Chess OpeningTheory, renewed - for all levels of play(*)

- simplified (repertoire) and improved opening theory

- different black/white repertoire, based on skill levels

- be prepared against any opponent, stronger or weaker - checked-revised with various top chess programs

(*) beginners up to advanced club players

by Jeff Kahn

Revision: Nov.2012

1

Version November, 2012 © KEC

Chess Opening Theory, renewed

For all LEVELS OF PLAY

* Modern/improved opening theory, a quick study guide

* Many novelties: a major jump ahead in opening theory

* The main opening theory described in one single volume

* Simple descriptions: all you need to know about openings

* Computer-checked with Chessbase and top chess engines

* Complete overview of the most important opening lines

* What every chess player needs to know about openings

* Complete in-depth analysis for recommended lines

* An actual up-to-date, reference guide

Author: Jeff Kahn (‘KEC’, 2012 1)

All rights reserved

Copyright: KEC illustrations: B. Eirland

ISBN: ........ (later)

1 K.Engineering Consultancy, copying of this book or parts of it and/or spreading it

or publishing e.g. on internet is proh ibited by international law, cq copyrights,

(KEC is insured for such possible legal actions)

2

Table of Contents (draft/preliminary )

FOREWORD ......................................................................................................................... 6 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 8

2.1 OPENING PRINCIPLES ...............................................................................................11 2.2 PURPOSE OF A REPERTOIRE .................................................................................. 13 2.3 GUIDELINES FOR A REPERTOIRE ........................................................................ 13

3. BEGINNERS REPERTOIRE 3.1 How NOT to play .......................................................................................................... 14

3.2 WHITE LINES, introduction (1.e4!) ............................................................................. 14 3.2.1 Ruy Lopez (exchange, Berlin, etc)......................................................................... 15 3.2.2 Petroff 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 ...................................................................................... 22

3.2.3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3, other Black moves ......................................................................... 22 3.2.4 Philidor's defense, 3.d4 ......................................................................................... 23

3.2.5 Sicilian e4 c5 2. Nf3 (beginners) .......................................................................... 24 3.2.6 French 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. exd5 ............................................................................ 26 3.2.7 Caro Kann , Advance ............................................................................................. 27

3.2.8 Pirc defense (1.. d6) ............................................................................................ 27 3.2.9 Modern defense (1.. g6) ...................................................................................... 28

3.2.10 Aljechin/Vienna 1 e4! Nf6 2.Nc3 3.2.11 Scandinavian .................................................................................................... 31 3.2.12 Nimzowitsch , 2.Nf3 ........................................................................................ 33

3.2.14 Other Black moves after 1.e4 3.2.15 CONCLUDING remarks for WHITE

3.3 BLACK AGAINST 1.e4, introduction (.. e5) ............................................................... 36

3.3.1 the Ruy Lopez defense (RL) .................................................................................. 37 3.3.2 the Giuoco Piano/Pianissimo ................................................................................ 39

3.3.4 Three- or four-knight variation .............................................................................. 44 3.3.5 Ponziani opening (3.c3) ......................................................................................... 45 3.3.6 Vienna opening (2.Nc3) ........................................................................................ 45

3.3.7 Bishops opening (2.Bc4)....................................................................................... 46 3.3.8 Kings Gambit (2.f4) ............................................................................................. 47

3.3.9 Center Opening (2.d4)........................................................................................... 47 3.4 BLACK AGAINST 1.d4 (QGD) ............................................................................... 50 3.5 BLACK AGAINST OTHERS

3.6 CONCLUDING remarks for BLACK ....................................................................... 53 4. INTERMEDIATE REPERTOIRE ....................................................................................... 54

4.1 WHITE LINES (1.e4) .................................................................................................... 54 4.1.1 Ruy Lopez 3..a6 (Morphy), 4 Ba4! ....................................................................... 54 4.1.2 R.Lopez, other 3rd Black moves............................................................................ 68

4.1.3 Petroff Defense ..................................................................................................... 73 4.1.4 Philidor/Lion's defense, 3.d4................................................................................. 76

4.1.5 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3, other Black moves ......................................................................... 77 4.1.6 Sicilian e4 c5 2. Nf3 ............................................................................................ 80 4.1.7 French 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nbc3! ............................................................................ 88

4.1.8 Caro Kann, classical............................................................................................... 90 4.1.9 Pirc defense ......................................................................................................... 91

4.1.10 Modern defense ................................................................................................ 92 4.1.11 Aljechin 1 e4! Nf6 2. e5! ..................................................................................... 94 4.1.12 Scandinavian .................................................................................................... 95

4.1.13 Nimzowitsch, 2.d4 ............................................................................................. 97 4.1.14 Owen defense, 1..b6 ............................................................................................. 98

3

4.1.14 Other moves after e4 ................................................................................. 98

4.2 BLACK AGAINST 1.e4 (.. e6) .................................................................................. 100 4.2.1 French defense e4 e6........................................................................................... 100 4.2.2 French defense, sidelines ..................................................................................... 104

4.3. AGAINST 1.d4 (INDIAN) ....................................................................................... 105 4.3.1 QGD, after (2.c4) 3.Nf3 ....................................................................................... 105

4.3.2 Catalan/tp Bogo-Indian, 3.g3 ............................................................................. 106 4.3.3 Nimzo-Indian after 3.Nc3 .................................................................................... 108 4.3.4 Other 2nd moves after 1.d4 Nf6 ...........................................................................112

4.4 AGAINST OTHER OPENINGS ..................................................................................116 4.5 GENERAL OPENING SYSTEMS ..............................................................................117

5. ADVANCED REPERTOIRE ............................................................................................ 121 5.1 WHITE LINES, 1.d4 Nf6! etc .................................................................................... 121

5.1.1. Catalan 1.. Nf6 2..e6 2.g3! ................................................................................ 123

5.1.2. Gruenfeld 1.. Nf6 2..g6 etc................................................................................. 126 5.2 WHITE LINES, 1.d4 d5 etc

5.2.1 Queens-pawn (QGD, Slav, QGA) ........................................................................ 131 5.2.2.. d5 Slav, Benoni, others ....................................................................................... 144 5.3 BLACK AGAINST e4 (c5!) ........................................................................................ 148

5.3.1 Main Sicilian line (Najdorf) ............................................................................... 148 5.3.2 the closed Sicilian ............................................................................................... 154

5.3.3 Alapin variation (2.c3) ......................................................................................... 155 5.3.4 Smith Morra gambit ............................................................................................ 156 5.3.5 Morphy gambit ................................................................................................. 157

5.3.6 Other lines (eg 2..a3!?)......................................................................................... 157 5.4. AGAINST 1.d4 (QID or Bogo-Indian or Gruenfeld) ................................................. 159

5.5 BLACK AGAINST OTHERS ..................................................................................... 160 6. GAMBITS (against weaker players or in blitz..) ............................................................... 161

6.1 Gambits with White ..................................................................................................... 161

6.2 Gambits with Black ..................................................................................................... 162 7. BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................. 164

About the author: .......................................................................................................... 166 APP. 1. RESEARCH-METHODS.......................................................................................... 167

A 1.1 Opening Theory ....................................................................................................... 168

A1.2 Automatic book correction ...................................................................................... 168 A 1.3 Positional evaluation .............................................................................................. 168

A 1.4 Developing a repertoire............................................................................................ 169 APP 2 Is chess a draw (with perfect play ?) .................................................................... 173

APPENDIX 3 (INDEX OF MAIN LINES)

(version August 2011, ............................................................................................................ 176 A3.1 VARIATIONS FOR WHITE (intermediate level) ................................................ 177

A.3.2 .................................................................................................................................. 199 A.3.3 .................................................................................................................................. 212 A.3.4 .................................................................................................................................. 214

App. 4.1 Index (advanced) for White ................................................................................ 217 App. 4.2 Index (advanced) for Black ................................................................................ 219

APPENDIX 5 THE RULES OF CHESS ...................................................................... 220

5

Glossary:

Gambit.............opening sacrifice of one pawn, with the intention to get a positional advantage, such as more space, open lines, tactical chances etc.

Sharp...............double-edged, risky (e.g. a sharp opening variation)

Repertoire.......opening system, making a selection of preferred opening lines

Open (games)....games resulting from openings such as 1.e4 e5 with lots of open lines, and diagonals, thus usually leading to games involving many tactics

closed (games)..the opposite - for example games resulting from openings like 1.e4 e6 (French)- where often pawn chains from White and Black are standing against each othe r

Fianchetto……putting a bishop near a corner of the board on squares like b2, g2, b7, or g7. RL …………. Ruy Lopez (opening) Engine ………..A chess (calculation) program

Elo……………name of Hungarian statistician, who invented the ‘Elo’ chess rating system

He.....................often used for he/she, the chess player (m/f)

We…………….representing the author of this book together with –sometimes- the opinions

of those who have provided chess comments and/or the editor

‘Tactical’ & rule-related chess terms:

Check …. Attacking king of the opponent who then is forced to stop the check by rule

Fork …… attacking two pieces, weak squares or vulnerabilities by a piece or a pawn

Skewer…... add later

Castle (verb)......a special move in chess, bringing the king into safety by moving both the king and the rook (see rules in appendix)..indicated with ‘0-0’ (Ke1g1 short castling and simultaneously Rh8f8 ) or 0-0-0 (long castling, Ke1c1 and Ra1d1)

En-passant……a pawn move whereby a double pawn advance is captured back cross-side by an adversary pawn; see also the chess rules at the end

Acknowledgements:

covers, illustrations, and foreword:

B. Eirland, E. Ferrante

English editing: James Keating, USA

Introduction and/Foreword : ?? (volunteers ??) (we will ask a grand master! eg vd W)

Chess Comments: Erik Kislik (IM), Budapest, FM. H. Happel , GM J vd Wiel or Fedorchuk(later?),

The Netherlands

7

Starting position after White 1.e4

Note: The above diagram is given in 3-D perspective to enable a true ‘feel’ of the real chess environment. In the rest of the book, the diagrams are given in 2-D, however, which allows a clearer picture of the positions of the Black and White pieces. The diagrams are shown with Black

at the bottom, making positions easier to recognize and to use in practical over-the-board play.

