March 2004 Intro

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

On offer this month:

Scandinavian Defence

Shaw - Zeidler shows analysis critical for the future of the PATZER Scandinavian. If Zeidler's 13...0-0-0

isn't working then my suggestion of 13...e5:

could be the last hope.

Ibraghimov plays naturally against the BANKER (3..Qd8) but after 10...Nbd7:

has nothing to shout about. Black is comfortably equal, see Game 2.

1 e4 d5 2 exd5 c6?!

looks like total trash but somehow Razmyslov manages to win in 13 moves with it in Game 3!

Finally, Keitlinghaus shows us why delaying ...Nf6 in the 3...Qa5 line might be the most precise for Black. Heinatz can get nothing against this approach and by the time Black plays 14...Ngf6:

he is well on top - see Game Four.

Alekhine's Defence

Moving away from the Scandinavian we come to the Alekhine and an attractive miniature from Milos. Check out his novelty 8...Bf5!:

from Game 5 in a rare sideline.

Marie Sebag is working on her reputation as a 'female psycho' and her latest effort against the Caro is well worth checking out: 1 e4 c6 2 Nf3 d5 3 exd5 cxd5 4 Ne5!?:

Frankly, this again looks like total rubbish but one must always keep an open mind. After the further 4...Nc6 5 d4 Nf6 6 Bb5 Qb6 7 c4!? White was putting on the pressure, and won quickly, see Game 6.

Another Caro novelty is featured after 1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 e5 c5 4 c4!?:

, this time from Yugoslav Topalovic in Game seven. Although White loses, this is fascinating stuff.

We close with a gloomy Speelman predicting the demise of Smyslov's 4...Nd7:

Certainly his game with Ganguly from the recent Gibralter tournament is very depressing for Black whose position in a long main line after 17 Bd4! seems just to be bad, have a look at Game 8.