% BOOKTITLE = Opening Repertoire: Queen's Gambit Accepted (sample)
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "About this Publication"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D20"]
[Annotator "Nicolás Yap"]
[PlyCount "5"]
[SourceTitle "OR QGA"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2023.07.01"]

{The Queen's Gambit Accepted,} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 {, has a long history and has always been popular at all levels of play. However, in the past few years it has undergone an explosion of interest, thanks to many new discoveries of possibilities for very dynamic play from Black.} 3. Z0 ({One of these is the line} 3. e4 b5 $5 {. This was previously thought to be a very poor line for Black, but numerous recent games and investigations have completely changed this assessment. This is now almost the main line of the Queen's Gambit Accepted and there is currently very little theoretical material on it.}) ({Nicolás Yap analyses this line in forensic detail and also investigates other popular, counterattacking lines such as} 3. e3 e5 $5 {. The book is rounded off with suggestions to meet other White systems that involve 1 d4 but not 2 c4 (such as the London, Colle, etc). This makes the book a complete repertoire to face 1 d4.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "About the Author"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D20"]
[Annotator "Nicolás Yap"]
[PlyCount "4"]
[SourceTitle "OR QGA"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2023.07.01"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 {--- Nicolás Yap started playing in tournaments aged nine, and won the Northern California K-8 Championship in 2003, the Northern California K-12 Championship in 2009 and was a part of the USA delegation at the 2005 World Youth Championship in Belfort, France. Having recently completed his academic studies he is now restarting his chess career, as well as planning to fulfil his two life dreams of becoming a grandmaster and entering medical school to become a doctor. This is his first book.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Introduction"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D20"]
[Annotator "Nicolás Yap"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceTitle "OR QGA"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2023.07.01"]

{The Queen's Gambit Accepted (QGA) is one of Black's most solid, reliable and active defences against} 1. d4 {. It has remained popular throughout chess history, and its popularity spiked in 2021 due to new discoveries. Its reputation as the most direct way of dealing with 2 c4 by simply accepting the gambit, plus its prowess for allowing Black free development, has never waned.} (1. Z0 {I have played many defences against 1 d4 throughout my career, at some point shifting from one to the other with no direction, just trying to look for a reasonable long-term weapon. I played the Classical Slav as my first defence to 1 d4 in my youth, followed by the King's Indian as a teenager. Towards the end of my teenage years, I shifted from the KID to the Nimzo-Indian/QGD complex and had issues with the Catalan. Thereafter came a hiatus due to university studies. During my 20s I adopted the Grünfeld, which is still one of my main weapons, but the practical problem with the Grünfeld, just like the KID, is that it is a more "low-occurrence" defence. In other words, it takes several moves to actually get to the Grünfeld. After 1 d4 Nf6 White has a billion and one different ways to deviate. Should I get to 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6, there is the very popular 3 h4 nowadays, as well as the extremely sharp 3 f3 Anti-Grünfeld. A similar comparison could be made for the KID. The QGA, however, arises after 1 d4 d5 2 c4 dxc4. True, White can deviate on move two, but in my experience the deviations at White's disposal after 1 d4 d5 are significantly less annoying than after 1 d4 Nf6. For example, the Trompowsky with 1 d4 Nf6 2 Bg5 is way more dangerous than 1 d4 d5 2 Bg5. The only deviation on the second move that I would consider slightly annoying after 1 d4 d5 is the London, and perhaps the Torre and Colle, since my preferred systems involving ...d7-d6 and ...e7-e6 are now not possible. --- The QGA is no longer the opening that it was in bygone eras, considered a boring, yet very solid defence against 1 d4 when you just wanted a draw. Since mid-2021, it has undergone what I would call a renaissance. Fresh ideas have completely rejuvenated the QGA, as well as overturned various lines that were once considered dubious. The main example that stands out is undoubtedly the variation 3 e4 b5.