% BOOKTITLE = The French Defence: Move by Move (sample)
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "About this Publication"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Damian Lemos"]
[PlyCount "4"]
[SourceTitle "MBM: French Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2021.04.30"]

{The French Defence is a classical opening that has featured in the repertoire
of many elite grandmasters. Black generally concedes a slight spacial
disadvantage early but in return gains a sound structure and middlegame
opportunities to undermine the white centre. A close study of the French
Defence can be very rewarding for all players as the structures and themes
that arise are found in numerous other openings. In this book grandmaster
Damian Lemos guides the reader through the complexities of this dynamic
opening and explores all the important variations. --- This series provides an
ideal platform to study chess openings. By continually challenging the reader
to answer probing questions throughout the book, the Move by Move format
greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as
the traditional assimilation of opening knowledge. Carefully selected
questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you
to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to study any
chess opening and at the same time improve your general chess skills and
knowledge.} 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 {. Damian Lemos is a grandmaster from Argentina.
He is a former Pan-American junior champion and was only 15 years old when he
qualified for the international master title. He went on to become a
grandmaster at 18. An active tournament player, he also trains students at
ichess.net.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Preface"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Damian Lemos"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceTitle "MBM: French Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2021.04.30"]

{Discussing a complete defence for the black pieces is no easy task, and
nowadays the large amount of theory out there makes it even harder. After
writing my first two books, Opening Repertoire: The Fianchetto System and
Opening Repertoire: The Queen's Gambit, Byron Jacobs at Everyman Chess
suggested the French as a subject for another book. I decided to take on the
challenge and the result is in your hands now. --- Why the French? It is one
of the most reliable ways for Black to meet} 1. e4 {, a defence played by
several world champions, and a tool that will help you improve not only in the
opening phase, but also your positional and strategic chess understanding. ---
Unlike my previous two books, this work is in the Move by Move series and so
is not a complete opening repertoire. That said, you will find many
interesting ideas and will also be covered against White's main choices. My
primary goal was to write a book that allows you to grasp the main ideas
behind the French, to reach the middlegame with a solid foundation while not
depending too much on "exact theory". For this reason the book is not a
comprehensive coverage of all possible variations – this is impractical and
would make the book enormous! Instead, the focus is on strategic plans,
positional understanding and putting the reader to the test by having to
answer questions during the games. --- Throughout this project good use was
made of Stockfish 10, along with Mega Database 2020 and the ChessBase Online
Database. --- I must also acknowledge and thank Everyman Chess and Byron
Jacobs for giving me the chance to write my first three books, as well as
Alicia Paddon for her endless support.} (1. Z0 {Damian Lemos, London, February
2021}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4: The Steinitz Variation"]
[Black "3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e5"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Damian Lemos"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[SourceTitle "MBM: French Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2021.04.30"]

{We now move on to the Steinitz Variation with} 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4.
e5 {, which is the most popular move in this position. After the standard} Nfd7
{White has two main options,} 5. f4 ({and} 5. Nce2 {, which we will examine in
turn.}) *

[Event "13: Novgorod"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kasparov, G"]
[Black "Bareev, E"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C11"]
[Annotator "Damian Lemos"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "MBM: French Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2021.04.30"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 {Adding extra support to the
centre before developing the g1-knight.} ({The immediate} 5. Nf3 {transposes
to the 2 Nf3!? d5 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e5 Nfd7 5 d4 variation examined in Chapter One.})
5... c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 {We have arrived at the main position of this system
and Black has a big decision to make. Before mentioning moves for Black let's
point out some key concepts: the e5-pawn gives White a considerable space
advantage, especially on the kingside. On the other hand, Black has already
attacked the centre with ...c7-c5 and can apply more pressure via ...f7-f6 or
even ...g7-g5. However, Black needs to find a way eventually to improve the
c8-bishop, otherwise it is usually a "bad" bishop, crashing into the pawn
chain.} cxd4 ({As we will study in subsequent games, Black has other ways of
playing this position, notably} 7... Be7 {(Games 14-17)}) ({and} 7... a6 {
followed by ...b7-b5 (Games 18-19).}) 8. Nxd4 Bc5 (8... Qb6 9. Qd2 Qxb2 10. Rb1
Qa3 {is another critical variation that has been seen a lot in recent years.
Black is probably doing okay, but I would prefer the White side which is
easier to play, while Black needs to be accurate due to the lack of
development.}) 9. Qd2 Bxd4 10. Bxd4 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Qb6 {Black forces the queen
trade and White will have to play energetically in order to keep the advantage.
} 12. Qxb6 ({The main alternatives are} 12. Nb5) ({and} 12. O-O-O {.}) 12...
