[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exercise Position"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D50"]
[Annotator "Teplitsky,Y"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{This game is dictated until 7th move of white...} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6
4. Nf3 c5 5. Bg5 cxd4 6. Nxd4 e5 7. Ndb5 {At this moment the trainee is
requested to evaluate 7...a6} a6 {The solution is as follows: At first it
seems like white can simply take the pawn on d5 with the knight and after 8...
ab5  9.Nf6+ gf6 10.Qd8 , 11.Bf6 and 12. Bh8.  However, upon further
examination one can see that black wins by playing} 8. Nxd5 axb5 9. Nxf6+ Qxf6
$1 10. Bxf6 Bb4+ 11. Qd2 Bxd2+ 12. Kxd2 gxf6 {and black is a piece up} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exercise Position"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "B66"]
[Annotator "Teplitsky,Y"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{This game is dictated until 10th move by black} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O h6 9. Bf4 Bd7 10. Bg3 {The
question now is whether it's good for black to play 10...b5} b5 {The solution:
in the original game black has thought that the following little combination}
11. Bxd6 Bxd6 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. Qxd6 Qxd6 14. Rxd6 Bxe4 15. Nxe4 Nxe4 {was not
very good for white since both Rd6 and pawn on f2 would be hanging, however he
had missed} 16. Rxa6 $1 {and after} Ke7 (16... Rxa6 17. Bxb5+ Ke7 18. Bxa6 Ra8
19. Bc4 {is winning for white}) 17. Bxb5 Nxf2 18. Re1 $1 {white's passing
pawns should prove decisive. (In fact, in the original position black should
simply play 10...Be7 )} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exercise Position"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Teplitsky,Y"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4r1k1/1q3p2/pp2r1pp/n2pP2n/PQpP4/B1P2PP1/3NR2P/4R1K1 b - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{Question: Evaluate the position after} 1... f5 2. exf6 Rxe2 3. Rxe2 Rxe2 4.
Qf8+ Kh7 5. f7 Nf6 6. Ne4 dxe4 7. Be7 exf3 {Solution: The last move by black
is quite unpleasant for white. Now, none of the following lines work} 8. Qxh6+
(8. Bxf6 $2 f2+ 9. Kf1 Qh1+ 10. Kxe2 f1=Q+ {and white gets mated}) (8. Qg7+
Kxg7 9. f8=Q+ Kh7 10. Qf7+ Kh8 11. Bxf6#) 8... Kxh6 9. f8=Q+ Kh7 10. Qf7+ Kh6 {
leads to a draw However, 8. Qg7+! Kg7 9.f8Q Kh7 10.Qf6 Kh8 11.Bf6 is winning} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exercise Position"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Teplitsky,Y"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r2rk1/pp2bpp1/4pn1p/qb1nN3/3P3B/PBN5/1PQ2PPP/3RR1K1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "5"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{Question: Find the best move for white  Solution:} 1. Bxf6 $1 Nxf6 (1... Bxf6
2. Bxd5 exd5 3. Ng4 Bg5 4. f4 Bxf4 5. Qf5 Bc7 (5... Bg5 6. Qxd5 a6 7. a4 {
leads to black losing material}) 6. Nxd5 Kh8 7. Nxh6 gxh6 8. Nf6 Kg7 9. Nh5+ {
and black is getting mated}) 2. Ng6 $1 fxg6 3. Rxe6 {and white has a huge
advantage} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exercise Position"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Teplitsky,Y"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r2rk1/pp2bp1p/1qb1pnp1/3nN1B1/3P4/P1NQ4/BP3PPP/2R2RK1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "11"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{Question: Find the strongest move for white  Solution:} 1. Bxd5 $1 exd5 2. Qf3
Qd8 3. Rfe1 Kg7 4. Ng4 Nxg4 5. Bxe7 Qd7 6. Bxf8+ {and white wins} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exercise Position"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Teplitsky,Y"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bq1rk1/pp4bp/2pp2p1/4n3/2P1BNn1/NQ4P1/PP1B1P1P/R4RK1 b - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "11"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{Question: Find the strongest move for black  Solution:} 1... Nd7 $3 2. Ne6 (2.
c5+ d5 3. Ne6 Qe7 4. Nxf8 Nxc5 5. Bb4 Nxb3 6. Bxe7 Nxa1 {with material
advantage for black}) (2. Bg2 Nc5 3. Qc2 Bf5 4. Qc1 g5 5. Nh5 Nd3 $17) (2. Bb4
Nc5 3. Bxc5 dxc5 4. Rad1 Qf6 $17) (2. Nd3 Nge5 3. Qc2 Nxd3 4. Bxd3 Nc5 $17)
2... Qe7 3. Nxf8 (3. Rae1 Qxe6 4. Bd5 cxd5 5. Rxe6 Nc5 {is good for black})
3... Nc5 4. Qd1 Qxe4 5. f3 Qd4+ 6. Kg2 Ne5 $17 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exercise Position"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Teplitsky,Y"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/1pPK3b/8/8/8/5k2/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "13"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{Question: White to move and draw  Solution: The beauty of this composition is
based upon "paradoxical logic". First of all, it is clear that any kind of
promotion of pawn-c  loses after Bf5+. The walk around with the king to a7 is
insufficient because when the king reaches a7, with the black bishop on b8,
black has b5 and the pawn is unstoppable.  1. Ke6 is insufficient due to 1...
Ke4/f4/g4. Therefore,} 1. Kc8 $3 b5 2. Kd7 b4 3. Kd6 Bf5 4. Ke5 Bc8 5. Kd4 Ba6
6. c8=Q Bxc8 7. Kc4 $11 {Beautiful composition!} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exercise Position"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Teplitsky,Y"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1b2rk1/p1p1qppp/2pb1n2/3p4/2P5/1PN1P3/PB2BPPP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{Here black played} 1... dxc4 $1 {Even though positionally this move may seem
somewhat dubious, it is pefectly justified tactically.} (1... Rd8 2. cxd5 Qe5
3. g3 Bh3 4. Re1 Bb4 5. Qc2 Bf5 6. Qc1 cxd5 7. Bf3 Qe7 8. a3 Ba5 9. b4 Bb6 10.
Nxd5 {would lead to clear advantage for white}) 2. bxc4 Rb8 $1 {White has to
be extremely careful now as there are several double attack possibilities in
the air...} 3. Qc1 ({For example:} 3. Rb1 $2 Rxb2 4. Rxb2 Qe5 {and black wins
two pieces for the rook}) 3... Ng4 4. g3 (4. Bxg4 Bxg4 5. Re1 Rb4 $1 {is very
unpleasant for white}) 4... Re8 (4... Nxh2 5. Kxh2 Qh4+ {leads to a draw, but
is already playing for more...}) 5. Nd1 (5. Bf3 Qf6 6. Bxg4 (6. Bg2 Qh6 7. h3
Ne5 {is simply bad for white}) 6... Bxg4 7. f3 Bh3 8. Rf2 Qg6 {and black has a
very strong attack}) {Here comes the question: Does 15...Nh2 win for black ?}
5... Nxh2 {Solution:} 6. c5 $1 (6. Kxh2 Qh4+ 7. Kg2 Qh3+ 8. Kg1 Bxg3 9. fxg3
Qxg3+ 10. Kh1 Re4 (10... Re6 $2 11. Bf6 $1) 11. Rf4 Bh3 {is obviously bad for
white}) 6... Nxf1 7. cxd6 Nxg3 $1 {The point of the combination!} 8. fxg3 Qxd6
9. Kf2 Qh6 {and white's position is hopeless} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exercise Position"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Teplitsky,Y"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r2rk1/1b2bpp1/p2ppn1p/1p5q/3NPP1B/PPN1R2Q/2P3PP/5R1K b - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "8"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{Question: Is it good for black to play 1...Rc3 ?  Solution:} 1... Rxc3 {For
every Sicilian player this move almost begs to be played} 2. Rxc3 Nxe4 {and it
seems like black has a multitude of threats in exchange for a tine material
disadvantage, however, after} 3. Rc7 $1 Nf2+ 4. Bxf2 Qxh3 5. Rxb7 {it turns
out that it is not possible to defend the bishop on e7 and thus whete obtains
more than sufficient compensation for the queen. Therefore, the correct move
in the original position is 1...Bd8 retaining all threats} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exercise Position"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Teplitsky,Y"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r4rk1/p4ppp/q1p1b3/b6Q/P1pP4/R5P1/1P3PBP/2B2RK1 b - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "22"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{Question: Is it good for black to play} 1... Rad8 {?} (1... Rab8 $1 {with the
idea of ecentual Rb3 would keep the position about equal}) {Solutions: This
move, as natural as it looks is actually a blunder due to} 2. g4 $1 {All white
pieces are playing together now} g6 (2... Rxd4 3. Rh3 h6 4. Bxh6 Rxg4 (4...
Bxg4 5. Qg5 $18) 5. Bxg7 $1 Rxg2+ 6. Kh1 $1 {and white wins}) 3. Qe5 $1 Bb6 (
3... Bd5 4. Qf6 $1 $18) 4. d5 $1 {sacrificing a pawn white deprives black of
the control of square d5 and gains an important tempo for the attack} Bxd5 (
4... cxd5 5. Bh6 f6 6. Qxe6+ {is losing for black}) (4... Rxd5 5. Bxd5 Bxd5 6.
Bh6 f6 7. Qe7 Rf7 8. Qe8+ Rf8 9. Qxf8#) 5. a5 $1 {another important detail} (5.
Bh6 f6 6. Bxd5+ cxd5 7. Qe6+ Rf7 8. a5 Bxf2+ {would be terrible for white})
5... Bc5 (5... Bxa5 6. Bh6 f6 7. Bxd5+ cxd5 8. Qe7 Rf7 9. Qxd8+ {is obviously
bad for black}) 6. Bh6 f6 7. Qc7 Bf7 8. Bxf8 Rxf8 9. Rh3 {white is clearly
better} Qc8 {black queen was too far from the battle} 10. Qf4 {of course white
has no need to trade queens} Be6 11. Re1 $1 Rf7 (11... Bxg4 12. Qxc4+) 12. Bf1
{and white has a large advantage} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exercise Position"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Teplitsky,Y"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6k1/5ppp/p7/8/4Bbb1/BP6/P2rrPPP/R3R1K1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{Question: Can white win by playing} 1. Bb4 Rxa2 2. Rxa2 Rxa2 3. Bf5 {? 
Solution:} Be2 {the only move} 4. Bb1 $1 (4. Bd3 a5 $1 5. Bc3 (5. Bc5 $2 Bd2)
5... Be5 $1 {a brilliant move that equalizes the game}) 4... Rb2 5. Bd3 {and
white wins} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exercise Position"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Teplitsky,Y"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "R7/6N1/8/4p3/4k3/6n1/7b/3K4 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{Question: White is to play and win  Solution:} 1. Ra2 Bg1 2. Rg2 Kf3 $1 3.
Rxg1 Kf2 4. Re1 e4 {How can white now untangle his pieces ?} 5. Ne6 $8 (5. Kd2
$2 e3+ $11) 5... e3 6. Nc5 $3 (6. Nf4 $2 e2+ $3 7. Nxe2 Nf1 $1 {and white
cannot avoid the perpetual}) 6... e2+ 7. Kd2 Nf1+ 8. Kc1 Kxe1 9. Nd3# *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exercise Position"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A29"]
[Annotator "Teplitsky,Y"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bg2 Be6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. O-O Nb6 8.
d3 Be7 9. a3 a5 10. Be3 O-O 11. Na4 Nxa4 12. Qxa4 Bd5 13. Rfc1 Re8 14. Rc2 Bf8
15. Rac1 Nb8 {[#]Question: How should white continue in this position ? 
Solution:} 16. Rxc7 $1 Bc6 17. R1xc6 $3 bxc6 (17... Nxc6 18. Rxb7 $16) 18. Rxf7
$3 {The idea of the combination.} h6 {it's obvious black could not take on f7}
19. Rb7 Qc8 20. Qc4+ Kh8 21. Nh4 {light squares belong to white!} Qxb7 22. Ng6+
Kh7 23. Be4 Bd6 24. Nxe5+ g6 25. Bxg6+ Kg7 26. Bxh6+ {and black resigned due to
} Kxh6 27. Qh4+ Kg7 28. Qh7+ *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exercise Position"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Teplitsky,Y"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "R7/6N1/8/4p3/4k3/6n1/7b/3K4 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{Question: White to play and win  Solution: The question looks very simple,
but it is extremely easy to be caught in a trap on move 7} 1. Ra2 Bg1 2. Rg2
Kf3 $1 3. Rxg1 Kf2 4. Re1 e4 {How can white now untangle his position ?} 5. Ne6
(5. Kd2 $2 e3+ $11) 5... e3 6. Nc5 $3 (6. Nf4 $2 {6.Nd4 would not make a
difference} e2+ 7. Nxe2 Nf1 $3 {and white has no way to avaoid a perpetual})
6... e2+ 7. Kd2 Nf1+ 8. Kc1 $1 Kxe1 9. Nd3# *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exercise Position"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Teplitsky,Y"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bn1rk1/5p1p/1qp2p1Q/ppb1pP2/3pP2N/P1NP2P1/BPP1K2P/R4R2 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "5"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{Question: White to play and win  Solution:} 1. Na4 $3 (1. Rf4 $4 exf4 2. gxf4
dxc3 $19) 1... bxa4 2. Rf4 exf4 3. gxf4 {and black has no way to avoid being
check mated    This of course is a very simple example, whcih nevertheless
illustrates the point made. 1.Na4 is the shortest way to the victory, however,
it is not clear at all how one could have included it in the list of candidate
moves without at least the most rudimentary calculation of 1.Rf4} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kasparov, Gary"]
[Black "Karpov, Anatoly"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Teplitsky,Y"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r3k1/pb1r1pp1/1pn2q1p/3B4/6Q1/P1N4P/1P3PP1/3RR1K1 b - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "8"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{Having accurately defended the position for most of the game, black now
played inexplicable} 1... Rcd8 $4 {and resigned after} 2. Qxd7 $1 Rxd7 3. Re8+
Kh7 4. Be4+ g6 5. Rxd7 {since the bishop cannot be saved} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Exercise Position"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Teplitsky,Y"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6k1/pp1r1ppp/4p3/6B1/3q4/8/PP3PPP/1B2Q1K1 b - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{Question: Black to play and win  Solution: White's scattered bishops along
with the weakness of the first rank seem to suggest there should be a forced
win in the position. However, all is not that simple.  The following moves
have been identified in the order of priority:    I. 1...Qd1  II. 1...Qb4  III.
1...Qa4  IV. 1...Qg4  V. 1...Qe5  and now we start the first stage of the
calculation:  I.   1...Qd1 2.Kf1 and now       (1) 2...Qg4  3.Bd2 Qc4  4.Qe2
and black has nothing       (2)  2...Qh5  3.Bd2              (a) 3...Qh2  4.
f3! Qh1+  5.Kf2 Qh4+  6.Kf1 Qc4+  7.Qe2;              (b)  3...Qb5+ 4. Kg1 Qb2
5. Be3 Qc3  6.Qf1;        (3)  2...Qa4  3.Bd2 Qb5+  4.Kg1 and on as in 2b   
In all of these lines black merely gains a second pawn without actually
achieving the desired result.    II.     1...Qb4 2. Qc1 Qc5 (2...Rc7 3. Qd1) 3.
Bc2 Rc7 4.Qd2! f6 5.Bb3! and black gains nothing    III.    1...Qa4 2.Bd2 and
black has nothing (of course not 2.b3?? Qa5 and white loses)    IV.    1...Qg4
2.Bd2;    V. 1...Qe5 2. Be3    The first stage of calculations yields nothing..
..If black were to suffer from a lack of time, he would probably have to
adjust the priorities and settle upon winning a second pawn. Fortunately, in
the game black had enough time and thus, decided to check out some additional
moves. The idea now became to change the construction, setting the queen
behind the rook. Therefore, the new additions to the list included:     I' 1...
Qd1 2.Kf1 Qa4 3.Bd2 Rd6;  II' 3...Rd5;  III' 3...Rd4;  IV' 1...Qa4 2.Bd2 Rd6; 
V' 2...Rd5;  VI' 2...Rd4;  VII' 1...Qd1 2.Kf1 Qh5 3.Bd2 Qb5 4.Kg1Rd6;  VIII' 4.
..Rd5  IX' 4...Rd4 (in all cases black has a threat of Qd7)    The first three
alternatives have been quickly rejected due to 4.Qe2, the last three due to 5.
Bc3 and the other cases were as follows:    IV' 1...Qa4 2.Bd2 Rd6 3.Qe2! Qd7 4.
Be1! and white has defended everything    V' 2...Rd5 3. Be4!, followed by Bf3 
(3...Re5 loses to 4...Bh7+)    VI' 3...Rd4 2. Qe2! Qd7 (2...Qa6 3. Qe3) 3.Be1;
It is not clear how black can achieve anything in any of these lines... What
now then ?  Fold the calculation and revise the priorities ? Fortunately,
black's intuition refused to accept the fact that black how nothing and,
therefore, black decided to have one last look at the position...and suffenly
saw} 1... Qa4 2. Bd2 Rd6 $3 3. Qe2 Qd4 $3 {The idea of coming back with the
queen is far from obvious. It was hardly possible to find this move not having
first spent considerable amount of time finding the best ways to atack for
black and defend for white!} 4. Be1 (4. Qb5 Rd8 5. Be1 Qd1 6. Qa5 b6 {and
black wins}) 4... Qd1 5. Qe4 f5 *

