3 This position arose in the game Stocek
Najer/Wheeling 2010. It continued 18...b7!? This retreat looks logical as Black
secures his important lightsquared bishop. However, his king still cannot be
completely safe... (18...b8 would be well met by 19 xd5! (in case of 19 b3? cxb3!
20 dxc5 Black can obtain a big advantage with the astonishing 20...c4!! 21 cxb6 xd2 22
xc4 bxc4) 19...xd5 20 a8 with some initiative. Yet, perhaps it was still far from
clear after 20...g7 21 fa1 hd8) 19 d5! g7 20 b3! and White has got the
initiative.
14 c1!?
14 de4 seems worse: 14...b4 15 a2 0-0-0! (15...c5 16 xc4 cxd4 17 b5 e7 18 c1 h5 19 h3
d8 20 b3) 16 xc4?! f4! 17 d6+ xd6 18 exd6 c5! 19 xf4 gxf4 20 h5
xd6 and White is in trouble.
14...e7 15 de4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+-tr0
9+l+nvlp+-0
9-wqp+p+-zp0
9zpp+nzP-zp-0
9P+pzPN+-+0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9-zP-+LzPPzP0
9+-tRQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White keeps sufficient compensation for the pawn in this extremely complicated position.
24
Moscow Variation/5 6. Bh4 early 9.

Ne5!? [D43]
1.d4 d5 2.f3 f6 3.c4 c6 4.c3 e6 5.g5 h6 6.h4 dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.g3 b5

9.e5!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zp-+-+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-sN-zp-0
9-+pzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This early knight's jump has recently become popular. White keeps in mind the typical h2
h4 and in some cases he may save time by delaying the move f1-e2. However,
Black may also find some extra options.
9...b7
9...h5!? deserves serious attention: 10.h4 g4 11.e2 b4!?
25
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zp-+-+p+-0
9-+p+psn-+0
9+-+-sN-+p0
9-zppzPP+pzP0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzP-+LzPP+0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black goes for concrete action without wasting time for development of the lightsquared
bishop. (11...b7 12.0-0 would be a transposition to one of the main lines: 12...bd7
13.c2 xe5 14.xe5 g7 15.ad1 0-0, which is considered in D43 Moscow Variation/7)
12.a4 xe4 13.0-0! (both 13.xc4?! xg3 14.fxg3 d7! 15.xd7 xd7 16.0-0 b7 17.e2
g7, and 13.f4?! f6 14.g3 h6! 15.c2 xf4 16.xe4 xe5! 17.dxe5 f5! 18.xf5 exf5
19.xc4 d7 20.0-0-0 e7! 21.he1 b6 22.xb6 axb6 23.d6 b5! 24.b3 c5 as has been
played in L'Ami Motylev/Wijk aan Zee 2009 are clearly better for Black)
13...xg3 (or 13...a6!? 14.f4 h6 15.c2 xf4 16.xe4 xe5 17.xe5 h6 18.c5 d7
19.xd7 xd7!) 14.fxg3 g7 15.xf7 xd4+ 16.h2 xd1 17.axd1 0-0 18.g5
with unclear play in the ending.
9...b4!? is also interesting: 10.f3 (10.e2 is doubleedged: 10...xe4 11.0-0 xg3! (in
the game Cheparinov Nepomniashchy/Wijk aan Zee B 2008 Black was too
greedy: 11...xc3? 12.bxc3 xc3 13.c2 xe2+ 14.xe2 and White's development
advantage gave him a very strong initiative) 12.fxg3 (12.hxg3 b7 is acceptable for
Black) 12...0-0 and White has to do a good work to prove his compensation for the
pawn since 13.h5 (a rather unexpected 13.xb5 did not bother Black much: 13...cxb5
14.f3 c3!? 15.d3 cxb2 16.ad1 d7 17.c6 b6 18.xb4 e5! followed by ...xf3 and
...c8b7 with excellent play) 13...f5 does not promise him real chances to break his
opponent's defence) 10...h5!?
a) an immediate 10...xd4?? loses to 11.xf6 xc3+ 12.bxc3 xc3+ 13.e2 b2+
14.f3 c3+ 15.g4+
b) while the common 10...b7 is possibly not the best: 11.e2 (11.0-0-0!? is also
tempting) 11...bd7 (11...xc3+ 12.bxc3 c5 13.d5 exd5 14.exd5 0-0 15.0-0-0 e8 16.h4)
12.0-0 with better chances for White
11.h3 Now Black can already capture the pawn: 11...xd4! 12.xf6 xc3+ 13.bxc3
xc3+ 14.e2 b2+ 15.f3 c3+= with a perpetual check. This line deserves
further investigation as surprises are quite possible.
The surprising 9...bd7!? is rather interesting. Black immediately takes care of White's
advanced knight, forcing matters and hoping that his opponent's other pieces will be
too late to join the battle. 10.xc6 b6 11.d5 b7 12.a4 a6! (12...b4?! fails to solve
the problems: 13.b5 xc6 14.c7+ d8 15.a5!? b7 16.a6 b6 17.dxc6 xc6 18.xa8 and
so on) 13.e2 This position occurred in the game Kasimdzhanov Gelfand/FIDE
GP Nalchik 2009. It continued 13...g7 14.dxe6 (14.0-0 was a natural alternative:
26
14...0-0 15.f3!? (in case of 15.d6 Black would be fine after giving up the
exchange: 15...xc6 16.dxc6 xc6 17.e5 (thanks to his powerful bishop and other
active pieces as well as Qside pawn majority Black would have no problem after
17.xf8 xf8) 17...d5 18.f3 xe5 19.xe5 xe5 20.xd5 exd5 21.xd5 c5
22.xa8 xa8 23.axb5 xb5 with a probable draw) 15...g4! 16.xg4 xg4 17.xg4
xc6 18.dxc6 xc6 19.ad1 and White would still hope to somehow exploit
opponent's Kside weaknesses although Black should have sufficient resources)
14...xc6 15.exd7+ xd7 with complicated play, in which White would still hope to
prove the better chances.
10.h4
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqkvl-tr0
9zpl+-+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-sN-zp-0
9-+pzPP+-zP0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10...g4
10...g8 is a very rare and apparently dubious option. White is given a chance to grab the
hfile although his king would find no really safe place on the board. Yet, this rather
unexpected gain in rook's power still seems to be in White's favour. 11.hxg5 hxg5
12.f3 (White also tried some other options but without much success. A brave
sacrifice 12.xf7 can hardly promise more than some repetition of moves: 12...xf7
13.e5 d5 14.h7+ g7 15.h5+ f8 16.f3+ e8 17.h5+ with a draw) 12...e7 13.0-00!? (13.e2 bd7 14.d1 0-0-0 is acceptable for Black) 13...bd7 14.d5!? (in case of
14.xd7 xd7 15.e5 Black can achieve good counter chances by 15...0-0-0 16.e4 c5!
17.d5 e8! with a very unclear play) 14...xe5 15.xe5 d7 This position arose in
the game Fier Guerra Tulcan/South America U20 Cochabamba 2009. White came
up with an interesting 16.c7!?, which prevented Qside castling and restricted
opponent's pieces. After 16...f6?! (Black should have tried the more concrete
16...g4! 17.g3 b4 although White's chances seemed preferable after 18.dxe6 xe6
19.e2 but this position certainly requires more analysis) 17.dxe6 xe6 18.g3 b4
19.a4 White has obtained somewhat the better chances.
10...g7!? is playable: 11.hxg5
a) 11.f3 deserves attention: 11...b4 12.hxg5 hxg5 13.xh8+ xh8 14.xc4! bxc3
15.bxc3 f8 16.d6 e7 17.b1 a6 18.e5 e8 19.xa6 xa6 20.b7 ec7
27
21.xc6 and White has achieved a big advantage. However, Black's play can
probably be improved
b) 11.a4 is also worth considering: 11...a6 12.hxg5 hxg5 13.xh8+ xh8 14.xc4!
This line, which has been played by Baadur Jobava in some games, is interesting but
still not so clear: 14...b4 15.a2 (15.d3!? bxc3 16.bxc3 c5 17.c4) and here Black
should think about 15...c5!? opening his lightsquared bishop and getting reasonable
counter chances.
11...hxg5 12.xh8+ xh8 13.d2!? This continuation poses some problems for Black.
a) Let's take a look at the other options White has tried here: 13.f3!? can be met
with 13...bd7 (but not 13...b4? 14.xc4! bxc3 15.bxc3 f8 16.d6 e7 17.b1 a6 18.e5
e8 19.xa6 xa6 20.b7 ec7 21.xc6, 13...xd4? is also bad Black due to 14.d1 b6
15.xc4!) 14.0-0-0 xe5 15.xe5 e7 16.e2!? (in the game Krylov Dubov,
Moscow 2010, White unsuccessfully tried 16.h2?! g7 17.g4 f8 18.e2 d8 and
Black was doing well) 16...0-0-0 17.h1 g7 18.e3 e8 19.h7 xe5 20.dxe5
b8 with unclear play
b) An immediate 13.xc4!? bxc4 14.xc4 is interesting but Black can probably
defend: 14...f8 15.d6 (or 15.e5 e8 16.h5 g7 17.e4 e7 with unclear play)
15...e7 (15...d7!? 16.b3 a6 17.0-0-0) 16.e5 e8 17.ce4 xd6 (17...c5?! 18.h5
g7 19.xg5) 18.exd6 e8 19.e5 f6 20.xf6 xf6 21.xf6 g6 22.b3 c8 and
Black is okay
13...b4!? Black forces matters. (13...h5!? is a worthy alternative but perhaps it couldn't
completely solve the problems: 14.h2 f4!? (14...d7 15.xd7 xd7 16.0-0-0)
15.f3! (15.xf4 gxf4 16.xf4 f6) 15...e5!? 16.xe5 (16.0-0-0!? d7) 16...xe5
17.dxe5 xd2+ 18.xd2 d7 and in this ending White had chances to get
advantage: 19.xf4 (19.e3 g6) 19...gxf4 20.e2 xe5 21.xf4 d8+ 22.e3
g4+ 23.e2 and temporary activity of Black's pieces may not be sufficient to
compensate White's superior pawn structure) 14.xg5! (14.a4 xe4 15.xb4 e7 is
far from clear: 16.c5 xc5 17.dxc5 a6 18.xc4 d8 with good counter chances)
14...bxc3 15.bxc3 White has got a strong initiative for the sacrificed knight and
Black must be very careful. The game Nakamura Gelfand/KhantyMansiysk (ol)
2010, continued 15...e7 16.xc4 xe4 17.xe7+ xe7 18.b1 a6 19.xb8
xb8 20.xb8 xc4 21.xc4 a5 22.a7 xc3 23.d2 b5 24.c5+ d7 25.d3
Thanks to his pair of bishops White keeps a certain advantage. However, a lack of
pawns on the board and the impossibility to create any real pawn weakness or passed
pawn make his winning chances unrealistic.
11.xg4
28
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqkvl-tr0
9zpl+-+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+pzPP+NzP0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...xg4!
A principled continuation.
In case of 11...bd7?! White can really postpone the move e1-e2: 12.xf6+ xf6
(12...xf6 does not solve the problems: 13.f3! g8 14.e2 The game Gelfand
Alekseev/RUSchT Sochi 2008 continued 14...a6?! (14...b4!? 15.a4 c5 should
have been tried but after 16.xc4 xe4 (16...xe4 17.d5! exd5 (17...xd5?! 18.0-0-0)
18.b5+ e7 19.0-0-0 seemed too dangerous for Black) 17.e2 cxd4 18.b5+
e7 19.c1 c8 20.0-0 White had excellent compensation for the pawn) 15.d1!?
d7 16.0-0 f6 17.e3 0-0-0 18.b3! and White's advantage was beyond doubt as
Black's position was compromised and he hasn't even got a pawn to suffer for)
13.e2!? (13.d2 also promises better chances for White: 13...0-0-0 (or 13...g8 14.00-0 b6 15.e3 b4 16.e5 f5 17.e4 0-0-0 18.e2) 14.h5 g7 15.0-0-0 e7 16.e3
with advantage) 13...0-0-0 (Perhaps Black should consider 13...g8!?, taking White's
important bishop under control) 14.e5 f5 15.a4 This position arose in the game
Radjabov Cheparinov/Sochi 2008, which continued 15...b4?! (Again, 15...g8!
looked much stronger it already creates a threat of capturing on g3 and e5. Then
after 16.0-0 (16.f3 xg3 17.fxg3 xe5) 16...b4 Black was doing well.) 16.xc4! c5
a) 16...bxc3? 17.d3!+
b) 16...g8 was already not fully satisfactory: 17.d3 g4 18.e2 (18.e4 xd1+
19.xd1 c5) 18...c5 19.f3 g7 20.a5 with initiative.
17.e2 g8 18.0-0 and White has achieved a big advantage.
12.xg4 xd4
29
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-+kvl-tr0
9zpl+-+p+-0
9-+p+p+-zp0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+pwqP+QzP0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
13.d1
White also played 13.e2 d7!? (13...a6 is also playable: 14.0-0 (or 14.d1 g7)
14...c5 15.h5 g8 16.e5 d7 17.fd1 d3) 14.d1 c5 15.f4 d8 16.0-0
g7 and Black obtains good counter chances.
13...f6
13...g7 is a natural alternative: 14.f4 a6 15.e2 (15.a4 b4 16.e2 0-0 17.0-0 c5)
15...e7 16.0-0 (16.e5?! b4 17.e4 d5 18.c1 b4+ 19.f1 0-0-0 gives Black a clear
advantage) 16...c5 with unclear play. Yet, White's chances might still be
preferable: 17.e5 g6 18.d4 d8 19.fd1 xd4 (19...d5?! is insufficient: 20.e3 h5
21.f3 a6 22.b4! cxb3 23.axb3 with clearly better chances) 20.xd4 and things are still
too far from clear.
14.e5
A preliminary 14.a4 can be met by 14...h5!? 15.e2 (15.g5!?) 15...b4 (15...d7!? seems
even more to the point) 16.d2 e7 17.e2 d7 18.0-0 a6 and Black has managed
to fortify his position.
14...f5 15.d4 e7 16.a4
30
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-+k+-tr0
9zpl+-vlp+-0
9-+p+p+-zp0
9+p+-zPq+-0
9P+pwQ-+-zP0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9-zP-+-zPP+0
9+-+RmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
16.b3?! is well met by 16...c5! 17.e3 c6! 18.bxc4 b4! 19.f4 c2+ 20.e2 xf4
21.xf4 bxc4 and White has to fight for a draw.
16...c5!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-+k+-tr0
9zpl+-vlp+-0
9-+-+p+-zp0
9+pzp-zPq+-0
9P+pwQ-+-zP0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9-zP-+-zPP+0
9+-+RmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
16...f8 does not solves the problems: 17.f3!? White neutralises his opponent's light
squared bishop in advance. (However, the simple 17.e2 might be even more
promising. Then after 17...b4 18.e4 should have been played: (in case of 18.g4?!
c5! 19.xc4 c2! White has to force a draw by 20.d2 c1+ 21.d1 c2 (21...xb2
22.b5) 22.d2) 18...c5 19.xc5 d5 (19...xg2 20.g4! c2 21.f4) 20.g4,
maintaining the better chances.) The game Shulman Van Wely/Foxwoods 2009,
continued with 17...a6!? 18.axb5 and here it seemed more precise to play
18...b4! without delay. (after 18...cxb5?! 19.xb5 b4 20.f4! White maintained the
better chances) 19.xc4 (19.f4?! would be met with 19...c2! 20.bxc6 xc6 21.xc4
g8 with excellent counter chances.) 19...cxb5 (19...c2 20.bxc6 xc6 21.d2!? c1+
22.d1) 20.xb5 c8 21.f4 d5 22.xf5 b4+ 23.f2 exf5 with active play for
the pawn.
17.d2
31
17.f4!? is a natural alternative: 17...xf4 18.xf4 a6! (18...b4? is bad for Black: 19.b5
a6 20.xc4 xg2 21.g1 f3 22.d3 c6 23.e2 and his pieces are too restricted)
19.axb5 axb5 20.xb5 a2 21.c1 a4 22.h3 c6 with a complicated play in the
ending. White's chances might still be somewhat better but the more precise analysis
are still required for more precise conclusions.
17...a6 18.axb5 axb5 19.xb5 e4+!

