The analysts for the World Team in the Kasparov vs. The World are all rising young chess superstars. These are the next generation of names that will rise to the top of the chess-playing world. If you're unsure what move to play against World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov, our analysts can point you in the right direction with their thoughtful responses.

The percentage of votes for The World's last move, 14...axb6, was a massive 97.73%, not quite the blank-out I asked for, but I'm satisfied all the same! In reply, the World Champion has chosen to move his Knight to a slightly more aggressive post on c3. More on this a little later. For the moment, let's consider the position as a whole.

This is the first time that the position has stabilised since the remarkable move 10...Qe6, so it is a good opportunity to sit back and take stock. First let's take a look at the balance of pieces. In the flurry of captures over the last few moves Black has gained a Knight and two pawns, and that is matched by White, who bagged the Rook in the corner. Going by the standard chess values, a Knight is worth three points and the pawns one each (a total of five) which is equal to a rook, worth five on its own. In other words, a roughly EQUAL EXCHANGE has taken place.

Now let's weigh up the pros and cons of the White and Black positions. The most obvious difference between the two sides is THE POSITIONING OF THE KINGS. White's is tucked away in the corner behind a barrier of pawns, totally safe; black's, on the other hand, is still in the middle of the board. Normally this would not be a good spot for the Black King - castling, as Garry has done here, is standard practice in top games - but here the World can get away with it as the King also has a shield of pawns for protection.

In fact it is these pawns which give black, potentially, an excellent position. Right at the start of the game I spoke about the importance of CONTROLLING THE CENTRE, and the best way to do that is WITH THE PAWNS. Imagine if those two central pawns on the d and e files were to roll down the board: they would be tremendously powerful as there are no white pawns to oppose them. At the moment such a plan is simply IMPOSSIBLE. Black's King would suffer from the X-factor - EXPOSURE. Very nasty indeed. However, if the Queens were exchanged, so reducing white's attacking chances, then the pawn advance would become a possibility.

Aside from the pawns, how about the positioning of the other pieces? Black is actually better developed than White, in particular that Bishop on g7, searing across the long diagonal, has great potential. For the moment it is far better than its counterpart on c1. Garry's last move, 15 Nc3, was partly directed against that Bishop as it blocks the diagonal. This Knight also casts an eye in the direction of the pawn on b6.

Remember how White's Knight carried out a suicide mission, giving itself up on b6? The point is now revealed. The pawn on b6 is a little vulnerable to attack as it cannot be supported by another pawn. In chess jargon the pawns on the b-file are DOUBLED and ISOLATED. Sounds painful and, believe me, it can be. Garry will be looking to attack the pawn on b6, possibly with the Knight, and perhaps with the bishop from e3. Once the Bishop emerges, White can also move the rook to c1 with an indirect attack on Black's Queen.

The next few moves are going to be crucial. Garry is looking to mobilise his army as rapidly as possible to begin an attack on the King and the Queenside pawns; while The World's aim must be to neutralise that attack, possibly by exchanges, perhaps by skillful piece positioning, with the hope that in the long-term he will emerge with the superior pawn structure.

Check out the Analysts recommendations carefully on this turn and join in the discussion on the bulletin boards if you have time; you need to make an informed choice here as it is really not clear what the best move is for Black.

I am still optimistic about Black's long-term chances - so long as The World can solve the short-term difficulties.

Good luck!

b5 to Kasparov's Nc3

15...b6 to b5. Over the last few moves, there was no going back for either side. Black bravely went chasing after pawns with his Queen. In return, White picked up the Black Rook on a8 with a fork. At the moment Black's central pawns on e7 and d6 provide excellent cover for the uncastled Black King. So at the moment, there is no danger.

Now we, The World, have to be on our guard. Garry's strengths now come into play, for he loves wild positions which promise double-edged play. However, if we keep cool, then we can get him. The intention of the advance of the b-pawn is to drive the Knight from its ideal square on c3, moreover, Black seeks to rid himself of the doubled pawn.

d5 to Kasparov's Nc3

My next recommendation for black is 15...d6-d5. It looks risky but it may be the only way to prevent white from putting pressure on Black's weaknesses on the queenside. Possible 16. Bc1-e3 d5-d4 17. Ra1-c1 Rh8-d8! followed by Kd7- e8(I don't like 17... Nf6-d5 because of 18. Nc3-e2 Qc4-b4 19. a2-a3! Qb4xb2 20. Rc1-b1 and black's position is worse because of his exposed king). I believe that we have to push our passed pawn as quickly as possible in order to limitate white's options before heading into an ending.

