The King's Indian Defence: Move by Move by Collins Sam

Author:Collins, Sam [Collins, Sam]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: Sports & Outdoors
ISBN: 9781781944066
Publisher: Everyman Chess
Published: 2017-10-01T16:00:00+00:00

22 ... Nh4

This ambitious move works out wonderfully in the game, but I’m not sure about its objective merits.

I’m not wild about 22 ... gxh2 either, in view of 23 Bf2! (23 Bxh2 bxa5 24 dxc7 Qxd1 25 Rfxd1 Rxc7 26 Nb6 Rb8 was level in C.Gatto-E.Miciak, correspondence 2012; 0-1 in 55) 23 ... bxa5 24 dxc7 (24 Nb5 cxd6 25 Bb6 was also good for White in R.Cerrato-P.Cutillas Ripoll, correspondence 2013; ½-½ in 42) 24 ... Qxd1 25 Rfxd1 Rxc7, which has been tested in several correspondence games, but White seems better after 26 Nb5!.

I think Black should prefer the logical 22 ... Be6!, completing development (a move which is not mentioned by Ftacnik or Marin). This position needs to be tested further but initial correspondence praxis, and my analysis, suggest that Black is doing fine. 23 dxc7 Qxc7 24 Nxb6 (24 Nb5 Qe7 25 Nxb6 Nh4 threatens ... Bh3, with a mess in B.Fraser-I.Malichev, correspondence 2015 (½– ½ in 32); 24 Nd5 Nxd5 25 exd5 Bh3!! 26 gxh3 Nh4 27 Rf2 gxf2 28 Bxf2 Nf5 with an unclear position in which Black’s chances are no worse in L.Forslöf-B.Westera, correspondence 2014 (½– ½ in 41)) 24 ... Qxc3 25 Nxa8 Bh3!! 26 gxh3 Nh4 Black is a rook down but the threat of ... g2+ levels the chances, for example 27 Bb6 Rd7 28 Rc1 Rxd1 29 Rxc3 g2+ 30 Kg1 gxf1Q+ 31 Bxf1 Bb4 and the game is likely to end in a draw.

23 Re1?

A logical move, preparing to shore up the kingside with Bf1, but also a big error.

GM Ftacnik recommended 23 hxg3! (a very difficult move to find over the board) 23 ... fxg3 24 Be3 Bh3 25 Rg1 Bxg2+ 26 Rxg2 Rg7! 27 Nd5 Bxd6 28 Nxd6 (Marin gives 28 Ndxb6! Rb8 29 Nxd6 cxd6 30 Kg1, which is even more convincing) 28 ... Qxd6 29 axb6 Rxa1 30 Qxa1 Nxg2 31 Kxg2 Nxd5 32 exd5, correctly assessing the position as good for White. At the time his notes were made, Ftacnik assessed this as only an edge, but modern engines are more pessimistic about Black’s chances, since the bishop pair will quickly create decisive threats.

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