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The Kaufman Repertoire for Black and White

Eight years after his acclaimed The Cl!ess Advantage in Black and White,
grandmaster Larry Kaufman is back with a completely new repertoire
book, covering the entire scope of chess openings for both White and
Black, in one tome .

Using the latest versions of top engines like Komodo and Houdini, the
former Senior World Champion and computer expert has refined his
analysis of ready-to-go and easy-to-digest lines almost to perfection.
His main new co"nviction is that l.d4 gives White better chances of an
advantage than l.e4, and he h�s changed his recommendations accord­
ingly.

Larry Kaufman has based his repertoire on sound, practical lines that do
not outdate rapidly and are suitable for masters while accessibl-e for
amateurs. He regularly and successfully uses the openings he recom­
mends himsel£

The Kaufman Repertoire for Black and Wl1ite contains many improvements
on existing opening theory and offers a good balance between narra­
tive and variations.

Acclaim for The Chess Advantage in Black and White:

"The author has done a very good job at presenting a playable and in­
teresting repertoire for both Black and White."
Carsten Hansen, ChessCafe

"Simply the best comprehensive repertoire book that I have ever seen."
John Watson, The Week in Chess
Larry Kaufman

The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

New In Chess 2012


The Repertoire for Black - Contents

Black Introduction . • • • • s
Magnus Carlsen's defenses!

Chapter 1 • • • • • . • • . • . 7
Unusual Opening Moves

Chapter 2 • • • • • • 17
English Opening

Chapter 3 • • • . . • 25
Queen's Indian versus Reti

Chapter 4 • . . . 37
Anti-Griinfeld

Chapter S • • • • • • • • • • 53
Queen's Pawn Openings

Chapter 6 . • . • 65
Neo-Griinfeld

Chapter 7 .................... . 75
Griinfeld Defense- Non-Exchange lines

Chapter 8 . • • • . • • 99
Griinfeld Exchange

Chapter 9 . • . • . • . 127
Center Game and Ponziani

Chapter 10 • • . . • • • • . . • 133
Bishop's Opening and Vienna

Chapter 11 141
Gambits

Chapter 12 .............. . 157


Scotch and Four Knights Opening

Chapter 13 169
Italian Game

3
Chapter 14 • . . • • • 179
Spanish Offshoots

Chapter IS 199
Breyer Defense

The Repertoire in Practice • 216

Index of Variations (Black) 223

Index of Players • • . • • • • • • 228

4
Black Introduction

Magnus Carlsen's defenses!


In Chess Advantage I recommended meeting l.e4 with l...e5, aiming for the Berlin De­
fense to the Spanish Opening, and meeting I.d4 with I...d5, aiming for the Semi-Slav.
In the present volume I have kept the opening move l. ..e5 against l.e4, but this time
aiming for the Breyer rather than the Berlin. The Berlin Defense remains quite respect­
able and is used fairly often by top players, but the Berlin endgame is now generally re­
garded as at least slightly better for White, and also the sidelines 4.d3 and 4.0-0 tl:lxe4
5.l:re I are both more promising than white sidelines on the way to the Breyer. Perhaps
the best argument for switching to the Breyer is that it has been the primary choice in
the past year or two of the top rated player in the world, Magnus Carlsen. It keeps all the
pieces on the board, concedes very little to White ( just a slight central advantage of
pawns on d4 and e4 vs. d6 and e5), and is in excellent shape theoretically. Against
non-Spanish lines, I have kept some of my recommendations but changed many others,
especially against the Scotch.

Against I.d4, I switched to the Griinfeld, both in my own play and for this book. The
Semi-Slav is still a good alternative, but there are some problems in the 5.�g5 lines and
also a big problem of reaching the Semi-Slav without allowing unpleasant options like
the Catalan or the Slav Exchange.The Griinfeld is in much better shape than it was eight
years ago, and it seems that finding an advantage against it is an extremely challenging
task. My own experience is that since I have been aiming for the Griinfeld and for the
Breyer, my results have improved noticeably. Here too we are following the recent pref­
erence of Carlsen.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the English Opening. l.c4, is not much of a
problem for tl1e Griinfeld player, contrary to my opinion eight years ago. I show how
the move l...g6! eitl1er transposes to the Griinfeld or leads to near-equality in all cases.

As for I.tLlf3 , we can play the Griinfeld anyway, covered in the Anti-Griinfeld chapter.
In the Reti chapter I give some alternatives for Black. So my overall conclusion is that
contrary to my belief eight years ago. the Griinfeld does not have major move-order
problems.

The section on l.e4 e5 is the only major part of this book that has much in common
with my previous work. Even here, most of my recommendations have changed. I kept
the same main lines against the King's Gambit and Goring Gambit, but against almost
all other white tries I have made major changes. Many players are reluctant to meet l. e4

5
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

with J ..eS because there are so many ways White can vary before we get to play our
.

own line ( in this case the Breyer, on move 9 of the Spanish). This is true, but almost all
of them are inferior. In fact I would say that only the Italian, the Spanish with 6.d3, and
the Spanish with 9.d4 lead to positions ( with best play) where I would rather play
White than Black, and just marginally so. Quite a few of the white options that I actu­
ally face in tournaments fail even to equalize the game. When people try to take me out
of book early, I am usually quite content! In this book I don't take the attitude that Black
is always happy with a draw; once White makes one or two second-rate moves I start to
look for a black advantage.

6
Chapter 1

Unusual Opening Moves


In this chapter we'll cover less common but still moderately popular white first moves
not covered elsewhere in this book. I leave out I. g3 , which after l ...g6 is extremely
likely to transpose to the Neo-Griinfeld or English chapters, and also the opening
J.lt:)c3 , which is also likely to transpose elsewhere after l ...lt:)f6, for example 2.e4 eS is
lhe Vienna, while 2.d4 dS is the Veresov.
First we consider the Polish Opening ( a.k.a. Orang-Utan or Sokolsky), I .b4.

K�. .t if • .t � K
•• A •·••••

Black can easily equalize in many ways, such as l . ..dS 2.i.b2 i.g4, but I recommend in
Game 1.1 playing for the advantage with the pawn exchange l. .es 2-ltb2 hb4 3be5
.

f!J£6. Black ends up two tempi ahead. which easily trumps the slight profit White made from
the pawn exchange. Simply put, if three tempi equal a pawn, surely two are worth more than
the modest difference in value between these pawns. The important point to remember is not
to play .. .lt:)c6 until after ...0-0, ... d7 -dS, and ... c7 -cS. Black's ultimate aim is ...d5-d4.
Next we come to the similar but far more respectable Larsen's Opening, I .b3.

K � .tif• .t � tK
••••• , ••

7
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

Aside from the late great Danish grandmaster, this was also played by Bobby Fischer
and recently by the American star Hikaru Nakamura, who especially likes to play it in
blitz chess. Its main drawback is that the knight on b I becomes a problem piece, as its
natural development to c3 blocks the bishop. For this reason, l.b3 is an excellent first
move when giving knight odds! In normal chess, Black can equalize by playing a re­
verse Queen's Indian with l ...dS 2..�b2 c5 3.e3 a6 4.t:Df3 t:Dc6, but I prefer to try for a
small advantage by l . ..e S 2.�b2 tD c6 3.e 3 tD f6 4.�b5 �d6 , as recommended in Chess
Advantage, but I now recommend answering the usual (but strange-looking) 5.lDa 3 by
the equally strange-looking S ...lDa S . Black's main plan is ... 0-0, ...l:re8, and .....if8, or in
the 5 ...t:DaS line ...c7-c6, .....ic7, and ...d7-dS. See Game I.2.

Finally we look at Bird's Opening, l .f4, which could also be called a reversed Dutch.

E .t"ir� .t. � E
' .t. ' .t. .... .t. ' '

If White aims for a Leningrad by l tDf6 2 .tDf3 dS 3.g3 I recommend the rare 3 ...c6
..•

4.�g2 'i¥b6! to provoke the undesirable move e2-e3, which permits .....ig4. Black aims
to clear all the minor pieces off except his knight and one white bishop, on the grounds
that knights are better than unpaired bishops on a crowded board. If White goes for a
normal Dutch with 3.e 3 we pin immediately, with ideas of ...t:Dd7, .....txD, and ...e7-eS.
All this is covered in Game 1.3. All in all, I prefer Black's chances by a smidgeon after I.f4.

VO 10.4 (AOO) Game 1.1


1 . ... e7-e5
0 Bitoon,Richard
• So,Wesley My second choice would be l ...dS 2...ib2
Manila, 2008 (6) ..ig4. Such an early bishop development is
logical when White can no longer attack
1. b2-b4
the b7 pawn by 'ii'b3. But I still prefer the
The Orang-Utan or Polish or Sokolsky game move, as I did in Chess Advantage.
Opening. It is quite a weak opening in my
2. ..ic1 -b2 �f8xb4
opinion; White can't even equalize.
3. �b2xe5

8
Chapter I - Unusual Opening Moves

lf 3.f4 d6 4.fxe5 dxeS S .heSlLJf6 6.lbf3 wins a pawn) 3S.i..fs lld8 36.a4 g6
0-0 7.e3 lbc6 8.i..b2 l:Ie8 9.i..e2 l:Ixe3N 37.i..e4 hd3 38.�d3 J:Ixd3 39.l:Icc l aS
1 O.c3 l:Ixf3 l l.hf3 i..d6 I2.0-0 lbeS 40.llabI l:I8d6 4 1 .Wh2 l:If6 42.l:Ib2 gS
13.d4 lbeg4, White must play 14.g3, 43.g4 'it>g7 44.llc4 J:Ifd6 4S.'it>g3 lld2
when the knight fork will leave Black a 46..llcc2 .llxc2 47..llxc2 e4 48.llc4 .lle6
pawn up with the better position as well. 49..llc3 'it>f6 SO.f4 gxf4+ S I.'it>xf4 'it>e7
52.g5 hxgS+ 53.Wxg5 'it>d6 54.'it>f5 .lleS+
3. ... lbg8-f6
5Hti>f6 .lldS 56..llc2 .lld3 57.lle2 c4 58.g4
4. c2-c4
c3 59.g5 .lld2 and White resigned.
4.lbf3 0-0 S.e3 dS 6.i..e2 cS 7.0-0 lbc6
1 2. lla 1 -a2 �a5-c7
8.i..b2 i..aS! N, planning ...d5-d4, is better
1 3. �g3xc7 lLld5xc7
than the immediate 8...d4 given in Chess
14. lLlb1 -c3 �c8-f5
Advantage, which is answered by 9.c3.
1 5. l:ta2-a1 lla8-d8
4. ... 0-0 1 6. l:ta1 -c1 lbc6-e5
5. lLlg1 -f3 d7-d5 1 7. lLlf3xe5 'iff6xe5
6. e2-e3 l:l.f8-e8
7. a2-a3 �b4-a5
8. �f1-e2 c7-c5
9. c4xd5 lLlf6xd5
1 0. 0-0 lLlb8-c6
11. �e5-g3

White has more center pawns, but they


are under pressure and Black has far supe­
rior piece activity.

VO 8.8 (AOI) Game 1.2


1 1 . ... 'ifd8-f61 N
0 Kostic,Vladimir
The actual game continued I 1...�e6 • Schlosser,Philipp
12.i..h4 f6 13.�c2= l:Ic8 14.�d3 h6 Austria Bundesliga, 20 I 0/ I I (9)
IS.lbc3 'it>h8 16.�g6 l:Ie7 17.i..g3 �c7
1 . b2-b3
18.llfc l �g3 19.hxg3 lbxc3 20.'ihc3
b6 2I.�b l lld7 22.�c2 �g8 23.'ifg6 Larsen's Opening.
l:ld6 24.�g4 llc7 2S.i..fs lbes 26.lLlxe5
1 . ... e7-e5
fxeS 27.d3 'tli'f6 28.i..e4 �e6 29.'ifhS
2. �c1 -b2 lLlb8-c6
� 30.�g4l:kd7 3I.l:Ic3 �e6 32.�g6?
3. e2-e3
'tll'xg6 33.�g6 i..g4 34.i..e4 i..e2 (Black

9
The Kaufman Repenoire for Black

Or 3.c4 tlJf6 4.e3 d5 5.cxd5 tlJxd5 6.a3 I really like this move here. It answers the
�d6. threat against e5 , and envisions castling,
....lle8. and ...�f8. In case of �xc6 at any
time, after ... dxc6 the bishop will no lon-
.i .t'if� .i
ger be blocking a pawn and will be well­
''' '''
placed on d6.
�.t
�'J 5. tt:lb1 ·a3

In case of 5 .�xc6 dxc6 6.d3 0-0 7.tlJd2


l:te8 8.e4 (so far Nakamura-Ponomariov,
St Louis 20 1 1) 8... a5! N 9.a4 �g4
IO.tlJgf3 �b4 ll.h3 �h5 I prefer Black
Analysis diagram tl1anks to the bishop pair and the two
pins.
White is playing the Kan Sicilian with 5 .tlJe2 0-0 6.0-0 l:te8 (I think it's useful
colors reversed, but having played b2-b3 for Black to delay ...a? -a6 so that tlJa3 can
rather than b2-b4 is a concession. 7.'i!Vc2 still be met by ...tlJa5) 7.tlJg3 a6 8.�e2
(7.b4 would transpose directly to a main �f8 (this is typical of this system. The
line of the Kan with reversed colors, bishop avoids blocking pawn, rook, or
where White has wasted his initial extra queen, and defends the king) 9.f4 d5
move by playing b3-b4 in two turns. IO.fxe5 tlJxe5 ! ! .'tie l �d6! N 1 2.tlJf5
Therefore Black has the normal white ad­ .ft.xf5 13.l:txf5 c5 14.'tifl d4! 15.exd4
vantage in this opening) 7...0-0 8.tlJf3 tlJeg4 16.g3 (after 16.h3 �h2+ 17.Wh l
'tie? 9.d3 f5 I O.tlJbd2 Wh8 I l.�e2 �d7 1l.c7 18.�xg4 'tid6 Black wins)
12.0-0 l:tae8. The move b3-b4 on any of 16...cxd4 - Black's superior development
the last several moves would still be the and much safer king give him the edge
Kan witl1 reversed colors and no extra despite White's two bishops.
tempo for White. Refraining from b3-b4
5. ... tt:lc6-a5
doesn't change much. Black is fine.

3 . ... tt:lg8-f6
4. .tf1 ·b5 .tf8-d6

I called this 'too weird' in Chess Advan­


tage, but I've changed my opinion. It can-

10
Chapter I - Unusual Opening Moves

eels the threat of tL:\c4 and prepares 14.d3 llad8, Black is already for choice
...c7-c6. The fact that Nakamura against here, with more space and ideas like
Ponomariov refrained from S .tt:la3 in fa­ ...eS-e4.
vor of S .�xc6 followed by 6.d3 and
9. ... g7-g6
7.tt:ld2 suggests that he feared S.tL:\a3
1 0. 'fVd 1 -f3 c7-c6
�aS.
11. 'fVf3-g3 ttJf6-h5
6. ttJg1 -f3 1 2. �g3-h3 ttJh5-g7
13 . g2-g4?1 �d6-a3
ln case of 6.tL:\c4 tt:lxc4 7.�xc4 0-0
1 4. �b2xa3 'fVe7xa3
8.tLle2 c6 9.tL:\g3 �c7 I 0.0-0 dS l l.�e2
1 5. e3-e4 ruB-dB
l::te8 12.c4 aS 13.a3 i.e6 Black has a nice
pawn center without suffering too much Black already has a likely winning advan­
pressure against it. tage. He has the center, while White's
Or 6.�e2 �e7N 7.tt:lf3 e4 8.tt:leS 0-0 pieces are randomly scattered.
9.0-0 a6 IO.d3 l:te8=.
1 6. �h3-f3 'fVa3-e7
6. ... 'fVdB-e7 1 7. ttJh4-g2 d7-d5
7. ttJa3-c4 1 B. e4xd5 e5-e4
1 9. 'fVf3-g3 c6xd5
Or 7.'fVcI 0-0 8.�e2 cS 9.d3 tL:\c6
20. �c4-e2
IO.tt:lbS �b8 ll.c4 dS 12.cxdSN tt:lxdS
13.0-0 �e6 - Black is playing the
Maroczy Bind against the Scheveningen
Sicilian, with colors reversed. In general
the Bind is effective in this situation,
more so than against the Dragon set-up. .t.
7. ... ttJa5xc4 .t. �
B. �b5xc4 0-0 '� 'iY
� ���!:::.Ci:J£3:.
� � .ti

20. ... d5-d4

20...b6!N 2 1.0-0 �b7 22. .1lfe l l:tac8


23.c3 d4 looks even stronger.

21 . 0-0 b7-b6
22. .llf1 -e1 �cB-b7
23 . ..Q.e2-c4

23.�d3! �cS 24.he4 he4 2S.l:txe4


9. ttJf3-h4?1
i¥xc2 favors Black only slightly.
ln the event of 9.0-0 c6 IO.�e2 �c7
23. ... 'fVe7-c5
ll.c4 dS 12.'fVc2 �g4 13.h3 �hS

II
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

23...'iVd7! 24.a4 a6 was better.


.i � .t 'if* .t ,.i
24. 'il'g3-f4? tl:lg7-e6 i i i i i i i
25. �c4xe6 f7xe6 �
26. c2-c3?1 e6-e5

26... e3! 27.fxe3 dxc3 28.llf l .l::t.f8 8


29.'�'d4 "iVc6 30.e4 cxd2 3 l."iVxd2 ttJ
"iVxe4 wins a clean pawn. ����� ��
lattJ��� � 1:1
27. 'iff4-g3?1 l:ta8-c8
28. b3-b4 'il'c5-d5 3. g2-g3
29. c3xd4 e5xd4
White seeks a Leningrad reversed.
30. tl:lg2-f4 'il'd5-d6
If 3.e3 �g4 4.�e2tt:\bd7 and now:


l i ?tJ�

�- � �
1:[ w
Analysis diagram
31 . tl:lf4-h5??

White resigned after making this blun­ A) S.d4 e6 6.0-0 cS 7 .lbc3 �d6 8.a4
der, but his position is probably lost any­ 0-0 9.h3 �xf3 IO.ihf3 a6 - although
way. White has the bishops, his set-up calls for
lbeS , which is impossible. Black has the
initiative on the queenside and the right
YO 8.8 (AOI) Game 1.3 bishop;
D Danielsen,Henrik B) S .b3 hf3 6.�xf3 eS 7.fxe5 lbxeS
• Lafuente,Pablo 8.�b2 �d6 9.0-0 0-0 1 o.lbc3 c6
Odense, 20 I I (7) l l.lbe2 "iVe7 12.lbd4 g6 - White's king
is weakened, e4 may be a home for a
1. f2-f4
knight, and Black will regain the bishop
Bird's Opening, a reversed Dutch once pair since 13.�e2 is too passive;
Black plays ...d7 -dS. In my opinion it's C) 5 .0-0 � 6.�xf3 eS 7.d4 e4
strictly 'for the birds' . 8.�e2 .id6. In such a very closed posi­
tion Black's good bishop plus knight may
1 . ... tl:lg8-f6
be nearly equal to White's two bishops,
2. tl:lg1 -f3 d7-d5
and Black has more space.

12
Chapter I - Unusual Opening Moves

slightly. Note that this doesn't work with­


3. ... c7-c6
out castling first to protect the bishop)
This is rare but strong. Black takes advan­ 9oo.�xf3 IO.�xf3 lLlbd7, transposing to
tage of the fact that the pawn has not yet the game.
advanced to cS. as it might have already
8. h2-h3
advanced to c4 if we were White against a
Leningrad Dutch. 8.lLlc3=.

4. �f1 -g2 'iVd8-b6 8. ... �g4xf3


9. tvd1 xf3 tLlb8-d7
1 0. 0-0 0-0

I like this idea. It forces White to play


e2-e3 soon in order to castle, which al­
lows the pin oo.�g4. The point is that the
1 1 . g3-g4?1
move f2-f4 makes the lLlf3 an important
piece worth exchanging off. l l.�e2 lLlhS 12.�xg7 lLlxg7 13.g4 e6 -
in general knights are superior to un­
5. b2-b3
paired bishops when the board is full of
S .e3 �g4 6.b3 lLlbd7 (6oo.g6N 7 .�b2 pawns, so I slightly prefer Black.
�g7 transposes to tl1e game) 7.�b2 e6
11. tLlf6-e4
8.h3 �xf3 9 .1Wxf3 aS IO.a4 �b4=.
1 2. �b2xg7 <J;>g8xg7
5. ... g7-g6 1 3. d2-d3 tLle4-d6
1 4. tLlb1 -d2 f7-f5
Instead S .�fS is also satisfactory, but I
00

like the game move because Black plans 14oo.aSN I S .a3 fS is also good. Either way
to give up the bishop pair with oo.�g4 Black is already for choice.
and ..ixf3, so he will want to exchange
00 •

1 5. d3-d4 tLld7-f6
bishops on the long diagonal to kill
White's bishop pair. I5 oo.fxg4N 16.hxg4 eS 17.dxeS lLlxeS
I 8.�g3 lLlef7 I 9.llaeI llae8 favors Black
6. �c1 -b2 �f8-g7
due to the pressure on the backward e3
7. e2-e3 �c8-g4
pawn.
More accurate is 7 00.0-0 8.0-0 �g4 9.h3
1 6. c2-c3
(9.lLlc3 lLle4 I O.lLla4 �aS favors Black

13
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

I � 23 . ... tLle4-g5
j. j. j. ·� j. 24. 'i'Vf3-g3 J:%f8xf4
'iV j. � � j. 24...tLle6! is winning.
j. j.
�. �� 25. llc2-f2 lle8-f8
�� �� � 26. llf2xf4 l:tf8xf4
27. Wg1 -g2 l:tf4-f7
� t2J �
� �w 27...liJe6! 28.l:te! llf6 29.�xc7+ ltJxc7
30.c4 l:te6 Black is a clean pawn up in the
1 6 . ... f5xg4?1
ending.
16...c5!N 17.llac l cxd4 18.exd4 e6 19.g5
28. l:tf1 xf7+ 'flic7xf7
tLlfe4 and Black's powerful knight outpost
29. 't\Yg3-e5+ 'il'f7-f6
plus queenside play with ... aS and pres­
30. 'il'e5-c7+ Wg7-g8
sure on c3 give him a clear advantage.
31 . Wg2-g3 b7-b5
1 7. h3xg4 tLld6-e4
1 8. tLld2xe4 tLlf6xe4
1 9. J:%f1 -c1 ?I

19.�h3! tLlxc3 20.J:%f2 cS 2 1.l::tc l cxd4


22.exd4 ltJe4 23. .2.xe4 dxe4 24.llc5
llad8 25.�e3 �b4 26.Ilc4 �d6
27.f!Yxe4 bS=.

1 9. ... e7-e5
20. l:tc1-c2 e5xf4
21 . e3xf4 �b6-c7
22. l:ta1 -f1 .l:la8-e8 32. c3-c4?

Passive play gives White drawing chances.


Whoever said that a bad plan was better
� j. 'iV than no plan at all was wrong!
j. - 32. .. b5xc4
j.
.

33. b3xc4 d5xc4


���� 34. .2.h1 xc6?1 'ftif6xd4
�.8 � 35. 'it'c7-b7 �d4-e3+
!::, Jl � 36. Wg3-g2 �e3-d2+
nw 37. Wg2-f1 �d2-d 1 +
38. Wf1 -f2 �d1 -d2+
23. .2.g2-h1 ? 39. Wf2-f1 �d2-f4+
40. Wf1 -e1 �f4-e3+
In case of 23.c4 dxc4 24.bxc4 �d6
41 . We1 -d1 c4-c3
White has weak pawns all over the board.

14
Chapter I - Unusual Opening Moves

42. f#'b7-d7 tLJg5-f7 45. �c6-f3 �g8-g7


43. �d1 -c2 46. wc2xd2 �g7-f6
47. wd2-c3 tLJf7-e5
48. �f3-e2 Wf6-g5
49. wc3-b4 tLJe5xg4

Black wins easily now.

50. Wb4-a5 h7-h5


51 . �a5-a6 h5-h4
52. wa6xa7 h4-h3
53. �e2-f3 �g5-f4
54. �f3-b7 lLJg4-f2
55. a2-a4 tLJf2-e4
43 . .
.. �e3-d2+
White resigned.
44. 'it'd7xd2 c3xd2

IS
Chapter 2

English Opening
I used to regard the English Opening ( l .c4) as a major problem for a would-be
Griinfeld player. The best move is supposed to be l. ..e S, but if I'm not keen to take on
me Sicilian as White with l.e4 how happy can I be playing against it a tempo down?
The Symmetrical Defense l. ..cS is a serious option but probably doesn't give full equal­
ity. Simply playing Griinfeld moves doesn't work as after l.c4 lbf6 2.lbc3 g6 3.e4 we
are tricked into playing the King's Indian, while 2...d5 3.cxd5 lLlxdS 4.g3 g6 S.�g2 is
probably a bit favorable to White.
Over the past few years I have come to appreciate that l .c4 is very well met by l . ..g6!
if y ou hope to reach the Griinfeld.

The idea is this: Black meets lbc3 by ...cS , meets e4 by ...eS, and meets d4 by ...lbf6.
Let's look at some possible move-orders after l.c4 g6:

If2.d4 tLl f6 we are on track towards the Griinfeld.


If2.tLlc3 cS ! it's a rather good version of the Symmetrical Defense. Now if 3 .tLlf3 �g7
4.d4 cxd4 S.tLlxd4 tLlc6 White cannot play e2-e4 to get the Maroczy Bind. Or if 3.g3
�g7 4.ll g2 tLlc6 S.tlJ£3 Black need not play S ...lbf6?!; instead I recommend S ...d6 ,

planning ...�fS and ...�d7. See Game 2. 1.


If 2 .tLlf3 �g7 3 .tLlc3 cS! as above, or 3.d4 tLl f6 (see Griinfeld). or 3 .e4 e St 4.d4 exd4
S .tLlxd4 tLl f6 6.tLlc3 0-0 , Black will benefit from the omission of ... d7-d6 (compar­
ing to the King's Indian) by playing ...c7-c6 and ...d7-dS in most lines. Alternatively
Black can play 2...tLlf6 transposing to the anti-Griinfeld chapter.
If2.e4 e S ! 3 .d4 tLl f6 ! 4.tLlf3! exd4 S .e S tLle4 6.'ff xd4.ll b4+

17
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

This line is not thought to be good for Black, but extensive computer analysis seems to
indicate that Black is fully equal. See Game 2.2.

For the Reti ( I .tLlf3 tLl f6 2.g3 dS 3.�g2 g6 4.c4 dxc4) and the King's Indian Reversed
(4.0-0 �g7 5.d3 0-0 6.tLlbd2 d4!?) see Game 2.3.
Unfortunately this simple solution to the English problem does not work against
I. tbf3 , because after I ...g6 White can play 2.e4!. However, after I.tbf3 the anti-Griinfeld
is OK for Black. For alternative solutions to the I .tbf3 move order, see the Reti chapter.

EO 49.4 (A30) Game 2.1


5. 0·0
D Zhou }ianchao
• Malakhov, Vladimir In the event of S .tbc3 d6 6.d3 l:tb8 7.0-0
Ningbo, 20 1 0 ( 1 4) a6 8.a4 tbf6, the insertion of a4 and a6
favors Black due to the holes on b4 and
1 . c2-c4 c7-c5
aS.
We would play I.. g6 and only play ... cS
.

5 . ... d 7-d6
after tbc3 or g3 has been played.
I have played S ...tLlh6 here, heading to­
2. tt:lg1 -f3 g7·g6
wards d4, but I don't recommend it as
3. g2-g3 it.f8·g7
6.h4! is rather strong.
4. �f1 -g2 tLlb8-c6
6. tt:lb1 -c3 it.c8-f5
:i A'ii'* ,..i This system, played repeatedly by Vladi­
.l i i .l i ..t i mir Malakhov, makes a lot of sense. Black
.. .l aims to exchange the important bishop
.l on g2.
!J:, 6 ... tbh6 7.d4 cxd4 8...Q.xh6 ..Q.xh6
9. tbxd4 seems to be a bit better for
White, so I have given up·on the ... tbh6
idea.

18
Chapter 2 - English Opening

:i i.�
•• � .. . .a •
.. .. i

'ff��
� �Cjjtj�
j
� �� 8
� n�

7. d2-d3 1 5. . .. �g7xb2

In the event of 7.b3 �d7 8.�b2 tLlh6 IS ... b6 directly may have been more pre-
9.d3 �h3 IO.�d2 ..Q.xg2 II.'i.t>xg2 0-0 cise, as Black's king will be perfectly
12.e3 tLlfS 13.tLldS tLleS 14.tLlxeS dxeS= happy on g7. Anyway, chances are even.
the weak white pawn on d3 offsets his su­
1 6. .Ub1 xb2 b7-b6
perior bishop.
1 7. d3-d4 c5xd4
Should White play 7 .h3 �d7 8.'i.t>h2
1 8. tt:lf3xd4 llf8-d8
t:L)f6 9.d3 0-0 I 0..2.e3 a6 I I.'+Wd2 llab8
1 9. tt:ld4xc6 'iWd7xc6
12.g4 �e6 13.tLlgS hS 14.tLlxe6 �xe6
20. 'ifa4xc6 tt:le7xc6
IS .gS tLle8 16.llab l '*'kd7=, then
21. llf1 -d 1 \t>g8-f8
White's weakened king offsets the
22. f2-f4 \t>f8-e7
bishop pair.
23. \t>g1 -f2 lld8-d7
7. ... 'W'd8-d7 24. lld 1 -d3 a7-a5
8. lla1 -b1 �f5-h3 25. b4xa5 tt:lc6xa5
9. �g2xh3 1'Vd7xh3 26. llb2xb6 tt:la5xc4
1 0. tt:lc3-d5 1'Vh3-d7 27. tt:le3xc4 llc8xc4=
11. 'iWd 1 -a4

In G. Shahade-Kaufman, Crystal City


20II, II..2.d2 was played.
Now, after I l ... tLlf6 12.tLlxf6+ .2.xf6
13 ...ih6 llb8 1 4.a3 aS Black's temporary
inability to castle is offset by the plan of
...b7-bS and by the fact that the bishop
on h6 does not support any positive
plan.

11. ... lla8-c8


1 2. a2-a3 e7-e6 28. lld3-b3?1 llc4-a4
1 3. tt:ld5-e3 tt:lg8-e7 29. llb6-b4 lld7-a7
1 4. b2-b4 0-0 30. llb4xa4 lla7xa4
1 5. �c1 -b2 31 . �f2-f3 h7-h5

19
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

32. e2-e3 we7-f6


33. h2-h3 g6-g5
34. e3-e4?1

57. .U.c2-g2+ f3xg2

Stalemate.

34. ... h5-h4

With 34...gxf4! 35.gxf4 QoJg6 36.l::td3 fS E062.4{AIO) Game2.2


37.exf5+ �xfS 38.l::txd6 llxa3+ 39.Wg2 0 Tomashevsky,Evgeny
lla4 Black wins a pawn, though not nee- • Sutovsky,Emil
essarily the game. Plovdiv Ech, 20 I 0 (3)

35. g3xh4 g5xf4 1. c2-c4 g7-g6


36. 'it>f3xf4 c.t;>f6-g6 2. e2-e4
37. llb3-b6 f7-f5
2.lllf3 �g7 3.e4 eS transposes to the next
38. llb6xd6 lla4xe4+
note.
39. �f4-g3 c.t;>g6-f6
40. J:td6-d3 ::te4-a4 2. ... e7-e5
41 . h4-h5 'it>f6-g5
42. h5-h6 <i;>g5xh6
43. J:l.d3-d6 ::ta4-e4
44. a3-a4 'it>h6-g5
45. h3-h4+ <Ji>g5-h5
46. a4-a5 e6-e5
47. a5-a6 f5-f4+
48. 'it>g3-f2 'it>h5-g4
49. h4-h5 c.t;>g4xh5
50. l:td6-d5 l::te4-a4
51 . l:td5xe5+ 'it>h5-g4 3. d2-d4
52. l:te5-e2 ::ta4xa6
3.lllf3 �g7 4.d4 exd4 s .lllxd4 tllf6
53. l:te2-b2 J:ta6-a3
6.lllc3 0-0 7 .�e2 lle8 8.f3 c6 (Black
54. l:tb2-c2 l:ta3-h3
would transpose to a King's Indian line if
55. wf2-g2 f4-f3+
he played ... d7 -d6 now or on the next
56. �g2-g1 <Ji>g4-g3
move. In that line Black often plays

20
Chapter 2 - English Opening

...d7 -d5, but here he plans to play it in


9. ... �g5xf3+
one go, thus saving a vital tempo. There­
1 0. .te2xf3
fore this line should be fme for Black)
9 ..ig5 'irb6 I O.tbb3 d5 l l.cxd5 cxdS=.

3. ... �g8-f61
4. �g1 -f3

4.dxe5 tbxe4 S..id3 tbcS 6.tbf3 d6


7 ..ie2 .ig7= is fine for Black.

4. ... e5xd4
5. e4-e5 �f6-e4

Much more common is S....ib4+ but I


think that the text is better.
10 . .. . 0-0N
6. 'ii'd 1 xd4 �f8-b4+
The actual game continued IO.. .'ii'e7
l l..�. xc6 dxc6 12.0-0 0-0 13.a3 .icS
14.'�'g3 with a modest white advantage,
though Black still drew. Castling is a com­
puter improvement.

1 1 . 0-0 lUB-eS
1 2. .tf3xc6 d7xc6
1 3. h2-h3

13.tbf3 .ig4=.

7. �b1 -d2 1 3. ... .tcB-f5

7.tbc3 tbxc3 8.bxc3 tbc6 9.'ird3 (9.'ii'e3 Black's bishop pair more than offsets hjs
.ie7=) 9....te7 1 o . .th6 .tfs 1 1..igs crippled pawn majority.
.ie7 leads to a draw by repetition. Black
can avoid this by 9 ... .iaS!? IO..ih6 'ii'e7
1 1 . .ie2 tbxeS with balanced chances if RE 2 3 .4 (A07) Game 2.3
he wants a real fight. 0 Markowski, Tomasz
7 .�d 1 fs 8.exf6 tbxf6 9..tgs 0-0=. • Romanishin,Oleg
Moscow, 2004 (6)
7. ... �e4-g5
1 . g2-g3 d7-d5
7 ... tbxd2 8..txd2 tbc6 9.'ii'e3 .txd2+ is
2. �g1 -f3 �g8-f6
also about equal.
We would be more likely to reach this po­
8. �f1 -e2 �b8-c6
sition by l.tbf3 tbf6 2.g3 dS.
9. 'ii'd 4-e3
3. .tf1 -g2 g7-g6
9.'ti'f4 tbe6 IO.'ti'g3 tbg7 =.

21
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

Black is aiming to transpose to the neo­


5. t0b1 -a3
Gri.infeld lines in this book. He will take
any time White plays c2-c4, unless a S.�a4+ c6 6.'i¥xc4 ..tg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.d4
pawn can recapture. ..tfs 9.lbc3 lLlbd7 1 O.e3 lLle4 II.'ilfe2
�aS=.
4. c2-c4
5 . ... �c8-e6
4.0-0 ..tg7 S.d3 (the King's Indian Re­
6. 0-0
versed) 5 ...0-0 6.ltJbd2 d4 - I like this
rare move here. Black will take e4 or c4 6.'ii'c2 ..tg7 7.�xc4 0-0 8.b3 (8.0-0
en passant. transposes to the game) 8...c5 9...tb2
lbc6 I 0.0-0 l:rc8 I I.l:rac l bSN l 2.lLlce5
� �i.'if E�·- lLlxeS 13 ...txe5 ..th6=.
1.l1 1.li..l
6. ... �f8-g7
�.l 7. �d1 -c2 0-0
8. t0a3xc4
1
� Cjj�
���Cjj �� � �
-
n �'IV nw
Analysis diagram

After 7.lLlb3 (7.e4 dxe3 8.fxe3 cS 9.�e2


�c6 I O.lLlb3 'ii'b6 and Black's position is
more pleasant; 7 .lLlc4 �dS 8.e4 dxe3
9.fxe3 cS IO.e4 lLlb6=) 7...lbc6 8...td2
eS 9.c3 dxc3 IO...txc3 �dS II...td2 b6
12.l:rcl ..tb7 1 3.l:rc4 a5 14.a3 �d7 Black
8. ... c7-c51
is already for choice, due mostly to the
unfortunate position of the b3 knight. The game actually went 8...lLlc6 9.d3
..tdS IO.e4 and now Black needlessly
4. ... d5xc4
gave up the bishop pair by IO.....txc4?!
and went on to lose. IO...�e6 was still
� �i.'if� i. �- close to equal.
1.l1 1 1 .l .l
9. d2-d3 t0b8-c6
�.l �c1 -e3 l::!.a8-c81
1 0.
11. �e3xc5 b7-b6
1 2. �c5-e3 b6-b5
1 3. t0c4-a3 t0f6-d5

Black has huge compensation for the


pawn.

22
Chapter 2 - English Opening

1 8. �d2-c3 �g7-h6
.i'i¥ .i�
1 9. J:tc1 -d 1 �d7-e6
i iAi
IJl A i
i IJl

t2J ��CD� i �
��'V/jj ���� i
� n� IJl
t2J�� CD�
1 4. �e3-c1 �� ��Si�
Else Black regains the pawn favorably. � 'if n �
1 4. ... a7-a6
This was just a sample continuation of the
1 5. �c2-b1 tbd5-b4
gambit. White's shut-in rook and offside
1 6. �c1 -d2 �e6-g4
knight are good value for the pawn.
1 7. llf1 -c1 �d8-d7

23
Chapter 3

Queen's Indian versus Reti


This chapter covers a defense to l.lbf3. primarily either as an attempt to reach Queen's
Gambit positions while avoiding the Griinfeld, or else intending the King's Indian At­
tack, where White just plays g3, �g2. 0-0, and d3 without looking at what Black is
doing.

The idea of J.lbf3 to avoid the Griinfeld is this: after l .lLlf3lLlf6 2.c4 g6 3.lLlc3

and now 3 ...d5 , White does not have to play 4.d4, transposing to the Griinfeld. He can
instead play 4.cxd5 lLlxdS and then 5.'ii'a 4+ or 5.'ii'b 3 or 5.e4 or 5.g3 or 5.�c2, all of
which pose some problems for Black. I think that Black should not fear these lines. and
I give adequate responses in the anti-Griinfeld chapter. In this chapter I cover some al­
ternate solutions to this move-order, in case Black is not happy with one of the anti­
Griinfeld lines. Feel free to skip this chapter if you are following my primary recom­
mendation, although the first game can also be used as an alternative to playing the
Neo-Griinfeld against an early g3.
So what can Black do if he fears the anti-Griinfeld? One solution is to answer 3.lbc3
by 3 �g7 then when White plays 4.e4 (4.d4 dS is the Griinfeld), play 4 c5 (other­
..• , .•.

wise you must play the King's Indian) . Now White's only try for advantage is 5.d4,
hoping to get a variation of the Maroczy Bind vs. Accelerated Dragon after Black takes.
But Black may surprise him with 5 'ii'a 5 , as I played in a World Senior Championship
•..

game against IM Rukavina in 2009, getting a winning game but only drawing it. This
should lead to positions similar to the Accerated Dragon Maroczy Bind if White plays
accurately; perhaps Black is a tad better off here than in the line with S...cxd4. Still, un­
less you are an Accelerated Dragon fan, these options leave something to be desired,
and don't fit with the Breyer Defense to J.e4 given in this repertoire.

25
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

The next option is to play l ...g6,

.i � .t'iV� .t � K
j. j. j., j. j. j. j.

hoping for 2.c4 ..ig7 3.e4 eSI as analyzed in the previous (English) chapter. Of course,
if 2.d 4 we play 2 ...ttJf6 and we are back on track for the Griinfeld. This is a solution fa­
vored by Peter Svidler, perhaps the strongest consistent Griinfeld player in recent years.
The only problem with l...g6 is 2.e4!, after which we either have to play a Pirc or Mod­
ern Defense with 2...d 6 or 2 .....ig7, or else play 2 ...cS when we are playing the Hyper­
Accelerated Dragon. So the choice of tltis line or l... t2Jf6 may come down to whether
you prefer 2...t2Jc6 or 2..g6 in the Sicilian! Again, this won't work for our repertoire,
only for those who don't fear the Maroczy Bind. However the option to play the Pirc or
Modern makes some sense, as White has already played tt:lf3 so he cannot play the dan­
gerous lines with an early f4 or �e3 with f3 or �gS. This is often Svidler's preference.

Perhaps the best practical option for most players is I.ltJf3 cS .

.i � .t 'iV � .t � .i
l. j. j. j. j. j. j.

Here the idea is to meet 2.c4 by 2 ...ttJc6, and then answer 3.ttJc3 by 3 ... eS, as Grischuk
played repeatedly against Gelfand in their 20II Candidates' Match. Tltis would be my main
reconunendation, except that Wltite can play 2.e4 and we must play the Sicilian. At least
this time Black can choose any Sicilian, not just the Accelerated Dragon. As a practical mat­
ter, few players open with l.t2Jf3 and then transpose to the Sicilian, since if they wanted to

26
Chapter 3 - Queens Indian versus Reti

play against the Sicilian they would probably invite it by opening l.e4. So this can be
your solution if you at least have the Sicilian as a second defense. But I can't make it my
choice for this book as I can't assume a knowledge of the Sicilian by the reader.

The solution I came up with is original, to my knowledge. I don't mean that the moves
are original, just the concept of using the Queen's Indian as a companion to the
Griinfeld. The idea is to meet I .t!Jf3 t!Jf6 2 .c4 by 2 ... b6.

E � i.'iV� i. E
.l .l.l.l.l.l.l
.lj �

Now if 3.d4 �b7 4.t!Jc3 e6 we are in the Queen's Indian, but not White's most recom­
mended option with 4.g3. So you might say why not 4.g3 e6, the main line Queen's In­
dian? My answer is that if White plays 4.g3 (or 3.g3 �b7 4.d4 or 4.�g2) we don't play
4...e6 but instead choose 4... g6. This double fianchetto against the white fianchetto was
recently recommended in a Yearbook article by the very strong grandmaster Sergey
Tiviakov, and I used his analysis as the starting point for my own in this book. I must ad­
mit that the computers are not too fond of this Tiviakov Variation, but as the positions are
closed it is reasonable to question their judgment. I feel that this choice is the most in the
spirit of the Griinfeld, as we do fianchetto the king's bishop in both lines, and it is not un­
usual in some Griinfeld lines to fianchetto the queen's bishop as well.
So in this chapter you will find both the Tiviakov Variation and the regular Queen's
Indian lines without g3. I hope you find this solution (or one of the above-mentioned
ones) acceptable. But my preferred option is the Anti-Grunfeld.
If you believe as I do (and also I think world # I Magnus Carlsen) that the Breyer and
the Grlinfeld are the best answers to l.e4 and l.d4, then it follows from the above that
White's optimum opening play, if he prefers the Anti-Griinfeld to the real one, might
be l.tLlf3 dS 2.d4 or l...tl:Jf6 2.c4 or l ... g6 2.e4 or l ...cS 2.e4. But very few players are
equally at home on the White side of the Sicilian, the Queen's Gambit, the Queen's In­
dian, and the Symmetrical English! If you are one of them, see the l.tL'lf3 chapter in the
White side of this book!

Now for the games. First we look at the Tiviakov Variation I .t!Jf3 t!Jf6 2.c4 b6 3.g3 �b7
4-.�g2 g6 5.d 4 �g7. Note that this position can also be reached by I .d4 t!Jf6 2 .c4 g6

27
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

3.tLlf3 .2.g7 4.g3 b6 S..2.g2 .2.b7 (as actually played in Game 3. 1) if Black doesn't like
the Neo-Griinfeld 4...d5 . However this is not so important because White can avoid it
by playing 3.g3 first (before tLlf3), after which 3 ... b6? doesn't work. The resultant po­
sitions are similar to the King's Indian. The computer doesn't like Black either here or
in the King's Indian, but it seems that the Tiviakov line is better than a normal King's
Indian so it may be fme for Black even if the computer doesn't agree.
Next we come to I.tl:lf3 tLl f6 2.c4 b6 3 .d4 �b7 4.tLlc 3 e6 5.�g5 h 6 6.�4 �e7
(Game 3.2). Black equalizes without much difficulty.
The remainder of this chapter deals with the Petrosian/Kasparov Variation 5.a3 in
the above sequence. It is the main line of the Queen's Indian excluding 4.g3 (which we
meet with the Tiviakov line in Game 3.1 ). After 5 ...d5 6.cxd5 tl:lxd5 White has three se­
rious choices. The move 7.�d2 is met by 7 ...tl:ld7 in Game 3.3, when White can isolate
the Black dS pawn but only at the cost of the bishop pair. In Game 3.4 we examine the
traditional 7.e3, when I deviate from the recommendation of most books (7...g6) pre­
ferring 7 �e7, which appears to equalize comfortably thanks to a 20I0 novelty. Fi­
•..

nally we cover the most popular 7.'ii'c 2 , which we meet by trading knights, playing
8 ...h6 next to prevent 9..2.gS if White takes with the queen, or 8 ...c5 if he takes with
the pawn. See Game 3.5. In all cases it seems that Black can equalize the game.

K I 7 7.2 (E60) Game 3.1


5. �f1 -g2 �c8·b7
0 Martinovic,Sasa
• Kurnosov,Igor We might reach this position by l.tLlf3
Aix-les-Bains Ech, 20 I I (7) tLlf6 2.c4 b6 3.g3 �b7 4..2.g2 g6 5 .d4
.2.g7.
1. d2-d4 tl:lg8-f6
2. c2-c4 g7-g6 6. 0·0 0·0
3. tl:lg1 -f3 �f8-g7
So it's a Queen's Indian with the bishop
4. g2-g3 b7-b6
on g7 rather than e7. It seems to me that
This move order shows how this system this difference is slightly in Black's favor.
can be used instead of 4...d5 if you don't
7. d4·d5 tl:lb8·a6
like the Neo-Griinfeld, but only if White
8. tl:lb1 -c3 tl:la6-c5
plays tt:lf3 before g2-g3.

28
Chapter 3 - Queen's Indian versus Reti

Black's light-squared bishop is restricted, 20.ltJd4 with a position typical of the


but its companion is very active. King's Indian. White is probably a bit
better here, though Black did win the
9. tt:Jf3-d4
game. But it seems wrong to waste time
If 9.�e3 e6 I O.�d4 aS l l.ltJeS exdS on ....liJhS and going back to f6, so the
12.cxdS lle8 13.llcI d6 14.ltJc6 �xc6 text is my proposed improvement.
I S.dxc6 tlJe6 16.�e3 a4 17.ltJxa4 dS=
1 3. �c1 -e3
Black's coming ...dS-d4 will leave the
knight on a4 in enough trouble to guar­ 13.ltJxcS bxcS 14.�d2 fS IS.exfS gxfS=.
antee the recapture of the lost pawn; Although the computer slightly prefers
9.lle l d6 IO.e4 e6=; White, I would rather play Black here.
9.'it'c2 c6 I O.e4 cxdS l l.exdS e6 12.lld l Usually in such positions White plays
exdS 13.cxdS lle8 14.tlJd4 �a6=; f2-f4 to induce ... eS-e4 so that he can use
9.�f4 e6 I O.ltJd4 exdS li.cxdS aS the d4-square, but here the cS pawn pre­
12.'it'c2 lle8 13.lladi d6=. vents that plan.

9 . ... e7-e5 1 3 . ... f7-f5


1 0. tt:Jd4-b3 1 4. e4xf5 g6xf5

I O.ltJc2 aS l l.e4 c6 1 2.lleI cxdS Black has a pleasant King's Indian posi­
13.exdS ( 1 3.cxdS �a6�) 13...ttJe8 - tion, and IS.f4? can be well-met by
though the computer says this is equal, I IS...�a6.
prefer Black, who has ideas of ...ltJd6,
...�a6, and ...f7-fS.

1 0. ... d7-d6
QI 2 . 1 6 (Ei2) Game 3.2
1 1 . e2-e4 �b7-c8
0 Carlsen,Magnus
1 2. h2-h3
• Leko,Peter
Miskolc match, 2008 (8)

1. d2-d4

i.ltJf3 ltJf6 2.c4 b6 3.d4 �b7 4.ltJc3 e6


would be the way we would reach this
position.

1. ... tt:lg8-f6
2. c2-c4 e7-e6
3. tt:lg1 -f3 b7-b6
4. tt:Jb1 -c3 �c8-b7
1 2. ... tt:Jf6-d7 5. �c1 -g5

The actual game went 12...ltJhS 13.�h2 S.a3 transposes to 4.a3 games.
�d7 14.�f3 �h8 IS.�e3 tlJf6 16.�g2
5. ... h7-h6
ltJg8 1 7.'it'd2 fS 1 8.exfS gxfS 1 9.f4 e4

29
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

9 . ... c5xd4

6 . ..Q.g5-h4

6.�xf6 �xf6 7.e4 �b4 8.�d3 cS 9.0-0


cxd4 I O.tbbS �d8 l l.tbbxd4 0-0
1 0. e3xd4
12.'t1He2 tbc6 13.Ilad l tl:lxd4 l4.tbxd4
a6=; Black's bishop pair offsets White's IO.tbxd4 tbc6 II.tbxc6 �xc6 I2.�e2
spatial advantage. tbe4 13.he7 tbxc3 14.hd8 tbxe2+
IS.he2 Ilfxd8 I6.Ilfd I dS 17 ..Q.f3 llac8
.

6. ... ..Q.f8-e7
I8.llacI �b7=. Black plans ...<it>f8-e7.
This gives comfortable equality, unlike
1 0. ... tl:lb8-c6
the risky 6...�b4!?.
1 1 . ..Q.d3-c2
7. e2-e3
I I.Ilci dS I2.cxdS tbxdS 13.�g3 llc8=;
For 7.�c2 cS 8.dxcS bxcS 9.e3 0-0 see I l.�g3 dS 12.cxdS tbxdS=.
the next note.
11. ... d7-d5
7. ... 0-0 1 2. ..Q.h4xf6 ..Q.e7xf6
8. ..Q.f1 -d3 1 3. c4xd5 ttJc6-b4
14. d5xe6 ..Q.b7xf3
8.�c2 cS 9.d.xcS bxcS IO.�e2 tbc6
1 5. g2xf3 ttJb4xc2
II.IldI d6 12.0-0 tbhS 13.he7 't!Hxe7=.
1 6. �d1 xc2 'fHd8xd4
White's pressure down the d-file just off­
1 7. l:ra 1 -d 1
sets Black's central pawn dominance.

8. ... c7-c5

This is almost always a good move in the


Queen's Indian when White cannot prof­
itably respond with d4-dS.

9. 0-0

9.d.xcS bxcS I0.0-0 d6 l l.�e2 tbbd7


12.Ilfd I 't1Hb6 13.b3 Ilfe8 14.llac I
Ilad8=. Black's pawn superiority in the
1 7. ... 'fHd4-c41N
center offsets White's superior mobility.

30
Chapter 3 - Queen's Indian versus Reti

The actual game continued 1 7... �h4


8. ... c7-c5
I8.'*Ye4 fxe6 I9.�xe6+ Wh8 20.'iYg4
9. t2Jc3xd5
llac8 2 1 .lld7 'tlfxg4+ 22.fxg4 �xc3
23.bxc3 llxc3 24.llxa7 llf4 25.f3 llcxf3 9.e4 cxd4 I O.lLlxdS exdS II.eS .tlc8N
26.llxf3 llxf3 27.Wg2, draw agreed. I2.�d I �e7 I3.�e2 0-0 I4.0-0 d3
IS.�xd3 d4!. After this move, activating
1 8. e6xf7+ �c4xf7
his only bad piece, Black is at least equal.
1 9. t2Jc3·d5 �f6-e5
20. f3·f4 �e5xf4:f � _ e6xd5

White has little compensation for his bro- 9... hd5 I O.e4 �b7 l l.dS exdS 12.exd5
ken kingside. �d6 13.0-0-0 0-0 I4.�b5 scores too
well for White though the computer rates
it as even.
QI 4. 1 9 (EI2) Game 3.3
1 0. d4xc5 ..Q.f8xc5
0 Jobava,Baadur
• Almasi,Zoltan I O ... bxcS Il .e3 �d6 1 2. b4 0-0 is also
Rij eka Ech, 20 I 0 (8) okay for Black, though in this case Black's
compensation for his isolated queen
1. d2-d4 tLlg8-f6
pawn is superior development rather than
2. c2·c4 e7-e6
the bishop pair as in the main line.
3. tt:lg1 -f3 b7·b6
4. a2-a3 �c8-b7 1 1 . e2·e3 0·0
5. tLlb1 ·c3 d7-d5 1 2. �f1 -d3 tLld7-f6
6. c4xd5 tLlf6xd5 1 3. 0·0
7. �c1 ·d2 tLlb8·d7

8. �d1 ·c2 1 3 . ... J:a8·c81

8.lLlxd5 exdS 9.g3 (if 9.b4 �d6 I O.�gS The text is a computer improvement over
f6 II.�h4 cS 12.�g3 �xg3 13.hxg3 c4 the actual game, which continued
I4.e3 0-0 the protected passed pawn off­ I3 ...lLle4? ! 14.�b4 'ti'e7 IS.hcs bxcS
sets the slightly weakened black kingside) 16.b4! and with a great knight to be
9 ... �d6 IO.�g5 lLlf6 J J. ..Q.g2 0-0 12.0-0 posted on d4 vs. a bad bishop White had
lle8 - chances are balanced. full compensation for the pawn and won.

31
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

14. �c2-a4 tbf6-e4


1 5. �d2-b4

Not 15.f!Yxa7?? �c6 and the white queen


is doomed.

1 5. ... 'ifd8-f6
1 6. l:f.a1 -c1 a7-a5
1 7. �b4-c3

After 17.�xc5 tbxcS 1 8.'t!Vc2 tbxd3


1 9."Wxd3 "Wxb2 20.l:f.bI "Wf6 2I.'ifd4 The move 7 ...g6 is also okay and is more
l:tc6 White's positional advantages are not in the Griinfeld spirit, but this game con­
quite worth a pawn. vinced me that 7 ...�e7 solves all of
Black's opening problems.
1 7. ... tbe4xc3
1 8. l:f.c1 xc3 �c5-d6 8. �f1 -b5+

Playing 8.�d3 should ultimately trans­


pose to the game, with each side saving
one tempo.
8. ... c7-c6
9. it.b5-d3 0-0
1 0. 0-0

I O.'t/Vc2 h6 l l .e4 tbxc3 12.bxc3 cS


1 3.0-0 tbc6 1 4.�e3 ticS Is .fge2 W/c7
1 6.d5 tbaS 17.c4 exdSN 18.exd5 bS
Black is not worse, as the bishop pair eas­ 1 9.cxb5 �xdS=. The passed c-pawn off­
ily offsets the isolated queen pawn. sets the split black queenside.

1 0. ... c6-c5

Ql 4.7 (E 12) Game 3.4


0 Danielian,Elina
• Parligras,Mircea
Halkis, 20 I 0 (8)

1. d2-d4 tbg8-f6
2. tbg1-f3 e7-e6
3. c2-c4 b7-b6
4. a2-a3 �c8-b7
5. tbb1 -c3 d7-d5
6. c4xd5 tbf6xd5
7. e2-e3 �f8-e7 1 1 . e3-e4

32
Chapter 3 - Queen's Indian versus Reti

In the event of I l.'ii'e2 c..xd4 12.exd4 tt:lc6


1 5. d5xe6
13. .l::l d I tLlaS Black has a relatively good
position compared to some other open­ IS. .l::l bl bxc4 16.�xc4 tt:lxc4 1 7.l:txb7
ings with the isolated white d4 pawn, exdS 18.exd5 �f6 19.�f4 �d4 20.tLlxd4
since his development has been smooth 'iWxdS 2 1.'\Wf3 'ii'xd4 - chances are bal­
and his knight eyes the b3-square. anced, with White's more active pieces
After l l.tt:lxdS 'iWxdS 12.e4 'iWd7 offset by Black's extra pawn.
13.�e3 cxd4 14.�.xd4 tLlc6 15.�c3 15 .�c2? bxc4 just wins a pawn for Black,
.l::lfd8 1 6.�c2 'ii'xdI 17..l::lfxd I tLlaS Black as now there is no �xh7+!.
has the better side of equality due to the
1 5. ..
. b5xc4
pressure on the e4 pawn.
1 6. e6xf7+ .l::lf8xf7
1 1 . ... llJd5xc3 1 7. �d3·c2 'i¥d8xd1
1 2 . b2xc3 llJb8·c6 1 8. llf1 xd1 �e7·f6
1 9. lla 1 ·b1 lla8·e8
12...tLld7 has been more often played ,
but the text seems to be stronger.
.i �
1 3. d4·d5
i .t �ii
13.�e3 cxd4 1 4.cxd4 llc8 IS.'iWe2 tLlaS .t
16..l::lfdI l:tc3 17.a4 tLlb3 18.l:tabI 'iWc7N & i
and although the computer rates the game i �
even, Black's position is easier to play. � ttJ
1 3 . ... l2Jc6·a5 � ���
n� n �
In previous games 13...exd5 was played ,
but the text move is a major improve­
20. �c1 ·e3?!
ment, giving Black full equality. After the
insertion of 13 ...exdS?! 14.exd5 tLlaS He should have played 20.l:tb5! tt:lb3
15 .c4 bS 16.'ii'c2, the threat on h7 saves 2 1.l: hb3! cxb3 22..�.xb3 .l::lxe4
White a crudal tempo. 23.�xf7+ <ittxf7 24.�e3 c4 25.tLld2 .l::lg4
26.f3 .l::l g6 27.tLlxc4 �xf3 28Jld2 .l::lg4
1 4. c3·c4 b6·b5
29.tt:ld6+ <ittg6 30.h3 �gs 3I.Lgs
.l::lx g5. The ending is even and should be
'if &� drawn.
.t i i i
20. .. �b7xe4
i
.

21 . �c2xe4 lle8xe4
&ii� 22. l:tb1 ·b8+ l:tf7-f8
� � 23. l:tb8xf8+ �g8xf8
� ttJ 24. �e3xc5+ �f8·g8
8��
Black's advanced passer gives him a slight
l:l � 'if n �.
edge.

33
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

QI 4. 1 3 (E 12) Game 3.5


25. tt:lf3-d2 lle4-e5
0 Zakhartsov,Viacheslav
26. �c5-b4 lle5-d5
• Brynell,Stellan
27. �b4xa5 c4-c3
Cappelle Ia Grande, 20 I I (9)
28. �a5-b4?! a7-a5
29. �b4xa5 lld5xa5 1. d2-d4 e7-e6
2. c2-c4 tLlg8-f6
0 3. tLlg1-f3 b7-b6
' ' 4. a2-a3 �c8-b7
.t 5. tt:lb1 -c3 d7-d5
� 6. c4xd5 tt:lf6xd5
7. 'tik'd1 -c2 tt:ld5xc3

���

30. tt:ld2-c4??

30.ti:Jf l lha3 3 1.tLle3 would give White


good drawing chances.

30. ... c3-c2

Black now wins a piece and the game.


8. b2xc3
31 . lld 1 -c1 lla5-b5
Or 8.f!Yxc3 h6 and now:
32. tt:lc4-d2 l:tb5-c5
A) 9.g3 ti:Jd7 I O.�g2 �d6N 1 1.0-0
33. tt:ld2-b3 I:l.c5-c8
0-0 - White has no advantage here;
34. l:tc1 -e1 �f6-b2
B) 9.�f4 �d6 I O.�g3 (if IO.�xd6
35. 'it'g 1 -f1 �b2xa3
cxd6 ll .e3 ti:ld7 12.�e2 0-0 13.0-0 llc8
36. tt:lb3-c1 l:tc8-d8
Black's bishop is more effective than
37. tt:lc1 -a2 lld8-d1
White's, with nothing to offset this)
38. 'it'f1-e2 I:l.d1 xe1 +
1 0 ... 0-0 ll .e3 ti:Jd7 12.�bS �xg3
39. we2xe1 c2-c1 'tik'+
13.hxg3 c6 14.�a4 .llc8 I S ..Ild l �e7
40. �a2xc1 �a3xc1
16.0-0 ti:Jf6 and next ...c7-cS will give
41 . we1 -e2 'it'g8-f7
Black the edge;
42. we2-f3 'it'f7-f6
C) 9.e3 �e7 lO.�bS+ c6 l l.�a4 0-0
43. 'ittf3-g4 'it'f6-e5
12.0-0 tLld7 13 . .1ld I �c7 14.b4 aS
44. h2-h4 'it'e5-e4
1 S.�d2 .llfc8 and with ... c6-cS coming,
45. g2-g3 �c1 -d2
Black has the edge.
46. h4-h5 h7-h6
47. f2-f3+ 'it'e4-e3 8. ... c7-c5
48. f3-f4 '<te3-e4 9. e2-e4 tt:lb8-d7
49. '<tg4-h4 �d2xf4 0-1 1 0. �c1 -f4

34
Chapter 3 - Queen's Indian versus Reti

I O.�d3 '\fl'c7 I 1 .'\fl'bI �e7 I 2.0-0 0-0 In the actual game, Black played 1 2...�e7
13.�e3 llac8 14.lldI llfd8 1 5.a4 h6=. 1 3.�d3 lt:Jf6 14.'Wb5+ 'Wd7 IS.tL:leS
Black plans ...tL:lf6 and perhaps ...lt:Jh5-f4. �xbS 16.�xb5 + �f8 1 7.f3 lt:Je8
1 8.�d7 lld8 19.�c6 - White has a slight
1 0. ... c5xd4
edge here, but Black held the draw
1 1 . c3xd4 lla8-c8
· eventually.
1 2. '\fl'c2-b3
1 3. �f1 -d3 g7-g5
12.'\fl'b l �e7 13.�d3 0-0 14.0-0 llc3
14. �f4-e3 �f8-g7
IS.llc l llxc l + 16.�xc l 't\Va8 1 7.lla2 fS
1 5. 0-0 0-0
18.�c4 �xe4 19.he6+ �h8= - it's not
1 6. lla1 -c1 4Jd7-f6=
obvious who should be better here but
the computer says it is equal.

K 'ii � .t �
l .t � l i l
' l

Black has a Grunfeld-like pressure against


the white center. Although Black's king­
1 2. ... h7-h6N
side is weakened, tl1e white queen is mis­
Playable but risky is 12...�xe4 13.�a6 placed and the threat to e4 will provoke a
�dS. concession.

35
Chapter 4

Anti-Grunfeld
This name is applied to the use of the opening move I .tt:lf3 to aim for the usual
Queen's Gambit lines without allowing the Grunfeld Defense. White plays I .tLlf3 tLlf6
2.c4 g6 3.tLlc3 and if 3 . . . �g7 , 4.e4 d6 S .d4 is the King's Indian. So a Grunfeld player
will likely play 3 ... d5 ,

after which 4.d4 would be a Grunfeld. However White can try other fourth moves in­
stead, hoping to benefit by saving the tempo d2-d4 or in some lines by recapturing on
c3 with the d-pawn instead of the b-pawn. Actually this was the hardest chapter of the
book for me to write, because I believed that White had more than one path to a
non-trivial advantage in the Anti-Grunfeld. However, when I really got into the analysis
deeply, I found satisfactory lines for Black in each case, and my present opinion is that
with best play the Anti-Grunfeld confers no larger advantage on White than he can ob­
tain against the normal Grunfeld, which is to say very little. In several lines though, it
seems that Black has hardly any choice if he wishes to stay close to equality, so you had
best study this chapter rather thoroughly, unless you want to play altogether differently
against i .tt:lf3 as discussed in the Reti chapter.

In Game 4. 1 we look at 4.�a4+ �d7 5.�3 dxc4 6.'i¥xc4 a61 7.d4 (and other 7th moves
for White) . Now if 7 . . . �g7 8 .e4 0-0 we would transpose to the Hungarian Variation of
the Russian System against the Griinfeld (which I recommend in that chapter for Black) ,
but with the difference that Black's bishop is on d7 rather than c8. This seems to be in
White's favor, as he no longer can play . . . �b7 (after . . . bS) , and also because he needs d7
as a retreat square for his knight in case of eS. So we don't play this way. Instead we play
7 ... b5 8.�3 cS (the novelty 8 . . .�g7 9 .e4 tt:lc6 ! ? is also discussed and doesn't seem bad)
9.dxc5 �g7 I O.e4 �c6 and Black doesn't seem to have any theoretical problems.

37
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

The remaining games feature the exchange 4.cxd5 ttJxdS .

In Game 4.2 White provokes an endgame by S.e4 ttJxc3 6.dxc3 �xd l + 7.�xdl . The
novice might say that White has lost the right to castle for nothing, but with queens
and a pair of knights off the board the white king will be quite happy on c2 or (after
.ic4) on e2. Black's equalizing strategy is to play . . . f7 -f6 and . . . e7-e 5 , together with
. . . ttJd7 , so as to meet the natural i.e3 by . . . .icS , exchanging off White's better bishop.
It seems that this works fine, as Black has a nice plus score in grandmaster play from
here in the current century.
Next we look at two queen moves, S.�b3 and S.�c2. The first can transpose into a
Griinfeld line which I recommend for White after S .... ttJb6 6.d4 �g7 7.e4 0-0 (recom­
mended by Delchev) 8.�e3 �g4 9 .l:::tdI, so I don't recommend playing this way. Instead
we play 7 ...�g4!. Other seventh white moves can be met by 7 . . . �e6 hitting the queen.
The move S.�c2 was unveiled by Topalov in his 2 0 1 1 Candidates' match with
Kamsky: Topalov got an advantage and should have won the game but didn't. For a while
I considered this novelty to be the refutation of 3 ... d5 in the anti-Griinfeld, but as shown
in my notes to Game 4.3 I no longer consider 5 .'iYc2 to be any problem for Black, if he
reacts in the sharp manner shown, namely S ... ttJc6 6.d4 ttJdb4 7.'iYa4 �d7 S.�dl eS!.
Game 4 . 4 features the move S.�a4+. The usual reply historically was 5 . . . �d7 , but
White seems to keep a slight edge. This line bothered me quite a bit. Delchev and
Agrest recommend 5 . . . c6, and although the computers hate it I think it is playable but
not quite equal. The current fad is for the computers' recommended S ... ttJc6, which
leads to an endgame in which Black has an awful pawn structure-. However the com­
puters have shown that Black's superior development and piece play are enough to
equalize here, and recent grandmaster games confirm this. No one would have played
this way before computers, but today the motto is 'whatever works' .
Finally we come to perhaps the best o f the fifth moves, namely S.g3 . After the natu­
ral moves S ...�g7 6.�g2 0-0 7.0-0 I favor 7 ...c5. Now after White trades knights he can
play either 9 .d3 or 9.d4. The move 9 .d4 is rather dangerous after 9 ... cxd4 I O.�e 3 ! but
the reply 1 0 . . . d3 ! seems to lead to near-equality for Black. Instead 9 .d3 ttJc6 I 0. .2.e3 is
a dangerous gambit which gives White a pull if declined. So we take on b2 and retreat

38
Chapter 4- - Anti -Griinfeld

to f6 when attacked. Game 4-.5 shows how Black can steer the game to the safety of an
even-material bishops-of-opposite-color draw, or can play an original line I give which
leads to the interesting balance of two bishops, rook, and extra pawn versus two rooks
and a knight. So it seems to me that although S . g 3 should keep at least some edge. it is
quite tiny with best play.

I conclude that the Anti-Griinfeld does not appear to give White any more of an edge
than he gets in the real Griinfeld, but White does have a variety of interesting options
here, so there is at least a reasonable case to be made for starting the game with 1 .tLlf3 if
you expect to see the Griinfeld.

EO 6 1 .8 (A 1 5 ) Game 4.1
7. d2-d4
D Jankovic,Alojzije
• Grandelius,Niels 7 .e4- bS 8 .\We2 cS 9 .e5 tLlhS 1 0.tLle4- tLlc6
Khanty-Mansiysk o1, 20 I 0 (4-) 1 1 .tLlxc5 �fS 1 2 .d3 �c8 1 3 .�e3 (so far
Ponkratov-Kurnosov, Taganrog 2 0 1 1 )
1. tt:Jg1 -f3 tt:Jg8-f6
1 3 . . . e6N 1 4-.llc 1 �g4- 1 5 .�c3 b4- 1 6.�c4-
2. c2-c4 g7-g6
�xf3 1 7 .'iVxf3 b 3 ! - the idea is to block
3. tt:Jb1 ·c3 d7-d5
the White queen's access to a4- in case of
4. �d1 -a4+ �c8-d7
. . . li:JxeS �d 1 . White is in trouble.
5. �a4·b3 d5xc4
7. g 3 bS 8 .\WM (after 8 .�b3 cS 9 .�g2
6. �b3xc4
ti:Jc6 I O.d3 i.g7 1 1 . 0-0 �c8 I 2 .\Wd I 0-0
If 6 .'ihb7 ? li:Jc6 7 .ti:Jb5 tLldS 8 .ti:Jbd4- Black's advantage in development and
tLlcb4- 9.a3 �b8 1 0.�xa7 �a8 1 1 .'il'b7 space easily offsets White's extra center
i.g7 1 2 .l:Ib 1 cS 1 3 .axb4- ti:Jxb4- 1 4-.e3 pawn) 8 . . . c5 9 .�g2 �c6 I O .d3 h6
�b8 1 5 .\Wa7 cxd4- Black wins material. 1 1 .0-0 i.g7N and Black is better as
White must respond to the threat of ... g S ;
6. ... a7·a61
7 . d 3 b S 8 .\Wf4- c S 9 .g3 �c6 I O.�g2 �g7
1 1 . 0 -0 ti:Jbd7N 1 2 .a3 h6 - this permits
i. � "if� .t i. Black to answer \Wh4- by . . . g6-g5 . I al­
i iAi i . i ready prefer Black's game.
i � .i 7. ... b7-b5

'if
ttJ
ttJ_
� � ti � � � �
� ii£, � ii£, �
Very similar to the Hungarian Variation of
the Griinfeld (which I recommend here)
against the Russian System.

