Play the French

with 3...dxe4
Andrew Martin

www.everymanchess.com
 About the Author

Andrew Martin is a FIDE Senior Trainer and International Master. He teaches in several
schools, is an experienced chess writer and has produced numerous chess DVDs.

Also by the Author:

Starting Out: The Sicilian Dragon
First Steps; The Caro-Kann Defence
First Steps; The Queen’s Gambit
First Steps; The King’s Indian Defence
Play the Barry Attack
Play the Budapest Gambit
Contents
About the Author 3
Introduction 6

Part One: 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Ìc3/Ìd2 dxe4

1 Overview of the Variations 7
2 Rubinstein: Introduction 55
3 Rubinstein: Main Line with 7 Íd3 62
4 Rubinstein: Main Line with 7 Íg5 89
5 Rubinstein: Main Line with 7 c3 112
6 Rubinstein: Main Line with 7 Ìe5 131
7 Rubinstein: Main Line with 7 Íe3 and 7 Íc4 137
8 Rubinstein: 6 Íd3 148
9 Rubinstein: 6 Ìg3 and Rare Knight Moves 157
10 Rubinstein: 6 Íg5 162
11 Rubinstein: White Fianchettos 171
12 Rubinstein: Other Ideas for White 177
13 Fort Knox: Introduction and Main Line 182
14 Fort Knox: Main Line without 7 0-0 212
15 Fort Knox: Loose Ends 235
16 The Modest 4...Íe7 242
17 The Sharp 4...Ìf6 258
18 Other Fourth Moves for Black 282

Part Two: Lines without 3 Ìc3 and 3 Ìd2

19 Advance Variation 288
20 Exchange Variation 312
21 King’s Indian Attack 326
22 Rare Lines 340

Index of Variations 352

Index of Complete Games 364
 Introduction

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Ìc3 dxe4 4 Ìxe4

W________W
[rhb1kgn4]
[0p0WDp0p]
[WDWDpDWD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[WDW)NDWD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[P)PDW)P)]
[$WGQIBHR]
W--------W
Welcome to this new book on the French Defence, an opening described by Mikhail Bot-
vinnik as “difficult and dangerous”. Much time has passed since that remark was made,
but I think the statement is as true today as it ever was. The French can be a winning
weapon in the fight against 1 e4.
What makes this book different is that I am going to focus on lines which are not con-
sidered mainstream, but which I think give good chances, as long as you learn them prop-
erly. Let me begin by mapping out the various lines we’ll be covering in our opening chap-
ter.
I hope you will enjoy our journey through the highways and byways of the French. Good
luck with your French Defence games and may I wish you all the very best with your chess!

Andrew Martin,
Bramley, September 2023

6
 Chapter Thirteen
Fort Knox:
Introduction and Main Line

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Ìc3 dxe4 4 Ìxe4 Íd7

W________W
[rhW1kgn4]
[0p0bDp0p]
[WDWDpDWD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[WDW)NDWD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[P)PDW)P)]
[$WGQIBHR]
W--------W
The Fort Knox Defense is played by Black players who want a relatively easy life in the
opening. Black is going to bring the bishop to c6 and exchange it for a knight. After that he
erects the small centre with ...c7-c6.
I think Black can get to a position of harmonious development using this method, but
his game can often end up passive. This is why, at higher levels, this method is usually re-
served for quick play of some kind. At slower time controls, White can set up a sort of
squeeze position which is difficult to break free from. Nevertheless, 4...Íd7 enjoys reason-
able results and is ideal for club players who just want to get into the game without having
to burn the midnight oil.

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 Fo rt Knox: Intro d uctio n a nd Ma in L ine

The Main Line

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Ìc3 dxe4 4 Ìxe4 Íd7 5 Ìf3 Íc6 6 Íd3 Ìd7
W________W
[rDW1kgn4]
[0p0nDp0p]
[WDbDpDWD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[WDW)NDWD]
[DWDBDNDW]
[P)PDW)P)]
[$WGQIWDR]
W--------W
This is the starting position for what might be called the main line. Both sides have de-
veloped normally, and Black is getting ready to exchange his bishop for knight
White must decide how he is going to proceed.

