What's New- September '02
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Hello everyone! I hope September's update finds you all well. |
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All this month's new games are easily downloaded in PGN format using ChessPub.exe, but you can also download the September '02 Open Sicilian games directly in PGN form, just click here: 
Lowental Variation [B32]
Let's get the ball rolling with a Lowental variation game, it's good to keep an eye on this stuff. So we don't forget!
            
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Here 8 Qxf6 as seen in Kotronias-Stankovic leads to a safe edge for White. I like it over 8 Qc7, or 8 Qd1 when Black has weird tactical possibilities.
Paulsen/Taimanov [B40 to B49]
Next up more English Attack business, this time in the B48 section vs. the Taimanov.
Polgar-Horvath must be avoided as Black lost in horrible fashion - Horvath's mix of ...Bb4 and ...d5 was an absolute failure - but in Shytaj-Lazarev Black's 8...Ne5!? led to good play.
Richter-Rauzer [B60 to B69]
A fast look at the Rauser leaves us with a familiar feeling, White's 13 g4!?, as I suggested last month, worked out well in Drazic-Mantovani. White's queen on d4 is well placed for defense (no ...b4 ideas) and offense (the pawn storm is really dangerous.) White's f3 idea continues to produce great results. I'm working on Black's ...h5 ideas, it looks better than most things I've seen.
Najdorf [B90 to B99]
We wrap up matters with the B90 Najdorfs. Our first 3 examples are English Attacks.
Atalik-Woijtkiewicz is of serious theoretical interest:
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White's 16 a3!? deserves attention, but looks a little slow. Shirov's 16 Qd4 is much sharper when Black must try 16...Rxa2!? with complications. One way or another this is on its way to becoming one of the main lines.
Another hot line is seen in Anand-Ponomariov with White's 11 Nb3! - the only time this idea works. Black's bishop on b7 lacks the a8 retreat. From our recent experiences Black does well to avoid this line.
Hracek-Hulak was an easy victory for the first player. 9...h5 has been hitting the skids in a big way. My recommendation is for Black to ditch it completely.
Our final game sees Kasparov's 9...e5?! ruin what should have been a tough battle, instead Ivanchuk brutalized the guy. Black can reach easy equality with an early ...d5.
Good Luck to all my friends!
If anybody has any questions please contact me at feddy@mindspring.com and I'll do my best to help out. I've had problems replying when contacted through Chess Publishing at thefed@chesspublishing.com.