Stockfish 16CPU v Komodo Dragon 16CPU (LTC Gambits Match)

[Graham Banks]

Albin Counter-Gambit

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5 *

The usual continuation is 3. dxe5 d4.
The opening is an uncommon defense to the Queen's Gambit. In exchange for the gambit pawn, Black has a central wedge at d4 and gets some chances for an attack. Often White will try to return the pawn at an opportune moment to gain a positional advantage.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albin_Countergambit

Lawrence Trent calls this “one of the most underrated openings, gambits-wise” and considers it perfectly sound, since he has not been able to refute it with some of the strongest computers in the world.

https://en.chessbase.com/post/the-amazi ... ess-review

[Graham Banks]

GAME 39

Stockfish decided to return the gambit pawn, but as indicated in the pre-game notes, black's d4 pawn was indeed like a troublesome thorn.
Stockfish went looking for an advantage on the queenside, while Komodo Dragon focused more on the centre and kingside.
While white was busy picking off pawns, moves like 26...g5, and 31...e4, and then 31...e3, set the scene for some wild and complex chess that my comments could hardly do justice to.
When the smoke had cleared, Komodo Dragon had a knight for the three extra Stockfish pawns, and we were into the endgame.
I felt that there was some quite interesting play in the endgame, but it was always going to be another draw.

[pgn][Event "SF v Komodo Dragon 16CPU"]
[Site "ChessGUI17"]
[Date "2022.06.15"]
[Round "20.1"]
[White "Stockfish 15 64-bit 16CPU"]
[Black "Dragon 3 by Komodo 64-bit 16CPU"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Time "2:45:47 pm"]
[ECO "D08"]
[Opening "Normal Line, Albin Countergambit, QGD"]
[TimeControl "7200+30"]
[PlyCount "143"]
[Number "39"]
[Termination "GUI TB adjudication"]
[WhiteType "program"]
[BlackType "program"]
[Variant "normal"]

{ AMD Ryzen 9 5950X 16-Core Processor 3.40 GHz }
1.d4 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} d5 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
2.c4 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} e5 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
3.dxe5 {[%eval 99,45] [%emt 00:04:17]} d4 {(d4) [%eval -99,39] [%emt 00:04:44]}
4.Nf3 {(Nf3) [%eval 91,47] [%emt 00:01:33]} Nc6 {(Nc6) [%eval -99,41] [%emt 00:02:17]}
5.a3 {(Nbd2) [%eval 99,46] [%emt 00:01:37]} g6 {(Nge7) [%eval -88,39] [%emt 00:07:05]}
6.Bg5 {(Bg5) [%eval 101,43] [%emt 00:01:36]} Qd7 {(Qd7) [%eval -86,40] [%emt 00:03:06]}
7.Bf4 {(Bf4) [%eval 89,49] [%emt 00:04:02]} Bg7 {(Bg7) [%eval -101,39] [%emt 00:04:26]}
8.g3 {(g3) [%eval 73,46] [%emt 00:02:15]} f6 {(f6) [%eval -91,39] [%emt 00:02:06]}
9.e6 {(e6) [%eval 100,45] [%emt 00:02:07]} Qd8 {(Qd8) [%eval -73,38] [%emt 00:03:25]}
10.h4 {(b4) [%eval 109,51] [%emt 00:11:54]} Bxe6 {(Bxe6) [%eval -88,37] [%emt 00:04:19]}
11.Nbd2 {(Nbd2) [%eval 112,46] [%emt 00:01:53]} Qe7 {(Nge7) [%eval -73,38] [%emt 00:06:00]}
12.Bg2 {(Bg2) [%eval 102,45] [%emt 00:02:10]} Rd8 {(Rd8) [%eval -84,35] [%emt 00:03:03]}
13.Qa4 {(Qa4) [%eval 84,45] [%emt 00:03:08]} Nh6 {(Nh6) [%eval -66,37] [%emt 00:03:39]}
14.b4 {(b4) [%eval 76,46] [%emt 00:02:08]} O-O {(Nf7) [%eval -65,37] [%emt 00:04:06]}
15.b5 {(b5) [%eval 70,49] [%emt 00:06:51]} Ne5 {(Ne5) [%eval -76,37] [%emt 00:03:45]}
16.Nxe5 {(Qxa7) [%eval 52,50] [%emt 00:03:04]} fxe5 {(fxe5) [%eval -67,37] [%emt 00:02:30]}
17.Bg5 {(Bg5) [%eval 45,53] [%emt 00:02:37]} Qf7 {(Qf7) [%eval -54,37] [%emt 00:02:44]}
18.O-O {(O-O) [%eval 54,51] [%emt 00:09:39]} Rb8 {(Rb8) [%eval -42,37] [%emt 00:01:35]}
19.Rac1 {(Rac1) [%eval 38,50] [%emt 00:01:36]} Kh8 {(Kh8) [%eval -52,36] [%emt 00:01:55]}
20.Ne4 {(Ne4) [%eval 27,45] [%emt 00:02:47]} Bg4 {(Bg4) [%eval -50,38] [%emt 00:02:00]}
21.Rce1 {(Rc2) [%eval 41,51] [%emt 00:11:39]} Be6 {(Be6) [%eval -44,38] [%emt 00:02:46]}
22.Rc1 {(Rc1) [%eval 37,49] [%emt 00:03:45]} Bg4 {(Bg4) [%eval -38,37] [%emt 00:02:18]}
23.Rc2 {(Rc2) [%eval 31,49] [%emt 00:01:45]} Ng8 {(Ng8) [%eval -31,38] [%emt 00:01:46]}
24.Qxa7 {(Qxa7) [%eval 36,54] [%emt 00:02:08]} h6 {(h6) [%eval -28,38] [%emt 00:01:51]}
25.Bc1 {(Bc1) [%eval 30,53] [%emt 00:01:36]} Bf5 {(Bf5) [%eval -20,41] [%emt 00:01:46]}
26.Rb2 {(Rb2) [%eval 25,48] [%emt 00:01:35]} g5 {(Qxc4) [%eval -16,40] [%emt 00:02:28]}
27.hxg5 {(hxg5) [%eval 23,42] [%emt 00:01:53]} Qg6 {(Qg6) [%eval -18,39] [%emt 00:01:38]}