11

1. INTRODUCTION

This book deals with chess openings;

thus it assumes that you are already familiar

with the game of chess, especially its rules

and playing methods. The rules of chess as

described by the International Chess

Federation (FIDE) are found in appendix 5,

page 220, of this book. For playing methods,

we suggest a book by Edwards (2007), which

is a good general introduction to chess that is

presented in excellent full color with 3-D

diagrams. It also provides some rudimentary

introduction to opening theory.

In the game of chess historically, the

opening theory has enjoyed an important part

in playing style and game strategies. White is

generally believed to have a slight advantage

in the opening. This appears in the statistics

from hundreds of thousands of GM chess

games, where White on average wins about

55% of the time. Both 1.d4 and 1.e4 seem to

offer advantages, whereas the statistics

indicate a slightly higher advantage for 1.d4,

but e4 is catching up.

The reason that e4 has so far scored

slightly worse statistically than d4 is probably because of the Sicilian defense, 1... c5. The

‘Sicilian’ is difficult to play with Black,

especially for beginners, and often leads to

highly tactical games. Therefore the White

score against the Sicilian defense is worse

than what could be expected in the event of

perfect positional and tactical play. Thus by

paying sufficient attention to the Sicilian for

White, the player using White should be able

to fundamentally improve play when choosing

a repertoire with e4. And by doing so, this

player can expect to improve overall winning

chances.

In the following chapters I will make

clear that 1.e4 is the most promising first move for beginners. Based on this move, a

repertoire is given for White, both for

beginners and for intermediate players.

This repertoire should fundamentally be the

soundest available. Because 1.e4 usually leads

to open games, it will provide excellent

opportunities to get experience in tactical play,

thereby gradually helping the player to learn

better tactical skills.

The basic repertoire presented in chapter 2

is rather simple, preferring narrow variations

where possible instead of ones that are wide

and complicated. As a result, this repertoire is

dependable and easy to learn. For advanced

players, we will later develop it more

thoroughly15

in specific chapters to prove that

an advantage−though only a slight one−can be

obtained with 1.d4, even against well-

prepared opponents.

Besides being sharp and effective for

average chess players, this repertoire will be useful throughout a chess player’s career. The

reason for this is that it is generally considered

advisable to make a fundamental choice: Do

you want to be an e4 player or a d4 player?

And even when you don't play 1.e4, you will

often face it with Black.

Unless you are like the man below, it is

almost impossible to memorize all important

variations for both e4 and d4 systems. Thus it

is easier with a repertoire for White based

only on e4 or d4.

Fig. 2. GM Kasparov in younger years.

15 See variations in the appendixes.

12

Having made such a repertoire, you will also

be offered the opportunity to analyze your

chosen variations in greater depth then when

broadly studying a comprehensive opening

book, such as NCO (J. Nunn et al. 1999) and all its variations (e.g., 1.c4, 1.Nf3, and 1.f4).

Using a very large opening book with

more than 19 million positions, made with the

Bookbuilder®16

program, we have analyzed

1.e4, as recommended for beginners, against

almost all possible Black responses. This

includes solid defenses, such as the Petroff

and Ruy Lopez. Therefore when our repertoire

is used, 1.e4 will offer excellent winning

chances for either the best tactical player or

the best prepared one.

For the tactical player, 1.e4 is the best choice anyway because it usually leads to

open games. Average players will find helpful

a broad introduction to specifically

recommended variations and moves in

diagrams and lines in chapter 2. For other

players, this book will be helpful for

preparation, even if the advanced player may

wish to extend his repertoire gradually to

include more details than discussed in chapter

2 of this book, and possibly even switch to

using 1.d4 instead of 1.e4.

The variations given in the appendix

should provide ample opportunity for the

advanced player to undertake further study. Also, a general understanding of a certain

opening method, plan, and strategy is much

more important than simply knowing which

moves to play. This is often stressed with

average players who tend to overly memorize

entire variations. But listing complete games

is outside the intended scope of this book

because it is limited to basic theory.

16 www.superchess.com

Readers can find further background

information on this subject elsewhere, such in

[Watson 2006].17

We will explain later (see the appendix) that

fundamentally the 'best' lines are not much

different because chess is a draw with perfect

play. Nevertheless, depending on playing

level, a player can be advised on which

repertoire to use18

to achieve the best results

on both the short and long terms in the game,

while gradually improving in tactics and

overall mastery.

The beginning/average chess player, using

the repertoire given in my book, can quickly

learn most things necessary about opening theory. Readers will save countless time and

money on all kinds of opening books and/or

attempts to reinvent the wheel (i.e., a self-

developed opening repertoire), thus enabling

them to proceed rapidly to the more important

study of tactics and the middle game.

Moreover, the endgame should not, and will

not, be neglected. We sincerely wish you good

luck in applying the knowledge of this book to

your practical play of this grand game called

chess.

17 ‘Mastering the chess openings.’ 18

Based on both experience and analysis; whereby the end evaluation until approximately move 30 can be used in backsolving and thus deriving conclusions.

13

2. The OPENING PHASE

When playing chess, all players need to

well understand and accept that all phases of

the royal game are important: that is, the

opening, the middle game, and the endgame.

Although the importance of the opening phase

is often overestimated by beginners, at higher

levels a mastery of the opening in detail will

indeed often make the difference between a

win or a loss. In this book, the player is

gradually acquainted with the opening theory

as the explanations of various key principles, which for every level − beginner,

intermediate, and advanced − will be given in

progressive details.

2.1 OPENING PRINCIPLES

Whereas the importance of the opening

phase has been known in chess for centuries,

the kind of advice given for its success has

varied over the ages. Good practical and

general advice was given by various grand

masters in How to Open a Chess Game (Evans

et al. 1974). Some general advice, more for

beginners, is given in Ward (2000), wherein a complete list of various opening variations is

given, with no recommendations, however, for

preferences. The unique approach in my book

is to emphasize specific variations in a so-

called repertoire for both White and Black,

depending on the level of play.

But first we start by mentioning the most

common general guidelines for opening play.

These guidelines, also mentioned in The Ideas

Behind the Chess Openings (Fine [rev.]1989),

are certainly useful for beginners, and they

follow:

1. Start the game with 1.e4. This leads to

‘open games’, and tries to keep the

(positional) advantage for White. 2. Move knights before bishops, alternately.

3. Try to aim for the center, or to control it.

4. Don't move the same piece twice19

after

each other (some exceptional variations are

excluded).

5. Don't make two pawn moves after each

other20

(with a few exceptions, though).

6. Don't move the queen to early the center21

.

7. Castle early, with preference to king’s side22

(otherwise the king’s safety is less).

8. Try to control the center of the board.

9. Don’t sacrifice any piece without a reason,

including pawns.

Although general guidelines like these can be

useful for beginners, practical play makes it

clear that such rules first of all are

simplifications, and secondly, have many

exceptions, some of which are mentioned in

the footnotes. In addition to the above nine

rules for example, it usually is advised to

'connect' the rooks on the first lines, which

implies the queen is played to the second or

third rank, sometimes even further away. For

starters, a beginner could refer to some basic

chess openings with e4, using the repertoire

given in the following paragraphs. By using

such openings in practical play, a player will

develop intuition about general opening play.

19 For example 1.Nf3 d5 2.Ng5? as the knight now is moved a second time.. An exception is a line as 1.Nf3 e5? 2.Nxe5 (a dubious gambit for Black) 20 For example 1.e4 c5 2.e5 An exception is in the French advance variation 1.e4 e6 2.e5 21 As this often brings the valuable queen into danger of tactics, or locking it up by enemy pieces; exceptions are variations like the Scandinavian for Black ,etc. 22 The Sicilian Dragon variation is an interesting exception, but in general it is advised as better to ‘castle’ (see glossary) early rather than late, as described in E. Mednis (1982).

14

And eventually the chess player will also

become more comfortable when playing the

sidelines of such openings, for example, when

Black deviates from the main lines. In the

following, we will give principle variations with some basic descriptions, mainly for

beginners.

We will start with the Ruy Lopez instead

of the Sicilian, which according to former

Dutch world champion Dr. Max Euwe23

would

be the strongest response to 1.e4; a postcard

photo of Max Euwe is shown below.

Fig. 3. Former world champion Dutch GM

Max Euwe (1901-1981)

The reason for our choice of 1...e5 as the

first line of defense is because the Sicilian is

certainly not an easy variation system. Also, most chess players can expect to see 1...e5

more often than ...c5 in the earlier stages of

their chess careers.

23 His series on opening theory were famous in The Netherlands during the early 20th century

So the sharp Sicilian is recommended for

advanced players with Black because of its

winning chances. Beginners are usually

advised to simply choose 1...e5 with Black

instead of...c5 as they aim for open games (see

3.2).

In this book, we will not deviate from this

principle and will advise 1..c5, Sicilian, for

only the most advanced players.

By adhering to the repertoire in this

chapter, the beginning player can save

considerable time by not having to worry

further about additional opening study. Time

can be used more efficiently to study tactics,

middle game planning, endgame principles,

and other methods.

As all chess teachers know, such an approach will improve a beginning player’s

results much faster than when spending most

of the time on the study of openings. Besides

the opening variations, a reader can improve

understanding of the kinds of middle-game

positions that result from the variations after

1.e4 by studying Watson’s fine work. A

similar book was written by the same author

for 1.d4, a move that we will later advise on

for advanced players.

Our advised repertoire is different for

different playing levels because the main

principle of the opening is to reach a playable

middle game. But playable means something different for a beginner than for an advanced

player. With beginners, the positional

understanding is usually not yet as developed,

which is why we choose a tactical repertoire,

but one that is not too sharp.

On the other hand, aware that advanced

players will also be able to master very sharp

variations if necessary, a Black variation such

as the Sicilian (1.e4 c5) enters our repertoire

only when the player has achieved such a high

level of play at which it can be applied.

15

The advantage of the Sicilian as a preferred

defense for advanced players can be clearly

seen when studying the games of top GM

players, such as Gary Kasparov or Robert

Fischer.

Although it is useful to have an opening

repertoire, sooner or later the chess player

must deviate from the known opening line,

either because the opponent has chosen a side

line, or simply because the player gets out of

the book.

2.2 PURPOSE OF A REPERTOIRE

The purpose of an opening repertoire is

to reduce the amount of opening variations a

player knows, masters, and understands. The

knowledge of certain move-by-move

variations is always useful in mastering tactical opportunities, being prepared for

traps, and when facing other important

reasons. But the complete knowledge of all

variations is almost impossible. Thus by using

the concept of a repertoire and choosing

specific lines for Black and White, the player

can drastically reduce the number of

variations that must be known.

