[Event "Alternatives in the Sicilian Defense: Introduction to the Lowenthal"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/umFnz5wK/mtCNqmKs"] [Result "*"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "B32"] [Opening "Sicilian Defense: Löwenthal Variation"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/JoaBN"] [StudyName "Alternatives in the Sicilian Defense"] [ChapterName "Introduction to the Lowenthal"] [UTCDate "2020.05.03"] [UTCTime "22:29:18"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/umFnz5wK/mtCNqmKs"] [Orientation "black"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 { Black chases away the White knight and tries to establish a firm grip on the centre. } 5. Nb5 { White wants to jump into the juicy d6-square with the knight. Normally, we don't allow this - but we have a special plan in the Lowenthal. Black is aiming for quick development and doesn't mind White's plan. } { [%csl Gd6][%cal Gb5d6] } (5. Nf3 { A bit passive. } 5... Nf6 { [%cal Gf6e4] } 6. Nc3 (6. Bd3 Bc5 7. O-O O-O 8. Nc3 h6 { [%csl Gg5][%cal Gh6g5] } 9. Qe2 d6! $10 (9... d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxe5 (11. Qe4 { [%cal Re4h7,Re4d5] } 11... Nf6 { [%cal Gf6h7] }) 11... Nxc3 12. bxc3 Nxe5 13. Qxe5 Qe7 14. Qg3 $14) 10. Na4 (10. Be3 Bxe3 11. Qxe3 Bg4 12. Rad1 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Nd4 14. Qe3 Qb6 $10 { Black is doing fine thanks to the powerful knight on d4. Note how Black is able to keep White from adding pressure to the potentially weak d6-pawn - this is key in the Lowenthal. If White is able to pile up the pressure, then Black could be in big trouble. } { [%cal Ga8c8] }) 10... Be6 (10... Qc7 $10 { [%cal Gc8e6] }) 11. Nxc5 dxc5 12. Be3 b6 $10 { Black's position is harmonious and completely fine. } { [%csl Gd4][%cal Gc6d4,Gd8c7] }) 6... Bb4 7. Bc4 O-O 8. O-O Bxc3 9. bxc3 Nxe4 10. Ba3 d6 11. Re1 Ng5! { White has several alternatives here, but neither will put Black to the test. } 12. Nxg5 (12. Qxd6 Nxf3+ 13. gxf3 Qg5+ 14. Kh1 Rd8 15. Qc5 Qh5 $17 { [%csl Rh1,Rf3][%cal Gc8f5] }) (12. Bd5 Nxf3+ 13. Bxf3 Bf5 14. Qxd6 Re8 { [%csl Rc2] } 15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. Rxe5 Qxd6 17. Bxd6 Rxe5 18. Bxe5 Bxc2 $10) 12... Qxg5 13. Bxd6 Rd8 14. Qf3 Rxd6? (14... Qf6 15. Qxf6 gxf6 16. Rad1 Bf5 $10 { [%csl Rc3,Rc2] }) 15. Qxf7+ Kh8 16. Qg8#) (5. Nb3 Nf6 6. Nc3 (6. Bg5 Be7 { [%csl Ge4][%cal Gf6e4] } 7. Bxf6 Bxf6 8. Bc4 O-O 9. O-O d6 10. Nc3 Be6 11. Nd5 (11. Bxe6 fxe6 $10 { [%cal Ge6d5,Ge6f5] } 12. Qg4 Qe7 { [%cal Ga8d8,Ga7a6] }) (11. Bd5 