VSEVOLOD KOSTROV

HOW WELL DO I PLY CHESS

TEST GAMES
OPEN GAES
Chess Stars
w.chess-stars.com
How Well Do I Play Chess
Open Games
Copyrght Vsevolod Kostrov 2007
Chess Stars, Sofa
Translation by GM Evgeny Ermenkov
Cover design by Semko Semkov
Printed in Bulgaria by "Simolini 94" - Sofa
ISBN13: 978-954-8782-57-9
Contents
Introduction for Parents and Coaches
Are you a strong chess player?
Would you like to organize a competition?!
Open Games
Game 1. Capablanca- Steiner, Los Angeles 1933
Four Knights Opening (C 49)
Game 2. Instructive Game
The Two Knights Defence
Game
3
. Instructive Game
Italian Game (C 50)
Game 4. Mac
:
uski - Kolisch, Paris 1864
Scotch Game ( C 45)
Game 5. Janowski- Marshall, Biarritz 1912
Petrof Defence (C 42)
Game 6. Adams- Torre Repetto, New Orleans 1920
The Philidor Defence (C 41)
Game 7. Chigorin Schlechter, London 1899
King's Gambit (C 33)
Game 8. Hamppe- Meitner, Vienna 1873
Vienna Game (C 25)
Game
9
. Kirilov- Furman, Vilnius 1949
Ruy Lopez ( C77)
Game 10. Spassk - Bronstein, Leningrad 1960
King's Gambit (C 36)
4
5
6
8
9
16
25
35
40
48
56
62
72
80
Introduction for Parents and Coaches
Children ofen ask their coaches, or their parents " How well do I
play chess?" We will help young players answer that question them
selves and we will improve their level of play in the process.
I would like to mention the following points:
1) This book has been witten mostly for children and their assis
tant-coaches. There are certain chess topics, which make young players
feel bored and they make them even yawn. For example if you wish to
tease your pupil quickly, then maybe the best way to do that is to start
explaining to him in one of your sessions the numerous lines of some
complicated opening system. I can tell you for sure that every child will
get up bored from his chair in about ffeen minutes, without having
remembered or understood anything.
Let us try to turn the lesson into a COMPETITION. Whoever guess
es correctly the greatest number of moves- he becomes the champion!
I believe that every coach will manage to increase the interest of his
pupils towards the chess lesson in that fashion.
Meanwhile, in that competition, you can share with your pupils the
basic ideas of the opening and you can turn their attention to the most
tical opening blunders. It becomes quite amazing, but they will un
derstand and remember the material quite easily in that way.
2) Aer you have analyzed the results of the competition in the test
games you can make (naturally, the coach should know quite well the
strong sides and the weaknesses of his own pupils) the correct assump
tion about the strength and the knowledge of your students. You'll be
able to decide then whether to work on the opening theory, or perhaps
the young players might be not so good in calculating variations or in
positional play.
If your child has not attended yet any chess training sessions, then
you can use that book quite efectively at home. Parents who would like
to defect their children fom the TV-set, or from the computer games,
might try to attract their attention upon this chess test-book.
You can challenge your child to a competition - "Who is better?"
The only things you will need for that is a chess-set, a pen and sheet
of paper. The latter should be with the idea to conceal the text, so that
the pupil may not be tempted to look at the page; otherwise, he would
know the answer outright.
4
Are you a strong chess player?
How can you know for sure what your real chess strength is? You
will need to calculate the number of points you have scored, while you
have been playing through the test games.
There are
5
0 points up for grabs in each game.
If you have scored:
35
-
5
0 points. You are likely to become a GRANDMAS
TER soon; meanwhile you can consider yourself to be a player
with a rating above 1
9
00. You have deserved that truly, unless
you have been glancing at the book at some moments!
20 -
3
4
points. You will surely become a MASTER some
day, while presently your rating is about 1800. It might be bet
ter if you have a look at that same game afer a while ...
10 - 19 points. Your strength at the moment should be
around 1600. Still, you should better read the chess textbook
again and you should solve chess problems; otherwise, you will
hardly ever improve ...
o and 9 points. Presently, you are no better than eighth
domestic category and you are likely to remain just a NOVICE
for a while ... The conclusion is obvious - you have either never
had a good chess-textbook, or you have lost it somewhere. May
be your mother uses it to put her tea-kettle on it in the kitchen.
Start working on chess urgently!
It is essential that you score the greatest number of points in you
class at school or in your group for chess lessons. Whoever has the high
est score- he is the CHAPION! You might have only 2-
3
points. It is
important that your friends and rivals might have scored even less ...
5
Would you like to organize a competition?!
You need to take a sheet of paper and to draw a crosstable like that.
Your coach will play the game through on the demonstration board,
while you will score your results in the crosstable.
N My move Correct move Points
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Points scored:
If My move (that is the move you have chosen! ) and the Correct
move (the underlined move) coincide, then you score points and you
wite them down in the column Points, if not then you can mark that
wth" - ". Sum up at the end of the game - how many points you have
collected.
So, whoever has scored the highest number of points - he becomes
THE CHPION! ! !
6
Let us begin
Take a PIECE OF PAPER and cover the text below the diagram.
Now, move slowly the sheet of paper DOWNWARDS, until you see
the
mark
? ? ?
Attention! Move down the paper one centimeter until you see the
mark
It is lef there so that you can wite down "My move" - that is the
move you would like to play in that position.
Write dow. the move you would play.
Move dow then the sheet of paper and see whether your move co
incides wth the correct move.
? ? ?
4. 'h5x#
Amazing! You got it right!
7
Open Games
Open games are practically the most ancient opening systems. They
begin wth the moves 1. e2-e
4
e
7
-e
5
. They have appeared more than
5
00
years ago and they have been the most popular until the present cen
tury. Nowadays, the Open Games are not forgotten either. Try to re
member your frst games. Most probably, your chess youth was under
the spell of the frst moves with the king's paws. How many games did
you begin like that ! ?
World Champions ofen play Open Games too. There i s not a single
champion who has not tried Open Games ! Steinitz, Emanuel Lasker,
Aekhine, Fischer, Karpov, Kasparov, Kamnik have played the Ruy
Lopez. Steinitz and Alekhine have tried the Vienna Game. The Scotch
Game has been played by Lasker, Alekhine and Kasparov; the Italian
Game has been a favourite weapon of Garr Kasparov and he even
played the Evans Gambit against Vishy Anand. Lasker, Karpov and
Kramnik have tried the Petrof Defence while Tal and Spassk were
excellent specialists of the Kng's Gambit. Botvinnik used to play the
Four Knights Opening.
What is typical for the Open Games and what attracts the players
who are their avid fans? This is mostly the sharp tactical play, the rapid
mobilization of forces and the attack against the center, or against the
opponent's king.
8
Game 1
Capablanca - Steiner
Los Angeles 1933
Four Kights Opening (C 49)
l. e2-e4
2.lgl-f
3.lbl-c3
e7-e5
lb8-c6
lg8-f6
g
All chess coaches teach their pupils to develop frst the knights in
the opening. It is advisable to centralize them and not to place them at
the edge of the board as it ofen happens in the games of the beginners.
These several moves are ofen played not only by weak players. The
Four Knights Opening has been tried numerous times by World Cham
pions like Lasker, Capablanca, Botvinnik, Tal, Spassky etc. There are
other players who have contributed to its development too, like Petrof,
Paulsen, Rubinstein, Marshall, Bogoljubow etc.
The Four Knights Opening is one of the most ancient ways to start
the game. It was mentioned in the manuscript of G. Polerio in the XI
century. The main idea of that opening for both sides is to develop the
pieces quickly, while the game remains relatively calm in the centre.
The opponents delay the real confict for the middlegame.
4 . .f-b5
This is the main line of the Four Knights Opening. It is ofen called
the Spanish variation, because of the development of the bishop to the
bS-square. In fact White has less chances to obtain an advantage here
in comparison to the Ruy Lopez. In some systems Black can simplif
the game considerably, reaching positions which are nearly drawish.
Therefore, the Four Knights Opening is only seldom played nowadays.
9
Game l
White's other moves lead to a better game for Black - 4 . .fl-c4
4f6xe4! 5.4c3xe4 d7-d5, or they transpose to other openings- 4 d2-
d4 e5xd4 5.4fxd4 - the Scotch Game; while afer 4.d2-d4 e5xd4
5.4c3xd5- there arises the Belgrade Gambit.
4. . . .f-b4
That symmetrical variation is presently rarely played, because of the
possible Marshall-Rubinstein counterattack- 4 ... 4c6-d4 5 . .b5-a4 (or
5 . .b5-c4 .f8-c5 6.4f3xe5 Wd8-e7) 5 ... .f8-c5 6.4f3xe5 0-0.
5. 0- 0 0- 0
6. d2-d3 d7-d6
7.Acl-g5 Jb4xc3
Black has been just repeating his opponent's moves until now. If he
continues doing that however, he loses afer: 7 ... ic8-g4 8.4c3-d5 4c6-
d4 9.4d5xb4 4d4xb5 10.4b4-d5 4b5-d4 1l.Wdl-d2 Wd8-d712 . .g5xf6
ig4xf3 13.4d5-e7+ g8-h8 14.if6xg7+ h8xg7 15.Wd2-g5+ g7-h8
16.Wg5-f6#
8.b2xc3 lc6-e7
Theory had developed and it is considered that the best line for Black
is the Megger variation: 8 ... Wd8-e7 9J f-ellc6-d8 10.d3-d4 4d8-e6;
8 ... h7-h6 is bad due to 9.ig5-h4 .c8-g4 10.h2-h3 ig4xf3 1l.Wdlxf3.
We do not plan to criticize Capablanca and his parner. Opening lines
were not so thoroughly analyzed at those times and it was considered
that it had been essential just to obtain an acceptable position afer the
opening. Probably Steiner wished to transfer his knight to the kingside
- 8 ... 4c6-e7, sice he saw no good prospects for it on the opposite wing
- the b4 and d4-squares were controlled by White's c3-pawn.
? ? ?
9. f-h4
(If your move coincides with the underlined move, you get 3 points)
Capablanca is bringing additional forces for his decisive ofen
sive. It was also good for White to play the simple line 9.ig5xf6 g7xf6
10.4f3-h4
9 . . . c7-c6
Black had better complete his maneuver - redeploying the knight
with 9 ... 4e7-g6.
10
Capablanca - Steiner
1 0 .b5-c4 c8-e6?
Capablanca's opponent wants to simplif the game, but that line
leads to a bad position for Black. He had to try instead: 10 ... d6-d5
ll.ig5xf6 (or ll.ic4-b3 'd8-d6) g7xf6.
? ? ?
11.
1l.,5xf6 (2 points) g7x6
Capablanca exchanges pieces quite correctly (It would have been
worse for him to play: ll.ic4xe6? fxe6 12.ig5xf6 f8xf6) in order to
open his opponent's king position.
It turned out that the "golden rule" was in favour of Capablanca in
that position - the side having an advantage in development should
start attacking.
12. c4xe6 fxe6
? ? ?
13.
13.'d1-g4+ (2 points)
White's queen has joined in the attack, eyeing the e6-paw too;
therefore Black's move is forced.
13 . . . Wg8-f
11
Game 1
? ? ?
14.
14.f-f4 (5 points)
g
Black's king and White's rook are placed on the same fle, so the f4-
pawn speeds up their meeting ...
14. . . gf8-g8?
Steiner overestimates his position. The game course showes that
his attempt at counterattacking failes. However 14 ... e5xf4 is not easy
either: 15J'flxf4! (15.g4xf4 te7-g6), 15 ... te7-g6 16.g4-h5 @f-g7
17JU4-g4 d8-e8 18.lal-f threatening lfl-f3-g3.
15.1g4-h5+ @f-g7
It becomes clear now that the move 14 ... lf8-g8? is too slow. Black's
king is now forced to go back to the g-fle, impeding his own rook. It is
bad for Black to try 15 ... te7-g6? 16.f4-f5!, since he loses a piece, while
afer 15 ... f-f8 16.f4xe5! White's attack is rapidly victorious.
