"The immense depth of the game continues to fascinate me" - An interview with Erwin l'Ami

by Johannes Fischer
6/12/2017 – Erwin l'Ami is a strong grandmaster and a popular author. In an interview with ChessBase he talks about his fascination for chess, how he caught the chess virus, gambit play in modern chess, his favorite games, the Dutch Stonewall, how and why to study the opening and why playing blitz can improve your game.

The Dutch Stonewall - A fighting repertoire against 1.d4 The Dutch Stonewall - A fighting repertoire against 1.d4

In the Dutch Stonewall Black from the very first move fights for the initiative. Let Erwin l'Ami take you on a fascinating journey to the depth and attractions of this unique opening. At the end you will be rewarded with a new repertoire against 1.d4!

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You are a chess professional – as a player, author and second. What fascinates you about chess?

I like every aspect of it; the fight behind the board but also the more scientific approach when you are at home analyzing opening variations or one's games. The immense depth of the game continues to fascinate me.

Do you still remember when the chess virus infected you?

Very well! I have three older brothers so when it came to football or other physical activities it would be hard to compete with them. However, I quickly discovered I could beat them at chess...

Currently you support Anish Giri as a second and in the past you also helped Veselin Topalov as a second. What does a second do?

A second tries to take away work that would otherwise lay on the shoulders of the player. The second prepares opening variations for the next game while the player can relax and unwind. 

How (and how much) do top players such as Topalov and Giri work for chess? And what do they do?

I worked with Topalov until 2011 so I don't know how hard he is working to date, but obviously he used to definitely put his hours in! Anish has an enormous work ethic and can literally work from early morning until late everything. Players typically work on all aspects of the game: endgames, solving positions, analyzing games but the emphasize is definitely on opening preparation.

Do you have a role-model, a chessplayer whose games or style you admire?

I was 13 when I saw the famous Kasparov-Topalov game (from Wijk aan Zee 1999) happening live in front of my eyes when I visited the tournament.