39
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

8. '\Wc4-b3

8 .�d3 �g 7 9 . e4 0-0N I O . a3 (after


I O.�e3 b4 I l . ltJe2 .ib5 1 2 . �c2 c5
1 3 .dxc5 �d3 1 4.�b3 kxe4 1 5 . ltJd2
tt:Jbd7 Black's lead in development is se­
rious) 1 0 . . . �g4 l l . �e3 ltJc6 1 2 .llc l
�xf3 1 3 .gxf3 e5 ( 1 3 . . . tt:Ja5 1 4.'t�Vd 1
ltJd7 would be the way to play if Black
does not want a draw. The superior
1 1 . a2-a4
black pawn structure and development
offset the bishop pair) 1 4. ltJxb5 axb5 1 l .e5 ltJfd7 1 2.�e3 (in case of 1 2.e6
1 5 . llxc6 exd4 1 6.�xd4 � e8 1 7 .llxf6 lbxc5 1 3 .exf7 + Wf8 1 4.�b4 kxf3
lld8 1 8 .�c3 llxd4 1 9 .�xd4 �e7 1 5 .gxf3 ltJd3 + 1 6.�xd3 'it'xd3 1 7 .�e4
2 0 .f4 kxf6 2 l .e5 c5 2 2 .�e4 �g7 'ii'xe4+ 1 8 .fxe4 ltJd7 1 9 .�e3 llc8 Black
2 3 .�xb5 lld8 24.0-0 .ll d 4 2 5 .�e3 has the initiative at no cost) 1 2 . . . tt:Jxe5
.th6 2 6 .e6 �xf4 2 7 . exf7 + �xf7 1 3 .ltJxe5 .ixe5 1 4.f4 �g7 1 5 .lld 1 'iYa5
2 8 . �e8+ 'ifxe8 2 9 . �xe8 .ie5 - al­ 1 6.Wf2 e6 1 7 .a3 0-0 1 8.�e2 llc8=;
though White has an extra pawn, the 1 l .�e2 tt:Jxe4 1 2.ltJxe4 �xe4 1 3 . 0-0
better black pawn structure and piece �d5 1 4.'iYe3 ltJc6 1 5 .lld 1 0-0 1 6Jlb 1
placement together with bishops of op­ lle8N (so as to block a later �b2 by
posite color make a draw almost cer­ . . . e7 -e5) 1 7 .b4 e5 1 8.�b2 ltJd4 and
tain. Black is better due to his outposted
knight and threat on a 2 ;
8. ... c7-c5
1 1 .ltJe5N 0-0 1 2.f3 ltJfd7 1 3 .ltJd3 .ib7
An interesting alternative is 8 . . . �g 7 1 4.�e3 ltJc6 1 5.0-0-0 ltJa5 1 6.�b4 ltJc4
9 . e4 ltJc6 ! ?N (this has the intent to 1 7 .�f2 e6 1 8 .h4 �c7 - Black plans
trade three minor pieces for the queen, ltJd7 -b8-c6-d4 with excellent compensa­
which is normally bad but seems okay tion for the pawn.
here) 1 0 .e5 ( 1 0 . a4 0-0 ! =) 1 0 . . . �e6
11. ... b5xa4
1 1 .exf6 �xb3 1 2 .fxg7 llg8 1 3 .axb3
1 2. '\Wb3-c4 0-0
ltJM 1 4.Wd 1 f6 1 5 .�d2 'it>f7 I 6 . ltJxb5
1 3. .if1-e2 tt:Jb8-d7
axb5 1 7 .llxa8 �xa8 1 8 .�xb4 �e4
14. 0-0
1 9 .Wd2 Wxg 7 . Usually three minor
pieces are superior to a queen, but here 1 4. ltJd4 .ixe4 1 5 .lbxe4 lbxe4 1 6 . ltJc6
White 's lack of development, bad 'i!fc7 1 7 .ltJxe7+ (after 1 7 .'i!i'xe4 lbxc5
pawns , exposed king, and the reduced 1 8 .�d5 ltJb3 1 9. llb 1 llad8 20.�e4 1ld6
material all favor Black, so I would 2 1 .ltJxe7+ Wh8 22.0-0 lld4 2 3 .�c6
rather play Black. �xe7 24 ..ie3 lle4 2 5 .�xa6 f5 26.g3
llxe 3 2 7 . fxe3 ltJd2 2 8 . llbe 1 ltJxfl
9. d4xc5 �f8-g7
2 9 .�xfl �a7 Black has the better pawn
1 0. e2-e4 �d7-c6
structure and the initiative for free)

40
Chapter 4 - Anti-Griinfeld

1 7 . . .<.t>h8 1 8 .tt::l d 5 (with 1 8 .'i¥xe4 tt::l x cS 20. �f4-g3 l::!.f8-b8


1 9 .tt::l d 5 'i¥b7 2 0 .'i¥f3 tt::l b 3 2 I .llb l tt::l d 4 21 . lt:Jc3xa4 lt:Jg4-h6
White loses his extra piece and emerges a
pawn down) 1 8 . . . 'i¥e5 1 9 .c6 tt::l d 6
2 0 .'i¥a2 tbcs 2 l ..Q.e3 .l:Iab8, and the � •.i:
threat of . . Jhb2 is hard to meet.

1 4. ... �d8-c7
1 5. l:!f1 -e1

1 5 .tLld4 .Q.xe4 1 6 .tt::l xe4 tbxe4 1 7 .tt::l e 6


fxe6 1 8 .'i¥xe6+ <ot>h8 1 9 .'i¥xe4 tbxcS
2 0 .'i¥c2 .Q.es 2 l .g3 .!lab8 2 2..�.e3 llxb2
2 3 .'iYxc5 'i¥xc5 24.�xc5 .l:Ixe2 2 5 Jha4
.l:IfS 2 6 .�e3 .Q.d6 2 7 . J:!xa6 .tcs leads to a Black is clearly better, with . . . tDfS next
drawn endgame. and threats against eS and b 2 .

EO 5 2. 8 (A I S ) Game 4.2
0 Suba,Mihai
• Tseshkovsky,Vitaly
Arco Wch-sen, 20 I 0 (9)

1. lt:Jg1 -f3 lt:Jg8-f6


2. c2-c4 g7-g6
3. lt:Jb1 -c3 d7-d5
4. c4xd5 lt:Jf6xd5
5. e2-e4 lt:Jd5xc3
1 5 . ... �c6-b5!N 6. d2xc3

Black actually played 1 5 . . . .!Ifc8 1 6 . .Q.gs 6 .bxc3 �g7 7 .�e2 (for 7 .d4 or 8 .d4, see
.tbS 1 7 .'i¥a2 e6 1 8 . .l:Iac l .l:Iab8 1 9 .tt::lx b5 Chapter 7 on the Griinfeld) 7 . . . cS 8 . 0-0
axbS 2 0.c6 tt::l e S 2 I ..txf6? �xf6 2 2 .b3 tt::l c 6 9 . .l:Ib l 0-0 I O.'i¥c2 b6= or l O .'iVa4
axb3 2 3 .'iYxb3 'i¥b6 24.c7 !Ixc7 tt::l e S l l .tLlxeS �xeS 1 2 .f4 �g7 1 3 .'i¥b3
25 . .l:Ixc7 'i¥xc7 2 6 ..txb5 'iYaS 27 . .ll b l b6=.
tt::l xf3 + 2 8 . gxf3 .Q.es 2 9 .h3 'i¥d8 3 0 .'i¥e3
6. ... �d8xd1 +
"i¥h4 3 I .<.t>g2 .l:!.d8 3 2 .�fl .tf4 3 3 .'i¥c5 ?
7. <ot>e1 xd 1
.l:Id2 34.'i¥c8+ Wg7 3 5 .'iYc3 + �h6 and
White resigned. Although this endgame was a t one time
considered to favor White slightly, it has
1 6. �c4-b4 'ir'c7xc5
been over ten years since White has won
1 7. �b4xc5 lt:Jd7xc5
a single grandmaster level game from
1 8. e4-e5 lt:Jf6-g4
here, while Black has won several with
1 9. �c1 -f4 lt:Jc5-e6
dozens of draws.

41
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

7. ... f7-f6

Analysis diagram

With 1 6 . . . tt::ld 7!N Black gets the better


bishop and the initiative on the queenside.
Black wants to play . . . e7 -eS and to ex­
9. ..
. <'Db8-d7
change dark-squared bishops as his re­
1 0. �c1 -e3 .11l.f8-c5
maining bishop will be slightly better
11. l:lh1 -d 1 .11l.c5xe3
than White's.
1 2. '.t>e2xe3 '.t>e8-e7
Also OK is 7 . . . tt::l d 7.
13. <'Df3-e1 a7-a5
8. .11l.f1 -c4 14. a2-a4 <'Dd7-b6
1 5. .11l.c4-b3 c7-c5
8 .'�c2 eS 9 .�e3 tt:ld7 1 0 .tt:ld2 �cS
1 6. f2-f4 c5-c4
1 1 .�xcS tt::lx cS 1 2 . b4 tt:le6 1 3 . .11l.c4
1 7. �b3-c2 .11l.c8-g4
We?=;
1 8. <'De1 -f3 l:Ia8-c8
8 .eS tt:lc6 9 .exf6 exf6 1 0 .�f4 �cS
1 9. f4xe5 f6xe5
1 1.. �xc7 �xf2 1 2 .�c4 .11l.fSN 1 3 .We2
20. l:ld1 -d2 .11l.g4xf3
.11l.c s 1 4.IIhe 1 '>t>d7 1 S .�g3 llae8+
21 . g2xf3 Ith8-f8
1 6.'>t>fl l:Ixe 1 + 1 7 Jhe 1 l::le 8 1 8 . .!lxe8
22. l:la1 -g1 .U.c8-d8
'>t>xe8=;
8 .�e3 eS 9 .tLld2 tt:ld7 1 O .�c4 (1 O .tt::lb 3
aS 1 1 .a4 b6 1 2.f3 �b7 1 3 .�c4 0-0-0=;
the b3 knight is purely defensive)
1 O . . . �cS 1 1 .�xcS tt:lxcS 1 2 .b4 tt::le 6
1 3 .Wc2 aS 1 4.a3 '>t>e7 1 S .tt:lb3 axb4
1 6.axb4 �d7 1 7 .�dS c6 1 8 .�xe6 �xe6
1 9 .tt:lcS b6 2 0 .tt::lx e6 '>t>xe6=.

8. ... e7-e5
9. '.t>d1 -e2

9 . .te3 tt::l d 7 1 0 .We2 �cS 1 1 Jlhd 1 �xe3 Black is slightly better as White's kingside
1 2 .<iii x e3 We7 1 3 .tt:ld2 aS 1 4.f3 tt:lb6 pawns are inferior and his bishop is
1 S . .I1l.e2 �e6 1 6.tt:lb3 (so far Ivanchuk- slightly bad since three white pawns are
Nepomniachtchi, Havana 20 1 0) stuck on light squares.

42
Chapter 4 - Anti-Griinfeld

23. 1lg 1 -g2 l:!.d8xd2


24. 1lg2xd2 l:tf8-f6
25. h2-h4 l:!.f6-f4
26. 1ld2-h2 tt'lb6-d7
27. ii.c2-d1 .!:i.f4-f6 � &
28. nh2-d2 .l:lf6-d6
"'
,��
29. l:td2xd6 we7xd6 \fl.
30. f3-f4 tt'ld7-c5
31 . ii.d1 -c2 e5xf4+
32. we3xf4 tt:Jc5-e6+ 49. ii.b5-f1 ?
33. �f4-g4 h7-h5+
I witnessed this game in person. Suba was
34. �g4-f3 �d6-e5
very upset afterward that he made this
35. ii.c2-d1 g6-g5
losing blunder rather than playing
36. �d1 -e2
49.�e 8 , which appears to draw:
49 . . . Wc4 5 0 .�d7 <;t>xc3 5 l .�b5 <;t>b4
5 2 .�c6 tLld3 5 3 .Wxh3 tLlcS 54.<;t>xh4
lLlxa4 5 5 . Wg3 .

Black is much better here thanks to the


outside passed pawn he will obtain and
the better king position, but whether it's a
forced win I don't know.
Analysis diagram
36 . ... g5xh4
37. ii.e2xc4 tt'le6-g5+
This is a tablebase drawn position. For
38. �f3-g2 we5xe4
example: 5 5 . . . lLlc3 5 6. <;t>f3 lLlbS 5 7 .<;t>e3
39. b2-b4 b7-b6
a4 5 8 . Wd2 a3 5 9 .'�c l lLlc3 60 .Wc2 Wc4
40. �c4-b5 �e4-e3
6 l .�e8.
41 . b4xa5 b6xa5
42. Wg2-h2 h4-h3 49. ... tt'lf4-d5
43. �b5-e8 h5-h4 50. ii.f1 -b5 tt'ld5xc3
44. ii.e8-b5 we3-e4 51 . �b5-e8 wc5-b4
45. �b5-f1 �e4-d5 52. �h2xh3 tt'lc3xa4
46. �f1 -b5 Wd5-c5 53. �h3xh4 ttJa4-c3
47. �b5-d3 tt'lg5-e6 54. <;t>h4-g4 ttJc3-b5
48. ii.d3-b5 tt:Je6-f4 55. �g4-f4 a5-a4

43
The Kaufman Repertoire for Blask

to play Black) 9 . . . ttJ b4 I 0. 'i�Vb I ltJ4dS


56. �f4-e5 �b4-c3
I I .tLlxdS �xdS 1 2 .e4 'iYxa2 I 3 .dS
57. �e8-f7 ttJb5-d4
'iiVx b I I 4. l:i.xb I ..Q.d7 I S .�xc7 0 - 0
0-1
I 6 . ..Q.d3 fS I 7 .0-0 fxe4 l 8 . ..Q.xe4 �fS
Black is for choice, as White's pawns are
EO 5 2.4 (A I S ) Game 4.3 weaker than Black's;
D Dorfman,Josif A2) 8 .'iVa3 ttJc6 9.e3 0-0 I O.�e2 aS
• Vachier-Lagrave,Maxime I l .'ik'cs a4 l 2 .tt:Jbs l:i.as 1 3 .�c i tt:Jds
Caen ch-FRA, 2 0 1 1 (7) I 4 . ..Q.g3 ..Q.g4

1. ttJg1 -f3 ttJg8-f6


2. c2-c4 g7-g6
3. ttJb1 -c3 d7-d5
4. c4xd5 ttJf6xd5
5. �d1 -c2!?

Topalov's brilliant new idea with which


he got a winning position against Kamsky
in the 20 I I Candidate's tournament, al­
though Kamsky saved the draw. I thought
for a while that it refuted Black's attempt Analysis diagram
to play the Griinfeld when White omits
d4, but this game and the analysis shows White has an extra center pawn, but lags a
that this is not so. bit in development. Black will aim for
s .�b3 tt:Jb6 6 .d4 �g7 and now: . . . e7 -eS . Chances are nearly balanced:
1 S .tLlc3 Ile8 I 6.0-0 eS =;
B) 7 .�gS �e6 8 .�c2 tLlc6 9.l:i.d i h6
J o . ..Q. M 0 - 0 I l .e3 tt:Jb4 1 2.�b i �fs
I 3 .e4 ..Q.g4 I 4.dS fS I S .a3 g S I 6.�g3 f4
I 7 .axb4 �d6 I 8 .bS fxg3N I 9 .hxg3
:Bxf3 2 0 .gxf3 �xf3 2 I. .l':.h2 �xd i
2 2. Wxd I .Uf8 - Black is clearly better.

Analysis diagram

A) 7 .�f4 �e6 :
A I ) 8 .�c2 tLlc6 9 . l:i. d i (in case of
9.e3 tLlb4 I O .'iYd i 0-0 I l ...Q.e2 cS
1 2 .0-0 l:i.c8 I 3 .�eS �xeS I 4.tLlxeS
cxd4 I S .exd4 ltJ4dSN White has no at­
tack to offset his isolani. I would prefer Analysis diagram

44
Chapter 4 - Anti-Griinfeld

His pieces are all working together while


White's are not. White's king in the cen­
ter is not so happy;
C) 7 .e4

9. a2-a3?1

9.dxe 5 ! �fS 1 0 .�g5 �e7 1 l .e4 �g4


1 2.�xe7 'ifxe7 1 3 .a3 �xf3 1 4. gxf3 l:!.d8
Analysis diagram 1 5 .'i¥a4 ttJd3 + 1 6.�xd3 .l:!.xd3 1 7 .'i¥bs
7 . .. �g4 (note that if Black plays Delchev's .!ld4 1 8 .ttJd5 'iYxeS 1 9 .'iYxb7 l:!.xe4+
recommendation 7 ... 0-0 then 8 .�e3 �g4 2 0 .'�7f1 'iVxdS 2 l .fxe4 'ifc4+ 2 2 .<;t>g 1
9 . .!ld 1 transposes to my White recom­ 'i¥xe4 2 3 .'ii' c 8+ �e7 24.'iVxh8 ltJd4
mendation against the Griinfeld (the move 2 5 .'iVc8 <1Jf3+ 2 6 .<lt>g2 ttJd2+ 2 7 .'>t>g 1
count is off by one though, as here each ttJf3 + leads to a draw by perpetual check.
side has saved a tempo) . Since this is not a
a - e5xd4
line either of us recommends for Black in
1 0. tt:Jc3-b5
the Griinfeld, it is illogical to recommend
it here. Fortunately 7 . . .�g4 works) 8.d5 1 O.axb4 dxc3 1 1 .bxc3 �g 7 1 2.�d2 0-0
0-0 9 .�e2 c6 1 0 .0-0 cxdS 1 l .exd5 ltJ8d7 1 3 .e 3 . So far Alexeev-Kurnosov, Taganrog
1 2 .l:!.d 1 ltJeS and White has more space 2 0 1 1 . Now after either 1 3 . . . �fS or
but an isolated d-pawn, so it's equal. 1 3 . . . ltJeS Black is clearly better, due to
White's imprisoned bishop on d2 and
lagging development.

5. ... tt:lb8-c6
6. d2-d4 tt:Jd5-b4
7. 'ifc2-a4 �c8-d7 1 0. ... a7-a6
8. 'ifa4-d1 e7-e51 1 1 . tt:Jb5xd4 tt:lc6xd4

45
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

Black is much better. White's queen is not


1 2. tt:Jf3xd4 tt:Jb4-c6
secure and his development is severely
1 3. tt:Jd4-f3
lagging.

EO S 2 . 1 1 (A I S) Game 4.4
0 Markos,Jan
• Li Chao B
Shenzhen, 20 1 1 (4)

1. tt:Jg1-f3 tt:Jg8-f6
2. c2-c4 g7-g6
3. tt:Jb1 -c3 d7-d5
4. c4xd5 tt:Jf6xd5
1 3. ... 'tl¥d8-f6!N 5. 'tl¥d1 -a4+

The game actually went 1 3 . . . i.e6


1 4.'tl¥xd8+ .l:i.xd8 l S .i.gS i.e7 1 6.i.xe7
rJilxe7 1 7 .e3 l:Id6 1 8 . 1lc l llhd8 1 9 .i.e2
�fS and draw agreed.

1 4. e2-e3

After 1 4.llb l �g7 I S .i.gS 'ih'fs 1 6.e3 h6


1 7 .�h4 �aS + 1 8 .�d2 i.fs 1 9 .�xa5
tt:lxaS 2 0.l:i.c l �xb2 2 1 .l::!.x c7 i.xa3 Black
has won a pawn and has two connected
5 . ... tt:Jb8-c6
passers.
Few people played this way until comput­
1 4. ..
. 0-0-0
ers started recommending it, because
1 5. �f1 -e2 �f8-g7
Black gets ugly pawns. In return though,
1 6. 0-0 Jlh8-e8
he gets active piece play.
1 7. 'tl¥d1 -a4 'it>c8-b8
Delchev recommends S . . . c6, but two of
his lines may not be quite equal for Black,
as shown. Usual was S . . . i.d7 , but lately
the knight move has taken over.
After 5 . . . c6 the lines split:
A) 6 .�d4 f6 7 .e4 eS 8.lLlxe5 lLlxc3
9 .�xc3 �e7 I O.tt:lf3 �xe4+ 1 I .i.e2
tt:ld7 ( 'Balanced' , says Delchev) 1 2 .d3N
'ii'b 4 1 3 . 0-0 �xc3 1 4.bxc3 tt:lb6 I S J':!:e l
rJilf7 and White enjoys better develop­
ment for free here, though Black is not in
real trouble;

46
Chapter 4 - Anti-Griinfeld

B) 6 .tt:lxdS 'lifxdS 7 .e4 'ltfd6 8 .d4 tt:ld7


8. ... b7xc6
9 .�e2 tt:lb6 I O .'ltfc2 �g4 l l. .�e3 �g7
1 2.0-0 �xf3 1 3 .eSN ( 1 3 . .ixf3 �xd4
1 4.Ilad l eS I S .�xd4 exd4 1 6 .eS 'ltfe6
1 7 .'liNeS 0-0-0 and Black is for choice,
Miton-Vachier-Lagrave, France tt 20 I 0)
1 3 . . . 'ltfd7 1 4 . .txf3 tt:ldS .

i:

9. g2-g3

9.b3 tt:lxc3 I O.dxc3 .tg7 l l .�b2 aS


� 8" -i····. 1 2.g3 a4 1 3 .�g2 0-0 1 4.bxa4 �b7
I S .0-0 l:!xa4 1 6.IHc l .!lb8 1 7 .1k2 cS
��
1 8 .i.xb7 llxb7 1 9.l:Id l �eS 20 . .ic l f6
Analysis diagram
2 I .i.e3 �d6 2 2 .<;t>g2 llba7 2 3 . .!:tdd2
Delchev calls this equal, while the com­ <;t>[7 - the computers love Black here, de­
puters love White due to the bishop pair spite White's passed pawn and Black's
(after I S .�d2) and the obstructed black doubled pawns, due to the far more active
bishop. I would prefer White but only rooks. I don't see a black advantage my­
slightly. Black will activate his bishop by self, but Black should have no trouble
. . . f6, after which the strong knight should making a draw as White can hardly do
offer at least partial compensation for the anything but 'pass' ;
bishops. 9 .e4 t2Jb4 I O .<;t>d ! �e6 l l .d3 �g7
1 2 .�e3 aS This was Panchanathan­
6. tt:lf3-e5 'liHd8-d6
Bacallao Alonso, Badalona 2 0 I I . Black is
This is the latest development. In earlier clearly better with the initiative and much
days Black played 6 . . . t2Jb4 here, e.g. 7 .a3 better development.
�g7 8 .axb4 �xeS 9.bS.
9 . ... �f8-g7
7. tt:le5xc6 'liHd6xc6 1 0. �f1 -g2 i.c8-e6
8. 'liHa4xc6+ 1 1 . b2-b3

8 .'ltfd4 tt:lxc3 9 .dxc3 (in case of 9 .'ltfxh8? Or l l .a3 1;lb8 1 2.e3 0-0 1 3 .tt:la4 �c8
tt:lxa2 I 0. b 3 tt:lxc I I I . 'ltfb 2 tt:lxe 2 1 4.tLlcS (so far Vitiugov-Areschenko,
1 2.<;t>xe2 �e6 Black has way too much Olginka tt 2 0 1 1 ) 1 4 .. JlbSN 1 S .d4 eS
for the exchange, namely two pawns, 1 6 .a4 l:!.b8 1 7 .dxeS tt:lb4 1 8 .0-0 .txeS
better development, the bishop pair, the 1 9 .1;ld ! tt:lc2 2 0 .llb l tt:la3 2 l..l:i.a l tt:lc2
better pawn structure, and a safer king! ) with a draw by repetition.
9 ... f6 I O .e4 �e6N I I ..te3 l:Id8
1 1 . ... 0-0-0
1 2 .'ltfxa7 'lifxe4=.

47
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

With 1 1 . ..0-0 1 2 .Qb2 tt:Jb4 1 3 . 0-0 :ilfd8


20. f2-f3 �g4xf3
1 4.d3 .ig4 1 5 . .ll ab 1 I:!ab8 1 6 . .!lfe 1 aS
21 . l:th1 -f1 �f3xe4
Black should get enough activity to offset
22. �c2xe4 nd6-e6
his inferior pawn structure.
23. nf1 xf7 ne6xe4+
1 2. �c1 -b2 tbd5xc3 24. �e1 -d2 h7-h5
25. �d2-d3 ne4-e6
26. a2-a4 �c8-d7
27. nt7-t8 ne6-f6

1 3. kb2xc3

1 3 .kxc6 nd6 (if 1 3 . . . tt:Jxe2 1 4.Qxg7


28. .l::!.f8-a8?l .l::!.f 6-d6+
tt:Jd4 1 5 .Qxh8 nxh8 1 6 . .ie4 f5 1 7 .Qd3
29. �d3-c4 e7-e5
kds 1 8 .l:tfl kg2 1 9 J:tg 1 tLlf3 + 2 0 .We2
30. na8-t8 �d7-e7
tt:Jxg l + 2 1 ..l::!.x g l kds 2 2 .l:i.c 1 e6 White
31. .l::!.f8-f2 �e7-e6
has a cosmetic edge due to Black having
32. �c4xc5 e5-e4
one more isolated pawn, but Black should
33. .l::!.f2-f8 g6-g5
have no problems thanks to his strong
34. .l::!.f8-e8+ �e6-f5
bishop) 1 4.Qg2 .l::!. a 6 1 5 . dxc3 I:!d8
35. .l::!.e 8-e7 h5-h4
1 6 .ke4 liad6 1 7 .Qd3 .ifs 1 8. 0-0-0
36. g3xh4 g5xh4
Qxd3 1 9 . .l::!.x d3 l:txd3 2 0 .exd3 l::tx d3
37. .l::!.e7xc7? .l::!.d 6-e6
2 1 .f4 llf3 = .
38. �c5-d5 .l::!. e 6-e8
1 3. ... �g7xc3 39. �d5-c5 .l::!.e 8-e6
1 4. d2xc3 .l::!.d 8-d6
3 9 . . . e3 40 . .l::!.f7 + We4 4 1 ..l::t.f l e2 42 . .l::!.e 1
1 5. .l::!.a 1-d1 .l::!. h 8-d8
�f3 wins for Black.
1 6. .l::!. d 1 xd6 .l::!.d 8xd6
1 7. �g2-e4 c6-c5 40. �c5-d5 .l::!.e 6-e8

1 7 . . . QdS 1 8 . ..txd5 cxdS=. White resigned, seeing no defense to the


advance of the passed pawn. The com­
1 8. �e4-c2 �e6-f5
puter says '4 1 . �cS = ' , because computers
1 9. e2-e4 �f5-g4
are told to assume that if they can repeat a
1 9 . . . ..txe4 2 0 . .ixe4 l::t e 6 2 1 . f3 fS position once, they can do so again. But
2 2 . �d 2 fxe4 2 3 .fxe4 llxe4 24JH1 of course, having made the time control,
c4=. Black would avoid repeating a third time.

48
Chapter 4 - Anti-Griinfeld

EO 2 7. 1 6 (A 1 S) Game 4.5
D Meier,Georg
• So,Wesley
Lubbock, 20 I 0 (9)

1. tLlg1 -f3 tLlg8-f6


2. c2-c4 g7-g6
3. tLlb1 -c3 d7-d5
4. c4xd5 tLlf6xd5
5. g2-g3 �f8-g7
6. �f1 -g2 0-0 9. d2-d3

9 .d4 cxd4 1 0 .�e3 d3 ! 1 1 .tLle 1 �d6


1 2 .tLlxd3 lLlc6 1 3 .i.cS ( 1 3 Jlc 1 lLld4
1 4.tt:Jcs llb8 1 s .l:!. e 1 �fs 1 6 .lLlb3
l:!.fd8=) 1 3 ... �c7 1 4.l:!.c 1 l:!.d8N 1 S .b4
i.fs 1 6 .�a4 �h6 1 7 .f4 i.g7 1 8 .bS lLld4
1 9.�xd4 llxd4 20 .l:!.xc7 l:!.xa4 2 1 .l:!.xb7
�d4+ 2 2 . Wh 1 'it>f8 2 3 .l:!.xe7 l:!.b8=.

9. ... tLlb8-c6
1 0. �c1 -e3

After 1 0.a3 �d6 1 1 .1lb l ?! c4! 1 2.b4


7. 0-0
cxd3 1 3 .bS dxe2 1 4.�xe2 tLld4
In the event of 7 .�b3 c6 8 .0-0 'i¥b6N 1 S .tt:Jxd4 jLxd4 1 6.�h6 lld8 White has
9 .lLlxdS cxdS 1 O.�xdS lLlc6 White's de­ little for the pawn.
velopment problems and exposed queen
1 0. ... �g7xb2
insure Black adequate compensation for
the pawn. Declining the gambit gives White an edge.

7. ... c7-c5
8. tLlc3xd5

8.�a4 lLlc6 9 .�c4 lLlxc3 1 0 .dxc3 �b6


1 1 .�h4 l:!.d8=. Black's control of the
open file and the threat on b 2 if the c 1
bishop moves offset White's mild
kingside pressure.
8 .�b3 e6 9 .d3 tLlc6 1 O .i.gS �d7
1 1 .l:tac l b6 1 2 .l:!.fe 1 �b7 =. Black is al­
most caught up in development and has a
1 1 . J:Xa1-b1
slight edge in space.
In case of l l .lLld4 �d7 1 2 .tLlxc6 �xa 1
8. ... �d8xd5
1 3 .�xa 1 bxc6 1 4.�h6 �d4 1 S .i.xf8

49
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

�xf8 1 6 .'ifb l .tg4 1 7 . .txc6 llc8 1 8 .e3 At first I wanted to recommend this, be­
�eS 19 . .te4N c4 20.dxc4 .llxc4 Black cause two bishops, a rook, and an extra
has the better of a probable draw. pawn are virtually equal in strength to
two rooks and a knight. However White
1 1 . ... �b2-f6
seems to have the initiative here, so now I
1 2. 'iYd1 -a4
would make this only a second choice in
After 1 2 . ttJd4 'i¥xa2 1 3 . tt:Jxc6 bxc.6 case you don't like the game continua­
1 4.£.xc5 .tg4 I S .f3 £.e6 1 6 .d4 .ll f b8 tion.
1 7 . ll a l 'irc4N White doesn't have 1 9 .e3 .tg7 2 0 . l:f.fb 1 l::!.c8 2 1 . lla3 .l::t c 7
enough for the pawn. 2 2 .f4 eS 2 3 .ttJc4 exf4 24.gxf4 £.f8
2 5 . �f2 f6 2 6 .e4 �f7 - Black should be
1 2 . ... 'iYd5-d7
okay here, although he must be careful.
1 3. 'iYa4-b5
White's active rooks give him the sunny
1 3 .Lc5 b6 1 4.hb6 ttJd4 1 5 .'iVd l axb6 side of a probable draw.
1 6.tt:Jxd4 l!1xa2 1 7 .'i¥b3 .lld 2 1 8.'i¥b4 lla2
1 4. 'iYb5xc5 'iYe6xa2
1 9 .'iVb3 .i':!.d2 with a draw by repetition.
Black is under pressure on the queenside,
but his extra pawn offsets this.

1 5. .l:i.f1 -e1

1 5 .ttJd2N .l::i. d 8 1 6. :!lfe 1 .tfs 1 7 . .llx b7


ttJd4 1 8 .llc7 llac8 1 9 .'iYxa7 'irxa 7
2 0 .l:ha7 l:rc 1 2 l .�fl tt:Jxe2 2 2 .t2Je4
.llxe 1 + 2 3 .«t>xe 1 �xe4 24. dxe4 tt:Jd4
2 5 .Wfl .l:ib8 26 .�h3 hS=. The two bish­
ops are not much of a plus with all the
pawns on one side, and Black's ideally
1 3 . ... 'iYd7-e6
posted knight gives him equality.
I analyzed the novelty 1 3 . . . b6 1 4.ttJd2
1 5. ... 'iYa2-a5
ttJd4 1 5 .£.xd4 'iVxbS 1 6..!'hb5 �xd4
1 6. 'iYc5xa5 tt:Jc6xa5
1 7 . .txa8 £.d7 1 8 Jl:b3 llxa8.
1 7. tt:Jf3-d2

Analysis diagram

50
Chapter 4 - Anti-Griinfeld

White is 'better' according to the com-


1 7. ... �f6-c3
puters, but of course with equal material
If Black doesn't want a draw he could try and bishops of opposite color it's almost
1 7 tLlc6 1 8 .tt:le4 aS 1 9 .tt:lxf6+ exf6, but
... sure to be a draw.
I think White keeps an edge.
24. f2-f3 �e6-d5
1 8. J::t e 1 -c1 �c3xd2 25. 'lt>g1 -f2 �d5-c6
1 9. �e3xd2 tt:Ja5-c6 26. g3-g4 f7-f6
20. �g2xc6 b7xc6 27. h2-h4 Wg8-f7
21. �d2-a5 �c8-e6 28. ii.a5-d2 h7-h5
22. J::tc 1 xc6 J::tf8-c8 29. g4-g5 f6-f5
23. J::tc6xc8+ J::t a8xc8 30. .l:ib1 -a1 :r:i.c8-a8
31 . J:!.a1 -a5 a7-a6
32. .l:!.a5-c5 J:!.a8-c8
I. �
33. �d2-b4 kc6-d7
' ' ' '
34. .l:!.c5-e5 e7-e6
A i 35. e2-e4 l:Ic8-b8
36. �b4-c3 .l:ib8-b5
37. e4xf5 J::t b5xe5
38. f5xg6+ Wf7xg6
39. �c3xe5 a6-a5

Draw agreed. Black doesn't even need the


a-pawn to draw here.

51
Chapter 5

Queen's Pawn Openings


In this chapter we consider openings White may choose if he starts with l .d4 but re­
frains from an early c2-c4. These openings are not very popular at grandmaster level
but are much more so at amateur level, because they can be played with relatively little
study. As a general rule these lines don't promise White an advantage, but Black needs
to know how to respond to each of them.

First we look at the Veresov, l .d4 tt:lf6 2.tt:lc3 dS 3 .igS ,


.

which we meet by 3 h6 , welcoming the bishop for knight exchange. White has to make
...

the trade or play a bad French Defense. I think that the exchange results in a very pleasant
game for Brack, who can use his unopposed bishop to pin the c3 knight. See Game 5 . 1 .

Next comes the fairly popular Trompowsky, l .d4 tt:lf6 2 .igs , .

53
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

which we meet by 2 ... d5 . The exchange on f6 is not to be feared, as it would happen


without loss of tempo by Black. Otherwise Black will probably continue with 3 . . . c5
and perhaps 4 .. .'tlr¥b6, targeting the b2 pawn. See Game 5 . 2 .

The Barry Attack, l .d4 tLlf6 2.tLlf3 g6 3.tLlc3 dS 4.�f4,

i: � .t tv � .t 1:
.t. & & & & &
�· &

aims at �d2 and 0-0-0. The remedy seems to be a timely . . . tLle4. See Game 5 . 3 .

After l .d4 tLlf6 2.tLlf3 g6 White has three popular options, all covered in Game 5 .4. He
can choose the Colle 3 .e 3 , which is considered ineffective against the king's fianchetto,
the Torre 3 .�g5 �g7 4.tLlbd2 and now 4. . . 0-0, ready to meet 5 .e4 or 5 .c3 by 5 . . . d 5 , or
the London System 3 .�f4 �g7 4.e3 d6 S .h3 0-0 6.�e2 when I like 6 ...c5 7.c3 'ilr¥b6.

So don't fear these systems, but be prepared!

QP 1 1 . 1 (DO l ) Game 5.1 �c5 1 2.CiJf3 0 - 0 . Black has returned the


0 Pert,Nicholas pawn to achieve a nice lead in develop­
• Adams,Michael ment, and White cannot castle. Black
Sheffield ch-GBR, 2 0 I I ( 1 0) plans . . . f7 -fS with a big advantage.

1. d2-d4 tLlg8-f6 3. ... h7-h6


2. tLlb1 -c3 d7-d5
3. �c1 -g5

The Veresov System. I don't think it's very


good.
The attempt to reach the Blackmar­
Diemer Gambit by 3 .e4?! fails here:
3 . . . tLlxe4! 4.tLlxe4 dxe4 5 . �c4 tLlc6 6.c3
eS 7 .d5 CiJe7 8. f3 (8.CiJe2 c6) 8 ... CiJg6
9 .�b5 + �d7 1 0 .�xd7+ �xd7 J l .fxe4

54
Chapter 5 - Queen's Pawn Openings

This move is rare but good. It seems cause the bishop pair is a bigger factor
wrong to spend a tempo to force the ex­ than the crippled majority) 6.exd5 "tifxdS
change, but the point is that White's 7 .tt:lf3 0-0 8.ile2 "tWaS 9."tifd2 tt:ld7
knight on c3 is then misplaced, because 1 0 .a3 tt:'lb6 1 1 ..ld.b 1 �xc3 1 2 ."tifxc3
White would want to play c3 -c4 after the 'ifxc3 + 1 3 .bxc3 Ue8N.
trade. More usual is 3 . . . tt:lbd 7 , but why
guard against a bad trade?

4. �g5xf6

Or 4.ilh4 e6 5 .e4.

Analysis diagram

Both sides have crippled majorities, but


White has three weak pawns (a3 , c2, c3)
while Black has none.

Analysis diagram 5 . ... �f8-b4


6. �f1 -d3
Without the insertion of . . . h6 �h4 this
would be a transposition to a mainline If 6.tt:le2 c6N 7 .a3 �d6 it's hard to see
French Defense, where White should much to offset Black's bishop pair here.
keep his normal edge. Here however,
6. ... c7-c5
e2-e4 gives nothing. On the other hand, a
7. d4xc5
quiet move like e2-e3 creates a position
in which the move tt:lc3 just looks stupid, 7 ."tiff3 �xc3 + 8.bxc3 0-0 9 .tt:le2 tt:'lc6=.
blocking the otherwise desirable c4)
7. ... �b4xc3+
5 . . . �b4 (after S . . . gS 6 .�g3 tt:lxe4
8. b2xc3 0-0
7 .tt:lxe4 dxe4 8 .h4 tt:lc6N 9 .c3 IIg8
9. t2Jg1 -e2
1 O.hxgS hxgS White has yet to prove full
compensation for the pawn) 6.e5 gS
7 .�g3 tt:le4 is an inferior line (for White)
of the MacCutcheon French. Black is al­
ready equal.

4. ... e7xf6
5. e2-e3

5 .e4 �b4 (5 . . . dxe4 6.tt:lxe4 fS 7 .tt:lg3


�d6 8 .'�e 2 + "tife7 9 ."tifxe 7 + �xe7
1 o . .td3 g6 is also pleasant for Black, be-

55
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

counterplay with a2-a4. Black is obvi­


9. ... �c8-e6
ously better.
A good alternative was 9 . . . 4Jd7 I O .c4
22. .l:!.b 1 -d 1 tt:Jc5-a4
�aS + I L'i¥d2 �xd2+ ! 2 . '.t>xd2 dxc4
23. c3-c4 d5xc4
I 3 .�xc4 tL:lxcS 1 4 . .ll hd I �e6. Black has a
24. �d3-f5 .l:!.c8-e8
superior pawn structure on the queenside
at no cost. His doubled pawns do not Certainly not 24 . . . ..txf5 + in view of
cripple a majority or fall in any 'bad' cate­ 2 5 . .l:!.d8+ and 26.�f8 .
gory.
25. �f5xe6 f7xe6
1 0. J:!.a1 -b1 'i¥d8-c7 26. e3-e4 c;t>g8-h7?!
11. 0-0 tt:Jb8-d7
26 . . . 4Jc5 27 .�e3 J:::rf7 , and although
1 2. J:!.b1 -b4 tt:Jd7xc5
White controls the open file and has a
1 3. J:!.b4-h4?!
safer king, this does not nearly offset his
White is just 'passing', so Black is already pawn minus.
better. He has only one bad pawn while
27. �a3-g3 tt:Ja4-b2
White has three.
28. .ll d 1 -d2
1 3. ..
. J:!.a8-c8
1 4. .ll h 4-d4 J:!.f8-d8
1 5. 'i¥d1 -c1 a7-a6
1 6. .llf1 -d1 b7-b5
1 7. �c1 -a3 tt:Jc5-a4
1 8. .lld 1 -b1 'f!ic7-a7
1 9. h2-h3 .l:!.d8-d7
20. .l:!.b1 -b3 tt:Ja4-c5
21 . .l:!.b3-b1

28. ... c4-c3


29. tt:Je2xc3 tLlb2-c4
30. .l:!.d2-d1 tt:Jc4-b2
31 . .U.d1 -d2 tLlb2-c4
32. l:!.d2-d1 tt:Jc4-e5
33. '>t>g1 -h2 .l:!.e8-c8
34. tt:Jc3-e2 .l:!.c7-e7

34 .. ..ll xc2 3 5 .f4 l:!.xe2 3 6 . fxe5 l:!.cc2


3 7 . exf6 llxg2 + 3 8 .�xg2 �c7 + 3 9.-.t>h l
21 . ... .lld7-c7
I:!.xg2 40 .Wxg2 '.t>g6 4 1 .fxg7 �xg7 -
2 L .tba4 2 2 .�b4 'i¥c7 2 3 .l:tf4 l:!.dd8 - queen and pawn are in general a bit
Black can win the pawn on c3 any time, stronger than two rooks, although here I
though doing so will give White some expect that White can draw.

56
Chapter 5 - Queen's Pawn Openings

fxe6 1 2 .'iVh3 0-0 - the 'Stonewall' for­


35. c2-c3 Wia7-c7
mation is great for Black when his
36. c;t>h2-h1 t2Je5-c4
light-squared bishop has already been ex­
37. 'tWg3-g4 t2Jc4-e5
changed, as here.
38. 'tWg4-g3 t2Je5-c4
39. 'tWg3-g4 t2Jc4-e5 3. .. . c7-c5
1f2-1f2

QP 7.9 (A45) Game 5.2


0 Miladinovic,Igor
• Solak,Dragan
Valjevo, 20 I I (7)

1. d2-d4 t2Jg8-f6
2. .fi.c1 -g5

This is the Trompowsky, which has a


few exponents among grandmasters
4. t2Jb1 -c3
and quite a decent following among
amateurs. I think it is fading now 4.c3 tbc6 s .tbf3 'iVb6 6.'ilic l (after
though. 6 .�b3 c4 7 .�c2 �fs 8 .'iVc l tt:le4 9 .�f4
h6 1 O .tLlbd2 gS l l .�g3 tbxg3 1 2.hxg3
2. ... d7-d5
i.g7 1 3 .�e2 �d8 White has little for the
I like this reply, because I don't consider bishop pair lost) 6 . . . tt:le4 7 . .if4 .ifS
3 .�xf6 . to be in White's favor, and other­ 8 .tbbd2 e6 9 .tbxe4 �xe4 1 O.�e2 �e7
wise the move . . . d7 -dS is without draw­ 1 1 . 0-0 0-0 and Black has more space at
backs. no cost.
4.tLld2 h6N S .�xf6 exf6 - although
3. e2-e3
White will isolate Black's d-pawn to com­
3 .lLld2 cS 4.dxc5 e6 5 .lLlb3 lLlbd7 6.e3 pensate for Black's bishops, his knight on
lLlxcS 7 .tbxc5 i.xcS 8.�b5+ <;t>fs 9 .�d3 d2 is misplaced for putting pressure on
eS. dS.
3 . tb c 3 transposes t o the Veresov. After 4.kxf6 exf6 S .tt:lc3 tbc6 6.tbge2
3 .tbf3 transposes to the Torre. ke6 7 .g3 cxd4 8.exd4 �d6 9.�g2 tbe7
3 .i.xf6 exf6 4.e3 �e6 (4 . . . c5 transposes 1 0.0-0 a6 I would count Black's bishop
to the note to move 4) S .�d3 fS (S . . . cS pair as slightly more important than
6.dxc5 �xeS 7 .c3 tbc6 8 .lLld2 0-0 White's superior pawn structure.
9 .tLlb3 kd6 1 O .tLle2 .!lc8 and Black's
4. ... t2Jb8-c6
bishops more than offset his isolated d­
5. d4xc5
pawn) 6.�f3 g6 7 .tbe2 c6 8 . 0-0 tbd7
9.tLlf4 �d6 1 0 .tLld2N (not 1 0 .c4? kxf4 S .�bS e6 6 .tbf3 �e7 7 .0-0 0-0 8 . dxc5
1 l .cxdS kxh2 + 1 2.< it>xh2 �h4+ and �xeS 9 .'ik'e2 �e7 1 0 . .!lfd 1 a6 1 I ..id3
Black wins a pawn) 1 0 . . . �c7 I I .tbxe6 tbd7 1 2.Le7 �xe7 1 3 .e4 d4 1 4.tLlb 1

57
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

eS - Black has more space, the better


bishop, and a great square (cS) for his
knight.

5. ... e7-e6
6. tLlg1 -f3 �f8xc5
7. �f1 -d3

White is playing a slightly dubious varia­


tion of the Queen's Gambit Accepted
with colors reversed and an extra tempo,
1 5. h4xg5?1
which at best may give him equality.
In case of 7 .a3 0-0 8.�d3 �e7 9 . 0-0 h6 Better is 1 5 . .ie 2 �c7 1 6 .hxg 5 �xeS
1 O ..ih4 a6 l l .�e2 bS 1 2 .h3 �b7 Black 1 7 .gxf6+ .ixf6 1 8 .�b4+ We8 1 9 . .l:td 1
has more space and an extra pawn in the .fl.d7 2 0 .e4 d4 2 1 ..l:txd4 .fl.xd4 2 2 .�xd4
center. We7 2 3 .e5 .ic6. White has a pawn and a
safer king for the exchange. It's a close
game but I'd rather play Black.

1 5. ... h6xg5
1 6. l:rh1 xh8 �d8xh8
1 7. �b5-f1 �c8-d7
1 8. 0-0-0 J:[a8-c8

7. ... h7-h6
8. �g5-h4

8 . .ixf6 �xf6 9 .0-0 0-0 1 0 .a3 .ib6 and


Black is already better thanks to the bish­
ops and the extra center pawn.

8. ... g7-g5
1 9. tt:le5xd7?!
Also after 8 . . . 0-0 9 . 0-0 �e7Black is at
least equal. In the event of 1 9 .g3 .fl.cS 20 .�d2 �h2
2 1 .tLlxd7 '>t>xd7 22 .a3 Wc7 23 .Wb 1 Wb8
9. �h4-g3 ttJf6-h5
Black is better with an extra center pawn
1 0. �g3-e5 ttJc6xe5
and better development.
11. tt:lf3xe5 tt:lh5-f6
1 2. h2-h4 �c5-d6 1 9. ... tt:lf6xd7
1 3. �d3-b5+ \t>e8-e7 20. �d4xh8 .l:!.c8xh8
14. �d1 -d4 a7-a6 21 . e3-e4 d5xe4

58
Chapter 5 - Queens Pawn Openings

22. tLlc3xe4 ..11l..d 6-f4+


23. 'it>c1 -b1 f7-f5
24. tLle4-c3 ..11l.f. 4-e5
25. tLlc3-e2 tLld7-f6

:1

39. ... J::!. h8-c8


40. b4-b5 a6xb5
41 . �c6-d7 J::!.c8-c3+
42. Wb3-b4 l:Ic3xc2
43. 'it>b4xb5 J::!.c2xg2
44. �d7xe6 Wg3-h4
45. Wb5-c4 �d4-c5
Black is obviously better here. His bishop,
46. a2-a4 f4-f3
knight, and king are each better
47. �e6-d5 J::!. g 2-g1 0-1
positioned than their white counterparts.
Moreover, his pawn majority is more ad­
vanced. QP 3.5 (A48) Game 5.3
D Stefanova,Antoaneta
26. tLle2-c1 tLlf6-g4
• Lahno,Katerina
27. tLlc1 -d3 ..11l..e 5-d4
Rostov-on-Don, 2 0 1 1 ( 1 0)
. 28. �f1 -e2 tLlg4xf2
29. tLld3xf2 �d4xf2 1. d2-d4 tLlg8-f6
30. �e2-f3 b7-b6 2. tLlg1 -f3 g7-g6
3. tLlb1 -c3 d7-d5
With rooks on the board and Black hav­
4. �c1 -f4
ing the hope of obtaining two connected
passed pawns, the fact that there are bish­ This is known as the 'Barry' Attack.
ops of opposite color isn't likely to save
4. ... �f8-g7
White.

31 . b2-b4 g5-g4 .i �..t 'iV � . .i


32. �f3-c6 f5-f4
., , , i i ..t i
33. .l:Id 1 -d2 �f2-e3
�·
34. J::!. d 2-d3 'it>e7-f6
35. Wb1 -b2 Wf6-g5
i
36. .l:ld3-d7 Wg5-h4 .£::, �
37. Wb2-b3 Wh4-g3 ttJ � tij
38. J::!. d 7-g7 �e3-d4 £::, £::, £::, t::, t::, t::, t::,
39. J::!. g7-g6 : . iV � � :

59
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

White has only the bishop pair for the


5. �d1 -d2
pawn, so he is just down half a pawn for
This aims at i.h6 and at castling queen­ nothing.
side, which seems logical given that the
6. ... tLlf6-e4
knight on c3 blocks the c2 pawn. 5 .e3 is
7. tLlc3xe4
probably the better move, but if White
has to switch to castling kingside like this, 7 ."tlfe3 N "tlfd6 8 .i.xg7 'lt>xg7 9 . 0-0-0
the opening strikes me as illogical. The tbxc3 1 o ."tlfxc3 ..Q.f5 1 l .'>t>b 1 tt:'ld7 =.
knight on c3 is merely in the way unless
7. ... d5xe4
White castles queenside: 5 . . . 0-0 6 . ..Q.e2
8. �h6xg7 <;t;>g8xg7
c5 7 .tbe5 tbc6 8.0-0 cxd4 and now:
A) 9.tL'lxc6 bxc6 1 0 .exd4 tLld7 1 1 .tLla4
e5 1 2. .�e3 l::t e 8 1 3 J:te 1 ? exd4 1 4 . ..Q.xd4
..Q.xd4 1 5 ."tlfxd4 l:te4 1 6."tlfc3 l::txa4
1 7 ."tlfxc6 tL'lb6 and Black has won a piece
for just a pawn. This was Hebden-Palliser
Halifax 2 0 1 0 (rapid) . Since Hebden is
perhaps the best known advocate of the
Barry, this game has some significance;
B) 9 . exd4 "t!Yb6 (after 9 . . . tbd7
1 o .tt:Jxd5 tt:Jdxe5 1 l .dxe5 ..Q.e6 1 2 .c4
tbxe5 1 3 .a4 (if 1 3 ."tlfb3 b5 1 4."t!Yxb5
9. tLlf3-g5
.ll b 8 1 5 ."tlfc5 i.xd5 1 6. cxd5 l::t x b2
1 7 ."tlfe3 "tlfxd5 Black is up 'half a pawn') In case of 9 .tt:'le5 c5 1 0.e3 �c7 1 1 .0-0-0
1 3 ... llc8 1 4."tlfb3 tt:Jxc4 1 5 .i.xc4 l::txc4 l':td8 1 2 ."tlfc3 f6 1 3 .tt:'lc4 i.g4N 14 . .!:td2
1 6 .�xc4 ..Q.xd5 1 7 ."tlfb4 e6=. Although tt:'la6 Black has better development and
White is up '14 pawn by my count, Black's the initiative.
permanent bishop on d5 is enough to
9. ... e7-e5
offset this) 1 o .tt:Jxc6 "tlfxc6 1 l .i.b5 'i¥b6
1 0. 0-0-0
1 2 .a4 and White is a little better.
1 O.dxe5 "tlfxd2 + 1 1 . 'lt>xd2 l::t d 8+
5. ... 0-0
1 2.'>t>e3 tbc6 1 3 .tt:'lxe4 tt:'lxe5 Black's su­
6. �f4-h6
perior development and threats, plus
Logical but perhaps not good. But if he safer king, are surely worth a pawn.
goes 6 . 0-0-0 tL'le4N 7.tt:'lxe4 dxe4 8 .tt'le5
10 . ..
. �d8xd4
(after 8.tt:'lg5 "tlfd5 9.'>t>b 1 h6 1 0 .c4 "tlff5
11. �d2xd4 e5xd4
1 1 .tLlh3 e3+ 1 2.�d3 tt:'lc6 Black should
1 2. l:td1 xd4 e4-e3
win something due to the threat of
1 3. f2xe3 h7-h6
. . . tt:'lb4) 8 . . . 'i¥d5 9 .c4 "tlfe6 1 0 .h3 (else
14. tLlg5-f3 l:tf8-e8
. . . f7-f6) 1 0 . . . i.xe5 1 l . ..Q.xe5 tbc6
1 2 .i.h2 'i¥xc4+ 1 3 .'>t>b 1 e 3 ! 1 4.b3 tL'lxd4 White's bottled-up kingside and doubled
1 5 .bxc4 exd2 1 6 .l::Ix d2 c5 1 7 .e3 tt:'lc6 isolated pawns on a half-open file are

60
Chapter 5 - Queen's Pawn Openings

more than enough compensation for a Although White has two pawns for the
pawn. exchange, he can't keep them and is
clearly losing.
1 5 . l:!.d4·d3 tt:Jb8·a6
26 . ... l:!.d7·c7

26 . . . b5 ! won more easily.

27. .!::!. h 1 -g1 b7·b5


28. �f1 -g2 b5xc4
29. �g2·f3 tt:Je3xd5
30. tt:Jd2·b1 tt:Jd5·e3
31 . tt:Jb1 ·c3 h6·h5
32. h2·h4 l:!.c7·d7
33. tt:Jc3·e4

1 6. g2-g3?1

case of 1 6.a3 b6 1 7 .g3 tLlcS 1 8 . .:t.c3


!&b7 1 9.�g2 lle7 Black is clearly for
-ce despite his pawn minus.

1 6. ... tt:Ja6·b4
1 7. .:t.d3·b3 c7·c5
1 8. a2·a3 tt:Jb4·d5
1 9. e3·e4 c5·c4
20. .:t.b3·b5 tt:Jd5·e3 33 . ... f7·f5
21. .:t.b5·c5? .:t.e8·d8
3 3 . . . c3 ! .
22. tt:lf3·d2 �c8·e6
23. b2·b3 l:!.d8·d7 34. tt:Je4·c5 l:!.d7·d 1 +
24. b3xc4 l:!.a8·d8 35. l:!.g1 xd1 l:!.d8xd1 +
25. l:!.c5·d5 �e6xd5 36. 'i¥i>c1 ·b2 l:!.d1·d2
26. e4xd5 37. 'i¥i>b2·c3 l:!.d2xc2+
38. 'i¥i>c3·d4 tt:Je3·f1
39. e2·e4 f5xe4
40. �f3xe4 l:!.c2·a2
41 . tt:Jc5·e6+ 'i¥i>g7·f6
42. tt:Je6·f4 tt:lf1 xg3
43. �e4xg6 tt:lg3·e2+
44. tt:Jf4xe2 'i¥i>f6xg6
45. tt:Je2·f4+ 'i¥i>g6-h6
46. 'i¥i>d4xc4 l:!.a2xa3
47. 'i¥i>c4·b5 l:!.a3-g3

White resigned.

61
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

QP 3 . 1 4 (A48) Game 5.4 3 .�gS is the Torre Attack: 3 . . . �g7


D Legky,Nikolay 4.tt:lbd2 0-0 and now:
• Istratescu,Andrei
Malakoff, 20 I I (6)
.i ,�. i.'iV '.l(j *
1 . d2-d4 tt:lg8-f6 j. j. j. j. j. .i.· j.
2. tt:lg1 -f3 g7-g6 �' j.
3. �c1 -f4

The London System. 3 .e3 , the Colle Sys­


tem, is not very effective against . . . �g7 :
3 . . . �g7 4.�e2 cS S .0-0 0-0 and now:

Analysis diagram

S .c3 (after S .e4 dS 6.eS tt'le4 7 .�e3 cS


8.c3 cxd4 9.cxd4 tt:lc6 1 O .�e2 fS 1 1 .exf6
exf6N Black is already better with his
outposted knight) S . . . dS 6.e3 cS 7 .�d3
'ti'b6 8 . .ll b 1 tt'lc6 9.0-0 !'i.e8 1 O.b4 cxb4
1 l .cxb4 aS=.
3. ... �f8-g7
Analysis diagram

A) 6.c4 cxd4 7 . exd4 (after 7 .tt'lxd4


tt'lc6 8 .tt:lc3 dS 9.cxdS ti:lxdS 1 0 .tt'lxdS
'il'xdS 1 1 .�f3 'iV cS 1 2. tt'lxc6 bxc6
1 3 .'il'a4 �fSN 1 4.�xc6 �c2 1 S .'il'bs
'ti'xbS 1 6.�xbS a6 1 7 . .ie2 llfd8 White's
development problem is quite serious, so
despite White's extra pawn Black is for
choice) 7 . . . dS 8.tt'lc3 tt'lc6 transposes to
the Griinfeld system with e3 ;
4. e2-e3
B) 6.b3 cxd4 7 .tt:lxd4 (in case of
7 .exd4 dS 8 .�b2 tt:lc6 9 .ttJbd2 �fs Instead, 4.tt'lbd2 0-0 and now:
1 O .tt'leS .!:!.c8 1 1 .c4 tUxeS 1 2 .dxeS ti:ld7 A) S .c3 d6 6.e4 tt'lbd7 7 .h3 eS 8 .dxeS
1 3 .f4 tt'lcS 1 4.tt:lf3 dxc4 1 S .�xc4 ti:ld3N dxeS 9 .�e3 (9.tt'lxeS tUxeS 1 0 .�xeS
1 6 .�xd3 'i¥xd3 Black's bishop pair gives tt:lxe4 1 l .�xg7 Ile8 1 2 .tt:lxe4 .!lxe4+
him the edge) 7 . .. dS 8 .�b2 .l:le8 9.c4 eS 1 3 .�e2 'ii'x d 1 + 1 4 . .!:!.xd 1 <;¥;>xg 7=)
1 O .ti:lf3 ti:lc6 1 1 .cxdS ti:lxdS 1 2 .�c4 �e6 9 . . . 'ti'e7 1 0.'ii'c 2 b6 l l .b4 �b7 1 2 .�c4
and Black is more comfortable with tt:le8N 1 3 .0-0 ti:ld6 and Black is for
better development and the option to choice with possibilities like . . . c7 -cS or
play . . . eS -e4 or . . . f7-fS ; . . . a7-aS or. . . f7 -fS ;

62
Chapter 5 - Queen's Pawn Openings

B) 5 .h3 c5 6.e3 cxd4 (6 . . . d6 7 .c3 b6 A decent alternative is 7 . . . b6 8 . 0-0 �b7


8 .�e2 �b7 9 . 0-0 tt:\bd7 transposes to the 9 .tLlbd2 tt:lbd7 1 0.�h2 �c7 1 1 .a4 tLle4
note to move 7) 7 .exd4 t2lc6 8 .c3 d6 1 2.tt:lxe4 �xe4 1 3 .lt:Jd2 �c6 1 4.�a6
9 .�e2 e5 1 O.dxeS dxeS 1 1 .tt:lxe5 tLldS �b7 1 S .'il'e2 �xa6 1 6.�xa6 .ll ab8
! 2 .tt:lxc6 bxc6 1 3 .�g3 .t:i.e8 1 4. 0-0 �xc3 1 7 . .t!.fe 1 �b7 1 8.�xb7 l:Ixb7=.
1 5 .�c 1 llxe2 1 6 .bxc3 �fS 1 7 .lt:Jf3 I!.c2
8. �d1 -b3
1 8 .'ti'h6 'il'f8 1 9 .'ti'h4 l::!.xc3 and White
has only partial compensation for the In case of 8.'il'c1 tt:lc6 9 . 0-0 �e6
pawn; 1 o .lt:Jbd2 cxd4 1 1 .exd4 llac8 1 2 . .t!.e 1
C) 5 .e4 dS! 6.�d3 (in case of 6.e5 !Ife8 1 3 .�e3 'il'd8 1 4.lt:Jfl �ds I slightly
tLlhS 7 .�e3 cS 8 .dxcS tt:lc6 9 .c3 lt:JxeS prefer Black due to his extra center pawn
1 0. tt:lxeS �xeS Black has more center and lead in development.
pawns and the better pawn structure)
8. ... �c8-e6
6 . . . c5 7 . dxc5 lt:Jbd7 8 . 0-0 dxe4 9.lt:Jxe4
9. 'll\V b3-a3?!
lt:Jxe4 1 0 . .txe4 lt:JxcS and Black wins the
bishop pair cleanly. 9.'il'xb6 axb6 1 0 .a3 .td7 1 1 .tLlbd2 �c6
1 2.0-0 tt:la6N 1 3 .I!.fe 1 lt:Jc7 1 4.�g3
4. ... d7-d6
.t!.fc8=; Black's active rook on a8 com­
5. h2-h3
pensates for his slightly inferior pawn
5 .�e2 0-0 6.0-0 tLlhS 7 .�g5 h6 8 .�h4 structure.
gS 9 .tLlfd2 gxh4 1 0 .�xh5 cS 1 1 .c3 tt:lc6
9. ... c5xd4
! 2 .f4 cxd4 1 3 .cxd4 lt:Jxd4N 1 4.exd4
�xd4+ 1 5 .�h 1 �xb2 1 6.lt:Jb3 �xa 1
1 7 .tt:lxa 1 �fS 1 8 .lt:Jb3 !lc8 and Black's .! �
damaged kingside is more than offset by .t. .t.
his 1 '!. pawn lead. 'iV
5. ... 0-0
6. �f1 �e2 c7-c5
7. c2-c3

1 0. c3xd4?

Instead, after 1 O. exd4 'il'c6 1 l .tLlbd2 bS


1 2 .0-0 aS 1 3 . .te3 'il'b7 1 4Jhc l lt:Jc6
Black's minority attack and extra center
pawn give him some advantage.

1 0. ... tt:Jf6-d5
1 1 . �f4-g3 tt:Jd5-b4
7. ... �d8-b6 1 2. we1 -d2?!

63
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 2.'�a4 �fS 1 3 .tt:la3 tt:ld3 + 1 4.�xd3


15 . .. . d6-d5
i.xd3 1 S . .!ld 1 �e4 1 6 . .!ld2 .!lc8 1 7. 0-0
4:Ja6 - Black has both the open file and
the bishop pair.

1 2. �e6-f5
1 3 . .!lh1 -c1 e7-e5
14. .!lc1 -c4?

Also after 1 4.dxe5 dxeS 1 5 .i.xeS i.xeS


1 6.4:Jxe5 tt:ld7 1 7 .4:Jxd7 .!lfd8 1 8 .We 1
.!lxd 7 , Black's huge lead in development
and safer king mean more than White's
extra pawn.
White resigned. Black will win the d­
14. ... tt:lb8-a6
pawn with a continued attack. A sample
1 5. �a3-a4?
continuation is 1 6 . .ld.c3 exd4 1 7 .exd4
In the event of 1 S .tt:lc3 dS 1 6 .1lxb4 .!lfc8 1 8 .i.xa6 4:Jxa6 1 9 .'�b3 tt:Jb4
4:Jxb4 Black is up the exchange with a 2 0 .tt:la3 �xd4 2 1 .4:Jxd4 'ifxd4+ 2 2 .We 1
much safer king. i.d3 and Black wins more material.

64
Chapter 6

Neo-Griinfeld
This name refers to lines in which Black plays the typical Griinfeld moves even though
White has not played tLlc3 . Usually this means that White has chosen an early kingside
fianchetto, although first in Game 6 . 1 we consider (after l .d4 tt:lf6 2.c4 g6) 3.f3 .

.! 'i\ .t '!¥ � •.t .!


.l.l.l.l.l.l ...
� ...

White aims for the Samisch Attack against the King's Indian or to exchange on dS (after
3 . . . d5) and then kick the knight when it has no opposing knight to capture. So I avoid
the problem by playing 3 ... li:Jc6 (as also recommended by Delchev and Agrest) , which
although it looks a bit cheeky has the virtue of making f2-f3 look silly. Its point was to
cover e4, but if Black focuses on d4 that becomes irrelevant, even harmful as li:Jf3 is
now illegal.

The remainder of this .chapter deals with 3.g3 �g7 (3 . . . c6, as recommended by
Avrukh, is much safer but basically it's playing for a draw) 4.�g2 dS .

65
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

The obvious try for an advantage is now S.cxdS lt:lxdS 6.e4 lt:lb6 7.lt:le2. We hit back at
the center with 7 ...c5 S.dS 0-0 9.0-0 e6. Black should defer the exchange of pawns
(which clears c4) until White has played either lt:lbc3 or a4. Normally Black develops
his knight to a6. Computers tend to like White due to the advanced passed pawn but
human experience suggests that Black has adequate piece play. See Game 6. 2.

I n Game 6.3 White simply ignores . . . dS and just plays lt:lf3 and castles. Black should
take on c4, and then when White plays tt:la3 to regain the pawn, give it back by . . . c3 !
followed by . . . cS , giving White the same weak pawns he gets in the Griinfeld Exchange
variation but without the big center to compensate. This line is not very promising for
White and not so popular any more.

In Game 6.4 White exchanges on dS but refrains from e4, just developing his knight to
f3 and castling. This is the main line now of the Neo-Griinfeld. Black should voluntarily
retreat his knight to b6 before castling, so as to be able to play . . . tt::l c 6 next with attack
on d4 to force the rather tame defense move e3. Then after both sides castle Black
should refrain from . . . e7 -eS due to d4-d5 , instead playing the 'improving move'
9 . . . l:le8 and if 1 0 . .!le 1 , another improving move: 1 0 . . . aS . Black needs to play sharply
and accurately in this position; one sloppy move can leave him with an awful game. As
of now it seems that Black is fine, but this is cutting-edge theory so I would keep
abreast of developments in this line. One of the key games in the notes was played just
days before my deadline.

KI 8 1 .2 (E60) Game 6.1 I like this move, endorsed by Delchev and


D Zhang Ziyang Agrest. f2 -f3 just begs for Black to attack
• Ni Hua the dark squares. Usually an early . . . tlJc6
Xinghua }iangsu, 2 0 1 1 (3) can be well met by d4-d5 , e4�e4, and
f3 -f4, but here this would lose a tempo.
1 . d2-d4 lt:lg8-f6
2. c2-c4 g7-g6 4. lt:lb1 -c3
3. f2-f3 lt:lb8-c6
A) 4.e4 eS and now:

I · .t � • .t. I I .t. 'if • .t. I


'� � � � � � ] � � � ;� � � �
� �· � � �
·� � .l
l
£::, .� £::,

Analysis diagram

66
Chapter 6 - Neo-Griinfeld

A 1 ) In case of S .dS tt:ld4 6 .ttle2 cS I fa­ S .e4 dxe4 6.dS tt:leS 7 .fxe4 �g7 8 .tt:lf3
vor Black due to the monster knight; tt:lfd 7 9 .�e 2 0-0 I O .tLlxeS �xeS
A2) S .tLle2 exd4 6.tt:lxd4 �g7 7.tt:lxc6 ( ! O . . . tLlxeS) I I ...th6 lle8 1 2 . 0-0 c6
bxc6 and I like Black due to the possibil­ 1 3 .�d2 tLlf6 1 4.h3 ..td7 I S . .!lad l
ity of getting in . . . d7 -dS in one go, which �c7 =. Black's powerful outpost bishop
would be impossible if this arose from a compensates for White's space edge.
King's Indian Defense;
5 . ... tt:Jf6xd5
A3) S .dxeS tt:lxeS 6.�e3 �g7 7 .tt:lc3
6. e2-e4 tt:Jd5xc3
0-0 8 .�d2 d6 9.b3 lle8 1 O .tLlge2 a6
7. b2xc3 e7-e5
1 l..l:i.d 1 ( 1 I .ttlf4 c6 1 2 .�e2 bS is simi­
lar) 1 l . . .bS 1 2.cxbS axbS 1 3 .tt:lxbS dS
and White is in trouble; .i ..t 'i¥ � 1: .i
B) 4.dS ttJeS S .e4 d6 and now: i i i i i
� i "
.i ..t 'if � ..t .i i
ii i ,i i i i � � "
ri � i � . � '
.�� -
� � -�
-� � J:t 1t 'li' w � tD J:t

� 15,: � � 8. d4-d5
J:t; tLJ �;'�i' w � l2S l:t
8 . ..tbS �d7 9.tt:le2 .2.g7 I O . ..te3 ( I O . .ti:b 1
Analysis diagram
tt:laS 1 1 .0-0 c6 1 2 .�d3 0-0 1 3 .�e3
B 1 ) 6.f4 tt:led7 7 .ttlc3 �g7 transposes �e6=) I 0 . . . 0-0 l l .dS tt:las 1 2 .�d3 ..th6 !
to next note; 1 3 . ..tf2 ( 1 3 . .2.xh6 �h4+) 1 3 . . . b6=.
B2) 6.tLlc3 �g7 7 .f4 tLled7 8 .ttlh3 Black plans . . .�e7 and . . . tt:laS-b7 -cS .
(8.tt:lf3 0-0 9.�e2 tt:lcS =) 8 . . . 0-0 9 . .ie2
8. ... tt:Jc6-a5
tt:lcS 1 O .tt:lf2 e6 1 1 .0-0 exdS 1 2.cxdS
9. h2-h4
.Ue8N 1 3 .�f3 hS 1 4.h3 aS I S Jie l tLlfd7
1 6 .�e3 b6=. It is hard to see any good 9 .�e3 c6=.
plan for White here;
9. ... .if8-c5
B3) 6.tt:le2 �g7 7 .tt:lbc3 0-0 8 .tt:ld4 c6
9.f4 tt:led7 ! O .dxc6 tt:lcS l l .�f3 .!le8 and 9 . . . �e7 1 0 .g3 0-0=. Black intends to
due to the threat of .. . e7 -eS , White cannot meet h4-hS by . . . g6-g S .
keep his extra pawn so he stands worse.
1 0. .ic1 -a3
4. ... d7-d5
I O .hS c6 1 1 .hxg6 fxg6=.
Black only plays this Griinfeld move when
1 0. ... �d8-d6
White has a knight on c3 to exchange.
1 1 . .ia3-b4 .ic5xb4
5. c4xd5 12. �d1 -a4+ �c8-d7

67
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

Black is a clean pawn up.


