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Table of Contents Title page Key to Symbols used Preface PART I – CLASSICAL BENONI 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 Chapter 1 – The Fianchetto System 6.Nf3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 Re8 Chapter 2 – The 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bf4 System Chapter 3 – The 7.Nd2 Bg7 System Chapter 4 – The Modern line 6.Nf3 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.e4 0-0 9.Bd3 b5 Chapter 5 – 6.Nf3 g6, Bg5 ideas Chapter 6 – The 6.Nf3 g6 7.Qa4+ System Chapter 7 – 6.e4 g6, Nge2 ideas Chapter 8 – The Four Pawns Attack 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 PART II – THE DELAYED “YUGOSLAV BENONI” 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.h3 0-0 7.Bd3 e6 Chapter 9 – 8.Nf3 exd5 9.exd5 Re8+ 10.Be3 Chapter 10 – 8.Nge2 APPENDICES Appendix 1 – The Delayed Benoni with 5...g6!? Appendix 2 – Bacrot’s 8... Qa5 line

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Reloaded Weapons in the Benoni By Milos Pavlovic Thinkers Publishing 2017

www.thinkerspublishing.com First edition 2017 by Thinkers Publishing Copyright © 2017 Milos Pavlovic 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: 9789492510136 D/2017/13730/8

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 ²

White stands slightly better

³

Black stands slightly better

± White has a serious advantage µ Black has a serious advantage +– White has a decisive advantage –+ Black has a decisive advantage ‚ with an attack ƒ

with an initiative

„ with counterplay … with the idea of ¹ better is ‹ worse is N novelty + check #

mate

© with compensation for the sacrificed material

Preface Have no doubts, the Benoni is by far the sharpest opening Black can play, even sharper then the Sicilian! As readers will see, the positions are unbalanced from an early stage on with many sacrifices for both sides being present. Such richness of ideas you will rarely find in other openings. The Benoni belongs to the romantic kind of openings, hardly predictable and difficult to assess, even for our engines. That doesn’t mean you can play with your ‘‘hands in your pocket’’. On the contrary, to play and understand the Benoni you have to know and understand the theoretical plans, to an almost perfect level. Equally important is to understand the dynamics of chess. Often our pawn structure may be changed at an early stage, tactics lurking everywhere, exchange sacrifices being present etc... The most famous practitioners of the Benoni such as Tal, Kasparov, Gelfand, Velimirovic, Psakhis, Nunn, Suba etc., are also well-known theoreticians. It is also important to mention Gashimov who did a tremendous job in finding new ideas in the Benoni and many found their place here in this book. Black is willingly abandoning the centre by exchanging the e-pawn for the d-pawn, but hoping that with such an imbalanced approach he will bring his counter play to another level. Not many players remained with this approach their whole careers, even Tal used to ‘‘soften’’ his repertoire and combined with the Nimzo-Indian. My ex-trainer Velimirovic is one of the few who played all kinds of Benoni’s during his whole life. For some reason the Benoni was very popular among grandmasters from the former Yugoslav Republic such as Matulovic, Ljubojevic, Barlov, Cebalo, Hulak, Cvitan... just to name few. Even Gligoric used it, influenced by his second at that time, who was no other but Velimirovic himself! This time my goal was to write a theoretical book as precise as possible, simply because of the nature of this opening. To understand it properly, you must understand it as precise as possible. There is not much room for different ideas, which I presented in my Grünfeld and King’s Indian books. To find the correct counter play you need to be really accurate! The most difficult line to counter was the aggressive ‘Taimanov f4’ followed by Bb5+. That is a line that many avoid by simply using the Nimzo-Indian move order, waiting for Nf3 and only then ...c5. I separated the ‘Yugoslav-Benoni’ from the rest of the book because of the different nature of the reached positions. White has an extra option by taking on d5 with the e-pawn, but Black on the other hand avoids certain lines such as Bf4 and Bb5+, for instance. Every used move-order has pros and cons, so I tried to bring new life into those positions for Black. Perhaps some readers will be surprised that I only presented one Sämisch line (f3 and fast Ng3 line). The reason being simple: in my previous book on the King’s Indian I already analysed some other Sämisch-Benoni type of positions. Every time Black plays ‘...c5’ in the King’s Indian there is a very good possibility that positions will transpose to the Benoni. I also added some extra’s: appendix 1 is a kind of ‘transposing type of play’, while in appendix 2 I found an interesting way for Black when White has no intention playing ‘d5’. In my King’s Indian book I covered the same line but sacrificed a pawn with 8...d6, while here I concentrated on 8...Qa5! I hope you will enjoy my presented work, Milos Pavlovic, Belgrade June 2017.

PART I CLASSICAL BENONI Chapter 1 The Fianchetto System 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 Re8

Chapter’s guide Chapter 1 – The Fianchetto System 6.Nf3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 Re8 1) 10.Re1 2) 10.Nd2 Nbd7 a) 11.other moves & 11.a4 b6 12.h3 a6 13.other moves b) 11.a4 b6 12.h3 a6 13.f4 3) 10.Bf4 Ne4 11.Nxe4 Rxe4 12.Nd2 Rxf4 13.gxf4 Bxb2 14.Rb1 Bg7 a) 15.Re1 b) 15.Nc4 c) 15.e4 4) 10.Bf4 a6 11.a4 Qc7 a) 12.h3

b) 12.Rc1 c) 12.Qd2

1) The Fianchetto System 9...Re8 10.Re1 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 Re8

Position after: 9...Re8 The best move order, because it does not allow any e4-ideas. 10.Re1 An important line that recently gained some popularity. It was well known but didn’t bring White much. The idea is similar to Bf4, but instead White plays preparatory moves with Re1 and h3. 10.h3 Nbd7!? 11.Bf4 (11.a4 Ne4„) 11...Nb6!? 12.a4 Ne4 13.Nxe4 Rxe4 14.a5 Nc4„ 10...a6 11.a4 Nbd7 I consider this as the best set-up for Black. 12.h3 There are a few alternatives that we need to analyse: A) 12.Bf4

Position after: 12.Bf4 A1) 12...Nh5 13.Bg5 Qc7 14.a5 Rb8 15.Qc2 b5 16.axb6 Qxb6 17.Ra2 h6 18.Bd2 Qb3!? (18...Nhf6 19.h3 c4 20.Qc1 Nc5?! 21.Bxh6 Bxh6 22.Qxh6 Nce4 23.e3 Nxc3 24.bxc3 Qb3 25.Raa1 Qxc3 26.Qf4 Nxd5 27.Qxd6± 1-0 (43) Cheparinov, I (2669) – Vallejo Pons, F (2724) Baku 2011) 19.Qxb3 Rxb3∞ A2) 12...Ng4 13.Qc2!?N 13...Nge5 14.Nd2 Rb8 15.a5 b5 16.axb6 Qxb6 17.Ra2² A3) 12...Qc7 see 10.Bf4. Also other options exist here for Black: B) 12.e4 This move leads to some interesting positions: 12...Ng4 13.Nd2 Nge5 14.Bf1

Position after: 14.Bf1

B1) 14...g5 In the Benoni spirit! 15.h3

Position after: 15.h3 B1.1) 15...Nf8!? 16.f4 gxf4 17.gxf4 Neg6 18.Nf3 (18.f5 Ne5 19.Qh5 Nfd7 20.Re2 Kh8 21.Rg2 Rg8 22.Ndb1 Nf6 23.Qe2 Bd7 24.Bf4 Qe7 25.Nd2 Ne8∞) 18...f5„ B1.2) 15...Qf6 16.Qh5 h6 (16...Nf8 17.Nd1 Nfg6 18.Ne3²; or: 16...Bh6 17.Nd1 g4 18.Ne3 Bxe3 19.Rxe3 Qg7 20.hxg4 Nxg4 21.Rc3 Ndf6 22.Qh1 Re5³ 0-1 (34) Troff, K (2532) – Nakamura, H (2798) Saint Louis 2015) 17.Nd1 Qd8 18.Ne3 Nf6 19.Qd1 b6 20.Rb1 h5 21.b3 g4 22.hxg4 Bxg4 23.Nxg4 hxg4 24.Bb2 Nfd7 25.Be2 Qg5∞ 0-1 (56) Bai, J (2518) – Ding Liren (2755) China 2015. B2) Also possible and equaly good is: 14...Nf8 15.a5 g5 16.f4 (16.h3 Nfg6∞) 16...gxf4 17.gxf4 Ng4 18.Nf3 f5 19.h3 fxe4 20.Nxe4 Nf6 21.Ng3 Bd7 22.f5 Rxe1 23.Qxe1 Bb5 24.Bg2 h6 25.Ra3 Qd7 26.Nh2 Re8∞ ½-½ (34) Ding, L (2755) – Grischuk, A (2794) Tsaghkadzor 2015. 12...Ne4 Only now I think this is the best. 13.Nxe4 Rxe4

Position after: 13...Rxe4 14.Bg5 Black has three possibilities all leading to complicated positions: A) 14.Ng5 Rb4„ B) 14.Qc2

Position after: 14.Qc2 B1) 14...Qe7 This move is not the best and it doesn’t look natural: 15.Bd2 Nf6?! (15...Nb6 16.Bc3 a5 17.Qb3 Qd8

18.Nd2 Re8 19.e4²) 16.Bc3! (16.Nh4 Bd7 17.Bc3 Re8 18.Bxe4 Nxe4 19.Bxg7 Kxg7„ ½-½ (29) Razuvaev, Y (2520) – Tal, M (2620) Moscow 1983) 16...Bd7 (16...Bf5 17.Ng5!+–) 17.Nh2 Re8 18.Bxe4 Nxe4 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Ra3 Qf6 21.Nf3² B2) 14...Re8 15.Bf4 Qc7 16.Nd2 Ne5 17.b4 c4 18.Ra3 Bf5 19.e4 Bd7 20.Bxe5 Bxe5 21.Qxc4 Rac8 22.Bf1 Qb6 23.Qa2 Rc3∞ ½-½ (63) Smejkal, J (2515) – Gruenberg, H (2475) Prague 1989. B3) 14...Rb4

Position after: 14...Rb4 The main idea, although the alternatives were decent as well. B3.1) 15.e4 Rb8 16.Ra2 b5 17.Bf4 Qc7 18.axb5 R8xb5 19.Rb1 Qb8 20.Nd2 Ne5 21.Bf1 c4 22.Kg2 (22.Bxe5 Bxe5 23.Nxc4 Rc5 24.Ra4 Bxh3 25.Bxh3 Rcxc4 26.Qxc4 Rxc4 27.Rxc4 Qb3³) 22...Nd3 23.Bxd3 cxd3 24.Qxd3 f5 25.f3 fxe4 26.fxe4 Rc5© B3.2) 15.Ra2 Nb6!? (15...b5 16.axb5 Rxb5 17.Bd2 Ne5 18.Nh2 with an unclear position ½-½ (18) Tkachiev, V (2672) – Gdanski, J (2528) Ohrid 2001.) 16.Nd2 Bd7 17.a5 Na4 18.Ne4 b5 19.axb6 (19.Nxd6 Qf8 20.Ne4 Bf5 21.g4 Bxe4 22.Bxe4 Qd6©) 19...Qxb6 20.Bg5 f5 21.Nf6+ Bxf6 22.Bxf6 Rf8 23.Bc3 f4!? 24.g4 Nxc3 25.bxc3 Rb5 26.Be4 c4 27.Bxg6 hxg6 28.Qxg6+ Kh8=

Position after: 14.Bg5 14...Qc7!? A) 14...Qe8 Not the best in my opinion: 15.Ra2 h6 16.Bf4 Qe7 17.b3 g5 18.Bc1 c4 19.bxc4 Rxc4 20.Nd2 Rc7 21.Bb2 Ne5 22.Qb3 Bd7 23.f4 Ng6 24.Bxg7 Kxg7 25.Qb6 Rac8 26.Ne4± ½-½ (28) Razuvaev, Y (2495) – Romanishin, O (2585) Novi Sad 1982. B) 14...Qf8!? 15.Qc2 Rb4 (15...Re8 16.e4 h6 17.Bd2²) 16.Ra2 Bh6!? A paradoxal idea but it is important to keep a strong outpost for the Rook on b4. 17.Bd2 Bxd2 18.Nxd2 a5 19.Nc4 (19.e4 Nb6 20.b3 Bd7∞) 19...b6 20.e4 Ba6 21.Bf1 Bxc4 22.Bxc4 Ne5 23.Be2 g5∞ We reached a typical Benoni position.

Position after: 14...Qc7!? 15.Qc2 The alternative leads to interesting play as well:15.Nd2!? A) 15...Re8 16.Qc2 (16.Nc4 Nb6∞) 16...h6 17.Bf4 (17.Be3 Rxe3! 18.fxe3 Ne5©) 17...Ne5 18.b4 c4 19.Ra3 Bf5 20.e4 Bd7 21.Bxe5 Bxe5 22.Qxc4 Rac8! 23.Qxc7 Rxc7© B) 15...Rb4!? 16.b3!? h6! 17.Be3 Rb8 18.Ra2 b5 19.Qc2 (19.axb5 R8xb5∞) 19...Nf6 20.axb5 axb5∞ 15...Rb4 16.Ra2 Nb6!?

Position after: 16...Nb6!? Basically Black is ready for an exchange sacrifice. 17.e4 Bd7 18.a5 18.b3 c4 19.a5 (19.Nd2 Rc8 20.a5 cxb3 21.Qxc7 Rxc7 22.axb6 Rc1!!–+) 19...Qc8 20.bxc4 Nxc4 21.Rc1 Qe8 22.Bf1 Rc8∞ 18...Nc4 19.b3 Nxa5 20.Bd2 Qb6 21.Bxb4 cxb4©

2) The Fianchetto System 9...Re8 10.Nd2 Nbd7 2a) 11.other moves & 11.a4 b6 12.h3 a6 13.other moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 Re8 10.Nd2

Position after: 10.Nd2 No doubt this is still a very important line in the Fianchetto line. The Knight is heading for the c4-square. The difference from the other lines is that White keeps his pawn on ‘e2’ for a long time, limiting his pressure in the center. That is really in the spirit of slow positional play. On the other hand without pawns in the center it is more difficulit to put pressure, enabling Black to develop smoothly. In this line I decided to use a line that Gashimov invented. I think it is highly interesting. 10...Nbd7 11.a4 A) 11.h3 a6 12.a4 b6 transposes to the main line. B) 11.Nc4 Nb6 12.Ne3 (12.Nxb6 Qxb6 13.Qc2 Bd7 14.h3 Qa6 15.a4 b5 16.Bf4 b4 17.Nb5 Nh5! 18.Nc7 Qxe2 19.Qxe2 Rxe2 20.Nxa8 Nxf4 21.gxf4 Rxb2 22.Nc7 b3 23.Nb5 c4 24.Rac1 Bxb5 25.axb5 c3©) 12...Ng4 13.Nxg4 Bxg4 14.h3 Bd7 15.Qc2 Rc8 16.Bf4 Qe7 17.Rad1 Nc4! 18.e4 b5 Black is fine. 11...b6!?

Position after: 11...b6! That’s the starting point of the line and Gashimov’s idea: ‘...Ba6’ is still possible. Also it prevents the positional ‘a5’ idea as Black would also answer ‘...Ba6’ with the idea ‘...b5’. 12.h3 The direct attempt doesn’t bring anything: 12.Nb5 Ne5

Position after: 12...Ne5 A) 13.b3 a6 14.Nc3 Rb8 15.Rb1 b5 16.axb5 axb5 17.b4 Bf5 18.Rb3 Qd7 19.Bb2 Nc4 20.Bc1 Ne5 21.Bb2 Bh3

22.Ba1 c4 23.Ra3 Ra8 24.Rxa8 Rxa8 25.Bb2 h5µ A famous game that actually showed the strenght of the ‘...b6’ idea: 0-1 (38) Nikolic, P (2602) – Gashimov, V (2740) Germany 2010. B) 13.f4 Neg4 14.Nc4 Ne4! 15.Bxe4 Rxe4 16.Ncxd6 (16.Qd3 Bf5 17.Nbxd6 Rxc4µ; 16.Nbxd6 Rd4 17.Qb3 Ba6µ) 16...Rd4 17.Qb3 Rb4 18.Qf3 a6 19.Nxc8 axb5 20.Qxg4 bxa4 21.Nxb6 Qxb6³ 12...a6

Position after: 12...a6 Black prepares ...Rb8 not allowing any a5-ideas. 13.Nc4 A) Also possible is: 13.Rb1 Nh5 (13...Qe7 14.Nc4 Ne5 15.Nxb6 Rb8 16.Nxc8 Rexc8 17.b3 Nh5 18.Bd2²) 14.Qc2 (14.e4 Ne5∞) 14...f5 15.Nc4 Ne5 16.b3 Ra7 17.e3 Rf7 18.Ne2 b5 (18...g5 19.f4 gxf4 20.gxf4 Ng6 21.Bf3 Nf6 22.b4 Nh4 23.Bh1 b5 24.axb5 axb5 25.Na5 Ne4 26.Nc6 Qb6∞) 19.axb5 axb5 20.Nxe5 Bxe5 21.b4 c4 22.Bb2 f4!? 23.exf4 (23.Bxe5 dxe5µ) 23...Bf5 24.Qd1 Bg7³ B) 13.f4 is the next subchapter. 13...Ne5 14.Na3

Position after: 14.Na3 14...Nh5 Best, but I decided to give some other ideas as well, the positions are dynamic and still quite unexplored, many new ideas are possible. A) 14...Qc7?! Too passive. 15.f4 Ned7 16.e4 c4!? (16...Rb8 17.Qd3²) 17.Be3 (17.e5 dxe5 18.d6 Qc5+ 19.Kh2 e4³) 17...Rb8 (17...Nc5 18.e5!ƒ) 18.Bd4² B) 14...Rb8 15.f4 Ned7 16.e4 c4!? 17.Nxc4 (17.Be3 b5! 18.axb5 axb5 19.Naxb5 Nxe4 20.Bxe4 Nf6 21.Nd4 Nxe4 22.Nc6 Nxc3 23.bxc3 Qc7 24.Bd4 Bxh3³) 17...b5 18.axb5 axb5 19.Nxd6 Qb6+ 20.Kh2 Qxd6 21.e5 Qf8

Position after: 21...Qf8 Also this line poses some questions as well. Benoni is indeed a razor sharp opening. What to do now? White has not an easy decision ahead: keep the chain or take back the piece? 22.Be3 b4 23.Ne2 Bb7 24.Ra7 Red8 25.Rxb7!? Rxb7 26.d6ƒ C) 14...b5!?

Position after: 14...b5!? 15.axb5 axb5 16.Ncxb5 Ba6 17.Nc3 Qb6 (17...Nfd7 18.Qc2 Qb6 19.b3 Reb8 20.Rb1 f5²) 18.Qc2 Reb8 (18...Nc4 19.Nxc4 Bxc4 20.Bf4²) 19.Bf4 Nfd7 20.Rab1 f5 21.Rfd1 Qb3 22.Qxb3 Rxb3© Black got nice compensation for only a pawn, typical Benkö play. D) 14...Ra7?!

Position after: 14...Ra7?! Probably not the best, but the lines are full of tactics and to understand better the positions, I decided to include them as well. 15.f4 (15.e4!? Rae7 16.f4 Ned7 17.Nc4 Nxe4!? This motive here is very important. 18.Nxe4 Rxe4 19.Bxe4 Rxe4 20.Nxd6 Rd4 21.Qf3 Nf6 22.Nxc8 Qxc8 23.f5 Rxd5 24.fxg6 hxg6©) 15...Nh5 16.Kh2 (16.fxe5 Bxe5 17.Nc4 Bxg3 18.Qd2 Qh4 19.e4 Bxh3 20.Bxh3 Qxh3 21.Qg2 Qh4 22.Bd2 f5 23.Nxb6∞) 16...Rae7 17.fxe5 Bxe5 18.Rf3 (18.Bf4 Nxf4 19.gxf4 Bxc3 20.bxc3 Rxe2µ) 18...Bxc3 19.bxc3 Rxe2 20.Nc2+– 15.Kh2 A) 15.e4 b5!

Position after: 15...b5! 16.axb5 axb5 17.Ncxb5 Ba6 18.Rb1 Qd7 19.Nc3 Nd3! 20.Qd2 Reb8 21.b3 (21.Rd1 Bd4–+) 21...Bd4 22.Kh2 Ne5 23.Re1 Nd3 with a minimum draw for Black. B) 15.g4

Position after: 15.g4 B1) 15...Nxg4!? 16.hxg4 Bxg4 17.Nc4 Bxc3 18.f3 Ng3 19.Rf2 Nxe2+

Position after: 19...Nxe2+ Great tactics available everywhere! Benoni is really fun to watch and play! 20.Rxe2 Bd4+ 21.Be3 (21.Kf1 Qf6 22.Ra3 h5 23.Qe1 Rxe2 24.Qxe2 Bf5ƒ) 21...Rxe3 22.Nxe3 Bd7 23.Qe1 Qg5 24.Qf2 Qf4 25.Rd1 Re8 26.Rxd4 Qxd4 27.b3 b5 28.axb5 Bxb5 29.Re1 Qc3 30.f4 f5µ B2) 15...Qh4 16.Ne4 h6!

Position after: 16...h6! 17.gxh5 (17.Qe1 Nf6 18.Nxd6 Bxg4ƒ) 17...Bxh3 B2.1) 18.Bxh3 Qxh3 19.Qc2 (19.Bf4 Qg4+!–+; 19.Nc2 Ng4 20.Bf4 Rxe4–+) 19...Ng4 20.Bf4 Be5 21.Bxe5

Rxe5–+ B2.2) 18.Ng3 Ng4 19.Nc4 Bxg2 20.Kxg2 Qh2+ 21.Kf3 Be5 22.Kxg4 Qg2

Position after: 22...Qg2 A great position! Black can’t lose.

Position after: 15.Kh2 15...Ra7! The hidden idea behind Gasimov’s ‘...b6’, now the Rook can always transfer to the 7th rank. To make that work, it is

not an easy task and only great Benoni specialists as Gashimov could make such ideas playable. 15...f5!? is also dangerous for White, for example: 16.f4 Nf7 17.Nc4 (17.e4 b5! 18.axb5 axb5 19.Ncxb5 Ba6 20.Rb1 Qd7 21.Nc3 Bxc3 22.bxc3 Bxf1 23.Qxf1 fxe4µ) 17...Bd7 18.e4 b5 19.axb5 Bxc3 20.bxc3 Bxb5 21.Qb3 fxe4 22.g4 Nf6 23.f5 Ne5–+ 16.e4 16.f4 Nd7 17.Nc4 Ndf6 18.e4 Rae7 transposes to 13.f4 Nh5. 16...f5 17.f4 17.exf5 Bxf5³ 17...Nf7 18.exf5 Bxf5 19.g4 Qh4 20.gxh5 Ne5!!

Position after: 20...Ne5!! How about this one!! 21.fxe5 Bxe5+ 22.Kg1 Bxh3 23.Rf4 Bd4+ 24.Rxd4 Re1+ 25.Qxe1 Qxe1+ 26.Kh2 Bxg2–+ 2b) 11.a4 b6 12.h3 a6 13.f4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 Re8 10.Nd2 Nbd7 11.a4 b6 12.h3 a6 13.f4

Position after: 13.f4 The direct attempt. White wants to profit from the slow ...b6, seizing the initiative in the centre. 13...Nh5 Another idea is: 13...Rb8 14.Nc4 (14.e4 b5µ) 14...Qc7 15.Qb3 Nh5 16.Kh2

Position after: 16.Kh2 A) 16...Ndf6!? I simply have to give such lines because during my analysis so many tactical aspects are present that I was not sure

which is the better one. 17.e4 (17.g4 Bxg4 18.hxg4 Nxg4+ 19.Kh3 Qd7 20.f5 b5 21.Kxg4 bxc4 22.Qc2 Be5‚) 17...Qd8 A1) 18.Bd2 A safer option I guess! 18...b5 19.axb5 axb5 20.Na5 Bd7 21.Nc6 (21.Rfe1 b4 22.Nd1 Ra8³) 21...Bxc6 22.dxc6 b4 23.Nd5 Nxd5 24.exd5 Bd4 25.Bf3² A2) 18.e5 Nxg3 19.Kxg3 Nh5+ 20.Kh2 dxe5 21.fxe5 Rxe5© Simply a great position!

Position after: 21...Rxe5© B) 16...f5 Logical and best. 17.g4 Nhf6 18.gxf5 gxf5 19.Rg1 Nf8 20.Bd2 Ng6 21.Bf3 Kh8 22.e3 Bd7„ 14.Kh2

Position after: 14.Kh2 14...Ndf6!? This actually brings the Knight closer to white’s King and it anticipates the ‘...Ra7’ idea! A) 14...Rb8 15.g4² B) 14...f5!? 15.Nc4 Ndf6 16.Qb3 Rb8 17.Na5 Qc7 18.Nc6 Rb7 19.Bd2 Qf7 20.Rae1 b5!µ 15.e4 15.Nc4 Bf5 16.e3 Rb8 17.g4 Nxg4+ 18.hxg4 Qh4+ 19.Kg1 Bxg4 20.Qe1 Ng3 21.Rf2 Nf5 22.Bd2 b5ƒ 15...Ra7!?

Position after: 15...Ra7!? I am so exited about this lift of the Rook! Rarely you will find these examples in any opening! 16.Nc4 Rae7 17.Qd3 A) 17.Qb3 Nxe4 18.Nxe4 Rxe4 19.Bxe4 Rxe4 20.Qxb6 Re2+–+ B) 17.e5 dxe5 18.fxe5 Nxg3 19.Kxg3 Nh5+ 20.Kh2 Rxe5!© 17...b5 18.axb5 axb5 19.Na5 19.Nxd6 Qxd6 20.e5 Rxe5! 21.fxe5 Qxe5 22.Bf4 Nxf4 23.gxf4 Qh5„ 19...Bd7∞

3) The Fianchetto System 10.Bf4 Ne4 11.Nxe4 Rxe4 12.Nd2 Rxf4 13.gxf4 Bxb2 14.Rb1 Bg7 3a) 15.Re1 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 Re8 10.Bf4

Position after: 10.Bf4 The most dangerous line, in my opinion it overseeded Nd2 as the main line. Indeed, it was not easy to find a good antidote. White wants simply h3-Re1-e4 and push e5! I decided to cover two ideas: one is direct and the most important 10...Ne4 and the other is the ‘...Qc7’ idea. 10...Ne4 This move was known from the start of this line, but nowadays it became the main idea. The resulting positions are really giving Black much hope for serious counterplay. 11.Nxe4 Rxe4 12.Nd2 Rxf4 13.gxf4 Bxb2 14.Rb1 Bg7

Position after: 14...Bg7 A highly unusual position, Black has a pawn for the exchange but Black’s pieces are underdeveloped. What really helps is the fact that the pawn on f4 is doubled. Whenever White plays e4, f4 is becoming a target. We will now investigate many interesting lines and the final verdic is still open for a debate I think that at this moment Black is doing OK! 15.Re1 The direct attempt and probably the most critical one, there are few other alternatives to be considered: A) 15.Qb3 transposes to 15.Nc4 Na6 16.Qb3. B) 15.Qa4 Na6 16.Nc4 Nc7 17.Qc2 b5 18.Na5 Qh4 19.Nc6 Qxf4³ (19...Bh3 20.Bxh3 Qxh3 21.f3∞ ½-½ (53) Antic, D (2473) – Dudukovic, N (2299) Pozarevac 2013) C) 15.Ne4 Na6 16.Ng3 Nc7 17.e4 Qh4 18.e5 Qxf4 19.exd6 Ne8 20.d7 Bxd7 21.Rxb7 Bc8 22.Re7 Nd6© 0-1 (53) Sedlak, N (2593) – Indjic, A (2430) Vrnjacka Banja 2012. D) 15.f5 Nd7 (15...Bxf5 16.Rxb7²) 16.fxg6 hxg6

Position after: 16...hxg6 D1) 17.f4 Nf6 18.e4 (18.Rb3 b5 19.Rxb5 Ng4∞) 18...Ng4„ D2) 17.Nc4 Nb6! (17...Qh4 18.f4 Nb6 19.Nxd6 Bd4+ 20.Kh1 Bg4 21.Qe1± 1-0 (47) Nikolic, P (2606) – Ootes, L (2400) Netherlands 2016) 18.Qb3 Nxc4 19.Qxc4 a6 20.a4 Rb8© 15...Nd7

Position after: 15...Nd7 16.e4

16.Nc4 A) 16...Nf6 17.e4 Nh5 18.e5 Nxf4

Position after: 18...Nxf4 A1) 19.Qf3 dxe5! (19...Nxg2 20.e6 fxe6 21.dxe6 Bxe6 22.Rxe6 Nh4 23.Qd5 Qg5+ 24.Qxg5 Nf3+ 25.Kg2 Nxg5 26.Rxd6 b6 27.Rd7² 1-0 (35) Belov, V (2587) – Khalifman, A (2643) Khanty-Mansiysk 2007) 20.Nxe5 Qg5 21.Qg3 Qxg3 22.hxg3 Nxg2 23.Kxg2 f6 24.Nc4 Bf8 25.a4 b6© A2) 19.e6! Bf8 20.Qf3 Qf6 (20...g5 21.h4ƒ) 21.Re4 Nxd5 22.e7! Qxf3 23.exf8=Q+ Kxf8 24.Bxf3 Nc3 25.Rbe1 Nxe4 26.Bxe4 Be6 27.Nxd6± B) 16...Nb6! 17.Nxb6 (17.Qb3 Nxc4 18.Qxc4 b6 19.e4 Qh4 20.Qa4 Qxf4=) 17...axb6

Position after: 17...axb6 B1) 18.Qc2 Bd7 19.e4 Bh6 20.e5 Bxf4 21.e6 Be8³ B2) 18.Qb3 b5 19.Qxb5 (19.e4 Bd4µ) 19...Bc3 20.Red1 Rxa2„ B3) 18.e4 Qh4 19.e5 (19.Qf3 Bd4³ 20.Rxb6 Ra3–+) 19...Bh6 (19...Bf5 20.Rxb6 Qxf4 21.e6 Be5³) 20.e6 Bxf4 21.h3 Be5 22.Qb3 (22.Rxe5 dxe5³; 22.Re4 Qf6 23.Ra4 Rxa4 24.Qxa4 fxe6 25.Qe8+ Qf8 26.Qxf8+ Kxf8 27.dxe6 Bxe6 28.Rxb6 c4 29.Rxb7 c3 30.Be4 d5 31.Bd3 d4µ) 22...Qe7 23.Qxb6 fxe6 24.dxe6 Kg7 25.Qxb7 Bxb7 26.Rxb7 Ra7 27.Rxe7+ Rxe7 28.Bd5 Kf6=

Position after: 16.e4

16...Bh6 Best, other moves are possible but too risky. A) 16...Qh4?! 17.e5! Qxf4 (17...dxe5 18.d6 Qxf4 19.Bxb7 Bxb7 20.Rxb7 Rd8 21.Ne4ƒ) 18.e6 Nb6 (18...Ne5 19.Re4±) 19.Rb3± with an initiative for White. B) 16...Qf6 17.e5 dxe5 18.d6 Qxf4 19.Bxb7 Bxb7 20.Rxb7 Nf6 is a possible line as well but a bit risky though. 17.e5 Not the only move, but we will see that Black has to produce really strong moves... 17.Qf3 Qh4 18.Qg3

Position after: 18.Qg3 A) 18...Qf6!? 19.e5 Qxf4 20.Ne4 (20.e6 Qxg3 21.hxg3 Bxd2 22.Re2 Nf6∞ 23.Rxd2 Rb8 24.a4 Kf8©) 20...dxe5 (20...Nxe5 21.Nxd6+–) 21.Nd6 Nf6!

Position after: 21...Nf6! Black must bring his other pieces into play as soon as possible! 22.Rxe5 (22.Nxc8 Rxc8 23.Rxb7 c4 24.Reb1 c3 25.Rb8 Qc4 26.Qh3 Ng4„) 22...Bg4 A1) 23.Re7 Qxg3 24.hxg3 Bf8 25.Rbxb7 (25.Rxf7 Bxd6 26.Rxf6 Be5=) 25...Bxe7 26.Rxe7 Rd8 27.Nxf7 Rd7 28.Rxd7 Bxd7 29.Ne5 Kf8 30.d6 Be6= A2) 23.h3 Bd7 24.Re7 Rf8 25.Nxb7 (25.Rbe1 Qd4„) 25...c4ƒ B) 18...Qxf4!? Also playable. 19.Nc4

Position after: 19.Nc4

B1) 19...Ne5!? Interesting as well. 20.Nxd6 c4!? (20...b6 transposes.) 21.Re2 (21.Nf5 Bg5 22.Ne7+ Kg7 23.Nxc8 Rxc8 24.Re2 b6 25.Rc2 Qf6 26.Qc3 Bf4 27.a4 Rb8„) 21...Bg4 22.Rc2 Qf6 23.Nxc4 Bf4 24.Qa3 Bxh2+ 25.Kf1 Nxc4 26.Rxc4 b6© B2) 19...b6! 20.Nxd6 (20.a4 Ne5 21.Nxe5 Qxe5 22.Qxe5 dxe5∞) 20...Ne5 21.Nf5 Bxf5 22.exf5 Nc4!

Position after: 22...Nc4! An important defensive idea, after coming to d6 the Knight will play a big role, also the Bishop on g2 will remain a bad piece. 23.Re7 (23.d6 Rd8 24.fxg6 hxg6 25.Re7 Qf6 26.Bd5 Nxd6 27.Rxa7 Bf4 28.Qg4 b5 29.h4 Kg7 30.h5 c4 31.hxg6 Qxg6 32.Qxg6+ Kxg6=) 23...Nd6 24.fxg6 hxg6 25.Qxf4 Bxf4 26.a4 Kf8 Though the Rook can stay on the seventh rank, Black is fine. 27.Rc7 Rc8 28.Rxc8+ Nxc8 29.Bf1 Ke7 30.a5 Bc7 31.Re1+ Kd8 32.axb6 axb6= 17...Bxf4 18.e6 Ne5

Position after: 18...Ne5 19.Re4 19.Nf3 fxe6! (19...Qf6 20.Nxe5 Bxe5 21.Qa4 fxe6 22.Rxe5 dxe5 23.d6 Qd8 24.Bxb7 Bxb7 25.Rxb7 Qxd6 26.Rd7= 10 (38) Dimitrijeski, B (2276) – Ochsner, B (2359) Palma de Mallorca 2015) 20.dxe6 Bxe6 21.Nxe5 Bxe5 22.f4 Bd4+ 23.Kh1 Qf6 24.Rxb7 Kh8!³ 19...Qf6! Obviously all these moves have been Bacrot’s home analysis, in any case it is really nice to see that all the tactics favor Black! 20.e7 20.Qa4 Bxd2 21.Qe8+ Kg7 22.Rxe5 dxe5 23.e7 Bf5 24.Qxa8 Qxe7 25.Rxb7 Qf6 26.Rc7 Bd3µ 0-1 (34) Korchmar, V (2409) – Loiseau, Q (2419) Khanty-Mansiysk 2015. 20...Bg4! 21.Qa4 Bxd2! 22.e8=Q+ Rxe8 23.Qxe8+ Kg7

Position after: 23...Kg7 Two Rooks versus two pieces... At the early stages, only in the Benoni you can find such lines! 24.Rxb7 c4 25.f4 Bxf4 26.Rb8 Kh6 27.Qd8 Qf5 28.h3 Bh5 29.Qc8 Qf6 30.Qd8 Qf5 31.Qc8 Qf6 32.Qd8 Qf5 Black is fine: ½-½ (32) Ding, L (2742) – Bacrot, E (2720) Tromso 2014. 3b) 15.Nc4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 Re8 10.Bf4 Ne4 11.Nxe4 Rxe4 12.Nd2 Rxf4 13.gxf4 Bxb2 14.Rb1 Bg7 15.Nc4

Position after: 15.Nc4 At the start, this was considered critical. 15...Na6!? A bit unusual to place our Knight on the edge but it is considered best! 15...b6!? I can’t really rule out this idea although it appears rare! 16.Qa4 Ba6 17.e3 (17.Ne5 dxe5 18.d6 exf4 19.Bxa8 Bd4 20.Bf3 Qxd6 21.Rfd1 Kg7 We reach another complex position. 22.Rxd4 cxd4 23.Rd1 d3 24.exd3 Bc8 25.Qxa7 Be6 26.d4 Nd7© Due to White’s exposed King and the potential ...g5-g4, it looks to me that Black is just fine.) 17...Bxc4 18.Qxc4 a6 19.a4 Nd7 20.Rb3 b5 21.axb5 Nb6 22.Qe2 c4 23.Rbb1 a5 24.e4 Bd4!? (24...Qf6 25.Qe3 Qd4 26.Qa3² 1-0 (37) Gleizerov, E (2581) – Ornstein, A (2426) Stockholm 2003) 25.e5 a4 26.Rfe1 a3 27.Qd2 Bc5 28.e6 Qf6∞ 16.e4 A) 16.Qb3 Rb8 (16...Nc7 17.a4 b6 18.e4 Ba6 19.Rfc1 Ne8 20.Qg3 Qe7 21.Rb3 Rd8 22.Re3 Bd4 23.Ree1 Nf6 24.e5 Nh5 25.Qg4 Bxc4 26.Rxc4 dxe5³ ½-½ (44) Khademal-sharieh, S (2403) – Harika, D (2511) Tehran 2016) 17.a4 Nb4

Position after: 17..Nb4 A1) 18.Qg3!? b6 19.f5 Bxf5 20.e4 Bd7 21.Nxd6 (21.Qxd6 Bxa4 22.Qg3 b5 23.Ne3 Nd3 24.f4 Bd4 25.Kh1 b4∞) 21...Bxa4 22.e5 Qc7 (22...Qe7 23.e6) 23.f4 (23.e6 fxe6 24.dxe6 Rd8³) 23...Rd8!„ A2) 18.e4 b6 19.e5 dxe5 20.fxe5 Bf5 21.Rbe1 Bd3 22.f4 (22.e6 fxe6 23.dxe6 Qe7∞) 22...Bxf1 23.Rxf1

Position after: 23.Rxf1 At first sight, this position worried me a bit although I saw Leko employ this being on Black’s side. White’s pawns look fantastic, but I managed to find some descent counterplay. A2.1) 23...Qd7 24.d6 (24.f5 gxf5∞) 24...Qf5 ½-½ (53) Postny, E (2641) – Leko, P (2734) Bilbao 2014. A2.2) 23...a6!? 24.f5 (24.d6 b5 25.axb5 axb5 26.Ne3 Qb6 27.Kh1 c4„; 24.a5 bxa5 25.d6 Nc6 26.Qa2 Nd4 27.Bd5 Bh6∞) 24...b5µ B) 16.Qd2 Rb8

Position after: 16...Rb8

17.Rfe1 (17.a4 b6 18.e4 Bh6 19.Qe3 Nb4 20.Qg3 Ba6 21.Rfc1 Qf6 22.e5 Qxf4 23.Nxd6 Qxg3 24.hxg3 Bxc1 25.Rxc1 Nd3 26.Rd1 Nxe5³ 0-1 (44) Kanter, E (2407) – Lastin, A (2516) Dombai 2013) 17...f5 18.Rb3 b6 19.h4 Nc7 20.Na5 Bd7 21.Nc6 Bxc6 22.dxc6 d5 23.Rd3 d4 24.e3 Qd6 25.exd4 Bxd4 26.Rde3² 0-1 (44) Nguyen Duc Hoa (2494) – Popov, I (2650) New Delhi 2016. 16...Rb8

Position after: 16...Rb8 17.Qa4 An unusual attempt but not stupid, it prevents ...Nb4 and ...b5 ideas. A) 17.e5 dxe5 18.fxe5 b5 19.Nd6 Bxe5 20.Nxc8 Qxc8 21.Qe2 Qc7 22.Rxb5 Bxh2+ 23.Kh1 c4∞ B) 17.a4 Nb4

Position after: 17...Nb4 B1) 18.Re1 b6 19.e5 dxe5 20.Nxe5 Bf5 21.Rxb4 Bxe5 22.fxe5 cxb4 23.Qd4 a5³ 0-1 (53) Cori Tello, J (2487) – Lupulescu, C (2614) Istanbul 2012. B2) 18.e5 dxe5 19.fxe5 Bf5 20.Re1 Nc2 21.Rf1 Nb4 22.Re1 Qg5 23.e6 fxe6 24.dxe6 Qe7 25.Qd6 Re8∞ ½-½ (32) Cech, P (2424) – Petrik, T (2495) Slovakia 2015. B3) 18.Qf3 b6 19.Rbc1 (19.e5 dxe5 20.fxe5 Ba6 21.Nd6 Qf8 22.Rfe1 Nd3 23.e6 fxe6 24.dxe6 Nxe1 25.Rxe1 Bf6 26.Qg3 Be7 27.Nf7 Rc8∞) 19...Ba6 20.Rfe1 Na2= ½-½ (24) Lagno, K (2543) – Hou Yifan (2618) KhantyMansiysk 2014. 17...Bh6 As alternative we have: 17...Bd7

Position after: 17...Bd7 18.Qa3 A) 18...Nb4 19.Nxd6 Qf6 20.e5! (20.Nc4 Qxf4 21.Qxa7 b5 22.d6 Rf8∞ ½-½ (56) Wang Yue (2691) – Bologan, V (2712) Poikovsky 2012) 20...Qxf4 21.Nxf7!+– 1-0 (44) Donchenko, A (2582) – Stupak, K (2545) Legnica 2015. B) 18...Bf8!?N 19.e5 Nb4! Only computers can play such coldblooded moves. 20.Qxa7 (20.Nxd6 Bxd6 21.exd6 Bf5³) 20...Bb5 21.Rfc1 Nd3 22.Rxb5 Nxc1 23.Bf1 Ra8 24.Qxb7 Qh4„ 18.f5 Bf4 19.Rb3

Position after: 19.Rb3 19...Nc7!?N 19...Bd7 20.Qa3 Nb4 21.Rf3 b5 22.Rxf4 bxc4∞ ½-½ (48) Daanen, A – Skeels, J corr. 2012 20.Rf3 b5 21.Qa5 Bh6 22.Rb1 Bxf5 23.exf5 bxc4 24.Rxb8 Qxb8 25.fxg6 hxg6 26.Qa4 Nxd5 27.Qxc4 Nf4!∞

Position after: 27...Nf4!∞ 3c) 15.e4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 Re8 10.Bf4 Ne4 11.Nxe4 Rxe4 12.Nd2 Rxf4 13.gxf4 Bxb2 14.Rb1 Bg7 15.e4

Position after: 15.e4 Another important line, obviously White doesn’t waste time with preparatory moves. 15...Nd7 Going for central squares! A) Timman’s idea is actually also possible. 15...Bh6 16.e5 Bxf4 17.e6 fxe6 18.dxe6 Nc6 19.Re1 Ne5 20.Qb3 Qe7 21.Nc4 Bxe6 22.Qxb7 Qxb7 23.Bxb7 Rf8 24.Nxd6 c4© ½-½ (39) Smith, A (2449) – Timman, J (2566) Helsingor 2015 B) 15...Na6 16.Re1 Nb4 17.Rb3 Nxa2 18.e5±

Position after: 15...Nd7 16.Qf3 A) 16.Re1 transposes to 15.Re1. B) 16.f5!? b5 17.fxg6 hxg6 18.f4 c4 19.e5 dxe5 20.f5 gxf5 21.Rxf5 Nf6 22.Rg5 c3³ C) 16.Nc4

Position after: 16.Nc4 16...Nb6! (Another sharp idea is: 16...Qh4 17.Nxd6 Qxf4 18.Nxc8 Rxc8 19.Qf3 Qxf3 20.Bxf3 b6 21.Bg4 Rd8 22.Bxd7 Rxd7 23.a4 f5 24.f3 Bd4+ 25.Kg2 Kf7 26.Rb5∞ ½-½ (26) Prohaszka, P (2607) – Werle, J (2542) Nicolosi 2015) 17.Nxb6 (17.Ne3 Bd7 18.Qf3 Qf6 19.f5 c4 20.Rfc1 c3 21.fxg6 Qxg6∞) 17...axb6 18.Qb3 Bh6 19.f5 Bf4 20.Qxb6 Qh4 21.h3 gxf5 22.e5 Bxe5µ ½-½ (38) Michalik, P (2557) – Repka, C (2379) Prievidza 2014. D) 16.a4 Bh6 17.Qf3 Qh4

Position after: 17...Qh4 18.Qg3 Qf6 Again it is possible to take at once on f4, in the other line the Rook is on e1 and here the pawn is on a4. (18...Qxf4 19.Nc4 b6 20.Nxd6 Ne5 21.a5 bxa5 22.Nxc8 Rxc8 23.Rb7 c4 24.Rxa7 Rb8©) 19.e5 Qxf4 20.e6 Nf6 21.Nc4 Qxc4 22.Qxd6 Qf4! (22...fxe6 23.Qd8+ Kf7 24.d6 Bf8 25.h3 Qf4 26.Rfd1∞ 0-1 (60) Kozul, Z (2619) – Saric, I (2666) Sibenik 2016) 23.Qd8+ Kg7 24.Rb3 Bxe6 25.Qxa8 Bxd5 26.Bxd5 Nxd5 27.Qxb7 c4 28.Rg3 Qd4© 16...b5 I prefer to keep this as the main idea.

