The Agile London System
The Agile London System
The Agile London System
THE LONDON-/YJTEM
11
I I
Marcus Schmuecker
List of symbols 5
Dedication 5
Foreword 6
I ntroduction 9
C lassical Line
Chapter
4 7.l/Je5 32
5 Exchange on g3 - Part 1 35
6 Exchange on g3 - Part 2 38
7 6 . . . �e7 + 7 . . . l/Jxe5 42
8 6 . . . �e7 + 7 . . . 0-0 45
9 3 . . . l/Jh5!? 48
10 4 . . . l/J h 5?! 51
11 3 . . . e6 + 4 . . . c5 52
12 3 . . . e6 + 4 . . .�d6 5.l/Je5 53
13 3 . . . e6 + 4 . . . �d6 5.�g 3 !? 56
14 4 ... �d6 5.�g3 b6!? 59
15 3 . . . e6, 4 . . . �e7 61
16 2 . . . e6, 3 . . .�d6 63
17 2 . . . c5!? 67
18 4 . . . 1Wb6 ! ? + 5 . . . 1Wxb2 69
19 4 . . . 1Wb6!? + 5 . . . c4 72
20 4 . . . '<Wb6 !? + 5 . . . a6!? 79
Attacking b2 with a "late" '!Wb6
Sym metry
28 4 . . . dxc4 1 08
29 4 . . . e6?! 111
30 4 . . . c6 1 12
31 Main position with 6 . . Ct:Jbd7 113
32 Main position with 7 . . . dxc4 117
33 Reasons for 4.c4! 1 19
List of Symbols
+ Check
++ Double check
# Mate
X Capture
!! Brilliant move
Strong move
!? Interesting move
?! Dubious move
? Mistake
?? Blunder
1 -0 White won
Y,-Y, The game was d rawn
0-1 Black won
+- With a winning advantage for White
± With clear advantage for White
;t With a small advantage for Wh ite
=
With equal play
+ With a small advantage for Black
-+ With a winning advantage for Black
(D) see diagram = main line
( D) see diagram = sideline
[ di rect side variation
( variation within the sideline
Dedication
My special thanks go to my two very good friends Daniel Schirm and Bernd
Scharta u .
6
Foreword
System (LS) would not have enough
bite to seriously endanger Black.
3
GM Vlatko Kovacevic (the London
System Guru) publ ished the first real ly 2
comprehensive book about the
London System called "Wi n with the
London-System" in 2005. While a
studying the book I was very surprised
to see how many of my own ideas
were mentioned i n the book, and even Blackburne obviously liked the
more surprised to find more new ideas open ing as he played it later - mostly
which I h ad a lso been thi n king about. in London (where the name comes
So the decision was made to publ ish from) - against opponents such as
my own work. Lasker, Chigorin and Stei n itz. Aljechin
also tested the system. The London
System turned up regu larly in London
for many years. lt must be presumed
that M ason invented the London
History System as he had experimented with
if4 on various occasions before his
game against Blackbu rne.
Introduction
Often enough Black feels compelled
to offer his good bishop for an
exchange on d6, wh ich u nderlines
the strength of the ii.f4.
The characteristic set-up
If Black does not do something
against it, Wh ite can also put his
remaining pieces onto their most
desirable squares (see d iagram).
Basic set-up
a b c d e h
�w�
a c e g
S'+�
/7 ////'/
The ii.f4 h as three colleagues - d4, e3 We will be meeting this basic set-up
and ltlf3. These are also reg u lars in freq uently.
the London System set-up.
Wh ite has built u p an absolutely
The main idea of achievin g control u nshakeable centre with his three
over the black squares (and in pawns placed on c3/d4/e3. His main
particular over the square e5) motif in the middle of the board
becomes apparent straight away. consists of pushing through e4-e5 at
the right time. Otherwise, piece play is
At the same time White resolves the more likely to stand in the foreground.
problem of his bad bishop most
elegantly by positioning it outside his In many cases White can even be so
pawn chain. bold as to leave his King standing in
10 o Introduction o
If Black behaves passively with . . . c6 However, White often does not have
then one can continue actively with the necessary information right from
c2-c4, exerting pressure on d5. the start, therefore he usually has to
begin with the development of his �c2
and C/J b 1 .
with . . . �f5, then �d3 wou ld not be a Rule: Both pieces (.if1 and �b1) ·
ctJb1
The knight - as well as the bishop - is
also dependent on the position of the
c-pawn. a b c d e f g h
If this stands actively on c4, then of
course ti:lc3, increasing the pressure As explained in the introduction, White
on d5, should be played . obtains control over the dark squares
a b c d e h
with �d4, �f4, ti:lf3, �e3. This applies
particularly to the key square e5.
8 8
With 1 . . . d5 B lack did us a favour in
7 permanently weakening e5. If he goes
6 6 for 1 . . . ti:lf6 instead, he remains flexible
in the centre and can fight for the
5 5 black squares much more easily.
��
4 ;:,;+�
;;,, ///.-/
4 Wh ite can , of course, adopt his usual
3 3 set-up and reach a solid position .
However, if Black chooses to play the
2 Queen's Indian Defence or the King 's
Indian, no advantage can be gained
from the open ing with the London
System.
12 o Introduction o
Whether the London System can keep lt is already very difficult for Black to
up with the Queen's Gambit - or if it is find means against this as he does
even stronger - plays a secondary not have any adequate counterplay.
role. I personally consider it to be at Playing on the queenside with a6-b5-
least equ ivalent. b4 - or similar - takes far too long. If
Black takes on e5, then the important
defensive knight is forced to retreat
from f6 with dxe5.
Schmuecker - Vicktor
1 4 .01 .2007
1 2
a b c d e h a b c d e h
8
3 19 .. J��e8
a b c d e f g h
al.l - - �-· -a
Black's position can only be regarded
as sad. [ 1 9 . . . e5? 20 .dxe5 t'Llxe5
7 -� - 1.& -
2 1 .!'!xe5 '\Wxe5 22.lt'lxe5 ixh3
- ' 17 23.gxh3]
27.'Wg5
5
a b c
23 .. J�f8 24.g4
a b c d e f g h
32.f5! J.d7
33 ..ie7?!
33 ... :Sxf5 34.hf5 exf5 35 ..id6 :Sd8 48 ...f4 49.'it>f3 ll:lg3 50.'it>xf4 ll:le4
36.:Se7 J.cs 37.J.e5
Techn ically still a little bit tough.
Black's position stands shortly before
o Introduction o 17
51 .i.b8 8
1 .d4 d5 V!l)f3 c5 3.c3 ttlf6 4.i.f4 e6 The alternatives are handled similarly,
5.e3 ttlc6 6.ttl bd2 i.d6 7.J.g3 0-0 for example 8 . . . :t"\e8 9. tt:le5!.
8.i.d3 V!fe7 {09) Only 9 . . . tt:ld7 is very interesting here.
9.ttle5!
9 ...J.xe5
12
13
1 3 ...Wxf6
2
Conclusion: The classical variation
has lost much of its popu larity,
because White gets a strong attack
far too often without having to
sacrifice anything.
1 4... '!1Nd8! 1 5.i.c2! � ( 0 1 6)
Taking these considerations into
16 account, 8 .. J3e8 looks much more
promising.
1 .d4 e6 2.lL'lf3 c5 3.c3 d5 4 ..if4 lt'lf6 structure would be identical to the one
5.e3 lt'lc6 6.lt'lbd2 .id6 7 . .ig3 0-0 in the Stonewall (Dutch Defence),
8.id3 E:e8 !? (01 7) where Black sets up his pawns on
f5,e6,d5,c6 , but White has managed
17 to position his bad bishop outside the
pawn chain . The following variations
a b c d e g h
show how dangerous the white attack
s!.l - _trij.l - ·fia may become.
s - -.1.- - I s
Black can do. 1 1 ..ih4 tt'lg6 1 2 .ig5
41 - ��� - - 4
cxd4 1 3.exd4;!; ie? 1 4 .0-0 White's
pieces are ideally placed. 14 . . . tt'ld7
���-�---/��.��iV,�
(1 6. V!J.f3!) 1 6 . . ..ixd7 1 7 .V!J.h5 tt'lf8
1 8 .tt'lf3 f6 1 9 .!'1ae1 V!J.d6;!; 20.tt'le5!?=
� � � A neat move . (20. V!lh4;!;) 20 ... fxe5
a b c d e f g h 2 1 .fxe5 g6 22 .V!J.h6 V!J.e7 23.!'1f6 (D 1 8)
!l:f8 36. \Wg4 lt>xh 7 Considering the one advantage of 8 . . . l'l:e8. . . 1 3.0-0
material, Black should be fine, but his \We? 1 4 .lbg4 (0 1 9) Sacrifices are in
pieces are placed very the air. 14 . . . \We??
inharmon iously. Therefore, White
faces no problems converting his 19
advantage. 37.\Wxe6 lb b8 38.\Wg6+
ltih8 39 .\Wxh6+ \t>g8 40.\Wg6+ lt>h8
4 1 .h6 l'l:g8 42.\Wf6+ lt>h7 43 .\Wf?+ 1 -0
Danielsen - Nijboer, Odenthal
Eikamp 1 98 1 A really nice g ame.]
18
g h
1 7. CtJ h6+ c:J;g7 1 8. Wig4+ 4Jg6 19. hg6 1 -0 Jaeger, M-Federa u , J/Germany
hxg6 20. Wixg6+; 15 . . . Eib8 16 . .bf6 1 990 (27) A typical pawn break
gxf6 1 7. 4Jh6+ c:JJhB 1 8. 4Jhf7+ c:JJg B after. . . c4.]
1 9. Wig4+ 4Jg6 20.hg6; 15 . . . c:JJh8
1 6. 4Jxf6! gxf6 1 7. Wih5 c4 1B . .bh7) [9 ... h6?! would be even worse than
1 6.�xf6 ! gxf6 1 7 . 4J h6+ c:J;g7 1 8.Wig4+ 9 . . . g6. 1 O .f4 4Jd7 1 1 .Wih5 4Jcxe5
Black resigned in this position . After 1 2 .fxe5 �e7 1 3.0-0 Ei:f8+- 1 -0 Cuno,
1 8 . . . c:JJx h6 a mate in 7 moves will T -Svahn, X/I CCF-Cup8/9 V07 1 corr
follow: 1 9 .Ei:f3 4Jg6 20.�xg6 c:JJg 7 1 990 (28)]
2 1 .�xh7+ c:JJ h 8 22.Ei:h3 Wig? 23.4Jf7+
Wixf7 24.�f5+ Wih5 25.Ei:xh5# [9 . . . cxd4 gives White an edge, as the
e-file offers him some opportu nities.
The shown game is very important 1 O.exd4 Wic7 (10 ... .be5?! 1 1 . dxe5
and instructive becau se of the 4Jd7 1 2.Wih5! g6 13. Wie2+-) 1 1 .f4;t]
following aspects:
11 '\Wc7 (023)
...
23
22
24
Sets up the threat against e5 again , Makes the point of 1 1 .�f3! clear and
but considerably weakens the dark also a significant disadvantage of
squares. But it is hard to see how 8 . . . !"\eS : covering the square e5
White can ever make use of this. with . . . f6 is no longer possible. ]
Alternatives are always answered with
1 3 .e4 !
Chapter 2 - Main position with . . . �d6 + 8 . . J::\e 8!? 27
This is the critical position . Both if Black simply sticks to his plans.
players have acted very log ically and
it is not clear right n ow how the [ 1 5 . . . dxe4?! 1 6.CiJd2! Heading for d6.
struggle will continue. Wh ite would The weakness of the dark squares
really l ike to play e4 but the pawn becomes apparent. 1 6 . . . 1Wd5? Black
would not be protected sufficiently. tries to keep his material at all costs.
Therefore, 1 5.'\Wc2 or 1 5.l'l:e1 come
into con sideration. But this loss of ( 1 6 . . .f5 activates White 's dark
time would give Black the opportunity squared bishop. 1 7 .exf6 CiJxf6 1 8.CiJc4!
to organise an effective counterplay
on the queenside beg inning with . . . b5.
In this position , the control over
squares, especially over the weak
But if you really wish for someth ing ones in Black's camp, is much more
important than the material. 1 8. . . b5
1 9. CiJe5;!,; there are various ideas, such
1 5.e4! as .ih4, and as soon as one of
Black's pieces arrives on d5, c4! will
And it does work! Black gets no time follow, with fu rther destruction of the
for his own plans. opponent's pawn structure. Wh ite
controls the board , his deficit of one
1 5 b5 (029)
... pawn does not really matter. )
8 (1 6 . . . e3 1 7.CiJc4!)
slightly worse endgame. Wh ichever answers with . . . cxb4, then after cxb4
way one looks at it, Black's position is his d -paw� would becom� very weak.
not to be envied . 1 7 . . . bxa4 IS answered w1th 1 8 . 1"lxa4 ,
after which the rook is dreaming of
30 being transported to the kingside.
