[Event ""] [White "Open Spanish"] [Black "9th Move Alternatives"] [Site ""] [Round ""] [Annotator "Srinath,Tanmay"] [Result "*"] [Date "2022.05.28"] [PlyCount "58"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Be3 $5 {When I initially began checking the Open Spanish, I didn't take this move very seriously, as I remember it was not the main line. However, on checking it deeply, I have come to realise that this is a very decent weapon for White players.} (9. Qe2 {White wants to adopt a simple formation with Qe2 and Rd1 to put pressure on the d5 pawn. This system was popularised by Caruana in his Chessbase DVD series. Initially, I found this system to be quite daunting, but on further analysis I realised that Black is perfectly fine in many different ways.} Nc5 $1 {I belive that this move is the most fighting option for Black. 9...Be7 is also a playable line, but in those positions White can press with almost zero risk, so winning the bishop pair while keeping the position complex appealed a lot to me. Now in almost any position Black takes on b3 next.} 10. Rd1 {The main move. I've also checked 3 other options, though they are mostly transpositional in nature and don't worry the 2nd player.} (10. Nbd2 Qd7 $5 {An interesting scheme of development. Before taking on b3 Black wants to see what White does.} 11. Re1 $5 {When I was checking this line this move seemed critical to me (relatively that is).} (11. Rd1 Be7 12. c3 {White has to play this before committing the knight. This is to ensure he can take back with the knight on b3.} Nxb3 13. Nxb3 (13. axb3 d4 $1 {Gives Black a lot of play. For example -} 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. cxd4 O-O $1 { The pawn doesn't matter.} 16. Qd3 Qd5 $132 {With powerful compensation for the missing pawn.} )Bg4 $1 {Another strong move. Black would love to grab the e5 pawn.} 14. h3 (14. Bf4 Nd8 $1 {Black is ready to support the d5 pawn further with c6 and reroute the knight to e6.} 15. h3 Bh5 16. Be3 Ne6 $132 { Despite Stockfish's initial protests, it eventually calms down and assess this as close to equal.} )Bh5 15. Qd3 {15.Bf4 transposes to the note above.} Bg6 $1 {Initiating a forced sequence leading to a benign endgame.} 16. Qxd5 Qxd5 17. Rxd5 Be4 18. Rd1 Bxf3 19. gxf3 Nxe5 20. f4 Nc6 $13 {Black has absolutely no worries here and can actually hope to outplay his opponent due to his better pawn structure.} )(11. c3 Bf5 {Now 12.Re1 Be7 transposes to the main line so I have checked some alternatives.} 12. Rd1 (12. Qd1 Be7 $1 { Simplicity is often best.} 13. Bc2 {White wants to exchange bishop for bishop.} Bxc2 14. Qxc2 d4 $1 {Initiating mass exchanges leading to a more favourable ending for Black.} 15. Nxd4 Nxd4 16. cxd4 Qxd4 17. Nb3 Qd3 $132 {Once the queens are exchanged it seems easier to play with Black thanks to the queenside majority.} )Bd3 {This is simple enough. For example -} 13. Qe3 Be7 $13 {The computer wants some weird regrouping with Ne1 and Ndf3 which is not so important to memorise. Black is fine here.} )Be7 12. c3 Bf5 $5 { A very interesting maneuver, wasting a tempo but taking control of d3. Simply developing.} 13. Nf1 {The only real move worth considering.} (13. Nd4 Nxd4 14. cxd4 Nd3 {14...Ne6 is also a playable option.} 15. Rd1 Nf4 16. Qf3 g5 $13 { White has to be careful not to get worse.} )Nxb3 14. axb3 O-O {Black has a perfectly playable position. For the sakes of showing that I can click buttons I decided to give a few more moves.} 15. Ng3 Bg6 16. Bg5 {Perhaps the most active move.