}) (1. Z0 {One characteristic of this book is that the lines that I recommend are not well-trodden paths, but rather a journey through an unknown jungle or wooded area where you have to carve out your own path. --- For various factors that are outside of my control, for the past few years I have been unable to play in over-the-board tournaments. What I did during that time was to follow theoretical battlegrounds with the aim of creating a solid, reliable, yet fighting repertoire for Black against 1 d4. The result is this book. Although I had made it as my own home preparation files geared to my own goals - norm tournaments, playing in high-quality closed and open events throughout Europe, etc - this repertoire can be used by anyone, from the club player up to world champion - whoever they or the next one may be. --- Truth be told, this is not a repertoire for lazy players; it is an ambitious, maximalist repertoire for Black that takes serious study and dedication to employ properly with accuracy and thus success - but the outcome shall be repaid in dividends in terms of results, such as getting your third (and last) IM or GM norm, just winning the club championship, or even winning the men's or women's Candidates cycle.}) (1. Z0 {Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic that had started in 2020, many recent games are rapid and blitz games. There was no other recourse, as over-the-board play was rightly curtailed due to the gravity of the pandemic. While this is not ideal, these games, some of which are presented here, have still contributed significantly to recent theory. --- I have consulted as many sources as possible - printed material in the form of books, as well as electronic material in the form of DVDs, Chessable courses, and old-style courses with mp4 and pgn files - as I see it as important that this book addresses analyses and recommendations of other publications as a prerequisite to providing the reader with updated and correct information. Every single line has been checked by engines, most notably by various versions of Stockfish and Leela Chess Zero (Lc0) - something that would be sheer madness to eschew in any opening book in the era of supercomputers.}) (1. Z0 {I wish you the best of luck in your new QGA adventures. --- Nicolás Yap, San Francisco, California, July 2023.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3: 3 Nf3 Nf6"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Nicolás Yap"]
[PlyCount "6"]
[SourceTitle "OR QGA"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2023.07.01"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 {. In this chapter we analyse 3 Nf3 Nf6, the second of the "three main lines", as I would call them, the first being 3 e4, the most ambitious of all of White's tries, and the others 3 Nf3 and 3 e3, which are highly theoretical as well. --- The play after 3 Nf3 Nf6 is of a more strategic character, but the change in pawn structures bring about highly variable situations, from regular QGA-like positions to sharp Meran Semi-Slav type ones. However, I am rejecting the big main line, 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 e3 e6 5 Bxc4 c5 6 0-0 a6, where thousands of games have been played, especially at elite GM level. I offer a quirkier system that is little explored, as we shall see.} (3... Z0) *

[Event "26. Correspondence"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Soyek, R"]
[Black "Moujan, P"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D24"]
[Annotator "Nicolás Yap"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "OR QGA"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2023.07.01"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 {White plays ambitiously, planning to build a big centre as quickly as possible. The drawback to this plan is that it delays attacking the c4-pawn, which gives Black time to try and defend it.} a6 {Preparing to support the c4-pawn with ...b7-b5.} 5. e4 {Seizing the centre and threatening Bxc4, after which White would have a dream position. Obviously, Black should not let that happen.} ({Instead: -- a)} 5. e3 {is a more restrained way of playing. White still threatens to take on c4, but holds back on occupying the centre completely and exposing the pawns to attack:} b5 ({Black could respond in like fashion with} 5... e6 {, aiming for positions similar to those earlier in the chapter, but pushing the b-pawn anyway is stronger}) 6. a4 b4 {(Black cannot maintain the pawn where it is so has to push it again)} 7. Nb1 (7. Na2 {is worse for White, as it will take the knight longer to come back into the game}) 7... c5 {(various moves have been played here, but I prefer striking in the centre immediately)} 8. Bxc4 e6 9. O-O Bb7 {reaches a crossroads. The question is whether White can make use of their slight lead in development, and the answer is no, not if Black knows what they are doing. Black's play is not particularly difficult; it just follows the basics, such as developing the minor pieces, castling, and bringing the rooks to the middle:} 10. Nbd2 (10. dxc5 Nbd7 {(avoiding the exchange of queens)} 11. c6 Bxc6 12. Nbd2 Bd6 13. Qe2 Bb7 14. b3 O-O 15. Bb2 Qe7 16. Rac1 Nc5 17. Rfd1 Rfd8 18. Bd4 Nfd7 {and Black has good counterplay.} (18... Z0)) 10... Nbd7 11. Nb3 Qc7 12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. Nxc5 Nxc5 14. Nd4 O-O 15. Qe2 e5 {and Black stakes a claim in the centre with the advantage, despite White's bishop pair, as in E.Pigusov-Pr.Nikolic, Sochi 1982.