Position after: 16...b5 16...Bh6!? 17.Nc4 Nb6 18.Ne3 Qf6 19.f5 Bxe3 20.Qxe3 gxf5 21.Qf4 Nc4 22.Rb3 Ne5 23.exf5 Kh8 24.Rh3 Bd7 25.Be4 Rg8+∞ 0-1 (60) Michalik, P (2511) – Huschenbeth, N (2510) Merlimont 2011. 17.Rfe1 17.Qg3 c4 18.Rxb5 Ba6 19.Rbb1 c3µ 17...Qa5!? Probably best. Other ideas are: A) 17...Ba6 18.Qa3 Bc8 19.Rxb5± 1-0 (48) Eljanov, P (2723) – Sjugirov, S (2653) Yerevan 2014. B) 17...Rb8 18.Qg3 Qa5 19.Rbd1 (19.Nf3 Nf6 20.e5 Nh5 21.Qh4 Bf5∞) 19...c4 20.e5 Nc5 21.Ne4 (21.e6 f5∞) 21...Nxe4 22.Bxe4 c3 23.Bc2ƒ C) 17...c4 18.e5 dxe5 19.Rxb5 Ba6 20.Rbb1 exf4 21.d6 Rc8 22.Qxf4 c3 23.Re7 Bf6 24.Bd5ƒ 1-0 (50) Matlakov, M (2684) – Bologan, V (2654) Poikovsky 2016. D) 17...a6

Position after: 17...a6 18.Qg3 (18.e5 dxe5 19.d6 Rb8 20.Qc6 Bb7 21.Qc7 Bxg2 22.Qxd8+ Rxd8 23.Kxg2 Bh6µ 0-1 (31) Kobo, O (2365) – Rausis, I (2578) Riga 2014) 18...c4 (18...Nf6 19.Bf3ƒ; 18...Qa5 19.Rbd1ƒ) 19.e5 Nc5! 20.Ne4 Nxe4 (20...Bf5 21.Nxc5! Bxb1 22.Rxb1 dxc5 23.d6 Rb8 24.Bd5²) 21.Bxe4 Rb8 22.Rbd1 Rb7! (22...Qe7 23.e6 f5 24.Bc2 Kf8 25.h4± ½-½ (47) Loetscher, R (2435) – Demuth, A (2550) Bad Ragaz 2016) 23.e6 f5 24.Bc2 a5∞

Position after: 17...Qa5!? 18.Rbd1 18.Nb3 Qb6!∞ (…...c4) (18...Qxa2 19.e5 Nb6!? 20.e6 f5∞) 18...c4 19.e5 Nc5 20.Ne4 Nxe4 21.Qxe4 Bf5∞ With complex and interesting play ahead of us!

4) 10.Bf4 a6 11.a4 Qc7 4a) 12.h3 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 Re8 10.Bf4 a6 11.a4 Qc7

Position after: 11...Qc7 I decided to cover the 10.Bf4 line with two main different lines. This is the second one, but of no less importance. I was never fond of the ...Qe7 move, as I believe that in this line the Queen belongs to c7. 12.h3 The slower attempt, White wants to secure the g4-square. 12.Nd2 Nh5 13.Be3 Nd7 14.Nc4 Nb6 15.Nxb6 Qxb6 16.Qd2 Bf5 17.Bf3 Nf6 18.a5 Qc7 19.Na4 Ne4 20.Qc1 Re7 21.Nb6 Rae8∞ 12...Nbd7 13.Rc1 A direct attempt is possible but doesn’t really challenge Black: 13.Re1

Position after: 13.Re1 A) 13...Ne4 14.Nxe4 Rxe4 15.Nd2 Rb4!? (15...Rxf4 16.gxf4 Bxb2 17.Rb1 Bg7 18.Nc4 Bc3 19.a5!? Bxe1 20.Qxe1²) 16.Ne4 Ne5 17.Bd2 Rxb2 18.Bc3 Rb4 19.Bxb4 cxb4 20.a5 b5 21.Qb3 Nc4 22.Qxb4 Bxa1 23.Rxa1 f5 24.Ng5ƒ B) 13...Nh5 14.Bd2 Rb8 (14...c4 transposes to Razuvajev – Benjamin below) 15.a5 b5 16.axb6 Rxb6 17.Ra2 Ne5 18.Nxe5 Bxe5 19.Qc2 f5 20.e3 Qf7 21.Na4 Rb8 22.Bc3 Bxc3 23.Nxc3 Rb6 24.Raa1 Nf6 25.b3 Rb4„ 13...Nh5 14.Bd2 Nhf6 14...Rb8 15.e4 b5 16.b4 Qd8 17.axb5 axb5 18.Re1² 15.Re1

Position after: 15.Re1 Going for the central push. 15.b4 Qd8∞ 15...c4!? 15...Rb8 16.e4 b5 17.axb5 axb5 18.b4 Qd8 19.Rb1² 16.b4 A) 16.e4 Nc5³ B) 16.Be3 Rxe3 17.fxe3 Rb8 18.Nd4 Nc5© 16...cxb3 Setting up a trap. 17.Qxb3 17.Nb5 Catching the Queen actually brings nothing: 17...Qxc1! 18.Bxc1 axb5 19.axb5 Ne4 20.Qxb3 Ndc5© 17...Nc5 18.Qb4 Qd8 19.a5

Position after: 19.a5 19...Nfe4!?N Initially it was played in a different manner. 19...Bf5 20.Nd4 Qd7!?N

Position after: 20...Qd7!?N (20...Be4?! 21.Nxe4 Ncxe4 22.Ne6! fxe6 23.Bxe4² ½-½ (34) Razuvaev, Y (2550) – Benjamin, J (2545) Paris 1989) A) 21.Kh2 Be4 22.Nxe4 Nfxe4 23.Ne6 Nxe6 24.dxe6 (24.Bxe4 Nc5 25.Bf3=) 24...Qxe6=

B) 21.g4 Be4 22.Ne6 Nxe6 23.dxe6 Qxe6 24.Nxe4 Nxe4 25.Be3 d5 26.Red1 Rad8= C) 21.Nxf5 Qxf5 22.Qb1 (22.Na4 Re4 23.Rc4 Nxd5³; 22.g4 Qd7 23.Bf4 Rac8∞) 22...Qd7 23.e4 Qe7 24.Be3 Nfd7 25.Qc2 Qd8„ 20.Nxe4 Rxe4 21.Rc4 21.Qb1 Bf5³ 21...Rxc4 22.Qxc4

Position after: 22.Qxc4 22...Bf5!? 22...Bd7 23.Qb4 Rc8 24.Be3 Qf8 25.Bd4 Bxd4 26.Nxd4 Qe7 27.Rb1 h5 28.h4= 23.Nd4 23.e4 Bd7„ 23...Bd7= 4b) 12.Rc1 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 Re8 10.Bf4 a6 11.a4 Qc7 12.Rc1

Position after: 12.Rc1 This used to be the main idea and still is, another important attempt is 12.Qd2. 12...Nbd7 It is also possible to chase the Bishop at once, more or less it will take us to the same position: 12...Nh5 13.Bd2 Nd7 14.b4 Qd8!?

Position after: 14...Qd8!? (14...Nhf6 15.a5 transposes to the main line)

A) 15.b5 axb5 16.axb5 Nb6∞ B) 15.Bg5 Qb6 16.bxc5 Nxc5 17.Nd2 Qb4„ C) 15.bxc5 Nxc5 16.Bg5 (16.Be3 Rxe3! As we will see this is a typical Benoni exchange sacrifice. 17.fxe3 Nf6©) 16...Qa5„ D) 15.Qb3 Qb6 16.b5 (16.a5 Qxb4 17.Qa2 b5 18.Nxb5 Qxb5 19.Rb1 Ndf6! 20.Rxb5 axb5 21.Rb1 b4 22.Be1 Ne4³) 16...Ndf6!? 17.Be1 (17.Rfd1 Bf5 18.Be1 Ne4„) 17...axb5 18.axb5 Ng4 19.Nd2 Ne5 20.Kh1 Qd8 21.h3 Nd7 22.Nc4 Nb6 23.Nxb6 Qxb6 24.e4 (24.Bd2 f5∞) 24...Bd7 25.Bd2 Bd4∞ E) 15.Rb1 cxb4 (15...Nhf6!?) 16.Rxb4 Nc5

Position after: 16...Nc5 17.Qb1 (17.Bg5 Qa5³; 17.Nd4 Nf6 18.Qc2 Bd7 19.Rfb1 Rc8 20.Qa2 Rc7 21.Bf4 Qe7 22.h3 Nh5 23.Bd2 Be5∞) 17...Nf6 18.Nd4 Nfd7 (Also possible is: 18...a5 19.Rc4 Nfd7 20.Ndb5 Nb6 21.Rh4 Bf5∞) 19.Nc2 Ne5 20.Ne3 a5 (20...Bd7 21.h3 f5∞) 21.Rb6 f5∞ 13.b4 Nh5 14.Bd2 Nhf6!?N

Position after: 14...Nhf6!?N An interesting new approach and I got a chance to test it recently. 14...Qd8 transposes to 12...Nh5. 15.a5 A very important idea actually as it was tested in my recent game. 15.Qb3 (15.b5 Nb6∞; 15.bxc5 Nxc5∞) 15.Qb3 Qd8 A) 16.b5 Ne4 17.Nxe4 Rxe4 18.Bg5 (18.Ng5 Re7 19.Ne4 Nf6∞) B) 16.a5 b5!„ C) After 16.Rfe1 cxb4 17.Qxb4 Nc5 18.a5 the game may continue in a similar way as Razuvaev – Benjamin (previous subchapter): 18...Bf5 19.Nd4 Qd7„ D) 16.Bf4 Nh5! 17.Bxd6 Qb6 18.Bf4 Nxf4 19.gxf4 Qxb4µ 15...Qd8 16.Na4

Position after: 16.Na4 16...Ne4! While writing this book I went to play the Aeroflot Open and in the first round I decided to go for the Benoni and somehow when I got to this position, I didn’t remember exactly the sequence of moves, finally I understood... 16...Nxd5 On this move I spent my time during the game: does it work or not...? 17.Bg5 N5f6 (17...N7f6 18.bxc5 dxc5 19.e4 h6 20.exd5 hxg5 21.Nxg5 Bg4 22.Qb3 Nd7 23.h4²) 18.Qxd6 (18.bxc5 Nxc5 19.Nb6 Rb8 20.Bf4 Nce4 21.Nd2 Bg4„) 18...cxb4 19.Qxb4 h6 20.Bxf6 Qxf6 21.Rfd1 Bf8 22.Qd2 Rb8 23.Nd4 White preserves the initiative though it’s not that bad for Black. 17.bxc5 My opponnent went for the solid: 17.Be1 and now best is: A) 17...cxb4! 18.Bxb4 b5 19.axb6 a5! 20.Ba3 Nxb6 21.Nd4 Nxa4 22.Qxa4 Bd7 23.Nc6 Nc3!„ B) 17...b5 18.axb6 Nxb6 19.Nxb6 Qxb6 20.Nd2 Nxd2 21.bxc5 dxc5 22.Bxd2 Bg4 23.Re1 a5∞ In this particular position it is difficult to asses what is going on because with precise play White might get some small plus: 1-0 (77) Bluebaum, M (2632) – Pavlovic, M (2512) Moscow 2017. 17...Ndxc5

Position after: 17...Ndxc5 18.Nb6 18.Bb4 Nxa4 19.Qxa4 Bd7 20.Qa3 Bb5 21.Rfe1 (21.Rc2 Qd7 22.Rfc1 Rac8 23.e3 Rxc2 24.Rxc2 Rc8 25.Qc1 Rxc2 26.Qxc2 Nc5∞) 21...Rc8„ 18...Nxd2! 19.Nxd2 Rb8 20.Re1 Bd7 21.Nb3 Na4∞

Position after: 21...Na4∞

4c) 12.Qd2 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 Re8 10.Bf4 a6 11.a4 Qc7 12.Qd2 Nbd7 13.Rfc1

Position after: 13.Rfc1 Considered critical by some authors and it does look logical, a well known theme. 13...Nb6!? It seems that this is the best though there are some interesting alternatives: A) 13...c4 14.Bh6! (14.Qd1!? Nh5 15.Be3 Rxe3 16.fxe3 Qb6©) 14...Bh8 15.Qf4² Preventing ...Nc5 is indeed unpleasant as suggested in Psakhis’ book. B) 13...Rb8 14.b4² C) An interesting idea that was recently played: 13...Ng4!? 14.Rab1 (14.a5 b5 15.axb6 Nxb6 16.b3 Rb8 17.Ra3 Nd7 with complicated play ahead of us. Black managed to stop ‘b4’!) 14...Nde5 15.b4 c4 16.Ne1 h6!? (16...Qb6 17.Nd1 Bf5 18.e4 Bd7 19.h3 Nf6 20.Be3 Qd8 21.f4 Nd3 22.Nxd3 cxd3 23.Nc3 Rc8∞ ½-½ (39) Donchenko, A (2570) – Hauge, L (2388) Gibraltar 2016) 17.h3 g5 18.hxg4 gxf4 19.Qxf4 Ng6 20.Qd2 Bxg4 21.Nf3 h5∞ 14.b3!? An idea is a5 first and then b4, this is critical in my opinion. Following was actually played in one game but it’s not clear: 14.b4 Bf5

Position after: 14...Bf5 A) 15.Qa2 cxb4µ B) 15.bxc5 Qxc5 16.Nh4 (16.Be3 Rxe3!³; 16.Qa2 Nfxd5 17.Nxd5 Qxd5³) 16...Nc4 17.Qa2 Bd7 18.Nd1 Rac8 19.Ne3 b5 20.axb5 axb5³ C) 15.Nh4 Bd7!?N Simple and strong. (15...Nc4 16.Qa2 cxb4 17.Nd1 Rac8 18.Nxf5 gxf5 19.Rab1±) C1) 16.bxc5 Qxc5 looks dangerous but actually Black is fine: 17.Rab1 (17.Nb5 axb5! Another excellent sacrifice! 18.Rxc5 dxc5 19.Rc1 Nxa4µ) 17...Nc4 18.Qe1 b5µ C2) 16.Qa2 cxb4 17.Ne4 Qxc1+ Again, the same motive! 18.Rxc1 Nxe4 19.Bxe4 Rxe4 20.Bxd6 Bxa4µ The bpawn will run fast! 14...Bg4 15.a5 Nbd7

Position after: 15...Nbd7 16.Ne1 Avoiding ...Bxf3, and putting the question to the Bishop: where to go after f3-e4? 16...Bf5 17.f3 17.b4 Nh5 18.Be3 b5! 19.axb6 Nxb6³ 17...Ne5 18.Na4!

Position after: 18.Na4! 18...Rad8 We arrive to this position that contains many tactical tricks, it is not easy to determine what is exactly going on but in my opinion Black has enough counterplay! Another idea might be: 18...Qe7 19.Nb6 Rad8 20.e4 Nxf3+ 21.Bxf3 Nxe4 22.Bxe4 Bd4+ 23.Be3 Bxa1 24.Bxf5 Qxe3+ 25.Qxe3 Rxe3 26.Rxa1 gxf5 27.Rb1 Rc3 with unclear consequencies. 19.b4 Direct play is also possible: 19.e4 A) 19...Nxf3+!? 20.Bxf3 Nxe4 21.Bxe4 Rxe4 22.Nxc5 (22.Nb6 Bd4+ 23.Kh1 Qe7µ) 22...Bd4+ 23.Kh1 Bxc5 24.b4 Qe7 25.bxc5 Re2µ B) 19...Bd7 20.Nb6 Bb5 21.b4 c4 (21...Nxf3+!? 22.Bxf3 Nxe4 23.Qc2 Qe7 24.bxc5 Bxa1 25.Rxa1 Qf6 26.Rc1 Nxc5 27.h4 h6„) 22.Bf1 (22.Ra3 Nfd7 23.Nxd7 Qxd7³) 22...Nfd7 23.Bxe5 (23.Nxd7 Qxd7³) 23...Nxe5 24.Rab1 h5∞ 19...Qe7!? 20.bxc5 20.Bg5 cxb4 21.e4 Nxf3+ 22.Nxf3 Nxe4 23.Bxe7 Nxd2 24.Bxd8 Nb3 25.Re1 Rxd8 26.Ra2 Nxa5©

Position after: 26...Nxa5© 20...dxc5

Position after: 20...dxc5 A highly unusual position! 21.e4 21.Nb6 Ned7 (21...Nc6 22.e4 Bxe4 23.fxe4 Nxe4 24.Bxe4 Qxe4 25.Qg2 Bxa1 26.Qxe4 Rxe4 27.Rxa1 Nxa5 28.Rxa5 Rxe1+ 29.Kf2 Rb1 30.Bc7 Rb2+! 31.Kf3 Rb3+ 32.Kg2 Rb2+ 33.Kh3 Rxb6 34.Bxb6 Rxd5=) 22.e4 Nxb6 23.axb6 Nxd5 24.exd5 Bd4+ 25.Kh1 Rxd5© 21...Nxd5 22.exd5 Nc4 23.d6 Nxd2 24.dxe7 Rxe7 25.Ra3 Bd4+ 26.Kh1 Nb1 27.Ra2 Rde8ƒ

Position after: 27...Rde8ƒ These fantastic lines prove that the Benoni is far from being a bad opening as it was regarded for a long time.

Chapter 2 The 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bf4 System 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bf4

Chapter’s guide Chapter 2 – 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bf4 1) 7...Bg7 8.Qa4 Bd7 9.Qb3 Qc7 2) 7...Bg7 8.Qa4 Bd7 9.Qb3 b5 10.Bxd6 Qb6 11.Be5 0-0 12.e3 c4 13.Qd1 b4 a) 14.Ne2 b) 14.Nb1 3) 7...a6 a) 8.Nd2 b) 8.e4 c) 8.a4 Bg7 9.e4 d) 8.a4 Bg7 9.h3 0-0 10.e3 Re8 e) 8.a4 Bg7 9.h3 0-0 10.e3 Qe7 f) 8.a4 Bg7 9.h3 0-0 10.e3 Ne8

1) 7.Bf4 Bg7 8.Qa4 Bd7 9.Qb3 Qc7 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bf4 Bg7

Position after: 7...Bg7 This move involves some heavy tactics and possibly it demands from Black some gambit type of play. 8.Qa4+ This is the real test and the line that troubled Black for a long time. It seems however that recent games improved Black’s play and his overall chances. Alternatives are possible and I will give one sample line just as an idea: 8.h3 0-0 9.e3 Na6 10.Bc4 Nc7 11.a4 a6 12.0-0 Rb8 13.a5 b5 14.axb6 Rxb6

Position after: 14...Rxb6

15.Qc2 (15.b3 Nh5 16.Bg5 Qe8 17.Qd2 h6 18.Bh4 g5 19.Bg3 Nxg3 20.fxg3 Nb5 21.Na4 Rb7 22.Rae1 Re7 23.Bd3 f5∞; 15.Ra2 Qe7!? 16.Re1 Rb4 17.b3 Nd7 18.Nb1 Nb6 19.Qd3 f5 20.Nbd2 h6 21.e4 fxe4 22.Rxe4 Qd8 23.Bg3 Bf5∞) 15...Rb4 16.Nd2 Qe7 17.e4 Nd7 18.Be2 Nb6!∞ 8...Bd7 9.Qb3 Qc7

Position after: 9...Qc7 This is one idea, the other one being 9...b5, that we will investigate in the next subchapters. 10.e4 0-0 11.Nd2 Established as best for a long time. 11.Be2 b5!? 12.Bxb5 Nxe4 13.Nxe4 Qa5+ 14.Nc3 (14.Bd2 Qxb5 15.Qxb5 Bxb5 16.Nxd6 Ba6 17.0-0-0 Nd7 18.Bc3 Bxc3 19.bxc3 Rfb8 20.Rhe1 Rb6 21.Re8+ Rxe8 22.Nxe8 Bc4 23.Rd2 Kf8 24.Nc7 Ke7=) 14...Bxb5 15.0-0-0 Ba6 16.Bxd6 Re8 17.a3 Nd7 18.Rhe1 Rac8 19.Rxe8+ Rxe8 20.Bf4 h6 21.h4 h5 22.Qc2 c4 23.Be3 Bb7 24.d6 Rb8 25.Bd4 Nc5„ 11...Nh5 12.Be3 f5 13.exf5 Bxf5 Best and although known for a long time, some new developments arrived here. It’s interesting but Black really has to be very alert to play this line. 13...gxf5 14.Be2 f4 15.Bxc5! Has disappeared from practice a long time ago! 14.Be2 Nf6

Position after: 14...Nf6 15.Nc4 Not the only move, some alternatives are equally important: A) 15.0-0 a6!

Position after: 15...a6! A1) 16.h3 b5 17.g4 Bc8 18.a4 bxa4 19.Rxa4 Nbd7 20.Qa2 (20.Qc2 Nb6„; 20.Nc4 Rb8 21.Qa2 h5 22.g5 Nh7 23.h4 Ne5 24.Nxe5 Bxe5„) 20...Nb6 21.Ra3 Bb7 22.Bxa6 Rxa6 23.Rxa6 Bxa6 24.Qxa6 Nfxd5³ 0-1 (37) Nezad, H

(2405) – Fier, A (2628) Biel 2015. A2) 16.a4 Nbd7 17.Nc4 Ne4 18.Bf4 (18.a5 Nxc3 19.bxc3 Rae8 20.Rfe1 Be4„; 18.Nxe4 Bxe4 19.Nd2 Rae8 20.Nxe4 Rxe4 21.Qc2 Rb4∞) 18...Nxc3 19.bxc3 Bd3! An important move to remember! 20.Bxd3 Rxf4= B) 15.h3 Na6

Position after: 15...Na6 16.a3 (16.g4 Bd7 17.0-0 Rae8 18.Nb5 Qb8 19.Rae1 h5 20.Qc2 Rxe3 21.fxe3 Qe8© 0-1 (66) Sipila, V (2425) – Andriasian, Z (2612) Jerusalem 2015; 16.0-0 Nb4 17.Rac1 Nd3=) B1) 16...Rab8 17.Nb5 (17.0-0 Qd8 18.Nb5 Nc7 19.g4 Bd7 20.Nxc7 Qxc7³ 0-1 (44) Del Rey, D (2390) – Forcen Esteban, D (2457) Zaragoza 2012) 17...Qe7 18.0-0 Nc7 19.Nxc7 Qxc7 20.a4 Kh8 21.Bf3 a6 22.Nc4 Nd7 23.Na3 (23.Bf4 Bd3!„) 23...Bxh3µ 0-1 (38) Arsovic, G (2389) – Perunovic, M (2614) Bar 2015. B2) 16...Qf7!? 17.Nc4 Ne8!? (17...Ne4 18.0-0²) 18.0-0 Nac7!? 19.Qxb7 Bxc3 20.bxc3 Be4 21.Nd2 Bxd5 22.Qb2 Ng7 23.c4 Bc6 24.Nf3 Nf5 25.Bd2 Ne6³ 15...Ne8!?

Position after: 15...Ne8!? The usual idea 15...Ne4 is not to my taste. 16.0-0 Na6 There is an obvious similarity with the ‘...Na6-...Ne8’ line against the main line which Kramnik succesfully adopted in his match against Leko. The idea is to establish ‘...Qf7-...Nc7’, attacking the pawn on d5, meanwhile the Knight on e8 protects d6. 17.a3 A) 17.Rac1 Qd8!? That would be the key idea for Black. 18.Rfd1 (18.Qxb7 Nb4 19.Rfd1 Nc7 is fine for Black) 18...Rf7 19.Bf4 Nac7 20.a4 Rb8 21.Bg3 h5 22.h3 Bd4 with a highly complex game ahead of us. B) 17.Rae1 Rf7 with similar play as in the main line.

Position after: 17.a3 17...Rf7!? An idea is ‘...Qd8-...Nac7’, nothing is forced here. We simply need a good plan and this idea crossed my mind. Previously we saw 17...Bd7 18.Rac1 Rb8 19.a4 Nb4 20.Rfd1 b6 21.Ne4 Bf5 22.Ng3 (22.Ng5 Qe7 23.Re1 h6 24.Ne6 Bxe6 25.dxe6 d5µ) 22...Bd7!? (22...Bc8 23.Bd2 a5² 0-1 (58) Yilmaz, M (2616) – Pantsulaia, L (2601) Baku 2016) 23.Bd2 Bxa4 24.Qxa4 b5 25.Qa3 bxc4 26.Bxc4 Nf6³ 18.Rac1 Qd8 19.Rfe1 Rb8 20.a4 Nec7 21.Qd1 Qf8∞

Position after: 21...Qf8∞ Overall the line is quite complicated and I tried to find a good plan so that black’s pieces could find some reasonable squares.

2) 7...Bg7 8.Qa4 Bd7 9.Qb3 b5 10.Bxd6 Qb6 11.Be5 0-0 12.e3 c4 13.Qd1 b4 2a) 14.Ne2 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bf4 Bg7 8.Qa4+ Bd7 9.Qb3 b5

Position after: 9...b5 An another important line that is known for a long time. However recently it was researched quite intensively. It was regarded as better for White but now nothing remains clear. “RR. This idea was found by GM Luc Winants in 1986, he used it for the first time against Jan Timman in the SWIFT tournament of 1986. White was outplayed in that game but in timetrouble Jan secured the point.” 10.Bxd6 This is the critical way of handling this line, White takes on d6. Instead taking on b5 produces nothing for White: 10.Nxb5 Bxb5 11.Qxb5+ Nbd7 12.Bxd6 Ne4 13.Be5 0-0 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Qa4 Rb8 16.Qxe4 Qa5+ 17.Nd2 Rxb2 18.Rd1 Nf6 19.Qc4 Rfb8 20.e3 Rxa2 21.Bd3 Rbb2 22.0-0 Rxd2 23.d6 Qb4³ 0-1 (30) Moormann, J (2446) – Matic, D (2423) corr. 1998. 10...Qb6 11.Be5 0-0 12.e3 c4 13.Qd1 b4

Position after: 13...b4 The starting point of this line. Black is a pawn down but is ahead in development and enjoys the more dynamic position. White on the other hand enjoys being a pawn up and his bishop on e5 is strong. “RR. The actual game J.Timman – L.Winants, continued 13...Rd8, what is a descent move however the text move is more forcing.” 14.Ne2 In another file we will investigate the critical move 14.Nb1. 14...Rc8 Not the only move but probably best. 14...Bb5!?

Position after: 14...Bb5!? A) 15.Nf4 Nbd7 16.Bd4 Qb7 17.Be2 Rfe8 (17...Bh6 18.Ne5 Nxe5 19.Bxe5 Qe7 20.Qd4 Nd7 21.Bc7 Bg7 22.d6 Qe8 23.Qd5 Bxb2 24.Qxb5 Bc3+ 25.Kf1 Bxa1 26.Bxc4∞ ½-½ (45) Arabidze, M (2408) – Majdan, J (2378) Reykjavik 2015) 18.0-0 Bh6 19.a4 (19.Re1 Bxf4 20.exf4 Nxd5 21.f5 c3 22.Bxb5 Qxb5 23.bxc3 bxc3„) 19...Ba6 20.Re1 (20.d6 Rac8 21.Re1 Ne4∞) 20...Rac8 21.Bf1 c3 22.Bxa6 Qxa6 23.bxc3 bxc3 24.Qb3 Bxf4 25.exf4 Rxe1+ 26.Nxe1 (26.Rxe1 Nc5!³) 26...Qc4 27.Qxc4 Rxc4 28.Bxa7 c2 29.Rc1 Rxf4= B) 15.Ned4

Position after: 15.Ned4

B1) Actually the game of Gashimov which virtually killed this idea is not that bad either let’s see: 15...Nbd7 16.Nxb5 Qxb5 17.Bd4 Qxd5 18.Be2 Nb6 19.0-0 Rac8 20.Rc1 Nfd7!? this is a possible improvement on Gashimov game (20...Rfd8 21.Qe1² 1-0 (48) Aronian, L (2805) – Gashimov, V (2761) Wijk aan Zee 2012) 21.Bxg7 Qxd1 22.Rfxd1 Kxg7 23.Rd4 One would think that White is much better but things are not so simple as they may look... 23...b3! 24.axb3 cxb3 25.Rb1 a5! 26.Nd2 a4= Black achieved good counterplay. B2) This recent game was also interesting: 15...a6!? 16.Rc1 Rc8 17.Be2 Nbd7 18.0-0 Rc5 19.a4 bxa3 20.bxa3 Nxe5! (20...Qa5 21.Bd6!± 1-0 (25) Akobian, V (2633) – Bach, M (2264) Gibraltar 2017) 21.Nxe5 c3 22.Nxb5 axb5 23.Qb3 Qa5„ B3) 15...Ba6!?N An interesting alternative. 16.Rc1 Rc8 17.Be2 Nbd7 18.0-0 Rc5 19.Bxf6 Nxf6 20.Ne5 Rac8 21.e4 Nxe4 22.Nd7 Qd6 23.Nxc5 Qxc5 24.Nc6 Bxb2 25.Rc2 Bc3 26.Bg4 Rf8∞

Position after: 14...Rc8 15.Nf4 Again we have plenty of ideas. White tried some new: A) 15.Rc1 Qa5 16.Nf4 (16.Qd4 Nxd5 17.Bxg7 Nc6 18.Qd2 Kxg7 19.Rxc4 Nb6 20.Rc1 Qxa2 21.Ng3 Na5µ 1-0 (83) Postny, E (2647) – Esen, B (2571) Jerusalem 2015) 16...c3 17.bxc3 Ba4 18.Qd4 Nbd7 19.Be2 Nxe5 20.Nxe5 Nd7 21.Nfd3 Rxc3! (21...Bb5 22.Qxb4 Qxb4 23.Nxb4 Bxe2 24.Nxd7∞ ½-½ (58) Pustovoitova, D (2407) – Fridman, D (2594) Gibraltar 2017) 22.Rxc3 bxc3 23.Nc4 Qa6µ B) 15.Bd4 Qa5„ C) 15.g3!?

Position after: 15.g3!? The computer’s suggestion. 15...Bf5 16.Nd2 (16.Bg2 Be4 17.0-0 Nxd5„) 16...Nbd7 17.Bd4 Qa6 18.Bg2 (18.b3 c3! 19.Nxc3 Qb7„; 18.a3 Nxd5! 19.axb4 Nxb4!–+; 18.Nf4 Nb6 19.Rc1 g5 20.Ne2 Nbxd5 21.h4 h6 22.hxg5 hxg5 23.e4 c3!ƒ) 18...c3! 19.bxc3 bxc3 20.Nxc3 Nc5! 21.Bf1 Nd3+ 22.Bxd3 Qxd3 23.Rc1 Ng4 24.Bxg7 Kxg7 25.Ne2 Qxd5 26.0-0 Ne5„ D) 15.a3 Always important to check this idea breaking Black’s structure. 15...bxa3

Position after: 15...bxa3 D1) 16.bxa3 Bg4 17.Nc3 Qa5 18.Be2 (18.Qd2 Nc6! 19.dxc6 Bxf3 20.gxf3 Qxe5³) 18...Nbd7 19.Bd4 Nxd5µ

D2) 16.Rxa3 Bg4 17.Bc3 Nbd7 18.h3 (18.Nf4 Ne4 19.Bxg7 Kxg7ƒ; 18.Ng3 Rc5 19.Be2 Nxd5 20.Bxg7 Kxg7 21.Ne4 Qb4+ 22.Qd2 Rc7 23.Qxb4 Nxb4 24.Nd4 Bxe2 25.Kxe2 a6=) 18...Bf5!? (18...Bxf3 19.gxf3 a5 20.e4 Nc5 21.Ng3 Nfd7 22.Bxg7 Kxg7 23.Qd4+ f6∞) 19.Ng3 Ne4! 20.Bxg7 Kxg7 21.Qd4+ Ndf6 22.Nxf5+ gxf5 23.Be2 Qb4+ 24.Kf1 a5 25.g4 c3!µ 15...c3

Position after: 15...c3 16.bxc3 16.Bd3 Qa5 17.0-0 Ba4 18.b3 Bb5 19.Bxb5 Qxb5 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.Nd4 Qb7 22.Qd3 a5 23.e4 Nd7 24.Nc2 a4 25.Qe3 Bg5 26.Qg3 axb3 27.axb3 Bxf4 28.Qxf4 Nc5= 16...bxc3 17.Bd3 17.Rc1 Qb2 18.Bd3 (18.Ne2 Qb4) 18...Ng4 19.Bc2 Nxe5 20.Nxe5 Qxa2 21.Nxd7 Nxd7 22.0-0 Qa6³ 17...Qa5 18.0-0 Ba4 19.Bc2 Bxc2 20.Qxc2 Nxd5 21.Nxd5 Qxd5

Position after: 21...Qxd5 22.Rfd1 Qa5 23.Bxg7 Kxg7 24.Rac1 24.Qb3 Nc6³ 0-1 (41) Smirnov, A (2419) – Can, E (2531) St Petersburg 2015. 24...Na6 25.Qe4 Rd8= 2b) 14.Nb1 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bf4 Bg7 8.Qa4+ Bd7 9.Qb3 b5!? 10.Bxd6 Qb6 11.Be5 00 12.e3 c4 13.Qd1 b4 14.Nb1

Position after: 14.Nb1 This was the original attempt which was recently replaced by 14.Ne2. 14...Rc8 15.Nbd2 15.a3 c3! The correct counter. 16.bxc3 b3 17.c4 Ba4 18.Bd3 Nbd7 19.Bb2 Nxd5 20.Qd2 Bxb2 21.Qxb2 Nxe3 22.fxe3 Qxe3+ 23.Be2 Rxc4 24.Nbd2 Nc5 25.Kf1 Rc2 26.Qf6 Ne4 0-1 (26) Lindgren, P (2278) – Giri, A (2749) Rhodes 2013. 15...Bb5 16.a4 Considered the best. Instead 16.Rc1 is not a problem: 16...c3 17.bxc3 Bxf1 18.Nxf1 Nbd7 19.Bd4 Qa6 20.cxb4 Rxc1 21.Qxc1 Rc8 22.Qb1 Nxd5 23.Bxg7 Kxg7 24.Qb2+ N7f6 25.b5 Qa4³ 0-1 (38) Nezad, H (2405) – Adhiban, B (2627) Biel 2015.

Position after: 16.a4 16...Ba6!?N Our alternative is actually OK but I was wondering why in the first place Black has to destroy his pawn structure. 16...bxa3 17.Rxa3 Bf8! (17...Nbd7 18.Bd4 Qb7 19.d6 Bf8 20.Be2 Bxd6 21.Ra1 Qd5 22.0-0 a5 23.Nb1± ½-½ (41) Mokhov, V (2287) – Badmatsyrenov, O (2450) Barnaul 2011) 18.Bd4 Qb7 19.Ra1 (19.Bxf6 Bxa3 20.bxa3 c3 21.Ne4 c2 22.Qc1 Bxf1 23.Rxf1 Qxd5 24.Nfd2 Nd7 25.Bd4 Rab8ƒ) 19...Nxd5 20.Be2 c3! (20...Nc6 21.0-0 Nxd4 22.Nxd4 a6 23.Bf3 Rd8 24.Ne4 Qb6 25.Nc3 Nxc3 26.bxc3 Rac8 27.Qc2 Qf6= ½-½ (59) Nakamura, H (2791) – Caruana, F (2807) Saint Louis 2016) 21.bxc3 Nxc3 22.Bxc3 Bxe2 23.Qxe2 Rxc3 24.0-0 a5= 17.Rc1 A) 17.Be2 c3 18.Nb3 cxb2 19.Bxb2 Bxe2 20.Qxe2 Nxd5µ B) 17.a5 Qb7 18.Rc1 Nbd7! 19.Bxc4 (19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Nxc4 Bxc4 21.Rxc4 Bxb2 22.Be2 Bc3+ 23.Kf1 Rxc4 24.Bxc4 Rc8ƒ) 19...Nxe5 20.Nxe5 Nxd5 21.Bxa6 Qxa6 22.Nec4

Position after: 22.Nec4 22...Nc3!? 23.Qb3 Qc6 24.f3 (24.bxc3 Qxg2 25.Rf1 bxc3 26.Rxc3 Rab8 27.Qc2 Bxc3 28.Qxc3 Qxh2„) 24...Na4 25.0-0 Nc5 26.Qc2 Rd8 27.Rfd1 Qe6© 17...c3 18.bxc3 Bxf1 19.Nxf1 Nbd7 20.Bd4

Position after: 20.Bd4 20...Qa6 20...Qa5 21.c4! (21.cxb4 Qxb4+ 22.N1d2 Rxc1 23.Qxc1 Nxd5 24.Qa1 Nc3 25.Qxc3 Qxc3 26.Bxc3 Bxc3 27.Ke2

Nc5 28.Rc1 Nxa4=) 21...Nc5 22.Ng3 b3+ 23.Bc3 Qxa4 24.0-0 Rab8 25.Qe2 Ncd7 26.Bb2² 21.Ng3 bxc3 22.Ne2 Ne4! 23.0-0 23.Bxg7 Kxg7 24.0-0 Ndf6© 23...Bxd4 24.Nfxd4 Nb6

Position after: 24...Nb6 25.Qc2 Nd2 26.Rfe1 Nxd5 27.Nxc3 Nxc3 28.Qxd2 Nxa4 29.Ra1 Rc4„

3) 7.Bf4 a6 3a) 8.Nd2 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bf4 a6!? This move has a purpose to prevent any early ‘Qa4’ ideas. 8.Nd2

Position after: 8.Nd2 An odd looking move, it never really caught on but its not without venom. White ignores ‘...b5’ hoping to profit from attacking ‘d6’. 8...b5 9.a4 9.e4 Bg7 10.Be2 0-0 11.0-0 Re8 12.Bf3 Ra7 13.a3 Rae7 14.Rc1 Qb6 15.b4 Nbd7 16.Nb3 Ne5 17.Be2 Bg4!„ 0-1 (41) Damljanovic, B (2400) – Sznapik, A (2460) Belgrade 1984. 9...Nh5 The following alternative is possible: 9...b4 10.Nce4 Nxe4 11.Nxe4 Be7 12.e3 0-0 13.Nd2 f5

Position after: 13...f5 The position is unclear, for example: 14.h3 Nd7 15.a5 Nf6 16.Nc4 Bb7 17.Nb6 Rb8 18.Be2 Nd7 19.Nc4 Nf6 20.Bf3 Rf7 21.0-0 Qf8 22.Re1 Ne4 23.Bxe4 fxe4 24.Re2 Rf5 25.Nb6 Qf7 26.Rd2 g5 27.Bg3 Rf8 28.f3 exf3 29.e4 Rf6 30.Nd7 fxg2 31.Nxf6+ Bxf6© 10.Be3 White can sacrifice a piece but it’s a bit suspicious: 10.axb5 Nxf4 11.bxa6 (11.Qa4 Bh6 12.bxa6+ Kf8 13.a7 Na6 14.e3 Rxa7 15.exf4 Re7+ 16.Be2 Nb4µ) 11...Nd7 12.e3 Nxg2!? 13.Bxg2 Bxa6 and Black is fine. 10...b4 11.Nce4

Position after: 11.Nce4 11...Bf5!?N The usual idea that was already tested seems OK as well: 11...Be7 12.Bh6 (12.Nc4 0-0 13.Bh6 Re8 14.e3 a5 15.Be2 Ba6 16.Qc2 Nf6 17.Nxf6+ Bxf6 18.0-0 Qe7 19.Bf4 Bxc4 20.Bxc4 Nd7 21.Rae1 Be5 22.Bxe5 Qxe5 23.Bb5 Re7 24.Re2 Rc8 25.Bxd7 Rxd7 26.Qc4 f5 27.Rd1 Ra7 28.f3 Kg7 29.Rdd2 Re8 30.Qb5 Ree7=) 12...f5 13.Ng3

Position after: 13.Ng3 13...Bf8!? (13...Nf6 14.e4 Ng4 15.Bf4 fxe4 16.Ngxe4 0-0 17.Bg3 Nh6 18.Bc4 Nf5 19.0-0 Nd7=) 14.Bxf8 Nxg3 15.hxg3 Kxf8 16.e3 Qf6 17.Nc4 Nd7 18.a5 Bb7 19.Be2 Kg7 20.f4 Rae8 21.Kf2 h5 22.Bf3 Qf8 23.Qd3 Nf6 24.Rae1

Qe7= 12.Ng3 12.g3 Bg7 13.b3 Bxe4 14.Nxe4 f5 15.Nd2 0-0 16.Nc4 Nd7 17.Nxd6 Qf6–+ 12...Nxg3 13.hxg3 Nd7

Position after: 13...Nd7 We reached an unusual set-up but Black should be ok. 14.Nc4 Not the only move of course: A) 14.f3 Qe7 15.Bf2 Bg7 16.e4 (16.g4 Bd3!„; 16.b3 Bc2!µ) 16...g5!? (16...Bxb2 17.Ra2 Bc3 18.Be2 Bxe4 19.fxe4 Qxe4 20.0-0±; 16...Ne5 17.Be2 Bc8 18.f4 Nd7 19.Qc2 0-0 20.0-0²) 17.Nc4 Bg6 18.g4 h5∞ B) 14.Bf4 g5 15.e4 gxf4 16.exf5 fxg3³ 14...Ne5!?