1 7 .a4!;t; (031 )
33
9.lDxc6! ?
36
followed by 4 .id6
... f6! 1 7. .ixh7+ @xh7 1 8.g5 fxg5
1 9. '1Mfh3+ @gB�). because
[8.�df3 is possible, even though less 1 5 . . . �xd2?!
ambitious. 8 . . . �h 5 (8. . . �e4!?) 9.�xc6
bxc6 1 0 ..ixd6 iMfxd6 1 1 .�e5 �f6 ( 1 5 . . . b5 is a better attempt, even
1 2.'1Mfa4 cxd4 1 3 .exd4 c5 1 4.'1Mfa3 � e4 though Wh ite can try 1 6. h4 .ib7
1 5 . .id3 cxd4 1 6 .'1Mfxd6 �xd6 1 7 .cxd4= 1 7.a3! so that after 1 7 . . . a5 1 8.h5 b4
Ristic-Stojanovic, Budva 2002.] 1 9.g6 bxc3 20. bxc3 �xd2 2 1 .<j;lxd2
the black q ueen cannot go to a5. After
8 . . . '1Mfc7 is critical. (8 . . . '1Mfe7 is 2 1 . . .fxg6 22.hxg6 h6 White keeps a
analysed in chapter 1 ) small edge because his pieces are
placed on better squares.)
A)
B)
Exchange on g 3 - Part 1
1 .d4 d5 V�jf3 ctJf6 3 ..if4 c5 4.e3 ctJc6 Hebden-Arkell, London 1 999.]
5.c3 e6 6.ctJbd2 .id6 7 ..ig3 i.xg3
8. hxg3 (040) [8 . . . cxd4 9.exd4 tLlg4!? 1 0 .�b5 �d7
1 1 .Wfe2 Wfc7t. S. Kovacevic-Diaz
40 Flares Garcia, Manresa 1 996.]
9 .ib5!? (04 1 )
.
41
[8 ... \We? 9.\Wa4 0-0 1 0.tLle5 tLlxeS [9 . . . a6 1 0 .\Wa4 i"i:b8 1 1 .�xc6+ Wxc6
1 1 .dxe5 tLl d 7 1 2 .tLlf3 c4 1 3 .Wd 1 f6 1 2 .\Wc2 We? 1 3 .tLle5 h6 1 4 .g4 tLld7
1 4.exf6 tLlxf6 1 5.\Wd4 tLle4 1 6.�xc4 1 5 . tLldf3 tLlf8 1 6.dxc5 Wxc5 1 7 .\Wa4+
tLlxf2 1 7 .\t>xf2 dxc4 1 8 .\Wxc4+- b5 1 8.\Wf4 i"i:b7 1 9.\Wd4 Wxd4
36 Chapter 5 - Exchange on g3 - Part 1
42
( 1 5.'8.h3 was tried in Pozin-Potkin,
Eforie Nord 1 998 1 5 . . . b5 1 6. a3 a5
1 7 .g5 hxg5 1 8 .'8.h7 g4 1 9.'8.xg7? gxf3
20.�g6 and Black won with
20 . . . tLlxe5 2 1 .dxe5 �d8!! (044)
44 45
a b c d e f
1 2.g4!?
Exchange on g3 - Pa rt 2
1 .d4 d5 2.tLlf3 tLlf6 3.i.f4 c5 4.e3 tLlc6 1 O.dxe5 ttJxe5 1 1 .ltJxe5 �xe5
5.c3 e6 6.tLl bd2 �d6 7.�g3 �xg3 1 2 .�b5+ underlines the advantage of
8.hxg3 �d6 9.�c2! (046) Wc2 , as after 1 2 . . .�d 7 1 3.�xd7+
Black can only recapture with the king
46 �xd ?;!; ( 1 3 . . . ttJxd7? 1 4 .!'lxh7) ]
47
9 ...i.d7 !
48
53 8 .. .'1Wb6 (054)
54
the. threat of getting the pair of i.d7-b5. bad i., then he Will have solved all of
bIS h OpS Wl'th ""h5
. . . "l..l .
his problems.
7 .tLle5!
[8 .. i.d7!? The cl e verest attempt, as
Black wants to execute the same idea
.
Prevents ... tLlh5 as well as the natural as after 8 . WI'b6, but does not show
develo ping plan of ... b6/... .t.b 7.
Jt., ..
5 rJ • m a 15 56
4� � -
�/ �r� B
� -�4
"'"'0
3� �
�"� �r� �
�r�
B 13"""0
2 1 D � �:� � 0 2
1 a -�=�a : l 1 h
a b c d e g
1 1 ... 0-0
6 .ie7 + 7
. . . . . . 0-0
1 .d4 d 5 2.lt:lf3 lt:lf6 3 ..if4 e 6 4.e3 c5 [7 ... ttJd7 is interesting, as Black is
5.c3 lt:lc6 6.lt:lbd2 .ie7 7.lt:le5! 0-0?! fighting for e5 before castling. 8.lt:lxd7
(058) .ixd? 9 ..id3;!; with a slight advantage
as the white pieces are more active
58 and Black has exchanged his
important defensive knight.]
[7 ...a6?! Does not produce much.
8 ..id3 .id? 9.0-0 c4 Giving at least a
certain sense to 7 ... a6. 10 ..ic2 b5
1 1 .'1Wf3! b4? was played in Obers-Van
Aurich, but White missed the shot
1 2. lLldxc4!+-]
59
2
9 ..id3?! (9. ttJxd7! .ixd7 10.'\Wg4;!;)
9 ... ttJdxe5 10.dxe5 g5 1 1 .i.g3 h5 1
12.h3 .id? 1 3.i.e2 h4 and in the game =:..:.....,.:..:...,.--,-=:...,.,..;.;.;=..,.-:
Zurek-Polak, Czechoslovak Cht.
1991 both king's positions remained
vulnerable.] There is no simple solution for Black.
46 Chapter 8 - 6 ...j,e7 + 7... 0-0
[8 ... 4Jxe5?! is very dangerous. 9.dxe5 [8... 4Jd7? 9.Wh5 f5 10.g4 4Jdxe5
t/Je8 10.h4 j,d7 1 1 .j,xh7+! (060). 1 1 .dxe5 g6 12.Wh3 Ei:f7 Needleman
This sacrifice should never be missed Hungaski, Buenos Aires 2003.
in the London System. 13.0-0-0±]
60 [8 ...j,d6?! can only be a loss of time
d
compared to 6 ... j,d6. 9.Wf3 Wc7
c e h
1 O.t/Jxc6 j,xf4 1 1 .Wxf4 Wxc6 12.Wh4
8 Wb6 1 3.0-0-0 cxd4 14.exd4 Wd8
1 5.!':'\he1 g6 16.f4;!; Ernst-Ekstr6m,
Baden 1997.]
6
[8 ... cxd4 9.exd4 j,d7 (9. . . g6 1 0.j,h6
5 E\eB 1 1 . f4 t/Jh5 1 2. 0-0 t/Jg7 13.-hgl;!;
B. Balogh-Rosta, Hungarian
Championship 1992.) 10.0-0
3 (10. Wf3;!;) 10 ... a6 1 1 .!':'\e 1 b5 12.a3 g6
1 3.!':'\e3 t/Jxe5 14.j,xe5 aS 15.!':'\h3 Ei:c8
2 16.Wf3 t/Je8 (16. . . !':'\eB 1 7.Wf4±)
1 7.!':'\xh7 j,f6 (1 7. . . �xh7 1 8.Wh5+
�gB 1 9.Wh8#) 18.Wh3 1 -0, Panic
a g Stankovic, Belgrade 2003.]
9.'11Nf3 �ea
1 1 ...\t>xh7 12.Wh5+ �g8 1 3.4Jf3 After
this move there is no escape for [9 ... t/Je8 is not convincing. 1 O.Wh3 g6
Black: 1 1 .t/Jdf3 t/Jxe5 12.t/Jxe5 f6 1 3.4Jxd7
a)13 .. .f6 14.t/Jg5 fxg5 15.hxg5 Ei:f5 Wxd7 14.0-0 c4 15.j,c2 j,d6 16.j,h6
(15. . . -hgS 1 6. -hgS Wb6 1 7. Wh7+
�f7 1 8. E\h4 t/Jf6 19. exf6 1-0 Rinaldi- E\f7 1 7 .e4± Knezevic-Cekro, Sarajevo
Kaminskas, correspondence 1992.) 1981.]
16.'11Nh 7+ �f8 1 7.g6 j,gS 18.Wh8+ After
�e7 19.j,xg5+ Ei:xg5 20.Wh4+-
1 0 .'11N h 3 g6 1 1 .j,hG �ea 1 2.f4 (06 1 )
b) 13 ... j,b5 14.Ei:d1 g6 15.Wh6 f6
16.Wxg6+ t/Jg7 1 7.t/Jg5 fxg5 18.hxg5 Black can for instance continue with:
Ei:f5 ( 1 B. . . We8 19. Wh7+ i>f7 20.g6#)
19.'11Nh 7+ �f8 20.g6 �e8 21 .Wxg7+-; 1 2 ...j,fa
c) l3 ... g6 14.W h6 � 15.Wxg6+ '1,g7 [12 ... 4Jxe5 13.fxe5 t/Jh5 14.g4 t/Jg7
16.�h6 Ei:f7 17.h5 �e8 18.0-0-0 �f8 15.0-0 Ei:f8 16.t/Jf3 b5 1 7.j,f4 h5
19.g4+-] 18.gxh5 t/Jxh5 19.j,h6 t/Jg7 20.�h1
Chapter 8 - ...�e7 + 7 ... 0-0
6 47
3 etJ h 5 ! ?
. . .
1 .d4 d 5 2.lt:Jf3 lt:\f6 3.�f4 lt:\ h5!? 1 O.tt:Jxg6 fxg6 1 1 .�d3+- Berkes
(063) Antal, Paks 1999.) 5.f3 An attack
against the � on h5 is being
63 prepared ... 5 ... e6 6.g4 �g6 7.h4 h6
8.tt:'lxg6 fxg6 9.tlt1d3+- Kovacs
Schipkov, Budapest 1992. White's
advantage is more than clear.]
4 ..ig5
[5 ... tt:lc6 is inconsequent because [7 ... ii.f5? 8.e3? ii.g7 9.ctJbd2 tLlc6
although White cannot avoid the 1 O.c3 \Wd6 1 1 .\Wb3 0-0-0= is equal,
exchange of his bishop after 6.e3 g5 as pointed out by Kovacevic
7.tt:lfd2 he is able to win some (Salamon-Kelly,Budapest 2003),
valuable time: 7 ... tt:lg7 8.ii.g3 tt:lf5 9.c4 which is certainly correct. However, 1
with a certain advantage.] would just take the pawn with 8.ctJxg5
on the 81h move, and although Black
6.ii.g3 tt:lxg3 7.hxg3 ii.g7 (064) will get some compensation, it should
not be sufficient.]
Protects the rook and thus prevents
4lxg5. lt is not easy to give a defin ite 8.e3 c5 9.c3 (065)
evaluation of the position. Black's
kingside has been weakened, but this Opening up the position with 9.c4 is
has secured him the pair of bishops. not exactly what White wants, as the
On the other hand, the :gh1 was il,g7 would become too strong.
developed for free. Therefore, castling
short would be extremely risky for the This is the critical position after
black monarch. The chances for 3 ... ctJh5. Black has many moves to
White can be regarded as slightly choose from and it is still not clear
better. More important than anything which is the best.
else is to know how to deal with this
position. 65
64
a b c d e
8
7
4
3
2 2
9 ... tt:lc6
50 Chapter 9 - 3 ... tt:'lh5!?
[9 ... "\Wd6!? Preparing to castle long. solution.
1 O.�d3 (1 0. tt'la3 should also be taken
into consideration, as well as [1 1 .dxe5 g4 12.tt:'lh4 0-0 1 3.�d3 d4
10.tt:'lbd2.) 10 ... tt:'lc6 1 1 .tt:'lbd2 �d7 (13 . . . tt'lxe5 14.�f5 hf5 1 5. tt'lxf5
12.1We2 0-0-0 13.0-0-0 ltlb8 and tt'ld3+ 1 6. mf1 "\Wg5 1 7. tt'lxg7 mxg7=)
Black's pair of bishops compensates 14.tt:'lc4 b5?! 15.�e4+- Matovic-Pisk,
for the weaknesses on the kingside. Brno 2001 .]