a6 { [%csl Gc8][%cal Ga8c8] } 12. Nd2 Rc8 13. Nc4 { [%cal Gc4e3] } 13... b5 14. Ne3 Bg5 15. Bxc6 Bxe3! $10 (15... Rxc6 16. Ncd5 a5 $10 { White is controlling the d5-square, and at first sight this position looks good for White. However, White's knight are not really working together as both wants to occupy the d5 square. At the same time Black is enjoying a nice bishop pair while aiming for expansion with the plan g6-f5. There is not much White can do to stop this. } { [%cal Gg7g6,Yf7f5] })) 11... Bg5 12. c3 Rc8 13. Qe2 { [%csl Gc4] } 13... Kh8 { [%csl Gf5][%cal Gf7f5] } 14. Rad1 Ne7 15. Nxe7 (15. Ne3 Qc7 { [%csl Rc4] } 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Nd2 Bxe3 18. Qxe3 Ng6 { [%csl Gf4][%cal Gg6f4] } (18... Ng8 { [%csl Gf6][%cal Gg8f6] } 19. Nf3 Nf6 20. Rd2 Qc6 21. Re1 h6 22. b3 b5 $10 { [%csl Gc4][%cal Gb5c4] }) 19. Nf3 Nf4 20. Rd2 b5 21. Rfd1 Rcd8 $13 { White has some pressure against the pawn on d6, but it is easy to defend for Black. At the same time our active knight on f4 is troublesome for White. Equal chances, plenty of play. }) 15... Bxc4 { [%cal Gc4e2] })) 5... a6 6. Nd6+ Bxd6 7. Qxd6 Qf6 { Black develops quickly and already enjoys a lead in development, even though White has the bishop pair. We are happy with Black here though, as we are trying to establish an initiative and possibly play the liberating move d7-d5 in one go. } 8. Qxf6 { Safe, but not very ambitious. } (8. Qa3 Nge7 9. Nc3 Rb8! { A slightly surprising move, but the plan is to free up the b-pawn. White's queen could find herself in trouble here. } { [%csl Gb4][%cal Gb7b4] } (9... b5? 10. Nxb5 { [%cal Ra3a8] } 10... axb5 11. Qxa8) 10. Be3 b5 (10... O-O 11. O-O-O b5 12. Qd6 $14 { A dream scenario for White. We cannot allow White such dominance of the d-file and the d6-square with no counterplay to show for it. }) 11. Nd5 (11. Qb3 O-O 12. O-O-O d6 { [%cal Gc8e6] } 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. Qxd5 Nd4! { A temporary pawn sacrifice. } 15. Bxd4 Bb7 16. Bxe5 dxe5 17. Qd6 (17. Qd2 Bxe4 $17) 17... Qxf2 $15 18. Qxe5 Qe3+ 19. Kb1 Rfe8 20. Qc7 Bxe4 $15 { Materially the position is equal but Black has more active pieces and could attack the weak c2-pawn in front of White's king. } { [%csl Rc2] }) 11... Nxd5 12. exd5 Ne7 { [%csl Rd5] } 13. Bc5 Nxd5 14. O-O-O Bb7 { A very complicated position where we have won a pawn with Black, but not able to get the king to safety. } 15. Be2 Nf4 16. Bg4 { [%csl Rd7] } 16... Ne6 { [%csl Gc5][%cal Ge6c5] } 17. Bd6 { This variation is not an easy one for