16. f4xe5 d6xe5
Capablanca thus destroys his opponent's powerfl pawn centre.
Black would have lost immediately afer 16 .. .f6xe5? 17.lfl-f+ g7-h8
18.h5xh7#
12
? ? ?
17.
17Jfx6 (10 points)
Capablanca - Steiner
The pawn shelter of Black' s king has been shattered completely. 17 . . .
Eg8-f8 fails to the simple 18. Ef6xf8 Wd8xf8 19J a1-f1, so he must ac
cept the rook sacrifce, because White is threatening a checkmate in
two. Black can prevent being checkmated indeed, but he loses then too
many pawns.
17
? ? ?
9
g7x6
18.
18. ga1-f+ (2 points)
Now all White's pieces participate in the attack. He brings the sec
ond rook to replace the sacrifced one. It is very active on the open fle.
18. . . te7-f
? ? ?
19.
19. th4x! (10 points)
Naturally, Wite wins too afer: 19.e4xf5 Wf6-e7 20.Wh5xh7+ We7-
d6 2l.f5xe6, but then he must still go afer his opponent's king.
19. . . e6x
? ? ?
13
Game l
2 0 .
2 0 .:f+ (2 points)
White is coming even closer to the enemy' s king. Black's extra rook
cannot help in the defence.
2 0 . . . lf6-e7
21. Wh5-f+
White does not give any respite to Black's king in order to prevent
his heavy pieces to join in the defence.
21. . .
le7-d6
Black's king is trying to fnd a safe haven behind his pawn chain.
22.:f-f6+ ld6-c5
Stein er could have prolonged his agony by givng up his queen for a
rook, but naturally that would not have saved the day.
Aer 22 . . . Wd8xf6 23. Wfxf6+ ld6-d7 24. Wf6-f+ d7-d6 25. Wfxb7
White remains with to many extra pawns.
Black is simply obsessed with the idea to take his king to safety be
hind the pawns . . .
14
? ? ?
23.
23. Wfxb7 (4 points)
g
White is threatening to checkmate from two sides - c6 and b4.
Capablanca - Steiner
23 . . . d8-b6
Black' s queen has protected both squares, but . . .
? ? ?
24.
24. lf6xc6+! (10 points)
g
The sacrifce of the other rook leads to a problem-like checkmate.
24. . . b6xc6
Black thus gets checkmated immediately. Indeed afer 24 . . . cc5-b5+
25J 'k6xb6+ a7xb6 26. b7-d5+ his resistance would have been futile.
25. b7-b4#
Checkmate!
15
Game 2
Instructive Game
The Two Knights Defence
l. e2-e4
2.lgl-f
3. if-c4
e7 - e5
lbS- c6
lgS- f6
g
This is the Two Knights Defence. The frst attempts to analyze that
opening were made in the XIth century in the manuscript of G. Pole-
rio. The masters of the past were attracted by the fact that the game was
tremendously sharp in that opening. Both sides were not deterred by
sacrifces of material . White is trying to exploit immediately the v ulner
ability of the -square, which is so close to the enemy king, while Black
intends to seize the initiative by attacking the e4-pawn.
This opening was among the most popular for several centuries. It
was successflly used by Morphy, Steinitz, Lasker and Alekhine. Still,
M. Chigorin contributed the most to its development. His counterat
tacking system, including a pawn sacrifce, is considered to be the best
for Black nowadays as well.
The variety of possible variations makes that defence quite popular
even presently. Some of the leading grandmasters like Timman, Belyav
sk and Spassk play it successflly.
? ? ?
4.
16
The Two Knights Defence
4)-g5 (2 points)
Black has shown that he was not afraid of the attack against the f-
square with light pieces, so White' s move is principled and purposeful.
White' s other possibility is 4. d2-d4. In that line, the fght is focused
on the domination in the centre and the central (d and e) fles. Many
positions are still not so thoroughly analyzed and the theoreticians
are reluctant to give a defnite evaluation - 4 . . . e5xd4 5. 0-0 f8-c5! ?.
That is the beginning of the Max-Lange attack - 6. e4-e5 d7-d5 7. e5xf6
d5xc4 8. fl-el+ c8-e6 9. lf3-g5 (Indeed, Black can choose a much
calmer line here: 5 ... lf6xe4 6.fl-el d7-d5 7. c4xd5 (or 7. lbl-c3! ?)
7 ...
Wd8xd5 8. 4bl-c3. ).
Aer 4.lbl-c3 lf6xe4, there arises the Vienna Game, while follow
ing 4.lbl-c3 f8-c5 - it is the Italian Game.
Black's reply is almost forced ...
? ? ?
4
4... d7-d5 (3 points)
He can also choose the Tracksler Attack 4 ... f8-c5?! Indeed, Black can
obtain a prdmising position only in case of 5.4g5xf? c5xf2+ 6. @elxf2
lf6xe4+ 7.@f2-gl Wd8-h4 8.g2-g3le4xg3 9.h2xg3 Wh4xg3+ lO.@gl
f h8-f8 ll.Wdl-hS d7-d5 12.c4xd5 4c6-b4 13.d5-b3 4b4xc2.
In case Wite plays calmly 5.c4xf+ @e8-e7 6.f-b3 ih8-f8 7.0-0,
he obtains a better position.
5.e4xd5
How would you play as Black?
? ? ?
5
5... lf6xd5?
According to theory, the best line for Black is 5 ... lc6-a5! (3 points)
6.c4-b5+ c7-c6 7.d5xc6 b7xc6 8.b5-e2 h7-h6. Wite's attack has
been repelled and Black has the initiative for the sacrifced pawn.
Wite's strategy in the Two Knights defence is based on the use of
17
Game 2
the pin along the a2-g8 diagonal. In case Black had entered the varia
tion with the pawn sacrifce on his move 5, he would have emphasized
that White's play was too straightforward. It is hardly ever possible to
overcome the defence of the opponent with only two or three pieces,
unless he makes a grave blunder. The task of the defender is not to lose
his composure and to fnd the proper counter-strike.
g
Here, afer Black's mistake, White has excellent possibilities to be
gin a powerfl attack. ..
? ? ?
6.
6.d2-d4 (4 points)
White opens the centre in order to continue with his attack.
The assault, beginning with the move 6.tg5xf, was already known
even in the XIth century. It seems quite correct. Black should capture
- 6 ... @e8xf. How do you plan to continue Wite's attack?
? ? ?
7.
7.dl-f3+ (2 points)
White's strongest piece is joining in the attack. He is attacking both
the king and the knight. Black has an only defence ...
? ? ?
18
The Two Knights Defence
7 . . .
7. . . f - e6 (2 points)
The king goes forward in order to save the knight. The beginners
ofen crack under the tension of the fght and try to evacuate the king
deep inside their own camp, but that leads to terrible consequences
for Black here: 7 . . . f-g8?? 8.ic4xd5 ic8-e6 9.id5xe6#; 7 . . . f-e8??
8.ic4xd5+- Wite is threatening 9. Wf3-f#, or 9.id5xc6. It is also bad
for Black to play: 7 . . . Wd8-f6 8.ic4xd5+ ic8-e6 9.id5xc6 (or 9.id5xe6
fxe6 10. Wf3-b3+ with a great advantage for White) b7xc6 10.Wf3xc6
if8-d6 11. lb1-c3. White has introduced his pieces into the action and
remains with a couple of extra pawns.
? ? ?
.

8.tb1 -c3 (2 points)
White increases the pressure against the pinned enemy knight and
Black is forced to fnd new defensive resources.
8 . . . tc6 - b4
It is worse for Black to play 8 ... tc6-e7, since that move is too passive
- his bishop and queen are impeded in their actions. In that line afer
9. d2-d4 c7-c6 10. dxe5! ? (10.icl-g5 h7-h6 1l. ig5xe7 if8xe7 12. 0-0-0
19
Game 2
h8-f8 13.f3-e4 ie7-g5+! 14.cl-bl f8-f4), 10 ... e6-d7 ll.icl-g5
d7-c712.ic4xd5 cxd5 13.tc3-b5+ c7-c6 14.c2-c4 ic8-e6 15.al-cl
Black will soon have to resign.
White has a very sharp variation at his disposal, which is an ancient
recommendation of Polerio of more than 400 years ago: 9.a2-a3!?
tb4xc2+ lO.el-dl.
White sacrifces a rook for a very powerfl attack. I would like to give
an advce to the beginners- do not choose in your games Polerio's line
unless you have spent days analyzing the.numerous complex variations.
See how quicky White's atack could become vctorious afer:
10 ... tc2xal ll.tc3xd5 e6-d6 12.d2-d4 ic8-e6 (12 ... c7-c6 13.icl
f4 exf 14.f3xf4+ d6-d7 15.hl-el) 13.hl-el d6-d7 (13 ... c7-c6
14.gelxe5 ie6xd5 15.e5xd5+ cxd5 16.Wf3xd5+ d6-c7 17.icl-f4+
if8-d6 18.Wd5-c5+ cc7-d7 19.Wc5xd6+ cd7-e8 20.Wd6-e6+ d8-e7
2l.ic4-b5+ e8-f8 22.if4-d6; 17 ... Wd8-d618.d5-c5+ c7-d719.ic4-
b5+ d7-e6 20.Wc5-c4+ e6-f6 2l.if4-e5+!)
20
The Two Knights Defence
14.
ld5-b6+ ! cxb6 (14 .. . axb6 15. c4xe6+ d7xe6 16. 1e1xe5+

e7
-
d7 17. 'f3-f5+ d7-c6 18. d4-d5+) 15. 'f3xb7+ d7-d6 16. 1e1xe5
e6x
c4 17. c1-f4 c4-b3+ 18. e1+-.
Let us go back to the game now.
6... e5xd4?
Aer 6 ... ic8-e6 7.lg5xe6 fxe6 8.d4xe5 lc6xe5 9.\d1-h5+ le5-f
10.0-0, White maintains a great positional advantage. Black's isolated
e6-pawn is weak and his position is difcult.
It is pointless for Black to tr 6 ... .f8-b4+ 7.c2-c3 ib4-e7 8.lg5xf
@e8xf 9.\d1-f3+ f-e6 since afer 10.0-0! White's attack is ver dan
gerous.
6 ... if8-e7 also allows 7.lg5xf with a ferocious attack: 7 ... e8xf
8.\d1-f3+ f-e6 (It is also bad for Black to play 7 ... f-e8 9.c4xd5
lc6xd4 10.\f3-h5+ e8-d7 ll.id5-e4.) 9.lb1-c3 lc6-b4 10.'f3-e4
c7-c6 ll.a2-a3 lb4-a6 12.We4xe5 e6-f 13.lc3xd5 cxdS 14.ic4xd5+
@f-f8 15.\eS-hS \d8-e8 16.Wh5-f3+ .e7-f6+ 17 . .cl-e3
White maintains good chances to continue with his attack, since his
development has been completed and he has three pawns for the knight
as a good compensation.
? ? ?
7.

7.0-0! (4 points)
This is an open position and tempi are very important. White has
21
Game 2
already castled and now he can direct all his forces into the attack, ig
noring the possible material sacrifces.
7. . . f8-e7
g
Black's plan is understandable. He wshes to repel White's knight on
g5 and to castle! It looks like Black will manage to complete his devel
opment, but . . .
? ? ?
8.
8.lg5x! (7 points) 'e8x
This combination is already familiar to us. There follows a double
attack and Black's king will be forced to go forward.
22
? ? ?
9.

9. 1dl-f (2 points) 't-e6
? ? ?
1 0 .
The Two Knights Defence
lO. gf-el+ (2 points)
Wh
ite
' s attack on the e-fle is quite dangerous and Black has an only
defen
ce.
1 0 . . . tc6-e5
g
h
This is the only move. Now the battle is focused around the knight
on eS. White's urgent task is to bring all his forces into the ofensive,
attacking that knight in the process. This position demonstrates con
vincingly how dangerous it might be to have your king roaming in the
centre of the board at the beginning of the game.