1 3. 'ifa4xb4 b7-b6
1 4. �f1 -a6 'it>e8-e7 28. h4-h5 l:rd8-d4
29. ld.f4xd4 ttJf5xd4
After 1 4 . . . 0-0 1 5 .h5 c5 1 6.'it'a3 f5 Black
30. h5xg6 h7xg6
has the initiative.
31 . :!lh1 -e1 + �e7-f6
1 5. 0-0-0 �d7-c8 32. l:te1 -e4?! l:rc8-c4
1 6. ..ia6-b5 a7-a6 33. .!1e4-f4+ �f6-g7
1 7. �b5-a4 l:ra8-b8 34. a2-a3 g6-g5
35. l:tf4-g4 ttJd4xf3
36. .!:!:g4-g3 ttJf3-d2+
37. 'it>b1-b2 ttJd2-e4
0-1

GI 1 . 3 (D7 2) Game 6.2


0 Bruzon Bautista,Lazaro
• Le Quang Liem
Havana, 2 0 I I (3)

1. d2-d4 ttJg8-f6
1 8. f3-f4?1 2. c2-c4 g7-g6
3. g2-g3 �f8-g7
1 8 .h5 jld7=.
4. �f1 -g2 d7-d5
1 8. ... �c8-g4 5. c4xd5 ttJf6xd5
1 9. ltJg1 -f3 e5xf4 6. e2-e4 ltJd5-b6
20. e4-e5?1 'ird6xb4 7. ltJg1 -e2 c7-c5
21. c3xb4 ttJa5-c4 8. d4-d5 0-0
22. l:rd1 -d4 ..ig4xf3 9. 0-0 e7-e6
23. d5-d6+ c7xd6
24. e5xd6+ ttJc4xd6
25. g2xf3 l:rb8-c8+
26. 'lt>c1 -b1 ttJd6-f5
27. l:rd4xf4 l:rh8-d8

1 0. ttJe2-c3

1 O.ltJbc3 exd5 1 1 .exd5 ..if5 1 2 .h3 (in


case of 1 2.tLle4 �xe4 1 3 ...ixe4 l:re8N

68
Chapter 6 - Neo-Griinfeld

1 4.�g2 c4 1 5 .ltJc3 tba6 1 6.a4 tbcS the


1 6. 'i¥d1 -d2
active black pieces and the weak squares
b3 and d3 give Black ample compensa­ 1 6.�b3 b6 1 7 .�b5 ( 1 7 . .l:!.fd 1 ttJb4=)
tion for the bishop pair) 1 2 . . . h5 1 3 .tbe4 1 7 . . . tt:Jb4 1 8 .'ilk'xd7 ..Q.xd7=. White has
tba6 1 4.tLl2c3 'ti'd7 1 5 .\t>h2 .l:!.fe8 and an advanced passer, but it is isolated, and
Black's piece activity easily offsets the Black's knight has a nice home;
passed pawn. 1 6 .a5 llac8 1 7 .1'ia4 is a bit better for
White, so I recommend . . . c4 on move 1 5 .
1 0. ... e6xd5?!
1 6. ... b7-b6
It is more accurate to play 1 O . . . tba6 first,
1 7. �e3-h6 tt:la6-b4
then 1 1 .a4 exdS 1 2 .exd5 transposes to
1 8. �h6xg7 'it>g8xg7
the game.
Although the exchange of bishops weak­
1 1 . e4xd5 tt:lb8-a6
ened Black's king, on balance I think it fa­
1 2. a2-a4?!
vored Black as his remaining bishop is su­
Better was 1 2 .ltJd2, which would not perior to White's.
have much point had Black postponed the
1 9. b2-b3 l:Ia8-d8
pawn exchange on dS.
20. 'i¥d2-b2 f7-f6
1 2 . . ... tt:lb6-c4 21. .ld.a 1 -d 1 l:If8-e8
22. l:!.d1 -d2

1 3. tt:Jb1 -d2
22 . ... �f5-d3
1 3 .ltJa3 ltJeS 1 4.h3 tt:lb4 1 5 .�e3 ?
( 1 5 .ltJe4 b6=) 1 5 . . . b6 1 6.'ti'e2 �fs 22 . . . h5 ! 2 3 .h4 tt:ld3 24.'ti'a 1 lleS favors
1 7 ..l:Ifd 1 'lli'd 7 was Nakamura-Topalov, Black as now f2 -f4 would leave g3 too
Monaco (blindfold) 2 0 1 1 . Black is clearly weak.
better, though White won.
23. l:tf1 -d1 'tWd7-f5
1 3 . ... tt:lc4xd2 24. h2-h3 h7-h5
1 4. �c1 xd2 �c8-f5 25. tt:Jc3-a2 �d3-c2
1 5. �d2-e3 'f¥d8-d7 26. lld1 -f1 tt:lb4xa2
27. l:rd2xc2 tt:la2-b4
1 5 . . . c4 was probably better and equal.

69
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

28. l:rc2-d2 h5-h4


29. �g1 -h2 Wk'f5-g5

47. l:rg4xg7 �h6xg7


48. .§l.f3-g4 Wk'f6-c6+
49. �h1 -h2 Wk'c6-e4
30. g3-g4? 50. Wk'c3-d2 Wg7-g6
51. �h2-g1 �g6-g5
Apparently White had overlooked that
52. Wg1 -h2 wg5-g6
this allows Black to transfer the knight to
53. Wk'd2-c1 f4-f3
d4.
54. Wk'c1 -c4 Wk'e4-e5+
30. ... Wk'g5-f4+ 55. �h2-h1 Wk'e5-e1 + 0-1
31 . �h2-h1 tt:lb4-c6!

It is headed for d4, where the knight will GI 2 . 1 4 (D7 7) Game 6.3
obviously be better than the White D Maiorov,Nikita
bishop. • Gharamian,Tigran
Lille, 20 I I (6)
32. Wk'b2-c3 a7-a5
33. �d2-d3 tt:lc6-d4 1. d2-d4 tt:lg8-f6
34. l:rd3-e3 tt:ld4-e2 2. c2-c4 g7-g6
35. .l:te3xe8 I:td8xe8 3. tt:lg1 -f3 �f8-g7
36. Wk'c3-d3 tt:le2-d4 4. g2-g3 0-0
37. �h1 -g1 f6-f5
I would play 4 . . . d5 first as explained in
38. g4xf5 g6xf5
the notes to Carlsen-Giri. After 5 . .ig2
39. �g1 -h 1 �g7-h7
dxc4 6 .LLla3 c3 ! 7.bxc3 cS 8.0-0 0-0 we
40. Wk'd3-c4 wh7-h6
are back to the current game.
41 . d5-d6 �f4xd6
42. l:rf1 -g1 �d6-f6 5. �f1-g2 d7-d5
43. �g2-f3 l:!.e8-d8 6. 0-0 d5xc4
44. �c4-c1 + f5-f4 7. tt:lb1 -a3 c4-c31
45. Wk'c1 -c3 l:!.d8-d7
It is wise to damage White's pawn struc­
46. l:rg1 -g4 l:!.d7-g7
ture this way.
With an extra pawn and a super knight vs.
8. b2xc3 c7-c5
a bishop, Black is winning.

70
Chapter 6 - Neo-Griinfeld

>

;,;,�i'-� l!' -� ""


�� l�� &.��

Ci5 't{ � . tb ��
�' � �' � . �
.s: �"� l:! FJt

9. e2-e3 1 6. <;t>g1 -h1 ??

After 9 .tLle5 tLlc6 l O .tLlxc6 bxc6 1 L �.xc6 1 6.tLlb3 ! �xb3 1 7 .axb3 'i¥xb3 1 8 .f4
�h3 1 2 . .!le i .ll c 8 1 3 .�f3 i:Yas 1 4.'i¥d2 'iiHe6 and White has the bishop pair and a
.l:lfd8 Black's compensation for the pawn pawn center for the pawn. I would prefer
is obvious; Black's chances, but it's a game.
9 .tLlc4 tt:lc6 1 O.tLlfeS tLldS 1 1 .�b2 llb8 -
1 6. ... �b6-b2
Black is doing fine here.
1 7. tt:Ja3-c4 �e6xc4
9. ... tt:Jb8-c6 1 8. �e2xc4 c5xd4
1 0. �d1 -e2 1 9. c3xd4 tt:Jc6xd4
20. �c4-a4
1 0 .�b2 'i¥b6 1 1 .'i¥e2 ( 1 1 .tLlc4 �a6
1 2 .tLlce5 �fS =) 1 1 . . . �f5 and now:
A) 1 2 . .l:!.fc 1 .l:lfd8 1 3 .tLlc4 (in case of
1 3 .�fl tt:laS 1 4. tLleS .l:l:ac8 1 5 . tt:lac4
tt:lxc4 1 6 .tLlxc4 'i¥e6 Black's more active
pieces more than offset White's extra cen­
ter pawn) 1 3 . . . 'i¥a6 1 4.�fl 'i¥a4=;
B) 1 2 . .!lfd 1 l::rfd 8 1 3 . tLlc4 (after
1 3 .�fl tt:laS 1 4. tLleS .!lac8 Black has the
initiative; White can do little) 1 3 . . . �a6
1 4.�fl 'i¥a4=.

1 0. ... �c8-f5 20. ... �b2-c2!N


1 1 . J::if1 -d1 �d8-b6
The game went 20 . . . 'i!Hb5 ? ! 2 1 .�xb5
1 2. �c1 -d2
tLlxbS . White has only the bishop pair for
1 2 .�b2 transposes to the previous note. the pawn, which is not enough: 2 2 .tLlfl
tt:le8 2 3 . .!lab 1 .l:!.xd 1 2 4 . .!lxd 1 tt:led6
1 2. ..
. l::tf8-d8
2 5 .f4 tt:lc3 2 6.�xc3 l:Ixc3 2 7 .e4 f6
13. �d2-e1 J::ia8-c8
2 8 . .l:!.d5 '>itf7 29.e5 fxeS 3 0. fxe5 tt:lc8
1 4. tt:Jf3-d2 �f5-g4
3 1 .�h3 tLlb6 3 2 .e6+ Wf6 3 3 .l!b5 .Rh6
1 5. f2-f3 �g4-e6
3 4.Ub2 �gS 3 5 .Wg2 ?! tt:lc4 3 6 . .!lf2+

71
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

�e5 3 7 . .l:!.e2 + �d6 3 8.�f2 b5 3 9 . .ig2


4. ... d 7-d5
aS 40.h4 .if6 4 1 ..ib7 a4 42 .tLlh2 �c5
5. c4xd5 tt:Jf6xd5
43 .tt:lf3 h6 44.tLlh2 b4 45 ..ie4 g 5
6. ttlg1 -f3 tt:Jd5-b6!
46.hxg5 hxg5 47 .tt:Jg4 .i g 7 48.�g2 b 3
49.axb3 .l:!.xb3 s o .tt:Jf2. a3 5 1 ..ic2 lle3 It is best to play this before castling, as ex­
5 2 .tLld3 + �b6 and White resigned. plained in the note to move 8 .

21 . �a4-a3 tt:Jd4-e2 7. ttlb1 -c3


22. �g2-f1 tt:Jf6-e8
7 . 0-0 tbc6 8.e3 0-0 9 .tt:Jc3 transposes to
23. �f1 xe2 .ig7xa1
the game, but gives Black the extra option
24. .l:!.d1 xa1 J:!.d8xd2
of 8 . . . e5 which is said to be drawish,
25. .ie1 xd2 �c2xd2
though the engine prefers White there.
26. �a3-d3 llc8-c2
27. �d3xd2 J:!.c2xd2 7. ... tt:lb8-c6
28. .ie2-f1 tt:Je8-d6

8. e2-e3

Black has a pawn plus the dominating If both sides had already castled White
rook on the seventh rank. He should win. could play 9 .d5 now and answer
9 . . . .ixc3 by I O.dxc6, but as it is 8 .d5 ?
just loses a pawn to 8 . . . .ixc3 +.
GI 1 . 1 0 (D7 1 ) Game 6.4 8 .0-0 tt:Jxd4 9.tLlxd4 'f!ixd4 I O .tLlbS and
D Carlsen,Magnus now:
• Giri,Anish A) I O . . . 'i¥e5 I l .a4 0-0 1 2 . .if4 'f!ixb2
Wijk aan Zee, 20 I I (3) 1 3 .tt:Jxc7 ( 1 3 . .l:!.b l 'flia2 I 4.tt:Jxc7 l:Ib8
1 5 .tLld5 e5 1 6.tt:lxb6 axb6 I 7 . .id5 'i¥a3
1. d2-d4 tt:lg8-f6
I 8 . .ic i 'iYe7 I 9 .'f!ib3 l:Id8) I 3 .. Jib8
2. c2-c4 g7-g6
( 1 3 . . . 'f!ixa I 1 4.'f!ixa 1 .ixa 1 1 5 . .l:!.xa I
3. g2-g3 .tf8-g7
.l:!.b8 1 6 .tLld5 .l:!.a8 1 7 .tt:lc7 .l:!.b8 with a
4. �f1 -g2
draw by repetition) I 4.a5 ;
4.tt:lc3 d5 5 .cxd5 tLlxdS 6 . .ig2 tLlb6 7 .e3 B) I O . . . ifc4 I I .'f!ib3 0-0 I 2 .'flixc4
0-0 8 .tLlge2 (8 .tLlf3 transposes to the tt:Jxc4 I 3 . tt:lxc7 .l:!.b8 I 4.tLld5 .ie6
game) 8 ... e5 9 .0-0 exd4 I o.tt:Jxd4 'file?= I 5 .tt:Jxe 7 + �h8 I 6.tt:ld5 .

72
Chapter 6 - Neo-Griinfeld

pensation for White's extra center pawn)


8. ... 0-0
1 2.'i1!Vb 1 tbc6 1 3 .'iYc2 Black can now re­
9. 0-0 l:[f8-e8
peat for a draw or play I 3 . . . a4 as in the
Black makes useful quiet moves rather last note;
than provoke d4-dS by . . . e7 -eS . 1 l .'&'e2 and now:
A) I would avoid 1 1 . . . �g4 1 2 .h3 �e6
1 0. l:[f1 -e1
1 3 .b3 a4 1 4.Ilb 1 axb3 1 S .axb 3 . This was
1 O.dS tt:laS 1 1 .tt:ld4 �d7 1 2 .e4 (in the Gelfand-Grischuk, Kazan Candidates'
event of 1 2 .tt:lb3 tt:lxb3 1 3 .axb3 c6 2 0 1 1 , won nicely b y White. Now
1 4.dxc6 hc6 1 S .e4 �d4 White's bad 1 S . . .�fS is not good due to 1 6.e4, but
pawn structure offsets his modest mobil- with the pawn still on h2 Black would
ity advantage) 1 2 . . . l:[c8 (postponing the have . . . �g4;
choice between . . . c7 -c6 and . . . c7 -cS for B) 1 1 . . . �e6 and now:
one move) 1 3 . l:[e 1 c6 1 4.�f4 cS 1 S .tt:lf3
tbac4 1 6 .�c I e6 1 7 .dxe6 �xe6 and
Black has the advantage, due to White's
problem developing his dark-squared
bishop;
I O .'&'e2 eS 1 1 .dxeS tbxeS 1 2 .tt:lxeS
�xeS 1 3 .lld l ( 1 3 . e4 �e6 1 4. l:::t d 1
'&'f6=) 1 3 . . .'&'e7 1 4.e4 c6 1 S .�e3 �e6
1 6.f4 �g7 1 7 .eS f6 1 8.exf6 '&'xf6
1 9 .�d4 '&'f7 2 0 .�xg7 'iYxg7 2 1 .'iYf2
Analysis diagram
�fS= .
B 1 ) 1 2 .tt:ld2 lbb4 1 3 .l:::td 1 ( 1 3 .tbde4?
1 0. ... a7-a5
�c4 1 4.'&'d2 was seen in Tegshuren­
Kaufman, Rockville blitz 20 1 1 . After
1 4 . . . eS Black is much better) 1 3 . . . c6
1 4.a3 tt:l4dS 1 S .tbce4 '&'c8 1 6.tbcS �g4
and now:
B 1 1 ) In case of 1 7 .f3 �h3 1 8 .�xh3
'&'xh3 1 9 .tt:lde4 ( 1 9 .tt:lxb 7 ? ! tbxe3
2 0 .'&'xe3 '&'d7 2 1 .tt:lcS '&'xd4 wins a
pawn) 1 9 . . . '&'c8= Black's better bishop
makes up for White's better knight on cS ;
B 1 2) 1 7 .iH3 (Bacrot-Robson, Khanty­
Mansiysk 2 0 1 1 ) 1 7 . . . h S ! = 1 8 .tbde4 tt:lf6
1 1 . '&'d1 -d2?!
1 9 .tt:lxf6 + ? ! exf6 ! 20 .e4 fS 2 l .eS tbd7
In case of l l .'&'c2 lbb4 (or 1 l . . .a4 2 2 .tt:lxd7 '&'xd7 23 .�f4 a4 Black can de­
1 2 .Ild l �g4N 1 3 .h3 �d7 1 4.'i!Ve2 'i!Vc8 velop his rook to aS. After the bishops are
1 S ."iH1 lbb4 1 6.a3 tbc6=; the weak traded he will retain the better bishop
squares b3 and c4 give Black ample com- and pressure on d4;

73
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

B2) 1 2.b3N a4 1 3 .l:tb l axb3 1 4.axb3 1 9.c4 lbxc4 20 .�b4 tt:'ld6 2 l .�e3 �f8
..ifs 1 S .l:tb2 eS 1 6.dxe5 �e7 = ; White has some but not enough compen­
B 3 ) 1 2 .l:td l �c4 1 3 .�c2 lbb4 sation for the pawn.
1 4.'iWb l eS 1 S .a3 exd4 1 6.axb4 dxc3
1 9. ... e5-e4
1 7 . llxd8 .ll a xd8 1 8 .�c2 axb4 and
although Black has only rook and two
pawns for the queen, the threat of . . . b3 is
hard to meet.
11. ... e7-e5
1 2. d4-d5 tt:lc6-b4
1 3. e3-e4 c7-c6
1 4. a2-a3 c6xd5
1 5. a3xb4 a5xb4
1 6. .l:Ia1 xa8 b4xc3
1 7. b2xc3 tt:lb6xa8 20. tt:lf3-g5?

After 2 0.lbd4 �xdS 2 1 .�e2 �d7 Black


is just a pawn up.
20. ... e4-e3
21. �d2-b2?!

Better was 2 l .�d3 ..ifs 2 2 .�b5 �d7


2 3 .'ifd3 �xgS 24.�xe3 �f6 2 S .c4 tt:'la4,
but White has way too little compensa­
tion for the lost knight.
21 . ... �d8xg5
1 8. e4xd5?! 22. �c1 xe3 �g5-g4 0-1

Probably Carlsen was trying to avoid a It's not often that Carlsen loses in 2 2
draw against a lower-rated opponent: moves with White, but a poor opening
1 8.'iWxdS tt:'lb6=. followed by three consecutive bad moves
will do the trick. I guess if you are going to
1 8. ... tt:la8-b6
make this many errors in a tournament, it's
1 9. .l:Ie1 -d1 ?
wise to get them all in in one game!

74
Chapter 7

Grunfeld Defense - Non-Exchange lines

This chapter covers all the lines after l .d4 tt:lf6 2.c4 g6 3.tt:lc3 d5 in which White does
not exchange pawns immediately on dS .

.i � .i. iV � .i. .i
' ' ' ' ' '
�'
'
� �
t2J
� � � � � �
.t[ .iil 'iY � .iil lLJ .tl

This includes lines with an early e2-e3 , lines with kgS on move 4 or S , lines with �f4
on move 4 or S , the Russian System, based on �b3 to recapture on c4 with the queen,
and miscellaneous white tries. The one common theme in all these lines is that Black
almost never should play passively. That means no early ... c7 -c6 to defend dS. Usually
Black will take on c4 (unless White can recapture with his fl bishop) and/or play an
early . . . c7 -cS . This normally forces White to play concretely, meaning he cannot just
make moves by general principles, he must calculate variations.
In Game 7 . I we look at unusual white fourth moves, such as h2-h4, g2-g4, and
�a4+. This last move intends to play the Russian System with Black's bishop on d7
rather than c8. This does spoil some of Black's options, but it creates a new one, namely
a surprising . . . b7 -bS ! on move 8. The other moves aren't very good, as 4.h4 is met by
fighting in the center with 4 . . . cS while 4.g4 is met by 4 . . . dxc4, clearing a square for
the knight to move to if attacked.
In Game 7 . 2 we look at lines with 4.e3. Lately White has been playing this with the
idea of trading twice on dS and then playing ttJg l -e2-c3 to hit the queen, which we
meet by . . . c7 -cS d4-dS e7 -e6 and isolating the queen's pawn. If White just develops
and castles without trading on dS, Black plays a quick . . . c7 -cS and finds himself playing
the Tarrasch Defense, where White's extra tempo is only enough to equalize.
Against 4.�g5 tt:le4 5 .�h4, we trade knights and take on c4, meeting 7 .e3 by
7 . . . ke6 to guard the pawn. If we want equality we soon play . . . c7 -cS (Game 7 . 3 ) . If we
want to go for the win, we defend the pawn by a quick . . . ttJd7 -b6 as in Game 7 .4.

75
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

When .tg5 is played on the fifth move (after 4.tLlf3 �g7) it is usually with the idea of
meeting 5 ...tbe4 either by 6.cxd5 , sacrificing the bishop pair (Game 7 . 5 ) or by 6.�f4
(Game 7 . 6 ) . In the former case Black has a pleasant choice between trying to demon­
strate that the bishops make up for a possible white minority attack or offering a gam­
bit pawn, for which he receives rich compensation. I give both options. In case of
6.�f4 we trade knights and play . . . c7 -c5 , which usually leads to an early queen ex­
change. White retains central dominance, but in the endgame Black's queenside major­
ity should play a role so chances are close to even.
Now we come to the lines involving 4.�f4 (or 4.tLlf3 .tg7 5.�f4, which may trans­
pose) . White can play either 5 .tbf3 or 5.e3 (we meet the rare 5 Jlc l by 5 ... tt:lh5) but in
both cases I recommend castling on move 5 . Now if White plays whichever move he
did not play on move 5 ,

we play 6 ...c5 7 .dxc5 tbe4 which equalizes; see Game 7 . 7 . I f White fails to defend his
pawn on move 6, we take it (5.tbf3 0-0 6 . .l:!:cl dxc4) and meet 7 .e4 by ... �g4, . . . tbh5 ,
and ... �xf3 which sacrifices the bishop pair to inflict doubled backward pawns and an
isolated pawn on White, a roughly even deal; see Game 7 . 8 .
I f White accepts the gambit after 5.e3 0-0 by taking twice o n d 5 and then o n c 7 , the
move 8 . . . tt:la6 ! regains the pawn and leaves Black with the bishop pair to offset his infe­
rior pawn structure and inferior center. A few accurate moves give Black full equality
(Game 7 . 9 ) .
Finally we come to 5.e3 0-0 6 ..l:!:cl , which I believed until recently to favor White. I t
now seems that 6 ...�e6! 7.�3 c5 ! leaves White with n o advantage a t all, while 7.tLlf3
dxc4 is no better (Game 7 . 1 0) . I have often played �f4 lines as White, as they are quite
tricky and promise an edge in most variations, but apparently they yield nothing
against precise play.

Finally we come to the Russian System (4.tbf3 �g7 5 .�3 dxc4 6.'i¥xc4 0-0 7.e4) ,
which is my recommended line for White.

76
Chapter 7 - Griinfeld Defense - Non-Exchange lines

.! � j_ if ,.! • �

� � � � � j_ �
.- � .._ ,

I conclude in the White portion of the book that only the Hungarian Variation (7 . . . a6)
gives Black near-equality, so I must recommend it here. White has two main options
against this. He can play the aggressive 8.e5 bS 9.�b3 tt:Jfd7 1 0.e6 ! fxe6 l l .�e3 , after
which White attacks the queenside after the recommended l l tt:Jf6 or the kingside af­
..•

ter the dubious I I .. .lLJb6. Black should return the pawn by 1 2.a4 b4! , after which his
better development and piece activity compensate fully for his inferior pawn structure
(Game 7 . 1 1 ) . Or White can play the positional 8.�e2 which we meet by 8 . .b5 9.'in>3 .

cS ! l O.dxcS �e6 l l .�c2 tt:Jbd7!. This leads to positions where White has won the
bishop pair at the price of an isolated d-pawn and a slight inferiority in piece place­
ment. I won't claim that Black has 1 00% equality here (if I did I couldn't recommend
this for White) , but I think he is closer to equality than in other major defenses to the
Queen's Gambit. Moreover, the positions are rich enough that either side can reason­
ably play for a win. See Game 7. 1 2 .

GI 3 . 1 (D80) Game 7.1 9 .tt:lf3 tt:lc6 1 o.tt:lgs .l:ld8+ 1 1 ...t>c2 tt:ld4+


D Cebalo,Miso 1 2 . ..t>b 1 hS and White is suffering;
• Riazantsev,Alexander B) 4.'i\Va4+ �d7 5 .'�"b3 dxc4 6.'ilk'xc4
Biel, 2009 (5) �g7 and now:

1. d2-d4 tt:Jg8-f6
2. c2-c4 g7-g6
3. tt:Jb1 -c3 d7-d5

In this game we look at various rare lines


White can try:
4. h2-h4?1

A) 4.g4?! dxc4 5 .h3 �g7 6.e4 cSN


7 .dxcS (after 7 .dS bS White is already in
serious trouble) 7 .. .'itk'xd l + 8 . ..t>xd 1 �e6 Analysis diagram

77
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

B 1 ) 7 .�f4 tt:la6 8.e4 0-0 9 .tt:lf3 cS Three minor pieces are a match for queen
1 0 .e5 (in case of 1 0 .d5 bS 1 1 .tLlxb5 and pawn, but here it is queen and two
tt:Jxe4 1 2 .ihe4 �xb S , Black's safer king pawns so Black is better;
and better development give him the B22) 8 .ti:Jf3 bS 9.ti:Jxb5 tt:lxe4
edge) 1 O . . . �e6 1 1 .exf6 �xc4 1 2.fxg7 B 2 2 1 ) I O .tt:lxc7 tbc6 1 l .ti:Jxa8 'IiVaS +
�xf1 1 3 .gxf8'iV+ 'iVxf8 1 4.Wxfl cxd4 1 2.�d2 ti:Jxd2 1 3 .ti:Jxd2 tt:lxd4 1 4.tt:lc7
1 5 .tLlxd4 ttJb4N 1 6 . .l:i.d 1 l'ld8 1 7 . a3 tt:ldS �c6)
1 8 . tt:lde2 tt:lxf4 1 9 .ti:Jxf4 .!:i:xd l +
2 0 .ti:Jxd 1 'i:Vd8 .

Analysis diagram

The c7 knight is doomed, and after its


Analysis diagram
capture Black will enjoy an overwhelm­
Rook and two knights are a tad better ing position despite being the exchange
than queen and two pawns, so White is down;
effectively a bit over a pawn ahead. How­ B 2 2 2 ) 1 0.'iVxc7 ti:Jc6 1 l .�d3 tt:lb4
ever White has problems getting his rook 1 2 .�xe4 �xb5 1 3 .'i¥xd8 .l:!.axd8 1 4.�d2
out, which gives Black a nice initiative ti:Jd3 + 1 5 .�xd3 �xd3 I 6 .�c3 �e4
which should equalize the chances. 1 7 .We2 .l:i.d6 - Black's bishop pair and
B2) 7 .e4 0-0 and now: pressure on the weak d4 pawn fully offset
B 2 1 ) 8 .e5 �e6 9.exf6 �xc4 1 0 .fxg7 White's extra pawn.
<bxg7 1 1 .i.xc4 'iVxd4
4. ... c7-c5!

Analysis diagram
5. d4xc5

78
Chapter 7 - Griinfeld Defense - Non-Exchange lines

After S . cxdS li:JxdS 6 . dxc5 li:Jxc3


1 2. �e2-d3 �f5xd3
7 .�xd8+ 'it>xd8 8.bxc3 .ig7 9 .\t>d2
1 3. �d1 xd3 a7-a6
li:Jd7 ! N 1 o . .Qa3 li:Jf6 l l .f3 lt:Jhs 1 2.li:Jh3
li:Jg3 1 3 .llg l <j;; c 7 1 4. Wc2 lld8 1 5 .e4 1 3 .. J:te8+ ! 1 4.'it>fl li:Jb4 1 5 .�b3 d3
li:Jxfl 1 6. Ziaxfl .Qe6 Black's better devel- Black has a winning attack.
opment, bishop pair, and much better
14. tt:Jb5-c7 .l:!.a8-c8
pawn structure more than offset White's
1 5. a2-a3 l;'!.c8xc7
extra pawn.
1 6. �f4xc7 �d8xc7
5. ... d5-d4
6. tt:Jc3-b5 e7-e5
7. e2-e3

The alternative 7 .b4 a6 8.�a4 li:Jc6


9 .�gS �d7 1 O .li:Jd6+ kxd6 l l .cxd6 h6
1 2 . .Qxf6 �xf6 1 3 .c5 e4 is awful for
White.

7. ... �f8xc5
8. e3xd4 e5xd4
9. lt:Jg1 -f3 0-0
So Black 'settled' for winning two pieces
1 0. �f1 -e2 tt:Jb8-c6
for a rook, with a clearly winning posi­
tion.
K A "iV
1 7. b2-b4 .l:i.f8-e8+
i i
1 8. 'it>e1 -f1 �c5-f8
. �� 1 9. l:ta1 -d1 a6-a5
tt:'J A 20. b4-b5 tt:Jc6-e5
� i 21 . tt:Jf3xe5 �c7xe5
22. .l:i.h1 -h3 �f8xa3
23. �d3xd4 �e5-e2+
24. 'it>f1 -g1 �a3-c5 0-1

I owe my own Grandmaster title to a win


1 1 . �c1 -f4?
over the loser of this game.
Better is l l .kgs a6 1 2 .lt:Jc3 dxc3
1 3 .�xd8 .!lxd8 1 4.kxf6 cxb2 1 S . .ixb2
.Qfs , but Black's better pawn structure GI 3 . 1 (D80) Game 7.2
and better development give him a clear 0 Zivanic,Marko
advantage. • Kritz,Leonid
Brownsville, 2 0 I 0 ( I )
11. . . . �c8-f5
1 . d2-d4 lt:Jg8-f6
White has no good answer to the threat
2. c2-c4 g7-g6
of . . .d3 .

79
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

We now have a position from the Tarrasch


3. tt:Jb1 -c3 d7-d5
Defense to the Queen's Gambit but with
4. e2-e3 jLf8-g7
colors reversed. Black is therefore down a
tempo, but the Tarrasch Defense is
thought to give White some advantage, so
even a tempo down Black has equality
here: 9 .h3 �e6 1 O.cS tLle4 1 l .�f4
'tiNaS = ; or 9.lle 1 �e6 1 0.cS tLle4=; or
9.cS tLle4 1 0 .�e3 b6=.
B) S .'itb3 dxc4 6 . .ixc4 0-0 7 .tt:Jf3 cS
8 .dxcS (the computer calls the position
even after 8.dS a6 9 .a4 tLlbd7 1 0 .0-0
tt::l e 8 1 l .e4 tt::l d 6 1 2 .�f4 'itaS 1 3 .4Jd2
tt::l e S 1 4.lt.e2 jLd7 , but I think that the
5. c4xd5
well-placed knights and mobile black
A) S .tt::l f3 0-0 and now: queenside give Black the nod) 8 . . . tt:lbd7
A 1 ) 6 .�d2 cS 7.dxcS tt:la6 8 .cxdS 9 .'ita3 'itc7 1 0.b4 tLleS 1 1 .tLlxeS 'iVxeS
tLlxcS 9 .�c4 a6 1 0 .a4 �fs 1 1 .0-0 .l:rc8 1 2 . .ib2 'itgS - since castling kingside
1 2.tLld4 �e4 1 3 .'t�He2 �xdS 1 4.tLlxdS loses the exchange here, White will have
tLlxdS 1 S J:rfd 1 e6 1 6 .�e 1 'iYgS=; Black's problems with his king. Black has full
better piece placement and the weak compensation for the pawn.
squares b3 and b4 offset the bishop pair;
5. ... tt:Jf6xd5
A2) 6 .b4 c6 7 .�b2 aS 8.bS a4 9 . .ia3
6. tt:Jc3xd5
�e6=;
A3) 6 .�e2 cS 7 . 0-0 (after 7 . dxcS dxc4 6.�c4 tLlb6 7 .�b3 0-0 8 .tLlf3 cS 9 . 0 -0
8 .0-0 �aS 9.�xc4 �xeS 1 0 .�b3 tt::l c 6 cxd4 1 0 .exd4 tLlc6 1 l .dS tLlaS 1 2 .lle 1
1 l .e4 �g4 1 2 .�e3 �aS 1 3 .h3 llad8 �g4 1 3 .h3 �xf3 1 4.�xf3 lle8 1 S .lld 1
1 4.'i¥e2 �xf3 1 S .�xf3 tLld7 1 6 .llfd 1 e6 tt::l x b3 1 6 .axb3 tLlc8 1 7 . .t e3 'i1lV d 7
1 7 . 'it e2 tLlcS Black kills the bishop pair 1 8 .'ite2 a6 = . Black's better pawn struc­
and retains the better position) 7 .. . cxd4 ture offsets White's space advantage.
8 . exd4 tt::l c 6. The knight will be a great blockader on
d6.

6. ... �d8xd5
7. tt:Jg1 -e2 0-0
8. tt:Je2-c3 �d5-d8
9. jLf1 -e2 c7-c5
1 0. d4-d5 e7-e6
11. e3-e4 e6xd5
1 2. e4xd5 b7-b6

Avrukh recommends 1 2 . . . 'itb6 with


Analysis diagram ideas like . . . tt::l a 6 and . . . .ifs .

80
Chapter 7 - Griinfeld Defense - Non-Exchange lines

GI 3 . 7 (080) Game 7.3


1 3. 0-0 ]Lc8-b7
0 Gelfand,Boris
• Kamsky,Gata
Kazan, 20 I I (2)

1. d2-d4 tLlg8-f6
2. c2-c4 g7-g6
3. tLlb1 -c3 d 7-d5
4. �c1 -g5 tLlf6-e4
5. �g5-h4 tLle4xc3
6. b2xc3 d5xc4
7. e2-e3 ]Lc8-e6
8. tLlg1 -f3 c7-c5
1 4. �d1 -b3
If Black wants to play for a win he can try
1 4.�f3 lt:Jd7 1 5 J�e 1 (in case of 1 5 .d6 to hold the pawn by 8 . . . gg7 9 .ge2
�xf3 1 6.'i¥xf3 'i¥f6 1 7 .'i¥d5 'i¥e5 = the tt::l b 6, transposing to Avrukh-Popilski
advanced passer is a bit weak) 1 5 . . . tt::l e 5 below.
1 6.�e2 'i¥d6= and although the queen is
9. �f1 -e2 ]l.f8-g7
not the best blockader, Black can expand
1 0. 0-0 0-0
on either wing.
1 1 . l::t a 1 -b1 c5xd4!
1 4. ... �d8-d6
In an earlier game in the match Kamsky
This is recommended by grandmaster played 1 1 . . . �d5 ? and should have lost.
Delchev. The game move 1 4 . . . lt:Jd7 wasn't
bad, but it seems better to blockade the
.� � 'if .� �
passer and to prevent �f4.
J.' J. J. J. A J.
The actual game went : 1 4 . . . tt::l d 7
A J.
1 5 . � e 3 ( 1 5 .�f4 a6 1 6.a4 J;l e 8 1 7 .nfe I
�d4=) 1 5 . . . �d4 1 6 . J;lad 1 �xe3
1 7 .fxe3 'i¥g5 1 8 .e4 'i¥e3 + 1 9 .�h 1
lt:Je5 2 0 . a4 �ab8 2 I .J;lde 1 �g7 2 2..�.a6
'i¥g5 2 3 .�xb7 llxb7 2 4 .tt::l b 5 J;ld7
2 S .'i¥c3 �g8 2 6 .lt:Ja3 J;le8 2 7 .a5 bxaS
2 8 .'i¥xa5 tt::l d 3 2 9 . J;l d 1 J;lxd5 3 Q .J;ld2
1 2. tLlf3xd4
llxe4 3 1 .'i¥xa7 J;Ifs 3 2 . J;ldd 1 nxfl +
3 3 . llxfl 'i¥f4 3 4.na 1 tt:Jc 1 and White 1 2 .cxd4 'i¥d7 1 3 .tt::l g 5 �dS 1 4.e4 �c6
resigned. 1 5 ..ixc4 'i¥xd4N 1 6 .'i¥b3 e6 1 7 . J;lbd 1
'i¥b2 1 8 .�xe6 'i¥xb3 1 9 .�xb3 tt::l d 7=i=. I
1 5. J:rf1 -d1 tLlb8-d7=
would rather play Black here due to the
Black will centralize his rooks. The pres­ pressure on the e4 pawn and the excel­
sure on the dS pawn restricts White's ac­ lent coordination of the black minor
tivity. pieces.

81
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 2 . ... �e6-d5
1 3. 'iYd1 -c2 'iYd8-d7
1 4. l:If1 -d1

1 4.e4 .Q.c6 1 5 ..Q.xc4 .Q.xd4 1 6.cxd4


'iYxd4 1 7 . .ll fe 1 e6 1 8 . .Q.e7 .ll c 8 1 9 . llbd 1
'iYeS = . White's bishop pair and better de­
velopment j ust offset Black's extra pawn.

1 4. ... �g7xd4
1 5. c3xd4
Draw agreed here. A likely continuation
1 S .e4 �eS 1 6..i'hd5 'iYc7 1 7 .g3 f6 would have been 2 3 . . . exf6 24 . .!:tbxc3
1 8.'ij'a4 �g7=. .llx c3 2 S ..!hc3 l:rf7 26.l!c6 .ll e 7 and
White's more active rook is balanced by
1 5. ... 'iYd7-e6
his inferior pawn structure. A draw is the
1 6. �e2-f3 �d5xf3
proper outcome.
1 7. g2xf3 tt:Jb8-d7

GI 3 . 7 (D80) Game 7.4


D Avrukh,Boris
• Popilski,Gil
Israel tt, 20 I 0 (9)

1. d2-d4 tt:Jg8-f6
2. c2-c4 g7-g6
3. tt:Jb1 -c3 d 7-d5
4. �c1 -g5 tt:Jf6-e4
5. �g5-h4
1 8. 'iYc2-e4
S .�f4 ti:Jxc3 6.bxc3 jLg7 7 .e3 cS 8 .ti:Jf3
1 8 . llxb7 llfb8 1 9 .d5 'iYh3 2 0 . llxb8+ transposes to the game Elianov-Kovchan .
.!:i.xb8 2 l .'iYe4 Ilb2 22 ..Q.xe7 c3 23 . .Q.d6
5 . ... tt:Je4xc3
hS=. There are many possible lines from
6. b2xc3 d5xc4
here, but most likely either White or
7. e2-e3
Black will end up giving perpetual
check. If 7.'iYa4+ c6 (this is a rare but strong
move) 8.'iYxc4 �aS 9 .ttJf3 �e6 l Q .'ij'dJ
1 8. ... b7-b6
.Q.g7 1 1 .e3 ttJd7 1 2 .'ik'c2 tt:Jcs +, Black
1 9. J:td1 -c1 .!:!.a8-c8
plans . . .�fS with the initiative;
20. l:rb1 -b4 c4-c3
7 .e4 bS 8 .a4 c6 9.tbf3 �g7 1 0 . .Q.e2
21 . J:tb4-b3 tt:Jd7-f6
ti:Jd7 = . White may have enough compen­
22. 'iYe4xe6 f7xe6
sation for the pawn, but not enough to
23. �h4xf6
claim any advantage.

82
Chapter 7 - Griinfeld Defense - Non-Exchange lines

'lli'x d2 + 1 2 .<;tJxd2 b6 1 3 .ttJxe 6 fxe6


7. ... �c8-e6
1 4.dxcS ttJd7 I S .c6 ttJeS 1 6.c7 .l:Ic8
1 7 .S:t.g3 �g7 1 8 .llbS ttJf7 1 9.�xc4 tLld6
.i � � · .t .i 2 0 .�xe6 llxc7 2 1 .ii.xd6 exd6=. The
i i i i i i bishops of opposite color and equal ma­
_t i terial make for an almost certain draw.
In the event of 8 .'lli' b 1 'l!i'ds 9.ttJf3 'l!i'aS
1 O .'l!i'c2 ttJd7 1 1 .tLld2 ttJb6 1 2 .ii.e2 cS+
White does not have much compensation
for the pawn;
8 .tt:lf3 kg ? 9 .�e2 tt:ld7 I 0 . 0-0 ttJb6
transposes to the game.

8. �f1 -e2 8. ... tt:Jb8-d7

8 . t!.b 1 and now: 8 . . . ii.g7 9 .tt:lf3 c S , transposing to


A) 8 . . . ttJd7 9.'l!i'a4 (9 .ttJf3 ttJb6 is like Gelfand-Kamsky, is safer. The text aims
the game but with the inaccurate .l:Ib 1 to keep the pawn and is a better winning
played; 9 Jhb7 ii.ds 1 0 .l:!.b2 .!lb8= as try.
Black can later undouble by . . . c7 -cS)
9. tt:Jg1 -f3
9 . . . ii.ds 1 o.S:t.xc4 S:t.xg2 1 l .'l!i'b3 i:t.h6
1 2 .kxf7 + Wf8 1 3 .i:t.dS tt:lcS 1 4.�xg2 After 9.dS ? ! ii.fs I O.'l!i'd4 .l:Ig8 1 1 .J::td 1
tt:lxb3 I S . .l:Ixb3 bS ! Black plans . . . ( 1 1 .e4? kg? 1 2.'l!i'e3 �xe4-+ ) l l . . .bS
llb8-b6 and has a winning material ad­ (against IM Irina Krush this year I allowed
vantage of queen for two minor pieces; White to regain the pawn by l l . . . �g7 ? ,
B) 8 . . . cS is an excellent alternative pro­ though even this should equalize. After a
posed by grandmaster Agrest: subsequent error I lost the exchange but
miraculously drew the endgame any­
way!) I 2 .e4 gS 1 3 .kg3 e S ! 1 4.dxe6
S:t.xe6 White has too little compensation
for the pawn.

9. ... tt:Jd7-b6
1 0. 0-0 �f8-g7
1 1 . a2-a4

1 l .e4 0-0 1 2 .a4 aS 1 3 .'lli'c 2 (see the note


to move 1 3 ) ; 1 1 .tlJd2 cS+.
Analysis diagram
1 1 . ... a7-a5
1 2. �d1 -c2
9.ttJe2 (in case of 9 .llxb7 'l!i'aS I O .tt:le2
�dS 1 1 .'lli' b 1 ttJd7 1 2 J:!:bS �a3 Black is 1 2 . tLld2 0 - 0 1 3 .�f3 J::t a 7 1 4.'l!i'c l
better. White will have trouble getting 'l!i'd7 = ;
castled) 9 . . . 'l!i'aS 1 0 .ttJf4 'tlYxc3 + 1 l .'tlYd2 1 2 .tLlgS �dS 1 3 . e4 �c6 1 4.'lli'c 2 'l!i'd7+ .

83
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 2. ... 0-0

I 'i8 !J *
' &· ' ' .t '
� ..t '
'
1'3:, ' ' 1'3:,
1'3:, [}:, Cjj
'iY � 1'3:,. 1'3:, 1'3:,
l:I �
1 7. ... �a4-c61N
1 3. .!:!.f1 -b1
The actual game continued 1 7 . . . b 5 ? !
1 3 .e4 �d7 1 4.�g3 e6=. White's better 1 8 .�f3 �c6 ? 1 9 .tLlb2 ? ( 1 9 .tbd2 ! was
center and Black's doubled pawn give winning) 1 9 . . . .ic2 2 0 .c4 b4 2 1 .�a2
White enough for the pawn, but no ad­ tbc3 22 . .ixc6 tbxa2 and Black eventually
vantage considering the weakness on a4; won.
1 3 .tbd2 cS.
1 8. �h4-g3 e7-e6
1 3 . ... 'fk'd8-e8 1 9. tbc4-e5 �g7xe5
20. �g3xe5 f7-f6
Or 1 3 . . . ..id7 1 4.tLld2 �e8 , transposing.
21 . �e5-g3 �e8-d7
1 4. tbf3-d2 .ie6-d7 22. e3-e4 tbd5-e7
1 5. tbd2xc4 .id7xa4 23. f2-f3 f6-f5
1 6. 'fk'c2-a2

1 6.�e4 (Vuckovic-Sutovsky, Moscow


Aeroflot 2 0 1 1 ) 1 6 . . . tbxc4N 1 7 .�xc4 eS
1 8 .�xb7 �c6 1 9 .�xc7 �e4 20.-tbs
'iVb8 2 1 .�xb8 .!:!.fxb8 2 2 .l:f.b3 �c2
2 3 .l:!.b2 .id3 24.�c6 .lhb2 2S ..txa8 a4
and after trading rooks on b 1 Black's ad­
vanced passer should win a piece.

1 6 . ... tbb6-d5
1 7. 'fk'a2-a3

After 1 7 .�d2 bS 1 8 .tt:Jxa5 eS 1 9 .�f3 e4 This posltlon is more or less equal.


20 . .ie2 .l::!.x a5 2 1 .c4 l:!.a6 2 2 . cxd5 �d7 White's bishop pair and better center
2 3 .�c1 'i}b'xdS 24.�xc7 l:!.fa8 I would should roughly offset Black's extra
rather play White, but it's close to even. (passed) pawn.

84
Chapter 7 - Griinfeld Defense - Non-Exchange lines

GI 8 . 1 3 (D9 1 ) Game 7.5 8.'il¥a4+ c6 (8 ... �d7 ! ? 9.'iVb3 'il¥xgS


0 Shvedchikov,Anatoly 1 O .'il¥xb7 �xd4 1 l .'ii'x a8 0-0 1 2.e3 'iVeS
• Kaufman,Larry 1 3 . .l:tc l exdS 1 4.'ilVb7 tLlc6 1 S .tLle2
Arco Wch-sen, 2 0 I O ( I I ) �xb2 1 6 .llxc6 �xc6 1 7 .'il¥xc6 d4
1 8 .tLlf4 dxe3 1 9 . g 3 llfaS + 2 0 .�e2
1. tt:lg1 -f3 tt:lg8-f6
'il¥d2+ 2 l . �f3 'iVxf2+ 2 V�i'g4 �eS=)
2. d2-d4 g7-g6
9.dxc6 tLlxc6 l O .tLlf3 �d7 1 1 .'il¥d 1 'il¥b6
3. c2-c4 �f8-g7
1 2 .'iVd2 tt:lxd4 1 3 . 0 -0-0 �c6 1 4.tLlxd4
4. tt:lb1 -c3 d7-d5
.l:!:d8 I S .e3 eS 1 6 .llfe l exd4 1 7 .exd4+
5. �c1 -g5 tt:lf6-e4
�f8 1 8 .dS �xdS ( 1 8 . . . �d 7 ! ?=)
6. c4xd5 tt:le4xg5
1 9 . .l:!:xdS llxdS 2 0 .'il¥e 7 + rJ;;;x e7
7. tt:lf3xg5 e7-e6
2 1 .tLlxdS+ rJ;;; e 6 2 2 .tt:lxb6 axb6 is a
An excellent alternative, recommended well-known drawing line for White, but
by Delchev and Agrest, is 7 ... 0-0 8.tLlf3 Black can vary as noted.
(8.e3 e6 9 .tLlf3 exdS is similar to the next
8. ... h7-h6
note) 8 . . . c6 9 .dxc6 tLlxc6 I 0 .e3 eS l l .dS
(in case of 1 1 .dxeS tLlxeS 1 2 .�e2 tLlxf3 + Also satisfactory is 8 . . . exdS 9.llfe3 + \tlf8 ,
1 3 .ihf3 �e6 1 4. 0-0 'il¥aS 1 S .'il¥c2 .l:!:ab8 but the text is simpler.
1 6 .llfd 1 .!lfc8 Black's active bishop pair
9. tt:lg5-f3
and the pin on the c-file are full value for
the pawn) 1 l . . . e4 1 2.tLlxe4 �fS 1 3 .tLlc3 9 .tLlh3 exdS 1 0 .'il¥e3+ ( l O .tLlf4 0-0
tLlb4 1 4. .l:!:c ! 'il¥aS . The threats of . . . tLlxa2 l l . e3 cS 1 2 .dxc5 d4 1 3 .exd4 'il¥xd4
and . . . ttJxdS plus the bishop pair and lead 1 4.'iVxd4 �xd4 1 S .O-O-O tLlc6 1 6.tLlfdS
in development ensure that Black is not �xeS 1 7 .tLle4 �b 6 1 8 .tLlxb6 axb6
worse despite his temporary two-pawn 1 9.�c4 tLleS=) 1 0 . . . rJ;;;f8 1 1 .tLlf4 cS
deficit. 1 2.dxcS d4 1 3 .'ii'd 2 tt:la6=.

9. ... e6xd5

8. 'il¥d 1 -d2

8 .tLlf3 exdS 9 .b4 'il¥d6 1 0 .a3 0-0 1 1 .e3


1 0. e2-e3
c6 1 2 .�e2 aS 1 3 .bS cS+. This line is
worse for White than the game, as llfd2 is White could (and perhaps should) play
more useful than . . .h6; 1 O.b4 as Black could prevent this by

8S
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 O . . . a5 . For 1 O.b4 0-0 1 l .e3 see the next Black having the bishop pair I would pre-
note. fer his chances.

1 0. ... 0-0 1 5. tt:Jf3-e5 'Ot>g8-g7?!


1 1 . �f1 -e2
1 5 . . . �e6 followed by . . . tt:ld7 was equal.
1 l .b4 c6 1 2..�.e2 �e6 1 3 .0-0 lLld7 Aiming for . . f7 -f6 is unreasonable. Nor­
.

1 4.llfc l l:rc8 1 5 .lLla4 b6 1 6 .llab I tt:lf6=. mally I would stop the score here as the
The bishop pair offsets the weak pawn on remaining moves are not thematic, but as
c6. I've analyzed the game thoroughly I give
my analysis.
1 1 . ... a7-a5
1 6. �e2-d3 �f8-d6?!
1 1 . . . c6 1 2 .0-0 'li'd6= is also okay, but I
1 7. f2-f4 tt:Jb8-d7
wanted to rule out 1 2 .b4 and the minor­
1 8. �d2-c2 tt:Jd7-f8
ity attack.
1 9. .!:rf1 -f3 c6-c5?
1 2. b2-b3
should admit my earlier mistake by
Now the minority attack is less effective, playing 1 9 .. .'.tig8 , but White is already
but it's hard to suggest a better plan for clearly better.
White.
20. tt:Jc3-b5
1 2 . ... c7-c6
2 0 . .ld.g3 + .
-

1 3. 0-0 llf8-e8
14. a2-a3 20 ..
. . c5xd4
21 . e3xd4 �d6-b8
22. .l:!.a1 -c1 ?!

2 2 . llafl ! ± .

22 . ... �c8-d7
23. �c2-c5?? tt:Jf8-e6!-+
24. '\Wc5-c3

1 4. ... �g7-f8?!

Although the computer thinks this move,


which prevents b3-b4, is okay. I should
not have allowed the 'Stonewall' plan of
tbe5 and f2 -f4. Better was 1 4 ...kf5 and if
1 5 .b4 b 5 ! , and the white pawn on b4 is
24. ... �d7xb5?
as weak as the black one on c6. With

86
Chapter 7 - Griinfeld Defense - Non-Exchange lines

24 . . .�xe 5 ! 2 5 .fxe5 .!:!:c8 2 6 .'i!k'b2 .!:!:xc l + GI 8.3 (D9 1 ) Game 7.6


2 7 .'i!k'xc l �xbS 2 8 .�xb5 li:Jxd4 29 . .!:!:h3 D Elianov,Pavel
h5-+. • Kovchan,Alexander
Sochi tt, 20 I 0 ( I )
25. �d3xb5 �b8-a7
26. .l:i.c1 -d1 .!:!:a8-c8 1. d2-d4 tt:lg8-f6
27. 'fk'c3-b2 .!:!:e8-f8?? 2. c2-c4 g7- g6
3. tt:lb1 -c3 d7-d5
2 7 . . . lt:Jxd4! 28 . .l:i.xd4 .!:!:xeS ! 2 9 . fxe5
4. tt:lg1 -f3 �f8-g7
'iik'h4-+ .
5. �c1 -g5 tt:lf6-e4
28. tt:Je5-d7 tt:Je6-c7 6. �g5-f4

2 8 . . . li:Jxd4!+. This is less common than 6.�h4 or


6.cxd 5, but it is played by some top play­
ers, so be advised to take it seriously.
6.�h4 (this idea is more popular without
the inclusion of 4.li:Jf3 �g7) 6 . . . lt:Jxc3
7. bxc3 dxc4 8 .'i!k'a4+ (after 8 .e3 bS 9 .a4
c6 I O.�e2 a6 White has fair compensa­
tion for the pawn, but no advantage. Black
can develop his rook by . . . .!:!:a7 -d7)
8 ... 'i!k'd7 9 .'il'xc4 b6 I O.e3 ..ta6 l l .'ti'b3
..txfl 1 2 .�xfl 0-0 1 3 .We2 li:Jc6
1 4 . .l:i.hd l lt:JaS I S .'ifb4 e6 1 6 . .!:!:ac l .!:!:fc8
1 7 .c4 cS 1 8 .dxc5 'i¥b7 1 9 .cxb6 axb6,
29. 'fk'b2-e2?! .!:!:f8-e8-+
and the exposed white king and his split
30. tt:Jd7-e5 .!:!:e8-e7?!
queenside pawns give Black full compen­
3 0 . . . lt:Je6 ! -+ . sation for the pawn.

31 . f4-f5? f7-f6
32. .l:i.f3-g3 g6-g5 . .. ..t 'IV • •
33. 'fk'e2-h5 .!:!:e7xe5 i i i i i ..t i
34. 'fk'h5-g6+ �g7-f8 .. i
35. 'fk'g6xh6+ �f8-e7 i
36. .l:i.g3xg5 tt:Jc7xb5 � � .. � .

37. .l:i.g5-g7+ �e7-d6 - ttJ ttJ


38. .!:!:g7xb7 �a7xd4+ � 1'3:, � -� � �
39. �g1-h1 �d6-c6 .� 'if � � l!t
40. .!:!:b7-f7 tt:lb5-d6
41 . .l:i.f7xf6 'fk'd8xf6! 0-1
6 . ... tt:le4xc3
This victory, although full of errors, gave
7. b2xc3 c7-c5
me a tie for first place in the 2 0 I 0 World
8. e2-e3
Senior Championship.

87
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

8 .cxd5 'ifxdS 9 .e3 ttlc6 transposes.


1 6. d4-d5 .!::!.c8xc1 +
8. ... tt:lb8-c6 1 7. �f4xc1
9. c4xd5 'ifd8xd5
1 0. �f1 -e2

1 O.i¥b3 iYfSN 1 1 .�e2 0-0 1 2 .0-0 cxd4


1 3 .cxd4 tLlxd4 1 4.tLlxd4 �xd4=.

1 0. c5xd4
1 1 . c3xd4 'ii'd 5-a5+
1 2. 'ifd 1 -d2 0-0

1 7. ... �e6-d7N

This is an improvement over the actual


game, which went 1 7 ... .!lc8 1 8 .�d2 �d7
1 9.i.xa5 .!:le i + 20.-td l ..Q.a4 2 l .We2
�bS + 2 2 . �e3 i.h6+ 2 3 .tLlg5 hgS +
2 4.f4 i.h6 2 5 ..!:i. e I ;!:: and White later won.

1 8. �c1 -d2 b7-b6


1 3. 'ii'd 2xa5 1 9. �e2-a6
1 3 J!b l b6 1 4.llcl "il!Vxd2+N 1 5 .ttJxd2 1 9 .i.xaS bxaS 2 0 . 0-0 .l:Ib8:'i=. Black's
tLlb4 1 6.0-0 i.e6=. bishop pair and more active rook more
than offset the doubled rook pawns.
1 3 . ... tt:Jc6xa5
14. l:Ia1 -c1 1 9. ... e7-e6
20. 0-0 e6xd5
1 4.i.c7 tbc6 I S J:tb l b6 1 6 .0-0 i.b7
21 . e4xd5 I!f8-d8
1 7 . .l:Ifc l .!lfc8 1 8.i.g3 e6 1 9.i.b5 �f8
22. �d2-g5 f7-f6
2 0 .a4 tLlb4=;
23. �g5-d2 �g7-f8
1 4.0-0 i.e6 I S .l:Ifc 1 ( I S .i.c7 ttlc6=)
24. l:rf1-c1
I S . . Jlac8 1 6 .tLld2 �d5 =.

14. ... �c8-e6


1 5. e3-e4

I S .tt:lgs .l:!.fc8 1 6.Ilxc8+ �c8 1 7 ...i£3 �d7


1 8.i.c7 ttlc6 1 9.�d2 .l:Ic8 20.�g3 eS= .

1 5 . ... .!la8-c8

I S .. Jlfc8 1 6 .d5 !hc l + 1 7 .-txc l i.d7


1 8 .�d2 b6= should transpose to the
main line soon.

88
Chapter 7 - Griinfeld Defense - Non-Exchange lines

8 .�eS �xeS 9.tLlxeS lt:Jxc3 I O.bxc3 'iWaS


24. ... �f8-a3
l l .'ii'd4 f6 1 2 .tLlf3 tLlc6 1 3 .'iYxdS + �g7
25. .l:!.c1 -c7 �a3-d6
1 4.'ii'd 2 .l:td8N 1 S .'�'b2 �g4=.
26. .l:!.c7-c1
8. ... tLlb8-d7
2 6 . .llx a7 ? �b8+ .
This is a rare move, but apparently good
26 . ... �d6-a3
for equality as it is not easy to improve on
Draw by repetition. Either side can avoid the moves of this game.
this, but chances are about equal as the
9. c4xd5 �d8-a5
passed d-pawn is also isolated.
1 0. tLlf3-d4 ttJe4xc3
11. b2xc3 tLld7xc5
1 2. �f1 -c4 e7-e5
GI 7 . 1 5 (D93 ) Game 7.7
0 Grigore,George Gabriel A good alternative is 1 2 . . . �d7 1 3 .0-0
• Mekhitarian,Krikor Sevag lt:Ja4 1 4.'i¥b3 tLlb6 I S .�bs �xd4
Arad, 20 1 0 (7) 1 6 .�xd7 �f6 1 7 .�c7 'iYxdS 1 8 . .ll fd l
'iYcS 1 9 . �xb6 'i¥xb6 2 0 .'i¥xb6 axb6
1. d2-d4 tLlg8-f6
2 l . a4 l::tfd 8 =.
2. c2-c4 g7-g6
3. tLlb1 -c3 d7-d5 1 3. d5xe6 �c8xe6
4. tLlg1 -f3 1 4. �c4xe6 ttJc5xe6
1 5. tLld4xe6 �g7xc3+
4.�f4 �g7 S . e3 0-0 6 .tLlf3 transposes to
1 6. <;t>e1 -f1 f7xe6
the game.
1 7. �d1 -b3 �a5-a6+
4. ... �f8-g7 1 8. \t>f1 -g1 �c3-f6
5. �c1 -f4 0-0 1 9. h2-h3 l::t a 8-d8
6. e2-e3 c7-c5 20. \t>g1 -h2 l::t d 8-d3
7. d4xc5 ttJf6-e4 21 . �b3-b1

7 . . .'�aS is also okay, but there is much


more theory you would have to learn.

E • ..t tt E•
.l' i i ..L
, ..t .L
i,

21 . ... l::tf8-d8

In the game a draw was agreed after


8. .lla 1 -c1
2 1 . . . .ll d 2 , but 2 2 . llhd 1 would have

89
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

slightly favored White. After the text


7. ..
. .ltc8-g4
move the game is even as Black's domina­
8. i.f1 xc4 tt:lf6-h5
tion of the d-file offsets the slight weak­
9. �f4-e3 �g4xf3
ness of his king.
1 0. g2xf3
22. .ltf4-g3 J:!.d3-d7=
So we have a battle between White's
bishop pair and Black's much better pawn
structure.
GI 7.7 (D92) Game 7.8
1 0. ... e7-e5
D Zubov,Alexander
• Timofeev,Artyom I O ... e6 l l .f4 'iVM 1 2 .'iVf3 tt:lc6 1 3 .tLle2
Moscow, 2009 ( I ) l:Iad8 is also reasonable but perhaps not
fully equal.
1. d2-d4 tLlg8-f6
2. c2-c4 g7-g6 1 1 . d4xe5
3. tLlb1 -c3 d7-d5
Some computers like l l .dS , but opening
4. tLlg1 -f3 .ltf8-g7
the position for the two bishops is impor­
5. �c1 -f4 0-0
tant here. Also, in general, queen trades
6. J:!.a1 -c1 d5xc4
favor the side with the bishop pair. A
Black should take advantage of White's good reply to d4-dS is . . . tt:lf4.
failure to defend his c4 pawn by e2-e 3 .
1 1 . ... �g7xe5
1 2. 'ird1 xd8 J:!.f8xd8

E . :E
�· � :�

7. e2-e4
1 3. 0-0
7 .e3 i.e6 8.tt:lgS �dS 9.e4 h6 l O.exdS
hxgS l l .i.xgS tt:lxdS 1 2.�xc4 tt:lb6 1 3 .tt:le2 tt:lc6 1 4.0-0 �xb2N I S Jlb l
1 3 .i.b3 tt:lc6 1 4.dS ( 1 4.tt:le2 aS 1 S .a3 a4 lUeS 1 6 . llxb2 tt:lxc4 1 7 . llxb7 tt:lxe3
1 6 .i.a2 tt:Jxd4 1 7 .tt:lxd4 'iVxd4 1 8.'iVxd4 1 8.fxe3 .!ld2 1 9.tt:lc3 c6 20 . .!lc7 .!lad8
i.xd4 1 9 . .!lxc7 l:Iac8 with equality) 2 J ..!:hc6 .l:!.c2 2 2 .tLldS Iha2=.
1 4 . . . tt:ld4 l S .0-0 'iVd7 1 6 . .!le l .!lfe8 is
1 3 . ... tLlb8-d7
equal. White cannot keep the bishop pair.
He has more space but an isolated 1 3 . . . tt:lc6 ! 1 4.tLldS ( 1 4.tt:le2 i.xb2
d-pawn. I S . .!lb I tt:leS transposes to the game)

90
Chapter 7 - Griinfeld Defense - Non-Exchange lines

1 4. . .tt:Ja5 I S .�gS .ll d 7 1 6.�b5 c6 1 7 .b4


30. ... a7-a5
cxbS 1 8 .bxa5 .l:Ie8 1 9 .1;Ifd l a6=. Black's
31 . JJ.c7-a7 a5-a4
much better pawn structure offsets his in­
32. e4-e5 <Jtg7-f8
ferior knight.
33. e5-e6 f7xe6
1 4. tt:Jc3-e2 34. .!:ra7xh7 a4-a3
35. J::t h 7-a7 JJ.a2-a1
1 4.1;Ifd l c6 1 5 .a4 �f4 1 6.�e2 is a tad
36. <Jtg3-g2 <Jtf8-e8
more pleasant for White, so I prefer the
37. .!:ta7-a6 <Jte8-e7
1 3 . . . t2Jc6 route to transpose to the game.
38. h2-h4 'it>e7-d7
1 4. ... ..Q.e5xb2 39. <Jtg2-h2 �d7-e7
1 5. l:rc1 -b1 lt:Jd7-e5 40. 'it>h2-g2 <Jte7-d7
1 6. l;Ib1 xb2 tt:Je5xc4 41 . Wg2-h2 <Jtd7-c7
1 7. l:tb2xb7 tt:Jc4xe3 42. l:ta6xe6 'it>c7-b7
1 8. f2xe3 J:td8-d2 43. l:re6-e3 VrV2
1 9. tt:Je2-c3 c7-c6
20. l:rb7-c7 l:td2-d3
GI 3 . 1 2 (D84) Game 7.9
21. l:tc7xc6 l:td3xe3
D Wang Yue
22. tt:Jc3-d5 J:te3-a3
• Yakovenko,Dmitry
23. l:tf1 -f2 l:ta8-e8
Nanjing, 2009 (7)
24. lt:Jd5-f6+?!
1. d2-d4 lt:Jg8-f6
24.Wg2 .l:Ie6=
2. c2-c4 g7-g 6
24. ... tt:Jh5xf6 3. tt:Jb1 -c3 d7-d5
25. l:rc6xf6 l:re8-e5 4. �c1 -f4 �f8-g7
26. l:tf6-c6 Wg8-g7 5. e2-e3 0-0!
27. J:tc6-c7 J:te5-a5
This is a ' gambit ' , but as the game shows,
28. 'it>g 1 -g2 l:ra3xa2
it is only a temporary one.
29. l:tf2xa2 l:ta5xa2+
30. 'it>g2-g3+ 6. c4xd5 tt:Jf6xd5
7. tt:Jc3xd5 �d8xd5
8. �f4xc7

.i .. j_
il l �

Black's extra pawn is not enough to win


this endgame.

