Download PGN of June '08 KID games
Classical: The Bayonet attack
We'll start with Cheparinov's novelty in Cheparinov, I - Radjabov, T, M-Tel Masters 2008:
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Here White introduced the interesting new move 16.exf5, instead of 16.c5, which was tested twice in Wijk aan Zee 2007. Cheparinov obtained a promising position, and his advantage became even bigger after 21...Nxe7?! However, a series of mutual mistakes led the game to a draw.
Cheparinov's novelty sets Black some problems, and so the ball is now in Black's court.
In Mikhalevski,V-Tello Nunez, Benidorm 2008, Black played a relatively rare line with 11...Nf4, and then the side line with 13...h6, the diagram position arising after 16...Nc6:
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After a long think I came to the conclusion that I wanted to exchange Black's knight by means of Nd2-f3. So I played 17.Nd2 and soon obtained a position with a slight, but lasting edge and eventually won the game. This game proves once again that 13...Bf6 should be preferred.
Aronian, L - Radjabov, T, M-Tel Masters 2008, saw 10...a5, instead of 10...f5, which we saw in the two preceding games. The key position arose after 16...Nf6:
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Here Levon tried the natural 17.Bb2, instead of the 17.g3 that was played in Goloshchapov, A - Bologan, V, Feugen 2006. The position was balanced for most of the game, but Aronian was the last to err and so Radjabov won the game. However White's opening idea deserves further tests.
Classical. The old main line with 9.Ne1
The game Ivanchuk, V - Cheparinov, I, M-Tel Masters 2008, featured a long theoretical line which eventually led to the diagram position below:
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Only here Ivanchuk introduced the new move 25.hxg4!, instead of 25.Nxg4. However, his next move was already an inaccuracy. Black also missed a chance to obtain a double-edged position with 26...Bxg4, instead of 26...f3?, and then Ivanchuk gave Black another chance with 30.Nc7?!, but Cheparinov slipped up again, first with 32...Qxb6 and then 33...Nhxg2. This time Ivanchuk left him no more chances and won the game convincingly. Despite some inevitable mistakes, the game makes a strong impression, and Ivanchuk shows that Black experiences problems in this long line.
The Orthodox system with 7...Na6
Navara, D - Svidler, P, FIDE GP Baku 2008, saw the not very popular line with 9...f6, instead of 9...Qe8, and the diagram position arose after 10.Bc1:
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Here Svidler played the provocative 10...c6, and soon introduced the interesting novelty 13...dxc5 in an attempt to revive this dubious line. The game went logically up to 25.Nd4?!, when instead White could set some problems with 25.Nf4! An interesting fighting game, but it seems that Svidler's novelty doesn't allow Black to fully equalise, and so 10...c6 is not enough for equality, at least for the moment.
Four Pawns Attack
Another interesting idea was demonstrated by Svidler in Mamedyarov, S - Svidler, P, FIDE GP Baku 2008:
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Black has just played the rare 6...e5, instead of the much more popular moves 6...c5 or 6...Na6. After some forced play White found his king on a6, when Black had to force a perpetual. I believe this position deserves a diagram:
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A short, but very interesting and theoretically important game, which shows that the almost unexplored 6...e5 is a worthy attempt to fight for equality. Probably White has to look for the advantage with the help of 7.fxe5 dxe5 8.d5.
Fianchetto
Grischuk, A - Inarkiev, E, FIDE GP Baku 2008, featured an extremely rare continuation in a popular line of the Fianchetto:
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Here Black played 8...e5, instead of 8...a6, which is more in the spirit of the Panno variation. Already 9...a6 turned out to be a novelty. White could have claimed an advantage with 16.Nd5, but instead played the strange 16.Qxd8, which allowed Black to obtain decent counterplay by bringing the knight to e6. Black missed his chance and despite Grischuk's inaccurate 33.Rc1?! he was never allowed back in the game. The line with 8...e5 remains virtually unexplored and only further tests can give a better understanding of the positions that arise. However, my impression is that Black should experience some problems due to the inclusion of the moves h3 and ...Rb8, which should be favourable for White.
Finally, the game Svidler, P - Inarkiev, E, FIDE GP Baku 2008, saw another novelty from Svidler, 12.e4, this time in the relatively rare line with 8.Re1:
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White slowly outplayed his opponent and finished the game in style. A good positional win from Peter Svidler, his novelty is interesting and requires further tests.
Enjoy the issue and see you in July. Victor
Don't hesitate to share your thoughts and suggestions with me. Any queries or comments to the KID Forum, or to me directly at Victor@ChessPublishing.com (subscribers only) would be most welcome.