Position after: 14...Ne5!? My idea was to challenge that Knight at once! 15.Nxe5 dxe5 16.Qb3 h5 17.Qc4 Qf6 18.Rd1 Bd6 19.b3 Kd7!? 20.Bc1 e4 21.e3 Bg4 22.Be2 Qc3+³ 3b) 8.e4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bf4 a6 8.e4 b5

Position after: 8...b5

Probably the best. 9.Bd3! A positional idea and best here! Now the position will transpose to the ‘h3-Bd3-Nf3’ line where White ignores to take on b5 but instead simply plays 0-0. An important alternative that for a while caught on was: 9.Qe2 Be7

Position after: 9...Be7 A) 10.e5 dxe5 11.Bxe5 (11.Bh6!? e4 12.Ne5 Bf8 13.Bg5 Bg7 14.Nxe4 0-0 15.0-0-0 Nbd7 16.Nc6 Qb6 17.Nxf6+ Nxf6∞) 11...Nbd7 12.0-0-0 (12.Bg3 0-0 13.Qd1 Re8 14.Be2 b4 15.Na4 Bb7 16.d6 Bf8 17.0-0 Ne4µ) 12...Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Qd6 14.Nc6 Bd7 15.Ne4 Nxe4 16.Qxe4 Kf8 Black is fine. B) 10.0-0-0 0-0 11.e5 Ng4 12.Ne4 dxe5 13.Nxe5 Nxe5 14.Bxe5 Nd7 15.Bf4 Re8 16.Qc2 Nf6 17.d6 Nxe4 18.Qxe4 Bf6!N 19.Qxa8 Bxb2+ 20.Kxb2 Qf6+ 21.Kc2 Bf5+–+ C) 10.Qc2 This direct attempt doesn’t give anything, on the contrary it can backfire: 10...0-0 11.a4 (11.Be2 Re8 12.0-0 Bf8 13.a3 Bg4!? 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Bxf3 Nbd7 16.b3 Ne5 17.Be2 Bg7 18.Rac1 Rc8 19.a4 b4 20.Nd1 c4³) 11...b4

Position after: 11...b4 C1) 12.Nd1 b3 13.Qc4 (13.Qxb3 Nxe4 14.Bd3 Nf6! 15.0-0 Nbd7 16.Nc3 Rb8 17.Qa2 Rb4∞) 13...Nbd7 14.Ra3 Rb8 15.Rxb3 Rxb3 16.Qxb3 Nxe4 17.Bd3 Nef6 18.0-0 Qb6 19.Qa2 Re8 20.Nc3 Bf8³ C2) 12.Nb1 Re8 13.Bd3 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 f5 15.Bd3 Bg5+ 16.Be3 b3 17.Qxb3 f4 18.Qc2 fxe3 19.Bxg6 exf2+ 20.Kf1 Re1+ 21.Nxe1 fxe1=Q+ 22.Kxe1 hxg6 23.Qxg6+ Kh8 24.h4 Bf4∞ 9...Bg7

Position after: 9...Bg7

10.0-0 0-0 11.Re1 Re8 12.h3 This position is again a transposition to the modern line where White simply ignores ‘...b5’ with 0-0. 12...Bb7 13.Qd2 Qb6

Position after: 13...Qb6 14.a3 A) 14.a4 c4„ B) 14.b3!? Nbd7 15.Rac1 Rac8 16.a3 (16.a4 c4! 17.bxc4 b4 18.Nb1 a5©) 16...Nh5 17.Be3 (17.Bh2 Nhf6! Standing still is sometimes best! 18.a4 c4 19.bxc4 b4 20.Nd1 a5©) 17...Qa5„ 14...Nbd7 15.b4 Rac8 16.Rac1 Re7!? 17.Bg5 17.Bb1 Rce8 18.Bg5 a5!„ 17...Ree8 With a balanced game ahead. 3c) 8.a4 Bg7 9.e4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bf4 a6 8.a4 Bg7

Position after: 8...Bg7 Now Black does not need to worry about any ‘Qa4’ ideas but including ...a6-a4 means also that ...Na6 is not an option anymore. 9.e4!? A very important line that can be reached either from the ‘Bf4 line’ or our ‘Main line’ (e4-Nf3-Be2-0-0). Due to its importance it has to be examined in detail and it is very important for everyone who wants to play our Benoni the most dynamic and correct way. 9...0-0 10.Be2 Bg4 This line reaches an important crossroad, because if White does play an early Knight to d2 then the lines such as ‘...Na6-...Nc7’ are handled in this book or ‘...Na6-...Ne8’, another interesting system. Therefore this line serves as a system to overcome such obstacles. It’s regarded as a descent line but it’s not just simple chess here. There are profound strategical ideas for both sides available. 11.0-0 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 Qe7

Position after: 12...Qe7 A very important line for many reasons. As I already stated it is transpositional also if White keeps his Knight on f3 as long as possible. The best way to handle is to head for the ...Bg4-line. By doing so Black opens the position, gets his pieces out and a firm control over the e5-square. On the other hand White preserves the bishop pair and and the centre. An interesting battle lies ahead of us. 13.Re1 13.e5 dxe5 14.d6 Qe6 15.Re1 Nbd7 16.Bxb7 Ra7 17.Bf3 Rb8 18.Qd2 Bf8 19.Rad1 Rb6 20.Be3 Rxd6 21.Qc2 Rc7³ ½½ (21) Molnar, L (2254) – Hardicsay, P (2304) Hungary 1999. 13...Nbd7 14.Qd2 14.a5 h5 15.Na4!? Nh7 16.Rb1 (16.Bd2 Ng5 17.g3 Nxf3+ 18.Qxf3 Rae8 19.Qb3 Ne5 20.Nb6 g5 21.f4 gxf4 22.Bxf4 f5∞ 0-1 (39) Fonseca Gonzalez, J – Hruby, M corr. 2010) 16...Ng5 17.b4 c4 18.Be2 Nxe4 19.Bxc4 Rae8 20.Qc2 f5 21.Nc5 Ne5 22.Ne6 Rc8 23.Bxe5 Bxe5 24.Nxf8 Kxf8© ½-½ (38) Weber, J (2145) – Betker, J (2253) Internet 2006. 14...Rfe8 15.a5 Rac8

Position after: 15...Rac8 16.Na4 A) 16.Be2!? c4 17.f3 Nh5 18.Bg5 Bf6 19.Bxf6 (19.Be3 Be5 20.g3 Nc5∞) 19...Qxf6 20.Na4 Nf4 21.Bf1 Nc5 22.Nb6 Nb3 23.Qc3 Qxc3 24.bxc3 Nd3 25.Nxc8 Rxc8 26.Reb1 Nxa1 27.Rxa1 Nc5= B) 16.Bd1!? Ne5 17.Na4 c4 18.Bc2 Nh5 19.Bxe5 Bxe5 20.g3 Nf6 21.Bd1 c3 22.Nxc3 Bxc3 23.bxc3 Qe5 24.Bf3 Qxc3 25.Qxc3 Rxc3 26.Bg2 Nd7³ ½-½ (41) Hansen, C (2607) – Jobava, B (2601) Skanderborg 2005. 16...h5 17.h3 The alternative is very interesting and critical... 17.Rac1 Nh7 (17...Ng4 18.h3 Nge5 19.Be2²) 18.g3!?N

Position after: 18.g3!?N (18.h3 transposes to the main line.) This is a paradoxal idea. White wants h4 as well, stopping Black’s activity on the kingside. The main problem for White remains the unstable position of his Bishop on f3. With this idea White intends to secure his position and structure. A) 18...Bd4 19.Bg2 (19.h4 Nhf6 20.b4 Ne5!µ) A1) 19...Qf6 A1.1) 20.Bh3 Rc7 21.Bxd7 (21.b4 g5 22.Nb6 gxf4 23.Nxd7 Qd8 24.Qxf4 Rxd7 25.Bxd7 Qxd7 26.bxc5 dxc5 27.Kg2∞) 21...Rxd7 22.h4 Rde7 23.b4 cxb4 24.Rc4 Rxe4 25.Rxe4 Rxe4 26.Kg2 Nf8 27.Qd3² A1.2) 20.h4! Ne5 21.Nb6 Rc7 22.Bxe5 Qxe5 23.Nc4 Qf6 24.Kh2!²

Position after: 24.Kh2!² We got an ideal set-up for White in this line and this example shows the strenghts of White’s g3 idea: pure positional play. A2) 19...g5!? 20.Be3 Qf6

Position after: 20...Qf6 A2.1) 21.Bxd4 Qxd4 22.Qxd4 cxd4 23.f4 gxf4 24.gxf4 Nhf6 (24...Rxc1 25.Rxc1 Ndf6 26.e5 dxe5 27.fxe5 Rxe5 28.Nb6 Ng5∞) 25.Rxc8 Rxc8 26.h3 Rc4 27.b3 Rb4 28.e5 Ne8 29.Bf3 Rb5 30.Bxh5 dxe5 31.fxe5 Ng7 32.Bf3 Rxa5=

A2.2) 21.b4 Bxe3∞ A2.3) 21.f4 h4 22.Bxd4 (22.Bh3 Rxe4 23.Bxd7 hxg3 24.hxg3 Rd8 25.Nb6 gxf4 26.Bxd4 Rxd4 27.Qe2 Ng5µ) 22...Qxd4+ 23.Qxd4 cxd4 24.Rxc8 Rxc8 25.Bh3² B) 18...Be5 19.Be3 Qf6 20.Bg2 Bd4 21.f4² C) 18...g5 19.Be3 g4 20.Bg2 Bd4!?

Position after: 20...Bd4!? Black blocked White’s structure and closed his Bishop on g2. However, his position remains compromised and we are in need of some great ideas. 21.h4 (21.Bxd4 cxd4 22.Qxd4 Ne5©) 21...Qf6 22.Bf4 (22.Rf1 Bxe3 23.Qxe3 Ne5 24.Nb6 Rcd8 25.b4 cxb4 26.Rb1 Nf8 27.Rxb4 Nfd7„) 22...Nhf8 23.Bg5 Qg7 24.b4 cxb4 25.Qxb4 Ne5 with complications. 17...Nh7 18.Rac1

Position after: 18.Rac1 18...Bd4!?N Not the only move but I kept it as the main line because of this new attempt. A) 18...Bf6 This move doesn’t have the best reputation still it is not bad either: 19.b4 (19.g3!? Ne5 20.Bg2 h4 21.Nb6 Rcd8 22.Re3 hxg3 23.Bxg3 g5 24.b4 cxb4 25.Qxb4 Nf8 26.Rec3 Nfg6 27.Rc7 Qf8 28.R1c2 Nf4∞) A1) 19...Bg5 20.bxc5 dxc5 21.Nb6 Nxb6 22.axb6 Bxf4 (22...Qf6 23.g3±) 23.Qxf4 Qe5 24.Qxe5 Rxe5 25.g3² 1-0 (29) Kozul, Z (2597) – Cebalo, M (2486) Celje 2003 A2) 19...c4 20.g3! (20.Rc2 Ng5„) 20...h4 21.Bg4 hxg3 22.Bxg3² A3) 19...cxb4!?N

Position after: 19...cxb4!?N An important new idea that sheds new light on this line. 20.Qxb4 Rxc1 21.Rxc1 (21.Bxc1 Nc5 22.Nxc5 dxc5 23.Qa4 Be5 24.Be3 Rc8 25.g3 c4 26.Bg2 h4 27.f4 Bc3 28.Rc1 Bb4 29.gxh4 Nf6 30.e5 Bc5 31.Bxc5 Qxc5+ 32.Kh1 Nxd5³) 21...Ne5 22.Be2 Bg5 23.Bxg5 Qxg5 24.Rc2 Qf4 25.g3 Qf6

Position after: 25...Qf6 26.f4 (26.Kg2 h4 27.Qxb7 hxg3 28.fxg3 Ng5 29.Rc8 Nxe4!! 30.Rxe8+ Kh7 31.Qb6 Qg5 32.g4 Qf4 33.Qd4 Qg3+ 34.Kf1 Qxh3+ 35.Kg1 Qg3+=) and now 26...h4!!

Position after: 26...h4!! 27.Kg2 (27.fxe5 Qxe5 28.Qc3 Qxe4 29.Nb6 hxg3 30.Bg4 Nf6 31.Re2 Qb1+ 32.Kg2 Rxe2+ 33.Bxe2 Qa2 34.Qxf6 Qxe2+ 35.Kxg3 Qe1+ 36.Kg2 Qd2+=) 27...hxg3 28.Kxg3

Position after: 28.Kxg3 28...Ng5!! 29.fxg5 (29.Nc3 Nxh3!–+) 29...Qxg5+ 30.Kh2 Qf4+ 31.Kg2 Qg5+ 32.Kf1 Qf4+ 33.Ke1 Qe3 34.Kd1 Nd3 35.Bxd3 Qxd3+ 36.Rd2 Qf3+ 37.Kc2 Rxe4 38.Qc3 Qf1 39.Nb2 Qb5= B) 18...Be5

Position after: 18...Be5 The classical approach. Black wants to exchange the dark squared Bishop and rendering the Bishop on f3 lame. It also frees the g5-square for the Knight. 19.Be3 B1) An older attempt is also of some importance: 19...Qf6

Position after: 19...Qf6 B1.1) 20.Rc4!?N 20...Qh4 21.Rec1 g5 22.Nb6 (22.b4 g4 23.g3 Bxg3 24.fxg3 Qxg3+ 25.Qg2 Qxf3 26.Qxf3 gxf3 27.bxc5 Nhf6 28.c6 Ne5 29.Nb6 Rc7 30.R4c2 Nxe4µ) 22...Nxb6 23.axb6 a5!∞ B1.2) 20.b4 cxb4!?N Again this motive in this line. (20...c4 21.Nc3 Qh4 22.Ne2 Ndf6 23.g3 Qxh3 24.Bg2 Qg4

25.f3 Qd7 26.f4 Nxe4 27.Bxe4 Bxf4 28.Bxf4 Rxe4 29.Nc3± 1-0 (37) Kozul, Z (2490) – Damljanovic, B (2530) Yugoslavia 1989) 21.Qxb4 Rxc1

Position after: 21...Rxc1 B1.2a) 22.Rxc1 Bf4 23.e5!? (23.Qxb7 Ne5„) 23...dxe5 24.Qxb7 Bxe3 (24...e4 25.Qxd7 Rd8 26.Qc6 Bxe3 27.Qxf6 Nxf6 28.fxe3 exf3 29.Nb6 fxg2 30.Rc4 Re8 31.d6 Rxe3 32.d7 Nxd7 33.Nxd7 Ra3 34.Rc5 Rxh3 35.Nb8 Rg3 36.Nxa6 h4 37.Nb4 h3 38.Rc1 Ra3 39.a6 g5µ An entertaining line!) 25.Qxd7 (25.fxe3 Nhf8 26.Qb4 Qg5 27.Qd2 e4 28.Be2 Ne5 29.Rf1 Nfd7∞) 25...Bxc1 26.Qxe8+ Kg7 27.Nc5 Ng5 28.Bd1 Bb2= B1.2b) 22.Bxc1 Ng5 23.Qxb7 (23.Bxg5 Qxg5 24.Qxb7 Nc5 25.Nxc5 dxc5=; 23.Bd1 Bd4µ) 23...Nxf3+ 24.gxf3 Qxf3 25.Qxd7 Bh2+ 26.Kf1 Qh1+ 27.Ke2 Qxe4+ 28.Be3 Qc4+= B2) 19...Qh4!?N 20.b4

Position after: 20.b4 (20.Rc4 f5!µ; 20.Bd1 Nhf6 21.Bg5 Nxe4 22.Bxh4 Nxd2 23.Bg5 Bf4! 24.Rxe8+ Rxe8 25.Bxf4 Re1+ 26.Kh2 Nf1+=) B2.1) 20...c4!? 21.Rc2! (21.Nc3 Ndf6 is less clear) 21...Bf6! 22.g3 Qxh3 23.Bg2 Qg4 24.Bf4 Ng5 25.Qe2 Nh3+ 26.Bxh3 Qxh3 27.Bxd6 Be5 28.Bxe5 Nxe5 29.Nb6 Rcd8 30.Rc3 f5∞ B2.2) 20...cxb4! Again! 21.Qxb4 (21.Rxc8 Rxc8 22.Qxb4 Rc7∞) 21...Rxc1 22.Bxc1 Ndf6!? 23.Qxb7

Position after: 23.Qxb7 23...g5!? Full Attack! (23...Ng4 24.hxg4 hxg4 25.Bxg4 Qxg4 26.Qxa6 Nf6 27.Qd3 Nxe4 28.Nb6 Nxf2 29.Qf3

Qxf3 30.gxf3 Nd3 31.Rd1=) 24.Re3!? (24.Qxa6 g4 25.g3 Bxg3µ) 24...Bd4 (24...g4 25.g3!+–) 25.Qxa6 Bxe3 26.Bxe3 Nxe4 27.Qb5 Nef6 28.a6 Rxe3 29.fxe3 g4=

Position after: 18...Bd4!?N 19.Be3 The alternative also brings us to unexplored waters: 19.b4 Qf6 20.Rc4 (20.bxc5 Nxc5 21.Nxc5 Bxc5=) A) 20...g5 is highly risky but possible: 21.Bg3 Qg6 22.bxc5∞ dxc5 23.Rxd4 cxd4 24.Qxd4 (24.e5 Qc2 25.Qxc2 Rxc2 26.e6 Ndf6∞) 24...f5∞ (24...g4?! 25.hxg4 hxg4 26.Bd1±) B) 20...Ne5 21.Bxe5 Qxe5 22.bxc5 dxc5 23.Nxc5 (23.Nb6 Rcd8 24.Rcc1 Ng5 25.Nc4 Nxf3+–+) 23...Bxc5 24.Rec1 Bxf2+ 25.Qxf2 Rxc4 26.Rxc4 Qa1+ 27.Kh2 Qxa5∞ 19...Qf6 20.Bxd4 20.b4 Bxe3 21.Rxe3 Qd4µ 20...Qxd4! 21.Qxd4 cxd4

Position after: 21...cxd4 22.Red1 No time for positional play in this endgame: 22.h4 Nhf6 23.g3 d3µ 22...Rxc1 23.Rxc1 Ng5 24.Rd1 Nxe4 25.Rxd4 Ng5 26.Rb4 Re1+ 27.Kh2 Ne5 28.Nc3 Ngxf3+ 29.gxf3 h4 30.Kg2 Nd3 31.Rxh4 f5„ 3d) 8.a4 Bg7 9.h3 0-0 10.e3 Re8 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bf4 a6 8.a4 Bg7 9.h3 9.g3!? With the insertion of ...a6-a4, White has this extra possibility. 9...0-0 10.Bg2 may transpose to the fianchetto lines and that is indeed an interesting transposition rarely seen I may add and something that Black should closely investigate. 9...0-0 10.e3

Position after: 10.e3 The best plan (10...Re8) was found again by Gashimov and it looks really good though, still as usual, an unbalanced Benoni appears. It is important to add that I decided to cover all three major plans for Black, while considering Gashimov’s idea best. The other two plans (next two subchapters) with ...Qe7-...Rb8 and ...Ne8-...Rb8 should be examined closely while Gashimov’s idea is a bit different. 10...Re8 This is a starting move of his plan. 11.Nd2 A) 11.Be2 Ne4 12.Nxe4 Rxe4 13.Nd2 Rb4 14.Nc4 Nd7 15.0-0 Nb6 16.Nxd6 Rxf4 17.Nxc8 Rb4 (17...Rxa4 18.Rxa4 Nxa4 19.Qxa4 Rxc8∞) 18.Nxb6 Qxb6 19.a5 Qd6 20.Ra2 Bxb2 21.Qc2 Bg7 22.Bc4 Re8 23.Rc1 f5 24.g3 Bf6 25.Bf1 Rc8 26.Rb1 Rc7 27.Bc4∞ ½-½ (50) Onischuk, A (2675) – Gashimov, V (2760) Ningbo 2011. B) Recently introduced as a possible improvement against Gashimov’s idea: 11.Bd3!?

Position after: 11.Bd3!? B1) 11...Nh5 12.Bh2 Nd7 13.Be2! Good move! The Knight on h5 is not so great. (13.0-0 Ne5 14.Nxe5 Bxe5 15.Bxe5 Rxe5„) 13...f5 14.Nd2 (14.0-0 Bf8 15.Rb1² ½-½ (30) Gelfand, B (2740) – Iordachescu, V (2581) Civitanova Marche 2016) 14...Ne5 15.Bxe5 Bxe5 16.Bxh5 gxh5 17.Qxh5 b6 18.Nc4 Bxc3+ 19.bxc3 Re4 20.Nd2 Rh4 21.Qf3 Ra7 22.g3 Rh6 23.Qf4± 1-0 (34) Lenderman, A (2614) – Flores, D (2592) San Salvador 2016. B2) 11...Nbd7 12.0-0

Position after: 12.0-0 (12.Bh2 Nb6! 13.0-0 Nfxd5 14.Nxd5 Nxd5 15.Bxg6 hxg6 16.Qxd5 Bf5 17.Rad1 Be4 18.Qxd6 Qxd6 19.Bxd6 c4=)

B2.1) 12...Nh5 B2.1a) 13.Bg5!? Bf6 14.Bh6 (14.Bxf6!? Nhxf6 15.Nd2²) 14...Ne5 15.Be2 Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Ng7 17.e4 Bd7 18.a5 Rb8 19.Qd2 b5 20.axb6 Rxb6 21.Ra2 Bd4∞ B2.1b) 13.Bh2 Ne5 14.Be2 Nxf3+ 15.Bxf3 Nf6 16.e4 Nd7!∞ ½-½ (19) Sakaev, K (2607) – Kovacevic, A (2581) Vrnjacka Banja 2010. B2.1c) 13.Bxd6! Qb6 14.Bh2 Qxb2 15.Ne4 Qxa1 16.Qxa1 Bxa1 17.Rxa1 Nhf6 18.Nd6 Re7 19.e4ƒ B2.2) 12...Qe7 Best move! Now we have an interesting situation, if White goes e4, he will be a tempo down on the ‘Nf3-h3-Bd3’ line in which Black opts for the ‘...a6-...Re8-...Nbd7’ position. A tempo is an important aspect in chess, meaning White at this point has limited options:

Position after: 12...Qe7 B2.2a) 13.Nd2 Ne5 14.Be2 Nfd7 15.Qc2 f5 16.Rae1∞ 1-0 (40) Damljanovic, B (2596) – Milanko, N (2095) Obrenovac 2008. B2.2b) 13.Re1 Nh5 14.Bh2 f5 15.Qd2 Ne5 16.Be2 Nf7 (16...Nxf3+!? 17.Bxf3 Nf6 18.e4 Qf8 19.a5 fxe4 20.Nxe4 Nxe4 21.Bxe4 Bd7=) 17.Bd3 Bd7 18.a5 Rf8 19.Ra3 Rae8 20.Rb1 g5 21.Qd1 g4³ 1-0 (47) Caletka, R (2324) – Kanovsky, D (2415) Czechia 2012. B2.2c) 13.Qb3 Rb8 (13...Nh5 14.Bh2 Ne5 15.Be2 Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Nf6 17.a5 Nd7 18.Na4 Be5! 19.Bxe5 Nxe5 20.Be2 Bf5 21.Nb6 Rad8 22.Qc3²) 14.Rfe1 b6!? 15.e4 Nh5 16.Bh2 Be5 17.Nxe5 Nxe5 18.Be2 Qg5∞ 11...Nbd7!

Position after: 11...Nbd7! Gashimov’s idea. 12.Be2 Taking the pawn brings nothing: 12.Bxd6 Nb6 13.Bxc5 Nfxd5 14.Bxb6 Nxb6 15.Nc4 (15.Be2 Nd5 16.Nxd5 Qxd5 17.0-0 Rd8 18.Nc4 Qg5∞) 15...Qxd1+! (15...Qf6 16.a5 Nxc4 17.Bxc4 Qh4 18.Ra4 Bxc3+ 19.bxc3 Rxe3+ 20.Be2 Re4 21.Rxe4 Qxe4 22.0-0 Be6∞ ½-½ (40) Biriukov, O (2332) – Tselkovskiy, K (1991) St Petersburg 2012) 16.Kxd1 Re6 17.Kc2 Rc6 18.Nxb6 Rxb6 19.Bd3 Be6∞ 12...Ne5 13.0-0 An important line is actually given as a sideline here: 13.Bh2!?

Position after: 13.Bh2!? The idea of this move is to prevent the ...Nfd7-idea! A) 13...Nfd7? 14.f4! Nd3+ 15.Bxd3 Rxe3+ 16.Be2 Rxh3 17.Kf1 Rh4 18.g3± B) 13...Qe7 14.0-0 Nfd7 15.Re1! (15.f4 Nd3 16.Bxd3 Qxe3+ 17.Kh1 Qxd3 18.Nde4 Qxd1 19.Raxd1=) 15...f5 16.e4

Position after: 16.e4 Now Black has couple of options: B1) 16...Qf6 17.exf5 gxf5 18.Bf1! (18.Qc2 Nf8 19.Nc4 Nxc4 20.Bxc4 Bd7 21.Qb3 f4∞ 0-1 (49) Tabatabaei, M (2448) – Yilmaz, M (2570) Moscow 2015) 18...Re7 19.Qh5 Nf8 20.Bxe5 Rxe5 21.Nc4 Rxe1 22.Rxe1±

B2) 16...fxe4 B2.1) 17.Ndxe4 Nf6 18.Bxe5 Qxe5 19.Bxa6 Bf5 20.Bd3 Nxe4 21.Bxe4 Bd7!© (21...Bxe4 22.Rxe4 Qf5² ½-½ (27) Csonka, B (2433) – Donchenko, A (2570) Zalakaros 2015) B2.2) 17.Ncxe4!? Nf6 18.Bxe5 Qxe5 19.Bf3± B3) 16...Qf8 17.f4 Nf7 18.Bd3

Position after: 18.Bd3 B3.1) 18...fxe4 19.Ndxe4 Nf6 20.Ng5!? (20.Qc2 Nxe4 21.Nxe4 Bd7 22.a5 Rab8∞ ½-½ (35) Ragger, M (2674) – Kovacevic, A (2575) Neum 2011) 20...Rxe1+ 21.Qxe1 Nxg5 22.fxg5 Ne8 23.Qe2² B3.2) 18...Bd4+!? 19.Kh1 Nf6 20.Qc2 Nh6 21.Ne2!? fxe4 22.Nxe4 Bxb2 23.Qxb2 (23.Nxd6 Bxa1 24.Nxe8 Qxe8 25.Rxa1 Bf5 26.Bg1 Rc8 27.g4 Bxd3 28.Qxd3 c4 29.Qf3 Qe4=) 23...Nxe4 24.Nd4 Nf5 25.Ne6 Bxe6 26.dxe6 Qf6 27.Rab1 Neg3+ 28.Kg1 Qxb2 29.Rxb2 d5 30.Rxb7 c4∞ C) 13...g5!? An interesting attempt.

Position after: 13...g5!? 14.0-0 (14.Bxe5 Rxe5 15.Nf3 Re8 16.Nxg5 h6 17.Nf3 Ne4 18.Qb3 Bxc3+ 19.bxc3 Qf6 20.Rc1 b5 21.axb5 axb5 22.0-0 Qg7 23.Kh1 Kh8©) 14...g4 15.Bxe5 (15.hxg4 Nfxg4 16.Bg3 h5∞) 15...Rxe5 16.hxg4 (16.Nc4 gxh3!? 17.Nxe5 dxe5 18.g3 e4 is an interesting way to obtain compensation.) 16...Nxd5 17.Nxd5 (17.Nc4 Nxc3 18.bxc3 Re6 19.Qd5 Bd7 20.Qxb7 Rb8 21.Qd5 Rc8 22.Qd3 Rh6 23.g3 Bc6 24.e4 d5 25.Ne3 dxe4 26.Qxd8+ Rxd8 27.Nf5 Re6 28.Bc4 Ree8 29.Nxg7 Kxg7 30.Bxa6 e3„) 17...Rxd5 18.Qc2

Position after: 18.Qc2 18...Rg5!?N (18...Qe7 19.Nc4 Rg5 20.Rfd1² ½-½ (37) Edouard, R (2620) – Zeller, F (2395) Switzerland 2016) 19.f4 Rxg4! 20.Bxg4 Bxg4 21.Nc4 Qe7 Black has compensation here.

13...Nfd7

Position after: 13...Nfd7 An interesting set-up, it’s a central strategy and after an eventual ‘...f5’, Black has few options to consider: ‘...Qe7-...b6-...Bb7-...Rf8-...Rae8’ or ‘...b6-...Bb7-...Qf6-...Re7’. This can be seen in various games and analysis that I made. It is important that Black considers the ‘...f5-...g5’ possibilities in order to keep his dynamic play. 14.Bg3 A) 14.e4 g5 15.Bg3 Nf8 Now it’s much more to the point to play ‘...g5’ as we firmly control ‘e5’ and also the other Knight will find his ‘g6’ square. Benoni is all about timing otherwise his tactics will not work. B) 14.Qc2 f5 15.Bh2 b6

Position after: 15...b6 B1) 16.Rfe1!? B1.1) 16...Nf6 There is a logic for this when White plays Rfe1. 17.Rad1!? (17.Bxe5 Rxe5 18.Nf3 Re8 19.Ng5 Qe7 20.Bc4 Nd7 21.Ne6 Bxc3!? 22.Qxc3 Nf6„) 17...Nf7!N of course Kovacevic is not naive. (17...Bb7 18.Bxe5; 17...Ra7 18.Bxe5 Rxe5 19.Nf3 Re8 20.Ng5; 17...Qc7?! 18.Bxe5! an important motive here! 18...Rxe5 19.Nf3 Re7 20.Ng5 Bd7 21.Bc4² 1-0 (54) Georgiev, K (2675) – Kovacevic, A (2581) Vrnjacka Banja 2010) 18.Rb1 Qc7∞ It’s not easy for both sides to improve their positions. B1.2) 16...Bb7!? or 16...Qf6!? are also playable. B1.3) 16...Nf7!? 17.Nc4 (17.e4 Nf6 18.Bd3 fxe4 19.Ndxe4 Nxe4 20.Nxe4 Bf5 21.Nc3 Bxd3 22.Qxd3 Qd7 23.Rxe8+ Qxe8=) 17...Nde5 (17...Nf6 18.Qb3 Rb8 19.Na5 Qc7 20.Nc6 Ra8 21.Bc4 Bb7 22.Rad1 Kh8∞ …...Ng5-...Nge4) 18.b3 Bb7∞ B2) 16.b3 Bb7 17.Nc4 Qe7

Position after: 17...Qe7 This plan is similar but we will see Black wants his Rooks on the kingside. 18.Rac1 Rf8! 19.Rfe1 Rae8 A logical idea and an important set-up. 20.Bg3

Position after: 20.Bg3 B2.1) 20...h5 This is a bit risky. 21.Bxe5 Bxe5 22.Nxe5 Qxe5 (22...Nxe5 23.f4 Nd7 24.Bc4 Qh4 25.Re2 Nf6 26.Qd3 Qg3∞) 23.Bc4 Nf6 (23...Re7 24.f4 Qf6 25.Re2 g5∞) 24.f4 Qe7 25.Qd3 Qf7 26.Bxa6 Bxa6 27.Qxa6 Nxd5 28.Nxd5 Qxd5 29.Qxb6 Rb8 30.Qa6 Rfd8± 31.Qc4 Qxc4 32.bxc4 Rb4 33.a5 Ra8 34.e4 Kf7 35.e5 ½-½ (35) Khairullin, I (2642) – Grigoryan, A (2614) Rogaska Slatina 2011.

B2.2) 20...Rf7 21.Bf1 g5 22.f4 Nxc4 23.bxc4 Qd8 24.Bd3 gxf4 25.exf4 Nf8 B2.3) 20...Bc8!? is also possible. B2.4) 20...Nxc4!? 21.bxc4 Bc8 22.Bf1 Be5 23.Bxe5 Nxe5 24.Ne2 g5∞ 14...f5

Position after: 14...f5 15.Qc2 White can also try the following direct idea: 15.f4 Nf7 16.Bf2 b6 17.Re1 Nf6 18.Bc4

Position after: 18.Bc4 A) 18...Bd7 19.Qe2 (19.e4 Nxe4 20.Ndxe4 fxe4³) 19...Qc8 20.Ra3 A1) 20...g5 21.Qf1 gxf4 22.exf4 Rxe1 (22...Qb7 23.Nf3 Nh5 24.Rxe8+ Bxe8 25.g3²) 23.Bxe1 Qe8 (23...Qb7 24.Nf3²) 24.Bf2 b5 25.axb5 axb5 26.Nxb5² 1-0 (40) Khenkin, I (2670) – Thorfinnsson, B (2388) Gallipoli 2012. A2) 20...Qb7!? 21.Rb1 Reb8 22.b4 b5! 23.bxc5 b4„ B) 18...Ra7!N Again we see this profound idea. 19.Rb1 g5 This is the correct way to handle!

Position after: 15.Qc2 15...b6 15...Kh8 This is probably a waste of time. 16.b3 Rb8 17.Nc4 Qf6 18.Rac1 b6 19.Qd2 Qe7?! 20.Rfe1 Nxc4 21.bxc4 Ne5 22.Bf1 Bd7 23.Rb1 g5!∞ The position is still rather complex although many tempi were lost. (23...Qf6 24.Rb3! g5 25.Reb1 Ng6 26.Ne2± 1-0 (49) Jakovenko, D (2726) – Papaioannou, I (2622) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010 but thanks to some clueless play from Black.) 16.b3

Position after: 16.b3 16...Qf6 Sharp alternatives are very much possible. A) 16...Nf6 17.Nc4 Nf7 The positions of the Knights are possible as we also saw in Kovacevic’s game. 18.Rab1 Bb7 (18...Qc7!?N 19.b4 f4!? An interesting motive! 20.Bxf4 Bf5 21.Bd3 Bxd3 22.Qxd3 cxb4 23.Rxb4 Rac8 24.Rc1 Qc5 25.Na2 Nxd5∞)

Position after: 18...Bb7

A1) 19.Rfd1 Nd7!? (19...Rc8!? it is not clear how to make progress here for White.) 20.b4 cxb4 21.Rxb4 Rc8∞ A2) 19.b4 cxb4 20.Rxb4 Rc8

Position after: 20...Rc8 A2.1) 21.Rxb6 Rxc4 (21...Bxd5 22.Nxd5 Nxd5 23.Rb7 Re7 24.Rxe7 Qxe7 25.Qd3 Nc3 26.Nb6 Rc6 27.a5 Rc5 28.Qxa6 Nxe2+ 29.Qxe2 Rxa5=) 22.Rxb7 Rc5 (also possible is: 22...Rc8 23.Qd2 Nh5 24.Nd1 Nxg3 25.fxg3 Ng5 26.Bd3 Re7 27.Rxe7 Qxe7©) 23.Qb3 Nh5 24.Nd1 Nxg3 25.fxg3 Be5 26.Bxa6 Ng5 27.Bd3 Bxg3© A2.2) 21.Rd1 Nd7! (21...a5 22.Rxb6 Rxc4 23.Rxb7 Rc5 24.Qd2 Nh5 25.Bxh5 Bxc3 26.Qd3 gxh5 27.Qxf5 Qf6 28.Qxh5 Qg6∞ ½-½ (61) Eljanov, P (2751) – Gashimov, V (2734) Astrakhan 2010) 22.Rbb1 Rc5„ B) 16...Bb7!?N 17.Nc4 (17.e4 Nf7 18.Rae1 Qf6 19.Ncb1 f4∞) 17...Qe7 18.Rfe1 Rf8∞ (…...Rae8) The same as we saw in the Khairullin – Grigoryan game! This is also possible here. 17.Rac1

Position after: 17.Rac1 17...Bb7! This is probably the correct plan. Black must bring both Rooks to the Kingside. 18.Nc4 Re7!? Black wants to speed up the transfer of the Rooks. Also playable is 18...Nf7 19.Qd2 Re7 20.Na2 Rf8 21.b4 Ba8∞. 19.Bxe5! Nxe5! 20.Nxb6 Rae8!?N

Position after: 20...Rae8!?N Benoni is all about tactics but the pieces need to be placed correctly. Only then the tactics can work for you, if you miss it however your game is finished. 20...Rf8? 21.f4 Nf7 22.Nc4± 1-0 (39) Rodshtein, M (2638) – Grigoryan, A (2608) Albena 2011. 21.a5 A) 21.f4 Ng4! A nice tactical shot! 22.hxg4 Rxe3„ B) 21.Qb1 Qh4! 22.a5 f4 23.exf4 Qxf4© C) 21.g3 g5 22.Bh5 Rf8 23.f4 Qh6³ 21...Nf7 Combining pressure on the e-file with the ‘...f4’ idea. 21...Qh4 22.Ra1! Rf7 23.Ra4 Qh6 24.b4 cxb4 25.Rxb4 g5 26.Nb1 f4 27.exf4 gxf4 28.Nd2± 22.Qd2 22.Qb1 f4„ 22...Qh4 23.Nc4 Ng5!‚

Position after: 23...Ng5!‚ 3e) 8.a4 Bg7 9.h3 0-0 10.e3 Qe7 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bf4 a6 8.a4 Bg7 9.h3 0-0 10.e3 Qe7

Position after: 10...Qe7 11.Be2 Nbd7 12.0-0 Rb8 Another important set-up we need to cover. 13.Re1 This central play is normal here, but there are other ideas as well: A) 13.a5 Ne8 14.Nd2

Position after: 14.Nd2

A1) 14...Nc7?! 15.Nc4 Ne5 16.Nb6 Na8 17.Nxa8 Rxa8 18.Na4!N (18.Bg3 Rb8 19.f4 Nd7 20.e4 b5„ 0-1 (32) Le Roux, J (2563) – Oleksienko, M (2539) Sautron 2012) 18...Bd7 19.Nb6 Rae8 20.b4± This represents what White is aiming for. A2) 14...Ne5! 13.a5 was tricky, Black must stop ‘Nc4’ which is the starting point to exchange all on a5 and Na4. 15.Qc2

Position after: 15.Qc2 A2.1) 15...f5 16.Bg3 Nf6 17.Rfe1 Re8 Again Black is combining two ideas but in the wrong way. 18.Ra3 (18.f4 no need for this at all 18...Nf7 19.Nc4 Bd7 20.Bd3 Ne4 21.Bh2 Nxc3 22.bxc3 Bb5„ ½-½ (44) Maletin, P (2596) – Kopylov, A (2446) Samara 2012) 18...Bd7 19.Rb3² A2.2) 15...Nc7!∞ This is more to the point like we saw in the Cvitan-game. B) 13.Bh2 Ne8 14.Nd2

Position after: 14.Nd2 14...Nc7! (14...f5?! As I said this move is only good in the Gashimov line. 15.Nc4 Ne5 16.Nb6 Nc7 17.a5 Bd7 18.Qb3 Be8 19.Rae1 Na8 20.f4 Nd7 21.Nxa8 Rxa8 22.e4 fxe4 23.Bg4© 1-0 (40) Socko, B (2619) – Atabayev, M (2446) St Petersburg 2012) 15.Nc4 Ne5∞ Black should not combine these ideas here, he should stick to ...Nc7. C) 13.Nd2

Position after: 13.Nd2 C1) 13...Ne8 14.Nc4 b6 15.Qd2

C1.1) 15...f5?! The combination with f5 is simply not good as Black’s pieces are not moving towards the center. 16.Rfe1 Ne5 17.Bxe5 Bxe5 18.Nxe5 dxe5 19.e4 f4 20.d6 Nxd6 21.Rad1 Rd8 22.Qc2 Kg7 23.Kh2 Qh4µ 1-0 (43) Socko, M (2445) – Hou Yifan (2606) Khanty-Mansiysk 2012. C1.2) 15...Ne5 This must be played in this position. 16.Nxe5 dxe5!? 17.Bh2 Nd6 like in the Shaba game. C2) 13...Ne5 14.Bh2 Ne8 15.f4 (15.e4 g5 But here I don’t like this so much because the Knight is on e8. Although still possible, next will be Nc7 and b5.) 15...Nd3!ƒ 0-1 (37) Bocharov, D (2609) – Inarkiev, E (2686) Apatity 2011. 13...Ne8

Position after: 13...Ne8 14.e4! This move worries me a bit. 14.Nd2 Ne5 15.Bg3 Nc7! This is the correct plan. 16.a5 b5 17.axb6 Rxb6 18.Qc2

Position after: 18.Qc2 (18.f4 Nd7 19.Nc4 Rxb2„) A) 18...f5!? 19.f4 Nf7 20.Nc4 (20.Bf3 Bd7 21.e4 fxe4 22.Ndxe4 Qd8∞; 20.Bd3 Rb4 21.Kh1 Qd8 22.e4 fxe4 23.Ndxe4 Bb7∞) 20...Rb4 21.Rad1 Bd7 22.Kh2 Rfb8 23.Bf1 Qf8³ ½-½ (62) Iturrizaga, E (2649) – Quillan, G (2409) Gibraltar 2012. B) 18...Rb4

Position after: 18...Rb4 B1) 19.b3 f5 20.Nc4 Nxc4 21.bxc4 g5 (21...Bd7 22.Ra2 Rfb8 23.Bd3 is around equal.) 22.Bd3 Qf6 23.Ne2 Bd7

24.Reb1 Rfb8∞ 1-0 (50) Georgiev, K (2660) – Cvitan, O (2535) Vrsac 2012. B2) 19.f4 Nd7 20.e4 Nb6∞ B3) 19.Kh1 Interesting stuff. Should we play ‚...f5‘ or not? Usually I would agree, it should be a move played in this type of position. B3.1) 19...f5 20.f4 Nf7 21.Bf3 Heavy stuff, Granda plays really good! 21...Nb5 22.Bf2 Qb7 (22...Rxb2 23.Qxb2 Bxc3 24.Qc1 Bxa1 25.Qxa1©) 23.Na4 Bd7 24.Ra2 (24.Nc4 Nc7∞) 24...Nc7 25.Nc4 Rb8 26.b3² B3.2) 19...Re8!?N 20.e4 (20.f4 Nd7 21.e4 Nb6 22.Bf3 Qd8∞) 20...g5 Now this is much more to the point! 21.Nf1 (21.Nd1 Nb5 22.Ne3 Nd4 23.Qb1∞) 21...Nb5 22.Bxb5 axb5 23.Ne3 Nc4„

Position after: 14.e4! 14...b6!? A) 14...Ne5?! 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 16.Qd2 Bd7 17.a5 Nc7 18.Bxe5 Qxe5 19.Rad1 g5 Risky, I don’t like this. 20.Bg4 Rbd8 21.Bxd7 Rxd7 22.Ne2! (22.Re3 Kh8 23.Rf3 h6 24.Rf5 Qg7 25.Re1± 0-1 (49) Koneru, H (2610) – Hou Yifan (2606) Beijing 2012) 22...Nb5 23.Ng3² B) 14...Nc7

Position after: 14...Nc7 B1) 15.Qd2 Re8! Now we have ...Qf8. (15...b5 16.axb5 Nxb5 17.Nxb5 axb5 18.Ra7 b4² 0-1 (69) Ding Liren (2458) – Gao Rui (2500) Beijing 2009) B2) 15.Bg5!?² Such ideas are always a problem here. 15...f6 16.Be3 (16.Bf4 Ne5 17.Nd2 f5∞) 16...b6!? First solid choice, I am not sure that Black is ready for action. (16...b5 17.axb5 axb5 18.Ra7 Qd8 19.b4±) 17.Bf1 Ne5 (17...Qd8!? 18.Qd2 b5 19.axb5 axb5 20.Ra7 b4 21.Ne2 Nb6 22.Ng3 Rb7 23.Raa1 Bd7 with some murky play ahead.) 18.Nd2 (18.Nxe5 fxe5 With a kind of King’s Indian set-up. 19.Nb1 Ne8 20.Nd2 Bf6 21.Nc4 Bg5²) 18...Bd7 19.f4 Nf7 20.Bf2 b5 21.axb5 axb5 22.Ra7 Qd8∞ Velimirovic stated that similar ideas may work in a game. 15.Qd2 15.Bf1 Ne5 16.Nd2 g5 17.Bg3 Kh8 18.Rb1 Rg8 19.b4 cxb4 20.Rxb4 g4 21.hxg4 Nxg4 22.Rb3 Be5 23.Bxe5+ Nxe5 24.Ne2 Qh4 25.Ng3 Nf6∞ 15...Ne5

Position after: 15...Ne5 16.Nh2 16.Nxe5 Bxe5 17.Bxe5 dxe5! 18.Qe3 a5 19.Nb1 Nd6 20.Nd2 Kg7 21.Qc3 f6 22.Bd3 Bd7 23.Nc4 Nxc4 24.Bxc4 Qd6 25.b3 h5= 16...Nc7 17.Rab1 17.Bg5 f6 18.Be3 b5 19.f4 Nf7 20.axb5 axb5 21.Bd3 b4 22.Nd1 Bd7 23.Bf2 Ra8 24.Ne3 Rfe8 25.Nf3 Bh6 26.Nc4 Rxa1 27.Rxa1 Bb5 28.Re1 Bxc4 29.Bxc4 Ne5„ 17...b5 18.b4 18.axb5 Nxb5 19.Bg5 Qc7 20.f4 Nd7 21.Ng4 Nd4 22.Bf1 h5 23.Ne3 Re8∞ 18...c4 19.axb5 Nxb5„ 3f) 8.a4 Bg7 9.h3 0-0 10.e3 Ne8 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bf4 a6 8.a4 Bg7 9.h3 0-0 10.e3 Ne8!?

Position after: 10...Ne8!? Voluntarily going to e8 has its benefits as well. It should be considered closely with ‘...Qe7-...Rb8’, because the Knight also there goes to e8. 11.Be2 Nd7 12.0-0 In this set-up Black must go ‘...Qe7-...Nc7-...Rb8’ with or without ‘...b6’, otherwise the plan with ‘...Re8’ is much more to the point. 12...Rb8 13.Qc2 13.Qb3 Qe7 14.Nd2 Nc7 15.Nc4 Ne5 16.Qb6 Nxc4 17.Bxc4 Rd8 18.a5 Na8 19.Qb3 Bd7 20.Qc2 Nc7∞ 0-1 (37) Kierzek, M (2172) – Suba, M (2418) Kamena Vourla 2012. 13...Qe7

Position after: 13...Qe7 14.Nd2 14.e4 A) 14...Ne5 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 (15...dxe5 16.Be3±) 16.Bxe5 Qxe5 17.f4 with easy play for White. B) 14...b6! 15.Rab1 Nc7 16.b4 cxb4 17.Rxb4 a5 18.Rbb1 Nc5 19.Rfe1 Qf6 20.Bd2 Bd7„ 14...Ne5 A) 14...b6 A1) 15.Nc4 Ne5 (15...f5 16.Rab1 Rb7 17.b4 cxb4 18.Rxb4 Rc7 19.Nb1∞) 16.Bxe5 Bxe5 17.Nxe5 Qxe5 18.e4 Nc7 19.f4 Qd4+ 20.Kh1 b5 with interesting play for both sides. A2) This is a bit slow although possible 15.Rab1 Nc7 16.Rfd1 Ne5 17.b4 Bf5 18.e4 Bd7 19.bxc5 bxc5 20.Bg3 g5 21.Nc4 Nxc4 22.Bxc4 Be5 23.Bxe5 Qxe5 24.Ne2 a5∞ 0-1 (32) Zatonskih, A (2489) – Hou Yifan (2606) Beijing 2012. B) 14...Nc7N 15.Nc4 (15.a5 b5 16.axb6 Nxb6 17.e4 f5„) 15...Ne5 16.Nb6 Nd7 17.Nc4 Ne5² 15.Bh2

Position after: 15.Bh2 15...Nc7! 15...f5 16.Rae1 Nc7! This is more to the point! (16...Nf6 It makes more sense with a Rook on e8. 17.a5 Bd7 18.Qb3 Rfd8 19.Qa3 Be8 ½-½ (49) Edouard, R (2621) – Simacek, P (2448) Hastings 2012.) 17.f4 Nf7 18.Bd3 b5 19.e4 c4∞ 16.f4 Nd7 17.e4 b5 18.e5 dxe5 19.Nde4 Qd8 20.f5 b4 Black is fine.

Chapter 3 The 7.Nd2 System 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7

Chapter’s guide Chapter 3 – The 7.Nd2 Bg7 System 1) 8.e4 0-0 9.Be2 Na6 10.0-0 Nc7 11.a4 b6 a) 12.other moves b) 12.f3 c) 12.Kh1 d) 12.Nc4 2) 8.e4 0-0 9.Be2 Re8 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.a4 Ne5 a) 11.other moves & 12.h3 b) 12.Ndb1 c) 12.Re1 d) 12.Qc2 e) 12.Ra3 f) 12.Ra3 g5 3) The Knight pirouette 8.Nc4 0-0 a) 9.Bf4 b) 9.Bg5

1) 8.e4 0-0 9.Be2 Na6 10.0-0 Nc7 11.a4 b6 1a) 12.other moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.e4 0-0 9.Be2 Na6 10.0-0 Nc7

Position after: 10...Nc7 The history of this line is relatively new compared to other lines. The Romanian GM Suba made serious efforts to make this initially work because here we are discussing the line where Black doesn’t play an early ...Re8. His game with Dlugy from New York I consider the starting point when the attention was drawn to this line. At least that was my impression because I was following those lines at that time in the Eighties. Black wants to speed up his play on the queenside, as simple as that. 11.a4 b6 The starting point of the line, Black omits an early ...Re8. 12.Re1 Usually this was not considered the best against the ‘...Na6’ ideas but recently it received more attention. Sharp play is always possible: 12.f4 Rb8 13.Bf3 Re8 14.Re1 Ba6

Position after: 14...Ba6 15.Ndb1 (15.Nf1 Nd7 16.Be3 Bxf1 17.Kxf1 b5 18.axb5 Nxb5 19.Nxb5 Rxb5 20.Rxa7 Rxb2 21.Qa4 Nb6³) 15...Nd7 16.Na3 c4 17.Ncb5 Bxb5 18.axb5 Nc5 19.Nxc4 Nxb5 20.e5 dxe5 21.fxe5 Qh4 22.b3 Nd3 23.g3 Qd4+ 24.Be3 Qc3 25.Bd2 Qd4+ 26.Be3 Qc3= 12...Re8

Position after: 12...Re8 13.h3!?