Game 68
I.Saric-V.Ivanchuk
Julius Baer Generation Cup (online rapid) 2022

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Ìc3 dxe4 4 Ìxe4 Íd7 5 Ìf3 Íc6 6 Íd3 Ìd7 7 0-0

White sticks to traditional, solid ideas and castles. It will come as no surprise to learn
that this is the most common move.
7...Ìgf6
I prefer this over 7...Íe7 or 7...Íxe4. Black attacks the knight on e4 and forces a deci-
sion.
8 Îe1
This game is a perfect example of why top players use the Fort Knox in rapidplay
against strong opponents. Black gets to a solid position, which is easily understood, having
to expend very little effort. Although 8 Îe1 cannot be a bad move, it allows Black to put
into practice the first thematic idea of this line.
8...Íxe4
Simplification eases the defence.
9 Íxe4 Ìxe4 10 Îxe4 c6

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Pla y the Fre nch Rub ins te in

W________W
[rDW1kgW4]
[0pDnDp0p]
[WDpDpDWD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[WDW)RDWD]
[DWDWDNDW]
[P)PDW)P)]
[$WGQDWIW]
W--------W
This is what we call the small centre. The twin pawns on c6 and e6 keep White at bay
long enough for Black to complete development.
10...Ìf6! is a good alternative, the idea being 11 Íg5 (or 11 Îe1 Íd6! 12 c4 0-0 13 Íg5
h6 14 Íh4 c5) 11...Íe7 12 Íxf6 Íxf6 13 d5 Íxb2 14 Îb1 Íf6 15 Îxb7 0-0. Black saves a
tempo having not yet played ...c7-c6 and is less vulnerable to a quick d4-d5 strike.
11 c4
White is thinking about d4-d5, and Black does not want that to happen with his king
stuck in the middle. Fortunately, easy defence is at hand.
11...Ìf6! 12 Îh4!?
12 Íg5 seems more critical to me, when Black can consider 12...Ëa5! (12...Íe7 13 Íxf6
Íxf6 14 d5 cxd5 15 cxd5 0-0 16 dxe6 fxe6 17 Ëe2 looks a bit better for White as he is going
to win a pawn, but even so, Black has compensation after 17...Ëd5 18 Îxe6 Îac8) 13 Íxf6
(or 13 Îe3 Íe7) 13...gxf6 14 d5 0-0-0. This is about as sharp as it gets in the Fort Knox. The
position looks OK for Black to me, and the engines agree.
12...Íe7 13 Ëc2 0-0 14 Íg5 h6 15 Íd2
15 Íxh6? gxh6 16 Îxh6 is quite unsound and is refuted by 16...Êg7 17 Îh4 Îh8.
15...Ëc7
There are many similar positions that occur in this line and Black’s next task is to sta-
tion the major pieces. The black queen usually finds a good square on any of a5, b6, c7 or
e7 and the rooks often come to the d-file, specifically d7 and d8. After or during that proc-
ess, Black tries to break free.
In our featured game White goes ballistic early, so Ivanchuk doesn’t have to worry
about any of this.

