• Categories
• Juegos competitivos
• Juegos de habilidad mental
• Juegos de mesa
• Ajedrez
• Teoría del ajedrez

Citation preview

The Modernized Benko By Milos Perunovic Thinkers Publishing 2018

www.thinkerspublishing.com First edition 2018 by Thinkers Publishing Copyright © 2018 Milos Perunovic All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission from the publisher. All sales or enquiries should be directed to Thinkers Publishing, 9000 Gent, Belgium. Email: [email protected] Website: www.thinkerspublishing.com Managing Editor: Romain Edouard Assistant Editor: Daniël Vanheirzeele Software: Hub van de Laar Graphic Artist: Philippe Tonnard Cover Design: Iwan Kerkhof Production: BESTinGraphics ISBN: 9789492510211 D/2018/13730/3

Key to Symbols used ! ? !! ?? !? ?! □ = ∞ ⩲ ⩱ ± ∓

a good move a weak move an excellent move a blunder an interesting move a dubious move only move equality unclear position White stands slightly better Black stands slightly better White has a serious advantage Black has a serious advantage

White has a decisive advantage Black has a decisive advantage with an attack with an initiative with counterplay with the idea of better is worse is novelty check mate © with compensation for the sacrificed material

+-+ → ↑ ⇆ ∆ ⌓ ≤ N + #

Table of Contents Key to Symbols used ............................................................................................. 4 Preface ................................................................................................................. 7 PART I – 4th Move Alternatives 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 Chapter 1 – The 4.Nf3 Variation......................................................................... 11 Chapter 2 – The 4.Nd2 Variation........................................................................ 25 Chapter 3 – The 4.Qc2 & 4.a4 Variations............................................................ 33 PART II – 5th Move Alternatives 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 Chapter 4 – The 5.e3 Variation............................................................................ 45 Chapter 5 – The 5.f3 Variation ............................................................................ 65 Chapter 6 – The 5.Nc3 Variation ........................................................................ 81 Chapter 7 – The 5.b6 Variation............................................................................ 93 PART III – The Main Line 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 Chapter 8 – The 7.e4 & 8.a7 Variation............................................................... 107 Chapter 9 – The Fianchetto Variation (7.Nf3 & 8.g3)........................................ 121 Chapter 10 – The 8.e4 & 9.Nd2 Variation (with 7.Nf3) .................................... 131 Chapter 11 – The 8.e4 & 9.Bd2 Variation (with 7.Nf3) .................................... 147

Preface In this modern era, Black players tend to prefer solid, computer-approved openings. I wanted therefor to present a completely new approach for Black. The Benko Gambit has been an unpopular choice since the computer isn’t too happy to lose a pawn unless absolutely necessary. When I started playing the Benko 10 years ago, I felt it was a very good choice for open tournaments and weaker opponents, since it leads to an active game for Black. In time, I started using it against strong players as well, and I came to realise that the opening was entirely applicable at even top levels. There is a secret danger for White: so long as White is up a pawn, the computer claims an advantage, but in practice it is very difficult for humans to make use of this theoretical advantage. The book presents a repertoire for Black after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5. My aim is to offer the essential variations and themes for Black, both in terms of concrete variations and conceptual ideas. In my opinion, the only way for White to test the Benko is to accept the gambit – the main line of this book. I this line I suggest 6...Bg7 instead of 6...Ba6, an idea which I came while analysing the opening with my friend and a lifelong Benko Gambit player, GM Danilo Milanović. After the ‘…Bg7’ move, entirely non-standard positions for the Benko may surface giving way to new motives for Black. Following White’s lengthy wandering, I believe the best continuation with ‘7.a7‘ has been found, after which very complicated positions arise, and Black has to show very precise skills to stay in the game. The ‘…Bg7’ variation became popular, and I must admit I felt proud when the great Vladimir Kramnik used the ‘…Bg7’ variant earlier this year. Certainly, the ‘…Ba6’ variant is another possibility that is currently suffering because of the ‘e4 variation’, but I think that Black has still some resources available to fight back, after all we are talking about a ‘Fighters Repertoire’! With this book, I wanted to revitalise the Benko and show that, although the computer isn’t that happy with Black’s positions in certain lines, his resources are impressive, especially in ‘THE PRACTICAL GAME’, because White will face many difficulties and Black’s counter attacks, no matter how well-prepared he is. Our Beloved Benko is still very much ALIVE! Milos Perunovic, December 2017.

Part I 4th Move Alternatives 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 Chapter 1 The 4.Nf3 Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3

Chapter’s guide Chapter 1 – The 4.Nf3 Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3 a) 4...g6 5.-b) 4...g6 5.cxb5 a6 6.Qc2 c) 4...g6 5.cxb5 a6 6.Nc3 axb5 7.-d) 4...g6 5.cxb5 a6 6.Nc3 axb5 7.e4

a) 4...g6 5.-1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3

Position after: 4.Nf3 White opts for the flexible 4.Nf3. He gives Black the choice which type of position he wants to play. Black has several logical ways to continue. My suggestion is 4...g6. After 4...g6 White can transpose to other lines as well. Other logical continuations for Black are 4...Bb7, 4...bxc4 or 4...b4. 4...g6 5.Nbd2 A) 5.Nfd2 Bg7 6.e4 0-0 7.cxb5 a6 8.Nc3 e6 9.d6 Ne8 10.Nb3 axb5 11.Nxb5 (11.Bxb5 Qb6 12.a4 Nxd6∞; 11.Nxc5 b4 12.Nb5 f5©) 11...Na6 12.Bc4 Bb7 13.Qe2 f5 14.exf5 Rxf5 15.0-0 Qb6 16.Rd1 Bd5© B) 5.Qc2 transposes to chapter 3. C) 5.a4 transposes to chapter 3. 5...Bg7 6.e4

Position after: 6.e4 6...bxc4 6...0-0!? A serious attempt to initiate creative play! Still nobody took any pawn on the queenside!

Position after: 6...0-0!? A) 7.e5 Ng4 8.cxb5 a6 9.b6 (9.Ng5 f5 10.exf6 Nxf6∞) 9...d6 10.a4

Position after: 10.a4 10...a5! The main idea of this move is to take back the pawn on b6 with the knight. (10...Qxb6 11.Nc4 Qc7 12.exd6 exd6 13.Bf4 Re8+ 14.Be2 Bf8 15.0-0 Nf6 16.h3 Bb7 17.Ne3 Nbd7ƒ) 11.exd6 (11.Nc4 Nd7³) 11...exd6 12.Bb5 Nd7 13.0-0 Nxb6³ Black’s initiative gives him the advantage. B) 7.cxb5 a6

Position after: 7...a6 8.a4 (8.bxa6 e6 9.dxe6 fxe6 10.Be2 d5 11.0-0 Bxa6© Next is ...Nc6. White is stuck with an immobile knight on d2.) 8...Bb7 9.Ra3 e6 10.dxe6 fxe6 (10...dxe6!?©) 11.Bd3 axb5 12.axb5 d5 13.exd5 exd5 14.0-0 Nbd7©

7.Bxc4 0-0

Position after: 7...0-0 Now we reached a typical Benko position. It is similar as in the variation with 4.Nd2. But here, White was not able to execute his main idea with ‘b3 and Bb2’. He must lose time to play first Rb1 and then ‘b3 and Bb2’. Meanwhile Black will bring his knight to b6 and his play along the queenside looks more favourable. 8.0-0 d6 8...Bb7 Another idea: Black wants to play...e6 instead of ...d6. 9.Re1 (9.Qb3 Qb6∞ controls d5 and next ...e6) 9...e6 10.dxe6 dxe6 11.Qe2 (11.e5?! Nfd7 12.Bb3 Qc7 13.Nc4 Bd5³ Next is ...Nc6 and ...Nb6.) 11...Nc6∞ 9.Rb1 9.Re1 Nbd7 10.Rb1 Nb6 11.Bf1 e6 12.dxe6 Bxe6∞ 9...Nbd7 10.b3 Nb6 11.Bb2 a5∞

Position after: 11...a5∞ With the idea ...a4, changing the b-pawns, opening the a-file and next taking the bishop on c4. Black is just more than fine!

b) 4...g6 5.cxb5 a6 6.Qc2 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3 g6 5.cxb5 a6

Position after: 5...a6

6.Qc2 A) 6.bxa6 Bg7 transposes to the main line of chapter 8. B) 6.e3 Bg7 transposes to chapter 4. 6...axb5! This is the most aggressive move. Black can complicate matters, giving White plenty of opportunities to misplay this concrete position. 7.e4 7.Qxc5 Na6

Position after: 7...Na6 A) 8.Qd4 Bg7 9.e4 Bb7 10.Nc3 Qa5 11.Bxb5 (11.Nd2?! 0-0 12.Nb3 Qb4³; 11.Bd2 b4 12.e5 0-0!µ) 11...0-0 Black finishes his development, and still is posing White some serious questions: ...Nxd5, ...Ne4, etc. 12.Bxa6 (12.0-0 Nc7³; 12.Bd2 Nxd5 13.Nxd5 Qxb5 14.Qb6 Qxb6 15.Nxb6 Bxe4!? 16.Nxa8 Bxb2 17.Rd1 Rxa8∞) 12...Bxa6 (12...Nxe4!?∞ this move will suit the more aggressive player!) 13.e5 Rfc8!

Position after: 13...Rfc8! A nice tactical shot! 14.exf6 Bxf6 15.Ne5 A1) 15...Rxc3!? 16.Qxc3 (16.bxc3 d6 17.f4 Qc7©) 16...Qxd5 17.Bf4 Rc8 18.Rd1 Qe4+ 19.Qe3 Qb4+ 20.Qd2 Qe4+= A2) 15...d6 16.Qa4 Qxa4 17.Nxa4 Bb5! 18.Nc3 (18.Nb6? Rxa2! 19.Rb1 Rc2µ) 18...Bxe5 19.Nxb5 Rxa2! 20.Rb1 Rb8 21.Nxd6 exd6= B) 8.Qxb5

Position after: 8.Qxb5

We reached an interesting position. White is three pawns up. On the other hand, Black can finish his development and White’s queen is still not out of the woods yet. B1) 8...Bg7 9.Nc3 0-0 10.e4 d6 11.Be3 Bd7 (11...Rb8!?©) 12.Qd3 Qa5 13.Nd2 Ng4© B2) 8...Rb8 B2.1) 9.Qd3 Nb4 10.Qd1 Qa5 11.Nc3 (11.Bd2 Ne4 12.Nc3 Nxd2 13.Qxd2 Bg7³ the threat being ...Nc2) 11...Nbxd5© with more than ample play! B2.2) 9.Qa4 Nxd5

Position after: 9...Nxd5 B2.2a) 10.e4 Qc7! 11.Qd1 (11.Bd2?! Ndb4³; 11.Na3 Rb4 12.Qd1 Rxe4+ 13.Be2 Nf4 14.Bxf4 Qxf4∞) 11...Ndb4 12.Na3 Bg7 13.Be2 Bb7 14.0-0 Bxe4 15.Nb5 Qc6∞ B2.2b) 10.Qd4 Nf6 11.Nc3 Bg7© B2.2c) 10.e3 Qb6

Position after: 10...Qb6 11.Be2 (11.Qd4 Qxd4 12.Nxd4 Bg7 13.Be2 Nab4 14.Na3 0-0 15.0-0 Ba6 16.Bxa6 Nxa6© Next is ...Rfc8 White has a problem with his bishop on c1 and the knight on a3.) 11...Bg7 12.0-0 Nc5 13.Qd1 (13.Qh4 Bf6 14.Qg3 00³) 13...e6© and I still prefer to be Black here. 7...Ba6

Position after: 7...Ba6 8.Qxc5

A) 8.Nbd2 Bg7 9.Qxc5 0-0 10.Bd3 e6 11.0-0 (11.d6 Nc6 12.0-0 Qb8³ with idea ...Rc8) 11...d6 12.Qb4 exd5 13.exd5 Nxd5 14.Qb3 Nf4³ Epishin, V – Bareev, E St. Petersburg 1998. B) 8.Nc3 Bg7 9.e5 Ng4

Position after: 9...Ng4 B1) 10.a4 b4 11.Nb5 Nxe5 12.Nxe5 Bxe5 13.Qxc5 0-0 14.Qxb4 Bb7 (14...e6!?©) 15.Nc3 Qc7 Our plan is simple and logical ...Na6 and ...Nc5. 16.Be3 (16.Nb5 Qc2 17.Na3 Qc7 18.Nb5 Qc2=; 16.Be2?! Na6 17.Qa3 Rfc8 18.Bd2 Nc5³) 16...Na6 17.Qb3 (17.Qc4 Rfc8³) 17...e6∞ B2) 10.Bf4 d6

Position after: 10...d6 B2.1) 11.e6 fxe6 (11...0-0∞) 12.Ng5 Bxc3+ 13.bxc3 (13.Qxc3 e5 14.Ne6 Qb6 15.Bg5 Nf6 16.Qh3 Nbd7 17.Bd3 Nf8³) 13...exd5 14.Nxh7 Kd7 15.Be2 (15.Qxg6?! Qg8µ) 15...Nxf2 16.Nf6+ exf6 17.Kxf2 Nc6∞ with unclear but interesting play ahead. B2.2) 11.exd6 0-0! Take my pawns please!

Position after: 11...0-0! 12.Be2 (12.dxe7? Qxe7+ 13.Be2 b4 14.Nd1 b3! 15.Qd2 Re8 16.Be3 Bxe2 17.Qxe2 bxa2–+) 12...exd6 13.0-0 b4 14.Nb5 Re8∞ (14...Bxb5 15.Bxb5 Qb6 16.Be2 Nd7∞) 8...Nxe4 9.Qd4 Nf6 10.Nc3 Bg7

Position after: 10...Bg7 11.Bxb5 11.Bd2 0-0 12.Bxb5 Bb7 (12...Bxb5 13.Nxb5 Ne8 14.Qc4 Bxb2 15.Rb1 Bg7= Korchnoi, V – Cramling, P Roquebrune 1998) 13.Qc4 (13.Qd3 Na6 14.0-0 Nb4³) 13...Na6 14.0-0 Nc7 15.d6 Nxb5 16.Nxb5 (16.dxe7 Qxe7 17.Nxb5 Rfc8 18.Qd3 Ne4©) 16...exd6∞ (16...e6∞) 11...Bxb5 12.Nxb5 Qa5+ 13.Nc3 Qa6

Position after: 13...Qa6

White is unable to finish his development with his king stuck in the center. He has two different plans available: ‘a4 and Nb5’ or ‘Qd1-Qe2’. My idea is to castle followed by ...Rc8, ...d6 and fixing my typical strong knight on c5. 14.a4 14.Qd1 0-0 15.Qe2 Rc8 (15...Qa5!?© attacking d5; 15...e6!?©) A) 16.Qxa6 Nxa6 17.0-0 Nb4 18.Rd1 d6 19.a4 (19.a3?! Nc2 20.Ra2 Nxa3³) 19...Nd7³ B) 16.a4 d6 17.Be3 Nfd7

Position after: 17...Nfd7 18.Bd4 (18.Nd4 Qc4 19.Qxc4 Rxc4 20.Ndb5 Rb4 21.Ra2 Na6©) 18...Nc5 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Qxa6 Nbxa6 21.Ke2 Rcb8 22.Rhb1 Rb4© with next ...Nb3 and ...Nac5. Black regains his pawn but even more important, keeping his typical compensation in the final position. The ending, with White’s weaknesses on b2 and d5, is simply better for Black. 14...0-0 15.Nb5 e6

Position after: 15...e6 16.dxe6 16.d6 Nc6 17.Qd1 Nd5 18.0-0 (18.h4 Na7 19.Nxa7 Rxa7µ) 18...Rfc8 19.Ra3 Ncb4³ 16...Qxe6+ 17.Be3 17.Qe3 Nd5 18.Qxe6 dxe6 19.0-0 Nc6 20.Ra3 Rfb8³ 17...Nc6 18.Qd3 Qe4 19.Qxe4 Nxe4 20.0-0 Bxb2=

Position after: 20...Bxb2= Black takes back the pawn and obtaining equal play.

c) 4...g6 5.cxb5 a6 6.Nc3 axb5 7.-1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3 g6 5.cxb5 a6 6.Nc3 axb5

Position after: 6...axb5 7.d6 7.Nxb5 Qa5+ (A second possibility is 7...Ba6 but after 8.Nc3 we transpose to the main line of the Benko, but here we have no intention to enter these lines!) 8.Nc3

Position after: 8.Nc3 8...Bg7 (8...Ne4!? 9.Qc2 Bg7 10.Qxe4 Bxc3+ 11.Bd2 Bxd2+ 12.Nxd2 Bb7 13.h4 d6© with the idea ...Nd7-...Nf6. White has a problem with his pawn on d5.) 9.Bd2 0-0 10.e4 (10.g3 Qb6©) 10...Ba6 transposes to the main line 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6. 7...Bb7

Position after: 7...Bb7 8.dxe7

A) 8.Nxb5 Qa5+ 9.Nc3 exd6 (9...Ne4ƒ) 10.Bd2 Bg7 11.Qb3 Bc6 (11...Ba6?! 12.Ne4!² Radjabov, T – Halkias, S Halkidiki 2002) 12.Ne4 Qc7 13.Nxf6+ Bxf6 14.Qe3+ Kf8³ B) 8.e3 b4 (8...exd6 9.Bxb5 d5³ Ivanov, S – Khalifman, A St. Petersburg 2002) 9.Nb5 exd6 10.Nxd6+ Bxd6 11.Qxd6 Qe7 12.Qxe7+ Kxe7³ C) 8.Bg5 Bg7 9.dxe7 Qxe7 10.Nxb5 0-0 11.e3 h6 12.Bf4 Ne4³ D) 8.e4?! Nxe4 9.Nxb5 Qa5+ 10.Bd2 (10.Nd2 Nxd6 11.Nxd6+ exd6 12.b4 Qa4 13.Bb2 Rg8µ) 10...Nxd2 11.Nc7+ Kd8 12.Nxd2 exd6 13.Nxa8 Bh6µ 8...Bxe7 9.Nxb5 Qa5+ 10.Nc3 d5

Position after: 10...d5 11.e3 0-0 12.Be2 Nc6 13.0-0 Rfd8 14.Bd2 Qb6 15.Qc2 15.b3 Ne4‚ 15...Nb4 16.Qb3 Bc8© Any Benko player will be pleased to place his bishop now on e6 or f5. He can safely play on for an advantage.

d) 4...g6 5.cxb5 a6 6.Nc3 axb5 7.e4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3 g6 5.cxb5 a6 6.Nc3 axb5 7.e4

Position after: 7.e4 7...b4 8.Nb5 8.e5? bxc3 9.exf6 Qa5 10.bxc3 Qxc3+ 11.Bd2 Qxf6 12.Rc1 Bg7µ Christiansen, L – Adorjan, A New York 1975. 8...d6 9.Bc4

Position after: 9.Bc4 This position is very similar to the one we will investigate in chapter 6.

9.e5 dxe5 10.Nxe5 (10.d6 exd6 11.Bg5 Be7 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Nxd6+ Kf8µ) 10...Bg7 11.Bc4 (11.d6 0-0µ) 11...0-0 12.0-0 transposes to 9.Bc4 Bg7. 9...Bg7 9...Nbd7 10.e5 Nxe5 11.Nxe5 dxe5 12.d6 exd6 13.Bg5 Be7 14.Bxf6 Bxf6

Position after: 14...Bxf6 15.Nxd6+ (15.Qf3? Rb8µ; 15.Qd5? Be6µ) 15...Ke7 16.Qf3 Qxd6 17.Qxa8 Bd7 18.Qd5 Qxd5 19.Bxd5 Bf5© Black has great compensation: in the exchange of the deficit of one pawn, he has the two powerful bishops. 10.e5 10.Qe2 Nbd7 11.0-0 Nb6 12.Bd3 0-0³ White has a problem with his knight on b5. 10...dxe5 11.Nxe5 0-0 12.0-0

Position after: 12.0-0 12...Ba6 A) 12...Nfd7!? 13.Nxf7! (13.Nxd7 Nxd7³) 13...Rxf7 14.d6 Ne5 15.Bxf7+ Nxf7 16.Bg5! Nxg5 17.dxe7 Qxe7 18.Qd5+ Qf7 19.Qxa8 Be5∞

Position after: 19...Be5∞ An interesting position arises. Black has three pieces for two rooks and a pawn. Black’s idea is to launch an attack on White’s kingside.

B) 12...Ne8!?∞ If Black wants to avoid complications, he can play ...Ne8 with the idea ...Nd6. 13.a4 13.Re1 Bxb5 14.Bxb5 Qxd5 15.Qe2 (15.Qc2?! b3µ Gulko, B – Vasiukov, E Yerevan 1975) 15...e6³ White does not have enough compensation for the pawn. 13...Nfd7

Position after: 13...Nfd7 14.Nxf7 14.Nxd7 Nxd7³ 14...Rxf7 15.d6 Bxb5 16.Bxf7+ Kxf7 17.Bg5 Nf6 18.axb5 Rxa1 19.Qb3+ e6 20.Rxa1 Qxd6³

Position after: 20...Qxd6³

IN THE LIMELIGHT Conclusion: White will have a hard time coping with the combination of Black’s light pieces. We can easily say that in the final position, White will face an uphill struggle to keep the balance. In this set-up, White tried to achieve simultaneously positional and active play. Black should be aware that he needs to react accordingly and we presented a clear way for Black obtaining a more than decent game.

Chapter 2 The 4.Nd2 Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nd2

Chapter’s guide Chapter 2 – 4.Nd2 Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nd2 bxc4 5.e4 a) 5...Bb7 b) 5...e6

a) 5...Bb7 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nd2

Position after: 4.Nd2 4...bxc4 5.e4 This is the starting position for the line 4.Nd2. Now Black has a lot of possibilities, for instance 5...c3, 5...d6 , 5...Bb7, 5...e6. If Black plays the classical scheme 5...d6 6.Bc4 g6 7.b3 Bg7 8.Bb2 0-0 9.Ngf3 I think White obtains a firm grip on Black’s position. I propose two lines for Black. The most solid 5...e6 and the very sharp 5...Bb7 with a more unclear but most probably unsound position. 5...Bb7 This is a very interesting solution. Firstly, tried by the Serbian Grandmaster B. Vuckovic. The idea is to attack the pawn on d5, saving the move ...d6 and quickly adding ...g6 ...Bg7, preventing White’s main idea with b3, Bb2, Ngf3 and 0-0. The only problem for Black is if White continues in the aggressive modus. 5...e6 – see the next subchapter. 6.Bxc4 g6

Position after: 6...g6 7.Ngf3 A) If White tries first to fianchetto his bishop, Black gets interesting counter play: 7.b3 Bg7 8.Bb2 0-0 9.Ngf3 e6!

Position after: 9...e6! 10.0-0 (10.dxe6 fxe6³) 10...exd5 11.exd5 d6∞ White has an annoying problem with his pawn on d5. B) 7.Ne2 Bg7 8.Nc3 0-0 9.0-0 d6

Position after: 9...d6 10.Be2 Intending to put the knight on c4 (10.f4 Nbd7 11.Nf3 Nb6 12.Be2 e6„) 10...Nbd7 (10...e6!?∞) 11.a4 (11.Qc2 Rb8 12.Nc4 Ba6∞ Feller, S – Vuckovic, B Novi Sad 2009) 11...Rb8 12.a5 (12.Nc4 Ba6∞) 12...Bc8 13.Ra4 Ne8 14.Nc4 Ba6∞ Mastrovasilis, A – Vuckovic, B Novi Sad 2009. Black has no reason to be unhappy. C) 7.e5?! Nxd5 8.Qb3 Qb6!

Position after: 8...Qb6! That is the point! 9.Bxd5 Qxb3 10.Bxb3 Bxg2 11.f3 Nc6 12.Kf2 Bxh1–+ Ivanisevic, I – Vuckovic, B Banja Vrucica 2009.

7...Bg7 8.e5!

