Unorthodox Chess Openings by Eric Schiller

UNOR7BODOX
CRESS
OPENINGS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eric Schiller, widely considered one of the world's foremost chess analysts,
writers and teachers, is internationally recognized for his definitive works on
openings. He is the author of 77 chess books including definitive studies of
many chess openings and more than two dozen USCF (United States Chess
Federation) best-sellers.
His major works include the prestigious Batsford Chess openings with World
Champion Carry Kasparov and Grandmaster Raymond Keene, and Cardoza
Publishing's definitive series on openings,
World Champion Openings, Standard
Chess Openings, and Unorthodox Chess Openings an exhaustive and complete
-
opening library of more than 1700 pages! He's also the author of Gambit
Opening Repertoirefor White, Gambit opening Repertoirefor Black, and multiple
other chess titles for Cardoza Publishing. (For updated listings of all chess
titles published by Cardoza Publishing, go online to www.cardozapub.com, or
for those books and more by Eric Schiller, to www.chessworks.com)
Schiller has provided major content for Mindscape's ChessMaster 5000,
Electronic Art's Kasparov's Gambit, and his own multimedia chess title (Zane
Publishing), Dr. Schiller Teaches Chess.
Eric Schiller is a National and Life Master, an International Arbiter of
F.I.D.E., and the official trainer for many of America's top young players. H e
has recently been appointed a s official coach o f America's best players under
18 to represent the United States at the Chess World Championships. He has
also presided over world championship matches dating back to 1983, runs
prestigious international tournaments, and been interviewed dozens of times
in major media throughout the world. His games have been featured in all the
leading journals and newspapers including the venerable New York Times.
NEW CARDOZA PUBLISHING BOOKS BY ERIC SCHILLER
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UNORTHODOX CHESS OPENINGS -The guide to all the important unorthodox openings con
tains more than 1 ,000 weird, contentious, controversial, unconventional, arrogant and outright
strange opening strategies. Great against unprepared opponents. Great Fun! 528 pgs, $24.95.
WORLD CHAMPION OPENINGS - Covers the essential opening theory and moves of every
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Get online now to learn more about upcoming titles! www.cardozapub.com

UNOR,RODOX
CRESS
OPENINGS
Eric Schiller
CARDOZA PUBLISHING
To the participants in the Internet newsgroup rec.games.chess.analysis,
who have provided me with many interesting ideas and useful feedback
in the preparation of this book.
Copyright © 1998 by Eric Schiller

- All Rights Reserved -
First Edition
Library of Congress Catalogue Card No: 96-71755

ISBN: 0-940685-73-6
CARDOZA PUBLISHING
PO Box 1500 Cooper Station, New York, NY 10276
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Web Site www.cardozapub.com
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION 13
11. OVERVIEW 15
The Goals of this Book 16
The Organization of the Book 18
How Openings Get Named 18
Transpositions 19
Formations 20
The Life Cycle of an Unorthodox Opening 20
The Opening Underground on the Internet 21
Ill. EVA LUATING UNORTHODOX OPENINGS 22

"Show-Me" Method 23
Analogy Method 23
Pedantic Method 24
Statistical Method 24
Cult Hero Method 24
Authoritative Method 24
Psychological Method 25
Positional Method 25
Scales of Unorthodoxy 26
IV. CONTROVERSIA L LITERATURE 30
V. WEIRD OPENING SPECIA LISTS 32

Michael Basman 32
Joel Benjaming 32
Stefan Bucker 33
Lawrence Day 33
Tim Harding 33
Johnny Hector 33
Kari Heinola 33
Tony Miles 34
Hugh Myers 34
Clyde Nakamura 34
Rainer Schlenker 35
Duncan Suttles 35
Antoaneta Stefanova 35
Savielly Tartakower 35
Gerard Welling 36
5
CARDOZA PUBLISHING • ERIC SCHILLER
VI. THE OPENINGS