91
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

2 0.1lxc5 .!lc8 2 1 Jlxc8+ �xc8 2 2 .�b4


8. ... tt:lb8-a6!
Wf7 2 3 .�c5 fS 24.�xa7 gS (so White
8 . . . tt:lc6 9 .tt:le2 .ltg4 1 0.f3 �ac8 is a wild has won a pawn, but the bishop pair in
line which unfortunately seems to win this open position should draw fairly eas­
for White with correct play. ily) 2 S .b3 h6 26 . .\tbs f4 2 7 .Wd3 fxe3
2 8 . fxe3 hS 2 9 .e4 �g6 3 0 .a4 g4 3 l. .�f4
9. .ltf1 xa6 fb'd5xg2
h4 3 2 .e5 aS 3 3 .e6 �xd4 34.e7 �f7
1 0. �d 1 -f3 fb'g2xf3
3 S .Wxd4 g3 3 6.hxg3 h3 3 7 .g4 �xg4
1 1 . tt:lg1 xf3 b7xa6
3 8 .�d6 �d 1 3 9 .�c3 We8 40 .b4 axb4+
Black's bishop pair compensates for 4 l . �xb4 h2 42 .�xh2 Wxe7 draw
White's better pawn structure and center agreed.
control.
1 5. J:lc1 -c3 e7-e5
1 2. J:la1 -c1 f7-f6 1 6. d4xe5 .!:Ia8-e8=

This looks odd but it keeps the knight out White must return the pawn, after which
of e S , keeps open the options of . . . �b7 the bishop pair fully offsets Black's infe­
or . . . �a6 or . . . �g4, and prepares . . . .ll f7 rior pawn structure.
and . . . e7-e6 or . . . e7-e5 . 1 6 . . . fxe5 1 7 .tt:lgS .ll e 7 1 8 . .!lc5 h6
19 .tt:lf3 .ll c 8 20.llgc 1 .!lf7 is also equal.
1 3. J:lh1 -g1

1 3 .�e2 aSN 1 4.l:rcS �a6+ 1 S .'it>d2 �b7


1 6 .�e2 �a6+ draws by repetition. GI 3. 1 1 (D8 3 ) Game 7.1.0
0 Nguyen,Ngoc Truongson
1 3. ... �c8-b7
• Li Chao B
1 4. �e1 -e2
China tt, 20 1 0 (4)

1. d2-d4 tt:lg8-f6
2. c2-c4 g7-g6
3. tt:lb1 -c3 d7-d5
4. �c1 -f4 �f8-g7
5. e2-e3

After S .ld.c 1 tLlhS 6 .�g5 (6 . .\td2 cS 7 .e3


cxd4 8.exd4 dxc4 9.d5 0-0 1 0 .�xc4
tt:ld7 1 1 .tt:lf3 a6 1 2 .a4 bS 1 3 . axb5
tt:lb6=) 6 . . . h6 7 ..\th4 cS 8 .e3 cxd4
9 .tLlxdS tt:lc6 1 0.exd4 ke6 Black will re­
14. ... l:1f8-f7!
gain the pawn with an advantage in de­
This is stronger than the game continua­ velopment or pawn structure.
tion 1 4 .. J:hc8, although that drew fairly
5. ... 0-0!
easily, as shown: 1 4 . . J::ac8 1 5 . .!lgd 1 llf7
1 6 .�a5 ld.ff8 1 7 . .!:tcS ( 1 7 .�c7 repeats) 5 . . . cS is often played and recom­
1 7 . . . e5 1 8 . .Udc 1 exd4 1 9.tt:lxd4 .llx cS mended, but it is safer to play this only

92
Chapter 7 - Griinfeld Defense - Non-Exchange lines

after White has played both e2-e3 and


7. ... d5xc4
t2Jf3 , to avoid dangerous lines based on a
8. <i:Jf3-g5
later tt:Je 2 .
This leads to a long forced sequence, but
6 . l:!.a1 -c1
Black has no trouble equalizing.
In the event of 6.�b3 cS 7 .cxdS (or
8. ... �e6-d5
7 .dxcS t2Jbd7 8.cxdS tLlxcS 9 .�b4 b6
9. e3-e4 h7-h6
I O . .!ld l ttJhS l l..�. g 3 aS 1 2.'ii'a 3 l2lxg3
1 0. e4xd5 h6xg5
1 3 .hxg3 'ii'c 7 and Black has more than
11. .Q.f4xg5 t2Jf6xd5
enough compensation for the pawn with
his bishop pair, better development, more 1 l . . .bS is a decent alternative.
active queen, and safer king) 7 . . . cxd4
12. �f1 xc4 t2Jd5-b6
8 .exd4 t2Jbd7 9 .Ji..e 2 l2lb6 I O . .if3 e6
13. �c4-b3 t2Jb8-c6
l l .d6 ttJfdS 1 2 .i.g3 �xd4 1 3 .tbge2
Ji..c S 1 4.0-0 .ixd6, White can only win
his pawn back at the cost of solving all
Black's problems.
6. ... �c8-e61

?:;;
.i tD
8 '1'3::, !J.' B !':::,
� 'if w
14. d4-d5

1 4.l2le2 aS 1 S .a3 a4 1 6 . .ia2 .l:taS


1 7 .�d2 l:!.bS 1 8.Ji..e 3 e6 1 9.0-0 'ii'e 7=.
White's isolani is restrained and under
pressure and his pieces are not well
7. <i:Jg1 -f3
placed to attack. His only trump is the
7 . 'ii'b 3 cS ! (grandmaster Kudrin played bishop pair.
7 . . . b6 against me and drew, but I think
1 4. ... tt:Jc6-d4
White can keep an edge in that line with
1 5. 0-0 �d8-d7
exact play) 8 .'ii'xb7 �b6 9 .'ii'x b6 axb6
I O .t2Jf3 ( I O .dxcS bxcS 1 I .t2Jf3 dxc4 1 S . . . l2lxb3 1 6 . �xb3 Ji..x c3 1 7 .bxc3
transposes) 1 0 . . . dxc4! 1 l .dxcS bxcS 'ii'xdS 1 8 .Ji..x e7 llfe8 1 9 .c4 t2Jxc4 with
1 2 .tLlgS �dS 1 3 .tLlxdS ttJxdS 1 4.Ji..xc4 equality.
t2Jxf4 1 S .exf4 Ji..x b2 1 6.Ilc2 i.d4 - Black
1 6. .l:!.f1 -e1
is somewhat better, mainly because he
can block the white bishop by . . . e7 -e6 1 6.i.e3 tLlxb3 1 7 .'iYxb3 Ji..xc3 1 8.Ji..x b6
while White cannot do the same. axb6 1 9 .l:!.xc3 llfd8=.

93
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

GI 1 0.5 (D9 7 ) Game 7.1.1.


1 6 . ... l:!.f8-e8
D Shabalov,Alexander
1 7. h2-h4
• Kamsky,Gata
This doesn't work out well, so White Philadelphia, 20 I 0 (5)
should probably have just gone for the
1. d2-d4 <1Jg8-f6
equalizing 1 6 .�e3 line.
2. c2-c4 g7-g6
1 7. ... .!:!.a8-d8 3. ttJb1 -c3 d7-d5
1 8. h4-h5 g6xh5 4. tt:Jg1 -f3 �f8-g7
1 9. �d1 xh5 �d7-f5 5. �d 1 -b3 d5xc4
6. �b3xc4 0-0
White will lose the d-pawn for inade­
7. e2-e4 a7-a6!
quate compensation.
This, the Hungarian Variation, is probably
20. �b3-d1 ttJb6xd5
the only one of many defenses that equal­
21 . �h5-h4 ttJd5-f6
izes in this dangerous Russian System. It
22. ttJc3-e4 c7-c6
was championed from the late sixties on­
23. l::!.c1 -c5 ttJd4-e2+
wards by Hungarian grandmasters like
24. �d1 xe2 �f5xe4
Andras Adorjan, Laszlo Barczay and Zoltan
25. �h4-g3 �e4-g6
Ribli, although Alexander Alekhine was
26. �e2-f3 .l:!.d8-d3
the patriarch of this ·move. He already
27. �g3-f4
adopted it before World War II - in a
In the actual game Black now played World Championship game against Euwe.
2 7 . . . ltJd7 ? ! , after which 2 8 . .l:!.a5 would
8. e4-e5
have equalized. However White played
2 8 . .fLe4?! , remaining a pawn down, and Or 8 .'iVb3 b5 9.e5 , transposing.
lost a long endgame.
8. ... b7-b5
27. ... e7-e6 9. �c4-b3 ttJf6-d7

1 0. e5-e6
White has only the bishop pair for the
pawn, so he is half a pawn down without I O .fLe2 c5 l l .e6 cxd4!N (grandmaster Pe­
.

compensation. ter Svidler missed this and lost to

94
Chapter 7 - Griinfeld Defense - Non-Exchange Jines

grandmaster Morozevich not long ago)


1 1 . .. . tt:Jd7-f6
1 2.exd7 ( 1 2.exf7+ �h8 1 3 .tbe4 tbc6=
1 4.h4 h6 1 5 .hs gs 1 6 ..Q.xgs tt::ldeS 1 7 .�f4 1 I . . . tbb6?!, as I had previously played
tt::lxf7 1 8 . .lld 1 �fs 1 9 .tbc5 tbas 20.�b4 against Shabalov, is inferior as the knight
tt::lc 6 2 l .'ifb3 with a draw by repetition) is needed to defend the kingside. He won
1 2 ... tbxd7 ( 1 2 ....tb7 may be even better: a brilliant game.
1 3 .tt::ld5 tt::lxd7 1 4.�g5 tt::lf6 1 5 .tt::lxf6+
1 2 . a2-a4 b5-b4!
exf6 1 6 ..tf4 lle8 1 7 .�fl �ds 1 8.'ifb4 d3
1 9 .�d 1 fS and with two pawns for the 1 2 . . . bxa4 is playable but not quite equal, I
knight and White's rook boxed in by his think.
king, Black is for choice) 1 3 .tbe4 �b7
1 3. �b3xb4 tt::l b8-c6
1 4.tt::lfd2 tLle5 1 5 .0-0 d3 1 6.�d 1 .l:Ic8 - al­
1 4. �b4-a3
though Black only has two pawns for the
knight, his large development lead together After I 4.'ik'c5 ?! �d6 1 5 .�c4 �xeS
with the dangerous passer offer full com­ 1 6.dxc5 tt::l g 4 White must lose the bishop
pensation. pair or a pawn.
1 0. ... f7xe6 1 4. ... �d8-d6
1 1 . �c1 -e3
.i A .i �
the event of 1 l .�xe6+ �h8 1 2 .�e4
In
1 1 A1
tt::lb 6 1 3 .�h4 tbc6 1 4.�h6 eS 1 5 .tt::l g 5
'fie? Black is in good shape;
� 'i¥ 1 � 1
Or 1 l .h4 tt::lf6 1 2.�e3 (after 1 2.h5 tbxhS
1 3.�e3 tt::lc6 White has too little compen­ �· �
sation for his two-pawn deficiency; if 1 2.a4 iV t2J � tt:J
tt::lc6N 1 3 .axb5 tbxd4 1 4.tt::lxd4. �xd4 ·!'::,"{ .�, � �
1 5.lla4 �e5+ Black has the initiative) : \it � :a.
1 2 ...tt::lc 6 ( 1 2 ... �d6 also favors Black)
1 5. �f1-e2
1 3.0-0-0 �d6 and Black's extra pawn is of
only slight value here, but his attacking I S .�c4 tt::lb4 1 6.�b3 ( 1 6.llc l �b7
chances are not inferior to White's. transposes to 1 5 . .!lc 1 line) I 6 . . . i.b7
1 1 .tt:Jgs tbb6=. I 7 .0-0 �xf3 1 8 .�xe6+ �h8 1 9.gxf3
I!.ab8 ( I 9 . . . tt::l c 6 is also fine) 20 .�c4 �c6
2 I .�e2 ttJfdS - the broken White
kingside and poorly paced white queen
give Black enough for the pawn;
Or 1 5 .llc i �b7 1 6.�c4 tt::l b4, and
already Black is better as White's king is
not so safe after 1 7 .0-0 �xf3 .
1 5. ... lLJc6-b4
1 6 . .i:ra1 -c1 kc8-b7

95
The Kaufman Repertoire for Block

4.'i!Vb3 dxc4 s.ihc4 i.g7 6.e4 0-0


1 7. 0-0 tt.:lf6-g4
7 .tLlf3 transposes t o the game, a s does
1 8. h2-h3 tt.:lg4xe3
7 .Yl.e2 a6 8 .tLlf3 ; 7 .Yl.f4 c6 8 .tt:'lf3 bS
1 9. f2xe3
9 .'i!Vb3 i¥as I O .i.d3 jle6 I I .'i!Vd i Yl.g4
1 2 .0-0 b4 I 3 .tLle2 i.xf3 1 4.gxf3 cS
.i .i � I S .dxcS tt:'lfd7=.
'" ..t i i..t i
4. .. �f8-g7
�· i
.

5. 'ifd1 -b3 d5xc4


6. �b3xc4 0-0
7. e2-e4 a7-a6

.i 6 ..t .� .� � ­
. ··��.� i .. ., i, .1.. i
1 9. ... �g7-h6
i ii; ;m ... .
After 1 9 .. Jlab8! Black's bishop pair and � o/ii .� �
better placed pieces easily offset his poor liS I lZJ
pawn structure. � -� ���
20. tt.:lc3-d1 tt.:lb4-d5 J:ll it w � a:
2 0 . . . a5=.
8. �f1 -e2
21 . 'iVa3-b3 'iVd6-g3??
8 .a4? ! b S ! 9 .1\Vb3 cS ! I O.dxcS i.e6:f
2 I . . . 'i!Vb6=. I I .'i!Va3 ?! b4! 1 2 .'ii'xb4 tt:'lc6+ I 3 .'i!Va3 ?
llb8-+ ; the threat of . . . l:!.b3 forces White
22. 'iVb3xb7 �h6xe3+
to part with material.
23. tt.:ld1 xe3 tt.:Jd5xe3
The recent fad 8 .'ii'a4 is a serious try here,
24. llf1 -f2 tt.:le3-d5
but is well met by 8 . . . c5 ! 9 .dxc5 .td7 = .
25. 'ifb7-c6 tt.:ld5-f4
Now I O .'ifb4 is met by I O . . . aS ! , I O.'ifa3
26. «t>g1 -f1 l:!.a8-b8
by I O ... i.c6 , and I O.'i!Vb3 or I O.'i!Vc2 by
27. �e2-c4 1-0
I 0 . . . 1\VaS ! , in all cases with fine play for
Black.
GI 1 0.5 (D9 7) Game 7.12 8 .'i!Vb3 bS 9 .Yl.e2 transposes to the game;
D Riazantsev,Alexander 8 .�f4 bS 9 .'i!Vxc7 (stem game Euwe­
• Rodshtein,Maxim Alekhine, Wch m- 1 2 Netherlands I 9 3 5 )
Moscow, 20 1 1 (5) 9 . . . 1\Vxc? I O .�xc7 Yl.b7 ! .

1. d2-d4 tt.:lg8-f6 8. ... b7-b5


2. c2-c4 g7-g6 9. �c4-b3 c7-c5
3. tt.:lb1 -c3 d7-d5
9 . . . tt:'lc6 I O .eS i.e6 I I .exf6 �xb3
4. tt.:lg1 -f3
1 2.fxg7 'lt>xg7 1 3 .axb3 tt:'lxd4 1 4.tLlxd4

96
Chapter 7 - Griinfeld Defense - Non-Exchange lines

'i¥xd4 1 5 . 0-0 �b4 1 6 .�f3 �xb3 is an


1 6. 0-0
interesting line but probably more com­
fortable for White.

1 0. d4xc5 �c8-e6

1 0 . . . �b7 is also played, but the game


move is better.

1 1 . �b3-c2 tt:lb8-d7

,�K - ·,.!

.l 1 6. ... �d8-d6!N
.l '�
Previously 1 6 . . . a5 was played.

1 7. l:ld1 -c1 �d6-b8


1 8. �e3xc5

1 8.�c4 .ll fd8 White has the bishop pair


but an isolated d-pawn, while Black has
1 2. �c1 -e3
good squares for his knights on cS and
1 2 .c6 tt'lb8 1 3 .tt:'l g 5 ( 1 3 . 0 - 0 tt:'lxc6 d6. Perhaps White is still slightly better
1 4.tt:'lxb5 tt:'lxe4N 1 5 .�xe4 �dS=F) after 1 9 . .llfd 1 .
1 3 ... tt'lxc6 1 4.tt'lxe6 fxe6 I S .�e3 tt:'ld4
1 8. ... tt:lf6-d7
1 6 .�d 1 tt:'lxe2 1 7 .�xe2 't'HaS 1 8 .0-0 b4
1 9. �e2xa6 J:l:c8xc5
1 9 .tt'ld 1 �bs + . Despite his bad pawns,
20. �c2-d2 l:If8-d8
Black has all the play here.
20 . . . �d6 is a good alternative.
1 2 . ... l:Ia8-c8
1 3. l:Ia1 -d1 21 . l:!:c1 xc5 tt:ld7xc5
22. �a6-c4 e7-e6
1 3 .c6 Ilxc6 1 4.tt'ld4 .ll d 6 I S .tt'lxe6 l:Ixe6
1 6.f3 ( 1 6.0-0 �b8=) 1 6 . . . 't'Hc7 1 7 .�b3 Here 2 2 . . . tt'la4 is also okay.
l:tc6=. Black's pressure and better devel­
23. l:tf1 -d1 tt:Jc5-a4
opment offset the bishop pair.
24. �c4-b3
1 3. ... b5-b4
24.tt'ld4 �xd4 2 5 .�xd4 tt'lb6 2 6 . .tb3
14. tt:lc3-d5
tt:'lxdS = .
1 4.tt:'la4 �aS 1 5 .0-0 tt'lxe4 1 6 .�xe4
24. ... tt:la4-c5
'iVxa4=.
25. �b3-c4 tt:lc5-a4
1 4. ... �e6xd5 26. �c4-b3 tt:la4-c5
15. e4xd5 tt:ld7xc5 27. �d2-e3=

97
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

2 7 �c4 draws by repetition.


.

33. tt:Jd3xb4 �f8xb4


27. ... tt:Jc5xb3 34. 'iWb3xb4 'iWa6xa2
28. 'iWe3xb3 e6xd5 35. h4-h5 g6xh5
29. tt:Jf3-e1 'iWb8-d6 36. 'iWb4-b7 h5-h4
30. tt:Je1 -d3 �g7-f8 37. g3xh4 J:la8-e8
31 . g2-g3 .!:!.d8-a8 38. J:ld1 xd5 'iWa2-b1 +
39. '>ii>g 1 -h2 'iWb1 -e4
3 l . . . h5=.
40. '>ii> h 2-g3 f7-f5
32. h2-h4 'iWd6-a6 41 . 'iWb7-b3 1f2-1f2

98
Chapter 8

Grunfeld Exchange
In this chapter we look at lines where White exchanges pawns immediately ( 4.cxd5
tbxd5 ) , although 4.tbf3 kg? S . cxdS tbxdS will transpose to that chapter.

X � ..t � • .t X
� � � � � �

This usually leads to an exchange on c3 which brings White's b2 pawn to c3 , where


it supports the center but is itself weak. These lines tend to be more double-edged
than witQQJ1t this exchange. With the white pawn on c3 . Black always replies . . . cS
right after . . . kg? . but is generally reluctant to exchange on d4 without a clear mo­
tivation because it exchanges off the weak White c-pawn. Black's goal is to force
White into some concession, such as moving e4-e 5 . taking on c S . or getting an arti­
ficially isolated pawn on dS (for this Black must put his pawn on c4 before White
does so) .

In Game 8 . 1 we look at alternatives to the obvious 5 .e4. The most important is


5 .kd2 , aiming to recapture on c3 with the bishop. Although it is okay to do this, I
prefer to move the knight to b6 when it is attacked because then the move kd2 is
simply a wasted tempo; it almost always goes to e3 anyway to defend d4. Without the
extra tempo this line is simply bad for Black, but with it Black gets nearly equal
chances. Just remember after 5 . . �g7 6.e4 lbb6 7.�e3 0-0 8.h3 (else . . . �g4 when
.

White plays ttJf3) to play 8 ... e5 ! , and to meet the bizarre 8 .kb5 by . . . �e6. We also
look at the equally bizarre 5 .tba4, which is better than it looks. I recommend S ...�g7
6.e4 lbb6. The basic rule is that it is okay for the knight to be driven to b6 if White
has paid a price for this.

Now we come to the real Exchange Griinfeld, 5 .e4 tbxc3 6.bxc3 �g7.

99
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

In Game 8.2 we consider all the infrequent seventh moves. The queen check is met by
7 ...tLld7 intending . . . 0-0, . c7-c5 , . . . a7-a6, . . . b 7 -b6, and . . . i.b7 . Although Black does
. .

not put heavy pressure on White's center, White pays a price for this with his wander­
ing queen. The move 7 .�a3 is similarly met by 7 ... tt:Jd7, intending . . . c7 -cS . Instead,
7.�gS is met by the immediate 7 ...cS, trying to provoke d4-d5 . The main move in the
game, 7.�bS+, is met by 7 ... c6 8.�a4 0-0 9.tLle2 bS 1 0.�b3 aS with good counterplay:
In all these sidelines Black is fine.
In Game 8 . 3 we consider unusual eighth moves after 7.tt:Jf3 cS . Against 8.�e2 we
pressure the center by 8 ...tt:Jc6 9.�e3 �g4. Against 8.h 3 , pressure on d4 won't work,
but after 8 ... 0-0 9.�e2 tLlc6 1 0.�e3 we switch to an attack on e4 by 1 0 ...cxd4 1 1 .cxd4
fS ! . As for the game move 8.�bS + , we block with the knight on c6, castle and play
. . . .ig4, leaving out the pawn exchange on d4. Again all the lines are harmless.
Now we come to the important lines with i.e3 , meaning either 7.tLlf3 cS 8.�e3
�as 9.�d2 0-0 1 o..!:tc 1 or Kramnik's preferred order 7.�e3 cS 8J:k 1 �aS 9.�d2 0-0
1 o.tt:Jf3.

I favor putting direct pressure on the center with 1 O .. l:!.d8 . If White just develops we
.

force dS by 1 1 .�e2 �g4, and then play . . . c5-c4 before White can do so. If White ad­
vances l l .dS we play . . . e7 -e6. These lines are a bit complicated and must be studied

1 00
Chapter 8 - Griinfeld Exchange

carefully. Points to remember: . . . lt:Ja6 is often a good move, . . . c5-c4 as a pawn sacrifice
is sometimes viable, and often the a2 pawn becomes a target. See Game 8 .4. I didn't
fmd any advantage for White, but this is a critical line and White might yet find some­
thing.
The next four games all feature the so-called 'Modern Exchange' variation, meaning
7.lt:Jf3 cS s.nb 1 0-0 9.�e2 . Games 8 . 5 , 8 . 6 , and 8 . 7 all feature the popular sequence
9 ...cxd4 1 O.cxd4 �aS+ 1 l .�d2 ( 1 1 .�d2 leads to an endgame which is covered in
Game 5) 1 l ...�xa2 1 2.0-0. This is a rather dangerous (for Black) gambit by White,
whose compensation for the pawn is rather obvious (several tempi and an extra pawn
in the center) . The usual move here (recommended by Avrukh) is 1 2 . . .�g4, after
which White generally regains his pawn and Black has to play precisely to reach an
endgame that he can draw. Instead I go for the second-most popular move, 1 2 ...b6 ,
which intends to hold the pawn, at least for a while. After 1 3.�cl �b7 White can force
an immediate repetition, but few players will choose a gambit as White just to force a
quick draw at the first opportunity. In Games 8 . 5 and 8 . 6 I give two reasonable contin­
uations for Black which appear to equalize, though they are complex and tricky. In
Game 8 . 7 I give the greedy 1 3 ...�e6 in case you can't allow the repetition draw. But my
preferred option, given in Game 8 . 8 , is the same line as recommended by Delchev and
Agrest, namely 9 ...ll:Jc6 1 O.dS ll:JeS 1 1 .ll:JxeS hes 1 2.�d2 e6 1 3.f4 �c7 ! , which pre­
vents the normally desirable 1 4.c4. There are some scary lines here, but it seems that
Black can hold the balance.
Now we come to the old way of playing the Exchange Variation, which has again
become the main line. This is 7.�c4 cS 8.ll:Je2 lLlc6 9.�e3 0-0 1 0.0-0. In Game 8 . 9 I
give my second-string defense, 1 O ... e6, which aims to restrain the White d-pawn,
and also gives the queen the square e7 where it is less subject to attack than on c 7 .
Still, I prefer 1 0 ... �c7 1 1 .l::t c 1 b 6 (Game 8 . 1 0) , primarily because we may want to
play a later . . . e7 -e5 without the loss of a tempo. Some of the resultant positions (after
. . . e 7 -e5 and d4-d5) are evaluated as good for White by the computers, but I don't
trust computer evaluations much in highly blocked positions such as these. Comput­
ers love protected passed pawns, but when they are securely blockaded by a knight
they aren't much of an asset.
At the last moment I decided to include coverage of the 1 O ...b6 gambit line as a third
black option. That was Griinfeld guru Peter Svidler's choice against World Number 1
Magnus Carlsen just days before finishing the book. At this writing, my analysis indi­
cates that it may be the best choice of all for Black, since the gambit seems quite sound
if accepted, while if it is declined Black has the choice transposing to I 0 .. .'� c7 or aim­
ing instead for . . . e7 -e6 and . . .'�i:Ye7 , which is probably a bit better. See Game 8 . 1 1 .

101
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

GI 3.2 (D85) Game 8.1 1 5 . 0 - 0 tLlxa6 1 6 .tbxa6 �c8 1 7 .�e2


D Evdokimov,Alexander l:hd4 is equal; both sides have bad
• Svidler,Peter pawns and the piece placement is about
Sochi tt, 2 0 1 0 (3) even;
A2) 9 .�e2 ttJc6 1 0.d5 tbes l l .lL'lxeS
1. d2-d4 tt:lg8-f6
�xe2 1 2 .�xe2 tLlxa4 1 3 .f4 e6 1 4.dxe6
2. c2-c4 g7-g6
�xeS 1 5 .exf7 + .lhf7 1 6.fxe5 �h4+
3. tt:lb1 -c3 d7-d5
1 7 . ..Q.f2 .!lx£'2 1 8 .�xf2 �xe4+ 1 9 .�e2
4. c4xd5 tt:lf6xd5
'i¥b4+ 2 0 .�d2 �h4+ 2 1 .g3 �e4+
2 2 . Wf2 tLlxb2 23 .�xb2 .l:rf8+ 24.�g l
i. �� ..t 'iV �,_t �.�. 'i¥e3 + 2 S .'it>g2 �f3 + results in a draw by
'i l l ' l · ll perpetual check.
B) Or S .�b3 lL'lxc3 6 .bxc3 .ig7 7 .tLlf3
0-0 8 . .ia3 b6 9.e3 cS 1 0 . .ie2 tLlc6
1 1 . 0-0 tLlaS 1 2 .�c2 (after 1 2 .�b5 �d7
1 3 .�a6 �c7 White's pieces are a bit
misplaced) 1 2 . . . �c7 1 3 . .ll ac l i.b 7
1 4.c4 e6 1 5 .dxcS bxcS with rough
equality.

5. ilc1 -d2

A) S .lba4 (Ashot Nadanian's spectacu­


lar discovery) 5 . . . �g7 6.e4 lL'lb6 7 . .ie3
0-0 8 .tLlf3 �g4 and now:

Analysis diagram

White's knight is better placed than


Black's, but Black's bishops are better
placed than White's.
Analysis diagram
5 . ... �f8-g7
6. e2-e4 tt:ld5-b6
A I ) 9 . tLlc5 tLlc6 l O .tLl xb 7 �b8
l l .�a6 tLlb4 1 2 .lL'lc5 ..Q.xf3 1 3 . gxf3 A good alternative is 6 . . . ttJxc3 7 .�xc3
�xd4! 1 4 .�xd4 (after 1 4 . .ie2 lld8 0-0 8.lL'lf3 (8 .�d2 cS 9.d5 e6 1 0 . ..Q.xg7
1 5 .�b3 ..Q.xcS 1 6 .-ixcS lL'lc6 1 7 . .!lc l �xg 7 1 1 . .ic4 tLld7 1 2 .tLle2 tLlf6=, and if
tLld4 1 8 .�e3 eS the outposted knight 1 2.d6 then 1 2 . . . �h4 is a good reply)
offsets the bishop pair) 1 4 . . . .l:!.d8 8 . . . �g4 9 . .ie2 cS I O .dS e6 1 1 .0-0 exdS

1 02
Chapter 8 - Griinfeld Exchange

1 2 .exd5 'ifd6= . The white d-pawn is


passed but isolated, and Black aims for a
knight vs. bad bishop edge.

7. �d2-e3 0-0

.i � .t 'i¥ E �
.t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t .t.
� .t.
Analysis diagram

88
ttJ it. I 2 .i.xc4 ( I 2 .�b3 lt:lxb2 ! = ; note that
88 888 this would be bad with Black's a-pawn on
a6. This shows the point of the 8 .�b5
l:t 'iY w it. tt:J l:t
move) 1 2 . . . tbxc4 I 3 .�b3 lt:lxb2
1 4.'ifxb2 flic7 I S .i.b4 a5 1 6.tbge2 axb4
8. h2-h3
1 7 .'ifxb4 fS ! N ( 1 7 . . . �d6=; 1 7 . . . 1i..g 4=;
A) 8 . .tbs (this bizarre but strong move 1 7 . . . b6!N also favors Black) I 8.0-0 fxe4
aims to provoke 8 . . . a6 9.�e2 as in some 1 9 . .ll ac i i.fs 20.a4 'ifes +. With two
variations the loss of protection for the bishops for two knights in a very open
knight by the a7 pawn is important) position, Black can afford to lose his b7 or
8 . . .�e6 9 . tbge2 (9.tLlf3 �g4 I O .�e2 e4 pawn and still have enough compensa­
transposes to the 8 .tLlf3 line, with each tion. White is unlikely to hang on to both
side having lost a tempo) 9 . . . c6 I O .�d3 of his isolated pawns for long;
lt:lc4 I I .�xc4 1i..x c4 1 2 . 0-0 lt:ld7 D) 8 . f4 lt:lc6 9.d5 lt:laS I O.�d4 e5
1 3 .'iYd2 �aS 1 4. �fd 1 .!:!.fd8=. This is a I I .i.xe5 i.xe5 l 2.fxe5 �h4+ 1 3 .g3
computer improvement over I 4 . . . �ad8, �e7 I 4.'i¥d4 .!:td 8 I S .b4 tbac4 with
which was equal in Wang Yue-Carlsen, equality.
Medias 2 0 1 0, won by Black. Presumably
8. ... e7-e5!
the idea is to retain the bishop pair if
White plays �h6 now or later. Either way 8 . . .f5 is often played (I played it once my­
Black is fme; self) but inferior.
B) 8.lt:lf3 1i..g 4 9.1i..e 2 tbc6 1 O.dS i.xf3
1 1 .gxf3 ( 1 Ltxf3 tLleS 1 2 .�e2 tbec4
1 3 .1i..c i c6 1 4.dxc6 bxc6 I 5 .�c2 'ifd4
I 6 .0-0 �fd8 1 7 .a4 �cS+) 1 I . . .lt:la5
I 2 .1i..d4 'ifd6 1 3 .1i..x g7 Wxg7 I 4.�d2 .t.
'iff6 1 5 .b3 l:tad8 =; 88
C) 8 .�e2 lt:lc6 9 .d5 (9 .lt:lf3 1i..g 4 trans­ ttJ it. 8
poses to the 8 .tbf3 line) 9 . . . tbeS I O.�d4 8 8
8 '8
c5 ! I I .1i..x c5 ( I I .dxc6 tbxc6 l 2 .�xg7 ' 'i¥ <;t> it. ttJ �
:
Wxg 7 +) 1 I . . . lt:lec4

1 03
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

9. d4xe5 1 5. ... tLlb4-c6


1 6. 'lk¥b1 -c2 l:U8-e8
9 .tt:lf3 exd4 l O .i.xd4 lLlc6 or
1 7. tLlc3-b5
( 1 0 .. .'i¥e7=) l l..�. x g 7 <;!;lxg7 1 2..�bS
'iVxd l + 1 3 .llxd l (Laylo-Navara, Khanty­ 1 7 .llad l a6 1 8 .�d3 llad8 1 9.lLle2 lld7
Mansiysk 2009) 1 3 . . . tt:lb4!N 1 4.a3 a6 2 0 .lLlf4 �ed8 2 1 .l:tfe l lLld4 2 2 .i.xd4
1 S .i.e2 tt:lc6 1 6.0-0 ke6= ; i.xd4 2 3 .eS cS 24.lLlxe6 'i¥xe6 2 S .lLlgS
9 .dS c6 1 0 .'i¥b3 cxdS 1 l .exdS lLla6 'i¥e7 2 6.e6 'i¥xgS 27 .exd7 lLlxd7=. Al­
1 2 .lLlf3 e4 1 3 .lLlgS �xc3 + 1 4.bxc3 l:!.e8 though Black has only a pawn for the ex­
1 S .d6 i.e6 1 6.''li'd 1 h6 1 7 .h4 tt:lb8 is also change, his powerful anchored bishop
equal. and the presence of the major pieces give
him enough compensation.
9. ... kg7xe5
1 0. 'lk¥d1 -c2 1 7. ... a7-a6
1 8. tLlb5-c3
l O .lLlf3 �xc3 + l l .bxc3 'i¥xd 1 +
1 2.<;i;lxd l .l:Ie8 1 3 .�d3 i.e6 1 4.<;i;lc2 i.c4 1 8.�cS �b3 ! (probably White missed
1 S .tt:ld2 i.xd3+ 1 6.' �xd3 lLlc6=. The this when he played 1 7 .tUbS) 1 9 .'i¥xb3
bishop is a tad better than the knight with 'i¥xcS 20.tt:lxc7 tt:laS 2 l .'i¥b4 'i¥xc7
opposing majorities, but Black has the 2 2 . 'i¥xaS l:!.xe4=.
better pawn structure.
1 8. ... i.e6-c4
1 0. ... tt:lb8-c6 1 9. i.e2xc4 tLlb6xc4=
20. �e3-g5 tLlc6-d4
1 O . . .'i¥e7N should also equalize.
21 . tLlf3xd4 'i¥e7xg5
11. tt:lg1 -f3 ke5-g7 22. tLld4-f3?!
1 2. i.f1 -e2 tLlc6-b4
2 2 . llad l 'i¥eS=.
1 3. 'i¥c2-b1 'lk¥d8-e7
1 4. 0-0 i.c8-e6 22. ... 'i¥g5-e7
23. l:!:f1 -e1 c7-c6=F

1 5. a2-a3

I S . .!lei tt:lc6 1 6 .lLlb5 llfc8 1 7 .i.cs 'i¥f6 Black's bishop is superior to White's
1 8 .tt:lbd4 i.d7 1 9 . .!ld l lLla4=. knights.

1 04
Chapter 8 - Griinfeld Exchange

In this game I examine all the unusual


24. tt:lf3-d2 tt:lc4xd2
moves played here For the more regular
25. 'll\Yc 2xd2 l:ra8-d8
moves 7 .lLlf3 and 7 .�c4, see Games
26. 'll\Y d 2-c2 'll\Ye7-c5
3- 1 1 .
27. l:ra1 -c1 a6-a5
28. 'll\Yc 2-e2 'll\Yc 5-g5 7. �f1 -b5+
29. �c1 -d1 l;Id8xd1
A) 7 .'ll!Y a 4+ lLld7 (in 2 0 0 7 I played
30. .!:te1 xd1 �g7xc3
7 . . . 'll\Yd 7 against IM Irina Krush and got
31 . b2xc3 'll\Y g5-c5
into trouble, but somehow I won) 8 .lLlf3
Black now wins a pawn. 0-0 9 .�g5 c5 1 O . .ll c 1 ( 1 O . .ll d 1 'll\Yc 7
1 l .�e2 tLlf6 1 2 .d5 �d7 1 3 .'1Wc2 �Was
32. 'll\Ye2-f3 'll\Y c5xa3
1 4.tLld2 �a4 1 5 . tLlb3 Wlc7 1 6 . c4
33 . .!:!.d 1 -d7 .!:Ie8-e7
�eS = ; analysis by Avrukh) 1 O . . . h6
34. l:Id7-d8+ wg8-g7
1 l .�e3 a6 1 2 .�a3 b6 1 3 . .id3 e6
35. 'iff3-e3 l:!.e7-e5
1 4.0-0 .2.b7 1 5 .'1Wb3 'i¥c7 1 6 .'1Wd 1 lLlf6
36. l:td8-d7 b7-b5
(Delchev) 1 7 .tLld2 llac8 1 8 .a4 .!:Ifd8 and
37. Wg 1 -h2? 'll\Ya3-c5-+
Black is for choice as the obvious
38. 'll\Y e 3-f4 .!:te5-e7
1 9 .'1We2 is met by . . . cxd4 when the trade
39. J:Id7xe7 'll\Yc5xe7
of queen for two rooks after 2 0 .cxd4 fa­
40. e4-e5 a5-a4
vors Black slightly;
41 . 'll\Yf4-d4 c6-c5 0-1
B) 7 .�a3 lLld7 8 .lLlf3 cS 9 .'1Wb3 0-0
1 O.�e2 ( 1 O ..id3 Rb8 1 1 .0-0 bS =·
GI 4. 1 (D8 5 ) Game 8.2 1 O.�c4 bS 1 1 .�xb5 .!lb8 1 2 .'1Wa4 lLlb �
D Vaisser,Anatoli 1 3 .'1Wa5 cxd4 1 4.lLlxd4 �b7 is also
• Jansa,Vlastimil equal; White must lose back his extra
Arco Wch-sen, 20 I 0 (7) pawn on e4 or on d4; l O . .ll d 1 'VJi/c7
1 l .�e2 bS) 1 O .. J1b8 (Delchev) 1 1 . 0-0
1. d2-d4 tt:lg8-f6
bS and here Black has adequate
2. c2-c4 g7-g6
counterplay;
3. tt:lb1 -c3 d7-d5
C) 7 .�g5 cS 8 .1lc 1 0-0 9.tLlf3 .ig4
4. c4xd5 tt:lf6xd5
1 O.ds 'VJi/d6 I l .�e2 tLld7 1 2 . 0-0 �xf3
5. e2-e4 tt:ld5xc3
1 3 .�xf3 bS. The plan of . . . c5-c4 and
6. b2xc3 �f8-g7
. . . tLld7 -c5 -d3 plus the weak white pawns
on a2 and c3 fully offset White's bishop
I · .i. � � I
pair.
·.t, i r.1; i i .i. i
i 7. ... c7-c6
8. �b5-a4 0-0
9. tt:lg1-e2 b7-b5

I also like 9 . . . eS .

1 0. �a4-b3 a7-a5

1 05
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 9. f4 exf4 2 0 .'i¥xf4 g S 2 1 .'il¥g3 tt::lb 2 -


the white attack is dead and Black has the
initiative.

1 9. ... c6xd5
20. h5xg6 f7xg6
21 . 'irc1 -h6+?!

Since there is no attack the check should


have been held in reserve .

1 1 . �c1 -e3 21. ..t>g7-g8


22. e4xd5
In the event of 1 1 .0-0 tt:ld7 1 2 .�g5 a4
1 3 .�c2 tt::l b 6 1 4.'ifc 1 f6 1 S .�h6 eS
1 6 .�xg7 'lt>xg7 1 7 .h3 �e6 Black stands
better due to the c4 outpost for bishop or
knight and his much more mobile
bishop.
Also after 1 1 .a4 �a6 1 2 .axb5 cxbS
1 3 .0-0 tt:lc6 1 4.�e3 a4 Black is better,
with ideas of . . . tt:lc6-a5-c4 or . . . b4. Anal-
ysis by Agrest.

11. ..
. tt:Jb8-d7
Here a draw was agreed, although Black is
1 2. h2-h4 a5-a4
clearly better after 22 . . . �fS . White's at­
1 3. �b3-c2 tt:Jd7-b6
tack has failed, his king is in the center,
14. 'ird1 -c1 tt:Jb6-c4
and his queenside pawns are effectively
1 5. �e3-h6 e7-e5
all three isolated from each other. Curi­
1 6. �h6xg7 Wg8xg7
ously, the two players in this game and I
1 7. h4-h5 'ifd8-e7
ended up tied for 1 st place (along with
1 8. �c2-d3 �c8-e6
one other grandmaster) , with Vaisser tak­
ing first and Jansa second on tiebreak
points. Perhaps Jansa would have won this
World Senior Championship if he had not
agreed to a draw here.

GI 4.4 (D85 ) Game 8.3


D Xu Jun
• Wang Yue
Ningbo, 20 1 1 (2)
1 . d2-d4 lt:Jg8-f6
1 9. d4-d5?! 2. c2-c4 g7-g6

1 06
Chapter 8 - Griinfeld Exchange

from here in my database) 1 2.�c4+ (if


3. ttJb1 -c3 d7-d5
1 2 .exf5 'iVaS + 1 3 .�d2 'iVxfS , due to the
4. c4xd5 ttJf6xd5
pressure on d4, Black is better) 1 2 . . . �h8
5. e2-e4 ttJd5xc3
1 3 .e5 b5 14 . .1b3 tt:la5 1 5 .0-0 lLlxb3
6. b2xc3 �f8-g7
1 6 .axb3 .1b7 and White has little com­
7. ttJg1 -f3 c7-c5
pensation for the bishop pair.
i. � .t 'i¥ � i. 8. ... ttJb8-c6
& &- & & ,.t & 9. 0-0 0-0
& 9 . . .cxd4 first has been more popular,
& when White may have a microscopic
15.� 8 edge. Now the text is catching on as Black
15,: ttJ need not fear the capture on c5 , as we
15. 15. i 8 £::, shall see .
.s: �·'if � � .s:
1 0. �c1 -e3 �c8-g4

this game we look at White's unusual


In
'iV, i. �
eighth moves.
:i & .t &
8. �f1 -b5+ &
This is not a promising line. White hasn't
won a single grandmaster level game in
this variation for twelve years! 8.�e2 ?!
(already after this White has no chance for
even the slightest edge) 8 ... lLlc6 and now:
A) 9.d5 �xc 3 + 1 0 . �d2 �xa 1
1 1 . d4xc5
1 l .'iVxa 1 ttJd4 1 2.<1:Jxd4 cxd4 1 3 .'iVxd4
0-0 1 4.�h6 'iVaS+ 1 5 .�fl f6 1 6.�xf8 I l .d5 tt:le5 1 2 .�e2 lLlxf3 + 1 3 .�xf3
�xf8 White's extra center pawn doesn't .1xf3 1 4.'iVxf3 'iVaS I S . .l:.!.ac l c4 1 6 .'iVe2
quite make up for his loss of castling r:tac8=. The weak White pawns on a2 and
rights and the difficulty he will have de­ c3 offset his extra center pawn.
.
veloping his rook;
1 1 . ... . �d8-c7
B) 9 .�e3 �g4 1 0 .e5 (usually in the
Griinfeld when White is forced to play 1 1 ... .1xc3 1 2 . .ll c 1 �g7 1 3 .h3 �xf3 N
this he is worse, as his d-pawn becomes 1 4.'iVxf3 tt:ld4=.
backward) I 0 . . . 0-0 1 1 .0-0 .ti.c8 1 2 .h3
1 2. �b5xc6 �c7xc6
cxd4 1 3 .cxd4 ..Q.e6 1 4.'iVd2 �dSN -
1 3. �d1 -c2 �g4xf3
White has little compensation for the
1 4. g2xf3 f7-f5
backward d-pawn and the resultant out­
1 5. .!:!.f1 -d 1 nt8-t7
post for Black on d5.
16. :rd1 -d5 na8-f8
8 .h3 0-0 9 .�e2 tt:lc6 I O.�e3 cxd4
1 7. .!:!.a1 -d 1 f5xe4
1 1 .cxd4 f5 ! (Black scored 8 out of 1 0

1 07
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 8. �c2xe4 J:!.f7xf3 . .. .t tv � :1
1 9. �e4xe7 J:!.f3-f7 .l' .l .l .l .l '.t .l
.
·

20. �e7-h4 , .l
-�
K .t .l
.l

'i¥
!'::,, � 7. tt.:lg1 -f3
,!'::, !'::,
7 . .te3 cS 8J:tc 1 (Krarnnik 's preferred
l:L w
move-order) 8 . . . �a5 9.�d2 0-0 1 0.t2Jf3
transposes.
20 . ... �c6-e6
7. ... c7-c5
There was nothing wrong with regaining
8. .2.c1 -e3
the pawn by 20 . . . il.xc3=.
This variation is very popular recently
21 . c3-c4 il.g7-f6
with strong grandmasters.
Better and equal was 2 l . . .�e5 , prevent­
8. ... �d8-a5
ing Ild6 while keeping an eye on h2.
9. �d 1 -d2
22. �h4-g3 �e6-e4
9 .t2Jd2 and now:
In the game Black played to regain his A) 9 . . . cxd4 is a reasonable alternative to
pawn by 22 . . . �a6, but after 2 3 .�e4 castling. It avoids the draw given below,
�xa2 24.�d7 he had to fight for the draw, but I consider castling to be the more
successfully. The text equalizes, as the iso­ correct move. 1 O.t2Jc4 ( 1 O.cxd4 t2Jc6
lation of all five white pawns surely offsets 1 l .d5 tt.:ld4 1 2 .l:!.c1 .td7 1 3 .�d3 �a4
White's one pawn lead in material. 1 4. 'ti'g4 il.d7 1 5 .'ti'd1 draw by repeti­
tion)

GI 4.8 (D85) Game 8.4


D Ernst,Sipke :1 ;1\: .t .,.,2 � . :: :1
• Gustafsson,Jan : ..: . .l -
. l .i l.. .l
Germany Bundesliga, 20 I 0/ I I ( I ) .l
1. d2-d4 tt.:lg8-f6
2. c2-c4 g 7-g6
3. tt.:lb1 -c3 d7-d5
4. c4xd5 tt.:lf6xd5
5. e2-e4 tt.Jd5xc3
6. b2xc3 �f8-g7 Analysis diagram

1 08
Chapter 8 - Griinfeld Exchange

I O . . . 'i¥d8 ( I O . . . dxe 3 ?! I I .tlJxaS il.xc3+ tt:le2 + 2 l..� xe2 il.xe2+. With the bishop
1 2 .�e2 ..ixaS I 3 .Wxe3 was Aronian­ pair in a wide open position and no bad
Sutovsky, Ningbo Wch-tt 2 0 I I . Black has pawns or pieces Black is better.
two bishops, a pawn, and some threats
1 2. ... f7-f6
against the exposed white king for his
queen, but it wasn't enough and Black
lost. The computers consider this sacrifice
unsound) I l .cxd4 fS 1 2 . .!lb i fxe4
I 3 .�e2 0-0 I 4. 0-0 il.e6 I S . .!lxb7 �ds
I 6 . .!lbS ttJc6 I 7 .'i¥d2 e6=. Although
Black has one more isolated pawn than
White, his pieces are active and central­
ized;
B) 9 . . . Qd 7 ? ! and now:
B I ) I O.tt:lb3 'i¥xc3 + I I .Qd2 'i¥b2
1 2 . ..ic i 'i¥c3 + 1 3 .Qd2 was a quick draw
1 3. �g5-f4
by repetition played in Shulman­
Dominguez Perez, Lubbock 2 0 I I . 1 3 .c4 �xd2+ 1 4.il.xd2 .l::!.e 8 1 S .�e2
B 2 ) I O . ..ie2 'i¥xc3 I I. . i::!: c l 'i¥b2 tt:ld7 1 6 .il.e3 exdS 1 7 .exdS fS =.
1 2 . .!lc2 'i¥b4 I 3 . .!lxcS tt:lc6 I4 . .ll c4 'i¥b2 1 3 .il.e3 tt:lc6 1 4 . .2.d3 ( 14 ...ie2 exdS
I S .dS tt:ld4 is also equal. I S .exdS c4 1 6 .lld 1 ttJe7 1 7 .�xc4 �e6
B 3 ) but I 0 Jlc I ! is a correct and strong transposes) 1 4 . . . exdS 1 S . exdS c4!
pawn sacrifice according to Komodo. 1 6.il.xc4 �e6 1 7 . � d 1 tt:le7 I 8 .dxe6 ! ?
( 1 8 . 0- 0 �xdS I 9 .'i¥e2 Wh8=)
9. 0-0
1 8 ... .!lxd2 I 9 ..lhd2 'iYxc3 ( 1 9 ... tt:lfS ! ?
1 0. l:ta 1 -c1 l:tf8-d8
2 0 . .ll d 3 .l:le8=, if you wish to avoid an
1 1 . d4-d5
immediate draw) 2 0 . .2.b 3 �c 1 +
I I . ..ie2 �g4 I 2.dS c4 I 3 . 0-0 tt:ld7 2 I .lld ! 'i¥c3 + 2 2 . W e 2 . This was
I 4.h3 il.xf3 I S .�xf3 bS I 6 . .ll fd l 'i¥a3 = . Potkin-Svidler, Moscow ch-RUS 2 0 1 0
Black's mobile queenside majority and and Pashikian-Cornette, Aix-les-Bains
pressure on White's two weak pawns off­ Ech 20 1 1 . White avoided the drawing
set the bishop pair. 2 2 .lld2 in both games but both were
drawn anyway. With a rook and bishop
1 1 . ... e7·e6
and bishop pair for the queen White is
1 2. �e3-g5
the equivalent of a pawn down, but his
I 2..�e 2 exdS I 3 .exdS b S ! I 4 ...ixcS �b7 strong passer evens the chances. Svidler
I S .c4 'i¥xd2 + I 6.tt:lxd2 bxc4 1 7 .il.xc4 played 2 2 . . . aS , Cornette chose
�xdS =; 22 . . . 'i¥b4, and the computer likes
1 2 .c4 'i¥xd2+ 1 3 .tt:lxd2 b6 I 4.�e2 ttJa6 22 . . . 'i¥as 2 3 .lld3 fS = .
I S .0-0 tt:lb4 I 6.a3 tt:la2 1 7 .llc2 ttJc3
1 3 . ... 'ifa5·a4
1 8 . ..if3 exdS 1 9 .cxdS ?! ( 1 9 . exdS �fs
1 4. c3-c4
2 0 . .!lcc 1 .!lacS=) 1 9 . . . il.a6 2 0 Jifc 1

1 09
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

Alternatively, I 4.'i¥c2 'i¥xc2 I 5 Jhc2


exdS I 6.exd5 �fS I 7 Jlb2 �e4 I 8 .c4
.!txf3 I 9 .gxf3 .l::l e 8+N 2 0 .�e2 b6 2 l .h4
tt'ld7 2 2 .llb i fS 2 3 .h5 �eS gives equal­
ity. Black's better pawn structure and the
e-file pin compensate for the bishop
pair.

1 4. ... e6xd5
1 5. e4xd5 tt:Jb8-a6
1 6. .!tf1 -e2 tt:Ja6-b4
White seems to have enough compensa­
1 7. 0-0 �a4xa2
tion for the piece with his threats against
1 8. �d2-e3 .1i.c8-f5
the queen and the b7 pawn to get a draw
1 9. �e3xc5
based on the following analysis, though
this is far from certain.

22 . ... �a2-a3
23. �b5xb7 tt:Ja6-b4
24. Iie1 -e7 .!tg7-f8
25. .!:Ie7xh7 �f5-e6
26. .iic 1 -e1 .!::!:a 8-b8
27. �b7-e4 �a3-d3
28. W4'e4xe6+ <Jtg8xh7
29. �e6xf6 �d3-f5
30. �f6-h4+ �f5-h5
1 9. ... tt:lb4-a6! 31 . �h4-f6 �h5-f5
V2-1h
This is a computer improvement over
the actual game, which continued
I 9 .. .lt:Jxd5 ? ! 2 0 . cxd5 'i¥xe2 2 I..!He l ? ! GI 4. 1 4 (D8 5 ) Game 8.5
( 2 1 .�c 7 ! lld7 2 2 . d 6 ± ) 2 1 . . .'i¥a2 D Wells,Peter
2 2 .�b5 'iYa6 ? ! (22 . . Jhd5 2 3 .'i¥xb 7 • Michaelsen,Nils
.!ladS+) 2 3 . 'i¥b 3 = 'iYb6 24.'ifa2 'ifa6 Israel, 1 9 8 8
2 5 .'iVb3 'il'b6 with a draw by repeti­
1. d2-d4 tt:lg8-f6
tion.
2. tt:lg1 -f3 g7-g6
20. �c5-b5 3. c2-c4 .1i.f8-g7
4. tt:lb1 -c3 d7-d5
2 0 .'ife7 'i¥b2 2 I ..llce i .lle 8 2 2 .�c l
5. c4xd5 tt:lf6xd5
'ifxc i +.
6. e2-e4 tt:Jd5xc3
20 . ... 'fka2xe2 7. b2xc3 c7-c5
21 . .!::!:f 1-e1 �e2-a2 8. lla1 -b 1 0-0
22. d5-d6 9. �f1 -e2 c5xd4

I I0
Chapter 8 - Griinfeld Exchange

This is safest, but it allows a simple draw.


1 0. c3xd4 �d8-a5+
If you must avoid a draw, choose
1 3 .. .'�We6 , which is analyzed in Ernst­
Nijboer below.

1 4. �e2-c4 �a2-a4
1 5. �c4-b5 �a4-a2
1 6. l::i:f1 -e1

White can draw by 1 6 .�c4=.

1 6 . ... l::U8-c8
1 7. �c1 -d1

1 1 . �c1 -d2

l l .�d2 'iYxd2+ 1 2..�.xd2 b6 1 3 . 0-0


i.b7 1 4.d5 i.a6 I S .i.xa6 tLlxa6 1 6.i.e3
fS 1 7 .e5 f4 1 8 .i.c l �ad8 1 9 .l::t d l tbc7
2 0 .d6 exd6 2 1 .exd6 (2 1 .i.a3 tLle6
2 2...�.x d6 Ilf7 =) 2 l ... tLle6=.

I I�
j_ J.
i 17. ... e7-e6!

This is much safer than the more com­


mon 1 7 . . . 'iYc2 .

1 8. �b5-a4

1 8 .'iYe2 tbc6 1 9.'iYe3 tLlaS !N 2 0 .i.b4


Analysis diagram
i.c6 2 1 .i.e2 tLlc4 2 2 .'i¥f4 i.e8=.
White's passer is advanced but rather
1 8. ... ttJb8-c6
weak. Black's pieces are well placed. The
1 9. d4-d5
following moves are analysis by Avrukh:
2 2..�b2 tbcs 2 3 .i.xg7 �xg7 24 . .ll b4 �fs 1 9 .i.b3 'i¥a3 20.d5 exdS transposes to
2 5 .tLld4 �f6 2 6.ttJbs �d7 2 7 .f3 \tlf7=. the game.

1 1 . ..
. �a5xa2 1 9. ... e6xd5
1 2. 0-0 b7-b6 20. �a4-b3 �a2-a3
1 3. �d1 -c1 21 . e4xd5

1 3 . .l:!e l i.a6 1 4.i.g5 �e8=. After 2 l .i.xd5 'i/e7 2 2 .i.g5 'i¥f8 White
has compensation for the pawn, but per­
1 3. ... i.c8-b7
haps not quite enough.

Ill
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

21 . ... tbc6-d4 6. e2-e4 ttJd5xc3


22. ttJf3xd4 �g7xd4 7. b2xc3 0-0
23. l:re1 -e4
7 . . . cS ! is a more precise move order.

8. fi.f1 -e2 c7-c5


9. �a1-b1 c5xd4
1 0. c3xd4 'iYd8-a5+
11. fi.c1 -d2 'iYa5xa2
1 2. 0-0 b7-b6
1 3. 'ifd1 -c1

23 . ... �d4-c3!N

The text is a computer improvement over


the actual game, which went 2 3 . . . 'i¥c5
24.£.e 1 �f6 2 S .i¥f3 'i!Vd6? ? 2 6 ..ib4 and
White went on to win .

24. �d2-g5 'iYa3-d6


25. �g5-e7 1 3. .
. . �c8-b7
1 4. fi.e2-c4 'iYa2-a4
After 2 S .l:[e7 llc7 26 . .l::!.x c7 'i!Vxc7 White
1 5. fi.c4-b5 ifa4-a2
lacks full compensation for the pawn.
1 6. l:lf1 -e1 I:tf8-c8
25 . ... 'i/Vd6-d7 1 7. 'iYc1 -d 1 'ifa2-c2
26. �e7-h4 'iYd7-d6
I believe 1 7 ... e6 as in the previous game is
27. �h4-e7
simpler and probably better, but just in case
Draw by repetition. Either side may vary something turns out to be wrong with it I
but not advantageously. give here the more common move.

1 8. 'iYd 1 -e2 ttJb8-c6


GI 4. 1 4 (D8 5 ) Game 8.6
D Poluliakhov,Alexander
• Tseshkovsky,Vitaly
Krasnodar, 1 996 (9)

1. d2-d4 tbg8-f6
2. tbg1 -f3 g 7-g6
3. c2-c4 �f8-g7
4. tbb1 -c3 d7-d5
5. c4xd5 ttJf6xd5

1 12
Chapter 8 - Griinfeld Exchange

2 I .lla 1 'i¥c2 2 2 .�d3 'ii'b 2 transposes to


1 9. �b5-d3
the note to move 2 0 .
1 9 . .ll ec l ?! 'ii' a 2 2 0 .�c4 tLlxd4 2 I .tLlxd4 2 l .�bS 'i¥c2 2 2 . .ll e c 1 'i¥a2 2 3 .�c4
llxc4 2 2 .'i'fxc4 'i¥xd2 2 3 .tLlc6 'ii'd 7 tLlxd4 transposes to the note to move 1 9 .
24.'fVdS �xc6 (24 ... 11Vc7 may be even
21 . ... �a4-a6
better for Black, since queen trades favor
22. �e2-e3
the side with an extra exchange) 2S . .l:txc6
'ii'x dS 2 6 .exdS �d4 2 7 .d6 exd6
28 . .llx d6 �cS and with two connected
passers for the exchange Black should be
better.

1 9. ... 'ii'c 2-a2


20. �d3-c4

20 . .l:ta 1 'fVb2 2 I ..l:ta4 bS !N 2 2 .�xbS aS


2 3 .dS tLleS 24.tLlxeS �xeS 2 S .'fVd3
( 2 S .�e3 'i¥xe2= ) 2S . . . l:tc2 2 6 .�e3
�c8=. Black's doubled major pieces on
22 . ... e7-e61
the 7th rank make up for his isolated a-
pawn. In the actual game Black played
22 . . . tLlaS ? ! , which allowed the brilliant
2 3 .�xf7+ and White went on to win:
23 . . . <ohf7 24.tLlg S + 'it>e8 2 S .'i¥h3 �xd4
2 6.'1Wxh7 bS 2 7 .�xaS 'i¥f6 28 . .l:ted 1 l:Ic2
2 9 .'i¥g8+ Wd7 3 0 . .l:txd4+ '1Wxd4
3 1 .'i¥e6+ �e8 3 2 .11Vxg6+ Wd7
3 3 .'1WfS+ We8 3 4.eS .!:!.cS 3 S .tLle6 1\VxeS
3 6.tLlc7 + �xc7 3 7 .'i¥g6+ Wd7 3 8 . .ixc7
�xc7 39 . .ll e l eS 40 . .lld l .l:td8 4 l .�f7+
and Black resigned.
The text should equalize.

20. ... �a2-a4 23. d4-d5 e6xd5


24. e4xd5
20 . . . 11Va3 N 2 l .dS tLld4 2 2.tLlxd4 �xd4
2 3 .�b4 '1Wa4 24.�bS 'i¥c2 2 S . �xe7 a6 24.�xdS tLleS 2 S Jb i 'i¥xa 1 2 6 Jha 1
2 6.�d3 'i¥xe2 2 7 .Ylxe2 .lle 8 28 . .l:ted I �xd S 2 7 .tt:lxeS .ixeS 2 8 . .l:te 1 �c4=.
llxe7 2 9 . .llxd4 bS 3 0 .f4 .l:tc7 is an inter­ With rook, bishop, pawn, and the
esting attempt to play for a win as Black, bishop pair for the queen, Black has full
although the white pawns look more material equality and a satisfactory po­
menacing than the black ones here. sition, although computers prefer
White due to a tendency to overvalue
21 . �c4-b3
the queen.

1 13
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

24. ... tt:Jc6-a5 8. .. . 0-0


25. d5-d6 .l:!.c8-f8 9. �f1 -e2
26. tt::l f3-g5 tt:Ja5xb3
27. 'iife 3xb3 �b7-c6

w 9. ... c5xd4

The alternatives are 9 . . lt:Jc6 and 9 . b6. I


. . .

28. tt::l g5xf7 .l:!.f8xf7


recommend the former (see next game)
29. l:te1 -e7 .l:!.a8-f8
but not the latter.
30. d6-d7 �c6xd7
31 . .l:!.e7xd7 b6-b5 1 0. c3xd4 �d8-a5+
32. �d2-e3 'iifa 6-a4 1 1 . �c1 -d2 �a5xa2
33. .l:!.d7xf7 .l:!.f8xf7 1 2. 0-0 b7-b6
34. �b3xb5 'iifa 4xb5
Other moves, especially 1 2 . . . �g4, are
35. .l:!.b1 xb5 �g7-c3=
more popular but computer analysis says
A draw is nearly certain now. that 1 2 . . b6 is best.
.

1 3. 'li'd1 -c1

GI 4. 1 4 (D85) Game 8.7 1 3 . .igs .ib7 1 4 . ..Q..d 3 e6=.


D Ernst,Sipke
1 3 . ... 'ifa2-e6
• Nijboer,Friso
Groningen, 2002 ( I ) This avoids a quick draw. Safer and more
frequent is 1 3 . . . �b7 .
1. d2-d4 tt::lg8-f6
2. c2-c4 g7-g6
3. tt:Jb1 -c3 d7-d5
4. c4xd5 tt::lf6xd5
5. e2-e4 tt:Jd5xc3
6. b2xc3 �f8-g7
7. tt::l g 1 -f3 c7-c5
8. .l:!.a1-b1

This, the Modern Exchange Variation, is


among the most testing of White's options.

1 14
Chapter 8 - Griinfeld Exchange

1 4. �e2-c4 1 7. . .
. f7xe6
1 8. tt:Jf3-g5
In case of 1 4 . .ll e 1 i1l.a6 1 5 .�d 1 .ll c 8
1 6 .�a3 �d7N 1 7 .dS �c4 White has full
compensation for the pawn but perhaps
no more than that.

1 4. �e6xe4
1 5. .l:!.f1 -e1

After 1 5 .�xf7+ l:[xf7 1 6.�xc8+ llf8


1 7 .'i¥c4+ e6 1 8.l:tb5 �c6 1 9 .�b3 tt::l a 6
20 . .l:!.c 1 �d7 2 l .tt::l e 5 �xeS 2 2 . l:rxe5
tt::lc 7 White has too little compensation
for the pawn minus.
1 8. ... tt:Jb8-a6
1 5 . ... �e4-b7
This is a computer novelty. In the actual
1 6. �d2-b4
game Black played 1 8 . . . tt::lc 6, after which
White can also play 1 6 .�h6 e6 (a nov­ White retains chances for an edge. The
elty) 1 7 .�xg7 �xg7 1 8 .�c3 �g8 game was later drawn.
1 9 .tt::l g 5 �e7 2 0.�g3 h6 2 1 .tt::l x e6 �xe6
1 9. tt:Jg5xe6
2 2..�.dS tLlc6 2 3 .i1l.xc6 .ll a c8 24.d5 'iYgS
2 5 .'i¥f3 iiLfS and White's strong passer 1 9 .�e3 tt::l c 7=.
gives him enough compensation for the
1 9. ... \t>g8-h8
pawn to equalize.
20. �b4-a3
16 .
. . . �c8-e6
Also after, 2 0. tt::lxf8 I!.xf8 2 l. .�c3 tbc 7
1 7. .l:!.e1 xe6
with the black knight coming to dS soon,
This is the only continuation that is dan­ White does not have enough compensa­
gerous for Black. tion for the lost pawn.
After 1 7 .d5 ?! �xdS 1 8 . .l:!.xe 7 tLld7
20. ... tt:la6-c7
1 9 .�d2 i1Lxc4 2 0 .l:::!.x d7 �c8 2 l .�xf8
�xf8 I prefer Black's chances as he has 20 .. Jlfc8 may be an improvement, when
two connected passers and the bishop the position is equal.
pair for the exchange.
21 . tt:le6xg7
Or 1 7 .�xe6 fxe6 1 8 . .!lxe6 � dS 1 9 . .ll x e7
tt::lc 6 20 . .ll x g7 + �xg 7 2 1..�. xf8 + .ll xf8 2 1 .tLlxf8 .l:Ixf8 2 2 .�xe7 lle8 2 3 .�g5
2 2 .�e3 lld8 , and although the computer �e4 - Black's well-placed pieces and
prefers White due to the large difference better pawns fully offset White's bishop
in king safety, I think that the secure pair.
blockade of the queen's pawn and the
21 . ... \t>h8xg7
two connected passers should give Black
22. �c1 -e1 ·

about equal chances.


The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

With 2 2 .i.xe7 ! ?N White has full com­


pensation for the exchange, with two
strong bishops and a much safer king. I
would avoid this by my suggestion on
move 2 0 .

22 . ... e7-e6
23. �a3xf8+ l:Ia8xf8
24. l:Ib1 -c1 �g7-g8
25. �c4-b3 l:If8-e8
26. 'ife1 -e5 t2Jc7-d5
This line, also recommended by Delchev
27. l:Ic1 -e1 �g8-f7
and Agrest, is my first choice. There is not
28. h2-h4 h7-h5=
so much you need to learn here, and the
line seems to be sound.

1 0. d4-d5

After 1 o .�e3 ?! i.g4 1 1 .l:Ixb7 .txf3


1 2 .i.xf3 cxd4 1 3 .cxd4 �xd4 1 4.hd4
tt:lxd4 1 5 .0-0 eS Black is better. The
outposted knight is clearly worth more
than the slightly bad bishop. The sym­
metric pawn structure also favors knights
over bishops.
White's safer king compensates for the
1 0. ... t2Jc6-e5
pawn minus, but he cannot claim an ad­
vantage. Accepting the pawn with 1 O . . . i.xc3+
leads after 1 l .�d2 i.xd2+ 1 2 .'i¥xd2
tt:ld4 1 3.tt:lxd4 cxd4 1 4.'i¥xd4 to a good
GI 4. 1 6 (D8 5) Game 8.8 endgame for White, as was seen in
D Gajewski,Grzegorz Kasparov-Natsis, Malta ol 1 9 8 0 .
• Sutovsky,Emil
1 1 . t2Jf3xe5
Rijeka Ech, 20 I 0 (8)
1 I . tbd2 fS ! 1 2.0-0 fxe4 1 3 .t2Jxe4 .tfs
1. d2-d4 t2Jg8-f6
1 4.f3 b6=.
2. c2-c4 g 7-g6
3. t2Jb1 -c3 d 7-d5 11. . .. �g7xe5
4. c4xd5 t2Jf6xd5 1 2. �d 1 -d2
5. e2-e4 t2Jd5xc3
1 2 . .!lb3 �c7 1 3 .'i¥d2 �d7 1 4.c4N
6. b2xc3 �f8-g7
( 1 4.f4 c4 1 S . .l:!.b4 ..id6 1 6 . .l:!.xc4 'i¥a5=)
7. t2Jg1 -f3 c7-c5
1 4 . . . b5 1 S .cxb5 c4 1 6 .llb4 c3 1 7 .�c2
8. l:Ia1 -b1 0-0
e6 1 8 .dxe6 �xe6 1 9 . .l:ta4 .!ladS= and
9. �f1 -e2 t2Jb8-c6
Black is a pawn down, but has a danger-

1 16
Chapter 8 - Griinfeld Exchange

ous advanced passed pawn and much 1 4 . ..tc4 a6 1 5 .a4 bS 1 6.axb5 axbS
better coordinated and developed pieces, 1 7 . ..txbS exdS 1 8 . ..tc6 lla6 1 9 .�xdS
so full compensation. lld6 2 0.0-0 �fS 2 I .'ifc2 llxdS 22.exf5
After 1 2.'ifc2 e6 1 3 .f4 �g7 1 4.dxe6 llxfS 2 3 .c4 'ifd4+=;
..ixe6 1 5 J lxb7 'iVaS 1 6 .e5 Itab8 1 4.dxe6 1i'xd2+ 1 S . .ixd2
1 7 .llxb8 llxb8 1 8 .�d3 ? ( 1 8 . .ie3N �fs
1 9 . .id3 �xd3 2 0.�xd3 llb2=)
1 8 ... ..ixa2 1 9. 0-0 .ib 1 2 0 .'ife2 'ifxc3
2 1 .�c4 .tfs Black is just a pawn up.

1 2. ... e7-e6
1 3. f2-f4

1 3 .0-0 exdS 1 4. exd5 b6 ( 1 4 . . . lle8 is also


satisfactory) 1 5 .c4 'ifd6 1 6.h3 l:te8
1 7 .�b2 �xb2 1 8 .llxb2 �d7 1 9 .lla 1
�a4=. Black prevents a2-a4-a5 , leaving Analysis diagram
White with little to do. Black's better
bishop compensates for White's block­ 1 5 . . fxe6N ( 1 5 . . . �xe6 1 6.llxb7 �b6
.

aded passed pawn. 1 7 .'.t>f2 !N I:!.fe8 1 8 .�bs lled8 1 9 .�e3 c4


2 0 .f5 may favor White slightly) 1 6.0-0
b6 1 7 .llbd 1 �g7 1 8.�c4 llb8 1 9 .e5 bS
2 0 ...te2 c4 2 1 .�e3 llf7 2 2 .g3 a6=.

14. ... e6xd5


1 5. e4xd5 ..ic7-a5

1 3 . ... �e5-c7

This is very unnatural, retreating to g 7


seems 'obviously' better. However, I don't
believe that 1 3 . . . �g 7 equalizes, because
White can play c3 -c4 and e4-e5 .
1 6. d5-d6
1 3 .. . �c7 serves to prevent c3 -c4, so
White can't build a big center. It's true 1 6.1lb5 lle8=;
that Black's king is a bit weakened, but 1 6.g4 lle8 = ;
White's pieces are not well placed to ex­ 1 6. llb 3 Ile8 1 7 .�bS lle4 1 8 .�d3
ploit this weakness. lle7=;
1 6 ...ta3 b6 1 7 . .tb4 .ixb4 1 8 .cxb4 �d6
14. 0-0
1 9.J:lbc l .llb 8 20 .bxc5 bxcS = ;

1 17
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 6.fS .ixfS 1 7 .llxb7 'tiYd6 1 8 . .ic4 l:tfb8 In case of 1 9 . .l::rb 3 li'c8N 20Jle 1 bS
1 9 .l:tb3 (or 1 9 .l:txb8+ l:txb8 2 0 .'iib' g S Black clearly has the initiative a t n o cost.
.ixc3 2 1 JhfS .id4+ 2 2 .'1t>h l l:tb4 White's queenside pieces are just targets.
2 3 .�d3 f6 24.'iib'g 4 �eS 2 S . �c4 �d4
1 9. ... �a5-b6
2 6 .�d3 with a draw by repetition)
20. Wg1 -h1 �b6xc5
1 9 . . . l:txb3 2 0.axb3 l:te8 2 1 .l:te 1 l:teS
21 . �a3xc5 �d8-d7
2 2 .l:te3 �c7 2 3 .g3 hS 24.l:txeS 'iib'x eS
2 S .'iib'e 3 M=.

