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
ages t o restore material
equality without any side-
effects, Black's punctured
kingside will not allow him
an easy game. Let's have a
look at s o m e games to see
how Black a t t e m p t s to
solve his problems.
Game 1
-
Gellagher Conquest
British Champiomhip,
Blackpool 1988
1 e4 eS
2 f4 ef
3 Qf3 d6
4 d4
White does have o t h e r
possibilities, b u t 4 d 4 i s
clearly t h e m o s t critical.
However, t h e plan of 0 c 4
followed by d 3 i s also in-
teresting and can be seen
later in games 9 and 10.
4 ... gs
Other moves have been
tried from time to time
without much success, f o r
example: 4 ... Q f 6 S Qc3
Q h S 6 Qe2 (maybe 6 @d3,
B d 2 and 0-0-0) 6 ... Q g 4 7
0-0 c6 (7 ... g6 8 QdS) 8
Qel! a x e 2 9 $xe2 g6 10 a d 3
leaves White with a clear
advantage.
5 h4
S a c 4 i s illogical: if
'White wants to play this he
should play i t on t h e fourth
move, as then Black is
forced play ... h6. The
Dutch player Bosboom has
experimented with S Qc3,
his idea being 5 ... g 4 6
Qxf4 and o n with t h e game.
His game with Ermenkov,
Amsterdam 1985, continued
instead: 5 ... Qg7 6 h4 g 4 (6
... h6 should be considered)
7 Q g l Q c 6 8 QbS Qd7 9
Qxc6 b c 10 Qxf4 Q e 7 11 hS
with advantage to White.
Further t e s t s awaited!
s ... g4
6 ag1
As already mentioned, 6
Q g S r u n s into trouble. Not
because of 6 ... h6 though,
as a f t e r 7 Q x f 7 White has
a decent version of t h e All-
gaier Gambit (if there i s
such a thing), b u t 6 ... f6!
and a f t e r 7 a h 3 gh 8 $hS+
@d7 9 Qxf4 @e8! 10 @f3
@d8 'White doesn't have
enough f o r t h e piece
(Fischer).
6 ... f3!? (4)
Black decides t o give
back his pawn in order to
disrupt t h e white kingside.
The other possibilities: 6 ...
Qf6, 6 ... Qh6 and 6 ... e f 6 ,
will be considered in games
4 t o 8.
7 gf
7 QgS can b e seen in
games 2 and 3, whilst 7 Qe3
occurred in t h e game Popo-
vic - Spassky, New York
1986. However, a f t e r 7 ...
Qe7 8 a f 2 a f 6 9 gf &8 10
Qg2 Q c 6 11 Q c 3 gf 12 Qxf3
&4, Black had t h e initia-
tive
7 ... Qe7
8 Qe3
This sensible developing
move minimises t h e dis-
ruptive value of the check
on h4. During t h e game I
was sorely tempted to play
8 hS b u t couldn't quite
summon up t h e courage t o
do so. Only Mark Hebden
has, in his game with R.
Alvares, Costa del Sol 1987,
which continued: 8 ... &h4+
9 @e2 (Not such a pretty
place f o r the king, b u t w e
still have o u r h-pawn) 9 ...
gf+ 10 Q x f 3 Q g 4 11 @d3 Q c 6
12 c3 QeS+?! (1 have a vague
memory of looking at 12 ...
fS with Mark and a f t e r 13
Qh3 fe+ 14 Cgxe4 Q f 6 + 15
@d3 coming t o t h e con-
clusion t h a t Black's king
was in more trouble than
White's. Maybe we were
drunk!) 13 d e de+ 14 @e3!
e x d l IS QbS+ c6 16 Bxdl c b
17 Bd5 and White had t h e
better endgame.
Fischer Defence 11
8 ... Qxh4+
9 w cS! (5)
This new idea of Con-
quest's certainly seems t o
be Black's b e s t try. After 9
... Q c 6 10 Q c 3 a f 6 (or 10 ...
QgS 11 f 4 Qf6 and White's
centre is stronger than
Black's passed pawns) 11
QbS Qd7 12 Oxc6 b c 13 f g
White held t h e advantage
in Gallagher - Konrad,
Lloyds Bank 1985.
10 *I!?
10 c3 also deserves con-
sideration, b u t at t h e time I
was afraid t h a t 1 wouldn't
be able t o support my cen-
tre, a s i t would come under
heavy pressure from moves
such as ... Qc6, ... &f6, ...
e b 6 etc.
I0 ... cd
11 e x d 4 Qf6
iz @a2 Qcs
13 Qc3 Be6
14 Q d S QxdS?!
After this, White has
very good play f o r the
pawn; 14 ... Qg7 looks
better. I'm s u r e White has
12 Fischer Defence Fischer Defence 13
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.
14 Fischer Defence
12 Q x f 3 c6
Black has t o work hard
t o try and develop.
13 Qc3 &as?
I t w a s essential t o play
13 ... Qf8! 14 &d2 hS t o pre-
vent White from castling.
Even then, a f t e r 15 &f2!
Q h 6 16 Q d 2 , White's super-
iority is evident.
14 QgS! fg
1S B x e 6 a d 7
16 Qc4!
Stronger than 16 Qh3
Qf 8.
16 ... gf8?!
A b e t t e r chance w a s 16 ...
gh a s now 17 0-0-O? &gS+
18 a b l 0-0-0. White should
instead play 17 eS! and if 17
... dS 18 Qe2 o r 17 ... d e 18
0-0-0 and Black i s unlikely
to survive f o r very long,
e.g. 18 ... e d 19 n x d 4 &gS+
20 @bl 0-0-0 21 n h d l and
wins.
17 0-0-0 g h
Black i s dreaming of es-
caping by ... &gS+ and ...
0-0-0. However,
18 eS!
This c u t s all communic-
ations.
18 ... dS (8)
19 QxdS! 1-0
19 ... cd 20 a x d S &dB 21
x h f l and Black i s totally
paralysed; o r alternatively
19 ... 0-0-0 2 0 &xe7 cd 21
g x h 4 and White will s o o n
be t w o pawns ahead with a
good position.
Fischer Defence 15
come by.
18 eS!
Of course.
18 ... de
18 ... Q x h S 19 &h2 Q h f 4
20 Q e 4 g 3 21 Q 2 x g 3 with a
winning attack.
19 d e Qd7
Now if 19 ... Q x h S 20 &h2
(20 ExhS followed by Q e 4
a l s o looks good) 20 ... Q h f 4
This is a very s t r a n g e 21 Q e 4 &xeS (10)
Game 3 move. My opponent said he
Gallagher - Ziatdinov didn't like his position
Lenk 1991 after 12 ... hS, b u t t h i s is n o
excuse f o r allowing your-
1 e4 eS self to be pushed around.
2 f4 ef 13 hS a g f8
3 Qf3 d6 14 a g e 2
4 d4 gs White keeps open t h e
S h4 g4 option of castling short.
6 Qgl f3 Even though his king will
7 QgS Qe7 feel l e s s secure o n t h e
8 &d2 h6 kingside, t h e s w i f t placing 22 EdS!! There's n o an-
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.
This is b e t t e r than 9 ... f-files would be telling. 20 RdS!
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
advantage t o White; o r 9 ... 1s &g3 Q e 6 time a s t h e r e were a num-
$xe7 10 Q c 3 and again After 15 ... $gS 16 0-0 i t ber of tempting alternat-
Black has a n unenviable is dangerous t o t a k e t h e ives:
position (10 ... dS doesn't h-pawn, e.g. 16 ... B x h S 17 (a) 20 Q e 4 &xeS 21 Rxd7
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
10 Qxg2 a x e 7 (9) ening b4) 18 ... c6 19 @xd6 Qxd7 24 Qxd7+ @e7 25 Q e S
11 a c 3 cd 20 QxdS! Q g 6 21 b4! with a clear advantage f o r
For t h e pawn, White has winning. If Black had tried White. But I wanted more
a lead in development and a 17 ...BgS, then 18 Q f d S Q e 6 than this.
s t r o n g centre; when you 19 QfS with an enormous (b) 20 Exd7!? Qxd7 21
add t h i s t o Black's weaken- attack. Q e 4 &e7 22 Q f 6 + with a
ed kingside, you can already 16 0-0-0 &gS+ very dangerous attack. b u t
s e e t h e writing on t h e wall. 17 1 Qf6?! then I thought "why sacri-
11... Qg6 Black g e t s greedy, b u t fice a t all?". After 20 XdS,
12 &f2 Qd7 good moves a r e hard t o White has a n attack of sim-
16 Fischer Defence
ilar strength, b u t i s only a
pawn down.
20 ... c6
21 Q e 4 @e7
21 ... @g7 is no better. A t
t h e board I was considering
the exchange sacrifice 22
g x d 7 a s 22 ... Qxd7 loses t o
23 Q f 6 + @e7 24 @d3!; b u t
22 ... @xd7 is a much
tougher n u t t o crack: 23
&d3+ @c7 24 @d6+ @b6 25
Q2c3 as! and I can't see any
forced win f o r White.
Therefore it's b e t t e r not t o
'sac' t h e exchange and play
instead 22 Q d 6 + @f8 23
@a3! Black is forced t o play
23 ... c5, a s 23 ... @g8 loses
t o 24 Q x c 8 cd 25 Qe7+ @h7
26 @d3+.
22 E d 2 QgS
23 Qd6+ @f8
24 QfS! Be6
25 g f l @g8(11)
This allows White t o win
a piece, b u t there was
nothing better.
26 Ed61 exes
Otherwise Black will
quickly g e t mated.
Fischer Defence 17
27 gxd71 @xg3 a h 5 Q d 7 18 a e 7 + @h8 19
27 ... @xe2 28 n d 8 + @h7 Qxg7 @xg7 20 Xxd7 1-0
29 g x h 8 + @xh8 30 @c3+! is Gallagher- Sanz, Gijon 1988)
t h e main point. 10 g3 and now Bangiev gives
28 gd8+ @h7 10 ... Qc6! with a fully sat-
29 g x h 8 + @xh8 isfactory game f o r Black.
30 Qfxg31 For example: 11 Q x f 4 (11
This removes Black's l a s t Qg2 Q e 7 with t h e idea of ...
hope of counterplay. Qf5) 11 ...a xf4 12 Qxf4 Q x f 4
30 ... Qe6 13 gf Q e 7 with a good block-
31 @c1 ge8 ade on t h e light squares.
32 g f 4 Qc8 7 ... axe4
33 @d2 QeS 8 Qd31
34 a d 4 @h7 An improvement o n t h e
3s Qfi! cs Black launches a counter- previously played 8 Q c 3 ,
36 Qxd3+ @h8 attack against the white which leads t o unclear play
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
38 -6 Qf3+ will give him time t o de- Qd3 Qe6!
39 @c3 bS fend with QhS. 8 ... Be7
Threatening mate! 7 Qxf4!? Hebden - Psakhis, Mos-
40 b3 c4 I t looks s t r a n g e t o give cow 1986, continued 8 ... fS
Black continues till the up a central pawn f o r t h e 9 Q e 2 Qg7 10 Qxe4 f e 11QgS
bitter end. The remaining one on f 4 , which might Qf6 12 Q b c 3 QxgS 13 hg
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 +
Qxc4 ge3+ 43 @b2 Qxc4 44 ways in this type of pos- @d8 16 @d2! @xd2+ 17 @xd2
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
Q h f S g f 3 47 g c 7 a6 4 8 a3 virtually useless. eventually picked up the
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
cS 11 d c Q c 6 12 Q b c 3 Q x f 4
13Qxf 4 a x e 5 14 $323 Q f 6 IS
QcxdS 0-0 16 0-0-0 Qg7 17
 18 Fischer Defence Fischer Defence 19
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
20 Fischer Defence
ending in Christiansen -
Lobo, San Jose 1980, b u t 13
c 4 followed by g c 3 t o expel
t h e lone intruder looks
even s t r o n g e r t o me.
10 Q f 4 Be7
Black h a s t o play with
extreme care. The slightest
slip and i t will all b e over.
For example: 10 ... Q e 7 ? 11
eS! d e 12 Q e 4 B g 7 13 a h 5
e g 6 14 Q h f 6 + @f8 15 h5
B g 7 16 d e Q d 7 17 B d 6 1-0
Craig - Demps ter, Corr. 1985;
o r 10 ... Qxf4?! I1 Qxf4 bS?
(What i s Black doing?) 12
B d 2 B e 7 13 0-0-0 Q d 7 14
QxbS! Qb7 15 Q c 4 a5 16 g h e l
Q b 6 17 Q d 3 a d 7 1 18 a d 5
1-0 Hebden - Cantero, Spain
1986. T h a t was certainly a
bad day a t t h e office f o r
Senor Cantero. Basically,
whatever Black does, White
i s going t o complete his
development and then try
t o s m a s h open t h e centre.
11 Qd3
11 @f2 a l s o looks good,
b u t I preferred to tuck my
king away o n t h e queenside.
11 ... a 7
12 Qe3 hS
13 @d2 Qd7
14 0 af8
15 g h e 1
White's preparations a r e
complete and unfortunately
f o r Black her king i s still in
t h e centre.
IS ... Qd7?! (17)
IS ... Q e 6 i s somewhat
b e t t e r , b u t Black i s going
t o suffer. 16 e5 and 16 d 5
both look very dangerous,
o r White can even choose
t o play in a quiet fashion.
16 e5 de
That Black has little
choice a p a r t from opening
t h e centre i s confirmed by
t h e following variations:
(a) 16 ... d 5 17 QcxdS! cd
18 Q x d S @d8 19 &5! B c 8
(19 ... Qh6 20 Q f 6 + Q x f 6 21
ef+ is very good f o r White)
20 Q f 6 + Qxf6 21 e f + @d8 22
ge7! (Now Black has t o
take t h e rook otherwise
White will simply munch
his way through t h e sev-
e n t h rank) 22 ... a x e 7 23
fe+ @e8 24 Qf6! g g 8 25
ef-++ g x f 8 (The point of
24 Qf6 i s revealed in t h e
variation 25 ... @xf8 26
@b4+) 26 B b 4 and wins
(b) 16 ... 0-0-0 17 QcdS!
(White will pursue t h e
black king wherever i t
runs) 17 ... cd 18 Q x d S e e 8
(18 ... B e 6 then 19BaS b 6 20
@xa7) 19 @a5 @b8 20 @c7+
Fischer Defence 21
@a8 21 Qe4! Qc8 (21 ... Qc6 I remember feeling quite
22 Q b 6 + a b 23 E d 3 o r 21 ... disappointed a f t e r this a s I
g b 8 22 E d 3 with t h e won- was itching t o play 23 ...
derful t h r e a t of 23 Bxd7!!) B d 7 24 QfS! a s now 24 ... f e
22 E d 3 with a crushing a t t - 25 &6+ @f8 26 @f4+ @g7
ack. 27 B f 7 + @h6 28 Qf4+ i s t h e
17 de 436 end. Black is therefore
18 Q e 4 Qxe5 forced t o t a k e o n e6 with
Again Black is forced t o his queen: 24 ... B x e 6 25
open f u r t h e r lines. Qxe6 fe. Now White has t h e
19 a x e 6 Qxe6 very s t r o n g move 26 @e3!
If 19 ... B x e 6 2 0 Q c 4 is forcing 26 ... Eh6 (26 ... @f7
very strong. 27 Qxe7 a x e 7 28 Eel) 27
2 0 QcS Wc7 (18) Qxe7 @xe7 28 @cS+! @e8 29
20 ... B d 7 21 Q g 5 and @gS! and wins.
wins, f o r example: 21 ... 24 g x d 6 Qxd6 (19)
B d S 22 a x e 6 '&xi6 23 QfS!
@xfS 24 Exes+ B x e S 25 @d7 19
mate. w
25 Qa61
It's amazing! This game
just seems t o s t u m b l e from
21 Qd6+!! Qxd6 tactic t o tactic.
22 Ex&+ ...
25 **O
I w a s r a t h e r enjoying 25 ... Qxg3 was a slightly
myself here. b e t t e r chance.
22 ... Qe7! 26 @c3! Qe7
The only chance a s 22 ... 27 Exd6 ba
f e 23 &6+ @d7 24 Qxd6 28 g f 6 Ehf8
wins. 29 B c S Ed7
23 Qd6! Of course this game i s
The pressure just keeps n o t going t o finish in t h e
o n increasing. normal way. White now
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
24 Fischer Defence
Black assumed that the
ensuing endgame was very
favourable for him and
didn't seriously examine 15
... ab8!. This seems t o give
him a winning attack after
@xa6 n x b 2 and now:
(a) 17 Qc3 x b 6 18 @a4+
@f8 19 d5 QfS! and White's
days are numbered.
(b) 17 Qxf4 nxe2+ 18
Qxe2 Qxf4 19 Xf1 &3+ 20
@dlQ e 4 21 @bS+ c6 22 &hS
Qf2+ 23 @c2 Q g 6 24 Qxg4
0-0 when Black has a dang-
erous attack in addition t o
his material advantage.
(c) 17 0-0-0 n x d 2 18 nxd2
f 3 with a very strong att-
ack.
(d) 17 Qcl. This is the
critical line, a s if t h e rook
retreats White will have no
problems, e.g. 17 ... n b 6 18
@a4+ @f8 19 Q x f 4 with the
idea of Qe6+. However,
Black has a very strong
reply, 17 ... @b8!!, after
which White seems de-
fenceless:
(dl) 18 Qxb2 @xb2 19
@bS+ @xbS 20 c b QedS. De-
spite being t h e exchange
ahead White is completely
lost. I t i s impossible f o r
him t o untangle his pieces
and he is also in grave dan-
ger of getting mated. His
only trump i s t h e passed
a-pawn, b u t this i s not f a r
enough advanced to cause
any problems, e.g. 21 a 4
Q e 4 22 a5 f3!, with the
threat of 23 ... Qd2+ 24 @dl
&3 mate.
(d2) 18 @a4+ @f8 19 Q x f 4
Hbl 20 Xxbl @xbl winning,
a s 21 @dl loses to ... Qxf4
and ...@e4+.
(d3) 18 @a3 n b l 19 Rxbl
@xbl 20 @a8+ @d7 21 @xh8
(22).
White has won a rook,
but his forces a r e totally
disjointed and Black's next
move is t h e nail in the
coffin: 21 ... &g8! (21 ...
Q e 4 22 @xh7 and i t is un-
clear if Black has anything
better than perpetual check
with 22 ... @b4+ and 23 ...
@a4+; 22 ... f 3 is dangerous,
but White should escape
with 23 $xh6 f2+ 24 @dl
@d3+ 25 Qd2 Q f 5 26 @f4
Q x d 4 27 @xe4! @xe4 28
Q x d 4 @xd4 29 h5). After 21
... Q e g 8 White's queen will
take no further part in the
game, e.g.
(d31) 22 @f2 g3+ 23 @gl
@g6 24 Q x f 4 (24 h5 @g4 is
no better) 24 ...@c2! 25 Q e 2
$xcl!! 26 Q x g 3 @e3+ 27 @h2
a f 4 28 ug7 a h 5 29 @xf7+
Q e 7 and mate follows.
(d32) 22 h5 with t h e idea
of preventing ...@g6 meets
with a brilliant refutation:
22 ... @e7!! and White is
powerless t o prevent ...
@f8 and ... Qg7.
16 @xb8+ nxb8
17 axf4!
White must liberate his
position immediately, n o t
spending any time counting
pawns. 17 0-0-0 loses t o 17
... Q e 4 18 Qxf4 Qxf4 19
&f4 Q f 2 20 Eel Q x h l 21
a d 5 @f 8!
17 ... B f4
18 Qxf4 (23)
18 ... Qe4?!
I t seems very strange n o t
t o take on b2 b u t in fact
after 18 ... Rxb2 19 Qd3 Q c 6
20 0-0 Q x d 4 21 gael+ @f8
22 hS!? White has ample
compensation for the
pawns.
Black should instead play
18 ... Q g 6 immediately and
then if 19 Qxg6 hg 20 0-0-0
Fischer Defence 25
Black has a slightly better
ending. Better is 19 &3!
with a roughly level game,
e.g. 19 ... h5 20 0-0-0 0-0 21
Qf2! a f e 8 22 g3!? ne3 23
E d 3 Hbe8 24 Qdl.
19 b3 a&?
Black completely over-
looked White's reply. Bet-
ter is 19 ... Q g 3 o r 19 ...QfS,
but White is already over
the worst.
20 QhS! g3
Otherwise Bd3 will give
White a clear advantage.
21 Qe2 0-0
If 21 ... Q f 2 22 0-O!
22 0-0 %-rh
Here the peculiarities of
club chess took over a s I
was informed by my captain
that i t was in o u r team's
interest for me t o offer a
draw. White, of course, has
t h e better chances now,
...
e.g. 22 fS 23 Qf3 Q x h 4 24
a x e 4 f e 25 Qf6+ (25 Qxg3!?)
25 ... @g7 26 a x e 4 Q f S 27
d5. Black has a large num-
ber of weaknesses.
Game 7
-
Bangiev Paclhaian
Corr.1987
26 Fischer Defence
Black has one o t h e r alt-
ernative, namely 7 ... Qf6.
A complicated game arises
from 8 a g e 2 dS (After the
immediate 8 ... a h S , 9 g3
promises White a good
game) 9 QxfB!? (9 eS Q h S 10
g3 leads t o a position
where t h e inclusion of dS
and eS is not unfavourable
f o r Black) 9 ... Q x f 4 10
Q x f 4 de 11 Qc4! (This
seems more logical t o me
than Makarichev's suggest-
ion in New in Chess of @d2
followed by 0-0-0. Black is
weak on t h e f-file s o t h e
good old-fashioned recipe
is called for: bishop on c4,
rook on fl. An eventual a d 5
may a l s o cause problems).
Black can try:
(a) 11 ... Q c 6 12 0-0 @xd4+
13 @xd4 Q x d 4 14 Q f d S
QxdS 1.5 QxdS Q e 6 16 Q f 6 +
@e7 17 n a e l and White has
more than enough compen-
sation.
(b) 11 ... Q b d 7 12 0-0 Q b 6
is t o o slow: 13 Qxf7+ @xf7
14 Q h S Q d 7 15 a x e 4 and
White's winning.
8 QbS!?
White has a major alter-
native in 8 a g e 2 a f t e r
which Black is forced t o
advance: 8 ... f3 9 Q f 4 (9
Qg3!? f2+ 10 @e2! (10 @xf2
@f6+) also deserves attent-
ion) 9 ... f2+!? (If 9 ... Bf6,
then 10 QcdS B x d 4 11 @xd4
Q x d 4 12 Qxc7+ @d8 13Qxa8
Qxc2+ 14 @dl Q x a l 15 a d 5
and White's knight on a 8
will now escape, whilst it
will take a miracle f o r
B!ack's t o perform a similar
feat) 10 @xf2 g3+ 11 @xg3
Q f 6 12 Qe2 (12 @f2!? x g 8 13
g3 Qg4 14 B d 3 @d7 15 QcdS
Qg7 16 Qxf6+ Qxf6 17 c 3
0-0-0 18 Q d S Qg7 19 Q f 4 fS
20 Qg2 &f7?! 21 ef QxfS 22
@xfS+ B x f S 23 Qh3 with a
clear advantage t o White,
Naftalin - Selke, Corr. 1988)
12 ... x g 8 + 13 @f2 Q g 4 + 14
Qxg4 Qxg4 15 B d 3 Qg7 16
Qe3 B d 7 (2.5)
17 QcdS! (After 17 Qce2?!
0-0-0 18 Q g 3 fS! Black had
a s t r o n g attack in Planinc -
Gligoric, Ljubljana/Porto-
roz 1977). The German corr-
espondence player Niemtz
has been responsible f o r
rehabilitating this line.
Here a r e some examples
a f t e r 17 QcdS! 0-0-0 18 b4:
(a) 18 ... fS 19 bS. White's
attack now arrives in time:
19 ... Q e 7 20 @a3 @b8 21
Q x e 7 @xe7 22 eS with a
slight advantage f o r White,
Niemtz - Bodkov, Corr.
1983/84.
(b) In t h e game Niemtz -
Skorpik, Corr. . 1983/84
rather than 18 ... fS, there
occurred 18 ... Q e 7 19 Qxe7+
Bxe7 20 Q d S B e 6 21 Xael
Ede8 22 @c4 B d 7 23 bS @b8
24 Q f 4 with a b e t t e r game
f o r White.
(c) 18 ... gde8! 19 bS Q d 8
20 c 4 (20 a4!?) 20 ... Q e 6 21
cS! (21 n a e l fs, Dufraisse -
Roos, Corr. 1987) 21 ... d c 22
dc Qxal 23 Exal Q x f 4 24
Q x f 4 with compensation.
8 ... a6
8 ... Qd7 i s t o o passive a s
Black n o longer has the
possibility of ... a5 and ...
Qa6.
9 Qxc6+ b c
10 B d 3
The usual plan of cast-
ling long and then having a
look t o s e e what's going
on.
10 ... @f6
10 ... Q e 7 leaves the f-
pawn devoid of protection,
Fischer Defence 27
I2 ... dS
(a) 12 ... as!? 13 eS d e 14
Q e 4 gives good attacking
chances.
(b) 12 ... 0-0 13 Q g e 2 as!?
14 eS d e 15 Q e 4 @g7 16 de
Qa6 17 Q f 6 +@xf6 18 ef Qxd3
19 f e Qxe2 20 ef%+ Qxf8!?
21 g d e l f 3 22 gf gf 23 Xhgl+
Qg7 24 Qc3 f2 25 Bxg7+ a f 8
26 g x h 7 f e e + 27Qxel with
b e t t e r chances f o r White in
the endgame (Bangiev).
13 a g e 2
As usual, White will not
want t o advance his e-pawn
a s this would give Black a
fine square on fS.
...
13 f3
14 gf gf
IS Bdfl Sq?sd2+
16 @xd2 hS!
Black might want t o ex-
change queens with ... e h 6
a t an appropriate moment.
17 Qgl!? &4
18 @e3 @h6
28 Fischer Defence
19 e x h 6 a x h 6
20 Qxf3 f 6
21 eS?!
I t would have been bet-
t e r t o play 21 adz!. This
both creates pressure on
the f-file and sends the
knight off on a pleasant
journey towards cS. In t h a t
case, White would have had
the better chances.
The rest of t h e game is
given in brief: 21 ... Q f S 22
Q e 2 0-0-0 23 @d2 Be8 24
g f 2 f e 25 a x e 5 a d 6 26 Q c 3
cS?! 27 Q x g 4 Q c 4 + 28 @c1
hg 29 d c Re3!? 30 QxdS
g x h 4 31 Ed1 n e h 3 32 c6 g h 8
33 g f 4 Q e 5 34 Qe7+ @b8 35
g b 4 + @a8 36 a d 5 g3h7 37
a e 4 Qxc6 38 g x g 4 @b7 39
Q c 3 a h 1 4 0 Be4 a x d l + 41
@xdl g d 8 + 42 @cl Ed6 43
b3 Q b 8 44 @b2 Q d 7 45 a h 4
@c6 46 b 4 @b7 47 EhS @c6
48 @b3 @b7 49 &4 @c6 SO
Q b 2 Q b 6 51 a 4 g f 6 52 Q d 3
Q d 7 53 a 5 Qd6 54 Eh8 Qf6
55 Ba8 @b7 56 Qd8 @c6 57
bS+ 1-0 (if 57 ... a b 58 a6
g f 8 59 Q b 4 + i s winning).
Game 8
-
Bangiev Figer
Corr. 1987
As we have already seen,
Black has t o take special
care when he develops his
queen t o f6, a s t h e advance
e5 is always in t h e offing.
7 Qc3 Qe7
7 ... c6 is also playable
and now everybody has re-
commended 8 eS de 9 Q e 4
@e7 10 de e x e s 11 @e2 with
a dangerous attack, e.g. 11
...a 7 12 Qd6+ @f8 13 Qxf4
o r 11 ... Q d 7 12 Qd2 or 11 ...
Qe6 12 a d 2 and Black has
problems on t h e long diag-
onal.
But what about 11 ... Qe7
12 a d 2 Qf6!. I now can't
find any position that 1
would feel like playing for
White, e.g.
(a) 13Qxf6+ Qxf6 14 Qxf4
e x e 2 + 15 a x e 2 Qxb2. White
has probably a good pawn's
worth of compensation,
b u t unfortunately he is two
down.
(b) 13 Qc3 @xe4 14 @xe4
a x e 4 15 Qxh8 &3 16 Qh2,
(For the exchange Black
has two pawns and every-
,hing will now hinge on
whether the f- and g-pawns
are strong o r weak). 16 ...
fie6 looks like Black's best
(If 16 ...Q f 5 17 0-0-0 Qxh4?
18 Exh4 Q x h 4 19 Qf6; Black
could also try t o lock the
bishop o u t of the game
with 16 ... f6, but he would
then run into trouble along
the a2-g8 diagonal and on
t h e e-file. However, 16 ...
Qd6 17 0-0-0 Qc7 is unclear)
17 QeS (After other moves
Black has good compensa-
tion, e.g. 17 Q e 2 Q x f l 18
@xfl Qd6; o r 17 0-0-0 Qd7)
17 ... e f l ! 18 @xfl Qc4+ 19
@el QcS! (Black is hanging
onto his pawn by tactical
resouces) 20 h e 2 (20 0-0-0
&e3+ 21 @bl Q d 7 or 20 Qhl
Qe3 are good for Black) 20
... g3! (20 ... f 3 is not s o
good after 21 gf gf 22 a d 4
a d 7 23 Qxf3! a x e 5 24
a x e 5 a d 6 25 QgZ!) 21 Qh3
(21 Bhl f3! 22 gf g2 with
advantage t o Black) 21 ...
&f2+ 22 @fl (22 @dl f 3 is
strong) 22 ... Qe3 23 @el
and Black has t h e pleasant
choice between 23 ... Qxe2
o r 23 ...Qe6.