Rd8 to Kasparov's Nc3

I don't like this move: 15...Ra8 because of the line: 16. Be3 e5 (advancing The World's pawn forward two squares) then 17.Rc1 Ke8?! 18.Bg5 giving White a better position. Maybe in this line: 17...e6 would be playable. So I prefer the safer move 15...Rd8.

Ra8 to Kasparov's Nc3

I recommend that the World plays 15...Ra8 (rook on h8 to a8)

As was widely predicted on the World Team Strategy Bulletin Board, the World Champion played 15.Nc3! - clearly the strongest move at White's disposal. For the first time since move 10, Black has an important decision to make (moves 11 through 14 were practically forced). Before we subject Black's various CANDIDATE MOVES to a rigorous analysis, I would like to commend the untiring efforts of my TEAMMATES during the last week. Collectively, we have tested HUNDREDS of variations and ideas and forged them on an analytical anvil the likes of which has never been seen before on the Internet. YOUR tireless efforts have been instrumental in carrying the fight to the World Champion. Your combined energy has in particular been the driving force behind the formulation of my recommendation to you at Black's move 15.

STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS AFTER KASPAROV'S 15.Nc3

After introducing an interesting theoretical novelty at move 10, the World has accompanied the World Champion down a narrow path until we have arrived at the position after 15.Nc3.

Material: The sides have MATERIAL EQUALITY - Black has a KNIGHT + 2 PAWNS for a ROOK. However, this dynamic material balance creates different strategic problems for each side.

King Safety: White's king is safely tucked away on the KINGSIDE. Black's king is in the CENTER, behind his wall of CENTER PAWNS (Black's extra pawns as a result of the volley of forced moves that have occurred since move 10). We are taught early in our chess careers that leaving the king in the center of the board during the opening phase of the game is not a wise course to follow. However, there are exceptions to every rule, and for the short term while White is lagging in DEVELOPMENT, Black's king is apparently not exposed to any imminent knock-out blow. Nevertheless, one of Black's long-term strategies will involve the gradual advance of his central PAWN MAJORITY (expanding Black's influence in the CENTER), and for this to be achieved, Black must plan on improving his king position with a MANEUVER such as Kd7-e8-f8-(g8).

Piece Activity and Development: Black, for the time being, has a LEAD in DEVELOPMENT. This is a direct consequence of Garry's forced knight raid to a8. No less than nine of Garry's first fifteen moves have been knight moves (Ng1-f3xd4-e2-c3, and Nb1-c3-d5-c7xa8-b6)! Note also three moves by White pawns (none of which are on the board anymore), and two moves by a White bishop (since departed). This opening is very unusual, don't you think?

Black's pieces are active - Black's QUEEN is centralized (although it may soon acquiesce to a loss of tempo as White unravels - for example, when White plays Ra1-c1); Black's DARK SQUARED BISHOP holds sway over the a1-h8 DIAGONAL; Black's KNIGHTS control key CENTRAL SQUARES, and further centralization is possible (e7-e6, Nf6-d5). Black's ROOK is poised to enter the action (for example at a8 or d8 as circumstances dictate).

For the moment, White has a compact but solid position confined to his first three ranks. White has yet to CONNECT his ROOKS, and it is not yet clear how he should post his QUEEN. In order for White to be able to take the INITIATIVE, he must find a way to activate his heavy pieces (QUEEN and ROOKS). Although the c-FILE is open, and the d- and e-FILES are half-open, Black's plans include the neutralization of the White rooks by blocking the CENTER with his pieces and pawns (for example with e7-e6 and Nf6-d5). White has to make some decisions regarding his QUEENSIDE PAWN STRUCTURE - can he create open lines for his rooks on the queenside - for example, by playing a2-a3 in response to the advance of a Black pawn to b4, or will this merely allow Black to LIQUIDATE his weakness, and reduce White's opportunities for an advantage?

Pawn Structure: For the moment, White enjoys a slight advantage in PAWN STRUCTURE. White has two compact PAWN ISLANDS. Black has a solid array of pawns stretching along d6-e7-f7-g6-h7. However, Black has DOUBLED b-pawns. This latter deficiency is partly compensated for by the fact that Black can pressure White's queenside pawn structure along the half-open a-FILE and the a1-h8 DIAGONAL. Black can also use his front b-pawn to gain SPACE on the queenside, and in certain circumstances rid himself of the doubled pawn by exchanging it for White's a-pawn. The absence of White center pawns reduces White's chances for an attack on the Black king, as White has no central PAWN LEVERS with which to attack Black's central pawns. White's attacking chances primarily lie in active piece play.

