Download PGN of December '11 1 d4 d5 games

>> Previous Update >>

QGD Tarrasch Defence 9...cxd4 10. Nxd4 [D34]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Bg5 cxd4 10. Nxd4:

Drozdovskij - Grishchenko: A rare approach, 10...Bg4, connected with delaying the common ...h7-h6, seemed to catch White unawares:

His attempts to control the key dark squares only promoted his opponent's thematic exchange sacrifice and soon it was really painful to observe White's ruins...

Hammer - Bezgodov: Another version of delaying ...h7-h6. Alexei Bezgodov demonstrated that the activity of all his pieces would be good compensation for a solid-looking extra pawn, though his approach still seems questionable.

10...h6 11. Be3 [D34]

Vovk - Brandenburg: There are some deviations from the main line which are playable for Black though White is able to maintain a small advantage. Attempts to get more than that would be double-edged, but in this game Black failed to find the right way in the complications.

Beliavsky - Barle: Here one of White's typical plans - Nd4xe6 with a subsequent e2-e4 - worked well:

It seems that this deviation from the main line gives White a comfortable edge.

11...Re8 - alternatives to 12. Rc1 [D34]

Khenkin - Galdunts: White comfortably got a full point here, but his advantage would not have been so great if Black had chosen a different route for his knight...

Volkov - Guliev: White's rare option should not promise much but Black's reaction was far from perfect...

Babula - Orsag Milan Orsag introduced a clever novelty in a line which had been considered better for White, 21...d3!:

It eventually helped Black to not only solve his problems, but also to get full benefit from a series of his opponent's mistakes.

Pavlov - Weinzettl It seems that Black gets acceptable play in the 12 Qb3 line. Here White improved on move 28 but even this could hardly pose serious problems for Black...

Mainline 12. Rc1 [D34]

Kasimdzhanov - Berelowitsch White's approach does not look promising though he eventually got a tangible advantage thanks to his opponent's inaccurate play.

David - Manca The following ending, which arises in one of the main lines, looks okay for Black but he should be ready for it:

Otherwise playing without a clear defensive plan, as in this game, is easily punished.

See you next month, Ruslan

>> Previous Update >>

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.