Slav Exchange 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.Nge2-TWIC 957

TWIC 957
White chose an equal looking ending with doubled b-pawns early in the game but GM Smeets kept the play alive and found some interesting ideas to make problems for white.

Gretarsson,Hj (2515) - Smeets,J (2634)

Slav Exchange 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.Nge2 [D10]

TCh-ISL 2012–13 Reykjavik ISL (6.3), 02.03.2013

Position 1
Black is in the process of converting a hard-earned extra pawn but white has other ideas. Rb3 attacks Nb6 and the b7 pawn so the conversion does not look so easy. What do you suggest for black?

Black to Play

33.Rb3

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

Bogo-Indian 4…Qe7-TWIC 957

TWIC 957

A tense position arose from the 4.Bd2 Qe7 Bogo-Indian. Black  has just challenged the d5 pawn with 17..c6(diagram).

17...c6

GM Eljanov increased the pressure on the c-pawn with 18.Nd3 and won a sharp game in a recent game from the TCh-ISL 2012–13.

GM Pavel Eljanov

Photo Chessbase

Here is the feature game.

Eljanov,P (2697) - Jones,G (2653) 
Bogo-Indian 4…Qe7[E11]
TCh-ISL 2012–13 Reykjavik ISL (5.1), 01.03.2013

Position 1

The position is sharp but white is clearly in charge. What do you recommend for white?

• 25.Rfc1(The rooks guard each other and Bxa8 is threatened)
• 25.Rb1(Looks odd but Bxa8 is threatened)
• Something else

White to Play

24...Ba6