% BOOKTITLE = Original Repertoire: The Petroff Defence (sample)
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "About this Publication"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "4"]
[SourceTitle "OR: The Petroff Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2019.05.30"]

{The Petroff Defence has traditionally been regarded as a reliable defensive
mechanism to counter the aggressive} 1. e4 {. It also has a reputation for
being one of the most drawish of all openings and a choice that Black only
makes when content to achieve a draw. However, in recent years, this has all
changed. A new generation of players, spearheaded by the 2018 World
Championship challenger, Fabiano Caruana (whose qualification route was built
heavily around the Petroff), are re-interpreting this ancient defence. While
recognising the impressive solidity of the Petroff they are honing it into a
fine counter-attacking weapon.} e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 {. 'Opening Repertoire: The
Petroff Defence' examines all aspects of this highly complex opening and
provides the reader with well-researched, fresh, and innovative analysis. Each
annotated game has valuable lessons on how to play the opening and contains
instructive commentary on typical middlegame plans. The suggested lines for
Black are based around the very latest games and analsysis.} (2... Z0 {Cyrus
Lakdawala is an International Master, a former National Open and American Open
Champion, and a six-time State Champion. He has been teaching chess for over
30 years, and coaches some of the top junior players in the U.S.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Introduction"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "4"]
[SourceTitle "OR: The Petroff Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2019.05.30"]

{What is Your Opening Utopia? --- In the foolishness of youth I took a vast
dislike to the Petroff, a hateful creature with no perceivable reason to exist,
other than to annoy} 1. e4 {players. I tended to sneer at the opening, a
nondescript, faceless line for snivellers whose only goal in life was to draw
a chess game. However, with old age comes wisdom, and today I understand the
strength of the Petroff. The Petroff is not an opening for wild expectations;
a draw is just fine. And if our opponent gets overly ambitious, overstretches
and loses, then even better. If 1 e4 is the chessboard's Count Dracula, then
the Petroff Defence is our Dr. Van Helsing, since the Petroff has the ability
to drain the life out of White's aggressive intentions. --- There is a faint
sense of taunting with} e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 {: "I'm here in my fortress. Come
after me if you wish." The Petroff has no pretensions of trying to
complicate and gain an advantage with Black, as in sharper openings such as
the Sicilian lines the Najdorf, Sveshnikov and Dragon. With the Petroff Black
seeks equality or even near-equality and works from there for either the half
point, or the full point if the opponent gets carried away (and they often do).
--- The Petroff is the perfect opening for those who wish to postpone the
major battle to the middlegame. It is also close to being impervious to
computer analysis. Petroff players can be confident of keeping their
opponents' computer analysis at bay, since the Petroff's inherent solidity
protects from the unpleasant (computer-aided) shocking new moves in the
opening.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Caruana Connection"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqkb1r/pppp1ppp/5n2/4p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 3"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceTitle "OR: The Petroff Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2019.05.30"]

{When we embrace the chess games of a great player whose style is similar to
ours, the great player is a mirror of what we could have been, had we been
gifted with vastly greater potential. Petroff devotees play over Fabiano
Caruana's Petroff games the way a person of faith touches the hand of a saint.
He has almost single-handedly brought the opening back to the forefront of
popularity. Caruana, the modern day Botvinnik, is proof that greatness arises
via hard work, rather than innate talent (although I have a feeling Caruana's
innate talent level is also pretty high).} 3. Z0 {Caruana revived the Petroff
through his success with the line, coupled with his uncanny ability to produce
an endless stream of new ideas within the opening. Carlsen tried taking on a
pair of Petroffs in their 2018 World Championship match and essentially wasted
two Whites, since Caruana was never in danger in either game. In fact, Carlsen
came rather close to losing one of them. Both of these games are in the book.
The goal with the Petroff is that we don't want to lose. All other results are
acceptable. Here are some typical positions we encounter.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Scotch Petroff"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqkb1r/pppp1ppp/5n2/4p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 3"]
[PlyCount "5"]
[SourceTitle "OR: The Petroff Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2019.05.30"]

