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 ndJDaster Repert
• •
I al
•
ar1n
TheE lish
•
pen1ng
VOLUME TWO

Tired of bad positions? Try the main lines!

QUALITYCHESS--
 GrandmasterRepertoire4

The English Opening

Volume Two

By

Mihail Marin
with invaluable help from Valentin Stoica

<TOLVIZ}l

Quality Chess
www.q~alitychess.co.uk
\
 First English edition 2010 by Quality Chess UK Ltd

Copyright © 2010 Mihail Marin

Grandmaster
Repertoire
4-The
English
Opening
Volume
Two
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior
permission of the publisher.

Softback ISBN: 978-1-906552-38-l

Hardback ISBN: 978-1-906552-25-1

All sales or enquiries should be directed to Quality Chess UK Ltd,

Central Chambers, 93 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 GLD, United Kingdom
+44 1412776771
e-mail: [email protected]. uk
website: www.qualitychess.co.uk

Distributed in US and Canada by SCB Distributors, Gardena, California, US

www.scbdistributors.com
Distributed in Rest of the World by Quality Chess UK Ltd through
Sunrise Handicrafts, Smyczkowa 4/98, 20-844 Lublin, Poland

Typeset: Jacob Aagaard

Proofreading: Colin McNab
Editing: John Shaw
Cover design: Adamson Design
Printed in Estonia by Tallinna Raamatutriikikoja LLC
 Series
Foreword
Creating the Grandmaster Repertoire series seemed a natural idea. There is a glut of opening
books at the Starting Out level. These books have certainly been refreshing, but they have
almost completely replaced high-level opening books.
As chess fans, we felt we were missing out, and because we can, we decided to do
something about it.

The books in the Grandmaster Repertoire series are written by grandmasters, edited by
grandmasters, and will certainly be read by grandmasters. This does not mean that players
who are not grandmasters cannot read them. We have worked hard to make our books
dear in their presentation and to make it possible for the readers to decide the depth to
which they want to study them.
When we were young and trying to be up-and-coming, we understood that you do not
have to remember everything in an opening book in order to use it. It is our hope that those
readers who find this repertoire too extensive and detailed, will ignore many of the details.
Even now that we are grandmasters, we see the bolded moves as what we want to memorize,
and the notes as explanations and illustrations.
It is our conviction that you will eventually be more successful by playing the main lines,
simply because they are based on better moves. Instinctively most players know this, but
they fear losing to a prepared line and thus turn to unambitious systems, or unhealthy
surprises. The opponent will not be able to use his preparation but, sadly, will not need it.
These sidelines generally end in uninspiring positions almost automatically. •

Possibly the main reason why high-level opening books have disappeared is the rise of
databases. It has been assumed that there is no point in having traditional opening books
anymore, as you can look it all up in the database. Some rather lazy authors have a system:
collect a few hundred games from the database, give Fritz a few moments, then hit Print.
Such books add nothing to chess literature. We have seen enough of them and have never
wanted to add to that pile.
In these days of multi-million game databases, we all have access to information, what
is lacking is understanding. In the Grandmaster Repertoire series, very strong players will
share their understanding and suggest strong new moves that are in no one else's database.

We are excited about this series and hope that the reader will share some of that
excitement.

John Shaw & Jacob Aagaard

 Contents
Key to symbols used 6
Bibliography 7
Foreword by the Author 8
How to Use this Book 10

1 The English - Introduction 11

Anti-Slav Systems

2 Inrroduction 15
3 5th Move Various 21
4 5 ...e6 53
5 4 ...ilg4 69
6 The BarczaVariation 85
7 4 ...g6 109
8 4 ...e6 127
9 3 ...ilg4 155
10 3 ...dxc4 165
11 3 ...g6 173

Anti-QG Systems

12 Introduction and 3 ...dxc4 195

13 The Triangle I 203
14 The Triangle II 209
15 The Georgian System 215
16 4 ...dxc4 227
17 4 ...e6 with a quick ...b5 241
18 4 ...dxc4- 6 ...0-0 Main Line 259
 QGDSet-up

19 6...d4 and 6...a5 269

20 6 ...c6 275
21 6...b6 without ...c5 293
22 6...c5 303
23 ReversedModern Benoni 317
24 9...d.xc4Main Line 333
25 9...i.b 7 Main Line 351

Odds and Ends

26 Anti-Griinfeld 375
27 Anti-King's Indian 391
28 Anti-Dutch 403
29 Anti-Owen 411
30 Reti Move Order 423

Variation Index 425

 Keytosymbols
used

;!; White is slightly better

=
+ Black is slightly better
± White is better
+ Black is better
+- White has a decisive advantage
-+ Black has a decisive advantage
= with equality
iii with compensation
~ with counterplay
CII unclear
t with initiative

? a weak move
?? a blunder
a good move
!! an excellent move
!? a move worth considering
?! a move of doubtful value
# mate
 Bibliography

Avrukh, Boris. GrandmasterRepertoire1: J.d4, Quality Chess 2008

Bagirov, Vladimir Konstantinovich. AngliiskoeNachalo,Fizkultura i Sport, Moscow 1989.
Botvinnik, Mikhail. Analiticheskiei kriticheskierabotii1-4, Fizkultura i Sport, Moscow 1984-87.
Garrett and Marin. ReggioEmilia 2007/8-11 torneodelgiubileo,Caissa Italia Editore 2008.
Karpov, Anatoly. How to Play the EnglishOpening,Batsford Chess 2007.
Kosten, Tony. 1heDynamicEnglish,Gambit 1999.
McDonald, Neil. StartingOut: TheEnglish,Everyman Chess 2003.
Osnos, Viacheslav Vulfovich. Debiut Reti, Fizkultura i Sport, Moscow 1990.
Palliser, Kosten and Vigus. DangerousWeapom:Flank Openings,Everyman Chess 2008.
Pritchett, Craig. Playthe English,Everyman Chess 2007.
Schandorff, Lars. Playingthe Queen'sGambit,Quality Chess 2009.
Watson, John. Masteringthe ChessOpenings:Volume3, Gambit 2008.

Periodicals

ChessExtrapress,Bucharest 1998-2001.
ChessInformant, Belgrade 1965-2010.
Jaque,Valencia 1990-2010.
New in ChessYearbooks,Alkmaar 1987-2010.
Ochox Ocho,Madrid 1994-2000.
Schaknytt,Gothenburg 1999-2006.
64 Shakhmatnoeobozrenie,Moscow 1976-81.

Electronic Resources

ChessPublishing.com
MegaCorr3
MegaDatabase2010
 orewor
Bytheauthor
I have always regarded building up a pe,fect opening repertoire, suitable for one's style and skills,
as no easier a task than the Argonauts' search for the Golden Fleece.
There is a whole series of aspects to be clarified before even starting thinking about picking
specific openings. Should we approach the opening in the same way irrespective of colour, or
would it be wiser to display our main ambitions with White, while playing in a more restrained
style with the black pieces? At all levels, we will find adherents of both these methods.
There are also several ways to give the repertoire a coherent character. We may be guided by the
same general principles in all our opening variations (such as fighting for space and the initiative,
or, on the contrary, aiming for solid but somewhat passive positions). This is the widest approach,
which can lead to the coexistence of systems that bear absolutely no optical similarity to each
other. It has frequently been the choice of the greatest players in history, but it is not easy to
handle for mere mortals.

Many prefer to develop and exchange their pawns and pieces according to the same general
patterns, irrespective of the opponent's play. In order to achieve this with Black, they utilize
tandems of related openings such as the Slav and the Caro-Kann, or the King's Indian and the
Breyer Ruy Lopez. This is likely to lead to a high degree of specialization in the respective systems,
but risks limiting one's chess horizon.
When building up my repertoire with White, I treasure space and the initiative, but also the
possibility of keeping play within a relatively limited range of structures, which I tend to study
in depth. I also make major changes in my repertoire every five, ten or fifteen years, to avoid the
risk mentioned in the previous paragraph.
As a child and teenager I only played l.e4, but at the age of 18 I switched to l.d4. For several
years I employed aggressive set-ups, but in the early '90s I started to be attracted to the schemes
involving a kingside fianchetto. Without me being aware of it, this was the moment when the
book you are holding in your hands started its unusually long period of gestation.

The Catalan and the Fianchetto variations against the King's Indian and Griinfeld yielded me
many wins, but I failedto find adequate related schemes against the Slav. Experience taught me
that l.d4 d5 2.lt)f3 lt)f6 3.g3 c6 followed by ...ic8-f5 or ...ic8-g4 offers White nothing but
trouble. I was amused to find out that, a long time ago, a certain Valentin Marin (!) managed to
 Foreword by the Author 9

hold his own by employing this set-up with Black against the great SavielyTartakower. It is also
ironical that, together with other games played by Tartakower at Barcelona in 1929, that game
convinced theoreticians to baptize the system based on 1.d4 and 2.g3 "The Catalan Opening".
In order to avoid the aforementioned problems, I started employing 1.ltlf3 followed by 2.g3
and 3.i.g2 as my main move order, delaying the direct fight for the centre. After a few years
I understood that this works well if Black develops in the spirit of the Indian Defences, but
does not offer chances for an advantage if Black occupies the centre with l...d5 (or 1...ltlf6 and
2 ...d5).

After having had enough of 1.ltlf3, I decided that the d5-square should immediately be taken
under observation with l .c4. Thus was initiated the most consistent period of successwith White
in my whole career. Against most of Black's answers I would generally develop according to my
own taste, with g2-g3, i.fl-g2, etc. If allowed, I did not hesitate to transpose to the Catalan or
the Fianchetto King's Indian and Griinfeld, by playing d2-d4 at the right moment. The Slav
Opening remained somewhat aside from this point of view, but I usually answered 1...c6 with
2.e4, transposing to the aggressivePanov Attack.

When I first considered writing a book dedicated to a pure English Opening repertoire, I was
afraid that I would face insurmountable problems proving an advantage for White in everyline
while avoiding recommending a transposition to 1.d4 at various points. This over-ambitious
quest, which I had secretly been dreaming of, was against the long-established views of official
theory and looked nearly impossible to accomplish.

After more than one year of deep analysis with Valentin Stoica, I managed to make a step I
had never dared to try before, by building a viable repertoire based on 1.c4 followed by 2.g3
irrespective of Black's answer!
That White refrains from an early d2-d4 in all these lines does not mean that he gives up the
fight for the centre. Once White has eliminated the danger of Black's counterplay, or achieved
some _other sort of advantage, White will strive to occupy the centre. You will find the spirit of
this general strategy throughout this book and its companion volume.

I completed the initial analytical work shortly before participating in the 51st edition of the
Reggio Emilia tournament, as 2008 turned into 2009, and felt ready to give the brand new
repertoire a thorough practical testing. The result was more than encouraging: with White I
scored 4 out of 5, the equivalent of a rating performance of over 2800. Moreover, I had the better
position in the only game I lost.
I cannot anticipate how my understanding of chess will change in, say, ten years, but for the
moment I feel confident that, after almost 20 years of research, I have finally found my Golden
Fleece.

By writing this book, I wish to share my conquest with you, dear reader.

Mihail Marin
Bucharest, August 2010
 HowtoUsethisBook
I have noticed that many chess players seem to read books by dipping in and out of various
chapters, as the mood strikes them. I have a request - the first time you read this book, please read
it in order. I ask this because I often introduce strategic ideas in one chapter that will be relied
upon in later chapters. My plan is to build the reader's understanding of the English gradually,
as the story unfolds.

This book supplies the second part of our complete repertoire for White with 1.c4. I may point
out possible transpositions to other openings, but I will not rely on them for our repertoire. This
does not necessarily mean that I would always choose to play certain lines in the English instead
of playing the Catalan, as an example. But as a great guide for the Catalan already exists in Boris
Avrukh's l.d4 repertoire, it does not make sense for me to cover the same ground. And besides...
This is a book on the English after all!

In the English Opening, where direct contact between the pieces is often delayed, both sides often
have a wide range of moves. I mention every significant variation, but covering every possible
move would be neither practical nor especiallyhelpful to the reader. What is important is to cover
all of the key ideas. Thus, even though you may encounter unfamiliar moves from time to time,
you will not be "allat sea" - your new understanding of the English will be a reliable compass. I
have decades of experience in playing and analysing the English and yet I am often surprised in
the opening - it is the nature of the beast.

I have marked some moves with N for Novelty. This means the move is new to me and I cannot
find it in my database or books. However, there is always a possibility that the move could have
been played in some obscure game, unbeknown to me. Should the reader encounter any such
examples, I would ask him to remember that it is almost impossible to acquaint oneself with
every possible source of chess games. In any case, this book contains a great deal of original
analysis, which I hope will prove useful to the reader.

I have delayed you long enough - I hope you enjoy the book.
 The
English a b d e f g h

Introduction
Chapters 3-11 Chapters 12-18 Chapters 19-25

8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
s s s
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2

abcdefg h a b C d e f g h a b c d e f g h
Anti-Slav Systems Anti-QG Systems Anti-QGD Systems

Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28

8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
s s s
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2

abcdefgh a b C d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Anti-Griinfeld Anti-King's Indian Anti-Dutch

Chapter29 Chapter 30

8
7
6
s
4
3
2

a b C d e f g h abcdefgh
Anti-Owen Reti Move Order
12 The English

1.c4 transpose to the main lines examined by Boris

Avrukh in his 1.d4 repertoire books or by Lars
Schandorff in Playing the Queen's Gambit, but
these are just additional options. At the same
time, I have endeavoured to keep our repertoire
compact and provide hypermodern systems
against every possible black set-up. I believethat
in the vast majority of the variations examined
here, White's chances are not worse than in the
main lines of the classical openings. Only in
very rare cases (for instance, against the black
move order that is characteristic of Chapter
27) have I recommended a transposition to
l .d4 as possibly a more consistent quest for
a b c d e f g h an advantage rather than the purely English
The variations examined in this volume continuation that I examine.
are of critical importance in maintaining the
coherence of our whole repertoire. When given a choice, I have opted for
By playing l...e5 (see Volume 1) or dynamic or strategically ambitious lines, even
1...c5 (Volume 3), Black defines at least part if this implies some increased level of risk. In
of his intentions in the centre at the very start Chapters 2 to 25 White bravely leaves the c4-
of the game, making our planning easier and pawn undefended, aiming to prove that the
practically accepting the invitation to genuine opening of the long diagonal and his better
English paths. development more than compensates for
Things are less clear after 1...lt)f6, 1...c6 or the sacrificed material. My initial fears and
1...e6, which represent the heart of the present difficulties mentioned in the foreword refer
volume. In most cases, Black challenges White's precisely to this important section of the book,
control over the d5-square by playing ...d7-d5 in which the d5-pawn is defended by one of
at an early stage. This can have two different its colleagues, giving Black's play a strategically
purposes: to restrict the g2-bishop or to take sound character and confronting White with a
advantage of its early departure from the fl-a6 complex situation in the centre.
diagonal by creating the threat of ...dxc4. We
have seen a similar situation in the lines based Playing in the spirit of the English Opening
on ...c6 and ...d5 from the first volume, but does not imply refraining from d2-d4 forever.
in those cases the presence of a black pawn on This would be a severe self-limitation, allowing
e5 helps White to develop his initiative in the Black to grab space at his own convenience. As
centre. any reader of the first volume already knows,
we should not be indifferent to such basic
Many players use the 1.c4 move order as a notions as the centre and space, although we
method of avoiding openings such as the approach them in an indirect way. Once the
Nimzo-lndian and the Griinfeld, but gladly pieces have been harmoniously developed,
transpose to 1.d4 systems once this has been White frequently has to advance his queen's
achieved. Throughout this volume I have pawn to crown his strategy. One typical case
marked the moments at which it is possible to arises in the tabiya examined in Chapter 25.
 Chapter 1 - Introduction 13

Throughout this book the reader will

frequently find novelties that improve on
White's previous play over the board, but I
would mention Chapters 3, 12, 13, 16, 17
and the aforementioned Chapter 24 as those
containing the greatest amount of original
analysis and, some of them, aiming to open
new theoretical trends.

An interesting aspect is related to terminology.

Many of the positions examined below may
be considered to belong to the Reti Opening,
a b c d e f g h characterized by 1.lt::if3, which is in some
The presence of the black queen on d5 is contradiction with the title of the book.
asking for 12.d4, with the strong threat of Solving this problem is beyond the powers
lbe5. This variation has been well known and of any mortal, because after 1.c4 it is Black
approved for at least half a century, but in who decides if it will be an English Opening
Chapter 24 I have made a step forward in the (l...e5 and l...c5) or a Reti (...e6 or ...c6
same direction. followed by ... d5). However, I feel that from
a practical point of view the title is entirely
justified. As explained in the final chapter, 1.c4
is more active and restricting than 1.lt::if3.
Besides, these two openings are so tightly
linked to each other that the whole discussion
is academic. The important thing is to remain
true to the hypermodern spirit and this is
precisely what I have tried to achieve in the
following pages.

