Wijk aan Zee · 2013
Aronian–Anand: Open Lines, Open King
Levon Aronian vs. Viswanathan Anand — Anand offers pieces in the Semi-Slav and turns development into a relentless attack.
Moves · tap to jump
0/46Use ← → keys to step through the game
Starting position
Ready
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Main lesson
Use rapid development and central breaks to open attacking lines before collecting material.
Lesson notes
Moves 1–10 — develop in the Semi-Slav
- Black gains queenside space and brings the bishops onto active diagonals.
Moves 11–14 — strike in the centre
- White's knight takes h7 while Black opens lines with ...c5 and ...cxd4.
Moves 15–18 — calculate the offers
- 15...Bc5 and 16...Nde5 are tactical resources, not pieces thrown away.
- Look for checks and pressure on the king before choosing a capture.
Moves 19–23 — keep the initiative
- After losing a rook, Black plays ...f5 and brings the queen to h5.
- 23...Be3 completes a coordinated attack.
What your student should learn
- Answer a flank attack by opening the centre.
- Calculate piece offers against an exposed king.
- Bring each new piece into an attack with a purpose.
- Distinguish a mating threat from a played mate.
Rules to remember
- Rule 1Development matters most when lines open.
- Rule 2Inspect checks before capturing offered material.
- Rule 3Keep the initiative with coordinated threats.
Mini tournament checklist
- ✓ Is the centre ready to open?
- ✓ Are my bishops and knights active?
- ✓ Does the sacrifice create forcing threats?
- ✓ What is the strongest defensive reply?
Coach's challenge
Stop after 15.exd4. Find ...Bc5 and explain how the bishop joins the attack even though it can be challenged.
Full move list
Semi-Slav Development
Opening the Centre
Tactical Offers
The Mating Threat
Note: The authentic game ends at 23...Be3, 0–1. Attractive mating variations are analysis, not additional historical moves.