Nxb6 {White has a risk-free and long-term advantage in the endgame, due to
more space and a stronger bishop arising from the dominance of the dark
squares. Nevertheless, Black has an extremely solid position with
possibilities to rupture with ...f7-f6 or ...g7-g5.} 13. a4 $5 {As we can
usually appreciate in his games, Kasparov opts for active approaches. Now
Black faces a difficult choice from the positional point of view: whether to
allow a4-a5 or not.} ({Instead,} 13. Nb5 {is seen more often; e.g.} Ke7 14.
O-O-O Bd7 15. Nd4 a6 16. Kb1 Nc8 $6 17. h4 ({or} 17. b3 $5) 17... h5 18. Rh3 {
was M.Kobalia-U.Weisbuch, St. Petersburg 2009. Needless to say, the position
is much easier to play for White.}) 13... Ke7 ({I'm not a big fan of fixing
the pawn structure with} 13... a5 {since that leaves weaknesses on the
queenside, such as the b5-square:} 14. b3 $1 ({better than} 14. Nb5 Ke7 15. b3
f6 16. exf6+ gxf6 17. Kd2 Bd7 18. Re1 {, as in Kir.Georgiev-M.Gurevich, Manila
Interzonal 1990, since after} Rag8 $5 {I believe Black is just fine;} (18...
Rhg8 $2 {runs into} 19. Nc7 Rac8 20. Nxe6 $1 Bxe6 21. f5)) 14... Bd7 15. O-O-O
f6 16. exf6 gxf6 17. Be2 {, preparing Bf3 followed by Rhe1, when Black's
centre is vulnerable. It is worth noticing how White's bishop does a great job
on f3 preventing any counterplay on the g-file.}) 14. a5 Nd7 15. Kd2 {It makes
a lot of sense for White to keep the king in the centre, especially when there
are no queens on board.} ({White can also consider: a)} 15. Bd3 g5 ({or} 15...
Nb8 16. Kd2) 16. g3 gxf4 17. gxf4 f6 18. exf6+ Nxf6 19. Rg1 {with a slight
edge, though Black is close to equalizing especially if the freeing ...e6-e5
is achieved.}) ({b)} 15. h4 {stops Black main reaction of ...g7-g5. A possible
continuation is} Nb8 16. Rh3 Nc6 17. Rg3 g6 18. Kd2 {and White position looks
better, although again Black's position will be a tough nut to crack.}) 15...
g5 16. g3 gxf4 17. gxf4 f6 18. Rg1 {Development is more relevant than material!
} ({This move puts Black to the test, whereas capturing on f6 helps Black get
his pieces out:} 18. exf6+ Nxf6 19. Bd3 Bd7 20. Ne2 Rhg8 21. Rhg1 Kd6 22. c3 {
and a draw was agreed in N.Short-J.Timman, Novgorod 1995.}) 18... fxe5 ({
He cannot afford a passive move like} 18... Kf7 {, as after} 19. Re1 $1 {
Black is, believe it or not, defenceless against White's threats; e.g.} a6 ({or
} 19... Rg8 20. Rxg8 Kxg8 21. Nb5) 20. Nxd5 exd5 21. e6+ Kf8 22. b4 $5 {
(even stronger than capturing on d7)} Nb8 23. e7+ Ke8 24. Bd3 f5 25. Rg7 Nc6
26. Be2 h5 27. Bxh5+ {and wins.}) 19. Bh3 $5 ({If} 19. fxe5 Nxe5 20. Rg7+ Kf6
21. Rc7 Bd7 22. Rxb7 Bc6 {Black has better placed pieces in the upcoming
endgame.}) 19... exf4 ({If} 19... a6 20. Rae1 e4 21. Rg7+ Kd6 22. Ke3 {,
despite the engines assessing this position as equal, it is clear that White
has much better practical chances due to his development advantage and piece
play.}) ({QUESTION: How should White play if Black closes up the position with
} 19... e4 {- ? --- ANSWER: In that case, White would play} 20. Nb5 $1 ({
instead,} 20. Rg7+ Kf6 21. Rag1 Nf8 {followed by ...Ng6 is far from clear})
20... a6 ({or} 20... Nf6 21. Nc7 Rb8 22. Rg7+ Kf8 23. Rag1 {with a clear
advantage}) 21. Nc7 Rb8 22. Rg7+ Kd6 23. Nxe6 Nf6 24. Rf7 $1 {and is ready to
meet both} Nh5 ({and} 24... Ne8 {with} 25. f5 $1 {, obtaining a powerful
initiative.})) 20. Rae1 Nf8 $6 {Bareev decides to return the pawns to
neutralize White's initiative but does not succeed in his desires.} ({It was
better to hang tough with} 20... Nf6 21. Rg7+ Kf8 (21... Kd6 22. Rf7 Ne4+ 23.