} Bxg5 17. Nxg5 Rfe8 18. f4 f6 19. e6 Qd6 $13 {The computer now gives some weird forced lines ending in draws, but that is upto you to investigate. Black seems to be fine here.} )(10. c3 {There are two drawbacks to this move. White is forced to recapture with the a-pawn, which is not always preferable. Also, the White knight loves to be on c3, which is now taken away by the pawn.} Nxb3 11. axb3 Be7 {White's position already lacks harmony, as the engine switches between equality and a slight Black plus.} 12. Rd1 {The best move White has at his disposal.} O-O 13. Be3 {I don't see how else White completes his development.} (13. b4 a5 $1 {is a strong resource.} 14. bxa5 Nxa5 $132 {With powerful counterplay.} )Re8 $1 {The start of a lovely sequence that sees both bishops retreat to their initial squares.} 14. Nbd2 Bf8 15. h3 Bc8 16. Bf4 f6 $132 {With strong play against the e5 pawn.} )(10. Be3 {This move contains some transpositional possibility, so Black must be prepared for it.} Nxb3 11. cxb3 {The only serious move.} (11. axb3 {Might actually leave White struggling to equalise. For example} Be7 12. h3 O-O 13. c3 d4 $1 {Black gets rid of the semi-weak d-pawn and prepares to free himself.} 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 Bxb3 16. Nd2 Bd5 17. f4 c5 18. Bf2 Qc8 $132 {The position has opened up, and Black's bishop pair with the queenside majority looks scary.} )Qd7 $1 {It is important to get the move orders right here. Black must start with this move.} (11... Be7 12. Rc1 $1 {This is a very annoying move to face. Black must either play a pawn-down ending or suffer a bit in an uncomfortable middlegame.} )12. Nc3 {White is forced to go here.} Be7 13. Rad1 {13.Rfd1 0-0 transposes to the main line.} O-O 14. Rd2 {This is still the critical plan for White.} (14. h3 {Allows Black to liquidate the strong e5 pawn.} f6 15. exf6 Rxf6 16. Ng5 Rf5 {Returning the bishop pair.} 17. Nxe6 Qxe6 $11 {With a playable and balanced middlegame.} )Nd8 {As in the main line Black regroups with Nd8 and c6.} 15. Bg5 c6 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Qe3 Bg4 $13 { Freeing e6 for the knight. Black has a playable middlegame.} )Nxb3 11. cxb3 $1 {White's main idea here, and the reason I was initially scared to enter this variation. The structural damage is offset by the ease of development - Be3, Nc3 and so on. Also, White's main goal is to clamp the dark squares. However, I managed to revive this line for the 2nd player with a rare concept in the main line.} (11. axb3 {is the old main line, but no longer a really serious try, as Stockfish immediately zeroes in on the best line for Black.} Be7 12. c4 {White's point, and the only serious move in the position.} b4 13. Nbd2 {This is perhaps the only reasonable try for White as there is one variation where he can try to scare Black in a practical game.} (13. Bg5 { Leads to mass exchanges.} Bxg5 14. cxd5 Bxd5 15. Nxg5 Qxg5 16. Rxd5 Rd8 17. Rxd8+ Nxd8 $11 {The knight comes to e6 and Black is perfectly fine.} )(13. cxd5 {The chicken variation. Black can't avoid a draw if White forces it, but chess is a draw, so I guess we should be fine with it.} Bxd5 14. Qd3 {Black has to keep going Be4 and Bd5 if White goes Qe2 and Qd3.} (14. Nc3 {If White wants to try then this is the way, but following a simple sequence} bxc3 15. bxc3 Qd7 16. c4 Bxc4 17. bxc4 Qe6 $11 {Black seems to be doing fine.} )Be4 15. Qe2 Bd5 16. Qd3 Be4 17. Qe2 Bd5 $11 {Unfortunately chess is a draw sometimes, but this is the only place where we have to take the draw by force. I have tried to ensure we avoid it as much as possible.} )O-O 14. Nf1 {The typical Spanish maneuver.