Sicilian Defense. A sniff option. Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation with English Attack Sicilian Defense Nedorf Variation 6 cc1 g5

Good day, dear friend!

Your humble servant has been playing the Sicilian throughout his adult life. To one degree or another, all variants have been tested in battle. Today we will focus on one of the most interesting and popular ones. So, the Sicilian defense is the Najdorf variant.

What is this option?

We all know that the Sicilian Defense is one of the openings.

The Najdorf variation is considered to be obtained after the following moves:

1.е4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cd 4.K: d4 Kf6 5.Kc3 a6

Why is it "considered"? In the future, the game can smoothly transition into the Scheveningen variation, dragon, or mixed schemes.

The Sicilian is an opening that has many ramifications that often intersect. Most of them are well studied and tested many times in practice.

The Najdorf variant is no exception. There are even a couple of monographs on it. The Najdorf gained popularity in the middle of the last century and was then successfully used by Robert Fischer.

At the time, the sequels were at the center of the board and outside the tournament hall. 6.Bg5, 6.Bc4, 6.Ce2

It is clear that the volume of the article does not allow us to cover the entire variety of extensions of the Najdorf variant. Therefore, I will focus on a variation called the English Attack.

English attack

6.Ce3 This seemingly unassuming move is fraught with a lot of poison.

In the days of Botvinnik and a little later, until the 80s of the last century 6.Ce3 was not considered dangerous and was not even considered in the list of main sequels.

The English attack acquired its name after the efforts of the Leningrad masters were picked up by the famous English grandmasters. Today's move 6.Ce3 statistically most popular in this position.

The idea of \u200b\u200bthe English attack captivates with its simplicity and consistency. If Black develops "Scheveningen style" with the move 6 ... e6, White builds a scheme with f3, Qd2 g4 and begin to attack the king.

Main opportunities for white and black

So, on the board is the position of the field of moves 1.е4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cd 4.K: d4 Kf6 5.Kc3 a6 6.Се3(diagram above)

Black has three main moves, which occur more often than others:

6 ... .e6, 6 ... .e5 and 6… Kg4.

Let's consider in order:

A) 6 ... e6

7.f3 White follows his plan.

Again a fork. Black has a choice between 7 ... Kc6and 7 ... b5. There are other moves, but they are less popular.

Two pawns for a piece with the black king stuck in the center give White excellent compensation for a piece

In part, this variation answers the question of why it is impossible to castle early in the English attack. Well, it may be said too categorically - rather, treat early castling with caution.

7 ... b5

This move looks natural. Black does not intend to hesitate and wants to immediately organize counterplay on the queenside. White, in turn, looks for his chances in the center and on the king.

8.Qd2whites stick to their plan

White has the advantage

B) 6 ... Ng4 "Knight variation"

For a long time this move had a reputation as “original, but not entirely correct.” Until Garry Kasparov got down to business in the 90s. After that, this “frivolous” variation immediately became serious. For Black, it was defended, for example, by Tapalov, Grischuk ...

It became clear that there was no direct refutation, but the calm positional play promises good chances for White.

7.Bg5The best way to keep an elephant.

7… h6 8.Ch4 g5 9.Cg3 Cg7 10.h3

Consider 10… Kf6 and 10 ... Ke5

10… Kf6

An example of a further game:

FROM the best game for whites. Hakobyan - Karjakin , Nalchik, 2009

10 ... Ke5

This move is considered more fundamental.

With some compensation for Black's piece, but hardly sufficient.

On the whole, White's task in the knight variation is to secure the king by long castling and "jerk" f2-f4, taking advantage of the advance of Black's kingside pawns

C) 6 ... .e5

A fundamental move.

Here it is appropriate to speak not even about the variation, but about the whole complex of opening systems and formations that are found in several branches of the Sicilian Defense. Almost always the dominant in such positions is the irreconcilable struggle for the d5-square.

7.Kb3 Leads to a quieter game Nf3

8 ... Ce6 Most popular sequel.

8.f3 A programmatic move in many positions of the English attack.

Consider the most common moves for black: 8 ... Be7 and 8 ... Kbd7

8 ... Be7

Possible continuation:

White has an advantage.

Gombach-Steiner , Ljubljana 2002

8 ... Kbd7

Main continuation. Here the horse is positioned in the best possible way. Does not block line C and does not get hit after the exchange for d5.

Further play can develop as follows:

White caused a weakening of the kingside and intends to increase the pressure on the queenside.

They can double the rooks on the d-file and press on weaknesses a6and d6... If Black puts his knight on c5, White has the right to use the rule: "The strength of two bishops is that one of them can be exchanged in time." ) .

After exchanging for c5line d will open with advantage at some point.

We have covered only a small part of the Najdorf variation in this article, one of the popular ramifications of the Sicilian defense.

The English attack has gained considerable popularity in the last couple of decades and undoubtedly deserves close attention when choosing an opening repertoire for White.

Sample games

1.Naiditsch, Arkadij - JaraczPawel , Trzcianka, 2014. 1:0

2.Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime - Grischuk , Alexander, Doha QAT, 2016. 0:1

3.Carlsen, Magnus - So, Wesley, Saint Louis USA, 2015. 1:0

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Variation 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4

In the game Iopen - Bronstein there was: 8.Nb3 Qe3 + 9.Qe2 Q: e2 + 10.B: e2 Kbd7 11.a4 Ce7 12. 0-0-0 h6 13. Ch4 e5 14.f5 b6 with equal play. Bronstein managed to win the game, but the decision to exchange queens cannot be considered successful. If black refuses to exchange, then the plan with the move 8. Kb3 gives little to white. Despite the fact that this continuation is still encountered in tournament practice, its assessment as harmless for black has not changed.

A double-edged continuation turned out to be more promising 8.Qd2 Q: b2, the primary source of which is the Nezhmetdinov-Shcherbakov party: 9. Kb3 Kc6 10. Cd3 d5 11. C: f6 gf 12. Ka4 Qa3 13. Kb6 Kd4 14. Kf1 K: b3 15.cb Rb8 16.ed Qb4 17. Q: b4 C: b4 18. Rc1 0-0 with approximately equal chances.

This game, like a plan with a move 9. Kb3 remained in the shadows for 18 years before the match Spassky - Fischer (Reykjavik,), when the move 7 ... Qb6 experienced its rebirth. But then everyone was carried away by the "false trail": 8. Qd2 Q: b2 9. Rb1 Qa3 10.e5 !? - the plan, which was first encountered in the game Tolush - Furman.

In subsequent years, the position after 10.e5 de 11.fe Kfd7 attracted everyone's attention. Many games have been played, a huge number of analyzes have been published. But in the end they came to the conclusion that the continuation 12. Bc4 Cb4 13. Rb3 Qa5 leads to approximately equal play. Currently in version with 7 ... Qb6 main extensions are 8.Qd2 Q: b2 9.Kb3 and 9.Rb1 Qa3 10.f5 (or 10.Ce2).

At first it was not easy for Black to fight the move. 7.f4... Tartakower noted it as a 1954 "sensation option".

