Classical
SEP01/18 ...a6!? is Ghasi's pet variation. Black is hedging his bets, Will he play . ... c7-c5 or ...e7-e5?
SEP01/20 A key clash!
SEP01/22 A solid, flexible variation is needed playing for a win against a lower-rated opponent.
SEP01/24 Lightly annotated.
SEP01/19 HOT off the press!
SEP01/21 HOT off the press!
SEP01/23 HOT off the press!
SEP01/25 HOT off the press!
SEP01/26 HOT off the press!
Four Pawns
SEP01/01 I'm really not sure how it benefits Black to exchange on f3 so soon- White usually plays h2-h3 anyway so why not wait?
SEP01/12 HOT off the press!
Fianchetto
SEP01/03 Black didn't need to get carried away!
SEP01/05 11 Rb1 Keeps the tension and it's a move I like very much. White almost ignores Black's counterplay against d4.
SEP01/06 12 Qc1 is a very interesting novelty which succeeds here. White plans Rd1 and Nd5 , with a grip. Fridman also has other ideas in mind!
SEP01/08 Lightly annotated.
SEP01/11 Lightly annotated.
SEP01/07 HOT off the press!
SEP01/09 HOT off the press!
Samisch
SEP01/13 It's true that White has the more solid structure but he needs a few moves to unravel and consolidate. Thus Hebden keeps Ward on the hop with intelligent, active play.
SEP01/14 To achieve ...f5 is the whole point of 12...Ne8. Mantovani achieves an excellent position with this uncommon idea.
SEP01/15 10...Nh5!? is an idea employed by Kasparov so he must have seen something in it. White has to be careful.
Bg5 Systems
SEP01/16 To maintain chances Black should continue the policy of 'undevelopment', hitting at the base of the imposing White queenside pawn chain.
SEP01/02 HOT off the press!
Miscellaneous Lines
SEP01/10 This h5 pawn push on the Kingside, prising open the h-file, is an important component of White's system. It's a positional advance, part of an overall plan to cramp the Black position. Mating opportunities are scarce but Black must always keep them in mind, meanwhile it's not exactly obvious where the counterplay is coming from. I don't like the line Degraeve chooses-it's not very flexible.
SEP01/17 OLD FASHIONED MANOEUVRES
SEP01/04 DEEP-FRIED WANG RUI AND SWEET AND SOUR NING CHUNHONG PLEASE. EASY ON THE CHILI.
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Yours In Chess,
IM Andrew Martin