}) ({b)} 5. a4 {forcibly prevents ...b7-b5 but creates more problems than it solves, as it gives Black's pieces free access to the a5- and b4-squares. In particular, the b8-knight has a safe outpost on a5, defending the c4-pawn and eyeing the hole on b3, since White is unable to target the knight with Qa4+. After} Nc6 $1 {(essentially Black now has a nice version of a Chigorin Defence)} 6. e4 ({if} 6. e3 Na5 7. Ne5 Be6 8. e4 Nd7 {, Black hangs doggedly on to the extra pawn}) 6... Bg4 {(pinning the knight and putting pressure on the white centre). White has tried:} 7. Be3 (7. Bxc4 Bxf3 8. gxf3 Qxd4 9. Qb3 {, as in A.Lutikov-B.Ivkov, Sukhumi 1966, is a speculative sacrifice at best. After} O-O-O $1 10. Ne2 ({or} 10. Bxf7 e5 11. O-O Qb4) ({while} 10. Be3 $6 {fails to} Na5 $1) 10... Qd7 11. Bxf7 Kb8 12. O-O e5 13. Be3 Bd6 {, White doesn't really have enough for the pawn.}) (7. d5 Na5 {is also good for Black, though White's score is over 60% in the database, so precision is required:} 8. h3 {(a natural response to the pin on the f3-knight, but Black is already better due to the many holes in White's position)} (8. Bf4 e6 9. dxe6 Bxe6 10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 (10... Rxd8 $2 {drops the c7-pawn}) 11. Nd4 Bb4 12. f3 Kc8 13. Kf2 Rd8 {and Black keeps the extra pawn with the initiative.}) (8. e5 Nd7 {(now White's pawns need constant care)} 9. h3 ({if} 9. Bf4 {then} e6 {again}) 9... Bxf3 10. Qxf3 e6 11. dxe6 fxe6 12. Qg3 Qe7 {and Black remains a pawn up. If they can neutralize the bishop pair, they will end up with an edge, as after} 13. Be2 Qf7 14. O-O O-O-O 15. Be3 Qg6 16. Qxg6 hxg6 17. Bg5 Re8 {.}) 8... Bxf3 9. Qxf3 e5 10. dxe6 fxe6 11. e5 Nd7 12. Qg4 Qe7 13. Bg5 Qf7 14. Bxc4 Nxc4 15. Qxc4 Nxe5 16. Qe4 Bd6 17. O-O O-O {and Black is a safe pawn up with a clear advantage.}) 7... Na5 {(one of Neishtadt's choices in his QGA book)} ({he also gives} 7... e5 8. dxe5 Nd7 9. Bxc4 Ndxe5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Be2 Qxd1+ 12. Rxd1 Be6 {as equal, an assessment that I would say has not changed in the decades since he wrote it}) (7... Bxf3 8. gxf3 Na5 {is good too, giving up a bishop to wreck White's pawn structure}) 8. h3 (8. Be2 e6 ({Neishtadt analyses} 8... Bxf3 {from I.Aloni-C.Van den Berg, Tel Aviv 1958, but Black doesn't have to exchange on f3 right away}) 9. O-O Bb4 10. Qc2 O-O 11. Rad1 c6 {(now ...b7-b5 is possible at any moment)} 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 Be7 {and Black had good play in R.Jancic-V.Mitev, Paracin 2020.}) (8. Qc2 Bxf3 9. gxf3 e6 10. O-O-O ({Neishtadt quotes his own game E.Livshits-I.Neishtadt, Leningrad 1964, saying that} 10. Rg1 $6 {is complicated, but this is a mistake as it wastes time, allowing Black to strike in the centre:} c5 $1 11. dxc5 Qc7 {with an edge}) 10... b5 {with good counterplay due to White's weak queenside.}) 8... Bh5 {(maintaining the pressure on the f3-knight)} 9. g4 {(the best option, even though it creates more holes in White's camp)} (9. Be2 e6 10. O-O Bb4 {is good for Black}) 9... Bg6 10. Nd2 e6 11. f3 ({here} 11. f4 Bb4 12. f5 {traps the bishop, but Black gets strong play after any of} c5 {,} (12... Nxe4 $5 13. Ndxe4 exf5) ({or} 12... exf5 13. exf5 O-O {and ...Re8})) 11... c5 12. Nxc4 cxd4 13. Nxa5 Qxa5 14. Qxd4 Rc8 {and White has regained the pawn with an impressive-looking central mass, but underneath it there are quite a few weaknesses.}) 5... b5 {Protecting the c4-pawn and aiming to fianchetto the bishop on b7.} 6. e5 {Things are getting heated. White tries to build a formation that is conducive to a kingside attack, with pawns on d4 and e5.} ({The forcing line} 6. a4 b4 7. e5 ({White cannot hope for anything after} 7. Na2 Nxe4) 7... bxc3 8. exf6 cxb2 9. fxg7 bxa1=Q 10. gxh8=Q Qd6 $1 {reaches an incredible position. --- QUESTION: Is Black not worse? If White gets Bh6 in, Black could have problems. --- ANSWER: That was why the queen went to d6. Black is not worse - on the contrary, since Black's queen pair (!) is more active than White's, as odd as that sentence sounds. After} 11. Bxc4 ({or if} 11. Qxf8+ Kxf8 12. Bh6+ Qxh6 13. Qxa1 Bb7 14. d5 Qg7 15. Qxg7+ Kxg7 16. Bxc4 Nd7 {, all the queens are off but White's d5-pawn is weak}) 11... Qc3+ 12. Nd2 Qg6 13. Qe5 Nc6 14. Qe3 Qxd4 15. O-O Qxe3 16. fxe3 Be6 17. Bxe6 Qxe6 18. Nf3 h6 {Black has an extra pawn and a slight edge.}) 6... Nd5 7. a4 {The critical move, striking at the queenside pawn phalanx before Black consolidates completely.} ({Playing slowly would seem rather silly to me. For example, if} 7. Be2 e6 8. Ne4 Bb7 9. O-O Be7 10. b3 c3 11. a3 Nc6 12. Bg5 Bxg5 13. Nfxg5 Qe7 {, Black still retains the front c-pawn and can castle on either flank.}) ({Instead,} 7. Ng5 {tries to play in the manner of the Geller Gambit in the Slav Defence. However, the big difference here is that Black has a pawn on c7 (rather than c6), which allows for more flexibility:} e6 {(otherwise White might advance e5-e6 themself)} 8. a4 (8. Qh5 Qe7 $1 9. Be2 Nc6 10. Be3 {, as in A.Korelov-E.Gufeld, Sverdlovsk 1963, can be answered by} g6 $1 {, which leads to the forced sequence} 11. Qf3 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Qxg5 13. Nxd5 exd5 14. Qxd5 Bb4+ 15. Kf1 Rb8 {where Black is much better. If White grabs the queenside pawns with} 16. Qc6+ ({or} 16. h4 Qe7) 16... Bd7 17. Qxc7 Rc8 18. Qb7 Be6 19. Qxa6 O-O 20. Qxb5 {, then} Rb8 {and 21...Rfd8 gives Black a probably decisive initiative.}) 8... Be7 ({honestly, Black has two good options and can fianchetto the c8-bishop instead:} 8... Bb7 {, and if} 9. Qh5 Qd7 10. axb5 axb5 11. Rxa8 Bxa8 12. Nxh7 Nb4 13. Be2 Bxg2 14. Nf6+ gxf6 15. Qxh8 Qxd4 {, Black has a raging attack for the exchange}) 9. h4 {(supporting the g5-knight, but it will soon be kicked away)} Bb7 10. Be2 h6 11. Nge4 b4 12. Nxd5 Bxd5 13. Bf3 O-O 14. Rh3 f5 15. exf6 Bxf6 {, when White has no more attack, and Black remains a pawn up.