? ? ?
11.
11. icl-f4 (2 points) e7-f6
Black's moves are forced. He must defend against numerous pins.
23
Game2
? ? ?
..
12.tbl-c3!! (15 points)
White includes the al-rook into the attack with tempo. Now every
sensible move, for instance 12 . . . d4xc3, will be met by 13J!elxe5 f6xe5
14J !al-el with a quick checkmate, e. g. 14 . . . c7-c6 15. :elxe5 ie6-d7
16. 'f3-h3+ id7-c7 17. :e5xd5+ c7-b6 18. 'h3-e3+ c6-c5 19.'e3xc5.
By the way, the less spectacular move 12. lbl-d2 is also very efcient
and should lead to a victory. If you prefered it, you get 5 points.
g
In that case the game could continue with 12 ... c7-c6 13.:elxe5+
f6xe514.:al-el+-or 12 ... .'d8-d613.f4xe5 if6xe514.td2-e4! Wd6-
f8 15.le4-g5!+-.
24
Game 3
Instructive Game
Italian Game (C 50)
l. e2-e4
2. gl-f
3. f-c4
e7-e5
b8-c6
f-c5
This is the Italian Game and all young players must be well familiar
with that opening. They wll learn the importance of tempi and they will
understand the possible punishment i<omeone plays too many moves
with one and the same piece in the opening.
7
5
g
6
5
It is interesting to mention that the Italian Game is not an opening
only for the young players. In fact, it is one of the most ancient open
ings in chess theory. You can fnd it in the Gottingen manuscript at the
end of the Xth century. The frst serious analyses of it were made by
the Italian masters G. Polerio and G. Greco during the middle of the
XVIth century. There were plenty of very sharp variations so it attract
ed the attention of the masters in the past to become quite popular in
the middle of the century. At the end of the XIXth century, there were
found some reliable methods of defence and the Italian Game started
losing its tremendous popularity.
Lately, the interest towards the Italian Game increased again thanks
to the discoveries of the Russian grandmasters Lutikov, Jussupov and
Dolmatov. It has been played ofen by Kortchnoi, Short, Timman,
Nunn, Salov. Not so long ago a very sharp line of the Italian Game was
tested by Kasparov in his game against Anand.
In the Italian Game, Wite usually tries to form a powerfl pawn
centre
with c2-c3 and d2-d4. His bishop on c4 is eyeing the f-pawn.
25
Game3
Black's position is not so bad. In fact, theoreticians have established
that he can counter his opponent's plans with the moves 4 ... lg8-f6, or
4 ... d8-e7.
4.c2-c
3
Wite is trying to occupy the centre and he is preparing S.d2-d4.
Black should not comply wth that, therefore he must look for active
counterplay.
Aer 4.d2-d3, or 4.lb1-c3, there arises a system with a patient and
methodical development of forces with approximately equal chances.
These lines were named in the ancient Italian books as Giocco Pianis
simo - the quiter game.
Still, there are storms sometimes even in calm waters. That quite
opening was dramatically changed in the year 1824 by the British sea
captain Evans with the move 4.b2-b4!?. That line became tremendous
ly popular in the 19th century.
? ? ?
4
4... g8-f6 (3 points)
This counter-atacking move is best for Black. It leads to double
edged positions.
Black might prefer 4 ... d7-d6 S.d2-d4 e5xd4 6.c3xd4 ic5-b6 7.lb1-
c3 lg8-f6 8.0-0 0-0, but then White occupies the centre with a better
position.
5.d2-d4 e5xd4
Aer S ... ic5-b6? 6.d4xe5 lf6xe4 7.d1-d5, Black loses a piece: 7 ...
ib6xf2 8.e1-e2.
6.c
3
xd4 ic5-b4+
? ? ?
7.
7.bl-c3 (4 points)
This gambit line was introduced by the Italian player Greco as early
as the 16th century. The line7.ic1-d2 ib4xd2+ 8.lblxd2leads to a quite
26
Italian Game
positional game. Still, Black must play a precise move here. Find it!
? ? ?
8 . . .
8 . . . d7-d5! (2 points)
This active counter strike is necessary, because it destroys White' s
centre: 9. e4xd5 tf6xd5 lO. Wdl-b3 tc6-e7 11. 0-0 0-0 12J!fl-el c7-c6
with equality.
7. . .
tf6xe4
The counter-strike 7 . . . d7-d5 is too risky. Aer 8. e4xd5 tf6xd5 9. 0-0
.c8-e6 10. hd5 .e6xd5 ll. lel-fl+ .f8-e7 12. tf-e6 Wite' s initiative
is quite dangerous, for example: 12 . . . .d5-e6 13. d4-d5 tc6xe5 14. lelxe5
.e6-d7 15. Wdl-e2 or 12 . . . . tc6xe5 13. lelxe5 c6 14. tc3xd5 cxd5 15. Wdl
e2 f-f6 16. le5-e6 @e8-f 17 . .el-d2 lh8-e8 18. lal-el.
27
Game 3
By exploiting the pin of the c3-knight, Black grabs White' s central
pawn.
? ? ?
8.
8. 0- 0 (5 points)
White gets rid of the pin and Black' s possible attack in the centre.
Meanwhile, Black's king has not been evacuated from the e-fle yet and
White can star an attack now.
8 ... te4xc3
Contemporary opening theory considers as more reliable line for
Black here 8 . . . ib4xc3 and if 9. d4-d5! , then 9 . . . ic3-f6! The position is
ripe with tactical possibilities. 10J %fl-el lc6-e7 1l. lelxe4 d7-d6 12. icl
g5 if6xg5 13. lf3xg5 h7-h6. White has a powerfl initiative for the sac
rifced pawn.
In the game Barcza - Portisch, Budapest 1969, afer: 14. ic4-b5+
(or 14. Wdl-e2 h6xg5 15. lal-el ic8-e6 16. d5xe6 f-f6 17.le4-e3 c7-
c6 18. le3-h3 lh8xh3 19. g2xh3 g7-g6) ic8-d7 15. Wdl-e2 id7xb5
16. We2xb5+ Wd8-d7 17. Wb5-e2 e8-f8 18. lg5xf 'f8xf 19. lal-el
le7-g8 20. le4-e6 f-f8 ! , Black managed to parry White's attack, pre
serng the material advantage.
4
9.b2xc3 Ab4xc3?
g
Black accepts all sacrifces ignoring his development. In case of 9 . . .
d7-d5 10. c3xb4 d5xc4 ll. lflxel+ lc6-e7 12. 'dl-e2, White forces his
opponent to protect his knight on e7 wth the king and he has excellent
28
Italian Game
winning chances. Aer 12 . . . c8-e6, there follows 13.cl-g5! , preparing
the decisive strike d4-d5.
? ? ?
1 0 .
1 0 .dl-b3 (6 points)
Here, according to the analysis of P. Keres, White can play even
stronger: lO. ,cl-a3! (6 points), depriving Black's king of its castling
rights. Aer 10 . . . d7-d6, White follows with 1Ual-cl c3-a5 12. Wdl-a4
a? -a6 13.c4-d5 a5-b6 14 . clxc6 c8-d7 15. fl-el + e8-f8 16. c6xd6!
c7xd6 17. a3xd6+ f8xg8 18. Wa4-b3, wnning.
Black would not equalize with 12 . . . c8-g4 13. c4-d5 a5-b6 14. ml-
el+ e8-f8 15. tf-e5 tc6xe5 (or 15 . . . Wd8-g5 16J'klxc6 b7xc6 17. Wa-
4xc6 a8-d8 lS. te5xf Wg5-d2 19. el-fl) 16. d4xe5 Wd8-d7 17. Wa4xd7
g4xd7 18. exd6 c7-c6 19. el-e7 cxd5 20. e7xd7.
In the variation 10. cl-a3! d7-d5 ll. c4-b5 c3xa1 12. fl-el+ c8-
e6 13. Wdl-a4! , Encyclopedia of Chess Openings asserts that White
wins. We'll prolong that variation a little bit with 13 . . . Wd8-d7 (13 . . .
a8-b8? loses t o 14. lf3-e5+-, but it might be interesting for Black to
try 13 . . . Wd8-b8 or 13 . . . a8-c8) 14. lf3-e5 lc6xe5 15. b5xd7+ te5xd7
16. flxal e8-d8:
g
In the diagram position we challenge our readers to try to pene
tr
ate into Black's camp. Maybe White should try to do that on the dark
squares. He is better, of course, but still Black's rook, knight and two
pawns present him with some chances of defending successflly.
29
Game 3
1 0 . . . Jc3xa1?
It is better for Black to opt for 10 . .. d7-d5 ll. Jc4xd5 0-0. Now, de
spite the extra rook, Black's army is helpless to assist in the defence of
the king.
? ? ?
11.
11.ic4x+ (1 point) \e8-f
White's battery has worked perfectly and he has penetrated his op
ponent's camp. Black's king has failed to castle due to the greediness of
his army.
? ? ?
12.
12.ic1-g (4 points)
White gains some time for the preparation ofhis ofensive by attack
ing the enemy queen.
g
12. . . lc6-e7
Black's queen has no retreat squares and he must interpose with
his knight. After 12 . . . tc6-e7 all his pieces, with the exception of his
bishop on al, (which can be immediately captured) are deployed on
the seventh and eighth rank, without even having entered the ac
tion.
30
Italian Game
Did Black have another move in that pathetic situation for him - as
a last chance to mess things up a bit?
? ? ?
12 . . .
12 . . . lc6xd4! ( 6 points)
g
This is an excellent practical chance for Black! He should not only
adhere to passive defence, but try to fght for a wn in the complica
tions.
13.Wb3-a3+ f8xf. Now we must analyze two variations -
14.ig5xd8 and 14. lf-e5+.
The position i s roughly equal afer 14. ig5xd8 lh8xd8 15. lfxa1
ld4-e6 16. lf3-e5+ f-g8 17. Wa3-e7 d7-d6 18. la1-d1 ld8-f8 19. le5-
flf8-f:
31
Game 3
White can try to improve with 18. f2-f4! ? d6xe5 19. f4-f5 ld8-d6 (or
19 . . . ld8-d7? 2 0. We7xe6+ ld7-f 2l. e6-e8+ Ef-f8 22. We8xe5 ic8xf5
23. lal-fl) 20. f5xe6 he6 2Ue7xc7 ld6-d2 22 .Wc7-a5 la8-d8.
Naturally Black has great problems to mobilize his forces, but he is
not obliged to lose immediately at all.
The sharp line 14. 4f3-e5+ seems to provide White with an advan
tage afer 14 . . . f:e6 (Black's king is forced to remain in the centre of
the board, because it cannot fnd a safe haven in its own camp: 14 . . . 'f-
g8 15. ig5xd8 4d4-e2+ 16. 'gl-hl ialxe5 17. Wa3-e7 h7-h6 18. We7xe5)
15. ig5xd8 ld4-e2+ 16. gl-hl ialxe5 17. Wa3-e7+.
17 . . . e6-d5 (17 .. . e6-f5 18. g2-g4+ f5-f4 19. We7-f+ 'f4-e4
20. Wf-c4+ ie5-d4 2l. f2-f3+) 18. lfl-dl+ le2-d4 19. We7-f+ d5-c5
20. id8xc7! ie5xc7 2l. Wfxg7+-.
Let us go back to the game afer 12. icl-g5 lc6-e7:
? ? ?
13.
13.tf-e5! (7 points)
The inclusion of White's knight into the attack proves to be decisive.
Now Black's bishop can attempt to help in the defence of the king.
13. . . ia1xd4
Black would not have saved the day wth: 13 . . . d7-d5 14. Wb3-f3! ic8-
f5 15.if-e6! and White's attack is crushing.
? ? ?
32
Italian Game
14.
14.,f-g6! (5 points)
g
h
This is a very beautifl move! White frees the f-square for his
queen. Black would very much like to capture two pieces at the same
time. Separately none of it works : 14 . . . h7xg6, or 14 . . . jd4xe5, because
of l5.Wb3-f#.