Position after: 8.e5! This is the most dangerous continuation for Black. White wants to use Black’s omission of d6! 8...Nxd5 9.Qb3 Nb6 10.Bxf7+ Kf8 11.Ng5! With the lethal threat Bg6. 11.e6 Bd5∞ 11...e6 11...Bxe5 12.Bxg6 Bd5 13.Qe3 hxg6 14.Qxe5 Kg8 15.b3 Nc6 16.Qg3 Nd4 17.Bb2± 12.Qg3 Qe7 13.h4 Nc6 14.Ndf3 Nd8 14...Nc4?! 15.Bf4 Nxb2 16.0-0± 15.Nxh7+!

Position after: 15.Nxh7+! 15...Kxf7 15...Rxh7 16.Bxg6 Now Bg5 is a killer blow. 16...Bh6 17.Ng5 Rh8 18.h5± Next is ...Rh4. 16.h5 gxh5 17.Bg5 Qe8 White has two possibilities to continue and keeping his initiative. 18.Bf6 18.Nf6 Qf8 19.0-0-0ƒ 18...Qg8 19.Nfg5+ Ke8 19...Kg6?? 20.Qd3+ Kh6 21.g4 Bxh1 22.Nf7+ Nxf7 23.g5+ Nxg5 24.Bxg5#

Position after: 24.Bxg5# The most picturesque mate! 20.Rxh5ƒ Black’s position looks rather hopeless.

b) 5...e6 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nd2 bxc4 5.e4 e6!

Position after: 5...e6 6.Bxc4 6.dxe6 dxe6

Position after: 6...dxe6 Taking with the d-pawn is more solid. A) 7.e5?! Nd5 8.Nxc4 Nc6 9.Nf3 Be7 10.a3 0-0 11.Bd3 Ba6 now my plan is to exchange the knight on c4 12.0-0 Nb6 13.b3 (13.Qc2?! Bxc4 14.Bxc4 Nxc4 15.Qxc4 Qd5³) 13...Qc7³ B) 7.Bxc4 Be7 8.Ngf3 Bb7 9.Qe2 0-0 10.0-0 Nc6

Position after: 10...Nc6 Black has weak pawns on the queenside, but very active pieces, and White’s knight on d2 looks rather clumsy for the moment. B1) 11.Nb3 a5 12.Bg5 a4 (12...Qb6∞) 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Nbd2 Qc7∞ Beliavsky, A – Forgasi, T Hungary 2000. B2) 11.Re1 Qc7∞ B3) 11.e5 Nd5 12.Nb3 (12.Ne4 Qc7 13.Ng3 Rad8³) 12...a5 13.a4 Qc7∞ 6...exd5 7.exd5 d6 8.Ne2

Position after: 8.Ne2 If White puts his knight on f3 than he will have a big problem with his pawn on d5, after f.i. ...Nbd7-...Nb6 and ...Bb7. For that specific reason White wants to have a knight on f4. 8...Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.b3 10.Ng3 Nbd7 11.Nf5 Nb6

Position after: 11...Nb6 12.Qf3 (12.Nxe7+ Qxe7 13.Re1 Qd7 14.b3 Bb7 15.Bb2 Nfxd5³ White simply has insufficient compensation) 12...Bxf5 13.Qxf5 Qc8!³ White loses d5. Our next move is ...Qb7! 10...Nbd7 11.Bb2 Nb6 12.Nf4 12.Nc3 Nxc4 (12...Nfd7!?∞ with the idea Bf6 and Ne5) 13.Nxc4 Ba6∞ with the idea ...Nd7, taking on c4 and ...Bf6. Black is just fine. 12...Ng4

Position after: 12...Ng4 The main idea is to simplify the position by exchanging White’s strong bishop on b2. 13.Ne4 A) 13.h3 Bf6! 14.Bxf6 Nxf6 15.Qf3 (15.Re1 Nxc4 16.Nxc4 Ba6∞) 15...Nxc4 16.Nxc4 Ba6 17.Rfe1 Re8∞ B) 13.Qf3 Bf6 14.Bxf6 Nxf6∞ C) 13.Ne6!? fxe6 14.Qxg4 e5 15.Qe2 Nxc4 16.Nxc4 Bg5∞ All these side-lines promise Black a real fighting game! 13...Nxc4 Black has also a good game after 13...f5 14.Nd2 Bf6 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.Nf3 Bd7∞ and next, there’s a rook coming to e8! 14.bxc4 Rb8 15.Bc3 Nf6!

Position after: 15...Nf6! Still Black’s idea is to exchange White’s bishop on the long diagonal, neutralizing White’s attack. 16.Ng3 Nd7 17.Qf3 17.Ne4 Nf6= 17...Bf6 18.Nfh5 Be5 19.Bxe5 The following aggressive try is not good: 19.Nf5?

Position after: 19.Nf5? 19...g6! 20.Nh6+ Kh8 21.Rae1 (21.Nxf7+ Rxf7 22.Qxf7 Bxc3 23.Rae1 Ba6 24.Re3 gxh5 25.Rxc3 Ne5µ) 21...f5 22.Rxe5 (22.Qg3 gxh5 23.Rxe5 dxe5 24.Bxe5+ Nxe5 25.Qxe5+ Qf6 26.Qxb8 Qxh6 27.Qxa7 Qd6µ) 22...dxe5 23.Qe3 (23.Qg3 gxh5 24.f4 Qf6 25.fxe5 Qxh6 26.e6+ Nf6 27.Bxf6+ Qxf6 28.Qxb8 Bxe6–+) 23...gxh5 24.f4 Kg7!

Position after: 24...Kg7! The only move! 25.fxe5 f4 26.e6+ Kxh6–+ Black has enormous and important resources available to counter White’s attack. 19...Nxe5

Position after: 19...Nxe5 20.Qc3 Rb4 21.f4 Rxc4 22.Qb3 Rb4 23.Qc3 Rc4=

IN THE LIMELIGHT Conclusion: in this variation White tried to lead the game into positional waters, however Black has enough resources available to counter any of these ideas, obtaining an equal game.

Chapter 3 The 4.Qc2 & 4.a4 Variations 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Qc2, 4.a4

Chapter’s guide Chapter 3 – The 4.Qc2 & 4.a4 Variations 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 a) 4.Qc2 b) 4.a4

a) 4.Qc2 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Qc2

Position after: 4.Qc2 White’s early queen move Qc2 is not a dangerous line for Black. White wants, as in the previous chapter, to play a positional game. White’s main idea is not to protect c4 but to reinforce the center with e4 . Black has two standard ways to react: take on c4 or play a more closed game with...b4. Another interesting solution is 4...Na6!? There are plenty new ideas available for both sides. Qc2 is a positional line, so I will show you some ideas in both these types of positions. 4...b4 This is my preference. After ‘...b4’ we reach a position with resemblance of a King’s-Indian set-up, but with a closed queenside. With pawns on c5 and b4, White has a problem to develop his pieces smoothly, especially the knight on b1. He must develop the knight to d2 and I think the knight never stands well on d2 in our Benko. 4...bxc4 5.e4 d6 6.Bxc4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.0-0 0-0 9.h3

Position after: 9.h3 White waits with his knight on b1, anti-cipating Black’s ...Ba6! A) 9...Ba6 10.Na3! That was the idea. 10...Nfd7 11.Rb1 Nb6 12.b3 Bxc4 13.Nxc4 Nxc4 14.bxc4² White has a small spatial advantage. The problem is that Black is deprived of any counterplay in this position: Mamedyarov, S – Jones, G Bastia 2010. B) 9...Nfd7!? 10.Nc3 Nb6 11.Be2 Na6 12.Bg5 Nc7 When we put our knights on c7 and b6, one of the main ideas for Black is ...e6 or ...f5. (12...f5!? 13.exf5 Bxf5 14.Qd2 Nc7∞) 13.Rad1 h6 14.Bc1 a5 15.Rfe1 a4∞ Nothing is decided yet! C) 9...Nbd7 10.Nc3 (10.Re1 Nb6 11.Bf1 e6 12.dxe6 Bxe6 13.Nc3 d5∞) 10...Rb8 11.Re1 Nh5

Position after: 11...Nh5 The idea is ...f5. 12.Be2 Ne5 13.Nxe5 Bxe5 14.Bxh5 gxh5 15.Bh6 Re8∞ Next is ...Kh8 and ...Rg8: Dreev, A – Perunovic, M Berlin 2015. A typical counterattack, Black is in for a real fight! 5.e4 d6

Position after: 5...d6 6.f4 A) 6.b3 g6 7.Bb2 Bg7 A1) 8.Nf3 0-0 9.Bd3 e5 10.0-0 (10.dxe6 Bxe6 11.0-0 Nc6³ Haldorsen, B – Shabalov, A Helsingor 2017) 10...Nh5 in my opinion this is an excellent ‘King’s Indian’ set-up, because Black can easily proceed with ...f5, and White struggles what to do next. A2) 8.f4 0-0 9.Nf3 Nbd7

Position after: 9...Nbd7 A2.1) 10.Bd3 Bh6 11.g3 (11.Ng5 Nh5 12.g3 Bxg5 13.fxg5 e6³) 11...e5! 12.fxe5 (12.dxe6 fxe6³) 12...Ng4 13.exd6 f5‚ A2.2) 10.Be2 e5ƒ A2.3) 10.Nbd2 e5!? (Another interesting possibility is 10...e6∞) 11.fxe5 Ng4 12.exd6 Ne3 13.Qc1 (13.Qb1 Bc3! 14.Qc1 Qf6 15.Rb1 Re8‚) 13...Bh6© With the idea ...f6 and ....Ne5. B) 6.a3 Here Black always has two solutions available: to take on a3 or ...a5 with the idea to take with the c-pawn.

Position after: 6.a3 6...bxa3 (6...a5!? if White takes on b4, Black takes with the c-pawn and his knight gets a nice square on c5) 7.Rxa3 g6 8.Nc3 Bg7 9.Be2 0-0 10.h3 Na6∞ Mamedyarov, S – Caruana, F Moscow (blitz) 2010. C) 6.Nf3 Nbd7 7.Bd3 g6 8.0-0 Bg7 9.a3 a5= Black does not have any problems in this position. 6...g6

Position after: 6...g6 7.Nf3 7.e5 Nfd7 8.Nf3 (8.exd6 exd6∞; 8.e6 fxe6 9.dxe6 Nb6 10.f5 Bg7! 11.fxg6 0-0 12.gxh7+ Kh8³ and after ...Be6 and ...Nc6 White is heading into big trouble) 8...Bg7 A) 9.Bd3 dxe5 10.f5 (10.fxe5 Nxe5 11.Nxe5 Bxe5³) 10...e4!

Position after: 10...e4! 11.Bxe4 Nf6 12.Bd3 (12.fxg6 hxg6 13.d6 Bf5! 14.Bxf5 gxf5 15.Qxf5 Qxd6³) 12...0-0 13.0-0 gxf5 14.Bxf5 e6 15.dxe6 fxe6 16.Bd3 (16.Be4 Nxe4 17.Qxe4 Qd7∞) 16...Nc6∞ B) 9.Nbd2 dxe5 10.f5

Position after: 10.f5 Black has two possibilities: to take on f5 or ...0-0. In both cases the position is very unclear and both sides must play careful not to lose control. B1) 10...gxf5 11.Qxf5 Nf6 12.Qxe5 0-0 13.Bd3 e6 14.d6 Nbd7 15.Qg3 Bb7 16.0-0 Nh5 (16...a5!?∞ with the idea

...Ra6) 17.Qe1 Nf4∞ B2) 10...0-0 11.Bd3 Nf6 (11...a5!?∞ again with the idea ...Ra6) B2.1) 12.Nxe5 Nxd5 13.Nxf7 Rxf7 14.fxg6 hxg6 (14...Ne3 is an interesting solution, but only enough for a draw) 15.Bxg6 Rf6 16.cxd5 Qxd5 17.Bh7+ Kh8 18.Be4 Qe6 19.Qxc5 Ba6³ B2.2) 12.fxg6 hxg6 13.0-0 (13.Nxe5 Qd6 14.Ndf3 Nbd7³) 13...Nh7∞

Position after: 13...Nh7∞ with the idea ...f5. All these side-lines prove Black has always enough counterplay available. 7...Bg7 8.Bd3 0-0 9.0-0 Nbd7

Position after: 9...Nbd7 10.Re1 White wants to play e5. 10.e5 dxe5 11.fxe5 Ng4µ … 12.e6?! fxe6 13.dxe6 Nde5–+ 10...e5!? Black wants to fight for the initiative in the center and on the kingside. White didn’t finish the development of his pieces on the queenside, he needs to be precise to maintain the balance. 11.fxe5 A) 11.f5 Nh5

Position after: 11...Nh5 A1) 12.Nbd2 Bh6∞ The position is very unclear. Black wants to change his bad bishop. Another idea is to take on f5, followed by...Ndf6, ...Kh8, ...Rg8. The second solution is, after the exchange of the bishops, to block the position with ...g5. A2) 12.g3 a5∞ A3) 12.Be3 Ndf6 13.Nbd2 (13.h3? gxf5 14.exf5 e4 15.Bxe4 Nxe4 16.Qxe4 Bxb2µ) 13...Ng4 14.Bg5 Bf6 15.Bxf6 Qxf6∞ B) 11.dxe6 fxe6 12.Nbd2 (12.Ng5 Qe7³) 12...Nh5 13.g3 Bb7³ 11...Ng4!

Position after: 11...Ng4! That’s the point. 12.Bg5 12.exd6 Nde5 13.Nbd2 Qxd6 14.Re2 (14.Nf1 f5µ) 14...f5‚ and Black has all the fun... 12...Qc7 Also possible is: 12...f6!? 13.exf6 Bxf6 14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.h3 Nge5 16.Nbd2 Nxf3+ 17.Nxf3 Ne5© White is a pawn up, but lost total control over the dark squares. 13.exd6 Qxd6

Position after: 13...Qxd6 14.g3 A) 14.Nbd2? Bd4+–+ B) 14.h3? Bd4+–+ 14...h6 15.Bf4 Qf6 16.e5 16.Re2 Re8© with the idea ...g5 and ...Ne5. 16...Ndxe5!

Position after: 16...Ndxe5! 17.Nxe5 Re8 18.Nf3 Rxe1+ 19.Nxe1 Bd7 In return for his sacrifice Black obtained a strong initiative. After ...Re8 all Black’s pieces are attacking, and White must play very precisely to stay in the game. 20.h3 20.Nd2? Qd4+ 21.Kh1 Nf2+ 22.Kg2 Bh3+ 23.Kf3 Ng4–+ 20...Re8!

Position after: 20...Re8! 21.hxg4 21.Nd2 Qd4+ 22.Kh1 Nf2+ 23.Kg2 Nxh3 24.Ndf3 Nxf4+ 25.gxf4 Qxf4³ 21...Rxe1+ 22.Kf2 Qe7 23.Be2™ 23...Rxe2+ 24.Qxe2 Bd4+ 25.Kf1 25.Be3? Bxg4 26.Qe1 Qf6+ 27.Kg1 Bxe3+ 28.Qxe3 Qxb2–+ 25...Qxe2+ 26.Kxe2 Bxg4+ 27.Ke1 Bxb2 28.Bxh6 Bxa1∞

Position after: 28...Bxa1∞ Black is now a pawn up but with precise play, White could manage to reach a draw.

b) 4.a4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.a4

Position after: 4.a4 This move is also not dangerous for Black. Again Black has a choice to take on c4 or play ...b4. After ...b4, Black has a pleasant position. The main problem in White’s position is again his N on b1. 4...b4 5.Nd2 5.g3 g6 6.b3 Bg7 7.Bb2 0-0 8.Bg2 d6 9.Nd2 Bb7 10.Ngf3 e6= 5...g6 6.e4 d6 7.b3 The last moment to put the bishop on his best square. The bishop on b2 opposes Black’s strong bishop on g7. 7.Ngf3 Bg7 8.g3 e6 9.Bh3 exd5 10.Bxc8 Qxc8 11.cxd5 0-0 (11...Qa6! preventing White to castle!) 12.0-0 c4ƒ Schmidt, W – Kasparov, G Dubai 1986. 7...Bg7 8.Bb2 0-0

Position after: 8...0-0 9.Bd3 9.f4?! e5! 10.fxe5 Ng4µ 9...e6 10.Qc2 10.Ne2 Nbd7 11.Nf3 (11.0-0 Ne5 12.Bc2 Nh5∞) 11...exd5 12.exd5 Nh5= 10...Nbd7 11.Ngf3 Nh5=

Position after: 11...Nh5= Black changes bishops and after ...e5 he has a potential attacking position.

IN THE LIMELIGHT Conclusion: All these positional lines available for White, should be handled with care. Black must react in the most dynamic way, not being shy to open or close the position, reaching sometimes a different but also comfortable King’s-Indian set-up.

Part II 5th Move Alternatives 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 Chapter 4 The 5.e3 Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3

Chapter’s guide Chapter 4 – The 5.e3 Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 0-0 8.a4 Bb7 a) 5...axb5 alternative b) 8.-- alternatives c) 9.-d) 9.Rb1 e) 9.e4 f) 9.Ra3

a) 5...axb5 alternative 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3

Position after: 5.e3 In my opinion one of the most dangerous lines a Benko player can meet. White protects his pawn on b5 and never has to worry about the pawn on e4. I suggest trying the sharpest reply: 5...g6. The variations are very risky for Black, but if White doesn’t play precisely, he soon can find himself in deep trouble. The second option is the more solid 5...axb5. I will add these lines but I think White remains slightly better. If one of our readers can find an improvement in this variation, or is convinced that White is not better, than ...axb5 is also possible for Black. 5...axb5 5...g6 will be examined in the next subchapters. 6.Bxb5 Qa5+ 7.Nc3 Bb7 8.Bd2 Qb6

Position after: 8...Qb6 9.Nf3! The main line for White. White returns the pawn, keeping his positional control over the game. Black must find his way to reach equality. A) 9.Qb3 e6 10.e4 Nxe4!

Position after: 10...Nxe4! 11.Nxe4 Bxd5 12.Qd3 Qb7 (12...f5!?) 13.f3 c4 14.Bxc4 Bxc4 15.Qxc4 d5∞ Again, a Benko player can be pleased!

B) 9.Bc4 e6 10.e4 Nxe4!∞ And the fun starts! 9...Nxd5 10.Nxd5 Bxd5 11.a4 e6 12.Bc3 Be7 13.0-0 0-0

Position after: 13...0-0 14.Ne5! 14.Nd2 f5 15.f3 (15.e4 fxe4 16.Qg4 g6 17.Nxe4 Nc6∞) 15...Bc6!? 16.Nc4 Qb7 17.Na5 Qc7 18.Nxc6 Nxc6∞ with the idea ...d5, is also possible but less clear in my opinion. 14...d6 15.Nc4 Bxc4 16.Qg4! g6 17.Qxc4² I think White obtained a stable advantage. Two bishops, a passed a-pawn, a safe king... Black’s only positive card is the control over the center. Still I would not like to defend Black here.

b) 8.-- alternatives 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7

Position after: 6...Bg7 7.Nf3 7.a4 0-0 8.e4 Bb7 9.e5 Ne8 10.Nf3 d6 11.Bf4 Nd7 (11...axb5 12.Bxb5 Nd7 13.exd6 Nxd6©) 12.exd6 (12.bxa6 Rxa6 13.Bxa6 Bxa6 14.Nb5 dxe5 15.Bg3 Nd6©) 12...Nxd6 13.bxa6 Rxa6!?

Position after: 13...Rxa6!? An interesting exchange sacrifice. For the exchange Black gets enough compensation because White’s king gets stuck in the center. (13...Bxa6 14.Bxa6 Rxa6 15.0-0² Edouard, R – Miliet, S Cap d’Agde 2012) 14.Bxa6 (14.Be2 Rb6 15.Qd2 Nf6©) 14...Bxa6©

7...0-0

Position after: 7...0-0 8.Be2 A) Black easily equalizes after 8.e4 axb5 9.e5 (9.Bxb5?! Nxe4³) 9...Ng4 10.Bxb5 Nxe5 11.Nxe5 Bxe5∞ Witte, R – Perunovic, M Berlin 2014. B) 8.bxa6 Here Black has several possibilities to get his counter-play under way: 8...e6 (8...d6 9.Be2 Bxa6 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.Bxa6 Rxa6© with a classical Benko position with White’s pawn still on e3; 8...Qa5!?© with the idea ...Ne4) B1) 9.dxe6 dxe6!? Paradoxical, but why not? 10.Qxd8 (10.Bd2 Bxa6 11.Bxa6 Nxa6 12.0-0 c4©) 10...Rxd8 11.Bd2 (11.a4 Nxa6 12.Bb5 Nc7 13.Be2 Ncd5 14.Bd2 Bd7©) 11...Nxa6 12.Be2 Nb4 13.0-0 Ba6© Black has no reason to complain! B2) 9.e4 exd5

Position after: 9...exd5 10.exd5 (10.e5 Re8 11.Be2 d4 12.exf6 Bxf6 13.Nb5 Qa5+ 14.Kf1 Bxa6 15.Bd2 Bxb5!? 16.Bxa5 Bxe2+ 17.Qxe2 Rxe2 18.Kxe2 Rxa5© Black has enough compensation. His plan is clear: ...Nc6 and then push his central pawns) 10...Re8+ 11.Be2 Bxa6 12.0-0 Bxe2 13.Nxe2 d6 14.Nc3

Position after: 14.Nc3 14...Nbd7© with the ideas ...Nb6, ...Qd7-...Qf5. Another idea is ...Ne4. (Also possible is: 14...Na6© with the idea ...Nc7, ...Qc8 and ...Qa6 or ...Qf5.) 8...axb5 9.Bxb5

Position after: 9.Bxb5 9...Qa5 9...Ne4!? 10.Nxe4 Qa5+ 11.Nc3 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 Qxb5 13.Nd2 Qa4© For those who seek an immediate concrete position. 10.0-0 10.Nd2 Nxd5 11.Nxd5 Qxb5 12.Nxe7+ (12.Nc7?! Qc6 13.Nxa8 Ba6!µ) 12...Kh8 13.Nxc8 Rxc8

Position after: 13...Rxc8 A) 14.Qe2 c4 15.0-0 d5 16.Nb1 Na6 17.Nc3 Qc6! The best square for the queen, instead of b7 which was seen in the game Salov, V – Wojtkiewicz, A Sochi 1982. 18.Bd2 (18.Rd1 Nb4©) 18...Nc5© B) 14.a4 Qa6 15.Ne4 Qc6 (15...Nc6 16.Nd6 Rcb8 17.Nxf7+ Kg8 18.Qd5 Bxb2 19.Nd6+ Kh8 20.Nf7+ Kg7 21.Ng5=) 16.Qf3 d5 B1) 17.Ng5 h6 18.Nh3 (18.Nxf7+? Kg8µ) 18...d4ƒ B2) 17.Nc3 d4 18.Nb5 Qxf3 19.gxf3 Nd7© (19...Nc6©) 10...Ne4!

