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THE
I
_,__ CLOSED
OPENINGS ..
IN
,-------l.- ACTION
FOR CHESS ... READ BATS FORD FOR CHESS ... READ BATS FORD
The Queen'<; Gamb t c:�nd theEngl.sh Opening for'll a ma.or part o every strong
player's repertoire. In thts third book of hi., +our-vol 1mP o:.Prie�, former Wor cl
Champion Anatoly Karpov exam nes developrnmts n 1� heory of these
openings, as well as in the Reti and Catdlan Openings d ...Jri lg the last few yews
Each variation is llustrated by one or more complete Grandmaster games,
analysed in dPpth, c,o that you can see how the tdeas from the opentng arE'
real zed in the midd'egame and the endgame
This is an excellent book tor plaver<; who want to mprove thetr under•;tanding
of the openings, as well as being a highly entertaini'lg survey of some ot the
be'it game'> played in recent top-dass L hess
Anatoly Karpov was World Champion from 197S to 1985, during whtch time he
dominated the chess world bee om ng the most �uccessful tournament player
in htstory. Hts eptc battles with Gary Kasparov for the title have shown that he is
still at the peak of his power<;
IIIII II
9 780713 461695
The Closed Openings in Action
The Closed
Openings in Action
ANATOLY KARPOV
ISBN 0 7 1 34 6 1 69 I
Typeset by
Latimer Trend & Company Ltd , Plymouth
and printed in Great Britain by
Dotesios Printers Ltd, Trowbridge, Wiltshire
for the publishers,
B. T. Batsford Ltd,
4 Fitzhardinge Street,
London W I H OAH
(there were not many) were called closed. The situation has changed
substantially in recent years and the popularity of closed openings has
been continually growing. The number of games played with closed
openings these days is probably higher than the number played with
open openings and semi-open openings together. Thus it is possible to
assume that there is a need to split closed openings into two classes
closed and semi-closed. Consequently, closed opening become the
symmetrical systems- I d4 d5 and I c4 c5, and semi-closed openings
become the asymmetrical systems- ! d4 (I c4) <2)f6. Although this
classification hasn't been settled yet I believe that it will be official quite
soon. Anyway, this classification is used for the four volume series.
Here are the statistics of the openings of the first three matches
between Kasparov and myself.
( 1 20 games in all from the four matches). As you see, closed openings
(mostly the Queen's Gambit) are played more frequently even in the
x Introduction to the four-volume series
testing the theoretical progress of recent years, and our chosen schemes
were subsequently developed (sometimes extremely wildly) in Grand
master practice. This process of evolution in chess theory is reflected in
the pages of this book.
1 The Queen' s Gambit Declined
20 �xf7!
21 "t�rxg6 + Threatening 1 5 ,ibl , and on
22 e4 the reply 14 . . . g6 there would
23 .ib3 follow 1 5 � xe6.
/0 The Queen's Gambit Declined
37 b5 �cS 59 h4 *e8
The b-pawn would like to push 60 � a7 *f8
forward, but is safely blockaded. 60 . . . � b l 61 .E)g5 J� gl + (6 1
Therefore the White knight will . . . .U.el 62 � f3) 62 *h2 llfl 63
come to assist. �h3 '2)f6 64 *g2 lidl 65 � f4
38 g3 g5 � d4 66 g aS + *e7 67 '2)g6 +
39 .g2 *g7 'ltf7 68 �e5 + *g7 69 � a7 +
40 �d2 �b6 doesn't ease the situation.
41 � c2 g al 61 f3
By continuing 41 . . . .E)b4, More accurate than 6 1 h5 e5 62
Black could cause serious prob .1 a5 '2)f6 63 II xe5 '2)xe4.
lems, for example: 42 g c4 � a2 61 eS
43 -21 xb4 � xd2 44 � c2 � d l ! 45 There are no prospects in either
� b2 ,!d4 46 � b3 � d2 47 .E)d3 6 1 . . . � b l 62 .E)g5 or 61 . . . *g8
,&b6 48 *fl h5 49 *el i, a5. 62 'l.ig4 .!;1 b l 63 *g5.
42 .E)c4 �cS 62 � aS .U.g6 +
43 .E)d6 �b6 63 *h2 '2)(4
44 � b2 i,cS 64 K xe5 l.g2 +
45 -21 d8 i. d4 65 *ht x g7
46 � c2 i,xe5 66 J� fS +
47 -2:)8xt7 i, xd6 66 �d6 would bring immediate
48 -E)xd6 � bl victory.
49 � c8 h5 66 . . . K f7
SO �e8 *f6 67 K xf7 + tlfxf7
51 ),ih8 h4 Thus White has two extra
52 � h6 + ! pawns (f- and h-pawns) but now
Finally White achieves a tang it's not a rook ending, but a
ible superiority in the endgame Knight ending.
although it is still 40 moves to the 68 tlfh2 *g6
finish-almost a full game in 69 *g3 �d5
itself. 70 .E)d6 �e3
52 f1Je7 71 *f4 �g2 +
53 -2Je4 hg 72 tlfg4 �e3 +
S4 \tixg3 � xb5 73 *f4 -2lg2 +
55 � h7 + *f8 74 *g3 -2!e3
56 -2J xg5 *g8 75 -2le4!
57 �d7 � b6 Planning the decisive transfer
S8 -2Je4! of the knight: -E)e4--c5--d3-f4-g2.
It makes no sense whatever to 75 �dS
go into a rook ending with f- and 76 .E)c5 *fS
h-pawns-58 -2lxe6 � xe6 59 77 .E)dJ '2)(6
� xd5 may not be winning. 78 -2lf4 *e5
S8 . . . 'ltf8 79 �g2!
14 The Queen's Gambit Declined
itself solve all the problems. After but it's undesirable for Black to
1 2 'Wte2 a6 1 3 .K fd l cd 1 4 � xd4 allow the move 1 4 'Wr'b3: 1 4 . . .
"fle7 1 5 �e4 �e5 White chose 1 6 K e7 1 5 X fel �f8 ( 1 5 . . . � b6 1 6
�f3 J,.bS 1 7 'Wr'd2, creating signi K xe7 'Wfxe7 1 7 K e l 'Wr'fB I S
ficant pressure. Nevertheless, it � xf7 + 'Wf xf7 1 9 K eS + winning)
turned out well for me, and the 1 6 �e4!? �xd4 1 7 ,l cd l X d7 I S
game quickly concluded in a X xd4 l;lxd4 1 9 J.. x f7 + * hS 20
draw. Immediately after the �xd4 .-xd4 2 1 �g3 b5 22 x es
match Kasparov chose another �b7 23 K e7 with a large plus.
route: 1 6 'Wr'h5! K dS 1 7 �fl � bS 14 j_ bJ j.f5( 14)
I S 'Wfa5 b6 1 9 'Wfc3 � b7 20 �c6
.t_xc6 2 1 'Wfxc6, also achieving a
protracted initiative (Kasparov
H. Olafsson, Dubai 1 9S6).
12 hJ!
A modest, yet venomous move.
Kasparov used this for the first
time in the 23rd game of the
second contest. The point of the
move is that the light-squared bis
hop remains at home, and on 1 2
0 0x es the possibility o f 1 3 'Wr'b3
0
the diagonal and the file. This However, after 1 9 'i!tf4 i.,g6 20 h4
game of Kasparov serves as a fine 'i!iJ'd8 21 �a4 I ran into difficul
lesson in the technical realization ties. This game, particularly the
of an advantage, and it will pay to final part, is worth the diversion
follow it to the end: IS J! f8 26
• • • to show it in its entirety.
g3! *d8 27 X ad I '\!if' aS 28 h4 �e7 Kasparov-Karpov, m(22) 1986:
29 �c3! i.,xc2 30 x xe7 � g8 31 21 . . . hS 22 X el bS 23 <2!c3 '\!if'b8
X dd7 i.fS 32 il xg7 + 'i1rh8 33 24 'i!te3 b4 25 �e4 ba 26 � xf6 +
\'!if'd4 Black resigned. �xf6 27 ba �ciS 28 i.,xdS cd 29
Before we go any further, it �eS 'i!td8 30 't!tf3 X a6 31 X cl
seems appropriate to see two *h7. Here it was necessary for me
more of Belyavsky's games from to capture the pawn (3 1 . . .
the USSR Championship (Kiev 't!fxh4), and after 32 *xdS *h7
1986), in which the move 1 5 . . . 33 �f3 't!fg4 the game would very
'l!fd7 was encountered and only soon end in a draw. The attempt
after 1 6 '\!if'd2 was 16 . . . aS to play more safely allows White
played, provoking 1 7 a3 a4 1 8 to gain a positional advantage.
i,a2. In the game Lputyan 32 '.t.'h3 � b6 33 xes 't!td6 34
Belyavsky, where, incidentally, 'l\li'g3 a4 35 � a8 *e6 36 X xa4
the move 14 . . . i. f5 was used for 'Wt' f5 37!4a7 K bl + 38 * h2 get
the first time, there followed 1 8 39 K b7 !4c2 40 f3 X d2 (16) .
