Joe Gallagher - Winning With The Kings Gambit PDF

Contents
Introduction
1 Fischer Defence
Henry H o l t and Company, Inc.
2 Cunningham Defence
hbllshers since 1866
115 W e s t 18th Street 3 Kieseritzky Gambit
New York, New York 10011 4 Modern Defence
5 3...a c6
Henry ~ o l t @
is a registered trademark 6 Becker Defence
of Henry Holt a n d Company, Inc. 7 Schallop Defence
Copyright O 1992 by Joe Gallagher 8 Rare Third Moves
All rights reserved. 9 Falkbeer Coun ter-Gambit
First published i n the United S a t e s in 1993 by 10 Nimzowitsch Counter-Gambit
Henry H o l t and Company. Inc. 11 Classical Defence
Originally published in Great Britain in 1992 by 12 Second Move Alternatives
B. T. Batsford Ltd.
index o f Variations
library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 92-56734
ISBN 0-805&2631-2 (An Owl Book: ~ b k . )
First American Editior1993
Printed in the United Kingdom

All f l r s t editions are printed o n acld-free paper. ol
Adviser: R. D. Keene, GM. OBE

Technical Editor: Andrew Kinsman
Symbols Introduction
+ Check
++ Double check
! Good move
!! Excellent move
? Bad move
?? Blunder
!? Interesting move
?! Dubious move
1-0 White wins
0-1 Black wins
$ 4 2 Draw
Ch Championship
01 Olympiad
Corr. Correspondence The King's Gambit is, of course, a n opening with a g r e a t
history, b u t f o r t h e larger p a r t of t h i s century i t has been
lying d o r m a n t , a r a r e visitor to tournament practice.
However, I a m inclined to t a k e t h e optimistic view and
regard i t s demise a s purely a m a t t e r of fashion.
The Spanish Game ( o r Ruy Lopez, who incidentally w a s
t h e f i r s t person to publish King's Gambit analysis) has
now ruled t h e open game f o r c o u n t l e s s years, b u t there is
evidence t h a t i t s reign could be drawing to a close. The
l a s t f e w years have witnessed a n upsurge in t h e popularity
of Scotch's, Vienna's and Four Knights', including a t t h e
highest level - Kasparov used t h e Scotch with success in
his l a t e s t match with Karpov, a n d S h o r t employed various
antiquated s y s t e m s in his m o s t recent Candidates' t u s s l e
with Speelman, even a couple of King's Gambit Declineds
by transposition. J believe i t can only b e a m a t t e r of time
before t h e King's Gambit (proper) joins in this revolution.
I know t h a t many players have been toying with t h e idea
of introducing t h e King's Gambit i n t o their repertoire, b u t
have n o t y e t found t h e courage to push t h a t f-pawn t w o
8 Introduction
s q u a r e s o n their second move. My hope is t h a t t h i s book
will help to allay many of their fears.
Winning With the King's Gambit, a s t h e t i t l e should in-
f o r m you, is a look at t h i s opening f r o m t h e White point
of view. Whilst I have endeavoured to remain as objective
as possible in my a s s e s s m e n t s of positions, much more
1) Fischer Defence
time has been devoted to finding new ideas f o r White,
r a t h e r t h a n a t t e m p t i n g to r e f u t e existing theory where
White already s t a n d s well. I s e e t h i s as a t a s k f o r o u r fut-
ure opponents. 1 e4 eS ing move", was how h e de-
The theoretical revival of t h e King's Gambit i s really 2 f4 ef scribed 3 ... d6.
n o t t h a t surprising, as i t has always been based o n sound 3 Qf3 d6 (2) The main point of t h e
positional principles. if Black a c c e p t s t h e gambit, t h e n variation i s d e m o n s t r a t e d
White i s normally a b l e to build a s t r o n g c e n t r e and if a f t e r t h e moves 4 d 4 gS S
Black gives ( o r l o s e s ) t h e pawn back, White will a l s o h4 g4. White d o e s n o t have
achieve a space advantage o n t h e kingside. When Black t h e possibility of 6 QeS, as
plays t o keep t h e material with ... gS, t h e n White usually in t h e Kieseritzky Gambit.
d o e s b e s t to undermine t h e pawn chain a s quickly a s Therefore he h a s t o g o 'all
possible by playing h 4 (see t h e c h a p t e r s o n Fischer o r in' with 6 &S ( n o t t o be
Kieseritzky, f o r example), forcing Black to advance ... g4, recommended, I'm afraid)
which can o f t e n lead to a wrecked kingside. or r e t u r n t o base with t h e
The f o r m a t o f t h i s book is o n e which i s becoming in- r a t h e r sad-looking 6 &l
creasingly popular and involves studying t h e opening (3). when a u i t e a comical
t h r o u g h a series of a n n o t a t e d games. This is extremely Over t h e l a s t few y e a r s position h a s arisen o n t h e
important, as i t enables t h e reader to familiarise himself t h i s variation h a s developed board - a f t e r s i x moves
(or herself) with t h e middlegame positions (and occasion- i n t o t h e m o s t popular way neither side has managed
ally endgames) which arise f r o m t h e King's Gambit. of accepting t h e gambit. to g e t a piece off t h e back
This i s a book f o r t h e practical player ( b u t a l s o o n e who Personally, I feel q u i t e rank!
will appreciate t h e special buzz around this opening), and happy a b o u t t h i s as Black
f o r t h a t reason n o t a l l variations of t h e King's Gambit a r e s e e m s t o b e s t r u g g l i n g in
included, b u t only t h o s e which o f f e r White good chances m o s t o f t h e lines. I only
of obtaining t h e advantage. However, t h e chosen variat- hope t h a t t h i s c h a p t e r
ions have been analysed in depth, as o f t e n i t can b e just won't frighten off any pot-
as i m p o r t a n t t o know which variations a r e bad (and why) ential opponents!
as to which are good. The repertoire i s based o n t h e A f t e r his f a m o u s d e f e a t
King's Knight Gambit, so my apologies to t h o s e f a n s of against Spassky at Mar del
t h e Bishop's, and various o t h e r third move gambits, b u t Plata 1960, t h e g r e a t Bobby
my advice to you i s to s t a r t playing 3 Q f 3 . decided to r e f u t e t h e King's
Gambit. In t h e s u m m e r o f
1961, t h e American Chess At t h e moment, Black i s
Quarterly published his an- a pawn up b u t f 4 i s serious-
alysis. "A high-class wait- ly weak and, if White man-
10 Fischer Defence Fischer Defence 11
ages t o restore material Dutch player Bosboom has Qf6, 6 ... Qh6 and 6 ... e f 6 , 8 ... Qxh4+
equality without any side- experimented with S Qc3, will be considered in games 9 w cS! (5)
effects, Black's punctured his idea being 5 ... g 4 6 4 t o 8. This new idea of Con-
kingside will not allow him Qxf4 and o n with t h e game. 7 gf quest's certainly seems t o
an easy game. Let's have a His game with Ermenkov, 7 QgS can b e seen in be Black's b e s t try. After 9
look at s o m e games to see Amsterdam 1985, continued games 2 and 3, whilst 7 Qe3 ... Q c 6 10 Q c 3 a f 6 (or 10 ...
how Black a t t e m p t s to instead: 5 ... Qg7 6 h4 g 4 (6 occurred in t h e game Popo- QgS 11 f 4 Qf6 and White's
solve his problems. ... h6 should be considered) vic - Spassky, New York centre is stronger than
7 Q g l Q c 6 8 QbS Qd7 9 1986. However, a f t e r 7 ... Black's passed pawns) 11
Game 1 Qxc6 b c 10 Qxf4 Q e 7 11 hS Qe7 8 a f 2 a f 6 9 gf &8 10 QbS Qd7 12 Oxc6 b c 13 f g
-
Gellagher Conquest with advantage to White.
Further t e s t s awaited!
Qg2 Q c 6 11 Q c 3 gf 12 Qxf3
&4, Black had t h e initia-
White held t h e advantage
in Gallagher - Konrad,
British Champiomhip,
Blackpool 1988 s ... g4 tive Lloyds Bank 1985.
6 ag1 7 ... Qe7
1 e4 eS As already mentioned, 6 8 Qe3
2 f4 ef Q g S r u n s into trouble. Not This sensible developing
3 Qf3 d6 because of 6 ... h6 though, move minimises t h e dis-
4 d4 as a f t e r 7 Q x f 7 White has ruptive value of the check
White does have o t h e r a decent version of t h e All- on h4. During t h e game I
possibilities, b u t 4 d 4 i s gaier Gambit (if there i s was sorely tempted to play
clearly t h e m o s t critical. such a thing), b u t 6 ... f6! 8 hS b u t couldn't quite
However, t h e plan of 0 c 4 and a f t e r 7 a h 3 gh 8 $hS+ summon up t h e courage t o
followed by d 3 i s also in- @d7 9 Qxf4 @e8! 10 @f3 do so. Only Mark Hebden
teresting and can be seen @d8 'White doesn't have has, in his game with R.
later in games 9 and 10. enough f o r t h e piece Alvares, Costa del Sol 1987, 10 *I!?
4 ... gs (Fischer). which continued: 8 ... &h4+ 10 c3 also deserves con-
Other moves have been 6 ... f3!? (4) 9 @e2 (Not such a pretty sideration, b u t at t h e time I
tried from time to time place f o r the king, b u t w e was afraid t h a t 1 wouldn't
without much success, f o r still have o u r h-pawn) 9 ... be able t o support my cen-
example: 4 ... Q f 6 S Qc3 gf+ 10 Q x f 3 Q g 4 11 @d3 Q c 6 tre, a s i t would come under
Q h S 6 Qe2 (maybe 6 @d3, 12 c3 QeS+?! (1 have a vague heavy pressure from moves
B d 2 and 0-0-0) 6 ... Q g 4 7 memory of looking at 12 ... such as ... Qc6, ... &f6, ...
0-0 c6 (7 ... g6 8 QdS) 8 fS with Mark and a f t e r 13 e b 6 etc.
Qel! a x e 2 9 $xe2 g6 10 a d 3 Qh3 fe+ 14 Cgxe4 Q f 6 + 15 I0 ... cd
leaves White with a clear @d3 coming t o t h e con- 11 e x d 4 Qf6
advantage. clusion t h a t Black's king iz @a2 Qcs
5 h4 was in more trouble than 13 Qc3 Be6
S a c 4 i s illogical: if White's. Maybe we were 14 Q d S QxdS?!
'White wants to play this he Black decides t o give drunk!) 13 d e de+ 14 @e3! After this, White has
should play i t on t h e fourth back his pawn in order to e x d l IS QbS+ c6 16 Bxdl c b very good play f o r the
move, as then Black is disrupt t h e white kingside. 17 Bd5 and White had t h e pawn; 14 ... Qg7 looks
forced play ... h6. The The other possibilities: 6 ... better endgame. better. I'm s u r e White has
some compensation, b u t 2 f4 ef something like 9 Qe3 fS
t h e position is such a mess 3 Qf3 d6 with a good game. Now 9
i t is hard t o define exactly 4 d4 gs Qh6 fS 10 &7! Qxh4+ 11 @dl
what. Maybe it's his safer S h4 g4 and any compensation Black
king! 6 Qg1 f3 appears t o have is just illu-
1s e d QeS 7 &S sory. For example: 11 ... f e
16 f 4 Qd7 To my knowledge, this is 12 Qxh8 &S 13 @el! By skil-
17 BhS! the f i r s t time 7 QgS had fully manoeuvring his king
Black is prevented from been played in a serious and queen, White has
connecting his passed game. achieved a won position. If
pawns. 7 ... Qe7 now 13 ... dS, then 14 gf gf
17 ... Qe7 28 gxc8 8 @d2 f6 15 Q x f 3 Q g 4 16 Qe2!; o r 11 ...
18 Qe2 ' g3 Both sides now had very This can't be good, b u t Qf6 12 Qxh8 Qxh8 13 g x h 7
19 a41 little time remaining until t h e alternatives don't look (or 13 gf) wins for White.
White continues devel- move 40, which made the rosy either.
oping in beginner's fashion game even more random. (a) 8 ... QxgS 9 hg and t h e
with his second rook about White's great material ad- black squares on t h e king-
t o e n t e r t h e fray along the vantage is o f f s e t by the side a r e already terminally
file. amazing lack of co-ordinat- ill.
19 ... a6 ion between his pieces. (b) 8 ... f2+ 9 @xf2 (9
Black doesn't w a n t t o 28 ... Qxb2+ @xf2!?) 9 ... Q f 6 10 Qd3!
have t o concern himself 29 @d2 @xg1! (This vacates t h e fl-square
with any QbS+'s. 30 f e for t h e king) 10 ... g3+ 11
20 Ba3 gc8 Loses, b u t what else? @xg3 Bg8 12 @f2 Q g 4 + 13
21 a d 4 Bg8 30 ... Qc1+ @fl and White s t a n d s
22 gxh77 31 @c3 @d4+ d e a r l y better, f o r example: 9 ... Qxh6
I s e t off o n a f a l s e trail. 32 @b3 @b2+ 13 ... QxgS 14 hg @xgS 15 10 @xh6 Qe6
With 22 ge3! White has t h e 33 @c4 bS+ @xgS BxgS 16 g x h 7 Q e 3 + 17 10 ... f2+ i s possible, b u t
better chances. 34 ab ab+ @f2 Exg2+ 18 a x e 3 E x g l 19 i t is n o t clear if it helps
22 ... QfS 35 @d3 @d4 mate g h 8 + @d7. A very curious Black a t all.
23 QhS Qxd41 One of t h e advantages o f position has arisen with 11 gf
Not 23 ... Q x d 4 ? 24, ge3+. t h e King's Gambit over both sides having terrible 11@hS+ Qf7 12 @xg4 i s an
24 g x f 7 @b6! other, more mundane, open- problems completing their alternative, b u t I didn't
Black is n o t afraid. ings, is t h a t even when you development. However, t h e want t o l e t t h e initiative
25 Eg7+ (6) lose i t can occasionally be weakness of t h e black f- slip away.
25 ... @d8!! enjoyable. Pawn enables White t o gain 11 ... gf
Black i s willing t o invest a decisive advantage with After 11 ... dS, I intended
an enormous amount of Game 2 20 E f s ! 12 Q c 3 d e 13 0-0-0 ef and
material t o keep t h e game -
Gallagher Bode (c) 8 ... h6 i s examined in then deciding between 14
going. Bad Wtirishofen 1991 game 3. @hS+ Qf7 1S @xg4 o r 14 g e l .
26 Bxg8+ @e7! 9 ah61 (7) Both seem t o be good for
Black had banked o n White.
12 Q x f 3 c6 come by.
Black has t o work hard 18 eS!
t o try and develop. Of course.
13 Qc3 &as? 18 ... de
I t w a s essential t o play 18 ... Q x h S 19 &h2 Q h f 4
13 ... Qf8! 14 &d2 hS t o pre- 20 Q e 4 g 3 21 Q 2 x g 3 with a
vent White from castling. winning attack.
Even then, a f t e r 15 &f2! 19 d e Qd7
Q h 6 16 Q d 2 , White's super- Now if 19 ... Q x h S 20 &h2
iority is evident. (20 ExhS followed by Q e 4
14 QgS! fg a l s o looks good) 20 ... Q h f 4
1S B x e 6 a d 7 This is a very s t r a n g e 21 Q e 4 &xeS (10)
16 Qc4! Game 3 move. My opponent said he
Stronger than 16 Qh3 Gallagher - Ziatdinov didn't like his position
Qf 8. Lenk 1991 after 12 ... hS, b u t t h i s is n o
16 ... gf8?! excuse f o r allowing your-
A b e t t e r chance w a s 16 ... 1 e4 eS self to be pushed around.
gh a s now 17 0-0-O? &gS+ 2 f4 ef 13 hS a g f8
18 a b l 0-0-0. White should 3 Qf3 d6 14 a g e 2
instead play 17 eS! and if 17 4 d4 gs White keeps open t h e
... dS 18 Qe2 o r 17 ... d e 18 S h4 g4 option of castling short.
0-0-0 and Black i s unlikely 6 Qgl f3 Even though his king will
to survive f o r very long, 7 QgS Qe7 feel l e s s secure o n t h e
e.g. 18 ... e d 19 n x d 4 &gS+ 8 &d2 h6 kingside, t h e s w i f t placing 22 EdS!! There's n o an-
20 @bl 0-0-0 21 n h d l and 9 Qxe7 fg of t h e r o o k s o n t h e e- and s w e r t o a move like this.
wins. This is b e t t e r than 9 ... f-files would be telling. 20 RdS!
17 0-0-0 g h a x e 7 10 gf Q g 6 11 hS with 14 ... '&f6 I t h o u g h t an awful long
Black i s dreaming of es- advantage t o White; o r 9 ... 1s &g3 Q e 6 time a s t h e r e were a num-
caping by ... &gS+ and ... $xe7 10 Q c 3 and again After 15 ... $gS 16 0-0 i t ber of tempting alternat-
0-0-0. However, Black has a n unenviable is dangerous t o t a k e t h e ives:
18 eS! position (10 ... dS doesn't h-pawn, e.g. 16 ... B x h S 17 (a) 20 Q e 4 &xeS 21 Rxd7
This c u t s all communic- help: 11 0-0-0 d e 12 Qxe4!). a f 4 B a S 18 QfdS! (threat- @xg3 22 Q f 6 + @f8 23 Q x g 3
ations. 10 Qxg2 a x e 7 (9) ening b4) 18 ... c6 19 @xd6 Qxd7 24 Qxd7+ @e7 25 Q e S
18 ... dS (8) 11 a c 3 cd 20 QxdS! Q g 6 21 b4! with a clear advantage f o r
19 QxdS! 1-0 For t h e pawn, White has winning. If Black had tried White. But I wanted more
19 ... cd 20 a x d S &dB 21 a lead in development and a 17 ...BgS, then 18 Q f d S Q e 6 than this.
x h f l and Black i s totally s t r o n g centre; when you 19 QfS with an enormous (b) 20 Exd7!? Qxd7 21
paralysed; o r alternatively add t h i s t o Black's weaken- attack. Q e 4 &e7 22 Q f 6 + with a
19 ... 0-0-0 2 0 &xe7 cd 21 ed kingside, you can already 16 0-0-0 &gS+ very dangerous attack. b u t
g x h 4 and White will s o o n s e e t h e writing on t h e wall. 17 1 Qf6?! then I thought "why sacri-
be t w o pawns ahead with a 11... Qg6 Black g e t s greedy, b u t fice a t all?". After 20 XdS,
good position. 12 &f2 Qd7 good moves a r e hard t o White has a n attack of sim-
ilar strength, b u t i s only a 27 gxd71 @xg3 a h 5 Q d 7 18 a e 7 + @h8 19

