Kalashnikov - Chess Forums

TrainingBot

Nov 15, 2011

0

#1

Hey all I was wondering what Kalashnikov variation it is best for white to play. If you are an experienced Kalashnikov player or someone who knows the lines, please help me by submitting a reply. Thanks to all who do

erikido23

Nov 16, 2011

0

#2

Conzipe wrote:

The main issue with the kalashnikov move-order is that it enables white to play 6. c4 and create a maroczy bind setup where white can push for an advantage with very little risk.

Theoretically black is doing fine after 6. c4 but it's very difficult to win against that line.

The more critical move for white is to play 6. N1c3 when black can transpose into the sveshnikov by going 6...Nf6 which is most likely the wisest choice. Black does have some other alternatives after 6. N1c3 because of the kalashnikov move-order but white is currently doing well against all of them.

The kalashnikov is therefore often viewed as a slightly more inaccurate way of getting into the sveshnikov. Basically because it gives white the extra option of 6. c4 and after 6. N1c3 black has nothing better then transposing to the sveshnikov.

So the question you need to ask yourself here is if you either want to play 6. c4 and try to slowly grind black. Or if you want to kinda call blacks bluff with 6. N1c3 and learn how to play against blacks extra sidelines.

Couldn't the Kalash also avoid the b-g5 sveshnikov if you were so inclined to avoid it?

billwall

Nov 16, 2011

0

#3

I like the 6.Bc4 line, which can be trappy. This game was interesting.

erikido23

Nov 16, 2011

0

#4

Conzipe wrote:

erikido23 wrote:

Couldn't the Kalash also avoid the b-g5 sveshnikov if you were so inclined to avoid it?

How? I'm certainly not aware of such a finess.

Maybe I am just being foolish as usual....but after n-c3 black follows up with a6 and b5 and the bishop obviously can't go to g5 as the queen would take it

erikido23

Nov 17, 2011

0

#5

Conzipe wrote:

erikido23 wrote:

Maybe I am just being foolish as usual....but after n-c3 black follows up with a6 and b5 and the bishop obviously can't go to g5 as the queen would take it

That's where the actual kalashnikov sidelines comes in. You can't however reach a sveshnikov where you have managed to avoid the whole Bg5 complex. There is one line that attempts to avoid the Bg5 followed by a quick capture on f6.

Kalashnikov sidelines:

I was saying maybe BLACK didn't want to face a b-g5 svesh(for whatever reason)by delaying n-f6...However, I guess that is what was meant. This is a kalash and not svesh if you avoid moving nf6, correct?

battez

Dec 7, 2011

0

#6

Conzipe wrote:

erikido23 wrote:

I was saying maybe BLACK didn't want to face a b-g5 svesh(for whatever reason)by delaying n-f6...However, I guess that is what was meant. This is a kalash and not svesh if you avoid moving nf6, correct?

Indeed, when black avoids 6...Nf6 and instead goes 6...a6 we immediately enter kalashnikov territory where black is theoretically doing poorly.

By delaying the development of the f6-knight black isn't only looking to avoid Bg5 pins but really to keep more options of how to develop the kingside.

Hey Conzipe.

I am a big fan of B32 Kalshnikov opening, and I think a great choice of Sicilian since it is quite intricate sometimes and people believe it is too easy to be better as as white.

I agree theoretically the Nc3 line is doing well for white - and it has not been played too much this year, but Radjabov and Moiseenko still prepared to play it I think, and Ivanchuk got a draw (and a better ending !) recently against Nepo - pretty good therefore I think.

I prefer facing c4 version when I play as black than nc3 line, but against Nc3 there are 3 practical options.

Theres the recent, solid version that is the Be7 , b5 , Nf6, Rb8 kind of setup. This is far from being refuted and black gets a very good game. It has flexibility and subtlety too. Watch this space!

This line has been recommended by Tony Rotella also, who is in the process of a book on this opening.

OK other key choices -

Nge7 , then follow up with Nd4 and NxNd5 and then you can play g6 Bg7 setup or the sharper, but probably worse Be7 or Bd7 lines.

Theres the weird nce7 but I don't think this is at all trustworthy and too weird on top of the d6 backward pawn in terms of against-the-principles of opening I think.

But why I like this opening so much is that more than 75% of the time I get other lines than Nc3 or c4 from white, and they are all quite simple to find a nice line against.
(eg c3 - black has some nice choices, the more tricky Bb5 systems are dangerous but I have a nice line ;) , then you get NxN / Nb3 / Nf5 / Nf3 quite often which are all easily playable against. I so enjoy playing the mainline kalshnikovs when they come along I think it helps too.