(Leai-Magem, Dos Hermanas 2000).]
1 1 ... tt:"lxe5 1 2.dxe5;t; (066)
[9 ... b6?! 10.dxc5 bxc5 1 1 .�b5+;!;,
because the king has to move.] Now not only the kingside has been
weakened, but also the pawn on d5.
1 0. tt:"l bd2
My recommendation! strongly 66
believe that the following alternative is
not quite as strong as the text move:
[1 O.dxc5 Opening up the position with
the �g7 still being on the board looks
double-edged, but White may well
allow himself the luxury of playing like
this. 10 ... 0-0 1 1 .tt:'lbd2 (1 1 .1Wc2 The
only game with 10.dxc5, but I must
admit that I do not quite understand
the following moves. 1 1 ... e5 12.tt:'la3
'.We? 1 3.tt'lb5 d4 14.tt:'ld6 dxe3 1 5.0-0-
0 (15. fxe3+- is easy and good.)
15 ...�e6 16.fxe3 f5 1 7.g4 fxg4+
Masek-Trefny Czech Republic,
1993.) 1 1 ... e5 12."1Wb3 followed by
castling queenside looks very
promising.]
Conclusion: Black's pair of bi s hops
1 0 ... e5!? compensates for some deficits in his
camp, but White can probably count
The idea of 9 ... tt:'lc6. on his long-term advantages. From a
theoretical point of view 3 ...tt:'lh5!? is a
good move with which Black can fight
1 1 .tt:"lxe5! for equality. In any case, the London
System player does not have to fear
I consider this to be the easi e st this idea.
51
C h a pter 1 0
4 ltJ h 5 ! ?
. . .
1 .d4 d5 V!l)f3 t!Jf6 3 ..if4 e6 4.e3 the tt:lh5. 6.ih4 g6 (6. . .id6 7.id3 0-0
ltl h5?! (067) 8. tt:lg5 fxg5 9.Vfixh5 h6 1 0.ig3"!)
c 9
(8. . . tt:lhf6 9. c4"!)
3 e6 + 4 c5
. . . . . .
3 . e6 + 4 .id6 5.lbe5
. . . . .
1 .d4 d5 2.c!l]f3 tL!f6 3 ..if4 e6 4.e3 .id6 Prevents the exchange and occupies
(069) e5 at the same time.
[5 ..ixd6?! I personally do not like this
69 move, but it is playable: 5 ...Wxd6 6.c4
b6 (6. . . 0-0 7.tDc3 a6 8. 'Bc1 'BdB
9. cxd5 exd5 1 0. .id3 .ig4 1 1 . h3 .ih5
1 2. g4 .ig6 1 3. 4Je5 .ixd3= Hodgson
Westerinen, Stavanger 1989)) 7.cxd5
exd5 8.4Jc3 0-0 9 . .ie2 a6 10.0-0
4Jbd7 1 1 .'Bc1 with a draw in Simic
Drasko, Ulcinj 1998]
5 ... 0-0!
Prepares to actively develop the the main variation with id6 followed
knight to c6. by 8 ... V!ffe 7, Black's t/J stands on d7
and White's i is on f4 instead of g3.
70 Both are disadvantages for the
players because White cannot
advance his pawn to f4 whilst Black,
in case of an exchange on e5, wil
have to retreat with his t/Jf6 to e8.)
71
White achieves a very promising 1 O.f3. Fritz likes 9 ...Vfie8 1 O.g4 c5 and
position. 1 0 ... ctJdS now 1 1 .ctJg6!? (1 1 . c3, which
maintains the excitement, is a more
72 attractive option for the practical
player. Black has difficulties freeing
his position.) 1 1 ...�xf4 12.ctJxf8 ctJxf8
1 3.exf4 cxd4 14.ctJf3 with an unclear
position.
Back to the main variation
7 .c3 lt:lc6
3 e6 + 4 .id 6 5 .ig3
. . . . . . .
1 .d4 d5 2.<!i:lf3 tt:\f6 3.i.f4 e6 4.e3 �d6 [5 ... c5 6.tt:lbd2 Immediately preventing
5.�g3!? {073) ... �e4. 6 ...Wb6?! (in order to
understand 6. . . �c6 7. c3, one should
73 have a look at Chapter 1) 7 .ixd6!
(7. lJ.b 1 ? ! ixg3 8.hxg3 cxd4 9. exd4
id? and the threat of �b5 can no
longer be parried. The position is
balanced.) 7 ...Wxd6 Black lost a
tempo by playing Wd8-b6xd6. White
can already make use of this
circumstance. 8.dxc5 Wxc5 9.c4 (074)
74
Clearly the most critical move and White wins even more time, because
also the main point of 3 ... e6 in cxd5 and lJ.c1 is in the air. But Black
connection with 4 ... �d6! Black forces can hope for a draw on account of the
either an exchange on d6 or he can symmetrical pawn structure.
be proud of getting the pair of 9 ... 0-0 1 O.cxd5 tt:lxd5 1 1 .lJ.c1 WaS
bishops. The alternative s ... b6!? will 12.ic4!;!; Planning 0-0 followed by e4
be discussed in the next chapter. with a very active position.
Chapter 1 3 - 3 ... e6 + 4 ...j,d6 5.j, g3!? 57
[5 ... j,xg3 6.hxg3 We? (6 ... b6 7.t2Je5 c6 [6.t2Jbd2 Gives up the bishop
8.t2Jd2 Wd6 9.c3 ctJfd7 1 O.f4 t2Jxe5 voluntarily, hoping to create some
1 1 .fxe5 We? 1 2.Wg4± Blatny play on the h-file. But this idea is not
Streitberg, Biel 1991 .) 7.c3 t2Jbd7 sufficient for an advantage 6 ... t2Jxg3
8.t2Jbd2 e5 9.j,e2 c5 10.dxe5 t2Jxe5 7.hxg3 c5 (7. . . tlJd7 B.j,d3 c6 9.e4
1 1 .t2Jxe5 Wxe5 12.j,b5+± Vatter Wb6 1 0.e5 j,e7 1 1 . 'il,b 1 Wc7 12. c3;t,
Wegner German Bundesliga 94/95.] Kocovski-Mitkov, La Corufia 1995.)
6 ..ixd6!? (075) 8.c3 t2Jc6 9.Wc2 g6 10.0-0-0!? j,d?
1 1 .j,b5 cxd4 12.exd4 (076)
75
a b c d e g h
76
77
4 �d6 5 .�g 3 b6 ! ?
. . .
1 .d4 d5 2.ttJf3 ttJf6 3.�f4 e6 4.e3 i.d6 (7 ...�a6 8.�d3 White sets up his
5.�g3 b6! ? (078) pieces with c3, f4, �h4, or - if
possible - with �h4 and Wif3-h3,
78 having good chances for a strong
attack)]
8 [6 ... �b7 Achieving control over the
light squares, especially over e4.
7.�d3 Wfe7
6 6
(After 7 ... li:Je4 8.�xe4? (8. �4!;!;)
5 5 8 ... dxe4 9.li:Je5 White managed to
win in Travnicek,P-Paoli,E/Oiomouc
4 1982 (41 ))
3 3 8.Wfe2 (8. li:Je5!? is preferable, with
2 similar positions to the ones in the
variation mentioned above) 8 ... 0-0
9.�h4 ll:'lbd7 10.g4 1-0 Schmitt,A
Vujic, Baden-Wuerttemberg 1997
(61 ). In this game - once again -
White went for the black monarch.
With this attempt Black plans to However, I do not think this idea is as
exchange his bad bishop with ...�a6. strong as in other positions.]
But such a plan always has its price.
7.ixa6! (079)
6.ttJbd2 �a6?!
Bartha,S-Szokacs,L/Hungary 1992
1 -0 (26). In the progress of the game
White continuously increased his
control over the queenside.
81
8
The fact that the knight on a6 is
misplaced is more important than the
7
exchange of bishops.
7 ... lL!xa6 8.c4 0-0 9.0-0 .txg3 {080)
80
3 e6, 4 .le7
. . . . . .
83
a b c d e
2 . . . e6, 3 .id 6
. . .
1 .d4 d5 2.ll:lf3 e6 3 ..if4 .id6 (086) [4.g3!? Very creative. If Black takes
on f4 the g-file will be opened for
86 White. A strong attack can frequently
be conducted. 4 ....txf4 5.gxf4 'Wd6
6.e3 'Wb4+ 7.ct:lbd2 '\Wxb2 is critical.
White achieves good compensation
with either of the two following moves
8.ct:le5 (or 8.E\g1 g6 9. c4 dxc4
1 0.hc4 ctJ f6 1 1. ctJe5) 8 ... ct:le7 9 . .td3
ctJd7 1 O.Eib1 '\Wa3 1 1 .'\Wh5 g6 12.'1Wh6
ctJf5 1 3 ..txf5 exf5 14.ctJxd7 .txd7
As.Arnason-Ar.Arnason, Reykjavik
1988.]
The fo llowing alternative must be
taken very seriously.
4 ...i.xf4
89
Chapter 1 6 - 2 ... e6, 3 ...�d6 65
The most active continuation, but 1 O.�xfS CiJe7 1 1 .�d3 �xd3 12.1Wxd3
other moves are possible as well. CiJbc6 1 3.0-0 0-0 14.CiJeS?! (Instead of
this White could have maintained the
[5 ... b6 Black intends to exchange the initiative with 14.2:'\ae1 !.) 14 ... CiJb4=
remaining two bishops. 6.c3 CiJe7 Storm-Biatny, 2nd National League
7.�d3 0-0 8.iWe2 aS 9.CiJbd2 9.CiJa3 1 990/1 .]
Possibly more active - the idea of CiJbS
occurs. On �c8-a6 I would [6 ... CiJe7 7.CiJc3 0-0 8.0-0-0!? (090)
recommend taking on a6 because
then Black has to decide between Gave Black good chances on the
keeping the knight guarded or queenside after 8 ... b6 9.h4 cS 10.g3
removing it at some point. 9 ...�a6 c4 1 1 .iWe2 CiJd7 12.�h3 Elb8 in
10.CiJeS cS 1 1 .�xa6 CiJxa6 12.CiJdf3 Efimov-Luther, Asti 1996, therefore I
V'ifd6 13.0-0 f6= Gretarsson-Luther, think 8.�d3 is better.
Clichy 199S]
90
[S... cS 6.dxcS iWaS+ 7.c3 iWxcS 8.�d3
tlif6 9.0-0 0-0 10.CiJbd2 b6 1 1 .1'=�e1
.lia6 12.�c2 CiJbd7 1 3.CiJeS Elad8 8
14.CiJb3 iWc7 1 S.CiJd4;!; And the knights
occupied prom1s1ng squares in 7 7
5 5
[S ... CiJf6 6.c3 0-0 7.�d3 b6 8.0-0 �a6
9.�xa6 CiJxa6 10.iWd3 iWc8 1 1 .CiJbd2 4
c5 12.a3 c4 1 3.iWc2 CiJc7 14.E\fe1
4Jce8 1S.CiJe5;!; I.Horvath- 3
6.'1Mfd2
92
a b c d e
2 . . . c5 ! ?
1 .d4 d5 2.lLlf3 c5!? (093) 3 ... e6
93
a b c d e
The only move . 3.c4 is not our [6 . . . ttJf6 transposes to the classical
subject, nor is 3. dxc5. On the other system with 6 . . . .id6]
hand, 3.e3 would lock in the bishop
and possibly lead to the Coll a [6 . . ..ixg3 7 . hxg3 iWd6 8.ttJbd2! In
System . The desirable 3 . .if4? is met actual fact Black can not really push
by 3 . . .cxd4 4. ttJxd4 ttJd?!� when his pawn to e5. With 8 . . . ttJf6 ! The
Black threatens to win a piece with position transposes to the chapter
. . . e5. Therefore only the text move "Classical Exchange on g3".
remains. (But 8 ... e5? gets hit by 9 .dxe5 4Jxe5
1 O . ttJe4! 4J xf3+ 1 1 .gxf3 and Wh ite
68 Chapter 1 7 - 2 . . . c5!?
95
7 ..id3 Lt:lg6 2
[ 1 4 . . ..ixg2?? 1 5 .Lt:lh4+-]
69
C h a pter 1 8
...
4 '\1Wb6 ! ? + 5 '\1Wxb2 ...
1 .d4 d5 2.lL!f3 lL!f6 3.j,f4 c 5 4.e3 8.ilxd7+ �xd7 9.tLle5 �f5 1 0. �e2 a6
�b6 !? (096) 1 1. g4 '1Mff4 1 2. gxh5 Wc 1 + 1 3.Wd1
Wxb2 14. ttJd2 Wxd4 1 5. tLlef3+-)
96 For 6 . c3 one should have a look at
the chapter on the Exchange Variation
a b c d e f g h
s ! .I B J.-·rl Ms
of the Caro-Kann- Defence.]