}) 7... e6 {Of the various ways to defend this variation, I like the game continuation best, allowing White to regain the pawn in order to defuse their threats.} ({If Black tries instead to hang on to c4 with} 7... Nxc3 8. bxc3 Bb7 {, then} 9. e6 $1 {creates serious difficulties, especially in practical play.}) 8. axb5 Bb4 {This is also the choice of both GM Robert Hungaski (in his Modern Chess database, 'Queen's Gambit Accepted') and IM Robert Ris (who gives an "!" on his ChessBase DVD, 'A Complete Black Repertoire Against 1.d4').} ({The alternative is} 8... Nb6 {, which IM James Rizzitano recommends (in his book 'How to Beat 1 d4'); generally we'll play that move next, but I prefer interrupting White's plans by pressuring the c3-knight first.}) 9. Qc2 ({Instead: -- a)} 9. Qa4 $6 {is given an interesting mark in 'Nunn's Chess Openings'. However, this move is simply dubious as the white queen gets targeted immediately:} Bd7 10. Nd2 c6 (10... Bxc3 11. bxc3 Nxc3 12. Qxc4 Nxb5 {is also good}) 11. Nxd5 Bxd2+ 12. Bxd2 cxb5 13. Qa3 exd5 14. Bb4 Nc6 15. Bc5 a5 {and ...b5-b4 comes next.}) ({b)} 9. Qd2 {(White aims to put the queen on f4, so that it can shift to g4 and attack Black's vulnerable g7-pawn)} Nb6 {(the standard response to secure the queenside)} 10. Be2 ({if} 10. bxa6 $6 Rxa6 11. Rxa6 Bxa6 12. Be2 Nc6 13. O-O O-O 14. Qf4 Ne7 15. Qg4 {, as in A.Salem-L.Aronian, online rapid 2022, then} Bb7 $1 16. Ne4 Bxe4 17. Qxe4 Qd5 {gains time for Black to reorganize, such as with} 18. Qc2 ({or} 18. Qg4 Nf5) 18... h6 19. Be3 Ra8) 10... axb5 ({here I deviate from Hungaski's analysis with} 10... Bb7 {; I prefer to resolve the tension on the a-file once and for all, so that Black can know where to put their pieces}) 11. Rxa8 Nxa8 12. Qf4 h6 13. O-O Bxc3 14. bxc3 Nb6 15. Qg3 Kf8 16. Nd2 Qg5 {and Black equalizes by offering a queen trade to extinguish White's attack.}) ({c)} 9. Bd2 {(both defending the knight and breaking the pin)} Nb6 {(we shall see this thematic manoeuvre over and over in this line; Black cannot leave the a8-rook or c4-pawn undefended, since that would permit way too many tactical shots). White now has two main options: exchange on a6 at once or wait until Black has played ...Bb7.} 10. Be2 (10. bxa6 Rxa6 11. Rxa6 ({if} 11. Be2 {, Black can choose between} Bb7 {, transposing to 10.Be2 below} ({and} 11... Rxa1 12. Qxa1 O-O 13. O-O Nc6 14. Be3 Ne7 {, when the knights can come to d5 and f5 with good play})) 11... Bxa6 {(both sides' queensides are now slightly vulnerable due to the absence of rooks there)} 12. Be2 Nc6 {(the knight develops with tempo, attacking d4 again)} 13. Be3 ({if} 13. Ne4 {then} Be7 14. Be3 Nb4) ({or} 13. Bg5 Qd7 14. O-O h6 15. Be3 Ne7 {and again Black's knights head for d5 and f5}) 13... Bb7 14. O-O Bxc3 15. bxc3 Qd5 16. Qb1 Ne7 17. Qb4 Qc6 18. Ra1 Ned5 19. Qa3 Kd7 {and Black is ready to play ...Ra8 to contest the a-file with equality.}) (10. b3 $6 {is poor in view of} Bb7 11. bxa6 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 Qxd4 13. Bxc4 O-O $1 14. Qe3 Qxe3+ 15. fxe3 Nxc4 16. bxc4 {, C.Ward-S.S.Ganguly, British Championship, Torquay 2002, when} Nxa6 {, followed by ...Nc5, gives Black a favourable endgame due to White's inferior pawn structure.}) 10... Bb7 (10... Bxc3 {seems a bit risky: if nothing else White has} 11. bxc3 axb5 12. Rxa8 Nxa8 13. Ng5 h6 14. Nxf7 Kxf7 15. Bh5+ g6 16. Qf3+ Kg7 17. Qxa8 gxh5 18. Qxb8 {, regaining the material}) 11. bxa6 Rxa6 {(Black's pawns may look disgusting, but in this line, as in many others, dynamic play matters more than just structure)} 12. O-O (12. Rxa6 Nxa6 13. O-O O-O 14. Be3 c5 {(this is Hungaski's recommendation, and the more that I analysed it, the more I liked it, so I also recommend it - with all their pieces developed Black doesn't hesitate to blast open the centre)} 15. Nb5 (15. dxc5 Bxc5 16. Qxd8 ({if} 16. Qc1 {then} Qb8 {slides over to the queenside so that d8 is empty for the rook}) 16... Rxd8 17. Rd1 Rb8 18. Nd4 h6 {is an equal queenless middlegame}) 15... cxd4 16. Qxd4 Bc5 {(this leads to a forced sequence and then to a drawn endgame)} 17. Qxd8 Rxd8 18. Nd6 Bxf3 19. gxf3 Bxd6 20. Bxb6 Bc7 21. Bxc7 Nxc7 22. Bxc4 Rd4 23. Rc1 g5 24. b4 Na8 25. Bxe6 fxe6 26. Rc8+ Kf7 27. Rxa8 Rxb4 {and White cannot capitalize on the extra pawn as their king cannot pass the fourth rank.}) 12... Rxa1 13. Qxa1 O-O {(having a quick glance at the position, we can see that both sides have pawn weaknesses: Black has doubled isolanis on the c-file, while White has a backwards d4-pawn and an isolated b-pawn)} 14. Be3 Nc6 15. Qb1 {. --- EXERCISE: With the queen on the dangerous b1-h7 diagonal and a knight ready to jump to g5, White is looking to build an attack. How should Black meet this plan and gain counterplay? --- ANSWER: There are several ways, but the method I like is} Ne7 {(opening the a8-h1 diagonal for the b7-bishop and planning ...Nf5 to harass the e3-bishop which holds White's centre together)} ({another option is} 15... h6 16. Qe4 Nd5 17. Bxc4 Nxe3 {, giving up the c4-pawn to blunt White's initiative and eliminate one of their bishops}) 16. Ng5 g6 {(analysis shows that the dark square holes in Black's camp are not actually dangerous)} 17. Nce4 Nf5 18. Nf6+ Kg7 19. Nge4 Be7 20. Qc1 Bxe4 21. Nxe4 Qd5 22. Bf3 Qd7 ({or} 22... Qb5 23. Nc3 {½-½ M.D.Sørensen-K.R.Jensen, correspondence 2019}) 23. Rd1 Nxe3 24. fxe3 h5 {and Black is fine.