28.Nc5 {(Nc5) [%eval 6,52] [%emt 00:06:51]} b6 {(b6) [%eval -12,41] [%emt 00:01:46]}
29.g4 {(g4) [%eval 11,51] [%emt 00:01:05]} Bxg4 {(Bxg4) [%eval -7,42] [%emt 00:01:42]}
30.Ne4 {(Ne4) [%eval 1,48] [%emt 00:01:20]} Bf5 {(Bf5) [%eval -6,43] [%emt 00:01:49]}
31.Ng3 {(Ng3) [%eval 0,55] [%emt 00:02:22]} e4 {(e4) [%eval -6,44] [%emt 00:01:50]}
32.Qxc7 {(Qxc7) [%eval 0,56] [%emt 00:01:41]} Rbc8 {(Rbc8) [%eval -6,45] [%emt 00:02:12]}
33.Qf4 {(Qf4) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:01:36]} e3 {(e3) [%eval -7,46] [%emt 00:03:23]}
34.fxe3 {(fxe3) [%eval 0,52] [%emt 00:01:18]} Be6 {(Be6) [%eval -4,47] [%emt 00:01:39]}
35.Be4 {(Qh4) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:05:58]} Rxf4 {(Rxf4) [%eval 0,44] [%emt 00:01:21]}
36.Bxg6 {(Bxg6) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:06:25]} Rg4 {(Rg4) [%eval -1,49] [%emt 00:02:16]}
37.Rf3 {(Rf3) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:01:37]} Rxc4 {(Rxc4) [%eval 0,49] [%emt 00:03:00]}
38.Rb1 {(Rc2) [%eval 0,63] [%emt 00:02:16]} Rc5 {(Rc5) [%eval 0,48] [%emt 00:01:32]}
39.Bd3 {(Bd3) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:01:19]} Ba2 {(Ba2) [%eval 0,50] [%emt 00:01:47]}
40.gxh6 {(Ra1) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:03:53]} Be5 {(Be5) [%eval 0,49] [%emt 00:02:05]}
41.Ra1 {(Ra1) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:01:53]} Bc4 {(Bc4) [%eval 0,52] [%emt 00:01:55]}
42.exd4 {(Kg2) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:01:32]} Bxd4 {(Bxd4) [%eval 0,51] [%emt 00:02:27]}
43.Be3 {(Be3) [%eval 0,67] [%emt 00:01:15]} Bxa1 {(Bxa1) [%eval 0,55] [%emt 00:02:01]}
44.Bxc5 {(Bxc5) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:01:48]} Bxd3 {(Bxd3) [%eval 0,56] [%emt 00:02:07]}
45.exd3 {(exd3) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:01:06]} bxc5 {(bxc5) [%eval 0,57] [%emt 00:02:00]}
46.Kf1 {(Kf2) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:00:42]} Be5 {(Be5) [%eval 0,53] [%emt 00:01:41]}
47.Ne4 {(Ne4) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:01:30]} c4 {(c4) [%eval 0,54] [%emt 00:01:23]}
48.Ke2 {(Ke2) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:00:34]} Nxh6 {(Nxh6) [%eval 0,55] [%emt 00:01:17]}
49.Nf2 {(b6) [%eval 0,63] [%emt 00:00:43]} Rd4 {(Rd4) [%eval 0,56] [%emt 00:01:27]}
50.dxc4 {(dxc4) [%eval 0,66] [%emt 00:00:31]} Rxc4 {(Rxc4) [%eval 0,61] [%emt 00:02:00]}
51.Kd3 {(Nd3) [%eval 0,68] [%emt 00:00:34]} Rd4 {(Ra4) [%eval 0,60] [%emt 00:01:31]}
52.Kc2 {(Kc2) [%eval 0,67] [%emt 00:00:33]} Kg7 {(Kg7) [%eval 0,66] [%emt 00:03:04]}
53.Nd3 {(Nd3) [%eval 0,69] [%emt 00:00:42]} Bd6 {(Bd6) [%eval 0,63] [%emt 00:01:15]}
54.b6 {(Nb2) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:00:32]} Rc4 {(Rc4) [%eval 0,55] [%emt 00:01:07]}
55.Kd2 {(Kd2) [%eval 0,68] [%emt 00:00:30]} Nf7 {(Rd4) [%eval 0,60] [%emt 00:01:18]}
56.Nb2 {(Nb2) [%eval 0,59] [%emt 00:00:30]} Rh4 {(Rh4) [%eval 0,61] [%emt 00:01:17]}
57.Rb3 {(Kc2) [%eval 0,138] [%emt 00:00:30]} Ne5 {(Nd8) [%eval 0,55] [%emt 00:01:01]}
58.b7 {(b7) [%eval 0,115] [%emt 00:00:29]} Nd7 {(Nc6) [%eval 0,60] [%emt 00:00:50]}
59.Rd3 {(Rb5) [%eval 0,73] [%emt 00:00:28]} Bf4 {(Bf4) [%eval 0,61] [%emt 00:00:50]}
60.Ke2 {(Kc2) [%eval 0,78] [%emt 00:00:30]} Nb8 {(Nc5) [%eval 0,57] [%emt 00:00:58]}
61.Rd8 {(Rd8) [%eval 0,69] [%emt 00:00:28]} Kf6 {(Kf6) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:01:01]}
62.Nd3 {(Nd3) [%eval 0,75] [%emt 00:00:30]} Ke7 {(Ke7) [%eval 0,63] [%emt 00:01:14]}
63.Rc8 {(Rc8) [%eval 0,71] [%emt 00:00:33]} Rh2 {(Bd6) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:01:23]}
64.Kf3 {(Kf3) [%eval 0,78] [%emt 00:00:49]} Bd6 {(Bd6) [%eval 0,67] [%emt 00:00:56]}
65.Kg4 {(Nf2) [%eval 0,72] [%emt 00:01:59]} Rg2 {(Ke6) [%eval 1,51] [%emt 00:00:56]}
66.Kf5 {(Kf3) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:00:18]} Re2 {(Rg1) [%eval 0,61] [%emt 00:00:48]}
67.a4 {(a4) [%eval 0,69] [%emt 00:00:18]} Nd7 {(Rh2) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:00:59]}
68.a5 {(a5) [%eval 0,78] [%emt 00:00:18]} Nb8 {(Nb8) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:03:44]}
69.a6 {(Nb4) [%eval 0,82] [%emt 00:00:23]} Nxa6 {(Nxa6) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:01:11]}
70.Nb4 {(Rc4) [%eval 0,83] [%emt 00:01:07]} Nxb4 {(Nxb4) [%eval 0,68] [%emt 00:00:53]}
71.b8=Q {(b8=Q) [%eval 0,111] [%emt 00:01:31]} Bxb8 {(Bxb8) [%eval 0,75] [%emt 00:03:56]}
72.Rxb8 {(Rxb8) [%eval 0,119] [%emt 00:00:12]}
1/2-1/2[/pgn]

