Download PGN of October '13 1 d4 d5 games
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Chebanenko System 5...b5 6 b3 [D15]
Baumegger - Wallner: Here Black followed an old main line, 12...Qc7:
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which is not popular these days as White gets a stable advantage and can pressurize without any risk. Experts prefer another way, which is also discussed in the comments...
Main Slav 5 a4 e6 6 e3 c5 [D16]
Kramnik - Korobov: Vladimir Kramnik came up with an interesting approach, 13 a5!:
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and his Q-side assault quickly put Black under pressure.
Queen's Gambit Accepted 5...a6 6 0-0 Nbd7 [D26]
Saric - Sulava: Ante Saric demonstrated how to punish Black for delaying the thematic ...c7-c5 in the QGA.
Vienna Variation - Anti-Vienna Gambit 14 Bf4 [D24]
Topalov - Laznicka: Veselin Topalov put a lot of pressure on his opponent with an impressive exchange sacrifice, 16 Rae1:
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and then a pawn sacrifice, while already a pawn down in the Anti-Vienna Gambit. However, Black can probably hold on with a series of precise moves - for some time Victor Laznicka was equal to the task until he made a serious mistake, which remained unpunished.
QGD Exchange Variation 3...Be7 4 cxd5 exd5 5 Bf4 [D31]
Nepomniachtchi - Ponomariov: Ian Nepomniachtchi came up with an interesting improvement over ... his opponent's recent game, and won in beautiful style. This line is recently being tested and more encounters might follow...
Ragozin System 9...Nc6 10 0-0 g5 [D38]
Hammer - Movsesian: Sergey Movsesian came up with a simple-looking, though very rare, approach 11...0-0:
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and obtained a solid position. Yet Black was still under some pressure and a few inaccuracies almost put him on the verge of defeat.
Ragozin System 8 dxc5 Nc6 [D38]
Van Wely-Almagro Llamas: Black's natural but objectively dubious approach might have taken Loek van Wely by surprise. White's desperate pawn sacrifices did not allow him to obtain the desired initiative though they were eventually justified thanks to his opponent's mistakes.
Semi-Tarrasch 6 e3 [D42]
Ovsejevitsch - Kveinys: Sergei Ovsejevisch came up with a novelty in a typical position with an isolated queen's pawn, 12 h4!?:
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and quickly scored a full point. Yet Black should be able to gain acceptable play in this line, but he has to work out a more precise defence.
Till next month, 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.