What's New- October '03
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Hello everyone! Welcome to my late October update. |
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I'm attempting to get back on schedule so don't give up hope. Hope this late update (hopefully the last) finds everyone well.
To download the October '03 Open Sicilian games directly in PGN form, just click here: 
Sveshnikov/Kalashnikov Variation [B32-B33]
I'm going to start off with this late update with Matsuura - Zambrana [B33] in the 7 Nd5 Sveshnikov.
One thing is very clear to me... in the ...Nb8 lines Black can't trade queens. Look how easily White won after the queen swap. An interesting alternative to c4 is 9 Be3, check the note Gruca-Volodin. I'm going to keep an eye on this.
Paulsen/Taimanov [B40 to B49]
Off to the Kan/Paulsen which sees Polivanov - Pixton [B43] with 6...Qb6!?, the only line that isn't passive:
            
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White tried 7 Nf3 and the game was a solid draw. Whether it's 7 Nf3 or 7 Nb3 White should try a4 early and use the development.
Classical Sozin/Two Knights [B56 to B59]
We head to the area of the Classical Two Knights with ...d6.
The game Ristic-N Nikolic is a Benko System [B57] and we see White playing the 7 Nxc6 bxc6 line:
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I haven't had alot of experience with the White side, but this would be my choice. Which is better for Black ...g6 or ...e6?
I think ...e6, as it's good to kill the Sozin bishop. Black got good play with 9...Nd7.
Richter-Rauzer [B60 to B69]
Next, a couple of Rausers. The first one has something to do with me:
My student played this game at the World Youth Championships in Greece last week. It makes sense that after all the Sicilian Defenses I've looked at in my life I would teach her the f3 ideas. I couldn't go with her, but she was fortunate to have GM Joel Benjamin there to help her. Joel has had experience in this variation as well.
So, Pelletier - An [B61] is first up. White won with a flashy attack after Black misplayed the defense. Chess is a strange and tough game... Black hands White a crucial tempo with 17...Qb6? and still could've put up a staunch defense with 22...h6! when matters are far from clear.
The second game Beshukov - Jens [B67] sees 9 f3!? (what else? We don't see 9 f4 all that often.)
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I'll stick by my guns on 10...h6 and 11...h5 as being Black's best in this variation:
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Black erred with 27...Ke8? leaving White on top, but then Black saw an opportunity with 31...Nc4! shockingly turning the tables.
My worry in this line is (from Black's point of view) that if and when White gets e5 in, Black gets into trouble on the dark squares. I play both sides of the Rauser so I keep a close eye on the ideas.
Scheveningen [B80 to B89]
We wind up with the English Attack where we see the lines with Black playing ...Nc6 more and more. I have altered the English Attack chapters a bit, and hope that I have made them clearer.
The game Jenni - Babula [B80] saw White try to lock the queenside with c4?!, but it backfired and helped Black out. White should've just carried on with the kingside action. I'm undecided on this line, but I'm leaning ever so slightly towards White at the moment.
Thanks for tuning in! I'll see everyone in 10 or so days when I try (finally!!) to get back on schedule. I'll be covering the Kasparov-Fritz3D match for chess.FM.
Adios, GM John F
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.