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This update is about the Anti-Meran approach. It has recently become rather popular at the top level - many players find it more promising than the Meran variation, especially after the Kramnik - Anand World Title match. One of them is former FIDE World Champion, and Anand's second, Rustam Kasimdzhanov, who played it 4 times at the last FIDE Grand Prix in Jermuk and gave Black real problems - his attempts could hardly go unnoticed...
I also fulfilled a request from our subscriber Magnús Teitsson from Reykjavík, who drew my attention to the early 7. Ne5 jump in the Catalan, which White has recently begun to play more often.

Download PGN of October '09 1 d4 d5 games


Anti-Meran [D46]

Akopian - Aronian: Levon Aronian demonstrated how Black should get counter chances in this variation. A series of energetic, sometimes unexpected, blows confused his opponent, but unfortunately Levon spoiled a wonderful game just one step before the total triumph.

Kasimdzhanov - Aronian: Recently the Anti-Meran approach has become popular at the top level. Rustam Kasimdzhanov played it 4 times in the last FIDE Grand Prix in Jermuk and posed real problems for his opponents! Here a slight improvement on the game Svidler - Karjakin/Baku 2008, 19. e6!?, helped him score a full point:

and it is not clear what Levon Aronian did wrong!

Kasimdzhanov - Leko: Peter Leko gave a good answer to the question raised in the previous game (Kasimdzhanov - Aronian/FIDE GP Jermuk 2009). A novelty on move 20 allowed him to comfortably solve the problems.

Kasimdzhanov - Gelfand: Boris Gelfand tried a somewhat unusual line, 11...Qe7:

but he failed to completely solve Black's problems. However, it was not Rustam 's day - his sluggish play eventually led to disaster.

Eljanov - Aronian: In Jermuk Levon Aronian was suffering in the Anti-Meran. Here he faced a novelty which should not be dangerous for Black but his rather unsuccessful play in the ending allowed Pavel Eljanov to score a nice victory against his formidable opponent.

Kasimdzhanov - Cheparinov: Here Rustam came up with a very interesting attacking plan on the K-side and gave his opponent serious problems:

Ivan passed a few tests successfully but soon it has become extremely difficult to find the right way over the board. However, White then forgot to commit a deadly blow, but when it already seemed to be a draw Black suddenly played a series of mistakes...



Catalan Variation [E05]

Meier - Bruzon Bautista: The early knight's jump 7. Ne5 has recently gained more popularity:

However, the well-known path should still be sufficient for Black, as demonstrated in this game.



Ruslan

 

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.