}) 9... Nb6 {As before, the knight retreats to b6, where it protects both the a8-rook and the c4-pawn, while opening the a8-h1 diagonal for the light-squared bishop when it comes to b7.} 10. Qe4 {This is the most consistent and critical continuation; White's queen immediately rushes across to attack the kingside.} ({Other moves: -- a)} 10. bxa6 Nxa6 {(stronger than taking with the rook here, since Black has the annoying idea of ...Be7 and ...Nb4)} 11. Be2 ({if} 11. Bg5 Be7 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. Qd2 Bb7 14. Be2 O-O 15. O-O {, M.Achatz-D.Minte, correspondence 2010, then} Nb4 {gives Black an edge}) 11... Be7 12. Qd2 Bb7 13. O-O Nb4 14. Rxa8 Qxa8 15. Qf4 Na2 16. Nxa2 Qxa2 {and White can try to hit Black's vulnerable g7 point by bringing the queen to the g-file. I recommend active play on the queenside to try to divert White's pieces from the other flank, as well as trading the b7-bishop for the white knight if it comes to e4, when White will have big problems penetrating Black's camp. For example:} 17. Qg4 ({or} 17. Qg3 g6 18. h4 Qb3 19. Bd1 Qd3 20. Bh6 Kd7 21. Qf4 Qf5 22. Qd2 Qg4 23. Be2 Ra8 24. Rc1 Ra2 {with a balanced, albeit messy, position}) 17... g6 18. Ng5 Qb3 19. Ne4 h5 {(kicking White's queen as well)} 20. Qf4 Bxe4 21. Qxe4 Nd5 {and Black may even castle short, since White has no way to exploit the apparent weakening of the kingside, while Black can aim to penetrate on the queenside with the heavy pieces.}) ({b)} 10. Be2 {can be met by} axb5 11. Rxa8 Nxa8 {, since the typical tactic of regaining the pawn by capturing on c4 will cost a tempo, White having already moved the bishop:} 12. Bxc4 ({or if} 12. O-O Bxc3 13. bxc3 Bb7 14. Ng5 h6 15. Ne4 Bd5 {, Black has managed to secure the queenside}) 12... Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 bxc4 14. Qa4+ Bd7 15. Qxa8 Bc6 {and the light squares belong to Black, who therefore has the better chances.}) ({c)} 10. Be3 {(a normal-looking but unchallenging move; White develops and protects the d4-pawn at the same time)} Bb7 11. bxa6 Rxa6 12. Rxa6 Nxa6 13. Be2 Be7 14. Bxc4 ({after} 14. O-O Nb4 15. Qb1 Qa8 16. b3 cxb3 17. Qxb3 O-O {, as in V.Malakhatko-F.Abbasov, Sautron 2007, I prefer Black due to their total control of the d5-square}) 14... Nb4 {(if Black takes on c4, White has Qa4+, forking king and knight)} 15. Bb5+ c6 16. Qe4 {, J.Szabolcsi-R.Zoldy, Budapest 2022, can be met by} Ba8 $1 17. Bd3 c5 18. Bb5+ Kf8 19. Qb1 Bxf3 20. dxc5 Bxg2 21. Rg1 N6d5 22. Rxg2 Nxe3 23. fxe3 g6 {with an edge for Black, who can attack White's weak pawns.}) ({d)} 10. Bg5 {(developing the queen's bishop with tempo)} Qd7 11. bxa6 Rxa6 12. Rxa6 Nxa6 13. Be2 Bb7 14. O-O O-O {reaches a fairly normal position, at least for this variation. White will try for a kingside attack, while Black will play in the centre and on the queenside. For example:} 15. Ne4 Ra8 {(Black should not be scared of ghosts; often it looks like White may have some knockout blow, but careful analysis shows this to be bluff)} 16. Bf6 ({if} 16. Qb1 Qd5 17. Nc3 Bxc3 18. bxc3 h6 19. Be3 Nb8 {, the knight can be recycled via d7, or c6 and e7}) 16... Bf8 17. Neg5 g6 18. Nxh7 $5 Kxh7 19. Ng5+ Kg8 20. Qc3 {. --- EXERCISE: The white queen is heading for the h-file to deliver mate on h7. How can Black defend? --- ANSWER: By returning the piece with} Qc6 21. Qh3 ({or} 21. Bf3 Nd5 22. Bxd5 Qxd5) 21... Qxg2+ {, when} 22. Qxg2 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 Nb4 24. Rc1 Nd3 25. Bxd3 cxd3 26. Rd1 Nd5 {reaches an equal endgame.}) 10... Qd5 {Centralizing the queen, preparing ...Bb7, and adding more protection to both the a8-rook and the c4-pawn.} 11. Qg4 axb5 12. Rxa8 Qxa8 {Precision is required in this intensely sharp position. White scores over 60% here, but this is mainly due to Black not knowing how to react properly. The only way that White can try for an advantage is to take on g7 Winawer style.} 13. Qxg7 ({In 'Nunn's Chess Openings', the authors give} 13. Be2 {an exclamation mark and the symbol for White being clearly better, whereas I definitely disagree. Black is only getting started with their counterplay. As Hungaski mentions,} g6 {is then recommended by Aleksander Delchev; I agree with both of them as this is also my preferred choice:} 14. Ng5 (14. O-O {(White is almost done developing, so Black has to act quickly)} Bxc3 {(the simplest way to secure the queenside)} 15. bxc3 h6 {(preventing any Ng5 shenanigans)} 16. Qf4 N8d7 {(no more Qf6 threats either)} 17. Qd2 Na4 {and White is struggling to prove any compensation for the pawn:} 18. Qa2 (18. Ba3 Ndb6 19. Rb1 Nd5 20. Bb4 Bb7 (20... Bd7 {, followed by ...Bc6, also worked out well in W.Brinkmann-T.Lins, correspondence 2006}) 21. h3 g5 22. Ne1 Kd7 {and the king is safe, as Black owns the light squares.}) (18. Bb2 Ndb6 19. Ra1 Bb7 {and the black king can hide with ...Kd7 again later, while White has no entry points on the kingside. Note that} 20. Qf4 $6 g5 21. Qf6 $4 Rh7 {just leads to the queen being trapped.