However, Black soon learned to set up a "wall": 7… Ce7 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. 0-0-0 Kbd7... This system is still the main one in the Najdorf variant.

Black's failures associated with the first experience of using protection systems with 7 ... Qb6 and 7 ... Be7, strengthened the credibility of the continuation 7.f4... Black began to look for a way out in schemes with 7 ... FS7 and 7 ... b5 (variant of Polugaevsky). In addition, Polugaevsky developed a continuation in detail 7 ... Kbd7 with the idea of \u200b\u200bsaving the pace on the move 7 ... Ce7 for early implementation of program b7-b5.

Option 6. SS4

Conclusion of an elephant on c4 has a pronounced aggressive character. White plans to use a pawn after a short castling f like a battering ram to destroy the enemy's position. However, the position of the elephant on c4 more vulnerable than g5, and White is forced to waste time on his retreat to b3 or (after preliminary a2-a3) on a2... This reduces the effectiveness of this plan, and the spikes in its popularity are associated with episodic findings for whites. The variant with a pawn sacrifice is relevant: 6.Сс4 е6 7.Cb3 b5 8. 0-0 Ce7 9.f4 0-0 10.e5 de 11.fe Kfd7 12. Ce3 K: e5 13. Qh5.

Positional methods of fighting: 6. Be2, 6.f4, 6.g3, 6.h3

There have never been such discussions around these continuations as about systems 6. Cg5 and 6. Bc4... Here there was a gradual accumulation of knowledge, a deep and comprehensive practical test. Therefore, in the seventy-year history of these variants, it is difficult to single out important stages of evolution.

IN recent times the popularity of the sequel has increased significantly 6.Ce2where Geller managed to find a number of new attractive ideas. It also played a role that the reliability of the system 7 ... Qb6 noticeably reduced the attractive force of the lunge 6. Cg5... However, the popularity of the move 6.Ce2 passed its peak, as black found the right defense plan. More adherents are on the move 6.f4, as well as a simple and reliable continuation 6.g3.

Chess by email saw a peak in popularity in 2011 6.h3, which provides White with a small persistent advantage and rich opportunities for attacking. In the strongest ICCF and RAZSH tournaments, and on the Internet sites ficgs.com, chess-online.ru and bestlogic.ru, this continuation takes 3rd place in popularity after 6.Be3 and 6.f3

Variants 6.Ce3 and 6.a4

Practice of active use of the move 6. Ce3 is about 30 years old. The main position arises after 6… e5 7. Kb3 Ce6 8. Qd2 Kbd7 9.f3 b5 10.a4 b4 11.Kd5 C: d5 12.ed Kb6 13. C: b6 Q: b6 14.a5 Qb7 15. Cc4 Ce7... This double-edged position, despite sound practice, needs further research.

Idea of \u200b\u200bthe move 6.a4 is the desire to save the pace (compared to 6. Ce3) when 6… e5 7. Kf3 Qc7 8. Cg5 Kbd7 9.Kd2 h6 10. Ch4 g5 11. Cg3 Kc5 12. Qf3 Ce7 13. Cc4... However, the weaknesses of the move 6.a4 can be opened by 6 ... Kc6 or a transition to the dragon variation, where the weakening of White's queenside turns out to be sensitive.

Literature

• Lepeshkin V.F. Sicilian Defense. Najdorf's version .. - Moscow: Physical culture and sport, 1985. - 256 p.

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Miguel Najdorf - Mieczysław Najdorf Najdorf (standing) at the Olympics in Manila in 1992 Date of birth: April 15, 1910 Place of birth ... Wikipedia

Najdorf M.

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Books

• Fischer vs. Najdorf. Sicilian Defense, Stetsko Oleg Vladimirovich, Variation of the Sicilian Defense 1.e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3.d4 c x d4 4. N x d4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bc4 bears the name of the Russian master Sozin, who introduced him into tournament practice in 1929 year. But the main one ... Category: Sports Series: (954-) Publisher: Russian Chess House - Russian Chess House, Manufacturer:

Although the prototypes of modern schemes were visible even then, at first White preferred modest positional continuations 6.Be2, 6.f4, 6.g3, 6.h3.

Variation 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4

In the game Iopen - Bronstein there was: 8.Nb3 Qe3 + 9.Qe2 Q: e2 + 10.B: e2 Kbd7 11.a4 Ce7 12. 0-0-0 h6 13. Ch4 e5 14.f5 b6 with equal play. Bronstein managed to win the game, but the decision to exchange queens cannot be considered successful. If black refuses to exchange, then the plan with the move 8. Kb3 gives little to white. Despite the fact that this continuation is still encountered in tournament practice, its assessment as harmless for black has not changed.

A double-edged continuation turned out to be more promising 8.Qd2 Q: b2, the primary source of which is the Nezhmetdinov-Shcherbakov party: 9. Kb3 Kc6 10. Cd3 d5 11. C: f6 gf 12. Ka4 Qa3 13. Kb6 Kd4 14. Kf1 K: b3 15.cb Rb8 16.ed Qb4 17. Q: b4 C: b4 18. Rc1 0-0 with approximately equal chances.

This game, like a plan with a move 9. Kb3 remained in the shadows for 18 years before the match Spassky - Fischer (Reykjavik,), when the move 7 ... Qb6 experienced its rebirth. But then everyone was carried away by the "false trail": 8. Qd2 Q: b2 9. Rb1 Qa3 10.e5 !? - the plan, which was first encountered in the game Tolush - Furman.

In subsequent years, the position after 10.e5 de 11.fe Kfd7 attracted everyone's attention. Many games have been played, a huge number of analyzes have been published. But in the end they came to the conclusion that the continuation 12. Bc4 Cb4 13. Rb3 Qa5 leads to approximately equal play. Currently in version with 7 ... Qb6 main extensions are 8.Qd2 Q: b2 9.Kb3 and 9.Rb1 Qa3 10.f5 (or 10.Ce2).

At first it was not easy for Black to fight the move. 7.f4... Tartakower noted it as a 1954 "sensation option".

However, Black soon learned to set up a "wall": 7… Ce7 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. 0-0-0 Kbd7... This system is still the main one in the Najdorf variant.

Black's failures associated with the first experience of using protection systems with 7 ... Qb6 and 7 ... Be7, strengthened the credibility of the continuation 7.f4... Black began to look for a way out in schemes with 7 ... FS7 and 7 ... b5 (variant of Polugaevsky). In addition, Polugaevsky developed a continuation in detail 7 ... Kbd7 with the idea of \u200b\u200bsaving the pace on the move 7 ... Ce7 for early implementation of program b7-b5.

Option 6. SS4

Conclusion of an elephant on c4 has a pronounced aggressive character. White plans to use a pawn after a short castling f like a battering ram to destroy the enemy's position. However, the position of the elephant on c4 more vulnerable than g5, and White is forced to waste time on his retreat to b3 or (after preliminary a2-a3) on a2... This reduces the effectiveness of this plan, and the spikes in its popularity are associated with episodic findings for whites. The variant with a pawn sacrifice is relevant: 6.Сс4 е6 7.Cb3 b5 8. 0-0 Ce7 9.f4 0-0 10.e5 de 11.fe Kfd7 12. Ce3 K: e5 13. Qh5.

