Download PGN of July ’16 Anti-Sicilian games
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Anti-Sveshnikov 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 e5 [B30]
MVL had an outstanding performance in the French Team Championships, again demonstrating that elite players can clean up when playing against mixed strength fields. In Vachier Lagrave - Komarov, he essayed the rare 13.Qd2 in an important variation:
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Komarov reacted well and equalised, but subsequently faltered and lost.
Rossolimo Variation 3...g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 [B31]
In Caruana - Radjabov, we look at the last game of Caruana's remarkable winning streak in Shamkir. Caruana went for the popular 8.Bf4, which we have not covered previously:
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Radjabov reacted poorly and soon faced a direct attack which Caruana executed magnificently.
Moscow/Rossolimo Hybrid 7.Bf1 Bg4 8.h3 [B51]
A variation which is somewhere between a surprise weapon and a straightforward mistake runs 4.0-0 Bd7 5.Re1 Nf6 6.c3 a6 7.Bf1 Bg4 8.h3 Bh5?!:
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allowing 9.g4! Bg6 10.d4. Strong players keep going here as Black. In Naiditsch - Bailet, we see how White can get a very pleasant advantage by straightforward means against inaccurate defence.
In Kostenko - Ismagambetov, we look at the best defence for Black (10...cxd4 11.cxd4 e5), which has attracted GM attention with both colours but where I prefer White's chances.
Moscow Variation 3...Nd7 4.0-0 a6 5.Bd3 [B51]
Topalov tested a fresh new idea in rapid and blitz against MVL in the Leuven Grand Prix, 12...Be7!?:
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MVL got nothing out of the opening and I think we can safely anticipate further top games in this line, see Vachier Lagrave - Topalov.
Moscow Variation 3...Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7 5.c4 [B52]
Two games in this line this month. In Anton Guijarro - Anand, Anand allows the Maroczy Bind with the bishop on e3:
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Unsurprisingly, Vishy is well prepared (improving on Carlsen - Vachier Lagrave, which was discussed in a previous update) and had no problems from the opening.
Cornette - Naiditsch features the unusual 5...e5!?:
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This leads to out-of-the-way positions where White should be slightly better, though not after Cornette's treatment, which led to resignation before move 15!
Zaitsev Variation 4.Qxd4 Nc6 Mainline [B53]
Ganguly - Gao features a rare move in an important line of the 4.Qxd4 variation where White castles queenside, 13...Rd8:
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This seems to be quite an elegant solution to Black's opening problems. I was particularly impressed by Gao's handling of the arising endgame, where he offset the weakness of the d5-square with activity on the kingside and queenside.
Until next time, Sam
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