2.3 GUIDELINES FOR A REPERTOIRE

Scheme, for different levels

(For moves other than e4 and d4, see the index

at the end of this book.)

Beginners:

with White: 1.e4!

with Black : 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 etc. (R.L)

1.d4 Nf6! 2.c4 e6 (3..d5) QGD24

1.c4 e6 2.d4 Nf6 (English

tp QGD and others

24 = Queens-Gambit-Declined

Intermediate:

White: 1.e4 (or later 1.Nf3) Black: 1.d4 Nf6! c4 e6 Nc3 Bb4 (Nimzo)

1.d4 Nf6 c4 e6 Nf3 d5 (QGD) or

1.d4 Nf6! 2.c425

e6 3.Nf326

b6! QueensIndian 1.d4 Nf6 c4 e6 g3 Bb4+ (Bogo-ind.) 1.e4 e6 (French)

Advanced

White: 1.d4! (d5 27)Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3! (Catalan)

2...g6 3.Nc3 d528

4.cxd5 Nxd5 Gruenfeld.29

Black :1.e4 c5! (Sicilian)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6! 3.Nc3 d5 (Gruenfeld)

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.d4 g6! (Gruenfeld) 1.c4 e5 (English, reversed Sicilian)

Although a large part of the chapters

for beginning and intermediate players consist

of specifying the best variations for White with e4, also necessary is listing the main best

variations for Black, first to provide a

complete repertoire, and second to prove that

the variations given for White indeed are best.

In finding the best defense lines, we use the

same approach as when finding the best

variations for White. So we can demonstrate

that other, suboptimal lines can easily be

equalized by Black and therefore are not as

good as the main/advised variations for White.

See also 4.5 (General Opening Systems).

25 2.Nf3?! Nf6 3.c4 g6! tp Gruenfeld 26 In case of 3.g3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 Be7! Bogo-Indian And in case of 3.Nc3 Bb4 Nimzo-Indian 27 After 1...d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Bg5 QGD 28 Gruenfeld, in case of ..d6 we get the Kings-Indian and then the Gligoric sub-variation is advised 29 5.e4 Gruenfeld exchange with 7.Bc4

16

3. BEGINNERS REPERTOIRE

3.1 WHITE LINES, introduction (1.e4!)

As discussed elsewhere, we recommend

starting with 1.e4. This can be even a good

choice at all levels because such top players as GM Viswanathan Anand and a former world

champion, Bobby Fischer, mostly played 1.e4

in their careers. Thus the variations in this

chapter all start with 1.e4, and after this move

we will systematically investigate all possible

responses by Black in order of the most

relevant defenses. The most important

variations, especially for beginners, will be

specified with diagrams in this chapter. For

more details, the reader, though referred to the

lines/moves in the appendix, should be aware

that we have accurately analyzed all these

lines, with both a chess engine and our chess-

opening program Bookbuilder. For more discussion of the methods used, see chapter 3.

It is sufficient now to know that all these

lines have been thoroughly checked and

compared with opening theory as specified in

various encyclopedias, and, often last but not

least, with detailed openings books, which we

also specify in the text of the main chapters. A

good reference book for e4 variations, though

we frequently deviate with the detailed lines,

is 'attacking with e4' (John Emms 2001).

For beginners, without much discussion we

will give a simple description of the main

recommended variations and how we arrived

at them.30

Longer variations are given in the appendix,

more moves for more-advanced players.

Because tactics are more important for

beginners than opening theory, we advise

them not to use a repertoire deeper than a

certain number of moves.31

30 These will be presented in chapter 3

31 It certainly will not be useful for beginners to

memorize the advanced lines, as given in the

Therefore the moves given in this chapter

will be adequate for beginners.

By looking at the variations in this

chapter, the beginner should already have sufficient tools to start playing reasonable

chess, at least in the opening stage. As known

by all club players, studying tactics and

practicing in real games are the most

important methods on the road to learning

good chess play. Yet using the mentioned

variations will offer enough opportunities to

get plenty of tactical experience.

Besides trying to remember which

variations are advised, a beginner will also

find it useful to notice which variations for

White are avoided, such as choosing the Ruy

Lopez (Bb5 instead of Bc4). It is chosen not to play Italian variations for White, mainly to

narrow the repertoire, and not having to

master, for example, the sharp lines, such as

the (difficult) Two Knights (after 3... Nf6) or

the Max Lange variation).

But when playing with Black and

choosing 1...e5 as defense (recommended for

beginners), the player must understandably

have Black ready to defend against the Italian.

Outside the scope of this book is an in-

depth coverage of variations, such as the Basman/Baker (1...a6), though in such

situations an advantage should not be difficult to achieve.

This can be done for White by developing

the pawns and pieces according to general

guidelines, such as first knights/bishops,

occupying the center, not moving pieces twice

during the opening phase, and similar moves

and restrictions. For a further discussion on

this topic, see the next paragraph. Some more

concrete variations for some unconventional

defenses, such as 1..a6, are given later.

24

In the event of 3...Bc5, the Three Knights’

variation, White can use the 'fork trick', by

playing 4.Nxe5!, and after that,4..Nxe5 5.d4

achieves center dominance.

3.1.3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3, and other Black moves

Other second Black moves are much more

rarer, and generally also not so good for

Black. So in order not to avoid providinge the

beginner with too much information, we

discuss these variations in the chapter 4 for the

intermediate White repertoire.

3.1.4 Philidor's defense, 3.d4

not playing: 3. Bc4

The Philidor defense is defined by the moves

1 e4 e5 and 2. Nf3! d6. We then advise 3.

d4! exd4 (or Nf6!?), 4.Nxd4! among other possibilities. This old -fashioned Philidor is a

solid defense, so careful play, also after moves

4 and 5 for White, is required.;

After 3.d4, 3…exd4 is the most common

move, and then 4.Nxd4, the exchange

variation, which gives the following position:

After 4.Nxd4, Black usually continues

with Nf6, and after moves like 5.Nc3 Be7 6.

Bf4! 0-0 7.Be2! Rfe8 8.Qd2, White achieves

a nice position, as shown below:

White now can castle king-side, or

queen-side, that is 9.0-0-0! After, for example

8...Nbd7.

A modern move order in the Philidor is

going as 1.e4 d6 (see also the section about the Pirc defense), 2.d4 Nf6!?, after which

3.Nc3 is the most logical move. And with 3…

e5, we then again reach a Philidor position

again by transposition:

35

3.1.14 Other Black moves after 1.e4

for example 1…a6 and, …h6.., …g5

The move 1...a6 is called the St. George.

The idea is to follow -up with 2...b5, and then

fianchetto the bishop to b7. See the following

diagram, which is resulting after 1.e4 a6, 2.d4

b5, 3.Bd3! (after Nc3 follows b5b4), and then

3…Bb7 4.f3 :

In such a way it looks like a respectable

defense, although White already dominates

the center. But when analyzing more in depth

the validity for Black (i.e., the possibility of

obtaining equality), we can doubt this. Black

indeed has a flank attack, but after moves like

...e6, it will never be able to get a sufficient grip on the center; whereas the flank attack

will not be dangerous for White after castling

short.

Also for other strange moves, including ...g5 (reversed Grob), or …h6 (Carr’s defense,

general opening principles should be sufficient

to maintain an advantage for White.

Similar to the odd defense that combines …a6 and ...h6 and is called 'Creepy Crawly

defense'. It has been played with both sides, White and Black, by English international

master M. Basman.

Also, a pamphlet of about 30 pages,

presumably by Basman, was written in 1996,

in which the strategy of this system is

explained. Because it defies the (more

conventional) theory that we have seen to

work better, at least in computer chess51

, not

much further attention will be given to this

system in our book.

So in such Black flank defenses, White should just aim only for solid play/center

dominance. This would use normal opening

strategy, i.e., sufficiently developing pieces,

castling early to get the player’s own king

into safety, and only later aiming for an attack

with such unconventional defenses. In such a

way, White shouldn't have few much

difficulties in obtaining an advantage

throughout the rest of the game.

51 Namely to dominate the center of the board. Not only in computer chess, but also for almost all GM's this is a principle, being stronger than Basman (IM) in ‘Elo’ rating and thus in playing strength.

43

Now we advise to forget the 'pawn- keeping'

move Bc5, and just develop with 4...Nf6.

After 5.e5 (5.0-0 Nxe4 6.Re1 d5! and others)

Ne4, we then get a transposition to the Two –

Knights-Defense, with as a likely continuation

6.Nxd4 d5! with this position:

Now after a White move such as 7.Bb5,

Black plays ...Bd7, threatening to take the

pawn on e4. Later Black will develop the

'Black' bishop (on the black square f8), castle

king- side, and achieves an equal position.

Sometimes White may sometimes prefer the Göring

67 gambit, if the player knows this

variation well, with 4.c3 above the Scottish

gambit, because the latter is usually is 'declined' with …Nf6., at least those who

know this variation well, as we have seen.

The Göring variation can also be declined,

however, and this is in fact what we certainly

advise for beginners. So after 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3

Nc6, 3.d4 exd4, and 4.c3!?, the Scottish

Göring gambit, playing 4...d5!, declining the

gambit, leads to this position:

67 Carl Theodor Göring, a German chess player, who lived from 1841 to 1879.; as in earlier foot note

Play can now continue with 5.exd5 Qxd5,

6.cxd4 Nf6, 7.Nc3 Bb4, and 8.Bd3, leading to

this position:

Now Black should continue with 8…Bg4,

pinning the Black knight, or first taking the

knight on c3 with 8…Bxc3, 9.bxc3, etc.,

with an equal position. So declining the

gambit is quite well possible, and does not

lead to very sharp play.

45

After the above position in the diagram,

White usually plays 4.Qa4, pinning the knight

on c6. And after 4...f6, to defend the pawn on

e5, 5.Bb5 Nge7 6.exd5 Qxd5 7.0-0, we get the following position :

Now 7...e5e4 is a strong move, although

careful play is required because the Black king

has not yet castled yet.

