January 2003 Update: - What's New
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A mixed bag this month. A number of the games show that White must be on his guard just as much as Black in the d-pawn specials. Happy Hunting! Aaron Summerscale aaron@chesspublishing.com
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You can download the January '03 d-pawn specials games directly in PGN form here: 
Trompowsky [A45]
I feel that the versatility of the Tromp is one of its main strengths and as such, the reason that so many strong players continue to employ it. Black can easily end up in strange variations of the French, Benoni or Queens Gambit, to name but a few.
            
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Black has been lured into an unfamiliar French position. How would you continue White's attack?
From the games posted on this site, you might get the impression that Black should never take the "poisoned" pawn on b2. This game helps to redress the balance.
Pseudo-Tromp [D00]
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Black has been lured into a strange Queen's Gambit Accepted position. However, it is still difficult to believe that in the diagram position Black is already lost! It seems impossible to deal with the threat of Nxe6.
A nice advertisement for the merits of the Stonewall approach to the Tromp.
London System [D00 & A46]
If White is prepared to employ some creativity in the London System, he is likely to reap rewards.
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Here, White threatens to use his h-pawn battering ram against the Black King, in the manner similar to that of the Barry attack. This certainly leads to some lively play.
More bad news in the main line with d5/c5 I'm afraid, but perhaps we can find a glimmer of hope....
White finds a nice finish after Black wastes valuable time in the opening 'bishop hunting'.
Veresov Attack [D01]
White can sometimes pay a price for playing too aggressively in the Veresov, so take note.
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How did Black bring about a"Krushing" victory from the diagram position?
Colle-Zukertort [D02 & D04-05]
White takes advantage of some overly passive play and finishes with gusto!
The Semi-Slav structure with pawns on c6, d5 and e6 is always a difficult one to break down and White is well advised to patiently bide his time and wait for his opportunity. Black is very close to full equality when he blunders horribly.