Download PGN of March '06 KID games
Classical: The Bayonet attack
I would like to start with the old main line of the Bayonet attack, seen in Van Wely, L - Pruijssers, R, TCh-NED 2005-6. The diagram shows the initial position of this system after 10.g3:
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It has to be mentioned that this was once Van Wely's pet line and in this game he introduced a novelty on move 18 and then sacrificed a pawn for positional compensation. Under some pressure Black committed two mistakes and obtained a difficult position, but Van Wely returned the favour. However, Pruijssers erred last and Loek scored the full point.
Despite a big difference in strength the game was very tense. Is the old line with 10.g3 back on track? This question remains open until further tests.
In our next game, Groffen, H - Pavlovic, M, Gibtelecom Masters 2006, White made a well-known inaccuracy on the eleventh move. Soon the game reached the diagram position:
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The position arising after 16.dxc6 Nxc6 is about equal. On the 18th move White played a novelty trying to improve upon Kramnik's play in Kramnik, V - Gelfand, B, Dortmund 1996, but then missed a very strong idea in the following position, which is a good example for your tactical vision.:
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Black to move. Fortunately for White Pavlovic also missed it and eventually the game was drawn.
This game once again proved the correctness of Gelfand's idea. White has to look for an advantage after 11.bxa5 instead.
7...Na6 system
In the game Harikrishna, P - Hamdouchi, H, XII Open Reykjavik 2006, the young Indian tested Beliavsky's idea, 11.Qc1:
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Pentala introduced a novelty as early as the 12th move, but he soon had to sac a pawn for some initiative. After a number of inaccuracies Black first missed the advantage, then the equality and eventually entered into a dangerous endgame, which he saved only thanks to his opponent.
An interesting fighting draw, while Beliavsky's idea deserves further tests.
The Gligoric system
Linares offered us the following interesting game in this system: Ivanchuk, V - Radjabov, T, Linares 2006.
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In the key position of this line Ivanchuk played a virtually new idea, 17.Bb5, and put Black under some pressure. However Radjabov was precise and Ivanchuk started to err, which eventually led to his loss. The positions which arise from this line are very tense and those who want to play it have to calculate variations very well. Each move is important and the price of each mistake is very high. Despite White's loss in this game Ivanchuk's idea 17.Bb5 deserves further tests.
Our second game in this system is another Radjabov game in Linares, Aronian, L - Radjabov, T, Linares 2006.
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Aronian played 13.exf5 here, and won after a very tough game, where both young players showed a very high level of play, although this time Levon was better. This opening line requires further tests although, I believe, White maintains a slight edge.
The diagram position also occurred in Huzman, A - Bologan, V, Aeroflot Open 2006. This time White opted for 13.f3 following one of his student's games, I mean Gelfand! However Bologan came with a strong novelty, soon took the initiative and eventually the game reached the following position in which all the white pieces are pinned:
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White had no choice but to resign. The game opened some hidden sides of typical positions which arise in the Gligoric system. Bravo, Viorel!
The system with 5.Bd3
The game Topalov, V - Radjabov, T, Linares 2006 featured the relatively rare line with 5. Bd3 and 6.Nge2. After logical play from both sides the following position arose:
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The World Champion found a surprising idea, 20 g4!, which initiates very interesting complications. Radjabov showed once again that he knows how to withstand pressure and eventually Veselin committed a mistake, which proved to be enough for Black to win the game. If you are looking for a slight opening advantage you may like this line.
Fianchetto System
Our last game in this update is a one man performance. See Tregubov, P - Izoria, Z, Aeroflot Open 2006.
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Black has chosen a rare line with 7...Qb6 and the choice turned out to be extremely good. White committed a number of unforced errors and soon found himself in a difficult position. In the recent past Tregubov was a 2600+ player, but he played this game well below his usual level and Zviad won without a big effort. The line with 7...Qb6 is interesting and may come as a surprise for some players. I believe White should look for better ways than 8.e4 in order to fight for an opening advantage.
Enjoy the issue and see you in April.
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.