Download PGN of August '10 1 d4 d5 games

Moscow Variation [D43]

Stocek - Krejci: The early e4-e5 pawn push has recently gained popularity in the Anti-Moscow Gambit:

It had been considered rather harmless for Black since it decreases White's chances to open the center and get to his opponent's king. However, Black must be very precise - and here a series of energetic and strong attacking moves helped Jiri Stocek to find a way into Black's camp.

Stocek - Najer: In a very complicated position Evgeny Najer came up with an innovation on move 18. However, Jiri Stocek replied very energetically and maintained the initiative - only to spoil it a couple of moves later with a hasty capture... Nevertheless it seems that Black still has not solved his problems in this variation...

Moiseenko - Sharapov: Here the ELO favourite quickly won a sharp tactical battle. However, White's approach was a bit too risky and Black could even have posed problems for him at some point...

Jakovenko - Motylev: The retreat of the knight to h5 is also typical after White's e4-e5 pawn push - Black takes care of his opponent's potentially strong dark-squared bishop:

In a complicated position White failed to secure somewhat the better chances - moreover, one natural but careless move allowed Black to grab the initiative with a series of concrete and strong manoeuvres.

Gongora Reyes - Gagarin: Here White found a very creative way to launch a K-side attack, starting with the small but important inclusion of the moves a2-a4 and ...a7-a6 (compared to the game Jakovenko - Motylev/RUS-chT Dagomys 2010, above). However, Black was equal to the task - his king walked while under fire and somehow found some shelter on the c5-square!

In the time scramble White was close to a win but after numerous mistakes this exciting battle finished with a drawish ending. Although the game looks somewhat crazy, it might be rather important for opening theory...

Babula - Hoffmann: Black came up with a clever improvement and not only solved his problems but eventually benefited from his opponent's inaccurate play in the ending to score a full point.

Bacrot - Aronian: Etienne Bacrot came up with a surprising and well-prepared novelty, 17. f4!?:

The piece sacrifice gave White a strong initiative but Levon Aronian was equal to the task and almost defended... only to slipup just one more precise move away from safety.

Harikrishna - Sandipan: Sandipan Chanda tried Ivan Cheparinov's interesting idea, 14...b4!?, which might be a good recipe for Black in a very sharp and well-developed line:

Instead of going into big complications Black's temporary pawn sacrifice helps him get his opponent's important central pawn, which seriously limits White's active possibilities. Black's position become a bit weaker but this minor drawback seems bearable.

See you next month, Ruslan

If you have any questions, then please post a message at the 1 d4 d5 Forum, or subscribers can email me at ruslan@chesspublishing.com.