14 . . . d7-d5
This move covers the diagonal of White's queen, but . . .
? ? ?
15.
15. Wb3-f+ (1 point) jc8-f
Now White continues his attack along the f-fle. Black cannot cover
it without material losses.
? ? ?
16.
16. ,g6: (3 points)
White opens the way for his queen.
33
Game 3
16 . . . .d4xe5
? ? ?
17.
17 . .d7-e6+ (2 points) .e5-f6
Aer the discovered check, the f-square is again controlled by
Wite's pieces.
? ? ?
18.
18.,5xf6 (1 point) g7x6
Black is helpless against the checkmate now.
19.Yfx6+ f-e8
20.Yf6-f#
g
h
So, at frst the fght in the opening is focused mainly in the centre.
It is essential to lead in development at the beginning of the game. It
is tremendously dangerous to go afer winning material, ignoring the
quick development.
34
Gam
e
4
Maczuski - Kolisch
Paris 1864
Scotch Game ( C 45)
l. e2-e4
2. lgl-f
3. d2-d4
a b c
e7-e5
lb8-c6
g
h
The opponents have entered the Scotch Game. This ancient opening
was played for the frst time in 1824 by the Scottish players in their cor
respondence game between London and Edinburgh.
The Scotch Game is just one of the possibilities for Wite to fght for
the centre in the opening. Here Black cannot preserve his pawn on the
e5-square. Aer the trade of pawns however, he obtains numerous tac
tical possibilities and he can control the central squares with his light
pieces.
A a rule, he manages to free his position wth the help of the move
d7
-d5 and the prospects for both sides afer that are about equal . It is
not so promising for White to reduce the pawn tension in the centre so
early in the game afer all.
3 . . .
4. lfxd4
e5xd4
d8-h4?!
Black's last move is rather dubious. His active queen will come un
avoidably under attack and White wll acquire a lead in development
because of that. It is preferable for Black to develop his light pieces frst,
for exampl e: 4 . . . cg8-f6, or 4 . . . f8-c5 and he can even infict a counter
strike in the centre outright by 4 . . . d7-d5.
35
Game 4
5.bl-c3?
That is a bit too slow and Black's idea might be justifed afer that.
White could have tried to punish his opponent immediately for his pre
mature activity. Find a better move!
? ? ?
5.

5. lc3-b5 (2 points) h4xe4+ 6. !cl-e3 e8-d8 (or 6 . . . e4-e5
7. dl-e2 ! with a dangerous initiative for White) 7. lbl-c3 !f8-b4 8. a2-
a3 ib4xc3 9. lb5xc3 e4-g6 10. ifl-d3 g6xg2 ll. !d3-e4 g2-h3
12. dl-d5 h3-e6 13. d5-g5+ lg8-f6 14. !e4xc6, followed by castling
long and a dangerous attack. Black's attempt to gobble the e4-pawn
proves to be a too risky attempt to disrupt the balance. White's pieces
act like an uncoiling spring and they have taken an immediate control
over the situation.
5 . . . !f-b4
? ? ?
6.
6. dl-d3 (3 points)
White prepares castling long.
6 . . .
7.td4xc6
8. !c1-d2
lg8-f6
d7xc6
ib4xc3
White has managed to protect indirectly his pawn. The not so experi
enced players tend to exchange with pleasure their bishops for knights,
but the bishop is stronger than the knight in open positions. Still, this
exchange is justifed in that position due to some concrete variations.
9. id2xc3 lf6xe4
It would have been better to play 9 . . . 0-0, when White fails to castle
long, because his f2-pawn remains defenceless. In general, in open po
sitions the extra tempo for development is ofen more valuable than an
extra pawn.
36
? ? ?
1 0 .
1 0 . Wd3-d4 (5 points)
Maczuski - Kolisch
Black's knight has been pinned and his g7-pawn has been attacked.
He vrill need to retreat vth his queen.
1 0 . . . Wh4-e7
That is the only move protecting the knight on e4.
11. 0- 0- 0 We7-g5??
Black makes the decisive mistake here. He could have exchanged
pieces and enter an endgame: ll. . .e4xc3! ? 12.Wd4xg7 c3xdl
13. Wg7xh8+ We7-f8 14. Wh8xf8+ me8xf8 15. mclxdl and the endgame
is only slightly better for White. Perhaps it was worth taking a risk and
capturing a pawn by 12 . . . c3xa2+ 13. mcl-bl )h8-f8 14. mblxa2 c8-d7.
37
Game 4
? ? ?
12.
12.f-f4! (15 points)
Black relied only on the line 12. @cl-bl te4xc3+ 13. d4xc3 0-0 and
his position would have been quite acceptable. Still, chess logic does
not allow his several moves with the queen in the opening to go unpun
ished. His king remains stranded in the centre and White fnds a spec
tacular tactical strike emphasizing the vulnerability of his opponent' s
position.
38
12 . . . Wg5xf4+
? ? ?
13.
13.ic3-d2 (5 points)
13. . . Wf4 - g4
Black is forced to protect his knight.
7
6
5
4
3
? ? ?
14.
14.'d4-d8+! (15 points) @e8xd8
? ? ?
15.
15.!d2-g++ (5 points)
g
Maczuski - Kolisch
This is a typical combination wth a deadly double check.
15. . . d8-e8
16. gd1-d8#
This game illustrates brilliantly the importance of time in the open
games. One should strive to develop his pieces as quickly as possible. It
is also advisable to castle quickly. The attempt to decide the game wth
only several pieces usually leads to disaster.
39
Game 5
Janowsk - Marshall
Biarritz 1912
Petrof Defence (C 42)
l. e2-e4
2.tgl-f
e7-e5
cg8-f6
g
The Petrof Defence has been played for more than a century and it
has gone a long way towards due acknowledgment. It was frst analyzed
by the Russian masters A. Petrof and L. J aenish and so it was named.
It soon became a part of the opening repertoire of Em. Lasker, Capa
blanca, Pillsbury, Marshall etc. Still, White always preserved some ad
vantage in symmetrical positions and Black had some problems. There
fore, that opening went soon into oblivion. During the 20th century
Tigran Petrosian managed to hold Black' s position in his encounters
against Boris Spassky. It acquired new popularity and that was also due
to the analyses of Makarichev and Jussupov.
Presently, the Petrof Defence is tremendously fashionable. It is of
ten played by some of the world' s top-players like Kramnik, Topalov,
Anand, Adams and Morozevich . . .
Black does not wish to fortif his e5-pawn and he counterattacks in
his stead White's e4-pawn. We have to mention that both sides develop
their pieces rather quickly in the Petrof Defence. It is well-known that
the symmetrical positions are not necessarily drawish and they tend
to be dangerous for the player who only repeats his opponent' s moves.
Still, Black' s defensive resources are considerable.
3. cfxe5
40
J anowski - Marshall
During the second part of the Xth century, White tried to rehabili
ta
te Steinitz' s line - 3.d2-d4. Aer 3 . . . e5xd4 4. e4-e5 tf6-e4 5. d1xd4
d
7
-d5 6. e5xd6 le4xd6, the position is better for White. Black found an
im
provement as well - 3 . . . tf6xe4 4. if1-d3 d7-d5 5. tf3xe5 if8-d6 (or
5 .
. . tb8-d7) .
White players, who are reluctant to enter the Petrof Defence, can
choose instead the Four Kights Opening - 3. lb1-c3 tb8-c6.
3. . . d7-d6
Some beginner might fall here into the trap: 3 . . . tf6xe4? 4. d1-e2
le4-f6??
? ? ?
5.

5. te5-c6+ (1 point) and White wins the queen.
4)e5-f
In case White wishes to avoid playing positionally, he can enter the
sharp Cochran Gambit, known since the year 1840, with 4. le5xf? !
7
5
4
4. . . tf6xe4
5. d2-d4 d6-d5
6. if-d3 if8-d6
g
Presently in the Petrof Defence, Black plays much more ofen the
li
ne 6 . . . if8-e7 7. 0-0 lb8-c6 8Jf1-e1 ic8-g4.
Now White must play very precisely in order not to become even
worse.
7. c2-c4
41
GameS
White plays actively without having castled beforehand. It is pref
erable to start with 7. 0-0 and leave c2-c4 for the next move (7 . . . 0- 0
8. c2-c4).
? ? ?
7
7. . . 0-0 (2 points)
Black had also the promising check 7 . . . b4+ (2 points) .
8. c4xd5?
White loses a tempo and that enables Black to seize the initiative.
He had to play instead 8. 0-0. This time Black punishes his opponent
for his imprecision . . .
? ? ?
8 . . .
8. . . ,d6-b4+ (1 point)
I hope you found easily that move.
7
6
5
4
3
9. el-f?!
In case of 9. lb1-d2 le4xd2 10.clxd2 gf8-e8+ 1l.d3-e2 b4xd2+
12 .1d1xd2 id8-d5 (Aer 12 . . . 1d8-e7 White follows with 13. 1d2-e3
and manages to develop his pieces) 13. 0-0 lb8-c6 White has an iso
lated pawn and an inferior position, but still that would have been the
lesser evil.
42
J anowski - Marshall
9 . . . 'd8xd5
1 0 .'d1-c2
? ? ?
1 0
1 0 . . . lf-e8 (3 points)
5
9
Suddenly Black is threatening to checkmate on the frst rank.
11.tb1-c3?
White does not take care of the protection of his frst rank. He had
to, though . . . Find how!
? ? ?
11.
. . . Instead, he had to repel immediately Black's bishop, which was
controlling the important el-square with ll. a2-a3! (3 points) .b4-d6
(Black does not have sufcent forces for a successfl attack: ll . . . te4-
g5? ! 12 . .clxg5 'd5xf3 13. a3xb4 .c8-h3 14Jhl-gl and his attack los
es its momentum. ) 12. tbl-c3 te4xc3 13. Wc2xc3. White' s position is
worse, but it is still defensible.
11. . . te4xc3
12.b2xc3
Look careflly at that position!
? ? ?
43
GameS
12
12. . . %d5x!! (10 points)
This is a jolt from the blue! The coordination of White's pieces on
the frst rank has been destroyed.
13. c3xb4
White cannot capture the queen - 13. g2xf3, because of 13 . . . ic8-h3+
14. fl-gl e8-el#
13 . . . tb8-c6
Black's assault becomes even more efective now and White is al
ready beyond salvation.
14.ic1-b2
If 14. icl-e3, then 14 . . . ic8-h3! 15. hl-gl e8xe3 and Black wins.
? ? ?
14
14. . . tc6xb4 (2 points)
This forces the game and White can only comply with his opponent's
conditions. However it is more precise to insert the moves 14 . . . ic8-
h3! (5 points) 15Jhl-gl and only then 15 . . . tc6xb4. In that case White
should think about resining: 16. id3xh7 <g8-h8 17. \c2-dl \f3xdl
18. al-dl ih3-d7 threatening 19 . . . id7-b5 or 19 . . . <h8xh7.
44
Janowski - Marshall
1s.d3xh7+ mgs-hs
The course of the game would have been more or less the same afer
15. g
2xf3.
16.g2xf
? ? ?
16
16. . . ,c8-h3+ ! (3 points)
White' s king is forced to go to the corner.
17.mf-g1
e f
g
h
Wite's rook on hl is under arrest. It is so misplaced that not only it
cannot move, but it deprives its ow king of the only possible square for
retreat at the edge of the board.
17. . . ob4xc2
18. h7xc2
White has an extra bishop indeed, but he is unable to protect the
vulnerable frst rank anymore.
? ? ?
18
18. . . ge8-e2! ( 5 points)
45
GameS
g
White must protect not only the frst rank, but the second as well.
19,ga1-c1
White could have given back the extra piece with 19.ic2-d3 ge2xb2
20.id3-fl ih3-e6 and he could have prolonged his resistance. He can
not save the game though.
? ? ?
19 . . .
