Download PGN of March '12 1 d4 d5 games
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The Main Slav [D16]
Topalov - Gashimov: Vugar Gashimov demonstrated deep opening preparation here - he agreed to play a queen ending a pawn down straight from the opening:
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and obtained half a point without serious problems and almost without spending any time on the clock. Such an approach may look somewhat cynical but it brought the result.
QGA 3.e4 e5 [D20]
Pashikian - Babujian: Arman Pashikian came up with a relatively new approach and maintained some pressure. However, the ending is certainly defendable for Black though it might not be to everyone's taste.
Ragger - Kunin: Markus Ragger caught his opponent unawares when Black probably thought to surprise him first with a rare and almost forgotten queen lunge. White's series of clever and energetic moves actually cast doubt on Black's approach:
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and it is unlikely we will see it again in the future.
Vienna Counter Gambit [D24]
Cheparinov - Franco Alonso: Ivan Cheparinov recently scored two victories in the Vienna Counter Gambit - here is one of them:
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However, it still seems that White does not get more than just enough compensation for the pawn if Black defends precisely.
Marshall Gambit 8. Be2 Na6 9. Bd6 [D31]
Razmyslov - Sengupta: Deep Sengupta came up with a very rare and interesting option here, 9...Nh6!?:
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and quickly gained a tangible advantage in the opening. The score in this line is now 3-0 in Black's favour though White's compensation for the pawn still seems beyond doubt.
QGD Ragozin System [D38]
Karthikeyan - Aleksandrov: A seemingly aggressive set-up with Q-side castling was actually harmless for Black, who got comfortable play without any problems.
QGD Vienna Variation 5.Bg5 [D39]
Khismatullin - Matlakov Black tried a fresh and interesting approach in a rather complex line:
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but he still found himself under pressure, which he failed to resist. White missed some decisive options on the way and the game ended peacefully after mutual inaccuracies.
Lysyj - Lu Igor Lysyj demonstrated an interesting approach in the Vienna Variation, where White is not in a hurry to restore the material balance, but instead he gets some positional pluses first and is ready to sacrifice more pawns, playing for an initiative which looks promising.
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Black might face real problems in this line.
Till next month, Ruslan
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If you have any questions, then please post a message at the 1 d4 d5 Forum, or subscribers can email me at ruslan@chesspublishing.com.