Hard-core Zaitsev Theory in Czech Open
25 July 2007 11:55 AM | Last modified: 11:57
The Czech Open in Pardubice is one of the biggest, if not the biggest chess festival in the world, with a bit over 1700 players this year. And not even just a chess festival, since also tournaments in backgammon, crossword puzzles, draughts, sudoku, poker, bridge and even Rubik’s cube are held! Later I will write more about the festival, but today I will focus on a subject that hasn’t been treated for a while here on ChessVibes. Hard core opening theory! Normally long theoretical lines are seen in the elite round-robins and not in these huge open tournaments, except… when super-theoretician Vasilios Kotronias is playing. Yesterday, in the fifth round, an amazing Zaitsev Ruy Lopez attracted the attention.
>> see the game in a separate window
>> see the game in a separate window
Kotronias-Schlosser, after 67.h6
Mind-blowing stuff. But isn’t the Black player Philip Schlosser?
In your reference to the excellent book by Sverre Johnsen and GM Leif Johannessen, you got a little typo, it is supposed to be 2. Nc6 instead of 2. Nf6 (Ironically Kotronias is also an expert in that opening)
Once again a great article Peter.
I also advice the readers to play through the game Kotronias-Bologan which is one of the most entertaing games I had seen in a while
Thanks guys, I corrected both mistakes.
Rybka indicates that 32.Kh2! avoiding the Ra1 pin is stronger. Perhaps white can try for an advantage that way. F.e. 32.Kh2! Nd3 33.f4!
In any case, the 26.Nh2? from Kotronias - Bologan is totally lost for white.