In the Nimzo-Indian Defence, right from the beginning a key battle
> is over the e4 square. Often this results in a middlegame where White
> has a central pawn majority, with pawns on d4, e3 and f3 against
> Black's pawn on d5, held back by Black's control of e4. In the game
> between Garry Kasparov and Judit Polgar from the Fontys (Tilburg)
> International in September, this tension exploded as Kasparov advanced
> in the center, jettisoning his kingside pawns in the process. Polgar
> battled back gamely and creatively, but when she allowed herself one
> passive defensive move, Kasparov consolidated and the center pawns took
> over.
>
> 1 c4 e6
>
> Polgar, an inveterate King’s Indian player, has diversified her
> repertoire greatly in recent
> years.
>
> 2 Nc3 d5 3 d4 Bb4
>
> An unusual hybrid, which can develop into the Ragozin Variation
> of the Queen’s Gambit
> Declined (if White now plays 4 Nf3 Nf6 5 Bg5), or the Nimzo-Indian.
>
> 4 e3
>
> A good idea, akin to the Rubinstein Variation of the Nimzo, which
> normally arises from 1
> d4 Nf6
> 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 e3. Then Black’s main alternatives are 4 ... O-O, 4
> .. c5 and 4 ... b6. Less
> common is
> 4 ... d5, as then White can count on immediately exchanging one of his
> potentially doubled c-
> pawns.
>
> c5 5 a3!
>
> DIAGRAM
>
> Bxc3+
>
> A surprising feature of this position is that 5 ... cxd4 is met
> by 6 Qxd4! and due to the hit
> on g7,
> Black is clearly worse after 6 ... Bxc3+ 7 Qxc3 Nf6 8 cxd5.
>
> 6 bxc3 Nf6 7 cxd5
>
> A similar position, with White having already played f2-f3 rather
> than e2-e3, is often
> reached via
> the Saemisch Variation of the Nimzo: 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 f3 d5
> 5 a3 Bxc3+ 6 bxc3 c5
> 7 cxd5.
> There, professionals have always played 7 ... Nxd5 (7 ... exd5?! 8 e3
> transposes to our game
> below - see
> the note to White’s eighth) and then White chooses between 8 dxc5 and 8
> Qd3.
>
> exd5
>
> Now 7 ... Nxd5 8 c4 is quite pleasant for White.
>
> 8 f3!
>
> Not strictly necessary at this juncture, but Kasparov wanted to
> underline the fact that
> Polgar has
> been hoodwinked into an inferior variation, i.e., a Saemisch Nimzo -
> see the note to White’s
> seventh -
> where the center has become static. Now White has possibilities for
> both central and kingside
> expansion,
> whereas White’s queenside dark squares are invulnerable.
>
> c4
>
> Radically preventing the development of the White bishop on d3.
>
> 9 Ne2 Nc6
>
> It would have taken a lot of confidence to play 9 ... h5!?,
> trying to hem White in.
>
> 10 g4!
>
> Having more pawns on one side of the board (the center /
> kingside) allows such moves
> to be
> played. Kasparov will develop behind his spearhead g-pawn, while Black
> is hampered by the
> need to stop
> e3-e4, and the difficulty in making a real target out of the e3 pawn.
>
> h6 11 Bg2 Na5
>
> Polgar wants to be ready to eliminate the bishop on c1, defender
> of e3.
>
> 12 O-O Nb3 13 Ra2 O-O 14 Ng3 Bd7 15 Qe1!
>
> The queen readies herself for a brighter future, even though she
> is still responsible for
> recapturing on c1 if Black takes. Kasparov avoids 15 h3 (with the idea
> of e3-e4) as 15 ... Qc7
> would
> embarass the knight on g3.
>
> Re8
>
> DIAGRAM
>
> 16 e4!!
>
> Pitching the proud g-pawn in order to get the center rolling! A
> nice aspect of this type of
> break is
> that the f-file opens for White.
>
> dxe4 17 fxe4 Nxg4!
>
> White’s initiative is more ominous on 17 ... Nxc1 18 Qxc1 Nxg4 19
> Qf4. By not taking on
> c1,
> Polgar causes logistical problems for White in the development of the
> attack.
>
> 18 Bf4 Qh4 19 h3 Nf6
>
> Now the pawn on h3 is under attack.
>
> 20 e5!
>
> DIAGRAM
>
> Rad8?
>
> Polgar backs away from the confrontation and gets crushed
> ignominiously. The only way
> was 20
> .. Bxh3. Then Black survives on 21 Ne4 Qxe1 22 Rxe1 Bxg2! After 20 ...
> Bxh3, White’s best
> would be
> the diabolical 21 Qf2!! Then Ng3-f5 is the threat on 21 ... Ng4 22 Qf3
> or 21 ... Bxg2 22 Qxg2.
