Exeter Chess Club: Playing White against unusual replies to 1. e4
Black avoids 2...Nc6 or plays one of the semi-open defences
t S l D j L s TAn Exeter Junior Chess Club booklet
X x X x X x X x
- + - + - + - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - + p + - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p P - P p P
R n B q K b N r
Edition 1.10, June, 95
Bibliography:
Dunnington, How to play the King's Indian Attack
Evans, The Chess Opening for You
Hodgson/Day, The Grand Prix Attack
Hort, Alekhine's Defence (inc. Nimzovitch Defence)
Karpov, The Semi-Open Game in Action
Kasparov/Keene, Batsford Chess Openings 2
Keene et al. Understanding the Caro-Kann Defence
Levy/Keene, An Opening Repertoire for the Attacking Club Player
Nunn, The Complete Pirc
Pachman, Semi-Open Chess
Schiller, How to play the King's Indian Attack
Solitis/Hall, The King's Indian Attack
Walker, Chess Openings for Juniors
Various magazines and other books
Introduction
The repertoires below offer you three ways of playing against most of the semi-open defences, and also tell you what to do against some of the less common lines after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3.The three approaches are:
Fast attacking game with pieces
Slower attacking game with f4
King's Indian Attack with g3
Which you choose will depend on what sort of player you are. It may also depend on what you hope to play after 1. e4 e5.
Fast attacking game with pieces
Giuoco Piano (my main recomendation for junior players) or
Scotch Game
Slower attacking game with f4
Vienna Gambit or
King's Gambit)
King's Indian Attack with g3
KIA with 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. g3 or
in the Vienna 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3
Sadly, the KIA lines have no real force and are not good lines to adopt against 1...e5. But the point is, how well does your chosen repertoire fit together? I'll go through each approach in turn, looking at a system to play against each defence.
I'll concentrate more on the example games than the theory, and more on the 'piece attack' lines than the others, because I think that's what you should be playing.
A. Piece attacks against the common half-open defences
In each of these lines White has a straightforward plan of campaign:rapid development
keep Black passive
keep lines open if you can
keep an eye out for lightning raids
A1. Piece attacks vs. Alekhine 1. e4 Nf6: 1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. exd5 Nxd5 4. Bc4
This is not a particularly well-regarded line for White - that is, it is not considered to be a good way to try for advantage at GM level. But it gives you game where you don't have to learn much sharp theory and you are playing the sort of game you like. It has also been responsible for some amusing miniatures:Ourmet,J - Cierniak,P (1) Paris, 1989
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nxd5 4. Bc4 Nxc3 5. Qf3 e6 6. Qxc3 Nc6 7. Nf3 b6
t + l D j L - T8. Bb5 1-0
X - X - + x X x
- X s + x + - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + b + - + - +
+ - Q - + n + -
p P p P - P p P
R - B - K - + r
and
Iskov,G - Woge Nielsen,J, it, Kobenhavn, 1989
1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. e5 d4 4. Nce2 Ne4 5. c3 c5 6. d3 1-0
You must be prepared, after 1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3, to play the Vienna or other opening after 2...e5.
After 2...d5 3. exd5 Nxd5 4. Bc4 Black has a choice of moving the knight (4...Nb6, 4...Nxc3) or finding some way to defend it (4...c6, 4...e6):
Avoiding with 4...Nb6
White's next is easy to find.5. Bb3 c5
[5... Nc6 6. Qf3 e6 7. Nge2 Be7 8. d3 O-O 9. Bf4 Na5 10. Qg3 Bd6 11. Ne4 Nxb3 12. axb3 Bxf4 13. Nxf4
t + l D - T j ++= Tietze-Neumann, corr; the Knights are nicely placed]
X x X - + x X x
- S - + x + - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - + n N - +
+ p + p + - Q -
- P p + - P p P
R - + - K - + r
6. Qh5 e6 7. d3 Nc6 8. Bg5 +=
[This is the best move, but an example with 8. Nf3 went 8...Be7 9. Ng5 g6 10. Qh6 Bf8 11. Qh3 Bg7 12. Nge4 Nd5 13. Bh6 e5
t + l D j + - TWhite plays a likely-looking Queen sacrifice.
X x + - + x L x
- + s + - + x B
+ - X s X - + -
- + - + n + - +
+ b N p + - + q
p P p + - P p P
R - + - K - + r
14. Bxg7 Bxh3 15. Nxd5 Qa5+ 16. Kf1 O-O-O 17. Bxh8 Rxh8 18. gxh3
- + j + - + - TVisser-Spanjaard 1948; White is better, as the Black pieces can't get going]
X x + - + x + x
- + s + - + x +
D - X n X - + -
- + - + n + - +
+ b + p + - + p
p P p + - P - P
R - + - + k + r
]
Avoiding with 4... Nxc3
White has a cunning reply to this move.5. Qf3 e6 6. Qxc3
t S l D j L - T6... Qg5 7. Nf3
X x X - + x X x
- + - + x + - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + b + - + - +
+ - Q - + - + -
p P p P - P p P
R - B - K - N r
[7. Kf1 +=]
7... Qxg2 8. Rg1 Qh3
t S l + j L - T]
X x X - + x X x
- + - + x + - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + b + - + - +
+ - Q - + n + d
p P p P - P - P
R - B - K - R -
White has compensation for the sacrificed pawn.
Defending with 4... c6
Again, the Qf3 move is strong; Black is obliged to lock in the Bc8.5. Qf3 Be6 6. Nge2 Nc7 7. Bxe6 Nxe6 8. d4
[8. d3 += is good enough]
8... Nxd4 9. Nxd4 Qxd4 10. Be3 Qb4 11. O-O-O e5 ?
[11... e6]
12. Qf5 f6 13. Ne4 Be7 14. Qe6
t S - + j + - T+- Potengowski-Kerckhoff, 1930; White has a clear advantage]
X x + - L - X x
- + x + q X - +
+ - + - X - + -
- D - + n + - +
+ - + - B - + -
p P p + - P p P
+ - K r + - + r
Defending with 4... e6
White places his pieces as actively as possible.5. Qf3 Nb4 ?! 6. Bb3 N8c6 7. Nge2 Be7 8. a3 Ne5 9. Qg3 Nbc6 10. d4
t + l D j + - T+/- Bellon-Alburt 1978]
X x X - L x X x
- + s + x + - +
+ - + - S - + -
- + - P - + - +
P b N - + - Q -
- P p + n P p P
R - B - K - + r
White is better placed.
Example games A1
Karaklajic,N - Marjanovic,Z (3) Pula, 1990 [B02]
1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. exd5 Nxd5 4. Bc4 Nb6 5. Bb3 c5 6. Qh5
t S l D j L - TAgain, White tries to get Black to play ...e6; Black resists.
X x + - X x X x
- S - + - + - +
+ - X - + - + q
- + - + - + - +
+ b N - + - + -
p P p P - P p P
R - B - K - N r
6... c4 7. Bxc4 Nxc4 8. Qb5+ Nc6 9. Qxc4 Qd4 10. Qxd4 Nxd4 11. Kd1
t + l + j L - TWhite is a pawn up and just needs to survive the next few moves to reach a winning endgame.
X x + - X x X x
- + - + - + - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - S - + - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p P - P p P
R - B k + - N r
11... Bf5 12. d3 O-O-O 13. Be3 e5 14. Nge2 Bc5 15. Re1 Nxe2 16. Kxe2 Bxe3 17. Kxe3 Rhe8 18. f3 h5 19. a4 g5 20. h3 g4 21. hxg4 hxg4 22. f4 Rd4 23. fxe5 Rxe5+ 24. Kd2 1-0
Lendwai - Neckar,L, Nova-Park/SW,2,21, 1989 [B02]
1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. exd5 Nxd5 4. Bc4 e6 5. Nf3 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 Nb6 8. Bb3 c5 9. d3 Nc6 10. a3 Nd5 11. Ne4 b6 12. Qe2 Qc7
t + l + - T j +Neat Knights!
X - D - L x X x
- X s + x + - +
+ - X s + - + -
- + - + n + - +
P b + p + n + -
- P p + q P p P
R - B - R - K -
13. Bd2 Nf4 14. Qe3 Nd5 15. Qe2 h6 16. Ng3 Nf6 17. Bc3 Bb7 18. h4
An adventurous pawn
18...Rad8 19. Ng5 hxg5 20. hxg5 Nd5 21. g6 Nf4 22. gxf7+ Rxf7 23. Qg4 Nd4 24. Bxd4 Rxd4
- + - + - + j +Now an enterprising sacrifice to expose the Black King. White can regain the exchange with Bb3xe6 xf7 but hopes for more.
X l D - L t X -
- X - + x + - +
+ - X - + - + -
- + - T - S q +
P b + p + - N -
- P p + - P p +
R - + - R - K -
25. Rxe6 Nxe6 26. Qxe6 Qf4 27. Nf5 c4 28. Nxe7+ Kh7 29. Qg6+ Kh8 30. Qh5+ Qh6 31. Qxf7 Rd8 32. Bxc4 1-0
Madl,I - Guadalpi,D (1) Val-Thorens, 1989 [B02]
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nxd5 4. Bc4 Nxc3 5. bxc3 g6 6. Qf3 e6 7. Ne2 Bg7 8. Ba3 Nc6 9. d4 Ne7 10. O-O O-O 11. Ng3 Re8 12. Rfe1 Rb8
- T l D t + j +White has good chances for an attack.
X x X - S x L x
- + - + x + x +
+ - + - + - + -
- + b P - + - +
B - P - + q N -
p + p + - P p P
R - + - R - K -
13. Ne4 Nf5 14. Rad1 b5 15. Bd3 a5 16. Bc1 Bb7 17. Qe2 Bxe4 18. Bxe4 Qe7 19. Bxf5 gxf5 20. Rd3 b4 21. Rg3 Kh8 22. Qh5 Qf8 23. Bf4 Rb7
- + - + t D - JBlack undoubtedly missed White's idea when considering his last few moves.
+ t X - + x L x
- + - + x + - +
X - + - + x + q
- X - P - B - +
+ - P - + - R -
p + p + - P p P
+ - + - R - K -
24. Rxg7 1-0
Weiss,M - Shields,P (5), Chicago, 1989 [B02]
1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. exd5 Nxd5 4. Bc4 e6 5. Qf3 Nxc3 6. Qxc3 Nc6 7. Nf3 Qd6 8. a3 Bd7 9. O-O O-O-O
- + j T - L - TBlack skips to the Queen's-side
X x X l + x X x
- + s D x + - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + b + - + - +
P - Q - + n + -
- P p P - P p P
R - B - + r K -
10. d4 Be7 11. Be3 Bf6 12. Rad1 Ne7 13. Ne5 Be8 14. Bf4 Nf5 15. Ng6 e5
- + j T l + - TThis central break is the right sort of idea for Black, but goes very wrong here.
X x X - + x X x
- + - D - L n +
+ - + - X s + -
- + b P - B - +
P - Q - + - + -
- P p + - P p P
+ - + r + r K -
16. dxe5 Qxd1 17. exf6 Bc6 18. Qe5 Rd7 19. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 20. Bf1 Nd6 21. Nxh8 Bb5 22. Qxb5 Nxb5 23. fxg7 1-0
I have spent quite a while on the Alekhine's, not because it's a very common line but
you won't find much on the Bc4 plan in the books
the White plan is exactly what you should be doing in all the recommended lines below.
A2. Piece attacks vs. Caro-Kann Defence
All the main lines in the books continue:1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5
and now
3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4
You may find players who will try and gum the whole position up with 3...g6. tempting 4. e5. You can play 4. h3 but the resulting positions are rather dull If you don't like that idea, try instead
3. Nd2
when 3...g6 can be met by 4. c3, keeping the tension in the centre, and 3...dxe4 4. Nxe4
gives us the starting position from the books.
A2.1 Solid line with 4... Nd7
White places his pieces actively in the hope of forcing ...e6 before the Bc8 escapes.5. Bc4 Ngf6 6. Ng5 e6 7. Qe2 Nb6
[7... h6 8. Nxf7 Kxf7 9. Qxe6+ Kg6 10. Bd3+ Kh5 11. Qh3#]
8. Bd3 h6
[8... Qxd4 is too dangerous:
9. N1f3
idea Ne5,Ng5xf7
9... Bb4+ 10. c3 Bxc3+ 11. Kf1 Qc5 12. bxc3 Qxc3 13. Bb2 Qa5
t + l + j + - TWhite has great play for the pawn]
X x + - + x X x
- S x + x S - +
D - + - + - N -
- + - + - + - +
+ - + b + n + -
p B - + q P p P
R - + - + k + r
9. N5f3 c5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Ne5 Nbd7 12. Ngf3 O-O 13. Bd2 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Bd4
[14... Qd5 15. O-O-O Qxa2 16. c3]
15. O-O-O Qd5 16. f4 Qxa2 17. c3 Bc5 18. g4 Nd5 19. g5 Qa1+ 20. Bb1 g6 21. gxh6 b5 22. Qd3 Ba3 23. Qc2 Bb7 24. Rhg1 Rfc8
t + t + - + j +Ripe for picking, I'd say.
X l + - + x + -
- + - + x + x P
+ x + s N - + -
- + - + - P - +
L - P - + - + -
- P q B - + - P
D b K r + - R -
25. Rxg6+ Kf8 26. h7 Ke7 27. Rg7 b4
[27... Rf8 28. Ng6+ Kf6 29. Nxf8 Kxg7 30. h8=Q+ Kxh8 31. Qh7#]
28. Rxf7+ Kd6 29. Rd7+ Kc5 30. Rxb7 1-0
Kirpichnikov-Lein, 1974]
A2.2. Lines with 4... Nf6
5. Nxf6+...and Black has a choice of captures.
A2.2.1
Tartakower Variation, 5... exf6
This is a dull line for Black. The most straightforward attacking line
against it is
6. c3 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. Ne2 Re8 9. Qc2 g6 10. h4
See example games.
A2.2.2 Bronstein-Larsen line, 5...gxf6
This is the more dynamic line; Black hopes to make good use of the half-open files.6. Nf3 Bg4
[6... Bf5
is the normal-looking move, but it isn't very good here e.g.
7. Bd3 Bg6 8. O-O Qc7 9. c4 Nd7 10. d5 O-O-O 11. Be3 e5 12. Be2 Kb8
[12... c5 13. Nh4]
13. Rc1 f5 14. c5
- J - T - L - T14... cxd5 15. c6 bxc6 16. Bb5]
X x D s + x + x
- + x + - + l +
+ - P p X x + -
- + - + - + - +
+ - + - B n + -
p P - + b P p P
+ - R q + r K -
7. Be2 Qc7 8. h3 Bh5 9. O-O Nd7
[9... e6 is better, but White should still get a good attacking game after 10. c4 Nd7 11. d5 O-O-O]
10. d5 Rd8 11. c4 Nb6 12. Be3 Bxf3
[12... cxd5 13. cxd5 Nxd5
[13... Rxd5 14. Bxb6 Rxd1 15. Bxc7]
14. Bb5+]
13. Bxb6 axb6 14. Bxf3 cxd5 15. cxd5 Bh6 16. Qa4+ Kf8 +/- Smyslov-Pachman 1964]
A2.3 Classical Variation with 4...Bf5
Now play:5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nh3
This is the most exciting line. The main line goes something like:
7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Qc7 11. Bd2 e6 12. O-O-O Ngf6 13. Qe2 O-O-O 14. Ne5
- + j T - L - T...when White has a small advantage which is difficult to make any use of.
X x D s + x X -
- + x + x S - X
+ - + - N - + p
- + - P - + - +
+ - + - + - N -
p P p B q P p +
+ - K r + - + r
7... Nf6 8. Nf4 Bh7 9. Bc4 e6 10. O-O Bd6
Now we see the point of the Nf4 move:
11. Nxe6 fxe6 12. Bxe6
t S - D j + - TWhite has good chances for attack, although if the attack fails, the missing piece will lose the game.
X x + - + - X l
- + x L b S - X
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P - + - P
+ - + - + - N -
p P p + - P p +
R - B q + r K -
12... Qc7 13. Re1
[13. Nh5 may be better]
13... Nbd7 14. Bg8+ Kf8 15. Bxh7 Rxh7
and Black is holding on.
Example games A2
Kavalek-Andersson 1978
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2Kavalek actually played 3. Nc3
3...dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ exf6 6.c3 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. Ne2 Re8 9. Qc2 g6 10. h4 Nd7 11. h5 Nf8 12. Bh6 Qc7 13. O-O-O Be6
[13... b5 14. Rh4]
14. c4 Rad8 15. hxg6 fxg6 16. c5 Be7 17. Nf4 Bf7 18. Bc4
- + - T t S j +The Bf7 must be exchanged.
X x D - L l + x
- + x + - X x B
+ - P - + - + -
- + b P - N - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P q + - P p +
+ - K r + - + r
18... Rd5
[18... Bxc4 19. Qxc4+ Kh8 20. Qf7 Bd6 21. Bg7#]
19. Rde1 Red8 20. Bxd5 cxd5 21. Re3 Rd7 22. Rhe1 g5
else Qe2 and Re8+
23. Bxf8 Bxf8 24. Rh1 h6 25. Ng6 Bxc5 26. Rc3 Bd6 27. Rxh6 Kg7 28. Nf8 Kxf8
[28... Bg8 29. Nxd7]
29. Rh8+ Ke7 30. Qe2+ Be6 31. Rh7+
- + - + - + - +White, who has conducted the attack with great accuracy, finds an equally crisp finish.
X x D t J - + r
- + - L l X - +
+ - + x + - X -
- + - P - + - +
+ - R - + - + -
p P - + q P p +
+ - K - + - + -
1-0
[31... Kf8 32. Rxc7 Bxc7 33. Qxe6 Rxh7 34. Qc8+]
[31... Kd8 32. Qxe6 Rxh7 33. Qg8+]
De Armas,A - Jensen,C (7) Novi, 1990 [B18]
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h5 7. N1e2 e6 8. Nf4 Ne7 9. c3 Nd7 10. Nxg6 Nxg6 11. Nxh5 Nxh4 12. g3
t + - D j L - TThe open h-file looks dangerous for both sides, but Black must retreat.
X x + s + x X -
- + x + x + - +
+ - + - + - + n
- + - P - + - S
+ - P - + - P -
p P - + - P - +
R - B q K b + r
12... Ng6 13. Bd3 Rh7 14. Qc2
t + - D j L - +Suddenly, White looks much the better.
X x + s + x X t
- + x + x + s +
+ - + - + - + n
- + - P - + - +
+ - P b + - P -
p P q + - P - +
R - B - K - + r
14... f5 15. Qb3 Ne7 16. Qxe6 g6 17. Bg5 Qa5 18. O-O-O
t + - + j L - +White is looking very good!
X x + s S - + t
- + x + q + x +
D - + - + x B n
- + - P - + - +
+ - P b + - P -
p P - + - P - +
+ - K r + - + r
18... Rxh5
[18... gxh5 19. Rde1 O-O-O 20. Re5 Qa4 21. Bxf5 Rg7
- + j T - L - +19. Bxe7 Qd5 20. Qxg6+ Kxe7 21. Rxh5
X x + s S - T -
- + x + q + - +
+ - + - R b B x
d + - P - + - +
+ - P - + - P -
p P - + - P - +
+ - K - + - + r
t + - + - L - +Enough! 1-0
X x + s J - + -
- + x + - + q +
+ - + d + x + r
- + - P - + - +
+ - P b + - P -
p P - + - P - +
+ - K r + - + -
Haas,C - Trachsel, Arosa, 1990 [B18]
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nh3 Nf6 8. Nf4 Bh7 9. c3 e6 10. Bc4 Nd5 11. Qg4
t S - D j L - TBlack now exchanges one his two developed pieces, bringing another White piece into play.
X x + - + x X l
- + x + x + - X
+ - + s + - + -
- + b P - N q P
+ - P - + - N -
p P - + - P p +
R - B - K - + r
11... Nxf4 12. Bxf4 Qf6 13. Kf1 Nd7 14. Re1 O-O-O 15. Rh3 Bf5
- + j T - L - TWinning the exchange? This was actually a cunning trap for Black to fall into.
X x + s + x X -
- + x + x D - X
+ - + - + l + -
- + b P - B q P
+ - P - + - N r
p P - + - P p +
+ - + - R k + -
16. Qf3 Bxh3 17. Qxc6+ 1-0
Rodriguez,Danie - Ruxton,K (6) WchJ, 1989 [B18]
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6Here White adopts a slightly different move order to the recommended line above.
6. N1e2 e6 7. Nf4 Bd6 8. h4
t S - D j + s TAgain, Black is prompted to exchange on f4.
X x + - + x X x
- + x L x + l +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P - N - P
+ - + - + - N -
p P p + - P p +
R - B q K b + r
8... Bxf4 9. Bxf4 h6 10. h5 Bh7 11. c3 Nf6 12. Qb3 Qe7 13. Be5 b6 14. O-O-O O-O 15. Bd3 Bxd3 16. Rxd3 Nbd7 17. Kb1 Ng4 18. Re1
t + - + - T j +White simply plays to dominate the d-file after the exchange on e5.
X - + s D x X -
- X x + x + - X
+ - + - B - + p
- + - P - + s +
+ q P r + - N -
p P - + - P p +
+ k + - R - + -
18... Ngxe5 19. dxe5 Nc5 20. Qa3 Qg5 21. Rd4 Rfd8 22. Red1 Rd5 23. b4 Nd7 24. c4 Rxd4 25. Rxd4 Qe7 26. f4 c5 27. b5 f6 28. exf6 Nxf6 29. Rd2 e5 30. fxe5 Qxe5 31. Qd3
t + - + - + j +Black's position is loose and he must be very careful...
X - + - + - X -
- X - + - S - X
+ p X - D - + p
- + p + - + - +
+ - + q + - N -
p + - R - + p +
+ k + - + - + -
31... Rf8 32. Re2 Qf4 33. Nf5 Re8
- + - + t + j +34. Ne7+ Kf7 35. Qg6+ Kf8
X - + - + - X -
- X - + - S - X
+ p X - + n + p
- + p + - D - +
+ - + q + - + -
p + - + r + p +
+ k + - + - + -
- + - + t J - +36. Qxe8+ Kxe8 37. Nd5+ 1-0
X - + - N - X -
- X - + - S q X
+ p X - + - + p
- + p + - D - +
+ - + - + - + -
p + - + r + p +
+ k + - + - + -
...More careful than that, anyway
Schlindwein,R - Hugger,M (1) Badenweiler, 1990 [B18]
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. N1e2 h6 7. Nf4 Bh7 8. Bc4 e6 9. O-O Nf6 10. Re1 Nd5
t S - D j L - TThe pin on the e-file can be exploited.
