Download PGN of March ’18 1 d4 d5 2 c4 games
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Geller Gambit 6.Be2 [D15]
We start our survey with two games in the Slav.
Adhiban, B - Rapport, R Reykjavik 2018, started 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 e4 b5 6.Be2!?:
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This is quite a rarity, but can't be underestimated as in recent games Black suffered a lot of losses. Of course, improvements are needed and I think some can be found in my comments.
Chebanenko System 5.c5 [D15]
Korobov, A - McShane, L Batumi (European Individual CH) 2018, was a Chebananko, a popular line with a very solid background, after 5.c5 Nbd7 6.Bf4 Nh5 7.Bd2 Nhf6 8.Rc1!?:
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The Russian GM later launched the interesting novelty 12.Na4!? and enjoyed the better play all the way - this game is worth serious investigation.
Blackburne QGD 5 Bf4 0-0 6 e3 c5, 10...Re8 [D37]
We are now in QGD territory and once again, in Mamedyarov, S - Nakamura, H Moscow (Tal Memorial) 2018, we have this hot topic in the Bf4 system, following 5.Bf4 0-0 6.e3 c5 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.Qc2 Nc6 9.Rd1 Qa5 10.a3 Re8:
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Again Nakamura defends the Black side, it has almost become his trademark, and once again no problems for Black it seems. I also added more games from recent events in the notes.
Vienna Variation Mainline 7.Bxc4, 10.Bb5+ Nbd7 [D39]
In Karjakin, S - Aronian, L Berlin 2018, we have the Vienna line, something that I didn't cover here that much. After 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Bg5 dxc4 6.e4 c5 7.Bxc4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Qa5 10.Bb5+ Nbd7 11.Bxf6 Qxc3+ 12.Kf1 gxf6 13.h4 Aronian now used a slightly different move order by playing first 13...Qb4:
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It seems that some detail confused Karjakin, thus helping Aronian to take over the game rather quickly.
Moscow Variation 6.Bh4, 12.Nxf7 piece sac [D43]
Grischuk, A - Ding Liren Berlin 2018, was an entertaining game to watch. An Anti-Botvinnik gambit, and it can't really get any sharper then that I think. After 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.Bg3 b5 9.Be2 Bb7 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.Ne5 Bg7 is one of the main lines and now Grischuk opted for the sharpest 12.Nxf7!?:
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And after a few more moves he launched a new idea which is not just one move, but an entirely new attacking plan. His 'blitzkrieg' tactics worked well, but he failed to find the winning idea at one moment, only to find himself fighting for a draw later on. Interesting stuff.
Catalan Opening 4...e7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Qc2 c6!? [E05/D30]
Now we come to three games in the Catalan main line, in all of them Mamedyarov was involved as Black, in all of them he played different variations, and in none of these games did he face any serious danger. I also included recent games in the notes as well wherever that was possible. Let's see...
So, W - Mamedyarov, S Berlin 2018, started 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Qc2 c6!?:
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This is an interesting move order, which involves a combination of Slav and Catalan ideas. Something that we will see more often in the future, I am sure.
Catalan Opening Mainline 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4 [E05]
This time, in Ding Liren - Mamedyarov, S Berlin 2018, it's a classical approach with 4...Be7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4 Bd7 9.Qxc4 Bc6 10.Bf4 Bd6:
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A little later Ding Liren played an interesting new idea, the move 13.Bc1!?, but Mamedyarov continued well and Black had no problems, still the game is rather interesting.
Catalan Opening 4...Be7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Qc2 b6!? [E06]
Aronian, L - Mamedyarov, S Berlin 2018, featured the trendy line 4...Be7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Qc2 b6!?:
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Once again we consider this line on ChessPub, and it is important to note that this is not the only game in Berlin in which it was played, so obviously it is becoming popular at the highest levels.
I hope you enjoyed my work these past two months, best wishes to all, GM Milos Pavlovic.
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