15. Smyslov System with 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Bg5
Smyslov developed 6.Bg5 to exert pressure on f6. Black reacts energetically with 6...h6, driving the Bishop to h4, and strikes at the center with ...c5 and ...e6 to create dynamic counterplay.
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 c5 8.d5 e6
Move by move
- 1.d4 – White occupies the center with the Queen's pawn: it controls e5 and c5 and paves the way for the c1 Bishop and the Queen.
- 1...Nf6 – Black develops the Knight and controls e4 and d5: it prevents an immediate 2.e4 and prepares the King's Indian setup.
- 2.c4 – White gains central space with the c-pawn: it controls d5 and prepares Knight development to c3.
- 2...g6 – The signature move of the King's Indian: Black prepares the fianchetto of the Bishop on g7 to target the center from afar.
- 3.Nc3 – White develops the Knight toward the center: it protects d5 and prepares full central conquest with e2-e4.
- 3...Bg7 – The Bishop takes position on the long h8-a1 diagonal: it controls the central d4 and e5 light squares and shields the King.
- 4.e4 – White sets up the classical center with the d4 and e4 pawns: it controls plenty of space but provides a clear target for Black's counterplay.
- 4...d6 – Black restrains White's e4-e5 advance, protects the central dark squares, and prepares the thematic ...e5 counter-strike.
- 5.Nf3 – Classical development of the King's Knight: it controls d4 and e5 and prepares rapid kingside castling.
- 5...O-O – Black secures the King with kingside castling before opening the center; the f8 Rook will support the future ...f5 push.
- 6.Bg5 – Smyslov System: the Bishop develops actively pinning the f6 Knight before Black can push ...e5.
- 6...h6 – Black immediately attacks the Bishop, forcing it to declare its intentions along the diagonal.
- 7.Bh4 – The Bishop retreats to h4 maintaining the pin on the Queen along the h4-d8 diagonal.
- 7...c5 – Lightning central reaction: Black strikes the center from the flank with ...c5, exploiting White's decentralized Bishop.
- 8.d5 – White advances to avoid losing central space, transforming the position into a favorable Benoni for Black.
- 8...e6 – The decisive lever: Black undermines White's center on d5 to open the e-file against the uncastled King.
How to exploit the position
Black has broken open the center with the ...c5 and ...e6 levers, neutralizing the pin from the h4 Bishop and creating a dynamic Modern Benoni structure.
- Exchange in the center with ...exd5 to open the e-file against the uncastled White King.
- Play ...g5 followed by ...Nh5 to eliminate White's dark-squared Bishop and secure the bishop pair.
- Develop the b8 Knight to d7 to support pawn breaks and occupy e5.
- Place the Queen on b6 or a5 to create immediate threats against b2 and the light squares.
Master tips
Reacting promptly to the Smyslov pin
Do not stay passive under the 6.Bg5 pin: push ...h6 immediately and strike the center with ...c5 and ...e6 to open attack lines.