The point of Black's previous play, as otherwise he would simply be worse.
Both 19...0-0?! 20.xh6
and 19...f8?! 20.e2 were hardly satisfactory for Black.
20.e2
20.e2!? comes to mind. Then in case of 20...xe2+ 21.xe2 a2 the position would be
similar to the line 17. f4 with a small difference in White's bishops placement.
Here White cannot comfortably protect his b2pawn so he has to continue by
22.xc4 xb2 23.0-0 and after 23...g8 24.fe1 g4 Black is doing well.
20...xg2
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-+k+-tr0
9+l+-vlp+-0
9-+-+p+-zp0
9+Nzp-zP-+-0
9-+p+-+-zP0
9+-+-+-vL-0
9-zP-wQLzPq+0
9+-+RmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
21.h2
An inclusion of 21.c7+ f8 22.h2 is interesting but Black has sufficient resources:
22...g1+! 23.f1 c6, heading the knight to a strong d4square, which has been
left without proper control after the jump of its counterpart: 24.xa8 d4 25.f4
and here another strong manoeuvre 25...d8! forces White to resign himself to a
possible draw after 26.d2 a5+ 27.c1 f3! Here, by the way, White had the only
move to maintain balance: 28.g2!= and White keeps balance: 28...xf1 (or 28...h1
29.h2, 28...b3+ 29.b1 xg2 30.e2 e4+! 31.a2 g2 32.f6 h7 33.d8+ xd8
34.xd8+ g7 35.f6+=) 29.xf3! e2+ 30.c2 d4+ 31.c1=
32
Another option 21.f1!? is worth considering but the position remains too complicated and
it certainly requires more analysis.
21...c6
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-+k+-tr0
9+l+-vlp+-0
9-+q+p+-zp0
9+Nzp-zP-+-0
9-+p+-+-zP0
9+-+-+-vL-0
9-zP-wQLzP-tR0
9+-+RmK-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Here 21...g1+? would be a big mistake because of 22.f1 0-0 23.e2!!+, winning the
queen after the forthcoming f1-h3.
This position arose in the game Grischuk Leko/FIDE GP Nalchik 2009, which continued
22.d6+ xd6 23.exd6 d7 24.h5 b5 25.c3 a5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+-tr0
9+l+n+p+-0
9-+-zPp+-zp0
9wq-zp-+-+P0
9-+p+-+-+0
9+-wQ-+-vL-0
9-zP-+LzP-tR0
9+-+RmK-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
and Black has solved all his problems in the ending.
33
Moscow Variation/6 6. Bh4 9. Be2 NOT

9...Bb7 [D43]
1.d4 d5 2.f3 f6 3.c4 c6 4.c3 e6 5.g5 h6 6.h4 dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.g3 b5

9.e2
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zp-+-+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-+-zp-0
9-+pzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+NvL-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9...b4
Apart from the main 9...b7 Black has a lot of possible continuations.
9...b4?! is recently supposed to be very dubious because of 10.a4 xe4 11.e5 f6
12.c5! This idea of Vladimir Kramnik puts this line under a cloud. White secures
his powerful bishop on e5 from being attacked after ...b8d7 while the c4pawn
can be captured later. 12...g8!? A new attempt to revive this line, connected with an
interesting rearrangement.
a) Other continuations are unsatisfactory for Black: 12...xc5 13.dxc5 bd7
14.d6 with a big advantage
b) 12...g7 13.xc4 0-0?! Black's king will not be safe on the kingside. (13...bd7
14.xd7 xd7 is probably better but here White also has a clear advantage) 14.c2!
An important move. 14...bd7 15.h4! gxh4 (in case of 15...g4 White would launch a
direct attack by 16.g5! and after 16...a5!? 17.b3! Black's king is in trouble)
16.xd7 xd7 17.xh4 with an almost decisive attack, Sakaev Kobalija/Russia
(ch) St. Petersburg 1998
34
c) 12...bd7 13.xd7 xd7 14.xc4 is similar Black's life is not easy.

13.c2 bd7 14.xd7 xd7 15.0-0 d5 Black's idea becomes clear he intends to push
the bishop with ...f7f6. 16.d2!? A strong and typical manoeuvre the knight was
too restricted on f3. Besides, the e2bishop gets the possibility to go to h5. (16.h7
g6 17.xc4 could have been met by 17...g4 18.d2 f6 19.h8 h5! with the idea ...Rg6
h6.) 16...f6 17.g3 f7!? (17...c3 looked suspicious due to 18.h5+ e7 19.e4 with
a strong initiative.) 18.h7+ g7 19.h5+ e7 20.xh6 White's advantage is
beyond doubt he has won an important pawn and intends to restore material
balance as the pawn on c4 cannot be saved, P.H.Nielsen Thorhallsson, Reykjavik
2001.
9...h5?!
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zp-+-+p+-0
9-+p+p+-zp0
9+p+-+-zpn0
9-+pzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+NvL-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
looks too risky. Instead of queenside development Black hunts down the darksquared
bishop one of the most important White pieces. 10.xb8!? (strangely enough,
White often included 10.e5 but after 10...g8 the rook sometimes proves to be
more useful on the gfile. Yet in most cases it does not seem to be very important:
11.xb8 (The direct attempt to refute Black's play by 11.xg5?! is unsuccessful.
After 11...xg5 12.xh5 xg2 13.e2?! (13.f3 would be strongly met by
13...xh1+! 14.xh1 g1+ 15.e2 xd1 16.xd1 d7 and Black can be satisfied with his
position.) 13...b4 (13...h3 14.f3 d7 was also worth considering.) 14.f3 g5 15.h4
d8 16.a4 d7 17.f4 a6-+ Black has obtained an almost decisive advantage in
the game Lipinsky Godena/Aosta 2000) 11...xb8 12.e5 f4 13.xc6 b6
14.xb8 xg2+ 15.f1 f4 16.xc4! (16.a4 is much weaker due to 16...b4 17.xc4
bxc3 18.b5+ e7 19.c6+ f6 with excellent compensation) 16...a6 (16...bxc4? fails
to 17.a4+ e7 18.xa7+! (18.c6+!? f6 19.d1) 18...xa7 19.c6+ followed by
20. a7 with a big material advantage in the ending.) 17.xa6 (17.b3!? xb8 18.a4
b4 19.e2 deserves attention as well) 17...bxc4 (17...xa6 is bad due to 18.b3!+)
18.a4+ d8 19.c5 xc5 20.dxc5 and the game Borovikov Rogic/Bled 2000
cast serious doubts upon Black's setup) 10...xb8 11.e5 f4 12.xc6 b6
13.xb8 xg2+ 14.f1
35
XIIIIIIIIY
9-sNl+kvl-tr0
9zp-+-+p+-0
9-wq-+p+-zp0
9+p+-+-zp-0
9-+pzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+LzPnzP0
9tR-+Q+K+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
14...h4!? A new idea Black supposes he can create more threats with the knight on the
edge of the board! (14...f4 is an obvious alternative: 15.xc4! a6 16.xa6 (again,
16.b3!? deserves serious attention: 16...xb8 17.a4 b4 18.e2 and White's chances look
preferable) 16...bxc4 17.a4+ d8 18.c5 xc5 19.dxc5 xc5 (19...xb2 could be
very similar to the game Borovikov Rogic/Bled 2000 the only difference is that
the rook is on h8 instead of being on g8) 20.d1+ (20.b5!? xb5 21.xb5 a6 22.c3
was maybe safer. In the endgame White kept winning chances although Black still
had compensation thanks to his very active pieces) 20...d3 21.d2 e7 22.g1
d7 23.d1 c6 and Black's active pieces, especially the knight on d3, promise
him reasonable compensation for the exchange) 15.xc4! a6 16.xa6! bxc4
17.a4+ d8 18.c5 xc5 19.dxc5 xb2 This position arose in the game Schenk
Cyborowski/Lippstadt 2003, which continued 20.d1+!? (By analogy with the game
Borovikov Rogic/Bled 2000 it was logical to continue 20.d1+ e7 21.a5!
(21.xc4 could have been strongly met by 21...a3! (21...e5? 22.d3) 22.g1 a6
23.b3 xc5 and White cannot bring his rook into play) 21...f6 22.g1 f3
23.g3 g4 24.c6 and White's chances look preferable.) 20...e7 21.c1!? b4 and
here it seemed more reliable to continue 22.e3 followed by a1-b1, which could
still promise the better chances for White.
9...bd7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvl-tr0
9zp-+n+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-+-zp-0
9-+pzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+NvL-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
36
Recently this move is supposed to be less precise than 9 ...b7. 10.d5 (10.0-0 gives Black a
wide choice: 10...b4!? (10...b7 would be a transposition to one of the main
variations) 11.a4 (A counter strike 11.e5 leads to a very unclear play after 11...bxc3
12.exf6 cxb2 13.b1 c3) 11...xe4 12.e5 (12.xc4 g7 is fine for Black, for example:
13.e2 xg3 14.fxg3 0-0 15.ad1 b7 with better chances) 12...ef6 The game Inarkiev
Dreev/RUSch Superfinal Moscow 2007 continued 13.c1!? b7 14.e1 and here
14...g4 seemed more to the point: 15.d2 xe5 16.dxe5 d5 17.xg4 c7
18.xc4 0-0-0 with a playable position although White's chances still seemed
slightly better) 10...b4 A direct attempt.
a) Other possibilities are: 10...cxd5 11.exd5 b6 12.dxe6 xe6 (12...xd1+ 13.xd1
xe6 does not solve the problems due to 14.e5 g7 15.xb5 0-0 16.0-0 fd5 17.xg7
xg7 18.fd4 a6 19.xe6+ fxe6 20.d4 f6 21.fe1 Black faces problems with his
pawn weaknesses) 13.d4!? b4 (13...a6!? might be the most principled reply) 14.0-0
0-0 15.cxb5 Black's pawn weaknesses promise a certain edge for White,
Beliavsky Bacrot/ECC Bugojno 1999
b) 10...exd5!? 11.exd5 b4 (11...b7 did not solve the problems: 12.dxc6 xc6
13.d4! xg2 14.g1 b7 (14...h3 seems to be worse: 15.dxb5 c8 16.xa7
c5 17.ab5 a5 (17...b6 18.a4 c8 19.0-0-0) 18.d6+ xd6 19.xd6 d5
20.c7 with a certain advantage) 15.dxb5 c8 16.xa7 c5 17.ab5 b6
18.a4 and White's advantage is beyond doubt.) 12.dxc6 Thanks to the preliminary
exchange on d5 Black has prevented a capture on e6. However, his position is still
full of weaknesses. 12...bxc3 13.cxd7+ xd7 (perhaps it is better to give up a pawn
immediately by 13...xd7!? 14.bxc3 g7!? (14...e6 couldn't save the c4pawn
anyway: 15.a4+ d7 16.a6 with a strong initiative) 15.xc4 0-0 (15...e7+?!
16.e5) 16.0-0 e4 and here the best way to secure a big advantage seems to be
17.d3! f5 18.e5!) 14.bxc3 xd1+ 15.xd1 g7 (15...e6?! is dubious: 16.d4
d5 17.b5) 16.xc4 0-0 17.0-0 White has got an extra pawn in the endgame,
Yermolinsky Hayward/Las Vegas 2002.
c) 10...b7!? is not without interest.
11.dxe6 bxc3 12.exd7+ xd7 (12...xd7?! may lead to a disastrous finish for Black:
13.c2 g4 14.d1! (14.e5? d2+!) 14...b7 15.e5 xb2 16.a4 b5 (16...c2 was
also bad: 17.xc6+ d7 18.xd7!+) and now 17.d8+!+ finishes Black off) 13.bxc3
xe4 14.d4! (14.e5?! f6 15.c2 f5 16.d4 g6! 17.f3 d5! 18.xf6 g8 is
acceptable for Black) 14...xg3 15.hxg3 g8 16.xc4 g7 17.0-0 Black is
suffering for little gain. The king cannot find a safe place, and White's plan is very
clear to put his rooks on the open lines and take the initiative, Beliavsky
Atalik/Vrnjacka Banja 1999.
9...g7!? is a rare option as a rule, Black develops his lightsquared bishop first. 10.a4
a) After 10.h4 g4 11.e5 Black can think about 11...0-0 (or 11...b4!? with a very
unclear play)
b) 10.e5!? d5 11.a4 is interesting
c) as well as a natural 10.0-0
10...g4! The game Werle Motylev/Wijk aan Zee 2009 continued 11.d2!? b4 12.a2
xd4 with complicated play.
10.c2
37
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zp-+-+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-+-zp-0
9-vlpzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+NvL-0
9PzPQ+LzPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
The e4 pawn can hardly be sacrificed here.
10...bd7
Winning another pawn is suspicious for Black: 10...g4 11.e5 xd4 (in case of 11...h5?!
White proves his advantage by 12.0-0 b7 13.ad1 e7 14.d5! Black is behind in
development so this central break should work well. 14...cxd5 15.exd5 xd5 16.xb5 h4
17.f4 d7 18.xd5! xd5 19.g6! and Black is in trouble) 12.0-0 xc3
a) The alternatives are: 12...h5 13.ad1 c5 (13...b6 14.h4) 14.h4! f8
15.d8+ g7 16.xh8 xh8 17.xf7+ g7 18.e5! and White's attack looks
overwhelming
b) 12...h5 13.ad1 c5? (13...b6 is obligatory) 14.d8+! xd8 15.xf7+ e8
16.xh8 f8 17.e5 with a clear advantage
13.bxc3 (13.ad1? is a big mistake because Black wins all White's active pieces in return for
the queen after 13...xe5! 14.xe5 xe5) 13...xe4 14.d2 bd7 15.f3! (much
weaker is 15.xg4?! d5) 15...d5 16.f4 g8 With the idea of 17...e5. (the
swapping of queens leads to immediate disaster: 16...xe5? 17.xe5 xe5 18.xe5 e7
19.fxg4+, in case of 16...c5+ 17.h1 gxf3 18.xf3 b7 19.ad1+ Black is also in big
trouble) 17.xd7 xd7 18.fxg4 e5 19.xh6 White has regained two pawns and
has seized the initiative. Black's problem in finishing his development without
further losses can hardly be solved successfully, Goldin Ippolito/Philadelphia
1999.
11.0-0 b7 12.ad1
38
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9zpl+n+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-+-zp-0
9-vlpzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+NvL-0
9PzPQ+LzPPzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
This position is very similar to one of the main lines after 9 ...b7 but instead of the usual
...d8b6 Black has played ...f8b4 which seems to be in White's favour. Still, the
position is far from clear.
12.e5 might be countered by the interesting 12...h5!? 13.h3 h4 14.h2 h5 15.xh5
xh5 16.ad1 e7 17.xd7 (17.d5 xe5 18.xe5 g4!) 17...xd7 with quite
acceptable play.
12...h5 13.d5
13.e5!? with the idea of c3e4 deserves attention.
13...xg3 14.hxg3 b6
14...xc3?! is bad for Black: 15.dxe6 fxe6 16.xc3 f6 17.e5 e7 18.d6 c5 19.b3 d8
20.fd1 and Black is in trouble.
15.dxe6 fxe6 16.d4 0-0-0

