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Part 2:  9.Nd5 – The Positional Line

Introduction to Nd5 (2 pgs)

The Silent Draw Offer: 9…Qa5 10.Bd2 Qd8 (6 pgs)

9…Be7 10.Nxe7 (6 pgs)

Introduction to 10.Bxf6 Bf6 11.c3 (2 pgs)

• 11…Bb7 (4 pgs)

• 11…Ne7 (8 pgs)

• 11…Bg5 12.Nc2 Ne7 (2 pgs)

• 11…Rb8 12.Nc2 Bg5 (4 pgs)

• 11…0-0 12.Nc2 Bg5 (19 pgs)

• 11…0-0 12.Nc2 Rb8 (21 pgs)

Part 3: 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.Nd5 – Main Line

• Introduction to the Main Line (2 pgs)

• Introduction to the 10…Bg7 System (2 pgs)

• The quiet 13.c3 (10 pgs)

• The sharp 13.c4 (15 pgs)

Section 1: The 10…f5 System

• Introduction to 10…f5 (2 pgs)

• The Bishop Sacrifice 11.Bxb5 axb5 12.Nxb5 (6 pgs)

• 11.g3 (7 pgs)

Section 2: The 10…f5 System met by 11.c3

• Introduction to 11.c3 (2 pgs)

• Introduction to 12.Bd3 (26pgs)

• 12.exf5 Bxf5 (41 pgs)

Section 3: The 10…f5 System met by 11.Bd3

• Introduction to the Main Line 11.Bd3 Be6 (2 pgs)

• Introduction to the Aggressive 12.Qh5 (2 pgs)

• The Variation with 12…g7 (8 pgs)

• The Variation with the Active 12…Rg8 (8 pgs)

• The Modest looking 13.g3 (24 pgs)

• Introduction to 12.0-0 (12…Bxe6 13.exd5 Ne7) (2 pgs)

• 14.Nxb5 (4 pgs)

• 14.c4 (12 pgs)

• 14.Qh5 (12 pgs)

• 14.c3 (8 pgs)

• The Variation with 17.Rad1 (4 pgs)

• The Variation with 17.Rae1 (22 pgs)

• 14.Re1 (10 pgs)

Index of Variations (4 pgs)

Review:

Romanian Grandmaster Rogozenko wrote his recent book on the Sicilian Sveshnikov (also known as Chelyabinsk Variation) to provide an up-to-date theoretical discussion of this very popular opening.  Given that many grandmasters at top level have this sharp opening in their repertoire (either as Black or as White), the theory is constantly evolving. It follows that it is difficult to present a comprehensive picture of the Sveshnikov at any given time.  (Several other books on the Sveshnikov that have been published recently can be considered out of date for top level tournament play in some of the more crucial lines). Rogozenko does a good job at summing up all the recent developments and all major games discussed in the book are of recent tournaments (2002-2005).  However, if the trend to employ the Sveshnikov continues at its current pace it is probable that even this book with its over 300 pages will be out of date in the near future. 

The book has three main parts, one for early deviations, one for the positional approach where White entrenches a strong Knight on the vital d5 square, and one for the more tactical lines in which White plays Bxf6 early giving Black a doubled f-pawn.  Each section of the book usually starts with a very brief introduction of the main ideas.  Giving an introduction is a good idea, but if you, the reader, are not already familiar with the main concepts then you might get lost in the numerous variations.  However, Rogozenko does a good job at referencing games displayed in other parts of the book by page number, which makes it easier to see how specific variations could continue. 

A quick look at the pages devoted to the individual variations will make it clear that Rogozenko focuses on the more popular main variations.  The bulk of the book is centered on the 9.Bxf6 variations, which typically lead to sharp and unbalanced play.

As a 1900 USCF player, I found that the book does an excellent job of giving an updated view on the Sveshnikov, but it is not the easiest opening book I have ever held in my hands.  I started playing the Sveshnikov after I saw one of Peter Leko’s games from a tournament in the 2002 Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting (one of the three major chess events together with Linares and Corus).  Since then, I have employed it three times in tournaments on the Black side, and each time my opponent deviated from the main line early.  This is a crucial aspect in the evaluation of The Sveshnikov Reloaded, because among mortal players it is quite likely that your opponent does not know the deep strategic differences between 17.Rae1 and 17.Rad1 and either purposefully or accidentally deviates from ultra-modern theory and confronts you with something simple like 7.a4 without knowing much of the continuation.  Rogozenko does not spend too much time on early deviations, which means it is likely that after you read his book you also do not know much of the correct continuation if the plans are different from the main lines.   He correctly points out that, in order to do well in this opening, you need to have a firm grasp of both positional and concrete motifs.  By playing 5…e5, Black accepts a serious weakness with the backward d6 pawn on the semi-open d-file, and most of the game (at least opening and middlegame) is characterized by the mutual fight over the crucial d5 square.   For the backward pawn Black gets very good play with his minor pieces and often ends up with a strong pawn center and a good-Knight vs. bad-Bishop situation.  White, on the other side, will try to entrench one Knight on d5 and attack Black’s center with c4-c5, f3, or f4, depending on the setup.  Both sides have numerous attacking possibilities, and the unbalanced nature of the opening provides both players with winning chances. 

