November 2003 1 e4 ...UPDATE
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Welcome to the November Update. There are plenty of interesting ideas for you to think over this month. IM Andy Martin |
To download the November '03 1 e4 ... games directly in PGN form, click here: 
Scandinavian Defence
We begin with two games in the Scandinavian. Note that I have added a chapter to the Centre Counter eBook.
In the first Rodrigo Hernando revives the aggressive 5..Bg4!?
            
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in Game 1 I try to show that this is a decent practical choice for Black over the board.
Then comes another outing for 3...Qd6 where the German Brustkern needs to play very sharply to keep the Black position afloat. One would think that White would be better after 10 a4
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but it doesn't turn out that way, see Game 2.
Alekhine's Defence
Moving to the Alekhine I think that the fangs of Korchnoi's 7 Qf3
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in the Exchange Variation have now been drawn.
I present two effective antidotes. Certainly White's position after 12...Qg4! in Game 3 is nothing to write home about:
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In the Modern Variation we see another outing for 5...c6!? in Game 4, an occasional weapon of the late Tony Miles. Observe how Sutovsky handles White's position very carefully and quietly, and obtains a definite edge after 18 f4:
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Pirc/Modern Defence
In the Pirc/Modern complex, the 150 attack holds a definite simplistic appeal. Here's a direct plan for White which doesn't require too much theoretical back-up and White can just concentrate on checkmate!
Well, I've never thought it was as simple as all that and Iordachescu strikes back on Black's behalf. His 11...Nh5!
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is very interesting, see Game 5.
Caro-Kann
Three Caro-Kann's finish off.
In the first Game Shirov is trounced by Peter Svidler in the Advance Variation. I lay the blame fully at the door of 5...Nh6?!
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Too decentralising!
Why get involved in all the new stuff after 3 e5 Bf5 when 3...c5 is looking as playable as ever; sharper and much more exciting?
Take a look at Tagnon - Pert where Black cruises to victory after 11...Qd5!
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Then to the final game where Khalifman comes up with an important new move e.g. 15 Bc3!
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He wins speedily.
That's it for now. I hope you have a great month.
Warmest Regards, IM Andrew Martin
Please post you queries on the 1 e4 ... Forum, or subscribers can write to me at AMartin@ChessPublishing.com if you have any questions or queries.