English Opening: Airy Advances

Position after 11 Qc2.

How should Black proceed in this position?
Attacking the kingside isn’t a reasonable
option given he’s got only the f6 knight
and c8 bishop aiming in that direction.
What’s more, White has no weaknesses there.



In the center, both knights draw appreciable
water, therefore there’s hope for a game plan
there. Since there aren’t any easy posts or
shortcomings to go for, Black is forced to
initiate action via a central push (… d6-d5).
Such a thrust also guarantees space and likely
open files for the rooks. But only if c5 wasn’t
hanging following … d6-d5, only if, only if…
But wait! The following imaginary set-up
is so ideal for achieving … d6-d5:



Although in the time it takes to get such a
position White could cook up trouble.



Position after 11 Qc2.

From his point of view, f2-f4 is the game plan
and it’s definitely an easier one to achieve
(12 O-O 13 f4). But 11 … b6 in pursuit of the
imaginary set-up above may still be viable.



Position after 11 ... b5.

On the queenside, Black can gain space and
also give White a backward c3 pawn by
11 … b5 12 cxb5 cxb5. He can then pressurize
c3 down the half open c-file by first moving
the bishop and then placing a rook on c8.

Since the 11 … b5 plan is more rapidly executable
than the 11 … b6 one, 11 … b5 it is! And Bxc5 isn’t
threatening because following … dxc5 the backward
d3 pawn looks tempting down the just opened d-file.

Silicon Suspire!?:



Position after 11 Qc2.

11 ... a6 12 0-0 b5 13 d4 Nb7
14 f4 bxc4 15 Rae1 Qd7 16 h3 c5
17 Rb1.
11 ... Qa5 12 Bb4 Qa6 13 a4 Be6
14 Bxc5 dxc5 15 0-0 Qa5 16 Rab1 b6
17 f4 Bg4.
11 ... Be6 12 0-0 Qa5 13 Bb4 Qa6
14 Bxc5 dxc5 15 a4 Qa5 16 Rab1 b6
17 f4 Bg4.



Position after 11 Qc2.

11 ... b5 12 cxb5 cxb5 13 0-0 Qb6
14 d4 exd4 15.e5 d3 16 Bxc5 dxc5
17 Qxd3 Rd8 18 Qc2.
11 ... Qb6 12 0-0 Qa6 13 Bxc5 dxc5
14 f4 Ng4 15.Qd2 exf4 16 gxf4 f5
17 Ng3 fxe4 18 Nxe4.



Position after 11 Qc2.

11 ... Bg4 12 0-0 Qd7 13 f4 b6 14 f5 d5
15 Bxc5 bxc5 16 h3 Bxe2 17 Qxe2 d4
18 cxd4 Qxd4+ 19 Kh2 Rab8.
11 ... Bd7 12 0-0 Qa5 13 Bb4 Qb6 14 a4 Qc7
15 f4 a5 16 Bxc5 dxc5 17 Rab1 exf4 18 gxf4.
11 ... Qc7.