There are no independent chapters on l...g6

or l...d6. By playing his usual moves (2.g3,
3 ..ig2, 4.lt::ic3),White leaves Black practically
no other choice than transposing to variations
examined elsewhere in the three companion
volumes.
 8
7
6
5
4
3

Anti-Slav
Systems 2
1
a b c d e f g h

Introduction
Chapter 3 Chapter4 Chapter 5

8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2

a b C d e f g h a b C d e f g h a b C d e f g h

5th Move Various 5...e6 4 ...ig4

Chapter 6 Chapter? Chapter 8

8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2

a b C d e f g h a b C d e f g h a b C d e f g h

The BarczaVariation 4 ...g6 4 ...e6

Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11

8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2

a b C d e f g h a b C d e f g h a b C d e f g h

3 ...~g4 3 ...dxc4 3 ...g6

16 Anti-Slav Systems

1.c4 c6 2.g3 d5 3.~£3 opponents, Alexey Dreev and Jan Gustafsson.

As an author, I was greatly encouraged by the
fact that both games ended in wins for me,
meaning that my theoretical approach was
confirmed by practice.
Before moving on to explain "White'sgeneral
concept, we need to understand Black's aims
and the eventual dangers awaiting him in the
genuine Slav Defence.

The main Slav tabiya arises after the

introductory moves:

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.~£3 ~f6 4.l2k3

a b c d e f g h

i 1.i.B•~
For 1.d4 players,.the Slav Defence is one of
s
the toughest nuts to crack. Many of them occa- 7 -~ -~ ,,,,,7.--.%~, 0½
sionally switch to l.c4, with the idea of meet-
ing l...c6 with 2.e4, thus transposing to the
Panov Attack. Although I have often played
the Panov, I felt that for the purposes of this
: -"~ r,.~

~~~~,--~
~~~A~~~½
....,,. .. .,,

book it would be unsuitable. First of all, this

is a completely different opening (classified
4
3
•8r~ lb~
~~----½~
■
under the Caro Kann B13-14 ECO codes), ~:w-.r--
--~ ~¥1
~J,~~ ~ 8 f~~
½
but more important is that the character of the 2 '0
position would differ so much from the rest of 1 0 ~~~:
the book. Instead of a slow strategic struggle
with a white kingside fianchetto, where tacti-
a b c d e f g h
cal fireworks occur only after the gradual accu- Black has placed a solidly defended pawn in
mulation of small advantages, we would get a the centre, leaving the c8-h3 diagonal open.
mass of forced variations with an isolani. This latter aspect is quite important, because in
most closed or semi-closed games, the natural
I must confess that initially I had been rather development of the c8-bishop is a frequent
sceptical about my chances of proving the problem. However, if he wants to play ....if5,
system of development based on g3 and .ig2 Black has to give up the centre first.
viable. Modern theory considers it simply
inoffensive or, if-white is overambitious, even 4 ...dxc4
risky. Perseverance and analytical work helped The immediate 4 ....if5? fails to 5.cxd5 cxd5
me discover many new ideas for -white and 6.°Wb3,when the only way to defend the d5-
I fell in love with the whole variation. -when and 67-pawns would be the anything but
I took part in Reggio Emilia 2008/09, the appealing 6 ....ic8±.
anti-Slav chapter was more or less ready and I After 4 ...dxc4, "White needs to deal with the
was only too happy to use my newly acquired threat of ...67-65, safely defending the extra
knowledge against two much higher rated pawn, which explains the next move.
 Chapter 2 - Introduction 17

5.a4 We now have sufficient elements to define

This is almost unanimously played. our English strategy with White.
However, it weakens the b4-square and Black
can develop comfortably. For example: By refraining from the early advance of the
d-pawn, White wins an important tempo for
5 ...!f'5 6.e3 e6 7.hc4 !h4 8.0-0 itJbd7 his piece development. Besides, the king's
With good chances to undermine the white bishop will be actively placed on the long
centre in the future. diagonal, putting the enemy queenside under
serious pressure in case of an early ...dxc4.
In order to prove that ...dxc4 is a significant These elements give us good reasons to look for
concession, White would need to avoid the gambit lines, in which White is in no hurry to
weakening move a2-a4. This can be achieved defend his c4-pawn or restore material equality
with the increasingly popular variation: after its removal from the board.
In modern practice players with White
4.iWc2dxc4 5.iWxc4!f'5 6.g3 e6 7.!g2 itJbd7 frequently shy away from this ambitious
8.0-0!e7 strategy, by playing the over-cautious b2-b3 at
an early stage. I have discarded this move for

-~~ ~-·;,e,a -
.i.B two reasons. White spends a valuable tempo
s and deprives himself of the possibility of a
1 ~••41)~,w~,
,,,,,½~ ·~
~----~~-~~•ef""'

·, ...... ½~
queen incursion to b3 or a4, which allows

~ ~1:c·---m
Black to complete his development in a very
6 satisfactory way with, say, ...!g4, ... e6, ...!d6,
!1J!
:~~~~~
...itJbd7 and ...iWe7. These lines are playable

,, ~~. --'~ ~'m-,., ~

with either colour, but my feeling is that White
loses all of his opening initiative.
3 ~~-~~~ ~5)1~~-~ By refraining from b2-b3, White poses his
8W~ •8w~Ji,w~
2 . ----✓-----½~,0 ~..... ½.~:i?"" ,
opponent a difficult decision: develop his c8-
bishop and leave the queenside vulnerable for
1~~~~ ■ .:m just an instant, or give up the centre in the
a b c d e f g h hope that he may later return the pawn under
However, this system of development has favourable circumstances.
another significant drawback. White has spent The following game clearly demonstrates
two tempos placing the queen on a vulnerable the seriousness of the concession implied by
square. In the near future, new losses of time giving up the centre without gaining anything
are to be expected. At the same time, Black in exchange.
has excellent control of the e4-square, which
makes it difficult for White to increase or even Marin- Komeev
maintain his space advantage in the centre.
It is little wonder that Black has excellent Sitges 1996
possibilities for counterplay.
The conclusion is that Black's plan of 1.itJf3 d5 2.g3 ig4 3.ig2 itJd7
developing his queen's bishop only works well This move order is typical of the Reti
if combined with the threat of capturing on c4, Opening, but the next move will bring the
aiming to provoke a concession from, White. game back to English paths.
18 Anti-Slav Systems

4.c4 6 ... tt)gf6?!

Careless again. 6 ...e6 would have required
some more effort from White to win space on
the queenside.

7.b4!
Taking full advantage of Black's previous
inaccuracy.White advances his 6-pawn without
needing to place a rook on b 1. Later, the rook
will go directly to the half open c-file.

7 ...e6 s.Wb3ixf3
This looks like another serious concession,
but otherwise the bishop may have remained
out of play after an eventual knight jump to
eS.

9.ha ie7 10.ib2 0-0 11.a3 tt)d5 12.0-0

~c8 13.~acl a6
5.llJa3! •Both sides have more or less completed the
We willsee a lot more of this move in the next mobilization of their forces and it would be
hundred pages. Capturing with the knight on fair to end the line here with the evaluation
c4 will increase White's control over the centre, ±. However, I will continue for just two more
while also accelerating his development. moves, in order to reveal the essential feature
of the position.
Korneev expected 5.'~c2 when after S...c6
6.Wxc4 the exposed position of the white 14.e4! lt)5f6 15.d4!±
queen gives Black the opportunity to simplify
the position and achieve approximate equality
with 6 ...ixf3 7.ixf3 tt)eS 8.Wc3 tt)xf3t
9.Wxf3 lt)f6=.

5 ...c6
S...tt)b6 is hardly better because of 6.tt)eS,
when the weakness of the 67-pawn forces the
passive retreat 6 ...ic8. White can play 7.0-0±
followed soon by a knight capture on c4, with
a considerable advantage in both development
and space.

6.tZ)xc4
From here the knight controls such important
squares as eS, d6, 66 and aS, keeping Black
under pressure over a wide area.
 Chapter 2 - Introduction 19

develop his pieces and force concessions from 3.ig2 d5 4.ttlf3

Black. Also, the occupation of the c4-square by
the knight rather than the queen secures White
greater stability in the centre than in the 4.1!Mc2
line mentioned above. In the current position
the queen is safely placed behind the pawns,
depriving Black of any dream of counterplay
based on the queen's exposure to attacks by the
minor pieces.
However, being enthusiastic supporters of the
English Opening should not prevent us from
understanding the importance of the centre
and space in general. Having avoided any major
concession afrer ...dxc4, White is best advised
to switch back to classicalchess. This is precisely a b c d e f g h
how his last two moves can best be described and Now the main continuations are 4 ...dxc4
this kind of flexible thinking is recommended (Chapters 3 and 4), 4 ...ig4 (Chapter 5),
in almost every line of the English Opening. 4 ...if5 (Chapter 6) and 4 ...g6 (Chapter 7).
Black defended stubbornly for 50 more 4 ...e6 is entirely possible, but is examined in
moves, but White's huge space advantage and the section dedicated to l ... e6 (Chapters 12 to
bishop pair eventually decided the result. 18).

We may divide the analytical material into two Although the character of the position is not
categories, depe~ding on whether Black plays changed radically, concrete play can take
an early ...ttlf6 (1.c4 c6 2.g3 d5 3.ttlf3 ttlf6 different forms if Black employs the purely
4.ig2, Chapters 3 to 7) or not (l.c4 c6 2.g3 d5 Slav move order with:
3.ttlf3 3 ...others, Chapters 8 to 11). Although
it is generally recommended to develop the 1.c4 c6 2.g3 d5
g8-knight beforeundertaking anything concrete, Now the most accurate move is:
Black sometimes finds it more appropriate to
use this tempo to consolidate his centre with a 3.lbf3
pawn move. Taking the e5-square under control.

The former situation is highly relevant for the Some books recommend 3.ig2, in order to
move order: inhibit the c8-bishop's development in view of
the threat of 'llMb3.However, nothing is said
l.c4 ttlf62.g3 about 3 ...e5, when Black's centre is quite solid
Most opening books recommend: and White has no way to transpose to the 1.c4
e5 2.g3 c6 3.d4 lines from the first volume.
2 ...c6 For instance: 4.cxd5 (the immediate 4.d4 can
Supposed to be the simplest way of punishing be answered with 4 ...dxc4!?)4 ...cxd5 5.d4 (it is
White's impatience in fianchettoing his bishop. well known that increasing the piece pressure
However, afrer weeks of analysis I still cannot against the d5-pawn with 5.ttlc3 ltlf6 6.Wb3
find a clear path to equality for Black. ttlc6! leaves White badly underdeveloped)
20 Anti-Slav Systems

5...e4 And White has exchanged on d5 too 5.cxd.5

early, allowing the b8-knight to develop If ...lt)f6 had been played instead of ...e6,
comfortably. Moreover, the move .ig2 is much the best move would be 5.lt)e5, but here,
less useful than 'Llc3, since in some lines of the after 5....ih5 6.cxd5, Black can deviate with
aforementioned system the bishop emerges 6 ...exd5! when the knight would remain
with great effect on other diagonals. unstable in the centre. Compared to the lines
from Chapter 5, the e-file has been opened for
.,,,,/~ , ''''l.
Black'spieces, while the a4-e8 diagonal has not
s
7 If,--~ i.••41l~E
.i.~..l~ ,,,.,7,_,,,~--.
been weakened.

6 ,,,, y~ ,~ ,, ., .... ,.
5...ha!?
Black aims for plain equality. Since the
5 ~-~-~- immediate 5 ...cxd5 would drop the bishop

~m~
4 ~.,.~.~ to 6.'1Wa4t,he can maintain the symmetrical
character of the position only by giving up the
~~J~~-0
,,. ~- ~--
3 ~~-0 ~~-0
bishop pair without having provoked h2-h3.
2 o~ A~~1/, if~Aifj\"~
ia1/,oia1/,~ ~ 5...exd5 leads to more complex play where

,~~--;i£ffl:
1
White has reasonable chances of an advantage
after' 6.0-0 lt)f6 7.d3 'Llbd7 8.lt)c3 (Chapter
a b c d e f g h 8).
3...i.g4
If 3 ...dxc4 4 ..ig2 then Black should 6.ha cxd5
probably transpose to a position discussed When embarking on this whole analytical
above by playing 4 ...'Llf6 anyway. The reason project, I expected that in the lines without an
(explained in more detail in Chapter 11) is early ..,lt)f6 White would have fewer chances
that other moves tend to be too committal, of gaining an objective advantage. Now that
while delaying castling does not reduce White's the work has been done and I have had the
attacking potential. encouraging experience of Reggio Emilia, I
consider that White's play is just as threatening
Another important move is 3 ...g6 (Chapter as some of the official main lines after 1.d4 or
10). Black aims for a symmetrical Griinfeld 1.e4.
and White cannot force a transposition to the
lines with 4 ...g6 from Chapter 7. If he wishes Finally, by starting the book with this group
to remain within English territory, he needs to of chapters, I have followed the same policy as
look for original solutions. in the first volume. It is precisely in the field
of the Slav and Semi-Slav style lines that I
4 ..ig2 have acquired the richest practical experience,
Black has a couple of continuations that allowing me to explain the typical ideas in the
avoid an immediate transposmon to the best way. I aim to make the explanations of
systems with an early ...'Llf6. this system instructive and relevant for other
lines that are examined later.
4...e6
The most consistent. After 4 ...'Lld7 5.cxd5
cxd5 6.°1Wb3;!;
White retains the initiative.
 8
7
6
5
4
3

Anti-Slav
Systems 2

a b c d e f g h

5thMove
Various

Variation
Index
I.c4 c6 2.g3 d5 3.ttJf3 ttJf6 4.ig2 dxc4
5.0-0
A) 5...g6 6.ttJa3 23
Al) 6...1Mfd5 23
A2) 6...ig7 24
A3) 6...b5 26
B) 5 ...b5 28
C) 5...ie6 6.ttJg5 30
Cl) 6...i6 30
C2) 6...id5 7.e4 h6 8.exd5 bxg5 9.dxc6 ttJxc6 10.ttJa3 32
C21) 10...e6 33
C22) 10...1Mf d3 34
D) 5...ltJbd7 6.ttJa3 ltJb6 7.1Mfc2 38
D1) 7 ...ie6 8.ttJg5 1Mf
d7 9.b3! cxb3 10.axb3 ig4!?
11.ttJc4!ttJxc4 12.1Mfxc4 e6 13.ib2 ih5 14J:fa5 39
D11) 14...ie7 43
D12) 14...ig6 43
D2) 7 ...1Mfd58.ttJel! 44
D21) 8...1Mfd4 45
D22) 8...1Mfh5 45
D23) 8...1Mf6 46
D24) 8...1Mfe6 9.d3! cxd3 10.ttJxd3g6 11.e4!N ig7 12.if4 47
D241) 12...1Mfg4 49
D242) 12...ttJfd7 50
D25) 8...i6 51
22 Anti-Slav Systems

