December 2000
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Merry Christmas to one and all from your friendly author. We have plenty to interest everyone this festive month. One of the most topical variations of the King's Indian currently in use is the Bayonet Variation , 9 b4 in the Classical Main Line. I examine some recent games with 9…c6!? |
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Murey's idea, and conclude that this is a good way for Black to sidestep all the theory. Check out the most recent game in this line- Yermolinsky - Al Modiahki New Delhi 2000, in the HOT GAMES section.
Evidence that the King's Indian can be interpreted individually comes from Grandmaster Dizdarevic with his own line 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nf3 d6 4 Nc3 Bf5!
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I focus on his very recent game with Boris Gelfand- it looks like Black needs an improvement there, see KID711.
The Samisch hasn't featured much recently, surely a whim of fashion?
Take a look at Joe Gallagher's interpretation of 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4 d6 5 f3 0-0 6 Nge2! (KID706.-
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it will convince you that this little Knight move is at least the equal of 6 Be3 or 6 Bg5. White keeps options open for the Bishop.
Cheesed off with the Main Line? Too much emphasis on memory and not enough chess? I wouldn't blame you if you felt that way, so how about Zuger's 6 Be2 Bg4,
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a solid way to go.
Finally, I hope to show that the Four Pawns Attack is still very much in business as an attacking weapon, even in the less common lines. Have a look at Topalov's demolition of Sherzer, using 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4 d6 5 f4 0-0 6 Nf3 c5 7 dxc5 Qa5 8 Bd3 Qxc5 9 Qe2!-
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you might become a convert to this direct style of play.
See you in the New Year!
Until then, all the best!
IM Andrew Martin
Main Games
Classical
KID705 It may have been Kramnik's 9 b4, 10 Re1 system which dissuaded Kasparov from playing the King's Indian in their fateful match.
KID712 Options preserving. Murey has a fantastic score with this line.
KID707 I would say that the 6...Bg4 is best reserved as a surprise weapon, particularly if your opponent expects one of the long main lines emanating out of 6...e5. As such and well prepared, it could prove a potent points scorer. Recommended.
KID709 Half way between the main line and the Petrosian System we reach a standard position. Castling early takes away some of White's more dangerous options and Hernandez will demonstrate a good method for Black.
KID714 I doubt Epishin's opening play troubles Black too much- White players should take a closer look at 11 Rb1!
Four Pawns
KID708 This line isn't critical but it packs a punch if Black, as here, underestimates White's attacking potential.
Fianchetto
KID715 Lputian's improvisation 14 Ba1 neatly rules out any annoying ...Rxb2 tactics.
Samisch
KID706 6 Nge2 is an underestimated continuation which works particularly well against a Benoni set-up. I am convinced that 6...e5 is the best for Black now but here Black goes his own way.
Old Indian
KID713 What made this victory particularly satisfying was the way that Suba had criticized the Black set-up as ' total shit ' a few days before this game. Not that he is wrong mind you, more that the whole Black position is seriously resilient...
Miscellaneous Lines
KID711 Adding an original touch to a hackneyed position. But is 4...Bf5!? any good? Gelfand decides the Bishop is a target and that he WILL be provoked.
There's plenty more in this update, including the usual selection of HOT games (without commentary or analysis):