So, instead of 8 eS?!, 8
Qge2. Now Black can play 8
... Qh6, transposing t o
Gallagher - Jackson (and
we don't mind that!), o r
push with 8 ... f 3 9 Q g 3 f2+
10 @e2 (OK, we've had t o
move our king, b u t take a
Fischer Defence 29
look a t Black's position.
What a mess!) 10 ... b6
doesn't help: 11 a 5 Qa6+ 12
@e3 Qh6 13e x g 4 .
8 &e2 Qh6
8 ... f3, a s usual, doesn't
solve Black's problems: 9
Q f 4 (9 Q g 3 also looks
good) 9 ... f g (Black should
have tried 9 ... f2+ 10 @xf2
g3+, regardless of whether
it's good o r not) 10 Qxg2 c6
11 eS! with a crushing attack
in Bangiev - Mayr, Corr.
1986.
9 @d2
This strange move is
seen from time t o time in
the King's Gambit, nor-
mally when White is in a
hurry t o retrieve the gam-
bit pawn. However, in this
position i t doesn't seem t o
work too well. Bangiev also
considers 9 g3!? fg! 10 Qxh6
@xh6 (10 ... &f2+ 11 @d2 g2
12 Qxg2 e x g 2 13 QgS with
active play for the pawn) 11
@d2 @xd2+ 12 @xd2 Qbc6 13
Qg2 Qd7 14 g a f l with a dis-
tinct initiative compensat-
ing for the l o s t material.
I think White would do
best here t o play 9 &d3
with the usual idea of Qd2
and 0-0-0.
9 ... abc61
Black puts d4 under
immediate pressure. 9 ...
Qd7 is rather passive; Plan-
inc - Portisch, Ljubljana
1973 continued: 10 g3 Qbc6
30 Fischer Defence
(10 ... fg? 11 @xh6 is good
for White) H gf 0-0-0 12
Qg2 @g7 13 dS Q e S 14 @e3
@b8 IS @f2 with t h e b e t t e r
game f o r White.
10 g3?! (28)
This recommendation of
ECO is not good. Instead,
White should take advan-
tage of t h e one drawback
created by Black's ninth
move (i.e. t h e inability t o
defend c7 sensibly) and
play 10 QbS. After 10 ...
@d8 11 dS (Bangiev consid-
e r s t h e complications after
11 eS @fS 12 ed Q d S 13 dc+
@d7 t o be in White's fav-
our, b u t he didn't suggest
a way t o beat off t h e black
attack. I certainly can't see
anything resembling a 16 ...
White advantage) 11 ... QeS
12 Q x f 4 a6! 13 Q d 4 g 3 with
an unclear position. The
game Gallagher - G. Flear,
Lenk 1992 continued 14
Q d e 2 E g 8 IS @d4 &4 16
Qe3 Qxe2 17 a x e 2 Qf3+!? 18
gf @xf3 19 Qxh6 @xhl 20
&S! g2 21 @f2! ExgS! 22 hg
gf=@+ 23 g x f l @h4+ 25 Q g 3
a d 7 26 @f6 Bg8 27 Xhl
@xgS 28 @xgS XxgS 29
nxh7 @e8 %-%.
10 ... LPg7
The bishop switches di-
agonals in order t o assist
the attack on d4, whilst a t
t h e same time unpinning
itself. To avoid losing a
pawn, White i s forced into
t h e extremely ugly ...
11 dS?! fg!
Well, i t turns o u t he
loses one anyway a s 12 dc
@f2+ followed by ... g2 is
disastrous.
12 Q x g 3 Q d 4
13 a 2 Qf3+!
14 Qxf3 @xf3
l 5 a c e 2 QeS
The full effects of 11 dS
are shown a s Black com-
pletely dominates the cen-
tre.
16 n g 1
16 B d 3 is probably a
slight improvement al-
though after 16 ... fS! 17 g f l
f e 18 g x f 3 (or 18 a x e 4
@xd3) 18 ... ed 19 Bxd3 QfS,
Black stands clearly better.
fS
17 @h6
The only way t o try t o
develop.
17 ... flf8
18 &S f4!
19 n f 1 fg
Not really a queen sacri-
fice b u t elegant neverthe-
less.
20 E x f 3 gf
21 Qxe7 f2+
22 -2 @xe7
0-1
For those of you who
like t o stray from t h e
beaten path, games 9 and
10 offer an alternative way
of treating t h e Fischer De-
fence.
Game 9
Gallagher Lane-
Hastings Masters 1990
4 ... h6
4 ... gS i s inadvisable and
the l a s t outing t h a t I know
*ofwas 143 years ago: S h4
g4 6 Q g S Q h 6 7 d 4 f6 8
Qxf4 f g 9 QxgS (9 hg also
looks good) and White had
very s t r o n g attack, Mor-
@hy - Tilghman, Philadel-
phia 1859.
S d3!
S d 4 is more common,
Fischer Defence 31
b u t t h e t e x t has certain
advantages:
(a) The knight has the
extra option of hopping
into d 4 in case of being
hassled by t h e g-pawn.
(b) S d3 offers some so-
lidity t o t h e white centre,
which can be quite useful if
you're going t o play on the
wing.
S ...
6 g31
The undermining process
begins straight away.
6 ... Qh3!?
Black has a number of
a1ternatives:
(a) 6 ... f g 7 hg. This
gives White excellent att-
acking chances, e.g. 7 ...
Qg4 8 QxgS! hg 9 g x h 8 a h 6
10 Q c 3 @f6 11 g x f 8 + @xf8
12 QdS!, Bhend - Issler, Corr.
1970; o r 7 ... Qg7 8 QxgS hg
9 g x h 8 Qxh8 10 &hS B f 6 11
Q c 3 c6 12 QxgS @g7 13
0-0-0 with a s t r o n g attack.
(b) 6 ... Q c 6 7 gf g4
(Bhend gives 7 ... Qg4 a s
leading t o rough equality
after 8 0-0 Q d 4 9 Q b d 2 gf
10 c3 Qe6! although this is
very hard t o a s s e s s without
any practical experience.
Maybe 8 c 3 is a n improve-
ment a s 8 ... gf 9Qxf4QeS?
10 QxeS and 11 Qxf7+ wins
f o r White) 8 Q g l @h4+ 9
@fl Q f 6 10 @g2 Q h S 11 Q c 3
g3 12 @el! g g 8 13 h3 with
advantage t o White, a s his
32 Fischer Defence
king i s perfectly safe.
(c) 6 ... g4, see game 10.
7 add?!
After half an hour's re-
flection, I still managed t o
overlook my opponent's
reply. At first, 7 gf appeal-
ed t o me because of the
variation 7 ... g 4 8 Q d 4
&2? 9 @xg4 Qxhl 10 Qxf7+
@xf7 11 @e6+ @g7 12 QfS+
@h7 13 @f7+ and mate. But,
of course, 8 ... @h4+ is
better when I was unable
t o assess t h e position after
9 63e2 Qg2 10 @el! @h3 11
Bgl. After the game Gary
Lane said he had been most
worried about 7 @d2!?. This
prevents ... Qg2 and takes
the sting o u t of ... @h4+,
thereby threatening t o cap-
ture on f4. 7 @e2 also de-
serves attention, a s 7 ... g 4
8 Q h 4 f 3 9 @f2 doesn't
really help Black.
7 ... dS!
The only move, b u t a
good one.
8 ed
Unfortunately, 8 fexdS c6
9 @hS cd 10 @xh3 de 11 c3
looks good f o r Black. After
8 ed Black has succeeded in
closing t h e a2 - g 8 diag-
onal, which gives him time
t o complete his develop-
ment and remove his king
t o a safe haven.
8 ... a 7
9 c3
9 Qf3!?
9 ... Qxd4
10 cd Qg2
11 mi
I wasn't too attracted by
the endgame after 11 @e2+.
11 ... f3!? (30)
A truly amazing position
has arisen on the board.
Will White's powerful pawn
centre prove triumphant, o r
will Black's bishop on g2
have the last word?
11 ... QxdS also came into
consideration, but after 12
Qc3, Black will have t o
straighten o u t White's re-
maining d-pawns: 12 ...
Qxc4 13 d c f g 14 hg. White
has sufficient play for the
pawn because of Black's
weak kingside, e.g. 14 ...
Q f 6 (14 ... @e7+ 15 83f2) 15
@f3! 0-0 16 Qe3.
12 Qe3
12 a d z ? @f6 is very men-
acing. White's main priority
is t o get his king o u t of the
centre. In similar positions
where Black has a pawn on
f3, there is normally a cosy
square for the white king
gn f2. Here, however, with
he black pawn back on gS
o ~ s t e a d of g4) a knight
&eck on g 4 could prove
gxtremely embarrassing.
12 ...
13 Qc3
h f6
60
If 13 ... &4 14 @d2 @e7
~5 0-0-0 and Black can't
win a piece because of the
pin on t h e e-file.
14 @d2 Ee8
is 0-0-0 Q g 4
16 Ege1
16 g d e l loses t o 16 ...
nxe3. For a while I was
tempted by a dubious queen
-rifice: 17 g x e 3 f2 18
g x g 2 (31) fl++ 19 Eel @fS
20 h3 Q f 6 21 n f 2 with some
w g u e attacking chances.
Apart from 18 ... f i e + ,
.@ack has another possib-
#ity 18 ... f l e ! ! ? . After the
qkkat settles Black will be a
$piece up: 3 knights (!I ag-
ainst knight and bishop.
16 ... Qd7
17 Qg1 Qdf6
18 h4!
White has to quickly
Fischer Defence 33
break up the black king-
side.
18 ... gxe1
19 Rxe1 QhS
20 Q e 4 gh
21 gh
22 d6!
At long last, t h e bishop
comes into play and the
f7-square begins t o look
vulnerable.
22 ... cd
23 Qxd6 f2?
23 ... g f 8 was necessary,
when the game is rather
unclear, e.g.
(a) 24 Qxf7 (This seems
insufficient) 24 ... gxf7 25
Qxf7+ 63xf7 26 @f4+ Qhf6
27 @c7+ @g6 28 Ee7 @gS+
29 Qe3 (29 @c2 @hS) 29 ...
@xe3+! 30 nxe3 Qxe3 and
Black's f-pawn should d o
the rest.
(b) 24 Be4 Qhf6 25 Bf4
@g5 26 Q e 4 a x e 4 27 de f2!
28 fexf2 Q x f 2 29 @xf2 Ec8
is good for Black.
(c) 24 Qe4. This solid
move is probably the best;
the position remains a
34 Fischer Defence Fischer Defence 35
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
If White w a s allowed to
play 23 f5, he would have
been able to deal with t h e
black kingside a t his con-
venience.
23 @xf31!
This s e e m s premature.
By 23 Q d S + @c6 24 Q e 7 +
@c7 25 Q x c 8 Xaxc8 26 @xf3
White g e t s a b e t t e r ending.
23 nag1 a l s o l o o k s good.
23 ... Qd7
2 4 ads+ @c6
25 nag1
After t h e game I'd f e l t
t h a t I'd missed my chance
by not playing 25 c 4 here.
However, by 25 ... hS! Black
g e t s a reasonable game. 2) Cunningham Defence
25... c4
White's centre begins to
creek. It's time to bail out.
26 Xg7 cd 1 e4 e5
27 Q b 4 + @c7 2 f4 ef
28 ads+ @c6 3 433 Qe7 (35)
29 Qb4+ &7
30 ads+ %+
In practice, 3 ... Qe7 is
flsually seen a s o n e of t h e
most solid ways of meeting
the King's Gambit. Black
calmly s t a r t s to develop
bis kingside whilst a l s o
Biving himself t h e option
Of ...Qh4+. I t i s especially
W p u l a r a m o n g s t t h e well-
Whooled ex-Soviet players.
To check o r n o t to
check? T h a t i s a much
Posed question in this vari-
ation. The general opinion
@eems t o b e t h a t if t h e
White king has f l a t his
idisposal, Black's l o s s of
time i s a bigger problem
khan White's l o s t right to
castle. On t h e o t h e r hand,
if t h e monarch has to
bravely advance to e2, Black
usually can't resist t h e
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-
ties.
Game 11
-
Gallagher P. Wells
Islington 1990
1 e4 e5
2 f4 ef
3 Qf3 Qe7
4 lpce
One of my very f i r s t
King's Gambits w a s against
Maya Chiburdanidze in a
London weekend tourna-
m e n t in 1985. 3 ... Qe7 was
t h e end of my theoretical
knowledge b u t I had a re-
collection of t h e king
coming to e2, so I played 4
38 Cunningham Defence
d4, assuming i t was t h e
normal move. The game
continued 4 ... Qh4+ S @e2
dS (This i s why 4 Qc3 i s
stronger; i t covers t h e dS-
square) 6 eS Q g 4 7 Q x f 4
Q e 7 8 h3 Qg6!? 9 hg!?
Q x f 4 + 10 @e3! Q g 3 (36)
What a baptism. I re-
member now spending
s o m e time looking a t 11
Qgl!?, with t h e idea of
winning t h e bishop with
@f3 and @xg3 b u t 1 had t h e
feeling Black might be able
to g e t a s t r o n g a t t a c k , so
I played 11 Q c 3 and a f t e r 11
... f 6 12 Q e 2 a x e 2 13 @xe2
f e I had to g o pawn grabb-
ing with 14 @bS+. There
followed: 14 ... Q c 6 IS @xb7
Q x d 4 16 Qd3! n b 8 17 @a6 e 4
18 @g6+!! (This certainly
s t a r t l e d my opponent) 18 ...
hg 19 Bxh8+ @d7 20 Exd8+
n x d 8 21 @xd4 e d 22 @xdS!
d c 23 n c l with a small ad-
vantage f o r White, although
t h e game w a s eventually
drawn in a blitz finish.
After t h i s game my appe-
t i t e f o r King's Gambits be-
came insatiable.
4 ... Q f6
4 ... Qh4+ S @fl (Cunn-
ingham used t o play S g 3 f g
6 0-0 gh+ 7 B h l . In previous
centuries, many quick wins
were scored with t h e s e
visual sacrifices, b u t mod-
e r n defensive technique
has rendered S g 3 harmless.
These days, players don't
take everything that's
offered a s a m a t t e r of hon-
our, b u t r e t u r n t h e material
- o r a t l e a s t s o m e o f it - a t
an appropriate moment t o
nullify t h e attack. So, in-
s t e a d of 6 ... gh+, 6 ... dS 7
QxdS Q f 6 8 Qxf7+ (8 Q x h 4
Q x d S 9 ed @xh4 10 @e2+
@d8 i s good f o r Black) 8 ...
@xf7 9 eS (9 Q x h 4 @d4+) 9
... Q h 3 10 ef Q x f l 11 @xfl
gh+ 12 @hl Qxf6 with a
clear advantage f o r Black
in Krejcik - Schlechter, Vi-
enna 1918) S ... dS (This is
t h e only way f o r Black t o
fight f o r t h e initiative) 6
QxdS (6 ed is interesting
and, in fact, transposes t o
t h e n o t e t o Black's fourth
move in Spassky - Bron-
stein, game 24) 6 ... Q f 6
and now White has:
(a) 7 Qxh4!? Q x d S 8 ed
@xh4 9 @el+ (9 d4) with a
favourable pawn s t r u c t u r e
in t h e ending.
(b) 7 Qc3 0-0 8 d4!? (8 d3
i s more solid) 8 ... Q x d S 9
Cunningham Defence 39
QxdS fS 10 Qxh4 f e 11 @hS 14 @xe3 Q h 3 and White was
fie6 12 Qxf4 @xd4! with in bad shape, Zweigberk -
good attacking chances f o r Oechslein, Corr. 1962.
Black. s ... Qg4
(c) 7 Qb3 Q g 4 8 d 3 0-0 S ... Q h S i s r a t h e r dubi-
(37). ous: 6 Qc3 d6 7 ed @xd6
8 d 4 Q c 6 9 0-0 0-0 10 Qe2
Q g 4 11 Q e 4 followed by 12
Q f 2 with good attacking
chances f o r White (Estrin
and Glaskov) .
6 d4!?
For 6 0-0 see game 12.
6 Q c 3 is t h e main alter-
native, with play o f t e n
transposing to t h e t e x t . I t
is difficult to say which i s
9 @d2!? (9 Q x f 4 allows 9 ... t h e more accurate move
a x e 4 and 9 Qc3 QhS! 10 order: 6 ... d 6 ( 6 ... dS?! 7
Q d S @d6 11 @d2 Q x f 3 12 gf QxdS Qh4+ 8 @fl Q c 6 9
c6 13 Qc3 @h8 14 @g2 led to Qxc6+ b c 10 d 3 0-0 11 Q x f 4
a slight advantage f o r Black f6 12 e6 fS 13 Q x h 4 @xh4 14
in J. Wells - C o r k e t t , @el is good f o r White
Corr. 1989, although White ( ~ e r e s j ;o r 6 ... Qh4+?! 7
should b e a b l e to improve @fl Q f 2 ? 8 @el winning)
o n 10 QdS) 9 ... Q x f 3 10 gf and now:
Q h S 11 @g2! Q c 6 12 @g4 (a) 7 d 4 d e 8 d e @xdl+ 9
@gS 13 n g l @xg4 14 fg! with Q x d l Qe6! 10 Qxe6 f e 11 h3
a good g a m e f o r White. Q h 6 12 Q x f 4 and although
5 eS White has slightly t h e
The only testing move: b e t t e r of it, Black should
(a) S d 3 i s passive: S ... dS be a b l e to defend.
6 ed Q x d S 7 QxdS @xdS 8 (b) 7 e d @xd6 (7 ... Qxd6
Qxf4 is a b o u t equal. 8 @e2+ i s similar to t h e
(b) S Qc3 has a justifi- main game) 8 H e 2 (8 d 4 is
8bly p o o r reputation: S ... t h e n o t e to Black's s e v -
%e4 6 Q e S (6 Qxf7+ @xf7 e n t h move) 8 ... 0-0 9 d 4
7 QeS+ @g8! 8 a x e 4 d6! 9 Q c 6 10 Q d S (10 Q b S is in-
a 3 dS i s bad) 6 ... Q g S 7 d 4 teresting when Black
a 8 Q d 3 f3! 9 gf 0-0 (9 ... should play 10 ... @h6! with
&3!?) 10 Qe3 Be8 11 @d2 an unclear game) 10 ... Qe3!
12 @fl Q c 6 13 dS n x e 3 11 Q x e 3 f e 12 @xe3 Ee8 13
40 Cunningham Defence
0-0- Gallagher - Vladim-
irov, Hastings 1990/91.
6 ... dS
6 ... Q h 4 + occurred in
Gallagher - Hebden, Has-
tings 1989/90. After 7 @fl
Qe3+ ( n o t 7 ... Q f 2 8 e e l ) 8
a x e 3 f e 9 @d3 0-0 10 Q c 3
d6 11@xe3 Q c 6 White could
have obtained dangerous
attacking chances by 12
@e4! Qe7 13 h4.
7 ed!
Previous publications
have usually condemned 6
d4, b u t f o r s o m e reason
they have only considered 7
Qd3 here. That this i s a
mistake can b e seen f r o m
the continuation of t h e
game Lutikov - Estrin, Len-
ingrad 1951: 7 ... Qh4+! 8
@e2 Q f 2 9 @el Qxd3 10
e x h 4 Q x c l + 11 Excl @xh4
12 Q x h 4 Q c 6 13 c 3 0-0 14
@f2 f 6 with advantage to
Black.
7 ... Qx*
As this s e e m s to lead
into a bad endgame, 7 ...
e x d 6 i s more critical. The
game Gallagher - Chibur-
danidze, Biel 1990, worked
out badly f o r m e after 8
Qc3 Qe6 9 dS?! Qd7 10 H e 2
0-0 11Q e 4 @b6 12 Qxf4 QfS
13 Q g 3 &6 14 h3 a d 6 15
Qxd6 @xd6 16 0-0-0 @f4+
17 @bl Qe3 18 E d 4 e x g 3 19
e x e 3 @xg2 20 E h 2 @g3 21
Dg4 @d6 and White was a
pawn d o w n with n o attack.
However, 9 dS doesn't
really fit in with White's
scheme of development.
Instead, 9 Qd3! would en-
able White to fight f o r the
advantage; 9 ... Qe3 can be
answered by 10 @e2.
The game Hebden -
Fassert, Guernsey 1988,
followed a course more to
White's liking: 7 ... @xd6 8
0-0 0-0 9 Q c 3 c6? (This is a
serious mistake a f t e r which
White's a t t a c k soon be-
comes irresistible) 10 h3
Qe3 (10 ... Q f 6 11 QeS) 11
Qxe3 fe 12 Q e S Q h 4 (This is
r a t h e r optimistic, b u t 12 ...
Qe6 13 Q e 4 i s pretty terr-
ible) 13 Dxf7 Qe6 14 Qe4
Qf2+ 15 @h2 e x e s + 16 de
Qxf7 17 e6 1-0.
8 @e2+!
A good moment to opt
f o r an ending.
8 ... @e7
8 ... @f8 is n o t recom-
mended.
9 @xe7+ @xe7
10 Qc3 Qe6
It's not easy f o r Black to
find a path to equality. If
t h e f-pawn is l o s t , then
White's control in t h e cen-
tre should guarantee him
a t least a slight edge. 10 ...
QfS i s an alternative, but
a f t e r 11Qb3 (or 11QdS+ @d8
12 c3 Be8+ 13 @fl Q e 3 + 14
Qxe3 fe 15 E e l with a good
game) 11 ... Ee8 12 0-0, the
t h r e a t s of 13 a d s + , 13 QbS
and 13 Q g S promise White
a good game.
11 Qd3 Ed8
An attempt to hang o n to
t h e f-pawn would prove
unsuccessful, e.g. 11 ... h6
12 Q e 4 gS 13 h4!; 11 ... Qe3
a l s o leads to a good game
f o r White after 12 Q x e 3 f e
13 0-0 fS 14 QgS f 4 15 Qe2.
However, a f t e r 11 ... E d 8
White can also steer t h e
game i n t o a favourable end-
ing.
12 Q e 4 QdS
13 Qxdb Exd6
14 Qxf4 Ee6+
1s af2
Black has to exchange
t h e active white minor
pieces a s quickly a s poss-
ible.
16 Ehel Qxd3
17 @xd3 Qxf3
18 gf Q a 6 (38)
There are several f a c t o r s
which, when p u t together,
add u p t o a sizeable advan-
t a g e f o r White:
(a) E x t r a central pawn o n
d4, typical of many King's
Cunningham Defence 41
Gambit endings.
(b) Good bishop against
poorly placed black knight.
(c) An active king.
(d) The opportunity to use
t h e semi-open g-file to
cause Black some problems
on t h e kingside.
When you bear in mind
that, o n t o p of all t h e s e
pure c h e s s reasons, Black
was already desperately
s h o r t of time (not uncom-
mon in t h e King's Gambit),
one begins to appreciate
the full e x t e n t of his diffi-
culties.
19 c 4 'ad7
2 0 Exe6 f e
Black wants to contain
White's centre but in doing
so f u r t h e r weakens his
kingside.
2i QeS g6
22 @e4 Qb4
23 he! Qc6
24 hS gh
25 E h l Ef8
26 ExhS E f 7
27 Ehl!
White's rook is much
more active on t h e f i r s t
rank, a s i t can easily switch
t o t h e queenside where
White is a b o u t to open up a
second front.
27... Qe7
Of course 27 ... Q x e S
leads to a very depressing
rook ending f o r Black.
28 b 4 c6
29 a 4 bS?
42 Cunningham Defence Cunningham Defence 43
Black had to wait pass- ing; (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
44 Cunningham Defence
18 g x f 4 Re6 White has a major alter-
19 Q f 3 c6 native here in 5 d 4 a f t e r
which 5 ... dS is Black's
19 ... Q c 2 2 0 g b l g e l + 21
@f2 g h l 2 2 QdS! f 6 23 gxf6+! only sensible reply. And
wins. now:
2 0 b31 (a) 6 ed Q x d S 7 Q x d S
Now White's queenside B x d S 8 c 4 e e 4 + 9 @f2 Q g 4
e n t e r s t h e game with dev- 10 Qd3 Qh4+ 11 g3 @xf3+ 12
a s t a t i n g effect. e x f 3 Qxf3 13 g e l + Qe7 14
20... QdS @xf3 f g IS Q f 4 Q c 6 16 d5
21 Qa3+ @g8 Q d 4 + 17 @xg3 @d7 18 QeS!
22 QxdS cd (The game Yuneev - Rosen-
23 g f S ga6 talis, USSR Ch 1989, saw 18
2 4 BxdS g6 Qxc7? Qh4+ with advantage
25 E d 7 Qc6 to Black) 18 ... cS (or 18 ...
26 Q b 2 1-0 Qf6 19 Qxf6 gf 20 @f4) 19
dc+ (19 Q x d 4 cd 20 QfS+ is
Game 13 a l s o possible) 19 ...Q x c 6 20
-
Spassky Holmov QfS+ @e8 21 Qc3 with good
Leningrad 1963 play f o r t h e pawn.
(b) 6 Qd3 and Black has
several moves:
(bl) 6 ... cS 7 d c d e 8
a x e 4 a x e 4 9 a x e 4 @xdl+
10 @xdl led to a n unclear
ending in Udasina- Akhmil-
ovskaya, Kishniev 1983, b u t
7 eS certainly s u g g e s t s it-
self.
(b2) 6 ... Q b 4 7 eS Q e 4 8
0-O! Q x c 3 9 b c Qxc3 10 g b 1
Q c 6 11 Q x f 4 Q x d 4 12 Q g S
Q f S 13 Q x f 7 @xf7 14 g 4
with advantage to White
(Glaskov).
(b3) 6 ...d e (The solid way
4 ... Qf6 i s probably t h e b e s t ) 7
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
h 4 i s more critical and will Q x f 4 0-0 9 c 3 a x e 4 10
b e examined in g a m e s 14 Q x e 4 Qh4+ 11 @fl Q g 4 12
and 15. e d 3 i s considered good f o r
S eS Black by Korchnoi and Zak
Cunningham Defence 45
and b e t t e r f o r White by tinued 10 ... cd?! 11 Q x h 4
Estrin and Glaskov. My e x h 4 12 e e l ! @gS+ 13 @f2+
view leans t o w a r d s t h e @d8 14 @gl Ee8 IS e f 2 He3
latter. Play could continue 16 e x e 3 g x e 3 17 a d 5 Be8 18
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
@g3 @hS IS @gl with t h e White.
idea of h3 and @h2 to con- 7 axe3 f e
nect t h e rooks) 8 a x e 4 Qd6 8 Qc4 d6
9 0-0 Q d 7 (9 ... 0-0 10 Q e S 9 0-0
gives White a n edge) 10 9 e d 3 first, with t h e op-
e d 3 (The immediate 10 c 4 tion of castling long, looks
occurred in Balashov - Ro- more accurate.
sentalis, Minsk 1983 and 9 ... 0-0
a f t e r 10 ... c6 (10 ... cS i s 10 Bd3 Qc6
interesting) 11 Qc2 0-0 12 11 ed cd
Qel!? e h 4 13 e f 3 gS 14 &d3 Better was 11 ... Qxd6 b u t
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
17 g a e l g a d 8 18 Qc3, White 12 Q e 4 Qe7 13 Bxe3. H i s
had reasonable compensa- s t r o n g centre pawn and t h e
tion f o r t h e pawn) 10 ... h6 half-open f-file more t h a n
11 c 4 cS 12 b 4 cd 13 cS Qe7 compensate f o r t h e t w o
14 Q x f 4 and White held t h e bishops.
advantage in Spassky - Naj- 12 gae1 Q g 4
dorf, Varna 1962. 13 Exe3
s ... Qg4 White's forces are har-
6 d4!? moniously deployed.
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
notes to White's s i x t h move 1s Q x g S BxgS
from g a m e 11). 16 Bg3 BhS
6 ... Qe3 17 he31 (43)
6 ... Qh4+ looks stronger:
7 @ e 2 Q e 3 (7 ... d 6 8 Q x f 4
Qf2 9 e e l Q g 4 10 ed! is
good f o r White) 8 a x e 3 (8
@d3 should b e considered)
8 ... f e 9 a x e 3 d 6 10 ed and
now by 10 ... 0-0 Black
would g e t s o m e attacking
chances in r e t u r n f o r t h e
material. Instead, Bangiev -
Egin, Simferopol 1985, con-
46 Cunningham Defence Cunningham Defence 47
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

3) Kieseritzky Gambit
1 e4 eS
2 f4 ef
3 Qf3 gS
4 h4 g4
S QeS
Before dealing with t h e
Kieseritzky, I would just
like to comment a l i t t l e o n
t h e moves leading up t o t h e
Gambit, a s t h e s e will n o t
b e examined elsewhere in
t h i s book.
3 ... gS is, of course, o n e
of t h e m o s t important re-
plies t o t h e King's Gambit.
Black isn't going t o play
half-heartedly; t h e sound-
n e s s of t h e gambit i s going
to b e t e s t e d . The t w o m o s t
common f o u r t h moves f o r
White a r e 4 Q c 4 a n d 4 h4.
In t h i s book, w e shall b e
only examining t h e l a t t e r .
Although 4 Q c 4 is un-
doubtedly of great interest,
b o t h historically and an-
alytically (especially t h e
famous Muzio o r Polerio
Gambit), I feel t h a t t h e
b e s t White can hope f o r i s
a n equal game. So, in a
book t i t l e d Winning With
t h e King's Gambit, w e
sometimes have t o b e a
little ruthless.
4 h 4 has t h e advantage
of forcing 4 ... g4, thereby
weakening Black's kingside
pawns. Now, White has t o
consider S QgS. I have t o
admit t h a t I have a certain
weakness f o r t h e Allgaier
Gambit, and i t i s with a
heavy heart t h a t I inform
you t h a t my a t t e m p t s to
rehabilitate t h e line have
n o t been rewarded. How-
ever, t h e Hamppe-Allgaier
Gambit can b e seen in chap-
t e r five of this book.
5 h e 5 is t h e Kieseritzky,
a gambit which has been
known f o r over f o u r hun-
dred years. Strangely en-
ough, t h i s i s more than o n e
can say f o r Mr Kieseritzky.
