Download PGN of September '05 1 e4 ... games
Scandinavian Defence
We begin with a couple of Scandinavian's.
In the first we revisit our recent friend 5...Ne4!? - Game 1 suggests that Black is still alive and kicking, but that he must be prepared to play actively e.g. 13...e5!:
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Then Game 2 provides an outing for 3...Qd6, a move which I am becoming increasingly impressed with. Note Black's excellent move order in this game: 5 Bc4 a6 6 Nge2 b5!:
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Why bother with the wild 6...Qc6!? when 6..b5 is so reasonable?
Alekhine's Defence
Over to the Alekhine, although not perhaps as we know it. Take a look at the position after 4 e6:
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Spielmann's old move. White soon regrets his early aggression in Game 3, although the last word isn't written yet.
John Cox, author of the recently published Everyman book Starting Out; The Alekhine, and who has just made his third IM norm (congratulations!), is back again this month as a guest contributor for Alekhine's Defence:
Game 4 is quite lightweight, but it shows a nice way to meet the Chase Variation.
In Illescas Cordoba - Baburin a trendy semi-ending often arising from the 9...Bg4 line of the Four Pawns Attack is tested:
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Illescas employs ECO's previously untried recommendation, and runs Baburin over pretty easily. Worrying stuff.
Dominguez - Almeida is more bad news for Black as Dominguez plays the main line of the Four Pawns Attack in a much more relaxed and quiet way than has been the custom, and makes White's position look very good:
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All of a sudden the 4PA is looking more dangerous than it has for years. Isn't Sveshnikov supposed to have said that one day the Four Pawns Attack will refute Alekhine's Defence? That day surely can't be upon us, can it?!
In Game 7 Sutovsky tries his 6 Bd3 against the modern Miles variation:
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, and wins again. This time I think Black equalised or very nearly so, though, before losing a rather drawn endgame, presumably courtesy of FIDE's absurd time control.
Bye, John
Pirc/Modern Defence
On then to the Pirc-Modern and first up Sebag - Kosteniuk, where White tries the slightly unusual 6 a4:
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in what has become the modern main line. Black finds a good solution.
Not happy with all the tactics? Then how about Lima's 1 e4 d6 2 g3!?:
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Slow and solid? He wins quickly enough - see Game 9!
Caro-Kann
And finally the Caro, and the Tenth Game which is a shootout between Grischuk and Anand. Check out the instructive tactical play in the currently fashionable line with 5 Qc1!?:
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Postny - Lagowski is a Panov featuring 5...g6, an uncommon line these days. White wins easily but the critical position occurs after the eleventh move 11 Nf4:
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I suggest plenty of good ways for Black to play this position.
Then to finish, a game between two unknown South Americans, but which might be theoretically significant. What would you play for White after 16...Kf8:
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In Game 12 White gets it wrong!
I hope you are continuing to enjoy the Chess Publishing experience and all the best until next month.
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.