Ulf Andersson's opening repertoire

22 Pages·2017·0.28 MB·English

Ulf Andersson’s opening repertoire –
introduction
The Anti-Repertoire yet it may take you your entire
The most delusional of beliefs is lifetime to master its subtleties.
that we are able to control the When we are young, we are anxious
outcome arising from chaos. Yet to discover our chess identity. It’s
this repertoire attempts to do just a special time in our lives when we
that, and weirdly enough, it seems connect with a pursuit of the heart.
to work. For me it was the discovery of Ulf
Ever since computers inserted Andersson’s style and opening
themselves into our chess lives, repertoire. When I first became
two generations of chess players aware of the Swedish GM and his
suffered the oppression of having to white repertoire in the early 1980’s,
be on high alert for comp-generated I desperately sought out his games
tactical landmine preparation from from magazines (it’s hard to believe
our more comped up opponents. but there were no chess databases
Then there is the danger of rote in those days), the way an adopted
memorization without actually child craves a meeting with his
understanding, where sometimes birth-parent.
we ‘remember’ more than we Normally I’m a capricious flirt
actually study and bang out a when it comes to openings,
fictional ‘book’ move. switching to a new partner every
The Ulf Andersson repertoire six months. One thing I’ve never
insulates you from such dangers, abandoned is Ulf’s repertoire.
since the lines are heavily Is it possible to proceed with flair
strategic/conceptual, rather than and ingenuity in outwardly barren
mathematical/memory-dependent. positions? The answer is yes, if
Today, dependency on a comp’s you’ve discovered Ulf Andersson’s
assessment and analytical power are games. His completely original
an addiction for many in the chess opening choices veer from the
world. I promise you that with this well worn grooves of the ordinary,
repertoire, your comp’s assessment with what can only be accurately
will not play a domineering role. described as an anti-repertoire.
When we take up a new opening Of all the white opening
system, sometimes we wish FIDE repertoires you can pick, at first
would issue learner’s permits, impression it feels as if Ulf’s is the
since our alien, tangled lines are so one with the slimmest prospects to
difficult to navigate. Andersson’s even extract our natural birthright
repertoire won’t feel this way, and ‘䩲’ edge. Whenever possible he
7
How Ulf Beats Black
removes the queens from the board though not to allow this to morph
to enter instant endings, where our to paranoia. Sometimes when our
resources feel scant, to the point of tendency is to play ultra-safely, we
non-existent. His lines operate in are like a child whose mouth is
a kind of parasitic fashion, sucking scalded by too-hot pizza and now
the vitality out of the game, where blows on a cold, refrigerated slice
only strategic considerations and the next day.
endgame skills count. 8. You are willing to win your
games in 80 moves, rather
The principal requirements for than in 20. Just remember: in
success with Ulf’s anti-repertoire complications, naturally aggressive
are: tactical players have the ability to
1. You are essentially a strategist, see in the dark. Yet in simplified/
rather than a natural attacker/ logic-based positions, many of
tactician/open game/initiative them are blind to the ordinary,
based player. unaware of the details and slight
2. You score well in controlled, strategic shifts, if initiative, attack
quiet maneuvering games. and tactics are removed from the
3. You possess enhanced late equation.
middlegame and endgame skills for 9. Your inability/incompetence in
your rating level. open/initiative-based positions is a
4. You have a sharp eye for the source of periodic depression.
potential for weak squares in the 10. Your prime directives in the
enemy camp. opening phase are simplicity and
5. You are skilled in reaching clarity, as opposed to the tactician/
favorable minor piece versus anarchist who lives life in eternal
the opponent’s bad minor piece rebellion against order on the
situations. chessboard.