. . . ,ladS 1 9 "l'!ff4 i_d3 20 �e5
'(11fxd4 21 �xd3 'i!itxd3 22 � cd l
itg6 2 3 X xdS i, xdS 24 \'ifbS �c2
25 i;�e2 'i!\t'cl + 26 *h2 -E:ld7 27
'i!lf'd6!, and Black could not hold
his ground.
In his game with Rashkovsky,
he chose the more accurate 1 8 . . .
i;i:feS 1 9 'i!lf'f4 i,e6! 20 j_ xe6
� xe6 21 x xe6 'i!iJ'xe6 22 ._c7
i!i'b3 with rough equality. How
ever, I noticed that instead of 1 6
i!i'd2 White could steer the game Here the game was adjourned,
into a favourable ending: 16 �e5 and all the Grandmasters, includ
j_xe5 17 de *xd l 1 8 x cxd l ing those of the very highest qua
� fdS 19 f4 h5 20 �e4 x xd l 21 lity, reported in their newspapers
i,xd I �xe4 22 .ill xe4 h4 23 X d4. that a drawn result was most
16 a3 .. d7 probable. So it seemed to them.
In the 22nd game of the third Alas, it was more like a case of
match I replied 16 . . . xeS. and mass hypnosis. If only Kasparov's
after 17 i;lxe8 + 'i!\t'xe8 18 i11i'd2 sealed move had been to defend
used a new idea - 18 �d7.
• • . the pawn-41 X b4 (41 �c6 'W'f6
18 The Queen 's Gambit Declined
10 . . . �d7
19
B The continuation 10 b5 I I
. . .
I I e4 a4 19 ttc6 b4
12 ttc2 ed7 On 1 9 . . . ttf6 there follows 20
13 cl5 cd J,.xb5, when things look bad for
14 eel a3 Black.
Too risky. Safer was 14 . . . 0-0 20 J,.c4
1 5 de fe, only now contemplating International Master Dvor
. . . a3. However, after 1 5 tte4 etsky, Yusupov's trainer, com
White's chances are obviously menting on the game, supposed
better. that 20 'tl'xe6 + *h8 21 J,.b5 �c5
15 de ab + (21 . . . ttf6 22 'tl'xf6 �xf6 23
16 *bl fe -E:I h4) 22 � xd8 K xd8 23 'tl'g6
The piece sacrifice is unsound- J,.e6 (24) was in Black's favour,
1 6 . . . 0-0 1 7 ed tta5 1 8 ttb3! threatening 24 . . . K aS or 24 . . .
�b7 19 �d4 b4 20 �cb5. �g8.
17 tte4(23)
24
w
23
B
14 • . • cd (impossible is 21 1. fd I ? K fc8 22
IS �xd4 .,l xd4 *d3 *c6, and on 2 1 a6 there
On the suggestion of some com follows 2 1 . . . .,lxg2! 22 *xg2
mentators, 1 5 . . . <21c5, 1 6, iii' b4! -.trg6 + 23 <lr h l K fc8).
is very strong. 1 6 . . . 'Wfe7 ( 1 6 . . . 21 .-xeS
A c8 1 7 .,lg4) 1 7 �;t abl leads to 22 de K bc8
unpleasant pressure for White. In 23 a6
the event of 1 6 . . . iii' b6 White can Nothing is gained by 23 �a4
choose between the exchange of kC6 24 K fcl l. fd8.
queens, creating at least one pawn 23 .,la8
weakness in the enemy camp, and 24 �bS
the subtle 1 7 tt"a3, preparing 1 8 24 I. a5 is passive. By exchang
K ab l . ing my crippled c5 pawn for the
16 ed �b6 more valuable one on a7, I obtain
17 a4 X b8 a dangerous passed pawn. But
18 aS <21e4 Black, making the most of the
By sacrificing a pawn, Black unfortunate posting of the knight
activates his bishop. The retreat at a7, finds a means of getting into
1 8 . . . �aS is not in his nature. a rook ending with good drawing
19 .,lxe4 de chances.
20 -.xe4 ttd6(30) 24 K xcS
2S '2) xa7 _l e4!
Black finds a strong reply. In
the event of 25 . . . .,lxg2 26 * xg2
K a8 27 K fbl K xa7 28 K b7 K a8
29 a7 �;t cc8 30 �;t ab 1 K f8 3 1 K c7
White gets a decisive initiative.
Also bad is 25 . . . .1. b8 26 K fc I !
� xc l 2 7 K xc l K b6 2 8 �;t a l .
26 f3 K a8
27 fe � xa7
28 K a4 K c6
White has an extra pawn and 29 K fal
his forces are actively placed, but The a-pawn is safely block
after 20 . . . 'IV6"f6 Black gains suffi aded, so White is hoping to sacri
cient counter-chances. After, say, fice it at the appropriate moment,
2 1 it fc I Black has the choice while transferring his rook to the
between 2 1 . . . K fc8, 21 . . . 1. fd8 kingside. Before this, some object
and 21 . . . .,la6. Now White of attack must be created.
swaps off queens, securing the ad Although this plan of mine is fully
vantage. realized, Black's defensive re
21 iit cS! sources seem sufficient for a draw.
21 K fcl only leads to equality 29 • • • *18
The Queen 's Gambit Declined 35
parov yielded nothing: 1 S . . . bS! fully equal play. Let's see how the
16 .£JxbS. A speculative continua game continued from this critical
tion, but after 1 6 i.d3 exd3 position: 1 6 X c2 ilt'e6 1 7 i.g3
Black has a fine game. 16 . . . ab? ehS! 1 8 X cd2 e xg3 1 9 hg e f6
A serious mistake, since after 1 7 20 ..-c2 g6 2 1 t;'a4 a6 22 i.d3
.i_xbS .i_a6 1 8 x xcS .i_xcS 1 9 *g7 23 J.. b l ttb6 24 a3? d4!!,
.txa6! ..-a4 20 _i xf6 gf 2 1 i.bS and Black launched a decisive
White has a big plus; I managed counter-attack.
to get a draw after a hard struggle. So, returning to game 2S
Meanwhile the intermediate 1 6 against Kasparov: 13 . . X e8 14
.
Karpov-Kasparov
Game 9, World Championship
1
Moscow 1984
More accurate, seemingly, was �d7 29 J.. d6 J.. f7 30 �ciS J.. xdS
1 7 'ii' d I , which was seen in the 31 .11: xdS a6 32 J.. f4 �f8 33 trd3
game Lukacs-Barle (Maribor 'ii!;' g4 34 fJ trg6 35 *fl I. c2? (the
19S5). Instead of the correct 1 7 preliminary exchange of queens
. . . -E)c6, with a complicated would lead to a draw) 36 "l!lte3!
struggle, Black erred with the K c8 37 tre7 b5?? (loses im
immediate 1 7 . . . <2Jc4? There fol mediately; 37 . . . "l!ltf7 is a possible
lowed I S -2}xh6 + ! gh 1 9 f3 K e6 defence) 38 K d8 �t xd8 39 trxd8
( 1 9 . . . d4 20 'Wf'xd4 loses im �f7 40 J.. d6 g5 41 "l!lta8 'll g7 42
mediately) 20 fg with the initiative tf'xa6 Black resigned.
for White. 15 J.. c5
Instead of 1 6 ll.. xc3, deserving 16 J.xc5 Ail xc5
of attention is 1 6 be. In the game 17 �e3!
Tseitlin-Malevsky (USSR 1 9S4), Compensation for an isolated
after 1 6 . . . � xe2 ( 1 6 . . . j_ xe2 1 7 pawn usually lies in active piece
� fe l A.g4 I S � xeS + �xeS 19 play. But in the current situation
.i_xd5) 1 7 iiot'd3 �c4 (better is 17 the Black pieces are, in the main,
. . . � eS) I S -2}e3 � d2 I S 'ii!;' b l functioning passively. As a result,
.ie2 20 � fe l -2}xe3 2 1 j_xe3 J.. d3 the opening duel ends in White's
22 jixb7, in spite of the exchanges favour.
White retains the advantage. 17 j_e6
15 il.d4! The fork 1 7 . . . d4 is not dan
A strong move. In the seventh gerous because of 1 8 g ad I .
game I exchanged on e7- 1 5 18 K ad1 i/rc8
�xe7 + � xe7 1 6 .!!l ad ! 'ii' eS, and 1 9 �exd5! <E:lxd5 20 e4 was
Black soon equalized. The reason threatened here.
for Black's defeat was due not to 19 tf'a4
the opening strategy but to the 19 'lif b I X d8 20 Ail d3 deserves
inaccuracies brought about by attention, though 20 . . . d4 is im
time trouble. Let's see the rest of possible due to 2 1 � fd I -E)c6 22
the game. J.. xc6.