[Graham Banks]

GAME 40

In the return game, Stockfish thought for 13 minutes before playing the seldom seen 3...Ne7, which led to the queens coming off early, and white still having the extra pawn.
There was some quite interesting play, as Stockfish castled queenside, but allowed its pawn structure to be wrecked, and for white to gain a passed a-pawn. And still a pawn down
Stockfish gained control down the d-file, and felt that white's advantage started to diminish when Komodo Dragon played 20. Ke3 rather than 20. g3.
In the ensuing double rook and pawns endgame (well worth paying through), Komodo Dragon gave back the extra pawn to get its queenside pawns on the move, but Stockfish always had things in hand, and the game was drawn.

[pgn][Event "SF v Komodo Dragon 16CPU"]
[Site "ChessGUI17"]
[Date "2022.06.15"]
[Round "20.2"]
[White "Dragon 3 by Komodo 64-bit 16CPU"]
[Black "Stockfish 15 64-bit 16CPU"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Time "7:53:11 pm"]
[ECO "D08"]
[Opening "Albin Countergambit; Cavalotti Var, QGD; D08"]
[TimeControl "7200+30"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[Number "40"]
[Termination "GUI TB adjudication"]
[WhiteType "program"]
[BlackType "program"]
[Variant "normal"]

{ AMD Ryzen 9 5950X 16-Core Processor 3.40 GHz }
1.d4 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} d5 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
2.c4 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} e5 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
3.dxe5 {[%eval 95,36] [%emt 00:01:58]} Ne7 {(d4) [%eval -75,49] [%emt 00:13:35]}
4.cxd5 {(f4) [%eval 97,39] [%emt 00:08:12]} Qxd5 {(Qxd5) [%eval -86,47] [%emt 00:01:02]}
5.Qxd5 {(Qxd5) [%eval 82,41] [%emt 00:06:03]} Nxd5 {(Nxd5) [%eval -71,47] [%emt 00:02:38]}
6.a3 {(a3) [%eval 92,39] [%emt 00:03:13]} Nc6 {(Nc6) [%eval -75,50] [%emt 00:01:54]}
7.Nf3 {(Nf3) [%eval 95,38] [%emt 00:02:37]} h6 {(Be6) [%eval -81,48] [%emt 00:02:16]}
8.h4 {(e4) [%eval 109,36] [%emt 00:02:13]} g6 {(Be6) [%eval -77,49] [%emt 00:06:45]}
9.e4 {(e4) [%eval 80,43] [%emt 00:02:59]} Nb6 {(Nb6) [%eval -94,51] [%emt 00:01:44]}
10.Nc3 {(Nc3) [%eval 89,43] [%emt 00:02:24]} Be6 {(Bd7) [%eval -84,50] [%emt 00:06:05]}
11.Be3 {(Be3) [%eval 99,41] [%emt 00:09:37]} O-O-O {(O-O-O) [%eval -88,51] [%emt 00:01:32]}
12.Bb5 {(Bb5) [%eval 94,42] [%emt 00:02:11]} Nc4 {(Nc4) [%eval -87,50] [%emt 00:03:05]}
13.Bxc6 {(Bxc6) [%eval 99,42] [%emt 00:02:13]} bxc6 {(bxc6) [%eval -90,47] [%emt 00:02:44]}
14.Bxa7 {(Bxa7) [%eval 92,39] [%emt 00:02:14]} Bg7 {(Bg7) [%eval -87,50] [%emt 00:02:04]}
15.Nd4 {(Nd4) [%eval 102,43] [%emt 00:02:35]} Nxe5 {(Nxe5) [%eval -86,48] [%emt 00:02:05]}
16.Nxe6 {(Nxe6) [%eval 121,41] [%emt 00:01:54]} Nd3 {(Nd3) [%eval -86,58] [%emt 00:13:59]}
17.Ke2 {(Ke2) [%eval 120,44] [%emt 00:02:06]} fxe6 {(fxe6) [%eval -78,56] [%emt 00:01:16]}
18.Rab1 {(Rab1) [%eval 106,42] [%emt 00:02:17]} Bd4 {(Bd4) [%eval -109,56] [%emt 00:05:16]}
19.Bxd4 {(Bxd4) [%eval 103,44] [%emt 00:03:22]} Rxd4 {(Rxd4) [%eval -99,59] [%emt 00:02:41]}
20.Ke3 {(g3) [%eval 95,45] [%emt 00:02:01]} c5 {(c5) [%eval -87,43] [%emt 00:01:30]}
21.Ne2 {(b4) [%eval 90,43] [%emt 00:04:00]} Rd6 {(Rd6) [%eval -74,49] [%emt 00:01:32]}
22.Nf4 {(Nf4) [%eval 83,46] [%emt 00:03:12]} Ne5 {(Ne5) [%eval -41,49] [%emt 00:02:14]}
23.Rbc1 {(Rhc1) [%eval 92,44] [%emt 00:02:34]} Rf8 {(Rf8) [%eval -21,50] [%emt 00:01:57]}
24.Rxc5 {(Rxc5) [%eval 78,47] [%emt 00:03:19]} Ng4 {(Ng4) [%eval -19,49] [%emt 00:01:39]}
25.Kf3 {(Kf3) [%eval 57,48] [%emt 00:02:00]} Nxf2 {(Nxf2) [%eval -21,49] [%emt 00:01:43]}
26.Kxf2 {(Kxf2) [%eval 44,44] [%emt 00:01:58]} Rxf4 {(Rxf4) [%eval -10,46] [%emt 00:01:37]}
27.Ke3 {(Ke3) [%eval 68,46] [%emt 00:04:37]} Rg4 {(Rg4) [%eval -17,49] [%emt 00:01:29]}
28.Rhc1 {(Rhc1) [%eval 55,44] [%emt 00:01:50]} Rd7 {(Rd7) [%eval -7,47] [%emt 00:01:41]}
29.R1c2 {(R1c2) [%eval 54,44] [%emt 00:02:10]} Rxh4 {(Rxh4) [%eval 0,57] [%emt 00:02:43]}
30.Rc6 {(Re5) [%eval 54,44] [%emt 00:01:48]} Re7 {(h5) [%eval 0,58] [%emt 00:03:17]}
31.a4 {(a4) [%eval 30,46] [%emt 00:03:18]} Rg4 {(Rg4) [%eval 0,58] [%emt 00:03:02]}
32.Kd4 {(a5) [%eval 14,46] [%emt 00:01:32]} Rg5 {(e5) [%eval 0,61] [%emt 00:01:52]}
33.b4 {(b4) [%eval 25,48] [%emt 00:02:12]} h5 {(h5) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:01:36]}
34.b5 {(a5) [%eval 19,46] [%emt 00:02:03]} Kb7 {(Kb7) [%eval 0,56] [%emt 00:01:31]}
35.Kc3 {(R6c5) [%eval 12,46] [%emt 00:04:06]} h4 {(Rg3) [%eval 0,68] [%emt 00:01:30]}
36.Kb4 {(Kb4) [%eval 6,47] [%emt 00:01:18]} Rg4 {(Rg3) [%eval 0,68] [%emt 00:01:22]}
37.R6c4 {(R6c4) [%eval 3,48] [%emt 00:01:33]} Rf4 {(Rf4) [%eval 0,71] [%emt 00:02:00]}
38.a5 {(a5) [%eval 2,47] [%emt 00:02:17]} e5 {(Rf1) [%eval 0,70] [%emt 00:01:35]}
39.a6 {(a6) [%eval 2,45] [%emt 00:01:46]} Kb8 {(Kb8) [%eval 0,72] [%emt 00:01:31]}
40.Ka5 {(Rd2) [%eval 2,53] [%emt 00:02:02]} Rd7 {(Rd7) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:01:25]}
41.Rc6 {(Rc6) [%eval 0,52] [%emt 00:05:44]} Rxe4 {(Rxe4) [%eval 0,66] [%emt 00:01:19]}
42.Rxg6 {(Rxg6) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:01:27]} Red4 {(Red4) [%eval 0,67] [%emt 00:02:07]}
43.Rc5 {(Rc5) [%eval 0,63] [%emt 00:01:30]} e4 {(e4) [%eval 0,77] [%emt 00:01:42]}
44.Re5 {(Re5) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:02:46]} Rd8 {(Rd1) [%eval 0,75] [%emt 00:01:16]}
45.Rg7 {(Rg4) [%eval 0,60] [%emt 00:01:20]} Rc4 {(Rc4) [%eval 0,70] [%emt 00:02:04]}
46.b6 {(b6) [%eval 0,68] [%emt 00:02:10]} cxb6 {(cxb6) [%eval 0,95] [%emt 00:01:32]}
47.Kxb6 {(Kxb6) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:05:19]} Rb4 {(Rb4) [%eval 0,93] [%emt 00:01:22]}
48.Rb5 {(Kc5) [%eval 0,67] [%emt 00:01:19]} Rxb5 {(Rxb5) [%eval 0,88] [%emt 00:01:31]}
49.Kxb5 {(Kxb5) [%eval 0,70] [%emt 00:01:12]} Re8 {(Rd5) [%eval 0,98] [%emt 00:02:47]}
50.Kc6 {(Rb7) [%eval 0,68] [%emt 00:00:53]} e3 {(e3) [%eval 0,96] [%emt 00:01:28]}
51.Rb7 {(Rb7) [%eval 0,68] [%emt 00:00:46]} Ka8 {(Ka8) [%eval 0,97] [%emt 00:02:01]}
52.Rb1 {(Rb1) [%eval 0,70] [%emt 00:01:30]} e2 {(Re6) [%eval 0,90] [%emt 00:01:25]}
53.Re1 {(Re1) [%eval 0,71] [%emt 00:01:30]} h3 {(Ka7) [%eval 0,107] [%emt 00:01:36]}
54.gxh3 {(gxh3) [%eval 0,78] [%emt 00:01:04]} Re3 {(Re6) [%eval 0,138] [%emt 00:01:07]}
55.Kd6 {(Kc5) [%eval 0,76] [%emt 00:00:45]} Rd3 {(Rxh3) [%eval 0,147] [%emt 00:01:03]}
56.Kc7 {(Ke6) [%eval 0,92] [%emt 00:00:52]} Rc3 {(Rxh3) [%eval 0,132] [%emt 00:02:00]}
57.Kb6 {(Kd7) [%eval 0,93] [%emt 00:00:32]} Rxh3 {(Rxh3) [%eval 0,160] [%emt 00:01:10]}
58.Rxe2 {(Rxe2) [%eval 0,99] [%emt 00:00:03]}
1/2-1/2[/pgn]

[Graham Banks]

Benko Gambit

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 *

Originating from a Benoni Defense, black sacrifices a pawn on move 3 to strike back against the white center.

Unlike many other opening gambits, the Benko Gambit is unique in that black’s pawn sacrifice is not intended to generate an attack. Instead, black intends to generate long-term positional pressure against the white queenside.

https://chesspathways.com/benko-gambit/

[Graham Banks]

GAME 41

Stockfish decided to return the pawn early, and obtained some dangerous looking play on the kingside.
With 22. Rxd6, Stockfish sacced the exchange for a pawn, in pursuit of its kingside attack, but Komodo Dragon was able to hold, as can be seen in the position after 29...Nf4.
A series of exchanges following, in which the queens also came off, but again, while there was some interesting play in the endgame, neither engine saw an advantage, and the game played out to a draw.

