Semi-Slav - Complete Repertoire for Black - Part 2 (4.5 Hours Video Running Time) 

GM Renato Quintiliano     December 5, 2021

Labels:

PGN Download Memory Booster Interactive Tests Video Content


Content  (36 Articles)

Introduction and Free Preview  Free
Video Introduction  Closed
Chapter 1 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 1 - 6.Qc2 Bd6 - 7th Move Options  Closed
Chapter 1 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 2 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 2 - 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.g4!?  Closed
Chapter 2 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 3 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 3 - 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.b3 - With 13...c5  Closed
Chapter 3 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 4 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 4 - 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.b3 - With 13...e5!?  Closed
Chapter 4 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 5 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 5 - 5.Qc2 Bd6 7.b3 0-0 8.Bb2!?  Closed
Chapter 5 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 6 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 6 - 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.Bd3 0-0 8.0-0 e5!?  Closed
Chapter 6 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 7 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 7 - 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.Bd3 0-0 8.0-0 dxc4 9.Bxc4 b5 10.Bd3  Closed
Chapter 7 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 8 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 8 - 10.Bd3 Bb7 - 11.a3!?  Closed
Chapter 8 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 9 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 9 - 10.Be2 Bb7 11.Rd1  Closed
Chapter 9 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 10 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 10 - 11.e4 e5 12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.Nd4  Closed
Chapter 10 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 11 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 11 - 13.Nh4  Closed
Chapter 11 - Memory Booster  Closed
Test Section  Closed

59.00 EUR

Semi-Slav - Complete Repertoire for Black - Part 2

IM-Renato-Quintillano-05874ed975

We are happy to present the newest database of IM Renato Quintiliano - Semi-Slav - Complete Repertoire for Black - Part 2. The current database completes the survey of the Semi-Slav which was initiated by the previous database. The course consists of 11 theoretical chapters, 22 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and Video Version (4.5h Running Time).

Below, IM Quintiliano provides an overview of his course.

The starting position of the database arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Qc2

diagram1-ce9e4df09a

In this database, we will make a complete study of this move, which is called "Anti-Meran", although as we will see, the Meran ideas are always there. On the other hand,  this move order offers some flexibility for White's plans and avoids the classical Meran lines (seen in the first database), which have been deeply analysed and can be more forcing.

Here, we play 6...Bd6.

diagram2-55c2dba66c

Of course, it doesn't make sense to take on c4 if White doesn't waste a tempo with the bishop, so we make a developing move while waiting for it. After 6...Bd6, White's main move is by far 7.Bd3.

As usual, I start with the sidelines to help attain a better understanding of the opening. In Chapter 1  we check some of these lines, of which 7.e4!? seems the most interesting option. However, Black has a nice idea to face this variation, which can solve the opening problems very easily and even allow us to play for more.

Less principled but useful moves like 7.Bd2, 7.a3, and 7.h3 are also analysed in Chapter 1. In these cases, Black is usually able to get an improved version of more popular lines, in which White's 7th is not so useful and allows us to equalise without problems. In other cases, White tries to mix ideas and go for something strategically risky, when things tend to backfire, as the Semi-Slav is also positionally very sound.

In Chapter 2 we see the famous Shirov-Shabalov attack: 7.g4!?

diagram3-498d4d3ee4

A brilliant opening idea that was very popular some years ago, but now the theory has developed in a way that Black has even more than one option to solve his opening problems. Still, it's very important not to be caught off guard by such an aggressive approach, so I offer a solid option to keep Black safe.

The line with 7.b3 is a popular and solid option for White, which is studied in Chapters 3, 4 and 5. White avoids the sharp lines by being ready to recapture on c4 with a pawn and aims to develop harmoniously, eventually going for the typical advance e3-e4 to gain more space in the centre. In Chapter 3 I look at many different setups and move orders and try to explain the differences between them. Still, our attention is on the most popular position of this line, which arises after 7...0-0 8.Be2 (8.Bb2!? is a tricky move order. With this move, White aims to either get a  better version of the lines seen in Chapters 3 and 4 by developing the light-squared bishop more actively to d3 or provoke an aggressive reaction by  Black in the centre. I initially thought this line would be a small headache,  but then found a surprisingly simple and good solution played by Kramnik  (Chapter 5).) 8...Qe7 9.0-0 b6 10.Bb2 Bb7 11.Rad1 Rad8 12.Rfe1 Rfe8 13.Bf1

diagram4-72dcdd442a

Here White is fully centralized and looks ready for e3-e4. Black needs to fight for the centre, and there are two equally interesting options to do that: 13...c5 is the more positional way, keeping some tension in the centre and many possible changes in the structure. This usually leads to a positional battle that holds plenty of chances for both sides. We've already seen this structure in the first database (Chapter 5), so there are many similar ideas. I try to explain them in Chapter 3. 13...e5 is a more forceful line, but quite playable as well. The lines are not so difficult to remember and in general Black is doing well here, so I think it is useful to give you this extra option against 7.b3. The details are seen in Chapter 4.