Positional methods of fighting: 6. Be2, 6.f4, 6.g3, 6.h3

There have never been such discussions around these continuations as about systems 6. Cg5 and 6. Bc4... Here there was a gradual accumulation of knowledge, a deep and comprehensive practical test. Therefore, in the seventy-year history of these variants, it is difficult to single out important stages of evolution.

Recently, the popularity of the sequel has increased significantly 6.Ce2where Geller managed to find a number of new attractive ideas. It also played a role that the reliability of the system 7 ... Qb6 noticeably reduced the attractive force of the lunge 6. Cg5... However, the popularity of the move 6.Ce2 passed its peak, as black found the right defense plan. More adherents are on the move 6.f4, as well as a simple and reliable continuation 6.g3.

Chess by email saw a peak in popularity in 2011 6.h3, which provides White with a small persistent advantage and rich opportunities for attacking. In the strongest ICCF and RAZSH tournaments, and on the Internet sites ficgs.com, chess-online.ru and bestlogic.ru, this continuation takes 3rd place in popularity after 6.Be3 and 6.f3

Variants 6.Ce3 and 6.a4

Practice of active use of the move 6. Ce3 is about 30 years old. The main position arises after 6… e5 7. Kb3 Ce6 8. Qd2 Kbd7 9.f3 b5 10.a4 b4 11.Kd5 C: d5 12.ed Kb6 13. C: b6 Q: b6 14.a5 Qb7 15. Cc4 Ce7... This double-edged position, despite sound practice, needs further research.

Idea of \u200b\u200bthe move 6.a4 is the desire to save the pace (compared to 6. Ce3) when 6… e5 7. Kf3 Qc7 8. Cg5 Kbd7 9.Kd2 h6 10. Ch4 g5 11. Cg3 Kc5 12. Qf3 Ce7 13. Cc4... However, the weaknesses of the move 6.a4 can be opened by 6 ... Kc6 or a transition to the dragon variation, where the weakening of White's queenside turns out to be sensitive.

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Literature

• Lepyoshkin V.F. Sicilian Defense. Najdorf's version .. - Moscow: Physical culture and sport, 1985. - 256 p.

Excerpt from the Najdorf Variation

“Yes,” he said clearly and quietly. - Russia is lost! Ruined! And he sobbed again, and tears flowed from his eyes. Princess Marya could no longer restrain herself and cried too, looking at his face.
He closed his eyes again. His sobbing stopped. He gestured with his hand to his eyes; and Tikhon, understanding him, wiped away his tears.
Then he opened his eyes and said something that no one could understand for a long time and, finally, Tikhon understood and conveyed. Princess Marya sought out the meaning of his words in the mood in which he spoke a minute before. She thought that he was talking about Russia, then about Prince Andrei, then about her, about her grandson, then about his death. And from this she could not guess his words.
“Put on your white dress, I love it,” he said.
Understanding these words, Princess Marya sobbed even louder, and the doctor, taking her by the arm, led her out of the room onto the terrace, persuading her to calm down and get busy with the preparations for the departure. After Princess Marya left the prince, he again started talking about his son, about the war, about the sovereign, angrily twitched his eyebrows, began to raise a hoarse voice, and with him came the second and last blow.
Princess Marya stopped on the terrace. The day cleared up, it was sunny and hot. She could not understand anything, think about anything and feel nothing, except for her passionate love for her father, love, which, it seemed to her, she did not know until that moment. She ran out into the garden and, sobbing, ran down to the pond along the young linden paths planted by Prince Andrey.
- Yes ... I ... I ... I. I wanted him dead. Yes, I wished it would end sooner ... I wanted to calm down ... But what will happen to me? Why do I need peace when he’s gone, ”Princess Marya muttered aloud, walking briskly through the garden and pressing her chest with her hands, from which sobs were convulsively escaping. Going around the garden circle, which led her back to the house, she saw m lle Bourienne (who remained in Bogucharovo and did not want to leave) and an unfamiliar man walking towards her. This was the leader of the district, who himself had come to the princess in order to present to her the whole necessity of an early departure. Princess Marya listened and did not understand him; she took him into the house, offered him breakfast and sat down with him. Then, having apologized to the leader, she went to the door of the old prince. The doctor with an anxious face went to her and said that it was impossible.
- Go, princess, go, go!
Princess Marya went back into the garden and under the mountain by the pond, in a place where no one could see, sat down on the grass. She did not know how long she had been there. Someone's running female steps along the path made her wake up. She got up and saw that Dunyasha, her maid, evidently running after her, suddenly stopped, as if frightened by the sight of her young lady.
"Please, princess ... prince ..." said Dunyasha in a broken voice.
“Now, I'm going, I'm going,” the princess began hastily speaking, not giving Dunyasha time to finish what she had to say, and, trying not to see Dunyasha, ran to the house.
“Princess, God's will is being done, you must be ready for anything,” said the leader, meeting her at the front door.
- Leave me. It is not true! She shouted angrily at him. The doctor wanted to stop her. She pushed him away and ran to the door. “And why are these people with frightened faces stopping me? I don’t need anyone! And what are they doing here? She opened the door, and the bright daylight in this previously dim room terrified her. There were women and a nanny in the room. They all pulled away from the bed, giving her way. He was still lying on the bed; but the stern look of his calm face stopped Princess Mary on the threshold of the room.
“No, he is not dead, it cannot be! Princess Marya said to herself, went up to him and, overcoming the horror that gripped her, pressed her lips to his cheek. But she immediately pulled away from him. Instantly, all the strength of tenderness for him that she felt in herself disappeared and was replaced by a feeling of horror for what was in front of her. “No, he is no more! He is not there, but right there, in the same place where he was, something alien and hostile, some terrible, terrifying and repulsive secret ... - And, covering her face with her hands, Princess Mary fell into the arms of the doctor who supported her.
In the presence of Tikhon and the doctor, the women washed what he was, tied his head with a handkerchief to prevent the open mouth from stiffening, and tied the diverging legs with another handkerchief. Then they put on a uniform with medals and put a small shriveled body on the table. God knows who and when took care of this, but everything seemed to happen by itself. By nightfall, candles were burning around the coffin, there was a cover on the coffin, a juniper was sprinkled on the floor, a printed prayer was placed under a dead shriveled head, and a sexton was sitting in the corner reading a psalter.
As the horses shy away, huddle and snort over a dead horse, so in the drawing-room around the coffin a strange people crowded and their own - the leader, and the headman, and the women, and all with stopped frightened eyes, baptized and bowed, and kissed the cold and numb hand of the old prince.