6. Do you hate opening lines where
if you forget the book move, you For most of us the opening phase
are as good as dead? No worries represents a repetition of ideas
about that in this one, since this which were played over and over
repertoire is completely conceptual, by others before us. Andersson’s
based on understanding, rather repertoire never wears thin, since
than forcing tactical variations. its subtleties are endless. As a chess
Some of us go through the opening antique I prefer to surround myself
to escape something: knotted with simple, vanilla, easy to play
theory or tactically tangled lines. opening lines.
While memorization of complex I once read that ancient sea captains
opening lines torments others, we had to judge the benefits of the
of the fortunate Ulf Clan escape extra firepower of more cannons,
without a scratch. with the slowing displacement of
7. Are you genetically predisposed the added weight. Some captains
to caution? We must be careful armed their ships lightly, hoping
8
Ulf Andersson’s opening repertoire – introduction
that the increase in speed and TTssLLddMMll..tt
nimble ability to shift directions
jjJJjj..jjJJ__JJ
would compensate for the
..__..__..__JJ__
enemy’s extra cannonballs. In this
__..__..__..__..
repertoire we choose speed over
..__..__II__..__
armament, throwing the weight of
most mainstream theory overboard __..ii..__NN__..
and drawing our opponents into a IIii..__..iiIIii
fight in our specialty positions, and rr..bbQQkkBB__RR
therefore our realms.
You may find it odd when I declare
Just as a sampler, here are a few to you that I love White’s position
tabiya positions from the book, here. On his last move, Ulf played
which give the impression of a 6 dxc3!?, capturing away from the
strangely frictionless quality: centre, while allowing Black to
TTssLLtt..__MM__ wreck his castling on the next move
with a queen swap – and there lies
jjJJjj..__JJllJJ
his weapon. Ulf understands the
..__..__..ssJJ__
sub-details of this position better
__..__..jj..bb..
than anyone in the world and keeps
..__II__II__..__
winning with this line. He has
__..nn..__NN__.. been known to drive some of his
IIii..__BBiiIIii opponents to the brink of madness
rr..__..kk..__RR via carefully applied tedium.
At first sight it feels as if one cannot
Well, what did you expect from Ulf? accurately describe White’s position
Zeus hurling thunderbolts? White’s as one heavy in natural reserves. Yet
chances feel as empty as the wind in my database Ulf keeps scoring
and many games in the book feel wins from this position, and so do
like almost-battles, which look like I.
they will take place, but never do. TT__LL__MMll..tt
Where queens are removed as early
jj..__..jjJJjjJJ
as possible.
..__JJ__..__..__
Keep in mind: just because a
__..__..__..__..
position is simplified doesn’t
..__..__..__..__
mean the battle lacks intensity.
Ulf is a master of this position and __..nn..__..ii..
understands every detail of this IIii..__IIii..ii
ending, and so will you when you rr..bbKK__..__RR
study it deeply. This repertoire
can be described as eliministic, in Once again Ulf dials back the
that we strive for clarity, as well as intensity level from a normal eight
seeking to suck the dynamism from to about a three! In our present age
our opponent’s position. we tend to conflate theory with
9
How Ulf Beats Black
entertainment, as if the latter is Remember this: the court of public
somehow a necessary element, opinion means little in chess. In
and it is un-sportsman-like to play the 1980’s, the London System and
chess in any other way. the Italian Game were considered
This is another of Andersson’s a waste of the white pieces. Today
specialty openings/instant endings, they are all the rage. Do the London
where he has given up castling System and the Italian Game offer
rights to swap queens and then White an edge if Black knows
follows by handing over his theory? The answer is ‘no’! Yet
precious light-squared bishop on c6 most of the world’s top 10 players,
for a knight to inflict damage upon including World Champion Carlsen,
Black’s structure. I can tell you eagerly continue to play them.
from experience, it isn’t so easy to Andersson’s repertoire has never
play Black here, since many of the been considered an ‘optimal’ way
lines are phantoms, devoid of form to use the white pieces either. The
or substance, which fail to offer the bottom line is, can you win with it?
adventure-loving opponent targets You can and you will, if your style is
of opportunity of any kind. in harmony with it. The repertoire
resembles movies in slow motion.