184
 Fo rt Knox: Intro d uctio n a nd Ma in L ine

W________W
[rDWDW4kD]
[0p1Wgp0W]
[WDpDphW0]
[DWDWDWDW]
[WDP)WDW$]
[DWDWDNDW]
[P)QGW)P)]
[$WDWDWIW]
W--------W
16 Îe1 Îad8 17 Íxh6
Bang! Saric clearly wants to blow Ivanchuk away.
17 Íf4 Ëa5 18 a3 Îd7 was a more sober way to proceed.
17...gxh6 18 Ëc1
18 Îxh6 Êg7 19 Ëd2 Îg8! 20 Îxe6 fxe6 21 Ëg5+ Êf7 22 Ìe5+ would have been pretty
scary to face, but looks like it is only a draw after 22...Êf8 23 Îxf6+ Íxf6 24 Ëxf6+ Êe8 25
Ëxe6+ Êf8 26 Ëf6+. I am guessing Saric did not play this, because he didn’t have time to
work it all out. Employing the Fort Knox almost guarantees you a time edge coming out of
the opening.
18...Ìh7
W________W
[WDW4W4kD]
[0p1WgpDn]
[WDpDpDW0]
[DWDWDWDW]
[WDP)WDW$]
[DWDWDNDW]
[P)WDW)P)]
[DW!W$WIW]
W--------W
19 Îh5!?
19 Îxh6 Îfe8 20 Îe4 had to be calculated, doubtless using up even more time, but
Black is hanging on: 20...Íf8 21 Îg4+ Íg7 22 Îh5 f5 23 Îg6 Îe7 24 Ëh6 Êf8 25 Ëxh7

185
Pla y the Fre nch Rub ins te in

Ëf4. In this remarkable situation it may be White to has to be careful, having committed
almost his entire force to the pursuit of checkmate.
19...f5 20 Ëxh6 Íf6 21 Îxe6 Ëg7 22 Ëf4
Maybe 22 Ëxg7+ Êxg7 23 Îxf5 Îfe8 24 Îxe8 Îxe8 25 Êf1 was best, but he cannot
bring himself to play it.
22...Íxd4 23 h3 Íb6 24 g3 Îd7 25 c5
25 Êg2! looks right.
25...Íxc5 26 Ìe5 Îd6
W________W
[WDWDW4kD]
[0pDWDW1n]
[WDp4RDWD]
[DWgWHpDR]
[WDWDW!WD]
[DWDWDW)P]
[P)WDW)WD]
[DWDWDWIW]
W--------W
Imagine these moves being played at express speed.
27 Îhh6??
27 Îeh6 was the right way.
27...Îxe6 28 Îxe6 Ìg5!
A crushing fork.
29 Ëc4 Ìxe6 30 Ëxe6+ Êh7 31 Êg2 Ëf6 32 Ëd7+ Ëe7 33 Ëd1 Ëxe5 34 Ëh5+ Êg8 35
Ëg6+ Ëg7 0-1
This was a noble attempt by Saric to put the boot in, which probably cost him most of
his time and in the melee, the black position held up. My suggestion at move 10 for Black is
worth noting, avoiding too much early excitement.

Game 69
J.Polgar-A.Karpov
Madrid 1992

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Ìc3 dxe4 4 Ìxe4 Íd7 5 Ìf3 Íc6 6 Íd3 Ìd7 7 0-0 Ìgf6 8 Ëe2
Although this is one of the most natural moves in the world, it proves very hard for
White to claim any advantage if Black now exchanges in the usual way.

186
 Fo rt Knox: Intro d uctio n a nd Ma in L ine

8...Ìxe4 9 Íxe4 Íxe4 10 Ëxe4 c6

It is a question of what White does next. Black intends to play ...Íe7 or ...Íd6 and castle
short. White has a space advantage, but very few tools to do anything with it. Polgar devel-
ops in approved fashion, but so does Karpov and in some comfort.
11 c4 Íe7 12 b3
There is no better square for the bishop than b2. If White could ever force through d4-
d5 at the right moment, the bishop would be well placed. Can she, or can’t she?
12...0-0 13 Íb2 Ëa5!
W________W
[rDWDW4kD]
[0pDngp0p]
[WDpDpDWD]
[1WDWDWDW]
[WDP)QDWD]
[DPDWDNDW]
[PGWDW)P)]
[$WDWDRIW]
W--------W
A nice square for the queen, restraining d4-d5 and thinking about ...Ía3.
14 Ëe3
Polgar lets it happen.
White could try 14 a3, but then 14...Îad8 15 Îad1 (15 b4 Ëh5 16 Îad1 Ìf6 17 Ëe5
Ëxe5 18 dxe5 Ìd7 19 c5 b6 is very equal) 15...Îfe8 is as solid as a rock for Black.
14...Ía3! 15 Íc3 Íb4 16 Íb2 Ía3 17 Íc3 Íb4 18 Íb2 ½-½
A convenient draw for both and a game which has been more or less replicated count-
less times. It is hard for White to get an edge after 8 Ëe2.