Position after: 10...Ne4! 11.a4 11.Nxe4 Qxb5 12.Nc3 Qb6 13.e4 d6© Again, we reached a standard Benko position, but the problem for White is serious: he is missing his white squared bishop. Our plan is ...Ba6, ...Nd7, ...Rb8. I will take Black any day here. 11...Nxc3 11...Bxc3?! 12.bxc3 Nxc3 13.Qe1! (13.Qd3?! Nxb5 14.Bd2 Qa7 15.axb5 Qxa1 16.Rxa1 Rxa1+ 17.Ne1 d6³ Agborg, E – Ituriziaga, E Khanty Mansyisk 2010) 13...Nxd5 14.Bd2 Qb6 15.e4 Nc7© White obtained annoying and strong compensation. 12.bxc3 Bxc3 13.Bd2 d6

Position after: 13...d6 14.Qc2 Bxd2 15.Nxd2 Na6 16.Nc4 Nb4 17.Qc3 Qc7 18.e4 e6∞ Black has several ways to continue, any result is still possible but he has no reason to complain.

c) 9.-1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 0-0 8.a4 Bb7

Position after: 8...Bb7

9.Be2 When White loses a tempo with his bishop, we can take on b5. The same rule is applied if White plays 9.Bc4. 9.bxa6 Nxa6 10.Bc4 e6 (Here we also have a paradoxical idea for Black. I never saw a knight on d6 in the Benko. 10...Ne8!? 11.0-0 Nd6 12.Be2 f5 13.Nd2 Nb4 14.Nc4 Qc7 15.Ra3 Ba6 16.Nxd6 Qxd6©) 11.0-0 Nb4 12.e4 (12.dxe6 fxe6©) 12...exd5 13.exd5 d6 14.Bf4 Ba6 15.Bxa6 Rxa6 16.Qd2 Qd7© with the idea ...Qf5 and ...Rb8: Blagojevic, D – Milanovic, D Belgrade 2014. Benko players must be pleased with this outcome. 9...axb5 10.Bxb5 e6

Position after: 10...e6 11.dxe6 11.e4 exd5 12.exd5 Qe8+ transposes to 9.e4. 11...fxe6 12.Qd6 12.0-0 d5 It is very difficult to analyse this position, reaching a final verdict. Both sides have a lot of possibilities. But I think Black obtained serious compensation. His strong central pawns, bishops placed on ideal positions, open ‘a’, ‘b’ and ‘f’ files. And Black’s next moves are logical ...Nc6-b4, ...Qe7, ...e5... 12...Ne8 Also here Black found other equally sound solutions: 12...Qc8, came from the game Torre, E – Vaganian, R London 1984, or 12...Ne4 Korchnoi, V – Jones, G Gibraltar 2007. After the move 12...Ne8 the position gets very concrete. 13.Qxc5 13.Qg3 d5© with next ...Nd6, ...Nc6.

13...Rf5 14.Qb4™ 14...Qb6

Position after: 14...Qb6 For his two pawns deficit, Black has all the activity he needs! 15.e4 15.0-0 Bxf3 16.gxf3 Bxc3 (16...Nc6!?©) 17.bxc3 Rg5+ 18.Kh1 Rxb5 19.axb5 Rxa1 20.Qe7 Ng7 21.c4© 15...Nc6 15...Bxc3+ 16.bxc3 Rxb5 17.axb5 Rxa1 18.Qe7! The only move to draw. 18...Rxc1+ 19.Kd2 Rxh1 20.Qxe8+ Kg7 21.Qe7+= 16.Qb3 Bxc3+ 17.Qxc3 Rxb5 18.axb5 Rxa1 19.bxc6 Qxc6 20.0-0 Qxc3 21.bxc3 Bxe4=

d) 9.Rb1 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 0-0 8.a4 Bb7 9.Rb1!?

Position after: 9.Rb1!? Just like 9.Ra3, the idea is that after ...ab5, White can take back with the pawn. 9...e6 10.dxe6 10.Bc4 axb5 11.axb5 exd5 12.Nxd5 Nxd5 13.Bxd5 Qa5+ 14.Bd2 Qxb5 15.Bxb7 Qxb7 16.0-0 d5= 10...fxe6 11.Be2 11.bxa6 Nxa6 12.Be2 Ne4 13.Bd2 Nxd2 (13...c4!? 14.0-0 Nac5©) 14.Qxd2 d5© 11...axb5 12.axb5 Ne4 Black needs to take quick action if he wants to get compensation for the sacrificed pawn.

Position after: 12...Ne4 13.Bd2 13.Qc2 Ng5 A) 14.h4 Nxf3+ 15.gxf3 d5 16.h5 Nd7! 17.hxg6 Qf6∞ Our silicon friend, after a very long thought, evaluates the position being about equal. Maybe I am a bit subjective, but in my opinion White must be more careful. B) 14.e4 Nxf3+ 15.Bxf3 d5 16.0-0 Nd7 17.Bg4 (17.exd5 Rxf3 18.gxf3 exd5© with the ideas ...Qh4 and ...Ne5) 17...Re8© 13...Nxd2 Now 13...Ng5?! doesn’t work: 14.Nxg5 Qxg5 15.Bg4 h5 16.Bh3 Bxg2 17.Rg1 Qh4 18.Rxg2 Qxh3 19.Rxg6 Qxh2 20.f4 d5 21.Qe2 Qh3 22.Rg5² 14.Qxd2 d5 15.0-0 Nd7

Position after: 15...Nd7 16.b4 A) 16.Qc2 Qe7 17.Na4 Kh8© Black has enough compensation. The pair of bishops with a strong center, should favour Black. Our next move is ...c4 with the possible ...Qb4 and ...e5, next. B) 16.Ra1 Rxa1 17.Rxa1 Ne5 18.Nxe5 Bxe5© 16...Ra3 17.bxc5 17.Rbc1 Qe7 18.Nb1 Ra4 19.bxc5 Nxc5© 17...Nxc5 18.Nd4 Qa5 19.Rbc1 Bxd4

Position after: 19...Bxd4 20.exd4 20.Qxd4 Nb3 21.Qe5 Nxc1 22.Rxc1 Ra1 23.Qxe6+ Rf7 24.Qe8+ Rf8 25.Qe6+ Rf7= 20...Nb3 21.Qe3 Nxc1 22.Qxe6+ 22.Rxc1? e5!µ 22...Kg7 23.Qe7+ Rf7 24.Qe5+ Kg8=

e) 9.e4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 0-0 8.a4 Bb7 9.e4 e6

Position after: 9...e6 10.Be2 A) 10.Be3 exd5 11.exd5 Qa5 12.Bxc5 (12.Qd2 d6©)

Position after: 12.Bxc5 A1) 12...Nxd5!? 13.Bxf8 Nxc3 14.Qd2 (14.bxc3 Bxc3+ 15.Nd2 Kxf8©) 14...Kxf8 15.Ra3 axb5 16.bxc3 bxa4© For the exchange Black has strong compensation with his dangereous a-pawn. A2) 12...Re8+ 13.Be2 Ne4 14.Bd4 Nxc3 15.bxc3 Bxd4 16.Qxd4 (16.Nxd4?! Qxc3+ 17.Kf1 Re4 18.Nf3 axb5

19.Rc1 Qf6 20.axb5 d6³) 16...axb5 17.Ne5 Bxd5 18.0-0 Nc6 19.Qxd5 Rxe5 20.Qxd7 Rxe2 21.Qxc6 bxa4= B) 10.Bg5 exd5 11.exd5 (11.e5?! d4³ or 11...Qe8³) 11...Qa5 (Also possible is 11...h6∞ Razuvaev, V – Tseshovsky, V Tbilisi 1978) 12.Bd2 axb5 13.Bxb5 Re8+ 14.Be2 Qb6 15.0-0 Nxd5∞ C) 10.Bc4 axb5 11.Bxb5 exd5 12.exd5 Qe8+ transposes to the main line 10.Be2. 10...exd5 11.exd5 axb5 12.Bxb5 Qe8+!?N

Position after: 12...Qe8+!?N That’s a new idea in this position. The main line was 12...Re8 but after 13.Be3 Ng4 14.0-0! Black is in danger of losing control. The idea of ...Qe8 is that after 13.Be3 Ng4, the knight and queen are attacking the bishop on e3 and my rook stays on f8 protecting the pawn on f7. Black can give a check on e7, but than the queen always must be aware of the pawn’s push ...d6. 12...Re8+ 13.Be3 Ng4 14.0-0! Nxe3 (14...Rxe3 15.fxe3 Nxe3 16.Qd2 Nxf1 17.Rxf1± Beliavsky, A – Jones, G Liverpool 2008) 15.fxe3 Rxe3? (Better was 15...Na6 16.e4 Nc7 17.Qd3² I am not sure if Black has enough compensation for the pawn) 16.Qd2 Re8 17.Rae1!± (17.Kh1 Gonda, L – Perunovic, M Hungary 2016) 13.Be3 A) 13.Be2 Na6

Position after: 13...Na6 A1) 14.Be3 Ne4 Exchanging the knight and weakening the pawn on d5. 15.Nxe4 (15.Ra3 Nb4©) 15...Qxe4 16.0-0 Qxd5 17.Qxd5 Bxd5= A2) 14.0-0 Nxd5! 15.Nxd5 Bxd5 16.Qxd5 (16.Bxa6 Bxf3 17.Qxf3 Rxa6∞) 16...Qxe2∞ B) 13.Qe2 Nxd5∞ 13...Ng4

Position after: 13...Ng4

14.Qe2 A) 14.Qd2 Bh6 (14...Nxe3 15.fxe3 Qe7 16.0-0 d6 17.e4 Nd7© with the idea ...Ne5 and ...f5) 15.0-0 Bxe3 16.fxe3 Qxe3+ 17.Qxe3 Nxe3 18.Rf2 (18.Rfc1 d6∞) 18...Nxd5∞ B) 14.0-0 Nxe3 15.fxe3 Qxe3+ 16.Kh1 Na6∞ In all these sidelines Black obtains great counterplay, still all 3 results remain possible. 14...Na6 Intending ...Nc7 or ...Nb4. The main idea is to attack the d5 pawn. 15.0-0 A) 15.Rd1 Nxe3

Position after: 15...Nxe3 A1) 16.Qxe3 Nc7 17.0-0 Qxe3 18.fxe3 Bxc3 (18...Nxb5 19.axb5 f5©) 19.bxc3 Nxd5= A2) 16.fxe3 Nc7 17.e4 (17.Bc4 Bxc3+ 18.bxc3 Rxa4 19.0-0 d6=) 17...Nxb5 18.axb5 f5!

Position after: 18...f5! A2.1) 19.e5 g5! 20.Nxg5 (20.0-0 g4 21.Nh4 Qh5 22.g3 Rae8©) 20...Bxe5© A2.2) 19.0-0 fxe4 20.Qxe4 (20.Nxe4 Qe7© with a serious threat ... Rae8 or ...Ra4-b4) 20...Qxe4 21.Nxe4 Ra5! 22.Nd6 (22.Nxc5 Rxb5 23.Nxd7 Rd8 24.Nfe5 Bxd5=; 22.Nc3 Bxc3 – or 22...d6!?© – 23.bxc3 Rxb5=) 22...Rf6! 23.Nxb7 (23.Ne8 Rf8=) 23...Rxb5 24.Nxc5 (24.Nd8 Rb8 25.Ne6 dxe6=) 24...Rxc5= with following plan ...Rb6 and ...Rcb5. B) 15.d6 Qe6

Position after: 15...Qe6

I want to keep my knight on g4 because of some tactical trics... B1) 16.0-0 Qxd6 17.Rad1 Qb8 18.Nd5 Bxd5 19.Rxd5 Nxe3 20.fxe3 (20.Qxe3 d6=) 20...Nc7 21.Rxc5 (21.Rxd7 Nxb5 22.axb5 Ra2=) 21...d6 22.Rc6 Nxb5 23.axb5 (23.Qxb5 Qe8©) 23...Ra4= with the idea ... Rb4. B2) 16.Rd1 Nb4 17.0-0 (17.Bc4? Bxc3+ 18.bxc3 Nc2+µ) 17...Nxe3

Position after: 17...Nxe3 B2.1) 18.fxe3 Bxc3 19.bxc3 Nd5 20.Qb2 Ba6! (the logical 20...Qxe3+? doesn’t work: 21.Rf2! c4 22.Bxd7 Nf6 23.Bb5 Ne4 24.Re1 Qc5 25.d7 Bc6 26.Ne5±) 21.Rfe1 Bxb5 22.axb5 Nb6© B2.2) 18.Qxe3 Qxe3 19.fxe3 Bc6 (19...Ba6 20.Bxd7 Nd3 21.Nd5 Nxb2∞) 20.Nd2 Bxc3 (20...Bxb5 21.axb5 Nd3∞) 21.bxc3 Bxb5 22.axb5 Nd5 23.Rc1 Ra3 24.c4 Nb6© The pawn is hanging on e3 and also Black can play ...Rd3, or ...Re8-...Re6. We are quite happy to play this position! C) 15.Bc4 Nb4

Position after: 15...Nb4 16.Rd1 (16.0-0 Nxe3 17.fxe3 Bxc3 18.bxc3 Nxd5 19.e4 Nxc3 20.Qb2 d5! 21.Qxc3 dxc4 22.Ne5 Qe6∞ or 22...Bc8!?∞) 16...Nxe3 17.fxe3 Ba6 18.Bxa6 Rxa6 19.0-0 Qc8© with the idea ...c4 and ...Nd3. (19...Ra8!?©) 15...Nxe3

Position after: 15...Nxe3 16.fxe3 16.Qxe3 Qxe3 17.fxe3 Nb4 18.e4 (18.Bxd7 Nxd5 19.Nxd5 Bxd5©) 18...Ba6 19.Rfd1 d6 20.Rab1 Rfd8 My idea is to

protect the d6-pawn and to take on b5. (20...Nc2!?) 21.Rd2 (21.Nd2 Bd4+ 22.Kf1 f5©) 21...Bxb5 22.axb5 Na2 23.Nxa2 Rxa2 24.b4 Rxd2 25.Nxd2 cxb4 26.Nc4 Bd4+ 27.Kf1 Bc5= 16...Nc7 17.Qd2 A) 17.Rad1 Bxc3 18.bxc3 Nxd5∞ B) 17.e4 Nxb5 18.axb5 (18.Nxb5 Qe7©) 18...Bd4+ 19.Kh1 (19.Nxd4 cxd4∞) 19...Bxc3 20.bxc3 Bxd5 21.Nd2 Qe6∞ C) 17.Bc4 Bxc3 18.bxc3 Bxd5∞ Black takes back his pawn and equalizes. D) 17.Qd3 Nxb5 18.axb5 Rxa1 19.Rxa1 c4 20.Qd2 Qe7© 17...Bxc3

Position after: 17...Bxc3 18.bxc3 18.Qxc3 Nxb5 19.axb5 Rxa1 20.Rxa1 Bxd5= 21.Qxc5 Bxf3 22.gxf3 d6!= 18...Bxd5 19.c4 19.e4 Bxe4 20.Bxd7 Qe7∞ 19...Bxf3 20.Rxf3 Qe5 21.Raf1 21.Rd1 Nxb5 22.axb5 Ra4 23.Rf4 Re8= 21...f5∞ The outcome still remains unclear, but look what could happen next..

Position after: 21...f5∞ 22.Qxd7? Rad8 23.Qc6 Ne6 24.Qb7 24.h4 g5!µ 24...Ng5 25.R3f2 Ne4 26.Re2 f4µ

f) 9.Ra3 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 0-0 8.a4 Bb7 9.Ra3

Position after: 9.Ra3 The main idea for White. Now the rook is protected on a3 and after ...axb5 White can take back with his a-pawn. 9...e6 10.dxe6 fxe6 11.Qd6 11.Be2 d5 12.0-0 (12.bxa6 Nxa6 13.0-0 Nb4 14.Bd2 Qe7 15.Nb5 Nc6 16.Qb1 e5ƒ Piket, J – Topalov, V , Madrid 1996) 12...Qe7 13.Qc2 a5!?

Position after: 13...a5!? An interesting idea. I wanted to block the queenside, because Black has a powerful pawn chain in the center. Our plan is to finish development with ...Nbd7 and followed by ...e5 and ...d4. A) 14.e4 Nbd7 15.Bg5 Qd6 (15...h6 16.Bxf6 Rxf6©) 16.Rd1 Qb6© B) 14.Ng5 Nbd7 15.f4 e5 (15...Rae8!?) 16.f5 e4 17.Ne6 Rf7 18.Nxg7 (18.fxg6 hxg6 19.Nxg7 Kxg7©) 18...Rxg7© 11...Nd5N 11...axb5

Position after: 11...axb5 This is the main line. The main continuation for White was 12.Bxb5 but after that move, Black has different good replies available. The problem is following: if White takes with his pawn on b5, than after this forced move sequence, our engine likes White’s position but practically I think Black has enough chances for sufficient counterplay. A) 12.Bxb5 A1) 12...Ne8 13.Qxc5 (13.Qg3 Bxf3 14.gxf3 d5©) 13...Rf5 14.Qc4 Nd6 15.Qd3 Nxb5 16.axb5 (16.Nxb5 Rxf3! 17.gxf3 Bxf3 18.Rg1 Nc6³) 16...Bxf3 17.gxf3 Rxa3 18.bxa3 Qa5 19.Bd2 Qxa3∞ A2) 12...Bxf3 13.gxf3 Qc8

Position after: 13...Qc8 Protecting c5 and after ...Ne8, Black can develop his other knight to c6. A2.1) 14.h4 Rf7! The idea is mainly ...Bf8 and ...d5-...c4. 15.Rg1 c4 16.Ne4 Nxe4 17.fxe4 Nc6 18.Bxc6 (18.h5? Ne5µ Markus, R – Vuckovic, B Zlatibor 2006) 18...Ra6!© A2.2) 14.0-0 Ne8 15.Qg3 Nc6 16.Ne4 Ne5 (16...c4!?) 17.f4 Nf7© with the ideas ...d5 and ...Ned6: Petursson, M – Fedorowicz, J Reykjavik 1990. B) 12.axb5! Rxa3 13.bxa3 Ng4 14.Bd2 Bxf3 15.gxf3 Rxf3 16.Bc4!

Position after: 16.Bc4! First, we must return with our rook to f8, because the threat was ...Be6. 16...Rf8 17.Be2! (17.Bxe6+ dxe6 18.Qxe6+ Rf7 19.Qxg4 Bxc3 20.Bxc3 Qd3 21.Ba1 Rd7 22.Qe6+ Kf8=) 17...Be5 18.Qxc5 Qh4 19.Bxg4 Bxc3 20.Qxc3 Qxf2+ 21.Kd1 Qg2 22.Re1 Qxg4+ 23.Kc1 Qe4² White is better, but in practice Black should have chances for survival. Back to our main line...

Position after: 11...Nd5N 12.Nxd5 A) 12.Qxc5?! Nxc3 13.bxc3 Rf5 14.Qc4 Bf8 15.Ra1 axb5 16.Qb3 Bxf3 17.gxf3 Qa5³ B) 12.Bd2? Nb4µ C) 12.Be2 Nxc3 13.bxc3 axb5 14.axb5 Rxa3 15.Bxa3 Qa5 16.Bxc5 Bxc3+ 17.Kf1 Qa1+ 18.Qd1 Qxd1+ 19.Bxd1 Rf5 20.Bd4 Bxf3 21.Bxf3 Bxd4 22.exd4 Rxb5= 12...Bxd5 13.Be2 A) 13.Qxc5 axb5

Position after: 13...axb5 14.Bxb5 (14.axb5? Na6! Surprise! Black wants ...Rc8 next. 15.Qd6 Rc8 16.Bd2 Nc5–+ with many threats: ...Bxb2, ...Ne4) 14...Nc6 15.Qc2 Rc8 (15...Rxf3!?ƒ) 16.Qd1 Nb4ƒ B) 13.bxa6?! Nxa6 14.Bxa6 Qa5+ 15.Bd2 Qxa6 16.Qxa6 Rxa6 17.Bc3 Bxc3+ 18.bxc3 Rfa8³ Black regains his pawn and retains the better position. C) 13.h4

Position after: 13.h4 A dangereous move. White want to use the potential of his pieces on the h-file: queen, rook, knight, light-squared

bishop and after e3-e4 the rook on a3 will become a monster as well. Black must play precisely, and create immediate counterplay on the queenside and center. 13...axb5 14.Bxb5 (14.h5 b4 15.Rd3 Ra6 16.Qh2 Qf6³) 14...Nc6 (14...Na6!?) 15.h5 Nb4 16.Rc3!? (16.hxg6?! Concrete play does not worry Black 16...Nc2+ 17.Ke2 Nxa3 18.gxh7+ Kh8 19.Nh4 Qg5 20.Qg3 Qxg3 21.fxg3 Kxh7µ; 16.Kf1 Qb8 17.Qxb8 Rfxb8 18.hxg6 hxg6∞) 16...Qb8 17.Qxb8 Rfxb8 18.hxg6 hxg6 19.Rxc5

Position after: 19.Rxc5 19...Rxa4! 20.Rxd5 Ra1 21.Rc5 (21.Rd1 Rxb5 22.Ke2 Na2=) 21...d6 22.Rc7 Rxb5 23.0-0 Nd3= The position is equal but still Back must play accurately! 13...axb5

Position after: 13...axb5 14.axb5 14.e4 Bxe4 15.axb5 Rxa3 16.bxa3 Bxf3 17.gxf3 Qa5+ 18.Kf1 (18.Bd2 Bc3! 19.Bxc3 Qxc3+ 20.Kf1 Qxa3∞) 18...c4! 19.Qc5 (19.Bxc4? Qc3µ) 19...d5∞ (19...Nc6!? 20.Qxc4 Nd4∞) 14...Rxa3 15.bxa3 Qa5+ 16.Bd2 Qxa3 17.0-0 Rc8

Position after: 17...Rc8 The position remains quite complicated. Black has a problem with his knight on b8 and because of that he must reorganize activity with his c-pawn. Luckily White’s pieces are also not on their best squares. 18.e4 A) 18.Rd1 Qa2!∞ It’s important to protect the c4-square. B) 18.Qf4 Qb2 19.e4 Ba2∞ Black has excellent counterplay with his c-pawn. 18...Bxe4 19.Bc4 Bxf3 20.Bxe6+ 20.gxf3 Rf8∞ 20...Kh8 21.Bxd7 Nxd7 22.Qxd7 Rf8 23.gxf3 Qxf3=

Position after: 23...Qxf3=

IN THE LIMELIGHT Conclusion: White’s intention was clear from the beginning: to develop his pieces and keep his extra pawn on b5. However Black’s counterplay with ...Bb7 followed by ...e6, undermines White’s center and should give him enough play for an interesting and promising game!

Chapter 5 The 5.f3 Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3

Chapter’s guide Chapter 5 – The 5.f3 Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3 g6 6.e4 Bg7 a) 5...-- alternatives, 7.Na3 b) 7.e5 c) 7.Nc3

a) 5...-- alternatives, 7.Na3 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3

Position after: 5.f3 An interesting variation, but recently it has fallen out of fashion. White’s idea is to control the center with ‘f3/e4/d5’. However, this set-up always felt a bit slow to me. White’s king often stays stuck on ‘e1’, not the best square if you want to finish your development. 5...g6 Black has three choices available: 5...axb5, 5...e6 and 5...g6. I decided to pick 5...g6 as our main line since it is a very concrete variation. Black wants to finish his development on the kingside and open the fight for the initiative. In some positions Black gives two or three pawns, but in return his counterplay is typical and most dangerous. In some positions our silicon friend doesn’t like Black. But I think in a real practical game, Black has very good chances to pull out some unexpected twists not unfavourable for Black. A) After 5...axb5 6.e4 Hanging on to b5 and the threat is e5 6...Qa5+ 7.Bd2 (7.b4!? Is also an interesting solution! Black must play very precise to keep the balance.) 7...b4 8.Na3 d6 9.Nc4 White reached an ideal set-up and after Bd3-Ne2-0-0, he will be pushing a3 and I think White always keeps a small advantage in these lines. B) 5...e6!? This is the most direct attempt to challenge White’s set-up in the center. 6.e4 exd5 7.e5 Qe7 8.Qe2 Ng8 9.Nc3 Bb7 10.Nh3 Qd8!? (The main line is 10...c4 with an unclear position. But my idea with ...Qd8 is to develop my pieces on the kingside.) 11.Nf4 Ne7∞ with a playable position. 6.e4 Bg7 7.Na3

Position after: 7.Na3 White’s idea is to protect ‘b5’, ‘d5’ and ‘e4’ with Na3 and placing the second knight on c3. 7...0-0 8.Ne2 e6

Position after: 8...e6 White needs a lot of time to finish his development, Black attacks the center! 9.Nc3

The best move. White tries to defend his center and wants to finish his development. A) 9.Be3 exd5 10.e5 Ne8! Black gave White the choice to take two pawns on c5 or d5. (10...Re8!? 11.exf6 Qxf6 12.Bxc5 d6 13.Bd4 Qxd4 14.Qxd4 Bxd4 15.0-0-0 Bg7 16.Nd4 Bd7∞ Black has the two bishops, still his pawn structure is not that great. The position remains very unclear). A1) 11.Bxc5 d6 12.Qxd5 Bxe5! 13.Qd2 (13.b6 Nf6! 14.Qxa8 Qe7 Wauw! White is a rook and a pawn up, but remains with the worse position. 15.Qxb8 dxc5 16.Qa8 Bb7µ; 13.Qxa8 dxc5µ) 13...axb5³ A2) 11.Qxd5 Nc7

Position after: 11...Nc7 12.Qxc5 (12.Qd2 axb5 13.Bxc5 Bxe5 14.Bxf8 Qxf8³) 12...axb5 13.f4 Nba6 14.Qd6 Re8³ After the next ...Bb7, Black finishes his development and obtains more than enough compensation. The main problem with White’s position is his king stuck on e1. B) 9.dxe6 fxe6

Position after: 9...fxe6 My idea is to push d5 and open the center. White must try to stop that idea. B1) 10.Bg5 h6!? (10...Qa5+ 11.Bd2 Qd8 12.Bg5 Qa5+=) 11.Be3 Nxe4!?