X x + - + x X l
- + x + x + - X
+ - + s + - + -
- + b P - N - +
+ - + - + - N -
p P p + - P p P
R - B q R - K -
11. Bxd5 cxd5 12. Qh5 Qg5
[12... g6 13. Qxd5 Nc6]
13. Rxe6+ Kd8 14. Qxf7 Nc6 15. Re8# 1-0
A3. Piece attacks vs. French 1. e4 e6: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 (Alekhine-Chatard Attack)
Well, you won't get the Alekhine line in every game. The French starts:1. e4 e6
Now play the natural sequence
2. d4 d5 3. Nc3
Black now has an important choice: safe or brave?
A3.1. Rubinstein Variation 3...dxe4 4. Nxe4
t S l D j L s TThis is a solid line but Black lacks counterplay.
X x X - + x X x
- + - + x + - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P n + - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - B q K b N r
A3.1.1 Rubinstein Variation with 4...Nf6
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6White can get an advantage through straightforward moves:
5. Nxf6+ gxf6
(5...Qxf6 6. Nf3 h6 7. Bd3
t S l + j L - T+/-)
X x X - + x X -
- + - + x D - X
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P - + - +
+ - + b + n + -
p P p + - P p P
R - B q K - + r
6. Nf3 b6 7. Bb5+ c6 8. Bc4 Bb7 9. Bf4 Bd6 10. Bg3 Qc7 11. Qe2 Nd7 12. O-O O-O-O 13. Ba6
- + j T - + - T
X l D s + x + x
b X x L x X - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P - + - +
+ - + - + n B -
p P p + q P p P
R - + - + r K -
Liublinsky-Ufimsev 1945.
A3.1.2 Rubinstein Variation with 4...Bd7
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bd7This Stonewall variation recently had some recommendations with the idea of getting a line for the Bishop with Bc6, but White shouldn't be short of play:
5. Nf3 Bc6 6. Bd3
t S - D j L s T6...Nf6
X x X - + x X x
- + l + x + - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P n + - +
+ - + b + n + -
p P p + - P p P
R - B q K - + r
(6...Nd7 may be better)
7. Nxf6+ gxf6 8. Qe2
t S - D j L - T+/- Levy.
X x X - + x + x
- + l + x X - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P - + - +
+ - + b + n + -
p P p + q P p P
R - B - K - + r
A3.1.3
Rubinstein Variation with 4...Nd7
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7
The main line, which, however, promises Black little. There have been
many lines explored here but as an example you could play over:
5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6 7. Ne5
t + l D j L - TWhite has a small advantage with easy development. Tarrasch showed us several times how to play these positions: see EG.
X x X - + x X x
- + - + x S - +
+ - + - N - + -
- + - P - + - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - B q K b + r
A3.2. Guimard Variation 3. ... Nc6
t + l D j L s TIn this line, Black cannot play the natural counterattck ...c5, and the other break with ...f6 is riskier. Now
X x X - + x X x
- + s + x + - +
+ - + x + - + -
- + - P p + - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - B q K b N r
4. e5
t + l D j L s T4...Nge7 5. Nce2 Nf5 6. Nf3 b6 7. Nf4
X x X - + x X x
- + s + x + - +
+ - + x P - + -
- + - P - + - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - B q K b N r
t + l D j L - Tleaves Black without scope, so Black should prefer
X - X - + x X x
- X s + x + - +
+ - + x P s + -
- + - P - N - +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p + - P p P
R - B q K b + r
4...f6
when, after
5. exf6 Nxf6 6. Nf6 Bd6 7. Bg5 O-O 8. Bd3 Bd7 9. Qd2 Qe8 10. O-O-O Qh5
11.Rde1 [[threesuperior]],White has pressure along the e-file and is in any event more actively placed.
t + - + - T j +
X x X l + - X x
- + s L x S - +
+ - + x + - B d
- + - P - + - +
+ - N b + n + -
p P p Q - P p P
+ - K - R - + r
A3.3. Classical Variation, 3...Nf6
This is met by:4. Bg5
t S l D j L - TThe natural reply here is the balancing ...Be7 but Black has two alternatives: ...Bb4 and ...dxe4.
X x X - + x X x
- + - + x S - +
+ - + x + - B -
- + - P p + - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - + q K b N r
A3.3.1. The Burn Variation, 4... dxe4
t S l D j L - TThis has obvious links with the Rubinstein line.
X x X - + x X x
- + - + x S - +
+ - + - + - B -
- + - P x + - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - + q K b N r
5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6
And Black has tried both recaptures:
6...Bxf6 (Variation 1)
t S l D j + - TBlack has the two bishops and is solid; White can claim only a small advantage.
X x X - + x X x
- + - + x L - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P n + - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - + q K b N r
7. Nf3 Nd7 8. Qd2 O-O 9.O-O-O b6 10. d5 Ne5 11. Qf4 Ng6 12. Nxf6+ Qxf6 13. Qxf6 gxf6
t + l + - T j +...when White hopes that the greater harmony of the pawns will give the advantage.
X - X - + x + x
- X - + x X s +
+ - + p + - + -
- + - + - + - +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p + - P p P
+ - K r + b + r
6... gxf6 (Variation 2)
t S l D j + - TA more risky and more dynamic try.
X x X - L x + x
- + - + x X - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P n + - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - + q K b N r
After 7. Nf3 Black hopes the two bishops and open d- and g-files will give active play. White should develop properly and aim for d5, breaking open the position.
A3.3.2. The MacCutcheon Variation, 4... Bb4
t S l D j + - TThis line still offers Black some prospects of a counterattacking game, but is not as good as the Winawer.
X x X - + x X x
- + - + x S - +
+ - + x + - B -
- L - P p + - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - + q K b N r
5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. bxc3 Ne4 8. Qg4 g6 9. Bd3 Nxd2 10. Kxd2 c5 11. Qf4 Nc6 12. Nf3
t + l D j + - TWhite has the idea of dxc5 and Nd4, with advantage.
X x + - + x + -
- + s + x + x X
+ - X x P - + -
- + - P - Q - +
+ - P b + n + -
p + p K - P p P
R - + - + - + r
A3.3.3. The Classical Variation 4... Be7 (and Alekhine Chatard attack with 6. h4)
t S l D j + - TAgain White's move is easy to remember:
X x X - L x X x
- + - + x S - +
+ - + x + - B -
- + - P p + - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - + q K b N r
5. e5 Nfd7
t S l D j + - T6. h4
X x X s L x X x
- + - + x + - +
+ - + x P - B -
- + - P - + - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - + q K b N r
This is, at last, the Alekhine-Chatard Attack. White offers a pawn for chances of attack. Just how good this line can be is shown by the following miniature:
Zuber,M - Halmkin,P (Exeter Vs Teignmouth, 1995)
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 Bxg5 7. hxg5 Qxg5 8. Nh3 Qe7 9. Qg4 g6 10. Bd3 b6 11. Nf4 Ba6 12. Bxg6 fxg6 13. Nxe6 Nf8 14. Nxd5 Nxe6 15. Nxe7 1-0Good, isn't it?
Black has various ways of declining the gambit, but none are very promising (analysis from BCO2 and elsewhere):
Declining with 6... f6
7. Qh5+ Kf8[or 7... g6 8. exf6 gxh5 9. fxe7 Qxe7 10. Bxe7 Kxe7
t S l + - + - T
X x X s J - + x
- + - + x + - +
+ - + x + - + x
- + - P - + - P
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p +
R - + - K b N r
Declining with 6... c5
7. Bxe7 Qxe7 8. Nb5 +=Declining with 6... h6
7. Be3 c5 8. Qg4 g6 9. Nf3 +=Hellers-Barayev 1986
Declining with 6... a6
7. Qg4 Bxg5 8. hxg5 c5 9. g6 f5 10. Qg3 h6 11. Nf3 O-O 12. O-O-O Nc6 13. Ne2
t + l D - T j ++=/unclear BCO2
+ x + s + - X -
x + s + x + p X
+ - X x P x + -
- + - P - + - +
+ - + - + n Q -
p P p + n P p +
+ - K r + b + r
Declining with 6... O-O
7. Qg4 f5 8. exf6 Nxf6 9. Qg3 c5 10. dxc5 Nbd7 11. O-O-O Nxc5 12. Bd3 b5
t + l D - T j +unclear: Kupreichik-Moskalenko 1986
X - + - L - X x
- + - + x S - +
+ x S x + - B -
- + - + - + - P
+ - N b + - Q -
p P p + - P p +
+ - K r + - N r
The Gambit accepted: 6...Bxg5
7. hxg5 Qxg5 8. Nh3 Qe7 9. Nf4 Nc6
t S l + j + - TThe N goes to h3 instead of f3 to allow Q to move to g4 when White has good prospects of attack.
X x X s D x X x
- + - + x + - +
+ - + x P - + -
- + - P - N - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p +
R - + q K b + r
Black has a couple of alternatives to 9...Nc6:
[9... f5 10. Qh5+ Qf7 11. Nxe6 g6 12. Nxc7+ Kd8 13. Qf3
t S l J - + - T+- BCO2
X x N s + d + x
- + - + - + x +
+ - + x P x + -
- + - P - + - +
+ - N - + q + -
p P p + - P p +
R - + - K b + r
13... Kxc7 14. Nxd5+ Kd8 15. Bc4]
[9... Nf8 10. Qg4 f5 11. exf6 gxf6 12. O-O-O: see example games]
[9... a6 10. Qg4 Kf8 11. Qf3 Kg8 12. Bd3 c5
[12... h6]
13. Bxh7+
t S l + - + j TKeres-Wade 1954]
+ x + s D x X b
x + - + x + - +
+ - X x P - + -
- + - P - N - +
+ - N - + q + -
p P p + - P p +
R - + - K - + r
10. Qg4 Nxd4 11. O-O-O Nf5 12. Nfxd5
t + l + j + - TWith compensation, according to BCO2
X x X s D x X x
- + - + x + - +
+ - + n P s + -
- + - + - + q +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p +
+ - K r + b + r
A3.4. The Winawer variation, 3... Bb4 and Alekhine Gambit 4. Nge2
t S l D j + s TBlack takes a risky decision - to attack White's Knight but with the important dark-squared bishop. White has the main try 4. e5 but also some ways of avoiding these critical lines, including the gambit lines 4. Nge2 and 4. a3, and the Winawer Exchange 4. exd5.
X x X - + x X x
- + - + x + - +
+ - + x + - + -
- L - P p + - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - B q K b N r
4. Nge2
Another Alekhine Gambit
t S l D j + s TBlack is advised not to hang on to the pawn, but to concentrate on good development instead.
X x X - + x X x
- + - + x + - +
+ - + x + - + -
- L - P p + - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + n P p P
R - B q K b + r
4... dxe4 5. a3 Be7 6. Nxe4 Nf6
t S l D j + - TAn open game with about equal chances has resulted.
X x X - L x X x
- + - + x S - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P n + - +
P - + - + - + -
- P p + n P p P
R - B q K b + r
Example games A3
A3.3.3 Examples of the Alekhine-Chatard Attack
Alekhine - Fahrni, Mannheim, 1914
This is an early game that showed us all the way.1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 Bxg5 7. hxg5 Qxg5 8. Nh3
t S l + j + - TThe key move in the Gambit Accepted.
X x X s + x X x
- + - + x + - +
+ - + x P - D -
- + - P - + - +
+ - N - + - + n
p P p + - P p +
R - + q K b + r
8... Qe7 9. Nf4 Nf8 10. Qg4 f5 11. exf6 gxf6 12. O-O-O c6 13. Re1 Kd8
[13... Na6 14. Bxa6 bxa6 15. Nfxd5 cxd5 16. Nxd5 Qf7 17. Qf4]
14. Rh6 e5 15. Qh4 Nbd7 16. Bd3 e4 17. Qg3 Qf7
t + l J - S - T18. Bxe4 dxe4 19. Nxe4 Rg8 20. Qa3!
X x + s + d + x
- + x + - X - R
+ - + x + - + -
- + - P x N - +
+ - N b + - Q -
p P p + - P p +
+ - K - R - + -
Great idea.
20... Qg7 21. Nd6 Nb6 22. Ne8 Qf7 23. Qd6+ Qd7 24. Qxf6+
t + l J n S t +1-0
X x + d + - + x
- S x + - Q - R
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P - N - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p + - P p +
+ - K - R - + -
Cid,M - Araya,R (4) Copa, 1989[C13]
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 a6Declined
7. Qg4 Bxg5 8. hxg5 c5 9. g6 f5 10. Qf4 h6 11. Nf3 O-O 12. dxc5 Qe8 13. O-O-O
t S l + d T j +The g-pawn is tempting...
+ x + s + - X -
x + - + x + p X
+ - P x P x + -
- + - + - Q - +
+ - N - + n + -
p P p + - P p +
+ - K r + b + r
13... Qxg6 14. Nxd5
A characteristic sac.
14...exd5 15. Rxd5 Qg4 16. Qd2 f4 17. Rh4 Qe6 18. Bc4 Kh8 19. Rxf4 Rxf4 20. Qxf4 Qe7 21. Nh4 Qe8 22. Rd6
t S l + d + - JBlack's useless Q-side pieces are all still in bed.
+ x + s + - X -
x + - R - + - X
+ - P - P - + -
- + b + - Q - N
+ - + - + - + -
p P p + - P p +
+ - K - + - + -
1-0
Djurhuus,R - Minero,S (7) Santiago, 1990[C13]
1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 e6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 a6Declined
7. Qg4 Kf8 8. Qf4 c5 9. dxc5 Nc6 10. Nf3 Nxc5 11. O-O-O b5 12. Rh3
t + l D - J - TThe position is still not easy for Black
+ - + - L x X x
x + s + x + - +
+ x S x P - B -
- + - + - Q - P
+ - N - + n + r
p P p + - P p +
+ - K r + b + -
12... Bd7 13. Kb1 b4 14. Ne2 Ne4 15. Bxe7+ Qxe7 16. Ng5 Nc5 17. h5 h6 18. Nf3 Ne4 19. Qe3 a5 20. Ng3 Nc5 21. Nd4 a4 22. f4 b3 23. cxb3 Nxd4 24. Rxd4 axb3 25. a3 Rb8 26. Rb4 Rc8 27. Ne2 Ba4 28. Qd4 Bd7 29. Nc1 g6 30. hxg6 fxg6 31. Nxb3 Kg7 32. Nxc5 Rxc5 33. Rg3 Rhc8
- + t + - + - +At last the K-side attack comes!
+ - + l D - J -
- + - + x + x X
+ - T x P - + -
- R - Q - P - +
P - + - + - R -
- P - + - + p +
+ k + - + b + -
34. f5 Rc1+ 35. Ka2 Rxf1 36. f6+ Rxf6 37. exf6+ Qxf6
And White won with the exhange and extra pawns.
38. Qa7 Rd8 39. Rb7 Qe7 40. Rc3 Kf8 41. Qb6 Kf7 42. Qe3 Qg5 43. Qd4 h5 44. Rf3+ Kg8 45. a4 Qe7 46. Qe5 Qg7 47. Rf6 Ra8 48. b3 Re8 49. Qg5 Kh7
- + - + t + - +50. Rxd7 1-0
+ r + l + - D j
- + - + x R x +
+ - + x + - Q x
p + - + - + - +
+ p + - + - + -
k + - + - + p +
+ - + - + - + -
Sokolov - Shemiakin, T, Simferopol, 1989[C13]
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 O-ODeclined
7. Bd3 f5 8. exf6 Nxf6 9. Nf3 c5 10. dxc5 Nc6 11. Qe2 Qa5 12. O-O-O
t + l + - T j +Black now becomes provocative
X x + - L - X x
- + s + x S - +
D - P x + - B -
- + - + - + - P
+ - N b + n + -
p P p + q P p +
+ - K r + - + r
12... d4 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Nxd4 Nxd4
t + l + - T j +The crowd were baying for...
X x + - L - + x
- + - + x X - +
D - P - + - + -
- + - S - + - P
+ - N b + - + -
p P p + q P p +
+ - K r + - + r
15. Bxh7+ Kxh7 16. Qh5+ Kg7 17. Rxd4 f5 18. Rh3 Bxc5 19. Rg3+ Kf6 20. Ne4+
t + l + - T - +The lonely King wanders to his grave
X x + - + - + -
- + - + x J - +
D - L - + x + q
- + - R n + - P
+ - + - + - R -
p P p + - P p +
+ - K - + - + -
20... Ke5
[20... fxe4 21. Rg6+ Kf7 22. Rh6+ Ke7 23. Rh7+ Rf7 24. Qxf7#]
21. f4+ Kxd4 22. Qd1+ Qd2+ 23. Nxd2 Kd5 24. Nb3+ Kc6 25. Nxc5 Kxc5 1-0
Zeh,H - Bahry,J, Baden-Baden, 1989[C13]
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 a6 7. Qg4 h5Declined again
8. Qg3 g6 9. Nf3 c5 10. dxc5 Nc6 11. O-O-O
t + l D j + - T11... Bxg5+ 12. Nxg5 Qe7 13. f4 Nxc5 14. Be2 Bd7 15. Qf2 O-O-O
+ x + s L x + -
x + s + x + x +
+ - P x P - B x
- + - + - + - P
+ - N - + n Q -
p P p + - P p +
+ - K r + b + r
Black escapes to the Q-side
16. g3 Rdf8
- + j + - T - T17. Rxd5 exd5 18. Nxd5
+ x + l D x + -
x + s + x + x +
+ - S x P - N x
- + - + - P - P
+ - N - + - P -
p P p + b Q - +
+ - K r + - + r
the sacrifice is not so great, after all!
18... Nd3+ 19. Bxd3 Qd8 20. Ne4 Kb8 21. Nd6 Qa5 22. Nc3 Be6 23. a3
- J - + - T - T23... Nxe5
+ x + - + x + -
x + s N l + x +
D - + - P - + x
- + - + - P - P
P - N b + - P -
- P p + - Q - +
+ - K - + - + r
[I think this is unnecessary, but it's hard to give Black good advice e.g. 23... Rd8 24. Rd1 f6 25. Nce4 fxe5 26. Nxb7!? Kxb7 27. Nc5+ Kb8 28. Nxe6 Rd6 29. Bc4]
24. fxe5 Qxe5 25. Qb6 Bc8 26. Bxa6 1-0
Now, a few games in the other Alekhine gambit.
A3.4 Examples of the Alekhine Gambit in the Winawer Variation
Miles - Reefschlager, Porz, 1982
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nge2 dxe4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Nxc3 Nc6 7.Bb5 Nge7 8. Be3 O-O 9. Qd2 a6 10. Bxc6 Nxc6 11. O-O-O f5 12. Bg5 Qe8
13. f3 exf3 14. gxf3
t + l + d T j +14... Nd8
+ x X - + - X x
x + s + x + - +
+ - + - + x B -
- + - P - + - +
P - N - + p + -
- P p Q - + - P
+ - K r + - + r
[14... e5 return the pawn to activate the Bc8]
15. Rhg1 c6 16. Rg3 Rf7 17. Rdg1 b5
to allow ...Ra7, but a move too late
18. Bf6
t + l S d + j +1-0 18... Rxf6
+ - + - + t X x
x + x + x B - +
+ x + - + x + -
- + - P - + - +
P - N - + p R -
- P p Q - + - P
+ - K - + - R -
[18... Raa7 19. Qh6 Qf8 20. Be5 Kh8 21. Rh3 Qg8 22. Ne2 f4 23. Rxg7 Rxg7 24. Nxf4
- + l S - + d J]
T - + - + - T x
x + x + x + - Q
+ x + - B - + -
- + - P - N - +
P - + - + p + r
- P p + - + - P
+ - K - + - + -
19. Rxg7+ Kh8 20. Qg5 Rg6
[20... Rf8 21. Rxh7+]
21. Rxg6 hxg6 22. Qh6+
1-0
Conejero,J. M - Perez Torres,J [C15], Valencia
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nge2 dxe4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Nxc3 f5Yeuch.
7. Bf4 Nf6 8. f3
The best approach.
8...exf3 9. Qxf3 O-O 10. O-O-O Nd5 11. Be5 Rf7 12. Bc4
t S l D - + j +12... Qg5+ 13. Kb1 Ne3 14. Bf4
X x X - + t X x
- + - + x + - +
+ - + s B x + -
- + b P - + - +
P - N - + q + -
- P p + - + p P
+ - K r + - + r
1-0
Ristic,Nen - Sanchis, A [C15], Chartres
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nge2 dxe4 5. a3 Be7 6. Nxe4 Nc6 7. Bf4 Nf6 8. Qd3 b6 9. O-O-O Bb7 10. N2c3 O-O 11. Kb1 Qd7 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6
t + - + - T j +13. d5
X l X d + x X x
- X s + x L - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P - B - +
P - N q + - + -
- P p + - P p P
+ k + r + b + r
Always, this is the key break.
13...Ne5 14. Qg3 Ng6 15. Bb5 Qc8 16. Bxc7 Bxc3 17. dxe6 Bxg2
The position is opened up nicely.
18. Rhg1 Bf6 19. exf7+ Rxf7 20. Bc4 Bb7 21. Rge1 Qf5 22. Qb3 Bg5 23. Be6 Qf3 24. Rd3 Qf6 25. Rd7 Ne7 26. Be5 Qxf2 27. Bg3 Qf3 28. Bxf7+
t + - + - + j +1-0
X l + r S b X x
- X - + - + - +
+ - + - + - L -
- + - + - + - +
P q + - + d B -
- P p + - + - P
+ k + - R - + -
Westerinen,H - Bergsson,S [C15], Gausdal
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nge2 dxe4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Nxc3 Nc6 7. Bf4 Nf6 8. Bb5
t + l D j + - TBlack now prompts a move White might make voluntarily.
X x X - + x X x
- + s + x S - +
+ b + - + - + -
- + - P x B - +
P - N - + - + -
- P p + - P p P
R - + q K - + r
8... a6 9. Bxc6+ bxc6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. Nxe4
t + l + j + - TBlack's pawns look awful.
+ - X - + x X -
x + x + x D - X
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P n + - +
P - + - + - + -
- P p + - P p P
R - + q K - + r
12... Qh4 13. Qd3 e5 14. dxe5 Qf4 15. O-O Qxe5 16. f4 Qxb2
Careless.
17. Rfb1
t + l + j + - T1-0
+ - X - + x X -
x + x + - + - X
+ - + - + - + -
- + - + n P - +
P - + q + - + -
- D p + - + p P
R r + - + - K -
Abdulla,M - Khechen,N [C15], Novi
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nge2 dxe4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Nxc3 Nc6 7. Bb5 Nge7 8. Bg5 f6Ill-advised.