 
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1.e4       Ftacnik d6 Topalov is a Sicilian player, but against Kasparov he prefers to spring a slight surprise on his well prepared opponent as soon as possible. 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 Pirc is a somewhat rare opening in Gary's practice and he often used to react with 3.f3!? e.g. e5 4.d5 c6 5.c4 Qb6 6.Nc3 Be7 7.Nge2 0-0 8.Ng3 cxd5 9.Na4! Qc7 10.cxd5 Bd7 11.Be3 Rc8 12.Nc3 Na6 13.Be2 Bd8 14.0-0 Qa5 15.Kh1 Nc5 16.Bd2 Ne8 17.f4 exf4 18.Bxf4 Bf6 19.Bg4 Qd8 20.Bxd7 Qxd7 21.Qf3 Rc7 22.Nf5 Bxc3 23.bxc3 Na4 24.Qg3 Nxc3 25.Rae1 f6 26.Bxd6 Nxd6 27.Nxd6 Kasparov,G-Wahls,M/GER-Kasparov/1992/ But the Bulgarian was probably well prepared for a fight in the Saemisch, after all he is King's Indian expert. 3...g6 4.Be3 Bg7?! A major exponent of the 4.Be3 line GM Vlastimil Jansa would be dissatisfied with this move, as later Black will have to lose a tempo capturing on h6. 4...Ng4?! 5.Bg5 is also not ideal, as it rather loses than gains time. 4...c6!? has the best reputation. 5.h3! Black's most reasonable alternative is Less dangerous is ≤5.Qd2 Nbd7 6.Bd3 b5 7.Nf3 e5!? 5...Nbd7 ≤5...b5?! 6.e5! dxe5 6...Nfd7 7.exd6 exd6 8.d5 b4 9.dxc6 bxc3 10.cxd7+ Nxd7 11.b3 Be7 12.Bh6 Bb7 13.Nf3 Qa5 14.Be2 g5 15.Bg7 Rg8 16.Bd4 h5 17.Qd3 g4 18.hxg4 hxg4 19.Bxc3 Qd5 20.Qxd5 Bxd5 21.Nd4 Rc8 22.Bb4 Bxg2 23.Rg1 Ba8 24.Rxg4 Rh8 25.0-0-0+- Sokolov,A-Zakharevich,I/ Elista/1995/ 7.dxe5 Qxd1+ 8.Rxd1 Nfd7 9.f4 Bg7 10.Nf3 f6 11.e6 Nf8 12.Nxb5 Nxe6 13.Nxa7 Bb7 14.Bc4 Nc7 15.Kf2 Nd5 16.Nxc6 Bxc6 17.Bxd5 Bxd5 18.Rxd5 Rxa2 19.Rb5 0-0 20.Rd1 Nc6 21.Nd4 Nxd4 22.Bxd4 Rc8 23.Rd2+- Jansa,V-Schlosser,M/Muenster/1992/ ≤5...Bg7?! 6.f4! [+]() 0-0 7.Nf3 Nbd7 8.e5 Nh5 9.Ne2 Bh8 10.g4 Ng7 11.Bg2 dxe5 12.fxe5 Nb6 13.Bh6 Be6 14.0-0 Qd7 15.Nf4 Bd5 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.Qe2 Rad8 18.Rae1 Nc7 19.c3 Nce6 20.Nd2 Qc7 21.Ne4 a5 22.Rf2 b5 23.Ref1 Qb6 24.Kh1 Jansa,V-Hoi,C/Gausdal/ 1991/ 6.f4 e5 7.Qf3!? Black's main problem is to break up effectively the strong pawn cahin e4,f5, so deserving attention is b5!? 7...Qa5 8.Bd3 Bg7 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.f5 b5 10...gxf5?! 11.Qxf5! b5 12.Nge2 b4 13.Nb1 Nb6 14.Qf2 Na4 15.0-0 Be6 16.b3 Nb2 17.Ng3 Nxd3 18.cxd3 Qb5 19.Nd2 Rd8 20.Bg5 Movsesian, S-Ftacnik,L/Hamburg op/1997/ 11.Nge2 ≤11.g4?! b4 12.Nd1 gxf5! 