International
RSSU Chess Cup

Tournaments↓

A.Lastin (Russia) - A.Timofeev (Russia)

A. National Cup stage among men 

Sicilian Defense. Paulsen Variation

Round 5

 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cd 4. Nd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2 Nf6 7. Be3 b6 

Experimental continuation. "Must be" in different modifications of Paulsen Variation is à7-à6 move. S.Tartakover, author of multiple chess aphorisms, once noticed that in "Sicilian Defense pawn à6 is like "baby-sitter" for the Queen side and center of Black". Indeed - pawn à6 protects square b5 from White Knights and maintains counter play with promotion b7-b5. In the game Black wants to save time moving a7-a6, seeking accelerated mobilization of Queen side pieces moving b7-b6 and Bb7. Worth mentioning that grandmaster V.Zvyagintsev tried to implement the same idea in several games, though unsuccessfully. For example in the game B.Ivanovich - V.Zvyagintsev (Tivat 1995) was: 7.0-0 (instead of 7.Be3) 7...b6 8.Bg5 Bb7 9.Ndb5 Qb8 10.Qd2 Bc5 11.Rad1 White having attacking position. 8. O-O Nd4

[In the game Magem Badals - V.Zvyagintsev (Pamplona 1995) was 8... Bb7 9. Ndb5 Qb8 10. a4 Bb4 11. f4 Ne7 12. Na2 a6 13. Nb4 ab 14. e5 Nfd5 15. Nd5 Nd5 16. Bd4 ba 17. c4 , and in that a slightly better position for White, competitors agreed on draw. In the game grandmaster A.Timofeev exchanges aggressive and constantly jumping to b5 White Knight.] 

9. Bd4 e5 Typical for Paulsen Variation. Black places central pawns at black squares previously moving Bishop f8 forward in front of the pawn line.  10. Be3 Bb7 11. Bd3 Bb4 Struggling for d5 and å4. In case of exchanging of Bishops placed on black squares11...Bc5 possible answer is 12.Bg5.

12. Nb5 Now White Queen side Knight moves to b5, though it seems not dangerous for Black. 12... Qc6 13. a3 Bc5 This continuation suits the strategy of Black. However according to all the moves in the game a better option is 13...Be7 14.Qf3.       14. Bc5 Qc5

[In case 14... bc follows 15. Bc4! O-O 16. Nd6]

 

 

15. b4 Qc6 16. f4! Seeking to maximum use advantage in flanchetto.

[To the advantage of White leads 16. c4 O-O 17. Nc3] 

16... d6? Again logical continuation, which met tactical rebut. Obviously due to delay in flanchetto Black seeks to maintain closed style of position, but it lacks one move for complete safety.

[Should be done 16... O-O (16...ef 17.Qd2 with White’ initiative) 17. fe Ne4 18. Qg4 d5! gaining safe position.] 

 

 17. Nd6!! Unexpected blow and position of Black is ruined! 17... Qd6 18. Bb5 Ke7 19. Qd6 Kd6 20. Rad1 Ke6

[Or 20... Kc7 21. fe Ne4 22. Rf7 Kb8 23. Rdd7 Bc8 24. Rde7 , and Black pieces are paralyzed.] 

21. Bc4 Ke7 22. fe Rac8 23. ef gf 24. Bb3 Combination resulted in White having extra pawn and better position. From now forth White victoriously uses its advantage. 24... Rhg8 25. Rf4 Rg5 26. Rdf1 Rcg8 27. g3 R8g6 28. Kf2 Rh5 29. h4 Re5 30. Re1 Rg8 31. Bc4 Bc8 32. Re3 f5 33. Ref3 Rd8 34. Bd3 fe 35. Rf7 Kd6 

 36. Be4! One more "little combination" breaks down the resistance of Black. 36... Re4 37. Rd3 Ke6 38. Rd8 Kf7 39. Rc8 h5 40. Kf3  [1:0]