Black. White has sacrificed a pawn, but is enjoying pressure against our king in return. Black should look for alternatives earlier, as this is the kind of scenario we want to avoid. } { [%csl Rb8][%cal Gd6b8] } 17... Rc8 (17... Qf4+ 18. Kb1 Qxg4 19. Bxb8 f6 20. Rhe1 Bc6 21. Qxa6? { An inaccuracy that gives Black a chance to castle. Suddenly Black is the one enjoying the position. } (21. g3 Kf7 22. Bd6 Nd4 { [%csl Rc2][%cal Gc6e4] } 23. f4 (23. c3 Be4+ { [%csl Rb1] } 24. Kc1 (24. Ka1 Nc2+) 24... Rc8 $13 { [%csl Rc1] }) 23... Nf3 { [%csl Ge1][%cal Gf3e1] } 24. Re3 (24. Qb3+ Qe6 25. Qxe6+ Kxe6 26. Re2 e4 27. Bc5 h5 $10 { Black must create some play here and activating the rook via the h-file is a good idea. } { [%cal Gh5h4] }) 24... Nxh2 { [%csl Gd1][%cal Gg4d1] } 25. Qb3+ Qe6 26. fxe5 Ng4 27. Ree1 Qxb3 28. axb3 f5 $13 { The kingside majority of pawns gives Black fair chances in the endgame here. Notice how the bishop on c6 keeps the position alive - everything is protected and there are no easy entrance points for White. } { [%csl Gc6] }) 21... O-O { [%csl Rg2,Rh2,Rb8] } 22. Ba7 Qxg2 $15 { The tables have turned - Black is better thanks to perfect piece placement in the centre. At the same time, the Black queen is gobbling up the White kingside. } { [%csl Rh2] }) 18. f3 (18. Kb1 Qg6 { [%csl Rg4,Rc2] }) 18... Qg6 19. Rd2 f5 20. Bh3 $16 { Black's king is in major trouble. } { [%csl Re8] }) (8. Qc7 Nge7 { [%cal Gd7d5] } 9. Nc3 Nb4 { [%cal Gb4c2] } 10. Bd3 d5!? { Typical for the Lowenthal variation. From here on out the variations get crazier and crazier. } 11. exd5 Bf5 { As usual, Black is aiming for quick development and doesn't spend time recapturing the pawn yet. } 12. Bxf5 (12. Qxb7! { The greedy - and critical - move. } { [%cal Rb7a8] } 12... Nxd3+ 13. cxd3 O-O 14. O-O (14. Ne4! Qg6 15. O-O { [%csl Re7] } 15... Rfe8 16. d6! { These positions demand a high level of accuracy from White, but if your opponent finds all of these moves then the variation will turn out a bit better for White, sadly. However, you should not fear this in a practical game unless you are playing a computer. } 16... Bxe4 17. Qxe4 Qxd6 18. Re1 f6 19. Be3 Rac8 20. Rad1 Qd5 21. a3 $16 (21. Qxd5+ Nxd5 22. Rd2 Kf7 $13 { Black has some compensation for the missing pawn here with a perfectly placed knight.. } { [%csl Gd5] })) 14... Qd6 $13 { [%csl Rd5,Gd3][%cal Gf5d3,Ga8b8] }) (12. O-O O-O 13. Bxf5 Nxf5 14. Ne4 (14. Qxb7 Rab8 15. Qd7 { [%cal Gd7a4] } 15... Nxc2 16. Rb1 Nb4 { [%cal Rf8d8] } (16... Na3? 