Botvinnik Semi-Slav, The (Pedersen)

14 The Anti-Moscow Variation:
6 Jth4!?
1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 liJf3 liJf6 4 liJc3 e6 5
iLg5 h6 6 iLh4!? (D)
B
Building up enough courage to play
S i.gS requires a lot of effort. However,
those who confidently dash out S
i.gS and are primarily looking for
some fun after S ... dxc4, may be in for
a negative surprise after the 'boring'
S ... h6. Is there really nothing better
than to exchange on f6 and settle for a
small lead in development? Black's
position is rock solid then, and it is not
certain that White is able to derive
anything from his temporary advantages.
A long positional struggle is not
really what White is looking for since
the bishop-pair usually provides Black
good long-term chances.
But do not worry. The Anti-Moscow
Variation, 6 i.h4!?, provides just what
White is looking for: complicated play
with White usually enjoying a hefty
initiative. What was not long ago considered
a rather dubious gambit is now
regarded as perhaps the most dangerous
weapon against the Moscow Variation
and is now the preference of
many strong grandmasters. Unlike in
the Botvinnik System, here White is
offering a real gambit. As compensation
he gets a lead in development and
the better pawn-structure. Here is an
example, which features a powerful
idea that helped revive the whole line.
Sakaev - Kobaliya
Russian Ch (St Petersburg) 1998