Which pieces to exchange: In principle, White should try to AVOID EXCHANGES of pieces as his chances lie primarily in the MIDDLEGAME - although an exchange of a pair of ROOKS can be of benefit to White in many situations (the "redundant rook" theory). On the other hand, Black should try to INITIATE EXCHANGES, especially QUEENS and BISHOPS, and in many cases a pair of KNIGHTS. By exchanging pieces, Black will diminish White's attacking chances and enhance Black's prospects which are primarily in the ENDGAME - thanks to his potentially powerful CENTER PAWNS and CENTRALIZED KING. Many 2R + N versus 1R + 2N endgames are in Black's favor.

THE "NUTS AND BOLTS"

Armed with this STRATEGIC knowledge of the position, and cognizant of the problems facing BOTH sides in this uniquely rich and complicated middlegame, it is necessary to test our ideas with CONCRETE ANALYSIS. I have identified six CANDIDATE MOVES that in some way or other attempt to address Black's ambitions (I do not believe there are any other candidate moves that look to advance Black's plans in the position after 15.Nc3).

A) 15...Ne4? - VERY BAD This move attempts to exchange White's potentially dangerous knight on c3 without further ado, but after 16.Nxe4 Qxe4, White immediately targets two UNDEFENDED Black pawns (on b6 and f7) with the strong 17.Qb3. Black has no good answer and stands worse. 15...Ne4? should be discarded. B) 15...Nd4? - VERY BAD This was a suggestion by "Will" on the World Team Strategy Bulletin Board. The move had the laudable idea that after 16.Be3 Nd5 17.Nxd5 Qxd5 18.Qa4+ (or after 18.Bxd4 Bxd4) 18...b5 19.Qa7 Nf5, Black had a playable game. However, Francis Monkman supplied a very effective refutation. White plays 18.Qd2! - White has a clear advantage, and Black has no reasonable answer. 15...Nd4? should be excluded from your consideration.

C) 15...d5? - VERY BAD For a brief time, this central advance occupied my attention. After all, one of Black's positional trumps is his PASSED d-PAWN. Would it be possible to expand in the CENTER and at the same time maintain a sufficient defensive perimeter for Black's centralized king? Black might further advance with d5-d4, with the maneuver Nf6-d5 in mind, cramping White's efforts to mobilize his forces.

Continuations like 16.Bg5 e6 17.Rc1 Ra8, or 17...Ne4 18.Nxe4 Qxe4, seemed none to clear - I could find no clean refutations of Black's play. Against the more subdued 16.Be3, I found variations like 16...d4 17.Rc1 Nd5 (17...Rd8!? 18.b3 Qa6 19.b4 Ke8 20.b5 Qa8 21.bxc6 dxe3 22.cxb7 exf2+ 23.Kh1 Qxb7 24.Qe2, also seemed OK for Black) 18.Nxd5 (Black is fine after 18.Ne2 Qb4 19.Nc3 Qa5!) 18...Qxd5, to be very unclear.

Nevertheless, if it walks like a duck, and it quacks like a duck - it's a duck! My general feeling of uneasiness about 15...d5? was confirmed when one of my teammates found a convincing refutation of 15...d5? After 16.Na4! Kc7, White has 17.Bg5! with a clear plus - Black's defenses will buckle under the pressure. After this brutal refutation was discovered by "GeneStar", it was clear that my brief affair with 15...d5? was over, for example after 17.Bg5! b5 18.Nc3 d4 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Ne4, I have no faith in Black's position - a line also noted by Karl Juhnke.

D) 15...Rd8? - A VERY DUBIOUS ALTERNATIVE FOR BLACK This flexible move was a suggestion by GM Ron Henley very early on in the development of 10...Qe6, and has been explored by many analysts. As we saw from our "Strategic Considerations" Black's remaining rook can be ideally placed on d8, where it provides additional DEFENSE for our king, and is dutifully placed "behind the candidate" - our PASSED d-PAWN - "Rooks Belong Passed Pawns!" This flexible continuation seemed viable, as we would be playing a move that was frequently necessary or desirable, without making any serious commitments, and we would be preparing a maneuver Kd7-e7-f8, securing KING SAFETY before making an advance of our d-pawn (and possibly also our e-pawn), for example 16.Qf3!? Ke8, is harmless to Black.

D1) We found that after 16.Be3 b5 17.Rc1 b4 18.Na4 (18.b3 Qa6, is OK for Black) 18...Qb5, we would TRANSPOSE to the variation 15...b5 16.Be3 Rd8 17.Rc1 b4 18.Na4 Qb5 (see Variation F), which is considered to offer Black good chances.