Nxe4+ dxe4 24. Rxf4 e5 25. Rf6+ Ke7 26. Rh6 {keeps a slight edge for White})
22. Rc7 Ne8 23. Rc5 b6 24. axb6 axb6 25. Rc6 Rg8 {, which the engines regard
as equal.}) 21. Nxd5+ Kd6 22. Nxf4 e5 23. Rg3 $5 {Kasparov makes the most of
his development and the black king's position.} ({The simple} 23. Bxc8 Rxc8 24.
Nd3 Ng6 25. Re4 {also looks much more comfortable for White.}) 23... Bxh3 ({If
} 23... exf4 {then} 24. Rd3+ Kc7 25. Re7+ Kb8 (25... Bd7 26. Bxd7 Ng6 27. Re4 {
is also better for White}) 26. Re8 $1 ({note that White has to be careful too:
} 26. Rd8 $2 Ng6 $1 {throws all his advantage away}) 26... Ng6 27. Rxh8 Nxh8
28. Rd8 {wins.}) 24. Rd3+ Kc6 25. Rc3+ Kd6 26. Nxh3 Rg8 ({Black's problems are
not over after} 26... Ng6 27. Ng5 {either.}) 27. Rd3+ Ke6 28. Nf4+ Kf5 29. Nd5
Rg2+ 30. Kc1 Rf2 (30... Rxh2 31. Rf3+ Kg4 32. Rf7 {wins. Black's pieces lack
coordination, the seventh rank is falling apart, and there is the small issue
of mating nets.}) 31. Rb3 Rb8 32. a6 b5 33. Ne7+ Kf6 34. Nc6 Rb6 35. Nxe5 h5 {
Black is putting up a solid resistance.} 36. Nd3 ({If now} 36. h4 $2 {then} Rf5
37. Nf3 Rxa6 {equalizes.}) 36... Rxh2 37. Nb4 Kg5 38. Rf3 Ng6 39. Rf7 Rh4 40.
c3 Rxb4 {Black has to eliminate the potential passed a6-pawn before it is too
late:} 41. cxb4 Rxa6 42. Rg1+ Kh6 43. Kd2 Rd6+ 44. Ke3 a6 45. Ke4 Nh8 46. Ra7
Ng6 47. Ra1 Rd2 48. R7xa6 $2 {There was no hurry to take the a-pawn.} ({
Instead,} 48. b3 Rb2 49. Kd4 Rxb3 50. Kc5 {is a winning line according to
Stockfish.}) 48... Rxb2 49. Kf5 Rf2+ 50. Ke6 Rf4 51. Rb1 h4 52. Rb6 h3 53. Rxb5
h2 {Black's counterplay can't be underestimated. Ideally, Black will get the
b4-pawn in exchange for the h2-pawn, when the endgame should be drawn with
accurate play.} 54. Rh1 Rh4 55. Kd6 $6 ({According to Stockfish White's only
winning move is} 55. Rb8 {, but it extremely complicated to analyse the
outcome of this variation:} Kg5 56. b5 Kf4 ({or} 56... Nf4+ 57. Kd6) 57. Rg8 ({
the immediate} 57. b6 {leads to a draw; e.g.} Kf3 58. b7 Rh7 59. Kf5 Ne7+ 60.
Kg5 Nc6 61. Rc8 Rxb7 62. Rxc6 Rb5+ 63. Kg6 Kg2 64. Ra1 h1=N $1) 57... Ne5 ({or
} 57... Rh6 58. Rxh2 $1) 58. Rg2 Ng4 59. Rb2 {, only then followed by b5-b6
etc.}) 55... Nf4 56. Rf5 Nh5 $1 {Black threatens to play both Ng3 and Rxb4
just in time.} 57. Rf2 Rxb4 58. Rfxh2 Rb5 {Bareev has achieved his objective
and should draw, but we know the game is never finished until the scoresheets
are signed! Kasparov is going to play on for a while.} 59. Ra2 Kg6 60. Ra6 Nf4
61. Ke7+ Kg5 62. Rg1+ Kh4 63. Ra4 Rf5 64. Rg8 Kh3 65. Ra3+ Kh2 66. Ra2+ Kh3 67.
Rd2 Re5+ 68. Kf6 Re3 69. Kf5 Ne2 70. Rb2 Kh2 {I have to say this for the
e2-knight, it is doing a great job stopping White king from getting any closer.
