Spanton (1937) - Josef Granabetter (1840)
Maróczy Bind
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Qc7 7.Be3
The commonest move in ChessBase's 2025 Mega database is 7.a3!?
7...d6 8.Be2 Nbd7 9.0-0 b6 10.Rc1 Bb7
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| Black has set up a Hedgehog that will be completed by ...Be7 and ...0-0 |
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According to Wikipedia: "Although Black's position is cramped, it has great latent energy, which may be released if Black is able to play ...b5 or ...d5 at some point. These pawn breaks are particularly effective because White usually places pawns on c4 and e4 (the Maróczy Bind)."
11.f3 Rc8 12.b3 Qb8 13.Qd2 Be7 14.Rfd1 0-0
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| Now both sides have castled, how would you assess the position, which occurs 152 times in Mega25? |
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White's extra space gives a slight edge, according to Stockfish17 and Dragon1.
Can you guess White's most popular continuation?
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15.Nc2!?
The main line in Mega25 runs 15.Bf1!? Bd8!? 16.Qf2 Bc7 17.g3!? Rfe8 18.Bg2, when Dragon1 gives White a slight edge, but Stockfish17 reckons Black has equalised. If you correctly guessed White's move, and especially if you expected Black's reply, you are either familiar with the theory or should seriously consider taking up the Hedgehog.
The text, which is second-most popular in Mega25, unveils pressure against d6 and b6.
15...Qa8!?
Normal is 15...Bd8!? (16.Qxd6?! Bc7) or 15...Rfe8.
16.Na4 d5?
Thematic, but the loss of a pawn is too much. The engines give 16...Qb8, the idea being to meet 17.Nxb6 with 17...Nxb6 18.Bxb6 Bxe4.
17.exd5
Even stronger, according to the engines, is 17.cxd5, eg 17...exd5 18.e5 Ne8 19.f4 b5 20.Bg4!?
17...exd5 18.Nxb6
Not 18.Bxb6?? Nxb6 19.Nxb6 Bc5+ etc.
18...Nxb6 19.Bxb6 dxc4 20.Bxc4 Bc5+ 21.Bxc5 Rxc5 22.Ne1 Rh5
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| Black has pressure against the weakened white kingside, but not enough for a pawn, according to the engines |
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23.Qf4 Qa7+ 24.Kh1 Nd5 25.Bxd5 Rxd5 26.Rxd5 Qxd5 27.Nd3 a5
The engines suggest 27...h6 or 27...Rd8. albeit giving White the upper hand.
28.h3 h6 29.Qe5 Qa8 30.Nf4
28.h3 h6 29.Qe5 Qa8 30.Nf4
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| How should Black proceed? |
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30...Bc6??
Black has to go in for 30...Bxf3!? 31.gxf3 Qxf3+, when 32.Kh2 Qf2+ 33.Ng2 Qxa2 leaves White up a knight for two pawns, but with only a slight edge (Stockfish17) or at most the upper hand (Dragon1).
Also losing is 30...Bb7?? 31.Rc7 (31.Nh5 is also strong), eg 31...Re8 32.Qf5 Rf8 33.Ng6 etc.
Also losing is 30...Bb7?? 31.Rc7 (31.Nh5 is also strong), eg 31...Re8 32.Qf5 Rf8 33.Ng6 etc.
31.Nh5 1-0
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