13. Moscow Variation (5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6)
The solid choice of champions: Black gets the bishop pair without risking the chaos of the Botvinnik.
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.e3 Nd7 8.Bd3 dxc4 9.Bxc4 g6 10.O-O Bg7 11.e4 e5 12.d5 Nb6
Move by move
- 1.d4 – White takes the center with the queen's pawn, already defended by the Queen, and opens the diagonal for the c1 Bishop. The repertoire plan is c4 next move to attack Black's d5 pawn at once.
- 1...d5 – Black answers symmetrically: the d5 pawn prevents e4 and contests the center. White can now hit it from the side with the c-pawn.
- 2.c4 – The Queen's Gambit attacks d5 with a flank pawn. It is not a real sacrifice: after 2...dxc4 White regains the pawn with e3 and Bxc4, or takes the center with e4.
- 2...c6 – Slav Defense: Black supports d5 with the c-pawn and leaves the c8 Bishop's diagonal free, so it can come out to f5 or g4 before ...e6. In return it gives up the ...c5 push for now.
- 3.Nf3 – The Knight defends d4 and controls e5, preventing ...e5. It is the most flexible move: White waits to see where Black's c8 Bishop will go.
- 3...Nf6 – Black develops and defends d5. The main choices now are ...dxc4, ...a6 or ...e6 with the Semi-Slav.
- 4.Nc3 – The Knight attacks d5 a second time and prepares e4. Black can now take on c4, because White does not yet have e3 to recapture at once with the Bishop.
- 4...e6 – Semi-Slav: Black supports d5 with c6 and e6, a very solid structure. The c8 Bishop stays shut in, but Black prepares ...dxc4 followed by ...b5.
- 5.Bg5 – The Bishop pins the f6 Knight and invites Black to choose between the Botvinnik system with ...dxc4 and the Moscow system with ...h6.
- 5...h6 – Moscow Variation: Black asks the Bishop to decide at once, avoiding the sharp Botvinnik line.
- 6.Bxf6 – White gives up the bishop pair and gains a tempo: the black Queen must recapture and White has a development lead.
- 6...Qxf6 – The Queen recaptures. Black has the bishop pair but is a bit behind in development.
- 7.e3 – The pawn supports d4 and opens the f1 Bishop. White prepares Bd3 and castling.
- 7...Nd7 – The Knight develops and prepares ...dxc4 and ...e5 or ...g6. Black is in no hurry to open the game.
- 8.Bd3 – The Bishop develops on d3 and controls e4. Black can now take on c4 with gain of tempo.
- 8...dxc4 – Black captures on c4 when the Bishop has already moved: White must move it again.
- 9.Bxc4 – White regains the pawn. The Bishop on c4 is active on the a2-g8 diagonal.
- 9...g6 – Black prepares the Bg7 fianchetto to support the ...e5 push and activate the bishop pair.
- 10.O-O – The King goes to safety. White prepares e4 to occupy the center.
- 10...Bg7 – The Bishop develops on the long diagonal and supports ...e5.
- 11.e4 – White takes the center with e4. Black must now react with ...e5 or ...c5.
- 11...e5 – Black counterattacks d4 and opens the c8 Bishop's diagonal.
- 12.d5 – The pawn advances to d5 and closes the center, taking the e6 square away from the c8 Bishop. The bishop pair matters less in closed positions.
- 12...Nb6 – The Knight attacks the c4 Bishop and prepares ...cxd5 or ...Bd7.
How to exploit the position
The center is closed and White has more space; Black has the bishop pair, but the g7 Bishop is blocked by the e5 pawn.
- Retreat the Bishop to b3 and keep the a2-g8 diagonal.
- Prepare dxc6 bxc6 to weaken the c6 pawn, or keep the d5 pawn as a thorn in Black's position.
- With a4-a5 chase away the b6 Knight and gain space on the queenside.
- Black wants ...f5 to open the g7 Bishop's diagonal: be ready to answer with exf5 and Ne4.
Master tips
Close the center with d5
In the Moscow Black has the bishop pair: closing the center with d5 reduces their strength.