Bogucharovo was always, before the settlement of Prince Andrei, a behind-the-eye estate, and the Bogucharovo peasants had a completely different character from the Lysogorsk ones. They differed from them in speech, clothing, and morals. They were called steppe. The old prince praised them for their endurance at work when they came to help clean up the Bald Mountains or dig ponds and ditches, but did not like them for their savagery.
The last stay in Bogucharovo of Prince Andrey, with his innovations - hospitals, schools and the relief of rent - did not soften their morals, but, on the contrary, strengthened in them those character traits that the old prince called savagery. Between them there were always some vague rumors, now about the enumeration of all of them as Cossacks, now about a new faith into which they would be converted, now about some tsarist leaves, now about the oath to Pavel Petrovich in 1797 (about which they said that then the will came out, but the gentlemen took it away), then about Peter Fyodorovich who will reign in seven years, under whom everything will be free and it will be so simple that nothing will happen. Rumors about the war in Bonaparte and his invasion were combined for them with the same vague ideas about the Antichrist, the end of the world and pure will.

MG Najer

SICILIAN PROTECTION. NEIDORF OPTION

Today's lecture will focus on the Najdorf variation in the Sicilian Defense, which appears after the moves:

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cd 4.N: d4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 .

A little about the history of the variant and the people who made the greatest contribution to its development.Stroke 5 ... a6 It was actively used in the 1930s by such chess players as Alatortsev and Bogolyubov, but it gained its recognition and real popularity in the 50s, when the famous Argentine grandmaster Miguel Najdorf began to regularly use and study it, and then many leading grandmasters of that time. The correctness and reasonableness of the application of this variation is evidenced by the fact that it was the main one in the work of such genius chess players as Robert Fischer and Garry Kasparov. Nowadays, the Najdorf variation for Black is included in the opening repertoire of almost all “elite” grandmasters.

On the ideological component of the option.At first glance, the move 5… a6 looks a bit mysterious, because in this way Black does not develop his pieces and does not fight for the center, which is usually the primary task in the opening. But as tournament practice has shown, in the Sicilian move a6 is useful in the overwhelming majority of cases, covering an important square and preparing an offensive on the queenside with b5. White has a variety of answers, which they choose depending on their opening preferences and the state of the opening theory. Continuations such as 6. Be2, 6. Be3, 6. Bg5 6. Bc4 can be compared with whole openings in terms of information volume! As part of today's lecture, we will look at the first 2 sequels.

6.Ce2 - a modest positional continuation, which was usually preferred by players seeking to get away from forced paths, has now acquired a voluminous and in some places extremely specific theory. Black has 2 ways: either to switch to the Scheveningen rails by 6… e6, which was regularly tested in the second match between Karpov and Kasparov, or 6… e5, which is more fashionable today. In my opinion, 6… e5 is more unpleasant for White, it is more and more difficult for White to find promising paths here.

Of course, within the framework of one lecture, it will not work to consider what is called “move to move”, so let's try to consider some important games played by top-class chess players and trace the ideas typical of our version.

Vasily Ivanchuk - Sergey Karjakin
Sicilian Defense B92 Comments mm Maxim Notkin

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 a6 6.Ce2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Ce3 Be6 10.Qd2 Nbd7 11.a4 Qc7 12.Rfd1 Rac8 13.a5 Nc5 14.Nxc5 dxc5 15.Qe1 Rfd8 16.Rxd8 + Rxd8

17. f3. In the game of the last Eurocup, Vasily did not find ways to gain an advantage - 17.Kрh1 Qc6 18.f3 c4 19.Bf1 Krf8 20.Na4 Nd7 21.Qc3 Rc8 22.Qd2 Rd8 23.Qc3 Rc8 24.Qd2 Rd8, and a draw by repetition of moves ( Ivanchuk - Van Wely, Kallithea 2008).

17..c4. The value of this pawn move is clearly seen in the blitz game Ponomarev - Alekseev, Moscow 2008, which continued 17 ... Qc6 18.Na4 Nd7 19.c4! Nf8 20.Nb6 f6 21.Nd5 with an obvious advantage for White. Black, of course, is not afraid of the Bb6 attack, since the white king remains on g1, and he has a bishop check from c5. As we saw, in the previous match, Vasily took the king off the dangerous diagonal, but Luke was not a small mistake, and in time he did the same with his queen.

18.Na4 Nd7 19.Qc3. In the game Naiditsch - Pashikyan, Moscow 2008 White played without a clear plan and got nothing after 19.h3 Qc6 20.Kрh2 Kрf8 21.Bd2 Nc5 22.Nb6 Nd7 23.Be3 Nxb6 24.Bxb6 Rc8.

19 ... f6. Sergei does not consider it necessary to prevent the movement of the b2-pawn. And probably in vain. Moreover, for this he had at his disposal quite natural continuations 19 ... Qc6 or 19 ... Rc8.

20.b3. This move baffles me. After all, Ivanchuk could have played 20.b4 at once, but for some reason he needed to lure the opponent's rook on c8. At the same time, the combination, started by the 23rd move, with the rook on d8 would not even be a combination, but a simple tactical blow leading to an immediate victory. Yes, but then Karjakin would not have allowed her (him). And so he probably assessed the consequences of the operation as unclear or favorable for himself and therefore did not interfere with the movement of the b-pawn for the second time. But Ivanchuk, it turns out, calculated all this psychology, and, correctly assessing the chess component, dragged his opponent into complications that were unfavorable for that.

20 ... Rc8 21.b4 Qc6 22.Qa3 f5. Here, therefore, Black had the opportunity to take the bishop to a defended square and see what strategic ideas his opponent has. Wildness, of course, because in such situations it is White who must take care that the bishop does not harm his queen, but the usual rules do not apply to this game.

After 22 ... Bf8 White might have thought of 23.c3 with the cumbersome but curious idea of \u200b\u200bcapturing the d-file by Rd1-d2, Qa1-d1. Or the more straightforward 23.Rd1 with the intention of Nc3-d5. True, in this case, after 23 ... Qb5, the rook would have to be returned to the defense of the b4-pawn - 24.Rb1, but in the future the knight, having moved to c3, would have won back the lost tempo.

23. b5! axb5 24.Fxe7 bxa4 25.Ld1 TOf8 26.Ld6 Le8! Continuation of the forced play. 26 ... Qe8 27.Qxe8 Rxe8 28.exf5 Bxf5 29.Bxc4 + Be6 30.Bb5 Ra8 31.a6 bxa6 32.Bxa4, and two bishops, the c-pawn and weakness on a6 provide White with a clear advantage.

27.Rxc6 Rxe7 28.Bc5! Rd7? Surely in the course of 28 ... Re8 Sergey was not satisfied with the fact that he let the white rook to the 7th row. Indeed, after 29.Rc7 (threatening exf5) 29 ... fxe4 30.Rxb7 (weaker than 30.fxe4 Ra8 31.Bb4 a3 32.Bxa3 Rxa5) 30 ... R a8 31.Rb5 Nd7 32.Ba3 Black is not a problem considered resolved, since White retained his trump card in the upcoming endgame struggle - the distant passed pawn.

The trouble is that continuation in the game leads to much more serious difficulties. And the trick is that these are not at all the difficulties that are striking at the first glance at the position!