Black now has many
ways to combat t h e gambit,
which will b e studied in t h e
following games.
Game 16
-
Bronstein Dubinin
Leningrad 1947
S ... hS
The so-called "Long
Whip" variation. The f a c t
t h a t i t i s n o t seen very
often t h e s e days does n o t
need much explanation.
Black f a l l s behind in dev-
elopment and s o o n be-
comes exposed t o a s t r o n g
attack.
There a r e many o t h e r
possibilities, of which S ...
dS, S ... d6, S ... LEg7 and S ...
Q f 6 will b e seen in subse-
q u e n t games. The o t h e r l e s s
common alternatives a r e
d e a l t with below:
(a) S ... @e7 6 d 4 and now:
(a1) 6 ... fS i s b e s t m e t by
7 Q c 4 Q h 6 (7 ... Q f 6 8 Q c 3
d6 9 Qf7+ @d8 10 Q x f 4
Qbd7 11 Q b 3 @e8 12 Q f 7
g g 8 13 Q g S E g 7 14 Q e 6
Winning i s Cozio's analysis
from 1766) 8 Q x f 4 @b4+ 9
a c 3 d6 10 a3 @b6 11 Q d S
e x b 2 12 Q x c 7 + @d8 13 Q b S
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
( 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
Q d 3 with advantage t o
White in Kieseritzky - Du-
monch, Paris 1849) 8 Q f 2
Q f 6 9 Q x f 4 a x e 4 (9 ... f e 10
dS!) 10 @hS+ @d8 11Qe2 Q f 6
12 '@f3 Q c 6 13 c3 and White
is clearly o n top.
(b) S ... Q c 6 6 d4! a x e 5 7
d e d 6 8 Q x f 4 @e7 (8 ... LEg7
9 Q c 3 d e 10 @xd8+ @xd8 11
0-0-0+ Qd7 12 Qe3 with a
clear advantage t o White) 9
QbS+ c6 10 e d @xe4+ 11 @e2
with a b e t t e r game f o r
White (Bhend).
(c) S ... Qe7 6 Qclt.! Qxh4+
7 @fl dS 8 QxdS Q h 6 9 d 4
LEgS 10 4 3 3 c6 11 Qb3 f 6 12
Q d 3 @xd4 13 Q x f 4 Q x f 4 14
Q x f 4 @xdl+ 15 E x d l with a
clear advantage f o r White
(Bilguer).
6 Qc4 Eh7
Black has fared n o b e t t e r
with 6 ... Qh6: 7 d 4 @f6 (7
... d6 8 Q d 3 f 3 9 gf gf (9 ...
Qe7 10 Q e 3 Qxh4+ 11 @d2 is
good f o r White) 10 @xf3
SPg4 11@f2 @d7 12 Q c 3 c6 13
lPgS with a n excellent pos-
ition f o r White, Peev - At-
ansov, Bulgaria 1954) 8 0-O!
B x h 4 9 Xxf4 Qd6 10 Qf3!
54 Kieseritzky Gambit
@g3 11 e5 Qe7 12 a h 2 @h4
13 Qc3 a d 8 14 Q e 4 Q c 6 15
Q f 3 with a winning position
f o r White in Hebden - J.
Benjamin, London 1987.
7 d4
The immediate sacrifice
o n f 7 is unnecessary.
7 ... ah6
After 7 ... d6 8 Q x f 7 E x f 7
9 Qxf7+ @xf7 10 Q x f 4 White
h a s a m o n s t r o u s attack;
alternatively, 7 ... f 3 8 gf d6
9 Qd3! (Now t h a t Black has
managed to keep t h e f-file
closed t h e sacrifice o n f 7 i s
n o t so clear) 9 ... Qe7 10
Qe3 Qxh4+ 11@d2. Positions
of t h i s type arise q u i t e fre-
quently in t h e King's Gam-
bit and a r e nearly always
favourable f o r White. This
o n e i s n o exception. The
game Kolisch - Anderssen,
Paris 1860, continued: 11 ...
QgS 12 f 4 Qh6 13 Qc3 Qg7 14
f.5 Q c 6 15 @gl Qd7 16 E e l
and White s t o o d clearly
better.
8 Qc3 Qc6
9 Qxf7! E x f 7
10 Qxf7+ @xf7
II Qxfr!
This neat tactical point
e n s u r e s t h a t Black will be
defenceless against t h e
coming onslaught.
I1... Qxf 4
12 0-0 @xh4
This is just a w a s t e of
time.
13 g x f 4 + @g7
Kieseritzky Gambit 55
14 e d 2 d6 Q c 4 0-0 11 c3 Q d 7 12 a x f 7 !
White's attack will be with a very s t r o n g attack in
finished long before Black Lutikov - Shakh-Zade, Tash-
can g e t his queenside into k e n t 1950.
t h e game. 9 @xd2 Q g 7
IS g a f l Qd8 Alternatives are:
16 Q d S Q d 7 (51) (a) 9 ...Qe6 10 0-0-0 Q d 7
11 E e l Qg7 (11 ... Qe7 12 B e 2
E g 8 13 Qxf7! Qxf7 14 Qxc7!
was rather attractive,
Cleemskerk - Rhijn, Corr.
1896. Relatively b e s t i s 11 ...
Qd6 transposing to 'b') 12
The Bretano variation. Q x g 4 0-0 13 QgS Q f 6 14
6 d4! Q x f 6 + Qxf6 15 Q d 3 with a
This secures t h e knight winning position f o r White
on e 5 and a t t a c k s t h e f- in Caro - Schiffers, 1897.
pawn. As usual in t h e (b) 9 ... Qd6 10 0-0-0 Qe6
17 eS King's Gambit, when t h i s 11 Q d 3 (53)and now:
Of course White is n o t drops, Black's kingside re-
interested in taking t h e c- sembles s w i s s cheese.
pawn, and instead intro- 6 ... Qf6
duces t h e e-pawn i n t o t h e 7 Qxf4 axe4
attack. Very similar positions
17 ... de were encountered in game
18 d e Qc6 4.
19 e6! QxdS 8 ad21
2 0 Ef7+ axf7 This is t h e key move, in-
21 g x f 7 + @ha troduced i n t o practice by
22 @c3+ Q f 6 Caro. Once Black's only
23 E x f 6 active piece is exchanged, (bl) 11 ... f6 (This wins a
And instead of resigning, he will have grave diffi- piece b u t subjects Black to
Black staggered o n a few culties in beating off t h e a fearsome attack) 12 Edel!
more moves. white attack. f e (If 12 ... QxeS, 13 QxeS!
8 ... Qxd2 @d7 14 Qxf6! @xf6 15 g h f l
Game 17 O t h e r moves don't help: @g7 16 Exe6! @xe6 17 QfS+
Teschner - Dahl (a) 8 ... @f6 9 g 3 Qh6 10 @e7 18 @b4+ wins f o r
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!.
a x g 4 Q x f 4 13 @xf4 @xf4 14 This is more efficient than
gf with a good ending f o r taking t h e rook, and Black
White. now has no defence, e.g. 14
(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
56 Kieseritzky Gambit
Qxe6 17 QfS; o r 14 ... Qf8 15
Qg7! @e7 16 Qxf8 Qxf8 17
Qxe6!; or 14 ... g e 8 15 Qxd6
@xd6 (15 ... cd 16 Qxe6) 16
QfS @d7 17 Qe3! with the
simple threat of 18 Qhel. 17
... Q c 6 ( t o defend with
...Q d 8 ) allows 18 @f4+.
(b2) 11 ...ad7!. With this,
Black should avoid getting
mated: 12 Qdel a x e 5 13
QxeS QxeS 14 QxeS @d7 15
BgS! @e7 16 QfS and, as
Keres points out, White
has a very good ending in
prospect.
10 Qh6
White doesn't waste any
time in removing the de-
fender of the black squares.
10 ... Qxh63
Stronger is 10 ... 0-0 and
now 11 Qd3!? f6?! 12 Qxg7!
@xg7 13 0-0-O! gives White
a strong attack. Also poss-
ible are 11 0-0-0 and 11Qe2.
11 @xh6 Qe6
l 2 Qd3 Qd7
13 a d 7 1 Qxf7
13 ... @xf7 loses t o 14
0-0+ @e7 (If 14 ... Q f 6 15
Qf4 is simplest) 15 Qael
@g8 16 QfS a f 8 17 Qxe6
a x e 6 18 Qf6 and wins.
14 &O aeS
1s gae1 1-0
Game 18
De La Villa - Femandez
Barcelona 1990
This line doesn't have a
very good reputation but,
along with S ... a f 6 , i t
seems t o offer Black the
best chances of reaching
equality.
6 axg4 af6
Black has several alter-
natives:
(a) 6 ... fS? 7 a f 2 a f 6 8
d4 f e 9 Qxf4 dS 10 g4 is
better for White.
(b) 6 ... hS 7 Q f 2 a f 6 8 d 4
Qh6 9 Qe2. White has a
clear advantage because of
the weakened black king-
side. Keres gave the foll-
owing line: 9 ... Q c 6 10 a c 3
Q g 4 11 Q x g 4 Qxg4 (11 ... hg
12 Q d S QgS 13 g3!) 12 Qxg4
(12 @d3 Qxe2 13 a x e 2 @f6
14 Qd2 with a good game
for White - Glaskov) 12 ...
hg 13 a d 5 f 3 14 g3.
(c) 6 ... Qe7 7 d3! (This
new idea seems t o give
White clearly the better
game. Previous authors
have only considered 7 d4,
after which Black can ach-
ieve equality, e.g. 7 ...Qxh4+
8 Q f 2 @gS 9 @f3 Qc6! 10
@xf4! Qxfa+ 11 @xf2 @xf4+
12 Qxf4 Q x d 4 13 a c 3 ! Qe6!
14 Q b S QxbS 15 QxbS+ Qd7.
White has enough for the
pawn, but no more. A corr-
espondence game, Resseg-
nier - Letz, 1912, continued
16 Qe2 Q f 6 17 eS Q e 4 + 18
@e3 dS 19 c 4 c6 20 Qadl Qe6
21 Qf3 fS! 22 ef Q x f 6 23
a e s ! and a draw was soon
agreed) 7 ... Qxh4+ 8 a f 2
@gS 9 @d2! (Now t h e queen
is better off here, a s on f 3
there would be some risk
of getting trapped) 9 ... Qg3
(The main advantage of 7
d3! is t h a t Black is unable
t o counter-attack against
the centre. Instead, he has
t o try t o hang on t o his f-
pawn) 10 Q c 3 Q f 6 (if 10 ...
a c 6 11 a d 5 is strong) 11
a e 2 ! ( I t turns o u t t h a t the
f-pawn cannot be held and
11 ... Q g 4 fails t o 12 a x g 3 )
11 ... Qxf2+ 12 @xf2 Q g 4 + 13
@gl Q e 3 14 Q x f 4 Q x f l IS
@xfl and Black is position-
ally busted.
7 Qd6+
After 7 Q f 2 Qg8 8 d 4
a h 6 9 a c 3 Qc6! White can
Qnly achieve a roughly
equal game with 10 a d 3
&4 11 Qe2 Qxe2 12 a x e 2
@e7 13 Qxf4 Qxf4 14 a d x f 4
Kieseritzky Gambit 57
@xe4 15 @d2 0-0-0 16 0-0-0
ads.
7 ... @xf6
8 ac3 Qe61 (55)
This is clearly stronger
than t h e old 8 ... c6. As
Korchnoi points out, White
can then g e t a strong att-
acking position by 9 Qe2
Qg8 10 Qf3 Qh6 11 d4 a a 6 12
eS! de 13 a e 4 @e7 14 0-0.
9 Be213
With this move, White
threatens @bS+ and pre-
vents 9 ... Q c 6 (10 a d s ) . A
few months earlier the
same two players had met
in Salamanca where De La
Villa chose instead 9 @f3
b u t after 9 ... Qg8 10 @f2
Q c ~ 11
! fibs 0-0-O! 12 Qxc6
bc 13 d3 Qh6, Black had a
good position (14 @xa7 f 3
15 gf Qxcl 16 Qxcl @xf3 17
Qfl @h3 with a clear advan-
tage t o Black).
9 ... Qd7
10 b3
The only sensible way
for White t o develop.
10 ... Qg8
58 Kieseritzky Gambit Kieseritzky Gambit 59

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
and m o s t natural move in
t h i s position. (I should just
mention t h a t I have altered
t h e move o r d e r of Byrne -
Keres, s o t h a t we could use
i t to examine t h e variations
a f t e r S ... Qg7. The actual
move o r d e r was 1 e 4 eS 2 f 4
ef 3 Q f 3 gS 4 h 4 g 4 S QeS
Q f 6 6 Q c 4 dS 7 e d Qg7 8
d4).
After 7 Q c 3 d6 (7 ... 0-0 8
hS i s awkward and 7 ... dS 8
Q x f 4 a x e 4 9 Q x e 4 d e 10
a c 4 i s very good f o r White)
8 Q d 3 0-0 (Euwe gave t h e
following variation a s good
f o r White: 8 ... Q h S 9 Q x f 4
Q g 3 10 Qh2 0-0 11 &e2!
a x e 2 12 Q c x e 2 fS 13 c 3 f e
14 B b 3 + a h 8 15 Qe3) 9
Qxf4! (This i s much b e t t e r
than 9 Q x f 4 which r u n s
into trouble against 9 ...
Q c 6 10 Q f 2 Q h S 11QgS f6 12
a e 3 Q g 3 13 Bh2 fS) 9 ...
a x e 4 10 a x e 4 B e 8 11 @f2!
g x e 4 12 c 3 B f 6 (After any
o t h e r move 13 a d 3 gives
White t h e advantage) 13 g 3
Qh6 14 a d 3 a x f 4 15 a x f 4
Bxf4+ 16 gf B x f 4 + , Black's
a t t a c k l o o k s menacing b u t
Rubinstein demonstrated
t h e c o r r e c t way f o r White
t o continue: 17 @e2! (17 @g2
bS!) 17 ... g 3 18 Bd2! Q g 4 + 19
@el g2 20 B x g 2 Q c 6 21 a e 2
Be8 22 Bfl! and wins.
7... dS
8 ed QhS
8 ... 0-0 has been re-
commended, b u t a f t e r 9
0-0 White appears to have
t h e b e t t e r game, e.g.
(a) 9 ... cS 10 dcS Q h S 11
Q x g 4 B x h 4 12 Qe2! with
advantage t o White.
(b) 9 ... Q x d S 10 QxdS
B x d S 11 Q c 3 (For some
reason, only 11Q x f 4 cS! had
been considered here) 11 ...
B d 8 12 a x f 4 B x h 4 13 Q d S
with a very good game f o r
White.
(c) 9 ... Q h S 10 Qxg4!
B x h 4 11 Q h 2 Qd7!? (11 ...
@f6 12 B x h S B x d 4 + 13 @hl
B x c 4 14 a x f 4 a x b 2 15 a h 6
with advantage to White) 12
c 3 Q d f 6 13 @el!? (White
could a l s o consider keeping
t h e queens o n and play
something like 13 Q d 2 o r 13
Uf3. Now a very messy en-
ding i s reached) 13 ... B x e l
14 Qxel QfS 15 Be5 B f e 8 16
Q f 3 Qg6 17 Q d 2 Bad8 18
n x e 8 + Q x e 8 19 Q e S Q e f 6 2 0
Qb3! with a slight advan-
tage t o White in Gallagher
- Macles, Dijon 1987.
9 0-0
9 Q c 3 i s r a t h e r dubious
here: 9 ... 0-0 10 Q e 2 cS! 11
Q x f 4 (11 ... Q x f 4 l o s e s a
piece to 11 ... bS, whilst 11
c 3 cd 12 c d Q d 7 13 Q x d 7
Qxd7 w a s b e t t e r f o r Black
in Steinitz - Zukertort, Vi-
enna 1882) 11 ... &3 12 Q e 6
and, a s Glaskov points o u t ,
Black can gain a clear ad-
vantage by 12 ... f e 13 d e
Kieseri tzky Gambit 61
Qxe6! 14 a x e 6 + @h8 15 B x g 4 may have a rook less, b u t i t
e x d 4 16 B x d 4 (16 B x g 3 feels like he's a f e w pieces
QxeS 17 B e 3 B d 6 ) 16 ... c d 17 up) 25 g 3 QhS+ 26 B g 2 f3+
Q f 7 + g x f 7 18 Qxf7 Q x h l . 27 @xfl Qhl mate) 19 ... g3+
9 ... exh4 20 @hi Qxc4 21 ef++ @xf8
10 eel! 22 Qe8+ @g7 23 E x c 8 f 3 24
I t i s time to exchange c 3 (24 gf Qxc2) 24 ... f 2 25
queens. QgS a f 6 26 Q e 8 + @g6 27
10 ... exel Q x f 6 @xgS and wins.
11 Qxel 0-0 (b) 18 e f + @h8 19 a e 6 (19
12 Qc3 Q e 6 Qxc4 2 0 Q x f 8 Q x f 8 21
12 c 3 i s n o t sufficiently Qe8 @g7 with advantage to
active. Black) 19 ... a x e 6 20 Q x e 6
12 ... Qd7 Qxf7 and White is in
12 ... cS? 13 Q b S Q d 7 14 trouble.
Q c 7 Q b 8 15 d6! cd 16 Qxf7! White d o e s b e s t t o main-
13 Q b S (58) tain t h e tension and safe-
guard his bishop with 18
&b3! leaving a very unclear
position o n t h e board.
14 ... cd!
The exchange sacrifice is
necessary a s 14 ... E b 8 IS
d6! i s strong.
15 Qxa81
This is very optimistic.
Safer was 15 QxdS! Qb8 16
c 3 Q x e S 17 d e Qd8 (17 ...
13 ... c6 @h8 18 a d 2 a f S 19 c 4 is
14 Q c 7 good f o r White) 18 e6! f e 19
More critical i s 14 d c &xe6+ a x e 6 20 Q x e 6 Be8 21
QxeS 15 d e (15 c b Qxb7 16 Q x f 4 with a b o u t equal
d e Qac8 17 Q d 6 RcS! could chances (Glaskov).
prove dangerous f o r White) 1s ... dc
1S ... b c 16 Q c 7 Q b 8 17 e6 16 ad2 QxeS
Rb4!. The position is po- 17 de fifs
sitively alive with tactical 18 Q c 7 axc211
Possibilities, e.g. Keres criticises this
(a) 18 e7? Qd4+ 19 @h2 (19 move and gives instead 18
@hl Bxc4 2 0 ef++ @xf8 21 ... Q d 8 (taking dS away
g e 8 + @g7 22 n x c 8 Q g 3 + 23 from t h e knight) 19 Qc3
, $ ? h 2 ~ f 24
l + @hi BcS! {Black a x c 2 and with three pawns
62 Kieseritzky Gambit Kieseritzky Gambit 63
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+
64 Kieseritzky Gambit
14 @xf3 Qg4+ 15 @f4 {Gall-
agher - Stevens, Hastings
1988) Black should now
have played 15 ... QxhS, a s
a f t e r 16 @gS? Q b d 7 17 ExhS
Eg8+ he s t a n d s very well)
9 ... Q h S 10 g3! with t h e
idea of meeting 10 ... f6 by
11 0-0.
9 0-0
White has tried o t h e r
moves:
(a) 9 Q c 3 i s b e s t met by 9
... @e7!. Here a r e a couple
of examples from practice:
(al) 10 @f2 (Against 10
QbS+, Glaskov gives 10 ... c6
11 d c b c 12 Q d S B e 6 13 Q c 7 +
Qxc7 14 Q c 4 B e 7 15 Qxf7+
B x f 7 16 Q x f 7 a s b e t t e r f o r
Black) 10 ... QxeS 11 E e l
Q d 7 12 QbS @xh4+ 13 @gl
0-0 14 d e g 3 15 B d 4 cS! 16
d c b c 17 Qd3 (White dare
n o t leave t h e fl-a6 diag-
onal) 17 ... Be8 18 b4 QxeS!
19 E x e s E x e s 20 B x e S Q g 4
21 B c S Be8 22 Q e 4 Exe4! 23
Qxe4 B h 2 + 24 @fl @hl+ 25
B g l Qe2+ and Black won,
Murey - Hebden, Paris 1988.
(a2) 10 0-0 QxeS 11 QbS+
(11 d e loses a piece and 11
Q b S 0-0 12 d e a6! is good
f o r Black (Keres)) 11 ... c6 12
d c b c 13 Q d S (an ingenious
idea) 13 ... @xh4! 14 d e (14
@el B x e l 15 n x e l f6 16 d e c b
17 Q c 7 + @f7 18 Q x a 8 Qa6 19
a 4 b4 20 ef Ed8! is good f o r
Black) 14 ... 0-0 15 Q x f 4
Q x f 4 16 Q x f 4 cb! 17 B d S
@d8!! (This brilliant retreat
justifies all Black's pre-
vious play, whilst also
showing t h e g r e a t power of
t h e queen) 18 @xa8 @b6+ 19
Ef2 (19 &)hiQb7 20Qe3 @c6!
is a l s o terminal) 19 ... Qb7
20 Qe3 @xe3 21 @xb7 g 3 22
x f l g f + 23 Exf2 &xeS 0-1
Chernakov - Baluyev, Corr.
1977/78.
(b) 9 QbS+. This move has
been frowned upon f o r over
a century, b u t i t could well
b e White's best. The reason
for i t s bad reputation is
t h e game Rosanes - And-
erssen, Breslau 1863, which
went 9 ... c6 10 d c b c 11
Q x c 6 Q x c 6 12 Qxc6+ &)f8 13
Q x a 8 Q g 3 with a very
s t r o n g attack f o r Black.
However, 11 Q x c 6 is ex-
tremely greedy. Instead,
t h e game C a r t e r - Sarfati.
Wellington 1985, saw 11Qc4!
and a f t e r 11 ... QxeS 12 d e
@as+ 13 Q c 3 Q g 3 ? 14 @d6
Q e 4 15 @d4 White had a
very good game. Black
should have played 13 ...
0-O!, leaving t h e situation
very unclear.
9 ... Bxh4
This is a l m o s t univer-
sally played, b u t s t r o n g e r
is 9 ... 0-O! transposing t o
game 21.
10 @el! Bxe1
After 10 ... @e7, Keres
considers 11 @f2! a s good
f o r White.
A!
So, t h e queens a r e off
and White is a pawn down,
b u t t h a t i s f a r from being
the whole story. The t w o
d-pawns control a large
number of central squares
and White's knight can only
be removed from i t s fine
o u t p o s t by making serious
positional concessions. Al-
though Black has a f o u r t o
one majority o n t h e king-
side, i t is rather s t a t i c and
the f4-pawn is very weak.
ff this point falls, then
Black's game will probably
be in ruins. White will be
able t o increase t h e press-
ure by exchanging t h e bish-
op o n d6 ( h e 4 o r QbS), and
then retreating t h e knight
to d3. This position i s more
favourable f o r White than
t h e very similar one reach-
ed in Byrne - Keres (game
81, where Black's bishop
h a s b e t t e r placed on g7
b u t of harm's way and ex-
&ting s o m e pressure o n
2
Kieseritzky Gambit 65
t h e long diagonal).
12... f 67
Black has t w o better
moves, though White has a
fine position in any case:
(a) 12 ... Q d 7 occurred in
Gallagher - Boudre, Paris
1990, and White achieved a
slight advantage a f t e r 13
Qxg4 (13 QbS a x e 5 14 de
QcS+ IS @hl Qf2 16 Ed1
looks risky b u t could be
worth investigation by t h e
reader) 13 ... Q b 6 14 Qe2
Qxg4! 15 Qxg4 Qf6 16 Q f 3
Eae8 17 Efl! Q c 4 18 b3 Q e 3
19 Qxe3 f e 20 Qe2 Q e 4 21
a x e 4 Exe4 22 c4.
(b) 12 ... QfS is often re-
commended, b u t White has
a t l e a s t t w o ways t o g e t a
good position:
(bl) 13 Qd3 QxeS (13 ...
Qxd3 14 Q x d 3 Q d 7 15 Q b S
E f e 8 16 Qd2 Q b 6 17 b3! is
good f o r White) 14 Exes!
(Alapin only considered 14
d e with an equal game) 14
... Qxd3 15 ExhS Qxc2 16
EgS+ Qg6 17 x x g 4 Q a 6 18
Q x f 4 Bad8 19 a 3 with an
edge f o r White (Mikhal-
chishin).
(b2) 13 Q e 4 Q x e 4 (In De
La Villa - Izeta, Salamanca
1990, Black tried 13 ... Q d 7
b u t a f t e r I4 Qxd6 cd 15 Qd3
Qxd3 16 Q x d 3 g f e 8 17 Q x f 4
Q x f 4 18 Q x f 4 his pawns
were firmly blockaded) 14
Exe4 f6 15 Qxg4 f5 16 Qh6+
@g7 17 Ee6 Ef6 18 Xxf6
66 Kieseritzky Gambit Kieseritzky Gambit 67

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
had t o play 12 ... Qxg4 even
though a f t e r 13 @xg4+ @h8
14 Q f 3 White has good
compensation f o r t h e ex-
' change.
Unfortunately, t h e o n e
thing Levenfish appears to
have g o t right i s his con-
clusion: Black i s winning,
b u t by playing 10 ... @xh4!
(66).
At f i r s t I held o u t some
hope f o r 11 Qh6, checking
variations such a s 11 ...
fixes 12 d e g 3 13 Ef3! u h 2 +
(13 ... @xc4? 14 Q x f 8 @xf8
15 nxf7+! and White should
win) 14 @fl @hi+ 15 @e2
@xg2+ 16 @e3 when t h e
outcome i s unclear. But the
feeling t h a t I was trying to
defend a l o s t cause never
deserted me, and indeed
a f t e r H Qh6 t h e simple 11...
Ee8 seems decisive. There
a r e numerous threats: 11 ...
E x e s 12 d e QcS+; 11 ... Qg3;
H ... g3; and 11 ... QxeS fall-
...
owed by 12 g3.
9 ... QhS
10 Q w 4
10 Qxf4 transposes t o
the previous note.
10 ... uxh4
11 ah2
Up until now, this posi-
tion has been thought of as
good f o r White. Of course.
Black has attacking chan-
ces, b u t his structural
problems were deemed to
be more important. As we
shall see, t h e play of Rod-
riguez c a s t s serious doubts
on t h a t assessment.
11 Q e S is certainly not an
improvement: 11 ... &3 12
E e l f6 13 Q f 3 @hl+ 14 @f2
Q e 4 + 15 a x e 4 @xdl 16 Qc3
@hi and White was a queen
down in Hebden - Lima,
Hastings 1988/89.
11 ... Qg3!
Alapin considered the
...
position a f t e r 11 Ee8 12
Q c 3 a6 13 @f3 Q g 3 14 Qxf4
Q x f l 15 Exfl to be in
White's favour.
12 Eel (67)
12 ... QfSl
This is t h e new move
which causes White so
Kieseritzky Gambit 69
much trouble. Previously 12 to connect his rooks and
... Q d 7 with t h e idea of hopes t h a t t h e advance of
quickly transferring t h e his c-pawn might disturb
knight t o g 4 had been Black's smooth progress.
played, b u t a f t e r 13 Qd2! As this plan doesn't really
Q f 6 14 Q d f 3 @hS 15 EeS!, work out, White should
or 14 ... @h6 1s QeS, the look f o r a n improvement
complications favour White. here, possibly 15 Q f l o r 15
By playing 12 ...QfS Black Qd2, b u t Black m u s t stand
intends t o calmly develop well.
his pieces, whilst a t the IS ... Em8
same time ensuring t h a t his 16 c 4 Ee41
knight will remain on d7 t o This s t r o n g move pre-
hinder any White counter- vents 17 cS o n account of 17
play based on something to ... Efe8.
eS. 17 a d 2 Efe8
I should just mention 18 Qd3 Exel
t h a t t h e a t t e m p t t o mate 19 Qxel
White by brute force is in- If 19 a x e l then 19 ... Qe2+
sufficient: 12 ... f 3 13 Q x f 3 or 19 ... f 3 are dangerous.
@hi+ 14 @f2 Q e 4 + 15 @e3 19 ... Qxd3
@h6+ 16 @d3 @g6 17 Exe4 20 wd3 Qe2+
&fS 18 Q b d 2 Qe8 19 @c3! 21@fI Re31
a x e 4 20 a x e 4 e x e 4 21 @hi! There are still sufficient
and White has some dan- pieces f o r a very strong
gerous attacking chances attack.
a s well a s a relatively safe 22 @dl Qf6
I
king (Pliester - Korning, 23 Q f 2 Qg3+
London 1983). 24 @gl Qe2+
13 Q d 2 The professional app-
I White decides on the roach.
normal plan of bringing his 25 @fl &3+
knight t o f 3 in order to re- 26 @gl (68)
inforce t h e kingside: 13 Qd3 26 ... Qg41
Qd7 14 c 4 Eae8 o r 14 QxfS This forces White t o ex-
QxfS 15 Q f 3 WhS 16 c 4 E a e 8 change off into a bad end-
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
13 ... Qd7 threat of ... Qe2+ o r ...
14 Q d f 3 @hS Q x h 2 followed by ... Qe2
15 Qe2 gives Black a mating att-
White tries to close t h e ack.
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
a r e seen below:
(a) 9 ... hS. Black secures
his g-pawn once and f o r
all, b u t in doing so neglects
his development. 10 Q d 2
(The knight o n e 4 i s imme-
diately challenged) 10 ...
QfS 11 0-O! (One of t h e main
ideas behind 9 Qe2 is to
c a s t l e kingside, and o f t e n
t h i s has to b e done even a t
t h e c o s t of a n o t h e r pawn)
11 ... @xh4 (Black could
conceivably decline t h e
o f f e r with 11 ... Q d 7 , b u t
White can obtain good
chances with 12 a x e 4 Qxe4
13 @d2) 12 a x e 4 Qxe4 13
Qf2!. White's lead in devel-
o p m e n t a s s u r e s him of a
powerful attack. Black's
f i r s t problem i s to find a
good r e t r e a t f o r t h e bishop:
(al) 13 ... Qc6 14 dS!? Qd7
1S @d4 g g 8 16 g 3 followed
by 17 g a e l l o o k s very men-
acing .
