April `00 Update
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I've recieved lots of emails with requests to update the Pirc/Modern section. I am using this update exclusively for it and I will continue this until June. In this update we'll consider the Holmov system (Bc4). It leads to a very interesting fight where both sides have chances. |
White plays Qe2
1 e4 d6 2 d4 Nf6 3 Nc3 g6 4 Bc4 Bg7 5 Qe2
            
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By developing his pieces in this way White intends an early e4-e5. Here Black can choose between two different lines: 5... c6 and 5... Nc6. Both are perfectly playable. I personally prefer the latter.
AV155 Black tries the sharpest continuation. A pawn sacrifice gives him excellent compensation due to his very strong light-squared bishop with pressure on the b-file and long diagonals.
AV156 A small inaccuracy allows White to undertake action in the center. Black is left with difficult problems to solve, however even here he should able to mantain the balance with best play.
AV157 Here is the most precise move order by Black. He undertakes a very logical plan of exchanging his light-squared bishop and then building a pawn chain on the light squares (e6, d5), restricting White's Bishop on b3.
AV163 In the Modern Defence too White can choose the Holmov-like setup. The delay in the development of Black's Knight on g8 allows White to keep his Queen's Knight on b1 for a while and to put it on the d2-square. The following classic game shows how Black should react in this case.
White plays Qf3
Lines with Qf3 tend to arise from a Modern Defence move order.
1 e4 g6 2 d4 Bg7 3 Nc3 c6 4 Bc4 d6 5 Qf3
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AV158 In a slightly dubious line for Black, White can hope for an advantage only by playing this active continuation. White wins a pawn but is slightly lagging in development. The evaluation of this position has changed many times but is currently in White's favor.
AV159 examines the key position of this line and what follows is a very good example of how to play with three minor pieces against a queen.
AV160 demonstrates a very thematic approach by White, countering flank activity by action in the centre.
AV161 An interesting attempt at an improvement by Black, preparing conterplay with ...f7-f5.
AV162 Shirov believes in this setup and still employs it despite terrible losses against Judit Polgar and Anand. His opponent here deviates probably being afraid of his preparation. However his choice is unlikely to find many supporters as in this case Black has easy play.