D2) After 16.Bg5 Ke8 17.Rc1 (17.Re1 transposes to 16.Re1 Ke8 17.Bg5 - Variation D3b - see below) 17...Qb4 18.b3 Qa5 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Nd5 Bd4, everything looks OK for Black.

D3) After 16.Re1, Black logically continues with 16...Ke8 (intending Ke8-f8), and now:

D3a) 17.Be3 Qb4!? 18.a3 (18.Qb3 Qxb3 19.axb3 Nd7, leaves White with nothing) 18...Qxb2 19.Na4 Qb5 20.Rb1 Qf5 21.Rxb6 Rd7 22.Qb3 Na5 23.Qb1 Qxb1 24.Rexb1 Ng4, gives Black a good game, while after;

D3b) 17.Bg5 (not 17...b5?! 18.a3 Kf8 19.Rc1! and White transposes to the variation 15...b5 16.a3 Rd8 17.Re1 Ke8 18.Bg5 Kf8 19.Rc1, which after intense analysis on the World Team Strategy Bulletin Board has been shown to be very good for White) 17...d5! when ter Haar as shown that Black has an equal game after 18.Rc1 Kf8 19.b3 Qc5 20.Qd3 d4.

Unfortunately, I have NOT found a solution to the idea:

D4) 16.Na4, which looks very troublesome for Black, for example: 16...Kc7 17.b3 Qb5 (17...Qd5 18.Be3, or 17...Qa6 18.Be3 is very good for White) 18.Be3 Nd7 19.Rc1, and I think Black has problems. Therefore, 15...Rd8 is NOT recommended.

E) 15...b5?! - A SHARP AND LIKELY DUBIOUS CONTINUATION - FOR PRACTICAL REASONS I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS MOVE Early on in my own studies of the opening variation initiated with 10...Qe6!? I gave the natural-looking move 15...b5?! very close scrutiny. I returned time and again to this candidate move, as my attempts to rejuvenate or uncover alternatives seemed to bear no fruit.

With 15...b5?! Black immediately puts his weak DOUBLED PAWN COMPLEX to work. Black gains SPACE on the QUEENSIDE, and often threatens to gain more space with the advance b5-b4, displacing the White knight on c3 and creating a nice OUTPOST on b5 for the Black queen.

Rigorous analysis of the position after 15...b5, with vital feedback from my teammates on the World Team Strategy Bulletin Board, has convinced me that this is a RISKY borderline-playable continuation for Black which is NOT THE BEST APPROACH to solving the demands of the position.

Although I am NOT going to recommend you play 15...b5, it is worthwhile acquainting yourself with the myriad of tactical motifs which lay in hiding waiting to ambush the unwary, as these motifs are also present in other variations (including 15...Ra8).

A MORE DETAILED EXAMINATION OF 15...b5?! - AND WHY I DECIDED TO LET GO OF MY OLD FAVORITE

E1) 16.Be3 Rd8, and now:

E1a) 17.a4!? b4 18.Nb5, is a very artificial maneuver by White, which does not appear dangerous. After the logical 18...Nd5, Black has a good position. White has voluntarily misplaced his knight, and in return Black has made use of White's knight losing contact with the d5-square to post his knight powerfully in the CENTER. Note the knight can be supported with e7-e6, and therefore not only does it act as an excellent shield for our king, but the move b2-b3 by White (taking the White b-pawn out of the glare of Black's bishop on g7) is also inhibited as White would be weakening his c3-square - an invitation for an eventual visit with Nd5-c3.

E1b) After 17.Rc1, Black plays 17...b4, when 18.Na4 (threatening 19.Nb6+) is met by 18...Qb5, and Black has a very sound position, which has stood the "acid test" of various tactical assaults, for example:

E1b1) 19.Rc5 Qa6 20.Qb3 b5! (20...Ke8! is also very good for Black) 21.Rxc6 (21.Qxf7 bxa4 22.Rxc6 Qxc6 transposes to 21.Rxc6) 21...Qxc6 22.Nb6+ (22.Qxf7 bxa4 23.Qxg7 Qd5! Gives Black a clear advantage, while 22.Rc1? bxa4 23.Qxf7 Qd5, is also very good for Black) 22...Ke8, and now:

E1b1a) 23.Rc1 Qe4, when either 24.a3 Ng4, or 24.Rc7 d5, is good for Black.

E1b1b) 23.Qxb4 Nd7 24.Nxd7 (24.Rc1? fails to 24...Nc5!) 24...Qxd7, and Black is clearly on top.