(a21 13 ... QfS 14 Qd3!?
(a31 13 ... Qg6 14 QbS+ c6
(14 ...Q d 7 i s more resilient)
1S @d2!. Now t h e bishop
cannot b e taken: 1S ... c b 16
QgS @g3 17 g a e l + and 18
g e 3 n e t s t h e queen, whilst
15 ... g 3 16 Q h 3 c b leads to a
similar conclusion a f t e r 17
g a e l + @d7 18 QgS @g4 19
g f 4 ; Black can try 1S ... @f6
b u t a f t e r 16 g a e l + @d7 17
lPgS @g7 18 Q a 4 h e will d o
well to survive t h e coming
onslaught.
(a4) I t should also be
mentioned t h a t 13 ... g3
only serves to worsen t h e
black position. Either t h e
simple 14 Q h 3 or 14 Qxg3
@xg3 1S a x e 4 @e3+ 16 @hl
@xe4 17 QbS+ should win
f o r White.
(b) 9 ... Q c 6 10 c 3 (10 dS
Q d 4 ) 10 ... QfS 11 dS (The
natural move 11 Q d 2 fails
to 11 ... Qxc3! 12 b c Qxd3; 11
0-0 i s a l s o interesting, b u t
1 o n t h e e-line) 17 Qxg4! and
I feel t h a t by playing 11 dS
White reduces Black's op-
tions. For example, a f t e r 11
0-0 @xh4 12 Q d 2 Black
could consider giving back
o n e of his pawns with 12 ...
0-0-0, in o r d e r to reduce
I - 11 dS Q d 4 or 11 c 3 Qxc3.
White's initiative) 11 ... Q b 8
(Other squares look worse.
If 11 ... Q e S then 12 QxeS d e
13 Qxg4) 12 0-0 (12 Q d 2 still
fails to 12 ... Qxc3!; how-
ever, 12 @b3!? is a n alter-
native a s 12 ... b6 13 Q d 2
looks fine f o r White and 12
... Qg3!? 13 Qxg3 Qxd3 14
0-0 Qxe2 1s g e l Qh6 16 @c2
(16 @xb7!? can b e investig-
ated by t h e reader) 16 ...
0-0 17 g x e 2 @f6 (17 ...
@d7!?) 18 g e 4 @g6 19 @e2
gives good compensation
f o r t h e pawn) 12 ... @xh4 13
Q d 2 and now:
(bl) 13 ... g 3 14 Q f 3 .
Where does t h e queen go?
If 14 ... @hS then 1S @a4+
Q d 7 16 g a e l with t h e t h r e a t
of Q d l l o o k s good f o r
Kieseritzky Cambit 73
White; 14 ... @e7 1S Q d 4 9 ... Qc6
@h4 (IS ... Qg6!?) 16 Qxg3! 10 c3 QfS
(White i s n o t obliged to 11 Qd2 Qxd2
repeat) 16 ... Qxg3 17 Q x f S For 11 ... 0-0-0 s e e game
@hl+ 18 @f2 Qxfl and now 23.
19 @a4+ @d8 2 0 Qg4! looks 12 @xd2 @xe2+
bone-crus hing. 13 a x e 2 (70)
(b2) 13 ... Q x d 2 14 @xd2
Qe7 1S g a e l Qd7?! 16 g3!
@f6 (16 ... @h3 17 g f 2 or 16
... @hS 17 g f 2 @g6 18 Q f l
with t h e idea o f doubling
a s 17 ... Q x g 4 i s m e t by 18
lPgS! Black i s in deep
trouble.
(c) 9 ... a f s 10 Q c ~ ! ? (10
Q d 2 ? Qc6! causes White
problems with his d-pawn We have reached a n end-
ing typical of t h e Kieserit-
10 c 3 can b e considered a s zky, with t h e sort of com-
a n alternative to t h e t e x t ) pensation outlined above.
10 ... Q x c 3 11 bc. This pos- White's rooks are now
ition i s very similar t o t h e ready to occupy t h e t w o
Spassky - Fischer game (ex- open files.
amined above in variation
'a' to Black's eighth move)
with t h e important differ-
ence t h a t Black has devel- 16 Qdl!
oped his queen's bishop to White's bishop heads f o r
fS, r a t h e r t h a n his king's i t s m o s t attractive diag-
bishop to g7. This means onal, whilst simultaneously
t h a t counter-attacking ag- unblocking t h e e-file f o r
ainst t h e c e n t r e with ... cS, t h e rook.
as Fischer did, will b e l e s s 16 ... 'ad7
productive. Also t h e bishop 17 Qb3 gaf8
o n fS could find itself in a n 18 QgS
exposed position after White i s willing to invest
White brings a rook to t h e s o m e time to force Black
f-file. to advance his f-pawn,
Practical t e s t s a r e await- thereby weakening e6.
ed o n 9 Qe2. 18 ... f6
74 Kieseritzky Gambit Kieseritzky Gambit 75
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
76 Kieseritzky Gambit
S QeS 436
6 d4 d6
7 Qd3 m e 4
8 @e2 Be7
9 Qxf4 Q c 6
10 ~3 Qfs
U ad2 0-0-0
12 0-0-0
Bangiev considers t h a t 12
a x e 4 e x e 4 13 @d2 deserves
atten tion.
12 ... ge8 (721
12 ... Qg7 is an alterna-
tive, with t h e idea of bring-
ing t h e king's rook to e8.
Gallagher - Bachmayr, Zug
1991 continued: 13 Qc4?! hS!
14 g e l g h e 8 1s @c2?! e d 7 16
g 3 Qxd4! 17 c d Q x d 4 18 @dl
@c6 (Black has tremendous
compensation f o r t h e piece)
19 Q b 4 @cS 20 Qe3 @xb4 21
Qxd4 Q x g 3 22 a x e 8 g x e 8
23 a 3 @el 24 g g l Q x f l 2s
g x f l @e4! 26 Q e 3 ? @bl+ 27
@d2 @d3+ 28 @el (28 @cl
gxe3) 28 ... cS (28 ... gxe3+
wins easily) 29 @a4 (Up to
this point, my opponent
had played a fantastic
game, b u t fortunately f o r
m e he had l e s s than a min-
u t e to reach move 40) 29 ...
@e4? (29 ... Qd7! wins a t
once) 30 nf4! @e6 31 @d2
c d 32 @xd4 Q e 4 33 @xa7 (I
began to have s o m e hope)
33 ... Qc6 3 4 Qc4! (The b e s t
move under t h e circum-
stances) 34 ... @el+ 35 @c2
@e6?! 36 @c3! g3? 37 nxf7!
@el+ 38 @b3 @e6 39 @a8
mate. An absolute scandal!
Instead of 13 Qc4?!
White can play 13 dS. After
13 ... Q x d 2 14 B x d 2 (14 d c
e x e 2 IS Qxe2 Q e 4 is fine
f o r Black) 14 ... Q e S 1s e f 2
(IS Qb4!? deserves atten-
tion) IS ... Qxd3+ 16 Qxd3
Qxd3 17 g x d 3 @b8 18 QgS
f6 19 g e 3 (19 g e l e d 7 is
about equal) 19 ... @d7 (19
... e f 7 20 g e 6 with good
compensation f o r t h e pawn)
20 Qxf6 Qxf6 (20 ... g h f 8 21
g e 6 ) 21 @xf6 g h f 8 22 @gS
(22 @e6) 22 ... g f 2 23 g e 7
e b S 24 ge2! g f f 8 2 s g h e l
with an edge f o r White. Of
course there may be im-
provements f o r either side
a s this analysis is untested.
13 gel?!
This i s just one of sever-
al mistakes White can make
in this position. For ex-
ample:
(a) 13 g3? (13 @e3? meets
a similar accident) 13 ...
Qxc3! 14 @xe7 Qxa2+ 1s
@bl n x e 7 16 @xa2 Qxd3 17
Qxd3 Q b 4 + 18 @b3 Q x d 3
Kieseritzky Gambit 77
0-1 Hajek - Bures, Corr. (d) 13 a x e 4 (This is rela-
1962. tively best) 13 ... B x e 4 14
(b) 13 dS?. Glaskov and Es- e x e 4 Qxe4 IS Q f 2 fS and i t
trin considered this to lead will b e very difficult f o r
to a good game f o r Black Black to convert his mate-
a f t e r 13 ... Q x d 2 14 e x d 2 rial advantage into a full
Q e S IS QxeS d e 16 @f2 e d 7 . point.
This is a very s t r a n g e ass- 13 ... @e6!
essment a s a f t e r 17 e x a 7 This attack o n a2 proves
Qh6+ (17 ... e x d S 18 Qf4!) 18 rather embarrassing as 14
@bl e x d S 19 @al! Black is in @bl fails to 14 ... Qxd2+ IS
deep trouble. 19 ... e 4 is met Qxd2 e x e 2 16 Qxe2 gxe2.
by 20 e a 8 + @d7 21 QcS+! 14 a3
and 19 ... c 6 20 Qe2 e d 6 21 14 a x e 4 e x a 2 .
Qf2!? @c7 (21 ... @b8 22 14 ...
e a 4 ) 22 Q x g 4 Q x g 4 23 White is suddenly in all
Q x g 4 Q f 4 (23 ...Qg7 2 4 Q e 3 s o r t s of trouble.
is good f o r White) 24 Q f 6 1s 1 hS
Ed8 25 Qd7!! g x d 7 26 e a 8 + This move emphasises
@b8 27 e x b 8 + @xb8 28 White's helplessness, b u t
g x d 7 with a winning ending t h e immediate IS ... Qg7
f o r White. was probably more precise.
Unfortunately, a f t e r do- 16 g3 a 7
ing this analysis t h e t r u t h 17 Xh2 Qxc31
was discovered. White does This neat sacrifice ends
indeed lose, and very quick- t h e game.
ly. If you have read 'a' you 18 bc @xa3+
should have no problem 19 @c2
working o u t t h e solution: 19 @bl g x e l 2 0 B x e l B x c 3
13 ... Qxc3! 14 @xe7 Qxa2+ wins.
IS @bl a x e 7 16 @xa2 Q x d S 19 ... Qxd4
and White m u s t lose a 20 @a1
piece, leaving him a t least If 20 cd Q b 4 + 21 @bl Exel
three pawns behind. 22 @xel e a 2 + 23 @cl &c2 is
(c) 13 Q c 4 i s well m e t by mate. Now, it's almost a s
13 ... e d 7 14 Q e 3 hS when strong.
White does n o t have 20 ... Qb4+
enough f o r t h e pawn. 0-1

4) Modern Defence
1 e4 eS
2 f4 ef
3 Qf3 dS (73)
73
w ession, or to t h e activity of
Black makes no a t t e m p t
to keep t h e gambit pawn
and concentrates o n open-
ing lines f o r his pieces and
joining in t h e battle f o r t h e
initiative.
As a King's Gambit
player, you should make
s u r e t h a t you a r e thorough-
ly acquainted with t h e lines
arising from t h e Modern
Defence, n o t least because
i t has been recommended
by several publications a s a
simple way to equalise ag-
ainst t h e King's Gambit.
But of course this i s n o t
t h e case, even when t h e
position becomes simpli-
fied White often maintains
a slight, b u t persistent ad-
vantage. This can usually
be attributed to t h e extra
central pawn in his poss-
his major pieces o n t h e
open files of t h e kingside.
After 4 ed Q f 6 , I have
selected t w o of t h e m o s t
interesting lines for White
( a t least in my opinion): S
a c 4 and S abS+. The latter
i s normally regarded a s t h e
main line, b u t recently
Black has been finding life
more difficult against S
a c 4 . Let's have a look a t
some games.
Game 24
-
Spassky Bronsteln
Leningrad 1960
1 e4 eS
2 f4 ef
3 Qf3 dS
4 ed a d 6 (74)
Normally in this varia-
tion, Black captures t h e
pawn on dS and White t h e
one on f4. With 4 ... a d 6 ,
however, Black intends a
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
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-
ternatives:
(a) 4 ... @xdS (This can't
be good) S Q c 3 @e6+ (Other
queen moves a r e no better, s Qc3
e.g. S ... @hS 6 a e 2 ; o r S ... Spassky has a liking f o r
@a5 6 a c 4 Q f 6 7 @e2+ a e 7 an early Q c 3 in many lines
8 d4; S ... &d8!?) 6 a e 2 a d 6 of t h e King's Gambit, b u t
7 0-0 Q e 7 8 d 4 0-0 9 Q g S here i t only serves to limit
with a clear advantage to White's options by blocking
White. t h e c-pawn.
(b) 4 ... a e 7 S a c 4 (or S After t h e natural S d4,
&bS+ c6 6 d c b c 7 a c 4 a h 4 + Black normally chooses
8 @ f l with a good game f o r from S ... Q f 6 o r S ... Qe7:
White) S ...ah 4+ 6 @fl. This (a) S ... Q f 6 6 c 4 (Against
position could a l s o be 6 @e2+ Black should play 6
reached via t h e Cunning- ... ae7!. I t would then be
ham. I t seems to me t h a t dangerous for White to try
Black h a s wasted too much and win a pawn a s Black
time. The game Blaess - can create awkward threats
Schoppmeyer, Bundesliga on t h e e-file, e.g. 7 c4 0-0
1986/87, continued: 6 ... a f 6 8 a x f 4 g e 8 9 Q c 3 a d 6 10
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
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).
pensation f o r t h e pawn. In this position, 7 Q e S is
(c) 4 ... c6 S d 4 a d 6 (After normally recommended,
S ... cd 6 a x f 4 White's fa- b u t with t h e r e s t of his
vourable pawn s t r u c t u r e pieces still a t home, this
'
will guarantee a slight ad- knight foray looks premat-
vantage). Now 6 Q c 3 leads ure, e.g. 7 ... g e 8 8 a x f 4
to t h e Nimzowitsch Coun- Q b d 7 9 a e 2 (9 @e2 Q x e S 10
ter-Gambit (which we con- d e Q g 4 ) 9 ... Q x e S 10 d e
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
Qxb2) 11 ... E x e s 12 0-0 @e7
13 Q c 3 @cS+ 14 @hl Qd7 and
Black c o n t r o l s t h e dark
squares and t h e e-file.
Instead of 7 QeS, 7 Qe2
looks better. After 7 ... Be8
8 0-0 cS 9 Q c 3 (9 b4!?) 9 ...
Q g 4 10 @hl White has t h e
b e t t e r chances.
(b) S ... Q e 7 6 c 4 Q g 6 7
Qe2!? (7 Q d 3 0-0 8 0-0 CS 9
b 4 b6 10 b c bc 11 Q c 3 Q g 4
Hebden - Johansen, London
1982, and now 12 Qxg6!? f g
13 Q e 4 is a recommenda-
Modern Defence 81
Preparing t h e advance of remove t h e lone intruder
t h e c-pawn. with 15 ... Qxd6. After 16
9 ... QxdS @h7+ @f8 17 cd ef-*+ 18
10 c 4 Qe3 g x f l cd 19 @h8+ @e7 20 Game 25
11 Qxe3 f e g e l + QeS 21 @xg7 E g 8 22 -
Gallagher Ferretti
12 cs Qe7 e x h 6 @b6 23 @hl Qe6 24 d e Chlasso 1991
13 Qc2! dS; White has s o m e play
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
point behind White's play. outcome is f a r from clear.
If instead 13 @e2, then 13 ... 16 &d7!
Q f 6 gives Black satisfac- This m u s t have been t h e
tory play, e.g. 14 @xe3 Q d S reason t h a t Spassky could
n o t r e s i s t t h e risky com-
bination.
-

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

tion of Bangiev's) 7 ... 0-0 8
0-0 b6 9 Q c 3 c6 10 d c Q x c 6
11 Q b S Qe7 12 dS QcS+ 13
@hl a c e 7 14 Q f d 4 a6 15 Q c 3
a d 6 16 Q e 4 QeS 17 Q f 3 Q b 8
18 b 4 with a clear advan-
t a g e t o White in Gallagher
- Boulard, Paris 1990.
S ... Qe7
S ... Q f 6 6 Q c 4 trans-
poses t o t h e notes of game
26.
6 d4 *O
7 Qd3 Qd7
8 *O h63
This move i s a serious
w a s t e of time and serves
merely t o weaken t h e king-
side. Spassky demonstrated
t w o ways f o r Black t o ach-
ieve rough equality:
(a) 8 ... Q f 6 9 Q e S QexdS
10 Q x d S Q x d S 11Q x f 4 Q x f 4
12 E x f 4 @gS;
(b) 8 ... Q g 6 9 Q e 4 Q f 6
10 Q x d 6 e x d 6 11 c 4 Qg4.
9 he41
Black vacates f 8 f o r his
knight.
14 @d3 e2 (751
IS a d s ! ?
Whilst probably n o t t h e
s t r o n g e s t move in t h e po-
sition (1.5 Rf2 gave White
t h e b e t t e r game with no
risk), i t certainly came a s a
shock f o r his opponent,
who was already s h o r t of
time.
15... Q f83
And immediately Bron-
stein makes a decisive mis-
take. It was essential t o
17 Exf1 QfS
17 ... @xf7 18 QeS++ @g8
19 @h7+! Qxh7 20 Qb3+ @h8
21 &6 m a t e is why Black
can't t a k e t h e knight. 17 ...
@dS is another try, b u t 18
a b 3 is very s t r o n g , e.g. 18
... @hS 19 Q x h 6 + @h8 20
Qf7+ @g8 21 QgS+ a h 8 22
a f 7 ! and wins. 18 ... @xf7
doesn't save Black either:
19 Qxf7+ @xf7 20 @c4+ a g 6
21 @g8 and Black is de-
fenceless.
After 17 ... QfS White has
only a minimal material
deficit, b u t his a t t a c k is
still raging.
18 @xfS @d7
19 @f4 Qf6
20 Q3eS @e7
If 20 ... QxeS, 21 a x e s
e e 7 22 @e4! is very strong.
21 Qb3
Black has disastrous
white squares.
21 ... QxeS
S QbS+ will be seen in
games 29-31.
Although S Q c 4 is less
forcing than S QbS+, i t cer-
tainly doesn't contain less
venom. White calmly deve-
lops his bishop, anticipa-
ting t h e opening of t h e a2-
g 8 diagonal a f t e r S ... Q x d S
(games 27-28). In this game,
however, we shall be exam-
ining various alternatives
f o r Black a p a r t from S ...
Qd6, which is game 26.
S ... Qbd7
Black borrows a plan
from t h e Caro-Kann Panov
Attack, b u t he will s o o n
realise t h a t White has a
82 Modern Defence
c-pawn (instead of just
doubled isolated d-pawns).
Another dubious move i s S
... @e7+ which is answered
by 6 Qe2! leaving t h e black
queen very badly placed.
The game Gallagher - Orlov,
Royan 1988, continued: 6 ...
Q x d S 7 0-0 @f6 8 c 4 Q e 7 9
d 4 cS? (I m u s t admit t h a t
around a b o u t here I was
finding i t hard to believe
my opponent's 2400 rating)
10 Q c 3 c d 11 Q x d 4 Q g 6 12
a d 5 @d8 13 E e l QcS 14 Qf3+
Qe6 15 b 4 Qb6 16 cS 0-0 17
Q x f 4 and Black l o s t o n
time (fortunately).
6 d4 Qb6
6 ... Qd6 occurred in t h e
game Hebden - Boudre, Le
Touquet 1987, which con-
tinued: 7 0-0 0-0 8 Q b 3 bS
(otherwise 9 c4) 9 Q c 3 a6
10 a 4 b 4 11 Q e 2 Q b 6 12
Q x f 4 Qb7 13 Q e S Q b x d S 14
Q f d 3 Q d 7 15 @g4 Q S f 6 16
@h4 QxeS?! (Black's posi-
tion was already difficult,
b u t a f t e r t h e coming ex-
changes his queenside will
b e too weak) 17 d e Q e 4 18
@xd8 g a x d 8 19 Q e 3 a s ? 20
e6 f e 21 Qxe6+ 1-0.
7 QbS+ Q d 7
8 @e2+ (77)
In o r d e r to cover t h e c4-
square.
8 ... Qe77
Black had to play 8 ...
@e7, and a f t e r 9 Qxd7+, 9 ...
Q f x d 7 so t h a t White can't
Modern Defence 8 3
17 gael?!
This extremely natural
move gives Black a chance
to complicate. Instead, 17
Q e S would have l e f t White
a pawn up f o r nothing.
17 ... Exel
18 Exel cS!
19 QgS!
The main point is t h a t
a f t e r 19 dS Black plays 19 ...
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
11a x e 2 Q f 6 (or 11 ... Qd6 12 drawing chances. With 19 coming onslaught. I think I
Q e 4 with a n edge) 12 Q x f 4 QgS, White gives back t h e would have preferred 24 ...
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
Qg3, White has preserved a e n s t h e black kingside. White a pawn up.
slight advantage. 19 ... cd 25 g x h 6 Qxd2
For t h e more adventu- 20 Qxf6 gf 26 a d 2 @e6
rous, 9 Q e S i s a l s o worth 2l Ee4! Black had to meet t h e
looking a t . White i s n o t interested t h r e a t s of @h7+, @h8+ and
9 Qxd7+ @xd7 in entering i n t o s o m e @xf6+.
10 c4! cross-pins by capturing o n 27 Q e 4 @g7
White's pawns a r e secure d4. 2 8 Qh7+ @g8
and s t r o n g , whilst t h e r e is 21 ... @c8 After 28 ...@xh7 29 QgS+
nothing Black can d o to The only move a s Black @g7 30 Qxe6+ fe, White
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
10 ... 0-0 g x d 4 whilst keeping g 4 saw through t h a t one, so
11 0-0 cs covered. it's over to 'plan B'.
11 ... g e 8 i s answered by 22 g h 4 h6 29 g h 6 @g7
12 @d3 and 11 ... c6 loses to 23 Q b d 2 30 g x f 6 @g4
12 d6! I s p e n t s o m e time con- This loses a t once. 30 ...
12 dc6 bc sidering 23 cS, b u t a f t e r 23 @eS caused me s o m e con-
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-
14 @d3 QcS to a clear advantage. lowing variation: 31 @f3 d 3
Obviously Black has to 23 ... Q a 4 (78) 32 g x f 7 + @g8 33 Q f 6 + @xf7
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
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
15 Qbd2! of ...Q x b 2 and ...QcS. White will win) 36 @f7+!
From b 3 t h e knight will 24 ... Qxb471 @d6 37 @dS+ @c7 38 @c6+
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
15 ... gad8 clusion t h a t he was l o s t and t h e pawn is stopped.
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
88 Modern Defence
freer game.
10 Qc3 @c4
This suspicious-looking
move i s virtually forced a s
any o t h e r queen move (ap-
art f r o m t h e horrible ...
@fS) would allow 11 dS with
a marked positional super-
iority.
11 @ell
The main idea behind t h i s
'creeping' queen move i s to
defend t h e knight o n c3,
thereby creating t h e t h r e a t
of 12 b3. Instead, in t h e
g a m e Wall - Morris, British
Ch 1989, White played 11
Q e 5 and a f t e r 11 ... @xd4+
12 @xd4 c d 13 Q b 5 Q a 6
White's s l i g h t initiative
never really troubled Black.
11... af6
Forced, as 11 ... c d 12
u x e 7 d c 13 a d 6 Q d 7 14 QeS!
i s decisive.
12 a d 6 axd4+
12 ... E d 8 13 d c i s clearly
b e t t e r f o r White.
13 @hi
This game against Bala-
shov w a s in f a c t t h e third
time I'd reached t h i s posi-
tion. O n e of t h e previous
occasions w a s against t h e
very s a m e Morris who
drew with s u c h consumate
e a s e against Wall (see
above). However, o n coming
face to face with t h e t r u t h
a b o u t his position, Morris
decided n o t to p u t u p any
resistance at a l l and played
13 ... @e6. After 14 a x f 8
@xel 15 g a x e l @xf8 16
Q x d 4 cd 17 Q b S Q c 6 18 Q c 7
he resigned (Gallagher -
Morris, Hastings 1990/91).
13 ... Ed8 (83)
14 Q e 4
The f i r s t t i m e I had this
position (Gallagher - Cam-
pora, Biel 1990) I t h o u g h t
over a n hour here. I was
fascinated by t h e variations
arising f r o m 14 @h4!? gxd6.
White can now play 15 Q e 4
or 15 gael:
(a) 15 Q e 4 . Black has to
stay defending d 8 so he has
a choice of 15 ... g d 5 , 15 ...
E d 7 or 15 ...@dS:
(al) 15 ... gd5. This ugly
move m e e t s with a s w i f t
refutation: 16 @e7!
(a2) 15 ... E d 7 i s more
resilient b u t a l s o loses: 16
gael!. Black is now faced
with t h e t h r e a t of 17 Q e g S
and has 16 ... h6 or 16 ... f6.
(a21) 16 ... h6 17 Q x d 4 and
now each of t h e three re-
captures lose: 17 ... c d 18
Q f 6 + gf 19 g e 8 + @h7 2 0
@e4+ @g7 21 @g4+ and
mate; 17 ... @xd4 18 Q f 6 + gf
19 g e 8 + @h7 2 0 @g3 mating;
17 ... g x d 4 i s a little
tougher b u t 18 Q f 6 + i s
again good: 18 ... gf 19 g e 8 +
@h7 2 0 @xf6 @xfl+ 21 @xfl
Be6 22 h3 @g7 and now 23
@el! i s very s t r o n g .
(a22) 16 ... f6. If you've
studied t h e above variat-
ions, t h e f i r s t move s h o u l d
be obvious: 17 Qxf6+! gf 18
g e 8 + @f7 19 @hS+ (19 QeS+
wins t h e queen, b u t White
will have virtually n o pieces
left. 19 g f e l @fl+!! i s n o t so
clear) 19 ... @g7 2 0 @g4+
@h6 21 Qd2! @f7 22 g g 8 !
and Black h a s to play 22 ...
@xg8 to avoid m a t e (22 ...
@g6 23 @h4+! @hS 2 4 g x f 6 +
a x f 6 25 @xf6+ u g 6 26 @f4+
@hS 27 g4+ @h4 28 Q f 3 +
@h3 29 @g3 mate). After 23
e x g 8 Q c 6 24 g f 4 g g 7 25
g h 4 + @g6 26 @e8+ White
has a winning attack.
(a3) 15 ... @dS!. This i s a
f a r superior defence to
either of t h e rook moves
and, in f a c t , I can't find any
way f o r White to obtain t h e
advantage.
(a31) 16 Qxd4!? (16 @e7
g e 6 ) 16 ... c d ( n o t 16 ...
@xd4? 17 c3! g h 6 (17 ... @eS
18 Q x d 6 @xd6 19 gad11 18
e x h 6 @xe4 19 @d6 @h4 2 0
g f 4 @gS 21 h 4 winning) 17
e e 7 g d 8 18 gxf7! e x f 7 19
$xd8+ @f8 2 0 @dS+ @f7 21
Modern Defence 89
@d8+ with a draw by per-
petual. If Black tries to win
with 2 0 ... @h8, White g e t s
a very s t r o n g attack, e.g. 21
QgS h6 22 Q f 7 + @h7 23
@e4+ @g8 24 g f l &cS 25
Qxh6+.
(a32) 16 Q x d 6 @xd6 and
White has several tries:
(a321) 17 Q g 5 @g6! and
now b o t h 18 g x f 7 (18 Q x f 7
a f 6 ) 18 ...Q c 6 19 c 3 (19 g a f l
a e 6 ) 19 ... a f 6 2 0 @c4 Q e S
and 18 Rae1 a d 7 (18 ... f6 19
@xh7+!) 19 g x f 7 h6 2 0 g e f l
Qc6 21 g x d 7 hg lead no-
w here.
(a322) 17 g a e l a d 7 18
@d8+ @f8 19 @c7 a c 6 and
Black h a s no worries.
(a323) 17 gad1 @f6! 18
Q g S a f S 19 c 3 (19 g 4 @c6+)
19 ... h6 2 0 Q f 3 @xh4! (20 ...
a e s ? 21 Qd8+ @h7 22 E d 5
Qc6 23 @xf6 gf 24 a x e 5 f e
25 g x f 5 winning) 21 Q x h 4
Q g 4 22 c d a x d l 23 g x d l cd
24 g x d 4 Q c 6 25 E d 7 gd8!
with a winning ending.
So, 15 Q e 4 only s e e m s to
o f f e r equality (Line a31).
Returning to t h e position
a f t e r 14 ... g x d 6 (84):
(b) 15 gael! and now
Black has:
(bl) 15 ... h6? 16 Qd2! @b4
(or 16 ... @a6 17 g e 8 + @h7
18 g x c 8 ) 17 a 3 @xb2 18 Q c 4
@xc3 19 g e 8 + @h7 20 Q x d 6
and White has a crushing
attack.
(b2) 15 ... f6 16 g e 8 + @f7
90 Modern Defence Modern Defence 91
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
96 Modern Defence Modern Defence 97
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
98 Modern Defence
t o win a pawn by 14 c4.
13 ... gs?
S o Black defends f 4 , b u t
i t is indeed a rare event
when you can g e t away with
moves like this. There is, in
fact, a reasonable defence
here, 13 ... ge8! a s a f t e r 14
c 4 Black has t h e surprising
move 14 ... Qf8!. Kuznetsov
- Holmov, Smolensk 1981,
cdntinued: 15 c d QxdS 16
Q f d 2 fS 17 g x f 4 f e 18 a x e 4
Q f 6 and Black has s o m e
compensation f o r t h e pawn,
although White's chances
remain preferable.
14 c 4 QSb6
15 h4!
White begins to open up
t h e kingside.
15 ... h6
15 ... g 4 16QfgS.