3.2.6 Vienna opening (2.Nc3)

Played less often than 2.Nf3, the Vienna it is

a solid opening, sometimes resulting in sharp

play, especially when White tries a gambit

with a later f4, so Black must be prepared

against this variation. Because of the gambit

possibility of a later f4, we recommend the

symmetrical move 2...Nc6, rather than 2...Nf6.

The Vienna position after 2...Nc6 is as

follows (above right):

In this position, White can also try f469

. But

then the knight has not been played to f6; thus

it does not need to retreat as in the above variation, making such a gambit less attractive

for White, because Black should simply then play exf4.

A more common variation is 3.Bc4,

after which Black plays ...Bc5, and the resulting position will be Italian/Giuoco -

Piano, as already discussed.

But White more can also simply continue

with 3.Nf3, and after …Nf6 we have transposed to the Four-Knights variation, as

we already discussed above.

69 And then, for example, exf4 5. d4 Qh4 6. Ke2 d6 7.Nf3 Bg4 = (equal position).

1

4. INTERMEDIATE REPERTOIRE

4.1 WHITE LINES (1.e4), Introduction

(comments from previous version deleted!)

In this sub-chapter we will discuss more

advanced, 'intermediate-level' lines for White after 1.e4 against the Ruy Lopez (2...Nc6), the

Petrov (2...Nf6), and other moves after 2.Nf3,

our recommended second move after 1...e5.

First we make some general remarks for a better understanding of the content in this

chapter. Note that evaluation symbols as ² or

²/= , !, and !? often are used at the end of the move list. These all are explained in the list of

abbreviations at the beginning of this book .

If we refer to a chess game, then in this book we often include the rating

1, and the

year. 2 The reason to often refer to games is to

provide the reader with some background

content to improve his understanding of the

openings discussed. Preferably the reader

should try to get hold of games with

annotations, to get an impression how a whole

game with the openings discussed can

develop. It often is said that understanding of

openings, including the plans following after

the opening moves in the middle game,

usually are more important than simply

memorizing the moves of the opening theory.

And while this indeed is the case, it is beyond

the scope of this book to explain such plans, as this would imply more discussion about the

chess middle game and its corresponding

chess theories. The reason to include the

rating of the players is because we often

deviate from the opening moves as suggested

by systems as by Chessbase, which use

statistics, and thus usually recommend a move

which scores best statistically.

1 The rating system for chess has been devised by Hungarian statistician Prof. Elo, and is called Elo rating system. An Elo of about 1000 is average, the best is about 2800, or 3000 for computers.

2 For example in the game Anand(2745)-Gelfand(2720), Moscow, 2012 world championship GM Gelfand played 1...c5! in the xth game and lost.

But when there are not much games played

in a certain line, which often is the case if we

improve on current theory, and recommend a

novelty, then the statistics are meaningless.

For example, it can occur that a good move

for White has been played in one game by a

player with a much lower rating than his

opponent, and because of the higher player strength of Black, it then is not uncommon

that such a game is lost by White, despite the

good opening line.

So in the following, although we sometimes

refer to some GM games, we will not go in

much depth concerning the rationality of the

moves, possible sidelines, and so on. As a

result the reader may still have some

uncertainties about his understanding, and

might suspect to become victim of unexpected

strong moves by the opponent, or even

cunning traps. But the contrary is true for

intermediate, serious players, when playing a

slow, standard, over-the-board game and applying the theory in this chapter. By

adhering to the moves from memory, playing

not to fast but gradually getting into the game

and trying to understand the moves of his

opponent and possible sidelines, the player

can be sure that he has started the game as

good as possible, and will be immune from

traps, as otherwise they would have been

included in the repertoire as given in this

chapter, often at least in the footnotes.

And by consistently applying this repertoire

as far as the opponent goes3, we trust that the

player will gradually will start to understand

the logic of the moves, develop a feeling for

it, and after some games also will get some feeling for the necessary planning after the

opening, which will not only consist of a

kings attack but usually slowly improving his

position.

3 When using the opening moves in this chapter the

average player will –probably to his surprise- often notice that his opponent will quite soon deviate from the repertoire. But this then means the opponent has played a worse, or maybe inferior move, and by then starting to think deeply for himself, the player may straightaway gain an advantage in his game..

2

4.1.1 Ruy Lopez 3...a6 (Morphy), 4 Ba4!

In this section we will discuss only the

resulting variations after 3...a6 4.Ba4! For

moves other than 3...a6 such as 3...Nf6, the

Berlin variation , 3...d6 (Steinitz) and others

are discussed in the next paragraph, 4.1.2, this

time in more detail than in the beginner’s section.

As discussed in the beginner ’s section, after

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, the most usual

move for Black is 3...a6.

The move 4.Ba4 is played more frequently

then 4.Bxc64 and is what we advise for more-

advanced players, the intermediate level. It

can lead to variations, such as the closed

variation 4...Nf6 5. 0-0 Be7 (5...Bc5 Möller)

6. Rfe1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 (or 0-0 tp5) 8.c3! 0-0

9.h3! (transpositions are possible, and then

usually indicated with the abbreviation ‘tp’). Sub-variations in this Ruy Lopez (RL) Closed

complex are discussed later.

After 4.Ba4, the following Black

moves/variations will be discussed:

A) 4...b5 Caro defense-Arkhangel(sk)

6

B) 4...Bc5 Classical deferred

C) 4...f5 Deferred Schliemann

D) 4...d6 Modern Steinitz-defense

E) 4...Nf6 RL Main lines (such as Closed)

4 It was advised for beginners because it leads to

a considerably smaller number of variations. 5 Tp or tp always stands for transposition in this book 6 Named after the Russian l name Archangelsk ( a city in North Russia) in the following we will use the English name for this opening namely Archangel

A) RL Caro defense/Arkhangel, 4...b5

Instead of 4...Nf6 as discussed hereafter, Black can play 4...b5

7 (Caro defense), which

can transpose to the Taimanov/wing defense

after 5.Bb3 Na5 8, after which 6.Nc3! is a

strong move (more common is 6.0-0). In case of 5...Bb7 (Caro Defense), as advised for

Black in the beginner’s section, White plays

6.d3 and simply continues his development.

After 5...Nf6 we get a transposition to the Archangel variation after 6.0-0 (most

common) 6...Bb79 (another, more usual move

order is 4...Nf6 5.0-0 b5 6.Bb3 Bb7. See

Panczyk and Emms (2000).

If Black plays 6...Bb7, the Archangel

variation , we also advise 7.d3!, similar as

against the Caro Defense. This then gives the

position as given below:

Black can now play moves like

7...Be7, or 7...Bc5! (probably the best), and

against both these moves we advise 8.Nc310

.

7 For 4...d6, the Steinitz-deferred, see the appendix. 8 5...Bc5 is the Graz defense, after which White plays 6.0-0 and after ...d6 7.a4! ² 9 6...Be7 is transposing to the Closed RL again 10 And then for example 8...0-0 9.a4! Na5 10.axb5

Nxb3 11.cxb3 axb5 12.Rxa8 Qxa8 13.Nxe5 ²

33

After (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3) g6 White first plays

3.d4 and after cxd4 4.c3! ² in gambit style, White achieves a slight advantage. See also

Chapter 4.5.

And after (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4) …Bg7?!

(the ‘Sniper’) 4.dxc5! Qa5 5.c3! Qxc5 6.Be3

Qc7 7.Na3!? ²

4.1.7 French 1.e4 e6 2.d4111

d5112

3.Nc3!

For example, Winawer and others

[Avoiding French advance, Tarrasch

(3.Nd2), and the exchange (3.d5)113

]

The above moves give the following position:

The reason for choosing to aim for the

Winawer, that is 3.Nc3 instead of 3.Nbd2 is

the move 3...Nf6 after Nbd2, the closed

Tarrasch variation, which requires slow

positional play with a lot of knowledge about

this variation.

111 Or 1.e4 e6 2.Nc3, but then Black can play ...c5, leading to Sicilian 112 After 2...c5?! White plays 3.d5! 113 This was advised for beginners only. .

The following moves can now be played:

A) 3...Bb4 (Winawer), B) 3...Nf6 (4.Bg5), or

C) 3...dxe4 (Rubinstein variation)

We first give a short description of these

variations, and thereafter analyze them in

more detail:

After A) 3...Bb4, we simply recommend

4.exd5, which looks somewhat like the French

exchange, but it usually achieves good play;

see Pedersen (2001) or Psakhis (2003) for

some main lines.

After B) 3...Nf6, the 'best' White move is

4.Bg5, but then Black has several options: B1) 4...dxe4 (Burn), B2) 4...Bb4 (Mc

Cutcheon)114

, and B3) 4...Be7.

After C) 3...dxe4, White plays 4.Nxe4, and now Black can play 4...Nf6 (Rubinstein) or 4...Bd7 (Fort Knox var.).

So, with 3.Nc3! a more advanced player

must be prepared against several defenses115

,

which more recently are discussed in Vitiugov

(2010). In the appendix, we give the main lines

in detail, and in the following we specify a

broad outline of these different variations:

A) 3...Bb4, the Winawer (Exchange)

Instead of 3...Nf6, Black often is choosing

the bishop move 3...Bb4, preventing the knight

to take on e4.

White then can aim for various options,

such as playing a sharp gambit like 4. Qg4?!

but for average players we suggest to go for

an exchange variation, with 4.exd5!?, a move

that is not so common, but yet quite solid.

114 Because of the complicated play against the

McCutcheon, players who are not greatly advanced can play 4.Bd3 or 4.exd5 to avoid this variation. 115 Although the playing style in these situations can sometimes be similar, such as in the Burn and/or Rubinstein variations.

38

With the plan of castling long, and a

subsequent Be3h6, to attack the Black

fianchetto position. After 5...b5 White plays

6.f3! and White has a better position, so 5...Nf6 (tp Pirc) would be better...

Note that instead of Nf3, Be3 has been

played first with the plan of the “Yugoslav”

attack .

4.1.11 Alekhine132

variation 1 e4 Nf6 2. e5

And after 2...Nd5 3.d4

Avoiding unconventional Alekhine variations,

such as with 3 c4, or Vienna with 3.Nc3

Above right is a picture of the former Russian world champion, Alekhine, known

for his bold tactical style and ability to create

complicated and sharp positions:

132 A more Western spelling is ‘Aljechin’, but to

be consistent we will use ‘Alekhine’ both for the chess player and for this variation.