[Event "Chicago op"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Shulman, Yuri"]
[Black "Bluvshtein, Mark"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D34"]
[Annotator "Bluvshtein,M"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. d4 e6 {This move keeps many options open, like the Dutch, Benoni, Old
Indian, Queen's Gambit, and the Nimzo Indian. While it gives white the option
of playing the French, which I am never scared of.} 2. c4 d5 {Well, I have
always played the Nimzo before, but now, I thought I should give this opening
a good test.} 3. Nf3 c5 {Against a GM like this, I didn't want to play
something boring, which will in the end get on my nerves, and it would be
harder for me to see his best, so I decided to play one of the sharpest
openings I know, the Tarasch!} 4. cxd5 exd5 5. g3 {Well, the tarasch, a very
interesting and sharp opening. This is the early g3 line, usually Nc3 is
played first, to keep some options such as Bg5 open, but this just transposes
into the 2 main lines.} Nc6 6. Bg2 Nf6 7. O-O Be7 8. Nc3 O-O 9. Bg5 c4 {Well,
there is also the line with cxd4 followed by h6, but this keeps the intensity
alive.} 10. Ne5 Be6 {This is the main position of the Tarasch, there is 3 good
moves here for white. Those moves are: f4, Nxc6 , and e3. My opponent in round
one played e3, but didn't survive for long. Most popular line is 11.Nxc6 bxc6
12.b3 Qa5 13.Na4 and there are many continuations there. One of the biggest
Tarasch experts in the world, IM Halkias, who is just under 2600, showed me
this opening more carefully, and I realized that this opening is way too
underrated.} 11. f4 {This is the 2nd most popular continuation in that
position, but this line is quite unclear, with pretty much only one normal and
forced continuation, which was played in the game.} Ng4 {Here there is 2 lines,
the best line for white is what was played in the game, and the 2nd line is
the following: 12.Bxe7 Nxe7 13.Nxg4 Bxg4 14.Qd2 f5. That line is just about
equal, and it looks very drawish there, I have seen Lawrence Day play that
line in Toronto.} 12. Nxg4 (12. Bxe7 Nxe7 13. Nxg4 Bxg4 14. Qd2 f5) 12... Bxg4
{Here, white could of also played Bxe7, transposing into a line shown earlier.}
13. Bxd5 Bxg5 14. fxg5 Qxg5 {Now my opening was pretty much over, as I didn't
know anymore theory. I decided to understand this position very carefully here.
This position was played many times, but I found an idea that was never played
before, and I think it's a good one. Well, White has more space, the open
f-file, weak pawns to atack, and active pieces. Black though, has some good
potential for an attack, good chances to break the strong white center, a
safer king, and maybe even some tempos to win. But really this all came down
to pure calculation.} 15. Rf4 {Well, this is the only rook, now the rook
controls much of the 4th rank, defends the d4 pawn, and now helps double up on
the f-file.} Rad8 {Right now, black really isn't attacking anything, as Bg4 is
always hanging. Well, here, if white tries to go the easy way, and plays: 16.
Bxc6 bxc6 , that position really isn't better for white, the pawn structure
for black really isn't that bad, you see, the white squares beside the king
are then weakened, the d4 pawn and the b2 pawn will then get into some trouble,
and the knight really doesn't have a good outpost as a square, well, nowhere
it can go, going to c5 doesn't work because then the e2 pawn is then really
weak as well. But this move, is actually not the most played move, Be6 is,
where white just goes back to g2 with the Bishop, then Kh1 Qg1 and many
interesting plans for both colours, but I think white has a slight advantage.}
16. Qd2 (16. Bxc6 bxc6 17. Ne4 Qh5) 16... Bh3 {Well, I call this my novelty,
the other 2 moves played in this position are h6, with the idea of defending
the queen in many variations, and h5, attacking defending the Bishop. But
during the game, I considered those 2 other moves, and didn't really like them,
well, you see actually, in almost every line, you get an endgame, if your king
is safe enough. The move in the game, also forces white play e4, as he has no
choice, while h5 weakens the king and the white squares too much. Actually,
Bc8 brought exactly the same positions.} (16... Bc8) (16... h6) (16... h5) 17.
e4 Be6 {Well, now the pure calculation comes. Here we both calculated until
move 26. Was hard to go any further.} 18. Raf1 (18. Bxe6 Nxd4 $19) (18. Rd1 {
Might of been more safe, but less forced.} Bxd5 19. Nxd5 Rfe8 (19... f5 $3 {
Best and pretty much the only move.} 20. Qc1 b5 21. a4 a6 22. b3 Rfe8 23. bxc4
Rxe4 24. Rxe4 Qxc1 25. Rxc1 fxe4 26. cxb5 Nxd4 27. Ne7+ Kf8 28. Nc6 Nxc6 29.
bxc6 Ke7 30. Kf2 Rc8 31. Ke3 Kd6 32. Kxe4 Rxc6 33. Rxc6+ Kxc6 {With a dead
draw, of course this is not forced though, but I think all lines are pretty
much drawn. White though, is always trying to win, and is never worse.}) 20.
Qc3 Qg6 21. Qf3 $14) (18. Bxc6 $2 {The is no point in this move, it just
weakens the d4 pawn way too much, and now it isn't even passed, because of the
c6 pawn. The doubled pawns in this position don't cause any harm, as they can
always be deffended,  they stop other pawns from moving, and most important,
they are in the center.}) 18... Bxd5 19. Nxd5 Rfe8 {Now putting pressure on
the e4 pawn, while white will try to mate me.} 20. Qc3 {This is a lot more
forces then the interesting Qf2. Well, now the calculation is all that's left,
and the time on the clock is running down.} (20. Qf2 f6 $13 {Very unclear here,
too hard to judge.}) 20... Qg6 21. Qxc4 Rxe4 22. Rxf7 Qe6 {He might of
actually missed this move, as he got confused here... and had wasted quite
some time in this positon, but this is just a critical position in the game.}
23. Qb3 (23. R7f5 g6 24. Nf6+ Kg7 25. Qxe6 (25. Nh5+ gxh5 26. Qxe6 Rxe6 27. d5
Re2 28. Rf7+ Kg8 29. dxc6 bxc6 30. R7f2 Rdd2 $11) 25... Rxe6 $11) (23. Qb5 b6 {
And nowhere really to go for white. while black is just pressuring.}) 23... Re2
$3 {An excellent move, which is easy to miss, b6 is the first move that come
into your mind, sometimes even the last. But now if he takes on b7, I have a
perpetual. so, well he has to bring his queen back.} (23... b6 24. Qf3 $1 h6
25. Nc7 {Black is in big trouble, without any counterplay.}) 24. Qf3 h6 {Have
to give the king a square.} 25. Rf8+ {The rook already had no point to stay on
the board, white needs to ease up the game, because it's getting dangerous for
them, the pieces aren't coordinated.} (25. Nc7 Nxd4 (25... Qe3+ 26. Qxe3 Rxe3
27. d5 Ne5 (27... Re7 28. Rxe7 Nxe7 29. Ne6 Rd6 30. Rf8+ Kh7 31. Rf7 Nxd5 32.
Nxg7 Rb6) 28. Rxg7+ $18) (25... Qc4 $3 26. d5 Ne5 27. Rf8+ Kh7 (27... Rxf8 28.
Qxf8+ Kh7 29. Ne6 Qg4 30. Qe7 Re3 {As I said it's really tought to win, this
was the best option for white though, but this is impossible to calculate
during the game, especially with the time we had left.} 31. Nf8+) 28. Qf5+ g6
29. Qf7+ Nxf7 30. R1xf7#) 26. Rf8+ Kh7 27. Qd3+ $18) 25... Rxf8 26. Qxf8+ Kh7
27. Qf3 {Now it is a draw, in any way, either by taking on d4 right now, and
then exchanging queens with Qe4, or the text.} Rxb2 28. Qd3+ Qg6 {Forcing to
echange queens.} (28... Kg8 29. Nf4 {With a slight advantage for white,
because the black king is now opened up, and the past white pawn is very
important.}) 29. Qxg6+ Kxg6 30. Nf4+ Kh7 31. d5 $2 {Rd1 was more accurate but
still a draw.} Ne5 32. Rf2 Rb1+ 33. Kg2 g5 34. Re2 {No point to play the game,
3 on 3 is forced.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chicago op"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Bluvshtein, Mark"]
[Black "Fishbein, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E94"]
[Annotator "Bluvshtein,M"]
[PlyCount "157"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 {Well, now I was sure black was going to play either the
Grunfeld, or the King's Indian. At this point I decided to play some more
moves, to see where he is heading.} 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 {Here I was sure that
this was going to be a king's Indian, I usually play Be2 and Bg5 at those
positions, but instead I decided to use one of my backups, the main line.} 5.
Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O c6 {This move I haven't seen in a while, and I was
very happy to see it again, as this variation doesn't really give black any
space to breath.} 8. d5 {Well, I usually play Be3 in those positions, but I
took this game as an exception, as I needed to win, and I I feel very
comfortable in the positions after d5.} Na6 9. Be3 Ng4 10. Bg5 f6 11. Bh4 {
Well, this is a sharp little line, where things might end up going tempo by
tempo, but I think white has a slight advantage here. My dark bishop looks
very stupid on h4, but it is quite good there, as it stops f5, and it will
always get out with f3, as well, as it helps out with the defense of the king.
I really don't think GM's are dangerous, especially when you have the position
you like.} Nh6 12. Nd2 $6 {Well, I like the move Ne1 a lot more, but that's
just my opinion. This move is closing the queen a little, and if the knight
gets to d3 it is a lot more valuable, as it doesn't block the b-file, as it
does when it goes to b3, where it has to go later on in this game.} c5 {Black
is here trying to block the Queen Side, and then create play on the King Side,
but it's not all that easy, as the Queen side always has lots of play on it.}
13. a3 {Preparing b4, althought it is not possible yet, as black just takes
the pawn and runs.} Qe8 $6 {This is not such a good move, but it was once
played by a good player. Black is of course trying to play f5, but the move
Qd7 was better, as it doesn't weaken d6. Now the next tactic works.} 14. b4 $1
{Why waste a tempo? I didn't find an answer to that question. of course now
white has no threat, but white just wants to play Nb3 and trade some pieces. I
consider this position, as good for white, with a reliable advantage.} f5 {Of
course black needs to try something to open the game up, and this is the only
way, as g5 weakens the pawn too much, and then the white squares will never be
regained.} (14... cxb4 15. axb4 Nxb4 16. Nb5) 15. Nb3 {I am now of course
threatening to just trade everything I can on c5, and then kill black with my
dangerous passed pawn, he can't give me that. As well, if black tries to take
the e4 pawn at any time, the white knight will get to e4 and that is just the
best spot for the white knight at any point, where is blocks the dark squared
black bishop.} b6 (15... cxb4 16. axb4 Nxb4 17. Nb5 Qd7 18. c5 Na6 19. c6 $3
bxc6 20. dxc6 Qxc6 {With a great advantage for white, probably just winning,
as the black queen is just wondering around.} 21. Na5 Qxe4 22. Be7 $18) 16.
bxc5 Nxc5 (16... bxc5 {If black takes with the pawn, then the 2 knights will
get on b5 and a5 and black will be in a deep hole, trying to defend the whole
game.} 17. Na5 $18) 17. Nxc5 bxc5 18. f3 (18. Rb1 $1 {This move would be
better, as I just wasted time, a whole tempo.}) 18... Bf6 {I actually like
this idea for black, because here, black should realize that his dark squared
bishop is never getting out, so exchange it! He also had the idea of
challenging me for the open file, but that is just playing for a draw, which
will be pretty hard to get. Right now here are the limits: Black gets kingside,
White gets Queen side. That might change though.} 19. Bxf6 {There was really
no point to keep my bishops alive with Bf2, because then his bishop really
does get out.} Rxf6 20. Rb1 {I am now fighting for the open file. Playing on
the Kingside is not good for me.} Bd7 {He needs to put his Bishop somewhere,
as the Queen needs to go to c8, help to push to g4, and bother a little on the
Queenside.} 21. Qd2 {I now just want him to block the Kingside, then I want to
tripple up on the B-file, and then of course, race for it!} f4 22. Rb7 {My
rook might look good there, but there really is no point for now, my white
squared bishop is the only weakness in my position, what do you think I should
do with it? Well, I need to exchange it, but not right away, right now I need
to tripple up. Then just wait for the perfect moment to exchange the bishop,
by bringning the Bishop to a4.} Qc8 {This move is to avoid the scary Nb5, and
then my knight gets through his wall.} 23. Rfb1 g5 {Here, white's position is
clearly better, and Rock solid, I needed to take a risk here, by playing 24.
Bd1!!! A great move, followed by the exchange of the bishops.} 24. Nd1 $2 (24.
Bd1 Rf7 (24... g4 25. Qf2 $1 $18 {This is an amazing move, transposing the
Queen to the Kingside, as the black king start feeling pretty uncomfortable.})
(24... Rf8 25. Ba4 Bxa4 26. Nxa4 g4 27. Qe2 $18 {Black really has no play!!!
Those are just some variations proving it.}) 25. Qb2 Qf8 (25... Rf8 26. Ba4 $18
) 26. Rb8 Rxb8 27. Qxb8 Bc8 28. Qa8 $18 {Winning advantage.}) (24. Qb2 {This
is not so good, as the queen finds itself being misplaced afterwards.} Rf8 25.
Bd1 g4 26. fxg4) 24... Qd8 {This was the time to react, go right back to c3
with the knight! And black has to play Qc8, so to prevent Nb5.} 25. Nf2 {It is
very tough for white to break through the brick wall, especially with the
light pieces defending the king for no reason. I don't know why, but I was
always scared of g4 in the game. Although I knew there was nothing there, I
still was.} Rf8 26. g4 $2 {After outplaying my opponent in the opening stage
of the game, I am outplaying myself in the middle part.} (26. Bd3 Bc8 27. R7b5
Ba6 28. R5b3 {With full equality.}) 26... Nf7 27. Nd1 {I am trying to go back
with the Knight, now not being scared of the pawn breakthrough, although now
his pawn breakthrough is actually scarier then before!} Bc8 {I don't believe
white can be any better here, I could of just went back with the rook, and
then just stand, but I then have absolutely have no play at all, The way I
played is much better of course.} 28. Rb8 {I need to exchange a pair of rooks,
to ease up the position, but now he is the one with the initiative.} Rxb8 29.
Rxb8 Qc7 30. Qb2 Ba6 {Here, I thought for quite a long while, and I just kept
on thinking, and just I just came to a conclusion that the best I can get is a
draw, and the way I get it is by trading off the pieces, because then the
position is just blocked.} 31. Rxf8+ Kxf8 32. Nc3 Nd8 {This move is trying to
bring the Knight to B7 and then out to a5 to pressure on the weak c4 pawn.} 33.
Nb5 $1 {Great move, just throwing the knight at him, and blocking the whole
game right away.} Qb6 34. a4 $1 {I cannot exchange pieces and give him the
passed pawn, because then his pieces will break through, and slowly take my
pawns.} Nb7 35. Qd2 {Now a5 is my clear threat, then grabbing d6, and h4 is
also a small threat, after which I will always be able to take the h4 pawn,
either with the queen, or with the help of the king.} Bxb5 36. axb5 {He got
tired of my annoying knight, and his pointless bishop.Now black wants to just
Exchange queens, and bring the king to b4 as soon as possible. Black will
always have time to trade his a pawn, maybe by gaining a tempo later in the
game.} Ke7 (36... Ke8 37. h4 gxh4 38. Qe1 Qd8 39. Kh2 Na5 40. Kh3) (36... Qa5
37. Qxa5 Nxa5 38. Kf2 Ke7 39. Ke1 Kd8 40. Kd2 Kc7 41. Kc3 $11) 37. h4 $3 Qa5 (
37... gxh4 38. Qe1 $18) (37... h6 38. hxg5 hxg5 39. Bf1 $14) 38. Qxa5 Nxa5 39.
hxg5 {Now this endgame, is good for any level, this lasted for many many more
moves. First just give your opinion of who is better here, why, and then prove
it to your computer software:)} Kf7 40. Kg2 Kg6 41. Kh2 Kxg5 42. Kh3 Nb3 43.
Kh2 Kh4 44. Kg2 Nc1 45. Bf1 Na2 46. Bd3 Nc3 47. Bc2 h6 48. Bb3 Nb1 49. Bc2 Nd2
50. Bd3 Nb3 51. Be2 Na5 52. Bd3 Nb7 53. Bf1 Nd8 54. Kf2 Nf7 55. Bg2 Ng5 56. Bf1
h5 57. gxh5 Kxh5 58. Bg2 Kg6 59. Ke2 Kf6 60. Kd2 Ke7 61. Kc2 Kd8 62. Kb3 Kc7
63. Ka3 Kb6 64. Ka4 a6 65. bxa6 Kxa6 66. Kb3 Ka5 67. Ka3 Nh7 68. Bh3 Nf6 69.
Bg2 Nh5 70. Bf1 Ng3 71. Bd3 Nh1 72. Be2 Nf2 73. Kb3 Nh3 74. Ka3 Ng5 75. Kb3 Nh7
76. Bf1 Nf8 77. Bh3 Ng6 78. Bg2 Nh8 79. Bh3 {My best endgame ever played, well
defended, but boring like hell. It feels very good though, when you get a draw
from a GM, and when you know you deserve it.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chicago op"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.05.24"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kaidanov, Gregory"]
[Black "Onischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E28"]
[Annotator "Bluvshtein,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 d6 7. Ne2 e5 8. Ng3
Re8 9. Bd3 e4 10. Bb1 b6 11. f3 Ba6 12. fxe4 Bxc4 13. Qf3 Nbd7 14. Ra2 Bxa2 15.
Bxa2 Nf8 16. O-O Ng6 17. Bd2 Qd7 18. Nf5 Qd8 19. e5 dxe5 20. e4 exd4 21. Nxg7
Ne5 22. Qh3 dxc3 23. Bxc3 Kxg7 24. Qg3+ Ng6 25. Bxf6+ Qxf6 26. Rxf6 Kxf6 27. h4
Re5 28. Qf3+ Kg7 29. h5 f6 30. hxg6 hxg6 31. Qd3 Rae8 32. Qc4 R5e7 33. Qc6 Rxe4
34. Qxc7+ R8e7 35. Qb8 Kh6 36. Qf8+ Kg5 37. Bf7 Rc7 38. Qg7 Rc1+ 39. Kf2 Rc2+
40. Kf3 Rf4+ 41. Ke3 1-0