{With} 3. d4 {we enter into the Scotch Petroff, which generates the most open
positions seen in this book. We can reach the following positions:} Nxe4 4.
dxe5 Bc5 {. The Petroff is solid and therefore sometimes unfairly accused of
being dull. Petroff players often choose the opening with the sole ambition of
being able to secure a draw with the black pieces. But be warned. If you go
after them with a sharp line such as this one, you are just as likely as they
are to lose a few teeth in the fight. White has three ways to deal with the
attack on f2:} 5. Z0 ({a)} 5. Bc4 {– ignore it and go for a counterattack on
f7.}) ({b)} 5. Qd5 {– ignore it and attack the loose e4-knight, which
supports the c5-bishop.}) ({c)} 5. Be3 {– after which Black exchanges and
damage White's structure, at the cost of creating an open f-file for a White
attack.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Scotch Petroff 2"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqkb1r/pppp1ppp/8/4P3/4n3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 0 4"]
[PlyCount "3"]
[SourceTitle "OR: The Petroff Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2019.05.30"]

{Here, Black responds with a far safer version of the Scotch Petroff by playing
} 4... d5 5. Nbd2 {, and now Caruana recently uncorked} Qd7 $1 {. --- "Main
line" usually translates to "played by a majority", which is in turn
based on the false belief that the majority is always right. Caruana's
shocking last move, 5...Qd7!, is another way to play against the Scotch
Petroff. The idea is that it negates White's strategic threat of Nxe4 and
Qxd8+. We grope our way through our openings, until they finally become
routine and that is where the thinking process stops. We live our lives in
comfortable patterns. Remove the routine and our opponent instantly gets
disoriented. --- In one respect it is a monumental act of ego to think that we
alone can find a new move which improves upon generations of precedent, yet
Caruana did just that when he banged out a completely original idea with his 5...Qd7!. This move completely unsettled his grandmaster opponent and Caruana
won rather easily. There is no such thing as classified information in chess.
Eventually, everyone gets to view everything. But for now, Caruana's new idea
is a bit under the radar, at least at club level, so I have a feeling you will
surprise others and win games with Caruana's move.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Three Knights Petroff"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqkb1r/pppp1ppp/5n2/4p3/4P3/2N2N2/PPPP1PPP/R1BQKB1R b KQkq - 0 3"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceTitle "OR: The Petroff Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2019.05.30"]

{Here, White wanted to dodge the Petroff and enter a Four Knights Game. With} 
3... Bb4 {Black sidesteps this, entering the Three Knights Petroff.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Cochrane Gambit"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqkb1r/ppp2ppp/3p1n2/4N3/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 4"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceTitle "OR: The Petroff Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2019.05.30"]

{If we relate chess to the Planet of the Apes, then Petroff players are the
refined, intelligent chimpanzees, while their Cochrane Gambit-loving opponents
are reminders of those thuggish, warmongering gorillas. --- However, if you
dislike irrational complications, then don't assume you will easily escape
them by playing the Petroff. In a single turn, with} 4. Nxf7 $5 {the veneer of
polite civilization vanishes. At first we look upon such complications with
the unfocused stare of a newborn infant and the sacrifice is one designed to
numb our side with terror. I promise you that, if you work on it, this piece
sacrifice won't exert the desired effect. With time and study come familiarity
and confidence. When we analyse the line with a computer, the Cochrane Gambit
doesn't appear nearly as scary as it does at first sight.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Dullness Factor"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnb1kb1r/ppp1qppp/3p1n2/6B1/8/3P1N2/PPP1QPPP/RN2KB1R w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceTitle "OR: The Petroff Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2019.05.30"]

