What's New - December 2001
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Welcome to the December update, which focuses exclusively on the FIDE World Championship. I wish a Happy New Year to everyone! Ruslan Scherbakov |
Queen's Gambit Accepted
DEC01/01 You may remember that Ruslan Ponomariov successfully defended a rather suspicious set-up in a couple of games - we considered it in Volkov - Ponomariov/EU-ch Ohrid 2001 (JUN01/06). Here Alexey Shirov introduces a new idea which couldn't have had a greater effect as it brought him total success on move 13! It is Black's turn now and good homework is required before the World Championship Final in the middle of January 2002 when Ruslan faces his compatriot Vassily Ivanchuk.
DEC01/02 The early 7. e4 is known to be not too dangerous for Black. However, if he is taken by surprise then he might face real problems.
DEC01/03 Mikhail Gurevich was probably not completely satisfied with the position which brought Black great success in the game Dreev - Ponomariov/World Teams, Yerevan 2001 (NOV01/02). We have also concluded that White could have improved his play, but the novelty Black introduced here has not completely solved the problems either.
Marshall Gambit
DEC01/04 The Marshall Gambit is a rare guest in recent practice, mostly because White still hasn't discovered a reliable way to prove he has the better chances. Here the future Women's World Champion was successful, but Black could have been satisfied with the results of the opening.
Main line Slav
DEC01/05 Immediate castling is supposed to be a serious inaccuracy right in the beginning of the "piece vs pawns" variation, but perhaps Black just mixed something-up in a blitz game.
Chebanenko
DEC01/06 Recently the solid 5. c5 causes certain problems for Black. He has to play very creatively to get some counterplay, and otherwise he has reasonable chances to perish by suffocation.
Cambridge Springs
DEC01/07 Black introduced a promising novelty and quickly achieved an excellent position. It looks like White is failing to give Black real problems in the Cambridge Springs recently - it's time to do some homework!
Tarrasch
DEC01/08 White conclusively outplayed his opponent in the line 9...c4 - it seems that Black is really suffering here.
QGD- 5 Bf4
DEC01/09 It seems that 10. Nd2 is becoming White's main attempt to fight for the advantage - you may remember a strong novelty brought him big success in the game Topalov - Kramnik, Monaco 2001 (AUG01/05); Here Black preferred a different way but also failed to solve the problems.
DEC01/10 A rather unexpected method of countering 10. Nd2 - Black retreats the queen back home, where it has just come from! Yet, White can probably find the way to show that he has the better chances.