19. . . ges-es ( 2 points)
It is even stronger for Black to play: 19 .. Je2xc2 20.llxc2 a8-e8
21. c2-cl e8-e6. Every Black piece acts with maximal activity.
2 0 .ib2-c
? ? ?
2 0 . . .
2 0 . . . ge8-e3!! (10 points)
That is the culmination of Black's attack.
21 . .c3-b4
How should White protect his frst rank? Aer 21. f2xe3, Black
grinds down eeverything along the second rank: 2l . . . e2-g2+ 22. cgl
fl e2xc2+ with a victory.
46
J anowski - Marshall
21 . . .
22.Jc2-dl
? ? ?
22
22. . . -f6! (5 points)
Wite resigned - he has no defence against the checkmate with the
rook from the g6-square. Aer 23. Jdl-c2 Black follows with the simple
move - 23 .. J!e2xc2, with the same threat. This illustrates perfectly that
you must mobilize your forces and castle quickly. The moment you slow
down - your opponent might seize the initiative.
47
Game 6
Adams - Torre Repeto
New Orleans 1920
The Philidor Defence (C 41)
l. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. tgl-f d7-d6
That opening started being played at the end of the Xth century. It
was frst mentioned in the Gottingen manuscript in the year 1490 and
also in the book of Lucena. It became really popular only in the XIth
century afer it was analyzed and played expertly by Philidor.
g
He considered the move 2 . . . d7-d6 to be the best in answer to the de
velopment of Wite king's knight. He thought the move 2 . . . tb8-c6 was
weaker, because the knight was standing in the way of the c-pawn. Ac
cording to his school about pawn-chains, the pawns were to go forward
and the pieces were only to be the additional force behind the pawns.
Philidor usually connected the move 2 . . . d7-d6 with the frther advance
of the f-pawn - f-f5.
His opinion was not corroborated by theory, although the theoreti
cians tried to improve Black's play. Aexander Aekhine wrote "I have
played the Philidor Defence numerous times, but I came to the conclu
sion that it was not completely sound, in case White plays logically and
soundly. " Presently, the Philidor Defence is considered to be a difcult
opening, which leads to a cramped position for Black and it is only sel
dom played. Still, it has some adherents among the famous grandmas
ters like Kuzmin, Chiburdanidze and Piket.
In the Philidor Defence Black's position is solid, but he lacks space.
48
Adams - Torre Repetto
H
e
must be especially carefl about his e5-pawn. Instead, White has a
lar
ge scope of actions and an active play.
3. d2-d4
White attacks the centre immediately. In the event of 3.fl-c4 the
be
ginners should be aware of some typical opening blunders: 3 . . . f8-e7
4. d2-d4 e5xd4 5. lf3xd4 lb8-d7?? (5 . . . . lg8-f6 is correct)
? ? ?
.

6. ic4xf+! (3 points) e8xf
The Black king is forced to go forward.
? ? ?
7.
7. ld4-e6! ! (3 points)
That is one more way to drag the king into the centre. Naturally,
Bl
ack cannot capture the knight: 7 . . . fxe6 8. Wdl-d5+ e6-f6 9. Wd5-
f5#, but even afer 7 . . . Wd8-e8 8. le6xc7 Black loses quickly.
Do not forget that the famous Legal checkmate comes from a line
i
n the Philidor Defence: l. e2-e4 e7-e5 2. lgl-f3 d7-d6 3. fl-c4 c8-g4
4.tbl-c3 g7-g6 5. lf3xe5 g4xdl 6. c4xf+ e8-e7 7. lc3-d5#.
Let us go back to our game.
49
Game6
3. . . e5xd4
Here, the other possible moves for Black are: 3 . . . lb8-d7; 3 . . . lg8-
f6; 3 . . . t-f5.
The move of Hanham 3 . . . lb8-d7, with the idea to fortif the eS
pawn, can be countered by White with 4. ifl-c4 c7-c6 5. 0-0 if8-e7
6. a2-a4 lg8-f6 7. lbl-c3 Wd8-c7 8. Wdl-e2 0-0 9. h2-h3 h7-h6 10.ic4-
a2. Black's position is cramped, but he has no obvious weaknesses.
The idea of Nimzovc' s move 3 . . . lg8-f6 is to gain an important tem
po for the development of the kingside by counter-attacking Wite's
e4-pawn: 4.lbl-c3 lb8-d7 5. ifl-c4 if8-e7.
Philidor's move 3 . . . t-f5 has already lost its popularity, because afer
4. ifl-c4 f5xe4 5. lf3xe5 d6-d5 (or 5 . . . d6xe5 6. Wdl-h5+ ie8-d7 7. Wh5-
f5+ d7-c6 8. Wf5xe5) 6. Wdl-h5+ g7-g6 7. le5xg6 lg8-f6 8. Wh5-e5+
if8-e7 9.ic4-b5+ c7-c6 10.lg6xe7 Wd8xe7 1l. We5xe7+
i
e8xe7 12. ib5-
e2 Wite preserves his material advantage.
4.tdlxd4 b8-c6
5. Jf-b5 .c8-d7
6 . .b5xc6 .d7xc6
7.bl-c3
White has presented his opponent with the bishop pair advantage,
but he has occupied reliably the centre.
50
7. . . g8-f6
8. 0- 0
I t might be better for White t o play 8. ic1-g5 .f8-e7 9. 0-0-0.
8. . .
.f-e7
? ? ?
Adams - Torre Repetto
9.

9. tc3-d5 (1 point) .xd5
1 0 . e4xd5 0- 0
ll . .c1-g5 c7-c6
? ? ?
12.
12. c2-c4 (1 point)
Adams is planning to occupy the centre indefnitely. His other pos
sibility was to seize the open fle in the centre with his rooks: 12. d5xc6
(1 point) b7xc6 13Jf-el Ef8-e8 14. Eal-dl.
12. . . c6xd5
Black should have concede to play a slightly inferior position af
ter 12 . . . <f6xd5 13. c4xd5 .e7xg5 14. <f3xg5 Wd8xg5 15. d5xc6 b7xc6
16. Wd4xd6.
13. c4xd5
14Jf-e1
? ? ?
!-e8
a7-a5
15.
15J e1-e2 (3 points)
51
Game 6
This is the correct choice for White. It is essential for him to fnd
Black's most vlnerable point for an attack.
g
15. . . a8-c8?
Black makes a mistake. He had to play 15 ... h7-h6, opening a "luf"
for his king. Now comes the punishment ...
? ? ?
16.
16.a1-e1 (1 point)
Black is faced wth difcult problems. He must fnd a way to unpin
along the e-fle. 16 ... ie7-f8?? loses at once to 17J e2xe8. It is too late
for him to play 16 ... h7-h617.ig5xf6 g7xf618.%d4-g4+ @g8-h719.%g4-
h5 @h7-g7, when many paths lead to the victory, for instance 20.g3! ?
intending 21.th4 (the immediate 20.th4 is not so efcient since afer
20 ... Ae7-f8 21J "e2xe8 %d8xe8 White cannot capture the queen due to
the checkmate on the frst rank) ; neither can he fortif his position af
ter 16 .. J k8-c717.ig5xf6 g7xf6 18.Wd4-g4+ 'g8-h8 19.Wg4-f4 with the
threat of tf-d4-f5.
52
16 . . . Wd8-d7
This move would not help Black either.
? ? ?
17.
17.ig5x6 (1 point) ie7x6
Adams - Torre Repetto
That is the beginning of a combination. White opens the e-fle, prior
to
his decisive actions.
? ? ?
18.
18. 'd4-g4! ! (10 points)
White exploits Black's weak eighth rank. The combination is based
on the theme of defection.
18. . . \d7-b5
That is the only square for the retreat of Black's queen. He is still
defending somehow the e8-square. All other variations lose immedi
ately for him: 18 . . . "d7xg4 19Je2xe8+ c8xe8 20. elxe8#; 18 . . . "d7-
d8 19. Wg4xc8 e8xe2 20."c8xd8+ if6xd8 2l. elxe2 ; 18 . . . e8xe2
19.Wg4xd7 e2xel+ 20. lxel.
? ? ?
19.
19.'g4-c4! (5 points)
White sacrifces a rook as well. Naturally, Black cannot accept that
gif either. He must retreat again in order to protect the vital rook on
e8.
19 . . . \b5-d7
? ? ?
53
Game 6
2 0 .
2 0 .c4-c7!! (1
0 points)
9 h
White's queen penetrates deeply into his opponent's camp. Black
can take neither the rook, nor the queen, since his rook on e8 must be
protected twice as before.
2 0 . . . d7-b5
? ? ?
21.
21. a2-a4 (5 points)
Black's queen is defected now by a white pawn. White could have
blundered to be checkmated himself: 2l. c7xb7?? b5xe2 ! 22J elxe2
l8-cl + 23. le2-el lclxel + 24. lf3xel le8xel#
21. . . b5xa4
Black's queen was defected from White's rook on e2 and there fol
lowed . . .
54
? ? ?
22.
22J e2-e4 ( 4 points)
Adams - Torre Repetto
The queen is again under attack, this time by the rook. It must go
back to the b5-square again. It is bad for Black to play: 22 .. . 'a4xe4
23J elxe4.
22 . . . a4-b5
Black's queen is forced to make only moves all the time.
? ? ?
23.
23.c7xb7 (3 points)
g
All the squares along the a4-e8 diagonal are controlled by White's
pieces and Black can avoid being checkmated only at the price of giving
up his queen. He cannot save the game with only parial losses: 23 . . .
:e8xe4 24. Vb7xc8+ Vb5-e8 25. Vc8xe8+ :e4xe8 26. :elxe8#
That is the sixth ( ! ) defection in a row and that achievement is wor
thy of entering the Guinness Book of Records in a way!
55
Game 7
Chigorin - Schlechter
London 1899
King' s Gambit (C 33)
We call gambit an opening in which one of the sides sacrifces a
pawn, or even a piece with the idea to acquire a lead in development
and to organize an attack against the king.
Gambits are old opening variations. They were invented more than
400 years ago. The King's Gambit was frst mentioned in the books of
the already familiar authors - Lopez, Greco and Polerio. Gambits were
quite popular to the end of the XIXth century. They were played suc
cessfully by Anderssen, Zuckertort, Steinitz, Morphy, Chigorin etc.
The development of the principles of positional play and the perfect
ing of the defensive technique led to almost complete disappearance
of the gambits in tournament practice, since the best way of counter
ing them was found. That is not to hold on to the extra material by all
means, but to give it back at an opportune moment with the idea of
seizing the initiative, or of simplifing the position.
Contemporary players accept gambits, but they usually play in a po-
sitional style, without being too eager to attack or to sacrifce early.
l. e2-e4 e7-e5
2.f-f4 e5x4
3.f-c4 g8-f6
Naturally, Black could have deprived his opponent of castling with
3 . . . 1d8-h4+, but afer 4. <el-fl Black's queen would be rather mis
placed.
4. bl-c3 b8-c6
The other good possibility for Black would have been - 4 . . . c7-c6,
followed by 5 . . . d7-d5.
5. gl-f
6. 0- 0
f-b4
0- 0
Presently, theory considers as best for White 6. <c3-d5.
7. e4-e5 f6-g4
It is also interesting for Black to try the active line 7 . . . d7-d5 8. e5xf6
d5xc4 9. f6xg7 :f8-e8 with an equal position.
56
8. d2-d4 d7-d6
Chigorin - Schlechter
White has occupied the centre. Black should not comply with that
so
easily.
9.h2-h3
1 0 . .clxe3
11. cc3-d5
.g4xe3
f4xe3
White' s initiative is dangerous. Black must play very careflly.
? ? ?
11
11. . . .b4-a5?
The bishop goes to the edge of the board and it wll not take part
in the fght to the end of the game. Black's best possibilities here were
ll . . . tc8-e6 (2 points) and 1l. . . d6xe5 (2 points) .
White wns nicely afer the careless ll . . . .b4-d2 12. lf3xd2 e3xd2
? ? ?
13.