} 71. Rg7 Re8 72. Rg6 Re3 $2 {Bareev blunders at the last.} ({The only move was
} 72... Kh3 {.}) 73. Re6 $1 ({After} 73. Re6 $1 Rxe6 74. Kxe6 {wins the knight
due to the pin along the second rank.}) 1-0

[Event "14: Iberoamerican Championship, Linares"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Cuenca Jimenez, J"]
[Black "Cori, J"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C11"]
[Annotator "Damian Lemos"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "MBM: French Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2021.04.30"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 Be7 {
I started paying attention to 7...Be7 after Carlsen played it against Karjakin
back in 2010, a game which you will of course find in this book as well!} 8.
Qd2 ({An alternative is} 8. a3 $5 {, which is featured in Game 17.}) 8... O-O
9. dxc5 ({The developing} 9. Be2) ({and} 9. Bd3 {are examined in the next two
games.}) ({Before considering the main lines let's take a look at a key
concept in this variation:} 9. O-O-O {is strongly met by} c4 $1 {. This is the
natural reaction, especially when White castles queenside. Black is ready to
play ...b7-b5 even if the pawn is lost: opening lines on the queenside is all
that matters. As we can see from the following continuation, Black's attack is
much faster:} 10. f5 b5 {(White is already in trouble)} 11. Nxb5 $2 {
(capturing the b-pawn is probably the last thing White should do in this
position)} ({however, alternatives are little better:} 11. a3 b4 12. axb4 Bxb4
{and ...Qa5, ...Rb8 is unstoppable}) ({or} 11. f6 gxf6 12. Bh6 fxe5 13. Bxf8
Bxf8 14. dxe5 Ndxe5 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 {and Black's position speaks for itself}) ({
or} 11. fxe6 fxe6 12. Ng5 b4 13. Ne2 c3 14. bxc3 Nb6 $1 {and the engines give
Black a plus seven advantage, which should give us a pretty good idea of how
powerful the attack is}) 11... Rb8 12. Nc3 Qb6 13. b3 Qa5 {and Black is
winning.}) 9... Nxc5 $5 {An ambitious recapture.} ({After} 9... Bxc5 10. O-O-O
{White usually gets a favourable endgame after trades in the centre:} Qa5 {
(definitely more aggressive than 10...Qb6)} (10... Qb6 11. Nd4 Nxd4 12. Bxd4
Bxd4 13. Qxd4 Qxd4 14. Rxd4 {(White has a space advantage and a superior
bishop)} a6 15. h4 (15. Rd1 $6 b5 16. Ne2 Nc5 17. g3 b4 18. Nd4 Bd7 19. Bg2
Rac8 20. Rhe1 Rc7 21. b3 Rfc8 22. Kd2 {was only equal in E.Torre-N.T.S.Nguyen,
Ho Chi Minh City 2015}) 15... b6 16. h5 h6 17. b3 Ra7 18. Kb2 Rc7 19. Rd2 Bb7
20. Bd3 Nc5 21. Ne2 {with a slight advantage for White, I.Kurnosov-Quang Liem,
World Rapid Championship, Khanty-Mansiysk 2013.}) 11. a3 Rb8 $5 12. Nb5 (12.
Bxc5 Nxc5 13. Qe3 {is a better try}) 12... Qxd2+ 13. Kxd2 Bxe3+ 14. Kxe3 f6 {
(freeing Black's position and gaining some initiative as well)} 15. exf6 Nxf6 {
was good for Black in I.Khairullin-S.Gagare, Doha 2015; e.g.} 16. g3 Ng4+ 17.
Ke2 e5 $1 18. fxe5 ({or} 18. Rxd5 Be6) 18... Ngxe5 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. Rxd5 Bg4+
{and 21...Bf3, winning the exchange.}) 10. O-O-O a6 11. h4 b5 ({GM Cori had
played this position before:} 11... Qc7 $5 12. Bd3 {(now Black has to be on
the lookout for Bxh7+ ideas)} (12. Kb1 Rd8 $5 13. Qf2 b6 {could be a reason
not to play a quick ...Bd7 as Black}) {The fact that the c5-knight is
potentially loose changes the whole picture. Black should have played} 12... b6
$5 {, when} (12... Nb4 $2 {, was played in S.Shankland-J.Cori Biel (blitz)
2019, where White missed an almost decisive variation:} 13. Bxh7+ $1 Kxh7 14.
Ng5+ Kg8 15. Qe2 g6 16. h5 {and the attack is hard to stop.} (16. Z0)) 13.
