What's New - December 2002
|
Finally I've just finished the last part of the Olympic updates, Happy New Year to all 1 d4 d5 fans! Ruslan Scherbakov |
For those who can't use ChessPub.exe, Download PGN of December '02 1 d4 d5 games
Main line Slav [D16-D19]
Jobava,B - Khalifman,A: I was clearly wrong to predict a short life for the surprising novelty of Alexander Morozevich - since 11. ..g5!? was introduced in the game Kasparov - Morozevich it is still very much alive! The theory of this line is developing quickly and the game often begins from move 15 or so:
           
|
This time a subject of dispute was the position in which White has extra pawn but it is very difficult for him to make progress as it seems that Black's pair of bishops can prevent any winning attempt. Moreover, White can easily find himself under pressure as his Q-side is vulnerable. Looking through this game we may experience a rather strange feeling as it is not so easy to say exactly what was wrong with White's play - perhaps the whole approach should be revised.
Kempinski,R - Morozevich,A: White prepared a new idea in the Morozevich variation but the inventor is still one step ahead of the followers. Without much effort Alexander destroyed White's plans and began his own game. The situation quickly become crazy as both sides eliminated the opponent's flank - White obtained the queen and 3 connected passed pawns on the K-side while Black was hoping to advance his own 3 connected Q-side passed pawns, supported by the rook and two bishops, at the same time keeping an eye on the opponent's king. It soon turned out that Morozevich was playing on the firmer ground but Robert Kempinski should be also praised for his creativity. Enjoy this 22nd century game!
QGD Bf4 [D37]
Nielsen,P.H - Kaidanov,G: Not so long time ago Vishy Anand introduced an interesting set-up, which was 'advised' by Fritz during his Advanced Chess match against Vladimir Kramnik. Here Grigory Kaidanov makes a small contribution to Anand's, trying not only to equalise but to get the advantage with the Black pieces. And his idea would hardly work better - White's position, which looked very safe and solid, collapsed in just 8 moves following 16...e5!!
|
Sokolov,I - Short,N: The line 9.Qc2 Qa5 10.Nd2 has really become one of White's most promising continuations. Nigel Short wasn't given a single chance to create any counterplay thanks to the very convincing play of Ivan Sokolov.
Anti-Meran - Main lines [D46]
Sebenik,M - Dao Thien Hai: In a deep line White is able to invade with his knight on d6 so Black should be very precise with his counter actions.
|
|
Dao Thien Hai used to play this variation with both colours - his novelty in this game looks quite good while the old continuation might have been well met by an improvement.
Meran Defence [D47-49]
Lesiege,A - Akopian,V: A rather sophisticated order of moves has led to this line, which is known to be good for Black but perhaps White can still maintain a small advantage with precise play. In the game he played a new continuation which turned out to be dubious - Black quickly got all the pieces into play and White was forced to simplify into a poor ending...
Avrukh,B - Vera,R: A novelty on move 25 in a deep line did not bring White too much - a draw was agreed after the very next move of his opponent. Actually it is Black's approach which deserves more attention from a theoretical point of view since he has suffered some painful defeats in the games Tkachiev - Van der Wiel/Cannes 1999 and Sundararajan - Sriram/ch-IND, Mumbai 2000.
Tartakower System [D58]
Sturua,Z - Lputian,S: In Karpov's pet line with 8.Be2 White is fairly safe and solid but his manoeuvres should correspond to the aspects of the position. In this game he played too passively and was conclusively outplayed on the K-side.
If you have any questions, then please mail me at ruslan@chesspublishing.com.