Download PGN of September ’20 d-Pawn Specials games
The Trompowsky: 2...Ne4 3 h4 Nxg5 4 hxg5 [A45]
We begin by noting that 1 d4 Nf6 2 Bg5 Ne4 3 h4 remains at the very least a decent weapon for rapid and blitz. It’s attracted the attention of the young Belgian IM Daniel Dardha of late, whose games we’ll see after 3...c5 4 dxc5 and 3...h6. Instead, 3...Nxg5 4 hxg5 e5?! does tempt some opponents at faster time controls.
             |
The problem is that 5 dxe5 Qxg5 6 Nf3 is just quite pleasant for White, rather than the thematic but somewhat less effective 5 g6?! of Ivanisevic, I - Balla, T.
The Trompowsky: 2...Ne4 3 Bf4 c5 4 f3 Qa5+ 5 c3 Nf6 6 d5 d6 [A45]
If Ivanisevic-Balla was far from plain sailing for the rating favourite, I’m not sure how best to describe Fedoseev, V - Lu, J. Admittedly 1 d4 Nf6 2 Bg5 Ne4 3 Bf4 c5 4 f3 Qa5+ 5 c3 Nf6 6 d5 d6 7 e4 g6 8 Na3 Bg7 9 Nc4 Qc7 10 a4 looked like a pleasant edge for White:
|
|
However, the decision to prioritise activity over kingside development might well have come back to haunt the strong Russian GM before a sudden turnaround.
The London: 2...c5 3 dxc5 [A45]
Meeting 1 d4 Nf6 2 Bf4 c5 with 3 dxc5 remains quite topical, although after 3...Na6 White has been shunning Sam Shankland’s 4 f3!? for 4 Nc3 Nxc5 5 f3:
|
|
This quickly led to an unusual type of Dragon after 5...Ne6 6 Bg3 g6 7 Qd2 h5!? 8 e4 Bh6 in Nyzhnyk, I - Pantsulaia, L, where White would go on to record an impressive win.
The London: 2...g6 3 Nf3 Bg7 4 e3 [A48]
We begin our Carlsen Masterclass after 1 d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 g6 3 Bf4 Bg7 4 e3 0-0 5 Be2 d6 6 0-0 Nh5!? 7 Bg5 h6 8 Bh4 g5 9 Nfd2! with Carlsen, M - Nepomniachtchi, I.
|
|
Here Black simply went back with 9...Nf6!?, which may not be too bad for him, although Nepo was soon tempted to over-expand after which he was brutally punished by the champ.
Carlsen, M - Ding Liren deviated with 6 h3 c5 when Carlsen himself has shown before before that 7 0-0 is correct, not 7 Nbd2?! cxd4 8 exd4 Nc6 9 c3 e5!:
|
|
Already Black has seized the initiative and Carlsen was to be completely outplayed, only not losing as Ding needed but a draw in this Armageddon encounter.
The London: 2...Nf6 3 Nf3 c5 4 e3 Nc6 5 Nbd2 [D02]
Ding also tried 1 d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 d5 on a number of occasions against Carlsen, including the sharp and critical line 3 Bf4 c5 4 e3 Nc6 5 Nbd2 Qb6:
|
|
After 6 dxc5 Qxb2 7 Rb1 Qc3 8 Bb5 g6 the jury remains out, but Carlsen did find an instructive exchange sacrifice and ways to press before going in for a repetition in Carlsen, M - Ding Liren.
The London: 3 Nf3 c5 4 e3 Qb6 [D02]
Another fairly critical line is 1 d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 d5 3 Bf4 c5 4 e3 Qb6, which was twice seen in that epic, seven-day duel, Carlsen-Nakamura. On the second occasion 5 c4!? appeared to catch Nakamura out, Carlsen having earlier preferred 5 Nc3 Bd7 when 6 Rb1 was a little meek:
|
|
Instead, I wouldn’t be surprised if we soon see some tests after Carlsen, M - Nakamura, H, of 6 dxc5!?, and if 6...Qxb2 7 Nb5! Bxb5 8 Qd4.
Will we already have to returned to this unexplored and unbalanced position next month?
Until then, Richard
>> Previous Update >>