Download PGN of October '05 1 e4 ... games
Scandinavian Defence
Our first game features what looks like a crush for White in one of the main lines of the 3...Qa5 Scandinavian. However, Black has a clear choice at move 12 and he should prefer the active 12...Bd6:
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to 12...Be7.
Alekhine's Defence
Moving to the Alekhine, Landa plays the interesting 6 d5!?
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in Game 2, attempting to nail down Black's e-pawn. Black loses, but he should react immediately with either 6...e5 or 6..e6 after which he is OK.
Pirc/Modern Defence
Ghannoum - Hillarp Persson is an extraordinary game featuring a queen sacrifice by Black at the very start of the game, here is the position after 12...Bxd5:
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Most of the notes to this game have been taken from Tiger's excellent new book on the Modern, I briefly review it in my new Book Reviews page.
What do you think of 1 e4 d6 2 d4 Nd7 !?
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A quick win for Black in Duaret - Flores hints that there is more to this idea than meets the eye.
We have 3 Austrian Pirc's for you this month.
In the first Aagaard - Nauro features a topical line in the 5...c5 variation. Perhaps Black's task after 11 Nxb5! is more difficult than has hitherto been realised.
In the second Schmaltz is decimated by Mastrovasilis. In one of the 6 Bd3 Nc6 7 0-0 e5 main lines, 13 Qf3!:
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looks unpleasant for Black.
Finally a big and very topical clash from the World Championships in San Luis where Svidler tries to surprise Kasimdzhanov with the Pirc. If White had played 23 b3! Black could not have claimed equality - see Game 7.
Caro-Kann
And then to finish, a Caro-Kann 4...Bf5, but a surprisingly exciting game. IM Craig Pritchett spices things up with 17 Nh4!?
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, intending g2-g4 but messes up a winning position in time-trouble.
We have all been there I think, see Game 8.
That's it for now-all the best!
Andrew
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.