Polugayevsky variant
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The Polugajewski variant is a variant in the Najdorf variant of the Sicilian defense in chess . It bears the ECO code B96 and is named after the Soviet grandmaster Lev Polugajewski , who systematically examined it and used it for many years. He published some of his analyzes in the 1980 book From the Grand Master's Laboratory . In this book he also describes the creative process of his analytical work. Their main continuation leads to very sharp play.
The basic position of the variant arises after the moves ( see also: chess notation ):
- 1. e2 – e4 c7 – c5 (The Sicilian Defense )
2. Ng1 – f3 d7 – d6 3. d2 – d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 Ng8 – f6 5. Nb1 – c3 a7 – a6 (the Najdorf variation )
- 6. Lc1-g5 e7-e6 7. f2-f4 b7-b5
Black intends to develop with Bb7, Nbd7 and Qc7. Compared to the main variation 7.… Be7 the bishop would stay on f8, whereby Black gains a tempo for his counterplay on the queenside. The Polugajewski variant is one of three possible attempts to adopt this line-up, the others being 7.… Qd8 – c7, 7.… Nb8 – d7.
After the defensive moves 8. a3 and 8. Bd3, Black has achieved his goal.
The immediate 8. e4 – e5 thwarts Black's plans.
The tactical trick 8.… d6xe5 9. f4xe5 Qd8 – c7 10. e5xf6 Qc7 – e5 + 11. Bf1 – e2 Qe5xg5 enables the unleashing.
Both after 12. 0–0 and 12. Qd1 – d3 the respective answer Re8 – a7 shows an important maneuver for Black in the Polugajewski variation. Using Re7 – d7, Black wants to neutralize the white pressure in the d-file.
Therefore 10. Qd1 – e2 Nf6 – d7 11. 0–0–0 Bc8 – b7 12. De2 – g4 (12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. Qg4 Qxe5 14. Bxb5 axb5 15. The1 h5 16. Qh4 Qc5 17. Rxe6 + Kf7 ), whereupon Qc7xe5 is a possible course of action.
After 13. Bf1 – d3 only 13.… h7 – h6 is possible! (13.… f5? 14. Nxf5 + -; 13.… h5? 14. Qxe6 + -; 13.… Bc5? 14. Nxe6 + -)
Attempts were made after 12.… Qc7xe5, 13. Bf1 – e2 ( Yuri Sergejewitsch Balaschow ), so as not to misalign the d- file, and the piece sacrifice 13. Bf1xb5, with the idea of developing the rook h1 quickly. After a6xb5 14. Rh1 – e1 (14. Ncxb5 h5? 15. Nc7 + Qxc7 16. Nxe6 De5 17. Nc7 + Qxc7 18. Qe2 + Ne5 19. Qxe5 + Qxe5 20. Rd8 mate) h7 – h5! 15. Qg4 – h4 Qe5 – c5! there are sharp positions in which White tries to use his development lead against the black king in the middle.
literature
- Lev Polugajewski: From the laboratory of the grand master , Rau Verlag, Düsseldorf 1980, ISBN 3-7919-0190-7 .
- Lev Polugajewski: Sicilian. Najdorf system to Polugajewski variant , Sportverlag, Berlin 1987, ISBN 3-328-00087-9 .