Game 70
D.Harika-B.Jobava
Titled Tuesday Blitz 2022

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Ìd2 dxe4 4 Ìxe4 Íd7 5 Ìf3 Íc6 6 Íd3 Ìd7 7 Ëe2 Ìgf6 8 0-0 Ìxe4 9
Íxe4 Íxe4 10 Ëxe4 c6 11 c4
This looks a little more challenging and if White is very patient, she can hope for an
edge. Given that d4-d5 can be met by ...Ìd7-f6, Jobava simply develops.
Cast your eye over 11 Íf4.

187
Pla y the Fre nch Rub ins te in

W________W
[rDW1kgW4]
[0pDnDp0p]
[WDpDpDWD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[WDW)QGWD]
[DWDWDNDW]
[P)PDW)P)]
[$WDWDRIW]
W--------W
One of the biggest issues for White in this line is where to station the remaining bishop.
We have seen the bishop go to b2 and 11 Íf4 is an alternative. It’s worth mentioning that
11 Íd2 and 11 Íe3 are less demanding from Black’s perspective.
After 11 Íf4, B.Maksimovic-I.Kovalenko, Belgrade 2021, continued: 11...Íe7 12 Îfe1 0-0
13 c4 Ëb6 (when the bishop leaves home, b2 becomes a legitimate target) 14 Ëc2 (perhaps
now the idea of d4-d5 comes into focus) 14...Íf6! (the impact of d5 is nullified) 15 Îad1
Îfe8! (further prophylaxis against d4-d5) 16 Ìe5 Îad8 17 c5 Ëc7! 18 Ëc3 (instead, 18 Íg3
Ìxe5 19 Íxe5 Íxe5 20 dxe5 Îxd1 21 Ëxd1 Ëa5 is not what White wants at all; 18 Ìd3
may be a possibility, but Black is OK after either 18....Ëc8 or 18...Ëa5 19 b4 Ëa3) 18...Ìxe5
19 dxe5 Îxd1 20 Îxd1 Îd8 21 Ëb3 Îxd1+ 22 Ëxd1 Íe7.
W________W
[WDWDWDkD]
[0p1Wgp0p]
[WDpDpDWD]
[DW)W)WDW]
[WDWDWGWD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[P)WDW)P)]
[DWDQDWIW]
W--------W
This is a typical Fort Knox ending. Black has the better bishop and less exposed pawns.
White clearly overstretched somewhere, but it is hard to pinpoint the mistake. Exchanging
pieces willy-nilly on the d file achieves nothing, or less than nothing, as we can see. Maksi-

188
 Fo rt Knox: Intro d uctio n a nd Ma in L ine

movic-Kovalenko, concluded: 23 b4 a5 24 a3 axb4 25 axb4 g5 26 Íg3 b6! 27 h4 (27 cxb6