Karpov-Kasparov, m(7) 1984/ 19 Ji d8
5): 17 h3 J.. h5 18 J.. xdS J.. g6 19 20 X d3 a6
"l!ltd � xd5 20 If. xd5 -2}c4 21 J.. d4 21 lt fd1 (J6J
g ec7 22 b3 (scarcely better On 2 1 "«!!' d l Black would have
chances are retained by White in to play 2 1 . . . '8'c6, since 21 . . .
the event of 22 'Wrf4) 22 . . • �b6 �c4 22 �exd5 �xd5 23 � xd5
23 X e5 'l*d7 24 ije3 f6 (worse is ,Axd5 24 j_xd5 �xb2 25 J. xf7 +
24 . . . 'ii!;' x h3 25 j_xb6 ab 26 <2Jd5 *xf7 26 K xdS �xd l 27 � xeS
with the threat of �e7 + ) 25 %i c5 �xeS 28 K xd l leads to a rook
� xeS 26 _t xc5 'llt xh3 27 X d1 b5 ending with an extra pawn for
(the simplest way to equalize is 27 White.
. . . il.. f7 2S il_d6 ·M- e6) 28 g d4 The white rooks and knights
The Queen 's Gambit Declined 43
25 �c7
26 *xc7 II dxc7
The exchange of queens is pos
sible due to the fact that the d5
pawn is invulnerable: 27 �xd5
-dxd5 28 .i_xd5 .i_xd5 29 ll xd5
� xd5 30 Iii xd5 K c2 3 1 X d8 +
*h7 32 X d7 & xb2 33 & xf7
& xe2 with every sign of a draw.
27 h3 h5
28 a3 g6
are placed rather unusually-a 29 e3 *K1
capital 'T'. These pieces coordi 30 * h2 � c4
nate in targetting the most vulner 31 .i_fJ b5
able part of Black's defences. De 32 *Kl X 7c5
spite this, the d-pawn withstands 33 K xc4 � xc4
the onslaught. 34 K d4 tll f8
21 � c4 35 ,le2 K xd4
22 <2) xc4 36 eel *e7
Now 22 <E�exd5 <2) xd5 23 � xd5 Insufficiently energetic play by
�xd5 24 �xd5 is not so danger White allows his opponent to sta
ous: 24 . . . _g dxd5 25 � xd5 bilize the situation. Now good
� xd5 26 K xd5 �b6 27 *d4 chances of equality would have
-dxd5 28 • xd5 *cl + 29 *g2 been given by 36 . . . -de4 37 �a2
\'ii' xb2 with a level queen end -2:ld6 38 �b4 a5 39 �c6 �e4.
game. 37 -2:1 al .i. c8
22 & xc4 38 <E! b4 *d6
23 *a5 39 fJ �g8
Perhaps the natural move 23 40 h4 �h6
illf' b3 is stronger. After 23 . . . d4 41 •n �rs
the subtle 24 *b6! (but not 24 42 � c2
\'ii' xb7 J,.xb7 25 j_ xb7 X b8 26 The game was adjourned here,
j_xa6 de 27 .i_xc4 c2 28 K d8 + with Black sealing 42 . . . f6. After
-de8!) wins a pawn: 24 . . . �d7 25 42 . . . �g7 43 g4 f6 44 .i_d3 g5 45
� xd4! Generally, great care is .i_g6! hg 46 h5 White has a dan
demanded from Black in order gerous passed h-pawn, though
not to lose his isolani. maybe safer is 42 . . . .i_d7.
23 � c5 42 f6
24 'itb6 � d7 43 .i_ d3 g5
25 � d4 44 A xf5 .l. xrs
The prophylactic measures 25 45 <E�e3 A bl
h3 or 25 e3 would cause plenty of 46 b4 gh(37)
trouble for Black. The presence of Black's bad
44 The Queen 's Gambit Declined
48 * xgJ *e6
49 �f4 + *f5
SO -2J xh5 *e6
51 �f4 + *d6
52 fl g4 _tel
53 *h5 J.. d l
54 *g6 *e7
After 54 . . . J.xf3 55 *xf6
Black will lose his d5 pawn in the
end.
55 .a xd5 + *e6
bishop (pawns on a6, b5 and d5 56 -2Jc7 + *d7
being placed on the same col Now, and on the previous
oured squares as the bishop) guar move, more stubborn would be
antees White a solid advantage. . . . *d6. Generally speaking, I
But is this a decisive factor? After think that thorough analysis of
46 . . . J.g6 the defence would not the final part of this game has an
be breached so easily. The pawn important place in endgame
exchange (if only!) would simplify theory.
the task of achieving a draw. If 57 � xa6 J. xfJ
White recaptures, the break g3-g4 58 * xf6 *d6
becomes impossible, and to pen 59 *f5 *d5
etrate the enemy camp, the critical 60 . ,4 J.hl
point is f4, which neither the king 61 *eJ *c4
'
nor the knight can get past. How 62 � c5 J.c6
ever, White finds the correct path On 62 . . . j_g2 63 �d3 *b3 64
by way of a study-like manoeuvre. -2Jf4 j_b7 65 \ll d3 *xa3 66 *c3
47 -2Jgl!! and 67 d5 decides.
It is psychologically impossible 63 �dJ J.gl
to foresee such a move. In home 64 -2J e5 + *cJ
analysis, for example, after the 65 �g6 \II C4
exchange on h4, generally the 66 -2Je7 J.. b7
White pawn remains on the There is no salvation either in
board, while the g-pawns are 66 . . . * b3 67 d5 •xa3 68 d6
removed straight away. This un J.. h 3 69 �d5. The very last possi
expected knight manoeuvre is bility of holding out any further
connected with a pawn sacrifice. lies in 66 . . . J.. h l 67 �c8 *d5.
But the material balance is soon 67 �f5 J.gl
re-established, after which both 68 -2Jd6 + *bJ
White pieces are able to invade 69 <2:1 xb5 *•4
behind enemy lines. 70 �d6
47 hg + Black resigned
The Queen 's Gambit Declined 45
35 A! c l iitd7 63 l!l. c7 +
36 � a5 f(¥ e7 Draw agreed
37 � a4 l{Wd7
38 � aJ f;lt e7
39 � cal a6
40 .i.fl .i_b7 Yusupov-Ribli
41 .ig2 .ic8 Montpellier 1985
42 JL fl A b7 I d4 �f6
43 .1xa6 A c6 2 c4 e6
44 ;;;. eJ l{Wa7! 3 �fJ d5
White has successfully dealt 4 �cJ c5
with his opponent's threats on the 5 cd � xd5
h l -aS diagonal, and now he 6 e4 �xcJ
would like to exchange bishops! 7 be de
But, due to the active black 8 cd �c6
queen, he does not succeed in this. This leads to a no Jess interest
45 g cJ 'i4td4 ing game than after the once
46 � acl .idS popular continuation 8 J. b4 +
. • .
Belyavsky-Karpov
Moscow 1986
l e4 c6
2 c4 ciS
3 ed cd
4 cd .'2)f6
S .'2)c3 � xdS
6 .'2)f3 �c6 It is curious that this position of
7 d4 e6 the Queen's Gambit -an impro
8 �d3 vement of the Tarrasch Defence
Commenting on the first game arises after various openings: the
of the Candidates Super Final Caro-Kann, about which we
with Sokolov in the preceding already know, the English Open
volume of this series, I pointed ing ( l c4 c5 2 � f3 � f6 3 �c3 e6 4
out that such a move order in the e3 d5 5 cd <2)xd5 6 d4 cd 7 ed �e7
Caro-Kann Defence transposes 8 �d3 �c6 9 0-0 0-0), and the
to a Queen's Gambit. The game Sicilian Defence ( I e4 c5 2 c3 d5
with Sokolov was included in The ed ttxd5 4 d4 e6 5 <2) f3 � f6 6
Semi-Open Game in A ction as I .id3 cd 7 cd �c6 8 ec3 itt d 8 9
did not wish to diverge from the 0-0 �e7 1 0 M e l 0-0).
other odd-numbered games of the 10 �f6
final, in which the Caro-Kann At least 6 (!) continuations are
was encountered. Sokolov encountered from this classic iso
exchanged his light-squared bis lated d-pawn position: 10 . . .
hop on c4, but in practice it more �cb4, 1 0 . . . �f6, 1 0 . . . <2)xc3,
often occupies the square d3. The 10 . . . ttd6, 10 . . . _1d7 and 10 . . .
move �c4 was discussed in the X e8. The most usual continua
notes to my game with Sokolov, tions of recent years are . . . �f6
where I also promised to dwell on and . . . �f6. Here is one of the
the variation with _id3 at greater latest examples, illustrating the
length in this volume. And first of these two moves.
although, as I made clear while Belyavsky-Portiscb (Reggio Emi
examining my opponents' recent lia 1986/7): 10 . • . �f6 1 1 �e4
games, this variation is rarely ttd6 (the move I I . . . �ce7 was
encountered nowadays, the pro tested in the World Champion
mise must be kept. ship match Spassky-Petrosian,
8 �e7 Moscow 1 966; that also applies to
9 0-0 0-0 the continuations I I . . . .'2)de7, I I
10 J� e1 (42) . . . .'2)xc3 and I I . . . h6, though
52 The Queen 's Gambit Declined
� xg5 �d8 19 �fJ �b6 20 �dl though Black has the worse
1. fe8 21 �e5 k.h3 22 K e3? f6 23 chances.
