Add Pop to the Modern Defense With Popchev

Milko Popchev of Bulgaria was born in 1964. He became an international grandmaster in 1998. Nikola Nestorovic of Serbia was born in 1989. Since this game was played, he became an international master. The tournament was at Stara Pazova in Serbia during the summer of 2008. Nestorovic came in clear first with 8.5 out of 13. He had 7 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses. Five of his wins were against the bottom five. His losses were to the players who came in places 2, 3, and 7. Popchev, who defeated Nestorovic, tied for 2nd with Milos Roganovic. Popchev scored 8 points with 3 wins, 10 draws, and no losses.

The opening played is the Modern Defense. This opening is very flexible and can be played with a wide choice of plans for both sides. In may cases it transposes into the Pirc Defense, but in many cases it does not. The particular line chosen by the players is not the most popular. Black challenged White's pawn center on move four. On move 12, the players castled on opposite sides. Both players had hopes of attack. The way Popchev won is worth examining. Popchev was trying to give away pieces while Nestorovic was unable to accept every offer and even had to offer his own.