9. Be3 a6 10. Bxc6+ Nxc6
t + l D j + - T11. Qh5+ g6 12. Qh6 Qe7 13. Nxe4 Bd7 14. Qh4 Rf8 15. O-O-O O-O-O 16. Rhe1 Be8
+ x X - + - X x
x + s + x X - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P x + - +
P - N - B - + -
- P p + - P p P
R - + q K - + r
- + j T l T - +Again, the position needs opening up with d5.
+ x X - D - + x
x + s + x X x +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P n + - Q
P - + - B - + -
- P p + - P p P
+ - K r R - + -
17. d5 Rxd5 18. Rxd5 exd5 19. Bc5
winning the exchange
19... Qf7 20. Bxf8 dxe4 21. Qxe4 Bd7 22. Bc5 Qa2
- + j + - + - +a hopeful lunge
+ x X l + - + x
x + s + - X x +
+ - B - + - + -
- + - + q + - +
P - + - + - + -
d P p + - P p P
+ - K - R - + -
23. Bd4 Nxd4 24. Qxd4 Qa1+ 25. Kd2 Qa2 26. Re7 Bc6 27. c4 b6 28. Rxh7 Bxg2
- + j + - + - +1-0
+ - X - + - + r
x X - + - X x +
+ - + - + - + -
- + p Q - + - +
P - + - + - + -
d P - K - P l P
+ - + - + - + -
Castillo,O - Segovia,J [C15], WchJ
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nge2 dxe4 5. a3 Be7 6. Nxe4 Nc6 7. Qd3 Nf6 8. Nxf6+ Bxf6 9. Be3 O-O 10. O-O-O
t + l D - T j +Black now tries a break. Because White is not much better developed, he keeps it closed. We than have an opposite-side castling situation, where both sides must attack quickly.
X x X - + x X x
- + s + x L - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P - + - +
P - + q B - + -
- P p + n P p P
+ - K r + b + r
10... e5 11. d5 Ne7 12. Ng3 Ng6 13. Qe4 Bg5 14. Nf5 Bxe3+ 15. fxe3 Ne7 16. g4
t + l D - T j +You can make this sort of move if your king is on the other side.
X x X - S x X x
- + - + - + - +
+ - + p X n + -
- + - + q + p +
P - + - P - + -
- P p + - + - P
+ - K r + b + r
16... Bxf5 17. gxf5 f6 18. Rg1 Kh8 19. Rg3 Qd7 20. Bd3 Rad8 21. Rdg1 Rg8 22. Qh4 h6
- + - T - + t JBlack's attack hasn't even started.
X x X d S - X -
- + - + - X - X
+ - + p X p + -
- + - + - + - Q
P - + b P - R -
- P p + - + - P
+ - K - + - R -
23. Rxg7 Nxf5 24. Rxg8+ Rxg8 25. Qxf6+ 1-0
De Eccher,S - Schneiders,A [C15], Lugano
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nge2 dxe4 5. a3 Be7 6. Nxe4 Nf6 7. Qd3 b6 8. Bf4 Bb7 9. Nxf6+ Bxf6 10. O-O-O
t S - D j + - TBlack is fairly well placed, though behind in development, but now blunders.
X l X - + x X x
- X - + x L - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P - B - +
P - + q + - + -
- P p + n P p P
+ - K r + b + r
10... Bg5 11. Qb5+ 1-0
A3. Example of other French variations
Tarrasch - Mieses[C30], Berlin Match (3) , 1916
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O Nxe4 8. Bxe4 Nf6 9. Bd3 b6
t + l D j + - TBlack has conceded a small space advantage and plays his last move to get the blocked Bc8 out. Tarrasch prevents even that.
X - X - L x X x
- X - + x S - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P - + - +
+ - + b + n + -
p P p + - P p P
R - B q + r K -
10. Ne5 O-O
Else Bb5+
11. Nc6 Qd6 12. Qf3 Bd7 13. Nxe7+ Qxe7 14. Bg5 Rac8 15. Rfe1 Rfe8
Black knows enough not to move his King's-side pawn unless he is forced to. So Tarrasch forces him to!
16. Qh3
- + t + t + j +Threatening 17. Bxf6 and 18. Qxh7
X - X l D x X x
- X - + x S - +
+ - + - + - B -
- + - P - + - +
+ - + b + - + q
p P p + - P p P
R - + - R - K -
16... Qd6 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Qh6 f5
In just a few moves, Tarrasch has got into the heart of the King's defences.
19. Re3 Qxd4 20. c3!
A pretty final move: Black resigns, unable to stop Rg3.
- + t + t + j +
X - X l + x + x
- X - + x + - Q
+ - + - + x + -
- + - D - + - +
+ - P b R - + -
p P - + - P p P
R - + - + - K -
A4. Piece attacks vs. Pirc/Modern 1. e4 ...d6/...g6: 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be3
The trouble with the Pirc is that Black will just lurk behind his pawns, and your pieces won't find much to attack. I play the Pirc/Modern as Black, and am always more impressed by systems which threaten to open lines with pawn breaks than any of the piece play lines. But that's not to say they aren't all dangerous; the player with a plan will always beat the player without one.There are two principal 'piece play' lines available:
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nf3 g6 4. Bc4 Bg7 5. Qe2
t S l D j + - TWhite concentrates on rapid development and aims at a timely e5.
X x X - X x L x
- + - X - S x +
+ - + - + - + -
- + b P p + - +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p + q P p P
R n B - K - + r
The other line I have in mind is:
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be3 Bg7 5. Qd2
t S l D j + - TNow the simple idea is to play the standard attack with O-O-O, f3, g4, h4, Nge2-g3 and h5. Let's see this in action:
X x X - X x L x
- + - X - S x +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P p + - +
+ - N - B - + -
p P p Q - P p P
R - + - K b N r
Hort,V - Rota [B07], Aachen/SW,16,18
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be3 Bg7 5. Qd2 O-O 6. O-O-O
t S l D - T j +6... c6 7. Bh6 b5 8. f3 a5 9. h4 b4 10. Na4 Bd7 11. h5
X x X - X x L x
- + - X - S x +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P p + - +
+ - N - B - + -
p P p Q - P p P
+ - K r + b N r
t S - D - T j +11... Nxh5 12. Rxh5 Bxh6
+ - + l X x L x
- + x X - S x B
X - + - + - + p
n X - P p + - +
+ - + - + p + -
p P p Q - + p +
+ - K r + b N r
[12... gxh5 13. Qg5 b3 14. Qxg7#]
13. Rxh6 c5 14. Rh2 1-0
This plan depends a little on Black castling King's side, although it will not have guaranteed safety on the other side, nor in the centre. See the example games.
Example Games A4
Firstly, let's look at a few games in the Bc4 lines .A4.1. Examples with Bc4
Christ,R - Kljako,D [B07], it, Biel
1. e4 d6 2. d4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. Qe2 c6 6. e5 dxe5 7. dxe5 Nd5 8. Bd2
t S l D j + - TSimple development is the trademark of the White system
X x + - X x L x
- + x + - + x +
+ - + s P - + -
- + b + - + - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p B q P p P
R - + - K - N r
8... Nxc3 9. Bxc3 O-O 10. f4 a5 11. a4 b6 12. Nf3 Ba6 13. Rd1 Qc7 14. O-O Bxc4 15. Qxc4 Na6
t + - + - T j +White has a simple advantage in space.
+ - D - X x L x
s X x + - + x +
X - + - P - + -
p + q + - P - +
+ - B - + n + -
- P p + - + p P
+ - + r + r K -
16. Ng5 h6 17. Ne4 Qc8 18. Rd3 Rb8 19. Rh3 b5 20. Qe2 b4 21. Bd2 f5
- T d + - T j +Black was cramped, but this bid for freedom looks very loose.
+ - + - X - L -
s + x + - + x X
X - + - P x + -
p X - + n P - +
+ - + - + - + r
- P p B q + p P
+ - + - + r K -
22. exf6 exf6 23. f5 g5 24. Qc4+ Kh7 25. Bxg5 fxg5 26. f6 Bh8 27. Nxg5+ Kg6
- T d + - T - LBlack's King is being knocked about all over the place, while the Black pieces watch glumly from the wings.
+ - + - + - + -
s + x + - P j X
X - + - + - N -
p X q + - + - +
+ - + - + - + r
- P p + - + p P
+ - + - + r K -
28. Rxh6+ Kxh6 29. Qh4+ Kg6 30. Qh7+ Kxg5 31. h4+ Kg4 32. Qg6+ 1-0
Knippel,M - Stratmann,B [B08], NRW
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. e4 d6 4. Bc4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Qe2 Nc6 7. e5
t + l D - T j +This is the key break in the Bc4 systems.
X x X - X x L x
- + s X - S x +
+ - + - P - + -
- + b P - + - +
+ - N - + n + -
p P p + q P p P
R - B - K - + r
7... Ng4 8. h3 Nh6 9. g4 Na5 10. Bd3 b6 11. Bf4 Kh8 12. O-O-O
t + l D - T - JBlack's next move seals the centre, but White's King's side attack can now proceed without worrying about the central tension.
X - X - X x L x
- X - X - + x S
S - + - P - + -
- + - P - B p +
+ - N b + n + p
p P p + q P - +
+ - K r + - + r
12... d5 13. Qe3 Ng8 14. Rdg1 h6 15. h4 Nc4 16. Bxc4 dxc4 17. h5 Bb7 18. g5
t + - D - T s JIt looks grim for the Black King.
X l X - X x L -
- X - + - + x X
+ - + - P - P p
- + x P - B - +
+ - N - Q n + -
p P p + - P - +
+ - K - + - R r
18... Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Qxd4 20. Rd1 Qc5 21. Rd5 Qc6 22. gxh6 Nxh6 23. hxg6 Qxg6
t + - + - T - JRecapturing with the pawn wasn't pretty, but this fails to:
X - X - X x L -
- X - + - + d S
+ - + r P - + -
- + x + - B - +
+ - N - + q + -
p P p + - P - +
+ - K - + - + r
24. Rdd1 1-0
25. Rdg1 is killing.
See also the games under the Gurgenidze System.
A4.2. Examples with Be3
Adams,M - Wolff,P [B07], London
1. e4 d6 2. d4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Be3 c6 5. Qd2 b5 6. h4 Nf6 7. f3 Qc7 8. Bh6 Bxh6 9. Qxh6 Be6 10. Nh3 Bxh3 11. Rxh3 Nbd7 12. O-O-O
t + - + j + - TWhite's K-side initiative persuades Black to castle Queen's side.
X - D s X x + x
- + x X - S x Q
+ x + - + - + -
- + - P p + - P
+ - N - + p + r
p P p + - + p +
+ - K r + b + -
12... Nb6 13. Kb1 O-O-O 14. Qe3 e5 15. a3 d5 16. dxe5 Qxe5 17. f4 Qe7 18. e5 Nfd7
- + j T - + - TWhite opens up the Q-side; he can skip the Rh3 across easily.
X - + s D x + x
- S x + - + x +
+ x + x P - + -
- + - + - P - P
P - N - Q - + r
- P p + - + p +
+ k + r + b + -
19. a4 a6
Taking on a4 will allow Ba6+.
20. a5 Na8 21. Nxd5 cxd5
s + j T - + - TThe entry of the Queen is decisive.
+ - + s D x + x
x + - + - + x +
P x + x P - + -
- + - + - P - P
+ - + - Q - + r
- P p + - + p +
+ k + r + b + -
22. Qa7 Nc7 23. Rc3 Nb8 24. g3 1-0
Lane,G - Saucey,M [B07], Royan
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Be3 Nf6 5. Qd2 O-O 6. f3 e5 7. Nge2 c6 8. O-O-O Nbd7 9. g4 b5 10. Nb1 Nb6 11. Ng3 Be6 12. b3
t + - D - T j +Black now takes on d4, and the game starts to look rather like the Yugoslav Attack in the Sicilian Dragon.
X - + - + x L x
- S x X l S x +
+ x + - X - + -
- + - P p + p +
+ p + - B p N -
p + p Q - + - P
+ n K r + b + r
12... exd4 13. Bxd4 d5 14. g5 Nfd7 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. f4 f6 17. h4 Bg4 18. Be2 Bxe2 19. Qxe2 Qe7 20. Rdg1
t + - + - T - +Again, White's attack has proceeded faster than Black's.
X - + s D - J x
- S x + - X x +
+ x + x + - P -
- + - + p P - P
+ p + - + - N -
p + p + q + - +
+ n K - + - R r
20... f5 21. exf5 Qxe2 22. f6+ 1-0
Black will have no prospects in the endgame with White's secure pawn on f6.
Chacon,E - Blazquez,J. L [B07], Alicante
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Be3 Nf6 5. f3 c6 6. Qd2 O-O 7. Bh6 Bxh6 8. Qxh6 Qb6 9. O-O-O Nbd7 10. h4
t + l + - T j +A typical thrust.
X x + s X x + x
- D x X - S x Q
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P p + - P
+ - N - + p + -
p P p + - + p +
+ - K r + b N r
10... c5 11. d5
Often, if the situation in the centre is clear, the attack is easier.
11...Ne5 12. h5 Bd7 13. Be2 c4 14. Nh3
t + - + - T j +White threatens Ng5 after which hxg6 and f4 look very strong.
X x + l X x + x
- D - X - S x Q
+ - + p S - + p
- + x + p + - +
+ - N - + p + n
p P p + b + p +
+ - K r + - + r
14... Bxh3 15. Rxh3 g5 16. Qxg5+ Kh8 17. g4 Rg8 18. Qd2 Qa5 19. g5 Ne8 20. f4 Nd7 21. Qd4+ f6 22. Bg4 Nc5 23. Bf5 Qb6 24. Kb1 h6 25. Bg6 Nd7
t + - + s + t JWhite's King's-side initiative will persist into an endgame.
X x + s X - + -
- D - X - X b X
+ - + p + - P p
- + x Q p P - +
+ - N - + - + r
p P p + - + - +
+ k + r + - + -
26. Qxb6 Nxb6 27. gxh6 1-0
After 27... Nc7 28. h7 Rg7
[28... Rgf8 29. Bf5 Na6 30. Rg3 Nc5 31. Rdg1 Rfe8 32. Rg7 Nbd7]
29. Rg3 e5 30. h6
the endgame is hopeless for Black.
A5. Piece attacks vs. Sicilian: lines with piece play
A5.1. Ideas with Be2
t S l D j L s TIt would be wrong to say there is much theory on these lines.
X x + x X x X x
- + - + - + - +
+ - X - + - + -
- + - + p + - +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p P b P p P
R n B q K - + r
The basic idea is to develop the King's side pieces quickly, and play c3 and d4 (very much the same plan as the normal 1. e4 e5 openings).
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3
Now Black has a basic choice between 2...d6, 2...Nc6 and 2...e6. Alternatives are less strong, e.g. 2...a6 3. c4 or 2...Nf6 3. e5. These should not be scorned - GMs have played each line - but are less good for Black than normal lines.
2...d6
[after 2... e6 White can play an interesting gambit, borrowed from a variation of the English Opening: 3. Be2 Nc6 4. b4 Nxb4
[4... cxb4 5. d4]
5. c3 Nc6 6. d4;
(compare the line 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 e4 4. Ng5 b5)]
3. Be2 Nf6
[3... e6 4. c3 Nc6 5. d4 Nf6 6. Nbd2]
4. c3 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 Qa5+ 7. Nc3 Nxe4 8. d5
t + l + j L - T...with interesting gambit play in each line.
X x + - X x X x
- + s X - + - +
D - + p + - + -
- + - + s + - +
+ - N - + n + -
p P - + b P p P
R - B q K - + r
A5.2.
Ideas with Bb5
Rossolimo Variation with 2... Nc6
3. Bb5
t + l D j L s T
X x + x X x X x
- + s + - + - +
+ b X - + - + -
- + - + p + - +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p P - P p P
R n B q K - + r
Now the most common line is
3...g6
Alternatives:
[3... Nf6 e.g. 4. e5 Nd5 5. Nc3 Nc7 6. a4 Nxb5 7. axb5]
[3... e6 e.g. 4. O-O Nge7 5. c3 d5 6. exd5]
4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 Qb6 6. Na3 Nf6 7. Re1
t + l + j L - T
X x + x X x X x
- D s + - S - +
+ b X - + - + -
- + - + p + - +
N - P - + n + -
p P - P - P p P
R - B q R - K -
[or 7. e5 Nd5 8. Bc4 Nc7 9. d4]
...when White has good play.
Rossolimo Variation with 2...d6
3. Bb5+
t S l D j L s T
X x + - X x X x
- + - X - + - +
+ b X - + - + -
- + - + p + - +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p P - P p P
R n B q K - + r
This is a complex line. After 3...Bd7 White will often play 4. Bxd7+ and
5.c4, placing the pawns on light squares to complement the dark-squared
bishop.
One example in another line:
3... Nd7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 Ngf6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Nc3 Be7 8. O-O a6 9. Bxd7+
Bxd7 10. Rad1 Bc6 11. Rfe1 O-O 12. Bxf6 gxf6
t + - D - T j +
+ x + - L x + x
x + l X x X - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - Q p + - +
+ - N - + n + -
p P p + - P p P
+ - + r R - K -
Again, White has good piece play, although the bishops may be dangerous
Example
games A5
A5.1. Examples with Be2
Basman-Stean,Hastings 1974
This is a famous game in this line.
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Be2 Nf6 4. c3 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 Nxe4 7. d5 Qa5+
8. Nc3 Nxc3 9. bxc3
t + l + j L s T
X x + x X x X x
- + - + - + - +
D - X p S - + -
- + - + - + - +
+ - P - + n + -
p + - + b P p P
R - B q K - + r
9...Ne5
[9... Nd8 may be better]
10. Nxe5 Qxc3+ 11. Bd2 Qxe5 12. O-O Qxd5
[The main alternative is 12... a6
Nikolenko-Obukhov 1991
13. Rb1 g6 14. Rxb7 Bg7
[14... Bxb7 15. Qa4+ Kd8 16. Ba5+ Kc8 17. Qe8#]
15. Qa4+ Kf8 16. Rc7 Bf5
[16... Qxe2 17.Qc6 Bb7 18. Qxb7 Re8 19. Rc8 Qb5 20. Rxe8+ Qxe8 21. Rc1]
17. Qc6 Rd8 18. Bxa6
- + - T - J - T
+ - R - X x L x
b + q X - + x +
+ - + p D l + -
- + - + - + - +
+ - + - + - + -
p + - B - P p P
+ - + - + r K -
idea Re1 - Gallagher]
The game as it goes is a rout.
13. Rb1 e6 14. Bb5+ Bd7 15. Bxd7+ Kxd7 16. Qa4+ Kd8 17. Rb5 Qc6 18. Rc1 Qa6
19. Ra5 Qd3 20. Be3 d5 21. Rxa7 Rxa7 22. Qxa7 Ba3 23. Qb8+ Ke7 24. Bg5+ f6 25.
Qxb7+ Kd6 26. Qc7#
A5.2.
Examples with Bb5
Georgiev,Kr - Feher,G [B30], Cappelle
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. b3 Qb6 6. Na3 Ng6 7. Bb2 a6 8.
Nc4 Qc7 9. Bxc6 Qxc6
White is miles ahead in development, so breaks with d4.
10. d4 cxd4 11. Nxd4
t + l + j L - T
+ x + x + x X x
x + d + x + s +
+ - + - + - + -
- + n N p + - +
+ p + - + - + -
p B p + - P p P
R - + q + r K -
Black now grabs a hot pawn while behind in development. (Kids! Don't try this
at home!)
11... Qxe4 12. Re1 Qf4 13. Nb6 Rb8 14. Nd5
- T l + j L - T
+ x + x + x X x
x + - + x + s +
+ - + n + - + -
- + - N - D - +
+ p + - + - + -
p B p + - P p P
R - + q R - K -
Almost inevitable
14... f6 1-0
Smirin,I - Nun,Ji [B30], Polanica
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. b3 Ng6 6. Bb2 Be7 7. Bxg7 Rg8
8. Bb2 h5 9. Nc3 Qc7 10. Re1
t + l + j + t +
X x D x L x + -
- + s + x + s +
+ b X - + - + x
- + - + p + - +
+ p N - + n + -
p B p P - P p P
R - + q R - K -
10... h4 11. Nd5
A very typical Sicilian sacrifice.
11...exd5 12. exd5 Nd4 13. Nxd4 cxd4 14. Ba3 Qa5 15. Bxe7 Nxe7 16. Qe2
Qa3
t + l + j + t +
X x + x S x + -
- + - + - + - +
+ b + p + - + -
- + - X - + - X
D p + - + - + -
p + p P q P p P
R - + - R - K -
White threatens Qe5 and d6, winning the knight. Black keeps the Knight, but
loses the King.
17. Qe5 Kf8 18. d6 Ng6 19. Qf6 Qa5 20. Bc4 Rg7 21. Re7 1-0
Bogumil - Sarosi [B30], Budapest
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. c3 d5 6. exd5 Qxd5 7. d4 cxd4
8. c4 Qd8 9. Nxd4 Bd7 10. Nf3 Nf5 11. Nc3 Be7 12. Ba4 O-O 13. Bc2 Nh4 14. Nxh4
Bxh4 15. b3 Bf6 16. Ba3
t + - D - T j +
X x + l + x X x
- + s + x L - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + p + - + - +
B p N - + - + -
p + b + - P p P
R - + q + r K -
A neat move making use of the extra space and mobility.
16... Re8
[If 16...Bxc3, 17. Qd3!]
17. Qd3 g6 18. Rad1 Ne5 19. Qg3 Qa5 20. Ne4 Bg7 21. b4 Qc7 22. Nd6
Red8 23. Bb2 Nc6
t + - T - + j +
X x D l + x L x
- + s N x + x +
+ - + - + - + -
- P p + - + - +
+ - + - + - Q -
p B b + - P p P
+ - + r + r K -
White is obviously winning. He finds a neat unmasking (Nf5)
24. Bxg7 1-0
B. Slow attacks with f4 against the common half-open defences
The move f4 is often a strong idea against the Sicilian and Pirc, and to some
extent the French; less good against other lines. The ideas are similar:
develop rapidly
use the extra space given by the extra central pawn
use the f4 pawn to break open lines against the King
B1. Playing f4 vs. Alekhine 1. e4 Nf6: 1. e4 Nf6 2. d3 and 3. f4
Sadly, this line has no real force and is not a good line to adopt.
If you insist on consistency, you can try it, but otherwise I would look at a
different line.