The move 7.Be2!? is an interesting move order, and I also explain it briefly in Chapter 7. Although this usually transposes after Black's eventual dxc4, some practical differences are good to know.

After 7.Bd3, the main line follows with 7...0-0 8.0-0 dxc4!

diagram5-2941429d72

I told you, Meran is always there! 8...e5!? is a very direct approach. This move usually allows Black to get comfortable play or leads to a balanced endgame, in which  White has small pressure but usually can't obtain a real advantage from it. I  decided to offer this as a safe option against the main move order, especially because the lines are not complicated to remember and understand. This solid option is analysed in Chapter 6.

The main crossroads arises after 9.Bxc4 b5

diagram6-7cf40c5d3d

10.Be2 is the move that I consider to be White's most promising option.

10.Bd3 used to be very popular, but it seems that theory is already well developed here, and Black has found the right path to equalise. This move is carefully analysed in Chapters 7 and 8. The line 10...Bb7 11.a3 is the critical test for Black in this line.

diagram7-0bde645261

White intends to play b2-b4,  establishing firm control on the queenside, when Black's position could become unpleasant. This line had a nice reputation until a brilliant idea found by  Kasimdzhanov showed that Black can equalise almost by force. The theory of this line has developed a lot in the last 10 years, but I think it's safe to say that Black is OK here. I decided to dedicate an entire chapter to this line (Chapter 8).

Instead of 11.a3, another natural line is 11.e4 e5 12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Bxe5 14.h3

diagram8-cbb1476667

White aims to use the kingside majority to gain more space in the centre and develops the dark-squared bishop to e3 to keep an eye on Black's queenside. Still, with correct play, Black can prevent White's plan and execute his own. In Chapter 7 I show the right path for Black here.

After 9.Bxc4 b5 10.Be2 Bb7, we have another important position.

diagram10-b4745c5eb8

I think that White's best option is 11.e4

In Chapter 9, we see 11.Rd1, which is the most played move. The most interesting position arises after 11...Qc7 12.e4 e5 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Nd4

diagram11-56ec8301f7

Here Black has a choice between two good options, 14...Neg4 being the most ambitious one. This move leads to some sharp complications, but as we see in Chapter 9, nothing is really new in chess. In Chapter 9 I also cover many different move orders and sidelines for  White. As usual, some of them don't offer any problem for Black, while others have some potential and should not be underestimated. 14...Bc5 is the solid option and also equalizes.

The most critical position arises after 11.e4 e5 12.dxe5 Nxe5

diagram12-c6ab593ecc

Here we have an important crossroads for White. 13.Nh4!? After analysing both options I  came to the conclusion that this is White's best try. It's a relatively fresh line which leads to very interesting and double-edged positions.

13.Nd4 is more popular, but the theory seems well developed here and Black is doing very well. The plan of looking for active counterplay with 13...Neg4! 14.g3 Bc5! gives Black at least equal chances, and especially after the game  Nakamura-Giri in the 2016 Candidates, it became clear that Giri's new move was good enough to solve Black's problems. All sidelines and important ideas of this line are seen in Chapter 10.

After 13.Nh4!? g6 14.f4 Neg4, White can choose between two interesting positions.

diagram13-34ec1dcb5c

My main line follows with 15.g3.

The alternative 15.e5!? by force leads to an unbalanced position after 15...Bc5 16.Kh1 Nf2 17.Rxf2 Bxf2 18.Nf3 Nd5 19.f5, when White has sacrificed an exchange for promising chances of an attack against the Black king. It's very hard to know who is playing for an advantage here. The position seems dynamically balanced, which means that both sides need to be accurate to keep control. This line has been seen only in a few games and I try to investigate some ideas for both sides in Chapter 11.

After 15.g3 Bc5+ 16.Kh1 b4!? 17.Nd1 Bd4

diagram14-8353c8ca38

we have a weird position. White's pieces look poorly coordinated, but if he manages to finish his development issues, the positional advantage - White's better control in the centre - starts to tell. That means that Black's chances rely mainly on dynamic ideas and active counterplay. As said, the theory is still being developed here, with less than 10 games having reached this position so far. That's exactly why I think this line has a lot of potential to become more popular in the next years. I tried to make a small contribution to this discussion in Chapter 11.

At the end of the database, you will find 22 interactive test positions.

FREE CHAPTER

 

Chess Viewer ZW34SN97AA9T1LQMUNCYIAA63KF7ZM86

VIDEO INTRODUCTION