Caro-Kann 4…Bf5 no h5-TWIC 957

TWIC 957
Black accepted the gambit d-pawn early and settled down to a RB-RB ending with opposite color bishops. The technical ending is of some interest as analysis revealed some subtle points.

Here is the feature game.

Codenotti,M (2402) - Sumets,A (2620) 
Caro-Kann 4…Bf5 no h5[B18]
Karpos Open 2013 Skopje MKD (2.9), 10.03.2013

Position 1
The RB-RB P+ conversion has reached a sharp phase. What do you recommend for black now?

Black to Play

36.Rxg7

Caro-Kann 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bh5-TWIC 957

TWIC 957
GM Kovacevic used the innocuous Two Knights Variation and quickly won the light bishop for two pawns with the standard g4/h4 plan. The game was essentially over very early in an opening knockout.

Kovacevic,A (2563) - Perunovic,Mio (2445)

Caro-Kann 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bh5 [B11]

Karpos Open 2013 Skopje MKD (3.14), 10.03.2013

Position 1
White has a piece for two pawns. What do you recommend for white now?

White to Play

20...de

Gurgenidze 5...Nh6-TWIC 958

TWIC 958
The position under examination arises from 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c6 4.f4 d5 5.e5 Nh6 6.Nf3(diagram).

In the feature game,GM Grigorov,G played the normal 6...f6 and won quickly. The game can illustrates the following middlegame themes,

• Overextended pawn center
• Simple tactics

6.Nf3

Here is the feature game.

Kanmazalp,O (2372) - Grigorov,G (2516) 
Gurgenidze 5…Nh6[B06]
Karpos Open 2013 Skopje MKD (7.26), 14.03.2013

Position 1

White has aggressive intentions based on the f5 advance perhaps. What do you recommend for black?

Black to Play

13.Qe2

Sicilian Classical 9.f4 b5(B67)-TWIC 958

TWIC 958
GM Zdenko Kozul  won a tough and typical battle in the Sicilian Classical Variation at the Karpos Open 2013

GM Zdenko Kozul 

Photo Chessdom

Here is the feature game.

Nevednichy,V (2548) - Kozul,Z (2608)
Sicilian Classical 9.f4 b5[B67]
Karpos Open 2013 Skopje MKD (8.13), 15.03.2013

Position 1
The position is complicated. What do you recommend for black?

Black to Play

23.Qc5

French Tarrasch 3....c5 4.exd5 Qxd5-TWIC 757

TWIC 957
Trends in the French Tarrasch 
The full retreat 6...Qd8 is coming into fashion as an alternative to 6..Qd6 as a way to avoid well established main theory.

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Ngf3 cxd4 6.Bc4 Qd8!?(Diagram) 

6...Qd8

Feature Game

GM Salgado Lopez,I used non-standard development(...Ne7-g6) and subtle maneuvering to gain the advantage in the feature game. After winning a pawn, the RR-RR/R-R endgame contained instructive typical methods for technical play.

GM Salgado Lopez(ESP)

Photo Chessbase

Here is the feature game.

Stanojoski,Z (2413) - Salgado Lopez,I (2619)
French Tarrasch 3....c5 4.exd5 Qxd5[C07]
Karpos Open 2013 Skopje MKD (3.25), 10.03.2013

Position 1
White has just neutralized Bb7 with 19.Be4. What do you suggest for black?

Black to Play

19.Be4

Position 2

The technical phase is underway in the P+ RR-RR ending. Black's rooks are active but have been prevented from taking the 2nd rank. What do you recommend for black?

Black to Play

38.Ra2