17. bxa3 Rxb1 18. Nxb1) 17. Rd1 Qg6 { [%cal Gf5h4] } 18. Be3 Rfd8 19. Qa4 Nh4 (19... Nxe3 20. fxe3 Nc2 { [%csl Re3] } 21. Qe4 Qxe4 22. Nxe4 Nxe3 { [%cal Ge3d1,Ge2d5] } (22... f5) 23. Rd3 Nc2 $17 { [%csl Gd4][%cal Gc2d4] } (23... Nxd5 24. Rbd1 { [%csl Rd8][%cal Rd3d8] })) 20. g3 Nf3+ 21. Kg2 Qg4 { [%cal Gf3h4] } 22. h3 Nh4+ 23. Kh2 Nf3+ 24. Kg2 Nh4+ $10) 14... Qg6 15. c3 (15. Qc4 Nd4 16. Qxb4 Qxe4 17. f3 (17. c3 a5 18. Qc5 Rfc8 (18... Nc2 19. f3 (19. Rb1 Ne1 { [%csl Rb1,Rg2][%cal Re4g2,Re4b1] }) 19... Qd3 20. Rb1 Rfd8 21. Bg5 Rxd5 22. Qf2 h6 23. Rfc1 hxg5 24. Qxc2 Qe3+ 25. Qf2 Qxf2+ 26. Kxf2 Rd2+ 27. Kg3 f5 $15 { ...with a superior endgame thanks to the active rook on the second rank. } { [%csl Gd2][%cal Ga8d8,Gd8e8] })) 17... Ne2+ { [%cal Re4b4] }) 15... Nxd5) 12... Nxf5 13. Qxb7 Nxc2+ 14. Kd2 O-O! 15. Kxc2 Rab8 (15... Qg6 { [%cal Rg6c2] }) 16. Qd7 Rfd8 17. Qa4 Nd4+ 18. Kd3 Qg6+ 19. Ke3 Rb4!! 20. Qxb4 (20. Qa5 Rdb8 { [%cal Gd4c2] } 21. Re1 Qxg2 $19 { White is completely busted here. } { [%csl Re3] }) 20... Nc2+ { [%cal Rc2e3,Rc2b4] }) (8. Qd1 { The most common - and safest - move. } 8... Qg6 { Attacking the e4-pawn while keeping an eye out for the g2-pawn. } { [%csl Re4,Rg2][%cal Rg6e4] } 9. Nc3 { [%csl Ge4][%cal Gc3e4] } 9... d5!? { Offerspill (sacrificial play)! In this variation it is essential to have an attacking mind-set. Hence, sacrificing some pawns to get developed is not a real worry for us here. The following positions are often very messy and could be a good practical weapon in rapid and blitz. } (9... Nf6!? 10. Qd6 { [%csl Re8][%cal Gd6f8] } 10... Ng4 11. Qxg6 hxg6 12. h3 Nb4 { [%csl Rc2][%cal Rb4c2] } 13. Bd3 d6 { [%csl Rh1][%cal Rh8h1] } 14. O-O Nxd3 15. cxd3 Nf6 16. Be3 Be6 17. d4 O-O 18. f3 Rfc8 19. d5 Bd7 $13 { [%cal Yf7f5,Gf6e8,Ga6a5,Gb7b5] }) 10. Nxd5 (10. exd5 Nd4 { [%csl Rc2] } 11. Bd3 Qxg2 12. Be4 { [%csl Gh1][%cal Ge4h1] } (12. Rf1? Nf3+ { [%csl Re1] } 13. Ke2 Bg4 $19 { Hvit har blitt tatt med buksene nede. }) 12... Qh3 13. Be3 Bg4 { [%csl Rd1] } 14. Qd2 Nf6 (14... Nf3+ 15. Bxf3 Bxf3 16. Rg1 Qxh2 17. Ne2 { [%cal Ge1e2] } 17... Nf6 18. Rxg7 Nxd5 $17 { [%cal Ge8c8] }) 15. Bxd4 exd4 16. Qxd4 O-O $17 { White's king is out and about and now Black can activate both rooks. The attack looks powerful. } { [%csl Re1][%cal Gf8e8,Gb7b5,Ga8d8] }) 10... Qxe4+ 11. Be3 (11. Qe2? Qxd5) (11. Be2 Nd4 12. Nc7+ Ke7 13. Be3 (13. Kf1 Nxe2 14. Qxe2 (14. Nxa8 Bh3 (14... Nxc1 15. Rxc1 Bh3 16. f3 Qf4 17. gxh3 Nf6 { [%csl Ra8] } 18. Nb6 Rd8 { [%csl Rd1] } 19. Qe1 (19. Qe2? Qxc1+) 19... Qxf3+ 20. Kg1 Qf4 { [%cal Rd8d2,Rf4g5] } 21. Rd1 Qg5+ 22. Kf1 