Position after: 11...Nxe4!? 12.fxe4 Bxb2 13.Nc2 (13.Bxc5 Qa5+ 14.Qd2 Qxd2+ 15.Kxd2 Bxa1 16.Bxf8 Kxf8∞) 13...axb5© B2) 10.Nc3 d5© B3) 10.Qd6 axb5 11.Nxb5 (11.Qxc5 d5µ) 11...Nc6 (11...Na6!? 12.Nec3 Ne8 13.Qd1 Bb7© with the idea ...d5)

Position after: 11...Nc6 B3.1) 12.Nec3?! Nd4! 13.Nxd4 cxd4 14.Nb5 (14.Qxd4 Nd5µ) 14...Ne8 (An interesting alternative is following 14...Nxe4!? 15.fxe4 Qh4+ 16.Qg3 Qxe4+ 17.Kd1 Ba6‚ Black has strong compensation for his investment!) 15.Qb4 d5³ B3.2) 12.Qxc5 Nxe4 (12...Ba6 13.Nec3 Bxb5 14.Bxb5 Nxe4 15.fxe4 Nd4©) 13.fxe4 Qh4+ 14.Kd1 (14.Ng3 Be5 15.Qe3 Ba6‚) 14...Ba6 Black obtained amazing activity for his pieces. White’s king is in big trouble, if he doesn’t play very precisely. 15.Nec3 Bxc3 16.Qxc3 Rxf1+ 17.Rxf1 Bxb5 18.Qf6 Qxe4 19.Qf7+ Kh8 20.Qf6+ Kg8= C) 9.d6 Nh5!

Position after: 9...Nh5!

White closed the center, so Back must find a new way to open the position. A logical idea is ...f5. (The same idea will be executed after 9...Ne8∞ played in Nyzhnyk, I – Bologan, V Konya 2012) 10.g3 axb5 11.Nxb5 Nc6 12.a4 (12.Nc7 Rb8ƒ; 12.Nec3 f5 13.exf5 gxf5 14.f4 Nf6³) 12...f5! 13.exf5 Rxf5© D) 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bxf6 Bxf6© If White gives his dark-squared bishop in this type of position, Black must have strong compensation. 9...exd5

Position after: 9...exd5 10.Nxd5 10.exd5 Nh5 Black opens the diagonal for his queen and bishop. The threat is ...Qh4. 11.g3 d6 12.Be2 (12.Kf2 f5 13.f4 Nf6 14.Be2 Nbd7©) 12...Bh3 Stops White from castling. 13.Ne4 Re8

Position after: 13...Re8 14.b6 (14.Nc4 Rxe4! 15.fxe4 axb5 16.Nd2 Nf4³; 14.Bg5 f6 15.Bd2 f5 16.Ng5 f4ƒ) 14...Nf6 15.Bg5 Nbd7 16.Nc4 (16.Nxd6 Re7 17.b7 Rb8³ White is two pawns up, but remains a position down: his vulnerable king and the great activity of Black’s pieces, gives Black the advantage) 16...Rb8³ 10...Bb7

Position after: 10...Bb7 11.Bc4

A) 11.Nxf6+ Bxf6 12.Bc4 transposes to the main line 11.Bc4 B) 11.Bg5 Bxd5 12.exd5 Re8+ 13.Be2 h6 14.Bh4 axb5 15.Nxb5 Qa5+ 16.Nc3 Qb4³ A double attack! 11...axb5 Probably after 11...Nxd5, the position is about equal. But if Black wants to keep extra chances to achieve more he may continue with ...axb5. 11...Nxd5 12.Bxd5 axb5! 13.Bxb7 Rxa3 14.bxa3 Bxa1 15.Be3 Bd4 16.Bxd4 cxd4 17.Qxd4 Qc7 18.Bd5 Qc1+ 19.Qd1 Qe3+ 20.Qe2 Qc1+= 12.Nxf6+ 12.Nxb5 Nxd5 13.Bxd5 Qa5+ 14.Nc3 Bxd5 15.Qxd5 Bd4 16.Bd2 Qa6³ with the idea ...Nc6-...Nb4 and White’s king comes under attack. 12...Bxf6 13.Nxb5 d5!

Position after: 13...d5! Black must play aggressively to prevent White finishing his development. 14.Bxd5 14.exd5 Re8+ 15.Kf2 Nd7³ with the idea ...Nb6. 14...Bxd5 15.Qxd5 15.exd5? Qa5+ 16.Nc3 Bxc3+ 17.bxc3 Qxc3+ 18.Bd2 Qd4µ 15...Qa5+ 16.Nc3 Bd4 17.Bd2

A) 17.Qc4 Nd7© B) 17.Rb1 Qa6© with the idea ...Nc6. 17...Qa6 18.b4 Nd7! Take that! Black’s last pieces enter the game!

Position after: 18...Nd7! 19.bxc5 A) 19.b5 Qf6 20.Qxd7 Bxc3 21.Bxc3 Qxc3+ 22.Kf2 Qb2+ 23.Kg3 Qe5+ 24.Kh4 (24.Kh3? Rfd8 25.Qc6 Qh5+ 26.Kg3 Qg5+ 27.Kh3 Rac8 28.Qa6 c4–+) 24...Rfd8 25.Qg4 h6∞ The position remains very unclear. White is two pawns up, but his king is still very vulnerable. I couldn’t find a direct assault to crash through White’s position, but with the king on h4, I would take Black’s side! B) 19.Qxd7?! Qd3µ with the obvious threat ...Bf2. 19...Qf6 20.Qxd7 A) 20.e5 Nxe5 21.Ne4 Nd3+ 22.Kf1 Qd8= B) 20.Rc1 Ne5‚ C) 20.Qc4? Ne5 21.Qe2 Rfd8µ 20...Bxc3

Position after: 20...Bxc3 21.Rc1 21.Bxc3? Qxc3+ 22.Kf2 Qxc5+ 23.Kg3 Qe5+ 24.Kh3 Rfd8 25.Qg4 h5 26.Qh4 (26.Qg3 Qe6+ 27.Kh4 Ra5–+) 26...Rd3–+ with the idea ...Kg7 and ...g5. 21...Qg5! 22.Rxc3 22.Qd4 Ba5!–+ 22...Qxg2 23.Rf1 Rfd8 24.c6 Rxd7 25.cxd7 Qh3 26.Rc7 Rd8 27.Bc3 Qe6³ White has chances to draw but still must play very precisely! Black is slightly better.

b) 7.e5 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3 g6 6.e4 Bg7 7.e5

Position after: 7.e5 Maybe not the best, but probably the most principal continuation for White. It is very difficult to resist this push if Black gives you the possibility to play e5, because Black must play ...Ng8. However White has his central e5/d5 pawns on the 5th rank, so it will be very difficult for him to protect them properly. 7...Ng8 8.f4 8.Bf4 d6 9.exd6 Nf6!

Position after: 9...Nf6!

Black wants to finish his development, whatever, 10.dxe7 (10.Qe2 Nxd5 11.Be5 Nf6³; 10.Nc3 0-0©) 10...Qxe7+ 11.Be2 0-0© (11...axb5©) 8...d6 9.Nf3 Nh6 10.Nc3 10.exd6 0-0! 11.dxe7 Qxe7+ 12.Be2 (12.Qe2 Qd8µ) 12...Nf5³ 10...0-0

Position after: 10...0-0 This is the key moment in this variant. My plan is to attack White’s center. Black can do that with ...Bg4 or ...Nbd7 or ...Nf5-d4, exchange the knight on f3 which protects e5. The position remains very complicated, but in my opinion Black has easy play and his pieces can occupy great squares. 11.Be2 A) 11.bxa6 Nf5 A1) 12.Bc4 Nd7³ (12...Nd4 Aronian, L – Vachier Lagrave, M Beijing 2014) A2) 12.Be2

Position after: 12.Be2 Now Black has three ways to continue. I am not sure which one is best, so I will investigate some possible continuations: ...Nd7 and ...Nxa6. A2.1) 12...Nxa6 13.0-0 Nb4 14.a3 Nd4 15.Be3 (15.Rb1? Nxe2+ 16.Nxe2 Bf5!µ) 15...Ndc2 16.axb4 Nxe3 17.Qd3 Rxa1 18.Rxa1 cxb4 19.Qxe3 bxc3 20.bxc3 dxe5 21.Nxe5 Qxd5∞ A2.2) 12...Nd7 13.e6 fxe6 14.Ng5 (14.dxe6?! Nf6 15.0-0 d5³) 14...Nb6 15.Nxe6 Bxe6 16.dxe6 d5© A2.3) 12...Bxa6!?© is also worth investigation. B) 11.Bc4

Position after: 11.Bc4 B1) 11...Bg4 12.0-0 (12.h3 Bxf3 13.Qxf3 axb5 14.Nxb5 dxe5 15.fxe5 Nd7©; 12.bxa6 Nf5 13.0-0 Nxa6©) 12...Nf5© (12...axb5 13.Nxb5 Nd7©) B2) 11...axb5 12.Nxb5 (12.Bxb5 Bg4 13.0-0 Nf5 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 dxe5 16.fxe5 Bxe5©) 12...Nd7 13.0-0 Nb6© Black countered with success White’s center. 11...Nf5

Position after: 11...Nf5 12.0-0 12.g4?! Nd4 13.Nxd4 cxd4 14.Qxd4 axb5³ (14...Nd7³) 12...Nd7 13.e6 13.exd6 exd6 14.a4 Re8 15.Ra3 (15.Bd2 Nf6©; 15.Qd3?! Nd4 16.Nxd4 cxd4 17.Ne4 axb5µ) 15...Nf6© With the idea ...Ng4 or ...Ne4. The main problem in White’s position is the pawn on f4. 13...fxe6 14.dxe6 14.Ng5 Nf6 15.Nxe6 (15.dxe6? axb5 16.Nxb5 h6µ) 15...Bxe6 16.dxe6 axb5 17.Nxb5 (17.Bxb5 d5‚) 17...Qb6 18.Kh1 d5© 14...Nf6 15.a4 15.bxa6 Bxa6³ 15...axb5 16.Nxb5 Qb6³

Position after: 16...Qb6³

c) 7.Nc3 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3 g6 6.e4 Bg7 7.Nc3

Position after: 7.Nc3 This is another possibility for White, trying to finish his development. In the previous game we looked at the idea with Na3 and bringing the knight from g1 to c3. Now White’s plan is Be3, Nge2-Nf4 or g3 and Bc4. So, again Black must

deploy his aggressive modus! 7...0-0 8.Be3 A) 8.a4

Position after: 8.a4 A1) 8...e6!? This is the solution if we want to stay with the real spirit of our Benko! 9.Nh3 exd5 10.Nxd5 axb5 11.Bxb5 Nxd5 12.Qxd5 Qa5+

Position after: 12...Qa5+

A1.1) 13.Bd2? Qxb5!µ A1.2) 13.Kf2 Bd4+ 14.Kg3 Nc6 15.Rd1 Ba6 Here it is clear that Black has strong compensation for the pawn 16.Bf4 Qb6 17.Qxd7 Ne5 18.Qd5 Bb7 19.Qb3 g5!?

Position after: 19...g5!? 20.Bxg5 Rfc8© (20...h6 21.Rxd4 cxd4 22.Bf4 Qf6©) A1.3) 13.Qd2 Nc6 14.Bxc6 (14.Qxa5 Nxa5© The threat is ...Nb3, and if White protects, then my next move will be ...Ba6 and ...Rfb8.) 14...dxc6 15.Qxa5 Rxa5© A2) 8...d6 Now we reached a very similar type of position, we all know from the Sämisch variant of the King’s Indian. 9.Ra3

Position after: 9.Ra3 A2.1) 9...Nbd7 10.Nge2 Ne8 11.Nf4 Nc7 12.bxa6 (12.Bd2 axb5 13.axb5 Rb8 14.Be2 Bd4©) 12...Bxa6© A2.2) 9...e6 10.dxe6 Bxe6 11.Nge2 Nh5 12.g3 axb5

Position after: 12...axb5 13.axb5 (13.Nxb5 Nc6 14.Qxd6 Qxd6 15.Nxd6 Nb4 16.Kf2 Na2 17.Rxa2 Bxa2 18.g4 Be5 19.Nb7 Ng7 20.Nxc5 Rfc8© White have three pawns and a piece for the rook, but he still did not finish his development on the kingside. Because of that Black has excellent compensation.) 13...Rxa3 14.bxa3 Qa5 15.Qc2 (15.Qd2 Nd7 16.Bg2 Ne5©) 15...Re8!? (…...d5) 16.Kf2 (16.Bg2 d5!ƒ) 16...Nd7© B) 8.bxa6 e6

Position after: 8...e6 The aggressive modus again! Don’t lose time taking back on a6. 9.Bc4 (9.dxe6 fxe6© with idea ...d5) 9...exd5 10.Nxd5 Bxa6 (also possible 10...Nc6© Vocaturo, D – Ivanisevic, I Dubai 2015) 11.Bxa6 Nxa6 12.Bg5 (12.Ne2 Nxd5 13.Qxd5 Nb4 14.Qc4 d5³) 12...Nc7 (12...Nb4!?© the same idea to exchange the knight on d5) 13.Nc3 d5 14.exd5 Ncxd5

Position after: 14...Ncxd5 15.Nge2 (15.Bxf6? Bxf6! Nice tactics! 16.Nxd5 Bxb2 17.Rb1 Bd4 18.Nf4 Qa5+ 19.Kf1 Qxa2–+) 15...Nxc3 16.Qxd8 Rfxd8 17.bxc3 Rdb8© with the idea ...Rb2.

C) 8.Nh3

Position after: 8.Nh3 White wants to transfer his knight to f4 from where it will control d5. Because of that Black omits ‘e6’. Now he will play only on the queenside. 8...d6 9.Nf4 axb5 (9...Nbd7 10.Be2 axb5 11.Nxb5 Ne8 12.0-0 Ba6© Grischuk, A – Caruana, F Plovdiv 2010) 10.Bxb5 Ba6 11.Be2 (11.Bxa6 Nxa6 12.0-0 Qb6 13.Kh1 Nd7©; 11.0-0?! Nxe4!³) 11...Qb6 12.0-0 Bxe2 13.Qxe2 Na6 14.Be3 Rfb8 15.Rab1 Nd7©

Position after: 15...Nd7© Our classical type of Benko play, but here I think White’s knight on f4 is rather poorly placed. Our next plan involves

...Nc7-b5, ...Qa6 or ...Qb4 and ...Ne5. 8...d6

Position after: 8...d6 9.a4 9.Qd2 Nbd7 10.Nge2 Qa5

Position after: 10...Qa5

A) 11.a4 Nb6 This move is again, in the true spirit of the Benko. If Black plays...Ne5 he reaches a very original position but still must play very precise. (11...Ne5 12.Nc1 Nfd7 13.Qc2 f5ƒ) 12.Nc1 axb5 13.Bxb5 Ba6 14.Bxa6 Rxa6 15.Qe2 Raa8 16.0-0 Nfd7© with the idea ...Rfb8 and ...Qa6. The ‘latent’ threat to take on c3 and ...Na4, is always present! B) 11.Nc1 axb5

Position after: 11...axb5 B1) 12.Bxb5 Nxe4! 13.fxe4 Bxc3 14.Qxc3 Qxb5 15.Bh6 Nf6 16.Bxf8 Ra4 17.Bh6 Rxe4+ 18.Kd2 (18.Kf2 Ng4+– +) 18...Rd4+ 19.Ke1 Bg4–+ B2) 12.Nxb5 Qxd2+ 13.Bxd2 Nb6© Black reaches an excellent Benko! Our next moves are ...Bd7 and ...Rfb8. B3) 12.Nb3 Qb6 13.Nxb5 (13.Bxb5 Nxe4! 14.fxe4 Bxc3 15.Qxc3 Qxb5 16.Bh6 Nf6 17.Bxf8 Ra4!

Position after: 17...Ra4! An important intermediate move! 18.Nd2 Kxf8© Black has strong compensation for the exchange. White’s king is in trouble and an extra weak pawn on e4.) 13...Ne5 14.Be2 e6

Position after: 14...e6 15.dxe6 (15.0-0 exd5 16.exd5 Bb7 17.Nc3 Ba6³) 15...Bxe6 16.Qc2 (16.0-0? Nc4µ) 16...Ra4 (16...Rfc8ƒ with the idea ...d5) 17.0-0 Rfa8ƒ 9...e6

9...Nbd7 10.Nh3 Ne5 11.Nf2 e6 12.f4 Neg4

Position after: 12...Neg4 13.Nxg4 Nxg4 14.Qxg4 exd5 15.Qg5 d4 16.Qxd8 Rxd8 17.Bxd4 (17.Bd2 dxc3 18.Bxc3 axb5 19.Bxb5 Bb7©) 17...Bxd4 18.Kd2 axb5 19.Bxb5 Rb8© 10.dxe6 Bxe6 11.Nge2 axb5 12.Nxb5 12.axb5 Bb3! 13.Qc1 Rxa1 14.Qxa1 d5© 12...d5!

Position after: 12...d5! Back to our ‘aggressive modus’. Black gives one more pawn, but the main problem in White’s position is again his king on e1. Black just wants to open the position. 13.Bxc5 Re8 14.Nf4 14.Nd6 Na6! 15.Nxe8 Qxe8© It is very difficult to analyse this more profoundly, but in my opinion Black is in the driver’s seat with a great ride ahead! 14...Nbd7

Position after: 14...Nbd7 15.Be3 A) 15.Nxe6 Rxe6³ B) 15.Bd4 dxe4 16.Nxe6 exf3 17.Qxf3 Rxe6+ 18.Be2 Ne5 19.Bxe5 Rxe5 20.0-0 Ne4 21.Qxf7+ Kh8© 15...dxe4 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.Be2 Nd5 18.Bd4 Bxd4 19.Qxd4 Qg5©

IN THE LIMELIGHT Conclusion: White tried to control the center starting with 5.f3. However, we clearly showed that White’s lack of development and his worries to find a safe place for his king on e1, enabled Black to start his counterplay based on very active and sacrificial play.

Chapter 6 The 5.Nc3 Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.Nc3

Chapter’s guide Chapter 6 – The 5.Nc3 variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.Nc3 axb5 a) 6.Nxb5 b) 6.e4 b4 7.Nb5 d6 8.Bf4 c) 6.e4 b4 7.Nb5 d6 8.Bc4

a) 6.Nxb5 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.Nc3

Position after: 5.Nc3 5.Nc3 In the old days this was a very popular variation because from the early stages on the position enters sharp lines and both sides must play very precisely to keep the balance. However Black found overall the prefect remedy for White’s direct assault. 5...axb5 6.Nxb5 In most of the games ...Ba6 was played and this transposes into the main line, but in this book our purpose was to provide you with some unchartered lines. I will propose two interesting possibilities. 6...Ne4!? The idea is ...Qa5. A less artificial option is: 6...e6 7.Nc3 (7.dxe6 Qa5+ 8.Nc3 fxe6 9.Nf3 Nc6 10.e3 Be7 11.Be2 0-0 12.0-0 d5© with a similar position we all know from the Blumenfeld Gambit) 7...exd5 8.Nxd5

Position after: 8.Nxd5 8...Nxd5 (8...Bb7 9.Nxf6+ Qxf6 10.Nf3 Be7 11.e3 0-0 12.Be2 Qe6©) 9.Qxd5 Nc6 10.Nf3 Be7 11.e3 0-0© with ideas such as ...Bb7 and ...d5. 7.Qd3 A) 7.Qc2 Qa5+ 8.Nc3 Nxc3

Position after: 8...Nxc3 A1) 9.Bd2 Qa4 10.Qxc3 Na6 11.Rc1 (11.Nf3 Bb7© Black takes back his pawn on d5 and equalizes the position)

11...d6 12.b3 Qe4 13.Qf3 (13.Nf3 Qxd5∞) 13...f5!? 14.e3 Nc7∞ A2) 9.bxc3 g6 10.a4 Bg7 11.Bd2 d6 12.e4 0-0 (12...Bd7∞) 13.Bb5 (13.Nf3 Bd7=) 13...c4 (13...Qxb5!?

Position after: 13...Qxb5!? A classical sacrifice of the queen, but here it gives only chances for a draw. 14.axb5 Rxa1+ 15.Bc1 Nd7 16.Nf3 Nb6 17.0-0 Bd7 18.Bd2 Rfa8©) 14.Bxc4 (14.Nf3 Bd7 15.Bxd7 Nxd7 16.0-0 Nc5©) 14...Bd7 15.Ne2 Rc8 16.Qd3 (16.Bb3 Na6 17.0-0 Nc5©

Position after: 17...Nc5© with the idea ...f5, Black has great compensation for his two pawns deficit. White has badly placed pieces, es-

pecially his bishop on b3 and weak pawns on a4 and c3.) 16...Bxa4 17.Bb3 Nd7!

Position after: 17...Nd7! 18.Bxa4 (18.Rxa4? Nc5–+) 18...Ne5 19.Qc2 Rc4 20.0-0 Rxa4 21.Rxa4 Qxa4 22.Qxa4 Rxa4 23.Nd4 Nc4 24.Bf4 f5© B) 7.e3 Qa5+ 8.Bd2 Nxd2 9.Qxd2 g6 10.Nf3 Bg7© When Black takes White’s bishop, we always have enough compensation.

Position after: 7.Qd3 7...Ra4!?

7...f5 is the more natural approach: 8.f3 (8.e3 Na6© … ...Nb4, ...Qa5 and ...Bb7) 8...Qa5+ 9.Nc3 Nd6

Position after: 9...Nd6 10.Bf4 (10.e4 Ba6 11.Qc2 Bxf1 12.Kxf1 fxe4 13.fxe4 g6 14.Nf3 Bg7©) 10...Na6 11.Bxd6 exd6 12.Qxf5 Be7 13.Qc2 Bh4+ 14.g3 Bf6 15.Qd2 c4 16.e4 Nc5© 8.Nc3 8.Nf3 Ba6 9.e3 f5³ 8...Qa5

Position after: 8...Qa5 9.Rb1 A) 9.Nf3 Nxc3 10.bxc3 d6 11.Qb1 Nd7 12.Bd2 g6© B) 9.Bd2 Nxd2 10.Qxd2 Rb4© C) 9.f3 Nxc3 10.Qxc3 (10.bxc3 e5!³) 10...Qxc3+ 11.bxc3 g6 12.e4 Bg7 13.Bd2 Ba6© 9...e6 9...d6!? with the idea ...Bf5. 10.Nf3 10.dxe6 fxe6 11.Nf3 Ba6 12.Qc2 Nxc3 13.Bd2 Rxa2 14.Bxc3 Qa4= 10...exd5 11.Qxd5 Nxc3 12.bxc3 12.Qe5+ Kd8 13.bxc3 Nc6 14.Bg5+

Position after: 14.Bg5+ 14...f6! 15.Bxf6+ gxf6 16.Qxf6+ Kc7 17.Qxh8 Bd6 18.Rc1 Rxa2‚ 12...Nc6 13.e4 Be7 14.Bd2 0-0 15.Bd3 Ba6© Black can be happy reaching this double-edged position, but still with a chance to fight for the initiative.

b) 6.e4 b4 7.Nb5 d6 8.Bf4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.Nc3 axb5 6.e4

Position after: 6.e4 6...b4 7.Nb5 d6 The main problem for White in this line is his knight on b5. Because of that White has no choice but to continue to play aggressively. 8.Bf4 8.Bc4!? – see the next subchapter. 8...g5

Position after: 8...g5 9.Bxg5 A) 9.Be3 Nxe4 10.Bd3 Now, I think Black has several moves reaching a good game. 10...Qb6 (10...Nf6 11.Bxg5 Bg7 12.Ne2 Ra5 13.0-0 h6 14.Bh4 Nxd5³) 11.Qe2 Ra5 12.a4 bxa3 13.Nf3 Ba6 14.Nxa3 Bg7³ B) 9.e5? gxf4 10.exf6 Nd7 11.fxe7 (11.Nh3 Nxf6 12.Nxf4 Bd7–+) 11...Qxe7+ 12.Be2 Ne5µ 9...Nxe4 10.Bf4

Position after: 10.Bf4 10...Nf6 The best line, and Black has the advantage. A) I want to show the following line, because of a brilliant queen’s sacrifice, but unfortunately it is only enough for a draw: 10...Qa5 11.Bc4 Bg7 12.Qe2 b3+ 13.Kf1 f5 14.f3 0-0 15.fxe4 fxe4 16.g3 Qxa2!

