June 2004

To download the June '04 1 e4 ... games directly in PGN form, click here:

Alekhine's Defence

Two Alekhine defences front the update. In the first game White tries 2 Nc3 d5 3 exd5 Nxd5 4 g3!?:

hoping for long diagonal pressure, but Kupriechik nullifies the threat effectively with 4...Nxc3 5 bxc3 Bd7!, intending ...Bc6, see Game one.

The question then arises as to why White should want to try rare sidelines when the main lines just seem good for him! Observe how effortlessly Mickey Adams beats Marc Santo Roman in Game 2. The Voronezh variation 9 b3!:

does the trick again!

Pirc/Modern Defence

Over then to the Modern and Game 3 is from the Berlin Championship where White mixes, matches and gets 'booger all'. Black has a great position after 9...d5!:

Bologan - Fridman is an interesting Austrian Pirc with White playing the dangerous 6 Be3! and obtaining a fierce attack after 12 h4!:

Black wins but White missed a win as you will see (it was only a blitz game).

Mahboobi - Rajadharshini is by no means a good game but I included it because it contains typical errors by White. We've all been there I think. White starts planlessly, misplaces a piece, 10 Bg5?!:

and allows Black to put into practice his plan of ...f6 and ...e5! with gain of time. Oh dear!

Potkin - Miester is a very dry game. Black sets the tone with 8...Qe7+!?:

and White cannot make anything of his very small edge . Meister displays very good defensive understanding in this game.

Two further Caro's complete the set and in both the 4...Bf5 main line with 6 Bc4!? is featured:

In Svidler - Erenburg we see the sharp 8 Nf4 Qh4!?:

which leads to a good position for Black but in Fontaine - Belkert play is quieter e.g. 8 0-0!

Perhaps White gets a shade of an edge although Black isn't really under too much pressure.