Download PGN of September '10 1 d4 d5 games

Chebanenko System [D15]

Navara - Velicka: Black's restrained approach gives White somewhat the better chances in a rather dull position. Yet, on this particular day David Navara was in a very creative mood - he first sacrificed a piece and then later a rook for some of his opponent's pawns and got a formidable pawn phalanx:

Later an extra rook should have been enough for Black to hold the ending with accurate defence but in the time scramble he was the last to go wrong...

Oms Pallise - Huerga Leache: Black inserted a pawn capture which opens the b-file. However, it is his opponent's rook which can occupy it first and White secured the better chances by a series of energetic moves.

Vitiugov - Rodshtein: Nikita Vitiugov came up with astonishing novelty in a position which has been thought to be harmless for Black for many years:

Here he played 17.exd5!, when instead of securing his rook he insisted on its capture and got very powerful compensation for it. In some cases his monster bishop and pawn center gave White more than enough for the rook even in the ending! The subsequent slow king manoeuvres in the center and the final crushing attack make a great impression - one of the best games I've ever seen!

Le Quang - Nguyen Duc Hoa: Here Black improved upon Vitiugov - Rodstein/WchT Bursa 2010, but made a wrong second step and was punished in style, though not without inaccuracies. Analysis of this extremely complicated line shows that Black can probably hold the balance with precise defence but surprises are quite possible - perhaps White can still maintain his pressure even a rook down...

So - Ni Hua: Although Black's approach looks somewhat risky he is able to get a solid position. However, his later inaccuracy could have led to a worse ending but White chose another way and Black was okay. Surprisingly, in the ending White played too carelessly and eventually failed to cope with the problems which he mostly created himself.

Le Quang - Bacrot: Etienne Bacrot chose the more reliable approach but still failed to solve all the problems. Le Quang Liem supported his strong d-passer with all his pieces - his centralised king also played an important role - and it eventually cost Black too much.

Ni Hua - Malakhov: Vladimir Malakhov demonstrated a clever improvement over the previous game, Le Quang Liem - Bacrot/Aeroflot Moscow 2010, 20...Rae8!, and comfortably solved the problems:

White still seems to be able to maintain a slight edge but it does not look that promising for him.

See you next month, 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.