> Therefore,
> Black should react with 21 ... Nh7 with a very complicated position.
>
> 21 Qf2 Nh5
>
> Trying to get some counterplay. On 21 ... Nh7, the routine 22 Ne4
> is very strong.
>
> 22 Bxh6!
>
> A neat form of destruction. 22 ... Nxg3 would allow mate in two,
> while 22 ... Qxg3 loses
> to 23
> Qxf7+ Kh7 (or 23 ... Kh8 24 Qxh5 gxh6 25 Qxh6+ Kg8 26 Rf6) 24 Qxh5
> gxh6 25 Rf7+ Kg8 26
> Rxd7.
>
> Re7 23 Nf5
>
> With Black’s main tactical weakness, f7, finally covered,
> Kasparov heads for an
> endgame where
> his powerful bishops and pawn center will rule.
>
> Qxf2+ 24 Rfxf2 Re6
>
> Horrendous-looking is 24 ... Bxf5 25 Rxf5, but allowing the
> knight to remain on f5 leads
> to a
> sudden denouement.
>
> 25 Be3 Bc6
>
> DIAGRAM
>
> 26 Bf1!
>
> It is impossible to deal with the double threat of 27 Bxc4, and
> 27 Be2 g6 28 Nh6+.
>
> f6
>
> Perhaps the best way to play on was 26 ... Rd7 27 Bxc4 27 Bd5.
>
> 27 Bxc4 Bd5 28 Be2 fxe5 29 Bxh5 exd4 30 Bg5 Rd7 31 Rae2 Be4 32 Nxd4
> 1 - 0
[Event "US Championship (Gp 1)"]
> [Site "Chandler"]
> [Date "1997.08.25"]
> [Round "3"]
> [White "Yermolinsky, Alex"]
> [Black "Benjamin, Joel"]
> [Result "1/2-1/2"]
> [ECO "E31"]
> [WhiteElo "2630"]
> [BlackElo "2555"]
> [PlyCount "71"]
> [EventDate "1997.08.23"]
>
> 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bg5
>
> The Leningrad Variation of the Nimzo, a favorite of Boris
> Spassky.
>
> h6 5. Bh4 c5 6. d5 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 d6 8. e3 e5 9. f3 Qe7 10. Bd3 Nbd7 11.
> Qb1
>
> White does not play e4 in this variation, as then Black would
> have the very comfortable
> maneuver Nd7-f8-g6.
>
> g5 12. Bg3 Kd8!
>
> The king finds shelter in the thicket of blockaded pawns on the
> queenside.
>
> 13. Ne2 Kc7 14. a4 a5 15. Ra2 Nb6 16. Bf2 e4
>
> Benjamin plays the position ambitiously. His knight on b6 eyes
> the a4 pawn, and now he
> clears
> the e5 square for operations. This was the only chance to do this, as
> White’s own knight was
> headed for
> g3.
>
> 17. fxe4 Ng4 18. O-O h5
>
> DIAGRAM
>
> 19. Nd4! h4
>
> On 19 ... cxd4 20 cxd4, White’s central mass controls a huge
> chunk of real estate.
>
> 20. h3 Ne5 21. Nb5+ Kb8 22. Be2 Nbd7
>
> Despite the dynamic play, the position is as blocked as it ever
> was.
>
> 23. Rb2 Ra6 24. Nd4! Ka7 25. Nf5 Qd8 26. Kh1 Nb6 27. Rb5 Bxf5 28.
> exf5 f6
>
> Sealing the board-wide fortress.
>
> 29. Qb3 Qc7 30. Rb1 Rh7 31. Bg1 Nc8 32. Bh2 b6 33. Qd1 Re7 34. Bf1 Qd7
> 35. e4 Qe8 36. Be2 1/2-1/2
Alexander Shabalov - Geoff Gelman
Eastern Open 1996
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 c5
The major alternatives here are 4...b6 and 4...0-0.
5.Bd3 b6
More common is 5 ... Nc6, looking to enter the Huebner Variation
after 6 Nf3 Bxc3+, followed by ... d7-d6 and ... e6-e5, which is a
good plan here as White's kingside attack will not be very quick with
his f-pawn blocked. Therefore, White usually plays 6 Ne2, with Black
responding with 6 ... cxd4 or 6 ... d5.
6.Nge2
A common line is 6 Nf3 Bb7 7 O-O O-O 8 Na4. This forces Black to
concede space with 8 ... cxd4. In Becker - Peiter, Germany 1993, 6 a3
was played, reasonably transposing to the aggressive Saemisch system
in response to Black's ... b7-b6. Play continued 6 ... Bxc3+ 7.bxc3
Bb7 8.f3 d6 9.e4 e5 10.d5 with a pitched battle in store.
