b2 or not b2 - that is the question!: Part Two

Today I have enjoyed spending some time analysing my new chess love. (See my earlier post of the same name for details) More specifically, my attention was focussed on the currently critical lines involving 10. e5 - see diagram.

I have started drawing up a Chessbase database solely dedicated to the Poisoned Pawn variation and all of it's branches. My current verdict on the big main line is as follows:

10. e5 dxe5 11. fxe5 Nfd7 12. Ne4 h6! 13. Bh4 Qxa2 14. Rd1 Qd5(!)

14…Qb2!? was a move that was immediately written off after the game Radjabov – Karjakin, Cap d'Agde Rapid 2006. However with current analysis it also seems viable at present thanks to a crucial novelty. If this is so then it represents a very important alternative to following the ‘forced’ sequence up to move 20. This will allow black to avoid the reams of analysis that have already developed after the tabiya position following 20. Bd6.

15. Qe3 Qxe5 16. Be2 Bc5 17. Bg3 Bxd4 18. Rxd4 Qa5+ 19. Rd2 0-0 20. Bd6



Out of the three main alternatives tried so far 20…Nc6/Rd8/Re8, I believe that the latter is currently black’s best option, although playing it requires been very well prepared and having faith in your defensive technique. Furthermore, I’m not sure what the winning chances are at elite level. However, at less exalted heights, the passed black a-pawn could certainly tip the balance.

Currently, I think that the critical line is 20...Re8 21. 0-0 f5 22. Qg3!? Nc6! 23. Qg6 Qd8 24. Bc4! Kh8 25. Ng5! Qxg5! 26. Qxe8+ Kh7 27. Bf4!? Qg6 28. Qxg6+ Kxg6 29. Bxe6 Nf6 30. Bc4


This position was reached in the game, Deep Junior - Deep Fritz, Ultimate Computer Challenge, Elista 2007. Here Deep Fritz played 30...Kh7? - a move I simply do not understand, how does this help black to unravel? Maybe the machine was planning ...g5 and ...f4 to release the c8 bishop, but it looks artifical to me.

Instead I suggest 30...a5, intending ...a4 and ...Ra5. The black bishop is quite happy where it is for the moment and the black knights do a good job of fighting for the centre. Furthermore, pushing the a-pawn is using black's major asset.

Whatever the current verdict, the assessments are currently in a state of flux. This is a variation where any prospective exponent is going to have to keep their database up-to-date and their tactical vision sharp, plus also bear in mind that the current evaluations are still pretty unstable. However, in my analysis this afternoon, there seemed to be certain rules of thumb to guide the search for black improvements.


1. First and foremost be looking to co-ordinate the black forces.
2. Try and establish whether you should be playing ...f5 or ...f6.
3. If ...f6 is a good idea, it will quite often be in conjunction with placing knights on e5/f8 and g6.
4. Always remember the a-pawn! However, don't be tempted to push it too far in the middlegame when it may simply drop off. Furthermore, this is often the best way of developing the a8 rook.
5. Black is usually happy to trade both a and b pawns for the white c-pawn. If this happens, then white's winning chances considerably diminish with all the pawns being left on the kingside.
6. Try not to be too concerned about the bishop being stuck on c8 for long periods. This piece does a valuable job protecting the b-pawn. Once that pawn leaves the board, white's c-pawn becomes passed. If you are going to sacrifice the b-pawn to develop the bishop, make sure you get considerable activity for it, or try to do so with an aim towards following rule 5.
7. If white manages to win the b-pawn (Usually after Ne4-d6xb7), there is usually counterplay for black down the newly opened file. If there isn't, then white's c-pawn tends to get motoring pretty quickly.
8. With the dark-squared bishop back in the box, black needs to be wary of sacrifices on f6, g7 and h6 as well as any other problems relating to the dark squares.



I have also looked at the other key variations in the Poisoned Pawn and provide a short summary below:

10. Bxf6

10... gxf6 11. Be2 h5! is the way to go now. 11…Nc6 looked good for black for a long time, until it was busted by a big novelty from Atanas Kolev. Given that he is one of the authors of ‘Sharpest Sicilian’, it’s almost certainly safe to take his word that this line is best for black!

10. Be2

...10...Nbd7! 11. 0-0 Qc5 or 11…Qa5 as recommended by Richard Palliser, seem simplest. This is a line where Georgiev’s theory that the Poisoned Pawn is easier to learn than other anti 6. Bg5 lines certainly holds up. Constant analysis over the decades has narrowed the path right down to the critical line and therefore it is simply necessary for black to learn that line and all the offshoots.

The same holds true for 10. f5

...where the critical line is 10…Nc6 11. fxe6 fxe6 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. e5 (and 13. Be2) 13…dxe5 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Ne4! Qxa2! 16. Rd1 Be7 17. Be2 0-0 18. 0-0 Ra7! 19. Rf3! Kh8 (or 19…Rd7, which I have played over the board and personally think is simpler.) 20. Rg3 Rd7 21. Qh6 Rf7 22. Rg3 Rxd1+ 23. Bxd1 Qa5! 24. Kf1 Qd8 25. Qxf7 Qxd1+ 26. Kf2 Qxc2+ 27. Kf3 Qd1+ 28. Kf2 Qc2+ 29. Ke3 Bc5+! 30. Nxc5 Qxc5+ 31. Kd2 (31. Kf3 e4+!) 31…Qf2+ 32. Kc3 Qc5+ 33. Kd2 Qf2+ 34. Kc3 ½ - ½ Vallejo Pons – Kasparov, Moscow 2004.

9. Nb3

...is not causing too many problems at the moment, but a fair body of theory has built up after 9…Qa3 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. Be2 Nc6 12. 0-0 Bd7 13. Kh1 Rc8 and now white has to make a crucial choice. This can be considered the tabiya position of this line.

I also count 7…Qb6 8. Nb3

...as part of the Poisoned Pawn. Positions in this line tend to turn into typical Sicilian races after 8…Be7 9. Qf3 Nbd7 10. 0-0-0 Qc7 11. Bd3 b5 12. Rhe1!?, although again there are numerous alternatives.

Sorry for not posting more analysis, but when I started this blog, I intended to write rather than post reams of chess analysis! If anyone is interested in discussing these lines further, or wishes to suggest additions/amendments to my rules; feel free to do so in the 'comments' section!

So many fascinating lines already viewed – so many more to see!