K b3 �a6! 24 �dJ g5! 25 fJ It e7 14 i�i- dJ g6
26 -2)tl .M el! 27 �b4 K c8! White 15 g ad1 �d5
resigned. 16 §t.h6 x e8 (43)
1 1 a3 b6
11 a6 is interesting here.
. . •
20 ef K ae8
21 f5
Maybe, 2 1 A f3 <E)d7 22 g5
would be more accurate, with a
further h4 and <E)g3.
21 � c7
22 K f2 <E:Jd7
23 g5
It does without saying that the
black knight cannot be allowed
on f6.
23 fll e7 32 de
24 h4 fll e3 33 A e3 <E) xd4
Kasparov's counter-measures Now 33 . . . �d6 is too passive.
in the centre give him a comfor White has the simple plan 'II h3-
table game, thought the tension is g4, h4-h5 and II f4.
not eased. 34 'll hJ!
25 K dl <E:JbS In Kasparov's opinion, White
26 fll xe3 K xe3 has good winning chances after 34
27 'll h2! �b6 f6! gf 35 gf, with the f-pawn pro
28 <E)g3 <E:Jc8 viding the pre-requisite for a mat
29 �n K e7 ing attack: 36 . . .1 e6 36 X xe4 c5
.
47
w Karpov-Miles
Bugojno 1986
1 �tJ d5
2 d4 � c6
3 c4 .,lg4
The old-fashioned Chigorin
Defence, rarely met in practice.
Black plays energetically in the
centre, but at the cost of serious
Here my flag fell, and the game concessions: White gets the classi
was over. But disregarding this, cal advantage of the two bishops,
the final position represents a and also, as a rule, dominates the
study with the task: White to play centre.
and win. Let's look at the solu 4 cd .,lxtJ
tion. 5 gf
32 "*!Je7 II dd8 33 X xf7 K xf7 One may avoid doubled pawns
34 .U. xf7 (34 "*!Jxd8 + *g7) 34 . . . with 5 de, but after 5 . . . _txc6 6
*g8. Now nothing is given by 35 �c3 e6 7 e4 ..l b4 the chances are
X xh7 because of 35 . . 1. f8! 36
. roughly equal.
.K h6 "*!tg7 37 "*!te6 + "*!Jf7 38 5
K xg6 + *h7 39 X h6 + *g7 40 6 e3
"*!Jd6 K d8! with a drawn end Another principled alternative
game. White's problem is how to is 6 . . . e5. In this event Black
push the pawn to e5, while cover parts also with his second bishop:
ing the diagonal a l -h8. 7 �c3 J.. b4 8 J.. d2 _txc3 (8 . . .
35 e4 (another problem-like ffd7 9 d5 �ce7 1 0 e4 with the
variation also works: 35 *h2! g5 further ti' b3 giving a clear advan
36 e4 g4 37 e5 g3 + 38 *xg3 tage) 9 be ti'd6 (the old-fashioned
"*!Jb3 + 39 K f3 "*!td5 40 *h2! etc.) continuation 9 . . . ed 1 0 cd �ge7
35 . . . "*!tel + 36 *h2 "*!th6 37 e5 promises no special counterplay
X f8 38 e6 g5 (otherwise 39 "*!Jf6 either) 10 II b l ( 1 0 "*!Jb3 is also
and 40 e7) 39 K xf8 + (after 39 satisfactory for White) 10 . . . b6
t;'d7 g4! 40 e7 g3 + 4 1 *xg3 ( I 0 . . . 0-0-0 is dangerous, though
f!i'g6 + White would have to try it would be possible to 'crudely'
for peaceful negotiations) 39 . . . defend the pawn with his rook) I I
62 The Queen's Gambit Declined
:!;l xc7 + *e8 29 X xa7 *f8 30 The rook must leave the a-file.
I;l a8 + *g7 3 1 l, xg8 + . Both 34 X xb2 �d4 + 35 *d3
26 . . . e5 �xc6 36 A_xd6 X d7!, and 34
27 �c6 1I! e7 �xd6 �d4 + ! 35 *d3 <E\xc2 are
No better is 27 . . . � dd8 28 bad.
j_a8 K d7 29 d5, preparing X c2 34 :.t exe3 + !
and X gc l . Although Black has won a
28 de pawn, his position is still fraught
28 �e4 X d7 (bad is 28 with danger. Now he has the
<E\xe4 29 .1xe7 �xe7 30 X xc7 + ) chance to carry out a series of
29 ,1c6 I;l e7 leads to a repetition simplifying exchanges.
of moves, but 28 d5 e4 29 X c2 35 fe :.t h2 +
�e5 30 K gc l K g7 3 1 .1a8 f6 32 36 *d3 A xel
a4 is interesting. 37 * xcl � xe3 +
28 ,1xe5 38 * xb2 �xdl +
29 J;t cl f6 39 •ct
30 a4 .ii, h8 Inaccurate. The simple 39 *c2
31 aS �e3 + 40 *d3 leads to a draw.
It would be better to operate 39 �fl
with all of White's resources: 3 1 40 *d2 �g4
X h I X eh7, and only now 3 2 a5. Now Black lets slip the chance
31 .i. xh3 to fight for the initiative in this
32 ab ab unusual ending-40 . . . �c4 + .
33 K a1 (49) 41 A_ xd6! cd
42 � b4 f5
43 �d5 *d8
44 �b5 <21e5
45 *e3 �g6
46 *d4
Black has four pawns for the
piece, but this small material ad
vantage is not realized due to his
king being out of play.
46 <21f4
I sacrificed a pawn with the 47 �xf4 gf
intention of declaring mate on the 48 �d3 *e7
enemy king: the threat is 34 <E�c5! 49 �xf5 *f6
and 35 K a8 mate. However, 50 fpe4 fpg5
Black finds a saving tactical re- 51 .,ld7! d5 +
source. Draw agreed
33 j_ xb2! After 52 * f3 all of Black's
34 g dt pawns will perish.
2 The Queen' s Gambit Accepted
The diagram position was first White has the better chances.
encountered in the game I. Soko 16 �:ZgJ 1ltd5
lov-Campos Moreno (Seville 17 "�tel 0-0-0
1987). The move 9 . • • �b4 led to Logical play-all of Black's
a quick defeat (though of course preceding game has been directed
not by itself): 10 �bcJ c6 l l �f4 towards the concealment of his
hS ll hJ h4 13 ttfJ ttd7 14 I. fdl king in this sector of the battle
�6d5 (better is 1 4 . . . �4d5) 15 field. 1 7 . . . f5? doesn't hold - 1 8
aJ �c:Z 16 l, acl � xcJ 17 be ef gf 1 9 �c3, and White looks
� xeJ 18 fe .t xaJ 19 I. at! .te7 boldly to the future.
:ZO e4 .th7 ll ttg4 .txe4 ll �xe6 18 .tg5 .t xg5
.td5 :ZJ .txd5 cd l4 tt xg7 Black 19 � xg5 K d7
resigned. :zo <E:JfJ K f4
tO .ta4 + ! ll K adl g5
This new continuation sets ll iit cl
Black certain problems. In the Now threatening b2-b3, with
event of 10 �g3 �xb3 I I 1ltxb3 the expulsion of the active black
.tg6 1 2 �c3 .te7 1 3 f4 c6 14 f5 ef knight. Not waiting for this,
1 5 �xf5 0-0 1 6 I. f3 gives White Speelman puts into operation his
the initiative, though it would main threat which has been in the
possibly be better for Black to air for some moves.
exchange bishops by 1 1 . . . .txb l . ll A xf3
tO c6 ll gf i!t xf3
If 10 . . . �xa4 1 1 1ltxa4 + <E)c6 l4 A fel
( 1 1 . . . c6? 1 2 .td2!) 1 2 �bc3 ( 1 2 In the event of the careless 24
68 The Queen 's Gambit A ccepted
g4, a few more words about the put to one side. Nevertheless, one
Czech Variation with the move 6 of the games involving the
�e5. One of the biggest sensa Exchange system, which I
tions of the 53rd USSR Cham observed at first hand, created a
pionships ( 1 986) occurred in the strong impression on me: Seir
game Belyavsky-Bareev. The first awan-Belyavsky (Brussels 1986).
1 2 moves were theory: 6 . . . e6 7 f3 I d4 ciS
j_b4 8 � xc4 0-0 9 J.. g5 h6 10 2 c4 c6
J... h4 c5 I I de *xd l + 1 2 K xd l 3 �cJ �f6
J... c2 1 3 .M e l , and here there fol 4 cd cd
lowed 1 3 . . . J.. xa4! an idea of 5 J.. f4 �c6
Grandmaster Jaan Ehlvest. This 6 eJ J.. f5
move was harshly condemned in 7 �f3 e6
opening manuals, but theory soon 8 J.. b5 �d7
approved of the idea, 14 J... xf6 gf 9 0-0 J.. e7
IS X a l J.. b3 16 � b6 �c6 1 7 10 J... xc6 be
�xa8 II xa8. Here the older I I K cl K. c8
monographs also remark that 1 2 � a4(52)
Black has no compensation for
his material deficit. However,
after 1 8 e3 J... xc5 19 * f2 f5 20 g3? 52
B
J;l d8 2 1 J.. e2 K d2 22 f4 � b4 23
*f3 �d5 Bareev achieved the ad
vantage.