}) 18... Ndb6 19. Qa3 Qe4 (19... Bb7 {and ...Kd7 makes sense too}) 20. Re1 $6 ({White needed to try} 20. Bd1) 20... Qc2 21. Bd2 Bb7 22. Rc1 Qb3 23. Qa1 Qb2 ({or} 23... Be4) 24. Qxb2 Nxb2 25. Ra1 Kd7 {and White was dead lost in A.Dillenburg-I.Chukanov, correspondence 2011.}) 14... h6 15. Nge4 Bb7 16. O-O Bxc3 {(I was a little surprised when analysing this with the engine - it showed that Black was for preference in all lines; Black's king is remarkably safe despite the holes in the kingside)} 17. Nxc3 b4 18. Nb5 Kd7 19. Qf4 {. --- EXERCISE: Black has to decide what to do about f7. Should they protect f7 or let it fall? --- ANSWER: Let it fall!} Kc6 $5 {is one of the maddest moves in the entire book. Black's king hunts the b5-knight and White has to display extreme ingenuity just to stay in the game:} 20. Qf6 ({if} 20. Na3 bxa3 21. Qxf7 Kb5 {, White has to find} 22. b3 $1 Bxg2 23. bxc4+ Nxc4 24. Qe7 $1 Bxf1 25. Qc5+ Ka6 26. Qxc4+ Kb7 27. Qb3+ $1 Kc8 28. Qxe6+ Nd7 29. Bxf1 a2 30. Ba6+ $1 Kd8 31. Qxa2 Nb8 32. Bc4 Qxa2 33. Bxa2 Nc6 34. Be3 Ke7 {and still comes out slightly worse}) 20... Kxb5 21. Qxh8 Bxg2 ({alternatively,} 21... Nc6 $5 22. Qxa8 Bxa8 23. Rd1 h5 24. b3 Na5 25. bxc4+ Naxc4 26. Bd2 Be4 {looks quite unclear, even if "0.00" according to the engines}) 22. b3 Bxf1 23. Bxf1 Ka5 24. Bg2 $1 {(a vital insertion)} ({after} 24. bxc4 $2 Nc6 25. Qxa8+ Nxa8 26. Bg2 Nxd4 27. Bb2 Nf5 28. Bxa8 Ka4 {, Black actually wins with their active king and b-pawn}) 24... Qa7 25. bxc4 Nxc4 26. Bf1 $1 {and White has sufficient counterplay for the two pawns, though if desired Black could just bail out at this point:} Qxd4 27. Qxb8 Qg4+ 28. Kh1 Qe4+ 29. Kg1 Qg4+ {with a draw by perpetual check.}) 13... Bxc3+ 14. bxc3 Qa1 15. Qxh8+ Kd7 {Most major courses cover this line for Black, including Hungaski, Ris, and GM Petar Arnaudov during the Modern Chess QGA online camp.} 16. Kd1 ({Trying to avoid the draw with} 16. Be2 $6 Qxc1+ 17. Bd1 Qxc3+ 18. Nd2 {, as in M.Krasenkow-R.Praggnanandhaa, FIDE World Cup, Krasnaya Polyana 2021, only lands White in trouble:} Nc6 19. Qxh7 Nxd4 20. Qxf7+ Kc6 21. Qf4 $2 (21. h4 {puts up more resistance}) 21... Nd5 22. Qe4 {and now} Kb6 $1 23. h4 Nb4 24. Rh3 Nd3+ 25. Rxd3 cxd3 26. Qe3 c5 27. h5 b4 {would have won for Black, according to Krasenkow.}) 16... Qa4+ {In the same exact vein, White cannot avoid the perpetual.} 17. Kd2 Qa2+ 18. Kd1 Qb3+ 19. Kd2 Qa2+ 20. Ke1 Qc2 21. Bg5 (21. Bd2 Qb1+ {led to another draw in G.Antova-I.Schitko, Dulles 2022.}) 21... Qb1+ 22. Ke2 Qd3+ 23. Ke1 Qb1+ 24. Ke2 {. Neither side can avoid the repetition.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "27. Correspondence"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2012.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Mudra, O"]
[Black "Bennett, Cr"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D23"]
[Annotator "Nicolás Yap"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2012.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "OR QGA"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2023.07.01"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 dxc4 4. Qa4+ {A rather secondary line, but it can be a venomous surprise option.} Nc6 ({Black's main response is} 4... c6 {, which leads to passive Catalan-style positions after White captures on c4 and fianchettoes the bishop on g2. I prefer to avoid any type of Catalan where Black suffers (which arguably can be said of any Catalan position), so I recommend placing the knight on c6, where it puts immediate pressure on the d4-pawn.}) 5. Nc3 {White plans to expand in the centre with e2-e4.} ({a)} 5. g3 $6 {, trying for Catalan positions anyway, is dubious because of} Nd5 6. Qxc4 Nb6 7. Qd3 e5 $1 8. Nxe5 ({or} 8. dxe5 $2 Qxd3 9. exd3 Bg4) 8... Nb4 9. Qd2 (9. Qd1 $6 {runs into} Bf5 10. Na3 f6 11. Nf3 Nc4 $1 {and White is in trouble}) 9... Bf5 $5 ({in his Chessable course, '¡Pura Dinamita! Gambito de Dama Aceptado', GM José González states that Black has to play} 9... Qxd4 10. Qxd4 Nc2+ {and ...Nxd4, which is good too, but ...Bf5 is still possible}) 10. Na3 f6 11. Nf3 Qd7 {and Black castles queenside with a big initiative.}) ({b)} 5. e3 {is too quiet to cause Black any problems. In response I like} Nd7 6. Bxc4 ({if} 6. Qxc4 e5 $1 7. dxe5 Ndxe5 8. Nxe5 Nxe5 {, Black is already fine}) 6... Nb6 7. Qb3 Nxc4 8. Qxc4 Be6 9. Qc2 Bg4 10. Nbd2 e6 11. O-O Bd6 12. b3 O-O {and Black has a decent position with the bishop pair, as in J.Lechtynsky-Y.Balashov, Trnava 1988.}) ({c)} 5. Qxc4 {is the main alternative, regaining the pawn straight away. --- EXERCISE: It looks like White is going to play Nc3 and e2-e4 with the aim of steamrolling in the centre. How should Black react? --- ANSWER: With active play, busting the position open with} e5 $1 {. Now all sorts of threats are in the air, not least developing the c8-bishop with tempo:} 6. Nxe5 (6. dxe5 Be6 7. Qh4 ({and} 7. Qa4 Nd7 {, intending ...Nc5, as in B.Ahlander-S.Brynell, Swedish Championship, Skara 2002}) 7... Bb4+ 8. Bd2 Nd7 9. Qxd8+ Rxd8 10. a3 Bxd2+ 11. Nbxd2 Ndxe5 {are already fine for Black.