Play 1…d6 Against Everything: A Compact and Ready-to-use Black Repertoire for Club Players

By Erik Zude and Jörg Hickl

All the average club player needs is a small and manageable chess opening repertoire. They don’t have time and energy to study hundreds of pages of chess opening theory. And why would they? Amateur games are rarely decided in the opening. Understanding structures and finding tactics are much more important.
Renowned German chess trainers Erik Zude and Jörg Hickl have created an ideal club player’s repertoire for Black. This compact manual presents a set of lines that is conveniently limited in scope, yet varied, solid and complete.
The core repertoire is based on lines that the authors have successfully played at (grand)master level for decades: the Antoshin variation of the Philidor Defence against 1.e4 and the Old-Indian Defence against 1.d4. There is only a limited number of plans, ideas and structures that you need to learn, and very few forcing variations.

After an initial phase in which Black may at first sight look slightly passive, you will develop your position with a sequence of strong standard moves and start your highly effective counterplay. Zude and Hickl provide common sense guidance, explain all typical characteristics and give practical examples. If you have an Elo rating between 1400 and 2200, you don’t need to look further because you can Play 1..d6 Against Everything!

• Language: English
• Publisher: New in Chess
• Release date: Oct 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9789056917456

Erik Zude

Erik Zude is an International Master from Germany and a trainer of juniors and club players.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The Endgame Variation

1.e4 d6 2.d4 ♘f6 3.♘c3 e5 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.♕xd8+ ♔xd8

6.♗c4 ♗e6 7.♗xe6 fxe6

8.f3 ♗d6 9.♘h3 ♘c6 10.♗e3 ♔e7

8.♗e3 ♗d6 9.f3

8.f3 a6 9.♘h3 ♗d6 10.♘f2 ♔e7 11.♗e3 ♘c6 12.♘d3 ♘d7

8.♗g5 ♗d6 9.f3 ♔e7 10.0-0-0 ♘c6

8.♘f3 ♗d6 10.♗e3 ♘c6 11.♘ge2 a6

6.♗g5 ♗e6

7.0-0-0+ ♘bd7 8.f4 exf4 9.♘f3 (9.e5, 9.♘ge2)

7.g3 ♔c8 8.f4 exf4 9.gxf4 ♗c5

7.0-0-0+ ♔c8 8.♘f3 ♘bd7 9.♗xf6 (9.♗h4)

6.♘f3 ♗d6 7.♗g5 ♗e6 8.0-0-0 ♘bd7

6.♗e3 ♗d6 7.♘f3 ♔e7 8.0-0-0 (8.♗c4)

6.f4 ♗b4

7.♗d2 exf4 8.0-0-0 ♗g4 9.♘f3 ♘bd7 10.♗c4 ♗e6

7.♗d3 ♖e8! 8.fxe5 ♘xe4 9.♗xe4 ♗xc3+ 10.bxc3 ♖xe5

1.e4 d6 2.d4 ♘f6 3.♘c3 e5 4.dxe5

We analyze the most frequent, and strongest, continuation, 4.♘f3, in Chapter 2.

4…dxe5 5.♕xd8+ ♔xd8

There are many white players who cannot resist the temptation to trade queens, keeping the black king in the middle of the board. We use the term ‘endgame variation’ only for reasons of space – what we are actually dealing with here is a queenless middlegame; with two rooks and four minor pieces, dangerous attacks can still be organized. The assumption that the black king is unsafe in the middle of the board seems, at first glance, quite obvious. But in this chapter we will arm you against the typical white attacks on the black monarch.

Section 1: 6.♗c4

6.♗c4

The alternatives 6.♗g5, 6.♘f3, and 6.f4 are discussed in Section 2. The move 6.♗c4 is very unpleasant for Black. How should he protect his f7-pawn without neglecting his development?

6…♗e6 7.♗xe6 fxe6

At first glance Black’s position looks very unpleasant. His king is in the middle of the board and his pawn structure is ruined. But the decisive factor here is the coordination of Black’s pieces and pawns:

1) King safety: after …♗d6 and …♔e7 Black’s king would be hard to get at. The d6-square is well protected and can be further reinforced without difficulty. Knight attacks from f5 or d5 are deterred by the doubled pawn on e6 that we just now censured. And an opening up of the middle of the board is precluded for the most part by the doubled pawns.

