Feb '00 Update
Looking flankwards!This month I have added two new sections to the site, rounding up the state of play on 1 ...b6, as well as taking a look at the even rarer choice 1...a6. It took me quite a while to find the most critical and interesting lines since the "official theory" is not so well known! The March update will follow quite soon and for this I will return to current theory in the bigger name defences covered here. |
1...b6
Owen's Defence has achieved a certain amount of popularity during the last decade. Strong players such as GMs Anthony Miles and Artashes Minasian, to name but two, are among the adherents of this opening.
Although 1... b6 has a dubious reputation I can't claim that White has an easy way to get an opening advantage. As you will see, Black's results are far from discouraging.
Amongst the most dangerous lines at White's disposal, the treatment demonstrated in AV142 is in my opinion the most unpleasant for Black.
AV135 The move 4...g6 contradicts basic opening principles. White immediately exploits its drawbacks with a sortie which makes the normal development of Black's forces difficult.
AV136 Black embarks on an extremely risky strategy of keeping the bishop pair and transfering his bishop to the g7-square after ...g7-g5. However such a retreat cannot be recommended as White's development advantage grows very big.
AV137 A spectacular game at the very highest level. Black was considerably better after merely 20 moves but he was in time trouble and was satisfied with a draw against such a strong opponent.
AV138 This game shows White playing actively (as he must) to exploit his development advantage, otherwise he will have no compensation for his weak Q-side pawns in this line.
AV139 shows Black wheeling out the main line, although he must still play very carefully to avoid a quick loss. A short but theoretically important game.
AV140 In a well-known position Kramnik finds an interesting way to deviate from "official" theory.
AV141 White tries a pawn sacrifice which gives him a lasting initiative. Such sacrifices are one of the most difficult problems in chess. It's absolutely impossible to calculate all the variations to the very end, you need just to feel it!
AV143 This set-up is White's most popular choice, and this position has been tested many times. This game examines the critical poisition for this line.
AV142 A relatively rare continuation by White which however deserves serious attention. Indeed this line generally seems to be rather unpleasant for Black. Undoubtedly we can expect new encounters here...
1...a6
AV144 A sensational loss by the World Champion in such an "exotic" opening. It soon becomes clear that White has failed to refute Black's opening experiment. Moreover he doesn't even get a minimal advantage. However Karpov doesn't want to admit this and therefore he starts overreacting...