Nc6
In Dumitrache - Lisenko, Bucharest 1993, a much different route was
followed: 6 ... Bb7 7.0-0 cxd4 8.exd4 0-0 9.a3 Bd6 10.b4 Nc6.
7.0-0 0-0 8.a3
A critical test of Black's slightly unusual move order is 8 d5,
gaining space, but giving up the light-squared bishop after 8 ... Ne5.
8...Bxc3 9.Nxc3 cxd4 10.exd4 Nxd4!
This is necessary. Otherwise, White has obtained the two bishops
without giving up anything in terms of pawn structure, time or space.
11.Bxh7+ Nxh7 12.Qxd4 Qf6 13.Qg4
13.Rd1 is also answered by 13 ... Ba6
13...Ba6 14.Rd1 Rfc8 15.Ne4 Qe7 16.Nd6
Gelman has emerged from the opening with only a minimal
disadvantage.
Rc6 17.Qd4 Qf6 18.Qxf6 Nxf6 19.b3 Kf8 20.a4 Ne8 21.Nb5 Ke7 22.f3 Bb7
23.Ra2 a6 24.Ba3+ d6 25.Nd4 Rc7 26.Kf2 Kf6
Now Shabalov tries to make headway in the ending against his young
opponent, but he is consistently rebuffed.
27.a5 bxa5 28.Bb2 e5 29.Ne2 Bc6 30.Rxa5 Ke6 31.Rda1 Rb7 32. Rxa6 Rxa6
33. Rxa6 Rxb3 34. Bc3 Bb7 35. Ra5 Nf6 36. Ke1 Nd7 37. Kd2 Nc5 38. Kc2
Rb6 39. Bd2 Ba6 40. Be3 Bxc4 41. Bxc5 dxc5 42. Ng3 Kd5 43. Ra7 g6 44.
Rxf7 Kd4 45. Rd7+ Ke3 46. Kc1 Be6 47. Rd2 Rb3 48. Kc2 Bc4 49. Rd6 Kf2
50. Ne4+ Kxg2 51. Nd2 Rb4 52. Rxg6+ Kxh2 53. Rc6 Be2 1/2-1/2
Alexander Shabalov - Alexander Ivanov, Round 7
Eastern Open 1996
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 0-0 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3 b6
The Classical alternative here is 6 ... c5.
7.0-0 Bb7 8.cxd5
Eliminating the central tension in preparation for a Stonewall type
of buildup. In Tsevremes - Arnason, Katerini 1993, White dispensed
with this precaution and launched in with 8.Ne5 Bd6 9.f4 c5 10.Qf3,
but his center was already falling apart after 10 ... Nc6. In Kamsky -
Speelman, New York (PCA) 1994, White opted for a queenside buildup
instead, with 8.a3 Bd6 9.b4 dxc4 10.Bxc4 Nbd7 11.Bb2 a6 12.Qe2 e5
13.Rad1 e4, giving rise to a double-edged position. An interesting
development plan was employed in Varga - Portisch, Hungary Champ.
1994, with 8 Bd2!? dxc4 9 Bxc4 Nbd7 10 Rc1.
exd5 9.Ne5
This is much better than Leseige - A. Ivanov, New York Open 1994,
which saw 9.a3 Bd6 10 b4 a6, giving Black's bishops an unfettered view
of the kingside. Things did not work out after 11.Qb3 Qe7 12.h3 Nbd7
13.Nh4 g6 14.Nf3 b5 15.Re1 Nb6 16.e4 Nxe4 17.Ng5 Rfe8 18.f3 Nc5
19.bxc5 Qxe1+ 20.Bf1 Bg3 21.Nd1 Qxf1+ 0-1
Nbd7 10.f4 Bxc3
Committal, but it avoids possibilities such as 10 ... c5 11 Ne2 or
11 Bd2, in which case White's minor pieces might develop greater
activity later.
11.bxc3 c5 12.a4
A good idea. White does not have the firepower to just decide this
game on the kingside. The advance of the a-pawn serves to gain space
and try to weaken Black's queenside majority.
Qc8 13.Rf3
Making sure that the bishop on d3 is not forced into an exchange by
... Bb7-a6.
Ne4 14.Rh3 Nxe5 15.fxe5 Qe6 16.Ba3 Rac8 17.Qh5 Qg6 18.Qh4 f5
Ivanov begins to assume the initiative, even though Shabalov still
has lingering possibilities of making threats on the kingside.
19.Rf1 h6 20.Bxe4 fxe4 21.Rxf8+ Rxf8 22.Rg3 Qc6
The f-file does not give Black any results after 22... Qf5 23.h3.
23.dxc5 Qxa4 24.h3 Qd1+ 25.Kh2 Rf1 26.Qd8+ Kh7 27.Rxg7+ Kxg7 28.Qd7+
White has a perpetual.
1/2 - 1/2