13.gxf5 b3+ 14.Nc3 bxc2 15.Nge2 Rb8 16.Bc1 Rg8 17.Bxc2 Bf8 18.b3 Ba6 19.Bd2 Bb4 20.a3 Nh5 21.Qxh5 Bxe2 22.Nxe2 Bxd2+ Kharlov,A-Labok,V/Podolsk/ 1992/ 8.0-0-0 8.Bd3 Bb7 8...b4 9.Nce2 Qe7 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.f5 gxf5 12.Qxf5 12.exf5?! Bb7 13.g4 Nd5 14.Bf2 e4 15.Qg3 e3 16.Be1 Bg7 17.g5 Be5 18.Qg4 h5 19.Qg2 0-0-0 20.Nf3 Nf4 21.Nxf4 Bxf4 22.Be2 c5 23.h4 Ne5 24.Rxd8+ Rxd8 25.Kb1 Nxf3 0-1,Wagener,C-Andersen,J/Szeged/1994/ 12...Qe6!?∞ <=> 5.Qd2 c6 6.f3 More consistent and preferred by Jansa is 6.Bh6!? as White can sometimes effectively play f4 later on. Bxh6 7.Qxh6 Qa5 7...b5 8.e5! b4 9.exf6 bxc3 10.bxc3 exf6 11.Bd3 Qe7+ 12.Ne2 Qf8 13.Qd2 Qe7 14.0-0 0-0 15.Rfe1 f5 16.c4 Nd7 17.Rab1 Nb6 18.Qa5 Be6 19.Nf4 Qf6 20.c5 dxc5 21.Nxe6 fxe6 22.Qxc5± Jansa,V-Gazik,I/CSR-chT/1992/ 8.Bd3 c5!? 8...b5 9.Nf3 b4 10.Ne2 Ba6 11.0-0 Nbd7 12.Ng3 Bxd3 13.cxd3 Rg8 14.Qd2 Rb8 15.a3 Qb5 16.axb4 Qxb4 17.Qxb4 Rxb4 18.Rfc1 Nb8 19.Rxa7 Rxb2 20.e5! עe8,Van der Wiel,J-Azmaiparashvili,Z/Wijk aan Zee/1993/ Rather passive is 8...Nbd7 9.Nf3 e5 10.0-0 exd4 11.Nxd4 Qh5 12.Qd2 0-0 13.Be2 Qe5 14.f4 Qe7 15.Bf3 Nb6 16.Rae1 Rd8 17.b3 c5 18.Nde2 Bd7 19.Ng3 Bc6 20.a4± (),[+]Adams,M-Nogueiras,J/Buenos Aires/1991/ 9.Nge2 ≤9.Nf3 Bg4!∞ 9...cxd4 10.Nxd4 Nc6!? Unplayable is 10...Qb6? 11.0-0-0 Nc6 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.e5! dxe5 14.Ne4 Be6 15.Qg7 0-0-0 16.Nxf6 exf6 17.Qxf6 Rhe8 18.Rhe1 Bg4 19.f3 e4 20.Rxe4 Rxe4 21.Ba6+ Qxa6 22.Rxd8+ Kb7 23.Qxf7+ Kb6 24.fxe4 1-0,Jansa,V-Hoffmann,H/BL2-O 9697/ 1997/ 11.Nb3 Qb6 12.Nd5 12.0-0-0 Be6 13.f3 0-0-0 14.Rhe1 Kb8 15.Bf1 Rc8 16.Qe3 Qxe3+ 17.Rxe3 g5 18.g3 h5 19.f4 h4 20.Bb5 Ng4 21.Re2 hxg3 22.hxg3 Rh3 Kroeze,F-Beim,V/Leeuwarden/1994/ 12...Nxd5 13.exd5 Nb4!? 13...Ne5 14.0-0 Bd7 15.Be2 0-0-0 16.a4 Kb8 17.a5 Qc7 18.c4 Bg4 19.Bxg4 Nxg4 20.Qf4 Ne5 21.Ra4 g5 22.Qd4 h5 23.Rc1 h4 24.Qe3 h3 25.g3 e6 26.Nd4 Qc5 27.Rc3 Ng4 28.Qd2 e5 29.Nb3 Qc8 30.c5 Hamdouchi,H-Chabanon,J/ FRA-chT/1998/ 6...b5 7.Nge2 White has various possibilities here. Not too promising is the old line 7.0-0-0 Qa5 8.Kb1 Nbd7 9.Bh6 Bxh6 10.Qxh6 Nb6 11.Nh3 Bxh3! 12.Qxh3 Na4! Ultra-sharp is 7.g4 h5!? 7...Nbd7 8.g5 Nfd7 9.f4 Nb6∞ 7...Nbd7 8.Bh6 Bxh6 9.Qxh6 Bb7 Black should strive for immediate counterplay. 9...e5!? 10.a3 and forcing a central exchange costs Black precious time, e.g. Too soft is ≤10.dxe5?! dxe5 11.Nc1 Bb7 12.Nd3 Qe7 13.g3 0-0-0 14.b4 a5 15.a3 Kc7 16.Be2 axb4 17.axb4 Ra8= Kristensen,B-Hansen,C/Vejle/1994/ 10...Qa5 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Nc1 Bb7 13.b4! Qb6 14.Nb3 9...Qa5 10.Nc1 b4 10...Qb6 11.Nb3 a5 12.a4 b4 13.Nd1 Ba6 14.Ne3 Bxf1 15.Rxf1 Qa6 15...c5!? 