Alekhine Defense 38
Brooklyn Variation 38
Krejcik Variation 39
Mokele Mbembe 40
Welling Variation 43
Zaire Defense 44
Amar Opening 45
Paris Gambit 46
Anderssen Opening 48
Baltic Defense 50
Argentinian Gambit 50
Barnes Opening 50
Walkerling 50
Benoni Defense 52
Cormorant Gambit 52
Hawk Variation 52
Nakamura Gambit 54
Snail Variation 55
Vulture Defense 55
Woozle 57
Bird Opening 60
Batavo-Polish Attack 60
From Gambit 61
Hobbs Gambit 63
Horsefly Defense 64
Lasker Attack 65
Sturm Gambit 66
Bishop's Opening 67
Kitchener Folly 67
Lewis Gambit 67
King's Gambit Reversed 68
MacDonnell Gambit 69
Borg Defense 71
Troon Gambit 71
Budapest Defense 73
Assorted Variations 73
Canard Formation 76
Double Duck Variation 76
Caro-Kann Defense 77
Advance Variation: Bayonet 77
De Bruycker Defense 78
Edinburgh Variation 79
Goldman Variation 80
Gurgenidze Counterattack 81
6
UNORTHODOX CHESS OPENINGS
Hillbilly Attack 82
Maroczy Variation 83
Mieses Gambit 86
Ulysses Gambit 87
Von Hennig Gambit 88
Carr Defense 91
Catalan Opening 93
Hungarian Gambit 93
Clemenz Opening 94
Creepy Crawly Formation 97
Dory Indian 98
Double Fianchetto Formation 101
Dutch Defense 1 03
Hopton Attack 103
Kingfisher Gambit 105
Korchnoi Attack 107
Krejcik Gambit 109
Manhattan Gambit 1 10
Senechaud Gambit 1 12
Spielmann Gambit 1 13
Staunton Gambit: American Variation 1 14
Elephant Gambit 1 17
Maroczy Gambit 1 17
Paulsen Countergambit 1 18
Wasp Variation 120
English Defense 123
Hartlaub Gambit 123
English Defense: Main Line 124
English Opening 130
Anglo - Scandinavian Defense 130
Anti-English 131
Bellon Gambit 132
Drill Variation 134
Halibut Gambit 135
Lohn Gambit 136
Myers Defense 137
Nei Gambit 139
Porcupine Variation 142
Schulz Gambit 143
The Whale 143
Wade Gambit 145
Wing Gambit 146
Englund Gambit 147
Felbecker Gambit 147
Main Line 148
7
Mosquito Gambit 153

Soller Gambit 154
Soller Gambit Deferred 156
Fajarowicz Defense 157
Four Knights 160
Halloween Gambit 160
Fred Defense-and Mao Tse Tung 1 64
French Defense 1 65
Advance Variation: Nimzowitsch Attack 1 65
Alapin Gambit 166
Bird Invitation 1 70
Diemer-Duhm Gambit 171
Exchange Variation: Canal Attack 1 72
Extended Bishop Swap 1 74
La Bourdonnais Variation 1 74
Orthoschnapp Gambit 1 75
Shaposhnikov Gambit 1 77
Steinitz Attack 1 78
Wing Gambit 180
Grob Opening 183
Alessi Gambit 183
Double Grob 1 84
Grob Gambit 185
Keene Defense 186
London Defense 188
Spike: Hurst Attack 1 89
Griinfeld Defense 191
Gibbon Gambit 191
Guatemala Defense 1 93
Hippopotamus Formation 1 94
Horwitz Defense 196
Hungarian Opening 197
Reversed Alekhine 197
Indian Game 200
Alekhine Anti-Gruenfeld 200
Devin Gambit 201
Gedult Attack 202
Gibbins-Wiedehagen Gambit 203
Maddigan Gambit 211
Medusa Gambit 212
Omega Gambit 212
Schnepper Gambit 2 14
Italian Game (Giuco Piano) 215
Fried Liver Attack 215
Jerome Gambit 218
8
Shilling Gambit 220

Traxler Counterattack 221
Kadas Opening 225
Kangaroo Defense 227
Keres Defense 228
Transpositional Variation 228
King Pawn Game 230
Alapin Opening 230
Beyer Gambit 232
Clam Variation 233
Clam: King's Gambit Reversed 235
Damiano Defense 235
Danish Gambit 236
Dresden Opening 238
Macleod Attack 239
Napoleon Attack 243
N orwalder Gambit 244
Philidor Gambit 245
Tayler Opening 245
Tortoise Opening 246
Wayward Queen Attack 247
King's Gambit 250
Allgaier Gambit 250
Basman Gambit 25 1
Breyer Gambit 252
Bryan Countergambit 254
Carrera Gambit 258
Double Muzio Gambit 259
Eisenberg Variation 260
Gaga Gambit 260
Keene Defense 261
Leonardo Gambit 264
Mafia Defense 265
Marshall Countergmbit 266
Dodo Gambit 270
N orwald Variation 270
Orsini Gambit 273
Paris Gambit 274
Senechaud Countergambit 275
Tumbleweed/Drunken King 277
Latvian Gambit 279
Lemming Defense 284
Lizard Defense-Pirc 285
Diemer Gambit 285
Norwegian Defense 285
9
Maroczy Defense 286