' , ,7
97
7- · -
1 � - - -
"'" � a b c d e f g h
s i B� -·- Ms
6 6
5�lf - · - - 1 5 7 llfi - Wl i Wi i l 7
4 1 - ��� ���. -4 - -
�
6 ' -
'"" �
6
41 - •
. M •.-•,/. 134
�/'/. �
1 a� -i¥=�- :a l 1 3- B""0���
a b c d e f
2
g
a b c d e g h
can not respond with �b3, therefore a
special idea is needed. [4 . . . tt:'lc6 5.c3 e6 leads to the basic
position of the classical system]
[4 .. .t2Jh5? Loses, but the variation is
worth noting: 5.j,xb8 E\xb8 6.j,b5+! [4 . . . j,g4?! is also not a good idea:
j,d7 7.j,xd7+ '1Wxd7 8.tt:'le5 '1Wf5 9.'1We2! 5.c3 leads into known channels �nd
(097) tt:'lf6 1 0.'1Wb5+ tLld7 1 1 .tt:'lc3 cxd4 d oes so without the poss1ble
1 2.exd4 E\d8 (12 . . . f6 1 3. g4 �e6 adventure after 5.dxc5.
14. tLlxd5+-) 1 3 .tLlxd 5 '1We4+
1 4.<j;lf1 +-] (5.dxc5!? is certainly fu nny - but only
for White . . .
[4 . . . cxd4 5 .ex d4 tt:'lc6 (5. . . ttJ h5 ? Wi t
similar variation to the one a e
��
a) 5. . Wa5+ 6. tLlc3 tt:le 4 (6. . . a6!)
.
4 . . . tLl h5?: 6.ilxb8 E\xb8 7.j,b5+ j,d7 7. Wxd5 tt:lxc3 8. \lli axb 7 +- Gozzoli-
70 Chapter 1 8 - 4 . . . Wb6! ? + 5 . . .'�xb2
5 .. .'\&xb2?
1 0 ....if5
[1 0 . . . ii.g6? 1 1 .c6]
72
C h a pter 1 9
4 �b6 ! ? + 5 c4
. . . . . .
1 .d4 dS 2.�f3 �f6 3 ..tf4 cS 4.e3 1l;Vb6 7 . tt:J b5 tt:Ja6 8.l'lb1 Wa2 9.l'la1 Wb2=]
s.�c3 c4! 6.:Sb1 (1 01 )
6 ....tg4
101
This is probably the only move giving
Black a chance of equality. The
position is even considered to be
slightly better for Black. But my
discovery will change this
assessment. . .
[6.a4 All White can achieve through [9.b3? Wa5 1 0.tt:Ja4 b5 1 1 .tt:Jc5 .txc5
this is a repetition of moves: 6 . . . Wxb2 1 2. dxc5 tt:Je4-+)
Chapter 1 9 -
4 . . . i¥fb6! ? + 5 . . . c4 73
1 03
9 ....ixf3
1 04 105
[1 1 . . . 1Wxd4 1 2.exd5 1Wxf4 (12. ..tiJxd5 1 8.g3 However, Black must capture
13. CiJxd5 exd5 14./ie3 Wxd1 on c7 after all. 1 8 . . . 1Wxc7 1 9.gd4 1Wb6
1 5. gfxd1 +-; 1 2. . . exd5 1 3./ie3 Wxd1 (1 9 . . . <;t>b8? 20.CiJ b5+- 1Wc5 2 1 .gxc4
1 4. gfxd1 +-) 1 3 .dxc6 gd8 1 4.1We2 gd2 1Wxb5 22.gc8+ gxc8 23.1Wxb5 gc7)
(14 ... bxc6 1 5.hc6+ lt>fB 1 6. gfd1+-) 20.gxc4+ lt>b8 2 1 . CLJ b5� ( D1 06)
1 5. c 7! (0 105)
The wh ite attack remains dangerous.
1 5 . . . lt>d7 Such a pawn can q uickly After 1 1 . . .1Wxd4 Black can be happy if
become very valuable. he can hold the position until reaching
(1 5 ... 0-0? 1 6.g3 Wd4 (16. . . gxe2 the time control.]
1 7.gxf4 gxc2 1 8./ixb l} 1 7. CiJb5+-)
Chapter 1 9 -
4 . . . '1Wb6 !? + 5 . . . c4 75
1 06 1 07
1 2. ltlxe4 ltlxd4
[ 1 1 . . . ct:Jxe4 Avoiding the complications
is com bined with getting into a Because of the high tactical content it
passive position : 1 2. ct:Jxe4 dxe4 is very d ifficult to give detailed text
1 3.i.xe4;!; With his pair of b ishops comments.
White stands more than comfortable.]
[1 2 . . . ctJd5? 1 3. ctJd6+! i.xd6 1 4.i.xd6
[1 1 . . . 0-0 !? Simply ig noring everyth ing . ct:Jxd4 1 5.i.xd5 l"\d8 1 6.i.xc4 l"\xd6
1 2.exd5 ct:Jxd4 (12. . . exd5 13.CiJxd5 1 7. c3 1Wc6 1 8.cxd4 1Wxc4 1 9.!"1c1
ct:Jxd5 1 4. hd5;!;) 1 3. dxe6 ct:Jxf3+ 1Wxa2 20. l"\c8+ l"\d8 2 1 . l"\xd8+ mxd8
(13 . . . ct:Jxe6 1 4.i.e3) 1 4 .'\Wxf3 fxe6 22.1Wg4+-)
1 5.1We2;!; The pawn structure is clearly
favourable for White. [1 2 . . . 1Wxd4?! 1 3.ctJd6+ mf8
(13 . . . hd6? ? 14.hc6+) 1 4 .i.g3 1Wxd 1
[ 1 1 . . .l"\d8 1 2 .exd5 ct:Jxd4 1 3 .i.e3 (14 . . . hd6 1 5.hd6+ 'ittg 8 1 6.'\Wxd4
ct:Jxf3+ 1 4 .1Wxf3 1Wa6 1 5.dxe6 fxe6 ct:Jxd4 1 7.hb 7 !"\dB 1 8.i.e5) 1 5 .l"\fxd 1
1 6.l"\bd 1 0-0 1 7 .l"\xd8 l"\xd8 1 8 . l"\d 1 i.xd6 1 6 .i.xd6+;!;)
8xd 1 + 1 9.'\Wxd H Similarly to the
previous variation , the better pawn 1 3.ct:Jxf6+ gxf6! (01 08)
structure guarantees White a plus.]
Only this move seems to cause Wh ite
Back to the main variation any d ifficu lties. Therefore, this
variation is very important. The idea
lying behind 1 3 . . . gxf6 is to halve the
d angerous pair of bishops.
76 Chapter 1 9 - 4 . . . 1Mfb6 !? + 5 . . . c4
1 6.cxd4
[1 6 .�e5?? l2Jc6]
1 6 .. .fxe4
<;t>xc6 20.�e5;!;]
1 09
14.�e4!
23J'!:e1 �d4
78 Chapter 1 9 - 4 . . . '<Mib6! ? + 5 . . . c4
[23 . . J:'i:d2 24J:'i:xe4 Elxb2 25. Elexc4 c5 Finally the king is activated .
26.Elg4 (26. El 1 c2 Elb 1 + 2 7. <:l2h2)
26 . . . Elxa2 27.Elg7 a5 (27. . . r:JJ d7) ] 25 .. .f5 26.me2 ci;; c7 27J3d1 e5
28J3xd4 exd4 29J3xc4t
24J3c2
The black pawns seem to be pretty
The idea is Elec1 . dangerous, but after
4 J&b6 ! ? + 5 a 6 ! ?
. . . . .
1 .d4 d 5 2.c!l:lf3 c!Df6 3 ..tf4 c5 4.e3 VNb6 1 O . lt:Jxd5 lt:J xd5 1 1 .VNxd5 e6 1 2 .VNh5+-
5.c!Dc3 a6!? (01 1 3) Forbes-Summerscale, British
Championships (Eastbourne) 1 99 1 .]
113
1 14
a b c d e
a b c d e
8
8
d e g h
g h
Prevents tt:lb5 and pursues similar
ideas to 5 ... c4. 5 . . : e6 6.tt:lb5 tt:la6 7.c3!? c4
80 Chapter 2 0 - 4 . . . Wb6!? + 5 . . . a6!?
7 ... cxd4
117 118
a b c d e a b c d e
8 8
6 6 6
5 5 5 5
3 3 3 3
�
�"
�/,_,,_3
� 2 2
The last moves were all q u ite normal. 1 8 ..ixf4 11Mxf4 1 9J�xe4! V!Jc7
White has planted in a knight on e5 20.ltlaxb6 �d8
and increased the control over this
important central square in general. [20 . . . tLle7 2 1 .'11Ma 4++-]
"�- � b c d e f g h
5 VNb6
. . . - Introd u ction
1 .d4 d 5 2.ctJf3 l2Jf6 3 ..if4 c 5 4.e3 ct:lc6 the Caro-Kann Exchange Variation.]
5.c3 [5 . . . if5?! g ives away the pawn .
6.dxc5 e6 (6 . . . ixb1 ? ! 7 J'1xb1 ct:le4
White sets up the threat of simply 8.ct:le5 ct:l xc5 9 ..ib5+- :!'k8? ! 1 0.'1Wf3
winning a pawn with 6.dxc5. WaS (10. . . ctJe4 1 1. ctJxf7) 1 1 .'1Wxd5
Cibulka - Husek, Slovakia 200 1 .)
5 ... �b6 (01 2 1 ) 7 . ct:ld4 ixb1 8. E!xb 1 ixc5 9.'1Wa4!]
1 22
a b c d e h
a b c d e g h
a c d e g h
[9 . . . tt:lh5! 1 0.0-0 tt:lxf4 1 1 .exf4 and [6. tt:la3!? Leads to wild compications.
now: 1 1 . . . c4 ( 1 1 . . .cxd4 1 2 .f5! ? ic5 6 ... �xb2 7.tt:lb5 tt:le4 Whoever is
(12. . . id6 1 3. fxe6 fxe6 14. ctJxd4 e5 interested, can invest time in the
1 5. ctJ f5 �cl 1 6. c4 d4 1 7.�b5+-) arising positions.
1 3 .fxe6 fxe6 1 4 . b4 id6 1 5.tt:lxd4 0-0
1 6.tt:lxe6 !'1f6 1 7.tt:lg5 h6 1 8 .ctJf3 tt:le5 6.�c2 cxd4 (6 ... g6 7.ctJbd2 ig7 B.ie2
1 9.ie2;!;) 1 2 .ie2 id6 1 3 .f5 0-0 1 4 . b3 0-0 9. 0-0 ctJh5 1 0. ig5 h6 1 1. ih4
cxb3 1 5 .axb3;!;] cxd4 1 2. tt:lxd4 ctJf6 1 3.�b3 �aS
After this small excursion into perhaps 1 4. ig3 = Wirthensohn-Pelletier,
Swiss Cht 1 999.; 6 . . . ig4 7. ctJbd2 e6
86 Chapter 2 1 - 5 . . . '\Wb6 - Introduction
8.'!Mfc1 e6 1 28
ie7 One will probably remember this 1 2. g4 i.g6 1 3. tt:Jxg6 hxg6 14.ig2 i.d6
idea from Wh ite's point of view?! 1 5. ixd6 Wxd6 1 6.b3"f Schlindwein
1 1 .ie2 0-0 1 2 .l2'l h f3 ig6=] Har-Zvi, Rotterdam 1 998.) 1 1 .f3 ig6
1 2. e4 tiJ h5 1 3.ig3 ie7 (13 . . . tt:Jxg3
9 .. .'lWd8 1 4. hxg3 Wg5 1 5.l'g,h3 We3+ 1 6.i.e2
t"iJe7 1 7. tiJf1 Wxc 1 + 1 8.l'g,xc 1 =)
[9 .. . 1k8 1 0 .ie2 ie7 1 1 .0-0 0-0 1 4 . tiJxg6 hxg6 1 5.if2 f5 1 6 .Wc2 Wd7
1 2.:1:\e1 Wa5 1 3.a3 b5 1 4 .id 1 Wb6 1 7 . b3 cxb3 1 8.axb3 l'g,c8 1 9.Wb1 =
1 5.ic2 a5 1 6 .ig5= Petran-Gonda, Sch lindwein-Pinter, National League
Budapest 200 1 .] 97/8]
[9 . . .ie 7 1 0 .ie2 0-0 1 1 . 0-0 :1:\fc8 1 0 ... b5 1 1 .a4 a6 1 2.ie2 ie7 1 3.0-0
1 2.:1:\e1 Wd8 1 3.Ct:Je5 tiJxe5 1 4.ixe5 0-0 1 4.Wb2 Wd7 1 5JUd1 h6 1 6.t"iJe5
b5 1 5.if3 id3 1 6 .e4 b4 1 7 .ixf6 ixf6 tt.Jxe5 17 .dxe5 tl.Je4 1 8.bxc4 bxc4
1 8.exd5 exd5 1 9. tiJf1 = Kovacevic 1 9.tl.Jxe4 �xe4 20 .i.xc4= (01 29)
Dizdarevic, Mravinci 1 995.]