16 hg hg (94)
17 QfxgS!
For t h e piece, White re-
ceives t w o pawns and per-
manently damages Black's
king position. Although
t h e r e is n o immediate win,
his greater mobility will
Modern Defence 99
allow him t o feed more pany with his d-pawn. But
pieces into t h e attack than a f t e r 11 Q c 4 @xd4 12 Q x d 6
Black can into the defence. @xd6 13 0-0 gS 14 Qd2 @cS+
...
17 Qxgs 15 @hi Q g 4 there was a dis-
18 Q x f 4 Qf6 tinct lack of compensation.
Exchanging bishops However, all of White's
would leave t h e black king difficulties can be traced
completely naked. back t o t h e unnecessary 9
19 gadl! Qxc6. After t h e simple 9
The d-pawn is given pro- 0-0 White's position looks
tection and the rook is preferable t o me.
ready t o swing. 9 Qg5
19... Qf5 This looks risky, b u t in
20 QeS! This i s t h e b e s t way f o r reality White hasn't much
White is happy t o ex- Black t o recapture, deve- choice. If he didn't feel like
change all t h e minor pieces loping a piece and n o t playing this move, he
around t h e black king a s messing up his queenside. shouldn't have played 8
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.
clear f o r his major pieces gained by 6 ... b c is illusory The a1ternative a t t e m p t
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
20... Qxe4 placed o n bS. dubious a s can b e seen from
21 @xe4 a x e 5 7 d4 lid6 t h e course of t h e game
22 d e @I55 7 ... @as+ has a l s o been H a r t s t o n - Spassky, Hast-
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
-
Frances Cornell 8 ... @f8 was tried in had a clear advantage. In-
New Jersey 1986 Iilescas - Murey, Holon s t e a d of 11 Q x f 8 , White
1986, and Black soon ach- should play 11 Qxc6 a s a f t e r
deved a good position a f t e r 11 ... bc 12 0-0 (even 1 2 Q x f 8
9 Qxc6? b c 10 Q e S @b6! and can be considered) 12 ...
Rhe t h r e a t of ... Qa6 per- g f e 8 13 @d3 Be6 14 a d z ! he
Buaded White t o p a r t com- has t h e b e t t e r chances
100 Modern Defence
(Glaskov).
11 Qxc6 bc (96)
12 0-0
I t i s f a r too dangerous to
take t h e pawn a s a f t e r 12
@xe6+ @h8 13 0-0 f3! Black
has a very s t r o n g attack.
With t h e text, White att-
acks t w o pawns.
...
12 @c7
Of course, Black defends
his f4-pawn (rather than
t h e e6-one) and threatens
t o push ... f3; 12 ... a d 5 is
well m e t by 13 c4!
13 @xe6+?!
White finally succumbs
to t h e temptation. The al-
ternative is 13 Q d 2 , with
t h e idea of blockading t h e
weak pawns instead of
capturing them. Unfortu-
nately, Black doesn't have
t o fall in line with White's
noble intentions and can
play 13 ... eS!. After 14 d e
QxeS IS Q c 4 (15 Q f 3 Qd6 16
Qd2 g a e 8 17 B c 4 + @h8 18
Rae1 was about equal in
Gross - Plachetka, Stary
Smokovec 1973) 15 ... Qd4+
Modern Defence 101
16 @hl a d 5 17 B e 4 Glaskov best) 19 ... @xd4+ 20 @hl
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
15 @c4 led t o swift def- been considered as unclear: 23 Q f 4 @b7
e a t in Hahn - Class, Bun- (a) 16 ... Q e 4 17 d 5 QeS 18 24 @xcS
desliga 1984: 1S ... f3! 16 a x e 5 @xeS 19 @d3 and White i s clearly over the
Q x f 3 Q g 4 17 h3 Qh2+ 18 White should be able t o worst. The remaining moves
@hl n x f 3 19 gf @g3 (or 19 ... defend. were: 24 ... Q d S 25 B d 4 @f7
&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
Qd6+ 0-1. 18 Qd2 cd 19 b3 with a n un- 28 @d8+ g e 8 29 @gS h6 30
1s ... cs clear position in Hay - @g3 @xa2 31 c 4 g8eS 32 Egl
Naturally, Black wants Hamil ton, Australia 1971. g g S 33 B b 8 + @h7 34 gxgS
t o open up t h e position a s 17 Q x d 6 hg 35 @g3 @d2 36 g g l @e3
soon as possible. 15 ... g e 2 17 gf Re2 is very un- 37 g f l a5 38 h4 g 4 39 @xg4
looks a little premature a s pleasant, a s is 17 Bxf3 Eel+ &eS 40 f 4 @e4+ 41 @f3
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
18 Q f 3 Black's bishop is no 17... @xd6 $42.
longer able t o participate Black has no time to play
in t h e attack. White will be 17 ... f g because of 18 gxf6. Game 31
able t o diffuse t h e attack 18 gf -
Kinlay Nunn
with moves such a s g f 2 o r 18 @xf3 occurred in Car- New Malden 1977
a d 2 and gael. roll - Cornell, Corr. 1986
16 Q c 4 (97) and t h e t w o players agreed 1 e4 eS
With t h e imminent op- to a draw. This was rather 2 f4 ef
ening of t h e @-a7 diagonal, a strange decision a s a f t e r 3 Qf3 dS
White sees his first task a s 18 ... Qe4! Black has a win- 4 ed Q f6
removing t h e dangerous ning attack, e.g. S QbS+ c6
bishop. (a) 19 @dl g x f l + 20 @xfl 6 dc Qxc6
16... f3! $xh2 o r 20 @xfl@xd4+. 7 d4 Qd6
Black's rook on f 8 is (b) 19 d c @xcS+ 20 @e3 8 0-0 0-0 (98)
brought into t h e game with Rxfl+ 21 @xfl @xc2. 9 Qbd2
what could prove t o be (c) 19 Q f 4 (relatively The white knight heads
102 Modern Defence
f o r c4, f r o m where i t will
help t o e x e r t pressure o n
t h e black f-pawn by either
capturing t h e bishop o n d6
o r hopping i n t o eS at an
aopropriate moment. 9 17 @d4! QhS?! (99)
&3, k i t h t h e s a m e idea, is
a l s o playable.
9 Q c 3 i s bad because of 9
... @b6! and White i s al-
ready feeling s t r o n g press-
ure against d 4 ( a s c 3 is n o
longer possible). Wester-
inen - Boey, Skopje 1972
continued: 10 @hi Q g 4 11
Qxc6 Bxc6! 12 @d3 n a d 8 13
Qd2 g6 with advantage t o
Black.
I t is surprising t h a t 9 c 4
has never been played.
There is, however, a s h o r t
analysis by Muchnik which
runs 9 c 4 Q g 4 10 Q c 3 n c 8 11
Q e 2 a6 (11 ... fle8 1 2 Q x f 4 ; 11
... Q h S 12 cS fib8 13 dS) 12
Qa4!. Unfortunately, a s I
don't read Russian, I can't
understand his assessment,
b u t anyway i t looks w o r t h
a try!
9 ... Lk4
Black has a number of
alternatives:
(a) 9 ... @b6? 10 Q c 4
@xbS (I would like t o con-
gratulate a certain Mr But-
ler who found t h e courage
t o play 10 ... B c 7 here) 11
Q x d 6 @b6 12 Qxf 4 B x b 2 (12
... Q g 4 w a s probably better,
although a f t e r 13 Q c 4 B b 4
14 @d3! Qxf3 IS g x f 3 bS! 16
a d 6 @xd4+ 17 B x d 4 Q x d 4
18 a f 2 White has a clearly
b e t t e r ending according t o
Bangiev) 13 dS Bb6+ 14 @hl
Q e 7 15 c 4 Q g 6 16 Qg3 g d 8
20 d 6 (White shows ad-
mirable restraint in keeping
his discovered check in re-
serve) 20 ... Qxg3+ 21 hg
Q f 8 22 QgS++ @g8 23 Ef7!
Q e 6 24 a x e 6 @xf7 25
&xg7+! (And t o cap i t all,
we have a classic chase) 25
... @xe6 26 Eel+ @dS 27
g d l + @xcS 28 @d4+ @c6 29
n c l + @d7 30 n c 7 + @e6 31
g e 7 + @fS 32 g4+ @gS 33
&7+ 1-0 Bangiev - Mglo-
siek, Corr. 1985/86.
(b) 9 ... Q e 7 . This leaves
t h e bishop stranded o n bS,
b u t i t is r a t h e r slow and
gives White time t o man-
oeuvre his knight t o es: 10
Q c 4 Qc7 11a c e 5 Q e d S 12 c 4
(Bangiev considers 12 Qc4,
with t h e idea of Qb3 and
c4, a s stronger) 12 ... a6 13
Q a 4 bS 14 c b Q g 4 (Bangiev
- Bezman, Simferopol 1985)
and now 15 Q x g 4 Q x g 4 16
ba Exa6 17 Qb3 with t h e
b e t t e r game f o r White
(Bangiev).
(c)9 ... a d 5 can b e m e t
by 10 Q e 4 Qc7 11 c4.
(d) 9 ... Qc7. This pro-
phylactic r e t r e a t keeps
Black's options open: 10 c 3
(10 Qc4 Q g 4 transposes t o
Kinlay - Nunn) 10 ... QfS 11
Qc4 Q d S 12 Qxc6 bc 13Q f e S
gs (100).
This position has been
considered t o be clearly in
Black's favour, b u t this
seems a l i t t l e excessive t o
me. Whilst Black d o e s have
good attacking chances,
Modern Defence 103
White's material advantage
is n o t t o b e underestimated,
e.g. 14 Q x c 6 B e 8 15 Q6eS f6
16 Q d 3 (16 B f 3 E d 8 17 a d 3
Qe4) 16 ... B g 6 17 Q c 5 g 4 18
Qd2 and i t will not prove
easy f o r Black to break
through.
10 Q c 4 Qc7
In t h e game Renet - van
d e r Sterren, Budel 1987,
Black played 10 ... Qxf3 11
a x f 3 QcS with t h e idea of
12 c3 Qxd4!. But a f t e r 12
Qxc6! @xd4+ 13 B x d 4
Qxd4+ 14 @hl bc 15 Q x f 4
White's b e t t e r pawn struc-
t u r e gave him a slight b u t
persistent edge.
11 c3
It's quite possible t h a t
White should remove the
knight on c6 before i t runs
away. After 11 Qxc6 bc 12
@d3 Q x f 3 (otherwise the
knight will come t o eS) 13
Bxf3 a h 5 (13 ... a d 5 was
played in Arnason - Kris-
tiansson, Reykjavik 1984,
b u t this i s l e s s good a s i t
interferes with Black's play
on t h e d-file. White should
have replied 14 Qd2) 14 Qd2
&dS IS &l, t h e position is
difficult t o assess and re-
quires practical testing.
White has t o aim f o r ex-
changes in order t o make
pawn s t r u c t u r e s t h e do-
minant factor in t h e posi-
tion. Thus IS ... g a d 8 is met
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
possible. him of s o m e advantage, e.g.
13 QxbS @dS (a) 20 hg? Q x g 4 21 de
14 Qa3 HhS ne6! and t h e r e is nothing to
15 Qd3 be done a b o u t ... n h 6 and ...
This is o n e of t h e posi- @hi mate.
tions where we can s e e t h e (b) 20 d e Qxf3 21 B x f 3
s t r e n g t h of t h e pawn on f4, &xeS and Black's advanced
which severely cramps pawn gives him a good
White and gives Black a big game.
space advantage on t h e 19 ... Qxg4
kingside. 20 Q c e S
With t h e t e x t , White 20 Eel is no defence
tries t o g e t his queenside either a s 20 ... Qg3! wins.
pieces back into play, b u t i t 20 ... Exes!
t u r n s o u t t h a t he has n o 21 d e e2!
time f o r this. 15 h3 would Black's l a s t t w o moves
have been a more critical have cleared t h e a7-gl dia-
t e s t of Black's sacrifice. gonal which, in combina-
15 ... Qed5 tion with t h e open h-file,
16 Q c 4 gae8 give a decisive attack.
17 h 3 (101) 22 Qxe2 Qb6+
23 &d4
Black's next move dest-
roys any lingering hopes
White might have had.
23 ... @h6!
24 nae1 Xd8!
25 Q c 4
O r 25 B x b 6 Bxb6+ and
t h e white king is t o o weak.
25 ... nxd4!
0-1
Game 32
-
Glaskov Soloviev
Moscow 1971
This variation has never
really caught on, probably
because i t d o e s nothing t o
address Black's immediate
problems. In fact, i t is
rather similar t o t h e idea
behind t h e Fischer Defence
- a waiting move. Black
wants t o s e e White's n e x t
'move before he makes his
mind up.
4 Qc3
I should just mention
t h a t t h e position is more
o f t e n reached via t h e Vi-
enna Game (1 e 4 eS 2 Q c 3
Q c 6 3 f 4 ef 4 Qf3). The
King's Gambit move order
o f f e r s White an additional
possibility, namely 4 d4. In
fact, this move has been
frowned upon by theor-
eticians, b u t I decided t o
look a t i t in s o m e detail, a s
I found i t hard t o believe
t h a t such a natural move
leads t o a good game f o r
Black. My conclusion is
t h a t i t leads t o rough
equality ( o r unclarity) and 1
present my analysis in
order t o open t h e debate o n
4 d4:
4 ... dS ( 4 ... gS S dS) S ed
(S Q c 3 i s bad because of S
... d e 6 Q x e 4 &e7! 7 @e2
QfS 8 Q c 3 e x e 2 + 9 Qxe2
0-0-0; and S eS can be m e t
by S ... gS 6 h4 g 4 7 Q g l Qh6
and t h e early closing of t h e
centre is n o t in White's
favour) S ... &xdS 6 Q x f 4 (6
Q c 3 Q b 4 7 Qxf 4 Q g 4 trans-
poses, b u t maybe Black can
try 7 ... &as) 6 ... Qg4 7 Q c 3
(This is b e t t e r than taking
on c7. Glaskov gives 7 Qxc7
Qxf3 8 &xf3 @xf3 9 gf
Q x d 4 a s good f o r Black.
This i s n o t t r u e a s 10 Qc3!
gives White a dangerous
attack. Unfortunately, how-
ever, Black can play instead
7 ... gc8! a n d then 8 ... Q x f 3
which d o e s o f f e r him good
chances of a n advantage) 7
... Q b 4 ( b e t t e r than 7 ...
@e6+ 8 @e2! and White re-
tains an edge, e.g. 8 ... Q x f 3
9 @xe6+ f e 10 gf 0-0-0 (10 ...
Q x d 4 11 0-0-01 11 0-0-0
Zqxd4 (11 ... Q x d 4 12 Q h 3 is
s t r o n g ) 12 E x d 4 Q x d 4 13
Qh3 a n d White will win
back his pawn with a good
game; o r 8 ... @xe2+ 9 Qxe2
Q x f 3 10 Q x f 3 Q x d 4 11 Qxb7
n b 8 12 0-0-0 with advant-
age) 8 Qe2 (8 a 3 a l s o de-
serves attention. Although
slightly time consuming, i t
does force Black t o ex-
change o n c3, thereby con-
siderably bolstering t h e
defences of d 4 ) 8 ... 0-0-0
9 0-0 @d7 (Other squares
a r e n o t s o good, e.g. 9 ...
@a5 10 Q g S Qxe2 11a x e 2 o r
9 ...@hS 10 h3 in b o t h cases
with advantage t o White)
10 dS!? (10 Q e S a x e 2 11
@xe2!? is a pawn sacrifice
Black shouldn't accept. In-
stead, a f t e r 11 ... a x e s 12
QxeS f6 13 &g3 Qxc3 (13 ...
@xd4+ 14 Qf2! i s s t i l l very
dangerous f o r Black) 14 b c
Q e 7 , t h e position is roughly
level) 10 ... a x c 3 (Moving
t h e knight is obviously dis-
a s t r o u s (11 QeS) and 10 ...
Qxf3 11 Qxf3 QcS+ 12 @hl
Q d 4 13 Qe3 o r 13 Q g 4 fS 14
Qe3 a r e clearly b e t t e r f o r
White) 11 dc @xc6 (103) ( I t
would b e wrong f o r Black
t o exchange queens, e.g. 11
... e x d l 12 Exdl Qf6 (Black
has l i t t l e choice a s a f t e r 12
... Zqxdl 13 n x d l , 14 Ed7 is in
t h e air) 13 cb+ @xb7 14 E x d 8
Qxd8 1SQc4 with a clear ad-
vantage to White).
12 QeS. Suddenly, t h e
board is ablaze. If Black
now manages t o avoid a
few nasty traps he can
reach a roughly level game:
(a) 12 ... QxeS?? 13 &xg4+.
(b) 12 ... Zqxdl?? 13 Qxg4+
@b8 14 Qxc6+.
(c) 12 ... Qxe2. This gives
rise t o s o m e fascinating
complications. White now
has:
(cl) 13 @xe2 QxeS 14 QxeS
(14 @g4+ @d7) 14 ... f6. I t
s e e m s unlikely t h a t White's
slight initiative will fully
compensate for the pawn.
(c2) 13 @xd8+ @xd8 14
Q x c 6 + b c 1.5 bc! (1.5 Qxc7+?
is m e t by 15 ... @c8!) 15 ...
Q x f l 16 E x f l and a draw is
t h e likely outcome.
(c3) 13Qxc6! and now:
( ~ 3 1 )13 ... Qxdl. White
now has a m o s t elegant
way t o achieve an advan-
tage: 14 Q x a 7 + (14 Q x d 8
Qd4+ 1S @hl QhS! is good
f o r Black) 14 ... @b8 1s QbS!
(The black pieces remain en
prise and White will collect
in t h e m o s t favourable
fashion) 15 ... Qe2 (15 ...
Qd4+ 16 Q x d 4 g x d 4 17 QeS!
wins) 16 Qxc7+ @c8! 17Qxc3
(17 b c QxbS) 17 ... Qxf1 18
Q x d 8 Qxg2 19 @xg2 (19
Qb6!?) 19 ... @xd8 2 0 Edl+
@c8 21 Q d S and White is
very active.
) ... g x d l 14 Q x a 7 +
( ~ 3 2 13
@b8 1S Zqfxdl Qxdl (If IS ...
63xa7 then 16 E d 8 i s s t r o n g )
16 QbS!? (16 Exdl @xa7 17
bc Q f 6 18 Qxc7 leads t o a
s l g h t edge) 16 ... Qxc2 17 bc
and White will r e s t o r e mat-
erial equality whilst re-
taining a sizeable initiative.
(d) 12 ...@cS+ (Along with
variation 'e', Black's b e s t
choice) 13 @hi Qxe2 (13 ...
g x d l l o s e s t o 14 Qxg4+ @b8
IS g a x d l Q f 6 16 bc; and 13
... Qe6 is m e t by 14 Q d 3 ) 14
Uxe2 QxeS (14 ... Qxb2 15
$d3! and t h e r e is n o time
f o r IS ... Exd3: 16 c d Qxal 17
@e8 mate!) IS QxeS Q f 6 (IS
... f6 16 @g4+ is good f o r
White) 16 Qxf6 gf 17 g x f 6
with approximate equality.
(e) 12 ... @b6+ 13 @hl
Qxe2 (13 ... Qe6!? 14 Qd3!
Qf6 1s a 4 gives White a
dangerous initiative. Black's
queen is rather awkwardly
placed; 13 ... Bxdl? is the
same a s in 'd') 14 a x e 2
QxeS IS @g4+ @e6 16 @xe6+
f e 17 QxeS Q f 6 18 nxf6! gf
19 Qxf6 g h f 8 20 Q x d 8 g x d 8
(20 ... @xd8 21 @gl is a
little b e t t e r f o r White) 21
g f l . A difficult rook ending
has arisen in which White's
chances shouldn't be infer-
ior. A straight race seems
inadvisable f o r Black, e.g. 21
... Bd2 22 h4 (22 g 4 is also
good) 22 ... Exc2 23 g f 7
g x b 2 24 g x h 7 cS 25 hS c4
26 h6 c 3 27 g h 8 + a d 7 28 h7
and wins: if 28 ... c2 then
29 Ed8+ @c7 30 &8+; o r 28
... g b l + 29 e h 2 c2 30 n d 8 +
@xd8 31 h8#+ @c7 32 @h7+
and @xc2.
4 ... gs
Now t h a t ... dS has been
ruled o u t , Black's m o s t
obvious plan is t o hang on
t o his f-pawn.
4 ... Q f 6 has a l s o been
played, b u t by replying S
Qc4 t h e game has trans-
posed into a variation of
t h e Bishop's Gambit known
t o b e favourable f o r White.
e.g. S ... Q b 4 6 QdS! 0-0 7
0-0 a x e 4 ( o r 7 ... Q x d S 8
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

Now Black is unable t o
maintain a foothold in t h e
c e n t r e and t h e opening of
t h e position will give added
power t o t h e white bishops.
13 ... de
13 ... Q x e 4 l o s e s in spec-
tacular fashion: 14 cd Q c 3
(14 ... e x h 4 1S d c g 3 is t o o
slow: 16 QeS+ @g6 17 QhS+
wins; 14 ... B x d S 1s c 4 fol-
lowed by 16 dS gives White
a s t r o n g a t t a c k ) 15 dc!!
Q x d l 16 QeS+ @g6 (16 ...
@g8 loses t o 17 Qc4+ @h7
18 g f 7 + @g6 19 g g 7 + @fS (19
... @hS 20 Qf7+ @xh4 21
@h2) 20 g x d l g f 8 21 g f l +
@e4 22 g e l + @fS 23 dS and
White wins) 17 Qd3+ @hS 18
cb! Qd7 19 ba=@ e x a 8 20
g a x d l B f 8 21 g x f 8 e x f 8 22
g f l e b 4 . S o f a r all this
analysis w a s carried o u t by
a character named Trum-
berg in 1893. Here he went
astray with 23 g 3 b u t Glas-
kov has pointed o u t t h e
way t o victory: 23 &3! and
Black is powerless against
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
long-term compensation
f o r t h e piece, even if his
attack may b e initially less
Keres considered this strong. I t is quite probable
position t o b e favourable t h a t , theoretically speak-
f o r Black, b u t Glaskov's ing, White doesn't have
forceful play s h o w s t h a t enough f o r t h e piece, b u t
t h e opposite is in f a c t true. over t h e board ( o r even
16 @d4! Qg6 through t h e post) t h e po-
17 Qxf6+ n x f 6 sition is very hard t o de-
18 hS Q f8 fend, e.g. 11 gf Qe7 (Chig-
19 Ef4! The main purpose of t h i s orin considered t h a t a f t e r
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+
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
is unable t o untangle his long a s possible. The move of eS) White has a s t r o n g
pieces in time. a l s o has disruptive quali- attack) 12 Qe3 Qxh4+ 13 @d2
19 ... Qh7 ties which could especially QgS 14 f 4 Qf6 1.5 Bgl! and
20 Eaf1 Qd7 be seen a f t e r 9 gf Qe7. Black has a difficult de-
21 Qxg4 Qxg4 9 ace+ fence in f r o n t of him (don't
22 g x g 4 + @f7 White can a l s o consider forget he can't castle!).
On 22 ... QgS, Glaskov various o t h e r moves, such 11 gf Qb4
intended 23 @eS! followed as 9 Q e 3 o r 9 Qf4, b u t t h e 11 ... Qe7 looks like the
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
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
24 @xfl QgS difficult decision between t h e position is very hard t o
25 @g6+ @e7 ... @g7 o r ... @e8, b u t f i r s t assess.
26 &g7+ Q f 7 ... Against 11 ... Q f 6 , Tarr-
27 Ee4+ a d 6 9 ..: dS asch gave t h e following
28 e g 3 + @cS ...
lines a r e opened f o r variation: 12 Q f 4 Q e 7 .13 QeS
29 @f2+ 1-0 his undeveloped pieces. Q g 6 14 f4! with a danger-
o u s attack.
l 2 Qe3 (109)
I s p e n t a long time here
wondering a b o u t t h e b e s t
s q u a r e f o r t h e bishop. I
eventually s e t t l e d f o r t h e
solid Qe3. My reasoning
w a s along t h e following
lines: I've g o t t w o pawns
f o r t h e piece, a big c e n t r e
a n d my opponent's king is
n o t too happy. All t h a t re-
mains to b e d o n e is to de-
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
13 ... Ee8 could well b e
better. My opponent didn't
like i t because i t weakened
his h6-pawn.
14 @e2
14 @d2 a l s o came i n t o
consideration b u t I pre-
ferred to keep my f-pawn
defended and I didn't wish
to have my knight on c3
still pinned a f t e r I castled.
14... gf
Black needs t h e g4-
square f o r his minor pieces.
1s @xf3 a 4 7
But this is t h e wrong
one. 15 ... Q g 4 offered
b e t t e r chances. Of c o u r s e
IS ... @xe4 loses t o ,Qgl+.
16 Egl hS
17 eS!
Now Black realises t h a t
if he moves t h e knight t h e
exchange sacrifice o n g 4
will be murderous (pro-
bably White should castle
first). There is little choice
b u t to give back t h e piece.
17... QxeS
18 de B x e S (110)
19 0-0-0
This was a m o s t enjoy-
able move to play f o r t w o
reasons. Firstly, i t was
pleasant t o have my king
o u t of t h e centre; and sec-
ondly, because I found i t
very artistic t o use my
queen a s a shield in o r d e r
to provide t h e move with way of meeting t h e t h r e a t
i t s legality. of dS, e.g.
19 ... QcS? (a) S ... &7 6 dS Q e S 7
Black overlooks the d6! with t h e advantage.
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
p r e t t y hopeless anyway, Q g S h6 8 Q x f 7 @xf7 9 Q x f 4
e.g. 19 ... g a d 8 (19 ... Qxc3 with a Hampe-Allgaier pos-
20 b c @xc3 21 Qh6+) 20 ition favourable f o r White)
a d s ! followed by Q d 4 will 6 ...Q e S 7 QbS+ Qd7 8 Qxd7+
prove decisive. @xd7 (8 ... Q x d 7 i s clearly
20 Ed?+! Q x d 7 weaker, e.g. 9 @d4 f 6 10 h4
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
b e s t , b u t 20 ... Qe7 21 Qd4! 13 d e c6 14 Q x f 4 @b6 15 @d3
or 2 0 ... @ f 8 21 QxcS+ @e8 0-0-0 16 0-0-0 hS 17 @g3
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
o t h e r ways e.g. 22 @f2!?) 22 @xe6 20 Qxd6 Qxd6 21 g x d 6
... @xe7 23 Qxe7 Q x f 3 24 with a clear advantage, Ar-
a x f 6 win f o r White. nason- Adams, Manila (01)
21 @f7 mate 1992) 9 h 4 Q x f 3 + 10 @xf3 gh
11 Q x f 4 and White i s better.
Game 3 4 6 Qc4 gf
Motwad- Kula We a r e now in t h e so-
Berlin 1991 called Pierce Gambit.
7 *o (112)
I t has been known f o r a
long time t h a t 7 B x f 3 Q x d 4
is good f o r Black, b u t may-
be White can try 7 Qxf4!?
here. One important point
S ... g4 being t h a t 7 ... f g 8 Qxf7+
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
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
to Black's seventh move, @dS+ @e8 (11 ... @g7 is
whilst avoiding t h e 7 ... dS worse: 12 g x f 3 Q f 6 13 eS
variation. Qe7 14 g g 3 + @f8 IS Rxg8+
7 ... @gS3! 1-0 i s Keres - Wilkins, Corr.
Of course, Black has a 1933) 12 @hS+ B e 7 and now
large number of alterna- Glaskov's and Estrin's
tives. I would just like to suggestion of 13 eS looks
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
d e r to g e t a feel f o r t h e @xf6 Q x f 6 12 Xxf6 Qg7 13
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-
member t h e m in rote fash- vantage to White (Tseitlin).
ion. If t h e l a t t e r approach (dl 7 ... Qxd4!? 8 Qxf4!
i s adopted, you will find (Not 8 @xd4?? B g S and
yourself a t sixes and sevens White can resign) 8 ... QcS!
when faced with a novelty (An improvement o n t h e old
o r , heaven forbid, when you 8 ... @f6 9 Q d S B g 7 10
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
(a) 7 ... f g (This i s suici- winning position f o r White).
dal) 8 Qxf7+ @xf7 9 @hS+ After 8 ... QcS, Polaksek -
@g7 10 @g4+ @f7 11 Bxf4+ Karolyi, Prague 1988, con-
Q f 6 12 Q d S (Analysis by tinued: 9 Qxf7+ @xf7 10 Qe3
Lange, 1856). @e8! 11 Q x d 4 Q x d 4 12 @xd4
(b) 7 ... Qg7 8 Q x f 4 Qxd4+ @f6 13 @d3 Q e 7 14 g x f 3
(Against 8 ... @f6 9 Qe3 i s @eS and Black eventually
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
@g6 11 Exf3! Q x f 3 + 12 @xf3 converted his material ad-
@c6 13 QbS @d6 14 g f l wins; vantage. A b e t t e r try f o r
8 ... Q x d 4 9 Q e 3 (9 Qxf7+ White would have been 9
deserves a t t e n t i o n ) 9 ... cS @hl!
10 Q b S Q x b S 11QxbS @b6 12 (e) 7 ... d 5 (This is t h e
@xf3 f 6 13 @hS+ @d8 14 m o s t common move) 8 ed
QxcS and White has a very Q g 4 (113).
s t r o n g a t t a c k ) 9 @h1 Qxc3 Now White has t w o pos-
(As usual in t h i s variation sibilities:
capturing on g 2 only serves (el) 9 @el+ Qe7! (9 ...
t o open f u r t h e r lines f o r a c e 7 10 QbS+ Qd7 11 @eS) 10
White) 10 Qxf7+ (The sec- Q x f 4 Q x d 4 11 QeS Q e 2 + 12
ond piece sacrifice is a ty- a x e 2 f e 13 Qxe2 Qxe2 14
@xe2 f 6 and now White's
b e s t i s to force a draw with
15 gxf6! Q x f 6 (15 ... @xdS?
16 @hS+ @d8 17 Ed1 wins) 16
Qxf6 E f 8 17 @hS+ E f 7 (17 ...
