Download PGN of March '08 Anti-Sicilian games
c3 Sicilian [B22]
Krassilnikov - Sveshnikov caught my attention. What will the man himself play against his own pet variation?
David Howell is one of the few Grandmasters to use 2.c3 on a consistent basis. In this game he introduces a new idea in a well-trodden line, 17 Nf5!?:
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It worked out for White here, but objectively Black should have little to fear if he is careful, see Howell - Wells.
We have not looked at 9 Nxg5?! before on ChessPublishing:
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While I am sure it is indeed inferior to the normal 9 h3 and 9 e6, it is still useful to know how the coming play may go, have a look at Galant-Bercys.
David Howell continues to score well with 6 dxc5, although in Howell - Ward Black seemed to be OK in the endgame.
Bb5 Variations [B31 & 51]
In a four game match, Black plays for a win with the strategically risky 4...bxc6 variation in Mkrtchian - Krush:
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Megaranto - So: the world's youngest Grandmaster Wesley So wins a convincing game in the Rossolimo in his match against Megaranto.
In Timman - Kotronias the veteran grinds down his opponent after a very comical "development" scheme, involving ...Rg8-g6:
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Finally, Radjabov wins with his favourite 3...e6 Rossolimo in Alekseev - Radjabov
Best wishes, David
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