November '99 Update
Nimzo-Indian
Welcome Aboard Chris Ward!
It's all change this month as I introduce a new contributor to this site. From this month onwards we welcome Grandmaster and Nimzo expert Chris Ward, who is taking over the Nimzo Indian part of this site. Chris is an experienced Nimzo player and featured on the Nimzo-Indian Grandmaster Video. You may also know Chris as the controller of the Sicilian Dragon site.
This change will allow me more time and space to concentrate on the Modern Benoni and the previously slightly neglected Weird Benonis, the Queen's Indian and the Bogo-Indian, all of which feature this month.
...introducing Chris Ward
"Hi there everyone! I'm Chris Ward and you may well wonder what the host of the Sicilian Dragons site is doing here in these comparatively quieter waters. Well everyone has to face 1 d4 sometimes and whilst John is off uncovering new truths about the Benoni, Bogo, Queen's Indian and such like, I shall also be here steadying the ship with a monthly Nimzo-Indian update. For November, I have focused my attention on the highly popular Classical Variation. Whilst contrasting older theory with new encounters in arguably one the sharpest lines of the opening, you will also see fireworks where they are rarely seen in an explosive Grandmaster tussle. Well that's it until December. Bye for now. Chris.
Modern Benoni
It's been a mixed month for Modern Benoni fans. Overall a study of the last four editions of The Week in Chess has produced 38 games in the Modern Benoni, with Black scoring a mediocre 41% (10 wins, 11 draws and 17 losses). On the positive side Black did get my vote for "Game of the Month" (JE91)) which was a very pleasing performance from the 13 year old star Bu Xiangzhi. Less appetising from Black's point of view is the game Ionov-Berelovich (JE92)), which sees Black struggling in the 9...b5 pawn sac line of the Modern Classical Variation.
Weird Benonis
Better news here for Black players, with a score this month of +10,=9,-8 (54%). Watch out for the Bulgarian star Veselin Topalov playing Black in an anti-Benoni system (JE94)), while the young Ukrainian Grandmaster Ruslan Ponomariov experiments with the Schmid Benoni (JE93)).
Queen's Indian
The statistics this month have done nothing to dispel the belief that the QI
is an extremely solid defence. In 86 games played there were only 20 White wins
(less than a quarter). Unsurprisingly the number of draws was the greatest figure
(40), but a total of 26 Black wins rounds off a very good month for the Queen's
Indian (Black's score overall was a very healthy 53%).
White doesn't normally lose to the QI in only 11 moves, but this is exactly
what happened in the game
Von Herman-Huebner (JE97)),
in the recent German Championship. English IM Jonathan Parker is favourite to
be the next Grandmaster from England. He scored his second GM norm in the super-strong
Isle of Man Open, which includes a very polished Queen's Indian against a Russian
Grandmaster (JE95)).
4 g3 is supposed to be the super-solid method of meeting the QI, but Yuri Yakovich's
play in JE96)
is certainly worth another look. Black's position seems to flow very smoothly
indeed.
Bogo-Indian
Only 2 wins for Black players in the Bogo this month. Together with 8 losses and 9 draws this makes a rather miserable 31% performance for Black. Black comes out of the opening with a reasonably solid position in Beliavsky-Cebalo(JE98)), but there's still no mistaking White's minimal edge, which is converted in fine style by Beliavsky.
Hero of the Month: Bu Xiangzhi
Subject to ratification by FIDE, Bu Xiangzhi has become the youngest player ever to secure the qualifications for the Grandmaster title. He achieved his final norm last month, at the age of just 13 years and 10 months. This beats the previous record , set by the Ukrainian Ruslan Ponmariov, who had reached his 14th birthday before scoring his final norm. Bu scored his three norms in amazingly quick succession, with one tournament in September and two in October. And furthermore, Bu becomes the youngest member yet of the Benoni heroes! (see Game of the Month)
Game of the Month
A thirteen year old with a Benoni brain! As Benoni expert Norwood was quick to point out, the rook is an overvalued piece. Certainly on this occasion, the minor pieces co-operate much better. White is not helped by his weaknesses on the dark-squares, upon which the Benoni bishop is ready to feast.
New Games
Nimzo-Indian
Even Grandmasters Get Confused!: Attempting to play it safe in a razor sharp variation, Super GM Sergei Shipov gets his wires crossed. A cop out or is the whole line a theoretical draw?
Falling 'Short' Of The Mark: A game that Nigel will want to forget as he loses patience and in trying to neutralise the power of the two bishops, forces the issue in very much the wrong direction.
A Classic Classical Encounter!: A beautiful Nd5 sacrifice exposes the down side of castling early. A fantastically instructive game which must have had Black wondering what he'd done wrong.
Modern Benoni
Game of the Month: A thirteen year old with a Benoni brain! As Benoni expert Norwood was quick to point out, the rook is an overvalued piece. Certainly on this occasion, the minor pieces co-operate much better. White is not helped by his weaknesses on the dark-squares, upon which the Benoni bishop is ready to feast.
At the sharp end: More stuff from the 9...b5 pawn sacrifice.
Weird Benonis
8 captures: A long tactical sequence leaves White on top
The Retreating Queen: White tries an unusual queen move early on, but this only leads to later problems.
Queen's Indian
Structure is Everything!: This is an excellent technical display by Black, who breathes new life into a variation which has recently been rather neglected.
Chipping Away: Russian Grandmaster Yuri Yakovich employs an old idea with a new twist.
An Early Resignation German Grandmaster Robert Hubner plays the opening eleven moves so well that his opponent sees no sense in carrying on the fight!
Bogo-Indian
Another Slow Squeeze: Top Grandmaster Alexander Beliavsky exploits the faintest of opening edges to the full.