Doesn't look fun no. I was wondering about 13.. Qc7 instead of Nxe5 which doesn't seem totally absurd. Big problems castling etc for black.

There are some other issues mind - Khalifman reckons that 12 Bd3 gives white a 'safe, stable advantage' and gives a fair bit of analysis to back this up. Thats in addition to giving a lot of coverage to the (rather dangerous!) traditional main line of the Ng5 stuff.

Really not a choice you'd ideally want to let white make that. Of course you might wish to dissent fafter careful study  

To pedantically answer the original question, black might be able to defend it with massively accurate play - there's a huge drawing margin in chess! - but whether its at all rewarding.....

11 ...Qc7 direct does seem to be rather more demanding of white and Khalifman doesn't seem sure if its totally refuted or just a bit unpleasant.

Or - should you wish to take on a5 - you might want to investigate 10.. Nbd7 and Qxa5 ideas. They don't seem absurd.

12.Ng5 Rf8 13.Be2! Ne5

Goldrake wrote on 06/11/11 at 11:25:11:


Moskalenko's suggestion 12.Ng5 Rf8 13.Be2! (new move) seems very strong.

No.