[Event "London"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1922.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Capablanca, Jose Raul"]
[Black "Vidmar, Milan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1b2rk1/pp1nqppp/2p1p3/3n4/2BP4/2N1PN2/PPQ2PPP/2R1K2R w K - 0 11"]
[PlyCount "29"]
[EventDate "1922.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

11. O-O {What does this QGD position have to do with Slav Exchange? This game
is a great illustration of how important it is for Black to have his knight on
c6, blocking the 'c' file. With the knight on d7 and bishop on c8 the same
structure leads to a rather depressing defeat for Black.} b6 {?! This allows
White to transform the structure in his favour.} 12. Nxd5 {!} cxd5 (12... exd5
{%15N #B(8/8/8/8/8/8/8/8) #S(8/7AX/2AX5/8/8/8/8/8) #C(8/8/8/8/8/8/8/8) #F(8/8/
8/8/8/8/8/8)} 13. Bd3) 13. Bd3 h6 14. Qc7 Qb4 15. a3 Qa4 (15... Qxb2 {does not
help very much} 16. Rb1 Qxa3 17. Bb5 Qe7 18. Ne5 Rd8 19. Nc6) 16. h3 Nf6 17.
Ne5 Bd7 18. Bc2 Qb5 19. a4 Qxb2 20. Nxd7 Rac8 21. Qb7 Nxd7 22. Bh7+ Kxh7 23.
Rxc8 Rxc8 24. Qxc8 Nf6 25. Rc1 {and White won.} 1-0