@d7 18 @fS+ i s a l s o a draw)
18 gel @f8 19 @h6+ @e8 20
@hS.
(e2) 9 @d2. White wishes
on f4, hoping t h a t t h i s will
create decisive t h r e a t s o n
t h e f-file. Black has a num-
b e r of defensive tries, e.g.
(e21) 9 ... Q g 7 10 @xf4!
Qxd4+ 11 @hl f g + 12 @xg2
e h 4 13 d c (Estrin a l s o gives
13 @xf7+ @d8 14 @f8+ @d7
IS d c + b c 16 @f4 Qh3+ 17
a h 1 @xf4 18 g x f 4 Qxc3 19
bc Q e 7 2 0 Qa3! with advan-
tage to White) 12 ... 0-0-0
14 cb+ @xb7 15 @g3 &xg3+
16 hg Q e 6 17 Qxe6 f e 18 Xf7
with advantage to White.
(e22) 9 ... Q a S 10 QbS+ c6
(Weaker i s 10 ...Qd7 11 @xf4
Qxb5 12 Q x b S Qd6 13 @xf3
@d7 14 Q x d 6 + cd 15 b 4 and
White i s b e t t e r ) 11 @xf4
af6(After 11 ... c b probably
b e s t is 12 @xg4 with a very
s t r o n g attack) 12 riel+ (Le-
peshkin has shown t h a t 12
Q e 4 &7! i s good f o r Black,
e.g. 13 Q d 6 + @f8 14 gf QhS
with every chance of a suc-
cessful defence o r 13 Q x f 6 +
@xf6 14 @xg4 @xd4+) 12 ...
@d7 13 Q e 4 (114)
Here Lepeshkin gives 13
... f2+ a s clearly b e t t e r f o r
Black. This a s s e s s m e n t
doesn't seem correct, e.g.
14 @xf2! (14 Q x f 2 i s l e s s
good, o n account of 14 ...
Qd6!) 14 ... a x e 4 (After 14
... Qe7, t h e simple 15 dc+ bc
16 Q d 3 leaves White with
excellent play f o r t h e piece,
whilst IS Q g S could a l s o be
worth investigation) 15
Bxe4 (IS @xf7+ B e 7 16 dc+
b c 17 @dS+ @c7 18 Q f 4 + Egb6
i s a false trail, although 18
@xe4 may n o t b e complete-
ly hopeless) IS ... fS 16 ge6!
c b 17 h3!
Now Black will lose o n e
of his e x t r a pieces (17 ...
QhS or 17 ... Q d l lose t o 18
@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

6 ) Becker Defence
Game 35
Gallagher - Spyrsl
Frlbo~rg1987
i e4 eS
2 f4 ef
3 Qf3 h6 (116)
T h e Becker Defence sig-
nals Black's intention t o
hold on t o t h e gambit
pawn, b u t w i t h o u t t h e
weaknesses inherent in t h e
Kieseritzky. By playing ...
h6 f i r s t , Black won't b e
forced i n t o playing ... g 4 if
White decides to under-
mine t h e pawn chain with
h4. But, a s w e s h a l l s e e ,
White has o t h e r ways t o
develop his initiative.
4 d4
4 b3, in o r d e r t o dissuade
Black f r o m playing ... gS, is
interesting, and can be seen
in g a m e 36; w h i l s t 4 Q c 4 g5
leads to t h e Classical which
i s n o t p a r t of o u r repertoire
(5 Q e S g h 7 ! doesn't disturb
Black). - is good f o r White.
4 ... gs
5 Qc3
S h4 Qg7 6 g 3 i s another,
b u t l e s s promising, met-
hod.
S ... d6
S ... Qg7 c a u g h t me
napping a l i t t l e in the game
Gallagher - Nunn, Islington
1990. I just continued in t h e
normal fashion: 6 g 3 f g 7
h 4 g 4 8 &l b u t w a s then
very surprised by 8 ... dS!.
Previously t h i s idea hadn't
been considered at all,
theory normally stating
t h a t whether Black plays 5
... d6 o r S ... Qg7 doesn't
make any difference as play
simply transposes. After 8
... dS!, 9 Q x d S i s bad be-
cause of 9 ... c6, s o play
continued: 9 e d Q e 7 10
h e 2 c6! 11 Q g 2 cd 12 Q f 4
Q c 6 13 @d2 @a5 with ad-
vantage t o Black.
However, all i s n o t d o o m
and gloom. White has a
very interesting possibility
on his seventh move: 7 h g
(117). instead of 7 h4.
Now 7 ... d 6 l o o k s normal
f o r Black. 8 Q c 4 (White can
even consider t h e specula-
tive 8QxgS!?, e.g. 8 ... h g 9
g x h 8 Q x h 8 10 @hS Q x d 4 11
QxgS! @d7 (11 ... Qf6 12 @h7
QxgS 13 @xg8+ a d 7 14
$xf7+ &Ye7 1.5 Qh3+) 12 Q c 4
followed by 13 0-0-0 a n d
Qfl with a dangerous
a t t a c k ) 8 ... Q f 6 (Black h a s
t o watch his s t e p . For
example, 8 ... Q c 6 ? 9 Q x g S
hg 10 g x h 8 Q x h 8 11 @h5; o r
8 ... Q e 7 9 QxgS! hg 10
g x h 8 + Q x h 8 11 @hS a g 6 12
QxgS @d7 (12 ...Q f 6 13Qxf7+
@xf7 14 @h7+) 13 0-0-0 with
a crushing a t t a c k ) 9 @d3
&6 10 Q e 3 Q g 4 11 g f l . This
is a l i t t l e inconvenient, b u t
w h i t e maintains a firm grip
on t h e centre. Black now
has to decide which way to
:astle.
a ) 11 ... @d7 12 0-0-0
Becker Defence 119
0-0-0 13 QbS! causes Black
serious problems.
b) 11 ... 0-0 12 0-0-0 @d7
(12 ... @e7 13 Edel (13
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
plans to double r o o k s o n
t h e f-file. Black has diffic-
ulties in countering t h i s
plan, e.g. 13 ... E a e 8 14 a3!
and now 14 ... Q x f 3 1S g x f 3
@g4 16 g d f l Q x e 4 17 E x f 7
6 g3!
White h a s to t a k e action
against t h e pawn chain be-
fore Black has time t o con-
solidate.
6 ... fg
6 ... g 4 doesn't f i t in with
t h e Becker s y s t e m (3 ... h6
w a s played to hold t h e
kingside): 7 Q g l f 3 8 h3 is
good f o r White, whilst 7
Q x f 4 i s a l s o highly t e m p t -
ing, e.g. 7 ... gf 8 @xf3 Q c 6
9 0-0-0 with a s t r o n g
attack.
More critical i s 6 ... Qg7
7 gf g 4 8 Q g l @h4+ 9 B e 2
g3 10 Q f 3 Qg4, b u t a f t e r 11
Qe3 White has t h e b e t t e r
game, e.g. 11 ... g h 12 B d 2
@g3 13 Qe2 Q c 6 14 Q x h 2 o r
11 ... Q c 6 12 a d z ! @hS 13 Qe2
g2 14 E g l @h3 15 dS Q e 7 16
Q d 4 (Bhend).
7 h4
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

7) Schallop Defence
1 e4 eS
2 f4 ef
Black intends to hold on
t o his f-pawn, defending i t
with his knight from h5. In
this way he avoids weaken-
ing his kingside pawns, b u t
hS i s hardly t h e sort of
o u t p o s t t h a t knights dream
about. Apart from having
very little mobility, i t s
exposed position offers
White some tactical possi-
bilities.
Game 37
-
Glaskov Shapoval
Con. 1985/86
3 Qf3 Qf6
4 eS
Obviously this is the cri-
tical continuation. 4 ac3 is
met by 4 ... dS. If now 5 ed,
play has transposed into a
variation of the Modern
Defence, where White has
little hope of gaining the
advantage, whilst 5 e5 QhS
is less favourable than the
text.
4 ... QhS
Averbakh's move 4 ...
&4 is seen from time t o
time, a recent example be-
ing Illescas - Motwani,
Thessaloniki 1988: S d 3 QgS
6 Qxf4 Q e 6 7 Qg3 d6 8 d 4
d e 9 dS (9 QxeS) 9 ... Q f 4 10
a x e 5 QxdS 11 Qc4 Qe6 12
@e2 Qe7 13 Q c 3 with an un-
clear position.
White does better t o
follow t h e recommendation
of Keres and play 5 d4.
After 5 ... dS 6 Qxf4 c5 7
Q b d 2 Q c 6 8 Qd3 he has the
better game.
S Be217
White prepares t o castle
quickly which will enable
him t o move his knight
from f3, thereby causing
embarrassment to the
knight o n hS. S d 4 is game
38.
s ... gs
There are a number of
a1ternatives:
a) S ... dS 6 0-0 gS 7 QxgS!
b) S... g 6 6 d 4 Q g 7 7 0 - 0
d6 8 Q c 3 0-0 and, a s Chi-
gorin pointed o u t , 9 ed! cd
(9 ... $xd6 10 QeS) 10 Q e l .
C) 5 ... d6 6 0-0 (In t h e
game Camarra - Sayed, Lu-
cerne 1982, White decided
t o throw t h e kitchen sink
a t his opponent and won in
spectacular fashion: 6 d4?!
d e 7 0-0 e d (7 ... e 4 8 Q e S
f 3 9 gf ef 10 Qc4 Qe6 11
Qxe6 f e 12 fie3 gives White
good compensation) 8 Q c 4
Qe6 9 Qxe6 f e 10 $e2 Qc6?
{Here Black could have c a s t
serious d o u b t s upon t h e
correctness of White's idea
with 10 ... a d s ! ) 11 $xe6+
@e7 12 @h3 @cS (12 ... @f7
13 g e l + Qe7 14 &S @g6 15
Qe6, with the threat of
$xh5, is good f o r White) 13
b4! Q x b 4 (13 ... @dS 14
c4!) 14 g e l + Q e 7 15 Re5 @xc2
16 @xhS+ g6 17 nxe7+ @xe7
18 @eS+ @I7 19 @xd4+ B e 7
20 @xb4+ c5 21 @xb7+ B e 6
22 QgS+ @eS 23 Qb2+ @fS
24 @dS+ @g4 25 h3+ 1-0) 6
... d e 7 QxeS and Black's
t w o main choices don't
seem t o give him equality:
cl) 7 ... @d4+ 8 @hl Q f 6 9
Schallop Defence 125
a d 3 and White wins back
the f-pawn with a good
game a s 9 ... g5 10 b3! is
strong.
c2) 7 ... QcS+ 8 @hl Q f 6
(The a t t e m p t t o play f o r a
snap mate fails, e.g. 8 ...
Qg3+ 9 hg fg 10 QbS+ (10
Qf3) 10 ... c6 11 BhS g 6 12
Qxc6 Q x c 6 13 $eS+ He7 14
@xh8+ @d7 15 @xh7) 9 c3
Qd6 (9 ... Q b d 7 10 Qxd7
Qxd7 11 d 4 Qd6 12 QxF4
Qxf4 13 Qxf4 0-0 14 Qd3 is
clearly in White's favour. In
the game Verdikhanov -
Ilyin, Corr. 1982, Black tried
9 ... gS b u t after 10 d 4 Qd6
11 QdZ! Qbd7 12 Q d f 3 h6
13 Qc4 @e7 14 @b3 White
stood clearly better) 10 d 4
QxeS 11 d e e x d l 12 Qxdl (12
g x d l Q e 4 is unclear) 12 ...
QdS 13 Qf3! Q e 3 14 Qxe3 fe
1.5 Qa3! and White's chan-
ces are t o be preferred. The
e-pawn is not long for this
world and the bishop
exerts strong pressure on
the long diagonal.
6 0-0 (123)
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

9) Falkbeer Counter-Gambit
Instead of accepting t h e
pawn on offer, Black de-
cides to sacrifice one him-
self. In return, he hopes t o
be able to develop swiftly
and easily, whilst a l s o de-
monstrating how o u t of
place t h e advance f2-f4
now is. At one s t a g e this
counter-gambit was scor-
ing s o well that it
prompted Rudolf Spiel-
mann to write his tragic
article "From t h e deathbed
of t h e King's Gambit". As
we shall see, this was cer-
tainly a trifle premature.
On his f o u r t h move
White has tried several
continuations, b u t in this
book we shall only be exa-
mining 4 d3!. Modern prac-
tice has shown t h a t t o free
his position White has t o
exchange Black's strong
e-pawn a s quickly a s pos-
sible.
Game 41
Murey - Nikitfn
USSR 1970
1 e4 eS
2 f4 dS
3 ed
1 should just mention in
passing t h a t declining t h e
Falkbeer with 3 Q f 3 has a
number of supporters.
However, this idea sprang
t o prominence when Black
was scoring well, and now
t h a t White seems able t o
prove an advantage in
practically every variation,
there is no need t o decline
t h e gambit.
3 ... e4
3 ... c6 i s the Nimzowitsch
Counter-Gambit (see chap-
t e r ten).
4 d3! ed?!
This is feeble and simply
contributes towards White's
development. There a r e t w o
serious alternatives, one of
which, 4 ... 4 f 6 , will be t h e
subject of subsequent
games.
4 ... B x d S is a l s o insuffi-
cient f o r equality, b u t
White m u s t play carefully.
For example, S B e 2 a f 6 6
Qd2! (6 a c 3 Q b 4 is not s o
clear) and now:
a) 6 ... QfS 7 d e Q x e 4 (7 ...
a x e 4 8 g4) 8 g 4 gives
White a clear advantage
e.g. 8 ... Qe7 9 a x e 4 @xe4
(According t o Keres 9 ...
a x e 4 10 a 2 @as+ 11 B f l
a d 6 12 Qd2 is very good f o r
White) 10 &2! @xe2+ 11
a x e 2 c6 12 gS and White
has a considerable advan-
tage due to his bishop pair
and active development.
b) 6 ... Qg4 7 Q g f 3 Q x f 3
(If 7 ... 4 3 6 , analysis by
Glaskov shows how White
can retain t h e advantage: 8
de B h S 9 B b 5 0-0-0 10
$xhS QxhS 11 Q c 4 Q b 4 (11
... Q x f 3 12 gf Q d 4 13 Q d 3
QxfS+ 14 B f 2 i s good f o r
White) 12 Qd3! {Previously
only 12 Q a 3 1 had been con-
sidered, which allows Black
a s t r o n g a t t a c k in return
for t h e pawn) 12 ... Qxd3+
13 cd. Black cannot win
back his pawn, a s t h e fol-
lowing variation shows: 13
... Qxf3 14 gf Exd3 15 QeS!
Falkbeer Counter-Gambit 135
E d 4 16 Qe3 g b 4 17 Q x f 7
flg8 18 0-0-0 with a clear
advantage f o r White) 8 gf
e3 9 Q e 4 Qe7 10 Qxe3 a h 5
(Keres considers t h a t a f t e r
10 ... 0-0 White can gain
t h e advantage with 11 Qg2
and 12 0-0) 11 Q c 3 @fS 12
0-0-0 Q x f 4 13 @d2 (133)
Black has fallen serious-
ly behind in development.
13 ... &S (13 ... Q e 6 14 f4;
o r 13 ... Q d S 14 Qh3! are
both good for White) 14 h4
Qh6 1S Qh3! Q x h 3 16 Qxhb
gh 17 @e3+ and Black is un-
able t o defend, e.g. 17 ...
@dB 18 @d4+; o r 17 ... @eh
18 &d4 0-0 19 Exh3! wins
quickly; 17 ... @f8 18 gxh3!
(18 @xh6+ i s a l s o good) 18
... @xh3 19 @cS+. If Black
goes t o t h e g-file he g e t s
mated and if he goes t o the
e-file he loses his rook.
5 Qxd3
S @xd3 is equally good,
a f t e r which Black has very
little play f o r t h e pawn, e.g
S ... Q f 6 6 Q c 3 (6 c4) 6 ...
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
would think he is over t h e
w o r s t - b u t t h i s i s by n o
means t h e case f o r a num-
b e r of reasons:
a) White has a useful
lead in development which
means t h a t he should g e t
f i r s t use of t h e open e-file.
Note t h a t t h e rook o n hl i s
already well developed.
b) His dynamic pawn
s t r u c t u r e gives him a firm
grip o n t h e centre.
C) White's knights have
s o m e fine s q u a r e s in t h e
c e n t r e to occupy, which
means t h a t they a r e in n o
way inferior to t h e bishops.
a 4 p a 7 14 Qf3! gave
White t h e b e t t e r game in
Vilner - Shukmann, Mos-
c o w 1977.
11 ... QcS! would have
k e p t Black's disadvantage
to a minimum.
12 Qc3 Qb4
13 QgS! me2
14 axe2 Qxc3
IS bc h6
Falkbeer Counter-Gambit 139
17 ... ad s t a t e , e.g. 24 ... a x e 6 25 fe+
18 gad+ a d 7 @e7 26 Q e 3 E h 8 27 g 4 and
19 c 4 f6 White's knight is t h e
Black was, of course, s t r o n g e s t piece o n t h e
worried a b o u t t h e e5- board.
square, b u t now he has ser- 2 4 ... b e 6
iously weakened e6. He is 25 fe+ Ex&!
relying o n his knight t o 26 de+ he6
cover t h i s square from cS.
2 0 @I4
With t h e t h r e a t of 21 c5.
2 0 ... b6
Now Black h a s t h e diff- n fs! QCS
icult decision o f whether to 22 a h 4
leave his king in t h e centre Black's position i s full of
o r castle. holes.
16... Ef8 22 ... gfe8 (139)
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
garten - Kozlov, Baku 1977. t h e rook would leave Black task.
17 Q f 3 in a near hopeless position: 30 W S Ege7
With t h e black king in 23 ... a x e 6 24 fe+ $e7 25 31 (gxgS g f 8
t h e centre, t h i s is much a f S + @f 8 26 c5! 32 Xh2
stronger than Q e 4 . From 23 ... gS! This is passive, b u t 32
f3, t h e knight has the The b e s t chance. Eh7+ @d6 33 Exa7 doesn't
choice of several good 2 4 &6? really o f f e r any chances,
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
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
t a g e can be attributed to advantage. Instead, 24 Qg2! c 4 and Black has a dange-
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
1s g3!7
15 gel+ looks simple and
s t r o n g (15 ... Q e 6 16 c4), b u t
Bronstein was dreaming of
t h e brilliancy prize.
IS ... Qxhl
16 gf cS
To stave off immediate
disaster, Black has to close
t h e a348 diagonal.
17 Q c 4 Qc6
18 a x f 7 bS
19 Qd6+
Of course, White should
n o t b e side-tracked by 19
Qxh8.
19 ... @e7
20 Q x b S Ehf871
Black's b e s t choice was
probably 2 0 ... QxbS 21
QxbS g h d 8 . White doesn't
have to cash in with Qxd7
and Qxc5+ which gives
Black decent drawing
chances; instead he can
keep u p t h e pressure, per-
haps with 22 b3!?. The t e x t
allows White to improve
t h e position of his knight,
with devastating effect.
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
t w o pieces he has suc-
ceeded in getting off t h e
24 Qc77 back rank are both in ser-
Incredibly, Bronstein ious trouble: IS ... @xdS
fails to play 24 E e l which fails to 16 f 5 Qh5 17 g4, 18
wins o n t h e s p o t (24 ... Q f 6 &2+ and 19 Qxb7; 15 ... Q d 7
25 QxcS) . allows 16 Qb5+, so Black
24... ad8 has to try something like 15
25 Qxg7+ @f6 ... h5, b u t then 16 f 5 Qh7 17
26 gf7+ @g6 xbl! forces ... b6 which
27 Be7 Qf6 makes i t extremely difficult
28 Q e 6 Ec8 for Black to develop.
29 b31 13 QgS!
Of course, with t w o 13 c4? Q x f 3 14 gf Q d 7
pawns f o r t h e exchange only leads to equality.
and a strong attack, White 13 ... Qxc~! 7
s t i l l has an extremely good Black i s willing t o waste
position. a tempo in order to play
29... QhS lines similar t o t h o s e in t h e
30 Q g S QdS twelfth move note b u t with
31 Qd3+ a h 6 White's knight o n t h e infe-
32 Qb2 rior gS-square.
White's pair of bishops The alternative is 13 ...
are truly dominant. Tal This is a critical posi- QxdS, a f t e r which 14 0-0-O!
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
32... c4 t h e Falkbeer. Although game, e.g.
33 QfS c3 Black is s u r e to g e t his a) 14 ... Qxa2 15 c 4 b5 16
3 4 Qxc8 cb+ pawn back, he will w a s t e c b a6 17 Qd3!? (Glaskov re-
35 @xb2 g x h 2 time in doing so and when commends 17 @b2) 17 ...
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-

10) Nimzowitsch Counter-Gambit
In recent times, t h i s de-
fence h a s risen f r o m
obscurity to virtual poll
position a m o n g s t t h e de-
fences to t h e King's Gam-
bit. This is n o t so surpris-
ing as t h e Nimzowitsch is
very modern in outlook:
Black i s n o t interested in a
pawn b u t prefers active
piece play. After t h e moves
4 Qc3 ef S Q f 3 Qd6 6 d 4
Q e 7 7 d c Q b x c 6 w e arrive
in t h e main line of t h i s var-
iation. If you have already
studied t h e chapter o n t h e
Modern Defence you will
notice certain similarities
including, sometimes, an
identical pawn structure.
This pawn s t r u c t u r e is, of
course, what compensates
f o r Black's active pieces.
White's 4-2 majority on t h e
queenside should guarantee
him a large advantage in
any endgame.
I should mention t h a t
t h e sudden rise in popular-
ity o f this variation coin-
cided with t h e publication
of a couple of good wins
f o r Black in t h e trend-
setting Informator (so you
know what you have t o
study if you s p o t wins for
Black in there). Let's have a
look at s o m e games.
Game 45
Gallagher - Milovanovic
Liechtenstein 1990
1 e4 eS
2 f4 dS
3 ed c6
4 Qc31
4 d c falls in with Black's
plans. The game Ree -
S h o r t , Wijk aan Zee 1986,
continued 4 ... Q x c 6 S Qb5
ef 6 Q f 3 Qd6 7 d 4 Q e 7 8
Nimzo witsch Coun ter-Gambit 147
0-0 0-0 9 Q a 3 Q g 4 10 Q c 4
Qc7 with a n unclear posi-
tion, very similar t o game
31.
4 H e 2 leads to a roughly
level game a f t e r 4 ... cd! S f e
(5 Hxe5+ Q e 7 6 H x g 7 Q f 6
wins t h e queen; 6 Q f 3 is
b e t t e r when Black h a s
s o m e compensation f o r t h e
pawn) S ... Q c 6 6 Q f 3 Q g 4 7
'&f2!? Q x f 3 8 gf Qe7 (8 ...
a x e s 9 d 4 Q c 6 10 Q c 3 Q e 7
11 Q f 4 with good play f o r
White) 9 H e 2 Qh4+ 10 @dl
a h 6 and, according t o Ban-
giev, t h e position is level.
4 ... cd
More common is 4 ... e f ,
which will b e t h e subject of
subsequent games.
S fe Qd!?
More usual i s S ... d 4 6
Qe4 HdS ( 6 ... Q c 6 7 Q f 3
H d 5 8 Q f 2 QfS 9 Q d 3 Qg6
10 0-0 and Black had noth-
ing to show f o r t h e pawn
in Teichmann - Marshall,
Baden-Baden 1914) 7 Q d 3 (7
d 3 is interesting. The game
Boudre - Flear, Pau 1988,
continued: 7 ... Q c 6 8 Q f 3
Q x e S 9 Qe2 fS?! 10 Q e d 2
&4 11 Q c 4 b 5 12 h 3 b c 13
hg f g 14 d c H d 6 15 0-O! with
good attacking chances f o r
White; 7 H e 2 has a l s o been
suggested b u t a f t e r 7 ...
Qc6 8 Q f 3 Q g 4 9 c 4 H a 5
Black h a s a good game) 7 ...
a c 6 8 H e 2 Q h 6 (maybe
Black should try t o g e t
away with 8 ... a x e s ) 9 Q c 4
H a 5 10 Qf3 Q g 4 11a d 6 + and
White had t h e advantage,
Opocensky - Johner, Ba-
den-Baden 1914.
6 d4
6 Q f 3 i s sensible a f t e r
which 6 ... d 4 7 Q e 4 tran-
s p o s e s t o t h e above note.
6 ... @h4+
7 g3 $xd4
8 Qf4! Qb4!
Black, correctly, doesn't
try to keep his weak d-
pawn b u t instead makes
s u r e t h a t White's pawn
s t r u c t u r e is n o t t o o healthy.
9 Bxd4
9 Qe2 is dubious, e.g. 9
... @e4! 10 Bgl a x e 5 11 &2
Qf3+ 12 Q x f 3 (12 @f2 QcS+)
12 ... B x f 3 13 H d 2 Q e 7 with
a t least equality f o r Black.
9 ... &d4
10 0-0-0 Qxc3
11 bc 4361
For s o m e reason, 1 had
expected 11 ... Q e 6 , b u t t h e
t e x t i s much better. From
c6 t h e knight attacks t h e
e-pawn, prevents an
annoying check o n bS and
doesn't g e t in t h e way of
t h e bishop.
12 g x d S a g e 7
13 a d 6 Qe6
14 Qf3
The e x t r a pawn isn't so
important, b u t Black does
have s o m e weak squares in
his camp f o r White to
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
f o r White) 11 Q x g 4 Qxg4 12
Qd3 (The simple 12 Qe2
would have emphasised the
frailty of Black's position,
e.g. 12 ... Qxf 4 13 e x f 4 Qxe2
14 a x e 2 @e7 IS 0-O! and
Black has a weak d-pawn
and a misplaced king) 12 ...
Qxf4 13 e x f 4 h5 14 0-0 and
White has t h e b e t t e r game,
Gallagher - Nemet, Suhr
1990.
b) 8 ... QxdS occurred in
Gallagher - Fedorov, Sa-
Verne 1990. After 9 Q x d S cd
10 Qxf4 e c 7 11 e f 2 Q c 6 12
Q d 3 Qxf4 13 Q x f 4 Qg4 14
Qe2! E e 8 15 0-0 Qxe2 16
a x e 2 an almost identical
position t o t h e twelfth
move note in 'a' had arisen.
White has a clear advan-
tage.
8 @xe7+ @xe7 (152)
9 QeS
9 Qc4, with t h e idea of
preventing Black from
obtaining a pawn in the
centre and t o create some
threats against f7, is an
interesting alternative.
Black now has:
a) 9 ...QfS 10 0-0 (10 Q e 5
is interesting and led t o an
extremely quick win in
Gallagher - Schmutz, Bern
1990, after 10 ... ge8?! 11
0-0 Qxc2 12 Qxf7! bS 13
Q x d 6 @xd6 14 Qxf4+Qd7 1.5
dc+ 1-0) 10 ... Qxc2 (10 ... cd
11QxdS+ QxdS 12 QxdS a c 6
13 c 3 left Black with a very
weak f-pawn in Cheremisin
- Abelman, Moscow 1956) 11
Eel+ @f8 12 dc! Qxc6 and
now either 13 Q b S Qb8 14
Q e S o r 13 Q e 5 QxeS 14 de
QcS+ 15 @fl lead t o a
White advantage (Glaskov).
b) 9 ... bS! (Black imme-
diately attacks those pieces
which exert control over
dS) 10 Qb3 b4 11 Q e 2 QxdS
12 QxdS cd 13 Qxf4 Qa6 14
Qxd6+ @xd6 15 &3 (15 Q f 4
would have offered better
chances of an edge) 1S ...
Ee8+ 16 @d2 Q c 6 17 Rae1 g6
18 g x e 8 Exe8 19 g e l a x e l
20 @xel f6 with an equal
endgame in J. Polgar -
Breim, Reykjavik 1988.
9 ... QxdS
9 ... QfS can be met by 10
Qc4 transposing t o 'a' in
the previous note, o r by 10
Qxf 4 Qxc2 11 @d2! Qe4 12 dc
Q x c 6 13 Eel Qb4 14 QgS and
Black loses material
(Korchnoi). The text is
more logical.
10 QxdS+ cd
11 Qxf4 (153)
Nirnzo witsch Counter-Gambit 151
The respective pawn
structures offer White
slightly t h e better chances,
but he has t o take care n o t
t o exchange off t h e wrong
pieces. For example, in a
rook endgame, Black's
pawn would be hardly weak
a t all and h e would have a
ready-made minority a t t -
ack. White should try t o
ensure t h a t the light-
squared bishops remain on
the board as his is clearly
the superior piece.
11 ... Qc6
11 ... f 6 is also known to
tournament practice. After
12 a d 3 Q c 6 13 0-0-0 Qxf4+
14 Q x f 4 @d6, White can
obtain t h e better chances
with IS Qe2 QfS (otherwise
this bishop will remain
passive) 16 Qf3 Qe4 17 c4!
a x f 3 18 cS+.
12 0-0-0 Qe6
The game Skrobek - Sy-
dor, Polish Ch 1978 led t o
a slight edge f o r White
after 12 ... f 6 13 Qxc6+ bc 14
g e l + Qe6 15 Qxd6+ @xd6 16
Qd3. White has the super-
ior bishop.
13 c3
White defends d 4 in
order t o develop his bishop
to d3.
13... aac8
13 ... QxeS 14 de Qc5 15
&S+ causes Black pro-
blems, a s after IS ... f6 16
ef+ gf 17 Qf4, White has
two pawn islands against
four f o r Black.
14 Qxc6+
White decides that it is
time t o clarify the situa-
tion.
14... bc
14 ... nxc6 1s Qxd6+ Bxd6
16 Qd3 is another possibili-
ty -
1S Qxd6+ Qxd6
16 Qd3 cS?!
Black was obviously
worried about White fixing
his pawns on light - squares,
b u t - a f t e r 16 ... c5 white's
advantage becomes even
more marked.