16.Nc4 Qa6 17.Nbxa5 cxd4 18.Qd2 16.Kf2 Rc8 17.Kg1 c5 18.dxc5 Nxc5 19.Nd4 Qb6 20.Nc4 Qa6 21.b3 Ncd7 22.Nb5 Ne5 23.Ne3 Qb6 24.Kh1 Rc5 25.Rad1 Rg8 26.Rd2 g5 27.Nxd6+ Qxd6 28.Rxd6 Rg6 29.Rxf6 1-0,Moroz-Janda/ Decin/1998/ 11.Nb3 Qh5 12.Qxh5 Nxh5 13.Nd1 a5 14.a3 Bb7 15.axb4 axb4 16.Rxa8+ Bxa8 17.Nf2 0-0 18.Nd3 c5 19.dxc5 dxc5 20.Nbxc5 Nxc5 21.Nxc5 Rc8 22.Nd3 Rxc2 23.Kd1 b3 24.Be2 Bb7 25.Re1 f5 26.exf5 gxf5 27.Nb4! Rantanen,Y-Jamieson,R/Haifa olm/1976/ 10.a3! The right moment for prophylaxis ≤10.0-0-0?! Qa5 Gary tries to achieve a better version of 10.Nc1 e5 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Nb3 a6 13.0-0-0 Qc7!? 14.Qg7 Rf8 14...Rg8? 15.Rxd7+- 15.g3 0-0-0 16.Bh3 Kb8 17.Bxd7 Nxd7 18.Qxh7 a5 19.Kb1 a4 20.Nc1 a3 21.b3 b4 22.N3e2 c5 23.Qh6 f5!? Moroz,A-Yurasov, A/Simferopol/1991/ 10...e5 10...a5 11.Nd1 b4 12.Ng3!? As Black's K will have to castle <<, he doesn't want to weaken his position here any further. 11.0-0-0 Qe7 Black wants to get his K to safety as soon as possible. But interesting was 11...a6!? 12.Kb1 12.f4 Ng4 13.Qg7 Qf6= nikam nevedie a po 12...Qc7 /\ (Covers a5.) 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.Qg7 Ke7!? 12.Kb1 a6 13.Nc1! 0-0-0 14.Nb3 exd4!? Topalov realizes the danger, connected with Na5 followed by a timely d5-> and decides to open up the position and fight. 14...c5?! 15.d5± 15.Rxd4 15.Nxd4 c5 16.Nb3 -15.Rd4 15...c5 16.Rd1 Nb6 /\d5 16...Ne5 17.Be2 d5? 18.f4 /\e5+/- 17.g3 '!' Ftacnik. Kb8 17...d5!? 18.Bh3+ 18.Qf4 d4 19.Bh3+ Nfd7∞ 18...Kb8 19.exd5 19.Qf4+ Ka7! /\ 20.Nxc5? Nh5 21.Qe3 d4! 19...Nbxd5 20.Nxd5 Nxd5 20...Rxd5 21.Qf4+!? Qe5 22.Qxe5+ Rxe5 23.Rd6 21.Na5 18.Na5?! Kasparov already envisages the rich combinational possibilities, but this very natural move is probably objectively not the best. 18.Bh3!? /\Rhe1 d5 19.exd5 -17...d5!? Deserving attention is also 18.Qf4 Ka7 18...Ka8 19.Na5 19.g4!? /\Bb5 and Black can't play 19.Bxb5 Nh5 20.Qh4!? Qxh4 21.gxh4 axb5 22.Nxb5+ Kb8 23.Nxd6 f5 24.Nxc5 Bd5!?∞ 19...d5? 20.Nxc5!± 18...Ba8 19.Bh3 d5 20.Qf4+ Ka7 21.Rhe1 d4 Ftacnik: 'Black has achieved impressive success, but his position is a bit dangerous. Kasparov unleashes phantastic combination.' Opening the position is suicide, after 21...dxe4 22.fxe4 /\Nd5 Nxe4 22...Rxd1+ 23.Rxd1 Nxe4 24.Rd7+!+- 23.Nxe4 Rxd1+ 24.Rxd1 Bxe4 25.Re1 Re8 26.Rxe4! Qxe4 27.Qc7+ Ka8 28.Nc6+- 22.Nd5 '!' Ftacnik. Nbxd5 22...Nfxd5? 23.exd5 Qd6 24.Qxf7++- 23.exd5 Qd6 24.Rxd4!       '!!' Ftacnik. 24.Qxd6? Rxd6 25.b4 cxb4 26.axb4 Nxd5 24.Nc6+ Bxc6 25.dxc6 Qxf4 26.Re7+ 26.gxf4 Nd5!? 26...Kb6 27.gxf4 Nd5 28.Rxf7 Rdf8 24...cxd4? Ftacnik: 'It should be noted, that 24...Kb6! would most certainly save the game for black, but we would be robbed of some fascinating lines. ' 24...Kb6!