[Event "Leipzig ol"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1960.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Tarnowski, A."]
[Black "Botvinnik, Mikhail"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2rq1rk1/pp2bppp/4p3/3pB3/3P2P1/7P/PP2PPK1/2RQ1R2 b - - 0 16"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[EventDate "1960.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{This position arose from the Catalan Opening. Most likely, White was playing
for a draw, but despite simplifications Botvinnik manages to outplay his less
experienced opponent.} 16... Qa5 17. Qb3 {Black's advantage consists of more
active position of the queen and the fact that the White has a bad bishop.} b5
{intending Rc4} 18. Rxc8 Rxc8 19. a3 Rc4 20. Rd1 Qb6 21. Rd2 Qc6 22. e3 a5 23.
Bg3 Rc1 {total domination!} 24. f3 f6 25. Bf2 Qc4 26. Qd3 a4 27. e4 Qxd3 28.
Rxd3 b4 29. axb4 Bxb4 {Now the 'b2' pawn is doomed.} 30. exd5 exd5 31. Re3 Rc2
0-1

[Event "DE BL"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?.2"]
[White "Huebner, Robert"]
[Black "Georgiev, Kiril"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D13"]
[WhiteElo "2600"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{Often it is hard to for any side to dominate on the 'c' file completely. Then
it becomes important who gains initiative after exchanges take place on that
file.} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 a6 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Bf4 Nc6 7. e3 Bg4
{here the bishop is going to occupy a good position; in some situations Black
might willingly exchange on f3.} 8. Bd3 {perhaps, too optimistic, as later the
bishop has to go back to e2} e6 9. h3 Bh5 10. Rc1 Bd6 11. Bxd6 Qxd6 {the Black
queen is going to occupy a very good position here, eyeing 'b4'.} 12. O-O O-O
13. Be2 Rac8 (13... Rfc8 {?  %15LD(a4:b6) D(a8) D(c8)} 14. Na4) 14. Ne1 (14.
Nd2 Bxe2 15. Qxe2 Qb4) (14. a3 {%15D(c4)} Na5) 14... Bxe2 15. Qxe2 Nd7 {The
black knights are in fact more active than White's; a7-a6 in this position is
a useful advance, as the white knight cannot be safely posted on c5.} 16. Nd3
Nb4 17. Nxb4 (17. a3 Nxd3 18. Qxd3 b5 19. Rc2 Rc4 (19... Nb6) 20. Rfc1 Rfc8)
17... Qxb4 18. Nb1 Qa5 19. b3 ({if White plays} 19. a3 {, Black might be able
to exploit this weakness with  %15LD(b6:c4)} Nb6) 19... Rc7 20. Rc2 Rfc8 21.
Rfc1 $17 {White is able to maintain pressure on the c file, but this allows
the Black queen to invade. Rxc2 22.Rxc2 Rxc2 23.Qxc2 Qe1+ 24.Kh2 g6 25.Nc3 Nf6
26.g3 Qf1 27.Qe2 Qc1 {of course, Black wants to keep queens on, as his queen
is more active [that's his only advantage, but a serious one]  Na4  Ne4  Kg2} (
{Nd1  Ne4} 21. f3 {Nd6}) 21... b5 {Qb2  ?} () {f3  Nxg3  Kxg3  bxa4  Kg2  axb3}
22. Qe1 (22. Qe1 $19 {Nc3  Nd2  g4  Qf1+  Kh2  Qxf2+}) 0-1

[Event "Oakham"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Hauchard, A."]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2420"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r2rk1/1p3ppp/p1nqpn2/3p4/3P4/2N1PB1P/PP3PP1/2RQ1RK1 w - - 0 14"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "1992.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

14. Na4 {White begins the march of the knight to c5, while Black starts
doubling rooks on the 'c' file. Whose plan is going to prove more effective?}
Rc7 15. Nc5 Rfc8 16. Nd3 {Removing a strong knight from c5 seems to be a shy
decision. If White was worried about e6-e5 break, there was a way to prevent
it without leaving c5 with the knight. ? !} (16. Qa4 {QUIZ: can black play
e6-e5? ! ?} e5 {?} (16... Nd7 {!?}) 17. Nxb7 {!} Rxb7 18. dxe5 Qxe5 19. Rxc6
Rxc6 20. Qxc6 Rxb2 21. Bxd5 {!} Rd2 22. Bb3 $16) 16... Nb4 {compare to
Huebner-Georgiev.} 17. Rxc7 Rxc7 18. a3 Nxd3 19. Qxd3 Qc6 20. Rb1 Qc2 {
everything is done according to classical rules: possession of a file leads to
an invasion on the second rank.} 21. Qxc2 Rxc2 22. Bd1 Rd2 23. Rc1 ({there is
no time to attack the rook with the king:} 23. Kf1 Ne4 24. f3 Ng3+ 25. Kg1 Nf5
$19) 23... g5 24. b4 (24. Bc2 Ne4 (24... Kg7 {!?} 25. Kf1 Ne4 26. Bxe4 dxe4)
25. Bxe4 dxe4 26. b4 Ra2 27. Rc3 Kg7 {with some drawing chances for White})
24... Ra2 25. Bf3 Rxa3 26. b5 axb5 27. Rc7 Ra1+ 28. Kh2 Rf1 29. Rxb7 Rxf2 (
29... Rb1 {!?}) 30. Rxb5 {Black won a pawn and his pieces are still more
active.} Rd2 31. Kg1 h5 32. g4 hxg4 33. hxg4 Kg7 34. Rb1 Kg6 35. Re1 Ne4 36.
Re2 Rd3 37. Bxe4+ dxe4 38. Kf2 f5 39. Ra2 f4 40. Re2 fxe3+ 41. Rxe3 Rxd4 42.
Ra3 Kf6 0-1

[Event "Moscow Wch"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1961.??.??"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Botvinnik, Mikhail"]
[Black "Tal, Mikhail"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D14"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "1961.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{Capablanca beat Lasker in this opening in 1924 battle of titans, and Alekhine
defeated Euwe with it in 1938, but Mikhail Botvinnik was perhaps the only WC
to use Slav Exchange repeatedly throughout his career. His positional
understanding allowed him to win in Slav Exchange against such opponents as
Tal and Smyslov. In total between 1945 and 1967 Botvinnik scored 6/8 points in
this opening as White, with 4 wins and 4 draws.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 d5
4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Bf5 7. e3 e6 8. Bb5 Bb4 9. Ne5 Qa5 10. Bxc6+
bxc6 11. O-O Bxc3 12. bxc3 Qxc3 {Black even succeeded in winning the 'c3' pawn,
but he still has some difficulties, as he is behind in development. As White
regains the c6 pawn, he will also be able to put pressure on the 'a7' pawn.
%08DA} 13. Qc1 {!} Qxc1 14. Rfxc1 O-O 15. f3 {No hurry to regain the pawn! It
is more important to deprive the Black knight of the 'e4' square.} h6 16. Nxc6
Rfe8 17. a4 Nd7 18. Bd6 Nb6 19. Bc5 Bd3 20. Nxa7 Rxa7 21. Bxb6 Ra6 22. a5 {
White has won the pawn and later succeeded in converting his advantage in to a
full point.} Bc4 23. Ra3 f6 24. e4 Kf7 25. Kf2 Raa8 26. Ke3 Reb8 27. Rac3 Rc8
28. g4 Rab8 29. h4 Rc6 30. h5 Rbc8 31. e5 g6 32. hxg6+ Kxg6 33. R3c2 fxe5 34.
dxe5 Rh8 35. Rh2 Rcc8 36. Kd2 Bb3 37. a6 Bc4 38. a7 Rh7 39. Ra1 Ra8 40. Be3 Rb7
41. Rxh6+ Kg7 42. Rah1 Rb2+ 1-0

[Event "SU ch"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1979.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kasparov, Gary"]
[Black "Dolmatov, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D14"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "1979.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 cxd5 {in his young years the future world champion
mainly played 1.d4, and, as we can see, sometimes was looking for an opening
advantage in such systems as Slav Exchange.} 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Bf5
7. e3 e6 8. Bb5 Bd6 {? !} ({practice has shown that} 8... Nd7 {is best}) 9. Ne5
Rc8 10. Bxc6+ {%15D(a7) D(c6)} bxc6 11. O-O O-O 12. Rc1 Qe7 13. Na4 Bxe5 (13...
c5 {?} 14. dxc5 Bxc5 15. Nxc5 Rxc5 16. Nc6 {!}) 14. Bxe5 Nd7 15. Nc5 {White
managed to fix the backward pawn on c6, so he has an advantage. %08DA} f6 16.
Bg3 e5 17. Qd2 Nb6 (17... Nxc5 18. Rxc5 exd4 19. Qxd4) 18. b3 e4 {Black
decides to close the center to get a free hand on the kingside.} 19. Na6 h5 20.
Qb4 Qb7 21. Nc5 Qe7 22. a4 g5 23. a5 Na8 24. Na6 Qe8 25. Rc2 h4 26. Bd6 Rf7 27.
Rfc1 Rg7 28. Nb8 {Kasparov's pieces are dominating the queenside. As described
by Bronstein, the weakness of dark squares is also ... the weakness of light
squares because once White occupied dark squares, Black's pieces on light
squares are under heavy attack.} Bd7 {%15D(a7) D(c6)} 29. Qb7 {both the c6
pawn and a8 knight are doomed even though they are on light squares.} Kh7 (
29... h3) 30. Qxa8 {? !} (30. b4 {!} Qe6 31. Nxd7 Rd8 32. Nxf6+ Qxf6 33. Be5
Qxe5 34. Qxa8 {(Kasparov)}) 30... Qe6 31. Qxa7 Qxd6 32. Nxd7 Rxd7 33. Qb6 {
White won a pawn and 'c6' is still a major weakness. Kasparov later won the
game after some complications.} 1-0

[Event "Niksic"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1983.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Andersson, Ulf"]
[Black "Gligoric, Svetozar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D14"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "1983.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Bf5 7. e3 e6 8. Ne5
{Another way of putting pressure on the 'c6' knight.} Nd7 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Rc1
Be7 11. Be2 O-O 12. O-O c5 {! ?} 13. Nb5 a6 (13... Qb6 14. Bc7 Qc6 15. dxc5
Nxc5 16. Ba5 Rab8 17. Nd4 Qa8 18. b4 Ne4 19. Nc6 Rbe8 20. f3) 14. Nd6 Bg6 15.
dxc5 Nxc5 16. Rxc5 Bxd6 17. Bxd6 Qxd6 {Black emerged with a central pawn
majority, but White has hopes for initiative due to his possession of the 'c'
file.} 18. Qd4 Rfd8 19. Rfc1 ({%15LI(c5:d5) LI(d1:d5) LI(d4:d5) A(d5)} 19. Rd1
{!}) 19... e5 20. Qd2 d4 {!? Gligoric correctly believes that his central
passed pawn which is supported by all his pieces should provide sufficient
counterplay and sacrifices the 'a6' pawn. %08DA} 21. Rc6 Qe7 22. Rxa6 Rab8 23.
exd4 exd4 24. Ra3 (24. Bf3 Qb4 25. Qxb4 Rxb4 26. Rd6 Re8 27. a3 Rc4 28. Ra1 d3
29. b4 $14) 24... Qb4 25. Rd1 (25. Qxb4 Rxb4 26. b3 {was better}) 25... d3 26.
Qxb4 Rxb4 27. f3 Kf8 28. Rdxd3 (28. Bxd3 Rbd4) 28... Bxd3 29. Bxd3 Rxb2 30. h4
h5 31. Kh2 g6 32. Kh3 Rd4 33. Be4 Rdd2 {and Black eventually won} 0-1

[Event "Manila ol"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Wojtkiewicz, Alexander"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D13"]
[WhiteElo "2495"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "1992.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 c6 3. c4 Nf6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 a6 7. Ne5 Qb6 8.
Nxc6 bxc6 {As compensation for backward 'c' pawn Black has play on the 'b'
file and his center is now stronger.} 9. Qd2 {The White queen is not placed
very well here, threats of Bb4 and Ne4 can be annoying.} Bf5 10. f3 {White has
to play this move} (10. e3 e6 11. Be2 {%15LD(f6:e4)} Bb4 12. f3) 10... e6 11.
e3 {?! this seems to be too slow} ({better was} 11. Rc1 {!? threatening Na4-Nc5
} Nd7 12. e4 Bg6) 11... Nd7 12. Rc1 Be7 13. Be2 O-O 14. O-O Rfc8 15. a3 Qb7 {
Black has taken all the possible preparatory measures, and now he is planning
to gain initiative with c6-c5} 16. Na4 c5 17. dxc5 Bxc5 18. Nxc5 Nxc5 {%08DA}
19. Qb4 {Nb3 was a threat.} Qxb4 20. axb4 Nd3 21. Rxc8+ Rxc8 22. Bxd3 Bxd3 23.
Rd1 $17 {Black controls the 'c' file and White's 'b' pawns are weak.} Bb5 24.
Be5 Rc2 25. Bc3 f6 26. Rd2 Rc1+ 27. Kf2 Kf7 28. g4 Bc4 29. f4 Kg6 30. Kg2 h5
31. h3 h4 32. Kf3 Bb3 33. e4 Rf1+ 34. Ke3 dxe4 35. Rf2 Rh1 36. Kxe4 Rxh3 37.
Bd2 Rg3 38. g5 Bd5+ 39. Kd4 Kf5 40. gxf6 gxf6 0-1

