Download PGN of September '05 KID games
The Bayonet attack
I would like to start with a game from two players who are unknown to me, Sales - Lim Chuing Hoong, 2nd Dato Arthur Tan Malaysian Open 2005, which, however, featured an interesting and important move in Kramnik's pet line with 13.Be3. The key position arose after 22...Rf5:
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For one more move the players followed my game against Alberto David from Vlissingen 2000 (see notes), but then White sacrificed a pawn, missed a chance to equalize and soon found himself a pawn down without compensation. Fortunately for him, it was then Black's turn to err and he eventually blundered in time-trouble and lost the game. The line with 19.Bc2 deserves further tests.
Our next game, Van Wely, L - Kotronias, V, 15th ETC Gothenburg 2005, sees another popular line, this time with 12.f3, where Loek tested 17 c5!?, an interesting idea of Bareev.
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Reaching the diagram position he deviated from Bareev's game with the interesting piece sacrifice, 20.Nxd5. However, Black defended brilliantly and soon we start to understand that the piece sacrifice might be wrong. Nevertheless, Bareev's idea is playable and I expect to see more interesting games in this line.
This month's last game in the Bayonet attack, Babula,V-Hillarp Persson,T, 15th ETC Gothenburg 2005, saw a dubious novelty on the 12th move, although the potential trap behind it is very beautiful and deserves a diagram:
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This position is in White's favor and is one of the ways to refute Black's opening novelty. Would you believe that with the king on h4 under the threat of a discovered check one could be better?! Check my detailed analysis of this position.
In the game White decided to avoid the complications which could arise in this line, and played more solidly, which didn't prevent him from obtaining an advantage, however. Unfortunately, he later committed a number of errors and Black escaped with a draw. Still 12...dxc5?! looks wrong.
The Orthodox with 7...Na6
The game Petkov, V - Hanley, C, Open La Pobla de Lillet 2005, sees the very interesting line with 10.c5, which was discussed on the forum. Both players played good chess and here is the position which arose after a series of tactical blows:
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Black continued with 17...Bxh2+! and soon won two minor pieces back. However, White was still better despite an inaccuracy. Later both players committed mistakes and eventually the game reached a drawish harbour. A very interesting fighting draw, which once again proved that the line with 10.c5 deserves serious attention and further tests.
The Petrosian system
The game Kiss,Pa-Kotronias,V, 14th Open Kavala 2005 sees a long theoretical line:
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Now White is the first to deviate with 17.Rg1?! when Black launched a typical attack on the kingside. White defended well, but two consequent mistakes on the 34th and 35th moves destroyed his position and one move later he resigned.
Vallejo, P - Radjabov, T sees a rare branch of the Petrosian system without Bg5. Soon after the opening a position arose with long pawn chains:
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Paco applied some pressure and after a long defense Radjabov committed a number of inaccuracies and eventually blundered and lost the game. A nice positional win from the Spanish player.
Averbakh Variation
Games from these two talented youngsters are always a pleasure to watch, and once again Sasikiran, K - Radjabov, T, 49th TCh-ESP Honor 2, lived up to our expectations.
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Already here, on the 10th move, Black came along with a strong idea, which allowed him to simplify the position. Despite all the Indian player's attempts Radjabov was precise to the end and claimed a draw. A high level game, although everything looks logical and simple.
The Smyslov System
And our final game in this update is Efimenko, Z - Nataf, IA, Montreal International 2005. I played in the tournament and was pleasantly surprised by the Ukrainian youngster's play, who almost never plays 1.d4.
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In order to surprise his opponent Nataf played a rare line of the Smyslov System and at some point it seemed that he was close to equality, but in the diagram position he went wrong and soon found himself in trouble. Eventually the weakness of the light squares become the issue and the black king ended up under a mortal attack. A nice positional achievement from the Ukrainian star.
Enjoy the issue and see you in October.
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.