= 24...Bxd5!? 25.Rxd5! Nxd5 25...Qxf4 26.Rxd8 Qh6 26...Qc7 27.Rxh8 Qxa5 28.Re7++- 27.Re7+ Kb6 28.b4!+- 26.Qxf7+ Nc7 27.Re6 Rd7 27...Qd1+ 28.Ka2 Rd7 29.Re7± 28.Rxd6 Rxf7 29.Nc6+ Ka8 30.f4 25.Re7+‼ '!' Ftacnik. The real point of the combination. 25.Qxd4+? Qb6! 26.Re7+ Nd7 27.Rxd7+ 27.Qc3 Qg1+ 27...Rxd7 28.Qxh8 Rxd5-+ 25...Kb6 25...Qxe7? 26.Qxd4++- 25...Kb8 26.Qxd4 Nd7 27.Bxd7 Bxd5 28.c4!+- 26.Qxd4+ Kxa5 26...Qc5 27.Qxf6+ Qd6 28.Be6‼ Bxd5 29.b4+- 27.b4+ Ka4 28.Qc3!? This shows Kasparov's combination was more intuitive, than arithmetically exact. Ftacnik: 'It seems, that white could have won more easily with the help of a fine move 28.Ra7!!' A simpler and even more beautiful win was found by (I think) Kavalek: 28.Ra7! /\ Bb7 28...Nxd5 Ftacnik 29.Rxa6+‼ Qxa6 30.Qb2 Nc3+ 31.Qxc3 Bd5 32.Kb2 Qe6 33.Bxe6 fxe6 34.Qb3+! Bxb3 35.cxb3# 29.Rxb7 Qxd5 29...Nxd5 30.Bd7‼ Ra8 30...Rxd7 31.Qb2 Nc3+ 32.Qxc3 Qd1+ 33.Kb2 Rd3 34.Ra7!+- 31.Bxb5+ axb5 32.Ra7+ Qa6 33.Qxd5 Qxa7 34.Qb3# 30.Rb6!+- 30.Rb6 Ra8 30...a5 31.Ra6 Ra8 32.Qe3‼ Rxa6 32...Rhe8 33.Rxa8 Rxa8 34.Kb2+- 33.Kb2 axb4 34.axb4 Kxb4 35.Qc3+ Ka4 36.Qa3# 31.Qxf6 a5 32.Bf1+- 28...Qxd5 28...Bxd5? 29.Kb2 29.Ra7 29.Kb2? Qd4 29...Bb7 30.Rxb7 30.Qc7? Qd1+= 30...Qc4?! Ftacnik: 'Black is spoiling the defensive effort, it was much tougher to win the game after the best 30...Rhe8!' A better chance was 30...Rhe8! 31.Rb6 31.Ra7? Rd6 32.Kb2 Qe5-+ 31...Ra8 32.Bf1‼+- /\Rd6 ≤32.Be6 Rxe6 33.Rxe6 Qc4! 34.Qxc4 bxc4 35.Rxf6 Kxa3 36.Rxf7 Re8= 31.Qxf6 Kxa3 Now White wins by force. 31...Rd1+ 32.Kb2 Ra8 32...Qd4+ 33.Qxd4 Rxd4 34.Rxf7 Rd6 35.Re7 /\Be6 33.Qb6 Qd4+ 33...a5 34.Bd7! Rd5 35.Qe3 axb4 36.Ra7++- 34.Qxd4 Rxd4 35.Rxf7 a5 36.Be6 axb4 37.Bb3+ Ka5 38.axb4+ Rxb4 38...Kb6 39.Rxh7 and with 3 pawns for the exchange White gradually wins. 39.c3± _|_R 31...Ra8? 32.Qb6 a5 33.Ra7+- 32.Qxa6+ Kxb4 33.c3+! Kxc3 33...Kb3 34.Qa2+ Kxc3 35.Qb2+ Kd3 36.Re7!+- 34.Qa1+ Kd2 34...Kb4 35.Qb2+ Ka5 35...Qb3 36.Rxb5+ 36.Qa3+ Qa4 37.Ra7++- 35.Qb2+ Kd1 Ftacnik: 'You are not dreaming, black king went all the way from e8 to d1!' 35...Ke3? 36.Re7+ 35...Ke1 36.Re7+ Kd1 37.Bf1!+- is the same as in the game. 36.Bf1! Rd2 37.Rd7! Ftacnik: 'The final trick, but white is completely right, the game is finally over.' Rxd7 38.Bxc4 bxc4 39.Qxh8 Rd3 39...Rb7+ 40.Ka2 Kc2 41.Qd4+- 40.Qa8 c3 41.Qa4+ Ke1 41...Kd2 42.Qc2+ 42.f4 f5 43.Kc1 Rd2 44.Qa7 1–0
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Kasparov,G2812Topalov,V27001–01999B07Hoogovens4