1.c4 c6 2.g3 d5 3.~f3 ~£6 4.ig2 dxc4 contributes to the consolidation of the extra
pawn, the black king will remain in the centre
for longer than is desirable, offering White
additional chances to develop his initiative.
Being a pawn down at such an early stage
of the opening is likely to cause a lot of stress,
which explains why moves such as 5.~a3 or
5.Wl'c2are quite popular in practice. In fact,
they only justify Black's ...b7-b5, because
both mentioned moves represent premature
commitments.After5.~a3 b5 6.d3cxd3 7.~e5
ib7 8.0-0 e6, White's lead in development
and initiative are partly neutralized by the
unhappy placement of his queen's knight.
The fairly popular variation 5.Wl'c2b5 6.a4
This is the critical test. for our chosen ib7 7.b3 cxb3 8.Wl'xb3a6 9.ia3 causes Black
move order and the main reason why many some problems with the development of his
players shy away from leaving the c4-pawn kingside, but has the significant drawback that
undefended. Blackwillingly givesup the centre, White loses a tempo with his queen. This leads
in the hope that White will need to make some me to believe that his chances of an advantage
major concessions in order to restore material are very slim.
equality. In certain cases, Black is ready to Therefore, I have concentrated my analytical
defend his pawn with ...b7-b5, forcing White efforts on the positions resulting after the most
to embark on sharp gambit play with b2-b3 natural developing move.
or d2-d3.
Official theory in this variation is not well 5.0-0
developed and is rather chaotic. In order to
get a general overview of each side's chances,
we have to resort to a comparison with a more
8 .i ■.t~,,,,,1/,■,•¾~f•
~-~ ~
TB ....
,.
~.--~
popular opening, the Open Catalan. The
? " ..1/,B ,,1/,~
essential difference is that the white d-pawn is
still on its initial square. The first impression is 6 BBBB, .....
,B
that this detail clearly favours Black, because
White's queenside development will be slowed : BBfBBBBB
down considerably, while the move d2-d4 3 BBBB~
would allow Black to get rid of his double ~w- ~w- ~w-~----~w-~
0 0
pawn with ...cxd3. However, we should not 8 f~ f~ 8 f~.i.f~
2 ..,,z-....1/,w~----½-.----½~-~----
forget that for the time being White has 1 ~ltl~if■ .a:t i
saved a tempo, which allows him to complete
his kingside development faster than in the a b c d e f g h
Catalan and without being annoyed by early This is the most flexible move, since White
checks on 64. Another important detail is that will have to castle at some point anyway. In
Black has played ...c6 instead of ...e6, as would certain cases it is quite useful to have the g2-
be the case in the Catalan. While this obviously bishop defended, while the king's rook is ready
 Chapter 3 - 5th Move Various 23

to occupy either the c- or d-file, if they open. diagonal without control, which would tell
At the same time, it appears that Black faces if Black plays ...b7-b5. At the same time, the
a difficult choice regarding his next move, as temporary weakness of the long diagonal offers
practically every continuation implies a small White some additional ideas in one of the lines
commitment, allowing White to take over the given below.
initiative one way or another. This may seem
less obvious at this stage, but by investigating 6.ttla3
the possible moves one by one, the reader will Black has several ways of defending the
understand my point of view. extra pawn, but none of them is entirely
Following the model of my game against satisfactory. He can also ignore the threat
Korneev (page 17), White will mainly try to and continue developing. We have the main
retrieve the pawn with ltibl-a3xc4, in order continuations Al} 6 ...Wfd5, A2) 6 ...ig7 and
to gain firm control over the centre and avoid A3) 6...b5.
prematurely exposing the queen. However, in
most of the variations Black has several ways 6 ...ie6 has never been played and fails to
to cross this basic plan, which usually leads to equalize after 7.ltlg5 id5 8.e4 h6 9.exd5 hxg5
interesting play. I will not spend much time 10.dxc6 ftlxc6 1l.ttlxc4 ig7 12.d4!±. All
on those positions where Black leaves the c4- White's minor pieces are well developed and
pawn undefended, as this simply offers White both of Black'swings are under serious pressure.
a stable advantage at no cost. We will see a similar position in line C2 below,
In this chapter, we will examine A) 5...g6, with the difference that in that case Black
B) 5...b5, C) 5...ie6 and D) 5...ltlbd7.I have plays ...e6 and ...ie7. In the current position,
dedicated the next chapter to 5 ...e6, because the d5-square is not well enough defended,
it deviates from the original Slav spirit, by depriving Black of the relative stability of the
closing the h3-c8 diagonal for the sake of rapid respective line.
kingside development.
Al) 6 ...Wfd5
A) 5...g6

a b c d e f g h
This is a rather artificial way to defend the
pawn, as the queen is obviously exposed in the
centre.
24 Anti-Slav Systems

7.Vf!.c2h5 an attack in the centre, taking advantage of the

Consistent but risky. 7 ...ie6 has been played vulnerability of the long dark diagonal.
a couple of times, but 8.Vf!.c3! retrieves the pawn
optimally. Note that several elements make ll.e4! Vf!.h5 12.e5 &[}d513.e6 f6 14.&[}d4±
this atypical move possible here: the f6-knight
is pinned, making ...lt)e4 impossible, while the
g2-bishop is defended, enabling a knight jump
to d4. 8 ...ig? 9.&[}d4Vf!.d610.lt)xe6 Vf!.xe6
1 l.Vf!.b4!?Vf!.d?12.&[}xc4!
In this line, instead of 9 ...Vf!.d6,if Black tries
9 ...&[}e4then White has a killing queen sac:
l0.lt)xe6 lt)xc3 11.lt)xg?t! @d? 12.dxc3 Vf!.e5
13.ih6 For the queen White has three minor
pieces and a huge attack, despite the trapped
knight. For example, 13...bS 14.lt)c2 and a2-
a4 will shred Black's queenside.

A2) 6...ig7

8.h3!
White opens the c-6.leand prepares ib2, in
order to create the threats lt)d4 and lt)eS.

8...cxb3 9.axh3ih7
Black has no time to continue his kingside
development with 9 ...ig? because after 10.ib2 a b c d e f g h
he will lose one of the pawns on c6 or bS. As Played in the spmt of the Grilnfeld
we can see, in this line Black has not managed Defence. Black gives up the centre without
to keep the white knight isolated on a3. a fight, hoping to exert piece pressure. The
early commitment of ...c7-c6 restricts Black's
IO.ib2 a6 chances for counterplay. Besides, White is
Black has managed to defend the queenside very flexible in the centre. Black's position will
in a satisfactory way, but now White launches remain solid, but rather passive.
 Chapter 3- 5th Move Various 25

7.ltixc4 0-0 8.d3 Twenty years after his second game with
This is one of the cases when keeping the this line, Dzindzichashvili changed his move
game within pure English territory may offer order with 10.l::!bl6611.~c2 and obtained an
better chances than transposing to a l .d4 line overwhelming space advantage after l l...ib7
with 8.d4. Without developing the subject, I 12.e4 ltic7 13.d4 c5 14.d5. Black tried to free
will only mention that after 8...ie6 9.63 id5 her position with 14...f5, but ran into trouble
Black enjoys some stability in the centre and after 15.exf5 ~xf5 16.ltih4 ~f8 17.d6!±,
has an acceptable position, having neutralized, Dzindzichashvili - Krush, San Francisco
at least temporarily, the g2-bishop. These 1999.
are direct consequences of the fact that the
c4- and e4-squares are not defended by the 10...~7b6
d-pawn. With his development incomplete, Black
should refrain from queenside expansion,
8 ...ltibd7 as this is likely to leave him with chronic
Now 8...ie6 is less effective. White should weaknesses. For instance: 10...a5 1l.a3 65?!
develop just as in the main line with 9.~c2 12.~e3 ltixe3 13.ixe3 ib7 14.ltid4 ~c8
ltibd710.id2t and in the long run the bishop 15.~b3 ia8 16.ltic5± Dzindzichashvili -
will be exposed on e6. Fedorowicz, Hastings 1977. This position is a
dream come true for fianchetto players.
9.id2
An apparently modest move, which is 11.ltiaS
typical of hypermodern play. White develops Although Black seems to have developed
the bishop on a safe square, keeping both normally, he cannot do much against White's
wings under control. An eventual queenside mounting queenside pressure.
expansion with ...b7-b5 is inhibited because
of ltia5, while in certain casesWhite may play
~cl and ih6. This position has occurred in
three games of Ozindzichashvili, spread over
more than two decades.
26 Anti-Slav Systems

15.e4! White won a pawn and later the game in

This is the best way to develop the initiative, Dzindzichashvili- Shamkovich, USA 1979.
annihilating Black's main trump - his well
centralized knight. A3) 6...b5

15...%Vc7
Forced, in order to avoid the loss of an
exchange, but now White completes his
development with gain of time.

7.1:i:Je5
Another possible move order is 7.d3 cxd3
8.1:i:Je5.
Now 8 ...a6 would transpose below, but
the greedy 8 ...dxe2? is bad. The following line
proves that the pawn is worth less than White's
16...%Vxc2
17J:h:c2l:i:Je7
18.~xb5 extra tempo for developing. 9.%Vxe2 1:i:Jd5
The
Threatening both ltJxe5 and ~c7. only way to defend the c6- and 65-pawns.
10.~dl i.g7 (This is equivalent to resignation,
18...ltJc619.ltJxc6bxc620.~a5!+- but Black could not stand the pressure along
the central files. 10...e6 does not strengthen
the knight's position because of the pin along
the e-file after 1I.l:i:Jxc6!1:i:Jxc612.ixd5+-
while 10...ie6 can be met by 1I.l:i:Jxb5cxb5
12.%Vxb5t+-.) 1I.ltJxc6 ltJxc6 12.ixd5 1-0
Sebenik - Hess, Salzburg 2004. I believe that
even the most aggressive 1.e4 player would
relish an instant crush like this ...

7 ...a6!N
This move, defending 65 and leaving the c6-
pawn to White's mercy, is the only one that
 Chapter 3 - 5th Move Various 27

offers chances for survival. It would not be 18.ih3±

easy to decide upon over the board, because it White has a strong attack, Pigusov - Graf,
implies a temporary exchange sacrifice. Pavlodar 1987.

The only game to reach this position continued

with:
7 ...~c7?!
A typical mistake. Byprematurely developing
his queen, Black exposes Her Majesty to
further attacks, allowing White to win time
for his initiative.
8.d4 a6
8 ...cxd3 9.li:lxd3 a6 is not an entirely
satisfactory solution either in view of I 0.if4
~b6 I Ukl ig7 12.ltle5 ib7 13.'1Wb3 0-0
14.lbac4!. Again, Black has failed to keep
this knight out of play, which puts him in a
critical situation. 14...'1Wd815J!fdl± White 8.d3!
has achieved superb development, while White has to open lines. After the hurried
many black pieces are on their initial squares 8.ltixc6 ltixc6 9.ixc6t id? IO.ixa8 ~xa8
or just passive. l l .f3 h5;5 Black's space advantage and pair
9.b3 cxb3 10.~xb3 ie6 I l.~c2 ig7 of bishops, combined with the weakness of
the white king's residence, offer him good
compensation.

8...c:x:d3 9.lbxc6 li:lxc6 10.hc6t id7

11.haS ~xa8 12.~xd3 ih3 13.£3 .bfl
14.ctlxfl ig7
Apparently, Black is about to complete
his development, while the a3-knight has
remained out of play.

a b c d e f g h
12.if4!
Avoiding the trap 12.ltlxc6 id5! which
would solve Black's problems because of
the pin along the c-file. After the text move
Black cannot defend the c6-pawn, and has
to embark a forced continuation, which is
likely to end badly for him because of his
lack of development.
12...ltlh5 13.li:lxg6 ltixf4 14.li:lxf4 ixd4
15J~adl if6 16.li:lxe6 fxe6 17.~b3 ctlfl
28 Anti-Slav Systems

15.li::lxb5!
This resolute move completdy changes the
picture. White sacrifices his knight in order
to create two dangerous passed pawns and
prevent Black from castling.

15 ... axh5 16.'%Vxb5tli::ld7

16...~f8 17.a4~ is similar.

17 ..tf4 h5 18..!'~dl°%Vc819.a4i
Black'sposition is very dangerous. He has no
easy way to complete his development, while
the white queenside pawns are threatening.

B) 5...b5

Note that 9 ...g6 would not avoid playing ...e6,

because of I 0.li::le5!.

10.:ikl

a b c d e f g h
Needless to say, this is the most committal
move. In order to defend a pawn that was
not yet under attack, Black weakens the long
diagonal, which allows White to orientate his
further actions quite easily.

6.a4i.h7 7.h3 cxh3 8.°%Vxh3 a6 9.ia3 a b c d e f g h

Having avoided the loss of time °%Vdl-c2xb3, This move, with which we are familiar from
White is a whole tempo up (he has castled) if a comment to the ninth move, seems to be
compared with the aforementioned line 5.°%Vc2 the best way to develop White's initiative.
b5, etc. Black'squeenside is under pressure and The mechanical occupation of the centre with
the inevitable ...e6 will lead to the loss of the 10.d4 is less constructive. The text move puts
right to castle and chronic weaknesses on the the c6-pawn under severe pressure and keeps
dark squares. the long dark diagonal open for the queen.
 Chapter 3 - 5th Move Various 29

10 ...e5 13 ... axb5 14.!!xa.8.ixaS

A risky move. Black deprives the white 14...Wfxa8?would lose material to 15.e4+-.
knight of the d4-square, but weakens the a2-f7
diagonal.

The more restrained I O...e6 loses the c6-pawn

to I I.ltld4±, without solving the problem of
evacuating the king from the centre in view of
11....ixa3 12.Wfxa3.

Vuksanovicmentions 10...Wfb6!?as Black'sbest

defence, aiming to keep the queenside together
without creating weaknesseson the other wing.
She provides the following variations: 1I.ltlg5
(forcing the opening of the a3-f8 diagonal)
1l...e6 12..ixf8 l3xf8 (12 ...Wxf8 would allow a b c d e f g h
White win time with 13.axb5 cxb5 14.Wfb4t 15..hdS!N
@e8 15.ltlc3±, while 12...ltlxf8 leaves the c5- During an over-the-board game it is not easy
square undefended. 13.ltlc3± I would continue to spot the surprising queen manoeuvre allowed
her analysis with 13...ltl8d7 14.axbS axb5 by this move.
15J:i:xa8t ix:a8 16.Wfa3 .ib7 17.Wfd6±, or
14...cxbS 15..ixb? Wfxb7I6.Wfb4±.) 13.ltlc3~ 15.e4 is also strong. 15...cS 16.exdS Wfxg5
(Vuksanovic). 17.YffxbSWfd8 18.ltlc3± White has restored
material equality and enjoys a huge lead in
development, Vukanovic-Acs, Hungary 1996.

15...cxd5 16.Wi'S!
White forces the next move, which clears the
seventh rank for the attack.

16 ... ltlf6 17.Wfa3t ©e8 18.Wfa7 !!f8

19.!!c7+-

11.lt)g5! ltld5 12..ixm @xf8 13.axb5

The start of a typical exchanging operation,
which aims to leave the enemy bishop passive
and vulnerable.
30 Anti-Slav Systems

With his pieces uncoordinated, Black is kingside, 9 ...b5 looks susp1c1ous after the
helpless against the threats along the seventh standard continuation 10.b3 cxb3 l l.axb3~.)
rank. 10.~c3! We saw this position in line Al on
page 24, with the difference that Black had
C) 5...ie6 played ...g6 instead of ...h6. The fact that the
f6-knight is not pinned does not absolve Black
from problems.

8
7
6
5
4
3
2

a b c d e f g h
10...ltle4 The only way to prevent ~d4.
1l.~e3! ~d6 Otherwise, the knight would
soon be pinned. 12.ltld4;!; Black cannot
maintain his stability in the centre. Tactics such
as 12...~f5? do not work, because of 13.ixd5
6.~g5
After this natural move Black has a choice ltlxe3 14.ixe6 ttJxfl 15.i.c8+-.
between Cl) 6...if5 and C2) 6...id5.
8...b5 also looks suspicious in view of 9.b3
cxb3 10.~xb3. White plans ltle5 (preceded
Cl) 6 ...!£5
by d2-d3, in case of 10...e6), when the f5-
bishop cannot contribute to the defence of the
This is a safe square, but in the long run the
bishop will remain passive, especially after a queenside. Black should not rely on the fact
that the a3-knight is out of play, because it can
later d2-d3.
eventually emerge via b5 or c4.
7.~a3 h6 8.ltl6 ~d5
Black aims to take advantage of the fact that
White cannot increase the pressure against the
c4-pawn with ~c2. However, Black's queen
and light-squared bishop are so exposed that
White can afford to play in gambit style.

There are other ways to defend the pawn, but

none of them is entirely satisfactory. 8 ...ie6
9.~c2 ~d5 (With the bishop vulnerable on
e6, blocking the further development of the a b c d e f g h
 Chapter 3 - 5th Move Various 31

For instance: 10...Wfd6?! 11.~c4! Wfd5 (the

knight is taboo since l 1...bxc4? loses the
undeveloped rook after 12.Wfb?+-) 12.'LJe3
Wfxb3 13.axb3 Developing the queen's
rook without the necessity of moving it.
13....te4 14.d3;!; Black's position remains
underdeveloped and vulnerable.

ab c.d e f g h
13..ie3 .ic5?! (The point behind the early
development of the queen's knight is that
Black can play 13...a6, when White may not
have anything better than returning to the idea
mentioned below with 14..if4~.) 14.hc5
~xc5 15.e4! Aiming to take advantage of the
weakness of the d6-square. 15...b5!? (15...i.h?
is also not appealing after 16.e5 ~d5 17.~d6t
~f8 18.d4;!;) 16.exf5 bxc4 17.lt)e5 0-0
18.'LJxc6Wfc7(18...Wfxd3loses an exchange to
9.b3! 19.'LJe7t±) 19.bxc4 exf5 20.d4 'LJce421.d5 a5
At the cost of a pawn, White wins time for 22.Wfd4White had a crushing space advantage
his development. It is obvious that the enemy in Carlstedt - Klimov, Yung Tau City 2008.
queen will have to retreat, while the opening In this line 13.i.f4, threatening ~d6t, is
of the a-file will leave Black'squeenside under even simpler.
pressure even in the absence of the weakening
move ...b7-b5.

9...cx:b310.axb3 e6 11.~c4 WI' d8 12.d3

Having obtained a considerable lead in
development, White can play in slow mode.
With his last move, he cuts the enemy bishop
out of play and threatens .ie3.