29.Rb6! Ivanchuk refuses the promising 29.Rxe6 Nxe6 30.Bxc4 Rd1 + 31.Krf2 Rd2 + 32.Krf1 Rxc2 33.Bxe6 + Kph8. Black's rook is very active, and the a-pawn, with its support, can become dangerous. With a move in the game, White creates a threat to the bishop.

29 ... fxe4. The simple-minded retreat 29 ... Bf7 after 30.a6! bxa6 31.Rb8 leads to the loss of the knight and the loss of the game.

30.fxe4 c3. The black rook cannot be active yet. On 30 ... Rd2 another surprise follows - 31.Rxb7! Rxe2 32.a6 and the pawn is queued.

31.Kf2! Ivanchuk again refuses the obvious material gain by 31. Bxf8 Krxf8 32. Rxe6, as this would give Black serious counter chances due to the invasion of the rook on the 2nd row. Moreover, Vasily is not attracted by the 31.a6 bxa6 32.Rb8 Rf7 line, since here his king would be cut off along the f-file. It is possible that White's position is very good even with the king on g1, since Black is tightly tied. Yet the king's quiet move bears the stamp of true aristocracy.

31 ... Ba2. The bishop left the battle so as not to interfere with the rook's occupation of the f7-square. At the same time, he continues to control the a2-g8 diagonal. After 31 ... Rd2 32.a6 bxa6 33.Rb8 White, in view of the threat of mate in one move, manages to capture the knight and defend against Bc4. The bottom line is an extra figure.

32. a6! bxa6 33.Lb8 Lf7+ 34. Kre3 g6 35.Cd6. It becomes clear that there is zugzwang on the board. Black has no useful moves, and soon he will lose 4 pawns at once!

35 ... Rf6. 35 ... Kg7 36. Bxe5 + Kh6 37. Bxc3 leads to a slightly improved version of what happened in the game. There is still little consolation.

36.Ld8 a3 37.Cxa3 Krg7 38.Cd6 Lf7 39.Cxe5+ Krh6 40.Cxa6 TOe6 41.Lc8. Black resigned.

Despite the huge variability of different orders of moves used by White in the variation with 6.Be2, namely the setup chosen by Vasily Ivanchuk with 9.Be3 and 10.Qd2 can be considered the main one. So how do you react to it? After all, the plan chosen by Karjakin is not that bad, it rather does not correspond to the spirit of the Najdorf, in which Black strives for active counterplay. I think that another plan, implemented in the next two games, not only promises Black a full-fledged play, but also gives chances to seize the initiative in the future.

Jakovenko, Dmitrij (2742) - Carlsen, Magnus (2772)

Nanjing Pearl Spring 2nd, 10/01/2009

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 c: d4 4.N: d4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Ce2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.0–0 0–0 9.Ce3 Be6 10.Qd2 Nbd7 11.a4 Nb6 12.a5 Nc4 13.B: c4 B: c4 14.Rfd1 Rc8 15.f3 Rc6 16.Kh1 16 ... Qc8 17.Rac1 Rd8 18.Nd5 B: d5 21.f: e4 R: e4 22.c4 Re8 23.Bg1 Bf8 24.Nd4 ?! g6 25.Rf1 Bh6 26.Qf3 Rf4 27.Qd3 Ng4 28.Nf3? Rfe4 29.Rc3 Ne3 30.Re1 Qg4 31.Re2 Qh5 32.B: e3 R: e3 33. R: e3 B: e3? 34.Qe2 Qh6 35.c5! d: c5 36.d6 Re6! 37.d7 Bg5 38.Qd1Bd8 39.R: c5 Qf8 40.Rd5 ?! Qb4 41.b3 Re3 42.Nd2 Qc3 43.Nf3Qb4 44.Nd2 Qf4 45.Nf3 Rc3 46.Qe2 Qe3 47.Q: e3 R: e3 48.Rd4 Kf8 49.Rb4? Rd3! 50.R: b7 Rd1 + 51.Ng1 B: a5 52.g4 Ke7 53.Kg2 R: d7 54.R: d7 + Kp: d7 55.Kf3 Kd6 56.Ke4 Kc5 57.Kd3 Kd5 58.Nf3 Bd8 59.h3 h6 60.h4? h5! 61.g: h5 g: h5 62.Ke3 Kc5 63.Kd3 Kb4 0-1

Smeets, J (2669) - Giri, A (2677)

Schachbundesliga 2010–11 Emsdetten GER (5), 11.12.2010

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Ce2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Ce3 Be6 10.Qd2 Nbd7 11.a4 Nb6 12.a5 Nc4 13.Bxc4 Bxc4 14.Rfd1 Rc8 15.Nc1 d5 16.Bb6 Qe8 17.Nxd5 Nxe4 18.Qe1 f5 19.Nxe7 + Qxe7 20.b3 Bf7 21.c4 Rfe8 22.Nd3 Bh5 23.f3 Ng5 24.Qf1 e4 25. Ne1 Rc6 26.Rd2 Rg6 27.fxe4 fxe4 28.Qf5 Rf8 29.Qd5 + Kph8 30.h4 Nh3 + 31.Kph2 Qxh4 32.Qd8 Qg3 + 33.Kph1 Rgf6 34.Nc2 h6 35.Bc7 Nf2 + 36.h4

9. Kph1 is also common. White makes a useful move, not yet forcing events and intending to throw the f-pawn into battle in the near future. Black must play very carefully.

Stellwagen, Daniel (2585) - Cheparinov, Ivan (2640) [ B92]

Morelia op 2nd Morelia (6), 18.02.2007

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 c: d4 4.N: d4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Ce2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Kh1 Nc6

(Best move according to modern theory... Much less accurate is 9… Be6 because of 10.f4 !, and 9… b5 because of 10.a4!)

10.f4 b5 11.a4 b4 12.Nd5 N: e4 13.Bf3 f5 14.K: e7 + N: e7 15.f: e5 d: e5 16.Q: d8 R: d8 17.C: e4 (Perhaps a critical moment for evaluating the opening plans of partners. More interesting was 17. Nc5 trying to use an unpleasant pin. I think Cheparinov intended to sacrifice an exchange after 17… Nxc5 18 Bxa8 f4 with good compensation, since White's queenside cannot be developed in the near future)

f: e4 18.Bg5 Re8 19.Rae1 Bb7 20.Nc5 Bc6 21.N: e4 Ng6 (Black comfortably equalized and in the subsequent struggle had real chances for a full point.)