1 6 . ... lla8-b8
1 7. �c1 -a3

1 7 .�b2 .ifS (this improves on Pelletier­


Caruana, Biel 2 0 1 1 ) 1 8 .l:tbd 1 bS=;
1 7 .g4 bS=;
1 7 .�f3 .ifs 1 8 .l:tbS a6 1 9 . .!:txaS 'iib'x aS
2 0 . g4 �d7 2 l .fS l:tbe8= 2 2 .�xb7 'iib'a4
2 3 .h3 �c6 24 . .ixc6 'iib'x c6 2 S .c4 .l::td 8=.
According to my scale, Black is up '.4
1 7. ... �c8-f5
pawn. White has some vague compensa­
tion in the weak dark squares around the
black king and the advanced passed pavvn,
but White also has some weak pavvns.
Overall the engines prefer Black slightly,
and I won't disagree.

22. �c5-b6?! �f5-e4


23. �d2-d4 .l::i b8-e8
24. �e2-d1 .!:l:e8-e6!

Black plans to return the exchange for the


d-pavvn and the bishop pair to get a clear
1 8. llb1 -b5
positional advantage. The actual game
After 1 8 . .l:Ibd l l:tc8 1 9 .g4 .id7 2 0 . fS went 2 4 . . . .ic6 ? 2 S .fS gxfS 2 6 . ..ic2 ..ie4
'tiYM 2 l .�f3 .!:tfe8 2 2 .fxg6 hxg6 2 3 .'iib'f2 2 7 . .ib3 h6 2 8 .'iib'f6 Wh7 2 9 . .l::r g 1 l::!. g 8
'iib'xf2 + 24..lhf2 .ixc3 2 S . ..ixb7 ..id4 3 0.�xf7 + llg7 3 l .'iib'x d7 lhd7 3 2. .l:td 1
2 6 . ..ixc8 .l:!.xc8 2 7 .gS l:tc6 2 8 . l:txd4 cxd4 ..ic6 3 3 .'1t>g l l::!.e 2 3 4 . ..if2 '1t>g6 3 S .'>t>fl
29 . .l::ld 2 aS the ending is dravvn, because .l:Ie4 3 6.c4 aS 3 7 .a3 Wf6 3 8.l:td2 a4
White cannot win the d-pawn without 3 9 .�a2 bS ? ! (3 9 . . . '1t>eS ! 40.cS b6 gives
losing either his ovvn d-pavvn or his a­ Black the better of a likely draw) 40.cS b4
pavvn. 4 l .�d4+ l:Ixd4 42.llxd4 bxa3 43.l:tb4
WeS 44.llb6 .ie4 4S .We l ?! (4S .c6 l::Ix d6
1 8. ... a7-a6
46.c7 lld i + 47.Wf2 .l:Ic l 48.l:te6+ Wf4
1 9. J::t b5xc5
49.g3 + Wg4 s o .l::!. g 6+ Wh3 S 1 .l:txh6+

1 18
Chapter 8 - Griinfeld Exchange

..t>g4 5 2 . .l::th 7=) 45 . . . lla7 46.l::Ib 4?! �xg2


3. <1Jb1 -c3 d7-d5
47 . .l:ic4?! i.c6 48 . .!::i: c 3 ..t>d4 49 . .!::i: c4+
4. c4xd5 <1Jf6xd5
..t>d3 s o . .llb 4? llg7 5 1 .llb6 'it>e3 5 2 .'1t>fl
5. e2-e4 <1Jd5xc3
�g2+ 5 3 .We 1 i.e4 and facing mate,
6. b2xc3 �f8-g7
White resigned.
7. �f1 -c4 c7-c5
8. <1Jg1 -e2 <1Jb8-c6
9. �c1 -e3 0-0
1 0. 0-0

25. �b6-c7 \'Hd7-c6


26. �d4-d2 l:rf8-d8
27. �d 1 -b3 .!:te6xd6
28. �c7xd6 Iid8xd6
1 0. ... e7-e6

This is my alternate line in case 1 O . . . �c7


turns out to have problems, or j ust for va­
riety. I prefer to play it immediately rather
than after 1 0 . . . if c7 1 1 ..!::i: c 1 , as the queen
will often go to e7 in which case
1 O . . . ifc7 will be a wasted tempo. But I
have more faith in the 1 0 . . . 'VIic7 I l ..ll c 1
b 6 line of the next game.

1 1 . �d1 -d2

Black has superior pieces, superior pawn 1 1 .dxc5 'iiaSN 1 L�.b3 b6 1 3 .cxb6 axb6
structure, and a safer king. 1 4.'i¥c2 .ia6 1 5 . llfd l l:lfc8 - Black plans
to bring his knight to c4 which should
give him good compensation for the pawn
GI 5 . 7 (D8 6) G ame 8.9 as his pieces will be more active and White
D Svetushkin,Dmitry has more weak pawns than Black.
• Zhou Jianchao 1 1 .llb 1 ( 1 1 .llc l can be met by 1 1 . . .'VIie7)
Khanty-Mansiysk ol, 20 I 0 (3) 1 1 . . .cxd4 (this exchange tends to favor
White, but here it is played to avoid a later
1. d2-d4 <1Jg8-f6
dxcS and is j ustified by the loss of tempo
2. c2-c4 g7-g6
that llc l would imply) 1 2 .cxd4 b6

1 19
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 3 .�a4 ..Q.b7 1 4. .l:tfd 1 (else 1 4 ... a6 will 2 9 .�xg5 gxh5 3 0.�xh 5 + Wg8
be a good move) 1 4 .. .toa5 1 5 .�d3 .ll c 8=. 3 l .�g 5 + Wf8 3 2 .�h6+ would have led
Black plans ... a7 -a6 and ... b7 -b5 . to a draw by perpetual check.

11. ... b7·b6 24. ... �d7·c7


1 2. J:!.a1 -c1 �c8-b7 25. c;io>g1 ·h2 �c7·c2
1 3. J:!.f1 ·d1 c5xd4 26. t2le2·f4 �c2xf2
14. c3xd4 t2lc6·a5
1 5. �c4·d3 J:!.a8-c8
1 6. h2·h4

1 6 .�h6 �xh6 1 7 .�xh6 �d6= .

1 6. .. . h7·h5
1 7. �e3·g5 �d8·d7
1 8. e4·e5?1 J:!.c8xc1
1 9. J:!.d1 xc1 t2la5·c6
20. �d3·b5 J:!.f8·c8
21 . �g5·f6 it.g7-f8 27. Ild6·d7??
22. �d2·g5 a7·a6
27 .d5 ! Ire 1 2 8 .tt:le2 .l:tc8 29 .tt:lf4 was a
23. .!::rc 1 xc6
draw by repetition.

27. ... �b7·e4??


1: � 7�
2 7 . . . llc 1 28 . .l:txb7 �g l + 2 9 .�g3 .l:tc3 +
is mate in four.

28. d4·d5 J:!.c8·c1


29. t2lf4·e2 J:!.c1 ·c8
30. d5xe6 f7xe6
31 . J:!.d7·d2??

After 3 1 .tt:ld4 �xa2 White has some


compensation for the two-pawn deficit.
23 . ... a6xb5?!
31 . ... �f8·h6 0·1
Better was 23 . . . �xc6! 24.�xa6 .ll a 8
2 5 .i.d3 l:!.xa2 2 6.�xg6 fxg6 2 7 .�xg6+
�g 7 2 8 .tt:Jf4 �f7 2 9 . �g5 <it>h 7 GI 5 . 7 (D86) Game 8.10
3 0 .�xg7 �xg7 3 I .'ti'xh5+ �g8 3 2 .d5 D Fier,Alexandr
exd5 when White's attack is not worth a • Caruana,Fabiano
rook. Gibraltar, 20 I I (7)

24. J:!.c6·d6?! 1. d2·d4 t2lg8·f6


2. c2·c4 g7-g6
24 . .!::rx c8 ..ixc8 2 5 .tLlf4 Wh7 2 6 .tLlxh5
3. tt:lb1 ·c3 d 7·d5
�h6 2 7 . �g4 �b7 2 8 .�g5 �xg5

1 20
Chapter 8 - Griinfeld Exchange

4. c4xd5 tt:lf6xd5
5. e2-e4 tt:Jd5xc3
.
6. b2xc3 �f8-g7
7. �f1 -c4

1 1 . J::l:a 1 -c1

I l .J::l: b i b6 1 2.�f4 eS I 3 . ..tg3 'fie7


I 4.jLds �b7 I S .�a4 l::tfc8 I 6.dxeS
tt:lxeS I 7 .lLlf4 c4 I 8 .llfd i l:ic5 =;
I l .�f4 eS I 2..�.g3 'fie7 I 3 .dS lLlaS
This is the traditional main line of the 1 4.�d3 c4 I S..�c2 bS=.
Griinfeld.
1 1 . ... b7-b6
7. ... c7-c5
This is a rare but good move. By a curious
8. tt:lg1-e2 tt:Jb8-c6
coincidence, after I had already made this
9. itc1 -e3 0-0
choice and analyzed this game for the
1 0. 0-0
book, I received Avrukh's book which
Or 1 0 ..&k1 cxd4 l l .cxd4 �aS+ 1 2 .�fl made the same choice!
'fia3 1 3.I:!.c3 ( 1 3 .'fib3 �xb3 1 4.�xb3 I I . . .J::l: d 8 is much more common, but
.l:td8 l S.dS tt:laS=; Black will either win Black has ideas of ... e7 -eS d4-d5 f7 -fS , so
the bishop pair or get in . . . £7 -fS) he keeps the rook on f8. Another good
1 3 ... 'iVd6 1 4.h4 l::Id 8 1 S .hS jLe6 1 6.hxg6 move is I I ... e6 first, planning to play
hxg6 1 7 .dS jLg4N 1 8 .f3 �xc3 1 9 .tbxc3 . . . b7 -b6, . .. ..tb7 , and . . . J::l:ad8 next while
'fif6 20.�d2 tt:leS 2 1 .jLe2 jLxf3 2 2 .gxf3 reserving e7 for the queen if needed. The
lt:Jxf3 2 3 .�xf3 �xf3 + 24.�g l �g3 + move . .. e 7 -e6 is also quite reasonable on
with a draw by perpetual check. move I 0. But I prefer to retain the option
of . . . e7 -eS in one shot as in the game.
1 0. ... 'fid8-c7
1 2. 'fid1 -d2
The old main line with I 0 . . . ..tg4 I I .f3
lLlaS has become rare although it is still A) J 2 .jLf4 eS 1 3 .�e3 ( I 3 .�g3 �e7 =;
sound, probably because White has the I 3 .dxeS jLe6 I 4.�d5 J::l: ae8 I S .c4 lLlxeS
choice of testing Black's preparation with I 6 .lle i fS =) I 3 . . . exd4 I 4.cxd4 cxd4
a sacrifice of the exchange or of a pawn, I S .lLlxd4 ..txd4 I 6 .�xd4 lLlxd4
or playing 1 2 ..�.xf7 +, winning a pawn I 7 .'fixd4 'fie7 I S .jLds jLb7 = ;
for substantial compensation. I think the B ) 1 2 .dxc5 bxcS I 3 .lLlf4 lLleS I 4.lLld5
line in this game is a much simpler path 'fid7 I S .�b3 e6 1 6.�xc5 exdS I 7 .�xf8
to equal chances. �xf8 I 8 .'fixd5 lLlc6 I 9.jLa4 'fixdS

12I
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

2 0 .exd5 lLleS= . Two bishops are a tad


1 4. ... '>t>g8xg7
better than rook and two pawns, and al­
1 5. �d2-e3
though they are connected passers they
are easily blockaded here on the dark 1 5 .f4 1i'd7 ? ( 1 5 . . . 'i¥d6! =) 1 6 .i.b5 1tVe6
squares; 1 7 .fS was Vachier Lagrave-Morozevich,
C) 1 2 . f4 e6 1 3 .1i'e 1 ( 1 3 . f5 exfS Biel 2 0 1 1 . White is better here, but Black
1 4.exf5 1i'e7 1 5 .1i'd2 �xfS 1 6.i.g5 won. No one has repeated 1 5 .f4 since,
1i'd7 1 7 .lLlg 3 ? ! lL:laS 1 8 .�e2 i.e6+) probably due to 1 5 . . . 1tVd6 ! .
1 3 ... i.b7N 1 4.1i'f2 lLlaS 1 S .i.d3 fS �.
1 5 . ... e7-e5
The b7 bishop will be unchallenged on
1 6. d4-d5
the long diagonal.
After 1 6.�b3 1tVe7 1 7 .d5 �a6 ! 1 8.c4
1 2. ... .\:&c8-b7
lLld4= the outposted knight offsets the
1 3 . .\:&e3-h6
protected passer;
1 6 .1tVg3 1tVe7 1 7 .dS ttJaS 1 8.i.b3 �c8
( 1 8 . . . c4! 1 9 .�c2 f6= ; Black plans . . . �c8
and . . . lLl-b7 -d6) 1 9 .c4 lLlb7 20 .1tVc3
( 2 0 .lLlc3t) 20 . . . lLld6 and White should
be better but Black drew comfortably in
Feller-Dominguez Perez, Lubbock 20 1 1 ;
1 6.�d5 lLla5 1 7 .i.xb7 1tVxb7 and now:

1 3 . ... J::ra 8-d8

1 3 . . . e6 1 4.i.xg7 �xg 7 1 5 .1i'e3 llfd8 = is


a better equalizer than the game accord­
ing to the computer, since the rook is no
longer needed on f8 with the pawn on
e6. But I favor Caruana's plan of . . . e7 -eS
and if d4-d5 then .. .f7- fS , for which the Analysis diagram

rook is needed on f8 .
1 8 .f4 exd4 1 9 .cxd4 .!lfe8 ? ! ( 1 9 . . . cxd4!
1 4. .\:&h6xg7
2 0.lLlxd4 .!:!.fe8 2 1 .e5 b S ! =) 2 0 .e5 ? !
1 4 . .ll fd 1 eS 1 5 .�xg7 �xg7 1 6 .d5 ttJaS ( 2 0 .d5t) 2 0 . . . cxd4 2 1 .lLlxd4 1tVdS ? !
1 7 .�d3 c4 1 8 .i.c2 i.c8 1 9 .lLlg3 lLlb7 ( 2 1 . . .b5= ) 2 2 .tLlf3 ? ! (22. . �fd 1 t)
2 0 .ttJfl ttJd6= is similar to the game. 2 2 . . . lLlc4= and Black eventually won in
Here too the computer likes White due to Korobov-Nepomniachtchi, Rogaska
the protected passed pawn, but I think Slatina tt 2 0 1 1 .
Black is fine thanks to his ideal blockad­ 1 8 .d5 lLlc4 1 9 .�d3 bS 20.a4 a6 2 1 .ld.b 1
ing knight. 1tVd7 2 2 .lLl g3 was Zilka-Heimann,

1 22
Chapter 8 - Griinfeld Exchange

Merlimont 2 0 1 1 , won by White. 2 2 . . . f6!


20 . ... e5xf4
equalizes as Black's superior knight off­
21 . �e3xf4 �c7-e7
sets White's protected passed pawn.
22. .!:!.f1-f2 �e7-e5
1 6 . ... tt:lc6-e7 23. �f4xe5 f6xe5
24. tt:lg3-f1 c5-c4
1 6 . . . tLlaS 1 7 .�d3 c4 1 8 .�c2 �c8= is
25. �d3-c2 �b7-c8
Avrukh's preference.
26. tt:lf1 -h2

1 7. tt:le2-g3
26 . ... h7-h6
1 7 . f3 fS ( 1 7 . . . tLlc8=) 1 8 . I:tce 1 f4
1 9 .1Wd3 tLlc8 2 0 .�b3 tLld6 2 l .c4 bS 2 6 . . . tLlbS 2 7 .1lxf8 .l:!.xf8 2 8.�a4 tLld6
2 2 .tLlc3 a6 - the computer favors White 2 9 .�c2 tLlbS would draw by repetition.
here because of the protected passed Probably Black wanted to win.
pawn, but I think Black is fine with his
27. l:lf2xf8 �d8xf8
wonderful blockading knight and much
28. tt:lh2-f3 :cas-es?!
superior bishop, which will drop back to
c8; 28 . . . l:.f4 2 9 .lle l tLlf7=.
1 7 .a4 f5 1 8 .f3 tLlc8 1 9 .I:tcd l tLld6=.
29. ..t>g1 -f2 �c8-g4
1 7. ... f7-f6 30. tt:lf3-h2 �g4-d7
31 . ..t>f2-e3 g6- g5
1 7 . . . f5 1 8 .exf5 gxfS 1 9.1l¥g 5 + �h8
32. h4xg5 h6xg5
20 .l:i.cd 1 �xdS=.
33. tLlh2-f3 g5-g4
1 8. h2-h4 tt:le7-c8 34. tLlf3-h4 l:Ie8-f8
35. �c1 -h1 .!:!:f8-f4
1 8 . . . f5 =.
36. g2-g3 �f4-f6
1 9. �c4-d3 tt:lc8-d6 37. a2-a4 J:rf6-h6
38. .!:!.h1-b1 .l:Ih6-h8
1 9 . . . c4! 2 0 .�c2 tLld6 2 l . f4 exf4
39. .i:tb1 -h1 tt:ld6-e8
22.�xf4 1l¥e7 = (Avrukh) .
40. l:th1 -f1 tt:le8-d6
20. f2-f4 41 . .!:H1 -h1 �h8-h6
42. l:th1 -b1 ..t>g7-f7
20.c4t.

1 23
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

43. .l:I.b1 -f1 + �f7-e7 1 1 . d4xc5


44. .l:I.f1 -h1 a7-a5
Topalov-Anand, Sofia 2 0 I 0 , went
45. .l:I.h1 -f1 .l:I.h6-f6
l ! ."ild2 ( l l. .llc l SLb7 1 2."ild2 trans­
46. .l:I.f1 -b1 t2Jd6-f7
poses) l l . . .SLb7 1 2.llac l .l:I.c8 1 3 .llfd l
47. t2Jh4-f5+ Y2·1h
cxd4 ( 1 3 . . .e6!=

GI 5 . 7 (D87) Game 8.11


D Aronian,Levon
• Grischuk,Alexander
Kazan, ( I . I ) , 2 0 I I

1. d2-d4 t2Jg8-f6
2. c2-c4 g7-g6
3. t2Jb1 -c3 d7-d5
4. c4xd5 t2Jf6xd5
5. e2-e4 t2Jd5xc3 Analysis diagram
6. b2xc3 �f8-g7
was better according to Komodo, to dis­
7. �f1 -c4 c7-c5
courage d4-d5 and to provide a good
8. t2Jg1 -e2 t2Jb8-c6
square for the queen on e7) 1 4.cxd4
9. �c1 -e3 0-0
"ild6 1 5 .d5 tbaS 1 6.�b5 .l:I.xc l 1 7 . .l:I.xc l
1 0. 0-0 b7-b6
llc8 and was eventually drawn. Now
1 8 Jl:xc8 + i.xc8 1 9 . ti:Jd4 would have
given White some edge.

1 1 . ..
. 'ifd8-c7
1 2. t2Je2-d4

The alternatives:
1 2 .cxb6 axb6 1 3 . .l:lb 1 li:JeS 14 . ..id5
llb8 .

This is a very promising gambit alterna­


tive to I O . . . 'tl¥c7 . If White declines, Black
may later fmd a more useful move than
. . . "ilc7 , for example ... e7 -e6 and . . . "i/e7 .
The fact that Aronian in this game and
Carlsen in the game quoted on move I 2
both chose to take on c5 this year indi­
cates that the top players have little faith
Analysis diagram
in quiet development against I O . . . b6.

1 24
Chapter 8 - Griinfeld Exchange

At first glance it just looks like Black has


1 2 . ... ttJc6-e5
lost a pawn. Then you should notice the
1 3.<1Jd4-b5 'fHc7-b8
positional threat of . . . �a6, followed by
14.�c4-e2
. . . e7 -e6 and posting rooks on c8 and d8.
Then White will have to worry about 1 4.�d5N tLlg4 1 5 .g3 tbxe3 1 6.fxe3 a6
. .. tbc4, . . . tbg4, or . . . tLld3 . Black will al­ and now:
most surely regain the pawn or else win A) 1 7 .tba3 �xc3 1 8 . .ll b 1 bS 1 9.'ii' c 2
the bishop pair with continued play �eS 2 0 .�xa8 'il'xa8 2 1 ..ll bc 1 �e6=.
against the weak pawns. This is a com­ Two bishops and a pawn are almost as
pletely sound gambit. strong as rook and knight. Here Black
For example: 1 5 .'�a4 (to prevent . . . �a6) doesn't have an extra pawn, but White's
1 5 . . . e6 1 6 .�b3 �b7 1 7 .f3 .ll a 8tb four isolated pawns to Black's zero is al­
1 8 .'ii' b4 i..a 6 1 9.c4 .llfc8 2 0 .�xb6 'll1Yb 7 most as good as an extra pawn, and
2 1 .�c5 'ii'xb4 22...�.xb4 �xc4 2 3 .�xc4 Black's bishops are great while White's
tbxc4 24.a3 tbxa3 and Black has regained knight is badly out of play;
his material and has a clear advantage in B) 1 7 .�xa8 axbS 1 8 .�d5 'ii' c 7
piece placement, though the position is 1 9 .'ii' d 3 e6 2 0 .�b3 'ii'x cS 2 1 ..ll ab 1 �b7
drawish. 2 2 .a4 bxa4 2 3 .�xa4 .ll c8 24 . .llb d 1 hS=.
1 2 .f4 bxcS 1 3 . .ll b 1 .ll d 8 1 4.'ii'a4 tLlaS
1 5 .i.ds �d7 1 6 .'ii'a 3 .ll ac8 1 7.f5 e6
1 8 .i..f4 �eS 1 9.fxe6 fxe6 20 .�b3 lLlxb3
2 1 .axb3 .ll f8 2 2 .'ii' c 1 c4 2 3 .b4 'ii'b 6+
24.Wh 1 �g7 2 5. e5.

Analysis diagram

Due to the pressure on White's weak


pawns and king, Black will surely regain a
pawn for his exchange. Then he will only
be down by 1/4 pawn and will still have
Analysis diagram
the superior pawn structure and the safer
So far Carlsen-Svidler in the Tal Memo­ king; full compensation.
rial, Moscow 2 0 1 1 . Now 25 . . . .ll f7 ! favors
14. ... b6xc5
Black due to his bishop pair. The threat of
1 5. f2-f4 <1Je5-g4
doubling rooks will probably provoke
1 6. �e3xc5 a7-a6
26.�g 3 , after which Black trades rooks
1 7. <1Jb5-a3 'fHb8-c7
and plays . . . a? -aS , equalizing the pawn
1 8. �c5-d4 e7-e5
structure and opening the game for the
1 9. f4xe5 <1Jg4xe5
bishops.

1 25
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

25 . ... ttJe5-c4!

This improvement seems to regain the


pawn and equalize. In the actual game
Black stayed a pawn down after 2 5 . . . tt:ld3
2 6 .Ilffl l::!: d 7 2 7 .llfd l tt:lf4 2 8 .\t>£'2 .l:i.c8
2 9 .lL\e3 and should have lost, but saved a
draw due to a late endgame error by
White.

26. J:lb1 -b4 .l:i.d8-c8


In return for the pawn Black has the
27. .tib4-a4 �g7xd4+
much superior pawn structure and a
28. ttJc2xd4 ttJc4-e5
much superior knight. This should be
29. .t'!a4xa6 .l:i.c8xc3
enough to equalize.
30. l:lf4-f1 .l:i.c3-e3
20. iYd1 -c1 �c8-g4 31 . ttJd4-f3 .l:i.e3xe4
21. �e2xg4 ttJe5xg4 32. ttJf3xe5 .l:i.e4xe5
22. �c1 -f4 �c7xf4
23. J:lf1 xf4 ttJg4-e5
24. J:la1 -b1 .l:i.a8-d8
25. ttJa3-c2

The resulting endgame is an almost cer­


tain draw.

1 26
Chapter 9

Center Game and Ponziani


In this chapter we consider two fairly rare white options after l .e4 eS that nevertheless
have some devotees and so are worth studying. The Center Game involves the early de­
velopment of the white queen and is often played with the idea of castling queenside
and gambiting the e4 pawn for attacking chances. The Ponziani on the other hand in­
vites Black to develop his queen early. Neither line should give White any advantage at
all if you follow the lines given here.

The Center Game starts with l .e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.�xd4 tLlc6 .

Now the normal retreat for the queen is to e 3 , although the alternate choice of a4 has
long been championed by veteran IM Walter Shipman. It has the drawback of failing to
defend the e4 pawn as securely though. After 4.�e3 t2Jf6 5.t2Jc3 �b4 6.�d2 0-0
7.0-0-0 l;Ies

.I ..t � .l •
l i ... i : i i; i
.. . . .. f�ili

127
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

White must choose between the 'safe' 8.�c4 and the gambit 8 .�g3 . In the former case
Black's threats against the e4 pawn and the c4 bishop tend to put him a bit ahead in the
attacking race. The gambit move 8.�g3 can be accepted either by 8 .. Jhe4 (usually
recommended) or by 8 ... tt:lxe4, my choice due to the given game, which may lead to
Black getting four pawns for a piece. See Game 9 . 1 .

The Ponziani starts with l .e4 eS 2.tt:lf3 tt:lc6 3.c3,

after which Black can equalize either by 3 ... tLlf6 or by 3 ...d5 . I choose the second move
because it offers more winning chances, and also because my computer analysis actu­
ally shows a tiny edge for Black. White's best move is 4.'il¥a4, after which 4 . . . �d7 is an
exciting gambit recommended in my earlier book. However my current computer
analysis makes it look Jess appealing than the safe 4. . f6, which seems to give Black a
.

good position for free. If White responds S.d3 as in the given game, play resembles the
Philidor/Hanham Defense but with colors reversed. The Hanham ( l .e4 d6 2 .d4 tt:lf6
3 .tt:lc3 eS 4.tLlf3 tt:lbd7) is not such a bad defense to l .e4, but it does not give full
equality, and even with the extra tempo of White's first move it is hardly something to
avoid as Black, especially since the move �a4 may turn out to be inappropriate. See
Game 9.2.

KP 2. 1 1 (C22) Game 9.1


3. tt:lb8-c6
D Nepomniachtchi,Ian
4. �d4-e3
• Vallejo Pons,Francisco
Moscow, 2007 (5) 4.�a4 is IM Walter Shipman's specialty:
with 4 ... t2Jf6 s .tt:lc3 �b4 6.�d2 0-0
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
7 .0-0-0 d6 8.�b5 �xc3N 9 .�xc3 tt:Jxe4
2. d2-d4 e5xd4
1 O .'iVxe4 �gS+ Black wins a pawn.
3. �d1 xd4
4. ... tt:lg8-f6
The Center Game.

1 28
Chapter 9 - Center Game and Pomiani

1 2 . . . lle8 1 3 .c3 kxh3 1 4.�gS �eS


5. tbb1 ·c3 �f8·b4
I S .�f4 �f6 1 6.kgS is a draw by repeti­
6. ..tc1 ·d2 0·0
tion, though Black can avoid it by
7. 0·0·0 l:H8-e8
1 S . . .'ifhS or 1 6 . . . �e6.
8. �e3-g3

In case of 8.i.c4 d6 9.f3 lLleS 1 O .�b3 aS


1 1 .a3 i.cs 1 2 .�e 1 bS 1 3 .tt:lxbS a4
1 4.i.a2 c6 1 S .tt:lc3 �b6 1 6.�f4 dS Black
has a strong attack for a pawn.

1 3. wc1 ·b1 ?I

1 3 _jle3 and now:


A) 1 3 . . . Iig4 1 4.jlxd4 �xd4 1 S .c3 (af­
ter 1 S .�e3 jlfs Black is a solid pawn
up) 1 S . . . �xc3 1 6.bxc3 �g4 1 7 .�f3 (or
8. ... tbf6xe4
1 7 .�e3 �xc3 + 1 8 .�c2 �xe 3 +
8 .. Jhe4 is a good alternative which is 1 9.fxe3 llxg2 2 0 .lt:Jf4 .llf2 2 1 . lldf1
usually recommended here. 8 ... d6 is the llxfl + 2 2 . l:txf1 �d7 and with four
wimpy move, maybe good enough for pawns for the knight, Black is better but
equality, but just like the computers I fa­ White may draw) 1 7 . . . �xc3+ 1 8 .�c2
vor taking pawns unless I see the refuta­ �a ! + 1 9 . ..t>d2 �xa2 (or 1 9 . . . �d4+
tion. 2 0 .'it>e2 .!lxd 1 2 1 .llxd 1 �xa2 22 . .!ld2
�c4+ 2 3 .�d3 �h4 - Black has four
9. tbc3xe4 l:i:e8xe4
pawns for the knight and threats, analy­
1 0. ..td2·f4
sis by Kortchnoi) 2 0 .'ii' d 3 �aS +
1 Q .jlgs jle7 1 1 .h4 dS 1 2 .f3 �e6 2 1 .�c3 'ii'x c3 + 2 2 . 'it>xc3 .llx g2 and
1 3 .kc4 lLlb4N 1 4.a3 �d6 1 S .�xd8 with five pawns for the knight, Black
�xg3 1 6.jlb3 tt:lc6 1 7 .�gS h6 1 8 .�d2 should win;
tt:le7 Black has traded queens and kept his B) 1 3 . . . ltJfS 1 4.�f3 l::t e 8 1 S .�g5 �eS
extra pawn; 1 6.c3 �xc3 1 7.bxc3 �xc3 + 1 8 .�c2
I O.jlxb4 �xb4N White's compensation 'ii'a 1 + 1 9.Wd2 �xa2 20 . .llh e 1 i.d7 is
for the pawn looks meager. another way to get four pawns for a piece
with the better chances.
1 0. ... �d8·f6
1 1 . tbg1 -h3 d7-d6 1 3. ... tbd4-e2
1 2. �f1 ·d3 tbc6·d4 1 4. �g3-f3?1

1 29
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

22. .ld.d1 -d4 �f4-f6

2 2 . . .dS ! was a more convincing win.


23. �g2xe4 c7-c5
24. .ld.h1 -e1 h7-h5
25. �e4-f4 �f6xd4+
26. �f4xd4 c5xd4
27. .ld.e1 -e7 b7-b6
28. a3-a4 g7-g5
1 4. ... �b4-a3! 29. �b2-b3 Wg8-g7
1 5. b2xa3?1 30. .ld.e7-c7 .ld.a8-e8
31 . .l:!.c7xa7 .ld.e8-e2
Black now wins by force. On 1 5 .c3 ??
32. .l:!.a7-b7 .ld.e2xf2
tt:lxc3 + wins, and after 1 S .jLc 1 �xf3
33. .ld.b7xb6 .ld.f2xh2
1 6.gxf3 �e7 1 7 .tLlg5 tt:lxc 1 1 8 . .ld.xc l
34. a4-a5 .ld.h2-e2
�cS 1 9.�ce 1 .ld.xe l + 2 0 . .ld.xe 1 jLd?
35. a5-a6 .ld.e2-e8
2 1 .l:re7 l:Ie8 2 2.jLxh7 + 'it>h8 23 . .ld.xe8+
36. a6-a7 .ld.e8-a8
�xe8 24.�e4 c6 Black has a winning
endgame with the bishop pair, a much White resigned.
better pawn structure, and the threat on
fl .
KP 8. 1 6 (C44) Game 9.2
1 5. ..
. tt:le2-c3+
D Savchenko,Boris
1 6. �b1 -c1 tt:lc3xa2+
• Delorme,Axel
1 7. wc1 -b1 tt:la2-c3+
Rijeka Ech, 2 0 I 0 (3)
1 8. �b1 -c1 �c8xh3
1 9. �d3xe4 �h3xg2! 1. e2-e4 e7-e5
20. �f3xg2 �f6xf4+ 2. tt:lg1 -f3 tt:lb8-c6
21 . �c1 -b2 tt:lc3xe4 3. c2-c3

The Ponziani, which is quite rare in top


level play but is seen sometimes at lower
levels.
3. ... d7-d5
4. �d1 -a4

In case of 4.exd5 �xdS 5 .d4 tt:lf6 6.jLe2


e4 7 .tLlfd2 e3 8.fxe3 �xg2 9.jLf3 �h3
1 O.'iVe2 �d6 1 1 .tLlc4 0-0 Black's safer
king and better development will give him
With three pawns for the exchange and more than enough for the bishop pair.
all of White's pawns isolated and his king If 4.kb5 dxe4 S.tLlxeS �gS 6.�a4 (or
exposed, Black is clearly winning. 6.d4 �xg2 7 .lifl jLd6 8 .�h5 g6 9.�h4

1 30
Chapter 9 - Center Game and Pomiani

..Les 1 0.dxe5 �d7 1 l..�.f4 tt:lge7 and


5. ... �c8-e6
Black will castle queenside, with an extra
6. ..Q.f1 -e2
pawn) 6 . . . �xg2 7 .�xc6+ bxc6
8 .�xc6+ '<t>d8 9 . .!:i:fl 9..h 3 1 0.�xa8+ 6.tt:lbd2 �d7 7 .9..e 2 9..d6 8.exd5 �xdS
�e7 1 1 . '<t>d 1 �xfl + 1 v;t>c2 �fs 9.tt:le4 tt:lge7=. White can gain the
1 3 .tt:la3 f6 1 4.tt:lc6+ �fl 1 5 .ttJd4 �d3 + bishop pair, but Black will have better de­
1 6.�b3 9..g 4 1 7 .tt:Jac2 cS, Black is clearly velopment and central control to com­
winning here. pensate.

4. ... f7-f6 6. .. . ..tf8-d6


7. b2-b4 tt:Jg8-e7
In my earlier book I recommended the
8. tt:Jb1 -d2 0-0
gambit line 4 . . . ..td7 ! ? here, which is
9. b4-b5 tt:Jc6-b8
quite popular and scores well. However
1 0. d3-d4
the engines now don't consider it fully
correct, whereas the text seems to give After I 0.0-0 tt:ld7 l l .�c2 c6 Black has
Black a good game without much risk. better central control. His formation
would have been considered ideal in the
1 800s .
.i A 'tlV � .t � .i
��� ��
� � .i � 'iV .i �
�� ��� � � �
8 .t .t �
8 ttJ ��
88 8 888 88
��ttJ � w � � 8 ttJ
8 C!J � 8 8 8
5. d2-d3
� -� w �
5.�b5 tt:le7 6.exd5 �xdS 7 .d4 �g4 8 .c4
1 0. ... e5xd4
(or 8 . ..tc4 �e4+N 9 .�e3 9..xf3 I O .tt:Jd2
�d 1 l l .�xd l �xg2 1 2 .�c2 exd4 Probably better than the game, which
1 3 .cxd4 �g6+ 1 4 . ..td3 �hS I S . .!:tac l continued I O . . . tt:ld7 1 1 .c4 c6 (after
�aS and White has only the bishop pair 1 l . ..dxe4 1 2 . tt:Jxe4 exd4 1 3 .tt:lxd6 tt:lcS
for his pawn) 8 . . . �e4+ 9 .9..e 3 �xf3 1 4.�d 1 �xd6 1 5 .�xd4 tt:Jfs 1 6.�xd6
I O.tt:ld2 �g6 l l .tt:lxf3 �xg2 1 2 .�e2 e4 tt:lxd6 Black would still be for choice)
1 3 .tLld2 �g4+ 1 4.�fl 't!Yh3 +N 1 5 .�e2 1 2.bxc6 bxc6 1 3 .0-0 9..f7 1 4.�b2 exd4
�hs + 1 6. �fl o - o - o 1 7 .ds tt:Jbs 1 5 .cxdS cxdS 1 6.�xd4 tt:lcS 1 7 .9..x c5
1 8.�xa7 ttJfS - here Black's king is safer 9..x c5 1 8.e5 tt:lg6 1 9 . .llac l �b6 20.exf6
than White's; �xf6 2 1 . .!:i:c6 (Black is clearly better here,
After 5 .exd5 �xdS 6 .d4 �d7 7 . ..Q.b5 a6 up the bishop pair with a good position)
8.c4 �e4+ 9.9..e 3 .!:i:d8 ! Black wins ma­ 2 1 . . .9..e 8 ?! 2 2 . .llxf6 �xa4 2 3 . .!:txf8 +
terial. llxf8 24.g3 llc8 2 5 .�d3 .!:i:e8 2 6.l:Ic 1

131
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

tbeS 2 7 .tbxe5 .llx eS 28 .�fl g6 29.tLlb3 Or l l .cxd4 tt::l g 6 1 2.g3 dxe4 1 3 .tt::lxe4
£t.xb3 ?! (Black plays for a draw from a i.h3 , and White's castling problems give
better position, probably due to the huge Black the edge.
rating difference) 3 0 .axb3 .ll e 7 3 1. .�e2
11. �e6-f7
llc7 3 2 .Ildl .llc 3 3 3 Jhd5 .llx b3 34.f4.
1 2. 0-0 ttJb8-d7
Somehow White won this completely
equal and drawish position. White's pieces and pawns seem to be dis­
tributed rather randomly, while Black
1 1 . ttJf3xd4
dominates the center.

132
Chapter 10

Bishop 's Opening and Vienna


This chapter covers the Bishop's Opening ( l .e4 eS 2 .�c4) and the Vienna Game ( l .e4
eS 2 .tbc3) , because they are strategically similar and because they can easily transpose.
In both cases we respond with 2 . .'�Jf6, after which if White plays 3 .tbc3 in the Bishop's
Opening or 3 .�c4 in the Vienna we reach the same position.

After l .e4 eS 2.�c4 tLlf6

and now 3.tLlc3 or 3.d3 , I recommend avoiding the move 3 . . . tLlc6 , instead planning to
put a pawn on that square. There are two reasons for this. First of all, I don't favor plac­
ing the knight on c6 if White fails to attack the e5 pawn, because it's generally not ad­
visable to obstruct pawns which are not part of the castle. After all, I am recommending
the Breyer Defense to the Spanish, in which Black actually retreats the knight volun­
tarily from c6 to b8 and then moves it to d7. Why go to c6 in the first place if you don't
need to do so? The second reason is that the moves ..tc4 and tLlc3 both invite a black
pawn to c6. In the former case it is because of the possibility of ... d7 -dS to chase the
bishop, while after tbc3 the pawn move takes away the two most advanced squares to
which the knight might otherwise later go. In general, it is advisable to place your
pawns in front of the enemy knight with two squares in between for precisely this rea­
son.
When White plays 3.d3 in the Bishop's Opening, I advocate the immediate 3 . c6, to ..

achieve a quick ... d7 -dS. White has nothing better than 4.tt:Jf3 dS , when after 5.�b3 I fa­
vor the bishop check on b4. The idea is that after the obvious 6.c3 we can retreat to d6,
no longer having to fear tLlc3 with pressure on our dS pawn. Assuming a later tt:Jbd2, we
end up with a position somewhat similar to the Breyer, but this time we are playing
against it! The Breyer is an excellent defense to the Spanish, but it is still not quite equal,

133
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

so if we can play against it when we are Black we should have no complaint! White can
instead invite a bishop trade by 6.�d2, but the trade is fine for Black, as a recapture by
the knight again forfeits the chance to pressure dS by lbc3 , while the queen recapture
allows Black a very good pawn sacrifice option. See Game 1 0 . 1 for all of this.
If White chooses 3.tbc3 (or reverses his second and third moves) , I favor 3 ...�c5 .
With the knight on c3 the plan with . . . d7 -dS is not so inviting, as the pawn comes un-
der heavy attack, so the move ... c7 -c6 is not urgent. After 4.d3 c6 S.lbf3 we typically
play . . . d7 -d6, ... lbbd7, . . . �b6, ... h7 -h6, and . . . tbd7 -f8-g6, taking advantage of the de-
lay in castling. This way we may be able to dispense with . . . . .ld.e8 later. This plan seems
to give full equality. See Game 1 0 . 2 .

I fWhite does not play �c4 i n the Vienna (after 2.tbc3 tbf6) ,

he can choose 3.f4, which is a kind of 'King's Gambit' which Black should not accept
due to 4.e5 . Fortunately, the reply 3 ...d5 ! seems to solve all problems. After the usual
4.fxe5 tLlxe4 I don't even know how White can equalize. See Game 1 0 . 3 .

I G 4. 1 6 (C24) Game 1.0.1. 4. tLlg1 -f3


D Bologan,Viktor
• Vovk,Yury
Warsaw rapid, 2 0 I 0 (8)

1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. jLf1 -c4 tLlg8-f6
3. d2-d3

For 3 .d4 exd4 4.tLlf3 ..ib4+ see the game


in the Gambits chapter.
3. ... c7-c6

1 34
Chapter 1 0 - Bishop 's Opening and Vienna

S .exdS?! cxdS 6 . ..ib5 + ..id7 7 . ..ixd7+


4. ... d7-d5
(7 .a4 a6 helps Black as White no longer
Also adequate and more consistent with has the Benoni move c2-c4 later due to
our Breyer repertoire is 4 . . ...ie7 5. 0-0 d6 the weak square b4) 7 . . . tt:Jbxd7 8.0-0
6.lle 1 0-0 7 . ..ib3 ttJbd7 . ..id6 9 .c4 0-0 1 o.tt:Jc3 d4 1 1 .tLle2 't!Vc7 -
Black is for choice, thanks to his extra
1: A 'if 1: � center pawn. White is playing a Benoni
i i ,. A i i i without the sting of the fianchettoed
' ' .. king's bishop.
i 5. ... �f8-b4+!
!'!,
� !'!, ttJ think this is better than the usual
f'l:, f'l:, f'l:, f'l:, f'l:, f'l:, S . . . �d6 when 6.tLlc3 is rather annoying.
We just provoke 5 .c3 first to prevent this .
..a: ttJ � � :s \t>
Analysis diagram 6. �c1 -d2

We can compare this to our recom­ 6.c3 �d6 (if Black plays S . . . �d6 , White
mended Breyer. White has saved a tempo has the better prospects after 6.tLlc3)
in getting his bishop to b 3 , while Black 7 .tt:Jbd2 (7 .£.gs dxe4 8.dxe4 h6 9.£.h4
has saved two tempi in getting his knight 't/Ve7 I O .tiJbd2 tiJbd7 1 l .'t/Ve2 �c7
to d7 . White has not yet played h2-h3 or 1 2.0-0 0-0 1 3 .h3 tLlcS and with ideas
c2-c3 , but probably will. Black has not like ... b7 -b6 and . . . �a6 or . . . a7 -aS or
played ... a7 -a6 or . . . b7 -bS but may not . . . ttJxb3 or ... ttJc5-e6-f4 Black is for
need to do so. He has played the useful choice) 7 . . . 0-0 8 .0-0 tt:Jbd7 9.lle 1 lle8
. . . c7 -c6 and has not committed his 1 o.ttJfl h6 1 t .t2lg3 tt:Jf8 1 2.h3 tt:Jg6
bishop to b 7 , which is often not a very
good square against the d3 set-up. In
i. .i. 'i¥ 1: �
short, Black is playing a much improved
i i i i
Breyer Defense. 8.c3 ttJcS 9 . ..ic2 ..ig4
(9 .. .'tWc7 is also okay. Black is playing the
i .i. ,. ,. ,
Hanham Defense with White having
i i
played the passive d3 instead of d4) !'!,
1 O .h3 ..ihS 1 1 .tLlbd2 tLle6 1 2 .tLlfl tiJd7 .; � !'!,, !'!, /iJ Cfj !'!,
1 3 .tLlg3 ..ixf3 1 4.'ti'xf3 g6 1 S . ..th6 lle8 � :!'!, ' !'!, !'!,
1 6.llad 1 �gS 1 7 .�xgS 't!VxgS 1 8.d4 :s � 'if � �
tLlb6 1 9 .�b3 llad8=. With all the pawns Analysis diagram

on the board, a lone bishop is not better


than a knight. A) 1 3 .tiJh2 £.c5 1 4.tLlh5 (Sosa­
Still , I prefer the text move 4 . . . d5 as it is Kaufman, Washington 20 I I ) 1 4 . . . ttJxh5
more of a try for an advantage. 1 5 ."iYxhS £.e6 and Black has better devel­
opment and pressure on f2 . White has no
5. �c4-b3
attack;

1 35
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

B) 1 3 .�e3 ..ie6 1 4.'ifc2 'ifd7 1 S .�ad 1 B) 1 2.tt::l c 3 J::!. g 6N 1 3 .'ifh4 d4 1 4.lt:Je4


aSN 1 6.a4 J::!. ad8 - Black has a small edge tt::l x e4 1 S .'ifxe4 tt::l c S 1 6 .'ifdS 'it'e7
due to his superior center pawns. This is 1 7 .'ffxf7 + 'ff xf7 1 8.jt,xf7 + �xf7
the same small plus that White gets in the 1 9.tt::lxe5+ �f6 20.lt:Jxg6 hxg6=. With a
main lines of the Spanish due to this pair of rooks added as they are here and
pawn formation. only one open file, bishop and knight are
not much weaker than rook and two
6. ... �b4xd2+
pawns, and the split white kingside plus
7. �d1 xd2
Black's better development and king posi­
7 . tt::lbxd 2 ..ig4 8 .h3 ..ixf3 (since Black tion favor him.
doesn't have two bishops he doesn't mind
1 0. ... 0-0
trading one for a knight to save a tempo)
11. 0-0 h7-h6
9 .'ifxf3 0-0 1 0.0-0 'ifd6 1 l .J::!.fe l aS
1 2. �g5-g3 tt::lf6-h5
1 2.a4 tt::lbd7 = . Black has more space and
1 3. �g3-h4 tt::l h 5-f4
the white bishop is no better than a
1 4. laa1 -e1
knight here.
7. ... �d8-d6
8. �d2-g5 tt::l b 8-d7
9. e4xd5 c6xd5

i. � .t . • i.
.� � � � �. �
'ill �
�� 'iV

1 4. ... a7-a51

Black actually played 1 4 ... gS and got into


trouble but later won. The idea of the text
is to provoke a2-a3 or a2-a4 so White
1 0. tt:Jb1 -c3
won't have 'ifh4-a4-a3 when his queen
Or 1 0.'il'xg7 :tig8 l l .'ifh6 J::!.x g2 and gets into trouble.
now:
1 5. a2-a3?!
A) 1 2.tt:Jbd2 aS= 1 3 . ..ia4 l::tg 6 1 4.'ife3
�f8 1 S .O-O-O tt::lg 4 1 6.'ffe 2 tt::l c s 1 7 .h3 1 S .'i!Yg3 tt::lh S 1 6.'ifg4 lt:Jhf6 1 7 .'ffg 3
tt::lxa4 1 8 .hxg4 tt::l c 3 1 9 .bxc3 'ff a 3+ lt:JhS was a draw b y repetition.
2 0.�b 1 l:rb6+ 2 1 .tLlb3 a4 2 2 .J::!.x h7 axb3
1 5. ... g7-g5
2 3 .J::!.h 8+ �g7 24.'ifxe S + llf6 2 S .cxb3
1 6. �h4-g3 tt::lf 4-h5
'ffxa2 + 2 6.�c 1 'ffxf2 2 7 .'ifgS+ l::!.g 6
1 7. �g3-g4 tt::l d7-f6
2 8 .'iVeS+ J::!. f6 is a draw by perpetual
1 8. "ifg4-a4 �c8-d7
check;

136
Chapter I 0 - Bishops Opening and Vienna

1 9. ttJc3-b5 �d6-b6
20. c2-c4 e5-e4
21 . d3xe4 d5xe4
22. ttJf3-d4 .l:!.f8-d8

5. t2Jg1 -f3

S.f4 d6 6.tLlf3 bS 7.jLb3 aS 8.a4 b4


9.ttJe2 �c7 l O.fxeS dxeS and White's
castling problems give Black equality.
S .�f3 d6 6.h3 bS 7 .�b3 aS 8.a4 b4
Black is winning due to the pin and the 9.ttJb i �e6 l O .tLld2 ttJbd7 l l .tLle2 dS ­
imprisoned white queen. Black has more space and better develop­
ment.
VG 2.5 (C26) Game 1.0.2
5. ... d7-d6
D Visser,Yge
6. 0-0 ttJb8-d7
• Sokolov,Ivan
7. a2-a3 �c5-b6
London, 2006 (6)
8. �c4-a2 h7-h6
1. e2-e4 e7-e5 9. ttJc3-e2 ttJd7-f8
2. �f1 -c4 1 0. ttJe2-g3 ttJf8-g6=
2 .t2Jc3 ttJf6 3 .�c4 transposes. I think that . . . c6 is more useful than a3 in
this otherwise nearly symmetrical posi­
2. ... ttJg8-f6
tion, so White has lost the advantage of
3. ttJb1 -c3 jLf8-c5
moving first.
In the l .e4 eS openings, if White doesn't
1 1 . d3-d4 e5xd4
attack eS by ttJf3 , I believe Black should
1 2. ttJf3xd4 0-0
not play . . . lt:Jc6. He is generally better off
playing ... c7 -c6, ... d7 -d6 , and . . . tt:Jbd7 ,
playing a Philidor-like formation without
White having played d2-d4, which is the
only move that puts pressure on this
formation.
4. d2-d3

4.lt:Jf3 d6 S .d3 c6 transposes to the game.


4. ... c7-c6

137
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

The normal move order would be 1 .e4 e5


1 3. ttJd4-f5?1 �c8xf5
2.ttJc3 tbf6. I don't like to use bhtz games,
14. e4xf5 ttJg6-e5
but this one shows a World Champion
1 5. �c1 -f4 l:H8-e8
playing my recommended hne.
Black's healthy vs. White's crippled ma­
3. f2-f4
jority compensates for the bishop pair.
Once Black plays ... d6-d5 he should be 3 .lt:Jf3 tbc6 see the chapter on the Four
better due to the sad bishop on a2. Knights Game.
1 6. �d1 -d2 d6-d5 3 . ... d7-d5
1 7. l:ra1 -e1 4. f4xe5

4.exd5 exf4 5 .d4 (in the event of 5 .�c4


c6 6.d4 cxd5 7 .�b3 �d6 8 .lt:Jge2 0-0
9 .0-0 g5 1 0.tbxd5 tbxdS 1 l .�xd5 tbc6
1 2 .c3 �g4 Black's better development
outweighs his doubled pawns; 5 .lt:Jf3
transposes to King's Gambit) 5 . . . tbxd5
6.lt:Jxd5 'i¥xd5 7 .�xf4 �d6 8.�xd6
'i¥xd6 9 .'i¥d2 0-0 1 0 . 0-0-0 �e6N
1 l .�b 1 tbd7=.

17. ... �b6-c7 4 . ... ttJf6xe4

The game actually went 1 7 . . . ttJed7 1 8.c4


ttJc5 1 9 .cxd5 cxd5 2 0 . l:!.d l tbce4 K .'ILt � � i. '.il
i.
2 1 .'i¥d3 .!:ic8= 2 2.'i¥f3 ?? ttJxf2 23 . .l::i.xf2 j. j. ·j. c j. ,.
.l::i.c 2 24.tLlh 1 .l::i.e e2 2 5 .�g3 ltJe4 2 6 . .l::i.f l
.l::i.x b2 2 7.�b 1 tbxf2 2 8 .�xf2 �xf2 +
2 9 . tbxf2 .ttxf2 and Black won.
1 8. l:!.e1 -e2 �d8-d6
1 9. .l::i. e 2-e3 lle8-e7
20. l:!.f1 -e1 lla8-e8

The White bishop on a2 is shut out of the


5. ttJg1 -f3
game, so Black is better.
5 .d3 lt:Jxc3 6.bxc3 d4 7 .tbf3 tbc6 8 .�e2
VG 3 . 1 0 (C29) Game 10.3 �cS 9 .0-0 dxc3 + 1 0.�h1 0-0 1 1 .'i¥e l
0 Andreikin,Dmitry tbd4 1 2.�d 1 tbxf3 1 3 .�xf3 c6 1 4 . .l::i.b 1
• Kramnik,Vladimir aS 1 5 .'i¥xc3 �d4 1 6.'i¥e l .l::i.e 8 1 7 .�f4
Moscow blitz, 20 1 0 (37) 'i¥e7 1 8.'i¥g3 g6 Black is for choice due
to the artificial isolation of the e-pawn.
1. ttJb1 -c3 ttJg8-f6
5 .'i¥f3 lt:Jc6 6.�b5 tbxc3 7 .dxc3 'i¥h4+
2. e2-e4 e7-e5
8 .g3 'i¥e4+ 9 .�xe4 dxe4 1 0.�xc6+

138
Chapter I 0 - Bishop's Opening and Vienna

bxc6 1 1 .tt:le2 �cS Black has the bishop After 8 .�b S + tt:lc6 9.0-0 0-0 1 0.a3
pair while his isolated pawns are all on ii.xc3N 1 l .�xc3 �b6 1 2 .1txc6 bxc6
closed files and not easily attacked. 1 3 .dxcS �xeS+ 1 4.�d4 �e7 Black is
again better due to the strong knight and
5 . ... �f8-c5
the option of . . . c6-cS .
6. d2-d4
8. ... d5xe4
6."ife2 �f2+ 7 .Wd 1 tt:lxc3+ 8 .dxc3
9. �d2xb4 c5xb4
(8 .bxc3 �cS 9.d4 �e7 1 0."iff2 0-0
1 0. tt:Jf3-g1 0-0
I I .ii.d3 cSN Black has better pawn struc­
11. �f1 -c4 tt:Jb8-c6
ture and a safer king) 8 ... �b6 9.�gS
1 2. c2-c3 b4xc3
"ifd7 1 O.�d2 0-0 1 1 .l::!.d 1 �a4 1 2 .a3
1 3. b2xc3
�fS Black has better development and
better pawn structure.
6. ... �c5-b4
7. �c1 -d2 c7-c5

!JL � .l

� ��
� .l � :a: - 'i¥ � tt:J Z1
.i. � .. 1 3 . ... �d8-c71
t2J t2J
� � � !JL �� Kramnik actually played 1 3 . . . � g S ?
1 4.�e2 ..tfs 1 S .tt:lh3 ..txh3 1 6.gxh3 .
:a: 'iV � !JL :g:
Now 1 6 . . . tt:laS would have kept the ad­
vantage. He played 1 6 ... e 3 ? and went on
8. tt:lc3xe4
to lose.
In case of 8.a3 1txc3 9 .1txc3 tt:lc6
1 4. �c4-b3 tt:Jc6xe5
I O .�bS cxd4 l l .�xd4 0-0 1 2.1txc6
15. d4xe5 �c7xc3+
bxc6 1 3 .�b4 l::!. e 8 1 4. 0-0 �b6 I S .1td6
1 6. �e1 -f2 �c3xe5
�g4N Black is better thanks to his strong
1 7. l:Ia1 -c1 �e5-f6+
outposted knight;
1 8. �f2-e1 �c8-e6
If 8 .1td3 tt:lxd2 9 .�xd2 cxd4 1 0.tt:\xd4
tt:lc6 I l .tt:lxc6 bxc6 1 2 .0-0 0-0 1 3 .�hl Black has three pawns for a knight, better
�aS Black has the bishop pair, a pin, and development, and a much safer king. He
White's eS pawn is weak; should win.

1 39
Chapter 11

Gambits
fn this chapter we consider all the lines in which White starts with 1 .e4 and subse­
quently sacrifices a pawn, usually for development. It is said that 'the only way to refute
a gambit is to accept it', and this is in most cases my advice. It is also said that having ac­

cepted a gambit, you should look for a way to return the material to achieve a good po­
sition, and this too is often my preference. But it's not good to generalize too much;
each gambit should be studied independently. These gambits are mostly pretty rare in
rop level chess, but amateurs will often encounter them, and will be likely to fall into
..uious traps if they have not studied the gambit in question.

The King's Gambit was really popular in the 1 800s.

Black can accept (2 . . . exf4) and then return the pawn by 3 .tt:J f3 dS or try to hold on
w it by 3 . . . g5 or by Bobby Fischer's recommended 3 . . . d6. Since I believe that Black
has the better chances after returning the pawn, I see no real point in learning the
lines where he tries to hang on to it. However I recommend the move-order l .e4 eS
2.f4 dS (!) 3 .exd5 exf4 4.tbf3 , which transposes to 2 . . . exf4 3 .lbf3 dS 4.exd 5 . The
point is that with the normal move order White can play the Bishop's Gambit
3 .i.c4 when after 3 . . . dS he can choose either capture, with the bishop capture be­
ing generally considered the better one. However by playing . . . d7 -dS on move 2 we
cut out that option; White can still choose 4 . .tc4 but he has already taken on dS
with the pawn.
Back to 4.tbf3 , Black should develop by 4 tbf6 rather than expose his queen by
...

4 . �xd5 . White has a couple ways to try to come out a pawn ahead, but they don't end
. .

well for him. If White plays normal moves he often has to surrender the bishop pair to
�vin back his pawn on f4, which is the main reason I like this line for Black.

141
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

In Game 1 1 . 1 we look at 5 .�c4, the most popular move. In the game White manages
to regain the pawn without losing the bishop pair, but he ends up with much worse
pawn structure. In Game I 1 . 2 we consider all other fifth moves, where White's attempl
to stay a pawn ahead is refuted by a novelty in the note to move 1 2.

The Urusov Gambit ( 1 .e4 eS 2..�c4 ttJf6 3.d4 exd4 4.ttJf3)

is a rather dangerous one for Black to accept by 4 . . . <1Jxe4, although the computers pre­
fer Black. We cannot play 4 . . . tbc6 as I'm not recommending the Two Knight's Defense
to the Italian. Fortunately for us the move 4. .�b4 seems to solve all of Black's problems
.

quite nicely. See Game 1 I . 3 .

The Danish Gambit ( l .e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3)

.1 ;�1 j_ "iLt • � � r_!,;


�; � � � � � �

is well met by 3 ...'fk'e7!. Technically this is 'declining' the gambit as White could pta,
4.'ifxd4, but that clearly favors Black, so White should renew his offer by 4.cxd4 'ifxe4+,
when White struggles to prove compensation for the pawn. This line was popular around
1 900 and was shown to me as a kid by an elderly Norman Whitaker, a top player from t:hf
1 920s and now known to have had a long criminal career as a swindler. See Game 1 1 .4.

1 42
Chapter I I - Gambits

The Goring Gambit ( I .e4 eS 2.tt:Jf3 lt:Jc6 3 .d4 exd4 4.c3) had some popularity in my
youth, but is fairly uncommon now. Still, it pays to know what to do.

.1 ' ..t 'iV � ..t � .l


&i .t. . l. .t. .t. .t., .t.
�-

Declining by 4 . . . d5 gives fairly equal chances, but I think Black should try to refute this
gambit by accepting 4 ...dxc3 . Then play branches, depending on whether White sacri­
fices a second pawn by S .�c4 or just recaptures S.lt:Jxc3 . In the latter case it seems to
me that White lacks sufficient play for the pawn unless he chooses to head for an even
endgame. See Game 1 I .S for this and for the Scotch Gambit 4.�c4, which is met by
4 ... �cS 5 .0-0 d6 6.c3 �g4 with only White having problems.

Perhaps the most respectable of the gambits in this chapter is Evans' Gambit. It is attrib­
uted to a Captain Evans around the year I 8 3 0 , not to the late grandmaster Larry Evans.
For the rest of the 1 800s it was practically the main line of chess, but it almost died out
around 1 900 due in part to 'Lasker's Defense' . Kasparov brought it back from obscurity
with a few wins in the mid- I 990s, including one over his then main rival Anand. It
was again revived by Nigel Short, especially with a game against Nielsen which cast
doubt on the line I recommended for Black in my previous book (the game was played
just weeks after I completed that book) . Things are still not completely clear, but I be­
lieve I have found a way to get the better chances for the black pieces. I also give a safe
line in case I'm wrong. The gambit goes: l .e4 eS 2.lt:Jf3 lt:Jc6 3.�c4 �cS 4.b4!?.

I 43
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

The idea is that White normally wants to play 4.c3 and S .d4 here, but this has draw­
backs, so White hopes to achieve this with a gain of a tempo at the price of the b-pawn.
Normally you need at least two tempi and more typically three to justify a gambit, but
the tempo is quite valuable in this position due to threats on f7 . Black should accept by
4. .. �xb4, when after 5.c3 �aS is the best winning try (S . . . �e7 is the safest move, for
which see Game 1 1 .6) and after 6.d4 I now recommend 6 ...d6 rather than 6 . . . exd4 due
to the above-mentioned Short game. When White attacks f7 by 7.�3 we defend with
7 .'t!Yd7. If White then takes on eS we return the pawn by 8 . . . it..b 6 with the idea of
••

. . . tlJaS , when Black should end up slightly better. If White does not take on move 8
Black should be able to retain the pawn without conceding too much compensation..
See Game 1 I . 7.

KG 2.8 (C3 6) Game 1.1..1. l O .tlJeS tlJxeS l l . llxf4 'ifg6 , but with a
D Mista,Aleksander losing position;
• Roussel Roozmon,Thomas After 6 .CiJc3 tlJxc3 7 .dxc3 �xd l +
Brno, 2008 ( 1 0) 8 . �xd l kd6 9.tle l + �f8 White has lit­
tle for the pawn.
1 . e2-e4 e7-e5
2. f2-f4 d7-d5 6. ... �c8-e6
3. e4xd5 e5xf4
6 . . . it..e 7 7 .�xd5 (7 .d4 gS 8 .tlJc3 is a
better try for White) 7 . . . �xd5 8.tlJc3
�d8 9 .d4 gS also favors Black, but not
9 . . . 0-0? 1 0 .�xf4 as in Carlsen-Wang Yue,
Medias 2 0 1 0, won by White.

4. ttJg1 -f3

Or 4 . .ic4 'ifh4+ S .�fl it..d 6 6 .tlJf3 'ifh6


7 .tDc3 CiJe7 8 .d4 0-0.

4. ... ttJg8-f6 7. 'i¥d1 -e2


5. �f1 -c4 ttJf6xd5
In the event of 7 .it..b 3 cS 8 .d4 cxd4
6. 0-0
9.ttJxd4 .icS I O .�h l kxd4 I I .'ifxd4
In case of 6.it..x d5 'ifxdS 7 .ttJc3 'iffs 0-0 1 2 .kxd5 tlJc6 1 3 .�xf4 �xdS
8 .d4 tlJc6 9 .0-0 ke6 White is just a pawn 1 4.CiJc3 �c4 1 S .'iff2 .l:!.fe8 Black has
down for nothing. He can regain it by better development and a slightly safer

1 44
Chapter 1 1 - Gambits

king. The white knight blocking his c­ KG 2.9 (C3 6) Game 11.2
pawn makes any queenside play difficult D Sulskis,Sarunas
for White. • Melkumyan,Hrant
Benasque, 2009 (8)
7. ... �f8-e7
8. d2-d4 1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. f2-f4 e5xf4
After 8 .lt:Jc3 c6 9 .d4 g5 1 0 .lt:Je4 lt:Jd7
3. tt:lg1 -f3 d 7-d5
1 1 .�b3 h6 1 2.c4 lt:J5f6 White has only a
little compensation for the pawn. I prefer the move order 2 . . . d5 3 .exd5
exf4 to rule out taking on d5 with the
8. ... 0-0
bishop in case of �c4 instead of lt:Jf3 .
9. tt:lb1 -c3 tt:ld5xc3
1 0. b2xc3 �e6xc4 4. e4xd5 tt:lg8-f6
11. 'iWe2xc4 �e7-d6
1 2. 'iWc4-b5 b7-b6
1 3. tt:lf3-g5

5. �f1 -b5+

After 5 . c4 c6 6.d4 �b4+ 7 .lt:Jc3 0-0


1 3. ... c7-c5
8 .�xf4 cxd5 9 .�e2 (9 .kd3 dxc4
The actual game went 1 3 . . . lt:Jd7 1 4.kxf4 1 0 .�xc4 transposes) 9 ... dxc4 I 0 .�xc4
kxf4 1 5 . .llxf4 and now 1 5 . . . a6 would tt:lc6 1 1 .0-0 kg4 Black is for choice due
have kept the advantage, based on the to the heavy pressure on the weak d4
superior pawn structure. He played pawn.
1 5 . . . lt:Jf6 and the game was later drawn. Or 5 .lt:Jc3 lt:Jxd5 and now:
A) 6.kc4 tt:lxc3 7 .bxc3 (after 7 .dxc3
1 4. tt:lg5-e4 f4-f3
'iWxd 1 + 8 . '0t>xd 1 kd6 9 . .ll e 1 + 'Ot>f8
1 5. g2xf3
White struggles to show compensation
1 5 . .ll xf3 ? �xh2+ 1 6.'0t>xh2 'iYh4+ with for the pawn) 7 ... �d6 8 .'iYe2 + 'iWe7
an obvious advantage for Black. 9.'iYxe7+ 'Ot>xe7 1 0.0-0 ke6 1 1 .l:!e 1
'Ot>d7 - again it is tough for White to
1 5 . ... a7-a6
prove compensation;
1 6. 'iWb5-d3 tt:lb8-c6
B) 6 .lt:Jxd5 "ii'x d5 7 .d4 ke7 8 . c4
Black's much better pawn structure and 'iYd6N 9 .c5 'iYh6 1 0.g3 g5 1 l .gxf4 g4
safer king give him the advantage. 1 2.lt:Je5 'iYh4+ 1 3 .'0t>e2 0-0 - White has

1 45
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

regained his pawn, but the price of hav­ A greedy computer suggestion is
ing to advance his king was too high. 1 2 . . . .lle 8N 1 3 .tt:lc3 (in case of 1 3 .kxf4_
�xf4 1 4.l::!.xf4 �b8 1 S .�fl �xb2 Black
5. ... c7-c6
will win a pawn) 1 3 . . . eS 1 4.�c4+ �h
6. d5xc6 tt:lb8xc6
1 S .dxeS .Yl.xeS 1 6.�xf4 �b6 + 1 7.�h l
7. d2-d4 �f8-d6
�xb2 1 8 . .Yl.xeS :!lxeS 1 9 .�xc6 llae8
8. 'ifd1 -e2+
2 0.h3 �xc2 . Here Black is for choice as
8 . 0-0 0-0 9 . tt:lbd2 �g4 1 O .c3 (or his pieces are slightly better placed.
1 0.tt:lc4 .Yl.c7 l l ..Yl.xc6 bxc6 1 2.lLlceS
1 3. tt:Jb1 -d2
.Yl.xf3 1 3 .tt:lxf3 l:!.e8 1 4.�d3 aS 1 S .�d2 .
tt:le4 1 6Jlae 1 fS and despite his inferior 1 3 .�xe6+ �h8 1 4.�h3 ( 1 4.tt:'ld2 llae8
pawn structure, I prefer Black due to the 1 S .�h3 cS 1 6.tt:lc4 f3N 1 7 .tt:lxd6 �xd6
powerful outposted knight) 1 O . . J:te8 1 8 .�h 1 cxd4 1 9.�xf3 tt:Jds 20.�dr
1 1 .tLlc4 .Yl.c7 1 2 .�d2 �ds 1 3 .tt:la3 tt:le4 l:rxfl + 2 1 .'iix fl l:rf8 2 2 .�g 1 tt:'lb4
and again the powerful e4 knight out­ 2 3 _jt,d2 tt:'lxc2 Black regains the pawn
weighs the doubled pawns. with advantage due to the advanced
passer) 1 4 . . . .lla e8 1 S .tt:lc3 ttJdS 1 6 .kd2
8. ... �c8-e6
tt:le3 1 7 .�xe3 llxe3 1 8 . .llf3 �b6
9. tt:Jf3-g5 0-0
1 9.llxe3 fxe3 2 0.�xe3 �xb2 2 1 .l:lfl
1 0. tt:Jg5xe6
�xc2=. A draw is to be expected.
Not 1 0 . .Yl.xc6? �g4.
1 3 . ... J:!.a8-e8
1 0. ... f7xe6 1 4. tt:Jd2-c4
1 1 . �b5xc6 b7xc6

1 4. ... g7-g5

An alternative is 1 4 . . . cS 1 S .tt:lxd6 �xd6


1 2. 0-0
1 6.jt,xf4 'iix d4+ 1 7 _jt,e3 �xb2 1 8.�c4
1 2 .'iixe6+ �h8 1 3 .0-0 .Yl.cS !N 1 4.dxcS l:!.f7=.
( 1 4.c3 .Yl.xd4+ is similar) 1 4 . . . �d4+
1 5. �c1 -d2
1 S .�h1 tt:'le4 and Black's attack will win
material. 1 S .b3 eS 1 6.dxeS jt,xeS 1 7 .tt:'lxeS �xeS
1 8 .�xeS .l:!.xeS 1 9.i.b2 l:!.e2 20.kxf6
1 2 . ... �d8-c7
.llxf6 2 1 Jl.f2 llfe6= A draw is likely.

1 46
Chapter 1 1 - Gambits

This is the Urusov Gambit, a rather dan­


1 5. ... e6-e5
gerous one if accepted.
16. d4xe5 �d6xe5
1 7. tt:Jc4xe5 't:!Vc7xe5 4. ... �f8-b4+
1 8. �e2xe5 l:te8xe5
1 9. �d2-b4 l:tf8-e8 :i � i. :if . :i
.l .l .l .l .l .l .l
1 9 . . . c5!=.

