Svidler's List

Dec 25, 2015, 10:20 PM |

Peter Svidler's annotations get straight to the heart of the position. I've found them clear, concise and ultimately instructive. Going through his games from the World Cup 2015 in Baku, I must share his Round 1 exploits.

This is taken from Can, Emre - Svidler, Peter 0-1 from the FIDE World Cup Baku Round 1.

This is really a model game of play against a fixed centre. Observe Black's timing of ... f6 to destroy the centre, his restraint of ... a5 to prevent b4.

It is also the first time I have heard of the concept of the "excess piece", where both of Black's minor pieces want to occupy f5. Consequently it is a mistake to allow Black to exchange off one of these pieces.

The concluding counterblow tactic by Black is consistent with the attack a the base of the White pawn chain. A fundamental principle of chess is the occupation/destruction of the opponent's centre.

Annotations derived from Chessbase Magazine 169.

Lesson 1: How to prepare the ... c5 break.

Lesson 2: Dark squared Bishop redeployment in the Grunfeld.

Lesson 3: "Excess Piece"

I really like Svidler's commentary of the "excess piece". Both minor pieces want to occupy f5. To this end, it is a mistake then for White to play Ne3 in the game, allowing the exchange of one of the excess pieces.

Lesson 4: Undermining Action in the Centre

Such games add to ones intuitive feel of the destruction of White's centre in Hypermodern play.

Lesson 5: Overloaded

The concluding tactic is consistent with the theme of destruction of White's centre, exploiting the overloaded Rd1 defending d4 and the e1 square.

My Annotations to Can, Emre - Svidler, Peter 0-1 World Cup, Baku Round 1 2015

Svidler's List

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