pawn down. 27 ... @xe2 28 n d 8 + @h7 Qxg7 @xg7 20 Xxd7 1-0
20 ... c6 29 g x h 8 + @xh8 30 @c3+! is Gallagher- Sanz, Gijon 1988)
21 Q e 4 @e7 t h e main point. 10 g3 and now Bangiev gives
21 ... @g7 is no better. A t 28 gd8+ @h7 10 ... Qc6! with a fully sat-
t h e board I was considering 29 g x h 8 + @xh8 isfactory game f o r Black.
the exchange sacrifice 22 30 Qfxg31 For example: 11 Q x f 4 (11
g x d 7 a s 22 ... Qxd7 loses t o This removes Black's l a s t Qg2 Q e 7 with t h e idea of ...
23 Q f 6 + @e7 24 @d3!; b u t hope of counterplay. Qf5) 11 ...a xf4 12 Qxf4 Q x f 4
22 ... @xd7 is a much 30 ... Qe6 13 gf Q e 7 with a good block-
tougher n u t t o crack: 23 31 @c1 ge8 ade on t h e light squares.
&d3+ @c7 24 @d6+ @b6 25 32 g f 4 Qc8 7 ... axe4
Q2c3 as! and I can't see any 33 @d2 QeS 8 Qd31
forced win f o r White. 34 a d 4 @h7 An improvement o n t h e
Therefore it's b e t t e r not t o 3s Qfi! cs Black launches a counter- previously played 8 Q c 3 ,
'sac' t h e exchange and play 36 Qxd3+ @h8 attack against the white which leads t o unclear play
instead 22 Q d 6 + @f8 23 37 Q d f S Qe6 e-pawn and hopes t h a t this a f t e r 8 ... Q x c 3 9 b c Q c 6 10
@a3! Black is forced t o play 38 -6 Qf3+ will give him time t o de- Qd3 Qe6!
23 ... c5, a s 23 ... @g8 loses 39 @c3 bS fend with QhS. 8 ... Be7
t o 24 Q x c 8 cd 25 Qe7+ @h7 Threatening mate! 7 Qxf4!? Hebden - Psakhis, Mos-
26 @d3+. 40 b3 c4 I t looks s t r a n g e t o give cow 1986, continued 8 ... fS
22 E d 2 QgS Black continues till the up a central pawn f o r t h e 9 Q e 2 Qg7 10 Qxe4 f e 11QgS
23 Qd6+ @f8 bitter end. The remaining one on f 4 , which might Qf6 12 Q b c 3 QxgS 13 hg
24 QfS! Be6 moves were: 41 b c b c 42 drop off anyway, b u t a s al- @xgS 14 a x e 4 @e3 15 Q f 6 +
25 g f l @g8(11) Qxc4 ge3+ 43 @b2 Qxc4 44 ways in this type of pos- @d8 16 @d2! @xd2+ 17 @xd2
This allows White t o win g x c 4 Q e 5 45 g c 8 + @h7 46 ition Black's e x t r a pawn is Q c 6 18 g a f l and White
a piece, b u t there was Q h f S g f 3 47 g c 7 a6 4 8 a3 virtually useless. eventually picked up the
nothing better. E f 4 49 g e 7 Q c 4 + SO @c3 White's main alternative two kingside pawns and
Q x a 3 51 Rxf7+ a h 8 52 Be7 is 7 e d 3 , a f t e r which Black won a long ending.
QbS+ 53 @d3 a5 54 Q h 4 should play 7 ... d 5 (of 9 Qe2 a 7
@g8 55 h6 g f 7 56 n e 4 @h7 course 7 ... a h 5 loses t o 8 10 0-0 0-O(13)
57 Q h f S g a 7 58 Exg4 a 4 59 @b5+) 8 eS Q h S (8 ... Q e 4
Q e 4 Xa6 60 gg7+ @h8 61 occurred in Gallagher -
Q g 5 Q d 6 62 Q e 7 1-0. Westerinen, Metz 1987, and
after 9 Q x f 4 cS 10 a d 2 Q c 6
Game 4 11Qxe4 d e 12 e x e 4 @xd4 13
-
Hebden Borm e x d 4 Q x d 4 14 0-0-0, t h e
Orange 1987 game was roughly level) 9
&2 a h 6 ! ( 9 ... Qe7 10 Q x f 4
26 Ed61 exes cS 11 d c Q c 6 12 Q b c 3 Q x f 4
Otherwise Black will 13Qxf 4 a x e 5 14 $323 Q f 6 IS
quickly g e t mated. QcxdS 0-0 16 0-0-0 Qg7 17
11 Qxe4! his options open. Maybe he Black is just asking f o r eS).
After this White's lead in will play a g e 2 o r perhaps a 9 Qdl!? (Recommended by
development begins t o take plan with @d3, Qd2 and Bangiev) 9 ... Qa6 10 c 4 dS 11
serious proportions. 0-0-0. 7 Q e 2 is a l s o quite ed cd 12 Be2+ B e 7 13 QfZ!?
11 ... Bxe4 playable and, a f t e r 7 ... @f6 Q f 6 14 @xe7+ a x e 7 15 Q e 2
12 Qbc3 @c6 8 Q b c 3 Qe7, we transpose Qxc4 16 Q x f 4 and White
13 B d 2 dS t o game 8. has just enough compens-
Black has t o s t o p 14 Qh6. 7 ... c6 ation f o r the pawn
14 Q g 3 Bf6
This move demonstrates
Black secures his dS- 8 ... B f 6 (16)
square in order t o b e able 8 ... f 3 9 Q g 3 (9 Q f 4 i s
t h e dire situation t h a t t o defend t h e f-pawn with a l s o possible) 9 ... @f6 10
Black is already in. Unable 29 Xxh7+ @xh7 his queen. 7 ... Qe6 will be Qxh6 f2+ (10 ... Q x h 6 11 B d 2
t o find a satisfactory way 30 Re7+ @h8 seen in game 6; 7 ... Q c 6 is also pleasant f o r White)
of getting his pieces o u t , 31 BhS+ eg8 and 7 ... Q f 6 in game 7. 11 e e 2 Qxh6 12 @d2 and
he decides t o indulge in a 32 @h7 mate 8 Qge2 White wins back the pawn
s p o t of pawn hunting in- There a r e a couple of with advantage.
stead. Game S interesting a1ternatives:
IS QeS @xh4 -
Gallagher S. Jackson (a) 8 Qc4. White under-
16 Qxg7 @xg7 British Championshfp, standably prefers t o devel-
17 QxdS! fS Blackpool 1988 o p his bishop before
Of course the knight on playing Q e 2 , b u t he does
g 3 is untouchable because leave himself exposed t o
of mate in three moves. counterplay on t h e queen-
18 B f 4 Qc6 side: 8 ... Q f 6 9 g3!? @e7?!
19 Qxc7 Xb8 (I wonder what White in-
20 Eae1 tended a f t e r 9 ... bS!, a s 10
I t is only a m a t t e r of Qd3 Q h S 11 a g e 2 doesn't
time now. work in this position: 11 ... 9 g3!
20 ... @g8 Qxg3! 12 Q x g 3 f g 13 Qxh6 In this way, White takes
21 dS Qe7 g2 14 Xgl @xh4+) 10 a g e 2 control of all the dark
22 QhS! BxhS bS 11 eS! d e 12 de BxeS 13 squares. True, he allows
Black has l i t t l e choice Q x f 4 Qxf4 14 gf B e 7 15 Qd3 Black a protected passed
because of the threat of 23 Q b d 7 16 @d2 with a good pawn on f3, b u t his central
Bh6. game f o r White, Sanchez control is s o great t h a t this
23 Rxe7 bS Almeyra - Anic, Lyon 1990. is hardly relevant.
24 Xfel xb6 (b) 8 @d3 b6!?. White 9 ... f3
25 d 6 Bh4 o f t e n has t o worry about 9 ... f g 10 Q x g 3 Qxcl 11
26 g 3 B f 6 (14) this move a f t e r a n early x x c l doesn't help Black.
27 Qe81 This time Black wants t o Bd3. The f- and t h e g- After 11 ... @f4 (otherwise
An elegant finale. hang on t o t h a t f-pawn. pawns take away a l o t of White can develop harmon-
27 ... Bxb2 7 Qc3 squares o n t h e third rank iously) 12 a c e 2 B e 3 13 @d2,
28 BgS+ @h8 White develops, keeping (8 ... B f 6 is l e s s good, a s White achieved a b e t t e r
ending in Christiansen - b e t t e r , b u t Black i s going @a8 21 Qe4! Qc8 (21 ... Qc6 I remember feeling quite
Lobo, San Jose 1980, b u t 13 t o suffer. 16 e5 and 16 d 5 22 Q b 6 + a b 23 E d 3 o r 21 ... disappointed a f t e r this a s I
c 4 followed by g c 3 t o expel both look very dangerous, g b 8 22 E d 3 with t h e won- was itching t o play 23 ...
t h e lone intruder looks o r White can even choose derful t h r e a t of 23 Bxd7!!) B d 7 24 QfS! a s now 24 ... f e
even s t r o n g e r t o me. t o play in a quiet fashion. 22 E d 3 with a crushing a t t - 25 &6+ @f8 26 @f4+ @g7
10 Q f 4 Be7 ack. 27 B f 7 + @h6 28 Qf4+ i s t h e
Black h a s t o play with 17 de 436 end. Black is therefore
extreme care. The slightest 18 Q e 4 Qxe5 forced t o t a k e o n e6 with
slip and i t will all b e over. Again Black is forced t o his queen: 24 ... B x e 6 25
For example: 10 ... Q e 7 ? 11 open f u r t h e r lines. Qxe6 fe. Now White has t h e
eS! d e 12 Q e 4 B g 7 13 a h 5 19 a x e 6 Qxe6 very s t r o n g move 26 @e3!
e g 6 14 Q h f 6 + @f8 15 h5 If 19 ... B x e 6 2 0 Q c 4 is forcing 26 ... Eh6 (26 ... @f7
B g 7 16 d e Q d 7 17 B d 6 1-0 very strong. 27 Qxe7 a x e 7 28 Eel) 27
Craig - Demps ter, Corr. 1985; 2 0 QcS Wc7 (18) Qxe7 @xe7 28 @cS+! @e8 29
o r 10 ... Qxf4?! I1 Qxf4 bS? 20 ... B d 7 21 Q g 5 and @gS! and wins.
(What i s Black doing?) 12 wins, f o r example: 21 ... 24 g x d 6 Qxd6 (19)
B d 2 B e 7 13 0-0-0 Q d 7 14 16 e5 de B d S 22 a x e 6 '&xi6 23 QfS!
QxbS! Qb7 15 Q c 4 a5 16 g h e l That Black has little @xfS 24 Exes+ B x e S 25 @d7 19
Q b 6 17 Q d 3 a d 7 1 18 a d 5 choice a p a r t from opening mate. w
1-0 Hebden - Cantero, Spain t h e centre i s confirmed by
1986. T h a t was certainly a t h e following variations:
bad day a t t h e office f o r (a) 16 ... d 5 17 QcxdS! cd
Senor Cantero. Basically, 18 Q x d S @d8 19 &5! B c 8
whatever Black does, White (19 ... Qh6 20 Q f 6 + Q x f 6 21
i s going t o complete his ef+ is very good f o r White)
development and then try 20 Q f 6 + Qxf6 21 e f + @d8 22
t o s m a s h open t h e centre. ge7! (Now Black has t o
11 Qd3 take t h e rook otherwise 25 Qa61
11 @f2 a l s o looks good, White will simply munch It's amazing! This game
b u t I preferred to tuck my his way through t h e sev- just seems t o s t u m b l e from
king away o n t h e queenside. e n t h rank) 22 ... a x e 7 23 21 Qd6+!! Qxd6 tactic t o tactic.
11 ... a 7 fe+ @e8 24 Qf6! g g 8 25 22 Ex&+ ...
25 **O
12 Qe3 hS ef-++ g x f 8 (The point of I w a s r a t h e r enjoying 25 ... Qxg3 was a slightly
13 @d2 Qd7 24 Qf6 i s revealed in t h e myself here. b e t t e r chance.
14 0 af8 variation 25 ... @xf8 26 22 ... Qe7! 26 @c3! Qe7
15 g h e 1 @b4+) 26 B b 4 and wins The only chance a s 22 ... 27 Exd6 ba
White's preparations a r e (b) 16 ... 0-0-0 17 QcdS! f e 23 &6+ @d7 24 Qxd6 28 g f 6 Ehf8
complete and unfortunately (White will pursue t h e wins. 29 B c S Ed7
f o r Black her king i s still in black king wherever i t 23 Qd6! Of course this game i s
t h e centre. runs) 17 ... cd 18 Q x d S e e 8 The pressure just keeps n o t going t o finish in t h e
IS ... Qd7?! (17) (18 ... B e 6 then 19BaS b 6 20 o n increasing. normal way. White now
IS ... Q e 6 i s somewhat @xa7) 19 @a5 @b8 20 @c7+ 23 ... Bxd6 removes t h e black pawns in
22 Fischer D e f e n c e Fischer Defence 23
artistic fashion. over 7 ... c6: t h e d6-square 10 Q x g 3 Q x c l 11 n x c l and, Qxf4 16 g f , I hadn't liked
30 B x h S g f d 8 is n o t weakened, which in s p i t e of his material def- t h e kingside pawn struc-
Threatening mate ... means t h a t t h e dangerous icit, White h a s t h e b e t t e r ture.
31 B x g 4 attacking of eS and chances (The position is 12 ... QxdS
Pinning ... Q e 4 will lose a l o t of i t s very similar t o t h e note t o 13 @e4+?!
31 ... @b7 potency. Black's ninth move in Gall-
agher - Jackson).
White's idea i s very risky.
More prudent was 13 c 4
32 B x f 3 White can, of course,
And defending. gain time by attacking t h e 8 ... a6! Q e 3 14 Q x f 4 Q x f 4 IS Qxe3
32 ... QdS bishop with dS b u t t h i s i s This looks like a l o s s o f B e 7 16 a d 2 @xe3+ 17 &xe3
33 Rxf7 Q b 6 extremely anti-positional time, b u t i t t u r n s o u t t h a t Qxe3+ 18 e x e 3 when t h e
3 4 b3 aS and should only b e played without a possible B b S active king combined with
35 hS a4 if t h e r e i s a very s t r o n g White's options a r e severe- Black's dubious pawn
36 e b 2 ab follow up. ly limited. If instead 8 ... s t r u c t u r e should enable
37 ab aS Q c 6 then 9 a g e 2 B f 6 10 White t o hold t h e balance.
38 h6 a4 BbS! i s difficult t o meet. If my c-pawn had been o n e
39 h7 ab 9 Qd2 Qc6 square f u r t h e r back, I
4 0 cb ea6 9 ... @f6 i s a l s o possible. wouldn't have thought
41 Rxd7 If then 10 0-0-0 Q c 6 play twice a b o u t entering this
T h e time control has transposes t o a position I ending.
been negotiated, so Black didn't feel like playing du- 13 ... age7
resigned. ring t h e game. I t i s probab- 14 c 4
This w a s awarded t h e ly b e s t f o r White to play 10 Not 14 Q x f 4 fS!
b e s t game prize and cer- Q d S QxdS 11 ed, whilst 10 14 ... af6
tainly made up f o r a miser- dS Qc8 11 Q b S a l s o deserves If 14 ... Q e 3 15 a x f 4 .
able tournament. 8 Bd3 attention. IS B x b 7 (21)
I decided t o play a plan 10 Q d S A t t h i s s t a g e , I was n o t
Game 6 with Bd3, Qd2 and 0-0-0 a s As already mentioned 10 altogether delighted with
-
Gallagher HUbner Black can no longer harass 0-0-0 B f 6 didn't appeal to my position, b u t by now i t
Blel1991 t h e queen with ... b6 and ... me a s 11 eS d e 12 dS QfS 13 w a s too l a t e to change
Qa6. However, if I g e t t h i s Q e 4 Qxe4 14 @xe4 a d 4 i s track.
I e4 eS position again I think 1 good f o r Black (15 c3 BfS).
2 f4 ef would prefer 8 Qge2, imm- 11 Q d S might b e playable
3 Qf3 d6 ediately fighting f o r s o m e b u t if I'm going t o d o t h i s I
4 d4 gs space o n t h e kingside. Play prefer t h e black queen on
S h4 g4 could continue: 8 ... U f 6 9 d 8 whilst 11 Q c e 2 leaves
6 Qgi Qh6 g 3 (9 BdZ!? f 3 10 Q f 4 Q x f 4 White extremely cramped.
7 Qc3 Qe6 (20) (or 10 ... f g 11 Qxg2 Q x f 4 12 10 ... QxdS
Black finds a novel way g x f 4 B x d 4 13 eS! with good 11 ed ace7
of protecting his dS-square play f o r White) 11 B x f 4 12 he217
(in o r d e r to play ... B f 6 if B x d 4 12 gf with play f o r 12 c 4 s e e m s more logical,
necessary). The t e x t has t h e pawn) 9 ... f g (9 ... f 3 10 b u t a f t e r 12 ... Q f 6 13 h e 2
one important advantage Q f 4 i s pleasant f o r White) Q h S 14 g 3 &d7 15 Q x f 4
Black assumed that the Q e 4 22 a5 f3!, with the $xcl!! 26 Q x g 3 @e3+ 27 @h2 Black has a slightly better
ensuing endgame was very threat of 23 ... Qd2+ 24 @dl a f 4 28 ug7 a h 5 29 @xf7+ ending. Better is 19 &3!
favourable for him and &3 mate. Q e 7 and mate follows. with a roughly level game,
didn't seriously examine 15 (d2) 18 @a4+ @f8 19 Q x f 4 (d32) 22 h5 with t h e idea e.g. 19 ... h5 20 0-0-0 0-0 21
... ab8!. This seems t o give Hbl 20 Xxbl @xbl winning, of preventing ...@g6 meets Qf2! a f e 8 22 g3!? ne3 23
him a winning attack after a s 21 @dl loses to ... Qxf4 with a brilliant refutation: E d 3 Hbe8 24 Qdl.
@xa6 n x b 2 and now: and ...@e4+. 22 ... @e7!! and White is 19 b3 a&?
(a) 17 Qc3 x b 6 18 @a4+ (d3) 18 @a3 n b l 19 Rxbl powerless t o prevent ... Black completely over-
@f8 19 d5 QfS! and White's @xbl 20 @a8+ @d7 21 @xh8 @f8 and ... Qg7. looked White's reply. Bet-
days are numbered. (22). 16 @xb8+ nxb8 ter is 19 ... Q g 3 o r 19 ...QfS,
(b) 17 Qxf4 nxe2+ 18 17 axf4! but White is already over
Qxe2 Qxf4 19 Xf1 &3+ 20 White must liberate his the worst.
@dlQ e 4 21 @bS+ c6 22 &hS position immediately, n o t 20 QhS! g3
Qf2+ 23 @c2 Q g 6 24 Qxg4 spending any time counting Otherwise Bd3 will give
0-0 when Black has a dang- pawns. 17 0-0-0 loses t o 17 White a clear advantage.
erous attack in addition t o ... Q e 4 18 Qxf4 Qxf4 19 21 Qe2 0-0
his material advantage. &f4 Q f 2 20 Eel Q x h l 21 If 21 ... Q f 2 22 0-O!
(c) 17 0-0-0 n x d 2 18 nxd2 a d 5 @f 8! 22 0-0 %-rh
f 3 with a very strong att-
ack.
17 ... B f4 Here the peculiarities of
18 Qxf4 (23) club chess took over a s I
(d) 17 Qcl. This is the was informed by my captain
critical line, a s if t h e rook White has won a rook, that i t was in o u r team's
retreats White will have no but his forces a r e totally interest for me t o offer a
problems, e.g. 17 ... n b 6 18 disjointed and Black's next draw. White, of course, has
@a4+ @f8 19 Q x f 4 with the move is t h e nail in the t h e better chances now,
idea of Qe6+. However, coffin: 21 ... &g8! (21 ... ...
e.g. 22 fS 23 Qf3 Q x h 4 24
Black has a very strong Q e 4 22 @xh7 and i t is un- a x e 4 f e 25 Qf6+ (25 Qxg3!?)
reply, 17 ... @b8!!, after clear if Black has anything 25 ... @g7 26 a x e 4 Q f S 27
which White seems de- better than perpetual check d5. Black has a large num-
fenceless: with 22 ... @b4+ and 23 ... ber of weaknesses.
(dl) 18 Qxb2 @xb2 19 @a4+; 22 ... f 3 is dangerous,
@bS+ @xbS 20 c b QedS. De- but White should escape 18 ... Qe4?! Game 7
spite being t h e exchange with 23 $xh6 f2+ 24 @dl I t seems very strange n o t -
Bangiev Paclhaian
ahead White is completely @d3+ 25 Qd2 Q f 5 26 @f4 t o take on b2 b u t in fact Corr.1987
lost. I t i s impossible f o r Q x d 4 27 @xe4! @xe4 28 after 18 ... Rxb2 19 Qd3 Q c 6
him t o untangle his pieces Q x d 4 @xd4 29 h5). After 21 20 0-0 Q x d 4 21 gael+ @f8
and he is also in grave dan- ... Q e g 8 White's queen will 22 hS!? White has ample
ger of getting mated. His take no further part in the compensation for the
only trump i s t h e passed game, e.g. pawns.
a-pawn, b u t this i s not f a r (d31) 22 @f2 g3+ 23 @gl Black should instead play
enough advanced to cause @g6 24 Q x f 4 (24 h5 @g4 is 18 ... Q g 6 immediately and
any problems, e.g. 21 a 4 no better) 24 ...@c2! 25 Q e 2 then if 19 Qxg6 hg 20 0-0-0
White's winning. Gligoric, Ljubljana/Porto-
8 QbS!? roz 1977). The German corr-
White has a major alter- espondence player Niemtz
native in 8 a g e 2 a f t e r has been responsible f o r
which Black is forced t o rehabilitating this line.
advance: 8 ... f3 9 Q f 4 (9 Here a r e some examples
Qg3!? f2+ 10 @e2! (10 @xf2 a f t e r 17 QcdS! 0-0-0 18 b4:
@f6+) also deserves attent- (a) 18 ... fS 19 bS. White's
ion) 9 ... f2+!? (If 9 ... Bf6, attack now arrives in time:
then 10 QcdS B x d 4 11 @xd4 19 ... Q e 7 20 @a3 @b8 21
Q x d 4 12 Qxc7+ @d8 13Qxa8 Q x e 7 @xe7 22 eS with a
Black has one o t h e r alt- Qxc2+ 14 @dl Q x a l 15 a d 5 slight advantage f o r White,
ernative, namely 7 ... Qf6. and White's knight on a 8 Niemtz - Bodkov, Corr.
A complicated game arises will now escape, whilst it 1983/84.
from 8 a g e 2 dS (After the will take a miracle f o r (b) In t h e game Niemtz -
immediate 8 ... a h S , 9 g3 B!ack's t o perform a similar Skorpik, Corr. . 1983/84 I2 ... dS
promises White a good feat) 10 @xf2 g3+ 11 @xg3 rather than 18 ... fS, there (a) 12 ... as!? 13 eS d e 14
game) 9 QxfB!? (9 eS Q h S 10 Q f 6 12 Qe2 (12 @f2!? x g 8 13 occurred 18 ... Q e 7 19 Qxe7+ Q e 4 gives good attacking
g3 leads t o a position g3 Qg4 14 B d 3 @d7 15 QcdS Bxe7 20 Q d S B e 6 21 Xael chances.
where t h e inclusion of dS Qg7 16 Qxf6+ Qxf6 17 c 3 Ede8 22 @c4 B d 7 23 bS @b8 (b) 12 ... 0-0 13 Q g e 2 as!?
and eS is not unfavourable 0-0-0 18 Q d S Qg7 19 Q f 4 fS 24 Q f 4 with a b e t t e r game 14 eS d e 15 Q e 4 @g7 16 de
f o r Black) 9 ... Q x f 4 10 20 Qg2 &f7?! 21 ef QxfS 22 f o r White. Qa6 17 Q f 6 +@xf6 18 ef Qxd3
Q x f 4 de 11 Qc4! (This @xfS+ B x f S 23 Qh3 with a (c) 18 ... gde8! 19 bS Q d 8 19 f e Qxe2 20 ef%+ Qxf8!?
seems more logical t o me clear advantage t o White, 20 c 4 (20 a4!?) 20 ... Q e 6 21 21 g d e l f 3 22 gf gf 23 Xhgl+
than Makarichev's suggest- Naftalin - Selke, Corr. 1988) cS! (21 n a e l fs, Dufraisse - Qg7 24 Qc3 f2 25 Bxg7+ a f 8
ion in New in Chess of @d2 12 ... x g 8 + 13 @f2 Q g 4 + 14 Roos, Corr. 1987) 21 ... d c 22 26 g x h 7 f e e + 27Qxel with
followed by 0-0-0. Black is Qxg4 Qxg4 15 B d 3 Qg7 16 dc Qxal 23 Exal Q x f 4 24 b e t t e r chances f o r White in
weak on t h e f-file s o t h e Qe3 B d 7 (2.5) Q x f 4 with compensation. the endgame (Bangiev).
good old-fashioned recipe 8 ... a6 13 a g e 2
is called for: bishop on c4, 8 ... Qd7 i s t o o passive a s As usual, White will not
rook on fl. An eventual a d 5 Black n o longer has the want t o advance his e-pawn
may a l s o cause problems). possibility of ... a5 and ... a s this would give Black a
Black can try: Qa6. fine square on fS.
(a) 11 ... Q c 6 12 0-0 @xd4+ 9 Qxc6+ b c ...
13 f3
13 @xd4 Q x d 4 14 Q f d S 10 B d 3 14 gf gf
QxdS 1.5 QxdS Q e 6 16 Q f 6 + The usual plan of cast- IS Bdfl Sq?sd2+
@e7 17 n a e l and White has ling long and then having a 16 @xd2 hS!
more than enough compen- look t o s e e what's going Black might want t o ex-
sation. on. change queens with ... e h 6
(b) 11 ... Q b d 7 12 0-0 Q b 6 17 QcdS! (After 17 Qce2?! 10 ... @f6 a t an appropriate moment.
is t o o slow: 13 Qxf7+ @xf7 0-0-0 18 Q g 3 fS! Black had 10 ... Q e 7 leaves the f- 17 Qgl!? &4
14 Q h S Q d 7 15 a x e 4 and a s t r o n g attack in Planinc - pawn devoid of protection, 18 @e3 @h6
19 e x h 6 a x h 6 ,hing will now hinge on look a t Black's position.
20 Qxf3 f 6 whether the f- and g-pawns What a mess!) 10 ... b6
21 eS?! are strong o r weak). 16 ... doesn't help: 11 a 5 Qa6+ 12
I t would have been bet- fie6 looks like Black's best @e3 Qh6 13e x g 4 .
t e r t o play 21 adz!. This (If 16 ...Q f 5 17 0-0-0 Qxh4? 8 &e2 Qh6
both creates pressure on 18 Exh4 Q x h 4 19 Qf6; Black 8 ... f3, a s usual, doesn't
the f-file and sends the could also try t o lock the solve Black's problems: 9
knight off on a pleasant bishop o u t of the game Q f 4 (9 Q g 3 also looks
journey towards cS. In t h a t with 16 ... f6, but he would good) 9 ... f g (Black should
case, White would have had then run into trouble along have tried 9 ... f2+ 10 @xf2
the better chances. the a2-g8 diagonal and on g3+, regardless of whether
The rest of t h e game is As we have already seen, t h e e-file. However, 16 ... it's good o r not) 10 Qxg2 c6
given in brief: 21 ... Q f S 22 Black has t o take special Qd6 17 0-0-0 Qc7 is unclear) 11 eS! with a crushing attack
Q e 2 0-0-0 23 @d2 Be8 24 care when he develops his 17 QeS (After other moves in Bangiev - Mayr, Corr.
g f 2 f e 25 a x e 5 a d 6 26 Q c 3 queen t o f6, a s t h e advance Black has good compensa- 1986.
cS?! 27 Q x g 4 Q c 4 + 28 @c1 e5 is always in t h e offing. tion, e.g. 17 Q e 2 Q x f l 18 9 @d2
hg 29 d c Re3!? 30 QxdS 7 Qc3 Qe7 @xfl Qd6; o r 17 0-0-0 Qd7) This strange move is
g x h 4 31 Ed1 n e h 3 32 c6 g h 8 7 ... c6 is also playable 17 ... e f l ! 18 @xfl Qc4+ 19 seen from time t o time in
33 g f 4 Q e 5 34 Qe7+ @b8 35 and now everybody has re- @el QcS! (Black is hanging the King's Gambit, nor-
g b 4 + @a8 36 a d 5 g3h7 37 commended 8 eS de 9 Q e 4 onto his pawn by tactical mally when White is in a
a e 4 Qxc6 38 g x g 4 @b7 39 @e7 10 de e x e s 11 @e2 with resouces) 20 h e 2 (20 0-0-0 hurry t o retrieve the gam-
Q c 3 a h 1 4 0 Be4 a x d l + 41 a dangerous attack, e.g. 11 &e3+ 21 @bl Q d 7 or 20 Qhl bit pawn. However, in this
@xdl g d 8 + 42 @cl Ed6 43 ...a 7 12 Qd6+ @f8 13 Qxf4 Qe3 are good for Black) 20 position i t doesn't seem t o
b3 Q b 8 44 @b2 Q d 7 45 a h 4 o r 11 ... Q d 7 12 Qd2 or 11 ... ... g3! (20 ... f 3 is not s o work too well. Bangiev also
@c6 46 b 4 @b7 47 EhS @c6 Qe6 12 a d 2 and Black has good after 21 gf gf 22 a d 4 considers 9 g3!? fg! 10 Qxh6
48 @b3 @b7 49 &4 @c6 SO problems on t h e long diag- a d 7 23 Qxf3! a x e 5 24 @xh6 (10 ... &f2+ 11 @d2 g2
Q b 2 Q b 6 51 a 4 g f 6 52 Q d 3 onal. a x e 5 a d 6 25 QgZ!) 21 Qh3 12 Qxg2 e x g 2 13 QgS with
Q d 7 53 a 5 Qd6 54 Eh8 Qf6 But what about 11 ... Qe7 (21 Bhl f3! 22 gf g2 with active play for the pawn) 11
55 Ba8 @b7 56 Qd8 @c6 57 12 a d 2 Qf6!. I now can't advantage t o Black) 21 ... @d2 @xd2+ 12 @xd2 Qbc6 13
bS+ 1-0 (if 57 ... a b 58 a6 find any position that 1 &f2+ 22 @fl (22 @dl f 3 is Qg2 Qd7 14 g a f l with a dis-
g f 8 59 Q b 4 + i s winning). would feel like playing for strong) 22 ... Qe3 23 @el tinct initiative compensat-
White, e.g. and Black has t h e pleasant ing for the l o s t material.
Game 8 (a) 13Qxf6+ Qxf6 14 Qxf4 choice between 23 ... Qxe2 I think White would do
-
Bangiev Figer e x e 2 + 15 a x e 2 Qxb2. White o r 23 ...Qe6. best here t o play 9 &d3
Corr. 1987 has probably a good pawn's So, instead of 8 eS?!, 8 with the usual idea of Qd2
worth of compensation, Qge2. Now Black can play 8 and 0-0-0.
b u t unfortunately he is two ... Qh6, transposing t o 9 ... abc61
down. Gallagher - Jackson (and Black puts d4 under
(b) 13 Qc3 @xe4 14 @xe4 we don't mind that!), o r immediate pressure. 9 ...
a x e 4 15 Qxh8 &3 16 Qh2, push with 8 ... f 3 9 Q g 3 f2+ Qd7 is rather passive; Plan-
(For the exchange Black 10 @e2 (OK, we've had t o inc - Portisch, Ljubljana
has two pawns and every- move our king, b u t take a 1973 continued: 10 g3 Qbc6
(10 ... fg? 11 @xh6 is good gf=@+ 23 g x f l @h4+ 25 Q g 3 20 E x f 3 gf b u t t h e t e x t has certain
for White) H gf 0-0-0 12 a d 7 26 @f6 Bg8 27 Xhl 21 Qxe7 f2+ advantages:
Qg2 @g7 13 dS Q e S 14 @e3 @xgS 28 @xgS XxgS 29 22 -2 @xe7 (a) The knight has the
@b8 IS @f2 with t h e b e t t e r nxh7 @e8 %-%. 0-1 extra option of hopping
game f o r White. 10 ... LPg7 For those of you who into d 4 in case of being
10 g3?! (28) The bishop switches di- like t o stray from t h e hassled by t h e g-pawn.
agonals in order t o assist beaten path, games 9 and (b) S d3 offers some so-
the attack on d4, whilst a t 10 offer an alternative way lidity t o t h e white centre,
t h e same time unpinning of treating t h e Fischer De- which can be quite useful if
itself. To avoid losing a fence. you're going t o play on the
pawn, White i s forced into wing.
t h e extremely ugly ... Game 9 S ...
11 dS?! fg!
Well, i t turns o u t he
Gallagher Lane- 6 g31
Hastings Masters 1990 The undermining process
loses one anyway a s 12 dc begins straight away.
@f2+ followed by ... g2 is 6 ... Qh3!?
disastrous. Black has a number of
This recommendation of 12 Q x g 3 Q d 4 a1ternatives:
ECO is not good. Instead, 13 a 2 Qf3+! (a) 6 ... f g 7 hg. This
White should take advan- 14 Qxf3 @xf3 gives White excellent att-
tage of t h e one drawback l 5 a c e 2 QeS acking chances, e.g. 7 ...
created by Black's ninth The full effects of 11 dS Qg4 8 QxgS! hg 9 g x h 8 a h 6
move (i.e. t h e inability t o are shown a s Black com- 10 Q c 3 @f6 11 g x f 8 + @xf8
defend c7 sensibly) and pletely dominates the cen- 12 QdS!, Bhend - Issler, Corr.
play 10 QbS. After 10 ... tre. 1970; o r 7 ... Qg7 8 QxgS hg
@d8 11 dS (Bangiev consid- 16 n g 1 9 g x h 8 Qxh8 10 &hS B f 6 11
e r s t h e complications after 16 B d 3 is probably a Q c 3 c6 12 QxgS @g7 13
11 eS @fS 12 ed Q d S 13 dc+ slight improvement al- 0-0-0 with a s t r o n g attack.
@d7 t o be in White's fav- though after 16 ... fS! 17 g f l (b) 6 ... Q c 6 7 gf g4
our, b u t he didn't suggest f e 18 g x f 3 (or 18 a x e 4 (Bhend gives 7 ... Qg4 a s
a way t o beat off t h e black @xd3) 18 ... ed 19 Bxd3 QfS, 4 ... h6 leading t o rough equality
attack. I certainly can't see Black stands clearly better. 4 ... gS i s inadvisable and after 8 0-0 Q d 4 9 Q b d 2 gf
anything resembling a 16 ... fS the l a s t outing t h a t I know 10 c3 Qe6! although this is
White advantage) 11 ... QeS 17 @h6 *ofwas 143 years ago: S h4 very hard t o a s s e s s without
12 Q x f 4 a6! 13 Q d 4 g 3 with The only way t o try t o g4 6 Q g S Q h 6 7 d 4 f6 8 any practical experience.
an unclear position. The develop. Qxf4 f g 9 QxgS (9 hg also Maybe 8 c 3 is a n improve-
game Gallagher - G. Flear, 17 ... flf8 looks good) and White had ment a s 8 ... gf 9Qxf4QeS?
Lenk 1992 continued 14 18 &S f4! very s t r o n g attack, Mor- 10 QxeS and 11 Qxf7+ wins
Q d e 2 E g 8 IS @d4 &4 16 19 n f 1 fg @hy - Tilghman, Philadel- f o r White) 8 Q g l @h4+ 9
Qe3 Qxe2 17 a x e 2 Qf3+!? 18 Not really a queen sacri- phia 1859. @fl Q f 6 10 @g2 Q h S 11 Q c 3
gf @xf3 19 Qxh6 @xhl 20 fice b u t elegant neverthe- S d3! g3 12 @el! g g 8 13 h3 with
&S! g2 21 @f2! ExgS! 22 hg less. S d 4 is more common, advantage t o White, a s his
king i s perfectly safe. 9 ... Qxd4 gn f2. Here, however, with break up the black king-
(c) 6 ... g4, see game 10. 10 cd Qg2 he black pawn back on gS side.
7 add?! 11 mi o ~ s t e a d of g4) a knight
&eck on g 4 could prove
18 ... gxe1
After half an hour's re- I wasn't too attracted by 19 Rxe1 QhS
flection, I still managed t o the endgame after 11 @e2+. gxtremely embarrassing. 20 Q e 4 gh
overlook my opponent's 11 ... f3!? (30) 12 ...
13 Qc3
h f6
60
21 gh
reply. At first, 7 gf appeal-
ed t o me because of the If 13 ... &4 14 @d2 @e7
variation 7 ... g 4 8 Q d 4 ~5 0-0-0 and Black can't
&2? 9 @xg4 Qxhl 10 Qxf7+ win a piece because of the
@xf7 11 @e6+ @g7 12 QfS+ pin on t h e e-file.
@h7 13 @f7+ and mate. But, 14 @d2 Ee8
of course, 8 ... @h4+ is is 0-0-0 Q g 4
better when I was unable 16 Ege1
t o assess t h e position after 16 g d e l loses t o 16 ...
9 63e2 Qg2 10 @el! @h3 11 nxe3. For a while I was
Bgl. After the game Gary tempted by a dubious queen
Lane said he had been most A truly amazing position -rifice: 17 g x e 3 f2 18 22 d6!
worried about 7 @d2!?. This has arisen on the board. g x g 2 (31) fl++ 19 Eel @fS At long last, t h e bishop
prevents ... Qg2 and takes Will White's powerful pawn 20 h3 Q f 6 21 n f 2 with some comes into play and the
the sting o u t of ... @h4+, centre prove triumphant, o r w g u e attacking chances. f7-square begins t o look
thereby threatening t o cap- will Black's bishop on g2 vulnerable.
ture on f4. 7 @e2 also de- have the last word? 22 ... cd
serves attention, a s 7 ... g 4 11 ... QxdS also came into 23 Qxd6 f2?
8 Q h 4 f 3 9 @f2 doesn't consideration, but after 12 23 ... g f 8 was necessary,
really help Black. Qc3, Black will have t o when the game is rather
7 ... dS! straighten o u t White's re- unclear, e.g.
The only move, b u t a maining d-pawns: 12 ... (a) 24 Qxf7 (This seems
good one. Qxc4 13 d c f g 14 hg. White insufficient) 24 ... gxf7 25
8 ed has sufficient play for the Qxf7+ 63xf7 26 @f4+ Qhf6
Unfortunately, 8 fexdS c6 pawn because of Black's 27 @c7+ @g6 28 Ee7 @gS+
9 @hS cd 10 @xh3 de 11 c3 weak kingside, e.g. 14 ... 29 Qe3 (29 @c2 @hS) 29 ...
looks good f o r Black. After Q f 6 (14 ... @e7+ 15 83f2) 15 Apart from 18 ... f i e + , @xe3+! 30 nxe3 Qxe3 and
8 ed Black has succeeded in @f3! 0-0 16 Qe3. .@ack has another possib- Black's f-pawn should d o
closing t h e a2 - g 8 diag- 12 Qe3 #ity 18 ... f l e ! ! ? . After the the rest.
onal, which gives him time 12 a d z ? @f6 is very men- qkkat settles Black will be a (b) 24 Be4 Qhf6 25 Bf4
t o complete his develop- acing. White's main priority $piece up: 3 knights (!I ag- @g5 26 Q e 4 a x e 4 27 de f2!
ment and remove his king is t o get his king o u t of the ainst knight and bishop. 28 fexf2 Q x f 2 29 @xf2 Ec8
t o a safe haven. centre. In similar positions 16 ... Qd7 is good for Black.
8 ... a 7 where Black has a pawn on 17 Qg1 Qdf6 (c) 24 Qe4. This solid
9 c3 f3, there is normally a cosy 18 h4! move is probably the best;
9 Qf3!? square for the white king White has to quickly the position remains a
mess. 41 ... Ed8 A r a t h e r s t r a n g e move t o 16 ace3 Q x f S
24 Qxf2 Bxf2 42 $9~3 Bb6 play in t h e King's Gambit, 17 Q x f S (34)
If 24 ... Q x f 2 25 Qxf7+ 43 EcS QdS b u t I f e l t pleased t o justify
@h7 (Otherwise 26 @xh6+) 44 Qf5 Qe6 moving t h e d-pawn only
26 QxhS and wins quickly 45 Qe3 Qf7 one square.
a s 26 ... Q x d 3 + 27 @xd3 i s 46 EfS Qg8 7 ... Qg7
check. 47 EcS Qf7 I t i s n o t clear whether
25 Qxf7+ @ f 8 48 Qc4+ @a7 this o r t h e immediate 7 ...
26 QxhS 49 b4! Qg8 f 3 i s stronger. In t h e l a t t e r
And n o t 26 @b4 as! SO bs Qd5 case, White could play
26 ... @xd2+ 51 b6+ @b8 something like 8 Qe3, Q c 3 ,
27 @xd2 Q f 6 52 Bc7 Qg2 e d 2 a n d 0-0-0.
2 8 Qdl! 53 Qe5 Qhl? 8 c3 f3
White i s a pawn up, b u t 53 ... Q h 3 would enable 9 @b3 &d7 After this logical series
more importantly t h e ex- Black t o l a s t a little lon- This clumsy-looking of moves, we arrive in a
posed position of t h e black ger. Now he is going t o g e t move i s necessary, a s a f t e r position where White has
king will be relevant right mated. 9 ... @e7 10 QfS! QxfS 11 excellent play f o r t h e pawn.
i n t o t h e endgame. 5 4 Q d 7 + @a8 e x b 7 Q f 6 12 QbS+! wins. The white knight i s super-
...
28 h5 55 EcS! 1-0 10 Q f 4 ior t o t h e black bishop and,
29 Ee6 Qg4 10 Q f S i s interesting, b u t a s well as lagging behind in
30 Qb3 Ed8 Game 10 I didn't want to expose my- development, s l a c k has
31 Xg6 @e7 Gallagher - G. Flear self t o a dS-break, e.g.10 ... chronic dark-square weak-
The king heads f o r t h e Paris 1990 Qf8 11 Qf4?! dS! 12 QxdS c6 nesses.
hills. W h a t followed can no 13 Q c 4 bS and White pro- 17... cS!
d o u b t b e improved upon, bably won't have q u i t e en- Black has t o prevent e d 4
b u t b o t h players were in ough f o r t h e sacrificed a t a l l costs.
desperate time trouble. material. 18 BbS! @d8!
32 Q f 5 + @d7 10 ... Qc6 The only way to save t h e
33 Eg7+ @c8 Now t h e a t t e m p t t o win d6-pawn. After 18 ... @xbS
34 Eh7 Qf6 material with 10 ... dS i s n o t 19 Q x d 6 + @e7 20 QxbS,
35 E h 6 Ef8 so good: I1 QxdS Q x d 4 (11 ... White's s t r o n g centre is
36 Q g 7 ad5 c6 12 Q x b 8 cd (12 ... x x b 8 13 t h e dominant f a c t o r in t h e
37 QxdS! QxdS Qxc6) 13 Q f S with a s t r o n g position.
38 ExhS Qxa2 attack) 12 c d c6 13 Qc3! cd 19 Bxd7+
39 Bas Qg8 14 Q x d S Q a 6 IS Ecl and 19 B b 3 i s a l s o playable.
4 0 E x a 7 @c7 Black i s struggling t o find 19 ... @xd7
41 QaS a legal move. 2 0 h3!
The time control has 11 Q f 5 QeS Black's pawn chain be-
been reached and White is 12 a d 2 QaS gins to crumble. Of course,
t w o pawns up. Although 13 @b4 Qxc4 2 0 ... hS is refuted by 21 hg.
they a r e doubled, t h e out- 14 Q x c 4 Q x f 4 20 ... gh
come is n o t in doubt: 15 gf Qe7 21 B f 2 @c7
36 Fischer Defence
22 Qe3 fS 25 nag1
If White w a s allowed to After t h e game I'd f e l t
play 23 f5, he would have t h a t I'd missed my chance
been able to deal with t h e by not playing 25 c 4 here.
However, by 25 ... hS! Black
black kingside a t his con-
venience. g e t s a reasonable game. 2) Cunningham Defence
23 @xf31! 25... c4
This s e e m s premature. White's centre begins to
By 23 Q d S + @c6 24 Q e 7 + creek. It's time to bail out.
@c7 25 Q x c 8 Xaxc8 26 @xf3 26 Xg7 cd 1 e4 e5 castle. On t h e o t h e r hand,
White g e t s a b e t t e r ending. 27 Q b 4 + @c7 2 f4 ef if t h e monarch has to
23 nag1 a l s o l o o k s good. 28 ads+ @c6 3 433 Qe7 (35) bravely advance to e2, Black
23 ... Qd7 29 Qb4+ &7 usually can't resist t h e
2 4 ads+ @c6 30 ads+ %+ check.
White has t w o main
choices o n his fourth turn:
4 Q c 4 and 4 Qc3. Even if
you intend to play t h e 4
Qc3 variation, you should
still familiarise yourself
with t h e lines arising from
4 Qc4, a s t h e r e are many
transpositional possibili-
In practice, 3 ... Qe7 is ties.
flsually seen a s o n e of t h e
most solid ways of meeting Game 11
the King's Gambit. Black -
Gallagher P. Wells
calmly s t a r t s to develop Islington 1990
bis kingside whilst a l s o
Biving himself t h e option 1 e4 e5
Of ...Qh4+. I t i s especially 2 f4 ef
W p u l a r a m o n g s t t h e well- 3 Qf3 Qe7
Whooled ex-Soviet players. 4 lpce
To check o r n o t to One of my very f i r s t
check? T h a t i s a much King's Gambits w a s against
Posed question in this vari- Maya Chiburdanidze in a
ation. The general opinion London weekend tourna-
@eems t o b e t h a t if t h e m e n t in 1985. 3 ... Qe7 was
White king has f l a t his t h e end of my theoretical
idisposal, Black's l o s s of knowledge b u t I had a re-
time i s a bigger problem collection of t h e king
khan White's l o s t right to coming to e2, so I played 4
38 Cunningham Defence Cunningham Defence 39
d4, assuming i t was t h e t i t e f o r King's Gambits be- QxdS fS 10 Qxh4 f e 11 @hS 14 @xe3 Q h 3 and White was
normal move. The game came insatiable. fie6 12 Qxf4 @xd4! with in bad shape, Zweigberk -
continued 4 ... Qh4+ S @e2 4 ... Q f6 good attacking chances f o r Oechslein, Corr. 1962.
dS (This i s why 4 Qc3 i s 4 ... Qh4+ S @fl (Cunn- Black. s ... Qg4
stronger; i t covers t h e dS- ingham used t o play S g 3 f g (c) 7 Qb3 Q g 4 8 d 3 0-0 S ... Q h S i s r a t h e r dubi-
square) 6 eS Q g 4 7 Q x f 4 6 0-0 gh+ 7 B h l . In previous (37). ous: 6 Qc3 d6 7 ed @xd6
Q e 7 8 h3 Qg6!? 9 hg!? centuries, many quick wins 8 d 4 Q c 6 9 0-0 0-0 10 Qe2
Q x f 4 + 10 @e3! Q g 3 (36) were scored with t h e s e Q g 4 11 Q e 4 followed by 12
visual sacrifices, b u t mod- Q f 2 with good attacking
e r n defensive technique chances f o r White (Estrin
has rendered S g 3 harmless. and Glaskov) .
These days, players don't 6 d4!?
take everything that's For 6 0-0 see game 12.
offered a s a m a t t e r of hon- 6 Q c 3 is t h e main alter-
our, b u t r e t u r n t h e material native, with play o f t e n
- o r a t l e a s t s o m e o f it - a t transposing to t h e t e x t . I t
an appropriate moment t o is difficult to say which i s
nullify t h e attack. So, in- 9 @d2!? (9 Q x f 4 allows 9 ... t h e more accurate move
s t e a d of 6 ... gh+, 6 ... dS 7 a x e 4 and 9 Qc3 QhS! 10 order: 6 ... d 6 ( 6 ... dS?! 7
What a baptism. I re- QxdS Q f 6 8 Qxf7+ (8 Q x h 4 Q d S @d6 11 @d2 Q x f 3 12 gf QxdS Qh4+ 8 @fl Q c 6 9
member now spending Q x d S 9 ed @xh4 10 @e2+ c6 13 Qc3 @h8 14 @g2 led to Qxc6+ b c 10 d 3 0-0 11 Q x f 4
s o m e time looking a t 11 @d8 i s good f o r Black) 8 ... a slight advantage f o r Black f6 12 e6 fS 13 Q x h 4 @xh4 14
Qgl!?, with t h e idea of @xf7 9 eS (9 Q x h 4 @d4+) 9 in J. Wells - C o r k e t t , @el is good f o r White
winning t h e bishop with ... Q h 3 10 ef Q x f l 11 @xfl Corr. 1989, although White ( ~ e r e s j ;o r 6 ... Qh4+?! 7
@f3 and @xg3 b u t 1 had t h e gh+ 12 @hl Qxf6 with a should b e a b l e to improve @fl Q f 2 ? 8 @el winning)
feeling Black might be able clear advantage f o r Black o n 10 QdS) 9 ... Q x f 3 10 gf and now:
to g e t a s t r o n g a t t a c k , so in Krejcik - Schlechter, Vi- Q h S 11 @g2! Q c 6 12 @g4 (a) 7 d 4 d e 8 d e @xdl+ 9
I played 11 Q c 3 and a f t e r 11 enna 1918) S ... dS (This is @gS 13 n g l @xg4 14 fg! with Q x d l Qe6! 10 Qxe6 f e 11 h3
... f 6 12 Q e 2 a x e 2 13 @xe2 t h e only way f o r Black t o a good g a m e f o r White. Q h 6 12 Q x f 4 and although
f e I had to g o pawn grabb- fight f o r t h e initiative) 6 5 eS White has slightly t h e
ing with 14 @bS+. There QxdS (6 ed is interesting The only testing move: b e t t e r of it, Black should
followed: 14 ... Q c 6 IS @xb7 and, in fact, transposes t o (a) S d 3 i s passive: S ... dS be a b l e to defend.
Q x d 4 16 Qd3! n b 8 17 @a6 e 4 t h e n o t e t o Black's fourth 6 ed Q x d S 7 QxdS @xdS 8 (b) 7 e d @xd6 (7 ... Qxd6
18 @g6+!! (This certainly move in Spassky - Bron- Qxf4 is a b o u t equal. 8 @e2+ i s similar to t h e
s t a r t l e d my opponent) 18 ... stein, game 24) 6 ... Q f 6 (b) S Qc3 has a justifi- main game) 8 H e 2 (8 d 4 is
hg 19 Bxh8+ @d7 20 Exd8+ and now White has: 8bly p o o r reputation: S ... t h e n o t e to Black's s e v -
n x d 8 21 @xd4 e d 22 @xdS! (a) 7 Qxh4!? Q x d S 8 ed %e4 6 Q e S (6 Qxf7+ @xf7 e n t h move) 8 ... 0-0 9 d 4
d c 23 n c l with a small ad- @xh4 9 @el+ (9 d4) with a 7 QeS+ @g8! 8 a x e 4 d6! 9 Q c 6 10 Q d S (10 Q b S is in-
vantage f o r White, although favourable pawn s t r u c t u r e a 3 dS i s bad) 6 ... Q g S 7 d 4 teresting when Black
t h e game w a s eventually in t h e ending. a 8 Q d 3 f3! 9 gf 0-0 (9 ... should play 10 ... @h6! with
drawn in a blitz finish. (b) 7 Qc3 0-0 8 d4!? (8 d3 &3!?) 10 Qe3 Be8 11 @d2 an unclear game) 10 ... Qe3!
After t h i s game my appe- i s more solid) 8 ... Q x d S 9 12 @fl Q c 6 13 dS n x e 3 11 Q x e 3 f e 12 @xe3 Ee8 13
0-0- Gallagher - Vladim- However, 9 dS doesn't and 13 Q g S promise White Gambit endings.
irov, Hastings 1990/91. really fit in with White's a good game. (b) Good bishop against
6 ... dS scheme of development. 11 Qd3 Ed8 poorly placed black knight.
6 ... Q h 4 + occurred in Instead, 9 Qd3! would en- An attempt to hang o n to (c) An active king.
Gallagher - Hebden, Has- able White to fight f o r the t h e f-pawn would prove (d) The opportunity to use
tings 1989/90. After 7 @fl advantage; 9 ... Qe3 can be unsuccessful, e.g. 11 ... h6 t h e semi-open g-file to
Qe3+ ( n o t 7 ... Q f 2 8 e e l ) 8 answered by 10 @e2. 12 Q e 4 gS 13 h4!; 11 ... Qe3 cause Black some problems
a x e 3 f e 9 @d3 0-0 10 Q c 3 The game Hebden - a l s o leads to a good game on t h e kingside.
d6 11@xe3 Q c 6 White could Fassert, Guernsey 1988, f o r White after 12 Q x e 3 f e When you bear in mind
have obtained dangerous followed a course more to 13 0-0 fS 14 QgS f 4 15 Qe2. that, o n t o p of all t h e s e
attacking chances by 12 White's liking: 7 ... @xd6 8 However, a f t e r 11 ... E d 8 pure c h e s s reasons, Black
@e4! Qe7 13 h4. 0-0 0-0 9 Q c 3 c6? (This is a White can also steer t h e was already desperately
7 ed! serious mistake a f t e r which game i n t o a favourable end- s h o r t of time (not uncom-
Previous publications White's a t t a c k soon being. mon in t h e King's Gambit),
have usually condemned 6 comes irresistible) 10 h3 12 Q e 4 QdS one begins to appreciate
d4, b u t f o r s o m e reason Qe3 (10 ... Q f 6 11 QeS) 11 13 Qxdb Exd6 the full e x t e n t of his diffi-
they have only considered 7 Qxe3 fe 12 Q e S Q h 4 (This is 14 Qxf4 Ee6+ culties.
Qd3 here. That this i s a r a t h e r optimistic, b u t 12 ... 1s af2 19 c 4 'ad7
mistake can b e seen f r o m Qe6 13 Q e 4 i s pretty terr- Black has to exchange 2 0 Exe6 f e
the continuation of t h e ible) 13 Dxf7 Qe6 14 Qe4 t h e active white minor Black wants to contain
game Lutikov - Estrin, Len- Qf2+ 15 @h2 e x e s + 16 de pieces a s quickly a s poss- White's centre but in doing
ingrad 1951: 7 ... Qh4+! 8 Qxf7 17 e6 1-0. ible. so f u r t h e r weakens his
@e2 Q f 2 9 @el Qxd3 10 8 @e2+! 16 Ehel Qxd3 kingside.
e x h 4 Q x c l + 11 Excl @xh4 A good moment to opt 17 @xd3 Qxf3 2i QeS g6
12 Q x h 4 Q c 6 13 c 3 0-0 14 f o r an ending. 18 gf Q a 6 (38) 22 @e4 Qb4
@f2 f 6 with advantage to 8 ... @e7 23 he! Qc6
Black. 8 ... @f8 is n o t recom- 24 hS gh
7 ... Qx* mended. 25 E h l Ef8
As this s e e m s to lead 9 @xe7+ @xe7 26 ExhS E f 7
into a bad endgame, 7 ... 10 Qc3 Qe6 27 Ehl!
e x d 6 i s more critical. The It's not easy f o r Black to White's rook is much
game Gallagher - Chibur- find a path to equality. If more active on t h e f i r s t
danidze, Biel 1990, worked t h e f-pawn is l o s t , then rank, a s i t can easily switch
out badly f o r m e after 8 White's control in t h e cen- t o t h e queenside where
Qc3 Qe6 9 dS?! Qd7 10 H e 2 tre should guarantee him White is a b o u t to open up a
0-0 11Q e 4 @b6 12 Qxf4 QfS a t least a slight edge. 10 ... second front.
13 Q g 3 &6 14 h3 a d 6 15 QfS i s an alternative, but There are several f a c t o r s 27... Qe7
Qxd6 @xd6 16 0-0-0 @f4+ a f t e r 11Qb3 (or 11QdS+ @d8 which, when p u t together, Of course 27 ... Q x e S
17 @bl Qe3 18 E d 4 e x g 3 19 12 c3 Be8+ 13 @fl Q e 3 + 14 add u p t o a sizeable advan- leads to a very depressing
e x e 3 @xg2 20 E h 2 @g3 21 Qxe3 fe 15 E e l with a good t a g e f o r White: rook ending f o r Black.
Dg4 @d6 and White was a game) 11 ... Ee8 12 0-0, the (a) E x t r a central pawn o n 28 b 4 c6
pawn d o w n with n o attack. t h r e a t s of 13 a d s + , 13 QbS d4, typical of many King's 29 a 4 bS?
Black had to wait passing; (b) d r o p his knight E d 8 17 Q d S White is over
ively and hope t h a t t h e re- back to e7 giving White t h e worst.
duced material would give time to s t a r t an a t t a c k ; o r (b) 10 ... gS 11 h3. Bhend
him drawing chances. With (c) give u p t h e right to now gives 11 ... Q h 6 12 Q e 4
t h e t e x t , he gains a nice castle and hope to hang o n Qe7 13 dS a s slightly b e t t e r
o u t p o s t f o r his knight, b u t to his e x t r a pawn. f o r White, whilst Estrin
t h e price paid i s too high. 9 ... @f8 and Glaskov a l s o consider
30 ab cb (a) 9 ... B e 7 10 @xe7+ 11 ... hS!? 12 Q e 4 Qe7 13 B c 3
31 cb QdS @xe7 (10 ... a x e 7 11 QgS) 11 Eh7 14 Q f x g S QxgS 15 Q x g S
32 Ed! Qc3+ Qc3 QfS 12 Q d S + with a @xgS 16 Q x f 4 @d8 17 dS!
33 @d3 QxbS slight advantage to White. Q e 7 18 hg Qxg4 19 QgS
33 ... Exf3+ 3 4 @c4 Q d S (b) 9 ... Q e 7 10 h3 Q h 6 ( o r Q x d S 20 Exf7+ @xf7 21
looks dangerous, b u t a f t e r 10 ... Q f 6 11 Q e S QxeS 12 Q x d 8 winning f o r White.
35 Exa7+ @c8 36 b6!, @xeS 0-0 13 @xf4 with a 11 Q h 4 @gS
White's king is f r e e to clear advantage to White) After this, White ach-
s t r o l l i n t o t h e Black posit- 11 Q e S gS 12 h 4 f 6 and now ieves a clearly b e t t e r end-
ion. The young Spanish Estrin and Glaskov consid- ing, b u t t h e complications
3 4 @c4 Q d 6 + (39) grandmaster Illescas i s o n e e r t h a t White h a s t h e bet- don't look too good f o r
of t h e very few s t r o n g ter chances a f t e r 13 hg f g Black. After 11 ... Q x d 4 ,
players w h o employ t h e 14 Q f 3 . Freeman - Borwell, Corr.
King's Gambit with any 10 Qc3 (41) 1970, continued 12 Q x f 4
regularity. Q e 6 13 Qxe6 Qxe6 14. Qg3
6 ... Qc6 Qxg3 15 B x g 3 Q f 6 16 QfS
6 ... dS i s a l s o possible with good play f o r t h e
and a f t e r 7 e d @xd6 8 d 4 pawn. 14 Ed1 looks even
we reach similar positions b e t t e r , e.g. 14 ... QcS+ 15
to t h o s e in t h e n o t e to 7 ... @hl B e 7 16 Q e 4 Qb6 17 h3
Qxd6 in Gallagher - Wells. with a clear advantage to
7 d4 dS White.
8 ed 12 Q x f S @xfS
8 Q b 3 would be a n e r r o r 13 Be4! Bxe4
a s t h e blocked nature of 14 a x e 4
t h e centre allows Black t o
play 8 ... gS!
10 ... QfS The f-pawn is now l o s t
Alternatively: and White's superiority is
8 ... Qxd6 (a) 10 ... Q x d 4 11 Q x d 4 evident.
Again 8 ... B x d 6 should QcS 12 E x f 4 Qxd4+ 13 @hl 14 ... Ed8
b e considered. was good f o r White in 14 ... Q x d 4 15 Q x d 6 cd 16
Game 12 9 Be1+! Bhend - Muller, Basel 1963. Qxf4 n d 8 17 Eadl leaves
-
Illescas Fernandez This check gives Black Instead of 12 ... Qxd4+, 12 ... Black helpless.
Las Palmas 1987 t h r e e choices. He can (a)
interpose his queen allow-
B x d 4 + l o o k s like fun, b u t 1s c3 ass
a f t e r 13 E x d 4 Qxd4+ 14 @fl 16 Q x d 6 Exd6
ing; White a pleasant end- axh2+ IS @e2 Qg4+ 16 @d3 17 Qe2 Qe3
18 g x f 4 Re6 White has a major alter- and b e t t e r f o r White by tinued 10 ... cd?! 11 Q x h 4
19 Q f 3 c6 native here in 5 d 4 a f t e r Estrin and Glaskov. My e x h 4 12 e e l ! @gS+ 13 @f2+
which 5 ... dS is Black's
19 ... Q c 2 2 0 g b l g e l + 21 view leans t o w a r d s t h e @d8 14 @gl Ee8 IS e f 2 He3
@f2 g h l 2 2 QdS! f 6 23 gxf6+! only sensible reply. And latter. Play could continue 16 e x e 3 g x e 3 17 a d 5 Be8 18
wins. now: 12 ... @h8 13 Q x h 4 e x h 4 14 c 3 with the b e t t e r game f o r
2 0 b31 (a) 6 ed Q x d S 7 Q x d S @g3 @hS IS @gl with t h e White.
Now White's queenside B x d S 8 c 4 e e 4 + 9 @f2 Q g 4 idea of h3 and @h2 to con- 7 axe3 f e
e n t e r s t h e game with dev- 10 Qd3 Qh4+ 11 g3 @xf3+ 12 nect t h e rooks) 8 a x e 4 Qd6 8 Qc4 d6
a s t a t i n g effect. e x f 3 Qxf3 13 g e l + Qe7 14 9 0-0 Q d 7 (9 ... 0-0 10 Q e S 9 0-0
20... QdS @xf3 f g IS Q f 4 Q c 6 16 d5 gives White a n edge) 10 9 e d 3 first, with t h e op-
21 Qa3+ @g8 Q d 4 + 17 @xg3 @d7 18 QeS! e d 3 (The immediate 10 c 4 tion of castling long, looks
22 QxdS cd (The game Yuneev - Rosen- occurred in Balashov - Ro- more accurate.
23 g f S ga6 talis, USSR Ch 1989, saw 18 sentalis, Minsk 1983 and 9 ... 0-0
2 4 BxdS g6 Qxc7? Qh4+ with advantage a f t e r 10 ... c6 (10 ... cS i s 10 Bd3 Qc6
25 E d 7 Qc6 to Black) 18 ... cS (or 18 ... interesting) 11 Qc2 0-0 12 11 ed cd
26 Q b 2 1-0 Qf6 19 Qxf6 gf 20 @f4) 19 Qel!? e h 4 13 e f 3 gS 14 &d3 Better was 11 ... Qxd6 b u t
dc+ (19 Q x d 4 cd 20 QfS+ is Q f 6 IS Q f 3 B h S 16 Qd2 Q g 4 White retains a n edge a f t e r
Game 13 a l s o possible) 19 ...Q x c 6 20 17 g a e l g a d 8 18 Qc3, White 12 Q e 4 Qe7 13 Bxe3. H i s
-
Spassky Holmov QfS+ @e8 21 Qc3 with good had reasonable compensa- s t r o n g centre pawn and t h e
Leningrad 1963 play f o r t h e pawn. tion f o r t h e pawn) 10 ... h6 half-open f-file more t h a n
(b) 6 Qd3 and Black has 11 c 4 cS 12 b 4 cd 13 cS Qe7 compensate f o r t h e t w o
several moves: 14 Q x f 4 and White held t h e bishops.
(bl) 6 ... cS 7 d c d e 8 advantage in Spassky - Naj- 12 gae1 Q g 4
a x e 4 a x e 4 9 a x e 4 @xdl+ dorf, Varna 1962. 13 Exe3
10 @xdl led to a n unclear s ... Qg4 White's forces are har-
ending in Udasina- Akhmil- 6 d4!? moniously deployed.
ovskaya, Kishniev 1983, b u t
7 eS certainly s u g g e s t s it-
6 Q c 4 would t a k e u s back ...
13 @ha
i n t o familiar territory (see 14 Q d S QgS
self. notes to White's s i x t h move 1s Q x g S BxgS
(b2) 6 ... Q b 4 7 eS Q e 4 8 from g a m e 11). 16 Bg3 BhS
0-O! Q x c 3 9 b c Qxc3 10 g b 1 6 ... Qe3 17 he31 (43)
Q c 6 11 Q x f 4 Q x d 4 12 Q g S 6 ... Qh4+ looks stronger:
Q f S 13 Q x f 7 @xf7 14 g 4 7 @ e 2 Q e 3 (7 ... d 6 8 Q x f 4
with advantage to White Qf2 9 e e l Q g 4 10 ed! is
(Glaskov). good f o r White) 8 a x e 3 (8
(b3) 6 ...d e (The solid way @d3 should b e considered)
4 ... Qf6 i s probably t h e b e s t ) 7 8 ... f e 9 a x e 3 d 6 10 ed and
Of c o u r s e t h e check o n a x e 4 a x e 4 (7 ... Q c 6 8 now by 10 ... 0-0 Black
h 4 i s more critical and will Q x f 4 0-0 9 c 3 a x e 4 10 would g e t s o m e attacking
b e examined in g a m e s 14 Q x e 4 Qh4+ 11 @fl Q g 4 12 chances in r e t u r n f o r t h e
and 15. e d 3 i s considered good f o r material. Instead, Bangiev -
S eS Black by Korchnoi and Zak Egin, Simferopol 1985, con-
This effective reposi- 3 Qf3 Qe7 @f2 Q f 6 8 Qc4 Qg4+ 9 @gl play f o r Black. The game
tioning of t h e knight will 4 Qc3 Qh4+ 0-0 10 h3 Qe3 11 Qxe3 f e 12 Hebden - Flear, Lewisham
force Black t o exchange his S @e2 (44) @h2 d6 13 E f l and, accord- 1982, continued: 9 h3 Qxf3+
main defender of t h e king- ing t o Euwe, White has a 10 @xf3 f e 11 QxeS Q e 7 12
side. He will then b e a t t h e 44 HMQ;@*@4b@ clear advantage. g3 0-0+ 13 @g2 Q f S 14 a h 2
mercy of White's rampant B gjzggz@zggz (c) S ... d6 6 d 4 Q g 4 7 Q e 3 with a clear advantage
@f4 QgS (or 7 ... Q c 6 8 t o Black.
major pieces.
... @ @ @ (b) 7 Q x f 4 d e (7 ... Q g 4 8
17 Qd7
And n o t 17 ... Qe6 18 Qxe6 B @ BY,,<@ e d 3 a g e 7 9 @d2 Q x f 3 10 gf
@d7 11 Ed1 0-0-0 12 @cl B d 3 Q e 7 9 @d2! Qxf3 10
f e 19 E x f 8 + E x f 8 20 Eh3! @ @2& with a slightly b e t t e r game B x f 3 Q g 6 11 Qe3 d e 12
18 Q f S QxfS @ g2 @a@ f o r White in Planinc- Ivkov, B x e 4 + B e 7 13 g3 B x e 4 14
19 E x f 5 Bh4 R@A;@e@Rq Yugoslav Ch 1976) 8 QxgS!? a x e 4 Qe7 15 E e l Q d 7 16 h4
20 c 3 Be7
, ,,
,,,,
4 gg~~,ag~ (8 Ud2) 8 ... BxgS 9 B d 3 with a good game f o r White
21 ne3! Q c 6 10 B e 3 B h S 11 a d 2 in Spassky - Meyer, Bun-
The queen is driven t o an S ... c6 &h6?! 12 QdS 0-0-0 13 c3 desliga 1984/85) 8 a x e 4
inferior square. Black naturally wants t o with t h e b e t t e r game f o r B e 7 9 e d 3 (9 QeS!? could
21 ... Bd7 create s o m e play in t h e White in Ermenko - Kul- lead t o a t o t a l mess a f t e r 9
22 g e f 3 ad8 centre whilst t h e white king manovsky, Corr. 1982/83. ... f6 10 Q d 6 + @d8 11 Q x h 4
22 ... f6 would lead t o has taken up residence 6 d4 dS f e 12 Q h f S QxfS 13 Q x f S
disaster on t h e white there. The immediate S ... 7 Bd2!? (45) U e 6 14 de+ @c8) 9 ... QfS 10
squares. After 23 EhS h6 24 dS is much sharper and is QeS Qxe4 11 e x e 4 Qf6 12
&6!, White threatens both seen in game 15, b u t Black's @d3!? Q d 7 13 Qd6 B x e 4 + 14
25 Qd3 and 25 g f h 3 , whilst other moves a r e n o t s o a x e 4 and White has a
24 ... Q e 7 and 24 ... B e 8 critical: slightly b e t t e r endgame.
b o t h fail t o 25 gxh6+. (a) S ... Qe7 (Black re- 7 ... de
23 Be41 t r e a t s his misplaced bishop, 7 ... gS? 8 @dl! led Black
As well a s preventing b u t t w o tempi is a heavy into real trouble in Gall-
Q e 6 , t h e queen now has price t o pay f o r White agher - Jacobs, Portsmouth
access t o t h e h-file. having t o move his king) 1986. The game continued 8
23 ... g6 6 d 4 gS (6 ... Q f 6 is pro- ... Q f 6 9 ed Qg4 10 Qe2 Qxf3
24 Bh4! gg8 bably best. After 7 Q x f 4 d s 11 Qxf3 cd 12 g3! f g 13 &el+
24 ... B x f S 25 XxfS gf 26 8 QxdS Q x d S 9 ed BxdS 10 This s t r a n g e move comes Q e 4 14 a x e 4 de 15 B x e 4 +
@f6+ is obviously hopeless @f2 White had an edge in from t h e fertile mind of @f8 16 B x b 7 @xd4+ 17 Qd2
f o r Black. Balashov - Agzamov, USSR Mark Hebden. The white gh 18 @b4+ B x b 4 19 Qxb4+
25 n x f 7 1-0 Ch 1983) 7 @f2 d6 8 Q c 4 queen will b e very active on @g7 20 Qxa8 and White's
Q f 6 (If 8 ... Q h 6 9 h 4 g 4 10 'f4 and should b e able t o e x t r a rook dealt easily with
Game 14 Q g S QxgS 11 hg BxgS 12 control events in t h e cen- t h e black pawns.
Gallagher - Faure QdS) 9 h 4 Q x e 4 + 10 a x e 4 tre. The alternatives are: 8 a x e 4 Qf6
Geneva 1989 dS 11 h g d c 12 Q x f 4 with a (a) 7 eS?! (As usual, it's 8 ... Qe7 9 B x f 4 Q f 6 10
very good game f o r White rarely good t o block t h e Q x f 6 + Qxf6 11 @f2 0-0 12
(Cheremisin). c e n t r e in t h i s manner) 7 ... Qd3 is pleasant f o r White.
(b) S ... QgS 6 d 4 Qh6 7 &g4 8 Q x f 4 f6 with good 9 Uxf4 a x e 4
4 8 Cunningham Defence Cunningham Defence 49
ous. 26 f g hg 27 E e 7 and White 33 E h 8 @g7 34 E h e 8 @f7

18 ... Qf5 @houldb e able to hold t h e with a repetition.
19 QeS?! balance. 29 a d 7 1 Efe8
19 @d2 was better. 24 ... axe6 29 ... E g 8 ? 3 0 Egl+ @h7
19 ... ads+?! 25 Xf6 @g7 31 Rxf7+ Q x f 7 (31 ... @h8 32
19 ... Qxc2 s e e m s per- 26 Eef1 Qd8 Rxg8+ and 33 E f 8 + ) 32 Q f 6 +
fectly s a f e f o r Black, e.g. This i s passive, 26 ... Q f 4 ! @h8 33 x x g 8 mate, i s rather
2 0 Rhfl @g7 (20 ... QdS+ 21 27 c3 E d 5 (27 ... Q d 3 + 28 pretty.
QxdS cd 22 Ec1 (or 22 E f 6 @c2) 28 Qg4 Q g 6 leaves
@g7 23 Ref 1 Qg6 24 Q x g 6 = ) White with insufficient
22 ... E a c 8 23 @d2 (23 E f 2 compensation. White wins t h e exchange
Qf5) 23 ... Q e 4 24 Q d 7 nxc1 27 h4! and t h e r e s t wasn't too
25 nxc1 E d 8 26 Q f 6 + @g7 White m u s t try to prise difficult.
27 a x e 4 d e 28 @e3 fS 29 open t h e kingside before 31 ... E4e6
Ec7+ is a very unclear rook Black can consolidate. 32 Q f 6 + E x f 6
Like in t h e good o l d ending) 21 n f 2 Qg6 22 E e f l 27 ... 33 Rxf6 Be7
days, t h e monarch leads his QdS+ 23 QxdS cd 24 n f b If 27 ... Be8 28 Qxf7! g f 8 34 Ed6 Qe6
army in to battle. Although and White threatens to 29 hg h g 30 Qd6! E x f 6 31 35 Bgd1 @g7
Black may b e a b l e to gain exchange to a drawn king Qe8+ with equality. Maybe 36 E d 7 @f8
s o m e time attacking t h e and pawn ending (If 24 ... Black can try 27 ... g4, b u t 37 Bxe7 @xe7
king i t is, nevertheless, well E f e 8 25 Exf7+!). White remains with suff- 38 x f 1 f6
centralised f o r t h e end- 2 0 @d2 Bad8 icient play f o r t h e pawn. 39 g f 3 Qg7
game. 21 E h f l 2 8 gh Be4? (47) PO @d2 f5
12 ... Qf6 21 @cl Q b 6 22 n h f l (22 41 Rb3 b6
13 a c 4 0-0 c3) 22 ... Q x c 4 23 XxfS 42 Ba3 aS
14 QgS Qd7 n x d 4 24 Q x c 4 Bxc4 25 Be7 43 Bc3 @d6
15 nae1 h6 and White's active rooks 4 4 Bg3! Qe6
16 a x f 6 compensate f o r t h e pawn. 45 Bg6 e 5
White could a l s o con- 21 ... Qe6 46 g x h 6 f 4
sider keeping t h e bishops 22 @c1 47 c3 1-0
on. If 22 c3 then 22 ... cS.
16 ... Qxf6+ 22 ... Q f 4! Game 15
17 @f4!? Suddenly, White's posi- Arnason - Wedburg
This i s r a t h e r provoca- tion feels r a t h e r loose and Randers 1985
tive. 17 @d3 should guaran- he i s now forced to sac- Better i s 2 8 ... E d 5 29
tee White a n edge, e.g. 17 ... rifice a pawn. g6fS f6 30 E g l + @h7 31 Q g 6 1 e4 e5
QfS+ 18 @d2 Q e 4 + 19 @cl 23 g3! 8 x f S 32 Q x f 8 + @h8 33 Q g 6 + 2 f4 ef
a d 6 20 Qb3. Not 23 Qxe6 fe! with a with a draw by perpetual 3 Qf3 Qe7
17 ... gS+!? good game f o r Black. check. 4 Qc3 Qh4+
18 @e3 23 ... Ed41 28 ... n x h 4 a l s o s e e m s to 5 @e2 d 5 (48)
Going t h e o t h e r way 24 Qxe6!? draw: 29 Q g 6 f g 30 E x f 8 Black returns the extra
looked distinctly danger- 24 gf Qxc4 25 Q x c 4 n x c 4 &4 31 Be8 E d 7 32 Bfel @f7 pawn in order to speed up
5 0 Cunningham Defence Cunningham Defence 51
his development. centre enables him t o position. weaknesses give Black just
calmly improve t h e position I8 a a d l a6 enough play t o hold t h e
of his king. Once t h e knight 19 Qc4 Rc8 draw.
on f 3 becomes unpinned, 20 Ehel gS!? 26 Re3 Qxd4
Black will face serious The b e s t chance t o g e t 27 nxd4 JJd6
problems) 11 ... 0-0-0 12 his rook into t h e game, b u t 28 Qb7 Ef6+
@c2@h6 (12 ... Qxf3 13 gf is of course t h e dark squares 29 @g3 JJc7
clearly better f o r White) 13 a r e now terribly weak. 30 Qf3 Qb6
Q x h 4 (13 h3!? &3 14 hg is 21 QeS 31 Bed3 Qc4
a n idea of Bucker's) 13 ... It could well have been 32 Ed5 h6
@xh4 and now 14 g3! gives time to p a r t with t h e t w o 33 h4 gh+
White t h e advantage. bishops. 21 Qd6 looks good 34 a x h 4 Be7
6 QxdS Qf6 10 dc @e7 f o r White. 35 g5 hg+
In Gallagher - Jacobs, I1 HdS! 21 ... Xg8 36 ExgS Be1
Calella 1985, Black tried a Black has no time t o 22 g4 Xg6 37 Ed1 gf4+
more direct approach: 6 ... profit from t h e exposed 23 b4 bS 38 Eg4 gxg4+
Qg4 7 d 4 fS!? 8 @d3 Q e 7 9 position of t h e queen, a s 24 QdS Qd7 39 Qxg4 ge4
Q x f 4 Q b c 6 10 c 3 B d 7 11 eS a f t e r 11 ... Q c 6 12 Q x f 4 g d 8 , 25 Qd4 Qf61 40 Ed4 Be3
gS and I now blundered White has 13Qd6. Now Black is able t o ex- 41 Qc8 axc3
with 12 g3? gf 13 g h a x e s . 11 ... Qd7 change t h e bishops under 42 Qxa6 Qa3
Instead, t h e simple 12 Q h 3 12 Qxf4 Qf6 more favourable circum- 43 e g s gc2
would have given White a 13 $eS axe4 stances. Although White 44 QdS Qxa2
good game. 14 Be31 Qxf3 still has a n edge, his own 45 QxbS %-%
7 Qxf6+ Bxf6 IS QbS+ @f8
8 d4 16 Bxe7+ Qxe7
8 d 3 deserves serious 17 @xf3 QxcS (49)
consideration. By keeping
his c e n t r e more compact,
White rules o u t any sac-
rifices from Black. Bangiev
- Petrov, Simferopol 1985,
continued: 8 ... Qg4 9 @d2
@b6 10 @dl Qxf3+ 11 gf gS
and now 12 c3! would give
White t h e b e t t e r chances.
8 ... LEg4
9 c3 cS!?
9 ... Q c 6 has occurred The complications are
more frequently, b u t by 10 over and White has em-
@d2! White obtains a pro- erged with a clear advan-
mising position, e.g. 10 ... t a g e d u e t o his active
gS 11 @dl! (White's s t r o n g bishops and b e t t e r king
Kieseritzky Gambit 53
with a crushing attack f o r
White in Szewczak - Dona-
t o , Golden Knights 1980.
(a2) 6 ... d 6 7 Q x g 4 fS
3) Kieseritzky Gambit ( a f t e r 7 ... @xe4+ 8 @e2 dS
(8 ... QfS 9 Q x f 4 @xe2+ 10
Qxe2 Qxc2 11 Q c 3 QfS 12
Q d S is a l s o good f o r White)
9 Q f 2 @xe2+ 10 Qxe2 Qd6 11
1 e4 eS sometimes have t o b e a Q d 3 with advantage t o
2 f4 ef little ruthless. White in Kieseritzky - Du-
3 Qf3 gS 4 h 4 has t h e advantage monch, Paris 1849) 8 Q f 2
4 h4 g4 of forcing 4 ... g4, thereby Q f 6 9 Q x f 4 a x e 4 (9 ... f e 10
S QeS weakening Black's kingside dS!) 10 @hS+ @d8 11Qe2 Q f 6
Before dealing with t h e pawns. Now, White has t o 12 '@f3 Q c 6 13 c3 and White
Kieseritzky, I would just consider S QgS. I have t o
admit t h a t I have a certain
S ... hS is clearly o n top.
like to comment a l i t t l e o n The so-called "Long (b) S ... Q c 6 6 d4! a x e 5 7
t h e moves leading up t o t h e weakness f o r t h e Allgaier Whip" variation. The f a c t d e d 6 8 Q x f 4 @e7 (8 ... LEg7
Gambit, a s t h e s e will n o t Gambit, and i t i s with a t h a t i t i s n o t seen very 9 Q c 3 d e 10 @xd8+ @xd8 11
b e examined elsewhere in heavy heart t h a t I inform often t h e s e days does n o t 0-0-0+ Qd7 12 Qe3 with a
t h i s book. you t h a t my a t t e m p t s to need much explanation. clear advantage t o White) 9
3 ... gS is, of course, o n e rehabilitate t h e line have Black f a l l s behind in dev- QbS+ c6 10 e d @xe4+ 11 @e2
of t h e m o s t important re- n o t been rewarded. How- elopment and s o o n be- with a b e t t e r game f o r
plies t o t h e King's Gambit. ever, t h e Hamppe-Allgaier comes exposed t o a s t r o n g White (Bhend).
Black isn't going t o play Gambit can b e seen in chap- attack. (c) S ... Qe7 6 Qclt.! Qxh4+
half-heartedly; t h e sound- t e r five of this book. There a r e many o t h e r 7 @fl dS 8 QxdS Q h 6 9 d 4
n e s s of t h e gambit i s going 5 h e 5 is t h e Kieseritzky, possibilities, of which S ... LEgS 10 4 3 3 c6 11 Qb3 f 6 12
to b e t e s t e d . The t w o m o s t a gambit which has been dS, S ... d6, S ... LEg7 and S ... Q d 3 @xd4 13 Q x f 4 Q x f 4 14
common f o u r t h moves f o r known f o r over f o u r hun- Q f 6 will b e seen in subse- Q x f 4 @xdl+ 15 E x d l with a
White a r e 4 Q c 4 a n d 4 h4. dred years. Strangely en- q u e n t games. The o t h e r l e s s clear advantage f o r White
In t h i s book, w e shall b e ough, t h i s i s more than o n e common alternatives a r e (Bilguer).
only examining t h e l a t t e r . can say f o r Mr Kieseritzky. d e a l t with below: 6 Qc4 Eh7
Although 4 Q c 4 is un- Black now has many (a) S ... @e7 6 d 4 and now: Black has fared n o b e t t e r
doubtedly of great interest, ways to combat t h e gambit, (a1) 6 ... fS i s b e s t m e t by with 6 ... Qh6: 7 d 4 @f6 (7
b o t h historically and an- which will b e studied in t h e 7 Q c 4 Q h 6 (7 ... Q f 6 8 Q c 3 ... d6 8 Q d 3 f 3 9 gf gf (9 ...
alytically (especially t h e following games. d6 9 Qf7+ @d8 10 Q x f 4 Qe7 10 Q e 3 Qxh4+ 11 @d2 is
famous Muzio o r Polerio Qbd7 11 Q b 3 @e8 12 Q f 7 good f o r White) 10 @xf3
Gambit), I feel t h a t t h e Game 16 g g 8 13 Q g S E g 7 14 Q e 6 SPg4 11@f2 @d7 12 Q c 3 c6 13
b e s t White can hope f o r i s -
Bronstein Dubinin Winning i s Cozio's analysis lPgS with a n excellent pos-
a n equal game. So, in a Leningrad 1947 from 1766) 8 Q x f 4 @b4+ 9 ition f o r White, Peev - At-
book t i t l e d Winning With a c 3 d6 10 a3 @b6 11 Q d S ansov, Bulgaria 1954) 8 0-O!
t h e King's Gambit, w e e x b 2 12 Q x c 7 + @d8 13 Q b S B x h 4 9 Xxf4 Qd6 10 Qf3!
54 Kieseritzky Gambit Kieseritzky Gambit 55
@g3 11 e5 Qe7 12 a h 2 @h4 14 e d 2 d6 Q c 4 0-0 11 c3 Q d 7 12 a x f 7 !