An interesting waiting move! A) 13.Bf1 Ng4 14.Nf3 Ne5 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 16.Bd3 a6 17.f4 Bg7∞ B) A recent attempt saw 13.Qc2 Rb8 14.Nc4 Ba6

Position after: 14...Ba6 B1) 15.Bg5 Qd7 16.h3!? h6 (16...Bxc4 17.Bxc4 a6 18.e5!ƒ Black really has to be careful in the entire Na6-line.) 17.Bh4 Bxc4 18.Bxc4 g5 19.Bg3 Nh5 20.Bh2 Nf4 21.Be2 Nxe2+ 22.Nxe2 b5 23.a5 b4 24.Ng3 Nb5 25.Nf5 Nd4 26.Nxd4 Bxd4= B2) 15.Bf4 Bxc4 16.Bxc4 Ng4! 17.h3 (17.Nb5 Nxb5 18.Bxb5 Bd4 19.Bg3 h5 20.Bxe8 h4 21.Bf4 Bxf2+ 22.Kh1 Qf6„ 0-1 (27) Thesing, M – Geveke, M Dortmund 1982) 17...Ne5 18.Be2 a6 19.Reb1 b5 20.axb5 axb5 21.b4 c4 22.Ra5

Position after: 22.Ra5 B2.1) In the game Black launched an interesting pawn sac: 22...f5!? 23.exf5 gxf5 24.Qxf5 Rf8 (24...Ng6 25.Bg5 Qc8 26.Qc2 Rf8 27.Bg4± 1-0 (58) Parligras, M (2595) – Grigoryan, K (2544) Kragujevac 2016) 25.Qe4 Ng6 26.Bd2 Qe7 27.Qxe7 Nxe7© B2.2) 22...g5!? 23.Be3 Ng6∞ 13...Nd7!? 14.Nc4 14.Nb5 Nf6 15.Bf1 a6 16.Nc3 Rb8∞ 14...Ne5

Position after: 14...Ne5 15.Ne3 Also possible are: A) 15.Bf4 Nxc4 16.Bxc4 Ba6 (16...a6 17.Qd3 Rb8 18.Qg3²) 17.Bxa6 Nxa6 18.Qd2 Nc7 (18...Nb4 19.Nb5 Be5 20.Bxe5 Rxe5 21.Na3 Qh4 22.f4 Ree8 23.Nc4²) 19.Nb5 Nxb5 20.axb5 Qd7∞ B) 15.Na3 f5 16.exf5 Bxf5 17.Bf4 g5 18.Bh2 Bg6 19.Qd2 Rf8 20.Nab5 Ne8∞ C) 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 leads to an unclear game. 15...Rb8 16.Bb5 An idea to disturb Black’s set-up. A) 16.Nb5 a6 17.Nxc7 Qxc7 18.Bd2 b5 19.axb5 axb5 20.Bc3 b4 21.Bd2 Qe7 22.b3 Qh4∞ B) 16.f4 Nd7 17.Nc4 Bd4+ 18.Kh2 Nf6 19.Bf3 Ba6³ 16...Nxb5 17.axb5 Qh4!

Position after: 17...Qh4! Just in time! 18.Rf1 18.Rxa7 Bxh3 19.gxh3 Qxh3–+ 18...g5! 19.Rxa7 19.Ra4 g4 20.Nf5 Bxf5 21.exf5 c4 22.Bf4 gxh3 23.g3 Qg4 24.Bxe5 Qxd1 25.Nxd1 Rxe5 26.Ne3 h5= 19...Bxh3 20.gxh3 Qxh3 21.f3 Qg3+ 22.Ng2 Ng4

Position after: 22...Ng4 23.fxg4 Bd4+ 24.Qxd4 cxd4 25.Rfxf7 With a perpetual check on the 7th rank to follow. 1b) 12.f3 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.e4 0-0 9.Be2 Na6 10.0-0 Nc7 11.a4 b6 12.f3

Position after: 12.f3

Definitely the critical set-up is f3 against ‘...Na6’, it was always considered the best. White firmly controls the centre, is ready to occupy the c4-square and later adding Bg5 or Bf4, increasing the pressure. 12...Rb8 This is the real independent try, Black simply doesn’t go for ...Re8 trying to win a tempo. 13.Nc4 The alternative doesn’t bring much, White simply can’t wait too much. 13.Kh1 a6! 14.Nc4 b5

Position after: 14...b5 A) 15.axb5 axb5 16.Na5 Bd7 17.Bf4 (17.Nc6 Bxc6 18.dxc6 b4 19.Nd5 Nfxd5 20.exd5 Re8 21.Bc4 Qh4 22.f4 f5 23.Ra7 Re7 24.g3 Qf6 25.Kg2 Rbe8 26.b3 Qd4 27.Qxd4 Bxd4=) 17...b4 18.Nb1 Nb5 19.Nc4 Nh5 20.Be3 f5 21.Nbd2 f4 22.Bf2 Qg5∞ ½-½ (41) Renman, N (2425) – Cramling, D (2330) Lulea 1980. B) 15.Na5!? Bd7 16.Bf4! Not taking on b5 is very interesting! 16...Nfe8 (16...b4 17.Nb1 Nce8 18.Nc4 Nh5 19.Be3 f5 20.Nbd2 f4 21.Bf2 Qg5 22.Qe1 Qh6 23.Bd3²) 17.axb5 axb5 18.Qd2 b4 19.Nd1 Nb5 20.Nc4 Nd4„ 13...Ba6 14.Bg5 Qd7

Position after: 14...Qd7 The same line exists with a Rook on e8 but here we improved the line at least in my opinion. 15.Qd2 A) 15.Re1 Nh5„ B) Typical here is the slow: 15.b3 Nh5 16.Qd2 f5!? 17.g4 Bd4+ 18.Kh1 Bxc4 19.bxc4 fxg4 20.fxg4 Nf6 Black is fine! C) 15.e5 Nfe8 16.exd6 Nxd6 17.Nxd6 Qxd6 18.Bxa6 Nxa6 19.Ne4 Qe5„ 15...Nh5 15...Bxc4 16.Bxc4 a6 17.e5!?

Position after: 17.e5!? A highly interesting idea that is often overlooked. 17...dxe5 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Ne4 Bg7 20.d6 Ne6 21.a5ƒ 16.Bh6 16.g4 Bxc4 17.Bxc4 Nf6 18.Kh1 a6∞ 16...f5 17.Bxg7 Nxg7

Position after: 17...Nxg7

We notice the unusual set-up of the black Knights! 18.Na3 Bxe2 19.Qxe2 a6∞ 1c) 12.Kh1 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.e4 0-0 9.Be2 Na6 10.0-0 Nc7 11.a4 b6 12.Kh1

Position after: 12.Kh1 A dangerous move with some hidden ideas. At first I was also not sure what to think about it but then I discovered the danger behind this prophylaxis. 12...Re8 Probably the best and as an alternative we can see the real idea White has in store. 12...Rb8!? 13.Nc4 (13.f3 a6!∞) 13...Ba6 14.Bg5

Position after: 14.Bg5 A) 14...h6 15.Bh4 Re8 (15...Bxc4 16.Bxc4 a6 17.e5!?ƒ) 16.f4!± That is the idea, with the King on h1, not only being useful but also f4 comes at once! B) 14...Qd7!? B1) 15.e5!? This move worried me, but perhaps with no reason in this particular position. Since I discovered this positional sacrifice. 15...Bxc4 (15...Nfe8 16.Bg4!±) 16.Bxc4 dxe5 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Ne4 Bg7 19.Qb3 (19.d6 Ne6³) 19...Ne8 20.Nxc5 Qe7 21.Ne4 Nd6= B2) 15.f4!ƒ An unpleasant idea and the real force behind the entire Kh1. 15...Bxc4 (15...Rfe8? 16.e5+–) 16.Bxc4 Ng4 17.f5 Ne5 18.Be2ƒ 13.f3 Rb8 14.Nc4 Ba6 15.Bg5

Position after: 15.Bg5 15...Qd7 This is an old idea of Kapengut, the famous Russian expert of the Benoni. A) The usual idea for Black here is under a certain cloud. 15...Bxc4 16.Bxc4 a6 17.Qd3 Qc8 18.Bf4! Rd8!? 19.Rab1 It seems that White keeps the pressure. B) Alternatives are also important and they clearly show the best strategical plans for both sides. 15...h6 16.Be3

Position after: 16.Be3 B1) 16...Qd7 17.Qd2 h5!? 18.b3 h4 19.Rfe1 Nh7 20.Rab1 h3 21.g4 Qe7 22.Nd1 b5 23.Na5 bxa4 24.Nc6 Qd7 25.Nxb8 Rxb8© The game itself is indeed of some dynamic theoretically importance. I can’t really give it as the main line, though the ...h5-idea is surely something to investigate further 0-1 (53) Lalic, B (2450) – Korobov, A (2679) Bol 2014. B2) 16...Qe7!? Kapengut. 17.Qd2

Position after: 17.Qd2 B2.1) Kapengut’s initial idea doesn’t equalise: 17...Kh7 18.b3 (18.e5 Bxc4 19.exd6 Qxe3 20.Qxe3 Rxe3 21.dxc7 Rc8 22.Bxc4 Rxc7=) 18...Nd7 19.Rae1! Bxc4 (19...b5 20.axb5 Nxb5 21.Nxb5 Bxb5 22.f4!ƒ) 20.bxc4!² (20.Bxc4 a6 21.Rd1 b5 22.axb5 axb5 23.Bd3 Ne5 24.Be2 b4 25.Nb1 Ra8∞ ½-½ (25) Zarzycki, W – Tomczak, A corr. 1992) B2.2) 17...Qf8!?N My refined idea. 18.b3 Nd7

Position after: 18...Nd7 19.Rfe1! Doesn’t allow the desired ‘b5’ with counterplay. (19.Ra2 f5 20.Bf4 Bxc4 21.bxc4 g5 22.Bg3 f4 23.Bf2 Na6 24.a5 Nb4 25.Ra3 bxa5 26.Rxa5 a6 Black is fine!; 19.Rae1 b5! 20.axb5 Nxb5 21.Nxb5 Bxb5 Compared to Kapengut’s idea, the pawn on e4 is unprotected. 22.Rb1 Bxc4 23.Bxc4 Rb6∞) 19...h5!

Position after: 19...h5! B2.2a) 20.Bf1 h4 21.Bf2 h3 22.g3 f5„ B2.2b) 20.Bf4 Bxc4 21.bxc4 Na6 22.Ra3 Nb4 23.Nb5 Ne5 24.Nxa7 f5 25.exf5 (25.Rf1 fxe4 26.fxe4 Qe7

27.Nb5 Rf8©) 25...Qxf5 26.Nb5 Nxc4µ B2.2c) 20.Bf2 Bf6 21.Bf1 h4 22.f4 (22.h3 Qg7 23.Rac1 Bxc4 24.bxc4 g5 25.Nd1 Be5 26.Ne3 Bf4 27.Qc2 Na6 28.Nf5 Qf6 29.Rb1 Nb4 30.Qb3 Ne5∞) 22...Bxc4 23.bxc4 Qh6 24.Ra3 Be5!

Position after: 24...Be5! 25.Ne2 (25.Be3 Bxc3³) 25...Nf6 26.Qc2 Ng4 27.fxe5 Nxf2+ 28.Kg1 Ng4 29.exd6 Na6 30.Rh3 Nb4© 16.b3 A typical idea and the key White counts on, simply taking with a pawn on c4. White wants to destroy any counterplay on the queenside. 16.Qd2!? Bxc4 17.Bxc4 a6

Position after: 17...a6 Now ...b5 can’t be stopped. A) 18.Rfe1 b5 19.axb5 axb5 20.Bf1 Ra8 21.Rxa8 (21.Bh6 b4 22.Rxa8 Rxa8 23.Bxg7 Kxg7 24.Nd1 Ra1 25.Ne3 Rxe1 26.Qxe1 Nb5=) 21...Rxa8 22.e5 dxe5 23.Bxf6 (23.d6 Nce8 24.Nxb5 Rb8 25.Rd1 e4∞) 23...Bxf6 24.Ne4 Bg7 25.d6 Ne6 26.Qd5 Rc8 27.b3 Nf4 28.Qd2 Ne6 B) 18.Be2 Ra8 19.Qd3 h6 20.Bd2 Qe7 21.Qc2

Position after: 21.Qc2 21...Rab8 (21...Nd7 22.f4?! Bxc3 23.Qxc3 Nf6 24.Bf3 Nxe4 25.Bxe4 Qxe4 26.f5 Nxd5 27.Qh3 h5 28.fxg6 Qxg6µ)

22.Bd3 b5 23.axb5 axb5 24.Ra7 c4 25.Be2 Rec8∞ C) 18.Bd3 Ra8!? Anticipating ‘axb5’... 19.Rfe1 (19.Nd1 b5 20.Nf2 Kh8!∞) 19...b5 20.axb5 axb5∞ 16...Nh5 17.Rc1 b5!?

Position after: 17...b5!? 18.axb5 Nxb5 19.Nxb5 Bxb5 This position was reached several times and considered better for White but I am not sure at all. 20.g4 A) 20.Na5 Bxe2 21.Qxe2 f5 22.g4 h6 23.gxh5 hxg5 24.hxg6 Be5 25.Rb1 Bf4 26.Nc6 Rb7 27.Qd3 fxe4 28.fxe4 Rf8

Position after: 28...Rf8 A great position, completely unclear! B) 20.Qd2 Ba6 21.Rb1 Rb4 22.g4 Nf6 23.Bf4 Bxc4 24.Bxc4 Qc7∞ 20...h6!?N

Position after: 20...h6!?N 20...Nf6 21.Bf4 Bxc4 22.Bxc4 Qe7 23.Qe2 h5 24.g5 Nd7 25.Bb5 Rf8 26.b4ƒ 1-0 (58) Chernin, A (2572) – Handke, F (2455) Saint Vincent 2000.

21.Be3 Nf6 22.Bf4 Bxc4 23.Bxc4 Rb6!

Position after: 23...Rb6! 24.Qe2 24.Qd2 Qe7! The key idea! 25.Rfe1 (25.Bxh6 Nxe4!∞) 25...Nd7 26.Bxh6 Bxh6 27.Qxh6 Ne5© 24...Qe7 25.Rb1 Nd7 26.Bb5 Reb8 27.Ba4 Ne5 28.Be3 g5∞ 1d) 12.Nc4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.e4 0-0 9.Be2 Na6 10.0-0 Nc7 11.a4 b6 12.Nc4

Position after: 12.Nc4 Without wasting any time White goes for his desired square. 12...Ba6 13.Bg5 A) 13.Bf4 Nh5 14.Bd2 Re8!? 15.b3 Nf4 16.Bxf4 Bxc3 17.Rc1 Rxe4 18.Bxd6 Bf6³ B) 13.f3 Qd7 14.Bd2 (14.Bg5 Rae8 15.Qd2 Nh5 16.g4 Bd4+ 17.Kh1 Ng7∞) 14...Nfe8 15.b3 Bd4+ 16.Kh1 f5„ 13...Qd7

Position after: 13...Qd7 14.Qd2 A) 14.b3 Rfe8 15.Qc2 Bxc4 16.bxc4 Nxe4! A great idea from Suba that completely rehabilitated the entire system with an early ...Na6. 17.Nxe4 Qf5 18.Bd3 Bxa1 19.Nxd6 Qxg5 20.Nxe8 Nxe8 21.Rxa1 Qe5 22.Rc1 Nd6³ 1-0 (41) Dlugy, M (2520) – Suba, M (2560) New York 1987. B) 14.f3 Nh5 15.g4 Bd4+ 16.Kh1 Ng7

Position after: 16...Ng7 This is on the other hand a typical theme for Black in this line. 17.Na3 f6 18.Bf4 Be5 19.Bxa6 Bxf4 20.Bb7 Rad8 21.Bc6 Qe7 22.Nc4 f5∞ ½-½ (37) Kovacevic, A (2355) – Daurelle, H (2482) corr. 2007. C) 14.Re1 Bxc4 15.Bxc4 Ng4!? 16.h3 Ne5 17.Be2 f5 18.exf5 gxf5 19.Qd2 (19.Nb5 Ne8 20.a5 Nf6 21.Bxf6 Bxf6 22.axb6 axb6 23.Bf1 f4∞) 19...a6 20.f4 Ng6 21.Bh5 Rae8∞ 14...Rfe8 15.f3 Bxc4 16.Bxc4 a6

Position after: 16...a6 17.Qd3 17.Rfe1 b5 18.Bf1 This was Keres deep positional idea, leaving b5 intact and asking Black how to solve the problem of the Knight on c7. 18...bxa4! 19.Nxa4 (19.Rxa4 Nfxd5! 20.Nxd5 Nxd5 21.Rxa6 Rxa6 22.Bxa6 Bd4+ 23.Kh1 Qa4 24.Bf1 Nb4 25.Bc4 Qc2 26.Qxc2 Nxc2 27.Re2 Nb4= ½-½ (27) Vavrak, P (2401) – Ionescu, C (2465) Bar 2005) 19...Rab8

Position after: 19...Rab8

A) 20.Bc4!?N 20...Nh5 21.Kh1 Be5!? 22.Nc3 (22.f4 Bd4∞) 22...f5 23.exf5 Qxf5∞ B) 20.Nc3 Rb4! (20...Rb6 21.Bc4 Reb8 22.b3² 0-1 (36) Merten – Arnold corr. 1996) 21.Bxa6 Reb8 22.Reb1 Nxa6 23.Rxa6 Rb3 24.Nd1 Ne8© 17...Nh5 18.g4 Bd4+ 19.Kh1 Ng7 20.Rab1 f5!?N

Position after: 20...f5!?N Directly seeking counterplay! 21.gxf5 gxf5 22.Ne2 b5 23.Ba2 fxe4 24.fxe4 Be5 25.Bf6 25.Nf4 Rf8 26.Ne6 Rxf1+ 27.Rxf1 c4µ 25...c4 26.Qc2 Bxf6 27.Rxf6 Rf8 28.Rff1 Rxf1+ 29.Rxf1 Rf8 30.Rxf8+ Kxf8=

Position after: 30...Kxf8=

2) 8.e4 0-0 9.Be2 Re8 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.a4 Ne5 2a) 11.other moves & 12.h3 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.e4 0-0 9.Be2 Re8 10.0-0 Nbd7

Position after: 10...Nbd7 Of course we all know the famous game from the Spassky – Fischer World ch. match, Reykjavik 1972.

The theory of this line developed to grow since that match. During another big clash Korchnoi – Mecking Augusta 1975, Mecking used this specific line and obtained a great position. In the end he failed to find the best moves, unable to equalise the score in the match. Heading towards the centre with this Knight is important but quite different from Na6 and I would consider this more complex. 11.a4 There is no doubt this prophilaxis is a starting point of White’s strategy here, but there are some ideas that doesn’t include this move at least not at once. A) 11.f4 has been covered in my book ‘New Weapons in the King’s Indian’, Thinkers Publishing 2016. B) 11.Qc2 will transpose to the main line 11.a4 Ne5 12.Qc2. C) 11.Re1 transposes to the 12.Re1 line. D) 11.h3 The idea is to prevent ...Ne5, you may compare this with the 12.h3-line. The difference is that here the Knight is still on d7, while there it was already on e5. 11...a6 12.a4 b6

Position after: 12...b6 D1) 13.Re1 Rb8 14.Bf1 Nh5 15.Nf3 Ne5 16.Bd2 Nxf3+ 17.Qxf3 Bd4 18.Rab1 Qh4 19.Ne2 Be5 20.g3 Qe7 21.g4 Nf6 22.Bg2 Nd7 23.Qe3 b5 24.axb5 Rxb5 25.Bc3 a5 26.f4 Bxc3 27.Nxc3 Rb4∞ ½-½ (45) Damljanovic, B (2588) – Ivanisevic, I (2651) Niksic 2016. D2) 13.f4 Rb8 I will give here my recent game in this particular position... 14.g4 h6 15.Bd3 c4 16.Nxc4 b5 17.axb5 axb5 18.Nd2 b4 19.Na4 and now... 19...Ra8! 20.Rb1 Rxa4! 21.Qxa4 Nc5 22.Qc2 Nxg4!µ

Position after: 22...Nxg4!µ With a typical Benoni attack and sacrifices. D3) 13.Qc2!? Rb8!? 14.Nc4 (14.b3 Nxd5! That would be Black’s idea! 15.exd5 Rxe2 16.Nxe2 Bxa1 17.Ne4 Qf8 18.N2c3 f5 19.Bg5 Bxc3 20.Nxc3 Bb7³) 14...Qe7!?

Position after: 14...Qe7!? 15.Bg5 (15.Bf4 Nxe4 16.Bf3 Qf6 17.Bh2 Nxc3 18.bxc3 Bf8 19.Rfe1 Rxe1+ 20.Rxe1 b5³) 15...h6 16.Bh4 Ne5 17.Nxe5 Qxe5 18.Bg3 Qe7 19.Rfe1 g5 20.Rab1 Nd7 21.Bg4 b5 22.axb5 axb5∞

11...Ne5

Position after: 11...Ne5 Sitting on e5 was the easy part but staying there and creating counterplay is much more difficult than we should suspect. 12.h3 One of the first lines that appeared in this set-up, obviously f4 is next! 12...a6 12...g5 13.Nf3 Nxf3+ 14.Bxf3 h6∞ 13.a5 c4!? 14.Qc2 Qe7 15.Ra3 Bd7

Position after: 15...Bd7 I created an interesting line in the spirit of the given lines with Ra3 and Qc2. 16.b3 Nd3 17.Bxd3 cxd3 18.Qxd3 Rac8 19.b4 Nh5 20.Nc4 f5 21.Re1 Bb5 22.Nxb5 axb5 23.Nd2 Qd7© 2b) 12.Ndb1 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.e4 0-0 9.Be2 Re8 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.a4 Ne5 12.Ndb1!?

Position after: 12.Ndb1!? An interesting line that appeared in the eighties, if I remember correctly, White wants Na3 and f4 (or even Bg5) and only then Nc4, not a stupid idea at all. 12...h6!? Defending against Bg5 and keeping ...g5 as an option is also not a bad idea. 12...h5 13.Bg5!? Qc7 (13...a6 14.Na3 Qc7 15.f4 Neg4 16.e5!?ƒ) 14.Nd2 Nh7 15.Be3 f5 16.b4!?ƒ 13.Na3 The line itself was never thoroughly investigated, many new ideas are still available! 13.f4 Ned7 14.Bf3 h5!? 15.h3 (15.Na3 Ng4∞) 15...c4 16.Be3 b6

Position after: 16...b6 A) 17.Na3 Nc5 18.Bxc5 (18.e5 dxe5 19.fxe5 Rxe5 20.Nxc4 Re8∞) 18...bxc5 19.Re1 Ng4! 20.e5 dxe5 21.hxg4 e4!„ B) 17.Nd2 Ba6 18.Re1 (18.Bd4?! Nxd5 19.Bxg7 Ne3 20.Qe2 Nxf1µ) 18...Rc8 19.Bd4 (19.Nb5 Bxb5 20.axb5 Nc5„) 19...Nc5„ 20.Bxc5 Rxc5 21.e5 dxe5 22.fxe5 Nh7 23.e6 f5!?∞ 13...a6

Position after: 13...a6 14.Bd2!? White prepares for the fight, it is important to know that Black has to anti-cipate f4 in this particular line and almost on every move. 14.f4 Ned7 15.Qc2 (15.Bf3?! b5!³) 15...Qe7!?N 16.Bf3 b5 17.axb5 axb5 18.Ncxb5 Nxe4 19.Qxe4 Qxe4 20.Bxe4 Rxe4 21.Nxd6 Rea4 22.Nxc8 Bd4+ 23.Kh1 Rxc8³ 14...Rb8 15.Qc2 Bg4!

Position after: 15...Bg4! This is Velimirovic’s idea, also known from many similar positions and it’s an important asset for Black. 16.f3 Bd7 17.f4 Neg4 18.h3 18.Nc4 Nxe4 19.Nxe4 Bd4+ 20.Kh1 Nxh2 21.Rfd1 Rxe4 22.Qxe4 Bf5 23.Qxd4 cxd4 24.Kxh2 Rc8∞ 18...b5 18...Nh5!? 19.e5 Ng3

Position after: 19...Ng3 20.Bxg4 (20.hxg4 dxe5 21.f5 e4 22.Nc4 Bd4+ 23.Be3 Qh4ƒ) 20...Bxg4 21.hxg4 dxe5 22.Qd3 (22.f5 e4∞) 22...Qh4 23.Nc2 e4 24.Qe3 Bd4 25.Nxd4 cxd4 26.Qxd4 Qh1+ 27.Kf2 Qh4 28.Ke3 Qxg4 29.f5 Nxf5+ 30.Rxf5 Qxf5‚ 19.hxg4 b4 20.g5

Position after: 20.g5 20...Nxe4 20...hxg5 21.fxg5 Nh7 22.Nc4 Bd4+ 23.Kh2 Nxg5 24.Rf4 Kg7 25.Raf1 Qe7 26.Bd3 Rh8+ 27.Kg3 bxc3 28.Bxc3 Kg8 29.Bxd4 cxd4∞ 21.Nxe4 bxa3 22.Bc3 Bf5 23.Bxg7 Bxe4 24.Qc3 axb2 25.Rae1 b1=Q 26.Rxb1 Rxb1 27.Rxb1 Bxb1 28.Bxh6 f6 29.Bg4 Bf5 30.Bxf5 gxf5= 2c) 12.Re1 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.e4 0-0 9.Be2 Re8 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.a4 Ne5 12.Re1

Position after: 12.Re1 The third best option together with 12.Qc2 and 12.Ra3. It gave Black serious headaches in the past. I also used it being White. 12...a6 Alternatives are possible, f.i. my old game with Illescas, and I have refreshed the whole variation here. 12...Bd7!? A) 13.Nf1 c4 14.Be3 Nfg4!³ B) 13.f4 Neg4 14.Bf3

Position after: 14.Bf3 B1) 14...Qb6!? 15.Nc4 Qb4 16.Nxd6 (16.Qe2 Nxe4 17.Nxe4 Bd4+ 18.Ne3 Rxe4 19.Bxe4 Re8 20.Bd2 Qb3 21.Qd3 Qxd3 22.Bxd3 Nxe3 23.Bxe3 Rxe3 24.Rxe3 Bxe3+ 25.Kf1 Bxf4³) 16...c4 17.Nxe8 Qc5+ 18.Be3 Nxe3 19.Nxf6+ Bxf6 20.Qd2 Ng4+ 21.Kf1 Nxh2+ 22.Ke2 There is some compensation for Black, but I am not entirely convinced of the merit of the ...Qb6 move. ½-½ (26) Von Rosenberg, C (1534) – Hendriks, M (1666) Internet 2006. B2) 14...h5! This is more to the point! B2.1) 15.Nc4 Nxe4 16.Rxe4 Bd4+ 17.Rxd4 cxd4 18.Ne4 Qh4 19.h3 (19.Ncxd6 Rxe4 20.Nxe4 Qxh2+ 21.Kf1 Re8=) 19...f5µ B2.2) 15.Re2 c4 16.Nxc4 Rc8 17.Ne3 Rxc3! 18.bxc3 Nxe4 19.Nxg4 Nxc3 20.Rxe8+ Qxe8 21.Nh6+ Bxh6 22.Qd3 Nxa4© B2.3) 15.h3 Nxd5 16.Nxd5 Bd4+ 17.Kf1 Qh4 18.Ke2 Bc6 19.Nc7 Ne3–+ C) 13.Ra3 a6 14.a5 Rc8 15.Nf1 c4 16.Be3 Qe7 17.f3

Position after: 17.f3 17...Nh5!?N (17...Kh8 18.Nd2² ½-½ (50) Pavlovic, M (2350) – Illescas Cordoba, M (2505) New York 1987) 18.Qd2 (18.f4 Nd3 19.Bxd3 cxd3 20.Qxd3 Bxc3 21.Rxc3 Bb5 22.Qd2 Rxc3 23.bxc3 Qxe4³) 18...f5 19.exf5 gxf5 20.f4 Ng4∞

Position after: 12...a6 13.Nf1 A) 13.h3 g5 Of course when White plays h3, g5 is important to keep as an option at some point. White also created some weaknesses when he opted for h3. 14.Nf1 h6 15.a5 (15.Ne3 Bd7 16.a5 Re7 17.Qc2 Qc7 18.b3 Ng6 19.Bb2 Rae8 20.f3 Nh5∞) B) 13.a5 Some alternatives are possible. 13...Bg4!?

Position after: 13...Bg4!?

Again we see this motive. 14.f3 Bd7 15.f4 (15.Nf1 b5 16.axb6 Qxb6 17.Qc2 Bb5 18.Be3 Bxe2 19.Qxe2 a5! 20.Nd2 Qa6 21.Qxa6 Rxa6 22.Ra2 Rb8 23.Rea1 Ne8=) 15...Neg4 16.Bf3 Nxe4!

Position after: 16...Nxe4! 17.Rxe4 Bd4+ 18.Rxd4 cxd4 19.Bxg4 Bxg4 20.Qxg4 dxc3 21.bxc3 Re1+ 22.Kf2 Qe7 23.Nb3 Re8 24.Kg3 Qc7 25.Qf3 Qc4 26.Nd2 Qc7 27.Nb3 Qc4 With a minimum draw for Black. 13...c4!? It is possible to wait a bit with: 13...b6!?

Position after: 13...b6!? A) 14.f4 Ned7 15.Bc4

Position after: 15.Bc4 15...Ng4!?N Great idea! (15...Rb8 16.h3 b5 17.axb5 Nb6 18.Ba2 Nh5!?∞ 19.bxa6 Bxa6 20.Bb1 Ra8©) 16.e5 Ndxe5 17.fxe5 Bxe5 18.Rxe5 Nxe5 19.Be2 Qh4 20.Be3 Bg4µ B) 14.Bg5 h6 15.Bh4 g5 16.Bg3 Ng6 17.Qc2 h5 18.h3 g4 19.h4 Bh6!

Position after: 19...Bh6!

20.Bd3 (20.Ne3 Bxe3! 21.fxe3 Qe7 Black is fine.) 20...Nd7! 21.Bxd6 Nde5 22.Bxe5 Nxe5 Black is fine again. 14.Ne3 A) 14.Be3?! Nfg4!? 15.Bd4 Nd3!µ B) 14.Bf4 Bd7!? 15.Bxe5 Rxe5 16.Bxc4 Rc8 17.Bd3 Ng4 18.h3 Nxf2 19.Kxf2 Qb6+ 20.Re3 f5‚

Position after: 14.Ne3 14...Bd7!?N There is nothing wrong with my alternative but I am just trying to spice it up a bit! 14...Qc7 15.Bd2 Bd7 16.b3 b5 17.axb5 axb5 18.Rxa8 Rxa8 19.bxc4 bxc4= (19...b4 20.Nb5 Bxb5 21.cxb5 Nxe4 22.Bxb4 Qb6∞ ½-½ (47) Matlak, M (2405) – Kveinys, A (2435) Mikolajki 1991) 15.Nxc4 Nxc4 16.Bxc4 Rc8 17.Bd3 17.Bf1 Rxc3!? 18.bxc3 Nxe4 19.Bb2 Nxf2 20.Rxe8+ Bxe8 21.Qf3 Ng4© 17...Ng4

Position after: 17...Ng4 18.h3 18.Bf4 Bd4 19.Bg3 Qf6 20.Rf1 h5 21.Be2 h4 22.Bxg4 Bxg4 23.Qxg4 hxg3 24.hxg3 Bxc3 25.bxc3 Rxc3 26.Rab1 Qe7 27.Rfe1 Rc4 28.a5 Ra4= 18...Ne5 19.Bf4 Qb6 20.Rb1 Qb4© 2d) 12.Qc2 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.e4 0-0 9.Be2 Re8 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.a4 Ne5 12.Qc2

Position after: 12.Qc2 Definitively the main idea together with the Ra3 set-up. 12...Qe7!? In both cases, 12.Ra3 and 12.Qc2, I decided to opt for this rare approach instead of the usual ...g5 ideas. The old set-up simply doesn’t work, although it was highly popular in the seventies and eighties. It is possible to use it for practical reasons but a clear advantage has been found for White: 12...g5 A) 13.Re1 g4 14.Nf1 Nh5 15.Ng3 Nxg3 16.hxg3 h5 17.Bf4 Ng6 18.Bb5 Rf8 19.Qd2 Nxf4 20.gxf4 a6 21.Bd3 g3„ 0-1 (46) Friedgood, D (2310) – Povah, N (2325) London 1979. B) 13.Ra3 g4 transposes to the 12.Ra3 g5 13.Qc2 line, but other’s 13th white move are not better at all. C) 13.Nd1 g4 (13...Qe7!? 14.Ne3 Nfg4!? 15.Nf5 Bxf5 16.exf5 Nf6∞) 14.Ne3 Nh5 15.f4 gxf3 16.Nxf3 Nxf3+ 17.Rxf3 Bd4

Position after: 17...Bd4 18.Kh1 (18.Bd2 Bg4µ) 18...Qh4 19.Bd2 Be5 20.Nf1 Bg4 21.Be1 Qg5∞ 13.Ra3 13.b3 Bg4 14.f3 Bd7 15.Bb2 Nh5 16.g3 Bh3 17.Rf2 a6 18.Nd1 f5∞ 19.f4 Ng4³ 13...Bd7!?

Position after: 13...Bd7!?

This is modern flexible approach. I was confronted with this in my game with Illescas, New York 1987, in a different move order. 14.Re1 A) 14.f3 Nh5 15.Re1 Qh4 16.Rd1 Nd3 17.Nf1 Qf2+ 18.Kh1 Nxc1 19.Qxc1 Bd4 20.Rxd4 cxd4 0-1 (20) Crispino, G – Zullo, F corr. 1982. B) 14.Nd1 a6 15.a5 Bb5„ C) 14.f4 Neg4 15.Qd3 c4 16.Nxc4 Nxe4³ D) 14.b3

Position after: 14.b3 D1) 14...Rad8 15.Bb2 Bc8 16.Raa1 Rf8 17.Rae1 g5 18.Nd1!?² (18.Nc4 Nxc4 19.bxc4 Rde8 20.Bd3 Ng4∞ ½-½ (47) Sarosi, Z (2325) – Szalanczy, E (2420) Hungary 1996) D2) 14...Nfg4!? 15.h3 Nh6 16.f4 Neg4!

Position after: 16...Neg4! 17.hxg4 Bd4+ 18.Rf2 Qh4 19.Nd1 Nxg4 20.Bxg4 Bxg4 21.Nf3 Bxf3 22.gxf3 Qg3+ 23.Kf1 f5 24.Ke2 (24.Be3 fxe4 25.Bxd4 cxd4 26.fxe4 d3–+) 24...Re7 25.Be3 Rae8 26.Bxd4 cxd4 27.e5 dxe5 28.Qc4 Rd7µ 14...Rac8 15.Nf1 c4!

Position after: 15...c4! That is the idea basically Black is counting on. The ‘...Nd3’ idea even at the cost of a pawn! 16.Bg5 a6 17.Qd2 b5 18.axb5 axb5 19.b4 Qf8 20.f4 Nd3 21.Bxd3 cxd3∞

2e) 12.Ra3 g5 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.e4 0-0 9.Be2 Re8 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.a4 Ne5 12.Ra3

Position after: 12.Ra3 The most difficult move for Black to meet together with Qc2. Here we have an overview of the old line starting with ...g5, but I am not enterily happy with the outcome. Nothing really changed much since Psakhis his book came out quite some time ago. I even managed to improve White’s play. Black is positionally outplayed. If White knows what to do, Black gets into trouble. The next subchapter will be about my preferred move: 12...Qe7. 12...g5 13.Qc2 Now there are many moves but none seems to provide equal chances. 13.Re1 Ng6 14.Bb5 Re7 15.Nf1 a6 16.Bc4 h6 17.Ng3 b6!?∞ 13...g4 Apart from this, only 13...Qe7 deserves some further investigation. A) 13...a6?! 14.a5

Position after: 14.a5 14...Nfg4!? (14...Nfd7!? 15.Nd1 Nf8 16.Ne3 Bd7 17.Ndc4²) 15.Nd1 Nh6 16.Ne3 Rf8 17.Ndc4 f5 18.Nxe5 Bxe5 19.Nc4 Bg7 20.e5± B) 13...Nfg4?! 14.Nd1 Rf8 15.h3 Nh6 16.Nc4 Nxc4

Position after: 16...Nxc4 17.Rg3!!± A great computer idea! White is clearly better. C) 13...Qe7!? 14.Nd1 Ng6 15.Bb5 Rf8 16.Ne3 a6 17.Bd3

Position after: 17.Bd3 17...b6!? (17...Rb8 18.a5²) 18.Ndc4 Rb8 19.Rb3 Qc7 20.Nf5 (20.Bd2 Nf4 21.Re1 Bd7∞) 20...Bxf5 21.exf5 Nf4 22.Bxf4 gxf4 23.Nd2 Qa7 24.Bc4 Rfe8 25.Qd3 Re5∞

Position after: 13...g4 14.Nd1 Best, although White has other moves too: A) 14.Nc4 Nh5 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 16.g3 Qf6 17.Nd1 Qg6∞

B) 14.b3!? Nh5 15.Nc4

Position after: 15.Nc4 15...Qe7!? (15...Qf6 16.Nb5 Nf3+ 17.gxf3 gxf3 18.Kh1 fxe2 19.Qxe2 Qh4 20.Nbxd6 Bg4 21.Qd3±) 16.Ne3 a6 17.h3 (17.Nf5 Bxf5 18.exf5 Nf3+µ) 17...Qh4∞ 14...Nh5 As we will see, Black uses the g-pawn taking space on the kingside. 14...Ng6 15.Ne3 Qe7 (15...Bd7 16.Bb5²) 16.Bb5 Rf8 17.a5 Bh6!? 18.Re1 (18.a6 bxa6 19.Bxa6 Bxe3!„; 18.g3 Ne5 19.Be2 Bd7∞) 18...Bf4 19.b3²

Position after: 14...Nh5 15.f4! Best and now Black is in trouble. Other moves failed to give White anything. A) 15.g3 Qe7!? 16.Ne3 Nf6 17.b3 Nf3+!? 18.Nxf3 gxf3 19.Bxf3 Nxe4∞ B) 15.Ne3 Nf4 16.Bb5 Rf8

Position after: 16...Rf8 B1) 17.g3 Nh3+ 18.Kh1 Qf6 19.Be2 Ng5 20.Nec4 Qg6 21.Ne3 Qf6 22.Ndc4 Re8!∞ (22...Nef3? 23.Nxg4!+– 1-0 (28) Farago, I (2467) – Giacopelli, V (2131) Lugano 2000) B2) 17.Rd1 Qh4 18.Bf1 Nf3+ 19.Nxf3 gxf3 20.g3 (20.Nc4 fxg2 21.Bxg2 Nxg2 22.Kxg2 Bg4 23.Rg1 f5∞) 20...Nh3+ 21.Kh1 Qxe4 22.Bd3 Qe5 23.Bxh7+ Kh8 24.Bd3 f5³ 0-1 (39) Gallardo Garcia, A (2360) – Salgado Lopez, I (2340) Madrid 2005. B3) 17.Re1 Qh4 18.Bf1 Nf3+ 19.Nxf3 gxf3

Position after: 19...gxf3 B3.1) 20.g3 Nh3+ 21.Kh1 Qxe4! (21...Qh5 22.Nc4² 1-0 (57) Farago, I (2527) – Rossmanith, A (2183) Bad Wiessee 2001) 22.Bd3 Qe5 23.Bxh7+ Kh8 24.Bd3 f5∞ B3.2) 20.Nc4!? With a Rook on e1 instead of d1 that would be a better version. 20...fxg2 21.Bxg2 Nxg2 22.Kxg2 f5 23.Nxd6 f4 24.Kh1 f3 25.Rg1 Bg4 26.Nc4 Rae8© 15...gxf3 16.Nxf3 Ng6 17.Ng5 Nf6

Position after: 17...Nf6

18.Raf3! Psakhis recommendation from his book. It is still better for White and furthermore I improved his analysis. 18.Rg3 Qe7 19.Bb5 Rf8 20.Ne3 Nh5 21.Nf5 Bxf5 22.exf5 Bd4+ 23.Kh1 Nxg3+ 24.hxg3 f6 25.Ne6 Ne5 26.Bh6 Ng4µ ½-½ (37) Kouatly, B (2440) – Renet, O (2440) Marseille 1988. 18...Qe7!? 19.Ne3!N

Position after: 19.Ne3!N 19...Ne5 A) 19...Rf8 20.Nf5 Bxf5 21.Rxf5ƒ Rae8? 22.e5! dxe5 23.Be3+– B) 19...a6 20.Nf5 Bxf5 21.Rxf5 h6 22.e5 Nxe5 23.Rxf6 hxg5 24.Bxg5 Bxf6 25.Bxf6 Qf8 26.Qd2+– 20.Rg3± Overall while ‘...g5’ is an entertaining line and surely in the spirit of the position, it seems that Black has difficulties to find descent counterplay. 2f) 12.Ra3 Qe7 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.e4 0-0 9.Be2 Re8 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.a4 Ne5 12.Ra3 Qe7!?

Position after: 12...Qe7!? Here I developed some new theoretical lines based on the ideas used in my game with Illescas. I think that it is probably the best way for Black to handle this system. Similar ideas where used much earlier by Velimirovic when he opted for ...Bg4!? provoking f3. 13.h3 A) 13.Qc2 Bd7!? transposes to the 12.Qc2 line covered in another line. B) 13.f4 Neg4 14.Nc4 Nxe4µ 13...g5

Position after: 13...g5 When White plays ‘h3’ and the Knight is already on e5 then ‘...g5’ is probably playable because the inclusion of ‘h3’ helps Black. White’s structure is more vulnerable compared to the structure we examined f.i in the Ra3 line. 14.Re1 g4 14...h6 15.Nf1 a6 16.a5 Ng6 17.Ng3 Qc7 18.Be3 Bd7 19.Qd2 Qd8 20.Rea1 Rc8 21.Rd1 Qe7 22.Rc1 Rc7 23.Bd1 Nh4∞ ½-½ (33) Kotyurgin, I (2187) – Tarasov, A (2243) corr. 2011. 15.hxg4 Nfxg4 16.Nf1 f5 17.f3

Position after: 17.f3 17...Nh6!? 17...Nf6 18.exf5 Nc4 19.Bxc4 Qxe1 20.Qxe1 Rxe1 21.Bd2 Re7 22.g4© 1-0 (45) Shulman, B (2419) – Kusnierz, J (2075) corr. 2010. 18.Be3 Ng6!∞

3) The Knight pirouette 8.Nc4 0-0 3a) 9.Bf4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.Nc4

Position after: 8.Nc4 Arriving to this strong outpost, practically reserved for the Knight, is something that has to be taken seriously. This line never caught up, it seems that White’s lack of development is a serious issue here. 8...0-0 9.Bf4 Some sidelines are possible, apart from another big idea ‘Bg5’. 9.g3!? That is the smart way. White wants to transpose to the fianchetto line but avoiding many other lines, things are not that simple of course. 9...Ng4!?

Position after: 9...Ng4!? A rare choice. 10.Bf4 (10.Bg2 Ne5 11.Nxe5 Bxe5 12.0-0 Nd7 13.Bh6 Re8 14.Qd2 a6 15.a4 Rb8„) 10...Nd7!?N If Black can establish a Knight on e5, White’s set-up proves simply to be to slow. 11.Nxd6 (11.Bxd6 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 Qf6‚) 11...g5 12.Bd2 (12.Be3 Nxe3 13.fxe3 Ne5 14.Nxc8 Rxc8©) 12...Nxf2 13.Kxf2 Qf6+

Position after: 13...Qf6+ 14.Kg2 (14.Kg1 Qxd6 15.Bxg5 Qg6 16.Bf4 Re8 17.e3 Ne5 18.h3 Bf5©) 14...Qxd6 15.Bxg5 Qg6 (15...Nb6 16.e4 Qg6 17.Bf4 Bxc3 18.bxc3 Qxe4+ 19.Qf3 Bh3+ 20.Kf2 Qxf3+ 21.Kxf3 Bxf1 22.Rhxf1 Nxd5³) 16.Bf4 Re8 17.e3 Ne5 18.Be2 Bf5 19.h4 Nd3©

9...Ne8

Position after: 9...Ne8 There are other moves. I decided to cover this one, it looked a reasonable choice to me. 10.Qd2 10.e3 Nd7 11.Be2 (11.Nxd6 Nxd6 12.Bxd6 Bxc3+ 13.bxc3 Qf6 14.Bxf8 Qxc3+ 15.Ke2 Qb2+ 16.Kf3 Kxf8 17.h3 Qe5 18.Qc1 b6 19.Bb5 Nf6 20.Bc6 Ne4µ) 11...Ne5 12.Bxe5 Bxe5 13.Nxe5 dxe5 14.Qd2 Nd6 15.e4 Bd7= ½-½ (44) Markos, J (2584) – Klima, L (2340) Czech Republic 2013. 10...b6 11.e3 A) 11.a4 Ba6 12.Nb5 Bxb5 13.axb5 Nd7 14.e3 Ne5 15.Bxe5 Bxe5 16.Be2 Bg7 17.0-0 Nc7 18.Na3 Qd7 19.Ra2 (19.Rab1 a6 20.Qd3 axb5 21.Nxb5 Ra4 22.b3 Ra2 23.Nxc7 Qxc7 24.Qb5 Bf6³) 19...a6!