All Gary's games from those years carry great nostalgic feelings! The precision is breathtaking.

You published a number of popular DVDs that also got very positive reviews. People were particularly impressed by the amount of work you put into these DVDs. In two of your DVDs you offer readers a “Gambit Guide”. What fascinates you about gambits and how did you get the idea for this DVD?

That’s very easy; I had trouble meeting them! As a young child you are always taught to play 1.e4 and open games but I had no such education and always played 1.d4. That means the open games for a long time did not come natural to me and gambit play especially was completely out of my comfort zone!

Top players, however, seem to believe that you can no longer play gambits on top level. And when Adhiban Baskaran tried the King’s Gambit against Wesley So in the Tata Steel Tournament this year it was a big surprise and considered to be rather bold. What do you think – are top grandmasters too timid and should they try a gambit once in a while?

Adhiban later told me it was a good thing he hadn't seen my DVD before his game with So as the refutation of the line he played is right there! (smiles).

A Gambit Guide through the Open Game Vol.1 and 2

To avoid them or to play them, you have to know them. In two Volumes we see gambits such as Frankenstein-Dracula Gambit, the Cochrane Gambit, the Belgrade Gambit, the King's Gambit, Marshall Gambit, the Scotch Gambit, the Jänisch Gambit and many more.

Some gambits are better then others but the truth is that on top level most players know how to effectively deal with them. My DVD therefore is aimed at ambitious amateurs and beyond, but not the worlds very best (smiles).

What are Giri’s thoughts on this – he does not strike me as someone who is particularly keen to dare a gambit?

Anish has a very classical approach to the game and I doubt we will see him essay the King's Gambit any time soon!

After the Gambit Guide you published a DVD about the Stonewall Dutch. What are the advantages of the Stonewall?

In times when opening theory develops very, very fast it's nice to be able to fall back on an opening that is more or less solely based on ideas. There is no need to memorize long variation, here understanding the position is more of the essence. I can imagine that speaks to the imagination of many players and it may be the reason for why the Stonewall-DVD has been selling as well as it does.

Would you consider the Stonewall as a positional gambit – after all, Black decides to seriously weaken the central square e5?

Haha, interesting thought! I never thought about it that way. Officially though, I think “Gambit” only applies to real sacrifices, rather then lost squares. I think the Stonewall deserves a reappraisal, see also Carlsen's recent games in which he had great results!

Why should you study openings – to get an advantage in the opening or just to get a playable middlegame position – or for other reasons?

Each his own, I think! Some people love to spend hours delving into opening variations, trying to immediately take their opponent out in a sharp Najdorf while others would prefer to study an opening that gives them a playable game. At the very top, obviously the approach is very different. All the players are very well prepared there and the main emphasize is on trying to surprise your opponent and get a playable position in the process.

How important is it for amateurs to study openings?

Honestly, not much! Amateurs tend to spend most time in this area because results are immediately visible. It's all short-term though, and long-term one would do better to spend the time on analyzing one's games, endgames, solving etc.

But why study chess at all – would it not be easier and more fun to just play and simply enjoy the game?

We are walking a very philosophical path now! Personally, I like to broaden my horizons and deepen my understanding of the game. I can't imagine simply playing the game and not drawing any conclusions from it.

Erwin l'Ami after winning the strong Reykjavik Open 2015 with 8.5/10

You are a strong grandmaster and a strong blitz-player. In 2015 you won the Rabat Blitz Marathon and in 2016 you became Dutch Online Blitz Champion. Do you use blitz to try gambits or new opening ideas?

Since I am doing a lot of work for Anish these days, I tend to have less time to play myself. (Online) blitz is a way to keep 'in touch' with the board and that's my main goal behind it. Rabat blitz was a very fun event and I sure hope the tournament will resurrect in the near future!

Can blitz help to improve one’s game or is it just fun and entertainment?

If you take it serious, I think it can be a helpful tool to test new openings or play strong opponents. As a young player it was a great experience that I could just go online and play with grandmasters.

Last question: what is your favorite game, what is your favorite gambit gameand what is your favorite Stonewall game?

Favorite game

I think Kasparov-Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999 for the mere fact I was right there and it gave such a lasting impression. 

Favorite gambit game

Ekebjaerg-Timmerman, Correspondence 1991

 
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1.Nc3 e5 2.e4 Nf6 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Qh5 Nd6 5.Bb3 Nc6 6.Nb5 g6 7.Qf3 f5 8.Qd5 Qe7 9.Nxc7+ Kd8 10.Nxa8 b6 11.d3 Bb7 12.h4 f4 13.Qf3 Nd4 14.Qg4 Bg7 15.Bd2 Bxa8 16.0-0-0 Bf6 17.Bb4 a5 18.Bxd6 Qxd6 19.Nh3 Qc6 20.Ng5 a4 21.Bc4 b5 22.Nf7+ Kc7 23.Nxh8 Bxh8 24.h5 g5 25.c3 bxc4 26.cxd4 cxd3+ 27.Kb1 Qc2+ 28.Ka1 a3 29.Rb1 Be4 30.Qd1 exd4 31.Qf1 d6 32.f3 Bf5 33.Qc1 d2 34.Qxc2+ Bxc2 35.Rhd1 d3 36.Rxd2 Kb6 0–1
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Ove C Ekebjaerg-Gert Jan Timmerman-0–11991C27cr NL NBC-25

Favorite Stonewall game

I think Anand-Carlsen, from Grenke 2015 was quite monumental for the line!

