|
Munoz Munoz,T - Fidalgo Fernandez,L [A40]
ESP-ch U12 Girls Oropesa (2), 03.07.2000
[Lopez]
1.c4
g6
2.d4
d5
Although a different move order has been used, the game has reached the standard Alekhine variation position. Black's idea is to play ...Ag7 to exert control over the center from a distance. 3.cxd5
Though other moves are sometimes tried, this move is the favorite and leads to a whopping 90% score for White. While this seems to violate a main idea of the Queen's Gambit Declined (getting Black to play ...dxc4 followed by a loss of tempo after the discovered Bishop attack e2-e3), Black's odd choice of opening makes this move not only desirable but practically manditory. [ 3.Cc3
Cf6
4.cxd5
Cxd5
5.e4
Cxc3
6.bxc3+/=
The exchanges haven't helped Black; a Bishop on g7 runs right into the brick wall of the c3/d4 pawn pair. Hegemann-Koppmann, Wallertheim 1994; 3.g3
Cf6
4.Ag2
Ag7
5.cxd5
Cxd5
6.Cf3=
White's counter-fianchetto has achieved a sort of modified Reti setup, but it hasn't really gained him anything -- in fact, he's allowed Black to equalize. Both players will castle and just continue with their development. Cuevas Rodriguez-Xargay, St. Feliu op 1994] 3...Dxd5
[ 3...Cf6
Black can also choose to temporarily gambit the pawn with this Knight move. 4.Cc3
( 4.Da4+
+/- ECO-2 4...c6
( 4...Ad7
5.Db3+/-
NCO. Guaimare-Paliament, e-mail corr 1998.) 5.dxc6
Cxc6
6.Cf3
Ag7
7.Cc3+/=
Benedetto-Mauro, ITA corr 1998) 4...Cxd5
5.e4
Cxc3
6.bxc3+/=
Reaching the same position as in the 3.Cc3 variation given above.] 4.Cc3
Da5
[ 4...Dd8
This Scandinavian-style move is also played. But the move ...Da5 exerts more pressure by pinning the c3-Knight. Either way, though, Black loses a tempo by having his Queen chased off of d5. 5.e4
White has now achieved a standard opening objective: the classic d4/e4 pawn pair. 5...Ag7
6.Cf3
Cf6+/-
] 5.Cf3
[ 5.e4
is probably better as it establishes the classic central pawn pair.] 5...Cf6
[ 5...Ag7
This would be more in keeping with Black's choice of opening. 6.Ad2
c6
7.e4
Db6
8.Ac4!
Axd4
9.Cxd4
Dxd4
10.Db3
Dg7
11.0-0+/-
White has the initiative and an advantage in development -- Bagirov, ECO-2. Stahlberg-Alekhine, Kemeri 1937] 6.Ad2
Releasing the pin on the c3-Knight and setting up a discovered attack by the Bishop against the Black Queen. 6...Db6
7.Dc2
[ 7.e4
would have been a bit better. Not only does White now have a pair of central pawns, but the move e4-e5 (chasing the f6-Knight) is also now possible.] 7...Ag7
Black finally plays the thematic Bishop fianchetto, the entire point of the Alekhine variation. [ Another idea for Black is 7...Cc6
pressuring the d4-pawn. 8.e4
But White just sets up the pawn-roller anyway, intending d4-d5. 8...a6
Creating a "pocket" for the Knight's escape. ( 8...Cxd4
9.Cxd4
Dxd4
10.Cb5
Dxe4+
11.Dxe4
Cxe4
12.Cxc7++-
) ] 8.e4
White now has the classic pawn center. Not only are the pawns protected by the Knights, but so are the squares immediately in front of the pawns. White now has the makings of a central pawn-roller. 8...0-0
9.h3
Despite the possibility of a central pawn-roller, White is concerned about ...Ag4. She needn't be; the d4-pawn can be easily protected by either the Queen or dark-squared Bishop should the need arise. 9...e5
Black forces the issue in the center. 10.d5
[ >=10.dxe5
Ce8
11.Cd5
De6
12.Ac4
Threatening Nf6+ followed by the loss of the Black Queen. 12...Dd7
13.Ab4+-
White has an enormous space advantage and Black's pieces are uncoordinated -- in fact, they're mostly undeveloped.] 10...c6
11.Ae3
Dc7
More loss of tempo for Black. 12.Ac5
Td8
13.d6
Dd7
14.Td1
Ce8
15.Ae2
De6
16.Dd2
Af8=
White's inaccurate play with 10.d5 (locking the center) has allowed Black to largely wriggle free. Although White still has a space advantage, there's not much she can do with it (possibly Ng5 to chase the Queen again) and the advanced d6-pawn is a liability. The players agree to a draw. 1/2-1/2
|