[Event "Ramat Gan IL ch"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Milov, Vadim"]
[Black "Porper, E."]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r3brk1/1p2bppp/p1n1pn2/q2pN3/3P1B2/2NBP2P/PP3PP1/2RQ1RK1 w - - 0 13"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "1992.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

{White has an advantage, as the Black bishop is on e8.} 13. Bg5 Kh8 14. Bb1 {
Qd3 is coming, so to avoid weakening his kingside pawn formation Black plays}
Ng8 15. Bxe7 Ngxe7 16. Nd3 {as soon as the dark squared bishops exchanged
White switches his attention to the black holes in opponent's queenside. The
formation of pawns on a6-b7 makes the invasion of a knight to c5 particularly
annoying.} Ng6 17. a3 Qd8 18. Qe2 Na5 19. Nc5 Qe7 20. Ba2 b5 21. e4 {An
example of transformation of positional advantage! While in other examples
this break serves to attack the Black king which is stuck in the center, here
Milov wants to open the game in order to exploit the weakness of Black's
queenside and the fact that Black's pieces are passive.} dxe4 22. b4 Nc6 23. d5
exd5 24. Nxd5 Qe5 25. Qxe4 Qxe4 26. Nxe4 Nd4 27. Kh2 Rd8 28. Rfd1 Ne2 29. Rc2
Nef4 30. Rcd2 Ne6 31. Nb6 Rxd2 32. Rxd2 Bc6 33. Bxe6 Bxe4 34. Bc8 {reveals the
positional idea behind the tactical complications.} Bc6 35. Rd6 Ne7 36. Bxa6 g6
37. Nc8 Nxc8 38. Rxc6 Ne7 39. Rc7 Nd5 40. Rc5 {Both pawns fell like leaves in
fall.} 1-0

[Event "Isle of Man"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Milov, Vadim"]
[Black "Sadler, Mathew"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2590"]
[BlackElo "2560"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r2qk2r/pp1n1p2/2n1p3/1B1p1b2/3P2pb/1QN1P1B1/PP1N1PP1/R4RK1 w kq - 0 15"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

15. Ne2 {White tries to transfer some pieces to the defence of the kingside}
Qa5 {? !} 16. e4 {!} Qxd2 (16... dxe4 17. Nc4 {!} Bxg3 (17... Qd8 {%15A(d6) I
(e6) D(f5)} 18. d5 {!}) 18. Qxg3 {with great initiative on the dark squares})
17. exf5 Bxg3 18. Nxg3 Qxd4 19. Rfe1 {This is the point of the combination:
the black king is still in the center. An extra pawn does not save Black's
army which is scattered across the board.} Kd8 20. fxe6 fxe6 21. Rxe6 Kc7 22.
Rd1 Nc5 23. Rxd4 Nxb3 24. Rxd5 Nbd4 25. Re4 Nxb5 26. Rxb5 Rad8 27. Re1 Rd2 28.
Ne4 Re8 29. Re3 Rc2 30. a4 Re7 31. Nf6 Rxe3 32. Nd5+ Kc8 33. Nxe3 {and White
won the ending} 1-0

[Event "Groningen Festival"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1998.12.23"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Milov, Vadim"]
[Black "Piket, Jeroen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D13"]
[WhiteElo "2640"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bf4 Nc6 6. Nf3 a6 7. Rc1 Bf5 8. e3
e6 9. Qb3 Ra7 {This idea that has been used in other openings recently became
popular in ...a6 variations of Slav.} 10. Be2 Nd7 11. O-O Be7 12. Na4 g5 {
Piket decides to complicate the game} 13. Be5 Rg8 14. Bg3 h5 15. Nc5 {!} Nxc5 (
{there is no time for} 15... h4 16. Nxb7 Qa8 17. Nd6+ Kf8 18. Nxf5 exf5 19.
Qxd5) 16. dxc5 h4 17. Bd6 Bg4 (17... Bxd6 18. cxd6 Qxd6 19. Qb6 {with a
disaster on the dark squares - there is no good way of meeting Rxc6}) 18. h3
Bxf3 19. Bxf3 {? !} f5 {this move seems to be the only way to continue the
offensive on the kingside, but Black's pieces prove to be too passive for this
aggressive thrust to be successful. Milov finds a very elegant refutation.} 20.
Bh5+ Kf8 {%08DA} 21. e4 {!} Bxd6 (21... fxe4 22. f3) 22. cxd6 Qxd6 23. exf5
exf5 24. Rfd1 Ne7 25. Bf3 Rg6 26. Bxd5 Qb6 27. Qc3 Qf6 28. Qc7 {White is again
exploiting the unfortunate position of the 'a7' rook.} Ra8 29. Bxb7 Re8 30. b4
Qb6 ({Black's major strategic idea does not work here:} 30... g4 31. hxg4 fxg4
32. Rc4) 31. a3 {and White later converted his material advantage to a full
point.} 1-0

[Event "Monarch Assurance 9th"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2000.10.18"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Allen, K."]
[Black "Volkov, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D13"]
[WhiteElo "2278"]
[BlackElo "2554"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2000.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Nh5 7. Be5 {
Botvinnik pointed out that this square is the best for the bishop.} e6 8. e3
Be7 9. Bd3 O-O 10. Rc1 Bd7 11. O-O f6 12. Bg3 ({critical was} 12. Ng5 Qe8 {! ?}
(12... g6 13. Nxh7 fxe5 14. Bxg6 Nf6 15. Nxf8) (12... fxe5 13. Bxh7+ {!} Kh8
14. Nf7+ {!} Rxf7 15. Qxh5 $18) 13. Nxh7 fxe5 14. Nxf8 Bxf8 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16.
Be2 Nf6 {with a good position for Black}) (12. Bxh7+ {?} Kxh7 13. Ng5+ fxg5 14.
Qxh5+ Kg8) 12... Be8 13. a3 g5 14. Qc2 {losing control over d4} (14. e4 {!?
seems to be strategically correct. Here however, the Black king is safe, as
the bishop on e8 can cover up the light squares.} dxe4 (14... Bf7 {is also
possible, which only emphasizes that Black's position is rock solid.}) 15. Bxe4
Nxg3 16. hxg3 f5 17. Bxc6 Bxc6 18. Re1) 14... Kg7 15. Na4 (15. Bxh7 {?} f5)
15... g4 16. Nd2 Nxg3 17. hxg3 Bd6 {Black is now better, due to his space
advantage on the kingside, and the possibility of attack with h7-h5-h4, and
Rh8. If White attempts to open up the center, then Black's two bishops are
going to gain power. White's play on the 'c' file is rather slow here.} 18. Nc5
Qe7 19. Be2 h5 20. b4 f5 21. Nd3 h4 22. Nf4 Rh8 23. Rfd1 Qf6 24. Nb3 b6 25. Qd2
Ne7 26. Rc3 Ba4 27. Ba6 Kf7 28. Rdc1 {All the invasion squares on the 'c' file
are covered. Having missed a chance to open the center, White is just waiting
for Black's attack to come.} Qh6 {Black starts the decisive offensive.} 29. Qd3
(29. gxh4 Qxh4 30. Kf1 Bxf4 31. exf4 Qh1+ 32. Ke2 Qxg2) 29... hxg3 30. fxg3
Qh2+ 31. Kf2 Rh3 {!} 32. Nxh3 Bxg3+ 33. Ke2 gxh3 34. e4 hxg2 0-1

[Event "DE BL"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1999.??.??"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Votava, J."]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D13"]
[WhiteElo "2545"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "1999.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. d4 d5 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Nh5 7. Bd2 (7. Be5
{! ?}) 7... e6 8. e3 Bd6 9. Rc1 O-O 10. Be2 Nf6 11. O-O Ne4 12. Be1 f5 {Both
sides have a bishop behind the pawn chain, but Black firmly controls e4.} 13.
Nd2 Qf6 {with the idea of Qh6. ! ?} 14. Ndxe4 fxe4 15. f4 Bd7 16. g3 Kh8 17. h4
{? !} h6 18. Kg2 g5 {!? interesting sacrifice.} 19. fxg5 Qg7 20. Nb5 Be7 (20...
Bb8 {?} 21. Rxf8+) 21. gxh6 Qxh6 22. Bf2 (22. Rxf8+ Rxf8 23. Qd2 Rg8 24. Bf2 a6
25. Nc3) 22... a6 23. Nc3 Bd6 24. Na4 {? Ignoring Black's powerful threat.} (
24. Qe1 {%15LD(a8:f8)} Rg8 {and Black has certain compensation}) 24... Rxf2+
25. Rxf2 (25. Kxf2 Bxg3+ 26. Kg2 Bxh4 27. Bg4 Rg8 28. Nb6 {%15LD(e8:h5)} Be8 {!
} 29. Rh1 Qg5) 25... Bxg3 26. Rf7 (26. Kxg3 Rg8+ 27. Bg4 Qxe3+ $19) 26... Rg8
27. Rxd7 Qxh4 {An energetic attack by Morozevich!} 0-1

[Event "FR ch tt"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Vaisser, Anatoly"]
[Black "Collin, D."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2575"]
[BlackElo "2285"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Bf4 a6 6. e3 e6 7. Bd3 Be7 8. Rc1
O-O 9. g4 {The fact that the 'c8' bishop is staying behind the pawn chain, and
that Black did spend time on 'a7-a6', allows Vaisser to start his favourite
plan in Exchange Slav - pawn storm on the kingside.} Nc6 10. g5 Nd7 11. Nf3 Re8
12. h4 Nf8 ({%15LD(e8:e5) LA(e6:e5) LD(c3:d5) LI(b4:e1) A(c3) it was necessary
to continue with the idea of Black's last move - e6-e5 push. Just as in other
examples, the most logical response to flank pawn storm is opening the center.
} 12... Bb4 13. O-O (13. Qc2 Nf8 14. h5 f5 15. gxf6 Qxf6 16. Rg1 {Neven}) 13...
e5 14. dxe5 Bxc3 15. Rxc3 Ndxe5 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. Bc2 Bh3 18. Bxe5 Rxe5 19. Re1
{?} Rxg5+ $19) 13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. Bxe5 Bd7 15. Rg1 Rc8 16. Qh5 Ng6 17. Qg4 Bf8
18. f4 b5 19. h5 Nxe5 20. fxe5 g6 21. Rh1 Re7 22. Rc2 Be8 23. a3 a5 {%08DA} 24.
e4 {White is using the passive placement of Black's pieces. Black cannot take
on e4 because then Nxe4 seems to be devastating. Meanwhile 25.exd5 exd5 26.
Nxd5 is a threat.} Qb6 (24... dxe4 25. Nxe4 Rxc2 26. Nf6+ Kg7 (26... Kh8 27.
Bxc2 Qa8 28. Rh2 a4 29. hxg6 fxg6 30. Qxe6) 27. hxg6 Rc1+ 28. Qd1 {!}) 25. exd5
exd5 26. Nxd5 Rxc2 27. Bxc2 Qc6 28. Nxe7+ Bxe7 29. Rh2 b4 30. hxg6 b3 31. Qh3
Bxg5 32. Qxh7+ Kf8 33. g7+ Ke7 34. g8=Q 1-0

