552
The British Chess Magazine
The line is perfectly acceptable, but you
need a good memory to stay on top of the
situation. An alternative is to give the 4 f4
line a twist, when there are plenty of ways for
Black to go wrong. Here are a couple of games
to give you inspiration to adopt another line.
G M Krishnan
O M Kiran
Bhubaneswar Open, 2011
Grünfeld D82
[Gary Lane]
1 d4 f6 2 c4 g6 3 c3 d5 4 f4
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zppzp-zpp+p0
9-+-+-snp+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzP-vL-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+PzPPzP0
9tR-+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
I think this line is perfect for weekend tournaments for players who have limited time
to study. This is because the emphasis is on
straightforward development rather than trying to play something cutting edge, so it has
fewer complicated variations. After all, the
main line 4 e×d5 ×d5 5 e4 ×c3 6 b×c3 is
tested constantly at the highest level, so trying
to keep up with the latest developments can
lead to an instant loss if you have missed a crucial game.
4…g7 5 e3
This is the twist that I was thinking of to steer
the game into a different type of setup, because the development of the king’s knight is
delayed.
5…c5
This challenge to White’s centre is a popular
reply. Instead, 5…0–0 allows White the option of winning a pawn: 6 c×d5 ×d5 7 ×d5
×d5 8 ×c7. This tricky line is a test of Black’s
knowledge, because if Black doesn’t know
what to do then White is just a clear pawn up:
8…a6 9 ×a6 ×g2 10 f3 ×f3 11 ×f3
b×a6 12 c1 f6 (12…b7 is met by 13 e2 with
equal chances) 13 c5 f7 14 0–0 f8 15 c2
b7 16 d2 e8 ½–½ E Postny–M VachierLagrave, Haguenau, 2013.
6 d×c5 a5 7 c1!? d×c4
The alternative 7…e4 is discussed in the
next game.
8 ×c4 ×c5?
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+k+-tr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-snp+0
9+-wq-+-+-0
9-+L+-vL-+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-tRQmK-sNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
This natural response has been played in numerous games but curiously it is not always
punished. The confusion for Black is caused
by getting the line mixed up with one featuring an early f3, and the difference will soon
become clear. The main line is 8…0–0 when
A Hevia–Y Bacallao Alonso, Santa Clara, 2013
went 9 f3 ×c5 10 b3 c6 11 0–0 a5 12
h3 f5 13 e2 with equal opportunities.
9 b5!
The big threats are c7+ and ×f7+, which
will both win material, and it is surprisingly difficult to find a decent answer. I had a look at a
lot of games in this position, but strangely quite
a few people tried 9 b3 and after 9…0–0 10
f3 play has transposed to the traditional line
outlined in the note to Black’s eighth move.
9…b4+ 10 f1 0–0