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World 6th move decision

We have the following position:-

We have the following main options now:-

6... Nf6

6... g6

6... Ne5?!

Let us explore each of these options and their associated plans!:-

6... Nf6

ChessLab move statistics:-

Logical path from Nf6

We could reach the following position after the following logical path from 6...Nf6:-

Here there are a number of plans from the above position for black. For example

Plan a)

We could increase the pressure on the c pawn by using the semi-open c file as illustrated below:-

Plan b)

We could get the queen activated along the 5th rank with Qd8. Additionally The Queen currently on d7 is not very usefully placed and perhaps is a potential pin target on the d file to moves like c5 or e5 by White.

Plan c)

We could play to break the Maroczy type bind that Kasparov has set up with Rd8, e6 and d5

Plan d)

We could play Nh5 and f5

Alternatively for our 6th move we could consider 6.. g6

6... g6

Position statistics from ChessLab:

This is what Kasparov himself chose against Shirov!

Shirov replied with d4:-

Here we have 2 major options:- 7...Bg7 and 7...cxd4

7...Bg7

After Shirov's reply 7. d4, Kasparov simply played the very calm 7.. Bg7 and after d5 played Bxc3+?! bxc3 Na5

Kasparov later played f6 and castled queenside!. This was a very tense game which ended in a draw after some spectacular tactics from both sides. (click here if you haven't seen this game)

7... cxd4

But the 7th move we have the less dramatic option of simply 7.. cxd4 and after 8.Nxd4 Bg7 9.Be3 we can play the interesting Nh6:-

Alternatively for our 6th move we can play the interesting 6...Ne5 ?!:-

6... Ne5?!

This move does not worry about our doubled pawns being doubled after Nxe5 dxe5. We would have compensation in terms of a rock solid grip on d4, and the White d pawn would be a backward pawn on an open file as the following diagram illustrates:-

Example games of these three key candidate moves (use combo to select)

Conclusions

Barnet chess club recommends 6...g6. g6 is a sensible move which aims to put our dark squared bishop on the a1-h8 diagonal, and further strengthen our grip on the dark squares. We can counter d4 by white with the interesting Bg7?! intending Bxc3+ after d5, with the Shirov vs Kasparov game as our stem game. However in doing so, we make an assumption that that Bxc3+ is fundamentally sound. If we decide that Bg7 is too risky, we can simply do cxd4 and reach a playable position.

Latest insight on 6th move! - 6... Nd4 possibility

An independent site to the official site is the GM Chess School web site has suggested 6...Nd4 with the claim that Black is doing fine, and that it has all the plusses of Ne5 but does not allow d4.

There is a game on record at ChessLab with almost!! this variation. It has Nd4 featured but 6 0-0 instead of 6 Nc3. It arguably has some implications for the flavour of Nd4.

GM Roberto Alvarez of the "Chess of Style" site thinks that this move is dubious. He posted:-

"

I voted in favour of 6..Nf6. Read (and download for free) my analysis 
(with supplementary games) at
http://schach.w3.to

I believe 6..Nd4?! is of dubious value:
7.Nxd4 cxd4 8.Ne2
a.1) 8...e5 (you are closing your dark square bishop, and weakening 
d5 square -> similar comments to 5..e5 (see my analysis about) 
9.d3 Be7 10.0-0 Nf6 11.Ng3 0-0 12.Nf5, with iniciate on the king 
side, and probable plans of f2-f4 opening the "f" column. +/= 
or +/-
a.2) 8..Qg4 9.Qa4+ Kd8 10.Qa5+ b6 11.Qd5 Rc8 12.Qxf7!? and white 
seems to stand better. (12..Qxg2?? 13.Rg1 +-).

"

Barnet chess club's top guns think that after 6...Nd4 White can simply play 7. Nxd4 cxd4, 8. Ne2 e5 9. d3 and look forward to the above illustrated plan with the knight on g3 perhaps going to f5 or h5 later with a menacing attack on the black kingside if black castled there.

Official move played as of 20:21 GMT 6...Nf6

Kasparov has two main choices now,

7. 0-0 and 7. d4

Let us explore each in turn:-

7.0-0

This move safely tucks away Kasparov's king. It also keeps in reserve the option of playing d4. We might be surprised if Kasparov does not play d4, and instead plays d3 e.g. after we played g6:

You maybe surprised by the position stats (based on the 10 games found) from ChessLab on this position:-

The sample games reveal the following sorts of plans:-

Plan a) To target c5 and peel open the b file

Plan b) To play for a delayed d4 in the centre (The former world champion Boris Spassky chose this plan against Ioseliani in 1995)

Plan c) To play for Bh6: The former world champion Smyslov played this against Ligterink in 1994

Note that in plans b) and c) above it was felt necessary to play h3 to stop black from playing Ng4.

Now interesting and perhaps absurd!! to think about if Kasparov castles:-

6.. g5??!!

Does this have any merit? Before closing your eyes completely to this possibility or surfing away, Barnet chess club recommends looking at the Gligoric brilliancies in GM Baburin's latest coffee break article. These involved resourceful use of the g pawn! If we want to shock Kasparov and liven the game up a little, then this is the move to do that!! 

Anyway, back to examination of Kasparov's other main candidate move:-

7.d4

Position statistics

This move would lead to us having a dragon type formation after we do the natural cxd4 in response. See earlier- Logical path from Nf6

See example games of Garry's 7th move possibilities