 
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1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.c4 c6 5.Nf3 d5 The Stonewall system must have come as a surprise for Vishy. Magnus prefers to deviate from the main theoretical lines as soon as possible. 6.0-0 Bd6 7.b3 Qe7 Avoiding the exchange of the dark-squared bishops. 8.Ne5 0-0 9.Nd2 White goes for a classical plan of occupying the central square with both of his knights. a5 A typical useful move for such a structure - Black is getting some space for his q-side pieces and preventing White from advancing the b-pawn. 9...c5 10.e3 Nc6 11.Bb2 cxd4 12.exd4 9...Nbd7 10.Ndf3 Ne4 11.Bf4 9...b6 10.cxd5 exd5 10...cxd5 11.Ndc4! 11.Bb2 Bb7 12.Rc1 10.Bb2 This natural developing move seems most promising. Black doesn't experience any problems after 10.Ndf3 b6 11.Qc2 Bb7 12.Bf4 Ne4 13.Nd3 Bxf4 14.Nxf4 Nd7= 10...Nbd7 10...b6 11.cxd5 exd5 12.Rc1 Bb7 13.e3 11.Qc2 a4 12.Ndf3 Vishy decides not to react to the aggressive advance of Black's a-pawn. The previously played 12.bxa4!? also comes to consideration: Ne4 13.Nxe4 13.Ndf3 Bxe5 14.dxe5?! Nb6 15.cxd5 exd5 16.Rab1 Nc4 0-1 (29) Goganov,A (2550)-Sandipan,C (2590)/Moscow RUS 2013 13...fxe4 14.f4 exf3 15.Nxf3 12...Ne4 13.e3N This innovation doesn't really change the evaluation - White is slightly better due to a space advantage, but Black's position is very solid. Also worth considering is 13.Rab1!? freeing the a1-square for the bishop is more promising. For instance, a3 13...Bxe5 14.dxe5 Qb4 15.Rfd1 1-0 (24) Cifuentes Parada,R (2508) -Salamero Pelay,F (2130)/Spain 2011/EXT 2013 14.Ba1 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Bd7 16.f3 Nf6 17.Nd3 with a long strategic battle, where White's chances are preferable due to a space advantage. 13...a3 14.Bc3 After 14.Bc1 g5 14...c5!? 15.cxd5 exd5 16.Nxd7 Bxd7 17.dxc5 Bxc5 18.Qd3 Rad8= is another solid way to equalise 15.Nxd7 Bxd7 16.c5 Bc7 17.b4 Be8 White lacks harmony, so Black has no reasons for complaint. 14...Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Bd7 The following simplification hardly promises Black equality: 15...Bxe5 16.dxe5 Nxc3 17.Qxc3 Bd7 18.c5 Be8 19.Rad1 Bh5 20.f3 16.Nxd7 The exchange of the passive bishop definitely makes Black's play easier. It looks like 16.Be1! Be8 17.f3 Nf6 18.Nd3 e5 19.c5 19.dxe5 Bxe5 20.Nxe5 Qxe5 21.Qc1 Qe7= 19...Bc7 20.Nxe5 Bxe5 21.dxe5 Qxe5 22.Qc3 Qe7 23.Qd4 would allow White to keep a small, but risk-free edge. 16...Qxd7 17.c5 This ambitious advance is double-edged: White seizes a lot of space on the queenside, but releasing the pressure in the centre offer Black decent counterplay on the opposite side. 17.Be1 b5 18.f3 Nf6 19.c5 Bc7 20.Bc3 h5= 17...Bc7 Magnus deviates from a boring equalising line: 17...Nxc3 18.Qxc3 Be7 19.b4 b5 20.Rab1 Ra4 21.Rb3 Rfa8= 18.b4 h5 Black has no real threats yet, but White's king is under pressure now. 19.Be1 e5 20.dxe5 20.f3!? also deserved some attention: Nf6 21.Rb1 exd4 22.exd4 h4 23.b5 hxg3 24.hxg3 Nh5 25.bxc6 bxc6 26.f4 Nf6 27.Rf3= 20...Bxe5 21.Rd1 Qe6 Keeping an eye on the vulnerable Pa2. The position is still equal, but White has to play precisely. 22.f3 After 22.Rd3 h4 22...Bb2 23.f3 Nf6 24.Bc3= 23.gxh4! f4 24.f3 Nf6 White's position doesn't look good, though 25.Bf2 Qf5 26.e4 dxe4 27.fxe4 Qg6 28.Kh1 enables him to keep the balance. 