12...i.cS
This move fails to defend the gl-a7 diagonal,
but 12...i.e7 is no better. 13.i.e3 Black cannot
play 13...a6 or 13...b6 because of 'LJ(x)b6.
If 13...~bd7 then White can safely capture
a b c d e f g h
the pawn with 14..ixa?;!;, since Black cannot
trap the bishop. For instance, 14...c5? 13.b4! .te7
15.~h4!± or 14...b6? 15.~d4+-. It appears that capturing the pawn would
only accelerate White's queenside attack after
12...~bd7 is an interesting alternative. 13....ixb4 14.Wfb3a5 15..id2 ~a6 (15 ....ixd2
32 Anti-Slav Systems

allowsthe intermediate 16.Wxb7!±eliminating Black will lose a pawn, while his bishop
an essential link from Black's pawn chain) remains out of play, Prang - J. Fritz, corr.
16.'LJxa5 ha.5 (16....ixd2 17.l2~xd2 'LJc5 1998.
18.Wb4 leavesthe black queenside desperately
weak, since 18...We7? fails to 19.'LJxc6!+-) C2) 6....id5
17.ha.5 Wc8 18JUbl CLJc519.Wb4 CLJfd7
20.lLle5±The black king has not castled yet
and the queenside pawns are vulnerable.

14..ie3 lLld5 15 ..ixa7 CLJa616 ..id4 .if6

17 ..ixf6 lLlxf618.Wbl

8
7
6
5
4 a b c d e f g h
3 A more principled move than 6 ....if5. Black
will not manage to neutralize the g2-bishop,
2 but at least he will exchange his own bishop,
1 thus preventing it from remaining offside.
The structural modifications resulting after
a b c d e f g h the following forcing sequence lead to an
After retrieving the pawn, White can carry interesting situation.
out his minority attack with the minimum of
effort. 7.e4 h6 8.exd5hxg5 9.dxc6lLlxc610.lLla3
Black retains the more compact structure,
18 ...0-019.b5 cxb5 20.Wxh5± but his kingside is completely undeveloped.
Besides, the g5-pawn is vulnerable and
White's pressure along the hl-a8 diagonal
is quite annoying. We will examine mainly
C21) 10 ... e6 and C22) 10 ...Wd3. But first
let's check out a couple of minor lines:

10...g6?! 11.lLlxc4 .ig7 would transpose to

an unfavourable sub-line of variation A, page
23.

Defending the pawn with 10...Wd4?! is too

risky. For instance: 11.Wa4 !!c8 12.d3! e6
(the text move is too late, but 12...Wxd3
a b c d e f g h 13..ixg5t intending gadl looks equally bad)
 Chapter 3 - 5th Move Various 33

13.ltlbS Y;Vd?(13 ...Y;Vxd3?

would be simply A generally useful move, putting the c4-
weak because of 14.ltlxa?+-) 14.dxc4 White knight under some indirect pressure. Instead
has restored material equality and kept a 11...icS was played in Maletin - Landa,
considerable lead in development. I 4 ...ic5 Tomsk 2006. 12.d4!N The best way to
15.l::MlY;Ve?16.b4 .ixf2t (The only practical maintain the initiative. 12...ixd4 (Black
chance. After 16...ixb4 17.ltlxa?+- most of should not expose his queen with 12...Y;Vxd4?!
Black's developed pieces would be hanging.) because of 13.Y;Va4!t Y;Vd714.ixgS and
17.@xf2 ltig4t then l:!adl leaves Black hanging) 13.ixgS
0-0 14.WeU Followed by l:!fdl. Despite his
8 ri-~;•
7 .....·111,~111, ~ ..,
apparent stability on the dark squares, Black is
under long-term pr~sure.

6 ~a~~~~-~ 12.d3 tlJd5

Black defends the g5-pawn and occupies the
: li!-111, ~111,•111, rather strong d5-square.
,....~111,~111, ~-

~
1
f
.....
~
111,~111,
~~-½
m:~ ~~
.
~
~
+

abcdefgh
In the game Kirov - Stojanov, Pamporovo
2001, White could have repelled the attack
with 18.@gl!N±.

C21) 10...e6

13...ie7 14.tlJe30-0
Black loses stability in the centre after
14...ti:lcb4 15.a3 ti:lxe316.fxe3;!;.

15.ti:lxd5exd5 16.ie3 i.f6

a b c d e f g h Both sides have completed the initial phase
of development, but White's bishop pair
Strategically, this is the most constructive ensures him a stable advantage. Moreover, the
move, preparing the development of the bishop doubled g-pawns slightly weaken the black
and taking the d5-square under control. king's position. In the two games I quote
below Black could not cope with the defensive
11.ltlxc4l:!c8 task and eventually lost.
34 Anti-Slav Systems

17.Wg4 A very ambitious move. Black blockades the

This looks slightly more active than 17.Wd2 cl-pawn, aiming to make the development of
ges 18.gacl gc7 19_gc5 gd7 20.gfcl fie? White's queenside difficult to accomplish. This
21.g5c2 '1Wb6 22.Wdl g6 23.gc3 if6 24.Wg4;!; move also allows the rapid transfer of the queen
with pressure for White all over the board in onto the h-file with ...Wh?, which would be
Maletin - Perez Garcia, Cappelle la Grande dangerous if White gave up his g2-bishop
2007. for the c6-knight. The obvious drawback is
that after White's answer Black will be forced
17...gc7 18.gfdl ges 19.gacl gd7 20.gc3 to castle long, right into the firing line. The
gd6 21.a3 ltla5 22.icl gde6 23.iS lt'lc6 other negative aspect is that the queen is a
24.i.e3 gd6 25.b4 Wd7 26.Wxd7 ~d7 notoriously bad blockading piece, but for the
27.gcS;!; time being White does not seem to have a way
to utilize this aspect.

I faced this novelty against a young and very

strong opponent during a team championship.
During the post-mortem, he confessed that it
was suggested by Rybka, with the encouraging
evaluation "0.00". However, my opponent
did not seem to be entirely convinced, since
he also confessed that he had warned his
teammates that they should blame the engine
if he happened to lose very quickly.
Together with Vali Stoica, I needed many
hours of analysis to confirm my opponent's
a b C d e f g h fears.
White has a promising attack on the
queenside, Dizdar - Shamkovich, Saint John 11.Wa40-0-0
1988. Both sides need a couple of tempos to
complete their development (at least two in
C22) 10...Wd3 order to develop the bishops). White's efforts
should take into account the exposed position
of the black king, which can become a telling
factor in the near future. In several of the lines
given below, White will be able to force a draw
with ixc6, but we willignore them all.

12.gel!N
This is the only move that allows White to
take advantage of the enemy queen's lack of
stability. The main threat is ge3, but another
important aspect is clearing the fl-square
for the king, which could prove useful if the
enemy queen reaches h2.
a b c d e f g h
 Chapter 3 - 5th Move Various 35

The aforementioned game continued with the in exchanging queens at this stage of the game.
overcautious 12.ixc6, followed by a draw by His structure is clearly worse and his main
perpetual check, Marin - Postny, Spanish Team trump is the exposed position of the black
Championship 2009. With his king seriously king, which offers attacking chances.
weakened after the exchange of the bishop and
his queenside underdeveloped, White has no After 12.~xc4 Black can play 12...ltlg4
time to organize an effective attack. anyway: 13.ltid6t ~xd6 14.Wxg4t @68
15.Wxg5 ~d4 With active play and more than
During the post-mortem, I tortured Evgeny enough compensation for the pawn.
for about an hour with the logical attacking
move 12.ltib5. Our conclusion was that the
position remains very dangerous for Black, but
home analysis revealed the best way to react:
12...~g4! 13.~xa?t ~xa7 14.Wxa? ~d5! A
very effective way to neutralize the bishop.
Accepting the sacrifice would rapidly lead to
disaster.

a b c d e f g h
12...ltlg4
Black delays ~e3 and brings the knight closer
to the d3-square in order to replace the queen
in its blockading duties.

The alternate way to defend against ~e3 is

15.~el!? This was the first moment when Vali 12...ltld5. Now that the ,kingside is under less
Stoica came up with the idea of activating the pressure White can start slowly developing
rook, but in this concrete position it is too late.
the queenside. 13.~xc4 Wh7 (Otherwise, the
15...ltixh2 Threatening the deadly ...ltif3t. queen would be cut off from the kingside:
16.~e3 Wc2 Not the only possible answer, but
13...e6 14.ie4! With the knight on f6, this was
the safest one, forcing White to repeat moves.
impossible.14 ...Wd415.d3±Apartfromixg5,
17.~el {the optimistic 17.Wa8t? leads to White also threatens ie3 followed by ~acl,
disappointment after 17...We? 18.~xe?t ixe7 with increasing queenside pressure.) 14.h3
19.Wxh8 ltig4 20.ixdS Wf5 and Black has an
e6 15.~eS! After exchanging the c6-knight,
overwhelming attack) 17...Wd3= Rybka'sinitial which controls the important d4-square,
evaluation is supported by this variation.
the weakness of the d-pawn loses relevance.
15...ltlxe5 16.~xeS @68 17.d4;!;White is better
The captures on c4 should also be mentioned
coordinated, his king is safer and the g5-pawn
briefly. 12.Wxc4?!fails to unblock the d-pawn
is weak. The relative stability of the d5-knight
after 12...e6!?. Besides, White is not interested cannot compensate for all these aspects.
36 Anti-Slav Systems

13.h3 it)ge5 14J!e3 15.~xc4 it)d3

The most logical continuation. Black hopes
to win time by attacking the £2-pawn.

After a neutral course of events White would

complete his development and use his bishop
pair to create threats against the enemy
queenside. For example, 15...it)xc4 16.iWxc4
l:l:d417.iWc3l:':i:d6
18.63± followed by ia3.

14...iWd4?!15.~b5 offers White a vital tempo

for his attack.

The optically more natural 14...iWd? gives

White a free hand with his development.

16 ...l:l:xd3
16...iWxd3would keep the c4-knight under
pressure, preventing 17.64, but it leaves the
e5-square undefended, allowing ~e5 at a
later stage. 17.b3! Finally, White switches to
the long-planned queenside development.
17...e618.ib2 (White threatens 19.ixc6 bxc6
[email protected]) 18...ic5 (Blackhopes
to meet 19.ixc6 with 19...iWxg3t) 19.l:':i:cl!
In
a b c d e f g h
just a few moves, White has completed his
15.it)xc4 it)d3 16.it)a5 it)xa5 17.iWxa5®68 development and set up dangerous threats
18.ifl The knight will soon have to leave against the enemy king. 19...®68 (19 ...iWxg3
the blockading square without having caused 20.it)e3± leaves the black king in great
any damage. 18...66 (after 18...~xcl 19J~xcl danger) 20.it)e5 At long last, the availability
White has a big lead in development) 19.iWc3 of this square begins to tell. 20 ...~xe5
it)c5 20.64 The weakness of the black king will 21.he5t id6 Black seems to have almost
soon tell. consolidated.
 Chapter 3 - 5th Move Various 37

8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
1 ~~-
a...~
2
1
a b c d e f g h a b c. d e f g h
22.Wi'b4!A strong move, threatening mate in 21.J.xb?! An elegant sacrifice, destroying the
one and increasing the pressure against the d6- king's residence. 21. ..Wi°xh3(this counterattack
bishop in view of the additional threat of J.e4. fails, but 21...c.txb? would also lead to a
22 ...l"!d7 In connection with the next move, decisive attack after 22.Wi'a6t c;tib823.66 l"!d7
the only way to stay in the game. 23.J.e4 24.lciaS) 22.J.g2 Wi'd723.J.c6 White will play
l"!c8 (Appropriately, the last developing move 65-66 next, with decisive threats.
saves Black from immediate defeat. 23 ...aS?
24.Wi'a.4+-and 23 ...Wi'a6?24.l"!c6+-.both leave The more natural 17...e6 fails to complete
the black pieces hanging. The last variation development in time. 18.J.62 J.xb4 The
explains why occupying the c-file with the point behind this capture is revealed by the
text move is essential.) 24.J.xd3 (24J~xc8t? next comment. 19.lcie3 (Simplest. Black
c;tixc8would unpin the d6-bishop) 24 ...l"!xclt intends to answer 19.J.xc6 with 19...J.cS,
25.J.fl J.xeS Black has avoided losing material, but here too 20.lcie3 leads to favourable
but White retains the initiative. 26.Wi'bSl"!dS complications.) 19...Wi'aS 20.J.xc6± Black
27.Wi'e8t l"!c828.Wi'xf7l"!xd2 29.J.g2± White has to exchange queens, entering an endgame
retains threats against the enemy king, while with a material disadvantage. 20 ...bxc6?
the black kingside pawns are weak. loses to 21.Wi'xc6t c;tibs 22.lcic4 followed by
J.eS.
17.b4!
There is a very strong threat of J.62 followed
by either 64-65 or J.xc6, in order to proceed
with J.eSt.

17 ... l"!h6
Black uses an original way to develop his
king's rook, consolidating his knight. This does
not do much for the bishop's development,
though. Other moves would not spare Black
from trouble.

17...c;tibs 18.J.62 f6 consolidates on the

dark squares, but leaves Black terribly
underdeveloped. 19.65 lcid4 20.J.xq4 l"!xd4
38 Anti-Slav Systems

This is a good moment to force the queen to 21. ..a6

make up her mind. Since the rest of the pieces 21...i>a8? allows 22.ltla5 it)xa5 23.bxa5.
are not yet coordinated, there is no adequate There is no adequate way to defend the b7-
way to retreat. pawn. For instance: 23 ...~a6 24.~d?! l:i:b8
25.l:i:c8with mate to follow soon.
19...~e6
This obstructs the h6-rook, but the more 22.~xgS±
natural-looking 19...~d? allows 20.it)e5! Once this pawn has fallen, a check on f4
ltlxe5 21.ixe5t i>a8 22J'kl!. The back rank will cause Black serious problems. He is badly
problems will cost Black dearly. underdeveloped, his king is vulnerable and his
minimal material advantage is insufficient to
20J~cl compensate for these details.
White has completed his development and
the threats ofb4-b5 or ixc6 are very strong. After having examined several second-rate
moves, the time has come to move on to the
20 .. J:!dS main continuations.
Black clears the d4-square for his knight and
defends the back rank at the same time. The
importance of this latter detail becomes obvious
after: 20 ..J:i:d??!21.ixc6 bxc6 (this is forced,
because the strategically desirable 21...~xc6
loses to 22.it)b6) 22 ..ie5t i>cB23.ltlb6t! The
most effective, although not the only way to
continue the attack. 23 ...@d8 24.it)xd? ~xd7
25.b5+- White has restored formal material
equality and continues the attack with an
extra piece, since the enemy bishop is out
of play.

8
7
6
5
4
6.lt)a3 ltlb6
3 White's previous move is justified by the fact
that 6 ...b5? is unplayable in view of ?.it)d4±,
2
when the c6-pawn has lost what is usually its
1 main defender in other lines.
a b c d e f g h
7.~c2
21.~b5 Black has two ways of defending the pawn:
An interesting way to activate the queen. DI) 7 ...ie6 and D2) 7 ...~d5. We can note
 Chapter 3 - 5th Move Various 39

that Black is forced to expose one of his pieces be more restricting.) 17...tLlcS (Black could
anyway, in order to avoid a slightly worse and deviate with 17...hxg5 although after 18..ixb6
rather passive position after it:)xc4. It should a6 19.eS e6 20.e4 ie? 21.l:!fdl White's
also be mentioned that if Black allows 8.it:)xc4 position remains more active) 18.it:)h3e5
it:)xc49.Wxc4, the exposure of the white queen
is less significant, because the black queen's
knight has disappeared from the board.
Therefore, retrieving the pawn in this way
cannot be considered a major concession.

D1) 7...ie6

a b c d e f g h
Surprisingly, this logical developing move
is not popular. However, I dedicated special
attention to it and my intuition proved correct,
since in Reggio this was precisely how Dreev
played against me.

s.lt:)g5
The standard reaction.

8...Wd7
Preserving the bishop from exchange with
8...ig4 9.f3 ih5 leads to a considerable loss
of time after: IO.it:)xc4Wd4t 1I.it:)e3 it:)fd5
12.@hl .ig6 13.Wb3 it:)xe3 14.dxe3 This is 9.b3!
hardly a structural concession, because the Again, this is the simplest way to keep White's
doubled pawns will restrict the enemy bishop's initiative going. Soon, several of Black's pieces
activity. 14...WdS 15.e4 Wxb3 16.axb3 h6 will start feeling uncomfortable. If you have
17..ie3 (This intermediate move is not really doubts about the correctness of White's pawn
necessary. l 7.tLlh3!?N;!;followed by, .ie3 may sacrifice,just compare it (by reversing colours)
40 Anti-Slav Systems

with the Benko Gambit. Here, White has is not well enough developed for such lively
similar pressure against the enemy queenside action as 16...b6?! 17.e5 ltJd5 18.cxb6! ixa3
(especially after a further knight exchange 19.ixa3±. The king is stuck in the centre and
on c4, resulting in the opening of the b-file). the b6-pawn is very dangerous.) 17.ltJf3 0-0
Besides, he is also better developed and has 18.l'!b3t
chances of gaining a space advantage in the

r~w1~-~-,~.,
7,··· • :a!