Bxh7+ Kxh7 14. Ng5+ Kg8 15. Qe2 g6 16. h5 {fails to} Bxg5 17. fxg5 Qxe5 {
since the knight is protected here.}) 12. Bd3 ({The natural-looking} 12. Kb1 b4
13. Bxc5 ({if} 13. Ne2 {the further} a5 $1 {is good for a queenside attack and
frees the c8-bishop via a6}) 13... Bxc5 14. Na4 ({not} 14. Ne2 a5 $1 {again})
14... Ba7 {results in a complex position. I like the fact White cannot
establish a stable blockade on the d4-square.}) 12... Nb4 $2 {Unfortunately
for Black this move allows a fatal sacrifice on h7.} ({Instead: a)} 12... d4 $6
13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Nxd3+ ({as usually happens in positions like this Black
has to double-check before capturing on d4:} 14... Qxd4 $2 15. Bxh7+ {loses
the queen and the game}) 15. Qxd3 Bb7 {and I don't think Black compensation is
enough.}) ({b)} 12... Nxd3+ 13. Qxd3 (13. cxd3 $4 {loses a piece to} d4) 13...
b4 ({or} 13... Nb4 14. Qd2 Bb7 15. Kb1 Rc8 16. f5 {, as in P.Leko-J.Cori, Biel
2019}) 14. Ng5 g6 15. Na4 {was F.Vallejo Pons-I.Lopez Mulet, Spanish League
2018, where White's kingside attack looks faster than Black's on the queenside.
}) 13. Kb1 $2 {QUESTION: Black should take the d3-bishop now. The question is:
how?} ({As in the Shankland-Cori game above, White could sacrifice with} 13.
Bxh7+ $1 Kxh7 14. Ng5+ {, when Black is defenceless:} Kg8 (14... Kg6 15. f5+
exf5 (15... Kxf5 16. h5 {is mate in 8 according to Stockfish}) 16. h5+ Kh6 17.
Nxf7+ {wins the queen.}) (14... Kh6 15. f5 {also wins.}) 15. Qe2 g6 16. h5 $1 {
(again we notice the c5-knight is hanging)} Bxg5 17. fxg5 Qc7 18. hxg6 fxg6 19.
Rh6 {and White's attack is just too strong.}) 13... Nbxd3 $1 {ANSWER: Clearing
the way for the b5-pawn.} ({After} 13... Ncxd3 14. cxd3 {(now the b4-knight
lacks good squares)} Nc6 (14... d4 15. Nxd4 Bb7 {is not as good as it looks:
White keeps the upper hand with} 16. f5 $1 {and unfortunately for Black there
is not much compensation}) 15. Nd4 Nxd4 16. Bxd4 Bd7 17. Ne2 {White is
slightly better. Although material is equal, White has more space and Black's
bishops are not active.}) 14. cxd3 {QUESTION: A critical middlegame situation,
and with so many decent-looking moves available for Black, it is not easy to
choose. What would you play?} b4 $6 {ANSWER: This seems to be mistimed. ---
QUESTION: Now the critical decision is on White's side. What is the best
continuation?} ({Black should prefer} 14... a5 15. Qf2 ({or} 15. Nxb5 Ba6 16.
Qc2 Rc8) 15... b4 {(only now)} 16. Ne2 Na4 {with chances for both sides.}) 15.
Ne2 $6 {Black takes over the initiative after this.} ({ANSWER: Instead, White
has the in-between move} 15. Bxc5 $1 {. Giving up the bishop pair in an open
position is not usually recommended, but this is an exception to the rule
because Black in unable to activate the bishops in time:} Bxc5 ({if} 15... bxc3
16. Qxc3 {, Black loses a pawn for nothing}) 16. Na4 Be7 17. d4 {and in this
rather more closed position, White's knight pair is better than Black's
bishops.}) 15... Bd7 ({This line from Stockfish is also worth considering:} 
15... a5 16. Rc1 d4 17. Bxd4 ({or} 17. Nfxd4 Qd5 $5) 17... Ba6 $1 18. Bxc5
Qxd3+ 19. Qxd3 Bxd3+ 20. Ka1 Bxc5 21. Rxc5 Bxe2 {and Black is not worse at all.
}) 16. g4 Rc8 ({Putting the other rook here after} 16... Qb8 17. Ned4 Rc8 {
is another option.}) ({Not} 16... Bb5 $6 17. Bxc5 $1 Bxc5 18. f5 {and White is
clearly better, since both Nf4 and f5-f6 are huge threats.}) 17. Ned4 b3 $1 {
Black spares no expense in opening the queenside.} 18. Nxb3 ({QUESTION: What
was Black planning against the natural} 18. a3 {- ? --- ANSWER: Black has a
strong attack after} Bb5 $1 19. Nxb5 ({or} 19. Ne1 Na4 {, when sacrifices like
...Bxa3 are likely to happen sooner or later}) 19... axb5 {, followed by ...Na4
and ...b5-b4.}) 18... Nxb3 19. axb3 a5 20. f5 Bb4 ({Naturally, taking the
f5-pawn opens the g-file seemingly aiding White's kingside attack, though} 
20... exf5 21. gxf5 Bxf5 22. Qg2 ({or} 22. h5 {is far from clear. Maybe Black
was looking for a forced variation.})) 21. Qf2 Qc7 $6 ({As before, making a
move like} 21... exf5 {is quite difficult in practice. After} 22. gxf5 Bxf5 23.
