1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 - Expert Repertoire for White - Part 2
Welcome to the second (and final) database dedicated to White's repertoire after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3.
While Part 1 was mainly focused on Slav and QGD setups, the current course deals with the extremely critical 2...c5, as well as with the topical 2...Nd7, and 2...Nc6. The move 2...g6 is not covered in the current database since White should play 3.d4 and transpose to the main lines. Nevertheless, the position arising after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6 3.d4 Bg7 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.c4 c6 was covered in another database of Michael Roiz - Expert Repertoire against the Slav Defence. For the sake of completeness, all the chapters featuring this system are added to the current database as well.
True to his analytical approach, GM Roiz manages to find rare and almost unexplored ideas against some well-established main lines. What is even more important is that all the suggested lines can be played without any risk.
The current database consists of 12 theoretical chapters (we exclude the bonus chapters), 12 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (3h Video Running Time).
The first three chapters feature the so-called Reversed Gruenfeld arising after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c5 3.Bg2 Nc6 4.d4
This is the starting position of the Reversed-Gruenfeld. Note that you should play d2-d4 only when you see the black knight appearing on c6. In Chapter 1, Roiz covers all possible deviations that Black has on move 4. As expected, none of these options manages to equalise.
Chapter 2 is dedicated to the position arising after 4...e6 5.0-0 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Bc5
In his analyis to this chapter shows that after 7.Nb3 followed by c2-c4 White can fight for a slight advantage.
The most important position occurs after 4...cxd4 5.Nxd4 e5 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.c4
Here we have the Reversed Gruenfeld in its purest form. Black has three main moves in this position - 7...Bb4+?!, 7...Be6, and 7...Nf6. The move 7...Nf6 is the critical test. Even in this case, however, Roiz shows how White can create annoying practical problems. You can find more details in Chapter 3.
The next two chapters examine the position arising after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c5 3.Bg2 Nf6 4.0-0 g6 when White plays 5.c4.
This is the most promising continuation for White. Now, Black has to make an important decision. Chapter 4 examines Black's attempts to play without ...d5-d4. In this scenario, however, White has tremendous dynamic potential. Roiz demonstrates how we can put Black under a lot of pressure.
Chapter 5 examines 5...d4 which is the most ambitious continuation. Black seizes a lot of space and restricts White's minor pieces. On the other hand, the kingside fianchetto isn't always well combined with ...d5-d4. The suggestion of Roiz at this point is 6.b4 which is the most common and ambitious move. White reasonably challenges the pawn centre at once to take advantage of superior development. In the arising positions, Black faces practical problems.
The following two chapters feature a well-known Catalan line arising after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c5 3.Bg2 Nc6 4.d4 Nf6 5.0-0 e6 6.c4 dxc4
This is one of the most researched Catalan tabiyas. The suggestion of Roiz is 7.Ne5 Bd7 8.Nxc4 cxd4 9.Bf4
Besides developing a piece, White also creates the threat of Nd6+ on the next move. While Chapter 6 is dealing with the most popular 9...Nd5, Chapter 7 examines 9...Be7 which is even more critical. In the arising complicated positions, Black should be extremely careful not to find himself in trouble.
The next two chapters are focused on the so-called Reversed Benoni arising after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c5 3.Bg2 Nf6 4.0-0 e6 5.c4 d4 6.d3 Nc6 7.e3
Since the Benoni is a dynamic opening, having an extra tempo definitely matters a lot. Therefore, White has many dynamic possibilities in this line. Chapter 8 deals with 7...Be7 which is a solid choice. Black avoids the possible pin in advance. On the downside, it diminshes Black's control of e5, comparing to 7...Bd6 which is examined in Chapter 9. In both cases, our plan is based on exd4 followed by Na3-c2. This maneuver is quite typical for Benoni structures. The idea is to support the advance b2-b4. In his analysis, Roiz demonstrates how White should handle such positions.
The next two chapters are dedicated to the variation 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nd7
This hardly can be called sideline nowadays - it is equally common as 2...Nc6 which was covered in Part 1. Obviously, Black's main idea is still ...e7-e5, while 3.d4 Nb6 or 3...b5 make it much more difficult for White to play c2-c4.
Chapter 10 covers 3.d4 b5 4.Nc3 c6 5.Bg2
The most natural way of development. Of course, White is planning to activate the light-squared bishop by pushing ..e2-e4. According to the analysis, Black cannot achieve equality in this line.
Chapter 11 features the more common 3...Nb6.
This move is by far Black's top choice. Moving the knight twice at the beginning isn't recommended in most of cases, but it is justified by preventing (or making much tougher) the key ..c2-c4 break.
The suggestion of Roiz here is 4.Nc3!? which is a kind of a tricky move - White assumes, that opponent will place his bishop on f5. Therefore, it makes sense to take control on e4 in advance, so Nf3-h4 will be more effective. Once again, White can rely on a small edge in all the lines.
Chapter 12 features 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 b6
This original idea has gained lots of popularity in the last 2 years. Among the top players on Black's side there Magnus Carlsen, Vladimir Fedoseev, Pavel Eljanov and others. Black opts for an early fianchetto to properly meet both c2-c4 and e2-e4.
At this point, instead of the traditional 3.Bg2, Roiz suggests 3.c4 which in his opinion is a rather well-timed break. The long diagonal is somewhat exposed now, so the advance c2-c4 yields White definite tactical resourses.
As pointed out in the beginning, at the end of the database, you will find bonus chapters (taken from the database Expert Repertoire against the Slav Defence - Part 2). These 6 bonus chapters will provide you with a repertoire against 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6.
SAMPLE CHAPTER
SAMPLE VIDEO