13 Qc3 a d 8 14 Q e 4 Q c 6 15 White's attack will be with a very s t r o n g attack in
Q f 3 with a winning position finished long before Black Lutikov - Shakh-Zade, Tash-
f o r White in Hebden - J. can g e t his queenside into k e n t 1950.
Benjamin, London 1987. t h e game. 9 @xd2 Q g 7
7 d4 IS g a f l Qd8 Alternatives are:
The immediate sacrifice 16 Q d S Q d 7 (51) (a) 9 ...Qe6 10 0-0-0 Q d 7
o n f 7 is unnecessary. 11 E e l Qg7 (11 ... Qe7 12 B e 2
7 ... ah6 E g 8 13 Qxf7! Qxf7 14 Qxc7!
After 7 ... d6 8 Q x f 7 E x f 7 was rather attractive,
9 Qxf7+ @xf7 10 Q x f 4 White Cleemskerk - Rhijn, Corr.
h a s a m o n s t r o u s attack; 1896. Relatively b e s t i s 11 ...
alternatively, 7 ... f 3 8 gf d6 Qd6 transposing to 'b') 12
9 Qd3! (Now t h a t Black has The Bretano variation. Q x g 4 0-0 13 QgS Q f 6 14
managed to keep t h e f-file 6 d4! Q x f 6 + Qxf6 15 Q d 3 with a
closed t h e sacrifice o n f 7 i s This secures t h e knight winning position f o r White
n o t so clear) 9 ... Qe7 10 on e 5 and a t t a c k s t h e f- in Caro - Schiffers, 1897.
Qe3 Qxh4+ 11@d2. Positions pawn. As usual in t h e (b) 9 ... Qd6 10 0-0-0 Qe6
of t h i s type arise q u i t e fre- 17 eS King's Gambit, when t h i s 11 Q d 3 (53)and now:
quently in t h e King's Gam- Of course White is n o t drops, Black's kingside re-
bit and a r e nearly always interested in taking t h e c- sembles s w i s s cheese.
favourable f o r White. This pawn, and instead intro- 6 ... Qf6
o n e i s n o exception. The duces t h e e-pawn i n t o t h e 7 Qxf4 axe4
game Kolisch - Anderssen, attack. Very similar positions
Paris 1860, continued: 11 ... 17 ... de were encountered in game
QgS 12 f 4 Qh6 13 Qc3 Qg7 14 18 d e Qc6 4.
f.5 Q c 6 15 @gl Qd7 16 E e l 19 e6! QxdS 8 ad21
and White s t o o d clearly 2 0 Ef7+ axf7 This is t h e key move, in-
better. 21 g x f 7 + @ha troduced i n t o practice by
8 Qc3 Qc6 22 @c3+ Q f 6 Caro. Once Black's only
9 Qxf7! E x f 7 23 E x f 6 active piece is exchanged, (bl) 11 ... f6 (This wins a
10 Qxf7+ @xf7 And instead of resigning, he will have grave diffi- piece b u t subjects Black to
II Qxfr! Black staggered o n a few culties in beating off t h e a fearsome attack) 12 Edel!
This neat tactical point more moves. white attack. f e (If 12 ... QxeS, 13 QxeS!
e n s u r e s t h a t Black will be 8 ... Qxd2 @d7 14 Qxf6! @xf6 15 g h f l
defenceless against t h e Game 17 O t h e r moves don't help: @g7 16 Exe6! @xe6 17 QfS+
coming onslaught. Teschner - Dahl (a) 8 ... @f6 9 g 3 Qh6 10 @e7 18 @b4+ wins f o r
I1... Qxf 4 Berlin 1946 a x e 4 d e 11 Q x g 4 Q x g 4 12 White) 13 Q x e s @d7 14 @h6!.
12 0-0 @xh4 a x g 4 Q x f 4 13 @xf4 @xf4 14 This is more efficient than
This is just a w a s t e of gf with a good ending f o r taking t h e rook, and Black
time. White. now has no defence, e.g. 14
13 g x f 4 + @g7 (b) 8 ... Qg7 9 a x e 4 d e 10 ... a x e s IS E x e s Ee8 16 g x e 6
Qxe6 17 QfS; o r 14 ... Qf8 15 game. Previous authors @xe4 15 @d2 0-0-0 16 0-0-0
Qg7! @e7 16 Qxf8 Qxf8 17 have only considered 7 d4, ads.
Qxe6!; or 14 ... g e 8 15 Qxd6 after which Black can ach-
ieve equality, e.g. 7 ...Qxh4+
7 ... @xf6
@xd6 (15 ... cd 16 Qxe6) 16 8 ac3 Qe61 (55)
QfS @d7 17 Qe3! with the 8 Q f 2 @gS 9 @f3 Qc6! 10 This is clearly stronger
simple threat of 18 Qhel. 17 @xf4! Qxfa+ 11 @xf2 @xf4+ than t h e old 8 ... c6. As
... Q c 6 ( t o defend with 12 Qxf4 Q x d 4 13 a c 3 ! Qe6! Korchnoi points out, White
...Q d 8 ) allows 18 @f4+. 14 Q b S QxbS 15 QxbS+ Qd7. can then g e t a strong att-
(b2) 11 ...ad7!. With this, White has enough for the acking position by 9 Qe2
Black should avoid getting pawn, but no more. A corr- Qg8 10 Qf3 Qh6 11 d4 a a 6 12
mated: 12 Qdel a x e 5 13 espondence game, Resseg- eS! de 13 a e 4 @e7 14 0-0.
QxeS QxeS 14 QxeS @d7 15 nier - Letz, 1912, continued
BgS! @e7 16 QfS and, as 16 Qe2 Q f 6 17 eS Q e 4 + 18
Keres points out, White @e3 dS 19 c 4 c6 20 Qadl Qe6
has a very good ending in 21 Qf3 fS! 22 ef Q x f 6 23
prospect. This line doesn't have a a e s ! and a draw was soon
10 Qh6 very good reputation but, agreed) 7 ... Qxh4+ 8 a f 2
White doesn't waste any along with S ... a f 6 , i t @gS 9 @d2! (Now t h e queen
time in removing the de- seems t o offer Black the is better off here, a s on f 3
fender of the black squares. best chances of reaching there would be some risk
10 ... Qxh63 equality. of getting trapped) 9 ... Qg3
Stronger is 10 ... 0-0 and 6 axg4 af6 (The main advantage of 7
now 11 Qd3!? f6?! 12 Qxg7! Black has several alter- d3! is t h a t Black is unable 9 Be213
@xg7 13 0-0-O! gives White natives: t o counter-attack against With this move, White
a strong attack. Also poss- (a) 6 ... fS? 7 a f 2 a f 6 8 the centre. Instead, he has threatens @bS+ and pre-
ible are 11 0-0-0 and 11Qe2. d4 f e 9 Qxf4 dS 10 g4 is t o try t o hang on t o his f- vents 9 ... Q c 6 (10 a d s ) . A
11 @xh6 Qe6 better for White. pawn) 10 Q c 3 Q f 6 (if 10 ... few months earlier the
l 2 Qd3 Qd7 (b) 6 ... hS 7 Q f 2 a f 6 8 d 4 a c 6 11 a d 5 is strong) 11 same two players had met
13 a d 7 1 Qxf7 Qh6 9 Qe2. White has a a e 2 ! ( I t turns o u t t h a t the in Salamanca where De La
13 ... @xf7 loses t o 14 clear advantage because of f-pawn cannot be held and Villa chose instead 9 @f3
0-0+ @e7 (If 14 ... Q f 6 15 the weakened black king- 11 ... Q g 4 fails t o 12 a x g 3 ) b u t after 9 ... Qg8 10 @f2
Qf4 is simplest) 15 Qael side. Keres gave the foll- 11 ... Qxf2+ 12 @xf2 Q g 4 + 13 Q c ~ 11
! fibs 0-0-O! 12 Qxc6
@g8 16 QfS a f 8 17 Qxe6 owing line: 9 ... Q c 6 10 a c 3 @gl Q e 3 14 Q x f 4 Q x f l IS bc 13 d3 Qh6, Black had a
a x e 6 18 Qf6 and wins. Q g 4 11 Q x g 4 Qxg4 (11 ... hg @xfl and Black is position- good position (14 @xa7 f 3
14 &O aeS 12 Q d S QgS 13 g3!) 12 Qxg4 ally busted. 15 gf Qxcl 16 Qxcl @xf3 17
1s gae1 1-0 (12 @d3 Qxe2 13 a x e 2 @f6 7 Qd6+ Qfl @h3 with a clear advan-
14 Qd2 with a good game After 7 Q f 2 Qg8 8 d 4 tage t o Black).
Game 18
De La Villa - Femandez
for White - Glaskov) 12 ...
hg 13 a d 5 f 3 14 g3.
a h 6 9 a c 3 Qc6! White can 9 ... Qd7
Qnly achieve a roughly 10 b3
Barcelona 1990 (c) 6 ... Qe7 7 d3! (This equal game with 10 a d 3 The only sensible way
new idea seems t o give &4 11 Qe2 Qxe2 12 a x e 2 for White t o develop.
White clearly the better @e7 13 Qxf4 Qxf4 14 a d x f 4 10 ... Qg8
11 Qb2 Qg4! 21 B f 2 xg4 Game 19 a n analysis by Panov) and 11

In t h i s way, Black makes 22 @f3!? R Byrne - Keres ... fS can be m e t by 12 Q e 3
i t hard work f o r White t o White o p t s f o r t h e fa- USSR - USA 19SS with a good game f o r
castle. After 11 ... 0-0-0 12 vourable ending. White. Black probably has
0-0-O! Q g 4 (of course if 22... Bxf3 t o play 11 ... Qxg4 12 Q x g 4
Black doesn't accept t h e 23 gf &3 Q f 6 , b u t a f t e r 13 QhS (13
offer, he is l e f t with a terr- 24Qf6 gf8 Qc8 Qd7 i s unclear) White
ible position) 13 B f 2 Q x d l The rook ending a f t e r 24 has good play f o r t h e pawn.
14 B x a 7 Q g 4 15 Qa6! Q c S 16 ... g d g 8 25 Be7 Q d S 26 g x f 7 (b) 10 ... Qxg4 11 cd Q c 6
QbS Q d 7 (16 ... c6 is a b e t t e r Q x f 6 27 g x f 6 g x f 3 28 Xf7 12 QbS! 0-0-0 13 Qxc6 bc 14
defence) 17 Q d S B e 6 18 Qc6! i s a very difficult o n e f o r 0-0 f6 1S Qc3! (Keres) IS ...
wins. Black. E x d 4 16 g a e l . White has a
l2 B f 2 dS! 25 QgS?! considerable positional ad-
Black m u s t play actively 25 c 4 would have been a n vantage, and soon he will
t o compensate f o r his bad improvement, trying to be only o n e doubled (and
structure. keep t h e knight locked o u t isolated) pawn down.
13 Qe2! QcS of t h e game: 25 ... Q d 7 26 6 ... Q f 6 (57)
14 B f 1 Qb2 x x f 3 doesn't help be- 6 ... d6 i s t h e alternative:
This l o o k s more uncom- cause of 27 x f l . 7 Q x g 4 Q x g 4 8 e x g 4 Qxd4
f o r t a b l e t h a n i t actually is. ...
25 QdS and now 9 Qc3! gives White
14... Qxe2 26 c 4 ? This, t h e Paulsen varia-
tion, w a s formerly consid-
a good game. If Black takes
IS B x e 2 0-0-0 And this t h r o w s away o n c3, t h e n t h e t w o bishops
16 0-0-0 de t h e remaining advantage. ered o n e of Black's b e s t will f a r outweigh t h e ropey
17 a x e 4 @g6 After 26 XeS!. c6 27 BfS, defences t o t h e King's pawn s t r u c t u r e and a f t e r
18 @c4! Black would still have had Gambit, b u t recent analysis 9 ... Q f 6 10 &fS!? B e 7 11Q d 3
18 Q x c S Q x c S 19 e f 2 a difficult task ahead of has c a s t d o u b t upon its n g 8 12 Q x f 4 g x g 2 13 0-0-0,
o f f e r s Black a chance t o him. viability. White had clearly t h e bet-
solve his problems tactic- 26 ... Qb4 6 d4 t e r game in Gallagher -
ally with 19 ... &c6! 27 @b1 Qd3 Schlechter's move, 6 Sanchi, Paris 1989.
18 ... Qb6 In t h e l a s t three moves Q x g 4 , a l s o deserves con-
After this, White's ad- this knight has performed sideration: 6 ... dS 7 d 4 ( n o t
vantage i s obvious. 18 ... miracles. 7 ed?? @e7+ and 7 Q f 2 d e 8
Qe7 19 Q g S a l s o gives 2 8 Be7 axf3 Q x e 4 e e 7 9 B e 2 Q c 6 10 c3
White t h e b e t t e r game. 18 29 Oh6 Xd8 a h 6 11 Q g S Q e S 12 d 4 Q g 4
... Qb6 i s recommended by with advantage t o Black) 7
t h e t w o players, b u t 19 Q g S ... d e 8 Q x f 4 B x d 4 9 u x d 4
still s e e m s t o o f f e r White a x d 4 10 c 3 and although
t h e b e t t e r chances. 33 x f 8 + Ed8 White h a s a pawn less, t h e
19 B x c S B x e 4 34 Xf7 %-% ending i s by n o means
20 a h e l @dS ( n o t e s based o n com- worse f o r him, e.g.
20 ... B x g 2 i s well m e t by m e n t s by De La Villa and (a) 10 ... Qg7 11 Qe2 (only 7 Qc4
21 @fS+ and 22 @xf4. Fernandez in Informator). 11 Q f 2 ? w a s considered in 7 Q c 3 is the strongest
6 0 Kieseritzky Gambit Kieseri tzky Gambit 61
and m o s t natural move in commended, b u t a f t e r 9 Qxe6! 14 a x e 6 + @h8 15 B x g 4 may have a rook less, b u t i t
t h i s position. (I should just 0-0 White appears to have e x d 4 16 B x d 4 (16 B x g 3 feels like he's a f e w pieces
mention t h a t I have altered t h e b e t t e r game, e.g. QxeS 17 B e 3 B d 6 ) 16 ... c d 17 up) 25 g 3 QhS+ 26 B g 2 f3+
t h e move o r d e r of Byrne - (a) 9 ... cS 10 dcS Q h S 11 Q f 7 + g x f 7 18 Qxf7 Q x h l . 27 @xfl Qhl mate) 19 ... g3+
Keres, s o t h a t we could use Q x g 4 B x h 4 12 Qe2! with 9 ... exh4 20 @hi Qxc4 21 ef++ @xf8
i t to examine t h e variations advantage t o White. 10 eel! 22 Qe8+ @g7 23 E x c 8 f 3 24
a f t e r S ... Qg7. The actual (b) 9 ... Q x d S 10 QxdS I t i s time to exchange c 3 (24 gf Qxc2) 24 ... f 2 25
move o r d e r was 1 e 4 eS 2 f 4 B x d S 11 Q c 3 (For some queens. QgS a f 6 26 Q e 8 + @g6 27
ef 3 Q f 3 gS 4 h 4 g 4 S QeS reason, only 11Q x f 4 cS! had 10 ... exel Q x f 6 @xgS and wins.
Q f 6 6 Q c 4 dS 7 e d Qg7 8 been considered here) 11 ... 11 Qxel 0-0 (b) 18 e f + @h8 19 a e 6 (19
d4). B d 8 12 a x f 4 B x h 4 13 Q d S 12 Qc3 Q e 6 Qxc4 2 0 Q x f 8 Q x f 8 21
After 7 Q c 3 d6 (7 ... 0-0 8 with a very good game f o r 12 c 3 i s n o t sufficiently Qe8 @g7 with advantage to
hS i s awkward and 7 ... dS 8 White. active. Black) 19 ... a x e 6 20 Q x e 6
Q x f 4 a x e 4 9 Q x e 4 d e 10 (c) 9 ... Q h S 10 Qxg4! 12 ... Qd7 Qxf7 and White is in
a c 4 i s very good f o r White) B x h 4 11 Q h 2 Qd7!? (11 ... 12 ... cS? 13 Q b S Q d 7 14 trouble.
8 Q d 3 0-0 (Euwe gave t h e @f6 12 B x h S B x d 4 + 13 @hl Q c 7 Q b 8 15 d6! cd 16 Qxf7! White d o e s b e s t t o main-
following variation a s good B x c 4 14 a x f 4 a x b 2 15 a h 6 13 Q b S (58) tain t h e tension and safe-
f o r White: 8 ... Q h S 9 Q x f 4 with advantage to White) 12 guard his bishop with 18
Q g 3 10 Qh2 0-0 11 &e2! c 3 Q d f 6 13 @el!? (White &b3! leaving a very unclear
a x e 2 12 Q c x e 2 fS 13 c 3 f e could a l s o consider keeping position o n t h e board.
14 B b 3 + a h 8 15 Qe3) 9 t h e queens o n and play 14 ... cd!
Qxf4! (This i s much b e t t e r something like 13 Q d 2 o r 13 The exchange sacrifice is
than 9 Q x f 4 which r u n s Uf3. Now a very messy en- necessary a s 14 ... E b 8 IS
into trouble against 9 ... ding i s reached) 13 ... B x e l d6! i s strong.
Q c 6 10 Q f 2 Q h S 11QgS f6 12 14 Qxel QfS 15 Be5 B f e 8 16 15 Qxa81
a e 3 Q g 3 13 Bh2 fS) 9 ... Q f 3 Qg6 17 Q d 2 Bad8 18 This is very optimistic.
a x e 4 10 a x e 4 B e 8 11 @f2! n x e 8 + Q x e 8 19 Q e S Q e f 6 2 0 Safer was 15 QxdS! Qb8 16
g x e 4 12 c 3 B f 6 (After any Qb3! with a slight advan- c 3 Q x e S 17 d e Qd8 (17 ...
o t h e r move 13 a d 3 gives tage t o White in Gallagher 13 ... c6 @h8 18 a d 2 a f S 19 c 4 is
White t h e advantage) 13 g 3 - Macles, Dijon 1987. 14 Q c 7 good f o r White) 18 e6! f e 19
Qh6 14 a d 3 a x f 4 15 a x f 4 9 0-0 More critical i s 14 d c &xe6+ a x e 6 20 Q x e 6 Be8 21
Bxf4+ 16 gf B x f 4 + , Black's 9 Q c 3 i s r a t h e r dubious QxeS 15 d e (15 c b Qxb7 16 Q x f 4 with a b o u t equal
a t t a c k l o o k s menacing b u t here: 9 ... 0-0 10 Q e 2 cS! 11 d e Qac8 17 Q d 6 RcS! could chances (Glaskov).
Rubinstein demonstrated Q x f 4 (11 ... Q x f 4 l o s e s a prove dangerous f o r White) 1s ... dc
t h e c o r r e c t way f o r White piece to 11 ... bS, whilst 11 1S ... b c 16 Q c 7 Q b 8 17 e6 16 ad2 QxeS
t o continue: 17 @e2! (17 @g2 c 3 cd 12 c d Q d 7 13 Q x d 7 Rb4!. The position is po- 17 de fifs
bS!) 17 ... g 3 18 Bd2! Q g 4 + 19 Qxd7 w a s b e t t e r f o r Black sitively alive with tactical 18 Q c 7 axc211
@el g2 20 B x g 2 Q c 6 21 a e 2 in Steinitz - Zukertort, Vi- Possibilities, e.g. Keres criticises this
Be8 22 Bfl! and wins. enna 1882) 11 ... &3 12 Q e 6 (a) 18 e7? Qd4+ 19 @h2 (19 move and gives instead 18
7... dS and, a s Glaskov points o u t , @hl Bxc4 2 0 ef++ @xf8 21 ... Q d 8 (taking dS away
8 ed QhS Black can gain a clear ad- g e 8 + @g7 22 n x c 8 Q g 3 + 23 from t h e knight) 19 Qc3
8 ... 0-0 has been re- vantage by 12 ... f e 13 d e , $ ? h 2 ~ f 24
l + @hi BcS! {Black a x c 2 and with three pawns
f o r t h e exchange, plus ac- 7 d 4 d6 8Qxf7+@d89 Q x f 4
tive pieces, Black has a d e 10 de+ Qd7 11 Q b 3 @b4+
clear advantage. 12 a d 2 a x e 4 13 c 3 Q x c 3 14
19 Eacl Qd3 QgS+ with a clear advan-
20 Q d S bS t a g e to White ( E C O ) .
21 Q x f 4 gd8 7 ed Qd6
Keres didn't like White's 7 ... Qg7 transposes to
counterplay a f t e r 21 ... Byrne - Keres (game 19).
Q x f 4 22 Q x f 4 QfS 23 QhS. 8 d4
22 Q e 7 + @f8 8 0-0 is t h e incredible
23 QgS ge8 Rice Gambit, which was
24 Q c 6 Qg3 b u t a s ever in t h e King's once so popular t h a t whole
And here Keres t h o u g h t Gambit, he has trouble mo- tournaments were devoted
24 ... a 5 s t r o n g e r , in o r d e r bilising his kingside pawns. The Berlin Defence i s t h e to it. Basically, White sac-
to deprive t h e knight of t h e Keres, with g r e a t skill, m o s t popular answer to t h e rifices a piece and c a s t l e s
b4-square. eventually broke down Kieseri tzky. i n t o a raging a t t a c k , b u t
25 ncdl Ee6 White's resistance, and in- 6 Qc4 according to theory, he
26 Q x a 7 teresting though t h e end- The main alternative 6 d 4 miraculously holds t h e ba-
I t w a s b e t t e r f o r White ing is, a detailed analysis will be seen in games 22 lance. Nevertheless, 1 s t i l l
to have played 26 Q b 4 and does n o t really belong in and 23. White's o t h e r poss- advise you to s t e e r well
a f t e r 26 ... Q e 2 + 27 Bfl!, t h i s book: 31 @f2 Q d 3 32 ibility, 6 Qxg4, leads to very clear of it.
although Black d o e s retain Qc3 a d 7 33 @e3 Qh2 34 Q f 4 s h a r p play where Black 8 ... Q h S (61)
winning chances a f t e r 27 ... &I+ 35 @d2 hS 36 g 3 Qf2 37 s e e m s to b e a t l e a s t able to
Q g 3 + 28 Qg6 29 Q c 6 Q d l Q d 4 38 Q c ~ ? !@&?! 39 hold his own: 6 ... a x e 4 7
Q f 5 (Keres). b4! Qf6 4 0 bS+? @b7 41 a 4 d 3 Qg3 8 Qxf 4 Q x h l 9 @e2+
26 ... QxeS Q d 8 42 Q d S Q e 4 43 Q c 3 (9 QgS w a s refuted in t h e
Black has a wonderfully Q f 3 44 @e3 Qb6+ 45 a d 2 f6! game Hebden - Stean, Mar-
centralised position and 46 Qd6 QaS 47 Q f 4 Q e 4 4 8 bella 1982: 9 ... Qe7 10 @e2
White's king i s feeling t h e Qd6 Qd3 49 Q f 4 Qb4! SO hS! I1 @eS f6! 12 Qxf6 d 6 13
draught. Qe3 h 4 51 g h g 3 52 h5 g2 53 @e4 Q x g 4 14 Q x h 8 @d7 15
27 Q x b S Qe2+ h6 f 5 5 4 Qf2 f 4 55 Qgl Qa5 a d 4 Qxh4+ and White re-
28 Exe21 56 Qh2 Qb6 57 h7 Qxh7 5 8 signed) 9 ... @e7 10 Q f 6 +
White bails o u t , hoping B e 2 gl=@ 59 Q x g l Q x g l 60 @d8 11 Qxc7+ @xc7 12 Q d S +
f o r s o m e drawing chances a d 5 Q d 4 61 Qxf4 Qc3 0-1. @d8 13 a x e 7 Qxe7 14 @g4 8 ... 0-O! i s game 21.
in t h e ending. ' d6 IS &f4 E g 8 and Black's 8 ... @e7 is d o u b t f u l be-
28 ... Qxe2 Game 2 0 pieces should prove strong- cause of 9 Q x f 4 (I once
29 Ed8+ Be8 Gallagher - Hresc er t h a n t h e queen (Hebden played t h e r a t h e r s t r a n g e 9
30 Exe8+ @xe8 (59) Royan 1989 - P. Littlewood, Hastings h5 with t h e idea of prevent-
At f i r s t glance i t s e e m s 1982/83). ing t h e black knight from
t h a t t h e t w o bishops and 6 ... dS using t h i s square. After 9
a n e x t r a pawn should en- Philidor recommended 6 ... Qxe5 10 d e @xeS+ 11 B e 2
s u r e a trivial win f o r Black, ...@e7 b u t this is n o t good: @xe2+ 12 @xe2 f3+ 13 gf gf+
14 @xf3 Qg4+ 15 @f4 {Gall- @d8!! (This brilliant retreat t h e long diagonal).
agher - Stevens, Hastings justifies all Black's pre- 12... f 67
1988) Black should now vious play, whilst also Black has t w o better
have played 15 ... QxhS, a s showing t h e g r e a t power of moves, though White has a
a f t e r 16 @gS? Q b d 7 17 ExhS t h e queen) 18 @xa8 @b6+ 19 fine position in any case:
Eg8+ he s t a n d s very well) Ef2 (19 &)hiQb7 20Qe3 @c6! (a) 12 ... Q d 7 occurred in
9 ... Q h S 10 g3! with t h e is a l s o terminal) 19 ... Qb7 Gallagher - Boudre, Paris
idea of meeting 10 ... f6 by 20 Qe3 @xe3 21 @xb7 g 3 22 1990, and White achieved a
11 0-0. x f l g f + 23 Exf2 &xeS 0-1 slight advantage a f t e r 13
9 0-0 Chernakov - Baluyev, Corr. Qxg4 (13 QbS a x e 5 14 de
White has tried o t h e r 1977/78. QcS+ IS @hl Qf2 16 Ed1
moves: (b) 9 QbS+. This move has looks risky b u t could be
(a) 9 Q c 3 i s b e s t met by 9 been frowned upon f o r over worth investigation by t h e
... @e7!. Here a r e a couple a century, b u t i t could well So, t h e queens a r e off reader) 13 ... Q b 6 14 Qe2
of examples from practice: b e White's best. The reason and White is a pawn down, Qxg4! 15 Qxg4 Qf6 16 Q f 3
(al) 10 @f2 (Against 10 for i t s bad reputation is b u t t h a t i s f a r from being Eae8 17 Efl! Q c 4 18 b3 Q e 3
QbS+, Glaskov gives 10 ... c6 t h e game Rosanes - And- the whole story. The t w o 19 Qxe3 f e 20 Qe2 Q e 4 21
11 d c b c 12 Q d S B e 6 13 Q c 7 + erssen, Breslau 1863, which d-pawns control a large a x e 4 Exe4 22 c4.
Qxc7 14 Q c 4 B e 7 15 Qxf7+ went 9 ... c6 10 d c b c 11 number of central squares (b) 12 ... QfS is often re-
B x f 7 16 Q x f 7 a s b e t t e r f o r Q x c 6 Q x c 6 12 Qxc6+ &)f8 13 and White's knight can only commended, b u t White has
Black) 10 ... QxeS 11 E e l Q x a 8 Q g 3 with a very be removed from i t s fine a t l e a s t t w o ways t o g e t a
Q d 7 12 QbS @xh4+ 13 @gl s t r o n g attack f o r Black. o u t p o s t by making serious good position:
0-0 14 d e g 3 15 B d 4 cS! 16 However, 11 Q x c 6 is ex- positional concessions. Al- (bl) 13 Qd3 QxeS (13 ...
d c b c 17 Qd3 (White dare tremely greedy. Instead, though Black has a f o u r t o Qxd3 14 Q x d 3 Q d 7 15 Q b S
n o t leave t h e fl-a6 diag- t h e game C a r t e r - Sarfati. one majority o n t h e king- E f e 8 16 Qd2 Q b 6 17 b3! is
onal) 17 ... Be8 18 b4 QxeS! Wellington 1985, saw 11Qc4! side, i t is rather s t a t i c and good f o r White) 14 Exes!
19 E x e s E x e s 20 B x e S Q g 4 and a f t e r 11 ... QxeS 12 d e the f4-pawn is very weak. (Alapin only considered 14
21 B c S Be8 22 Q e 4 Exe4! 23 @as+ 13 Q c 3 Q g 3 ? 14 @d6 ff this point falls, then d e with an equal game) 14
Qxe4 B h 2 + 24 @fl @hl+ 25 Q e 4 15 @d4 White had a Black's game will probably ... Qxd3 15 ExhS Qxc2 16
B g l Qe2+ and Black won, very good game. Black be in ruins. White will be EgS+ Qg6 17 x x g 4 Q a 6 18
Murey - Hebden, Paris 1988. should have played 13 ... able t o increase t h e press- Q x f 4 Bad8 19 a 3 with an
(a2) 10 0-0 QxeS 11 QbS+ 0-O!, leaving t h e situation ure by exchanging t h e bish- edge f o r White (Mikhal-
(11 d e loses a piece and 11 very unclear. op o n d6 ( h e 4 o r QbS), and chishin).
Q b S 0-0 12 d e a6! is good 9 ... Bxh4 then retreating t h e knight (b2) 13 Q e 4 Q x e 4 (In De
f o r Black (Keres)) 11 ... c6 12 This is a l m o s t univer- to d3. This position i s more La Villa - Izeta, Salamanca
d c b c 13 Q d S (an ingenious sally played, b u t s t r o n g e r favourable f o r White than 1990, Black tried 13 ... Q d 7
idea) 13 ... @xh4! 14 d e (14 is 9 ... 0-O! transposing t o t h e very similar one reach- b u t a f t e r I4 Qxd6 cd 15 Qd3
@el B x e l 15 n x e l f6 16 d e c b game 21. ed in Byrne - Keres (game Qxd3 16 Q x d 3 g f e 8 17 Q x f 4
17 Q c 7 + @f7 18 Q x a 8 Qa6 19 10 @el! Bxe1 81, where Black's bishop Q x f 4 18 Q x f 4 his pawns
a 4 b4 20 ef Ed8! is good f o r After 10 ... @e7, Keres h a s b e t t e r placed on g7 were firmly blockaded) 14
Black) 14 ... 0-0 15 Q x f 4 considers 11 @f2! a s good b u t of harm's way and ex- Exe4 f6 15 Qxg4 f5 16 Qh6+
Q x f 4 16 Q x f 4 cb! 17 B d S f o r White. &ting s o m e pressure o n @g7 17 Ee6 Ef6 18 Xxf6
2
A!
This i s a terrible con- a x e 4 f e 23 g3? Q x g 3 24

cession t o make, b u t there g x f 4 Qe2+.
w a s little choice. 22... Qf e8
1s Qxd3 fS 23 Qxe4 f e
Otherwise White will 24 g3!
play 15QfS. But now they can be
16 Q x d 6 c d blockaded. If 24 ... e3, then
17 Be7 pimply 25 gf.
Black can hardly move 24... f3
any of his pieces. 25 @f2 Qf6
17 ... aS 26 c 4 Qbd7
18 Qxb7 Q a 6 And now Black's knights
Glaskov a s s e s s e s this 19 a3 nae8 (64) are back in t h e game, b u t
position a s equal, b u t a t be is t o o much material
t h e very least Black has a down.
hard time in f r o n t of him, 27 Q f 4 Bc8
e.g. 19 ... Q g 7 20 c4 cS 21 28 b3 a4
b4!? c d (Lines like 21 ... b6 29 Qxd6 ab
22 d c bc 23 Qb2+ @g6 24 30 CS b2 9 0-0
Qxg7 o r 21 ... c b 22 cS leave 31 Qxb2 Q x d S The only alternative
White clearly better) 22 32 E x e 4 Q 7 f 6 worth considering is 9
Qb2 QeS! (If 22 ... Qxb4 23 33 QeS Qc3 Qxf4, although i t is certain-
Qxd4+ @g6 24 Q g 4 o r 22 ... 34 QgS+ @h8 ly of a dubious nature, e.g.
B g 6 23 Qg4! a r e very good 3s QeS! 9 ... Q h S and now:
f o r White) and now White Black has managed t o Offering Black a choice (a) 10 g 3 f6 11 Q d 3 Q x g 3
can repeat with 23 Q g 8 + , bring his queen's rook into 4f useless knight forks. 12 Qxg3 (12 Qgl could be a
b u t more enterprising i s 23 t h e game whilst White has 35 ... Qe4+ try t o keep t h e variation
g4!? and a f t e r 23 ... f g 24 been restoring t h e material 36 @e3 Qe8 alive) 12 ... Qxg3+ 13 @fl
Qfl. The position is very balance. The key factor 37 Qxf6+ Qxf6+ @e8 with advantage t o
hard t o judge, b u t I would now i s t h e rather tragic 38 QeS Qd8 Black, Pillsbury - Chigorin,
certainly t a k e t h e white placing of the black 39 @f4 Qf8 Vienna 1903.
pieces in a t e s t case. knights. 40 Be3 @g7 (b) 10 0-0. The only the-
13 Qd3 20 Qd2 Qb8 41 c6 Qe8 ory I've seen o n this posi-
With his careless twelfth 21 Qf1 42 QgS+ @h8 tion is a n incredibly in-
move, Black drove t h e 21 Qel is more accurate. 43 Qxg4 Qd6 accurate piece of analysis
knight t o i t s ideal square. 21 ... Qe4! 44 Q f 4 1-0 by Levenfish which runs 10
13 ... Qfs The only chance. ...Q x f 4 11 n x f 4 f6 12 n x g 4 +
14 Q b S 22 Qel!? Game 21 @ha! winning f o r Black.
White threatens 14 Q x c 7 Taking o n e 4 gives Black be La Villa - Am. Rodriguez However, a f t e r 13 Q g 6 + it is
a s well a s capturing t h e some counterplay a s White Bayamo 1991 White w h o wins a s 13 ... hg
bishop. is unable t o blockade the 14 Qxg6 leads t o mate. In-
14 ... Qxd3 pawns immediately, e.g. 22 s t e a d of 12 ... @ha, Black
6 8 Kieseritzky Gambit Kieseritzky Gambit 69
had t o play 12 ... Qxg4 even 10 Qxf4 transposes t o much trouble. Previously 12 to connect his rooks and
though a f t e r 13 @xg4+ @h8 the previous note. ... Q d 7 with t h e idea of hopes t h a t t h e advance of
14 Q f 3 White has good 10 ... uxh4 quickly transferring t h e his c-pawn might disturb
compensation f o r t h e ex- 11 ah2 knight t o g 4 had been Black's smooth progress.
' change. Up until now, this posi- played, b u t a f t e r 13 Qd2! As this plan doesn't really
Unfortunately, t h e o n e tion has been thought of as Q f 6 14 Q d f 3 @hS 15 EeS!, work out, White should
thing Levenfish appears to good f o r White. Of course. or 14 ... @h6 1s QeS, the look f o r a n improvement
have g o t right i s his con- Black has attacking chan- complications favour White. here, possibly 15 Q f l o r 15
clusion: Black i s winning, ces, b u t his structural By playing 12 ...QfS Black Qd2, b u t Black m u s t stand
b u t by playing 10 ... @xh4! problems were deemed to intends t o calmly develop well.
(66). be more important. As we
shall see, t h e play of Rod-
his pieces, whilst a t the IS ... Em8
same time ensuring t h a t his 16 c 4 Ee41
riguez c a s t s serious doubts knight will remain on d7 t o This s t r o n g move pre-
on t h a t assessment. hinder any White counter- vents 17 cS o n account of 17
11 Q e S is certainly not an play based on something to ... Efe8.
improvement: 11 ... &3 12 eS. 17 a d 2 Efe8
E e l f6 13 Q f 3 @hl+ 14 @f2 I should just mention 18 Qd3 Exel
Q e 4 + 15 a x e 4 @xdl 16 Qc3 t h a t t h e a t t e m p t t o mate 19 Qxel
@hi and White was a queen White by brute force is in- If 19 a x e l then 19 ... Qe2+
down in Hebden - Lima, sufficient: 12 ... f 3 13 Q x f 3 or 19 ... f 3 are dangerous.
Hastings 1988/89. @hi+ 14 @f2 Q e 4 + 15 @e3 19 ... Qxd3
11 ... Qg3! @h6+ 16 @d3 @g6 17 Exe4 20 wd3 Qe2+
At f i r s t I held o u t some Alapin considered the &fS 18 Q b d 2 Qe8 19 @c3! 21@fI Re31
hope f o r 11 Qh6, checking ...
position a f t e r 11 Ee8 12 a x e 4 20 a x e 4 e x e 4 21 @hi! There are still sufficient
variations such a s 11 ... Q c 3 a6 13 @f3 Q g 3 14 Qxf4 and White has some dan- pieces f o r a very strong
fixes 12 d e g 3 13 Ef3! u h 2 + Q x f l 15 Exfl to be in gerous attacking chances attack.
(13 ... @xc4? 14 Q x f 8 @xf8 White's favour. a s well a s a relatively safe 22 @dl Qf6
15 nxf7+! and White should 12 Eel (67) I
king (Pliester - Korning, 23 Q f 2 Qg3+
win) 14 @fl @hi+ 15 @e2 London 1983). 24 @gl Qe2+
@xg2+ 16 @e3 when t h e 13 Q d 2 The professional app-
outcome i s unclear. But the I White decides on the roach.
feeling t h a t I was trying to normal plan of bringing his 25 @fl &3+
defend a l o s t cause never knight t o f 3 in order to re- 26 @gl (68)
deserted me, and indeed inforce t h e kingside: 13 Qd3 26 ... Qg41
a f t e r H Qh6 t h e simple 11... Qd7 14 c 4 Eae8 o r 14 QxfS This forces White t o ex-
Ee8 seems decisive. There QxfS 15 Q f 3 WhS 16 c 4 E a e 8 change off into a bad end-
a r e numerous threats: 11 ... a r e b e t t e r f o r Black. ing as a f t e r 27 Qxe3 f e t h e
E x e s 12 d e QcS+; 11 ... Qg3; 13 ... Qd7 threat of ... Qe2+ o r ...
H ... g3; and 11 ... QxeS fall- 14 Q d f 3 @hS Q x h 2 followed by ... Qe2
...
owed by 12 g3. 12 ... QfSl 15 Qe2 gives Black a mating att-
9 ... QhS This is t h e new move
which causes White so
White tries to close t h e ack.
10 Q w 4 e-file until he has managed 27 &xg3 f g
70 K i e s e r i t z k y Gambit Kieseritzky Gambit 71
allow QfS. itional approach to t h e Ber- This s e e m s t h e m o s t log-
38 g f 1 Qg7 lin Defence t h a n 6 Qc4. ical. Black plans to dev-
39 g f 4 gd2! White i s happy to exchange elop his queenside a s quick-
Now t h e d-pawn can't b e his e-pawn f o r Black's f- ly a s possible and t h e n
defended ( 4 0 Q f S g d l + and pawn in o r d e r to obtain c a s t l e long.
... e2). White t r i e s a l a s t classic King's Gambit s t y l e 8 ... Qg7 has a l s o been
trick. compensation. seen quite frequently.
40 gg4+ Bf7 6 ... d6 White now has:
41 g f 4 + Bg8 This i s t h e normal move, (a) 9 Qc3?! (This occurred
42 g g 4 hS! b u t 6 ... dS t r a n s p o s e s to in t h e famous f i r s t encoun-
42 ... g x d 4 ? ? 43 gxg7+! game 17 and 6 ... Qg7 to t e r between Spassky and
28 Q x g 4 B x g 4 43 QxhS game 19. Fischer, Mar del Plata 1960).
Black i s in control of t h e If 43 g g 5 h4 is similar. 7 Qd3 After 9 ... Q x c 3 10 b c cS!
only open file and his bish- 43 ... Bd1+ Q x f 7 sacrifices never (nibbling a t t h e c e n t r e -
o p will become very active 44Bh2 e2 really work in t h e Kieserit- Fischer) 11 Qe2 cd 12 0-0
once i t arrives a t f4. 45 d6 cd zky, a s Black hasn't had to Q c 6 13 Q x g 4 0-0 14 Qxc8
29 gc1 46 cd el* w a s t e time o n h6. g x c 8 15 H g 4 fS ( o r 1.5 ...
29 U d 2 B e 4 30 g e l Qf4! 47 d7 @g1+ 7 ... axe4 B h 8 ) Black had t h e b e t t e r
illustrates t h e s t r e n g t h of 0-1 8 Qxf4 game.
Black's position. 8 B e 2 H e 7 9 Q x f 4 trans- (b) 9 c 3 H e 7 ( I t would be
29 ... @e4! Game 22
-
Hellers E r n s t
p o s e s back to t h e main dubious to c a s t l e s h o r t , for
lines, b u t by adopting t h i s example 9 ... 0-0 10Q d 2 a e 8
Centralisation.
30 H c 2 fS! Swedish C h 1985 move o r d e r White misses 11 a x e 4 g x e 4 + 12 B f 2 B f 6
31 H x e 4 f e o u t o n t h e chance to play 9 13 g 3 Qh6 14 &d2! with ad-
32 Q e S Qe2!? vantage to White) 10 He2
32 E e l i s refuted by 32 ... You may have been won- (10 Qe2!?) 10 ... hS 11 a d 2
dering what this classic Q x d 2 12 @xe7+ (12 @xd2!?)
compensation actually is? 12 ... a x e 7 13 B x d 2 and
33 CS The a n s w e r is Black's White has good play for
At l a s t White finds time dreadful pawn s t r u c t u r e o n t h e pawn.
to get t h i s advance in, b u t t h e kingside which will 9 He2
a f t e r ... make i t very difficult f o r This move has usually
33 ... Qf8 him to utilise his e x t r a been t h e automatic res-
...Qh6 - e 3 i s in t h e air. pawn. Meanwhile, White ponse here, but 9 Qe2 is
34 Q g 4 has s o m e fine o u t p o s t s certainly deserving of a t t -
After 34 Q c 4 bS! is (especially f4) and poten- ention. Due to t h e current
strong. tially s t r o n g pressure o n s t a t e of t h e main line (see
34 ... e3 t h e f-file. White i s a l s o n o t game 23) I have decided t o
bothered by a n exchange of examine this in s o m e detail.
35 Q f 6 + @f7
36 Q e 4 ExbZ queens a s this by n o means After 9 Qe2 Black h a s a
37 Qxg3 @g6! lessens t h e pressure. large number of replies, of
Of c o u r s e Black doesn't This i s a f a r more pos- 8 ... Be7 which t h e m o s t important
72 Kieseritzky Gambit Kieseritzky Cambit 73
a r e seen below: (a4) I t should also be White; 14 ... @e7 1S Q d 4 9 ... Qc6
(a) 9 ... hS. Black secures mentioned t h a t 13 ... g3 @h4 (IS ... Qg6!?) 16 Qxg3! 10 c3 QfS
his g-pawn once and f o r only serves to worsen t h e (White i s n o t obliged to 11 Qd2 Qxd2
all, b u t in doing so neglects black position. Either t h e repeat) 16 ... Qxg3 17 Q x f S For 11 ... 0-0-0 s e e game
his development. 10 Q d 2 simple 14 Q h 3 or 14 Qxg3 @hl+ 18 @f2 Qxfl and now 23.
(The knight o n e 4 i s imme- @xg3 1S a x e 4 @e3+ 16 @hl 19 @a4+ @d8 2 0 Qg4! looks 12 @xd2 @xe2+
diately challenged) 10 ... @xe4 17 QbS+ should win bone-crus hing. 13 a x e 2 (70)
QfS 11 0-O! (One of t h e main f o r White. (b2) 13 ... Q x d 2 14 @xd2
ideas behind 9 Qe2 is to (b) 9 ... Q c 6 10 c 3 (10 dS Qe7 1S g a e l Qd7?! 16 g3!
c a s t l e kingside, and o f t e n Q d 4 ) 10 ... QfS 11 dS (The @f6 (16 ... @h3 17 g f 2 or 16
t h i s has to b e done even a t natural move 11 Q d 2 fails ... @hS 17 g f 2 @g6 18 Q f l
t h e c o s t of a n o t h e r pawn) to 11 ... Qxc3! 12 b c Qxd3; 11 with t h e idea o f doubling
11 ... @xh4 (Black could 0-0 i s a l s o interesting, b u t
1 o n t h e e-line) 17 Qxg4! and
conceivably decline t h e I feel t h a t by playing 11 dS a s 17 ... Q x g 4 i s m e t by 18
o f f e r with 11 ... Q d 7 , b u t White reduces Black's op- lPgS! Black i s in deep
White can obtain good tions. For example, a f t e r 11 trouble.
chances with 12 a x e 4 Qxe4 0-0 @xh4 12 Q d 2 Black (c) 9 ... a f s 10 Q c ~ ! ? (10
13 @d2) 12 a x e 4 Qxe4 13 could consider giving back Q d 2 ? Qc6! causes White
Qf2!. White's lead in devel- o n e of his pawns with 12 ... problems with his d-pawn We have reached a n end-
o p m e n t a s s u r e s him of a 0-0-0, in o r d e r to reduce
I - 11 dS Q d 4 or 11 c 3 Qxc3. ing typical of t h e Kieserit-
powerful attack. Black's White's initiative) 11 ... Q b 8 10 c 3 can b e considered a s zky, with t h e sort of com-
f i r s t problem i s to find a (Other squares look worse. a n alternative to t h e t e x t ) pensation outlined above.
good r e t r e a t f o r t h e bishop: If 11 ... Q e S then 12 QxeS d e 10 ... Q x c 3 11 bc. This pos- White's rooks are now
(al) 13 ... Qc6 14 dS!? Qd7 13 Qxg4) 12 0-0 (12 Q d 2 still ition i s very similar t o t h e ready to occupy t h e t w o
1S @d4 g g 8 16 g 3 followed fails to 12 ... Qxc3!; how- Spassky - Fischer game (ex- open files.
by 17 g a e l l o o k s very men- ever, 12 @b3!? is a n alter- amined above in variation
acing . native a s 12 ... b6 13 Q d 2 'a' to Black's eighth move)
(a21 13 ... QfS 14 Qd3!? looks fine f o r White and 12 with t h e important differ-
(a31 13 ... Qg6 14 QbS+ c6 ... Qg3!? 13 Qxg3 Qxd3 14 ence t h a t Black has devel- 16 Qdl!
(14 ...Q d 7 i s more resilient) 0-0 Qxe2 1s g e l Qh6 16 @c2 oped his queen's bishop to White's bishop heads f o r
1S @d2!. Now t h e bishop (16 @xb7!? can b e investig- fS, r a t h e r t h a n his king's i t s m o s t attractive diag-
cannot b e taken: 1S ... c b 16 ated by t h e reader) 16 ... bishop to g7. This means onal, whilst simultaneously
QgS @g3 17 g a e l + and 18 0-0 17 g x e 2 @f6 (17 ... t h a t counter-attacking ag- unblocking t h e e-file f o r
g e 3 n e t s t h e queen, whilst @d7!?) 18 g e 4 @g6 19 @e2 ainst t h e c e n t r e with ... cS, t h e rook.
15 ... g 3 16 Q h 3 c b leads to a gives good compensation
f o r t h e pawn) 12 ... @xh4 13
as Fischer did, will b e l e s s 16 ... 'ad7
similar conclusion a f t e r 17 productive. Also t h e bishop 17 Qb3 gaf8
g a e l + @d7 18 QgS @g4 19 Q d 2 and now: o n fS could find itself in a n 18 QgS
g f 4 ; Black can try 1S ... @f6 (bl) 13 ... g 3 14 Q f 3 . exposed position after White i s willing to invest
b u t a f t e r 16 g a e l + @d7 17 Where does t h e queen go? White brings a rook to t h e s o m e time to force Black
lPgS @g7 18 Q a 4 h e will d o If 14 ... @hS then 1S @a4+ f-file. to advance his f-pawn,
well to survive t h e coming Q d 7 16 g a e l with t h e t h r e a t Practical t e s t s a r e await- thereby weakening e6.
onslaught. of Q d l l o o k s good f o r ed o n 9 Qe2. 18 ... f6
19 Q f 4 &6?! He knows where he is 56 Qf8+ @e7
Black l e t s t h e white going. 57 Bb8 @f6
pieces in without a ...
27 Qe7?! 58 @h4 e4?
struggle. 19 ... Q g 6 2 0 Qg3 27 ... a h 6 was more sen- After this, White has no
Qh6+ 21 @c2 Qxd3+ 22 @xd3 sible. After 28 Bxh6 Qxh6+ trouble containing the
is a l s o good f o r White; 29 @d3 @e7 30 Q e 4 a draw pawns. Better was 58 ...
Black had to wait and play seems very likely although Qc5, followed by pushing
something like 19 ... Be8. White might b e able to t h e d-pawn. White should
White then has a number create s o m e slight prob- still win, however.
of ideas (for example, 20 lems f o r Black by advanc- S9 Qg4+! @e7
E f 2 to prepare t h e doubling ing his queenside pawns. 6 0 Qe3 EcS
of rooks o r 2 0 &3!? 28 Q e 4
29 b 4
@e8 38 ... Bf3 61 @g4 dS
threatening Bxe7+) b u t it's @d7 38 ... @d8 39 Bh8+ wins 62 afS+ @d7
n o t clear if they will be 30 Bg6 c6 a t least a pawn. 63 @f4 @c7
s t r o n g enough to break 31 E g 7 Ef8 39 a x h S ab3 6 4 aa8 b4
down t h e black position. Black realises t h a t he 4 0 Qh7 Bxb6 65 Qal @b6
20 Qe6+ @d8 cannot leave his rook pass- 41 Qf6+ @d8 66 g 4 EcZ
21 dS?! ively on h 8 f o r ever, so he 42 Q x g 4 67 Qe3 Ed2
21 Qe3, with t h e idea of switches to t h e fS-square, Black has managed to 6 8 gS @bs
Q f 4 , was a n interesting from where he might have activate his rook, b u t 69 g6 QfZ+
alternative. The t e x t un- a chance of active counter- White has won back his 70 @eS Qf8
necessarily weakens eS. play one day. pawn and his kingside 71 O d S b3
n ... Qf7 32 Qh7 cd pawns a r e about to s t a r t 72 @xe4 @cS
22 c 4 &6 33 cd Bfs marching. 73 Qc1+ -6
23 g3 Qxe6 34 a4!
Although Black is tied
42 ... Qb2+ 74 Q f 4 Qe8+
24 g x e 6 Q e S 43@f3 bs 75 @fS EeS+
25 QxeS! f e down on t h e kingside, 4 4 hS Qb3+ 76 @f6 Qe4
26 g x f 8 + Qxf8 White will be unable to win 4 s @g2 Qb2+ 77 Qd1+ @cS
With s o m e exchanges without opening another 46 @h3 Qbl 7 8 Qe6+ @b4
Black has relieved m o s t of f r o n t which will make his 47 h6 fif8 79 g7 Qg4
t h e pressure from his posi- greater mobility tell. 4 8 Qh8 @e7 80 Q g S Qf4+
tion, b u t he is still l e f t ...
34 a6 49 h7 !a7 81 @eS 1-0
with t h e inferior minor 35 bS ab SO ag8 Ehl+
piece and weak king side 36 ab @d8? s1 Qh2 @f7 Game 23
pawns. On t h e o t h e r hand, 36 ... b6! would have
offered drawing chances.
52 h8=Q Q x h 8 -
D. Holmes Hebden
he does still have a n e x t r a 53 Qxh8 Qdl British Championship,
pawn, which should be 37 b6! (71) S4 Eb8 ExdS Plymouth 1989
enough to hold t h e balance. Black is beginning to run ss @g4?!
26 ... g x f 8 27 Qg6 Qf7 28 o u t of space. I t would have been bet-
@e3 intending @e4 would ...
37 @d7 t e r to play 55 @h4, leaving
have given White good play. 38 @e2 t h e g-pawn's route free.
27 Q f 2 Zugzwang. ss ... @f6
S QeS 436 mate. An absolute scandal! 0-1 Hajek - Bures, Corr. (d) 13 a x e 4 (This is rela-
6 d4 d6 Instead of 13 Qc4?! 1962. tively best) 13 ... B x e 4 14
7 Qd3 m e 4 White can play 13 dS. After (b) 13 dS?. Glaskov and Es- e x e 4 Qxe4 IS Q f 2 fS and i t
8 @e2 Be7 13 ... Q x d 2 14 B x d 2 (14 d c trin considered this to lead will b e very difficult f o r
9 Qxf4 Q c 6 e x e 2 IS Qxe2 Q e 4 is fine to a good game f o r Black Black to convert his mate-
10 ~3 Qfs f o r Black) 14 ... Q e S 1s e f 2 a f t e r 13 ... Q x d 2 14 e x d 2 rial advantage into a full
U ad2 0-0-0 (IS Qb4!? deserves atten- Q e S IS QxeS d e 16 @f2 e d 7 . point.
12 0-0-0 tion) IS ... Qxd3+ 16 Qxd3 This is a very s t r a n g e ass- 13 ... @e6!
Bangiev considers t h a t 12 Qxd3 17 g x d 3 @b8 18 QgS essment a s a f t e r 17 e x a 7 This attack o n a2 proves
a x e 4 e x e 4 13 @d2 deserves f6 19 g e 3 (19 g e l e d 7 is Qh6+ (17 ... e x d S 18 Qf4!) 18 rather embarrassing as 14
atten tion. about equal) 19 ... @d7 (19 @bl e x d S 19 @al! Black is in @bl fails to 14 ... Qxd2+ IS
12 ... ge8 (721 ... e f 7 20 g e 6 with good deep trouble. 19 ... e 4 is met Qxd2 e x e 2 16 Qxe2 gxe2.
12 ... Qg7 is an alterna- compensation f o r t h e pawn) by 20 e a 8 + @d7 21 QcS+! 14 a3
tive, with t h e idea of bring- 20 Qxf6 Qxf6 (20 ... g h f 8 21 and 19 ... c 6 20 Qe2 e d 6 21 14 a x e 4 e x a 2 .
ing t h e king's rook to e8. g e 6 ) 21 @xf6 g h f 8 22 @gS Qf2!? @c7 (21 ... @b8 22 14 ...
Gallagher - Bachmayr, Zug (22 @e6) 22 ... g f 2 23 g e 7 e a 4 ) 22 Q x g 4 Q x g 4 23 White is suddenly in all
1991 continued: 13 Qc4?! hS! e b S 24 ge2! g f f 8 2 s g h e l Q x g 4 Q f 4 (23 ...Qg7 2 4 Q e 3 s o r t s of trouble.
14 g e l g h e 8 1s @c2?! e d 7 16 with an edge f o r White. Of is good f o r White) 24 Q f 6 1s 1 hS
g 3 Qxd4! 17 c d Q x d 4 18 @dl course there may be im- Ed8 25 Qd7!! g x d 7 26 e a 8 + This move emphasises
@c6 (Black has tremendous provements f o r either side @b8 27 e x b 8 + @xb8 28 White's helplessness, b u t
compensation f o r t h e piece) a s this analysis is untested. g x d 7 with a winning ending t h e immediate IS ... Qg7
19 Q b 4 @cS 20 Qe3 @xb4 21 f o r White. was probably more precise.
Qxd4 Q x g 3 22 a x e 8 g x e 8 Unfortunately, a f t e r do- 16 g3 a 7
23 a 3 @el 24 g g l Q x f l 2s ing this analysis t h e t r u t h 17 Xh2 Qxc31
g x f l @e4! 26 Q e 3 ? @bl+ 27 was discovered. White does This neat sacrifice ends
@d2 @d3+ 28 @el (28 @cl indeed lose, and very quick- t h e game.
gxe3) 28 ... cS (28 ... gxe3+ ly. If you have read 'a' you 18 bc @xa3+
wins easily) 29 @a4 (Up to should have no problem 19 @c2
this point, my opponent working o u t t h e solution: 19 @bl g x e l 2 0 B x e l B x c 3
had played a fantastic 13 ... Qxc3! 14 @xe7 Qxa2+ wins.
game, b u t fortunately f o r IS @bl a x e 7 16 @xa2 Q x d S 19 ... Qxd4
m e he had l e s s than a min- and White m u s t lose a 20 @a1
u t e to reach move 40) 29 ... 13 gel?! piece, leaving him a t least If 20 cd Q b 4 + 21 @bl Exel
@e4? (29 ... Qd7! wins a t This i s just one of sever- three pawns behind. 22 @xel e a 2 + 23 @cl &c2 is
once) 30 nf4! @e6 31 @d2 al mistakes White can make (c) 13 Q c 4 i s well m e t by mate. Now, it's almost a s
c d 32 @xd4 Q e 4 33 @xa7 (I in this position. For ex- 13 ... e d 7 14 Q e 3 hS when strong.
began to have s o m e hope) ample: White does n o t have 20 ... Qb4+
33 ... Qc6 3 4 Qc4! (The b e s t (a) 13 g3? (13 @e3? meets enough f o r t h e pawn. 0-1
move under t h e circum- a similar accident) 13 ...
stances) 34 ... @el+ 35 @c2 Qxc3! 14 @xe7 Qxa2+ 1s
@e6?! 36 @c3! g3? 37 nxf7! @bl n x e 7 16 @xa2 Qxd3 17
@el+ 38 @b3 @e6 39 @a8 Qxd3 Q b 4 + 18 @b3 Q x d 3
Modern Defence 79
different s o r t of game, b u t 7 a d 3 is a l s o interesting.
one in which he will have to
be careful to avoid being
steam-rollered by t h e white
4) Modern Defence centre.
Apart from 4 ... Q f 6 (the
subject of subsequent
games), there a r e a number
of o t h e r rarely played al-
1 e4 eS fied White often maintains ternatives:
2 f4 ef a slight, b u t persistent ad- (a) 4 ... @xdS (This can't
3 Qf3 dS (73) vantage. This can usually be good) S Q c 3 @e6+ (Other
be attributed to t h e extra queen moves a r e no better, s Qc3
73 central pawn in his poss- e.g. S ... @hS 6 a e 2 ; o r S ... Spassky has a liking f o r
w ession, or to t h e activity of @a5 6 a c 4 Q f 6 7 @e2+ a e 7 an early Q c 3 in many lines
his major pieces o n t h e 8 d4; S ... &d8!?) 6 a e 2 a d 6 of t h e King's Gambit, b u t
open files of t h e kingside. 7 0-0 Q e 7 8 d 4 0-0 9 Q g S here i t only serves to limit
After 4 ed Q f 6 , I have with a clear advantage to White's options by blocking
selected t w o of t h e m o s t White. t h e c-pawn.
interesting lines for White (b) 4 ... a e 7 S a c 4 (or S After t h e natural S d4,
( a t least in my opinion): S &bS+ c6 6 d c b c 7 a c 4 a h 4 + Black normally chooses
a c 4 and S abS+. The latter 8 @ f l with a good game f o r from S ... Q f 6 o r S ... Qe7:
i s normally regarded a s t h e White) S ...ah 4+ 6 @fl. This (a) S ... Q f 6 6 c 4 (Against
Black makes no a t t e m p t main line, b u t recently position could a l s o be 6 @e2+ Black should play 6
to keep t h e gambit pawn Black has been finding life reached via t h e Cunning- ... ae7!. I t would then be
and concentrates o n open- more difficult against S ham. I t seems to me t h a t dangerous for White to try
ing lines f o r his pieces and a c 4 . Let's have a look a t Black h a s wasted too much and win a pawn a s Black
joining in t h e battle f o r t h e some games. time. The game Blaess - can create awkward threats
initiative. Schoppmeyer, Bundesliga on t h e e-file, e.g. 7 c4 0-0
As a King's Gambit Game 24 1986/87, continued: 6 ... a f 6 8 a x f 4 g e 8 9 Q c 3 a d 6 10
player, you should make -
Spassky Bronsteln 7 d 4 Q e 7 8 Q c 3 0-0 9 a x f 4 Q e S cs!) 6 ... 0-0 (6 ... Q g 4 7
s u r e t h a t you a r e thorough-
ly acquainted with t h e lines
Leningrad 1960 I) bS 10 Q x b S &a6 11 d6! c d 12 a d 3 0-0 8 0-0 and White's
a 4 and Black has no com- central pawns a r e strong).
arising from t h e Modern 1 e4 eS pensation f o r t h e pawn. In this position, 7 Q e S is
Defence, n o t least because 2 f4 ef (c) 4 ... c6 S d 4 a d 6 (After normally recommended,
i t has been recommended 3 Qf3 dS S ... cd 6 a x f 4 White's fa- b u t with t h e r e s t of his
by several publications a s a 4 ed a d 6 (74) vourable pawn s t r u c t u r e pieces still a t home, this
'
simple way to equalise ag- Normally in this varia- will guarantee a slight ad- knight foray looks premat-
ainst t h e King's Gambit. tion, Black captures t h e vantage). Now 6 Q c 3 leads ure, e.g. 7 ... g e 8 8 a x f 4
But of course this i s n o t pawn on dS and White t h e to t h e Nimzowitsch Coun- Q b d 7 9 a e 2 (9 @e2 Q x e S 10
t h e case, even when t h e one on f4. With 4 ... a d 6 , ter-Gambit (which we con- d e Q g 4 ) 9 ... Q x e S 10 d e
position becomes simpli- however, Black intends a sider later), b u t 6 d c Q x c 6 a x e 5 11 a x e 5 (or 11 0-0
80 Modern Defence Modern Defence 81
Qxb2) 11 ... E x e s 12 0-0 @e7 Preparing t h e advance of remove t h e lone intruder
13 Q c 3 @cS+ 14 @hl Qd7 and t h e c-pawn. with 15 ... Qxd6. After 16
Black c o n t r o l s t h e dark 9 ... QxdS @h7+ @f8 17 cd ef-*+ 18
squares and t h e e-file. 10 c 4 Qe3 g x f l cd 19 @h8+ @e7 20 Game 25
Instead of 7 QeS, 7 Qe2 11 Qxe3 f e g e l + QeS 21 @xg7 E g 8 22 -
Gallagher Ferretti
looks better. After 7 ... Be8 12 cs Qe7 e x h 6 @b6 23 @hl Qe6 24 d e Chlasso 1991
8 0-0 cS 9 Q c 3 (9 b4!?) 9 ... 13 Qc2! dS; White has s o m e play
Q g 4 10 @hl White has t h e This s t r o n g move is t h e f o r t h e exchange, b u t t h e
b e t t e r chances. point behind White's play. outcome is f a r from clear.
(b) S ... Q e 7 6 c 4 Q g 6 7 If instead 13 @e2, then 13 ... 16 &d7!
Qe2!? (7 Q d 3 0-0 8 0-0 CS 9 Q f 6 gives Black satisfac- This m u s t have been t h e
b 4 b6 10 b c bc 11 Q c 3 Q g 4 tory play, e.g. 14 @xe3 Q d S reason t h a t Spassky could
Hebden - Johansen, London n o t r e s i s t t h e risky com-
1982, and now 12 Qxg6!? f g bination.
13 Q e 4 is a recommenda-
-
13 ... Re8 16 ... ef=@+