[pgn][Event "SF v Komodo Dragon 16CPU"]
[Site "ChessGUI17"]
[Date "2022.06.16"]
[Round "21.1"]
[White "Stockfish 15 64-bit 16CPU"]
[Black "Dragon 3 by Komodo 64-bit 16CPU"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Time "12:32:39 am"]
[ECO "A57"]
[Opening "Modern Variation, Benko Gambit"]
[TimeControl "7200+30"]
[PlyCount "190"]
[Number "41"]
[Termination "GUI adjudication"]
[BlackType "program"]
[WhiteType "program"]
[Variant "normal"]

{ AMD Ryzen 9 5950X 16-Core Processor 3.40 GHz }
1.d4 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} Nf6 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
2.c4 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} c5 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
3.d5 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} b5 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
4.cxb5 {[%eval 63,50] [%emt 00:03:15]} a6 {(a6) [%eval -94,37] [%emt 00:02:21]}
5.e3 {(bxa6) [%eval 74,45] [%emt 00:02:08]} axb5 {(Bb7) [%eval -70,44] [%emt 00:12:34]}
6.Bxb5 {(Bxb5) [%eval 71,50] [%emt 00:01:35]} Qa5 {(Bb7) [%eval -62,44] [%emt 00:09:37]}
7.Nc3 {(Nc3) [%eval 63,51] [%emt 00:02:37]} Bb7 {(Bb7) [%eval -61,44] [%emt 00:02:15]}
8.Bd2 {(Bd2) [%eval 68,53] [%emt 00:01:46]} Qb6 {(Qb6) [%eval -63,42] [%emt 00:03:49]}
9.a4 {(a4) [%eval 55,54] [%emt 00:13:38]} Nxd5 {(Nxd5) [%eval -61,44] [%emt 00:02:57]}
10.Nf3 {(Nf3) [%eval 76,52] [%emt 00:03:39]} e6 {(e6) [%eval -75,42] [%emt 00:03:17]}
11.O-O {(O-O) [%eval 62,49] [%emt 00:02:59]} Nb4 {(Be7) [%eval -62,43] [%emt 00:09:00]}
12.e4 {(Ne5) [%eval 85,50] [%emt 00:03:12]} Be7 {(Be7) [%eval -73,41] [%emt 00:01:54]}
13.Bf4 {(Bf4) [%eval 60,50] [%emt 00:09:31]} O-O {(O-O) [%eval -60,40] [%emt 00:02:52]}
14.Ne5 {(Ne5) [%eval 67,49] [%emt 00:01:11]} Qd8 {(Qd8) [%eval -69,42] [%emt 00:02:02]}
15.Qg4 {(Qg4) [%eval 55,53] [%emt 00:06:09]} d6 {(d6) [%eval -47,42] [%emt 00:13:56]}
16.Rad1 {(Rad1) [%eval 36,51] [%emt 00:02:55]} N8c6 {(N8c6) [%eval -56,41] [%emt 00:01:56]}
17.Nf3 {(Nf3) [%eval 35,47] [%emt 00:02:17]} Qb8 {(Qb8) [%eval -45,39] [%emt 00:01:57]}
18.Qg3 {(Qg3) [%eval 34,50] [%emt 00:01:40]} e5 {(e5) [%eval -37,39] [%emt 00:02:14]}
19.Bh6 {(Bh6) [%eval 39,48] [%emt 00:01:50]} Bf6 {(Bf6) [%eval -48,44] [%emt 00:03:08]}
20.Bxc6 {(Bxc6) [%eval 32,52] [%emt 00:02:04]} Bxc6 {(Bxc6) [%eval -28,45] [%emt 00:02:57]}
21.Nh4 {(Nh4) [%eval 21,51] [%emt 00:02:24]} Kh8 {(Kh8) [%eval -28,48] [%emt 00:01:34]}
22.Rxd6 {(Rxd6) [%eval 26,52] [%emt 00:02:17]} Rg8 {(Rg8) [%eval -33,49] [%emt 00:07:13]}
23.Rxf6 {(Rxf6) [%eval 19,56] [%emt 00:01:49]} gxf6 {(gxf6) [%eval -28,43] [%emt 00:01:26]}
24.Qf3 {(Qf3) [%eval 16,51] [%emt 00:01:47]} Qd6 {(Qd6) [%eval -28,43] [%emt 00:01:10]}
25.Nf5 {(Nf5) [%eval 16,52] [%emt 00:01:59]} Qe6 {(Qe6) [%eval -28,48] [%emt 00:03:31]}
26.Be3 {(Be3) [%eval 16,51] [%emt 00:02:21]} Nd3 {(Nd3) [%eval -28,49] [%emt 00:01:45]}
27.Nh6 {(Nh6) [%eval 25,52] [%emt 00:02:01]} Rg6 {(Rg6) [%eval -28,49] [%emt 00:02:09]}
28.h4 {(h4) [%eval 21,50] [%emt 00:02:09]} c4 {(c4) [%eval -28,49] [%emt 00:02:06]}
29.Nf5 {(Rb1) [%eval 13,53] [%emt 00:07:01]} Nf4 {(Nf4) [%eval -21,41] [%emt 00:01:14]}
30.g3 {(g3) [%eval 9,55] [%emt 00:02:40]} Rd8 {(Qxf5) [%eval -10,41] [%emt 00:01:15]}
31.Bxf4 {(Bxf4) [%eval 18,49] [%emt 00:01:33]} exf4 {(exf4) [%eval -16,43] [%emt 00:01:12]}
32.Qxf4 {(Qxf4) [%eval 8,52] [%emt 00:02:45]} Qe5 {(Qe5) [%eval -8,47] [%emt 00:01:18]}
33.Qxe5 {(Qxe5) [%eval 14,55] [%emt 00:01:38]} fxe5 {(fxe5) [%eval -8,45] [%emt 00:02:09]}
34.a5 {(a5) [%eval 10,55] [%emt 00:01:50]} Rd2 {(Rd2) [%eval -7,46] [%emt 00:01:14]}
35.Rb1 {(Rb1) [%eval 6,57] [%emt 00:02:14]} Bd7 {(Bd7) [%eval -10,47] [%emt 00:01:36]}
36.Ne3 {(Ne3) [%eval 6,55] [%emt 00:02:30]} Rc6 {(Rc6) [%eval -7,51] [%emt 00:01:52]}
37.Nf1 {(Nf1) [%eval 6,57] [%emt 00:05:40]} Rd4 {(Rd4) [%eval -6,49] [%emt 00:01:08]}
38.Ne3 {(Ra1) [%eval 5,57] [%emt 00:01:32]} Rd2 {(Be6) [%eval -4,49] [%emt 00:02:46]}
39.Nf1 {(Kf1) [%eval 6,60] [%emt 00:01:19]} Rd4 {(Rdd6) [%eval -7,53] [%emt 00:01:38]}
40.Ra1 {(Ra1) [%eval 5,57] [%emt 00:01:50]} Be6 {(Be6) [%eval -7,54] [%emt 00:01:42]}
41.Ne3 {(Ne3) [%eval 5,57] [%emt 00:01:27]} Ra6 {(Rd7) [%eval -6,52] [%emt 00:03:59]}
42.Kg2 {(Kg2) [%eval 2,59] [%emt 00:02:24]} Rd2 {(Rd2) [%eval -4,49] [%emt 00:01:22]}
43.Ra2 {(Ra2) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:01:12]} Rd7 {(Rd7) [%eval -1,49] [%emt 00:01:00]}
44.Ncd5 {(Ncd5) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:01:28]} f5 {(f5) [%eval -1,52] [%emt 00:01:18]}
45.Nc3 {(Kf3) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:04:16]} fxe4 {(fxe4) [%eval 0,53] [%emt 00:01:00]}
46.Ra4 {(Ra4) [%eval 0,63] [%emt 00:00:51]} Rb7 {(Rb7) [%eval 0,55] [%emt 00:00:55]}
47.Nxc4 {(Nxe4) [%eval 0,68] [%emt 00:01:11]} e3 {(e3) [%eval 0,55] [%emt 00:02:20]}