20. jt.b4-c3 l:te5-e6
21 . �c3xf6 l:te6xf6
22. l:tf1 -e1 l:tf6-e6
23. l:te1 xe6 l:te8xe6
24. 'lt>g1 -f2 l:te6-d6
25. l:ta1 -e1 'lt>g8-f7
26. l:te1 -e5 l:td6-d2+ 5. c2-c3
27. Wf2-f3
If S .�d2 �xd2+ 6.'ihd2 (6.ttJbxd2 tbc6
7. 0-0 0-0 8 .�bS a6 9 .�xc6 dxc6 1 0 .eS
tt:Jd7 1 1 .e6 tLlcS 1 2 .exf7 + .l:txf7 White
• .l
has too little for the pawn) 6 . . /i:Jxe4
7.�xd4 tt:Jf6 8 .0-0 d S , here White has
� .l much less compensation for the pawn
.l than in the accepted Gambit. The ex­
� change of bishops has robbed White's at­
t!J ;t!J t!J :i t!J t!J tack of any power.
5 . ... d4xc3
27. ... g5-g4+ 6. b2xc3 d7-d5!
28. Wf3xf4 l:td 2xc2 7. e4xd5
29. 'lt>f4-g3 l:tc2xb2
After 7.'ti'a4+ 'ti'd7N 8 . 'ti'xb4 dxc4 9 . 0-0
30. l:te5-a5 'lt>f7-g6
b6 1 o . .lle 1 tba6 1 1 .'ii'xc4 tt:Jcs Black is
31 . l:ta5xa 7 h7-h5
better du� to the weak white pawns and
The game soon ended in a draw. square d3 .

IG 4.5 (C24) Game 11.3 :i � i. � · :i


D Arbau,Eric .l .l .l .l .l .l
• Malaniuk,Vladimir �
Bastia, 20 1 0 (5)

1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. �f1 -c4 tt:Jg8-f6
3. d2-d4 e5xd4
4. tt:Jg1 -f3

1 47
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

7. ... �b4-c5 1 2. ... h7-h6


1 3. �h4xf6+ we7xf6
7 . . . fie? is the move to play if you want
14. 0-0 �c8-f5
to keep queens on the board. Objectively
1 5. tDb1 -d2 tDb8-d7
both moves are fme. Play may continue
1 6. l:!.f1 -e1 l:td8-e8
8 . 0 - 0 0-0 9 .�b3 l:te8 1 0 .c4 tt:'le4
1 7. tDf3-d4 �f5-h7
1 l. .�b2 .ig4 1 2 .�a4 tt:'ld7 1 3 .h3 �xf3
1 4.'ifxf3 �d6 1 5 .'ifg4 tt:'ldf6 1 6.'iff3
l:teS= . I
8 . �d1 -e2+ �d8-e7
9. �e2xe7+ <Jo>e8xe7

Also after 9 . . .�xe7 1 0. 0-0 0-0 1 1 .l::t e 1


.id6 1 2 .tt:'la3 a6 1 3 .�b3 tt:'lbd7 1 4.tDc4
.icS 1 5.tt:'la5 �b6 1 6.tt:'lc4 �a7 Black is
to be preferred due to the poor White
pawn structure.
1 0. �c1 -f4 �c5-d6
White has no compensation for the
bishop pair.
1 8. �c4-b5?! l:te8xe1 +
1 9. l:ta1 xe1 t2Jd7-b6
20. tDd2-e4+?1 ..th7xe4
21 . .l:[e1 xe4 a7-a6
22. �b5-d3 tDb6xd5

Bishops of opposite color do not gener­


ally draw a pawn down with knights on
the board.

1 1 . �f4-g3? 23. �d3-c4 t2Jd5-b6


24. �c4-b3 g7-g6
The computer calls the positiOn after
25. g2-g4 t2Jb6-d7
1 1 . .ixd6+ cxd6 equal, but I prefer Black
26. �b3-d1 l:ta8-d8
as the c3 pawn is weaker than the d6
27. h2-h4 Wf6-g7
pawn.
28. g4-g5 h6xg5
1 1 . ... J::[ h 8-d8 29. h4xg5 tDd7-c5
1 2. �g3-h4 30. l::!.e4-g4 ..td6-e5
31 . �d1 -f3 c7-c6
This implies a willingness to part with
32. wg1 -f1 wg7-f8
the bishop pair, but other moves lose the
33. 'it>f1 -e2 �e5xd4
d-pawn for too little.

1 48
Chapter I I - Gambits

A) 4.i.d2 �cS S.�c4 lt:Jf6N 6.e5 tLle4


7 .0-0 0-0 S .l:te i dS 9 . exd6 lt:Jxd2
1 O.lt:Jbxd2 �xd6 - White cannot regain
the pawn, and has only a mild lead in de­
velopment for it;
B) 4.c3 dxc3 5 .lt:Jxc3 (with 5 . bxc3 �c5
6 .i.c4 d6 7 .0-0 tbc6 8.lt:Jbd2 tLlf6 9 .lt:Jb3
i.b6 White has a bad version of an Evans
Gambit. He has only a tempo for the
pawn) S . . . lt:Jf6 (or 5 ... lt:Jc6, transposing
34. l:tg4xd4 ?I
to the Goring Gambit) 6.e5 lt:Je4 7 Yilic2
Taking with the pawn was the last chance d5 8.exd6 (in case of 8 .i.d3 tLlcS 9 .0-0
ro continue the fight for a draw, but Black lt:Jxd3 I O . .igS 'ti'd7 l l .'i¥xd3 �xc3
should still win. 1 2.'iYxc3 0-0 White has too little for the
pawn) 8 . . . lt:Jxc3 9 .bxc3 �xd6 I O .�gS
34. ... l:td8xd4
'iYd7 I l...�.d 3 h6 1 2.�e3 tbc6 1 3 .0-0
35. c3xd4 ttJc5-e6
0-0 I 4.l:tfe 1 l:te8 1 5 .l:tad 1 b6 - Black
36. d4-d5 ttJe6-d4+ 0-1
will fianchetto the bishop and be a safe
pawn ahead.
KP 2.3 (C2 1 ) Game 11.4
3. ... 'iWd8-e71
D Nogrady,Vilmos
• Krivolapov,Konstantin
Budapest, 1 99 6

1 . e2-e4 e7-e5
2. d2-d4 e5xd4
3. c2-c3

The Danish Gambit.


3 .tLlf3 ? ! i.b4+ (instead 3 . . . lt:Jc6 trans­
pos�s to the Scotch, but this is better) and
now:

This is quite likely to surprise your op­


ponent, and may very well be the best
move objectively. White either loses a
pawn for too little compensation or just
gets an inferior game with equal mate­
rial.
4. c3xd4

In case of 4.tbf3 'iYxe4+ S .�e2 d3


Analysis diagram
6.'iYxd3 'iYxd3 7.�xd3 tbc6 8 . 0 - 0 tbf6

1 49
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

White has two tempi for the pawn, which


with queens off is not enough;
After 4.'iYxd4 tLlc6 S .'iYe3 tLlf6 6.�d3 dS
7 .tLld2 �g4 Black is better, because
White cannot trade on dS without falling
seriously behind in development.
4. ... �e7xe4+
5. �c1 -e3

In the event of S .�e2 'i¥xg2 6.�f3 'iYg6


1 0. ... d7-d6?!
7 .tLle2 tt:lc6N 8 .tLlf4 'iYfs 9 .tt:lc3 tt:lf6
I O.'iYe2+ �d8 l l .�e3 �d6 1 2.tLlfdS b6 With 1 O ... c6!N Black plans ...d7 -dS , after
1 3 . 0-0-0 tt:lxdS 1 4.�xd5 which White will have little compensation.
11. 0-0 �b4xc3
1 2. b2xc3 0-0
1 3. e3-e4 �c8-e6
14. �c4-d3 �e6-g4
1 5. e4-e5 �g4xf3
1 6. .!:tf1 xf3 d6xe5
1 7. d4xe5?

1 7 Jhfl =.
1 7. ... �e7xe5?!
Analysis diagram

1 7 . . . tt:ld7 ! .
1 4 ... �a6 ! I S .'iYxa6 tt:lb4 1 6.�e4 'iYxe4
1 8. .!:ta1 -e1 �e5-c5+
1 7 .tt:lxe4 tt:lxa6 White may have compen­
1 9. Wg1 -h1 lLlb8-c6
sation for a pawn, but he is down two!
20. .l:!.f3-f5 �c5-d6
5. ... tt:lg8-f6 21 . .!:tf5-d5 �d6-h6
6. lLlb1 -c3 �f8-b4 22. �d2-e2?! �h6-f6
7. tLlg1 -f3 lLlf6-d5 23. l::!.d5-f5
8. �d 1 -d2 �e4-e7
9. �f1 -c4

If 9 .�d3N tt:lxe3 I O.fxe3 d6 1 1 .0-0 tt:ld7


1 2.e4 tLlf6 1 3 .�h l 0-0 1 4.e5 dxeS
I S .dxeS �xc3 ! 6.'iYxc3 tLlhS 1 7 .'iYd2
�g4 1 8.'iYe3 g6 White doesn't have
enough for the pawn.
9 . ... lLld5xe3
1 0. f2xe3

1 50
Chapter 1 1 - Gambits

9 . gxf3 (9.�xg 8 ? ! llxg8 1 0 . gxf3 g 5


23 . ... 'iff6-d6?!
l l .�e6 ll g 6 1 2 .'i¥f5 + � g 7 1 3 .�h l
23 .. .'�xc3N should win. When in doubt, lWe7 Black has a winning attack) 9 . . . dxc3
ta.ke stufr. 1 0.�xg8 Ihg 8 l l .tt:lxc3 tt:Jd4 1 2 .�d l
lWf6 1 3 .4Jd5 lW£7 1 4.<.t>g2 c6 1 5 .4Je3
24. �d3-c4 g7-g6
�g6+ 1 6 .�h l �h5 1 7 .�g2 lld8 1 8 .b4
25. !;If5-d5 �d6-f6
�b6 The threat of . . . tt:Jd4-e6-f4 gives
26. !;Id5-d7 �f6xc3
Black the advantage.
27. .l:Id7xc7 I;Ia8-d8
28. !;Ie1 -f1 'it>g8-h8 4. ... d4xc3
29. �c4xf7 '§'c3-e5
This is the Goring Gambit accepted. More
30. �e2-f2 !;Id8-d2
popular is 4 . . . d5 , which equalizes, but I
31 . �f2-h4 �e5-f5
think Black should try for an advantage by
32. I;If1 -e1 ?? !;If8xf7
accepting.
33. �h4xh7+ 'it>h8xh7
0-1
:i .t :if � .t � :i
.t:: i i i ' i i i
so 6. 1 1 (C44) Game 11. 5 '�
D Schmikli,Laszlo
• Meszaros,Tamas �
Budapest, 2006 (9) t2J
� !5, < �. £3:, £3:,
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
�' tb .�''iY w � :
2. tt:Jg1 -f3 tt:Jb8-c6
3. d2-d4 e5xd4 5. tt:Jb1 xc3
4. c2-c3
Or 5. �c4 cxb2 6.�xb2 �b4+ 7 .4Jc3
4.�c4 is the Scotch Gambit: 4. . . ..ic5 tt:lf6 and now:
5 . 0-0 ( 5 .c3 tt:lf6 transposes to the Italian A) After 8 .0-0 �xc3 9 .�xc3 0-0 I O.eS
Game) 5 . . . d6 6.c3 �g4 7 .'�'b3 �xf3 tt:Je4 l l .�b2 d6 1 2 .�e2 (if J 2 J:te l .2.f5
8.-ix£7 + Wf8 1 3 .llc l lle8 White has insufficient com­
pensation) 1 2 . . . d5 1 3 .llad l ]Le6 Black is
better. White has the bishop pair and
somewhat better development which is
enough for a pawn but hardly for two;
B) 8 .lWc2 d6 9 . 0-0-0 �xc3 J O.'iYxc3
�e6 l l .llhe l Lc4 1 2 .�xc4 0-0 1 3 .e5
tt:le8 1 4.lWc3 f6 1 5 .'it'b3 + �h8 - here
too White has plenty of compensation for
a pawn, but probably not for two.

5. ... �f8-b4
Analysis diagram
6. �f1 -c4 �b4xc3+

151
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

6...d6 7.�b3 ..ixc3+ 8.bxc3 would


10. e4-e5
transpose to the game but gives White the
sensible option of 8.�xc3, which the 10.�g5 0-0 11.1Iae1 h6 12.�h4 tt:Jas
game order avoids. 13."i¥a4 ti:Jxc4 14.�xc4 jle6 1S.'i¥d3
llae8 Black plans ...jlc8 next. He will
7. b2xc3 d7-d6
eventually unpin by ...gS. White doesn't
8. 0-0
have enough for the pawn.
8.'i¥b3 �e7 9.0-0 tbf6 transposes to the
10. ... tt:Jc6xe5
game;
11. tt:Jf3xe5 d6xe5
s.tt:Jgs tt:Jes 9...ib3 h6 10.f4 hxgS
12. �c1-a3 c7-c5
1l.fxe5 �e7 12.�d5 dxeS 13 ...ia4+
13 . �c4-b5+
..id7 14.�xb7 l:[d8 15."i¥xa7 i.xa4
16.�xa4+ �d7 17.�xd7+ llxd7
18.0-0 tt:Jf6 19.lle1 g4 20.a4 <:J:Je7 2l.a5
.!:i.a8=. White's passer is not too danger­
ous since Black may play .. J:i:a6 next, and
White has three isolated pawns.

8. ... lt:Jg8-f6

13 . ... jLc8-d7

13...Wf8, as recommended in Chess Ad­


vantage, is also okay, but riskier. The text
settles for one pawn up rather than two,
but permits Black to castle.

14. �b5xd7+ �e7xd7


9. �d1-b3 15. �a3xc5

After 9.e5 tt:JxeS 10.ti:Jxe5 dxeS With 15.f4 0-0 16.fxe5 tt:Je4 17.l:!.fe1
1l.�xd8+ (11.'t�Hb3 'i¥e7 transposes to �c6 18.�c4 tt:Jgs 19.�xc5 ld.fc8
the game) 1l...Wxd8 12.jlxf7 We7 20."ihc6 ti.xc6 White regains his pawn,
13.i.b3 ..ie6 14..lle1 �xb3 15.axb3 but now he has a clearly worse endgame
tbd7 16.f4 aS 17...ie3 .llhf8 18.fxe5 We6 with three isolated pawns.
Black is for choice, as the king is a great
15. ... tt:Jf6-e4
blockader and the white bishop is of the
16. �b3-b4
wrong color to disturb it. Also Black has a
potential outside passed pawn. After 16.�a3 tt:Jd2 17.�b4 0-0-0
18.l:!.fd1 l::the8 19.c4 .ld.e6 White has
9. ... �d8-e7
nothing for the pawn.

152
Chapter 11 -Gambits

If 16.�a3 �c6 17. ..txa7 �xc3


3. �f1-c4 �f8-c5
18.�a4+ �c6 19.�xc6+ bxc6 20.llfel
4. b2-b4
Iha7 21..l:!.xe4 f6 22.f4 \t>f7 23.fxe5 I:le8
24.a4 .ld.xe5 Black stays a pawn ahead in The Evans Gambit is among the best gam­
this rook endgame, though White's out­ bit openings. It is sound enough, but
side passer might be enough to draw. shouldn't give any advantage to White
with correct play.
16. ... �d7-c6
17. �c5-e3 4. ... �c5xb4
5. c2-c3 �b4-e7

I give this line as a safe alternate to my


main recommendation 5...�a5, which
attempts to refute the gambit.

6. d2-d4 tt:lc6-a5

17. ... a7-a5

Black actually played the inferior 17 ...tt:ld6


18.f4 (18.llfdl would have equalized)
18...a5 19.�b3 tt'lc4 20..l::!.ael e4 2I.f5
0-0 22.f6 g6 23.�c2 llfe8 24...Q.d4 e3
7. tt:lf3xe5
25.�e2 .l::!.e4 26..l::!.f3 .l::!.ae8 27.�d3 �d5
28.l!g3 b5 29.�e2 b4 30..l::!.g4 .l::!.xg4 This regains the pawn but White must
31.'ik'xg4 bxc3 32.�f4 g5 33.�g4 c2 prove compensation for the bishop pair. I
34.h4 h6 35.�5 'ifxd4 36.hxg5 e2+ consider 7 .�e2 to be the better move,
37.\t>hl cl� 38..l::!.xcl el�+. though it is risky.
7.�d3 d6 8.dxe5 dxe5 (8...tt:lc6 9.exd6
18. �b4-b3 0-0
�xd6 IO.h3) 9.tt:lxe5 tt:lf6 10.0-0 0-0
19. c3-c4 a5-a4
ll.�c2 c5=. Black plans ...�c7 and
White is just a pawn down. ...b7-b6. His better pawn structure com­
pensates him for his temporarily offside
IG5.11(C51) Game1.1..6 knight.
0 Fressinet,Laurent 7.�e2 d6 (safer than 7...exd4 8.�xd4!
• Efimenko,Zahar with which Kasparov beat Anand in 1995)
Wijk aan Zee B, 20 II (2) 8.�a4+ (8.dxe5 dxe5 9.�xd8+ �xd8
IO.tt:lxe5 tt:lf6 II.f3 0-0 I 2.tt:la3 l:!:e8
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
13.tt:lec4 tt:lxc4 14.tt'lxc4 tt:ld7 15.\t>f2
2. tt:Jg1-f3 tt:Jb8-c6
tt:lb6 16.�e3 f5=) 8 ...c6 9.dxe5 dxe5

!53
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 0.ltJxe5 ltJf6 1 1 .0-0 �c7 1 2.tt:lf3 0-0


1 6. �d2·c3 �c8·e6
1 3 . ..tgs 1le8 1 4.ltJbd2 h6 1 5 . .th4 b5
1 7. lLlb1 ·d2 'ifa6·a3
1 6.�c2 tLlhS 1 7 . ..txe7 .!lxe7 1 8 . .llfe 1
1 8. .!:!.a1 ·c1 l:!.a8·c8
ltJf4 1 9 . .tfl a6=. The strong knight on f4
and the better black pawn structure make
up for the poorly placed knight on aS.
7. lLla5xc4
8. lLle5xc4 d7-d5
9. e4xd5 'ifd8xd5
1 0. lLlc4·e3 'ifd5-a5
11. 0·0 lLlg8-f6
1 2. c3·c4 0·0
13. ..tc1 ·d2

It's hard to see much compensation for


the bishop pair in this open position, so
Black is somewhat better.

IG 5 . 7 (C5 2) Game 11.7


D Short,Nigel
• Filippov,Anton
Kolkata, 2009 ( 7 )

1. e2·e4 e7·e5
1 3 . ... 'ifa5·a6! 2. lLlg1 ·f3 lLlb8·c6
3. �f1 ·c4 �f8·c5
Black actually played 1 3 . . . ..tb4 (in
4. b2·b4
Robson-Perelshteyn, Lubbock 20 1 0, Black
played 1 3 . . . �h5 ?? and had to resign after Nigel Short is the top practitioner of the
1 4.ltJd5 !) 1 4 . .txb4 �xb4 1 5 .�d3 b6 Evans Gambit.
1 6.ltJc3 ..td7 1 7 . .!lfd 1 l:!.ad8 1 8.a4. White
4. ... �c5xb4
was slightly better due to his central con­
5. c2·c3 �b4-a5
trol, though Black drew. The text move is a
computer improvement over both games,
preserving the bishop pair.
1 4. 'ifd1 ·f3

After 1 4.ltJc3 .l:!d8 the White center is un­


der pressure and Black has the bishop pair.

1 4. ... c7·c6
1 5. .!:!.f1 ·e1 l:!.f8-e8

1 54
Chapter 1 1 - Gambits

This is the best attempt to refute the Evans


8. 0-0
Gambit.
Or 8.dxe5 �b6 9.tt:lbd2 (after 9 .�b5 a6
6 . d2-d4
1 0.�a4 �cS 1 1 .c4 tt:lge7 1 2.<1Jc3 0-0
6.0-0 d6 (6 . . .tt:lf6 7 .d4 exd4 8 .e5 dS 1 3 . 0-0 bSN 1 4.cxb5 tt:lxeS 1 S .tt:lxe5
9.exf6 dxc4 1 0 .fxg7 .ll g 8 1 1 ..lle l + i.e6 dxeS 1 6.llb 1 �g4 1 7 .�c2 lld8 Black
also favors Black but is more compli­ controls the open center file in an other­
cated) 7 .d4 transposes to the note after wise balanced position) 9 . . . dxe5 1 O.�a3
7 .�b 3 . tt:laS l 1 .�b4 cS 1 2 .'i¥b2 �e7N
Or 6.�b3 �e7 7 .d4 tt:lf6 8 .dxe5 tLlxeS 1 3 .�b5 + tLlc6. Since Black can now play
9 .tLlxeS �xeS 1 0.�xf7 + rt!;e7 1 1 .0-0 1 4 . . . tt:lf6 and castle kingside, White has
llf8 1 2.�d5 �b6 1 3 .h3 d6 1 4.tt:la3 very little compensation for the pawn;
�xh3 1 5 .c4 tLlg4!N 1 6.�xh3 lhf2 If 8.<1Jbd2 �b6, now 9.dxe5 transposes
1 7 .Jlxf2 �xf2+ 1 8 .<it>fl �xa 1 1 9 .�xg4 , to the previous note, while 9 .0-0 trans­
'ii'xc l + 2 0 . rt!;xf2 .!lf8 + 2 I .rt!;g3 �xa3+ poses to the game.
2Hiih2 �b2 and Black wins.
8. ... .ia5-b6
6 . ... d7-d61 9. tt:Jb1 -d2

think this is better than 6 . . . exd4 as 9.i.bS a6 1 0.�a4 (after 1 0.�xc6 'i¥xc6
recommended in Chess Advantage, due 1 1 .<1Jbd2 f6N White is down a pawn and
partly to Short's 2 0 0 3 game with Nielsen the bishop pair with no clear plan of at­
with 7 .�b3 . tack) 1 0 . . . i.a7 and the threat of . . . b7-b5
ensures a good game for Black.
7. �d 1 -b3
9. ..
. <1Jc6-a5
In the event of 7 . 0-0 i.g4 8 .�b3 �xf3
1 0. 'irb3-c2 f7-f6
9.�xf7 + rt!;f8 1 0.gxf3 (after 1 0.1lxg8
1 1 . a2-a4
lhg8 1 1 .gxf3 exd4 1 2.�xb7 �e8 Black
is much better) 1 0 . . . 1lb6 1 1 .1lxg8 I:rxg8
1 2 .d5 tt:las 1 3 .�b5 �h4 White's awful
pawn �.tructure gives Black the edge.
7. ... 'ird8-d7

1 1 . ... tt:Jg8-e7!N

The game actually went 1 1 . . .tt:lh6


1 2 .i.a3 (with 1 2.i.a2 ! tt:lf7 White gets
fair compensation for the pawn) 1 2 . . . tt:lf7

1 55
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 3 .i.d5 "fie? 1 4.i.b4 c6 1 5 .i.a2 0-0


1 4. kc1 ·a3 kc8-e6
1 6.tt:lh4 g6 1 7 .'�ih l �e6 1 8.d5 �d7
1 5. �a3-b4 ke6xa2
1 9.c4 .l::!.a c8 2 0 Jlae l "ftd8 2 l ."ftd3 i.d4
1 6. �c2xa2 tt:le7·g6
2 2.tt:ldf3 c5 2 3 .�d2 b6 24.i.xa5 bxa5
1 7. g2-g3 tt:lg6-f8
2 5 .l:!:b l i.xa4 26.tLlxd4 cxd4 2 7 ."ftg3
1 8. .1b4xa5 £b6xa5
'it>g7 2 8Jlb2 l:!:b8 29.l:!:d2 i.d? 3 0.f4 a4
1 9. lLld2-c4 £a5-b6
3 I .fxe5 tt:lxe5 3 2 .llxd4 llb2 3 3 .i.b l
20. .l:!:a1 ·d1 tt:lf8-d7
"ftb6 3 4 . lldd l tbxc4 3 5 .e5 tt:lxe5
21. .l:!:d1 ·d5 0·0·0
3 6.l:!:de l .llb 3 3 7 .'li'f4 .!:Ib4 3 8 .i.e4 f5
3 9 .g4 tbxg4 40.'iVg5 tbf2+ 4 1 ..!:lxf2
"fffxf2 42 . .ll g l l:txe4 43 .tbxg6 'iVf3 + and
White resigned.
1 2. �c4-a2 �d7·c6

It is surprisingly hard for White to deal


with the threat of . . . exd4. The knight on
e7 prevents �d5 , while 1 3 .d5 "i¥d7 lets
Black castle with a safe extra pawn.
13. d4xe5 d6xe5

Next Black can play . . . �e6 with an extra White has some but not full compensa-
pawn. tion for the pawn.

1 56
Chapter 12

Scotch and Four Knights Opening


Igroup these two openings together because they often transpose: l .e4 e5 2.tbf3 tbc6
3.d4 (Scotch) 3 ...exd4 4.tbxd4 tbf6 5 .tbc3 and 3.tbc3 tbf6 (the Four Knights) 4.d4
exd4 5.tbxd4 reach the same position, which is naturally enough called the Scotch Four
Knights. In this chapter we look at all lines that typically begin with either the Scotch or
Four Knights Opening.

In the Scotch, which was resurrected two decades ago by World Champion Garry Kasparov,
after 3 .d4 exd4 4.tbxd4 (4.c3 is the GOring Gambit in the Gambit chapter, while the
Scotch Gambit 4.�c4 �c5 5 .c3 tbf6 is simply a transposition to the 4.c3 lLJf6 5.d4 exd4
line of the Italian Game) I recommend 4...tbf6 rather than 4 ...�c5, mainly because after
the latter move, 5.lLJxc6 'ii'f6 6.'ii'f3 ! seems to offer White a slight edge in most if not all
lines. Now after 4. . . tt::lf6, 5.tbxc6 bxc6 6.e5 �e7 7.�e2 tbd5 8.c4 my earlier book recom­
mended" s ....lta6, which often leads to an endgame where White has rook, bishop, and
knight vs. two rooks and two extra but doubled pawns. This endgame is about equal but
rather hard to win as Black, and since 8 ... tt::lb 6 has been revitalized recently I now recom­
mend that move. If White responds with 9.tbd2 or 9.b3 we play 9 ... a5, aiming to exchange
off this pawn getting rid of an isolated pawn while giving White a backward one on b3
(see Game 1 2 . 1 ) . I don't even see how White fully equalizes in this line. After the more ag­
gressive 9.tbc3 the rare 9 ...�b7 was played successfully by Kramnik this year and this
seems to solve all ofBlack's opening problems (see Game 1 2.2).
The Scotch Four Knights Opening is not very promising for White, but there are
some tricks so you need to study the line. Black has to be willing (in the lines I rec­
ommend) to put up with a bad pawn structure in the endgame in return for the two
bishops, but with queens off the bishops are a major plus so this is a good enough
deal for Black. If White avoids this ending he may achieve a slightly better pawn

1 57
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

structure but at the cost of conceding central domination to Black. See Game 1 2 . 3 for
this as well as the Belgrade Gambit S.tt:ldS ! ? , which we meet by S ...tt:lb4 when I don't
see how White equalizes.

Unusual fourth moves after the four knights come out, including 4.g3 and 4.a3 , should
lead to equality with correct play. In the former case simple development with 4 ...�c5
and 5 . . . d6 suffices, while after 4.a3 Black should respond with 4 ... d5 when White may
find himself just playing the black side of the equal Scotch Four Knights with the use­
less move a3 included.
The sacrificial 4.tt:lxe5? is unsound but tricky. Keeping the extra piece is probably
theoretically best, but for practical play just retreat the knight to c6 when it is attacked
and give back the piece by answering d5 with . . . �b4, after which Black is just better.
See Game 1 2 .4 for these three lines.
Most novices play 4.�c4 after the Four Knights Opening, until someone teaches
them not to do so due to the 'fork trick' 4 . . . tt:Jxe4. However, computer analysis fails to
show full equality for Black in the traditional lines after that move. Fortunately I discov­
ered a major novelty here (S.tlJxe4 dS 6.�d3 tt::lb 4!) which appears to give Black abso­
lutely equal chances.
The main line of the Four Knights is 4..ltb5 , but recently 4...�c5 . formerly thought
bad due to the 'fork trick' (again!) , now appears to be a complete solution to the prob­
lem of that opening, thanks to the discovery of the strength of 9 . .�e7 ! . For both of
.

these 'fork trick' lines see Game 1 2 . 5 .

SO 4.3 (C45) Game 12.1


3. d2-d4 e5xd4
0 Van der Weide,Karel
4. tt:Jf3xd4 tt:Jg8-f6
• Ris,Robert
5. tt:Jd4xc6 b7xc6
Haarlem, 2007 (9)
6. e4-e5 't!Vd8-e7
1 . e2-e4 e7-e5 7. 't!Vd1 -e2 tt:Jf6-d5
2. tt:Jg1 -f3 tt:Jb8-c6 8. c2-c4 tt:Jd5-b6

1 58
Chapter 12 - Scotch and Four Knights Opening

the open ille compensates for his bad


pawn structure. The fact that White's rook
is stuck on a 1 to defend a2 means that
White can only aspire to a draw.


9. b2-b3 .i �
9.tt:ld2 aS and now: ���
A) 1 o.'iWe4 g6 1 l .i.d3 i.g7 1 2. 0-0 :g:
0-0 1 3 .tt:lf3 �a6 1 4.i.g5 f6 1 5 .�h4
9. ... a7-a5
llfe8 1 6.c5 �xd3 1 7 .�xd3 tt:ldS 1 8 .�c4
1 0. �c1 -b2 a5-a4
�f7 1 9 .exf6 tt:lxf6 20.�xf7+ \t?x£'7
11. ttJb1 -d2 a4xb3
E E" 1 2. a2xb3 .!:ta8xa1 +
.t. .t. � :t .t. 1 3. �b2xa1 �e7-a3
.t. -� .t. 1 4. �e2-d1 �f8-b4

Analysis diagram

2 1 .bf6 (otherwise 2 I . ..l2Jd5 and the


Black pawn weaknesses are secure while
White's are not) 2 1 .. .hf6 - the black
bishop seems clearly superior to the white
1 5. �f1 -d3
knight, though d�e to the mutual pawn
weaknesses White should be able to draw; 1 5 .�b l ?? 'ilYaS 1 6.�b2 �xd2+ 0- 1 was
B) 1 O .b3 a4 1 1 .�b2 transposes to the a game I won from Russian master
game; Fayvinov in Washington 2002.
C) 1 O.g3 �e6 1 1 .b3 a4 1 2.�b2 �b4
15 . ... 'fVa3-a2
1 3.�g2 0-0 ( 1 3 ... �g6 1 4.�e4 �h6 is an
untried and unclear computer suggestion) 1 5 . . . �a5 is far more common and suffi­
1 4.0-0 dS 1 5.l2Jf3 a3 1 6.i.d4 cS 1 7 .cxdS cient for equality, but the text aims to win
�xdS 1 8.�e3 �a6 1 9 .'iWc2 �d3 20.tt:le 1 a pawn with some modest risk.
i.xc2 2 1 .�xd5 tt:lxdS 2 2.tt:lxc2 tt:lc3
1 6. �a1 -d4
23 .\t?g2 .!:tfd8 and Black's domination of

1 59
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

In case of 1 6.�c2 l'VaS 1 7 .We2 dS


20. ... c6-c5N
1 8.exd6 0-0 1 9 .tLle4 cxd6 2 0.'iWd4 f6
White has little to compensate him for In the game Black played 20 ... d6 2 1 J:ta 1
having his king in the center. �g4 with equality, but White soon lost
the exchange and yet managed to draw
1 6. ... 0-0
the endgame. The text is an engine sug­
1 7. �d4-e3 'fk'a2-a5
gestion which has the drawback of leav­
1 8. 0-0 'fk'a5xe5
ing the bishop on b4 a bit sidelined, but
the other bishop becomes a monster.
21 . �d3-e2 �c8-b7

White has little compensation for Black's


extra (doubled) pawn.

SO 4.3 (C45) Game 12.2


D Shirov,Alexey
• Kramnik,Vladimir
Wijk aan Zee, 2 0 1 1 (6)
White has a bit better development and a
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
better pawn structure, but this is probably
2. t0g1 -f3 ttJb8-c6
not quite full compensation for the pawn.
3. d2-d4 e5xd4
1 9. ttJd2-f3 'ti'e5-h5 4. tt:Jf3xd4 t0g8-f6
5. tt:Jd4xc6 b7xc6
The computer prefers 1 9 .. .'�e 7 (or
6. e4-e5 �d8-e7
1 9 . . .'iWf6) 20.�g5 'iWd6 to avoid the
7. �d1 -e2 ttJf6-d5
draw in the next note.
8. c2-c4 ttJd5-b6
20. 'ifd1 -c2 9. ttJb1 -c3

Or 2 0 .'�'a1 dS 2 1 .'iWa7 �g4 2 2.'�xc7


�xf3 2 3 . gxf3 dxc4 24.bxc4 'li'xf3
2 S .'iYxb6 'iWg4+ with a draw by perpet­
ual check.

9. ... ..tc8-b7

This is rare but strong. Kramnik knows


what he is doing in the opening.

1 60
Chapter 1 2 - Scotch and Four Knights Opening

29 .'ib'f6+ and White must give perpetual


1 0. �c1 -d2
check.
1 0.�f4 g6 1 l .�e3 �g7 1 2.�d3 0-0 1 3 .f3 �xc4 1 4.'ib'f2 �xfl I S .'�xfl �e6
1 3 . 0-0 �a6 1 4.b3 d6 1 5 .l:!.ae 1 .!::!.fe8 1 6.a5 �c4+ 1 7.Wg 1 �a6 1 8 .'i¥d4
1 6.�e4 dS 1 7.�f3 �b7 and the pressure tt:ldS= 1 9.�g5 �g7 2 0.�xd8 .!lxd8
on eS prevents White from attacking by 2 l .tt:lc3 tbxc3 2 2.bxc3 d6 2 3 .�g4+ lld7
�gS or �h6, while Black can play 24.e6 fxe6 2 5 .'ifxe6 �xc3 2 6.'i¥e8+
. . . a7 -aS or . . . dxc4 or . . . .!lad8; �d8 2 7 .'i!Ve6+ .!ld7 with a draw by repe­
If White plays instead 1 0.b3 0-0-0 tition.
1 l..�. b2 lle8 1 2 .f4 f6 1 3 .0-0-0 fxeS
1 3. ..
. 'ife7xe5
1 4.fxe5 g6 l S .lle l �g7 1 6.tt:ld 1 cS (or
1 4. �d2-c3 �f8-b4!!
also 1 6 . . . d6) 1 7 .h4 l;Ihf8 , Black is better
1 5. £.c3xb4 l:f.h8-e8
due to the pressure against the isolani on
1 6. f2-f3?!
eS.
1 6. 0-0-0 'ifxe4 1 7 .'i!Vxe4 llxe4 1 8 .a5
1 0. ... g7-g6
tt:ldS 1 9 . f3 llxc4+ 2 0 .�xc4 �xc4
1 1 . tt:Jc3-e4 0-0-0
2 l .�d2 cS =. Two pawns are in general
1 2. a2-a4
slightly better than the exchange, but as
In the event of 1 2.f4 cS 1 3 .0-0-0 �g7 the black pawns are doubled it's about
1 4.�c3 tba4 1 5 .'ib'c2 tbxc3 1 6.tt:lxc3 d6 even.
Black is better thanks to his powerful
1 6 . ... d7-d5
bishop pair.
It may already be too late for White to
1 2. ... �b7-a6
equalize the game.
1 7. a4-a5

1 7 .cxd5 hfl 1 8 .<ihfl fS 1 9.�d3 fxe4


2 0.'i¥a6+ 'lt>d7 2 l .dxc6+ 'lt>xc6 22 . .!:l.c 1 +
Wd7 2 3 .'i!Vb7 l:!.e6 - both sides have ex­
posed kings but the inability of the white
king's rook to join the battle tilts the eval­
uation in favor of Black.
1 7. tt:Jb6xc4
1 8. 'ife3xa7 'il'e5xb2
1 3. 'il'e2-e3 1 9. 'il'a7xa6+ 'tttc8-d7
20. J:.a1 -d 1 'il'b2xb4+
1 3 .a5 tbxc4 1 4.lla4 lle8 1 5 .f3 'iYxeS
21 . We1 -f2 .l!e8xe4
1 6.i.c3 'i¥f4 1 7 .Ii.xc4 i.xc4 1 8 .�xc4 dS
22. f3xe4 'il'b4-c5+
1 9.'i!Vxc6 .llx e4+ 2 0.Wd1 �e6 2 l .'i!Va8+
23. �f2-e1 'il'c5-b4+
<;t>d7 2 2 .�b5 + c6 2 3 .i.xh8 cxbS
24. 'ttte 1 -f2 'il'b4-c5+
24.'ib'xf8 'ifa4+ 2 5 .Wd2 'iYc4 2 6.�c3
25. 'tttf 2-e1 tt:lc4-b2
l:!.e2+ 2 7 .Wc1 'i¥d3 2 8 .'iYxf7+ Wc6

161
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

32 . ... tt:Jb2-d1
33. '1Wf6-h8+ Wd8-d 7
34. �f1 -b5+ c7-c6
35. �b5xc6+ wd7-c7
36. d5-d6+ '1Wd2xd6

36 .. .'.ii x c6 ! 3 7 .�c8+ Wd5 38.dxe7 f5+


wins the queen or mates.
37. J::\ h 1 xd1 '1Wd6xd1 +
26. e4xd5? 38. �c6-f3 h7-h5+
39. �g4-g3 '1Wd1 -e1 +
2 6.'ife2 tt:'ixd l 2 7 .'ifxd l ld.e8 28.'i¥d2
40. ..t>g3-h3 '1We1 ·e6+
llxe4+ 2 9 .�e2 .Ua4 3 0.a6 .!:ta l + 3 l .�d l
41 . Wh3·h4 g6-g5+
fS and once Black gobbles the a6 pawn he
42. ..t>h4xg5 '1We6-g6+
will have four pawns for the bishop and
43. Wg5·f4 f7-f6
so a slight edge.
White resigned because if 44.'i¥xh5
26. ... �c5-c3+
ld.e4+! wins the queen.
27. J:rd1 -d2 �c3-c1 +?

With 2 7 . . . .l:te8 + ! 2 8 .�e2 �c l + 29.'it>f2


�xd2 3 0.�xc6+ Wd8 3 l .�f6+ .tie? so 3 . 3 (C47) Game 12.3
Black could have won a piece. 0 Schneider,Ilja
• Haslinger,Stewart
28. �e1 -e2 J:ld8-e8+
Germany Bundesliga, 2009/ 1 0 ( 1 0)
29. �e2-f3 '1Wc1 xd2
30. '1Wa6xc6+ 'it>d7-d8 1 . e2-e4 e7-e5
31 . '1Wc6-f6+ J:le8-e 7 2. tt:Jg1 -f3 tt:Jb8-c6
3. tt:Jb1 -c3

3 .d4 exd4 4.tt:'ixd4 tt:lf6 s .tt:Jc3 trans­


poses.
3. tt:Jg8-f6
4. d2-d4 e5xd4

.! A if * ..t .!
-� � i 'i i " i i i
'·�. �
.

32. �f3-g4?? .t. 8 .


3 2.\tlg3 tt:ld3 3 3 .�xd3 �xd3 + 34.Wh4 Cjj Cjj
\tle8 3 5 . .!lfl �d2 - Black is clearly better 8 .�. 8 . 8 8 8
but White has drawing chances. -:tiij i[ 'i¥ � � �

1 62
Chapter 1 2 - Scotch and Four Knights Opening

5. tt:lf3xd4 1 1 . 'iVd1 -f3

This position is known as the 'Scotch After 1 1 .lL'la4 h6 1 2 . ..ih4 l:Ie8 1 3 .c4 ..ig4
Four Knights' as it can arise from either 1 4.�xg4 lt:lxg4 1 5 .ii.xd8 Ilaxd8
the Scotch or the Four Knights Opening. 1 6.cxd5 l:Ixd5 = Black's better placed
5 .lL'ld5 is the Belgrade Gambit. I recom­ pieces offset his inferior pawn structure.
mend 5 . . . lt:lb4 and now: The bishops of opposite color make a
A) 6.lL'lxf6+ 1Wxf6 7 . ..ic4 ..ic5 8.0-0 draw likely.
d6 9.e5 dxe5 l O.lL'lxe5 0-0 l l .lL'ld3 1 1 .tLle2 h6 1 2 . ..ih4 j;_d6 1 3 .lL'ld4 c5
lt:lxd3 1 2.j;_xd3 j;_d6 and Black is just a 1 4.tLlf5 ii.xf5 1 5 .�xf5 .llb 8 1 6.b3 ..ie5
pawn up; 1 7 .l:Ic 1 ii.f4 1 8 .llb 1 �d6 1 9 .g3 g5
B) 6.lL'lxd4 lt:lxe4 7 .lL'lb5 lt:lxd5 8.1Wxd5 20.gxf4 gxh4 2 1 .1Wf3 llb4 22 .c4 <;t>h8=.
'ii' e 7 !N (also suggested by Andrey White and Black have equally bad pawns.
Obodchuk in his book The Four Knights
1 1 . ... ..ib4-d6
Game) 9 .1Wd4 d5 1 Q.j;_f4 tLld6+ 1 1 .<ot>d 1
lt:lxb5 1 2. .�xb5 + c6 1 3 .lle 1 �e6 l l . . . h6, provoking 1 2 . ..ixf6 'i¥xf6
1 4.ii.d3 �c5 - White has some develop­ 1 3 .'lj'xf6 gxf6, is fine if you want to draw,
ment for the pawn but with his king stuck while 1 1 . . .ge7 is best if you must avoid a
in the center that should not be enough; draw. The text is a good compromise,
C) 6 . ..ic4 lL'lbxd5 7 .exd5 j;_b4+ 8 . ..id2 since White will have to lose a tempo to
�e7 + 9 .�e2 j;_xd2+ I O.Wxd2 �xe2+ reach the above endgame and so rarely
1 1 .Wxe2 0-0N 1 2.lL'lxd4 a6 1 3 .a4 .lle 8+ plays this way here.
14 .<.t>d3 d6 1 5 . .llhe 1 ..id7 - Black has the
better bishop, the safer king, and the op­
tion to play . . . c7 -c6 or . . . c7 -c5 at any mo­
ment.
5. ..
. ..if8-b4
6. lt:ld4xc6 b7xc6
7. jLf1 -d3 d7-d5
8. e4xd5 c6xd5
9; 0-0 0-0
1 0. jLc1 -g5 c7-c6
1 2. .ttf1 -e1
,j_ � ·�
1 2 Jhe 1 .l:!.b8 1 3 .lL'ld 1 h6 1 4 . ..ixf6 1Wxf6
.l .l .l
1 5 .�xf6 gxf6 1 6.b3 ..id7 1 7 .lt:le3 ..ib4
� 1 8 . .l:!.d l ii.c5 = . Black's bishop pair offsets
� his bad pawns;
1 2 .h3 llb8 1 3 . .llab l h6 1 4 . ..if4 l:le8
1 5 .b3 I!b7 1 6.�xd6 �xd6 1 7 .llfe l
.llb e7 and Black's control of the open file
offsets his slightly inferior bishop.

1 63
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

After 2 0 . . . �c6! Black has a better placed


1 2. ... l:la8-b8
knight in an otherwise balanced position.
1 3. tbc3-a4
21 . l:le1 xe8+ l:lb8xe8
1 3 Jhb 1 h6 1 4.�xf6 �xf6 1 S .1�hf6
22. tbb2-c4 �d6-c7
gxf6 1 6.tZ:le2 cS 1 7 .b3 �e6 1 8.l::!.e d 1
23 . tbc4-e3 �c7-e5
.l:tfc8=. Black's bishop pair compensates
24. c3-c4 d5-d4
for the weakened pawns.
25. tbe3-d5 tbf6xd5
1 3. ... h7-h6 26. c4xd5 �e5-d6
1 4. �g5-f4 27. �d3-c4

After 1 4.i.xf6 �xf6 1 S .�xf6 gxf6


1 6.l::!. ad 1 Wg7 I prefer Black due to the
offside white knight.

27. ... a7-a5

Black actually played 2 7 ... �c8 2 8 .'ii'd3


�b7 when White got in the equalizing
1 4. ... c6-c5
2 9.b4! and went on to win. With the text
In case of 1 4. . .�g4! 1 S .�e3 l::!.e 8 1 6.�d2 move Black has a slight edge with his
�e6 1 7 .b3 cS 1 8.h3 �xf4N 1 9.�xf4 c4 better bishop and control of the open file.
20.�fl �aS the white knight on the rim
gives Black the better chances.
so 1 . 1 1 (C46) Game 12.4
1 5. b2-b3 �c8-e6
D Petrov,Marijan
1 6. h2-h3 l:lb8-b4
• Bezgodov,Alexey
1 6 . . . �xf4! 1 7 .�xf4 c4 1 8 .�fS �xfS Thessaloniki, 2 0 I 0 (9)
1 9. �xfS �aS is bad for White.
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
1 7. �f4xd6 �d8xd6 2. tbg1 -f3 tbb8-c6
1 8. c2-c3 3. tbb1 -c3 tbg8-f6
4. g2-g3
1 8.l::!. ad 1 l::!. e 8=.
This system is named the 'Glek' Four
1 8. ... l:lb4-b8
Knights after its chief exponent, GM Igor
1 9. l:la1 -d1 �e6-d7
Glek.
20. tba4-b2 l:lf8-e8
A) 4.a3 dS and now:

1 64
Chapter 1 2 - Scotch and Four Knights Opening

6 . . .�b4! Black returns the piece to obtain


a small but clear edge. After 7 .dxc6 tt::l xe4
8.'@'d4 '@'e7 9 .�e3 0-0 1 0.�d3 tt:lxc3
l l .bxc3 �d6 1 2 .cxb7 �xb7 1 3 .0-0 llfe8
1 4 . .!:lab 1 �c6 White has no compensa­
tion for his poor pawn structure.

Analysis diagram

A 1 ) S .�bS tt:lxe4 6 .tt:lxe5 (if 6.'@'e2


�xc3 7 .�xe 5 + �e7 8 .'@'xc3 0-0
9.�xc6 bxc6 1 0.'@'xc6 llb8 1 l .d4 llb6
l 2 .'@'c3 �a6 1 3 .�e3 '@'b8 1 4.0-0-0
!i'b7 the bishop pair plus the pressure on
White's king down the b-file give Black
full compensation for the pawn) 6 ... '@'f6
4. ... �f8-c5
7 .tt:lf3 �e6 8 .'@'e2 tt::lxc3 9 .dxc3 �d6
5. �f1 -g2 d7-d6
1 0.�g5 '@'g6 1 1..�. d 3 '@'hS 1 2.�f5 tt:leS
6. d2-d3
1 3 .�xe6 fxe6 1 4.tt::l x e5 '@'xe2+ 1 5.�xe2
�eS 1 6.Iiadl 0-0=. A balanced end­ 6 . 0-0 a6 7 .d3 transposes to the game.
game has arisen;
6. ... a7-a6
A2) S .exdS tt:lxdS 6 .�b5 tt:lxc3 7 .bxc3
�d6 8 .d4 exd4 9.cxd4 0-0 1 0.0-0 �g4 This is to prevent 7 . tt::l a4, winning the
1 1 .c3 �f6=. White is playing the Black bishop pair, though Black can also allow
side of the Scotch Four Knights, with the this by playing either 6 . . . h6 or 6 . . . tt::l d 4,
extra but useless move a3 included. since he obtains automatic compensation
B) 4.tt:lxe5 ?! is the Halloween Gambit: after 7 . . . �b6 8 .tt::lxb6 axb6.
4 . . . tt:lxe5 S .d4 tt:lc6 (5 . . . tt::l g 6 6.e5 tt:lg8
7. 0-0
7 .�c4 dS 8.�xd5 tt::l 8 e7 should also be
good but is unnecessarily risky) 6.d5 7 .�e3 �xe3 8 .fxe3 0-0 9 .0-0 �g4 (or
9 . . . tt::l e 7=, planning . . . tt::l g 6) 1 0.h3 �xf3
I I .'@'xf3 tt:le7 . In a closed position a
knight is at least as good as an unpaired
bishop. White has slight pressure on the
f-file but a slightly damaged pawn struc­
ture. The computers like Black due to the
less safe white king, but I'll call it equal.

7. ... ttJc6-d4

In general in the 1 .e4 eS openings, this


Analysis diagram
knight exchange favors Black slightly, as

1 65
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

the c6 knight blocks the c7 pawn while


1 5. l::tf1 -f2 �c8-d7
the f3 knight guards the king.
1 6. J::ta 1 -f1 J:!.f8-f6
7 . . . 0-0; 7 . . . �e6 or 7 . . . h6 - all of these
1 7. e3-e4 'fVg5xd2
moves are satisfactory for Black.
1 8. l::tf2xd2 f5xe4
8. tLlf3xd4 �c5xd4 1 9. d3xe4 a6-a5
20. lld2-f2 <;tg8-f7
21 . c3-c4 Wf7-e7
22. h2-h4 J:!.a8-f8
23. l:!.f2xf6 J:!.f8xf6
24. �f1 xf6 'it>e7xf6
25. 'it>g1 -f2 g7-g5
26. .tg2-f3 1h·V2

KP 1 0.2 (C48) Game 12.5


0 Esserman,Mark
• Korneev,Oleg
9. tt:Jc3-d5
Forni di Sopra, 20 I I (2)
If White instead plays 9.h3 ..ie6 1 0 .tLle2
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
�a7 l l .b3 �d7 1 2.< .t>h2, 1 2 ... h5 ! ? looks
2. tLlg1 -f3 tLlb8-c6
interesting for Black.
3. tt:Jb1 -c3 tLlg8-f6
9. ... tLlf6xd5 4. �f1 -b5
1 0. e4xd5 0-0
After 4 . ..ic4 tt'lxe4 5 .tt::lxe4 d5 6.�d3 :
11. c2-c3 �d4-a7
1 2. �c1 -e3 �a7xe3
1 3. f2xe3 'fVd8-g5 A 'ii' � �.t :11
1 4. 'fVd1 -d2 .t. .t. .t.

_,
1
ii
[!J [!J l!J Analysis diagram

l3J l3J ;�
A) Everyone plays 6 . . . dxe4?! 7 .�xe4
b(
�d6 8 .0-0 0-0 here, but after 9 .lle l
(9 .c3 is also good) we reach the position
1 4. ... f7-f5=
discussed in the note to move 8 below,
1 4 . . . �g4 ! ? is the computer's preference: but with colors reversed. I call it slightly
1 5.h4 �h6 1 6.llf2 fS=. better for Black there, which means

1 66
Chapter 12 - Scotch and Four Knights Opening

White is slightly better here, e.g. 9 .. Jle8


5 . ... 0-0
(9 .....tg4 1 0 .c3) 1 0.d3 and White has a
slight pull - less than in main line open­ I .t 'i¥ I �
ings, so Black can play this, but it seems
i i i i iii
that the following novelty gives full
equality: r
� �
B) 6 . . . lLJb4!N 7 .tt:lg3 (7 .tt:Jc3 e4
� .t i

8 ...txe4 dxe4 9 .lLJxe4 transposes, while £::, '


after 7 .tt:legS e4 8 .�e2 �d6 9.d3 exf3 lZi t2J
I O .lLJxf3 0-0 1 1 .c3 tt:lc6 1 2. 0-0 .lle 8 £::, £::, £::, £::, £::, £::, £::,
Black has slightly superior development) l:t � 'iY :a: �
7 . . . e4 8 .�xe4 dxe4 9.tt:lxe4 �fS 1 0.d3
6. ttJf3xe5
.L:e4 1 1 .dxe4 'fkxd l + 1 2.Wxd 1 ..tcs
1 3 .a3 0-0-0+ 1 4.tt:ld2 (after 1 4.�d2 6.�xc6 dxc6 7 .d3 ..tg4 8 .h3 �hS 9.�gS
t't:lc6 1 S .We2 .llh e8 Black regains the h6 1 O.�xf6 'fkxf6 1 1 .g4 ..ig6 - with two
pawn favorably) 1 4 . . . tt:lc6 1 S .f3 �e3 bishops for two knights at the price of
1 6.c3 .!:!.xd2+ 1 7 .�xd2 .!:i.d8 1 8.We2 having one bishop shut in for now, Black
hd2 1 9 . .!:!.ad 1 �gS 20 . .!:!.xd8+ �xd8=. must be preferred;
With no other pieces on the board, rook 6 .d3 tt:ld4 (6 . . . .l:!.e8= is also fine) 7 .tt:lxd4
and pawn are about equal to bishop and (if 7 .lLJxe S ? ! d6 8 .lLJf3 �g4 9 .�e3 �xf3
knight. I would play the Black side if 1 O.gxf3 c6 1 1 .�a4 bS 1 2 . ..ib3 lLJhS
given a choice. 1 3 .Wh 1 'fkh4 1 4.l:l:g 1 'fkh3 Black regains
the pawn with the better chances)
4. ... �f8-c5!
7 ... �xd4 (7 . . . exd4 is also good) 8 .�gS
This obvious move has rarely been seen c6 9.i.c4 h6 1 o ...th4 bS I I ...ib3 aS
due to the coming 'fork trick' , but since 1 2.a4 b4 1 3 .tt:le2 ..ta7 ( 1 3 . . . ..ib6 is simi­
this game and notes show that it is not lar and just as good) 1 4.Wh 1 gS 1 S .i.g3 .
promising for White I expect 4 . . . �cS to This was Petrisor-Nielsen, Aix-les-Bains
become the main line of the Four Ech 2 0 1 1 , and now after 1 S . . . .lle 8 1 6.f3
Knights, and 4.�bS to lose popularity. lLJhS 1 7 .i.f2 ..txf2 1 8 . .llxf2 dS Black
looks better, with the white bishop ob­
5. 0-0
structed and the plan of . . . ..te6, . . . 'fkd6,
S .d3 0-0 6.0-0 transposes to the next note. and ... c6-cS .
In his recent book The Four Knights Game,
6. ... ttJc6xe5
Andrey Obodchuk opts for S . tt:lxeS ! as
the best way to fight for an advantage, but 6 . . . .ll e 8 ! ? was tried in Paulsen-Morphy,
the game Naer-Landa, Novokuznetsk New York 1 8S 7 . Then White's best try is
2008 showed that Black can equalize: 7 .tt:lf3 ! .
S . . . lLJxeS 6.d4 �d6 7.f4 lLJc6! 8 .eS �b4
7. d2-d4 �c5-d6
9.exf6 'fkxf6 1 O.�e3 ( 1 O .a3 may still
8. f2-f4
give White hope of an edge) 1 O . . . dS
1 1 . 0-0 �xc3 1 2.bxc3 �fS+. If 8 .dxeS �xeS 9 .i.d3 .lle 8

167
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 0. i.b5-e2

After 1 0 .h3 d6 1 l . exf6 ? ! ( 1 1 .hxg4


QJxg4N 1 2 .i.e2 hS=) l l . . . QJxf6 1 2.g4
dS 1 3 . .td3 c6 1 4.'ii'f3 'ii'b 6 I S .a3 QJe8
1 6.�e3 fS 1 7 .gS ttJd6 Black is better
with the knight coming to e4, and won in
Berbatov-Hammer, Aix-les-Bains Ech
20 1 1 .
Analysis diagram
1 0. ... d 7-d6
11. e5xf6 QJg4xf6
Black now has the position White would
1 2. f4-f5?! d6-d5
have if in the Four Knights he plays 4 . .tc4
1 3. i.c1 -g5 J::!.f8-e8
QJxe4 5 . ttJxe4 dS 6 .�d3 dxe4 7 .i.xe4
1 4. 'i¥d1 -d3 c7-c6
i.d6 8 .0-0 0-0 9 . l:Ie 1 , because White
1 5. .!:ta1 -e1
wasted a tempo here by i.bS-d3 . This
line is regarded as equal, but the comput­
ers slightly prefer White in that line (so
Black here) , and grandmaster Roman
Dzindzichashvili told me that he agreed
with the computers here.
8. ... ttJe5-g4
9. e4-e5

In case of 9 .�e2 .tb4 1 0 .i.xg4 .txc3


1 1 .bxc3 QJxe4 1 2 ...tf3 dS=, Black's
outposted knight and better pawn struc­
1 5 . ... b7-b5!N
ture fully offset the bishop pair.
The game actually went 1 S . . . i.d7
9. ... .id6-e7
1 6.�d l h6 1 7 .ii.h4 ttJh7 1 8 . .tg3 'ii'b6
Until recently everyone played ... ..tb4 1 9.llxe7 ? ! lhe7 2 0.f6 ? ! ttJxf6 2 1 .llxf6
here, but the text seems to be better. gxf6 2 2 .�h4 'Jiii c 7 2 3 .'ii' d 2 .ll a e8
24.'Jiiix h6 .tie l + 2 S .�xe l llxe l + 2 6.Wf2
l:Ie8 2 7 .ttJe2 'ii'd 6 2 8.c3 ..tfs and Black
eventually won.
1 6. QJc3-b1 h7-h6
1 7. �g5-h4 b5-b4
1 8. ttJb1 -d2 a7-a5

Black is better. He has space and a


queenside initiative, while White has no
real attack on the kingside.

1 68
Chapter 13

Italian Game
The Italian Game, or Giuoco Piano, is the favorite opening of novice players, but it is
also used by grandmasters-and even World Champions on occasion. In my opinion, it is
the most promising alternative to the Spanish for White, and should keep at least a tiny
edge.

After l .e4 eS 2.lbf3 lbc6 3 ...Q.c4, I recommend the safe 3 ...�c5 rather than the Two
Knights 3 . . . ltJf6, which is a risky gambit due to 4.ltJg5 . In general, computer analysis
does not show full compensation for the pawn in that line, though Black certainly has
decent practical chances.

In Game 1 3 . 1 we examine the gambit line 4.0-0 lbf6 S.d4 ..Q.xd4 6.lbxd4 lbxd4 7.f4.
The recommended response (after 7 ...d6 8.fxe5 dxeS 9 ...Q.gs 'fte7 I O.lba3) is an aston­
ishing computer suggestion, the ridiculous looking I O .. J:tg8 ! . I will do my best to ex­
plain it. Note that I don't cover 4.d4, because 4 . . . exd4 transposes to the Scotch Gambit,
although 4 . . . �xd4 is also a good move.
Now after 3 . . . ..tc5 4.c3 (for 4.b4 see the Evans Gambit in the Gambit chapter, while
4.ltJc3 tt:lf6 5 .d3 h6 is a safe line for Black) 4... lbf6 White usually plays S.d3 in master
chess, because the obvious S .d4 has supposedly been analyzed to equality. However as I
show in Game 1 3 . 2 , White has two paths to a tiny edge after this move, so it deserves a
higher status and more people should try it. Still, it's nothing for Black to be scared of,
as White's edge is probably less than he can obtain in the main line Spanish. As the
positions after 5 .d4 exd4 6.cxd4 �b4+ 7...Q.d2 (Greco's ancient 7 .ltJc3 is a dubious
gambit) are rather op�n. tactics prevail and there's not much point in talking about
strategy, except that when White accepts an isolated d-pawn in return for piece play,
Black should generally seek equal exchanges.

1 69
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

After S.d3 , I recommended S . . . a6 in my earlier book, but recently 5 ... 0-0 has been
shown to be a good move (Carlsen chose it not long ago) , since the pin 6.�g5 is well
met by 6 ...h6 7.�h4 �e7 ! , 6.b4 is met by 6...�e7! , and 6.�b3 is met by 6 .. d5 . Induc­ .

ing White to castle cuts out some options like tt:lb 1 -d2-fl -g3 (without the need for
lle 1 ) and also takes the sting out of the pin 7 .�gS after 6 . . . d6, since White can no lon­
ger attack an early . . . gS by h4 with a rook behind it. After 6.0-0 the move 6 . . . d5 is
sometimes played, but here it is rather risky so I advise 6 ...d6. Then play can take on a
symmetrical nature if both players bring their queenside knights to the kingside, White
by .l::i: e 1 and tt:lb 1 -d2-fl -g3 , Black by . . . tt:'lc6-e7-g6. This results in p ;�itions where
White's edge due to having the move is really tiny. Moreover, with all the pieces on the
board and a fluid pawn structure Black has every right to play for a win if he is the
stronger player. See Game 1 3 . 3 .

IG 2 . 1 (CS O) Game 13.1 'iWe7 1 3 .tt:lc3 0-0-0 Black is better)


D Movsesian,Sergey I O . . . .ixd l I I .i.xd8 llxd8 1 2 .c3 i.e2
• Adams,Michael 1 3 .cxd4 i.xc4 1 4.l:rc l �d3 I S . .!lxc7 0-0
Wijk aan Zee, 2009 (2) 1 6.dxe5 �xe4 1 7 .tt:ld2 .idS 1 8.tt:'lf3
l:tfe8 1 9.I:l.e l dxeS 2 0.fxe5 �f8 2 I .�fl
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
l:re7 22 . .!lc2 b6 and Black's bishop domi­
2. tt:'lg1 -f3 tt:'lb8-c6
nates White's knight, and White has a
3. �f1 -c4 �f8-c5
weak e-pawn;
4. 0-0 tt:Jg8-f6
Komodo considers the simple 7 .�e3N to
5. d2-d4?!
be best, although no one plays it: 7 . . . tt:'le6
This is a somewhat dubious gambit. 8.f3 0-0 9 .tt:lc3 d6 I O ."iYd2 b6 and White
has the bishop pair, better development.
5. ... �c5xd4
and a much more active queen for the
6. tt:Jf3xd4 tt:Jc6xd4
pawn. However he doesn't have any obvi­
ous plan to exploit these advantages, so
Black should be better.
7. d 7-d6
8. f4xe5 d6xe5
9. .ii.c1 -g5 �d8-e7

The actual game went 9 . . . �e6 ? ! (this nat­


ural move lets White equalize) I O.tt:'la3
'iWe7 I l .c3 tt:'lc6 1 2 .�h l ridS ?!
( 1 2 . . . l:tg8! again this computer move is
best, and equalizes) 1 3 .'i¥e2 ?! ( ! 3 .'i¥b3!
7. f2-f4
was strong) 1 3 . . . h6?! 1 4.i.xf6 g:xf6
7 .�g5 h6 8.�h4 d6 9.f4 �g4 1 0 . .ixf6 I S .l:tf2 llg8 1 6 . .l::!. a fl I:l.g6 1 7 .tt:lc2 �[8
(after 1 O .'iWd2 gS 1 1 .fxe5 dxeS 1 2 . .ig3 I 8.tt:'le3 tt:'lbs I 9."�'hs Wg7 20.'iWf3 'iiih7

1 70
Chapter 1 3 - Italian Game

2 1 .lLJdS �xdS 2 2 . exd5 e4 2 3 .'iYf4 l:td6


11. Wg1 -h1 �c8-d7
24.l:Ie2 tt:Jd7 25 . .!lxe4 tt:leS 2 6 .�b3 �g8
1 2. �d1 -e1 0-0-0
2 7.c4 b6 2 8 .�c2 'iYf8 29 . .l:te3 .!lgS
1 3. �e1 -h4 �d7-c6
3 0.�fs Wh8 3 1 .llfe 1 aS 3 2 .b3 c6
1 4. J::!.a 1 -e1 t2Jd4-e6
3 3 .dxc6 .l:txc6 3 4.h4 .l:tg8 35 . .l:td 1 a4
1 5. �g5xf6 g7xf6
3 6 .J::I.d 8 'iYg7 3 7 .llxg8+ �xg8 3 8 .llg3
1 6. �h4xf6 �e7xf6
and Black resigned.
1 7. l:!.f1 xf6 t2Je6-g5
1 0. tt:lb1 -a3 1 8. �c4-d3 t2Jg5xe4
1 9. J::!f6xf7 t2Je4-c5
20. �d3-f1 .l:td8-d2
.I .t
21 . l:Ie1 xe5 .!:td2xg2
iii 22. �f1 xg2 �c6xg2+
23. Wh1 -g1 �g2-d5+
24. Wg1 -f2 �d5xf7
25. l:!.e5xc5 b7-b6
26. l:lc5-e5 a7-a6

1 0. ... l:th8-g8!

This is a computer move if ever there was


one! This move was called to the atten­
tion of the chess world in Yearbook 9 1 ,
where Genna Sosonko described how Ro­
man Dzindzichashvili discovered it when
analyzing with Rybka. The drawback is
that if you play this move. you may be ac­ Black is better for two reasons. Rook and
cused of cheating, so be prepared to cite bishop are considered a better 'team' in
this book as your source for the idea! The the endgame than rook and knight
idea is that Black does not yet know if he (though I have never been able to prove
should play . . . �e6 , . . . tt:le6, or . . . i..d 7 . so this with statistics) , and of course the
he plays a move that is noncommittal but knight is badly placed on the rim. Of
will be fully useful whenever White takes course White has good drawing chances.
on f6, which is pretty much inevitable. So
White responds with a useful noncom­ IG 2.5 (CS4) Game 1.3.2
mittal move of his own. D Cubas,]ose Fernando
A human continuation is 1 0 . . . �d7 • Mareco,Sandro
1 1 .�e 1 tt:le6 1 2 .�xf6 gxf6 1 3 .'iYe3 llg8 Santos Mario Covas. 2008 (8)
1 4 . .l'lf2 .l:tg6 1 5 . llafl lLJf4 1 6.�h 1 a6
1 . e2-e4 e7-e5
1 7 .g3 tt:le6N 1 8 .tLlb 1 tt:Jd4 . and White's
2. t2Jg1 -f3 t2Jb8-c6
compensation looks inadequate.