1 29
[9 . . .Wa5 1 O.ie2 b5 1 1 . b4 Wb6 1 2 . a4
bxa4 1 3 .:1:\xa4 ie7 1 4.0-0 0-0=
Plaskett-Pinter, Copenhagen 1 985.]
1 0 .b3
5 'Wfb6 + 8 e5?
. . . . . .
1 .d4 d 5 2.tLlf3 tLlf6 3.�f4 c 5 4.e3 tLlc6 all the variations. In many cases the
5.c3 �b6 6.�b3 c4 7.�xb6 axb6 material on hand was just not enough
8.tLla3! (01 30) and h ad to be completed with self
analysis. With such at one's disposal,
1 30 the London System player now
obtains an extremely dangerous
a b c d e h
weapon.
8
Now we move on to an explanation of
7 8 .ct:la3 ! . Without this knight move
Black could just let b5-b4 etc. follow
6
and White could no longer hope for an
advantage. Therefore, coming to this
decision was not really difficult.
Besides preventing the opponent's
ideas , Wh ite might well th reaten to
3
play ct:la3-b5-c7 at some point. I n
2 order t o understand the variations we
will begin by looking at Black's worst
answer.
8 ... e5?
We are now reaching my favourite
position in the London System. There Despite being very tempting, pushing
are a surprising number of difficulties th rough . . . e5 is just not as easy as
as well as complex problems to be that. . .
solved , even though the q ueens were
exchanged and the pawn structu re is 9.lDb5 :!!a S
determi ned to a large extend. The
half-open a-file looks very prom ising Otherwise the pawn on e5 would
for Black, but White does not have to vanish from the board without any
be worried about this. compensation .
As mentioned in the last chapter, th is
position is not aspired to as the resu lts 1 0.tLlc7+
clearly speak against White. But the
main reason is probably that the White had no option but we already
correct approach for White has not see the first big point of 7 .'1Wxb6 .
been found yet. This applies to nearly Regard less o f how Black contin ues, a
90 Chapter 22 -
5 . . . Wb6 + 8 . . . e5?
131
a b c d e h
8 8
2
4 1 . 1"\f1 <;t>es 42.1"\xe6+ <;t>xe6 43. 1"\xf4
1"\h2 44.1"\f1 h4 45.1"\h1 1"\xh 1 + 46 .�xh 1
c
@d6 47.@b2 tt'lb5 48 .<;t>c2 @cs
9
49.<;t>d2 h3 50.a4 tLlc7 5 1 .a5 @bS
White actually got four pawns for the 52.<;t>e3 <;t>xa5 53.�d4 @bS 54.�f3 h2
piece , but there is another important 55.�h 1 tt'le6+ 56.�e5 �a4 5?.<;t>xe6
feature in the position : The pawn @b3 58. @f5 <;t>xc3 59.<;t>f4 �d2
structure is no longer compact and 60.@g3 c3 6 1 .�xh2 c2 62.�f3 c 1 W
hence open to attack. I n the progress 63.<;t>g3 <;t>e3 64.�a8 Wg 1 + 65.�g2
of the game Black made use of this Wf2+ 66.@g4 Wxg2+ 67.<;t>fs We4+0-1
and eventually went on to win : Olszewski , M- Borovikov, V/Kazimierz
1 5 . . . <;t>e? 1 6.�b3 �g4 1 7 .tt'ld2 g5! Oolny 200 1 ) 1 1 . . . tt:Jxe5 1 2.�xe5 tt'lg4
1 8.tt'le4 gxf4! (01 32) Yet another 1 3.tt'lxd5 tt'lxe5 1 4.tLlxb6+ �c7
exchange sacrifice. 1 9. tt'lxc5 bxc5 1 5.tt'lxc8 tt'ld3+ 1 6 .�xd3 cxd3 1 7.�d2
20 .�d5 tt:Jxe5 2 1 .�xb7 tLld3+ 22.�d2 �xc8 1 8 .e4+- is also more than
tLlxb2 Where have all the pawns favourable for White .]
gone? 23.1"\he1 + <;t>f6 24.�e4 tt'l c4+
Chapter 22 - 5 . . . Wb6 + 8 . . . e5? 91
1 33 1 34
a b c d e g h
si 8� 1.11 �-;; -� 8
7 - ' v·�..� �- " �8 £ £ 1 7
/;- ////;
'
6 1 -� 8 - - 6
/'
/. . ,
� ;;
�/,,_.,�
5�- 8 £ ��%8 1 5
4 1 8:�.t. D :i + � - 4
r�
:;:,,_ ///;'/
3- 8 13
;:A ""
:::-::: 0//Y,::
'Wf/�
� ""
"""""
'Wf
2 1 � 0 8 �"��� � 0 �" 2
1
g� 8 �01�
a �- " � 8
b
�al1
c d e g h
1 1 ... ltlxe5
5 .'\&b6 + 8 J�xa3?
. . ..
1 36
knight has to move. At the same time it. 1 4 . . . ibxb1 1 5.li:Jxb1 'Bxg7 1 6 .md2
events are forced . 1 1 . . .ibxa3 b5 1 7 . mc2 iba 1 1 8.a3 md7 1 9.li:Jd2
( 1 1 . . . b5 prevents a later li:Jxc4. Wh ite Places his hopes on the extra piece.
can sti ll gain an advantage with Wh ite has to give away three pawns
absolutely exact moves 1 2 .ibxf6! gxf6 now. 1 9 . . . 'Bg8 With the plan of getting
1 3.e4! dxe4 1 4.g4! ( 01 37) to aB. 20.ibe2 ibxc3
1 37 1 38
Two pawns are sacrificed in order to (20 . . . b4 2 1 .axb4 'Ba8 22.ibxc4 dxc4
break through the stranglehold. 23. li:Jxc4 All of a sudden White is a
14 ... ibxg4 A retreat to g 6 does not whole piece down but his
help. (14 . . . ibg6 1 5.ibg2 .ha3 1 6. 'Bb 1 compensation is obvious
e3 1 7. li:Je4 exf2+ 1 8. mxf2� b4 nonetheless.) 21 .mxc3 'Bxg2 22.ibh5
1 9. li:Jd6+ me7 20. li:Jxc4 ibxb 1 2 1 . 'Bxb 1 Striving for an endgame without
'Ba8 22. ibxc6 bxc6 23. cxb4 'Ba4 rooks. 22 . . . 'Bxf2 23.'Bf1 'Bxf1 24.li:Jxf1
24. 'Bb3 ibc1 25.a3+-) 1 5 .'Bb1 li:Ja7 me? 25.li:Jg3 ( 0 1 39)
The disturbing knight was pushed
back. 1 6 . a4! Softening up the c4- Black's three extra pawns are
square. 1 6 . . . b4 1 7.'Bg 1 1 7 . . .ii.f5 relatively immobile but nevertheless it
1 8. li:Jxc4 li:J c6 1 9. li:Je3 ibg6 20.md2 f5 will be d ifficult for White to win due to
2 1 .li:Jc2 ii.h6+ 22.mdH) the small amount of remaining
material.]
1 2.ibxf6 ibb2 1 3.ibxg7 'Bg8 1 4 . 'Bb 1 ! !
( 01 38) A beautiful motif: The bishop is
trapped and Black must try to rescue
94 Chapter 23 - 5 . . .'�Mb6 + 8 . . . :9:xa3?
1 40
1 36
a b c
1 1 ... �e4
1 2.f3
1 6.'it>e1
[ 1 7 . . . l/Jd7 1 8 .�g2 l/Jxc3 1 9.Eic1 +-] Conclusion : Despite its great idea,
the 8 .. J3xa3? exchange sacrifice is
1 8J3xb6 .!Dxc3 1 9J3xb7+- (0141 ) just not good enough .
96
C h apter 24
5 �b6 + 8 .ig4
. . . . . .
1 .d4 d5 V!ljf3 ltlf6 3 ..if4 c5 4.e3 ltlc6 The bishop on g6 is not playing at all
5.c3 '!Wb6 6.'1Wb3 c4 7.'1Wxb6 axb6 and it will take some time for the rook
8.ltla3 �g4 on h8 to enter the game as wel l .
(18. . . �aB) 1 9 . .id3�]
Has hardly ever been played , but is
doubtless much better than the moves 142
examined previously.
1 1 .ltlaxc4 ! !
[ 1 3 . . . �a6 Preferring to give away only Conclusio n: The piece sacrifice was
two pawns after recognising that not the forced contin uation after
Wh ite has no strong discovered 8 ... J.g4, but the main aspect of this
attacks with his knight. 1 4.g4 .ig6 chapter is the demonstration of this
1 5. h4 h5 1 6.g5 tt:ld7 1 7 . tt:ld6+ .ixd6 very common idea.
1 8 ..ixd6 �aS Despite only having two
pawns for the piece, White obtains
more than enough compensation.
97
C h a pter 2 5
5 � b 6 + �aS ! ?
. . .
1 .d4 d 5 V�jf3 lt:lf6 3 ..if4 c5 4.e3 lt:lc6 b6. Black has to make a difficu lt
5.c3 'Wb6 6.'Wb3 c4 7.'Wxb6 axb6 choice. Should he defend b6 or
8.lt:la3 E:a5!? (01 43) continue with his development? lt
becomes clear that only two moves
1 43 come into consideration .
a b c d e h
[9 . . . e5?! Trying to make use of the
8 8 knight on a3. 1 0 . �c2 e4 1 1 .�d2 Ela6
(0 1 44)
7
1 44
5
4
3
lie? 23.�d 1 tt:ld3 24.�e2 0-0 25 .fxe4 [ 9 .. . e 6!? Very solid. Anyhow, there are
dxe4 26. tt:lxe4 tt:lxe4 27.�xd3 f5 a few pitfalls White has to be aware
28.g4 g6 29.gxf5 gxf5 30.tt:lb3 lih4 of. The lieS is not worth much more
3 1 . tLl d2 tLlf2+ 32 .�e2 tt:l h 3 33.c6 f4 than a pawn, but Black plans to make
34.tt:lf3 1 -0 Kovacevic-Kristensen , use of it l ater on. 1 O. tt:lc2 ( 01 46)
Thessa-loniki 1 988/]
1 46
[9 . . . 1"i:a6?! invites us to the already
a b c d e
well known piece sacrifice. 1 0. tt:lxc4 !
dxc4 1 1 .1ixc4 1"i:a8 1 2.1ixb6 etc.]
1 45
d e h
8 c d
1 48
b d
��� 8
a c e g h
£ 17
An active developing move can hardly
ever be bad . With the text move Black
takes control of the c2-square. All of
a sudden, . . . e6 would become a
serious threat to the knight on a3 .
Therefore it looks as thoug h Wh ite
has to capture on b6.
Let us have a short look
at . . . 1 O ..ixb6? ! l"\a6 1 1 ..ic7 �d7
1 2. l?J b5 e6 (01 50) Wh ite will have to
defend his Knight with a2-a4 after
1 2. a3 hereby fin ally eliminatin g . . . b4, wh ich Black will double his rooks on
because the l?Jc2 protects the 2"\ on the a-file (actually an advantage of
a1 . 1 2 . . . l?Je4 1 3 ..if4 !?;!; The 8 . . . l"\a5) . The a4-pawn can then only
alternative 1 3 .l?Jd2 is good as well - be defended with .ie2-d 1 and Black
which one to play is simply a matter of will stil l have enough compensation
taste. for the sacrificed pawn . I can only
warn against such a passive
Back to the main variation treatment of the position and again
recommend i nstead a move out of my
fund.
( 'hapter 25 - 5 . . .'\Mfb6 + 8 . . J::\xa5!? 101
1 50 151
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f
si - - -�
�/7//?//; Ms 8 8
7- , ��� · - i - i l 7 7
6 1 .! _1.1\_ i _ -6 6
s - tt:J - i - 1. - I 5 s
41 - .�.�:� - -4 4
3 - ��r��':; �:�tt:J- 1 3 3
-;,;; ,/�/,
2 1 8 �:� - 0 8 0 2
1
�� - =�- �gl1 ' �
a b c d e f g h
1 0 ... ci>d7
1 0.lDd2 ! ?