16...e7? looks dodgy due to 17.xe6!
but 16...c5!? is worth considering as after 17.h5+ e7 Black has the very important
resource ...d3 in many variations.
17.xe6 de8 18.g7

18.g4?! e5 19.f5 b8 is unclear.
18...eg8!
Theoretically this move is an improvement but it had already been suggested by Petursson
in his analysis.
18...e7? gives White a couple of tempi to seize a strong initiative by 19.f5 followed by
b2b3 and so on.
39
19.f5 e5
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+k+-+rtr0
9zpl+-+-+-0
9-wqp+-+-zp0
9+p+-snNzp-0
9-vlp+P+-+0
9+-sN-+-zP-0
9PzPQ+LzPP+0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
This position occurred in the game B.Lalic Prakash/Calcutta 2000. Black defended
successfully but White can probably improve his play in this line.
40
Moscow Variation/7 6. Bh4 9...Bb7 NOT

10. h4 [D43]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.f3 f6 4.c3 e6 5.g5 h6 6.h4 dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.g3 b5

9.e2 b7
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqkvl-tr0
9zpl+-+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-+-zp-0
9-+pzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+NvL-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10.0-0
White has a wide choice here.
10.e5 is considered in chapter D43 Moscow Variation/4 6. Bh4 early 8.e5
10.c2 bd7 11.e5!? is not very popular. However, Veselin Topalov conclusively won a
few games with this knight sortie. It should be mentioned that Veselin gets this
position by a slightly different move, playing f3e5 on the previous move.
11...g7 (the alternatives are: 11...g8 12.d1 xe5 13.xe5 d7 14.g3 b6 15.0-0 a6
16.d5 and White takes the initiative, 11...xe5!? deserves attention: 12.xe5 e7 13.0-0
b6 14.ad1 g8 15.b3 cxb3 16.axb3 with a complicated position with mutual chances)
12.d1 (in case of 12.h4 Black can reply with 12...b6!? (while 12...c5?! looks too
risky: 13.hxg5 cxd4 14.xb5 xe4 (14...a5+ 15.f1 xb5 16.gxf6 xf6 17.xc4 0-0)
15.xc4 xg3 16.bd6+ followed by d6xb7 with the initiative) ) The game
Filippov Galliamova, Russian Cup Final, Kazan 2001 continued by 12...a5
(12...xe5 13.xe5 a5 does not look very good. White can take the initiative with the
natural 14.0-0 0-0 15.f4 h7 16.xg7 xg7 17.fxg5 hxg5 18.e5 c5 19.d5 exd5 20.xd5 xd5
41
21.xd5 ad8 22.d6! with a certain advantage, 12...b6!? is more natural) 13.0-0 h5
(both 13...d8, and 13...0-0 seemed to be more solid alternatives) 14.d5 and White
took the initiative although the things are still too far from clear.
10...bd7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqkvl-tr0
9zpl+n+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-+-zp-0
9-+pzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+NvL-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11.e5!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqkvl-tr0
9zpl+n+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-sN-zp-0
9-+pzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
This continuation has recently become popular.
11.d5 was one of the critical positions some years ago: 11...cxd5 12.exd5 xd5 13.xb5
and here an idea of Alexander Filipenko 13...a6! promises good play for Black. For
example, 14.bd4 (in case of 14.d6+ xd6 15.xd6 b6 16.g3 c8 Black's chances
already look preferable) 14...g7 15.xc4 0-0 16.e1 c8 17.c1 b6 and so on.
11.a4 is another option: 11...a6
a) 11...b4 is also not bad, after 12.e5 h5 (in case of 12...bxc3 13.exf6 cxb2 14.b1 c3
15.b3 White would achieve a strong initiative) 13.e4 c5 14.d6+ (after 14.fd2
xg3 15.fxg3 e7 Black is at least not worse) 14...xd6 15.exd6 xg3 16.hxg3 b6
17.dxc5 xc5 18.c1 d5 19.xc4 xc4 20.d2 d8! and Black had almost
equalised
42
b) 11...b6?! is dubious: 12.e5 a6 13.d5 cxd5 14.exd5 g7 15.xd7 xd7

16.dxe6 fxe6 17.f3! with a clear advantage
12.d5 (12.axb5 cxb5 13.d5 c5 14.d4 is unclear) 12...cxd5 13.exd5 xd5 14.axb5 xc3
15.bxc3 axb5 This position arose in the game R.Scherbakov M.Gurevich/chT
YUG, Niksic 1996. White should probably have played 16.b1!? with good
compensation for the pawn but he probably cannot hope for a real advantage.
11...g7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9zpl+n+pvl-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-sN-zp-0
9-+pzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...b4?! is well met by 12.xd7 xd7 13.a4 with a clear advantage
while 11...xe5 12.xe5 g7 13.f4 also gives the better chances.
11...h5!? is a modern approach. Black is not so much pushing his Kside pawns toward his
opponent's king as trying to get rid of the coming pin by developing his rook to h6.
12.xd7 xd7 (12...xd7 allows 13.xh5 and Black wants to keep something in his
pocket) 13.e5 (the immediate 13.c1!? deserves attention: 13...g8!? (13...h6 does
not seem to solve the problems: 14.xg5 b4 15.a4 xe4 16.e3 xg3 17.hxg3 0-0-0
18.fd1 h4 19.c5 c7 20.g4 f6 21.ac1 xc5 22.dxc5 xd1+ 23.xd1 f4 24.d4! xd4
25.xd4 a6 26.xc4 xc4 27.xc4 with a clear advantage in the rook ending) 14.d1
b4 15.e3 e7 16.h3 h4 This position arose in the game Kramnik Gelfand/WCh

Mexico City 2007. Here 17.e5! could have maintained the better chances since
17...xc3 18.bxc3 g4? was impossible due to the simple 19.xf6 xf6 20.xg4)
13...h6!?
43
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+kvl-+0
9zpl+q+p+-0
9-+p+psn-tr0
9+p+-vL-zpp0
9-+pzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.c1
a) White has also tried other options: 14.f3 h4!? (after 14...e7 15.a4 a6 16.c2 d8
17.ad1 White obtains good compensation) 15.a4 b4 (15...h5!? deserved attention
as well) 16.b1?! (16.a2 is much better) 16...h5 with the idea ...f7f6 with clearly
better chances for Black
b) 14.f4 can be well met by 14...g4! 15.c2 c5 16.d5! b4 (16...exd5!? deserves
attention) 17.f5! exd5 18.xd5 xd5! 19.exd5 d6 20.xd6 xd6 21.xc4 h4! and
Black obtained sufficient counterplay in the game Radjabov Vallejo Pons/Morelia
Linares 2006.
14...g4!? A good reaction Black gives his pawn back but eliminates one of White's
bishops.
a) The attempt to win another pawn by 14...b4?! 15.a4 xe4 could only help
White to improve his pieces after 16.f3 f6 17.xc4 with a clear advantage
b) in case of 14...g6 White can continue improving his position by 15.d1 (in case
of 15.f3 Black should try something like 15...g4!?, immediately attacking the
advanced pawn. (15...h4?! turned out to be a serious mistake in the game L'Ami
Cheparinov/Wijk aan Zee B 2008, which continued 16.f4! gxf4 17.xf4 h6 18.xh4
g5 19.f2 h6 20.f3 with a clear advantage) A possible play would have been
16.c2!? (16.f4 c5!) 16...gxf3 17.xf3 g4 18.xg4 xg4 19.ad1 0-0-0 with good
play for Black) 15...g4!? (15...g4 16.b3 cxb3 17.axb3 gave White more than enough
compensation for the pawn, Filippov Yevseev/RUSchT Sochi 2006) 16.xg4!?
As a rule, in such a position White's darksquared bishop is more important.
(nevertheless 16.g3!? still deserves attention: 16...f5 (16...h4!? is interesting, getting
rid of White's strong darksquared bishop) 17.f3 and here 17...h4!? was still
possible) 16...hxg4 17.b3 A typical breakthrough. 17...cxb3 18.axb3 f6 19.g3
This position arose in the game Gajewski Predojevic/EUch Dresden 2007. White
has achieved good compensation for the pawn and here the immediate 19...f5!?
deserved attention, trying to gain some counterplay despite the risk.
c) 14...h7!? is also interesting: 15.f4 (15.h4?! is weaker: 15...gxh4 16.e3 f6 17.xf6
xf6 18.e5 f5 19.e4 c5! with excellent play) 15...e7 16.e3 0-0-0 17.ad1 f6
18.fxg5 fxe5 19.gxh6 exd4 20.g3 e8 For the exchange Black has got superior
pawns but it is a bit early for any conclusions since the complications are not over
yet. The game Radjabov DEEP Junior/Man vs Machine 2006 continued 21.g7!
44
d7! 22.f7 g5 23.xe7 xe7 24.xe7 xe7 25.xd4 h7 26.h4 f7 27.xh5