} Qd7 15. Bg5 (15. cxd5 Bxd5 16. Bg5 {Black can equalise quite simply with} Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Qe6 18. Bxe7 Nxe7 $11 {With a perfectly acceptable game.} )Rfd8 $1 {The other rook must stay on a8 for now.} 16. Ne3 $5 $146 {Of course the best move in the position is a novelty :)} d4 17. Nd5 $1 {White's only reasonable try.} (17. Bxe7 Qxe7 $11 {is simple enough.} )Bxg5 18. Nxg5 Bxd5 $1 {Black must grab the pawn.} 19. cxd5 Qxd5 20. Qd3 Nxe5 $1 {Forced.} 21. Qxh7+ Kf8 22. h4 Rd6 $1 {A powerful move. The rooks enter the fray.} 23. Qh8+ Ke7 24. Qxg7 Rg6 25. Qh7 Rag8 $13 {The computer showed some weird repetitions here, but safe to say that Black is doing fine.} )Be7 12. Nc3 O-O {The first real branching point. White has a few ways to set up his pieces but only one setup is critical.} 13. Be3 $1 {The only real test.} (13. h3 Qd7 $1 {Black continues to follow the same setup.} 14. Bg5 (14. Be3 f6 $1 15. exf6 Rxf6 $15 {Leaves White fighting for equality.} )Bxg5 15. Nxg5 d4 $1 {The pawn advances to gain space.} 16. Nce4 Bf5 17. g4 Bg6 $1 { I don't like the other forcing line with 17...h6.} 18. f4 Rae8 $1 {Black sacrifices a piece, but the king on g1 and the monster pawn on d4 offer ample compensation.} 19. f5 {This feels like the critical try.} (19. Nc5 Qd5 20. Nxa6 {Wins a pawn, but after} d3 21. Qe3 Re7 $132 {Black has loads of counterplay thanks to the strong d3 pawn and potential to break with f6.} )Nxe5 20. fxg6 fxg6 $1 {The obvious point.} 21. Rf1 d3 $44 {With enough compensation for the missing piece.} )(13. Bf4 {Also a possible setup, but nothing to dangerous. } Qd7 14. Rd2 d4 $1 {The typical freeing move.} 15. Rad1 Bc5 $132 {Black has great play.} )Qd7 $1 {The main move for a reason. Black connects the rooks and waits to see how White commits his forces.} 14. Rd2 (14. Rac1 { is also possible but not as critical as the main line.} Rad8 15. Rd2 (15. h3 f6 $1 {This break gives Black very easy equality.} 16. exf6 Rxf6 17. Ne4 Rg6 $11 { With comfortably play.} )(15. Bg5 {Not a great move, but Black can now choose how he responds -} Bxg5 16. Nxg5 d4 $1 $146 {is my proposal.} 17. Nce4 Bf5 $132 {With powerful play thanks to the strong center.} )Nb8 $5 {A strong maneuver. The knight allows Black to play c6 and fortify the center. Other things will come later.} 16. Qf1 $5 $146 {Improving on previous play.} (16. Rcd1 c6 {gave Black a great position in Cranbourne-Ducret 1999. Even if White improves with} 17. a3 {after} Rde8 $1 $132 {Black has the better side of equality.} )c6 17. Ne2 Rc8 $13 {Black solidifies the only weakness on c6 and slowly prepares counterplay.} )Nd8 $1 {My attempted improvement. It has been seen in games before, but in a far lesser number than the main line. It also happens to be the top choice of modern engines. Black's plan is simple - c6, Bf5/g4 and Ne6 with comfortable play. White doesn't have an easy decision to make - which piece does he improve while Black initiates this plan? } 15. Bg5 $5 $146 {Perhaps White's best plan - he exchanges a key defender of the dark squares.} (15. Rc1 {is marginally better than h3 as White brings in another piece, but it is nevertheless not enough to challenge the 2nd player.} c6 16. Ne4 Bf5 $5 $146 {Improving over an old Ding Liren game.} 17. Nc5 Qc7 $11 {Again Black has no problems.} )(15. h3 c6 16. Ne4 Bf5 {Preparing to bring the knight to e6.} 17. Nc5 Qc7 $11 {With comfortable equality.} )(15. Rad1 c6 $1 { The presence of the two rooks on the d-file makes for a funny sight.