Very creative - and that is the way the
A
The idea is simple. sacrifice on c4 is variations will go on . . .
being prepared.
[1 0 ... e5 Threatens to weaken the 1 1 .hb6 1 1 J:!a6 1 2 ..ic5 (01 52)
white pawn structure. 1 1 .dxe5 �xa3
1 2. bxa3 ltJg4 1 3 .e4! (0 1 5 1 ) 1 52
1 53
103
C h apter 26
5 �b6 + 8
. . . . . . ltl a 7 !
1 .d4 d5 2.lLlf3 ltJf6 3 ..if4 c5 4.e3 lLlc6 9.b3! (01 57)
5.c3 �b6 6.�b3 c4 7 .�xb6 axb6
8.lLla3 ltJa7! (01 54) This is the only way to fight for an
edg e . T h e big drawback o f 9.b3 or
1 54 9 . b4 lies in weakening the £>,c3 . A
defin ite analysis is nearly impossible
a b c d e h as there are several options to
8 choose from in each position .
Therefore I tried to work out certain
ideas and plans in the following
variations. A lot of practical tests with
6 8 . . . l2Ja7 would certainly be desirable.
as B lack has to find the two difficult with the idea of tt:Jd6-b5, with a lot of
moves 8 . . . tt:Ja7 and 9 . . . �d7. After the pressure on c3. 1 1 .ctJab1 ctJd6
text move the square c8 becomes 1 2.�xd6 exd6� The doubled pawns
available for the tt:Ja7 and the bishop look horrible, but in reality they are
takes over the task of protecting the very strong. Wh ite does not manage
b5-square. Consequently, Black will to accomplish a2-a4, thus keeping a
accompl ish the manoeuvre tt:J c8-d6- backward a-pawn . I cannot see a way
b5, or Wh ite will have to g ive up his to prevent the simple plan of . . . �e7,
bishop pair on d6. Both would be very 0-0, �a?, �fa8]
good for Black.
1 56
9 e5!?
...
1 58
(12. . . '8xa2 1 3. '8xa2 ti:lxa2 14. 0-0 with both sides have difficult decisions to
good compensation .) 1 3.j,xc4 The make but with the ideas I have
position remains very exciting for described I hope to have shown you
both sides.] the proper direction.
5 . . . Wfb6 + 8 . . . e6
1 .d4 d5 V!fjf3 tL!f6 3.i.f4 c5 4.e3 tlJc6 Therefore, White tries to secu re the
5.c3 '1Wb6 6.'1Wb3 c4 7.'1Wxb6 axb6 pair of bishops and keeps the game in
8.tlJa3 e6 9.tlJc2 ! (01 60) calm and quiet waters. 1 0 . . . i.xd6
1 1 .i.xd6 tt:le4! Forces the bishop to
1 60 q u it from the diagonal a3-f8.
Additionally, after b5-b4, c3 will be
a b c d e t g h unprotected. 1 2.i.c7 h inders b5
(12.i.f4 �b5) 1 2 . . . �b5!:j: creating
counterplay ]
9 ... tlJe4!?
1 7. lt'l b4l 1"la5 1 8. lt'lxc6 bxc6 1 9. lt'l e5+ 1 5 . . . b4 1 6.ltlxb4 .ta4 1 7.ci>e2� (01 63)
rJJ c 7 Otherwise c6 falls. 20.f3 l ?
Securing c5 permanently. (20.lt'lxf7 i s
more cou rageous. 20 . . . 1"lf8 2 1 . lt'le5 1 63
CiJe4 22 . .ie2! offering f2 . 22 . . . lt'lxc5
(22. . . 1"lxf2 ?! 23. .if3 1"lxb2 24 . .ixe4
dxe4 25. 0-0t.) 23.0-0 stil l being very
excitin g . Both sides have
chances.) 20 . . . 1"lf8 (20. . . CLld7 2 1 . CLlxf7
ElfB 22. lt'lg5t.) 2 1 . .ie2 cu d ? 22.lt'lxd7
.bd7 The endgame should be equal.]
1 62
1 5.g4!
1 65
4.c4! The answer to the question of
a b c d e f g h
why 4.c4! is correct in this position is
explained in chapter 33 "Reasons for
4.c4!".
4 ... dxc4
5.e3 b5
1 67
a c d e g h
1 .d4 d5 2. ltlf3 ltlf6 3 ..if4 .ifS 4.c4 squares on the queenside will remain
e6?! (01 70) � feature of the position for a long
time and can quickly become very
1 70 problematical for Black. On 5 . . . Wc8, a
prompt l::\ c 1 would be annoying.
After this Black will be an noyed that After this Wh ite continues to develop
normally and can be happy about a
he d id not play . . . c6 straight away,
because now he will have to weaken slight but permanent advantage. He
h is q ueenside permanently. should play carefully and always think
twice about such attempts as c5 (8.
5 ... b6 (0 1 7 1 ) c5? Dd8=). Normal developing moves
s uch as 9.e3, .te2 and 0-0 look very
One might get the wrong i mpression logical.
that the light-squared weaknesses
cannot be exploited immed iately. This
might be true, but having weakened
1 12
C h a pter 30
1 .d4 d5 2.ttlf3 ttlf6 3.�f4 �f5 4.c4 c6 he game Bagheri- Bezgodov ' Cap d
�Agde
{01 72) 2002.]
1 73
1 .d4 d 5 2.<\ljf3 lDf6 3 ..tf4 .ifS 4.e3 e6 [9 . . . .ie7 1 0.h3 (1 0. b4 ? lDh5=) 1 0 . . . 0-0
5.c4 c6 6.lDc3 lDbd7 7.'1M/'b3 'IMJ'b6 1 1 . b4 a6 1 2.lDd2 2"\fe8 1 3 .ll:Jb3 .id8
(01 74) 1 4 . b5 e5 1 5.dxe5 ll:Jxe5 1 6 .bxc6?;!; ·
1 75
c d e
1 78
1 79 1 80
a b c d e
(13. ti:Jb3 is simpler but only sufficient 1 8 ..ixa6!! :Sxa6 1 9.tiJxc6 :Sxc6
for a slight advantage. 13 . . . 0-0
14 . .id6 E\e8 1 5. ti:Ja5 haS 1 6. bxa5 e5 [1 9 . . . l"lxa 1 20.ti:Jxe7+ 'it>f8 2 1 .ti:Jxg6+]
1 7. E\a4� with the idea of l"lb4,
Kharlov-Dokuchaev, Russian 20.:Sxa6 :Sc8 21 .:Sha1 bxc5 22.:Sa8
Championships (Kazan) 1 995.) :Sf8 23.bxc5+- Kovacevic - Byrne,
1 3 . . . .ic7 1 4 . .ixc7 l"lxc7 1 3 ..id6 looks Wijk aan Zee 1 980
like a mistake since Black managed to
exchange the bishop and is ready to 1 81
castle kingside. However, the first
rank was weakened with l"lxc7 for a
moment and this is already enough . . .
1 5. b5 0-0 (1 5. . . tLlb8 1 6. bxa6 bxa6
1 7. E\a2+- Kovacevic-Arzimendi,
Mislata 1 995.) 1 6. bxa6 l"la8 (16 . . . bxa6
1 7.l"lxa6 l"lb8 1 8.l"la2 e5 (1 8 . . . E\cb7
1 9. g4 .ig6 20.g5 ti:le4 2 1 . tLldxe4
.ixe4 22. ti:lxe4 dxe4 23. .ig2+-)
1 9 . .ie2 exd4 20.exd4 l"lcb7 2 1 .g4!+-)
1 7 .l"la2 bxa6 1 8 .g4! .ig6 1 9 .g5 ti:Je8
20.h4 l"lb8 2 1 . h 5 .ifS+-]
1 3.g4;!;
1 83
a b c d e
8
7
6 6
5
4
3 3
[6 . . . .ie7 7."Wb3 "Wb6 8.c5 "Wxb3 9.axb3
2
leads to well-known set-ups.]
1 84
Reasons fo r 4.c4 !
1 .d4 d 5 2.lL!f3 lL!f6 3.J.f4 J.f5 4.e3 e6 5.c4 J.xb1 ! (01 87)
(01 86)
That's it! Black gives up his pair of
1 86 bishops in order to keep the wh ite
king in the centre permanently.
a b c d e
I nteresting positions with marvellous
8 complications arise on the board . But
u nfortunately I was not able to find an
advantage for White.
6
1 87
a b c d e g h
Looks suspicious, but a good chess because after 9.i.d6 :8e8 1 0 .1Wb3+
player should always be objective. Let b7 is also under attack.) 9.1Wa4 li:lc6D
us have a closer look at the position : (9 . . . a5?? 1 O.a3 li:lc6 1 1 . axb4 axb4
White has the pair of bishops and 1 2.1Wb3+-) 1 0 .a3 i.a5 1 1 .1Wc2 The
threatens to win a piece with c5 current problem is that White cannot
followed by a3 and b4. Another idea immed iately play b4. White leaves
is to give a check on a4 , followed by Black no other option apart from the
li:le5. The b 1 -rook is also well placed q ueen's move. 1 1 . . . g5 1 2.i.g3 f5
for a pawn storm. If only the king was (01 89) ( 1 2 . . . g4 1 3.b4 i.xb4 1 4 .axb4
not standing on e2 . . . ! This is of course gxf3+ 1 5.gxf3 li:lxg3+ 1 6.hxg3+-)
exactly the reason for Black's
compensation ! 1 89
1 88
1 90
1 92 1 93
a b c d e f h
e f g h
8 J.xf4!
...
1 97
5.e3 e6
My tip for Wh ite would be to always (7 . . . t2J hS?! 8.cS '!MfaS 9.i.eS!? I do like
try to reach the main position of the this move. 9 . . . t2Jd7 (9 . . . f6? 1 0 .i.xb8
system. Therefore, 6.i.e2! would be 1"lxb8 1 1 .t2J h4±) 1 O.i.e2 ttJxeS
the correct decision in this position. 1 1 . t2JxeS t2Jf6 1 2.g4 i.g6 1 3.h4 t2Jg8
More about this idea can be found in 1 4 .hS i.e4 1 S.f3 f6 1 6 .t2Jxc6 bxc6
the conclusion! 1 7 .fxe4±)
6 ...i.xb1 ?!
8.c5 Wd8
1 99
(8 . . . WaS! The queen could become a
target on aS but she does impede b4
8 for the moment. 9.t2Jh4 tlJhS 1 O.ttJxfS
t2Jxf4 1 1 . exf4 exfS 1 2.i.d3 g6 1 3.1Mfe3+
i.e7 1 4. 0-0 �f8 1 S.a3 draw, Gu lko-
6 Smag i n , Riga 1 98S. After 1 S . . .i.f6! I
do not see a great advantage any
5 more . )
g 7 .h3! (020 1 )
201
lt is no wonder that this variation was
tested at a high playing-level so often a b c d e h
203
a b c d e h
1 0 ... g6!?
g Looks very reasonable as Black is not
An important improvement in Black's afraid of 1 1 . .ixa6. White would have
strategy. The threat is . . . ctJ b4 , to contin ue with b4 very soon .
therefore White has to play ctJa3 o r However, Black would use his
lose some time with a3 . T h e point lies dou bled a-pawn i n order to open files
slightly d eeper because the idea of. . . on the q ueenside. The ,0,d4 would be
ctJ h 5 will gain in strength after having put under pressure after ctJc7-e6 and
prevented White from capturing the .ig? . Therefore I evaluate this position
knight on b8. as being equal.]
position of the system with 2 . . . c6 and usw.) 9. h3 tt::l e4 1 0 .tt::l c3 i.d6 1 1 .i.xd6
3 . . . Wb6 has been reached . tt::l x d6 1 2.c5 tt::l e4 1 3.b4 0-0 1 4.a4;!;]
[8 . . ..ixb 1 ?! does not look very strong The pawn structure is very similar to
any more. 9 .Ei:xb1 dxc4 1 0 . tt:J e5 0-0 the one in the Slav Defence except for
1 1 . tt:J xc4 Wd8 1 2.a3 aS 1 3.Ei:d 1 ctJdS one detail: Wh ite did not weaken the
14 . .ig3� Yz-Yz Gasanov-Voloshi n , square b4 by playing a4. His pieces
Czestochowa 1 992/ (67) . Wh ite have occupied n ice squares. The Wc1
secures a permanent advantage won the fight for the better position of
because of his pair of bishops.] q ueens and Wh ite can try to occupy
the centre with f3 followed by e4.