~
centre - something that is hardly typical for
the Benko Gambit! 8 - -·
~~ ~~-~---,~----~~
I also have to mention that the last move is
almost a novelty, since it had been played only
in two games between low rated players.
: ~~~----~~,~~~
7

4
•~A~~•);1
9...cxb3
~~~~~~-
3 ~1•,-~J~-0
During the game I was slightly worried
about 9 ...if5, but Dreev captured on b3 2 -,■~rdj;J....
l W•~ .:,_ ~
rather quickly. Later, I discovered two ways
a b C d e f g h
of answering the suggested move. 10.e4 cxb3
1l.axb3 (White could also deviate from the White takes the b7-pawn under observation,
standard plan of building up a strong centre while unpinning the c5-pawn at the same
with 11.Wlxb3ig6 12.e5 ltJfd5 13.e6. Black time. Next, he will play if4 and gfbl, with
will have huge problems completing his enduring pressure. With his minor pieces
kingside development.) 11...ig6 horribly restricted by the white centre, Black
has virtually no counterplay.

IO.axb3

8 ~-~
~r-1■-,¾--,
1.1/~ ~-

7
£•----¼~
: '--D~'•'m ~
1/,.... 1/,-r~

4 DDDDDD,----·m
a b c d e f g h •✓-,/~~~ ~~ ~~r~
12.d3 A strong move, consolidating the e4- 3 ~j~ ■w-0 ■w-~w-0
pawn and aiming to leave the g6-bishop out
of play. The weakness of the d4-square is not 2 ■JJrJ~P!J----
1/,""'

relevant because the enemy knights are many 1 ~ ~+~ -~k j

moves away from it. 12..J!d8 13.ltJc4 ltJxc4 a b c d e f g h
14.bxc4 a6 (Black tries to keep the position 10...ig4!?
closed. After 14...Wlxd3 15.Wlxd3 lhd3 Dreev was surprised by my opening choice
16J'!xa7 the king starts feeling unsafe.) 15.l'!a3 and thought for a long time in the opening,
e6 16.c5 Defending the rook and blocking but not in vain. He managed to deviate from
the enemy queenside pawns. 16...ie? (Black my initial analysisas early as move 1O!I had not
 Chapter 3 - 5th Move Various 41

examined any bishop moves, being convinced During the game I planned to meet 10...if5
that Black had to complete his kingside with 1l.d3 when after l 1...e6 12.ttlc4 ttlxc4
development as soon as possible. Therefore, 13.bxc4~ the bishop is obviously misplaced.
my analysis continued with: 10...g6 White's plan consists of setting up play against
the queenside pawns with ltlf3, ie3, 1%fbl,
etc.

11.ltlc4!
I considered this move during the game
against Dreev, but eventually decided to play
11.d3?!. Here, this move is less accurate.
11...eS! I underestimated this move, which
wins some space for Black, preventing White's
further expansion in the centre: 12.ttlc4 lZlxc4
13.bxc4
a b c d e f g h
1I.ltlc4! By attacking the b6-knight, White
obtains a further improvement of his structure.
1I...ltlxc4 (Or 11...hc4 12.bxc4 ig7 13.1%61
0-0 14.cS ltlc8 [this looks passive, but
14...ltlbdS would lose the b7-pawn to 15.e4±]
15.ltlf3;!;and Black is poorly coordinated and
facesproblems defending the 67-pawn.) 12.bxc4
ig7 13.1%6 I! 1%68The only way to avoid further
weakening of his position. (13...66 weakens the
c6-square and can be met in severalways. One
brutal continuation is 14.ltlxe6 'Wxe6 15.d4 a b c d e f g h
0-0 16.e4t followed by e5 and f4, with a big Apparently, everything is going according to
space advantage.) l 4.d3 White's plan. After ie3 Black would have to
weaken his queenside st~ucture with ...a7-a6,

J5~ ~-4'~-J---- leaving White with strong pressure. However,

8
7
,,,,,½~r~:fr'1~~
•.t.•ifw.t.r~.t.
~~ ~~ ,,,,,,'
13...icS! was a big disappointment for me.
Black aims to consolidate on the dark squares

:~~,~~~
6

~~~~
3
and it is not easy for White to increase his
pressure. 14.1%a5'We7 15.ib2 0-0 16.ltlf3
ixf3 17.ixf3 ttld7 18.1%611%fe819.ic3 ib6
~~ ~l!:J 20.1%a2ltlc5 21.'Wb2~ White's compensation
should suffice only for maintaining equality.
2
However, the position remains double-edged if
Black tries to make progress. In Marin - Dreev,
a b c d e f g h
ReggioEmilia 2009, Blackmissed a simple trick
White threatens if4, after which Black will in mutual time trouble and eventually lost.
not be able to avoid the creation of weaknesses
on the light squares. There is another interesting possibility which I
42 Anti-Slav Systems

noticed immediatelyafter my opponent's answer. 11 ... ltlxc4

With l 1.d4!?NWhite defends the e2-pawn and During the game for some reason I only
also starts fighting for space in the centre. analysed 12.bxc4 he2 13.l::1el,when I was
_unsureabout my compensation.
8
7 12.Wxc4
This is a lot stronger than I at first thought,
6
and it allows White to set up very unpleasant
5 piece pressure on Black'sposition.
4
3 12 ... e6 13.ib2
2 White threatens 14.ixf6 gxf6 15.ltlxf7!
1 leaving Black with structural problems on the
kingside and a rather unsafe king. Therefore,
a b c d e f g h
the bishop should retreat.
11...Wxd4 (Black probably has to pick up
the gauntlet. The line l l...e6 12.tbc4 tbxc4 13 ... ih.5
13.bxc4 ie7 14.Wb2 0-0 15.e4 h6 I6.ll)f3 The bishop is not stable after 13....if5 14.l::1a5
l::1fd817..ie3 .ixf3 18..ixf3;; is a much more either, when 14....ie? is met by 15J~xf5!exf5
favourable form of the game position, since 16.Wxf7t with an attack, while 14...id6
White has an enormous space advantage in 15.e4 .ig6 16.e5 .ic7 17.exf6 .ixa5 18.fxg7
the centre and the usual queenside pressure.) l::1g819.ltle4;!;allows White to win back the
12..ie3 exchange and keep a dangerous pawn on the
seventh rank.

14.l::1a5
An active move, increasing the pressure
against both Black'swings.

a b c d e f g h
12...Wb4? Playing "actively". 13.ic5 Wa5
I4.b4 Wa4 (or 14...Wa6 15.b5 cxb5 16.Wb3+-
attacking f7 and threatening lbxb5) 15..ixb6!
And White wins a piece after 15...Wxc2
16.tbxc2+-.
In this line 12...Wd8 is safer, but after
13.tbc4 White has an overwhelming lead in
development.
 Chapter 3-_5th Move Various 43

Of course the greedy 14...'?Nxd2?loses instantly the forced 19...Wc2 20J!xc6!, White can play
to 15.ixc6t!. the neutral move:
D11) 14...ie7
19.if3
Black ignores the X-ray threat against the h5- Defending the e2-pawn and avoiding any
bishop and speeds up his development. This back rank problems. The main plan remains
approach will cause him serious structural the same - .E!a4-d4.
damage.
19 ...Wd7 20 ..E!a6!?
15.hf6.hf6 This looks much stronger than one move
15...gxf6 leads to a strategically unpleasant ago, because the exchange of queens is no
position after 16.ltixe6!!. For instance: longer possible. •
16...'?Nxe6(the greedy 16...he2?! allowsWhite
to keep the queens on the board with I 7.Wxe2 D12) 14...ig6
Wxe6 18.Wdl! followed by .E!el,with excellent
chances to set up a deadly attack with opposite-
coloured bishops) 17..E!xhSWxc4 18.bxc4!

16.lti~ ig6 17.ltixf6t gxf618.WcSii 7~·-if••~·

: r~
8 '·~-i~~-J---¼

-----½~

····~~~~~',
r■:r~
••• ,~
4 •••.v~J~~"····~
~~ ~~ ~#1.,.D
3 ~~ ~®'0 ~®-P-®-~
2 ~
1 ~ ,,,,,,~ ,,,,,¼~:~
w~8 w~..tw~
1"""
a b c d e f g h

This is the safest continuation, although it

fails to equalize. Black maintains the integrity
of his kingside and is ready to give up the
extra pawn for the sake of completing his
development.
The black king is trapped in the centre.
White's plan is to activate his rooks with .E!a4-
15Jffal ie7
d4, .E!cl-c3,etc. and Black cannot free himself
15...a6 is hardly a solution because of
easily,mainly because his bishop is so passive.
I6 ..E!xa6!±.
For example, 18...We?? is impossible because
of 19.hc6!t.
16..E!xa7.E!xa717..E!xa7
0-0
1s ...Wxd2 White has restored material equality and has
This move wins another pawn, but fails to an advantage in the centre, while controlling
solve the problem. Apart from the spectacular the only open file. These are sufficient elements
19..E!a6!?which leads to simplifications and a to consider the outcome of the opening a
microscopically better ending for ~ite after success.
44 Anti-Slav Systems

18.d3 ti:ld5 be a matter of taste, since White has a strong

initiative either way.

D2) 7 ...Wfd5

a b c d e f g h
19.ti:le4!N
This strong move, threatening ti:lcS,
practically forces Black to give up the bishop
pair. In a game played more than six months
after Reggio Emilia, I chose the less active
19.ti:lf3,hoping to leave the g6-bishop out of
play.After 19...f6 20.ti:ld4.if7 Black managed
to reroute his bishop and came close to equality
in Marin - Cioara, Romania 2009. 8.lllel!
The exposed position of the queen invites
19....ixe4 a discovered attack, so why award the knight
It is_better to give up this bishop, since the retreat with an exclamation mark? My
light sq'uaresare relativelywell defended. After evaluation is rather subjective, because the
19...Wl'c720.Wl'd4f6 21.ti:lcS.ixc5 22.Wl'xcS± direction of my initial research was dictated
followed by b3-b4, Blackwould have problems by two old games by Salov, in which he
holding his position together. played 8.ti:lh4. The main point behind this
move may have been to prevent ...Wff5and
20.he4 J.£6 21.hf6 ti:lxf6 22.Wl'b4 Ei:bS offer some protection against ...WfhSfollowed
23 ..if3;!; by ....ih3. However, after 8...Wfe6 9.e4 g6
Black has managed to avoid immediate 10.b3 cxb3 11.axb3 .ig7 12..ib2 0-0 the
trouble, but remains under long-term pressure. awkward placement of the knight on the
The bishop is stronger than the knight and edge of the board restricts White's active
White can combine pawn play on both wings. possibilities, allowing Black to regroup in
He can start a minority attack with b4-b5 time.
and/or win space on the kingside, forcing the
knight to retreat from the optimal f6-square. After 8.it)eI Black has a rather wide choice of
Only further practice will reveal which of the queen moves, D21) 8...Wf d4, D22) 8...Wfh5,
recommended alternatives to my game against D23) 8 ...'~f5 and D24) 8...Wl'e6and also the
Dreev is better. I have a feeling that it could intermediate move D25) 8 ...ifS.
 Chapter 3 - 5th Move Various 45

D21) 8 ...Wld4 20.dxe5!N he5 21.l2Jd4±

a b c d e f g h
This attempt to keep defending the c4-pawn
by centralizing the queen is not realistic.

9.e3 Wg4 IO.e4

White has cut off the enemy queen from the D22) 8 ...Wh5
queenside and will restore material equality,
while retaining the more compact structure in
the centre.

10... e5
10...We6 1l.d3 cxd3 12.l2Jxd3g6 13..if4±
would lead to a position from line D24, with
an extra tempo for White.

11 .~xc4 ~xc4 12.Wxc4 .id6 13.b3 h5 14.h4

.ie6
14...c5 was recommended by Gagunashvili,
but it only weakens the light squares. After
l 5 ..ib2 followedby liJd3 or liJf3, the increasing a b c d e f g h
pressure against the c5- and e5-pawns will This straightforward attempt to create threats
become threatening. against the white king leaves Black'squeenside
without suffic,ientdefence.
15.Wc2 l2Jd7 16.l2Jf3f6 17.d4
After this central break White has a stable 9.l2Jxc4.ih3!?N
advantage. This works out quite well tactically,but does
not solve Black'slagging development.
17... 0-0 18 ..ib2 .if7 19.l:fadl We6 9 ...W/xe2?fails to IO.l2Jxb6axb6 l l..ixc6t!±.
Now, in the game Zueger - Gagunashvili,
Silivri 2003, White could have increased his 9 ...l2Jbd5 was played in Chigladze -
advantage with: Shalamberidze, Batumi 2001, and should be
46 Anti-Slav Systems

answered with 10.d4!N ih3 11.f3± with a 12.~d3!

lead in development and a space advantage in Threatening mate in one with tZlc?.
the centre.
12...~e5
We have a similar situation after 9...lt:Jfd5 12...tZld5 does not change much. 13.Wxfl
10.d4 tZlxc4 11.1ll¥xc4ltib6 12.Wc2 e6 and ~h3t (13...Wxh2? loses material to 14.e4+-,
now in Muskat - Fink, Germany 2004, White for instance 14...~hl t 15.We2 Wh5t
could have consolidated his advantage with 16.ttlf3 and the checks are over) 14.Wgl
13.tZld3!N±. Wc8 15.63 Wxa8 16.i.62± Black is badly
underdeveloped and has no stability in the

~~~ ~-~ ~~
centre.
8 ~- ~~-%,,,,-~~ref.•----

1
6
~if~•~·
~~
,,,,, '~ ,.,,,,~
13.@xfl 1ll¥b814.b4!? ~xa8 15.b5±
Black faces the typical minority attack,
long before he has even started developing his

5~~~-~~~ kingside.

4 ~~~~~Ji»" D23) 8 ...~5

3 ~w-0 ~w-0 ~w.J.lj;
8 f~°iWW~
8 r~~w~
2 ,,,,-z-----½~-&,'-----½1/,.,,/¥"'"1/,~-ii?'--"
1 ~ ~ ~:~
a b c d e f g h
10.tt:lxb6hg2
Practically forced. After 10...axb6 11.hc6t
@d8 12.J.g2 ixg2 13.tZlxg2Wxe2 14.1ll¥b3±
White attacks two pawns and is ready to
complete his development with d2-d4, while
the black king is in danger.

11.tZlxaShfJ.
Or 11...1ll¥h312.1ll¥d3! and the tactics work a b c d e f g h
out in White's favour. For example, 12...e6 Before transferring the queen to h5, Black
13.&tk?t @e7 14.63 tt:lg4 15.tZlf3! (Not wants to induce the weakening of the d3- and
15.J.a3t @f6 16.ttle8t? as the king calmly f3-squares.
walks away and wins with 16...@g5.) A couple
of variations will illustrate what is happening: 9.e4
15....L:£3 16.J.a3t @f6 l 7.1ll¥xf3t @g6 However, occupying the centre with a pawn
18J'Ubl ha3 19.64 Wxh2t 20.@fl tZle5 with tempo gives White good chances of
21.We4t 5 22.Wg2± or 15...c5 16.ia3 66 retaining a space advantage.
17.l:!fel ihl 18.Wxhl lt:Jxflt 19.Wgl lt:Jxd3
20.exd3±. Typical variations in the "dull" 9 ...Wh5 10.tZl:xc4ttlxc4 11.Wxc4 J.h3
English...
 Chapter 3 - 5th Move Various 47

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
12.lt)f3!N The only way to prevent White's plan of
I believe that, after having won a tempo with building a strong centre.
e2-e4, White should switch to classical chess,
aiming to build up a strong pawn centre. By 15.d4!
returning the knight to f3, he defends the h2- All the same! White has to open the centre
square ·and takes the d4-square under control. in order to complete his development and
At the same time, White creates the threat of endanger the enemy king .
.ixh3 followed by Wfxf7!t and a knight fork
ong5. 15...exd416.e5 lt)d7
Black has no constructive way to take
The hypermodern 12..ixh3 Wfxh3 13.f3 e5 advantage of the relativelyexposedwhite queen.
14,lt)d3, keeping the d-pawn on its starting For instance, 16...ie6 17.Wfa4±or 16..,lt)d5
square, led to interesting but probably equal 17.lt)xd4 ic5 18.Wfc4ixd4 19.Wfxd4@68
play after 14...i.d6 15.64 0-0 16.ib2 l::1ad8 20.63 if3 21.ia3± followed by id6 and
17.id l::1fe8 00 in Ponkratov - Romanov, 64-65, with a space advantage and attacking
Chelyabinsk 2007. chances for White.

12...ig4!? 17.lt)xd4 ic5

Black also has to adapt to the new l? ...lt)xe5?! is too dangerous because of
circumstances. The f3-knight and the e4- 18.if4 f6 19.ixc6!± with a crushing attack.
pawn are temporarily vulnerable, which
allows Black to win some time to complete his 18.Wfc4 hd4 19.Wfxd4 lt)b6 20.Wfe3 ciibs
development. 21.b3;!;
White has the bishop pair, a space advantage
The more simplistic 12...ixg2 13.@xg2 and the safer king. The relative stability the
0-0-0 leaves the queen unstable on h5. After knight will have on d5 cannot compensate for
14.l::fol;!;(threatening d2-d4) 14...e5?! 15.64!± all these elements. White intends to transfer his
the queen would remain cut off from the king's bishop to d6 and start an attack with 64-65.
position, leaving His Majesty in great danger.
D24) 8 ...Wfe6
13.Wfb30-0-0 14.l::1ele5
48 Anti-Slav Systems

White could have obtained strong initiative

8 I ■.A.■-~
.I ~
~~ ~~-~-:---¾~ref----• with 11.e4N! Wh5 (In a blitz game it is easy to
1 .... ll~~t~1/,lt~.i overlook that 11...tLJxe4drops a piece without
6 ■ A•lW~
;,,,,,,;~ ~~ ,,,,,,,,; ~ sufficient compensation after 12.g4!±. The
queen also does not reach the desired safety

~~~~~~- after: 11...WaS 12.64 Wa413.iWb21hreatening

5
., ,/, ■~-~-- _--- tLJcS.13...aS 14.65;!;When Black already has

~ ■ ■'
4 a weakness to worry about, having made no
progress with his development.) 12.64!? By
3
2 "A"WM~WM 'W«f~~?lc'W- taking the a5-square away from the queen,
o fd,,,,7,w.~----1/,tirf(iitit~----
1 ,,,,if
~ U o fd~tb
White creates the threat of ltlf4 and prepares
/, ~ ~ ~=~~ an eventual i.62. 12...g5!? (The other way to
a b c d e f g h take the f4-square under control is 12...e5 but
The most conservative move. Black hangs on after 13.f4 i.d6 14.f5t, followed by h2-h3, the
to the extra pawn, while maintaining a position black queen is in a miserable situation.) 13.f3
with virtually no weaknesses. This demands i.g7 14.i.e3 0-0 15J~adl White is still ahead
very accurate play from White to prevent his in development, while the black queen is out of
lead in development from vanishing. One play. One of Black'sproblems is that he has no
important element is the exposed position _stable squares for his queen's bishop, because
of the black queen, which is likely to allow of the permanent threat of ltlc5. 15...tLJfd?
White to win a couple of tempos in the near 16.Wcl h6 17.b5t Black is under pressure on
future. the queenside, but his other wing is also likely
to be submitted to a strong attack at the right
9.d3! moment.
The most constructive way to activate the
minor pieces.

