All,
I write this as a consequence of receiving some messages, seeking guidance
on how I have handled the Slav Defence throughout my career. The Slav is an
ultra-solid defence and it can prove to be very stubborn to break down. Much
literature has been written about the opening and I do not claim to have
found a line that defeats the system.
However, breaking away from traditional lines, can often, lure an opponent
into a false sense of security, or in some cases, bamboozle them to such an
extent, that they stray away from the given principals of the defence.
I give this example, played back in 2008, when I claimed a very notable
victory against a FIDE Master. The encounter is noteworthy, not only for the
opening nuances, but also for the atypical way in which white carries out
the king-side attack. The finish is particularly attractive.
Enjoy!
[Event "13th IBCA Olympiad 2008"]
[Site "Heraklion, CRE"]
[Date "2008.10.21"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Ross, Chris"]
[Black "Avram, Sretko"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2172"]
[BlackElo "2320"]
[Annotator Chris Ross"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2008.10.21"]
[WhiteTeam "United Kingdom"]
[BlackTeam "Serbia"]
{D30: Slav Defence}
1. d4 d5
2. Nf3 Nf6
3. c4 c6
4. e3
{The least convoluted way to recover any pawn that may be captured on c4.
This avoids all the complex theoretical lines that will need to be learnt if
the main line Slav systems are to be taken on.}
4... e6
{Entering into the semi-Slav and declining to develop the light-squared
bishop outside of the pawn chain. Again, this is a natural instinct for many
Slav players and most will continue with this familiar structure for black.
The basic principal white has to realise is, if the black light-squared
bishop is to be brought out, either to f5 or g4, white can often exchange on
d5 and then play a very fast Qb3, targeting the b7 square. A little bit of
theory is best to be known, but frequently black expends some considerable
time on the clock and finds himself in unknown territory.
Amusingly, throughout my career, I have had the following variation on
several occasions:
4... Bf5 5. Cxd5 cxd5 6. Qb3 Bc8!
Which must say something about the setup for black!}
5. Bd3
{Herewith is the point of the system for white. In this specific move-order,
white deliberately delays the development of his queens knight. Often, this
will involve a loss of tempi with his light-squared bishop, but the
structural compensation he will gain in the pawn chain is very significant.
Whites immediate plans are to castle as soon as possible, develop his queen
and kings rook and then begin operations for his queen-side pieces. A
slightly unorthodox way to develop, but akin to certain variations in the
Sicilian Defence.}
5... Nbd7
6. O-O dxc4
{The setup is very curious for black to resolve, since he does not have a
natural white queens knight to target with pawn-pushing time-gaining ideas.
Instead, he opts to gain time on the light-squared bishop, in the hope that
pawn-pushes will give him an equal amount of time to complete development.
This switching of tempi-gaining from the white queens knight to the
light-squared bishop is important, for with that tangible switch, the knight
can seek better prospects. In addition, much of the theory is avoided in
this way and black is having to think for himself already.}
7. Bxc4 b5
8. Bd3 a6
{Blacks typical break, c6-c5 will often achieve him equality in many of the
Slav-type variations. White will often strive to gain some advantage
through the centre as a direct reaction to the wing play of black. For black
to achieve c6-c5, the B-pawn will need solidifying.
If the white queens knight had been on c3, black could save the B-pawn and
gain tempo on the knight by marching on with b5-b4. With the knights
absence, this is not the case.}
9. a4
{Attacking the B-pawn again and holding up the thrust c6-c5. Again, if there
was a knight on c3, this pawn push would only provoke black into the B-pawn
push.}
9... Bb7
10. Qe2
{Continuing with the white principal of developing the queen and by doing
so, the B-pawn is yet again targeted. If black pushes with c6-c5, the B-pawn
will be loose. White also removes the queen from the D-file to ensure that
queen exchanges do not occur.}
10... Be7
{Black scrambles to get developed and to secure his king.
10... Bd6 is more common in Slav type positions, but in this sort of setup,
the dark-squared bishop would be simply loose and vulnerable to tactics.}
11. Nbd2
{A better route for the knight to be developed. Black needs to resolve his
queen-side in order for him to equalise. To do that, c6-c5 must be achieved.