[Event "New York"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1916.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Janowski, David"]
[Black "Capablanca, Jose Raul"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D10"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "1916.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 Bf5 5. Qb3 Qb6 6. Qxb6 axb6 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Nxd5 cxd5 9. e3 Nc6 10. Bd2 {%08DA} Bd7 {This manoeuvre did draw a lot of
attention at the time.} 11. Be2 e6 12. O-O Bd6 13. Rfc1 Ke7 14. Bc3 Rhc8 15. a3
{?} Na5 16. Nd2 f5 17. g3 b5 18. f3 {%15N LA4(c8:c3) LA4(a8:a3) LC5(b5:c4) #B
(8/8/8/8/8/8/8/8) #S(8/8/8/8/2DX5/8/8/8) #C(8/8/8/8/8/8/8/8) #F(8/8/8/8/8/8/8/
8)} Nc4 $15 {Black has accomplished his goals, the unfortunate advance a2-a3
makes the knight on 'c4' particularly annoying.} 19. Bxc4 bxc4 20. e4 Kf7 21.
e5 {? a serious positional mistake, now Black can advance pawns on both flanks;
for White it is very hard to create any constructive plan.} ({commentators
later found that much better was} 21. exd5 exd5 {%15N LA4(d2:f3) LA4(f3:e5) #B
(8/8/8/8/8/8/8/8) #S(8/8/8/8/8/8/8/8) #C(8/8/8/8/8/8/8/8) #F(8/8/8/8/8/8/8/8)}
22. f4 $10 {- it was necessary to obtain a central outpost for the knight.})
21... Be7 22. f4 b5 23. Kf2 Ra4 24. Ke3 Rca8 25. Rab1 h6 26. Nf3 g5 {
Capablanca plays very energetically and combines threats on both flanks; the
bishops from d7 and e7 are able to exert pressure on both the kingside and the
queenside.} 27. Ne1 Rg8 28. Kf3 gxf4 29. gxf4 Raa8 30. Ng2 Rg4 31. Rg1 Rag8 32.
Be1 b4 33. axb4 Ba4 34. Ra1 Bc2 35. Bg3 Be4+ 36. Kf2 h5 37. Ra7 Bxg2 38. Rxg2
h4 39. Bxh4 Rxg2+ 40. Kf3 Rxh2 41. Bxe7 Rh3+ 42. Kf2 Rb3 43. Bg5+ Kg6 44. Re7
Rxb2+ 45. Kf3 Ra8 46. Rxe6+ Kh7 0-1

[Event "Moscow SU ch"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1945.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ratner, B."]
[Black "Romanovsky, P."]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1b1k2r/pp3ppp/2n1p3/3p4/1b1PnB2/1PN1PN2/1P3PPP/2R1KB1R w Kkq - 0 11"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[EventDate "1945.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

11. Bb5 Bd7 {Black manages to prove that without active play the 'b' pawns are
a burden for White.} 12. O-O {?! White also makes a mistake of removing his
king from the center.} (12. Ke2 {! ?}) 12... Ke7 {!} 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Bxc6
Bxc6 15. Ne5 Rhc8 16. Rc4 {Exchanging on c6 would not really allow White to
solve all his problems.} (16. Nxc6+ Rxc6 17. Rxc6 bxc6 18. Rc1 Kd7 19. Kf1 Bd6
20. Bxd6 Kxd6 21. Ke2 Rb8 22. Rc3 Rb5 23. Kd2 c5 24. dxc5+ Rxc5 25. Rxc5 Kxc5
26. Kc3 a5 27. h3 g5 $17) 16... Bd6 17. Rfc1 ({after} 17. Nxc6+ Rxc6 18. Rxc6
bxc6 19. Bxd6+ {%15N #B(8/8/8/8/8/8/8/8) #S(8/8/3AS4/8/8/8/8/6AS1) #C(8/8/8/8/
8/8/8/8) #F(8/8/8/8/8/8/8/8)} Kxd6 $15 {Black is slightly better due to a
better position of his king. A possible continuation:} 20. Rc1 Rb8 21. Rc3 Rb5
22. Kf1 c5 23. dxc5+ Rxc5 24. Rxc5 Kxc5 25. Ke2 Kb4 26. Kd2 Kxb3 27. Kc1 f5)
17... Bxe5 18. Bxe5 f6 19. Bf4 Rd8 20. Rc5 Rd7 21. b4 a6 22. h4 h6 23. Kf1 g5 {
Black has a "qualitative" pawn superiority on the kingside: he can advance
pawns, and White cannot.} 24. Bg3 Rg8 25. Kg1 Rgd8 26. Kf1 Rd5 27. Kg1 Rf8 28.
Kf1 Kd7 29. Kg1 Rf7 30. Kf1 f5 31. hxg5 hxg5 32. Be5 Bb5+ 33. Kg1 Rxc5 34. dxc5
Kc6 35. Rd1 Bd3 {The black king threatens to invade via the weak light squares.
} 36. f3 Kd5 37. Bc3 e5 38. fxe4+ Kxe4 39. Bxe5 Kxe3 40. Re1+ Be2 {!} 41. Rc1
f4 42. c6 bxc6 43. Rxc6 Ke4 44. Rf6 Re7 45. Bd6 Rd7 46. Kf2 Bb5 47. Kg1 Kd5 48.
Bb8 Rd8 49. Bc7 Rd7 50. Bb8 Rb7 51. Bd6 Bd3 52. g3 Rd7 53. Bb8 Rd8 54. Bc7 Rc8
55. Bd6 Rc1+ 56. Kh2 f3 57. Bc5 (57. Rxf3 Be4 58. Rf6 Rh1#) 57... Ke5 58. Rf8
g4 {After long manoeuvres Black's advantage has taken a clear shape: the
doubled pawns on the queenside are useless, whereas the f3-g4 pawns represent
great force.} 59. Re8+ Kf5 60. Rf8+ Ke6 61. Bf2 Rf1 62. Bd4 Be4 63. Bg1 Rb1 64.
Re8+ Kf5 65. Rf8+ Kg6 66. Bf2 Rxb2 67. Kg1 Rb1+ 68. Kh2 Rf1 69. Bg1 Bf5 70. Bd4
f2 71. Kg2 Rd1 72. Rf6+ Kg5 73. Rxf5+ Kxf5 74. Bxf2 Ke4 75. Bc5 Rd2+ 76. Kf1
Kf3 77. Ke1 Rd7 78. Bf2 Rd5 79. Kf1 Rd1+ 0-1

[Event "Warsaw"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1947.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gligoric, Svetozar"]
[Black "Sajtar, J."]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r3k2r/1p1nbppp/1pn1p3/1B1p1b2/3P1B2/2N1PN2/PP2KPPP/R6R w kq - 0 12"]
[PlyCount "25"]
[EventDate "1947.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

12. Ne5 Ndxe5 13. Bxe5 f6 14. Bc7 Bd8 15. Bg3 Kd7 (15... Kf7 16. Rhc1 Rc8) 16.
Rhc1 Bc7 17. Bxc7 Kxc7 18. b4 Bg6 19. Kd2 Ra7 {?} (19... Rac8 20. a3 $14) 20.
Bxc6 Kxc6 (20... bxc6 21. Nb5+) 21. a4 Raa8 22. Nb5+ Kd7 23. Rc7+ Kd8 24. Rxb7
1-0

[Event "CS ch tt"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Matlak, M."]
[Black "Dreev, Alexey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2465"]
[BlackElo "2650"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. e3 a6 7. Ne5 e6 8. f4 {
White secured the 'e5' outpost at the cost of shutting down the poor bishop on
'c1' ? !} Bd6 9. Bd3 Ne7 10. O-O b5 11. Bd2 Bb7 12. Rc1 O-O 13. Bb1 (13. Qe2 {
followed by Be1 and Bh4 was possible, probably with equal chances.}) 13... Rc8
14. Qe2 Rc7 15. Nd1 Rxc1 16. Bxc1 {the bishop is badly placed here} Ne4 17. Nf2
Qa5 18. Nf3 f6 19. Nd3 b4 {with a very good idea of making the light squared
bishop alive. !} 20. Bd2 Qb6 21. Rc1 {%15LD(b7:a6) LD(a6:e2)} a5 22. Nf2 Ba6
23. Bd3 Bxd3 {%15D(d2) I(d4) D(d5) A(d6) I(e3) D(e6) I(f4)} 24. Nxd3 {now
White is left with his bad bishop against Black's good one} Qa6 25. Kf1 Nf5 {
total domination!! %08DA} 26. Ke1 Qb6 {with the White king in the center,
Black does not want to trade queens anymore.} 27. Nf2 Bb8 28. Nxe4 dxe4 29. Ng1
{an exchange of the pair of knights does not help White with his stalemated
pieces.  %15LD(f5:e7) LD(e7:d5) I(b4) I(c3) I(d5) I(e3) I(f4)} Ne7 {!} 30. Qc4
Rc8 31. Qb3 Rxc1+ 32. Bxc1 {%15LD(c6:c1)} Qc6 33. Ne2 Nd5 {Here the knight is
ideally placed, putting pressure on e3 and blocking the a2-g8 diagonal.} 34.
Kd1 Kf7 35. Qc2 Qxc2+ 36. Kxc2 a4 37. Ng3 f5 38. Nf1 Kg6 39. Kd1 (39. Nd2 Nxe3+
) 39... Kh5 40. Ke2 g5 41. g3 gxf4 42. gxf4 Kg4 43. Kf2 Kh3 44. Kg1 Bd6 45. Bd2
b3 46. axb3 axb3 47. Ba5 Nf6 (47... Ba3 48. bxa3 b2 49. Nd2) 48. Kf2 Nd5 49.
Ke2 h5 50. Kf2 Nf6 51. Nd2 Kxh2 52. Bd8 Ng4+ 53. Ke2 Kg3 54. Nxb3 h4 55. Bxh4+
Kxh4 56. Nc5 Nf6 57. Nxe6 Nd5 58. Nd8 Kh5 59. Nf7 Bc7 {Black won due to his
superior positional skills; without committing any obvious mistakes White
spent almost the entire game in passive defence.} 0-1

[Event "Las Palmas"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Ubilava, E."]
[Black "Sarmiento, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bqk2r/pp4bp/2n1ppp1/3p4/3P4/2NBPNP1/PP3PP1/R2QK2R w KQkq - 0 12"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

12. Rxh7 {!} Rxh7 13. Bxg6+ Kf8 14. Bxh7 f5 15. Nh4 Qg5 16. Ng6+ Kf7 17. Nf4
Ne7 18. Nb5 Qh6 19. Nd6+ Kf8 20. Qa4 1-0

[Event "Sochi jr"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1980.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Andrianov, N."]
[Black "Imanaliev, T."]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r3kb1r/pp1n1pp1/1qn1p1p1/1B1p4/Q2P1B2/2N1P3/PP3PPP/R3K2R w KQkq - 0 12"]
[PlyCount "15"]
[EventDate "1980.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

12. e4 dxe4 (12... Bb4 13. exd5 exd5 14. O-O Bxc3 15. bxc3 O-O 16. Rab1 $16)
13. d5 Nc5 (13... exd5 14. Nxd5) 14. dxc6 {!} bxc6 15. Bxc6+ Ke7 16. O-O-O Nxa4
17. Rd7+ Ke8 18. Bxa4 Be7 19. Rxa7+ 1-0

[Event "Brussels WC"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1988.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Seirawan, Yasser"]
[Black "Beliavsky, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2595"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2rq4/p3bk2/2p1pp2/3p3r/N2Pb1p1/4P1B1/PP1Q1PP1/2R1RK2 b - - 0 21"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "1988.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

21... Bf3 {!!} 0-1

[Event "Copenhagen op"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Maksimenko, A."]
[Black "Schneider, S."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2525"]
[BlackElo "2210"]
[Annotator "Jiganchine,R"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2rq1rk1/1p1bbppp/p3pn2/1n1pN3/3P1B2/2NBP2Q/PP3PPP/2R2RK1 w - - 0 14"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

