Chess: Understanding the Veresov Part II

1 d4 d5 2 Nc3 e5 3 dxe5 d4 4 Nb1 Nc6 5 Nf3 Bg4
6 Bf4 Nge7 7 Qd3 Ng6 8 Bg3 Qd5 9 Nc3 Bb4
10 O-O-O Line



What's the game plan for Black?

Sacrifice the e5 pawn in order to stifle White's
game in the center.

What's the game plan for White?



Accept the proffered pawn and consolidate e5.

1 d4



1 ... d5



1. ... Nc6

2 Nc3



2 ... e5



Black offers White the e5 pawn with hopes of
attaining a space advantage in the center.

2 ... Nf6
2 ... e6
2 ... f5
2 ... Bf5
2 ... c6
2 ... g6
2 ... Nc6
2 ... Nc6
2. ... c5

3 dxe5



And White gladly accepts it. After all, a pawn, is a pawn,
is a pawn.

3 ... d4



The beginning of Black's counterplay. He attacks the
knight and also gains space in the center.

3 ... Bb4
3 ... Nc6
3 ... Be6

4 Nb1



4 Ne4
4 Nb5

4 ... Nc6



Attacking the e5 pawn and also supporting d4.

4 ... Be6
4 ... Bf5
4 ... Bg4
4 ... Bc5

5 Nf3



Covering e5.

5 Bf4
5 e3
5 c3

5 ... Bg4



Indirectly assailing e5 by threatening to capture its
f3 defender.

5 ... Bf5
5 ... Be6

6 Bf4



Supporting e5 once again.

6 Qd3
6 h3

6 ... Nge7



6 ... Qd5
6 ... Bxf3
6 ... Qe7

7 Qd3



(i) Avoids potential contact with the g4 bishop.
(ii) Gives the Queen more breathing space. From d1,
she has access to just two squares (d2, d3) whereas
from here she has the diagonals f1-a6/b1-h7 plus the
third rank.

7 g3
7 c3
7 Nbd2
7 h3

7 ... Ng6



More pressure on e5. The f4 bishop also looks tempting.

7 ... Qd5
7 ... Qd7

8 Bg3



Avoiding 8 ... Nxf4.

8 Bd2
8 Bg5

8 ... Qd5



(i) Pressurizes e5.
(ii) Clears the queenside for castling.

8 ... Bxf3
8 ... Nb4
8 ... Qd7

9 Nc3



After a brief rest, the knight comes back to attack
the Queen.

9 e4
9 h3

9 ... Bb4



But Black pins the attacker.
Not 9. ... dxc3 because of 10. Qxd5.

9 ... Qc5
9 ... Qd7

10 O-O-O



Renewing the threat against the Queen and setting up
for an exciting middlegame.

10 Nd2

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Enter your search terms Submit search form