For players of medium strength (1600-2000 USCF), The Sveshnikov Reloaded, in its attempt to give the latest variations overlooks the importance of giving an easy overview of strategic goals for both sides.  The short introductions at the beginning of each section are a good start, but I think the opening could be made more accessible to medium strength players by including an entire chapter (which is more than 2 pages long!) on the different pawn structures that can arise and favorite squares and move sequences for the minor pieces.  Jacob Aagaard does a fantastic job with this in his Easy Guide to the Sveshnikov from 2000, which is a book that I highly recommend for beginning Sveshnikov players. 

 Apart from a slight lack of deep strategic discourse, another downside of The Sveshnikov Reloaded is that some of the lines are not correctly printed.  For example, after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Nd5 Nxd5 8.exd5, Rogozenko writes that “Black has two possible retreats for the knight: 8…Ne7 or 8…Ne7.” (p.17). The correct alternative, of course, is 8…Nb8!, but you would only know this is if you have already had experience with this sideline.  Similarly, in the table of contents (section 3), the Introduction to 12.0-0 (12…Bxe6 13.exd5 Ne7) is another misprint, as Black would capture on d5 with 12…Bxd5, not 12…Bxe6.  Also, some of the diagrams are not correct (see p.96 Kasparov vs. Lautier, Moscow 1994, where the black pawns should be on f7 and f6).  However, I see these minor imperfections as the editors’ responsibility (Interestingly enough, the above mentioned Jacob Aagaard is one of them!), not Rogozenko’s fault, and they do not diminish the value of this impressive collection of current ideas in the Sveshnikov.

 Rogozenko’s target audience is somewhat higher on the scale, and so his focus is more on communicating the latest developments in the crucial lines.  And this he does exceedingly well.  Given the loads of theory in the main lines, it is good that nearly every (!) page has at least one diagram (which are usually accurate).  If you read chess books the same way I do (without a board or computer to play the moves out but instead trying to envision the game in your mind) then the many diagrams are most welcome to check whether you envisioned correctly.  I particularly like the discourse on the positional 9.Nd5,

which sets the stage for many interesting variations that are considered equal by theory, but in my opinion are somewhat easier to play with White.  For example, after 9…Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.c3 0-0 12.Nc2 Bg5 13.a4 bxa4 14.Rxa4 a5 15.Bc4 Rb8

The positional problems that Black faces are clear: The a5 pawn is doomed, and the d5 square is still firmly in White’s hands.  In this position Black will try to persuade White to trade off the b2-pawn for the a5 pawn, in which case Black has a relatively easy ride. White, however, can try to protect b2 and take his time to double (or triple) up on a5 with Qa1-a3, 0-0, and Ra1 (this idea is not mentioned in the book, but I had to face it anyways in a tournament…).  Objectively speaking, however, the position should be level with only a slight pull for White. 

Overall I think Rogozenko does a superb job at creating an opening book that can be used both to study the intricacies of the many popular current lines in the Sveshnikov as well as having a reference book for players who are more interested in having a functional encyclopedia of the main lines.  I highly recommend this book for serious players who are already familiar with the strategic concepts in the Sicilian Sveshnikov and those that are of medium to higher strength. 

The Good Things:

• The book gives a current, up-to-date, and comprehensive view on the major popular and critical lines in the Sveshnikov.

• The many diagrams make it easy to follow the analyzed games.

• The book is useful for both White and Black players, as it is written from an objective viewpoint.

The Bad Things:

• There is no easy overview of ideas in either the content list, list of variations, nor in the beginning of each section.  It is easy to get lost if you do not already know some theory.

• The strategic ideas could be communicated clearer in a separate chapter.

• The early deviation sidelines, not typical for high level tournament chess but much more common in ordinary chess tournaments, are not presented in detail.

Quote: In my opinion the Sveshnikov is a very complex opening and using it well in practice involves two aspects: 1- good understanding of characteristic positional factors.  2- concrete knowledge of complicated theoretical variations. (pg 5)

The Bottom Line:  

• Good book for serious high-end (USCF 2000+) players that want to be up-to-date with their openings.

Rating: 8.5/10

Review written by Stephan Dickert.

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