Svitlana's Smart Moves - Winning with the Portuguese Variation!

by Arne Kaehler
2/2/2024 – With the stunning result of 5 out of 5 on board 1, Svitlana participated in the Canadian University Championship! One of her games included the Portuguese Variation in the Scandinavian Opening, which is "Svitlana's Smart Moves" most viewed episodes! She won against an FM, and her opponent was almost without a chance. Maybe, this opening is much better, than everybody thought?

The Leningrad Dutch Defence is a dynamic and aggressive opening choice for Black, perfect for players who want to add some adventure and spice to their repertoire.

Svitlana's Smart Moves - Episode 88

With Svitlana Demchenko and Arne Kaehler

Svitlana Demchenko is an 18-year-old, Canadian WIM and chess coach. Here and now, she will teach us plenty of smart moves on the board, ranging from tactics, strategies, openings, and anything else chess related. In the process, I'm happy to be available as a student at club player level, and pester the Women's International Master with questions. Anyone who wants to strengthen their chess skills is welcome to watch, and actively replay the positions from the video, on our chessboard.

Click Layout to hide solution:

New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
1.e41,170,31954%2421---
1.d4949,86755%2434---
1.Nf3282,62856%2440---
1.c4182,73156%2442---
1.g319,74556%2427---
1.b314,34754%2427---
1.f45,91748%2377---
1.Nc33,81651%2384---
1.b41,75948%2379---
1.a31,22254%2404---
1.e31,07349%2409---
1.d395550%2378---
1.g466646%2361---
1.h444953%2374---
1.c343551%2426---
1.h328356%2419---
1.a411460%2465---
1.f39346%2435---
1.Nh39066%2505---
1.Na34262%2482---
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.c4 c6 4.dxc6 4.d4 cxd5 5.Nc3 Panov Attack transposition 4...Nxc6 5.Nc3 e5 6.d3 Bc5 7.Be3 Nd4 7...Bxe3 8.fxe3 Qb6 9.Qd2 8.h3 0-0 9.Qd2 a6 9...b5!? 10.Nf3 10.Nxb5 Bb7 11.Ne2 Bb4 12.Nbc3 Re8 10.cxb5 Bb7-+ 10.Nge2 b5 11.Ng3 11.cxb5 axb5 12.Bxd4 exd4 13.Nxb5 Re8-+ 11...bxc4 12.dxc4 Bb7 13.0-0-0 Qa5 14.Kb1 14.Bxd4 Bxd4 15.Nf5 Bxc3 16.Qxc3 Qxc3+ 17.bxc3 Ne4= 14...Rab8 15.Nd5 Qd8 16.Nxf6+ Qxf6 17.Rg1 Qb6 18.Bd3 Rfd8 19.Qc3 Bc6! 19...Bb4?! 20.Bxd4 exd4 21.Qc2 20.Nf5 Ba4 21.Rdf1? 21.b3 Nxb3! 21...Bxb3 22.axb3 Qxb3+ 22...Nxb3 23.Ka2 Bxe3 24.Nxe3 Nc1+ 25.Rxc1 Rxd3 26.Nd5 Rxc3 27.Nxb6 Rxc1 28.Rxc1 Rxb6 23.Qxb3 Rxb3+ 24.Kc1 Ba3+ 25.Kd2 Nxf5-+ 22.axb3 Qxb3+ 22...Bxb3? 23.Bc2 Bxc4+ 24.Ka1± 23.Qxb3 Rxb3+ 24.Ka1 24.Kc1 Ba3+ 25.Kd2 Rbxd3+ 24...Ra3+ 25.Kb2 Rb8+ 26.Kc1 Ra1+ 27.Kd2 Rb2+ 28.Kc3 Raa2 21...Bb4 22.c5 Qb7 23.Qc1 Ba3 24.Bxd4 exd4 25.c6 Bxc6 26.Qc2 Qxb2+ 27.Qxb2 Rxb2+ 28.Ka1 Bb5 29.Rd1 Rxf2 30.Bxb5 axb5 31.g4 g6 32.Ng3 d3 33.Ne4 Re2 34.Nd2 Bb4 35.Nb1 Bc5 36.Nc3 Rc2 0–1
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Zhu,H2321Demchenko,S23100–12024B01Canadian University Championship 20245

(If necessary, press the blue arrow on the right side)

If you like Svitlana's Smart moves, you will certainly enjoy her video lectures about "Surprising your opponents with the Lazy Sicilian", her first Fritztrainer "Understanding Material Imbalances", and her brand new Fritztrainer "The Scotch Game". Her newest Entry is the "Leningrad Dutch Defence"!

Photos of the event:

Svitlana had a perfect score on board 1 | Photo: John Upper

The team from Ottawa University | photo: John Upper

Svitlana's most viewed episode - The Portuguese Variation:

In just 60 minutes, you will be well-equipped with a surprise weapon, which will take most of your opponents out of book right from the start.

This DVD focuses on several types of material imbalances, such as Rook vs 2 Pieces, Queen vs 2 Rooks, and Queen vs Pieces.

Besides in-depth theory and exciting tactical exercises in the Scotch Game, this video course also includes a bonus section on the Scotch Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Bc4), a lively variation often leading to very dynamic positions.

The Leningrad Dutch Defence is a dynamic and aggressive opening choice for Black, perfect for players who want to add some adventure and spice to their repertoire.

Links:


Arne Kaehler, a creative mind who is passionate about board games in general, was born in Hamburg and learned to play chess at a young age. By teaching chess to youth teams and creating chess-related videos on YouTube, Arne was able to expand this passion and has even created an online course for anyone who wants to learn how to play chess. Arne writes for the English and German news sites, but focuses mainly on content for the ChessBase media channels.

We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.