Two lines from our repertoire
Follow each line from the starting position. The notes explain the position after the displayed move, including the plan for the next move. These are repertoire examples; your opponent can choose other replies.
Pause at the diagrams to see the idea. The highlighted squares show the last move; the note explains what comes next.
Moves use international algebraic notation: N = knight, B = bishop, R = rook, Q = queen, K = king.
1. The c5 square - an ideal forpost for the ♖
1. e41... e6After 1... e6We play ♙d2-d4, seizing the center
2. d42... d5After 2... d5We play ♙e4 - e5, choosing the most principled way to conduct the struggle
3. e53... c5After 3... c5We definitely play ♙c2-c3, reinforcing ♙d4 and at the same time creating a pawn chain
4. c3
After 4... Nc6White to move. At the board4... Nc6After 4... Nc6The next move by Black is quite expected — ♛d8-b6, putting pressure on ♙d4. Therefore, we play ♘g1-f3, supporting the pawn in advance.
5. Nf35... Qb6After 5... Qb6What do Black want? They want to play ♞g8-h6-f5 to increase pressure on ♙d4. Therefore, our task is to deal with ♟c5. We play ♙a2-a3 with the further idea of advancing ♙b2-b4.
6. a36... Bd7After 6... Bd7We play ♙b2-b4, forcing Black to deal with the fate of ♟c5
7. b4After 7... cxd4White to move. At the board7... cxd4After 7... cxd4We capture in response: ♙c3xd4
8. cxd48... Nge7After 8... Nge7Black clearly intends to go for ♞e7-f5 to increase the pressure on ♙d4. For now, we play ♘b1-c3 with the idea of later transferring ♘c3-a4 to shift ♛b6 away from putting pressure on the pawn.
9. Nc39... Nf5After 9... Nf5We play ♘c3-a4, chasing away the actively placed ♛b6
10. Na410... Qc7After 10... Qc7White has a significant space advantage, but that’s no reason to relax! We play ♗ c1 - b2, continuing piece development.
11. Bb2After 11... Be7White to move. At the board11... Be7After 11... Be7We focus our attention on the clear domination on the queenside and the poorly placed ♛c7 on the "c" file. We play ♖a1-c1, threatening the pawn push ♙b4-b5 with the win of the knight.
12. Rc112... a6After 12... a6Since White does not have the opportunity to put pressure on ♞c6, we return to developing the remaining pieces: ♗f1-d3
13. Bd313... O-OAfter 13... O-OWe confidently castle, dear chess enthusiasts!
14. O-O14... b5After 14... b5A typical reaction of a beginner in chess. Black critically weakens the c5 square and signs a deadly "strategic sentence." We play ♘a4 - c5, placing the knight in a wonderful position.
15. Nc515... Bxc5After 15... Bxc5We capture in return ♖c1xc5
After 16. Rxc5Black to move. At the board16. Rxc5After 16. Rxc5With such a ♖c5 and such active pieces, it seems that the result of the game is already predetermined...
2. ♙d4xc5 - necessarily opening up the ♗b2
1. e41... e6After 1... e6We play ♙d2-d4, controlling the center
2. d42... d5After 2... d5We play ♙e4-e5, choosing the most principled way to conduct the battle
3. e53... c5After 3... c5We must play ♙c2-c3 to support ♙d4, at the same time forming a pawn chain.
4. c3After 4... Nc6White to move. At the board4... Nc6After 4... Nc6The next move by Black is quite expected — ♛d8-b6, putting pressure on ♙d4. Therefore, we play ♘g1-f3, supporting the pawn in advance.
5. Nf35... Qb6After 5... Qb6What do Black want? They want to play ♞g8-h6-f5 to increase pressure on ♙d4. Therefore, our task is to deal with ♟c5. We play ♙a2-a3 with the further idea of advancing ♙b2-b4.
6. a36... Bd7After 6... Bd7We play ♙b2-b4, forcing Black to deal with the fate of ♟c5
7. b4After 7... cxd4White to move. At the board7... cxd4After 7... cxd4We capture in response ♙c3xd4
8. cxd48... Nge7After 8... Nge7Black clearly intends to play ♞e7-f5 to increase the pressure on ♙d4. For now, we play ♘b1-c3 with the idea of further maneuvering ♘c3-a4 to displace ♛b6 from pressuring the pawn.
9. Nc39... Nf5After 9... Nf5We play ♘c3 - a4, chasing away the actively placed ♛b6
10. Na410... Qc7After 10... Qc7White has a significant space advantage, but that's no reason to relax! We play ♗c1 - b2, continuing piece development.
11. Bb2After 11... b5White to move. At the board11... b5After 11... b5No, and this is not a blunder of the pawn. In the event of ♗f1xb5, Black responds with ♞c6xe5, taking advantage of the undefended ♗b5 and capturing the key ♙e5. Therefore, we play ♘a4-c5, exploiting the weakened square.
12. Nc512... Bxc5After 12... Bxc5Which pawn do we capture with: ♙b4xc5 or ♙d4xc5? Of course, ♙d4xc5, opening the way for ♗b2 and freeing up the d4 square for ♘f3 if needed.
13. dxc513... a6After 13... a6We play ♗f1-d3, preparing to castle
14. Bd3After 14... O-OWhite to move. At the board14... O-OAfter 14... O-OExchanging ♗d3xf5, followed by sacrificing ♟d5 after ♕d1xd5, is quite risky. So we simply castle, continuing our development.
15. O-O15... Qb7After 15... Qb7Black keeps trying to provoke us, but we don’t fall for it! We confidently play ♕d1-d2, bringing a new piece into play and at the same time connecting the rooks.
16. Qd216... Rad8After 16... Rad8You can play ♕d2-f4, moving the queen off the "d" file.
After 17. Qf4Black to move. At the board17. Qf4After 17. Qf4Pay attention to the activity of the pieces and White’s space advantage. A huge lead!
Original commentary from Theoria’s opening lessons, prepared by FIDE Master Maksims Golubovskis.
Put the idea on the board
Open this opening in the trainer to study and practise its lines. Start with one line, explain the purpose of each move, then try to recall it without hints.