The Krasenkow Variation
Tribute to GM Michal Krasenkow
23/7/2021 – In recognition of GM Michal Krasenkow’s contribution to chess theory, I would like to thank him for this wonderful move 4. g4 “The Krasenkow Variation”. Recently, at 57, he represented Poland in the World Cup 2021, reached the 3rd round but lost to 15 year old Indian chess genius GM Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa on tiebreak games. I want to share with you one of his best games using the “Krasenkow Variation”.
The Krasenkow Variation: is an attacking chess opening variation to disrupt black’s kingside. This variation is used especially if you know your opponent plays the Nimzo-Indian or the Bogo-Indian defense as black. Therefore, to avoid the mainlines, white must play 1. Nf3 first as first move.
CHESS BLOG No. 9 / Date: 23th July 2021
English Opening: Krasenkow Variation (A18) Chess Opening Classification
GM Michal Krasenkow vs. GM Oleg M. Romanishin
(Event: 2000 Leonid Stein Memorial, Lviv, Ukraine – Round 1)
1: Nf3 Nf6
2: c4 e6
3: Nc3 Bb4 (In Nimzo and Bogo, this is effective but not in Krasenkow)
4: g4 !! 0-0 (4.g4 move is anti-theory)
5: g5 Ne8 (To retreat is to surrender)
6. Qc2 d5 (Do you notice about white? its reversed Sicilian now…)
7. b3 Be7 (it seems, Bb4 move is useless..)
8. Rg1 c5 (black needs to counter before its too late)
9. e3 Nc6
10. Bd3 f5
11. gxf6 Nxf6 (Black’s kingside is vulnerable)
12. a3 Qe8
13. Bb2 Qh5
14. Be2 d4
15. Nxd4 Nxd4
16. exd4 Qh2
17: 0-0-0 cd4 (Black is unaware of white’s tactical threat)
18: Ne4 Qf4
19: Bd3 Ne4
20: Be4 h6
21: Bxd4 Bf6
22: Be3 Qd6
23: c5 Qa6
24: a4 Qa5
25: (Analyze this position)