Qg3 {Black has to continue with something like} Kh8 24. Nd4 Be6 25. Rhg1 Rg8 {
, which seems quite passive, although I don't see a way for White to break
through and engines assess the resulting position as equal.}) ({The engines
like} 21... a4 $5 {, which would also be hard to play in a real game! Then} 22.
Bb6 ({not} 22. f6 $2 Qa5) 22... Qe7 ({not} 22... Qe8 $2 23. Qd4) 23. f6 {
looks quite scary for Black, yet} gxf6 24. exf6 Qxf6 25. Bd4 e5 $1 {is again
unclear, to say the least.}) 22. f6 $1 a4 ({Touching the kingside pawns is
fatal for Black:} 22... g6 23. h5) ({or} 22... gxf6 23. Bh6 {and White's
threats are all over the place.}) 23. fxg7 Rfe8 $2 {This allows White the
upper hand.} (23... Rfd8 {was correct, so that 24 Ng5 can be met by 24...Be8.
Note that} 24. Bb6 {is nothing to worry about, since} Qc6 25. Bxd8 $2 axb3 {
wins for Black.}) 24. Ng5 Re7 25. Rc1 Qa5 26. Rxc8+ Bxc8 {Quite a chaotic
position where it is easy for either side to make a mistake. --- QUESTION: How
should White continue here?} 27. bxa4 $6 {This gives the initiative away.} ({
ANSWER: White should have played} 27. Bb6 $1 Qb5 ({or} 27... Qa6 28. bxa4 Qxd3+
29. Qc2) 28. bxa4 Qxd3+ 29. Qc2 {, trading queens off for a clear advantage in
the endgame. Black can't avoid this since} Qa6 $2 {runs into} 30. Qxh7# {.})
27... Ba6 $1 {Now Black comes back into the game, at least for the moment.} 28.
Qc2 d4 $2 {As we've already noted, it is easy to make mistakes in such a
complex position. --- QUESTION: Find the decisive continuation for White.} ({
Black should have played} 28... Rc7 29. Qb3 Bc3 $1 {with sufficient
counterchances; e.g.} 30. Bb6 Bxd3+ 31. Ka1 Bxb2+ $1 32. Qxb2 Qxa4+ 33. Qa2 Qb4
34. Bxc7 Qd4+ 35. Qb2 Qa4+ {and draws.}) 29. Bf4 $2 ({ANSWER: There was no
need to touch the bishop. After} 29. Ne4 $1 Kxg7 ({or} 29... dxe3 30. Nf6+ Kxg7
31. d4 $3 {followed by Qxh7}) 30. Nf6 {(preventing ...Rc7 in view of Ne8+)} Ra7
({or} 30... dxe3 31. d4 {again}) 31. Bg5 {White should be winning.}) 29... Rc7
30. Qd1 Bb5 $3 {The only way for Black to carry on the attack.} (30... Bc3 {
is insufficient in view of} 31. Ne4 Rb7 32. Rh2 {and, believe it or not, Black
is running out of threats.}) 31. axb5 Ra7 {Now White is the one who must play
precisely not to lose on the spot.} 32. Qf3 $2 {The final mistake. ---
QUESTION: Can you find the forced win for Black?} ({The little nuisance move} 
32. b6 $1 {allows White to hold:} Qa1+ ({or} 32... Ra8 33. b7 $1) 33. Kc2 {
(there is no check on the c-file now!)} Qa4+ 34. Kb1 {and Black must take the
perpetual with} Qa2+ 35. Kc2 Qa4+ {etc.}) 32... Qa1+ $1 {ANSWER!} 33. Kc2 Rc7+
34. Kb3 Rc3+ $3 {Black breaks in on the dark squares for mate in six.} 35. Kxb4
({Or} 35. bxc3 Qxc3+ 36. Ka2 Qc2+ 37. Ka1 Bc3# {.}) 35... Qxb2+ 36. Ka5 Qa3+
37. Kb6 Qc5+ 38. Ka6 ({Or} 38. Kb7 Qxb5+ 39. Ka8 Ra3# {.}) 38... Ra3+ 39. Kb7
Ra7+ 40. Kb8 Qc7# 0-1

[Event "15: Wijk aan Zee"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2010.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Karjakin, S"]
[Black "Carlsen, Ma"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C11"]
[Annotator "Damian Lemos"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2010.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "MBM: French Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2021.04.30"]

1. e4 e6 {As far as I can tell, the 16th world champion is not a huge French
fan, so, as I still remember several years later, I was quite happy to see
this move being played by Magnus! The game we are about to examine is the one
that first caught my attention regarding the 7...Be7 line.} 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6
4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 Be7 8. Qd2 O-O 9. Be2 ({The alternative
development} 9. Bd3 {is the subject of the next game.}) 9... a6 {This is the
most natural plan for Black.} ({Other approaches I would consider are: a)} 9...
