Expert Anti-Gruenfeld Repertoire - Part 2
GM Michael Roiz continues his investigations of the move 1.Nf3. In the database 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 - Expert Anti-Gruenfeld Repertoire, Roiz provided a powerful repertoire against Black's most direct attempt to play the Gruenfeld. In the current database, he examines the Gruenfeld type of positions arising after 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5. Besides, after studying the material, you will have a full repertoire for White based on the Maroczy Bind.
The database consists of 13 theoretical chapters, 13 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (1h and 40min).
The first important tabiya is being reached after 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.d4
It goes without saying that in this position, the Gruenfeld aficionados will play ...Nxc3 followed by ...g7-g6. Nevertheless, in the first chapters of this course, Roiz provides an in-depth examination of the alternatives. For instance, Chapter 1 is dedicated to rare moves such as 5...Qa5, 5...Bf5, and 5...Nc6. White has an advantage against these options.
Chapter 2 is dedicated to the immediate 5...g6. The problem is that the rare but extremely strong 6.Na4 creates practical problems for Black.
Chapter 3 features the position arising after 5...cxd4 6.Qxd4 Nxc3 7.Qxc3 Nc6
It turns out that prophylactic 8.a3 is powerful here. Black cannot fully neutralize White's initiative in this symmetrical position.
In Chapter 4, Roiz examines the position arising after 5...cxd4 6.Qxd4 e6
By choosing this move Black practically forces 7.e4. This line was a part of the repertoire of a few elite players, including Topalov and Adams. In his analysis, Roiz proves that after 7.e4 Nc6 8.Bb5, White manages to retain some initiative.
From Chapter 5, Roiz starts dealing with the main tabiya of this course - 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.d4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 g6 7.e3 Bg7 8.Bb5+
This move is aimed to interrupt Black's most harmonious way of development which involves the second fianchetto. At this point, Black's main move is by far 8...Bd7. In Chapter 5, Roiz explains why the alternatives 8...Nc6, and 8...Nd7 do not achieve equality.
The following three chapters are dedicated to the continuation 8...Bd7 9.Bd3
White moves his bishop to support ..e3-e4 and claims some drawbacks of the move ...Bd7. You will find extensive coverage of this position in Chapters 6,7, and 8. According to the analysis, White keeps a slight pull in all the lines.
From Chapter 9, Roiz starts examining the extremely important Marozcy Bind arising via the following move order - 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 g6 4.e4 Nc6 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 d6
By playing this move Black often shows his intention to capture on d4 before White's bishop lands on e3. The only way to deviate from exchanging knights is 7.Nc2!?, but Roiz would like to stick with the most common developing move. Of course, 7.Be3?! isn't good because of 7...Ng4.
The line goes 7.Be2 Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Bg7
This is one of mostly researched Maroczy tabiyas. White will have to move his queen sooner or later, but the main question is where to host the dark-squared bishop.
The recommendation of Roiz is 9.Be3 0-0 10.Qd3!? The author likes this retreat for a few reasons: White keeps his pawns on c4 and e4 overprotected and also the queen might be easily transferred to the kingside.
This position is covered in Chapters 9 and 10. In these two chapters, Roiz shows why Black does not have full equality in this line.
The following two chapters deal with the variation 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 g6 4.e4 Nc6 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Bg7 7.Be3 Ng4 8.Qxg4 Nxd4 9.Qd1
We have reached a very important tabiya of the Maroczy. Black has two main continuations here - 9...Ne6, and 9...e5. In Chapters 11 and 12 Roiz proves that neither of them is enough for equality.
The last Chapter 13 is dedicated to the position arising after 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 g6 4.e4 Nc6 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Bg7 7.Be3 d6 8.Be2 0-0 9.0-0
A well-known Maroczy tabiya, that can be reached from different openings, including English and KID. In this chapter, you will learn how to restrict Black's counterplay in such positions.
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