9.4Jfd2! {0207) However, Black's position is very
compact and without any
207 weaknesses.
a b c d e g h Conclusion: With 7 ... .ie7 Black is in
-� 8 possession of a very solid
£ 17
conti n uation . However, White gets a
favourable version of the Slav
Defence after 9. 4Jfd2!
s i .I B -·- -a
7.� ... ·� ·��·· 17
6 1 �� /- _ , _ -6
s JB _' i _.i._ I s
4 1 - D g �- 4
3-� - �:� ttJ - 13
21 §;�DJ}-��:� t!J 0 2
'�
1 �:JJ ttJ � - � = 1 1
a b c d e f 9 h
11e7· li:la4
Even though Black has not yet
castled , he takes the risk of opening '1Wb4 1 2 .\Wxc4 \Wxc4 1 3 ..bc4
�
up the position and moves his c-pawn .
1 4 . .ib5 looks good for White.)
for the second time. Su rprisin 1
�� 2. '1.Jb3!+-)
0. \WaS 1 1 .Ct:Jxc5 .ixcS (1 1 . . .b6?
enough , it is not at all easy to ach ie ;,
1 2.dxc5 \WxcS
an advantage.
(1 2 . . . .id3?! 1 3.hd3 cxd3 14 . .id6t)
8.c4
1 � .\Wxc4 '1Wxc4 1 4 . .ixc4;t White is a
Quite obvious. bit better due to his slight lead in
development and the pair of bishops.
8 ... ltJc6 9.ltJc3 cxd4 However, the symmetrical pawn
structure makes a draw quite
(9 . . . dxc4 Probably hoping for 1 O .dxcS probable.]
after which - on account of th �
Chapter 37 - Main position with 7 . . . c5 133
21 1
a b c d e f g h
213
1 .d4 d5 2.ltJf3 ltJf6 3 ..if4 c6 4.e3 J.g4 [5 . . . ltJbd7 6 . tt:Jc3 e6 7.1:Wb3 J.xf3 8 .gxf3
(02 1 4) etJh 5 (B. . . '�cB 9.cxd5 tLlxd5 1 0. tLlxd5
exd5 1 1 . J.h3 a5 1 2. 0-0-0 a4 13.Wfc2
214 WfdB 14.'il.hg1 g6 1 5. e4 Wfh4 1 6. J.xd7+
r:JJxd7 1 7. 'il.g4 '{Nh3 (Crouch-Baburin,
a b c d e
Britisch league 2000/1 ) 1 8. 'il.g3 Wfh4
8 1 9. J.e5 f6 20.'il.g4 Wih3 2 1 . J.g3±)
9 .J.g3 tt:Jxg3 1 0.hxg3 ( D2 1 5)
7
21 5
6
5
8
4
3
6
3
White must seek the initiative on the
q ueenside before the pin starts getting
u n pleasant:
5.c4 Wib6
There are plenty of players who
[5 . . . a6 pursues the idea of answering generally have a thing against
6 .Wlb3 with b5?! A plan which is more doubled pawns . We already met a few
than dou btfu l though . (6. . . Wfc8 7. tLle5 in the London System and here is
J.f5 B. tLlc3 e6 9.'il.c1;!;) 7 . cxb5 cxb5 another example. The wh ite position
a.t2Je5 Wfa5+ 9.tt:Jc3 J.e6 (9. . . J.f5 wins enormously through this, as he
1 O.g4 J.e6 1 1 .J.g2±) 1 O.J.e2 tt:J e4 now holds control of the h -file . The
1 1 .J.f3 b4 1 2.Wfa4+ W!xa4 1 3 . C2Jxa4 f6 king is fine on g2. All in all, the
1 4.CtJd3± P . Petran-M. Nemeth , dou bled pawns offer a lot of merits.
Zalakaros 1 995.] 1 O . . . 'il.b8 1 1 .Wic2 g6 1 2 .J.d3 J.g7
1 3. cj;Jf1 dxc4 1 4 .J.xc4 0-0 1 5. c;t>g2�
136 Chapter 38 - 2 . . . c6/ . . . �g4 with tt:lf6
21 6
S . Kovacevic-Moloney, Cappelle l a
Leading t o similar structures to the Grande 1 995.
ones discussed in the chapters on the
137
C h a pter 39
1 .d4 d5 2.tLlf3 c6 3 ..if4 .!g4 4.tLle5!? 9 . .!d2) 9.l'J:h3;l; White can secure an
(02 1 8) edge with l'J:b1 and the idea of l'J:xb? .)
5.g4!? (021 9)
219
d e f
c d e f g h
The knight occupies e5, winning a
tempo against the .! on g4. This is
the most ambitious contin uation . 2
4 ....!f5
220
6J�xb1 ! '!WaS+
7.llJd2! (0223)
223
S ... .ixb1 ?
8J�a1 ! 225
227
a b c d e g h
8 1 J. - - · - ��� 8
7�
�� .�. -
� · - · 17
61 - -6
" - �/
-�-
s- fJ .l - - Is
41 - ��� �+j j_ - 4
The usual move sequence to reach 3-� �"-� • /1";\ � I 3
�r� -�-
this position would be 1 .e4 c6 2.d4 d5 2 1 � ��� - 0 � 0 2
3.cxd5 cxd5 4.�f4, although the
moves 4.c4 (Panov-Attack), 4.�d3
and 4.c3 are the most popular. Does 1 U lZJ-iV =� - M
b c d e
11
this mean that 4.�f4 and perhaps a g h
even the London System in general There are various move sequences
has to be evaluated as bad? which lead to this position, mostly
beginning with ... cxd4.
No, not at all: First of all Black must
know where exactly he has landed. [6 ... g6 7 .tt::l bd2 �g7 8.�d3 0-0 9.0-0
Secondly, he must comprehend the �f5 10.hf5 gxf5 1 U 2le5 lt:\xe5
Caro-Kann Defence very well. Even 12.i.xe5 tt::l e4 1 3.i.xg7 r;:t>xg7 14.tt::l xe4
with sufficient knowledge of the fxe4 15.f3 f5 1 6.fxe4 dxe4 17.W'd2;!;
position after 4.�f4, achieving equal Kharlov-Galkin, Ekaterinburg 1997 .]
chances is far from easy. Black does
1 42 Chapter 4 1 - Caro-Kann Exchange Variation
9 ....id6
229 a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 44
C h apter 42
G ru enfeld m a i n l i ne
1 .d4 d5 2.lL!f3 lL!f6 3 ..if4 g6 4.e3 .ig7 Pursues a very ambitious plan.
5 ..ie2 0-0 6.0-0 c5 7.c3 lL!c6 8.lL!bd2
(0231 ) [8 .. .'�b6 9 .'1Wb3 c4 1 0.'1Wxb6 axb6
231 1 1 .tLle5 tLlxe5 1 2 ..ixe5 .id? 1 3 . .if3
.ic6 1 4. gfe1 gfe8 1 5 .a3 e6 1 6.ge2
CLJd7 1 7 ..ixg7 li>xg7 1 8 .e4;!; Wang
Rui-Li H aoyu , Tianjin200 1 .]
( 1 1 . tLlxd 7! (0232)
232
a b c d e g h
3 - �'� �r
4
� �� !"+� 3
a b c d e f g h """0
��
:::1
%uu0 '% ;,uu0
2 2
u� b -�m ; ll �01
"""0 // ' " "' %uu0
1
� i'L �- --Y'
a d c h e g
1 3 ... e5 a e g
[ 1 3 . . . g4 ?! 1 4 .li:lh4;t]
G ru e nfeld sideli n es
1 .d4 d5 V!ljf3 ltlf6 3 ..if4 g6 (0236) Even though a lot of good playe �s
.
chose .id3, I believe the b1shop IS
236 better off on e2, where it stands very
safely - particularly after Black has
advanced his pawn to eS.
237
the case with the pawn on d6.) 8 . . . tt:lf6 tt:le4 1 4. tt:lxe4 dxe4 1 5. a5±
(B . . . tLlf4 9. exf4 gxh4 1 0. Vfid31;) 9.�g3 Andrianov- L6ffler, Cannes 1 995.)
tt:le4 1 O.c4 tt:lxg3 1 1 .hxg3 dxc4 9.h3 tt:lbd7 1 0.tt:le5 tt:lxe5 1 1 .�xe5
1 2.tt:la31; meant an improvement over tt:ld7 1 2 .�xg7 �xg7 draw, Watanabe
the game Ree-Langeweg, Braga, Brazil 1 99 1 . 1 3.f41;]
Amsterdam 1 967, which was
contin ued with 1 0.0-0.] [The position after 6 . . . tt:lh5!? 7.�g5 h6
8.�h4 g5 9.tt:le5 tt:lf6 1 0 .�g3 tt:le4 is
6.0-0 cS by no means bad for Black. 1 1 .tt:lc3
tt:lxg3 1 2 .hxg3 Wh ite strives for f4, but
[6 . . . �g4?! g ives up the pair of bishops very interesting complications arise
too carelessly: 7 .h3 �xf3 8.�xf3 c6 after 1 2 . . .�xe5 1 3 .dxe5 �e6 1 4.�g4.]
(Davidovic-An ka, Szolnok 1 987) 9.c4!
(0238) 7.c3
7 ... cxd4
1 1 ."8e1 .ig4
6
[After 1 1 . . .f5 1 2 .tt:lb3 which occurred
in the game Andrianov-M .
Damjanovic, Tei-Aviv 1 99 1 , Black
should have tried the consequent
1 2 . . . f4 !? instead of 1 2. . . e6 13."8c1
3 tLlf6 1 4. il.b5 ctJg4 1 5. .id2 ctJdB?! 1 6.c4
2 dxc4 1 7.il.b4, which , in the end, led to
a win for White) ]
1 3 ... lt:lh5
[ 1 5.tLlc5!?;t]
241
151
C h a pte r 44
4.e3 .ig7
5.i.e2 c6 6.0-0
[If White prefers a typical London set
[6.tLlc3 leads to a variation of the up, then 7.h3 is probably the best
Barry attack, in which Black h as made choice. 7 . . . 'Wb6 (7 . . . tLlbd7 8 . tLlbd2 l::le 8
a concession with . . . c6] 9.c4 e6 1 0 . b4 b6 1 1 .l::\ c 1 i.b7 1 2.a4
l::l c8 1 3 .'Wb3;!; Gerasimenyk-Kopasov,
6 ... 0-0 7 .c4! (0243) St. Petersburg 2003) 8.'Wc1 c5!
(8 . . . tLl e4 9.c4 i.e6 1 O .c5 Wifd8 1 1 .b4
The Schlechter set-up with . . . c6 is b6 1 2. tLl bd2 tLlxd2 1 3.Wifxd2 f6?!
slightly more solid than the G ruenfeld 1 4 . l::\f c1 ctJd7?! 1 5.b5! bxc5 1 6.bxc6
variation, but at the same time more lt:l b6 1 7 .l::\x c5, 1 -0 Falchetta-Piasec,
1 52 Chapter 44 - Schlechter set-up
Caorle 1984) 9.c3 ti:Jc6 10.ti:Jbd2 .if5 9 . .ixc4 t!Ll b6 1 O ..ib3 .ifS ( D 24S)
1 1 .a4 cxd4 1 2.exd4 l"\ac8 1 3.!'\a3 ti:Ja5
14.b4 ti:Jc6 15.a5 1Mid8 16.1Mi a1 ti:Je4 [10 ... ti:Jbd5 1 1 . .ie5 .ig4 12.h3 .ixf3
1 7.b5;t Galego-Frois, Caldas de 1 3.1Mixf3 ti:Jxc3 14.bxc3 ti:Jd7 15 . .ixg7
Felgueira 1999.] lt>xg7 16.e4 e5 17.1Mie3 "We? 18.f4±
Roder-Marek, Cappelle la Grande
7.ti:Jbd2 and 7.c3 can be answered 1994.]
with 7 ... ti:Jh5, but 7.ti:Je5!? is worth a
try.] 245
7 .. .c!L!bd7
a b c d e f 9 h
[7 ... ti:Jh5?! is not convincing: 8 ..ie5 f6 81 I - � - · - 8
9 ..ixb8 l"\xb8 1 O.ti:Jfd2 f5 1 1 ..ixh5 7- · - - · - · 1 7
gxh5 12.cxd5 1Mixd5 1 3.ti:Jc3 (13.1Mfxh5 6 1 -
e5 14.tLlf3 e4 1 5. tLlg5 h6 1 6. tLlc3 "Wd6 · - - · -6
1 7. ti:Jh3±) 1 3 ... 1Mif7 14.f4;t]
fR - -.i.- I
s s
C h igori n - Defense
1 .d4 d5 V!l)f3 ti:Jc6 3.i.f4! (0246) (4 ... ti:Jf6 5.c4 e6 6.ti:Jc3)
246 (4 ... li:Jb4 5.ti:Ja3 e6 6.c3 ti:Jc6 7.ti:Jb5
d f i.d6 8.ti:Jxd6+;!; Apicella-Prie, France
a b c e g h
(Nantes) 1993.)
