Dec '99 Update
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GM John Emms rounds up the latest in these Nimzo and Benoni Systems, with the help of guest GM Chris Ward in the Nimzo-Indian. |
Nimzo-Indian (CW)
Well this month there is a warning fired to all Nimzo players. There are no positional Classical Variations covered this time as I offer White a choice of 3 comparative sidelines.
Firstly don't blink as there is a miniature in the 4 Nf3 b6 5 Qb3 line. Then we (well I suppose I mean I!) investigate why it is that a strong GM perseveres with the once reviled 4 f3 variation, by highlighting a beautifully simple encounter. Then to round off the proceedings a look at why the Leningrad variation should not be under-estimated. Essentially then Black players, don't just worry about it when it happens, get preparing now!
Happy Xmas, New Year, Century, Millenium etc.
Chris!
Modern Benoni (JE)
Perhaps some of the Modern Benoni players have gone into hibernation for the winter months. From this months The Week in Chess I could find only 19 games in the Modern Benoni. Black's results have been quite reasonable (5 wins, 9 draws and 5 losses), but the game which sticks in my mind was Pedgrag Nikolic's smooth win with White in the Fianchetto Variation(JE103). It looks like Black needs some serious repair work in this supposedly innocuous line.
Weird Benonis (JE)
There was more material in the Weird Benoni section and the continued use of these Black systems by some very strong players bodes well for the future. The Ukrainian prodigy Ruslan Ponomariov continues to utilise the Schmid Benoni, while Artashes Minasian, one of the stars of the European Championship winners Armenia, has been having success with the delayed Benoni. The game I've chosen here though, sees Black playing the opening in a very inventive way. Igor Efimov, who represented Italy in the European Championships, plays a Modern Benoni system, but manages to do so with his king's knight on e7. (JE102) This brings some subtle difference to the position and it's well worth a close look. Overall there were 25 games in the Weird Benoni this month, with Black scoring 42% ( 6 wins, 9 draws and 10 losses).
Queen's Indian (JE)
It's been another very good month for the Queen's Indian. In 79 games Black scored 25 wins, 34 draws and 20 losses, keeping a 53% average from last month, but with more decisive results this time around. This month we shall be looking at three games from one of White's most ambitious systems against the Queen's Indian.
With 4 a3 White denies Black the use of the b4 square and begins the fight for the control of the key central squares. We shall be looking at 4...c5 (in JE104 and JE106), which tends to move the game into a Benoni type structure.
As well as this there is the main line with 4...Bb7 5 Nc3 d5. In JE105 White plays the opening in a slightly unusual manner and doesn't really achieve any advantage. Palac's play for Black in this game is really impressive, as he slowly but surely prises out the weaknesses in White's position.
Game of the Month
Game of the Month: "It's not always f6": Black finds another square for his king's knight to develop.
New Games
Nimzo-Indian
Ploughing Through: A very instructive and visual encounter in which White lets nothing stand in his way.
Pin It And Win It: A good demonstration of why a Bg5 pin can be just as annoying as the ...Bb4 one.
Going For Gold: England's number 1 lady player Harriet Hunt eventually won the board 1 gold medal in the 1999 European Team Championship. However along the way she was stunned by this incredibly dangerous Leningrad line.
Modern Benoni
"The Sick Rook": Black performs an early rook sortie, but after its initial activity, this rook is the cause of Black's later suffering.
Weird Benonis
Game of the Month: "It's not always f6": Black finds another square for his king's knight to develop.
Queen's Indian
"Outposts": Both sides have outpost on the sixth rank, but it's White who gets in first.
"Overstretched": Black plays very accurately and exploits White's overstretched position to the full.
"An early novelty": White surprises her opponent with an unusual queen move.