22.Nc5 a5 23.Kg1 Rac8 24.Be3 Nf4 25.Rf2 Nd5 26.Rf5 N: e3 27.R: e3 Bd5 28.c4 B: c4 29.Rf: e5 R: e5 30.R: e5 Rf8 31. h3 Rf1 + 32.Kh2 Rd1 33.Ne4 Bd5 34.Nd6 g6 35.Ne8 Bc6 36.Nf6 + Kg7 37.Rc5 Kr: f6 38.R: c6 + Ke5 39.Kg3 Rd2 40.Rc5 + Kd4 41.L: a5 L: b2 42.Ra7 Ra2 43.R: h7 b3 44.Rb7 Kc3 45.Rc7 + Kd3 46.Rb7 Kc3 47.Rc7 + Kd2 48.Rb7 Kc2 49.Rc7 + Kb1 50.Rb7 b2 51.Kf4 Ra3 52.h4 Ka2 b2 + Kr: b2 54.g4 Kc3 55.Kg5 Kd4 56.Kr: g6 Ke5 57.h5 R: a4 58.h6 Ѕ – Ѕ

Timofeev, Artyom (2670) - Belov, Vladimir (2579)

RUS Cup final Serpukhov (4.2), 12.11.2008

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 c: d4 4.N: d4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Ce2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Kh1 Nc6 10.f3 (Rare, but not a continuation devoid of poison. White defended the infantry on e4 and intends to play Nd5, taking advantage of the fact that after the exchange the black knight on c6 will be under attack. Black's reaction to this idea can be called exemplary.)

Be6 11.Nd5 a5 12.Ce3 a4 13.Nc1 B: d5 14.e: d5 Nd4 15.c4 Nd7 16.Bd3 Nc5 17.Ne2 N: e2 18.C: e2 Bg5 19.Bf2 Qf6 20.Bd3 Qf4 21 .Qc2 N: d3 22.Q: d3 Rfc8 23.b3 Qd2 24.Qb1 Be3 25.B: e3 Q: e3 26.Qf5 a: b3 27.Rae1 Qb6 28.a: b3 Q: b3 29.f4 Q: c4 30.f: e5 Q: d5 31.Rd1 Qe6 32.Q: e6 f: e6 33.e: d6 Rc6 34.h3 Rd8 35.d7 e5 36.Rd5 Re6 37.Rc1 Kf7 38.Rc7 b6 39.Kg1 Ke7 40.Rb7 e4 41.Kf2 Rd6 42.R: d6 K: d6 43.R: b6 + Ke7 44.Ke3 R: d7 Ѕ – Ѕ

The next game of the leaders of modern chess is interesting because Kramnik showed a new and aggressive plan with a long castling, which is completely uncharacteristic for a calm variation with 6. Be2

Kramnik, Vladimir (2777) - Anand, Viswanathan (2766)

Corus Wijk aan Zee (9), 20.01.2004,

1. e4 c5 2.Kf3 d6 3. d4 c: d4 4.K:d4Kf6 5.Kc3 a6 6.Ce2 e5 7.Kb3 Ce7 8.Cg5 Ce6 9.C:f6 C:f6 10.Fd3 Cc6 11.0–0–0 Ce7 12.Crb1 0–0 [Kramnik's idea manifested itself in the variation 12 ... Nd4 13.Nxd4 e: d4 14.Nd5 Bxd5 15.e: d5 0–0 and now not an obvious pawn capture, but 16.Qf3! with further Bd3 and strong initiative] 13.Kd5 Cg5 14. h4! Fighting for the initiative even at the cost of a pawn. 14... FROM: h4 15.g3 15... FROMf6 16. Ff3FROMg5 !? 17. Fh5 h6 18.f4FROMf6 19.TOd2 !?White was unhappy about this move, but alternative 19.c3 was much slower and bearable for black. 19... TOd4 20.FROMc4 20 ... Lc8! 21. c3 Cb5 22. f5 C:d5 23.C:d5 L:c3!! 24.Fg6! 24... Fb6 25.L: h6! Agreeing to perpetual check, because otherwise Black's attack is stronger Ѕ–Ѕ

A brilliant game in which both opponents were at their best!

Option with 6.Ce3 gained frenzied popularity in the mid-90s and was named the English attack thanks to the efforts of John Nunn and especially Nigel Short, who successfully used it. The idea of \u200b\u200ba new concept - (the move 6.Се3 was used before, but most often it was reduced to the variation with 6.Сe2) a long castling and an immediate march of pawns on the kingside in the area of \u200b\u200bthe most probable residence of the black monarch. That is, in most cases White's plan is: f3 Qd2 0-0-0 g4. A huge plus is the versatility of this plan, which works both after 6… e6 and after 6… e5. Perhaps, even today, such an arrangement is the most popular (and dangerous!) Objection to the Najdorf variation.

6 ... e5 the most modern continuation. With this move Black shows that he is ready for a big fight against all-round castling.

In this variant, a lot of games were played between the top players, and in each new super tournament this variant occurs again and again. In my opinion, the reigning world champion performs it best of all in the world (as it should be!), Whose games we will see. In this case, it is extremely important to be at least half a step ahead of the current theory, which Anand succeeds again and again with brilliance. This is how he won the opening duel against the young grandmaster, but already a prominent theoretician Sergei Karjakin, 2 times in a row.

Sicilian Defense B90
Sergey KARYAKIN (UKR) - Vichy ANAND (IND)

Comments of MG Sergey Shipov

Sergey decided to check ... (how to call Vichy - veteran , grandfather, dinosaur?) of his formidable rival in the sharpest opening variation with versatile castling. But it turned out that Vishy the Terrible analyzed the critical position more thoroughly ... 1. e4 c5 2.Kf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4.Kxd4Kf6 5.Kc3 a6 6.Ce3 e5 7.Kb3 Ce6 8. f3 Ce7 9.Fd2 Cbd7 11. g4 b5

Friendship wins the fight for d5, that is, nobody! 12.g5 b4! 13.Ne2 Ne8 The knights are out, the d5-square remains vacant. 14.f4 a5! 15.f5 [Apparently, from now on White will play here 15.Kb1 a4 16.Nbc1, avoiding the cataclysms that followed in the game.] 15 ... a4 16.Nbd4 Here it is - the computer world in all its glory. Attacked a horse? Move it from one battle to another! 16 ... exd4 17.Nxd4 b3 18.Krb1 bxc2 + 19.Nxc2 Bb3! It is important to open the "a" file. 20.axb3 axb3 21.Na3 Ne5 22.h4 Ra5!And only at that moment the rivals began to play independently. 23.Qc3 [In the game Leko - Vallejo, Monaco, 2005, White played 23.Qe2 and after 23 ... d5! 24.R xd5 Rxd5 25.exd5 Bxa3 26.bxa3 Nd6 27.Bc5 Re8 28.Bb4 Nxf5 ran into problems. Apparently, in the future Black did not use his chances - 29.Qd1 Ne3 30.Qxb3 Qxd5 31.Qxd5 Nxd5 32.Bd6 f5 33.gxf6 gxf6 34.Bg2 Ne3 35.Bxe5 Rxe5 36.Bc6 Kpf7 37.a4 f5 and complications in the end led to a draw.] 23 ... Qa8 24.Bg2 A cursory computer analysis does not allow us to see the subsequent combination of Black. This requires a slow, deep analysis ... 24 ... Nc7! Black connects the f8 rook to attack. Losses don't matter. 25.Qxc7 Rc8! 26.Qxe7 Nc4!Exactly! The white knight is no longer able to hold on to a3. Black is already two pieces away, but how to save the white king? At this moment, the vaunted computer begins to feel sad, because in the variants it counts to mate ... 27.g6 Everything else is even worse. More precisely - faster! 27 ... hxg6 28.fxg6 Nxa3 + [28 ... Rxa3 also led to victory!] 29.bxa3 Rxa3 30.gxf7 + 30 ... Kh7 31.f8K + Rxf8 32.Qxf8 Believe me, white is bad here in all variations. I will not make life difficult for readers. 32 ... Ra1 + 33.Kb2

33 ... Ra2 +! This is the only way. The black queen must enter the battle one move later. 34.Krc3 [34.Krxb3 Qa4 + 35.Krc3 Rc2 + 36.Krd3 Qc4 # led to mate; And after 34.Kb1 Black can safely eat the white queen, keeping an irresistible attack.] 34 ... Qa5 +! If you have a choice - checkmate in 6 moves or take the queen - checkmate! This is how Anand's rule can be formulated, who, unlike Capablanca, is not afraid to miscalculate. 35.Krd3 Qb5 + 36.Krd4 Ra4 + 37.Krc3 Qc4 +

And the whites surrendered.

