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Maróczy Bind
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.c4 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 d6 8.h3!?
This lags behind 8.f3 and especially 8.Be2 in popularity, but is the second choice of Stockfish18 (after 8.Be2) and has been played by grandmasters.
8...0-0 9.Be2 Bd7 10.0-0
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| Now both sides have castled, how would you assess the position? |
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White's space gives a slight edge (Stockfish18) or even the upper hand (Dragon1).
10...Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Bc6 12.Bf3 a5
Staking out the c5 square as an outpost for Black's remaining knight.
13.a4!?
It is generally a good idea in the Maróczy to prevent, or at least discourage, ...a4, but this is generally achieved by playing b3.
13...Nd7!?
Black usually does not mind an exchange of dark-square bishops in the Maróczy as, although ...
14.Bxg7 Kxg7
... inevitably weakens the position of the black king, the first player has parted with what was definitely White's better bishop.
15.b3 Nc5 16.Re1 e6
The engines suggest 16...e5!?
17.Qc2 Qf6 18.Rad1 Rfd8 19.Rd2 Qe5 20.Re3 Qf6!? 21.Ne2 Ra6!? 22.Qd1 e5!?
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| The engines are still happy with 22...e5!? |
*****
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True, the d pawn is backward, and there is a hole at d5, but d6 is not easy to get at, and if the white knight hops to d5, it will be swopped off by the black bishop, leaving Black with good knight against bad bishop.
23.Nc3 Raa8
If 23...Rb6, White can reply 24.Nb5!?, as 24...Bxb5? 25.cxb5 immobilises the rook.
24.g3 h5 25.Bg2 Rd7 26.h4 Rf8 27.Nd5!? Bxd5 28.Rxd5
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| Black to play and lose |
*****
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28...Ra8??
A complete loss of concentration. After a move such as 28...b6 or 28...Qe7, the position is equal.
The game finished:
29.Rxc5 dxc5 30.Qxd7 Rd8 31.Qc7 Rd1+ 32.Bf1 Qe6 33.Kg2 g5 34.Be2 Rd7 35.Qxc5 b6 36.Qa3 f5 37.exf5 Qxf5 38.Qb2 Rd4 39.hxg5 Qxg5 40.f4 Qd8 41.Rxe5 Kf8 42.Qa3+ Kg7 43.Qe7+ 1-0
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