E1b2) The attempt 19.Qb3 Ke8 20.Nb6 d5 21.a4 Qa6 22.Bc5, makes no progress for White after 22...Ne4! 23.Nxd5 Qa5, for example: 24.Nxe7 Nxc5 25.Nxc6 bxc6 26.Qc2 Nd3! 27.Qxc6+ Kf8 28.Rcd1 Nxb2 29.Rxd8+ Qxd8 30.Qc5+ Qe7 31.Qc8+ Qe8 32.Qc5+ Kg8, and Black is in charge.

E1b3) 19.Bb6? is ineffective due to 19...Ra8 20.Nc5+ (20.b3 Rxa4 21.bxa4 Qxb6, just wins for Black) 20...Kc8! and Black is simply winning.

E1b4) 19.Nb6+?! is also dubious after 19...Ke8 20.a4 (After 20.f3 d5 21.Na4 d4, Black is clearly better, for example: 22.Rc5 Qa6 23.Bg5 b5 24.Qd3 Na7! is winning for Black) 20...bxa3 21.bxa3 d5 22.a4 Qa6 23.Qb3 d4, with a clear advantage for Black.

E1b5) 19.Re1 Ke8 (planning to tuck the king away) is OK for Black, for example 20.f3 allows 20...Nd5 21.Bf2 Nf4, with advantage to Black.

E1b6) 19.Nc5+ Ke8 20.Nb3 Nd5 21.Qd2 Nxe3 (21...Kf8 22.Bh6 e6 23.Bxg7+ Kxg7 24.Rfd1 Ra8 25.Ra1 Ne5, favors Black) 22.fxe3 Ra8, and Black is much better.

E2) Instead of 16.Be3, White can try the more active 16.Bg5, when Black has the excellent response 16...Ne4! (TEMPO!) 17.Nxe4 Qxe4, and now:

E2a) 18.Qb3 Qc4 19.Qh3+ (19.Qxc4? bxc4, is obviously fantastic for Black) 19...Qe6 20.Qd3 (Black welcomes 20.Qxe6+ Kxe6, as his chances are preferable in the endgame) 20...Qc4 21.Qh3+ Qe6, with a draw by repetition most likely;

E2b) 18.Qd2 (A suggestion of "Plain English") is countered by 18...Qd4 19.Qe2 (19.Qxd4 Bxd4, is at least equal for Black) 19...Ra8 20.Qxb5 Qxb2, and Black has an edge;

E2c) 18.Re1 Qf5 19.Qd2 (Black has a nice position after 19.Be3 h5!?) 19...Ra8 20.Rad1 Be5 21.a3 (21.b3 b4 22.f4 loses to 22...Bd4+ 23.Kh1 f6 24.Bh4 Bc3, as there is no longer any mate to worry about) 21...Ra4! and Black has excellent play as given by GM Ron Henley, for example: 22.Be3 Rc4!? when I think Black even has a tiny edge.

E3) The variation 16.a4 b4 17.Nb5, briefly caused some concern on the World Team Strategy Bulletin Board, but I don't share it. White has misplaced his knight, and after 17...Nd5, Black is doing well, for example: 18.Qf3 Ne5 19.Qh3+ f5!? 20.Bh6 (20.f4? Nd3 is good for Black), and now either 20...Bf6, or 20...Bxh6 21.Qxh6 Nf4, leads to excellent play for Black.

E4) 16.a3 has attracted considerable attention, and various suggestions have been explored and found wanting (for example 16...Rd8 17.Re1! is very dangerous for Black). GM Danny King found the effective and perfectly logical 16...Ne4! which forces the exchange of the White knight on c3 (Nf6-e4 is thematic in many variations. White's Nc3 is a potentially very dangerous piece and should be exchanged off).

After 16.a3 Ne4! (17.Nd5 allows either 17...Qd4, or 17...Bd4!? with a comfortable game for Black - King) 17.Nxe4 Qxe4 18.Re1 Qc4! and Black is OK (King). Now 19.b3 would allow Black to exchange queens with 19...Qd4!

E5) 16.Qf3 is harmless, for example: 16...b4 17.Na4 Qb5 18.Qh3+ e6 19.Bh6 Bxh6 20.Qxh6 Rd8 21.b3 Qh5 22.Qxh5 Nxh5, with an easy game for Black.

