Download PGN of July ’18 1 d4 d5 2 c4 games
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Exchange Slav 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 a6 [D13]
In our first one between So, W - Carlsen, M Norway Chess, the World Champion failed to find a clear path to equality after 7.Rc1 Bf5 8.e3 Rc8 9.Be2 Nd7 10.0-0 Be7:
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GM So came up with an interesting novelty to sidestep Black's potential expansion on the kingside, Carlsen played well but made the wrong choice at one moment which lead him into a slightly inferior position. In any case a game worth looking at.
Exchange Slav 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Nh5 [D13]
In the second Exchange Variation game, from the Yaroslav Russian Higher League, Inarkiev, E - Motylev, A, White opted for 7.Be5 and after 7...f6 8.Bg3 Black played the unusual but interesting 8...Be6!?:
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An interesting fighting game in which both sides had chances.
Chebanenko System 5.c5 Bf5 [D15]
In Wei Ji - Zhou Jianchao, Hangzhou, after 6.Qb3 Ra7 7.Nh4:
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At an early stage we got a highly unusual position with an unorthodox type of chess. White was slightly better, but nothing significant.
Queens Gambit Declined, Modern 5.Bf4 line 6.e3 Nbd7 7.c5 Nh5 [D37]
Now we are going to cover three games from QGD positions all three dealing with the modern 5.Bf4 line. Games 4 and 5 belong to the same line while game 6 examines the already well known Karpov idea, from his match with Korchnoi, that is now very popular among top GMs.
In Grischuk, A - Karjakin , S, Paris, after 7.c5 Nh5 8.Be2 Nxf4 9.exf4 b6 10.b4 a5 11.a3 c6:
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Grischuk played well and introduced a dangerous piece sacrifice, but it was Karjakin who deviated from the main paths, another game worth looking at.
Queens Gambit Declined, Modern 5.Bf4 line 6.e3 Nbd7 7.cxd5 [D37]
In Game 5, Li Chao - Yu Yangui, Ningbo, White opted for 7.cxd5 and after 7...Nxd5 8.Nxd5 exd5 9.Bd3 c5:
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Black played well and equalized with ease, even getting chances to win the game in an ending.
Queens Gambit Declined, Modern 5.Bf4 line 6.e3 c5, 10...Re8 [D37]
Mamedyarov, S - Nakamura, Hi, Leuven, is another interesting game after 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.a3 Nc6 9.Qc2 Qa5 10.Rd1 Re8:
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Actually Mamedyarov played this line twice in this event, trying different things, but didn't achieve anything. In this particular game White tested something rare but was easily outplayed, although the position from the opening is objectively equal.
Ragozin 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.e3 0-0 [D38]
In Bu Xiangzhi - Wei Ji, Hangzhou, White played what is considered the Main line, 8.Rc1 dxc4 9.Bxc4 c5 10.0-0 cxd4 11.Ne4 Qe7 12.a3 Ba5 13.Qxd4 Rd8 14.Qc5 !?:
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A less played idea, but Black played well and equalized easily.
Ragozin 5.Qa4+ [D38]
This interesting line is very popular for White, in Navarra, D - Harikrishna, P, Prague, after 5...Nc6 7.e3 0-0 8.Bd2 Black played one of the main ideas 8...dxc4 9.Bxc4 Bd6:
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Black is ready for ...e5 and inside you will find an overview of this particular position, which often resembles Nimzo or Semi Slav positions with Qc2. In the main game Black played well and got equal play.
Till next month, best wishes, Milos.
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