Download PGN of May ’23 Open Sicilian games
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The Four Knights 6.a3 Be7 [B45]
We start with Santos Ruiz, M - Rozen, E, where the players entered a rare but rather important theoretical position after 9.Qg4:
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Eytan was ready to sacrifice material and played 9...0-0, but it looks like Miguel was perfectly prepared for it. White came up with the strong novelty 11.h4! and after 13...Rf7? quickly developed a crushing attack on the k-side.
Although 9...0-0 still looks playable for Black, I would prefer 9...g6!?, as previously seen in Anand - Saric.
Taimanov 6.Be3 a6 7.Bd3 Nf6 8.Qe2!? [B48]
The next game, Potkin, V - Kezin, R, saw Vladimir demonstrate his deep preparation in one of the Taimanov sidelines. In the position after 8.Qe2!? Black played the most common 8...Bd6, and it looks like this is exactly as GM Potkin expected. White came up with the strong novelty 13.f4! that is a clear improvement over Gipslis - Taimanov, 1959.
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As a result, White quickly obtained a stunning attack. Even so, it was a very exciting game, because at some point Vladimir went astray and let his opponent take over the initiative. Luckily for him, his lower-rated opponent returned the favor with 25...e5? and lost on the spot.
Well, undoubtedly the ball is in Black's court after 8.Qe2!?
Taimanov 6.Be3 a6 7.a3 Nf6 [B48]
In the game Topalov, V - Ivanchuk, I White followed my recommendation from previous updates with 11.Nxc6!:
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As a result, he managed to quickly expand on the k-side and put Black's king under pressure. However, the impulsive 14.f5?, followed by 17.Be2?, turned the tables and put Veselin on the verge of a collapse. Even so, this game was decided at the very end, when 28.g6? eventually let Vassily stabilize and convert his big material advantage.
Regarding the opening, 7...b5 looks like a more attractive option for the second player.
Classical Richter-Rauzer 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd3 Be7 [B62]
In the next game, Makarian, R - Stribuk, A, Rudik was trying to confuse his lower-rated opponent with the rare and aggressive 9.h4!?:
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It looks like this approach paid off, as Black prematurely played 11...Ne5. However, White missed his chance and opted for the modest 13.f3?! which allowed Black to develop his traditional play on the c-file. The dynamic balance was kept till 21.Rc1?, when Black managed to quickly expand on the q-side and won by a direct attack.
Najdorf 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Rg1!? [B90]
In Bjerre, J - Alborznoz Cabrera, C White deviated from the most explored lines with 8.Rg1!?:
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Perhaps this opening choice confused Carlos, as he immediately went astray with 8...h5?!. White obtained a much better position, but then wrongly conceded the bishop with 17.Bxc4? which led to an equal endgame, where a draw seemed the most probable result. However, the careless 33...Ra5? turned the tables once again, and eventually White won.
Najdorf 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Be3 Be6 10.Re1 [B92]
In the next game, Deac, B - Giri, A, Black demonstrated a fresh and interesting approach in the relatively common line with 10.Re1 - 10...h6!? 11.Bf3 a5!?:
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The real test of this would be seen had Anish played 14...Nb4, while instead the artificial 14...Qb8?! was nicely met by 15.Nc1! White kept a clear positional advantage till move 30, when 30.Ra2?! let Black develop his counter-play against b3. A well-played game by both players, a draw was agreed on move 34.
Najdorf 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qc7 8.Qe2 [B96]
In Aditya, M - Korobov, A Anton was trying to surprise his young opponent with the relatively uncommon and risky 7...Qc7. In response, White chose a very aggressive setup with 8.Qe2 Nc6 9.0-0-0!?:
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I have to say that this looks like one of the most promising ways to meet 7...Qc7, but 11.Qc4 isn't a very impressive novelty. Moreover, the careless 13.a4? soon put White's king under a powerful attack. The really critical moment of the game came on move 21, when 21...Rd8? turned into a decisive blunder. Instead, had GM Korobov played 21...Bc4! it would be very difficult for Mittal to stay in the game.
Poisoned Pawn Najdorf 8.Qd2 Qxb2 9.Rb1 Qa3 10.f5 [B97]
We end with Perunovic, M - Duda, J, where Milos was trying to improve over Nepo - Giri with 12.Nxe6:
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This could have worked after 17...Rc8?! had White found the elegant 18.Nb1!, liquidating into a better endgame. Instead, 19.Nb1 led to major simplifications. White was very close to achieving a draw, but 51.Re4? let Black win another pawn, and the game.
See you next month, Michael
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