These positions are very typical of the Italian and Spanish openings, so it is always a good idea to have an idea of how to play them. How can Black fight for the space in the center?

Using the fact the knight went to h2 and the e5-pawn is not hanging. Therefore Black can push gaining some more space.

This is usually White's plan. The queen is transferred to f3 to support a knight jump to f5. The bishop on c1 is also dangerous targeting h6.

Gaining more space. The bishop on c2 will remain passive for a long time. The pawn on d3 is now backward and the c2-bishop has to guard it. A possible plan is to take on c3 followed by ...b4 to gain full control over the d4-square.

Now there are several ways to play with the black pieces, but I really love the way Kollars plays in this game. It is a fantastic positional idea that is employed to kick the dangerous f5-knight. We want to play ...g6, but of course, h6 would be hanging. Therefore the idea is to overprotect h6 by playing ...Kh7 followed by ...Ng8! and then ...g6.

There we go!

And remember! ...dxc3 followed by ...b4 is strong in these positions to secure the d4-square!

Black intends to play ...b5 or ...Na4. How to proceed?
14.Rb1!

Threatening b4.

Finishing development.

16...Qd8 17.Qd2 Nxc3 18.Nxc3 a6 19.g4 +/-

Vallejo keeps winning space and choking his opponent's pieces. Next, White will connect the rooks and then double them on the c-file with O-O, Rfc1, Rc2, and Rbc1.