e5 28.e2 c5 and Black has almost equalised
15.xg4 hxg4 16.xg5 g6 17.e3 c5!? A typical pawn advance. (17...f6 has been played
in the game P.H.Nielsen Vallejo Pons/Monte Carlo 2006. After 18.g3 h6 19.e2
0-0-0 20.fd1 e7 Black has gained acceptable play but his king may never get into
safety, anyway, while his counterplay is not so strong) 18.dxc5 (18.ad1 cxd4 19.xd4
c6 is good for Black) 18...b4 19.e2 c6 20.g3 xc5 and Black has achieved
good play, Sakaev Cheparinov/EUch Dresden 2007.
12.xd7
White also tried other options and some of them deserve serious attention.
For example: 12.f4!? gxf4 (12...xe5 13.fxe5 gives White a strong pawn center and the better
chances, according to tournament practice) 13.xf4 xe5 (13...0-0!? was worthy of
consideration) 14.xe5 0-0 15.e1!
or 12.c2!? xe5!? (12...a6 13.ad1 0-0 14.f4 is better for White, while 12...b6 13.ad1 0-0
14.f4 gxf4 15.xf4 ad8 is not so clear) 13.xe5 0-0 14.ad1 d7 15.d6 and here
Black can sacrifice the exchange by 15...b6! 16.xf8 xf8 17.d5 cxd5 18.exd5
xc3! 19.xc3 exd5 with acceptable play.
The very unexpected sacrifice 12.xf7!? is interesting: 12...xf7 13.e5 d5 14.e4 e7
(14...g8!? is another option, which deserves attention) 15.d6 b8!? Black keeps his
queen at home in order to parry a possible penetration Qc2g6. However, White still
has good attacking possibilities. (In the game TopalovKramnik/Wijk aan Zee 2008
Black played 15...b6 16.g4 af8 (here 16...c5 could have been met with 17.c2)
17.c2 hg8! (17...xd4? turned out to be a serious mistake, which has led to the
problems after 18.g6! xg4 19.xg7+ d8 20.xb7+ c8 (20...c7?? 21.c5+)
21.a4! b4 22.ac1 c3 23.bxc3 b3 24.c4) 18.g6!?
a) 18.ad1 is worthy of consideration: 18...c5!? (in case of 18...a8 White would
continue by 19.g6 c7 20.h7 and if 20...d8 then 21.f4!) 19.g6 c7 20.xb7 cxd4
(20...xb7? 21.d5!+) 21.e4 (21.d6? xe5-+) 21...d5 22.d6 f4 23.xf4 gxf4
24.xe6! with very unclear play
b) while 18.a4?! can be strongly met with 18...xd4! 19.xe6 xe6 20.g6+ e7
21.xb7 xe5-+
18...c7 19.e4! a8 20.f4 with compensation for the piece) 16.g4 (16.h5!? was also
interesting: 16...c5 17.f4! cxd4 (in case of 17...e3?! White could simply play
18.d2! xf1 19.xf1 with initiative, for example: 19...f8 (19...b6 20.fxg5)
20.c2! d5 21.h7 a5 22.xg7+ d8 23.f5) 18.fxg5 xe5 (18...xe5!? 19.f7
b6 20.xe5 xe5 21.xe5 d3+ 22.h1 bf8) 19.f7 b6 20.xe5 d3+ 21.f2 e3
22.g6+ d6 with a very unclear play) The game Beckhuis SteingrimssonEU
ch Plovdiv 2008 continued 16...c5 (16...f8 17.c2 was far from clear., but 16...g8!?
was interesting and perhaps would promise the better chances for Black) 17.f4! and
here 17...cxd4! was probably stronger. A possible play could have been 18.xe6!
(18.fxg5? xe5-+) 18...xf4! 19.f5+ xe6 20.xg7+ f7 21.h5 f8! and
although White keeps the initiative Black's chances seem preferable.
12...xd7
45
12...xd7 13.e5 d5 14.e4 f8 does not look encouraging for Black.
13.d6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9zpl+n+pvl-0
9-+pvLp+-zp0
9+p+-+-zp-0
9-+pzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
13...a6!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9+l+n+pvl-0
9p+pvLp+-zp0
9+p+-+-zp-0
9-+pzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A very important position is reached. White has some possibilities and it is still unclear
which is the most promising.
In the game Izoria Riazantsev/Ajaccio Corsica 2005 Black came up with 13...e5?! but it
has been refuted by the very strong 14.g4! h5 (In case of 14...exd4 White had 15.e5!!)
15.xd7+ xd7 16.dxe5 and White achieved a huge advantage.
13...f8!? is another option: 14.xf8 xf8 15.e5 Black's approach does not look safe but
perhaps he can still play like this the position remains far from clear although
White's compensation for the pawn seems more than sufficient.
14.a4
46
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9+l+n+pvl-0
9p+pvLp+-zp0
9+p+-+-zp-0
9P+pzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9-zP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.e5!? deserves attention: 14...c5 15.h5! (15.d5 can be met by 15...xe5 16.dxe6 d3!
17.exf7+ (17.xd3?! xd6! 18.exf7+ f8! gives Black the better ending) 17...xf7
18.xd3 cxd3 19.xd3 The game Babula M.Hoffmann/GERchT Bremen 2010,
continued 19...f6! A good idea, which probably solves Black's problems in this
particular line. Building a battery on the long a8h1 diagonal is a rather important
resource. (In case of 19...d7 White may still hope for a slight edge: 20.g3!? b4!?
(20...f5 21.f4 g4 22.e5 he8 23.ae1 ad8 24.d1) 21.d1 d4 22.e3 he8 23.ad1
c6 24.f5 and White's chances look somewhat better) 20.xc5?! This is dubious.
(White could have considered 20.ad1 he8!? 21.g3 c4 22.f4 g8, and 20.g3 he8!?
21.xc5 c6 22.ad1 ad8 but Black was doing well in all cases) 20...c6 21.f5+
f6 22.f3 c8! 23.xc8 hxc8 and it was White who began to experience
problems) 15...f8! The best defence Black eliminates White's dominating bishop.
16.d5!? (16.xf8 xf8 17.f3 d7 leads to unclear play with mutual chances)
16...xd6 17.exd6!? (in the game Agrest Vallejo Pons/FRAchT Asnieres sur
Seine 2006 White invited his opponent's king to go for a walk by 17.xf7+ xf7
18.dxe6+ g7 and here 19.xd6!? seemed stronger (19.exd6?! e5! 20.f4 d3 21.h5
f6! has been proved better for Black ) although after 19...f8 20.e7 xd6 21.exd6
d7 22.f4 Black's chances do not seem worse in this very complicated endgame)
17...0-0! This very complicated position requires more analysis and practical tests.
The very energetic 14.h5!? is also interesting and may promise better chances for White:
14...f8!? At first sight this continuation looks suspicious. Black plays a wasteful
move just to exchange the darksquared bishops, which does not look good for him
because of the pawn structure. However, White's bishop on d6 is too strong and it
makes all other reasoning insignificant. (14...e5 is a risky approach. Black prevents
e4e5, which would give support to the bishop on d6, but such a central push will
prove harmful for his insecure king. 15.f4!
47
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9+l+n+pvl-0
9p+pvL-+-zp0
9+p+-zp-zpL0
9-+pzPPzP-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+-+PzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A wonderful blow White is trying to get to the Black king at any cost! 15...gxf4!?
a) 15...exd4?! is dubious: 16.g4 f8 The game Pashikian Deepan
Chakkravarthy/WCh U20 Yerevan 2006 continued 17.fxg5 (17.xf7+!? was also
rather interesting White's chances were preferable in the wild complications after
17...xf7 18.fxg5+ e8 19.gxh6 xh6 20.c5! g5! (20...e3+ 21.h1 c7 22.xf8+
xf8 23.e6+ d8 24.xf8 d7 25.f6+ c8 26.c5) 21.e5! with a strong initiative)
17...xd6 18.xf7 d8 19.xg7 and Black found himself in trouble.
b) 15...exf4!? 16.e5 b6 is also worth considering.
16.dxe5 xe5!? (16...xe5 was met by 17.xf7+! xf7 18.h5+ with a strong attack although
Black is still very much alive) 17.xf4 White's position looks threatening but Black
can defend: 17...h7! 18.f5 b6+ 19.h1 d8 20.xf7+! xf7 21.h5 xc3
22.c5! Here Black has to give up his queen but he gets some pieces for it:
22...xc5! (22...c7? 23.g6!) 23.xc5 d4 24.f1!? (24.f5 c8) 24...xc5 25.g6!
c8 26.xh7 e6 27.g6 e7 28.f6+ d7 29.d1+ c7 30.xd8 xd8 31.xh6
d4 and Black has reasonable counter chances although his play is more difficult
here as his opponent can just push the Kside pawns, supporting them with possible
queen tricks. Besides, both sides might improve their play in the above variations so
we may expect more encounters in the future) 15.xf8 xf8 16.e5!? (16.d5?! can be
well met by 16...cxd5 17.exd5 f6! 18.dxe6 (18.e1?! could have been parried by
18...e7! and after 19.f3 b4! 20.d6+ (both 20.a4 b6, and 20.e2?! xd5 21.d4
e8 were also in Black's favour.) 20...xd6 21.xb7 bxc3 22.xa8 cxb2 23.xd6+
xd6 24.ad1+ c5 25.f3 b8 White might have been lost with his extra rook in
the ending!) 18...xd1 19.xf7+ e7 20.axd1 fd8 The extra pawn does not help
White to claim advantage in this ending moreover, he must already be very
careful, Radjabov Van Wely/Wijk aan Zee 2008) 16...b6 17.e4 (the immediate
17.b3!? is worthy of consideration but Black is holding on: 17...0-0-0 (17...c5?! 18.d5!
0-0-0 19.bxc4 xe5 20.cxb5 is suspicious for Black) 18.bxc4 xe5 19.c5 a5 20.e4
c4! A small improvement, which solves all the problems. (In the game Kramnik
Anand/WCh Mexico City 2007 Black played 20...b4 and after 21.d6+ xd6 22.cxd6
d7 23.a4 xd6 rather logical play has led to this position, in which White's chances
look preferable. He has an extra exchange and chances to create threats against his
opponent's king. However, Black's two extra pawns should also be counted and it is
actually not so easy for White to get at Black's king) 21.e2 f5! 22.xc4 (the attempt
48
22.a4 could be met by the cool 22...b4!, getting good play after 23.axb5 cxb5 24.b1
a4! 25.xc4 xc4 26.d6+ xd6 27.cxd6 d5 28.c1+ c6 29.f3 xd6 and so on)
22...fxe4 23.xe6+ b8 24.e1 c3 25.xe4 b2!? and White equalised with

accurate play after 26.f3 in the game Eljanov Anand/ECC Kemer 2007) 17...0-0-0
18.d6+ b8 19.b3!? This typical undermining move deserves serious attention.
(19.xf7?! xf7! 20.xf7 xe5 21.xe6 xd4 22.h5 c5 gave Black excellent play in the
game Radjabov Anand/Mainz (m/3) rapid 2006) 19...f6 (19...c3!? is worthy of
consideration) 20.bxc4 fxe5 and after 21.c5! c7 22.dxe5 White's chances look
preferable he can follow with e2, getting the rooks into play and launching an
attack against Black's king, using the wonderful knight outpost on d6.
14.e1!? is a fresh and interesting continuation before starting anything White places his
rook on the efile, preparing for a possible opening of the center. 14...f8!? Perhaps
the best reply.
a) 14...c5?! is risky and probably dubious: 15.dxc5! c8 16.a4 b4 17.c6! xc6
18.xb4!? White gets the pawn back, still keeping Black's king in the center. (In the
game Inarkiev Aronian/World Cup KhantyMansiysk 2007 White continued
18.d5! e5?! (after 18...xb2? 19.e7 a5 20.xb4 d8 21.xc4 White gets a very
strong initiative) 19.e7 and here Black sacrificed his queen for two minor pieces by
19...d7!? (19...a5!? 20.xb4 d8 21.e7 seemed better for White but perhaps they
know that after 21...b8 22.xd8+ xd8 23.xc6 xc6 24.a3 e5 followed by ...g7f8
Black can defend this ending) 20.f6+ xe7 21.xd7 xd7, extinguishing White's
initiative and getting good control over the position but objectively White's chances
should be preferable 22.d2 a5 and here White could have secured a tangible
advantage by 23.ed1! hd8 24.d6+ e8 25.b6) 18...b6 19.a3 d4! This
position arose in the game Mamedyarov Gustafsson/Dortmund 2008, which
continued 20.xc4! (in case of 20.f1 e5 Black's control over some important
central squares would secure his king by keeping White's pieces on distance)
20...e5 (20...xf2+?! 21.h1 xe1 was dubious because of 22.d6! d8 23.xe1 f8
24.b4 with a big advantage) and here White should have inserted 21.a5! (21.xa6?
xf2+ 22.h1 d8! was okay for Black) 21...a7 (21...xf2+ 22.h1 d8 wasn't better:
23.xa6 xe1 24.xe1 b8 25.f1! followed by a1-d1 with a strong initiative)
22.xa6! xf2+ 23.h1 and here in case of 23...d8 White had a very strong
resource 24.b5!!, which could have secured a decisive advantage
b) perhaps Black should pay more attention to other possibilities, such as 14...b6!?
15.g3!? (in case of 15.xf8 Black should capture with the king, moving it from the efile
and so making White's rook move a bit useless: 15...xf8! (15...xf8?! seems worse
compare to the game Radjabov Anand/Mainz rapid (m/3) 2006 White has played
the more useful f1-e1 instead of e2h5: 16.b3! b4 (16...c5 17.bxc4 a5 18.c1 does
not look acceptable for Black his king is in real danger since he cannot prevent the
position opening) 17.a4 c3 18.a3 a5 19.d5! e7 20.d6 f6 21.e5! f4 22.d3! and
White has obtained a clear advantage, Radjabov Anand/Wijk aan Zee 2008) 16.b3
(or 16.e5 c5 with excellent counterplay) 16...cxb3 17.xb3 g7 with acceptable play.
White keeps compensation for the pawn but Black can be also satisfied with his
position) 15...g7 16.e5!? White admits that the bishop's sortie is well parried but
now Black moves his king from the center. Yet, the Kside is not quite safe and
White can also send his knight to d6 or c5. On the other side, Black has got extra
49
pawn to compensate these minuses. 16...c5!? A principled reply. (after 16...0-0

White stopped ...c6c5 by 17.f3 The game Inarkiev Cheparinov/FIDE Grand
Prix Baku 2008 continued 17...e7 (Black did not want to move his queen from the
Kside but perhaps he could give support to his bishop by 17...b8!? ) 18.e4 b6
(18...c5!? deserved attention despite all the danger: 19.xg5! hxg5 20.xb7 ab8 21.e4
cxd4 22.h5 fc8! 23.f4 gxf4 24.h7+ f8 25.xf4 d3 26.h1 and here Black would have
defended by 26...f5! although the position remained rather dangerous for him. Yet,
this line deserves more thorough analysis...) 19.e2 ad8 20.ad1 d5 21.a3 with
better chances for White) 17.d5 0-0 18.f3 b6 (in the game Radjabov
Aronian/Sofia 2008 Black tried 18...a7?!, which is probably dubious: 19.dxe6 xf3
(In case of 19...fxe6 20.d6 (20.g4!? e7 21.d6 was also promising) 20...xf3
(20...b6 21.g4!) 21.xe6+ h8 22.gxf3 White's chances should have been
preferred) 20.exf7+ xf7 21.gxf3 and White has achieved a clear advantage) 19.a4!?
(19.dxe6 xf3 20.xf3 xe6 is okay for Black) 19...b4 20.a5 a7 (or 20...c7 21.d6 b8
22.a4 xf3 23.xf3 b5 24.h4!? gxh4 25.f4, disturbing Black's Kside, which certainly
lacks defenders) 21.a4 White's chances seem preferable since Black's queen went
too far from his weakened Kside. However, everything is still very unclear in such
a messy position.
14...e5
14...b4!? is a new and very interesting attempt to solve Black's problems in this principled
and welldeveloped line. 15.xb4 b6 16.a3 xd4 17.c2 Certainly White
should keep the queens on the board if he wants to exploit the vulnerability of his
opponent's king. (The ending after 17.xd4?! xd4 18.xc4 c5 can hardly pose serious
problems to Black: 19.e2 e5 20.f3 0-0 21.ac1 fc8 22.fd1 c7 with a solid position)
17...c5 18.ad1 e5 19.xc4 c7! Preparing castling and vacating the strong e5
square for the minor pieces. In the game Harikrishna Sandipan/King of Prussia
2010, White came up with 20.b5!? (Routine play, such as 20.d2 0-0 21.fd1 fd8
was rather harmless for Black) 20...c6 ( Accepting the gift still seemed possible:
20...axb5!? 21.xb5 c6 22.d6 xe4! 23.xe6+! xe6 24.c7+ d8 25.xe6+ fxe6 and
Black has enough for the queen. However, it might not be easy to play against the
queen with such an open king.) 21.xc6 xc6 22.e2 and White has maintained a
slight edge.
15.g4!?
15.d5 is a logical alternative: 15...c5 16.b4!? This strangelooking move helps White to
secure his bishop. (16.axb5?! could be fatal for the bishop on d6 after 16...b6)
16...b6! A strong idea. (After 16...cxb4 17.xb4 a5 18.d6 b4 19.b5 c8 White
break through the cfile by 20.xc4! xc4 21.b3! A strong novelty, which poses
certain problems for Black. (In the game Izoria Erenburg/World Cup Khanty
Mansyisk 2005 White played 21.c1 and after 21...xc1 22.xc1 b6! he had to force
repetition of moves by 23.c7+ d8 24.b5 e8 25.c7+) 21...c8
50
a) in case of 21...c8 White continues by 22.ac1 f8 23.xc8 xc8 24.e3 c2!

