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This June update covers another blank spot of the site - the Queen's Gambit Declined with an early capture on f6, which was tested many times during the famous World Title matches between Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov in the middle of the 80's. They played the system with both colours and many of their battles were too exciting to be missed even after so many years...

Download PGN of June '08 1 d4 d5 games


QGD 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 [D53-55]











White has exchanged his bishop for the knight - it gives him better control of the center but may reduce his chances in a possible ending and in case the position becomes open.

Karpov - Kasparov: The system with early capture on f6 was a frequent guest in the battles between Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov - both players tried it with each colour. Here Black met opponent's rare choice with a concrete and interesting approach and comfortably solved the opening problems.

Karpov - Kasparov: Here Kasparov used the same straightforward approach but excellent technique and a pawn sacrifice was still required to hold balance.

Timman - Jussupow: Sometimes in the QGD White castles Q-side but he should not forget that his king might become a target, as indeed happened in this game.

Araslanov - Korneev: Here Black also managed to grab the initiative early in the opening and finished the game with a mating attack.

Piket - Sturua: This game proves once again that White should be very careful even in harmless looking positions - a few inaccuracies helped Black to grab the initiative and finish the game with a brilliant queen sacrifice:











18...Qxd7!!

Kasparov - Olafsson: Black chose a rare option here but still managed to achieve a playable position. However, White's pressure eventually told...

Kasparov - Short: A tricky attempt did not help Nigel Short solve Black's problems. Garry Kasparov showed super powerful play and eliminated his opponent in style.

Gelfand - Kramnik: White's attempt to bother Black on the K-side with an early g-pawn push brought him only a symbolic edge.

Kasparov - Karpov: This battle became crucial for the whole 1986 World Title match. After his brilliant victory in game 16 Garry Kasparov was leading with a score 9.5 to 6.5 but then he suffered a very unexpected and shocking series of 3 losses in a row... Yet, he managed to somehow restore his self-control by making a couple of draws and here committed a heavy blow - White's beautiful manoeuvres at the end of the game are reminiscent of a study. As to the opening, White kept a small advantage and managed to exploit his opponent's inaccurate play in time trouble.

Timman - Jussupow: Arthur Jussupow demonstrated a reliable way to solve Black's problems here in a line which was under some pressure since the just considered game Kasparov - Karpov/WCh (m/22) London/Leningrad 1986.


Ruslan

 

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.