<Patzer2: White plays the opening correctly for seven moves, and then errs with the tempo-wasting 8. a3.>

What do you mean tempo-wasting? He's expanding on the queenside, that's good, not bad, how can you say it was a waste of a move? Even if its not the best move, which I would need to be convinced of, its a good move, and not a waste. I know you looked in the Opening Explorer, and it didnt say the move 8.a3 .. but that is simply because they only have like 10 games that reached this position.

You see the move a6 in almost every Benoni variation these days, to push for b5, now that black has found trouble with the Na6-c7 variation.

After doing some analysis with Fritz 8, I have to concur that 8. a3 is not altogether a bad move, although Fritz gives five better moves and lists my favorite 8. Qb3 (similar to the Spassky game above) as best.

Initially, I had considered the move "tempo-wasting" for several reasons. First, 8. a3 develops a rook pawn (as an opening novelty) before developing a piece. Second, 8. a3 takes no immediate action to counter Black's plan of taking over the center and launching a kingside attack. Third, it is infernior to a more solid plan of developing the White pieces before moving a rook pawn as in the solid 8. Nbd2 in Brenninkmeijer vs Van der Wiel, 2001 or immediately counterattacking with the even better 8. Qb3 (similar to the Spassky game above) which was recommended by Fritz 8 as a best move.

I put it to Fritz 8 and the program gave 8. Qb3 (+0.47) , 8. e3 (+0.44), 8. Re1 (+0.41 as leading to a slight White advantage, while 8. Nb2 (+0.25) and 8. Qa4 (+0.19) are given as equalizing (@ 13 depth & 641kN/s).

The move 8. a3 was rated as equalizing but slightly inferior to all of these tries, because Black equalizes immediately with 8... Nge7 per Fritz.

Interestingly, Fritz indicates Black went wrong with the plan of 8...f6 9. exf6 Nxf6 as Black could have obtained a clear advantage with the immediate 10. b4 (+0.78 @ 15 depth & 672kN/s). However, 8. a6 Nge7 only gives white equality. So, based on Black's inferior play I must concede that White went wrong at some point after 8.a3 (e.g. not playing the immediate 10. b4!) and that 8. a3 cannot be blamed for his defeatin this game.

I don't have the patience to transcribe his entire analysis of this game but here are Ward's comments for some key moves:

5...♗f5 <The third bishop posting alternative which, as results would indicate, offers Black the most chances. The text doesn't pressurise the f3-knight (as it does on g4) nor does it threaten White's c-pawn (as it does on e6). However, the option remains for ...Qd7 and ...Bh3, whilst controlling the f5-b1 heralds some bonuses of its own. WIth the bishop arguably less vulnerable on f5, White must always be aware of the possibility of ...Nb4 (.e.g, after 6.Nbd2? Nb4!) Black's light-squared bishop has an option of dropping into e4 and the pawn push ...d3 is always in the offing too.>

8. a3 <As with both 5...Bg4 and 5...Be6, there are a variety of different approaches that White can take. Relatively speaking, though, this varaition is in its early stages.>

8 ...f6 <Certainly not the first time we've seen the pawn sacrifice confirmed in this manner, although this game introduces from new features. Again 8...Bh3 is possible (with White having the option of returning the pawn for a tempo with 9.e6) whilst 8...d3 is another idea available in the ...Bf5 lines. That said, I prefer White's position after 9. exd3 Bxd3 10. Re1 Bxc4 11. Qa4.>

12...g5?! <You may wonder what's going on here; I know I am! Of course the likes of Fritz want to grab this pawn too but obviously humans have a tendancy to be a little more cautious.>