cxd4 10. Nxd4 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Nb8 $5 {, followed by ...Nc6.}) ({b)} 9... b6 $5 {
, overprotecting c5 before playing ...f7-f6. We will see this plan in action
in Game 17.}) 10. O-O b5 11. Kh1 ({White has also tried} 11. Nd1 $5 {,
clearing the path for c2-c3 to reinforce the centre:} b4 $1 {(the plan of ...b5-b4
and ...a6-a5, releasing the c8-bishop via a6, is worth remembering, and
Black does not need to attack a knight on c3 in order to play it)} (11... Qb6
12. c3 a5 13. Bf2 b4 $5 ({this is likely an improvement on} 13... f5 14. exf6
Nxf6 15. dxc5 Bxc5 16. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 17. Qe3 Qxe3+ 18. Nxe3 {as in D.Swiercz-I.Nyzhnyk,
Philadelphia 2018, where White's pawn structure was healthier in the
endgame}) 14. f5 a4 (14... exf5 $6 15. Ne3 {is good for White, as both the d5-
and f5-pawns are hanging}) 15. f6 {may have been what Black was concerned
about, and given the chance I might play White, but the resulting position is
quite unclear.}) 12. c3 a5 13. Bf2 ({after} 13. Nf2 Qb6 {and ...Ba6, Black's
queenside counterplay is guaranteed, so White frees the e3-square for the
d1-knight thus preparing f4-f5; however...}) 13... f6 $1 {(Black is active on
both sides of the board and applies maximum pressure to the white centre)} 14.
Ne3 ({neither} 14. dxc5 $6 fxe5) ({nor} 14. f5 $6 fxe5 15. fxe6 Nf6 16. dxe5
Ne4 {is what White is looking for}) ({while} 14. exf6 $6 Nxf6 {only helps
Black, since the d1-knight would want to go to f2 in this position}) 14... fxe5
15. fxe5 Ba6 16. Nc2 Qc8 {was Y.Kryvoruchko-M.Bluebaum, Baku Olympiad 2016.
Engines evaluate this position as equal. Personally I slightly prefer Black,
whose game is easier in view of the great play on the queenside.}) 11... Qc7
12. a3 ({As we've just seen, if} 12. Nd1 {then} b4 $1 {and ...a6-a5 is an
effective plan for Black.}) 12... Bb7 ({Now} 12... b4 $6 {is not as accurate
in view of} 13. axb4 cxb4 14. Na4 {, when Black's c5-pawn is gone and hence so
is the pressure on the centre. What's more, it is going to be easier for White
to play f4-f5 since ...c5xd4 is no longer an option.}) 13. Rad1 Rac8 {Black
gets all his pieces out before commencing operations in the centre.} 14. Qe1 {
The opening of c-file is imminent.} ({If} 14. dxc5 Bxc5 15. Bxc5 Nxc5 16. Nd4 {
then} Rfd8 $5 {(while it seems useless to place the rook on a closed file, the
reality is that it helps a potential ...Ne4)} 17. Qe3 Nxd4 18. Rxd4 ({or} 18.
Qxd4 Ne4 $1) 18... h6 {is level.}) 14... cxd4 15. Nxd4 Nxd4 16. Bxd4 Bc5 17.
Qh4 $6 {White won't be able to create an attack in time.} (17. Qf2 {was
preferable, although} Bxd4 18. Qxd4 ({if} 18. Rxd4 f6 $1 {, Black's timing
couldn't be better, as both the white queen and d4-rook are misplaced}) 18...
Qc5 {is at least for Black, who will trade queens off, double rooks on the
c-file, and has potential breaks like ...f7-f6, ...g7-g5 and ...a6-a5,
...b5-b4.}) 17... Bxd4 18. Rxd4 f6 $1 {One of the most popular French ruptures.