Position after: 16...Qxa2! 17.Rxa2 bxa2 18.Bxa2 Rxa2 Black has only a rook and a pawn for the queen, but controls the game! 19.Nc7! The only

move! 19...Bf5? (19...Rxb2 20.Qxe4 Bf5 21.Qxe7 Bd3+ 22.Ne2 Rf7 23.Qd8+ Rf8 24.Qe7 Rf7=) 20.Ne6 Rxb2 21.Nxf8? (21.Qe1±) 21...Rxe2 22.Nxe2 Kxf8µ Silman, J – Christiansen, L Los Angeles 1989. B) 10...Bg7

Position after: 10...Bg7 This was the main move, but the position remains rather unclear. 11.Qe2 f5™ (11...Nf6? 12.Nxd6+ Kf8 13.Nxc8 Qxc8 14.Qf3) 12.f3 0-0 13.fxe4 fxe4 14.g3 Qa5 15.Kf2 Nd7© 11.Bc4 11.Qe2 Ra6µ 11...Bg7

Position after: 11...Bg7 12.Nf3 12.Ne2 Nbd7 13.Ng3 Nb6 14.b3 h5! (14...0-0 Arencibia, W – Ivanchuk, V France 1998) 15.h4 (15.a3 h4 16.Ne2 Kf8µ) 15...Bg4 16.f3 Bd7µ 12...Nbd7 13.0-0 13.Nxd6+ exd6 14.Bxd6 Ne4 15.Qe2 f5 16.Nd2 Qf6 17.Nxe4 fxe4 18.Qxe4+ Kd8–+ 13...Nb6 14.b3 Bb7 15.Nh4 Qd7µ

Position after: 15...Qd7µ Clearly Black is controlling both wings, and his pieces are placed on ideal positions. White will suffer if survival is even possible.

c) 6.e4 b4 7.Nb5 d6 8.Bc4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.Nc3 axb5 6.e4 b4 7.Nb5 d6 8.Bc4

Position after: 8.Bc4

The trickiest move. 8...Nbd7 Solid. Black takes control over the e5- square. After the logical 8...g6, we enter a very tactical battle, forcing Black to play very accurately: 9.e5!

Position after: 9.e5! That’s the main idea. White gives two pawns and opens Black’s position. 9...dxe5 10.d6 exd6 11.Bg5 the threat is Qf3. 11...Nbd7!

Position after: 11...Nbd7! Best move! A) 12.Nxd6+ Bxd6 13.Qxd6 h6 14.Bxf6 (14.Be3 Qe7 15.Qc7 Kf8µ) 14...Qxf6 15.Qxf6 Nxf6 16.Nf3 Nd7 17.0-0-0 Nb6 18.Bb5+ Ke7µ White does not have enough compensation for the pawn. B) 12.Qb3 Qb6 13.Bxf7+ (13.Bxf6 Nxf6 14.Qf3 d5 15.Nc7+ Qxc7 16.Qxf6 dxc4 17.Qxh8 f5–+) 13...Kd8 14.Qf3 Qxb5 15.Qxa8 (15.Bxf6+ Nxf6 16.Qxf6+ Kc7 17.Qxh8 Ba6–+ Black has a mate attack) 15...Bg7

Position after: 15...Bg7 16.a4 (16.Bd5 Qb6 17.Bxf6+ Nxf6 18.Be6 Kc7 19.Bxc8 Rxc8µ; 16.Nf3 Ke7 17.Bb3 Bb7 18.Qa4 Qxa4 19.Bxa4 Ra8µ) 16...Qb7 17.Qxb7 Bxb7 18.f3 d5© Black has a pawn and a strong centre for the exchange. I would pick Black here if I had the choice. 9.Nf3

Position after: 9.Nf3 9...Nb6 At first, I considered 9...Nxe4 as very dubious but, although it looks very dangerous, it seems to be an acceptable alternative: 10.Qe2 f5 11.g4 Nb6 12.gxf5 Nxc4 13.Qxe4

Position after: 13.Qxe4 13...Bd7! N (13...Ba6 14.Qxc4 Qb6 15.a4 Bxb5 16.Qe4 Rxa4 17.Rxa4 Bxa4 18.Ng5²) 14.Qxc4 Ra5 15.Ng5 (15.Nxd6+ exd6 16.Bg5 Be7 17.Qe4 Kf7 18.Rg1 Re8 19.Bxe7 Qxe7 20.Ng5+ Kg8 21.Qxe7 Rxe7+ 22.Ne6 c4∞) 15...Bxb5

Position after: 15...Bxb5 16.Qb3 (16.Qg4 Bd3 17.Ne6 Qc8∞; 16.Qe4 Qa8 17.Ne6 Kd7∞) 16...Qa8 17.Ne6 Kd7∞ And it remains to be seen who’s king will come first under the attack. 10.Bd3 10.b3 Nxe4! 11.0-0 Nxc4 12.bxc4 Nc3! 13.Nxc3 bxc3 A) 14.Re1 h6 15.Qd3 e5³ and White needs to lose considerable time to regain Black’s annoying pawn on c3! B) 14.Qc2 e5 15.dxe6 Bxe6 16.Bg5 (16.Qxc3?! Qf6µ) 16...Be7 17.Bxe7 Qxe7 18.Qxc3 0-0³ and White faces a difficult task to equalize. C) 14.Ng5 h6 15.Ne4 g6 16.Nxc3 Bg7 17.Bd2 0-0= I would still prefer to be Black here. 10...g6 11.b3 11.e5 Nfxd5 12.exd6 Bg7 13.0-0 (13.Be4 Be6³) 13...0-0 14.dxe7 Qxe7³ 11...Nxe4!?

Position after: 11...Nxe4!? An aggressive solution. The main idea of the sacrifice is the badly placed white knight on b5. Also, Black can play without any problem 11...Bg7. 11...Bg7 12.Bb2 0-0 13.0-0 Ba6 14.Qe2 Qd7 15.a4 bxa3 16.Rxa3= 12.Bxe4 12.Bb2 Nf6µ 12...Bg7

Position after: 12...Bg7 13.Bd2 A) 13.Be3 0-0 14.0-0 (14.a4 bxa3 15.Rxa3 Bd7 16.Qe2 Bxb5 17.Rxa8 Qxa8 18.Qxb5 Qa1+ 19.Ke2 Qxh1 20.Qxb6 Qxg2µ; 14.Nfd4 Ba6!µ) 14...Ba6 15.Bd3 Qd7 16.Qe2 Bxa1 17.Rxa1 Nxd5 18.Bh6 Rfb8 19.a4 bxa3 20.Rxa3 Bxb5 21.Bxb5 Nc3 22.Qb2 Qxb5 23.Qxc3 f6 24.Rxa8 Rxa8µ B) 13.Rb1 Rxa2 14.0-0 Ba6 15.Bd3 0-0 16.Bc4 Qd7 17.Qd3 (17.Na3 Rxa3 18.Bxa3 Nxc4 19.bxc4 bxa3 20.Qb3 Bb2µ) 17...Ra8µ with the idea ...Ra5. (17...Ra5? doesn’t work because of 18.Nxd6±) 13...Ba6 14.Bd3 Bxa1 15.Qxa1 f6 16.Qd1 Qd7 17.Qe2 0-0 Black has a rook and pawn for two minor pieces, but White has still a problem with his knight on b5 and some weak nesses on d5.

Position after: 17...0-0 18.h4! The best chance for White is to head for counter play on the kingside. 18...Kh8 19.h5 19.Bh6 Nxd5! 20.h5 (20.Qe4 Bxb5 21.Qxd5 Bxd3 22.Bxf8 Qf5! 23.Qxf5 Bxf5 24.Bh6 Rxa2µ) 20...g5 21.Qe4 e6 22.Bxf8 Rxf8 23.a4 bxa3 24.Nxa3 Bxd3 25.Qxd3 Ra8 26.Nc2 (26.Nb1 Nf4 27.Qc3 e5µ) 26...Nb4 27.Nxb4 Ra1+ 28.Ke2 Rxh1 29.Nc2 Rxh5µ 19...g5 20.0-0 A) 20.Bxg5?! fxg5 21.Qe4 Qf5 22.Qxf5 Rxf5 23.Bxf5 Bxb5 24.Nxg5 Rxa2µ B) 20.Qe4 Rf7 21.Qe6 Qxe6+ 22.dxe6 Rff8³

20...Nxd5 21.a4 bxa3 22.Nxa3 Bxd3 23.Qxd3 Nf4 24.Bxf4 gxf4³

Position after: 24...gxf4³ With a rook and two pawns for two knights, a strong center, open files for the rooks, White being stuck with weak pawns on b3 and h5, Black should be happy to continue the game.

IN THE LIMELIGHT Conclusion: 5.Nc3 is a most dangerous move but with precise play and the needed sacrifices, Black stays in his dynamic modus and should not worry about losing control over his Benko set-up.

Chapter 7 The 5.b6 Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6

Chapter’s guide Chapter 7 – The 5.b6 Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6 e6 6.Nc3 Nxd5 7.Nxd5 exd5 8.Qxd5 Nc6 9.Nf3 Rb8 10.e4 Be7 11.Bc4 0-0 12.0-0 Rxb6 a) 9.--, 10.-- alternatives b) 10.Ne5, 10.Bd2 alternatives c) 11.-- & 12.-- alternatives, 13.-d) 13.Qh5

a) 9.--, 10.-- alternatives 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6

Position after: 5.b6 This is again a positional way of handling the Benko. White returns his pawn, and tries to keep his strategic advantage. For a practical game, that is an interesting option for White. When Black plays the Benko he is ready for a tactical fight. After ‘b6’, the position returns to the quiet, positional modus and also giving White some special advantage. I propose 5...e6 because I think, as in the previous chapters, that Black can equalize with direct and concrete play. Instead of ...e6 Black also can play classical with ...d6 and ...g6, ...Bg7, ...Nbd7. Theory is still underdeveloped there and the plans for both sides remain classical. 5...e6 6.Nc3 Nxd5 7.Nxd5 exd5 8.Qxd5 Nc6 9.Nf3 A) 9.Bg5?! Qxb6! 10.Qe4+ Be7 11.Bxe7 Nxe7 12.Qxa8 d5

Position after: 12...d5 13.0-0-0 (13.Nf3 0-0 14.e3 Bb7 15.Qxf8+ Kxf8µ) 13...0-0 14.e3 Bb7 15.Qxf8+ Kxf8 16.Nf3 Nc6µ White has a serious problem with his king. Zueger, B – Hertneck, G , Nuremberg 1990. B) 9.e4 Be7 10.Bc4 0-0 11.Ne2 Rb8 12.0-0 Rxb6 13.Qd1 Bf6 14.Rb1 d6= with the idea ...Be6: Moskalenko, V – Alterman, B Lvov 1988. 9...Rb8

Position after: 9...Rb8

10.Bg5 A) 10.e3 Be7 11.Bc4 0-0 12.Bd2 Rxb6 13.Bc3 Nb4 14.Qd2 d5 15.Bxb4 Rxb4 16.Bxd5 Bf6 17.Rb1 Bf5 18.a3 Rb8 19.e4 Re8 20.0-0 Bxe4 21.Bxe4 Rxe4= B) 10.g3 Rxb6 11.Bg2 Be7 12.0-0 0-0 13.b3 Bb7 14.Qd2 d5∞ 10...f6 11.Bd2 Qxb6 12.Bc3 Nb4 13.Qd1 d5 13...Qe6! was even stronger. 14.a3 14.e4?! d4 15.Bxb4 Qxb4+ 16.Nd2 Bd6³ Ivanisevic, I – Degraeve, J Bled 2002. 14...d4 15.axb4 15.Bxb4 cxb4 16.Qxd4 Bc5 17.Qe4+ Kf8ƒ 15...dxc3 16.bxc3 cxb4∞

Position after: 16...cxb4∞

b) 10.Ne5, 10.Bd2 alternatives 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6 e6 6.Nc3 Nxd5 7.Nxd5 exd5 8.Qxd5 Nc6 9.Nf3 Rb8

Position after: 9...Rb8 10.Ne5 10.Bd2 Rxb6 A) 11.e4 Nb4 12.Qc4 Bb7 13.a3 d5 14.exd5 Bxd5 15.Qc3 Re6+ 16.Be2 Bxf3 17.gxf3 Nc6 (17...Nd5!? 18.Qc4 Be7∞) 18.Be3 Nd4 19.Rd1 Bd6∞ B) 11.Bc3 Bb7

Position after: 11...Bb7

B1) 12.Qe4+?! Be7 13.Bxg7? Nd4 14.Qb1 Rg8 15.Nxd4 Rxg7 16.Nf5 Bf6µ B2) 12.Qf5 d5 13.e3 g6 14.Qg4 d4!? (If Black wants to equalize the position he can play 14...Rb4!? 15.Bxb4 Nxb4 16.Rd1 h5 17.Qg5 Be7 18.Qf4 Bd6 19.Qg5 Be7=) 15.exd4 Bg7 16.0-0-0 cxd4 17.Nxd4 Qc7 18.Bc4 (18.Re1+?! Kf8³; 18.Nf5?! Bxc3 19.Nd6+ Ke7 20.bxc3 Ne5 21.Qh4+ f6µ) 18...0-0∞ and the position remains very unclear. B3) 12.Qd2 d5 13.e3 Be7 14.Be2 (14.Bxg7? Rg8 15.Bc3 – or 15.Bh6 c4 – 15...d4 16.exd4 cxd4 17.Nxd4 Nxd4 18.Qxd4 Rd6–+) 14...0-0 15.0-0 (15.Rd1 Qa8 16.0-0 Rd8ƒ with the idea ...d4) 15...d4 16.exd4 cxd4 17.Bxd4 (17.Nxd4?! Nxd4 18.Qxd4 Rg6 19.f3 Bd6µ with the idea ...Qg5 or ...Qb8) 17...Nxd4 18.Qxd4 Bf6 19.Qxd8 Rxd8© 10...Qf6

Position after: 10...Qf6 11.Nxc6 11.Nc4 Nb4 12.Qe4+ Be7 13.Qf4 Rxb6! 14.Qxf6 (14.Nxb6 Qxb6 15.Qf5 0-0³ Black has an obvious and strong initiative) 14...Rxf6∞ 11...dxc6 12.Qe4+ A) 12.Qf3!? Be7 13.Bd2 Qxb2 14.Bc3 Qc2 15.Bxg7 Rg8 16.Qc3 (16.Qxc6+? Bd7 17.Qc7 f6! 18.Qxb8+ Kf7–+) 16...Qf5 the threat is ...Rg7 and ...Bf6. 17.f3 (17.Qe5 Rxb6 18.Qxf5 Bxf5ƒ) 17...Rxb6ƒ with the idea ...c4. B) 12.Qb3 Be6 13.Qg3 Rb7! Protects c7! 14.e4 c4 15.Be2 Bb4+ 16.Kf1 0-0 17.Bf4 Rxb6 18.Be5 Qg6∞ with a serious fight ahead! 12...Be7

Position after: 12...Be7 13.g3 13.Qf4?! Rxb6! White is in for a shock! 14.Qc7 Bd8 15.Qxc8 0-0! The threat is ...Rxb2 and ...Ba5. 16.f3 Rxb2 17.Bxb2 (17.Kf2 Rb6–+) 17...Qxb2 18.Qxa6 Qxa1+ 19.Kf2 Qc1–+ 13...Rxb6 14.Bg2 0-0 15.0-0 Be6

Position after: 15...Be6 Black has a problem with his pawn structure on the queenside, but in return his pieces are placed more active!

16.Bf4 16.Qa4 Qd4 17.Qa5 (17.Qxd4 cxd4=) 17...Qb4∞ Akobian, V – Ghaem, M Moscow 2000. 16...Rb4 17.Qxc6 17.Be5 Qg5 18.Bf4 Qf6= 17...Rxb2 17...Qxb2 18.Qxa6 Bf6∞ 18.Qxa6 c4∞ The position still requires some correct play; any result is still possible!

Position after: 18...c4∞

c) 11.-- & 12.-- alternatives, 13.-1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6 e6 6.Nc3 Nxd5 7.Nxd5 exd5 8.Qxd5 Nc6 9.Nf3 Rb8 10.e4 Be7

Position after: 10...Be7 11.Bc4 11.Ne5!? A very interesting try. This is one of the first suggestions of our engine, still nobody gave it a try yet. 11...Nxe5 12.Qxe5 Rxb6 13.Qxg7 Bf6 14.Qg3 Qe7 15.Bd3 d5

Position after: 15...d5 A) 16.Bc2 A tricky move. The threats are Ba4 and Bh6. 16...Be5 (16...dxe4?! 17.Ba4+ Bd7 18.Qc7±) 17.Ba4+ Kf8 Now our rook controls the h6-square. 18.Bg5 Qc7 19.Qh4 Rg6 the threat is ...Qa5. 20.0-0 Kg7ƒ

B) 16.0-0 Be5

Position after: 16...Be5 B1) 17.Qe3 Bd4 18.Qe2 dxe4 (18...Rg8!?©) 19.Qxe4 (19.Bxe4 Bb7 20.Bf3 Qxe2 21.Bxe2 0-0©) 19...Qxe4 20.Bxe4 Be6© Black has great activity and enough compensation for the pawn. B2) 17.Bg5 Bxg3 18.Bxe7 Kxe7 19.hxg3 c4 20.Be2 Rxb2 21.Rfe1 c3! 22.exd5 Kd6∞ B3) 17.f4 Rg6 18.Qe1 dxe4 19.Bc4 Bf6³ B4) 17.Bf4 Rg6 and now the natural 18.Qe3? is bad due to (18.Bxe5 Rxg3 19.Bxg3 d4∞) 18...d4 19.Qd2 Bh3 20.Bg3 (20.g3?? Qf6–+) 20...h5!µ 11...0-0 12.0-0 12.Bd2 White first wants to transfer his bishop to the ideal c3-square. 12...Rxb6 13.Bc3

Position after: 13.Bc3 A) 13...Nb4!? An interesting idea, using White’s king still in the center, and Black could soon take over the initiative. 14.Qd2 Bb7 15.a3 (15.0-0-0 d5!? 16.exd5 Rd6 17.Bxb4 cxb4 18.Kb1 Bf6© I am not sure we have enough, but it is serious compensation. Two bishops, a weakness on d5 and some potential play on the queenside. One of my ideas is to push the a-pawn.) 15...d5! 16.axb4 (16.exd5 Bxd5 17.Bxd5 Nxd5 18.0-0 Nxc3 19.Qxc3 Bf6 20.Qxc5 Rxb2=) 16...dxc4 17.Qxd8 Rxd8 18.bxc5 Bxc5∞ B) 13...d6 The more solid move. B1) 14.Qd2 Bf6 15.Rd1 (15.0-0 Bg4 16.Qf4 Bxf3 17.Qxf3 Ne5=) 15...Re8 16.0-0 Rxe4 17.Bxf6 Qxf6 18.b3 Ne5 19.Nxe5 Rxe5 20.Rfe1 Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 Bd7= B2) 14.Qh5 Bf6

Position after: 14...Bf6 Black must exchange White’s strong bishop. 15.0-0 Be6 16.Bxe6 fxe6 17.e5 (17.Rad1 Qe7= Erdos, V – Balogh, C Dresden 2007) 17...dxe5 18.Rad1 Qe8 19.Qg4 Nd4 20.Rde1 Nxf3+ 21.Qxf3 Qa4 22.a3 Qf4 23.Qe2 e4= 12...Rxb6

Position after: 12...Rxb6 13.b3 13.Bd2 d6 14.Bc3 Be6 15.Qd3 Bxc4 (15...Nb4!? 16.Qe2 Bxc4 17.Qxc4 d5 18.exd5 Qxd5 19.Ne5 Qxc4 20.Nxc4

Rbb8² White is slightly better, but I think the position is close to a draw) 16.Qxc4 Bf6 17.Rad1 (17.Bxf6 Qxf6 18.b3 Qe6=) 17...Bxc3 18.bxc3 Qf6

Position after: 18...Qf6 Black have weaknesses on ‘d6’ and ‘a6’, White on ‘c3’ and ‘a2’. The position is about equal. 19.Rd3 Re8 20.Rfd1 (20.Qa4 Reb8 21.Rfd1 Ne5 22.Nxe5 Qxe5=) 20...Ne5 21.Nxe5 Rxe5= Landa, K – Tregubov, P Mulhouse 2011. 13...Na5

Position after: 13...Na5 White mostly tries to put his bishop on d2 and c3. If he plays the same idea with the move b3, Black will have one more option to disturb White’s bishop with ...Na5. Of course, also possible is ...d6 with next ...Be6. 14.Bf4 A) 14.Be2 Bb7 15.Qd2 (15.Qf5 Rf6 16.Qg4 Rg6 17.Qf4 f5ƒ) 15...Re6 16.e5 Nc6 17.Bb2 d5 18.exd6 Rxd6ƒ B) 14.Ne5 Rd6

Position after: 14...Rd6 15.Qxf7+!? You do not often meet this kind of move! (15.Qxc5 Re6 16.Qd4 Rxe5 17.Qxe5 Nxc4 18.bxc4 Bf6 19.Qb8 Bxa1 20.Ba3 Bd4 21.Bxf8 Qxf8∞ Two bishops for a rook and pawn. I think Black has the better chances. At some moment Black can sack one more pawn to get full activity.) 15...Rxf7 16.Nxf7 Nxc4 17.Nxd8 Nd2 18.e5 Rd5 19.Bxd2 Rxd2 20.Rad1 Rxd1 21.Rxd1 Bxd8 22.e6 d5 23.Rxd5 Be7 24.Re5 g6∞ And next, we place the king on f6.