A few months earlier Black had
defended better in the original
game Bareev-Ehlvest (Tallin
1985): 20 �a4 J... b4 2 1 J.. b5 X d8
22 J.. xc6 lt d2 + 23 * g3 be. Here
too Black had a fine game: there
fore Bareev reversed colours in 12 g5
the USSR Championships. 13 J.. gJ h5
The present game reflects the 14 hJ g4
situation arising from one of the 15 hg hg
variations of the main system. 16 �e5 �xeS
The next game examines the 17 J... xe5 f6
opening structure of the Meran 18 J... gJ *"
System. Two more games follow, 19 K el K h5
in which the most fascinating var 20 *dl J... e4
iation in chess theory is played 21 *" J... f3!
the Botvinnik System. The Czech White resigned
and Exchange systems, the Slav A few rounds later in the same
Gambit and other variations are tournament (the first of the World
The Slav Defence 71
which is safe for Black seeing that oldest and most popular varia
the hostile knight is kept away tions of the Slav Defence, was
from b7. employed in this game. Perhaps
16 <E) xd4 the most noteworthy moment is
The opening stages can be con Kasparov's 1 5th move, which is
sidered complete, with White distinguished not so much by its
holding an insignificant advan strength as its paradoxicality. The
tage. present game, as usual, enables us
16 <2)c5 to examine the modem state of
17 •c3 M. d8 the system in question.
18 e4 1;1 xd4 I d4 �f6
19 •xd4 �b3 + 2 c4 e6
20 .c3 � xal 3 <E)f3 d5
21 �e2 � d7 4 � c3 c6
22 l, xal � c5 5 e3 � bd7
23 e5 + 6 �d3
Polugayevsky recommends 23 In the game Karpov-Kasparov,
g4 �g6 24 h4 h6 25 b4 �e6 26 m(33) 1984/5, I diverged from the
�aS, maintaining the advantage. Meran System, playing 6 llir'cl.
Now we have full equality. After 6 . . . �d6 7 e4 Black, in-
23 *e7 stead of 7 . . . de 8 �xe4 � xe4 9
24 g4 �g6 "i!li'xe4 leading to a tense struggle
25 f4 �e4! with some Black initiative, played
26 b4 �e6 the new 7 • . . e5! The execution of
21 �;�n mass exchanges concluded in a
On 27 fS good is 27 . . . � f4! speedy truce: 8 cd cd 9 ed ed 10
27 c5! � xd4 0-0 II �e2 �b6 12 0-0
28 �d6 �xd5 13 �xd5 <E)xd5 14 M. dl
Nothing is gained by 28 fS cb + Yll e7 15 � f3 � e8! 16 g3 �h3 17
29 •xb4 <2)d4. �d2 �e5 18 �xd5 �xd4 19 �c3
28 cb + JLxc3 20 jl!( xc3 Draw agreed.
29 •xb4 �d5 6 de
30 f5 <2)d8! 7 iLxc4 b5
But not 30 . . . �d4 3 1 *cS! 8 �d3
�xe2 32 •xdS <E)c3 + 33 *d4 The most principled continua
�xa4 34 M. c l . tion; 8 � b3 and 8 � e2 are
31 �b5 encountered more rarely. I used
Draw agreed the second of these moves against
Kasparov in the game Karpov
Miles-Kasparov Kasparov, m(29) 1984/5. My
m (6) , Baste /986 opponent chose the Slav Defence
for the first time in the match and
The Meran System, one of the I decided to adopt a peaceful
74 The Slav Defence
1 1 ef ..t xf6
12 ..t xf6 58
w
In the game Vyzhmanavin
lvanchuk (Irkutsk 1 986) the
novelty 1 2 Ae3!? after 1 2 . . . Ab7
1 3 �e4 �a6! 1 4 �xf6 + t�txf6 1 5
titd2 0-0-0! 1 6 Ag5 t�tf5 1 7 ..txd8
X xd8 1 8 t�tc3 c5 19 de �xc5 led
to a dangerous situation for
White. Significantly stronger is 1 3
a4! The game Nogueiras-Rogers
(Dubai 1986) continued thus: 1 3
. . . b4 1 4 �e4 c5 1 5 � xc5 Ad5 1 6 . . . cb!? 16 .,t xb7 �b4 1 7 0-0 K d8
X c l K g8 1 7 ..txc4 X xg2 1 8 t�th5 with complications, but bad is 1 7
..txc4 19 X xc4 t�td5 20 t�txd5 ed .txa8? because of 1 7 . . . �d3 +
2 1 K c2 �c6 22 �a6 *d7 23 1 8 *d2 t�txf2 + 19 t�te2 -.xd4 20
K c5, and White held a decisive * d l *e7 with a decisive attack
advantage. for Black) 1 6 �a3 ( 1 6 �xa7 +
12 ll!fxf6 * b8 1 7 �xc6 + _txc6 1 8 _txc6
13 g3 �b4! 19 J_e4 X xd4 20 'i!tt e2
1 3 ..te2 and 1 3 a4 have also l;l xe4! 21 t�txe4 �d3 + loses) 1 6
been encountered in practice in . . . X xd4 1 7 i!te2 �b4 1 8 0-0
recent years, while awaiting prac j_a6 19 il!t'f3 'i!ltxf3 20 ..txf3 K d2
tical examination is 1 3 t�td2!?, a 2 1 � fc l �d3 22 X c2 x xc2 23
recommendation by Kasparov. �xc2 �xb2 with a good position
13 �a6! for Black.
This idea of Smyslov sets a new 15 a4 is a more principled conti
trend in the variation with I 0 . . . nuation. In the game Polu
..te7. It is stated in theoretical gayevsky-Fiear (London 1986)
manuals that 1 3 . . . .,tb7 14 .,tg2 there followed 15 . . . 0-0-0 16 ab
a6 1 5 0-0 and 1 6 a4 leads to an cb ( 1 6 . . . X xd4 is premature- 1 7
advantage for White. But the t�ta4 'i!lte5 + 1 8 ., n , and Black
knight does not stand so badly on incurs a loss of material. Also
the edge of the board: at the right possible is the queen sacrifice 1 7
moment it can spring to b4, and ba!? K xd l + 1 8 �xd l _ta8 1 9 0-0
moreover the d-file is not with the idea � d l-e3xc4) 17
obstructed. .txb7 + * xb7 18 �xb5 (59) ( 1 8
14 ..tg2 .tb7(58) X a5?! is bad because o f 1 8 . . .
15 �e4 �c7 19 �xb5 * b6!! 20 *a4
The continuation 15 �xb5 was K h5).
met in the game Uhlmann--Gaug 18. . . i!lf5 19 'i!lta4 i!te4 + 20
litz, Dresden 1 985). Further play *d2 1\i'C6 21 b3! .. b6?
went 1 5 . . . 0-0-0 (possible is 1 5 Better is 2 1 . . . c3 + 22 exc3
78 The Slav Defence
9 hg 13 Ytit b6
10 �xg5 � bd7 1 3 . . b4 loses due to 1 4 j_ xc4
.
b2 41 rT Draw agreed.
Seemingly, the move 'itg4 on
the 1 8th or 19th move would have
created awkward problems for
Black. Let's again return to the
On 23 X xc6 + there follows 23 game Ermolinsky-Ivanchuk.
. . . * b7! Sharp play arises after 16 • . . l�J'a6
23 "tt e4 *d7 (bad would be 23 . . . In answer to 1 6 . . . J,.h6 Uhl-
The Slav Defence 83
mann suggests 1 7 -.c I .txgS 1 8 J.. x dS! 28 � xdS ..td4 with equa
-.xgS li dg8 19 -.e3 �xf6 20 lity). Now White can obtain the
�a4 f!lc7 2 1 de .txg2 23 *xg2 advantage by continuing 28 X xd4
with advantage to White. cd 29 Ji:jxb4 ..tb7 30 .tf4.
1 7 de .t xg2 18 . . . .t xn
18 e7(62) This move was condemned
after the game Uhlmann-Alexan
dria (Halle 1 98 1 ). Although in it
62
B Black obtained the advantage
after 19 *xfl be 20 litdS! J,. xe7
2 1 fe c2, it was subsequently
established that White had a
strong riposte, by way of the
immediate 1 9 tlitdS, which is also
tested in the current game.
19 'I!WdS .th6!
Sharply intensifying the battle.