Ëxb6 is going to win Black a pawn) 27...bxc5 28 bxc5 h6 29 Ëh5 Êg7 30 f4 Íxc5+ (better
still was 30...Ëa5 31 hxg5 Ëxc5+ 32 Êh2 hxg5 33 fxg5 Ëc1!) 31 Êh2 Ëd8 32 Ëg4?! (he
should take twice on g5 and try to tough it out: 32 hxg5 hxg5 33 fxg5 Ëd3 34 Ëh6+ Êg8)
32...Íe7 33 fxg5 hxg5 34 hxg5 Ëd3 35 Íh4 Êg6! 36 Íg3 Íxg5 37 Ëh3 Ëe2 0-1. This game
is essential viewing for all Fort Knox fans.
Returning to 11 c4:
11...Íe7 12 Íf4 0-0 13 Îad1 a5
W________W
[rDW1W4kD]
[DpDngp0p]
[WDpDpDWD]
[0WDWDWDW]
[WDP)QGWD]
[DWDWDNDW]
[P)WDW)P)]
[DWDRDRIW]
W--------W
Gaining some space on the queenside in the knowledge that d4-d5 can currently be
met by ...Ìd7-f6.
14 Îfe1 a4 15 Íe5
Has White conjured up a threat? I cannot see one.
15...Îe8 16 d5?
This is the big moment and in a blitz game, must have seemed irresistible. Yet it is a
mistake and White should have been more patient.
16 Ëg4 is comfortably met by 16...Ìxe5 17 Ìxe5 (alternatively, if 17 dxe5 Ëb6 or 17
Îxe5 Íf6 18 Îe2 Ëc7) 17...Íf6, so a quiet move like 16 Îe3 should have been tried, when
the position is about equal.
16...exd5 17 cxd5 Ìxe5?!
17...Íd6! 18 Ëd4 Ìxe5 19 Ìxe5 Ëa5 would have been far more difficult to meet. We
note this is a blitz game and move on.
18 Ìxe5
18 Ëxe5! Îa5 19 g3 Îxd5 20 Îxd5 was the way to defend, and Black’s advantage is no
more: 20...cxd5 (if 20...Ëxd5 21 Ëxd5 cxd5 22 Îe5!) 21 Îd1 Íf6 22 Ëxd5 Ëxd5 23 Îxd5
Íxb2 24 Îb5 a3 25 Îxb7.
18...Íd6 19 dxc6?? Îxe5 20 Ëxe5 Íxe5 21 Îxd8+ Îxd8 22 cxb7 f6
Because the queening square is dark, Black can tidy up the position easily.

189
Pla y the Fre nch Rub ins te in

23 Îc1 Êf7! 24 f4 Íxf4 25 Îc4 Íe5 26 Îxa4 Îd1+ 27 Êf2 Îd2+ 28 Êf3 Îxb2 29 Îa7 Êg6
30 a4 Íb8 31 Îa8 Îxb7 32 g3 f5 33 a5 Îb3+ 34 Êg2 f4 35 gxf4 Íxf4 36 a6 Îa3 37 Îf8 Íe3
38 Îf3 Îa2+ 39 Êh3 Ía7 40 Îg3+ Êh6 0-1
The instant White tried to do something, she was worse. Is this the game plan for Fort
Knox fans?

I had a difficult experience playing Black in this variation when I decided to try an origi-
nal idea of Baadur Jobava.

Game 71
S.Collins-A.Martin
British League (4NCL) 2015

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Ìc3 dxe4 4 Ìxe4 Íd7 5 Ìf3 Íc6 6 Íd3 Ìd7 7 0-0 Ìgf6 8 Ìg3!
Preserving the pieces makes sense, as this is the only way that White will ever make
anything of his early space advantage.
8...g6!?
Naturally, Black can also play 8...Íe7 and 8...Íxf3, which is probably the move most in
keeping with the theme of the Fort Knox, but I wanted to try and station my dark-squared
bishop more actively.
9 b3!
9 Îe1 Íg7 10 c3 is another possibility, which can lead to sharp play after 10...0-0 and
then:
W________W
[rDW1W4kD]
[0p0nDpgp]
[WDbDphpD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[WDW)WDWD]
[DW)BDNHW]
[P)WDW)P)]
[$WGQ$WIW]
W--------W
a) 11 h4!? (a very modern move; White attempts to soften up the black king) 11...Íd5
(was 11...Íxf3 12 Ëxf3 c5 possible? the engines seem to think so and a strike in the centre
could be the perfect response to White’s flank intentions; then 13 Ëxb7 cxd4 14 cxd4 Ìb6

