Download PGN of November ’20 KID games
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Fianchetto, Panno Variation 8.d5 Na5 9.b3 c5 [E63]
In Grischuk, A - Tissir, M we reached the following position via a different move order, whether by accident or design:
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Here 13.Nd5 is a good move, I think, albeit in a position where White was already doing well.
Fianchetto Variation Mainline 8.e4 exd4 9.Nxd4 Re8 [E68]
The line 8.e4 exd4 9.Nxd4 Re8 10.h3 Nc5 11.Re1 Bd7 12.Bf4 h6 13.Qc2 was seen in Shen, C - Sevian, S:
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Here Black played 13...Nfxe4! This line is not so bad for White, but if he is unprepared he can quickly be worse. I think White just stumbled into this, and although he could have got right back into the game at one point, he then got outplayed.
Fianchetto Variation Mainline 8.e4 c6 9.h3 Qb6 10.c5 [E69]
Despite being endorsed by Kotronias this old Kasparov line has fallen on hard times. I think engines have strengthened White's resources, especially revolving around the typical e5-e6 pawn sac. See Cheparinov, I - Amin, B.
Sämisch System 5.Nge2 a6 6.f3 0-0 7.Be3 Nbd7 8.Qd2 b5 [E81]
Novikov, I - Shabalov, A was a very rare White win in this topical line!
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Black can definitely improve, but White was clearly prepared.
Classical Makagonov System 7...Nh5 [E90]
After 6.h3 e5 7.d5 Nh5 8.g3 Na6 9.Be2 Black's 9...Nc5 looks sketchy:
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10.b4 is clearly critical here, despite White's poor score with it. Mamedov apparently believes, but I am not sure I do! See Solomon, K - Mamedov, R.
Classical 7...Nbd7 8.Be3 Qe7 [E94]
In Dragun, K - Gledura, B Black tried 8...Qe7:
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The good thing about the King's Indian is that Black can occasionally play lines like this. They do not equalize, but they are complicated and playable. I mostly included this game for the shocking (to me) conclusion. We are always learning something new...
The Bayonet Attack 9...Nh5 10.c5 Nf4 11.a4 [E97]
Raven Sturt has already examined the game Grischuk, A - Saric, I but I had some extra thoughts. This line with 9.b4, 10.c5, and 11.a4 is a bit of a problem for Black:
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After a few more moves my newish Stockfish says +3 in a position with equal material and no forced lines.
Mar del Plata Main Line 9.Ne1 Nd7 10.Be3 f5 11.f3 f4 12.Bf2 g5 [E99]
Finally, Sinha, S - Kobalia, M is a total horror show for Black with a near 300 point upset. I think ...a6 combined with ...Rg6 (apparently preparing ...g4) makes no sense:
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Now 16.c6 has led to three slaughters, but it may not even be the most convincing (if it is at all).
Until next month, David
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Don't hesitate to share your thoughts and suggestions with me. Any queries or comments to the KID Forum, or to me directly at david@ChessPublishing.com (subscribers only) would be most welcome.