14. Nxd5 {!} exd5 15. Nxd7 g6 (15... Qxd7 16. Bxh7+ Kh8 17. Bf5+ $18) 16. Nxf8
Rxc1 17. Rxc1 Bxf8 18. Rc8 1-0

[Event "Vancouver op"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.03.02"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Harper, Bruce"]
[Black "Yousefzadeh, Mehrdad"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A00"]
[Annotator "Harper,B"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. g3 d5 2. Bg2 Nf6 3. d3 Bf5 4. Nd2 e6 5. e4 Bg6 6. Nh3 (6. Qe2 Nc6) 6... h6 (
6... c6 7. Qe2 Bc5) 7. O-O Bc5 8. Kh1 c6 9. Qe2 O-O 10. f4 (10. Nf4 Bh7 11. e5
Nfd7 12. Nf3) 10... Re8 11. Bf3 dxe4 12. dxe4 Nbd7 13. Nf2 (13. Qg2) 13... Qc7
14. Nd3 Bf8 15. b3 e5 16. Qg2 (16. f5 Bxf5) 16... Rad8 17. Bb2 b5 18. Rad1 Bd6
19. f5 Bh7 20. g4 g5 21. fxg6 Bxg6 22. Qh3 Kg7 23. Bg2 c5 24. c4 a6 25. Rfe1
Nf8 26. Qg3 Ne6 27. Bxe5 (27. cxb5 axb5 28. a4) 27... Bxe5 28. Nxe5 Ng5 29.
Nxg6 Qxg3 30. hxg3 fxg6 31. cxb5 axb5 32. a4 bxa4 33. bxa4 Nfxe4 34. Nxe4 Rxd1
35. Rxd1 Nxe4 36. Rd7+ Kf6 37. a5 Ke6 38. Rg7 Kf6 39. Rc7 Nf2+ 40. Kg1 Nxg4 41.
Bb7 Re1+ 42. Kg2 c4 43. a6 Ra1 44. Kf3 h5 45. Ke4 Ne5 46. Kd4 g5 47. Rh7 h4 48.
gxh4 gxh4 49. Rxh4 Nd7 (49... Rxa6 50. Bxa6 (50. Rh6+) 50... Nf3+) 50. Rh8 Ke6
51. Bd5+ Kd6 52. Rh6+ Kc7 53. Bxc4 Rd1+ 54. Ke3 Ra1 55. Rh7 Kc6 56. Be2 Ra3+
57. Kf2 Kd6 58. Rh6+ Kc7 59. Bb5 Ra5 60. Rc6+ Kb8 61. Be2 Nc5 62. Ke3 Ka7 63.
Kd4 Nxa6 64. Rxa6+ Rxa6 65. Bxa6 Kxa6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Vancouver op"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.03.01"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Goutor, Valentina"]
[Black "Harper, Bruce"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B06"]
[Annotator "Harper,B"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 d6 3. Nc3 a6 4. Be2 Bg7 5. Nf3 b5 6. a3 Bb7 7. O-O Nd7 8. Be3 e6
(8... Ngf6 9. e5 Nd5 10. e6 fxe6 11. Ng5 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Bd5 13. Bg4 Nf8 14. Bf3
Bc4 15. Bxa8 Qxa8 16. Re1 h6) 9. Qd2 Ngf6 10. Bd3 (10. d5 exd5 11. exd5 O-O 12.
Ng5 Nb6 13. Bxb6 cxb6 14. f4 Rc8 15. Rf2 Rxc3 16. Qxc3 h6) 10... O-O 11. Bh6 (
11. Bg5) 11... e5 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. d5 c6 14. dxc6 Bxc6 15. Rad1 Nc5 16. Rfe1
Qc7 (16... Qe7) 17. Qe2 Rfe8 18. Nd2 Rad8 19. Nb3 Nxb3 20. cxb3 d5 21. exd5
Nxd5 22. Nxd5 Bxd5 23. Bc2 Qc6 24. f3 f6 25. Rd2 Bf7 26. Red1 Rxd2 27. Rxd2 Rd8
28. Rxd8 Qb6+ 29. Kh1 Qxd8 30. b4 Qd4 31. Be4 Bc4 32. Qc2 f5 33. b3 (33. Bb7
Qb6 34. Ba8 Qa7 35. Bc6 Qc7 36. Bd5) 33... fxe4 34. bxc4 Qa1+ 0-1

[Event "Vancouver op"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.03.02"]
[Round "3"]
[White "McLaren, Sean"]
[Black "Harper, Bruce"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B06"]
[Annotator "Harper,B"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 d6 3. Bd3 Nc6 4. c3 e5 5. Ne2 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. f3 O-O (7... d5)
8. O-O d5 9. Nd2 dxe4 10. Nxe4 Nd5 11. Bf2 exd4 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. cxd4 b6 (
13... Nf4 14. Bc4 Be6 15. Rc1 Bxc4 16. Rxc4 f5) 14. Qd2 Bb7 15. Rfd1 Re8 16.
Rac1 Qd7 17. Bc4 Rac8 (17... c6) 18. Bh4 Qf5 19. Qg5 Qxg5 20. Bxg5 Kf8 (20...
h6 21. Bxd5 Bxd5 22. Nf6+ (22. Bxh6 Bxh6 23. Nf6+ Kf8 24. Nxd5 Bxc1) 22... Bxf6
23. Bxf6) 21. Bxd5 Bxd5 22. Nc3 c6 23. Bf4 Red8 24. Be5 f6 25. Bf4 Re8 (25...
Bf7) 26. Kf2 Kf7 27. Rc2 Bf8 28. Rdc1 Be6 29. Ne4 Bf5 30. Rxc6 Rxc6 31. Rxc6
Bxe4 32. fxe4 Rxe4 33. Kf3 Re7 (33... Rxd4 34. Rc7+ Ke6) 34. Bd6 Rd7 35. Bxf8
Kxf8 36. Rxf6+ Ke7 37. Rf4 Rc7 38. Re4+ Kd6 39. Re2 Kd5 40. Rd2 Rf7+ 41. Kg4
Rf5 42. g3 b5 43. h3 a5 44. b3 h6 45. a3 Ke4 46. h4 (46. d5 Rg5+ 47. Kh4 Kf3
48. g4 Rh5+ 49. gxh5 g5#) 46... h5+ 47. Kh3 Rd5 48. Rc2 Kxd4 (48... Rxd4) 49.
Rc6 g5 50. hxg5 Rxg5 51. a4 b4 52. Rb6 Kc3 53. Rb5 Rxb5 54. axb5 a4 55. b6 axb3
56. b7 b2 57. b8=Q b1=Q 58. Qe5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Vancouver op"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.03.03"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Daswani, Ben"]
[Black "Harper, Bruce"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A42"]
[Annotator "Harper,B"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. d4 g6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 Nd7 5. Be3 e5 6. d5 Ne7 7. Bd3 O-O 8. Nge2
f5 9. f3 Nf6 10. Qd2 c5 11. O-O-O a6 12. h4 Bd7 13. Kb1 Qa5 (13... b5) 14. exf5
gxf5 15. Ne4 Qxd2 16. Nxf6+ Bxf6 17. Bxd2 b5 18. Rdg1 Rab8 19. b3 e4 20. fxe4
fxe4 21. Bxe4 bxc4 22. Kc2 cxb3+ (22... a5) 23. axb3 Be5 (23... c4 24. bxc4
Rfc8 25. Kd3 Rxc4 26. Kxc4 Bb5+) 24. Rf1 Bb5 25. Rxf8+ Rxf8 26. Nc3 Nf5 27.
Nxb5 axb5 28. Kd3 Nd4 29. b4 Ra8 30. Ke3 Ra3+ 31. Kf2 Ra2 (31... Bg3+ 32. Kf1
Ra1+ 33. Bb1 Rxb1+ 34. Be1 Rxe1#) 32. Ke3 Nb3 33. Rd1 (33. Be1) 33... Bd4+ 34.
Ke2 Bc3 35. bxc5 Nxd2 36. Ke3 Nxe4 37. Kxe4 dxc5 38. d6 Rd2 39. Rc1 b4 0-1

[Event "Vancouver op"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.03.03"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Harper, Bruce"]
[Black "Fekete, Charles"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B45"]
[Annotator "Harper,B"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Ndb5 Bb4 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8.
Nxc3 a6 (8... d5) 9. Qd6 Qe7 10. Bf4 O-O 11. Qxe7 Nxe7 12. Bd6 Re8 13. f3 Nc6
14. O-O-O b5 15. Be2 e5 16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. Rxd5 Nd4 18. Bd1 f6 19. c3 Ne6 20. b4
Bb7 21. Rd2 Rac8 22. Kb2 Bc6 23. Bb3 Kh8 24. Rhd1 g5 25. Bc5 Nxc5 26. bxc5 Re7
27. Rd6 Kg7 28. Bd5 Rc7 29. Bxc6 dxc6 30. Rd8 Kf7 31. R1d6 Kg7 32. Ra8 Kf7 33.
Rxa6 Re6 34. Kb3 Ke7 35. Rd2 Kf7 36. Kb4 Ree7 37. Ka5 Red7 38. Rxd7+ Rxd7 39.
Rxc6 Rd2 40. Rd6 Rxg2 41. c6 Ke7 42. Rd3 1-0

[Event "Nykobing Morso Inv."]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.12.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Sokolov, Andrei"]
[Black "Berg, Klaus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2512"]
[BlackElo "2401"]
[Annotator "Sokolov,A"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. c4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 $5 {Of course, it's
normal, and very popular variation but I never played this line earlier!} e6 7.
f3 Bb4 8. Nxc4 $5 {Once again - this move is very well known but the main line
here is 8.e4} (8. e4 Bxe4 9. fxe4 Nxe4 10. Bd2 Qxd4 11. Nxe4 Qxe4+ 12. Qe2
Bxd2+ 13. Kxd2 {Lots of top GMs were choosing this line, for instance, I found
9 Kramnik's games with white pieces. The result is +6=3! Unfortunately, I
never analized this position myself, and therefore I choose less forced line!
But the most funny thing - all my knowledge about the line I choose was from
theBotwinnik's book, he recommended this line as a good opportunity for white!
I spent lot of time, trying to recall his analize but I was taking the main
care about the forcing lines...}) 8... c5 $6 {The most natural move seems like
mistake! During the game I payed main attention on the line} (8... Nd5 9. Bd2
Qh4+ 10. g3 Qxd4 11. e3 Qf6 {but I've decided that white has more then enough
for the pawn. And it is! But the main line is}) (8... O-O 9. Bg5 (9. e4 $6 Nxe4
10. fxe4 Qh4+ 11. Kd2 Qxe4 12. Qf3 Qxd4+ 13. Ke1 {seems not very pleasant for
white}) 9... h6 10. Bh4 c5 11. dxc5 Qxd1+ 12. Rxd1 {And usual result in this
position was Draw.}) 9. dxc5 Qxd1+ 10. Kxd1 Bxc5 $6 {Not the best decision!
Black had to look for his chances after 10...0-0} 11. e4 Bg6 {One piece stays
bad - entire game is bad. This Tarrasch think is still valid. Black is loosing
because of his lightsquared Bishop} 12. Nb5 Na6 {That's already finish. All
the games played so far were lost for black. Sometimes wonder was happening
after 12...Kd7} 13. Nbd6+ $18 Bxd6 14. Nxd6+ Ke7 15. Nxb7 Nb4 16. Bf4 $1 Ne8
17. Rc1 a5 18. Bd2 $1 {Black loses second pawn, and his Knight remains in
trouble. He resigns} 1-0

[Event "Nykobing Morso Inv."]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.12.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Sokolov, Andrei"]
[Black "Pedersen, Steffen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2512"]
[BlackElo "2440"]
[Annotator "Sokolov,A"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. Nf3 e6 4. g3 Nc6 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. O-O Be7 8.
Nxd5 exd5 9. d4 O-O 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Bf4 Re8 12. Qc2 Bb6 13. Rad1 {Diagram #
M y stregth maneuvre Bf4 was from other type of position, and after simple
move 13...h6 black would have at least not worse. But my opponent thought that
he's already better, and didn't want to spend time for defence!} Qf6 $2 {Of
course, bad mistake. After the game I was told, he's simple blundered 14. Rd5
Nb4 15.Qa4!} 14. Rxd5 $1 {Of course! The main problem for black is even not a
pawn but weak Kingside!} Be6 (14... Nb4 15. Qa4 Be6 {is loosing immediately}
16. Bg5 Qg6 (16... Qxb2 17. Rb5 $18) 17. Nh4 Qh5 (17... Qc2 18. Qxb4 Bxd5 19.
Bxd5 Rxe2 20. Be3 $1 $18) 18. Bf3 Qxf3 19. Nxf3 Nxd5 20. Rd1 $18) 15. Ng5 $1 g6
(15... Bxd5 16. Bxd5 {is absolutely hopeless for black}) 16. Rd6 (16. Nxe6 Nb4)
16... Nd4 (16... Bc7 17. Rxc6 $18 Bxf4 18. Rxe6) 17. Qd2 Nf5 18. Ne4 Qg7 19.
Rxb6 $1 {The most easeast way. Dark squares on the Kingside are too weak, and
white don't need to save the exchange!} axb6 20. Bg5 $18 Qd4 21. Nf6+ Kg7 22.
Bh6+ Kh8 (22... Kxf6 23. Qg5+ Ke5 24. Bg7+) 23. Nxe8 Rxe8 24. e4 Qxd2 25. Bxd2
{Indeed, the game is already ended. But...The best way to win is to play "by
hands"! But I've continued playing "by head...} Nd6 26. Bb4 $6 {Why? After 26.
a3 White's winning without difficulties} Nb5 27. a4 $6 {Once again, this
wasn't necessary, 27.a3 is better.} Na7 28. Bc3+ Kg8 29. Bd4 {That was my
idea! I'm going to take b6 pawn. But I was very closed to time trouble, and my
opponent got some chances!} Nc6 30. Bxb6 Bb3 31. a5 Re5 32. Ra1 (32. Rc1 $5)
32... Bc4 33. Rc1 Bd3 34. Rc3 $1 {I'm winning by the tactical way...Unusual
thing for such a great advantage.} Be2 (34... Bxe4 35. a6 $1) 35. Re3 Bc4 36.
b3 Ba6 (36... Be6 37. Bf1 Nxa5 38. f4 Rh5 39. Be2) 37. Rc3 f6 38. f4 Re7 39.
Bf1 {Resigns, while either 39... Bf1 40.Kf1 Re4 41 a6 or 40...b4 41.Rc4 is
absolutely hopeless, and time control is almost done.} 1-0

