Download PGN of July ’23 Open Sicilian games
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Sveshnikov 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.Nd5 Bg7 11.g3 [B33]
We start with Kramnik, V - Dubov, D, where Vladimir was trying to avoid the most explored paths with 11.g3:
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Still, his younger opponent was equipped with deep preparation, as was certainly demonstrated by 13...d5!?, followed by 14...Rb8! However, after achieving an attractive position, Daniil started to err and after 17...b4? found himself with no real compensation for a pawn. Luckily for him, Vladimir was unable to handle the position properly under time pressure and eventually even lost the game.
Sveshnikov 9.Nd5 Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.c3 0-0 12.Nc2 Rb8 [B33]
In the game Dominguez, L - Radjabov, T the players entered a complex theoretical position after 15...Qd7:
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Here Leinier came up with an interesting new idea - 16.Bc2!? followed by 17.Qd3 which allowed him to harmoniously place his pieces and host the king on c1. This idea seemed to confuse Teimour, who quickly committed a serious mistake, 18...Bxd5?! that put Black in a strategically bad position. In general, Leinier's energetic and consistent play in this game is very impressive.
The Four Knights 6.a3 d5 [B45]
In the next game, Wang Hao - Gelfand, B, Black chose the solid 6...d5, that leads to approximately equal positions, where Black's piece play mostly provides him decent compensation for the IQP. In the rare theoretical position after 11.Be3:
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Boris played 11...Re8, that was most likely expected by his opponent. In fact, White's further play was very precise and strong, where the natural 15...Rad8?! turned out to be the main cause of Gelfand's troubles. A real positional masterpiece!
The Four Knights 6.Nxc6 Mainline, 11...f5 12.Nf2 [B45]
In the game Matinian, N - Obgolts, E, in the well-known theoretical position after 16.Qd6, Black went for 16...Qa5!?:
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The next few moves by both sides were optimal but soon Erik prematurely played 19...h5? and this allowed White to fully secure his king. After this it was very hard for Black to withstand the long-term positional pressure on the q-side, and only 43.Nc4? allowed him to save half a point.
Undoubtedly, 19...Qd8! should be played instead. Anyway, we should see further practical tests of 16...Qa5!?
Taimanov 6.Be3 a6 7.g4 [B48]
The next, blitz, game, Gukesh, D - Carlsen, M, has significant value for a fashionable line of the Taimanov. In the rare, but important position after 11.Ne2:
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Magnus bravely played 11...Qxe4 12.Rg1 Qc4, similar to the mainline. On move 15 GM Gukesh impulsively played 15.g5? which put him on the verge of a collapse. The further defensive task was very tough for White, but had GM Gukesh played 45.g6 he would have easily achieved a draw. Instead, 45.b5? led to a lost pawn endgame.
Any further practical tests may give us the answer, but currently, 15.Nh5! seems to offer White decent attacking prospects.
Classical Sicilian 6.f3 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Be3 Be6 [B56]
Another theoretical discussion took place in the sharp line with 9.Qe2 in Bjerre, J - Praggnanandhaa, R. Both players demonstrated a deep knowledge of this trendy line, and the position after 15.Rd6 occurred after optimal play:
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Here the Indian prodigy played the novelty 15...Be7, which seems to offer Black acceptable play, but it hardly improves over 15...Qc7. In fact, somewhat later Black erred with 17...Bxd5?! and 20...Qc7?! and found himself in a passive and difficult position.
However, Pragg's stubborn defence meant that he managed to withstand the pressure and eventually even score a full point.
Najdorf 6.Rg1 e5 7.Nb3 [B90]
In the next game, Vallejo Pons, F - So, W, Black chose the ambitious, but rather risky 7...b5:
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White reacted with the most common 8.g4 Bb7 9.Bg2, but it is hardly the most challenging way - Wesley managed to harmoniously place all his pieces and obtain excellent play on the c-file. The first critical moment came on move 13, when GM Vallejo Pons wrongly allowed the thematic exchange sac 13...Rxc3 that destroyed White's q-side. It put White on the verge of collapse, although the careless 19...exf4?, followed by 20...Nb6?, could have drastically changed the route of the game. Luckily for Wesley, his opponent missed 20.Rge1! and was quickly defeated.
Najdorf 6.Bd3 g6 [B90]
Our last game, Willow, J - Woelk, T, saw Black optingfor an interesting sideline with 7...Qb6:
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Jonas responded with the ambitious 8.a3, but I am not sure if he was familiar with the complex middlegame positions that arise. In fact, White soon ruined his own position with 14.Be2?! followed by 15.Nb1?
White's play in this game can easily be improved, but 7...Qb6 still looks like one of Black's most attractive ways to meet 6.Bd3.
See you next month, Michael
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