{Here we feature two positions where all is calm. Yes, these positions are
rather dull, but does every opening, especially when we are playing the black
pieces, have to be full of flavour and excitement? If the main goal is to
achieve equality, then the answer is clearly "no". I assure you that the
Petroff is the big, meek kid, once afraid of his own shadow, who suddenly
decides to assert himself by approaching the school bully with the intent on
giving him an unexpected bruising. Why does the big, meek kid win the fight?
Because the bully never sees it coming and, when the challenge arises, the
bully is completely unprepared for a counterattack.} 1. Z0 {I played Petroff
in online blitz games while I was writing this book and was stunned to
discover that I hadn't lost a single Petroff – even to titled players – in
a full month of online play. I can't even come close to making such a claim
with any other opening, as Black or White. One curious trait was that I drew
many, many games to players far lower-rated, often by as much as 300 points.
The people who I tended to beat were titled players, who were not interested
in a draw. So the Petroff is the opening which can beat the big kid. It's the
little guy who often holds the draw. --- Although the Petroff is one of the
most – if not the most – solid opening system against 1 e4, is it really
suitable for the higher-rated player? The answer is "no", but only if you
are desperate for a win with the black pieces. It isn't all that hard to hold
a draw as White, if a lower-rated opponent wants one. So my suggestion is that
the Petroff shouldn't be your only opening against 1 e4. Have an alternative
ready for situations where you are the higher-rated player, or are in a
must-win situation.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Dullness Factor 2"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqkb1r/ppp2ppp/5n2/3p4/3P4/3B1N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceTitle "OR: The Petroff Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2019.05.30"]

{In this position, the physical characteristics are not quite identical, since
White has one extra move. Is it enough for an edge? I doubt it.} 1. Z0 {
It is because of lines such as this that the Petroff is regarded as an opening
for players who prefer dull chess. Anyone as White who chooses to play in this
tedious way against the Petroff is obviously in love with the colour grey.
This deadly dull line can also arise from the Exchange French. Is it really so
terrible to be handed equality so early in the game if you play the black
pieces?} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The New Main Line"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqkb1r/ppp2ppp/3p4/8/8/2n2N2/PPPP1PPP/R1BQKB1R w KQkq - 0 6"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceTitle "OR: The Petroff Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2019.05.30"]

{By recapturing away from the centre with} 6. dxc3 {, White attempts to
balance structural responsibility with enhanced activity. A position may be
terribly complicated, yet its rules may be very simple. In this case, opposite
side castling often occurs and the plan is usually to mate the opponent before
you get mated yourself. I call this the New Main Line. White duly hopes for a
position of opposite castling. Black will usually castle kingside (though not
always), while White castles long. Black's chances are fully equal in this
more exciting version of the Petroff.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Main Line"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bqk2r/ppp1bppp/2n5/3p4/3Pn3/3B1N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQ1RK1 w kq - 0 8"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceTitle "OR: The Petroff Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2019.05.30"]

{This is the starting position of the main line, where White's main choices
are:} 8. Z0 ({a)} 8. c4 {– undermining the e4-knight.}) ({b)} 8. Re1 {
– which directly threatens the e4-knight.}) ({c)} 8. Nc3 {– and after the
exchange, White is willing to accept structural damage, in return for an open
b-file and a strengthened centre.}) ({The Exchange French-like position may
look simple, but I assure you that it isn't. Theory, especially in the} 8. c4 {
line, runs deep and can be dangerous unless you thoroughly master the line's
subtleties. The structure of the Main Line tends to resemble that of the
Exchange French, yet the Petroff is a clever forgery. Why? Because of a single
factor: the e4-knight, which is both a strength and a weakness. It's a
strength since one of Black's pieces is ensconced in the opponent's territory
and may even later be backed up with ...f7-f5. It's also a weakness since,
with c4 – White's most principled line – the knight is in danger of being
undermined.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Acknowledgements"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbqkb1r/pppp1ppp/5n2/4p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 3"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceTitle "OR: The Petroff Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2019.05.30"]

{Many thanks to Byron for the edit and to Nancy for proofreading.} 3. Z0 {
There are two kinds of chess players: -- 1) Those who make things happen. -- 2)
Those who allow things to happen and then ride the flow. --- May we Petroff
folk, who live in category number two, learn to ride the flow to wins and
draws, but never losses. --- Cyrus Lakdawala, San Diego, May 2019.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3: The Main Line Petroff"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bqk2r/ppp1bppp/2n5/3p4/3Pn3/3B1N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQ1RK1 w kq - 0 8"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceTitle "OR: The Petroff Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2019.05.30"]