Insufficient would be 19 . . . ..td3
This position had already ari 20 ..tf4! 'ii!t b6 (quite bad is 20 . . .
sen twice before in Ennolinsky's J.. xe7? 2 1 tt aS + Ji:j b8 22
games at Kaliningrad 1 986. Both \1'xb8 + *d7 23 ttc7 + *e6 24
times his opponent continued 1 8 '*eS + ) 2 1 .:£� a4 f!lbS 22 ed(tt) +
. . . .ta8. I n the game Enno *xd8 23 ». e l or 1 9 . . . .txe7 20
linsky-Shabalov there followed fe .td3 2 1 �e4 ..txbl 22 �d6 +
19 ed(*) + ( 1 9 �dS? is bad *c7 23 ed(f!l) + l, xd8 24 �xf7
because of 19 . . . f!lb7 20 ef("*') � e8 2S ..tf4 + * b6 26 ttd6 +
� hxf8 21 Ji:je7 + *c7 22 .tf4 + *aS 27 ttxd7, and White has a
.£)eS! 23 .txeS + * b6 with a win big advantage.
for Black) 1 9 . . . *xd8 20 �e2 20 ed(tt)+
*c8! 21 tlifc2 f!le6 22 .:£�f4 *g4 23 Worse would be 20 .txh6 .td3
i!t fel .th6! 24 .txh6 '¥ff3 2S *fl 21 �e4 (2 1 .tf4? ttb7!) 21 . . .
-eli' h l + 26 *e2 tlit f3 + . Black's .txe4 22 ed(tt) + *xd8 23 '!1'xe4
counterplay is sufficient for the � xh6 or 20 Ji:je4? .txgS 2 1
draw. ed(tt) + K xd8 2 2 .:£� xgS .i.d3. In
In the game Ennolinsky-Mak either case Black has the advan
arov, White improved his game tage.
by the means of 22 f3 (instead of 20 . . . fl xd8!
22 .af4), and the further 22 . . . He must take with the king, as
..ld6 23 I!�. bd I .tc6! 24 .:£�f4! after 20 . . . Ji hd8 21 .txh6 ..td3
)!ilfe3 + 2S tlitf2 tlifxf2 + 26 II xf2 22 Ji:je4 .txb l 23 �d6 + ffic7 24
iLeS 27 .£)dS (27 *g2! J.. d4 28 �xf7 \\if'C8 2S ijd6 + *b7 26
);I( e2 aS 29 h4 deserves attention) €Jxd8 + ijxd8 27 f7 White pre
27 . . . .td4? (necessary is 27 . . . vails.
84 The Slav Defence
Kasparov-Karpov
Game 2,
World Championship 4
Seville /987
ate attack that quickly fizzled out: K xe4 26 l;l xf7 K xe3 27 dS l, ae8
10 . . . b6 I I f4 �b7 12 �ciS K e7 28 K xb7 cd 29 cd M. 3e7 30 K fbi
13 e4 b6 14 � xf7 11. xf7 15 b5. More tenacious would be 30
�xf7 + *xf7 16 e5 �e8 17 . . . * f7, moving the king closer to
'ii!i' dS + *fB 18 J.a3 + d6 19 the centre.
� ad I -2}a5 20 'tlf'dJ �a6 21 31 a4 g5 32 �f5 *g7 33 a5 * f6
'tlf'f5 + • as 22 ed �xc4 23 'tlf'fB + 34 �dJ l;l xb7 35 l;l xb7 l;l e3 36
* xfB White resigned. J.,b5 l;l xc3 37 K xa7 � g6 38 l!l d7
In the fourth game I decided to -2!e5 39 J;� xd6 + *f5 40 a6 g aJ
present yet another surprise, 41 Jrl d8 Black resigned.
refraining from the sharp 9 . . . 10 dJ!
e3!? Instead, I played 9 ef 10
. • • The correct reply: the loss of
�xf3 iiJ'e7. Theory recommends time is of no consequence. How
lO . . . d5 with good counterplay ever, accurate play is also
for Black. During the preparation demanded from Black in the event
for the match we were convinced of the acceptance of the pawn
that the situation was not so clear, sacrifice. l 0 de b6 ( l 0 . . . d6 is also
for example: I I cd ilf'xd5 1 2 -2!d4 possible, but worse is 10 . . . h6 I I
'tlf'h5 1 3 .axc6 be 14 e3 'tlf'g4 1 5 -2!h3 d5 1 2 -2!f4! de 1 3 e4) I I e4 h6
ilf'a4. But the queen move is (more accurate than the imme
hardly a success. In such a way, diate I I . j_a6 1 2 f4 h6 1 3 -2!xf7
. .
10 de
White employs an important
novelty. However, I was not
caught unawares. Up until now 10
c5, 1 0 �xc6 and 10 'ijc2 have
been encountered here.
10 � xe4
1 1 'ij cl d5!(67)
29 � xd4 Karpov-Kasparov
30 f6 tte6(69) Game 13, World
Championship 1
Moscow 1984/5
I �f3 �f6
2 c4 b6
3 g3 c5
4 �g2 �b7
5 � g6
This variation of the English
Opening is named the Double
Fianchetto. White usually de
velops actively in the centre by
31 ttb2 way of d2-d4 thus taking the
Apparently the decisive mis initiative. However, it is not quite
take. The immediate exchange of so simple to breach the enemy
queens was necessary: 3 1 ttxe6 stronghold. Another possible set
after 3 1 "Wtf2 'Wfxf6 32 "Wtxf6 gf up for Black would be the 'hedge
White would already be beyond hog' formation by the means of
help: 33 ,l xf6 g d l + 34 �fl . . . e6 and . . . �e7.
�c4!) 3 1 . . . fe 32 �h3 .1 d6, and 6 �cJ
the endgame may yet be held. In the previous odd-numbered
31 "Wt e3 + game of the match (game I I ) I
32 \lrhl b6 played 6 b3, and it turned out like
33 fg �c4 a quadruple fianchetto! Symmetry
34 "Wtcl * xg7 is retained on the board for quite
35 �d5 �d6 a long time: 6 . . . �g7 7 �b2 0-0
36 ttb2 tte5 8 e3 e6 9 d4 "Wte7 10 �c3 �a6 I I
37 �b3 a5 tte2 d5 1 2 .l fd l .l fd8 (70) .
38 tt tl f5
39 ttb2 b5 70
40 a3 *g6 w
41 'Wt tl
The game was adjourned here,
but Kasparov resigned without
further play: there is no satisfac
tory defence to 41 . . . X d3 or 41
. . . a4.
'lll xg7 28 K xd6 � xd6 29 ll xd6 (we, as usual, had changed col
"Wta7 + , and Black soon won. ours) with the threat of trapping
And finally White has yet one the queen by J.. c 1 -b2. The game
more choice, perhaps the sharpest occurred in our peaceful period,
of them all. and therefore only a move later-
11 b3 .axe4 14 . . . *e5 15 i,f4-there fol
Black's only option, otherwise lowed the agreement of a draw.
he could easily suffocate. However, after continuing 1 S . . .
12 -E:� xe4 \'!li'e6 Black would actually obtain
On 1 2 -E:�dS dangerous for chances to seize the initiative. 1 6
Black would be 1 2 . . . t�tcS 1 3 .af6 + ( 1 6 .ac3 -E:�c6 1 7 .ads
J,e3, 1 2 . . . t�teS 1 3 i, b2 .ac6 14 .ad4!; 17 � be 1 \'!li'fS 18 �dS gS!)
f4!, and 1 2 . . . "Wtb1 13 �xe7 + 16 . . . J,xf6 17 'l\l(( xa8 �c6 1 8
'lll h 8 14 .ads .ac3 I S t�tf3! How \\it b7. This position appears to
ever, after the modest 1 2 . . . "Wtd8! have arisen first of all in the game
1 3 x el e6 14 .i!l, xe4 ed ! S ed .aa6 Shabalov-Kengis (Riga 1 983). Its
Black has good chances. evaluation depends on the pro
12 lit eS spects of the counter-blow 1 8 . . .
13 'l'j'fJ � xd4(72) gS! ( 73) .
73
w
75
B
so that all of the five will be found 1 984). Now Black sacrifices a
in one place. In these the same pawn, completely simplifying the
variation was played. position. 15 J.. xcS .M d8 16 JUdi
J.. e6 17 b3 K xd1 + 18 K xd1 Ji d8
19 X xd8 + fjxd8 20 j_ xa7 fja8!
Kasparov-Karpov 21 j_xc6 be 22 *bl h5 23 fja5 f6
Game 24, World Draw agreed.
Championship 1 12 J.. e3 fjc7
Moscow 1984/5 13 .@:) d4 X d8
14 fja4 J.. d7
1 �0 �f6 15 � xc6 _t xc6
2 c4 cS 16 J.. xc6 be
3 .@:)c3 �c6 17 c4
4 d4 cd Draw agreed.
5 .@:) xd4 e6 On the last move White could
6 g3 fjb6 have played the more accurate 1 7
7 �b3(76) g b l , maintaining a certain pres
sure on the queenside. But Kas
parov (the same as me) was taken
76 by the drawing bug at this stage of
B the match.
So, can it be true that Black can
obtain equality so easily in the
opening? How to improve White's
position in diagram 76? After four
years it came to me.
7 d5 Karpov-Korchnoi
A counter-blow which enabled Brussels 1988
me to solve all of my opening
problems in two games of the 9 �xd5
match. Instead of9 J.. g2, as was played
8 cd �xd5 in the two games above.