Example games B1
Lazarevic,M - Maric,D (6) Pula, 1990[B02]
1. e4 Nf6 2. d3 d5 3. e5 Nfd7 4. f4 Nb6
t S l D j L - T
X x X - X x X x
- S - + - + - +
+ - + x P - + -
- + - + - P - +
+ - + p + - + -
p P p + - + p P
R n B q K b N r
With the N on b6 it is harder to organise the obvious 'French' break with f6.
5. c3 c5 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. Be2 e6 8. Na3 Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. Nc2 Nc6 11. Ne3 Bxf3
12. Bxf3
t + - D - T j +
X x + - L x X x
- S s + x + - +
+ - X x P - + -
- + - + - P - +
+ - P p N b + -
p P - + - + p P
R - B q + r K -
Black has done everything right so far, but gets careless.
12... d4 13. Ng4 dxc3 14. bxc3 c4 15. d4 Nd5 16. Bxd5 Qxd5 17. Ne3 Qb5 18.
Qe2 Rac8 19. f5 Bg5 20. f6 gxf6 21. Ng4 Ne7 22. Bxg5 fxg5 23. Nf6+
- + t + - T j +
X x + - S x + x
- + - + x N - +
+ d + - P - X -
- + x P - + - +
+ - P - + - + -
p + - + q + p P
R - + - + r K -
White should never have been allowed to reach this easy attacking position.
23... Kg7 24. Qh5 h6 25. Ng4 Ng8 26. Nxh6 Nxh6 27. Qxg5+ Kh7 28. Rf6 Nf5 29.
Rf1 Rg8 30. Qh5+ 1-0
B2. Playing f4 vs. Caro-Kann 1. e4 c6: 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. f4 (a line of the Dunst opening, 1.Nc3)
I couldn't find a single example of this with f4. This is probably because
it's not a very good line!
Example games B2
Van der Vaeren - Savva, Haifa, 1989[A00]
1. e4 d5 2. Nc3 dxe4 3. Nxe4 c6 4. Bc4 Nf6
This could have arisen from the Caro-Kann
5. Nxf6+ exf6 6. Ne2 Be6 7. Bxe6 fxe6 8. Nf4
t S - D j L - T
X x + - + - X x
- + x + x X - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - + - N - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p P - P p P
R - B q K - + r
Hitting at the weak White squares. Black now prompts an elementary
combination.
8... e5 9. Qh5+ Ke7 10. Ng6+ hxg6 11. Qxh8 Kf7 12. Qh3 Qd7 13. Qb3+ Ke7 14.
O-O b6 15. d3 Qd5
t S - + - L - +
X - + - J - X -
- X x + - X x +
+ - + d X - + -
- + - + - + - +
+ q + p + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - B - + r K -
An interesting moment: I would have swapped off here to try and win on
material.
16. c4 Qd6 17. Be3 c5 18. a4 Nc6 19. a5 Nb4 20. axb6 Qxb6 21. f4 exf4 22.
Bxf4 Kf7 23. d4 Nd5 24. Qf3
t + - + - L - +
X - + - + j X -
- D - + - X x +
+ - X s + - + -
- + p P - B - +
+ - + - + q + -
- P - + - + p P
R - + - + r K -
Black is very wobbly here.
24... Nxf4 25. Qxa8 Ne2+ 26. Kh1 Nxd4 27. Rxa7+ Kg8 28. Qd5+ Qe6 29. Qxe6+
Nxe6 30. Re1 1-0
B3. Playing f4 vs. French 1. e4 e6: 1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. f4 (a line of the Dunst opening, 1.Nc3)
Now, I have found a few of these. With the P on e6, Black is necessarily a
little more passive than the Caro lines above. I don't think White can claim
much advantage (indeed, John Watson reckons that the Pf4 may be in the way of
the Bc1), but it's an easy line to understand.
Example games B3
Hill,S - Wright,A , ch-AUS/SW,5,18, 1989[B21]
1. e4 c5 2. f4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Nc6 6. Bc4
t + l D j L s T
X x + - + x X x
- + s + x + - +
+ - X - + - + -
- + b + n P - +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p P - + p P
R - B q K - + r
White has nicely centralised pieces.
6... Nf6 7. Nxf6+ Qxf6 8. O-O Bd6 9. d3 Bxf4 10. Ng5 Qxg5 11. Bxf4 Qe7 12.
Qg4 O-O 13. Rae1 Kh8 14. Qg3 Rd8 15. c3 b6 16. Re3 Re8
t + l + t + - J
X - + - D x X x
- X s + x + - +
+ - X - + - + -
- + b + - B - +
+ - P p R - Q -
p P - + - + p P
+ - + - + r K -
Every White piece is well-placed.
17. Bd5 Bb7 18. Be4 Nd8 19. Bg5 f6
t + - S t + - J
X l + - D - X x
- X - + x X - +
+ - X - + - B -
- + - + b + - +
+ - P p R - Q -
p P - + - + p P
+ - + - + r K -
White now plays a sacrifice which is easy to think of but hard to analyse!
20. Bxh7 Kxh7 21. Qh4+ Kg8 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23. Rg3+ 1-0
Campora,D. H - Shirazi,A , Ch New York ( open ), 1989[B21]
1. e4 c5 2. f4 e6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Bb5 Nge7 5. O-O a6 6. Be2 g6 7. d3 Bg7 8. c3
d5 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Qe1 b5 11. Qf2 Qb6
t + l + - T j +
+ - + - S x L x
x D s + x + x +
+ x X x + - + -
- + - + p P - +
+ - P p + n + -
p P - N b Q p P
R - B - + r K -
A position that could have arisen from either the French or the Sicilian.
12. e5 f6 13. d4 cxd4 14. cxd4 fxe5 15. fxe5 g5 16. g4 h5 17. gxh5 g4 18. h6
Bxh6 19. Nc4 dxc4 20. Bxh6 Nf5
t + l + - T j +
+ - + - + - + -
x D s + x + - B
+ x + - P s + -
- + x P - + x +
+ - + - + n + -
p P - + b Q - P
R - + - + r K -
Rather a sign of distress; White is winning.
21. Bxf8 Kxf8 22. Nh4 Ncxd4 23. Bxg4 Bb7 24. h3 Qc5 25. Rae1 Kg8 26. Kh2
1-0
B4. Playing f4 vs. Pirc/Modern 1. e4 ...d6/...g6: 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 (Austrian Attack)
Against the Pirc, f4 is not a particularly slow line!
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O
[5... c5 is probably a better way to equalise, or so the books say in
1990]
6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O
t + l D - T j +
X x X - X x L x
- + s X - S x +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P p P - +
+ - N b + n + -
p P p + - + p P
R - B q + r K -
The White attack is easy to understand; White will complete development and
then break with e5 or f5 - or both!
Example games B4
Ekebjaerg,Ove (2580) - Van Manen,Gerben (2580) cr Blass-mem, 1990[B07]
1. Nc3 Nf6 2. e4 d6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. d4 O-O 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O Bg4 8.
e5 Nd7 9. Be3
t + - D - T j +
X x X s X x L x
- + s X - + x +
+ - + - P - + -
- + - P - P l +
+ - N b B n + -
p P p + - + p P
R - + q + r K -
A set-up for White which is easy to understand. I have watched relatively weak
(170-grade) players carve up 200-strength players in this line.
9... dxe5 10. dxe5 f6 11. exf6 Bxf6 12. h3 Be6 13. Qe2 Bf7 14. Rad1 Qe8 15.
f5
t + - + d T j +
X x X s X l + x
- + s + - L x +
+ - + - + p + -
- + - + - + - +
+ - N b B n + p
p P p + q + p +
+ - + r + r K -
The classic break.
15... Kh8 16. fxg6 Bxg6 17. Bxg6 hxg6 18. Nd5 Rc8 19. Bh6 Rf7
- + t + d + - J
X x X s X t + -
- + s + - L x B
+ - + n + - + -
- + - + - + - +
+ - + - + n + p
p P p + q + p +
+ - + r + r K -
Black is busted.
20. Ng5 Bxg5 21. Bxg5 Nb6 22. Nxb6 cxb6 23. Qe6 Rf5 24. Rxf5 gxf5 25. Rd7
Rd8 26. Bxe7 1-0
Mednis-Vadasz 1978
Another typical White win in this line
1. d4 d6 2. e4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O Bg4 8.
e5 dxe5 9. dxe5 Nh5 10. Be3 f6 11. exf6 Bxf6 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Qxf3
t + - D - T j +
X x X - X - + x
- + s + - L x +
+ - + - + - + s
- + - + - P - +
+ - N b B q + p
p P p + - + p +
R - + - + r K -
threat f5
13... Bd4 14. Ne2 e5 15. Nxd4 Nxd4
[15... exd4 16. Bd2 Ne5 17. Qxb7 Rb8 18. Qe4 Nxd3 19. Qxd3
Rxb2]
16. Qe4 Nxf4 17. Bc4+
t + - D - T j +
X x X - + - + x
- + - + - + x +
+ - + - X - + -
- + b S q S - +
+ - + - B - + p
p P p + - + p +
R - + - + r K -
1-0
[17... Nfe6 18. Qxe5]
Bareev - Norwood, Marseilles, 1990[B09]
Norwood, in his book Winning with the Modern, offers this game as
a reason for Black to avoid the Austrian at all costs.
1. d4 d6 2. e4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 c5 6. e5
[Book is 6. dxc5 or 6. Bb5+]
6...Ng4
[6... Nfd7! was essential]
7. dxc5 dxc5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Nh6 10. Be3 b6 11. O-O-O+ Bd7 12.
g4 Kc8 13. Ng5 f6
Yeuch
14. Rxd7 Kxd7 15. Bb5+ Kc8 16. Ne6 Bf8 17. Nd5 Nf7 18. Ndc7 Nd8 19. Rd1 Nxe6
20. Nxe6 fxe5 21. Rd8+ Kb7 22. Bd3
t S - R - L - T
X j + - X - + x
- X - + n + x +
+ - X - X - + -
- + - + - P p +
+ - + b B - + p
p P p + - + - +
+ - K - + - + -
1-0
Black never got going.
B5. Playing f4 vs. Sicilian (a) 1. e4 c5 Grand Prix attack
This is another system where the White side is easy to understand, and where
Black has struggled to find a clear equaliser. 2. f4 can lead to the slow
Sicilian with g3 and Bg2, but several English players have adopted the more
aggressive system with Bc4. We will look at both systems.
A second idea is to play Bb5xNc6 and then play a slow Dutch-style attack with
Qe1 and Qh4.
1. e4 c5 2. f4 g6
t S l D j L s T
X x + x X x + x
- + - + - + x +
+ - X - + - + -
- + - + p P - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p P - + p P
R n B q K b N r
There are alternatives:
[2... d5 can be met by 3. Nc3 (EG)
t S l D j L s T
X x + - X x X x
- + - + - + - +
+ - X x + - + -
- + - + p P - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p P - + p P
R - B q K b N r
[The point of 2...d5 is the wicked gambit line 3. exd5 Nf6 4. c4 e6 5. dxe6
Bxe6 devised by Mikhail Tal]
]
[2... e6 3. Nc3 d5
t S l D j L s T
X x + - + x X x
- + - + x + - +
+ - X x + - + -
- + - + p P - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p P - + p P
R - B q K b N r
[3... Nc6 4. Nf3 Nge7 5. Bb5 d5 6. Qe2 d4 7. Nd1]
4. Nf3]
3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. Bc4
[The other idea in this line is 5. Bb5 to exchange off the Nc6, and
then play a standard Dutch-style attack with Qe1 and Qh4 (EG)]
Black can play ....d6 (EG) but more often goes:
5... e6
t + l D j + s T
X x + x + x L x
- + s + x + x +
+ - X - + - + -
- + b + p P - +
+ - N - + n + -
p P p P - + p P
R - B q K - + r
6. f5
This is the sharpest line, although White does not have to gambit
[e.g. 6. O-O Nge7]
Now the complications that follow...
6... exf5 7. d3 Nge7 8. O-O O-O? (EG)
or
6... gxf5 7. d3
...must be known in a little detail to be played safely. There is also
plenty of scope for original analysis - for example, what should happen after
6... d5
The gambit is probably best declined with
6... Nge7 7. fxe6 dxe6
[7... fxe6 may be better
t + l D j + - T
X x + x S - L x
- + s + x + x +
+ - X - + - + -
- + b + p + - +
+ - N - + n + -
p P p P - + p P
R - B q K - + r
when Black's King is in danger but the central pawn mass is dangerous and
may trap the White Q-side pieces]
There are also many lines with f4 in the open Sicilian i.e.. 1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 (...) 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 (...) 6. f4.
Example
games B5a
First, a straightforward quick attack down the King's side
Hodgson - Ady, Streatham Vs Ymca, London, 1981[B23]
1. e4 c5 2. f4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. Bc4 e6 6. f5 exf5 7. d3 Nge7 8.
O-O O-O?
t + l D - T j +
X x + x S x L x
- + s + - + x +
+ - X - + x + -
- + b + p + - +
+ - N p + n + -
p P p + - + p P
R - B q + r K -
This natural-looking move is probably a decisive mistake. Black has no
effective counter to White's simple mating attack.
9. Qe1 Nd4 10. Qh4 Nxf3+ 11. Rxf3 fxe4 12. Rh3 h6 13. Bg5 Re8 14. Rf1 d5 15.
Nxd5 hxg5 16. Nf6+ Black resigns
[16. Nf6+ Kf8
[or 16... Bxf6 17. Qh7+ Kf8 18. Qxf7#]
17. Nh7+ Kg8 18. Bxf7+ Kh8 19. Nxg5+ Bh6 20. Qxh6#]
1-0
Next, a slower attack with the Bb5 idea
Hebden - Large, British Ch'p, 1982[B21]
1. e4 c5 2. f4 Nc6 3. Nf3 g6 4. Bb5 Bg7 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. d3 Nf6 7. Nc3 O-O 8.
O-O b6
t + l D - T j +
X - + - X x L x
- X x + - S x +
+ - X - + - + -
- + - + p P - +
+ - N p + n + -
p P p + - + p P
R - B q + r K -
White has an obvious plan. And the player with a plan will always beat the
player without one.
9. Qe1 Ne8 10. Qh4 Nd6 11. f5 gxf5 12. e5 Ne8 13. Bh6 f6 14. Kh1 Bxh6 15.
Qxh6 Ng7 16. Rae1 Be6 17. Ne2 c4 18. Nf4 cxd3 19. cxd3 Bxa2
t + - D - T j +
X - + - X - S x
- X x + - X - Q
+ - + - P x + -
- + - + - N - +
+ - + p + n + -
l P - + - + p P
+ - + - R r + k
Black might as well snatch a pawn, he has achieved nothing to counter White's
simple attack.
20. e6 Qc8 21. Re3 Nxe6 22. Nxe6 Bxe6 23. Rxe6 Rf7
[23... Qxe6 24. Ng5 Qf7 25. Nxf7 Rxf7]
24. Rfe1 1-0
And what if Black throws a spanner in the works with 2...d5?
Plaskett - Howell, British Ch'p, 1983[B21]
1. e4 c5 2. f4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 e6 5. Nf3 Be7 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. Qe2 Nc6 8.
c3 O-O 9. O-O b6 10. d3 Bb7 11. Ng3 Bd6 12. Bd2 Qc7 13. Ng5
t + - + - T j +
X l D - + x X x
- X s L x S - +
+ - X - + - N -
- + b + - P - +
+ - P p + - N -
p P - B q + p P
R - + - + r K -
Black's pieces are nicely placed but going nowhere. White, as usual, knows
where he is going!
13... Ne7 14. N5e4
forcing an exchange he had earlier avoided
14... Nxe4 15. dxe4 Ng6 16. Nh5 Kh8 17. Rae1 Rad8 18. Bc1 Rd7 19. e5 Be7 20.
f5 exf5 21. Rxf5 Bd5 22. Bxd5 Rxd5 23. Qg4 Qd7 24. Ref1 Kg8
- + - + - T j +
X - + d L x X x
- X - + - + s +
+ - X t P r + n
- + - + - + q +
+ - P - + - + -
p P - + - + p P
+ - B - + r K -
25. Nxg7 Kxg7 26. Qh5 Kg8 27. Bh6 Qe6 28. Bxf8 Nxf8 29. c4
[29. Rxf7 Rxe5]
29... Rd4 30. Rxf7 Qg6 31. Qf3 Ne6 32. Rxe7 Rf4 33. Rxe6 1-0
Ekebjaerg,Ove - Danner,Georg, cr Nielsen-mem, 1987
[B23/07]
1. Nc3 c5 2. e4 d6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bc4 e6 6. f5 Ne7 7. O-O
O-O
t S l D - T j +
X x + - S x L x
- + - X x + x +
+ - X - + p + -
- + b + p + - +
+ - N - + n + -
p P p P - + p P
R - B q + r K -
A typical sort of position in this line, although an odd move order (no
...Nc6)
8. fxe6 fxe6 9. Ng5 d5 10. Rxf8+ Qxf8 11. exd5 b5 12. Bxb5 exd5 13. Qf3 Qxf3
14. Nxf3
t S l + - + j +
X - + - S - L x
- + - + - + x +
+ b X x + - + -
- + - + - + - +
+ - N - + n + -
p P p P - + p P
R - B - + - K -
White is simply a pawn up and needs only consolidate to win the ending.
14... Ba6 15. Ba4 Bb7 16. d3 Nbc6 17. Bg5 h6 18. Bxe7 Nxe7 19. Re1 Nf5 20.
Bd7 Nd4 21. Be6+ Nxe6 22. Rxe6
White has given up both bishops, which would make me anxious, but he
seems to know what he is doing.
22... g5 23. Na4 Rc8 24. Ne5 Rc7 25. Re8+ Kh7 26. Nc3 a6 27. Nd1 d4 28. b3
h5 29. Nb2 g4 30. Nbc4 Kh6 31. Nd6 Bd5 32. Nec4 Kg6 33. Nb6 Bf7
- + - + r + - +
+ - T - + l L -
x N - N - + j +
+ - X - + - + x
- + - X - + x +
+ p + p + - + -
p + p + - + p P
+ - + - + - K -
34. Nxf7 1-0
Without the light-squared bishop Black is in trouble, but it might have
been worth struggling on over the board (this was postal).
Hodgson
- Nunn, Aaronson Open, 1978[B23]
1. e4 c5 2. f4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. Bc4 d6
t + l D j + s T
X x + - X x L x
- + s X - + x +
+ - X - + - + -
- + b + p P - +
+ - N - + n + -
p P p P - + p P
R - B q K - + r
[5... e6 and now 6. f5, 6.e5, 6.O-O, 6. d3, and 6.a3 have been tried. Since
Grandmaster Nunn lost this dashing game to the young Hodgson, hardly anyone has
tried this line!]
6. O-O Nf6 7. d3 O-O 8. f5 gxf5 9. Qe1 fxe4 10. dxe4 Bg4 11. Qh4 Bxf3
[11... Bh5 idea ...Bg6]
12. Rxf3 Ne5 13. Rh3 Ng6
[13... Nxc4 14. Nd5 Re8 15. Nxf6+
[15. Bh6 Bxh6 16. Qxh6 Ne5 17. Rf1]
15... exf6 16. Qxh7+ Kf8 17. Rg3 Bh8]
14. Qg3 Qd7 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. Bxd5 e6 17. Bb3 d5 18. Qf3 c4 19. Ba4
Qxa4 20. Qh5 Rfd8 21. Qxh7+ Kf8 22. Bh6 Bxh6 23. Rxh6 Rd7
[23... c3 =+ Nunn]
24. Rf1 Ke8 25. Qg8+ Nf8 26. Rxe6+ Kd8 27. Qxf8+ Kc7 28. Qc5+ Kd8
29. Rh6 1-0
B5. Playing f4 vs. Sicilian (b)Traditional Closed Sicilian
This line has been adopted by three World champions at one time or another:
the young Karpov, the mature Spassky, and by Smyslov throughout his chess
career. And as we shall see, Kasparov knows about the line.
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6 6. f4
t + l D j + s T
X x + - X x L x
- + s X - + x +
+ - X - + - + -
- + - + p P - +
+ - N p + - P -
p P p + - + b P
R - B q K - N r
[6. Be3 e5 7. Qd2 is another popular line; Black gets into trouble after
6...e6 7. Qd2 Nge7?! 8. Bh6 e.g. 8...O-O? 9. h4! or 8...Bxh6 9. Qxh6 Nd4 10.
O-O-O]
6... e6 7. Nf3 Nge7 8. O-O O-O 9. Be3 Nd4
is the main line, although Spassky has tried 9. Bd2. After 6...e5
Spassky has experimented with more active 7. Nh3 Nge7 8. O-O Nd4 9. f5!?
Theory is not so critical in the Closed Sicilian because of the non-forcing
nature of the line.
Example games B5b
Spassky - Geller, Candidates, 1968
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 g6 5. d3 Bg7 6. f4 Nf6 7. Nf3 O-O 8. O-O
Rb8 9. h3 b5 10. a3 a5 11. Be3 b4 12. axb4 axb4 13. Ne2 Bb7 14. b3
- T - D - T j +
+ l + - X x L x
- + s X - S x +
+ - X - + - + -
- X - + p P - +
+ p + p B n P p
- + p + n + b +
R - + q + r K -
Another defensive move! Is White just going to stand and get punched apart?
14... Ra8 15. Rc1 Ra2 16. g4
- + - D - T j +
+ l + - X x L x
- + s X - S x +
+ - X - + - + -
- X - + p P p +
+ p + p B n + p
t + p + n + b +
+ - R q + r K -
At last an attacking gesture
16... Qa8 17. Qe1 Qa6 18. Qf2 Na7 19. f5
- + - + - T j +
S l + - X x L x
d + - X - S x +
+ - X - + p + -
- X - + p + p +
+ p + p B n + p
t + p + n Q b +
+ - R - + r K -
The characteristic break
19... Nb5 20. fxg6
Opening the f-file (so what? see move 23!)
20... hxg6
[20... fxg6 21. Nf4 Bc8 22. Ng5 Nc7]
21. Ng5 Na3 22. Qh4 Rc8
- + t + - + j +
+ l + - X x L -
d + - X - S x +
+ - X - + - N -
- X - + p + p Q
S p + p B - + p
t + p + n + b +
+ - R - + r K -
the Q-side is about to give, but...
23. Rxf6 exf6 24. Qh7+ Kf8 25. Nxf7 Rxc2
[25... Kxf7 26. Bh6 Rg8 27. Nf4 Rxc2 28. Rf1 Kf8 29. Nxg6+ Kf7 30.
