THE HIPPOPOTAMUS RISES FROM THE SWAMP
I'm sure that the Modern Defence would be a lot more popular if Black could avoid the more aggressive White systems. I'm thinking of the Austrian Attack where White plays with an early f2-f4, or the very popular modern idea with Nf3, Be3,Qd2 and a quick Bh6, the so-called 150 attack.
Yes,these blunt variations are a real threat.
In this short article I'm going to suggest a little-known move-order which sidesteps a lot of the main lines and enables Black to deal with early aggression on his own terms.
1.e4
b6!?
The Queen's Fianchetto Defence has a very poor reputation, quite unjustified in my opinion, but as I say,we are tinkering with the move order.
2.d4
Bb7
3.Bd3
Most White players go 3 Bd3 automatically, doubtless expecting 3...e6.
3...g6!
Now that we have lured the Bishop to d3,the Double Fianchetto or Hippopotamus system becomes much more acceptable
4.f4
White tries to blow Black away.
4...f5!
But this is the excellent reply which quite takes the initiative away from White.
We move now to the recent Los Angeles Open Tournament where innovator Blatny will demonstrate the potential of Black's fourth move.
5.Qe2
[ Taking on f5 sometimes works but not here. Black can take the Rook eg 5.exf5
Bxg2
6.fxg6
Nf6
7.gxh7
Bg7
8.Bg6+
Kf8
9.Nf3
Bxh1-+
; 5.Nd2
is a reasonable alternative to the text move. I suggest 5...Nf6
6.Qe2
Nc6
7.c3
fxe4
8.Nxe4
e6
9.Nf3
Bg7
and Black's position isn't too bad. In particular,he doesn't need to mechanically castle short eg 10.h4!?
( 10.Nxf6+
Qxf6
11.Ne5
Qh4+!
12.g3
Qe7
13.Be4
Nd8
14.Bxb7
Nxb7
15.Qe4
c6
16.Be3
Nd6=
) 10...Nxe4
11.Bxe4
Qf6
12.h5
0-0-0~~
]
5...fxe4
This is the main difference between the orthodox Modern move-order and our little deviation. Black gets to destroy the White centre.
6.Bxe4
Bxe4
7.Qxe4
Nc6
8.Nf3
Nf6=
There's nothing wrong with Black's position here. If he wishes,he can hold up the f pawn with ...e7-e6 and the White Bishop on c1 is poor.
In our featured game,Serpik gets carried away.
9.Qd3
Bg7
[ 9...e6
]
10.Ne5
Looks stronger than it is.
10...0-0!
Typically enterprising.
Black offers a pawn sacrifice which ,if accepted gives him a tremendous initiative. White can shatter the pawn structure and decline the present but then the Black pieces become very active.
11.Nxc6
[ Grabbing either pawn cannot be recommended: 11.Qc4+
e6
12.Nxc6
dxc6
13.Qxe6+
( 13.Qxc6
Qxd4
14.Nc3
Rae8|^
) 13...Kh8
14.0-0
Qxd4+
15.Kh1
Ne4|^
]
11...dxc6
12.0-0
Qd7
13.c3
c5
Blatny has clearly decided to go after his opponent.Chess logic would suggest that he is correct. Black is ahead in development so he MUST attack NOW.
14.Qc4+
Nd5
[ Probably Black can keep equality after 14...Qd5
for instance 15.Qxd5+
Nxd5
16.dxc5
bxc5
17.Na3
e5
18.fxe5
Rxf1+
19.Kxf1
Bxe5
20.Kg1
Rb8
Activity compensates for structure.
But that's hardly what Blatny is all about-he wants to WIN.]
15.dxc5
e5!
16.fxe5
The game is opening up and the White queenside is looking on. Serpik faces a few problems, as analysis shows: [ 16.Na3
c6
17.cxb6
axb6
18.fxe5
b5
19.Qe2
Rxf1+
20.Qxf1
Bxe5
21.Nc2
Rf8
White's still a pawn up but Black is tremendously active..; 16.Rd1
c6
17.fxe5
Bxe5
18.Bh6
Rf5
19.cxb6
axb6
20.h3
b5
21.Qe2
Qa7+
22.Kh1
Qf2!
23.Qxf2
Rxf2|^