2) In the ensuing middlegame play, Black’s bad bishop is, paradoxically, the most valuable minor piece! It bolsters the center and his king position, and neutralizes the pressure along the d-file should White double his rooks. Fulfilling all these defensive tasks gives the black knights and rooks scope for active play.

3) This brings us to another important issue: how do the two adversaries utilize their rooks? Well, for White this is not a simple matter, as it is difficult to break through on the d-file. Black, on the other hand, has a somewhat easier task: he can initiate a pawn advance with …a7-a6, …b7-b5, and …♖hb8, followed by …♘a5, to open files on the queenside. This can prove quite effective if White castles queenside or if the c3-knight cannot be repositioned quickly. Should White seek to march forward with g2-g3 etc., then Black can exert pressure along the f-file with his rooks. Then, thanks to his firm center, he can get good play on the wings!

To summarize: if in the diagrammed position White should prove to have a small advantage due to his better pawn structure, the play is nevertheless very rich and complicated.

Game 1

Andrei Sokolov 2561

Jörg Hickl 2589

Switzerland tt 2005

1.e4 d6 2.d4 ♘f6 3.♘c3 e5 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.♕xd8+ ♔xd8 6.♗c4 ♗e6 7.♗xe6 fxe6

8.f3

8.♗e3 usually transposes after 8…♗d6 9.f3, but this move order gives us an opportunity to see how Black should not play: 9…♔e7 10.♘h3 a6 11.♘f2 ♘c6 12.♘d3 h6 13.♘e2 So far everything is going according to plan.

analysis diagram

In the play that follows, however, Black comes up with the poor idea of bringing the king to c8 and doubling the rooks on the d-file. Both decisions make his position worse. The king is perfectly positioned at e7, and the rooks should be placed on the open or half-open files that have been created on the wings! 13…♖ad8 14.0-0-0 ♖he8 15.♖d2 ♔d7 16.♖hd1 ♔c8 17.c3 ♖d7 18.♔c2 b6 19.b4 ♖ed8 20.a3 ♗f8?! 21.a4 (21.c4 ) 21…♗d6 22.♘ec1 a5? (this places the a-pawn on a bad square and forces White to mark the whole chain c7-b6-a5 as a weakness; 22…♔b7) 23.b5+–

analysis diagram

It is just this that should not have been allowed to happen: the pawn structure on the queenside is now completely static, and there is a whole series of weaknesses on this side that will have to be managed. 1-0 (45) Buchal-Wohlfart, Germany tt 2001/02.

Back to our game.

8…♗d6 9.♘h3 ♘c6

The fact that the white king has remained in the center is less attractive in view of …♘d4.

10.♗e3 ♔e7 11.0-0-0

Here the king is not completely safe, as Black will march forward on the queenside. But leaving the king in the center is not altogether unproblematic for White, either. For example, 11.♘f2 a6 prepares …♘d4, so that after ♗xd4 and …exd4, ♘b5 cannot follow. 12.♘d3 (12.♔e2 ♘d4+ 13.♗xd4 exd4 14.♘b1 c5 15.g3 g5 16.♘d2 b5 ) 12…♘d7 and now:

A) 13.0-0-0 h6 is similar to the game continuation;

B) 13.♔f2!?N is perhaps the most promising try to keep a small advantage. The king stands better here than on the queenside; e.g. 13…♘d4 14.♖ac1 (14.♗xd4?! exd4 15.♘e2 c5 ) 14…c5 15.♖hd1 ♖hc8 16.♖d2 ♔e8 17.♘b1 ♗e7 18.♖cd1 b5 19.b3 ♘c6 20.♘b2 ♖c7 21.c3 ♘a5, with a somewhat better position for White, although the second player would have chances for active play;

C) 13.♔e2 ♘d4+ and the position of White’s king in the center is shown, thanks to the knight on c6, to be rather uncomfortable; e.g. 14.♔d2 c5 15.♘e2 ♘c6 16.c4 (16.b3 c4! ) 16…b5 17.♖ac1 ♘d4 18.♗f2 (18.b4 ♖hc8!=) 18…b4 when we can see no path to an advantage for White, as 19.b3 (19.♘xd4 exd4 20.f4 ♔f7=) 19…a5 20.♘b2 ♘b6 leads to black counterplay on the queen’s wing.