tion of Bangiev's) 7 ... 0-0 8 Black vacates f 8 f o r his 17 Exf1 QfS
0-0 b6 9 Q c 3 c6 10 d c Q x c 6 knight. 17 ... @xf7 18 QeS++ @g8
11 Q b S Qe7 12 dS QcS+ 13 14 @d3 e2 (751 19 @h7+! Qxh7 20 Qb3+ @h8
@hl a c e 7 14 Q f d 4 a6 15 Q c 3 21 &6 m a t e is why Black
a d 6 16 Q e 4 QeS 17 Q f 3 Q b 8 can't t a k e t h e knight. 17 ...
18 b 4 with a clear advan- @dS is another try, b u t 18
t a g e t o White in Gallagher a b 3 is very s t r o n g , e.g. 18
- Boulard, Paris 1990. ... @hS 19 Q x h 6 + @h8 20
S ... Qe7 Qf7+ @g8 21 QgS+ a h 8 22
a f 7 ! and wins. 18 ... @xf7
S QbS+ will be seen in
S ... Q f 6 6 Q c 4 trans- games 29-31.
poses t o t h e notes of game doesn't save Black either: Although S Q c 4 is less
26. 19 Qxf7+ @xf7 20 @c4+ a g 6 forcing than S QbS+, i t cer-
6 d4 *O 21 @g8 and Black is de- tainly doesn't contain less
7 Qd3 Qd7 fenceless. venom. White calmly deve-
8 *O h63 IS a d s ! ? After 17 ... QfS White has lops his bishop, anticipa-
This move i s a serious Whilst probably n o t t h e only a minimal material ting t h e opening of t h e a2-
w a s t e of time and serves s t r o n g e s t move in t h e po- deficit, b u t his a t t a c k is g 8 diagonal a f t e r S ... Q x d S
merely t o weaken t h e king- sition (1.5 Rf2 gave White still raging. (games 27-28). In this game,
side. Spassky demonstrated t h e b e t t e r game with no 18 @xfS @d7 however, we shall be exam-
t w o ways f o r Black t o ach- risk), i t certainly came a s a 19 @f4 Qf6 ining various alternatives
ieve rough equality: shock f o r his opponent, 20 Q3eS @e7 f o r Black a p a r t from S ...
(a) 8 ... Q f 6 9 Q e S QexdS who was already s h o r t of If 20 ... QxeS, 21 a x e s Qd6, which is game 26.
10 Q x d S Q x d S 11Q x f 4 Q x f 4 time. e e 7 22 @e4! is very strong. S ... Qbd7
12 E x f 4 @gS; 15... Q f83 21 Qb3 Black borrows a plan
(b) 8 ... Q g 6 9 Q e 4 Q f 6 And immediately Bron- Black has disastrous from t h e Caro-Kann Panov
10 Q x d 6 e x d 6 11 c 4 Qg4. stein makes a decisive mis- white squares. Attack, b u t he will s o o n
9 he41 take. It was essential t o 21 ... QxeS realise t h a t White has a
82 Modern Defence Modern Defence 8 3
c-pawn (instead of just 17 gael?!
doubled isolated d-pawns). This extremely natural
Another dubious move i s S move gives Black a chance
... @e7+ which is answered to complicate. Instead, 17
by 6 Qe2! leaving t h e black Q e S would have l e f t White
queen very badly placed. a pawn up f o r nothing.
The game Gallagher - Orlov, 17 ... Exel
Royan 1988, continued: 6 ... 18 Exel cS!
Q x d S 7 0-0 @f6 8 c 4 Q e 7 9 19 QgS!
d 4 cS? (I m u s t admit t h a t The main point is t h a t
around a b o u t here I was a f t e r 19 dS Black plays 19 ...
finding i t hard to believe play c4. After 10 Q c 3 @xe2+ QfxdS! 2 0 c d c 4 with good was to try and survive t h e
my opponent's 2400 rating) 11a x e 2 Q f 6 (or 11 ... Qd6 12 drawing chances. With 19 coming onslaught. I think I
10 Q c 3 c d 11 Q x d 4 Q g 6 12 Q e 4 with a n edge) 12 Q x f 4 QgS, White gives back t h e would have preferred 24 ...
a d 5 @d8 13 E e l QcS 14 Qf3+ Q b x d S 13 Q x d S Q x d S 14 pawn b u t seriously weak- as, although 25 g x d 4 leaves
Qe6 15 b 4 Qb6 16 cS 0-0 17 Qg3, White has preserved a e n s t h e black kingside. White a pawn up.
Q x f 4 and Black l o s t o n slight advantage. 19 ... cd 25 g x h 6 Qxd2
time (fortunately). For t h e more adventu- 20 Qxf6 gf 26 a d 2 @e6
6 d4 Qb6 rous, 9 Q e S i s a l s o worth 2l Ee4! Black had to meet t h e
6 ... Qd6 occurred in t h e looking a t . White i s n o t interested t h r e a t s of @h7+, @h8+ and
game Hebden - Boudre, Le 9 Qxd7+ @xd7 in entering i n t o s o m e @xf6+.
Touquet 1987, which con- 10 c4! cross-pins by capturing o n 27 Q e 4 @g7
tinued: 7 0-0 0-0 8 Q b 3 bS White's pawns a r e secure d4. 2 8 Qh7+ @g8
(otherwise 9 c4) 9 Q c 3 a6 and s t r o n g , whilst t h e r e is 21 ... @c8 After 28 ...@xh7 29 QgS+
10 a 4 b 4 11 Q e 2 Q b 6 12 nothing Black can d o to The only move a s Black @g7 30 Qxe6+ fe, White
Q x f 4 Qb7 13 Q e S Q b x d S 14 save his f-pawn. had to m e e t t h e t h r e a t of wins with 31 @a3!. Well, he
Q f d 3 Q d 7 15 @g4 Q S f 6 16 10 ... 0-0 g x d 4 whilst keeping g 4 saw through t h a t one, so
@h4 QxeS?! (Black's posi- 11 0-0 cs covered. it's over to 'plan B'.
tion was already difficult, 11 ... g e 8 i s answered by 22 g h 4 h6 29 g h 6 @g7
b u t a f t e r t h e coming ex- 12 @d3 and 11 ... c6 loses to 23 Q b d 2 30 g x f 6 @g4
changes his queenside will 12 d6! I s p e n t s o m e time con- This loses a t once. 30 ...
b e too weak) 17 d e Q e 4 18 12 dc6 bc sidering 23 cS, b u t a f t e r 23 @eS caused me s o m e con-
@xd8 g a x d 8 19 Q e 3 a s ? 20 13 Q x f 4 g f e 8 ... Qa4! couldn't s e e a way cern, until I found t h e fol-
e6 f e 21 Qxe6+ 1-0. 14 @d3 QcS to a clear advantage. lowing variation: 31 @f3 d 3
7 QbS+ Q d 7 Obviously Black has to 23 ... Q a 4 (78) 32 g x f 7 + @g8 33 Q f 6 + @xf7
8 @e2+ (77) seek s o m e s o r t of compli- 2 4 b4! 3 4 Q g 4 + @e6 35 a x e 5 d2
In o r d e r to cover t h e c4- cations. White m e e t s t h e t h r e a t s (35 ... a x e 5 i s b e t t e r b u t
square. 15 Qbd2! of ...Q x b 2 and ...QcS. White will win) 36 @f7+!
8 ... Qe77 From b 3 t h e knight will 24 ... Qxb471 @d6 37 @dS+ @c7 38 @c6+
Black had to play 8 ... take t h e pressure off d4. Black came to t h e con- @b8 39 Q d 7 + g x d 7 4 0 @xd7
@e7, and a f t e r 9 Qxd7+, 9 ... 15 ... gad8 clusion t h a t he was l o s t and t h e pawn is stopped.
Q f x d 7 so t h a t White can't 16 Qb3 Qf8 and decided his b e s t chance 31 gf3! Qb27
8 4 Modern Defence
Modern Defence 85
(c) 7 ... Q g 4 8 d 4 Q b d 7 9 Qe4! 0-0 13 Q e g S QxgS 14 QxeS and if Black plays ...
@d3 QhS (9 ... g e 8 10 Qb3 Q x g S g e 8 1S @d3 (1s @hS Qbd7 he has t o contend
QhS 11 Q g S Qg6 12 @f3 is w a s a l s o s t r o n g a s 1s ... h6 with Qc6. Meanwhile, t h e
Game 26 b e t t e r f o r White; 9 ... Q b 6 loses t o 16 QeS hg 17 @xgS f-pawn is under attack.
-
Gallagher Metzger 10 Q b 3 transposes t o 'b') 10 f6 18 Bxf6!) 1s ... QfS? (The 11 ... QU
Lenk 1989 Q g S &6 11 @h3 h6 12 Qe6! l a s t chance w a s 1s ... g6) 11 ... gS 12 h4.
f e 13 d e @h8 14 ed Q x d 7 (79).
(Heuer - Uusi, Tallinn 1964)
12 0-0 f6
1 e4 eS
2 f4 ef 1S Qd3! with a good game 13 Q c 6 + @f7
Taking o n c6 would lib-
3 Qf3 dS f o r White.
4 ed Qf6 6 ... @e7
e r a t e White's queenside
pieces - a long diagonal f o r
S Qc4 Qd6 Black has been known t o
t h e bishop and a beautiful
This move i s slightly ill- give up t h e right t o c a s t l e
o u t p o s t o n dS f o r t h e
ogical a s White's dS-pawn in this position with 6 ...
knight.
should b e s t r o n g e r than @f8. After 7 d 4 Q g 4 8 Q c 3
a6 I found t h e wrong plan
14 Qd2 Be8
Black's f4-pawn. 1s Bae1 Qd7
6 @e2+ in t h e game Gallagher -
16 a4!
Black's main chances lie Cladouras, Luxembourg
White w a n t s t o lure t h e
in s o m e s o r t of kingside 1989, which continued 9 16 @b3 Be7 17 Qd6 Qe6 (17 black pawn to b 4 s o t h a t he
attack, therefore White 0-O? Q b d 7 10 a 4 h6 11 Qd2 ... E d 7 l o s e s t o 18 Qb4) 18 can play c 4 and create a
o f f e r s t o exchange queens. gS 12 x a e l @g7 13 @d3 xe8 Q x e 6 Bxe6 19 @xe6! 1-0. mobile pawn mass.
6 Q c 3 i s a n interesting 14 Bxe8 @xe8 1s E e l and a
alternative, e.g. 6 ... 0-0 7 draw w a s agreed.
7 @xe7+ 16 ... b4
7 Q c 3 i s a l s o possible. 17 a d 1 aS
0-0 and now Black has sev- Much b e t t e r would have Hebden - Lein, New York
been 9 Qd2 followed by
18 Bxe8 @xe8
eral ways to try and com- 1983 continued 7 ... a6 8
castling long, which would 19 c4 Qb8
plete his developement: $xe7+ (8QeS!?) 8 ... @xe7 9 Black i s in a desperate
(a) 7 ... c6 8 d 4 cd (8 ... enable White t o a t t a c k o n 0-0 B e 8 10 d 4 bS 11 Q b 3 s t a t e with his knight and
&4 should b e m e t by 9 t h e kingside. Qbd7, and now 12 Q g S rook tied down defending
@d3 with ideas of QeS; 8 ... 6 ... Qe7 w a s played ag- would have given White t h e weak pawns.
bS is dubious, e.g. 9 Q d 3 c d ainst me in t h e game Gall- b e t t e r game. 20 gel+ @d7
10 Q x b S Q c 6 11 Q x d 6 @xd6 agher - Chudinovski, Lenk
12 QeS! Q x e S 13 Qxf4! with 1991. Play continued 7 d4!?
7 ... axe7 a cs Q f 8 (80)
8 d4 Qfs
advantage to White) 9 (7 Q c 3 could well be b e s t , 9 Qb3 bS?! \
QxdS! Qe6 10 Q x f 6 + H x f 6 b u t I w a s hoping t o s t e e r Naturally, Black i s worr-
and, according to ECO, 11 t h e game i n t o familiar lines ied a b o u t White playing c4,
Qe2 gives White t h e edge. with an e x t r a tempo) 7 ... but ... bS seriously weakens
(b) 7 ... Q b d 7 8 d 4 Q b 6 9 Q x d S 8 QxdS @xdS 9 Q x f 4 t h e queenside.
Q b 3 &4 10 @d3 aS 11 a 3 a 4 c6 (9 ... @d8? 10 @eS!) 10 10 Qc3 a6
12 fPa2 Q x f 3 13 @xf3 with a 0-0 (10 Q c 3 @e6!) 10 ... Qe6 11 Q e S
good game f o r White, 11 Q c 3 @as? ( I t w a s b e t t e r This i s a beautiful s q u a r e
Spielmann - Fahrni, Baden t o play 11 ... H d 8 in order t o f o r t h e knight. Of c o u r s e i t
1914. defend his bishop o n e7) 12 i s unthinkable to play ...
8 6 Modern Defence Modern Defence 87
22 QxaS!? 3 Qf3 dS Q x f 7 ) IS Q x f 4 0-0-0 16 Qg3 a s s a u l t on t h e black king.
This l i t t l e combination is 4 ed Q f6 e h 3 17 Qxc6 n x g 3 18 Q x e 7 + If now 14 ... B x b 2 IS Qc3!)
n o t strictly necessary, b u t S Qc4 Q x d S (81) @b8 19 @f2 with a clear 14 ... Q d 7 IS Q c 3 B c S 16 E h 3
i t d o e s lead to an endgame advantage f o r White (Glas- g6 17 Qxg6 f g 18 Be6+ E f 7
where White's queenside kov). 19 Exh7! and White wins.
pawn majority will be de- 6 ... Qe7 (c) 9 ...a c6!. White seems
cisive. The main alternative, 6 ... to have nothing b e t t e r than
22 ... Bxas Qe6, will b e seen in g a m e 10 QxdS QxdS 11 Q x d S e x d S
23 Q x b 4 ga8 28. 12 Q x f 4 Qd6! 13 Qxd6 (13
24 c6+ Qxc6 7 d4 c4? Q x d 4 ) 13 ... @xd6 14 c 3
25 dc+ @xc6 Again White should con- with only t h e slightest of
26 Qxf8 Exf8 sider taking o n dS: 7 QxdS edges.
27 Qc3! e x d S 8 d 4 0-0 9 Q x f 4 and 8 QxdS @xdS
White threatens to we have transposed to t h e 9 Q x f 4 (82)
transfer his bishop to t h e Black's m o s t popular text. However, Black d o e s
long diagonal, a f t e r which choice. have t h e e x t r a possibility
his a-pawn will become t h e 6 0-0 of 8 ... gS!?
s t a r of t h e show. Mean- I t i s quite possible t h a t 7 ... 0-0
while, Black's knight on hS White can achieve a n edge Black can a l s o play 7 ...
continues to look r a t h e r with t h e na'ive-looking 6 Qe6. Plans with Q b 3 and c 4
sad. QxdS B x d S 7 Qc3. Black a r e n o t so effective when
27 ... has a number of squares White h a s already played
If 27 ... E d 8 t h e n 28 Q d l f o r his queen: d 4 as Black will b e a b l e to
i s strong. (a) 7 ... @hS 8 d 4 Qd6 9 answer c 4 with Q e 3 . 8 @e2
2 8 QdS+ @d7 we2+ @d8 10 Q e S (10 0-O!?) looks b e s t and a f t e r 8 ...
29 Q f 3 g6 and White had t h e advan- 0-0 9 Q c 3 Black has several 9 ... cs3
30 Qd3 t a g e in Leonhardt - Szekely. moves: I t i s natural f o r Black to
31 Q a 4 Qc4 Abbazia 1912. (a) 9 ... Q x c 3 10 bc Q x c 4 w a n t to open t h e c e n t r e f o r
32 a4 1-0 (b) 7 ... B d 8 8 d 4 Qd6 9 11 w x c 4 Qd6 12 wbS b6 13 his two bishops, b u t
@e2+ @e7 10 @xe7+ @xe7 11 &S! with a good g a m e f o r White's lead in develop-
Game 27 QdS+ and White has a pro- White. ment will prove too much
-
Gallagher Balashov mising ending. (b) 9 ... c6 10 Q x d S Qxd? to cope with.
Lenk 1991 (c) 7 ... @fS 8 @e2+ Qe7 9 11 Qd3! (This is Glaskov's In t h e game Bangiev -
d 4 c6 (9 ... Qe6 10 dS! QxdS improvement o n t h e o l d 11 Aleksandrov, Minsk 1987,
(One might b e forgiven 11 Q d 4 w d 7 12 Q x f 4 0-0 13 a x d 5 cd 12 Q x f 4 with rough Black played 9 ... c6, b u t
f o r thinking t h a t Lenk i s a 0-0-0 i s dangerous f o r equality. I should just men- a f t e r 10 Q c 3 @hS 11 wd2 h6
modern day t h e m e tourna- Black) 10 0-0 (also good is tion t h a t 10 ... c d is n o t so 12 gael Qe6 13 Q e S g e 8 14
ment f o r t h i s variation, b u t 10 dS!? cd 11 Q d 4 ) 10 ... Qe6 good a s Black remains with Q e 4 a d 7 IS Q g 3 B h 4 16
I a s s u r e you i t is just a nor- 11Q e S g 5 12 g 3 g g 8 ( o r 12 ... t h e bad bishop) 11 ... Q x f 3 Qg6! f g 17 Exe6 White had
mal international open!) Q d 7 13 gf g 4 14 Q e 4 ) 13 gf 12 g x f 3 w x d 4 + 13 @hl Qd6 clearly t h e b e t t e r chances.
1 e4 eS g f + 14 a h 1 Q d 7 (14 ... Q b 4 14 QdZ! (White's bishops Maybe 9 ... B d 8 is Black's
2 f4 ef IS gxf4! w h 3 16 g f 3 B h S 17 a r e lining up f o r a direct b e s t , b u t White has t h e
freer game. 13 ... @e6. After 14 a x f 8 @e4+ @g7 21 @g4+ and @d8+ with a draw by per-
10 Qc3 @c4 @xel 15 g a x e l @xf8 16 mate; 17 ... @xd4 18 Q f 6 + gf petual. If Black tries to win
This suspicious-looking Q x d 4 cd 17 Q b S Q c 6 18 Q c 7 19 g e 8 + @h7 2 0 @g3 mating; with 2 0 ... @h8, White g e t s
move i s virtually forced a s he resigned (Gallagher - 17 ... g x d 4 i s a little a very s t r o n g attack, e.g. 21
any o t h e r queen move (ap- Morris, Hastings 1990/91). tougher b u t 18 Q f 6 + i s QgS h6 22 Q f 7 + @h7 23
art f r o m t h e horrible ... 13 ... Ed8 (83) again good: 18 ... gf 19 g e 8 + @e4+ @g8 24 g f l &cS 25
@fS) would allow 11 dS with @h7 2 0 @xf6 @xfl+ 21 @xfl Qxh6+.
a marked positional super- Be6 22 h3 @g7 and now 23 (a32) 16 Q x d 6 @xd6 and
iority. @el! i s very s t r o n g . White has several tries:
11 @ell (a22) 16 ... f6. If you've (a321) 17 Q g 5 @g6! and
The main idea behind t h i s studied t h e above variat- now b o t h 18 g x f 7 (18 Q x f 7
'creeping' queen move i s to ions, t h e f i r s t move s h o u l d a f 6 ) 18 ...Q c 6 19 c 3 (19 g a f l
defend t h e knight o n c3, be obvious: 17 Qxf6+! gf 18 a e 6 ) 19 ... a f 6 2 0 @c4 Q e S
thereby creating t h e t h r e a t g e 8 + @f7 19 @hS+ (19 QeS+ and 18 Rae1 a d 7 (18 ... f6 19
of 12 b3. Instead, in t h e wins t h e queen, b u t White @xh7+!) 19 g x f 7 h6 2 0 g e f l
g a m e Wall - Morris, British will have virtually n o pieces Qc6 21 g x d 7 hg lead no-
Ch 1989, White played 11 left. 19 g f e l @fl+!! i s n o t so w here.
Q e 5 and a f t e r 11 ... @xd4+ 14 Q e 4 clear) 19 ... @g7 2 0 @g4+ (a322) 17 g a e l a d 7 18
12 @xd4 c d 13 Q b 5 Q a 6 The f i r s t t i m e I had this @h6 21 Qd2! @f7 22 g g 8 ! @d8+ @f8 19 @c7 a c 6 and
White's s l i g h t initiative position (Gallagher - Cam- and Black h a s to play 22 ... Black h a s no worries.
never really troubled Black. pora, Biel 1990) I t h o u g h t @xg8 to avoid m a t e (22 ... (a323) 17 gad1 @f6! 18
11... af6 over a n hour here. I was @g6 23 @h4+! @hS 2 4 g x f 6 + Q g S a f S 19 c 3 (19 g 4 @c6+)
Forced, as 11 ... c d 12 fascinated by t h e variations a x f 6 25 @xf6+ u g 6 26 @f4+ 19 ... h6 2 0 Q f 3 @xh4! (20 ...
u x e 7 d c 13 a d 6 Q d 7 14 QeS! arising f r o m 14 @h4!? gxd6. @hS 27 g4+ @h4 28 Q f 3 + a e s ? 21 Qd8+ @h7 22 E d 5
i s decisive. White can now play 15 Q e 4 @h3 29 @g3 mate). After 23 Qc6 23 @xf6 gf 24 a x e 5 f e
12 a d 6 axd4+ or 15 gael: e x g 8 Q c 6 24 g f 4 g g 7 25 25 g x f 5 winning) 21 Q x h 4
12 ... E d 8 13 d c i s clearly (a) 15 Q e 4 . Black has to g h 4 + @g6 26 @e8+ White Q g 4 22 c d a x d l 23 g x d l cd
b e t t e r f o r White. stay defending d 8 so he has has a winning attack. 24 g x d 4 Q c 6 25 E d 7 gd8!
13 @hi a choice of 15 ... g d 5 , 15 ... (a3) 15 ... @dS!. This i s a with a winning ending.
This game against Bala- E d 7 or 15 ...@dS: f a r superior defence to So, 15 Q e 4 only s e e m s to
shov w a s in f a c t t h e third (al) 15 ... gd5. This ugly either of t h e rook moves o f f e r equality (Line a31).
time I'd reached t h i s posi- move m e e t s with a s w i f t and, in f a c t , I can't find any Returning to t h e position
tion. O n e of t h e previous refutation: 16 @e7! way f o r White to obtain t h e a f t e r 14 ... g x d 6 (84):
occasions w a s against t h e (a2) 15 ... E d 7 i s more advantage. (b) 15 gael! and now
very s a m e Morris who resilient b u t a l s o loses: 16 (a31) 16 Qxd4!? (16 @e7 Black has:
drew with s u c h consumate gael!. Black is now faced g e 6 ) 16 ... c d ( n o t 16 ... (bl) 15 ... h6? 16 Qd2! @b4
e a s e against Wall (see with t h e t h r e a t of 17 Q e g S @xd4? 17 c3! g h 6 (17 ... @eS (or 16 ... @a6 17 g e 8 + @h7
above). However, o n coming and has 16 ... h6 or 16 ... f6. 18 Q x d 6 @xd6 19 gad11 18 18 g x c 8 ) 17 a 3 @xb2 18 Q c 4
face to face with t h e t r u t h (a21) 16 ... h6 17 Q x d 4 and e x h 6 @xe4 19 @d6 @h4 2 0 @xc3 19 g e 8 + @h7 20 Q x d 6
a b o u t his position, Morris now each of t h e three re- g f 4 @gS 21 h 4 winning) 17 and White has a crushing
decided n o t to p u t u p any captures lose: 17 ... c d 18 e e 7 g d 8 18 gxf7! e x f 7 19 attack.
resistance at a l l and played Q f 6 + gf 19 g e 8 + @h7 2 0 $xd8+ @f8 2 0 @dS+ @f7 21 (b2) 15 ... f6 16 g e 8 + @f7
Qf6+ wins. tried t o simplify a s much 28 @b4!
a s possible (almost t o o The s t a r t of a fine se-
much). The game went: 21 quence of moves leading t o
Efdl f 4 22 Exd8+ Exd8 23 victory.
Qe7 f 3 24 gf Qc4 25 e x e s 28 ... Qd4
QxeS 26 Qxd8 Qxb2 27 Ebl The bishop does not have
Qd4 28 Exb7!? QdS 29 Eb3 the f6-square a t its dispo-
Qxb3 30 a b @g8 31 @g2 @f7 sal, a s White could then
32 f 4 @e6 33 @f3 @fS 34 sacrifice an exchange with
Qc7 &l 35 h3 Qh2 36 c4 g5 a mating attack.
37 Qb8 a6 38 b4! gf 39 bS ab 29 Ee4! aS
17 QeS+ QxeS 18 @xc4+ 40 ab @e6 41 b6 @dS 42 30 @d2
@xe8 19 @g8+ @d7 20 Q e 4 16 QeS!! Qxf4 1-0. White's queen eyes up
with advantage t o White. It's rare that one gets a 21 Qe7 Qxe7 the kingside.
(b3) 15 ... Qe6 16 @e7 (a chance t o play such a move, 22 exes Qf6 30 ... Qb2
strange way t o win a rook) but t o play the same one 23 e c 7 31 EhS! Ec6
16 ... Q c 6 17 e x d 6 E d 8 18 twice against grandmasters Occasionally, two bish- Black tries t o s t o p
@c7 and although Black has is really too much. ops can make life difficult nxh6+. But ...
some compensation for the 16 ... QxeS for a queen, but here White 32 Exc4I Exc4
exchange, White's chances The best practical chance. is very active. 33 nxh6+! g h
are t o be preferred. Of course, 16 ... QxeS all- 23 ... h6 34 @xh6+ @g8
Let's return t o t h e game ows 17 @xd8+ and 16 ... 24 Rae1 Qa6 35 @e6+ 1-0
after 14 Qe4. @xfl+ 17 Exfl f e 18 @xd8+ 25 nxfS Qxb2
14 ... fS?! Q x d 8 19 E f 8 is mate. 16 ... 26 h3! Game 28
This is an understand- @e6 17 Qxc6 Exd6 18 Qe7+ Playing safe. Hebden - Geller
able reaction a s Black @h8 19 QgS also wins. Dur- 26 ... Edc8 Moscow 1986
wasn't t o o keen on having ing the game I actually saw 27 Be71
his kingside shattered after 19 ... @g6 20 @xh7+! e x h 7 Now Black can't take on 1 e4 eS
14 ... Q c 6 IS c3 Qf6 b u t 21 Q f 7 mate without notic- c2 because of 28 Ef8+ Exf8 2 f4 ef
nevertheless this is his ing that the queen on g6 is 29 @xf8+ @h7 30 @fS+. 3 Qf3 dS
best course. In fact i t is en prise. 27 ... Qc4 (86) 4 ed Q f6
not s o easy for White t o 17 Qf6+ Qxf6 S Qc4 QxdS
win and maybe his best line 18 @xc4+ @h8 6 0-0 Qe6 (87)
is 16 Qfd2!? @e6 17 Qxf6+ 19 QxcS QeS By defending his knight
gf 18 @g3+ e g 4 (18 ... @h8 20 @e2 b6 with t h e bishop, Black
19 Eael e x d 6 20 Ee8+) 19 At last the twin games makes i t less attractive for
@xg4+ Qxg4 20 Exf6 and g o their separate ways a s White t o capture on dS, as
Black's weakened dark Campora played 20 ... Qe6 there is no longer any time
squares give White t h e ad- here. In that game, due t o t o be gained by pushing
vantage. my long think on move 14, I around the 'black queen.
1s @h4! Q c 6 (8.5) had only a few minutes un- 7 Qb3
IS ... Ee8 16 Q f g S h6 17 til the time control s o I White gives up any idea
94 Modern Defence Modern Defence 9.5
13 a4! Game 29 i t s e e m s inferior to 6 ...
The queenside is now -
Spassky Sakharov Q x c 6 (see g a m e s 3 0 and 31).
under heavy pressure a s 13 Leningrad 1960 7 Q c 4 (91)
... c 6 fails to 14 a b cb 15 7 Qe2 is a n alternative
QxbS. Black h a s no choice which leaves White f r e e t o
b u t to seek counterplay advance his central pawns,
against d4. e.g. 7 Qe2 Qd6 8 d 4 0-0 9 c 4
13 ... Qc6 ge8 10 Qc3 Q b d 7 (There i s
14 ab Qxd4 nothing to b e gained by 10
1S Q x d 4 @xd4+ ... Q g 4 11 0-0 Qe3 12 Qxe3
16 1 gab8 f e 13 cS Qc7 14 dS with ad-
16 ... a b i s bad because of vantage to White) 11 c5 Qc7
17 g x a 8 g x a 8 18 Q x b S @xb2 12 0-0 and Black's position
(otherwise 19 Q x c 7 wins) 19 i s very passive: 12 ... a d 5 is
Qxc4. bad because of 13 QxdS cd
The point of 16 ... g a b 8 is 14 QbS!; so Black can try 12
to pin t h e b-pawn so t h a t ... Q f 8 , b u t a f t e r 13 QeS!
White can't achieve a po- QxeS 14 d e Q 6 d 7 15 b 4 a 5 16
werful passed pawn o n a6. This endgame is of Q e 4 E x e s 17 Q d 6 E d 5
17 g x a 6 Q d 6 c o u r s e clearly b e t t e r f o r White could gain t h e ad-
18 g x e 6 w a s threatened. White although in t h e end This i s o f t e n t h o u g h t of vantage by 18 @a4!
18 ga4! Hebden had t o f i g h t f o r t h e as t h e critical test of t h e
18 Qxd6 w a s a n alterna- draw: 32 @g2 @f7 33 g f S + Modern Defence.
tive: 18 ... c d l o s e s to 19 (Why n o t 33 @f3?) 33 ... S ... c6
gdl!; a f t e r 18 ... Q x d 6 19 @g6 34 g 4 g e 3 35 gh.5 h6 36 O t h e r moves a r e inferior:
Qxe6 f e 2 0 @xe6+ White @f2 g d 3 37 B e 2 E d 4 38 h3 (a) 5 ... Q b d 7 6 c 4 (6
h a s s o m e advantage b u t B b 4 39 Q d l @f6 4 0 @d3 Qe5 0-O!?) 6 ... a6 7 Qxd7+! Qxd7
Black maintains good 41 Qc3 a x b 2 42 Q e 4 + B e 6 8 0-0 and White is clearly
drawing chances. 43 g 5 g6 4 4 Bxh6 B f S 45 better.
The t e x t sets in motion a g h 7 XxbS 46 x f 7 + @e6 47 (b) S ... Q d 7 6 Qxd7+
series of forced moves g h 7 g d S + 4 8 @e3 Ea5 49 (This i s t h e simplest, al-
which leads to a position @d3 g a 3 + SO @c4 @fS 51 though 6 Q c 4 deserves a t t -
where White has a n e x t r a Q c S g c 3 + 52 @b4 g c i 53 ention) 6 ... Q b x d 7 (6 ... 7 ... QdS
pawn. Q d 7 Qg3 54 Q f 6 g b l + 5.5 u x d 7 7 c 4 c6 8 @e2+ Qe7 9 This move w a s prepared
18 ... Qxf 4 @c4 g h l 5 6 @d3 Qe5 57 Q g 4 &S e c 7 10 d 4 c d 11 Q x f 4 i s by Botvinnik f o r t h e World
19 Q x c 4 @d6! Qg3 5 8 Q f 6 g a l 59 h 4 g a 3 + good f o r White) 7 0-0 Championship tournament
2 0 gd1 @eS 6 0 @e2 x a 4 61 g f 7 Qh2 62 a x d 5 8 gel+ Qe7 9 c 4 Q b 6 of 1948, b u t he had t o wait
21 Qxe6 f e @f3 g f 4 + 63 @g2 g x h 4 64 10 @e2 with advantage to until 1952 before having a
22 Be4 @gS Q h 7 + @g4 65 Q f 8 Qd6 66 White. chance to test his novelty.
23 g 3 Qd6 Q x g 6 g h 2 + 67 @fl @xgS 68 6 dc bc The alternative is 7 ...
24 a x e 6 BfS Q e 7 x d 2 69 Q f S Qf 4 7 0 Q g 7 This c a p t u r e i s quite Qd6, a f t e r which White
25 @g2 QcS $4. commonly played although should play 8 @e2+!. This
move typifies t h e modern b e t t e r game f o r White in Q x c 3 12 bc Qxc4 13 &xc4 Xf2! with advantage to
treatment of the King's Glaskov - Poromsnyuk, a d 6 14 QeS! White is ass- White.
Gambit, where White is not Moscow 1972. ured of t h e better game) 11 10 Qe4 Qe7
afraid t o exchange queens 8 0-0 (92) d 4 gS 12 QxdS cd 13 QxgS!! Understandably, Black
when t h e situation demands (A beautiful refutation of want t o keep his bishop,
SO. Black's plan) 13 ... QxgS (13 but this retreat means that
The endgame (I have t o ... d c 14 a x e 6 f e IS @hS+ he will only be able t o de-
admit to being one of those @f8 16 Qxf4 gives White a fend f 4 with drastic meas-
people who regard virtually winning attack) 14 QxdS ures. 10 ... Qc7 is also un-
everything after a queen 0-0 (If 14 ... g c 8 , then 1s attractive: 11QegS 0-0 (The
exchange a s an endgame) a x e 6 f e 16 @hS+ @f8 17 complications arising from
after 8 ... @e7 9 @xe7+ a x e 7 Qxf 4) IS Qxa8 @xa8 16 Qxf 4 11 ... Q e 3 favour White) 12
is better f o r White a s with a clear advantage f o r a x e 6 f e 13 @e2 (13 d4!?) 13
several examples from White in Votova - Rantanen, ... @f6 14 g e l Be8 IS QeS
practice have illustrated: Warsaw 1989. with a good game for White
(a) 10 0-0 Qe6 11 gel! It i s possible that 8 Q c 3 8 ... Qd6 in Kuznetsov - Zhuravlev,
(Stronger than t h e 11 Qxe6 is t h e m o s t accurate move, Against 8 ... Qe6, White Kalinin 1970.
played in Illescas - Smyslov, a s Black is then prevented should play 9 Qb3 with the 11 Qb3
Spain - USSR 1987) 11 ... from developing his bishop idea of c 4 and d4. This rules o u t any tac-
Q b d 7 12 d 4 g h e 8 13 a x e 6 f e to d6, thereby rendering 9 Qc3 tical tricks based on ... Qe3.
14 Q b d 2 h6 1s Q c 4 and the f-pawn even weaker In t h e s t e m game of the 11 ... 0-0
Black i s positionally bus- than usual. Black has a variation, Bronstein - Bot- In the radio game Tal -
ted, Bhend - Barcza, Zurich n u m b e r of replies: vinnik, USSR Ch 1952, White Winter, 1960, Black omitted
1959. (a) 8 ...Q x c 3 9 dc! Qd6 (9 played t h e inferior 9 d4. castling, but was soon in
(b) 10 Q c 3 g e 8 11 0-0 a f 8 ... @xdl+ 10 a x d l Qd6 11 After 9 ... 0-0 10 Q c 3 Q x c 3 trouble: 11 ... Q d 7 12 d 4
12 d 4 h6 13 QeS! QxeS 14 de Bel+ is good f o r White) 10 11 b c Qg4 (11 ... Qd7!?) 12 Q7f6? 13 QegS Qg4 14 @d3
4&4 IS Qxf4 Qe6 16 Qxe6 @d4! 0-0 11 Qxf4 &e7+ 12 @d3 Q d 7 White could have Q d 7 IS QxdS cd 16 Qxf4 h6
g x e 6 17 gad1 gS 18 h3 a x e 5 a d 2 Qd8 13 Qd3 cS 14 Qxd6 obtained equal chances 17 Qxf7!
19 QxeS a x e s 20 gd6! with g x d 6 15 g a e l Qe6 16 @e4 with 13 Qd2, b u t instead 12 d 4 Qd7
advantage to White, Tripol- 1-0 Krustan - Endre, Corr. played t h e reckless 13 g3 13 @e2 (93)
sky - Tsayek, 1987. 1970. and was duly punished: 13
After 8 @e2+, Furman (b) 8 ... Qe7 9 d 4 is good ... Q b 6 14 Qb3 cS IS c 4 @f6
has recommended 8 ... @f8, f o r White, e.g. 9 ... Q x c 3 10 16 QeS a x e s 17 d e @xeS 18
but here t o o White can gain bc ad6 11 @e2+. a x f 4 @hS 19 g f e l g f e 8 20
the advantage: 9 d 4 Qg4 10 (c) 8 ... Qe6 9 @e2 (This a4 Qe2 21 @c3 Qd7! 22 aS
0-0 Q b d 7 11 Qb3! (White prevents ...Qd6 again, but 9 a f 6 23 Qa4 g e 6 24 @g2?
vacates t h e c4-square f o r Qb3 i s a n interesting alter- &4 25 @b3 gS 0-1.
his queen's knight) 11 ... native) 9 ... Qe7 10 0-0 Q d 7 9 ... Qe6
@c7 12 Q a 3 Qe8 13 @d3 gS (Black leaves his king in If Black plays 9 ... 0-0,
14 Qc4! Qxf3 1s @xf3 Xg8 the c e n t r e a s he intends t o White can safely take on
16 Q x d 6 @xd6 17 c3 Q d S 18 s u p p o r t t h e f-pawn with dS: 10 QxdS cd 11QxdS QcS+
Qd2 Q7f6 19 g a e l with the gS. A f t e r 10 ... 0-0 11 d 4 12 d 4 @xdS 13 d c @xcS+ 14 White is now threatening
t o win a pawn by 14 c4. allow him t o feed more pany with his d-pawn. But
13 ... gs? pieces into t h e attack than a f t e r 11 Q c 4 @xd4 12 Q x d 6
S o Black defends f 4 , b u t Black can into the defence. @xd6 13 0-0 gS 14 Qd2 @cS+
i t is indeed a rare event ...
17 Qxgs 15 @hi Q g 4 there was a dis-
when you can g e t away with 18 Q x f 4 Qf6 tinct lack of compensation.
moves like this. There is, in Exchanging bishops However, all of White's
fact, a reasonable defence would leave t h e black king difficulties can be traced
here, 13 ... ge8! a s a f t e r 14 completely naked. back t o t h e unnecessary 9
c 4 Black has t h e surprising 19 gadl! Qxc6. After t h e simple 9
move 14 ... Qf8!. Kuznetsov The d-pawn is given pro- 0-0 White's position looks
- Holmov, Smolensk 1981, tection and the rook is preferable t o me.
cdntinued: 15 c d QxdS 16 ready t o swing. 9 Qg5
Q f d 2 fS 17 g x f 4 f e 18 a x e 4 19... Qf5 This looks risky, b u t in
Q f 6 and Black has s o m e 20 QeS! This i s t h e b e s t way f o r reality White hasn't much
compensation f o r t h e pawn, White is happy t o ex- Black t o recapture, deve- choice. If he didn't feel like
although White's chances change all t h e minor pieces loping a piece and n o t playing this move, he
remain preferable. around t h e black king a s messing up his queenside. shouldn't have played 8
14 c 4 QSb6 t h i s will leave t h e way In fact, even t h e time @e2+ in t h e f i r s t place.
15 h4! clear f o r his major pieces gained by 6 ... b c is illusory The a1ternative a t t e m p t
White begins to open up t o come and finish t h e job. as t h e bishop is n o t well t o g r a b material, 9 QeS, is
t h e kingside. 20... Qxe4 placed o n bS. dubious a s can b e seen from
15 ... h6 21 @xe4 a x e 5 7 d4 lid6 t h e course of t h e game
15 ... g 4 16QfgS. 22 d e @I55 7 ... @as+ has a l s o been H a r t s t o n - Spassky, Hast-
16 hg hg (94) 23 BfS @g7 seen. After 8 Q c 3 Q b 4 9 0-0 ings 1965/66, which contin-
24 @f4 Qxc3 10 @e2+ Qe6 11 b c ued: 9 ... 0-O! 10 Qxc6 bc 11
It's all over now. White s t o o d clearly b e t t e r Q x f 4 Q d S 12 Qg3 f6 13 Q f 3
24... n f e8 in Pachmann - Vymetal, Qxg3+ 14 hg Re8 with a very
25 g g S QxeS Prague 1953. good game f o r Black.
26 Bxg7+ @xg7 8 @e2+ 9 ... 0-O!
27 g d 6 Qg6 8 0-0 is game 31. 10 a x e 6 f e
28 @f6+ @g8 8 ... Qe6 In t h e game Petrovic -
29 Qc2 Qxc4 8 ... @e7 walks s t r a i g h t Petran, Novi Sad 1981, Black
30 Ed7 1-0 into a bad ending: 9 @xe7+ played 10 ... @b6 and a f t e r
@xe7 10 0-0 &4 11 Qxc6 bc 11 Q x f 8 ? Q x d 4 12Q d 7 Q x d 7
Game 30 12 QeS. 13 Qxd7 a x e 2 14 @xe2 E d 8
17 QfxgS! -
Frances Cornell 8 ... @f8 was tried in had a clear advantage. In-
For t h e piece, White re- New Jersey 1986 Iilescas - Murey, Holon s t e a d of 11 Q x f 8 , White
ceives t w o pawns and per- 1986, and Black soon ach- should play 11 Qxc6 a s a f t e r
manently damages Black's deved a good position a f t e r 11 ... bc 12 0-0 (even 1 2 Q x f 8
king position. Although 9 Qxc6? b c 10 Q e S @b6! and can be considered) 12 ...
t h e r e is n o immediate win, Rhe t h r e a t of ... Qa6 per- g f e 8 13 @d3 Be6 14 a d z ! he
his greater mobility will Buaded White t o p a r t com- has t h e b e t t e r chances
(Glaskov). 16 @hl a d 5 17 B e 4 Glaskov best) 19 ... @xd4+ 20 @hl
11 Qxc6 bc (96) considers the position to (20 @e3 gxf4!) 20 ... a d 2 21
be in White's favour. How- c3 @d8 and Black wins the
ever, after 17 ... QcS Black's exchange.
activity should compensate 18 ... @xd4+
f o r his positional weak- 19 @hi ge2
nesses. 20 @fS gfe8
13 ... @h8 This gives White the
14 a d 2 respite he needed. Either 20
White hurries his knight ... Q d 7 o r 20 ... @h4 would
t o the kingside. have kept up t h e pressure.
14 ... El-8 devastating effect. Pre- 21 QgS @xb2
15 Bh3 viously, t h e position had 22 Bacl @b8
12 0-0 15 @c4 led t o swift def- been considered as unclear: 23 Q f 4 @b7
I t i s f a r too dangerous to e a t in Hahn - Class, Bun- (a) 16 ... Q e 4 17 d 5 QeS 18 24 @xcS
take t h e pawn a s a f t e r 12 desliga 1984: 1S ... f3! 16 a x e 5 @xeS 19 @d3 and White i s clearly over the
@xe6+ @h8 13 0-0 f3! Black Q x f 3 Q g 4 17 h3 Qh2+ 18 White should be able t o worst. The remaining moves
has a very s t r o n g attack. @hl n x f 3 19 gf @g3 (or 19 ... defend. were: 24 ... Q d S 25 B d 4 @f7
With t h e text, White att- &I) 20 f g @xh3 21 @e2 ( b ) 16 ... Re2 17 @f3 g f e 8 26 Qd2 Q e 3 27 a x e 3 g 8 x e 3
acks t w o pawns. Qd6+ 0-1. 18 Qd2 cd 19 b3 with a n un- 28 @d8+ g e 8 29 @gS h6 30
...
12 @c7 1s ... cs clear position in Hay - @g3 @xa2 31 c 4 g8eS 32 Egl
Of course, Black defends Naturally, Black wants Hamil ton, Australia 1971. g g S 33 B b 8 + @h7 34 gxgS
his f4-pawn (rather than t o open up t h e position a s 17 Q x d 6 hg 35 @g3 @d2 36 g g l @e3
t h e e6-one) and threatens soon as possible. 15 ... g e 2 17 gf Re2 is very un- 37 g f l a5 38 h4 g 4 39 @xg4
t o push ... f3; 12 ... a d 5 is looks a little premature a s pleasant, a s is 17 Bxf3 Eel+ &eS 40 f 4 @e4+ 41 @f3
well m e t by 13 c4! a f t e r 16 c 4 g f e 8 17 c5 Q f 8 18 g f l &xh2+. @xf3+ 42 g x f 3 Bc2 42 Ea3
13 @xe6+?! 18 Q f 3 Black's bishop is no 17... @xd6 $42.
White finally succumbs longer able t o participate Black has no time to play
to t h e temptation. The al- in t h e attack. White will be 17 ... f g because of 18 gxf6. Game 31
ternative is 13 Q d 2 , with able t o diffuse t h e attack 18 gf -
Kinlay Nunn
t h e idea of blockading t h e with moves such a s g f 2 o r 18 @xf3 occurred in Car- New Malden 1977
weak pawns instead of a d 2 and gael. roll - Cornell, Corr. 1986
capturing them. Unfortu- 16 Q c 4 (97) and t h e t w o players agreed 1 e4 eS
nately, Black doesn't have With t h e imminent op- to a draw. This was rather 2 f4 ef
t o fall in line with White's ening of t h e @-a7 diagonal, a strange decision a s a f t e r 3 Qf3 dS
noble intentions and can White sees his first task a s 18 ... Qe4! Black has a win- 4 ed Q f6
play 13 ... eS!. After 14 d e removing t h e dangerous ning attack, e.g. S QbS+ c6
QxeS IS Q c 4 (15 Q f 3 Qd6 16 bishop. (a) 19 @dl g x f l + 20 @xfl 6 dc Qxc6
Qd2 g a e 8 17 B c 4 + @h8 18 16... f3! $xh2 o r 20 @xfl@xd4+. 7 d4 Qd6
Rae1 was about equal in Black's rook on f 8 is (b) 19 d c @xcS+ 20 @e3 8 0-0 0-0 (98)
Gross - Plachetka, Stary brought into t h e game with Rxfl+ 21 @xfl @xc2. 9 Qbd2
Smokovec 1973) 15 ... Qd4+ what could prove t o be (c) 19 Q f 4 (relatively The white knight heads
Black has a number of siek, Corr. 1985/86. White's material advantage
alternatives: (b) 9 ... Q e 7 . This leaves is n o t t o b e underestimated,
(a) 9 ... @b6? 10 Q c 4 t h e bishop stranded o n bS, e.g. 14 Q x c 6 B e 8 15 Q6eS f6
@xbS (I would like t o con- b u t i t is r a t h e r slow and 16 Q d 3 (16 B f 3 E d 8 17 a d 3
gratulate a certain Mr But- gives White time t o man- Qe4) 16 ... B g 6 17 Q c 5 g 4 18
ler who found t h e courage oeuvre his knight t o es: 10 Qd2 and i t will not prove
t o play 10 ... B c 7 here) 11 Q c 4 Qc7 11a c e 5 Q e d S 12 c 4 easy f o r Black to break
Q x d 6 @b6 12 Qxf 4 B x b 2 (12 (Bangiev considers 12 Qc4, through.
... Q g 4 w a s probably better, with t h e idea of Qb3 and 10 Q c 4 Qc7
although a f t e r 13 Q c 4 B b 4 c4, a s stronger) 12 ... a6 13 In t h e game Renet - van
14 @d3! Qxf3 IS g x f 3 bS! 16 Q a 4 bS 14 c b Q g 4 (Bangiev d e r Sterren, Budel 1987,
f o r c4, f r o m where i t will a d 6 @xd4+ 17 B x d 4 Q x d 4 - Bezman, Simferopol 1985) Black played 10 ... Qxf3 11
help t o e x e r t pressure o n 18 a f 2 White has a clearly and now 15 Q x g 4 Q x g 4 16 a x f 3 QcS with t h e idea of
t h e black f-pawn by either b e t t e r ending according t o ba Exa6 17 Qb3 with t h e 12 c3 Qxd4!. But a f t e r 12
capturing t h e bishop o n d6 Bangiev) 13 dS Bb6+ 14 @hl b e t t e r game f o r White Qxc6! @xd4+ 13 B x d 4
o r hopping i n t o eS at an Q e 7 15 c 4 Q g 6 16 Qg3 g d 8 (Bangiev). Qxd4+ 14 @hl bc 15 Q x f 4
aopropriate moment. 9 17 @d4! QhS?! (99) (c)9 ... a d 5 can b e m e t White's b e t t e r pawn struc-
&3, k i t h t h e s a m e idea, is by 10 Q e 4 Qc7 11 c4. t u r e gave him a slight b u t
a l s o playable. (d) 9 ... Qc7. This pro- persistent edge.
9 Q c 3 i s bad because of 9 phylactic r e t r e a t keeps 11 c3
... @b6! and White i s al- Black's options open: 10 c 3 It's quite possible t h a t
ready feeling s t r o n g press- (10 Qc4 Q g 4 transposes t o White should remove the
ure against d 4 ( a s c 3 is n o Kinlay - Nunn) 10 ... QfS 11 knight on c6 before i t runs
longer possible). Wester- Qc4 Q d S 12 Qxc6 bc 13Q f e S away. After 11 Qxc6 bc 12
inen - Boey, Skopje 1972 gs (100). @d3 Q x f 3 (otherwise the
continued: 10 @hi Q g 4 11 knight will come t o eS) 13
Qxc6 Bxc6! 12 @d3 n a d 8 13 Bxf3 a h 5 (13 ... a d 5 was
Qd2 g6 with advantage t o played in Arnason - Kris-
Black. tiansson, Reykjavik 1984,
I t is surprising t h a t 9 c 4 20 d 6 (White shows ad- b u t this i s l e s s good a s i t
has never been played. mirable restraint in keeping interferes with Black's play
There is, however, a s h o r t his discovered check in re- on t h e d-file. White should
analysis by Muchnik which serve) 20 ... Qxg3+ 21 hg have replied 14 Qd2) 14 Qd2
runs 9 c 4 Q g 4 10 Q c 3 n c 8 11 Q f 8 22 QgS++ @g8 23 Ef7! &dS IS &l, t h e position is
Q e 2 a6 (11 ... fle8 1 2 Q x f 4 ; 11 Q e 6 24 a x e 6 @xf7 25 difficult t o assess and re-
... Q h S 12 cS fib8 13 dS) 12 &xg7+! (And t o cap i t all, quires practical testing.
Qa4!. Unfortunately, a s I we have a classic chase) 25 This position has been White has t o aim f o r ex-
don't read Russian, I can't ... @xe6 26 Eel+ @dS 27 considered t o be clearly in changes in order t o make
understand his assessment, g d l + @xcS 28 @d4+ @c6 29 Black's favour, b u t this pawn s t r u c t u r e s t h e do-
b u t anyway i t looks w o r t h n c l + @d7 30 n c 7 + @e6 31 seems a l i t t l e excessive t o minant factor in t h e posi-
a try! g e 7 + @fS 32 g4+ @gS 33 me. Whilst Black d o e s have tion. Thus IS ... g a d 8 is met
9 ... Lk4 &7+ 1-0 Bangiev - Mglo- good attacking chances, by 16Qb4!
104 Modern D e f e n c e
11 ... Qe71 17 ... Qe3!
I2 p a 4 Black has timed t h e a t t -
There is very little else ack t o perfection.
t o d o against t h e t h r e a t of 18 Qxe3 f e
... a 6 a n d ... bS. 19 hg?
12 ... bs!? This l o s e s by force. Bet-
Black sacrifices a pawn t e r was 19 a c e 5 a f t e r which
with t h e worthy idea of Black could speculate with
transporting his queen t o moves like 19 ... Qxh3. How-
t h e kingside a s quickly a s ever, 19 ... QxeS! assures Game 32 enna Game (1 e 4 eS 2 Q c 3
possible. him of s o m e advantage, e.g. -
Glaskov Soloviev Q c 6 3 f 4 ef 4 Qf3). The
13 QxbS @dS (a) 20 hg? Q x g 4 21 de Moscow 1971 King's Gambit move order
14 Qa3 HhS ne6! and t h e r e is nothing to o f f e r s White an additional
15 Qd3 be done a b o u t ... n h 6 and ... possibility, namely 4 d4. In
This is o n e of t h e posi- @hi mate. fact, this move has been
tions where we can s e e t h e (b) 20 d e Qxf3 21 B x f 3 frowned upon by theor-
s t r e n g t h of t h e pawn on f4, &xeS and Black's advanced eticians, b u t I decided t o
which severely cramps pawn gives him a good look a t i t in s o m e detail, a s
White and gives Black a big game. I found i t hard t o believe
space advantage on t h e 19 ... Qxg4 t h a t such a natural move
kingside. 20 Q c e S leads t o a good game f o r
With t h e t e x t , White 20 Eel is no defence Black. My conclusion is
tries t o g e t his queenside either a s 20 ... Qg3! wins. t h a t i t leads t o rough
pieces back into play, b u t i t 20 ... Exes! equality ( o r unclarity) and 1
t u r n s o u t t h a t he has n o 21 d e e2! present my analysis in
time f o r this. 15 h3 would Black's l a s t t w o moves order t o open t h e debate o n
have been a more critical have cleared t h e a7-gl dia- 4 d4:
t e s t of Black's sacrifice. gonal which, in combina- This variation has never 4 ... dS ( 4 ... gS S dS) S ed
15 ... Qed5 tion with t h e open h-file, really caught on, probably (S Q c 3 i s bad because of S
16 Q c 4 gae8 give a decisive attack. because i t d o e s nothing t o ... d e 6 Q x e 4 &e7! 7 @e2
17 h 3 (101) 22 Qxe2 Qb6+ address Black's immediate QfS 8 Q c 3 e x e 2 + 9 Qxe2
23 &d4 problems. In fact, i t is 0-0-0; and S eS can be m e t
Black's next move dest- rather similar t o t h e idea by S ... gS 6 h4 g 4 7 Q g l Qh6
roys any lingering hopes behind t h e Fischer Defence and t h e early closing of t h e
White might have had.
23 ... @h6!
- a waiting move. Black centre is n o t in White's
wants t o s e e White's n e x t favour) S ... &xdS 6 Q x f 4 (6
24 nae1 Xd8! 'move before he makes his Q c 3 Q b 4 7 Qxf 4 Q g 4 trans-
25 Q c 4 mind up. poses, b u t maybe Black can
O r 25 B x b 6 Bxb6+ and 4 Qc3 try 7 ... &as) 6 ... Qg4 7 Q c 3
t h e white king is t o o weak. I should just mention (This is b e t t e r than taking
25 ... nxd4! t h a t t h e position is more on c7. Glaskov gives 7 Qxc7
0-1 o f t e n reached via t h e Vi- Qxf3 8 &xf3 @xf3 9 gf
Q x d 4 a s good f o r Black. a s t r o u s (11 QeS) and 10 ... Q x c 6 + b c 1.5 bc! (1.5 Qxc7+? White) 16 Qxf6 gf 17 g x f 6
This i s n o t t r u e a s 10 Qc3! Qxf3 11 Qxf3 QcS+ 12 @hl is m e t by 15 ... @c8!) 15 ... with approximate equality.
gives White a dangerous Q d 4 13 Qe3 o r 13 Q g 4 fS 14 Q x f l 16 E x f l and a draw is (e) 12 ... @b6+ 13 @hl
attack. Unfortunately, how- Qe3 a r e clearly b e t t e r f o r t h e likely outcome. Qxe2 (13 ... Qe6!? 14 Qd3!
ever, Black can play instead White) 11 dc @xc6 (103) ( I t (c3) 13Qxc6! and now: Qf6 1s a 4 gives White a
7 ... gc8! a n d then 8 ... Q x f 3 would b e wrong f o r Black ( ~ 3 1 )13 ... Qxdl. White dangerous initiative. Black's
which d o e s o f f e r him good t o exchange queens, e.g. 11 now has a m o s t elegant queen is rather awkwardly
chances of a n advantage) 7 ... e x d l 12 Exdl Qf6 (Black way t o achieve an advan- placed; 13 ... Bxdl? is the
... Q b 4 ( b e t t e r than 7 ... has l i t t l e choice a s a f t e r 12 tage: 14 Q x a 7 + (14 Q x d 8 same a s in 'd') 14 a x e 2
@e6+ 8 @e2! and White re- ... Zqxdl 13 n x d l , 14 Ed7 is in Qd4+ 1S @hl QhS! is good QxeS IS @g4+ @e6 16 @xe6+
tains an edge, e.g. 8 ... Q x f 3 t h e air) 13 cb+ @xb7 14 E x d 8 f o r Black) 14 ... @b8 1s QbS! f e 17 QxeS Q f 6 18 nxf6! gf
9 @xe6+ f e 10 gf 0-0-0 (10 ... Qxd8 1SQc4 with a clear ad- (The black pieces remain en 19 Qxf6 g h f 8 20 Q x d 8 g x d 8
Q x d 4 11 0-0-01 11 0-0-0 vantage to White). prise and White will collect (20 ... @xd8 21 @gl is a
Zqxd4 (11 ... Q x d 4 12 Q h 3 is in t h e m o s t favourable little b e t t e r f o r White) 21
s t r o n g ) 12 E x d 4 Q x d 4 13 fashion) 15 ... Qe2 (15 ... g f l . A difficult rook ending
Qh3 a n d White will win Qd4+ 16 Q x d 4 g x d 4 17 QeS! has arisen in which White's
back his pawn with a good wins) 16 Qxc7+ @c8! 17Qxc3 chances shouldn't be infer-
game; o r 8 ... @xe2+ 9 Qxe2 (17 b c QxbS) 17 ... Qxf1 18 ior. A straight race seems
Q x f 3 10 Q x f 3 Q x d 4 11 Qxb7 Q x d 8 Qxg2 19 @xg2 (19 inadvisable f o r Black, e.g. 21
n b 8 12 0-0-0 with advant- Qb6!?) 19 ... @xd8 2 0 Edl+ ... Bd2 22 h4 (22 g 4 is also
age) 8 Qe2 (8 a 3 a l s o de- @c8 21 Q d S and White is good) 22 ... Exc2 23 g f 7
serves attention. Although very active. g x b 2 24 g x h 7 cS 25 hS c4
slightly time consuming, i t ) ... g x d l 14 Q x a 7 +
( ~ 3 2 13 26 h6 c 3 27 g h 8 + a d 7 28 h7
does force Black t o ex- @b8 1S Zqfxdl Qxdl (If IS ... and wins: if 28 ... c2 then
change o n c3, thereby con- 12 QeS. Suddenly, t h e 63xa7 then 16 E d 8 i s s t r o n g ) 29 Ed8+ @c7 30 &8+; o r 28
siderably bolstering t h e board is ablaze. If Black 16 QbS!? (16 Exdl @xa7 17 ... g b l + 29 e h 2 c2 30 n d 8 +
defences of d 4 ) 8 ... 0-0-0 now manages t o avoid a bc Q f 6 18 Qxc7 leads t o a @xd8 31 h8#+ @c7 32 @h7+
9 0-0 @d7 (Other squares few nasty traps he can s l g h t edge) 16 ... Qxc2 17 bc and @xc2.
a r e n o t s o good, e.g. 9 ... reach a roughly level game:
(a) 12 ... QxeS?? 13 &xg4+.
and White will r e s t o r e mat- 4 ... gs
@a5 10 Q g S Qxe2 11a x e 2 o r erial equality whilst re- Now t h a t ... dS has been
9 ...@hS 10 h3 in b o t h cases (b) 12 ... Zqxdl?? 13 Qxg4+ taining a sizeable initiative. ruled o u t , Black's m o s t
with advantage t o White) @b8 14 Qxc6+. (d) 12 ...@cS+ (Along with obvious plan is t o hang on
10 dS!? (10 Q e S a x e 2 11 (c) 12 ... Qxe2. This gives variation 'e', Black's b e s t t o his f-pawn.
@xe2!? is a pawn sacrifice rise t o s o m e fascinating choice) 13 @hi Qxe2 (13 ... 4 ... Q f 6 has a l s o been
Black shouldn't accept. In- complications. White now g x d l l o s e s t o 14 Qxg4+ @b8 played, b u t by replying S
stead, a f t e r 11 ... a x e s 12 has: IS g a x d l Q f 6 16 bc; and 13 Qc4 t h e game has trans-
QxeS f6 13 &g3 Qxc3 (13 ... (cl) 13 @xe2 QxeS 14 QxeS ... Qe6 is m e t by 14 Q d 3 ) 14 posed into a variation of
@xd4+ 14 Qf2! i s s t i l l very (14 @g4+ @d7) 14 ... f6. I t Uxe2 QxeS (14 ... Qxb2 15 t h e Bishop's Gambit known
dangerous f o r Black) 14 b c s e e m s unlikely t h a t White's $d3! and t h e r e is n o time t o b e favourable f o r White.
Q e 7 , t h e position is roughly slight initiative will fully f o r IS ... Exd3: 16 c d Qxal 17 e.g. S ... Q b 4 6 QdS! 0-0 7
level) 10 ... a x c 3 (Moving compensate for the pawn. @e8 mate!) IS QxeS Q f 6 (IS 0-0 a x e 4 ( o r 7 ... Q x d S 8
t h e knight is obviously dis- (c2) 13 @xd8+ @xd8 14 ... f6 16 @g4+ is good f o r ed Q e 7 9 Q g S h6 10 Q e 4
Q g 6 11 c 3 QaS 12 d 4 with f o r White than t h e normal Qxh4 16 d c a x d l 17 Baxdl
advantage t o White) 8 d4. version ( t h e inclusion of E d 8 18 g x d 8 Qxd8 19 cb
White will soon win one of Qc3 means t h a t White is Qxb7 20 Q x g 4 with a clear
his pawns back and Black's one s t e p nearer t o evacua- advantage t o White in Trig-
development looks parti- ting his king t o the queen- uda - Tarasov, Corr. 1982/83.
cularly ineffective. Here side, whilst t h e knight o n 9 Qxf4!
a r e a couple of examples c6 can sometimes b e att- White doesn't waste any
from practice: acked by dS o r edS). Of time before opening the
(a) 8 ... Qe7 9 Qxf4 d 6 10 course, Black does have f-file.
@d3 Q f 6 I1 Q g S g6 12 Qxe7+ defensive resources, in-
cluding suddenly switching
9 ... Qb4
a x e 7 13 Qxf7! g x f 7 14 There a r e a number of
Qxf7+ @xf7 IS QgS Q e g 8 16 a d s + @f7 11Q c 4 (Chigorin). to a n attack against the other defensive tries:
gxf6+ Q x f 6 17 g f l with a (b) 6 ... dS 7 d 4 h6 8 ed white king if circumstances (a) 9 ... @g7 10 QxdS Qd6
winning position f o r White with a good game f o r permit. 11 eS @e8 12 @d2 with ad-
in Spielmann - Griinfeld, White. 8 ... dS (105) vantage t o White.
Innsbruck 1922. 7 Q x f 7 @xf7 (b) 9 ... Qg7 10 Qe3 Qf6 11
(b) 8 ... Q f 6 9 QgS!? (9 8 d4! g3 d e 12 Qc4+ @g7 13 0-0
Q x b 4 and 10 Q x f 4 also This is t h e strongest, Qxd4 14 Bf7+ @g6 IS hS+
looks good) 9 ... h6 (Ag- opening more lines and @xhS 16 gg7! with a mating
ainst 9 ... QxdS, Bogoljubov holding t h e check a t c 4 in attack. This occurred in a
recommended 10 Q x f 7 with reserve. The f i r s t time I blindfold simultaneous ex-
a crushing attack) 10 Qxf7! came across Allgaier-type hibition of Pillsbury's in
Bxf7 11 Q x f 6 + gf 12 @hS positions, I could n o t take 1900.
with a winning attack them seriously. White gives (c) 9 ... Q f 6 10 Qd3 (10
Khlusevich - Verkhovtsev, up a piece f o r a pawn and QeZ!? o r 10 a x d s QxdS 11
USSR 1973. then calmly continues a s if Qc4 deserve attention) 10
S h4 nothing had happened. But For 8 ... f 3 s e e game 33. ... d e (or 10 ... Q b 4 11 0-0
With this move White after a little (in fact a l o t 8 ... d 6 has also been Qxc3 12 bc @g7 13 e d @xdS
signals his intention of of) study, I began t o un- played, b u t i t does little t o 14 @d2 Qd7 IS gabl! g a e 8 16
playing an Allgaier (or a derstand t h a t Black's de- hinder White's smooth RbS @xa2 17 Qxh6+! with a
Hamppe-Allgaier a s i t is fensive task is by no means development, e.g. 9 Q x f 4 winning attack) 11 Qc4+
known with t h e queen's easy. Q f 6 ( o r 9 ... Qg7 10 Qe3 Qf6 @e8 12 dS Q a S (12 ... Q e 7 13
knights already out). S d 4 Black's main problem is 11 g 3 a g e 7 12 Qc4+ @g7 13 QbS) 13 Qe2 Qd6 14 @d2 hS
can b e seen in game 34. t h a t his king will never find @d2 Qd7 14 0-0-0 with ex- 1S 0-0 and White has a
s ... g4 a s a f e haven and if White cellent attacking chances) strong attack. In Romash-
6 Q g S (104) manages t o complete his 10 Qc4+ @g7 11 a3!? (White kevich - Shabelsky, Corr.
6 ... h6 development, picking up a waits t o s e e where the 1895, Black l o s t his extra
Black naturally forces pawn o r t w o along t h e way, black pieces are deployed piece a f t e r IS ... @e7 16
t h e sacrifice o n f7. Other he will have very good before deciding o n t h e con- Qxd6 cd 17 @d4!
continuations are dubious: compensation. tinuation of t h e attack) 11 10 Qe2 Qxc3+
(a) 6 ... f6 7 @xg4 f g 8 The Hamppe-Allgaier is ... Qe7 12 0-0 Qxe4?! 13 11 bc Q f6
@hS+ @e7 9 @xgS+ Q f 6 10 probably more favourable a x e 4 dS 14 Q f 2 d c 1S dS 12 0-0 @g7
t h e t h r e a t of Eel-es. Game 33 10 QxdS*
14 dS Qe7 -
Gallagher Hresc 10 ed is inadvisable, off-
IS QeS g f 8 (107) Geneva 1991 ering Black t h e pleasant
choice of 10 ... Q a S o r 10 ...
fg!?
10... @g7
By placing his king on g7,
Hresc o p t s f o r t h e m o s t
common way. The main
problem with 10 ... a e 8 is
that, with t h e king stuck in
t h e centre, White will have
Now Black is unable t o long-term compensation
maintain a foothold in t h e f o r t h e piece, even if his
c e n t r e and t h e opening of attack may b e initially less
t h e position will give added Keres considered this strong. I t is quite probable
power t o t h e white bishops. position t o b e favourable t h a t , theoretically speak-
13 ... de f o r Black, b u t Glaskov's ing, White doesn't have