The optimal white repertoire? But are these lines really as
Mirror, mirror on the wall, what characterless as they appear? When
is the best opening repertoire of you study them you realize the
them all? Before ladling out advice answer is ‘no,’ since vague strategic
to my students, I try and make unease tends to flow through
certain that I am acquainted with Black’s positions like unseen ocean
their stylistic dispositions and currents. We see Ulf’s opponents
aptitudes. Many of us pick our throw punches, which only connect
repertoires based on which line with empty air.
is popular, rather than which fits
our stylistic requirements. When The Other Capablanca: Ulf’s style
we learn a new opening, most of Many chess players equate talent
us arrive encumbered with our with tactical ability. Yet there is a
stylistic preconceptions of right secondary, under-the-radar type of
and wrong. natural ability of planning, logic,
No, this clearly isn’t the optimal and insight into simplified positions
white repertoire, since in many and endings – like the homely girl
lines we are not all that concerned in her youth, who later in life walks
if Black equalizes! This concept the runway as a supermodel. GM
may sound ridiculous, but keep in Ulf Andersson is exactly such an
mind that Ulf’s repertoire is based under-the-radar strategic genius. He
on beating the opponent due to our was a consistent World top-10 player
deeper understanding of subtleties, throughout the 1970’s and ‘80’s and
rather than an over the board ‘䩲’, his fans range from the fanatical to
carefully nurtured to a win. the devout. A while ago I received
10
Ulf Andersson’s opening repertoire – introduction
an email from an Ulf fan in England reach either instant or eventual
who theorized: if Capablanca had endings. The study of these
reached adulthood in the 1970’s, games is of profound value for
rather than the 1920’s, he would our endgame skills, even if you
play exactly like Ulf Andersson, who don’t play this repertoire, since I
is clearly his modern extension. Yet believe Ulf’s technical endgame
somehow Ulf’s style also slightly skills were only below Karpov’s
differs from Capa’s, in that it and Kortchnoi’s in his peak day.
somehow feels more laid back, more He is the master of the simmering
filled with a ‘Who cares?’ attitude, pot strategy, where he outplays
than Capa’s. Picture an aging hippie his opponent in the simplified
who shows up at the corporate job situation and somehow manages
interview wearing suit and tie, but to keep the position on an eternal
also with long hair and sandals – ‘䩲’ flame, until his opponents
that is Ulf’s chess. finally crack with inaccuracies and
If he lived today, I’m 100% certain outright errors.
Capa would have played this Strategic chess, like time pressure,
repertoire as well. If you are a Saint is an effortless, instinct-driven
Capa fan like me, then I urge you endeavor. Ulf’s play follows the
to study Andersson’s games and philosophy: combat is wasteful
opening choices, since his white of resources and energy. So he
repertoire is a palace of Versailles somehow learned to win without
for the player who never wants to fighting. Within the realm of quiet
lose, and is okay with a draw and positions, Andersson reached
the occasional win. Andersson a Capablanca-like perfection,
pushes Muhammad Ali’s float- seemingly with no strategic detail
like-a-butterfly-sting-like-a-bee escaping his observational powers.
philosophy to its furthest limits on The best way to describe his play
the chessboard. is that he follows the murder
In fact, I will bet that if you were detective’s golden rule: never reveal
shown a Capablanca game and what you know about the murder,
then one of Ulf’s games, and then until you get the suspect to commit
you were asked: ‘Which one of the to his or her version of the story. In
two is the Capablanca game?’ I this way, Andersson tends to hold
suspect you would pick Ulf’s game, back his central pawns, keeping
which, stylistically, generally out- them fluid and uncommitted, until
Capas Capa! By playing through his opponent takes a firm structural
Andersson’s games, we hope to stance. Only then does Ulf’s set-up
acquire the same skill sets to beat reveal itself.
our opponents.