{Study can be tedious, yet we get through it with the thought that we will one
day wield it as a weapon in our tournament games. In this chapter – by far
the biggest in the book – you may be facing your most daunting theoretical
test, since the lines all look similar, but there are always subtle
differences and it is not at all easy to make out their individuality.} 8. Z0 {
When White faces the Petroff, there are many ways to chicken out of a
theoretical fight and simply opt for a safe and easy-to-learn line. Not so in
the main line, where theory spirals deeply. From my observation very few of my
Petroff students face the main line at club level, since their club-level
opponents are nervous about entry into the theoretical maze, even though it is
the main choice of titled players. So, somewhat annoyingly, you must study the
living daylights out of this taxing chapter in order to be ready for those few
times you actually do face it. --- On the plus side, the best White gets is
something between equal and a slight edge, which means the Petroff wall should
hold against whatever White throws at you.} *

[Event "16: World Team Ch, Tsaghkadzor"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Movsesian, S"]
[Black "Bu Xiangzhi"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C42"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "OR: The Petroff Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2019.05.30"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 {This is the gateway to the Main Line.} d6 4. Nf3 {
The logical retreat square for the knight.} ({We studied} 4. Nxf7 $5 {in
Chapter One.}) ({We'll look at a game with the baroque} 4. Nc4 {in the next
chapter.}) 4... Nxe4 5. d4 {We will other moves in the next chapter as well.}
d5 {Supporting the e4-knight, while staking out our fair share of the centre.}
({We won't cover the ultra-passive (yet playable) line} 5... Be7 6. Bd3 Nf6 7.
h3 O-O 8. O-O Re8 9. c4 {.}) 6. Bd3 {The only move which even remotely gives
Black any trouble. White's main idea is to undermine support for the e4-knight.
} Be7 7. O-O Nc6 {By far the most popular line.} 8. c4 {Immediately
undermining the e4-knight.} ({We will consider} 8. Re1) ({and} 8. Nc3 {later
in the chapter.}) 8... Nb4 ({An aggressive move and probably better than} 8...
Nf6 {.}) 9. Be2 {White preserves the precious light-squared bishop.} ({We will
look at the less usual} 9. cxd5 Nxd3 10. Qxd3 Qxd5 {in Game 25.}) 9... O-O 10.
Nc3 ({The immediate} 10. a3 {is covered in Games 21-24.}) 10... Bf5 {Black's
main move and the only one we'll concentrate on here.} ({It is perhaps worth
noting that} 10... Be6 $5 {is also playable, when} 11. Ne5 f6 12. Bg4 (12. Nf3
{is also played}) 12... Bc8 $5 13. Bxc8 Rxc8 14. Nf3 c5 $1 {created massive
complications, not unfavourable to Black, in V.Ivanchuk-V.Kramnik, Frankfurt 
(rapid) 1998.}) 11. a3 {Gaining time on the b4-knight while forcing Black to
strengthen White's centre.} Nxc3 ({I was stunned to find six games in the
database where Black, who I surmise had to have been ingesting some kind of
narcotic, played the inexplicable} 11... Nc6 $4 {, simply allowing White to
win a clean, free and important pawn with} 12. Nxd5 {and reaching a winning
position.}) 12. bxc3 Nc6 13. cxd5 {The queen is lured into mid-board, where it
can be chased by White's pieces and pawns.} ({In subsequent games we look at} 
13. Re1 {. The two lines generally transpose after} Re8 ({but delaying the
capture on d5 also gives Black the option of playing} 13... dxc4 {, as we'll
see in Games 17 and 18}) 14. cxd5 Qxd5 {.}) 13... Qxd5 14. Re1 ({Others: a)} 
