Download PGN of June ’18 1 d4 d5 2 c4 games
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QGD Anti-Vienna Gambit [D37]
We again have an interesting game in this gambit line.
Firstly, Aronian, L - Caruana, F, which started 4...dxc4 5.e4 Bb4 6.Bxc4 Nxe4 7.0-0 Nf6:
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White was not able to find any chances for an advantage, and Black easily equalized.
Queens Gambit 4...dxc4 5.e4 b5!? [D24]
In Wojtaszek, R - Duda, J from the Polish Ch Black hung on to the pawn, 4...dxc4 5.e4 b5!?:
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This is a surprising line, which is still developing. Black has good results so far, but of course many more games are needed before we can make any firm conclusions.
Blackburne QGD 5.Bf4 0-0 6.e3 c5 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.a3 Nc6 9.Qc2 Qa5 [D37]
We are dealing with two games here this month, both are very important and interesting.
In Game 3, Aronian, L - Nakamura, Hi, there followed 10.Rd1 Re8:
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This is not the first time that these two players have faced-off in this line, and it seems that Black is doing OK. The 10...Re8 line has established itself as a very solid line for the time being.
In Karjakin, S - Anand, V Karjakin tried a sharp continuation to which he previously lost as Black.
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However, Anand was ready for it and new exactly what had to be done to neutralize the White initiative. Another game worth looking at.
Queens Gambit Declined Rare line 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 dxc4!? [D37]
The next game is Van -Wely, L - Anand, V from the Bundesliga. After the standard initial moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 Anand played the rare 6...dxc4!?:
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This is a slightly forgotten line and was only tried a few times in the past, but Anand equalized effortlessly anyway, obviously something to look out for in the future.
Catalan Opening 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 Bd7 [E04]
Now we have three games in the Catalan all belonging to different types of lines.
Game 6 is Lou Yiping - Wang Hao, CHN ch. In this game, after 4...dxc4 5.Bg2, Black opted for 5...Bd7 6.Ne5 Bc6 7.Nxc6 Nxc6 8.0-0 Qd7:
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Inside I gave a bunch of interesting games for a better understanding, mostly new ones. In the game White simply lost quickly, but there are some critical aspects of the line that have to be looked at.
Catalan Mainline 4...Be7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4 [E05]
In Mamedyarov, S - So, W we have the main line after the initial moves 4...Be7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4 Bd7 9.Rd1 Bc6 10.Bg5:
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This is a line that I analyzed in a previous update, but this time Black came up with a more consistent idea: to defend the pawn with 10...b5. No problems for Black.
Closed Catalan 8.b4!? [E11]
So, W - Karjakin, S started 4...Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Bg2 0-0 7.0-0 Nbd7 8.b4!?:
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It's a fresh new idea, and unusual for this line, but very interesting. Karjakin was worse but somehow So didn't make full use of the potential of his position that arose at one moment.
Till next month, best wishes, Milos.
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