PERFECT PREPARATION. It is going to happen to you one day and just when you least expect it or need it. You might be tired or worn down by the cares of life, but that is not going to affect the situation. It's your worst nightmare; someone is going to play 1.b4 or 1.g4! Lest the master players scoff, reminding us that Black can at least equalize in several different ways, it isn't that easy, particularly if White is a specialist in a given line. So the object of this article is to complete your opening repertoire; to show you easy-to-learn, easy-to-play solutions so you never have to worry about this tricky stuff again.

N Lalic (2245) - Uhlmann (2510) [A00]
Sarajevo, 1980
1.b4!?

Not a bad move at all, and it must be treated with respect. White gains queenside space and prepares Bb2. There are various strategic plans available, including the usual queenside pawn advance, and the fianchettoed Bishop could well intimidate the Black King. Black should be focused and keep it simple.

1...d5 2.Bb2 Qd6!

This is the idea I have in mind. 2…Qd6 supports ...e7-e5, threatens the b-pawn and sets a little trap, e.g., 3.b5?? Qb4! when Black wins a pawn.

3.a3

So White is reduced to this.

3...e5 4.e3 Nf6 5.d3

5.Nf3 e4 favors Black.

5...Nbd7

Now it’s a question of where the other pieces go. Black will probably fianchetto his King's Bishop on g7 and support his center with …Nbd7 and ...c7-c6.

6.Nf3 c6 7.Be2 g6! 8.c4 Bg7 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.0–0 0–0

Uhlmann has comfortably equalized already; why, Black is even slightly ahead in development! The art of successful opening play is to create a position where one has the potential to play for the win. Here Black can look to press forward in the center or maybe even attack the White King, e.g.,  ...Re8, ...Nf8, ...h5 etc. in the style of the King's Indian attack. Of course, White's game is also fine but his tricks have been negated. The better player will win and one cannot ask for more.

11.Nc3 a6 12.Rc1 b6!

Simple chess – he wants to develop his Bishop!

13.Qc2 Bb7 14.h3?!

14.Rfd1, =.

14...d4!?

The opening is over and the middlegame skirmishes begin. 14...d4 tries to take the initiative directly and it's a move fully in keeping with Uhlmann's dynamic style.

15.Nd1?

White is running scared but he is feeling the pressure and is more than a little disappointed that the opening surprise has backfired. As alternatives, Uhlmann gives:

1) 15.exd4? exd4 16.Ne4 Nxe4 17.dxe4 d3! 18.Bxd3 Bxb2 winning a piece and the game.

2) 15.Ne4 Bxe4! (15...Nxe4? 16.dxe4 dxe3 17.Rfd1 exf2+ 18.Kxf2 Qe7 19.Qc7 Bc8 20.Rd5 is very good for White) 16.dxe4 dxe3 17.fxe3 (17.Rfd1 exf2+ 18.Kxf2 Qe6 is a clear plus to Black)17...b5! 18.Rfd1 Qb6 with an edge to Black. There's no way to repair the dark-squared weaknesses on the Kingside and White's poor pawn structure.

15...Rac8 16.Qb1 Nd5!

An excellent move.

17.Re1

17.exd4 Nf4! This was the point!

18.Re1 Nxe2+ 19.Rxe2 Bxf3 20.gxf3 exd4 is awful for White.

17...dxe3 18.fxe3

18.Nxe3 Nf4! is very strong for Black.

18...b5 19.Bf1 N7b6 20.Nd2 Na4

White has one of those positions that is going nowhere fast. He must sit and watch as Black funnels his pieces into good positions.

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