11…a6 12.♘f2 b5

The pawn storm against White’s king position is not that promising in practical play, but most players do not enjoy being on the defensive. Naturally, White’s position is perfectly in order, so that every black pawn advance harbors the risk of creating weaknesses that will become apparent later on.

The alternatives 12…h6, 12…♘h5 and 12…♖hf8 are just as playable.

13.♘d3 h6 14.♘b1

Redeploying the vulnerable knight. White of course abstains from making pawn moves that could be used to open files.

14.a3 is just such an unnecessary pawn move, one that is better omitted: 14…♘d7 15.♗f2 ♖hb8 16.♔b1 ♘a5 17.♘a2 c5, when an imminent line opening in front of White’s king becomes more and more probable.

14…♘d7 15.♘d2

15…♘b4

This simplification eases White’s game a bit.

15…♘a5 16.♔b1 c5 looks more dangerous for White, where something dangerous is brewing in front of his king. Nevertheless, the position is still level: 17.♘b3 ♘b7 It is instructive to note that the first player, in view of his time-consuming development (♘g1-h3-f2) and the protracted redeployment of the c3-knight, has not even begun to take possession of the open d-file. The position is very double-edged and there are definite chances for Black to achieve a good game.

16.♘xb4 ♗xb4 17.♘b3 a5 18.♔b1

Here, in contrast to the variation after 15…♘a5, White has no difficulty in coordinating his pieces.

18.c3 ♗d6 19.♔b1 ♖a6 20.♗f2 a4 (20…c5?! 21.c4! would result in an immobilization that Black should avoid) 21.♘c1 c5 22.♖d2 ♘b6 23.♗h4+ ♔d7 24.b3 ♔c6 25.♖hd1 ♗c7 26.♗f2 g5 27.♘d3 axb3 28.axb3 ♖ha8= The c5-pawn is poisoned: 29.♘xc5?? ♖a1+ 30.♔c2 ♖8a2+ 31.♔d3 ♖xd1–+

18…♗d6 19.♘a1 c5?!

Better was 19…♖hb8.

20.♖d2?!

The grandmasters trade minor inaccuracies. More precise is 20.c4! .

20…c4 21.♖hd1 ♖a6 22.c3

22…♖c8

Even if Black has something of a space advantage and there is a pawn lever (…b5-b4xc3) available for opening the position, the balance of forces is not yet significantly disturbed. The fine line between ‘pawn storm, with an attack on the king’ and ‘weakening of the black pawn structure by excessive advances’ is all too easily transgressed. Here are some sample variations:

A) 22…♖b8 23.♘c2 b4 24.♔a1 ♖c6 25.♗f2 ♖b5 26.♗h4+ g5 27.♗f2 ♘c5= 28.cxb4 ♘a4! (28…axb4?! 29.♘xb4 ) 29.♘a3 ♖xb4 30.♘b1 ♖b7 31.♖c2 ♖c8 32.h4 ♖cb8 33.♖dd2 ♗b4 34.♖e2 ♖c7 35.a3 ♗d6 36.hxg5 hxg5 37.♔a2 ;

B) 22…♖c8 23.♘c2 ♖c7 24.♗f2 b4 25.♘e3 ♗c5 26.♖c1 ♘b6=

This game was played in the context of a team competition and the players agreed to a draw here, which ensured that Black’s team reached 4½ points, thereby winning the match. In the final position, Black already has the more comfortable game.

Conclusion

With the aid of 9…♘c6 Black tempted his opponent to evacuate his king to the queen’s wing. There, Black has good practical chances by advancing his pawn phalanx.