13. ld5-f6+! ! (10 points) 13 . . . gxf6 (13 . . . mg8-h8 14. lf6xh7! mh8xh7
1
5. d1-h5+ mh7-g8 16J !f1xf+-) 14. exf6 @g8-h8 (14 . . . Wd8-e8
1
5. d1xd2 We8-e4 16J %f1-f4 e4-g6 17 . .c4-d3 g6-h5 18. Wd2-e1 Wh5-
g5 19. e1-e4 Wg5-h6 20. Ef4-h4 .c8-f5 21. Eh4xh6 .f5xe4 22 . .d3xe4+)
1
5. d1-h5 lc6-b4 (White was threatening .c4-d3) 16. a2-a3 .c8-
e6 17. Ef1-f4 d8-e8 (or 17 . . . .e6xc4 18. Ef4-h4; 17 . . . Ef8-e8 18. Ea1-f1
.e6xc4 19. Ef4-h4) 18. mg1-h2 ! intending Ef4-h4. (The immediate
1
8. Ef4-h4 would fail to 18 . . . .e6-f5 19. h5xf5 e8-el. )
5
7
Game 7
7
6
5
4
12. e5xd6
? ? ?
13.
12. . . Yd8xd6?
8
6
5
4
2
White still had the chance to save the day with 12 . . . cxd6 (3 points)
or 12 . . . .c8-e6 (3 points).
Let us analyse 12 . . . ic8-e6.
? ? ?
13.
In that case White should answer 13. ld5xe3 (2 points) wth a small
edge. 13. d6xc7? ! is much worse:
? ? ?
13 . . .
13 . . . .a5xc7 (1 point) 14. ld5xe3
? ? ?
14 . . .
58
14 . . . ic7-f4! (3 points).
Let us return to the game now:
? ? ?
13.
13. tf-g5! ( 4 points)
Chigorin - Schlechter
Now Black must watch out for his f and h7-squares. White has a
powerful attack. Can Black defend that position?
? ? ?
13
13. . . 'd6-g6?
Black could have resisted much more tenaciously afer 13 . . . h7-
h6 14. Elxf! E8xf (the other options are clearly inferior: 14 . . . hxg5
15.ld5-f6+! gxf6 16. Wdl-h5 f8xf 17. Wh5xf+ g8-h8 18. Wf7-g8#
or 14 . . . g8-h8 15. f7xf8+ Wd6xf8 16. Wdl-h5+-) 15. cg5xf g8xf!
(15 . . . Wd6-g3 16. Wdl-h5 Wg3-f2 + 17. gl-h2 Wf2xf7 18. 'd5-f6+-;
16 . . . ic8-e6 17. 'd5-f6+ gxf6 18. ic4xe6; 1 7 . . . f-f8 18. cf6-e4 Wg3-
f4 19. ic4xe6 Wf4xe4 20. 'g5+-) 16. cd5xc7+ f-e7 (16 . . . f-g6
17. cc7xa8) 17. cc7xa8 ic8xh3 18. c3!
59
Game ?
2
g
White is an exchange up, but Black would still be in the game, whereas
afer his mistake, Chigorin could demonstrate his tactical vigilance:
? ? ?
14.
14.tg5x?!
White let himself relax in anticipation of a quick conclusion of the
game. Otherwise the Russian champion would have found the right way
to victor: 14J flxf! (10 points) 14 ... \g6xg5 (14 .. J 'f8xf 15.ld5-e7+
lc6xe7 16 . .c4xf+ is too easy) 15.ld5-e7+ \g5xe7 (15 ... lc6xe7??
16.!f8-f5+! ic8-e6 17 . .c4xe6+ <g8-h8 18.!f5xg5) 16.!fxe7+ <g8-h8
17.!e7xe3+-.
? ? ?
60
Chigorin - Schlechter
14 . . .
14 gfxf?
Black's position is not to be envied, but it is still early to resign . . .
1
4 . . . ic8-e6! ( 5 points) 15.ic4-d3 (15. ld5-f4 ie6xc4 16. lf4xg6 e3-e2 ;
1
5. lf-e5 \g6-g5 16. le5-f3 f8xf3 17. \d1xf3 e3-e2) 15 . . . \g6xg2+ (15 . . .
ie6xd5 16. id3xg6 hxg6 17. lt-e5 lc6xe5 18. dxe5 id5-c4 19. f1-xf8+
a8xf8 20. \d1-d4; 15 . . . Wg6xt 16. fxt !f8xt 17. ld5xe3) 16. g1xg2
i
e6xd5+ 17. g2-g1 id5xt 18. c2-c3, and White still has to prove the
superiority of his queen against Black's rook and bishop.
? ? ?
15.
15. ld5-e7 +! ( 4 points) lc6xe7
A beautifl way for White to open the diagonal for his bishop.
16.ic4xf+ Yg6x
17. !f g8x
? ? ?
18.
18. \d1-h5+ (1 point)
This double-attack settles the issue.
61
Game S
Hamppe - Meitner
Vienna 1873
Vienna Game (C 25)
l. e2-e4
2.tbl-c3
e7-e5
This variation was analyzed as early as in the year 1842 by K. Jae
nish. Later the Vienna chess fans, together with master K. Hamppe,
worked hard on the new opening. Its ideas more or less coincide with
these behind the Kng' s Gambit. In 1901 R. Teichmann published a the
oretical study on the "Vienna Game" and so it was named.
The basic idea of the move tb1-c3 is to protect the e4-pawn as well
as the d5-square and to prepare the gambit move - f2-f4. Still, afer
correct play, Black manages to accomplish the counter strike d7-d5 and
to obtain a good position. Therefore the Vienna Game in its original
conception is played only seldom in contemporary practice. Nowadays
White carries out f2-f4 afer the bishop had been already deployed to c4,
for instance with the following move order: l. e2-e4 e7-e5 2 . if1-c4 tg8-
f6 3. d2-d3 tb8-c6 4. tb1-c3 if8-c5 5. f2-f4 or l. e2-e4 e7-e5 2. tb1-c3
tg8-f6 3. if1-c4 (provided that White ignores . . . tf6xe4) tb8-c6 4. d2-
d3 if8-c5 5. f2-f4.
At the beginning of the centur grandmaster Spielmann was a great
master of the attack in that opening. Later the Vienna Game with the
move g2-g3 has been played by Bent Larsen and Boris Spassk. These
great players have won numerous beautifl games in that opening.
2. . . if-c5?!
This is not the best line for Black since White can follow with 3. f2-
f4, transposing to a line from the King' s Gambit Deferred. It is bad for
Black to play 3 . . . c5xg1 4J h1xg1 e5xf4 5. d2-d4 1d8-h4+ 6. g2-g3 and
White has an active position for the pawn.
Black's most energetic line is 2 . . . tg8-f6. White' s last move seems
to be a bit slow and Black is trng to play actively. Aer 3. f2-f4 Black
seizes the initiative with the move 3 . . . d7-d5! Another option is 3. if1-
c4, when Black has the pseudo-sacrifice: 3 . . . tf6xe4. Then 4. tc3xe4
d7-d5 5. 1d1-h5 d5xc4 6. Wh5xe5+ ic8-e6 is about equal while the line
4. c4xf+ ce8xf 5. tc3xe4 d7-d5, is in favour of Black who he has a
bishop pair and a wonderful pawn centre.
Still things are not that murky for the Vienna Game adherents.
62
Hamppe - Meitner
They could try 4. 'dl-h5! td6 (the alternatives are worse: 4 . . . Wd8-
e7? 5. tc3xe4, when d7-d5 is impossible; 4 . . . te4-g5 5. d2-d4 lg5-e6
6. d4xe5) 5. c4-b3 and now follows a deep theory: 5 . . . tb8-c6 6. tc3-b5
g
7-g6 7. Wh5-f3 f-f5 8. Wf3-d5 Wd8-e7 9. ld5xc7+ e8-d8 10. lc7xa8
b
7-b6. Black is going to eat the aB-knight to emerge with the exchange
down for a strong initiative in compensation. Some players prefer
White' s side, others take Black.
The symmetrical move 2 . . . tb8-c6 leaves the choice of opening to
White. Aer 3. tgl-f3 tg8-f6 there arises the Four Knights Opening.
White' s most active line is 3. f2-f4 which is a branch of the King' s gam
bit. The game could continue wth 3 . . . e5xf4 4. lgl-f3 (In the Steinitz's
Gambit, White' s king remains in the centre but that is compensated
amply by his powerl paw-centre afer: 4. d2-d4 'd8-h4+ 5. el-e2. )
4 . . . g7-g5 5. d2-d4 g5-g4 6. f-c4 g4xf 7. 0-0 d7-d5 8. e4xd5 c8-g4.
3. tc3-a4?!
White was tempted to attack Black's bishop. His opponent' s reply
came as a big surprise for him.
? ? ?
3
3. . . ic5x+ (5 points)
Wite has ignored a basic opening principle - not to make too many
moves wth one and a same piece. The punishment comes immediately.
Black's bishop forces White's king to begin a precarious j ourney in the
middle of the board.
4. cel
63
Game S
? ? ?
4 .

4 . . . 'd8-h4+ ( 2 points)
5. if-e3
Black starts chasing his opponent's king.
? ? ?
5
5 . . . 'h4-f4+ (2 points)
7
5
4
6. ie3-d3
a b c
g
h
It looks at frst sight that White' s king might manage to fnd a safe
haven behind the pawns on e4 and e5.
? ? ?
6
6 .. .
7. id3-c3
d7-d5 (1 point)
The game remains unclear afer the line 7. 1el-el tg8-f6! (7 . . . dxe4+
8. \d3-c3 e4-e3 is worse due to 9. \c3-b3) . White must be ver careful
since 8. c2-c4 would stumble into 8 . . . jc8-f5! 9. exf5?? f4xc4+ lO. \d3-
e3 \c4-e4+ ll. \e3-f2 tf6-g4+ 12. \f2-g3 e4xel-+.
64
Hamppe - Meitner
? ? ?
7
7. . . f4xe4 ( 2 points)
Sometimes chess players get confsed when they have so many pos
sibilities to conduct an attack.
My advice is - choose a clearcut plan. If you play inconsistently, you
might lose your advantage altogether.
? ? ?
8.
8. cc3-b3 (2 points)
8. d4! ? ( 5 points) tc6 leads t o hazy complications, (8 . . . exd4+?! los
es the initiative afer 9. Wdlxd4, with the following illustrative varia
tion: 9 . . . We4-el+ 1 0. cl-d2 Welxal ll. tgl-f3 tb8-c6 12. Wd4xg7 c8-
e6 13. cl-g5 d5-d4+ 14. cc3-d2 15. Wg7xh8 f-f6 16. g5xf6 Wa2xa4
17. fl-d3) 9. fl-b5 exd4+ 1Q. cc3-b3 tg8-e7 11. t:gl-f3 0-0 or 9. tgl-f3
exd4+ 10. tf3xd4 tg8-f6 ll . .fl-b5 We4-e5 12Jal-el tf6-e4+ 13. 1c3-
b3 0-0.
? ? ?
8 . . .
8 . . . tb8-a6
65
Game S
8 . . . Cb8-c6 (2 points) 9. c2-c3 d2-d4 10. 1dl-f3 maintains the ten
sion. Instead Black puts his knight to the edge of the board, probably
intending to centralize it from the cS-square, or maybe he wanted to
push c7-c5-c4 and to attack with his c8-bishop.
? ? ?
9.
9. a2-a3
White's king dreams about completing his journey in the centre of
the board and to come to safety behind the queenside pawns.
Analysis shows that White had better play 9. d2-d4! (5 points) e5xd4
10. fl-d3 1e4xg2 11. 1dl-e2 +, coming with his king behind the enemy
paws with the idea to trade queens and thus to facilitate his defence.
? ? ?
9

9 . . . 1e4xa4+! ? (10 points)
g
h
8
6
5
This is a nasty surprise for White' s king! He fails to complete an ar
tifcial long castling via the third rank to the bl-square.
? ? ?
. .