48.fxe3 {(fxe3) [%eval 0,70] [%emt 00:01:52]} Bxc4 {(Bxc4) [%eval 0,60] [%emt 00:01:39]}
49.Rxc4 {(Rxc4) [%eval 0,78] [%emt 00:03:24]} Rxb2 {(Rxb2) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:00:51]}
50.Kf3 {(Kf3) [%eval 0,81] [%emt 00:01:40]} Rxa5 {(Rc2) [%eval 0,63] [%emt 00:00:54]}
51.Rc8 {(Rc8) [%eval 0,68] [%emt 00:01:06]} Kg7 {(Kg7) [%eval 0,5] [%emt 00:00:00]}
52.Rc7 {(Rc7) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:00:59]} Kg6 {(Kg8) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:01:45]}
53.Rc6 {(Rc6) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:01:06]} Kg7 {(Kg7) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:03:27]}
54.Rc7 {(Rc7) [%eval 0,68] [%emt 00:01:16]} Kg6 {(Kh6) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:02:46]}
55.Rc6 {(Rc6) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:01:04]} Kg7 {(Kg7) [%eval 0,66] [%emt 00:00:27]}
56.Ne4 {(Ne4) [%eval 0,68] [%emt 00:04:57]} h5 {(h5) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:02:15]}
57.Rc7 {(Rc7) [%eval 0,68] [%emt 00:00:16]} Kg6 {(Kg6) [%eval 0,57] [%emt 00:00:50]}
58.Rc6 {(Re7) [%eval 0,66] [%emt 00:00:25]} Kg7 {(Kg7) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:00:22]}
59.Rc7 {(Rc7) [%eval 0,68] [%emt 00:00:24]} Kg6 {(Kg6) [%eval 0,66] [%emt 00:00:19]}
60.g4 {(Rc6) [%eval 0,78] [%emt 00:02:20]} hxg4 {(hxg4) [%eval 0,57] [%emt 00:00:23]}
61.Kxg4 {(Kxg4) [%eval 0,75] [%emt 00:00:16]} Rg2 {(Rg2) [%eval 0,60] [%emt 00:00:25]}
62.Kf3 {(Kf3) [%eval 0,73] [%emt 00:00:15]} Rg1 {(Rg1) [%eval 0,59] [%emt 00:00:24]}
63.Ng3 {(Rc6) [%eval 0,72] [%emt 00:00:16]} Kf6 {(Kf6) [%eval 0,52] [%emt 00:00:19]}
64.Rc6 {(Rc6) [%eval 0,72] [%emt 00:00:25]} Kf7 {(Kf7) [%eval 0,59] [%emt 00:00:26]}
65.h5 {(h5) [%eval 0,77] [%emt 00:00:24]} Ra8 {(Ra4) [%eval 0,61] [%emt 00:00:21]}
66.h6 {(Kf2) [%eval 0,71] [%emt 00:00:19]} Rf8 {(Rf8) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:00:22]}
67.Nf5 {(Kf2) [%eval 0,73] [%emt 00:00:22]} Rg6 {(Kg8) [%eval 0,60] [%emt 00:00:32]}
68.Rc5 {(Rc7) [%eval 0,72] [%emt 00:00:21]} Kf6 {(Kf6) [%eval 0,60] [%emt 00:00:25]}
69.e4 {(e4) [%eval 0,70] [%emt 00:00:24]} Rg1 {(Rg1) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:00:36]}
70.h7 {(h7) [%eval 0,76] [%emt 00:00:24]} Rh8 {(Rh8) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:00:27]}
71.Ne3 {(Ne3) [%eval 0,74] [%emt 00:00:31]} Kg6 {(Rxh7) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:01:42]}
72.Rxe5 {(Rxe5) [%eval 0,79] [%emt 00:00:23]} Rxh7 {(Rxh7) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:00:50]}
73.Kf2 {(Re6) [%eval 0,73] [%emt 00:00:26]} Rgh1 {(Ra1) [%eval 0,55] [%emt 00:00:22]}
74.Ng4 {(Kf3) [%eval 0,73] [%emt 00:00:30]} Rf7 {(Ra1) [%eval 0,58] [%emt 00:00:19]}
75.Kg2 {(Kg2) [%eval 0,103] [%emt 00:02:58]} Re1 {(Ra1) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:00:19]}
76.Nf2 {(Rf5) [%eval 0,93] [%emt 00:00:13]} Ra7 {(Rxf2) [%eval 0,61] [%emt 00:00:21]}
77.Rf5 {(Rf5) [%eval 0,88] [%emt 00:00:17]} Kg7 {(Ra2) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:00:26]}
78.Kg3 {(Kf3) [%eval 0,245] [%emt 00:00:13]} Ra8 {(Rf1) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:00:22]}
79.e5 {(Rg5) [%eval 0,72] [%emt 00:00:28]} Rg1 {(Ra3) [%eval 0,54] [%emt 00:00:19]}
80.Kh2 {(Kf3) [%eval 0,79] [%emt 00:00:30]} Rg6 {(Rf1) [%eval 0,55] [%emt 00:00:24]}
81.Rf3 {(Nh3) [%eval 0,81] [%emt 00:00:15]} Ra2 {(Rh8) [%eval 0,60] [%emt 00:00:26]}
82.Rf4 {(Kh3) [%eval 0,73] [%emt 00:00:41]} Rg5 {(Rh6) [%eval 4,49] [%emt 00:00:50]}
83.e6 {(e6) [%eval 0,79] [%emt 00:01:41]} Re5 {(Rxf2) [%eval 4,54] [%emt 00:00:58]}
84.Kg3 {(Kg3) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:00:11]} Re3 {(Rxe6) [%eval 4,53] [%emt 00:00:48]}
85.Kg4 {(Rf3) [%eval 0,66] [%emt 00:00:09]} Rxe6 {(Rxe6) [%eval 4,53] [%emt 00:00:29]}
86.Rf3 {(Kg3) [%eval 0,63] [%emt 00:00:10]} Rg6 {(Rg6) [%eval 4,53] [%emt 00:00:18]}
87.Kh3 {(Kh3) [%eval 0,66] [%emt 00:00:13]} Rh6 {(Rh6) [%eval 4,53] [%emt 00:00:19]}
88.Kg3 {(Kg3) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:00:22]} Re6 {(Kg8) [%eval 4,48] [%emt 00:00:21]}
89.Kg2 {(Kg4) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:00:17]} Rea6 {(Rae2) [%eval 4,52] [%emt 00:00:27]}
90.Kh3 {(Kg3) [%eval 0,67] [%emt 00:00:18]} Kg6 {(Rc6) [%eval 4,53] [%emt 00:00:24]}
91.Nd3 {(Kg4) [%eval 0,59] [%emt 00:00:22]} R6a5 {(Kh7) [%eval 4,52] [%emt 00:00:29]}
92.Nf2 {(Nf2) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:00:26]} Rh5 {(Ra6) [%eval 4,52] [%emt 00:00:24]}
93.Kg3 {(Kg3) [%eval 0,66] [%emt 00:00:24]} Rh8 {(Rg5) [%eval 4,54] [%emt 00:00:28]}
94.Rf4 {(Kg4) [%eval 0,76] [%emt 00:00:28]} Rha8 {(Ra3) [%eval 4,54] [%emt 00:00:27]}
95.Kg2 {(Rf3) [%eval 0,77] [%emt 00:00:28]} Kh5 {(Rxf2) [%eval 4,53] [%emt 00:00:23]}
1/2-1/2[/pgn]