Position after: 14.Bf4 14...Nxc4 14...Bb7 15.Qd3 Nxc4 (15...g5!? an interesting suggestion of our silicon friend: 16.Bg3 Nxc4 17.bxc4 Re6 18.Nd2 h5∞) 16.bxc4 Re6 17.Nd2 Bc6∞ 15.bxc4 15.Qxc4?! Rb4 16.Qc2 d5³ 15...d6 16.Rab1 16.Rfd1 Be6 17.Qd3 Qd7∞ with the idea ...Qa4. 16...Be6 17.Qd3 Rb4∞

Position after: 17...Rb4∞

d) 13.Qh5 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6 e6 6.Nc3 Nxd5 7.Nxd5 exd5 8.Qxd5 Nc6 9.Nf3 Rb8 10.e4 Be7 11.Bc4 0-0 12.0-0 Rxb6 13.Qh5 d6

Position after: 13...d6 Black’s idea is to change White’s bishop on c4. Another idea is getting control over d4, starting active play on the f- and

b-files, and pushing the a-pawn. 14.b3 A) 14.Ng5 Bxg5 15.Bxg5 Qe8

Position after: 15...Qe8 A1) 16.Rad1 Ne5 (16...Be6 17.Bxe6 Qxe6 18.b3 a5∞) 17.Be2 Rxb2 18.Rxd6 f6 19.Qxe8 (19.Rd2 Qxh5 20.Bxh5 Rxd2 21.Bxd2 Bb7=) 19...Rxe8 20.Rd2 Rb4 21.Be3 Nc4 22.Bxc4+ Rxc4= A2) 16.Bf4 Be6! 17.Bxd6 (17.Bd3 c4 18.Bb1 Ne5∞ Milanovic, D – Vuckovic, B Belgrade 2001) 17...Bxc4 18.Bxf8 (18.Rfe1? Nd4µ Zivanic, M – Vuckovic, B Subotica 2000) 18...Bxf1 19.Bxc5 Rxb2 20.Rxf1 Qxe4= B) 14.Rd1 Be6 15.Bxe6 fxe6

Position after: 15...fxe6 16.Qg4 (16.Ng5 Bxg5 17.Bxg5 Qd7 with idea ...Nd4 and ...e5) 16...Qc8 17.Bd2 (17.Bh6 Bf6 18.Be3 Re8∞) 17...e5 18.Qxc8 Rxc8 19.Bc3 Nd4 20.Nd2 (20.Bxd4 cxd4³ or 20...exd4=/+ Knaak, R – Herteck, G Baden Baden 1992) 20...c4∞ Vyzmanavin, A – Khalifman, A Novosibirsk 1995. 14...Be6

Position after: 14...Be6 15.Bxe6

A) 15.Bd5 Qd7 The threat is ...Bg4. 16.Ng5 Bxg5 17.Qxg5 Nb4 18.Bxe6 Qxe6 19.f3 c4= B) 15.Ng5 Bxg5 16.Bxg5 Qe8= 15...fxe6 16.Qg4 A) 16.Bb2 Bf6 17.Bxf6 Rxf6 18.Rad1 Qf8∞ with next ...e5 and ...Nd4. B) 16.Ng5 Bxg5 17.Bxg5 Qe8= 16...Qc8 17.Bb2

Position after: 17.Bb2 17...Bf6 17...e5!? 18.Qxc8 (18.Qg3 Nd4 19.Bxd4 cxd4 20.Nd2 Rc6 21.Nc4 Qe6∞) 18...Rxc8 Optically White stays better, he has the better bishop. However Black controls d4, the open b-file and has some potential with his a-pawn. 19.Nd2 a5 20.Nc4 Ra6∞ With the obvious idea ...a4. Any result is still possible! 18.e5 18.Bxf6 Rxf6= White has the better pawn structure, but Black has the more active pieces. I think the position being about equal. 18...dxe5 18...Bxe5 19.Nxe5 Nxe5 20.Bxe5 dxe5= 19.Rae1 19.Nd2 Rb4 20.Nc4 e4 21.Bxf6 Rxf6 22.Qxe4 a5 23.Rac1 Nd4∞ with the idea ...a4. Black must change the pawns on the queenside to equalize.

19...Rb4 20.Qg3

Position after: 20.Qg3 20...Rf4∞ 20...e4?! 21.Bxf6 Rxf6 22.Nd2 Rg6 23.Qc3² Bagirov, R – Vuckovic, B Istanbul 2000.

IN THE LIMELIGHT Conclusion: With the immediate return of the pawn, White shows his cards. He is not interested in a tactical fight with a plus-pawn. I think Black should react with the ...e7-e6 break and we showed that we still have plenty of ways to achieve equality or even more.

Part III The Main Line 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 Chapter 8 The 8.a7 Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.a7

Chapter’s guide Chapter 8 – The 8.a7 Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.a7 Rxa7 9.Nf3 e6 a) 10.dxe6 b) 10.Be2 exd5 11.e5 c) 10.Be2 exd5 11.exd5 d6 12.0-0 Ba6, 12...Na6 13.-d) 10.Be2 exd5 11.exd5 d6 12.0-0 Na6 13.Bb5 e) 10.Be2 exd5 11.exd5 d6 12.0-0 Na6 13.Nb5

a) 10.dxe6 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.a7

Position after: 8.a7 I think this is the most dangerous line for Black. White’s idea is clear: with Black’s rook on a7, he can always play and win a tempo with Nb5. Now we can’t play ...Qa5 because after Bd2, White has the threat Nb5. In this variant Black can proceed with his classical plan ...d6, ...Nbd7, ...Ba6, but my personal preference goes to another variation with ...e6. I will show a few interesting possibilities for Black, and I think we can be happy about the final outcome. 8...Rxa7 9.Nf3 e6 9...d6 10.Be2 Nbd7 11.0-0 Ba6 I think this position is also playable. 10.dxe6 10.Be3 Qb6!„ 10...fxe6 10...dxe6!?© is also possible with ample compensation. But it’s not a move you would easily consider. After ...fxe6 the position remains very complicated and both sides can look forward to a real fight. I am not sure what is the final verdict, but practically Black obtains good chances and decent play. 11.Bd3 d5 12.0-0 Nc6 13.Bg5 h6 14.exd5 14.Bh4 g5 15.Bg3 c4„ 14...exd5 15.Bxf6 Bxf6

Position after: 15...Bxf6 Black gives one more pawn on g6 but if White takes, the open g-file provides Black an attack on the kingside. 16.Rc1 16.Bxg6 Rg7 A) 17.Bd3?! Bh3 18.g3 Bxc3 (18...Nd4ƒ) 19.bxc3 Qf6 20.Be2 Bxf1 21.Qxd5+ Qf7 22.Qxf7+ Rgxf7 23.Kxf1 Rxf3 24.Bxf3 Rxf3³ Black has good chances to convert this position to a win. B) 17.Bh5 Ba6 18.Qxd5+ (18.Re1 Nb4„; 18.Nxd5?! Bxb2³) 18...Qxd5 19.Nxd5 Bxb2 20.Rab1 Bxf1 21.Kxf1 Rb8∞ The position is double-edged. White has two pawns for the exchange, but Black has a very strong c-pawn! 16...c4

Position after: 16...c4 (…...Be6) 17.Bb1 Again, we reach a complicated position and not easy to tell which way is best for Black to proceed. He has enough compensation for the pawn and several ways to develop his initiative. 17.Bxg6?! Rg7

Position after: 17...Rg7

A) 18.Qxd5+ Qxd5 19.Nxd5 Rxg6 20.Rxc4 Bd8 21.Ne5 (21.Rfc1 Bb7∞) 21...Nxe5 22.Rxc8 Nf3+ 23.Kh1 Nd2 24.Rd1 Ne4 25.Rxd8 Nxf2+ 26.Kg1 Nxd1 (26...Nh3+ 27.Kh1 Nf2+=) 27.Ne7+ Kf7 28.Rxf8+ Kxe7 29.Rb8 Rd6∞ B) 18.Bb1? Bg4µ C) 18.Bh5 Nb4 19.Ne1 Bg5! (19...Be5?! Brodsky, M – Krupko, A Chornomorsk 2017) 20.Ra1 (20.Rb1 Bf5©) 20...d4 21.Ne4 d3©

Position after: 21...d3© For the two pawns deficit, Black obtained a strong initiative. 17...Bxc3!? 17...Be6∞ 18.Rxc3 Bg4

Position after: 18...Bg4 19.Kh1 19.Re1 Raf7„ 19...Raf7!? 19...Re7„ 20.Bxg6 20.Qd2 Kg7© 20...Rg7 21.Bc2 Ne5© And I would prefer to be Black here!

b) 10.Be2 exd5 11.e5 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.a7 Rxa7 9.Nf3 e6 10.Be2 exd5 11.e5

Position after: 11.e5 Probably not the best solution. Black organizes his counter-play with... 11...Ne4! 12.Nxd5 Qa5+ 13.Kf1 A) 13.Bd2?! Nxd2 14.Qxd2 (14.Nxd2 Bb7 15.Ne3 Nc6³) 14...Nc6 15.Qxa5 Rxa5 16.Nb6

Position after: 16.Nb6 16...d5! 17.exd6 (17.Nxd5 Nxe5ƒ) 17...Bxb2 18.Rd1 Bc3+ 19.Kf1 Be6„ We can be very happy being Black here! B) 13.Nd2 Bb7 14.Ne7+ Kh8 15.0-0 Nxd2 16.Bxd2 Qb6 17.Bc3 (17.Bc4 Qxb2∞) 17...Qe6 18.Qd6 Re8 19.Qxc5

Ra4 20.Qb5 (20.b3 Rh4∞) 20...Ra7 21.Qc5 Ra4 22.Qb5 Ra7= 13...Nc6 14.Qc2 A) 14.g3?! d6! 15.Bd3 Bf5µ B) 14.h4 Ba6 15.h5 (15.Kg1 Nxe5 16.Nxe5 Bxe5∞) 15...Re8 16.hxg6 hxg6 17.Rh4 f5„ 14...f5

Position after: 14...f5 15.exf6 A) 15.Bc4 Kh8 16.h4 Ba6 17.h5 g5 18.h6 Bxc4+ 19.Qxc4 Bxe5„ B) 15.h4 Ba6 16.h5 Bxe2+ 17.Qxe2 Qa6³ 15...Nxf6 16.Bd2 16.Nxf6+ Bxf6 17.Be3 Ba6 18.Bxa6 (18.Kg1 d5„) 18...Qxa6+ 19.Kg1 Rb7 20.Bxc5 (20.Qxc5 Rxb2„) 20...d6!

Position after: 20...d6! 21.Be3 (21.Bxd6 Nd4 22.Nxd4 Bxd4 23.Bxf8 Rxb2 24.Bc5! Rxc2 25.Bxd4=) 21...Rxb2„ All these side-lines show how the fight for dynamic play continues. Black has no worries in none of these lines. 16...Nb4

Position after: 16...Nb4 17.Nxf6+

17.Nxb4 cxb4„ 17...Bxf6 18.Qb3+ d5 19.a3 Qa4 20.Qxa4 Rxa4 21.Rc1 21.Rd1 Nc6= 21...Bxb2 22.Rxc5 Bxa3=

Position after: 22...Bxa3=

c) 10.Be2 exd5 11.exd5 d6 12.0-0 Ba6, 12...Na6 13.-1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.a7 Rxa7 9.Nf3 e6 10.Be2 exd5 11.exd5 d6 12.0-0

Position after: 12.0-0 We arrive at the first crossroad for Black. He can put the bishop or the knight on a6. ...Ba6 is the engine’s proposal, but I think if White play accurately, he remains slightly better. After ...Na6 Black wants to transfer his knight to c7, exchange the bishops on a6 or organize pressure on d5 with ...Bb7 and ...Qa8. 12...Na6 12...Ba6!? 13.Nb5! (13.Bf4 Rb7„; 13.Re1 Bxe2 14.Rxe2 Nbd7 15.Nb5 Ra6©) 13...Bxb5 14.Bxb5

Position after: 14.Bxb5

A) 14...Qc7 15.Nd2! Nxd5 16.Nc4 Bd4 17.Be3 Nc6 (17...Nxe3 18.fxe3 Bg7 19.Qxd6 Qxd6 20.Nxd6 Bxb2 21.Rab1 Be5 22.Nc4 Bg7 23.a4²) 18.Bxc6 Qxc6 19.Bxd4 Nf4 20.Qg4 cxd4 21.Qxf4 Qxc4² B) 14...Na6 15.Bf4 Nb4 16.Bc4 Re8

Position after: 16...Re8 B1) 17.a3 Re4„ B2) 17.Re1 Rxe1+ 18.Nxe1 Nh5 19.Bd2 (19.Bc1 Qh4©) 19...Bxb2 20.Rb1 Bg7 21.Qb3 Nxa2 22.Qb8 Qxb8 23.Rxb8+ Bf8 24.Bh6 Ng7∞ B3) 17.Qb3! Nh5 18.Bg5 Qa8 19.a3 Rb8 20.Qd1! Na6 (20...Bxb2? 21.Rb1 Bxa3 22.Re1±) 21.Rb1 Nc7 22.b4 Rab7 23.Bd2 Nf6² 13.Bf4 A) 13.Bc4 Nc7! Our ideas are to put the bishop on b7 (to target the d5-pawn) or exchanging White’s bishop on a6.

Position after: 13...Nc7! (In the game Vovk – Robson, Black played 13...Bf5?! with the idea ...Ne4, but after 14.Re1± White is simply better.) 14.Bg5 (14.Re1 Ba6 15.Qd3 Bxc4 16.Qxc4 Rb7©; 14.Bf4 Ba6 15.Bxa6 Rxa6© with idea ...Qa8, ...Rb6) 14...Ba6 15.Bxa6 (15.Nd2 Qa8 16.Bxf6 Bxf6©) 15...Rxa6 16.Qd2 Qa8 17.Rad1 Rb8 18.Rfe1 Nb5© B) 13.Nd2 White wants to transfer his knight to c4. 13...Nc7 14.Nc4 Re8

Position after: 14...Re8 15.Bg5 (15.Bf4?! Ncxd5! 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.Qxd5 Rxe2 18.Nxd6 Bd4ƒ Goryachkina, A – Kovalevskaya, E Kazan 2014) 15...Ba6 16.Re1 (16.Qd2 Nb5„) 16...Nb5 17.Nxb5 Bxb5„

13...Nc7

Position after: 13...Nc7 14.Re1 A) 14.Qd2 Re8 15.Bg5 Bb7 16.Rfe1 (16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Bc4 Qa8©) 16...Qa8 17.Bc4 Rxe1+ 18.Rxe1 Nfxd5 19.Ne4

Position after: 19.Ne4 19...Qf8∞ L’Ami, E – Hoffmann, M Aachen 2017 (A forced computer-line- draw is 19...Nb6 20.Nf6+ Bxf6 21.Bxf7+ Kxf7 22.Bxf6 Ncd5 23.Qh6 Kxf6 24.Ng5 Qg8 25.Nxh7+ Kf7 26.Ng5+ Kf6=)

B) 14.a4 B1) 14...Re8?! 15.Bb5! Nxb5 16.axb5 (16.Nxb5 Rd7„ next is ...Bb7 and ...Qa8) 16...Rxa1 17.Qxa1 Bb7 18.Rd1 Ne4 19.Qa7± Yuffa, D – Tregubov, P Sochi 2016. B2) 14...Ba6!? is also possible. B3) 14...Rb7 15.Nb5 (15.Bb5 Rb6 16.Re1 Bb7„) 15...Ne4 16.Bd3 f5„ 14...Rb7

Position after: 14...Rb7 15.Qd2 15.b3?! Nfxd5! 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.Bg5 (17.Qxd5 Bxa1 18.Rxa1 Qf6µ) 17...Nf6³ 15...Nfxd5! 16.Nxd5 Rxb2 17.Qd1 Nxd5 18.Qxd5 Rxe2 19.Rxe2 Bxa1 20.Bxd6 20.Qxd6 c4³ 20...Be6! 20...Bb7 21.Qxc5² Urkedal, F – Djurhuus, R Oslo 2015. 21.Qxc5 Re8© For the pawn, Black obtains enough compensation with his two bishops being present.

Position after: 21...Re8©

d) 10.Be2 exd5 11.exd5 d6 12.0-0 Na6 13.Bb5 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.a7 Rxa7 9.Nf3 e6 10.Be2 exd5 11.exd5 d6 12.0-0 Na6 13.Bb5

Position after: 13.Bb5 This is a very interesting option for White, but I only found one game. My own game against L’Ami.

I think Black must play very precise to equalize the position. White wants to put his bishop on c6 and protect the pawn on d5, also controlling the e8- square. 13...Nc7 13...Qb6 14.a4 Bb7?! (Better was 14...Nc7) 15.Nd2!² L’Ami, E – Perunovic, M Reykjavik 2015. 14.Bc6 Bb7 15.Bf4 Nh5 16.Bg5 Qa8 17.Be7 Rc8

Position after: 17...Rc8 18.Bd7 A) 18.Bxb7 Rxb7 19.Bxd6 Rxb2 20.Rc1 (20.Be5 Nf4! 21.Bxf4 Bxc3 22.Bxc7 Rxc7 23.Rc1 Bf6 24.d6 Rd7 25.Rxc5 Qa6 26.Rd5 Rxa2=) 20...Bxc3 (20...Nb5©) 21.Bxc7 Rxc7 22.Rxc3 Nf4 23.d6 Rd7 24.Rxc5 Qa6 25.a4 Rxd6 26.Qa1 Rdb6©

Position after: 26...Rdb6© Black’s active pieces are enough compensation for the pawn’s deficit. B) 18.Bxd6?! Bxc6 19.Bxc7 Bxc3 20.dxc6 Bxb2 21.Rb1 Raxc7 22.Rxb2 Qxc6³ 18...Rb8 19.Bxd6 Rd8 20.Bxc7 Rxd7 21.Bb6 21.Be5 Bxd5„ 21...Ra6 22.Bxc5 Nf4©

Position after: 22...Nf4© For three pawns deficit, Black achieved excellent compensation. 23.Re1™ A) 23.Qd2? Nxg2! 24.Kxg2 Bxd5 25.Nxd5 (25.Kg1 Bc6 26.Nd4 Ra5–+) 25...Rxd5 26.Qe3 Re5 27.Qb3 Rg5+ 28.Kh1 Rxc5µ B) 23.Bd4? Bxd5 24.Bxg7 Kxg7 25.Nxd5 Rxd5 26.Qe1 Rg5!–+ 23...Bxc3 24.bxc3 Rxd5 25.Bd4 Nxg2 26.Kxg2 Rf5 27.Re3 Re6 28.Rd3 g5ƒ

e) 10.Be2 exd5 11.exd5 d6 12.0-0 Na6 13.Nb5 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.a7 Rxa7 9.Nf3 e6 10.Be2 exd5 11.exd5 d6 12.0-0 Na6 13.Nb5

Position after: 13.Nb5 13...Rd7 The rook protects the d6 pawn, and next is his attack on d5 with ...Bb7 and ...Qa8. 13...Rb7 14.Bf4 Ne4 (14...Rb6 would be fine if there wasn’t 15.a4 Nc7 16.Bd2! with an advantage: 16...Nfxd5 17.Ba5 Rb8 18.Bc4 Nb6 19.Nxd6 Nxc4 20.Nxc4 Qe7 21.Bc3±) A) 15.Nxd6 Nxd6 16.Bxa6 Rb4 17.Bg5 Qd7 18.Bxc8 Rxc8 19.Rb1 Bxb2© B) 15.Qa4 Nc7 16.Nxc7 Rb4 17.Qa5 Rxb2 18.Bd3 (18.Rae1 Rb7 19.Bc4 Nf6 20.Qa6 Rb4 21.Qxd6 Rxc4©) 18...Nf6 19.Bd2 Rxd2 20.Qxd2 Qxc7© for the exchange Black received the two bishops, a strong c-pawn and White’s weakened d5-pawn. C) 15.Nd2 Nc7

Position after: 15...Nc7 C1) 16.Nxc7 Nxd2 17.Bxd2 Qxc7 18.Bc3 Bxc3 (18...Rxb2 19.Bxb2 Bxb2 20.Rb1 Bd4 the engine evaluates this about +0, 80 but I think in a practical game the outcome is still unpredictable) 19.bxc3 Bd7© with idea ...Ra7-... Ra3, ...Qa5. C2) 16.a4?! Nxd5! wins a pawn. C3) 16.Nxe4 Nxb5 17.a4 (17.Bxb5 Rxb5 18.Bxd6 Re8 19.Re1 Bf5©) 17...Nd4 18.Bd3 Rxb2 19.Nxd6 (19.Bxd6 Re8 20.Bxc5 Qxd5„) 19...Qf6 20.Bg3 (20.Nc4 Qxf4 21.Nxb2 Be5 22.g3 Nf3+ 23.Kg2 Qf6©) 20...h5 21.Nc4 Rb4 22.Be5 Qg5∞ The position remains very complicated, our engines evaluates: 0,00. (22...Qh4!?) 14.Bc4 Bb7

Position after: 14...Bb7 15.Qb3 15.Bg5 h6 16.Bh4 (16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.Rb1 Nc7 18.Nxc7 Rxc7© Black has the idea to transfer his bishop to f5, or exchange the bishops, starting with ...Ra8, ...Ba6.) 16...Qa8 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Qd2 Bg7© 15...Qa8 16.Rd1 16.Bf4 Nxd5 (16...Rfd8!?©) 17.Bxd6 Rfd8 18.Be5 Nb6 19.Bxg7 (19.Be2 Bxe5 20.Nxe5 Re7 21.f4 Bxg2 22.Rf2 Bd5∞) 19...Bxf3 20.Bh6 Nxc4 21.Qc3 f6 22.Qxc4+ Bd5 23.Qe2 Bxg2 24.Qe6+ Rf7 25.Rfd1 Bd5 26.Rxd5 Qxd5 27.Qxa6 Qe4∞ (27...g5∞) 16...Nc7 17.Nxc7 Rxc7 18.Bf4 Rd8 19.a4 Ba6 20.Nd2

Position after: 20.Nd2 20...Rb7 20...Ra7? 21.Qf3± Ovchinnikov, V – Oparin, G Vladivostok 2016. 21.Qf3 21.Bb5 Qb8 22.Bg5 Bxb5 23.axb5 Re8 (23...Rxb5? 24.Qf3±) 24.Ra5 Ne4= 21...Ne8©

IN THE LIMELIGHT Conclusion: In the modern treatment of the Benko, White enters the fight with 8.a7, again returning the pawn and hoping for a solid positional advantage. However, we showed that Black can still continue the fight with accurate and promising play!

Chapter 9 The Fianchetto Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 0-0 8.g3

Chapter’s guide Chapter 9 – The Fianchetto Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 0-0 8.g3 d6 9.Bg2 Nbd7 10.0-0 Nb6 a) 11.-b) 11.Ne1 c) 11.Re1

a) 11.-1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 0-0 8.g3 d6 9.Bg2 Nbd7

Position after: 9...Nbd7 The main difference between this position and the main line of the Benko, is that Black’s bishop remains on c8. The bishop on c8 prevents White from the usual ‘Rb1, b3-Bb2’. In this line White is unable to use this set-up. Black could also play 9...Nxa6, using the position of his bishop on c8. 10.0-0 10.Rb1 Nb6 11.Nh4 (11.0-0 Bf5 12.Ra1 Ne4 13.Nxe4 Bxe4 14.Nh4 Bxg2 15.Nxg2 Rxa6 16.Ne3 Qa8 17.a3 Rb8³ Wang, R – Ivanchuk, V Edmonton 2014) 11...Nc4 (11...Rxa6!? 12.b3 e6 13.dxe6 Bxe6 14.0-0 d5ƒ) 12.Qc2 (12.b3?! Qa5³) 12...Qa5 13.0-0 Bxa6„ 10...Nb6 11.Nd2 11.Nh4 Bxa6 12.Qc2 Nfd7 13.Rd1 Nc4 14.a3 Qa5 15.Ra2

Position after: 15.Ra2 15...Bxc3! A very interesting solution. Black has full control over the white squares. (15...Rfb8³ Sargissian, G – Dominguez, P 2011) 16.Qxc3 (16.bxc3 Bb5 17.Rf1 Ba4³) 16...Qxc3 17.bxc3 Ncb6³ with the idea ...Bc4. 11...Bxa6 12.Qc2 Bb7!