Nf4
or Nh8+
30... Kf8 31. Nh5 Bxh6 32. Qxh6+ Ke7 33. Qh7+ Kd8 34. Nxf6
- + - J - + t +
+ l + - + - + q
d + - X - N - +
+ - X - + - + -
- X - + p + p +
S p + p + - + p
- + t + - + b +
+ - + - + r K -
is just terrible]
26. Bh6 Rxc1+ 27. Nxc1 Kxf7 28. Qxg7+ Ke8 29. g5
[29. e5 Bxg2 30. e6]
29... f5 30. Qxg6+ Kd7 31. Qf7+ Kc6 32. exf5+
- + t + - + - +
+ l + - + q + -
d + j X - + - B
+ - X - + p P -
- X - + - + - +
S p + p + - + p
- + - + - + b +
+ - N - + - K -
1-0
32... Kb6 33. Qxb7+ Qxb7 34. Bxb7 Kxb7 35. f6 1-0
Psakhis - Kasparov, La Manga, 1990 [compare B23]
Oddly, one of the best example games I have on file for the Closed Sicilian is
this one, from quite a different opening
1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 Bg7 3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 d6 5. Nf3 e5 6. d3 f5 7. O-O Nf6
t + l D j + - T
X x X - + - L x
- + s X - S x +
+ - + - X x + -
- + p + - + - +
+ - N p + n P -
p P - + p P b P
R - B q + r K -
8. Rb1 h6 9. b4 O-O 10. b5 Ne7 11. a4 Be6 12. Ba3 Rc8
- + t D - T j +
X x X - S - L -
- + - X l S x X
+ p + - X x + -
p + p + - + - +
B - N p + n P -
- + - + p P b P
+ r + q + r K -
Black does not rush but secures the Q-side.
13. Nd2 b6 14. e3 g5 15. d4 exd4 16. exd4 f4
- + t D - T j +
X - X - S - L -
- X - X l S - X
+ p + - + - X -
p + p P - X - +
B - N - + - P -
- + - N - P b P
+ r + q + r K -
17. Re1 Bg4 18. Nf3 Qd7 19. c5 Rce8 20. Rc1 Nf5 21. Qd3 Kh8 22. cxd6 cxd6
23. Rxe8 Qxe8 24. Rf1 Qh5
- + - + - T - J
X - + - + - L -
- X - X - S - X
+ p + - + s X d
p + - P - X l +
B - N q + n P -
- + - + - P b P
+ - + - + r K -
The Black pieces hover like vultures
25. Ne4 Nxe4 26. Qxe4 Bh3 27. Ne5 Bxg2 28. Kxg2 g4 29. Bxd6 Rf6 30. Bb8
Qh3+
- B - + - + - J
X - + - + - L -
- X - + - T - X
+ p + - N s + -
p + - P q X x +
+ - + - + - P d
- + - + - P k P
+ - + - + r + -
0-1
Smyslov - Romanishin, Moscow, 1976 [B23]
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6 6. Nh3 h5
t + l D j + s T
X x + - X x L -
- + s X - + x +
+ - X - + - + x
- + - + p + - +
+ - N p + - P n
p P p + - P b P
R - B q K - + r
The sixth moves on each side are unusual.
7. f4 Bg4 8. Qd2 Nd4 9. Ng1 Qd7 10. h3 Be6 11. Nce2 h4 12. g4 f5 13. exf5
gxf5 14. g5
t + - + j + s T
X x + d X - L -
- + - X l + - +
+ - X - + x P -
- + - S - P - X
+ - + p + - + p
p P p Q n + b +
R - B - K - N r
Black can find no refuge on the King's-side, it is clear.
14... O-O-O 15. Nxd4 cxd4 16. Ne2 Bf7 17. c3 dxc3 18. bxc3 Kb8 19. Rb1 d5
20. O-O e5 21. fxe5 Bxe5 22. d4 Bc7 23. c4 Ne7 24. c5 Rdg8 25. Qb4 Bd8 26. Rf3
Nc6 27. Qb5 Bh5 28. Rfb3
- J - L - + t T
X x + d + - + -
- + s + - + - +
+ q P x + x P l
- + - P - + - X
+ r + - + - + p
p + - + n + b +
+ r B - + - K -
White's tripling is very threatening.
28... Rg7 29. Nf4 Bxg5 30. Nxh5 Rxh5 31. Qe2 Bxc1
- J - + - + - +
X x + d + - T -
- + s + - + - +
+ - P x + x + t
- + - P - + - X
+ r + - + - + p
p + - + q + b +
+ r L - + - K -
And the coup de grace:
32. Rxb7+ Qxb7 33. Qe8+ Kc7 34. Rxb7+ Kxb7 35. Qxh5 Nxd4 36. Kf1 Be3 37. Qh8
Rd7 38. Qe8 1-0
C. King's Indian Attack against the common half-open defences
Introduction to the King's Indian Attack
"Club
players and home enthusiasts often ask me to recommend an openings system for
White which is safe, yet aggressive and does not require a superb memory and
months of intense learning. In such cases I invariably recommend the King's
Indian Attack" - KEENE
To understand the KIA it is important to understand the standard King's Indian
Defence ideas, which you will play as White. Here is an early King's Indian
Defence game, which alerted the chess world to a new way of handling the Black
pieces.
Belavanets - Bronstein 13th USSR semi-final, 1941
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. g3 g6 6. Bg2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8.
b3 Re8 9. e3 c6 10. Qc2 Qa5 11. a4 Nf8 12. Ba3 Bf5 13. Qb2 Rad8 14. Rfd1 e4 15.
Nd2 Ne6
- + - T t + j +
X x + - + x L x
- + x X s S x +
D - + - + l + -
p + p P x + - +
B p N - P - P -
- Q - N - P b P
R - + r + - K -
The Qa5 is not typical, but we can see several themes here:
fianchetto of the King's bishop
use of the e-pawn to gain an initiative on the K-side
over-protection of the advanced e4-pawn
move all the pieces to the K-side in a committal attack
16. b4 Qc7 17. Rdb1 Qd7 18. c5 Ng5
More over-protection
19. cxd6 Bh3 20. Bh1 Qf5 21. Ne2 Nd5 22. b5 Bg4
- + - T t + j +
X x + - + x L x
- + x P - + x +
+ p + s + d S -
p + - P x + l +
B - + - P - P -
- Q - N n P - P
R r + - + - K b
23. Kf1
Two sword-swipes with the Knights decide the game.
23...Nxe3+ 24. Ke1 Nf3+ 0-1
Now, wouldn't that all be better with an extra move? Let's see now...
Petrosian - Pachman, Bled, 1961
1. Nf3 c5 2. g3 Nc6 3. Bg2 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. d3 e6 6. e4 Nge7 7. Re1 O-O 8.
e5 d6 9. exd6 Qxd6
t + l + - T j +
X x + - S x L x
- + s D x + x +
+ - X - + - + -
- + - + - + - +
+ - + p + n P -
p P p + - P b P
R n B q R - K -
Black seems to have good chances
10. Nbd2 Qc7 11. Nb3 Nd4 12. Bf4 Qb6 13. Ne5 Nxb3
t + l + - T j +
X x + - S x L x
- D - + x + x +
+ - X - N - + -
- + - + - B - +
+ s + p + - P -
p P p + - P b P
R - + q R - K -
Now a very cute intermezzo
14. Nc4 Qb5 15. axb3 a5 16. Bd6 Bf6 17. Qf3 Kg7 18. Re4
[18. Qxf6+ Kxf6 19. Be5+ Kf5 20. Bg7 is already decisive]
18... Rd8
[18... Ng8 19. Bxf8+]
t + l T - + - +
+ x + - S x J x
- + - B x L x +
X d X - + - + -
- + n + r + - +
+ p + p + q P -
- P p + - P b P
R - + - + - K -
Now the blow that made this game famous - not so much for the first move:
19. Qxf6+ Kxf6 20. Be5+ Kg5 21.Bg7 1-0
..but this last one - quiet but deadly.
21... Nf5 22. f4+ Kg4 23. Ne5+ Kh5 24. Bf3# mates
or even easier:
21... e5 22. h4+ Kf5
[22... Kh5 23. Bf3+ Bg4 24. Bxg4#]
23. Bh3#
If you'v e got the idea, we can look at some concrete variations.
C1. KIA vs. Alekhine 1. e4 Nf6: 1. e4 Nf6 2. d3 and 3. g3/Bg2
Sadly, this line has no real force and is not a good line to adopt. Black can
transpose into other openings but can also just go 2...e5.
Example games C1
Kaulfuss,H - Diaz,Joa.C (4) Hessen-ch, 1989[B02]
1. e4 Nf6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. dxe4 e5 5. Ngf3 Bc5 6. Bc4 Bg4
t S - D j + - T
X x X - + x X x
- + - + - S - +
+ - L - X - + -
- + b + p + l +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p N - P p P
R - B q K - + r
Black overlooks a little combination.
7. Bxf7+ Ke7 8. Bb3 Nc6 9. c3 Qe8 10. Qe2 Qh5 11. O-O Rhf8
t + - + - T - +
X x X - J - X x
- + s + - S - +
+ - L - X - + d
- + - + p + l +
+ b P - + n + -
p P - N q P p P
R - B - + r K -
Black has some compensation for the pawn.
12. h3 Bd7 13. Bd1 Bb6 14. Nc4 h6
But White's next shatters any hopes
15. Nfxe5 Nxe5 16. Qxh5 Nxh5 17. Nxb6 axb6 18. Bxh5 Bb5 19. Rd1 Bc4 20. f4
1-0
Fischer,Robert J - Fauber,Richard Milwaukee Northwestern, 1957
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. d3 d6 6. e4 e5
This could have arisen from an Alekhine Defence
7. Nbd2 Nbd7 8. a4 Re8 9. Nc4 h6 10. Ne1 Nf8
t + l D t S j +
X x X - + x L -
- + - X - S x X
+ - + - X - + -
p + n + p + - +
+ - + p + - P -
- P p + - P b P
R - B q N r K -
Now the characteristic King's Indian attack starts:
11. f4 d5 12. fxe5 dxc4 13. exf6 Bxf6 14. Bxh6 Bxb2 15. Rb1 Bg7 16. Bxg7
Kxg7
t + l D t S - +
X x X - + x J -
- + - + - + x +
+ - + - + - + -
p + x + p + - +
+ - + p + - P -
- + p + - + b P
+ r + q N r K -
Of course, dxc4 is an awful move.
17. Qf3 Qe7 18. d4 Ne6 19. Qc3 Ng5 20. Qxc4 Bh3 21. Rxb7 Bxg2 22. Nxg2 Qxe4
23. Rxc7 Qe2 24. Qxe2 Rxe2
t + - + - + - +
X - R - + x J -
- + - + - + x +
+ - + - + - S -
p + - P - + - +
+ - + - + - P -
- + p + t + n P
+ - + - + r K -
The exchanges have left White's pieces dominant
25. h4 Nh3+ 26. Kh2 Nf2 27. Nf4 Rd2 28. Kg1 Ng4 29. Ne6+ Kh8 30. Rfxf7
1-0
C2. KIA vs. Caro-Kann 1. e4 c6: 1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2
t S l D j L s T
X x + - X x X x
- + x + - + - +
+ - + x + - + -
- + - + p + - +
+ - + p + - + -
p P p N - P p P
R - B q K b N r
Black has an unusual amount of choice here, because of the non-forcing nature
of White's opening. Black has tried:
C2.1. Caro-Kann with 3... dxe4
4. dxe4 e5 5. Ngf3 Bc5
Now for a long while Whites have been playing
6. Bc4
[But what about 6. Nxe5 Bxf2+ 7. Kxf2 Qd4+ 8. Ke1 Qxe5 9. Nc4 Qxe4+
10. Be2 Qe6
[10... Qxg2 11. Nd6+ Kf8 12. Rf1 Be6 13. Nxf7 Bxf7 14. Qd8#]
11. Nd6+ Ke7 12. Nxc8+ Qxc8 13. Qd4
t S d + - + s T
X x + - J x X x
- + x + - + - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - Q - + - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p + b + p P
R - B - K - + r
with a great position for White +-]
After the normal 6. Bc4:
6... Nf6 7. O-O Qc7 8. a4
t S l + j + - T
X x D - + x X x
- + x + - S - +
+ - L - X - + -
p + b + p + - +
+ - + - + n + -
- P p N - P p P
R - B q + r K -
and c3 with a quiet game
C2.2.
Caro-Kann with 3... Nd7
Now logical is
4. Ngf3
[4. f4 is worth considering]
4... Qc7 5. g3 dxe4 6. dxe4 e5 7. Bg2 Bc5
[7... Ngf6 8. O-O g6 9. b3]
8. O-O Ne7
[8... Ngf6 9. Nh4 g6 10. Nb3]
9. b3 Ng6 10. Bb2 O-O 11. a3 a5 12. Ne1 b6 13. Nd3 Ba6 14. Nf3 Bd6
15. h4
t + - + - T j +
+ - D s + x X x
l X x L - + s +
X - + - X - + -
- + - + p + - P
P p + n + n P -
- B p + - P b +
R - + q + r K -
with initiative, Olafsson-Eliskases 1960
C2.3. Caro-Kann with 3... Nf6
Straightforward development
4. Ngf3 Bg4 5. h3 Bxf3
[5... Bh5 6. g4 Bg6 7. Ne5 Nbd7 8. Nxd7 Nxd7 9. f4 e6 10. Qe2 Qh4+
11. Qf2 Qxf2+ 12. Kxf2 Bc5+ 13. Kg3
t + - + j + - T
X x + s + x X x
- + x + x + l +
+ - L x + - + -
- + - + p P p +
+ - + p + - K p
p P p N - + - +
R - B - + b + r
when White's game is easier, Gufeld-Birbrager 1963]
6. Qxf3 e6 7. g3 Na6 8. Bg2 Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. Qe2 Nc7
t + - D - T j +
X x S - L x X x
- + x + x S - +
+ - + x + - + -
- + - + p + - +
+ - + p + - P p
p P p N q P b +
R - B - + r K -
and now
11. f4 (Evans) puts White on top.
C2.4. Caro-Kann with 3... e5
This is the most aggressive, but also the most committal. It has been viewed
with suspicion since the following:
4. Ngf3 Bd6 5. g3 Ne7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O f5 8. c4!
t S l D - T j +
X x + - S - X x
- + x L - + - +
+ - + x X x + -
- + p + p + - +
+ - + p + n P -
p P - N - P b P
R - B q + r K -
The Black centre suddenly looks hollow.
8... dxe4 9. dxe4 Na6 10. a3 f4 11. b4 c5 12. b5 Nc7 13. Bb2
t + l D - T j +
X x S - S - X x
- + - L - + - +
+ p X - X - + -
- + p + p X - +
P - + - + n P -
- B - N - P b P
R - + q + r K -
C2.5.
Caro-Kann with 3...g6
This has the best reputation.
4. g3 Bg7 5. Bg2 e5 6. Ngf3 Ne7 7. O-O O-O
Now White has tried all sorts of moves here, including:
[8. Re1] [8. b4] [8. a4] [8. b3] [8. Qe2]
Try the natural:
8. c3
8... Nd7 9. Qc2 h6 10. a4
t + l D - T j +
X x + s S x L -
- + x + - + x X
+ - + x X - + -
p + - + p + - +
+ - P p + n P -
- P q N - P b P
R - B - + r K -
With a normal slight White advantage,
10... a5 11. b3 b6 12. Ba3 Ba6 13. Rfe1 Re8 14. Rad1
Threat d4
14...c5 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. Nc4 Nxc3!?
17. Qxc3 e4 18. d4 exf3
t + - D t + j +
+ - + s + x L -
l X - + - + x X
X - X - + - + -
p + n P - + - +
B p Q - + x P -
- + - + - P b P
+ - + r R - K -
Evans-Donner 1971
Now Evans gives
19. Qxf3 Rxe1+ 20. Rxe1 Rb8 21. d5
- T - D - + j +
+ - + s + x L -
l X - + - + x X
X - X p + - + -
p + n + - + - +
B p + - + q P -
- + - + - P b P
+ - + - R - K -
with advantage.
Example games C2
Fischer - Ibrahimoglu, Siegen, 1970
1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 g6 4. Ngf3 Bg7 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O Bg4 8.
h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Nbd7 10. Qe2 dxe4 11. dxe4 Qc7 12. a4 Rad8 13. Nb3 b6 14. Be3
c5 15. a5 e5
Black often plays ...e5 in the KIA Caro-Kann line, but here the light
squares are very weak
16. Nd2 Ne8 17. axb6 axb6
- + - T s T j +
+ - D s + x L x
- X - + - + x +
+ - X - X - + -
- + - + p + - +
+ - + - B - P p
- P p N q P b +
R - + - + r K -
18. Nb1 Qb7 19. Nc3 Nc7 20. Nb5 Qc6 21. Nxc7 Qxc7 22. Qb5 Ra8 23. c3 Rxa1
24. Rxa1 Rb8 25. Ra6 Bf8 26. Bf1 Kg7 27. Qa4 Rb7 28. Bb5
- + - + - L - +
+ t D s + x J x
r X - + - + x +
+ b X - X - + -
q + - + p + - +
+ - P - B - P p
- P - + - P - +
+ - + - + - K -
White's domination of the Q-side is complete
28... Nb8 29. Ra8 Bd6 30. Qd1 Nc6 31. Qd2 h5 32. Bh6+ Kh7 33. Bg5 Rb8 34.
Rxb8 Nxb8 35. Bf6 Nc6 36. Qd5 Na7 37. Be8 Kg8 38. Bxf7+ Qxf7 39. Qxd6 1-0
Hennigan - Hastings, Dundee, 1993
1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 g6 4. Ngf3 Bg7 5. Be2 Nd7 6. O-O Qc7 7. Re1 Ngf6 8.
Bf1 Nb6 9. a4 a5 10. c3 O-O
t + l + - T j +
+ x D - X x L x
- S x + - S x +
X - + x + - + -
p + - + p + - +
+ - P p + n + -
- P - N - P p P
R - B q R b K -
If Black omits ...e5, White can proceed with the usual attack.
11. e5 Ng4 12. d4 h5 13. Nb3 Nh6 14. Bf4 Bg4 15. h3 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 e6 17. g4
hxg4 18. hxg4 Qe7 19. Nc5 Nc8 20. Qh3 g5 21. Bg3 b6 22. Nd3 c5
t + s + - T j +
+ - + - D x L -
- X - + x + - S
X - X x P - X -
p + - P - + p +
+ - P n + - B q
- P - + - P - +
R - + - R b K -
23. f4 f5 24. exf6 Qxf6 25. Ne5 Ra7 26. Bd3 cxd4 27. Qh5
- + s + - T j +
T - + - + - L -
- X - + x D - S
X - + x N - X q
p + - X - P p +
+ - P b + - B -
- P - + - + - +
R - + - R - K -
1-0
C3. KIA vs. French 1. e4 e6: 1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2
The lines mostly start with
2. d3 d5
2...c5 is also good; it can transpose to French lines considered below
or stray into the Sicilian section.
3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3
Now after 4...c5 we enter the 'long variation' with
1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. Ngf3 Nc6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8.
Re1
or
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. Nbd2 Bd6 6. Bg2 Nge7 7. O-O
O-O
See below for examples: all the same ideas and sacrifices crop up over
and over again in your own games. The attack is good fun to play for White,
and many Black players have come unstuck against it.
The important theory you must know about is, what if Black tries to avaoid the
long variation? This can be awklard. I recommend you play 4. Ngf3, waiting
for ...c5 until you play g3. Let's see why:
C3.1 Variations with 4. g3
Black, having seen you commit yourself to g3, can try and mess you up with
either ...dxe4 or ...b6.
C3.1.1 French with 4... dxe4
5. dxe4 e5 6. Ngf3 Bc5 7. Bg2 Nc6
t + l D j + - T
X x X - + x X x
- + s + - S - +
+ - L - X - + -
- + - + p + - +
+ - + - + n P -
p P p N - P b P
R - B q K - + r
8. O-O O-O 9. Qe2 a5 10. Nc4 Qe7
t + l + - T j +
+ x X - D x X x
- + s + - S - +
X - L - X - + -
- + n + p + - +
+ - + - + n P -
p P p + q P b P
R - B - + r K -
now c3 or Ne3, with only a small White advantage.
C3.1.2 French with 4...b6
5. Bg2 Bb7
[The sneaky 5... Be7 should be met by 6. e5
[not 6. Ngf3 dxe4 7. dxe4 Ba6]
6...Nfd7 7. Ngf3 c5 8. O-O Nc6 9. Re1 Qc7 10. Qe2
t + l + j + - T
X - D s L x X x
- X s + x + - +
+ - X x P - + -
- + - + - + - +
+ - + p + n P -
p P p N q P b P
R - B - R - K -
holding the Pe5]
Now
6. e5 Nfd7
and ...f6 will be awklard.
C3.2 Variations with 4. Ngf6
C3.2.1 French with 4... b6
This is now more easily met, not by
[5. g3 dxe4 6. dxe4 Bb7 7. e5
[7. Qe2 Ba6]
7... Ne4 with an easy game]
nor
5. Qe2 Be7 6. g3 c5 7. Bg2 Nc6 8. O-O O-O 9. e5 Ne8 10. Re1 f5 11. exf6
Bxf6
t + l D s T j +
X - + - + - X x
- X s + x L - +
+ - X x + - + -
- + - + - + - +
+ - + p + n P -
p P p N q P b P
R - B - R - K -
about equal =]
but by
5. e5 Nfd7 6. d4 c5 7. c3
with a normal-looking French
C3.2.1 French with 4... Nc6
Black plans simple development. You can play the very sensible
5. Be2
[5. g3 is also played, but is not necessarily the best square for the
bishop e.g. 5... dxe4 6. dxe4 Bc5 7. Bb5 Bd7 8. O-O O-O 9. Qe2 Qe7 10. e5 Nd5
11. Ne4 Bb6 12. a3 f6]
5... dxe4 6. dxe4 Bc5 7. O-O O-O 8. c3 e5 9. b4
[9. Qc2 a5 = Radulov-Mednis1970]
9... Bb6 10. Qc2 Re8 =
Example games C3
Ciocaltea - Kozma, Sochi, 1963
1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. Ngf3 Nc6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8.
Re1
[8. e5 Ng4 9. Re1 f6 10. exf6 Bxf6 11. Nf1 += Evans-Bisguier 1955]
8... Qc7 9. e5 Nd7 10. Qe2 b5 11. Nf1 a5 12. h4 b4 13. Bf4 Ba6 14.