Fig. 4. GM Alexander Alekhine

After 3.d4, Black plays ...d6, and after

4.Nf3, Black can play A) 4...Bg4, pinning the

knight, same as mentioned in the beginner ’s

chapter, or B) 4...g6!

A) After 4...Bg4, called the Modern (sub)

variation, White achieves a positional

advantage after 5.Be2, relieving the pin of the

knight on f3, which gives the same position as

the one given in the beginner’s section. See

diagram again.

41

White now has a clear lead in

development, but after for example 8…Nc6

9.Ne4 Nxe4 10.Bxe4 Bd7 11.c4, Black

pieces also are developed. Even so, White

now has a good position, and thus we prefer

8.Be3 above 8.Bg5 as played for example, in

the game Molner-Brustkern (1-0), Budapest

2007. Further test games are needed to

confirm this improvement, for example, if it would be leading to favorable statistics for

this move (in any event, we wish the reader

good luck with it).

4.1.13 Nimzowitsch Defense, (1…Nc6)

Playing: (1. e4 Nc6!?) 2. d4!

avoiding tp to the Ruy Lopez opening

A good move for White now is 2.d4,

and then 2...d5137

3.Nc3, the Nimzowitsch Bogulyubow variation. Nevertheless, it has

a slight disadvantage for the White

repertoire because White must learn one

more, complicated variation. Whereas with

2.Nf3 White can simply transpose to the Ruy-

Lopez. But for intermediate players the better

move 2.d4! should be an interesting challenge.

For example, after these moves, (3.Nc3)

3...dxe4 4.d5 Nb8! 5.Nxe4 c6 6.Bc4, the

resulting position seems to give a clear space

advantage to White:

137 After 2...e5 3.dxe5! Nxe5 4.Nf3!, White is fine, as in Huebner (2620)-Hort (2615), 1984.

And after 6..cxd5 7.Qxd5! Qxd5 (queen

exchange) 8.Bxd5 e6 9.Bc4 Bd7 10. Nge2N,

the position seems slightly better for White,

thanks to our proposed novelty138

.

Fig. 5. GM A. Nimzowitsch139

(1886-1935)

138 In Gorges (2445)-Dieu (2310), corr. Wch. 1990, White played 10.Nf3 and the game ended in a draw; in Hansen Johnsen, corr. Denmark 1999 White tried 10.f3 but lost. 139 Above is a picture of the famous Latvian chess player, author, and analyst, Nimzowitsch. (His most famous chess book is My System).

55

4.3.4 Other 2nd

moves after 1.d4 Nf6

Besides the most common move . 2.c4. after

1..Nf6, some other moves are often played,

namely the following:

A) 2.Nf3

B) 2.Bg5

C) 2.Nc3

D) 2.Bf4

E) others, such as 2.g3 or 2.e3

A) 2.Nf3

After 2.Nf3172

−instead of 2.c4− we advise

2...e6, which usually will transpose to the

previous positions after 3.c4. Should 3.Bg5, the Torre attack, be encountered, we get the

following position:

We now advise 3...c5! and after 4.c3 d5 5.Nbd2, we get the following position:

172 Advised by GM Nigel Davies for players switching their repertoire from e4 to d4.

Note that the Torre attack can be tricky for

Black if knowledge of defense against it is

unknown. In the previous position, however.

after 5...cxd4 6.cxd4 Nc6 7.e3 Bd6 8.Bd3 h6,

Black has equalized. See the position below:

White will now find playing 9.Bh4 best;

there, where-after Black plays 9...Bd7. After

10.0-0, …Rac8 will thus be the first to

dominate the c file with the rook, or simply

10.0-0 castling king-side.

60

4.5 GENERAL OPENING SYSTEMS

Besides the opening variations move by

move, positional systems also exist in which

the move order is usually irrelevant. For

beginners, such a system might be easier to

memorize and comprehend. For example. in

Pafu (2000) a beginner’s system is described

in which where the bishops are fianchettoed, i.e. put in a corner (b2 and g2 for White), and

the knights are put in front of the king and

queen. The center pawns are advanced only

one space (d3 and e3 for White).

Although the concept of such a general

system is interesting, control of the center is

neglected, development of the pieces is

delayed, and such a system poses serious risks

when playing against experienced players.

Much more useful is a system in which the

player would use only the bishop fianchetto

on his king’s side, whereby the knight can

develop more aggressively to f3, and one of the center pawns can advance two squares

instead of one.

In fact, such a system is mentioned by

Seirawan (2003), referring to the so-called Barcza

186 system, often also called King’s

Indian attack, an opening for White suitable

for those who don't want to memorize long

lines. A similar system can be used for Black,

whereby its validity can be proven because of

its similarity with existing thoroughly

analyzed openings 187

.

The resulting position of the Barcza system for White and a similar system for Black,

which we call king’s fianchetto. is displayed

in the following diagram :

186 Hungarian grandmaster 1911-1986, who often used this opening, e.g. 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 and 3.Bg2. 187 For example, Pirc, Modern, Grünfeld, and others.

(and Black King’s fianchetto)

In general, whether you prefer such a

playing style is a matter of taste, it certainly

has advantages with respect to king’s safety ,

especially, specially for Black, and

recommended by Seirawan (2003).

For White it may have versatility of use

against many−if not all−Black- setups, but it

probably lacks a certain aggressiveness that

many 1.e4 players prefer.

Although it is not specified for the Barcza

system to which square the White pawns

should go, a logical way of development would be do play moves like d2d3

188 and

castle king-side, and then consider e2e4189

.

We will return later with recommendations

for Black. Indeed, such a setup for the White

pieces has developed into a fully mature White opening, namely, the King’s Indian

attack (KIA); see for example Dunnington

(1998).

188Also possible is d4, and also in combination with c4, which then could transpose to English 189 To support e2e4 and leave the option of c2c4 open, the b1 knight can then be played to the square d2

61

Instead of always using the KIA, especially

by players who don't want to learn much

theory, players can use its formation only

against specific Black variations, such as the

Sicilian, which otherwise could be

complicated for White. For example, in

Emms(2001) such a recommendation is made,

namely, to play the closed Sicilian with Nc3 in combination with a king’s fianchetto.

Although for absolute beginners, the Barcza

system may be attractive, we don't recommend

KIA for average/club players, because it is

important to keep the initiative, ironically

enough, for only advanced players when facing the Kings Indian defense.

For Black, using a king’s fianchetto

formation can result in different defense

variations, depending on whether White has

played e4 or d4. Against d4 for example,

Black can choose between the King’s Indian or the Grünfeld Defense, assuming that the

player looks further into theory than just

playing a Barcza system with colors reversed. For this we can recommend the Grünfeld for

adventurous intermediate players because

some GM's consider the Kings-Indian to be a

slightly slow positional defense.

Fig. 6 GM E. Grünfeld (1893-1962)

Note: The Grünfeld is a sharp variation

and thus difficult to equalize for Black, unless

you are an advanced player and know this

variation well. I; n the chapter for the

advanced player with 1.d4, we will

recommend the Grünfeld for Black.

Because the Grünfeld is hard to master,

Black can also use two types of general systems against both d4 and e4, namely, the Modern defense (…g6), or maybe the so-

called Lion system (based on the Philidor-

Improved Hanham variation with ...d6 and

Nbd7). But as earlier discussed, we do not

really advise this 'Lion' system because White

seems able to achieve an advantage with f4, which leaves only the Modern as a flexible

fianchetto defense system for Black. flexible

indeed because it can transpose to the accelerated Dragon when Black gets the

chance to play a later ...c5 if he wishes, or the Pirc after ...d6.

Another flexible system, but this time for

Black, is combining ...d6 (Pirc) and ...c6

(Caro-Kann defense) together, which is called Czech defense. See the diagram below.

64

192

192 Fig 7 Some trees of thought (back and forth).

1

5. ADVANCED REPERTOIRE, WHITE

To avoid the Sicilian Defense (especially the

Najdorf), the rather drawish Petrov and also for

practical reasons, advanced players may want to

broaden their repertoire by also starting to play

1.d4, sometimes dependent on the opponent.

Thus such a switch from e4 to d4 not only is because of some 'fashion', or imitating some top

GM's who switched to 1.d4 in their repertoire,

An important reason for using 1.d4 is namely

that with our comprehensive analysis, it

fundamentally also seems the best move

although the differences are small in case of best

play by both sides.

But mainly due to the Najdorf against e4 which

is a hard nut to crack, and the strong play with the Catalan for White, the choice of d4 for

White seems more pro mising. And in case Black

avoids the Catalan for example with the

Grünfeld or the Slav then with our in-depth

research we also have found ways to keep some slight advantage for White; which we will show

later in this chapter.

As this book is mainly oriented at

average/club1 players, in this edition we will not

discuss such a very broad2 theory for d4 in all

details, but instead highlight some of our

main/preferred lines3.

1 we advise 1.d4 mainly for advanced club players

2 We assume that the players keep 1.e4 in their repertoire, for use for example against weaker players or in blitz; see also the chapter on gambit lines 3 As result of some new computer analysis, so certainly aiming at the highest quality possible. Thus in some cases not only improving on current opening theory, but also aiming at a 'best' repertoire for at least the first few moves, even -and especially- at high level.

In such a way the layout is more like a

‘repertoire book’ than a complete opening-

theory book4, but in some cases some

alternatives are provided for the main line5.

After 1.d4 the main Black responses are:

1. 1...Nf6! (Catalan, Grünfeld , Slav & more)

2. 1...d5 (QGD, Orthodox, Semi-Slav & more)

3. 1...c5 (Old Benoni, or tp Benoni)

4. 1...d6, 1..c6 or 1...g6 (2.e4! tp to 1.e4 lines)

5. 1...Others

So we start in sub-chapter (5.)1. with the

recommended moves for White against 1...Nf6, where some new theory in the Catalan will be

important for the White repertoire.

Thereafter in sub-chapter 5.2 play against the –also important- system after 1…d5 is

discussed, whereby in case of possible -and

frequently occurring- transpositions to systems

with 1...Nf6 we will refer to 5.1. In all cases,

especially in this sub-chapter, it seems White

can keep a slight advantage, although

fundamentally probably not enough to force a

winning endgame in all cases (see Appendix 3).

4 The same holds true in fact for the intermediate repertoire in Chapter 3 with 1.e4, but when combining both chapters nevertheless a comprehensive overview of the main chess opening theory is given 5 Such as 2...e6 for Black instead of probably the most solid move, 2...g6 with the Grünfeld variation.