Can an opening book also double The book’s format
as an endgame manual? This one As you may have surmised, most
does, since a huge percentage of of the games in this book are ones
Andersson’s games in this book played by Andersson himself.
11
How Ulf Beats Black
I added some of mine, when I and completely original opening
couldn’t find wins in a particular repertoire speak for itself.
line from Ulf’s games. When I first discovered Andersson’s
Opening theory has altered some- repertoire, it felt like I had seen
what since Ulf’s heyday (although a cosmic vision and pursued a
not as much as you may believe, lifelong quest to discover its inner
since his systems are so sedate), meaning. I hope after taking a look
so I filled in the theoretical gaps at his style and repertoire in this
whenever possible, within the notes. book, it will have the same effect on
you.
This book is not just intended as an
opening manual. It’s also a games Many thanks to Allard, René
collection of a great player (and his and Nancy. Good luck in your
dorky/devoted sidekick, me) and Ulfieization process. Mine has been
also an endgame manual. going on for close to four decades
When it comes to non-stop and I’m not done yet!
lecturing, your writer is immensely
gifted, so I will stop here and Cyrus Lakdawala,
allow Ulf’s remarkable games San Diego, December 2017
12
CHAPTER 2
The Pseudo-Grünfeld
What is the ‘pseudo’ part of Andersson’s Grünfeld system? Well, for one
thing, White never plays d2-d4. Furthermore, we usually reach a queenless
middlegame by move seven!
Game 16 his goal to remove the queens
Ulf Andersson 2560 from the board as early as possible.
Marcelo Tempone Having played this position since
Buenos Aires 1979 (4) the early 1980’s, I can testify that
there is a lot more here than meets
1.c4 ♘f6 2.♘c3 g6 3.♘f3 d5 4.cxd5 the eye:
♘xd5 5.e4 ♘xc3 6.dxc3!? 1. Since it becomes an instant
ending when queens are removed
TTssLLddMMll..tt
from the board, White’s king, which
jjJJjj..jjJJ__JJ
shifts to c2, is an asset rather than a
..__..__..__JJ__
liability.
__..__..__..__..
2. White’s e-pawn sits on e4, so our
..__..__II__..__
side already owns slightly more
__..ii..__NN__..
central space.
IIii..__..iiIIii 3. White is well equipped to gain
rr..bbQQkkBB__RR queenside space with a2-a4, a4-a5
and possibly b2-b4.
Ulf refuses to walk an obedient Conclusion: I don’t believe the
three steps behind mainstream position is as equal as theory
theory. All rise. Don’t look so claims. In my database, Andersson
shocked. Must I remind you that earned a healthy 70% lifetime score
the Ulfian prime directives are: from this position, with zero losses,
simplicity and clarity? So slow while mine is around 90% (against
moving are some of Andersson’s much lower rated opposition, when
opening ideas, that they almost compared to Ulf’s opponents). So it
give off the feel we are going over a can’t be all that drawish!
game while drugged. Of course, for Ulf to enter a normal
On the surface it feels as if there Grünfeld with 6.bxc3 c5 7.d4 ♗g7
is absolutely no logical basis is an unnecessary complication and
of designation for such a meek as unlikely as a guy spontaneously
move. But this is another of Ulf’s declaring to his wife: ‘The house
specialty positions, which follows looks a tad messy, so I will clean
71
How Ulf Beats Black
and vacuum... then I will start on 15.♗xc6+! forces mate) 15.♗xd4!
the yard.’ cxd4 16.♘xd4 wins a pawn and
6...♕xd1+ 7.♔xd1 retains the initiative.
13.♗c4 ♗g4?!
TTssLL__MMll..tt
Black will soon regret handing over
jjJJjj..jjJJ__JJ
the guardian of his light squares.
