I think it is a matter of taste in the 9 Nd5 lines. I did rather play white and others preferces black. I think that the better player wins.

gewgaw wrote on 08/23/11 at 17:05:14:


Exaggerated at least.

IMHO, the "main lines" against the Svesh are more or less equally distributed upon

1) the Rossolimo (Bb5 seems much more frequent after Nc6 then after ...d6)

2) the positional variation without the h4 break (Nd5 Be7 Bxf6 Bxf6, c3, Nc2, a4, Rxa4, b3, O-O ...)

3) [...] with the h4 break

4) the positional variation - clamping on the white squares (Bxf6 Bxf6 c4)

5) the Bxf6 gxf6 variation with c3, exf5, Nc2, Ne3 ... (experts vs.)

6) the Bxf6 gxf6 variation with the Nxb5 sacrifice

7) the Bxf6 gxf6 variation with Bd3 Be6 O-O Bxd5 (dismantling the sicilian)

7. is not so popular anymore since the Rb8 novelty, but may get a boost as it was recommended by de la villa. 3., 4. and 6. are "modern" treatments raising in popularity lately (and I would consider the Nxb5 sacrifice the most dangerous alternative by far), but I would not consider them more popular than the "quiet" treatment of 2.





To call the h4 sac the "absolute mainline" is a bit drastic, I would say. White's attack does not run smooth and easy and he has to find an efficient way to organize an ongoing attack while finding shelter for his king. The latter seems to be quite a problem, as a Kc1 is rather loose (Qf6 etc) and a Kc2 blocks the attacking route for the Ra2. Kd3 is interesting, yet brave! Despite its first appearance as very dangerous for black and the mind-boggling defensive resources black has to rely on (g5 / h5 ), I would guess that this line is perfectly acceptable for black. If this turns out wrong, black can rely on earlier alternatives like O-O + Rb8 instead of O-O + Bg5, which is also quite appealing.

"Black's defence holds on a thread, but its a strong one! - Kolev/Nedev

There is also Moiseenko's 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c4 Ne7!?

Stefan Buecker wrote on 08/24/11 at 00:23:42:


Hi Stefan,
which engine do you use? "My" houdini doesn´t even mention 24. ...Rg8 in the top3 lines.

This evening it is to be found in a triangle.

gewgaw wrote on 08/21/11 at 21:10:10:

Apparently your idea 25.Qg1! more or less refutes 24...f5. My computer prefers 24...Rg8, which looks about equal. Back in the 1970s when I played the Sveshnikov, nobody had these sophisticated h2-h4 attacks in their repertoire. Usually between move 14 and 18 the players shook hands and went home. - The line has become more dangerous, but Black shouldn't be worse.

I am surprised to hear about the strength of 11.c4, seems I have missed a few decades of theoretical developments.

Hm, this is the absolute mainline. Lots of moves are quite forced, especially by Black.