9 ...cxd310.ltlxd3g6
Black aims to castle as soon as possible.

10...Wf5?! was tried in Pantsulaia - Panarin,

Internet (blitz) 2006.

a b c d e f g h The rather pointless l l .i.e3?! allowed Black

 Chapter 3 - 5th Move Various 49

to complete his development and retain an White's idea would be crowned with success
extra pawn in Serafimov - Chuchelov, France after 12...0-0? 13.iLJc5Wg4 14.h3 Wh5 15.g4!
2006. Wh4 16.Wd2±when Blackwill have to sacrifice
a piece without sufficient compensation in
For a while we were tempted by 11.iLJc5,but order to save his queen.
this is a premature commitment of the knight
and Blackcan escapehis trouble with: 11...Wf5! D241) 12 ...Wg4
(the careless 11...We5? is met by 12.if4 Wh5
13.iLJxb7!ixb7 14.ixc6t ixc6 15.Wxc6t
iLJfd7 16.iLJb5 l:!c8 17.iLJc?t l:!xc7 18.Wxc?
ig7 19.a4!±with complete paralysis of Black's
army) 12.e4 Wh5 And White has no obvious
way to develop his initiative. Obviously, the
knight would have been useful on d3 now,
in order to continue chasing the queen with
it)f4.

11...ig712.if4
12.iLJc5 is still premature because of
12...WeS.
a b c d e f g h

8
7
-~~£-ir~~-J::~
~·- f~if~i
This move is an attempt to escape with the
queen before it is threatened, but it loses a lot
of time.
6 .,.,,½-·~

w-,d'" ~ ~~ --·~
13.6 Wi'd7

:•~~~~:~~
¼ -~

Quite awkward, but safest. 13...WhS would

~~ ~~r~ leave the queen in trouble after 14.Wd2. For

-ttJ■ ~
'N//~~~
instance: 14...0-0 (against 14...h6, preventing
3 ~:
2 1/~.;~;- ~H:t~ the loss of a piece, White would play 15.l:facl
followed by 16.l:!c5,but now Black is prepared
1
a
~
b
~-
c d
-~m
----~----½~ ~-----½%=·~----

e f g h
•
to react with 15...l:!d8, pinning the knight)
15.eS iLJfd516.g4 ixg4 Otherwise, the queen
would perish after ig5. l 7.fxg4 Wxg4 18.ig3;:!;
After the text move the trap is already set and White has regrouped well, which makes Black's
Black has a choice between D241) 12...Wg4 compensation insufficient.
and D242) 12...iLJfd7.In my recent practice
(Benasque 2009), a third possibility occurred. 14.l:!adl
Since I enjoyed a favourable tournament With the brutal threat lLJc5.
position, I offered a draw after 12.if4, despite
having most of the analysis still fresh in my I4 ...Wd4t 15.l:!fl
mind. After brief thought my opponent, Renewing the threat.
Laznicka, felt he could not reject such an
offer... 15...iLJfd7
50 Anti-Slav Systems

This move blocks the development of the 13.Ac7!

queenside, but after 15...Wa4 16.Wd2! the White clears the way of the f-pawn in the
threat of ltlc5, targeting both members of the most efficient way possible. Given Black'slack
royal family, is quite unpleasant. of coordination, the bishop will enjoy near
total stability on this square.
16.Wcl 0-0 17.Ae3 Wf6 18.f4
13...0-0 I4.f4 id4t
The attempt to return the pawn in order to
obtain some counterplay with 14...c5 15.e5
c4 16.ltJf2 ltlc5 17.Axb6 axb6 18.ltlxc4± is
not realistic, since White remains in absolute
control of the position.

15.@hl lt)f6 16.l~adl

White has completed his development and is
ready to launch an attack with f4-f5.

a b c d e f g h
White has completed his development
optimally and has active play on both wings.
Next, he may play b2-b4, eventually followed
by a knight jump to c5. Black's position
remains very passive.

0242) 12...ltlfd7

a b c d e f g h
16...ltlg4
Desperately stnvmg for counterplay.
16...Wxa217.f5!t is at the very least dangerous,
while after the odd 16...Wd? White has the
following nice tactic: 17.ltlb5! cxb5 18.ltle5
We6 19.l%xd4t

17.ltlc5 hc5 18.Wxc5 ltld7 19.Wc3i

White has a big lead in development, enjoys
more space and has an active pair of bishops.
In all these lines, the evaluations "initiative" or
"compensation" can easily be exchanged with
"±''.
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Az egy szál gyertya úgy lobogott az asztalon, a körülülő arczokat
reszkető világításba hozva.
A szavalónak a tekintete pedig egészen fel volt magasztosulva.
Elfeledteté, hogy nem szép, hogy ragyái vannak: a lélek ült rajta,
csillagfény volt körülte. Azt mondják az ilyenre az igazhívők, hogy
«az ördög is szereti a magáét!»
Négy társa tapsolt neki és vivátot kiáltott; hatan hallgattak.
Egy vén theologus azt a megjegyzést tevé rá, hogy ez a
költemény igen szép; de egy századdal korán született és ránk nézve
még akkor is nagyon korán.
A többiek hallgattak.
Jenőy föltevé a kérdést, hogy beirassék-e e költemény a
krónikába?
Titkosan szavaztak. Az volt a módja, hogy bezárt öklét mindenki
egy lefordított kalpag alá bedugta, s egy fehér vagy fekete czédulát
hagyott alatta.
Jenőy felemelte a kalpagot. Csak hat szavazattal öt ellen lett
eldöntve, hogy Csokonai ismeretlen verse befogadtassék a
krónikába.
Következett a második kérdés: «szabad legyen-e e kölményről
másolatot venni?»
Jenőy feltette magában, hogy «nem»-re fog szavazni. Ha e
költemény kimegy innen, veszélyt fog hozni az egész társulatra.
Maradjon ez a késő kornak.
Aztán mikor másodszor fölemelte a kalpagot, hét fehér és csak
négy fekete czédula volt alatta. Egyik a feketék közül a sajátja.
Tehát «kettőnek» az először «nem»-mel szavazók közül kellett
másodszor «igen»-re szavazni.
Jenőy súgva mondá a mellette ülő sántának:
– Nem tetszik nekem az, hogy először hat, azután hét
Vigyáznunk kell egymásra…
A költeményt aztán mindannyian leirták, Borcsay dictandója után.
Azzal mindenki kiverte a pennáját, becsavarta a kalamárisa
födelét s elrejté azt a tóga zsebébe hátul. Az irásnak e napra vége
van.
De még valami van hátra.
Csuka Feri felleghajtójának hármas gallérja közül előkerült egy
sajátságos instrumentum. Olyan mint a klarinét, de a rokon
trombitával: fa a fuvolája, a tölcsére öblös; a fuvója hosszu és
vékony, mint a tollszár.
Ez a «tárogató.»
Tiltott, üldözött hangszer. Kiáltó emlék azokból az időkből, a
mikor még rebellis kuruczok hordták zászlóikat egész Német-Ujvárig
s harsogtatták a szabadság-dalokat.
Össze kellett törni minden tárogatót. Nehogy még valaki
belefujjon ez ördöngős hangszerbe, s arra ismét előrepüljenek annak
üregéből mindazok az alvó dæmonok, a mik egykor a repkedő
zászlókon szerettek lovagolni, nyerítő paripák, csattogó szablyák
hangjával véres menyegzőben párosodni. Rég kiveszett már az
ivadékuk is e harczbüvölő hangoknak. Megégtek a tárogató
forgácsaiban. Utolsó riadójuk az volt, mikor a kemenczében
pattogott a fájuk. A nótákat is elfeledte mindenki.
 Utoljára fujták e nótákat a budai országgyűlésen a felgyült
nemesi banderiumok előtt, mikor a koronát Bécsből hazahozták;
akkor hallatta még egyszer a tárogató a «Héj Rákóczy Bercsényi!»
indulót s aztán azt a másikat: «Őszi harmat után.» Volt is nagy riadal
Budán. Mintha a félvilágot akarta volna vállára venni a magyar!
Hanem már tizennyolcz év múlva a nemesi felkelő banderiumokat
ezzel a marssal vitték a táborba: «hol lakik kend komámasszony?
Kereszturban?» De úgy is vették hasznát. Mert a másik nóta nagy
hamar az lett, hogy «Retirálj, retirálj! Komáromig meg se állj.»
A csittvári krónika ez eltemetett dalok hangjegyeit is őrzi. Csak
tárogató kell hozzá, mely azokat kiadja; meg ember, a ki a tárogatót
tudja fúni. Mert mesterséges eszköz az. Nehéz kitalálni a
fúvásmódját; a ki nem ért hozzá, egy sikoltó hangnál egyebet nem
tud belőle kihozni, a ki pedig tudja a nyitját, annak annyiféle hangot
ad, a hányat kiván tőle; sír, buzdít, harsog, kesereg, feljajdul, a
levegőt hasítja s megint panaszra fordul, egész a szellősuttogásig.
Maga a szóbeli értelme a Rákóczy nótáinak nem valami különös.
Annak a nótának a szövege, a mit az őrtüzek mellett panaszolt el
a tárogató, így szól:

«Hejh a sasnak körme között,

Körme között,
Hervad mint a lép,
Szegény magyar nép.
Lám a német mily kövér,
Bőribe se fér.
Mégis mindig többet kér.
Szegény magyar vér!»

Biz ez együgyü versecske; hanem mikor az a tárogató

magyarázni kezdi a fiatal diák kezében, mennyi emlékezet van
abban! A ki hallja, azt képzeli, hogy élt már akkor, mikor ennek a
versnek a történetét játszották, maga is részt vett benne, aztán
meghalt, megint újra született, a két élet között elfeledte az elébb
történteket; hanem ezeknek a láthatlan lényeknek az érintésére,
ezekre a hangokra megint megzendült a lelkében a megelőző élet
minden emléke.
Még kevesebb jelentőségü a harczi riadója:

«Hejh! Rákóczy, Bercsényi!

Vitéz magyarok vezéri:
Hová lettél Bezerédy?
Nemzetünknek fényes csillagai!
Ocskay?»

De ennek a nótája már a kétségbeesés rivallása. Az utolsó

erőfeszítés halottébresztő felhivása. Tűz van a hideg fában!
Lám azok a fiatal diákok, hogy hevülnek, hogy ég az arczuk a
kürtriadóra.
Pedig hát mit nekik Rákóczy? Bercsényi? Bezerédy?
Ki volt az az Ocskay?
Tanítja azt valaki? Tudja azt valaki?
A harmadik nótának a verse pedig épen igénytelen. Pedig az volt
legjobban eltiltva, megüldözve; sok ember megheverte miatta a
börtönök reves szalmáját!
Pedig hát mi van azon, hogy

«Őszi harmat után

Fujdogál a téli szél,
Fujdogál a téli szél.
Zöld erdő árnyékát,
Piros csizmám nyomát
Hóval födi el a tél,
Hóval födi el a tél.»
 Hanem ez volt az a dal, a melylyel a kiűzött fejedelem utolsó
csapatjai búcsút vettek a hazai hegyektől.
Az ő piros csizmáik nyomát födte el hóval a tél! S olyan jól
elfödte, hogy soha sem is tértek e nyomok többé vissza.
És még most sem tudja senki, a ki e búsongó búcsúdalt hallja,
hogy mi van abban, a mitől a köny a szemeket eltölti s a keblet
elnyomja valami nehézség.
Egyik lehajtá fejét az asztalra, úgy sirt rajta, a másik félre fordult;
az orientalista hátra szegte fejét, mintha távolba nézne; magának a
tárogatót fuvónak is két kövér csepp víz gördült végig duzzadó
orczáján.
A sötét tógás alakok csendesen zengték a tárogató után:

«Zöld erdő árnyékát,

Piros csizmám nyomát
Hóval födi el a tél,
Hóval födi el a tél.»

… Perduellio volt e dalt énekelni!

Egyszerre a pinczegádorból, mint a behemóth kiáltása, hangzik
Nagy uram jelszava:
«Ad cantum!» (Fel dalra!)
A diákok egyszerre fellökik az asztalon lobogó gyertyát, s a
következő perczben a sötétben felzendül a leglármásabb bordal:

«Hejh hajh! Igyunk rája!

Úgy is elnyel a sír szája,
Ott lesz fáradt testünk
Csendes hazája.
– Ez a bortól undorodik; –
– Ez, mint szapu, sajtár íszik: –
Ez nem iszik; – ez nem józan; –
 Itt is, ott is, nagy hiba van.
Ejh hajh! igyunk rája!»

