HD 12.1 (A80)
David Baramidze
Stefan Lupor
9th Bavarian Open 2005 (3)
Notes by: Jeroen Bosch

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Some openings are more popular than others. This holds true for SOS lines as well. A case in point is Alapin's 2.d3 against the Dutch. OK the early queen move may not be the refutation of the Dutch, but it is sufficiently tricky to merit some attention. Yet, Alapin's line has been played in suprisingly few games ever since its publication in SOS-1. Possibly the next miniature win by the young German GM Baramidze will whet your appetite?

1.d4 f5 2.d3

Here it is. White attacks f5 and prepares a quick e4. Black's possibilities are restricted.

2...d5

Black is virtually forced to go for the Stonewall, and this is one of the points of 2.d3. How many Leningrad players like to be forced into playing such a solid but inflexible pawn structure? White should answer 2...d6 with 3.g4 (less good is 3.e4 since Black gets an edge in development after 3...fxe4 4.xe4 f6 5.h4 f5) 3...fxg4 4.h3 with interesting play.
Both 2...g6 3.e4 fxe4 4.xe4 f6 5.h4 and 2...e6 3.e4 fxe4 4.xe4 f6 5.h4 are preferable for White.

3.g4!

White is prepared to sacrifice a pawn to destroy Black's Stonewall. 3.f4 is not bad either, see SOS-1.

3...e6

Probably better is 3...fxg4 4.h3 g3 and now both 5.xg3 and 5.fxg3 are possible.

4.c4

4.gxf5 exf5 5.f4 was my recommendation in SOS-1.

4...c6 5.c3 f6 6.cxd5 xg4

Of course not 6...exd5? 7.gxf5. White's game is also preferable after 6...cxd5?! 7.gxf5 exf5 8.g5 and Black will have trouble keeping his d5-pawn. Black may consider 6...xd5 though.

7.dxe6 xe6 8.f3

Black's central pawns have disappeared. So, he must try and control the central squares d5 and e4 with his pieces. This explains his next retreat.

8...f6

However he could have considered 8...a6 followed by 9...b4.

9.g1!?

The start of a fine career!

9...g6 10.g5

Aggressive play by Baramidze.

10...e7?!

10...d5 11.f3!? to prepare e4.

11.g3!

Attaboy! Due to the unusual g1-g3-e3 manoeuvre Black is in grave difficulties.

11...e4?

Black is already throwing in the towel, but 11...h5 shouldn't save Black either after 12.e3 (12.f3) 12...f4 (12...xg5?? 13.xe6++-; 12...g7 13.xe6 xe6 14.d5 wins) 13.d1 xg5 14.xe6+ d8 (14...d7 and now both 15.b3 and 15.d5 win for White) 15.d5 c5 16.a4 h6 17.d6 is disastrous for Black.

12.cxe4 fxe4 13.xe4 f5

Black aims to play an ending with a pawn down, but Baramidze is ruthless.

14.f4 d8 15.e3! d7 16.e6+! c8

16...xe6 17.f6+ c7 18.xh8

17.xf8 xf8 18.e5

This is some rook - White wants to play 19.e4.

18...f7?

18...d8 19.e3 with a pawn (and a position) up.

19.e4 d7 20.exf5 xe5 21.dxe5 xf5? 22.h3

and Black had enough.

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