(24...f6? 25.c1 d8 26.c7+! d7 27.xe5+) 25.c1 b2 26.h3! with a rather
annoying initiative
b) 21...b6!? deserved attention but it does not solve all the problems: 22.ac1 xc1
23.xc1 a8! 24.e3! f6 (24...d7 25.a7 f6 26.c7!) 25.f3! g8!? 26.e3!,
maintaining a strong initiative while Black is already deprived from castling.
22.c7! xc7 (Or 22...xc7 23.d6+) 23.xc7+ xc7 24.ac1 and White has secured the
better chances and comfortably won the game although Black could still defend,
Gustafsson Rodshtein/World Cup KhantyMansiysk 2007.) 17.bxc5 xc5
18.xc5 xc5 19.axb5 axb5 20.xa8+ xa8 21.a1 0-0 22.a5 b8 23.b1 f8
The forced play has led to the position, in which White wins the b5pawn but it is
not sufficient for him to get a full point. The game Alekseev Bareev/World Cup
KhantyMansiysk 2007 continued 24.xb5 (after 24.xb5 xb5 25.xb5 (or
25.xb5 b7 26.a4 c3 27.c2 a6 28.xc3 xb5 29.xc5 xc5 30.xb5) 25...xb5
26.xb5 Black escapes to the ending with oppositesquared bishops by 26...b7!
27.xc4 a6 28.f1 xb5 29.xb5 c5=) 24...f5! 25.a6 and here 25...fxe4!
seemed more precise. After 26.e6+ h7!= White had no more than perpetual
check.
An idea of Vladimir Kramnik 15.e1!? deserves attention: 15...f6 (15...exd4? is too
dangerous: 16.e5 dxc3 17.h5 with decisive attack) 16.a3 f8 (16...exd4? is strongly
met by the obvious 17.e5!, but a preliminary 16...d8 is worthy of consideration)
17.g4 d8 The game Kramnik Leko/Nice (rapid) 2009 continued 18.axb5 axb5
19.xf8 xf8 20.xd7 xd7 21.dxe5 e6! 22.h5 xe5 23.f4! and White has
eventually prevailed though Black can probably find the way to defend his position.
15...exd4 16.e5 c5!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9+l+n+pvl-0
9p+-vL-+-zp0
9+pzp-zP-zp-0
9P+pzp-+L+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9-zP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Compared to the game considered above, Izoria Riazantsev/Ajaccio Corsica 2005, the
b5pawn is already protected. or
17.e1
51
17.f3!? seems rather promising in many cases after eliminating the strong black light
squared bishop Black's position may lose its attractiveness. However, he has good
counter chances after 17...xe5! (17...a7? has been proved bad in the game ljin
Nepomniashchy/EUch Dresden 2007: 18.xb7 xb7 19.e4 xe5 20.axb5 axb5 21.f4!
gxf4 22.h5! and White launched a decisive attack) 18.xb7 (18.xe5? xf3!)
18...xd6 19.xa8 0-0 Black does not get his rook back but he hopes that the
powerful pawns, supported by his strong pieces, will promise reasonable
compensation. 20.f4!? (20.e4 c7 21.axb5 xa8 is fine for Black) 20...gxf4 (not
20...xa8? 21.fxe5 xe5 22.e4) 21.e4!? (21.f3 xf3+ 22.xf3 e5) 21...b4 (or 21...f5
22.d5+ h8 23.axb5 axb5 24.f3 with similar play but the opened afile would be
helpful for White) 22.d5 f5 23.f3 with very complicated play, in which White's
chances still look preferable as Black's king is not quite safe and White will get a
chance to organise a strong attack. Black's pawns should not be underestimated and
White may also face problems but it still seems that it's easier to play with an extra
rook.
17.f4!? is a surprising idea, which poses some problems for Black. However, they seem to
be bearable: 17...dxc3 (17...gxf4!? was worth considering but perhaps it would be
useful for Black in the line 17. f3, 18.f3! (18.xf4?! xe5, 18.e6? f6-+) 18...xe5
19.xb7 xd6 20.xa8 0-0 see 17. f3) 18.bxc3 This position arose in the game
Bacrot Aronian/EUchT Novi Sad 2009, which continued 18...f8! 19.e2 xd6
20.exd6+ f8 21.fxg5 hxg5 22.e6! h7! 23.c2! and here Black failed to find the
only defence: 23...g7! 24.f5! f6! 25.xf6 xf6 26.xf6 d8 and Black should
have held the balance. For example, 27.af1 xd6 28.xf7+ xf7 29.xf7+ e8
30.xb7 xe6 31.axb5 axb5 32.xb5 e5 33.f2 with only a theoretical advantage
for White thanks to his better pawn structure.
17...xe5!
17...dxc3? was losing to 18.e6 f6 19.h5! xh5 20.xh5 f6 21.exf7+ d7 22.ad1
c6 23.e5+
18.xe5 0-0 19.xg7 xg7 20.e2 f5 21.h5 f4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-tr-+0
9+l+-+-mk-0
9p+-+-+-zp0
9+pzp-+-zpL0
9P+pzp-zp-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-zP-+NzPPzP0
9tR-+QtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
52
Black has got safety for his king and a strong pawn massive in the center.
22.b4!?
Trying to break Black's formidable pawn massive.
22.xd4!? is an interesting attempt, which, however, may not be sufficient to obtain the
advantage. 22...cxd4 23.e6 Now White is two pawns down but Black's king is in
danger and so he must solve concrete problems. 23...f6! This seems to be the most
precise defence. (after 23...c8 Black faced problems in the game Anand Leko/Tal
Memorial Moscow 2009: 24.g6+ h7 25.axb5 f6 26.xf6 xf6 27.c2+ f5 28.xc4 c8
29.d5 axb5 30.h3! and he couldn't cope with the problems) 24.e1 d5! (24...xe6?
gives White a strong initiative after 25.xe6 c7 26.e1!) 25.e7+ g8 (25...f7?
failed to 26.e5!+, while after 25...f8?! 26.e8+ xe8 27.xe8 xe8 28.b4+ f7
29.c5 followed by c5xd4 White would have obtained good winning chances)
26.axb5 d6! This position arose in the game M.Hoffmann Sandipan/Caleta 2010.
Perhaps White could have still obtained somewhat better chances by 27.g4! f7
(27...axb5? 28.xa8+ xa8 29.d7) 28.e5, maintaining the pressure.
22...cxb3
22...d3!? deserves serious attention. After 23.bxc5 Black plays 23...b4! with excellent
counter chances thanks to his strong Qside pawns. Yet, top players should know
more about this line...
23.xb3 d5 24.h3 c8
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-tr-+0
9+-+-+-mk-0
9p+-+-+-zp0
9+pzpq+-zpL0
9P+-zp-zp-+0
9+-+-+-+Q0
9-+-+NzPPzP0
9tR-+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
25.c3!
This strong idea helps still allows White to fight for advantage.
25.d3?! f5 26.d2 d7 was fine for Black, who has eventually scored the full point in
the game Radjabov Anand/Mainz (m/7) rapid 2006.
53
25...dxc3
In case of 25...d8 26.f3 a7 27.axb5 dxc3 28.xc3+ d4 White would have found a
few better options than 29.f3, transposing to the game.
26.xc3+ d4 27.f3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-tr-+0
9+-+-+-mk-0
9p+-+-+-zp0
9+pzp-+-zpL0
9P+-wq-zp-+0
9+-+-+Q+-0
9-+-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White keeps the initiative but Black seems to be able to defend his position with precise
defence, Kramnik Aronian/Wijk aan Zee 2008.
54
Moscow Variation/8 6. Bh4 9...Bb7 10.

h4 NOT 10...g4 [D43]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 f3 f6 4 c3 e6 5 g5 h6 6 h4 dxc4 7 e4 g5 8 g3 b5
9 e2 b7 10 h4
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqkvl-tr0
9zpl+-+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-+-zp-0
9-+pzPP+-zP0
9+-sN-+NvL-0
9PzP-+LzPP+0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Recently this is the main White's attempt to put problems for Black and it almost distracted
his attention from other possibilities.
10...b4
55
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqkvl-tr0
9zpl+-+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+-+-+-zp-0
9-zppzPP+-zP0
9+-sN-+NvL-0
9PzP-+LzPP+0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10...b4?! looks too suspicious as Black leaves his kingside to the mercy of fate. After 11
hxg5 xe4 12 e5! (12 g6 is weaker as it allows Black to eliminate a very important
bishop by 12...xg3!? 13 gxf7+ xf7 14 fxg3 d7 15 c2 Here in the game Wallace
Solomon/Oceanic zt Gold Coast 1999 Black should have probably played 15...c7!?
16 0-0-0 ag8 17 e4 e7 planning his king's escape to the queenside by ...d8c8
with a very good play) Black faces problems. For example, 12...xc3? is just bad:
13 bxc3 xc3+ 14 f1 xa1 15 xh8+ and so on.
11 hxg5!?
An interesting option.
11 a4 xe4 12 e5 (12 xc4?! is just dubious: 12...xg3 13 fxg3 d7 14 hxg5 c7! 15 h3 0-0-0
16 d2 d6 17 gxh6 xg3+ 18 f1 f4 19 xb4 xh6 with a clear advantage for Black)
a) 12...f6 seems to be weaker due to
a1) 13 c2 is too risky: 13...c5 14 xc4!? (14 xb8 xb8 is not what White is playing for)
14...fxe5 15 0-0-0 exd4 16 he1 with real compensation for the large material
losses although Black should not be worse, R.Scherbakov Yagupov/St.Petersburg
1999
a2) 13 xb8!? 13...xb8 14 hxg5 White can already be happy as material is nearly equal.
(14 xc4 looks less promising: 14...g4 15 c2 f5 16 0-0-0!? gxf3 17 gxf3 d6 18 xe6
Thanks to the piece sacrifice White has gained the time to complete his
development. Now he is ready to attack the uncastled rival's king. Black's play is not
easy as his army is disorganised for the moment but the material advantage would
reconcile him with these inconveniences, J.Gonzales Novikov/New York 2001.)
a2a) Both 14...xg5?! 15 xg5 fxg5 16 xc4
a2b) and 14...fxg5?! 15 e5 look dodgy for Black
a2c) A rather strange looking 14...b3 was tried in the game S.Ivanov Sitnikov/Smolensk
2000 which continued by 15 axb3 and here Black should have played 15...b4+
(after 15...fxg5? 16 0-0 Black had no compensation for his totally ruined position) 16
f1 and after 16...fxg5 Black's counterplay (for example ...g5g4 followed by an
attack on f2) should not be underestimated although White's chances look preferable
a2d) 14...a5!?
56
a2d1) after 15 b3 xg5 16 xc4 f5 17 h4 (The position after 17 xg5 xg5 18 xe6 xg2
19 h5+ d8 is not too dangerous for Black.) 17...e4+ 18 f1 White has obtained
compensation for the pawn but Black can also be satisfied with his position, Halkias
Filipenko/Pardubice 2000.
a2d2) Here White can think about something like 15 xc4!? 15...b3+ 16 f1 xa4 17 axb3
b4 18 e2 with the initiative
b) 12...g8!? leads to very unclear play. 13 c2 (13 hxg5 hxg5 14 xc4 d7 looks acceptable
for Black) The game I.Sokolov Dreev/Dos Hermanas 2001 continued by 13...c5 14
xc4 g4 15 b5+ d7 16 dxc5! The advance c5c6 seems irresistible, however...
16...b3!! An excellent move Black makes the b4square available for his bishop.
Here White should have probably played 17 axb3!? gxf3 18 0-0-0! fxg2 19 hg1
with sharp and unclear play.
11...bxc3 12 bxc3
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqkvl-tr0
9zpl+-+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+-+-+-zP-0
9-+pzPP+-+0
9+-zP-+NvL-0
9P+-+LzPP+0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Unbelievable! At first glance this seems dubious but looking at the position more carefully,
we notice that the open bfile could give Black a headache.
12 gxf6 cxb2 13 b1 a5+ 14 d2 c3 15 0-0 was also tried but Black seems to be fine
here: 15...a6!? (15...cxd2 16 xb2 b4 17 b3! followed by a2a3 allows White to win
back his piece) 16 b3!? (in case of 16 c4?! xa2 White is forced to retreat the
knight back: 17 e3 xe2 18 xe2 d7 with clearly better chances for Black)
16...xa2 17 c5 b5! 18 c2 a3 and White has not found sufficient resources
to break Black's position, Atalik Dreev/Bosnia 2001.
12...xe4 13 e5 h7
The alternatives 13...g8 14 gxh6 f6
and 13...xc3 look dangerous for Black but of course need to be tested.
14 c2 a5
In case of 14...c5 15 b1 c6 (15...d5?! 16 xb8 xb8?? 17 a4+ winning) 16 xc4 with the
idea of Bd3 White keeps the initiative.
57
15 0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-+kvl-+0
9zpl+-+p+r0
9-+p+p+-zp0
9wq-+-vL-zP-0
9-+pzPn+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9P+Q+LzPP+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White has obtained a strong initiative for the piece, S.Ivanov Potkin/St.Petersburg 2000.
58
Moscow Variation/9 6. Bh4 10. h4 g4