9 j_g2 �xc3 9 ed
10 be J.. e7 10 j_g2
11 � � Now White has a definite object
In game 26 I played the per of attack-the isolated d-pawn.
haps more precise 1 1 • . • e5 12 Korchnoi defended stubbornly
j_e3 fljc7 13 �cS � 14 fja4 for a long time, but finally
j_xcS. 1 4 . . . K d8 is bad due to 1 5 couldn't sustain the effort, over
�a6! (Psakhis-Cramling, Scotland looking a trap and dropping his
100 The English Opening
1 -E:Jf3 -2}f6
2 c4 b6
3 g3 �b7
4 �g2 c5
5 o-o g6
While examining the English
Opening, I decided to limit myself
to two games of the Double Fian
chetto variation, which were
influenced by my confrontations
with Kasparov. The formation
35 g xd5! iL xg2 termed the Hedgehog often oc
36 *xgl i4tc6 curs in practice. One of the typical
37 �c5 'lllt xcS positions arises, for example, after
38 1;1 xc5 K e7 the move order: 5 . . .e6 6 f)c3
The English Opening 101
Korchnoi's opinion, White has with the white pieces it was neces
only a minimal advantage. Now sary to apply all of my resources
Black is forced to give up his in order to gain a victory. I suc
queen. ceeded in achieving this aim
31 e3 lit xd4 although only after a multitude of
This time 3 1 . . . �xf3 doesn't adventures. The contest turned
save him; 32 g h4 + J.h5 33 out to be one of the most tense
J.i xh5 + etc. and fascinating and crowned a
32 ed J.xf3 spectacular final effort.
33 J.xe6 c3 I c4 c5
34 be Jl fB 2 �f3 �f6
3S _tb3 J.bS 3 �c3 d5
36 h4 �f3 Kasparov refrained from play
37 g4 aS ing a 'pure' English Opening and
38 *b2 �a8 turned the game into a type of
39 J.dl J.f3 Griinfeld Defence. However, such
40 gS + * b5 a move order introduces a new
41 ft g3 structure into our encounters.
Black resigned. 4 cd �xd5
And, to conclude, yet another S d4 �xc3
short example: Georgiev-Cebalo 6 be g6
(San Bernadino 1987). 9 �e3 7 e3 .,tg7
-E)bd7 10 � act � c8 II b3 0-0 12 8 J.d3 0-0
)J'rd2 � e8 ( 12 . . . a6 leads to a 9 0-0 'ftll c7
position reminiscent of the above 10 ». bl b6
game Korchnoi-Eingorn) 13 J.h3 A new move. 10 . . . K d8 and
a6 14 � fdl � b8 IS �d4 �e4 (a 10 . . . �d7 have been met up till
well-known idea) 16 eJxe4 J.xe4 now.
17 �c2 ( 1 7 f3 is more precise) 17 I I "Wtel J;� d8
. . . �bl l8 ». bl J.g7 19 f3 _txc2! 12 _te4 _t a6!
20 'l)ltxc2 'W!c7 21 J;� bcl J;� ed8 22 12 �c6 is insufficient for
'l)ltbl �cS. Chances are balanced. equality- 1 3 d5 f5 14 de fe 1 5
23 b4 �d7 24 ftb3 e6 2S a3 a5 26 "Wtc4 + , or 1 2 . . . _tb7 1 3 _txb7
�g2 ab 27 ab �eS 28 J.d4 ». dc8 i!fxb7 14 de _txc3 1 5 e4.
29 �xeS Draw agreed. 13 c4 eJc6
14 d5 f5
IS _td3 eS
Karpov-Kasparov 16 e4 -E)d4
Game 23, World 17 �xd4 cd
Championship 4 After lively play the pawn
Seville 1987 chains in the centre are fixed,
though some preference is given
In my last game of the match to White's position.
The English Opening 107
32 .lb5!
White returns the pawn while
activating his rook.
32 X xb3
33 K c4 + *d5
34 X c7 a xhJ
35 X a7 .d4
36 w dl K h2
37 f3 h5
38 a xa5 hg
variation that is safe for Black: 1 6 39 fg A g2
. . . J.. a6! 1 7 �xd5 cd 1 8 K xd5 40 .tc6 l. xg4
&� xd5 19 J,.xd5 .M c8 20 *fl e5 2 1 41 K b5 *c4
* e l f5 2 2 e 3 e4! In any event 1 6 42 K b7(88)
-2:lc3 i s more accurate, i n as far as
Black now seizes the initiative. 88
16 .lg4 B
17 * " a5!
18 h3
It would be dangerous to take
the c6 pawn: 1 8 x xc6 �b4 1 9
K c l X ac8 20 �c3 K d2.
18 J.. e6
19 �cJ � xcJ
20 K xc3 K dl
21 K xc6 I. adS A critical pos1t1on. After the
The rook penetrates to the transfer of the rook to g I the
seventh rank, and now despite his game will quickly conclude in a
extra pawn White must look for draw. Kasparov, having analysed
equality. The opening and even this position deeply, establishes
the middlegame are over, so I will that 42 . . . *c5 43 J.. e8 X b4 or
omit a detailed discussion of the 42 . . . f6 give Black chances for
remaining part of the game. victory. Of course, these conti
22 K eel K b2 nuations are stronger than the
23 K cbl X ddl move in the game, but I think
24 .K xb2 1;l xb2 that, all the same, they would not
25 *el J.. f5 have influenced the result.
26 *d1 g5 42 A gl
27 J.. d5 fpf6 43 .le8! l, al
28 .lc4 e6 44 .t xf7 J.. xf7
29 g4 .lg6 45 Jl xf7 X xa4
30 a4 *e5 46 K g7 x a5
31 K cl *d4 47 e3! l, a2 +
112 The English Opening
The king must make his way K a8 46 K xa8 �xa8 47 b5! etc.)
carefully: on 32 tll e2 the bishop is 44 K xa8 �xa8 45 be f3 + (both
prevented from retreating to e2, 45 . . be 46 J.xa5, and 45 . . . de
.
55 J.. e1 72 X f7 X g7
56 J.. b7 73 .K f3 X g3
57 ..ic6 74 X f5 .K gS
58 ..id2 75 .K f8 K g8
58 .1 xb6? would be a mis 76 X f7 X g7
take-58 . . . n + 59 *d2 J.. g5 + 77 K xg7
60 * d l J.. e 3! Black, by displaying persist
58 X h2 ence, achieves his aim. Now the
59 J.. e l material balance is sharply
Now is the time for the pawn changed, and the battle flares up
capture, which would lead to a with renewed vigour.
simple win: 59 K xb6 � xf2 + 60 77 fl ( * )
*d3 x n + 61 *c2 x h3 62 78 x xc7 tl'xc4?
J.. x a5 n 63 X b7! f2 64 X xc7, and Regrettably for Black, he fails
it is all over. The desire to win to deploy his new queen correctly.
with everything in hand cost me After 78 . . . 'i!te2 + he would
another 45 moves! obtain drawing chances, for ex
59 K h1 ample: 79 * b3 a4 + 80 J.. xa4 (if
60 J.. a4 *c8 80 *xa4, then not 80 . . . 'i!txc4 + ?
61 J.. c3 l;l h2 8 1 b4 ..-xc3? 82 b5 + *b6 83
62 K xb6 i;l. xfl + II b7 mate, but 80 . . . 'i!tc2 + 8 1
63 *d3 X f3 + b3 1\txc3) 80 . . . tl'd l + 8 1 •a2
64 *c2 K g3! ..-xa4 82 1. c6 + *b7 82 b3 1\ta8
65 X xd6 f3 with counterplay; 79 * b 1 ._ n +
The f-pawn, Black's only hope, (79 . . . 1\j'xe4 + 80 * a 1 ) 80 *a2
will soon become a queen. How tl'xc4 + 8 1 •a1 tl'fl + with a
ever, his blockade is destroyed, draw.
and this, perhaps, is more import 79 a4!
ant. The Black king is in a net, so
66 l. h6 fl the number of pawns on the
67 l. h8 + .b7 board is of no consequence.
68 ..ic6 + ••6 79 1\j'xe4 +
69 JU'8 X g8! 80 *b3 J.. e l
Putting up stubborn resistance. 81 d6!
In the event of 69 . . . X g I 70 White reminds his opponent
J.. xe5 fl ('i!t) 7 1 ll xfl X xfl 72 that he too has a passed pawn.
J.. xc7 the win is quite simple. 81 iir h4
Now, as the problemists say, 82 ..ibS + *b6
Black begins a perpetual attack 83 K c6 + *b7
on the White rook, and succeeds 84 d7 J.. xc3
in diverting it from the f-file. 85 be c4 +
70 X f3 K g3 86 x xc4 t�te1 (92)
71 JUS Ji gS Threatening perpetual check on
The English Opening 1 15
99 *c5 -«re3 +
92
w 100 'll c6 -«rxc3 +
101 'll b6 'ite3 +
102 • •6 -«re6 +
103 �d6 +
The White king isn't only
escaping from the pursing queen,
but is also playing an active part
in the netting of the enemy mon
arch.
