White: Tyler Lelis Black: Tom Magar Golden Triangle Open, April 2004 Sicilian Defense, Kan Variation 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 a6 5 Bd3 Nf6 6 O-O Qc7 7 c4 d6 The most natural move at this point must surely be 8 Nc3. Here's an example of a relatively recent high-level game with this variation: 8 Nc3 g6 9 Qe2 Bg7 10 Nf3 (an interesting idea, instead of the more obvious plans involving advancing the f-pawn) 10 ... O-O 11 Rd1 Nc6 12 h3 Nd7 13 Bf4 Nce5 14 Rac1 b6 15 Nxe5 dxe5 (I don't understand this; 15 ... Nxe5 looks more natural) 16 Be3 Bb7 17 b4, and White's queenside majority proved to be dangerous, Xie Jun - Movsesian, Hastings 1997. 8 Qe2 Nbd7 9 b3 b6 10 f3 Now 10 Nc3 would be answered by 10 ... b5. 10 ... g6 11 Be3 Bg7 12 Nd2 Bb7 13 Rac1 O-O 14 Kh1 Rac8 15 Nb1 Two tempi down the drain, but what else is there? 15 ... Qb8 16 Nc3 Rfe8 17 Qd2 Qa8 This isn't as accurate as the immediate 17 ... d5. But even with that move it doesn't look like Black can get a real advantage: 17 ... d5 18 cxd5 exd5 19 exd5 Rxc3 20 Rxc3 Nxd5 21 Be4 Nxe3. If 22 Qxe3 f5 wins a piece, ending up with two pieces for a rook. But 22 Rxe3 Bh6 23 Nc2 and Black has to prove he can even equalize. 18 Rfd1 d5 19 cxd5 exd5 20 exd5 Rxc3 21 Rxc3 Nxd5 22 Be4 Nxc3 Not 22 ... Nxe3? 23 Bxb7. 23 Bxb7 Qxb7 24 Qxc3 Ne5 25 Rc1 Qd5 26 Bf2 b5 27 h3 h5 28 Re1 Rd8 29 Qe3 Nc6 30 Nxc6 Qxc6 31 Bh4 Bf6 32 Bxf6 Qxf6 33 Qe5 Qxe5 34 Rxe5 Rd2 35 a4 bxa4 36 bxa4 Kg7 37 Re4 Kf6 38 h4 Rd7 39 Rc4 Rd6 Agreed drawn.