66
1 0.'b3xa4 (2 points)
Hamppe - Meitner
What else can White do? It is too bad not to accept the queen sacri
fice, because afer 1 0. 'b3-a2 Black remains with two extra pawns and
a powerful pawn centre.
? ? ?
1 0
1 0... l:a6-c5+ (2 points)
? ? ?
11
11.<a4-b4 (1 point)
But not 1l. 'a4-a5?? b7-b6+ 12. 'a5-b4 a7-a5+ 13. 'b4-c3 d5-d4+
14. 'c3-c4 c7-c6 15. b2-b4 c8-e6#
8
7
g
h
There is no going back with White' s king. His pieces are incapable
to help in its defence.
Followng 1l. 'a4-b5 (1 poi nt) lg8-e7 White should better come to
his senses and transpose to the game by 1 2. \bSxcS aS! 13. b5+ 'd8=.
Conversely, 12. c2-c4? i s bad since the light-squared bishop would be
unable to rescue his king: 12 . . . d5-d4 13. \bSxcS a7-a5! 14. d1-a4+
ce8-f8 15. a4-b3 b7-b6+ 16. b3xb6 cxb6+ 17. \cS-bS c8d7-+;
17. 'c5xb6 f-f6 18.lg1-f3 'e8-f 19. f1-d3 :a8-b8+ 20. 'b6xa5 Ce7-
67
Game S
c6+ 2l. a5-a4 c8-d7-+.
? ? ?
11
11. . . a7-a5+ (2 points)
12. \b4xc5
There are interesting variations arising afer:
12. \b4-c3! ?. Naturally, it is bad for Black to play: 12 . . . lc5-e4+
13. \c3-b3 le4-f2 14. \dl-e2 lf2xh1 15. \e2xe5+. It is understandable
that Wite maintains excellent wnning chances, since now Black's piec
es are not developed and in addition Wite has a material advantage.
Black's best chance is 12 . . . d5-d4+ and White must work hard to fnd
a satisfactory defence, since his king perishes in numerous variations:
13. \c3-c4 b7-b6!
68
Hamppe - Meitner
There is no retreat for White' s king.
14. \c4-d5 f-f6 15. b2-b4? is too bad due to 15 . . . cg8-e7+ 16. \d5-c4
c8-a6+ 17.b4-b5 a6-c8 18. Wd1-h5+ g7-g6 19. Wh5-h3 f6-f5 2 0. Wh3-
f3 c8-e6+ 2l. f3-d5 e6xd5#, while 15. Wf3-h5+ g7-g6 16. f1-b5+
le8-f 17. Wh5xe5 c8-b7+ 18. b5-c6 ga8-d8+ 19. Wd5-c4 b7-a6+
2 0. c6-b5 a6xb5+ 2l. Wc4xb5 fe5-+ is not much better.
The attempt to bring the knight into play also loses: 14. cg1-f3
c8-e6+ 15. Wc4-b5 e6-d7+ 16. b5-c4 d7-e6+ 17. Wc4-b5 a5-a4!
16. cf3xd4 ga8-a5+ 17. Wb5-b4 exd4 18. Wd1-h5 cg8-f6 19.h5-e5 (19.
Wh5-g5 h7-h6 20. g5-e5 cc5-d3+ 2l. f1xd3 ga5xe5) 19 . . . cc5-d3+
2 0. f1xd3 ga5xe5-+.
Perhaps the most solid defence is 14.b2-b4 and the game should end
in a draw by perpetual afer 14 . . . c8-e6+ 15. Wc4-b5 e6-d7+.
White could also keep the battle going by 14. d1-f3. Aer 14 . . . c8-
e6+ White is forced to give up his queen by 15. Wf3-d5, because the line
15. c4-b5 might lead to a checkmate afer 15 . . . e6-d7+ 16. Wd5-c6 cg8-
e7 17. Wc6xd7+ We8xd7 18.b2-b4 a5xb4 19. a3-a4 ga7-a5+ 20. Wb5-c4
Wd7-d6 2l . tg1-f3 b6-b5+ 22. a4xb5 (or 2 2. c4xb4 ce7-d5+ 23. Wb4-
a3 ga8xa4+ 24. Wa3-b2 ga4-b4+ 25. Wb2-a2 gh8-a8+ 26. cl-a3 tc5-
e4 27. fl-d3 ce4-c3+ 28. d2xc3 td5xc3#) 15 . . . e6xd5+ 16. Wc4xd5
f-f6.
g
White has managed to avoid being checkmated, but Black has com
pensation for the piece.
Let us go back to what happened in the game.
? ? ?
12 . . .
69
Game S
12. . .
lg8-e7 (2 points)
13 .jf-b5 +
White' s knight cannot help in the defence of the king: 13. tgl-f3 b7-
b6+ 14. c5-b5 jc8-d7#
7
6
5
4
? ? ?
13
13 . . .
? ? ?
e8-d8 (1 point)
14.
14.!b5-c6 (2 points)
White gets checkmated swifly afer 14. b5-d3 b7-b6+ 15. c5-b5
c8-d7#
14 . . .
15. @c5-b5
b7-b6+
te7xc6
? ? ?
16.
16. @b5xc6 (2 points)
White' s king cannot run away: 16. b5-a4 tc6-d4 17. b2-b4 (or
17. Wdl-fl c8-d7+ 18. Wfl-b5 d7xb5#) 17 . . . b6-b5#
70
Hamppe - Meitner
a b c d e f
? ? ?
16 . . .
16. . . .c8-b7+ (2 points)
17. c6-b5
Wite cannot capture the bishop: 17. 'c6xb7?? d8-d7! 18. Wdl-g4+
d7-d6 wth mate in two.
17. . .
.b7-a6+
18. b5-c6 .c8-b7+
That seems to be the most prudent decision for both sides. The game
ends in a draw.
71
Gare
9
Kirilov - Furran
Vilnius 1949
Ruy Lopez (C77)
l. e2-e4
2. lgt-f
3.if-b5
e7-e5
b8-c6
The opponents have entered the Ruy Lopez. We will organize a
competition for the fans of this opening. What variations for Black do
you know here? Write down all that you are familiar with and you will
score a point for each one of them.
? ? ?
3

You can score up to 6 points - 1 point for every line:
3 . . . lg8-f6 - the Berlin Defence; 3 . . . .f8-c5 - the Cordell Defence;
3 . . . f-f5 - the Jaenish Gambit; 3 . . . lc6-d4 - the Bird Defence; 3 . . . d7-
d6 - the Steinitz Defence, 3 . . . a7-a6.
Furman preferred the classical line for Black.
3. . . a7-a6 (1 point)
g
White is faced with a choice here. He can enter the Exchange varia
tion afer 4 . .b5xc6, or he can retreat with his bishop to a4.
4 . .b5-a4
Players wth "technical style", like the world champions Emanuel
Lasker and Robert Fischer, liked to play here 4 . .b5xc6.
72
4. . . lg8-f6
Kirilov - Furman
Black has again several possibilities and you can study them if you
have a look at the specialised opening books.
5.1dl-e2
The idea of that move is to protect the e4-pawn with the queen and
to free the dl-square for the king's rook in the process.
Players who like sharp opening variations usually choose here 5. 0-0
and they do not worry about the e4-pawn. Aer 5 . . . lf6xe4 6. d2-d4,
there arises the so-called Open variation, in which White ends up with
a slight advantage.
5 . . .
6.a4-b3
7. a2-a4! ?
b7-b5
if8-e7
White had better start here with castling frst: 7. 0-0, for example,
8. c2-c3 d7-d6 9. lfl-dl ! ? lc6-a5 10.b3-c2 c7-c5 ll. d2-d4 Wd8-c7
12. d4-d5 (or 12. h2-h3) . His other possible plan here is 7. c2-c3 0-0
8. d2-d4 d7-d6 9. 0-0.
7. . . b5-b4
? ? ?
8.
8. b3-d5?!
White did not need to go afer a dubious paw win. I t was again bet
ter for him to castle frst - 8. 0-0 ( 1 point) .
8. . .
lf6xd5
9. e4xd5
tc6-d4
73
Game 9
1 0 . fxd4 e5xd4
Black obtains a very active position as a compensation for his dis
rupted pawn chain.
11. 0- 0 0- 0
? ? ?
12.
12.We2-c4?!
It was advsable for White to complete his development instead of
trying to grab pawns: 12. d2-d3 (1 point) .
? ? ?
12 . . . .
12. . . c7-c5 (3 points)
This move is played wth the strategical idea to prepare opening of
diagonals for Black's long-range bishops.
Aer 12 . . . ie7-f6 13.Wc4xb4, Black would be only slightly better.
13. d5xc6
Wite could have stopped his campaign here and continue with
his development - 13. d2-d3, but afer 13 . . . a6-a5 14. icl-f4 ic8-a6, his
queen would remain out of action.
13 .. .
14.Wc4xc6
15.Wc6-f
74
d7xc6
Ea8-a7
? ? ?
15 .
15. . . )a7-c7 ( 3 points)
Kirilov - Furman
You will also score 3 points if you have found 15 . . . d4-d3! ? - an in
teresting blocking move, 16. if3xd3 (or 16. c2-c3 a6-a5) 16 . . .d8xd3
17. c2xd3 a7-d7.
? ? ?
16.
16. d2-d3
White' s position is gradually becoming worse and almost pathetic
and he should have tried instead 16. c2-c4! ? (2 points) 16 . . . J 'k7xc4
17. d2-d3 !c4-c7 (or 17 . . . !c4-c2 18. 'f3-dl Wd8-c7 19.cl-f4 Wc7-c6
20. 'bl-d2) 18. 'bl-d2.
? ? ?
16 . . .
16. . . ic8-b7 (2 points)
Black could have won a paw here - 16 . . . !c7xc2 (1 point) 17. 'bl-d2
c8-e6, but he wished to organize an attack.
17.Wf-d1
? ? ?
17
17. . . ie7-d6 (2 points)
Black's long-range arillery has already been deployed for action. It
was also interesting for him to try 17 . . . Wd8-c8 - you score 2 points for
that move. 18. cl-f4 )c7xc2 19. 'bl-d2.
He should not go afer a second pawn by 19 . . . !xb2? (The best move
for Black here is 19 . . . Ef8-e8. ) 2 0. 'd2-c4.
75
Game 9
18.b1-d2
? ? ?
18 . . .
18. . . gf-e8 (3 points)
Black brings all his forces into action. It is also good for him to play
18 . . . 'd8-h4! ? (3 points) 19. h2-h3 Wh4-f4 20. ld2-f Wf4-f6.
He should however refrain fom the line 18 . . . .d6xh2+? 19. glxh2
Wd8-h4+ 20. h2-gl ib7xg2 2l. glxg2 lc7-c6 22. ld2-e4+- and
White would manage to repel the attack, remaining with extra pieces.
19. td2-c4?
White had better give up a knight and a pawn for a bishop: 19. ld2-
e4! ?, neutralizing partially the power of Black's forces in order to reduce
the attacking potential of his opponent: 19 . . . ib7xe4 20. d3xe4 le8xe4
2l.Wdl-d3 le8-e6 22. icl-d2.
? ? ?
19
19. . . .d6x2+! (8 points)
Al Black's army units are on the right squares and it is time for de
cisive actions against the enemy king.
Black had another path to victory here, and it is even more convinc
ing: 19 . . . lc7xc4! (8 points) 20. d3xc4 'd8-h4 2l. g2-g3 'h4-h3 22. f2-
f3 id6xg3 23. 'dl-d2 (or 23. h2xg3 'h3xg3+ 24. gl-hl le8-e5)
76
Kirilov - Furman
23 . . . .b7xf3 24Jflxf3 e8-el+ 25.'d2xel Wh3xh2+ 26. \gl-fl Wh2-
hl+ 27. \fl-e2 Whlxel+ 28. \e2-d3 Wel-dl+ 29. \d3-e4 Wdl-e2 +.
2 0 . g1xh2 Wd8-h4+
21. < h2-g1
? ? ?