13 ... Q x e 4 l o s e s in spec- forceful play s h o w s t h a t enough f o r t h e piece, b u t
tacular fashion: 14 cd Q c 3 t h e opposite is in f a c t true. over t h e board ( o r even
(14 ... e x h 4 1S d c g 3 is t o o 16 @d4! Qg6 through t h e post) t h e po-
slow: 16 QeS+ @g6 17 QhS+ 17 Qxf6+ n x f 6 sition is very hard t o de-
wins; 14 ... B x d S 1s c 4 fol- 18 hS Q f8 fend, e.g. 11 gf Qe7 (Chig-
lowed by 16 dS gives White 19 Ef4! The main purpose of t h i s orin considered t h a t a f t e r
a s t r o n g a t t a c k ) 15 dc!! White calmly prepares t o move i s t o ensure t h a t t h e 11 ...Q f 6 12 f 4 Q b 4 13 Qxc6+
Q x d l 16 QeS+ @g6 (16 ... double o n t h e f-file. Black f-file s t a y s closed f o r a s b c 14 @d3 {with t h e threat
@g8 loses t o 17 Qc4+ @h7 is unable t o untangle his long a s possible. The move of eS) White has a s t r o n g
18 g f 7 + @g6 19 g g 7 + @fS (19 pieces in time. a l s o has disruptive quali- attack) 12 Qe3 Qxh4+ 13 @d2
... @hS 20 Qf7+ @xh4 21 19 ... Qh7 ties which could especially QgS 14 f 4 Qf6 1.5 Bgl! and
@h2) 20 g x d l g f 8 21 g f l + 20 Eaf1 Qd7 be seen a f t e r 9 gf Qe7. Black has a difficult de-
@e4 22 g e l + @fS 23 dS and 21 Qxg4 Qxg4 9 ace+ fence in f r o n t of him (don't
White wins) 17 Qd3+ @hS 18 22 g x g 4 + @f7 White can a l s o consider forget he can't castle!).
cb! Qd7 19 ba=@ e x a 8 20 On 22 ... QgS, Glaskov various o t h e r moves, such 11 gf Qb4
g a x d l B f 8 21 g x f 8 e x f 8 22 intended 23 @eS! followed as 9 Q e 3 o r 9 Qf4, b u t t h e 11 ... Qe7 looks like the
g f l e b 4 . S o f a r all this by Ex@+. t e x t is t h e m o s t logical. critical t e s t , e.g. 12 0-0
analysis w a s carried o u t by 23 w x e 4 Exfl+ Black is forced t o make t h e Qxh4 13 f 4 (13 f g Q f 6 ) and
a character named Trum- 24 @xfl QgS difficult decision between t h e position is very hard t o
berg in 1893. Here he went 25 @g6+ @e7 ... @g7 o r ... @e8, b u t f i r s t assess.
astray with 23 g 3 b u t Glas- 26 &g7+ Q f 7 ... Against 11 ... Q f 6 , Tarr-
kov has pointed o u t t h e 27 Ee4+ a d 6 9 ..: dS asch gave t h e following
way t o victory: 23 &3! and 28 e g 3 + @cS ...
lines a r e opened f o r variation: 12 Q f 4 Q e 7 .13 QeS
Black is powerless against 29 @f2+ 1-0 his undeveloped pieces. Q g 6 14 f4! with a danger-
o u s attack. defended and I didn't wish to provide t h e move with way of meeting t h e t h r e a t
l 2 Qe3 (109) to have my knight on c3 i t s legality. of dS, e.g.
still pinned a f t e r I castled. 19 ... QcS? (a) S ... &7 6 dS Q e S 7
14... gf Black overlooks the d6! with t h e advantage.
Black needs t h e g4- t h r e a t , b u t his position w a s (b) S ... d 6 6 d S (6 h 4 g 4 7
square f o r his minor pieces. p r e t t y hopeless anyway, Q g S h6 8 Q x f 7 @xf7 9 Q x f 4
1s @xf3 a 4 7 e.g. 19 ... g a d 8 (19 ... Qxc3 with a Hampe-Allgaier pos-
But this is t h e wrong 20 b c @xc3 21 Qh6+) 20 ition favourable f o r White)
one. 15 ... Q g 4 offered a d s ! followed by Q d 4 will 6 ...Q e S 7 QbS+ Qd7 8 Qxd7+
b e t t e r chances. Of c o u r s e prove decisive. @xd7 (8 ... Q x d 7 i s clearly
IS ... @xe4 loses t o ,Qgl+. 20 Ed?+! Q x d 7 weaker, e.g. 9 @d4 f 6 10 h4
16 Egl hS Obviously t h i s i s n o t t h e g 4 11&S! Qc.5 12 Q e 6 a x e 6
17 eS! b e s t , b u t 20 ... Qe7 21 Qd4! 13 d e c6 14 Q x f 4 @b6 15 @d3
I s p e n t a long time here Now Black realises t h a t or 2 0 ... @ f 8 21 QxcS+ @e8 0-0-0 16 0-0-0 hS 17 @g3
wondering a b o u t t h e b e s t if he moves t h e knight t h e 22 Ee7+ ( t h e r e a r e a l s o @c7 18 E d 3 @e7 19 g h d l
s q u a r e f o r t h e bishop. I exchange sacrifice o n g 4 o t h e r ways e.g. 22 @f2!?) 22 @xe6 20 Qxd6 Qxd6 21 g x d 6
eventually s e t t l e d f o r t h e will be murderous (pro- ... @xe7 23 Qxe7 Q x f 3 24 with a clear advantage, Ar-
solid Qe3. My reasoning bably White should castle a x f 6 win f o r White. nason- Adams, Manila (01)
w a s along t h e following first). There is little choice 21 @f7 mate 1992) 9 h 4 Q x f 3 + 10 @xf3 gh
lines: I've g o t t w o pawns b u t to give back t h e piece. 11 Q x f 4 and White i s better.
f o r t h e piece, a big c e n t r e 17... QxeS Game 3 4 6 Qc4 gf
a n d my opponent's king is 18 de B x e S (110) Motwad- Kula We a r e now in t h e so-
n o t too happy. All t h a t re- Berlin 1991 called Pierce Gambit.
mains to b e d o n e is to de- 7 *o (112)
fend t h e d-pawn s o t h a t I
can r e t r e a t my light-
squared bishop, c a s t l e long
and m a t e will follow short-
ly. I t is, of course, necess-
ary to think positively
when you play t h e King's
Gambit!
12... Q f6
13 Q c 4 @e7 19 0-0-0
13 ... Ee8 could well b e This was a m o s t enjoy-
better. My opponent didn't able move to play f o r t w o I t has been known f o r a
like i t because i t weakened reasons. Firstly, i t was long time t h a t 7 B x f 3 Q x d 4
his h6-pawn. pleasant t o have my king is good f o r Black, b u t may-
14 @e2 o u t of t h e centre; and sec- be White can try 7 Qxf4!?
14 @d2 a l s o came i n t o ondly, because I found i t here. One important point
consideration b u t I pre- very artistic t o use my S ... g4 being t h a t 7 ... f g 8 Qxf7+
ferred to keep my f-pawn queen a s a shield in o r d e r Black has n o o t h e r good @xf7 9 @hS+ @g7 10 Xgl
wins f o r White. 7 ... Qg7 8 pical way of strengthening b e s t is 12 @xg4 with a very
0-0 t r a n s p o s e s to t h e n o t e t h e attack) 10 ... @xf7 11 s t r o n g attack) 12 riel+ (Le-
to Black's seventh move, @dS+ @e8 (11 ... @g7 is peshkin has shown t h a t 12
whilst avoiding t h e 7 ... dS worse: 12 g x f 3 Q f 6 13 eS Q e 4 &7! i s good f o r Black,
variation. Qe7 14 g g 3 + @f8 IS Rxg8+ e.g. 13 Q d 6 + @f8 14 gf QhS
7 ... @gS3! 1-0 i s Keres - Wilkins, Corr. with every chance of a suc-
Of course, Black has a 1933) 12 @hS+ B e 7 and now cessful defence o r 13 Q x f 6 +
large number of alterna- Glaskov's and Estrin's @xf6 14 @xg4 @xd4+) 12 ...
tives. I would just like to suggestion of 13 eS looks @d7 13 Q e 4 (114)
remind t h e reader t h a t i t very s t r o n g .
will b e of m o r e benefit to (c) 7 ... d6 8 @xf3 Qe6 9
s t u d y t h e variations in or- QbS! Qd7 10 @xf4 @f6 11 @xe2 f 6 and now White's
d e r to g e t a feel f o r t h e @xf6 Q x f 6 12 Xxf6 Qg7 13 b e s t i s to force a draw with
a t t a c k , r a t h e r t h a n to re- QgS 0-0 14 g a f l with ad- 15 gxf6! Q x f 6 (15 ... @xdS?
member t h e m in rote fash- vantage to White (Tseitlin). 16 @hS+ @d8 17 Ed1 wins) 16
ion. If t h e l a t t e r approach (dl 7 ... Qxd4!? 8 Qxf4! Qxf6 E f 8 17 @hS+ E f 7 (17 ...
i s adopted, you will find (Not 8 @xd4?? B g S and @d7 18 @fS+ i s a l s o a draw)
yourself a t sixes and sevens White can resign) 8 ... QcS! 18 gel @f8 19 @h6+ @e8 20
when faced with a novelty (An improvement o n t h e old @hS.
o r , heaven forbid, when you 8 ... @f6 9 Q d S B g 7 10 (e2) 9 @d2. White wishes
f o r g e t t h e theory. Q x c 7 + @d8 11 g3 with a to c a p t u r e with t h e queen Here Lepeshkin gives 13
(a) 7 ... f g (This i s suici- winning position f o r White). on f4, hoping t h a t t h i s will ... f2+ a s clearly b e t t e r f o r
dal) 8 Qxf7+ @xf7 9 @hS+ After 8 ... QcS, Polaksek - create decisive t h r e a t s o n Black. This a s s e s s m e n t
@g7 10 @g4+ @f7 11 Bxf4+ Karolyi, Prague 1988, con- t h e f-file. Black has a num- doesn't seem correct, e.g.
Q f 6 12 Q d S (Analysis by tinued: 9 Qxf7+ @xf7 10 Qe3 b e r of defensive tries, e.g. 14 @xf2! (14 Q x f 2 i s l e s s
Lange, 1856). @e8! 11 Q x d 4 Q x d 4 12 @xd4 (e21) 9 ... Q g 7 10 @xf4! good, o n account of 14 ...
(b) 7 ... Qg7 8 Q x f 4 Qxd4+ @f6 13 @d3 Q e 7 14 g x f 3 Qxd4+ 11 @hl f g + 12 @xg2 Qd6!) 14 ... a x e 4 (After 14
(Against 8 ... @f6 9 Qe3 i s @eS and Black eventually e h 4 13 d c (Estrin a l s o gives ... Qe7, t h e simple 15 dc+ bc
s t r o n g as 9 ... Q x d 4 10 Q d S b e a t off t h e attack and 13 @xf7+ @d8 14 @f8+ @d7 16 Q d 3 leaves White with
@g6 11 Exf3! Q x f 3 + 12 @xf3 converted his material ad- IS d c + b c 16 @f4 Qh3+ 17 excellent play f o r t h e piece,
@c6 13 QbS @d6 14 g f l wins; vantage. A b e t t e r try f o r a h 1 @xf4 18 g x f 4 Qxc3 19 whilst IS Q g S could a l s o be
8 ... Q x d 4 9 Q e 3 (9 Qxf7+ White would have been 9 bc Q e 7 2 0 Qa3! with advan- worth investigation) 15
deserves a t t e n t i o n ) 9 ... cS @hl! tage to White) 12 ... 0-0-0 Bxe4 (IS @xf7+ B e 7 16 dc+
10 Q b S Q x b S 11QxbS @b6 12 (e) 7 ... d 5 (This is t h e 14 cb+ @xb7 15 @g3 &xg3+ b c 17 @dS+ @c7 18 Q f 4 + Egb6
@xf3 f 6 13 @hS+ @d8 14 m o s t common move) 8 ed 16 hg Q e 6 17 Qxe6 f e 18 Xf7 i s a false trail, although 18
QxcS and White has a very Q g 4 (113). with advantage to White. @xe4 may n o t b e complete-
s t r o n g a t t a c k ) 9 @h1 Qxc3 Now White has t w o pos- (e22) 9 ... Q a S 10 QbS+ c6 ly hopeless) IS ... fS 16 ge6!
(As usual in t h i s variation sibilities: (Weaker i s 10 ...Qd7 11 @xf4 c b 17 h3!
capturing on g 2 only serves (el) 9 @el+ Qe7! (9 ... Qxb5 12 Q x b S Qd6 13 @xf3 Now Black will lose o n e
t o open f u r t h e r lines f o r a c e 7 10 QbS+ Qd7 11 @eS) 10 @d7 14 Q x d 6 + cd 15 b 4 and of his e x t r a pieces (17 ...
White) 10 Qxf7+ (The sec- Q x f 4 Q x d 4 11 QeS Q e 2 + 12 White i s b e t t e r ) 11 @xf4 QhS or 17 ... Q d l lose t o 18
ond piece sacrifice is a ty- a x e 2 f e 13 Qxe2 Qxe2 14 af6(After 11 ... c b probably @xfS) and o n t o p of this he
3 ... ac6 117
will be unable t o prevent 1985/86) 11 d6! &6 (Lep- knight.
the infiltration of the eshkin considers 11 ... 0-0-0 14 ... @eS (115) 1 1 & 1% $
white queen t o f5. In the t o be better for Black, b u t 15 Qg81 w #t# ;a'Q@'?
@&@g$g&@@
m F @
game Gallagher - Kamber, after 12 dc! g e 8 (12 ...@xd4+ If Black takes the bishop,
Olten 1992, Black ran away loses t o 13 Qe3 B x f 4 14 mate follows very shortly.
with his king, b u t after 17 cd++!l 13 a x f 7 and White's 1s ... @cS
...@c8 18 hg b6 19 @xfS @b7 position is clearly prefer- @ @A@ g
20 &S, White had an over- able) 12 @e4+@d8 13 h3 Qe6
16 @hi ad7
17 g x f 8 &6 @ ;a
a @
whelming position. 14 Qxe6 @xe6 15 @xb7 g c 8 18 Bd8+ &6 &@a@
17 ... Qxh3 fares no 16 dc+ Xxc7 17 @a8+ g c 8 18
better: 18 g h Xg8+ (or 18 ... e x f 3 and White has more
19 QdS+ 1-0
m a @EE
@c7 19 @xf5! @g3+ 20 @hl) than enough for the piece.
19 @hl g g 6 20 e x f 5 g x e 6 21 Let us return t o Motwani
@xe6+ (21 de+ is also better - Kula after 7 ... @gS.
for White) 21 ... @c7 22 8 axf3 Qxd4
Qf4+ Qd6 23 gfl! Q c 4 24 b3 9 Qxf7+!
Qxf4 25 bc @h4 26 d6+ and Of course not 9 Bxd4
White wins. Relatively best Qc5. Now Black is unable
for Black i s t o bring his t o take t h e bishop, e.g. 9 ...
knight back into play. After @xf7 10 g x f 4 + Q f 6 11 QdS
17 ... Q c 4 18 hg Q d 6 19 gf @eS 12 gxf6+ @g8 13 @g4+
White's position remains and wins.
clearly preferable. 9 ... W8
Instead of 13 ... f2+ Black 10 Rf2
can play 13 ... Qxe4. There 10 g x f 4 is also possible
could then follow 14 @xg4+ but Motwani's move threat-
@c7 15 @xe4 c b 16 Qf4+ @b6 ens t o take the knight.
(16 ... Qd6 loses t o 17 @e7+!) 10 ... @g7
and White obviously has 11 Qxf4 Q e 7
some compensation f o r the 11 ... QcS could also be
piece b u t i t i s difficult t o met by 12 @hS.
say how much. 17 a4 looks 12 BhS
a tempting continuation. White's attack is already
(e23) 9 ... a c e 7 10 @xf4 decisive.
@d7 (10 ... Q h 6 is well met 12 ... d6
by 11 Qe4! Q e g 8 (11 ... Qg7? 13 QgS Qxc2
12 #&xh6) 12 QbS+ Qd7 13 Faced with the threat of
@eS+ @e7 14 Qxd7+ @xd7 15 Qf6, Black plays a move
QcS+ @c8 16 e x h 8 f g 17 g d l reeking of desperation.
b6 18 Qxh6 Qxh6 19 Qel and 14 Qafl
White had the advantage in White is not going t o be
Zuckerman - Markov, Corr. side- tracked by a mere
Becker Defence 119
However, all i s n o t d o o m 0-0-0 13 QbS! causes Black
and gloom. White has a serious problems.
very interesting possibility b) 11 ... 0-0 12 0-0-0 @d7
on his seventh move: 7 h g (12 ... @e7 13 Edel (13
6 ) Becker Defence (117). instead of 7 h4. QxgS!?) 13 ... Rae8 14 Q x g S
hg 15 QxgS Qe6 16 Q b 3 ( o r
16 QdS!?) with excellent
compensation for the
piece) 13 g f 2 and White
Game 35 Black f r o m playing ... gS, is plans to double r o o k s o n
Gallagher - Spyrsl interesting, and can be seen t h e f-file. Black has diffic-
Frlbo~rg1987 in g a m e 36; w h i l s t 4 Q c 4 g5 ulties in countering t h i s
leads to t h e Classical which plan, e.g. 13 ... E a e 8 14 a3!
i e4 eS i s n o t p a r t of o u r repertoire and now 14 ... Q x f 3 1S g x f 3
2 f4 ef (5 Q e S g h 7 ! doesn't disturb @g4 16 g d f l Q x e 4 17 E x f 7
3 Qf3 h6 (116) Black). - is good f o r White.
4 ... gs Now 7 ... d 6 l o o k s normal 6 g3!
5 Qc3 f o r Black. 8 Q c 4 (White can White h a s to t a k e action
S h4 Qg7 6 g 3 i s another, even consider t h e specula- against t h e pawn chain be-
b u t l e s s promising, met- tive 8QxgS!?, e.g. 8 ... h g 9 fore Black has time t o con-
hod. g x h 8 Q x h 8 10 @hS Q x d 4 11 solidate.
S ... d6 QxgS! @d7 (11 ... Qf6 12 @h7 6 ... fg
S ... Qg7 c a u g h t me QxgS 13 @xg8+ a d 7 14 6 ... g 4 doesn't f i t in with
napping a l i t t l e in the game $xf7+ &Ye7 1.5 Qh3+) 12 Q c 4 t h e Becker s y s t e m (3 ... h6
Gallagher - Nunn, Islington followed by 13 0-0-0 a n d w a s played to hold t h e
1990. I just continued in t h e Qfl with a dangerous kingside): 7 Q g l f 3 8 h3 is
normal fashion: 6 g 3 f g 7 a t t a c k ) 8 ... Q f 6 (Black h a s good f o r White, whilst 7
T h e Becker Defence sig- h 4 g 4 8 &l b u t w a s then t o watch his s t e p . For Q x f 4 i s a l s o highly t e m p t -
nals Black's intention t o very surprised by 8 ... dS!. example, 8 ... Q c 6 ? 9 Q x g S ing, e.g. 7 ... gf 8 @xf3 Q c 6
hold on t o t h e gambit Previously t h i s idea hadn't hg 10 g x h 8 Q x h 8 11 @h5; o r 9 0-0-0 with a s t r o n g
pawn, b u t w i t h o u t t h e been considered at all, 8 ... Q e 7 9 QxgS! hg 10 attack.
weaknesses inherent in t h e theory normally stating g x h 8 + Q x h 8 11 @hS a g 6 12 More critical i s 6 ... Qg7
Kieseritzky. By playing ... t h a t whether Black plays 5 QxgS @d7 (12 ...Q f 6 13Qxf7+ 7 gf g 4 8 Q g l @h4+ 9 B e 2
h6 f i r s t , Black won't b e ... d6 o r S ... Qg7 doesn't @xf7 14 @h7+) 13 0-0-0 with g3 10 Q f 3 Qg4, b u t a f t e r 11
forced i n t o playing ... g 4 if make any difference as play a crushing a t t a c k ) 9 @d3 Qe3 White has t h e b e t t e r
White decides to under- simply transposes. After 8 &6 10 Q e 3 Q g 4 11 g f l . This game, e.g. 11 ... g h 12 B d 2
mine t h e pawn chain with ... dS!, 9 Q x d S i s bad be- is a l i t t l e inconvenient, b u t @g3 13 Qe2 Q c 6 14 Q x h 2 o r
h4. But, a s w e s h a l l s e e , cause of 9 ... c6, s o play w h i t e maintains a firm grip 11 ... Q c 6 12 a d z ! @hS 13 Qe2
White has o t h e r ways t o continued: 9 e d Q e 7 10 on t h e centre. Black now g2 14 E g l @h3 15 dS Q e 7 16
develop his initiative. h e 2 c6! 11 Q g 2 cd 12 Q f 4 has to decide which way to Q d 4 (Bhend).
4 d4 Q c 6 13 @d2 @a5 with ad- :astle. 7 h4
4 b3, in o r d e r t o dissuade vantage t o Black. a ) 11 ... @d7 12 0-0-0 This i s t h e normal way of
120 Becker Defence Becker Defence 121
continuing t h e a t t a c k b u t , Black m u s t have over- attack; White's bishop o n attractive, and thereby
in view of t h e analysis looked t h a t a f t e r 11 a d 5 g2 comes forcefully i n t o leaves 3 ... h6 looking like a
above, 7 hg can also be e f 3 t h e bishop o n e 3 would t h e game. waste of time.
considered. be defended by t h e knight. 2 ... Qh7 White's plan is to devel-
7 ... g4 10 ... Q f 6 looks best, b u t
a f t e r 11 Qg2 (11 hS!?) 11 ...
Unpleasant though i t
may be, Black should have
o p his queenside pieces as
7 ... Q g 4 is n o t good be- quickly as possible, castle
cause of 8 hg Q c 6 (8 ... Qg7 Q x h 4 12 e d 2 with 0-0-0 to taken on e5. After 21 ... d e long, and then play g 3 to
9 g h Qxh6 10 &2!) 9 QdS! follow is similar t o 8 ... 22 d e @xeS (22 ... Q x e S 23 open lines o n t h e kingside.
Q x f 3 10 e x f 3 Q x d 4 11 @c3 Qe7 in t h e note to Black's QcS e d 8 2 4 @b4! wins f o r He should then receive t h e
Q g 7 12 Q x c 7 + @f8 13 Q x a 8 eight move. White) 23 Qa7+ a x a 7 24 s o r t of compensation o n e
e x a 8 14 gh with a clear I1 a d s Bd8 a x e 5 Q x e S 25 @xc7 White normally associates with
advantage f o r White (Glas- 12 Q x g 3 Q f 6 has a clear advantage b u t t h e Benko Gambit, with t h e
kov). 13 Q f 4 Black can soldier on. added bonus of having t h e
If 7 ... gh, 8 Q x h 4 and White avoids exchanges 22 Qxc6 black king to aim at. Ne-
White will soon pick up t h e and has t h e option of play- 22 Q d S @f8 23 Q x c 7 is vertheless, a quick m a t e is
g-pawn and remain with ing QhS. a l s o good. unlikely a n d i t is t h e long
excellent compensation f o r ...
13 ee7 22... Qxf 47 lasting pressure which
t h e o t h e r one sacrificed. 14 Bd3 Qd7 The final error. T o avoid should make Black suffer.
8 Qgl &7?! IS 0-0-0 hS immediate capitulation
8 ...Qe7 9 a 2 (9 hS!?) 9 16 Qg2 Black had to play 22 ... b c
... Q x h 4 10 Q f 4 @f6 11 $d2 White is in no rush and (22 ... Qxc6 23 Q f S wins
and Korchnoi considers calmly continues develop- quickly).
t h a t Black's t h r e e e x t r a ing. 23 Q x f 4 Qxc6
pawns are n o match f o r ...
16 0-0-0 24 e d Bxh4
White's s t r o n g centre and 17 @a3!? a6 25 dS QxdS
lead in development. 18 n h e l gde8 26 dc+ Bc8
8 ... g2 9 Qxg2 Q e 7 lo h s 19 Bbl Qh6 27 Q f S 1-0
Qh4+ 11 @e2 i s a l s o plea- 2 0 @c3! @b8 (118)
s a n t f o r White, e.g. 11 ... Game 36
&S 12 QxgS HxgS 13 e d 2 Bangiev - Karolyi 4 ... d6
@xd2+ (13 ... Q f 6 14 Hfl Kecskemet 1987 After this, White has no
Q x h S 15 RxhS $xhS 16 QdS difficulty in carrying o u t
i s good f o r White) 14 @xd2 I e4 eS his plan.
Q e 7 1S a g e 2 and White has 2 f4 ef 4 ... Q f 6 is interesting,
t h e b e t t e r ending in spite 3 Qf3 h6 when White has normally
of Black's e x t r a pawn. 4 b3 (119) played S H e 2 (S e5 could
9 Qe3 Over t h e p a s t few years, well be stronger when w e
Black has n o counterplay this has become an in- arrive in a strange s o r t of
and i s suffering terribly creasingly popular way of Schallop Defence. Admitt-
f r o m a lack of space. 21 eS! dealing with t h e Becker edly, 3 ... h6 is marginally
9 ... Qc6 The preparation is over - Defence. White prevents
gS, o r a t least makes it un-
more useful than 4 b3, b u t
then again I'm s u r e t h a t
10 &e2 @f6? now i t is time for t h e
122 Becker Defence Becker Defence 123
God would never choose t h e pawn 19 @bl Qe7
t h e Schallop against t h e 20 d4!
King's Gambit) 5 ... dS!. By Black's knights a r e dri-
t h e opening of t h e centre, ven back and, a f t e r t h e
White's development is exchange of dark-squared
made to look r a t h e r clum- bishops, t h e open files o n
sy. Hebden - Pein, London t h e kingside look even
1987 continued: 6 ed+ Qe7 7 more menacing.
Qb2 (7 c 4 is t o o slow) 7 ... 2 0 ... a g 6
0-0 8 Qc3 Be8 9 0-0-0 21 Qcl! Qxcl
Q x d S 10 B e 5 Q x c 3 11 d c Qd6 22 @xcl dS
12 @hS Qd7?! (This i s where Black should probably
Black s t a r t s going down- 9 g3! Qg4 try to complicate t h e issue
hill. The knight is fated Black aims to simplify with something like 22 ... 32 E l f 3 i o o k s even stron-
never to arrive a t i t s destin- t h e position b u t this won't @a5 23 @b2 cS, although ger.
ation, leaving behind i t an relieve t h e pressure. 9 ... f g White should still b e bet- 32 ... @g8
undeveloped queenside. 10 @g2 a l s o gives White a ter. After 22 ... dS t h e situ- 33 Rxf8+ g x f 8
Better was 12 ... Q c 6 , a f t e r
which White i s hard pressed
-
s t r o n e attack.
10 H f 2 he5
ation is close to being 34 Rxf8+ @xf8
beyond repair. Black fought well in t h e
to justify his pawn minus, I1 Qe2 fg 23 eS Qxf5 coming endgame, b u t he
e.g. 13 Qc4 @f6 14 g h e l Qd7; 12 B x g 3 Q h S 2 4 *fS Qe7 eventually had to bow to
o r 13 c 4 @e7 14 Q d 3 Qa3 IS Black's activity is of a 24 ... @c8 25 e6! t h e inevitable. The remain-
g h e l Qxb2+ 16 e x b 2 @f6+) temporary nature. 25 @g4 g6 ing moves were: 35 @d2
13 Q c 4 @f6 14 g h e l g e 3 15 13 B f 2 Qxf3 Now t h e kingside pawns Q e 6 36 @e3 @f7 37 c 4 Q c 7
a x e 3 f e 16 g f l g 6 17 H a 5 14 Q x f 3 Q h 4 have been fatally weak- 38 Qf4 bS 39 @d3 a5 4 0 c d
@fS 18 @a4 c6 19 Q d 4 e2 20 I s y f l Qf4 ened. cd 41 a 4 b 4 42 @e3 Be8 43
QxfS Q b 6 21 Qxe2 1-0. 16 &l 26 E d f l @c8 Q d 3 Q e 6 44 Q c S Q d 8 45
5 Qb2 Qf6 The open g-file and long 27 @h4 QfS Qd3 Q c 6 46 Q f 4 Q e 7 47
6 Qc3 Qe7 diagonal a r e t h e m o s t 2 8 @f6 ah7 Qe2 @f7 4 8 a f 4 @g6 49
7 @e2 0-0 important a s p e c t s of t h e 29 he21 &l Qc6 SO Q f 3 @f7 51 B f S
8 0-0-0 Q c 6 (120) position. White also has, in I t just remains f o r t h e Qe7+ 52 @g4 @e6 53 Q h 4
In t h e game Hebden - reserve, t h e option of play- knight to be transferred t o Q c 8 5 4 Q f 5 Q b 6 5.5 Q d 6
Romanishin, Moscow 1986, ing d 4 a t a good moment. t h e kingside. Q d 7 56 Q b S Q b 8 57 @f4
Black chose instead 8 ... c6. 16 ... c6 29 ... @e6 (121) Q c 6 58 h 4 4327 59 &I6 Q c b
Play continued 9 g3! f g 10 17 Qg4! What can Black do? 60 Q f 5 h5 61 @g5 a x e 5 62
E g l ge8 (Of course, taking The bishop sets off for Waiting passively is o u t of Qg7+ a d 6 63 de+ @xeS 64
a n o t h e r pawn i s incredibly t h e active fS-square and the question and 29 ... @d8 Q x h 5 @d4 65 Q f 4 @c3 66
risky) 11 Exg3 Q f 8 12 d 3 (12 Black's minor pieces begin allows 30 Exfs. h5 @xb3 67 h6 @a2 6 8 h7 b3
@e3 looks more precise) 12 to look a s if they are in a 30 Exg6! @xf6 69 Q d 3 1-0.
... Q b d 7 13 @d2 Q e S 14 Qe2 tangle.
g6 a n d now IS g d g l would 17 ... afg6
have given good play f o r 18 QfS QgS
Schallop Defence 125
from f3, thereby causing a d 3 and White wins back
embarrassment to the the f-pawn with a good
knight o n hS. S d 4 is game game a s 9 ... g5 10 b3! is
38. strong.
7) Schallop Defence s ... gs c2) 7 ... QcS+ 8 @hl Q f 6
There are a number of (The a t t e m p t t o play f o r a
a1ternatives: snap mate fails, e.g. 8 ...
a) S ... dS 6 0-0 gS 7 QxgS! Qg3+ 9 hg fg 10 QbS+ (10
b) S... g 6 6 d 4 Q g 7 7 0 - 0 Qf3) 10 ... c6 11 BhS g 6 12
1 e4 eS 3 Qf3 Qf6 d6 8 Q c 3 0-0 and, a s Chi- Qxc6 Q x c 6 13 $eS+ He7 14
2 f4 ef 4 eS gorin pointed o u t , 9 ed! cd @xh8+ @d7 15 @xh7) 9 c3
Obviously this is the cri- (9 ... $xd6 10 QeS) 10 Q e l . Qd6 (9 ... Q b d 7 10 Qxd7
tical continuation. 4 ac3 is C) 5 ... d6 6 0-0 (In t h e Qxd7 11 d 4 Qd6 12 QxF4
met by 4 ... dS. If now 5 ed, game Camarra - Sayed, Lu- Qxf4 13 Qxf4 0-0 14 Qd3 is
play has transposed into a cerne 1982, White decided clearly in White's favour. In
variation of the Modern t o throw t h e kitchen sink the game Verdikhanov -
Defence, where White has a t his opponent and won in Ilyin, Corr. 1982, Black tried
little hope of gaining the spectacular fashion: 6 d4?! 9 ... gS b u t after 10 d 4 Qd6
advantage, whilst 5 e5 QhS d e 7 0-0 e d (7 ... e 4 8 Q e S 11 QdZ! Qbd7 12 Q d f 3 h6
is less favourable than the f 3 9 gf ef 10 Qc4 Qe6 11 13 Qc4 @e7 14 @b3 White
text. Qxe6 f e 12 fie3 gives White stood clearly better) 10 d 4
4 ... QhS good compensation) 8 Q c 4 QxeS 11 d e e x d l 12 Qxdl (12
Averbakh's move 4 ... Qe6 9 Qxe6 f e 10 $e2 Qc6? g x d l Q e 4 is unclear) 12 ...
Black intends to hold on &4 is seen from time t o {Here Black could have c a s t QdS 13 Qf3! Q e 3 14 Qxe3 fe
t o his f-pawn, defending i t time, a recent example be- serious d o u b t s upon t h e 1.5 Qa3! and White's chan-
with his knight from h5. In ing Illescas - Motwani, correctness of White's idea ces are t o be preferred. The
this way he avoids weaken- Thessaloniki 1988: S d 3 QgS with 10 ... a d s ! ) 11 $xe6+ e-pawn is not long for this
ing his kingside pawns, b u t 6 Qxf4 Q e 6 7 Qg3 d6 8 d 4 @e7 12 @h3 @cS (12 ... @f7 world and the bishop
hS i s hardly t h e sort of d e 9 dS (9 QxeS) 9 ... Q f 4 10 13 g e l + Qe7 14 &S @g6 15 exerts strong pressure on
o u t p o s t t h a t knights dream a x e 5 QxdS 11 Qc4 Qe6 12 Qe6, with the threat of the long diagonal.
about. Apart from having @e2 Qe7 13 Q c 3 with an un- $xh5, is good f o r White) 13 6 0-0 (123)
very little mobility, i t s clear position. b4! Q x b 4 (13 ... @dS 14
exposed position offers White does better t o c4!) 14 g e l + Q e 7 15 Re5 @xc2
White some tactical possi- follow t h e recommendation 16 @xhS+ g6 17 nxe7+ @xe7
bilities. of Keres and play 5 d4. 18 @eS+ @I7 19 @xd4+ B e 7
After 5 ... dS 6 Qxf4 c5 7 20 @xb4+ c5 21 @xb7+ B e 6
Game 37 Q b d 2 Q c 6 8 Qd3 he has the 22 QgS+ @eS 23 Qb2+ @fS
-
Glaskov Shapoval better game. 24 @dS+ @g4 25 h3+ 1-0) 6
Con. 1985/86 S Be217 ... d e 7 QxeS and Black's
White prepares t o castle t w o main choices don't
quickly which will enable seem t o give him equality:
him t o move his knight cl) 7 ... @d4+ 8 @hl Q f 6 9
128 Schallop Defence Schallop Defence 129
than Black's pawns. g6 15 g4! f g 16 hg Q x g 3 17 10 h3 this.
6 c4 Qxh7! and White won, Gla- By holding t h e g4-point 16 a3 L
W
Again we have the skov - Malyuzhinets, Mo- White seriously restricts 17 Qe4 Qxd2+
'Queen's Gambit' variation scow 1950. t h e mobility of Black's mi- 18 Q f x d 2 @e7
of t h e King's Gambit. White C) 6 ... c6. White can now nor pieces. 19 d6 (127) 1-0
can a l s o consider 6 Qe2 e x e r t s t r o n g pressure with 10 ... dc?!
when a f t e r 6 ... gS 7 0-0 Qc3 and wb3. It is, however, inadvis-
R g 8 play h a s transposed to d) 6 ... Qe7 7 Qe2 Qh4+ 8 able to give up t h e c e n t r e
t h e seventh move n o t e of @fl Q g 4 (8 ... Qe7 9 cd in t h i s fashion; Black
Glaskov - Shapoval. After 6 @xdS 10 Qc3 @d8 11 dS and should have prepared to dig
Qe2, t h e game S. Bucker - t h e t h r e a t of Q d 4 gives in f o r a s t u r d y defence with
S. Nikolic, Biel 1984, took White t h e advantage, e.g. 11 10 ... c6.
a n independent course: 6 ... ... Q g 4 12 Q d 4 a x e 2 13 B x e 2 11 Q x c 4 CS
Q g 4 7 0-0 g 6 8 E e l Q e 7 9 c 3 g6 14 @e4) 9 c d 0-0 10 Q c 3 In f o r a penny ...
c 5 10 @b3 b6 with a com- and White's powerful 12 d5 Qd7
plicated s t r u g g l e ahead. centre is more important 13 Q d 2 Qb6
Instead of t h e s t r a n g e 8 than his misplaced king. 14 H e 2 hg
g e l , 8 Q e l s e e m s more to 1s hg Qd7 Black, rather premature-
t h e point, and a f t e r t h e ex- White's pawns control ly, decided to call it a day
change of bishops White t h e whole board and Black (although o n e can sympa-
can play Q d 3 and Q x f 4 . i s reduced to moves like thise with him).
6 ... gS (126)
Black has a large number
of alternatives:
a) 6 ... Qb4+ 7 Q c 3 Q c 6 8
Qe2 0-0 9 0-0. ECO consi-
d e r s White to be slightly
better, e.g. 9 ... Q x c 3 10 b c
Q g 4 11 Q e l Qxe2 12 @xe2 g6 7 g4!
13 Q x f 4 with advantage to This incredible looking
White in Muchnik - Dzha- move guarantees White a
lalov, Moscow 1952. clear advantage.
b) 6 ... Q c 6 7 c d @xdS 8 7 ... ag7
Qc3 Q b 4 9 Qe2 (9 @f2!?) 9 If 7 ... Qxg4 8 g g l gives
... @a5 ( 9 ... g 6 10 0-0 Qxc3 White a good game, e.g. 8
11 b c Q g 4 12 h3 Q f 5 13 Q h 4 ... O x f 3 9 @xf3 Q g 7 10 cd;
was slightly b e t t e r f o r o r 8 ... wd7 9 cd.
White in Gragev - Cherna- 8 Qc3 Qb4
kov, Corr. 1972) 10 Q d 2 Q g 4 9 Egl
11 a 3 Q x c 3 12 bc 0-0 13 QgS! 9 c d allows Black coun-
(White s t a r t s a lethal terplay with 9 ... h5!
attack) 13 ... Qxe2 14 @xe2 9 ... hS
128 Schallop Defence Schallop Defence 129
than Black's pawns. g6 15 g4! f g 16 hg Q x g 3 17 10 h3 this.
6 c4 Qxh7! and White won, Gla- By holding t h e g4-point 16 a3 L
W
Again we have the skov - Malyuzhinets, Mo- White seriously restricts 17 Qe4 Qxd2+
'Queen's Gambit' variation scow 1950. t h e mobility of Black's mi- 18 Q f x d 2 @e7
of t h e King's Gambit. White C) 6 ... c6. White can now nor pieces. 19 d6 (127) 1-0
can a l s o consider 6 Qe2 e x e r t s t r o n g pressure with 10 ... dc?!
when a f t e r 6 ... gS 7 0-0 Qc3 and wb3. It is, however, inadvis-
R g 8 play h a s transposed to d) 6 ... Qe7 7 Qe2 Qh4+ 8 able to give up t h e c e n t r e
t h e seventh move n o t e of @fl Q g 4 (8 ... Qe7 9 cd in t h i s fashion; Black
Glaskov - Shapoval. After 6 @xdS 10 Qc3 @d8 11 dS and should have prepared to dig
Qe2, t h e game S. Bucker - t h e t h r e a t of Q d 4 gives in f o r a s t u r d y defence with
S. Nikolic, Biel 1984, took White t h e advantage, e.g. 11 10 ... c6.
a n independent course: 6 ... ... Q g 4 12 Q d 4 a x e 2 13 B x e 2 11 Q x c 4 CS
Q g 4 7 0-0 g 6 8 E e l Q e 7 9 c 3 g6 14 @e4) 9 c d 0-0 10 Q c 3 In f o r a penny ...
c 5 10 @b3 b6 with a com- and White's powerful 12 d5 Qd7
plicated s t r u g g l e ahead. centre is more important 13 Q d 2 Qb6
Instead of t h e s t r a n g e 8 than his misplaced king. 14 H e 2 hg
g e l , 8 Q e l s e e m s more to 1s hg Qd7 Black, rather premature-
t h e point, and a f t e r t h e ex- White's pawns control ly, decided to call it a day
change of bishops White t h e whole board and Black (although o n e can sympa-
can play Q d 3 and Q x f 4 . i s reduced to moves like thise with him).
6 ... gS (126)
Black has a large number
of alternatives:
a) 6 ... Qb4+ 7 Q c 3 Q c 6 8
Qe2 0-0 9 0-0. ECO consi-
d e r s White to be slightly
better, e.g. 9 ... Q x c 3 10 b c
Q g 4 11 Q e l Qxe2 12 @xe2 g6 7 g4!
13 Q x f 4 with advantage to This incredible looking
White in Muchnik - Dzha- move guarantees White a
lalov, Moscow 1952. clear advantage.
b) 6 ... Q c 6 7 c d @xdS 8 7 ... ag7
Qc3 Q b 4 9 Qe2 (9 @f2!?) 9 If 7 ... Qxg4 8 g g l gives
... @a5 ( 9 ... g 6 10 0-0 Qxc3 White a good game, e.g. 8
11 b c Q g 4 12 h3 Q f 5 13 Q h 4 ... O x f 3 9 @xf3 Q g 7 10 cd;
was slightly b e t t e r f o r o r 8 ... wd7 9 cd.
White in Gragev - Cherna- 8 Qc3 Qb4
kov, Corr. 1972) 10 Q d 2 Q g 4 9 Egl
11 a 3 Q x c 3 12 bc 0-0 13 QgS! 9 c d allows Black coun-
(White s t a r t s a lethal terplay with 9 ... h5!
attack) 13 ... Qxe2 14 @xe2 9 ... hS
Rare Third Moves 131
The queen has n o square
a s c7 m u s t remain de-
fended.
18 ... Exf4
8) Rare Third Moves 19 @bS+ @a8
20 @c6+ @b8
21 a x e 7 Qxe7
22 Ed1 Qf6
22 ... QxcS 23 @xcS Qb7
Game 39 Q c 3 Qe7 7 Q d S Q x h 4 (7 ... 24 Ed3! is very strong.
Spassky - Seirawan Qxh4+ 8 Q x h 4 Q x h 4 9 Qxf4 23 Qd7+ Qxd7
Montpellier 1985 d6 10 Qg3 Q g 6 11 ExhS is 8 ... @xe4 9 QbS+ and 10 24 @xd7 Q d 8
good f o r White) 8 Q x f 4 net. 24 ... QcS+ would p u t up
1 e4 eS with a clear advantage. a little more resistance,
2 f4 ef S Qc3
10 Q x f 4
- b u t t h e ending is techni-
cally lost.
Blocking t h e c e n t r e with
S e5 unnec%ssarily concedes S o White has regained 25 @bS+ @c8
control of the white t h e pawn and his well-cen- 26 Exd8+ axd8
squares, e.g. S ... Q g 6 6 Q d 3 tralised position gives him 27 @a4
Qe7 7 Qxg6 f g 8 Q x f 4 gS 9 a clear advantage. If Black's queenside
Q g 3 g 4 and Black already 10 ... pawns were united he
had t h e upper hand in Naf- 11 QbS! might have some slight
talan - Martiroshan, Corr. This e n s u r e s t h a t Black's drawing chances.
1985/87. king will find n o sanctuary.
...
...
27 gs
S ... de 11 0-0-0 2 8 Hxa7 E f 4
12 Q x c 6 bc 28 ... g 4 fails to 29 @a8+
13 @d3 and 30 $9a4+.
T h e so-called Bonsch- Spassky's improvement Unpinning and also 29 @a6+ @b8
Osmolovsky variation. on his game against Novo- threatening @a6+. 30 @d3 Qe7
Black plans to bring his pashin, 23 years earlier, 13 ... Qxf3 31 e x h 7 g 4
knight around to g 6 in where h e played 7 Qc4. 13 ... Qxf3 is o u t of t h e 32 @g3 1-0
order to give protection to 7 ... e e 7 (1,791 question a s Black m u s t re-
his e x t r a pawn. But 3 ... 7 ... Qe7 8 hS Q h 4 9 Q x f 4 tain t h i s bishop to t r y to Game 4 0
Q e 7 doesn't really p u t any &4 10 h6! with advantage plug t h e holes around his
king .
-
Schlechter Telchrnann
pressure o n White's posi- to White in Kuznetsov - Vienna 1903
tion and g6 t u r n s o u t t o be Bonsch-Osmo!ovsky, Mos- 14 gf Qfs
not s u c h a solid base. cow 1964. 1S Ha6+ &b8 1 e4 eS
4 d4 dS 8 @f2! 16 Q c S Qc8 2 f4 ef
Black has to s t a k e a A wonderful move, a f t e r 17 @xc6 E x d 4 3 af3 f S (130)
claim in t h e centre. After 4 which Black's pieces seem If Black doesn't take t h e This only serves t o wea-
... Q g 6 5 h4! gives White a to b e o n silly squares. Of pawn he is totally lost. ken Black's kingside and
good game, e.g. S ... hS 6 course t h e knight is taboo: 18 Baei! even in 1903 i t wasn't
132 Rare Third Moves Rare Third Moves 133
thought of very highly. Black has gained a mo- not surprising that White
ment's breathing space, but now has a decisive blow.
is unable t o d o anything 25 gg8! 1-0
with it. An elegant finish. 25 ...
9 ... Qc6 g x g 8 26 $f6+ @e8 27 @f7+.
10 Qe2 &g6
11 Q c 3 Qb4
12 ds!
Forcing one of Black's
few developed pieces t o re-
treat.
12 ... ad8
4 eS! 13 0-0-0 h6
4 ef d5 would justify 14 g4!
Black's third move. White opens lines on the
4 ... gs kingside, which provide
Other moves also lead t o
a bad game:
a) 4 ... d5 5 h4!? followed
added fuel for the attack.
14 ...
1s d6
Qe7
Qe6
!
by d4 and Qxf 4. If the knight had moved,
b) 4 ... d6 5 $e2 Qe7 6 d 4 White could have won eas-
Q c 6 7 Qxf4 d e 8 d e Q d 4 9 ily by 16 gf o r 16 QdS.
$c4 Q e 6 (9 ... Qxf3+ 10 gf 16 d e QcS
Qh4+ 11 B e 2 is good for 17 $g3 Qxe7
White) 10 Qd3 with the Material equality has
b e t t e r game f o r White. been restored, b u t Black
5 d4 g4 hasn't solved any of his
5 ... dS 6 c4 Qe6 7 Q c 3 problems.
Q b 4 8 h4 was good for 18 gf $xfS
White in Glaskov - Yaro- 19 Qe3 QgS
shevsky, Moscow 1971. 20 Q d S Qxe3+
6 Qxf41 21 $xe3 @d8
This traditional piece 21 ... @gS+ is a little bet-
sacrifice is given added ven- ter. After 22 $xgS hg 23
om by t h e fact t h a t Black &4! n b 8 24 Qxe6 de 25
has played ... fS. Qxc7+ White is a pawn up
...
6 gf with a good position.
7 e x f 3 $h4+ 22 g h g l $f8
This is the only sensible 23 gdfl $cS
way t o s t o p @h5+. 24 $f3 g f 8 (131)
8 g3 eg4 Black is playing without
9 @e3 his queenside and s o it is
Falkbeer Counter-Gambit 135
This is feeble and simply E d 4 16 Qe3 g b 4 17 Q x f 7
contributes towards White's flg8 18 0-0-0 with a clear
development. There a r e t w o advantage f o r White) 8 gf
serious alternatives, one of e3 9 Q e 4 Qe7 10 Qxe3 a h 5
which, 4 ... 4 f 6 , will be t h e
9) Falkbeer Counter-Gambit subject of subsequent
(Keres considers t h a t a f t e r
10 ... 0-0 White can gain
games. t h e advantage with 11 Qg2
4 ... B x d S is a l s o insuffi- and 12 0-0) 11 Q c 3 @fS 12
cient f o r equality, b u t 0-0-0 Q x f 4 13 @d2 (133)
continuations, b u t in this White m u s t play carefully.
book we shall only be exa- For example, S B e 2 a f 6 6
mining 4 d3!. Modern prac- Qd2! (6 a c 3 Q b 4 is not s o
tice has shown t h a t t o free clear) and now:
his position White has t o a) 6 ... QfS 7 d e Q x e 4 (7 ...
exchange Black's strong a x e 4 8 g4) 8 g 4 gives
e-pawn a s quickly a s pos- White a clear advantage
sible. e.g. 8 ... Qe7 9 a x e 4 @xe4
(According t o Keres 9 ...
Game 41 a x e 4 10 a 2 @as+ 11 B f l
Murey - Nikitfn a d 6 12 Qd2 is very good f o r
USSR 1970 White) 10 &2! @xe2+ 11 Black has fallen serious-
a x e 2 c6 12 gS and White ly behind in development.
1 e4 eS has a considerable advan- 13 ... &S (13 ... Q e 6 14 f4;
Instead of accepting t h e 2 f4 dS tage due to his bishop pair o r 13 ... Q d S 14 Qh3! are
pawn on offer, Black de- 3 ed and active development. both good for White) 14 h4
cides to sacrifice one him- 1 should just mention in b) 6 ... Qg4 7 Q g f 3 Q x f 3 Qh6 1S Qh3! Q x h 3 16 Qxhb
self. In return, he hopes t o passing t h a t declining t h e (If 7 ... 4 3 6 , analysis by gh 17 @e3+ and Black is un-
be able to develop swiftly Falkbeer with 3 Q f 3 has a Glaskov shows how White able t o defend, e.g. 17 ...
and easily, whilst a l s o de- number of supporters. can retain t h e advantage: 8 @dB 18 @d4+; o r 17 ... @eh
monstrating how o u t of However, this idea sprang de B h S 9 B b 5 0-0-0 10 18 &d4 0-0 19 Exh3! wins
place t h e advance f2-f4 t o prominence when Black $xhS QxhS 11 Q c 4 Q b 4 (11 quickly; 17 ... @f8 18 gxh3!
now is. At one s t a g e this was scoring well, and now ... Q x f 3 12 gf Q d 4 13 Q d 3 (18 @xh6+ i s a l s o good) 18
counter-gambit was scor- t h a t White seems able t o QxfS+ 14 B f 2 i s good f o r ... @xh3 19 @cS+. If Black
ing s o well that it prove an advantage in White) 12 Qd3! {Previously goes t o t h e g-file he g e t s
prompted Rudolf Spiel- practically every variation, only 12 Q a 3 1 had been con- mated and if he goes t o the
mann to write his tragic there is no need t o decline sidered, which allows Black e-file he loses his rook.
article "From t h e deathbed t h e gambit. a s t r o n g a t t a c k in return 5 Qxd3
of t h e King's Gambit". As 3 ... e4 for t h e pawn) 12 ... Qxd3+ S @xd3 is equally good,
we shall see, this was cer- 3 ... c6 i s the Nimzowitsch 13 cd. Black cannot win a f t e r which Black has very
tainly a trifle premature. Counter-Gambit (see chap- back his pawn, a s t h e fol- little play f o r t h e pawn, e.g
On his f o u r t h move t e r ten). lowing variation shows: 13 S ... Q f 6 6 Q c 3 (6 c4) 6 ...
White has tried several 4 d3! ed?! ... Qxf3 14 gf Exd3 15 QeS! Qe7 ( o r 6 ... Qc5 7 Qd2 0-0
136 Falk beer Coun ter-Gambit Falkbeer Counter-Gambit 137
8 0-0-0 Qbd7 9 g3! with a 43 and 44.
good game for White in 6 ... @h4+
Stoltz - Marshall, Folke- Black has t o take up the
stone 1933) 7 Qe3 followed challenge o r he will end up
by 8 0-0-0. in an inferior position, e.g.
S ... @xdS 6 ... Qd6 7 Q f 3 0-0 8 Qd3
Black grabs his chance t o Xe8 9 0-0 Q f 6 10 QeS!?
restore material equality, Qbd7 11 Q c 4 Q f 8 12 @hl
realising t h a t if he doesn't with t h e better game for
do s o now he probably nev- White (Glaskov).
er will. But there i s a price
t o b e paid f o r bringing o u t 8 ... QxfS
t h e queen s o early. When 9 0-0 Qe3 Game 42 Of course, when Mikhail
you look a t the alternative, 10 Qxe3 @xe3+ Spaaeky - Matanovic Tal had this position he
though, i t is hard t o criti- 11 @hl Qd6 Belgrade 1964 was unable t o resist the
cise Black's choice: S ... Q f 6 l2 Qf4! exchange sacrifice, but
6 Q c 3 Qe7 (6 ... QxdS 7 Combinations flow nat- even he couldn't generate
Qb5+ is strong) 7 Q f 3 0-0 8 urally when you are far enough compensation: 8
0-0 Q b d 7 9 Qc4 Q b 6 10 ahead in development and hg?! @xhl 9 @e2 Qb4+ 10 c3
Qb3. The only way for the opponent's king is still Qd6 11 Qg2 @h6 12 Qd4+
Black t o g e t his pieces o u t in the middle. @d8 13Qf3 Qg4 and Black's
is by 10 ... Qb4 b u t after 11 12 ... 0-0 play along the e-file and
Q e S Qxc3 12 bc Qbxd.5 13 13 @hS g6 extra exchange clearly
Qa3 Be8 14 @d4 White After 13 ... h6 14 nael outweigh any random
stood clearly b e t t e r in gives White a massive pos- attacking chances White
Keres - Lilienthal, Moscow ition. might have (Tal - Trifu-
1941. 14 Qxg6! novic, Havana 1963).
6 Qc3 @e6+ The attack crashe 8 ... @e7
Of course, 6 ... @xg2 7 through whilst the blacl Of course, now that
Qe4 @g4 8 w x g 4 Qxg4 9 pieces stand and watch. White has an extra tempo,
Qxb7 wins for White. 14 ... hg i t would be quite foolhardy
7 Q g e 2 Q h 6 (134) IS Qxg6 fg S de! t o allow him to sacrifice
Black also g o t into great 16 @xg6+ @h8 Experience has shown the exchange by playing 8
difficulties after 7 ... Q f 6 8 17 Q d S gxfl+ this capture t o be t h e ... @hS.
0-0 @b6+ 9 a h 1 Qe7 10 @el, 18 E x f l Be2 strongest in this position. 9 hg %e3+
Keres - Vidmar, Corr. 1936. 19 @h6+ Bg8 S ... b e 4 10 @e2 @xe2+
8 fS1 20 Qf6+ (135) 6 Qe3!? 10 ... Qc.5 11 Q c 3 doesn't
This simple pawn sacrif- Mate follows shortly: 20 White takes immediate change t h e assessment.
ice opens up further lines ... @f7 21 @h7+ B e 6 (21 ... control of the sensitive 11 Qxe2 (137)
and diagonals a s well as @f8 22 B g 8 + @e7 23 Be8) a7-gl diagonal, not even So Black has managed t o
gaining even more tempi 22 @g8+ and mate follows. worrying about ... @h4+. 6 exchange queens and
f o r the attack. 1-0 Qf3 can be seen in games obtain the bishop pair. One
138 Falkbeer Counter-Gambi Falkbeer Counter-Gambit 139
would think he is over t h e 17 ... ad s t a t e , e.g. 24 ... a x e 6 25 fe+
w o r s t - b u t t h i s i s by n o 18 gad+ a d 7 @e7 26 Q e 3 E h 8 27 g 4 and
means t h e case f o r a num- 19 c 4 f6 White's knight is t h e
b e r of reasons: Black was, of course, s t r o n g e s t piece o n t h e
a) White has a useful worried a b o u t t h e e5- board.
lead in development which square, b u t now he has ser- 2 4 ... b e 6
means t h a t he should g e t iously weakened e6. He is 25 fe+ Ex&!
f i r s t use of t h e open e-file. relying o n his knight t o 26 de+ he6
Note t h a t t h e rook o n hl i s cover t h i s square from cS.
already well developed. 2 0 @I4
b) His dynamic pawn With t h e t h r e a t of 21 c5.
s t r u c t u r e gives him a firm 2 0 ... b6
grip o n t h e centre. Now Black h a s t h e diff- n fs! QCS
C) White's knights have icult decision o f whether to 22 a h 4
s o m e fine s q u a r e s in t h e leave his king in t h e centre Black's position i s full of
c e n t r e to occupy, which o r castle. holes.
means t h a t they a r e in n o 16... Ef8 22 ... gfe8 (139)
way inferior to t h e bishops. This move w a s strongly
criticised a f t e r t h e game,
when i t was suggested t h a t
by 16 ... 0-0 17 &4 E d 8
And now t h e point of
Black could achieve an eq- Black's little trick is re-
ual game. This does n o t vealed: t h e knight is
seem to b e t h e case, how- trapped and ... i3g7 i s going
ever: 18 c 4 c6 19 EhS! to win back t h e piece.
(It is always enjoyable t o
develop a rook in this fash- 28 QeS+ fe+
29 @xeS cS
ion) 19 ... &6 20 d6 b6 21 White still has slightly
g d l a c 5 + 22 Ex&! b c 23 t h e b e t t e r of it, b u t t h e
$ 3 ~ with
3 a very good end- The culmination of weakness of his queenside
game f o r White in Listen- White's strategy. Taking eases Black's defensive
a 4 p a 7 14 Qf3! gave garten - Kozlov, Baku 1977. t h e rook would leave Black task.
White t h e b e t t e r game in 17 Q f 3 in a near hopeless position: 30 W S Ege7
Vilner - Shukmann, Mos- With t h e black king in 23 ... a x e 6 24 fe+ $e7 25 31 (gxgS g f 8
c o w 1977. t h e centre, t h i s is much a f S + @f 8 26 c5! 32 Xh2
11 ... QcS! would have stronger than Q e 4 . From 23 ... gS! This is passive, b u t 32
k e p t Black's disadvantage f3, t h e knight has the The b e s t chance. Eh7+ @d6 33 Exa7 doesn't
to a minimum. choice of several good 2 4 &6? really o f f e r any chances,
12 Qc3 Qb4 squares and in f a c t t h e mai- This i s careless, throw- e.g. 33 ... E f 3 34 g 4 E c 3 35
13 QgS! me2 or p a r t of White's advan- ing away m o s t of t h e @fS E x c 4 36 g 5 n x c 2 37 gb
14 axe2 Qxc3 t a g e can be attributed to advantage. Instead, 24 Qg2! c 4 and Black has a dange-
IS bc h6 his superior minor piece. leaves Black in a sorry rous passed pawn of his
140 Falkbeer Counter-Gambit Falkbeer Coun ter-Gambit 141
own. White's most popular Black's position is much ( t o block the e-file) 13
32 ... @d6 and probably strongest t o o loose to try t o exploit ... Qxe3 14 @c4+ (Black-
33 g 4 &@+ move in this position. 6 ... the weak dark squares: burne - Marco, Berlin 1897).
34@f4 Ef8+ @h4+ is stopped and White a) 7 ... Qf2+ 8 @dl @xdS+
35 @g3 @eS! judges that the play on the 9 Qfd2 fS 10 Qc3 @d4 11
36 Qe2+ @d4 a7-gl diagonal is not too a x e 4 f e 12 c3 @e3. White
37 gS @xc4 dangerous. has a pawn if he wants i t ,
38 @g4 @c3 6 ... Qd but 13 @hS+ promises much
Black has enough count- Other moves don't really more.
erplay o n t h e queenside. meet the demands of the b) 7 ... @xdS 8 Qfd2! is
39 g6 c4 position: similar to 'a', and also very
40 @gS bS a) 6 ... c6 7 Qbd2! Qxd2 8 good for White.
41 g7 Qxd2 @xdS 9 Qd3 with a C) 7 ... 0-0 should be
And a t this point the strong initiative for White. answered by 8 @xe4 g e 8 9
players agreed to a draw, b) 6 ... QfS 7 Qe3 c6 8 Q e S f6 10 Qd3 g6 11 @c4! 9 Qe3! Qxc3
a s after 41 ... g g 8 42 @g6 Qc4 b5 9 Q b 3 cS 10 d6! c4 11 and White's position is 9 ... Qxe3 is the subject
a5 43 @f7 nxg7+ 44 @xg7 @dS Q d 7 12 &xfS Q x d 6 13 clearly preferable. of the next game.
b4 45 @f6 a 4 the outcome @dS and White stands d) 7 ... fS has a l s o been The attempt to avoid
is apparent. clearly better, Alekhine - seen, b u t after 8 Qe3 @xdS simplification with 9 ... Qb4
Wh Tarrasch, S t Petersburg 9 QxcS @xcS 10 Q c 3 White isn't very good for Black.
1914. had obtained t h e b e t t e r e.g. 10 Q d 4 (10 Qd2 also
Game 43 7 @e2 (142) position (Spielmann - Wolf, gives White some advant-
-
Bronsteln Tal 7 Qd3 was recommended Dusseldorf 1908). age) 10 ... 0-0 11 0-0-0 g e 8
Riga 1968 long ago by Tartakower e) 7 ... @e7 is also well (11 ... Qxc3 12 Qxc3 @c5
and although i t seems good met by 8 Qe3!. White meets an elegant refutat-
1 e4 eS for White, nobody appears achieved a clear advantage ion: 13 Qxg7! @xg7 14 Q h 4 )
2 f4 dS t o have heard him. After 7 in t h e game Arnason - D' 12 a x e 4 (12 @bS also looks
3 ed e4 ... Q f 2 8 @e2+ @e7 9 E f l Arnore, Groningen 1980/81, good) 12 ... Qxe4 13 QeS Qg6
4 d3 Q f6 Qxd3+ 10 cd @xe2+ 11 a x e 2 after 8 ... Qxe3 9 @xe3 Q d 7 14 @c4 and White is a pawn
S de axe4 White has the better game. 10 Q b d 2 Qdf6 I1 Q x e 4 up (Sembukhov - Brichkor,
6 Q f 3 (141) a x e 4 12 0-0-0 0-0 13 Qd3. USSR Corr. 1985/86).
142
I
8 Qc3 10 QxcS QxeZ
141 B In t h e game t h a t s o de- 11 Qxe7 Qxf4
B pressed Spielmann, he 12 Qd! Qd7
played 8 g 4 ? against Tar- After 12 ...QxdS 13 0-0-0
rasch in Ostrau 1923. After c6 14 &S!, the threat of
8 ... 0-0 9 gf Be8 Black had Eel+ is very hard t o meet.
an enormous attack. 13 0-0-0 a e 4
8 ... @a7 (143) Unfortunately for Black,
8 ... 0-0 is unsound: 9 13 ... 0-0-0 comes up
Q x e 4 E e 8 10 Q e S Qxe4 11 against a strange refuta-
&xe4 f6 12 d6! @xd6 13 Qe3! tion: 14 Ed4! Q g 6 IS g4!
142 Falkbeer Counter-Gambit Falkbeer Counter-Gam bit 143
position of his king,
White's advantage begins
t o look serious.
12 ... fie4
O r 12 ... Qxc2 13 @d2 &6
(or 13 ... QfS 14 Eel+ @f6 15
a d 4 Qd7 16 h3 with king-
side expansion to follow)
Game 44 14 Eel+ a d 6 15 a d 4 (15
Banglev - Gutgarch QgS!? looks interesting).
USSR Corr. 198S/87 Black's position is m o s t
unsatisfactory. The only
1s g3!7 t w o pieces he has suc-
15 gel+ looks simple and ceeded in getting off t h e
s t r o n g (15 ... Q e 6 16 c4), b u t 24 Qc77 back rank are both in ser-
Bronstein was dreaming of Incredibly, Bronstein ious trouble: IS ... @xdS
t h e brilliancy prize. fails to play 24 E e l which fails to 16 f 5 Qh5 17 g4, 18
IS ... Qxhl wins o n t h e s p o t (24 ... Q f 6 &2+ and 19 Qxb7; 15 ... Q d 7
16 gf cS 25 QxcS) . allows 16 Qb5+, so Black
To stave off immediate 24... ad8 has to try something like 15
disaster, Black has to close 25 Qxg7+ @f6 ... h5, b u t then 16 f 5 Qh7 17
t h e a348 diagonal. 26 gf7+ @g6 xbl! forces ... b6 which
17 Q c 4 Qc6 27 Be7 Qf6 makes i t extremely difficult
18 a x f 7 bS 28 Q e 6 Ec8 for Black to develop.
19 Qd6+ 29 b31 13 QgS!
Of course, White should Of course, with t w o 13 c4? Q x f 3 14 gf Q d 7
n o t b e side-tracked by 19 pawns f o r t h e exchange only leads to equality.
Qxh8. and a strong attack, White 13 ... Qxc~! 7
19 ... @e7 s t i l l has an extremely good Black i s willing t o waste
20 Q x b S Ehf871 position. a tempo in order to play
Black's b e s t choice was 29... QhS lines similar t o t h o s e in t h e
probably 2 0 ... QxbS 21 30 Q g S QdS twelfth move note b u t with
QxbS g h d 8 . White doesn't 31 Qd3+ a h 6 White's knight o n t h e infe-
have to cash in with Qxd7 32 Qb2 rior gS-square.
and Qxc5+ which gives White's pair of bishops The alternative is 13 ...
Black decent drawing are truly dominant. Tal This is a critical posi- QxdS, a f t e r which 14 0-0-O!
chances; instead he can could have resigned here. tion f o r t h e a s s e s s m e n t of gives White t h e b e t t e r
keep u p t h e pressure, per- 32... c4 t h e Falkbeer. Although game, e.g.
haps with 22 b3!?. The t e x t 33 QfS c3 Black is s u r e to g e t his a) 14 ... Qxa2 15 c 4 b5 16
allows White to improve 3 4 Qxc8 cb+ pawn back, he will w a s t e c b a6 17 Qd3!? (Glaskov re-
t h e position of his knight, 35 @xb2 g x h 2 time in doing so and when commends 17 @b2) 17 ...
with devastating effect. 36 Exa7 gf2 you add t h i s to t h e weak ab?! 18 g h e l + Qe6 (There is
144 Falkbeer Coun ter-Gambit Falkbeer Coun ter-Gambit 145
no s q u a r e f o r t h e king) 19 C) 15 ... a d 7 16 Q d 3 f6 17 venting any ideas of g5 a n d his attacking chances.