171
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

3. �f1 -c4 �f8-c5


4. c2-c3 tt:Jg8-f6
5. d2-d4 e5xd4

Analysis diagram

20.'ik'f3 (or 2 0 . lld 1 �f8 2 1 .h4 gxh4


2 2 . .l:!.d4 �g7 2 3 J lxh4 'ifaS , and Black
plans to exchange rooks on h8 with a
solid extra pawn) 2 0 . . . 'YWa5 2 1 .lle2 (in
6. c3xd4
case of 2 1 .'it'xf6 'it'xe l + 2 2.�fl 0-0-0
6.e5 dS 7 .�b5 lLle4 8.cxd4 �b6 9 .ttJc3 2 3 .'YWxe7 'ife4 24.b4 dSN Black is up a
0-0 I O.�e3 �g4 I I .'iVc2 jlxf3 1 2. gxf3 safe exchange) 2 1 .. .'it'f5 2 2 .�a3 'iYb l +
lLlgS 1 3 .�xc6 bxc6 1 4. 0-0-0 lLlxf3 2 3 .�g2 lLlf5 24.f3 'ik'd1 N - Black is win­
I S .'iYe2 ttJh4 1 6. llhg l f6 1 7 .'iVh5 ttJg6 ning, with an attack plus an extra pawn. ·

1 8 . .l::t g 3 lle8N 1 9.f4 fxeS 2 0.fxe5 'YWh4


7. . .
. ii.b4xd2+
2 1 .�e2 'it'e7 2 2 .�h5 with a draw by
repetition. In my earlier book I recommended
7 . . . ttJxe4 (Black should probably choose
6. ... �c5-b4+
this line if he must avoid a draw, as ex­
7. ii.c1 -d2
plained in the note to move 1 2 , but ob­
This simple line is rarely seen at high level jectively I think 7 . . . �xd2 + is the better
anymore, as it is considered drawish. I move) 8 .�xb4 ttJxb4 9 .�xf7+ �xf7
think that it is rather underestimated, as 1 O .'it'b3 + dS 1 1 .ttJe5+ �e6 1 2.'YWxb4
there appear to be two ways for White to 'YWf8 ( 1 2 . . . c5 1 3 .'YWa3 cxd4 1 4.lLlf3 'ik'b6
obtain at least a microscopic edge, as 1 5 . 0-0 Ile8 1 6.'YWa4 improves on my
noted in this game. original book. White regains the pawn fa­
7 .lLlc3 ?! is a dubious gambit: 7 . . . ttJxe4 vorably) 1 3 .'ik'xf8 llxf8 1 4.0-0 c6
8 . 0 - 0 �xc3 9 . d 5 (after 9 .bxc3 dS 1 5 .lLlc3 lLlxc3 1 6.bxc3 '>t>d6 and despite
White's only compensation for the pawn Black's better king position and pawn
is the bishop pair - not enough) 9 . . . �f6 structure, White is slightly better as the
1 0. lle 1 ttJe7 1 l..!:he 4 d6 1 2.�g5 (in outposted knight is clearly worth more
case of the bayonet attack 1 2.g4 0-0 than the somewhat bad bishop.
1 3 .g5 ..ieS 1 4.lLlxe5 �fS !N Black is
8. tt:lb1 xd2
clearly better) 1 2 . . . jlxg5 1 3 .lLlxg5 h6
1 4.'ife2 hxgS 1 5 Jle 1 �e6 1 6.dxe6 f6 The gambit 8.'YWxd2?! was played and
1 7 Jle3 c6 1 8.llh3 l:ixh3 1 9 .gxh3 g6 recommended by GM Ian Rogers, who

1 72
Chapter I 3 - Italian Game

wrote a favorable article on it in Secrets of


1 0. 1\fd 1 -b3
Opening Surprises 1 3 . It looks to me quite
unsound for multiple reasons: I 0 . 0-0 0 - 0 I I .l::t c i (I recommended
8 . . . tt::lxe4 9 .'iYe3 dS ! I O.�xdS 'iYxdS this line for White in Yearbook 95)
I I .tLlc3 and now: I I . . . tt::l b 6 1 2 .�b3 aS I 3 .a4 tt:Jds
A) l l .. .'iYfS 1 2 .tt::lxe4 0-0 1 3 . 0-0 �e6 I 4.l::t e i tt::l d b4 - Black's knight is strong
1 4.l::tfe I . So far this is given by Rogers in on b4 and White has an isolated
SOS. Now I 4 . . . h6 seems to give Black the d-pawn, but White has much better de­
better chances, rather than his I 4 . . . �dS , velopment. I would choose White if
when I S .tt::l g 3 cannot be met by given the choice, but I think his advan­
I S ... 'iYbS . tage is less than par.
B) I I . . .'iYc4!N I 2.'iYxe4+ �e6 I 3.tt::l e S
1 0. tt:lc6-a5
B I ) I 3 . . .'iWxd4 1 4.tt::l x c6 'iYxe4+
1 1 . 'iVb3-a4+ tt:Ja5-c6
I S .tt::lxe4 �dS ! I 6.tt:laS �xe4 I l.0-0-0
1 2. tt:lf3-e5
hg2 I 8 . .1lhg i �h3 I 9J:hg7 ( 1 9.tt:lxb7
0-0 with a safe extra pawn) 1 9 ... l::tb 8 1 2..�.bS �d7 I 3 . 0-0 0-0=. White's slight
20.tt::lb 3 b6 White has some but not suffi­ development edge offsets his isolated
cient compensation for the missing pawn; pawn.
B2) Also strong, but only my second 1 2 .'iYa3 ! (this strong move has been
choice, is I 3 . . . tt::l x eS 1 4."ii'x eS (if played and recommended by GM Roman
I 4.dxeS ?! 0-0-0 and Black is much Dzindzichashvili) 1 2 ... 'iYe7 + I 3 ."'ii'xe7 +
better, as he has good bishop for knight tt::l cxe7 I 4. 0-0 �d7 I S . .t!.fe 1 0-0-0.
with opposing majorities, and White
cannot castle) I 4 . . . f6 I S . 'iY cS 'iY xeS
I 6.dxcS 0-0-0 1 7 .0-0 l::t d 2 and Black is
surely better with his rook on the 7th
rank. Also after a rook trade Black will
have the favorable combination of rook
and bishop vs. rook and knight.
8. d7-d5
9. e4xd5 tt:lf6xd5

Analysis diagram

White's knights have good squares on e4,


e S . and cS. but he has an isolated center
pawn. I would rather play White here, but
it is very close to equal.
I 2 .'iYb3 amounts to offering a draw. If
Black doesn't want to repeat, he must try
I 2 ... tt::lce7 . Practical results from this po­
sition are satisfactory for Black, but the

I 73
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

engines love White as his development


1 7. tt:Jd2xc4
edge is worth more than enough to offset
the isolated pawn. So if you must avoid a After 1 7 .'iYxc4 �e6 1 8.'iYc3 lld8 Black's
draw, play this slightly worse position or much better development and potential
else vary as noted on move 7 . bishop outpost on dS trump his bad pawns..
1 2. ... 0-0 1 7. ... 'ife8·e4
1 3. tt:Je5xc6?! 1 8. .l:ta1 ·e1 'ife4·c2
1 9. tt:Jc4·e5 'ifc2xc�
After 1 3 .�xdS lUxeS 1 4.�e4 4:lg4
20. d4xc5 �c8·a6+
1 S .O-O 'iYd6 1 6.tLlf3 tLlf6 1 7 .�c2 �e6
21 . Wf1 ·g1 - J;:!.f8·e8
1 8 . .llfe 1 aSN it's hard to see much com­
pensation for White's isolated pawn. White's undeveloped rook is a bigger
problem than Black's poor pawn structure.
1 3 . ... 'ifd8·e8+
1 4. we1 ·f1

If 1 4.Wd1 tLlb6 1 S .'iYbS bxc6 1 6.�eS IG 2. 1 1 (CS 3 ) Game 13.3


'iY d8, Black is better due to king safety. D Ivanchuk,Vasily
• Karjakin,Sergey
1 4. ... tt:Jd5·b6
Medias, 20 1 1 (5)
1 5. 'ifa4·b5 b7xc6
1 6. 'ifb5·c5 1. e2·e4 e7·e5
2. tt:Jg1 ·f3 tt:Jb8·c6
3. �f1 -c4 �f8·c5
4. c2·c3 tt::lg8-f6
5. d2·d3 0·0

1 6 . ... tt:Jb6xc4N

The game actually went 1 6 ... �e6 1 7. b3


.l:td8 1 8 . .ll e 1 tLlxc4 1 9. tLlxc4 .l:ldS
20.�xa7 'iYa8 (20 ... 'ifd8 !) 2 1 .'iYxa8
l:Ixa8 2 2 .�e2 .Uxa 2 + 2 3 .�f3 .l:!.bS This used to be considered inferior to
(23 .. JHS + !) 24.l::rb 1 �fs (24 .. JHS + !) S . . . a6, which I recommended in Chess
2 S .llbfl ? ( 2 S . .ll a 1 .!lxb 3 + 2 6.4Je3) Advantage, but now castling looks fine.
2S .. Jhb3 + 2 6 .Wf4? ( 2 6.tLle3 h S )
6. 0·0
2 6 . . . g 6 2 7 . tLl e S cS 2 8 . dxcS .l:Ia4+
29.\t>gS Wg7 3 0 .4:ld7 and White re­ A) 6.b4 �e7 ! 7 .bS (after 7 .'iYb3 aS
signed in view of 3 0 . . . h6 mate. 8 .bS a4 9.'iVc2 tLlaS 1 0.tLlxeS dS 1 l .exdS

1 74
Chapter 1 3 - Italian Game

�fSN 1 2 .li:Jd2 i.d6 1 3 . f4 tt:lxc4 tLlcS 1 S.'i¥d 1 aS 1 9 . ..tc3 li:Jfs 2 0.lt:Jxf5


1 4.lt:Jdxc4 tLlxdS 1 5 . 0-0 i.cS+ 1 6.Wh1 i.xfS 2 1 .'i¥d4 tt:le6 2 2 . 'i¥h4 tLlgS
f6 1 7 .tt:lf3 tLlxf4 Black is winning) 2 3 .'i¥f4 tt:lxf3 + 24.'i¥xf3 'iVgS 2 S .i.d3
7 . . . tt:la5 S .li:JxeS tt:lxc4 9 .li:Jxc4 dS i.xd3 2 6.'i¥xd3 i.cS=. White's space ad­
1 0.li:Jcd2 dxe4 1 1 .tLlxe4 a6 1 2 .bxa6 b6N vantage is meaningless with few pieces
1 3 .li:Jxf6+ i.xf6 1 4.0-0 i.xa6 and Black on the board, and Black's bishop, al­
regains the pawn with a huge advantage; though nominally 'bad' after . . . b7-b6, is
B) 6 . ..tb3 dS (here this is best because actually a powerful piece that can never
if White takes, his d3 pawn is now weak) be chased away;
7 .tt:lbd2 i.e6 S .0-0 h6 9 J:te 1 dxe4N B) 7 .i.gS h6 S.i.h4 gS 9 .i.g3 i.b6=;
1 0 .lt:Jxe4 lt:Jxe4 1 l .dxe4 'i¥xd 1 1 2 . .!lxd 1 C) 7 .i.b3 tt:le7 an d now:
�fdS 1 3 .i.e3 ..txb3 1 4. axb3 i.xe3
1 5 .fxe3 f6 and Black has the better pawn
structure for free;
C) 6.tLlbd2 d6 7 ...tb3 (7 .li:Jfl tLlaS=)
7 . . . lt:Je7 and now:
C 1 ) S.d4 exd4 9.cxd4 i.b6 1 0 .i.c2 ?!
( 1 0.0-0 i.g4=) 1 0 ... tLlc6 1 l .d5 li:Jb4
1 2.�b 1 i.d7 1 3 .a3 ?! li:JbxdS ! 1 4.exd5?!
lieS+ 1 5 .<it>fl ..tbS + 1 6.Wg 1 li:Jg4 wins;
C2) S .0-0 li:Jg6 9 .d4 i.b6 1 0 .�e 1 c6
1 1 .h3 h6=. Analysis diagram

6. ... d7-d6
C 1 ) S .d4 i.b6 9.dxe5N lt:Jxe4 1 0.'i¥e2
tLlcS 1 l .exd6 ( 1 I .i.c2 dxeS 1 2 .l';Id1
:i ..t tv
�eS 1 3 .'ihe5 li:Jg6=) 1 l . . .cxd6 1 2 .i.c2
fl & &
.lle S 1 3 .l::re 1 i.fS and Black's lead in de­
�& �
velopment offsets the isolated pawn .
..t1
& Other moves are similar to the game:
�8• C2) S . h3 tt:lg6 9 .lle 1 h6 1 0.d4 i.b6
'� 8 8 tb _ 1 l .li:Jbd2 lieS 1 2 .i.c2 c6 1 3 .tLlfl dS !N
8 ?8; .8 8 !::, (White keeps a pull against all other
.tr tt:J � if �� moves) 1 4.exd5 (if 1 4.dxe 5 ? ! lt:Jxe4
1 S .i.xe4 dxe4 1 6.�xdS l::rx dS 1 7 .l::rxe4
Our plan as Black is to transfer this knight l::r d 1 1 S.l::r e 1 �xe 1 1 9.tt:lxe 1 ..te6 Black
quickly to g 6 , its optimum square. will easily regain the pawn on eS with a
clear bishop-pair advantage. I saw this
7. h2-h3
whole sequence at move 1 3 in a game,
A) 7 .tLlbd2 tt:le7 S .d4 exd4 9 .cxd4 i.b6 but failed to see that the pawn on eS was
1 0.e5 ( 1 0 .h3 dS=) 1 0 . . . li:Jfd5N 1 1 .tLle4 doomed, so I wrongly rejected 1 3 . . . d5 !)
h6 1 2 .exd6 cxd6 1 3 .'i¥b3 lt:Jc7 1 4.d5 14 ... exd4 1 5 .dxc6 dxc3 1 6.'i¥xdS �xdS
..tfS = 1 5 .tt:lg3 i.h7 1 6.a4 tLla6 1 7 .i.d2 1 7 .bxc3 bxc6=.

1 75
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

�d7=) 1 3 . . .cxdS 1 4.d4 exd4 1 S .tt:lxd4


7. ... ttJc6-e7
�b6 1 6.l:Ib 1 �xd4 1 7 .�xd4 'ifxd4
8. l:lf1 -e1
1 8.cxd4 �d7 with equality. A draw is
8 .d4 �b6 9.dxeS tt:lxe4 1 0.ttlbd2 dSN nearly certain.
l l .�d3 tt:Jcs 1 2.�c2 �fS = .
8. ... tbe7-g6
9. ttJb1 -d2 c7-c6
1 0. ttJd2-f1

1 3. jLc4-b3

Or:
A) 1 3 . ttJhS �c7 1 4.�xdS cxdS
I S .ttJxeS �xf2+ 1 6.�xf2 ttJxeS 1 7.d4
1 0. ... d6-d5
ttlg6=. Black's safer king nearly offsets his
A good alternative was I O . . . h6 1 1 .tLlg3 isolated pawn. The bishops of opposite
(after 1 1 .�b3 �b6 1 2 .ttlg3 !le8 1 3 .d4 color make the isolated pawn safe here;
.ie6 White's edge is miniscule) 1 1 . . . dS B) 1 3 .d4 exd4 1 4.tt:Jxd4 �b6 I S . ..ixdS
( 1 I . . J:te8 - perfect symmetry! Usually if cxdS and Black's bishop pair roughly bal­
this is the case after ten or more moves it ances the isolated d-pawn;
means that White has lost most of his ini­ C) 1 3 .'iifc 2 .l:!.e8 1 4.�d2 �e6 1 5 J:tad i
tial advantage. 1 2.d4 �b6 gives White �c7=.
just a tiny edge) 1 2.�b3 dxe4 1 3 .dxe4
13 . ... l:!.f8-e8
'iifx d 1 1 4 . .ld.xd 1 aS=.
1 4. jLc1 -d2
11. e4xd5 ttJf6xd5
In case of 1 4.d4 exd4 I S Jhe8+ �xe8
l l . . . cxdS 1 2 .�b3 �d6 1 3 .d4 exd4 1 6.�xdS cxdS 1 7 .tt:lxd4 b6 the bishop
1 4.tt:Jxd4 �d7 1 S .ttlg3 l:lfe8 1 6.�e3 pair balances the isolated pawn.
l:teS 1 7 . .ic2 .l:!.ae8 1 8.�d2 aS. The iso­
1 4. ... .ic5-b6
lated d-pawn gives White a tiny edge,
though with all pieces on the board Black 1 4 . . . �e6 I S .�c2 �b6 was a more accu­
can play this way. I prefer the game con­ rate move-order, transposing to the game
tinuation though. while making I S .d4 less effective.
1 2. ttJf1 -g3 h7-h6 1 5 . �d1 -c2

1 2 . . . �c7 is perhaps objectively the best 1 S .d4 exd4 1 6. lhe8+ 'ifxe8 1 7 .tt:Jxd4
move: 1 3 . .ixdS ( 1 3 . .ib3 �b6 1 4.�e2 �xd4 1 8. cxd4 �e6=.

1 76
Chapter 1 3 - Italian Game

poses) 1 8 .�xd5 cxdS 1 9.Wg2 ltJh4+


1 5 . ... �c8-e6
2 0.ltJxh4 �xf2+ 2 1 .Wh 1 �xg3 Black
wins.
1 7 .d4 �g4 1 8.c4 l:Ic8 ! .
1 7. ... ttJd5-f4
1 8. c4-c5

1 8.�xf4 exf4 1 9.l:i.xe8+ �xe8 2 0 .c5


fxg 3 2 l .cxb6 �g4 2 2 .fxg3 �e3 +
2 3 .�f2 �xf2+ 24.Wxf2 axb6 - with an
extra pawn and better pawn structure,
Black should win.
1 6. l:ra1 -d1 ?
1 8. ... ttJf4xg2
After 1 6. l:i.e4 ttJf6 1 7 .�xe6 l:i.xe6 Black
1 9. c5xb6 �d8-f6
has a slight edge in space and bishop
20. ttJf3-h2 ttJg2xe1
placement.
21 . l:rd1 xe1 a7xb6
1 6 . ... �e6xh3!
With rook and three pawns for two mi­
1 7. c3-c4
nor pieces as well as a much safer king
After the mistake 1 7 .gxh3 ? ? �f6 (now and better pawn structure, Black is win­
d l is not available for defensive pur- ning.

1 77
Chapter 14

Spanish Offshoots
In this chapter we consider all the ways White can vary from the main line of the
Spanish (Ruy Lopez) Opening from moves four through nine. These are sidelines for a
reason; generally speaking Black can achieve approximate equality if he follows my rec­
ommendations. Moreover Black has fair winning chances in most of these lines; my
own record as Black in these sidelines is extremely good. But if you are unprepared,
they can be rather dangerous.
The idea of the Spanish move 3 .�bS is to exert indirect pressure on the eS pawn,
hoping to wring a concession from Black. It turns out that the ' threat' to win a pawn is
an illusion, because after 4.�xc6 dxc6 S .tLlxe S ? 'ifd4 6.tt:lf3 'ifxe4 Black will just be up
the bishop pair in an open position with queens exchanged, which favors the bishop
pair. But once e4 is guarded Black usually responds to the threat by . . . b7-b5, which at
least gives White the option of a queenside attack starting with a2-a4. In general I rec­
ommend meeting a2-a4 with . . . �d7 , assuming it is legal. Black should not play
. . . b7 -bS too early, because of potential problems on f7 if he is not yet ready to castle.
Let's look at the moves one by one now.
l .e4 eS (beginners are taught that this is the best move, for good reason) 2.tbf3 tbc6
and now:
3.�bS

·.t'
8
:· tLJ
8 8 8 8 8 8
� t2J j, 'if ��

This, the Spanish or Ruy Lopez, is the main white weapon in master play. There is no
easy route to equality for Black.
3 ...a6 For the Berlin 3 . . . tbf6 see Chess Advantage. The text gives Black the option of
chasing off the bishop later.
4.�a4 A very important alternative is 4.�xc6 dxc6 5 .0-0, which I recommended for
White in my last book. It was a favorite of Bobby Fischer and is still moderately popular

1 79
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

in grandmaster play. The defense 5 ... f6 6.d4 i.g4 comes close to equality (Game 1 4. 1 ).
In my opinion there is only one path to full equality for Black, namely 5 ... �g4, which I
give in Game 1 4. 2 . The idea is to offer the bishop after 6.h3 h5 . White can't accept im­
mediately but may do so later, or may choose to provoke an early endgame.
4...tiJf6 5.0-0 White invites Black to play the 'Open' defense by taking on e4. White will
win back the pawn, with a slight edge in general. I'm not recommending the Open Spanish
for Black. Instead White can defend the pawn by 5 .d3 , which we meet by 5 ... d6 followed by
... g7-g6 and ...�g7 (Game 1 4.3), which should give us something like an improved version
of the Breyer. The Center Attack 5 .d4 (Game 1 4.4) peters out to at least equality for Black.
The Wormald Attack 5.'�e2 (or its brother the Worrall Attack 6.'iVe2) is well met by playing
as in the Marshall Gambit, which is totally sound in this case. See Game 1 4.5.
5 ....ii.e 7 This is the conservative move; I don't believe in early aggression for Black.
6Jiel White hopes for 6 . . . 0-0 7 .�xc6 dxc6 8 .tt:lxe 5 , winning a pawn. Instead 6.d3
is met by 6 . . . b5 7 .�b3 d6! 8 .a4 �d7 (see Game 1 4. 6 ) , while 6.d4 and 6 .'tWe2 trans­
pose to lines mentioned in the previous note. The Deferred Exchange Variation 6.�xc6
dxc6 (Game 1 4. 7 ) requires some study, as each white seventh move requires different
treatment, but Black has equality if he learns the lines.
6 ...b5 7 .ii.b 3 d6 Black can also choose the move order 7 . . . 0-0 to 'bluff' White into
.

avoiding 8 .c3 for fear of the Marshall Gambit 8 . . . d5 . However I don't recommend this,
because if White avoids the Marshall by 8 .a4 we no longer have the reply 8 ... �d7 , and
if White avoids the Marshall by 8 .h3 it is not clear that Black benefits from avoiding
8 . . . d6 9 .c3 transposing to the main lines.
8.c3 Instead, 8.h3 or 8 .d3 loses the bishop pair to 8 ... tt:la5 , while 8.d4 could land
White in the famous Noah's Ark trap after Black exchanges twice on d4 and plays
. . . c7 -c5 and . . . c5-c4. So White just prepares d2-d4 and makes a retreat for his bishop.
8 0-0 9.h3 Here 9.d3 is met by ... tt:la5 , ... c7-c5 , ... tbc6, ... .l'le8, ...h7-h6, ...�e6, and
.•.

...� with equality (see Game 1 4.8), while 9.d4 is met by 9 ...�g4. Then 1 0.d5 lDaS
1 1 .�c2 c6 1 2.h3 �c8! 1 3 .dxc6 'iVc7 (to recapture on c6 with the queen) equalizes (Game
1 4.9) . Instead, 1 0.�e3 may be the most dangerous of White's Spanish offshoots. I meet it
with 1 O ... exd4 1 l .cxd4 d5 1 2.e5 tt:le4, which is at least pretty close to equal (Game 1 4. 1 0) .

1 80
Chapter 1 4 -Spanish Offshoots

Now we reach the most important ninth move position in chess. Black usually plays either
9 ... ltJa5 (Chigorin) or 9 ... �b7 (Zaitsev) or 9 . ..t2Jb8 (Breyer) , which I recommend.

RL 8. 1 3 (C69) Game 14.1 �g3 22 .Wfl cS) 1 5 . . .�c5N 1 6.J::rxf8 +


D Smeets,Jan Wxf8 1 7 .�e3 lLlxe3 1 8 .lLlxe3 J::r e 8
• Sokolov,Ivan 1 9 . .l:Id 1 llxe4 20.l:Id7 �xe3 2 1 .fxe3
Boxtel ch-NED, 2 0 I I (2) J::rx e3 22 . .!:Ixc7 J::re 7 2 3 .J::rc 8+ �f7=.

1. e2-e4 e7-e5 9. ... 0-0-0


2. ttJg1 -f3 tt:Jb8-c6 1 0. l:!.d1 -e1 l::r d8-e8
3. �f1 -b5 a7-a6 11. h2-h3 �g4-h5
4. �b5xc6 d7xc6 1 2. b2-b3
5. 0-0 f7-f6
1 2.g4 �f7 1 3 .lLlg5 ltJh6N ( 1 3 ... .ig6
I prefer 5 . . . �g4 as in the next game, but I 1 4.lLldf3 h6 1 s .ttJM .ihs 1 6.lLlgf3 �f7
give this as a backup line. 1 7 .b3 �d6 1 8.lLlf5 g6 1 9.lLlxd6+ cxd6
20.lLlh4 lLlf6 2 l .�d2) 1 4.lLlxf7 ( 1 4.b3
6. d2-d4 �c8-g4
�g6 1 5 .ltJdf3 lLlf7 1 6 .lLlxf7 �xf7
7. d4xe5 't\Yd8xd1
1 7 .�b2 �d6 1 8.�g2 hS=) 1 4 . . . ltJxf7
8. l:!.f1 xd1 f6xe5
l 5 .lLlf3 �b4 1 6.c3 �cS 1 7 .�g2 J::rhf8=.
The backward pawn on f2 and hole on f4
offset the black crippled majority.
1 2. ... �f8-b4
1 3. g2-g4 �h5-f7
1 4. �c1 -b2 tt:Jg8-f6
1 5. J::ta 1 -d 1 tt:Jf6-d7
1 6. a2-a3 �b4-d6
1 7. tt:Jf3-g5 �f7-g8
1 8. Wg1 -g2 J::re8-f8
9. tt:Jb1 -d2 1 9. tt:Jd2-f1 g7-g6
20. tt:Jg5-f3 h7-h5
9 . .ld.d3 �d6 1 0.ltJbd2 ltJf6 ( 1 0 . . . b5
21 . tt:Jf3-g5 b7-b5
1 1 .h3 �e6 1 2.a4 lLlf6 1 3 .b3 ltJd7
22. l:.d 1 -d2
1 4.�b 2 ) 1 1 .lLlc4 0-0 1 2 .tLlfxe5
( 1 2 .lLlcxe5 �hS) 1 2 ...�e2 1 3 .J::re 3 .ixc4
1 4.lLlxc4 lLlg4 ( 1 4 ... �c5 1 5 .J::re 1 ltJg4
1 6.�e3 �xe3 1 7 .lLlxe3 ltJxf2 1 8 .lLlc4
J::r a e8 1 9 .e5 ltJg4 20 .h3 ltJh6 2 l .I!.ad 1
l:i.e6) 1 5 .l:!.f3 ( 1 5 J:te2 �xh2+ 1 6.�h 1
�g3 1 7 .f3 ltJeS ( 1 7 . . . J::r f6 1 8.�d2 Ilaf8
1 9.�g 1 �h2 + 2 0.�fl �g3 2 1 .J::rd 1
.!::i. d 8 2 2 .�g 1 ltJeS 2 3 .lLle3) 1 8.ltJxe5
�xeS 1 9 .�e3 J::ra d8 20.�g 1 b6 2 l .c3

181
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 6.tLlc3 Ilg6N 1 7 .b3 �d7 Black's bishop


22 . ... h5xg4N
pair more than compensates for his crip­
In the actual game Black omitted this ex­ pled majority.
change, and after 2 2 .. Jlf4 2 3 .f3 he was
5. ... �c8-g4
reluctant to exchange because White
could take back with the f-pawn, and I've played 5 . . .l\Vf6 here, which is not bad
soon White played gxh5 and won. The but not quite equal.
text avoids this and equalizes.
6. h2-h3 h7-h5
23. h3xg4 llf8-f4
24. f2-f3 �c8-b7
25. J::t e 1-d1 llf4-f6=

..
� � .� �:
� .l .t .� � ­
.l ' -� ttJ � IS} � �
� � ·:s ttJ �� 'if


I believe that this line is the only full
ttJ
equalizer to the Spanish Exchange, which
Black's bishop pair offsets White's better I recommended for White in my previous
pawn structure. It is hard for either side to book. I have also played the gambit line
initiate action here, though Black can try with 6 . . . �h5 which offers good practical
. . . a7-a5 and . . . a5 -a4. chances for a pawn, but White can return
the pawn and keep a slight edge.
7. d2-d3 �d8-f6
RL 8.8 (C69) Game 14.2
0 Vachier-Lagrave,Maxime This line was considered the 'refutation'
• Shirov,Alexey of 5 .0-0 until Bobby Fischer took up the
Germany Bundesliga, 2009/ 1 0 ( 1 4) White side and showed that the existing
analysis was wrong. However now things
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
have gone full circle and this line once
2. ttJg1 -f3 ttJb8-c6
again looks best and rather pleasant for
3. �f1 -b5 a7-a6
Black.
4. �b5xc6 d7xc6
5. 0-0 8. tt:lb1 -d2

After 5 .ttJc3 f6 6.d4 exd4 7 .tLlxd4 c5 8 .�e3 �xf3 9.l\Vxf3 l\Vxf3 1 0.gxf3 tt:le7
8 .tLlde2 'iYxd l + 9.tbxd l ..te6 1 0.�f4 l l .tLld2 (after l l .f4 exf4 1 2.�xf4 0-0-0
0-0-0 l l .tLle3 tbe7 1 2.lld l llxd l + 1 3 .tLld2 g 5 1 4.�e3 .!lg8 1 5 .ttJf3 g4
1 3 .Wxd l g 5 1 4 . ..tg3 f5 1 5 .�e5 llg8 1 6.hxg4 �xg4+ 1 7 .�h l ..tg7 1 8. llabl

1 82
Chapter 1 4 -Spanish Offshoots

b6 1 9 .b4 l:i.g8 2 0 . .l:!.g 1 fS = Black's initia­ • .t i:


tive offsets his inferior pawns) 1 1 . . . ti:Jg6
i ·i
1 2. tt:Jc4 transposes to 9. ti:Jc4 in the note
to move 9.
'if
i i
8. ... lt:Jg8-e7 � � � .t
- tt:J f �
� �- � 'ttJ � �
� �''{!V � �
1 1 . h3xg4

1 l .dxe5 �g6 1 2 .ti:Jh4 �xd 1 1 3 .ti:Jxg6


tt:Jxg6 1 4.l:rxd 1 0-0-0 1 5 .lle 1 tt:JxeS
1 6.ti:Jfl ? ! (after 1 6 .ti:Jf3 i.b4 1 7 .c3
tt:Jxf3 + 1 8 .gxf3 ..Q.cs 1 9 .'it>fl .!:!d3 both
sides have bad pawns but Black has more
active pieces) 1 6 . . . �b4 1 7 .c3 ti:Jd3
9. .l:!.f1 -e1
1 8 .I:le2 �cS 1 9 .�e3 �xe3 20.ti:Jxe3 ti:Jf4
If 9 .hxg4 hxg4 1 0.g3 gxf3 1 1 .�xf3 �e6 2 1 .1lc2 llhe8 2 2 .f3 :t!.d3 2 3 . .!:!e I l:ied8 -
Black has a much safer king at no cost. Black's domination of the open file and
9.ti:Jc4 i.xf3 1 0.�xf3 �xf3 1 l .gxf3 ti:Jg6 his knight outpost count for more than
1 2 ...Q.e3 i.e? 1 3 .1:ifd 1 0-0-0 1 4.'�fl i.f6 the crippled majority.
( 1 4 . . . f6 1 5 .'�e2 ti:Jf8 is also fine) 1 5 .c3
1 1 . ... h5xg4
If.d7 1 6.b4 .llhd8 1 7 .Wei ti:Jf8 1 8.a4 b6
1 2. g2-g3
1 9 .b5 (after 1 9.i.xb6 cxb6 20.ti:Jxb6+
'it>b7 2 1 .ti:Jxd7 .l:!.xd7, bishop and knight 1 2.ti:Jh2 ? tt:Jxg2 ! .
should be better than rook and two dou­
1 2. ... g4xf3
bled backward pawns with the extra rooks
13. �d1 xf3 lt:Jf4-e6
on the board) 1 9 . . . cxbS 20.axb5 axbS
14. d4xe5 �f6xe5
2 I .ti:Ja3 ti:Je6 2 2.ti:Jxb5 'it>b7 2 3 . .l:!.a7+
'it>b8=. The pressure on d3 keeps White
from doing anything active.
9. ... tt:Je7-g6
1 0. d3-d4

In case of 1 O.hxg4 hxg4 1 l .g3 ..Q.cs


1 2.ti:Jb3 ..Q.b6 1 3 .�g5 "iVxf3 1 4.�xf3
gxf3 1 S .ti:Jd2 f6 1 6 . ..Q.e3 �xe3 1 7 . .l:!.xe3
ti:Jf8 1 8.ti:Jxf3 ti:Je6 Black's superior piece
placement outweighs his doubled pawns.

1 0. ... lt:Jg6-f4 1 5. 'ik'f3-f5

1 83
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 5 .tt::l b 3 �d6 1 6.Wg2 o - o - o 1 7 .�d2


35. tt::lg 4-h2 g6xf5
'it>b8 1 8 .1lh l tt:lg5 1 9.�xg5 'ifxg5 -
36 . .t!.f2xf5+ ..t>g5-g6
Black's safer king and better minor piece
37. tt::l h 2-f3 I:!.h5xf5
offset his crippled majority.
38. e4xf5+ 'it>g6-f6
1 5. ... �e5-b5 39. g3-g4 tt:Jc5-d3
1 6. tt::ld 2-f3 g7-g6 40. 'it>g2-g3 b7-b5
1 7. �f5xb5 a6xb5
1 8. c2-c3 b5-b4
1 9. c3xb4 �f8xb4
20. .l:!.e1 -e2 .l:!.a8-d8=

Black's more active pieces offset the crip­


pled majority. The doubled pawn may
prove useful after ... c6-c5 and . . . tt:ld4.
21 . �c1 -e3 �b4-c5
22. �e3xc5 tt:Je6xc5
23. .l:!.a1 -c1 tt:Jc5-e6 41 . g4-g5+ 'lt>f6xf5
24. .l:!.c1 -c2 42 . .l:!.e3-e7 'it>f5-g6
43 . .l:!.e7xc7 .l:!.d1 -c1
44. b2-b3 1f2-1h

RL 1 2. 3 (C7 7) Game 14.3


D Areschenko,Alexander
• Efimenko,Zahar -

Kiev ch-UKR, 2 0 1 1 (8)

1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. tt:lg1 -f3 tt:lb8-c6
3. �f1 -b5 a7-a6
24. ... J:!.d8-d 1 +
4. �b5-a4 tt:lg8-f6
2 4 . . We7 , planning . . . c6-c5 , looks fme.
. 5. d2-d3 d7-d6
6. c2-c3 g7-g6!
25. �e2-e1 l:!.d 1 -d3
26. tt::lf3-e5 lid3-d8
27. wg1 -g2 we8-e7
28. f2-f4 l:!.h8-h5
29. i:!c2-f2 tt::le 6-c5
30. l:[e1 -e3 I:!.d8-d1
31 . f4-f5 we7-f6
32. tt:Je5-g4+ 'it>f6-g5
33. tt::lg 4-e5 'it>g5-f6
34. tt:Je5-g4+ 'it>f6-g5

1 84
Chapter 1 4 -Spanish Offshoots

This shows the drawback to playing


1 0. ... lt:Jc6-a5
d2-d3 before Black plays . . . il.e7 . In the
1 1 . il.b3-c2 c7-c5
Breyer Black often plays . . . kte8 , . . .il.f8,
1 2. lt:Jd2-f1
.:.g7 -g6, and . . . iLg7 . Here Black gets to
do this maneuver saving two or three In case of 1 2.d4 cxd4 1 3 .cxd4 exd4
tempi! 1 4.lt:Jxd4 l::t e 8 I S .lt:Jfl iLb7 1 6.tt:lg3
'iYb6N I 7. lt:Jf3 lt:Jc4 Black is much better
7. 0-0
'
due to his superior development and
7 .il.gs iLg7 s .tt:Jbd2 h6 9 .iLh4 o-o pressure on e4.
l O .tt:lfl dS (a good alternative is
12. ... h7-h6
1 0 . . . lt:Je7 l l .tt:le3 c6 1 2 .iLb3 lt:JhS=)
13. �c1 -d2
l l .exdS 1iYxd5 1 2 .lt:Je3 'iYd6 1 3 .tt:lc4
'iYdS 1 4.tt:le3 'iYd6 leads to a draw by 1 3 .lt:Jg3 l::t e 8 1 4 .h3 il.e6 I S .il.e3 .Uc8
repetition, which Black can avoid by 1 6.'iYd2 '>t>h7 = .
1 4 . . . 'iYe6 or 1 2 . . . 'iYe6.
1 3. ... tt:Ja5-c6
7. ... iLf8-g7 14. a2-a4 �c8-e6
8. J::f.f1 -e1 0-0 1 5. tt:lf1 -e3 "il'd8-d7
9. lt:Jb1 -d2 16. .lkc2-b3 l:If8-b8
1 7. .lkb3xe6 "il'd7xe6
9.iLgS h6 I O.il.h4 bS l l. .�c2 'iYd7
1 8. h2-h3 c5-c4
1 2 .lt:Jbd2 lt:JhS 1 3 .lt:Jfl iLb7 1 4.tt:le3
1 9. "il'd1 -e2 tt:lc6-a5
llae8 1 5.a4 lt:Jf4=.
20. a4xb5 a6xb5=
9. ... b7-b5 21. l:ta1 -d 1 ?1

1 0. iLa4-b3 21 . ... c4xd3!

I O .il.c2 il.b7 l l .lt:Jfl ( l l .a4 b4 1 2.a5 The game actually continued 2 1 . . . .l:tc8
J::f.b 8 1 3 .lt:Jc4 dS 1 4.lt:Jcd2 il.a8 =) 2 2.iLc l Uab8= 2 3 .dxc4 bxc4 24.lt:Jd5
l l . . .lt:Jb8 1 2.tt:lg3 tt:lbd7 1 3 .d4 .!:le8=. lt:Jd7 2 5 .lt:Jb4 lt:Jc6 2 6 .lt:Jd5 lt:Je7
Black has reached a main line position of 27 .lt:Jxe 7 + "ifxe7 2 8 .il.e3 tt:lf6 29.'iYc2
our Breyer Defense two tempi up (he has .l:!.c6 3 0 . lle 2 ? ! "ifb7 3 L�c l "i¥b3
already played . . .il.g 7 and White lacks h3) . 3 2 .'iVxb3 cxb3 3 3 .lt:J e l lt:Je8 34.lt:Jd3 fS

185
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

3 5 .lLlb4 ktcc8 3 6.f4 �fl 3 7 .fxe5 dxeS 7 .eS tt:le4 8 . lLlxd4 0-0 9 .tt:lfS dS and
3 8 .exf5 gxfS 3 9 . .l:rfi �g6 40.lLld5 .!lb7 now:
4 I .tt:le3 tt:ld6 42 . .l:rdi llc6 43 .tt:lfl .l:ra6 A) I O . exd6 �xfS I I .dxe7 �xe7
44.tt:ld2 kf6 45.tt:lf3 e4 46.tt:ld4 .l:ra i 1 2.kxc6 bxc6 I 3 .�f3 ;
47 .tt:le6 tt:lc4 48.lLlf4+ �f7 49 . .l:rfl �gS B) I O.tt:lxe7+ tt:lxe7 I l .c3 tt:lcS I 2.�c2
S O J:i.ee 1 tt:lxb2 S I .g4 lLlc4 5 2 .gxf5 �xf4 kfS = . No more bishop pair here means
and White resigned. no advantage, as White's remaining
bishop is not a good one;
22. �e2xd3 tt:la5-b3
C) I O.i.xc6 bxc6 l i .lLlxe7 + �xe7
23. �d3-c2 tt:lb3-c5
1 2 . .lle I .!le8 1 3 .f3
24. tt:Je3-d5 tt:lf6xd5
25. e4xd5 �e6-c8

Black is better due to the artificially iso­


lated dS pawn.

RL 1 5. 7 (C65) Game 14.4


D Ter Sahakyan,Samvel
• Akopian,Vladimir
Aix-les-Bains Ech, 20 I I (8)

1. e2-e4 e7-e5
Analysis diagram
2. tt:lg1 -f3 tt:lb8-c6
3. �f1 -b5 tt:lg8-f6
1 3 ... lLld6 (New York master Paul Brandts
4. d2-d4 e5xd4
surprised me with this move back in the
5. 0-0 a7-a6
I 960s) 1 4.b3 ( 1 4.kf4 tt:lfS I S .�d2 aSN
6. �b5-a4 �f8-e7
is pleasant for Black) 1 4 .. .f6 1 5 .�b2 lLlf7
We would reach this position by 3 .. a6 1 6.f4 fxeS 1 7 .fxe5 kfs I 8 .tt:ld2 lLlg5 -
4.ka4 lLlf6 S .d4 exd4 6.0-0 �e7 or Black will be better once his knight
5 .0-0 i.e? 6.d4 exd4. This line is called blockades on e6, as his bishop is clearly
the Center Attack. more active than White's.
7. ... b7-b5
8. �a4-b3

8.e5 tt:lxeS 9 . .!:!.xe5 (if 9.tt:lxe5 bxa4


1 O.�xd4 0-0 I I .�xa4 .l:rb8 Black's
bishop pair compensates for his isolated
pawn and White's space advantage)
9 . . . d6! I O . .l:re i bxa4 1 I .tt:lxd4 kd7
1 2.'iYf3 0-0 1 3 .tt:lc6 kxc6 1 4.�xc6 dS
I S ."iha4 (after I S .i.f4 �d6 I 6.i.xd6
�xd6 I 7 .'iYxd6 Black is better. His extra
7. J::lf1 -e1
pawn is almost worthless, but he will be

1 86
Chapter 1 4 -Spanish Offshoots

well ahead in development after the


1 5 . ... l2Je5-c4
tempo-gaining . . . .ll a b8 and . . JHc8)
1 5 ... �c5N 1 6.tt::l c 3 l:ib8 1 7.a3 (else 1 5 . . . c5 ! ? 1 6.dc6 �h4 1 7 .fe5 deS 1 8.h3
.. J:l:b4 and . . . tLlg4) 1 7 . . . �d6 and Black �e2 1 9.tLle2 'iVb6 20.'i.t>h2 �e 1 2 l .�e 1
has superior development and more cen­ 'iYc6 2 2.tLlg3 .lla e8=. Although Black is
tral pawns. down % of a pawn, his twin threats of
. .. �xc2 and . . . fS plus his lead in develop­
8. ..
. d7-d6
ment and strong passed pawn give him
9. �b3-d5 tt:Jf6xd5
equality.
1 0. e4xd5 tt:Jc6-e5
11. tt:Jf3xd4 0-0 1 6. b2-b3 l2Jc4-b6
1 2. tt:Jb1 -c3 1 7. l2Jd4-c6 'iVd8-d7
1 8. �c1 -b2
1 2 .a4 �g4 1 3 .�d2 (in case of 1 3 .f3
�d7 1 4.tt::l c 3 b4 1 S .tt::l e 4 r.i:e8 1 6.b3 �h4
1 7 .g3 fS 1 8 .tt::lf2 �f6 1 9 .�b2 �b8
White has a weakened king and is down
the bishop pair) 1 3 . . . �d7 1 4.tt::l c 3 b4
1 5 .tt::l c e2 �b8 and White has no com­
pensation for the bishop pair.
1 2 . ... �c8-g4
1 3. f2-f3

1 3 .�d2 k're8 1 4.b3 'iVc8 1 5 .�b2 �d7= ;


White's space advantage offsets Black's
1 8. ... l;!a8-e8
bishops.
Better was 1 8 . . . �h4! 1 9.g3 �f3 2 0.'iVd3
1 3 . ... �g4-d7
�ds 2 I .tLlb4 �f6 2 2 .�f6 �b7 23 .c4
1 4. f3-f4
bc4 24.bc4 gf6 and White has insuffi-
1 4.a4 b4 I S .tt::l e 4 transposes to the note cient compensation for the pawn.
to move 1 2 .
1 9. h2-h3 �g4-h5
1 4. ... �d7-g4 20. l2Jc6xe7+ �d7xe7
1 5. l2Jc3-e2 21 . g2-g4 �e7-e3+
22. Wg1 -g2 �e3-e4+
23. Wg2-h2 �e4-f3
24. g4xh5 J::!.e8-e3
25. l2Je2-g1 �f3xf4+
26. Wh2-h1 �f4-e4+
27. wh1 -h2 �e4-f4+
28. wh2-h1 �f4-e4+

Draw agreed.

1 87
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

RL 1 3.2 (C86) Game 14.5


.!.
D Polzin,Rainer
• Efimenko,Zahar
Germany Bundesliga, 2009/ 1 0 (2)

1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. t2Jg1 -f3 t2Jb8-c6
3. �f1 -b5 a7-a6
4. �b5-a4 t2Jg8-f6
5. 0-0
9. d2-d3
S .'�e2 (the Wormald Attack) S . . . bS
6 . .tb3 �e7 7 .c3 (for 7 .0-0 0-0 see the 9.exd5 tbxdS 1 0.lt:Jxe5 (after 1 0.d3 �b7
game) 7 . . . d5 8 .d3 (for 8.exd5 lt:JxdS 1 1 .lLlxe5 lt:JxeS 1 2.�xe5 �d7 1 3 .lLld2
9.t2Jxe5 tbxeS 1 0.�xe5 lt:Jf6 1 1 .0-0 0-0 �d6 1 4.�e4 c5 1 S .i.xd5 i.xdS Black has
see the note to move 9) 8 ... 0-0 9 . 0-0 - the bishops and a big lead in development
see the game. for the pawn, more than enough. His
pieces point menacingly towards White's
5. ... �f8-e7
king) 1 O . . . tt:JxeS 1 1 .�xe5 t2Jf6 1 2.d4
6. �d1 -e2
i.d6 (in the real Marshall White would re­
treat his rook to the first rank. But here a
queen retreat will lose more time after
1 3 ... .!:!.e8) 1 3 .'iVg5 .!:!.e8 1 4.t2Ja3 i.b7N
1 5 .f3 cS 1 6.'iVh4 cxd4 1 7.cxd4 i.e?
1 8.i.d2 tL:ldS 1 9 .'iVf2 �h4 20.g3 �f6=.
Black has full compensation for the pawn,
which is isolated and under attack. Black
has a safer king and a much better knight.
9. ... �c8-b7
1 0. t2Jb1 -d2

This is the Worrall Attack, favored by I O.l:Id 1 .!:!.e8 1 1 .tLlbd2 transposes to the
among others grandmaster Sergey next note;
Tiviakov. 1 0 .i.g5 dxe4 1 1 .dxe4 tL:lxe4! 1 2.�xe4
i.xgS 1 3 . .tdS i.e7N 1 4.c4 (if 1 4.i.xc6
6. ... b7-b5
fS 1 5 .�xe5 i.xc6 1 6.tL:ld4 i.d7 1 7.a4
7. �a4-b3 0-0
i.d6 1 8.'�'d5+ Wh8 Black is better with
8. c2-c3 d7-d5
the two bishops in an open position)
This is the Marshall Gambit when White 1 4 . . . �d6=. White should eventually re­
has played 6.!te 1 rather than 6 .'�'e2 , but gain his lost pawn and equalize.
in this position few players accept the
1 0. ... .I:!.f8-e8
gambit, as Black gets a better version of
1 1 . .U.f1 -e1
the Marshall.

1 88
Chapter 14 -Spanish Offshoots

1 I. .l:rd1 ..tf8 1 2.tt:Jfl tt:Jas 1 3 .�c2 cS


1 6. h2-h3?!
1 4.lbg3 h6 1 5 .h3 Wic7 1 6.lLJh2 llad8
1 7 .tt:Jg4 tt:Jxg4=. Black's queenside play This gives Black a target. 1 6 .a4 b4=.
should offset White's king side initiative.
1 6. .
.. 'Wg4-g6
1 1 . ... 'Wd8-d7 1 7. a2-a3 'it>g8-h8
1 8. Wie2-f1 f7-f5
1 9. tt:Je4-g3 �e7-f6
20. h3-h4?1 f5-f4
21 . tLlg3-e4 �b7-c8
22. �b3-c2? �c8-g4
23. Wif1 -e2

••
t i'
1 2. e4xd5

After 1 2.tbfl h6N 1 3 .lLJg3 l:tad8 1 4.h3


�f8 1 S . .ic2 g6 1 6.tbh2 d4N Black is do­
ing well as he should gain access to the
key square d4 by . . . d4xc3 b2xc3 b5-b4;
1 2 .a3 ..tf8 1 3 .exd5 tt:JxdS 1 4.tbe4 fS
1 5 . .ia2 �h8 1 6.tt:Jfg5 h6 1 7.Wih5 fxe4
23 . ... tt:Jd5-e7
1 8 .dxe4 lLJf6 1 9 .tt:Jf7 + 'it>h7 20.lLJg5+
with a draw by perpetual check. 2 3 ... 'ti'hS wins the h-pawn for nothing.

1 2 . ... tt:Jf6xd5= 24. d3-d4?!

Says the computer - I even prefer Black. 24.lLJc5 aS 2 5 .l:tc l WihS favors Black but
White still has chances to survive.
1 3. tt:Jd2-e4 h7-h6
1 4. �c1 -d2 l:ta8-d8 24. ... e5xd4
1 5. :aa1 -d1 'Wd7-g4 25. jLd2xf4 tt:Je7-f5
26. �f4xc7 l:td8-c8
27. jLc7-b6?

After 2 7 . WI d3 .!:!:xc7 2 8 .hS .ixhS


29.lLJxf6 l:txe l + 3 0.lhe l gxf6 3 l .Wixf5
WixfS 3 2..�.xf5 ..txf3 3 3 . .Ue8+ Wg7
3 4.gxf3 tbeS Black should emerge a
pawn ahead.
27. ... d4xc3
28. Wie2-d3 tt:lc6-e5

1 89
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

If Black castles here he cannot answer


29. tt:lf3xe5 �f6xe5
8.a4 by my recommended . . . !fi.d7 . If
30. f2-f3 �g6xb6+ 0-1
White had omitted castling he could play
a4 on move 7 before Black has time to
play . . . d6.
RL 1 3. 5 (C84) Game 1.4.6
0 Durarbeyli,Vasil 8. a2-a4
• Nikolic,Predrag
8 .c3 0-0 9 .lle 1 transposes to the game
Sarajevo, 20 1 0 (5)
with 9 .d3 in the main line.
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. tt:lg1 -f3 tt:lb8-c6
3. �f1 -b5 a7-a6
4. �b5-a4 tt:lg8-f6
5. 0-0

Note that S .d3 requires different han­


dling. as explained on move 7 .

5 . ... �f8-e7
6. d2-d3

8. ... �c8-d7!

This is a better square for the bishop than


b7 when White has the d3-e4 pawn
chain. If Black had castled instead of
. . . d7 -d6 his best option would now be
8 . . . b4, but I think the developing . . . !fi.d7
is more useful here.
9. c2-c3

This is probably White's best option in After 9 .!fi.d2 b4 1 0 .c3 0-0 1 1 .h3 .!:!.b8
the Spanish if he wants to avoid the main 1 2. .�c4 'i!Yc8 Black is doing well because
lines. It makes more sense here than after the bishop on d2 impedes the develop­
6.l:i:e 1 , as with d2-d3 played that move is ment of the knight;
not urgent. 9 .tt:lc3 tt:las 1 o . .ia2 b4 1 1 .tLle2 0-0
1 2.< 2lg3 cS=. Black may sacrifice a pawn
6. ... b7-b5
by ... b4-b3 next against routine moves, or
Of course 6 . . . d6 is playable, but then after may simply bring his knight back to c6.
7 .c3 White can answer a later . . . b7-b5 by The game Erenburg-Kaufman, US Chess
!fi.c2 instead of �b3 . League (internet game) 2 0 I 1 , continued
1 3 .ltJh4 b 3 ! (N) 1 4.cb3 lDc6 I S .b4 ltJb4
7. �a4-b3 d7-d6
1 6 . .ic4 and now 1 6 . . . lDe4 would have

1 90
Chapter 1 4 -Spanish Offshoots

given me the advantage after 1 7 .de4 £i.h4 £i.e6= . With ideas of ... 'i:Wd7 or . . . tt:JaS or
1 8 .'ii'd 6 tLlc2 followed by . . .£i.e6. . .. £i.e? Black has adequate counterplay.
9 . ... 0-0 1 5. ... �e7-f8
1 0. tt:lb1 -d2 1 6. d3-d4 c5xd4
1 7. c3xd4 tt:lc6-b4
1 O .lle 1 tt:JaS 1 1 .£i.c2 cS 1 2.tt:Jbd2 trans­
1 8. �c2-b3
poses to the game.
1 0. ... tt:lc6-a5
1 1 . �b3-c2

1 1 .£i.a2 cS 1 2 . .lle 1 'i:i'c7 1 3 .axbS axbS


1 4.tt:lfl c4 1 S .£i.gs £i.e6 1 6.tt:Je3 tt:Jg4=.
The black knight on aS and the white
bishop on a2 are both poorly placed.
1 1 . ... c7-c5
1 2. .llf1 -e1 tt:la5-c6

I prefer this to a quick . . . bS-b4 as White


may take advantageously on b4 if no Black now actually played 1 8 . . . aS? when
piece guards that square. 1 9.axbS £i.xbS 20.dxeS dxeS 2 l .'iVxd8
.llexd8 2 2.tLlxeS won a pawn and eventu­
ally the game. The text is much better.
1 8. ... b5xa4
1 9. �b3xa4 e5xd4
20. tt:lf3xd4 �d7xa4
21 . J:ia1 xa4 a6-a5=

Black's pressure on e4 and his strong


knight on b4 offset the isolated d6 pawn.

RL 1 4. 1 4 (C6S) Game 1.4.7


1 3. tt:ld2-f1 .llf8-e8
0 Milman,Lev
1 4. h2-h3
• Kaufman,Larry
1 4.tt::l e 3 b4 1 S .£i.b3 tt:Jas 1 6.£i.a2 .llb 8 ICC, 2 0 1 0 (2)
1 7.d4?! exd4 1 8.cxd4 tLlxe4 1 9 .tiJdS £i.f8
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
is a dubious pawn sacrifice by White.
2. tt:lg1 -f3 tt:lb8-c6
1 4. ... h7-h6 3. �f1 -b5 a7-a6
1 5. tt:lf1 -g3 4. �b5-a4 tt:lg8-f6
5. 0-0 �f8-e7
1 S .tt::l e 3 £i.f8 1 6.tLlh2 b4 1 7 .'i:i'f3 l:lb8
6. �a4xc6 d7xc6
1 8.£i.d2 'i:Wc7 1 9 .tt::l hg4 tt:Jxg4 20.hxg4

191
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 1 . ... tt:Jc5-e6
1 2. �c1 -e3

1 2 .�f3 tLJd4 1 3 . tt::lx d4 �xd4=


transposes to the last note.
1 2. ..
. c6-c5
1 3. �d1 -d2 tt:Je6-d4
14. tt:Jf5xe7+ �d8xe7
1 5. f2-f4 e5xf4
7. d2-d3 1 6. �e3xf4 �c8-e6
1 7. tt:Jc4-e3 l:ta8-d8
A) 7 .�e 1 �e6 8 .b3 tt::l d 7 9 .�b2 f6
1 8. �d2-f2 l:tf8-f7
1 O.d4 �d6 1 1 .tt::l b d2 �e7 1 2.�e2 0-0-0
1 9. �g1 -h1 �e7-d7
- with the bishop pair and a potential
pawn storm Black has a slight edge; 1 9 . . . f5 ! 2 0 . exf5 tUxfS=.
B) 7 .tt::l c 3 �g4 8 .h3 �hS 9.g4 t2Jxg4
20. b2-b3 b7-b6
1 O.hxg4 �xg4 l l .Wg2 �d6 - with two
21 . a2-a4 �d7-c6
pawns, the bishop pair, better develop­
ment, and the enemy king exposed, Black 2 1 . . . 1::tdf8=. Black prepares ... f6-f5.
clearly has enough for a knight;
22. l:ta1 -e1 l:tf7-d7
C) 7 .�e2 �g4 8 .h3 �hS 9 .d3 tbd7
1 0 .tt::l b d2 0-0 l l .tLJc4 f6= ;
D) 7 . l:t e 1 �g4 8 .h3 �hS 9 . g 4 tt:Jxg4
1 0 .hxg4 �xg4 l l .d3 ( 1 1 .'i¥e2 �gS
1 2 . Wg2 �f6 1 3 .tt::l a 3 �f4 1 4. d4 �h3 +
1 5 . Wxh3 �e6+ 1 6.<;t>g2 �g4+ draw
by perpetual check) l l . . . f6 1 2 .tLJbd2
�d7 1 3 .�e2 0-0-0 1 4.tt:Jfl hS 1 5 .tt::l e 3
gS 1 6 .�d2 �e6. A s i n the 7 . tt:J c 3 line,
Black has two pawns, the bishop pair,
and an attack for the knight. Komodo
likes Black whereas Houdini likes
23. e4-e5
White.
I think this helps Black more than White.
7. ... tt:Jf6-d7
8. tt:Jb1 -d2 0-0 23 . ... f6-f5
9. tt:Jd2-c4 f7-f6 24. �f2-g3 l:td7-f7
1 0. tt:Jf3-h4 tt:Jd7-c5 25. �f4-g5 l:td8-f8
11. tt:Jh4-f5 26. l:tf1 -f4?! �e6-c8
l l .�f3 tt:Je6 n.tt:Jfs tt::l d4 1 3 .tLJxd4 Now Black is better, with the long diago­
�xd4=. nal in his possession.

1 92
Chapter 1 4 -Spanish Offshoots

27. J::!.f4-h4?! 4Jd4-e6


28. iLg5-f4? g7-g5

Black wins a piece.


29. iLf4xg5 J:tf7-g7
30. J::!. h 4xh7 .l:l:g7xh7
0-1

Analysis diagram

RL 1 9. 1 6 (C90) Game 14.8


D Nikolov,Sasho B 1 ) 1 2 .h3 i.f8 1 3 .i.c2 exd4 1 4.tbxd4
• Delchev,Alexander tbe5 (I chose the inferior 1 4 . . . tbe7
Bankya, 20 1 1 (4) against grandmaster Zapata at the 2 0 1 1
U.S. Open and I lost) 1 5 .ttJfl c5 1 6.ltJe2
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
i.c6 1 7 .ltJf4 c4=;
2. 4Jg1 -f3 4Jb8-c6
B2) 1 2.ti:Jfl �f8 1 3 .ltJg3 ltJa5 1 4.i.c2
3. iLf1 - b5 a7-a6
c5 1 5 .d5 c4 1 6.h3 �c7 1 7 .i.e3 Ileb8=.
4. iLb5-a4 4Jg8-f6
Black can aim for ... tba5-b7-c5 or per­
5. 0-0 �f8-e7
haps . . . ti:Jf6-h7, ... il.e7 , and ... ltJh7-g5,
6. J:tf1 -e1 b7-b5
or simply . . . b4.
7. �a4-b3 d7-d6
C) 8.a3 0-0 9 .c3 (9 .h3 �e6 1 o.i.xe6
fxe6 l l .d3 'il'e8=) 9 . . . ltJa5 1 O.il.c2 c5
1 l .d4 cxd4 1 2 .cxd4 'il'c7 1 3 .h3 i.b7=.
This is a normal Spanish position where
White has played an inferior move
(a2-a3) ;
D) 8 .d4 0-0 9 .c3 il.g4 transposes to the
8 .c3 0-0 9 .d4 �g4 line.
8. ... 0-0
9. d2-d3

For 9 .a4 �d7 , see the note to move 8 .


8. c2-c3
9. .
.. 4Jc6-a5
A) If White plays 8 .d3 (or 8.h3) first,
1 0. iLb3-c2 c7-c5
then 8 ... 4Ja5 nets the bishop pair.
11. 4Jb1 -d2 4Ja5-c6
B) An alternative is 8 .a4 �d7 (I like this
1 2. 4Jd2-f1 .!:tt8-e8
move here more than the pinning move
1 3. 4Jf1 -g3
8 ...i.g4, as then after c2-c3 , d2-d3 , and
ttJbd2 White will gain time by h2-h3) 1 3 .h3 h6 1 4.d4 cxd4 1 5 .cxd4 exd4
9.c3 0-0 1 0.d4 h6 1 1 .ltJbd2 Ile8 and 1 6.ltJxd4 tbxd4 1 7 .'il'xd4 i.e6 1 8.ltJe3
now: ( 1 8 .ltJg3 transposes to the game)

1 93
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 8 . . . llc8 1 9.�d2 tZ'lhS 2 0 Jhd 1 �f6 -


20. e4-e5 tt:lf6-d7
Black has the initiative with ... �e5 and
21 . �c1 -d2
. . . tt:Jf4 and . . . �gS or . . . �h4 in prospect;
1 3 .tt:Je3 �f8 - now the priority is to un­ After 2 1 .tiJh5 �f8 Black has a queenside
cover the rook to deter d4. initiative and a safe king.

1 3 . ... h7-h6 21 . ... �e7-c5


22. �d4-d3
This prepares . . . �e6 without allowing
ltJgS in response. 2 2 .�f4 tiJf8 - with ideas like . . . d5-d4 or
. .. tt:Jg6 Black is better.
1 4. h2-h3 �c8-e6!
22 . ... �d8-h4
This is better than the routine 1 4 . . . �f8 as
it allows Black to attack the c2 bishop by 22 . . . �c7 wins the e-pawn for little com­
. . . .ld.c8 after a mass exchange on d4 as in pensation.
this game.
23. l'i:a1 -d 1 'i!fh4-d4
24. �d3xd4 �c5xd4
25. �d2xh6 �d4xe5

25 . . . �xb2 was even better objectively,


but the text sets a nice trap, which
worked.

1 5. d3-d4

After 1 5 .a4 �f8 1 6.d4 cxd4 1 7 .cxd4


exd4 1 8.tiJxd4 tt:Jxd4 1 9.�xd4 .!lc8
20.�d 1 �c7 2 l..�d3 bxa4!N 22 .�xa4
tt:Jd7 , Black is doing great with . . . tt:JcS
coming next.
26. �b3xd5??
1 5. _ c5xd4
2 6 .�e3 �xb2 2 7 .�xd5 �xdS 28.l:lxd5
1 6. c3xd4 e5xd4
tZ'leS and with . . . tt:Jc4 coming Black has
1 7. tt:lf3xd4
the better endgame.
1 7 .tt:Je2 d3 1 8.�xd3 tt:Jes 1 9 .tt:Jed4 �d7
26 . ... g7xh6
20.�c2 l:lc8= .
White resigned, because he realized that
1 7. ... tt:lc6xd4
after 2 7 .�xe6 llxe6 2 8 . 1hd7 �xg3
1 8. �d1 xd4 .!la8-c8
29 . .!lxe6 Black has 29 . . . 1lc l + with mate
1 9. �c2-b3 d6-d5
to follow.

1 94
Chapter 14 -Spanish Offshoots

RL 2 0.6 (C9 1 ) Game 14.9 1 4.a4 �xc6 1 5 .tt:Jbd2 transposes to the


D Navara,David next note.
• Beliavsky,Alexander
1 4. ... �c7xc6
Vilnius, 2 0 1 0 ( I )
1 5. <1Jd2-f1
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
After I S .a4 �e6 1 6.ltJg5 �d7 1 7 .tt:Jfl h6
2. <1Jg1 -f3 <1Jb8-c6
1 8 .tt:Jf3 l:lfc8 1 9.ltJe3 �e6 20.ltJh4 g6
3. �f1 -b5 a7-a6
2 l .�f3 Wh8 White's kingside play is
4. �b5-a4 <1Jg8-f6
running out of steam while Black retains
5. 0-0 �f8-e7
a queenside initiative.
6. llf1 -e1 b7-b5
7. �a4-b3 0-0 15. ... �c8-e6
8. d2-d4 d7-d6 1 6. tLlf1 -g3
9. c2-c3 �c8-g4
1 6.tt:Jg5 �d7 1 7 .a4 transposes to the
1 0. d4-d5 <1Jc6-a5
note to move 1 5 .
11. �b3-c2 c7-c6
1 6 . ... J::ta8-c8
Also satisfactory is 1 1 . . . �c8 to meet
1 2.h3 by 1 2 . . . �d7 .
.I .1 �
.t .t. .t. .t.
.t. � .t. .t ..
.. . ... .t.
£3:,
£3:, CfJ CfJ £3:,
£3:, £3:, � £3:, £3:,
�l � 'i¥ � �

1 7. lLlf3-h4

1 7 .tt:Jgs �d7 1 8.tt:Jf5 �xfS 1 9 .exf5


1 2. h2-h3
.llfe8=. The black pawn center and
1 2.d.xc6 �c7 1 3 .tt:Jbd2 �xc6 1 4.lbfl White's doubled pawn offset the bishop
�e6 1 S .ltJgS �d7 1 6.tbe3 h6 1 7 .ltJf3 pair.
tt:Jc4=. Black has solved the problem of
1 7. ... g7-g6
his bad knight on aS .
1 8. �c1 -h6
1 2 . ... �g4-c8!
In case of 1 8.�g5 tt:Jc4 1 9 .l:!.b 1 1Hd8
Note that the more natural 1 2 . . . �d7 loses 2 0 .ltJf3 dS , Black has the initiative and
the bishop pair to 1 3 .ltJxe S ! dxes 1 4.d6. better placed pieces.

1 3. d5xc6 �d8-c7 1 8. ... l:lf8-d8


1 4. tLlb1 -d2 1 9. �d1 -f3?

1 95
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

Now White is forced to make an incorrect


piece sacrifice. He should have admitted
his mistake by retreating 1 9 . <1Jf3 with
slightly the worse of it.
1 9. ... tt'lf6-e8
20. tt'lg3-f5 �e6xf5
21 . tt'lh4xf5 g6xf5
22. 'i!k'f3-g3+ 'lt>g8-h8
23. e4xf5 �e7-f6

White's sacrifice was unsound and Black 36 . ... tt'lf4-d3


is already winning.
Black actually played the inferior
24. l:!.e1 -e4
3 6 . . . 1lcg8, which was still good enough
to win the game, but the text would have
been much simpler.
37. !:te1 -e2 .ilg7-b7
38. 'it>h1 -h2 'lt>h8-g7
0-1

RL 2 0. 1 1 (C9 1 ) Game 14.10


D Pavlov,Sergey
• Azarov,Sergey
24. ... tt'le8-c7
Alushta, 2 0 I 0 (7)
24 . . . d5 ! 2 5 .1lg4 <1Jc7 and Black will con-
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
solidate with .. Jlg8.
2. tt'lg1 -f3 tt'lb8-c6
25. �h6-g5 �f6xg5 3. �f1 -b5 a7-a6
26. 'i!k'g3xg5 l:ld8-g8 4. �b5-a4 tt'lg8-f6
27. 'i!k'g5-h5? f7-f6 5. 0-0 �f8-e7
28. .!:la1 -e1 tt'la5-c4 6. .l:!.f1-e1 b7-b5
29. 'i!k'h5-h6 'i!k'c6-d7 7. �a4-b3 d7-d6
8. c2-c3 0-0
2 9 . . . d5 ! .
9. d2-d4
30. �h6xf6+ �d7-g7
This is a serious try for an advantage,
31 . �f6xg7+ .l:!.g8xg7
played by Bobby Fischer and now by many
32. f2-f4 tt'lc7-d5
strong grandmasters. It can also be reached
33. f4xe5 d6xe5
by the move order 7 . 0-0 8.d4 d6 9.c3. It
..

34. �c2-b3 tt'ld5-f4


avoids the Brey�r (and Chigorin's 9 ... <1Ja5)
35. �b3xc4 b5xc4
by the pressure on eS. But it makes the fol­
36. 'lt>g1 -h1
lowing pin rather effective.

1 96
Chapter 14 -Spanish Offshoots

Here 1 4 . . . 'ii'd 7, planning . . . ltJd8 and


9. ... �c8-g4
. .. ltJe6, is also popular.
.I iV E� 1 5. �b3-c2 tL'la5-c4
i Ai i i
' .. , ..
' '
.!'!:, !'!:, A
Ji, .!'!:, t2J
!'!:, !'!:, !'!:, !'!:, \ !'!:,
l:l t2J Jt 'if :s s£t
1 0. �c1 -e3

Roughly equal in popularity is I O.dS, for


which see the previous game.
1 6. 'li'd1 ·d3
In case of I O.a4 �xf3 l l .gxf3 ltJaS
1 2 .�a2 cS 1 3 .ltJa3 exd4 1 4.cxd4 c4, and 1 6 .h3 �hS 1 7 .g4 �g6 1 8 .�f5 aS
Black plans . . . d6-d5 . White will have 1 9 .�f4 b4 20 .h4 �xh4 2 1 .Wg2 �e7 is a
great trouble utilizing his a2 bishop, so highly risky gambit by White.
his bad kingside pawn structure should My game against Sammour (US Chess
count for more than the bishop pair. League, internet 2 0 1 1 ) continued
2 2Jih 1 .lla 6 2 3 .'iWg l and now I should
1 0. ... e5xd4
have played 2 3 . . . c5 24.'li'h2 hS 2 5 Jh g 1
1 1 . c3xd4 d6-d5
'li'e8. It seems that I can defend the
Also respectable is l l ... ltJaS 1 2..�c2 cS, or kingside and calmly utilize my extra
first 1 2 ....ltJc4 1 3 .�c l and then ... c7-c5 , queenside pawn.
but I'm not sure that either fully equalizes.
1 6. ... g7-g6
1 2. e4-e5 tL'lf6·e4 1 7. �e3·h6 J::i.f8-e8
1 3. tL'lb1 -c3 1 8. 'li'd3·e2

1 3 .h3 (it's not clear that including this After 1 8 .h3 �fS 1 9 .'li'e2 'li'd7 Black is
move is helpful, as the black bishop gets close to equal, since the exchange of
the option to go to g 6 . Sometimes Black light-squared bishops favors him.
even plays I O . . . �hS earlier, planning to
1 8. ... a6-a5
meet l l .h3 as in this game, but White
may choose something other than For 1 8 . . . 'li'd7 ! 1 9 .h3 .ifs see the previ­
l l .h3) 1 3 . . . �h5 1 4.ltJc3 ltJxc3 I S .bxc3 ous note.
ltJaS 1 6 .�c2 ltJc4 1 7 .g4 �g6 1 8.�f5
1 9. h2-h3 �g4-e6
transposes to the note to move 1 6.
20. tL'lf3-h2
1 3 . ... tL'le4xc3
With 20 .ltJd2 ! ? llc8 White has a tiny
1 4. b2xc3 tL'lc6·a5
edge.

1 97
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

20. ... b5-b4

20 . . . c5=.

21. 4Jh2-g4

Draw agreed; 2 1 . . . 'iVd7 is roughly equal.


Maybe 2 1 .ka4 was a tad better for White,
so Black should go for the equalizer on
move 1 8 .

1 98
Chapter 15

Breyer Defense
The Breyer is in my view the best defense to 1 .e4. When I wrote my last book eight
years ago it was just one of many defenses to the Spanish, but now it is the most popu­
lar such defense in high-level play. It is the main defense of the world's top rated player,
Magnus Carlsen, and has also been played more than once in the past three years by
World Champion Anand and title contenders Kamsky, Mamedyarov, Svidler, and
Adams. It was also a favorite of World Champion Boris Spassky. It does not allow any
quick forced draw by repetition (unlike the Zaitsev Defense, which is also a good line if
a draw is fine) , nor any quick queen trade. In fact it usually leaves all the pieces on the
board for the first 2 0 moves or so, making it pretty much ideal if you must win on the
Black side of the Lopez. My own results with it have been excellent. I recommended the
Berlin in my last book, which still looks pretty decent, but defending a slightly inferior
endgame from the opening is not everyone's cup of tea. Another factor in my choice is
that sidelines such as an early d2-d3 are more annoying in the Berlin because Black
lacks the option to chase away the bishop by ... b7-b5. One final factor in favor of the
Breyer for amateur players is that if your opponent is not familiar with it, when you
play 9 ... tt:lb8 (the Breyer move) he will think you are a hopeless patzer and will under­
estimate you! Even if your opponent does know of the Breyer, as of this writing there
are no recent books on it, so unless he reads this book he may not be well prepared.
The defense is credited to Gyula Breyer, a Hungarian master who was among the top
ten players in the world in 1 9 1 8 (per Chessmetrics website) but who died in 1 9 2 1 at
only age 2 7 from a heart attack. To come up with the move 9 . . . tt:lb8 at that time took a
real genius, as the belief in 'development' was very strong since the time of Morphy.
The basic idea behind the move is that the knight has fulfilled its function on c6 and
now is just in the way of the c-pawn and the bishop when it goes to b7. Previously this
problem was solved by 9 . . . tt:la5, chasing the bishop back to c2, and then . . . c7-c5 , but
the knight normally had to return to c6. The beauty of the Breyer is that White stil� ,
must retreat his bishop to c2 in the main line in order to complete the maneuver
tLld2-fl -g3 , but Black's knight will be on d7 rather than c6, which makes the bishop
fianchetto to b7 attractive. Black will usually fianchetto both bishops, will usually
answer a2-a4 by . . . c5-c4 and . . . tt:lcS , will aim for . . . c7-c6 against an early d4-d5, and
will sometimes get in the shot ... d6-d5 himself.