[Graham Banks]

GAME 42

The return game followed exactly the same path, until Komodo Dragon played 26. Be3 in preference to the Stockfish choice of 26. Nf5.
Although white's attack didn't appear to be going anywhere, Stockfish still felt that giving back the exchange to go into a Queen, rook and pawns endgame (4 pawns each), was the safest option.
The queens plus a pair of rooks then came off, leaving a drawn rook and pawn endgame, despite the 3 on 2 pawns on the kingside.

[pgn][Event "SF v Komodo Dragon 16CPU"]
[Site "ChessGUI17"]
[Date "2022.06.16"]
[Round "21.2"]
[White "Dragon 3 by Komodo 64-bit 16CPU"]
[Black "Stockfish 15 64-bit 16CPU"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Time "6:01:31 am"]
[ECO "A57"]
[Opening "Modern Variation, Benko Gambit"]
[TimeControl "7200+30"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[Number "42"]
[Termination "GUI adjudication"]
[WhiteType "program"]
[BlackType "program"]
[Variant "normal"]

{ AMD Ryzen 9 5950X 16-Core Processor 3.40 GHz }
1.d4 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} Nf6 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
2.c4 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} c5 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
3.d5 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} b5 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
4.cxb5 {[%eval 94,38] [%emt 00:02:03]} a6 {(a6) [%eval -77,51] [%emt 00:04:19]}
5.e3 {(e3) [%eval 102,40] [%emt 00:06:22]} Bb7 {(axb5) [%eval -65,52] [%emt 00:07:18]}
6.Nc3 {(Nc3) [%eval 74,42] [%emt 00:03:27]} axb5 {(axb5) [%eval -65,54] [%emt 00:05:47]}
7.Bxb5 {(Bxb5) [%eval 79,44] [%emt 00:04:16]} Qa5 {(Qa5) [%eval -71,53] [%emt 00:01:25]}
8.Bd2 {(Bd2) [%eval 67,42] [%emt 00:05:34]} Qb6 {(Qb6) [%eval -51,52] [%emt 00:01:55]}
9.a4 {(Nf3) [%eval 61,44] [%emt 00:06:00]} Nxd5 {(Nxd5) [%eval -48,50] [%emt 00:02:12]}
10.Nf3 {(Nf3) [%eval 53,41] [%emt 00:05:02]} e6 {(e6) [%eval -44,50] [%emt 00:03:13]}
11.O-O {(e4) [%eval 64,40] [%emt 00:02:44]} Nb4 {(Nb4) [%eval -44,55] [%emt 00:13:10]}
12.e4 {(e4) [%eval 71,43] [%emt 00:08:58]} Be7 {(Be7) [%eval -69,49] [%emt 00:03:33]}
13.Bf4 {(Ne5) [%eval 79,43] [%emt 00:06:56]} O-O {(N8c6) [%eval -41,51] [%emt 00:05:11]}
14.Ne5 {(Bxb8) [%eval 68,41] [%emt 00:02:59]} Qd8 {(Qd8) [%eval -41,52] [%emt 00:01:17]}
15.Qg4 {(Bxd7) [%eval 72,40] [%emt 00:01:56]} d6 {(N8c6) [%eval -27,49] [%emt 00:03:51]}
16.Rad1 {(Rad1) [%eval 72,41] [%emt 00:03:52]} N8c6 {(N8c6) [%eval -42,50] [%emt 00:02:43]}
17.Nf3 {(Nf3) [%eval 64,39] [%emt 00:02:55]} Qb8 {(Qb8) [%eval -36,53] [%emt 00:03:40]}
18.Qg3 {(Qg3) [%eval 51,38] [%emt 00:02:08]} e5 {(e5) [%eval -26,50] [%emt 00:03:01]}
19.Bh6 {(Bh6) [%eval 61,42] [%emt 00:02:01]} Bf6 {(Bf6) [%eval -37,53] [%emt 00:02:45]}
20.Bxc6 {(Bxc6) [%eval 50,44] [%emt 00:03:18]} Bxc6 {(Bxc6) [%eval -26,51] [%emt 00:02:25]}
21.Nh4 {(Nh4) [%eval 44,45] [%emt 00:02:01]} Kh8 {(Kh8) [%eval -13,55] [%emt 00:02:06]}
22.Rxd6 {(Rxd6) [%eval 27,41] [%emt 00:01:58]} Rg8 {(Rg8) [%eval -26,55] [%emt 00:04:13]}
23.Rxf6 {(Rxf6) [%eval 26,44] [%emt 00:01:20]} gxf6 {(gxf6) [%eval -19,60] [%emt 00:02:51]}
24.Qf3 {(Qf3) [%eval 26,47] [%emt 00:01:44]} Qd6 {(Qd6) [%eval -16,54] [%emt 00:01:54]}
25.Be3 {(Nf5) [%eval 36,48] [%emt 00:06:21]} Nc2 {(Nc2) [%eval -5,54] [%emt 00:02:33]}
26.Nf5 {(Nf5) [%eval 23,43] [%emt 00:01:56]} Qf8 {(Qf8) [%eval -3,55] [%emt 00:04:36]}
27.g3 {(g3) [%eval 37,44] [%emt 00:01:37]} Bd7 {(Bd7) [%eval -7,58] [%emt 00:02:13]}
28.Nd5 {(Nd5) [%eval 23,42] [%emt 00:01:31]} Bxf5 {(Bxf5) [%eval -4,59] [%emt 00:02:53]}
29.Qxf5 {(Qxf5) [%eval 24,45] [%emt 00:01:30]} Qd6 {(Qd6) [%eval -15,51] [%emt 00:02:07]}
30.Nxf6 {(Nxf6) [%eval 13,43] [%emt 00:02:20]} Rg7 {(Rg7) [%eval -9,56] [%emt 00:01:31]}
31.Nd5 {(Ng4) [%eval 13,48] [%emt 00:01:15]} Nd4 {(Nd4) [%eval 0,56] [%emt 00:02:04]}
32.Bxd4 {(Bxd4) [%eval 16,49] [%emt 00:04:16]} exd4 {(exd4) [%eval 0,63] [%emt 00:01:56]}
33.Rc1 {(Rc1) [%eval 13,51] [%emt 00:01:51]} Qe6 {(Re8) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:01:55]}
34.Qf3 {(Qf3) [%eval 12,48] [%emt 00:01:21]} Rxa4 {(Rxa4) [%eval 0,63] [%emt 00:01:45]}
35.Qd1 {(b3) [%eval 11,50] [%emt 00:01:21]} Qxe4 {(Qxe4) [%eval 0,59] [%emt 00:01:24]}
36.Qxa4 {(Qxa4) [%eval 11,56] [%emt 00:01:31]} Qxd5 {(Qxd5) [%eval 0,74] [%emt 00:02:03]}
37.Qe8 {(Qb5) [%eval 11,58] [%emt 00:01:33]} Rg8 {(Rg8) [%eval 0,39] [%emt 00:00:01]}
38.Qb5 {(Qb5) [%eval 11,60] [%emt 00:01:59]} Rg5 {(Rg5) [%eval 0,76] [%emt 00:01:34]}
39.b4 {(b4) [%eval 11,59] [%emt 00:01:49]} cxb4 {(cxb4) [%eval 0,76] [%emt 00:01:56]}
40.Qxb4 {(Rc8) [%eval 11,60] [%emt 00:02:42]} Kg7 {(Qd8) [%eval 0,69] [%emt 00:01:33]}
41.Rd1 {(Rd1) [%eval 11,61] [%emt 00:01:21]} Qc5 {(Qc5) [%eval 0,78] [%emt 00:01:33]}
42.Qxc5 {(Rxd4) [%eval 11,68] [%emt 00:01:42]} Rxc5 {(Rxc5) [%eval 0,84] [%emt 00:01:27]}
43.Rxd4 {(Rxd4) [%eval 11,67] [%emt 00:04:11]} Ra5 {(Kh8) [%eval 0,81] [%emt 00:01:24]}
44.Rg4 {(Rg4) [%eval 11,67] [%emt 00:04:51]} Kh8 {(Kf6) [%eval 0,84] [%emt 00:01:12]}
45.Rf4 {(Rh4) [%eval 11,65] [%emt 00:01:24]} Kg8 {(Kg7) [%eval 0,83] [%emt 00:01:23]}
46.h4 {(Rh4) [%eval 11,66] [%emt 00:02:45]} Rb5 {(Kg7) [%eval 0,77] [%emt 00:01:31]}
47.g4 {(Kh1) [%eval 12,61] [%emt 00:01:22]} h6 {(Kg7) [%eval 0,78] [%emt 00:01:11]}
48.Kh2 {(Kg2) [%eval 12,64] [%emt 00:00:57]} Rb6 {(Kg7) [%eval 0,82] [%emt 00:01:17]}
49.Rf5 {(f3) [%eval 12,65] [%emt 00:00:53]} Kg7 {(Rb3) [%eval 0,79] [%emt 00:01:13]}
50.Rh5 {(f3) [%eval 12,62] [%emt 00:01:04]} Kg6 {(Rb3) [%eval 0,81] [%emt 00:01:15]}
51.Rc5 {(Kg3) [%eval 12,63] [%emt 00:02:04]} Rb3 {(Rb3) [%eval 0,80] [%emt 00:01:08]}
52.Kg2 {(Rf5) [%eval 12,55] [%emt 00:03:23]} Kh7 {(Kg7) [%eval 0,91] [%emt 00:01:31]}
53.Rf5 {(Rf5) [%eval 12,58] [%emt 00:00:37]} Kg7 {(Kg7) [%eval 0,84] [%emt 00:01:32]}
54.Rd5 {(f3) [%eval 12,62] [%emt 00:02:42]} Rb4 {(Rb4) [%eval 0,83] [%emt 00:01:39]}
55.f3 {(f3) [%eval 12,58] [%emt 00:01:27]} Rb2 {(Rb3) [%eval 0,80] [%emt 00:01:05]}
56.Kg3 {(Kg3) [%eval 12,59] [%emt 00:01:48]} Rb4 {(Rb4) [%eval 0,83] [%emt 00:01:47]}
57.Rf5 {(Rh5) [%eval 12,48] [%emt 00:00:33]} Rb6 {(Rb2) [%eval 0,83] [%emt 00:01:17]}
58.Rc5 {(Ra5) [%eval 12,59] [%emt 00:00:19]} Rb4 {(Rb3) [%eval 0,80] [%emt 00:01:16]}
59.Ra5 {(Re5) [%eval 12,48] [%emt 00:00:40]} Rb8 {(Rb3) [%eval 0,78] [%emt 00:01:42]}
60.Ra6 {(Re5) [%eval 12,62] [%emt 00:00:21]} Rb5 {(Rb1) [%eval 0,85] [%emt 00:08:12]}
61.Rd6 {(h5) [%eval 12,59] [%emt 00:00:38]} Rb4 {(Rb4) [%eval 0,82] [%emt 00:00:15]}
62.Rd8 {(Ra6) [%eval 12,48] [%emt 00:00:30]} Kh7 {(Rb2) [%eval 0,79] [%emt 00:00:19]}
63.Rd6 {(Rd1) [%eval 12,56] [%emt 00:00:30]} Kg7 {(Rb1) [%eval 0,80] [%emt 00:00:25]}
64.Rd2 {(Ra6) [%eval 12,60] [%emt 00:00:29]} Rb8 {(Rb1) [%eval 0,245] [%emt 00:01:24]}
65.Rc2 {(Rd7) [%eval 12,57] [%emt 00:00:29]}
1/2-1/2[/pgn]