Ne3 Ra7 15. h5 Rc8 16. h6 g6
- + t + - + j +
T - D s L x + x
l + s + x + x P
X - X x P - + -
- X - + - B - +
+ - + p N n P -
p P p + q P b +
R - + - R - K -
17. Nxd5
Always this same sacrifice with the Q on c7 and the B on f4
17...exd5 18. e6 Qd8 19. exf7+
- + t D - + j +
T - + s L p + x
l + s + - + x P
X - X x + - + -
- X - + - B - +
+ - + p + n P -
p P p + q P b +
R - + - R - K -
19... Kh8
[19... Kxf7 20. Qe6+ Kf8 21. Ng5 Bxg5 22. Bxd5]
20. Ne5
- + t D - + - J
T - + s L p + x
l + s + - + x P
X - X x N - + -
- X - + - B - +
+ - + p + - P -
p P p + q P b +
R - + - R - K -
Black's pieces are too far away to contrive a defence.
20... Nf6
[20... Raa8 21. Nxc6 Rxc6 22. Be5+ Nxe5 23. Qxe5+ Bf6 24. Qe8+ Qxe8
25. fxe8=Q+ Rxe8 26. Rxe8#]
21. Nxc6 Rxc6 22. Qe5 Rd6 23. Bxd5
- + - D - + - J
T - + - L p + x
l + - T - S x P
X - X b Q - + -
- X - + - B - +
+ - + p + - P -
p P p + - P - +
R - + - R - K -
23... Bb5
[23... Rxd5 24. Qxf6+ Bxf6 25. Re8+ Qxe8 26. fxe8=Q#]
24. Bg5 Bc6 25. Bxc6 Rxc6 1-0
26. Qxf6+ Rxf6 27. Bxf6+ Bxf6 28. Re8+ Qxe8 29. fxe8=Q#
Fischer,RJ - Geller,U, Natanya, 1968
1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. Ngf3 Nc6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8.
Re1 Qc7 9. e5 Nd7 10. Qe2 b5 11. Nf1 a5 12. h4 Nd4 13. Nxd4 cxd4 14. Bf4
Ra6
- + l + - T j +
+ - D s L x X x
t + - + x + - +
X x + x P - + -
- + - X - B - P
+ - + p + - P -
p P p + q P b +
R - + - R n K -
15. Nh2
[The sacrifice is too early, I think: 15. Bxd5 Bb4 16. Reb1
[16.Rfc1? exd5; 17.e6, Rxe6; 18.Qxe6, Qxf4; 19.Qxd7, Qxc1! -+]
16... exd5 17. e6 Bd6 18. exd7 Bxd7 =]
15... Rc6 16. Rac1
- + l + - T j +
+ - D s L x X x
- + t + x + - +
X x + x P - + -
- + - X - B - P
+ - + p + - P -
p P p + q P b N
+ - R - R - K -
16... Ba6
[16... Qb6]
17. Bxd5 exd5
[17... Rc5 18. Be4 Rc8
[18...Nxe5? 19.c3!]
19. Nf3 Rxc2 20. Rxc2 Qxc2 21. Nxd4 Qxe2 22. Nxe2 Nc5]
18. e6 Qd8
[18... Bd6 19. Bxd6 Rxd6 20. exd7 Qxd7 21. Nf3 +-]
19. exd7 Re6 20. Qg4 f5 21. Qh5 Qxd7 22. Nf3 g6 23. Qh6 Bf6 24.
Rxe6
- + - + - T j +
+ - + d + - + x
l + - + r L x Q
X x + x + x + -
- + - X - B - P
+ - + p + n P -
p P p + - P - +
+ - R - + - K -
1-0
Bronstein - Uhlmann, Moscow, 1971
1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. Ngf3 Nc6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8.
Re1 b5 9. e5 Nd7 10. Nf1 a5 11. h4 b4 12. Bf4 Ba6 13. Ng5
Alternatives include 13.g4, 13.N1h2, 13.Ne3 and 13. h5
13... Qe8 14. Qg4
t + - + d T j +
+ - + s L x X x
l + s + x + - +
X - X x P - N -
- X - + - B q P
+ - + p + - P -
p P p + - P b +
R - + - R n K -
[not 14. Qh5 h6 15. Nf3 f5]
14... a4??
[14... Kh8]
15. Nxe6 1-0
Fischer - Miagmasuren, Sousse, 1967
1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. Ngf3 Nc6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8.
Re1 b5 9. e5 Nd7 10. Nf1 a5 11. h4 b4 12. Bf4 a4
Now a fine defensive move
13. a3 bxa3 14. bxa3
t + l D - T j +
+ - + s L x X x
- + s + x + - +
+ - X x P - + -
x + - + - B - P
P - + p + n P -
- + p + - P b +
R - + q R n K -
14... Na5
[14... Ba6 or 14...Nd4]
15. Ne3 Ba6 16. Bh3 d4 17. Nf1 Nb6 18. Ng5 Nd5
[18... h6 19. Ne4 c4]
19. Bd2
t + - D - T j +
+ - + - L x X x
l + - + x + - +
S - X s P - N -
x + - X - + - P
P - + p + - P b
- + p B - P - +
R - + q R n K -
19... Bxg5
[19...c4 or 19... h6 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Bxe6+ Kh8 22. Bxa5 Qxa5 23.
Bxd5]
20. Bxg5 Qd7 21. Qh5 Rfc8 22. Nd2 Nc3 23. Bf6!
t + t + - + j +
+ - + d + x X x
l + - + x B - +
S - X - P - + q
x + - X - + - P
P - S p + - P b
- + p N - P - +
R - + - R - K -
23... Qe8
[23... gxf6 24. exf6 Kh8 25. Nf3 Nd5 26. Ng5 Nxf6 27. Qh6 Qe7 28. Bf5
Rg8 29. Nxh7]
24. Ne4 g6 25. Qg5 Nxe4 26. Rxe4 c4 27. h5 cxd3 28. Rh4
t + t + d + j +
+ - + - + x + x
l + - + x B x +
S - + - P - Q p
x + - X - + - R
P - + x + - P b
- + p + - P - +
R - + - + - K -
28... Ra7
[28... dxc2 29. hxg6 c1=Q+ 30. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 31. Kh2 fxg6 32. Rxh7]
29. Bg2 dxc2
[29... Qf8 30. Be4 dxc2 31. hxg6 fxg6 32. Bxg6 hxg6 33. Rh8+ Kf7 34.
Rh7+ Ke8 35. Rxa7]
30. Qh6 Qf8 31. Qxh7+
- + t + - D j +
T - + - + x + q
l + - + x B x +
S - + - P - + p
x + - X - + - R
P - + - + - P -
- + x + - P b +
R - + - + - K -
1-0
31... Kxh7 32. hxg6+ Kxg6 33. Be4#
Fischer - Ivkov, Santa Monica, 1967
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. Nbd2 Bd6 6. Bg2 Nge7 7. O-O
O-O
t + l D - T j +
X x + - S x X x
- + s L x + - +
+ - X x + - + -
- + - + p + - +
+ - + p + n P -
p P p N - P b P
R - B q + r K -
Black's reaction looks logical and solid. But Fischer's reaction is so sharp
and convincing that it put people off repeating it for years!
8. Nh4 b6 9. f4 dxe4 10. dxe4 Ba6 11. Re1 c4 12. c3 Na5 13. e5 Bc5+ 14. Kh1
Nd5 15. Ne4
t + - D - T j +
X - + - + x X x
l X - + x + - +
S - L s P - + -
- + x + n P - N
+ - P - + - P -
p P - + - + b P
R - B q R - + k
The familiar White:King's-side/ Black: Queen's-side split has appeared.
15... Bb7 16. Qh5 Ne7 17. g4
t + - D - T j +
X l + - S x X x
- X - + x + - +
S - L - P - + q
- + x + n P p N
+ - P - + - + -
p P - + - + b P
R - B - R - + k
Ready or not, here we come! Black decide to exchange the dangerous Ne4, but
the recapture forces him to weaken the K-side.
17... Bxe4 18. Bxe4 g6 19. Qh6 Nd5 20. f5 Re8 21. fxg6 fxg6
t + - D t + j +
X - + - + - + x
- X - + x + x Q
S - L s P - + -
- + x + b + p N
+ - P - + - + -
p P - + - + - P
R - B - R - + k
The position is ripe for sacrifice.
22. Nxg6 Qd7 23. Nf4 Rad8 24. Nh5 Kh8 25. Nf6 Nxf6 26. exf6 Rg8 27. Bf4 Rxg4
28. Rad1 Rdg8 29. f7 1-0
C4. KIA vs. Pirc/Modern 1. e4 ...d6/...g6: 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nge2 and 5. g3, 6. Bg2
Black has a lot of choice, as usual. In this system with 2. d4 instead of 2.
d3, White means to play in the centre and hold on to the space by restraining
Black's pawn breaks. When everything is secure and development is complete,
you can think about where to expand yourself.
Example games C4
Short - Donner, Amsterdam, 1982 [B07]
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nge2 Bg7 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 e5 7. O-O
[7. h3 is better]
7... exd4
[7... Nc6 is much better]
8. Nxd4 Nc6 9. Nde2
t + l D - T j +
X x X - + x L x
- + s X - S x +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - + p + - +
+ - N - + - P -
p P p + n P b P
R - B q + r K -
Avoiding exchanges
9... Re8 10. h3 Nd7 11. Kh2 Nb6 12. a4 a5 13. b3
t + l D t + j +
+ x X - + x L x
- S s X - + x +
X - + - + - + -
p + - + p + - +
+ p N - + - P p
- + p + n P b K
R - B q + r + -
Black has little counterplay, and can just wait for White to decide how and
when to break. Short is a genius in these positions.
13... Nb4 14. Be3 Nd7 15. Qd2 Nc5 16. Rad1 Qe7 17. Rfe1 Nca6 ?! 18. Nf4 Bd7
19. Nfd5 Qd8 20. Bg5 f6 21. Be3 Bc6 22. Bd4 Bd7 23. Be3 Nxd5 24. Nxd5 b6?
t + - D t + j +
+ - X l + - L x
s X - X - X x +
X - + n + - + -
p + - + p + - +
+ p + - B - P p
- + p Q - P b K
+ - + r R - + -
Thous shalt not open lines for your opponent's fianchettoed bishop
25. e5 Rxe5 26. Nxb6 cxb6 27. Qxd6
t + - D - + j +
+ - + l + - L x
s X - Q - X x +
X - + - T - + -
p + - + - + - +
+ p + - B - P p
- + p + - P b K
+ - + r R - + -
27... Rxe3 28. Rxe3 Ra7 29. Re7 Nb8 30. Qe6+ 1-0
C5. KIA vs. Sicilian
The KIA can be played against all lines of the Sicilian, and in fact many
French variations start off in the Sicilian (e.g. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d3).
Again, we won't bother too much about variations and get straight into the
games. A few you do need to know about:
C5.1 KIA Sicilian with 2...d6
3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2
t + l D j L s T
X x + - X x X x
- + s X - + - +
+ - X - + - + -
- + - + p + - +
+ - + - + n P -
p P p P - P b P
R n B q K - + r
C5.1.1 Sicilian with 4... g6
The best way to develop the Bf8.
5. O-O Bg7 6. c3 e5 7. d3 Nge7 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. a4 h6 10. Nc4 Be6 11. Qe2
Qc7
t + - + - T j +
X x D - S x L -
- + s X l + x X
+ - X - X - + -
p + n + p + - +
+ - P p + n P -
- P - + q P b P
R - B - + r K -
Now either 12. Nfd2 or 12. Bd2 with only a small edge.
C5.1.2 Sicilian with 4... Nf6
Forces d3 and avoids c3/d4 lines.
5. d3 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. a4
t + l D - T j +
X x + - X x L x
- + s X - S x +
+ - X - + - + -
p + - + p + - +
+ - + p + n P -
- P p N - P b P
R - B q + r K -
As in a couple of Bobby Fischer games from the early part of his career.
C5.2 KIA Sicilian with ...e6 and ...g6
If Black plays the Bf8 to e7 or d6 we have French lines. But Nc6 and Ng7 is
the best set-up for Black against the Closed Sicilian, and many will play it
against the KIA.
After
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. Nbd2 g6 6. Bg2 Bg7 7. O-O Nge7
you can play the traditional
8. Re1 (Yudasin-Jukic, 1989)
or the new and exciting line
8. exd5 (Dvoretsky - Vulfsson, 1986)
Both are given below.
You can also play g3 lines in most variations of the Open Sicilian: 1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 (...) 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 (...) 6. g3.
Example games C5
Fischer,Robert J - Sherwin,James T, New Jersey, 1957
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 Nc6 4. g3 Nf6 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nbd2 Rb8 8.
Re1 d6 9. c3 b6 10. d4 Qc7 11. e5 Nd5 12. exd6 Bxd6 13. Ne4 c4
- T l + - T j +
X - D - + x X x
- X s L x + - +
+ - + s + - + -
- + x P n + - +
+ - P - + n P -
p P - + - P b P
R - B q R - K -
Characteristically, Fischer selects the simple and clear theme of winning the
bishop pair.
14. Nxd6 Qxd6 15. Ng5 Nce7 16. Qc2 Ng6 17. h4 Nf6
- T l + - T j +
X - + - + x X x
- X - D x S s +
+ - + - + - N -
- + x P - + - P
+ - P - + - P -
p P q + - P b +
R - B - R - K -
"Tactics flow from a superior position" - Fischer
18. Nxh7 Nxh7 19. h5 Nh4 20. Bf4 Qd8 21. gxh4 Rb7 22. h6 Qxh4 23.
hxg7 Kxg7 24. Re4 Qh5 25. Re3 f5 26. Rh3 Qe8 27. Be5+ Nf6 28. Qd2 Kf7 29. Qg5
Qe7 30. Bxf6 Qxf6
- + l + - T - +
X t + - + j + -
- X - + x D - +
+ - + - + x Q -
- + x P - + - +
+ - P - + - + r
p P - + - P b +
R - + - + - K -
31. Rh7+ Ke8 32. Qxf6 Rxh7 33. Bc6+ 1-0
Smyslov - Botvinnik, USSR Ch, 1955
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. d3 c5 6. e4 Nc6 7. Nbd2 d6 8.
a4
t + l D - T j +
X x + - X x L x
- + s X - S x +
+ - X - + - + -
p + - + p + - +
+ - + p + n P -
- P p N - P b P
R - B q + r K -
A standard flexible set-up for White
8... Ne8 9. Nc4 e5 10. c3 f5
t + l D s T j +
X x + - + - L x
- + s X - + x +
+ - X - X x + -
p + n + p + - +
+ - P p + n P -
- P - + - P b P
R - B q + r K -
White has prepared a strong positional pawn sacrifice
11. b4 cxb4 12. cxb4 fxe4 13. dxe4 Be6 14. Ne3 Nxb4 15. Rb1 a5 16. Ba3 Nc7
17. Bxb4 axb4 18. Rxb4 Bh6 19. Rb6 Bxe3 20. fxe3 Bc4
t + - D - T j +
+ x S - + - + x
- R - X - + x +
+ - + - X - + -
p + l + p + - +
+ - + - P n P -
- + - + - + b P
+ - + q + r K -
The Black game is teetering
21. Rxd6 Qe8 22. Re1 Rf7 23. Ng5 Re7 24. Bf1 Bxf1 25. Rxf1 Qxa4 26. Rd8+ Re8
27. Qf3 Qc4 28. Rd7 1-0
Yudasin-Jukic, Bern 1989
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. Nbd2 g6 6. Bg2 Bg7 7. O-O Nge7 8.
Re1 b6 9. h4 h6 10. c3 a5 11. a4 Ra7
All as in Ljubojevic-Kasparov, Niksic 1983. Now best is
12. exd5 exd5 13. Nb3 d4 14. cxd4 cxd4 15. Bf4
- + l D j + - T
T - + - S x L -
- X s + - + x X
X - + - + - + -
p + - X - B - P
+ n + p + n P -
- P - + - P b +
R - + q R - K -
...with White's pieces being better placed in the more open position.
15... O-O 16. Ne5 Nxe5 17. Bxe5 Bxe5 18. Rxe5 Qd6 19. Qe2 Be6 20. Nd2 Nc6
Now a great exchange sacrifice
21. Rxe6 fxe6 22. Nc4 Qd7
- + - + - T j +
T - + d + - + -
- X s + x + x X
X - + - + - + -
p + n X - + - P
+ - + p + - P -
- P - + q P b +
R - + - + - K -
Black has no counterplay
23. Nxb6 Qe8 24. Rc1 Ne7 25. Qxe6+ Qf7 26. Qe2 Qb3 27. Nc4 Qxa4 28. Qe6+ Kg7
29. Qb6 Rd7 30. Ne5 Rdd8
[30... Rf6 31. Qc5]
31. Rc7 Qe8 32. Qe6 1-0
Dvoretsky - Vulfsson, USSR, 1986
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. Nbd2 g6 6. Bg2 Bg7 7. O-O Nge7 8.
exd5
Black has a choice
8... exd5
[8... Nxd5 9. Nb3 b6 10. c4 Nde7 11. d4
t + l D j + - T
X - + - S x L x
- X s + x + x +
+ - X - + - + -
- + p P - + - +
+ n + - + n P -
p P - + - P b P
R - B q + r K -
with advantage]
9. d4 cxd4
[not 9... c4 releasing the tension:
10. c3 Bf5 11. Re1 O-O 12. Nf1 Re8 13. Bf4 h6 14. h4 f6 15. Ne3 Be4 16. Bh3
Kh7 17. b4 a6 18. a4 Ng8 19. g4 g5 20. Bg3 Qd7 21. Nd2 Bg6 22. Bg2 Nge7 23. f4
gxh4 24. Bxh4
t + - + t + - +
+ x + d S - L j
x + s + - X l X
+ - + x + - + -
p P x P - P p B
+ - P - N - + -
- + - N - + b +
R - + q R - K -
with advantage]
[Nor 9... Nxd4 10. Nxd4 Bxd4 11. Nb3]
10. Nb3 Qb6 11. Bg5
[Even better was 11. Bf4!
e.g. 11...Bf5
[or 11... d3 12. c3 Bf5 13. Re1 O-O 14. Nh4 Be6 15. Qxd3
t + - + - T j +
X x + - S x L x
- D s + l + x +
+ - + x + - + -
- + - + - B - N
+ n P q + - P -
p P - + - P b P
R - + - R - K -
with play against the IQP]
[or 11... O-O 12. Bd6 d3 13. c3 Rd8 14. Bc5 Qc7 15. Qxd3 Nf5 16. Rfe1 Na5
17. Qb5 Nc6 18. Rad1 Nd6 19. Qe2 Ne4 20. Be3 h6 21. c4 dxc4 22. Qxc4 Rxd1 23.
Rxd1 Qe7 24. Nh4
t + l + - + j +
X x + - D x L -
- + s + - + x X
+ - + - + - + -
- + q + s + - N
+ n + - B - P -
p P - + - P b P
+ - + r + - K -
with advantage]
12. Bd6 O-O 13. Re1 Rfe8 14. Bc5 Qc7 15. Bxd4 Nxd4 16. Nfxd4
t + - + t + j +
X x D - S x L x
- + - + - + x +
+ - + x + l + -
- + - N - + - +
+ n + - + - P -
p P p + - P b P
R - + q R - K -
11... Nf5
[11... O-O 12. Nfxd4 Nf5 may have been better than what was played]
12. Re1+ Be6 13. g4 Nd6
t + - + j + - T
X x + - + x L x
- D s S l + x +
+ - + x + - B -
- + - X - + p +
+ n + - + n + -
p P p + - P b P
R - + q R - K -
14. Nfxd4!!
This gives White a prolonged initiative
14...Bxd4
[14... Nxd4 15. Be3 N6b5 16. a4]
15. Nxd4 Qxd4
[15... Nxd4 16. Bf6]
16. Bxd5 O-O 17. Bxc6 Qc5
The best defence.
[17... Qxg4+ 18. Qxg4 Bxg4 19. Bg2]
[17... Qxd1 18. Raxd1 bxc6 19. Rxd6 Bxg4 20. Rxc6]
18. Bf3 Qxg5 19. Qxd6 Rac8 20. c3 Qb5 21. Rad1 Bxa2 22. Rd2 Rfd8 23.
Qxd8+ Rxd8 24. Rxd8+ Kg7 25. Rd2 h5 26. h3 Be6 27. Re4 a5 28. Red4 hxg4 29.
hxg4 Qg5 30. Kg2 b6 31. Re2 Qc5 32. Kg3 Qb5 33. Rdd2 Qg5 34. Re3 Qc5
[34... f5 35. Rd4]
Time trouble I think affects both players, and the game rolls to a
halt
35. Be2 Qc6 ? 36. f3 ?
[36. f4! with good winning chances]
36... g5 37. Rd4 Qc7+ 38. Kg2 Kf6 39. Bd3 Qc5 40. Be4 Qb5 41. Rd2
Qe5 42. Ree2 Qb5 43. Bb7 Qc5 44. Rd4 b5 45. Red2
- + - + - + - +
+ b + - + x + -
- + - + l J - +
X x D - + - X -
- + - R - + p +
+ - P - + p + -
- P - R - + k +
+ - + - + - + -
idea Bd5
45... Ke5 Q
If this is all too hair-raising, you can always play more quietly at
move 8.
Karlsson - George, Torbay, 1994[B40]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 d5 4. Nbd2 Nc6 5. g3 b6 6. Bg2 Bb7 7. O-O Bd6 8.
Re1 Nge7
t + - D j + - T
X l + - S x X x
- X s L x + - +
+ - X x + - + -
- + - + p + - +
+ - + p + n P -
p P p N - P b P
R - B q R - K -
9. Ng5 O-O 10. Qh5 h6 11. Ndf3 Nd4 12. e5 Bc7 13. Nxd4 cxd4 14. Nf3 Nf5 15.
g4 Ne7
t + - D - T j +
X l L - S x X -
- X - + x + - X
+ - + x P - + q
- + - X - + p +
+ - + p + n + -
p P p + - P b P
R - B - R - K -
16. Bxh6 Ng6
[16... gxh6 17. Qxh6 f6 18. exf6 Nf5 19. Qg6+ Kh8 20. Rxe6 Bc8 21.
gxf5 Bxe6 22. Qg7#]
17. Bd2 Qb8 18. Ng5 Rd8 19. Bb4
t D - T - + j +
X l L - + x X -
- X - + x + s +
+ - + x P - N q
- B - X - + p +
+ - + p + - + -
p P p + - P b P
R - + - R - K -
19... Nf8 20. Qxf7+ Kh8 21. Bxf8 1-0
D. A single repertoire for attacking the unusual semi-open defences
D1. Centre Counter (Scandanavian) 1...d5
In recent years several GMs have experimented with this move, and for some it
is a regular part of their repertoire. Someone once described this as a line
for "Black players who want to suck all the life out of the position".