} 16. Ne4 { was seen in a game before, but Black is better following the simple} Bg4 $1 $15 )c6 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. h3 Bf5 $11 {The key position for the soundness of Black's idea 9.Qe2 Nc5. At the moment, I am unable to find any way for White to get an advantage from this position, and I think that the 2nd player has a great game. While 9.Qe2 is not the most serious try, it does require some precision from Black, hence the detailed coverage.} )(9. a4 {is a weird move tried by Van Foreest and Moussard. It is not a bad move by any stretch, but White can't hope for any advantage.} b4 10. c3 {I believe this is White's best chance.} (10. Be3 {Van Foreest's idea, which was previously tried by the ever-creative Gashimov. However, Black's route to equality is quite simple.} Be7 11. a5 (11. Nbd2 {Black now takes on d2 and plays for the c5 advance.} Nxd2 12. Qxd2 Na5 13. Ba2 c5 $132 {With strong play.} )O-O 12. Qd3 Nc5 13. Bxc5 Bxc5 14. c3 {I believe Jorden was aiming for this position, as the game Van Foreest-Mamedyarov 2022 shows. However, despite Mamedyarov winning the game, I believe that Black can improve on the aggressive Azerbaijani player with the strong sequence} g6 $5 $146 15. Nbd2 Qe7 $132 {With the easier game to play.} )(10. a5 {is not a great move.} Nc5 $1 11. Nbd2 Be7 $15 {Black has the preferable position.} )(10. Nbd2 Be7 $1 {Only here we don't put a piece on c5, but it doesn't really matter as the ending that arises seems easier to handle with Black.} 11. Nxe4 dxe4 12. Bxe6 Qxd1 13. Rxd1 fxe6 14. Ng5 Bxg5 15. Bxg5 Rf8 $11 {Black brings the rook to f5 and attacks the e5 pawn. He has at least equal chances.} )Bc5 {Whenever possible I like to put a piece on c5 as it is the most dynamic way to play.} 11. Nd4 {Again White's best chance. Here I want to suggest a powerful novelty.} (11. cxb4 {This is the most played move, but White is just worse after} Nxb4 12. Nc3 O-O $15 {Black has good pieces and a better central presence.} )Qh4 $3 $146 {The knight on c6 is irrelevant.} 12. g3 Qh3 13. Nxc6 h5 $1 {Smooth and calm!} 14. cxb4 h4 $1 { Now the bishop on c5 is left loose. White's best chance is} 15. g4 Nxf2 16. bxc5 {Giving up the queen, but after} Nxd1 17. Bxd1 Qd3 $13 {I feel Black's play with the queen is easier, mostly because the White king is still exposed.} )(9. Nc3 {is simply bad - White is worse after} Nxc3 10. bxc3 Ne7 $1 $15 { The Black knight comes to f5 and Black has ideas of c5.} )Bc5 $1 {Keeping with my philosophy, it's some piece on c5 against almost anything!} 10. Qe2 (10. Bxc5 Nxc5 {This exchange was useful for both sides, but White now has one attacker less, so Black's bold play in the opening hasn't been punished.} 11. Nd4 {Stockfish's main line. However, I am not sure that this move is too challenging.} (11. Nc3 d4 $1 {Forward!} 12. Ne2 (12. Bxe6 Nxe6 $132 {favours Black since the knight is much better placed on e6.} )Bxb3 13. axb3 (13. cxb3 d3 14. Nf4 Qe7 15. a3 O-O-O $132 {With a super pawn on d3 Black has no worries.} )Ne6 14. Qd3 O-O 15. Qe4 Qd7 16. Rad1 Rad8 $11 {With comfortable equality as the d-pawn is a strength.} )(11. c3 O-O {Such play is often too slow to cause Black any problems.} 12. Re1 (12. h3 Nxb3 13. axb3 f6 { A powerful break that removes the thorn on e5.} 14. exf6 Qxf6 15. Re1 d4 $1 $132 {With comfortable equality.} )d4 $1 {Dynamic and strong. A pawn is sacrificed to win the bishop.} 13. Nxd4 (13. cxd4 Nxb3 14. axb3 b4 $44 { Leads to similar positions as in the main line.} )Nxb3 14. axb3 Nxd4 15. cxd4 b4 $132 {With a strong light squared bishop for a pawn.} )Qd7 $1 { Almost a novelty, but an incredibly strong engine idea.