Selected Games

Martirosyan-Petrosyan,M

Open Spanish 6.Re1

11th Asrian Memorial 2018

After 23..Bxe8(Diagram)

Opposite colored bishops can have drawing tendencies in certain endgames but in a middlegame the side with the initiative effectively has an extra piece on ‘their’ color

Conventional positional logic suggests that White should play on the dark squares and black on the light squares. Black’s minor pieces are slightly passive but there are no obvious weaknesses. White has more space but the doubled c-pawns are not really weak.

What do you recommend for White?

After 23..Bxe8

Lomasov-Inarkiev

Scotch Four Knights 10.h3

71st ch-RUS HL 2018 rd2

After 43.Nc3(Diagram)

Black is more active but the d-pawn has been blockaded

What do you recommend for Black?

After 43.Nc3

Ponkratov-Oparin

Centre Game

71st ch-RUS HL 2018 rd6

After 13.g4(Diagram)

White wants blood and with this in mind left his king uncastled and launched the attack with 13.g4

Black has gone about his business, completed development and secured his king.

What do you recommend for Black?

After 13.g4