After 2. exd5 Qxd5 Black will be behind in development for a long time, but
will also be very solid. I have been frustrated by trying to beat this
annoying defence even with a useful space advantage.
I advise you to make an immediate deviation from theory, with
1. e4 d5 2. Nc3
t S l D j L s T
X x X - X x X x
- + - + - + - +
+ - + x + - + -
- + - + p + - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p P - P p P
R - B q K b N r
Black has a choice: advance, exchange, or defend. In practice Black does not
usually defend the pawn, and any defence will transpose to lines considered
above.
There is precious little published theory on this line and a lot of scope to
improvise.
D1.1. Advance with 2...d4
t S l D j L s T
X x X - X x X x
- + - + - + - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - X p + - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p P - P p P
R - B q K b N r
White retreats with
3. Nce2
and plans to play Bc4 with ideas of attacking on the K-side.
Black should probably continue
3...e5 4. Ng3
when there is a lot of choice.
4...g6
is logical, hoping to cramp the Ng3, but the best move here is not
known. The Ng3 need not stay cramped...
Van Geet - Guyt [A00] Paramaribo, 1967
1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 d4 3. Nce2 e5 4. Ng3 g6 5. Bc4 Bg7 6. d3 c5 7. Nf3 Nc6 8. c3
Nge7 9. Ng5 O-O
t + l D - T j +
X x + - S x L x
- + s + - + x +
+ - X - X - N -
- + b X p + - +
+ - P p + - N -
p P - + - P p P
R - B q K - + r
10. Nh5 Bh8 ? 11. Qf3 Qe8 12. Nf6+ Bxf6 13. Qxf6 dxc3?
t + l + d T j +
X x + - S x + x
- + s + - Q x +
+ - X - X - N -
- + b + p + - +
+ - X p + - + -
p P - + - P p P
R - B - K - + r
13...Na5 was essential
14. Nxf7 Rxf7 15. Bh6 1-0
D1.2.
Exchange with 2...dxe4
White recaptures with
3. Nxe4
t S l D j L s T
X x X - X x X x
- + - + - + - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - + n + - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p P - P p P
R - B q K b N r
and (guess what?) plans to play 4. Bc4 with ideas of attacking on the K-side.
Now 3...c6 and 3...e6 will transpose to lines considered above.
3...Bf5 4. Ng3 Ng6 5. Bc4 e6 can also transpose to the Caro-Kann, or if you
want to be independent you can go 6. Bc4 Nd7 7. d3
The best-looking move in reply is of course
3...e5
when we follow up with
4. Bc4
after which at least three correspondence(!) games have continued
4...Be7 5. Qh5 Nh6 6. d3 1-0
More careful is
4...Nc6
[The natural 4...Nf6 is bad after 5. Ng5!]
after which
5. d3 Be7 6. Nf3
6. Ng5 is to be considered; 6...Bxg5 7. Qh5
t + l D j + s T
X x X - + x X x
- + s + - + - +
+ - + - X - L q
- + b + - + - +
+ - + p + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - B - K - N r
with the two bishops
6...h6
6...Nf6 7. Neg5 O-O 8. Nxf7 Rxf7 9. Ng5 Nd5 10. Nxf7 Kxf7 11. Qf3
reminds us of the Fried Liver in the Two Knights' Defence
7. Bb5 Qd5 8. c4 Qe6 9.O-O Bd7 10. Re1 O-O-O 11. Nc3
- + j T - + s T
X x X l L x X -
- + s + d + - X
+ b + - X - + -
- + p + - + - +
+ - N p + n + -
p P - + - P p P
R - B q R - K -
+= Van Geet-Sandklef corr 1982
Example games D1
I have included quite a lot of games in this section because they are hard to
find in the books and magazines.
We will look at a few games in what is Black's strongest idea in the advance
(2...d4) line, then look at a few in the exchange (2...dxe4) lines.
Brouwn,Arnold - Perrenet,Jacob cr, 1971
1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 d4 3. Nce2 e5 4. Ng3 Be6
Else 5. Bc4 will follow. This looks like Black's best idea to me.
5. Nf3 f6 6. Be2 Nh6 7. O-O c5 8. Bb5+ Nd7 9. d3 g6 10. b3 Bg7
t + - D j + - T
X x + s + - L x
- + - + l X x S
+ b X - X - + -
- + - X p + - +
+ p + p + n N -
p + p + - P p P
R - B q + r K -
White now aims to exchange the light-squared bishop
11. Bc4 Qe7 12. Bxe6 Qxe6 13. a4 O-O-O 14. a5 f5 15. Ng5 Qe7 16. exf5 gxf5
17. a6 b6 18. Qf3 e4 19. Nxf5 Nxf5 20. Nxe4 Rdf8 21. Bg5 Qe6 22. Nc3 Bf6
- + j + - T - T
X - + s + - + x
p X - + d L - +
+ - X - + s B -
- + - X - + - +
+ p N p + q + -
- + p + - P p P
R - + - + r K -
23. Qa8+ Nb8 24. Qb7+ Kd8 25. Bxf6+ Rxf6 26. Ne4 Rg6 27. Qxb8+ Qc8 28. Qxa7
Ne7 29. Rfe1 Nd5 30. Qb7 Rxg2+ 31. Kxg2 1-0
Ekebjaerg,Ove - Strand,Torger cr Nielsen-mem, 1987
1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 d4 3. Nce2 e5 4. Ng3 Be6 5. Nf3 Nd7 6. c3 c5 7.cxd4 cxd4 8.
Be2 Bd6 9. O-O h5 10. d3
t + - D j + s T
X x + s + x X -
- + - L l + - +
+ - + - X - + x
- + - X p + - +
+ - + p + n N -
p P - + b P p P
R - B q + r K -
This doesn't look to me very promising for White.
10... h4 11. Nf5 Bxf5 12. exf5 Qb6 13. Nd2 Bc7 14. Bf3 Ne7 15. Be4 Nc5 16.
Qf3 f6 17. b3 Nxe4 18. Nxe4
t + - + j + - T
X x L - S - X -
- D - + - X - +
+ - + - X p + -
- + - X n + - X
+ p + p + q + -
p + - + - P p P
R - B - + r K -
It is considered rude to start chanting 'weak Willie WhiteSquares' in
such positions
18... Kf7 19. Ba3 Rag8 20. Bc5 Qa6 21. Rfc1 Bb8 22. Rc2 g5 23. h3 b5 24.
Bxe7 Kxe7
- L - + - + t T
X - + - J - + -
d + - + - X - +
+ x + - X p X -
- + - X n + - X
+ p + p + q + p
p + r + - P p +
R - + - + - K -
With the exchange of the Knight, Black's position falls apart.
25. Nxf6 Kxf6 26. Rc6+ Qxc6 27. Qxc6+ Kxf5 28. g4+ hxg3 29. fxg3 1-0
Leeners - Simon, Netherlands, 1979
1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 d4 3. Nce2 e5 4. Ng3 Be6 5. Nf3 Nd7 6. c3 c5 7. Bb5 Bd6 8.
O-O f6 9. Nh4 g6 10. d3 a6 11. Ba4 b5 12. Bb3 Nf8 13. cxd4 cxd4 14. f4
t + - D j S s T
+ - + - + - + x
x + - L l X x +
+ x + - X - + -
- + - X p P - N
+ b + p + - N -
p P - + - + p P
R - B q + r K -
With the obvious threat of f5
14... Bxb3 15. Qxb3 exf4 16. Bxf4 Bxf4 17. Rxf4 Qc7 18. Rff1 Rc8 19. Rac1
Qd7 20. Rxc8+ Qxc8 21. e5 f5
- + d + j S s T
+ - + - + - + x
x + - + - + x +
+ x + - P x + -
- + - X - + - N
+ q + p + - N -
p P - + - + p P
+ - + - + r K -
22. Nhxf5 gxf5 23. Nxf5 Kd8 24. Nd6 1-0
Van Geet,Dick - Van der Zijpp,B, Haarlem, 1991
1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 d4 3. Nce2 c5 4. Ng3 Nc6 5. Bc4 g6 6. f4
t + l D j L s T
X x + - X x + x
- + s + - + x +
+ - X - + - + -
- + b X p P - +
+ - + - + - N -
p P p P - + p P
R - B q K - N r
A familiar plan.
6... e6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. a4 Nge7 9. d3 O-O 10. h4 e5 11. f5 gxf5 12. Ng5 Qd6
13. exf5 Bxf5 14. Nxf5 Nxf5 15. Ne4 Qg6 16. g4
t + - + - T j +
X x + - + x L x
- + s + - + d +
+ - X - X s + -
p + b X n + p P
+ - + p + - + -
- P p + - + - +
R - B q K - + r
1-0
16... Ne3 17. Bxe3 dxe3 18. h5 e2 19. Qxe2 Qh6 20. g5 1-0
Now a few in the exchange lines
Suba,M - Bellon, Bucharest, 1978[A00]
1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nxe4 Nf6 4. Nxf6+ gxf6 5. Bc4 Nc6 6. Qh5
t + l D j L - T
X x X - X x + x
- + s + - X - +
+ - + - + - + q
- + b + - + - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p P - P p P
R - B - K - N r
White is trying to get Black to play ...e6, locking in the Bc8
6... Ne5 7. Bb3 Qd6 8. f4 Ng6 9. Ne2 f5 10. d4 Be6 11. g4
t + - + j L - T
X x X - X x + x
- + - D l + s +
+ - + - + x + q
- + - P - P p +
+ b + - + - + -
p P p + n + - P
R - B - K - + r
Well, the bishop is out on e6, but White now embarks on a long and unclear
attacking sequence that eventually nets him material.
11... Bxb3 12. axb3 Qd5 13. Rf1 e6 14. c4 Qe4 15. gxf5 exf5 16. Bd2 Qc2 17.
Rc1 Qxb3 18. Qxf5 Be7 19. Qg4 Bh4+ 20. Ng3
t + - + j + - T
X x X - + x + x
- + - + - + s +
+ - + - + - + -
- + p P - P q L
+ d + - + - N -
- P - B - + - P
+ - R - K r + -
It's hard to say whose king is more in danger!
20... Kf8 21. Rf2 Re8+ 22. Kf1 Qd3+ 23. Kg1 Qxd4 24. Bc3 Qe3
- + - + t J - T
X x X - + x + x
- + - + - + s +
+ - + - + - + -
- + p + - P q L
+ - B - D - N -
- P - + - R - P
+ - R - + - K -
25. Re1 Qxe1+ 26. Bxe1 Rxe1+ 27. Rf1 Bxg3 28. hxg3 Re3 29. f5 Ne5 30. Qd4
1-0
Ratsch - Schwarz, DDR tt, 1969 [A00]
1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nxe4 Nc6 4. Bc4 e6
This could have arisen from the French Defence.
5. Nf3 Be7 6. O-O Nf6 7. Ng3 O-O 8. d4 a6 9. c3
t + l D - T j +
+ x X - L x X x
x + s + x S - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + b P - + - +
+ - P - + n N -
p P - + - P p P
R - B q + r K -
White is simply a little better all round.
9... b5 10. Bb3 Bb7 11. Re1 Na5 12. Bc2 Nc4 13. Qd3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 Qd5 15.
Ne4 Nd6 16. Nxf6+ Bxf6 17. Qh3 g6 18. Bh6 Rfe8
t + - + t + j +
+ - X - + x + x
x + - S x L x B
+ x + d + - + -
- + - P - + - +
+ - P - + - + q
p P b + - P p P
R - + - R - K -
White's more active pieces are nagging away at the Black position
19. Bb3 Nc4 20. Bf4 Qc6 21. Bc2 Rad8 22. Be4 Qb6 23. Qf3 e5 24. dxe5 Bxe5
25. Bg5 f6 26. Bh6 Kh8 27. Bc6 Re6 28. Rad1
- + - T - + - J
+ - X - + - + x
x D b + t X x B
+ x + - L - + -
- + s + - + - +
+ - P - + q + -
p P - + - P p P
+ - + r R - K -
Black's back rank is in danger
28... Red6 29. Rxd6 Rxd6 30. Bxb5 1-0
Told you!
Schlenker,Rainer - Zimmermann,G, Heidelberg, 1985[A00]
1. Nc3 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e4 c5 4. exd5 exd5 5. d4
This could have arisen from the French Defence.
t S l D j L s T
X x + - + x X x
- + - + - + - +
+ - X x + - + -
- + - P - + - +
+ - N - + n + -
p P p + - P p P
R - B q K b + r
Black has been tempted to occupy the centre, but this move show it up as a
target (6.dxc5, exposing the d-pawn, is one threat). So Black decides to seal
off the centre on the ninth move.
5... Nc6 6. Bb5 a6 7. Bxc6+ bxc6 8. O-O Bd6 9. Be3 c4 10. Ne5 Qc7 11. Qh5
Be6 12. f4 g6 13. Qh4
t + - + j + s T
+ - D - + x + x
x + x L l + x +
+ - + x N - + -
- + x P - P - Q
+ - N - B - + -
p P p + - + p P
R - + - + r K -
Black's centre is more of a liability than an asset.
13... Be7 14. Qg3 f6 15. f5 fxe5 16. fxe6 Bd6 17. Rf7 Ne7 18. Qh4
t + - + j + - T
+ - D - S r + x
x + x L p + x +
+ - + x X - + -
- + x P - + - Q
+ - N - B - + -
p P p + - + p P
R - + - + - K -
18... Nf5 19. Rxc7 Nxh4 20. Rxc6 Nf5 21. Nxd5 exd4 22. Bg5 1-0
Staples,M - Lee,G, England, 1976[A00]
1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nxe4 e6 4. Bc4 Be7 5. Qg4 g6 6. Qe2 Nc6 7. Nf3
t + l D j + s T
X x X - L x + x
- + s + x + x +
+ - + - + - + -
- + b + n + - +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p P q P p P
R - B - K - + r
This could have arisen from a French Defence.
7... e5 8. Bb5 f5
t + l D j + s T
X x X - L - + x
- + s + - + x +
+ b + - X x + -
- + - + n + - +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p P q P p P
R - B - K - + r
Black has been tempted to lash out before completing his development.
Punishment is swift.
9. Nxe5 fxe4 10. Qc4 Nh6 11. d3 Bd7 12. Bxc6 Bxc6 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14.
Bxh6
t + - D j + - T
X - X - L - + x
- + x + - + x B
+ - + - + - + -
- + q + x + - +
+ - + p + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - + - K - + r
Black is busted.
14... Qd5 15. Qxe4 Qxe4+ 16. dxe4 Bf6 17. O-O-O Rb8 18. e5 1-0
Van Geet,Dick - Lee, Wijk aan Zee III, 1979[A00]
1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nxe4 e6 4. Nf3 Nd7 5. Bc4 Ngf6 6. d3 Be7 7. Qe2 a6
8. O-O
t + l D j + - T
+ x X s L x X x
x + - + x S - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + b + n + - +
+ - + p + n + -
p P p + q P p P
R - B - + r K -
White has nicely centralised development, against another French-style line.
8... b5 9. Bb3 Bb7 10. c3 O-O
White siezes on the d6 square.
11. Bf4 c5 12. Nd6 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 e5
t + - D - T j +
+ - + s L x X x
x + - N - S - +
+ x X - X - + -
- + - + - B - +
+ b P p + q + -
p P - + - P p P
R - + - + r K -
White's next move must have been a shock. If ...exf4, Re1 with advantage.
14. Nf5 c4 15. Bh6 cxb3 16. Bxg7 Ne8 17. Qg3 Bg5 18. Bh6 Kh8 19. Bxg5 f6 20.
Be3 bxa2 21. Rxa2 Qc7 22. Qf3 Nd6 23. Raa1 Nxf5 24. Qxf5 Rg8 25. Qf3 a5 26.
d4
t + - + - + t J
+ - D s + - + x
- + - + - X - +
X x + - X - + -
- + - P - + - +
+ - P - B q + -
- P - + - P p P
R - + - + r K -
Black's game falls apart after this line-opening strike.
26... a4 27. dxe5 fxe5 28. Qd5 Rab8 29. Rad1 Nf6 30. Qe6 Rg6 31. Rfe1 Qb7
32. g3 Ng4 33. Qf5 Rbg8 34. Rd7 Qc8 35. Red1 a3 36. bxa3 Qxc3 37. Bg5 Qxa3 38.
Qxg4 Rxg5 39. Qh4 h5 40. Qe4 R8g7 41. Rd8+ Rg8 42. R1d7 Qa1+ 43. Kg2 R5g7
1-0
D2. Gurgenidze Defence ...c6/...d5/...g6
Black plans to gum everything up by encouraging e5, then developing around
it.
I assume you don't want this to happen, and want to avoid it. You can if you
are careful with move order.
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2!
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Bc4!
1. e4 g6 2. d4 c6 3. c4!
Example games D2
Tong,Y - Webster,A [B08], Ch World Cadet's ( under 18 ), Singapore
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6
Black intends ...d5.
4. Bc4 d6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. O-O d5 7. Bd3 dxe4 8. Nxe4 Nxe4 9. Bxe4 Nd7 10. Re1
O-O 11. c3
t + l D - T j +
X x + s X x L x
- + x + - + x +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P b + - +
+ - P - + n + -
p P - + - P p P
R - B q R - K -
This position reminds me rather of the Colle.
11... c5 12. Bg5 Nf6 13. Bc2 cxd4 14. Nxd4 Re8 15. Bb3 Qa5 16. Bh4 Bg4 17.
Qd3 Rad8 18. Qc4 Nd5 19. h3 Bc8
- + l T t + j +
X x + - X x L x
- + - + - + x +
D - + s + - + -
- + q N - + - B
+ b P - + - + p
p P - + - P p +
R - + - R - K -
White continues to improve his position, and has more space.
20. Bxe7 Rd7 21. Bh4 Rf8 22. Rad1 a6 23. Nf3 Nf6 24. Rxd7 Bxd7 25. Ng5 Bc6
26. Qd3 h6
- + - + - T j +
+ x + - + x L -
x + l + - S x X
D - + - + - N -
- + - + - + - B
+ b P q + - + p
p P - + - P p +
+ - + - R - K -
Time for the harvest.
27. Nxf7 Bd5 28. Bxf6 Bxb3 29. Qxg6 1-0
Bousum,J - Forbis,R [B08], It (open), Chicago
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Bc4 d6
Again, the ...d5 idea is discouraged.
5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Bb3 O-O 7. O-O Na6 8. Qe2 Qa5 9. Bd2 Qh5 10. e5
t + l + - T j +
X x + - X x L x
s + x X - S x +
+ - + - P - + d
- + - P - + - +
+ b N - + n + -
p P p B q P p P
R - + - + r K -
10... dxe5 11. dxe5 Ng4 12. Rfe1 Nc7 13. h3 Nh6 14. Ne4 Be6
t + - + - T j +
X x S - X x L x
- + x + l + x S
+ - + - P - + d
- + - + n + - +
+ b + - + n + p
p P p B q P p +
R - + - R - K -
15. Ng3 1-0
D3. Nimzovitch Defence
t + l D j L s T
X x X x X x X x
- + s + - + - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - + p + - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p P - P p P
R n B q K b N r
Surprising numbers of master games in the 1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 openings actually
start 1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 e5. Not what I recommend...
1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4
[3... e6 4. e5 is The Guimard Variation, a poor line of the French
where Black can hit at the centre only by losing time with the Knight to play
...c5, or risk exposing the King with ...f6]
4. d5
t + l D j L s T
X x X - X x X x
- + s + - + - +
+ - + p + - + -
- + - + x + - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - B q K b N r
4...Ne5
[4... Nb8 5. f3 exf3 6. Qxf3 Nf6 7. Bf4 a6 8. h3
t S l D j L - T
+ x X - X x X x
x + - + - S - +
+ - + p + - + -
- + - + - B - +
+ - N - + q + p
p P p + - + p +
R - + - K b N r
+-]
5. Qd4
[5. f3 and 5. Bf4 are alternatives]
After 5. Qd4 White has a nice game.
Example games D3
Goring - NN, Berlin, 1890[B00]
1. Nc3 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. e4 dxe4 4. d5 Ne5
After an unusual start we arrive at the usual Nimzovitch line
5. Bf4 Bg4
t + - D j L s T
X x X - X x X x
- + - + - + - +
+ - + p S - + -
- + - + x B l +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - + q K b N r
Black provokes a great combination
6. Bxe5 Bxd1 7. Bb5+ c6 8. dxc6
t + - D j L s T
X x + - X x X x
- + p + - + - +
+ b + - B - + -
- + - + x + - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - + l K - N r
8... Bg4 9. cxb7+ Bd7 10. Bxd7+ Kxd7 11. O-O-O+ Ke6 12. Rxd8 Rxd8 13. b8=Q
1-0
Schlenker,Rainer - Fuchs,D, Germany, 1985 [B00]
1. Nc3 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. e4 dxe4 4. d5 Ne5 5. Qd4 Ng6
t + l D j L s T
X x X - X x X x
- + - + - + s +
+ - + p + - + -
- + - Q x + - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - B - K b N r
Again the Nimzovitch arises by transposition.
6. h4 e5 7. Qxe4 Nf6 8. Bb5+ c6 9. dxc6
t + l D j L - T
X x + - + x X x
- + p + - S s +
+ b + - X - + -
- + - + q + - P
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p +
R - B - K - N r
Another Queen sacrifice!
9... Nxe4 10. c7+ Qd7 11. Bxd7+ Bxd7 12. Nxe4 Rc8 13. h5
- + t + j L - T
X x P l + x X x
- + - + - + s +
+ - + - X - + p
- + - + n + - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p + - P p +
R - B - K - N r
Which way should the night jump?
13... Ne7 14. Nd6# 1-0
Not that way!
D4. Other defences
Rarer continuations include
D4(a) 1...b6 (Owen's Defence)
which can be met with by
2. d4 Bb7 3. Bd3
t S - D j L s T
X l X x X x X x
- X - + - + - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P p + - +
+ - + b + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R n B q K - N r
Black can probably develop each piece but will have trouble finding a
middle-game plan. If the centre is blocked with ...d5, then the Bb7 will
suffer, and if the centre is left flexible, Black's cramped pieces may be
overrun by White's pawns belting down the centre.