17 dc+ QxcS
18 Qc2
The d4-square is very
suitable f o r a white rook,
from where i t will be able
t o keep an eye on all parts
of the board. The bishop is
also well placed on c2
where it has the option of
switching diagonals t o b3,
increasing the pressure on
d5.
18 ... aS
152 Nimzowitsch Counter-Ga
19 E d 4 Qd7
Black manoeuvres his
bishop around to c6 in
order to create s o m e count-
erplay o n t h e e-file.
20 g h d l Qc6
21 b4+?l
Of course, if Black takes
o n b4, t h e connected
passed pawns will decide
t h e outcome. However, 21
b4+ d o e s rather r u s h things
and a more measured
approach, involving soft-
ening u p t h e black king-
side, would probably have
been better.
...
21 ebb
22 ba+ @xaS
23 Qb3
Black h a s now l o s t his
d-pawn, s o it's time t o
activate.
...
23 nhe8
2 4 Bid2
Not 24 QxdS Qa4!, b u t 24
@b2 looks b e s t as i t should
save a tempo o n t h e text.
...
24 Be3
Black keeps in t h e game
by counter-attacking ag-
a i n s t t h e white pawns.
25 @b2 @b6
26 c4!?
White gives u p trying t o
win t h e d-pawn and instead
hopes to take advantage of
t h e exposed position of t h e
black king. 26 a b 4 + was
l e s s committal.
...
26 dc
27 g x c 4 Be7
29 @?a31
White creates mating
chances by covering t h e
b4-square, and if 29 ... Ea8+
t h e n 30 B b 4 and White
hopes t h a t t h e pin on the
c-file combined with t h e
outside passed pawn will
give him s o m e winning
chances.
29 ... fS
This blunders away a
pawn. Black should have
played 29 ... f6.
30 n b 4 + @a7
30 ... @?a6 31 g c S threa-
t e n s Qc4.
31 BcS Qb7
32 Has+ Qd
33 BxfS
With an e x t r a pawn and
t h e more active rooks, the
win is assured. The re-
maining moves were: 33 ...
BcS 34 Ef7+ B8c7 35 n b f 4
Qb7 36 g 3 gxf7?! 37 Exf7
g g 5 38 Qc2 @b6 39 Qxh7
gas+40 @b4 x x a 2 41 h4 g5
42 hS Qc6 43 QfS Ra4+ 44
@b3 BcS 45 h6 g a 8 46 Xc7
Nimzowitsch Counter-Gambit 153
Game 47
Spassky - Zsu. Polgar
Wellington 1988
In t h i s way Black rules
o u t t h e annoying check o n
e2 - his advantage i s on t h e
kingside, so i t i s natural t o
avoid t h e queen exchange
t h a t normally occurs a f t e r
this check.
7 dc
7 Q c 4 will b e seen later.
7 Q d 3 i s interesting and
a f t e r 7 ... 0-0 8 0-0 Q x d S 9
Q x d S cd 10 Q e 5 Q c 6 11
a x c 6 b c 12 &f4 White had
t h e upper hand in J. Polgar
- S. Jackson, Thessaloniki
1988. I t is quite possible
t h a t Black's play can be
improved; 7 ... cd looks
more critical.
7... Qbxc6
8 dS?!
Although this advance is
extremely tempting, if
Black plays accurately s h e
should b e able to exploit
t h e weakness of t h e dark
squares.
8 Q c 4 will be seen later
and 8 Q e 4 should trans-
pose (to 8 Qc4). 8 Q d 3 is a
speciality of t h e Canadian
master ~ a w r e n c e Day. In
his game against Schulte,
Toronto 1988, Black found
an interesting queen man-
oeuvre: 8 ... Q g 4 9 Q e 2
Qxf3 10 gf @as+ 11 c 3 Bg5.
Now White decided to eva-
cuate his king to t h e
queenside with 12 @d2!?.
The position is very comp-
licated b u t Black's chanc-
e s shouldn't be worse.
8... Qb4
9 Q c 4 (156)
9 QbS+ looks logical, b u t
a f t e r 9 ... Qd7 10 Qxd7+
B x d 7 11 0-0 Rd8! Black has
a good came.
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
Not 31 ... QxbS 32 Qe8! pin is the only way for
32 a 4 ad Black to put any real pres-
33 Qe6 @b8 sure on the white position.
Black has almost been Other moves lead t o a bet-
pushed off t h e edge of the t e r game f o r White:
board. a) 9 ... Qf5 10 Qh4! (This
34 QdS Qc7 emphasises the weakness
35 Qc6 $9~8 of f4) 10 ... g c 8 (10 ... Bb6
36 c 4 ad can be met by 11 QdS! as
after 11 ... @xd4+ 12 e x d 4
37 @b7 exb7
38 Qxb7 Q c 7 Q x d 4 13 Qxe7+ Qxe7 14
39 cS bc Q x f S QxfS 1s Qxf4, t h e two
40 b6 Qe6 bishops and queenside
41 QdS Qf8 pawn majority give White
42 Qca 1-0 t h e better game, o r 11 ...
QxdS 12 QxfS!) 11 @hl (Si-
Game 4 8 destepping any Qxd4
Illeacas - Nunn tricks) 11 ... Q b 8 12 Qxf4
Dubai 1986 Q x d 4 13 Q x f 5 QexfS 14 Qd3
(Black's knights are sus-
pended unhappily in the
middle of t h e board) 14 ...
Q e 7 15 Qxb8 g x b 8 16 B h 5
f 5 17 gad1 with advantage
t o White in Hellers - Val-
kesalmi, Thessaloniki 1988.
Black only lasted another
few moves: 17 ... e b 6 18
Qc4+ a h 8 19 Q a 4 @f6 20
Q c 5 e c 6 21 b4 Q x c 2 22 g e 2
H e 4 23 a x e 4 1-0.
b) 9 ... Q g 6 occurred in
t h e game Popovych - Shah-
ade, Philadelphia 1989, but
after 10 Q e 4 QfS 11 Qxd6
@xd6 12 c3 a6?! 13 p 3 Qxd3
14 e x d 3 g f e 8 15 Iqp2 White
had a clear advantage.
10 Q e 4
This is the m o s t natural,
9 ... I$B4 threatening t o take the t w o
This slightly annoying bishops and preparing t o
Nimzowitsch Counter-Gambit 157
solidify d 4 by playing c3.
However, 10 Q e 2 also de-
serves attention, e.g. 10 ...
Q g 6 11 c 3 Qce7?! (11 ... @c7
looks better) 12 &S! @c7
13 @b3 Q c 6 14 Qxf7+! Xxf7
15 @xf7+ @xf7 16 Q x f 7 @xf7
17 Q x f 4 with advantage t o
White, Podgorny - Sevecek,
Corr. 1986.
10 ... Qc7
10 ... x c 8 is a possible
alternative when 11 Q x d 6
e x d 6 leaves White facing
problems with his d-pawn
and o n t h e c-file. Better is
11 c 3 and a f t e r 11 ... Q b 8 12
Qb3 looks best. This pos-
ition has n o t yet occurred
in practice, but experience
would suggest t h a t White
has good chances.
11 c3
White bolsters his
centre, considering t h a t an
advance of his d-pawn
would b e premature.
11 ... QdS?!
This natural-looking
move leads Black into ser-
ious difficulties. 11 ... Q g 6
is similar to games 49 and
so.
12 QcS! gb8
12 ... b6 13 Q a 6 is good
for White.
13 e e l !
This shows very good
understanding of t h e pos-
:tion. White aims f o r a
ueen exchange after which
xck's chances o n t h
kingside will be reduced
and eventually White's
queenside pawn majority
will come into its own.
13 ... Be8
Illescas considered this
t o be a serious error,
offering instead 13 ... g5 as
unclear. However, Mikhal-
chishin pointed o u t in his
article in New in Chess that
White has two interesting
ways t o continue:
a) 14 QxgS @xg5 15 Q e 4
e f 5 16 Qxd5 n b e 8 17 @f2
a x e 4 18 Qxe4 @xe4 19 Qxf 4
Qxf4 20 g x f 4 @xf4 21 Xxf4
Qe6 22 b 3 b5 23 g d l with
a clear advantage t o White.
b) 14 QxdS BxdS 15 Q e 4
Q d 8 16 QfxgS!? QxgS 17
Qxf4 (17 axf4!? QhS 18
eg3!) 17 ... g b e 8 18 $g3
Xxe4 19Bxg4 h6 20 h4 with
a mess.
14 @h4 exh4
14 ... Qxf3 IS @xd8 Ebxd8
16 g x f 3 leaves White clear-
ly on top.
IS -4 Qe3
16 Qxe3 Xxe3
17 gael Xxel
18 Exel (160)
After a series of exchan-
ges the position has clari-
fied and we can now see
t h a t Black is in trouble. I t
is apparent that White has
a mobile pawn majority,
but hard t o imagine that
Rlack has a similar four
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
pawn is f e l t more than
ever. For example, 10 ... 0-0
11 0-0 Qg4 12 Q e 4 (12 Q e 2
looks strong) 12 ... Qc7 13
Q f 2 QhS 14 Qh3!? &f5 15
&d2! and White has the
b e t t e r game, Gallagher -
Brito, Las Palmas 1990. 15 ...
Qxf3 16 g x f 3 gS fails t o 17
Q x g 5 &xgS 19 gg3.
9 0-0 abc6
10 Qb3 Qg4
ll Qe4 Qc7
11 ... a c 8 makes less
sense with the bishop
already a t b3.
12 c3
White could consider
trying t o blow Black away
with 12 dS, b u t after 12 ...
Qb6+ 13 @hl Q d 4 14 d6 Q g 6
he seems overextended.
12 ... Qgs
The knight is more se-
curely placed here than on
d5.
13 h3!?
For 13 Q f 2 , see game 50.
I should just note here
t h a t if t h e bishop had been
on c4, rather than b 3 (i.e. if
Black had n o t played 7 ...
cd), then this continuation
would n o t be possible: 13
h3 Qxf3 14 &xf3 (14 g x f 3
Q(either1eS) 14 ... Qxd4! 15
UhS h e 5 16 &S h6 17 Q x f 7
Q x f 7 18 Qxf4 Qxf4 19 n x f 4
Qe6! and Black defends.
13 ... Qfs
13 ... QhS!? should be met
by 14 &d3, unpinning and
introducing the possibility
of &bS a t an appropriate
moment.
14 QfgS! (163)
From nowhere, White
whips up a nasty attack.
14 ... h6
This is obviously the cri-
tical move, b u t in the game
Gallagher - Almada, Chias-
s o 1991, Black avoided the
complications and chose
instead 14 ... Qxe4 15 Q x e 4
Ee8. Black's idea is that if
he can force White t o move
his knight from e4, he may
be able t o g e t a dangerous
attack with ... f 3 followed
by ... &d6. However, he was
unable t o carry out his
plan: 16 @f3! (Luring Black's
knight t o a dubious square)
16 ... Q h 4 17 &d3 Q e S (17 ...
B e 7 is met by 18 Qxf4) 18
&bS! a6 (18 ... Q g 6 19 QgS!)
19 &dS @xdS 20 QxdS Q d 3
21 g d l ! Q x c l 22 gaxcl
(White just has t o avoid
some tricks t o gain the full
point) 22 ... g e 7 23 Eel
g a e 8 24 @f2! @f8 (24 ... b6?
Nim rzowitsch Coun ter-Gambit 161
25 Qc6! fS 26 Qf6+!) 25 QcS! 21 @xfS+ @g8 22 g3 @dS!
f 3 26 g x e 7 Exe7 27 Qxf3 and Black has a winning
a f 5 28 g 4 and White soon position.
converted his material b) 18 c d @xd4+ 19 Q f 2
advantage. Qd3 20 Ed1 Qb6 21 @f3 ne8!
1s &hS! and Black has a strong
Taking o n f7 would n o t attack.
have offered sufficient C) 18 ag3!!. This incred-
play. ible move seems to give
is ... hs White t h e advantage:
Black has one other very cl) 18 ... Qd3 19 Qxf4!
interesting try, IS ... Qxd4. Qxfl 20 g x f l and White
Now 16 cd &xd4+ is good will eventually emerge with
for Black, and if 16 a d 1 hg 17 an extra pawn.
Exd4 (Or 17 QxgS Qe2+! and c2) 18 ... f g 19 cd &xd4+
wins) 17 ... Qb6, e.g. 18 20 @hi @g8 21 @xfS g f 8 22
QxgS Qxd4+ 19 cd @xd4+ 20 Qe3! with a good game f o r
@hl Qe5 21 Qxf7 Q x f 7 22 White, e.g. 22 ... &d6 23
@xfS &f6 and White &c2 nf2?! 24 Qxf2 gf 25
doesn't have quite enough &b3+ @h7 26 g3 and White
for t h e exchange; s o White defends.
has to play 16 Q x f 7 g x f 7 17 c3) 18 ... &h4 19 cd!
Qxf7+ @xf7 (164). 16 Q x g S a h 8 (165)
A fascinating position 17 axf7! axf7
has arisen where White has 18 &xfS &f6
several possibilities: 19 &xf6!?
a) 18 Qxf4. Opening t h e 19 &g4 leaves White with
f-file should normally be a strong attack, but West-
decisive, b u t Black has a erinen judged that the
tactical defence: 18 ... Qxf4 pawns and the continuing
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
t h e complications arising
from t h e King's Gambit
Accepted and declines in
classical form, immediately
bringing his king's bishop
t o i t s best square.
There are now two main
schemes of development a t
White's disposal. The first
involves a quick c3 and d4,
so as t o build a strong
pawn centre as quickly a s
possible. This can be rather
doubled-edged a s White
may well fall behind in dev-
elopment and have his
centre subjected t o strong
pressure. The second, quiet-
er, method involves bring-
I
e4 e5
2 f4 Qc5
3 Qf3 d6
There are also a couple
of rarely played alterna-
tives:
a) 3 ... Qc6 4 fe ( 4 QxeS
is recommended by Zaitsev,
a s after 4 ... QxeS S d 4
Qxd4 6 B x d 4 @h4+ 7 e f 2
White's t w o bishops give
him the better game. Black
should try 4 ... Q f 6 and
after S Q c 3 0-0 6 fie2 Be8
he has some compensation
for t h e pawn. 4 Q c 3 looks
good a s a f t e r 4 ... d6 S QbS
White has transposed into
a favourable line (see game
54)) 4 ... d6 ( 4 ... QxeS
166 Classical Defence
doesn't work: S Q x e S @h4+
6 g3 a x e $ + 7 He2 H x h l 8 d 4
(Korchnoi and Zak give 8
&6+) 8 ... Q e 7 9 Q f 3 Black
is in serious trouble, e.g. 9
... d6 10 Qe3 QfS 11 Q b d 2
Qxc2 12 Ecl QfS 13 g x c 7 ) S
e d B x d 6 6 c3!. This enables
White t o take s h e l t e r be-
hind a big pawn centre until
he h a s completed his devel-
opment. Khavsky - Ivanov,
Leningrad 1971 continued: 6
... Q g 4 7 d 4 0-0-0 8 Q e 3 fS
9 B c 2 Q x f 3 10 gf Qb6 11 Q d 2
with a clear advantage t o
White.
b) 3 ... dS. This position
can a l s o arise f r o m t h e
Falkbeer Counter-Gambit
Declined: 4 Q x e S Q f 6 ( 4 ...
de? S @hS H e 7 6 Q c 4 i s very
good f o r White) S d 4 Qb6 6
e d @xdS 7 Qe3 Q c 6 8 Q c 3
QaS. Black hopes t h a t his
control of t h e central
white squares will offer
sufficient compensation
f o r t h e pawn. However,
White's next move dashes
t h e s e hopes: 9 Qe2! (170).
170
B S ... e d 6 cd either 6 ... Qg4
Now Black has no time
f o r 9 ... Q e 4 10 0-0 Qxc3
because of 11 Qc4! and a f t e r
9 ... Q x c 3 10 b c @e4 11 @d3
Q x e S 12 f e @xg2 13 0-0-0
White has a considerable
advantage.
4 c3
4 Q c 4 will be t h e subject
of subsequent games.
4 ... a 4
With this pin. Black joins
in t h e struggle f o r d4.
However, a s w e shall see,
White is able to gain t h e
advantage. There a r e a
number of alteratives, of
which 4 ... fS and 4 ... Q f 6
can b e seen in games 52 and
53 respectively. The others
a r e examined below.
a) 4 ... Q c 6 S QbS Qd7 6
d 4 e d 7 cd Qb6 8 0-0 Q f 6 9
Q c 3 0-0 10 @hl. I t is clear
t h a t White's centre is very
s t r o n g and Black always
has to be o n t h e look o u t
against a possible eS.
b) 4 ... Qb6. This prophy-
lactic move is not without
s o m e danger f o r White,
especially if he nai'vely
continues with S d4. After
o r 6 ... Q f 6 gives Black
good play. White has to
play more slowly. S Qd3
merits attention, b u t my
preference is f o r S Qa3.
The knight is bound f o r c4.
from where i t will e x e r t
pressure o n eS, and have
t h e option of removing t h e
annoying bishop. The g a m e
Arnason - I. Sokolov, Han-
inge 1989 continued: S ...
Qf6 6 d 3 Q g 4 7 d 4 fS with
a complex s t r u g g l e in
which Black managed to
hold t h e balance. Instead
of 6 d3, White can try 6 fe.
Now Black has t w o possi-
bilities (of course 6 ...
a x e 4 loses to 7 $a4+):
a) 6 ... Q g 4 7 d 4 d e 8 h3
Qf6 9 Q x e S Q x e 4 10 HhS!
g6 (After 10 ... $f6, White
has t h e s t r o n g reply 11
QbS+. Now 11 ... c6 12 g f l is
good and a f t e r 11 ... Q d 7
White m u s t be careful to
avoid 12 Qxd7+ Q x d 7 13 JJfl
because o f 13 ... @xfl+. 12
E f l immediately is again
s t r o n g ) 11 $h6 and White
s t a n d s clearly better.
b) 6 ... d e 7 Q c 4 Q x e 4 (7
... Q c 6 can b e m e t by 8 d 3
0-0 9 Q x b 6 a b 10 Qe2 with
an edge) 8 Q x b 6 a b 9 @e2
Q f 6 10 e x e s + (How is Black
to escape t h e check?) 10 ...
@e7 11 $xe7+ a x e 7 12 Qc4!?
(White relinquishes t h e bi-
s h o p pair in o r d e r to alle-
viate t h e pressure o n a2) 12
... Qe6 13 Qxe6 a x e 6 14 d 4
(White h a s t h e b e t t e r pawn
s t r u c t u r e a n d t h e black
king might find itself a
little exposed).
The m o r e active 10 ... Qe6
is m e t by 11 QgS. Now 11 ...
Q b d 7 12 a x e 6 a x e 5 13
Classical Defence 167
Qxd8 g x d 8 14 d 4 is good
for White, a s is 11 ... @e7 12
Qxe6. After 11 ... 0-0 12
Qxe6 f e White does n o t
take t h e pawn, b u t plays 13
Qc4! with a good game.
C) 4 ... He7. White can
now follow t h e recommen-
dation of Greco's: 5 d 4 e d 6
cd Qb4+ (6 ... @xe4+ 7 Q f 2
wins for White, e.g. 7 ...
Qb6 8 QbS+ followed by
Eel) 7 Qc3! (If 7 @f2 Qf6! is
rather unclear) 7 ... Qxc3+ 8
bc @xe4+ 9 @f2 with good
attacking chances in return
f o r t h e pawn.
S fe
S h3 should be good
enough f o r an edge.
5... de
6 @a4+!
This idea was discovered
by Frank Marshall and guar-
antees a pleasant middle-
game.
6... Qd7
This is t h e only move as
6 ... @d7 7 QbS c6 8 a x e 5
and 6 ...Q c 6 7 a x e 5 $h4+ 8
g 3 Qf2+ 9 @xf2 @f6+ 10 @gl
BxeS 11 &2 are very good
for White.
7 @c2 Qc6
After 7 ... @e7 White can
play 8 d4. Reti - Barasz, Ti-
misoara 1912, continued: 8 ...
Qd6 8 Q b d 2 Q c 6 10 Q c 4
0-0-0 11 0-0 with advan-
tage to White.
8 b4! Qd6 (171)
9 QeZ
168 Classical Defence
9 Q c 4 is a decent alter-
native, e.g. 9 ... Q f 6 10 d 3
@e7 H 0-0 0-0-0 12 a 4 with
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-
ing variation: 11 ... Q x a 3 12
Qxa3 $xa3 13 b c Qxc6 14
a x e 5 &a4 IS $xa4 Q x a 4 16
Qc4 Q h 6 17 0-0 with
advantage to White. He
a l s o points o u t t h a t if
White wants t o avoid t h e
queen exchange he can play
9 Q a 3 and 10 Q c 4 .
12 Q c 4 f6
Black has to try and hold
t h e eS-point at all costs.
13 0-0 ah6
14 d 4 ahf7
15 a 4 0-0
16 Qxd6!
A t f i r s t sight a strange
move b u t White w a n t s t o
turn his attention towards
t h e a3-f8 diagonal.
16 ... Qxd67
Black should have played
16 ... c d although 17 Qa3 and
18 g a d 1 will still cause him
s o m e problems.
17 Qa3 Q 8 f 7 (172)
Black is not very alert. 17
... b 6 was necessary in
order to take t h e sting o u t
of t h e coming advance.
18 c4! ed
19 CS $xe4
20 Qd3 @e3+
21 a h 1 QxbS
"Desperation. The point
of t h e white combination is
t h a t t h e knight can only
r e t r e a t to c 8 o r e8, in both
cases disconnecting t h e
black rooks. 22 c6 would
then threaten Qxh7+ foll-
owed by Qxf8. After, f o r
instance, 21 ... Qc8 22 c6
E d 8 23 c d t h e situation is
not l e s s hopeless f o r Black
than in t h e game" (Larsen).
22 ab c6
23 Qxh7+ @h8
24 Q h 4 QeS
Classical Defence 169
25 Rae1 @h6 with a b e t t e r ending f o r
25 ... u x a 3 26 E x e s f e 27 Black.
Qg6+ a x h 7 28 Q x f 8 + +wins. S ... de
26 Qg6+ Q x g 6 5 ... f e allows 6 $a4+ 4 3 6
27 Qxg6 Qe8 7 @xe4 d e 8 QbS with a
28 QfS cb good game.
29 c6 b4 6 d4 ed
30 Qcl gS 7 Qc4! (174)
32 c 7 Qc6 White hurries to occupy
33 Be7 1-0 this crucial diagonal. There
is certainly no time f o r 7
Game 52 cd, b u t Glaskov has sug-
-
Gallagher Costa gested 7 eS!? as a n alterna-
Be11990 tive.
7 ... fe!
This is t h e only way f o r
Black to justify his pre-
vious play. If i t is not
sound h e m u s t accept his
This is obviously t h e fate. O t h e r moves have
s h a r p e s t choice a t Black's been tried though:
disposal a n d f r o m now o n a) 7 ... d 3 8 &S! Q f 6 9 e5
t h e game will b e balanced h6 10 Q h 4 gS 11 ef g h 12 h e 5
on t h e edge of a precipice. and White had a very good
S fe game in Spielmann - Ru-
S ef $e7! is difficult f o r binstein, Trieberg 1921.
White; S d 4 is also dubious. b) 7 ... Q c 6 8 b4! Qb6 9
Keres gives 5 ... ed 6 Q c 4 f e $b3 Q h 6 (Black has t o def-
7 Q g 5 d5! (S f e prevents end f7. If 9 ... Q f 6 10 b5
this defence) 8 Q x e 4 d c 9 Q a S 11 Qf7+ @f8 12 Qa3+; o r
@h5+ @f8 10 $xcS+ @e7 9 ... Q g e 7 10 QF7+ @f8 11
170 Classical Defence
0-O!) 10 lEg5 (10 0-0 f e 11
QgS! also gives good
attacking chances) 10 ...
@d6 11 Q b d 2 . Black is going
to c o m e under heavy fire
f r o m White's raging bish-
o p s which keep his king
locked in t h e centre, e.g. 11
... d c 12 @xc3 Q d 4 13 Q x d 4
@xd4 14 @xd4 Q x d 4 15
0-0-0 a n d t h e exchange of
queens has hardly dimi-
nished White's attack.
C) 7 ... Q f 6 . This has been
Black's most popular
choice here, b u t White can
obtain a clear advantage
w i t h o u t any g r e a t difficul-
ty: 8 e5 Q e 4 9 c d Q b 4 + (9 ...
Qb6 10 Q c 3 Q c 6 11 Q e 3 i s
good f o r White) 10 Q d 2 (10
B e 2 h a s a l s o seen t h e light
of day f o r s o m e s t r a n g e
reason) 10 ... Q x d 2 11
Q b x d 2 a n d White i s clearly
better.
8 QgS
I played t h i s a u t o m a t -
ically as I knew t h a t White
was supposed t o take the
rook a n d a f t e r a few ner-
vous m o m e n t s b e a t o f f t h e
attack. As w e shall see, t h e
g a m e didn't g o exactly
according to plan. After-
wards, I f e l t quite down-
hearted (and n o t only be-
cause i t c o s t a big prize). I t
somehow didn't feel right
to b e grabbing pieces and
then fending off a massive
attack. That's n o t why you
play t h e King's Gambit! A
new idea was necessary; s o
my a t t e n t i o n t u r n e d to 8
Q x d 4 ! (175).
White removes Black's
potentially dangerous d-
pawn and, in r e t u r n f o r t h e
s l i g h t material deficit, has
g r e a t attacking chances.
Black i s especially weak on
t h e a2-g8 diagonal as well
as having difficulties on
t h e f-file. The immediate
t h r e a t i s @hS+ and Black
has t w o ways to avoiding
this:
a) 8 ... Q x d 4 9 c d 4326 10
Q e 3 (10 dS Q e S 11 @hS+ can
a l s o b e considered b u t 10
Q e 3 is more flexible) 10 ...
Q f 6 11 0-0 Black h a s prob-
lems completing his devel-
opment, e.g.
al) 11 ... Q g 4 is well m e t
by 12 @b3. Now 12 ... Q a 5 is
bad because of 13 @b5+ cb
14 @e5+; 12 ... Q x d 4 13 B x b 7
Q c 2 1 loses to 14 gxf6! e.g.
14 ... gf 15 @xe4+ o r 14 ...
@dl+ IS g f l o r 14 ... a x e 3 15
@c6+ Qd7 16 @xe4+. Instead
of 13 ... Q c 2 , Black can t r y
13 ... n b 8 , b u t then 14 @xa7
and Black s t i l l can't play 14
... Q c 2 (15 @a4+) whilst his
king remains s t u c k in t h e
centre.
a2) 11 ... Q a S 12 Exfb! (12
Qc3!?) 12 ... Q x c 4 13 @h5+
(13 )3f2?! is n o t m e t by 13 ...
Qxe3? 14 @h5+ winning b u t
by 13 ... Qe6!) 13 ... g6 14
g x g 6 h g 15 @xg6+!. White
undoubtedly h a s a very
dangerous attack, for
example:
a21) 15 ... @ f 8 16 Qh6+
n x h 6 17 @xh6+ @e7 18 @g7+
and a f t e r 18 ... @e8 o r 18 ...
@d6 19 Qc3! brings t h e re-
maining white pieces i n t o
t h e attack.
a22) 15 ... @d7 16 @f7+
@e7 17 @xc4. White has very
g o o d play f o r t h e exchange
with his queenside pieces
a b o u t to e n t e r t h e game. 17
... @h4 i s b a d because of 18
@d5+ @e8 19 @eS+ followed
by 20 Qc3.
a3) Maybe Black s h o u l d
t r y 11 ... &e7, b u t a f t e r 12
Q c 3 Q g 4 13 &a4 w e can s e e
t h a t Black's king will n o t
be very s a f e o n t h e queen-
side a n d 13 ... Qd7 14 QbS!
looks s t r o n g .
b) 8 ... Q f 6 9 &S (This
t h r e a t e n s to t a k e o n f6,
followed by @h5+ a n d is
more precise than 9 0-0,
which a f t e r 9 ... Q c 6 10 Q e 3
QeS! s e e m s good f o r Black)
Classical Defence 171
9 ... Q x d 4 10 c d a c 6 . The
drawback of White's ninth
move i s t h a t he can't de-
fend his d-pawn (Obviously
we're n o t going to r e t r e a t
t h e bishop) and 11 d 5 Q e 5 is
n o t very attractive.
b1) 11 Q x f 6 comes into
consideration and is quite
likely t o e n d in a draw a f t e r
11 ... @xf6 12 @h5+ g6 13
@dS! Q b 4 (13 ... Q x d 4 14
nfl!) 14 @bS+ (14 @xe4+ B e 7
i s a b o u t equal) 14 ... Q c 6 15
@dS.
b2) 11 Qc3!. From the
above variations, it has be-
come apparent t h a t White
has t o invest f u r t h e r mater-
ial to fuel t h e a t t a c k . I t is
very dangerous f o r Black t o
t a k e t h e pawn.
b21) 11 ... e x d 4 12 @xd4!
Q x d 4 13 0-0-0 Q e 6 ( o t h e r
moves a r e n o b e t t e r , e.g. 13
... Q f S a l l o w s 14 Q x e 4 and
13 ... c5 14 Qxf6 gf 15 a x e 4
is very g o o d f o r White) 14
Qxf6 gf 15 Q x e 4 and White
is close to winning.
b22) 11 ... Q x d 4 i s well
m e t by 12 0-0 with nasty
t h r e a t s of 12 Qxf6 and 12
Qxe4.
I t i s a l s o difficult to find
a good move f o r Black if he
doesn't t a k e on d4. 11 ...
Q a 5 and 11 ... Q g 4 , f o r
example, b o t h l o s e at once
t o 12 Qxf6.
1 think t h a t we can con-
clude t h a t 8 Q x d 4 o f f e r s
172 Classical Defence
White good chances f o r t h e
advantage, whilst eagerly
awaiting s o m e practical
tests.