..__..__..__JJ__
14.h3! ♗xf3
__..__..__..__..
Since Black got crushed the way he
..__..__II__..__
played, it may occur to you that he
__..ii..__NN__..
may have been better off with the
IIii..__..iiIIii nauseatingly servile 14...♗c8. Not
rr..bbKK__BB__RR so. White wins with the forcing
line 15.a5! ♘xa5 16.♖xa5! bxa5
7...c5?! 17.♗d5 ♖a7 18.♗xc5 ♖c7 19.♗b6
Believe it or not, this move is ♖d7 20.♗c6. Black must return the
inaccurate since it offers White exchange, with a completely busted
stationary targets on the queenside. position.
Next game we will look at 7...♗g7?! 15.gxf3 0-0
Then later in the chapter we will
TT__..__..ttMM__
examine 7...♕d6?! and 7...f6!.
__..__..jjJJllJJ
8.♗e3 b6 9.a4!
JJjjSS__..__JJ__
Intending to loosen Black’s
__..jj..__..__..
queenside with a4-a5.
II__BB__II__..__
9...♘c6 10.♗b5 ♗d7
__..ii..bbII__II
On the more natural 10...♗b7
follows 11.a5! 0-0-0+ 12.♔e2! and ..iiKK__..ii..__
now 12...♘xa5? is met with 13.♘g5! rr..__RR__..__..
when Black has no good way to
defend f7. 16.f4!
11.♔c2 ♗g7 12.♖hd1! Denying Black’s pieces the use of
The correct rook. Suddenly Black e5, while gaining useful central
experiences problems castling. space.
12...a6 16...♖a7
Now the a6-pawn requires nursing Guarding against ♖d7.
care. 17.e5
A) 12...0-0-0 13.♘g5! ♖df8 14.a5! Further restricting Black’s bishop.
exploits the fact that Black’s knight 17...a5!?
is tactically unable to capture on a5; Gulp! One cannot accurately
B) 12...♖d8?? 13.♖d2! (threat: describe this move as one which
14.♖ad1 and 15.♖xd7!) 13...♖c8 embodies the noblest of chess
14.♖ad1 ♘d4+ (on 14...♗e6?? principles. Yet the move is
72
Chapter 2 – The Pseudo-Grünfeld
somehow perversely logical, since Also deadly is Answer #2: 22.♖d6!.
at some point he wants to free If the knight moves, then the rook
his babysitting a7-rook. To do so simply chops b6. If Black accepts
he voluntarily Swiss cheeses his the offer with 22...♗xd6 ‘Thank...’
queenside light squares. (the bishop was about to say ‘Thank
The calmer 17...♖c8 was almost God,’ but paused, remembering
certainly a superior choice. that he no longer believes in Him)
18.♖d2 23.exd6 ♖c8 24.d7 ♖d8 25.♗xc6 and
Andersson prefers the slow squeeze, Black can resign.
over winning a pawn with the 22...♖xc6 23.♔c4!
variation 18.♖a3 (going after b6) This game exudes a deceptively
18...♖b8 19.♖b3 ♖c7 20.♗xc5! ♘xe5 effortless Capablanca-like quality.
21.♗xb6 ♖xc4 22.fxe5 ♖xa4 23.♗d4 23...♗e7 24.♖d7 ♖cc7 25.♖xc7 ♖xc7
with a healthy extra pawn for 26.♔b5 ♖c8
White. 26...♖b7 27.♔a6 ♖b8 28.♖d2! (the
18...e6 19.♖ad1 ♖c8 20.♔b3! ♗f8 immediate 28.♔a7 allows 28...♖d8)
21.♗b5 ♖cc7?! 28...♔f8 29.♔a7 ♖d8 30.♔xb6 and
21...♘e7 22.♖d8 ♖ac7 23.♖xc8 ♖xc8 Black’s pawns fall.
