GMGolubev wrote on 11/16/09 at 09:37:42:


White always had pressure, but I don't think he ever had anything that could come to fruition. Of course, that could just be my shortcomings as a player and analyst.  I'll take another look at the game.

I really want something that gives even a little += to white, hence why I'm looking so hard at Kozul's Gambit and trying to find something after 10. Nd3 f5 11. Bd2 fxe4, since I like white's chances in the more theoretical alternatives to 11...fxe4.

In searching for an edge for white, and trying my hardest to equalize with black, my own analysis indicates black doesn't even equalize after 13...Rf6. In fact, he ends up plainly worse, and without the typical "hope and a prayer" attack.

The critical variation is, without a doubt, 13...Ng6. From there: 14. c5 Nxc5 15. b4 Na6 16. Nb5 Rf7!

Now, 17. Nd3 would transpose to a recent game where black drew comfortably (Topalov - Radjabov, Nanjing 2009). White always had compensation, but never any concrete threats. Radjabov preferring 13...Ng6 should also send a message.

17. Nxa7 is met by 17...Nxb4, and black isn't worse provided he remembers a really cute equalizing idea, for example:

18. Qb3 Na6 19. Nxc8 Qxc8 20. a4 Bf6 21. Nd3 g4! 22. fxg4 Bh4, and black is no worse, maybe even for choice.

At this point in time the Classical KID looks really good from the black point of view. Black has equalized the Bayonet, he can avoid the theoretically problematic lines in 9. Ne1 Nd7 10. Nd3 f5 11. Bd2 with fxe4, and 9. Nd2 is well met by 9...a5 with ...Bd7 and following along the lines of Kramnik - Van Wely, Amber 2008.

It's hard to admit as someone that only plays the white side. At this point in time white's best chance would be trying to find an edge after 10. Nd3 f5 11. Bd2 fxe4, based on the information I have, or resurrecting the Bayonet after Radjabov's 12...Kh8.

I consider 13.Rc1 to be fairly toothless.  This is an old idea that was supplanted by Korchnoi-Hulak (1989 (I think)) 13.Nb5!?  The problem with 13.Nb5 is b6! So Korchnoi started playing 13.a4 instead.

13.Rc1 Rf6 14.c5 seems speculative at best.  After 14...Nc5 15.b4 Na6!? I don't think Black has any real worries.  16.Nb5 seems to be mixing up systems and just a bunch of sound and fury.  Black has numerous good lines and doesn't even have to go into the confusion of your variation. For instance, Black can play a la Karpov's recommendation with 16...b6.


Having said all that, you are probably right about 19...Nc8 being a blunder.  Gallagher was probably banking on a timely Bb5 for Black, but it never materializes.

I once played 17...Rh6 in a game and got good attacking chances, although I later lost the game after missing a chance to break through on the kingside.