8 I . - .t ��� . �m�
-� ��-� 8
(4 ... e6 5.c4 i.d6 6.i.g3 ti:Jge7 7.ti:Jc3
.. .
channels.
3 ... .ig4
Even the alternative is unpleasant for (1 2 ... 4Je7!? With the plan of ... ctJf5
Black. it often frustrates Chigorin and ... c6 is better. But White can
players to play against if4 - they do claim an advantage with 13.c5. The
not get their usual active game. Or in immediate threat is obvious. (13.a3
other words: The 4Jc6 looks even ia5) 1 3 ... c6 14.a3 ia5 15.4Jxa5
more ridiculous than in any other �xa5 1 6.b4 �c7 (1 6. . . �xa3? 1 7.�d2
variation. a5 1 8.bxa5 ifS 1 9. Ela 1 �b3 20. Ela2
and White is winning.) 1 7.a4 f6
[5.ie2 id6 6.ig3 4Jge7 7.4Jbd2 0-0 18.b5;!;)
8.0-0 Black has problems because of 1 3.Elxc4 id6 (0249)
his space disadvantage. 8 ... ctJf5 In
order to show some compensation, he 249
hopes to at least keep his pair of
bishops. 9.c4 As the ig3 has already
fulfil ed its obligations, one should not
have anything against the exchange
on g3. 9 ... 4Jxg3 1 O.hxg3 (0248)
248
a b c d e f g h
s l .l -
• �
%' 1/;
··-
�s
/uu.J
�� , �"�
m - m · I7
.•
7 �. - · �"�
6 1 - �- · - - 6
sa - · - - I s
4 1 - � n - j. - 4
3��. - �?�Q:J�-� 1 3
• "'••u0 "'""!/,: White fancies playing d5 - creating a
21 � n � � n � - 2 double attack against c6 and g4. But
at the moment Black stil has the reply
1 ��
��
-'if-
� �
��� 11 ... 4Je5. With 14.4Jc5 White exerts
dangerous pressure on the
a b c d e g h
queenside. Of course Black could
Even though no rook remains on the take on c5 but that would cost him the
h-file, the pawn on g3 also has its only ace he has. 14 ... Elb8 15.�d2
merits: White secured permanent 4Je7 16.Elfc1 c6 17.id3 if5 18.e4
control over f4. 1 0 ... ib4 1 1 J�c1 Elc8 winning further space. 18 ... ig6
1 2.ctJb3 dxc4?! Due to his lack of 19.�e3 Ele8 20.!'14c3 4Jc8 21 .g4
space, Black feels obliged to take on gradually planning g3, �g2, Elh1 .
c4. 21 ... 4Jb6 22.Ela3 4Jc8 pure
Chapter 45 - Chigorin-Defence 155
helplessness. 23J:l:b3 Wffc7 24.g3 ttJb6 3 1. CDf6+! gxf6 32.Wif4! - and again
(24 ... �g3? only fails to 25.e5+-) there is no defence against the mate
25.�g2 ttJd7 26.e5 fie? on the h-file.) 30.g5 fid8 31 .Wfff4 fie?
32.ctJf6+! ttJxf6 33.gxf6 1-0 in Rogers
(26 ...fixd3? 27.exd6+-; - Ye Rongguang, Kuala Lumpur
26 ...fif8 27.fixg6 fxg6 is the only way 1990.]
to prevent being mated on the h-file,
but the pawn structure speaks Back to the main variation
volumes.) 5 ll:\f6 (0251 )
...
250
9 .. .f5l? 253
255
a b c d e
[8.�e2 f\e8 9.0-0 dxc4 1 O.�xc4 e5? Black planned ... e5 and would have
(10. J i Jh5!) 1 1 .dxe5 Wxd1 1 2.f\fxd1 attained equality with this idea after
�xf3 13.gxf3 tt::l xe5 (13. . .hc3 14.exf6 10.�d3. To avoid this White must
hf6 1 5.ii.b5+-) 14.tt::l b 5+- Simic move his bishop for a second time.
Yeo, Belg rade 2003.] Supported by his lead in development,
Black tries to complicate the position.
.. 8 . .txf3 If he does not manage to do so, he
will simply be worse off.
[8 ...�h5 9.a3! �xc3+ (9... �d6
1 0. cxd5!? exd5?! 1 1.�g5+-) 10. f\ xc3 [1 o.�d3? e5! 1 1 .dxe5 tt::l x e5 12.�xe5
We? (10. . . tt:le7 1 1.�e2 c6 1 2. 0-0 tt:le4 Wxe5=]
1 3. E\c21;) 1 1 . � e2 dxc4 12.f\xc4 l2ld5
1 3.�h2 f5 14.0-0"1; Cebalo 1 0 ....ixc3+
Gruskonvnjak, Portoroz 2004.]
[1 O ... f\fd8? 1 1 .cxd5+-]
9.1.Wxf3 ffe7
Chapter 45 - Chigorin-Defence 159
1 1 J'!xc3 256
b d f h
[1 1 . bxc3? '\Wa3 12.�c2 tt:Je4-+ is what a c e g
Sto n ewa l l
1 .d4 d 5 2.lLlf3 e6 3.i.f4 f5 4.e3 lLlf6 However, with the position at hand
5.c4 (0257) Black has completely g iven up the
257 control over e5. Therefore he is no
longer able to exploit the position of
the �f4 - in fact, quite the opposite is
true.
5 ... c6
6 [5 . . . �d6 6. ti:lc3 0-0 (6 . . . �xf4?! 7.exf4
5 0-0 8.�e2 b6 9.0-0 �b7 1 0 .Elc1 ti:Jbd7
1 1 .b4 dxc4 1 2 .�xc4 ti:ld5 1 3.�xd5
4 4 exd5 1 4 .Ele1 lLlf6 1 5 .ti:Je5+- Sakaev-
3 Radu lski, Jugoslavia 1 996. Because
of f3 Black will never be able to
2 occupy e4 .) 7.�d3 c6 (7 . . . b6 8.0-0
tt:Je4 9 .�xd6 "'&xd6 1 0.cxd5 exd5
1 1 . Elc1 c6 1 2.ti:Je5 �b7 1 3 .f4;!; Suran
Orlowski, Bavaria 1 997 .) (7 ... ti:lc6 8.0-
0 �d7 9.�xd6 cxd6 1 O.cxd5 exd5
The typical reaction against an early 1 1 ."'&b3+-Vyzhma.navin-Padevsky,
�f4 in the Dutch Defence is . . . b6 and Gelsenkirchen 1 99 1 .)
refraining from pushing the pawn to
d5. The advantage is that Black's 8 .0-0 "'&c7 (8 . . . ti:le4 9.�xe4? ! (9."'Mfc2
position remains flexible. As we will fits in much better.) 9 . . . fxe4 1 0.lLle5
see, the Stonewall is not always the "'&e7 1 1 .c5 �c7 1 2.f3 exf3 1 3 .Elxf3 b6
correct recipe. Therefore , one should 1 4. tt:Ja4 �a6 1 5.Elc1 b5 1 6 .lLlc3 b4=
not fear this transposition. Sokolov - Lukov, M aribor 1 990.)
9. ti:le2 (9.g3) 9 . . . lLlh5 1 0.�xd6 "'&xd6
Why do we not h ave a look at the 1 1 .c5 "'&c7 1 2 .b4 ti:Jd7 1 3.1&c2 g6
move sequences 1 .d4 f5 or 1 .d4 e6? 1 4."'&b2 Ele8 1 5 .tt:Je5! (D258)
The reason is quite simple: Similarly 1 5 . . . tt:J xe5 1 6 .dxe5 g5 1 7.f4 g4
to 1 .d4 ti:Jf6 , Black is still in a position 1 8.tt:Jd4+- Lal ic-de Ios Santos,
to fight for e5. Malaga 2002.]
I n his book about the Leningrad
System, GM Kindermann proved the 6.lLlc3 i.e7
d isadvantages of an early �f4 in the
Dutch Defence. [6 . . . �d6?! There is nothing to say
Chapter 46 - Stonewall 161
against this exchange from White 's Strives for counterplay, mainly against
point of view since the e-file will be the � on c3. [8 . . . i.d7 9.�e5 �a6
opened : 7.i.d3 0-0 8.0-0 �e4 9.Wc2 1 O . a3 �c7 1 1 .cxd5 � cxd5 1 2 .i.g3
i.xf4 1 O. exf4 �d7 1 1 . E'1fe 1 �df6 �h5 1 3.�f3 �xg3 1 4.hxg3;!;
1 2.�e5 �d6 1 3 .c5 �f7 1 4.b4+ Scherbakov-Grabarczyk, Koszalin
Savchenko-lliushin, Linares 1 998.] 1 99 7 . ; 8 . . . �h8 9.h3 �e4 1 0.g4 i.d6
1 1 .i.xd6 �xd6 1 2 . �e5 �d7 1 3.0-0-0
258 We? 1 4 .cxd5 cxd5 1 5.f4 �f6 1 6 .h4
i.d7 1 7 . h5+- Pogorelov-Guliev,
M oscow 1 996.]
9.g4! (0259)
8.'<Wc2
5
4
3
2
9 &Lia6
... F.)
Forcing the next move, which suits [9 . . .�a5!? Pinning the knight. 1 0.gxf5!
White's position very well . (0260) claryfiing the situation on the
kingside. ( 1 0.�e2 is answered by
A.) ia3!?. Black achieves an unbalanced
position through tactical tricks after
[ 9 . . . tLl d 7?! 1 O .gxf5 exf5 1 1 .cxd5 cxd5 1 1 Jlac1 tLlxc3+ 1 2 .�xc3 �xc3
1 2. tLlxd5 �aS+ 1 3.�e2 id6 1 3.l=lxc3 ixb2 1 4 . l=lb3 fxg4
(13 . . . �xd5? ? 14.ic4) 1 4. b4 �d8 Shabariyazdanov-Radjabov, B iel
1 5.ixd6 tLlxd6 1 6 . tLlc7 1 -0 Arkhipov 2000. A completely unclear position . . .
Stockmann , M uenster 1 99 1 .] The threat is . . .ixd4. ) 1 0 . . . exf5
1 1 . �e2 ct:Jxc3+ ( 1 1 . . . �e6 1 2.cxd5
B.) cxd5 1 3.�b3 tLld7 1 4 . �hg 1 �h8
1 5.tLle5 �fc8?! 1 6.ixe4 fxe4 1 7.tLlxd7
[9 . . . id6 1 O .ie5 tLlxc3 1 1 .bxc3 ixe5 �a6+ 1 8.�b5+- Aagaard-Pedersen,
1 2. tLlxe5 tLld7 1 3.tLlxd7 �xd7 1 4.a4 Ringsted 1 992 .; 1 1 ... ia3!?)
�d6 1 5.f4 �h8 1 6. g 5 b6 1 7 . a5�
J a kab-Antal, Budapest 2002.] 260
a b c d e h
C.)
a J. 8
[9 . . . ib4 1 0. �e2 ixc3 1 1 . bxc3 b6
1 2.l=lhg 1 ia6 1 3 .gxf5 exf5 1 4. tLl e5 7
tLld7 1 5 .f3 �h4?! 1 6 .l=lg2 tLlef6?!
(16. . . tLlxe5 1 7.be5 tLl f6 is also clearly
6
better for White.) 1 7 .l=lag 1 tLlxeS
1 8. l=lxg7+ �h8 1 9. .be5 �ae8 20.�d 1
l=lxe5 2 1 . dxe5 tLlh S 22.�g2
1 -0 Seres-Vajda , Eger 2002. ]
D.)
1. easy to learn
2. extremely solid
3. ful l of poison
4. fascinating positions
5. relatively unknown
As the system covers all variations after 1 .d4 d5 (lazy people can also use it
against 1 . . . tt:Jf6), it must be regarded as a universal weapon. But if this system is so
good , then why is it still so l ittle-known?
I can only guess at the reason - probably the opinion established itself at higher
levels that the London-System (LS) would not have enough bite to seriously
endanger Black.
H owever, there are also a few people among the top grandmasters who think
otherwise. Gata Kamsky for instance used the London-System with reasonable
success and the London-System is very popular one or perhaps two steps lower
down at the I M- to FM-Ievel, as Wh ite can easily avoid long theory variations,
forcing his opponent to play
chess from the very beginning.
The much-praised solid ity should not be mistaken for boredom as i n truth the
concept for a very dangerous kingside attack is inherent in the London-System.
Numerous games have been decided in favour o f White long before the 30'h move
just beca use Black underestimated the white set-up.