24.♖d7 also looks pretty miserable 27.♖d7 ♔f8
for Black, but still better than the 27...♗d8 28.♔a6 Threat: 29.♔b7,
game’s continuation. forcing Black’s bishop to move
away with 28...♗h4 when 29.♔xb6
..__..__..llMM__
wins.
tt..tt..__JJ__JJ
28.♔xb6 ♔e8 29.♖b7 ♗d8+ 30.♔b5
..jjSS__JJ__JJ__
c4
jjBBjj..ii..__..
When we have nothing to fall back
II__..__..ii..__
on, then there is only one direction
__KKii..bb..__II
to go: forward.
..ii..rr..ii..__
31.♗c5!
__..__RR__..__..
..__TTllMM__..__
__RR__..__JJ__JJ
Exercise: Do you get the sense that
..__..__JJ__JJ__
the black defenders run low on food
jjKKbb..ii..__..
and ammunition? White has access
II__JJ__..ii..__
to two winning ideas, one tactical,
__..ii..__..__II
and one strategic. Find one of them.
Answer: 22.♗xc6! ..ii..__..ii..__
Exchange on c6 and then walk into __..__..__..__..
the queenside light squares with
your king, with ♔c4 and ♔b5, after Black resigned. The c4-pawn falls as
which Black collapses. well.
73
How Ulf Beats Black
Game 17 margin, with a position devoid of
Cyrus Lakdawala 2595 traditional tactical apprehension.
Wageeh Boctor 2335 Having played this line for close
Buena Park 1994 (4) to four decades, I have yet to lose
a game with it, mainly since it’s
1.♘f3 ♘f6 2.c4 g6 3.♘c3 d5 4.cxd5 virtually impossible for me to
♘xd5 5.e4 ♘xc3 6.dxc3 hang my queen (unless I promote
When I showed one of my a pawn to a new queen, and then
students this game, he told me that hang it!).
Andersson’s anti-fun repertoire 6...♕xd1+ 7.♔xd1 ♗g7?!
is perfect for the mentally
TTssLL__MM__..tt
unbalanced, since erratic behavior
jjJJjj..jjJJllJJ
(like handing our opponents
..__..__..__JJ__
equality, if in exchange we get the
__..__..__..__..
queens off the board!) is its norm.
..__..__II__..__
Our natural abilities urge us to
__..ii..__NN__..
discard some stylistic tendencies,
while magnifying others. IIii..__..iiIIii
I realize this move looks as bland rr..bbKK__BB__RR
as a sandwich where the middle is
a third slice of bread, and it appears Yes, this move, the most obvious
as if those who champion this one on the board, is also inaccurate,
line have the souls of accountants, after which I don’t believe Black
rather than artists. But I love the can equalize.
bewildered looks my opponents 8.♗f4
always get when I play Ulf’s A key move, which creates weakness
outwardly milquetoast line. in Black’s queenside pawn structure.
In this case Ulf’s line was a perfect 8...c6
choice. This was the final round 8...c5 9.a4! (9.♔c2 0-0 10.a4 a6? 11.a5
of the 1994 State Championship ♘c6?! 12.♗e3 dropped a pawn in
and I was leading by a full point, Lakdawala-Vajapeyam, San Diego
so a draw insured me of clear first. rapid 2011) 9...0-0 10.a5! ♗d7 11.♗e3
Then my domineering wife Nancy ♖c8 12.♘d2 ♗e6 13.♗c4 ♗xc4
reminded me that if I won, the 14.♘xc4 ♘d7 15.♔c2 f5!? 16.♖hd1
6.5 out of 7 score would be a State ♖c7 17.exf5 gxf5 18.♖d5! e6 19.♖d6
Championship record, so I was ♘f8 20.♖ad1 The grandmaster
advised/ordered not to chicken out was already fighting for his life.
and offer a quick draw against my This game is annotated in Chess for
2330 rated opponent. Hawks, Lakdawala-Laylo, San Diego
So Ulf’s line allowed me to play rapid 2014.
for a win, with a 99% safety 9.♔c2 ♘d7 10.♗c4
74