14. Bf4 Rac8 ({perhaps more accurate than} 14... Bd6 15. c4 Qe4 $1 16. Be3 {
, since Black's d6-bishop is vulnerable to tempo loss with White's future c4-c5
}) 15. Re1 Rfe8 {transposes to the main game.}) ({b)} 14. c4 Qd6 15. d5 Ne5 16.
Nd4 Bd7 17. a4 Rfe8 18. Be3 Qg6 19. Nb5 Bh3 20. Bf3 Bd6 21. Bd4 Nxf3+ 22. Qxf3
Bg4 {and Black already stood slightly better in V.Ivanchuk-V.Kramnik, Nice 
(blindfold rapid) 2008.}) 14... Rfe8 15. Bf4 Rac8 16. Qc1 (16. Bd3 {is White's
main move. We'll look at this in more detail later on. For the moment, note
that after} Qd7 (16... b5 {is also possible, holding back White's c2-c4 at the
cost of creating a pawn target on b5}) 17. Rb1 b6 18. d5 (18. Bb5 {is played
in Game 20}) 18... Bxd3 19. Qxd3 Bxa3 20. Ng5 g6 21. Ne4 {(threatening a
monster fork on f6)} Qf5 22. Bxc7 Rxc7 23. Nf6+ $1 Qxf6 24. Rxe8+ Kg7 25. dxc6
Bc5 26. Rb2 Rxc6 {(P.Leko-B.Gelfand, Moscow 2009) Black had a passed a-pawn, a
powerfully posted bishop and dark square pressure in return for the exchange,
and he stood no worse.}) 16... Bf6 {Bu fights for control of e5.} 17. Qb2 Na5
18. Qb4 {A new move. The idea may suppress Black's future ...c7-c5, since this
would now hang the a5-knight.} (18. Rad1 {is also possible and all ten games
in the database were drawn from this position, a typical example being F.Serban-R.Leitao, ICCF email 2010, which continued} Qb3 19. Qxb3 Nxb3 20. Bc4
Na5 21. Ba2 c6 22. h3 {and the players agreed to a draw in this dynamically
balanced ending.}) 18... Be7 19. Qa4 Bd7 $1 {Black chases White's queen with
tempo, with the idea of re-routing the bishop to a superior diagonal via the
c6-square.} 20. Qd1 Bc6 $1 {This move inhibits movement of White's knight, due
to the mate threat on g2.} 21. Bf1 Qf5 {The queen is well placed on d5 as it
retains control over c4.} ({Therefore, also to be considered is} 21... Bd6 22.
Ne5 Nc4 $1 23. Qg4 Nxe5 24. Bxe5 Bxe5 25. Rxe5 Qd7 26. Qxd7 Bxd7 {, when
Black's chances in the ending are fine, since White's extra space and slightly
weaker structure are features that are geared for an attack, not a simplified
position.}) 22. Bg3 Bxf3 {Both sides get a fair deal. Black damages White's
structure at the cost of the bishop pair and enhanced light square control.}
23. gxf3 $5 {Movsesian gambles that he will benefit more than Black by
retaining queens, even though the structure is damaged around his own king.} ({
After} 23. Qxf3 Qxf3 24. gxf3 Bd6 25. Re3 Kf8 {the ending looks dynamically
balanced.}) 23... Qd7 24. Re5 c5 $5 ({There is nothing wrong with} 24... b6 {
, intending ...Bd6 again.}) 25. dxc5 $5 {Only a person with a deep love of
freedom is capable of such a structurally consequential move. The computer
actually likes White after it – but I don't! --- White plays according to
the principle: open the position when you have the bishop pair. From my
perspective the decision is a self-inflicted desecration in the name of piece
activity, especially since queens are coming off the board. Those six isolanis
and two pairs of doubled isolanis make White's choice appear decidedly
suspicious. However, the computer is just fine with White's decision, so I am
unable to punish the move with the "??" my fingers itch to type.} ({
I would be more inclined to play} 25. Rb1 {.}) 25... Qxd1 26. Rxd1 Bxc5 27.
Rxe8+ (27. Bh3 {is well met by} Rxe5 28. Bxe5 Re8 {.}) 27... Rxe8 28. Bb5 Ra8 {
White's bishops exert tremendous influence, since they effectively send
Black's rook into the corner, as if a naughty six-year-old on a time-out to
his room. They fully compensate for his all-isolani structure.} ({Note that if
} 28... Rc8 29. Bd7 Ra8 {, the rook ends up on a8 anyway.}) 29. a4 {At last he
