March '00 Update
Trompowsky
AS126 The h4 tromp continues to do good business at all levels. I would guess that Black players simply don't take the move h4 seriously enough until it's too late! In the following game, White demonstrates, to good effect, how tactically sharp the h4 variation can be.
Pseudo-Trompowsky
AS127 This game is included serious word of warning to all overconfident White-Tromp players out there. Although there are a number of ultra-aggressive lines at White's disposal, there is naturally an element of risk associated with such play, and you have to keep your wits about you at all times, otherwise you may occassionally be in for an extremely nasty shock!
Torre Attack
AS128 There are some exceptionally boring days, when your opponent is in a peaceable mood and content to go about exchanging all your attacking pieces as quickly as possible. Step forward Mr Arencibia to give a masterclass in successful attacking with just a handful of pieces.
AS129 Loek Van Wely has been on the recieving end of a d-pawn special miniature on this site, so I felt that it was time to redress the balance. Timman makes an uninspired opening choice and is soon sent heading to the bar.
AS130 Possibly unfamiliar with White's plan, Black chooses a solid set-up and the game soon reverts to a Torre-Grunfeld formation. The old expression "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again" was clearly on White's mind, as he is finally rewarded for his pressure play, just as the game seems destined to be drawn.
London System
AS131 Some defenders like to set up a solid, if cramped, position and wait for you to over-reach. While this approach is flexible, it is nevertheless possible to keep your options open for too long, only to discover that it is your opponent who dictates the course of play.
AS132 White builds up quietly, at first content to try and stifle his opponents attempts at counterplay. Black plays a series of natural looking moves and is not only left without a clear plan, but he also gets clobbered when he least expects it...
AS133 Black tries extremely hard to hijack the initiative from an early stage, but White demonstrates that he is up to the task and matches Black blow for blow, finally reaching an unbalanced endgame.
Anti-Colle
AS135 The best way of dealing with the 3...Bg4 Anti-Colle line, this is a model illustration of what White should be looking for in the Colle, when Black develops his light squared bishop early. The plan of exchanging dark squared bishops has caused a few headaches for Black players over the years and this game is no exception.
1 d4 Nf6 2 Nd2
One d-pawn Special that I cannot recommend. The threat of e4 is easily parried leaving the knight passively placed on d2.
AS134 In this game Black, who is already comfortably equal by move 9, searches for various ways to put pressure on the White position.