E6) We complete our analytical survey by examining what I believe is White's most dangerous try - that is 16.Re1! Logically, play continues 16...b4! (but not 16...Rd8? transposing to another line known to be dangerous for Black) 17.Na4 Qb5, and now:

E6a) 18.Be3, when the original suggestion of 18...Rd8? had to discarded in light of 19.Bb6! (An important difference between this variation and Variation E1b3 (after 16.Be3) is that White already has a rook posted on the half-open e-file) 19...Ra8 20.Nc5+ Kc8 (20...Ke8 loses to 21.Qxd6 Rc8 22.Rac1 Qxb6 23.Rxe7+! and Garry is eating our lunch!) 21.Rxe7! Qxb6 22.Qxd6 Bf8 (22...Qd8 loses to 23.Nxb7) 23.Rxb7 Bxd6 24.Rxb6 Kc7 25.Rb7+ Kc8 26.Rxf7, and White is better and will win the endgame after 26...Bxc5 27.Rxf6 Nd4 28.a4 bxa3 29.bxa3 Rxa3 30.Rxa3 Bxa3 31.Rf7, etc.

However, Black has a simple (and desirable) solution with 18...e6! Black plans to entrench his Nf6 on the d5-OUTPOST, for example: 19.Rc1 (Neither 19.Nc5+ Ke7 20.Nb3 Ra8, nor 19.Nb6+ Ke7 20.Rc1 Rd8, make an impression on Black) 19...Nd5, when Black has a comfortable game - the knight on d5 forms an impenetrable central BARRIER. If White plays 20.b3?! (to safeguard his b-pawn from Black's bishop on g7), Black can play the unpleasant 20...Nc3, further utilizing the advance of the Black b-pawn, for example 21.Nb6+ (21.Nxc3? bxc3 is horrible for White) 21...Ke7 22.Qd2 Ne4! 23.Qe2 (23.Qd1? d5! is good for Black) 23...Qxe2 24.Rxe2 d5, and Black can be happy with the situation on the board.

E6b) 18.a3!? Rd8

E6b1) 19.Bd2 ("zenith") 19...bxa3 20.Rxa3 (20.bxa3 Ke8 21.Rb1 Qa6 22.Rb6 Qa8, is fine for Black) 20...Ke8 21.Nc3 Qf5, and Black is OK;

E6b2) 19.axb4 Qxb4, and now:

E6b2a) 20.Be3 Ke8 21.Bb6 Ra8 22.Bc7 Kf8, with the following possibilities:

E6b2a1) 23.Nb6 Rxa1 24.Qxa1 Ne8! 25.Rf1 Nxc7 26.Nd5 Bxb2! 27.Nxb4 Bxa1 28.Nxc6 (28.Rxa1? loses to 28...Nxb4) 28...bxc6!? 29.Rxa1 Ne6, and Black has a clear plus;

E6b2a2) 23.Re3 Ne8 24.Rb3 Qf4 25.Rf3 (25.Rxb7?! is bad in view of 25...Bd4 26.Qe1 Ne5! with the idea Ne5-d3 ("Peshee"), for example: 27.Bb6 Bxb6 28.Nxb6 Rxa1 29.Qxa1 Ng4, and White is being overrun) 25...Qb4 26.Rb3 Qf4 27.Rf3, forcing a draw.

E6b2b) 20.Bd2 Qb5 21.Nc3 Qb6 22.Qe2!? (or 22.Na4 Qb5, with a draw by repetition) 22...Ke8 23.Be3 Qc7 (Patience is called for) 24.Nb5 Qd7, and Black is solid, for example: 25.Bb6 Rc8 26.Na7 (26.Nd4 Nd5 27.Nxc6 Rxc6 28.Ra8+ Rc8 29.Rxc8+ Qxc8, is equal) 26...Nxa7 27.Rxa7 Nd5, and Black is fine.

E6b2c) 20.Re3!? Ke8 (note that 20...Ng4?? loses instantly to 21.Re4!) 21.Rb3 Qh4 22.Qf1 (as given by Chernoff; but not 22.Rxb7? Ng4, and Black is on top), and now 22...Rd7 (Henley) is a tough nut to crack, despite my repeated efforts to break through Henley's defenses in training games and analysis sessions. For example:

E6b2c1) 23.Nc3 d5 24.Ra8+ Nd8 25.Rba3 e6, with an unclear position, in which Black's chances do not appear worse, but I do not like the nature of the position for Black.