Mire a világosság kivülről megjelent a pinczében, a csittvári

krónikának híre sem volt sehol: kalamáris, iróeszköz eltünt az
asztalról, helyette ott állt a tiz itczés órros az asztalon, s minden diák
kezében magasra volt emelve a bádog pohár.
«Bacche! Éván! Evoe!»
A pinczének egy oldalbenyilója volt az, a hol a krónikások
gyülekezetüket tarták s odáig egy hosszu boltüregen kellett végig
menniök a behatolóknak két sor hordó között.
A szük thermopylæi szorosban feltartóztatni a maguk persáit
vállalkozott Borcsay egyes-egyedül, a míg társai a krónikát
eltüntetik.
E leonidási vállalat abból állt, hogy Borcsay holt részegnek
tettetve magát, eléje ment az invasionalis hadnak s gáncsot vetett az
egész tábornak.
Állt pedig e tábor clarissime domine professor Muskotályiból, kit
két esküdt diák kisért lámpásokkal, mely lámpások méltánylandó
elővigyázatból sodronynyal voltak betörésmentesítve, és azonkivül
két iskolaszolgából.
Érdemes lesz megjegyeznünk, hogy épen ez a clarissime domine
Muskotályi volt azon nevezetes egyéniség, a kit a Dungó gunydala
egy évtizedre halhatatlanná tett, s a ki már egy év óta eszi a mérget
a miatt, hogy éjszaka a csufondáros dalokat impertinens nebulok az
ablaka alatt éneklik, s e méregevéstől úgy meghízott, hogy már
imádkozni sem tud; mivel hogy a két keze ujjait nem tudja
egymásba tenni a kövérségtől.
Alacsony, köpczös termetét rókatorkos panyóka-mente fedi, mely
alól folytatáskép jön elő a kapcsos reverenda, akkori idők tisztes
viseleteképen.
 Az a gonosz paniperda Borcsay tehát azt a hadi fortélyt találta ki,
hogy ő teljesen elázottnak tettetve magát, nagy tántorogva jött az
eloltott gyertyával, rekedt hangon rikácsolva hozzá a megfelelő
nótát: «Hol eloltja, hol meggyujtja, csak a szivem, csak a szivem
szomorítja», a mely nóta közben aztán oly veszedelmes
összeütközésbe hozta az előre lódult fejét a clarissime domine
orrával, hogy szinte betörte azt.
Akkor aztán megijedt; hátrahőkölt s merev szemekkel bámult a
szemközt jövőkre.
«Hát maguk kicsodák?»
Olyan élethíven tudta adni a kábult részeget, a ki már senkit sem
ismer; azzal az üvegtekintetü szemmeredéssel, azzal az elejtett
szájjal, azzal a háromfelé esni akaró termettel, hogy első tekintetre
szinte elhitte neki a clarissime a comœdiát s mérgesen rivalt rá:
– Kend otromba részeg. Már engem sem ismer. Én physices
professora vagyok.
Erre a szóra a nagy gaukler bölcs képet öltött, a hogy részeg
ember szokott, mikor okosat akar mondani.
– Az nem lehet! Az én professorom nem jár ilyen késő éjszaka
kocsmázni. Az otthon van már és alszik. Ha pedig kegyelmed a
physices professor, mondja meg nekem, miért csavarodik a paszuly a
karó körül balra, a komló pedig jobbra?
Ezt persze Buffontól kezdve Diószegiig még eddig senki sem
tudta megfejteni; a miért is a clarissime nagyon megharagudott a
kapczáskodó diákra s rárivalt keményen:
– Menjen kend az utamból, kend részeg nebulo! Én inquirálni
jöttem ide.
Erre a szóra a megrettenő részeget adta elő Borcsay. Elkezdett
sírni, ordítani, hogy ő most van itt legelőször; térdre esett, esküdött,
hogy soha sem iszik többet; bocsássanak meg neki, irgalmazzanak a
fejének! Megkapta a clarissime kezét, kebléhez szorongatta; s mikor
az nagyon mérgelődött már, mikor a két jurátus és két dárdás is
segélyére sietett, hogy a feltartóztatástól megszabadítsa termetét,
akkor meg épen ahhoz folyamodott Borcsay, hogy előkészületet tett
oly kitörésekre, a miket csak a viharos tenger s a még viharosabb
bor szokott előidézni az embernél, mely szándékolt eruptiótól
ijedtében aztán mind az öt megretirált s lőtávolon kivül helyezte
magát. Denique Borcsay e herczehurczával időt nyert társainak a
krónika eldugására; mire az inquisitio utat tört magának a benyilóig,
már akkor nem volt ott más, mint egy víg társaság, mely a hosszu
asztalt körülülve, dalolt és poharazott.
Az elnöki széken már nem ült Jenőy, hanem sánta Biróczy.
A diákok nem mutattak semmi meglepetést a clarissime
megjelenésén.
A csárdázást tiltja ugyan az iskolai törvény, de nem veszik azt
szigoruan: a mit a büntetés mérlege is bizonyít; például a pápai
kollegiumban tíz garas volt a büntetése a kocsmában kapatásnak, s
ezzel egyenlő értékü a más kollegiumokban, hol a büntetést
naturáliákban adták ki (börtön, megdorgáltatás.) Annálfogva nagyon
érthető volt a meglepett krónikásoknak azon törekvése, hogy inkább
engedjenek magukra bármily magas foku kocsmai kihágást
bizonyulni, semhogy annak a gyanujába keveredjenek, a mit épen
elkövettek: költemények szavalása! tudományos értekezés! tárogató-
fuvás! krónikaírás! Clarissime domine Muskotályi ünnepélyes
tekintetet akart adni arczának, a mi sehogy sem illett neki. Az
átkozott diák előtt egészen oda volt a tekintélye már. Pedig igazán
tudós ember volt. De szerencsétlen termete miatt kikaptak rajta s
aztán ő is üldözte a diákot. Akárhányszor meglátott az iskola falára
felmázolva veres krétával egy nagy gömböt, annak tetejében egy kis
gömböt, a nagy gömbnek négy vonással kezetlábat, a kis gömbnek
két ponttal, meg egy huzással szemet-szájat festve: alá sem volt írva
a neve, mégis tudta, hogy ő az ott. Még a tanodai táblán is ott
találta ezt a mértani ábrát; aláírva Q. F. D. Még sem volt jó kedve.
 – Mit mívelnek kendtek itt? Kérdezé parancsoló orrhangon, s
nádbotja végével odakopogtatott az asztalra.
Sánta Biróczy érzé magát felhivatva az elnöki válaszadásra:
– Az exegeticát fejtegetjük. A kánai menyegző a textus.
– Nem kendhez szólottam. Humanissime Jenőy miért nem ül
kend az elnöki széken?
Jenőy előbb gúnymosolylyal vetette magát hátra székében; aztán
diákos humorral felelt:
– Ennek oka a physica szabályában rejlik: «de impenetrabilitate
corporum» a testek áthatatlanságáról. Mivel hogy Biróczy már ott ül,
s mivel hogy Biróczy «test», s mivelhogy «a testek» áthatatlanok, s
így két test egyszerre egy helyen nem lehet.
– Nemde, nem kend-e a krónikaírás prezidense?
Jenőy bámuló arczot csinált.
– Miféle krónikáé? A krónikon Budensét tetszik-e érteni? vagy
Anonymus Belæ regis notariusét? avagy Szalárdy krónikáját, vagy
Márkus festett krónikáját, vagy a carmen miserabile krónikáját?
– Ne csináljon kend magából bolondot. Kendnek becsületes
arczához nem illik a komédiajátszás. Kendtek itt tiltott
conventiculumokat tartanak, melyeket tilt Leopoldus I. törvénye,
kendtek itt calumniákat támasztanak; miknek büntetése megszabatik
a II. 71-ben, a magas udvar és az országgyűlési követek ellen
rágalmazó verseket és pasquilusokat jegyezve fel róluk.
– Depræcor! szakítá félbe Jenőy. Nekem mint juristának a
törvények idézését jobban kell tudnom; a conventiculumokat I.
József törvényei tiltják: 1599: 25. A calumnia pedig, melyet II: 71.
megfenyít, nem rágalom, hanem igaztalan perlekedés czíme. Az a
calumnia, mely a felséges udvarra vonatkozik I. István II. 53-ban
fenyíttetik halállal, a mely pedig rágalmat jelent az inclyti status et
Ordines ellenében, ezt az 1725: 7 és 9 bünteti kétszáz forintokkal.
A clarissime domine majd kiugrott a bőréből dühében.
– Nem azért jöttem én ide, hogy itt kend nekem a Tripartitumból
prælegáljon; hanem hogy adja elő azt a krónikát, hol van?
– Ilyen nevü állatról közöttünk soha említés sem tétetett.
– Casuista! Jezsuita! A nevekbe kötelőzködöl! Tudom, hogy
egymás közt Koszorunak nevezitek azt. Hol van a Koszoru?
Jenőy folyvást zavartalan humorral felelt:
– Koszorut csak kétfélét ismerek; az egyiket csinált virágból a
menyasszony fején, a másikat babérlevélből a sült malaczon. S
minthogy az egyik sincs e helyütt…
– Tace! Hasztalan a tergiversatio! Mindent tudok. Fel vagytok
adva! Valljátok meg bűneiteket őszintén; az büntetésteket enyhíteni
fogja. Adjátok elő irataitokat.
– Quæras! (keresd!) ordíta közbe egy bassushang. Barkóé volt
az. S erre unisono felkiálta a többi «quæras!» keresd!
A clarissime azzal neki indult a botjával végig kopogtatni a
hordókat; melyik kong? melyik üres?
A részeget játszó Borcsay pedig csak azért is felkapaszkodott egy
hordó tetejére, arra ráült, mint a lóra, a hogy Bacchust festik a
kártyán s onnan kezdett el dalolni:

