What's New- November '04
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Good to see you all at my late November 2004 update and I trust all my Sicilian friends are well. Fed |
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Hello everyone!Download PGN of November '04 Open Sicilian games
Sveshnikov/Kalashnikov Variation [B32-B33]
Lets get things going with a 7 Nd5 Sveshnikov.
Svidler - Timofeev (B33) saw the players blast down the main line in the 8...Nb8 variation. Instead of playing what has proved to be an equalizer 20...b5, Black tried 20...Nb8 with the idea of ...Na6, keeping White tied down to b4:
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It seems pretty solid and isn't risky at all. If Black wants to be more aggressive then 8...Ne7 is the way to go.
Classical Sozin/Two Knights [B56 to B59]
We switch to the Sozin with a couple of games.
Maceija - Kotronias (B57) was a bad scene from Black's point of view. White's 12 Qe2 was trickier than it looked:
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Black played the naive ...Nc4 and it was downhill from there. Good alternatives were to be had. The simplest way to a decent position was 13...Nxd3+ when Black loses some time, but is ok. Check Granda Zuniga-Mascaro in the notes for a very creative idea.
Our second Sozin is one we haven't seen in a long time so I've thrown in many notes. The Velimirovic Attack throughout the years has been one of the most complicated variations. Sometimes it involves crazed pawn storms with out of control positions. I had bad experiences on both the White and Black side! I guess that's why I play the Benko system always.
In Williams - Ermenkov (B89) White's handling of the opening led to difficulties. I never liked Bd3 in the Velimirovic. It's not in the spirit of the Sozin.
Scheveningen [B80 to B89]
This late update ends with the Najdorf/Sheveningen complex where we see 3 examples from different sections.
Lets do the English Attack first where Kraemer - Bromberger (B80) saw White try a plan involving the f4, f5 push that didn't come close to working. Black's response was logical and strong. It's been my feeling for a long time now that White's best move order starts with 8 g4 instead of 8 Qd2:
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Look at what an easy game Black had and White struggles for a constructive plan.
Our second Najdorf (B84) is a really interesting game where Tseshkovsky played very sharply vs Kasparov.
White timed e5 perfectly and Black sacrificed a piece to solidify his king safety. White counter sacrificed and got a strong attack. I was watching the game on the ICC and thought White had good chances. The big moment came in the following position when White had the chance to play 28 Qg6!! winning:
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As Black's pieces find themselves in a helpless defensive position.
6...e6 has always been Garry's favorite response to 6 Be2. I've included a number of games for study and alot of old Karpov-Kasparov battles as well in this Fourth Game. I think the biggest question is when White should play g4 and handle the attack.
Najdorf [B90 to B99]
The final game of the 3 Najdorfs sees the alternative response to 6 Be2, 6...e5, which was played in Hedjesi - Quezada (B92):
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This line deserves a look since White can play positionally and retain a slight edge by playing for the d5 point. In our main game White lost his marbles by castling queenside. (I made a mistake by choosing this game, but covered up with alot of sensible notes.) I don't think this will be the last time we see 8 Bg5:
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I'm betting it will grow in popularity. White gains control of d5 and Black must be careful about captures on d4. Many of the resulting opposite color bishop positions favor White.
Thanks everyone! see you at our next update in a few weeks. Adios! GM John Fedorowicz - Happy Holidays!
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.