An Immediate Vancura Setup in the Kantorovich Position
(Improving the Poghosyan–L’Ami Defence, DEM-VI, 9-196)

In the well-known Kantorovich position (DEM-VI, diagram 9-190), Black usually relies on a sequence of vertical checking manoeuvres - as formulated in the Poghosyan–L’Ami Defence - to reach a theoretical draw. A closer look, however, reveals that Black can dispense with these checks altogether and reach the same result by a much simpler and more economical method. 

D. 1



After 1.Kd4 g5! 2.Kd5 g4 3.Kd6 Black can directly transpose into a standard Vancura setup, without conceding White any additional options.

D. 2



3…Re2 (!)  

In the currently known formulation of the Poghosyan-L’Ami Defence, Black reaches the lateral defence only after 3…Rd2+ 4.Kc6 Rc2+ 5.Kb5 Rb2+ 6.Kc4, when 6…Rb6 is finally played. In this line, where White directs his king towards the opposing rook, the standard Vancura setup can be implemented also with 6…Rc2+, after which Black switches the rook to the sixth rank: 7.Kb3 Rc6! 8.Ra8 Kg7! 9.Kb4 Re6!

From a practical point of view, however, White can pose Black with greater problems by directing the king to the eighth rank on the kingside (the line 3…Rd2+ 4.Kc6 Rc2+ 5.Kd7). Although the position is objectively drawn even in that case, this provides an additional argument for avoiding vertical checks altogether and, with the direct move 3…Re2!, reaching the same Vancura-type defence immediately.

4.Ra8 Kg7 5.Kc6

5.a7 Ra2 =. 

5…Re6+! 6.Kd7

This leads to a direct transposition to L’Ami’s analysis:

6...Kh7! 7.Kc7 Re7+! 8.Kb6 Re6+! 9.Kb5 Re5+! 10.Kc4 Re6=.

This improvement significantly streamlines the Poghosyan-L’Ami Defence, replacing a long checking detour with a single, natural rook move that immediately establishes the Vancura draw.