Download PGN of July ’17 1 d4 d5 2 c4 games
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The Slav Exchange 4 Bg5 [D10]
In Grischuk, A - Carlsen, M 4 Bg5 is a trendy sideline:
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but if Black is not aware of it, he can end up passive or worse.
Main Slav 5...Bf5 6 Ne5 Nbd7 7 Nxc4 Nb6 [D17]
In Wojtaszek, R - Solak, D on move 9 in a popular position Solak played a novelty which deserves a serious look, 9...Nfd5:
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I think 10 Qe2 is a very tricky line where an improvement could be found and also 10 Be2 seems a realible way to get a small advantage. Instead, Wojtaszek's 10 g4 fails to impress, after 10...Bg6 Black could solve his problems with some precise moves.
The Vienna Variation 4 Nc3 dxc4 5 e3 a6 [D24/39]
6...b6 in general seems like a good line for Black and with chances to play for a win:
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, but there are some risks and Black should be careful, see Manolache, M - Istratescu, A.
QGD Exchange Variation with Nf3 [D35]
In Onischuk, A - Yilmaz, M we go into 10...0-0, which is becaming more popular and was suggested by Ponomariov, in some depth:
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altough White won this game Black seems to be solving his problems and there is a lot to play for in most of the resulting positions for both sides.
Semi-Tarrasch 5 cxd5 Nxd5 6 e4 [D41]
Aronian's rare plan is something Black players should not be afraid of, most likely it was just a way to take Kramnik out of his huge opening knowledge and play chess.
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In this very popular position Aronian comes up with 13 Rac1 Bb7 14 d5, see Aronian, L - Kramnik, V.
Botvinnik Variation 11...Qa5 [D44]
In Fier, A - Kaidanov, G, Kaidanov repeats a line that he used to play in the 80's:
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However, I found a nice way to fight for the advantage.
Pseudo-Moscow Variation 5...Nbd7 6 e3 h6 7 Bh4 g5 [D51]
In Matlakov, M - Robson, R Matlakov was very well prepared against this curious line with 7...g5 and 8...Nh5, and without knowing all the variations Robson made a mistake the very next move after the 17 Bf5 novelty:
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Also a problem for Black is that Bd3 was played, but cxd5 on move 12 is also a real challenge for him. This variation for Black is a good way to get a complex game, but for now it looks very risky.
Closed Catalan 4...Bb4+ 5 Bd2 Be7 [E11]
In Cheparinov, I - Matlakov, M White tried this new idea with 8.a4 and 10.Na3, designed to hinder ...b6:
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but it looks like Black has ways to deal with it.
As you may know I managed to qualify for the World Cup, and unfortunately this means I will have to devote a lot more time to playing and preparation, so after a only a couple of months I already have to say goodbye to ChessPub subscribers once again! :( Alex.
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