1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 - Expert Anti-Gruenfeld Repertoire
GM Michael Roiz continues his investigations of the Reti move order. His next project is designed to provide the Gruenfeld players with a reliable repertoire against Gruenfeld setups.
The starting position of the current database arises after 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3
In this course, Roiz covers 3...d5 as well as 3...Bg7 4.e4 e5, and 3...Bg7 4.e4 c5. In the second part of this project, Roiz will examine the Gruenfeld type of play arising after 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 followed by ...d7-d5. Also, in the second database, you will see how to handle the Maroczy Bind which occurs after 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 g6 4.e4 Nc6 5.d4.
The suggested repertoire is extremely annoying for Gruenfeld players. According to the analysis of Roiz, Black is under constant pressure. If you want to start applying this scheme immediately, we suggest that you combine this database with the work of GM Davorin Kuljasevic - Play the Neo-Seirawan System against King's Indian Defence.
The current database consists of 11 theoretical chapters, 11 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (1h and 40min Running Time).
Now, we shall briefly take a look at the different chapters.
The first important tabiya arises after 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.h4
This annoying march of the h-pawn is the cornerstone of our repertoire. Black should decide how to handle the idea of h4-h5. Black's main move in this position is 5...Bg7. Chapter 1 is dedicated to some of the most rare continuations. It goes without saying that White keeps an advantage against all these options.
In Chapter 2, Roiz starts dealing with the position arising after 5...Bg7 6.h5
In Chapter 2, Roiz examines Black's rare continuations - 6...e5, 6...Nb6, and 6...0-0. If White knows what he is doing, Black cannot rely on equality in these lines.
The following two chapters are dedicated to the position arising after 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.h4 Bg7 6.h5 Nc6 7.d4
The main subject of Chapter 3 is the move 7...Bf5. This logical continuation took place in 5 games, which were all played by grandmasters. The main idea is to prevent e2-e4. Also, White has to watch for ...Nd5-b4 in some cases. In the analysis, you will see that White can maintain the pressure with the strong 8.Rh4!. In the same chapter, Roiz also examines 7...Bg4.
Chapter 4 deals with 7...Nxc3 and 7...Nb6.
The main line goes 7...Nxc3 8.bxc3 e5 9.Bg5N
White develops with a gain of tempo and interrupts Black's plans. Concrete analysis shows that White has dangerous initiative in this line.
The following three chapters are dedicated to the most important tabiya of this Anti-Gruenfeld repertoire - 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.h4 Nxc3 6.bxc3
Chapter 5 examines Black's prophylactic moves against the threat of h4-h5 - 6...h5 and 6...h6. As it becomes clear from the analysis, both continuations have some serious drawbacks.
The main crossroads of the variation arises after 6...0-0 7.h5
In this position, Black should seize some space with 7...c5. This is the most common and flexible continuation. Black makes it tougher for White to occupy the centre with d2-d4 and leaves his king in the centre for a while. All the alternatives are dealt with in Chapter 6.
After 7...c5, Roiz suggests 8.Qa4+!.
A tricky idea - Black has many ways to cover his king from check, but they will all interrupt his natural development. This position is extensively analysed in Chapter 7.
In addition to the Gruenfeld approach, Roiz covers some other options that Black has at his disposal. The following two chapters are dedicated to 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 e5 5.Nxe5
Recently, this variation has been extensively tested at a very high-level. In this position, the main continuation is 5...0-0.
This pawn sacrifice is currently Black's main attempt to solve his problems in the 4...e5 line. The e-file is open , so White should play accurately to complete his development. All the alternatives are dealt with in Chapter 8.
The main line goes 6.Nf3 Re8 7.d3 d5 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Bd2
Black should play very energetically in order to prove some compensation. In Chapter 9, Roiz suggests an interesting idea which creates huge practical problems for Black.
The final two chapters examine the position arising after 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 c5 5.d4 Qa5
Gruenfeld players often opt for this line to avoid either KID ot Maroczy, that emeges after 5...cxd4. The Maroczy Bind will be examined in the next database.
White's most logical continuation is the developing 6.Bd3. Black has two options. Chapter 10 examines 6...cxd4 while the final Chapter 11 is dedicated to 6...Ng4. In both cases, Black fails to achieve equality.
SAMPLE CHAPTER
SAMPLE VIDEO