190
 Fo rt Knox: Intro d uctio n a nd Ma in L ine

gives Black control of key squares in the centre and good compensation for the pawn) 12 b4
a5 13 b5 c5 14 Ìe5 c4!? 15 Íc2? (15 Ìxc4 Ëc7 16 Ëe2 Îac8 17 Ìe3 was a better route for
White to take) 15...Ìxe5 16 dxe5 Ìd7 17 Ëd4 f6 18 h5 Ìxe5 19 Ìf1 Ìd3 20 Íxd3 f5 21 Ëe3
f4 22 Ëh3 cxd3 23 hxg6 hxg6 24 Îxe6 Íxe6 25 Ëxe6+ Îf7 26 Ëxg6 Ëd7 27 Íd2 Ëxb5 28
Îe1 Ëf5 29 Ëd6 Îa6 30 Ëb8+ Êh7 31 Ìh2 Îh6 32 Ëd8 Íf8 33 Ëd4 Íc5 34 Ëe5 Ëxe5 35
Îxe5 Íxf2+ 36 Êxf2 Îxh2 37 Êg1 f3 0-1 A.Liang-A.Ramirez lvarez, Charlotte 2022.
b) 11 Íf4 b6 12 Ëe2 Íb7 13 Îad1 Îe8 14 Ìe5 a6 (14...Ìd5 15 Íc1 Ìxe5 16 dxe5 Ëh4
was an aggressive possibility) 15 Íg5 h6 16 Íc1 Ëe7 17 Ìxd7 (I wonder about 17 Ìxg6
fxg6 18 Íxg6 here and then 18...Ìf8 19 Íxe8 Ëxe8 20 Ëd3 Ëd7 21 f3 Îd8 22 Íf4 is not at
all easy for Black to handle, while here 19...Îxe8 20 Ìf5 Ëf7 21 Ìxg7 Ëxg7 22 f3 leaves
White with a much easier position to play) 17...Ëxd7 18 Ìe4 Ìxe4 19 Íxe4 Íxe4 20 Ëxe4
a5 21 h4 h5 22 Îd3 a4...
W________W
[rDWDrDkD]
[DW0qDpgW]
[W0WDpDpD]
[DWDWDWDp]
[pDW)QDW)]
[DW)RDWDW]
[P)WDW)PD]
[DWGW$WIW]
W--------W
...23 g4!? (23 Íf4 preserves the balance) 23...hxg4 24 Ëxg4 Ëd5 (24...Îa5!) 25 Îg3 Îa5
26 Íf4 Ëxa2 27 Íe5 a3 (I am not sure why he does not play 27...Ëxb2, aside from a short-
age of time; since this is blitz, we let the game career to the finish) 28 bxa3 Ëd2 29 Îee3
Íxe5 30 dxe5 Îd8 31 Êg2 Ëd5+ 32 Îgf3 Êh7 (32...Ëb5 33 Îf6 Ëb1 34 Îe4 Ëd1 35 Îxg6+
fxg6 36 Ëxg6+ Êh8 37 Ëh6+ Êg8 38 Îe3!! wins) 33 Êh2 Ëd7 34 h5 Îg8 35 Ëg5 Îa4 36
Îh3 Êg7 37 hxg6 Êf8 38 g7+ Êe8 39 Îh8 Ëd1 40 Îxg8+ 1-0, F.Svane-B.Jobava, Titled
Tuesday Blitz 2022.
Thus the 8...g6 variation leads to much more complicated play than we are used to in
the Fort Knox. There is no simplification on e4 and Black must ready himself for a fight,
where he is operating at the outset with less space.
Returning to Collins’s 9 b3:
9...Íg7 10 Ía3