2

5.1 WHITE LINES, 1.d4 Nf6, Introduction

After 1...Nf6 White plays 2.c4, after which Black can play 2...e6, 2...g6! (Grünfeld or

Kings-Indian), 2...c6 which will transpose to

Slav variations, 2...c5 (Benoni)6 , 2...Nc6?!

(Knight's-Tango), and some other playable

moves.

Such other playable but more rare second

moves for Black are 2...d6 (Old Indian, possible tp to Kings-Indian), 2...b6 (Queens-Indian

accelerated) 2...Nc6 (Trevitz-Trajkovich) and

2...e5 (Budapest gambit). For these moves we

will not give detailed analysis but instead just give the main moves, achieving an advantage

for White. With our advised move 2.c4, the

conventional setup which in our latest analysis is

a bit better than 2.Nf3 7, we also achieve good

play against such less conventional defenses.

The move with 2.Nf3 can lead to for example

the Torre attack (with Bg5) but in this opening,

although probably easier to play than the

Catalan, we have not found any significant

fundamental advantage for White in case of best

play that is if Black plays the best responsive

moves. And other moves than 2.c4 or 2.Nf3 for

White we consider inferior because Black with

solid positional play should be able to get easy equality or even an advantage.

We start with the main move for Black, 2...e6.

Now if White would play 3.Nc3, after ..Bb4! we get the Nimzo-Indian; we already have given

these lines when discussing our repertoire for

Black against d4. And as the 'Nimzo' is a strong

defense we do not recommend this for White.

6 Or 1....c5 and then 2.d5 transposition to Benoni.

7 Advised by GM Nigel Davies, for people switching from

1.e4 to 1.d4 ; after 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 is possible, but our

recommendation for 2.c4 after 1..Nf6 is based on a subtle

difference, namely to avoid strong sub-variations of the

Grünfeld defense after 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6! and so on=

Also, after a possible 3.Nf3, Black can defend

strongly with 3...b6, leading to the Queens-

Indian, which -although maybe more cra mped

and more difficult to play for Black, still is an

extremely solid defense when played correctly,

as we found with e xtensive computer analysis

(see the section for Black).

These variations will be discussed in the

following sections.

5.1.1 Catalan 1...Nf6 8 2…e6 (2.g3!)

In order to avoid the Indian systems, we prefer the Catalan opening setup, after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4

...e6 3.g3! In many cases this leads to better

positions for White, although against the best

defense lines it still is not easy to maintain a -

slight- positional advantage. This is the basic

position:

8 Or 1…e6 2.c4! -instead of d5 leading to French- ...Nf6 3.g3 tp

1

5.2 White lines, after (1.d4) 1...d5

After 1.d4 d5 we recommend 2.Nf31, which

after 2...Nf6 3.c4 e6 usually leads to Queens

Gambit variations. For example the conven-

tional Queens Gambit Declined, QGD (or

sometimes Accepted, QGA after ...dxc4), or Slav

systems after 3...c6. As discussed in the following paragraphs in subchapter 5.2.1.

After 2...c6 (subchapter 5.2.2) White can

transpose to the Slav or try to achieve a slight

positional advantage after for example a move

as 3.h3!?. And then e.g. after 3...Nf6 4.Bf4 and

so on. A transposition to the normal Slav after

3.c4 also is possible. Whenever we get a

transposition to an earlier discussed variation a

reference to this earlier paragraph will be made

as discussed in 5.2.2.

After 2...e6 (5.2.3) we often again get a

transposition to the variations with 2...Nf6 under

5.2.1, namely, when the move ...Nf6 is played

later, after 2...e6, often 3...Nf6. Whereby the 'Triangle system'

2 where first ...c6 is played this

theory is avoided with our move order 2.Nf3

because after 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 c6 White

plays 4.g3! in Catalan style. Hereafter the

situation with 2...dxc4 will be dealt with in the

sub-chapter 5.2.4. Then we discuss the move

2...Nc6 which leads to the Chigorin variation

under 5.2.5, and finally other moves3 will be

discussed under 5.2.6 .

1 This move 2.Nf3 - instead of 2.c4 - also is advised by GM Nigel Davies to players switching from 1.e4 to 1.d4 in their repertoire. An advantage then indeed is that it avoids the Albin counter gambit (d4 d5 c4 e5). NB but we did deliberately*not* advised 2.Nf3 in chapter 5.1 because then -after 2.Nf3!?- the move 2..g6! would lead to solid Grünfeld (sub)variations for Black. 2 Described in the book (Sherbakov, 2012). 3 A move as for example 2...g6?! , Neo-Grünfeld is

almost 'refuted' by 3.c4 c6! 4.e3! and so on. Other moves instead of 3...c6 in this variation like 3...Nf6 also are weak, for example after 4.cxd5 Bg7 5.Qa4! .

5.2.1 QGD & others (1...d5) 2…Nf6

After (1.d4 d5 2.Nf3) 2...Nf6 3.c4 Black most

often plays A) 3...e6. Also possible are B) 3...c6

(Slav or Semi-Slav), C) 3...dxc4 (QGA), D)

3...c5, or E) 3...g6 (Neo-Grünfeld). F) 3..Others.

(Note that these 'other moves' under F) are

clearly worse for Black, but we will nevertheless

briefly discuss those lines which are sometimes

tried in practical play further-on anyway).

A) QGD 3...e6

Now (after 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 2...Nf6 3.c4 3...e6)

White can play 4.g3, aiming to get a Catalan

variation. In this situation however, after 4...Bb4+ the Bogo-Indian variation becomes

different (than in the situation of 1.d4 Nf6 as in

5.2), and is not good for White anymore4.

So in this variation White can better play

4.Nc3. Which gives the following position:

4 Although an entire chapter is spent for this move -and 5.Bd2- in [Avrukh, 2008], it seems almost impossible to find an advantage for White in such variations with computer analysis (Houdini2c). Whereby with our recommended move 3.Nc3 an advantage still seems possible.

2

After which Black usually plays A1) 4…Bb4! (QGD Ragozin), A2) 4...c6

(Semi-Slav), A3) 4...Be7, QGD Classical, A4)

4...Nbd7 (QGD,) A5) 4…c5 (Semi-Tarrasch).

Some other moves for Black also are possible,

such as A6) 4....h6, A7) 4…dxc4 (QGA) or A8)

others like for example 4…a6?!

A1) QGD/Ragozin (4…Bb4)

After the moves 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf65 3.c4 e6

4.Nc3, the move 4...Bb4, the Ragozin variation,

looks like the Nimzo-Indian Defense and

indeed after the move 5.e3! , we would get a

transposition to this variation. But we prefer 5.Bg5! which gives the following position:

Now there are three playable moves for Black:

a) 6...Nbd7, b) 6...h6!, or c) 6 ...dxc4 .

Which will be discussed in the following

paragraphs. And where applicable, we will refer to a recent book about the Ragozin variation,

namely, (Barsky, 2011).

5 Or 2...e6 3.c4 Nf6 4.Nc3 tp

A1a) QGD Ragozin/Westphalia (5...Nbd7)

After the move 5...Nbd7 White plays 6.e3

which gives a transposition to the QGD

Manhattan or Westphalia variation.

Now after 6...c5! (after 6...0-0?! 7.cxd5 exd5

8.Qc2! c5 9.Be2²) 7.cxd5 we get the following

position (above right)

Now after 7...exd5 8.Be2! Qa5 (or ...Bxc36

9.bxc3 Qa5 10.0-0 tp) 9.0-0 c4 10.Qc2! Bxc3

11.bxc3 White achieves a slightly better

position7.

A1b) QGD Ragozin (5...h6!)

After 5...h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf68 7.e3 0-0 8.Rc1! we

get a position as shown next page:

6 After 8...h6 9.Bh4 ² 7 As in Balinski-Luther, 2011 8 Similar as in the Moscow variation of the QGD Semi-Slav it seems easier, and fundamentally slightly better for White to simply take the knight on f6 with the bishop.

1

7. BIBLIOGRAPHY

7.1 Specific OPENING BOOKS

[Aagaard, J. & Ntirlis, N., 2011] GM Repertoire 10, The Tarrasch Defense. Quality Chess [Acers,Laven,2003] . The Italian gambit system/a guiding repertoire for White, Trafford

[Arizmendi & M.,2004] Mastering the Najdorf, Gambit Publications [Avrukh, 2008] GM Repertoire, Volume one, 1.d4, Quality Chess

[Avrukh, 2010] GM Repertoire, Vol. two, (1.d4) Quality Chess [Avrukh, 2011] GM Repertoire, Nr 9 The Grünfeld Defense(2) Quality Chess [Basman, 1982] Play the St George, Pergamon Press.

[Bauer, C 2005] Play .. b6 (a dynamic and hyper-modern system for black) Everyman Chess [Barsky, V, 2011] The Ragozin complex. New in Chess, The Netherlands

[Bikhovsky, A., 1993] The Closed Spanish, Karpov/Zaitsev systems, Batsford London [Bologan, V, 2008] The Chebanenko Slav According to Bologan, New in Chess. [Burgess, G., 2000] the Taimanov Sicilian, detailed coverage, Gambit Publications, London

[Cox, 2004] Starting out, Alekhine's defense Everyman Chess Publishing, London [Davies,N, 2005] Play e4 e5! (complete repertoire for black in the open games), Everyman Ch.