protects his loose a3-pawn. The computer calls it dead even here.} Bb6 30. Rd7
{White's rook seizes the seventh rank. I'm sorry lovers of dynamism, but I
still prefer Black, since I can't stop looking with deep pity at Les
Miserables on a4, c3, c5, f2, f3 and h2!} a6 {Finally, an aggressive gesture
on Black's part.} 31. Be2 Rd8 32. Re7 Kf8 {The invaders are slowly repelled.}
33. Re4 Rd7 34. Bf4 f6 35. Kf1 (35. Be3 $2 Bxe3 36. fxe3 Rc7 {is a miserable
ending for White.}) 35... Bc5 36. Ke1 Kf7 37. Bf1 g6 $1 {This removes the
sting from Bh3 ideas, since Black can respond with ...f6-f5.} 38. Re2 Bd6 $1 {
According to the principle: when your opponent has the bishop pair, remove one
of them.} 39. Be3 $5 {White may be taking his hooray-for-activity stance a bit
too far. He hands over a full pawn to retain his bishop pair.} ({He is
probably better off attempting to defend with} 39. Bg3 f5 $1 40. Bxd6 Rxd6 41.
f4 {.}) 39... Bxh2 $1 {Well calculated. Bu isn't afraid of being shut in.} 40.
f4 Nc4 41. Bc1 $5 ({White may do better going for opposite-coloured bishops
with} 41. Bh3 Rd3 42. Bc8 Rxc3 43. Bxb7 a5 44. Kf1 Nxe3+ 45. fxe3 Rc1+ 46. Kg2
Bg1 {.}) 41... f5 {Fixing f4 as a target.} ({The computer wants the line} 41...
Nb6 $1 42. Re4 Re7 43. Rxe7+ Kxe7 44. a5 Nd5 45. Bg2 Bxf4 46. Bxd5 Bxc1 47.
Bxb7 Bf4 48. Bxa6 Bc7 49. Ke2 Bxa5 50. c4 {. Maybe Black can win this since he
will eventually create two passed pawns on the kingside, while White's passed
c-pawn is easily blockaded.}) 42. Ra2 $6 ({After} 42. Rc2 $1 Rc7 43. Be2 {
(threatening to transfer the king to g2)} h6 44. Kf1 g5 45. fxg5 hxg5 46. Bxg5
Be5 {, White should save the game.}) 42... Rc7 43. Bd3 $2 ({Black has a much
harder time converting after} 43. Bg2 {.}) 43... Nb6 $1 {Threatening ...Nd5.}
44. c4 {EXERCISE (critical decision): Should Black play 44...Nxc4 - ? If not,
then do you see a better move?} Nd5 $1 {ANSWER: Pin/double attack. Ignore the
c4 red herring and play the knight to d5, since the c4-pawn is pinned.} ({
White was banking on} 44... Nxc4 $2 45. Rc2 b5 46. Kf1 $1 {(threatening Kg2)}
g5 47. fxg5 {and White stands no worse.}) 45. Ba3 ({Not} 45. cxd5 $2 Rxc1+ 46.
Ke2 Bxf4 47. Rb2 Rc7 {and Black should convert.}) 45... Nxf4 46. Bf1 Ne6 {
Blockading White's c-pawn.} 47. Rd2 Be5 48. Bb4 Bd4 $1 {Blockade complete.} 49.
Kd1 h5 {Principle: passed pawns should be pushed.} 50. Kc2 h4 51. Bg2 Be5 ({
Others: a)} 51... Kf6 {is possible.}) ({b)} 51... Rxc4+ $5 {(from a practical
point of view, there is no reason for Black to enter such complications)} 52.
Kb3 Rc1 53. Bd5 {(with the dual threats of Rxd4 and Re2)} Bc5 $1 54. Bc3 Re1 {
and everyone in Black's position is covered. Note that} 55. Bxb7 $4 {loses to}
Rb1+ 56. Bb2 Bd4 57. Bxa6 Bxb2 58. Kc2 Ra1 59. Kxb2 Rxa4 {.}) 52. Kb3 Kf6 53.
Ba5 Rh7 $1 {Principle: place your rook behind your passed pawn.} 54. Bb6 h3 55.
Bh1 h2 56. a5 Rh3+ (56... g5 {is also winning easily.}) 57. Ka2 Rc3 58. Rd1 ({
After} 58. Bxb7 Rxc4 {, the a6-pawn isn't really hanging since the bishop must
cover the h1-promotion square.}) 58... Rxc4 59. Bxb7 Nc5 $1 60. Bd8+ Kg7 61.
Bc6 Rc2+ 62. Ka3 (62. Kb1 Rb2+ 63. Kc1 Nb3# {is an abrupt conclusion.}) 62...
Rc3+ 63. Ka2 {EXERCISE (combination alert): How did Black end the game?} Nd3 $1
({ANSWER: Triple attack. White is unable to defend against the simultaneous
threats on f2, c6 and a knight check on b4. For example,} 63... Nd3 $1 64. Bb6
({or} 64. Bg2 Nb4+ 65. Kb1 Rb3+ 66. Kc1 Bf4+ {and White must block with his
rook, giving up more material}) 64... Rc2+ 65. Ka3 Rxc6 {and Black's knight is
immune from capture.}) 0-1