Sicilian Defense B90

Sergey KARYAKIN - Viswanathan ANAND

Comments mm Maxim Notkin

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Ce3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Qd2 Nbd7 9.0-0-0 b5 10.f3 Be7 11.g4 g5 b4 13.Ne2 Ne8 14.h4 a5 15.Krb1 Nb6 16.Ng3 a4 17.Nc1 d5 18.Bxb6 Qxb6 19.exd5 Rd8 20.Bc4 Nc7 21.dxe6 Rxd2 22.exf7 + Kph8 23.Rxd2 Nb5. In the previous games of elite grandmasters, there was 23 ... Qc6, and only after 24.b3 did Black play 24 ... Nb5. For a better understanding of what is happening, it should be noted that in the case of 24 ... a3 25.Ne4 Nb5 26.Nd3 White gets a big advantage, since everything is in order in terms of material, Black has no counterplay, and the f7-pawn will still backfire; while 24 ... Qxf3 is unpleasant with 25.Rd7. Now check from a3 is threatening, and White must exchange the bishop - 25.Bxb5 Qxb5.

The fight Leko - Karjakin, Wijk aan Zee 2006 continued 26.bxa4 Qxa4 27.Rhd1 Rxf7 28.Rd7 Kg8 29.Ne4, and here, in the opinion of many, Peter very timely offered a draw, which Sergei accepted.

Morozevich in the game with Volokitin (Biel 2006) improved Leko's play - 26.Nf5 Rxf7 27.Nxe7 Rxe7 28.Rd8 + Re8 29.Rhd1 g6 (29 ... a3 ?? 30.R1d5 Qc6 31.R5d6 Qb5 32.Rb6) 30 .R1d5 Qc6 31.R5d6 Qb5 32.Rb6 Qxb6 33.Rxe8 + Kg7 34.bxa4, and White slowly brought this ending to victory. 24.Bxb5. In the case of 24.Rd7, calm continuations like 24 ... Bc5, perhaps, play into White's hands. However, if Sergei first saw this position only at the board, he could well have been afraid to go unprepared into such a jungle: 24 ... Na3 + 25.bxa3 bxa3 + 26.Nb3 Qc6! (after 26 ... axb3 27.axb3 or 27.Bxb3 Rxf7 28.Ne4 White is all right) 27.Rxe7 Qxc4 28.Ne4 (not 28.Re8 Qxf7 29.Rxf8 + Qxf8, and White is forced to give up the knight, since 30.Nd2 Qb4 + 31.Krc1 Qb2 + 32.Kd1 Qxa2) 28 ... axb3 29.axb3 (this is the only way) 29 ... Qd4 30.c3 Qd3 + 31.Kra2, and Black has a perpetual check after 31 ... Qe2 + 32. Kxa3 Ra8 + 33.Kb4 Rb8 + 34.Ka3, but it’s hard to say if there is anything more.

27.Rd8 + Re8 28.Rhd1 Rg8! Exactly so, immediately freeing the queen from the rook defense! After 28 ... g6 White could immediately force a draw by 29.R1d5 Qc6 30.R5d6 Qb5 31.Rd5 \u003d or still play after 31.Rb6 Qxb6 32.Rxe8 + Kg7 33.Rxe5 a3.

29.b3. On 29.R8d5 Qc4 30.Rxe5 Black would first play 30 ... Rc8, forcing one of the rooks to retreat to defend the c2-pawn, and then take on h4 with a better position. Karjakin's course clearly reads a desire to switch to a well-known model, but Anand, of course, does not release the opponent's knight and king.

29 ... a3 30.R1d5? This is already a mistake. Better was 30.R8d5. Now the black queen nails a couple of enemy pieces to the first row, while remaining vigorous and mobile.

30 ... Qf1. 31.Rxg8 + Krxg8 32.Rxe5 Qxf3. White has two weaknesses - the b2-square and the h-pawn.

33.Rc5. In case of 33.Nd3, the knight will be immediately returned to its place - 33 ... Qd1 + 34.Nc1 Qh1.

33 ... Qh1 34.Rc4 Qe1With the zugzwang idea. 35.Rf4 h5! 36.gxh6. It is impossible to stand still - 36.Rc4 Kрf7 37.Rf4 + Kрe6 38.Rc4 Kрf5 39.Rc5 + Kрg4 40.Rc4 + Kрg3. The rook's moves are over, and in the case of 41.g6, the king stomps backwards - 41 ... Krf3 42.Rc7 Kg4 and takes the pawn after 43.Rc4 + Kf5, since 43.Rxg7 is losing? Qc3 44.Nd3 Qxg7.

After 36.g6 Black captures this pawn with his queen, and then forms a passed pawn along the h-file by g7-g5. White has no time to do anything.

36 ... gxh6 37.Rg4 + Kpf7 38.Rf4 + Krg6 39.Rg4 + Kf5and later Black, though slowly, but inexorably realized his material advantage 40.Rc4 h5 41.Lc5+ Krg4 42.Lc4+ Krf3 43.Ld4 Fe5 44. c3Fh2! 45.Ld3+ Kre4 46.Ld4+ Krf5 47.Kd3 Fd2! 48.Ld5+ Krf6 49. c4 Fd1+ 50.Kc1 Fg4 51.Ld2 Fxh4 52.Kd3 Fd4 53. Krc2 h4 54.Kxb4 Fb2+. 55. Krd1 Fb1+ 56. Kre2 Fe4+ 57. Krd1 h3 58.Kd3 Fh1+ 59. Kre2 59... h2 60.Kf2 Fg2. 61. Kre3 Kre7 62.Ld5 h1F 63.Kxh1 Fxa2! White resigned.

The variation we have considered can be characterized as the most acute even by the standards of such an opening as the Najdorf. Black, of course, has alternative paths, sometimes not so forced. As, for example, Topalov's plan with h5, aimed at preventing White's pawn advance on the kingside. Despite the failure, the plan chosen by Veselin has a lot of followers today.