Qf5+ 23. Kg1 Qg5+ $10 { A crazy repetition of moves. }) 15. gxh3 Nxc1 16. f3! { [%csl Rc1] }) 14... Qxe2+ 15. Kxe2 Bg4+ (15... Rb8 $10) 16. f3 Rc8 17. Nd5+ Ke6 18. c4! (18. fxg4 Kxd5 $15 { [%csl Gd5] } 19. c3 Ke6 { [%cal Gg8f6] }) 18... Bf5 (18... Rxc4 19. Ne3 { [%cal Ge3g4,Ge3c4] }) 19. Nb6 Rd8 $10 { [%cal Gf7f6,Gg8e7] }) (13. Nxa8? { Too greedy! } 13... Qxg2 { [%csl Rh1] } 14. Rf1 Bf5 { [%csl Rc2] } 15. Bd3 (15. Qd2 Nxc2+ 16. Kd1 Nf6 { [%csl Rd1][%cal Gh8d8] }) 15... Nf3+ 16. Ke2 Bg4 $19 { [%csl Rd1][%cal Rg4d1] }) 13... Nxc2+ 14. Kf1 Nxe3+ 15. fxe3 Bh3 16. Nd5+ Kf8 17. Bf3 Qc4+ 18. Be2 Qe4 19. Bf3 Qc4+ $10) 11... Nd4 12. Nc7+ Ke7 13. Nxa8 (13. Rc1 { [%csl Gc2] } 13... Bg4 14. Qd3 (14. Qd2 Rd8 15. f3 Bxf3 16. Bd3 Qg4 17. Bxd4 Qxd4 18. gxf3 Nf6 { [%csl Rc7] } 19. Kf1 Rd7 20. Nxa6 bxa6 $13) 14... Qxd3 15. Bxd3 Rd8 { [%csl Gd5][%cal Gc7d5,Rd8d5,Gg8f6] } 16. O-O (16. h3 Bh5 17. f4 exf4 18. Bxf4 Bg6 19. Bxg6 hxg6 20. Kf2 Nf6 21. Rhe1+ Kf8 22. c3 Nc6 $13 23. Rcd1 Rxd1 24. Rxd1 Ke7 { [%cal Gh8h5] } 25. Bd6+ Kd7 26. Bf4+ Ke7 $10) 16... Kd6 { [%csl Rc7] } 17. c3 Ne2+ 18. Bxe2 Bxe2 19. Rfe1 Bd3 20. Bb6 Nf6 { [%cal Gd6c6] } 21. Nxa6 (21. Ba5 Rc8 { [%csl Rc7][%cal Ge5e4] } 22. Rcd1 e4 23. f3 Kc6 24. fxe4 Bxe4 { [%csl Rc7] }) 21... bxa6 22. Bxd8 Rxd8 $15 { [%csl Gd3,Gf6] }) 13... Nxc2+ 14. Kd2 (14. Ke2? Bg4+ 15. f3 (15. Kd2 Bxd1) 15... Qxe3#) 14... Nxe3! { Don't get too greedy here. Remember that if we are sloppy White could turn the tables with a counterattack against our own king. } (14... Nxa1 15. Bc5+ { [%csl Re7] }) 15. fxe3 Nf6 { [%csl Rd2][%cal Gh8d8] } 16. Ke1 Qxe3+? (16... Qh4+! 17. g3 Qe4 { [%cal Re4h1] } 18. Qc1 { [%csl Ge3,Gc7][%cal Gc1e3,Gc1c7] } (18. Rg1 Qxe3+ { The difference is that now the rook on g1 hangs. } { [%cal Re3g1,Re3e1] }) 18... Qxh1 19. Qc7+ Bd7 20. Qxe5+ Kf8 21. Rd1 Qc6 22. Rd6 Qc1+ 23. Rd1 Qc6 $13 { The game goes on, but the evaluation is quite equal here. However, there is a lot of unbalance in the position so there are plenty of chances for both sides here. Black should try to get the king to safety here, perhaps on g7. }) 17. Qe2 { Suddenly Whiet has gotten his house in order. The pawn on e5 is a bit weak and the knight on a8 is getting out of jail. } { [%csl Re5][%cal Ga8b6] }) 8... Nxf6 { [%csl Ge4][%cal Gf6e4] } 9. Nc3 Nb4 { [%csl Gc2][%cal Gb4c2] } 10. Bd3 (10. Kd1 { [%csl Rd1] } 10... Ng4 11. Be3 Nxe3+ 12. fxe3 { [%csl Re3,Re4] } 12... d6 13. a3 Nc6 14. Nd5 O-O 15. Nb6 Rb8 16. Bc4 $14 { White is pretty happy here, even with a slightly crippled pawn structure. The control over