Black is much better here because White's pieces are lacking coordination and,
even more relevant, his central dominance is over.} 19. Bd3 ({If} 19. exf6 Rxf6
{, Black has strong pressure on the f-file.}) 19... h6 20. exf6 ({QUESTION:
How should Black react to} 20. Qg4 {- ?} {ANSWER: The correct response is} Nc5
$1 ({Most of us would be tempted to play} 20... Qb6 $6 {, both attacking the
d4-rook and protecting e6. However, White finds counterplay after the
unexpected} 21. Nxd5 $1 {. For example:} exd5 $1 (21... Qxd4 22. Qxe6+ Rf7 ({
not} 22... Kh8 $2 23. Qf5 Kg8 24. Qh7+ Kf7 25. Qg6+ Ke6 26. Qf5+ Kxd5 27. Qxd7+
Kc5 28. b4+ {and wins}) 23. Ne7+ Kf8 24. Ng6+ Kg8 25. Ne7+ {with quite an
unusual perpetual check!}) (21... Bxd5 22. Rxd5 exd5 ({or} 22... f5 23. Qf3
exd5 24. Qxd5+ Kh8 25. Qxd7) 23. Qxd7 {and Black still has to deal with
White's counterplay on the light squares.}) 22. Qf5 Qxd4 23. e6 Qxd3 {this
incredible queen sacrifice is the most efficient way to stop the checkmate;} (
23... Rfd8 $6 24. exd7 Kf8 25. dxc8=Q Bxc8 26. Qh7 {is just too dangerous for
Black}) 24. cxd3 Nc5 {gives Black a rook and two minor pieces which should be
stronger than White's queen. That said, the position is quite unclear
especially with White having a passer on e6.}) 21. exf6 ({not} 21. b4 $6 fxe5
22. fxe5 Nxd3 {and wins thanks to the backranker on f1}) 21... Rxf6 {, when
Black keeps a big advantage.}) 20... Rxf6 21. f5 ({After} 21. Qg3 Rcf8 22. Rf3
{it seems that White is stabilizing, but Black has} Nb8 $1 {and there is not
much White can do to stop ...Nc6.}) 21... Rcf8 22. Rg1 Nc5 $1 ({This is better
than winning the exchange after} 22... e5 23. Nxd5 Bxd5 24. Rxd5 Nb6 25. Qe4
Nxd5 26. Qxd5+ Kh8 27. Re1 {, when White's position is not easy to crack.}) 23.
fxe6 Nxe6 24. Rg4 ({White's lack of piece coordination is seen in the
following line:} 24. Nxd5 Bxd5 25. Rxd5 Nf4 26. Rd4 Qc5 27. c3 {. --- QUESTION:
Once again, it looks like White is stabilizing. However, Black has a powerful
tactic. Can you spot it? --- ANSWER: Black wins with} Nxd3 28. Rxd3 Qxg1+ $1
29. Kxg1 Rf1# {.}) ({The same thing happens after} 24. Rxd5 Nf4 $1 25. Rd4 Qb6
{(again the white rook has no good squares to go to)} 26. Rb4 (26. Rxf4 Rxf4 {
is just winning}) 26... Nxd3 27. cxd3 Qxg1+ 28. Kxg1 Rf1# {.}) 24... Nf4 25.
Qg3 Qe7 26. Rxf4 ({is just winning} 26. h3 d4 $1 ({not} 26... Bc8 $4 27. Rxf4
Rxf4 28. Nxd5) 27. Nd1 Bc8 28. Rh4 g5 {, followed by ...Qg7, breaking the pin;}
) ({or} 26. Nd1 Bc8 27. Rh4 g5 28. Nf2 Nxd3 29. Nxd3 Qa7 $1 {with the deadly
idea of ...Qxg1+ again.}) 26... Rxf4 27. Ne2 (27. Qg6 R8f6 28. Qh7+ Kf7 {
gets White nowhere.}) 27... Rf1 {After picking up the exchange, all Black
needs to do to convert the advantage is trade pieces off.} 28. Nd4 Rxg1+ 29.
Kxg1 Re8 30. h4 Qe1+ {Forcing queens off as well, after which the rest is a
matter of technique and no problem at all for the world champion.} 31. Kh2
Qxg3+ 32. Kxg3 Kf7 33. Kf2 Kf6 34. g3 Bc8 35. c3 Bg4 36. Bc2 g5 37. hxg5+ hxg5
38. Bb3 Ke5 39. Bc2 Rf8+ 40. Kg2 Bd7 41. Nf3+ Kf6 42. Bb3 g4 43. Nd4 Ke5 44.
Bc2 a5 45. Bd1 Ke4 0-1

