Download PGN of July '10 1 d4 d5 games
Main Slav Variation [D17]
Jakovenko - Akopian: Dmitry Jakovenko came up with an interesting novelty in a rather important position, 22.Bh3!:
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White's idea seemed harmless but one careless move led Black into trouble. However, White soon returned the favour...
Kacheishvili - Vallejo Pons: White's counterblow 9.Nxf7 comes as a real shock!
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Since 1977, when it was first tried by Alexander Beliavsky, it was supposed to be too harmless for Black, and so it has never been repeated again in an OTB game! Yet Black should not be too relaxed...
The Queen's Gambit Accepted [D27]
Sokolov - Guliyev: A well-known theoretical line led to a position with a slight edge for White. Ivan Sokolov successfully converted it into a full point but Black should be able to hold the balance with more accurate defence.
Giri - Laznicka: Anish Giri came up with a simple-looking, somewhat unusual but very interesting approach in this position:
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His strategy couldn't bring any better results - White's attack was very powerful and very beautiful, too. However, Black's solid position seemed defendable with accurate play.
Ragozin System [D38]
Mchedlishvili - Gajewski: In this well-known opening variation everybody almost automatically puts the queen on c2. However, Mikheil Mchedlishvili found another square and his attacking plan eventually worked very well.
Kramnik - Grischuk: Vladimir Kramnik tried to maintain a small advantage in the ending, which does not look too promising for White. He was successful but objectively Black should be able to hold the balance, as has been demonstrated in some games played with a classical time control.
Vienna Variation [D39]
Borovikov - Drozdovskij: White's new continuation 16.Rb3 does not seem really promising:
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Black gained an extra pawn in the opening at the cost of development and everything was fine for him until he carelessly took another one, after which his opponent's attack quickly escalated.
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.