11. Ne5 various [D43]

9.e2
The same position might be reached via a different order of moves: 9.e5 h5 10.h4 g4
11.e2 b7 etc.
9...b7 10.h4 g4 11.e5
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqkvl-tr0
9zpl+-+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-sN-+-0
9-+pzPP+pzP0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzP-+LzPP+0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
There are some other options.
11...h5
59
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqkvl-tr0
9zpl+-+p+-0
9-+p+psn-+0
9+p+-sN-+p0
9-+pzPP+pzP0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzP-+LzPP+0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black does not want to give up his g4pawn.
11...b4?! 12.a4 xe4 is suspicious for Black: 13.xc4 xg3 (or 13...h5 14.e2 xg3
15.fxg3 h6 16.0-0 f5 17.d5! a5 (17...g7 18.xf5) 18.xf5! with a decisive attack)
14.fxg3 d7 and now after the typical 15.xf7! xf7 16.xg4 e7 17.0-0+ e8
(17...f6? loses after 18.xf6+! xf6 19.f1 xf1+ 20.xf1 e8 21.h5+ e7 22.e5 h7
23.c7++) 18.xe6 c8 19.ae1 d8 20.d5! Black found himself in trouble,
Khalifman Dreev/Elista 1998.
12.0-0
Garry Kasparov drew our attention to the immediate 12.f3!?, which looks rather double
edged and unclear. 12...bd7 13.fxg4 hxg4 (13...xe5 has also been tried: 14.xe5
hxg4 15.xg4 h6!? with wild play although White's chances look preferable here)
14.0-0 This position has been tested in the game Kasparov Dreev/RUSch
Moscow 2004, which continued 14...xe5 15.xe5 d7! (passive defence does not
help Black much: 15...e7 16.d2 xh4? 17.f4 with a decisive attack, but perhaps
15...h6!? is not so bad for Black) 16.xh8 xh4 17.xg4 xh8 18.e5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+kvl-wq0
9zpl+n+p+-0
9-+p+p+-+0
9+p+-zP-+-0
9-+pzP-+L+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+-+P+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18...0-0-0! (In the game Kasparov Dreev/RUSch Superfinal Moscow 2004 Black failed
to hold the endgame after 18...xe5?! 19.dxe5 c5+ 20.f2 xe5 21.e2 xe2 22.xe2 d8
23.f1 xf2 24.xf2) 19.e1! (19.e2 can be well met by 19...c5! as can be seen in
60
the game Bacrot Dreev/Poikovsky 2005) 19...g7 (after 19...c5 20.xb5 a6

(20...cxd4? 21.a5+) 21.a3 cxd4 22.xc4 the dpawn advance comes without
tempo!) 20.f4!? White looks better but Black is certainly not without counter
chances.
12...bd7
12...g7 was also tried.
13.c2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqkvl-tr0
9zpl+n+p+-0
9-+p+psn-+0
9+p+-sN-+p0
9-+pzPP+pzP0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzPQ+LzPP+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
13.d5?! is not so good due to 13...xe5 14.xe5 d6! 15.xd6 xd6 16.dxe6 xe6
17.d4 e7! with better chances for Black, Kohlweyer M.Gurevich/chTBEL
1999.
13...xe5
13...g7 14.ad1 b6 can be strongly met by a typical idea for these positions 15.a4! and
after 15...a5 (15...bxa4 is maybe better: 16.xc4 b4 17.e5 d5 18.a3 b3 19.xb3 axb3
20.d6+ e7 21.xb7 a5 22.c1 with advantage for White) 16.c5 xc5 17.dxc5 b4
18.d6! xc5 19.fd1 White takes a strong initiative.
13...e7 is rarely played. In the game Bocharov Sveshnikov/RUSch Krasnoyarsk 2003
White achieved a promising looking position after 14.ad1 b6 (14...a6 15.b3 cxb3
16.axb3 xe5 17.xe5 also looks promising for White) 15.b3 cxb3 16.xb3 d8
17.d5!? but Black is not without counter chances.
14.xe5 g7
61
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9zpl+-+pvl-0
9-+p+psn-+0
9+p+-vL-+p0
9-+pzPP+pzP0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzPQ+LzPP+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
An important position for this line.
In the game Sakaev Khenkin/Belgrade 1999 Black preferred to stay with the king in the
center by 14...g8 but it didn't solve the problems: 15.ad1 g6 (in case of 15...d7
16.g3 b6 17.b3 cxb3 18.axb3 White keeps the initiative as well) 16.f4 e7 17.g3 a6
18.b3 cxb3 19.axb3 b4?! (19...f8!? deserved attention, with ...g8 next,
evacuating the king from the centre) 20.d3! and White seized a strong initiative.
The rather unexpected 14...h6!?, introduced by Alexey Dreev, probably does not solve the
problems. 15.g3!? This immediate bishop's retreat is rather interesting similarly
to his game against Svidler (against Grischuk, WCh Mexico City 2007, though
Black's bishop was on g7) Grischuk does not waste time for rook's development.
a) 15.b3 seems less promising: 15...cxb3 16.axb3 0-0 17.d3
a1) 17.fd1!? e7 (17...e8!? deserved serious attention) 18.g3 d7 19.e5 f5
20.exf6 xf6 21.e4 xe4 22.xe4 f6 23.d3 with a clear advantage for White
in the game Krush Erenburg, Las Vegas 2007
a2) 17.g3?! can be well met with 17...c5! 18.dxc5 b4 19.fd1! c8 20.b5 xe4
21.d6 c6! 22.b5 xc5 23.xc5 xc5 24.xb7 xb7 25.c6 c5 26.xa8
xa8 with a drawish ending
a3) 17.g3?! is dubious: 17...e8! 18.d5 cxd5 19.exd5 g7! 20.xg7 xg7 with
better chances for Black, Werle Motylev/EUch Plovdiv 2008
17...e8! (both 17...e8 18.e2 xh4 19.c5!, and 17...e7 18.g3 d7 19.e5 are better for
White) 18.e2 (18.fd1!? d7 19.g3 e5 20.d5!) 18...d7 19.d6! (after 19.g3?! e5 20.f3
e3+ 21.h2 exd4 22.fxg4 hxg4 23.f5 e6 followed by ...e6h6 Black gets the
advantage) 19...e5 20.g3! (20.f4?! gxf3 21.xf3 e6) 20...exd4 21.f5 with
reasonable compensation for a couple of pawns
b) We have already considered other options: 15.ad1 is a natural alternative: 15...00 16.g3 (16.b3!?) 16...e7 17.e5 d5 18.e4 f5 19.exf6 h7! 20.fe1 (in the game
A.Mastrovasilis Avrukh/Athens 2005 White faced problems after 20.e5?! c5!
21.dxc5 f5) 20...f5! (20...c5? 21.dxc5 b4 fails to 22.f7+! xf7 23.f6+ xf6 24.xh7+
xh7 25.d7+ g8 26.xb7) 21.f1 (in his turn, Black prepared a strong counterblow
in reply to 21.b3?! 21...e3!! 22.fxe3 c5 23.h2 xe4 24.c3 xf6) 21...xf6
22.xf6+ xf6 23.c3 and White has got reasonable compensation for the pawn
c) an immediate 15.d5 has also been tried. Here Black should seriously think about
15...cxd5!? Then a possible line would be (15...0-0 16.dxe6 fxe6 17.ad1 d7
62
18.g3 (18.b3!?) 18...e7 19.e5 (not 19.d6?! xh4 20.g3? h3 21.xf8 e5-+) 19...f5
(19...g7!? was worth considering though after 20.fe1 White's chances seemed
preferable) 20.e4 af8 21.d6 was better for White in the game A.Onischuk
Stripunsky, Reno 2001) 16.exd5 xd5 (16...exd5 17.xb5) 17.ad1 (17.xd5 exd5
18.f5 g7, 17.a4 0-0! 18.axb5 d7!, 17.xb5 0-0) 17...0-0 18.xf6 xf6 19.xd5
exd5 20.xd5 a6 21.xh5 ad8 22.xg4 d2 with a good play for Black.
15...xd4 (In case of 15...0-0 16.e5 followed by c3e4 White would have gained time for
the move Rad1) 16.fd1 (White prefers to keep his other rook on afile 16.ad1
b6 17.b3 cxb3 18.axb3 could have also promised a typical sufficient compensation
for the pawn) 16...b6 The game Grischuk Karjakin/Odessa rapid 2008 continued
17.b3 cxb3 18.axb3 a6 and here 19.e5! deserved serious attention: 19...g7 (a
tricky 19...g3 did not bring desired effect: 20.xg3 g4 21.e5 f4!? 22.xg4 xg3 23.xe6!
xf2+ 24.xf2 xf2+ 25.xf2 fxe6 26.e4 e7 27.c5 c8 28.d6 with domination in the
ending) 20.d2 h6 21.b4 with better chances for White.
Black recently tried the interesting 14...h6!?, unpinning the knight: 15.ad1 d7 16.g3
a6 17.d5 A highly logical push. (However, White could also try to make some
preparations first, such as 17.b3 cxb3 18.axb3, removing Black's c4pawn and so
increasing the potential of the queen on c2 and bishop on e2) 17...cxd5 18.exd5 and
White has maintained good compensation for the sacrificed pawn but Black can also
play, S.Williams Hillarp Persson/Reykjavik 2006.
15.b3!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9zpl+-+pvl-0
9-+p+psn-+0
9+p+-vL-+p0
9-+pzPP+pzP0
9+PsN-+-+-0
9P+Q+LzPP+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A typical break White's main problem is that he cannot include the bishop on e2 in his
attack as the d3 square is unavailable, so the idea of eliminating the pawn on c4
looks reasonable.
White also tried other possibilities, mainly connected with the undermining b2b3 and play
in the center and on the Kside. 15.ad1 has been one of the main options but
recently White fails to put problems for Black: 15...0-0 16.g3
a) 16.f3 was thought to be harmless for Black. However, in the game Zhao Xue
Karjakin/Cap d'Agde 2006 White came up with an interesting idea: 16...h7
17.xg7 xg7 18.g3!? (Black has no problems after 18.fxg4 xh4 19.gxh5 g5
and many games ended by perpetual check after 20.d2 (20.f3 f5! gives Black the
63
better chances) 20...h3+! 21.gxh3 g3+=) 18...c7 (Perhaps it was stronger to put
pressure on White's d4pawn by 18...b6!? 19.h2 ad8 with good counter chances
this position might be a subject of future battles) 19.h2 f5 20.fxg4 fxg4 21.b3
and has achieved a promising position.
b) here 16.b3!? also deserves attention.
16...d7 (16...h7 does not solve the problems completely. The game Kramnik
Akopian/Dortmund 2000 continued 17.e5 f5 18.exf6 xf6 and here White should have
played 19.b3! removing the c4pawn, which White's active possibilities very much
increase.) 17.f3 c5! This strong idea of Vishy Anand gives Black sufficient
counterplay. (Before Black only played 17...b6 18.h1 (18.h2!? is also worthy
of consideration. Black should probably react with the same 18...c5!? (in the game
Onischuk Lastin/RUSchT Sochi 2005 Black played 18...ad8 19.fxg4 hxg4
20.f4 and after 20...e5?! (20...c5! was still preferable) 21.xg4 exd4 22.c1! c5
23.xb5! faced serious problems although later he managed to outplay his
opponent) 19.d5 e5 this position is also rather important and requires thorough
analysis and practical tests.) 18...c5! 19.d5 e5 20.fxg4 hxg4!? 21.c1
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpl+-+pvl-0
9-wq-+p+-+0
9+pzpPsn-+-0
9-+p+P+pzP0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzP-+L+P+0
9+-wQR+R+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
21...d3! (After 21...exd5 22.xd5 xd5 23.xd5 ae8 24.f5 White got the better chances in
the game Avrukh I.Novikov/Calvia (ol) 2004.) 22.xd3 cxd3 23.xd3 b4! Pushing
the knight and opening the a6f1 diagonal for the bishop. This position arose in the
game Van Wely Kobalia/Aeroflot Open Moscow 2005. It seems that objectively it
was stronger to play 24.a4!? but it could lead to a more or less forced draw after
24...b5 25.xc5 ac8 26.d6 xc5! Black has to act quickly. 27.xc5 c8 and
White probably cannot get more than a perpetual check by 28.f4 xd3 29.xf7+
h7 30.h5+ g8 31.f7+=) 18.dxc5 Probably the best continuation.
a) 18.xb5?! is dubious: 18...cxd4 19.xd4 b6 20.f2 g3! 21.e3 d8! and
White couldn't prevent the dangerous ...d8xh4 since 22.g5? failed to 22...xd4+!
23.xd4 b6 24.e3 e5-+
b) 18.d5 is also not quite satisfactory for White: 18...d4+!? 19.h1 e5! 20.f4
xc3 21.bxc3 exd5 22.e5! (22.exd5?! e8 23.fe1 f6) 22...f5! with Black's
superiority.
18...e7 This position has been tested in the game Aronian Anand/WCh Mexico City
2007. It seems that White should have played 19.d6 but Black had good counter
chances after 19...ac8 20.xb5 xc5 21.fd1 e5 and so on.
64
15.g3!? is a rather unexpected retreat, which deserves serious attention. White spends
time moving the bishop back from its strong central position, leaving the d4pawn
unprotected. The main idea e4e5 and c3e4 gains power after the black bishop
has left the a3f8 diagonal. 15...xd4!? A principled and probably the best
continuation. (Other continuations did not solve the problems either: 15...h7 16.e5
xd4 17.ad1 b6 18.e4 0-0 19.b3!, or 15...b4 16.a4 xd4 17.xc4, Sakaev
Borovikov/ECC Halkidiki 2002, with a strong initiative in both cases) 16.ad1
(16.fd1 is an alternative White leaves the other rook on a1 in order to increase the
effect of the apawn advance. 16...c5!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+-tr0
9zpl+-+pvl-0
9-+p+psn-+0
9+pwq-+-+p0
9-+p+P+pzP0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzPQ+LzPP+0
9tR-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
An interesting option. (16...b6 is the more popular retreat. After 17.a4 White keeps a
promising initiative to compensate a couple of pawns. However, Black can be also
be satisfied with his position. The game Khalifman Kobalia/RUSchT Sochi 2005
17...a6 (in case of 17...a5!? White should play 18.e5! (but not 18.d2 b4! with a clear
advantage for Black) 18...d7 19.e4 with the initiative) 18.d2 h6 19.d6!
f8 20.e5 e7 21.f4 g8 and Black has achieved acceptable play. However,
White might still find a way to maintain the better chances.) 17.d6 (In case of 17.e5
d5 18.e4 b6 19.d6+ f8 White might be missing his rook on the ffile) 17...b6
This position arose in the game Grischuk Svidler/WCh Mexico City 2007, which
continued 18.a4 a6 19.e5 d7! 20.a5 a7 21.e4 c5! 22.g5 xe5 23.xe5 xe5
24.xc4!! bxc4 25.a4+ f8 26.d7 d5! 27.d1! d4! 28.xa7 xa7 and it seems
that Black can hold on with precise defence) 16...b6 (16...c5!? is more risky as it
gives White time to get his knight to d6 by 17.e5 d5 18.e4 b6 19.d6+ while his f
rook could play an important role in the attack. However, things may not be so clear,
for example, the straightforward approach 19...f8 20.h1 g8 21.e4 f8 22.f3 is well
met by 22...a8! 23.fxg4 e3! 24.f3 xe4 25.xe4 hxg4 26.a3 b4 with better chances for
Black) 17.b3!? (In the game Wu Shaobin Al Sayed/Asiach Doha 2003 White
unsuccessfully tried 17.e5?! d5 18.e4 and after 18...0-0-0! 19.d6+ xd6 20.exd6 f5
Black has obtained a clear advantage) 17...cxb3 18.axb3 This position arose in the
game Aronian Gustafsson/World Cup KhantyMansiysk 2007, which continued
18...a6 19.d2 c5 20.d6 and here Black should have preferred 20...c6!? The move
looks suspicious but it's probably the best defence as Black's pawn on c5 requires
protection. Then a possible line would be (after 20...a5?! 21.e5 d7 22.fd1 0-0-0
23.e4 c7 24.f6! White's initiative has become threatening) 21.e5 (White would
65
have considered many options, such as 21.e5 e7 22.d2, 21.fd1 b7 22.e5 d7, or
maybe even 21.c1!? ) 21...d7 22.fd1 (22.e4 f8 23.fd1!? would also be worth
considering) 22...0-0-0 (22...b7!?) 23.e4 but here, compared to the game, Black
could have played 23...xe5! with unclear play. For example, 24.xd7 xd7
25.xd7 xg3 26.xf7 e5 27.xc5 g3! 28.f1 gxf2 with reasonable counter
chances.
15...cxb3
15...b4? 16.a4 c3 17.c5 is bad for Black
15...0-0!? deserves serious attention. Black gives up his extra pawn in order to get time for
counter actions. 16.bxc4 White has to spend time for capturing this pawn, which
otherwise would become useful for Black. (16.g3? would be strongly met by
16...c5! 17.dxc5 (here a presence of the pawn on c4 allowed Black to counter 17.e5?
with 17...cxd4! 18.exf6 d3!) 17...b4 with better chances for Black. For example, 18.e5
bxc3 19.exf6 xf6 20.xc4 fc8 21.b4 a5 22.a3 d4 23.d3 axb4 24.axb4 e4
25.xd4 xd4 and Black's passer on c3 becomes really annoying) 16...h7 17.xg7
xg7 18.ad1 Apart from this natural move White has some interesting options.
a) 18.d3!? deserves attention: 18...xh4 19.cxb5 fd8! (in case of 19...cxb5
20.xb5 ab8 21.e5+! g6 (21...f6? 22.xh5, 21...f6?? 22.g3) 22.ab1 f6
23.g3 xd4 24.fd1 White could obtain good attacking prospects) 20.fd1 ac8
21.a4 with somewhat better chances for White.
b) A tempting pawn push 18.d5 can be well met by 18...cxd5 19.exd5 bxc4 20.dxe6
xh4! with a good play for Black, according to the tournament practice
c) A simple 18.cxb5!? cxb5 19.xb5 requires further investigation.
18...xh4 19.cxb5 cxb5 20.xb5 ac8! 21.d3 This position arose in the game Grischuk
Aronian/Linares 2009. Here Black could have solved all the problems by playing
21...g3! 22.xg3+ (or 22.fxg3 xe4 23.xe4 xe4 24.xh5 c2) 22...xg3 23.fxg3 xe4
24.xh5 c2 with good play in the ending.
16.axb3 0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+-+pvl-0
9-+p+psn-+0
9+p+-vL-+p0
9-+-zPP+pzP0
9+PsN-+-+-0
9-+Q+LzPP+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
66
17.g3!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+-+pvl-0
9-+p+psn-+0
9+p+-+-+p0
9-+-zPP+pzP0
9+PsN-+-vL-0
9-+Q+LzPP+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
This is also a typical idea for such positions but, strangely enough, it has been rarely tried in
combination with b2b3 and without a rook on d1. Meanwhile, it seems to be very
strong!
17.ad1 has been tried more often but Black keeps reasonable defensive resources:
17...e7!? (17...h7 has been played in the game Goldin Novikov/New York 2000:
18.xg7 xg7 19.g3 White's idea is simple to open the kingside by f2f3. However,
Black's position doesn't look too bad) 18.g3 d7 19.e5 with complicated play
In case of 17.fd1 e7 Black gets acceptable play. For example, 18.f4 d7 19.e5 f5!
20.exf6 xf6 21.g5 c5! 22.d5 (22.xb5 a6 23.c3 f7) 22...exd5 23.xd5 xd5
24.xd5 e4 25.xc5 xc2 26.xc2 e4 with a roughly equal endgame.
17...c5!?
A typical break. Other options seem to be worse.
Here in case of 17...xd4 18.ad1 b6 (other options are: 18...b4 19.e5 d5 20.e4, or
18...c5 19.d6 b6 20.e5 e8 21.xf8 xf8 22.e4 xe5 23.c1!) 19.e5 d5 20.e4
White's initiative is rather annoying since Black has already castled compare to the
line 15. g3 xd4.
In the game Avrukh Sargissian/GERchT Kreuzberg 2007 Black has found himself in
trouble after 17...b4 18.a4 d7 19.ad1 e7 20.c5 xc5 21.dxc5 with a clear
advantage for White.
18.e5 d5
67
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+-+pvl-0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+pzpnzP-+p0
9-+-zP-+pzP0
9+PsN-+-vL-0
9-+Q+LzPP+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
19.xb5
19.dxc5 is also worthy of consideration: 19...b4 20.c1 a6!? (or 20...d4 21.d1 xc5
22.xb5) 21.d1 e7 22.d6 fc8 with acceptable though maybe slightly worse
position for Black.
19...cxd4 20.d6
The game Grischuk Karjakin/Sochi 2008 continued
20...b8
After 20...b6 21.d2 White gets the better chances.
21.d2 c3 22.d3 a5 23.a3 d5 24.c2
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-wq-trk+0
9+-+-+pvl-0
9-+-sNp+-+0
9zp-+lzP-+p0
9-+-zp-+pzP0
9tRPsn-+-vL-0
9-+LwQ-zPP+0
9+-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
and White eventually proved his trumps to be higher.
68
Moscow Variation/10 6.Bh4 10. h4 g4