} 12. Re1 $5 $146 { Somehow in my files White's best chances come in the form of novelties!} (12. c3 $146 Nxe5 $1 {Black grabs the pawn with a very concrete idea in mind.} 13. f4 Nc4 $1 {Somehow my Stockfish initially missed this move, which allows Black to play for more than equality.} 14. f5 Ne3 15. Qh5 Nxf1 16. fxe6 Nxe6 17. Kxf1 O-O $132 {Black has a rook and two pawns for two pieces, which amounts to very good play.} )(12. Nxc6 Qxc6 13. c3 Rd8 $11 {Was comfortable for Black in Eynullayev-Yakubboev 2019.} )O-O 13. c3 {Once again the Stockfish main line.} (13. Nc3 Rfd8 $1 {White's play has not been the quickest and Black takes full advantage.} 14. Nxc6 Qxc6 15. Ne2 d4 $132 {With wonderful play.} )Nxb3 $1 {A strong resource that the NN engines spot in a second. Stockfish is still in the illusion that it is better, but Black has very comfortable equality following} 14. axb3 b4 15. Nd2 a5 {which gains space and removes any weaknesses on the queenside.} 16. h3 bxc3 17. bxc3 Ne7 $132 { With comfortable play.} )O-O 11. Rd1 {The main move and the only serious one.} (11. Nbd2 Nxd2 $1 {This exchange allows Black to get the better side of equality.} 12. Bxd2 $5 $146 {A novelty more out of necessity.} (12. Qxd2 d4 13. Bf4 {White's best chance.} (13. Bg5 Qd7 $132 {is very comfortable for Black.} )Bxb3 14. axb3 Qd5 $132 {With the better side of equality.} )Bg4 $1 13. Be3 d4 $1 {Black's play is energetic and sound.} 14. Bf4 Na5 15. h3 Bh5 $132 {With strong pressure against White's misplaced pieces.} )Bxe3 { 11...Na5 was my initial move order, but this one is more forcing.} 12. Qxe3 Na5 $1 {This is my recommendation. It has been played by a young Mamedyarov in the past, and leads to very interesting positions with opposing races - Black plays on the queenside and White pushes pawns on the kingside.} 13. Nbd2 (13. c3 Nxb3 $1 $146 14. axb3 Bg4 $132 {Leads to positions where Black has absolutely no issues.} )Nxd2 14. Rxd2 {The critical position for the entire survey. On the face of it, it looks like White has got everything he wants from the opening - he is better developed and d5 is a juicy target. However, my novelty in this position changes the assessment of the position and gives Black a playable game.} Rc8 $1 $146 {Black has a simple plan - push c5 and play on the queenside. I believe that this move revitalises Black's chances in this line. Now I've checked all the branches quite extensively, so hopefully you have enough ammunition to breach your opponent's defenses!} (14... c6 15. c3 Qe7 $5 $13 {is another option that I briefly checked, but I believe that my novelty is flashier and leads to more interesting play.} )15. c3 {The main move in my file.} (15. Rad1 Nxb3 {I also had 15...c6!? in my file, but it is best to stay consistent to the plan.} 16. axb3 c5 {White's best chance is to transpose to one of the branches in the main line with 17.c3, since after something like} 17. Qd3 $5 h6 18. h3 Qe7 19. c3 Rfe8 $132 {Black has a very easy game.} )c5 $1 {Black delays taking on b3 for the moment and instead advances on the queenside.} 16. Ng5 $5 {The critical attempt - White tries to launch a kingside attack.} (16. h3 h6 {Both sides have made useful waiting moves and now White has to show a plan.} 17. Rad1 (17. Kh2 Nc4 { Is a very good exchange for Black.} 18. Bxc4 bxc4 $132 {The half-open b-file gives Black good chances on the queenside.} )(17. Nh2 Nxb3 18. axb3 a5 19. Ng4 b4 {White hasn't really improved his position while Black has made progress on the queenside.} 20. Qg3 bxc3 21. bxc3 Bxg4 {The simplest solution.} 22. Qxg4 Re8 $11 {This major piece endgame is approximately balanced.