}) 6... Nxe5 7. dxe5 Be6 {(this intermezzo allows Black to develop before dealing with the threat to the f6-knight)} ({alternatively, Ris recommends} 7... Ng4 8. Bf4 c6 {, as in R.Rapport-L.Dominguez Perez, St. Louis 2021, which is also good}) 8. Qc2 ({if} 8. Qa4+ Qd7 9. Qxd7+ Nxd7 10. Bf4 O-O-O 11. Nc3 Bb4 12. f3 c6 {, Black has compensation for the pawn in the form of superior development and a safer king}) 8... Ng4 9. Bf4 g5 10. Bg3 Bg7 11. e3 Nxe5 {and Black looks to have a nice version of a ...g7-g5 Budapest Gambit.}) 5... Nd5 $5 {This manoeuvre is suggested by IM Graeme Buckley in his book 'Easy Guide to the Queen's Gambit Accepted'. The idea is either to defend the c4-pawn from b6, or jump to b4 and disrupt White's piece coordination while avoiding passive positions.} 6. Qxc4 ({After} 6. e4 Nb6 7. Qd1 {Buckley recommends 7...Bg4, which is almost always played, but, as he duly points out, it can lead to cramped positions for Black. Instead,} f5 $5 {is a very interesting way to avoid that problem. The idea is to strike at White's centre immediately and take control of the light squares:} 8. d5 {(the only critical reply)} fxe4 9. Ng5 Nb4 10. Bxc4 e6 {(without this move, Black would be worse)} ({White's move is possible as} 10... Nxc4 $6 11. Qa4+ {regains the piece with advantage}) 11. Bb5+ {(taking on e6 would lose on the spot, as the c4-bishop is hanging at the end)} c6 12. dxc6 Qxd1+ 13. Kxd1 bxc6 14. Be2 Be7 15. Ncxe4 O-O {and Black has more than enough activity to compensate for the structural deficit.}) 6... Ndb4 {Now White has to deal with threat of ...Nc2+.} 7. Qb3 Be6 {EXERCISE: White has only two options with their queen that do not lose immediately. Which is the best square? --- ANSWER: The a4-square is the only viable choice, since it pins the c6-knight.} 8. Qa4 ({Retreating the queen to d1 loses the d-pawn to} 8. Qd1 $2 Nxd4 9. Nxd4 Qxd4 {, due to the ...Nc2+ fork.}) 8... Bd7 {X-raying White's queen and threatening ...Nxd4.} 9. Qd1 ({Otherwise} 9. Qb3 e5 $5 (9... Be6 {repeats the position}) 10. dxe5 Be6 11. Qa4 Bd7 {is another way. White could then avoid the draw with} 12. e6 $5 Bxe6 ({or} 12... fxe6 $6 13. Qd1) 13. a3 Nd5 14. Bd2 Nb6 15. Qc2 {, but Black is fine in any case.}) 9... e5 $1 {And again! Who said that the QGA was boring? Black sacrifices a pawn to free the pieces.} 10. a3 ({After} 10. dxe5 Bf5 {(threatening ...Nc2+)} 11. Bg5 f6 12. e4 ({or} 12. exf6 gxf6 13. e4 fxg5 14. exf5 g4 {, as in G.Windhausen-J.Bokar, correspondence 2014}) 12... fxg5 13. exf5 g4 14. Nd2 Nxe5 {, with a check coming on d3, Black is at least equal.}) 10... exd4 11. axb4 dxc3 12. bxc3 {FM Graham Burgess stops here in his book 'A Cunning Opening Repertoire for White', stating that the position is unbalanced where either side can win, and that 6...Ndb4 is objectively fine for Black. I agree with all of that, while adding that in practice I would take Black, who often develops more quickly, and the b4/c3 complex can become weak if White mishandles the position.} Qf6 13. Bd2 ({Pushing on with} 13. b5 $6 {only increases the activity of Black's pieces:} Ne5 14. Nd4 Bc5 15. e3 O-O-O 16. Qc2 Rhe8 17. Be2 Qg5 {and Black has a strong initiative.}) 13... Ne5 14. e3 $6 {White has to hurry up with development, but there's no need to play so passively.} (14. e4 {looks more logical, intending} Z0 15. Nxe5 Qxe5 16. Bd3 {and 0-0.}) 14... Bd6 {The bishop goes to d6 to anticipate White's inevitable kingside castling.} 15. Nxe5 $6 ({Here} 15. Be2 {would be more circumspect.}) 15... Qxe5 16. Bd3 Qd5 {Attacking both the d3-bishop and the g2-pawn.} 17. Be2 $2 {Now White is simply falling apart.} ({Although unpleasant,} 17. Bf1 {was necessary.}) 17... Qxg2 18. Bf3 Qg6 19. Bxb7 Rb8 20. Bd5 c6 {White has many problems but the biggest by far is that their king has nowhere to go. It is a sitting duck in the centre of the board.} 21. Bf3 O-O 22. Rxa7 Be6 23. Ra6 Rfd8 24. Rxc6 Rd7 25. Kf1 Be5 26. Rxe6 Qxe6 27. Qe2 Qh3+ 28. Bg2 Qf5 29. e4 Qf6 {Despite material still being roughly balanced, White is dead lost here.} 30. Be3 Bxc3 31. Bf3 Rxb4 32. Kg2 h6 33. Rd1 Rxd1 34. Qxd1 Bd4 35. Bxd4 Rxd4 36. Qb3 Rd6 37. Qb8+ Kh7 38. Qb5 Qf4 39. Qf5+ Qxf5 40. exf5 Kg8 41. Be4 Kf8 42. Bf3 Rd4 43. Kg3 Ke7 44. Bg4 Rd5 45. Kf3 Kf6 46. Kg3 Rxf5 47. h4 g5 48. h5 Rc5 49. Be2 Ke5 50. Bd1 Rc3+ 51. f3 f5 52. Be2 Kd4 53. Ba6 Rb3 54. Bc8 Ke5 55. Ba6 g4 56. Be2 gxf3 57. Bxf3 f4+ 58. Kg4 Re3 59. Bc6 Rg3+ 60. Kh4 Kd4 61. Ba8 Ke3 {. The game only lasted so many moves because White took a long time to resign.} 0-1

[Event "28. Correspondence"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Sukhanitskij, S"]
[Black "Kochan, I"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D23"]
[Annotator "Nicolás Yap"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "OR QGA"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2023.07.01"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 {Here we examine a few remaining options at White's disposal on their fourth move.} 4. g3 {White aims for a Catalan-style position. I prefer to avoid that sort of thing as Black, since it often means long-term, drawn-out suffering.} ({a)} 4. Bf4 c6 {(this transposes to a sideline of the Slav, but a good version since White's bishop doesn't belong on f4 so early after Black takes on c4)} 5. g3 ({if} 5. e3 $6 b5 {, Black keeps the pawn safely}) 5... g6 {(if White fianchettoes, Black should too, so avoiding any Catalanesque positions)} 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Qd2 O-O 8. Bg2 Bg4 9. O-O Nd5 10. Bh6 Nd7 11. Bxg7 Kxg7 12. h4 N5f6 13. Nh2 Qb6 {and Black keeps the pawn again with a better position.