Slav 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Be4-TWIC 959

TWIC 959

Slav Slow 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Be4 7.f3 Bg6 8.Qb3 Qb6
The queenless game that can arise from the opposing 8.Qb3 Qb6 line results an an approximately equal game with the emphasis on quiet maneuvering. 

Black tried a bit too hard to mix things up in the feature game which allowed GM Vorobiov,E to demonstrate some fine endgame play.

Here is the feature game.

Vorobiov,E (2578) - Ulko,J (2444)
Slav Slow 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Be4 7.f3 Bg6 8.Qb3 Qb6 [D12]
ch-Moscow 2013 Moscow RUS (3.6), 24.03.2013

Position 1
Both sides have pawn majorities but white's is further advanced. How should white react to the attack on the f-pawn.

White to Play

38...Bd6

Slav 4.e3 Bg4 5.Nc3 e6 6.Qb3 Qb6-TWIC 959

TWIC 959
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bg4 5.Nc3 e6 6.Qb3 Qb6
The 4.e3 Slow Slav is the new wave against the rock solid Slav Defence. GM Holt wins the feature game with some creative play featuring a defensive queen sacrifice.

Pavlovic,MilosM (2482) - Holt,C (2504)
Slav Slow 4.e3 Bg4[D11]
UTD Turner GM Invitational 2013 Richardson USA (8), 12.03.2013

Position 1
White has some activity in return for a pawn and black has queenside pieces temporarily out of play on the queenside. What do you recommend for white?

White to Play

26...ed

Slav 4.Nc3 a6 5.cd cd 6.Bf4-TWIC 959

TWIC 959

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6(D15)

The ...a6 Slav is a tough nut to crack. GM Georgiev,Vl uses simple tactics to dispose of black in the feature game.

Georgiev,Vl (2562) - Kretchetov,A (2276)
Slav 4.Nc3 a6 5.cd cd 6.Bf4[D15]
24th Metropolitan GM Los Angeles USA (7), 23.02.2013

Position 1

The pawn count is even but black's kingside is missing some pawn cover for the king. What do you recommend for white?

White to Play

19...gf

Slav 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5-TWIC 946

TWIC 946
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4 Nfd7 11.Bg2 f6 12.0–0(diagram)

This line is dead equal. GM Tomashevsky ran into a brick wall in the feature game.

12.0-0

Tomashevsky,E (2725) - Lenic,L (2637) 
Slav 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 [D17] 
World Cities Team GpB Al-Ain UAE (1.5), 22.12.2012

Position 1

Black has a good position with active counterplay. The active Rb5 presses the b-pawn and the bishop pair also press the queenside. What do you recommend for white?

White to Play

18...Be7

Slav 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 -TWIC 958

TWIC 958
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4 Nfd7 11.Bg2 f6 12.Qd4(diagram)

The 12.Qd4 line is suspicious. I don't see a future for it as the queen gets chased around and accomplishes nothing.

12.Qd4

GM Yevseev did nothing special and slowly overwhelmed white. Here is the feature game.

Bazeev,G (2339) - Yevseev,D (2536) 
Slav 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 [D17]
86th ch-St Petersburg St Petersburg RUS (4.2), 14.03.2013

Position 1
White is attacking Bf5. How should black react?

Black to Play

16.Qg5

Grunfeld Exchange 8.Rb1-TWIC 958

TWIC 9588.Rb1 0–0 9.Be2 b6(diagram)
The 7.Nf3-8.Rb1 exchange variation is very aggressive and requires precise defence. 

9...b6

The 9...b6 method of defence is solid and does not have a massive theory requirement to play it. GM Bacrot played sharply and did not gain a plus until late in the middlegame. The resulting R vs. B ending required precise and instructive handling before the win was achieved.

Bacrot,E (2705) - Kurnosov,I (2660)
Grunfeld Exchange 8.Rb1 0–0 9.Be2 b6 [D85]
Bundesliga 2012–13 Baden Baden GER (11), 16.03.2013

Position 1
White has reached a favorable ending up an exchange for a P. What is the plan for white now?

White to Play

40...a4

Grunfeld Russian System 7…a6-TWIC 957

TWIC 957

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3 dxc4 6.Qxc4 0–0 7.e4 a6 8.e5 b5 9.Qb3 Nfd7 10.e6 fxe6 11.Be3 Nb6(diagram) 

11...Nb6

The 10.e6 pawn sacrifice leads to sharp play. GM Ivanisevic,I reinforced the center with 12.Rd1 before launching the standard h4-h5 attack.

Ivanisevic,I (2644) - Firat,B (2428) 
Grunfeld Russian System 7…a6
8.e5 b5 9.Qb3 Nfd7 10.e6 fxe6 11.Be3 Nb6 [D97]
Karpos Open 2013 Skopje MKD (2.6), 10.03.2013

Position 1

Black is seriously behind in development but the king is hiding safely in front of the h7 pawn. What do you suggest for white?

White to Play

21...e5

Grunfeld Exchange 7.Bg5-TWIC 957

TWIC 957
3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bg5(diagram)

7.Bg5

The 7.Bg5 sideline is steadily increasing in popularity.

Nyback,T (2600) - Gislason,G (2329)
Grunfeld Exchange 7.Bg5[D85]
TCh-ISL 2012–13 Reykjavik ISL (5.1), 01.03.2013

Position 1

Black must find a defensive plan against white's passed d-pawn and bishop pair. White to do you suggest for black?

Black to Play

16.0-0