E6b2c2) 23.Nb6 Rd8 24.Ra4 Qh5 25.Rb5 d5 26.Ra8!? (White can force a draw with 26.Na8 Rd7 27.Nb6 Rd8), and now centralization with 26...Qe5 is seemingly OK for Black. For example:

E6b2c2a) 27.g3?! (weakens f3) 27...Rxa8 28.Nxa8 (28.Bf4 is crushed by 28...Qe4 29.Nxa8 Nd4) 28...Nd4 29.Rxb7 Qe2! with danger for White. Instead White must play;

E6b2c2b) 27.Rxd8+ Kxd8, and here is a sample variation: 28.Be3 e6 29.Nc4 Qb8 30.Na5 Nxa5 31.Rxa5 Ng4, and now White can force a draw with 32.Bb6+ Ke7 33.Bc5+ Kf6 34.Bd4+ Ke7 35.Bc5+, etc., or play for complications with 33.f4 (instead of 35.Bc5+), when Black has the answer 33...g5! with sufficient counterplay when Black's chances are not worse. Again, I do not like the nature of the position for Black, as this entire line is fraught with difficulties, and laced with unseen tactical minefields. Black appears to be teetering on the edge of an analytical abyss. REMEMBER - you will be standing on the edge of this abyss with an opponent who knows how to push a position and an opponent to the maximum. The whole variation stemming from an early Rf1-e1 just feels like you are pulling a hungry tiger by his tail!

Based on my analysis of the situations arising from 16.Re1! b4 17.Na4 Qb5 18.a3, I have decided that I CANNOT in good conscience recommend this DANGEROUS variation (with 15...b5?!) to my teammates.

F) 15...Ra8(!) - A DYNAMIC ALTERNATIVE FOR BLACK This move was a suggestion of one of England's top grandmasters - Jonathan Speelman, although it appears that he had in mind a different follow-up to the one I will summarize in the following analysis.

F1) 16.Be3, and now

F1a) 16...Ra6?! is Speelman's idea (This looks like a strange move - tying a whole rook down to cater to the straggler on b6). After 17.Rc1 Ne4 18.Nxe4 Qxe4 19.Qb3 Qe6, White plays 20.Rc4! (not 20.Qb5? Qxa2, or 20.Qxe6+? Kxe6 with a clear advantage to Black) 20...Bxb2 (20...Rxa2?? loses quickly to 21.Qxa2 b5 22.Qa8) 21.Bxb6 (21.Rb1 Bg7, is good for Black, for example 22.Bxb6? Rxb6 23.Qxb6 Qxc4 24.Qxb7+ Ke6 25.Qc8+ Kf6, and Black wins) 21...Bg7 22.Be3, when I feel the position is good for White - his heavy pieces are becoming more active and are gravitating toward the Black king, and the QUEENSIDE is beginning to open up in an ominous manner. In this line if Black should play 17...Ng4?! (instead of 17...Ne4), White has 18.Nd5! Nxe3 19.fxe3 Qxa2 20.Rxf7 Qxb2 21.Nxe7! Ke8 22.Nxc6 bxc6 23.Qf1, which is much in White's favor.

Nevertheless, there is a more DYNAMIC way of playing the position, in my opinion:

F1b) 16...b5! (analyzed often by Francis Monkman & Krush/Henley), and now:

F1b1) 17.Rc1 Ke8,

F1b1a) 18.b3?! Qh4,

F1b1a1) 19.Nxb5 Rxa2 20.Rc4 Qh5 21.Qxh5 (21.Ra4 Qxd1 22.Rxd1 Rb2, is equal) 21...Nxh5 22.Ra4 Rb2, is equal;

F1b1a2) 19.Qe2 b4 20.Nb5 Kf8 21.Rc4 Qh5, equal;

F1b1b) 18.a3 transposes to 17.a3 Ke8 18.Rc1 (Variation F1b3).

F1b2) 17.Re1 (Chernoff's suggestion) is best met by 17...e6! 18.a3 (If 18.Rc1, Black has the very strange-looking but perfectly acceptable solution 18...Nd5! 19.Nxd5 Qxd5 20.Qxd5 exd5, and despite his newly doubled e-pawns, Black is much better because White's queenside pawns are under heavy fire), and now the direct 18...Ng4 gives Black very good play. It was a review of the unusual "doubled pawn" variation in this line, that turned me towards my final recommendation (15...Ra8).

F1b3) 17.a3 Ke8 18.Rc1 b4!? 19.b3 (19.Na4? is bad because of 19...Qb5 20.Nb6 Ra6, with advantage to Black, while after 19.axb4 Qxb4 20.Qe2 Kf8, Black is OK, for example: 21.Ra1 Ra5! 22.Rfd1 d5 23.Rxa5 Qxa5 24.Qf3 e6 25.Bg5 Nd7 26.Qh3 h5, with a slight edge for Black) 19...Qg4 (also good is 19...Qa6 20.axb4 Nxb4) 20.Nb5 Kf8 21.a4 (or 21.Qxg4 Nxg4 22.axb4 Nxe3 23.fxe3 Bh6! 24.Rc3 Nxb4 25.e4 Nc6, and Black is better) 21...Qxd1 22.Rfxd1 Ne4! with at least equal chances for Black. F2) 16.Bg5?! is weak because of 16...Ra5 17.Bxf6 (17.Qd2 Nd5! favors Black) 17...Bxf6, and Black is better.