Game 2

Julio Becerra Rivero 2547

Robert Hungaski 2461

USA tt 2014

1.e4 d6 2.d4 ♘f6 3.♘c3 e5 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.♕xd8+ ♔xd8 6.♗c4 ♗e6 7.♗xe6 fxe6

8.f3

An obligatory pawn move. It does invite 8…♗c5, but this would accelerate the development of White’s pieces because of 9.♘a4.

A) 8.♗g5 is harmless, since ♗xf6+ is not a threat. Black builds up in the usual way with 8…♗d6, after which White’s bishop does not exert any great effect: 9.f3 ♔e7 10.0-0-0 ♘c6 11.♘ge2 a6, with play similar to that in Sokolov-Hickl (Game 1), when the bishop will soon go to e3;

B) 8.♘f3 is also not very logical since the knight precludes the safeguarding f2-f3, which will soon be necessary. After 8…♗d6 9.♗e3 ♘c6 10.0-0-0 ♔e7 the white position is less flexible than in Sokolov-Hickl. It is not easy to recommend a clear plan to the first player; e.g. 11.♘d2 ♘g4 12.♗g5+ ♔d7 13.♗h4 ♖hf8, with good play for Black

8…a6 9.♘h3 ♗d6

Our standard build-up.

A) 9…♗b4!? is an interesting try for those who enjoy experimenting. After 10.♗d2 White is again pressed to castle queenside after 10…♘c6, with typical play; e.g. 11.0-0-0 (11.♔f2?! ♔e7 12.♖hd1 ♗c5+ 13.♗e3 ♗d4=) 11…♔e7 12.♘f2 h6 13.♘d3 ♗d6 14.♗e3 ♘d7 15.b3 b5 16.♔b2 ♘a5 17.♘f2 c5 18.♖d2 ♘b7 19.♖hd1 ♖hc8 20.a3 ♖c6 .

But it is unclear whether Black would really benefit by using his bishop to shatter the white queenside after 10.♘f2!?∞;

B) 9…♗c5 looks attractive, but it results in a loss of tempo after 10.♘f2 ♘c6 11.♘d3 ♗d6 (11…♘b4?! 12.♘xc5 ) 12.♗e3.

10.♘f2 ♔e7 11.♗e3 ♘c6 12.♘d3 ♘d7

In this game the first player is not deterred and keeps his king in the center. This makes his opponent’s queenside pawn storm less effective than if he had castled queenside.

13.♘e2 b5

Initiating a pawn storm and at the same time preventing c2-c4.

A) 13…h6 is possible, but it permits 14.c4 b6!? (14…♔f7 15.♔f2 ; the white king is not in danger here):

A1) 15.0-0-0 ♖hd8 16.♔b1 With the interpolation c2-c4 the white king is quite safe on b1;

A2) 15.♔f2 ♘c5 16.♖hd1 (16.♘xc5 ♗xc5 17.♗xc5+ bxc5 18.♖hd1 ♖hd8= Black can easily protect the weak pawns at e5 and c5. The d4-square, the semi-open b-file, and the possible …♘b4-d3 (c2) are good compensation for the inflexible pawn structure) 16…♘xd3+ 17.♖xd3 ♖hd8 18.♖ad1 ♘b4

B) 13…♘b4 14.♘xb4 ♗xb4+ 15.♔f2 ♗c5 16.♖hd1 ♗xe3+ 17.♔xe3 ♘c5 ;

C) 13…♘a5!?N is an attempt to speed up Black’s counterplay on the queenside. Here is a sample variation: 14.b3 c5 15.♘b2 b5 16.♗g5+ ♘f6 17.♗d2 ♘c6 18.c3

analysis diagram

18…c4 19.bxc4 ♘a5 20.cxb5 axb5 21.♘c1 ♗a3 22.♘bd3 (22.♘cd3 ♗xb2 23.♘xb2 ♘b3 24.♖b1 ♘xd2 25.♔xd2 ♖xa2=) 22…♘c4 Black has full compensation for the pawn invested. In over-the-board play it is not easy for the player of the white pieces to look after his numerous weaknesses.

14.a4

With this advance White takes over the initiative; Black, however, is able to maintain approximate equality by simplifying the position.