103
the squares a I and b I . If the rook 104 J!ld8 +
moves, for example, to c8, the Forcing matters with 1 04
white king would have no way of X b7 + 'liaS 105 �c6 could cause
escape. It seems that Black has all of White's painstaking work to
achieved his goal, but all is de be for naught: 105 . . . i!tc8! with
cided quite unusually, as in a the idea of stalemate. Neverthe
study. less, the win is achieved here also:
87 d8( -E:\) + !! 106 �e4 -«rc6 + 107 K b6 -«rxe4
The following is forced. 108 X b8 + !, or 106 . . . -«rc4 +
87 ••, 107 ». b5 + -«rxe4 108 X b8 + !
88 K c7 + 'll b8 104 '1Jc7
89 K d7 tit bl + 105 X c8 +
90 'll c4 tlt fi + Black resigned.
91 .ciS tlt f3 + A rare duration for a game
92 'll d6 iitf8 + more than 1 00 moves. More sur
93 'll e6 tlt h6 + prising is the fact that this was
94 '1J xe5 tlte3 + exceeded in the very same tourna
95 '1Jd6 tlt f4 + ment: the game Romanishin
96 'lieS iit e3 + Torre continued in all for almost
97 '1Jc4 '1Jc8 1 2 hours and concluded in a draw
98 � t7 -«re4+ after 1 2 1 moves.
5 The Catalan Opening
J,g4 1 8 J,d4 l. c8 19 '11' d 3 J,xf3
Bareev-Lalic 20 J,xf3 J, xd4 2 1 -.. xd4. White
Sochi 1987 has a classical advantage based on
his opponent's isolated d-pawn.
Judging by the recent World 7 '11' cl
Championship matches, the Cata The crooked move 7 �a3 has
lan Opening is none too popular many adherents, after which
at present: two quick draws in the White doesn't attempt to recoup
first match, and one in the return the pawn: 7 . . . J, xa3 8 ba (93).
match. Nevertheless, Catalan
theory has made significant ad
vances in recent years, and some
important aspects of its modern
application will be reflected in the
given notes.
1 d4 i)f6
2 c4 e6
3 �0 d5
4 g3 de
5 J,gl J,e7
6 0-0 0-0 Black has a choice between 8
The capture on c4 is Black's . . . J,d7, 8 . . . �c6 and 8 . . . b5.
usual reaction. His opponent (a) 8 . . . J,d7 9 �e5 J, c6 10
must spend time in recouping the �xc6 i)xc6 1 1 J,b2 �d5 1 2 l,cl
pawn, while Black makes use of (on 1 2 X b 1 possible are 1 2 . . . b5,
this by conveniently developing 12 . . . �b6 and even 1 2 . . . f5) 1 2
his pieces. The attempt to main . . . �b6 1 3 e3. Sharper is 1 3 e4
tain the tension in the centre by �e7 14 'l'tc2 '11' d 7 1 5 J, a 1 X ad8?
foregoing the exchange on c4 ( 1 5 . . . f5 is better) 1 6 'jjc 3 f6 1 7
more often than not leads to big X cd 1 brought White a small ad
ger problems. Here is a recent vantage in the game Illescas
example from one of my own Kosashvi1i (Ho1on 1 987).
games. 1 3 . . . '11' d6 14 '11' c2. This looks
Karpov-Sokolov (Brussels more logical than 1 4 'jj g4 f6 1 5
1 988): I c4 i)f6 2 i)c3 e6 3 i) f3 I;� c2 �a4! 1 6 -.. h s f5 1 7 -.. n
d 5 4 d4 J,e7 5 g3 0-0 6 J,g2 � bd7 �e7! 1 8 -.. e2 b5! 19 �xa8 K xa8,
7 ._d3 c5 8 cd �xd5 9 0-0 � b4 10 and Black has the makings of an
*bl �f6 I I de �xeS 1 2 �g5 excellent game (Romanishin
<E)bd5 1 3 � xd5 ed 14 •c2 �b6 Razuvayev, USSR Championship
1 5 K ad l h6 1 6 �f4 K e8 1 7 �e5 1983).
The Catalan Opening 1 1 7
Kasparov-Karpov 10 �e2
Game 24, World 10 cd, 10 'lite2 and 10 'fll c2 are
Championship 4 also encountered here. The knight
Seville 1987 move is good only in that it tem
porarily prevents simplifications.
Before the concluding game of 10 a.5
the contest in Seville, Kasparov 1 1 d3 i,f6
turned out to be in almost the 12 11rc2 i,xb2
same situation as I was before the 13 'itxb2 �d6
23rd. Just one win would be 14 cd A xd5
enough for him, and he was able 15 d4 c5
to achieve it. It must be acknow 16 � Hd 1 g c8
ledged that, as regards creative 17 �f4 J.. xf3
considerations, these two contests 18 i,xf3 11r e7
are not comparable. In the 24th, 19 1l acl K fd8
to my mind, both played rather 20 de -2Jxc5
weakly, although of course the 21 b4 ab
quality was determined by the 22 llt xb4 j!(a7
match situation. We had no speci 23 a3 �f5
fic ideas, mistakes were made, and It would be easier to level the
finally time-trouble was my undo position after 23 . . . �e8.
ing-after the tense play of the 24 K b1 .l;l xd1 +
23rd game I could in no way 25 K xd1 'fltc7
concentrate. In spite of the unfor 26 -dd3 h6
tunate collection of circumstances By advancing the neighbouring
in this game, if I had made the g-pawn one square, Black would
correct 33rd move I may yet have be able to construct a more solid
regained the chess Crown. But, defence.
alas, fortune was yet again to 27 � cl �e7
smile on my opponent. The immediate 27 . . . �d6
1 c4 e6 would be more precise. The
2 <E)f3 �f6 knight will occupy this square
3 g3 dS with the loss of two tempi.
4 b3 J.. e7 28 lltb5 -2!f5
5 J.. g2 0-0 29 a4 �d6
6 0-0 b6 30 11rbl 'f!ta7 (98)
7 J.. b2 J.. b7 And now more solid is 30 . . .
8 e3 �bd7 'i!td8.
9 �c3 �e4 31 �e5 �xa4?
124 Reti's Opening
Page numbers in italics refer to complete games quoted in the notes to the main
games.
Alburt-Morovic 1 19 Karpov-Short 20
Karpov-Timman 64, 1 1 2
Bagirov-Yusupov 80 Kasparov-Ivanchuk 88
Bareev-Lalic 1 1 6 Kasparov-Karpov /7, 25, 29, 30,
Bareev-Lukacs 80 32, 33, 36, 57, 58, 85, 86, 89, 90,
Belyavsky-Karpov 37, 5 1 99, 99, 1 1 7, 1 18, 120, 1 23
Belyavsky-Portisch 51 Kasparov-Short /6
Bemdt-Zaetz 85 Kasparov-Smyslov 76
Bonsch-Chekhov 64 Keene-Adorjan 98
Korchnoi-Panno 1 12
Chemin-Eingom 103 Korchnoi-Seirawan 1 00
Chernin-Gurevich 120
Mikhalchishin-Lputyan 2 I
Dlugy-Speelman 118 Miles-Kasparov 73, 74
Dzhandzhava-Lputyan 45
Polugayevsky-Fiear 77
Ehlvest-Ivanchuk 78 Polugayevsky-Hiibner 69
Eingom-lvanovich 78 Portisch-Pinter 49
Ermolinsky-Ivanchuk 79
Rashkovsky-Barsov 22
Ftacnik-Adorjan 96 Ribli-Belyavsky 8
As this book is not a study of the whole of any particular opening, only the
major variations dealt with are listed in this index. Transpositions and other
variations are dealt with in the text, and the reader is recommended to study all
of the games in each section, rather than considering each game in isolation.
Slav Defence
I d4 d5 2 c4 c6
(a) 3 ec3 e f6 4 cd cd 70
(b) 3 e n €l f6 4 €lc3
(b l ) 4 . . . de 69
(b2) 4 . . . e6 73
English Opening
l c4
(a) I . . . e5 2 ec3
(a l ) 2 . . . e f6 3 €) n ec6 4 g3 j_ b4 . 85
(a2) 2 . . . €)c6 3 g3
(a2 1 ) 3 . . . g6 4 j_ g2 d6 89, 9 1
(a22) 3 . . . c 5 90, 95.
(b) I . . . c5 2 en €) f6
(b l ) 3 g3 b6 4 j_g2 j_b7 5 0-0 g6 100, 1 1 2
(b2) 3 ec3
(b2 1 ) 3 . . . <E)c6 4 d4 cd 99
(b22) 3 . . . d5 1 06
I d4 -2l f6 2 c4 g6 3 g3 c5 4 e n cd 5 -2lxd4 fltc7 1 09
Catalan
I d4 e f6 2 c4 e6 3 e n d5 4 g3 de 1 16
Reti
I c4 e6 2 e n -2l f6 3 g3 d5 4 b3 �e7 123