Position after: 19...a6! 20.bxa6 b5 21.Nc2 Nxa6 22.Rfa1 Qb7 23.e4 c4³ B) 11.Nb5 Ba6 12.a4 transposes. (12.Nbxd6?! Nxd6 13.Nxd6 g5 14.Bg3 f5µ) 11...Ba6 12.a4 Nd7!?

Position after: 12...Nd7!? It is important to gain a tempo. 12...Bxc4 13.Bxc4 a6 14.0-0 Nd7 15.Qe2!²

13.Nxd6 13.Be2 Bxc4 14.Bxc4

Position after: 14.Bxc4 A) 14...Qe7 15.Qe2 (15.Bb5!? a6 16.Bc6 Rb8 17.0-0 Ne5 18.Qe2 Nc7 19.Bg3 f5∞) 15...Nc7∞ B) 14...a6 15.Qe2 (15.0-0 Qe7 16.Qe2 Nc7=) 15...b5!„ 16.axb5 axb5 17.Rxa8 Bxc3+ 18.bxc3 Qxa8 19.Ba2 Nef6 20.0-0 Re8 21.Bxd6 Ne4µ 13...Bxf1 14.Kxf1 Nxd6 15.Bxd6 Re8

Position after: 15...Re8 We reached an interesting position. White is a pawn up and not just any pawn but the d6 pawn. On the other hand Black is counting on his rapid development and activity! 16.Rd1 Probably best, though other moves are possible. A) 16.h4 Bxc3 17.bxc3 Nf6 18.Bf4 Qxd5µ B) 16.Bg3 h5 17.h4 (17.f3 c4 18.Ne4 Rxe4 19.fxe4 Nc5‚) 17...Bxc3 18.bxc3 Nf6 19.f3 Qxd5 20.Qxd5 Nxd5 21.e4 Ne3+ 22.Ke2 Nc4 23.Kd3 Nb2+ 24.Kc2 Nc4= C) 16.Bf4 c4 17.h4 Nc5 18.Rd1 h5 19.g3 Nd3 20.Kg2 Bxc3³ 16...Bxc3 An alternative is: 16...Nf6

Position after: 16...Nf6 17.Bf4 (17.Bg3 Ne4 18.Nxe4 Rxe4 19.d6 Qd7 20.Qd5 Rae8 21.b3 h5 22.h4 R4e6!„) A) 17...Nh5!? 18.h4 (18.h3 Nxf4 19.exf4 Qd7 20.g3 Bxc3 21.Qxc3 Qxa4 22.Kg2 Rad8„) 18...Qd7 19.g3 Nxf4 20.gxf4 a6 21.d6 Rad8© B) 17...Qd7!? 18.f3 (18.d6 Ne4 19.Qc2 Bxc3 20.bxc3 g5 21.Bg3 Qf5 22.Qb2 Rad8³) 18...a6 19.d6 b5 20.Qc2 c4 21.Kf2 b4 22.Nd5² 17.bxc3 Nf6 18.Bf4 Ne4

Position after: 18...Ne4 19.Qc2 19.Qc1 g5 20.Bg3 Qf6 21.c4 Re7 22.f3 (22.Kg1 Rae8 23.Re1 h5 same) 22...Rae8 23.Re1 h5 24.Kg1 h4 25.fxe4 (25.Bf2 Nxf2 26.Kxf2 g4 27.Re2 h3 28.Rhe1 hxg2 29.f4 Re4 30.Kxg2 Kf8©) 25...hxg3 26.hxg3 Rxe4© 19...g5 20.Bg3 Qf6 21.c4 Re7 22.Kg1 Rae8 23.Re1 h5 24.f3 Nxg3 25.hxg3 Rxe3 26.Rxe3 Rxe3 27.Rxh5 Kf8 28.Kh2 Re1 29.Qh7 Rd1„ 3b) 9.Bg5 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.Nc4 0-0 9.Bg5 h6

Position after: 9...h6 10.Bh4 We have an alternative available because provoking h6 has some points, for instance Qd2 can be played with a tempo! 10.Bf4 Nbd7!?

Position after: 10...Nbd7!? With the inclusion of ...h6, this line is attractive now. White has several critical moves.

A) 11.e3 Nb6= B) 11.e4 Nh5! 12.Bxd6 Re8 13.Be2 Nb6 14.Nxb6 Qxb6 15.Nb5 Rxe4 16.0-0 Bd7 17.Bc7 Qf6 18.Nd6 Rd4 19.Qb3 b6 20.Bf3 Rb4³ C) 11.Bxd6 Re8 12.e3 (12.Bg3 Nb6!N 13.Nd6 Re7 14.e3 Rd7 15.Nxc8 Nbxd5 16.Nxd5 Rxd5 17.Qa4 Rxc8 18.Bc4 Rd2 19.0-0 Qe8³) 12...Nb6!N

Position after: 12...Nb6!N 13.Bxc5 Nfxd5 14.Nxd5 Nxd5 15.Qd2 Be6 16.Bd4 Bxd4 17.Qxd4 Rc8 18.Rd1 b5 19.Nd2 Qa5ƒ D) 11.Nxd6 Nb6 12.e4 (12.h3 g5! 13.Bh2 Nbxd5 14.Nxd5 Nxd5 15.Qxd5 Bxb2 16.Rd1 Bc3+ 17.Rd2 Be6 18.Qd3 Qf6 19.e3 c4 20.Qc2 Bxd2+ 21.Qxd2 Qa1+ 22.Qd1 Qc3+=) 12...Nh5

Position after: 12...Nh5 D1) 13.Qd2 Nxf4 14.Qxf4 Qe7 15.Nxc8 Raxc8 16.Be2 Rfe8 17.0-0 (17.0-0-0 c4 18.d6 Be5³) 17...Bxc3 18.bxc3 Qxe4 19.Qxe4 Rxe4 20.Bf3 Rc4 21.Rac1 Rd8 22.Rc2 Nc8³ D2) 13.Nxc8 Nxf4 14.Nxb6 axb6

Position after: 14...axb6 15.Qd2 (15.g3 Bxc3+ 16.bxc3 Qf6 17.Qd2 Nxd5ƒ) 15...Bxc3 16.bxc3 Qf6 17.f3 Ra3 18.Rc1 Rfa8 19.Rc2 Nh5 20.Kf2 Qh4+ 21.Kg1 Qf6 22.Bc4 Kg7© For a pawn’s deficit, Black obtains excellent activity. 10...Na6 11.e3 Nc7 12.a4 b6 13.Be2 Ba6

Position after: 13...Ba6 14.0-0 14.b3 g5 15.Bg3 Nfxd5! 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.Qxd5 Bxa1 18.h4 Bc3+ 19.Kf1 Qf6 20.hxg5 Qxg5 21.Qd1 Bg7³ 14...Bxc4 15.Bxc4 a6 16.h3 Qd7 The similarity with the ...Na6-lines are obvious but there are some differences too, for instance the pawn is now on e3 which helps Black! 17.Qd3 Nh5!N

Position after: 17...Nh5!N 18.g4 Bf6 19.Bxf6 Nxf6 20.e4 Qe7 21.Kg2 21.f4 b5!ƒ 21...g5 22.f4 b5!

Position after: 22...b5! 23.axb5 axb5 24.fxg5 hxg5 25.e5 Rxa1 26.exf6 Qe5 27.Rxa1 bxc4 28.Qd2 Qxf6 29.Ra7 Rc8 30.Ne4 Qe5 31.Qxg5+ Qxg5 32.Nxg5 Nxd5=

Chapter 4 The Modern line 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.e4 0-0 9.Bd3 b5

Chapter’s guide Chapter 4 – The Modern line 6.Nf3 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.e4 0-0 9.Bd3 b5 1) 10.Bxb5 2) 10.Nxb5 Re8 11.other moves & 11.0-0 Nxe4 12.other moves 3) 10.Nxb5 Re8 11.0-0 Nxe4 12.Re1

1) 10.Bxb5 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.e4 0-0 9.Bd3

Position after: 9.Bd3 This line created such big problems at a begining of the ninties. It frightened everybody who was playing the Benoni. We had similar problems in our Grünfeld when the ‘Rb1-line’ appeared on stage! This line was known from the past and I remember that Velimirovic told me that ‘...b5’ is simply OK for Black, period. But at some point White started to recheck the old stuff and new ideas reemerged with such a devestating effect that the line become really highly unpleasant. Nowadays the correct antidote is known. A clear path has been found and ‘...b5’ remains the best option for equality. White can take with the Knight or Bishop and in both cases Black is able to produce a position with equal chances but with precise play needed. Perhaps you can call it ‘dry chess’, but sometimes there is nothing else available. 9...b5!? 10.Bxb5 An another important line. White takes a pawn and Black has to prove his compensation. For a long time this line was giving Black headaches but finally I think we may conclude that it leads to equal positions. 10.a3 a6 11.0-0 Re8 12.Re1 Nbd7 13.Bf4 Qb6 14.Qd2 Bb7 see under Nf3 Bf4 line, ‘e4-b5-Bd3’ idea. 10...Nxe4 11.Nxe4 Qa5+ 12.Nfd2 Qxb5 13.Nxd6 Qa6 14.N2c4 Nd7 15.0-0 Ne5

Position after: 15...Ne5 When I analysed with Velimirovic, we concluded that this is the best line. In the past, we tried, both of us, something else for Black but finally we settled down with this line. 16.Nxc8 Raxc8 17.Nxe5 Bxe5

Position after: 17...Bxe5 18.Re1 Alternatives are possible:

A) 18.Qf3 Rfe8 19.Rd1 c4 20.a4 Qb7 21.Ra3 Bxb2 22.d6 Qxf3 23.Rxf3 Bxc1 24.Rxc1 Red8 25.Rf4 c3 26.Rd4 Rc6³ ½-½ (47) Shengelia, D (2560) – Gashimov, V (2740) Novi Sad 2009. B) 18.Bh6 Rfd8 (18...Bxb2 19.Bxf8 Bxa1 20.Be7 Bf6 21.d6 Bxe7 22.dxe7+–) 19.Qf3 Bxb2 20.Rad1 Bd4 21.Rfe1 Re8 22.a3 Rcd8= 18...Rfe8

Position after: 18...Rfe8 19.Bg5 19.a4 Qd6 20.Ra3 Bd4 21.Rd3 Qxd5 22.Be3 Re4= 19...Bd4 Covering the d-file, Black simply wants ...Qd6 with the intention to regain the pawn on d5. 20.Qb3 20.Rb1 Qd6 21.Qf3 Bxb2

Position after: 21...Bxb2 22.Bf4 (22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 23.Bf4 Be5 24.Re1 f6 25.Bxe5 Rxe5 26.Rxe5 Qxe5 27.Qd1 Kf8 28.d6 Ke8 29.Qa4+ Kf8 30.Qxa7 Qxd6 31.Qxh7 Qd1+ 32.Kh2 Qd6+=) 22...Be5 23.Rxe5 (23.Bxe5 Rxe5 24.Rxe5 Qxe5 25.Rb7 Qa1+ 26.Kh2 Qe5+ 27.Kg1 Qa1+ 28.Kh2 Qe5+ 29.g3 Rc7 30.Rxc7 Qxc7 31.Qf6 c4 32.d6 Qc6 33.Qd4 Qd7=) 23...Rxe5 24.Rd1 Rce8 25.Bxe5 Rxe5 26.Qd3 h5= ½-½ (26) Blagojevic, D (2514) – Colovic, A (2451) Porto Carras 2011. 20...Qd6 21.Qb7

Position after: 21.Qb7

On the other hand White is willing to take on a7 as well, the remaining position is to dry and it looks that Back will overcome his problems succesfully! 21...h5!?N A new idea we promote, but other moves are also more than ok. A) 21...Kg7!? 22.Be3 Bxe3 23.Rxe3 Rxe3 24.fxe3 Rb8 25.Qxa7 Rxb2 26.Qa3 Qe5 27.Qxc5 Rd2 28.Rc1 Rxd5 29.Qc3 Rd1+ 30.Kf2 Qxc3 31.Rxc3 Rd2+ 32.Kf3 Rxa2= B) 21...Rb8 22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 23.Bh6

Position after: 23.Bh6 B1) 23...g5!?N 24.Bxg5 (24.Qc6?! Qxc6 25.dxc6 f6 26.h4 Kf7 27.hxg5 Kg6 28.Kf1™ (…Re1) 28...Rc8³ Only Black can win.; 24.Qb5 Re5 25.Qc6 Qxc6 26.dxc6 f6 27.h4 Re6 28.c7 Rc6 29.hxg5 Rxc7 30.Rb1 Rc6 31.gxf6 Bxf2+ 32.Kxf2 Rxf6+ 33.Kg3 Rxh6=) 24...Qg3

Position after: 24...Qg3 25.Be3 Bxe3 26.fxe3 Rb8 27.Qe7 Rxb2 28.Qe4 Re2 29.d6 Rxe3 30.Qd5 Rd3 31.Qxc5 Qxd6= B2) 23...Rb8 24.Qc6 Qxc6 (24...Qe5 25.Rf1 Rd8 26.b3 Qxd5 27.Qxd5 Rxd5 28.Re1 Be5 29.Kf1 f6 30.Be3 Bb2! 31.Ke2 Kf7 32.Rb1 Ba3=) 25.dxc6 Rc8 26.Rd1 (26.Re1 f5 27.Re7 Rxc6 28.b3 c4 29.bxc4 Rxc4=) 26...a5 27.b3 Rxc6 28.Kf1 f6 29.f3 Kf7= ½-½ (43) Mahnke, R – Vossenkuhl, J corr. 2001. B3) 23...Qb6!?N 24.Qxb6 (24.Qc6 Bxf2+ 25.Kf1 Qb8 26.Bf4 Qxf4 27.Qxe8+ Kg7 28.Qe2 Be3+ 29.Qf3 Qc4+=; 24.Qd7 Bxf2+ 25.Kh1 Rd8 26.Qe7 Qd6 27.Qxd6 Rxd6 28.Rd1 Bd4=) 24...axb6 25.Rd1 Rd8 26.b4 Rxd5 27.Be3 Rd7 28.Kf1 f6 29.a4 Ra7 30.Bxd4 cxd4 31.Ra1 Re7!=

Position after: 21...h5!?N

22.Be3 22.Rac1 Rxe1+ 23.Rxe1 Rb8 24.Qc6 Qxc6 25.dxc6 Rc8 26.b3 Rxc6 27.Re8+ Kg7 28.Kf1 Ra6 29.Re2= 22...Rc7 23.Qb5 Rd7 24.Bxd4 Rxe1+ 25.Rxe1 cxd4 26.Rd1 Qxd5 27.Qxd5 Rxd5 28.Rd3 Kg7=

2) 10.Nxb5 Re8 11.other moves & 11.0-0 Nxe4 12.other moves

Position after: 10.Nxb5!? The Big Line! 10...Re8! 11.0-0 The main move but here some other ideas like ‘Nd2’ are possible too. A) 11.Nd2 This line is the major alternative. 11...Nxd5!

Position after: 11...Nxd5! Best and also Velimirovic concluded the same a long time ago. A1) 12.0-0 Nc7!? (12...Nf4 13.Nc4 Nxd3 14.Qxd3 Ba6 15.Ncxd6 Re6 16.Qd5 Nc6 17.Qxc6 Bxb5 18.Qxb5 Qxd6 19.Be3 Rb8 20.Qxc5 Qxc5 21.Bxc5 Rxe4©) 13.Nxc7 (13.Re1 Nc6=) 13...Qxc7 14.Nc4 Nc6 15.Bf4 Re6 16.Re1 Bb7= A2) 12.Nc4 Re6 13.Be2™ (13.0-0? Nb4 14.f4 Ba6 15.a4 d5µ) 13...Nb6

Position after: 13...Nb6 A2.1) 14.Nxb6? Qxb6 15.0-0 Bb7 16.Nc3 Nd7³ ½-½ (28) Van Unen, J (2523) – Soltau, A (2632) ICCF Email

2005. A2.2) 14.Ncxd6 Ba6 15.0-0 (15.Bg4 f5 16.Bf3 Nc6 17.0-0 Nd4 18.exf5 Rxd6 19.Nxd6 Bxf1 20.Bf4 Ba6∞) 15...Rxd6³ A2.3) 14.0-0™ 14...Ba6 15.Nxb6 axb6 16.Bc4 (16.Qd5 Bxb5 17.Bxb5 Ra7 18.Re1 Nd7=) 16...Nc6 17.Bxe6 fxe6 Black is fine: 0-1 (42) Cardelli, G (2443) – Karacsony, Z (2605) ICCF server 2008. B) 11.Nc3 Nxe4 12.Nxe4 f5 13.Nfg5 fxe4 14.Bc4

Position after: 14.Bc4 14...e3! 15.Ne6 Qh4 16.Qg4 exf2+ 17.Kf1 Qxg4 18.hxg4 Bxe6 19.dxe6 Nc6³ 0-1 (48) Efimov, I (2525) – Martorelli, A (2405) Cutro 1998. C) 11.Bg5 c4 12.Bxc4 Rxe4+ 13.Be2 Qa5+ 14.Kf1 Ba6

Position after: 14...Ba6 15.a4 Nbd7 16.Nd2 Re7!? 17.Nc4 Qb4 18.Qe1 Qb3 19.Qc3 (19.Nbxd6 Nb6!ƒ; 19.Qd1 Qb4=) 19...Qxc3 20.bxc3 h6 21.Bh4 Nc5 22.Bf3 Rd7© 11...Nxe4

Position after: 11...Nxe4 Here the main line is 12.Re1 (next subchapter) but other moves are also very important! 12.Qb3

This move for instance was very popular and I remember that in one rapid play Pishin, who was Karpov’s second, played it against me. A) 12.Bxe4 Rxe4 13.Ng5 Rb4 14.Qf3 Bf5 15.g4 Rxb5 16.gxf5 Qe7 17.Ne4 Rb4µ B) 12.Qa4 a6 13.Bxe4 Bd7 14.Bd3 Qb6 15.Ng5 Bd4! 16.Nf3 Bg7= 12...a6 13.Na3 13.Nc3 Bf5!? 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 15.Bxe4 Rxe4 16.Bg5 Qc8 17.Rfe1 Rxe1+ 18.Rxe1 Nd7 19.Be7 c4 20.Qe3 Nc5 21.Bxd6 Nd3„ 13...Nd7 14.Nc4

Position after: 14.Nc4 14...Rb8 14...Qc7 15.Bf4 Bf8 16.Rfe1 Nef6 17.Rxe8 Nxe8 18.Nfd2 Rb8!? 19.Qc2 Nef6 20.Ne3 Nb6 21.Bc4 Bb7= 15.Qc2 f5 16.Re1 Nb6!?

Position after: 16...Nb6!? 17.Bxe4 17.Na5?! Nxd5 18.Nc6 Nb4 19.Nxb4 Rxb4µ 17...Nxc4 18.Bg5 Bf6 19.Bxf6 Qxf6 20.Qxc4 fxe4 21.Rxe4 Rxe4 22.Qxe4 Bd7 23.Re1 Rxb2=

3) 10.Nxb5 Re8 11.0-0 Nxe4 12.Re1 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.e4 Bg7 8.h3 0-0 9.Bd3 b5 10.Nxb5 Re8 11.0-0 Nxe4 12.Re1 a6

Position after: 12...a6 13.Nc3!? The best chance for an advantage and relatively a new idea here. Before, White was looking for advantage in a different way, mainly with 13.Na3. This is the modern and more recent idea for White trying to achieve an advantage. A) 13.Rxe4 Rxe4 14.Nxd6 Rb4!

Position after: 14...Rb4! An important move! 15.a3 (15.Nxc8!? Qxc8 16.a3 Rb6! 17.Nd2 Bd4! 18.Nc4 Rf6 19.Be3 Bxe3 20.fxe3 Nd7 21.e4

Qc7 22.d6 Qc6 23.e5 Rf4³) 15...Qxd6 16.axb4 cxb4

Position after: 16...cxb4 A1) 17.Qe1 Bb7! 18.Qe8+ Qf8 19.Qxf8+ Bxf8 20.Bc4 (20.Ra5 Nd7 21.Bf4 Rc8 22.d6 Nc5 23.Bc4 Bxf3 24.gxf3 Nb7 25.Bxa6 Ra8 26.Rb5 Nxd6 27.Rb6 Nc8= ½-½ (29) Castro Salguero, R (2420) – Sánchez, M (2389) ICCF 2011) 20...Nd7 21.Be3 a5 22.Bb5 (22.Nd4? Nb6µ) 22...Nc5 23.Rd1™ 23...Rd8 24.Bc4 a4 25.Ng5∞ ½-½ (25) Dunlop, G (2130) – Compagnone, G (2268) ICCF 2012. A2) 17.Nd2!? White can also try following: 17...Nd7! 18.Ra5™ 18...Ne5! 19.Be2 Bb7 (19...Bf5 20.Nf1! Qb6 21.Ra1²) 20.Ne4™ 20...Qd8 21.Rc5 Nd7! 22.Rc4 Qa5 (targetting d5) 23.d6 Rd8= ½-½ (55) Jacobs, R (2350) – Mezera, L (2348) ICCF 2011. B) 13.Na3

Position after: 13.Na3 This is an old main line. 13...Nf6 14.Rxe8+ Nxe8 15.Bg5 (15.Nc4?! Nd7! 16.Bg5 Ndf6!= …...Nc7) 15...Qc7 16.Qa4 Nf6 More or less the moves are forced! 17.Re1!? (17.Nb5 Qb6 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Qf4 axb5! 20.Qxf6 Nd7 21.Qe7 Kg7 22.Ng5 Ne5 23.Ne4 Nxd3 24.Nxd6 Ra7 25.Ne8+ Kg8 26.Nf6+ Kg7= ½–½ (26) Palliser, R (2445) – Kononenko, D (2582) Plovdiv 2010) 17...Bb7!

Position after: 17...Bb7! Targetting the d5-pawn. 18.Nd2 Nbd7 19.Re7™ This line is also important for theory and was checked a lot in the past but Back is holding it fine!

19...Rd8 20.Ne4 (20.Bxa6 Bxa6 21.Qxa6 Nxd5=) 20...Qb8 21.Nc4 Bxd5 22.Nexd6 Nb6! 23.Nxb6 Qxd6 24.Nxd5 Qxd5 25.Qf4 Qxd3 26.Bxf6 Bxf6= ½-½ (26) Hoenig, B (2382) – Schulze, M (2427) IECG Email 2003.

Position after: 13.Nc3!? 13...Nxc3™ 13...Nf6? 14.Rxe8+ Nxe8 15.Bg5± 14.bxc3 14.Rxe8+!? Qxe8 15.bxc3 Bxc3= transposes. 14...Bxc3! Black has to accept the challenge. 15.Rxe8+ Qxe8 16.Rb1 The critical position. Black has to be precise in order to keep the balance. 16...Bg7!

Position after: 16...Bg7! The best way is to start with this move. 17.Bf4 Most logical! A) 17.Bd2 a5! 18.Bf4 Na6 19.Bxd6 Nb4 20.Bc4 Bf5³ B) 17.Nd2 Nd7

Position after: 17...Nd7

18.Nc4™ (18.Qa4? Nf6 19.Qc6 Bd7 20.Qxd6 Bb5µ) 18...Qe7! 19.Bf4 (19.Qa4 Ne5 20.Nxe5 Bxe5 21.Qc6 Qa7 22.Bh6 Bd7 23.Qxa6 Qxa6 24.Bxa6 f6³) 19...Ne5 20.Qe2 (20.Nxe5?! Bxe5³) 20...Qc7 21.Bxe5 Bxe5 22.Nxe5 dxe5 23.Bc4 Rb8 24.Rxb8 Qxb8 25.Bxa6 Bxa6 26.Qxa6 Qb1+ 27.Kh2 Qb4= 17...Qd8

Position after: 17...Qd8 18.Qa4! A) 18.Qe1? Bf8 19.Ng5 Nd7 20.Ne4 Qc7 21.Bc4 Bb7 22.Qc3 Re8 23.Nxd6 Bxd6 24.Bxd6 Qxd6 25.Rxb7 Nb6= B) 18.Nd2 Nd7 19.Bxd6 Nf6 20.Bxc5 Qxd5 21.Qf3 Be6= C) 18.Qe2 Bf8 19.Ng5 Nd7 20.Ne4 Ne5

Position after: 20...Ne5 21.Bxe5 dxe5 22.Bc4 Bf5 23.Rb7 (23.d6 Ra7=) 23...Bc8 24.Rb3 Bf5 25.Ng3 Qf6 26.Nxf5 Qxf5 27.Bxa6 e4„ 18...Bd7!

Position after: 18...Bd7! 19.Qb3 19.Qa3 Bf8!? … 20.Nd2 Qf6! 21.Bg3 Bf5³

19...Bb5™ 20.Bxb5 axb5 21.Qxb5 Bf8 22.a4 Nd7 23.Qc6 Rc8 24.Qa6 Ra8=

Chapter 5 6.Nf3 g6, Bg5 ideas 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bg5

Chapter’s guide Chapter 5 – 6.Nf3 g6, Bg5 ideas 1) 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.Bg3 Nh5 a) 10.e3 Nxg3 11.hxg3 Bg7 12.Bd3 Nd7 13.Qc2 Qe7 b) 10.e3 Nxg3 11.hxg3 Bg7 12.Bd3 Nd7 13.Qc2 a6 2) 7.e4 Bg7 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 a6 a) 10.other moves & 10.Nd2 b5 11.other moves b) 10.Nd2 b5 11.Qc2

1) 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.Bg3 Nh5 1a) 10.e3 Nxg3 11.hxg3 Bg7 12.Bd3 Nd7 13.Qc2 Qe7 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bg5

Position after: 7.Bg5 This system doesn’t enjoy today’s popularity as it was in the past. The reason is that some real antidotes were found and today it is used mainly as a surprise weapon. For a while I didn’t see any new idea here. That doesn’t mean that the line is bad, on the contrary but it seems that Black gets his share of counterplay. Put it simply: there are many more dangerous lines for Black but we definitely shouldn’t overlook it either. 7...h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.Bg3 Nh5

Position after: 9...Nh5 This is best move order in my opinion when confronted with the ‘Bg5’ line, sooner or later you will get this guy on g3. 10.e3 Not the only move, we have some additional ideas: A) 10.Qa4+ Nd7 11.e3 Nxg3 12.hxg3 Bg7 13.Qe4+ (13.Bd3 a6 14.Qc2 b5 15.a4 b4 16.Ne4 Qe7 17.a5 b3 18.Qb1 Rb8„) 13...Qe7 14.Nd2 Ne5 15.Bb5+ Kf8 16.Nc4 Rb8 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Bd3 f5 19.Qa4 b5³ B) 10.Qc2 Bg7 11.e3 (11.Qe4+ Kf8 12.e3 Nxg3 13.hxg3 Nd7„) 11...0-0!? 12.Bd3 f5 13.0-0 Na6 14.a3 Nc7„ C) 10.Nd2 Nxg3 11.hxg3 Nd7 12.e3 (12.Nc4 Nb6 13.e3 a6 14.a4 Bg7 15.Qd2 Nxc4 16.Bxc4 Bd7 17.a5∞ 1-0 (38) Agdestein, S (2560) – Ljubojevic, L (2610) Wijk aan Zee 1988) 12...Bg7

Position after: 12...Bg7 13.Nde4 (13.Qc2 0-0!? 14.Bd3 Ne5 15.Bh7+ Kh8 16.Bf5 Qf6 17.Bxc8 Raxc8 18.0-0 c4„ 0-1 (29) Dinstuhl, V (2406) – Kasimdzhanov, R (2614) Germany 2000; 13.Nc4 Nb6 14.Qc2 0-0∞) 13...Ne5 14.Bb5+ Kf8 15.Be2 h5!„ 10...Nxg3 11.hxg3 Bg7 12.Bd3 Nd7 13.Qc2 Qe7

Position after: 13...Qe7 14.a4!? A) 14.0-0 0-0! 15.Rae1 a6 16.a4 Rb8 17.Nd2 b5! 18.axb5 axb5 19.Nxb5 Ba6 20.Qa4 Rb6³ ½-½ (41) Balashov, Y (2600) – Lau, R (2440) Munich 1979. B) 14.Nd2 Ne5 15.Bf5 Bxf5 16.Qxf5 Qd7!? (16...c4 17.Ke2 0-0 18.Nce4 b5 19.Rxh6!+– 1-0 (32) Psakhis, L (2545) – Gavrikov, V (2430) Yerevan 1982) 17.Qxd7+ Kxd7 18.Ke2 a6 19.a4 b6∞ (19...Rab8 see under 14...a6 15.Nd2 line) 14...Ne5!?N I tried to speed up our play and not only by producing logical moves. Some alternatives are also not bad: 14...a6

Position after: 14...a6 A) 15.Bf5 b6!? (15...Ne5 16.a5 Bxf5 17.Qxf5 Qd7 18.Qc2²; 15...0-0 16.a5 Rb8 17.Nd2 b5 18.axb6 Rxb6 19.0-0 Ne5 20.Bxc8 Rxc8 21.Ra2 Rcb8 22.b3²) A1) 16.Nd2 Ne5 17.Bxc8 Rxc8 18.Qf5 Qd7 19.Qxd7+ Kxd7 20.Ke2 f5³ A2) A very interesting line is: 16.Ne4!? Ne5 17.Bxc8 Rxc8 18.Nxe5 Qxe5 19.g4

Position after: 19.g4 19...c4! (19...0-0 20.Ng3 Qxd5 21.Nf5 Qe6 22.0-0-0©) 20.Rd1 0-0 21.Ng3 Qxb2 22.Qxb2 Bxb2 23.Kd2 Rc5 24.e4 Be5 25.Nf5 Rd8 26.Rxh6 White is trying to give mate on the h-file! 26...c3+ 27.Kc2 Rc4 28.Kd3 Rxa4 29.Rdh1 Ra2

30.Ne7+ Kf8 31.Nc6 Rd2+ 32.Ke3 Bf4+ 33.Kf3 c2 34.Rh8+ Kg7 35.Nxd8 Rd3+= A3) 16.0-0 0-0 17.Rab1

Position after: 17.Rab1 We have some similarities with the Furman – Tal game, but here the Bishop is on ‘f5’ and the pawn on ‘b6’, the Queen on ‘e7’ and the Rook on ‘a8’. 17...Ne5 18.Nxe5 Qxe5 19.Bxc8 Raxc8= E.g. 20.Qb3 Rb8 21.Qc4 Ra8 22.g4 f5 23.gxf5 Qxf5„ The Bishop on g7 is indeed a strong piece! B) 15.Nd2 Ne5 16.Bf5 Bxf5 17.Qxf5 Qd7

Position after: 17...Qd7

18.Qxd7+ An interesting attempt to play the endgame but Black is not worse. (18.Nde4 Ke7 19.Qxd7+ Kxd7 20.Ke2 f5 21.Nd2 Rae8 22.a5 Rhf8 23.Na4 Kc7 24.Nb6 Ng4 25.Ndc4 f4„) 18...Kxd7 19.Ke2 Rab8 20.a5 b5 21.axb6 Rxb6

Position after: 21...Rxb6 B1) 22.Ra2 Rhb8 23.Nd1 (23.Rb1 Ng4! 24.Nd1 Nf6 25.e4 Nxe4 26.Nxe4 Re8³) 23...c4 24.Ra4 (24.f4 Nd3³) 24...Rb5 25.f4 Nd3 26.Rxc4 Nxb2 27.Nxb2 Rxb2 28.fxg5 hxg5 29.Rh7 Rg8 30.Kd3 Rb5 31.e4 Ra5 32.Rc6 Ra3+ 33.Ke2 Ra2= B2) 22.f4 Ng4 23.Ra2 (23.Nc4 Rb4³) 23...Rhb8 24.Nd1 gxf4 25.gxf4 Nf6 26.e4 Rb4 27.Kf3 h5 28.Rxa6 (28.b3 Rxb3+ 29.Nxb3 Rxb3+ 30.Ke2 Nxe4 31.Rh3 Ng3+ 32.Kd2 c4 33.Rxa6 Bh6©) 28...Rd4„ C) 15.0-0! 0-0 16.Rab1 Ne5 17.Nxe5 Qxe5 18.a5 Rb8

Position after: 18...Rb8 19.Na4!?N An interesting attempt! (19.Ra1 b5 20.axb6 Rxb6∞) 19...Qxd5 20.Nb6 Qe5 21.Rfd1 Rd8 22.Bh7+ (22.Be4 Be6 23.Nc4 Bxc4 24.Qxc4 b5 25.axb6 Rxb6 26.Bd5 Qe7 27.b3 a5=) 22...Kh8 23.Be4 Be6 24.Nc4 Bxc4 25.Qxc4 f5 26.Bf3 g4 27.Bd5 b5 28.axb6 Rxb6= 15.Bb5+ Kf8 16.a5 h5!

Position after: 16...h5! 17.Ra4 a6 18.Be2 Rb8 19.Nxe5 Bxe5 20.Rxh5 Rxh5 21.Bxh5 Bd7 22.Rc4 b5 23.axb6 Rxb6© Black obtains nice compensation. 1b) 10.e3 Nxg3 11.hxg3 Bg7 12.Bd3 Nd7 13.Qc2 a6 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.Bg3 Nh5 10.e3 Nxg3 11.hxg3 Bg7 12.Bd3 Nd7 13.Qc2 a6 14.a4 Rb8

Position after: 14...Rb8 White gave up his dark squared Bishop in order to use his compromised pawn structure and potential control over the light squares. We will see that it is not easy for White and Black does have good play. The obvious difference is that Black now goes for a fast ‘...Rb8’ instead of ‘...Qe7’ which I dealt in another file. 15.0-0 A) 15.Bf5 b5! 16.axb5 axb5 17.Ra7 Qb6 18.Ra2 b4 19.Na4 b3 20.Qe4+ Kd8µ ½-½ (37) Jussupow, A (2555) – Hulak, K (2495) Toluca 1982. B) 15.a5 Ne5 16.Bf5 b5 17.axb6 Rxb6 18.Nxe5 Bxe5 19.f4 Bg7 20.Bxc8 Qxc8 21.0-0-0 Qg4 22.Qa4+ Ke7 23.Qe4+ Kd7 24.Rhf1 Bxc3 25.bxc3 Qe2µ 0-1 (29) Raetsky, A – Pigusov, E (2525) Nabereznye Chelny 1988. 15...0-0

Position after: 15...0-0 16.Rab1! A) 16.a5 b5 17.axb6 Rxb6 18.Ra2 g4 19.Nd2 Ne5 20.Nc4 Nxc4 21.Bxc4 h5 22.Ne2 h4 23.gxh4 Qxh4 24.b3 Be5 25.g3 Qh6„ 0-1 (31) Gual Pascual, A (2480) – Asis Gargatagli, H (2456) Catalonia 2013. B) 16.Rfc1?! Qe7∞ 16...Qe7!? An important position! I decided to give this move a try, since the alternative didn’t make me happy despite the fact that Tal was playing Black. 16...Qc7 17.Rfc1 Re8 18.b4 cxb4 19.Rxb4

Position after: 19.Rxb4 19...Qxc3 (19...Nc5 20.Bh7+ Kf8 21.Nd4² Furman played well in this game 1-0 (68) Furman, S – Tal, M Tallinn 1971) 20.Qxc3 Bxc3 21.Rxc3 Nc5 22.Nd4 a5 23.Rb1 Kf8 24.Ra3 Bd7 25.Bb5² 17.b4

Position after: 17.b4 17.Rfc1 Ne5! 18.Nxe5 Qxe5∞ 17...cxb4

A) 17...Re8 18.a5² B) 17...Ne5 18.bxc5 dxc5 19.Nxe5 Qxe5 20.Ne4 Qxd5 21.Nxc5² ½-½ (59) Hartston, W (2445) – Nunn, J England 1976. 18.Rxb4 Nc5 19.Nd4 19.Bh7+ Kh8 20.Nd4 f5!³ 19...f5!?

Position after: 19...f5!? 19...Bd7 20.Bh7+ Kh8 21.Bf5 Rbc8 22.a5 Rc7 23.Nce2² 20.Nce2 20.Nc6 Qf6 21.Ne2 Ra8 22.Na5 Qd8 23.Nc4 b5 24.axb5 axb5 25.Rxb5 Ba6 26.Rb4 Nxd3 27.Qxd3 Rb8 28.Qb3 Rxb4 29.Qxb4 Qb8 30.Rb1 Qxb4 31.Rxb4 Bxc4 32.Rxc4 Ra8 33.Nd4 Ra1+ 34.Kh2 Bxd4 35.Rxd4 Ra5= 20...Qf7 21.Bc4 Bd7 22.a5 Rbc8 23.Rb6 Be5∞

2) 7.e4 Bg7 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 a6 2a) 10.other moves & 10.Nd2 b5 11.other moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.e4 Bg7 8.Bg5

Position after: 8.Bg5 8...h6 9.Bh4 a6 We can clearly see why this is necessary in the following line... 9...g5 10.Bg3 Nh5 11.Bb5+ Kf8 12.e5! A well known dangerous line for Black. 10.Nd2 A highly popular line at some moment in the Eighties, it was considered very strong. White will later play ‘a4’ securing the c4-square for the Knight, and Black really has to know what is he doing here in order to keep the balance. 10.a4 g5! 11.Bg3 Nh5

Position after: 11...Nh5 Now it’s a different story! 12.Nd2 Nxg3 13.hxg3 Nd7 14.Nc4 (14.Be2 Ne5„) 14...Ne5 15.Ne3 g4 16.Rh5 (16.a5 h5∞) 16...Qf6 17.Be2 Qg6 18.Nf5 Bf8 19.Rh4 Bxf5 20.exf5 Qxf5µ 10...b5

Position after: 10...b5 11.Be2 This used to be the most popular line.

11.a4 b4 12.Ncb1 0-0 13.Bd3 Re8 14.0-0 Nbd7 15.f4 Qc7 16.Qf3 (16.Qc2 Bb7 17.Nc4 b3µ) 16...c4 17.Rc1 c3 18.bxc3 Rb8!?N 19.h3 (19.Ra2 b3 20.Rb2 Nc5 21.h3 Bd7 22.Bf2 Bxa4³) 19...b3 20.Ra3 Nc5 21.Bf2 b2 22.Re1 Nxd3 23.Qxd3 Nh5 24.Qf3 f5„ 11...0-0 12.0-0 This alternative was also popular at that time: 12.Qc2 Re8 13.a4 b4 14.Nd1 transposes to the note 11.Qc2. 14...Nbd7 15.Ne3 b3 16.Qb1 Rb8 17.0-0 Rb4 18.f3 Nxe4!

Position after: 18...Nxe4! 19.Bxd8 Nxd2 20.Qc1 (20.Qd1 Nxf1 21.Nxf1 Rxd8 22.Ra3 c4–+ 0-1 (30) Womacka, M (2445) – Groffen, H (2220) Gausdal 2008) 20...Bd4 21.Qxd2 Bxe3+ 22.Qxe3 Rxe3³ 0-1 (33) Vasquez, R (2561) – Shabalov, A (2607) Moscow 2005. 12...Nbd7

Position after: 12...Nbd7 13.Qc2 As usual we have alternatives at every corner: 13.f4 c4 14.Qc2 Re8 15.Rae1 Nc5 16.a3 (16.Kh1 Bb7 17.a4 Qb6 18.Bf2 Nfd7 19.e5 dxe5 20.f5 gxf5 21.Qxf5 Qg6 22.Qxg6 fxg6 23.axb5 Nd3 24.Bxd3 cxd3∞ 0-1 (73) Genov, P (2473) – Papaioannou, I (2625) Athens 2001) 16...Bd7 17.Kh1 Rc8 18.f5 g5 19.Bg3 a5! 20.Bxd6 (20.Bxc4? bxc4 21.Nxc4 Nb7–+ 0-1 (24) Grivas, E (2505) – Gruenfeld, Y (2535) Rishon Le Ziyyon 1993) 20...b4 21.axb4 axb4„ 13...c4 13...Rb8!? Kasparov’s choice, anticipating ‘a4’. 14.Rae1 c4 15.f4 Qc7 (15...Re8 16.Kh1 Nc5 17.b4 cxb3 18.Nxb3 Qc7³) 16.Kh1 Nc5 17.Nd1 Re8 18.Nf2 Bd7 19.Bf3 Rec8 20.Rc1 Qa5 21.a3∞ ½-½ (21) Vukic, M (2485) – Stoica, V (2415) Tuzla 1981. 14.a4 14.b4 cxb3 15.axb3 Bb7 16.Rac1 Rc8 17.Qb1 Qb6 18.Na2 Qd4„ 0-1 (59) Hulak, K (2564) – Fercec, N (2433) Pula 2001. 14...Rb8 15.axb5 axb5 16.b4 cxb3

Position after: 16...cxb3 17.Qxb3 17.Nxb3 Qc7 18.Qd3 Ne5 19.Qe3 Nc4„ 20.Bxc4? Ng4! 21.Qd2 Qxc4–+ 0-1 (24) Mohr, S (2466) – Blechzin, I (2320) St Ingbert 1992. 17...Nc5 18.Qb4 Re8 18...Nxd5!? 19.exd5 Bxc3 20.Bxd8 Bxb4 21.Bc7 Bf5 22.Bxb8 Rxb8© 19.Bg3 Nh5 20.Bxh5 gxh5„ 0-1 (41) Sorin, A (2485) – Vera Gonzalez Quevedo, R (2445) Bayamo 1988. 2b) 10.Nd2 b5 11.Qc2 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.e4 Bg7 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 a6 10.Nd2 b5 11.Qc2!?

Position after: 11.Qc2!? A serious alternative! We will see that the idea to place the Bishop on d3, is not bad and probably best in my opinion. 11...0-0 Also very interesting: 11...g5!? 12.Bg3 Nh5 13.a4 Nxg3 14.hxg3 b4 15.Nd1 Nd7 16.Ne3 Ne5

Position after: 16...Ne5 17.Be2 (17.Ndc4 Rb8„) 17...Rb8 Having in mind ‘...b3’! 18.Rb1 (18.g4!? b3 19.Qc1 Rb4 20.Kf1 Qa5 21.Rh3 0-0 22.Ra3 Re8∞) 18...h5! 19.Rxh5 Rxh5 20.Bxh5 b3 (20...g4!? 21.Ndc4 b3 22.Qe2 Nxc4 23.Nxc4 Rb4 24.e5 dxe5

25.Nxe5 Bxe5 26.Qxe5+ Qe7 27.Qxe7+ Kxe7„) 21.Nxb3 g4 22.Nd2!? (22.f4 gxf3 23.Bxf3 Bh6ƒ) 22...Rb4! (22...Qg5 23.b4!?∞) 23.Ndc4 Nxc4 24.Nxc4 Bd4 Two pawns down but serious pressure! 25.b3 Qf6 26.f3 gxf3 27.Bxf3 a5ƒ 12.a4 b4 13.Nd1 Re8 14.Ne3

Position after: 14.Ne3 14...b3! 14...Nbd7 15.Bd3!? That is the idea behind an early Qc2, the Bishop is coming to d3 at once. 15...Ne5 A) 16.Be2 Rb8!? 17.f4 b3 18.Qc1 (18.Qb1 Ned7 19.0-0 Rb4 20.Kh1 Nxe4! 21.Bxd8 Nxd2 22.Qc1 Nxf1 23.Qxf1 Rxe3 24.Ba5 Rbe4µ) 18...Ned7 19.0-0 Rb4 20.Bf3 Rd4!? 21.Nxb3 Rdxe4 22.Bxe4 Rxe4© B) 16.0-0!? Nxd3 17.Qxd3 a5 18.Nec4 Ba6 19.Rae1 (19.Rfe1 Qc7 20.f4 Nd7 21.Rab1 Nb6 22.b3 Bd4+ 23.Kh1 Bc3„) 19...Qc7 20.Qc2 Nd7 21.Bg3 Ne5 22.b3 Nxc4 23.Nxc4 Rad8∞ 15.Qb1

Position after: 15.Qb1 15.Qd3 Nbd7 16.f3 Rb8 17.Nec4 Nb6∞ 18.Qxb3? Nxc4! 19.Qxb8 Nxd2–+ 15...Nbd7 With a couple of options here for Black: A) 15...Qa5 16.Bd3!N (16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Nec4 Qc7 18.Bd3 Nd7 19.0-0 Rb8 20.Ra3 Rb4 21.Rxb3 Rxa4 22.Qc2∞ 0-1 (70) Kozul, Z (2637) – Martinovic, S (2538) Plitvicka Jezera 2013) 16...Nbd7 17.Nec4 Qc7 18.0-0 Nh5 19.Qd1 Nf4 20.Bb1 g5 21.Bg3² B) 15...g5 16.Bg3 Nh5 17.Ndc4!?N (17.Bd3 Nf4 18.0-0 Nd7∞) 17...Nf4 (17...Nxg3 18.hxg3²) 18.Ra3 f5 19.exf5 (19.Rxb3 Rxe4∞) 19...Qf6 20.Bd3 Qd4 21.Rxb3 (21.0-0 Qxd3 22.Qxd3 Nxd3 23.Rxb3 Nf4∞) 21...Bxf5 22.Bxf5 Qxc4 23.Qc2 Nxg2+ 24.Kd2 Nxe3 25.Rxe3 Qxd5+ 26.Qd3 Qxd3+ 27.Rxd3 Nc6 28.Bd7 Nd4 (28...Ne5 29.Bxe8 Rxe8 30.Rd5²) 29.Bxe8 Rxe8 30.Kc1 Rb8 31.Re1² (31.Bxd6 Ne2+ 32.Kd1 Rxb2=) 16.Bd3!? 16.Be2 transposes to the 11.Be2 line, but Bd3 is the idea! 16...Ne5 16...Qc7 17.0-0 Nh5 18.Ndc4 Ne5 19.Nxe5 Bxe5 20.Nc4² 17.0-0 Rb8 18.Nec4 Rb4!