[Dearing, 2006] Play the Nimzo-Indian. Everyman Chess [Dunnington,A.,1997] Winning with the Catalan, American Batsford [Dunnington, 1998] The ultimate King's Indian attack, Batsford, London

[Emms,J, 2001] Attacking with 1 e4, Everyman Chess [Forintos,G & Haag, 1983] Petroff's Defense, Batsford (Library of tournament openings)

[Golubev, 1999] Easy guide to the Dragon. Everyman Chess, London [Golubev, 2001] The Sicilian Sozin, Gambit Publications [Yakovich, 2002] The complete Sicilian Sveshnikov. Gambit Publications, London

[Hellsten, J, 2008] The Sicilian Kan, Everyman chess, London [Janjgava , 2001] The Petroff Defense Gambit Publications, London

[Johnsen,S., Johannessen,L,2007] The Ruy Lopez, a guide for black, Gambit Publications [Kaufman, 2012] The Kaufman Repertoire for Black and White [Karpov, A., 2007] How to play the English opening, Batsford Chess, London

[Kasparov, et al, 1991] The Sicilian Scheveningen, Batsford, London [Kosten,T 1999] Easy guide to the Najdorf, Everyman chess

[Krasenkov, M, 1995] The Open Spanish, Cadogan books, London [Lane, G, 2004] The bishops opening explained, Batsford, London [Lalic, B, 2003] The Marshall attack, Everyman Chess, London

[Marin,M.,2008] Beating the Open Games, 2nd edition, Quality Chess, Sweden [Mosconi,T., 2010] Refutation of Nadanian variation of the Grünfeld; Lulu.com E-book

[Panczyk, Emms, 2000] Archangel and new Archangel Everyman Chess, London [Panczyck, Ilczuk,2005] Ruy Lopez Exchange [Palliser, 2005] the Bb5 Sicilian , detailed coverage, Gloucester Publishing, London.

[Pedersen,S, 1999] Easy guide to the Bb5 Sicilian, Gambit/Everyman Chess [Pedersen, 2001] The main line French, 3.Nc3, Gambit Publications, London

[Raetsky,Chetverik,2004] The Catalan, Everyman Chess, London [Persson, T.H. 2005] Tiger's Modern, Quality Chess, Sweden [Pinsky,J.& Aagaard, 2001] Sicilian Kalashnikov, Everyman Chess, London.

[Plaskett,J,2004] The Scandinavian defense Batsford, London [Psakhis, L., 2003] French defense 3. Nc3 Bb4, Batsford, London

[Rogozenko, 2005] The Sveshnikov reloaded, Quality Chess, Sweden [Sherbakov, 2012] The triangle system. Everyman Chess, London

2

[Speelman,2000] Modern defense Everyman chess, London. [Sterren, P.vd, 2009] Fundamental Chess Openings, Gambit Publications, London

[Storey, C, 2011] The Sniper. Everyman Chess. [Suba, 2000] The hedgehog. Batsford chess publishing.

[Tomcsányi, P. 1997] The Ponziani opening, Prime Rate Szolgaltato Beteti Tarsasag, Budapest [Vera,R.,2008] The Nimzo-Indian (Chess Explained, Gambit Publications, UK) [Vera,R.,2007] The Meran Semi-Slav, Chess Explained, Gambit Publications

[Vigorito,D, 2007] Challenging the Nimzo-Indian, (Quality Chess, Sweden) [Vigorito,D, 2008] Play the Semi-Slav, (Quality Chess, Sweden)

[Vitiugov, 2010] The French Defence, a complete black repertoire ( Chess Stars, Bulgaria) [Vigus, 2007] The Pirc in black and white. Everyman Chess (Gloucester), London [Ward, C., 2001] Winning with the Sicilian Dragon II (Batsford, London)

[Wells, P., 2007] Grandmaster Secrets, The Caro-Kann (Gambit Publications) [Yröla,J, 2000] Easy guide to the classical Sicilian (Richter-Rauzer/Sozin), Everyman Chess

[Yröla,J,Tella,2003] The Queen’s Indian, detailed explanation, Gambit publications

7.2 GENERAL CHESS (& Opening-related) BOOKS

[Adams, Weaver, 1924] White to play and win (Ishi press, 2007 revision)

[Berliner,H,1999] The system, a world champion’s approach to chess. Gambit Publications. [Donk, J.G.T., 1952] Opening Vademecum (Chess opening repertoire, in Dutch) [Edwards, 2007] Teach yourself visually chess (Wiley Publ., New Jersey).

[Evans, Gligoric et al, 1974] How to open a chess game. RHM Press, NY, 1974 [Fine,R,1989] Ideas behind the chess openings, Batsford (new algebraic edition)

[Giddins, S,2004] How to choose your chess opening repertoire, Chess Publisher [Herik, dr H.J. van den, 1983] Computerschaak, schaakwereld, kunstm.intelligentie (Dutch) [Kotov, A, 1978] Play like a Grandmaster, Batsford, London.

[Matanovic, et al,1999] Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (Small ECO, Sahovski Informator) [Nunn,J, et al, 1999] Nunn’s chess openings (NCO), Everyman Chess Publishers

[Nunn,J. 2011] Understanding Chess Middlegames. Gambit Publica tions, London [Mednis, E., 1982] How to Play Good Opening Moves, McKay Chess Library, US. [Mednis,1983] From the opening into the endgame, Pergamom Press

[Palliser, 2003 ] Play 1.d4! Batsford, London [Pafu, 2000] The beginners game (Victoria, Canada, www.beginnersgame.com)

[Schaeffer, 1997] One jump ahead, challenging human supremacy in checkers, Springer, NY [Seirawan, 2003] Winning chess openings, Everyman Chess, London [Shereshevky, Slutsky, 1992] . Mastering the endgame (Vol 2). Cadogan Chess.

[Shreschevsky,Slutsky,1991] Mastering the endgame (Vol 1). Pergamon Chess (reprint) [Tak, A.C.van der,1994] Taktiek in de opening/open spelen' NIC Interchess BV (in Dutch)

[Ward, C.2000] Improve your opening play, Everyman Chess, 2000 [Watson, J.,2006] Mastering the chess openings, vol I. Gambit Publications, UK.

APPENDIX 2 (INDEX OF MAIN LINES) (version February 2012,

Variations analyzed with Houdini 2/3 and some others (during earlier years)

Hereafter the appendices are given with the repertoire variations for the white and black

side, first at intermediate level. The further right (in-depth), the more 'inaccurate' the

suggested moves become. Therefore the more advanced chess player, who want to go

'beyond' the definition of the variations as given in the chapters 2.2 and 2.3.1 of the book is

advised to study the first five or six moves in the appendix more accurately than the later

moves; keeping in mind these also may be adapted slightly at his own judgment, i.e. after

further study or experience in real games. For the 'black variations' our analysis has been

done with in less detail than for white, as the main purpose of the book is to show the main,

winning lines with 1.e4, and consequently show the main drawing lines against d4 and other

defenses. Thus the variations given in App. A2, after the white lines with 1.e4, generally are

shorter than the lines for white. Also, we do not claim that the lines for black are the absolute

truth, i.e. are the best defenses for the rest of the future. Depending on further results, there

probably will be scope for improvements, after which the repertoire may change slightly, at

least with respect to some variations. Hopefully we will be able to incorporate such updates in

later editions.

After appendix A1/2, in appendix 3 we give the index for the main lines for beginning

players. First we give some easier alternatives to attack against e5 (open games) or c5

(Sicilian), In App. 3.b we summarize the easier repertoire with e5 as defense against e4

instead of the difficult Sicilian. Novelties have not been indicated in App.3 , yet the summary

of those lines in this appendix will be useful for a quick overview, especially for beginners of

course. For the defense against other moves than e4, as 1.d4 or others, the reader is referred to

App.A/2 again. A possible easier defense than the Queens Indian after d4 Nf6 c4 e6 Nf3 for

beginners is the Bogo-Indian, but for the time being this is outside the scope of this book.

Possibly included (later) in back_cover of the book, luxury (color) edition:

Cd-Rom with Bookbuilder programs 4.1 and 3.6, and large back-solved database for Bookbuilder (>19 million positions) as well as new and up to date user-book for program ChessPartner (www.lokasoft.com)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Ruy Lopez

(RL)

e4 Nf3 Bb5 Ba48 0-0 Re1

9 Bb3 c3 h3

10 Closed, 9. h3

e5 Nc6 a6!11

Nf612

Be713

b5 d614

0-015

cont. definit ion 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 RL closed 9 h3 .. d3! Nbd2 Nf1 Bc2 Ng3 Be3 Bxc5 a5 = RL Breyer Nb8! Nbd7 Bb7

16 Nc5 Re8 Bf8 a5 dxc5 9..Nb8

.. d4

17 Nbd2 a3!

18 Bc2 b3 Bb2 a4 Bd3 Qc2 g3N ² tp Zaitsev (1)

Bb7 Rfe8 Bf8! 19

h6 Nb8 Nbd7 g6 c6 Bg7 Nh5 (new line) .. d4 Nbd2 a3! tp ² Zaitsev (2) Rfe8 Bb7

20 Bf8 tp

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 .. Bc2 d4 Nbd2 b3 Ndf1 d5 Ng3 Be3 ² RL Chigorin Na5 c5! Qc7! Rfd8

21 g6N Bf8 Bg7 Bd7 variation, (1)

.. Bc2 d4 cxd4 Nbd2 Nb3 Be3 Nbd2 Rac1 Qe2 Bb1 a3 ² RL Chigorin Na5 c5 cxd4

22 Qc7

23 Nc6

24 a5 a4 Bd7 Rac8 Nb4 Rfe8 variation, (2)

8 Better than Bxc6, the exchange variation, as after dxc6 5. d3 (or 5.0-0 Bg4 6.h3 h5! and then e.g. d3 Qf6

Nbd2 Nge7 etc =) 5.. Bd6 and then 6. 0-0 f6 7. Qe2 Bg4 (with possible tp. in case of d ifferent black move

order) it is difficult to get advantage because of the black bishop pair, even although white has a king side pawn

majority. 9 6.c3 (Bxc6 dxc6! Qe2=) Nxe4! 7.Re1 Rf6 and then e.g. Nxe5 Nxe5 = is worse than tp to RL closed And 6.d3

b5 7. Bb3 0-0 7.a4 b4 Rfe1 = also is drawish 10

Or 9.d4 (Boguljubov) Bg4! 10. Be3 (10.d5 Na5 Bc2 c6 =) 9.. exd4 11. cxd4 Na5 Bc2 c5 Nc3! = 11

3.. Nf6! g ives the Berlin variation, given in detail a few pages further 3.. d6?! is the Old Steinitz variation,

after which 4. d4 (or 4.0-0 Bd7 d4 Nf6 Nc3 exd4 Nxd4 a6 Ba4 etc ±) Bd7 5.0-0 Nf6 6.Nc3 exd4 6. Nxd4 a6

Ba4 ± 3.. Nge7 is the Cozio variation, often played in combination with .. g6 (3..g6 is the fianchetto

variation) e.g. 3..Nge7 4.0-0 g6 5.Nc3 Bg7 and then e.g. a4 or d3 ². After 3… Nd4?!, the Bird var: 4.Bc4! Bc5