F3) 16.Re1 Ra5 17.a4 (17.Be3 Nd5 18.Nxd5 Rxd5 19.Qe2 b5, is fine for Black, and is an illustration of Black's idea to ACTIVATE his rook along the fourth rank) 17...Rf5! as analyzed by "Bondiman" & Krush/Henley. Now:

F3a) 18.Nb5 Rd5 19.Qf3 Qg4! 20.Qxg4+ (on 20.Ra3, Black can even consider 20...Nb4 - Francis Monkman) 20...Nxg4, with easy equality for Black.

F3b) 18.Be3 Nd5 19.Nxd5 (If 19.Nb5 Nxe3 20.Rxe3, and now I like 20...Re5!? 21.Rxe5 Bxe5 22.Rc1 Qh4 23.g3 Qf6 24.b3 e6 25.f4 Bd4+ 26.Nxd4 Qxd4+ 27.Qxd4 Nxd4, and Black has an edge) 19...Rxd5 20.Qe2 Qxe2 (also good is 20...Qb3!?) 21.Rxe2 b5! 22.axb5 (22.a5?? fails to 22...Nxa5, as White has BACK RANK PROBLEMS) 22...Rxb5, and Black stands a little better

F4) 16.a4!? is critical, White intends Nc3-b5 to try and lock out the rook. Even though White achieves this, he is unable to prevent Black from obtaining a playable game after 16...Ra5 17.Nb5 (17.Be3 Nd5 18.Nxd5 Rxd5 19.Qf3 Rf5, is fine for Black - "Stan") 17...Nd5, for example:

F4a) 18.Bd2 Bxb2! 19.Rb1 (19.Bxa5 Bxa1, is great for Black) 19...Bc3, and now:

F4a1) 20.Rc1 Nd4, with;

F4a1a) 21.Nxd4?! Qxd4 22.Bxc3 Nxc3 23.Qf3 (23.Qxd4 Ne2+ 24.Kh1 Nxd4, and Black is clearly better) 23...Rc5 24.Qxb7+ Rc7 25.Qf3 f5, with a clear plus for Black;

F4a1b) 21.Nxc3 Nxc3 22.Bxc3 Ne2+ 23.Kh1 allows 23...Rh5! (Francis Monkman) 24.h3 (24.Qc2?? Rxh2+! 25.Kxh2 Qh4 mate; 24.f4 Nxc1 25.Qxc1 Rc5, with an edge for Black, as White's a-pawn is weak) 24...Nxc1 25.Qxc1 Rc5 26.Bb2 Qxa4, and Black has the favorable chances.

F4a2) 20.Bxc3 Nxc3 21.Nxc3 Qxc3 22.Rxb6 Kc7 23.Qb1 Ra7 24.Rb5 (24.Rb3 Qd4, favors Black - weakness on a4 - while 24.Qb5 Nd4 25.Qb4 Kb8 26.Rb1 Qxb4 27.R1xb4 Ne2+ 28.Kf1 Nc3, is good for Black) 24...Qa3 25.Re1 Qxa4 26.Qb2 e5!? and Black has an edge.

F4b) 18.Re1 e6 19.Bd2 Ra8 20.b3 Qh4 21.Rc1 Ne5! (Koval) gives Black good counterplay, for example: 22.g3 Qg4 (22...Qh3!? is possible) 23.Qxg4 Nxg4 24.Bf4 Be5, with equal chances. Black's chances in this variation were the final pieces of the puzzle for me in putting forward my recommendation of 15...Ra8.

The continuation 15...Ra8 not only appears sound but is a dynamic response with active piece play and excellent endgame prospects in keeping with the spirit of the 10...Qe6 system. The hyperactive 15...b5?! should be AVOIDED, while plainly inferior moves such as 15...Rd8? 15...Ne4? 15...Nd4? and 15...d5? should NOT even enter your consideration. I will therefore go with my preferred choice of 15...Ra8.

This analysis, formulated in large part via interaction with my teammates on the World Team Strategy Bulletin Board, has led me to RECOMMEND the move 15...Ra8 for Black at this juncture.