21
21. . . ib7xg2! (6 points)
This is the right decision. White' s basic forces are still on the queen
side and they cannot assist in the defence of the king.
Black should not slow down, because afer 2l . . . e8-e6 White can
still defen successflly with the move 22. f2-f3.
22. \glxg2
? ? ?
22
22. . . gc7-c6! ! (5 points)
Black's bishops have been sacrifced, freeing the way for his heavy
artillery. This rook must be deployed to the kingside, since it is doing
nothing on the c7-square anyway, while the other one should stay on
the e-fle.
Aer 22 . . . e8-e6, White would have saved the day with the line
77
Game 9
23. icl-f4 Wh4xf4 24. Efl-hl Ee6-f6 25. Ehl-h3 Wf4xf2+ 26.<g2-hl.
23.icl-f4
White is tryng to defect Black's queen from the h-fle. His best
chance, however, was to bring his queen into the defence:
23. Wdl-f3 Ec6-g6+ 24. Wf3-g3 Ee8-e2 25. Wg3xg6 fxg6 26. icl-d2
8
a b c d e f
g
h
26 . . . Ee2xd2 (or 26 . . . Wh4-g4+ 27. @g2-h2 Ee2xd2 28. t:c4xd2 Wg4-
f4+ 29. @h2-g2 Wf4xd2 30. Eal-cl) 27. t:c4xd2 Wh4-g5+ 28. cg2-f
Wg5xd2 29. Eal-cl g6-g5 30. @f3-e4 Wd2-f4+ 3l. ce4-d5 h7-h5. Still ,
Black's advantage in that variation is quite noticeable as well.
23. . . 'h4xf4
24. f-hl
Black would counter 24. Efl-gl wth the move 24 . . . Ec6-f6.
? ? ?
24
24 . . .
25. hl-h2
c6-f6! ( 3 points)
You can see in that variation how useful Black's rook on e8 is:
25. Ehl-h3 'f4xf2+ 26. @g2-hl Ee8-e2 ! 27. 'dl-gl Wf2-f5.
The other defensive possibilities would not help Black either:
25. 'dl-d2 Wf4-f3+ 26. @g2-h2 Ef6-g6-+; 25. f2-f3 Ef6-g6+ 26. cg2-fl
Wf4-g3-+. All these variations end with a checkmate.
78
25. . .
:f6-g6+
26. @g2-hl
Krilov - Furman
? ? ?
26
26. . . Ee8-el+! ! (3 points)
The end is near, still, this defecting sacrifce is quite exquisite!
Wite resigned.
27. dlxel f4-f+.
79
Game to
Spassky - Bronstein, Leningrad 196 0
Kng' s Gambit (C 36)
l. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. f-f4 e5xf4
Naturally, you can encounter only very seldom the King' s Gambit
at a really high level nowadays. The future world champion, however,
played it ofen in his games.
3. tgl-f
White can also play here the moves 3. d2-d4; 3. if-c4; 3. ifl-e2 ;
3. lbl-c3.
3 . .
4. e4xd5
d7-d5
M-d6
g
Bronstein had prepared that line especially for his game with
Spassk. Black should better not try here 4 . . .d8xd5? 5. lbl-c3 Wd5-
e6+ 6. 'el-f2 We6-b6+ 7. d2-d4, since White ends up with an advantage
in development.
5) bbl-c3
Spassky saw that afer the line 5. d2-d4 lg8-e7 6. c2-c4, White would
have powerful pawn mass in the centre, but he was reluctant to try it,
since he was afraid that his opponent had prepared something surpris
ing against it.
80
5 . . .
6. d2-d4
7.if-d3
8. 0- 0
g8-e7
0- 0
b8-d7
h7-h6?
This move loses time and it weakens the pawn shelter of Black's
Spassky - Bronstein
king. He could have equalized by playing 8 . . . le7-g6 9. lc3-e4 ld7-f6
10. le4xd6 d8xd6; or 8 . . . ld7-f6 9. lf3-e5 le7xd5 10. lc3xd5 lf6xd5
ll. ic1xf4 ld5xf4 12. 1xf4 id6xe5 13. d4xe5 d8-g5.
? ? ?
9
.

9.lc3-e4! (3 points)
Wite fortifes his knight in the centre. In contrast, Black's knights
have no good squares anywhere on the board.
9. . . le7xd5
? ? ?
1 0 .
1 0 . c2-c4 (1 point) ld5-e3
ll . .clxe3 f4xe3
12. c4-c5!
g
Spassky repels Black's centralized pieces by marching with this
pawn forward.
12 . . . .d6-e7
? ? ?
13.
81
Game lO
13.id3-c2! (3 points)
Spassky creates an attacking battery. Black fails to exchange the
knights afer 13 . . . ld7-f6 14. dl-d3 f8-e8 lS. al-el and White has a
powerl attack.
The move 13. dl-e2? is not good for White, because Black can ei
ther trade the knights successflly, or he can occupy the powerfl dS
outpost with his knight: 13 . . . ld7-f6! 14. e2xe3 (or 14. le4xf6+ ie7xf6
15. e2xe3 f8-e8) 14 . . . lf6-d5.
13 . . . f-e8
? ? ?
14.
14.d1-d3 (2 points) e3-e2
White has already built his attacking battery. Black is tryng to de
fect White' s queen with that move and to gain some time.
? ? ?
15.
15. ce4-d6! ? ( 4 points)
g
8
7
6
3
2
Naturally, every grandmaster would have played here the calm
move 15. fl-f2 (5 points), maintaining his positional advantage, but
Spassk's opponent was in a time-trouble and he chose a fantastic idea.
This sacrifce reminds us of the "good old times" of the masters of the
82
Spassky - Bronstein
past - Morphy and Aderssen.
It is practically impossible to fnd out whether that sacrifce is cor
rect, particularly in a time-trouble. There are so many possibilities for
both sides.
? ? ?
15 . . .
15. . . cd7-f?
Black' s best defensive chances were in the line 15 . . . e7xd6! (5 points)
The variation 15 . . . e2xf1W+ 16Jalxfl xd6 (5 points ) 17. Wd3-h7+
i
g8-
f8 18. c5xd6 by transposition leads to the same situation. 16. Wd3-h7+
i
g8-f8 17. c5xd6 e2xf1W+ 18Jalxfl.
Wite is threatening to checkmate. How can Black defend?
He can possibly save the day by opening a leeway for his king - 18 . . .
c7xd6! ? ( 2 points) 19. Wh7-h8+
i
f8-e7 20Jf-el+ cd7-e5 21. Wh8xg7
!e8-g8 22. Wg7xh6 Wd8-b6 23.
i
gl-hl c8-e6 24. d4xe5 d6-d5 25. Wh6-
f6+ 'e7-d7.
Black' s other option: 18 . . . cd7-f6? 19. Wh7-h8+ cf6-g8 leads to
beautifl combinations.
? ? ?
20.
2 0. 0-e5 ! ! ( 3 points)
83
Game 10
Aer 20. c2-h7? ! Black can neutralize his opponent' s pressure:
20 . . . Wd8xd6 21.Wh8xg8+ cf8-e7 22Jfl-el+ c8-e6. White is threat
ening to checkmate afer the knight' s sortie.
20 . . . f-f6 (or 20 . . . c8-e6? 2l. le5-g6#) 2l. c2-h7! c8-e6.
? ? ?
22.
22. d6-d7! ! (4 points)
g
Wite' s pawn move destroys Black's defensive plans. It defects
some pieces and it forces some others to occupy unfavourable squares.
Black would not save the game by giving up his rook afer 22 . . . e6xa2
23. d7xe8!+ Wd8xe8 24. ih7xg8 ia2xg8
? ? ?
84
Spassky - Bronstein
25.
25Jflxf6+ ! ! (4 points) g7xf6 26. Wh8xf6+ g8-f 27. le5-g6+ f8-
g8 28. Wf6-h8#;
There arise similar variations afer the retreat of the rook: 22 . . Je8-
e7? 23. h7xg8 e6xg8 24. flxf6+ g7xf6 25. Wh8xf6+ g8-f 26. le5-
g6+ f8-g8 27. Wf6-h8#.
Let us go back to the game. Bronstein retreated his knight to a wrong
square: l. e4 e5 2. f4 exf 3. lf3 d5 4. exd5 d6 5. lc3 te7 6. d4 0-0 7. d3
ld7 8. 0- 0 h6 9. le4 txd5 10. c4 le3 ll.ixe3 fe 12. c5 e7 13. c2 e8
14. Wd3 e2 15. ld6 lf8?
? ? ?
16.
16. td6x! ! (7 points)
Spassky sacrifces a piece and he opens the way for his pieces to pe
netrate his opponent's camp.
16. . . e2xW+
17.al c8-f
Black is forced to give up his bishop, so that his queen obtains a
square to be exchanged. Naturally, he was reluctant to go forward with
his king: 17 . . . g8xf 18. tf-e5+ f-g8 19.Wd3-h7+ tf8xh7 20. c2-
b3+ ! and White checkmates quickly.
Black would not save the game with the line 17 . . . Wd8-d5 18. c2-b3
Wd5xf 19. b3xf g8xf 20. Wd3-c4+ f-g6 21. Wc4-g8! and White
wins. Black also loses quickly in case of 17 . . . Wd8-d7? 18. lf-eS Wd7-d5
19. c2-b3+- .
18.td3x td8-d7
? ? ?
19.
19. Yf-f4 (2 points)
85
Game 10
e f
g
White is not in a hurry to trade queens.
Aer 19.ic2-b3! ? Wd7xf5 20. lfxh6+ mg8-h7 21. lh6xf5, his win
would be more difcult.
Meanwhile, in case of l9. Wf5-d3 (2 points) ie7xc5 20.ic2-b3, White
preseres excellent winning chances.
19. . . ie7-f6
Black can hardly fnd any good defensive line here. He is not out
of the woods afer 19 . . . lf8-e6? ! 20. Wf4-e4! ! le6-f8 21. lf-e5 ie7xc5
22. d4xc5 Wd7-e7 23. lf3-d4 We7xe5 24. ic2-b3+ mg8-h8 25. flxf8+
e8xf8 26. 'e4xe5;
He cannot help anything with his strongest piece: 19 . . . Wd7-c6
2 0. ic2-b3 mg8-h7 21 . lf-e5 lf8-g6 22. 'f4-g4 Wc6-f6 23. ib3-c2+-.
? ? ?
2 0 .
2 0 . lf-e5 (2 points)
White could maintain a huge advantage too with the variation -
20. lfxh6+ (2 points) g7xh6 2l. 'f4xf6 Wd7-g7 22. ic2-b3+ mg8-h7
23. ib3-c2+ mh7-g8 24. lf3-e5 'g7xf6 25. flxf6.
86
2 0 . . . Wd7-e7
Or 20 . . . if6xe5 21. lfxe5 e8xe5 22. d4xe5+-.
? ? ?
21.
Spassky - Bronstein
21.,c2-b3! (2 points)
White wins as well afer 2l. lfxh6+ (2 points) g7xh6 22.f4xh6
if6xe5 23. ic2-b3+ lf8-e6 24. ib3xe6+ We7xe6 25. l"m-f8+ e8xf8
26. Wh6xe6+ f8-f 27. d4xe5.
21. . .
if6xe5
White must regroup his forces for the decisive attack against his
opponent's king.
? ? ?
22.
22) Dfxe5+ (3 points)
The discovered check helps in the accomplishment of his task.
22. . . 'g8-h7
23. Yf4-e4+
Bronstein resigned here.
23 . . . 'h7-h8
? ? ?
24.
24J !f+ (3 points)
White eliminates the defender of the g6-square.
24. . . Ye7x
25. te5-g6+ 'h8-h7
26. tg6 X f+ 'h7-h8
27. Ye4-h7#
There follows the same variation if Black captures on f8 with his
rook. 24 . . . e8xf8 25. le5-g6+ 'h8-h7 26. lg6xf8+ @h7-h8 27. We4-
h7#.
This game was awarded the beauty prize at the tournament.
87