8 ... Qf6
8 ... e 3 is refuted by 9
Qf7+ &f8 10 Q x g 8 @xgS 11
0-0+ QfS 12 cd!
9 Qf7 @e7
10 Qxh8 (176)
S o White has won his
rook, b u t Black's pieces a r e
very active and his central
pawns menacing. Neverthe-
less, theory considers t h e
position as very good f o r
White, b u t I think this
game will change t h a t ass-
essment.
It is worth noting t h a t if
White plays 10 cd, Black
can achieve a good game by
10 ... Qb4+ 11 Qc3 Qf8 12
QeS Qg4!
10 ... ad
O t h e r moves seem to
lead t o a good game f o r
White:
a) 10 ... d 3 11 &S Qf2+ 12
@xf2 @c5+ 13 Qe3 H x c 4 14
h3 Q e 6 IS Q d 2 &dS 16 g 4
Q c 6 17 c 4 &d7 18 gS Q g 4 19
&fl! and White is winning,
S t o l t z - Spielmann, Stock-
holm 1932.
b) 10 ... &4 11 @b3 Q b d 7
12 H x b 7 E b 8 13 @c6 d 3 14
b4! (Korchnoi).
as
11
This looks very natural,
preventing 11 ... &4, b u t
a f t e r Black's n e x t move
White i s in s o m e trouble.
Probably t h e b e s t move is
11 Q f 7 . This was pointed
o u t to m e by my wife! As I
s a t huddled over the
chessboard, desperately
trying t o repair t h e var-
iation, s h e strolled by, baby
on o n e arm, and remarked
"Why don't you take t h a t
knight o u t of t h e corner?"
And indeed, t h e move does
have i t s points: firstly, and
m o s t importantly, i t covers
t h e eS-square; secondly, it
prevents Black from cast-
ling; and thirdly, t h e knight
may b e able t o hop o u t one
day, leaving White a whole
rook up.
On t h e minus side how-
ever, time is being s p e n t
which could have gone to-
wards development, and
t h e knight is a l s o much
more vulnerable to immed-
iate capture o n f7. Let's
have a look a t s o m e con-
crete variations.
a) 11 ... d 3 12 b4! (177)
This crucial move take:
away t h e cS-square f r o m
Black. The importance of
t h i s can be seen from t h e
following variation: 12
&S?! Qf2+! 13 @xf2 @cS+ 14
Qe3 (14 @g3) 14 ... @xc4
with a dangerous a t t a c k
f o r Black. After 12 b4!
Black has:
all 12 ... Q x b 4 . This fails
to 13 c b Qxb4+ 14 Qd2 e3 15
@a4+ Q d 7 16 Qxb4!. White is
now so many pieces up t h a t
he will hardly notice re-
turning a few to defuse t h e
attack.
a2) 12 ... Q g 4 13 @b3 Qb6
14 a4!. After studying t h i s
position f o r s o m e time, I
came to t h e conclusion
t h a t White can't really dev-
elop very effectively a n d
is b e t t e r o f f creating a few
t h r e a t s of his own o n t h e
queenside. White has taken
over t h e initiative which
ensures t h a t Black doesn't
have enough play f o r t h e
rook. 14 ... a6 15 aS Q a 7 16
bS confirms this assess-
ment.
Classical Defence 173
b) 11 ... &4! 12 @b3 Qb6!.
Black calmly takes a time
o u t in order t o protect b7.
In doing s o , he has also
created t h e annoying t h r e a t
of ... Qa5. If Black can win
t h e knight o n f7, he will
clearly have very good play
f o r a mere exchange.
Moves s u c h as 13 0-0 and
13 LEgS can b e discarded be-
cause of ... &5, e.g. 13 0-0
d3+ 14 @hl Qa5 1s @a4+ Qd7
16 QbS c6 with advantage t o
Black. 13 Q g S can also be
met by 13 ... QaS!. This
leaves White with:
bl) 13@bS!?. Black should
now play 13 ... d3! (178) (13
... a6 14 e g 5 Q a 5 15 QeS!).
How is White to contin-
ue? One of t h e main worr-
ies is t h a t Black is now
threatening to play e3, a s
Qxd3 l o s e s t h e knight on
f7. 14 Qe3 i s an interesting
a t t e m p t to blockade t h e
pawns, b u t a f t e r 14 ... b e 3
15 Hxb7 E b 8 16 &xc6+ Qd7
17 Hxc7 Exb2 Black's attack
is w o r t h at Least a draw,
174 Classical Defence
e.g. 18 Q b 3 g e 2 + 19 @dl (19
@fl) 19 ... &4! with a mur-
derous attack; 14 Q g S all-
o w s Black t o c a s t l e with
a good game; 14 @gS e3 15
Qxd3 (15 @xg7 d2+ 16 Q x d 2
ed++ 17 @xd2 Qe3+ 18 @c2
QfS+ 19 @b3 &S+ and Black
i s winning) 1s ... @xf7 and
t h e attack will continue;
another idea i s 14 Q f 4 e 3 15
Q e 5 b u t 15 ... d2+ 16 Q x d 2
ed+ 17 @xd2 0-0-0+ is
strong. S o 13 @bS doesn't
seem to solve White's prob-
lems.
b2) 13 @a3! appears t o b e
White's s t r o n g e s t , with t h e
idea of 13 ...QcS 14 @b3 and
a draw by repetition (Not 14
b4? Q x b 4 ) . Black can play
f o r a win with 14 ...@d7 b u t
this would b e risky because
White's position has clearly
been improved by t h e t w o
little queen moves.
11 ... QeS
12 cd
I certainly underestim-
ated Black's reply when I
played this, b u t t h e Keres
recommendation (12 Qxf6)
doesn't look s o h o t either:
12 Qxf6 and now:
a) 12 ... g f ? 13 @h5+ @fa
14 Q g 6 + Q x g 6 1.5 @dS! with
a good game f o r White.
b) 12 ... @xf6 (Keres
didn't consider this natural
move) (179).
13 @hS+ (13 E f t @h4+ 14
g3 @xh2 looks terrible f o r
Classical Defence 175
open files. But even a f t e r 16 20 @xc3 @e2+ 21 @gl is an-
@d2 Q c S 17 @dl 0-0-0 other false trail: a f t e r 21 ...
Black has a tremendous Q e 4 White can defend with
attack. 22 @el and a f t e r 21 ... Qc6
16 ... ed+ with 22 @d2.
17 @fl 20 Q e 4 Xxf7
Forced, a s 17 @d2 Qxc3+ Even if Black had fallen
18 b c Q e 4 + wins. into my trap, he would
17 ... 0-0-0 probably still win: 20 ...
18 Q f 7 (180) @xe4 21 Q d 6 + @b8 22 Q x e 4
Only now 1 realised t h a t Q x e 4 + 23 @el Qf2.
White) 13 ... g6 14 @xh7 (14 my intended 18 E e l l o s t to 21 Qd6+
Qf7+ doesn't work; 14 ... 18 ... @cS! A quicker exit would
@e7 15 Qxg6 and now not 15 have been 21 Qxf6 g x f 6 + 22
... hg 16 @xeS+ b u t 15 ... dc!) Q x f 6 @e2 mate.
14 ... dc! 15 x f l (15 Q x c 3 21 ... @xd6
@f2+ 16 @dl &4+ 17 @cl 22 @xf7 @cS!
0-0-0 is crushing) IS ... The r e s t i s a massacre.
Q f 3 + (Even IS ... c b 16 x x f 6 23 Q h 4 @fS+
ba=@ probably gives White 24 @el @e4+
no more than perpetual 25 @d2 Q&+
check) 16 gf (16 a x f 3 ef isn't 0-1
better) 16 ... cb. White has
no mate, e.g. 17 Qf7+ @d8 Game 53
18 @g8+ @d7 19 @e8+ @d6 18 ... Bf8! -
Gallagher Dzevlan
20 @fa+ B e 7 and Black Very logical, b u t there Royan 1989
wins. were a couple of ways t o
12 ... &4! g o wrong, e.g. 18 ... @cS 19
12 ... Qb4+ 13 Q c 3 Q x c 4 Qxd8! @f5+ 20 @el @f2+ 21
14 0-O! clearly favours @dl Qg4+ 22 @cl and White
White. is in t h e game; 18 ... Qe6 19
13 @a4+ Qd7 gel! was t h e other trick.
14 @b3 Qxd41 19 @c4
There is now no way t o Unfortunately, exchang-
prevent ... Qd3+ and 15 ing queens by 19 Eel @xf7
@xb7 Qc6 16 QbS @b4+ wins 20 @xf7 g x f 7 only acceler-
f o r Black. a t e s t h e end.
15 Q c 3 Qd3+ ...
19 Qb61
16 Qxd311 The final nail in t h e cof-
After this capture the fin. 19 ... @xf7 would b e a
white king is left stranded serious mistake on account
in t h e centre surrounded by of 20 @xd4 and 19 ... Qxc3
176 Classical Defence
The m o s t popular way of
combatting t h e c3-system.
The e-pawn is pressurised,
b u t w i t h o u t t h e risk in-
volved with 4 ... fS.
S d4
White h a s a major alter-
native here; S f e d e and
now:
a) 6 d 4 e d 7 c d Q b 4 + (7 ...
a x e 4 8 d c @xdl+ 9 @xdl
Q f 2 + 10 @c2! Q x h l 11 Q e 3 i s
good f o r White) 8 Q d 2 @e7
9 Qd3! (An improvement o n
9 eS Q d S 10 Q c 3 Qe6 when
Black h a s a firm grip o n
t h e c e n t r e ) 9 ... Q x e 4 10
Qxe4 @xe4+ 11 @f2 Qxd2 12
Q b x d 2 @d3? (This i s a ser-
ious error: 12 ... @dS would
have l e f t a n unclear situa-
tion o n t h e board) 13 g e l +
Qe6 14 @a4+ c6 15 @b4! Q d 7
16 @xb7 0-0 17 @xc6 a n d
Black didn't have enough
for t h e pawn in S. Polgar -
Flear. Brussels 1987.
b) 6 a x e 5 0-0 (6 ... @e7 7
d 4 Qd6 8 Q f 3 a x e 4 9 Qe2
0-0 10 0-0 c5 a n d now Gla-
skov's suggestion of 11 Q d 3
was tried o u t in t h e g a m e
Thinat - Garie, Corr. 1990.
After 11 ... cd 12 E e l f 5 13 c d
Q d 7 14 Q c 3 Q d f 6 15 Q g 5
@f7 16 Qxf6 Q x c 3 17 b c
@xf6 18 @b3+ a h 8 19 Q e 5
b6, W h i t e could have
gained a clear advantage
with 2 0 @dS! e.g. 20 ... g b 8
21 Q c 4 Q b 7 22 Q f 7 + @g8 23
@xd6 winning) 7 d 4 Qd6
8 Q f 3 Q x e 4 9 Q d 3 g e 8 10
0-0 h6 11 Q b d 2 Q f 6 12 Q c 4
(Tartakower - Schlechter,
St. Petersburg 1909) and
now 12 ... Q c 6 would have
given Black an equal game.
S ... ed
S ... Qb6?! 6 f e d e 7 Q x e S
0-0 i s a dubious sacrifice,
a s t h e continuation of t h e
game J. Polgar - Sharif,
Brussels 1987, showed: 8
&S! cS 9 d c @xdl+ 10 @xdl
QxcS 11 Qxf6 gf 12 Q f 3 and
Black's bishops d o n o t fully
compensate for t h e pawn.
6 cd Qb4+
Also possible i s 6 ... Qb6,
maintaining pressure o n d 4
and offering s o m e tactical
possibilities against the
white centre. Play can con-
tinue 7 Q c 3 0-0 8 es!
(White has t o play t h i s
advance now, a s otherwise
every o n e of Black's natural
developing moves, ... Q c 6 ,
... Qg4 a n d ... Ee8, will
bring further pressure
against t h e centre, forcing
him forward under l e s s fav-
ourable circumstances) 8
... d e 9 f e Q d S 10 Q g 5 Q x c 3
(10 ... f 6 11 Qc4! c6 12 ef gf
13 Q h 6 ge8+ 14 @f2 was
clearly b e t t e r f o r White in
S u t t l e s - Addison, USA Ch
1965) 11 b c (182).
11 ... @e8 (This move has
been awarded a n exclama-
tion mark in a number of
previous books, b u t in f a c t
it probably l o s e s by force.
Better is 11 ... @dS b u t
White s t i l l has a g o o d
game, e.g. 12 Q d 3 h6 13 c4!
a n d White's c e n t r e i s very
s t r o n g o r 12 ... Q g 4 13 @c2!)
12 Q d 3 f 6 (183).
Previous c o m m e n t a t o r s
have only given 13 Q f 4 Q g 4
with a g o o d g a m e f o r
Black, b u t a f t e r 13 0-O!
White's a t t a c k is decisive,
...
e.g. 13 f g 14 Q x g 5 . White
has s t r o n g t h r e a t s on t h e
a2-g8 diagonal, along t h e
f-file a n d a g a i n s t h7. Black
has several defensive tries:
a) 14 ... Qe6 15 Qxh7+ @h8
16 @hS!! a n d Black can re-
sign.
Classical Defence 177
b) 14 ... h6 IS @b3+ @ha 16
Qxf8+ B x f 8 17 Q f 7 + @g8 18
Q x h 6 + + a h 8 19 Qfl @e8 20
&6! Qe6 21 @xe6! winning.
C) 14 ... g 6 15 @b3+ @g7
(IS ... a h 8 16 E x f 8 + @xf8 17
n f l QfS (17 ... @e8 18 Xf7)
18 QxfS gf 19 @e6 i s crush-
ing) 16 Qxf8 @xf8 17 a f l
winning.
d) 14 ... Bxfl+ 15 Wxfl h6
(or 15 ... &16 Q c 4 + a n d 17
@f6+ wins; IS ... Qe6 of
course a l l o w s 16 a x e 6 and
17 Qc4; 15 ... @e7 can b e m e t
by 16 Qc4+ (16 Qxh7+!? @h8
17 Qg6 a l s o looks s t r o n g )
16 ... a h 8 17 @f7 B x f 7 (17 ...
@d8 18 @hS wins) 18 Q x f 7 +
@g8 19 Q d 6 + and White is
winning) 16 Qc4+ a h 8 17
Q f 7 + a h 7 18 @d3+ g6 19
@e3! @ f 8 (If 19 ... g 5 20 n f l
with t h e idea of E f 6 wins)
20 Q f l @g7 21 Qxh6! and
White wins.
Black doesn't f a r e much
b e t t e r if he declines t o t a k e
o n ~ 5 e .z . 13 ... f e 14 LhxeS!
e x & ' 15- g x f 8 + axfY8 16
@fl+! @g8 17 Qel! and White
wins. Maybe Black can try
13 ... h6 b u t his kingside is
in t a t t e r s , e.g. 14 &f4 f e 15
Q x e S E x f 4 loses t o 16 n x f 4
@xeS 17 Ee4! with t h e idea
of ne8+.
7 Qd2 Qxd2+
8 Q b x d 2 (184)
8 ... @e7
In t h e game J. Polgar -
Djuric, Adelaide 1986187,
178 Classical Defence
Black played 8 ... 0-0 and
a f t e r 9 Q d 3 Q c 6 10 0-0 Q b 4
11 Q b l cS 12 a 3 Q c 6 13 dS
Q e 7 14 a 4 t h e players have
arrived in a s t r a n g e sort of
Benoni. The position fav-
o u r s White as Black will
find i t difficult to achieve
any queenside counterplay.
9 Qd3
9 e c 2 i s an interesting
alternative, e.g. 9 ... Q f S 10
Q d 3 Q x e 4 11 Q x e 4 dS 12
0-0-0 a x e 4 13 a x e 4 d e 14
Hhel fS (Hay - Shaw, Aust-
ralia 1970). Estrin now gives
15 g4! g 6 16 gf gf 17 dS! with
a d a n g e r o u s initiative f o r
White.
9 ... 0-0
9 ... Q d S leads nowhere
a f t e r 10 g3; 9 ... Q x e 4 10
a x e 4 d 5 11 0-0 d e 12 Q x e 4
0-0 13 H c 2 i s p l e a s a n t f o r
White, b u t t h i s might b e
Black's b e s t c o u r s e of
action.
10 0-011 (185)
This careless move
allows Black to complicate
t h e issue. Instead, 10 @e2
Classical Defence 179
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
17 ... @a5 18 b4! will c o m e
to t h e s a m e thing.
10 ... QdS! 18 gal!
This move, which I'd The queen is forced f r o m 4 ... Qc6
completely overlooked, was c o n t r o l of dS. 4 ... Q f 6 i s t h e subject of
played instantly by my 18 ... @xb2 games 55 and 56; and 4 ...
opponent. 19 QdS! g6 Q g 4 has a l s o been tried,
11 ed A very s a d move to have b u t S Q a 4 looks promising
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
... 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
forced. 21 gab1 White to exchange o f f
11 ... @e3+ Now driving t h e queen Black's bishop in t h i s fash-
12 Eghl &cd3 off t h e long diagonal. ion. Hebden - Schaerer.
13 Bcl Qd7! 21 ... @a2 Lugano 1984 now contin-
Now 14 Bxc7 Q f 6 leaves 22 dS 1-0 ued: 5 ... ef 6 d 4 Q x f 3 7 gf
White in bad shape. Sud- After 22 ....@xf6 23 @c3+ @h4+ 8 B e 2 Qb6 8 Q x b 6 a b
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
way to hold my position 25 @h3 m a t e ) 24 g f e l + @d7 White's t w o bishops and
together. 25 e f 6 . s t r o n g c e n t r e compensate
14 Qc41 B e 4 7 f o r t h e pawn. If White
Black's s e n s e of danger Game 5 4 doesn't wish to play in s u c h
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-
... @xdl IS n f x d l Q f 6 16 Q e 3 London 1987 commended.
E e 8 17 E d 3 Be7 t h e chances s QbS!
a r e a b o u t equal. White's 1 e4 eS This s h o w s up Black's
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.
compensates f o r his bad 3 Qf3 d6 s ... 19P7
pawn s t r u c t u r e . 4 Qc3 (186) If Black allows his pawn
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
16 @d3 Qf67 move o r d e r if White plans White would have a com-
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 ...
180 Classical Defence
Q g 4 6 Qxc6+ b c 7 f e d e 8 h3
Q x f 3 9 @xf3 with a clear
advantage f o r White in
Schlechter - Tietz, Carls-
bad 1906.
6 Qa4 Qb6
7 Q x b 6 ab
8 d 3 (187)
White h a s a small advan-
tage, b u t also a simple pos-
ition to play. The advance
f2-f4 is responsible f o r t h e
larger p a r t of this advan-
tage, giving White more
space and pressurising
Black's centre.
8 ... @e7?!
Black s t a r t s to think
about castling long, b u t his
king will never b e s a f e o n
t h e queenside. I t was bet-
ter to play 8 ... a g e 7 9 0-0
0-0 10 fS f6 11 Qc4+ @h8 12
c3 with an edge for White
in Capablanca - Molina,
New York 1906.
9 0-0 Qf6
10 ah1 h6
White is playing useful
moves, whilst Black is dith-
ering over w h a t t o d o with
Classical Defence 181
his king. 12 Q x b 6 a b 13 0-0 Q c 6 (13
I1 @el 0-0-O?! ... Q x e 4doesn't work this
Wherever he g o e s he will time because of 14 a d 4 ! ;
be followed, b u t there were maybe 13 ... Q b d 7 is best)
more chances of with- 14 bS Q e 7 15 @b3 @d7 16
standing a kingside on- Q d 4 dS and now according
slaught. to Kavalek 17 &S! would
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
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
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!
board. However, Black's clear position. The game Q d 4 (Or 8 ... Q a S 9 Q x f 6 +
next move is responsible Chigorin - Mieses, O s t e n d @xf6 10 g4!) 9 Q x d 4 Q x d 4
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
18 ... bS? ... c6 6 f e d e 7 B e 2 Q b d 7 8 @hS with a clear advantage
19 QxbS! cb d 3 bS 9 Q b 3 a5 10 a4! b 4 11 for White in Hebden -
20 g a 7 1-0 Q d l Qa6 12 Q e 3 with t h e Martinovsky, London 1986.
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-
... 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-
Qxd6. transposes to t h e f o u r t h ample, 7 ... 0-0 (7 ... h6 8
game of t h e same S h o r t - fS!) 8 f5 Qf2+ 9 @fl Qe3+ 10
Game SS Speelman match. Play cont- Qxe3 Qxe3 11 h 4 with a
Balashov - Matanovic inued: 7 ... ef (7 ... 0-0 8 dangerous attack.
Skopje 1970 a a 4 is good f o r White) 8 C) 6 ... Q a S 7 @e2!? (7
Q x f 4 0-0 9 Qa4! Qb4+!? Qb3) 7 ... 4 3 x 4 8 d c
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
2 f4 QcS White is to g e t t h e bishop has quite a cramping effect
3 Qf3 d6 he'll have to weaken his o n t h e black position) 8 ...
4 Qc3 Qf6 queenside in t h e process. @e7 (maybe 8 ... ef is b e s t )
s Qc4 (188) Of course, 9 ... Q x e 4 10 d e 9 fS Q b 4 10 Qd2 Qd7 11
5 ... Qc6 g x f 4 11 Q x c S wins f o r 0-0-0 with advantage to
In t h e second game of White) 10 c 3 Qa5 11 b 4 Qb6 White in Alekhine - Grin-
182 Classical Defence Classical Defence 183
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,
184 Classical Defence
Black i s willing t o w a s t e
a tempo, in o r d e r to give a
r e t r e a t s q u a r e to his bish-
OP
7 Rfl!?
There i s something very
unaesthetic about this
move, b u t nevertheless i t i s
an interesting novelty.
White a c c e p t s t h e f a c t t h a t
a f t e r 6 ... a6 he h a s l i t t l e
hope of castling kingside,
b u t he s t i l l w a n t s early
play o n t h e f-file. There a r e
several alternatives:
a) 7 fS!? h6 (7 ... Q d 4 8
&S (8 a d s ! ? ) 8 ... c6 9
Q x d 4 Q x d 4 10 @f3 with a
p l e a s a n t g a m e f o r White) 8
a d 5 Q a S 9 @e2 bS 10 Q b 3
Q x b 3 11 Q x M + @xf6 12 a b
Q b 7 13 Qe3 Qxe3 14 @xe3
0-0-0 15 c4! with a n edge
f o r White in Gallagher -
Davidovic, Szolnok 1987.
b) 7 &S!? (The s t a r t of a
r a t h e r c r u d e a t t a c k ) 7 ...
0-0 8 fS bS 9 Qxf7+ (Consi-
s t e n t ) 9 ... g x f 7 10 Qxf7
@xf7 11 &S (11 g 4 ) 11 ... Q e 7
12 B f 3 Qb7 13 0-0-0 c6 14
g 4 @g8 1.5 @bl Qb6 16 Qcl
g f 8 w i t h a n unclear posit-
ion, H e r g o t t - Reyes, Dubai
1986.
C ) 7 f e d e 8 Q g S h6 9 Q x f 6
(Glaskov points o u t t h a t 9
Q h 4 i s m e t by 9 ... Q e 6 and
a f t e r 10 Q d S gS!) 9 ... @xf6
10 Q d S @d6 11 @d2 Q e 6 with
a roughly equal game.
7 ... ef
Classical Defence 185
7 ... Q g 4 has a l s o been 23 Q e 3 struggling t o defend all his
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
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
d e (Bangiev - Weigend, Corr. has t h e edge d u e t o his Black winning a long end-
1985/86) 12 @xg7! White superior king position. ing i s n o t really w h a t t h i s
could have gained a clear 23... Be7 book i s a b o u t , t h e remain-
advantage. 2 4 @3 bS ing moves a r e given in
8 Qxf4 QaS 25 @.I4 gac8 brief: 3 0 ... BcS?! 31 E d 2
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
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
11 Q h 4 Qe6 counterplay on t h e queen- Qe5 36 a b 3 ? ! (Better was 36
After 11 ... c6, Bangiev side. g f 6 + @d7 37 Qe3) 36 ... a 5
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
g o o d game. 27 d c g b 8 40 Q c 2 Qbl 41 g h S Xgl
12 @d3 If White doesn't make 42 g x h 4 Rxg2 4 3 Q e 3 Ea2
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
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
favourable f o r White. position. g f S g h 3 49 RgS @e6 SO 8 g 8
12 ... XI58 27 ... Qxc6+ Q e S 51 a x e 5 a x e 5 52 g g S +
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
break t h e pin a n d t h e 29 b3 bc SS aS g x h 2 + 56 @dl? @d3 57
immediate 12 ... g5 allows 30 bc @el Be3 58 ne8+ a f 3 59 a6
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
13 0-0-0 gS a n exchange of minor &dl Re7 6 3 a d 2 @e4 6 4 B e 2
14 Q f 2 pieces would leave Black d 4 0-1.
Bangiev criticises t h i s
move, preferring 14 Qg3
with t h e idea of e5.
14 ... Qxf 2
is E x f 2 g4!
16 a d 4 Qd7
17 Q d S @gS+
18 @d2!? QxdS?
This leaves Black t o o
weak on t h e kingside. Ban-
giev gives 18 ... 0-0-0 19
QfS n h 8 20 Q f e 3 Bde8 a s
unclear.
19 c d QeS
20 Q f S Xh8
21 E d f l @xd2+
22 a x d 2 hS

12) Second Move Alternatives
Game 57
Bronstein - Yusupov
USSR 1981
I e4 eS
2 f4 Q f 6 (192)
This counter-attacking
move h a s never a t t r a c t e d a
great following, a s t h e b e s t
t h a t Black can hope f o r is
transposition t o t h e Schal-
lop Defence.
2 ... @h4+ is t h e subject
of game 58.
2 ... d 6 is extremely pas-
sive and is only likely t o be
played by devotees of t h e
Philidor Defence. White has
no particular difficulty in
achieving a pleasant posit-
ion with a space advan-
tage. Here a r e a couple of
examples a f t e r 3 Qf3:
a) 3 ... Q d 7 4 d 4 Q g f 6 S
f e a x e 4 6 Qd3 d5 7 Qc3!?
Q x c 3 8 b c Qe7 9 0-0 0-0 10
@el n e 8 11 H g 3 Qf8 12 &S
f6 13 ef Qxf6 14 Qd2 cS 15
gxf6! @ i f 6 16 n f l He7 17
g x f 8 + @xf8 18 @f3+ @g8 19
Qxh7+ a h 8 20 @hS Q g 4 21
@h4 @f6 22 &6+ a g 8 23
Qf7+ S f 8 24 e x g 4 B e 4 25
Q h 7 + @xf7 26 Q x f 6 g x g 4
27 Q x g 4 with a winning
endgame f o r White in
Vritsky - Lepman, Simfe-
ropol 1986.
b) 3 ... Q c 6 4 d 4 e d 5
Q x d 4 Q f 6 a c 3 Q d 7 7 Qe3
Qe7 8 @d2 0-0 9 0-0-0 a6
10 Qe2 @a8 11 h3 Q x d 4 12
Qxd4 Qc6 13 Q f 3 g d 8 14 g 4
with a clearly b e t t e r posi-
tion f o r White, Shikova -
Honfi, Plovdiv 1980.
3 433
3 f e is also playable. The
game Fischer - Wade, Vin-
kovci 1968, continued: 3 ...
Qxe4 4 Q f 3 QgS S d4
Q x f 3 + 6 @xf3 @h4+ 7 @f2
@xf2+ 8 @xf2 Q c 6 9 c 3 d6
10 e d Qxd6 11 a d 2 Qe6 12
Q e 4 Qe7 13 Q g S QxgS 14
QxgS with a better
endgame f o r White.
3 ... Qxe4
Black can play 3 ... dS
and a f t e r 4 f e Qxe4 ( 4 ... d e
5 ef ef 6 e x f 3 Qc6 7 QbS
H x f 6 8 @xf6 gf 9 d4! gives
White a good game) 5 d 3
Qc5 w e transpose back to
t h e game.
3 ... ef i s t h e Schallop
Defence.
4 fe
After 4 @e2, Black
should avoid 4 ... Q c 5 5 d 4
Q e 6 6 fS! winning. Better is
4 ... d5.
4 ... dS
S d3 QcS
6 d4 Qe6 (193)
I @xdS 14 Q c 4 @e4+ 15 B e 2
6 ... Q e 4 is dubious a s
Black would soon b e forced
to exchange i t o f f , a t t h e
same time assisting White's
development, e.g. Rohde -
Martz, Lone Pine 1977, con-
tinued: 7 a d 3 (7 c4) 7 ... Qe7
8 0-0 0-0 (8 ... c5 9 c 4 i s
good f o r White) 9 QbdZ!
Q x d 2 10 Qxd2 cS?! 11 d c
QxcS+ 12 @hl &4 13 @el
Second Move Alternatives 187
Q c 6 14 Qxh7+! winning.
7 c41
It's important to gain
some space o n t h e queen-
side and to place dS under
s o m e pressure.
7 ... Qb4+
7 ... c6 8 Q c 3 Qe7 9 Qe3
0-0 10 @d2 b6 11Q d 3 Q a 6 12
c d cd 13 Ed1 led to a good
game f o r White in Brons-
tein - Holmov, Vilnius 1975.
8 Qd2 Qxd2+
9 @xd2 c6
10 Qc3 0-0
I1 Ecl Qc77
Black has s p e n t five
moves wandering around
with t h i s knight only to
end up o n c7. 11 ... b6 fol-
lowed by ...Qa6 would have
been a b e t t e r try.
12 c d cd
12 ... Q x d S seems more
logical, b u t a f t e r 13 Q x d S
@xe2+ 16 a x e 2 White has a
very active position.
13 Q d 3
Black's kingside is be-
ginning t o look decidedly
shaky.-
13 ... &4
14 QgS! fS
This is forced as 14 ... h6
loses to IS Qh7! n e 8 16
0-0 intending Qf6+.
IS h3
15 0-0 would have been
even stronger, f o r example:
15 ... h6 16 QxdS! Q x d S 17
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

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1 15 West 18th Street, New York,
New York 10011.