fS@f6 20 f e @xgS 21 ef g f 8 h e 6 with a clear advantage. @g6; o r 27 a h e l , with t h e 27 ... @xf 6
22 Be8 a n d White s o o n won 16 QbS!? idea of a e 8 , b o t h look 2 8 J3c7 Ehc8
in Foune - Mathieu, Corr. White finds an interest- strong. 29 Xfl+ @eS
1985. ing way to create attacking 25 a e 7 (148) 29 ... @g6 30 gcf7! leaves
b) 14 ... Qe6 15 Q x e 6 (IS chances. 16 g 4 a l s o looks Black in a-mating net.
Q d 3 a l s o l o o k s tempting, good. 30 Qd3+ @6
but t h e t e x t does guarantee 16 ... c6 31 Bh7 gf8
a c l e a r advantage) 15 ... f e 17 fS! 32 cS+ @dS
16 Q c 4 g f 8 (16 ... Q d 7 17 This i s t h e point behind 33 ge7! gae8
Qxe6) 17 a h e l g f 6 18 fS! White's previous move. The 34 g f e l Bxe7
with a g o o d g a m e f o r black bishop i s forced t o 35 E x e 7 Qe6
White. hS, as a f t e r 17 ... Q x f 5 18 Black h a s just managed
C ) 14 ... c6 15 c 4 Q e 6 16 Hhfl g6 19 g 4 White should to avoid g e t t i n g mated, b u t
Q d 3 with t h r e a t s of g h e lwin. now h e i s going t o lose all
and fS. 17 ... Qhs his pawns.
d ) 14 ... Hd8 IS c 4 Qe6 16 18 dc Qxc6 25 ... ah717 36 Qb4+ @eS
g x d 8 @xd8 17 Q x e 6 + f e 18 19 Qxc6 bc 25 ... Q h 5 26 h 4 i s very 37 Qxc6+ @f6
Q d 3 h6 19 Eel! 83d7 20 Be3 20 c 4 bad so Black preferred to 38 a x a 7 QdS
a c 6 21 g g 3 a n d White wins White c r e a t e s a s a f e connect his r o o k s and hope 39 E a 6 Qxg2
(Korchnoi and Zak). s q u a r e f o r his king. His to survive t h e coming 40 Qd4+ B e 7
14 @d2 Leg6 advantage s p r i n g s from onslaught. 41 n x h 6 Ba8
15 gel+(147) Black's t o t a l lack of co- 26 g x f 7 + @g6 42 Xg6
ordination. 27 &7+! 43 g x g S Qh3
20 ... g6 White f o r c e s Black t o 4 4 Qc2 @f6
Black's bishop will now take t h e f-pawn with his 45 EhS QfS
r e t u r n to t h e game, b u t his king, in o r d e r t o improve 46 Q b 4 1-0
kingside remains in a
tangle. if instead 20 ... h6,
White gains a clear advan-
t a g e by 21 h e 4 f 6 22 @c3
Q f 7 23 QcS.
21 f 6 h6
22 h e 4 a 4
is ... af8 23 &c3 Fg8
O t h e r moves s e e m t o b e 24 Qc5 g5
even worse: Bangiev recommends 24
a) 15 ... @d6 16 fS! ... @h7 25 Xe7 g h f 8 26 h3
b) 15 ... @f6 16 g4! B d 8 17 &8 as being only slightly
c 4 c 6 18 Q h 3 and Black is in b e t t e r f o r White. This
serious danger of being s e e m s very generous to-
mated. wards Black: 27 h4!?, pre-
Nimzo witsch Coun ter-Gambit 147
0-0 0-0 9 Q a 3 Q g 4 10 Q c 4 away with 8 ... a x e s ) 9 Q c 4
Qc7 with a n unclear posi- H a 5 10 Qf3 Q g 4 11a d 6 + and
tion, very similar t o game White had t h e advantage,
31. Opocensky - Johner, Ba-
10) Nimzowitsch Counter-Gambit 4 H e 2 leads to a roughly
level game a f t e r 4 ... cd! S f e
den-Baden 1914.
6 d4
(5 Hxe5+ Q e 7 6 H x g 7 Q f 6 6 Q f 3 i s sensible a f t e r
wins t h e queen; 6 Q f 3 is which 6 ... d 4 7 Q e 4 tran-
b e t t e r when Black h a s s p o s e s t o t h e above note.
identical pawn structure. s o m e compensation f o r t h e 6 ... @h4+
This pawn s t r u c t u r e is, of pawn) S ... Q c 6 6 Q f 3 Q g 4 7 7 g3 $xd4
course, what compensates '&f2!? Q x f 3 8 gf Qe7 (8 ... 8 Qf4! Qb4!
f o r Black's active pieces. a x e s 9 d 4 Q c 6 10 Q c 3 Q e 7 Black, correctly, doesn't
White's 4-2 majority on t h e 11 Q f 4 with good play f o r try to keep his weak d-
queenside should guarantee White) 9 H e 2 Qh4+ 10 @dl pawn b u t instead makes
him a large advantage in a h 6 and, according t o Ban- s u r e t h a t White's pawn
any endgame. giev, t h e position is level. s t r u c t u r e is n o t t o o healthy.
I should mention t h a t 4 ... cd 9 Bxd4
t h e sudden rise in popular- More common is 4 ... e f , 9 Qe2 is dubious, e.g. 9
ity o f this variation coin- which will b e t h e subject of ... @e4! 10 Bgl a x e 5 11 &2
cided with t h e publication subsequent games. Qf3+ 12 Q x f 3 (12 @f2 QcS+)
of a couple of good wins S fe Qd!? 12 ... B x f 3 13 H d 2 Q e 7 with
f o r Black in t h e trend- More usual i s S ... d 4 6 a t least equality f o r Black.
In recent times, t h i s de- setting Informator (so you Qe4 HdS ( 6 ... Q c 6 7 Q f 3 9 ... &d4
fence h a s risen f r o m know what you have t o H d 5 8 Q f 2 QfS 9 Q d 3 Qg6 10 0-0-0 Qxc3
obscurity to virtual poll study if you s p o t wins for 10 0-0 and Black had noth- 11 bc 4361
position a m o n g s t t h e de- Black in there). Let's have a ing to show f o r t h e pawn For s o m e reason, 1 had
fences to t h e King's Gam- look at s o m e games. in Teichmann - Marshall, expected 11 ... Q e 6 , b u t t h e
bit. This is n o t so surpris- Baden-Baden 1914) 7 Q d 3 (7 t e x t i s much better. From
ing as t h e Nimzowitsch is Game 45 d 3 is interesting. The game c6 t h e knight attacks t h e
very modern in outlook: Gallagher - Milovanovic Boudre - Flear, Pau 1988, e-pawn, prevents an
Black i s n o t interested in a Liechtenstein 1990 continued: 7 ... Q c 6 8 Q f 3 annoying check o n bS and
pawn b u t prefers active Q x e S 9 Qe2 fS?! 10 Q e d 2 doesn't g e t in t h e way of
piece play. After t h e moves 1 e4 eS &4 11 Q c 4 b 5 12 h 3 b c 13 t h e bishop.
4 Qc3 ef S Q f 3 Qd6 6 d 4 2 f4 dS hg f g 14 d c H d 6 15 0-O! with 12 g x d S a g e 7
Q e 7 7 d c Q b x c 6 w e arrive 3 ed c6 good attacking chances f o r 13 a d 6 Qe6
in t h e main line of t h i s var- 4 Qc31 White; 7 H e 2 has a l s o been 14 Qf3
iation. If you have already 4 d c falls in with Black's suggested b u t a f t e r 7 ... The e x t r a pawn isn't so
studied t h e chapter o n t h e plans. The game Ree - Qc6 8 Q f 3 Q g 4 9 c 4 H a 5 important, b u t Black does
Modern Defence you will S h o r t , Wijk aan Zee 1986, Black h a s a good game) 7 ... have s o m e weak squares in
notice certain similarities continued 4 ... Q x c 6 S Qb5 a c 6 8 H e 2 Q h 6 (maybe his camp f o r White to
including, sometimes, an ef 6 Q f 3 Qd6 7 d 4 Q e 7 8 Black should try t o g e t occupy. Nevertheless, with
148 Nimzowitsch Counter-Gambit Nimicowitsch Counter-Gambit 149
accurate play Black should t h e question: 21 ... Q x d 4 22 36 ... @d8?7 met 1990 continued: 6 ...
be a b l e to hold t h e balance. Qb4+ @d7 23 g f 7 + @c6 24 37 Qxc6 Qd6 7 QxdS @as+ 8 Q c 3
14 ... h67 ... and Black can't recap- Qf6? (8 ... Q e 7 is better) 9
This gives White t h e .ure. QbS+ Qd7 10 @e2+ a d 8 (10
time h e requires to launch 23 Qb4?
I missed a very simple
37 ... Exd6 ... S f 8 is more solid) 11 0-0
a s t r o n g attack. 38 ed bc E e 8 12 QeS! Qxe5 (Black
1s Q d 4 l Q x d 4 win here. After 23 QxfS 39 Exc6 Xxh2 can try 12 ... Qc6, b u t a f t e r
16 cd QfS ExfS 24 XxfS ef 25 Qb4! .. the 40 nxa6 gS 13 a x f 7 + @c7 14 @c4 Qe6
Black had l i t t l e choice pawns a r e unstoppable. 41 Ea7 hS White h a s a dashing queen
b u t to accept t h e offer. 23 ... Qe7 42 Eg7 g4 sacrifice: 15 Qxd6! Q x c 4 16
17 QbS+ Bf8 (150) 24 de+ axe6 43 a4 Eh3 a x c 4 @b4 17 Qxf4+ @d8 18
If 17 ... B e 7 t h e n 18 dS! 2S Qc4+ @d7 44 as Exg3 Qd6!) 13 d e Qc6 14 Qxf4.
Qc8 19 g e l with very good 26 g d l + Be8 45 a6 Ee3 My opponent glanced a t his
play f o r White. 27 E d 6 46 a7 1-0 watch and decided to call it
White still has fine com- a day.
pensation f o r t h e exchange, Game 46 6 d4 Qf6
b u t Black can now a t least Ermenko - Kurguz 6 ... Q e 7 is t h e subject of
play actively with his Corr. 1982/83 games 47-50.
rooks. 7 @e2+
27 ... gc8 This check comes a t an
28 Qe6 Qfl+ awkward moment for
29 @b2 Ed8 Black. As in o t h e r var-
30 Qc4! iations of t h e King's Gam-
If 30 Ebb Q d 5 . bit, Black has to choose
30 ... Xf2 between a slightly unpleas-
18 g x e 6 31 m 6 gd7 a n t endgame, o r losing t h e
White could a l s o leave 31 ... Qd5 would have right to castle.
t h e rook o n d6 and g e t a l o s t now to 32 Ee6+ e f 7 33 7 ... @e7
s t r o n g passed pawn in re- gd6! After 7 ... @f8, White
t u r n f o r t h e exchange, b u t 32 Qb3 Qc6 should play 8 QeS! and
t h e a t t a c k along t h e f-file 33 Qa4 now:
looked even better. White threatens 34 Exb7 a) 8 ... c d 9 Q x f 4 a c 6 10
18... fe @f2 (10 0-0-0 Qxe5 11 d e
19 Efl! Q g 4 12 @d2 Qxdl 13 ef QhS
Indirectly defending t h e 14 fg+ a x g 7 15 Qh6+ &g8 16
d-pawn and threatening g4. S ... Qd6 $xd5 Qg6 17 Q c 4 with
19... a6 36 &a4 S ... Q f 6 6 d 4 Qd6 trans- advantage to White,
Black makes e8 available I was in extreme time poses; 5 ... cd 6 d 4 leaves according to Glaskov) 10 ...
f o r his king. trouble here, which ex- Black unable t o defend his &4?! (10 ... @e7 H 0-0-0
20 Qd3 @e7 plains my opponent's att- f-pawn in a satisfactory a x e 5 12 d e QxeS 13 Qxe5
21 Qd21 a d 7 e m p t t o play f o r a win with manner (6 ... g5 7 h4). Gal- @xe5 14 Q x d S a x d S 15 @cS+
Taking o n d 4 was o u t of \agher - Barczay, Kecske- @e7 is only a little b e t t e r
150 Nirnzowitsch Counter-Ga rnbit Nirnzo witsch Counter-Gambit 151
f o r White) 11 Q x g 4 Qxg4 12 Black now has: The respective pawn Qd3. White has the super-
Qd3 (The simple 12 Qe2 a) 9 ...QfS 10 0-0 (10 Q e 5 structures offer White ior bishop.
would have emphasised the is interesting and led t o an slightly t h e better chances, 13 c3
frailty of Black's position, extremely quick win in but he has t o take care n o t White defends d 4 in
e.g. 12 ... Qxf 4 13 e x f 4 Qxe2 Gallagher - Schmutz, Bern t o exchange off t h e wrong order t o develop his bishop
14 a x e 2 @e7 IS 0-O! and 1990, after 10 ... ge8?! 11 pieces. For example, in a to d3.
Black has a weak d-pawn 0-0 Qxc2 12 Qxf7! bS 13 rook endgame, Black's 13... aac8
and a misplaced king) 12 ... Q x d 6 @xd6 14 Qxf4+Qd7 1.5 pawn would be hardly weak 13 ... QxeS 14 de Qc5 15
Qxf4 13 e x f 4 h5 14 0-0 and dc+ 1-0) 10 ... Qxc2 (10 ... cd a t all and h e would have a &S+ causes Black pro-
White has t h e b e t t e r game, 11QxdS+ QxdS 12 QxdS a c 6 ready-made minority a t t - blems, a s after IS ... f6 16
Gallagher - Nemet, Suhr 13 c 3 left Black with a very ack. White should try t o ef+ gf 17 Qf4, White has
1990. weak f-pawn in Cheremisin ensure t h a t the light- two pawn islands against
b) 8 ... QxdS occurred in - Abelman, Moscow 1956) 11 squared bishops remain on four f o r Black.
Gallagher - Fedorov, Sa- Eel+ @f8 12 dc! Qxc6 and the board as his is clearly 14 Qxc6+
Verne 1990. After 9 Q x d S cd now either 13 Q b S Qb8 14 the superior piece. White decides that it is
10 Qxf4 e c 7 11 e f 2 Q c 6 12 Q e S o r 13 Q e 5 QxeS 14 de time t o clarify the situa-
Q d 3 Qxf4 13 Q x f 4 Qg4 14 QcS+ 15 @fl lead t o a tion.
Qe2! E e 8 15 0-0 Qxe2 16 White advantage (Glaskov). 14... bc
a x e 2 an almost identical b) 9 ... bS! (Black imme- 14 ... nxc6 1s Qxd6+ Bxd6
position t o t h e twelfth diately attacks those pieces 16 Qd3 is another possibili-
move note in 'a' had arisen. which exert control over ty -
White has a clear advan- dS) 10 Qb3 b4 11 Q e 2 QxdS 1S Qxd6+ Qxd6
tage. 12 QxdS cd 13 Qxf4 Qa6 14 16 Qd3 cS?!
8 @xe7+ @xe7 (152) Qxd6+ @xd6 15 &3 (15 Q f 4 Black was obviously
would have offered better worried about White fixing
chances of an edge) 1S ... his pawns on light - squares,
Ee8+ 16 @d2 Q c 6 17 Rae1 g6 11 ... Qc6 b u t - a f t e r 16 ... c5 white's
18 g x e 8 Exe8 19 g e l a x e l 11 ... f 6 is also known to advantage becomes even
20 @xel f6 with an equal tournament practice. After more marked.
endgame in J. Polgar - 12 a d 3 Q c 6 13 0-0-0 Qxf4+ 17 dc+ QxcS
Breim, Reykjavik 1988. 14 Q x f 4 @d6, White can 18 Qc2
9 ... QxdS obtain t h e better chances The d4-square is very
9 ... QfS can be met by 10 with IS Qe2 QfS (otherwise suitable f o r a white rook,
Qc4 transposing t o 'a' in this bishop will remain from where i t will be able
the previous note, o r by 10 passive) 16 Qf3 Qe4 17 c4! t o keep an eye on all parts
9 QeS Qxf 4 Qxc2 11 @d2! Qe4 12 dc a x f 3 18 cS+. of the board. The bishop is
9 Qc4, with t h e idea of Q x c 6 13 Eel Qb4 14 QgS and 12 0-0-0 Qe6 also well placed on c2
preventing Black from Black loses material The game Skrobek - Sy- where it has the option of
obtaining a pawn in the (Korchnoi). The text is dor, Polish Ch 1978 led t o switching diagonals t o b3,
centre and t o create some more logical. a slight edge f o r White increasing the pressure on
threats against f7, is an 10 QxdS+ cd after 12 ... f 6 13 Qxc6+ bc 14 d5.
interesting alternative. 11 Qxf4 (153) g e l + Qe6 15 Qxd6+ @xd6 16 18 ... aS
152 Nimzowitsch Counter-Ga Nimzowitsch Counter-Gambit 153
19 E d 4 Qd7 more critical.
Black manoeuvres his 7... Qbxc6
bishop around to c6 in 8 dS?!
order to create s o m e count- Game 47 Although this advance is
erplay o n t h e e-file. Spassky - Zsu. Polgar extremely tempting, if
20 g h d l Qc6 Wellington 1988 Black plays accurately s h e
21 b4+?l should b e able to exploit
Of course, if Black takes t h e weakness of t h e dark
o n b4, t h e connected squares.
passed pawns will decide 8 Q c 4 will be seen later
t h e outcome. However, 21 and 8 Q e 4 should trans-
b4+ d o e s rather r u s h things pose (to 8 Qc4). 8 Q d 3 is a
and a more measured 29 @?a31 speciality of t h e Canadian
approach, involving soft- White creates mating master ~ a w r e n c e Day. In
ening u p t h e black king- chances by covering t h e his game against Schulte,
side, would probably have b4-square, and if 29 ... Ea8+ Toronto 1988, Black found
been better. t h e n 30 B b 4 and White an interesting queen man-
...
21 ebb hopes t h a t t h e pin on the
c-file combined with t h e
oeuvre: 8 ... Q g 4 9 Q e 2
22 ba+ @xaS Qxf3 10 gf @as+ 11 c 3 Bg5.
23 Qb3 outside passed pawn will Now White decided to eva-
Black h a s now l o s t his give him s o m e winning cuate his king to t h e
d-pawn, s o it's time t o chances. queenside with 12 @d2!?.
activate. 29 ... fS The position is very comp-
...
23 nhe8 This blunders away a licated b u t Black's chanc-
2 4 Bid2 pawn. Black should have In t h i s way Black rules e s shouldn't be worse.
Not 24 QxdS Qa4!, b u t 24 played 29 ... f6. o u t t h e annoying check o n 8... Qb4
@b2 looks b e s t as i t should 30 n b 4 + @a7 e2 - his advantage i s on t h e 9 Q c 4 (156)
save a tempo o n t h e text. 30 ... @?a6 31 g c S threa- kingside, so i t i s natural t o 9 QbS+ looks logical, b u t
...
24 Be3 t e n s Qc4. avoid t h e queen exchange a f t e r 9 ... Qd7 10 Qxd7+
Black keeps in t h e game 31 BcS Qb7 t h a t normally occurs a f t e r B x d 7 11 0-0 Rd8! Black has
by counter-attacking ag- 32 Has+ Qd this check. a good came.
a i n s t t h e white pawns. 33 BxfS 7 dc
25 @b2 @b6 With an e x t r a pawn and 7 Q c 4 will b e seen later.
26 c4!? t h e more active rooks, the 7 Q d 3 i s interesting and
White gives u p trying t o win is assured. The re- a f t e r 7 ... 0-0 8 0-0 Q x d S 9
win t h e d-pawn and instead maining moves were: 33 ... Q x d S cd 10 Q e 5 Q c 6 11
hopes to take advantage of BcS 34 Ef7+ B8c7 35 n b f 4 a x c 6 b c 12 &f4 White had
t h e exposed position of t h e Qb7 36 g 3 gxf7?! 37 Exf7 t h e upper hand in J. Polgar
black king. 26 a b 4 + was g g 5 38 Qc2 @b6 39 Qxh7 - S. Jackson, Thessaloniki
l e s s committal. gas+40 @b4 x x a 2 41 h4 g5 1988. I t is quite possible
...
26 dc 42 hS Qc6 43 QfS Ra4+ 44
@b3 BcS 45 h6 g a 8 46 Xc7
t h a t Black's play can be
improved; 7 ... cd looks
27 g x c 4 Be7
154 Nimzowitsch Counter-Ga Nimzowitsch Counter-Gambit 155
9 ... QfS is well met by 10 ... QcS!. has t h e b e t t e r game. @g6!. I t turns o u t t h a t
9 ... 0-0 i s a l s o very sen- e.g. 14 ... Qc7 a f t e r t h e queen is captured
sible and after 10 a3 Black a) 11 a3 Qxd4 12 ab @b6 13 14 ... Q h 4 IS @d3! White's knight is trapped
has t h e fascinating poss- Q x f 4 0-0 and White's king IS QfZ! and t h a t 29 g h 8 + @xh8 30
ibilty 10 ... bS!. This has won't be able t o find a safe This forces some fa- Qxg6 g d 8 31 Q e S e2 wins
been extensively analysed haven. vourable exchanges. f o r Black.
by t h e American master b) 11 a x f 5 Q x f 5 12 Qxf4 IS ... Qxf 3 20 ... e2!?
Mike Valvo and he employ- (12 @e2+ Qe3!) 12 ... @e7+! 16 @xf3 Q e 3 21 g x e 2 gxe2
ed this move t o beat Deep with good attacking chan- 17 Qxe3 fe 22 @xe2 @xdS
Thought (maybe computers ces. 18 Qg4 @gS 2s ~ b s
aren't s o terrible if they 19 xael White's pieces are b e t t e r
play t h e King's Gambit!): 11 Of course 19 a x e 3 is bad co-ordinated and he has
Qb3 (Gone a r e t h e days because of 19 ... Qb6. attacking chances against
when a computer used t o 19 ... Aae8
- f7.
g r a b everything t h a t was 20 @hi 23 ... @d7
offered. The game Hoyes - If Black defends her 24 QeS QxeS
Gild. Garcia, New York 1987, pawn with 20 ... Qb6 then 21 25 @xeS Qc7
saw t h e human take t h e Qa4! i s annoying, e.g. 21 ... 26 h3?!
bait with 11 Qxb5 (11 Q x b S Be7 22 d6 g e 6 23 Q b 3 g x d 6 26 Ed1 was more accur-
Q b x d 5 i s very dangerous (1S8). ate.
f o r White) 11 ... Q b x d 5 12 26... @c8?
Q x d 5 Qxd.5 13 Qc6 Qa6 14 10 ... 0-07 This move is quite in-
@xdS g e 8 + 15 @dl Qe2+ 16 Black misses her chance; explicable. 26 ... Q e 6 had t o
@d2 Qc4 17 Qxa8 Qxd5 18 unfortunately "the doc" did be played with good draw-
Qxd5 Qb4+ 0-1. However, not do s o against me: 10 ... ing chances.
this game i s not a s smooth @b6! 11 a 3 Q a 6 12 @d4 QcS! 27 @e7! 93h8
a s i t appears. In f a c t 17 13 0-0 0-0 14 a h 1 Qd3! with Now it's t o o late f o r 27
Q x a 8 is a dreadful blunder t h e b e t t e r game f o r Black ... Q e 6 a s 28 g x f 7 wins.
as 17 @d4! QeS 18 gel!! wins in Gallagher - Nunn, Bays- 28 x x f 7 axf7
f o r White. Therefore Black water 1987. 29 Qxf7
should have played 14 ... 11 0-0 Often queen and knight
@e7+ 15 H e 4 @xe4+ 16 Qxe4 White is now ready t o Now 2 4 Q x e 3 gives work b e t t e r than queen and
a a e 8 with t h e b e t t e r game) play moves s u c h a s Q d 4 , White a slight advantage; bishop in t h e ending, b u t
11 ... a a 6 12 Q x b 5 B a s + 13 and then t o try t o pick up 24 @xf7+!? is dangerous, this is certainly not the
Q c 3 Q c S 14 Qa2 Qa6! IS b 4 t h e f4-pawn. b u t Black appears t o have case here. Apart from
$3~7 16 bc g f e 8 17ae2@xcS. 11 ... a 4 adequate defensive resour- Black's chronically weak
Black has sufficient com- 12 Q e 4 QfS ces, e.g. 24 ... Hxf7 25 n x f 7 back row, her knight is tot-
pensation f o r t h e piece and 13 c3 0 6 g d S 26 Ref1 hS! ( t h e only ally dominated by the bish-
he eventually won on move 14 Qc2 way t o avoid mate) 27 Ef8+ op.
48. Now t h a t White's bishop (27 g7fS @xg4 28 QxdS+ 29 ... b6
10 Qb3 (157) has been re-routed t o a Qh7 29 h3 @e2 g e t s no- 30 b 4 aS
10 Qd4 looks natural b u t more pleasant diagonal, he where) 27 ... @h7 28 Qc2+ 31 bS! h6
156 Nimzowitsch Counter-Gambi t Nimzowitsch Counter-Gambit 157
Not 31 ... QxbS 32 Qe8! pin is the only way for solidify d 4 by playing c3. kingside will be reduced
32 a 4 ad Black to put any real pres- However, 10 Q e 2 also de- and eventually White's
33 Qe6 @b8 sure on the white position. serves attention, e.g. 10 ... queenside pawn majority
Black has almost been Other moves lead t o a bet- Q g 6 11 c 3 Qce7?! (11 ... @c7 will come into its own.
pushed off t h e edge of the t e r game f o r White: looks better) 12 &S! @c7 13 ... Be8
board. a) 9 ... Qf5 10 Qh4! (This 13 @b3 Q c 6 14 Qxf7+! Xxf7 Illescas considered this
34 QdS Qc7 emphasises the weakness 15 @xf7+ @xf7 16 Q x f 7 @xf7 t o be a serious error,
35 Qc6 $9~8 of f4) 10 ... g c 8 (10 ... Bb6 17 Q x f 4 with advantage t o offering instead 13 ... g5 as
36 c 4 ad can be met by 11 QdS! as
after 11 ... @xd4+ 12 e x d 4
White, Podgorny - Sevecek,
Corr. 1986.
unclear. However, Mikhal-
37 @b7 exb7 chishin pointed o u t in his
38 Qxb7 Q c 7 Q x d 4 13 Qxe7+ Qxe7 14 10 ... Qc7 article in New in Chess that
39 cS bc Q x f S QxfS 1s Qxf4, t h e two 10 ... x c 8 is a possible White has two interesting
40 b6 Qe6 bishops and queenside alternative when 11 Q x d 6 ways t o continue:
41 QdS Qf8 pawn majority give White e x d 6 leaves White facing a) 14 QxgS @xg5 15 Q e 4
42 Qca 1-0 t h e better game, o r 11 ... problems with his d-pawn e f 5 16 Qxd5 n b e 8 17 @f2
QxdS 12 QxfS!) 11 @hl (Si- and o n t h e c-file. Better is a x e 4 18 Qxe4 @xe4 19 Qxf 4
Game 4 8 destepping any Qxd4 11 c 3 and a f t e r 11 ... Q b 8 12 Qxf4 20 g x f 4 @xf4 21 Xxf4
Illeacas - Nunn tricks) 11 ... Q b 8 12 Qxf4 Qb3 looks best. This pos- Qe6 22 b 3 b5 23 g d l with
Dubai 1986 Q x d 4 13 Q x f 5 QexfS 14 Qd3 ition has n o t yet occurred a clear advantage t o White.
(Black's knights are sus- in practice, but experience b) 14 QxdS BxdS 15 Q e 4
pended unhappily in the would suggest t h a t White Q d 8 16 QfxgS!? QxgS 17
middle of t h e board) 14 ... has good chances. Qxf4 (17 axf4!? QhS 18
Q e 7 15 Qxb8 g x b 8 16 B h 5 11 c3 eg3!) 17 ... g b e 8 18 $g3
f 5 17 gad1 with advantage White bolsters his Xxe4 19Bxg4 h6 20 h4 with
t o White in Hellers - Val- centre, considering t h a t an a mess.
kesalmi, Thessaloniki 1988. advance of his d-pawn 14 @h4 exh4
Black only lasted another would b e premature. 14 ... Qxf3 IS @xd8 Ebxd8
few moves: 17 ... e b 6 18 11 ... QdS?! 16 g x f 3 leaves White clear-
Qc4+ a h 8 19 Q a 4 @f6 20 This natural-looking ly on top.
Q c 5 e c 6 21 b4 Q x c 2 22 g e 2 move leads Black into ser- IS -4 Qe3
H e 4 23 a x e 4 1-0. ious difficulties. 11 ... Q g 6 16 Qxe3 Xxe3
b) 9 ... Q g 6 occurred in is similar to games 49 and 17 gael Xxel
t h e game Popovych - Shah- so. 18 Exel (160)
ade, Philadelphia 1989, but 12 QcS! gb8 After a series of exchan-
after 10 Q e 4 QfS 11 Qxd6 12 ... b6 13 Q a 6 is good ges the position has clari-
@xd6 12 c3 a6?! 13 p 3 Qxd3 for White. fied and we can now see
14 e x d 3 g f e 8 15 Iqp2 White 13 e e l ! t h a t Black is in trouble. I t
had a clear advantage. This shows very good is apparent that White has
10 Q e 4 understanding of t h e pos- a mobile pawn majority,
This is the m o s t natural, :tion. White aims f o r a but hard t o imagine that
9 ... I$B4 threatening t o take the t w o ueen exchange after which Rlack has a similar four
This slightly annoying bishops and preparing t o xck's chances o n t h a t t w o on the king-
158 Nimzowitsch Counter-Gam bit Nirnzowitsch Counter-Gambit 159
side. White's rook is also Q x b 8 22 g e 7 Qd6 23 Bxb7. Qxc6 31 Qd3 White's queen- 3 ed c6
proudly patrolling t h e only Black's pawns are useless. side pawns will decide t h e 4 Qc3 ef
open file, whilst Black's 20 ... a 6 issue. S Qf3 Qd6
has t h e miserable task of 21 Qe7+
22 Qxc6 bc
@g7 29 ... @f7
- 6 d4 he7
defending a pawn. 30 b 4 @e6
23 Q a 6 Xc8 31 a 4 @d6
24 Q x c 7 Bxc7 32 a5 hs?
25 EeS (161) Time trouble has arrived
and Black seriously wea-
kens his kingside. The h-
pawn has t o stay back in
order t o be able to meet h 4
with h6. Better was 32 ...
Qxc6 as t h e king and pawn
ending should be a draw.
18 ... gs
33 h4! -
LPxc6
34 Qxc6 gxc6 This is probably the
It's only here t h a t t h e 3S hg fg most accurate move order
game Gallagher - Davidov- 36 BxgS n x c 3 a s it makes Black think
ic, Haringey 1988 went its Another group of ex- 37 g x h 5 about whether he should
separate way with 18 ... @ f 8 changes and a very favour- Black might have s o m e take on dS o r not.
19 Q f 3 Qbb? (19 ... h6 was
better) 20 Q g 5 h6 21 Q x f 7
able ending for White has
arisen.
drawing chances if his f- 7 ... cd
pawn wasn't so far It could well be t h a t
Qc7 (Black had assumed 25 ... f6 advanced, b u t on f 4 it is Black should n o t make this
t h a t the knight would be in 26 g c S Qe4 too exposed. capture. After 7 ... 0-0 8
trouble, but forgot about 26 ... n b 7 was better. 37 ... Ec4 0-0 Qg4 White has nothing
one critical square) 22 Qh8! 27 dS! xd7 38 bS Ecs better than 9 dc transpos-
g5 (The only move) 23 Qe6+ Black gives u p a pawn 38 ... E a 4 39 b6 takes a ing t o Illescas - Nunn,
a x e 6 24 gxe6. With an and pins his hopes on little longer, but still wins. whilst after 7 ... cd we
extra pawn and a strong blockading the queenside, 39 gxcs *cs arrive a t t h e same position,
attack, White is n o t f a r a s he realises t h a t 27 ... @f8 40 b 6 1-0 but with White's bishop
from victory. The remain- 28 b 4 B e 7 29 bS is hope- After 40 ... a b 41 ab @xb6 arguably better placed on
ing moves were 24 ... h a 5 less. 42 @f2 $c6 43 @f3 @d6 44 b3.
2s Q g 6 + @f7 26 QdS E d 8 27 28 d c Ec7 @xf4 @e6 45 @gS White 8 QX~S
c 4 Qb6 28 gxb6+! Exd5 29 Of course, after 28 ... wins. Of course 8 QxdS??
cd a b 30 QeS+! B e 7 31 b4! g d l + 29 @f2 Black's checks loses a piece.
1-0. will run out. Game 49 8 ... 0-0
19 h31 QhS?! 29 QbS? Westerinen - Motwad The a t t e m p t t o justify
19 ... Qc8 was better. This falls in with Black's London 1988 his seventh move with 8 ...
20 QfS? plan. I t would have been QxdS 9 QxdS @as+ LO Q c 3
White could have won stronger t o play 29 b4! as is n o t attractive for Black.
with 20 Qd7! gh 21 Q x b 8 after 29 ... gxc6? 30 gxc6 The weakness of his f-
160 Nimzowitsch Counter-Ca Nim rzowitsch Coun ter-Gambit 161
pawn is f e l t more than introducing the possibility 25 Qc6! fS 26 Qf6+!) 25 QcS! 21 @xfS+ @g8 22 g3 @dS!
ever. For example, 10 ... 0-0 of &bS a t an appropriate f 3 26 g x e 7 Exe7 27 Qxf3 and Black has a winning
11 0-0 Qg4 12 Q e 4 (12 Q e 2 moment. a f 5 28 g 4 and White soon position.
looks strong) 12 ... Qc7 13 14 QfgS! (163) converted his material b) 18 c d @xd4+ 19 Q f 2
Q f 2 QhS 14 Qh3!? &f5 15 From nowhere, White advantage. Qd3 20 Ed1 Qb6 21 @f3 ne8!
&d2! and White has the whips up a nasty attack. 1s &hS! and Black has a strong
b e t t e r game, Gallagher - Taking o n f7 would n o t attack.
Brito, Las Palmas 1990. 15 ... have offered sufficient C) 18 ag3!!. This incred-
Qxf3 16 g x f 3 gS fails t o 17 play. ible move seems to give
Q x g 5 &xgS 19 gg3. is ... hs White t h e advantage:
9 0-0 abc6 Black has one other very cl) 18 ... Qd3 19 Qxf4!
10 Qb3 Qg4 interesting try, IS ... Qxd4. Qxfl 20 g x f l and White
ll Qe4 Qc7 Now 16 cd &xd4+ is good will eventually emerge with
11 ... a c 8 makes less for Black, and if 16 a d 1 hg 17 an extra pawn.
sense with the bishop Exd4 (Or 17 QxgS Qe2+! and c2) 18 ... f g 19 cd &xd4+
already a t b3. wins) 17 ... Qb6, e.g. 18 20 @hi @g8 21 @xfS g f 8 22
12 c3 QxgS Qxd4+ 19 cd @xd4+ 20 Qe3! with a good game f o r
White could consider 14 ... h6 @hl Qe5 21 Qxf7 Q x f 7 22 White, e.g. 22 ... &d6 23
trying t o blow Black away This is obviously the cri- @xfS &f6 and White &c2 nf2?! 24 Qxf2 gf 25
with 12 dS, b u t after 12 ... tical move, b u t in the game doesn't have quite enough &b3+ @h7 26 g3 and White
Qb6+ 13 @hl Q d 4 14 d6 Q g 6 Gallagher - Almada, Chias- for t h e exchange; s o White defends.
he seems overextended. s o 1991, Black avoided the has to play 16 Q x f 7 g x f 7 17 c3) 18 ... &h4 19 cd!
12 ... Qgs complications and chose
instead 14 ... Qxe4 15 Q x e 4
Qxf7+ @xf7 (164). 16 Q x g S a h 8 (165)
The knight is more se-
curely placed here than on Ee8. Black's idea is that if
d5. he can force White t o move
13 h3!? his knight from e4, he may
For 13 Q f 2 , see game 50. be able t o g e t a dangerous
I should just note here attack with ... f 3 followed
t h a t if t h e bishop had been by ... &d6. However, he was
on c4, rather than b 3 (i.e. if unable t o carry out his
Black had n o t played 7 ... plan: 16 @f3! (Luring Black's
cd), then this continuation knight t o a dubious square)
would n o t be possible: 13 16 ... Q h 4 17 &d3 Q e S (17 ...
h3 Qxf3 14 &xf3 (14 g x f 3 B e 7 is met by 18 Qxf4) 18 A fascinating position 17 axf7! axf7
Q(either1eS) 14 ... Qxd4! 15 &bS! a6 (18 ... Q g 6 19 QgS!) has arisen where White has 18 &xfS &f6
UhS h e 5 16 &S h6 17 Q x f 7 19 &dS @xdS 20 QxdS Q d 3 several possibilities: 19 &xf6!?
Q x f 7 18 Qxf4 Qxf4 19 n x f 4 21 g d l ! Q x c l 22 gaxcl a) 18 Qxf4. Opening t h e 19 &g4 leaves White with
Qe6! and Black defends. (White just has t o avoid f-file should normally be a strong attack, but West-
13 ... Qfs some tricks t o gain the full decisive, b u t Black has a erinen judged that the
13 ... QhS!? should be met point) 22 ... g e 7 23 Eel tactical defence: 18 ... Qxf4 pawns and the continuing
by 14 &d3, unpinning and g a e 8 24 @f2! @f8 (24 ... b6? 19 g x f 4 Qe2+! 20 @hl Q x f 4 problems of t h e black king-
162 Nimzowitsch Counter-Gs Njmzowitsch Counter-Gambit 163
side, even a f t e r t h e queen have been placing all King's pawn.
exchange, were more than Gambit theory under t h e 18 ... Qxf 4
enough f o r t h e piece. microscope, considers t h a t I9 Q x f 4
19 ... gf White has t h e b e t t e r chan- Black's bishops offer
20 Qxf4 Qxf4 ces a f t e r 19 Q x f 4 Q x f 4 (19 partial compensation f o r
20 ... Q d 8 21 E f 3 looks ... @xb3 2 0 Qed3 i s a little t h e pawn.
good f o r White. b e t t e r f o r White) 2 0 Q x f 4 19 ... Qe4
21 E x f 4 @g7 Qe2 21 c 4 @e8 22 Qd6 Q x f l 2 0 @hS @d8
22 Eg4+! @h6 23 @xfl Q e 7 2 4 H e 2 Q f 5 25 21 g3
23 E f l Q x f 8 @xf8 26 Qc2 @d6 27 21 Exa7 would have m e t
There i s n o respite f o r @gl Q x d 4 2 8 Qd3. with a s a d end: 21 ... @b8!
Black. 16 ab @h4 1167) Now White is threatening-
23 ... at$ to t a k e t h e pawn.
24 h4 0 7 21 ... a671
25 QcZ! Qe7 Even s o , Nunn considers
26 ael i t necessary t o have played
There is n o defence. 13 4 3 2 21 ... f5, a f t e r which h e
26 ... Ef7 White a d o p t s a different assesses t h e position a s
27 Qb3 Eaf8 strategy to t h e previous slightly b e t t e r f o r White.
2 8 Qxf7 Exf7 game. With this knight 22 b4?!
With rook and three manoeuvre h e plans to lay I t would have been more
pawns against t w o knights, siege to f 4 with every accurate to have completed
t h e rest is just a m a t t e r of means at his disposal. his development with Q e g 2
technique: 29 a g e 4 Q g 6 30 13 ... Qfs Nunn gives s o m e var- and Hael at once.
g 3 fS 31 Be6 a f 6 32 c 4 @h5 14 Q d 3 QaS
Black is hard-pressed t o
iations in Informator to
s h o w t h a t 16 ... @g5 is in-
22 ... fS
33 E f l Q g 4 34 dS f 4 35 d6 23 Q e g 2 x f 6
f 3 36 cS Q 6 e 5 37 Ee7 g f 8 38 find any counterplay so he sufficient: 17 @f3! Rae8 18 24 nael ah6
d7 f2+ 39 E x f 2 Q x f 2 4 0 gives himself t h e option of Qxf4 Qg4 19 @g3! E x e l 2 0 25 @e2 gS
Exes+ @g4 41 a g S + @h3 42 removing White's potent- n x e l Q x f 4 21 g e 4 Qe2+ 22 26 Q d 3 Qc6 (168)
d 8 e 1-0. ially dangerous bishop. IS Exe2 @xcl+ 23 Xxcl Qxg3
Qc2 would allow 15 ... Q c 4 . 24 E e 7 with a clear advan-
Game SO IS Q f e l tage to White.
Hebden - Nunn White's play is n o t parti- 17 @f3
London 1987 cularly subtle, b u t t h e f- The f-pawn is l o s t and
pawn is certainly beginning it's just a question of
to feel t h e pressure. whether Black can d r u m up
IS ... Qxb3 enough counterplay o r not.
Nunn criticised t h i s move 17 ... Eae8
and gave 15 ... @gS 16 @f3 18 Q x f 4
Q g 4 17 @f2 Q x b 3 18 a b @b5 Obviously i t would be
a s unclear. However, Mik- very risky f o r White t o help 27 @f2?
halchishin, who s e e m s t o himself t o a queenside This throws away all of
164 Nimzo witsch Counter-Gambit
White's advantage. Better g x f 2 32 Q x d 3 Exfl+ 33 n x f l
was 2 7 U d 2 a s 27 ... Exel 28 bc 34 g x f 8 + @xf8 3s g 4
Exel f 4 can be met by 29 with a drawn endgame.
Q e S f 3 30 Q x c 6 bc 31 Qe3 29 ... gf
with a winning position.
27 ... gf8l
30 Q d x f 4 QxgZ!
31 W g 2 + @ha 11) Classical Defence
Now i t is clear t h a t the White can't deal with all
white queen is on a potent- t h e threats t o his kingside,
ially embarrassing square. e.g. 32 @e4 Hh4.
28 c 4 32 Q e 6 Qxh2+ I e4 eS ing o u t t h e minor pieces
And now 28 QeS would 33 @hi 2 f4 (169) quickly, and maybe playing
allow 28 ... QbS. 33 B x h 2 a g 8 + 3 4 @g2
Qa4, t o remove lack's
28 ... f4 Bxg2+ 35 @xg2 axe6! 36 strong bishop.
29 gf7 Bxe6 @g8+ is rather ele-
In my opinion, both sys-
And a f t e r this White is gant. tems offer White reason-
losing. He could still have 33 ... QeS+ able chances of obtaining
held t h e balance with accu- 34 @gl Qxd4+ the advantage.
rate play. Nunn gives the 35 Ef2 Qxf2+
following variation: 29 dS! 36 B x f 2 gxe6 Game 51
j3xh2! 30 dc Uxd3 31 Qxf4! 0-1 Larsen - Joyner
Blrmlngham 1951
Black is n o t interested in I
e4 e5
t h e complications arising 2 f4 Qc5
from t h e King's Gambit 3 Qf3 d6
Accepted and declines in There are also a couple
classical form, immediately of rarely played alterna-
bringing his king's bishop tives:
t o i t s best square. a) 3 ... Qc6 4 fe ( 4 QxeS
There are now two main is recommended by Zaitsev,
schemes of development a t a s after 4 ... QxeS S d 4
White's disposal. The first Qxd4 6 B x d 4 @h4+ 7 e f 2
involves a quick c3 and d4, White's t w o bishops give
so as t o build a strong him the better game. Black
pawn centre as quickly a s should try 4 ... Q f 6 and
possible. This can be rather after S Q c 3 0-0 6 fie2 Be8
doubled-edged a s White he has some compensation
may well fall behind in dev- for t h e pawn. 4 Q c 3 looks
elopment and have his good a s a f t e r 4 ... d6 S QbS
centre subjected t o strong White has transposed into
pressure. The second, quiet- a favourable line (see game
er, method involves bring- 54)) 4 ... d6 ( 4 ... QxeS
166 Classical Defence Classical Defence 167
doesn't work: S Q x e S @h4+ Now Black has no time t h e option of removing t h e Qxd8 g x d 8 14 d 4 is good
6 g3 a x e $ + 7 He2 H x h l 8 d 4 f o r 9 ... Q e 4 10 0-0 Qxc3 annoying bishop. The g a m e for White, a s is 11 ... @e7 12
(Korchnoi and Zak give 8 because of 11 Qc4! and a f t e r Arnason - I. Sokolov, Han- Qxe6. After 11 ... 0-0 12
&6+) 8 ... Q e 7 9 Q f 3 Black 9 ... Q x c 3 10 b c @e4 11 @d3 inge 1989 continued: S ... Qxe6 f e White does n o t
is in serious trouble, e.g. 9 Q x e S 12 f e @xg2 13 0-0-0 Qf6 6 d 3 Q g 4 7 d 4 fS with take t h e pawn, b u t plays 13
... d6 10 Qe3 QfS 11 Q b d 2 White has a considerable a complex s t r u g g l e in Qc4! with a good game.
Qxc2 12 Ecl QfS 13 g x c 7 ) S advantage. which Black managed to C) 4 ... He7. White can
e d B x d 6 6 c3!. This enables 4 c3 hold t h e balance. Instead now follow t h e recommen-
White t o take s h e l t e r be- 4 Q c 4 will be t h e subject of 6 d3, White can try 6 fe. dation of Greco's: 5 d 4 e d 6
hind a big pawn centre until of subsequent games. Now Black has t w o possi- cd Qb4+ (6 ... @xe4+ 7 Q f 2
he h a s completed his devel- 4 ... a 4 bilities (of course 6 ... wins for White, e.g. 7 ...
opment. Khavsky - Ivanov, With this pin. Black joins a x e 4 loses to 7 $a4+): Qb6 8 QbS+ followed by
Leningrad 1971 continued: 6 in t h e struggle f o r d4. a) 6 ... Q g 4 7 d 4 d e 8 h3 Eel) 7 Qc3! (If 7 @f2 Qf6! is
... Q g 4 7 d 4 0-0-0 8 Q e 3 fS However, a s w e shall see, Qf6 9 Q x e S Q x e 4 10 HhS! rather unclear) 7 ... Qxc3+ 8
9 B c 2 Q x f 3 10 gf Qb6 11 Q d 2 White is able to gain t h e g6 (After 10 ... $f6, White bc @xe4+ 9 @f2 with good
with a clear advantage t o advantage. There a r e a has t h e s t r o n g reply 11 attacking chances in return
White. number of alteratives, of QbS+. Now 11 ... c6 12 g f l is f o r t h e pawn.
b) 3 ... dS. This position which 4 ... fS and 4 ... Q f 6 good and a f t e r 11 ... Q d 7 S fe
can a l s o arise f r o m t h e can b e seen in games 52 and White m u s t be careful to S h3 should be good
Falkbeer Counter-Gambit 53 respectively. The others avoid 12 Qxd7+ Q x d 7 13 JJfl enough f o r an edge.
Declined: 4 Q x e S Q f 6 ( 4 ... a r e examined below. because o f 13 ... @xfl+. 12 5... de
de? S @hS H e 7 6 Q c 4 i s very a) 4 ... Q c 6 S QbS Qd7 6 E f l immediately is again 6 @a4+!
good f o r White) S d 4 Qb6 6 d 4 e d 7 cd Qb6 8 0-0 Q f 6 9 s t r o n g ) 11 $h6 and White This idea was discovered
e d @xdS 7 Qe3 Q c 6 8 Q c 3 Q c 3 0-0 10 @hl. I t is clear s t a n d s clearly better. by Frank Marshall and guar-
QaS. Black hopes t h a t his t h a t White's centre is very b) 6 ... d e 7 Q c 4 Q x e 4 (7 antees a pleasant middle-
control of t h e central s t r o n g and Black always ... Q c 6 can b e m e t by 8 d 3 game.
white squares will offer has to be o n t h e look o u t
against a possible eS.
0-0 9 Q x b 6 a b 10 Qe2 with 6... Qd7
sufficient compensation an edge) 8 Q x b 6 a b 9 @e2 This is t h e only move as
f o r t h e pawn. However, b) 4 ... Qb6. This prophy- Q f 6 10 e x e s + (How is Black 6 ... @d7 7 QbS c6 8 a x e 5
White's next move dashes lactic move is not without to escape t h e check?) 10 ... and 6 ...Q c 6 7 a x e 5 $h4+ 8
t h e s e hopes: 9 Qe2! (170). s o m e danger f o r White, @e7 11 $xe7+ a x e 7 12 Qc4!? g 3 Qf2+ 9 @xf2 @f6+ 10 @gl
especially if he nai'vely (White relinquishes t h e bi- BxeS 11 &2 are very good
170 continues with S d4. After s h o p pair in o r d e r to alle- for White.
B S ... e d 6 cd either 6 ... Qg4 viate t h e pressure o n a2) 12 7 @c2 Qc6
o r 6 ... Q f 6 gives Black ... Qe6 13 Qxe6 a x e 6 14 d 4 After 7 ... @e7 White can
good play. White has to (White h a s t h e b e t t e r pawn play 8 d4. Reti - Barasz, Ti-
play more slowly. S Qd3 s t r u c t u r e a n d t h e black misoara 1912, continued: 8 ...
merits attention, b u t my king might find itself a Qd6 8 Q b d 2 Q c 6 10 Q c 4
preference is f o r S Qa3. little exposed). 0-0-0 11 0-0 with advan-
The knight is bound f o r c4. The m o r e active 10 ... Qe6 tage to White.
from where i t will e x e r t is m e t by 11 QgS. Now 11 ... 8 b4! Qd6 (171)
pressure o n eS, and have Q b d 7 12 a x e 6 a x e 5 13 9 QeZ
turn his attention towards 25 Rae1 @h6 with a b e t t e r ending f o r
t h e a3-f8 diagonal. 25 ... u x a 3 26 E x e s f e 27 Black.
16 ... Qxd67 Qg6+ a x h 7 28 Q x f 8 + +wins. S ... de
Black should have played 26 Qg6+ Q x g 6 5 ... f e allows 6 $a4+ 4 3 6
16 ... c d although 17 Qa3 and 27 Qxg6 Qe8 7 @xe4 d e 8 QbS with a
18 g a d 1 will still cause him 28 QfS cb good game.
s o m e problems. 29 c6 b4 6 d4 ed
17 Qa3 Q 8 f 7 (172) 30 Qcl gS 7 Qc4! (174)
Black is not very alert. 17 32 c 7 Qc6 White hurries to occupy
... b 6 was necessary in 33 Be7 1-0 this crucial diagonal. There
order to take t h e sting o u t is certainly no time f o r 7
9 Q c 4 is a decent alter- of t h e coming advance. Game 52 cd, b u t Glaskov has sug-
native, e.g. 9 ... Q f 6 10 d 3 -
Gallagher Costa gested 7 eS!? as a n alterna-
@e7 H 0-0 0-0-0 12 a 4 with Be11990 tive.
good attacking chances,
Bronstein - Panov, Moscow
1947.
Larsen prefers t o keep
t h e c4-square f o r his
knight.
9 ... He7
10 Qa3 as
11 bS ad8
Larsen gives t h e follow- 18 c4! ed
ing variation: 11 ... Q x a 3 12 19 CS $xe4
Qxa3 $xa3 13 b c Qxc6 14 20 Qd3 @e3+ 7 ... fe!
a x e 5 &a4 IS $xa4 Q x a 4 16 21 a h 1 QxbS This is t h e only way f o r
Qc4 Q h 6 17 0-0 with "Desperation. The point Black to justify his pre-
advantage to White. He of t h e white combination is vious play. If i t is not
a l s o points o u t t h a t if t h a t t h e knight can only sound h e m u s t accept his
White wants t o avoid t h e r e t r e a t to c 8 o r e8, in both This is obviously t h e fate. O t h e r moves have
queen exchange he can play cases disconnecting t h e s h a r p e s t choice a t Black's been tried though:
9 Q a 3 and 10 Q c 4 . black rooks. 22 c6 would disposal a n d f r o m now o n a) 7 ... d 3 8 &S! Q f 6 9 e5
12 Q c 4 f6 then threaten Qxh7+ foll- t h e game will b e balanced h6 10 Q h 4 gS 11 ef g h 12 h e 5
Black has to try and hold owed by Qxf8. After, f o r on t h e edge of a precipice. and White had a very good
t h e eS-point at all costs. instance, 21 ... Qc8 22 c6 S fe game in Spielmann - Ru-
13 0-0 ah6 E d 8 23 c d t h e situation is S ef $e7! is difficult f o r binstein, Trieberg 1921.
14 d 4 ahf7 not l e s s hopeless f o r Black White; S d 4 is also dubious. b) 7 ... Q c 6 8 b4! Qb6 9
15 a 4 0-0 than in t h e game" (Larsen). Keres gives 5 ... ed 6 Q c 4 f e $b3 Q h 6 (Black has t o def-
16 Qxd6! 22 ab c6 7 Q g 5 d5! (S f e prevents end f7. If 9 ... Q f 6 10 b5
A t f i r s t sight a strange 23 Qxh7+ @h8 this defence) 8 Q x e 4 d c 9 Q a S 11 Qf7+ @f8 12 Qa3+; o r
move b u t White w a n t s t o 24 Q h 4 QeS @h5+ @f8 10 $xcS+ @e7 9 ... Q g e 7 10 QF7+ @f8 11
0-O!) 10 lEg5 (10 0-0 f e 11 play t h e King's Gambit! A of 13 ... Q c 2 , Black can t r y 9 ... Q x d 4 10 c d a c 6 . The
QgS! also gives good new idea was necessary; s o 13 ... n b 8 , b u t then 14 @xa7 drawback of White's ninth
attacking chances) 10 ... my a t t e n t i o n t u r n e d to 8 and Black s t i l l can't play 14 move i s t h a t he can't de-
@d6 11 Q b d 2 . Black is going Q x d 4 ! (175). ... Q c 2 (15 @a4+) whilst his fend his d-pawn (Obviously
to c o m e under heavy fire king remains s t u c k in t h e we're n o t going to r e t r e a t
f r o m White's raging bish- centre. t h e bishop) and 11 d 5 Q e 5 is
o p s which keep his king a2) 11 ... Q a S 12 Exfb! (12 n o t very attractive.
locked in t h e centre, e.g. 11 Qc3!?) 12 ... Q x c 4 13 @h5+ b1) 11 Q x f 6 comes into
... d c 12 @xc3 Q d 4 13 Q x d 4 (13 )3f2?! is n o t m e t by 13 ... consideration and is quite
@xd4 14 @xd4 Q x d 4 15 Qxe3? 14 @h5+ winning b u t likely t o e n d in a draw a f t e r
0-0-0 a n d t h e exchange of by 13 ... Qe6!) 13 ... g6 14 11 ... @xf6 12 @h5+ g6 13
queens has hardly dimi- g x g 6 h g 15 @xg6+!. White @dS! Q b 4 (13 ... Q x d 4 14
nished White's attack. undoubtedly h a s a very nfl!) 14 @bS+ (14 @xe4+ B e 7
C) 7 ... Q f 6 . This has been
dangerous attack, for i s a b o u t equal) 14 ... Q c 6 15
Black's most popular example: @dS.
choice here, b u t White can White removes Black's a21) 15 ... @ f 8 16 Qh6+ b2) 11 Qc3!. From the
obtain a clear advantage potentially dangerous d- n x h 6 17 @xh6+ @e7 18 @g7+ above variations, it has be-
w i t h o u t any g r e a t difficul- pawn and, in r e t u r n f o r t h e and a f t e r 18 ... @e8 o r 18 ... come apparent t h a t White
ty: 8 e5 Q e 4 9 c d Q b 4 + (9 ... s l i g h t material deficit, has @d6 19 Qc3! brings t h e re- has t o invest f u r t h e r mater-
Qb6 10 Q c 3 Q c 6 11 Q e 3 i s g r e a t attacking chances. maining white pieces i n t o ial to fuel t h e a t t a c k . I t is
good f o r White) 10 Q d 2 (10 Black i s especially weak on t h e attack. very dangerous f o r Black t o
B e 2 h a s a l s o seen t h e light t h e a2-g8 diagonal as well a22) 15 ... @d7 16 @f7+ t a k e t h e pawn.
of day f o r s o m e s t r a n g e as having difficulties on @e7 17 @xc4. White has very b21) 11 ... e x d 4 12 @xd4!
reason) 10 ... Q x d 2 11 t h e f-file. The immediate g o o d play f o r t h e exchange Q x d 4 13 0-0-0 Q e 6 ( o t h e r
Q b x d 2 a n d White i s clearly t h r e a t i s @hS+ and Black with his queenside pieces moves a r e n o b e t t e r , e.g. 13
better. has t w o ways to avoiding a b o u t to e n t e r t h e game. 17 ... Q f S a l l o w s 14 Q x e 4 and
8 QgS this: ... @h4 i s b a d because of 18 13 ... c5 14 Qxf6 gf 15 a x e 4
I played t h i s a u t o m a t - a) 8 ... Q x d 4 9 c d 4326 10 @d5+ @e8 19 @eS+ followed is very g o o d f o r White) 14
ically as I knew t h a t White Q e 3 (10 dS Q e S 11 @hS+ can by 20 Qc3. Qxf6 gf 15 Q x e 4 and White
was supposed t o take the a l s o b e considered b u t 10 a3) Maybe Black s h o u l d is close to winning.
rook a n d a f t e r a few ner- Q e 3 is more flexible) 10 ... t r y 11 ... &e7, b u t a f t e r 12 b22) 11 ... Q x d 4 i s well
vous m o m e n t s b e a t o f f t h e Q f 6 11 0-0 Black h a s prob- Q c 3 Q g 4 13 &a4 w e can s e e m e t by 12 0-0 with nasty
attack. As w e shall see, t h e lems completing his devel- t h a t Black's king will n o t t h r e a t s of 12 Qxf6 and 12
g a m e didn't g o exactly opment, e.g. be very s a f e o n t h e queen- Qxe4.
according to plan. After- al) 11 ... Q g 4 is well m e t side a n d 13 ... Qd7 14 QbS! I t i s a l s o difficult to find
wards, I f e l t quite down- by 12 @b3. Now 12 ... Q a 5 is looks s t r o n g . a good move f o r Black if he
hearted (and n o t only be- bad because of 13 @b5+ cb b) 8 ... Q f 6 9 &S (This doesn't t a k e on d4. 11 ...
cause i t c o s t a big prize). I t 14 @e5+; 12 ... Q x d 4 13 B x b 7 t h r e a t e n s to t a k e o n f6, Q a 5 and 11 ... Q g 4 , f o r
somehow didn't feel right Q c 2 1 loses to 14 gxf6! e.g. followed by @h5+ a n d is example, b o t h l o s e at once
to b e grabbing pieces and 14 ... gf 15 @xe4+ o r 14 ... more precise than 9 0-0, t o 12 Qxf6.
then fending off a massive @dl+ IS g f l o r 14 ... a x e 3 15 which a f t e r 9 ... Q c 6 10 Q e 3 1 think t h a t we can con-
attack. That's n o t why you @c6+ Qd7 16 @xe4+. Instead QeS! s e e m s good f o r Black) clude t h a t 8 Q x d 4 o f f e r s
White good chances f o r t h e Q c 6 17 c 4 &d7 18 gS Q g 4 19 b) 11 ... &4! 12 @b3 Qb6!.
advantage, whilst eagerly &fl! and White is winning, Black calmly takes a time
awaiting s o m e practical S t o l t z - Spielmann, Stock- o u t in order t o protect b7.
tests. holm 1932. In doing s o , he has also
8 ... Qf6 b) 10 ... &4 11 @b3 Q b d 7 created t h e annoying t h r e a t
8 ... e 3 is refuted by 9 12 H x b 7 E b 8 13 @c6 d 3 14 of ... Qa5. If Black can win
Qf7+ &f8 10 Q x g 8 @xgS 11 b4! (Korchnoi). t h e knight o n f7, he will
0-0+ QfS 12 cd!
9 Qf7 @e7
as
11
This looks very natural,
clearly have very good play
f o r a mere exchange.
10 Qxh8 (176) preventing 11 ... &4, b u t Moves s u c h as 13 0-0 and
a f t e r Black's n e x t move 13 LEgS can b e discarded be-
White i s in s o m e trouble. away t h e cS-square f r o m cause of ... &5, e.g. 13 0-0
Probably t h e b e s t move is Black. The importance of d3+ 14 @hl Qa5 1s @a4+ Qd7
11 Q f 7 . This was pointed t h i s can be seen from t h e 16 QbS c6 with advantage t o
o u t to m e by my wife! As I following variation: 12 Black. 13 Q g S can also be
s a t huddled over the &S?! Qf2+! 13 @xf2 @cS+ 14 met by 13 ... QaS!. This
chessboard, desperately Qe3 (14 @g3) 14 ... @xc4 leaves White with:
trying t o repair t h e var- with a dangerous a t t a c k bl) 13@bS!?. Black should
iation, s h e strolled by, baby f o r Black. After 12 b4! now play 13 ... d3! (178) (13
on o n e arm, and remarked Black has: ... a6 14 e g 5 Q a 5 15 QeS!).
"Why don't you take t h a t all 12 ... Q x b 4 . This fails
S o White has won his knight o u t of t h e corner?" to 13 c b Qxb4+ 14 Qd2 e3 15
rook, b u t Black's pieces a r e And indeed, t h e move does @a4+ Q d 7 16 Qxb4!. White is
very active and his central have i t s points: firstly, and now so many pieces up t h a t
pawns menacing. Neverthe- m o s t importantly, i t covers he will hardly notice re-
less, theory considers t h e t h e eS-square; secondly, it turning a few to defuse t h e
position as very good f o r prevents Black from cast- attack.
White, b u t I think this ling; and thirdly, t h e knight a2) 12 ... Q g 4 13 @b3 Qb6
game will change t h a t ass- may b e able t o hop o u t one 14 a4!. After studying t h i s
essment. day, leaving White a whole position f o r s o m e time, I
It is worth noting t h a t if rook up. came to t h e conclusion
White plays 10 cd, Black On t h e minus side how- t h a t White can't really dev- How is White to contin-
can achieve a good game by ever, time is being s p e n t elop very effectively a n d ue? One of t h e main worr-
10 ... Qb4+ 11 Qc3 Qf8 12 which could have gone to- is b e t t e r o f f creating a few ies is t h a t Black is now
QeS Qg4! wards development, and t h r e a t s of his own o n t h e threatening to play e3, a s
10 ... ad t h e knight is a l s o much queenside. White has taken Qxd3 l o s e s t h e knight on
O t h e r moves seem to more vulnerable to immed- over t h e initiative which f7. 14 Qe3 i s an interesting
lead t o a good game f o r iate capture o n f7. Let's ensures t h a t Black doesn't a t t e m p t to blockade t h e
White: have a look a t s o m e con- have enough play f o r t h e pawns, b u t a f t e r 14 ... b e 3
a) 10 ... d 3 11 &S Qf2+ 12 crete variations. rook. 14 ... a6 15 aS Q a 7 16 15 Hxb7 E b 8 16 &xc6+ Qd7
@xf2 @c5+ 13 Qe3 H x c 4 14 a) 11 ... d 3 12 b4! (177) bS confirms this assess- 17 Hxc7 Exb2 Black's attack
h3 Q e 6 IS Q d 2 &dS 16 g 4 This crucial move take: ment. is w o r t h at Least a draw,
e.g. 18 Q b 3 g e 2 + 19 @dl (19 open files. But even a f t e r 16 20 @xc3 @e2+ 21 @gl is an-
@fl) 19 ... &4! with a mur- @d2 Q c S 17 @dl 0-0-0 other false trail: a f t e r 21 ...
derous attack; 14 Q g S all- Black has a tremendous Q e 4 White can defend with
o w s Black t o c a s t l e with attack. 22 @el and a f t e r 21 ... Qc6
a good game; 14 @gS e3 15 16 ... ed+ with 22 @d2.
Qxd3 (15 @xg7 d2+ 16 Q x d 2 17 @fl 20 Q e 4 Xxf7
ed++ 17 @xd2 Qe3+ 18 @c2 Forced, a s 17 @d2 Qxc3+ Even if Black had fallen
QfS+ 19 @b3 &S+ and Black 18 b c Q e 4 + wins. into my trap, he would
i s winning) 1s ... @xf7 and 17 ... 0-0-0 probably still win: 20 ...
t h e attack will continue; 18 Q f 7 (180) @xe4 21 Q d 6 + @b8 22 Q x e 4
another idea i s 14 Q f 4 e 3 15 Only now 1 realised t h a t Q x e 4 + 23 @el Qf2.
Q e 5 b u t 15 ... d2+ 16 Q x d 2 White) 13 ... g6 14 @xh7 (14 my intended 18 E e l l o s t to 21 Qd6+
ed+ 17 @xd2 0-0-0+ is Qf7+ doesn't work; 14 ... 18 ... @cS! A quicker exit would
strong. S o 13 @bS doesn't @e7 15 Qxg6 and now not 15 have been 21 Qxf6 g x f 6 + 22
seem to solve White's prob- ... hg 16 @xeS+ b u t 15 ... dc!) Q x f 6 @e2 mate.
lems. 14 ... dc! 15 x f l (15 Q x c 3 21 ... @xd6
b2) 13 @a3! appears t o b e @f2+ 16 @dl &4+ 17 @cl 22 @xf7 @cS!
White's s t r o n g e s t , with t h e 0-0-0 is crushing) IS ... The r e s t i s a massacre.
idea of 13 ...QcS 14 @b3 and Q f 3 + (Even IS ... c b 16 x x f 6 23 Q h 4 @fS+
a draw by repetition (Not 14 ba=@ probably gives White 24 @el @e4+
b4? Q x b 4 ) . Black can play no more than perpetual 25 @d2 Q&+
f o r a win with 14 ...@d7 b u t check) 16 gf (16 a x f 3 ef isn't 0-1
this would b e risky because better) 16 ... cb. White has
White's position has clearly no mate, e.g. 17 Qf7+ @d8 Game 53
been improved by t h e t w o 18 @g8+ @d7 19 @e8+ @d6 18 ... Bf8! -
Gallagher Dzevlan
little queen moves. 20 @fa+ B e 7 and Black Very logical, b u t there Royan 1989
11 ... QeS wins. were a couple of ways t o
12 cd 12 ... &4! g o wrong, e.g. 18 ... @cS 19
I certainly underestim- 12 ... Qb4+ 13 Q c 3 Q x c 4 Qxd8! @f5+ 20 @el @f2+ 21
ated Black's reply when I 14 0-O! clearly favours @dl Qg4+ 22 @cl and White
played this, b u t t h e Keres White. is in t h e game; 18 ... Qe6 19
recommendation (12 Qxf6) 13 @a4+ Qd7 gel! was t h e other trick.
doesn't look s o h o t either: 14 @b3 Qxd41 19 @c4
12 Qxf6 and now: There is now no way t o Unfortunately, exchang-
a) 12 ... g f ? 13 @h5+ @fa prevent ... Qd3+ and 15 ing queens by 19 Eel @xf7
14 Q g 6 + Q x g 6 1.5 @dS! with @xb7 Qc6 16 QbS @b4+ wins 20 @xf7 g x f 7 only acceler-
a good game f o r White. f o r Black. a t e s t h e end.
b) 12 ... @xf6 (Keres 15 Q c 3 Qd3+ ...
19 Qb61
didn't consider this natural 16 Qxd311 The final nail in t h e cof-
move) (179). After this capture the fin. 19 ... @xf7 would b e a
13 @hS+ (13 E f t @h4+ 14 white king is left stranded serious mistake on account
g3 @xh2 looks terrible f o r in t h e centre surrounded by of 20 @xd4 and 19 ... Qxc3
The m o s t popular way of 8 Q f 3 Q x e 4 9 Q d 3 g e 8 10 b) 14 ... h6 IS @b3+ @ha 16
combatting t h e c3-system. 0-0 h6 11 Q b d 2 Q f 6 12 Q c 4 Qxf8+ B x f 8 17 Q f 7 + @g8 18
The e-pawn is pressurised, (Tartakower - Schlechter, Q x h 6 + + a h 8 19 Qfl @e8 20
b u t w i t h o u t t h e risk in- St. Petersburg 1909) and &6! Qe6 21 @xe6! winning.
volved with 4 ... fS. now 12 ... Q c 6 would have C) 14 ... g 6 15 @b3+ @g7
S d4 given Black an equal game. (IS ... a h 8 16 E x f 8 + @xf8 17
White h a s a major alter- S ... ed n f l QfS (17 ... @e8 18 Xf7)
native here; S f e d e and S ... Qb6?! 6 f e d e 7 Q x e S 18 QxfS gf 19 @e6 i s crush-
now: 0-0 i s a dubious sacrifice, ing) 16 Qxf8 @xf8 17 a f l
a) 6 d 4 e d 7 c d Q b 4 + (7 ... a s t h e continuation of t h e winning.
a x e 4 8 d c @xdl+ 9 @xdl game J. Polgar - Sharif, d) 14 ... Bxfl+ 15 Wxfl h6
Q f 2 + 10 @c2! Q x h l 11 Q e 3 i s Brussels 1987, showed: 8 it probably l o s e s by force. (or 15 ... &16 Q c 4 + a n d 17
good f o r White) 8 Q d 2 @e7 &S! cS 9 d c @xdl+ 10 @xdl Better is 11 ... @dS b u t @f6+ wins; IS ... Qe6 of
9 Qd3! (An improvement o n QxcS 11 Qxf6 gf 12 Q f 3 and White s t i l l has a g o o d course a l l o w s 16 a x e 6 and
9 eS Q d S 10 Q c 3 Qe6 when Black's bishops d o n o t fully game, e.g. 12 Q d 3 h6 13 c4! 17 Qc4; 15 ... @e7 can b e m e t
Black h a s a firm grip o n compensate for t h e pawn. a n d White's c e n t r e i s very by 16 Qc4+ (16 Qxh7+!? @h8
t h e c e n t r e ) 9 ... Q x e 4 10 6 cd Qb4+ s t r o n g o r 12 ... Q g 4 13 @c2!) 17 Qg6 a l s o looks s t r o n g )
Qxe4 @xe4+ 11 @f2 Qxd2 12 Also possible i s 6 ... Qb6, 12 Q d 3 f 6 (183). 16 ... a h 8 17 @f7 B x f 7 (17 ...
Q b x d 2 @d3? (This i s a ser- maintaining pressure o n d 4 @d8 18 @hS wins) 18 Q x f 7 +
ious error: 12 ... @dS would and offering s o m e tactical @g8 19 Q d 6 + and White is
have l e f t a n unclear situa- possibilities against the winning) 16 Qc4+ a h 8 17
tion o n t h e board) 13 g e l + white centre. Play can con- Q f 7 + a h 7 18 @d3+ g6 19
Qe6 14 @a4+ c6 15 @b4! Q d 7 tinue 7 Q c 3 0-0 8 es! @e3! @ f 8 (If 19 ... g 5 20 n f l
16 @xb7 0-0 17 @xc6 a n d (White has t o play t h i s with t h e idea of E f 6 wins)
Black didn't have enough advance now, a s otherwise 20 Q f l @g7 21 Qxh6! and
for t h e pawn in S. Polgar - every o n e of Black's natural White wins.
Flear. Brussels 1987. developing moves, ... Q c 6 , Black doesn't f a r e much
b) 6 a x e 5 0-0 (6 ... @e7 7 ... Qg4 a n d ... Ee8, will b e t t e r if he declines t o t a k e
d 4 Qd6 8 Q f 3 a x e 4 9 Qe2 bring further pressure o n ~ 5 e .z . 13 ... f e 14 LhxeS!
0-0 10 0-0 c5 a n d now Gla- against t h e centre, forcing Previous c o m m e n t a t o r s e x & ' 15- g x f 8 + axfY8 16
skov's suggestion of 11 Q d 3 him forward under l e s s fav- have only given 13 Q f 4 Q g 4 @fl+! @g8 17 Qel! and White
was tried o u t in t h e g a m e ourable circumstances) 8 with a g o o d g a m e f o r wins. Maybe Black can try
Thinat - Garie, Corr. 1990. ... d e 9 f e Q d S 10 Q g 5 Q x c 3 Black, b u t a f t e r 13 0-O! 13 ... h6 b u t his kingside is
After 11 ... cd 12 E e l f 5 13 c d (10 ... f 6 11 Qc4! c6 12 ef gf White's a t t a c k is decisive, in t a t t e r s , e.g. 14 &f4 f e 15
Q d 7 14 Q c 3 Q d f 6 15 Q g 5 13 Q h 6 ge8+ 14 @f2 was ...
e.g. 13 f g 14 Q x g 5 . White Q x e S E x f 4 loses t o 16 n x f 4
@f7 16 Qxf6 Q x c 3 17 b c clearly b e t t e r f o r White in has s t r o n g t h r e a t s on t h e @xeS 17 Ee4! with t h e idea
@xf6 18 @b3+ a h 8 19 Q e 5 S u t t l e s - Addison, USA Ch a2-g8 diagonal, along t h e of ne8+.
b6, W h i t e could have 1965) 11 b c (182). f-file a n d a g a i n s t h7. Black 7 Qd2 Qxd2+
gained a clear advantage 11 ... @e8 (This move has has several defensive tries: 8 Q b x d 2 (184)
with 2 0 @dS! e.g. 20 ... g b 8 been awarded a n exclama- a) 14 ... Qe6 15 Qxh7+ @h8 8 ... @e7
21 Q c 4 Q b 7 22 Q f 7 + @g8 23 tion mark in a number of 16 @hS!! a n d Black can re- In t h e game J. Polgar -
@xd6 winning) 7 d 4 Qd6 previous books, b u t in f a c t sign. Djuric, Adelaide 1986187,
would give White a clear Black w a s n o t enamoured serving t h e right to develop
advantage. with 16 ... g6, b u t neverthe- the king's bishop to a
l e s s t h i s w a s t h e only way square o t h e r than c4.
t o s t a y in t h e game (16 ... f 5
17 Q e 3 @as 18 b 4 i s very
s t r o n g ) . 17 f 5 l o o k s like a
g o o d way to develop t h e
a t t a c k , whilst 1 7 Q e 3 s h o u l d
a l s o c o m e i n t o considerat-
ion.
17 Qe3 @xa2
Black played 8 ... 0-0 and 17 ... @a5 18 b4! will c o m e
a f t e r 9 Q d 3 Q c 6 10 0-0 Q b 4 to t h e s a m e thing.
11 Q b l cS 12 a 3 Q c 6 13 dS 10 ... QdS! 18 gal!
Q e 7 14 a 4 t h e players have This move, which I'd The queen is forced f r o m 4 ... Qc6
arrived in a s t r a n g e sort of completely overlooked, was c o n t r o l of dS. 4 ... Q f 6 i s t h e subject of
Benoni. The position fav- played instantly by my 18 ... @xb2 games 55 and 56; and 4 ...
o u r s White as Black will opponent. 19 QdS! g6 Q g 4 has a l s o been tried,
find i t difficult to achieve 11 ed A very s a d move to have b u t S Q a 4 looks promising
any queenside counterplay. Owing to t h e t h r e a t s of to play. f o r White. In t h i s variation
9 Qd3 ... Qe3 and ... Q x f 4 , t h i s is 2 0 Q x f 6 + Egg7 i t i s very common f o r
9 e c 2 i s an interesting forced. 21 gab1 White to exchange o f f
alternative, e.g. 9 ... Q f S 10 11 ... @e3+ Now driving t h e queen Black's bishop in t h i s fash-
Q d 3 Q x e 4 11 Q x e 4 dS 12 12 Eghl &cd3 off t h e long diagonal. ion. Hebden - Schaerer.
0-0-0 a x e 4 13 a x e 4 d e 14 13 Bcl Qd7! 21 ... @a2 Lugano 1984 now contin-
Hhel fS (Hay - Shaw, Aust- Now 14 Bxc7 Q f 6 leaves 22 dS 1-0 ued: 5 ... ef 6 d 4 Q x f 3 7 gf
ralia 1970). Estrin now gives White in bad shape. Sud- After 22 ....@xf6 23 @c3+ @h4+ 8 B e 2 Qb6 8 Q x b 6 a b
15 g4! g 6 16 gf gf 17 dS! with denly, 1 had to look f o r a B e 7 (23 ...B f S 24 g4+ B x g 4 10 e d 2 gS I! @dl a n d
a d a n g e r o u s initiative f o r way to hold my position 25 @h3 m a t e ) 24 g f e l + @d7 White's t w o bishops and
White. together. 25 e f 6 . s t r o n g c e n t r e compensate
9 ... 0-0 14 Qc41 B e 4 7 f o r t h e pawn. If White
9 ... Q d S leads nowhere Black's s e n s e of danger Game 5 4 doesn't wish to play in s u c h
a f t e r 10 g3; 9 ... Q x e 4 10 had d e s e r t e d him. A f t e r 14 -
Hebden Lane a way, then S h3 is to b e re-
a x e 4 d 5 11 0-0 d e 12 Q x e 4 ... @xdl IS n f x d l Q f 6 16 Q e 3 London 1987 commended.
0-0 13 H c 2 i s p l e a s a n t f o r E e 8 17 E d 3 Be7 t h e chances s QbS!
White, b u t t h i s might b e a r e a b o u t equal. White's 1 e4 eS This s h o w s up Black's
Black's b e s t c o u r s e of p r e s s u r e on t h e queenside 2 f4 QcS f o u r t h move a s inaccurate.
action. compensates f o r his bad 3 Qf3 d6 s ... 19P7
10 0-011 (185) pawn s t r u c t u r e . 4 Qc3 (186) If Black allows his pawn
This careless move iS QgS! @xdS This i s t h e m o s t a c c u r a t e s t r u c t u r e t o be ruined then
allows Black to complicate 16 @d3 Qf67 move o r d e r if White plans White would have a com-
t h e issue. Instead, 10 @e2 I t i s understandable t h a t to avoid playing 4 c3, re- f o r t a b l e advantage, e.g. 5 ...
Q g 4 6 Qxc6+ b c 7 f e d e 8 h3 his king. 12 Q x b 6 a b 13 0-0 Q c 6 (13
Q x f 3 9 @xf3 with a clear I1 @el 0-0-O?! ... Q x e 4doesn't work this
advantage f o r White in Wherever he g o e s he will time because of 14 a d 4 ! ;
Schlechter - Tietz, Carls- be followed, b u t there were maybe 13 ... Q b d 7 is best)
bad 1906. more chances of with- 14 bS Q e 7 15 @b3 @d7 16
6 Qa4 Qb6 standing a kingside on- Q d 4 dS and now according
7 Q x b 6 ab slaught. to Kavalek 17 &S! would
8 d 3 (187) 12 a 4 ef have given White a clear
13 Q x f 4 ab8 advantage (comments based
Black wasn't very keen on notes by Speelman in
o n 13 ... Q e S 14 QxeS d e 15 Informator).
@c3. the recent Candidates' 6 d3 &4
14 Q d 4 c6 match between S h o r t and There are a large nunber
IS @c3 Qe8 Speelman, London 1991, of alternatives, but t h e
16 aS ba Black preferred 5 ... c6 text, along with 6 ... a6
17 BxaS Q c 7 here. After 6 d 3 bS!? 7 Q b 3 (game 561, is t h e m o s t com-
I8 Qc4 @e7 8 @e2 Q b d 7 9 g f l Q b 4 mon:
Although Black h a s man- 10 f e (10 @f2!?) 10 ... d e 11 a) 6 ... 0-0 7 fS! (White
aged to surround his king g4?! Q c S 12 gS Q f d 7 13 Qd2 seals off t h e centre in
White h a s a small advan- with his pieces, White is a5 14 Q h 4 Q x b 3 t h e players order to concentrate on t h e
tage, b u t also a simple pos- b e t t e r on every p a r t of t h e agreed to a draw in a n un- kingside) 7 ... h6 8 QdS!
ition to play. The advance board. However, Black's clear position. The game Q d 4 (Or 8 ... Q a S 9 Q x f 6 +
f2-f4 is responsible f o r t h e next move is responsible Chigorin - Mieses, O s t e n d @xf6 10 g4!) 9 Q x d 4 Q x d 4
larger p a r t of this advan- f o r hastening t h e end. 1905, is a l s o noteworthy: S 10 Q x f 6 + @xf6 11 c 3 Qb6 12
tage, giving White more 18 ... bS? ... c6 6 f e d e 7 B e 2 Q b d 7 8 @hS with a clear advantage
space and pressurising 19 QxbS! cb d 3 bS 9 Q b 3 a5 10 a4! b 4 11 for White in Hebden -
Black's centre. 20 g a 7 1-0 Q d l Qa6 12 Q e 3 with t h e Martinovsky, London 1986.
8 ... @e7?! If 20 ... Qe8 21 Q f S o r 20 b e t t e r game f o r White. b) 6 ... Q g 4 is bad be-
Black s t a r t s to think ... Qe6 21 QxbS E d 7 22 S ... Qe6 6 Q x e 6 f e 7 d 3 cause of 7 QgS!. For ex-
about castling long, b u t his Qxd6. transposes to t h e f o u r t h ample, 7 ... 0-0 (7 ... h6 8
king will never b e s a f e o n game of t h e same S h o r t - fS!) 8 f5 Qf2+ 9 @fl Qe3+ 10
t h e queenside. I t was bet- Game SS Speelman match. Play cont- Qxe3 Qxe3 11 h 4 with a
ter to play 8 ... a g e 7 9 0-0 Balashov - Matanovic inued: 7 ... ef (7 ... 0-0 8 dangerous attack.
0-0 10 fS f6 11 Qc4+ @h8 12 Skopje 1970 a a 4 is good f o r White) 8 C) 6 ... Q a S 7 @e2!? (7
c3 with an edge for White Q x f 4 0-0 9 Qa4! Qb4+!? Qb3) 7 ... 4 3 x 4 8 d c
in Capablanca - Molina, I e4 eS (Black makes s u r e t h a t if (White's pawn s t r u c t u r e
New York 1906. 2 f4 QcS White is to g e t t h e bishop has quite a cramping effect
9 0-0 Qf6 3 Qf3 d6 he'll have to weaken his o n t h e black position) 8 ...
10 ah1 h6 4 Qc3 Qf6 queenside in t h e process. @e7 (maybe 8 ... ef is b e s t )
White is playing useful s Qc4 (188) Of course, 9 ... Q x e 4 10 d e 9 fS Q b 4 10 Qd2 Qd7 11
moves, whilst Black is dith- 5 ... Qc6 g x f 4 11 Q x c S wins f o r 0-0-0 with advantage to
ering over w h a t t o d o with In t h e second game of White) 10 c 3 Qa5 11 b 4 Qb6 White in Alekhine - Grin-
berg, Odessa 1916. @hl Q x c 4 15 Qxf8 Q e 3 16 19 @xfl ad8
d) 6 ...Qe6 7 QbS!. This is &l @f4 17 Qxg7! Q x g 7 18 20 e6 Qf6
not really a waste of time @e2) 11QxeS! Qxdl 12 Qxf7+ I t is t o o late t o contem-
a s Black's bishop is poorly B e 7 13 QxcS+ @f6 14 0-O+ plate giving back the piece
placed on e6. One possible @xeS 1.5 g f S mate, Alekhine with 20 ... a x e 6 a s the
variation i s 7 ... 0-0 8 fS - Tenner, Cologne 1907. black king will be stuck in
Qd7 9 QgS Q d 4 10 Qxd7 C) 7 ... Qb6 (The m o s t so- the middle.
e x d 7 11 Qxf6 with a good lid) 8 Q x b 6 a b 9 c3 0-0 (9 ... 21 Qcl
game f o r White (ECO). dS 10 ed Q x d S 11 h3! gives Threatening 22 QcS.
7 Qa41 (189) White an edge; 9 ... ef also 21 ... axe4
7 h3 has a l s o been seen, fails t o equalise, e.g. 10 22 @xbS+ c6
b u t it's much b e t t e r to re-Q x f 4 a h S 11 Qe3 Q e S 12Qb3! Black decided not t o t e s t 22 ... @f8 looks better.
lieve t h e pressure o n t h e Qxf3 13 gf @h4+ 14 @d2 with t h e validity of t h e sacrifice 23 gxc6! a f 8
a7-gl diagonal immediately. t h e advantage) 10 0-0 (10 and played 11 ... ef. After 12 24 gc1 @g8?
h3 Qxf 3 11 @xf3 Qa.5 12 QbS Q b 3 Q e 6 13 0-0 gS 14 g3! This loses a t once. 24 ...
is m e t by 12 ... Qb3!) 10 ... fg? 15 QxgS! White had a a d 6 would p u t up a little
Q a 5 H QbS with an edge. crushing attack. more resistance.
8 @xf3 Q d 4 12 f e Qd7 25 Ec7! @d6
9 @dl!? 13 c 3 Qe6 26 @e8+ @f8
9 B g 3 is probably stron- 14 0-O+ 27 a x g 7 + 1-0
ger, f o r example: White has very good
a) 9 ... Qxc2+ 10 @dl Qxal play f o r t h e piece, a s his Game 56
11 e x g 7 g f 8 12 QxcS d c 13 central pawn phalanx takes Bangiev - Malaniuk
f e a x e 4 14 g f 1 B e 7 (if 14 ... away nearly all t h e useful Tallinn 1986
B d 7 15 Qxf7+!) 15 Qh6 with squares from t h e knights.
7 ... fixf 3?! the b e t t e r game f o r White 14 ... Be8
Again, there are a whole (Keres). 14 ... @g8 1.5 d 4 cd 16 cd
h o s t of alternatives: b) 9 ... ef 10 e x g 7 g f 8 11 h6 17 @b3 looks dangerous
a) 7 ... Q d 4 8 Q x c S d c 9 QxcS d c 12 Qxf4 bS 13 a s well.
c3! Q x f 3 + 10 gf QhS. Analy- QxbS+ QxbS 14 SqgS g g 8 1.5 IS d 4 cd
sis by Bogoljubov now @xf6 Exg5 16 @c6+ @f8 17 16 cd Be77
shows White's b e s t course: @xbS with advantage t o Black misses his chance
11 @e2 @d6 12 fe! e x e s 13 White in Honfi - Salm, Corr. t o escape into an ending.
f4! @e7 14 @g2 with a good 1958. After 16 ... a x e 5 17 de e x d l
game f o r White. 9 ... bS (190) 18 Exdl @e7 White has only
b) 7 ... ef 8 Q x c S d c 9 10 Qxf7+! a slight advantage.
Q x f 4 Q h S 10 Qe3 QeS? This is t h e only way t o 17 Qe3
(Better i s 10 ... 0-0 11 0-0 fight f o r t h e advantage. Now Black can d o little
Q e S and Glaskov now 10 ... @xf 7 against t h e coming pawn
points o u t t h a t White can 1 1 Q x c S dc mass.
obtain t h e advantage by 12 In the game Lane - S.
QxcS Qxf3 13 gf @gS+ 14 Jackson, British Ch 1989,
Black i s willing t o w a s t e 7 ... Q g 4 has a l s o been 23 Q e 3 struggling t o defend all his

