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This update is a bit unusual. The recently finished European women's Championship gave me the idea to look for interesting opening ideas in women's games more thoroughly. The level of women's chess has seriously increased over the last decade and even very strong Grandmasters cannot be sure of the outcome when playing against a young girl these days. I hope you'll enjoy the selection!

Download PGN of May '11 1 d4 d5 games

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Chebanenko System 6.c5 [D15]

Ovod - Stefanova: Antoaneta Stefanova chose a rather risky set-up for Black here as White has a good plan of Q-side invasion:

This is exactly what happened and the subsequent thematic positional piece sacrifice gave White the better chances. However, soon it was Black who was on top though she later unnecessarily sacrificed her queen and wasn't too upset to get a draw.



QGD 5.Bf4 0-0 6.e3 c5 [D37]

Swiercz - Sachdev: Tania Sachdev came well prepared and gave her opponent no chances to get the advantage. But, of course, she didn't mind grabbing a full point herself by cleverly exploiting her opponent's inaccuracies!



Moscow Variation [D43]

Zhu Chen - Sveshnikov, E: It is difficult to say why one of the main Moscow Variation experts, Evgeny Sveshnikov, chose such a passive setup:

Zhu Chen is known to be a very good positional player, who is always happy to play positions with a small but stable advantage. In this game she clearly outplayed her opponent and finished the game in style.



Botvinnik Variation 16.Na4 [D44]

Karavade - Sveshnikov, E The Botvinnik Variation is a rare guest in Evgeny Sveshnikov's repertoire but here he failed to surprise his opponent. Moreover, the sideline he chose soon led him into trouble and he escaped only thanks to his opponent's help.



Anti-Meran Variation [D46]

Khotenashvili - Stefanova: Bela Khotenashvili eventually prevailed over her formidable rival here in a strategically complex game. Black was okay after the opening and the game was balanced for a long time until Stefanova, being under pressure, failed to find the most accurate way to avoid problems.



Meran Variation 8...Bb7 [D47-48]

Khurtsidze - Mkrtchian: Here Black tried to gain benefit from delaying castling:

but she actually got herself into trouble. By a series of powerful moves White launched a strong attack, and despite some inaccuracies it was a really good game by Nino Khurtsidze.

Onischuk - Zhukova: Natalia Zhukova fought very well in a complicated line against a top player and fully deserved half a point. As to the opening, White can probably get better chances with more precise play.



Cambridge Springs [D52]

Gunina - Ushenina: Valentina Gunina chose a simple approach but in fact it was not without poison:

Black failed to recall the best continuation at a critical moment as it looked too risky, but her passive approach was punished in style.

Cmilyte - Romanko: Victoria Cmilyte played very good chess at the recently finished European Championship and convincingly won the title. Here is one of her wins, which shows that Black may face real problems in the principle line of the Cambridge Springs.



Ruslan

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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.