the d5-square and pressure against the d6-pawn (not yet, but soon when the rooks are activate) gives White a small but stable advantage. } { [%csl Gd5] } 16... Be6 (16... Bg4+ 17. Kd2 Rbd8 18. Bd5 (18. Rhf1 Be6 19. Bd5 (19. Bxe6 fxe6 $10 { This doubled pawn is almost always good for Black as it controls so many important squares. } { [%cal Ge6d5,Ge6f5] }) 19... Ne7 20. c4 { [%cal Gc4d5] } 20... Nc8 { [%csl Gb6][%cal Gc8b6] } 21. Nxc8 Rxc8 22. b3 Bxd5 23. exd5 f5 { [%cal Gb3b4,Gc4c5] } 24. a4 { [%cal Ga4a5,Gb3b4] } (24. Kd3 Rc7 25. b4 Rfc8 { [%csl Rc4][%cal Rc7c4] } 26. Rac1 g6 27. g4! { [%csl Rf5] } 27... fxg4 28. Rf6 { [%csl Rd6] } 28... Rd7 29. Ke4 Kg7 30. Re6 b6 { [%csl Gc5] } 31. c5 bxc5 32. bxc5 Rxc5 33. Rxc5 dxc5 34. Rxa6 (34. Rc6 { A complicated rook endgame. We are far away from the opening theory here, of course, but the following moves are an illustration of how you can save such endgames with active play. } { [%cal Gc6c5] } 34... Rb7 35. Kxe5 Re7+ 36. Kf4 g5+ 37. Kxg5 Re5+ 38. Kxg4 Rxd5 39. Rxa6 Re5 40. Kf4 Rh5 41. Rc6 Rxh2 42. Rxc5 Rf2+ 43. Kg3 Ra2 44. Ra5 Kf6 $10) 34... h5 35. Rc6 Ra7 36. Rxc5 Rxa3 37. Rc7+ Kf6 38. Rc6+ $10) 24... a5! { An important move that stops White in his tracks on the queenside. } { [%csl Gb4][%cal Ga5b4] } 25. Kd3 Rf7 26. b4! axb4 27. Rab1 Ra8 28. Rxb4 Ra6 { [%csl Gd6][%cal Ga6d6] } 29. Rfb1 g5 30. R1b2 (30. Rxb7 Rxa4 $10) 30... g4 $10 { It is not clear how White can make progress on the queenside. At the same time, Black is expanding on the kingside with the pawn majority. } { [%cal Gh7h5] })) 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Nd7 { [%cal Gd7f8,Gd7b8] }) 10... h6 { [%csl Gg5][%cal Gh6g5] } 11. Be3 Nxd3+ 12. cxd3 d6 (12... d5!? { A thematic move that gives Black reasonable opportunities, but it could be an uphill battle if White is accurate here. } 13. exd5 b5 14. O-O (14. a3 Bb7 15. d6 Bxg2 (15... Rd8 16. Bc5) (15... Kd7 16. Bc5 Nh5! { [%csl Gf4][%cal Gh5f4] } (16... Rhc8 17. b4 Nh5 18. Kd2 Nf4 19. Rhe1 f6 20. a4 Ne6 21. axb5 axb5 22. Nxb5 Nxc5 23. bxc5 Rxa1 24. Rxa1 Rxc5 25. Nc3 Kxd6 $10 { ...with an equal endgame. }) 17. O-O (17. Kd2 Nf4 { [%csl Gg2] } 18. a4 Nxg2 19. axb5 axb5 20. Nxb5 (20. Rhc1 Nf4 $15) 20... Kc6 { [%csl Rb5,Rc5] }) 17... Nf4 { [%csl Rg2] } 18. g3? Nh3#) 16. Rg1 Bf3 17. Rxg7 Nh5 18. Rg1 Kd7 19. Kd2 Kxd6 20. b4 { [%csl Gc5][%cal Ge3c5] } 20... Ke6 21. a4 Bc6 22. Rgc1 Rhc8 23. Bxh6 Nf6 24. Be3 Ng4 (24... Nd5! { Black is aiming for an endgame with opposite colored bishops. } { [%cal Gd5b4,Gd5c3] } 25. Ne4 (25. Nxd5 Bxd5 26. Rxc8 