191
Pla y the Fre nch Rub ins te in

W________W
[rDW1kDW4]
[0p0nDpgp]
[WDbDphpD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[WDW)WDWD]
[GPDBDNHW]
[PDPDW)P)]
[$WDQDRIW]
W--------W
Well played! In order to get the king to safety, Black must retreat with 10...Íf8, which
could lead to a boring draw by repetition. However, White can deviate with 11 Íb2 and
ends up gaining a move.
10...Íf8 11 Íb2
11 Íxf8 does not inconvenience Black that much. The king will go to g7 where he is
quite safe: for instance, 11...Êxf8 12 Îe1 Íxf3 13 Ëxf3 c6 14 c3 Êg7 15 Îad1 a5 16 Ìf1
Ëc7 17 Ìe3 Îhe8 18 g4!? (ambitious) 18...Ìd5! 19 c4 Ëf4! (Duda defends accurately and
trades into an ending where he cannot be worse) 20 Ëg3 (20 Ëxf4 Ìxf4 21 Íf1 g5! looks
most unpromising for White, whose bishop is getting worse by the move) 20...Ëxg3+ 21
hxg3 Ìxe3 22 Îxe3 h6 23 Íe2 Ìf6 24 f4 Îed8.
W________W
[rDW4WDWD]
[DpDWDpiW]
[WDpDphp0]
[0WDWDWDW]
[WDP)W)PD]
[DPDW$W)W]
[PDWDBDWD]
[DWDRDWIW]
W--------W
One of the main positional ideas of the Fort Knox is to focus on the white pawn on d4, if
possible. L.Aronian-J.Duda, Stavanger (armageddon) 2020, concluded: 25 Êf2 Îd6 26 Íf3
Îad8 (Black has the edge, and Duda grinds on to win) 27 Îed3 b6 28 Êe3 c5 29 a3 Êf8 30

192
 Fo rt Knox: Intro d uctio n a nd Ma in L ine

b4 axb4 31 axb4 cxd4+ 32 Îxd4 Îxd4 33 Îxd4 Êe7 34 Îxd8 Êxd8 35 Êd4 g5 36 Êe5 Êe7
37 f5 Ìd7+ 38 Êd4 Êd6 39 fxe6 fxe6 40 Íd1 e5+ 41 Êe4 Êe6 42 Íc2 Ìf6+ 43 Êf3 Êd6 44
Íe4 Ìd7 45 Íf5 Ìf6 46 Êe3 Êc6 47 Êd3 Êd6 48 Êe3 Êc6 49 Íe4+ Êd6 50 Íf3 Ìd7 51
Êe4 Êe6 52 Êd3 Êd6 53 Íb7 Ìf6 54 Íc8 Êc7 55 Íf5 Êd6 56 Êc3 Êc6 57 Êc2 h5 58 gxh5
Ìxh5 59 g4 Ìf6 60 Êb3 Êd6 61 Êa4 Êc6 62 Êb3 Êd6 63 Êa3 Êc6 64 Êa4 Êc7...
W________W
[WDWDWDWD]
[DWiWDWDW]
[W0WDWhWD]
[DWDW0B0W]
[K)PDWDPD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[WDWDWDWD]
[DWDWDWDW]
W--------W
....65 Êb5?? (although natural enough, this loses; 65 Êb3 is just a draw) 65...e4 66 Êa6
(66 c5 e3 and then 67 Íd3 Ìd5 68 Êc4 Ìf4 69 Íf1 bxc5 70 bxc5 Êc6 71 Êd4 e2 72 Íxe2
Ìxe2+ 73 Êe4 Ìg1! 74 Êe5 Êxc5 75 Êf5 Ìh3 or 67 cxb6+ Êb8 68 Íd3 Ìd5 69 Êc4 Ìf4
70 Êc3 e2 71 Íxe2 Ìxe2+ 72 Êd3 Ìf4+ 73 Êe4 Êb7 74 Êf5 Ìh3 highlights the winning
procedure) 66...e3 67 Íd3 Ìxg4 68 Íe2 Ìe5 69 c5 bxc5 70 b5 Ìd7 71 Íg4 Ìb6 0-1.
11...Íg7 12 Ía3 Íf8 13 Íb2 Íg7 14 Îe1
On with the show.
14...0-0 15 c4
W________W
[rDW1W4kD]
[0p0nDpgp]
[WDbDphpD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[WDP)WDWD]
[DPDBDNHW]
[PGWDW)P)]
[$WDQ$WIW]
W--------W
193
Pla y the Fre nch Rub ins te in