Position after: 12...Bb7! Black provokes ‘e4’, opening the diagonal ‘a6-f1’ and eyeing d3. 13.e4 Ba6 14.Rd1 Ng4 15.Nf3 Nc4 16.h3 Nge5 17.Nxe5 Nxe5 18.b3

A) 18.Rb1 Qa5 19.Bg5 Rfe8 (19...Ra7!?) 20.Kh1 (20.b3? Bd3µ; 20.a4 h6 21.Bc1 Reb8ƒ) 20...h6 (20...Rab8³) 21.Bf4 (21.Bc1 Reb8µ Iordachescku, V – Grischuk, A 2011) 21...Reb8 22.Bxe5 Bxe5³ B) 18.f4 Nc4 19.Kh2 Qa5„ 18...Qa5

Position after: 18...Qa5 19.Bb2 19.Bd2 Bd3 20.Qc1 Rfc8 21.f4 Nd7 22.Na4 (Better is 22.a3 Rcb8ƒ) 22...Qa7µ Lei, T – Ragger, M Wijk An Zee 2017. 19...c4 20.Ne2 20.Na4?! Bb5 21.Bc3 (21.f4 Rfc8! 22.fxe5 cxb3 23.Qb1 Qxa4µ) 21...Qa7³ 20...Rfc8 21.Bc3 21.bxc4 Rxc4 22.Qd2 Qxd2 23.Rxd2 Ra4³ Yakovich, Y – Zvjagincev, V Moscow 2009. 21...cxb3 22.axb3 Qc5³ Black has achieved all his goals, controlling all important squares and files.

Position after: 22...Qc5³

b) 11.Ne1 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 0-0 8.g3 d6 9.Bg2 Nbd7 10.0-0 Nb6 11.Ne1

Position after: 11.Ne1 White’s idea is to transfer the knight to e3, protecting the pawn on d5 and the c4-square. White’s pawn is remaining on e2.

11...Bxa6 12.Nc2 Black has several ideas to continue. One idea is our classical continuation with ...Nc4 and probably that is just good enough for a playable game, and the second idea is a very original one, attacking the knight on e3 with ...f5-f4. 12...Nc4 This was tried by the World Champion Magnus Carlsen. 12...Nfd7!? 13.Ne3 Ne5 14.Qc2 f5!?

Position after: 14...f5!? 15.b3 (15.f4 Nec4 16.b3 Nxe3 17.Bxe3 Bb7© with the idea ...Nd7, ...Qa5, ...Nf6, ...Rfb8/c8) 15...f4 16.gxf4 Rxf4 A) 17.Nc4 Rh4 18.Nxb6 Qxb6© B) 17.Bd2 Qf8 18.a4 Nbd7© (18...Bh6!?© with the idea ...Rh4) C) 17.Bb2 Qf8 18.Ne4 Ng4 (18...Rh4!?„ Kiriakov, P – Khairullin, I Tomsk 2014) 19.h3 (19.Bxg7 Qxg7 20.Nxg4 Rxg4„) 19...Bxb2 20.Qxb2 Nxe3 21.fxe3 Rxf1+ 22.Rxf1 Qh6„ 13.Ne3 13.b3?! Qa5! 14.Na4 Nd7 15.Rb1 Rfb8³ 13...Qb6

Position after: 13...Qb6 14.b3 A) 14.Qc2 Rfb8 15.b3 (15.Rb1 Nxe3 16.Bxe3 Ng4 17.Bd2 Bc8 18.b3 Bf5 19.e4 Bc8© with the idea ...Ba6) 15...Nxe3 16.Bxe3 Ng4 17.Bd2 c4 18.h3 cxb3 19.axb3 Qxb3 (19...Ne5© here Carlsen wanted more from his position. Ljubojevic, L – Carlsen, M Amsterdam 2006) 20.Qxb3 Rxb3 21.hxg4 Bxc3 22.Bxc3 Rxc3= B) 14.Rb1 Nd7 15.Qc2 Qa5 Prophylaxis against b3. 16.Nxc4 Bxc4 17.Bd2 (17.Bg5 Rfe8©) 17...Bxc3 (17...Qa6©) 18.Bxc3 Qxa2 19.Qe4 Rfe8∞ 14...Nxe3 15.Bxe3 Ng4 16.Bd2 c4!

Position after: 16...c4! 17.h3 Bxc3!? 17...Ne5 18.Rb1 cxb3 19.axb3 Rfc8© 18.Bxc3 Ne3 19.Bd4 Nxd1 20.Bxb6 Nc3

Position after: 20...Nc3 21.Rfe1 21.Kh2 Rfb8 22.Be3 cxb3 23.axb3 Bxe2 24.Rxa8 Rxa8 25.Re1 Bd3 26.Bg5 f6 27.Bxf6 exf6 28.Re3 Ra2 29.Rxd3 Rc2= 21...cxb3 22.axb3 Rfb8 23.Be3 Rxb3= Or 23...Bb5. We achieved a comfortable equality.

c) 11.Re1 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 0-0 8.g3 d6 9.Bg2 Nbd7 10.0-0 Nb6 11.Re1 Bxa6

Position after: 11...Bxa6 12.e4 A) 12.Rb1 Bc4! That’s the main trick we have against Rb1, now hangs a2 and d5. 13.e4 Bxa2 14.Nxa2 Rxa2 Black regains the pawn and equalizes. 15.b4 (15.Qb3 Ra4 16.Qd3 Qa8=) 15...c4!?

Position after: 15...c4!? The most ambitious try. The position stays very complicated. (15...Nbd7 16.bxc5 Nxc5=) 16.Nd4

A1) I tried 16...Ng4?! against Tomashevsky and won that game, but still White could have improved: 17.Re2!² (17.Rf1? Na4µ Thomashevsky , V – Perunovic , M Yerevan 2014) A2) 16...Na4 17.Nc6 Qd7 18.Qf3 Ng4 19.Bh3 Ne5 20.Nxe5 Qxh3 21.Nxc4 (21.Nc6 Qd7∞) 21...f5„ Krysa, L – Ivanisevic, I Sitges 2016. B) 12.Nd2 Qc7

Position after: 12...Qc7 13.Qc2 (13.Nf1 Ng4 14.h3 Ne5 15.Qc2 Nbc4 16.Rb1 Rfb8ƒ; 13.Rb1 Bb7 14.e4 Ba6 15.Qc2 Ng4 16.Nf3 Nc4ƒ) 13...Qb7 14.Nf1 (14.e4 Ng4 15.Nf3 Nc4 16.h3 Nge5 17.Nxe5 Nxe5ƒ) 14...Nfxd5 15.Nxd5 (15.Ne3 Nb4 16.Bxb7 Nxc2 17.Bxa8 Nxe1 18.Bc6 Bxc3 19.bxc3 Bxe2 20.Rb1 Rb8 21.Nd5 Nf3+ 22.Kg2 Ne5 23.Nxe7+ Kf8 24.Nd5 Bf3+ 25.Kf1 Nxc6 26.Nxb6 Ke7³) 15...Nxd5

Position after: 15...Nxd5 B1) 16.Qd1 Bc4! 17.b3 (17.Ne3 Nxe3 18.Bxb7 Nxd1 19.Bxa8 Nxb2ƒ) 17...Bxb3 18.axb3 Rxa1 19.Bxd5 Qb4∞ B2) 16.Qd2 e6 17.Ne3 Bh6 (17...Qd7 18.Nxd5 exd5 19.Bxd5 Bb7©) 18.Qd1 Bxe3 19.Bxe3 Qxb2 20.Bxd5 exd5 21.Qxd5 Rfd8∞ Black has a wide range of possibilities at all this junctures, but it is without doubt that we kept our ‘fighting spirit’ repertoire handbook. Of course you need to explore these variations more profoundly but I think I gave you a good head start! 12...Nfd7

Position after: 12...Nfd7 13.Qc2 13.Bf1 Nc4 14.Nd2 Nde5 15.Nxc4 Nxc4 A) 16.Bd3 Qb6 17.Rb1 Rfb8 (17...Qb4ƒ) 18.Na4?! (Better is 18.b3 Ne5 19.Bxa6 Qxa6ƒ) 18...Qb4³ Harika, D – Kramnik, V Douglas 2017 B) 16.Bxc4 Bxc4 17.Qc2 Ba6© (17...Qb6© Sanikidze , T – Hamitevici, V Montpellier 2015; 17...Qa5 18.Bd2 Qa6©) 13...Nc4 14.Bf1 A) 14.Bf4 Qa5 15.Rac1 Rfb8 16.b3 Nce5

Position after: 16...Nce5 Black reached an ideal type of Benko position. 17.Nxe5 (17.Red1 Nxf3+ 18.Bxf3 c4ƒ) 17...Nxe5 18.Bxe5 (18.Red1 c4 19.Bxe5 cxb3 20.axb3 Bxe5³) 18...Bxe5³ (…...c4) 19.Bf1?! Bxf1 20.Kxf1 Bxc3 21.Qxc3 Qxc3 22.Rxc3 Rxa2µ Niklasch, O – Grischuk, A Mainz 2005. B) 14.b3? Qa5µ C) 14.Nd2 Nce5 15.Bf1 Qb6³ D) 14.Rd1 Qa5 15.Bf1 (15.Nd2 Na3! 16.bxa3 Qxc3 17.Qxc3 Bxc3 18.Rb1 Bd3 19.Rb7 Ne5µ) 15...Na3!

Position after: 15...Na3! Our thematic move. 16.bxa3 Qxc3 17.Qxc3 Bxc3 18.Rb1 Nf6³ 14...Nce5 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.Kg2

Position after: 16.Kg2 Black has three possibilities to continue the fight. But any continuation gives Black good counterplay, he is spoilt for choice. 16...Qa5

A) 16...c4 17.Bf4 Nd3 18.Bxd3 cxd3 19.Qd2 Qb6 20.e5?! (20.Rab1 Rfc8„) 20...dxe5 21.Bxe5 f6 22.Bf4 e5! 23.Be3 (23.dxe6 g5 24.Be3 Qxe6µ) 23...Qb4³ B) 16...Bxf1+ 17.Rxf1 Qa5 18.a4 Rfb8 19.f4 (19.Rb1 Nc4³) 19...Nc4 20.Rf3 Qb4ƒ 17.Bd2 A) 17.f4 Nc4 18.Bd2 (18.Bxc4 Bxc4 19.Bd2 Qa6³) 18...Qb4 19.Bxc4 Qxc4ƒ B) 17.Bf4 Bxf1+ 18.Rxf1 Rfb8© 17...Bxf1+ 18.Rxf1 Nc4

Position after: 18...Nc4 19.Nb1 19.Be1 Rfb8 20.b3 Na3 21.Qd3 c4! 22.bxc4 Qc5ƒ 19...Qb5 20.Bc3 Bxc3 21.Nxc3 Qxb2 22.Qxb2 Nxb2=

IN THE LIMELIGHT Conclusion: The modern way we now handle the Benko is rather sophisticated. We just stall the development of our bishop on c8. A quite clever resource that enables Black to detonate several annoying set-ups White had available in the past.

Chapter 10 The 9.Nd2 Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 0-0 8.e4 Qa5 9.Nd2

Chapter’s guide Chapter 10 – The 9.Nd2 Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 0-0 8.e4 Qa5 9.Nd2 Bxa6 a) 9.-- alternatives b) 10.Be2 c) 10.Bxa6 Qxa6 11.-d) 10.Bxa6 Qxa6 11.a4 e6 12.dxe6 e) 10.Bxa6 Qxa6 11.a4 e6 12.Nb5

a) 9.-- alternatives 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.Nf3 Qa5

Position after: 8...Qa5 9.e5 A) 9.a7? Nxe4! 10.axb8=Q Rxb8 11.Qc2 (11.Bd2 Nxd2 12.Nxd2 Rxb2µ) 11...Nxc3 12.Bd2 Qa4 13.b3 Qe4+ 14.Qxe4 Nxe4µ B) 9.Bd3?! This logical move, is punished severely because of following tactic blow... 9...Nxd5! I won a lot of blitz games with this trick. 10.exd5 Bxc3+

Position after: 10...Bxc3+

B1) 11.Bd2 Bxd2+ 12.Qxd2 Qxd2+ 13.Kxd2 Bxa6³ B2) 11.bxc3 Qxc3+ 12.Qd2 Qxa1 13.0-0 Bxa6 14.Bb2 Qxa2 15.Ra1 (15.Qc3 f6 16.Ra1 Qxa1+ 17.Bxa1 Bxd3–+) 15...Qb3–+ Gelfand, B – Carlsen, M Zurich 2014. B3) 11.Nd2 Bxa6 (Another possibility is 11...Bg7 12.0-0 Bxa6³) 12.Bxa6 Bxd2+ 13.Bxd2 Qxa6 14.Bc3 d6 15.h4 Nd7 16.Qd2 (16.h5 Nf6 17.Qd2 Qc4 18.Qh6 Rfe8µ) 16...Qc4³ 9...Ne4 9...Ng4!? 10.a7 (10.Bf4 d6„) 10...Rxa7 11.Bd2 Qb6 12.a4 d6„ 10.Qa4 A) 10.Qc2 Nxc3

Position after: 10...Nxc3 11.Qxc3 (11.Bd2 Qa4 12.Qxc3 d6³; 11.bxc3 d6³) 11...Qxc3+ 12.bxc3 d6 13.Bg5 (13.Bf4 Nd7³) 13...Ra7 14.Rb1 Bxa6 15.Bxa6 Nxa6∞ B) 10.Bd2 Nxd2 11.Qxd2 d6 12.exd6 exd6 13.Be2 Bxa6 14.0-0 Bxe2 15.Qxe2 Nd7© 10...Qxa4 11.Nxa4 Bxa6

Position after: 11...Bxa6 12.Nb6 12.Bxa6 Rxa6 (12...Nxa6 13.0-0 Nb4 14.Nb6 Ra7© White obviously has a problem with his central pawns) 13.b3 (13.Nc3?! Nxc3 14.bxc3 d6 15.0-0 Nd7 16.exd6 exd6µ Black is much better, because White still is struggling with his weak paws on a2, c3 and d5.) 13...d6 14.0-0 Nd7 15.Re1 Nxe5 16.Nxe5 Bxe5 17.Bb2 Bxb2 18.Nxb2 Nc3 19.Rxe7 Rb8 20.Nc4 Rxb3 21.Nxd6 Rxa2 22.Rf1 Nxd5 23.Rd7= 12...Bxf1 13.Kxf1 Ra6 14.Nc4 f6

Position after: 14...f6 15.Nfd2 15.exf6 Nxf6 16.Ne3 Rd6³ 15...Nxd2+ 16.Bxd2 fxe5 17.Bc3 d6 18.Ke2 18.a4 e6!ƒ 18...Nd7∞ With the idea ...Nf6 and ...e6, Black has a comfortable game in hand!

b) 10.Be2 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.Nf3 Qa5 9.Nd2

Position after: 9.Nd2 White protects e4 and wants to transfer his knight to the ideal c4-square. 9...Bxa6 10.Be2 d6 A) 10...Nh5!? Is a very interesting solution and I will leave this one open for your own analysis. An idea is to attack c3 and another is to jump to f4. B) The thematic ‘...e6’ is probably not so good: 10...e6 11.0-0 exd5 12.exd5 Bxe2 13.Qxe2 Qa6 14.Nc4 d6 15.a4² with next Nb5. 11.0-0

Now I suggest two options for Black: ...Bxe2 or ...Nfd7. If Black plays ...Nbd7 after 12.Nc4 Black must render his bishop. After ...Bxe2 and ...Nbd7, the position remains to the spirit of a classical Benko. With the well-known plans: ...Rfb8, ...Qa6, ...Nb6 and excellent compensation. In the line 11...Nfd7 Black must show accurate play. 11...Bxe2 11...Nfd7!?

Position after: 11...Nfd7!? A) 12.a4 Bxc3 13.bxc3 Qxc3 14.Ra3 Qd4 15.Rb3 (15.a5 f5!?∞; 15.Re1 Bxe2 16.Qxe2 Ne5 17.a5 Nbd7∞ Beliavsky, A – Stocek, J Hoogeveen 2014) 15...Qxa4!? (15...Ne5∞) 16.Rxb8 Qxd1 17.Rxf8+ Kxf8 18.Bxd1 Bxf1 19.Kxf1 Nb6∞

Position after: 19...Nb6∞ A rook and a pawn for two pieces, but White seems disorganized for the moment. Black’s idea is ...e6 and ...d5, achieving two passed pawns. B) 12.Bxa6 Nxa6 13.Nc4 Qb4 14.Qe2 Ne5 15.Nxe5 Bxe5© C) 12.Ndb1 Rc8 13.Re1 Bxe2 14.Rxe2 Na6 15.Bg5 Re8

Position after: 15...Re8 C1) 16.Bd2 Reb8 (16...Qb6 Gubsky, E – Dubov, D Sochi 2016) 17.b3 (17.Bg5 Nb4!? 18.Bxe7 Qa6ƒ) 17...c4!ƒ C2) 16.a4 c4 17.Nb5 (17.Na3 Nac5©) 17...Nac5 18.N1c3 (18.Bd2 Qxb5!? An interesting queen sacrifice 19.axb5

Rxa1©) 18...Ne5© 12.Qxe2 Nbd7

Position after: 12...Nbd7 13.Nc4 13.a4 Rfb8 14.Ra3 (14.Nc4 Qa6 transposes to the main line 13.Nc4 Qa6) 14...Nb6

Position after: 14...Nb6

A) 15.Nd1 The idea is again bringing the knight to c4. 15...Nfd7 (15...Qa6!? 16.Qxa6 Rxa6 17.b3 c4!?© or 17...e6©; 15...Qb4!? with the idea ...c4) 16.b3 (16.Ne3?! Nxa4³) 16...c4! 17.Nxc4 (17.bxc4 Nxa4©) 17...Nxc4 18.bxc4 Nb6 19.Ne3 Qb4 (19...Nxa4©) 20.Qd3 Nxa4 21.Bd2 Qb6© B) 15.Ndb1 Qa6 16.Qxa6 (16.Qc2 Nc4 17.Ra2 Rb4©) 16...Rxa6 17.b3 Nbd7 18.Nd2 (18.Be3 Rb4 19.f3 Ne8 20.Rc1 Nc7© An idea is ...f5. 21.Nd2? Bxc3 22.Rxc3 Nb5) 18...Ne5 19.Rd1 Nfd7© 13...Qa6

Position after: 13...Qa6 Our masterplan is to dislodge the knight from c4 with ...Rb8-Rb4, ...Nb6. 14.a4 14.Bd2 Rfb8 A) 15.Rfe1 Nb6 (The engine suggests 15...Ng4!?) 16.Nxb6 Rxb6© B) 15.b3 Nb6 16.Nxb6 (16.a4 Nxc4 17.bxc4 Nd7∞ with the idea ...Ne5, ...b6 or ...Rb4. White has two weak pawns on a4 and c4.) 16...Qxe2 17.Nxe2 Rxb6 18.f3 (18.Nc3 Ne8³ with the idea ...Nc7 and ...f5 or ...Ra3 and ...c4.) 18...Nh5 (18...Nxe4!?; 18...Rba6 19.a4 c4©) 19.Bc3 Nf4! 20.Bxg7 Nxe2+ 21.Kf2 Kxg7 22.Kxe2 c4!= 14...Rfb8 15.Ra3 15.Bd2 Ne5!

Position after: 15...Ne5! A) 16.Nb5? Rxb5! 17.axb5 Qxa1 18.Nb6 (18.Rxa1 Rxa1+ 19.Be1 Nd3–+) 18...Ra7µ Pantelic, S – Nestorovic, N Novi Sad 2014. B) 16.Nxe5 Qxe2 17.Nxe2 Nxe4 18.Nc4 Nxd2 19.Nxd2 Rxb2 20.Rad1 Rxa4

Position after: 20...Rxa4 For the piece, Black has two pawns, a dangerous c-pawn and White’s knights looking like sitting ducks. 21.Rfe1 (21.Ng3?! c4 22.Nf3 c3µ; 21.Nc1 c4©) 21...Raa2 22.Nc1 Rxd2 23.Nxa2 Rxa2 24.Rxe7 Bd4 25.g3 Bxf2+ 26.Kh1 Bd4∞

15...Rb4 16.Nb5 16.b3 Nb6 17.Nxb6 Qxe2 18.Nxe2 Rxb6 19.f3 Rab8³ 16...Nb6

Position after: 16...Nb6 17.b3 17.Nxb6 Qxb6 18.Nc3 Nd7 19.Qc2 Qa6© with the ideas ...Ne5-c4 or ...Bxc3 and taking on a4. 17...Qb7 18.Qc2 18.Nxb6 Qxb6 19.f3 Nd7 20.Kh1 Qb7© 18...Nfd7 19.Bd2 A) 19.Nd2

Position after: 19.Nd2 19...c4! (19...Ne5 Hilarp Persson, T – Le Roux, JP Guernsey 2016; 19...Rc8 with the idea c4) 20.bxc4 (20.Nxc4 Nxc4 21.bxc4 Qc8³) 20...Qc8 21.a5 (21.Rb3 Rxb3 22.Qxb3 Rxa4©) 21...Nxc4 22.Nxc4 Rxc4 23.Qb1 Qa6 24.Be3 Rb8 25.Rb3 Qxa5= B) 19.Ne3 c4 20.bxc4 Nc5© 19...Nxc4 20.bxc4 Rb2 21.Qc1 Nb6 22.Bc3 Bxc3 23.Rxc3 Rb4 24.Qh6 Nd7!

Position after: 24...Nd7!

Just in time. The knight returns to f8 to protect his king. 25.Rh3 Nf8 26.f4 Rbxa4 27.e5 27.f5 Ra1 28.fxg6 (28.Rhf3?! Nd7 29.fxg6 Rxf1+ 30.Rxf1 fxg6³) 28...Rxf1+ 29.Kxf1 Ra1+ 30.Kf2 Ra2+ 31.Kf1 Ra1+= 27...dxe5 28.fxe5 Rxc4 29.Rhf3 29.Nc3 f5∞ 29...Qxd5 30.Nc7 Qd4+ 31.Kh1 Ra1 32.Rxf7 Rxf1+ 33.Rxf1 Qd8∞ The position remains quite unclear but still I would prefer being Black here!

Position after: 33...Qd8∞

c) 10.Bxa6 Qxa6 11.-1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.Nf3 Qa5 9.Nd2 Bxa6 10.Bxa6 Qxa6

Position after: 10...Qxa6 11.Qe2 11.e5 Ne8 12.Nf3 d6 13.exd6 Nxd6 14.Qe2 Nd7³ 11...e6 12.dxe6 A) 12.Nc4 exd5

Position after: 12...exd5

(12...Re8!? Kanarek, M – Bauer, C Capella la Grande 2016) A1) 13.exd5 Re8 14.Ne3 (14.Be3?! Nh5 15.g3 f5 16.Nd2™ 16...f4 17.gxf4 Nxf4 18.Qxa6 Nxa6³) 14...Ne4! 15.Nxe4 Rxe4© With the idea ...f5-...f4. The knight on e3 is simply a badly placed piece. A2) 13.Nxd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 d6 15.0-0 (15.Bf4?! Nd7³ 16.Nxd6? g5 17.Bg3 f5–+) 15...Nd7

Position after: 15...Nd7 16.Re1 (16.Bf4?! Nb6 17.Rfc1 Nxc4 18.Rxc4 Rfe8µ; 16.Qc2 Rfb8 17.Bd2 Ne5 18.Nxe5 Bxe5 19.Bc3 Qc4∞) 16...Rfb8 17.Bf4 Rb4 18.Rac1 Bxb2 19.Rc2 Bg7∞ B) 12.Qxa6 Nxa6 13.0-0 exd5 14.exd5 Nb4 15.d6 Rfb8 16.Nc4 Ng4© Batchuluun, T – Baghdasaryan, V St Petersburg 2014. 12...fxe6

Position after: 12...fxe6 13.Nb5 A) 13.a4 Qxe2+ 14.Kxe2 Nc6 15.Nb5 d5© B) 13.0-0 Qxe2 14.Nxe2 Nc6 15.a4 Rfb8 16.Nc3 d5 17.exd5 exd5© Guo, Q – Gu, X Yangzhou 2016. 13...Nc6 14.a4 Na7! 14...Nd4!?„ and 14...Nb4!?„ are also possible. 15.Ra3 15.Nxa7 Rxa7 16.e5 Nd5 17.Qxa6 Rxa6 18.Nc4 Nf4 19.Ra3 (19.0-0 Ne2+ 20.Kh1 Nd4©; 19.Bxf4?! Rxf4 20.b3 d5!µ) 19...Nxg2+ 20.Kf1 Nh4∞ 15...Nxb5 16.axb5 16.Qxb5 Qxb5 17.axb5 Rxa3 18.bxa3 Rb8 19.a4 Ra8∞ 16...Qb6 17.0-0 Rab8∞

Position after: 17...Rab8∞ Black wins the pawn back and should obtain the slightly better position.

d) 10.Bxa6 Qxa6 11.a4 e6 12.dxe6 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.Nf3 Qa5 9.Nd2 Bxa6 10.Bxa6 Qxa6 11.a4 e6

Position after: 11...e6 12.dxe6 dxe6

A paradoxical solution, but in this variation it’s quite common! 13.Nb5 13.Qe2 Nc6 14.Qxa6 Rxa6 15.0-0 Rb8 16.f4 Nd4 17.e5 Nd5© 13...Qb7 14.0-0 Nc6 15.Qe2 Nd4 16.Nxd4 cxd4

Position after: 16...cxd4 Black wants ...Nfd7, ...Rfc8. 17.e5 17.b3 Rfc8 18.Ba3 (18.Rb1 Bh6ƒ) 18...Bh6!

