We continue our analysis of the game Suba vs Raicevic, played in Bela Crkva in 1985. In the last post we focused on the last few moves of the game. Here we focus on the opening.
What constitutes the opening can be a matter of debate. And to the extent that you view certain moves as being part of the opening or not will depend on your experience.
It is possible to spend too much time studying the opening. Set a goal of trying to learn a few things every time you review a game, but don’t go overboard.
The degree to which you study the opening of a particular game might depend on your level of interest in that opening. In this case, the opening is the Exchange Variation of the Queen’s Gambit Declined, which is of considerable interest to me. White castles long, which might seem shocking, since it would seem natural to castle short and have a strong fortification around the king. But here white plays to create a clear imbalance. Exchanging pawns in the center reduces the dynamics in the center. In turn, white focuses on increasing his dynamic potential on the king-side. Black will in turn place his bets on an attack on the queen side, leading to very exciting play.
We’ll play through some moves without comment and focus on some key points. Again, the degree to which you focus on each move will depend on your level of experience.
Note how the strategy revolves around the weakening of black’s king-side pawn structure.
1. c4, e6 2. Nc3, d5 3. d4, Nf6
We have reached the Queen’s Gambit Declined.
A traditional move order would be 1. d4, d5 2. c4, e6 2. Nc3, Nf6. Both sides play flexibly. White appears to be delaying d4 until black commits to d5, possibly to limit black’s options (e.g., avoiding the Nimzo-Indian Defense). Black played d5 on move 2, but even if black played Nf6, white could respond with Nf3 (1. c4, e6 2 Nc3, Nf6 3. Nf3), and if 3. …, Bb4, then 4. Qc2 or 4. g3.
4. Nf3, Nbd7
Black’s fourth move gives white the opportunity to play the Exchange Variation. Move order considerations are very tricky in the Queen’s Gambit Declined. I refer you to Volume 2 of Mastering the Chess Openings by John Watson for a detailed assessment.
5. cxd5, exd5
We now enter the Exchange Variation. This sets the stage for the nature of the following play.
6. Bf4
It seems very natural to develop this bishop at this point. Also very population is Bg5.
6. …, c6
A prophylactic move against a potential Qb3.
7. e3, Be7 8. Qc2!
Suba notes that Bd3 is the traditional “book move.” It is insightful (and shocking) to realize that a move like Qc2 is better than the very plausible-looking Bd3, but it relates to subtle move-order issues for black in which he plays to avoid the weakening advance g7-g6.
8. …, O-O 9. O-O-O
Let the excitement begin!
9. …, a6
A natural move to prepare the advance of the queen-side pawns, However, Black would like to play Re8 followed by Nf8 and Ng6 to avoid weakening his pawn structure with h6 or g6. But after 9. …, Re8? white has the shocking 10. Nb5! This all ties back to the move 8. Qc2.
10. Bd3, c5 11. Ng5
Invoking a weakness in black’s position.
11. …, g6
The other alternative is h6. If one has time, one can carry out an extensive analysis of h6. After 11. …, h6, Suba had planned 12. Bh7+, Kh7 13. h4. For example, 13…, Ng5? 14. Bg8!
11. …, h4, c4 12. Bxg6!
Suba down-plays this move, noting that he doesn’t have any other viable options. Ergo, by elimination, Bxg6 is the only natural choice. What is noteworthy is the degree of foresight. This move was anticipated many moves ago. The alternative? 12. Be2, after which black can free his pieces starting with Nb6.
We’ll come back to assess the rest of the game in later posts.