Anand, Viswanathan (2799) - Topalov, Veselin (2780)

Corus Wijk aan Zee (8), 20.01.2008

1.e4 c5 2.TOf3 d6 3.d4 c: d4 4.TO: d4TOf6 5.TOc3 a6 6.FROMe3 e5 7.TOb3FROMe6 8.f3 h5 9.TOd5FROM: d5 10.e: d5TObd7 11.Fd2 g6 12.0-0-0TOb6 13.Fa5 13... FROMh6 14. FROM: h6L: h6 15.Crb1Lc8 16.Fb4 !?Crf8 17.c4Crg7 18.g3!Lh8 19. Lc1Fc7 20.FROMh3Lce8 21.Lhd1 21... Le7 22.a3 22... Ld8 23. TOd2TObd7 ?!23 ... e4! 24. Fc3 a5 25. FROM: d7 25... TO: d7 26.f4TOf6 27. Lf1 b6 28.h3Fd7 ?! 29.f5! 29... Lf8 30. Fe3 e4 31.g4 h: g4 32.h: g4Le5 33. Lf4! 33... Fd8 34.g5TOh5 35.f6 +Crg8 36.L: e4Lfe8 37.Cra2 a4 38.Lc3 38... Fc7 39.Fd4Fc5 40. F: c5 1–0

Also often encountered and is of great interest for Black is a plan with a quick implementation of b5 and the deployment of forces on the queenside, while not rushing into a short castling.

Leko, Peter (2753) - Anand, Viswanathan (2799)

Morelia / Linares 25th Morelia / Linares (5), 20.02.2008

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 c: d4 4.N: d4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Ce3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Qd2 Nbd7 9.f3 b5 10.0-0-0 Be7 11.Nd5 C : d5 12.e: d5 Nb6 13.C: b6 Q: b6 14.Na5 Rc8 15.Nc6 N: d5 16.K: e7 N: e7 17.Q: d6 Q: d6 18.R: d6 Nc6 19. c3 Ke7 20.Rd1 f5 21.Bd3 g6 22.Rhe1 Rhd8 23.Bf1 R: d1 + 24.R: d1 Na5 25.a4 Nc4 26.a: b5 a: b5 27.Rd5 Kf6 28.R: b5 Kg5 30. Ba6 Rd8 31.b4 Kf4? 32.Rc6 N: g2 33.b5 Ra8 34.Bb7? Rb8 35.Rc7 ?! Ne1 36.Rxh7 Nxf3 37.c4 e4 38.Kc2? e3 39.Kd3 g5 40.Ke2 Nd4 + 41.Ke1 Rd8 42.Re7 Nc2 + 43.Kf1 Rd1 + 44.Ke2 Rd2 + 45.Kf1 Nd4 0–1

Anand, Viswanathan (2792) - Morozevich, Alexander (2758)

World Championship Mexico City (11), 25.09.2007

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 c: d4 4.N: d4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Ce3 Nbd7 9.g4 Nb6 10.g5 Nh5 11.Qd2 Rc8 12.0– 0-0 Be7 13.Rg1 0-0 14.Kb1 Qc7 15.Qf2Nc4 16.B: c4 B: c4 17.Nd5 B: d5 18.R: d5 f5 19.g: f6 R: f6 20.Qe2 Nf4 21 .B: f4 R: f4 22.Rd3 Qd7 23.Nc1 Rcf8 24.a3! Kh8 25.Na2 Qh3 26.Rg3 Qh5 27.Qg2 Rh4 28.h3 Qh6 29.Rb3 b5 30.Nb4 Rh5 31.Qf1 Rh4 32.Qg2 Rh5 33.K: a6 Bh4 34.Rg4 Bf6 35.Qe2 R: h3 36 .R: b5 Bd8 37.Rb8 Qf6 38.Nb4 R: f3 39.Nd5 Qf7 40.Qa6 h5 41.Rg2 h4? 42.Q: d6 Be7 43.Q: e5 R: b8 44.Q: b8 + Kh7 45.Qc7 Bf8 46.Q: f7 R: f7 47.Rg4 Rf1 + 48.Ka2 Rh1 49.e5 Bc5 ?! 50.e6 Kh6 51.Rc4! h3 52.R: c5 h2 53.Ne3 Ra1 + 54.K: a1 h1Q + 55.Ka2 Qe4 56.Re5! 1-0

Solving tasks

To play the Najdorf Variation successfully, good tactical vision is essential. Therefore, in conclusion, I propose to solve a number of tactical exercises taken from modern grandmaster practice. Most of the positions are not overly difficult, but there are some that may require some serious thought. I did not specifically specify the task: a win or a draw, because in a tournament game no one will give a hint what exactly to look for.

1.B. Kg1 Qa3 Rd6 Rg3 Ne6, pn: b2, c4, f2, g2, h3

Ch.Kh8, Qe8, Ra8, Rd7, Be5, rp: a5, e4, f5, h7

White to move

2.B. Kp b1 Qg1 Rd1 Rh5 Bd3 Nb3 pn: a2, b2, c2, d5, f3

Ch.Kh7, Qd8, Rc8, Rf8, Bg5, Nc5, rp: a6, b5, d6, e5, f5, h6

White to move

3.B. Krs1 Qh8, Rd2 Cd6, pn: a3 c2 c4 f3 g2

Ch. Kd7, Qa4, Bf5, Nf6, Nf1 rp: a6 b7 e7

White to move

4.B. Kp c1, Qc3, Rd1, Rh1, Bb2, Ce4, Nf5 pn: a3, b4, c2, f3, g2

Ch.Kg8, Qa2, Ra8, Rc7, Bf7, Cg7, Nc4, pn: a6, b7, e7, f6, g5

White to move

5.B. Kp b2, Qd2, Rd1, Rg1, Cd4, Ne5 pn: c2, e4, f3, f5, h2

Ch.Kh8, Qb5, Rf8, Be7, Nc5, Kf6 rp: b4, f7, g7, h6

White to move

6.B. Kp b1, Rd1, Rh1, Bg2, Nc7 pn: a3, b2, g5, h2

Ch.Kg8, Ra8, Rf8, Nc5, rp: b3, d5, e6, g7, h7

Black to move

7.B. Kh3, Qd7, Re8 pn: a4, g3

Ch.Kr b6, Qf3, Rc2, Bg5 pn: a5, b3, d6, g7, h6

White to move

8.B. Kg1, Qe3, Rd1, Rf1, Cf3, Nc3, Kd4, pn: a4, b2, c2, e4, g2 h2

Ch.Kf8, Qc7, Ra8, Rh8 Bb7, Ne5, Kf6 rp: a6, b6, d6, f7, g6, h6

White to move

9.B. Kg1, Qd1, Ra1, Rf1, Cd4, pn: b2, b4, c5, d5, f2, g3

Ch.Kg8, Qh3, Re8, Re4, Nd7, rp: a6, b7, d6, f7, g7, h6

Black to move

10.B. Kg1, Qf2, Ce3, Cg2, Nc3 пп: a2, b2, c2, e4, g4, h3

Ch.Kg8, Qc7, Ra8, Rf8, Be6, rp: a6, b7, d6, f7, f6, h6