a tempo, in o r d e r to give a tried, b u t a f t e r 8 h3 Q x f 3 9 Both s i d e s have very weaknesses. The position
r e t r e a t s q u a r e to his bish- B x f 3 B e 7 10 @g3 Q d 4 11 f e s t r o n g knights, b u t White i s now a b o u t equal. As
OP d e (Bangiev - Weigend, Corr. has t h e edge d u e t o his Black winning a long end-
7 Rfl!? 1985/86) 12 @xg7! White superior king position. ing i s n o t really w h a t t h i s
There i s something very could have gained a clear 23... Be7 book i s a b o u t , t h e remain-
unaesthetic about this advantage. 2 4 @3 bS ing moves a r e given in
move, b u t nevertheless i t i s 8 Qxf4 QaS 25 @.I4 gac8 brief: 3 0 ... BcS?! 31 E d 2
an interesting novelty. 9 Qgs Qxc4 Black doesn't w a n t to s i t @e6 32 E d 5 E h c 8 33 RxcS
White a c c e p t s t h e f a c t t h a t 10 d c h6 and wait, so he s e e k s s o m e g x c S 34 n f S Qc6 35 Q d 5
a f t e r 6 ... a6 he h a s l i t t l e 11 Q h 4 Qe6 counterplay on t h e queen- Qe5 36 a b 3 ? ! (Better was 36
hope of castling kingside, After 11 ... c6, Bangiev side. g f 6 + @d7 37 Qe3) 36 ... a 5
b u t he s t i l l w a n t s early intended 12 Q d 4 with a 26 c 4 cS+ 37 a 4 h 4 38 Q e 3 B c 8 39 EQc3
play o n t h e f-file. There a r e g o o d game. 27 d c g b 8 40 Q c 2 Qbl 41 g h S Xgl
several alternatives: 12 @d3 If White doesn't make 42 g x h 4 Rxg2 4 3 Q e 3 Ea2
a) 7 fS!? h6 (7 ... Q d 4 8 Once again we can s e e t h i s c a p t u r e , he will b e un- 44 Q x g 4 n a 3 + 45 a c 2 Q x c 4
&S (8 a d s ! ? ) 8 ... c6 9 t h a t t h e pawn s t r u c t u r e is able to p e n e t r a t e t h e black 46 g h 6 + a d 7 47 E f 6 @e7 4 8
Q x d 4 Q x d 4 10 @f3 with a favourable f o r White. position. g f S g h 3 49 RgS @e6 SO 8 g 8
p l e a s a n t g a m e f o r White) 8 12 ... XI58 27 ... Qxc6+ Q e S 51 a x e 5 a x e 5 52 g g S +
a d 5 Q a S 9 @e2 bS 10 Q b 3 Black is d e s p e r a t e to 2 8 @c3 QeS @xe4 53 BxaS f 5 54 Qa8 f 4
Q x b 3 11 Q x M + @xf6 12 a b break t h e pin a n d t h e 29 b3 bc SS aS g x h 2 + 56 @dl? @d3 57
Q b 7 13 Qe3 Qxe3 14 @xe3 immediate 12 ... g5 allows 30 bc @el Be3 58 ne8+ a f 3 59 a6
0-0-0 15 c4! with a n edge 13 QxgS! 30 Q x c 4 l o o k s b e t t e r as Ea2 6 0 B a 8 dS 61 a7 n e 2 + 62
f o r White in Gallagher - 13 0-0-0 gS a n exchange of minor &dl Re7 6 3 a d 2 @e4 6 4 B e 2
Davidovic, Szolnok 1987. 14 Q f 2 pieces would leave Black d 4 0-1.
b) 7 &S!? (The s t a r t of a Bangiev criticises t h i s
r a t h e r c r u d e a t t a c k ) 7 ... move, preferring 14 Qg3
0-0 8 fS bS 9 Qxf7+ (Consi- with t h e idea of e5.
s t e n t ) 9 ... g x f 7 10 Qxf7 14 ... Qxf 2
@xf7 11 &S (11 g 4 ) 11 ... Q e 7 is E x f 2 g4!
12 B f 3 Qb7 13 0-0-0 c6 14 16 a d 4 Qd7
g 4 @g8 1.5 @bl Qb6 16 Qcl 17 Q d S @gS+
g f 8 w i t h a n unclear posit- 18 @d2!? QxdS?
ion, H e r g o t t - Reyes, Dubai This leaves Black t o o
1986. weak on t h e kingside. Ban-
C ) 7 f e d e 8 Q g S h6 9 Q x f 6 giev gives 18 ... 0-0-0 19
(Glaskov points o u t t h a t 9 QfS n h 8 20 Q f e 3 Bde8 a s
Q h 4 i s m e t by 9 ... Q e 6 and unclear.
a f t e r 10 Q d S gS!) 9 ... @xf6 19 c d QeS
10 Q d S @d6 11 @d2 Q e 6 with 20 Q f S Xh8
a roughly equal game. 21 E d f l @xd2+
7 ... ef 22 a x d 2 hS
Second Move Alternatives 187
QxgS with a better Q c 6 14 Qxh7+! winning.
endgame f o r White. 7 c41
3 ... Qxe4 It's important to gain
Black can play 3 ... dS some space o n t h e queen-
and a f t e r 4 f e Qxe4 ( 4 ... d e
12) Second Move Alternatives 5 ef ef 6 e x f 3 Qc6 7 QbS
side and to place dS under
s o m e pressure.
H x f 6 8 @xf6 gf 9 d4! gives 7 ... Qb4+
White a good game) 5 d 3 7 ... c6 8 Q c 3 Qe7 9 Qe3
Qc5 w e transpose back to 0-0 10 @d2 b6 11Q d 3 Q a 6 12
Game 57 examples a f t e r 3 Qf3: t h e game. c d cd 13 Ed1 led to a good
Bronstein - Yusupov a) 3 ... Q d 7 4 d 4 Q g f 6 S 3 ... ef i s t h e Schallop game f o r White in Brons-
USSR 1981 f e a x e 4 6 Qd3 d5 7 Qc3!? Defence. tein - Holmov, Vilnius 1975.
Q x c 3 8 b c Qe7 9 0-0 0-0 10 4 fe 8 Qd2 Qxd2+
I e4 eS @el n e 8 11 H g 3 Qf8 12 &S After 4 @e2, Black 9 @xd2 c6
2 f4 Q f 6 (192) f6 13 ef Qxf6 14 Qd2 cS 15 should avoid 4 ... Q c 5 5 d 4 10 Qc3 0-0
gxf6! @ i f 6 16 n f l He7 17 Q e 6 6 fS! winning. Better is I1 Ecl Qc77
g x f 8 + @xf8 18 @f3+ @g8 19 4 ... d5. Black has s p e n t five
Qxh7+ a h 8 20 @hS Q g 4 21 4 ... dS moves wandering around
@h4 @f6 22 &6+ a g 8 23 S d3 QcS with t h i s knight only to
Qf7+ S f 8 24 e x g 4 B e 4 25 6 d4 Qe6 (193) end up o n c7. 11 ... b6 fol-
Q h 7 + @xf7 26 Q x f 6 g x g 4 lowed by ...Qa6 would have
27 Q x g 4 with a winning been a b e t t e r try.
endgame f o r White in 12 c d cd
Vritsky - Lepman, Simfe- 12 ... Q x d S seems more
ropol 1986. logical, b u t a f t e r 13 Q x d S
b) 3 ... Q c 6 4 d 4 e d 5 I @xdS 14 Q c 4 @e4+ 15 B e 2
This counter-attacking Q x d 4 Q f 6 a c 3 Q d 7 7 Qe3 @xe2+ 16 a x e 2 White has a
move h a s never a t t r a c t e d a Qe7 8 @d2 0-0 9 0-0-0 a6 very active position.
great following, a s t h e b e s t 10 Qe2 @a8 11 h3 Q x d 4 12 13 Q d 3
t h a t Black can hope f o r is Qxd4 Qc6 13 Q f 3 g d 8 14 g 4 Black's kingside is be-
transposition t o t h e Schal- with a clearly b e t t e r posi- ginning t o look decidedly
lop Defence. tion f o r White, Shikova - 6 ... Q e 4 is dubious a s shaky.-
2 ... @h4+ is t h e subject Honfi, Plovdiv 1980. Black would soon b e forced 13 ... &4
of game 58. 3 433 to exchange i t o f f , a t t h e 14 QgS! fS
2 ... d 6 is extremely pas- 3 f e is also playable. The same time assisting White's This is forced as 14 ... h6
sive and is only likely t o be game Fischer - Wade, Vin- development, e.g. Rohde - loses to IS Qh7! n e 8 16
played by devotees of t h e kovci 1968, continued: 3 ... Martz, Lone Pine 1977, con- 0-0 intending Qf6+.
Philidor Defence. White has Qxe4 4 Q f 3 QgS S d4 tinued: 7 a d 3 (7 c4) 7 ... Qe7 IS h3
no particular difficulty in Q x f 3 + 6 @xf3 @h4+ 7 @f2 8 0-0 0-0 (8 ... c5 9 c 4 i s 15 0-0 would have been
achieving a pleasant posit- @xf2+ 8 @xf2 Q c 6 9 c 3 d6 good f o r White) 9 QbdZ! even stronger, f o r example:
ion with a space advan- 10 e d Qxd6 11 a d 2 Qe6 12 Q x d 2 10 Qxd2 cS?! 11 d c 15 ... h6 16 QxdS! Q x d S 17
tage. Here a r e a couple of Q e 4 Qe7 13 Q g S QxgS 14 QxcS+ 12 @hl &4 13 @el Q e 6 @e7 18 Q x f 8 @xf8 I9
188 Second Move Alternative Second Move Alternatives 189
h3 QhS 20 BxfS+, winning. The d-pawn is taboo. 42 4 fe
IS ... Qhs ... @xd6 43 Ec6. This leads t o an endgame
16 0-0 Qg6 43 hg $xg4 with only a small advan-
16 ... h6 17 QxdS! is sim- 44 QeS! &gS tage. If White feels like
ilar to t h e previous note. 45 $e7! punishing Black for his
17 QbS! White avoids t h e l a s t cheeky check, then 4 Qc3!
White's knight forces his trap: 45 Qf7+ Exf7 46 $xf7 is the move. Black now has
way into the fine outpost Q f 5. a choice of taking o n f 4 o r
on d6, a s 17 ... a x b 5 18 Qe6! 4 s ... Elf6 playing the solid ... d6:
wins, e.g. 18 ...$b6 19 Q x f 8 46 Rc7 xe8 a) 4 ... ef 5 d 4 f g 6 Qf4!.
$xd4+ 20 @hl @xf8 21 @gS! 47 Q f 7 + Exf7 White has a very dangerous
$xd3 22 $d8+ @f7 23 e6+ With the idea of $d3. 4 8 $xgS 1-0 initiative and the black
@xe6 24 gfel+. 27 ... Qac7 queen is looking rather silly.
17 ... Qba6 28 $d3 g6 Relatively best for Black
18 Q d 6 h6 29 Qb3 ah8 Game S8 is 6 ... dS (6 ... Q f 6 7 eS d6 8
19 Q f 3 Qe6 30 Qa4 N. McDonald - Bachmayr @e2!) and now 7 hg! looks
20 @hi! m8 Over the next ten moves Zug 1991 b e s t (Glaskov recommends
21 Qgl! o r s o , White slowly im- 7 QxdS, b u t I believe t h a t
White threatens t o win proves his position, not I e4 eS Black has sufficient defen-
the f-pawn and gives him- wishing t o undertake any- 2 f4 $h4+ sive resources after the
self t h e possibility of re- thing drastic until t h e time About a n hour before t h e exchange of queens). White
routing the knight t o a control has been neg- game McDonald decided to is only a pawn down with a
more effective square (c3 otiated. play t h e f i r s t King's Gambit big lead in development
o r f4). 30 ... ng8 of his life. I hurriedly gave (Note t h a t t h e rook on hl is
21 ... @gS 31 $d2 Eg7 him a few tips in some of already developed). I'm
22 $f2 Qb4 32$f2 Ef8 t h e critical lines, but when looking forward t o a prac-
More solid would have 33 gc3 gs he enquired about 2 ...$ h4+ tical testing.
been 22 ... Q a c 7 and 23 ... 34 g f c l Qg6 I replied "Oh don't worry b) 4 ... d6 S Q f 3 (5 d 4 is
Qe8. 35 Qc2 Qe8 Neil, nobody ever plays interesting and S QdS $d8
23 QbS! f4 36 Qxg6 Exg6 that!". 6 d 4 c6 7 Qc3 deserves
23 ... Q x a 2 24 Eal. 37 $c2 Egg8 3 g3 $e7 (195) attention. If you count the
24 Qf3! 38 Qc8 $f7 useful moves White is
Times have changed, s o 39 $b3 Q6g7 195 about one and a half up) S
the knight returns. 40 Qd6! Q x d 6 w ... Qg4 6 h3 Qxf3 7 $xf3
24 ... $e7 41 e d Q f 6 8 d3. After this calm
2 s $d2 Qa6 With a strong passed move, White's superiority
26 Qd3 QhS (1941 pawn, control of the c-file becomes apparent: the bish-
An exchange of bishops and a beautiful outpost on op pair and a kingside
would have enabled White e5, White has a decisive space advantage can be
t o penetrate on t h e king- advantage. added t o the awkward
side white squares. 41 ... Be6 placing of the black queen.
27 Qc2! 42 $xb7 g4 4 ... d6!
190 Second Move Alternativ Second Move Alternatives 191
S ed *e4+ I t was more accurate t o
6 ee2 @xe2+ have played 13 ...QcS. After to occupy menacing 36 ... fS fails to 37 Q a x c 5
7 a x e 2 Qxd6 14 b 4 Q e 6 15 a x e 6 Qxe6 16 squares, harassing the QdxcS 38 Q x c S f 4 39 Qxe6!
8 Qbc3 c6 bS Q d S 17 Q x d S QxdS 18 queenside pawns, whilst f 3 4 0 a d 4 f 2 41 a f 5 + and
Black is worried a b o u t 9 QxdS c d 19 @d2 White has a t h e more active position of t h e pawn is stopped just in
Q b S and 8 ... Q d 7 can be slightly better endgame, his king will add to his time.
m e t by 9 Qd4!, b u t t h e t e x t b u t with careful defence advantage. 3s @cS QxcS
does hinder Black's deve- Black should be assured of 27... Ed 36 Q x c S Qxa3
lopment. A b e t t e r equalis- a draw. 28 ga4 axe4 37 c 4 Qc2+
ing try would have been 8 14 b4! 29 Q x a 4 Q e d 7 38 @i2 Qb4
... a6 and a f t e r 9 &2, simp- White finds a very good 30 Q c 4 QdS 39 @c3 as
ly 9 ...Q c 6 . plan ... Q c S i s prevented 31 a3 Qc7 4 0 d4 ad
9 d3 and t h e b-pawn can be This knight manoeuvre 41 dS QeS
This is t h e m o s t natural advanced further in order was Black's b e s t way to t r y 42 @d4 f6
b u t White h a s an interest- to soften u p t h e long diag- to hold t h e queenside. 43 d 6 hS
ing alternative: 9 b3 Q f 6 10 onal. 32 Qd6 @f8 4 4 @dS Be8
Qb2 &4 11 1Eg2 Q b d 7 12 h3 14 ... Ee8+ 33 @e3 a6 4s a e 6 1-0
Q f 5 13 0-0-0 0-0-0 14 g h f l IS @d2 QeS 34 Q b 7 abS McDonald certainly
Qg6 1S Q f 4 with a n edge 16 bS &4 The alternative 34 ... Q e 6 hadn't expected his first -
f o r White, Murey - Eng, 17 bc bc 35 B e 4 @e7 36 @dS is un- King's Gambit to provide
Beersheeva 1985. Black has a temporary attractive f o r Black. T h e one of his b e s t positional
9 ... Qf6 initiative, b u t his weak a t t e m p t to complicate with games!
10 QgS Qbd7 queenside is n o t going to
11 Qg2 h6 g o away.
I2 Q f 4 18 h3 Qf3
White i s happy to 19 g h f l Qxg2
exchange t h e s e bishops a s 2 0 Q x g 2 ?lad8
8 ... c6 a l s o weakened t h e 21 Bael CS
d a r k squares. 22 BfS!
12 ... Qxf 4 The only move b u t a
13 Q x f 4 0-0 (196) good one.
22 ... Qc4+
23 @dl Exel+
24 @xel Ee8+
25 @f2 QeS
26 Q e 3 ge6
27 g f 4 !
Because of t h e t h r e a t of
Ba4, Black has little choice
b u t to allow an exchange
of rooks. After this, the
white knights will be able
Index o f Variations 193
3 a f 3 and now:
Index of Variations A) 3 . . . d 6
B) 3 ...Qe7
C) 3 ... g s
D) 3 ... d5
E) 3 ... Q c 6
F) 3... h6
G) 3 ... Q f 6
H) 3 ... Others
A) 2 ... dS 3 ed e4
B) 2 ... d5 3 ed c6 A)
C) 2 ... QcS 3...d64d4g55h4g46Qglf37gf 11
D)2 ... Others 7 Qg5 Qe7 8 '&d2 f6 13
8 ... h6 14
6 ... Q f 6 17
6 ... Qh6 7 Q c 3 c6 19
7 ... Qe6 22
7 ... Q c 6 2.5
6 ... @f6 28
4Qc4 h 6 5 d 3 g S 6 g 3 Q h 3 31
6 ... g 4 34
B)
3 ... Qe7 4 Qc4 Q f 6 5 e5 &4 6 d4 39
6 0-0 42
4 Qc3Qf6 44
4 ... Qh4+ 5 @e2 c6 46
5 ... dS 49
C)
3 . . . g S 4 h 4 g 4 5 Q e S h5 53
5 ... d5 55
5 ... d6 56
...
5 Qg7 59
5 ...Q f 6 6 Qc4 d5 7 ed Qd6 8 d4 Q h 5 63
8 ... 0-0 67
6 d4 d6 7 Q d 3 a x e 4 +
8 Qxf 4 He7 9 We2 Q c 6 10 c3 Qf5 11 Q d 2 Qxd2 73
11 ... 0-0-0 76
194 Index of Variatlons
Coverage of Black's major defences
Grandmaster Joe Gallagher is one of Europe's most aitack-
minded players. His aggressive style of play is ideally suited to
the international Swiss tournament circuit, where he has won
numerous events over the last few years. This is his first book for
.
Other Winning With.. books from Henry Holt include:
Winning With the English Winning With the Bishop's Opening

