| Oct-09-11 | | DrMAL: Here is second example showing importance of deep opening preparation (Kaufman vs D Gurevich, 2008 was first). This is especially important when nuance to sharpen position is explored, inadequate understanding can cut either way in double edged variation. On move 5 of Benko (Volga) gambit there are four main ways to decline: b6, e3, f3 and Nc3 this last move, Zaitsev variation, often leads to counter-gambit played here with 7.Nb5 Nescafe Frappe attack. Benko gambit with it's early positional pawn sac used to be considered dangerous to accept, after 5.bxa6 Bxa6 position becomes quieter but black's long term Q-side advantage was thought to be more than adequate. Deep computer line today shows refutation, where accepting sac is good for white but knowing this perhaps even memorizing how (with subvariations) is different from understanding why. Houdini_20_x64: 29/71 7:07:28 190,103,812,754
+0.18 5.bxa6 e6 6.Nc3 exd5 7.Nxd5 Nxa6 8.Nf3 Nxd5
+0.16 5.e3 e6 6.dxe6 fxe6 7.Nf3 Be7 8.Nbd2 axb5
+0.14 5.b6 Qxb6 6.Nc3 e6 7.e4 exd5 8.exd5 d6
+0.05 5.Nc3 axb5 6.Nxb5 e6 7.e4 Nxe4 8.Ne2 Ba6
0.00 5.f3 e6 6.e4 exd5 7.exd5 Bd6 8.Qe2+ Kf8
5.b6 is most popular way to decline where one "best" line is shown by computer above. 5.Nf3 to decline is way for white to sharpen position in reverse, after 7.Nb5 white offers positional pawn sac now instead of black. With 9.Bf4 black has some difficulty developing but, especially because of sharpness, both sides need to be very accurate. 10.Bf4 instead of 10.Qe2 was first inaccuracy now black has small advantage. But game was still nearly equal until 14.Nxe4?! instead of 14.Ne6 other moves between were good. Point of post is not about specific mistake here but instead about more deeply understanding nuances to opening. If white had played 10.Qe2 black can get into trouble by playing something other than 10...f5 for example 10...Nf6 probably second best. After this, white must play 11.Bf4 to maintain advantage then 11...Ra6 must be played by black to stay alive. With best moves 12.Nxd6+! Rxd6 white must play 13.Bb5+ to keep advantage and then black's best is 13...Rd7 to minimize loss via 14.Bxb8 whereas with second best 13...Bd7 white plays 14.Bxd6 for greater advantage. Understanding these subvariations is critical in higher level play, good player can often find correct line OTB if he does not already know it. There are countless examples like this it is a key and core issue in chess. Opening nuances may be exploited to create novelty and, with initial understanding of novelty, new theory is attached to it. Then, as novelty usually one that sharpens position becomes better understood, traditionally through more high level play, more accurate line refuting it is found, updating theory further. This often occurs back and forth it is primary method that creates theory in the first place. Computers have revolutionized this process, greatly expediting and refining it, but in the end what matters most is how deeply player understands why more than what. |
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Nov-01-11
 | | FSR: <DrMAL: ... Benko gambit with it's early positional pawn sac used to be considered dangerous to accept, after 5.bxa6 Bxa6 position becomes quieter but black's long term Q-side advantage was thought to be more than adequate. Deep computer line today shows refutation, where accepting sac is good for white> What do you consider the refutation: 6.Nc3 g6 7.g3? Players like Caruana, Bologan, and even Carlsen are still (2011) playing the gambit and seemingly doing well. http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches... |
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| Nov-01-11 | | bronkenstein: I (being long time Volga player) think it`s perfectly playable , especially on ...ahem...sub-elite level =). Though it`s low popularity amongst top GMs (same as Sveschnikov Sicilian , which seems playable as well , but for some reason very rare in recent top tournaments ) is real mystery to me . Fashion I guess. |
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Nov-01-11
| | FSR: <bronkenstein> I have no doubt that it's playable on the "sub-elite level," as you say. But I'm surprised that it seems to still be playable even at the highest levels. |
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| Nov-01-11 | | bronkenstein: The pawn sac is strategical , and therefore most likely `resilient` to computers. I believe it is waterproof even on 2800 , but maybe it gives white too many options to choose from ( plus virtually being able to draw at will , due to lines being much more forced than lessay QGD ) compared to fashionable Nimzos or Slavs . In other words I dont believe It`s mathematically busted , the reason lies elsewhere IMO. Anyway my perception of the problem is light years away from 2700+s , so I`m just guessing. PS I just checked CG database for recent Radjabov`s Sveschnikov Sicilians , one defeat (to Nisipeanu) + one draw in 2010 , then he stopped playing it (no B33 games in 2011 so far). Being one of the trendsetters , his playing or not playing this or that line influences others lot . MC , Moro , Chucky are there as well. I bet if some of them starts playing Volga regularly , it will simply return to the top GM Repertoires overnight. |
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Nov-01-11
| | FSR: <bronkenstein: ... PS I just checked CG database for recent Radjabov`s Sveschnikov Sicilians , one defeat (to Nisipeanu) + one draw in 2010 , then he stopped playing it (no B33 games in 2011 so far).> Maybe he's too busy proving that it's impossible to beat the Schliemann: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches.... |
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| Nov-01-11 | | bronkenstein: Hmm all these draws , such a waste for player of his potential (I know it`s all black but still...). Now I know why he is still below 2800...Najdorf is crying for him ;)
(I just checked his 2010-11 black games ). |
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Apr-19-12
 | | Phony Benoni: After <24.Qa1>:
click for larger viewHmmm. I really don't think that's what Reti had in mind when he played Qa1. By the way, 24...Qd3 mates a move sooner. Not that it's the best move. Black deserves to enjoy this position as long as possible. |
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Kibitzing
sac: 18...exd6