[Event "17: Monte Carlo (rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2005.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Leko, P"]
[Black "Anand, V"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C42"]
[Annotator "Cyrus Lakdawala"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2005.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "OR: The Petroff Defence"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2019.05.30"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O Be7 8. c4
Nb4 9. Be2 O-O 10. Nc3 Bf5 11. a3 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Nc6 13. Re1 {Retaining central
tension is the main line.} dxc4 {It may seem illogical for Black to break the
tension, while simultaneously activating White's light-squared bishop, yet
there are reasons why this move isn't so bad: 1) With White's bishop on c4,
Black can gain a tempo with a future ...Na5. --- 2) The bishop on c4 blocks
the fluidity of White's c-pawn. --- 3) With White's bishop on c4, if Black
plays a future ...Bg4, the f3-knight is pinned. --- 4) By taking on c4,
Black's queen stays safely on her home square, rather than bouncing around
dangerously in mid-board on d5.} ({Later on we look at} 13... Re8 {.}) 14. Bxc4
Bd6 {In this way Black pre-empts White's potential Bf4, while improving the
activity level of the dark-squared bishop since it now fights for control of
the crucial e5-square.} 15. Ra2 {This way White can transfer the rook to the
e-file.} Qd7 {Connecting rooks.} 16. Ng5 {On the surface this move may appear
unnatural, yet it has its points: 1) Black must now watch out for tricks on f7.
--- 2) Black must be on the lookout for Ne4. --- 3) With the knight on g5,
Black must factor in White's potential Qf3 or Qh5.} ({Instead, after} 16. Rae2
h6 17. Nd2 Na5 18. Ba2 Rfe8 19. Ne4 b5 $1 {(played to reduce the fluidity of
White's central pawns)} 20. Qd3 Re7 21. g4 Bxe4 22. Rxe4 Rae8 {(A.Gueci-B.Lindstrom, ICCF email 2009), White's bishop pair is counterbalanced by the
looseness of his structure.}) 16... Na5 {With White's rook on a2, this is a
favourable moment to play ...Na5, since the bishop must vacate the a2-g8
diagonal.} ({The naïve} 16... h6 {merely weakens Black's king position and
sends the knight where it wants to go after} 17. Ne4 {.}) 17. Bd3 Rae8 {
Black immediately challenges the e-file.} ({In the next game we look at} 17...
b5 {.}) 18. Rae2 {Threatening Bxf5, overloading Black's queen.} Rxe2 19. Qxe2
b6 20. Qf3 Bg6 ({In a later game Black exchanged bishops himself:} 20... Bxd3
21. Qxd3 g6 22. Ne4 f5 23. Nxd6 cxd6 {, F.Varlamov-S.Salzmann, ICCF email 2012,
when White might stand just a shade better due to the bishop over knight.
However, this "advantage" may reverse itself if White's bishop turns into
a bad one later on.}) 21. Bxg6 fxg6 $5 {The principle here is: capture away