Position after: 18...Rb4! 19.f3 A) 19.Re1 Nxc4 20.Nxc4 g5 21.Bg3 Nxe4! 22.Rxe4 Rxe4µ B) 19.Nxe5 Rxe5 20.f4 Re8∞ 19...a5!? Also possible is: 19...Nxd3 20.Qxd3 a5 21.Ra3 Ba6 22.Rxb3 Rxa4 23.Qc2 g5 24.Bf2 (24.Bg3 Nh5!∞) 24...Nh5 25.g3 Nf6 26.g4 h5 27.h3 Rb4 28.Rxb4 cxb4∞ 20.Ra3 Nxc4 21.Nxc4 21.Bxc4 Nxe4!µ A great motive, quite important to remember! 21...Ba6 22.Rc1 Bxc4 23.Rxc4 Rxc4 24.Bxc4 Nxe4!

Position after: 24...Nxe4! Again! 25.Bxd8 Bd4+ 26.Kh1 Nf2+=

Chapter 6 The 6.Nf3 g6 7.Qa4+ System 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Qa4+

Chapter’s guide Chapter 6 – The 6.Nf3 g6 7.Qa4+ System

The 6.Nf3 g6 7.Qa4+ System 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Qa4+

Position after: 7.Qa4+ A rare line, mainly to confuse the opponent. There are some similiarities with the ‘Bf4’ line and also with the ‘Bg5’ line. It’s kind of mixture of those two. 7...Nbd7 8.Bf4 a6 9.e4 9.e3 Jobava’s idea . He is known for his unorthodox thinking. His idea is to challenge ‘...a6’ but to have the ‘e4’ square available for a piece. 9...Rb8 10.Qc2 b5 11.a4 b4 12.Ne4 b3!?N 13.Qd3 Rb4! 14.Nxd6+ Bxd6 15.Bxd6 Ne4 16.Bf4 Qf6 17.Rb1 0-0 18.Be2 Re8 19.0-0 c4 20.Qd4 Qxd4 21.Nxd4 Ndf6 22.d6 Nd5 23.Bh6 Nxd6 24.Bf3 Bb7 Black is fine. 9...Rb8

Position after: 9...Rb8 10.Qc2 White has a couple of more entertaining moves, some with theoretical importance: A) 10.h3 b5 11.Qc2 Qe7 12.0-0-0 Rarely you will encounter White doing this in the Benoni! 12...Bg7 13.Re1 0-0 14.g4 Nb6 15.Bg2 b4 16.Nd1 a5 17.Ne3 Nfd7 18.Bg5 f6 19.Bf4 Ne5 20.Nd2 Ba6 21.Bf1 c4µ 0-1 (38) Azmaiparashvili, Z (2693) – Topalov, V (2735) Cap d’Agde 2003. B) 10.e5 b5 11.Qc2 dxe5 12.Nxe5 Nxe5 13.Bxe5 Bd6 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.Be2 0-0 16.Rd1 Re8 17.0-0 b4 18.Na4 Bf5³ 0-1 (34) Kogan, A (2565) – Jenal, J (2182) Zurich 2001. 10...b5

Position after: 10...b5 11.Be2 11.Bd3 Nh5 12.Bg5 Qc7 13.0-0 Bg7 14.a4 c4 15.Be2 0-0 16.axb5 axb5∞ ½-½ (39) Graf, F (2367) – Fier, A (2603) Gibraltar 2012. 11...Qe7 12.Nd2 Bg7 13.0-0 0-0 14.Rae1

Position after: 14.Rae1 14...c4!?N

Nothing wrong with the following game: 14...Re8 15.Bg3 g5! Black is fine, the ‘...g5’ idea is fully justified as we saw in many simular Benoni positions. Especially important is that ‘...b5’ was not challenged at all. 0-1 (81) Kuchava, A (2122) – Melia, S (2473) Tbilisi 2015. 15.Bg3 Nc5 16.b4 16.f4?! b4 17.Nd1 c3! 18.bxc3 Ncxe4µ 16...cxb3 17.axb3 b4„

Chapter 7 6.e4 g6, Nge2 ideas 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6

Chapter’s guide Chapter 7 – 6.e4 g6, Nge2 ideas 1) 7.Bd3 Bg7 8.Nge2 0-0 9.0-0 2) 7.Nge2 Bg7 8.Ng3 0-0 a) 9.Be2 b) 9.f3

1) 7.Bd3 Bg7 8.Nge2 0-0 9.0-0 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Bd3 Bg7 8.Nge2 0-0 9.0-0

Position after: 9.0-0 This line is very sharp and also in the past it created some big problems for Black. Although not entirely as in the ‘f4’ lines, ‘h3-Ng3-f4-e5’ is basically a scheme that White uses here. It looks rather simple but highly effective especially if Black doesn’t enleash his best counterplay.The line become famous after Tal being Black, lost to the lesser known player named Penrose. 9...Nbd7 More or less a straightforward line where White heads for a direct attack but compared with the ‘Four pawns Attack’, this time his set-up is a bit different but the idea is similar. 10.h3 The alternative is important and brings another set of ideas that can be investigated. 10.Ng3 The idea is to play the same without h3! 10...a6 11.a4

Position after: 11.a4 A) 11...Rb8 12.f4 Qc7!? 13.Be3 c4 14.Bc2 b5 15.axb5 axb5 16.Ra7 Qd8

Position after: 16...Qd8 Compared to the main line, no Rook on e8 and no pawn on h3, interesting indeed! 17.Qd2 (17.e5 dxe5 18.f5 b4 19.Nce4 b3 20.Bb1 Bb7µ; 17.h3 b4 18.Na4 Ne8!? 19.e5?! dxe5 20.f5 Nd6µ; 17.Bd4!? b4 18.Na4 Rb5 19.Qd2 Ra5 20.Qxb4 Rxa7 21.Bxa7 Qc7 22.Bf2 Ng4 23.Qd2 Nxf2 24.Qxf2 Ba6©) 17...Ng4! 18.Bd4 Bxd4+ 19.Qxd4 b4 20.Nd1 (20.Na4 Qh4 21.h3 Qxg3 22.hxg4 Nf6 23.Qxf6 Qe3+ 24.Kh2 Qxa7–+) 20...Qb6 21.Qxb6 Nxb6 22.h3 Nf6 23.Ne3 Re8„

B) An alternative is also possible: 11...Re8 12.f4 Rb8 13.Qf3 b5!?

Position after: 13...b5!? 14.axb5 c4 15.Bxc4 axb5 16.Bd3 (16.Nxb5 Rxb5 17.Bxb5 Qb6+ 18.Be3 Qxb5 19.Ra8 Nb6µ) 16...Nc5

Position after: 16...Nc5 A pawn sacrifice! Black wants to take over the initiative. B1) 17.Bxb5 Bg4 18.Qe3 Nxd5 19.Nxd5 Rxb5 20.Nc3 Rb4 21.Kh1 Be6„ B2) 17.h3 b4 18.Nd1 h5 19.f5 (19.e5 dxe5 20.fxe5 Nxd3 21.exf6 Ne5 22.Qf2 Bf8µ; 19.Nf2 h4 20.Ne2 Nxd3 21.Qxd3 Nxe4 22.Nxe4 Bf5–+) 19...h4 20.fxg6 fxg6 21.Ne2 Nxd3 22.Qxd3 Nxe4µ

B3) 17.f5 b4 18.Nce2 Nb3! 19.Ra2 (19.Rb1 Nxc1 20.Rbxc1 Nd7µ) 19...Nxc1 20.Nxc1 Nd7 21.Kh1 b3 22.Ra3 Nc5 23.f6 Bh6 24.Bc4 Nd7 25.Nxb3 Ne5 26.Qc3 Bg5„ 10...a6 11.a4 Re8

Position after: 11...Re8 12.Ng3 The following alternative is possible but in this set-up usually doesn’t bring White much: 12.Bg5 Rb8!? 13.a5 (13.b3 Ne5 14.Bc2 b5„; 13.f4 c4 14.Bc2 b5µ) 13...b5 14.axb6 Qxb6 15.Ra2 Ne5 16.Bc2 a5 17.b3 Qc7∞ 12...Rb8

Position after: 12...Rb8 13.Be3 A) 13.f4 Qc7 14.Qf3 (14.Be3 transposes to the main line) 14...c4 15.Bc2 b5 16.axb5 axb5 17.e5?! (17.Be3 Nc5 transposes to the main line) 17...dxe5 18.f5 Bb7!?N 19.Bg5 e4 20.Ngxe4 Nxe4 21.Bxe4 b4 22.fxg6 fxg6µ B) An important idea is to prevent ‘...b5’, helping White to attack easier on the other side: 13.a5

Position after: 13.a5 13...b5 (13...h5 14.Bg5 b5 15.axb6 Qxb6 16.Ra2 Ne5 17.Be2 Nh7 18.Be3 h4 19.Nh1 g5 20.Qd2 Qd8 21.Qc2 Nf8„

½-½ (114) Pinter, J (2580) – Kasparov, G (2805) Auxerre 1993) 14.axb6 h5!? 15.Re1 (15.Bg5 Qxb6 transposes to the Kasparov game.) 15...Rxb6 16.Qc2 Qc7∞ 13...Qc7 14.f4 c4 15.Bc2 Nc5

Position after: 15...Nc5 We arrive at the critical position of this line, White has two viable options and both are dangerous. We must be precise. Black has to create enough and descent counterplay. 16.Bd4 The following alternative was popular but later Black found the correct antidote. A) 16.Qf3 b5 17.axb5 axb5 18.e5 (18.Qf2 b4 19.e5 bxc3–+) 18...dxe5 19.fxe5 Rxe5 20.Bd4 b4!?

Position after: 20...b4!? A1) 21.Qf4 Ne8 22.d6 Nxd6 23.Bxe5 Nd3! 24.Bxd3 Qc5+ 25.Kh1 Qxe5 26.Nce4 cxd3 27.Nxd6 Qxf4 28.Rxf4 Be5 (28...Bxb2 29.Re1 Be6=) 29.Rf3 Bxd6 30.Rxd3 Be7 31.Ra7 Kf8= A2) 21.Bxe5 Qxe5 22.Rae1 (22.Nce4 Ncxe4 23.Nxe4 b3 24.Nxf6+ Qxf6 25.Qxf6 Bxf6 26.Rxf6 bxc2 27.Rc6 Bf5 28.Rxc4 Rxb2 29.Re1 h5 30.d6 Kg7 31.Rc7 Kf6=) 22...Qd4+ 23.Kh1 Bxh3 24.Nce2 (24.Nce4 Nfxe4 25.Qxf7+ Kh8 26.Nxe4 Bf5 27.Nf2 Qh4+ 28.Kg1 Bd4 29.Bxf5 gxf5 30.Qxf5 Rg8„; 24.gxh3 bxc3 25.bxc3 Qxd5³) 24...Qxb2µ 1-0 (42) Kasparov, G (2750) – Rachels, S (2350) New York 1988. B) 16.a5

Position after: 16.a5

This is not exactly the position where White can play pure positional and cruel attacking simultaneously. 16...b5 17.axb6 Rxb6 B1) 18.Ra2?! Rb4 19.Bd4 (19.Qd2 a5! 20.Qf2 Nd3 21.Bxd3 cxd3³) 19...Nb3!„ B2) 18.Na4 Nxa4 19.Bxa4 Re7 20.Bxb6 Qxb6+ 21.Kh2 (21.Kh1 Nxe4 22.Nxe4 Rxe4 23.Qc2 Qe3 24.Rf3 Qe2©) 21...h5

Position after: 21...h5 22.e5 (22.Bc2 h4 23.Ne2 Nxe4 24.Bxe4 Rxe4 25.Nc3 Re3 26.Rf3 Rxf3 27.Qxf3 Bf5©) 22...h4 23.Ne2 (23.exf6 hxg3+ 24.Kxg3 Bxf6©) 23...dxe5 24.d6 Re6 25.d7 (25.fxe5 Rxe5©) 25...Nxd7 26.Bxd7 Rd6 27.Qxd6 Qxd6 28.Bxc8 exf4 29.Kh1 Bxb2 30.Rxa6 Qd3 31.Bg4 c3 32.Rb6 Kg7= 16...b5 17.axb5 axb5

Position after: 17...axb5 18.f5!? This type of attack appeared later and I used it myself. 18.e5 dxe5 19.fxe5 Rxe5 20.Qf3 (20.Qd2 b4 21.Qf4 again transposes to the Kasparov – Rachels game) 20...b4 transpose to the 16.Qf3 note. 18...Ncd7!?N This simple move is probably best. 19.Ra7 Qd8

Position after: 19...Qd8 It may look that Black is in the defensive but ‘...b4’ remains a serious asset! 20.Qd2 20.Nce2 Nc5„ 20...b4 21.Nd1 21.Na4 b3 22.Bb1 Ne5 23.Nc3 Bd7= 21...Re7! 22.Ne3 b3 Following alternative is very much possible: 22...Nc5!? 23.Rxe7 Qxe7

Position after: 23...Qxe7 A) 24.Nxc4 Ba6 25.e5 dxe5 26.d6 Qb7 27.Bxc5 Bxc4 28.Rc1 b3 29.Bb1 Qd5 30.Qxd5 Bxd5 31.Be3 Bf8 32.Bg5 Kg7= With equal chances. B) 24.Qf2 Nfxe4 25.f6 Nxf6 26.Bxf6 Bxf6 27.Qxf6 Qxe3+ 28.Kh1 Qe8 29.Qxd6 (29.Nh5 Qf8 30.Qh4 Nd7µ) 29...Nd7 30.Qf4 b3 31.Bb1 Rb6 32.Ne4 Ba6„ With counterplay! C) 24.Re1 c3 25.bxc3 b3 26.Bb1 Ncd7 27.Nc4 (27.fxg6 hxg6 28.Nef5 gxf5 29.Nxf5 Qf8 30.Qg5 Ne5µ) 27...Ne5 28.Nxe5 dxe5 29.Bf2 Ba6 30.Bd3 b2 31.Rb1 Bxd3 32.Qxd3 Qa3© 23.Bb1 Ne5

Position after: 23...Ne5 24.Ra1 Rc7 25.Ne2 Nfd7 26.Nc3 Nc5∞

2) 7.Nge2 Bg7 8.Ng3 0-0 2a) 9.Be2 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nge2 Bg7 8.Ng3

Position after: 8.Ng3 This line is reminiscent of the Sämisch lines. White is trying to reach a typical Sämisch set-up but without an early ‘f3’. We will see two main set-ups: one involves ‘f3’ and the other not. 8...0-0 9.Be2 b6!? It’s not so easy to find a good set-up for Black here. Finally after checking some ideas, I decided to give this line. Compared with the Bd3-Ne2 line, it seems that White is less active placed. I didn’t find the ‘...h5’ move here very convincing because White is ready to go to ‘f1’ at once thanks to his ‘Be2’. 10.0-0 10.a4!? Ba6 11.Nb5

Position after: 11.Nb5 An idea that has to be looked at, it’s the main idea with ‘...b6’ in the ‘Bd3-Ne2’ line. 11...h5 12.f3 Ne8!? 13.0-0 Bxb5 14.Bxb5 a6 15.Bd3 (15.Bc4 Nd7 16.f4 Nef6 17.Qf3 Qe7„) 15...Nd7 16.f4 Qc7!? 17.Bc4 (17.Qf3 c4 18.Bc2 Nef6 19.Bd2 b5 20.Kh1 Rae8 21.Bc3 Qb6„) 17...Nef6

Position after: 17...Nef6 18.Qd3 (18.Qf3 Rae8 19.Bxa6 h4 20.Ne2 Nxe4„) 18...Ng4 19.Kh1 (19.Ne2 b5! 20.axb5 axb5 21.Rxa8 Rxa8 22.Bxb5 c4 23.Qxc4 Qb6+ 24.Kh1 Nf2+µ) 19...Qd8 20.h3 Qh4 21.Qf3 Bd4„ 10...Ba6

Position after: 10...Ba6 Exchanging the light squared Bishops so fast is thematic in the Benoni. Black gets rid of the Bishop that is usually stuck on the back rank. 11.Bf4 White has many options here apart from the main move. A) 11.Bg5 Bxe2 12.Qxe2 Re8 13.Qd2 Nbd7 14.f4

Position after: 14.f4

This is also a logical attempt for White. After all his Knight on g3 has to be proven being good! 14...c4 15.f5 b5 16.Kh1 Rb8 17.Qf4 Re5 18.Nd1 Qb6 19.Nf2 Rbe8∞ B) 11.Nb5 Qe7 12.f3 Bxb5 13.Bxb5 a6 14.Be2 Nbd7 15.a4 Ne8 16.Qc2 Nc7„ 17.f4 b5∞ C) 11.Bxa6 Nxa6

Position after: 11...Nxa6 To be honest this position gave me some trouble in finding the right moves. The Knight on ‘a6’ is now far from the centre. I thought that White was free to act on the kingside, however I managed to find some interesting play. 12.Bf4 (12.Bg5 h6 13.Bf4 Nc7 14.Qd2 Kh7 15.a4 a6 16.Rfe1 Ng4 17.h3 Ne5 18.Bxe5 Bxe5 19.f4 Bd4+ 20.Kh2 b5„) C1) 12...Nc7 13.Qd2 C1.1) 13...b5 14.Bh6! b4 (14...Bxh6 15.Qxh6 b4 16.Nd1 Ng4 17.Qf4 Ne5 18.Ne3 Nb5 19.Qh6ƒ) 15.Nd1 Re8 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.f3 Nb5 18.Ne3² C1.2) 13...Ng4 14.h3 Ne5 15.b3 b5 16.Bh6 b4 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Nd1 Nb5 19.f4 Nd7 20.Ne3 Nc3 21.Rae1² C1.3) 13...Re8! 14.f3 b5 15.a4!? bxa4 (15...b4 16.Nd1²) 16.Rxa4 a6 17.Rfa1 Rb8 18.Nf1² C2) 12...Re8! 13.Qd2

Position after: 13.Qd2 C2.1) 13...Qd7!? 14.Bh6 (14.a4 c4!∞; 14.f3 b5 15.a4 bxa4 16.Rxa4 Nb4 17.b3 Rec8∞) 14...Bh8 15.h3 c4∞ C2.2) 13...c4!? The key idea here! 14.Nb5!? (14.f3 b5∞) 14...Nxe4 15.Nxe4 Rxe4 16.f3

Position after: 16.f3 16...Rxf4!? 17.Qxf4 Bxb2 18.Rae1 (18.Nxd6 Bxa1µ; 18.Rab1 c3 19.Rfe1 Qf8!„) 18...Nc5 19.Nxd6 Qc7 20.Re2 Bg7 21.Rfe1 Nb7 22.Qxf7+ Qxf7 23.Nxf7 Bc3= 11...Bxe2 12.Qxe2 a6 13.a4 Re8

Position after: 13...Re8 14.f3 The positional approach! 14.Qd2 An attacking attempt... 14...Qc7 15.Bh6 Bh8 16.h3 Nbd7 17.Rae1 (17.f4 c4 18.e5 dxe5 19.f5 e4³) 17...c4 18.f4 (18.Kh1 Nc5 19.Re3 Nd3 20.Nf5 Nh5 21.g4 Nf6„) 18...b5„ 14...Qe7 15.Rab1 Nbd7 16.Rfc1 Rec8 17.b3 17.Nf1 Nh5 18.Be3 f5∞ 17...Ne8! 18.Nf1 b5!

Position after: 18...b5! 19.axb5 Nc7 20.Be3 Nxb5 21.Nxb5 axb5 22.Qxb5 Ra3 23.Nd2 Rb8 24.Qf1 Rb4© 2b) 9.f3 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nge2 Bg7 8.Ng3 0-0 9.f3

Position after: 9.f3 This is now one of the lines that belongs to the Sämisch, but this one in particular I didn’t cover in my King’s Indian

book. 9...a6 10.a4 10.Be2 b5 11.0-0 Nbd7∞ 10...h5 Thematic in the Sämisch! 11.Bg5 Qe8!?

Position after: 11...Qe8!? The modern approach that attracted my attention. 12.Bd3 Alternatives are possible but it seems that the main line is actually the best try for White. A) 12.Be2 Nh7 13.Bf4 Qe7 14.Qd2 h4 15.Nf1 f5 16.exf5 Bxf5 17.Ne3 Nd7 18.Nc4 Ne5 19.0-0 Nxc4 20.Bxc4 Bd4+ 21.Kh1 g5 22.Rfe1 Qf6 23.Be3 Rae8∞ B) 12.Qd2 Nh7 13.Bh6 h4 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Nge2 Nd7 16.Nf4 Ne5 17.Be2 Nf6 18.0-0 Rh8 19.Rab1 h3 20.g3 c4 21.b3 g5„ 12...Nbd7!? Black doesn’t rush, still having some options in mind, instead to develop first. 13.f4 A) 13.Bh4 Nh7 14.Nge2 Ne5 15.0-0 f5„

B) 13.0-0 Nh7 14.Bf4!? (14.Bd2 h4 15.Nh1 Ne5 16.Be2 f5„) 14...h4 15.Nge2 Ne5 16.h3 g5 17.Be3 f5 18.Bc2 g4„ 13...Ng4 14.h3

Position after: 14.h3 White simply ignores the Knight and enters sharp play. 14...c4 A more risky but entertaining way of handling this position: 14...Ne3!? A) 15.Qe2 Bd4 16.Bh6 f5!?

Position after: 16...f5!? Fascinating chess, well I am repeating myself but the Benoni really belongs to what we call ‘real romantic chess’! 17.Bxf8 fxe4 18.Bxe4 Qxf8 19.Nf1 Nf5!? 20.g4 (20.Bxf5 Qxf5!©; 20.0-0-0 Nf6 21.g4 Nh4©) 20...Nh4 21.gxh5 Nf6∞ B) Now it is White’s turn to decide how to continue, in any case it results in fascinating lines: 15.Qf3 Not the only Queen move here. 15...Bd4

Position after: 15...Bd4 Black is counting on White’s King being stuck in the middle. 16.Bh6 (16.Nce2 f6 17.Bh6 Rf7µ; 16.Nge2 f6 17.Bh6 Rf7µ) 16...Qd8 17.Bxf8 Kxf8 18.Nf1 (18.e5 dxe5 19.f5 e4µ) 18...Nxf1 19.Rxf1 (19.Kxf1 h4 20.g4 hxg3 21.Qxg3 Nf6 22.Qf3 Qb6 23.Rb1 Bd7 24.Ne2 Qb4 25.Kg2 Re8∞) 19...Qa5 20.Ke2 Nf6© 15.hxg4 15.Bxc4 Ne3 16.Qe2 Nxc4 17.Qxc4 f6 18.Bh4 g5 19.Nf5 gxh4 20.Nxd6 Qe7 21.Nf5 Qc5 22.Qe2 Nb6 23.Nxg7 Kxg7 24.Qf2 Qxf2+ 25.Kxf2 Bd7³ 15...cxd3 16.gxh5 Nc5

Position after: 16...Nc5 A very sharp position, it seems that Black is doing OK... let’s investigate... 17.0-0 White has also two important alternatives here. A) 17.hxg6 fxg6 18.Qf3

Position after: 18.Qf3 (18.Kf1 Bd7 19.Ra3 b5µ) 18...Bf5 (18...Bd7!? 19.Bh6 d2+ 20.Kd1 Qf7 21.Bxg7 Qxg7 22.a5 Rac8 23.Ra3 Na4„)

19.0-0 (19.Nxf5 Rxf5 20.Kd1 Bxc3 21.exf5 Bxb2 22.Re1 Qc8 23.Rb1 Qd7!=) 19...Bxc3 20.bxc3 Bxe4³ B) 17.Qf3 f6 18.Bh4 g5 19.h6 Bxh6 20.Bxg5

Position after: 20.Bxg5 B1) 20...fxg5 21.Rxh6 Rxf4 22.Qh5 Qxh5 23.Nxh5 Rh4 B1.1) 24.0-0-0?! Bg4 25.Nf6+ Kg7 26.Nxg4 Rxg4 (26...Rxh6 27.Nxh6 Kxh6 28.b4² 0-1 (62) Matlakov, M (2689) – Adhiban, B (2674) Berlin (rapid) 2015) 27.Rxd6 Rxg2ƒ B1.2) 24.Kf2! a5 25.Ke3 Bd7 26.Nf6+ Kf7 27.Rxh4 gxh4 28.Nxd7 Nxd7 29.Nb5 Ke7 30.Rh1² B2) 20...Bxg5!? 21.0-0-0 (21.fxg5 fxg5 22.Qe3 Qe5 23.0-0-0 Bg4µ) 21...Qe5!? 22.Rdf1 b5 23.Kb1 (23.Qh5 Bxf4+ 24.Rxf4 Qxh5 25.Nxh5 f5 26.exf5 Rxf5 27.b4 Nb3+ 28.Kb2 Nd2 29.Rxf5 Nc4+ 30.Kb3 Bxf5 31.axb5 Nd2+=) 23...Bxf4 24.Qxf4 Qxf4 25.Rxf4

Position after: 25.Rxf4 25...bxa4 (25...b4 26.Nd1 Ra7 27.Ne3 Rh7 28.Rxh7 Kxh7 29.Ngf5 Bxf5 30.Nxf5 Rd8 31.Rh4+ Kg6 32.Rg4+ Kh7 33.Kc1 Nb3+ 34.Kd1 Rd7=) 26.Nf5 Bxf5 27.exf5 Ra7 28.Nxa4 Rg7 29.Nxc5 dxc5 30.Rd1 Rxg2 31.Rxd3 Rb8= 17...f6

Position after: 17...f6 18.Bh4 g5 19.fxg5 fxg5 20.Bxg5 20.Rxf8+ Qxf8 21.Bxg5 Bd4+ 22.Kh1 Qg7 23.Bh4 Bg4µ

20...Bd4+ Another great position arriving from our beloved Benoni. 21.Kh2 21.Kh1 Bd7 (21...Be5!? 22.Nf5 Kh7 23.g4 Rg8 24.Bf4 Bxc3 25.Nxd6 Bxg4 26.Nxe8 Bxd1 27.bxc3 Raxe8 28.Raxd1 Rxe4=) 22.Rxf8+ (22.Qd2 Nb3 23.Qxd3 Qe5„) 22...Qxf8 23.Qf3 Qg7 24.Be3 Rf8 25.Bxd4 Qxd4 26.Nf5 Bxf5 27.exf5 Qh4+ 28.Kg1 d2 29.Qe2 Rxf5 30.Qe8+ Rf8 31.Qg6+= 21...Bd7

Position after: 21...Bd7 22.Rxf8+ 22.Qd2 Qe5 23.Bf4 (23.Be3 Bxc3 24.Qxc3 Qxg3+ 25.Kxg3 Nxe4+ 26.Kh4 Nxc3 27.bxc3 Rxf1 28.Rxf1 Re8 29.Bf4 Bxa4 30.Rf2 Re2=) 23...Qe7 24.Bg5 Qe5= 22...Qxf8 23.Qf3 Qg7 24.Be3 Be5 25.Bf4 Rf8 26.Bxe5 26.Nf5 Bxf5 27.exf5 Rxf5 28.Bxe5 Qxe5+ 29.Qg3+ Qxg3+ 30.Kxg3 a5 31.Kg4 Rf2 32.Nb5 Ne4= 26...Qxe5

Position after: 26...Qxe5 27.Qe3 Bg4 27...a5 28.Kg1!² 28.Re1 A) 28.a5 d2 29.Rb1 Nb3 30.Kg1 Qd4 31.Nf5 Bxf5 32.Qxd4 Nxd4 33.exf5 Rxf5 34.Rd1 Nb3ƒ B) 28.b4 Nb3 29.Rd1 Bxd1 30.Nxd1 Nd4 31.Qxd3 Rf4ƒ 28...a5© The pawn on d3 is our bonus!

Chapter 8 The Four Pawns Attack 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7

Chapter’s guide Chapter 8 – The Four Pawns Attack 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 1) The Mikenas attack – 8.e5 2) The Taimanov attack – 8.Bb5+Nfd7 a) 9.a4 b) 9.Be2 0-0 c) 9.Be2 Qh4 d) 9.Bd3 e) 9.Nf3!? a6 10.Bd3 b5 11.0-0 0-0 12.a3 f) 9.Nf3!? a6 10.Bd3 b5 11.0-0 0-0 12.Kh1 g) 9.Nf3!? a6 10.Bd3 b5 11.0-0 0-0 12.Qe1

1) The Mikenas attack – 8.e5

Position after: 8.e5 An old line that sometimes shows the glory from the past but Black has nothing to fear from. 8...dxe5 9.fxe5 Nfd7 On purpose I picked this line because of its forced nature. 10.e6 fxe6 11.dxe6 Qe7

Position after: 11...Qe7

12.Nd5 12.Be2 Nb6 13.Bf4 Bxe6 14.Nf3 Bxc3+ 15.bxc3 Bc4 16.Ne5 Bxe2 17.Qxe2 0-0 18.0-0 Nc6µ 12...Qxe6+ 13.Qe2 Qxe2+ 14.Bxe2 0-0 15.Nc7 Nc6 16.Nxa8 Nd4!?N

Position after: 16...Nd4!?N We arrived at a really sharp position. Black is a whole Rook down! Many moves for White are possible: 17.Bd1 A) 17.Rb1 Ne5 18.Bg5 Bf5 19.Rd1 Be4 20.Bf1 Rxa8ƒ B) 17.Kd1 Ne5 18.Nf3 Nxe2 19.Kxe2 Bg4 20.h3 (20.Nc7? Nxf3–+) 20...Bxf3+ 21.gxf3 Rxa8 22.Rd1 (22.f4 Nc6©) 22...c4© C) 17.Bc4+ Kh8 18.Nc7 (18.Bd3 Ne5 19.Bb1 c4 20.Nc7 Nd3+ 21.Bxd3 cxd3 22.Kd2 Rf2+ 23.Kxd3 Bf5+ 24.Ke3 Rf1µ; 18.Bb3 Ne5 19.Nc7 Nd3+ 20.Kd2 Nxc1 21.Rxc1 Nxb3+ 22.axb3 Bh6+–+) 18...Ne5µ D) 17.Nf3 Nc2+ 18.Kd1 Nxa1 19.Bc4+ Kh8

Position after: 19...Kh8 20.Re1 a6 21.b3 b5 22.Be6 (22.Bd5 Nf6µ) 22...Ne5 23.Bxc8 (23.Rxe5 Bxe5 24.Bxc8 Rxc8 25.Nxe5 Rd8+ 26.Bd2 Rxa8 27.Bc3 Nxb3 28.axb3 Kg8µ) 23...Rd8+ 24.Bd2 Nxf3 25.gxf3 Bh6 26.Re2 Bxd2 27.Rxd2 Rxc8 28.Nb6 Rc6 29.Nd5 c4 30.b4 c3 31.Re2 (31.Rd3 c2+ 32.Kc1 Rc4³) 31...Rd6 32.Re5 Rd8 33.Kc1 c2

Position after: 33...c2 A great position. We reached full equality. It is simply one of the most fascinating lines that I saw in this opening! 17...Ne5

Position after: 17...Ne5 18.Nf3 A) 18.Nc7 Nd3+ 19.Kd2 Nxc1µ B) 18.Be3 Nf5 19.Bf2 Nd3+ 20.Ke2 Nxf2 21.Kxf2 Ng3+ 22.Kxg3 Be5+ 23.Kh4 Bf6+ 24.Kg3 Be5+= 18...Nd3+ 19.Kf1 19.Kd2 Nxc1 20.h4 Nd3 21.Kxd3 Bf5+ 22.Ke3 Rxa8© 19...b6 20.Nc7 Rf7

Position after: 20...Rf7 21.Nd5 21.Nb5 Nxb5 22.Bb3 Nd6 23.Bxf7+ Kxf7© 21...Bb7 22.Nc3 22.Ne3 Ba6 23.Kg1 Re7 24.Nd5 Re2!!

Position after: 24...Re2!!

25.Be3 Nxf3+ 26.gxf3 Rxb2 27.h4 Bb7 28.Nc7 Kf7© 22...Ba6 23.Be2 23.Kg1 Nxc1 24.Rxc1 Bh6–+ 23...Nxe2 24.Nxe2 Re7 25.Bg5 Re8© Black has excellent compensation. However it is more easy to state but more difficult to show. Our analysis must continue... 26.h4 26.Rb1 h6 27.Bd2 Nc1!!

Position after: 27...Nc1!! 28.Rxc1 Rxe2 29.Kg1 Rxd2µ is the idea! 26...Nxb2

Position after: 26...Nxb2 27.Re1 27.Nfg1 Rf8+ 28.Nf3 Re8= 27...Nd3 28.Rd1 h6 29.Bd2 Nb2 30.Re1 Nd3=

2) The Taimanov attack – 8.Bb5+ Nfd7 2a) 9.a4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Bb5+

Position after: 8.Bb5+ This line scared most people from playing the modern Benoni move-order. Many players are going for the Nimzo and only after Nf3 they play ...c5. Of course when covering this book it is important to cover all aspects of this opening. Honestly when I started to write this book, my first thought was what shall I bring here? How to find descent lines for Black? Is that going to be possible? I was happy to discover that serious counterplay exists but a huge knowledge is needed, let’s have a closer look... 8...Nfd7 Best of course, 8...Nbd7 is simply bad. 9.a4 An attacking idea which became famous after the Kasparov – Nunn game where Kasparov simply blasted the English GM away, who at that time played the Benoni quite often. 9...0-0 10.Nf3 Na6 11.0-0 Nb4

Position after: 11...Nb4 The starting point of the line as we will see the Knight came to his desired place. But please do not be fooled, the position remains very dangerous and requires a lot of precise play. 12.Re1 Not the only move but it is considered as a main idea, let’s see some other ideas: A) 12.f5 Ne5 13.Nxe5 Bxe5 14.Bf4 (14.Bh6? Qh4–+) 14...Qe7∞ B) 12.Kh1!? A Tricky line. 12...a6 13.Bxd7 Bxd7 14.f5 gxf5 15.Bg5 f6 16.Bf4

Position after: 16.Bf4 16...Re8!? I think best. (16...Qc7 17.Nh4ƒ; 16...fxe4 17.Nxe4 Bf5 18.Nxd6 Bd3 19.Rf2 Qd7 20.Qb3 a5 21.Nd2 Ra6 22.N2c4ƒ ½-½ (61) Ivanisevic, I (2460) – Kovacevic, A (2515) Belgrade 1998) 17.Nd2 (17.Nh4 fxe4 18.Bxd6 f5µ) 17...Nd3 18.Bxd6 fxe4 19.Ndxe4 c4!?N 20.Bg3 f5 21.Nd6 Qf6 22.Nxe8 Rxe8 23.Qf3 (23.d6 Bc6©) 23...Nxb2 24.Rae1 Rxe1 25.Bxe1 Nd3 26.Bd2 b5 27.axb5 axb5³ C) 12.Be3 (with similar ideas as 12.Bd2) 12...a6

Position after: 12...a6 C1) 13.Be2 Nf6 14.Nd2 Re8 15.Bf2 b6!? 16.Bh4 Rb8 17.Nc4 (17.e5 dxe5 18.Nde4 Bf5∞) 17...b5 18.axb5 axb5 19.Na3 Bd7 20.Naxb5 Qb6 21.e5 dxe5 22.fxe5 Nfxd5!

Position after: 22...Nfxd5! 23.Bc4 (23.Nxd5 Nxd5 24.Qxd5 c4+ 25.Kh1 Be6µ; 23.Rxf7 Kxf7 24.Nxd5 Nxd5 25.Qxd5+ Be6 26.Qd6 Kg8 27.Qxb6 Rxb6 28.Nc7 Rxb2 29.Bf1 Bxe5 30.Nxe6 Rb4–+) 23...Be6 24.Nxd5 Nxd5 25.Qf3 Rf8„ C2) 13.Bc4 Nb6 14.Be2 Bg4 15.a5 Nd7 16.h3 Bxf3 17.Bxf3 Re8 18.Bf2 b5 19.axb6 Nxb6 20.e5 dxe5 21.Bxc5 Nd7 22.Be3 exf4 23.Bxf4 Ne5∞ D) 12.Bd2!? We already saw this sneaky slow idea of Be1. 12...a6 13.Be2 D1) 13...Nf6 14.Bc4!? An important motive. 14...Bg4 (14...Re8 15.e5±) 15.Rc1! Nd7 16.h3 Nb6 17.b3!

Position after: 17.b3! 17...Nxc4 (17...Bd7 18.Qe2 Re8 19.Rfe1 Bf5 20.g4 Bxc3 21.gxf5 Bxd2 22.Qxd2 Qf6 23.a5 Nd7 24.fxg6 hxg6 25.Ng5ƒ) 18.bxc4 Bd7 19.Qe2 Re8 20.Rfe1² Even with an active Knight on b4 this type of play is in White’s favor. D2) 13...Re8 14.Be1

Position after: 14.Be1 D2.1) 14...Rb8!? 15.a5 (15.Bh4 Qc7 16.Qd2 c4 17.f5 Nc5„) 15...b5 16.axb6 Nxb6 17.Bh4 Qc7 18.h3 Bb7 19.Qd2 f5„ D2.2) 14...f5!? 15.exf5 gxf5 16.Ng5, 16...Nf8!? You have to be vi-gilant with Black in order to keep the balance, as simple as that! (16...Nf6 17.Bh5 Rf8 18.Bh4 Qc7 19.Ra3 h6 20.Ne6ƒ ½-½ (38) Martin, D (2155) – Piceu, T Scotland 1995) 17.Bc4 (17.Bh5 Ng6 18.Qb3 Qf6 19.Rd1 Bd7 20.Ne2 Qxb2 21.Qh3 Re7 22.Bxg6 hxg6 23.Qh7+ Kf8 24.Qxg6 Qxe2 25.Nh7+=) 17...h6 18.Nf3 Bd7 19.a5 Ng6 20.g3 Rb8∞ 12...a6

Position after: 12...a6 13.Bf1 13.Bc4 Nb6 14.Be2 Bg4 15.Na2 Re8 16.Nxb4 cxb4 17.h3 Bxf3 18.Bxf3 Nc4 19.Qb3 Qb6+ 20.Kh2 Rac8³ 0-1 (35) Arslanov, S (2416) – Khalifman, A (2618) St Petersburg 2015. 13...Re8 14.h3 At almost any move there are options, mostly for White which is a sign that Black must be extremely careful. A) 14.Bd2 Nf6 15.h3 Bd7!?N

Position after: 15...Bd7!?N 16.Qb3 (16.a5 b5 17.axb6 Qxb6 18.Kh2 Rab8 19.Bc4 Bb5!„) 16...b5! 17.axb5 (17.e5 Nfxd5 18.Nxd5 bxa4 19.Qc4 Bb5 20.Qe4 f5 21.Qb1 Nxd5 22.Qa2 dxe5³) 17...axb5 18.Rxa8 Qxa8 19.e5 Nfxd5 20.Nxb5 dxe5 21.Nd6 Rb8 22.Nxe5 (22.fxe5 Qa7 23.Kh1 Be6 24.Bc4 h6∞) 22...Be6 23.f5 gxf5 24.Qg3 f4 25.Bxf4 Nxf4 26.Qxf4 Nd5 27.Qf2 Rb4∞ B) 14.Qb3!?

Position after: 14.Qb3!? Highly interesting attempt! 14...Nb6!? 15.a5 (15.Bd2 Bg4„) 15...Nd7 16.Be3 b5 17.axb6 Nxb6 18.h3 a5!? 19.Bf2 Ba6!? 20.Rxa5 Bxf1 21.Rxa8 Qxa8 22.Rxf1 Qa6 23.e5 Nd3 24.e6 f5 25.g3 Rb8 26.Rd1 c4 27.Qc2 Nc8 28.e7 Nxe7 29.Qe2 Bf6 30.Qe6+ Kg7 31.Ne5 Ng8!!= Ok, I gave a lots of moves, but the tactics are interesting as usual. C) 14.Be3 Nf6 15.Bf2 Nh5

Position after: 15...Nh5 16.Qd2 (16.Bh4 Qc7 17.Qd2 Bg4 18.Be2 c4∞) 16...Bg4 17.Be2 Bh6 18.Be3 (18.g3 Nf6 19.Bd1 c4∞) 18...Nf6 19.h3 Bxf3 20.Bxf3 Nd7 21.b3 (21.a5 Rb8∞) 21...Rb8 22.Be2 Bg7 23.Bf2

Position after: 23.Bf2 23...Bxc3! Probably here it is ok, usually it is not! 24.Qxc3 Rxe4³ 14...f5!?

Position after: 14...f5!? The purpose of this move is to fight back in the centre and to use the N on b4. 15.Bd2

Probably best, but other moves needs to be checked: A) The direct attempt 15.Ng5 doesn’t bring anything: 15...Nf8 16.e5 dxe5 17.d6 e4 18.Bc4+ Be6 19.Nxe6 Nxe6 20.Nxe4 fxe4 21.Rxe4 Qd7 22.Qe2 Kh8 23.Rxe6 Nc6 24.Kh2 Rad8 25.Ra3 Nd4 26.Rxe8+ Rxe8 27.Qd1 Qxd6=. B) The same applies here: 15.e5 dxe5 16.d6 e4 17.Qb3+ (17.Ng5 Nf8 transposes to 15.Ng5) 17...Kh8 18.Ng5 Bd4+ 19.Be3 Bxe3+ 20.Rxe3 Qf6

Position after: 20...Qf6 21.Rae1!? h6 22.Ncxe4 fxe4 23.Rxe4 Rxe4 24.Rxe4 Nf8 25.Qf7 Qxf7 26.Nxf7+ Kg7 27.Nd8 Nd5 28.Bc4 Bf5 29.Re8 Bd7 30.Ne6+ Nxe6 31.Rxa8 Ndxf4 32.Rb8 Kf6 33.Rxb7 Bxa4∞ C) 15.exf5 Rxe1 16.Nxe1 gxf5 17.Nf3 Nf6 18.Qb3 h6 19.Bd2 Ne4 20.Be1 Bd7 21.a5 Rb8∞ D) 15.Qb3 fxe4 16.Nxe4 Nf6 17.Nxf6+ Bxf6 18.Bd2 Rxe1 (18...Bd7 also transposes to the main line, see note on move 18) 19.Rxe1 Bf5 transposes to the main line. 15...fxe4 16.Nxe4 Nf6

Position after: 16...Nf6 17.Nxf6+ 17.Neg5 Rxe1 18.Bxe1 Bf5 19.Qb3 a5 20.Ne6 Bxe6 21.dxe6 d5 22.Rd1 Qb6³ 17...Bxf6 It seems that Black is not able to cover all so he is going for a pawn’s sacrifice hoping for some descent compensation with the two Bishops: well it seems the correct assesment: 18.Qb3 Rxe1 Another way is: 18...Bd7!?