[Graham Banks]

C02 French Defence - Advance Variation, Milner-Barry Gambit

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. Bd3 *

Recently, the Milner-Barry Gambit in the Advance Variation of the French has gained in popularity again. In the old main lines White was often ready to sacrifice both central pawns to open files against Black's king in the centre.
In recent games various strong players have fallen victim of a new concept in this line in which White quickly brings up the h-pawn to restrict mobility on the kingside. The lack of space often leads to mistakes by Black and gives White good attacking chances.

https://en.chessbase.com/post/robert-ri ... rry-gambit

[Graham Banks]

GAME 43

Komodo Dragon returned the gambit pawn in return for pressure down the semi-open c-file, where there was a weak pawn on c3.
However, in the following sequence of moves, mass exchanges led to a pretty lifeless looking endgame, in which each side had two rooks, a bishop (opposite colours) and 4 kingside pawns.
Sounds like the recipe for a draw, and although it took a while to get there, that was indeed the result.

[pgn][Event "SF v Komodo Dragon 16CPU"]
[Site "ChessGUI17"]
[Date "2022.06.16"]
[Round "22.1"]
[White "Stockfish 15 64-bit 16CPU"]
[Black "Dragon 3 by Komodo 64-bit 16CPU"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Time "11:01:15 am"]
[ECO "C02"]
[Opening "Milner-Barry Gambit, French"]
[TimeControl "7200+30"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[Number "43"]
[Termination "GUI adjudication"]
[BlackType "program"]
[WhiteType "program"]
[Variant "normal"]

{ AMD Ryzen 9 5950X 16-Core Processor 3.40 GHz }
1.e4 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} e6 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
2.d4 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} d5 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
3.e5 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} c5 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
4.c3 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} Nc6 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
5.Nf3 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} Qb6 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
6.Bd3 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} cxd4 {[%eval -9,35] [%emt 00:01:53]}
7.O-O {(O-O) [%eval 0,52] [%emt 00:07:24]} Bd7 {(Bd7) [%eval -17,37] [%emt 00:02:44]}
8.Nbd2 {(Nbd2) [%eval 14,48] [%emt 00:01:49]} Nge7 {(Nge7) [%eval -8,40] [%emt 00:04:18]}
9.Nb3 {(Nb3) [%eval 10,51] [%emt 00:01:59]} dxc3 {(dxc3) [%eval -9,40] [%emt 00:02:12]}
10.bxc3 {(bxc3) [%eval 0,50] [%emt 00:03:07]} Qc7 {(Qc7) [%eval -8,40] [%emt 00:02:34]}
11.Qe2 {(Qe2) [%eval 0,49] [%emt 00:03:17]} Nc8 {(Ng6) [%eval -9,40] [%emt 00:01:59]}
12.a4 {(a4) [%eval 0,49] [%emt 00:02:33]} Nb6 {(Nb6) [%eval -6,45] [%emt 00:03:45]}
13.h4 {(h4) [%eval 0,54] [%emt 00:13:33]} Nc4 {(Rc8) [%eval -9,44] [%emt 00:02:27]}
14.Bxc4 {(Bxc4) [%eval 0,51] [%emt 00:01:19]} dxc4 {(dxc4) [%eval 0,44] [%emt 00:06:00]}
15.Qxc4 {(Qxc4) [%eval 9,51] [%emt 00:02:00]} Rc8 {(Rc8) [%eval -6,48] [%emt 00:02:23]}
16.Qe4 {(Qe4) [%eval 0,58] [%emt 00:01:59]} Be7 {(Be7) [%eval -6,51] [%emt 00:03:09]}
17.Re1 {(Re1) [%eval 0,55] [%emt 00:02:27]} O-O {(O-O) [%eval -6,53] [%emt 00:02:42]}
18.Ng5 {(Ng5) [%eval 0,61] [%emt 00:01:57]} Bxg5 {(Bxg5) [%eval -6,55] [%emt 00:02:44]}
19.hxg5 {(hxg5) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:02:39]} Na5 {(Na5) [%eval -6,57] [%emt 00:02:13]}
20.Nxa5 {(Nxa5) [%eval 0,63] [%emt 00:02:22]} Qxa5 {(Qxa5) [%eval -6,58] [%emt 00:02:14]}
21.Qxb7 {(Qxb7) [%eval 0,70] [%emt 00:02:05]} Qxc3 {(Qxc3) [%eval -6,59] [%emt 00:02:18]}
22.Ba3 {(Ba3) [%eval 0,70] [%emt 00:01:56]} Rfd8 {(Rfd8) [%eval -6,59] [%emt 00:03:36]}
23.Qxa7 {(Qxa7) [%eval 0,71] [%emt 00:02:15]} Ra8 {(Ra8) [%eval -6,61] [%emt 00:05:30]}
24.Qe3 {(Qc5) [%eval 0,208] [%emt 00:02:30]} Qxe3 {(Qxe3) [%eval -6,62] [%emt 00:03:04]}
25.Rxe3 {(Rxe3) [%eval 0,69] [%emt 00:02:21]} Bxa4 {(Rdc8) [%eval -6,64] [%emt 00:15:22]}
26.Bd6 {(Rc3) [%eval 0,74] [%emt 00:01:57]} Bc2 {(Re8) [%eval -4,63] [%emt 00:01:54]}
27.Rf1 {(Rxa8) [%eval 0,245] [%emt 00:27:57]} Rdc8 {(Bg6) [%eval -4,63] [%emt 00:02:02]}
28.f3 {(Rc1) [%eval 0,61] [%emt 00:06:14]} Bg6 {(Ra2) [%eval -4,58] [%emt 00:01:35]}
29.Kf2 {(Ra3) [%eval 0,70] [%emt 00:01:21]} Ra2 {(Bf5) [%eval -3,57] [%emt 00:02:05]}
30.Kg3 {(Kg3) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:01:14]} Rcc2 {(Rcc2) [%eval -3,59] [%emt 00:01:50]}
31.Rg1 {(Rg1) [%eval 0,73] [%emt 00:01:16]} h5 {(Ra7) [%eval -2,57] [%emt 00:01:34]}
32.gxh6 {(gxh6) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:01:38]} gxh6 {(gxh6) [%eval -2,58] [%emt 00:01:59]}
33.Be7 {(Rb3) [%eval 0,76] [%emt 00:01:13]} Kh7 {(Kh7) [%eval -1,55] [%emt 00:02:13]}
34.Bf6 {(Ra3) [%eval 0,71] [%emt 00:01:11]} Bf5 {(Bf5) [%eval 0,66] [%emt 00:02:30]}
35.Rb3 {(Kh2) [%eval 0,70] [%emt 00:01:14]} Rc8 {(Ra8) [%eval 0,67] [%emt 00:02:15]}
36.Rb7 {(Rb7) [%eval 0,72] [%emt 00:01:20]} Kg6 {(Kg6) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:04:16]}
37.Rh1 {(Rb4) [%eval 0,78] [%emt 00:02:14]} Rcc2 {(Re2) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:08:03]}
38.Rh2 {(Rg1) [%eval 0,81] [%emt 00:01:16]} Rc8 {(Rc8) [%eval 0,68] [%emt 00:04:16]}
39.Rh1 {(Kf4) [%eval 0,76] [%emt 00:01:30]} Rcc2 {(Re2) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:06:22]}
40.Rg1 {(Rb8) [%eval 0,75] [%emt 00:03:09]} Rc8 {(Rc8) [%eval 0,67] [%emt 00:01:06]}
41.Rb4 {(Rh1) [%eval 0,78] [%emt 00:01:15]} Rg8 {(h5) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:06:09]}
42.Kf4 {(Kf4) [%eval 0,72] [%emt 00:01:31]} Rc8 {(Rga8) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:04:51]}
43.Rd4 {(g4) [%eval 0,81] [%emt 00:10:01]} h5 {(h5) [%eval 0,66] [%emt 00:01:12]}
44.Kg3 {(g4) [%eval 0,77] [%emt 00:00:56]} Re2 {(Re2) [%eval 0,66] [%emt 00:03:41]}
45.Ra4 {(Rh1) [%eval 0,75] [%emt 00:01:57]} Rd2 {(Rg8) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:00:44]}
46.Rga1 {(Rh4) [%eval 0,72] [%emt 00:00:49]} Rcc2 {(Rcc2) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:01:44]}
47.Rg1 {(Ra8) [%eval 0,76] [%emt 00:00:55]} Rc8 {(Rc8) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:01:04]}
48.Rh4 {(Rh1) [%eval 0,74] [%emt 00:00:55]} Rg8 {(Kh6) [%eval 0,60] [%emt 00:00:38]}
49.Kf4 {(Be7) [%eval 0,75] [%emt 00:01:16]} Rd4 {(Ra8) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:00:26]}
50.Ke3 {(Kg3) [%eval 0,77] [%emt 00:00:49]} Rd3 {(Rd3) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:02:27]}
51.Kf4 {(Kf2) [%eval 0,81] [%emt 00:00:52]} Rd4 {(Rd4) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:01:57]}
52.Ke3 {(Kg3) [%eval 0,78] [%emt 00:00:43]} Rd3 {(Rd3) [%eval 0,57] [%emt 00:00:33]}
53.Kf2 {(Kf4) [%eval 0,76] [%emt 00:01:31]} Rd2 {(Rd2) [%eval 0,61] [%emt 00:00:30]}
54.Kg3 {(Kg3) [%eval 0,73] [%emt 00:00:50]} Kh6 {(Ra2) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:00:30]}
55.Kh2 {(Kh2) [%eval 0,73] [%emt 00:03:59]} Rc2 {(Re2) [%eval 0,58] [%emt 00:00:17]}
56.Kh1 {(Be7) [%eval 0,69] [%emt 00:00:10]} Kg6 {(Kg6) [%eval 0,64] [%emt 00:00:28]}
57.Be7 {(Kh2) [%eval 0,122] [%emt 00:00:16]} Rgc8 {(Rf2) [%eval 0,60] [%emt 00:00:18]}
58.Ra1 {(Kh2) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:00:12]} Rd2 {(Re2) [%eval 0,57] [%emt 00:00:18]}
59.Bf6 {(Bf6) [%eval 0,69] [%emt 00:00:15]} Rg8 {(Kh6) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:00:31]}
60.Rg1 {(Rha4) [%eval 0,68] [%emt 00:00:19]} Ra8 {(Re2) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:00:18]}
61.Kh2 {(Rc1) [%eval 0,71] [%emt 00:00:21]} Ra3 {(Rg8) [%eval 0,58] [%emt 00:00:20]}
1/2-1/2[/pgn]

