[Event "Katowice op"] [Site "Katowice"] [Date "1992.??.??"] [Round "1"] [White "Shipov, Sergei"] [Black "Maslej, Miroslaw"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A70"] [WhiteElo "2460"] [BlackElo "2210"] [PlyCount "47"] [EventDate "1992.??.??"] {Still, our topic is Modern Benoni but we deviate to another variation which is the variation 8. Bd3. This chess opening is also similar to 7. Bg5 where the theme is complicated and hyperactive and much more to learn too.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 {The previous study was 6. Nf3 then 7. Bg5, now we switch to 6. e4 then 7. h3.} g6 7. h3 {You call this "prophylactic move", to prevent the pin (Bg4) at g4 square.} Bg7 8. Bd3 { This is our topic today, but watch out, this variation has different features.} O-O 9. Nf3 b5 {At the first glance, it seems white is in trouble yet, don't blink you might miss the action...} 10. Nxb5 {Yes, the other take is 10. Bb5, but let us see what is behind this capture and what GM Sergei Shipov brings to the table.} Re8 {Obviously, the pawn at e4 is weak and that is part of equilibrium but black must be careful, there are lots of white tricks coming soon.} 11. Nd2 Nxe4 12. Bxe4 f5 13. O-O fxe4 14. Nc4 {This is the move... NOW: PLEASE HAVE A PLAN HERE, THINK AHEAD, WHAT ARE WHITE IDEAS HERE AND REVIEW THE PAWN STRUCTURES AND BLACK'S POSITION.} Ba6 15. a4 ({IF} 15. Ncxd6 Re5 16. Bf4 Bxb5 17. Nxb5 Rf5 18. Bh2 Nd7 19. Nd6 Rh5 20. Qg4 Nf8 21. Rae1) 15... Be5 16. Nxe5 {I like this move and why? THINK AHEAD...} Rxe5 17. b4 {This is the reason of white's 16. Nxe5 to penetrate the a1-h8 diagonal since black's dark bishop is gone.} Bb7 {Taking the white knight does not help black but it looks bad now for black.} 18. Bb2 Nd7 (18... Rxd5 19. Qb3 {Hopelessly devoted to you. ..black king...}) 19. Nxd6 Rxd5 20. Qb3 {The sudden crack of black's position is done in just a few moves. What a wonderful display of strategy by GM Shipov. } Qc7 21. Nxb7 {What a combination...fantastic.} Qxb7 22. Rad1 c4 23. Qxc4 Nb6 24. Qc3 {Elegant!!! This is how I commend this game. What a nice game by GM Sergei Shipov, it is like a smooth operating machine slowly weakening black's position. I hope you have learned another variation against the Modern Benoni and thank you so much for your support. God Bless You All...Keep Safe Always... } 1-0