14…h6 15.b3 ♘b4 16.♘xb4 ♗xb4+ 17.♔f2

Now White is threatening to take over the a-file with the plan of ♖a2 and ♖ha1.

17…♗c5

Now, through the exchange of bishops and the subsequent transfer of the knight to b6 Black forces clarification of the position and the exchange of rooks.

18.♖a2 ♗xe3+ 19.♔xe3 ♘b6 20.axb5 axb5 21.♖ha1 ♖xa2 22.♖xa2 ♖a8 23.♖xa8 ♘xa8

White has no more than a symbolic advantage: the weak e5-pawn can be attacked by the knight and must be protected by Black’s knight or king, but this is of little significance so long as there aren’t any further weaknesses.

24.♘c1 ♘b6 25.♘d3 ♘d7 26.h4 g5 27.hxg5 hxg5 28.♘f2 ♘f6 29.♘h3 ♘h7 30.♘f2 ♘f6 31.♘h3 ♘h7 32.b4 c6 33.c3 ♔f7 34.♘f2 ♘f6 35.♘d3 ♘d7 36.♔f2 ♔g6 37.♔g3 ♔h5 38.♔h3 ♔g6 39.♔g3 ♔h5 40.♔h3 ♔g6 41.♔g4 ♘f6+ 42.♔g3 ♘d7

½-½

Conclusion

If White succeeds in keeping his king in the middle and at the same time neutralizing Black’s initiative on the queen’s wing, he has a good chance of keeping a small advantage. But the queenside pawn storm gives Black good practical chances if he plays energetically with, for example, 13…♘a5.

Section 2: Alternatives on the 6th Move

1.e4 d6 2.d4 ♘f6 3.♘c3 e5 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.♕xd8+ ♔xd8

Whereas the game takes on rather a closed character after 6.♗c4 ♗e6 7.♗xe6 fxe6 and the king is secure at e7, in other lines at the 6th move White often strives for an early opening of the board with f2-f4. In that event, c8 is usually the best refuge for the black monarch.

Game 3

Boris Golubovic 2412

Robert Markus 2628

Croatia tt 2015

1.e4 d6 2.d4 ♘f6 3.♘c3 e5 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.♕xd8+ ♔xd8 6.♗g5

Besides 6.♗c4, this is the other main line. White relies on quick development and queenside castling before Black can erect a safe setup with …♗d6, …♗e6 and …♘bd7.

6…♗e6 7.0-0-0+ ♘bd7 8.f4

White forces the play to take advantage of his lead in development.

8…exf4

This move is absolutely necessary here, as f4-f5 was threatened. White now remains with a pawn weakness in the center of the board.

9.♘f3

A) White achieves little with 9.e5 in view of 9…h6 10.♗xf4 (10.♗h4?! g5 11.exf6 gxh4 and Black’s king bishop is very strong) 10…♘g4 11.♖d2 g5 12.♗g3 ♘e3 13.♘f3 ♗b4=;

B) 9.♘ge2 is answered with 9…♗d6, after which 10.♘xf4 h6 leads to the exchange of White’s queen’s bishop for Black’s king’s knight. 11.♗xf6+ gxf6= The fine piece square e5 and the strong dark squares compensate for the deterioration of Black’s pawn structure. Black strives for the setup …♗e5, …c6 and, optionally, …♔e7 or …♔c7

9…♔c8 10.♗xf4 ♗c5

The dark-squared bishops are to be exchanged.

11.h3

11.♗e2N is a promising attempt to avoid the exchange, but Black has enough time for the maneuver …c7-c6, …♗b6 and …♗c7. 11…c6 12.♘d4 ♗b6 13.h3 ♗c7 14.♗e3 ♗e5=. The second player has the e5-square for his pieces, compensating him for giving up the bishop pair. Since his position offers hardly any points of attack, Black can complete his development undisturbed.

11…♘h5 12.♗h2 ♗e3+ 13.♔b1 ♗f4

This simplification enhances the safety of his king, which will now be well positioned after …c7-c6 and …♔c7. At the same time, the exchange of bishops prepares the transfer of a knight to e5.

