Download PGN of August '11 Dragon Sicilian games

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Yugoslav Attack 9 0-0-0 d5 10 exd5 [B76]

Yes, Howell - Pert is in the Yugoslav Attack 9 0-0-0 d5 with 12...Nxc3. Richard has been checking out our site but will probably be more inclined to go with 19...Ra5 in future as his 19...Rfd8?! sadly doesn't quite appear to cut it:

Nice controlled play by David though, who converts his advantage well.

The game Blomqvist - PH Nielsen made for better viewing for Black. Here, though, in 9 0-0-0 d5 Black opts for 12...Bxd4 and specifically for the non b2-b3 provoking 14...Qc7:

Of course this is old hat for this site but this is a nice game by Black that particularly highlights the downside of the standard h2-h4 in this system.

Still with 9 0-0-0 d5 and something that may well get the juices flowing is the 13...Rb8!? of Priyadharshan - Robson:

Yes, here Black didn't even bolster d5, so offloaded a pawn and the exchange too, as he never bothers moving that f8-rook. The result, a bundle of compensation and an impressive Black win. So is this all sound and/or should White avoid taking the knight on d5 so soon? This is sure to be on the menu in the future.

9 Bc4 [B78]

Okay moving away from 9 0-0-0 and in 9 Bc4 a usual place to start is with the good old Kb1 and g4 system and forum followers will be pleased to see the game Bok - Cheparinov, as it features the intriguing and very much of interest 15...b4!?:

In this encounter White runs with his king via 18 Kc1!? after taking the exchange. Indeed the white king does make it over to the kingside but Black demonstrates adequate compensation before unfortunately overplaying his hand.

Actually then we have two offbeat variations as firstly after 9 Bc4 Bd7 10 0-0-0 in Kravtsiv - Antipov Black plays 10...Ne5 (instead of 10...Rc8) and White responds with 11 Be2 (instead of 11 Bb3). What ensues is something a little different but packed full of entertainment nevertheless.

8 Bc4 Qb6 [B75]

Finally in Vovk - Odendahl White deletes Qd2 (possibly aiming for the Qe2 variation) but after 8 Bc4 Black seeks to punish his opponent with 8...Qb6:

Gawain observes that it is a long time since we looked at this variation and nicely brings everything up to date by seriously questioning the amount of compensation White gets for his pawn sacrifice.

We hope you enjoy the above.

Best wishes, Chris and Gawain (and probably Richard too!)

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To get in touch with me subscribers can email me at Chris Ward@ChessPublishing.com.