To accomplish that, the difficulty with the B-pawn must be solved. IN that
regard then, the white knight is destined for a much better development
square.}
11... b4
{Black decides to release the tension immediately to get in c6-c5 as soon as
possible. Whites avoidance of traditional Slav-like play has already proved
fruitful.}
12. e4
{The expansion in the centre is a natural result of blacks wing-play. White
gains space and opens up lines for his pieces. His dark-squared bishop has
now some future and the black king has to ponder to where he is going to
go.}
12... c5
{Black finally achieves his desired c6-c5 break, but in the doing, he has
created some significant pawn weaknesses. The pawn on b4 is more of a
hindrance than anything and simply gives white a lot of light-squares to
occupy.}
13. e5
{White now expands even further and begins to flood his pieces into the
centre. The outpost for black on d5 cannot be avoided, but white reasons
that he can play around this. Indeed, the white pieces will occupy so much
space in the centre, it will soon become very awkward for the black major
pieces to find suitable safety.}
13... Nd5
14. Nc4
{Such is the way that white has move-ordered his opponent in the opening, he
has found a much more effective square for his queens knight. The
dark-squared bishop is given life, preventing Nf4 by black and the
spear-head on e5 is protected. White is now collating a sizable advantage.}
14... cxd4
{Black exchanges in the centre, in the hope that this will release tension
and create him some tactical possibilities. As it is though, the black queen
is going to find it very difficult to reach relative safety due to the open
nature of the position.}
15. Nxd4
{Recapturing without any fear of the tactics. Since black is so behind in
development, white can trust in his setup and rely on the good coordination
of his pieces to find their optimal outposts.}
15... Nc5
{A very complex position indeed with the four knights centrally posted!
The most important thing though is the comparison of the pawn spears (b4 and
e5) and the openness of the bishop pairs. Whites pawn spear is in the
centre and severely cramping black. The b4 pawn, although annoying, is
having no influential effect on the position. White needs to be mindful of
b4-b3 pushes, isolating the a4-pawn, but that is a minor inconvenience and
potentially, something for white to completely ignore.
On the other hand, the white bishops are working in tangent along open
diagonals directing themselves towards the black king-side. Is black brave
enough to castle into it?}
16. Bc2 O-O
{Black takes up the challenge!
It is easy enough to imagine now how white can overextend himself here and
go out for an all-out attack. Surprisingly, he can actually take his time
here, since the domination of his pieces allow him to play across the board.
Whites space advantage is considerable and his pieces have more scope. An
attack is inevitable, but caution has to be exercised at all times.}
17. Rd1 Qc7
{As stated before, it is difficult for the black queen to find a safe
refuge. There are tactics down the D-file if she remains there and the
knight on d5 is unable to dislodge itself if it were to be pinned.
Especially so, if f7-f5 is necessary and a recapture on f6 is required.}
18. Qg4
{The start of the king-side attack. White now brings all his pieces to bare
on the black king-side. Note how the dark-squared bishop is left at home
until a square can be found for it. Naturally, 19. Bh6 is a direct threat.}
18... g6
{Preventing the aforementioned 19. Bh6, but this creates the first chink in
the black armour. An anchor has been created.}
19. Bh6 Rfc8
{A curious square for the rook, but black is seeking activity down the
queen-side to compensate for his king-side weaknesses. White needs to focus
on the king-side attack and not concern himself with any material
consequences on the queen-side.}
20. Rac1
{Developing the rook, opening up tactics against the black queen again, but
more importantly, abandoning the a4-pawn to its fate. White is no longer
concerned about that pawn and permits black to focus his attention on that
irrelevant point.}
20... Qd7
{Black tries to avoid the white rooks again and targets the a4-pawn. In the
doing though, he permits white a very useful outpost. This is another
demonstration that awareness across the board is essential at all times.}
21. Na5
{Exploiting the removal of the black queens protection of the a5-square.