Now let's look at the moves of the Breyer Defense. For comments on the first nine
moves see the Spanish offshoots chapter.
l .e4 eS 2.tt:Jf3 tt:lc6 3 .�bS a6 4.�a4 tt:Jf6 5 .0-0 �e7 6 ..Se l bS 7.�b3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3
tt:lb8 (!)

1 99
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

This makes it a Breyer. It only makes sense now as a response to h2-h3 , because h2-h3
rules out the strategy of answering d2-d4 by . . . �g4, so pressure on d4 is now point-
·

less.
1 O.d4 The quiet move d3 is a serious alternative, designed to avoid the need for an
unprovoked �c2 to defend the e4 pawn. It is likely to lead to the same position as
1 O .d4 but with the extra move b2-b4 included for White, which may be either good or
bad. See Game 1 5 . 1 .
1 O ...ttJbd7 This comes just in time to defend the e5 pawn.
1 I .tbbd2 See Game 1 5 . 2 for 1 l .tbh4 .l':Ie8 1 2.tbf5 �f8 . See Game 1 5 . 3 for 1 1 .c4 c6.
1 1 ...�b7 1 2.�c2 White doesn't really want to play this, as the bishop is currently ac-
tive on b3. He does this for three reasons: he wants to play ttJfl , which would lose a
pawn if played now. Also, he may want to play a2-a4 and then attack the b5 pawn by
�d3 . Finally, he may want to advance his b-pawn. For the alternative 1 2.a3 c5 see
Game 1 5 .4.
1 2 ...J::!. e8 Now that the bishop doesn't attack f7, there is no drawback to this move,
which prepares to put indirect pressure on e4 by retreating . . . �f8.
1 3.tbfl The alternative 1 3 .a4 �f8 1 4.�d3 is very popular lately, to force Black to
block his bishop by playing . . . c7 -c6. On the plus side, . . . c7 -c6 lets out the queen and
controls the center. See Game 1 5 . 5 .
1 3 .. �f8 1 4.tbg3 (in time to defend e4) 1 4...g6 This keeps out the white knight and
.

enables a black fianchetto to defend the king strongly. For the alternative pin 1 4.jlg5
h6 1 5 . .th4 g6 see Game 1 5 . 6 .
1 5 .a4 For 1 5 .�g5 h 6 1 6.�d2 � g 7 see Game 1 5 . 7 . For 1 5 .b3 � g 7 1 6.d5 llc8 see
Game 1 5. 8 .
.1 5 . c 5 This move i s triggered b y a2-a4 because now after 1 6.d5 c4 the black knight
.

will attack the a-pawn, restrain the b-pawn and can sometimes land on the b3-square.
1 7 .�g5 Experience has shown that if Black chases the bishop back to e3 by playing
. . . h6, that move gives White a target, while if he doesn't, the bishop is more active on
gS than on e3 . Most players do chase the bishop back, but I vote with the minority in
this instance, choosing 1 7 ... �e7. See Game 1 5 . 9 .

200
Chapter I 5 -Breyer Defense

RL 26.2 (C92) Game 15.1 1 8.tLld2 h6 1 9 . .ixf6 tt:lxf6 20 .tLle4 ..ixe4


0 Lastin,Alexander 2 1 Jhe4 cS 22 .l:!.g4 l:!.a7 2 3 .'ii'xf6 'ii'x g4
• Pahtz,Elisabeth 24.�xf7+ llxf7 2 5 .hxg4 l:rd8 26 . .!txf7 +
Baku, 2008 (3) Wxf7 2 7 .a4 b4 2 8 .l:!.d l bxc3 2 9.bxc3 e4
3 0 .d4 cxd4 3 l .cxd4 �e6 3 2.f3 Wd5
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
3 3 .nb i nd6 Black will regain his pawn
2. tbg1 -f3 ttJb8-c6
with a drawn endgame.
3. �f1 -b5 a7-a6
4. �b5-a4 tbg8-f6 1 3 . ... ttJd7-c5
5. 0-0 £.f8-e7
1 3 . . . .!tf8 ?! I 4.tLlg5 d5 I S .exdS;!;.
6. l:!.f1 -e1 b7-b5
7. �a4-b3 d7-d6 14. £.b3-c2 �e7-f8
8. c2-c3 0-0
9. h2-h3 �c8-b7
:i , 'iV E .t •
1 0. d2-d3 tbc6-b8
= ; j_ .l .l .l; .l
11. ttJb1 -d2 ttJb8-d7
.l .l �
.l ; � .....
!::, �
"f::,., !::, l t2J !::,
!::, '!::, Ji I jjt !::,
iii Ji 'iV Zi ''II
1 5. b2-b4

A) I S .tLlh2 and now:


A I ) I 5 . . . dS is the most frequent move,
We would get this position by 9 . ..tZl b8 but it is second-best. I played it in this
I O .d3 tt:lbd7 l l .tt:lbd2 .!tb7 . This is a sen­ game because I forgot the analysis here,
sible line for White against the Breyer, as which I had already written. 1 6.�f3 tt:le6
the bishop on b7 bites on granite. Still, h3 ( 1 6 . . . g6 1 7 .-igs Sd.e7 1 8.h4 aS 1 9 .h5
is not essential here. Ila6=) 1 7 .tt:lfs �d7 ?!N 1 8 .�g3 dxe4
1 9 .dxe4 .ll a d8 ? 20 .tt:lf3 . This was
1 2. ttJd2-f1 .b!.f8-e8
Shankland-Kaufman, US Chess League
Usually Black plays 1 2 . . . tt:lc5 I 3 . .2.c2 20 I I , won quickly by White. Black is al­
lle8. which transposes to the game after ready losing;
I 4.tt:lg3 , because the game order allows A2) I S . . . g6 1 6.lLlg4 (after 1 6.f4 exf4
I 3 .tt:lg 5 , as discussed after the next 1 7 .Sd.xf4 tLle6 I 8 .�e3 cSN Black is al­
move. ready a bit better, as White has no attack
and the black pieces will be more active
1 3. ttJf1 -g3
after . . . .ig7) I 6 . . . tt:lxg4 1 7 .'ii'x g4 Jig?
If I 3 .tt:lg5 d5 I 4.exd5 tt:lxd5 1 5 .�h5 1 8.�g5 �d7 1 9 .l::tad l tLle6+. Black has
.!txg5 1 6 . .2.xg5 tLl 7 f6 1 7 .�f3 �c8 ideas of ...d6-d5 , . . . h7 -h5 , or . . . a6-a5 .

20 1
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

B) 1 S .lt:lfS dS 1 6.exdS iVxdS 1 7 .�gS The game actually went 1 8 . . . g6 1 9 .�c3


'iVc6 I prefer Black - compare the light­ and White took the initiative and went on
squared bishops; to win. The text is a Rybka novelty.
C) 1 S .�d2 dS=.
1 8. ... d6-d5!
1 5 . ... tt:Jc5-d7 1 9. e4xd5 e5xd4
1 6. d3-d4 20. ne1 xe8 �d8xe8
21 . tt:Jf3xd4 'lWe8-e5

We now have a position from the main


line of the Breyer (with 1 0.d4) , with the Black will regain the pawn and have
sole difference that White has gotten to somewhat the better chances due to the
play b2-b4 'for free' , since he has wasted c-pawn's superiority over the a-pawn plus
one move with the d-pawn while Black the long diagonal. On an unrelated per­
has wasted two with his queen's knight. sonal note the loser of this game and I
But is b2-b4 a plus or a minus? If White have in common that we are both mem­
intends kingside play it's probably a mi­ bers of the only two parent-child GM/IM
nus as on b4 the pawn is a target for combinations to my knowledge, her fa­
. . . a7 -aS or . . . c7 -cS . On balance it's proba­ ther being GM Thomas Pahtz while my
bly neutral. son is IM Raymond Kaufman.
A) 1 6.a4 cS 1 7 .bxcS tt:lxcS 1 8 .axbS
axbS 1 9.llxa8 �xa8=;
B) 1 6.�b3 h6 1 7 .tt:Jh4 dS 1 8 .ltJhfS aS RL 25.3 (C9S) Game 15.2
1 9.�d2 dxe4 20.dxe4 axb4 2 l .cxb4 cS D Byrne,Robert
Black has the initiative; • Rukavina,Josip
C) 1 6.�d2 cS 1 7 .a4 dS=. Leningrad izt, I 9 7 3 (2)

1 6 . ... a6-a5 1. e2-e4 e7-e5


1 7. �c1 -d2 2. tt:Jg1 -f3 lt:lb8-c6
3. �f1 -b5 a7-a6
1 7 .a3 axb4 1 8 .cxb4 cS 1 9. bxcS dxcS =.
4. �b5-a4 lt:lg8-f6
1 7. ... a5xb4 5. 0-0 �f8-e7
1 8. c3xb4 6. l:rf1 -e1 b7-b5

202
Chapter 15 -Breyer Defense

An excellent alternative was 1 3 . . . d5


7. £a4-b3 d7-d6
1 4.�g5 tt'lb6 1 5 .tt:lg3 .Q.b7 1 6.tLld2 h6
8. c2-c3 0-0
1 7 .�e3 tt'lbd7. Black is better, with a safer
9. h2-h3 tt:Jc6-b8
king and better placed king's knight.
1 0. d2-d4 4Jb8-d7
11. tt:Jf3-h4 .!:tf8-e8 1 4. £c1 -g5 h7-h6
1 5. £g5-h4

1 2. tt:Jh4-f5 1 5 . ... g7-g6!


1 2 .tt'ld2 (Dueball-Tukmakov, Kiev tt Black actually played 1 5 ... d5 ? 1 6.exd5 exd4
1 9 7 0) 1 2 . . . .Q.b 7 1 3 . tt:lfs .Q.f8 transposes 1 7.cxd4 g6 1 8.tt'le3, after which White had
to the next note. a clear advantage and won: 1 8 ...tLlb6
1 9 .tt'lc3 gS 20 . .Q.g3 tt'lfxdS 2 l .tt'lexd5
1 2 . ... �e7-f8
llxe l + 22.�xe 1 tt:lxdS 23 .�e4 tt:lxc3
1 3. f2-f3
24.�g6+ �g7 2 5 .�xf7+ <;t>hs 26.bxc3
1 3 .tt'ld2 �b7 1 4. .Q.c2 g6 1 5 .tt'lg3 exd4 b4 27 ..Q.es .L:es 28.dxe5 bxc3 29 . .lld l
1 6.cxd4 cS 1 7 .dS .Q.g 7 - Black is doing 'ir'f8 3 0 .�xc7 .!lc8 3 l .�xb7 c 2 3 2 . .!lc1
well due to the loss of time by White's !ld8 3 3 ..L:c2 and Black resigned.
tt'lf3-h4-f5-g3 maneuver;
1 6. tt:Jf5-e3 £f8-g7
1 3 .g4?! exd4 1 4.g5 tbxe4 1 5 . .Q.ds tt'lb6 !
1 7. 4Jb1 -d2 e5xd4
1 6 . .Q.xa8 tbxa8 1 7 .tt'lxd4 tbxg S , and
1 8. c3xd4 c7-c5
Black gets way too much for the ex­
1 9. d4xc5 d6xc5
change;
1 3 .'iff3 exd4! 1 4.cxd4 .Q.b7 1 5 . .Q.c2 cS
1 6.dxc5 tbxcS and Black's pressure on e4
fully offsets the strong knight on fS ;
1 3 . .Q.c2 dS= 1 4.exd5 exd4 1 5 Jhe8
'ifxe8 1 6.tt:lxd4 .Q.b7 1 7 .a4 �xdS
1 8.�f4 cS 1 9 .tt:lf5 tt'lb6=. Black's pieces
are well-placed and the pawns are sym­
metrical.
1 3 . ... �c8-b7

203
The Kau!man Repertoire lor Black

Black is clearly better, with . . . c5-c4 and


1 2. tbb1 -c3?!
... tbc5 coming up. As an aside, I drew
games with both of the players in this Both Nakamura in this game and
game, but forty years separated those two Shabalov against me chose this inferior
games! move, after which White has no pros­
pects of getting the advantage.
A) 1 2.lLlbd2 �b7 1 3 .�c2 exd4 (or
RL 25.6 (C95 ) Game 15.3 1 3 . . J:te8 directly) 1 4.lLlxd4 (so far
D Nakamura,Hikaru Khalifman-Short, Bazna 2 0 0 8 . Black con­
• Carlsen,Magnus tinued 1 4 . . J::!. e 8?! and had to struggle for
Medias, 2 0 1 1 (6) a draw; the text is better) 1 4 . . . g6 1 5 .b3
c5 1 6.lLJ4f3 l:Ie8 1 7 .�b2 �c6=. The
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
pressure on e4 offsets White's pressure on
2. tbg1 -f3 tbb8-c6
the long diagonal;
3. �f1 -b5 a7-a6
B) 1 2.cxb5 axb5 1 3 .tbc3 was played by
4. .tb5-a4 tbg8-f6
Bobby Fischer against Spassky in Sveti
5. 0-0 .tf8-e7
Stefan, 1 99 2 , but 1 3 ... b4 looks like a full
6. I;If1 -e1 b7-b5
equalizer;
7. �a4-b3 0-0
C) 1 2.c5 �c7 1 3 .cxd6 �xd6 1 4.�g5
8. c2-c3 d7-d6
�b7=;
9. h2-h3 tbc6-b8
D) 1 2..�.gS h6 1 3 .�h4 lLJhS =. The
1 0. d2-d4 tbb8-d7
bishop exchange should favor Black as
11. c3-c4
the fixed pawns on e4 and e5 leave Black
There were only two grandmaster games with the better bishop;
this century with 1 1 .c4 until this year, E) Probably 1 2 .a3 is the best try, e.g.
but computers like it so it is coming back 1 2 . . . exd4 1 3 .tbxd4 tbe5 1 4.�f4 �b6
now. Bobby Fischer played it and 1 5 . cxb5 axb5 1 6 .lLlc3 l:Ie8 1 7 .tbf3
Khalifman is a great theoretician, so his i.f8=;
choice here is interesting. F) In case of 1 2 .�c2 �b7 1 3 .tbc3 b4
1 4.lLle2 exd4 1 5 .tbexd4 g6 1 6.lLle2 tbc5
1 1 . ... c7-c6
1 7 .lLlg3 aS Black looks better due to his
strong knight on c5. He may later play
... tbfd 7 , ... lLle6, and . . . lLldcS , and/ or
. . . a5-a4, . . . l:Ie8, and . . . �c7 .
1 2. - b5-b4
1 3. tbc3-a4 c6-c5
1 4. d4-d5

1 4.dxc5 dxc5 was Shabalov-Kaufman,


Arlington 2 0 1 0, in which we agreed to a
draw a few moves later when Black was
already a bit better.

2 04
Chapter I S -Breyer Defense

1 4. ... l:tf8-e8
1 5. �b3-c2 tt:Jd7-f8
1 6. a2-a3 a6-a5
1 7. b2-b3 tt:Jf8-g6
1 8. tt:Ja4-b2 �c8-d7
1 9. tt:Jf3-h2 h7-h6
20. tt:Jh2-f1 tt:Jf6-h7

30. ... �a2-a3


31 . �c1 -b1 �a3-a2
32. �b1 -c1 �a2-a3
33. �c1 -b1 '+Wa3-a2
34. �b1 -c1 1f2-1h

RL 2 5 . 7 (C95) Game 15.4


D Robson,Ray
• Kamsky,Gata
21 . tt:Jf1 -e3
Philadelphia, 20 I 0 ( 5 )
The computer prefers 2 l .tbd3 with an
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
even game, to avoid the knight vs. bad
2. 4:Jg1 -f3 tt:Jb8-c6
bishop scenario which occurs in the
3. �f1 -b5 a7-a6
game.
4. �b5-a4 lt:Jg8-f6
21 . ... �e7-g5 5. 0-0 �f8-e7
22. a3xb4 a5xb4 6. l:tf1 -e1 b7-b5
23. l:ta1 xa8 'iWd8xa8 7. �a4-b3 d7-d6
24. tt:Je3-f5 �g5xc1 8. c2-c3 0-0
25. �d1 xc1 �d7xf5 9. h2-h3 tt:Jc6-b8
26. e4xf5 tt:Jg6-f8 1 0. d2-d4 tt:Jb8-d7
11. tt:Jb1 -d2 �c8-b7
Black should be a bit better here since
he has the better knight versus White's
bad bishop, though White's space ad­
vantage is probably enough to hold the
draw.

27. tt:Jb2-d1 tt:Jh7-f6


28. f2-f3 'iWa8-a2
29. g2-g4 l:te8-a8
30. tt:Jd1 -f2

205
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 9 . . .i.h6 ! 2 0 Jhd l d5 would have given


1 2. a2-a3
Black the advantage.
A novelty.
20. l:!.a1 -d1
1 2 . ... c7-c5
1 3. �b3-c2 J:!.f8-e8

1 3 . . . 'li'c7= instead would discourage


1 4. b4, but Black didn't fear it.

1 4. b2-b4 e5xd4
1 5. c3xd4 c5xd4
1 6. tt:lf3xd4

1 6.�b 2 ! i.f8 1 7 .i.xd4 is slightly better


for White, so I recommend the 1 3 . . . 'li'c7
from the previous note.
20. ... �d8-e8
1 6. ... �e7-f8
20 . .. .tg7 2 l .a4 lLle5 looks better for
1 7. �c1 -b2 J:!.a8-c8=
Black.
1 8. �d 1 -b1
21 . a3-a4 b5xa4
1 8 .lLl4f3 lLle5 1 9.llcl g6=.
2 I . . .lLlxe4 2 2. lLlxe4 .txe4 2 3 . .txe4 llxe4
24.'li'b l =.

22. �c2xa4 tt:lf6xe4


23. �a4xd7 �e8xd7
24. tt:ld2xe4 J:!.e7xe4
25. J:!.e1 xe4 �b7xe4
26. �a2xa6

1 8. ... g7-g6

After 1 8 . . . tt:le5 ! 1 9.f4 tt:lc4 2 0.tt:lxc4 bxc4


2 l .�c3 lLlh5 2 2 .lLle2 f5 2 3 .exf5 'li'b6+
24.lLld4 ttJxf4 Black has an attack at no
cost.

1 9. �b1 -a2?1

In case of 1 9 .lLl4f3 lLlh5 Black's pieces are


26 . ... �d7-b7= 1f2-V2
a bit better placed than White's.
With 2 6 . . . i.g7 Black could have kept a
1 9. ... J:!.e8-e7
small edge.

206
Chapter 1 S -Breyer Defense

RL 2 5 . 1 0 (C9 5 ) Game 1.5.5 A) l S .'iY c 2 g 6 1 6 .b3 transposes;


0 Shabalov,Alexander 1 6.axb5 axbS 1 7 ..!lxa8 "ii'x a8 1 8.b4 exd4
• Navara,David 1 9 . cxd4 "ii'a4=;
Khanty-Mansiy sk, 2009 (2) B) J S .lbfl cS 1 6.axb5 axbS I 7 J:ha8
"ii'x a8 1 8 .dxeS lDxeS = I 9 .�xbS i.xe4
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2 0 Jhe4 "ii'x e4 2 J .i.xe8 lbxf3 +
2. tLlg1 -f3 tbb8-c6
2 2 ."ii'xf3 'i!Vxe8 2 3 .c4 "ii'e s 24.b3 dS
3. �f1 -b5 a7-a6
2 5 .cxd5 'i!VxdS 2 6 ."ii'x d5 draw agreed.
4. �b5-a4 tbg8-f6
This was Topalov-Carlsen, Monaco 2 0 1 1
5. 0-0 �f8-e7
(blindfold) ;
6. l::if1 -e1 b7-b5
C) 1 5 .b4 .!lc8 (in earlier games Carlsen
7. �a4-b3 d7-d6
played 1 5 . . . tD b6. The text is his improve­
8. c2-c3 0-0
ment. The idea is to discourage axbS
9. h2-h3 tbc6-b8
though Anand played it anyway)
1 0. d2-d4 tbb8-d7
1 6.axb 5 ? ! ( 1 6.�b2 lbb6=) 1 6 . . . cxb5
11. ttJb1 -d2 �c8-b7
1 7 .�b2 dS 1 8.exd5 exd4. This was
1 2. �b3-c2
Anand-Carlsen, London 2 0 1 0. Black is al­
1 2 .a4 cS 1 3 .�c2 ( 1 3 .d5 c4 1 4.�c2 ready a bit better here but White won
lbcS=) 1 3 .. .'iYc 7 = . after an oversight by Carlsen.

1 2. ... l::rf8-e8 15 . ... g7-g6


1 3. a2-a4 ..Q.e7-f8
1 5 . . . 'i!Vc7 1 6."ii'c 2 l::t a c8 1 7 .i.b2 lbhS
1 4. ..Q.c2-d3
1 8 .�fl lbf4 1 9 .b4 lbb6= was
Engines generally regard this line as the Karjakin-Carlsen from the 20 1 0 World
best against the Breyer and so it has be­ Blitz Championship in Moscow. Whether
come the favorite of the top grand­ 1 5 . . . 'i!Vc7 or 1 5 . . . g6 is better is hard to
masters, though this game and analysis say.
suggest that Black is fme here.
1 6. �d1 -c2
1 4. ... c7-c6
1 6.�b2 exd4 1 7 .cxd4 dS 1 8 .lbe5 i.b4
1 9 .lbxd7 'i!Vxd7 2 0.e5 lbhS 2 1. .�fl
lbf4=, Nisipeanu-Carlsen, Medias 2 0 1 1 .

1 6. . . . J:!:a8-c8
1 7. �c1 -a3

1 7 .�b2 lbhS 1 8 .�fl exd4 1 9 .cxd4 dS


2 0 .e5 b4 Black is better due to ideas like
. . . lbg7 and . . . c6-c5 .

1 7. ... ttJf6-h5!

1 7 . . . exd4 1 8 .cxd4 lbhS 1 9 .g3 lbg7


1 5. b2-b3
2 0 .�fl lbe6 is likely to transpose to the

207
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

game. It does have the merit of avoiding


the equalizing dxeS at any point.

1 8. g2-g3 tt:lh5·g7
1 9. �d3-f1 tt:lg7-e6=

27. ... c6-c5+


28. .ltd6·f4?1 �b7xe4?

28 . . . �c6! 2 9 .bxc5 ttJxcS 3 0 .�e3 iYe7


wins a pawn.

29. tt:lf3-g5 tt:ld7·f6


20. J:ra1 ·d 1 30. �f4·e3?

In an earlier game with Navara (in their 3 0.bxc5 .ta8 3 1 .llxe8+ .ll xe8 3 2 .l:td6 h6
Khanty-Mansiysk, rapid playoff, 2009) 3 3 .tbxf7 iYxf7 34.iYxf7+ <;t>xf7 3 5 .l:txa6
Shabalov played 2 0 .h4 but lost after jLds 3 6.c6 gS 3 7 .i.e3 and White's two
2 0 . . . iYb6 2 1 .�h3 l:tcd8 , though far advanced passers offer full compensa­
20 . . . exd4 2 l .cxd4 �g7 might have been tion for the knight.
better.
30. ..
. �e4-a8-+
20 . ... iYd8-b6 31 . b4xc5 iYa7·b7
21 . iYc2-a2?! 32. c5-c6 iYb7xc6
33. iYa2xf7+ wg8-h8
2 l .dxe5 ttJxeS 2 2 .lLlxe5 dxeS 2 3 .�xf8
34. f2-f3
a'.xf8 = .

21. ... e5xd4


22. c3xd4 .ltf8-g7
23. ka3xd6 tt:le6xd4
24. a4-a5 iYb6-a7

24 ... 't1!Vd8 2 5 .lLlxd4 i.xd4 also favors


Black; 24 . . . ttJxf3 + 2 5 .lLlxf3 iYa7 trans­
poses to the game.

25. tt:lf3xd4 �g7xd4


26. tt:ld2-f3 .ltd4-g7
27. b3·b4?
Now Black erred by 34 . . . h6? which led to
2 7 .iYc2 cS and Black queenside play is a draw after 3 5 .l:tc l iYd7 3 6 .iYxd7
more effective than White's kingside play. lLlxd7. He should have played as follows:

208
Chapter 1 5 -Breyer Defense

34. ... J::.c8-c7 1 4. �c1 -g5


35. l::. d 1 -c1
Gashimov has played this move several
3 5 .'ti'b3 h6 3 6 .l::. c l 'ti'd6-+ . times so it clearly deserves to be taken se­
riously.
35 . ... J::.c7xf7
36. tbg5xf7+ <;i;>h8-g8 14. ... h7-h6
37. l::.c 1 xc6 �a8xc6 1 5. �g5-h4 g7-g6
38. tbf7-g5 h7-h6
Black has tried several other moves here
39. tbg5-e4 tbf6xe4
in high-level games, but White usually
40. f3xe4 �c6xe4
gets the edge against them.
With an extra protected passed pawn and
1 6. tbf1 -h2
a superior position, Black is winning.
1 6 .dxe5 dxeS 1 7 .tb3h2 Jl..e7 1 8.'ti'd2
�g7 1 9 .l::.ad l �c6 2 0 .tbg3 tt:lb6 2 l .'ti'c l
RL 2 5 . 1 2 (C9 5 ) G a me 15.6 tt:lfd 7 2 2 .JI..xe 7 'ti'xe7 2 3 .tt:lg4 �gS
D Gashimov,Vugar 24.tbe3 �g8=.
• Navara,David
1 6 . ... �f8-g7
Reggio Emilia, 20 I 0/ I I (8)

1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. tbg1 -f3 lbb8-c6
3. �f1 -b5 a7-a6
4. �b5-a4 tbg8-f6
5. 0-0 �f8-e7
6. l::.f1 -e1 b7-b5
7. �a4-b3 d7-d6
8. c2-c3 0-0
9. h2-h3 tbc6-b8
1 0. d2-d4 lbb8-d7 1 7. d4xe5
11. lbb1 -d2 �c8-b7
1 7 .tbg4 exd4 1 8 .cxd4 'ti'c8 1 9 .tt:lxf6+
1 2. �b3-c2 l::.f8-e8
tt:lxf6= 20 .e5 dxeS 2 l .dxe5 tbhS 2 2 .JI..e4
1 3. tbd2-f1 �e7-f8
cS and now Black is a bit better due to the
weakness of the eS pawn.

1 7. ... d6xe5
1 8. tbh2-g4 g6-g5
1 9. �h4-g3 tt:lf6xg4
20. h3xg4 �d8-e7
21 . a2-a4 tbd7-c5

Black actually played 2 l . . . c5 2 2 .tbd2 tbf6


2 3 .tbfl 'iVe6 24.f3 hS. White now could

209
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

have gotten an edge by 2 5 .i¥d2 but


1 2. jLb3-c2 l:tf8-e8
played the unclear 2 5 . gxh5 and won any­
1 3. tt:Jd2-f1 �e7-f8
way.
1 4. tt:Jf1 -g3 g7-g6
22. tt:Jf3-d2 l:te8-d8 1 5. gc1 -g5
23. a4xb5 a6xb5
24. �d1 -e2 b5-b4
25. l::r a 1 xa8 jLb7xa8
26. c3xb4 tt:Jc5-e6
27. b4-b5 tt:Je6-f4
28. kg3xf4 e5xf4=

1 5. ... h7-h6

Here this is more logical than after 1 5 .a4


c5 1 6 .d5 c4 1 7 .�g 5 , because now the
bishop should not retreat to e3 due to
1 6 . . . exd4 1 7 .cxd4 lLJxe4.

With the bishop pair in an open position 1 6. jLg5-d2 �f8-g7


for a doubled isolated pawn, Black has 1 7. a2-a4 c7-c5
full compensation. 1 8. d4-d5 c5-c4
1 9. b2-b4

RL 2 5 . 1 4 (C9 5 ) Game 1.5.7 I 9 .�e3 is often played but puts Black a


D Balogh,Csaba tempo up ( . . . �g7 ) on a standard line in
• Mikhalevski, Victor the 1 5 .a4 c5 branch. Black replies
Austria Bundesliga, 2009/ I 0 (3) 1 9 . . . i¥c7 with equality.

1. e2-e4 e7-e5 1 9. ... c4xb3


2. tt:Jg1 -f3 tt:Jb8-c6 20. �c2xb3
3. jLf1 -b5 a7-a6
4. kb5-a4 tt::l g8-f6
5. 0-0 kf8-e7
6. .l:U1 -e1 b7-b5
7. �a4-b3 d7-d6
8. c2-c3 0-0
9. h2-h3 tt:Jc6-b8
1 0. d2-d4 tt:Jb8-d7
11. tt:Jb1 -d2 �c8-b7

210
Chapter 15 -Breyer Defense

20 . ... ttJd7·c5 26 . ... ttJf6xd5


27. a4-a5 ttJd5-b4
An excellent untried alternative to avoid
2 1 . c4 is 2 0 . . . 'i¥c7N 2 1 .'i¥e2 lleb8 27 . . . tLlxb6 2 8 .axb6 dS=.
2 2 .�c2 b4 2 3 .llac l bxc3 24.�d3 tLlcS
28. �c2·e4 d6·d5
2 S ..!:hc3 tt:lfd7 2 6 .�e3 'i¥d8= . Black's
29. lla1-b1 tt:lb4-d3
strong knight on cS offsets his shortage of
30. �e4xd3 c4xd3
space.
31 . Irb1 -b3 e5-e4
21 . c3-c4 �d8-d7 32. ttJd2xe4 d5xe4
22. �d2-a5 lle8-c8 33. ltJg3xe4 d3·d2=
23. �b3-c2 b5xc4 34. �d1 xd2 �d7xd2
24. ttJf3·d2 35. ttJe4xd2 �g7-c3
36. lle1 -e7 �c3xa5
37. lle7xb7 �a5xd2
� 38. llb3·f3 lla8-b8
j. A 39. llf3xf7 .l:!.b8xb7
�l � j. j; 40. llf7xb7 �d2-f4
� 8 j. 41 . g2-g3 llc8-b8
j. 8 42. llb7-a7 llb8xb6
43. g3xf4 llb6-f6
44. �g1-g2 .!:If6xf4
45. lla7xa6 1!2·V2

RL 2 5 . 1 4 {C95) Game 1 5.8


24. ... �b7xd5?!
D Sjugirov,Sanan
24 . . . h5 ! 2 5 .tLlxc4 tt:lcxe4 2 6.tLlb6 tLlxf2 • Navara,David
2 7 .tLlxd7 tt:lxd 1 2 8 .tLlxf6 + �xf6 Peristeri tt, 20 I 0 (5)
2 9 .�xd 1 �xdS 3 0 .tt:le4 �xe4 3 1 . llxe4
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
dS 3 2 .Ite 1 l::!. ab8=. Although a bishop
2. ltJg1 -f3 ttJb8-c6
(especially when part of a pair) is stron­
3. �f1 -b5 a7-a6
ger than three pawns in general, here
4. �b5-a4 ttJg8-f6
Black has two connected passers and
5. 0-0 �f8-e7
control of both open files, so he is not
6. llf1 -e1 b7-b5
worse.
7. �a4-b3 d7-d6
25. e4xd5 ttJc5-b7 8. c2-c3 0·0
26. �a5-b6?! 9. h2·h3 tt:lc6-b8
1 0. d2-d4 tt:lb8-d7
After 2 6 . �c3 ! tLlxdS 2 7 .tLlb 1 'i¥e6
11. ttJb1 -d2 �c8-b7
2 8.�e4 .ll c S 2 9 .�f3 White is slightly
1 2. kb3·c2 l:U8-e8
better. The bishop looks better than the
1 3. ttJd2-f1 �e7-f8
three pawns here.

21 1
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

llxcS 2 5 . .tiad l dS 2 6 .exd5 IIxdS and


1 4. tt:Jf1 -g3 g7-g6
Black has the initiative thanks to his extra
center pawn.

20. 1l.c2-d3 b5-b4


21 . a2-a3 b4xa3

2 1 . . . .ll a 8=.

22. l:ta1 xa3 c6xd5


23. c4xd5 �b7xd5
24. e4xd5 e5-e4
25. 1l.d3-f1

2 5 .�a6 .tia8 2 6 .i.b5 exf3 2 7 ."ti'xf3 "ti'b7


1 5. b2-b3
28 .�c6 �b4 2 9 .llea l ttJeS 3 0 .'il'd l
The idea is to play d4-d5 next and be able lLlxc6 3 l .dxc6 .ll e c8 3 2 .lLle2 IIxc6
to answer . . . c7 -c6 by c3-c4. 3 3 .lla4 "iYb7 34.IIxa5 llxaS 3 5 .1lxaS;!;.
2 5 .-tbs exf3 2 6 ."iYxf3 "iYb7 2 7 J:txas
1 5 . ... �f8-g7
llcS 2 8.�c6 ttJeS 2 9 ."iYd l tbxc6 3 0 .dxc6
1 6. d4-d5 l::ta8-c8
.l:i.xc6=.
This permits . . . c7 -c6 next as the rook can
25. ... e4xf3
recapture to defend d6.
26. "ti'd1 xf3 �c7-c3
1 7. c3-c4 c7-c6 27. l:te1 -a1 l::t e8xe3!?
1 8. �c1 -d2?!
2 7 . . . tbcS =.
1 8 .�e3 ttJb6 = .

1 8. ... a6-a5
1 9. iLd2-e3

28. "ti'f3xe3?1

In case of 2 8 . fxe3 llcS 29.tbe2 "iYb4


3 0 Jh4 �b6 3 1 .b4 axb4 3 2 .tbd4 Black
1 9. ... "ti'd8-c7
has a pawn and a better bishop for the ex­
1 9 . . . �a6! 2 0 .dxc6 .l::lx c6 2 1 .cxb5 �xbS change, which is not quite enough to
2 2 .�d3 �xd3 2 3 ."ti'xd3 tbcs 24.�xc5 claim equality.

212
Chapter 1 5 -Breyer Defense

28. ... �c3xe3 4. �b5-a4 ttJg8-f6


29. f2xe3 ttJf6xd5 5. 0-0 �f8-e7
30 . lla3xa5 jt.g7xa1 6. l:tf1 -e1 b7-b5
31 . l:Ia5xd5 ttJd7-f6 7. �a4-b3 d7-d6
8. c2-c3 0-0
White has returned his material advan-
9. h2-h3 ttJc6-b8
tage, hoping to draw this slightly worse
1 0. d2-d4 ttJb8-d7
position by bishops of opposite color.
11. ttJb1 -d2 �c8-b7
32. lld5-d1 1 2. �b3-c2 l:tf8-e8
1 3. ttJd2-f1 ke7-f8
3 2 J:hd6 �e5 33 . .ll a 6 .l:!.c l 34.tLle2 .l:!.b l
1 4. ttJf1 -g3 g7-g6
3 5 . .l:!.a4 1lxb3+.
1 5. a2-a4 c7-c5
32. .. . ka1 -e5 1 6. d4-d5 c5-c4
33. ttJg3-e2 1 7. �c1 -g5

33 . ... llc8-c2 1 7. ... �f8-e7

Black actually played 3 3 . . . tLle4 and White Usual is 1 7 ...h6 1 8 .�e3 tbcS 1 9.'t!Vd2 h5,
eventually reached a draw. The text keeps but lately 2 0.hc5 has been annoying.
a serious advantage for Black, though of Normally giving up a good paired bishop
course White retains decent drawing like this for a knight is dubious, but the
chances. protected passer and the crippled black ma­
jority justify it. So I prefer Postny's move.

1 8. �g5-e3
RL 2 5 . 1 6 (C9 5 ) Game 1.5.9
D David,Alberto White reasons that he has provoked a
• Postny,Evgeny worsening of Black's bishop location, but
Belgium tt, 2008 /09 (9) it's a minor point here.

1 . e2-e4 e7-e5 1 8. ... �d8-c7


2. ttJg1 -f3 ttJb8-c6
This makes a later . . . tLlcS safe while pre­
3. kf1 -b5 a7-a6
paring Black's next move.

213
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 9. tt:lf3-h2 26. �f3-g3

White aims for f2-f4 or tt:lg4. 2 6.�f2 .ic8 2 7 .tt:ld4 b4 is perhaps a tad
better for White .
1 9. ... .l:re8-b8
26 . ... �f8-g7
This prepares to reactivate the bishop by
27. cot>g1 -h1 �b7-c8
. . . .ic8 , while preparing . . . b5 -b4. How­
28. tt:le2-d4 b5-b4
ever I think that 1 9 . . . tLlcS was a better
29. tt:ld4-c6 b4xc3
way to activate the bishop by
30. b2xc3 ld.b8-b2
. . . .ib7-c8-d 7 :
31 . �f4xe5 d6xe5
1 9 . . . tt:lc5 ! 2 0 . f4 ( 2 0 .tt:lg4 tt:lxg4
2 1 .'iHxg4 kc8 2 2 .�e2 i.d7 =) 2 0 . . . exf4
2 I ..ixf4 .if8 2 2 .tLlf3 tt:lfd7 and Black is
doing well, with ideas of . . . tLlb6 or if : "1'1
2 3 .tLld4 tLleS .

20. f2-f4

2 0.tLlg4! hS 2 1 .tLlxf6+ �xf6 2 2 .tt:lfl 'iY 8


tt:lcs 2 3 .tLld2 .ic8 24.�e2 �d7 and
8
Black is close to equality.
� rJJ
20. ... e5xf4
21 . �e3xf4 tt:ld7-e5 32. .l:rf1 -f2?
22. tt:lh2-f3
3 2 .�£'2= .

32. �c8-b7
33. tt:lc6-d4 �c7-a5
34. tt:ld4-c6 �a5-c7
35. tt:lc6-d4 �c7-c5
36. tt:ld4-c6 �b7xc6
37. d5xc6 �c5xc6
38. lla1 -d1 .ila8-f8
39. �g3-h4 �c6-b6
40. .l:!.f2-e2 �g7-f6
41 . �h4-e1 �f6-g5
22 . ... tt:le5xf3+ 42. l:td1 -d5 �g5-f4
43. a4-a5 �b6-f6
2 2 . . . tt:lfd7 was probably better, and Black
44. �c2-d3 l:!.f8-b8
is doing well.
45. �d3xc4 �b2-b1
23. �d1 xf3 tt:lf6-d7 46. ttd5-d1 l:tb1 xd1
24. .l:le1 -f1 �e7-f8 47. �e1 xd1 �f6-c6
25. tt:lg3-e2 tt:ld7-e5 48. �c4-d5 �c6xc3-+

214
Chapter 1 S -Breyer Defense

49. ... Wg8-g7


50. �f7-a2 �c3-g3
51 . �d 1 -g1 .l:!.b8-c8
52. l:!e2-e1 l:!c8-c2
53. �a2-d5 lac2xg2
54. �g1 xg2 �g3xe1 +
55. �g2-g1 �e1 xa5
56. �g1 -a7+ wg7-h6
57. �a7-f2 �a5-c7
58. '>th1 -g2 a6-a5
As there are attacking chances the bishops
59. �f2-h4+ Wh6-g7
of opposite color do not presage a pawn­
60. 'ib'h4-g4 'ib'c7-c2+
down draw.
61 . Wg2-f1 �c2-d3+
49. �d5xf7+? 62. Wf1 -g2 h7-h5

This regains the pawn but makes Black's And White resigned. If he moves the
attack much stronger. queen forward, he will get mated.

215
The Repertoire in Practice
I played in the 2 0 1 1 U.S. Open just as I was nearing completion of this book, and so I
decided to play strictly according to the repertoire in every game. While my fmal result
was nothing special, the openings were a smashing success. I got an advantage in every
opening but one in which I 'only' equalized as Black against grandmaster Zapata. In
most games I was nearly winning by move 1 2 . Let's look at the openings round by
round. For comparison, my own (USCF) rating was 246 5 .
I n the first round as White against an 1 8 7 8 rated player, the game went l .d4 f5
2.�g5 h6 3 .�h4 g5 4.�g3 �g7 5.e3 ttJf6 6.h4 d6?! 7.hxg5 hxg5 SJhhS+ �xhS

9.1Llc3 with advantage, though 9 .tLlh3 ! g4 1 O.tt:Jf4 tbe4 1 1 .�h4 would have given a big
advantage.
In the second round as Black against a 2 0 1 2 rated player, I played the N eo-Grlinfeld
and he mixed up his move-order and just blundered a pawn on move 8 .
I n the third round as White against a 2 2 0 0 rated player, play went l .d4 d5 2.c4 e6
3 .1Llc3 1le7 4.cxd5 exd5 5.�f4 1Llf6 6.e3 0-0 7.�d3 c6 8.�c2 1Llbd7 9.1Llf3 l:i:e8 1 0.0-0
lt:lfS l l .h3

216
The Repertoire in Practice

This position usually arises with White's bishop on g 5 . Even that position is a bit better
for White, but the bishop is clearly better placed on f4.
1 1 . .. lLJg6 1 2 ...1:i.h2 .te6 1 3.l:l:fc 1 .l:lc8 1 4.l:l:ab 1 cS 1 5 .dxc5 iLxcS

Now 1 6 .b4! was best, with a clear advantage as Black has no compensation for his iso­
lated d-pawn here.

In the fourth round as Black against a 2 2 7 2 rated opponent, the game went l .c4 g6
2.lLJc3 cS 3.t2Jf3 iLg7 4.e3 lLJf6 S.d4 0-0 6 ..te2 dS (transposing to an e3 Griinfeld)
7.0-0 cxd4 8.exd4 lLJc6 9.cxdS ttJxdS 1 0.h3 ..l:i.e6 .

This position is an exact transposition to the main line of the Tarrasch Defense t o the
Queen's Gambit, but with colors reversed. However, although here I am Black, I am not
a tempo down as in the Tarrasch line White plays �g5 and later �e3 , but here I played
. . . il.e6 directly! So as Black I have achieved a position from the White repertoire against
a second-rate defense, so of course this is a success for Black. Play continued 1 1 .l:l:e1
l:rc8 1 2.�gS h6 1 3.�e3 'iVaS 1 4.'iVd2 Wh7 (taking the bishop on e3 was also good now
or on the last move) 1 S .a3 t2Jxc3 16.bxc3 .l:lfd8 1 7 .l:l:ab 1 and now I missed I 7 . . .ii.d 5 !
.

with a clear advantage.

217
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

In round 5 as White against a 2 5 3 9 rated grandmaster the game went l .d4 dS 2.c4 c6
3.tt:Jf3 tt::lf6 4.tt::lc 3 dxc4 S.a4 �fs 6.tt::le 5 tt::lb d7 7.tt::lxc4 tt:lb6 s.tt:Jes aS 9.g3 e6 l O.jLg2
�b4 1 1 .0-0 0-0 1 2.e3 h6 1 33We2 �7 1 4J:tdl 'flfe7 1 5 .e4 l:tfd8 1 6.�f4 tt::lfd7 1 7.tt::ld 3
�d6 1 8.jLxd6 'flixd6

And now I missed 1 9.'i¥e 3 ! tt::lc4 2 0 .'i¥c l with advantage, as Black can neither take on
d4 nor achieve the needed e5 break.

In round 6 as Black against a 2 5 3 9 rated grandmaster play went l .e4 eS 2.tt::l f3 tt::lc6
3.�b5 a6 4.�a4 tt::lf6 5.0-0 �e7 6.l:re l bS 7.jLbJ d6 8.c3 0-0 9.a4 �d7 1 0.d4 h6 l l .h3
l:Ie8 1 2.tt::lbd2 �f8 l J.jLc2 exd4 1 4.tt::lxd4

And now i should have played 1 4 . ..lbe5 ! 1 5 .tt:lfl c5 1 6.tt:le2 �c6 with full equality.

In round 7 as White against a 2 2 3 9 rated FIDE master it went l .d4 tt::lf6 2.c4 g6 3.tt::lc 3
dS 4.tt::lf3 jLg7 5.11Vb3 dxc4 6.'flfxc4 0-0 7.e4 tt::lc6 8.�e2 jLg4 9.d5 �xf3 1 0.gxf3 tt::le S
l l .'flib3 c6 1 2.f4 tt::le d7 1 3.dxc6 bxc6

(see diagram next page)

218
The Repertoire in Practice

;8
.:

14.�e3?, which allowed Black the equalizing combination 14 .'�i'a5 1 5 .0-0 �ab8
•.

1 6.'�'c2 �xb2 ! . Instead either 1 4.0-0 or 1 4.e5 gives a clear advantage; castling leaves
White up the bishop pair in an open position, while 1 4.e5 provokes a dubious pawn
sacrifice with 1 4 . ..ttJ dS .

In round 8 as Black against a 2 2 0 3 rated opponent, play went l .e4 eS 2.f4 dS 3.exd5
exf4 4.tt:lf3 t2Jf6 S ..tc4 tLlxdS 6.0-0 .te6 7.Wi/e2 �e7 8.d4 0-0 9 .tb3 �e8 1 0.c4 tt:le3

(the computer says 1 O tt:lf6 was a much bigger advantage for Black) l l ..txe3 fxe3
...

1 2.tt:lc3

And now I should have played 1 2 . . . �f6 with advantage.

In round 9 as White against a 2 3 3 1 rated opponent the game went l .d4 e6 2.c4 fS
3 .tt:lf3 tt:lf6 4.l2Jc3 dS S.�gS (S . .tf4 is also strong) S c6 6.e3 .td6 7 . .td3 0-0 8.0-0
•..

�e8 9.�f4! �e7 1 0.hd6 �xd6.

(see diagram next page)

219
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

White is obviously better as Black has traded his good bishop for White's weaker one,
and Black also lags in development.

Three weeks later I played in the Atlantic Open and again stuck strictly to the repertoire.
I got five out of five favorable openings. All opponents were rated above 2 1 0 0 , one was
IM and one was FM. In my three White games I won one in 1 7 moves and in the other
two I was probably winning by about move 2 0 . In the Black games I was better by
moves 7 and 1 4 respectively.

Round 1 , White vs. 2 1 7 4: l .d4 dS 2.c4 c6 3.t2Jf3 t2Jf6 4.lLJc3 e6 s . .igs h6 6 ..itx.f6 �x.f6
7.e3 g6 8.�d3 i.g7 9.0-0 0-0 1 0.e4 dxc4 l l .eS �e7 1 2.�xc4 bS?! 1 3 ..id3 (computer
says 1 3 .ile2 was even better) 1 3 ... l2Jd7 1 4.l:rc1 .itb7 1 S.lLJe4 l:!:ab8

Now 1 6. �e 1 keeps Black bottled up and his bishop pair is ineffective and does not
compensate for his many problems. I actually played 1 6.lLJd6 , when 1 6 . . . c5 ! would
have equalized. Black missed this and I won easily.

220
The Repertoire in Practice

Round 2 , Black vs. 2 2 6 3 (tournament co-winner) : l .e4 eS 2.�c4 tt:lf6 3.d3 c6 4.tt:lf3 dS
S .exdS?! cxdS 6.i.b5+ �d7 7.a4 i.d6 (computer likes 7 . . . a6 even more) 8.d4 e4 9.tt:le5
0-0 1 0.0-0

And now 1 O . �e6 ! was best, with advantage to Black. I played 10 ...�c7 and still kept
..

advantage until move 1 9 .

Round 3 , White vs. 2 1 7 2 : l .d4 ctJf6 2.c4 g6 3.ltJc3 �g7 4.e4 d6 S.ttJf3 0-0 6.ilLe2 eS
7.0-0 tt:lbd7 8.�e3 exd4?! 9.tt:lxd4 tt:lcS 1 0.f3 tt:le6 l l .ctJc2 a6 12.�d2 J:!.bS 1 3.l::la dl
�d7

Now best was 1 4.c5 ! tt:le8 1 5 f4 ! with a probably winning advantage. I played 14.f4 di­
.

rectly and won a piece on move 1 8 .

Round 4 White vs. FM, 2 246: l .d4 f5 2.i.gs tt:lf6?! 3.�xf6 exf6 4.e3 dS S.c4 i.b4+
,

6.tt:lc3 �xc3+?! 7.bxc3 c6 8.�c2 �e6 9.cxd5 cxdS?! 1 0.�d3 �d7 l l .ltJe2 tt:lc6 1 2.J:!.b l
.!lb8?! 1 3.tt:lf4 g6

221
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 4.c4 (computer says 1 4.h4 was objectively best and close to winning) 14 ... dxc4
1 5.�xc4 kxc4 1 6.'ifxc4 'iff7?? (Black should play 1 6 . . . llc8 with a bad but maybe not
lost position) 1 7.'ifxc6 +! Resigned.

Round 5 , Black vs. IM, 2 5 2 1 : l .e4 eS 2.�c4 tt:lf6 3.d3 c6 4/t:Jf3 dS 5.�b3 �b4+ 6.c3
�d6 7.tt:lbd2 0-0 8.0-0 tt:lbd7 9.llel l:!.e8 I O.tt:lfl h6 l l .tLlg3 ttJfS 1 2.h3 tt:lg6=
1 3.tt:lh2?! �cS (maybe 1 3 . . ..te6 was even better) 1 4.tLlh5

And now I should have traded knights and then played . . . ke6 , with advantage. I actu­
ally played 14 ...�e6 directly, which allowed 1 5.tt:lxf6+ 'ifxf6 1 6.d4, but after 1 6 ...�b6
I retained an edge.

So as you can see, the repertoire worked very well, even against two grandmasters. In
fourteen games, only one player, a GM playing White, managed to reach an equal ope­
ning against my repertoire! Now if only I could play the whole game as well as the ope­
ning. . !
.

222
Index of Variations ( Black)
U n usual O pen ing M oves
I .b4 (Polish) l ...e5 2 ...1lb2 bb4 3 ..be5 lLlf6 (Game 1 . 1 ) . .8
:i .. .t if � .t .. .i l .b3 (Larsen) l . . . e5 2 . .2.b2 lLlc6 3 .e3 lLlf6 4 ..2.b5 .2.d6
.t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. 5 .lLla3 lLla5 (Game 1 .2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
l .f4 (Bird) 1 ... lLlf6 2.lLlf3 d5
- 3 .e3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
- 3.g3 c6 4 ...\lg2 'iWb6 (Game 1 . 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

1 .c4 g 6 - English Opening


2.lLlf3 c5 3.g3 kg? 4.kg2 lLlc6 (Game 2 . 1 ) . . . . . . . . . . 18
2 .e4 e5
- 3 .lLlf3 ..llg 7 4.d4 exd4 5 .lLlxd4 lLlf6 6.lLlc3 0-0 . . . . 20
- 3 .d4 lLlf6 4.lLlf3 exd4 5 .e5 lLle4
6.'ilixd4 ..llb4+ (Game 2.2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
l .lLlf3 lLlf6 2 .g3 d5 3 . .2.g2 g6
- 4.0-0 .2.g7 5 .d3 0-0 6.lLlbd2 d4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
!'!, £:, £:, !'!, £:, !'!, £:, - 4.c4 dxc4 (Reti) (Game 2.3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
.l:I tt:l �'if� � ltj �

1 .tt::lf 3 tt::lf6 2.c4 b6 - Queen's I ndian versus Reti


3 .g3 .2.b7 4.kg2 g6 5 .d4 .2.g7 (Game 3 . I ) . . . . . . . . . . . 28
:i � .t � � .t :i 3 .d4 ..llb 7 4.lLlc3 e6
.t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. - 5 ...\lg5 h6 6 . ..\lh4 .2.e7 (Game 3.2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
.t. .. - 5 .a3 d5 6.cxd5 lLlxd5
- 7 . ..lld2 lLld7 (Game 3 .3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3I
!'!, - 7.e3 ..lle 7 (Game 3 .4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
- 7 . 'iWc2 lLlxc3
- 8.'iWxc3 h6
- 8.bxc3 c5 (Game 3 . 5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

1 .tt::lf3 tt:Jf6 2.c4 g 6 3 .tt::l c 3 d5 - Anti -Grunfeld


4.'iWa4+ ..lld 7 5 .'iWb3 dxc4 6.'fkxc4 a6
- 7 .e4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 9
- 7 .g3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
. - 7 .d4 b5 8 .'iWb3 c5 (Game 4. 1 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
4.cxd5 lLlxd5
- 5 .e4 lLlxc3 6.dxc3 'iWxd l + 7 .Wxd l (Game 4.2) . . . 4 1
- 5 .'iWb3 lLlb6 6.d4 ..llg 7 7 .e4 kg4
- 5 .'iWc2 lLlc6 6.d4 lLldb4 7 .'iWa4 kd7 (Game 4.3) . . 44
- 5 .'iWa4+ lLlc6 (Game 4.4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
- 5.g3 .2.g7 6.kg2 0-0 7.0-0 c5 (Game 4.5) . . . . . . . 49

223
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 .d4 tt:Jf6 - Queen's Pawn O pen i ngs


2.<�jc3 d5 3 .�g5 (Veresov) 3 ... h6 (Game 5 . 1 ) . . . . . . . . . 54
2.�g5 (Trompowsky) 2 ... d5 (Game 5.2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 7
2.ti:lf3 g6
- 3 .ti:lc3 dS 4.�f4 (Barry) (Game 5 .3) . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
- 3 .e3 (Colle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
- 3 .�g5 (Torre) 3 ...�g7 4.ti:lbd2 0-0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
- 3 .�f4 (London System) 3 ... �g7 4.e3 d6 5 .h3 0-0
6.�e2 c5 7 .c3 'i'ib6 (Game 5 .4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

1 .d4 tt:Jf6 2.c4 g6 - Neo-Grli nfeld


3 .f3 ti:lc6 (Game 6. 1 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
3 .g3 �g7 4.�g2 d5
- 5 .cxd5 ti:lxd5 6.e4 ti:lb6 7.ti:le2 (Game 6.2) . . . . . . . 68
- S .ti:lf3 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 (Game 6.3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
- 5 .cxd5 ti:lxdS 6.ti:lf3 ti:lb6 7 .ti:lc3 ti:lc6
- 8.0-0
-..
- 8.e3 0-0 9.0-0 l:!.e8 (Game 6.4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2
/':, /':, ··, . /':, !'i /':, /':,
.l:l tt:l ��w � tt:l .l:l

1 .d4 tt:Jf6 2.c4 g6 3.tt:Jc3 d5 - Grlinfeld, Non-Exchange l i nes


4.h4, 4.g4, 4.'i'ia4+ (Game 7 . I ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 7
4.e3 (Game 7.2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 9
4.�g5 ti:le4 5.�4 ti:lxc3 6.bxc3 dxc4 7 .e3 �e6
- 8 .ti:lf3 (Game 7.3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 1
- 8.l:!.b l 83
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

- 8 .�e2 (Game 7.4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3


4.ti:lf3 � g 7 5 .�g5 ti:le4
- 6.cxd5 (Game 7 .5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
- 6.�f4 (Game 7.6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 7
4.�f4 �g7
- 5 .ti:lf3 0-0
- 6.e3 cS (Game 7. 7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
- 6.l:!.c l dxc4 (Game 7 . 8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
- 5 .e3 0-0
- 6.cxd5 ti:lxdS 7.ti:lxd5 'iYxdS 8.�c7 (Game 7.9) . 9 1
- 6.l:!.cl �e6
- 7 .'ilb3 cS
- 7 .ti:lf3 dxc4 (Game 7 . I 0) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 2
4.ti:lf3 �g7 5.�b3 dxc4 6.�xc4 0-0 7 .e4 a6
- 8.e5 b5 9.'i'ib3 ti:lfd7 I O.e6 fxe6 (Game 7 . 1 1 ) . . . . 94
- 8 .�e2 bS 9.�b3 c5 I O.dxcS �e6 (Game 7. 1 2) . . . 96

2 24
Index of Variations (Black)

1 .d4 tt:Jf6 2.c4 g6 3.tt:Jc3 d5 4.cxd5 tt:Jxd5 - Grunfeld Exchange


S .t2Ja4 �g7 6.e4 t2Jb6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I 02
s .'it'b3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 02
S . .2.d2 i.g7 6.e4 t2Jb6 7 ..2.e3 0-0 8.h3 eS (Game 8 . 1 ) . 102
S .e4 t2Jxc3 6.bxc3 .2.g7
- 7 .'\Wa4+ t2Jd7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I OS
- 7 .i.a3 t2Jd7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . ....
. . . I OS
- 7 .i.gS cS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I OS
- 7 ..2.bS+ c6 8 .i.a4 0-0 9.t2Je2 bS (Game 8 . 2) . . . . lOS
- 7 .t2Jf3 cS
- 8 .i.e2 t2Jc6
- 8.h3 0-0 9 .ke2 t2Jc6 I 0 ..2.e3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I 06
- 8 ..2.bS+ t2Jc6 (Game 8.3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I 06
- 8 .i.e3 'tWaS
- 9 .t2Jd2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I 08
- 9.'\Wd2 0-0 I O . .!lc l .!ld8 (Game 8 .4) . . . . 1 08
- 8 . .!lbl 0-0 9.�e2
- 9 ... cxd4 I O.cxd4 WaS+
- I I .'\Wd2
- J I .i.d2 Wxa2 1 2.0-0 b6 1 3 .�c l
- 1 3 ... i.b7 1 4.i.c4 �a4 1 S .�bS 'lWa2
1 6 . .!le l .!lc8 1 7 .'\Wd l
- 1 7 ... e6 (Game 8 . S) . . . . . . . . . . . . I IO
- 1 7 ... '\Wc2 (Game 8.6) . . . . . . . . . . 112
- 1 3 ... 'i'!Ve6 (Game 8 . 7 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 14
- 9 ... t2Jc6 I O.ds t2Jes I I .lLJxeS .2.xeS
1 2 .'\Wd2 e6 1 3 .f4 �c7 (Game 8.8) . . . . . . . 1 16
- 7 .kc4 cS 8.t2Je2 t2Jc6 9.�e3 0-0 1 0.0-0
- I O ... e6 (Game 8.9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 19
- I O ... 'i¥c7 I I . :!:le i b6 (Game 8. 1 0) . . . . . . . . . 1 20
- I O . . . b6 (Game 8 . 1 1 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 24

225
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

1 .e4 e5 - Center Game and Ponziani, Bishop's O peni ng and


Vienna, and Gambits
2.d4 (Center Game) 2 ... exd4 3 .�xd4 tll c6 4.�e3 ttlf6
5 .tll c 3 �b4 6.�d2 0-0 7 .0-0-0 l::!.e 8
- 8 . .2.c4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 29
- 8.�g3 tllxe4 (Game 9. 1 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 29
2.tllf3 tllc6 3.c3 (Ponziani) 3 ...d5 4.�a4 f6 5.d3 (Game 9.2) . 1 30
2.�c4 (Bishop's Opening) 2.. .ttlf6
- 3.d3 c6 4.tllf3 dS S ..2.b3 �b4+ 6 ..2.d2 (Game 1 0. 1 ) 1 34
- 3 .ttlc3 �cS 4.d3 c6 S .ttlf3 (Game 1 0.2) . . . . . . . . 1 3 7
2.tllc 3 (Vienna Game) 2.. .ttlf6 3 .f4 d S (Game I 0.3) . . . 1 3 8
2.f4 (King's Gambit) 2...dS 3 .exdS exf4 4.tllf3 tll f6
- S .-'i.c4 (Game l l . I ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 44
- S .c4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 45
- s.tll c3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 45
- S ..2.bS + (Game 1 1 .2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 45
2 ..2.c4 tll f6 3 .d4 exd4 4.ttlf3 (Urusov Gambit)
4 ... -'l.b4+ (Game 1 1 . 3 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 47
2.d4 exd4 3 .c3 (Danish Gambit) 3 ... �e7 4.cxd4
�xe4+ (Game 1 1 .4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 49

1 .e4 e5 2.t2Jf3 t2Jc6 - Other Gam bits and Scotch and Fou r Knights
Open i ng
3 .d4 exd4
- 4.�c4 (Scotch Gambit) 4...�c5 5.0-0 d6 6.c3 �g4 . . 1 5 1
- 4.c3 (Goring Gambit) 4 ... dxc3
- S .�c4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5 1
- S .tllx c3 (Game l l . S) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l S I
3 .�c4 .2-cS 4.b4 (Evans Gambit) 4 ...�xb4 S .c3
- S ...�e7 (Game 1 1 . 6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I S 3
- S ...�aS 6.d4 d6 7 .�b3 �d7 (Game 1 1 . 7) . . . . . . 1 S4
3 .d4 (Scotch) 3 ... exd4 4.ttlxd4 ttlf6 S .tll xc6 bxc6 6.eS �e7
7 .�e2 tlld S 8.c4 tll b6
- 9 .tll d 2 aS
- 9.b3 aS (Game 1 2. 1 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 S 8
- 9.tll c3 �b7 (Game 1 2.2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 60
3 .tllc 3 ttlf6 (Four Knights)
- 4.d4 (Scotch Four Knights) 4 ... exd4
- S .ttldS (Belgrade Gambit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 62
- S.ttlxd4 (Game 1 2.3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 62
- 4.a3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 64
- 4.tll xeS (Halloween) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6S
- 4.g3 (Glek) (Game 1 2.4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 64
- 4.�c4 (Italian) 4 ... tllxe4 S .ttlxe4 dS 6.�d3 . . . . . . 1 66
- 4.�bS (Spanish) 4 ... .2-cS (Game 1 2 .S) . . . . . . . . . 1 66

226
Index of Variations (Black)

1 .e4 e5 2.4Jf3 4Jc6 3.�c4 �c5 - Italian Game


4.0-0 tt:lf6 5 .d4 .axd4 6.tt:lxd4 tt:lxd4 7 .f4 d6 8.fxe5 dxe5
9._ag5 �e7 I O.tt:la3 l:i:g8 (Game 1 3 . 1 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 70
4.c3 tt:lf6
- 5 .d4 exd4 6.cxd4 �b4+
- 7 . tt:lc3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I 72
- 7 . .ad2 (Game 1 3 .2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 72
- 5 .d3 0-0
- 6.b4 �e7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . . 1 74
- 6 . .ab3 d5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . . 1 75
- 6.tt:lbd2 d6 7 .�b3 tt:le7 . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . . 1 75
- 6.0-0 d6 (Game 1 3 . 3 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . . 1 74
1 .e4 e5 2.4Jf3 4Jc6 3.�b5 a6 - Spanish Offshoots
4 . .axc6 dxc6 5 . 0-0
- 5 . . .f6 6.d4 _ag4 (Game 1 4. 1 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 1
- 5 ... .ag4 (Game 1 4.2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 2
4 . .aa4 tt:lf6
- 5 .d3 d6 (Game 1 4. 3 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 84
- 5 .d4 exd4 6.0-0 �e7 (Game 1 4.4) . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 86
- 5 .'�e2 (Wormald) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 88
- 5 . 0-0 �e7
- 6.�e2 (Worrall) (Game 1 4.5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 88
- 6.d3 b5 7 ..ab3 d6 8 .a4 .ad? (Game 1 4.6) . . . 1 9 0
- 6.�xc6 dxc6 (Game 1 4. 7 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9 1
- 6.l:i:e l b5 7 . .ab3 d6 8 .c3 0-0
- 9 .d3 (Game 1 4.8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9 3
- 9.d4 .ag4
- I O.d5 tt:la5 I 1 . .ac2 c6 (Game 1 4.9) . 1 9 5
- I O.�e3 exd4 l l .cxd4 d5 (Game 1 4. 1 0) . 1 96

1 .e4 e5 2.4Jf3 4Jc6 3.�b5 a6 4.�a4 4Jf6 5.0-0 �e7 6 .�e1 b5 7.�b3
d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 4Jb8 - Breyer Defense
I O.d3 (Game 1 5 . 1 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 1
I O.d4 tt:lbd7
- l i .tt:lh4 l:i:e8 1 2.tt:lf5 �f8 (Game I 5.2) . . . . . . . . . 202
- l l .c4 c6 (Game I 5.3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
- l l .tt:lbd2 �b7
- 1 2.a3 c5 (Game 1 5 .4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
- 1 2.�c2 l:i:e8
- 1 3 .a4 .af8 1 4.�d3 c6 (Game 1 5 .5) . . . . . 207
- 1 3 .tt:lfl �f8
- 1 4 . .ag5 h6 1 5 . .ah4 g6 (Game l 5 .6) . 209
- 1 4.tt:lg3 g6
- I 5.�g5 h6 1 6.�d2 _ag7 (Game I 5.7) 2 1 0
- I 5 .b3 �g7 1 6 .d5 l:i:c8 (Game I 5.8) . 2 1 1
- I 5.a4 c5 1 6.d5 c4 (Game I 5.9) . . . . . 2 1 3

227
The Kaufman Repertoire for Black

Index of Players
Numbers refer to pages.

A Dominguez Perez I 0 9, I 22 Ivanchuk 42, 1 74


Adams 54, 1 7 0 Dorfman 44
Akopian 1 86 Dueball 203 J
Alexeev 45 Durarbeyli 1 90 Jankovic 39
Almasi 31 Jansa 1 05
Anand 1 24, 1 5 3 , 207 E Jobava 31
Andreikin 138 Efimenko 1 5 3 , 1 84, 1 8 8
Arbau 1 47 Elianov 87 K
Areschenko 47, 1 84 Erenburg 1 90 Kamsky 44, 8 1 , 94, 205
Aronian 1 09, 1 24 Ernst 1 08 , 1 1 4 Karjakin 1 74, 207
Avrukh 82 Esserman 1 66 Kasparov 1 53
Azarov 1 96 Evdokimov 1 02 Kaufman 7 3 , 8 3 , 8 5 , 9 3 ,
9 5 , 1 05 , 1 90- 1 9 1 , 1 9 3 ,
B F 20 1 , 204
Bacallao Alonso 47 Fayvinov 1 59 Kaufman! 1 59
Bacrot 73 Feller 1 22 Khalifman 2 04
Balogh 210 Fier 1 20 Korneev 1 66
Beliavsky 195 Filippov 1 54 Korobov 1 22
Berbatov 1 68 Fischer 2 04 Kostic 9
Bezgodov 1 64 Fressinet 1 53 Kovchan 87
Bitoon 8 Kramnik 1 3 8 , 1 60
Bologan 1 34 G Kritz 79
Bruzon Bautista 68 Gajewski 1 16 Krivolapov 1 49
Brynell 34 Gashimov 209 Krush 8 3 , 1 05
Byrne 202 Gelfand 73, 8 1 Kudrin 93
Ghararnian 70 Kurnosov 2 8 , 3 9, 45
c Giri 72
Carlsen 2 9 , 7 2 , 1 03 , 1 24, Grandelius 39 L
1 44, 2 04, 2 0 7 Grigore 89 Lafuente 12
Caruana 1 20 Grischuk 7 3 , 1 24 Lahno 59
Cebalo 77 Gustafsson 1 08 Lastin 201
Cornette 1 09 Laylo 1 04
Cubas 171 H Le Quang Liem 68
Hammer 1 68 Legky 62
D Haslinger 1 62 Leko 29
Danielian 32 Hebden 60 Li Chao 46, 92
Danielsen 12 Heimann 1 22
David 213 M
Delchev 1 93 I Maiorov 70
Delorme 1 30 Istratescu 62 Malakhov 18

228
Index of Players

Malaniuk 1 47 Petrisor 1 67 Svetushkin 1 19


Mareco 171 Petrov 1 64 Svidler 94, 1 02 , 1 0 9
Markos 46 Poluliakhov 1 12
Markowski 21 Polzin 1 88 T
Martinovic 28 Ponkratov 39 Tegshuren 73
Meier 49 Ponomariov 10 Ter Sahakyan 1 86
Mekhitarian 89 Popilski 82 Timofeev 90
Melkumyan 1 45 Posmy 213 Tomashevsky 20
Meszaros 151 Potkin 1 09 Topalov 44, 69, 1 24, 207
Michaelsen 1 10 Tseshkovsky 41 , 1 12
Mikhalevski 210 R Tukmakov 203
Miladinovic 57 Riazantsev 7 7 , 96
Milman 191 Ris 1 58 v
Mista 1 44 Robson 7 3 , 1 54, 2 0 5 Vachier-Lagrave 44, 47 ,
Miton 47 Rodshtein 96 182
Movsesian 1 70 Romanishin 21 Vaisser 1 05
Roussel Roozmon 1 44 Vallejo Pons 1 28
N Rukavina 202 Van der Weide 1 58
Nakamura 1 0, 69, 204 Visser 137
Navara 1 04, 1 95 , s Vitiugov 47
2 07-209, 2 1 1 Savchenko 1 30 Vovk 1 34
Nepomniachtchi 42, 1 22 , Schlosser 9 Vuckovic 84
1 28 Schmikli 151
Nguyen 92 Schneider 1 62 w
Ni Hua 66 Shabalov 94-9 5 , 2 04, Wang Yue 9 1 , 1 03 , 1 0 6,
Nielsen 1 67 2 0 7-208 1 44
Nijboer 1 14 Shankland 20 1 Wells 1 10
Nikolic 1 90 Shirov 1 60 , 1 82
Nikolov 1 93 Short 1 54, 204 X
Nisipeanu 2 07 Shulman 1 09 Xu Jun 1 06
Nogrady 1 49 Shvedchikov 85
Sjugirov 211 y
p Smeets 181 Yakovenko 91
Pahtz 201 So 8 , 49
Palliser 60 Sokolov 1 37, 1 8 1 z
Panchanathan 47 Solak 57 Zakhartsov 34
Parligras 32 Sosa 135 Zapata 1 93
Pashikian 1 09 Spassky 204 Zhang Ziyang 66
Pavlov 1 96 Stefanova 59 Zhou Jianchao 1 8, 1 1 9
Pelletier 1 18 Suba 41 Zilka 1 22
Perelshteyn 1 54 Sulskis 1 45 Zivanic 79
Pert 54 Sutovsky 20, 84, 1 09 , 1 1 6 Zubov 90

229

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