e4ChessNews Blog Posts March 4 2013

e4chessnews
This is my blog for e4 news, analysis and games.

TWIC 955
2 Sicilian defense games are featured. 

I've been working hard on widening my repertoire to include a Sicilian and for now am focusing on the Najdorf. Last year I relied on 1..d6 and the Philidor to carry me and before that the French(and other openings). The search goes on for reliable weapons to fight against 1.e4.

Game 1

Ftacnik recommends 2.c3 d6 for Black in The Sicilian Defence(Quality Chess 2010) so this is a likely line for 2.c3 Sicilian players to face and one of many lines a Najdorf player can use.

In the feature game, GM Cheparinov convincingly exploited a lead in development and an uncastled king to win an exchange. The material advantage was converted with precision in the RRB-RBB/RR-RB ending.

Hoegener,C (2059) - Cheparinov,I (2709) 
Sicilian 2.c3 d6[B22]
Reykjavik Open 2013 ISL (1.4), 19.02.2013

Black to Play

15.Qc2

Game 2

Ftacnik recommends 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7 for black in The Sicilian Defence(Quality Chess 2010) and this is the path followed by Shirov in the feature game. 

Shirov varied and did not develop with ..Nc6 but with a later ...Nbd7. Smeets built up a nice position but did not find the best way to exploit his chances. 

In the sharp ending that followed, Shirov had good compensation for a pawn defiicit and won nicely with tactical play against white's numerous weak pawns.

Smeets,J (2613) - Shirov,A (2718)
Sicilian 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7 5.c4 [B52]
Bundesliga 2012–13 Trier GER (10), 24.02.2013

White to Play

28...Nd7