11. Ne5 g4 pawn sac [D43]

9.e2 b7 10.h4 g4 11.e5 g8!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqkvlr+0
9zpl+-+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-sN-+-0
9-+pzPP+pzP0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzP-+LzPP+0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
The idea to give up the g4pawn and then to use the rook on the newly opened gfile is
recently the most promising way for Black to play this variation.
The idea of Ukrainian IM Valery Shalimov 11...bd7!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqkvl-tr0
9zpl+n+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-sN-+-0
9-+pzPP+pzP0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzP-+LzPP+0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is similar and sometimes transpositions occur. Here White has a choice. 12.xg4
69
a) in case of 12.xd7 Black should probably take with the knight: 12...xd7?!
seems to be dubious: 13.e5 g7 14.xg4 d8 (14...0-0-0!?) 15.h3 0-0 16.e2 e7
17.0-0-0 a6 18.g4 and the attack looks irresistible
b) the natural 12.0-0 is playable: 12...xe5 13.xe5 g8 This position arose in the
game S.Ivanov Korobov/ECC Halkidiki 2002. Here 14.d5! seemed to be a
principled attempt to disprove Black's strategy. (14.c2?! was too slow: 14...h5! A
strong idea the h4pawn is hanging while Black keeps in mind the aggressive
advance ...g4g3. 15.g3 f6! 16.xg4 White gives up another bishop, which was
doing nothing. (16.f4 xf4 17.gxf4 xd4-+ was also not satisfactory for White)
16...xg4 17.e2 f5! 18.exf5 xh4!-+ Black's pieces are quickly coming into the
battle area. Now he is going to open the diagonal of the bishop on b7 by...c6c5 and
White has no way to prevent it.) Then possible is 14...d7 15.g3 h5 16.c2 b6!?
17.a4 a6 with very unclear and complicated play.
c) In case of 12.xg4 Black can think about 12...b4!? this pawn push brings Black
excellent results. (12...g8 is a transposition to the line 11...g8) However, White still
seems to be able to pose some problems by playing 13.xf6+ (13.a4 xe4 is fine
for Black: 14.xc4 h5 15.e5 g8 16.e3 xe5 17.dxe5 h6 18.d3 c5) 13...xf6 14.a4
xe4 15.e5 g8 and here 16.f3!?
c1) in case of 16.c2 c5 17.0-0-0 a5 18.f3 Black can seize the initiative by
18...cxd4! 19.xe4 (or 19.xd4 b3 20.axb3 cxb3 21.xb3 c8+ 22.c3 d5 23.c2 xc3
24.xc3 xf3 25.gxf3 b4) 19...b3! 20.axb3 cxb3 21.c6+ e7 22.xd4 (22.c4 c8!)
22...xe5 23.d7+ f6 24.c4 xc6 25.xc6 b4
c2) White used to play 16.xc4 d6 17.e2 (17.h5!? deserves serious attention
Black should probably play 17...c5!? but White may still hope for the advantage)
17...xe5 18.dxe5 c5 19.b5+ (in the game Timoscenko Pavasovic/Turin (ol)
2006 White suddenly found himself in trouble after the natural 19.d1? a5 20.b5+
f8 21.d7 b3+!-+) 19...f8 20.d3 d4 21.xe4 xe4 22.xe4 xe4 23.xc5
xg2 24.g1 e7 The endgame is roughly equal. However, White has to somehow
secure his e5pawn otherwise Black will have the advantage thanks to his superior
bishop.
16...c5 (16...d5!? deserved attention. White would have thought about 17.0-0!? 0-0-0 18.e2 f5
19.fc1!? and his chances seemed preferable but this line requires more analysis)
17.e2 d5 18.0-0-0 cxd4 19.xd4 This position has been tested in the game
Korobov Gasanov/Poltava 2009: 19...c6 20.he1! xa4 21.xe4 and White
maintained somewhat the better chances.
12...g8 13.xd7 xd7 14.f3 This is one of the critical positions. 14...b4!?
a) The natural 14...0-0-0 may not solve all the problems: 15.d2!?
a1) Another option 15.a4 a6 16.e5 was tested in the game S.Ivanov Shalimov/St.
Petersburg 2000. Black reacted quite well: 16...e8! 17.axb5 cxb5 18.d5 e7
19.e2 g7 20.g3 d4! with good play
a2) while in the game Gelfand Kasimdzhanov/Candidates (m/3) Elista 2007, Black
obtained good counter chances after 15.f4!? White moves the bishop away, ruling
out possible exchange sacrifices on g3. 15...a6 (15...c5!?) 16.a4 (16.e5!? deserves
serious attention: 16...d5 17.xd5 cxd5 18.d2 with a position resembling the French
Defence. White can hope to get an advantage because of Black's weakened kingside)
16...b4 17.e5 c5!? and here White had to play 18.axb5! (after 18.exf6? cxd4 19.axb5
70
xb5! White faced problems) 18...cxd4 19.bxa6 xf3 20.xf3 d5 21.0-0 dxc3
22.bxc3 xc3 23.ac1 with sharp and unclear play.