White could be threatening to gain the bishop pair by exchanging on b7.
Having this as an option is useful, but naturally, not whites entire focus.
.}
21... Rab8
{Black once again focuses down the queen-side. With the defence of the
bishop, black is just about ready to capture on a4.
White has just about developed and outposted all of his pieces on their best
squares. Now must come the next stage in his plan.}
22. h4!
{The direct attack is continued. White aims to attack the anchor to lever
open the black king that bit more. Things are now becoming very
uncomfortable for black. In that regard then, he retreats in an attempt to
liquidate some of the white menacing pieces.}
22... Bf8
23. Bxf8 Kxf8
{White is not perturbed by this exchange, as he can concentrate on the
dark-squares to leak out more pressure on black. However, the main objective
of this exchange is actually to liberate another rather important outpost,
which is not immediately apparent.}
24. h5 Ba8?
{Blacks losing move. He simply does not have the luxury to safeguard the
bishop. Although this is a very useful bishop, his king will get mowed down
well before this bishop has any further influence on the game.}
25. Qg5
{White begins to pressurise the dark-squares and threatens to penetrate the
queen on h6.}
25... Kg7
{Black is stubbornly trying to cling on. Things are poised, but again, total
awareness is always required. It is important to include as many pieces into
the king-side attack as possible. Now comes the purpose of the exchange of
the dark-squared bishop on move 23.}
26. Nc4
{The knight is brought back to join in the fun and the king-side attack.
From the rim, it is surprising how quickly this knight delivers the coup de
grâce. The immediate idea though is the occupation of the d6 outpost, which
has now been made available due to the exchange of dark-squared bishops.}
26... Qe7
{Once again, black desperately seeks exchanges to alleviate the pressure.
White is not interested in such exchanges, of course, and curiously, the
black queen has been placed on a more precarious position than it previously
was.}
27. Qg3 Nd7
{Making the game a lot shorter than it could have been, but there is little
hope for black now.
27... b3 28. Bb1 Nxa4 is a steal of the a4-pawn, although this does not
matter in the slightest as the black king is doomed.}
28. Nd6 Qf8
{Black offers the exchange, as white was threatening a double knight check
on f5, winning the black queen, as the g6 pawn is pinned against the black
king. Ironically, the black queen steps away from one knight fork, only to
step into another!}
29. hxg6 Rxc2
{As good as resigning.
29... hxg6 allows 30. Bxg6 and black cannot recapture due to Nxe6+ forks
winning the black queen on f8.
Now the breakthrough has been accomplished, it is important to consider the
finish. In fact, there are many ways to win this position, but there is one
particular way that is very aesthetic indeed.
Take time now and find the neat finish!}
30. N4f5+ exf5
31. Nxf5+ Kg8
{And this final move gave me a certain amount of pleasure to play, as it is
rare that you can play such a move in front of an enemy king...}
32. g7 1-0
{With the 33. Nh6 mate threat, black can do little else but throw in the
towel, two pieces up!}
Opening references
A.
(13. d5 exd5 14. e5 Nh5 15. g3 g6 16. e6 fxe6 17.
Qxe6 Ng7 18. Qh3 O-O 19. b3 Bf6 20. Ra2 Ne5 21. Nxe5 Bxe5 22. Rd1 Qf6 23.
Nf1 Qf3 24. Be2 Qxf2+
0-1 Dydyshko,V (2581)-Cernousek,L (2369)/Cartak 2004/EXT 2005}
B.
15. Rd1 Nc5 16. Nxd4 Nxd3 17. Rxd3 Rc8 18. b3 Rc5 19. Qg4 g6 20. Bd2 Qc7 21.
Re1 Rxc4 22. bxc4 Qxc4 23. Qe2 O-O 24. Rc1 Qa2 25. Qd1 Nb6 26. Nc6 Bxc6 27.
Rxc6 Qxa4 28. Qxa4 Nxa4 29. Rd7 Re8
Contin,D (2373)-Gaitan,J (2266)/Buenos Aires ARG 2012/1/2-1/2 (39)}
Chris Ross
January 2016