22...Nf6 23.Bh3! White correctly opens up the position - the bishops need more space! However, the king is getting exposed now. 23.Qb3 was too passive: Rfe8 24.Bf2 Bb2 23...g6 24.e4 dxe4 25.fxe4 Bb2! This brave attempt to play for a win was fully justified. After 25...Ng4 26.exf5 Rxf5 27.Rxf5 gxf5 28.Bf2 Bb2 29.Re1= Black wouldn't be able to win the Pa2, so White should be OK. 26.exf5 Qxa2 27.Bf2 Anand's move is natural - White is connecting the rooks, so the pieces are located more harmoniously. However, this loss of tempi allows Magnus to stabilise the situation on the kingside. 27.Rf2! was safer: Rad8 28.Rxd8 Rxd8 29.Bc3 and White neutralises the dangerous passer: Nd5 30.f6 Kf7 31.Bxb2 axb2 32.Qxb2 Qxb2 33.Rxb2 with a drawish endgame. 27...g5! 28.Rfe1? White doesn't have time for a slow improvement - the Pa2 is simply too strong! The correct approach would be 28.Bg2 Qf7 29.Bd4! Bxd4+ 30.Rxd4 Now, when the dark-squared bishop is gone, White is able to stop the pawn: Ng4 31.Qd2 a2 32.Qxg5+ Qg7 33.Qxg7+ Kxg7 34.Ra1 Ra4 35.Rd2 Rfa8 36.b5 Rb4 36...Ne5 37.bxc6 bxc6 38.f6+! Kxf6 39.Rf2+ Ke6 40.Re2 and Black cannot make any progress. 37.Rdxa2 Rxa2 38.Rxa2 Rb1+ 39.Bf1 cxb5 39...Ne3 40.Rf2 cxb5 41.Rf3= 40.Re2 Kf6 41.h3 Ne5 42.Kf2 White should be able to achieve a draw quite easily. 28...Qf7! 29.Re6! Vishy manages to find the best way to develop his counterplay. 29.Rd6 was much worse: Rfe8 30.Rde6 Ng4 31.Bxg4 hxg4 32.Qb3 Rxe6 33.fxe6 Qf3 34.Qc4 Qd5 35.Qc2 Kg7 36.e7 Re8 37.Re3 Bd4 38.Rxa3 Rxe7-+ 29...Ng4? This natural move is not the best from an objective point of view, though White's task is becoming extremely tough. After the correct 29...Rfe8! 30.b5 cxb5 31.Bg2 b4 32.Bf1 Kh8 33.Bc4 Rxe6 34.fxe6 Qe7 White still would have some counter-chances, but Black's advantage is indisputable there. 30.Bxg4 hxg4 31.Rg6+ Kh7 32.Rd7?? That desperate move leads to a quick loss. At the same time, Vishy could have escaped by means of 32.Re6! Rfe8 32...Qxf5 33.Rd7+ Kg8 34.Rg6+ Kh8 35.Rh6+= 33.Be3! It turns out, that White has enormous attacking resources everywhere: Be5! 33...Rxe6 34.fxe6+ Qg6 35.Rd7+ Kh6 35...Bg7 36.Qa2 leads nowhere 36.Bxg5+! Kxg5 37.h4+ gxh3 38.Qd2+ Kh5 39.Qe2+ Qg4 40.Rh7+ Kg5 41.Qe3+ Kf5 42.Rf7+ Bf6 43.Qf2+ Ke4 44.Rxf6 h2+ 45.Kxh2 Rh8+ 46.Kg1 Qd1+ 47.Qf1 Qxf1+ 48.Rxf1 Kd5 49.Ra1= 34.h4‼ gxh3 35.Rg6 Bg7 36.Rd7‼ Qxd7 37.f6 Qd1+ 38.Qxd1 Kxg6 39.Qd3+ Kxf6 40.Bd4+ Kf7 41.Qf5+ Kg8 42.Bxg7 Kxg7 43.Qxg5+ with perpetual. 32...Qxd7-+ Unfortunately, there are not many pieces left. Black easily wins now. 33.f6 Qd1+ 33...Rxf6 was also good enough: 34.Rxf6+ Kg8 35.Rg6+ Bg7 36.Qa2+ Qf7-+ 34.Qxd1 Kxg6 35.Qd3+ Kh6 36.h4 gxh3 0–1
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Anand,V2797Carlsen,M28650–12015A90Grenke Chess Classic 3rd4

 

A ChessBase feature with Erwin l'Ami


Johannes Fischer was born in 1963 in Hamburg and studied English and German literature in Frankfurt. He now lives as a writer and translator in Nürnberg. He is a FIDE-Master and regularly writes for KARL, a German chess magazine focusing on the links between culture and chess. On his own blog he regularly publishes notes on "Film, Literature and Chess".

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