from the centre if you feel that your king is in danger.} ({In this case it is
not clear if capturing away from the centre is necessary and Black's position
looks fine after} 21... hxg6 22. Qe4 f6 23. Nf3 g5 {.}) 22. Qe2 h6 ({It is
probably better to fix White's pawns on dark squares with} 22... b5 $1 {.}) 23.
Ne6 Re8 24. c4 Nb3 25. Bb2 $2 {EXERCISE (combination alert): Do you sense a
diverting blockade in the current of White's intent? Leko's last move was a
blunder. What did he overlook?} ({After} 25. d5 Nc5 26. g3 c6 {the position is
balanced.}) 25... Bxa3 $1 {ANSWER: Deflection/pin. White's bishop is deflected
from covering d4.} 26. Bxa3 ({Others: a)} 26. d5 Bb4 27. Rb1 Nc5 28. Bxg7 Qxg7
29. Rxb4 Qa1+ 30. Qf1 Qxf1+ 31. Kxf1 Nxe6 32. dxe6 Rxe6 {is a lost rook ending
for White.}) ({b)} 26. Bc3 $2 {makes matters even worse after} Nxd4 $1 27. Bxd4
Bb4 {, when White can resign.}) 26... Nxd4 27. Nxd4 Rxe2 28. Nxe2 Qd3 $1 29.
Bb2 Qxc4 {Black's queen and three connected passed pawns are overwhelmingly
superior to White's rook and two minor pieces. White's only chance is to try
and generate some kind of attack against Black's king.} 30. h3 c5 31. Ng3 Qb3
32. Be5 a5 {Here they come.} 33. h4 a4 34. h5 Kh7 ({The fearless computer
prefers} 34... gxh5 $1 35. Nxh5 g6 36. Nf6+ Kf7 37. Ne4 a3 38. Nd6+ Ke6 $1 {
. All discovered checks are useless and Black's queenside passers are decisive.
}) 35. hxg6+ Kxg6 36. f4 $1 a3 37. f5+ {Leko does his best to tease out as
much play as he can from his meagre resources to generate threats against
Anand's king but they just aren't enough.} Kf7 38. Ne4 a2 $1 39. Ba1 ({After} 
39. Nd6+ Kg8 40. f6 gxf6 41. Bxf6 Qd3 42. Ne4 b5 $1 {, White's intended attack
goes nowhere as} 43. Nxc5 $4 {is met by} Qd2 44. Re4 Qc1+ {and the knight
falls.}) 39... Qd3 {Covering against knight checks on d6.} 40. f6 gxf6 41. Nxf6
Qd2 $1 42. Kf1 ({If} 42. Rf1 Ke6 {, Black's king escapes to the safety of the
queenside.}) 42... b5 43. Ne4 Qd5 44. Kf2 b4 45. Ke3 c4 46. Rf1+ Ke6 ({A
person can dream, can't he? However, a world champion isn't all that likely to
fall for} 46... Ke8 $4 47. Nf6+) ({or} 46... Kg8 47. Nf6+ {.}) 47. Rf6+ Ke7 48.
Rd6 {EXERCISE (combination alert): Dishearteningly, Leko's heroic effort to
get at Black's king has amounted to nothing and White's position has not aged
gracefully. What is Black's easiest path to victory?} Qxe4+ $1 {ANSWER:
Simplification. White's initiative is finally killed off. Black's extra three
pawns dominate White's lone bishop.} 49. Kxe4 Kxd6 50. g4 c3 {Threatening ...c3-c2, forcing promotion. White's bishop activity level is decidedly
unimpressive on a1.} 51. Kd3 Kd5 {Zugzwang. White's king must give ground.} ({
After} 51... Kd5 52. Kc2 Kc4 53. Kd1 b3 54. Kc1 Kd3 $1 {, there is a further
zugzwang.}) 0-1