Nc3 Nf6 Na4! ± 12

4. .. Nge7 is the Cozio defense deferred after which white can best play 4.d3 (Ng6 5.Be3! etc. ²)

4. .. Be7?! Interesting trap to invoke 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6.Nxe5? Qd4! Correct is 5. d4! exd4 6 0-0 etc. ² 13

5. ..Nxe4 (R.L. Open) 6.d4! b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.Nxe5! Nxe5 9.dxe5 c6 10.Nbd2 Nxd2 11.Qxd2!N Be7 (Bf5 Qf4)

Qc3! c5 Qg3 c4 Qxg7 Rf8 Qxh7 cxb3 Bh6 bxc2 Bxf8 Bxf8 Rac1 d4 Qe4! ² 5.. d6 6. Bxc6! (def. Steinitz)

bxc6 7. d4 exd4 8.Qxd4 c5 9.Qd3 etc ² Or ..b5 6.Bb3 Bb7 7.d3 ( 7.a4! Bc5 axb5 etc. ²) ² Arkhangelsk

variation 14

Or 7.. 0-0 8. a4! B5 9.d4 (or d3) d6 10. Nbd2 = Anti-Marshall 15

8.. Na5 ?! 9.Bc2 c5 10.d4 (or h3 tp RL closed Chigorin ²) Qc7 11.a4?! is the ‘Balla’ variation and then e.g.

b4 (h3! tp closed Chigorin ²) 12. cxb4 cxb4 13.Bg5 etc. =

[8 ..Bg4? 9. h3! Bh5 (or Bd7 Bc2 0-0 d3) 10.g4 Bg6 11.g5 Nh5 12. d4 ± 16

Or 10 .. Bb7 , 11.. Nbd7 tp 17

10. Ng5 Ref8 11. Nf3 [11d4 Bb7! 12.Nf3 (12.a4 h6 13.Nf3=] tp) Ref8 = by repetition 18

the old main line was 12. a4 (a3 h6 13.Bc2 Nb8! =) h6! 13. Bc2 (d5 Nb8! and then e.g. Qe2 =) exd4 14.cxd4

Nb4 15.Bb1 c5 16. d5 but after 16.. Nd7 17.Ndf1 {17.Ra3 . g6 18.axb5 (e.g. Gombkoetoe-Mateika, Hung corr

1991 axb5 19.Ndf1N Bg7 20.Qb3 Qf6 21.Ne3=) ; in case of 18. Nh2!? h5!N (18.. c4 in Predel-Mayer ½- ½ ,

email ch 2002) or Nb6!? =} f5 18.exf5 Nbxd5! 19.Re6N Nf6 20.Rxe8= 19

Or ..Qd7 see 9.. Qd7 tp ² (next page) 20

11... Na5 11.Bc2 Nfd7 13.b4 ² tp Chigorin (1) ; 11.. exd4 12.cxd4 Qd7 13.Ndf1 Na5 14.Bc2 c5 15.d5 g6

16.b3 ² 21

Or 12 .. g6 13.Ndf1 Rfd8N 14.b3 tp (12.. cxd4 13.cxd4 [..Bb7 14.d5 Rac8 15.Bd3 Nd7 16. Nf1 f5 17.exf5

Nc4 18.Ne3 Nxe3 19.Bxe3 Bxd520. a4² ] Nc6 {or ..g6!? 14.b4²} 14.Nb3 a5 15.Be3 a4 16.Nbd2 Bd7 ²) 22

11... exd4!? 12. cxd4 Bb7 13.Nc3! Rfe8 14.Bf4! ² 23 .. Bb7 13.d5! Rac8 14.Nbd2 Qc7 15.Bd3 Nfd7 (or .. Nh5 Ndf1 Nf4 Bxf4 exf4 Qd2 ²) 16.Ndf1 f5

17.exf5 Nc4 18.Ne3 Nxe3 19. Bxe3 Bxd5 20.a4 ²

INDEX

BLACK

A.2.4

BEGINNERS

---------

---------

---------

---------

---------

-------- ---------

---------

---------

---------

-------- ---------

--------

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

e4 Nf3 Bb5 Ba4 Bb3 d3! 0-0 Nc3 ²/› Ruy Lopez

e5 Nc6137 a6! b5?! Bb7! Nf6 Bc5 d6 Caro/wing

var.

e4 Nf3 Bb5 Bxc6 0-0!138 d4 c3 cxd4 h3 Qc2 RL exchange

e5 Nc6 a6 dxc6 f6 Bg4 exd4 Qd7 Be6 0-0-0 Gligoric var.

e4 Nf3 Bc4 c3139 d4 cxd4 Bd2 Bxb4 Qb3 0-0 Bxd5 Qxd5 = Giuoco

Piano

e5 Nc6 Bc5! Nf6 exd4 Bb4! Nxe4 Nxb4 Qe7 d5 Nxd5 c6

(tp two knights)

e4 Nf3 Bc4 d3140 Nc3 Na4 Nxb6 Bb5 = G.

Pianissimo

e5 Nc6 Bc5 Nf6 d6 Bb6 axb6 Bd7 or GP 4 knights

e4 Nf3 d4 Nxd4141

Nxc6142

e5 143 Qe2 c4 Nc3 Bd2 Qe4 = Scottish

4..Nf6

e5 Nc6 exd4 Nf6 bxc6 Qe7 Nfd5 Nb6 Bb7 Qe6 0-0-0 (Schmidt/M

ieses)

e4 Nf3 144 c3 Qa4 d3 etc. = Ponziani

135 For other defenses , e.g. Scandinavian (..d5), Aljechin (..Nf6), etc. see App 1A (beginners should look just to the first few moves , and/or try to transpose to more common variations, e.g. after 1.. Nc6 (Nimzow.) with 2.Nf3! 136 in case of 2.. d6 (2.. e6 3.Nf3) 3. Bb5! (avoiding the Najdorf) Bd7 (Moscow variation) 4.Bxd7

(Nxd7 0-0 Nf6 Nc3 g6 d4 cxd4 Qxd4!) 0-0 5.Nc6 6.c3 Nf6 7.d3 e6 8.Nbd2 etc. ²/= 137 Absolute beginners can also play .. d6, the Philidor (see App 1A) to avoid lines as Giuoco-Piano,

Vienna, Kings gambit, Scottish etc. (but they should be aware that white can get an opening advantage..) 138 The move 5.d4 is less dangerous for black, e.g. 5..exd4 6.Qxd4 Qxd4 7.Nxd4 Bd6! etc = 139 After 4.0-0 Nf6 5.d3 (5.d4?! Bxd4! =/+) tp to Giuoco-Pianissimo 140 After 4. b4?!, the Evans gambit black can accept the gambit with 4.. Nxb4 (surprise value instead of

Bxb4) ) 5.c3 (5.Nxe5?! Qf6! -+) Nc6! 6.d4 exd4 cxd4 Bb4 Bd2 Bxd2 Qxd2 d6 etc = But advanced p layers

probably can also accept the gambit with Bxb4 and then 5.c3 Ba5 6.d4 exd4 7.0-0 (7.Qb3?! Qe7! 0-0 Bb6 cxd4

Nxd4 Bxd4 Nc3 Nf6 Nb5 Bxa1 Nxc7 Kd8 Nxa8 Bd4 =/+) Nge7! 8.cxd4 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Ba3 Be6 = 141 3. Bc4 (Scottish gambit) Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.e5 d5 Bb5 (tp Giuoco Piano) Ne4 cxd4 Bb6 Bxc6 bxc6 Qc2 0-0

Qxc6 = 3.c3?! (Goering gambit) dxc3 [3.Bb5 (Relfsson gambit) a6! =] 4.Nxc3 Bc5! 5.Bc4 d6 0-0 Nf6 Bg5 0-

0 Nd5 Be6 =/+ 142

after 5.Nc3 Bb4! etc. = (Scottish four knights) 143 after 6.Qe2 Qe7 7.e5 (tp) Nd5 8.Nbd2 (after 8.c4 see line above) g6! 9.Ndf3 Bg7 10.c4 Nb6 = 144 2.Bc4, the Bishops opening can transpose to Giuoco Pianissimo after 2.. Nc6 3.d3 (3.Nc3 Vienna) Nf6 4. Nf3 Bc5 etc. 2.c3 the Lopez opening is no danger for black after 2..d5! =+

Appendix 5 Summary of played computer-games

As operator of two top computer chess programs on internet chess club (ICC) resp Free

internet chess server (fics) during the last fifteen years I've let these programs played

more than twenty thousand blitz gamess and more than ten thousand 'standard'(rapid &

slower) games during about fifteen years with self made opening books, (with various

interfaces such as Arena and Chess Partner) which were continuously update/improved

along the way; see summary below, my notes on ICC and FICS (March 2012)

Fics notes for Kec(C):

rating RD win loss draw total best

Blitz 2643 52.7 5935 3436 2357 11728 2740 (21-Feb-2011) Standard 2709 55.2 2779 1384 1270 5433 2779 (07-Aug-2011)

Lightning 2941 45.2 2317 811 535 3663 2941 (12-Mar-2012)

Total time online: 536 days, 18 hrs, 42 mins % of life online: 10.2 (since Wed Oct 1, 11:13 PDT 1997)

1: Deep Shredder engine

2: HP Quad 9300 2.5Ghz

3: ChessPartner 6.04 interface

4: self made Ch.p6.04 (user)book, updated until 2012

5: with strong repertoire (*)

6: found with Bookbuilder

7: a program to study opening theory

8: www.superchess.blogspot.com

9: * see E-book 'better chess opening play'(2011)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

ICC Statistics for bookbuilder(C) On for: 0 Idle: 0

rating [need] win loss draw total best Bullet 2804 1849 737 768 3354 2994 (15-Mar-2007)

Blitz 3026 5382 3179 3109 11670 3221 (30-Dec-2010) Standard 2906 3736 1127 1845 6708 3071 (23-Feb-2011)

1: CP6 interface 2: Houdini 2-Pro 3: HP Quad 9300, 2.5 Ghz

4: making new Chp.book, still testing 5: Win7, 4Gb Ram

6: thx to martyrdom(IM) for book besting 7: latest (demo)version of E-book: 'better chess opening play' (2011) 8: superchess.blogspot.com

Groups : Netherlands computer