}) ({b)} 4. Na3 $6 {(White tries a cunning strategy of recovering the pawn and placing the knight on the nice c4 square)} e5 $1 {(shattering White's ambitions by striking immediately in the centre; it doesn't matter that e5 is covered twice by White's forces, as tactics allow this move anyway)} 5. Nxe5 ({everything else is terrible for White:} 5. dxe5 $2 Qxd1+ 6. Kxd1 Ne4 7. Be3 c3 $1) ({or} 5. Nxc4 $2 e4 {, which was P.Keres-B.Gurgenidze, Rapina 1967}) ({or} 5. e3 $2 e4 6. Ne5 Bxa3 7. Qa4+ c6 8. Qxa3 b5) ({or} 5. Qa4+ $2 c6 6. dxe5 b5) 5... Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Bxa3 7. Qa4+ b5 8. Qxa3 ({not} 8. Qxb5+ $4 c6 9. Qxc4 Be6 {and Black keeps the piece}) 8... Qxd4 9. Nf3 {(the only way to stay in the game)} (9. Qf3 $2 Qxe5 10. Qxa8 Qxb2 11. Rd1 O-O 12. Qxb8 c3 {was winning for Black in R.Boger-B.Fagerström, correspondence 2014}) 9... Qb6 10. Ba5 Qa6 11. Bxc7 Qxa3 12. bxa3 Nc6 13. Ne5 Nd5 14. O-O-O Nxc7 15. Nxc6 Bd7 16. Ne5 Be6 {and if anyone is better it is Black.}) 4... c5 {Striking back in the centre at once.} 5. Qa4+ {This is the only decent reply.} ({a)} 5. Bg2 Nc6 $1 {(piling the pressure on d4)} 6. Qa4 $6 ({but if} 6. Be3 Nd5 7. Nc3 Nxe3 8. fxe3 e6 {, White's structure is unenviable, M.Krasenkow-R.Praggnanandhaa, FIDE World Cup, Krasnaya Polyana 2021}) 6... cxd4 7. Nxd4 Qxd4 8. Bxc6+ Bd7 9. Bxd7+ Qxd7 {is good for Black, in view of} 10. Qxc4 Rc8 11. Qf4 {(the only way to defend the bishop)} Nd5 12. Qd2 Qh3 13. Nc3 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Qg2 15. Rf1 Qc6 16. Bb2 e6 {, when the white king is stuck in the middle again, D.Izquierdo-Er.Mendez, Villa Ballester 1995.}) ({b)} 5. Nc3 cxd4 6. Qxd4 Qxd4 7. Nxd4 a6 {. --- QUESTION: Is it not a bit early to play for ...b7-b5, given that White is planning to fianchetto on g2 with a big lead in development? --- ANSWER: It could be, which is why that is not the point of ...a7-a6. The idea is to stop knight jumps to b5 before Black pushes in the centre with ...e7-e5. For example:} 8. e4 ({or} 8. Bf4 Nbd7 9. Nc2 e5) 8... e5 {(also preventing White from playing e4-e5 themself)} 9. Nf3 ({or} 9. Nf5 b5 10. Bg5 Nbd7 {, followed by ...h7-h6 and ...Bb7}) 9... Nc6 10. Bxc4 Bg4 {and White is clearly worse, despite having regained the pawn, since they have ceded the initiative completely.}) 5... Qd7 $5 {Any other method of blocking the check would transpose directly to the Catalan, something we are trying to avoid.} ({GMs Semko Semkov and Aleksander Delchev, in their book 'Understanding the Queen's Gambit Accepted', recommend the usual} 5... Nc6 {, but I prefer to enter less well-charted waters.}) 6. Qxc4 ({White can hardly hope for anything after} 6. Qxd7+ Bxd7 7. dxc5 Nc6 {, followed by ...e7-e5.}) 6... cxd4 {Black has free piece play whichever way White recaptures on d4.} 7. Qxd4 ({If} 7. Nxd4 {, the pawn lever ...e7-e5 can be used with tempo:} e5 8. Nf3 b5 $1 {(energetic play; Black opens the a8-h1 diagonal and is ready to fight for control with ...Bb7)} 9. Qc3 ({or} 9. Qb3 Nc6 10. Bg2 e4 {, followed by ...Nd4 and ...Bb7}) 9... e4 {(hitting the knight again)} 10. Bg2 Bb7 11. Ne5 Qe6 12. Qc7 Bd5 13. Nc3 Bd6 14. Qxf7+ {(forced)} Qxf7 15. Nxf7 Kxf7 16. Nxd5 Nxd5 17. Bxe4 {, C.Bartsch-V.Sukhorskij, correspondence, and here I would throw in} Bb4+ 18. Kf1 Ke6 {, when White lacks full compensation for the material deficit.}) 7... Nc6 8. Qxd7+ Bxd7 9. Bg2 {White will castle to avoid tactical shots in the centre; meanwhile Black can gain a foothold there and potentially end up with more space.} e5 10. O-O h6 {This prevents any annoyances from a white knight or bishop coming to g5.} 11. Nc3 (11. b3 {led to exchanges with} e4 12. Nfd2 Nd4 13. Nxe4 Nxe2+ 14. Kh1 Nxe4 15. Bxe4 O-O-O {and soon a draw in T.Baranowski-P.Wolfelschneider, correspondence 2011.}) 11... Bb4 {With the possible idea of exchanging on c3, saddling White with three pawn islands and a weak c-pawn that can come under heavy fire on the half-open c-file.} 12. Bd2 {White keeps the queenside secure, so Black opts to force exchanges again.} e4 13. Ne1 Nd4 14. Nxe4 Bxd2 15. Nxd2 Nxe2+ 16. Kh1 O-O-O {Black evacuates their king from the centre and prepares to centralize the rooks. Although the position is objectively level, I think the onus is on White to keep the balance.} 17. Nc4 {The threat of Nd6+ is easily prevented.} (17. Nb3 {seems more precise, heading for either c5 or a5, and keeping an eye on d4. In return any of} Be6 (17... Rhe8) ({or even} 17... h5 $5 {is fine for Black.})) 17... Kc7 18. Nc2 Be6 19. N4e3 $6 ({And here} 19. N2e3 {, when} Ng4 20. Nxg4 Bxc4 21. Ne3 Be6 22. Rfd1 {is still equal.}) 19... h5 ({If} 19... Rd2 {, invading on the second rank,} 20. Na3 {and Nac4 looks to expel the rook again, while} Rxb2 21. Rfb1 Rxb1+ 22. Rxb1 {gives White enough play for the pawn, with either Rxb7 or Nb5+ to follow}) 20. Rfe1 Nd4 21. Nxd4 Rxd4 22. Kg1 Kb8 (22... Ng4 {might offer Black a tiny edge.}) 23. b3 Rhd8 24. Kf1 h4 25. Red1 {Now the game peters out to a drawn ending.} a5 26. Rxd4 Rxd4 27. Ke2 a4 28. Nc2 Rd7 29. bxa4 hxg3 30. hxg3 Bc4+ 31. Ke1 Ng4 32. Ne3 Nxe3 33. fxe3 Rd3 34. Kf2 Rd2+ 35. Kg1 Bxa2 36. a5 Bd5 37. Bxd5 Rxd5 38. a6 1/2-1/2