Position after: 18...Bd7!? A) 19.a5 Rxe1 20.Bxe1 b5! (20...Qc7 21.Bxb4 cxb4 22.Qxb4 Re8 23.Bd3 Re3 24.Rd1 Kg7² 0-1 (35) Harazinska, E (2055) – Khomeriki, N (2296) Porec 2015) 21.Bxb4 cxb4 22.Qxb4 Qc7 23.Kh2 Rc8© B) 19.Rxe8+ Bxe8 20.Ng5 Bxg5 21.fxg5 Bf7 22.a5 Qd7 23.Bc4 (23.Bxb4 cxb4 24.Qxb4 Re8 25.Qd2 Re5 26.Bc4 Qe7 27.Rf1 Rxg5 28.b4 Re5= 0-1 (42) Borwell, A (2223) – Mueller, G (2557) corr. 2006) 23...Re8 24.Rf1 Re5 25.Bf4 (25.Bc3 Rf5 26.Rxf5 Qxf5 27.Bxb4 cxb4 28.Qxb4 Bxd5 29.Bxd5+ Qxd5=) 25...Re4 26.Bg3 Qe7 27.Kh2 Re3 28.Qd1 Re4 29.Rf4 (29.b3 Rd4 30.Qf3 Bxd5 31.Re1 Qf7 32.Qxf7+ Kxf7 33.Bxd6 Bxc4 34.Bxc5 Rd5 35.Bxb4 Bxb3 36.Re7+ Kg8 37.Rxb7 Rxg5 38.Rb6 Bc4=) 29...Rxf4 30.Bxf4 Kf8! 31.Qg4 Nxd5 32.Bxd5 Bxd5 33.Qg3 Ke8 34.Bxd6 Qe4 35.Bxc5 Kd7 36.Ba3= ½-½ (36) Haugen, A – Nogga, U corr. 2014. 19.Rxe1

Position after: 19.Rxe1 19...Bf5 19...Bd7 20.Ng5!?ƒ 1-0 (29) Sergiev, S (2277) – Povarenkov, S (2239) corr. 2007. 20.g4 20.Bc3 b5!?N 21.axb5 axb5 22.Bxb4 (22.Bxf6 Qxf6 23.Bxb5 Nc2 24.Re2 Rb8 25.Qa4 Qxb2=) 22...cxb4 23.Qxb4 Qb6+ 24.Kh2 Ra4 25.Qd2 Ra2 26.Ng5 Rxb2 27.Re8+ Kg7 28.Re7+ Bxe7 29.Qxb2+ Bf6 30.Qxb5 Qxb5 31.Bxb5 h6= 20...Bd7

Position after: 20...Bd7 21.Ng5!?N White has other options as well, for example: 21.Bc3 b5! 22.a5 Rc8 23.Kg2 (23.Bxb4 cxb4 24.Qxb4 Qc7 25.Kg2 Qc5 26.Qd2 Qc2 27.Re2 Qb3 28.Ng5 Re8 29.Ne6 Bxb2 30.Re3 Bc1 31.Rxb3 Bxd2 32.Nc7 Rc8= ½-½ (32) Bucsa, I – Liushnin, K corr. 2013) 23...Qf8

Position after: 23...Qf8 A) 24.Kg3 Re8 25.Bxb4 cxb4 26.Qxb4 Rxe1 27.Nxe1 Qe7 28.Nf3 Bc8 29.Bg2 h6 30.Qd2 (30.h4 Bg7 31.b3 Qd7 32.Bh3 h5 33.Nh2 Bf6 34.Qd2 Kf8 35.Qc2 Kg7 36.b4 Kf7 37.Qd2 Kg7 38.Qe3 ½-½ (38) Bondars, R – Cumming,

D corr. 2013) 30...g5 31.fxg5 hxg5 32.Kf2 Bb7 33.Kg1 Qg7 34.b3 Kf8 35.Qc2 ½-½ (35) Bakhmatov, A – Fernandez Vicente, C corr. 2015. B) 24.Bxb4 cxb4 25.Bd3 Re8! 26.Qxb4 (26.Rxe8 Bxe8 27.Qxb4 Bf7„) 26...Rxe1 27.Nxe1 Qe7 28.Nf3 (28.Nc2 Be8! 29.Kf3 Bg7 30.Ne3 h6 31.Be4 Qh4 32.Qxd6 Qxh3+ 33.Ke2 Bd4„ ½-½ (39) Graudins, I – Schoen, W corr. 2012) 28...Bc8!? 29.Qd2 Bb7 30.g5 Bg7 31.f5 Bxd5 32.f6 Qb7 33.Qe3 Bf8 34.h4 Bf7 35.Kg3 d5„ ½-½ (42) Rodent – World Champions INT 2014. 21...Qb6

Position after: 21...Qb6 22.Kh2 Bxg5 23.fxg5 Re8 24.Bg2 Rxe1 25.Bxe1 Qd8 26.Bg3 Be8 27.a5 Bf7 28.Qc4 Qe7 29.h4 Kf8! 30.Qf4 Ke8 31.Qxd6 Bxd5 32.Bxd5 Qxd6 33.Bxd6 Nxd5 34.Bxc5 Kd7 35.Kg3 Kc6 36.Bd4 Nb4 37.Kf4 Kd5 38.Bc3 Nc6= 2b) 9.Be2 0-0 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Bb5+ Nfd7 9.Be2!?

Position after: 9.Be2!? A highly dangerous line for Black, I had difficuilties in finding equal chances for Black, therefore I will provide two ideas for Black. 9...0-0 An alternative to 9...Qh4!? (next subchapter). It is considered the main idea, but it’s not so easy to find counterplay there. 10.Nf3 Na6 11.0-0 Nc7 12.a4

Position after: 12.a4 12...a6 12...Rb8!? An interesting move order, the idea is to prevent at least an early Nd2, if White continues with Bd2 the game will transpose. 13.Nd2 Bd4+ 14.Kh1 Nf6 15.Bf3 Re8 16.Ra3 b5! 17.Nxb5 Nxb5 18.axb5 Rxb5 19.Rxa7 Rb6!© 13.Bd2! A difficult line to meet, other aspects of this line can be considered as well: A) 13.f5 gxf5 14.Bg5 f6 15.Bh4 (15.Bf4 Ne5∞) 15...f4 (15...Qe8 16.exf5±) 16.Qd2 Qe8 17.Qxf4² B) 13.Nd2!? Rb8 (13...Bd4+ 14.Kh1 Nf6 15.Bf3 Re8 16.Ra3ƒ; 13...Re8 14.Nc4 Nf6 15.Bf3 b5 16.Nxd6 Qxd6 17.e5+–; 13...f5!? 14.exf5 gxf5 15.Nc4 Nf6 16.Kh1²) 14.Nc4 Ne8 15.a5² C) 13.Kh1 A useful prophylactic move. 13...Rb8 C1) 14.a5 b5 15.axb6 Nxb6! 16.f5 (16.e5 Bb7„) 16...gxf5„ C2) 14.f5

Position after: 14.f5 A typical attacking line. C2.1) 14...Ne8!?N Black should consider switching back to the defence now the ‘e5’ square is vacant. C2.1a) 15.Bf4 Qe7 16.Qd2 Ne5 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Bxe5 (18.Bh6 Ng7 19.Rf3 f6 20.Raf1 Bd7∞) 18...Qxe5 19.Rf3 Nf6 20.Qh6 b5 21.axb5 axb5 22.Raf1 (22.fxg6 fxg6 23.Ra7 Rb7 24.Rxb7 Bxb7 25.Bxb5 Ra8∞) 22...b4 23.Nb5 Bd7„ C2.1b) 15.Bg5 Bf6 16.Bh6 Bg7 17.Qd2 Qe7

Position after: 17...Qe7 18.Rae1 (18.Rf2 Nef6 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Qf4 Ne5 21.Nxe5 Qxe5 22.Qxe5 dxe5 23.g4 h6 24.a5 Bd7 25.h3 g5 26.Kh2 b5 27.axb6 Rxb6∞; 18.Qf4 b6 19.Nd1 Nef6 20.Nf2 Nh5 21.Qd2 Nhf6 22.Rae1 b5 23.axb5 axb5 24.Bd1 Ra8∞; 18.a5 Nef6 19.Rae1 b5 20.axb6 Rxb6 21.Bd1 Bxh6 22.Qxh6 Ng4 23.Qd2 Nge5 24.Nxe5 Qxe5 25.Re3 Nf6 26.Rh3 Kh8∞) 18...Ne5 19.Nxe5 Bxh6 20.Qxh6 Qxe5 21.Nd1!? (21.Qh4 Qf6 22.Qh6 Qg7 23.Qd2 Bd7∞) 21...b5 22.axb5 axb5 23.b3 Nf6 24.Rf4 Nd7∞ C2.2) 14...b5 15.Bg5 (15.axb5 Nxb5) 15...Bf6

Position after: 15...Bf6

16.Bxf6 (16.Bh6 b4! 17.Bxf8 Qxf8 18.Nb1 Bxb2 19.Ra2 Bg7³; 16.Qd2!?N 16...bxa4!? 17.Bxf6 Qxf6 18.Rxa4 Ne5∞) C2.2a) 16...Qxf6 17.Qc1!? (17.fxg6 hxg6 18.Qd2 bxa4∞ ½-½ (32) Ezat, M (2448) – Kurmann, O (2452) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010) 17...bxa4!? (17...b4 18.Nd1! Re8 19.fxg6 hxg6 20.Bd3±) 18.Rxa4 Ne5∞ C2.2b) 16...Nxf6!?N This is a possible improvement! 17.axb5 axb5 18.fxg6 hxg6 19.e5 dxe5 20.d6 Ne6 21.Nxe5 Nd4 22.Nxb5 Rxb5 23.Bxb5 Qxd6!?

Position after: 23...Qxd6!? 24.Nc4 (24.Nxg6 fxg6 25.Bc4+ Kg7 26.Ra7+ Bd7„; 24.Nxf7 Rxf7 25.Bc4 Kg7 26.Bxf7 Ng4–+) 24...Qe6 25.Ba4 Bb7© 13...Rb8 14.Be1 b5

Position after: 14...b5 We are now at a crossroad. White has a very strong attacking idea: 15.e5!? A) 15.axb5 Nxb5!? 16.Nxb5 axb5 17.Bc3 Bxc3 18.bxc3 Re8∞ B) 15.Bh4 Bf6 16.Bxf6 Nxf6 17.axb5 (17.e5 b4 18.exf6 bxc3 19.bxc3 Qxf6 20.Qd2 h6!? 21.Bc4 Bf5∞) 17...axb5! 18.e5 b4 19.exf6 bxc3 20.bxc3 Qxf6∞ 15...dxe5 16.Bh4 Qe8!?N 16...Bf6 17.Bxf6! (17.d6 Ne8 18.Bxf6 Nexf6 19.fxe5 b4 20.exf6 bxc3 21.bxc3 Nxf6 22.Ne5 Qe8 23.Nc4 Qe6∞) 17...Qxf6 18.d6 Ne8 (18...Ne6 19.Nd5 Qg7 20.axb5 axb5 21.Ra7± ½-½ (32) Aleksandrov, A (2510) – Hedman, E (2280) Stockholm 1995) 19.axb5 axb5 20.Bxb5 exf4 21.Qd2ƒ 17.d6 Ne6 18.axb5 axb5 19.fxe5

Position after: 19.fxe5 I tried to find good moves for Black but the longer I looked the more difficult it became. Still I will provide some ideas though: 19...Bb7!? 20.Bxb5 A) 20.Be7 c4 21.Bxf8 (21.Ra5 Nxe5 22.Bxf8 Nxf8 23.Nxe5 Bxe5 24.Kh1 Rd8 25.Nxb5 Bxd6! 26.Nxd6 Rxd6 27.Qc2 Ne6 28.Bxc4 Qd8 29.Ra7 Rd2 30.Qxd2 Qxd2 31.Rxb7²) 21...Qxf8 22.Nd5 (22.Ra5 Bxf3 23.Bxf3 Qd8∞) 22...Nxe5 23.Ne7+ Kh8 24.Nxe5 Bxe5 25.Bf3 Bxf3 26.Qxf3 Bxd6= B) 20.Ra7 Nd4 21.Be7 Nxe5 22.Nxd4 cxd4 23.Bxf8 Qxf8 24.Nxb5 Qc8 25.Kh1 Qc6 26.Rg1 h5∞ 20...Bxf3 21.Bxd7 Qxd7 22.Qxf3 Bxe5 23.Be7 Bxd6 24.Bxf8 Bxf8 25.Nd5 Bg7² 2c) 9.Be2!? Qh4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Bb5+ Nfd7 9.Be2!? Qh4+!?

Position after: 9...Qh4+!? 10.g3 Qd8 11.Nf3 0-0 12.0-0 Na6!? Possibly the best line for Black but it never became popular. This alternative is given in some books as good but I don’t really think that the Knight belongs on the b6-square, unless it hits a Knight or Bishop placed on c4. 12...Nb6

Position after: 12...Nb6

A) 13.f5 N8d7 14.Bg5 (14.a4 Ne5 15.a5 Nbd7„) 14...Nf6 15.Qd2 Re8„ B) 13.e5 Bf5!?N Preventing Ne4. B1) 14.Ng5 dxe5 15.g4 exf4³ B2) 14.Nb5 dxe5 15.fxe5 Nxd5 16.Nd6 Be6 17.Bc4 Nc7∞ B3) 14.a4 a5 This move seems a bit of a strange looking idea but when the centre is already attacked, it is important to keep that Knight where it is! 15.Kg2 Na6 16.Nh4 Bd7 17.exd6 Nc8 18.f5 Nxd6 19.fxg6 hxg6 20.Bf4 Qb6 21.Qd2 Nb4∞ B4) 14.Kg2 Na6

Position after: 14...Na6 B4.1) 15.h3 c4 16.g4 (16.Be3 Nb4„) 16...Bd3 17.Bxd3 cxd3 18.Qxd3 dxe5 19.fxe5 Nb4∞ B4.2) 15.a4 Nb4 16.a5 Nd7 17.Ne1 c4 18.Ra4 (18.g4 Bd3 19.Bxd3 Nxd3 20.Nxd3 cxd3 21.e6 Nc5 22.f5 gxf5 23.gxf5 Kh8∞ 24.Kh3 Qe7 25.Qh5 fxe6 26.Bg5 Bf6 27.Bxf6+ Rxf6 28.fxe6 Nxe6!–+) 18...Nd3 19.Rxc4 (19.Bxd3 Bxd3 20.Nxd3 cxd3 21.Be3 dxe5 22.f5 e4 23.Rxe4∞) 19...Nxc1 20.Qxc1 Rc8 21.Rxc8 Qxc8∞ C) 13.Kg2!? This slow idea is possibly best, some direct play doesn’t promise anything. 13...Bg4 14.h3 Bxf3+ 15.Rxf3 Re8 16.Be3 N8d7 17.Bf2² I believe these kind of positions are in White’s advantage.

Position after: 12...Na6!? 13.Kg2 13.f5 Ne5 14.Nxe5 Bxe5 15.Bh6 Re8 16.Qd2 Nc7 17.Rf3 f6 18.Raf1 Qe7 19.g4 Kh8 20.Kh1 gxf5 21.gxf5 Rg8 22.Bf4 Bd7∞ 13...Nc7 14.a4 14.f5 b5!

Position after: 14...b5!

15.Nxb5 (15.Bg5 Bf6 16.Bh6 b4!? 17.Bxf8 Kxf8 18.Nb5 Nxb5 19.Bxb5 Bxb2 20.Rb1 Bf6 21.Bxd7 Bxd7©) 15...Nxb5 16.Bxb5 Rb8 17.a4 a6 18.Bd3 gxf5 19.Nh4 fxe4 20.Bxe4 Nf6 21.Bg5 Rxb2+µ 14...Re8!? 15.f5 gxf5!

Position after: 15...gxf5! This is a must! 16.Nh4 16.exf5 Nf6∞ 16...fxe4 17.Nf5 17.Bh5 Nf6 18.Bg5 Re5µ 17...Re5 18.Nxg7 18.Nxd6 Nf6 19.Nc4 Rxd5 20.Nxd5 Ncxd5 21.Bg5 Be6© 18...Kxg7 19.Bf4 Qe7 20.Qd2 Nf6 21.Bxe5 Qxe5

Position after: 21...Qxe5 22.Rxf6 22.Rf4 Ncxd5µ 22...Qxf6 23.Nxe4 Qe5 24.Bf3 Bg4 25.Bxg4 Qxe4+ 26.Bf3 Qg6∞ 2d) 9.Bd3 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Bb5+ Nfd7 9.Bd3

Position after: 9.Bd3 Yet another very strong attacking idea which demands really precise play from Black. 9...0-0 10.Nf3 Nf6!? 11.0-0 11.h3 b5!? 12.e5 dxe5 13.fxe5 Nfd7 14.Bf4 b4 15.Ne4 Bb7 16.Bc2 (16.Be2 Nb6³ 17.0-0 N8d7 18.Bg5 Qc7 19.d6 Qc6 20.Nf6+ Nxf6 21.exf6 Bh8∞) 16...f5 17.Nd6 (17.exf6 Nxf6 18.Nxf6+ Qxf6µ) 17...Nxe5! 18.Bxe5 Bxe5 19.Nxb7 Bg3+ 20.Kf1 Qc7 21.Ng5 Qxb7³ 11...Bg4 12.h3 Bxf3 13.Qxf3 Nbd7

Position after: 13...Nbd7 14.Bd2! A deep positional idea lies behind this move! 14.Be3 a6 15.a4 Ne8!? 16.Bf2 Rb8 17.Bc4 Qa5

Position after: 17...Qa5 A) 18.Qd3 Nb6! 19.Ba2 Nxa4 20.e5 Nxc3 21.bxc3 dxe5 22.d6 (22.fxe5 Bxe5µ) 22...e4µ B) 18.Rfe1 Qb4 19.Qd3 b5 20.axb5 Nb6 21.bxa6 (21.Ba2 axb5 22.e5 Qxf4 23.Bg3 c4„) 21...Qxc4 22.Qxc4 Nxc4 23.e5 Ra8∞ 14...a6 15.a4 c4!

Position after: 15...c4! The best chance, I played once on the Black side against GM Djuric. White wants simply to establish his ‘Bc4’ and on

any ‘...Nb6’ attempts, replying with b3!. Black is doomed and only by creating a complete mess, I managed to pull out victorious in that game, an important lesson was learned... 15...Re8 16.Bc4! Nb6 17.b3² 16.Bxc4 Qb6+ 17.Rf2 Other moves are possible too, though this main move is probably best. A) 17.Be3 Qxb2 18.Rfc1 Qb4 19.Bd3 Rac8 20.Rab1 Qa3 21.Ra1 Qb4= B) 17.Kh1 Qxb2 18.Rab1 Qxd2 19.Rfd1 Nxe4 20.Nxe4 Qa5 21.Rdc1 (21.Nxd6? Qc7–+) 21...Qxa4 22.Rxb7 Rad8 23.Nxd6 Nc5 24.Rb6 Rxd6 25.Rxd6 Bb2³ C) 17.Qf2 Nxe4 18.Qxb6 Nxb6 19.Nxe4 Bd4+ 20.Kh1 Nxc4³ 1-0 (50) Portisch, F (2435) – Perenyi, B (2335) Kecskemet 1983. 17...Qxb2 18.Rb1 Qa3 19.Rxb7 Rfc8!?N

Position after: 19...Rfc8!?N The improvement that I am counting on! 19...Nc5 20.Rb1 Nfd7 21.e5!ƒ 20.Rb3 A) 20.Ba2 Rab8 21.Rxb8 Rxb8 22.Re2 (22.Kh2 Nh5©) 22...Nh5 23.Kh2 Bd4 24.e5 (24.g3 Rb2!–+) 24...dxe5 25.d6 Rf8µ B) 20.Qe2 Nc5 21.Rb1 Nxa4 22.Nxa4 Qxa4 23.Bd3 Nd7∞ C) 20.Bf1 Nc5 21.Rb1 Nxa4 22.Nxa4 Qxa4 23.Re1 Nd7∞ 20...Qc5 21.Bf1 21.Bd3 Rab8 22.Rxb8 (22.Be3 Rxb3 23.Bxc5 Nxc5 24.Rc2 Nfd7 25.e5 Bxe5! 26.fxe5 Nxe5 27.Qf6 Ncxd3 28.Ne4

Rxc2=) 22...Rxb8

Position after: 22...Rxb8 23.Nd1 (23.Bxa6 transposes to the main line; 23.Bc2 Rb2©) 23...Qd4 24.Bc3 Qxa4 25.e5 (25.Bc2 Qc4=) 25...Nxd5 26.Qxd5 Qxd1+ 27.Kh2 Qb3 28.Qxd6 Qxc3 29.Qxd7 Qc5 30.Re2 a5= 21...Rcb8 22.Rxb8+ Rxb8

Position after: 22...Rxb8 The main line and complicated but it seems that Black has sufficient play.

23.Bxa6 Also with 21.Bd3 it can transpose to this position! 23.Qd3 Rb3 24.Qc4 Rb4 25.Qxc5 Nxc5 26.e5 dxe5 27.fxe5 Nfd7 28.e6 fxe6 29.dxe6 Nxe6= 23...Rb3 24.Bb5 Nh5! 25.e5 25.Bxd7 Bxc3µ 25...dxe5

Position after: 25...dxe5 26.g4 A) 26.f5 Ndf6 27.d6 e4 28.Qe2 Qxd6 29.Qc4 Ra3„ B) 26.Qd1 Rxc3 27.Bxc3 Qxc3 28.Bxd7 e4 29.Bg4 Bd4 30.Bxh5 Qc5 31.Qe2 gxh5 32.d6 Bxf2+ 33.Qxf2 Qxd6= 26...Nxf4 27.Bxd7 g5 28.Bf5 e4 29.Bxh7+ Kf8 30.Nxe4 Rxf3 31.Nxc5 Nxh3+ 32.Kf1 Rxf2+ 33.Ke1 Bd4 34.Nd3 Rh2³ 2e) 9.Nf3!? & 12.a3 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Bb5+ Nfd7 9.Nf3

Position after: 9.Nf3 This line became popular a decade ago, it was widely recognised that White must prevent the fast ‘...b5’, and I think they are right, ‘...b5’ simply gives Black a lot of play. 9...a6 10.Bd3 b5 11.0-0 0-0 12.a3 Re8 13.Kh1 13.Qe1 A very critical idea, similar to 12.Qe1 (subchapter ‘f’), here with a3 included! (13.f5 Ne5!„) 13.Qe1

Position after: 13.Qe1

A) 13...Bb7 14.Qg3 c4 15.Bc2 a5

Position after: 15...a5 A1) 16.Kh1 b4 17.axb4 axb4 18.Rxa8 Bxa8 19.Nd1 Nf6!? (19...Qa5 20.Ne3 Qa2∞ 1-0 (43) Milov, V (2625) – Pantsulaia, L (2611) San Marino 2006) 20.f5 Nbd7 21.Qh4 Nc5 22.Bg5 h6 23.Bxh6 b3 24.Bb1 Nfxe4 25.fxg6 fxg6 26.Qg4 Qf6 27.Bxg7 Qxg7∞ A2) 16.Ng5!? This may appear dangerous for Black. 16...b4 17.axb4 axb4 18.Rxa8 Bxa8 19.Nd1 b3 20.Bb1 Na6 21.Ne3 This could bring White attacking chances! B) 13...c4 The alternative is also complex as everything we will see in our Taimanov line! 14.Bc2 Nc5

Position after: 14...Nc5 B1) 15.Be3 Nbd7 16.Bd4 (16.f5 Ne5∞) 16...Bxd4+ 17.Nxd4 Qb6 18.Qf2 Nf6 19.Nf3 Ng4 (19...Ncd7 20.Rad1 Qxf2+ 21.Rxf2 Nc5 22.e5 Nh5 23.Ng5 f6 24.exf6 Nxf6 25.f5ƒ ½-½ (29) Jankovic, A (2536) – Almeida Quintana, O (2501) Barbera del Valles 2007) 20.Qd4 Nd7 21.Rae1 Qxd4+ 22.Nxd4 Bb7 23.h3 Ngf6 24.g4 Nc5 25.g5 Nfd7 26.h4 Nb6„ B2) 15.f5 Bxf5!?N (15...Nbd7 16.Bg5 Qb6 17.Kh1 Nf6 18.Qh4 Ncd7 19.Rae1‚ 1-0 (28) Ernst, S (2596) – Voicu Jagodzinsky, C (2303) Maastricht 2011) 16.Ng5 f6

Position after: 16...f6 B2.1) 17.Qh4 h6 18.Nf7 (18.exf5 fxg5 19.Qh3 Qf6 20.fxg6 Qd4+ 21.Kh1 Qf2!µ

Position after: 21...Qf2!µ Wauw... The Benoni is still alive!) 18...Kxf7 19.exf5 g5∞ B2.2) 17.Nxh7 Nbd7 18.Qh4 Rxe4 19.Nxe4 Bxe4 20.Bxe4 Nxe4 21.Qxe4 Kxh7©

Position after: 21...Kxh7© The strong outpost on ‘e5’ will give Black enough play here. For instance: 22.Qe6 (22.Rf3 Ne5 23.Rh3+ Kg8 24.Bh6 f5 25.Qe3 Bf6∞) 22...Ne5 23.a4 b4 24.Bd2 f5 25.Rae1 The idea is Re3! 25...Qf6 26.Qxf6 Bxf6 27.Bxb4 Nd3 28.Bc3 Bxc3 29.bxc3 Nxe1 30.Rxe1 Rb8 31.Re6 a5 32.Rxd6 Rb3= 13...c4 14.Bc2 Nc5

Position after: 14...Nc5 We enter again a very sharp position, not unsual for these Taimanov lines. 15.f5 The main idea! A) 15.Be3 Bxc3!? 16.bxc3 Nxe4 17.Bd4 Bg4 18.Re1 Nc5 19.f5 Nbd7 20.Rxe8+ Qxe8 21.h3 Bxf3 22.Qxf3 Ne5∞ B) 15.e5 dxe5 16.fxe5 Nbd7 17.Bg5 Qb6 18.d6 Qc6 19.Nd5 Bb7 20.Ne7+ Rxe7 21.dxe7 Re8 22.Qe2 Nxe5 23.Nxe5 Bxe5 24.Rad1 f6 25.Rd8 Kf7 26.Rf3 Rxe7© 15...Nbd7 16.Bg5 Bf6!

Position after: 16...Bf6! The best way to defend! 17.h4 There are other ways as well to continue... A) 17.Bh6 Ne5 18.Nxe5 Bxe5 19.Qg4 Ra7 20.Rf3 Kh8 21.Bg5 f6 22.Be3 gxf5 23.exf5 Rg8 24.Qh3 Rag7³ B) 17.Qd2 B1) 17...Ne5 18.Bxf6 Qxf6 19.Nxe5 Qxe5 20.f6! (20.Qh6 Qg7=) 20...Kh8 21.Ne2!? Rg8 22.Nd4 Nxe4 23.Bxe4 Qxe4 24.Nc6ƒ B2) This is also a serious test for Black: 17...Bxg5!? 18.Nxg5 Ne5

Position after: 18...Ne5 With a pawn on ‘a3’ it is impossible for White to challenge the black knights and that is a crucial aspect of this position. B2.1) An interesting type of attack and counterplay we can see in the following example: 19.Qf4 Qf6 B2.1a) 20.fxg6 Qxf4!? 21.gxh7+ Kg7 22.Rxf4 f6 23.Ne6+ (23.Nf3 Ng6³) 23...Bxe6 24.dxe6 Nxe6 25.Rf2 Nd4 26.Nd5 Ng4 27.Rf4 Ne5 28.Bd1 Rh8! 29.Kg1 Rxh7 30.Rxf6 Rd8© B2.1b) 20.Qh4 gxf5!? 21.Qg3 (21.exf5 h6µ; 21.Qxh7+ Kf8 22.Qh5 Kg7!=) 21...f4!

Position after: 21...f4!

22.Rxf4 Qg7 23.Raf1 Ra7 24.Rf6 h6 25.Nf3 Qxg3 26.hxg3 Ned3 27.Rxh6 Rd7∞ B2.2) 19.f6 h6

Position after: 19...h6 20.Ne6!? Nxe6 (20...fxe6? 21.Qxh6 Qd7 22.f7+ Nxf7 23.Qxg6+ Kf8 24.Rf6+–) 21.dxe6 Rxe6 22.Nd5 (22.Qxh6 Rxf6 23.Nd5 Rxf1+ 24.Rxf1 Ng4 25.Qf4 Be6³) 22...Kh7 23.Rf4 Bb7 24.Rh4 Qf8 25.Rf1 Rc8„ 17...Bxg5 18.hxg5 Ne5

Position after: 18...Ne5

19.Nxe5 19.Qd2 Bd7 20.Nxe5 Rxe5 21.fxg6 hxg6 22.Rf6 Be8 23.Raf1 Qe7µ 19...Rxe5 20.Qg4 f6 21.gxf6 Ra7!?N

Position after: 21...Ra7!?N Going along this chapter, you might soon think that I have become obsessed with this move, but the truth is that the Benoni is a rare opening where such ideas simply work! 21...Qxf6 22.Rf3ƒ 22.Rf4 Rf7 23.Raf1 Kh8 24.Qh4 gxf5 25.exf5 Qxf6= 2f) 9.Nf3!? & 12.Kh1 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Bb5+ Nfd7 9.Nf3 a6 10.Bd3 b5 11.0-0 0-0 12.Kh1 c4 13.Bc2

Position after: 13.Bc2 13...b4 A possible alternative that is similar to our main line was tested in tournament practice: 13...Nc5 14.f5 Nbd7 15.Bg5 Bf6 16.Qd2 Ne5 17.Bxf6 Qxf6 18.Nxe5 Qxe5

Position after: 18...Qxe5 19.f6 (19.Qh6 Nd7!?N 20.Rf3 Qg7 21.Qh4 g5! 22.Qg3 Ne5 23.f6 Qh6„) 19...Kh8 20.Ne2 As in the main line but the differences are that the pawn is on a2 and the Rook is on e8! 20...Bb7!? 21.Qh6 Rg8 22.Ng1! (22.Rf3 Bc8!µ) 22...Qh5 23.Qf4 Qe5 24.Qxe5 dxe5 25.Nf3 Rge8 26.Nd2 a5 27.a4 b4!„

14.Na4 Nf6

Position after: 14...Nf6 Now White has a couple of ideas, and some of them are new ones from White’s prospective. Let’s have a closer look: 15.Be3 This is known and a logical approach. A) 15.Qd4 This is a typical artificial engine’s suggestion, however it should be ok for Black though: 15...Nbd7! 16.Qxc4 a5 17.Re1 (17.Qe2 Re8!? 18.Re1 Nxe4µ) 17...Ba6 18.Qb3 Qc7 19.Bd3 Bxd3 20.Qxd3 Rfc8 21.Bd2 Qc4© B) 15.e5N There is of course this direct attempt: 15...dxe5 16.fxe5 Nxd5

Position after: 16...Nxd5 Now White has two ways to continue and both leads to following complications: 17.Be4 (17.Bg5 Qa5 18.Nd2 Be6 19.Nxc4 Qc7 20.Bb3 Nc6 21.Rc1 h6 22.Bh4 g5 23.Bg3 Rad8 24.Nc5 Nf4 25.Qe1 Bxc4 26.Rxc4 Qxe5 27.Qxe5 Nxe5 28.Rxb4 a5„) 17...Be6 18.Nc5 Nd7 19.Nxe6 fxe6 20.Bxd5 exd5 21.Qxd5+ Kh8 22.Bg5 Qc7 23.e6 (23.Rad1 Nxe5 24.Bf4 Rxf4 25.Qxa8+ Rf8 26.Qxa6 Nd3©) 23...Nf6 24.Qd4 Ng8 25.Qh4 c3 26.bxc3 bxc3∞ C) 15.Nd2!?N This move is really leading to unprecedented complications, I will now give some ideas : 15...Bg4 16.Qe1 Re8!?

Position after: 16...Re8!?

As I claimed many times, Black simply has to be vigilant in our Benoni. C1) 17.Nxc4 Qc7 18.Bd3 Nbd7 19.Qxb4 Nxe4 20.Be3 Rab8 21.Qa3 Ndf6 22.Nab6 Nc5 23.Rae1 Rxb6 24.Nxb6 Rxe3!! 25.Rxe3 Qxb6

Position after: 25...Qxb6 Another great idea, the double exchange sacrifice gives Black good play. Really these can only be found in our beloved and romantic Benoni! C2) 17.Qf2 Nbd7 18.h3 Bh5 19.g4 c3 20.bxc3 bxc3 21.Nf3 Nxe4 22.Qg2 Ndf6 23.Ng5 Bxg4 24.hxg4 Ra7!!

Position after: 24...Ra7!!

25.f5 Rae7 26.fxg6 (26.Ne6 fxe6 27.dxe6 Qa5∞ This is yet another example of complications that can arise from the Benoni.) 26...hxg6 27.Bxe4 Nxe4 28.Qh3 Qc7! With an obvious threat of Qc4 29.Qh7+ Kf8 30.Qxg6 (30.Ne6+ Rxe6!µ) 30...Ng3+ 31.Kg2 Nxf1 32.Nh7+ Kg8 33.Nf6+ Kf8= 15...Nbd7

Position after: 15...Nbd7 16.Nd4 The logical approach but there are other ways too... For example: 16.Bd4 Re8 17.Re1 Bh6!? (17...a5!? 18.Qd2 Ba6 19.Rad1 Rc8∞) 18.Nd2!? (18.e5 Nxd5 19.Be4 Bb7 20.Bg1 Qa5³; 18.g3 a5 19.Rc1 Bb7 20.Bb1 Rc8 21.Nd2 Ba6 22.Qf3 Bb5³ 0-1 (52) Cvitan, O (2515) – Velimirovic, D (2535) Zlatibor 1989) 18...Bxf4 19.Nxc4 Ne5 20.Nxe5 Bxe5 21.Nb6

Position after: 21.Nb6 21...Ng4! 22.Nxa8 Qh4 23.h3 Qg3 24.Bxe5 Nf2+ 25.Kg1 Nxh3+ 26.Kh1 Nf2+= 16...Re8!?N 17.Nc6 Qc7 18.Qf3 A) 18.Qe2 c3 19.bxc3 Nxe4 20.Qc4 Qb7! 21.Bxe4 Qb5∞ B) 18.Nxb4 Nxe4³ 18...a5 19.Rac1 19.Bd4 Bb7µ 19...Ba6 20.Rfe1 Bb5 21.Nd4 Ba6=

Position after: 21...Ba6= 2g) 9.Nf3!? & 12.Qe1 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Bb5+ Nfd7 9.Nf3 a6 10.Bd3 b5 11.0-0 0-0 12.Qe1

Position after: 12.Qe1 At first I underestimated this idea, I thought that moves such as 12.a3 or 12.Kh1 should be played first, but later I changed my mind.

This line is really dangerous, so precise play is required. 12...c4!? Another attempt is also interesting but there were few things that I couldn’t solve: 12...Re8 13.Qg3 c4 14.Bc2 Nc5 15.f5 An interesting approach, White wastes no time and launches his typical attack... 15...b4

Position after: 15...b4 White is at a crossroad, it seems that taking or not taking on g6 is a serious question. I decided as main option without taking which is actually a new idea! It is possible to play without taking on g6 and we will see that there are nuances in that case. A) 16.Nd1 Nbd7 17.Ng5 Ne5∞ B) 16.fxg6 fxg6 (16...hxg6 17.Ng5!±) 17.Na4 b3!?N (17...Nxe4 18.Bxe4 Rxe4 19.Ng5 Gave White the initiative 1-0 (24) Dubov, D (2632) – Vavulin, M (2453) Moscow 2015) 18.axb3 (18.Bg5 Qa5 19.axb3 cxb3 20.Qxd6!? Nxa4 21.Bxb3 Qc5+ 22.Qxc5 Nxc5 23.Ba2 Nbd7 24.d6+ Kh8 Black is OK; 18.Nxc5 bxc2 19.Ne6 Bxe6 20.dxe6 Nc6µ) 18...cxb3 19.Bb1 Nxa4!

Position after: 19...Nxa4! An unusual reaction but Black counts on an interesting tactical motive: 20.Rxa4 Qb6+ 21.Rf2 (Logical ... 21.Kh1 doesn’t work due to ... 21...Qb5!–+; 21.Qf2 Qxf2+ 22.Rxf2 Nd7 23.Rb4 Nc5³) 21...Nd7 22.Rc4 (22.Ng5 Ne5„; 22.Bd2 Nf6 23.h3 Nh5 24.Qg5 a5∞) 22...Ne5 23.Nxe5 Bxe5 24.Bf4 Bxf4 25.Qxf4 Bd7! 26.Qf7+ Kh8 Due to an unpleasant pin White has nothing better but to repeat the position. C) 16.Na4 b3 17.axb3 cxb3 18.Bb1 Nxa4 19.Rxa4

Position after: 19.Rxa4 19...Qb6+ (19...Bd7!? 20.Ra3 Bb5 21.Re1! Nd7 22.Rxb3± Black doesn’t have sufficient compensation.) 20.Rf2 Nd7

21.Ng5!ƒ It is a difference with the 16.fxg6 line, it may indeed create problems for Black. 21...Ne5 22.Be3 Qb5 23.Rd4± 13.Bc2 Nc5

Position after: 13...Nc5 14.f5 Probably best and critical, other moves are possible as well: A) 14.Be3 Nbd7 15.Bd4 Bxd4+ 16.Nxd4 Qb6 17.Qf2 Bb7 18.Kh1 Rae8∞ B) 14.e5 Nd3 15.Bxd3 cxd3

Position after: 15...cxd3 16.e6 (16.Ne4 dxe5 17.fxe5 Bb7 18.Bg5 Qxd5 19.Nf6+ Bxf6 20.Bxf6 Nd7 21.Qh4 Rfe8 22.Kh1 Nxf6 23.exf6 Qd6– +) 16...fxe6 17.dxe6 Re8 18.Ng5 (18.f5 gxf5 19.Ng5 Bxe6 20.Nxe6 Qd7 21.Nd5 Rxe6 22.Qg3 Nc6 23.Qxd3 Rae8 Also Black is having nice play; 18.Qe4 Qb6+ 19.Be3 Qc6 20.Qxd3 Bxe6 21.Qd2 b4„) 18...Bxe6 19.Nxe6 Qd7 20.Qe4 Nc6 21.Re1 Nd4 Black is fine. 14...b4

Position after: 14...b4

15.Na4 The alternative is not only important but equally important as the main alternative: 15.Nd1 Nbd7 16.Bg5 Qb6 17.Kh1 b3 18.axb3 cxb3 19.Bb1 a5 20.Qh4 Ba6 21.Re1 Rfe8∞

Position after: 21...Rfe8∞ Due to the complicated nature of the position, I will continue with some extra moves... 22.f6 Bf8 23.Be3 (23.Nf2 Ne5 24.Nxe5 dxe5 25.Ng4 Nd7 26.Bh6 Rec8∞) 23...Qd8 24.Bxc5 Nxc5 25.e5 Rxe5 26.Nxe5 dxe5 27.Nc3 Nd7© 15...Nxa4 16.Bxa4 Qa5 17.Bc2 Nd7

Position after: 17...Nd7 Although it is complicated, I would say that Black established adequate play on the queenside. 18.Kh1! A) 18.Qh4 b3! 19.Bh6 bxc2 20.fxg6 fxg6 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.Ng5 Nf6 23.Rxf6 Kxf6! 24.Nxh7+ Ke5!!

Position after: 24...Ke5!! 25.Nxf8 Qd2 Another great line!! Black is fine. B) 18.fxg6 fxg6∞ 18...c3 19.b3 Qc7 20.Qh4 a5 21.Bg5 Ba6 22.Rf2 Rfe8

Position after: 22...Rfe8 Entering really sharp play, but it’s everywhere in the Benoni right? :) For instance... 23.Bh6 Qd8 24.Ng5 Bf6 25.Qg3 Qe7!∞

PART II THE DELAYED “YUGOSLAV BENONI” Chapter 9 The Delayed “Yugoslav Benoni” 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.h3 0-0 7.Bd3 e6

Chapter’s guide 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.h3 0-0 7.Bd3 e6 Chapter 9 – 8.Nf3 exd5 9.exd5 Re8+ 10.Be3 1) 10...Nbd7 11.0-0 a6 a) 12.Qd2 b) 12.a4 Nh5 2) 10...Rxe3+!?

1) 10...Nbd7 11.0-0 a6 1a) 12.Qd2 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.h3 e6 8.Bd3

Position after: 8.Bd3 I like to call this line the ‘Yu-Benoni’. Why? Because it was quite popular to play this move order in the former Yugoslavia, although I can’t really exclude many other players using this move order such as the Romanian players Gheorgiu, Marin and many others. Suba on the other hand preferred the Modern Benoni. Velimirovic, Matulovic, Barlov, Hulak, Cebalo just to name few and many other former GM’s from Yugoslavia played like this. Also the younger generations like Cvitan, Damljanovic etc... Black avoids many lines from the Modern Benoni such as the ‘Bf4’ lines connected with Qa4+ also ‘f4-Bb5+’ is out of the way and many others. The only problem is that White can always take with the e-pawn and this gave Black serious headaches as well. Such a dries positions are supposed to give White more space and easier play. I think that with some new ideas I found perhaps this verdict may change. 8...exd5 9.exd5 Re8+ 10.Be3 Nbd7 11.0-0 a6 It is important to include the ‘...a6/a4’ moves so that Black can go for the set-up I present in this file. 12.Qd2 The critical way as White doesn’t want to go ‘a4’ at all. Is ‘...b5’ a threat or not... 12...b5 Critical! 13.cxb5 Nb6

Position after: 13...Nb6 Not played much but when I started to look for new ideas, it emerged and deserved certainly worth a look. 14.bxa6!? Probably best and only played once! A) 14.Bg5 c4 15.Bc2 axb5 16.Nxb5 Bb7 17.a4 Nbxd5 18.Rfe1 Qb6= B) 14.a4 Nbxd5 15.Nxd5 Nxd5 16.Bg5 Nf6 17.Rfe1 Rxe1+ 18.Rxe1 Bb7= C) 14.Rfe1!? axb5! 15.Bxb5 Bd7 16.a4 Bxb5 17.axb5 Nc4 18.Qd3 (18.Qc1 Nxe3 19.Rxe3 Rxe3 20.fxe3 Nd7©) 18...Nxe3 19.fxe3 Nd7© 14...Bxa6 15.Bxa6 15.Bg5 Bxd3 16.Qxd3 h6 17.Bf4 (17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.a3 Na4©) 17...Na4© 15...Rxa6

Position after: 15...Rxa6 16.b3!N An important novelty and the critical position for the assesment of this ‘...b5’ idea. A) 16.Bg5 Qa8 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Rfd1 Na4!© (18...Kg7 19.Qd3 Na4³ 0-1 (54) Huss, A (2332) – Nemet, I (2427) Biel 2001) B) 16.Bf4 Qa8 17.Rad1 Ne4 18.Qc1 Nxc3 19.bxc3 Nxd5µ 0-1 (24) Tufa, M (2108) – Dumitrache, D (2477) Eforie Nord 2009. 16...Qa8 The alternative doesn’t work but I will include it anyway: 16...Ne4?!

Position after: 16...Ne4?! 17.Nxe4 Bxa1 18.Rxa1 Rxe4 19.Qd3 Rxe3 20.Qxa6 (20.fxe3 Qa8 21.e4 Rxa2=) 20...Rxf3 (20...Rc3 21.Rd1±) 21.gxf3 Nxd5 22.Rd1 Nf4 23.Qxd6 Qg5+ 24.Kf1 Qf5

Position after: 24...Qf5 A) 25.Qd7 Ne6 26.a4 (26.h4 Qxf3 is less clear.) 26...Qxh3+ 27.Ke2 Qf5 28.a5 Nf4+ 29.Kf1 Qh5 30.Qe8+ Kg7 31.Ke1 c4 32.Qe4 Qxa5+ 33.Kf1 Qg5 34.Qd4+ Kh6 35.bxc4² B) 25.a4 h5 26.a5 Qxh3+ 27.Ke1 Qxf3ƒ C) 25.h4! h5 26.Qd7 Ne6 27.Kg2±

17.Rad1 Ne4 18.Nxe4 Rxe4 19.Qd3

Position after: 19.Qd3 19...Re8 19...Rb4 20.Bd2 c4 21.Qe4 Rb5 22.bxc4 Rc5 23.Rc1 Ra4 24.Rfe1 Nxc4 25.Qe8+ Bf8 26.Qxa8 Rxa8 27.Bb4 Rcc8 28.a3² 20.a4 20.Qb5 Rb8 21.Qc6 Bf8 22.Qxa8 Nxa8 23.Rd2 Nc7© 20...Rc8 The best alternative is possible but probably less important: 20...Nd7!? 21.Rfe1 Rb8

Position after: 21...Rb8 A) 22.Bg5 Rab6 23.Rb1 Bf8 24.Red1 (24.Nd2 Ne5 25.Qe2 Qxd5=) 24...h6 25.Bh4 Rb4 26.Bg3 Nf6© B) 22.Bf4 Nf6 23.Bg5 Rab6 24.Nd2 Rb4 25.Bxf6 (25.Qg3 Nxd5 26.Qxd6 Bf8 27.Qe5 Bg7 28.Qg3 h6 29.Be3 Nxe3 30.Qxe3 c4 31.bxc4 Qxa4=) 25...Bxf6 26.Re4! (26.Ne4 Bd4 27.Qg3 Be5©) 26...Bd4 27.Qf3 Qb7 28.Rde1 Be5 29.g3 h5 30.h4 Rxe4 31.Rxe4 Kg7 32.Re2² 21.Qd2!

Position after: 21.Qd2!

21.Bf4 c4 22.bxc4 Nxc4= 21...c4 A) 21...Rb8 22.Bh6± B) 21...Nd7 22.Bh6 Ne5 (22...Bf6 23.Rfe1 c4 24.bxc4 Rxc4 25.a5±) 23.Nxe5 Bxe5 24.Rfe1² 22.a5! c3 23.Qd3 c2

Position after: 23...c2 24.axb6 Other moves lead more or less to drawish positions: A) 24.Bxb6 cxd1=Q 25.Rxd1 Rxa5 26.Bxa5 Qxa5 27.Nd2 Rc3 28.Qe2 Bf8= B) An important alternative is: 24.Rc1 Nxd5 25.Bd2 Nc3 26.Rxc2 Rac6 27.Bxc3 (27.b4 Ne2+ 28.Qxe2 Rxc2 29.Qd3 Rb2 30.Rd1 d5 31.Be1 d4=) 27...Rxc3 28.Rxc3 Rxc3 29.Qxd6 Qxa5 30.Re1 h6 31.b4 Qf5= 24...cxd1=Q 25.Rxd1 Ra5 We arrived at this very interesting position where White has a strong pawn on ‘b6’ but with an exchange down. If Black can get this pawn, the remaining position will be close to a draw. 26.Qe4 26.b4 Ra3 27.Qb5 Qa4 28.Qxa4 Rxa4 29.Rb1 Rb8= 26...h6 Not the only move. 26...Qb7!?