[Event "Nykobing Morso Inv."]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.12.18"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Pedersen, Eric"]
[Black "Sokolov, Andrei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A41"]
[WhiteElo "2400"]
[BlackElo "2512"]
[Annotator "Sokolov,A"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. d4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. Bf4 d6 4. e3 Nd7 5. h3 e5 6. Bh2 Ne7 7. Be2 O-O 8. O-O
b6 9. c3 {Novelty.The line, white plays, doesn't seem danger for me. I think,
position is already equal. So, first part of the game is OK - I get good
position, with lots possibilities to play on...} Bb7 10. a4 a6 {During the
game I did this natural move almost without thinking...I still think, it's
good move but in the game I got some problems with this pawn, perhaps a5 is
better?} 11. Na3 Nf5 {Why I didn't play} (11... e4 $5 {The Standard idea,
black wants to push his K-side? For now, it's difficult to explain, perhaps I
wasn't ready to make any of drastic moves}) 12. b4 Qe7 13. Nc2 {Diagram #
First important moment. Black has already slight advantage, and here I had to
choose, what to do? I thought abot half an hour, trying to choice. I think,
the best way is immediately 13...c5. As well 13...a5 seems good enough. Other
possibility - wait, trying to guess, where to place Rooks, and so I did.} Rfe8
(13... c5 $5 $15) 14. Re1 Nf6 $6 {Fatal idea. Both 14...a5 and 14...c5 are
much stronger! Knight goes on e4 but this square isn't safe! Funny thing - I
thought about crazy 15.g4 but, naturally, my opponent even didn't calculate it!
} 15. a5 Ne4 16. Ra3 bxa5 (16... b5 17. c4 {with counterplay}) 17. bxa5 c5 {
What else?} 18. d5 c4 $2 {Mistake. Knight from c2 returns into the game.
Better is} (18... Nxc3 19. Rxc3 e4 20. Rb3 exf3 21. Bxf3 {Unclear.}) 19. Nb4 $1
{and white is already better! My "centralized" Knights will flow away but
weeknesses on Q-side remains forever} Nh4 $8 20. Qc2 Nxf3+ 21. Bxf3 Nf6 (21...
Nc5 {isn't better because of c4 pawn}) 22. e4 $14 Qc7 23. Rb1 (23. Ra4 $5 {
trying to capture c4 pawn seems very strong}) 23... Qc5 24. Be2 Bc8 {Diagram #
Interesting moment. I thought that two last moves of white weren't good, and
now the threat Ne4 but if he defends, then My Bishop goes on b5, and black is
good. But...} 25. Ra4 $5 Nxe4 $6 {After I've seen my opponent's move, I
understood that Ne4 isn't good - the exchange plays no role but a-pawn becomes
horrible strong. But I didn't find anithing better! Only at home I found the
protection against Nc6 - 25...Bd7, and only after 26.Nc6 Ne4!} (25... Bd7 26.
Nc6 Nxe4 27. Bxc4 (27. Qxe4 Bf5 28. Qxc4 Bxb1 29. Rb4 Qxc4 30. Bxc4 Bf5 31. Rb6
Bc8 $17) 27... Nf6 28. Qb3 Bf5 (28... Bxc6 29. dxc6 d5 30. Qb6 $1) 29. Re1 Be4
30. Qb6 Bxd5 31. Qxc5 dxc5 32. Nxe5 $11 {So, I decide to take the exchange,
hoping to catch something during time-trouble.}) 26. Qxe4 Bf5 27. Qxc4 Qxc4 $6
{Funny. Have I change my notes for the previous move? It seems like black is
better after 27...Bb1!? During the game, being already in time trouble, I
didn't find 29...Red8, and black is lost.} (27... Bxb1 $5 28. Qxc5 (28. Ra1 $5
Qxc4 29. Bxc4 Bf5 30. Bxa6 Reb8 31. Bc4 {seems very unclear but much better
then text!}) 28... dxc5 29. Nxa6 Red8 30. Bg3 (30. Ra1 Be4 31. Nxc5 Bxd5 32. a6
Bc6 33. Bg3 $15) 30... Bc2 31. Ra1 Ra7 (31... Rd6 32. Nc7 $1 Rc8 33. a6 Rxc7
34. a7 Rxa7 35. Rxa7 Rxd5 36. Bc4 $14) 32. Rc1 Bf5 33. Nxc5 Rxd5 34. Nb3 $15)
28. Bxc4 Bxb1 29. Bxa6 Reb8 30. Bf1 Bh6 {trying to get counter chances!} 31.
Nc6 Rb2 $2 {Automatically played! Rook must be better on the second
horizontale!} (31... Rb3 32. Rb4 (32. c4 f6 33. a6 Bd2 34. a7 $13) 32... Ba2 (
32... Bc2 33. a6 Rxc3 34. a7 Rxc6 35. dxc6 Rxa7 36. Rb7 Ra2 37. g4 $18) 33. Ra4
(33. a6 Kg7 34. Ra4 Rb2) 33... Rb2 34. a6 Bd2 35. c4 Bb3 36. Ra1 Rc2 37. a7
Bxc4 38. Rb1 Kg7 39. Bxc4 Rxc4 40. Kf1 Rc1+ (40... Ra4 41. Rb7 $13) 41. Rxc1
Bxc1 42. f3 $11) 32. Rb4 Rxb4 (32... Bc1 33. a6 Ba2 34. Rb7 (34. a7 Rxb4 35.
cxb4 Bg5 36. b5 Bxd5 $17) 34... Kf8 35. Rd7 Bxd5 36. Nxe5 dxe5 37. Rxd5 Bf4 38.
Bxf4 exf4 39. Bc4 $11) 33. cxb4 Bd2 (33... Ba2 34. b5 Kg7 (34... Bg5 35. a6
Bxd5 36. f4 $1 $16) 35. a6 (35. b6 Bxd5 36. b7 $11) 35... Bxd5 36. Ne7 (36. Nb4
Be4 37. f3 Be3+ 38. Kh1 Rc8 39. Bg1 Bxg1 40. Kxg1 Ba8) (36. Na5 Bd2 37. Nc4
Bxc4 38. Bxc4 Ba5 39. Bd5 Ra7 40. f4 Bb6+ 41. Kf1 Kf6 42. Bg1 $18) 36... Be4
37. f3 Be3+ 38. Kh1 $18) 34. a6 Ba2 35. b5 Kf8 36. Nxe5 $6 (36. b6 $1 Bxd5 37.
Nxe5 $18) 36... dxe5 37. b6 Bc3 38. b7 (38. d6) 38... Bxd5 39. bxa8=Q+ Bxa8 40.
Bc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nykobing Morso Inv."]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.12.18"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, L."]
[Black "Berg, Klaus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2584"]
[BlackElo "2418"]
[Annotator "Sokolov,A"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/8/5pp1/5p2/5P2/4K1Pp/2k4P/8 w - - 0 48"]
[PlyCount "11"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

48. Ke2 {Diagram #} g5 $4 (48... Kc1 $1) 49. g4 $1 $11 fxg4 50. fxg5 g3 51.
gxf6 gxh2 52. f7 h1=Q 53. f8=Q {and position is drawn!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amsterdam izt"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1964.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Larsen, Bent"]
[Black "Berger, Bela"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C24"]
[Annotator "Sokolov,A"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "1964.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 {I think, it's very good move. First of all, white do not open
his cards} Nf6 3. d3 d5 $6 {too optimistic decision. Black becames
difficulties with e-pawn.} 4. exd5 Nxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. O-O Bg4 $6 {Larsen
recommends} (6... Be7 7. Re1 f6 {but what to do after 8.d4!?} 8. d4 $16) 7. Re1
Be7 (7... f6 $2 8. Nxe5) 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Nd4 $5 {Diagram # Black is already
very Bad, and he's looking for his chances in tactic.} (9... Nf6 10. Bb5 {is
very mirthless}) 10. Qg4 $1 O-O (10... Nxc2 11. Rxe5 Nxa1 (11... Nf6 12. Qxg7
Kd7 13. Qxf7 $18) (11... c6 12. Qxg7 Rf8 13. Rxd5) 12. Qxg7 Rf8 13. Rxd5 Qc8
14. Qxh7 c6 15. Rf5 $18) 11. Rxe5 Nf6 12. Qd1 {Game is over - Whte has extra
pawn and better position} Bd6 13. Re1 Re8 14. Be3 c5 15. Nd2 Bc7 16. Nf3 Qd6
17. Bxd4 cxd4 18. Rxe8+ Rxe8 19. c3 dxc3 20. bxc3 Nh5 21. Qa4 Re7 22. Qxa7 Nf4
23. Qxb7 h5 24. Qc8+ Kh7 25. h4 1-0

[Event "New Westminster Northshorechess.com"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Yousefzadeh, Mehrdad"]
[Black "Meng, Fanhao"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B02"]
[WhiteElo "2032"]
[BlackElo "2191"]
[Annotator "Neven,K"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. exd5 Nxd5 4. Nxd5 Qxd5 5. d4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. Be2 O-O-O
8. Be3 e5 9. c3 exd4 10. cxd4 Bb4+ 11. Kf1 Rhe8 12. h3 Bh5 13. Kg1 f5 14. g3
Nxd4 (14... h6) (14... Bd6) (14... f4 15. gxf4 Bd6) 15. Nxd4 Bxe2 16. Qa4 Bc5
17. Nxe2 Bxe3 (17... Rxe3) 18. fxe3 Qf3 19. Rh2 Qxe3+ 20. Rf2 Rd2 21. Re1 Rxb2
22. Rd1 b5 23. Qa6+ Kb8 24. Kf1 f4 25. gxf4 Qxh3+ 26. Kg1 Qg4+ 27. Kf1 Qh5 28.
f5 Qh1+ 29. Ng1 Rxf2+ 30. Kxf2 Qh4+ 31. Kf1 Qc4+ 32. Kg2 Qc2+ 33. Kh1 Qe4+ 34.
Kh2 Qf4+ 35. Kg2 Qxf5 36. Qc6 Qe4+ 37. Qxe4 Rxe4 38. Rd5 a6 39. Kf3 Ra4 40. Rd2
Kb7 41. Ne2 Kb6 42. Nc1 Ra3+ 43. Kf2 a5 44. Nb3 a4 45. Nd4 c5 46. Ne6 Rh3 47.
Kg2 Rh6 48. Nf4 b4 49. Kf3 Kb5 50. Ke4 b3 51. Nd5 Rh4+ 52. Ke3 c4 53. a3 Rh3+
54. Kd4 Rd3+ 55. Rxd3 cxd3 56. Nc3+ Ka5 57. Kxd3 h5 58. Nd1 g5 59. Ke4 h4 60.
Kf3 Kb6 61. Nb2 Kb5 62. Kg4 Ka5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Kitchener op"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Cummings, David"]
[Black "Ochkoos, Yura"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Cummings,D"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "CFC"]
[SourceDate "2002.12.??"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c5 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. d4 Nc6 6. cxd5 exd5 7. O-O Be7 8. Be3
c4 9. Ne5 O-O 10. b3 cxb3 11. Qxb3 Na5 12. Qa4 a6 13. Bd2 Nc4 14. Nxc4 b5 15.
Qc2 bxc4 16. Nc3 Be6 17. Bg5 Rb8 18. e3 Qa5 19. Rab1 Bb4 $6 (19... Rfe8) 20.
Bxf6 Bxc3 21. Be5 Rb5 22. e4 Rd8 23. a4 $1 Rxb1 24. Rxb1 dxe4 (24... f6 25.
exd5 fxe5 (25... Bf7 26. Bc7 Qxc7 27. Qxc3 Bxd5 28. Bxd5+ Rxd5 29. Rb4) 26.
dxe6 exd4 27. e7 Re8 28. Qe2) 25. Bxe4 Bxd4 $2 (25... h6 26. d5 Bf5 $1 27. Bxc3
Bxe4 28. Qxe4 Qxc3 29. Qe7 Rc8 30. d6 Qd3 31. Rc1 Rc5 32. d7 Rd5 33. Qe8+ Kh7
34. Qxf7 Rxd7 35. Qxc4) 26. Bxd4 Rxd4 27. Qc3 $3 1-0