Position after: 18...Bh6! The bishop enters the game. The threat being Rc2. A) 19.Rfc1 e5 (19...Rxc1+!? is also very fine) 20.Rxc8+ (20.f3 Rc3ƒ) 20...Rxc8 21.Nc4 Nxe4 22.Nxe5 Nc3 23.Qf3 Qxb3∞ B) 19.e5 Nd5© C) 19.f4 Black has a few interesting tries, such as ...Rc2 or ...Rc3 or my suggestion ...e5 with good compensation. 19...e5 20.fxe5 Be3+ (20...Rc2!?) 21.Kh1 Nxe4 22.e6 (22.Nxe4 Qxe4 23.Qf3 Qxf3 24.gxf3 Rc3©) 22...fxe6 23.Qg4 Nxd2 24.Qxe6+ Kg7

Position after: 24...Kg7 25.Be7 (25.Qf6+ Kg8 26.Qe6+ Kg7=; 25.Bd6 Nxf1 26.Be5+ Kh6 27.Rxf1 Rf8 28.Qh3+ Kg5 29.Qg3+ Kh5 30.Qh3+ Kg5=) 25...Nxf1 26.Rxf1 Kh6 27.Qh3+ Kg7 28.Qe6 Kh6= 17...Nd7

Position after: 17...Nd7 18.f4 18.Nf3 Nc5 19.Nxd4 Rxa4 20.Rxa4 Nxa4 21.Rd1 Rb8 (21...Qc7 22.Nf3 Rb8©; 21...Nb6© with idea ...Nd5, ...Rc8) 22.Qc2 Nxb2 23.Rd2 Bh6 24.Qxb2 Bxd2 25.Qxd2 Qd5 26.Qd3 Qxe5∞ 18...Nc5 19.Qc4 A) 19.Qf3 Qxf3 20.Nxf3 Nb3 (20...Rfd8 21.Rd1 Bf8©) 21.Ra3 Rab8© B) 19.a5 d3 20.Qe3 Qb4∞ 19...Rfc8 20.Qxd4 Bf8©

Position after: 20...Bf8© For the two pawns deficit, Black has achieved enough compensation. Black’s pieces stay very active and that’s enough for equality.

e) 10.Bxa6 Qxa6 11.a4 e6 12.Nb5 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.Nf3 Qa5 9.Nd2 Bxa6 10.Bxa6 Qxa6 11.a4 e6 12.Nb5

Position after: 12.Nb5 12...Qb7 The following exchange sacrifice is also interesting. But if White plays precisely, Black will be fighting for only a draw: 12...exd5 13.Nc7 Qa7 14.Nxa8 dxe4 15.a5 Qxa8 16.Nc4 d5 17.Nb6 Qa6 (17...Qb7!?) 18.Qe2 c4 19.0-0 Nc6 20.Bg5 Nxa5 21.Nxd5 Nxd5 22.Bd2 Rc8 (22...Qc6 23.Rxa5 Re8 24.Rc1± Nikolov, M – Ivanisevic, I Skopje 2016) 23.Rxa5 Qe6= The position is close to being equal. 13.0-0 13.Nd6 Qa6 (13...Qb4?! 14.0-0 Ra6 15.dxe6! Rxd6 16.exf7+ Rxf7 17.e5 Rd4 18.exf6 Bh6 19.Ra3 Rxd2 20.Bxd2 Qxd2 21.Rb3 Nc6 22.Rb7±) 14.Nb5 Qb7= 13...exd5 14.exd5 Nxd5

Position after: 14...Nxd5 Black equalizes the material, but now must play some precise moves to equalize the position! 15.Nc4 15.Ne4 Qc6! 16.Bh6 Bxh6 17.Qxd5 Bg7 18.Rfd1 (18.Qxc6 dxc6 19.Nbc3 Na6 20.a5 Rfb8∞) 18...Qxd5 19.Rxd5 Bxb2 20.Ra2 Bg7 21.Nxc5 Nc6 22.Rxd7 Rfc8 23.Nd6 Nb4 24.Nxc8 Rxc8 25.Ra3 Rxc5 26.g3 Bf8∞ 15...Na6 15...Qc6 16.Qf3 Nb4 17.Qxc6 dxc6 18.Nc3 Nd7∞ 16.Qf3 16.Na5 Qb6 17.Qxd5 Nb4 18.Qxd7 Qxa5 19.Qd1 (19.Qc7 Nd3 20.Qxa5 Rxa5 21.Bd2 Ra6=) 19...Rad8 20.Qb3 Nd3©

16...Nab4

Position after: 16...Nab4 The position is unclear, for example... 17.Bg5 17.Bd2 Ra6∞ 17...Qc6 18.Rfd1 Nc2 19.Rac1 Nd4 20.Nxd4 Bxd4 21.Na5 Rxa5 22.Rxd4 cxd4 23.Rxc6 dxc6 24.b3 Nc7 25.Bd2 Rd5 26.Qd3 Ra8∞

Position after: 26...Ra8∞

IN THE LIMELIGHT Conclusion: With this modern treatment of our Benko, we tried to provide you some ambitious and most complicated lines. But I think we managed to keep our Benko-spirit alive! In this specific final position, still all 3 results are possible. We can fight on and again I would prefer being Black here!

Chapter 11 The 9.Bd2 Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 0-0 8.e4 Qa5 9.Bd2

Chapter’s guide Chapter 11 – The 9.Bd2 Variation 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 0-0 8.e4 Qa5 9.Bd2 Bxa6 a) 10.-b) 10.Be2 Bxe2 c) 10.Be2 d6 d) 10.Be2 Qb4 e) 10.Bxa6 Qxa6 11.Qe2 e6 12.-f) 10.Bxa6 Qxa6 11.Qe2 e6 12.Qxa6

a) 10.-1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.Nf3 Qa5 9.Bd2

Position after: 9.Bd2 At the start of this new variation, this was the main line for White. He protects indirectly his pawn on e4, finishing his development. 9...Bxa6 White has two main possibilities. Taking on a6, followed by Qe2 with the idea to castle or simply Be2 with the same idea. If White takes on a6, we enter rather forced lines, and probably Black equalizes without any problem. If White plays Be2 than the position becomes much more complicated. But for now, let’s start with our side lines. 10.Na4 The idea is to prevent Black’s queen to come on a6. 10.e5 Ng4

Position after: 10...Ng4 A) 11.Bxa6 Qxa6 12.Bf4 f6!? (12...d6„) 13.h3 (13.exf6 Bxf6ƒ) 13...fxe5 14.hxg4 Rxf4∞ B) 11.Ne4 Qc7 12.Bxa6 (12.d6? Qc6µ) 12...Nxa6 13.0-0 Nxe5 14.Bc3 Nxf3+ 15.Qxf3 d6∞ 10...Qc7 11.Bxa6 Nxa6 12.Qc2 Qa7

Position after: 12...Qa7 This is the move that promises equality. If Black wants more from the position, the more interesting move is ...e6 or ...Rfb8.

13.0-0 13.a3 Nc7 14.Nc3 (14.Nxc5 Rfc8³) 14...Qa6 Preventing castling. 15.Ne2 Now Black has some interesting moves available to keep his activity. I suggest 15...Nb5ƒ with the idea ...Qa4, but also possible is 15...e6, playing in the center or even we have 15...Rfb8 and ...Qa4 available. 13...Nb4 14.Bxb4 14.Qxc5 Qxa4 15.Qxb4 Nxe4³ 14...Qxa4

Position after: 14...Qxa4 15.Qxa4 15.Qxc5?! Nxe4 16.Qc4 Rfb8 17.Qxe4 Qxb4µ 15...Rxa4 16.Bxc5 Nxe4 17.Bxe7 Bxb2 18.Rab1 18.Bxf8 Bxa1 19.Rxa1 Kxf8= 18...Rb8 19.Rfe1 f5= Black can be very happy in this final position.

b) 10.Be2 Bxe2 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.Nf3 Qa5 9.Bd2 Bxa6 10.Be2

Position after: 10.Be2 White waits with taking on a6 and we place Black’s queen on the best square in one move. I must admit I am not sure which continuation is the best for Black. Black has three logical options: a) 10...Bxe2, our starting point, but it’s probably the worst move; b) 10...d6, we will check in the next subchapter; c) 10...Qb4, my favourite one, will be covered in subchapter ‘d’. The last one is the most direct move, attacking e4 and b2. In the line 10...Bxe2 and ...Qa6, it is more complicated to find counter play because White just pushes his a-pawn. In the variation ...Qb4 and ...d6, we have a similar type of position where Black uses all his pieces, organizing counter play on the queen side. 10...Bxe2 11.Qxe2 Qa6 12.a4! That’s the only dangerous move for Black. White’s idea is Nb5. 12.e5 Ng4 13.Bf4

Position after: 13.Bf4 A) 13...d6 maybe the simplest move: 14.exd6 exd6 15.Nd2 (15.Qxa6 Rxa6 16.0-0 Nd7©) 15...Nf6© (15...f5!?©) B) 13...f6 14.e6 Qxe2+ 15.Kxe2 dxe6 16.dxe6 Nc6!? Not losing time to recapture on e6. My idea is to activate my pieces. (In the game Zhou, J – Cordova, E Atlantic Sity 2016 was played 16...Ra6 but after 17.Rhc1 Rxe6+ 18.Kf1 probably White remains slightly better.) 17.h3 (17.Rhe1 Nb4© or 17...f5©; 17.Rhd1 Nd8!∞) 17...f5! The position remains very complicated. Both sides have a lot of possibilities to continue the game. We will look at some of them: 18.Rhe1 (18.hxg4 fxg4 19.Be3 gxf3+ 20.gxf3 Rfb8³; 18.Rhd1 Nf6© with the idea ...Ne4.) 18...Nf6©

Position after: 12.a4!

12...e6 12...Qxe2+ 13.Kxe2 Na6 14.a5! Rfb8 (14...d6 15.Rhb1 Nd7 16.Ne1!² White transfers the knight to c2-e3-c4) 15.Rhb1 d6 16.Ne1 Nb4 17.Ra4 Nd7 18.Nd3 f5 19.exf5 gxf5 20.Nxb4 Rxb4 21.Ra3 Nf6² 13.dxe6 fxe6 14.Nb5 Qb7 15.e5 Nd5 16.0-0 Nc6 17.Rfc1 Qb8 18.Rxc5 Nxe5

Position after: 18...Nxe5 19.Ng5! A) 19.Nxe5 Bxe5 20.h3 Bxb2 21.Ra2 Bg7∞ B) 19.Ne1 Nf4 20.Bxf4 Rxf4© 19...Nf4 20.Bxf4 Rxf4 21.Ne4 d5 22.Ned6 Qf8 23.a5 Rb4 23...Rxf2 24.Qxf2 Qxf2+ 25.Kxf2 Nd3+ 26.Ke2 Nxc5 27.Nc7 Rb8 28.Ra2 Be5 29.a6 Nxa6 30.Rxa6 Rxb2+ 31.Kf3± 24.Qe3 Rxb2 25.f4

Position after: 25.f4 25...d4 A) 25...Rxb5 26.Rxb5 Nf7 27.Nxf7 Bxa1 28.Ng5 Qe8 29.Qxe6+ Qxe6 30.Nxe6 Black can only suffer in this position B) 25...Nf7 26.Qxe6 Rxb5 somehow does not work for Black: 27.Rc7! Re8 28.Nxe8 Bd4+ 29.Kf1! Bxa1 30.Nd6 Rb1+ 31.Ke2 Bc3!? 32.Kf3 Rf1+ 33.Kg3+– 26.Qe4 d3 27.Rxe5 Re2 28.Qxd3 Bxe5 29.Rf1 Bxd6 30.Qxe2 Bc5+ 31.Kh1 Rxa5² Clearly Black is facing a very difficult game, equalizing will be a real tour de force!

c) 10.Be2 d6 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.Nf3 Qa5 9.Bd2 Bxa6 10.Be2 d6!? 11.0-0 Bxe2 12.Qxe2 Qa6 13.Qd1 Nbd7 14.Qc2 Rfb8

Position after: 14...Rfb8 Now we reach a classical Benko position where White’s bishop stayed on d2 which is not the best square. But White has a simple plan with a4, Ra3 and Nb5. So Black must undertake something fast and furious! 15.a4 Qb7 A) 15...Ne8 16.Rfb1! (In my game against Tomashevsky, he played 16.Ra3 but after 16...Nc7 Black has typical counter play.) 16...Ne5 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.a5 (18.b3 Nf6 19.Ra2 Rb4©) 18...Nf6 19.Na4 (19.Ra3 Rb4©) 19...Qe2 20.Re1 Bxh2+ 21.Kxh2 Ng4+ 22.Kh3 Nxf2+ 23.Kg3 Nxe4+ 24.Qxe4 Qxd2 25.Nb6 Rxa5 26.Rxa5 Qxa5 27.Nc4² Black has three pawns for the knight, but I think it’s insufficient to reach equality. B) 15...Rb4 16.h3 (16.Ra2 Ng4©) 16...Qc4 17.Ra3 Rab8 18.Rb1 Nxe4! 19.Qxe4 (19.b3 Nxc3 20.bxc4 Rxb1+ 21.Kh2 R1b2 22.Qc1 Rb1 23.Qc2 R1b2=) 19...Qxe4 20.Nxe4 Rxe4 21.a5 Ra8 22.a6 Nb6 23.a7 Ra4 24.Ba5 Rxa7 25.Bxb6 Rxa3 26.bxa3 . White is slightly better, but I think not enough to win this position. 16.Nb5 Nb6

Position after: 16...Nb6 17.Bc3 17.b3 c4! 18.Ra3 cxb3 19.Rxb3 Rc8 20.Qb1 Rxa4∞ 17...Nxa4 18.Nxd6 Qb3 19.Qxb3 Rxb3 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.Nc4 Bxb2 22.Nxb2 Rxb2 23.Ne5 f6„

Position after: 23...f6„ Again, our silicon friend, likes White’s position but I think it is close to a draw.

d) 10.Be2 Qb4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.Nf3 Qa5 9.Bd2 Bxa6 10.Be2 Qb4!?

Position after: 10...Qb4!? 11.Bxa6 A) 11.e5 Ng4 12.Nb5 (12.Bxa6 Nxa6 13.Qe2 d6!ƒ) 12...Qe4 13.0-0 (13.Nc7 Bxe2 14.Qxe2 Ra4ƒ) 13...Bxb5 14.Bxb5 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Qxe5 16.Bc3 Qd6 17.a4 Na6= Beliavsky, A – Vallejo Pons, F Baku 2016. B) 11.0-0 Nxe4 12.a3 Nxc3 13.Bxc3 Qb7 14.Bxg7 Kxg7∞ Goganov, A – Krasikov, V Moscow 2016. C) After 11.Qc2 Black easily equalizes the position: 11...Bxe2 12.Kxe2 e6 13.Rhd1 exd5 14.exd5

Position after: 14.exd5 14...Na6 (14...Qg4!? 15.Kf1 Qc4+ 16.Kg1 Nxd5∞ Van Wely, L – Milliet, S Montpellier 2015) 15.Kf1 Qc4+ 16.Kg1 Nb4 17.Qb3 Qxb3 18.axb3 Nbxd5∞ Black still can fight on here, achieving perhaps more than a draw. 11...Nxa6 12.Qe2

Position after: 12.Qe2 12...d6 Now the threat is to take on b2. If Black takes the pawn on b2 immediately, the position remains very complicated. The

computer’s evaluation is about 0,00, but I think White’s pieces stay better placed and Black must play very precisely to hold equality: 12...Qxb2 13.Rb1 Qa3 14.e5 Ne8 15.Rb3 Qa5 16.0-0² 13.Rb1 Rfb8 14.0-0 Nd7 Again, we reached a thematic Benko. With the only difference, Black’s queen is on b4. Black has standard plans available...Nc7-b5, ...Nd7-b6. Also, Black can start with 14...Nc7!? 15.Rfc1 Nc7

Position after: 15...Nc7 16.b3 16.Ne1 Qa5! The threat is ...Bxc3 and ...Qxa2. (16...Nb5©) 17.a3 Qa6© again Black puts his queen on the ideal position. 16...Nb5 17.Na4 17.Nxb5 Qxb5 18.Qxb5 Rxb5 19.a4 (19.Rc2 Rb7© with the idea ...Rba7 and provoking a4, and then returning our rooks to the b-file. We can always think about ...f5.) 19...Rb7 20.Be3 (20.Bg5 f6 21.Bd2 Rab8 22.b4 cxb4 23.Nd4) 20...f5! 21.exf5 Nf6© 17...Qa3 18.Be3

Position after: 18.Be3 Black has a problem with his queen, the obvious threat is Rc4 and Bc1. 18...Nb6!? 18...Qb4 19.Rc4 Qa5 20.Re1 Qa6© The position remains very complex, Black having his own chances. An interesting idea is ...Na3 and ...c4. 19.Qxb5 19.Nxb6 Rxb6 20.e5 Nc7 21.Qd1 Qxa2∞ 19...Nxa4 20.Qd3 Nb2 21.Qc2 Qxa2 22.Nd2 c4!

Position after: 22...c4! 23.bxc4 23.Nxc4 Qxb3 24.Qxb3 Rxb3= 23...Rc8© With our typical Benko pressure and compensation!

e) 10.Bxa6 Qxa6 11.Qe2 e6 12.-1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.Nf3 Qa5 9.Bd2 Bxa6 10.Bxa6 Qxa6 11.Qe2 e6

Position after: 11...e6 12.dxe6 12.Be3 exd5 A) 13.e5 Ne4 (13...Ng4!?) 14.Qxa6 (14.Nxd5 Nc6 15.Qxa6 Rxa6 transposes to 14.Qa6) 14...Rxa6 15.Nxd5 (15.Rd1 Nxc3 16.bxc3 Nc6 17.Rxd5 Rxa2 18.0-0 Re8 19.Rxd7 Nxe5 20.Nxe5 Bxe5 21.Bxc5 Bxc3=) 15...Nc6 16.0-0 Nxe5 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.f3 Nf6 19.Nxf6+ Bxf6 20.Bxc5 Rb8= B) 13.exd5 d6

Position after: 13...d6

B1) 14.Qxa6 Nxa6 15.0-0 Rfb8 16.Bf4 Ne8 (16...Rxb2 17.Bxd6 Nd7³ Espinoza V – Ortiz Suarez, I Oaxtepec 2016) 17.Rab1 Nac7µ with the idea ...Bxc3 and ...Nxd5 or ...Rxa2. B2) 14.Nd2 Nbd7 15.Qxa6 Rxa6 16.Nc4 Rb8 17.Kd2 (17.0-0?! Ng4ƒ) 17...Nb6 (17...Ng4!? With the idea ...Ne5 or take the bishop) 18.Nxb6 Raxb6 19.b3 Rb4© 12...fxe6

Position after: 12...fxe6 13.Be3 13.Qxa6 Nxa6 transposes to 12.Qa6. 13...Rc8 14.Rd1 14.Qxa6 Nxa6 15.0-0 d5 16.exd5 exd5© 14...Qxe2+ 15.Kxe2 Ng4 The threat is taking on c3 and a2 16.Rd2 Bxc3

Position after: 16...Bxc3 Black gave his bishop for a concrete reason. He gets the c4 square for his knight, and White will have weaknesses on a2 and c3. 17.bxc3 Nf6 18.Ng5 18.e5 Ne4 19.Rc2 Rxa2! 20.Rhc1 Nxc3+ 21.Kd2 Rxc2+ 22.Rxc2 Na4 23.Rc4 Nb6 24.Rxc5 Nc6= 18...Nc6 The threat is ...h6. 19.f3 Ne5 20.Rc2 Nc4

Position after: 20...Nc4 21.Ra1 21.Kd3 Ra4© 21...Ra4 22.Nh3 d6 23.Bg5 Nd7 24.Nf4 Kf7 With our typical idea ...Rca8, Black has sufficient compensation.

f) 10.Bxa6 Qxa6 11.Qe2 e6 12.Qxa6 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 0-0 8.Nf3 Qa5 9.Bd2 Bxa6 10.Bxa6 Qxa6 11.Qe2 e6 12.Qxa6 Nxa6

Position after: 12...Nxa6 13.dxe6 13.0-0 exd5 14.exd5 (14.e5 Ne4 15.Nxd5 Nxd2 16.Nxd2 Bxe5 17.Nc4 Bd4∞ Next, Black exchanges the knight on d5 with the manoeuvre ...Ra7-...Nc7.) 14...Rfb8 15.b3 (15.Rab1 Nb4 16.Bf4 Rb7=) 15...Nb4 16.Bf4 (16.d6 Ra6∞) 16...Re8 17.Bg5 (17.Rad1?! Nxa2µ Muir, A – Perunovic, M Warsaw 2013. That was my first game with this line.) 17...Nfxd5 18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19.Rad1 Nb6 20.a4 d5∞ 13...fxe6 14.0-0 Nb4

Position after: 14...Nb4 15.a4 A) 15.b3 d5 (15...Ra3!?© with the idea to place my second rook on a8) 16.Ng5 (16.exd5 exd5 17.Ng5 Rfe8 18.Rae1 Nd3 19.Rxe8+ Rxe8 20.a4 d4 21.Nb5 Re2ƒ Babujian, L – Andriasian, Z Al – Ain 2015) 16...Nxe4 17.Ngxe4 (17.Ncxe4 Bxa1 18.Nxc5 Nc2 19.Ngxe6 Rfc8 20.a4 Bb2∞ The position remains very complicated, but I would take Black any day!) 17...dxe4 18.Rae1 Nd3 19.Rxe4

Position after: 19.Rxe4 19...Bxc3 (19...Bd4!? 20.Re2 e5©) 20.Bxc3 Rxa2 21.Rxe6 Nf4 22.Re3 Ne2+ 23.Kh1 Nxc3 24.Rxc3 Rfxf2= B) 15.e5 Ng4 16.Ne4 Nd3 17.Bc3 Ra4∞ Komljenovic, D – Trent, L Jaen 2014. (17...c4!?∞) 15...Nd3

Position after: 15...Nd3 16.Rab1 16.b3 d5 17.exd5 exd5© (17...Nxd5 18.Rad1 Nb2 19.Rc1 Nd3 20.Rcd1 Nb2=) 16...d5 17.exd5 exd5 It’s logical to take back with the pawn. Now our threat is ...d4 or ...Ne4. Also possible is 17...Nxd5, as in the game Zhao, X – Javakhishvili, L Chengdu 2016. 18.Bg5 18.b3 d4 19.Nb5 Ne4³ 18...d4 19.Bxf6 Rxf6 20.Ne4 Re6 21.Rfd1

Position after: 21.Rfd1 21...c4∞ Or 21...Rxe4 22.Rxd3 Rxa4∞ I think Black can be pleased he found his way to complicate matters, still having a clear possibility to win the game.

IN THE LIMELIGHT Conclusion: White tried to steer the game into calm positional waters. But I was very pleased to have found a way to fight on as I promised at the start of my book, subchapter ‘d’ is the living proof of that!