Download PGN of September ’23 Daring Defences games
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Grünfeld 4.Bg5 Ne4 5.Bf4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.e3 0-0 [D80/91]
In Antipov, M2 - Woodward, A Black opted for the well known queen exchange line after 6...Bg7 7.e3 0-0 8.Nf3 c5 9.cxd5 Qxd5 10.Be2 cxd4 11.cxd4 Qa5 12.Qd2 Qxd2+ 13.Kxd2:
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Black found a new and good way to equalize.
Grünfeld Exchange 7.Nf3 c5 8.h3 0-0 9.Be2 Nc6 10.Be3 [D85]
In Eljanov, P - Chirila, I After the initial moves 7.Nf3 c5 8.h3 0-0 9.Be2 Nc6 10.Be3 Qa5:
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We reached a popular line but without taking on d4 which we will examine in the next game. Black was doing OK, but I am not sure that White chose the right plan.
The opening moves in Matlakov, M - Xu, Xiangyu were the same as in the previous game, but after 10.Be3 Black took on d4 10...cxd4 and after 11.cxd4 Qa5+ 12.Bd2 Qa3 we come to the main plan in this system.
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An interesting practical game, but I added some analysis as well in other options.
Grünfeld Exchange 8.Bb5+ Nc6 9.0-0 0-0 10.Bxc6 bxc6 11.Qc2 [D85]
In Andreikin, D - Dubov, D after8...Nc6 9.0-0 0-0 10.Bxc6 bxc6 11.Qc2 we reach another very popular line for White in which Black has serious problems finding anything but chances to fight for a draw.
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However, here Black came up with an interesting pawn sacrifice that is worth analyzing.
Grünfeld Exchange 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Be3 0-0 10.h4 [D87]
In Chigaev, M - Nepomniachtchi, I White opted for the unpopular, but rather venomous, line after 7...c5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Be3 0-0 10.h4!?:
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A sharp game in which White outplayed one of the leading Grünfeld players, had an advantage, then a forced win, but the game ended in a draw anyway. This line is not as simple for Black as one might think.
Grünfeld 5.h4 dxc4 6.e4 c5 7.d5 b5 [D90]
Indjic, A - Preotu, R featured a very sharp line that still has a lot of hidden possibilities. In the analysis I have given some sharp ideas that are not possible to find in other openings I think. After 5...dxc4 6.e4 c5 7.d5 b5 we came to this position:
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White soon offerred his rook, which Black refused, but then Whote insisted!.
Grünfeld Defence Russian system 7...Nc6 8.Be2 e5 9.d5 [D97]
After the initial moves Santos Latasa, J - Issabayev, DBlack played 7...Nc6 and there followed 8.Be2 e5 9.d5 Nd4 10.Nxd4 cxd4 11.Qxd4 c6:
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Actually Black sacrificed some more pawns but missed a chance to reach good play
Grünfeld Defence Russian system 7...a6 8.e5 Nfd7 [D97]
In Firouzja, A - So, W we saw a rare guest in recent times, as after 7...a6 8.e5 Black opted for 8...Nfd7 instead of the usual 8...b5.
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However, Black got a good game very fast. Of course, I analyzed some other aspects that might be more critical for the evaluation of this line.
Till next month, best wishes Milos.
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