[Graham Banks]

GAME 44

Komodo Dragon varied early with 8. Qe2, and hit upon the new idea mentioned in the pre-game notes, of advancing it's h-pawn.
The position after 20...Ra4 looked quite interesting, although both engines had evaluated the game as 0.00 from move 15 onwards.
The black rook on a4 swung across to the kingside, the queens came off, and it didn't look like Stockfish had any other option, than to accept the threefold repetition initiated by Komodo Dragon.

[pgn][Event "SF v Komodo Dragon 16CPU"]
[Site "ChessGUI17"]
[Date "2022.06.16"]
[Round "22.2"]
[White "Dragon 3 by Komodo 64-bit 16CPU"]
[Black "Stockfish 15 64-bit 16CPU"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Time "3:53:34 pm"]
[ECO "C02"]
[Opening "Milner-Barry Gambit, French"]
[TimeControl "7200+30"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[Number "44"]
[Termination "3-fold rep"]
[WhiteType "program"]
[BlackType "program"]
[Variant "normal"]

{ AMD Ryzen 9 5950X 16-Core Processor 3.40 GHz }
1.e4 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} e6 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
2.d4 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} d5 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
3.e5 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} c5 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
4.c3 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} Nc6 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
5.Nf3 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} Qb6 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]}
6.Bd3 {[%eval 0,1] [%emt 00:00:00]} cxd4 {[%eval 0,54] [%emt 00:05:20]}
7.O-O {(O-O) [%eval 11,37] [%emt 00:03:53]} Bd7 {(Bd7) [%eval 0,53] [%emt 00:02:10]}
8.Qe2 {(Re1) [%eval 16,42] [%emt 00:10:38]} Nge7 {(dxc3) [%eval 0,50] [%emt 00:02:11]}
9.Nbd2 {(Nbd2) [%eval 12,39] [%emt 00:02:10]} dxc3 {(Qc7) [%eval 0,54] [%emt 00:02:22]}
10.bxc3 {(bxc3) [%eval 15,42] [%emt 00:03:04]} Ng6 {(Qc7) [%eval 0,55] [%emt 00:02:16]}
11.Nb3 {(Nb3) [%eval 3,39] [%emt 00:03:16]} Be7 {(Be7) [%eval 0,57] [%emt 00:05:43]}
12.Nbd4 {(Rb1) [%eval 0,46] [%emt 00:02:50]} O-O {(Qc7) [%eval 0,54] [%emt 00:02:33]}
13.h4 {(h4) [%eval 0,42] [%emt 00:02:37]} Rfc8 {(Bxh4) [%eval 0,59] [%emt 00:02:13]}
14.Nxc6 {(Rb1) [%eval 20,36] [%emt 00:01:45]} Rxc6 {(Bxc6) [%eval 0,57] [%emt 00:02:14]}
15.h5 {(h5) [%eval 0,44] [%emt 00:02:11]} Nf8 {(Nf8) [%eval 0,58] [%emt 00:02:18]}
16.h6 {(h6) [%eval 0,47] [%emt 00:02:11]} Rxc3 {(Rxc3) [%eval 0,57] [%emt 00:02:25]}
17.hxg7 {(Rb1) [%eval 0,49] [%emt 00:03:36]} Ng6 {(Ng6) [%eval 0,59] [%emt 00:03:28]}
18.Rb1 {(Rb1) [%eval 0,49] [%emt 00:02:35]} Qc7 {(Qc7) [%eval 0,59] [%emt 00:02:24]}
19.Bd2 {(Bd2) [%eval 0,50] [%emt 00:02:44]} Ra3 {(Ra3) [%eval 0,59] [%emt 00:02:09]}
20.Bh6 {(Bxg6) [%eval 0,51] [%emt 00:02:18]} Ra4 {(Ra4) [%eval 0,57] [%emt 00:02:26]}
21.Rfd1 {(Qe3) [%eval 0,52] [%emt 00:02:32]} a6 {(a6) [%eval 0,245] [%emt 00:02:57]}
22.Qe3 {(Qe3) [%eval 0,53] [%emt 00:03:04]} Rg4 {(Rg4) [%eval 0,60] [%emt 00:02:13]}
23.Nh2 {(Rbc1) [%eval 0,55] [%emt 00:02:46]} d4 {(d4) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:02:49]}
24.Qc1 {(Qc1) [%eval 0,56] [%emt 00:01:54]} Qxc1 {(Qxc1) [%eval 0,63] [%emt 00:03:20]}
25.Bxc1 {(Bxc1) [%eval 0,58] [%emt 00:01:45]} Rh4 {(Rh4) [%eval 0,69] [%emt 00:03:44]}
26.Nf3 {(Nf3) [%eval 0,59] [%emt 00:02:47]} Rg4 {(Rg4) [%eval 0,70] [%emt 00:02:35]}
27.Nh2 {(Nh2) [%eval 0,61] [%emt 00:03:14]} Rh4 {(Rh4) [%eval 0,69] [%emt 00:02:21]}
28.Nf3 {(Nf3) [%eval 0,62] [%emt 00:04:18]} Rg4 {(Rg4) [%eval 0,72] [%emt 00:04:47]}
29.Nh2 {(Nh2) [%eval 0,65] [%emt 00:02:08]}
1/2-1/2[/pgn]

[Graham Banks]

Ponziani - Fraser Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 Nxe4 5. d5 Bc5 *

The Fraser sacrifices 1 or 2 pieces for long lasting pressure. A single missed tactic spells doom for either side (computers do not miss these). Extremely accurate play seems to result in a draw; no surprise there.

Always found playing against this with White as awkward, even in my correspondence games.