15...xg3 (15...xd4?? 16.xd4 xd4 17.e5) 16.fxg3 e5!? (or 16...xd4 17.xd4 xd4 18.d1
with a certain advantage) 17.0-0-0 xd4 18.g4 Black's compensation for the pawn
does not look sufficient.
b) 14...c5!? is worth considering but White keeps somewhat the better chances:
15.e5!? (15.dxc5 does not promise much: 15...xd1+ (or 15...b4 16.xd7+ xd7
17.b5 c8 18.0-0-0 (18.a3!?) 18...xc5 19.c7+ e7 20.d6+ f6 with good play
for Black) 16.xd1 a6 17.e5 (17.d6 d7) 17...xf3 18.gxf3 h5 19.e4 c8 and
Black is okay) 15...d5 16.e4 0-0-0 17.0-0 (perhaps 17.dxc5!? is more promising)
17...xg3!? 18.xg3 f4 Black has got reasonable compensation for the exchange
but White's chances still seem preferable.
15.a4 c5 (15...0-0-0 16.e5 e7 17.e2 d7 18.g3 looks favourable for White) 16.xc5
xc5 17.dxc5 xe4
a) 17...0-0-0?! 18.xd7+ xd7 19.c1 xe4 20.xc4 xf3 21.gxf3 a5 22.e2 is
clearly better for White
b) while 17...xe4 18.xd7+ (perhaps 18.d6!? is stronger) 18...xd7 19.c1
gives White a small edge in the ending
18.xd7+ xd7 White can still maintain a small advantage in this ending but it should be
defendable for Black. The game Vachier Lagrave Gelfand/KhantyMansiysk (ol)
2010, continued 19.0-0-0+!? e8! 20.f4! xc5 21.xb7 xb7 22.xh6 c5!
23.e3 d3+ 24.b1 xg2 25.h5 and here the restrained 25...f6!? seemed more
reliable. (after 25...f5?! 26.h6 f7 27.h7 h8 28.b3! Black faced problems but perhaps he
could still hold on by 28...f4!) 26.h6 f7 with idea to meet 27.b3 with 27...e5! with
good chances to hold balance. For example, 28.bxc4 xc4 29.d7+ g8 30.xa7
though Black still has to defend accurately to secure half a point.
12.xg4
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqkvlr+0
9zpl+-+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+pzPP+NzP0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzP-+LzPP+0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
The dubious 12.h5?! gives Black excellent play: 12...bd7 13.xd7 xd7 14.xg4 b6
and so on, Timman Vallejo Pons/Pamplona 1999. White's task is not easy now as
he is suffering not only from the weakness of the d4pawn but also from the
unstable position of both bishops.
71
12.0-0 bd7 13.xg4 is a transposition to the main line this order of moves might be
more precise.
12.xg4!? deserves serious attention as after 12...bd7 there would be a transposition to
11...bd7 12. xg4 g8.
12...bd7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqkvlr+0
9zpl+n+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+pzPP+NzP0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzP-+LzPP+0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...xg4!? 13.xg4 b4!? deserves serious attention. (13...d7 is considered after 12...bd7
13. 0-0) However, Black might still face problems after 14.a4 c5! (14...d7 is less
logical after the simple 15.0-0 White gets the better chances. This position might be
reached if in one of the main lines 12...bd7 13. 0-0 b4 14. a4 Black suddenly
takes on g4 instead of the natural 14...xe4.) 15.d5!? (The ending which arises after
15.xc5 xc5 16.dxc5 xd1+ 17.xd1 xe4 is acceptable for Black, according to
tournament practice. For example, 18.0-0 c6 19.c1 d5 and so on, Rogozenko
Spiess/EUch Dresden 2007) 15...exd5 (15...d7? is strongly met by 16.xe6!)
16.exd5 xd5 17.xd5 xd5 18.0-0-0 xg4 19.xd5 d7 20.e1+ d8 This
endgame is rather important for the assessment of this line. 21.ed1 (21.xc5 does
not promise much: 21...xc5 22.ed1 c8 23.xd7+ e8 and Black achieves good play)
21...d4 22.5xd4 cxd4 23.xd4 c8 At first sight Black should be fine but the
game Grischuk Anand/WCh Mexico City 2007 shows that he might not be able to
secure his advanced Qside pawns: 24.d6! e8 (24...e7!? deserved attention)
25.e4+ d8 26.xf8 xf8 27.a3! bxa3 (27...a5? 28.axb4 axb4 29.b6) 28.bxa3 and he
eventually lost his c4pawn but just managed to save the game.
12...h5!? is rather interesting, trying to eliminate White's important bishop: 13.e5 d7
14.g3 (14.f3!? is worthy of consideration, after which Black could think about
14...xg4!? 15.xg4 xe5 16.dxe5 f4 with reasonable compensation) 14...b4 15.a4
In the game Cmilyte Galliamova/FIDE WCh KO (women) Ekaterinburg 2006
Black came up with the thematic 15...c5! but after 16.xc4 xe4 17.g1 c6 18.b3
g6 19.e2 f5!? 20.e3 xe5 21.dxe5 f4 22.f1 d5 23.0-0-0 d7 24.d3!
White was able to maintain control over the position and prevent his opponent's
counterplay, keeping the better chances thanks to the better pawn structure and the
vulnerability of the Black king.
72
13.0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqkvlr+0
9zpl+n+p+-0
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+pzPP+NzP0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzP-+LzPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
13.e5 is a logical alternative. White not only prepares the manoeuvre c3e4, but also
deprives Black of the possibility to create annoying pressure on the most vulnerable
point of White's position the d4pawn by playing ...d7f6, ...d8b6 and ...00-0. The drawback of such an approach is that White's options in the center are
reduced now. 13...xg4 14.xg4 b6 15.0-0 0-0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+ktr-vlr+0
9zpl+n+p+-0
9-wqp+p+-zp0
9+p+-zP-+-0
9-+pzP-+LzP0
9+-sN-+-vL-0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Both sides have almost completed their development and are ready for action, Sakaev
Lastin/ECC, Panormo 2001. White's chances look preferable but Black players
would probably disagree.
The simple capture 13.xf6+!? may also promise the better chances for White. 13...xf6
(It seems that Black should pay more attention to 13...xf6!?, after which White
failed to show a clear way to get any advantage: 14.e5 (14.d2, which was tried in
the game Sakaev Dreev, chessassistantclub.com 2004 should have been met by
14...b4! 15.a4 c5 with counter chances, 14.f3 was well met by 14...e5!, Komljenovic
Korneev, Sevilla 2003, while 14.0-0 0-0-0 15.e5 f5 was unclear in Chow
Stripunsky, Minneapolis 2005) 14...f5 15.f3 0-0-0 16.e2 b6 and Black
could be satisfied with his counter chances in the game Van Wely Dreev, Moscow
2004.) 14.f3 (14.0-0, which has been played in the game Khalifman
Acs/Hoogeveen 2002, could have been met by 14...b4!? (14...b6 15.a4 b4!? 16.e5
73
d7 17.f4 was unclear) 15.e5 bxc3 16.exf6 xg3! 17.fxg3 cxb2 18.b1 c3 and
Black's chances look preferable) 14...b4 A new continuation Black immediately

begins concrete action. (14...b6 15.d2 was tested in some recent games and
Black experienced problems: 15...d8 (the interesting 15...h5 let Black achieve good
counter chances after 16.0-0 d8 17.e2 c5 18.d5 exd5 19.exd5 xd5 20.f4 xf3 21.xf3
d3 but White's play should be improved) 16.f4 g7 17.d1 c5 18.dxc5 xd1+
19.xd1 xc5 (after 19...c6 20.c1 d7 21.e5! xe5 22.e3 xg3 23.fxg3 Black's
compensation is not sufficient) 20.b8+ c8 21.xc8+ xc8 22.xb5 with an
almost decisive advantage) 15.e2 c5 16.d5! This pawn push secures the better
chances for White. 16...d7 (16...exd5 17.exd5 wasn't easier for Black in the game
Vitiugov Czarnota/Herceg Novi 2005: 17...d6 (Black couldn't capture the d5
pawn: 17...xd5? 18.a4+ d7 19.xd7+ xd7 20.0-0-0 c6 21.xd5 xd5 22.f4+) 18.00 d7 19.c1 with a strong initiative) 17.0-0 0-0-0 (In case of 17...exd5 18.exd5
xd5 19.f4 Black's life is not easy: 19...0-0-0 (or 19...xf3 20.xf3 c8 21.fe1+ e7
22.ad1 c6 23.e2 b7 24.xc4) 20.xd5 xd5 21.c2 g7 22.xc4 d4 23.h1
intending to open the Qside by a2a3.) 18.c1!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+ktr-vlr+0
9zpl+q+p+-0
9-+-+psn-zp0
9+-zpP+-+-0
9-zpp+P+-zP0
9+-+-+LvL-0
9PzP-+NzPP+0
9tR-wQ-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
This very strong multipurpose move secured White's superiority in the game Potkin
Grischuk/RUSch Krasnoyarsk 2003, which continued 18...exd5 19.f4! with an
annoying initiative.
13...b4
13...xg4 is less popular: 14.xg4 b6 (14...f6?! is dubious as after 15.f3 White has
played one extra move (actually castling) compared to the 13. f6!? line, above)
15.a4 (15.e5 is a transposition to the line 13. e5) and here both 15...a6 (and 15...a5 are
worthy of consideration although White always keeps very good compensation for
the pawn.)
13...h5!? deserves attention: 14.e5!? (14.xh6?! is hardly possible due to 14...xg3 15.xg8
xf1 followed by ...h4, 14.h2?! also does not look very good as the pawn on h4 is
hanging) 14...xg3 15.fxg3 b6! Preparing to castle and at the same time looking
closely at the most vulnerable point of White's position the pawn on d4. 16.a4!?
and here in a very unclear and complicated position a draw was agreed in the game
Glek Dreev/Essen 2000. Yet, White's chances still look preferable.
74
14.a4 xe4 15.xc4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqkvlr+0
9zpl+n+p+-0
9-+p+p+-zp0
9+-+-+-+-0
9NzpLzPn+NzP0
9+-+-+-vL-0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
15...a5
15...h5 has been tried without much success: 16.e3 a5 (16...df6?! 17.e5 is clearly
better for White) 17.h2 df6 18.b3 with better chances
It's rather tempting to get rid of this strong bishop by 15...xg3?! but it opens the file for
White's rook and makes it more difficult for Black to move his king to the Qside:
16.fxg3 e7 (After 16...a5?! 17.e2 Black couldn't secure his king without serious
concessions) 17.c5! and White has obtained a big advantage in the game
Vitiugov Stripunsky/St.Petersburg vs New York 2005.
16.c1
16.b3 does not promise much: 16...xg3 17.fxg3 g6 18.e2 g7 with good counter
chances.
16...0-0-0 17.h2
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+ktr-vlr+0
9zpl+n+p+-0
9-+p+p+-zp0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9NzpLzPn+NzP0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPvL0
9+-tRQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
75
This position arose in the game Nakamura Dreev/Stepanakert 2005, which continued
17...d6!?
Which looks reasonable Black's king would never be safe with White's bishop on the
diagonal h2b8.
18.d3 xh2+ 19.xh2 df6 20.xe4! xe4 21.c5 xc5 22.xc5

White has managed to lock the bishop on b7 but after
22...xa2!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+ktr-+r+0
9zpl+-+p+-0
9-+p+p+-zp0
9+-tR-+-+-0
9-zp-zP-+-zP0
9+-+-+-+-0
9qzP-+-zPPsN0
9+-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black has also got something to be satisfied with. Nevertheless, White's position looks
preferable.
76

Moscow

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Moscow

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Moscow Variation

Written by GM Ruslan Scherbakov

After 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 f3 f6 4 c3 e6 5 g5 the move 5...h6!? leads to the so

as a surprise to me because one of my addictions is to take the pawn on c4 with black.

D43 Moscow Variation/9 6...h4 10.h4 g4 11 e5 various, 11...g8 D43 Moscow

All rights reserved Chess Publishing Ltd

Moscow Variation/1 6. Bxf6 Qxf6

10 e4 f5 11 fd2 is an alternative option.

Moscow Variation/2 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qb3

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.c3 f6 4.f3 e6 5.g5 h6 6.xf6 xf6 7.b3

9.xe4 b4+ 10.d1 f4

11...f5 12.g3 c5 13.a3 a4 14.c2 a5

Moscow Variation/3 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.c3 f6 4.f3 e6 5.g5 h6 6.xf6 xf6 7.e3

13.b3 d8!? 14.fd1 b6 15.e2 d5

Moscow Variation/4 6. Bh4 early 8. e5

14...b6! would give Black acceptable play. (14...g4?! is dubious: 15 d2 xg2 16 h2

Moscow Variation/5 6. Bh4 early 9.

1.d4 d5 2.f3 f6 3.c4 c6 4.c3 e6 5.g5 h6 6.h4 dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.g3 b5

14...f5 15.d4 e7 16.a4

17...a6 18.axb5 axb5 19.xb5 e4+!

22.d6+ xd6 23.exd6 d7 24.h5 b5 25.c3 a5!

Moscow Variation/6 6. Bh4 9. Be2 NOT

1.d4 d5 2.f3 f6 3.c4 c6 4.c3 e6 5.g5 h6 6.h4 dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.g3 b5

c) 12...bd7 13.xd7 xd7 14.xc4 is similar Black's life is not easy.

15.dxe6 fxe6 16.d4 0-0-0

17.xe6 de8 18.g7

Moscow Variation/7 6. Bh4 9...Bb7 NOT

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.f3 f6 4.c3 e6 5.g5 h6 6.h4 dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.g3 b5

b) 11...b6?! is dubious: 12.e5 a6 13.d5 cxd5 14.exd5 g7 15.xd7 xd7

b4 15.e3 e7 16.h3 h4 This position arose in the game Kramnik Gelfand/WCh

d7! 22.f7 g5 23.xe7 xe7 24.xe7 xe7 25.xd4 h7 26.h4 f7 27.xh5

12...xd7 13.e5 d5 14.e4 f8 does not look encouraging for Black.

22...fxe4 23.xe6+ b8 24.e1 c3 25.xe4 b2!? and White equalised with

pawn to compensate these minuses. 16...c5!? A principled reply. (after 16...0-0

a) in case of 21...c8 White continues by 22.ac1 f8 23.xc8 xc8 24.e3 c2!

15...exd4 16.e5 c5!?

18.xe5 0-0 19.xg7 xg7 20.e2 f5 21.h5 f4

Moscow Variation/8 6. Bh4 9...Bb7 10.

Moscow Variation/9 6. Bh4 10. h4 g4

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.f3 f6 4.c3 e6 5.g5 h6 6.h4 dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.g3 b5

9...b7 10.h4 g4 11.e5

the game Bacrot Dreev/Poikovsky 2005) 19...g7 (after 19...c5 20.xb5 a6

21.d2 c3 22.d3 a5 23.a3 d5 24.c2

Moscow Variation/10 6.Bh4 10. h4 g4

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.f3 f6 4.c3 e6 5.g5 h6 6.h4 dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.g3 b5

22.bxc3 xc3 23.ac1 with sharp and unclear play.

Black's chances look preferable) 14...b4 A new continuation Black immediately

14.a4 xe4 15.xc4

18.d3 xh2+ 19.xh2 df6 20.xe4! xe4 21.c5 xc5 22.xc5

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