Download PGN of May ’18 1 d4 d5 2 c4 games
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Exchange Slav Mainline 6.Bf4 Bf5 [D14]
After 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Qb3 Bb4 9.Ne5 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 Nxe5 11.Bxe5 0-0 12.Rc1:
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We already saw this line, which has obviously attracted attention, in the April update, and this time we are following the game Zherebukh, Y - Robson, R. So far so good for White, as Black is under pressure.
Queens Gambit Declined, Modern 5.Bf4 line 6.e3 Nbd7 7.c5 Nh5 [D37]
Ding Liren - Radjabov, T from Shamkir 2018, saw one of the main features of the system 5.Bf4 0-0 6.e3 Nbd7 7.c5 Nh5 8.Bd3 Nxf4 9.exf4 b6 10.b4 a5 11.a3 c6:
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Radjabov is one of the biggest experts in the QGD so it's no surprise that he came out of the opening with a good position.
Ragozin Defence 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bg5, 8...Bf5 [D38]
Onischuk, AL - Shankland, S is another game in a very popular line, after the introductory moves we have 6...h6 7.Bh4 0-0 8.e3 Bf5:
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I wrote about this line as well, as did Max, and this game further proves that Black’s chances are OK here. White tried a new idea but somehow it was never dangerous for Black.
Queens Gambit Declined Tartakower line 8.Be2 Bb7 9.Bxf6 Bxf6 10.cxd5 exd5 11.b4 [D58]
In Izoria, Z - Onischuk, AL , after the opening moves, Black opted for a direct equalizing method known from the Karpov-Kasparov matches, 11...c5:
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On the further 12.bxc5 bxc5 13.Rb1 Bc6 14.0-0 Nd7 White opted for 15.Qd2 but failed to show any advantage, though at a later stage he got some chances due to some imprecise play from Onischuk. Objectively the line is OK for Black, but it's all about details here, there are no easy solutions.
Classical Queens Gambit Declined 7...Nbd7 8.Qc2 c5 [D61]
In the game Foisor, S - Wang, A, after 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Qc2 0-0 6.e3 Nbd7 7.Nc3 h6 8.Bh4 c5:
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With a slightly different move order we have reached one of the main lines in the QGD. Now White tried a new and sharp idea, but Black played well and even obtained some advantage but later on lost the thread of the game and lost. Overall we can say that Black is doing OK.
Queen’s Gambit Declined Old Main line 8.Rc1 c6 [D63]
Our next game is Shankland, S - Zherebukh, Y. In the old line, after 4...Nbd7 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 h6 7.Bh4 0-0 8.Rc1 c6!?:
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Black quickly managed to establish a good game here, but failed to find an energetic plan in the middlegame. Not a popular line to say the least, but readers will find some interesting stuff in the notes inside.
Catalan Opening 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 Nc6 6.Qa4 Mainline [E04]
Finally, we come to two games in the Catalan:
In Xiong, J - Zherebukh, Y, after 6.Qa4 we have 6...Bb4+ 7.Bd2 Nd5 8.Bxb4 Ndxb4 9.Nc3 Bd7 10.0-0 a5:
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White managed to find a very interesting new idea at an early stage, and this game is worth looking at and analyzing more deeply.
Catalan Mainline 4...Be7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4 [E05]
In Zherebukh, Y - Onischuk, AL White opted for a relatively new idea, so after 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4 Bd7 9.Rd1 Bc6 he played 10.Bg5:
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An interesting line, and not so many games, but there are some interesting points, OK it has to be said that this applies to both sides.
That's all for this month, best wishes, GM Milos Pavlovic.
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