What's New- July '04
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Welcome to my very late July update, I hope this update finds everyone well. I was trying to qualify for the 2004 USA Championship, but was unsuccessful. I choked with Black twice in last round situations. Sorry once again for the lateness of this July update - I should have caught up by the September update. Fed |
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Hello everyone!Anyway lets look at some chess.
To download the July '04 Open Sicilian games directly in PGN form, just click here: 
Sveshnikov/Kalashnikov Variation [B32-B33]
I guess we'll start off the Sveshnikov variation (B33) with Ganguly - Ris.
White played the 7 Nd5 line which probably will never surpass 7 Bg5, but is a good change of pace. We've seen Black lock the center and lose any chance for active play, Black must keep the tension in the center for counterplay. When Black plays ...Nb8 the play can be similar to some positions in the Kings Indian Defense:
            
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Lines where Black plays ...Ne7 should be followed up with ...Nf5, as ...Ng6 is looking shaky. The note Sakelsek-Bogosavljevic was a better way for Black to get play.
Paulsen/Taimanov [B40 to B49]
Next up are 2 Kan/Paulsen games in variations that in my opinion are the most reliable for Black. The positions reached when White plays Nb3 resemble B57.
In Naiditsch - Svidler (B42) Black got some decent play in the line with 5...Bc5 then the retreat 6...Be7:
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I prefer this over 6...Ba7. I liked the way White handled the opening, gaining a nice space advantage. For some reason the very simple and obvious idea of pressuring d6 eluded White. 26 e5?! spoiled an easy game and gave Black an opportunity for a ...Rxc4 exchange sacrifice.
Along the same lines we see (B43) Zhang Zhong-Ye Jianchuan where Black tried 6...Qb6. Black should take care not to leave the queen on b6 too long due to a4 ideas. White's 7 Nf3 is the best chance for an advantage. I hate to repeat myself, but I can't stand the move Nb3.
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White's opening play looked good, but what followed was an absurd sequence of moves. The a4 idea White played followed by a fast c3 gives White control of the queenside. Check the Adams-Kasimdzhanov note, I can't believe 15...a5 is an improvement. Another note of interest is Bologan-Chuchelov where White played with great energy.
Classical Sozin/Two Knights [B56 to B59]
We switch gears to see one of my games in the Benko System (B57) where I was Black against Altin Cela.
If memory serves me this is the first time I faced this sacrifice in a tournament game. To tell the truth I never took this pawn sac too seriously which was a mistake! The game showed how dangerous things can get for Black. The way I played was a mixture of guts and stupidity, but Black has safer choices. The note 9...Be6!? could be the subject of future games.
Scheveningen [B80 to B89]
Off to the (B86) Najdorf/Scheveningen where Lahno - Paehtz saw a discussion of 6...Nbd7 vs the Sozin. I continue to focus my attention on the move 8 Bg5 which I think poses Black the most problems. I don't think White's pawn sacrifice should be so dangerous. Black could have remained very solid with 14...Nc5!? instead of 14...g6??:
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losing on the spot to 15 Nxe6!. Check the notes for an old game Naiditsch-Anand where Black came out of the opening in good shape.
Najdorf [B90 to B99]
We end this very late update with an English Attack (B90), but see the (B80) PDF eBook.
Stellwagen - Doggers saw model play from Black after White's insipid opening play. White never got anything going and Black kept jumping into the c4 square. Even after all that White could've put up a better defense. I don't understand the move 6 f3 anymore. 6 Be3 Ng4 has fallen out of favor. 6 f3 should be met by 6...Qb6! while 6...e5 and 6...e6 transpose into normal stuff.
See everyone at the August 2004 update which I'm hoping to have done in a week to 10 days.
Adios, and good luck, 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.