Position after: 26...Qb7!? A) 27.Kh2 Rb8 (27...h6 28.Qb4!±; 27...Ra6 28.Qb4²) 28.Rc1 (28.b4 Rb5 29.Rc1 Rxb6 30.Bxb6 Qxb6 31.Rc6 Qxf2=) 28...Qxd5 29.Qxd5 Rxd5 30.b7 Rc5 31.Bxc5 dxc5 32.b4 Rxb7 33.bxc5 Kf8 Again this is very close to a draw. B) 27.Nd2 Qxd5 28.Qxd5 Rxd5 29.b7 Rb8 30.Rc1 Rc5 31.Bxc5 dxc5 Black will be able to defend this endgame. C) 27.g4 h6 28.Kg2² 27.Kh2 A) 27.h4 Re8 28.Qb4 Rxd5 29.Rc1 Qa5 30.Qf4 Rf8 31.Rc7 Rd3= B) 27.g4 Rb5 28.Kg2 Rxb3∞ 27...Rb5 28.Qe7 Rxb3 28...Qb8!? 29.Qa7 Qxa7 30.bxa7 Ra8 31.Rb1 Rxd5 32.b4 Rb5 Black should be ok. 29.Qxd6 Qa4 30.Rd2 Rb1=

Position after: 30...Rb1= An interesting position. It seems that Black can stop these pawns, a draw is most likely to be the final result. Perhaps our interesting analysis put a new light on this gambit! 1b) 12.a4 Nh5 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.h3 e6 8.Bd3 exd5 9.exd5 Re8+ 10.Be3 Nbd7 11.0-0 a6 12.a4

Position after: 12.a4

Here White stops ‘...b5’ at once and this position is also very interesting. Without ‘...a6/a4’ included I think Black’s counterplay is simply not enough. 12...Nh5 13.Bg5 Another important way of play is: 13.Qd2 f5!?

Position after: 13...f5!? I like this move but it is not used much. Matulovic used it against Botvinnik and I do think that it represents Black’s best play. A) 14.Rfe1 Ne5 15.Be2 (15.Nxe5 Rxe5 16.Bg5 Qf8 17.Be2 Nf6 18.Bf4 Re8 19.a5 b6 20.axb6 Rb8 21.Qc2 Rxb6=) 15...Nf7 16.a5 Bd7∞ B) 14.Bh6 Ne5 15.Be2 Bxh6 16.Qxh6 Nf7 17.Qd2 Bd7 18.a5 b6 19.axb6 Qxb6 20.Bd1 Nf6 21.b3 a5= 0-1 (64) Nikcevic, N (2427) – Damljanovic, B (2562) Cetinje 2012. C) 14.Bg5 Again White has various options. C1) 14...Qc7 15.Rfe1 Ne5

Position after: 15...Ne5 16.Nxe5! (16.Be2 Nf7 17.Be3 Nf6 18.Ng5 Ne5 19.Rad1 Bd7 20.Bf4 Re7= ½-½ (44) Ivanov, S (2550) – Kuzuev, D (2350) St Petersburg 1998) 16...Rxe5 17.Rxe5 (17.Be2 Nf6 18.Bf4 Re8=) 17...Bxe5 18.Be2 Nf6 19.Re1 Bd7 (19...Qf7 20.Bd3 Bd7 21.Ne2²) 20.Bf3 Qd8 The idea is ...Qf8. 21.Rxe5!? dxe5 22.d6∞ A bit of an unpleasant setup for Black, though not so clear either. C2) 14...Ndf6 Probably best. 15.Rfe1 (15.a5 Bd7 16.Ra3 Qc7 17.Qc2 Re7∞) 15...Bd7 16.Rxe8+ Qxe8 17.Re1 Qf8

Position after: 17...Qf8 18.a5! This is an important positional asset for White! 18...Rb8 Black must be ready to confront the potential ‘b4’

idea. 19.Ne2 (19.Qd1 b6 20.axb6 Rxb6 21.b3 Bh6=) 19...b5! 20.axb6 Rxb6 21.Nc3 Rb4 22.Qc2 Bh6 Again with a similar type of counterplay for Black. 13...f6 14.Bd2 f5

Position after: 14...f5 15.Bg5 A) 15.Ng5 Ne5 16.Be2 Nf6 17.f4 Nf7= B) 15.a5!? A typical attempt for White. 15...Ne5 16.Be2 Nf7!? 17.Na4 Rb8 (17...Nf6 18.Nb6 Rb8 19.Ng5!? Nxg5 20.Bxg5 Qc7 21.Bd3 Bd7 22.Bc2²) 18.Rb1 Nf6 19.b4 Ne4! 20.bxc5 Bd7 21.Nb6 Nxc5 22.Bb4 Qc7 23.Bd3 Re7 24.Bc2 Bf6 25.Qd2 Rf8∞ 15...Bf6 15...Ndf6!? 16.Qc2 Bd7 17.a5 Qc7

Position after: 17...Qc7 18.Rfb1 (18.Rfe1 Rxe1+ 19.Nxe1 Re8„) 18...Re7 19.b4 cxb4 20.Rxb4 h6 21.Bd2 Ne4 22.Rab1 Nxf2!„ 16.Bxf6 Ndxf6 17.Qd2 b6!

Position after: 17...b6! 18.Rfe1 Ra7 When we compare this position to the famous game Botvinnik – Matulovic, we will see that here we have a more improved version.

19.Rxe8+ Qxe8 20.Re1 Re7 21.Rxe7 Qxe7 22.Ne2 a5 23.g3 23.b3 Nd7 24.g3 Ne5 25.Nxe5 dxe5 26.Bc2 Qd6 27.Qc3 e4 28.Kh2 Nf6 29.Nf4 Kf7= 23...Bd7=

2) 10...Rxe3+!? 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.h3 e6 8.Bd3 exd5 9.exd5 Re8+ 10.Be3 Rxe3+!?

Position after: 10...Rxe3+!? A real fascinating idea! It reminds me Andersson’s sacrifice but in the Nimzo, also the same ‘...Rxe3’ idea. Just an exchange down for not even a pawn. When I first saw Morozevich playing this against Gelfand and losing quickly, I was probably to harsch judging that it was only an adventurious sac. While writing this book I was checking this game again and things started to become more interesting. It is one of those positions where our inner materialistic approach tells us that this can’t be good. However your other more intuitive side tells you that it may actually work! Why... the main reason being the bad bishop on d3, this time the structure works against him! Meaning this sacrifice is based on only positional grounds, which comes even as a bigger surprise.... 11.fxe3 Qe7 12.0-0 Nbd7 13.Qd2 Alternatively: 13.Qe1!?

Position after: 13.Qe1!? A) ‹ 13...Nb6 14.a4 a5 15.Rd1 Nfd7 16.b3 Ne5 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Ne4 Bf5 19.Rxf5 gxf5 20.Ng3± B) ‹ 13...Nh5 14.g4 (14.Qf2 Ne5 transposes to the text) 14...Ne5!

Position after: 14...Ne5! B1) 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 16.gxh5 Qg5+ 17.Kh1 Bxh3 18.Rf2 Re8! 19.Bf1 (19.Ne4 Qxh5 20.Kg1 f5µ) 19...Qxh5 20.Kg1 Qg4+ 21.Rg2 Bxg2 22.Bxg2 Qxc4© B2) 15.Rd1! Nf6 16.Qh4! Bd7 17.Nxe5 Qxe5 18.Rf3

Position after: 18.Rf3 18...h5 (18...h6 19.Rdf1 Rf8 20.Qf2±) 19.gxh5! (19.Rdf1 hxg4 20.Rxf6 Qxe3+ 21.Kg2 Qxd3 22.hxg4 Bxf6 23.Qxf6 Rf8 24.Rh1 Qd2+=) 19...Nxh5 20.Kh1 Rf8 21.Rg1 Bf6 22.Qe4 Qxe4 23.Nxe4 Be5 24.Ng5 Nf6 25.Rf2 Be8 26.Nf3 Nd7 27.h4± C) 13...Ne8 14.Kh1 (14.Rd1 Ne5 15.Rd2 f5 16.Nxe5 Bxe5©) 14...Ne5 15.Be2

Position after: 15.Be2 15...Bd7 (15...Nxf3 16.Rxf3 Nf6 17.Qh4 Nxd5 18.Qxe7 Nxe7 19.Rd1 Bxc3 20.bxc3 Be6 21.Rxd6 Kg7 22.Kg1 Re8©) 16.Qg3 Nxf3 17.Rxf3 f5 18.Qf2 Nf6©

13...Nh5!

Position after: 13...Nh5! Black wants to occupy all the black squares and that is what Morozevich initially missed and many others as well. 14.Qf2 A) 14.Ne2 Bh6!? (14...Ne5 15.Nxe5 Qxe5 16.Rf3 Bd7 17.Raf1 f5 18.Qc3 Qe7 19.Qc2 Re8 20.Ng3 Nf6∞ ½-½ (46) Guseynov, A (2213) – Benidze, D (2478) Cesme 2015) 15.Nf4 Ng3 16.Rfe1 Nf6 17.Kh2 Nge4 18.Qc2 Bd7 19.Rab1 Re8 Black is simply great! 20.a3 (20.b4 cxb4 21.Rxb4 Nc5³) 20...g5 21.Ne2 g4 22.Bxe4 Nxe4 23.hxg4 Bxe3³ B) 14.g4 Ng3 15.Rf2 h5

Position after: 15...h5 The Knight on g3 will remain important! 16.Kg2 (16.Rg2 h4 17.Qf2 Ne5 18.Nxe5 Bxe5 19.Qf3 Rb8 20.a4 a6 21.Ra3 Kg7 22.Rb3 f5 23.gxf5 Bxf5 24.Bxf5 Rf8 25.Rxg3 hxg3 26.e4 Qg5 27.Rxb7+ Kh6= is one entertaining line) 16...h4 17.Re1 (17.Ne2 b5!? 18.Nxg3 hxg3 19.Kxg3 bxc4 20.Bxc4 Rb8 21.Raf1 Nf6©) 17...Ne5 18.Nxe5 Bxe5 19.Ne2 f5!? 20.Nxg3 hxg3 21.Rf4 fxg4 22.hxg4 Qg5 23.Qe2 Bd7 24.Qf3 Re8© 14...Ne5 15.Be2 Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Nf6 17.Qh4

Position after: 17.Qh4

This positon was reached a couple of times quite recently. 17...Bd7 Black doesn’t need to rush here. A) 17...Qxe3+ 18.Kh1 Bf5 19.Rfe1 Qd4 20.Qxd4 cxd4 21.Nb5ƒ B) 17...Nxd5?! 18.Qxe7 Nxe7 19.Rad1 Be5 20.Ne4! (20.Nd5= ½-½ (20) Babula, V (2545) – Indjic, A (2576) Hungary 2016) 20...Nf5 21.Kf2 Be6 22.b3± C) 17...a6!? This move is a serious one, with the simple idea ‘...Qxe3’ and opening the b-file. 18.Rfe1 (18.a4 Qxe3+! 19.Kh1 Bf5 20.Rae1 Qd4 21.Qxd4 cxd4 22.Ne4 Bxe4 23.Bxe4 Nd7 24.b3 Nc5 25.Bc2 a5 26.Rf3 Be5=) 18...Rb8 19.a4 Bd7 20.a5 (20.Re2 h5 21.Ra3 Re8 22.Rb3 Bc8 23.Re1 Bh6©) 20...b5 21.axb6 Rxb6 22.Re2 Nxd5!

Position after: 22...Nxd5! Only now! 23.Qe4 Qxe4 24.Nxe4 Nf6 25.Nc3 Be6 26.Nd5 Nxd5 27.Bxd5 Bxd5 28.cxd5 h5= 18.Be2 18.Rae1 Re8 19.Qf4

Position after: 19.Qf4 19...h5!? (19...a6 20.a4 Bc8 21.Be2 Nd7 22.e4 Ne5© 1-0 (53) Supatashvili, K (2491) – Pashikian, A (2366) Batumi 2003) 20.Qg5 (20.Bd1 Nh7 21.Bc2 Be5 22.Qf2 Ng5©) 20...Qf8 21.Bd1 Re5! 22.Qg3 Qe7 23.Bc2 Nh7 24.Rf4 Ng5 25.h4 Nh7 26.Qf2 Nf6 27.Bd1 Ng4© 0-1 (79) Schiendorfer, E (2359) – Dimov, D (2289) Albena 2012. 18...Re8

Position after: 18...Re8 Central play is also possible as we will see.

19.Rf3 Nxd5! 20.Qxe7 Nxe7 21.Rd1 Bc6 22.e4 Bd4+ 23.Kh1 f5³ 0-1 (50) Brunner, N (2442) – Istratescu, A (2592) Drancy 2016.

Chapter 10 The Delayed “Yugoslav Benoni” with 8.Nge2 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Bd3 0-0 7.h3 e6 8.Nge2

Chapter’s guide Chapter 10 – 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Bd3 0-0 7.h3 e6 8.Nge2

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Bd3 0-0 7.h3 e6 8.Nge2 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Bd3 0-0 7.h3 e6 8.Nge2

Position after: 8.Nge2 Another important set-up played by many grandmasters, compared to the ‘h3-Bd3’, this one is much more dynamic because even in the situation of the ‘exd5/...exd5’ structure. White is free to attack with f4 as he controls more space. 8...exd5 9.exd5 Nfd7!? The idea is ...Ne5. 10.f4 Qh4+!? A rare continuation and connected with really sharp ideas. The idea is also to deprive the Knight arriving at g3 at once. 11.g3 Qe7 12.0-0 12.Bd2 Na6 13.a3 Nc7 14.a4 Na6 15.Rc1 Nb4 16.Bb1 Re8 17.0-0 (17.Kf2 a6! 18.g4 b5µ) 17...Nb6µ 12...Na6

Position after: 12...Na6 13.g4!? The idea is ‘Ng3, f5’ with a strong attack! Not many games are available, the debate is open for a new look and some fresh ideas! A) 13.f5 Ne5µ B) 13.Bd2?! Nb4 14.Bb1 Nb6 15.a3 Nxc4 16.axb4 cxb4 17.Ne4 Bf5–+ C) 13.Kg2 This move is the usual preference here. 13...Nb4!?N 14.Bb1 b5!?

Position after: 14...b5!? 15.a3 (15.Nxb5 Nb6 16.a3 Bxb2!! 17.Bxb2 Nxc4 18.Bc1 Nxd5 19.Kg1 Nce3 20.Bxe3 Nxe3 21.Qxd6 Qb7 22.Rf2 Qxb5µ) 15...bxc4! Such a piece sac, not in this position but in the same spirit, I used against Sasikiran some time ago. 16.axb4 cxb4 17.Ne4 f5 18.Ng5 Nc5 19.Rf3 Qb7 20.Re3 Bd7 21.Ba2 b3 22.Bb1 Rfe8 23.Nc3 a5 24.Rxe8+ Rxe8 25.Bd2 a4© 13...b5! In my opinion the only choice and surely an entertaining one. The alternative leads to passive play where White controls all the space: 13...Nb4 14.Bb1 Nb6 (14...b5 15.a3 bxc4 16.axb4 cxb4 17.Ne4±) 15.a3 Na6 (15...Nxc4 16.axb4 cxb4 17.Ne4 f5 18.gxf5 Bxf5 19.Ng5²) 16.Bd3 f5 17.g5 White has more space and easier play.

Position after: 13...b5! 14.Nxb5 Nb4 15.Bb1 A) 15.Nbc3 Nb6 16.f5 (16.Bb1 Nxc4 17.a3 Na6 18.Qd3 Nb6 19.f5 Nc7 20.Qf3 Nd7 21.Ng3 Ba6µ) 16...Ba6µ B) 15.Ng3 Rb8 16.Kg2 Nxd3 17.Qxd3 Rxb5!? 18.cxb5 Nb6 with compensation. 15...Rb8

Position after: 15...Rb8 Black really has to be quick! 16.Nbc3 A) 16.Nxa7 Ba6³ B) 16.Nec3 Nb6 17.a3 Nxc4 18.axb4 cxb4 19.Ne4 Rxb5 20.f5 Be5∞ with a complete interesting messy position! 21.f6 Qc7 22.Qe1 Rxd5 23.Qh4 Bd4+ 24.Kg2 h5–+ 16...Ba6 17.a3 17.b3 Qh4 (17...Nb6µ) 18.Kg2 Nxd5µ 17...Bxc4 18.axb4 cxb4 19.Ne4 Nc5 20.N2g3 Bxf1

Position after: 20...Bxf1 Amazing position! 21.Kxf1 The alternative is also highly interesting! 21.Qxf1 Nb3! 22.Ra6 Nxc1 23.Qxc1 Rbc8 A) 24.Rc6 Rxc6 25.Qxc6 (25.dxc6 d5 26.Nf2 Rc8 27.Ba2 Qd6 28.Qd2 Qxc6 29.Qxb4 Qc5µ) 25...Bxb2 26.Kg2 a5µ B) 24.Qd2 Rc4 25.Bd3 (25.Kg2 Rd4 26.Qf2 Qc7 27.Rc6 Qa5 28.Qf3 Rxd5 29.b3 Qb5∞) 25...Rd4 26.Qe2 b3 27.Kg2 Rxd5 28.f5 (28.Bc4 Rd4„) 28...Rd4„ 29.Qf3 d5 30.Nf2 Qb7∞ 21...Rfc8

Position after: 21...Rfc8 22.f5 22.Be3 Bxb2 23.Ra2 Bg7 24.f5 b3 25.Rf2 Nxe4 26.Nxe4 Be5 27.f6 Qc7 28.h4 b2 29.h5 Qc1µ 22...Nxe4 23.Nxe4 Rc4 24.Qe1 Re8 25.Bd3 Rxe4 26.Qxe4 Qxe4 27.Bxe4 Rxe4 28.Rxa7 h5 29.fxg6 fxg6 30.Ra8+ Kh7 31.Ra7 Kg8=

Appendix 1 The Delayed Benoni with 5...g6!? 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 g6!? 6.e4 Bg7 7.Be2

Chapter’s guide Appendix 1 – 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 g6!? 6.e4 Bg7 7.Be2

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 g6!? 6.e4 Bg7 7.Be2 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 Black delays the capture on d5 to prevent White from playing e4 and no intention to follow up with Nc3. 5.Nc3 g6!?

Position after: 5...g6!? An interesting move order, a combination of the ‘Yu-Benoni’ and ‘Modern Benoni’. It seems that it is perfectly playable from a tactical point of view. You can combine various move orders to reach a Benoni and with this chapter I want to emphasize this. 6.e4 It seems that any other attempt simply doesn’t work for White except to head for the usual lines. A) 6.Bg5 exd5! 7.Nxd5 (7.cxd5 h6 transposes to the ‘Bg5’ line.) 7...Bg7 8.e3 Be6 9.Nd2 0-0 10.Be2 Bxd5 11.cxd5 Nbd7∞ B) 6.g3 exd5 7.cxd5 Bg7 8.Bg2 transposes to the ‘g3’ line. C) A bit strange is: 6.Bf4!? e5 (6...exd5 7.cxd5 transposes to the Bf4 line.) 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bh4

Position after: 8.Bh4 8...Be7! (8...Bg7 9.Nd2 g5 10.Bg3 Nh5 11.e3 g4 12.Be2 f5 13.e4 Nf4 14.Bxf4 exf4 15.exf5 h5 16.h3 Qh4 17.Nce4 Be5 18.Qb3 f3 19.gxf3 gxh3 20.f4± 0-1 (42) Lysyj, I (2655) – Fedoseev, V (2641) Riga (rapid) 2014) 9.Nd2 (9.e4 Nbd7 10.Be2 Nh5 11.Bxe7 Qxe7∞) 9...0-0 10.e3 Nxd5 11.Bxe7 Nxe7 12.Nde4 f5 13.Nxd6 Nbc6 14.Be2 Be6= 6...Bg7 7.Be2 This is the classical approach. 7.h3 transposes to the ‘h3-Bd3-Nf3’ lines. 7...0-0 8.0-0

Position after: 8.0-0 8.Nd2 exd5 9.cxd5 transposes to other chapters. 8...exd5 Waiting is possible as well: 8...Re8!? 9.dxe6 (9.h3 exd5 10.exd5 Bf5 transposes to the main line; 9.Nd2 exd5 10.cxd5 Nbd7 transposes to 8...exd5) 9...Bxe6 10.Bf4 Qb6

Position after: 10...Qb6 A) 11.Bxd6 Rd8 12.e5 Ne8 13.Na4 Qc6 14.b4 Nxd6! 15.Nxc5 (15.bxc5 Bd7–+) 15...Bf5 16.exd6 Rxd6 17.Qe1 Nd7

18.Nxd7 Rxd7³ B) 11.Qb3 Nc6 12.Qxb6 (12.Rfd1 Bg4! 13.h3 Nxe4 14.Nd5 Qxb3 15.axb3 Bxf3 16.Bxf3 Bxb2 17.Rab1 Bd4 18.Nc7 Nc3³ 0-1 (48) Roselli Mailhe, B (2430) – Felgaer, R (2579) Mar del Plata 2012; 12.h3 Nd7„) 12...axb6 13.Nb5 Nxe4!? (13...Red8 14.Nc7 Rac8 15.Nd5 Nxe4 16.Nxb6∞ ½-½ (16) Gleizerov, E (2546) – Pavlovic, M (2509) Koge 2013) 14.Nc7 Bxb2 15.Rab1 Bh8 16.Nxa8 Rxa8 17.Rxb6 Nc3ƒ 9.exd5 9.cxd5 a6 10.a4 Bg4 11.Bf4 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 Qe7 transposes to another line covered in this book. 9...Re8

Position after: 9...Re8 This position is not regarded as dange-rous for Black. 10.h3 A) 10.Bd3 Bg4 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 Nbd7 with a tempo up compared to the ‘Bd3’ line: 13.Qd1 a6 14.a4 (14.Bd2 Re7 15.Qc2 Qf8 16.Rae1 Rae8 17.Rxe7 Rxe7 18.Re1 Rxe1+ 19.Bxe1 Nh5 20.g3 f5 21.Be2 Qe7 22.Bd2 Nhf6=) 14...Nh5 15.Bd2 Qh4 16.Qg4 Qxg4 17.hxg4 Bxc3 18.Bxc3 (18.bxc3 Ne5 19.Be2 Nf6 20.f3 Nexg4 21.Rfe1 Ne5 22.Rab1 Re7 23.Rb6 Rae8 24.Kf1 Nh5 25.Kf2 f5! 26.Rxd6 f4µ) 18...Nf4 19.Rfd1 Ne5= B) 10.Bf4 Nh5 11.Bg5 Bf6 12.Qd2 (12.Bd2!? Ng7 13.h3 Nd7 14.Bd3 Ne5 with good play for Black) 12...Bg4 13.Rfe1 Nd7 14.Be3 Ng7 with unclear play. 10...Bf5 11.Bd3 A) 11.Nh4 Bd7 12.Bd3 Nxd5!

Position after: 12...Nxd5! 13.Nxd5 Qxh4 14.Nc7 Nc6 15.Nxa8 Rxa8 16.Be3 Re8 17.Qd2 Bxh3 18.gxh3 Qxh3 19.Rfe1 Qg4+ 20.Kf1 Qh3+= 21.Ke2? Qh5+ 22.f3 Bd4–+ B) 11.g4 Ne4!

Position after: 11...Ne4! 12.gxf5 (12.Nxe4 Bxe4 13.Ne1 Qh4µ) 12...Bxc3 13.Bd3 Bg7 14.Re1 Nf6 15.Rxe8+ Nxe8 16.Bf4 Nd7 17.Qd2 Ne5 18.Bxe5 dxe5 19.Re1 Nd6 20.Nxe5 Qh4 21.fxg6 hxg6©

11...Ne4 12.Nxe4 Bxe4 13.Bxe4 Rxe4 14.Qc2 Re8

Position after: 14...Re8 15.Bd2 15.Bf4 Qc7 16.Rfe1 Nd7= This is similar to the main line! 15...Nd7= E.g. 16.Rae1 Ne5 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Re3 Qd7 19.Rfe1 Bd4 20.Rxe8+ Rxe8 21.Rxe8+ Qxe8= 0-1 (62) Szymanski, M (2398) – Mickiewicz, P (2367) Jastrzebia Gora 2015.

Appendix 2 Bacrot’s 8...Qa5 line 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 c5 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Nc6 8.Nc3 Qa5

Chapter’s guide Appendix 2 – 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.g3 c5 5.Bg2 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Nc6 7.Nc3 0-0 8.0-0 Qa5 1) 9.Nc2 2) 9.Nb3 Qh5 a) 10.othermoves b) 10.e4

1) 9.Nc2 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 0-0 5.Bg2 c5 6.0-0 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Nc6 8.Nc3

Position after: 8.Nc3 We had this position in the King’s Indian book where I proposed the move 8...d6 here. I will now add another line, the 8...Qa5 Bacrot’s line. I think it is important to present the current modern weapons. I believe that was the most successful move in the recent years and definitely lots of improvements have been found. 8...Qa5 9.Nc2 An important line that can arise from various move orders. Alternatives are: A) 9.e3 d6

Position after: 9...d6 A1) 10.Bd2 A1.1) 10...Qb6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.b3 Bb7 13.Qe2 Nd7 14.Na4 Qc7 15.Bc3 Bxc3 16.Nxc3 a5 17.a3 Rfb8 18.b4 e6! (18...axb4 19.axb4 Qb6 20.Rxa8 Rxa8 21.Rb1² ½-½ (31) Roiz, M (2605) – Dominguez Perez, L (2752) Novi Sad 2016) 19.Rfc1 axb4 20.axb4 Rxa1 21.Rxa1 d5= A1.2) 10...Qa6 11.b3 Bg4

Position after: 11...Bg4 A1.2a) 12.Qc1 Rac8 13.h3 Bd7 14.Re1 Rfd8 15.Qd1 e6! (15...Nb4 16.Qe2∞ 1-0 (38) Meier, G (2632) – Bacrot,

E (2720) Dubai (blitz) 2014) A1.2b) 12.Qe1 Rac8 13.h3 Bd7 14.Qe2 Rfd8 15.Rfe1 e6! 16.Rac1 d5 17.cxd5 Qxe2 18.Rxe2

Position after: 18.Rxe2 A1.2b1) 18...Nxd4?! 19.exd4 Nxd5 20.Nxd5 exd5 21.Bxd5 Bxd4 22.Rxc8 (22.Re7! would pose some problems.) 22...Bxc8 23.Bh6 Bc5= ½-½ (32) Radjabov, T (2724) – Bacrot, E (2720) Tromso 2014. A1.2b2) 18...Nxd5! 19.Nxd5 exd5 20.Bxd5 (20.Nxc6 Rxc6 21.Bxd5 Rxc1+ 22.Bxc1 Bxh3=) 20...Bxd4! 21.exd4 Bxh3 22.Bxc6 bxc6= A2) An interesting game was 10.Nde2 Bd7 11.b3 a6 12.Bd2 Rfc8 13.a4 Rab8 14.h3 Qd8 15.e4 Be8 16.Rb1 Nd7 17.Bg5 h6 18.Be3 Nc5 19.Kh2 Kh7 with a balanced position, playable from both sides: ½-½ (40) Le Quang Liem (2712) – Grischuk, A (2779) Khanty-Mansiysk (rapid) 2013. B) 9.Ncb5 a6 10.Nb3 Qa4!?

Position after: 10...Qa4!? 11.Nc7 Rb8 12.Nd5 d6 13.Bf4 (13.Bg5 Qxc4 14.Rc1 Qb5 15.Rxc6 Nxd5 16.Rxc8 Rfxc8 17.Qxd5 Qxd5 18.Bxd5 e6 19.Be4 Bxb2„) 13...Nxd5 14.cxd5 Ne5 15.Nd4 Qxd4 16.Qxd4 Nf3+ 17.Bxf3 Bxd4 18.Rac1 Bh3 19.Bg2 Bxg2 20.Kxg2 Bxb2 21.Rc7 Bf6³ 0-1 (61) Greenfeld, A (2551) – Bacrot, E (2729) Bilbao 2014. 9...d6

Position after: 9...d6 10.Bd2

Many moves are playable for White. It seems that Black is doing more than OK. A) 10.Nd5 Nxd5 11.cxd5 Ne5 12.Bd2 Qa6 13.Bc3 Bg4 (13...Bd7 14.f4 Ng4 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Qd4+ Kg8 17.Nb4 Qa5 18.a3 Rfc8 19.h3 Nf6 20.e4 Bb5 21.Rfe1 Nd7 22.Kh2 Qb6„) 14.Re1 Rac8

Position after: 14...Rac8 15.Bd4 (15.h3 Bd7 16.Bd4 Rc7 17.b3 Rfc8 18.Ne3 Nd3µ) 15...Rc7! (15...Nd3 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.Rf1 Ne5 18.Nd4 Qb6 19.b3 Rc7 20.h3²) 16.Ne3 Bd7 17.Qd2 Rfc8 18.Red1 (18.b3 Nd3µ) 18...Nc4³ B) 10.e4 Bg4 11.f3 Bd7!? 12.Ne3 Rac8 13.f4 Rfd8 14.Kh1 e6∞ C) 10.Ne3 Rb8!? 11.Bd2 Qh5 12.Rc1 Bh3 13.Bf3 Qe5 14.Bg2 Bxg2 15.Kxg2 e6 16.Nc2 Rbd8 17.Bf4 Qc5∞ ½-½ (27) Johansson, L (2392) – Hillarp Persson, T (2555) Norrkoping 2015. D) 10.Qd2 Qh5 11.Qg5 Be6!?N

Position after: 11...Be6!?N 12.b3 (12.Qxh5 Nxh5 13.Nd5 Rab8 14.Rb1 Rfc8 15.b3 b5 16.Bg5 Kf8 17.Rfc1 h6 18.Bd2 bxc4 19.bxc4 Ne5„) 12...Qxg5 13.Bxg5 Nd7 14.Bd2 a5 15.Rac1 Nb4 16.Nxb4 axb4 17.Na4 Nc5 18.Nxc5 dxc5 19.Be3 Ra5 20.Bxb7 Bf5∞ E) 10.h3 Qh5 11.e4 Qxd1 12.Rxd1 Be6

Position after: 12...Be6 One of the possible interesting endgames. 13.Nd5 (13.b3 Nd7 14.Bd2 a5 15.Rab1 Nb4!ƒ) 13...Rfc8 14.Nce3 Nd7 15.Rb1 Rab8!? (15...Bxd5 16.cxd5 Nd4∞ ½-½ (21) Suvalic, F – Cebalo, M Pula 1971) 16.b3 a6 17.Bb2 b5 18.cxb5

axb5 19.Bxg7 (19.f4 Bxd5 20.Nxd5 Nb6 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.Nxb6 Rxb6 23.Rbc1 Rd8 24.Kf2 e5=) 19...Kxg7 20.f4 Bxd5 21.Nxd5 e5!„ 10...Qh5

Position after: 10...Qh5 11.e4 11.Rc1 Bh3 12.Ne3 Bxg2 13.Kxg2 e6 It is important to understand that after exchanging the light squared Bishop, the pressure on the queen side and centre is not that tangible. The main idea of Black when opting for the ‘Qh5-Bh3’ ideas. 14.Nc2 d5 15.cxd5 Nxd5 16.Ne3 Nb6 Black is fine: ½-½ (61) Adams, M (2754) – Anand, V (2773) London (rapid) 2013. 11...Ng4 12.h3 Nge5 13.Qxh5 The alternative do give us interesting complications: 13.g4 Qh4

Position after: 13...Qh4 14.Ne3 (14.f4 Nxc4 15.Be1 Qf6 16.b3 Nb6 17.Rc1 Qe6 18.Ne3 Qd7 19.Bf2 Qd8 The compensation for the pawn is not obvious.) 14...Be6!? (14...g5 15.Ne2 h5 16.Be1 hxg4 17.f4 Qh7 18.fxe5 gxh3 19.Bf3 Nxe5 20.Ng3 Ng6 21.Bc3 Bxc3 22.bxc3 Ne5 It doesn’t feel as sufficient compensation for Black, 1-0 (53) Schiendorfer, E (2339) – Feller, S (2623) Boeblingen 2015) 15.b3 h5 16.Be1 hxg4 17.f4 Qh8

Position after: 17...Qh8 18.fxe5 gxh3 19.Bf3 Nxe5 20.Rc1 Rae8 21.Kh1 Bd7 A highly tense position: the idea is ‘...Bc6’ followed by ...f5. 13...gxh5

Position after: 13...gxh5 14.Ne3 14.b3 Bxh3 15.f4 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 Ng4 17.Rh1 Nf6 18.Rae1 e6 19.Bc1 Rfd8 20.Bb2 Rac8 Black is fine. 14...Bxh3 15.f4 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 Ng4 17.Nf5 Bxc3 18.Bxc3 e6

Position after: 18...e6 19.Nxd6 Ne3+ 20.Kf2 Nxf1 21.Rxf1 b6 22.Bf6 h6 23.Rh1 Kh7 24.f5 Rg8 25.Rxh5 Rg6! 26.fxg6+ Kxg6 27.g4 Kxf6

28.Rxh6+ Kg7= ½-½ (43) Harikrishna, P (2740) – Cheparinov, I (2690) Kocaeli 2015.

2) 9.Nb3 Qh5 2a) 10.othermoves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 0-0 5.Bg2 c5 6.0-0 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Nc6 8.Nc3 Qa5 9.Nb3

Position after: 9.Nb3 The main idea but not the only one and who knows perhaps not even the best. At present it represents the best play. 9...Qh5 Now White has again a couple of inte-resting moves at his disposal. 10.c5 Thematic approach: White is trying to profit from omitting the early ‘...d6’. Other options are: A) 10.h3 A move with sharp intentions that doesn’t give anything... 10...d6

Position after: 10...d6 11.g4 (11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.cxd5 Ne5 13.f4 Nc4 14.g4 Qh4 15.Nd4 h5 16.Qd3 hxg4 17.Qxc4 gxh3©) 11...Bxg4 12.hxg4 Nxg4 13.Bf4 Be5 14.Qd2 g5 15.Bxe5 Ncxe5 16.Rfc1 Nxc4 17.Qd4 Nce3 18.fxe3 Qh4 19.Ne4 d5 20.Bf3 Qh2+ 21.Kf1 e5 22.Qc5 f5 23.Qxd5+ Kh8 24.Ke1 Nxe3 25.Qd3 fxe4 26.Qxe3 exf3 27.exf3 g4 28.Nd2 gxf3 29.Nxf3 Qg3+ 30.Ke2 Qg2+ 31.Qf2 Qxf2+ 32.Kxf2 e4³ This is just one possible line. Basically Black has no problems in this particular line which starts after the move 10.h3. B) 10.Nd5 An interesting idea that wants to hunt the Queen on h5. 10...d6 11.Nf4 Qf5

Position after: 11...Qf5

Now White has a couple of options but his main problem is that the Knights on ‘b3’ and ‘f4’ are not ideally placed. B1) 12.Bd2 Qd7 13.Bc3 e6 14.a4 b6 15.a5 Rb8 16.axb6 axb6 17.Nd3 Bb7 18.Qd2 Rfd8 19.Rfd1 Qc8 20.Ra4 Ne7∞ ½-½ (86) Vakhidov, J (2525) – Almasi, Z (2700) Abu Dhabi 2015. B2) 12.e4 Qd7 13.Bd2 (13.h3 b6 14.Be3 Ba6 15.Rc1 Rac8 16.Nd3 Rfd8 17.Nd2 b5 18.b3 Qe8 19.Re1 Nd7 20.Bf1 bxc4 21.bxc4 Nc5 22.Nxc5 dxc5∞ 0-1 (59) Khusenkhojaev, M (2402) – Khusnutdinov, R (2482) Teheran 2014) 13...b6 14.Bc3 Ne5 15.Rc1 Rd8 16.Nd3 Ba6 17.Nxe5 dxe5 18.Qxd7 Nxd7 19.Bb4 e6 20.Rfd1 Bf8 21.Bxf8 Kxf8 22.Bf1 Ke7= ½-½ (36) Fressinet, L (2676) – Sunilduth Lyna, N (2536) Douglas 2016. B3) 12.Re1 a5!?N

Position after: 12...a5!?N (12...Qd7 13.Bd2 b6 14.Bc3 e6 15.Qc2 Bb7 16.Rad1 Qc7 17.Nd2 Ne5 18.Bxb7 Qxb7= 1-0 (51) Delchev, A (2604) – Congiu, M (2301) Linares 2015) 13.e4 Qd7 14.Nd5 (14.Be3 a4 15.Nd2 Ng4³) 14...Qd8 15.Be3 a4 16.Bb6 (16.Nd4 Ng4∞) 16...Qd7 17.Nd4 Ra6 18.Nxc6 bxc6 19.Nxf6+ Bxf6 20.Bd4 Bxd4 21.Qxd4 c5 22.Qd2 Rb6 23.Rad1 e5= 10...a5

Position after: 10...a5 11.e3!? A tricky little move, White is willing to sacrifice a pawn in order to obtain the initiative. A) 11.e4 Qxd1 12.Rxd1 a4 13.Nd4 Nxd4 14.Rxd4 Ng4 15.Rxa4 Rxa4 16.Nxa4 Bd4 17.h3 Nxf2 18.Kh2 d6 19.cxd6 exd6 20.Bh6 Re8 21.Rc1 Bd7 22.Nc3 Bc6= B) 11.Na4 d5!

Position after: 11...d5!

Not the only move but somehow I like it. 12.Nb6 Bh3 13.Nxa8 Rxa8 14.f3 Nd7 15.Bxh3 Qxh3 16.a4 Qe6 17.e3 Rd8!? 18.Rb1 Nde5 19.Qe2 Nc4 20.Re1 h5 21.Kg2 Rd7 22.Bd2 Nxb2 23.Nxa5 Nxa5 24.Bxa5 Nc4 25.Bb4 g5 26.a5 g4 27.f4 f5© 11...a4 12.Qxh5 Nxh5 13.Nd4 Nxd4 14.exd4 Bxd4

Position after: 14...Bxd4 The starting positon of a line where White has two paths: 15.Nd5 15.Bh6 a3!?N

Position after: 15...a3!?N A) Again White has a choice: 16.Nd5 axb2 17.Nxe7+ Kh8 18.Rad1 Bg7 19.Bxg7+ (19.Be3 Rxa2 20.Nxc8 Rxc8 21.Rxd7 Nf6 22.Rxf7 Ng4 23.Rxb7 Ra1 24.Be4 Nxe3 25.fxe3 Rf8 Black is fine.) 19...Kxg7 20.Nxc8 Raxc8 21.Rxd7 Rxc5 22.Rxb7 Rc2 23.a4 Nf6 24.a5 Rfc8 25.a6 R8c3 26.a7 Ra3 27.Bf3 Ne8 28.Rd1 Nd6 29.Rb4 Rxa7 30.Rxd6 Rc1+ 31.Rd1 Rxd1+ 32.Bxd1 Ra1 33.Rxb2 Rxd1+= B) 16.Rad1 Bg7! 17.Bxg7 Kxg7

Position after: 17...Kxg7 B1) 18.b4 Nf6 19.Rfe1 d6! 20.Rxe7 dxc5 21.bxc5 Ra5 22.Rc7 Be6 23.Re1 Re8 24.Re3 (24.Bxb7 Bxa2!µ) 24...Bc4

25.Rxe8 Nxe8 26.Rxb7 Rxc5 27.Ra7 Re5= B2) 18.b3 Nf6 19.Rfe1 e6 20.Rd6 (20.Nb5 d5 21.cxd6 Ra6 22.Re5 Rd8 23.Rc5 Bd7 24.Nc3 Be8=) 20...Rd8 21.Red1 Ne8 22.Rb6 d5 23.cxd6 Ra6 24.Rxa6 bxa6 25.Bc6 Nxd6 26.Nb1 Nb7 27.Rxd8 Nxd8 28.Bf3 e5 29.Nxa3 f5= 15...Nf6!?N

Position after: 15...Nf6!?N 16.Nxe7+ 16.Bh6 Nxd5 17.Bxf8 Kxf8 18.Bxd5 e6 19.Bf3 Bxc5 20.Rac1 d6³ 16...Kg7 17.Be3 17.Bf4 Bxc5 18.Nxc8 Raxc8 19.Bxb7 Rb8 20.Bxb8 Rxb8 21.Rac1 Bf8 22.Bf3 Rxb2 23.a3 Bxa3 24.Ra1 Bc5 25.Rxa4 h5 26.Rc4 d6 27.Kg2 Rd2© 17...Bxb2 18.Rab1 18.Rad1 d5! 19.cxd6 (19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Bxd5 Ra5 21.Kg2 Rd8 22.Bc4 Rxd1 23.Rxd1 Bf6=) 19...Be6∞ 18...a3

Position after: 18...a3 19.Nxc8 A) 19.Rfd1 d5! 20.cxd6 Be6³ B) 19.Bf4 d5!∞ C) 19.Nd5 Nxd5 20.Bxd5 d6 21.cxd6 Rd8 22.Bc5 Ra5 23.Bb6 Rxd5 24.Bxd8 Rxd6³ 19...Raxc8 20.Bxb7 Rb8 21.Bf3 Rfe8 22.Rfd1

Position after: 22.Rfd1

22.Rfe1 Bc3!„ 22...Rxe3! 23.fxe3 Rc8 24.e4 24.Kf2 Rxc5 25.Rd2 h5 26.h3 d5 27.Ke2 Ne4 28.Bxe4 dxe4 29.h4 Rc4= 24...Rxc5 25.Rd3 h5© 2b) 10.e4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 0-0 5.Bg2 c5 6.0-0 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Nc6 8.Nc3 Qa5 9.Nb3 Qh5 10.e4

Position after: 10.e4 10...d6! The key idea that gave a new life to this line. I tried the ‘...Qa5’ line against Kiril Georgiev a long time ago, but I was not happy with the outcome of the endgame after 10...Qxd1, even when some new ideas were found. It was almost exclusively played. I thought that Black remained slightly worse, but perhaps with this fresh new way it is playable. 10...Qxd1!? 11.Rxd1 d6 12.c5 Rd8!? (12...dxc5 13.Nxc5 is indeed slightly better for White) 13.cxd6 Rxd6

Position after: 13...Rxd6 We have an interesting endgame ahead of us. I was trying to dry out this endgame and even now I don’t know if a final verdict has been given but surely it’s worth a look! A) 14.Bf4 Rxd1+ 15.Rxd1 Nd7 A1) 16.Rd2 Nde5 17.Bxe5 (17.Nd5 Bg4„) 17...Bxe5 18.f4 Bxc3 19.bxc3 e5 20.Kf2 Kf8= A2) 16.Nd5 Bxb2 17.Na5 Ba3 18.Nc7 Rb8 19.Na6 (Another option: 19.Nb5 e5 20.Nxa3 exf4 21.Nxc6 bxc6 22.gxf4 Rb2 23.Nc4 Rxa2 24.Nd6 Ba6„) 19...Ra8 20.Nxc6 bxc6 21.e5 Bxa6 22.Bxc6 Rc8 23.Bxd7 Be2 24.Bxc8 Bxd1 25.Be3 a5 26.Bb6 Bf3 27.Bxa5 Bd5= B) 14.Rxd6 exd6 15.Bf4 Ne8 16.Rd1 a5!?N

Position after: 16...a5!?N My effort to improve on the well known theory here, now White has many options: B1) 17.Be3 a4 18.Nd4 a3 19.b3 Nb4 20.Bf1 (20.f3 Bd7 21.Rd2 Rc8 22.Ncb5 Rc1+ 23.Kf2 Bxb5 24.Nxb5 Bb2„) 20...Bg4 21.Rd2 Rc8 22.Bc4 Be6!

Position after: 22...Be6! 23.Bxe6 Rxc3 24.Bd5 Nxd5 25.exd5 Rc1+ 26.Kg2 Bxd4 27.Bxd4 f5 28.Re2 Kf7 29.Be3 Rd1 30.Rc2 Rxd5= B2) 17.a4 Be6 18.Nd2 Nb4 19.Nf3 Bxc3 20.bxc3 Na2 21.Rd3 Rc8 22.Bd2 Bc4 23.Re3 Nf6∞ B3) 17.Na4 Be6

Position after: 17...Be6 18.Bf1 Rb8 19.Nc3 Bxb3 20.axb3 Nd4 21.Nb5 Nxb5 22.Bxb5 Bxb2 23.Rd5 Bc3 24.Bxd6 Nxd6 25.Rxd6 Bb4 26.Rd7 Re8 27.Bc4 Re7 28.Rd8+ Kg7 29.Bd5 b6 30.f4 (30.Kg2 g5 31.f4 g4„) 30...h5 31.Kg2 Rc7= 11.Qxh5 11.f3 a5 12.Be3 Be6 13.Nd5 a4 14.Nd4 Bxd5 15.cxd5 Nxd4 16.Bxd4 Rfc8 17.Qd2 Nd7 18.Bf2 (18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.f4 Kg8 20.Rac1 Qh6 21.e5 Rxc1 22.Rxc1 Nc5 23.Qd4 Qf8 24.Bh3 Qd8=) 18...Ne5„ 11...Nxh5

Position after: 11...Nxh5 We have an interesting endgame ahead of us which proved so far to be OK for Black. 12.c5 12.Nd5 a5!?N 13.a4 Nf6 14.Bg5 Be6 15.Rac1

Position after: 15.Rac1 15...Rfc8!! 16.Nb6 Nd7 17.Nxa8 Rxa8 18.Nd2 Nc5 19.b3 Bg4 20.f3 Bd4+ 21.Kh1 Bd7 22.Rfd1 f6µ 12...dxc5 13.Nxc5 Rb8

Position after: 13...Rb8 14.Be3 14.Rd1 b6 15.Nd7 Bxd7 16.Rxd7 Rfd8 17.Rc7 Rbc8 18.Rxc8 Rxc8 19.Bg5 Bxc3 20.bxc3 Kg7 21.Rd1 Nf6 22.Bc1 e5 23.f4 Re8 24.Rd6 Na5 25.fxe5 Ng4 26.e6 Rxe6 27.Rxe6 fxe6 28.Bf3 Nf6 29.Kf2 Nc4 30.h4 Kf7 31.Bg5 b5 32.Be3 a6 33.Bg5 Kg7= 14...b6 15.Nb3 Ba6 16.Rfd1 Rfd8 17.f4 Nb4=