February 2001
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I have been stung into action by an absolutely filthy review of one of my books at the Chess Cafe Web Site. One of those wonderful pieces where the chess and chess players play second fiddle to punctuation and ringside gossip. Thankfully, this update will be all about chess and some excellent chess at that! |
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Latest ideas abound
In the Fianchetto Variation we see another outing for 7...Qb6,
            
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KID768, the interesting contribution of Joel Benjamin.
Ian Rogers is in trouble in his favourite 6...Bg4 line after 7 Be3 Nc6 8 Qb3!- see KID769.
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John Nunn shows the way for Black in the Panno Variation with 15...b4!, an important novelty.
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Naumkin treats us to his consummate understanding of the Petrosian Variation in KID775.
Joe Gallagher provides two typical games, KID771, and KID774.
Aaron Summerscale makes Korchnoi's 13 a4
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look like a forced win in KID770.
And, last but not least, two classic attacking games from Spassky and Vaiser close this month's set with a bang!
Main Games
Classical
In KID769 White plays a recent move, very direct, which poses a direct challenge to the entire Black system. By challenging b7, White entices an exchange on f3 and with two Bishops, hopes to slowly edge forward. Black's chances, as usual, depend on the d4 square.
KID770 Summerscale really trusts in this a4 line, his previous duels with Hebden have to be seen to be believed!
It is important to know how to handle the positions after an exchange on e5. In KID773, due to the fact that White has already castled short, there is no promise of advantage whatsoever. I recall playing 8 dxe5 against Jon Mestel in the 1990 British Championship and felt awful about it. Needless to say, White lost because he wasn't really trying to win!
7...a5, Leonid Stein's idea, is still the best move against the Petrosian System although heavily analysed these days. Black slows down White's queenside play and keeps his position flexible, see KID775.
Four Pawns
KID777 features 7...b5 8 e5!?, a really aggressive variation. Sane human beings prefer 8 cxb5 a6 9 a4.
Fianchetto
Once again, in KID768 we have this destabilising idea of Joel Benjamin's, 7...Qb6 and the attendant ... Qa6. It really is down to White to prove that the Black Queen is out of the game. Here, with ...b7-b5 coming up very quickly, White is unable to do so.
Nunn sees no reason to duck the complications against his lower-rated opponent in KID772.
Samisch
KID774 once White has played f2-f3 an early ...Re8 loses force, the move could turn out to be useless.
KID776 is a timeless classic- just watch and learn!
Bg5 Systems
In KID771 White plays what will be one of the least successful novelties of 2001!
I do sincerely hope you are enjoying the ChessPublishing experience. Contact me at amartin@wizard2.demon.co.uk with your thoughts and suggestions.
Best Wishes, Andrew Martin
20 Hot Games (without commentary), all from recent tournaments, reinforce the above information.