Zoltan Ribli and Gabor Kallai Gary Lane
For a list of other titles in the

Batsford Chess Library, write to:
Henry Holt and Company, Inc.,
1 15 West 18th Street, New York,
New York 10011.

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Contents

ISBN 0-805&2631-2 (An Owl Book: ~ b k . )

First American Editior1993

Printed in the United Kingdom

Adviser: R. D. Keene, GM. OBE

ilar strength, b u t i s only a 27 gxd71 @xg3 a h 5 Q d 7 18 a e 7 + @h8 19

ous. 26 f g hg 27 E e 7 and White 33 E h 8 @g7 34 E h e 8 @f7

@g3 11 e5 Qe7 12 a h 2 @h4 14 e d 2 d6 Q c 4 0-0 11 c3 Q d 7 12 a x f 7 !

11 Qb2 Qg4! 21 B f 2 xg4 Game 19 a n analysis by Panov) and 11

This i s a terrible con- a x e 4 f e 23 g3? Q x g 3 24

13 ... Re8 16 ... ef=@+

no s q u a r e f o r t h e king) 19 C) 15 ... a d 7 16 Q d 3 f6 17 venting any ideas of g5 a n d his attacking chances.

Black i s willing t o w a s t e 7 ... Q g 4 has a l s o been 23 Q e 3 struggling t o defend all his

Winning With the English Winning With the Bishop's Opening

For a list of other titles in the

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