«Elindula Szent Péter Rómába,

Botját veté vállára haragjába:
Botja végén csutora,
Csutorában jó bora.
Iszik, mikor akarja,
Fülöpöt is kinálja.»
 Mindenki előtt ismeretes lesz az a tudományos experimentum,
hogy ha egy hordót, mely nincs egészen teli, alulról megkopogatnak,
ott nem ád hangot; ha pedig felül kopogtatják meg a fenekét, ott
már kong; de még olyan eset nem fordult elő a fent leirt időkig,
hogy egy hordó, mely akonájáig tele van, alulról megütve adjon
kongó hangot. Clarissime Muskotályinak adatott meg ez új «vacuum
Torricellianum»-ot felfedezni.
A midőn ugyanis ahhoz a hordóhoz ért, a melyen Borcsay
lovagolván, insolenskedett, s annak a fenekét is megkoczintá
nádpálczája fogantyujával: ime a hangszer felül csak koppant, de
alul döngő szózatot adott.
– Ez az! Inte a clarissime kisérőinek, s azzal diadalmasan fordult
az elámuló diákhoz a hordó tetején. No most rugdalózzék kend! Most
invocálja Bacchust és Gambrinust! Hát kend mit szól ehhez,
humanissime Jenőy? a ki olyan physicus; nem tudná nekem
megmagyarázni, mi okozza azt, hogy ez a hordó alul kong, felül
pedig nem ád hangot?
Jenőy zavarodatlanul felel:
– Egyszerü tudomány. Mindenki tudja, hogy a debreczeni bor «fel
szokott fordulni»: ez bizonyosan akkorát fordult, hogy alul került a
levegő, felül a bor.
– Majd végére járunk e nevezetes phœnomenonnak. Spirité!
hívjátok ide a csaplárost.
Nagy uram nem volt messze. Hozta már a kalapácsot.
– Ne törjük rajta a fejünket sokat: monda a clarissimének,
megmondom, hogy ennek a hordónak kettős feneke van; még a
háborus világban készült, s arra szolgált, hogy a rejtekébe dugdosta
el a jámbor ember a félteni való pénzecskéjét. Jelenben pedig semmi
sem lévén benne.
– Semmi-e? Szólt gúnyosan a clarissime, a félszája szegletéből
eresztve a szót; no majd mindjárt analisaljuk hát azt a semmit.
Nyissa ki kegyelmed a hordó ajtaját.
Az igen egyszerü műtétel: a hordó feneknek van egy hermetice
záródó ajtaja, melyet egy vastag retesz szorít a fenékhez; ha e
reteszt kiütik belőle, menten ki lehet venni az ajtót.
Clarissime Muskotályi azt sem várta, hogy a jurátus belevilágítson
a felszabadított oduba; hanem sietett kurta térdeit meghajtani s
nádpálczájával belekotorászni a rejtélyes üregbe, hogy annak
elefántcsont fogantyujával kihuzza ebből a corpus delictit. A négy
assistens ugyan segített odanézni; míg Nagy uram kerek hasán
összetett kezekkel sopánkodott a diákok helyett: no jojczakát nektek
szegény latinusok! jojczakát neked csittvári krónika: elárult
benneteket a gézenguz Aszályi!»
A clarissime pedig addig húzta, addig vonta a botja kampójára
akadt papiroszörejü tárgyat, míg szerencsésen kirántotta azt a
hordóból, s mi vala az, egy irtóztató nagy koszoru vereshagyma.
– Ecce! Kiálta fel Jenőy. Ez a harmadik koszoru csakugyan nem
jutott eszembe.
E furcsa trophæum láttára féktelen hahotába tört ki az egész
Sisera had; nevetett maga Nagy uram is. (Hogy az ördögbe változott
át az a krónika vereshagymává?) Még a két jurátus is a clarissime
háta mögött megesett a röhögés ördögenek; nem ugyan
fennhangon, de legalább pantomiában; mind kettőnek a füléig
szaladt a szája, s laposra hunyorult a szeme; mikor pedig a
clarissime hátra nézett, akkor hirtelen bekapta mindegyik a száját s
felrántotta a szemöldökét, de ha elfordult, megint csak kilátszott
mind a harminczkét foguk. Míg a szegény mendikás odahátul, ha
egyébbel nem mert nevetni, hát a nyakát huzta le a válla közé s a
térdét emelgette, azzal nevetett.
Hová lett hát a csittvári krónika? Az áruló világosan megmondá,
hogy hol van a rejteke? Egy olyan roppant foliáns, egy «elefantina
moles» csak nem dugható el akárhová.
 A clarisime tüzet szikrázott a dühtől. S ebben a dühében
meglátott az asztalon valamit. Annak a láttára aztán földhöz csapta a
botjára akadt hagymafentőt s győzedelmes kegyetlenséggel mutatott
az ujjával, a botja végével arra a bizonyos tanújelre.
– Hehehe! Hát ez micsoda itt clarissimi? Ez a fényes cseppecske
itt az asztalon? Az ott egy tintacsepp!
Valóban egy áruló tintacsepp maradt az asztalon, s ez most
mindent fel fog fedezni.
– Kendtek itt nem ittak; hanem irtak! rikácsolt a clarissime,
botjával az asztalra kopogatva.
Jenőy észrevette társai arczán a veszélyt, melyben forognak.
Nincs ahhoz fogható veszedelem, mint mikor valakit egy hazugságon
rajtakapnak; nagy hősök, kik minden martyriumot ki tudtak állni;
nagy gonosztevők, kik semmi kínzástól meg nem puhúltak, egyetlen
rajtakapott hazugság miatt úgy el tudják veszíteni egész lelki
keménységöket, hogy nem birnak tovább tagadni; végig vallanak
mindent.
Ennek hirtelen be kell vágni az útját.
Jenőy daczosan felugrott az asztal mellől s odavágva tenyerével
az incriminált tintacseppre, rázendíté az elátkozott refrainet.
«Csak azért is Dungó!»
Akkor egyszerre valamennyien utána, mint a bomlott óra:
«Dere düre duda Dungó!»
Mint az erdei ördögök fellázadása, olyan volt a bomlott zsivaj, a
mi erre keletkezett; a hány torok, annyi énekelte, s a hány ököl, a
hány csizma sarok, annyi dobolta, asztalon, hordó fenekén a
veszedelmes nótát:
«Debreczenben kidobolták,
 Hogy a Dungót ne danolják.
Csak azért is Dungó!» és a többi.
A kitört rebellió egy időre megzsibbasztá a hatalom kezeit.
Professor, jurátus, dárdás elámulva vonult a biztos háttérbe, melyet,
a mint a rosz csont észrevett, «usgye fóre!» felkerekedett, neki az
ajtónak; mire valakinek eszébe jutott volna, hogy utánok menjen,
már kinn voltak a házból.
– Hiszen majd holnap megkaplak benneteket! börzsölködött
utánok a clarissime.
Igen: a diákokat; de nem a csittvári krónikát. Üthetik már ennek
a nyomát; nincs már az a pinczében. Azalatt a rövid idő alatt, a míg
Borcsay részegségi productiójával az inquisitorokat feltartóztatta, a
társak hirtelen szétszedték a krónikát s kiki egy darabot elrejtett
belőle a tógája alá.
Barkónak jutott a borjúbőrboríték, az csattogott olyan nagyon a
tógája alatt, mikor futott. Ki jött volna arra a gondolatra, hogy egy
nyalábnyi nagy pandektát a diákok zsebében akarjon megtalálni?
Jenőy megijedt a tintacsepptől, hogy az motozásra vezet; azért
vetemedett arra a kétségbeesett gondolatra, hogy a pasquill nótáját
a kigunyolt nagy hatalomnak szeme közé rivallja. Ez volt az egyedüli
menekülés.
Őket ugyan valószinűleg ki fogják már most majd csapni az
iskolából; hanem a csittvári krónika meg van mentve.
– Valjon miféle bor lehetett az, a mitől ezek a gaz lurkók ily
pogányul lerészegedtek? mondá clarissime Muskotályi, megvizitálva
a kancsót és a bádogpoharakat sorban.
Hát nem volt azokban egy csepp bor sem. Nem ittak azok
semmit.
Egygyel több bűnvád rájok nézve.
 A RÁKÓCZY HARANGJA.
Másnap reggel hét órakor megszólalt a Rákóczy harangja.
«Dzimm-dzumm.»
Ennek a Rákóczy harangjának is van története.
Dicsően országlott erdélyi fejedelem I. Rákóczy György
ajándékozott a kálvinista Rómának egy óriási harangot, mely több
volt száz mázsásnál, körül szép bibliai mondatokkal átfonva, s az
öblén a fejedelmi czímerrel és a Rákóczy jelmondattal: (non est
currentis, neque volentis; sed miserentis Dei», nem a siető, nem az
akaró nyer; hanem a kin az Isten könyörül).
E dicső nagy harang nem fért el a debreczeni nagy toronyban,
annálfogva egy új tornyot kellett a számára építeni a templom mellé;
mely torony soha sem lévén bevakolva, úgy hivatott, hogy «vörös
torony».
Onnan zúgott alá sátoros ünnepeken a Rákóczy-harang nagy
felséges hangja, hogy meglehetett azt hallani még Balmaz-
Újvárosban is.
Mikor pedig Debreczen 1802-ben porig leégett, elpusztult a nagy
tűzvészben a vörös torony is. Minden egyéb harang megolvadt, csak
a Rákóczyt megolvasztani nem volt elég egy egész égő torony: azon
tüzesen, de olvadatlan zuhant le az égő gerendák közül, s a talajba
vágta magát. Akkor tudatlan népek odarohantak, hogy jót tegyenek
vele, s elkezdték vízzel öntözni. Ettől azután elvesztette a hangját.
Mikor ismét felhúzták az újon felépült toronyba, nagy szomorodva
tapasztalák a hívek, hogy a fejedelmi híres harang a hajdani
hatalmas «bimm bamm» helyett csak egy szomorú, panaszteljes
rekedt hangot ád: «dzimm dzumm!», mintha ez is csak kisérteni
maradt volna meg a világban, valamint annak a nagy családnak a
neve, melynek czímerét viseli, s melynek utolsó ivadékát is már az iz-
nikmidi kaktusbokrok födik, s a hol még a nevük előfordul
nyomtatásban, a censor vörös plajbásza egy R....y-t csinál belőle, s a
kik fenhangon beszélnek még róluk, csak olyan fuladt hangon teszik,
mint a harangjuk: «dzimm dzumm!»
Nem is szólal az meg már valami örvendetes alkalomra; csak
mikor valami gyász van.
A civis tudja már, mikor azt a hangot meghallja, hogy ez a
lélekharang, egy elszállandó léleknek «szegény bűnös»
halálharangja: diákot csapnak ki az iskolából.
A mi valóban hasonlatos a meghaláshoz. Kiűzetni az «alma
mater» kebeléből. Coriolán keserűsége, Foscari megtört szíve. Ovid
könyekkel hintett versei beszélnek arról nagyban, mi lehetett az
kicsinyben, ha a dicső kollégium florilegiumából egy olyan virág
kitépetett, a melyre az interdiktum rámondta: «mérges növény!»
Hová menjen az? mely kert fogadja azt be többé?…
… A tegnapi kihágás szereplői a sedes elé voltak idézve. Erre
húzták meg a rekedt harangot egyszer. Mikor az háromszor fog
szólni, az azt jelenti, hogy el vannak itélve.
A kollégium előtti tért, meg a nagy piaczot korán reggeltől késő
délig nem foglalkodtatá egyéb beszéd, mint az a nagy eset, a mi
most odaben folyik. Egyik ember a másiktól megtudta, hogy mi
veszedelem történt. A diákok a nagy erdőn verekedtek. De bizony
nem verekedtek, hanem ördögöt idéztek. Azért sem azt tették,
hanem összeesküvést csináltak. Új vallást akartak kezdeni, a
melyben nincs se pap, se esküvő. Csakugyan megvertek egy
professort. Jól tették. Nem jól tették! A Dungót is danolták. Egymás
vérét itták…
Ez azután így folyt a talyigásokon kezdve a sulyomáruló, sült
tökkel csábító, mézkenyérkereskedő, pattogatott kukoricza pazarló
asszonyságokon végig, az őgyelgő kurta gubás, zsiros subás,
makrapipás férfiközönségen átszürődve a tulsó oldali paprikás
szalonna-bazár tulajdonosokig, ezerféle változataiban a leleményes
fámának.
A kollegium kapui pedig ilyenkor zárva voltak.
A «coetus» termében ült a «sedes». Az összes tanári kar teljes
ornátusában. Elnökölt maga a rector professor, nagytiszteletű doktor
Járai Ezsaiás uram ő kegyelme; a ki maga véghetetlen tudományú
férfiú, nagy archæolog, philolog, orientalista, jurista, exegeta és
homileta; egy szóval: polyhistor! Kit jellemez az együgyű diáknak
azon mondása: «vajha én nekem csak annyi tudományom is volna, a
mennyi a professor úrnak a kisebbik fejében van». Értve alatta azt a
diónagyságú szemölcsöt a nagytiszteletű úr kopasz fején, mely úgy
díszlett azon, mint egy kakastaréj. Pedig olyan apró, összetöpörödött
férfiú volt különben a nagytiszteletű úr; csak hogy vonásai hozzá
voltak szoktatva, hogy nagy tekintélyt tartson velük: mikor a
félszemöldökét felhúzza magasra, mindig magasabbra, a jámbor
examinált vagy benevolizált diák úgy érezte, mintha az ő fejét húzná
egyre feljebb vele, s mikor aztán egyszerre megint lehúnyta azt a
félszemét s csak a másikkal nézett rá: szinte nagyot zökkent a földre
leestében a szegény diák.
Hanem azt az egyet el kell ismerni a nagyon tisztelt
törvényszékről, miszerint el volt látva azzal az intézménynyel, hogy a
mit nem akart megtudni egy criminális esetből, hát azt nem tudta
meg.
Ilyen intézkedés volt az például, hogy a vádlottakat egyszerre és
együtt vallatták. Kiki hallhatta, hogy a másik mit mondott? ha esze
volt, ahhoz alkalmazta magát.
Ismerjük a «domine Nega» (úrfi, tagadj!) történetét.
Legnehezebb volt a legelső vallatott állapotja; annak kellett
nagyon vigyázni, hogy olyasmit ne mondjon, a mivel az utána
következőket ellenmondásokba keverheti.
 Hanem hiszen ravasz rókával volt dolguk.
Sánta Biróczy nem hiába készül prókátornak. Ledisputálja ez a
napot az égről.
– Humanissime Biróczy! szólítá ki őt a középre a rektor úr
énekszerű hangja, melynek azon szép tulajdonsága volt, hogy
kottára lehetett volna szedni, mind hanglejtési, mind
ütenykülömbségi változatainál fogva. Mondja meg kend, kik voltak
jelen a kend elnöklete alatt Nagy uram pinczéjében?
Biróczy még jobban behúzta a nyakát a válla közé, mint egy
sánczba; onnan védelmezte magát.
– Nem emlékezem rá.
– Miért nem emlékezik kend rá?
– Mert részeg voltam.
– Miért volt kend részeg?
– Mert sokat ittam.
– Nehogy végig elmondja kend azt az anecdotát az egyszeri
diákról: «mert szomjaztam, mert bort szomjaztam, mert sok bort
szomjaztam»; lévén az nagyon ismeretes és triviális anecdota.
Hanem arra emlékezzék kend vissza, hogy minekelőtte ittak volna
mit cselekedtek?
– Danoltunk.
– S minekelőtte danoltak volna?
– Ismét ittunk.
– Tud kend valamit arról a könyvről, a minek neve Koszorú, vagy
«csittvári krónika?»
– Igenis, láttam egyszer nagytiszteletű Muskotályi professor
úrnál.
 – Bolond kend! bolond kend! bolond kend! kiálta közbe a
jelenlevő úr. Bíz énnálam nem látta kend; ne hazudjék kend olyan
nagyokat.
Biróczy még magasabbra húzta fel a vállát.
– Én csak azt mondom, a mit tudok.
– S mit tud kend a krónika tartalma felől? folytatá a vallatást a
rektor; kezével intve a seniornak, hogy a jegyzőkönyvbe az utóbb
mondottakat be ne vezesse, mert hiábavaló scurrilitások.
– Benne van a «szentek hegedűje.»
Ez pedig egy igen kegyes tartalmú énekes könyv volt.
– Apage satanas! Kiáltott közbe clarissime Muskotályi; volt bizony
benne az «ördögök dudája», de nem a «szentek hegedűje».
– S miért énekelték kendtek a clarissime domine előtt amaz
exsecrált gúnydalt ott a pinczében? Kérdezé a rector.
Biróczy orczátlan vakmerőséggel felelte rá:
– A clarissime domine maga kért fel bennünket arra, hogy
nagyon szeretné azt a nótát meghallani, mert még soha sem
hallotta.
(Pedig minden éjjel azzal költötték fel.)
– Satis! mehet kend hátra! Álljon elő sequens, humanissime
Barkó Paule!
A hosszú diák kiállt a középre s kezeit egymásba téve,
mohamedanus komolysággal várta a kérdéseket.
– Humanissime! Szólítá meg a középre állítottat a rector; kendtől
okosabb beszédet várok, mint antistesétől, kit perversus embernek
ismerünk mindnyájan. Feleljen kend nekem egész becsülettel, minő
szövetség köti kendteket egymáshoz? Van-e kendteknek adott szava,
egymást el nem árulni?
Barkó egykedvű nyugalommal nyitá fel száját ezen mondatra:
«Vermis szözündin gecsen, kendi dsánindin gecsen.»
A senior nótárius kezében megállt a toll; nem tudta, hogy már
most hát ő mit irjon?
A rector szemöldöke magasra feszült fel.
Egy odvas foga volt: – mikor valamin nagyon tanakodott, a
nyelvét erre az odvas fogra szokta tenni, mintha az abban lakó
spiritus familiáristól kérné a tanácsot, hogy mit mondjon?
– Értem humanissime! Ez törökül van mondva. Annyit jelent,
hogy «a ki adott szavától elválik, saját lelkétől válik el». De már most
feleljen meg kend ezen kérdésemre: tudja-e kend, hogy egy titkos
conspiratió által magát a legfőbb hatalom üldöztetésének tette
lészen ki? Mi védelmezi meg kendet, ha ez kitudódik? Vallja meg
bűnét őszintén, hogy magát megszabadítsa.
Barkó ugyanoly hideg lárvakemény arczczal mondá el válaszát:
«An ki ezdeszti merdumán gurikht, szeres der dsezai Hakk
avikht.»
A nagytiszteletű úr még magasabbra feszíté fel szemöldökét s
homloka ugyan csak verítéket izzadott. Ez a nebulo most meg már
perzsául felelt neki. De ő is birt e fegyverrel s nem érzé magát
legyőzetve.
Az odvas fog egy ideig tanácskozott a rátett nyelvvel.
– Jól van, humanissime. E mondás perzsául van s azt jelenti: «A
ki az emberek kezétől megmenekült, az fejét az Isten büntető
hatalmába akasztotta.»
 A nagytiszteletű úr büszkén jártatta végig e mondat után fél
szemöldöke alól kerekre nyilt szemét a körülállókon, s szótagolva
diktálta a jegyző tolla alá mind az eredeti mondatot, mind annak
fordítását; mintha az a legrendesebb dolog volna.
Most azután folytatta a vallatást.
– Látom édes fiam, humanissime, hogy milyen szép tudomány
lakik kendben. Egykor tán velünk együtt ülhetne cathedrát, sőt
annyira vihetné dolgát, hogy a keleti követségnél tolmácsul
alkalmaztatnék s örök hivatalba jutna. Ha csak ilyen rosz társaságba
nem keveredett volna. De még jókor a megtérés. Valljon meg kend
mindeneket, térjen meg a gonosz útról, s legyen minden
megbocsátva azontúl.
Erre aztán a következő választ adta Barkó:
«Teviz birle beklik tözide oturmaktin; Szever birle csikailik tozida
jatmak jekdir!»
A nagytiszteletű úrnak kövér izzadságcseppek kezdtek végig
csorogni az orczáján: ez a nebuló minden tudományából kikérdezi.
Ámde van abban a kopasz fejben elég.
– Értem fiam. Nem zavartál meg a tatár felelettel. Mondásod
tatárul ezt jelenti: «Többet ér baráttal a szegénység porában
feküdni; mint ellenséggel együtt a hatalom trónján fényleni.» Ez
bizonyítja kemény megátalkodottságodat; azért nem is kérdezek
tőled semmit; recedas, állj hátra!
Nem bizony, mert attól félt a doctissime, hogy a negyedik
kérdésre sanskrit nyelven fog megfelelni a haszontalan ficzkó, s
ebből épen csak annyit birt a rector úr, a mennyi abban a kisebbik
fejében elfért.
– Sequens! Humanissime Jenőy.
Jenőy a törvényszék elé lépett.
 – Nagytiszteletű iskolaszék: kezdé az ifjú; nem várom be a kérdő
pontokat, nem az összevissza vallatást. Tudomásom van a tárgyról s
beszélni fogok felőle önök előtt; nem a hogy vádlott és biró
beszélnek egymáshoz, hanem mint férfi férfiakhoz, ki tisztelettel
tartozik azoknak s becsülést követel magának. Itt két irányú bűnvád
van ellenünk fordítva. Az egyik az, hogy az iskolai fegyelem ellen
kihágást követtünk el: elmulasztottuk a vasárnap délesti
templombamenetelt, tiltott ruhában tilalmazott helyre gyülekeztünk,
ott az iskolai előljáróság jelenlétében féktelenkedtünk, sőt egy
tiszteletreméltó tanári személyt gorombául insultáltunk is. A második
vád pedig, mely bennünket terhel az, hogy mindezen kihágások csak
egy nagyobb vétség elpalástolására lettek elkövetve, mely vétség
egy szóban leli kifejezését: «a csittvári krónika».
– A distinctió tökéletes, szólt közbe nagytiszteletű Járay uram.
– E két váddal szemben kétféle védelem van. Az elsőnél teljes
magamegadás, sajnálata a megtörténtnek, bevallása a vétségnek s
nyugodt elvárása a büntetésnek; a másodiknál pedig határozott
elutasítása minden felfedezésnek, vasbaöntött válaszadás minden
kérdésre: «nem akarok! nem akarok! nem akarok!» Miért kérdik
önök, hogy mi az a csittvári krónika? Nagyon jól tudják önök azt.
Nemzedékről nemzedékre adott ereklye az, melyet mindig a fiatalság
őriz. Ülnek itt többen a törvényszék asztalánál, kiknek kezeirását
tartogatják ama lapok; mert hiszen fiatal korában minden ember
szabadelvű, rajongó és felmagasztalt. Azért száll ez mindig diák
kezéből diák kezébe. Mert mikor innen elmegyünk, közülünk is
lesznek főpapok, főhivatalnokok s akkor mi is megfordulunk saját
magunk ellen, a kik hajdan voltunk szabadságszerető, merész
gondolatú fiatal emberek. A csittvári krónika volt, van és lesz; s a
milyen bizonyos, hogy nem azoknál van, a kiknél volt, olyan
bizonyos, hogy nem azoknál lesz, a kiknél van; nehogy
megtörténhessék, hogy valamint a «múlt» üldözi most a «jelent»,
úgy a jelen üldözhesse valamikor a «jövendőt».
Rector professor úr mind a két szemöldökét felhúzta erre a szóra,
mint a ki érzi, hogy most nagyokat nagyobbakkal kell megfáczolnia,
s nem engednie, hogy a vádlott a biró fölé emelje fejét.
– Nagyon szeretem, humanissime, hogy őszintén és nyilt
homlokkal beszéltél előttünk. Azt sem titkolom, hogy azon ifjak közé
tartozol, kikhez szép reményeket kötöttünk és sokan szerettünk. Még
azon felül az is köztudomású dolog, hogy nagyanyád a mi
főiskolánknak hatalmas patronája és alapítója. Tehát hármas okunk
vagyon, hogy törvény és szigorúság helyett kegyelmet és bocsánatot
hagyjunk erőre jutni. Légy is meggyőződve, hogy azon illetlen
megbántásért, melyet egy hivatalos személyen s az iskola
tekintélyén elkövettél: a megbántottakban találod a legbuzgóbb
kegyelemkérőidet.
(«No ezt nem mondhatnám», dörmögé clarissime Muskotályi.)
– Ámde légy készen arra mind te, mind czinkostársaid, hogy ha ti
a bűnpalásttal eltakart bűnt fel nem feditek, s vasból öntött
tagadással álltok elénk, mink vassal fogunk a vasra visszaütni s nem
nyersz irgalmat előttünk sem te, sem az utolsó közöttetek. Te, a
vádlott, visszavádolod biráidat. Azt mondod, amaz emlékezetes
könyvet egykor a mi kezeink is irták, szaporíták és megőrzék. Ez
nem lehetetlen. De a mik abban a ti időtökig megirattak, sem az égi
biró, sem a belső biró azért a krónikairókat el nem itélheti. A kitől
félhetnének a miatt, a mit irtak, egyedül a világi hatóság. Ez is elég
ok ugyan a félelemre. S nem tagadhatom el, hogy álomháborító
gondolat azt tudnia valakinek, hogy egyszer könyelmű ifjukorában
valamit leirt, a mi ha most a százszemű Argus tekintete elé kerül,
vagyonát, szabadságát, fejét veszítheti miatta. Hiszen ugyanazon
krónikában olvashattátok, mert én is olvastam azt, hogy Bónis
Ferencz alispán hogy vesztette el fejét és vagyonát egyetlen
accentus elhagyása miatt: midőn a szatmári kapitány azt kívánta
tőle, hogy küldjön neki «élést» s ő visszafelelt rá: «majd küldök
neked élest» s ez egy accentusi hiba tréfájáért a fejével fizetett meg.
Még friss előttetek Martinovich és társainak emlékezete, kiket egy
irott lap vesztett el. Ámde ti mind ennél többet cselekesztek. Ti
propagandát csináltok hazánk kőszikla alapja, a nemesi rend ellen; ti
szarvat emeltek egyedüli erős várunk, a vallásos hit ellen!
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