} )Nxb3 18. axb3 a5 19. b4 $5 {The only real plan for White in this position.} cxb4 20. cxb4 a4 $1 21. Nd4 Rc4 {One of those critical positions in the sub-lines, as it can also come from another move order.} 22. f4 {White's only reasonable plan.} (22. b3 axb3 23. Qxb3 Qh4 $11 {is just equal.} )Qh4 $1 {The queen will disturb White's kingside plans.} 23. f5 Bd7 24. e6 fxe6 25. fxe6 Be8 $13 { This is a rather unclear position. White's knight is strong on d4 but Black's pieces are positioned perfectly. Chances are about equal.} )(16. Rad1 Nxb3 17. axb3 {This can also arise from 15.Rad1.} Qe7 $5 {The more fighting option.} 18. Ra1 {Attacking a6 is White's best plan here.} (18. h3 a5 $1 {Helps Black get rid of his only weakness.} 19. b4 $5 {The comp's main move for some reason. I guess it really hates allowing b4.} cxb4 20. cxb4 Qxb4 21. Nd4 Bd7 $13 { White is a pawn down and has to be careful not to over-press.} )Qb7 19. b4 {White was probably counting on this idea, but Black has a strong rejoinder. } d4 $1 {Opening the long diagonal.} 20. cxd4 cxb4 21. h3 Rfd8 {Black has a strong light squared bind.} 22. Ne1 Ra8 23. Nd3 a5 24. Rc1 Rac8 25. Nc5 Qe7 $132 {Both sides have their chances.} )h6 $1 {Asking the knight an important question.} 17. Ne4 {The best move.} (17. Nf3 {is just a waste of time -} Nxb3 18. axb3 a5 19. b4 cxb4 20. cxb4 a4 21. Nd4 Bd7 $132 {Black has got an ideal version of one of the previous variations.} )(17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. f4 {is a possible idea, but after} Nxb3 19. axb3 a5 20. g3 c4 {Black obtains very strong counterplay on the queenside.} 21. bxc4 Rxc4 $132 )Nxb3 18. axb3 { White should not be too cheeky!} (18. Nf6+ {Right now is not working so well as after} gxf6 19. Qxh6 f5 20. Rd3 f4 21. axb3 Rc6 $1 $15 {Black brings a piece to the defense of his king and is slightly better.} )Qe7 $1 19. Nf6+ $1 {Perhaps White's only serious try.} (19. Nd6 Rc6 20. h3 f6 $1 {Black liquidates.} 21. f4 fxe5 22. fxe5 Qh4 23. Rdd1 Qf4 24. Qxf4 Rxf4 $11 {This ending still has enough complexity for both sides to lose, but it is balanced right now.} )(19. Ng3 Rfd8 {What now follows is a forced line.} 20. Rxa6 d4 $1 {Simplifying into a drawn ending.} 21. cxd4 cxd4 22. Rxd4 Rxd4 23. Qxd4 Qc5 $1 {White has to take as the back rank is too weak.} 24. Qxc5 Rxc5 25. h4 { This tempo allows Black to win back a pawn.} Rxe5 26. Rd6 Re1+ 27. Kh2 Bxb3 $11 {with comfortable equality.} )gxf6 20. Qxh6 {Black has to either know or find the following move.} f5 $1 {Not a really hard move - exf6 is no longer a threat and the pawn becomes a very good defender.} 21. Rd3 f4 $1 {Preventing Rg3.} 22. g4 $1 {White's only serious try. Rh3 is threatened.} (22. Qxf4 Kh7 $3 $17 {is Black's beautiful point. White has insufficient compensation for the missing piece.} )f6 $1 {The last precise move. Since 23.Rh3? Qg7 is not desirable for White, he has to grab the a6 pawn and hope for the best.} 23. Rxa6 Bxg4 $1 {Simplifying by force.} 24. Qxf4 Qg7 25. Rg3 fxe5 $1 {Not fearing ghosts.} 26. Qxg4 (26. Qh6 {is not too scary as well -} Qxh6 27. Rxh6 Kg7 28. Rd6 Kf7 29. Rxg4 Rfd8 $11 {with equality.} )Qxg4 27. Rxg4+ Kf7 28. Kf1 Ra8 29. Rc6 Rfc8 $11 {White has to repeat moves or enter a complex double-rook endgame which is equal. This brings an end to this survey which looks at 9.Be3 and 9.Qe2 among other moves in the Open Spanish. While the former is a very serious try, the latter and other minor tries don't pose Black too many problems. In Part 2 the critical variations with 9.c3 and 9.Nbd2 will be checked.} *