10. Chebanenko Variation (4...a6)
The ultra-flexible modern weapon: it prepares b5 without giving up the center prematurely.
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 5.e3 b5 6.b3 Bg4 7.Be2 e6 8.O-O Nbd7 9.h3 Bh5 10.Bb2 Bd6 11.Ne5 Bxe2 12.Nxe2 Qc7
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...a6 – Chebanenko Variation: Black prepares ...b5 to gain space on the queenside and threaten ...dxc4. It is a very flexible waiting move.
- 5.e3 – White consolidates the center and prepares Bd3. If Black takes on c4, the f1 Bishop will recapture.
- 5...b5 – Black attacks c4 and gains space. It now threatens ...bxc4 or ...dxc4 followed by ...b5.
- 6.b3 – The pawn supports c4 without closing the position: White keeps the tension and prepares Bb2.
- 6...Bg4 – The Bishop comes out to g4 before ...e6 and pins the f3 Knight. It is the most active square for the light-squared Bishop in this structure.
- 7.Be2 – The Bishop breaks the pin on the f3 Knight and prepares castling. White is in no hurry to open the center.
- 7...e6 – Black opens the f8 Bishop and reinforces d5. The c6-d5-e6 structure is solid.
- 8.O-O – The King goes to safety. White can now think of h3 to ask the g4 Bishop to decide.
- 8...Nbd7 – The Knight develops and controls e5. Black prepares ...Bd6 and castling.
- 9.h3 – The pawn asks the g4 Bishop to decide: after ...Bxf3 White has the bishop pair, after ...Bh5 the Bishop moves away from the center.
- 9...Bh5 – The Bishop keeps the pin on the f3 Knight. On h5, however, it can be exchanged with Ne5 followed by the recapture on e2.
- 10.Bb2 – The Bishop develops on the long diagonal a1-h8 and supports d4. It prepares Ne5.
- 10...Bd6 – The Bishop aims toward h2 and controls e5. With ...Qc7 Black will create a battery on that diagonal.
- 11.Ne5 – The Knight centralizes on e5 and opens the e2 Bishop's diagonal toward h5: now the black Bishop must be exchanged or retreat.
- 11...Bxe2 – Black exchanges the light-squared Bishops before losing his own. That also takes a defender away from White.
- 12.Nxe2 – White recaptures with the c3 Knight, which from e2 can go to f4 or g3. The Queen remains free to go to c2.
- 12...Qc7 – The Queen forms a battery with the d6 Bishop on the diagonal toward h2 and attacks the e5 Knight a second time.
How to exploit the position
White has a strong Knight on e5 and more space; Black has a solid structure and pressure on e5.
- Support the Knight with f4: e5 becomes a stable outpost.
- The c5 push chases away the d6 Bishop and blocks the queenside: then White's kingside majority has more space.
- The e2 Knight goes to f4 or g3 to press on e6 and control d5.
- Black will try ...Bxe5 dxe5 to weaken your structure: after dxe5 the e5 pawn will be strong only if well defended.
Master tips
The exchange of the g4 Bishop
Against ...Bg4 and ...Bh5, Ne5 opens the Be2 diagonal and forces Black to exchange the light-squared Bishop.