What's New- May '04
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I hope this May 2004 update finds everyone well. Fed |
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Hello everyone!Lets waste no time here in getting to the chess.
To download the May '04 Open Sicilian games directly in PGN form, just click here: 
Sveshnikov/Kalashnikov Variation [B32-B33]
We get the ball rolling with me picking on the Kalishnikov.
In Luther - Atarov (B32) we see the positional 6 c4 is making a comeback:
            
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I think it's easier to keep a grip on the backward d6 pawn than get an edge by going hogwild! Black's position was solid enough then he started misplacing pieces. I didn't understand 15...Nb6?!, as 15...Nc5!? doesn't look bad.
White doesn't want to loosen c4 with b4 pushes. Luther for some reason never played Qd3, hitting and capturing d6. My opinion hasn't changed...with proper play White can make Black suffer.
Paulsen/Taimanov [B40 to B49]
Off to (B44) and the Taimanov where German GM C Lutz continues to score well, this time his victim is Brueggeman. In Game two White appeared to be satisfied with a draw so Black took some chances. Black could stay patient and play for the ...d5 or ...b5 breaks, but here he went all out for the win. White overlooked the simple pawn snatch 49...Nxc4 very late in the game and collapsed.
Next up, the B48 section with the Taimanov/English Attack.
Short - Movsesian saw White get a great game in the 9...Ne5 line.(I continue to favor Anand's 9...Na5!? - a very solid choice) White made a legitimate pawn grab with 14 Bb5!?:
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Black had some open lines on the queenside, but White's king found safety. Why Short didn't play 22 Bxf6! is a mystery and 30 Ke1? was the beginning of the end.
One note that requires a serious look is Grischuk-Geller where White's f4 led to strong and forced play. Also, the 10...d5!? played in Acs-Korneev looks like a decent alternative to the game.
Classical Sozin/Two Knights [B56 to B59]
Next, to the Sozin area (B57) with one of my favorites... the Benko System. Todorovic - Damljanovic saw Black get a good game against White's a3 idea.
Damljanovic plays these positions well for Black. When White preserves the light-squared bishop Black must take measures to neutralize it with an appropriate ...Nc4. Black must be careful with the move order as well.
Scheveningen [B80 to B89]
We come to the Schevenigen/Najdorf (B86) where Volotin - Grachev saw White try 8 Bg5!? with good success (8 g4!? is another try while the aggressive looking 8 f4 isn't faring so well):
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Black's choice of 9...Be7 seems a bit passive, I like 9...h6!? where Black attempts immediate activity - it looks ok. I think Black needs to play actively before White gets something going. Black should also pay attention to the right moment when removing the Bb3 becomes necessary. In this game it lived too long.
Najdorf [B90 to B99]
We end this May update in the B99 section where 6 Bg5 makes an appearance.
The 11...gf6!? line chosen by Black in Guseinov - Makoli is the sharpest reply, has a good reputation and has survived the test of time, but it's necessary to know the entire body of theory:
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If the positions arising from 11...Nf6 are not to one's liking then I'd recommend concentrating on this move.
That said, 11...Nf6 is certainly a good alternative - the lines with 13...Bxg5+ 14 Kb1 Ne5 15 Qh5 Qe7 or Qd8 are ok for Black. Not playing 13...Bxg5+ leads to positions dangerous to Black's health.
Getting back to the main game 13 Qg3 isn't a big deal as long as Black pays attention.
See everyone next month!
Good Luck, till then, 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.