My Queen’s Gambit Declined – Part 2 BY GM Vaibhav Suri

The course consists of 8 theoretical chapters, 16 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (2h and 21min Running Time).

The course starts with the Catalan Opening. The starting position of our repertoire arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 3.g3 dxc4

There is a wide range of options to choose from – Bb4-Be7 if you want a slower game, multiple options in dxc4 or the most classical with Be7 and 0-0. The suggestion of GM Suri is dc4 and Bb4+ and his main idea is to get a fighting and complex position and most of his recommendations against the Catalan will follow this intention.

The first important tabiya is being reached after 4.Bg2 Bb4+

White is at a crossroads in this position. In Chapter 1, Suri covers 5.Nc3 and 5.Nbd2. Even though these moves do not promise an advantage, we should take them seriously, especially 5.Nbd2.

In Chapter 2, the author deals with another major tabiya in the Catalan – 6.Bd2 a5

This move is designed to get a fighting and complex position by trying to save the extra pawn. At this point, the author covers 4 main options – 7.0-0, 7.a3, 7.Qc1, and 7.Qc2. In all cases, Black manages to get a playable position with nice counterplay.

From Chapter 3, the author starts dealing the Ragozin Variation in Queen’s Gambit Declined. The starting position of this chapter is being reached after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bf4

A rather interesting move tried by some of the strongest players in the world against the Ragozin. The suggestion of Suri is 6…Ne4.

There are other alternatives here, but 6…Ne4 is the one I like the most. It is a concrete approach to the position where we aim for the dark-squared bishop with …g7-g5.

Modern engines prove that Black is in a very good shape in the arising complications.

Chapter 4 features another very important Ragozin tabiya – 5.Qa4+ Nc6

One of the most critical variations in Ragozin. White has two main continuations here – 6.e3 and 6.a3. In both cases, Suri suggestes straightforward ways of solving the problems.

Chapter 5 deals with the position arising after 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bg5 Nbd7

A relatively new direction against 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bg5 variation. Black’s idea is to chase the dark-squared bishop with h6-g5. So far, White is unable to create problems for Black in this direction.

Chapter 6 examines another very important position for the Ragozin Variation – 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.Qa4+ Nc6 8.e3 0-0

Another key tabiya for the entire Ragozin opening. Very often, Black is ready to prepare …e6-e5 after …dxc4. Another thematic idea is …Rd8, freeing the f8-square for the bishop. White fails to prove any advantage in the arising structures.

In Chapter 7, you will see how we need to handle the position arising after  5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.Rc1 Nc6!?

This move is a very decent alternative to the far more popular 7…dxc4. We are going to take on c4 when White moves his light-squared bishop. Afterwards, the knight will be supporting the advance …e6-e5. Practice, as well as computer analysis, show that Black has an excellent counterplay in this line.

Let’s get back to the starting position of the Ragozin Variation.

In the last Chapter 8, GM Suri examines lines based on Qb3, before or after Bg5. Even though these lines do not create problems for Black, we need to be very well prepared.