14.♗xf4

14.g4 ♗xh2 15.♖xh2 ♘f4 16.♖f2 ♘g6 17.♘g5 ♘ge5 18.♘b5 h6 19.♘xe6 fxe6 20.♘d4 ♘c5=

14…♘xf4

Black has complete equality and can make use of the long-term deficits of the white position: on the one hand the e5-square, and on the other the inactivity of the white bishop, which has too many of its own pawns standing in its way.

15.♘g5 c6 16.g3 ♘g6 17.♘xe6 fxe6 18.h4 ♔c7 19.♗h3 ♖ae8 20.h5?!

20.♖hf1 ♖e7

20…♘ge5 21.♘e2 ♖e7

A) 21…g5!? 22.hxg6 hxg6 23.♘d4 ♘f6 24.♘xe6+ ♔b6! 25.♘f4 g5 26.♘e2 ♘xe4 27.♗f5 ♖xh1 28.♖xh1 ♘d6 ;

B) 21…a5 22.♘d4 ♘c5 23.♖hf1 ♖e7

22.♘f4 ♖he8 23.b3 a5 24.♔b2 ♘f6 25.♖he1 b5 26.a3 g5

26…a4!?

27.hxg6 hxg6 28.♗f1 ♘fd7 29.♗d3?!

29.♗e2

29…g5 30.♘e2 ♘c5 31.♖h1 ♖f8 32.♖h5 ♖f2 33.♘c1 ♖d7!–+ 34.♗e2 ♖xd1 35.♗xd1 ♘xe4 36.♗e2 ♖g2 37.♗d3 ♘c5 38.♗e2 ♖xg3 39.♖h7+ ♔d6 40.♖a7 a4 41.b4 ♘e4 42.♗d3 ♘d2 43.♖g7 ♘dc4+ 44.♔c3 ♘xa3 45.♘e2 ♖e3 46.♘d4 ♘xc2 47.♔xc2 ♖xd3

0-1

Conclusion

Black swapped the dark-squared bishops and gained the e5-square for his knight, which was clearly superior to White’s king bishop.

Game 4

Amirreza Pourramezanali 2455

Denis Khismatullin 2661

Baku 2013

1.e4 d6 2.d4 ♘f6 3.♘c3 e5 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.♕xd8+ ♔xd8 6.♗g5 ♗e6 7.0-0-0+

7.g3 This system has gained in popularity over the past few years. With the pawn pair f4/e4 White wants to dispute the natural support points of the black pieces at e6 and f6: 7…♔c8 8.f4

analysis diagram

8…exf4N At this juncture Black can turn the tables. With his king tolerably safe at c8, his pieces can attack the white center. 9.gxf4 ♗c5 White now faces a typical dilemma: if he moves one of the pawns, which is difficult to avoid, weaknesses result. The play now becomes quite double-edged:

A) 10.f5 ♗d7 Black can either attack the e4-pawn or control the blockade-square e5;

B) 10.♗xf6 gxf6 (threatening …f6-f5) 11.f5 ♗d7 ;

C) 10.♘f3 ♖e8 ;

D) 10.♗e2 ♘e8 with the idea …f7-f6, …♘d6, …♖e8;

E) 10.0-0-0 ♘g4 11.f5 ♗d7 12.♘h3 ♗c6 13.♗e2 ♘e5 14.♗f4 ♘bd7 15.♘g5 a6 and White can prevent Black’s setup with …b7-b6, …♖e8 and …♔b7 with the resourceful 16.♘e6, which after 16…fxe6 17.fxe6 ♖e8 18.exd7+ ♗xd7 leads to a level game.

7…♔c8

8.♘f3

As is almost always the case in the Endgame Variation, this move is harmless.

8.f4 exf4 9.♘f3 ♗c5 10.♗xf4 ♘bd7 leads, by transposition, to Game 3 (Golubovic-Markus).

8…♘bd7 9.♗xf6

This is a bad idea. The weakness of the doubled-pawn complex cannot be exploited here, while the strength of the remaining dark-squared bishop will soon become apparent.

9.♗h4 h6 would have given a level