October '99 Update
Nimzo Indian
It's not been the best of months for Nimzo-Indian supporters. From a survey in The Week in Chess (TWIC), White has scored 50 wins, 43 draws and only 31 losses this month, giving a healthy average of 58%. As well as this, all of the important and publishable games have ended in White wins, even the ones where Black was doing fine out of the opening.
Watch out for a particularly impressive performance from Sergei Ivanov, an expert on the Classical Variation. His win over Komarov from the recent Yugoslav Team Championship gets my vote for Nimzo "Game of the Month" (JE84)). Ivanov was also the receiver of a point in his game with Beliavsky (JE85)). This is an interesting theoretical duel in the 4 Qc2 d5 5 a3 line, which Beliavsky seems to get the better of, until he messes things up in a king and pawn ending. If it's blood and gore you're after, then you could do worse than take a look at Hillarp Persson-Engman, Skelleftea, 1999 (JE86)), which is not pleasant viewing from the Black side of things. If you're looking to sharpen up on your tactical prowess, there's a couple of additional positions in the Nimzo Quiz. (Ivanov rounds off a great month personally by starring here too).
Benoni
It's better news for Benoni fans! From 42 Modern Benoni games in TWIC, Black scored well with exactly 50% (13 wins, 15 draws and 13 losses). Black also claimed the prize of "Game of the Month", which was a smooth attacking performance by the English IM Andrew Kinsman over his compatriot GM Keith Arkell (JE83)). The Fianchetto Variation features strongly this month. Apart from Arkell-Kinsman, there's two other struggles. Stempin- Rydzik, (JE79)) sees White carve Black open through the centre, while Bukal-Lalic (JE80) is a far more even encounter, with Black getting somewhat the better of a draw. Also featured this month are two games from the Old Classical Variation (a win apiece). Sergei Ivanov's powerful play in the encounter S.Ivanov-Nedev (JE82)) does not paint a good picture for the Benoni, but Black bounces back in Crut-Halkias, (JE81)) a very nice positional game from Black, who drives home the advantage of the queenside pawn majority.
Hero of the Month
For his impressive 3.5/4 against the Nimzo and 1/1 against the Modern Benoni, this month's award goes to the Russian Grandmaster Sergei Ivanov. Who's he, I hear you ask. Well, despite being not very well known outside of his own country, Ivanov is well respected amongst fellow GMs for his contribution to opening theory, and he is fast making a name for himself as a fearsome Nimzo Slayer. Just take a look at his games in this month's games section.
Game of the Month
Nimzo Game of the Month: S Ivanov-Komarov
Benoni Game of the Month: Arkell-Kinsman)
New Games
Nimzo-Indian
Game of the Month: A Slow Squeeze: Nimzo Classical expert Sergei Ivanov puts in a very impressive display indeed, carefully nurturing a slight advantage all the way through to the endgame.
A Disastrous Ending: Alexander Beliavsky plays a model game to a point...then it all falls apart.
A Vicious Attack: Black's slack opening play is punished to the full by some enterprising attacking play from White.
The Central Pawns: White takes full advantage of a dominating position in the centre.
Benoni
Game of the Month: An impressive game by Black, who seizes the opportunity to launch a big attack down an open g-file. The game ends nicely with a long king walk, but this time the one who walks is the one who wins!
Bogdan on the Benoni: As far as the opening goes this is a well played game by the amiable Croatian GM Bogdan Lalic. Unfortunately he is not able to convert his undoubted advantage into a win.
Carved in Half: This game is a substantial piece of Anti-Benoni propoganda. A series of inaccuracies by Black allows White positional domination, and a very pleasing finish.
That Queenside Expansion: A very nice positional game from Black, who drives home the advantage of the queenside pawn majority.
The Power of the d-pawn: Avery fine game from Ivanov, who slowly strangles all of the life out of the Black position. This game is not a good advert for the Benoni!