What's New- April '04
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Hello everyone! Greetings to all my chess friends around the world. I hope this April 2004 update finds everyone well! |
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To download the April '04 Open Sicilian games directly in PGN form, just click here: 
Paulsen/Taimanov [B40 to B49]
Lets start with Naditsch - Schmaltz (B42). This variation is one of the better choices. The Kan lines that lead to Hedgehogs tend to get passive, this one doesn't. Another line I like are the ones where Black plays ...Qb6. GMs Goldin and Smirin have had alot of success in these lines. After 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 d4 cd4 4 Nd4 a6 5 Bd3 Bc5 6 Nb3 I prefer 6...Be7 over the 6...Ba7 retreat as well:
            
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Alot of this stuff will look like the Benko System Sozin (B57), I don't like White's 8 N1d2 unless White menaces the d6 and b6 squares with a fast Nc4 which he didn't. 8 Nc3, or 8 c4 among others look more to the point.
Richter-Rauzer [B60 to B69]
Our lone Richter Rauser is in the (B60) section where Hracek took care of Heberla in Game two after Black misplayed the opening. Allowing 13 Bb5 made things very ugly for Black:
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I believe that this 6...Bd7 is playable (other lines are much more reliable), but Black must pay attention and of course knowing the theory would help. From White's point of view 7 Be2!? is supposed to be best, but other choices are fine as well.
Scheveningen [B80 to B89]
What would we do if we didn't have at least one English Attack? Well here it is. I didn't like White's handling of the opening in Socko - Shipov (B80) one bit. White delayed g4 till it was too late and Black built up a comfortable initiative. The voluntary 10 Nb3?! only added to White's woes. Move orders are important in this variation and can lead to unpleasantly passive positions for either side. Aggression is what makes this line attractive.
For a change I figured a look at the Be2 Scheveningen/Najdorf complex is in order. Lets start off with one of my favorite players on the White side...checkout Bologan - Schlosser (B84) where Black fell victim to a maniacal attack. I'm not convinced it was entirely sound, but it was straightforward and brutal. To avoid such misery the Black king might want to hangout in the center for a few more moves. There are other alternatives that slow Black down. ...Nc5 ideas make sense.
Najdorf [B90 to B99]
Rojas - Vasquez (B90) saw White try 6 h3 and I'm surprised at players passing over easy equality with 6...e6 7 g4 d5!?:
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this also works against 6 Rg1 in the same way. Black Najdorf players shouldn't fear stuff like this.
Lets hang around the Najdorf and look at some other move six alternatives.
The 2nd 6 Be2 game (with the Schevy one above) is in the Najdorf with 6...e5. Jansa - Dvorak (B92) saw White have a very easy time of it in a bishop of opposite color middlegame. Black must contest d5 or look for counterplay with Qc4 ideas. The note Calzetta-Paehtz looked ok for Black. If played correctly Black should be able to get c-file play.
See you all in May!
Good Luck, Adios, GM John Fedorowicz
P.S. Feel free to contact me at the Forum (above) or send stuff to my email at feddy@mindspring.com (subscribers only). I'll try to answer your questions as soon as possible. I've had problems replying when contacted through Chess Publishing at thefed@chesspublishing.com. Thanks! Fed.