It was discovered that
3...f5 4. exf5 Bxg7 5. Qh5+ g6 6. fxg6 Bg7 7. gxh7+ Kf8
8. Nf3!
(8. hxg8+ is actually better for Black because White must now lose a move:
9. Qg4 Bxh1, 10. h4 Bd5! 11. h5 Be6[[opthyphen]], but 8. Ne2 may also be a
strong move)
8...Nf6 9. Qg6! is probably a win for White (9...Bxh1 10. Bh6! or 9...Bxf3
10. Rg1).
So 3. Bd3 is more likely to be met with by
3...e6,
when
4. c4!
is a good reply - 4...f5 doesn't obviously lose but is still currently
uncomfortable for Black.
1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Bd3 Nc6
may be best for Black, although White is still better.
D4(b) St.George's Defence 1...a6,
The idea of this move, popularised by Mike Basman, is that in the Owen's
lines, the ...f5 sacrificial line is awful and others may lead to your Nf6
getting squashed by e5 Nd5 and c4.
So ...a6 and ...b5 hopefully gives more chances to fight back in the gambit
lines, and gives an outpost on d5 if White plays e5. It all looks a bit loose
to me, and some of the middle-game awklardness of the Owen's Defence still
holds.
I have always thought
1...a6
deserves to be met with a straight
2. c4 when the gambit 2...b5 3. Bxb5 Bb7 looks easily contained after 4.
d3!
More natural is:
2. d4 e6
Now 3. Nc3 or 3. Bd3 lead to normal positions.
But you might fancy 3. Be3 (to slow up ...c5) 3...Bb7 4. f3 when Black is
short of obvious counterplay and White may start to fancy 5. c4!. If you grab
the c5 pawn, remember, the best way to treat a gambit is to be prepared to
return the material to mess up your opponent's position.
1... e6 2. d4 a6 3. Bd3
t S l D j L s T
+ x X x + x X x
x + - + x + - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - P p + - +
+ - + b + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R n B q K - N r
Basman has often played
3...b5 4. Nf3 Bb7 5. O-O c5 6. c3 Nf6 7. Re1
t S - D j L - T
+ l + x + x X x
x + - + x S - +
+ x X - + - + -
- + - P p + - +
+ - P b + n + -
p P - + - P p P
R n B q R - K -
...which he calls the Main Line. Now he has tried
7... h6
Why on earth should he do this? Well, after
7... Qb6
[7... Nc6? 8. d5 exd5 9. exd5+ Ne7 10. d6]
8. a4 cxd4 9. cxd4 Nc6 10. axb5
t + - + j L - T
+ l + x + x X x
x D s + x S - +
+ p + - + - + -
- + - P p + - +
+ - + b + n + -
- P - + - P p P
R n B q R - K -
10... Nb4 11. Nc3 Nxd3 12. Qxd3 axb5 13. Rxa8+ Bxa8 14. Bf4
[14. Bg5 b4]
14...Bb4 15. Bg5!
l + - + j + - T
+ - + x + x X x
- D - + x S - +
+ x + - + - B -
- L - P p + - +
+ - N q + n + -
- P - + - P p P
+ - + - R - K -
Black was under a lot of pressure in Nicholson-Basman 1980. Black recovered
but I can't fancy Black's position]
Alternatively
[7... Be7 8. Nbd2 Nc6 9. e5 Nd5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Ne4 Be7 12. a4 Qb8 13. Bg5
f6
[13... Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Qxe5 15. Nf6+]
14. exf6 gxf6 15. Bh4
t D - + j + - T
+ l + x L - + x
x + s + x X - +
+ x + s + - + -
p + - + n + - B
+ - P b + n + -
- P - + - P p P
R - + q R - K -
and Black is very loose, as in Lewis-Basman 1980]
In each line Bg5 was a big headache, so Basman, never deterred, tried
7...h6
8. Nbd2 Be7 9. e5 Nd5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Ne4 Be7 12. a4
t S - D j + - T
+ l + x L x X -
x + - + x + - X
+ x + s P - + -
p + - + n + - +
+ - P b + n + -
- P - + - P p P
R - B q R - K -
Often an awklard move to meet
12... bxa4 13. Rxa4 Qc7 14. Bb1 Nb6 15. Nd6+ Bxd6 16. exd6 Qd8 17. Rg4
t S - D j + - T
+ l + x + x X -
x S - P x + - X
+ - + - + - + -
- + - + - + r +
+ - P - + n + -
- P - + - P p P
+ b B q R - K -
Hennigan-Basman 1991; White won quickly.
D4(c) the Borg Defence 1. e4 g5
t S l D j L s T
X x X x X x + x
- + - + - + - +
+ - + - + - X -
- + - + p + - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p P - P p P
R n B q K b N r
(Borg=Grob reversed) which can be met by
2. d4 h6 3. Bd3 d6
[or 3... Bg7 4. Ne2 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Be3
t + l D j + s T
X x + x X x L -
- + s + - + - X
+ - X - + - X -
- + - P p + - +
+ - P b B - + -
p P - + n P p P
R n + q K - + r
Keene
6... cxd4 7. cxd4 Qb6 8. Nbc3 Nxd4 9. Nd5!]
4. Ne2
e.g.
4...c5
Now
5. dxc5 dxc5 6. Ng3 Nc6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Re1+/-
or
5. c3 Nc6 6. O-O Nf6 7. Nd2 Qc7 8. b4
t + l + j L - T
X x D - X x + -
- + s X - S - X
+ - X - + - X -
- P - P p + - +
+ - P b + - + -
p + - N n P p P
R - B q + r K -
Nunn-Basman 1980; ...1-0
An alternative treatment is
[3. h4 g4
[3... gxh4 4. Nf3]
4. Qxg4 d5 5. Qf3 dxe4 6. Qxe4 Nf6 7. Qd3 Nc6 8. Be3 Qd5 9. Nc3
t + l + j L - T
X x X - X x + -
- + s + - S - X
+ - + d + - + -
- + - P - + - P
+ - N q B - + -
p P p + - P p +
R - + - K b N r
Example games D4
Hennigan - Accardo, Roma, 1990
1. e4 a6 2. d4 b5 3. Nf3 Bb7 4. Bd3 Nf6 5. Qe2 e6 6. a4 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8.
Nbd2 b4 9. e5 Ng4 10. O-O d5 11. Nb3 Ba7 12. h3 h5
t S - D j + - T
L l + - + x X -
x + - + x + - +
+ - + x P - + x
p X - + - + s +
+ n + b + n + p
- P p + q P p +
R - B - + r K -
A hasty sacrifice
13. Bg5! Qc7 14. hxg4 hxg4 15. Nfd4 g3 16. Rae1 gxf2+ 17. Rxf2 Nd7 18. Nxe6
Qb6 19. Ned4 Nc5 20. Qf3 Qc7 21. Nxc5 Bxc5 22. c3 Kf8 23. Ne6+ 1-0
A dismal game for Black.
Regis,D - Dansey,P, 1993
Please forgive this one of mine but it's the only 'belt down the centre'
example I have.
1. e4 e6 2. d4 a6 3. Nf3 b5 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Bb7 6. O-O Nf6 7. Re1
[7. Qe2 c4]
7... Be7
[7... h6 Basman]
8. Nbd2 Nc6 9. a4 b4 10. e5 ?!
[better 10. dxc5 first, or maybe 10. Nb3 !?]
10... Nd5 11. Ne4 cxd4 12. cxd4 =+
[12. c4 Nb6 13. b3 was an interesting sacrifice that I didn't have
the courage for]
12... Qb6 13. Bc4 Na5 14. b3 Rc8 15. Qd3 Qc6 16. Bg5
- + t + j + - T
+ l + x L x X x
x + d + x + - +
S - + s P - B -
p X b P n + - +
+ p + q + n + -
- + - + - P p P
R - + - R - K -
[16 ... Nxc4 probably wins a safe pawn! - 16. Bxd5 Qxd5 was the only way to
hang on to it]
16... f5
[16... Nxc4 17. Bxe7 Kxe7 18. bxc4 Qxc4 19. Qd2 Qc7 20. Nd6 Rb8 21.
Qg5+ with probably not enough compensation]
17. exf6 Nxf6 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19.d5
with the lines opening against the Black King, the rest is a rout.
19...Qc7 20. dxe6 Bxe4 21. exd7+ Qxd7 22. Qxe4 Nxc4 23. bxc4 Kf7 24. Rad1
Qc7 25. Qe6+ Ke8 26. Qxf6 Rf8 27. Qe6 b3 28. Ne5 1-0
[28. Ne5 Rf6 29. Qg8+ Rf8 30. Qxh7 b2 31. Qg6+]
Caillet - Paul, Paris, 1989
1. e4 e6 2. d4 b6 3. Bd3 Bb7 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Qe2 h6
Black will regret this move...
7. O-O Bxc3 8. bxc3 d6 9. e5 Nd5 10. Bd2 Ne7 11. Rae1 d5 12. Nh4 Nd7
t + - D j + - T
X l X s S x X -
- X - + x + - X
+ - + x P - + -
- + - P - + - N
+ - P b + - + -
p + p B q P p P
+ - + - R r K -
A model position for White; the advance of the f-pawn decides because of the
weakness on g6.
13. f4 c5 14. f5 c4 15. fxe6 cxd3 16. Qh5 g6 17. exf7+ 1-0
17... Kf8 18. Bxh6+ Rxh6 19. Qxh6# 1-0
Erben - Foerster, 1989
1. e4 g5 2. d4 Bg7 3. Bxg5 c5 4. Be3 cxd4 5. Bxd4 e5 6. Be3 Ne7 7. Nc3 O-O
8. Nf3 f5 9. Bc4+ Kh8 10. Ng5 Qe8 11. Nb5 Qg6 12. Nd6 Bf6 13. Ngf7+
t S l + - T - J
X x + x S n + x
- + - N - L d +
+ - + - X x + -
- + b + p + - +
+ - + - B - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - + q K - + r
1-0
E. A repertoire for attacking the unusual 1...e5 defences
I assume you will aim for the Giuoco Piano, an opening I expect
you won't tire of for a year or two.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3
This is the natural follow-up, developing the Knight to its best square
and attacking the Black e-pawn. Good alternatives include 2. f4 (King's
Gambit) and 2. Bc4 (Bishop's Opening), although the
Vienna Opening 2. Nc3 has rather fallen from favour.
Black has all sorts of alternatives in reply to 2. Nf3, most of which needn't
delay us for long. The Queen's Pawn Counter-Gambit (or
Elephant Gambit) 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 can be met by 3. exd4
e4 4. Qe2 and 5. d3. The Damiano Defence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3
f6 is refuted by 3. Nxe5! Qe7! 4. Nf3 and now both 4...Qxe4+ 5.
Be2 and 4...d5 5. d3 dxe4 6. dxe4 Qxe4+ 7. Be2 leave White about to go
further ahead in development with Nc3.
The most important deviations are:
Hungarian Defence with 3...Be7
Petroff's Defence 2...Nf6
This is my current recommendation for junior players against the
1. e4 player; please refer to the separate booklet.
Philidor's Defence 2...d6
This is probably the strongest of the non-standard defences, and
is practiced by many strong county players.
Latvian Gambit 2...f5
It is claimed by Levy and Keene that this defence can be defeated
by learning the lines that follow 3. Bc4
E1. Hungarian Defence
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Be7
t + l D j + s T
X x X x L x X x
- + s + - + - +
+ - + - X - + -
- + b + p + - +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p P - P p P
R n B q K - + r
This is a solid but passive defence with links to Philidor's
Defence. It is quite in order to play
4. d4 d6
and now the books say play
5. h3,
though Spassky (an attacking player) recommends
5. Nc3
and Mednis (an endgame specialist) recommends
5. dxe5.
I think this is the easiet.
Now 5...Nxe5? 6. Nxe5 dxe5 7. Qh5!
t + l D j + s T
X x X - L x X x
- + - + - + - +
+ - + - X - + q
- + b + p + - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R n B - K - + r
!wins a pawn so the line goes
5...dxe5 6. Qxd8+ Bxd8 7. Nc3.
t + l L j + s T
X x X - + x X x
- + s + - + - +
+ - + - X - + -
- + b + p + - +
+ - N - + n + -
p P p + - P p P
R - B - K - + r
White can complete development with Be3 and O-O, and should aim to keep pieces
on with a3 and/or h3. White can then try to open lines to exploit the space
advantage and get the rooks into play.
Another line quoted by Mednis is 5. exd5 exd5 6. Bd5!? Bd6 7. Ng5! Nh6 8.
c3!
E2. Philidor Defence
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6
Now play
3. d4
when Black has a choice between 3...Nd7, 3...Nf6 and 3...dxe4. 3...f5
is occasionally played, too.
E2.1 Philidor Defence with 3...Nd7
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7
4. Bc4
This line gives Black all sorts of headaches:
E2.1.1 Philidor Defence with 4...Be7
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 Be7
You can now win a pawn with
5. dxe5 Nxe5
(not 5...dxe5?? 6. Qd5!)
6. Nxe5 dxe5 7. Qh5!
t + l D j + s T
X x X s L x X x
- + - X - + - +
+ - + - X - + -
- + b P p + - +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p + - P p P
R n B q K - + r
E2.1.2 Philidor Defence with 4...h6
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 h6
t + l D j L s T
X x X s + x X -
- + - X - + - X
+ - + - X - + -
- + b P p + - +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p + - P p P
R n B q K - + r
Now
5. dxe5 Nxe5 6. Nxe5 dxe5 7.Bxf7+!
t + l D j L s T
X x X - + b X -
- + - + - + - X
+ - + - X - + -
- + - + p + - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R n B q K - + r
wins a pawn
Or
5. dxe5 dxe5 6. Bxf7+! Kxf7 7. Nxe5+ Kf6 8. Qd4
with a deadly attack.
E2.1.3 Philidor Defence with 4...Ngf6
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 Ngf6
t + l D j L - T
X x X s + x X x
- + - X - S - +
+ - + - X - + -
- + b P p + - +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p + - P p P
R n B q K - + r
Now
5. dxe5 Nxe5
(not 5...dxe5 6. Ng5!)
6. Nxe5 dxe5 7. Bxf7+
wins a pawn:
t + l D j L - T
X x X - + b X x
- + - + - S - +
+ - + - X - + -
- + - + p + - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R n B q K - + r
7...Kxf7 8. Qxd8 Bb4+ 9. Qd2 Bxd2+ 10. Nxd2
E2.1.4 Philidor Defence with 4...c6
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6
t + l D j L s T
X x + s + x X x
- + x X - + - +
+ - + - X - + -
- + b P p + - +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p + - P p P
R n B q K - + r
This is the only way to survive, but White can still press hard with 5. Nc3.
After 5...h6 6. a4! is the way to keep the edge. A well-known line goes:
5. Nc3 Be7 6. dxe5 dxe5 7. Ng5 Bxg5
(7...Nh6 8. Ne6! wins)
8. Qh5 g6
(or 8...Qf6 9. Bxg5 Qg6 10. Qh4 +-
t + l + j + s T
X x + s + x X x
- + x + - + d +
+ - + - X - B -
- + b + p + - Q
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - + - K - + r
Schlechter-Alekhine 1910)
9. Qxg5 Qxg5 10. Bxg5.
t + l + j + s T
X x + s + x + x
- + x + - + x +
+ - + - X - B -
- + b + p + - +
+ - N - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - + - K - + r
This position is much easier to play for White, and when it has been reached
White players have a huge plus score from here. White will play O-O-O and
double rooks on the d-file. There is no way for White to penetrate further
than playing Rd6 just yet, but b2-b4-b5 should either win the c6 pawn or
produce the exchange ...cxb5, Nxb5 with huge pressure.
E2.2 Philidor Defence with 3...Nf6
t S l D j L - T
X x X - + x X x
- + - X - S - +
+ - + - X - + -
- + - P p + - +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p + - P p P
R n B q K b + r
The counterattack on the e-pawn gives Black a moment to get organised.
After
4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7
t + l D j + - T
X x X s L x X x
- + - X - S - +
+ - + - X - + -
- + b P p + - +
+ - N - + n + -
p P p + - P p P
R - B q K - + r
and now
6. dxe5
(BCO gives 6.Ng5!?),
then
6...dxe5? seems to be a mistake because of 7. Ng5 O-O 8.
Bxf7+ Rxf7 9. Ne6 Qe8 10. Nc7 Qd8 11. Nxa8. Now after 11...b5 12. Nd5! should
win. Instead
6...Nxe5 7. Nxe5 dxe5 7. Qxd8+
or 7. Qe2
gives White the edge. Moves like Rd1 or O-O and f4 will keep Black
sweating for some time to come.
E2.3 Philidor Defence with 3...exd4
t S l D j L s T
X x X - + x X x
- + - X - + - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - X p + - +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p + - P p P
R n B q K b + r
Generally this gives Black a long-term space problem, and White can play 4.
Nxd4, 5. Bc4, 6. O-O, 7. Re1 and so on without difficulty.
The line 4. Nxd4 g6 imitates the sharp Dragon Variation of the Sicilian but
while White can still execute the standard attack on the Black King's-side (f3,
Be3, Qd2, O-O-O, h4-h5, Bh6, etc.), the absence of a half-open c-file for Black
makes the counterattack more difficult to get going.
Another way to play for White (as in the famous game Adams-Torre) is 4. Qxd4
Nc6 5. Bb5 Bd2 6. Bxc6 Bxc6 7. Nc3 Nf6 8. Bg5 Be7 9. O-O-O O-O 10. Rhe1
t + - D - T j +
X x X - L x X x
- + l X - S - +
+ - + - + - B -
- + - Q p + - +
+ - N - + n + -
p P p + - P p P
+ - K r R - + -
with attacking chances.
4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Qd2 O-O 8. O-O-O Re8
or 8...Nc6 9. f3 Nxd4 10. Bxd4 Be6 11. g4+/- BCO2
9. f3 Nc6
[now 10. g4 is given in BCO2, e.g. 10...Ne5 11. Be2 a6 12. Bh6 Bh8
13. h4 b5 13. h4 b5 14. Bg5 c5 15. Nf5! gxf5 16. gxf5 Bb7 17. Bh6 +-,
Owen-Wrinn corr. 1985]
10. h4 !?
t + l D t + j +
X x X - + x L x
- + s X - S x +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - N p + - P
+ - N - B p + -
p P p Q - + p +
+ - K r + b + r
10... Ne5
[10... h5 should also lead to a speedy attack against the black king
after, say, Bg5 and a later g4. If you aren't sure about this, play 10.
g4]
11. h5 Nxh5
[11... c5
[what else? ]
now 12. Nb3 intending 13.Qxd6 or 13.Nxc5]
E2.4 Philidor counter-gambit 3...f5
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 f5
BCO2 denies all knowledge of this option. I discover Tony Kosten
covered it in "Winning with the Philidor." He calls it "Mestel's
Variation" after JM's use of it at the European Junior Championships in the
1970s.
Kosten gives a couple of lines like:
[4. exf5 e4 5. Ng5 Bxf5 6. Nc3 d5 7. f3 e3 8. Bxe3 h6 9. Nh3 Bxh3 10. gxh3
Be7 11. Bf2 Bf6 12. Qd2 Ne7 13. O-O-O Nbc6 "...reasonable play for the pawn"
KOSTEN]
[or 4. dxe5 fxe4 5. Ng5 d5 6. e6 Nh6 7. Nc3 c6 8. Ngxe4 dxe4 9. Qh5+ g6
10.Qe5 Rg8 11. Bg5 Bg7 12. e7 Qd5 !
Murey's move, which again Kosten reckons is OK for Black.]
But Fritz dismisses the whole thing with
4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Nxe5! dxe4 7. Qh5
t S l D j L s T
X x X x + - X x
- + - + - + - +
+ - + - N - + q
- + - P x + - +
+ - + - + - + -
p P p + - P p P
R - B - K b + r
e.g. 7...g6 8. Nxg6 hxg6 9. Qxg6!? Kd7! 10. Qf5+ Ke8 11. Qe5, getting the
rook AND the pawn, with enduring discomfort for the Black King]
E3 Latvian Gambit 2... f5
t S l D j L s T
X x X x + - X x
- + - + - + - +
+ - + - X x + -
- + - + p + - +
+ - + - + n + -
p P p P - P p P
R n B q K b + r
3. Nxe5
This is the simplest way to gain the advantage
[Keene and Levy claim a win for White after 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Qg5, but
there is much to study here and Black players are likely to be better rehearsed
in the traps]
3... Qf6 4. d4 d6 5. Nc4 fxe4 6. Nc3
White has a simple advantage
Example Games E
Darned if I could find any recent games in any of these lines. When they
occur White GMs tend to avoid any theory (in case of improvements) and just
play solid, hoping the inferior moves chosen by Black will prove
disadvantageous in any line.
Alekhine - Marco, Stockholm, 1912
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Qe2
[7. h3 is better we now think]
7... c6 8. a4
t + l D - T j +
X x + s L x X x
- + x X - S - +
+ - + - X - + -
p + b P p + - +
+ - N - + n + -
- P p + q P p P
R - B - + r K -
White is not so much concerned for promoting his own position as restricting
his opponent's. This is not a totally easy thing to do, and you may see good
Black players adopt the Philidor to keep the pieces on and the game closed.
8... h6 9. Bb3 Qc7 10. h3 Kh7 11. Be3 g6 12. Rad1 Kg7
t + l + - T - +
X x D s L x J -
- + x X - S x X
+ - + - X - + -
p + - P p + - +
+ b N - B n + p
- P p + q P p +
+ - + r + r K -
all that to get the Rf8 into play
13. Nh2 Ng8 14. f4 f6 15. Qg4 exd4 16. Bxd4 Nc5 17. f5 Nxb3 18. Qxg6+ Kh8
19. cxb3 Bd7 20. Qg3 Rf7 21. Ng4
t + - + - + s J
X x D l L t + -
- + x X - X - X
+ - + - + p + -
p + - B p + n +
+ p N - + - Q p
- P - + - + p +
+ - + r + r K -
With the threat of e5
21... Qd8 22. Ne2
Aiming at e6
22... Rg7 23. Nf4 Qe8 24. Qh4 Qf7 25. Rd3
Going for mate, rather than winning the pawn at h6
25... Kh7 26. Ng6
t + - + - + s +
X x + l L d T j
- + x X - X n X
+ - + - + p + -
p + - B p + n Q
+ p + r + - + p
- P - + - + p +
+ - + - + r K -
With the striking idea Rf4 and Nxh6, Nxh6; Qxh6+ Kxh6; Rh4+ Kg5 and mate
follows
26... Rxg6 27. fxg6+ Qxg6 28. Bxf6 Bxg4 29. Bxe7 Re8 30.Rxd6
The White pieces close in for the kill
30... Qg7 31. Bf6 Nxf6 32. Rfxf6
1-0
Index of games
Back to Chess Coaching PageDr. Dave
This document (wh_v_odd.html) was last modified on Feb 8 1996
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