White can claim a slight edge, based on space and freedom of movement. Black’s major
pieces are hemmed in and until he can play ...c7-c5 or ...e6-e5, this will always be the case.
Nevertheless, the edge is only very small, not easy to increase and I believe Black is in the
game. Finding counterplay is the first task.
15...a5 16 a3 Îe8 17 h3 b6 18 Ëe2 Ëc8
Getting ready for ...Ëb7.
19 Ìe5 Ìxe5 20 dxe5 Ìd7
I was happy with the exchange, and I remember feeling less cramped than before. I was
aware that the biggest danger was an attack on my king, but did not feel especially threat-
ened right now.
21 Îad1 Ëb7 22 f4 Îed8 23 Êh2 Ëc8?!
Looking back, 23...Ìc5 24 Íc2 Íh6! seems most accurate, with Black holding the bal-
ance after 25 Íc1 Îxd1 26 Îxd1 b5!.
24 f5!
W________W
[rDq4WDkD]
[DW0nDpgp]
[W0bDpDpD]
[0WDW)PDW]
[WDPDWDWD]
[)PDBDWHP]
[WGWDQDPI]
[DWDR$WDW]
W--------W
An uncomfortable surprise. I did not miss the move, but completely underestimated it.
24...Ìc5!
The best reply (24...exf5 25 Ìxf5! is disastrous for Black, as is 24...gxf5 25 Ìxf5 exf5 26
Íxf5 Îe8 27 Ëh5 Îe7 28 e6!). Black is still OK, but I think I was in a state of shock after 24
f5!.
25 fxg6 hxg6 26 Íc2 Îxd1 27 Îxd1 Ëf8
Still no issues for Black. How is White getting through?
28 h4
The second wave.
28...Íh6?!
The simple 28...Îd8 would resolve my problems: for instance, 29 h5 Ëe7! 30 Êh3 Îxd1
31 Ëxd1 Ìd7! 32 hxg6 fxg6 33 Íxg6 Ëg5 and Black gets to counter-attack.
29 Ëg4!

194
 Fo rt Knox: Intro d uctio n a nd Ma in L ine

Collins now plays powerfully until the end.

29...Ëg7 30 b4 Ía4
30...axb4 31 axb4 Ìa4 32 Ía1 b5 33 c5 does not really help, with the knight on a4
stranded out of play.
31 Íxa4 Ìxa4 32 Ía1 axb4 33 axb4 Ëf8 34 h5 Îd8
W________W
[WDW4W1kD]
[DW0WDpDW]
[W0WDpDpg]
[DWDW)WDP]
[n)PDWDQD]
[DWDWDWHW]
[WDWDWDPI]
[GWDRDWDW]
W--------W
Perhaps 34...Ëg7 was a better try, but running short of time, I did not like 35 Ìe4!.
35 Ìe4 Îxd1 36 Ëxd1 Ëxb4?
36...b5 37 hxg6 Ìb6 38 cxb5 fxg6 does not seem at all promising, but might hold out
longer.
37 hxg6 Ëxc4 38 Ëd8+ Íf8 39 Ëh4 1-0
In the end, a nice attack by White.

To summarise, I believe 8...g6!? to be playable and different to the usual Fort Knox fare.
Early simplifying exchanges are frowned upon and a complicated middlegame is likely,
with play spread across the board. As a surprise weapon, 8...g6 has value.

Game 72
S.Ter Sahakyan-B.Jobava
European Individual Championship, Gjakova 2016

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Ìc3 dxe4 4 Ìxe4 Íd7 5 Ìf3 Íc6 6 Íd3 Ìd7 7 0-0 Ìgf6 8 Ìg3 g6 9 c4
A move which crops up frequently in the Fort Knox. White takes the centre and in this
special case, has a pawn sacrifice in mind.
9...Íg7 10 d5!?
Without this move, we would just be heading for a normal position, where Black has
enough cover over the d5-square and is eyeing up the pawn on d4. It appears White is go-

195