18.Nf1 is a decent try for white

MemoryMaster wrote on 01/01/10 at 08:56:36:


Neil McDonald gives a good explanation of the main line Chigorin positions in his Move-by-Move book.  His overall conclusion seems to be that, although Black reaches a playable position, with the e5 pawn firmly defended and space on the queenside, White still keeps an edge.  If you go back a few moves, White has pawns on d4 and e4, and Black has pawns on d6 and e5.  So White has more space, and while his pieces seem congested, they actually have more room to maneuver than Black's.  The other feature of the position is that, while Black is solid, later in the game the b5 pawn, and to a lesser extent the e5 pawn, may become targets.

if you fast forward to the diagram position, my computer doesn't think White has much of a theoretical edge here, but, in practice, the White position seems easier to play.  If you look through some of the games in this line, you'll see that White is usually able to double rooks on the c-file and trade the dark-squared bishops.  Play then seems to depend on whether White can safely win the weak Black b-pawn.  With best play it should probably be a draw.  But White seems to dictate the play, while Black isn't able to do much, other than try to hold.

It would be interesting to know why the main line Chigorin has fallen out of favor at the top.  Have the super GMs concluded that its better for White, are there more reliable lines to hold the draw, or is this just a temporary case of chess fashion?

The answer to question 2 can be found in the May 2008 update.  Kevin's discussion of the ..Rd8 line in that update is the best recent coverage of this line that I've seen.  Worth subscribing.

Staying with Q4:

In fact the position after 16.Nbd2:



is a tabyia for the Closed Spanish. Black has to do something right now (I feel so) because otherwise White will get everything he wants: concluding his knight manouvre to g3, place the a-rook on c1 - he is ready for every action on board. I think White plays for "structure" in this kind of position whereas Black has to go for "dynamics".

The most logical move is a bishop move now 16...Bd7, 16...Ba6 or 16...Be6 (after 17.d7 there is ...Nb4!) finishing his development and improving his piece placement.

Attacking moves like 16...Nb4 or 16...a3 will probably backfire (not forgeting that the bishop is still on c8 obstructing this square for a rook). These moves are simply answered by natural responses - therefore we dont have to memorize these lines.

Back to moving the bishop:

16...Bd7:
White has two interesting plans - finish his knigth manouvre or finish his development (Rc1); both approaches need careful responses from Black and as you showed the main line after 17.Rc1 looks like an even position (therefore 17.Nf1 may be more interesting).

16...Be6:
As 17.d5 leads to nothing White should prepare this threat - he has the possibility to move his bishop (b1 or d3 - I like: 17.Bd3 Qb8 (protecting b5) 18.a3!) or to play a3 (which can surprisingly be answered by 17...Rfc8!)

16...Ba6:
This looks like a direct way to solve problems for Black - he finishes his development and protects b5 within one move. On the other hand I think Black has to be careful not move too many pieces to the queenside, cause White's chances on the king side may improve fast and the bishop may be missing there.

Happy New Year!

I wish I could answer your questions with clear evaluations but then I would be Leko at least  . Despite I had your diagram positions in several games I feel like a woodpusher and know deep insight how complicated chess is.

OK - I like to give some suggestions to keep this thread rolling:

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The better player wins is the only thing which comes to my mind here. I somehow remember that playing for ...f5 in this variation (I think it's called "Panov") is somewhat dubious but I cant remember why - perhaps someone else does...

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I think both moves (14.Nf1 and 14.b3) are possible (I think one is recommended in Khalifman's book). I always play 14.d5 in reply to Rd8 to avoid complications.

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Yes b5 will be weak and there are classical examples where White exploits this (there is a grandious Leko-game some years ago). On the other hand Black starts counterplay on the queenside and conquers space there - again as with "Q1" the better player wins.

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As always in the Closed Spanish White has the possibility to play on two flanks. Furthermore he can act in the centre when he likes. Black needs to carefully defend his position and observe White's piece movements (and keep an eye on b5). If the time comes he may release the tension in the centre with ed4 followed by d5. And I like to continue my monologue: The better player wins.

Closed Spanish - Wonderful to play with White and Black!