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1 e4 Various Jan 2003 Update

NEW IDEAS FOR THE NEW YEAR!

Welcome to the New Year and the new, evolving look of ChessPublishing. I have some interesting and innovative chess for you this month.

IM Andy Martin


To download the January '03 1 e4 ... games directly in PGN form, click here: Download Games


There's something different in the Scandinavian where 3...Qd6!?










poses Golubev unusual problems. I don't immediately see how White gets the advantage against this move.

Then we see yet another defeat for White in Kosmo - Smerdon with the Icelandic Gambit 3...e6










I really can't see why White players bother with 3 c4 when 3 d4 or 3 Nf3 both promise a safe advantage.

The Alekhine Chase Variation gets a rare outing. Sevillano's Queen on g4 is worrying, but with 13...d5! in place of 13...g6










Black would have achieved a good position.

Anand - Khenkin features a duel in the 4 Be3 Advance Caro, which was considered in some detail by Tony Kosten a few months ago.










It's a very tough struggle- my impression is that White was slightly better after 15 Nxd3










A further Advanced Caro, not so high class, features 6...h5!?










Black's position soon looks disgusting but that doesn't prevent him from winning shortly after!

A final Caro between two strong Grandmasters features state of the art play in the Capablanca Variation. After 16...Rfe8










Vallejo Pons' position was very, very solid indeed.

Friso Nijboer shows the way for Black in a Byrne Pirc, demonstrating an original and thoughtful plan. Unfortunately he falters at the critical moment; 15...c4!










in place of his 15...b4 would be fine for the second player.

Finally, Garcia Castro's 2...e5










is not fine at all and he gets massaged off the board by Narciso Dublan. 1 e4 d6 2 d4 Nf6 3 Nc3 e5 is the only decent way for Black to get what he wants if he must play this dreary endgame.

Please write to me at AMartin@ChessPublishing.com if you have any questions or queries and I wish you all a very good month.

Yours in chess,

IM Andrew Martin