Rxc8 27. axb5 axb5 28. Ra5 Bc6 29. h4 Rh8 30. Ra6 Kd5 31. Bg5 f5 32. Ra1 Ra8 33. Re1 (33. Rxa8 Bxa8 { The bishops are blocking each other, the endgame is likely to be drawn. } 34. h5 Ke6 35. h6 Kf7 36. h7 Kg7 37. Bf6+ Kxh7 38. Bxe5 Kg6 39. Ke3 Kf7 40. Kd4 Ke6 41. Bf4 Bf3 42. Kc5 Be2 43. d4 Bc4 $10) 33... Ra2+ $10) 25... bxa4 $10) 25. h4 $14) 14... Bb7 15. d6 Kd7 16. f4 e4 17. dxe4 Nxe4 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. Bb6 Rac8 20. Bc7 Rhe8 21. Rad1 Bc6 $10 { Black has a perfect blockade. } { [%cal Ge8e4,Gc8e8] } 22. Rfe1 Re4 23. Rxe4 Bxe4 24. Re1 Re8 25. h4 g6 { [%cal Gh6h5] } 26. Kf2 h5 27. g3 Bc6 28. Rxe8 Kxe8 29. Ke3 Kd7 30. Kd4 Bf3 31. Kc5 Be2 32. Kb6 b4 33. Kc5 b3 34. axb3 (34. a3 Bf3 35. Kc4 Bd1 36. Kc5 Bg4 37. Kb6 Be2 $10) 34... Bd1 35. b4 Be2 $10 { White is unable to break the blockade. } { [%cal Ge2b5] }) 13. f3 { [%cal Gd3d4] } 13... O-O 14. d4 b5 { Black is trying to get the bishop active on the a6-f1 diagonal. } { [%cal Gb5b4,Ga6a5] } (14... Be6 15. dxe5 { Not testing at all. } (15. d5 Bd7 16. Kf2 Rfc8 17. Rac1 a5 { [%cal Gb7b4] } 18. g4 Ne8 19. h4 b5 { [%cal Gb5b4] } 20. Ne2 b4 21. Rxc8 Rxc8 22. Rc1 Rb8 { Black should keep the rooks on the board to safeguard the queenside. } (22... Rxc1 23. Nxc1 { [%csl Ra5,Rb4][%cal Ge3b6] }) 23. b3 h5 24. g5 f5 25. gxf6 gxf6 26. Ng3 $16 { [%csl Rh5] }) 15... dxe5 16. Kf2 Rfc8 $10 { [%cal Gf6d7,Gb7b5] }) 15. Kf2 Be6 16. Rhc1 b4 (16... Rfc8 17. d5 Bd7 18. Bd2 Ne8 19. g4 a5 20. Nd1 a4 21. Ne3 Kf8 22. Ke2 $14 Ke7 23. Kd3 g6 24. Nd1 Nc7 25. Bxh6 b4 { [%cal Gc7b5] } 26. Be3 Nb5 27. h4 f5 28. g5? a3 29. b3 Rh8 30. Bf2 Raf8 $17 { [%cal Gf5e4] }) 17. Ne2 (17. Nd1 exd4 18. Bxd4 Nd7 { [%cal Gd7e5] } 19. Ne3 Ne5 20. a3 (20. Ke2 Rfc8 21. a3 (21. Bxe5 dxe5 $10) 21... Nc6 { [%cal Gc6d4] } 22. Rd1 a5 23. axb4 Nxb4 { Even though Black has a weakness on d6 there is plenty of active play here - as so often is the case in the Lowenthal. } { [%csl Rd6][%cal Gb4c2] } 24. Bc3 Na2 25. Be1 (25. Bd4 Bb3 26. Rd2 Nc1+ 27. Kf1 Be6 $10 { [%csl Gb3][%cal Gc1b3] }) 25... Rab8 26. Bxa5 Rxb2+ 27. Rd2 Rcb8 28. Rxb2 Rxb2+ 29. Kf1 Nb4 30. Rd1 Nc2! { The transition to the endgame with opposite colored bishops should give Black good drawing chances. } 31. Nxc2 Rxc2 32. Rxd6 Bc4+ 33. Kg1 f6 $10 34. h4 { [%cal Gh4h5] } 34... h5! $10 { [%cal Gg8f7] }) 20... Nd3+ { [%cal Gd3f2,Gd3c1] }) 17... Rfb8 18. d5 (18. dxe5 dxe5 19. Rc5 Nd7 $10) 18... Bd7 19. Rc7 Bb5 20. Rac1 Ne8 21. Ra7 Rxa7 22. Bxa7 Rb7 23. Be3 f5 $10 { [%cal Gg8f7] } 24. exf5 Bd7 25. g4 Rb5 $10 { [%csl Rd5] } *