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Monday, March 18, 2013

Philidor 7.Re1 c6 8.a4-TWIC 757

TWIC 957
I started to play the Philidor last year with decent results but now it's time to broaden the scope of my knowledge. My current Philidor repertoire closely mirrors IM Barsky's ideas in The Modern Philidor(Chess Stars 2010).

The Modern Philidor-Barsky

Philidor Main Line
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nf3 Nbd7 5.Bc4 Be7 6.0–0 0–0 7.Re1 c6 8.a4(Diagram) 

The main line is 8...a5 which I have faithfully played. Other options include 8...b6 making a small queenside coil and 8...Qc7!? which is a specialty of GM Kunin,V.

Now i think 8...Qc7 deserves a closer look as it is not part as closely analyzed as 8...a5.



8.a4

Here is the feature game which illustrates the typical ideas behind 8...Qc7.

Bok,B (2525) - Kunin,V (2511) 
Philidor 7.Re1 c6 8.a4 Qc7 [C41]
TCh-NED Meesterklasse 2012–13 Netherland NED (7.1), 09.03.2013



Position 1
White has just sacrificed on the kingside with 40.Bxh6. How should black react?

Black to Play

40.Bxh6



Recap of 8...Qc7
The main points to note about black's opening formation.
  •  Don't commit to an early ..a5
  •  ...h6 To prevent Bg5/Ng5 and is a useful waiting move.
  •  ...Nf8-g6 To take aim at f4.
  •  ...Nf6-h7-g5 Nice knight maneuvers to give kingside options

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