McConnell Defense 287
Mexican Defense 288
Modern Defense 294
Beefeater Variation 294
Pterodactyl 297
Pterodactyl Variation 11 298
Randspringer Variation 301
Nimzo-Larsen Attack 304
Assorted Variations 304
Norfolk Gambits 307
Paschmann Gambit 310
Ringelbach Gambit 311
Spike Variation 311
Nimzowitsch Defense 313
Lean Variation 313
Kennedy Variation 315
Neo-Mongoloid Defense 318
Wheeler Gambit 3 18
Williams Variation 319
Owen Defense 323
Matinovsky Gambit 326
Naselwaus Gambit 328
Polish Defense 329
Spassky Gambit 332
Polish Opening/Orangutang 335
Birmingham Gambit 335
Bugayev Attack 337
Karniewski Variation 338
Schiihler Gambit 339
Tartakower Gambit 341
Wolferts Gambit 346
Portuguese Opening 348
Queen Pawn Game 35 1
Anti-Torre 351
Bishop Attack 352
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit 353
Hiibsch Gambit 355
Morris Countergambit 357
Zurich Gambit 357
Queen's Gambit Declined 359
Von Hennig Gambit 359
Queen's Gambit Ref used 361
Albin Countergambit 361
Alekhine Defense 364
10
Austrian Defense 365

Chigorin: Lazard Gambit 366
Chigorin: Tartakower Gambit 370
Rat Defense 37 4
Balogh Defense 374
Reti Opening 375
Penguin Variation 375
Russian Game 3 76
Cochrane Gambit 376
Damiano Variation 378
Scandinavian Defense 379
Bronstein Variation 379
lcelandic-Palme Gambit 380
Main Lines 383
Schiller Variation 386
Scotch Game 391
Goring Gambit: Double Pawn Sacrifice 391
Steinitz Variation 395
Semi-Siav Defense 399
Gunderam Gambit 399
Sicilian Defense 401
Accelerated Paulsen Variation 40 1
Acton Extension 402
Brussels Gambit 403
Frederico Variation 404
H yperaccelerated Pterodactyl 404
Katalymov Sicilian 405
Mengarini Gambit 408
Mongoose Variation 409
Morphy Gambit 410
Snyder Variation 412
Snyder Variation: ... b6 413
Wing Gambit 415
2 .. h6 Variation
. 418
Sodium Attack 420
Various lines 420
Spanish Game (Ruy Lopez) 42 1
Alapin Variation 42 1
Brentano Variation 424
Vinogradov Variation 425
Spike Deferred 427
St. George Defense 428
San jorge Variation 433
St. Georgs Gambit 434
Trompowsky Attack 436
11
Borg Variation 436

Raptor Variation 436
Van Geet Opening 438
Anti-Pirc Variation 439
Napoleon Attack 440
Novosibirsk Variation 441
Reversed Nimzowitsch 443
Reversed Scandinavian 444
Sicilian Two Knights 444
Tiibingen Gambit 446
Twyble Attack 448
Venezolana Formation 449
Veresov Atack 452
Shropshire Defense 452
Anti-Veresov 453
Vienna Game 455
Frankenstein - Dracula Variation 455
Giraffe Attack 458
Hamppe - Meitner 459
Mengarini Variation 46 1
Steinitz Gambit 462
Zhuravlev Countergambit 465
Wade Defense 467
Ware Defense 47 1
Ware Opening 473
Cologne Gambit 474
Wing Gambit 475
Ware Gambit 475
Zukertort Opening 476
Ampel Variation 476
Herrstrom Gambit 477
Reversed Mexican Defense 478
Santasiere's Folly 479
Tennison Gambit 482
Lisitsin Gambit 486
VII. FINAL NOTE 488
INDEXES 489
Violations Index 489
Openings Index 491
Opening Moves Index 498
ECO Codes Index 511
SCO Index 518
12
I
1. INTRODUCTION
This encyclopedic guide to all the significant unorthodox opening

used by chess players, contains more than 1,000 weird, contentious,
controversial, unconventional, arrogant, and outright strange opening
strategies. There are loads of surprises, and hundreds and hundreds of
named openings and variations.
From their tricky tactical surprises to their bizarre names, these
openings fly in the face of tradition. They are a sexy and exotic way to
spice up a game, as well as a great tactical weapon to spring on unsus
pecting and often unprepared opponents.
You'll not only meet such unusually-named openings as the
Orangutang, Raptor Variation, Halloween Gambit, Double Duck, Fran
kenstein-Dracula Variation and Drunken King! but unorthodox varia
tions off mainstream lines such as the Spanish Game (Ruy Lopez),
French Defense, and Sicilian Defense.
We'll also visit with exciting and unusual gambits such as the Ulysses
Gambit, Lisitsin Gambit, and Double-Muzio Gambit, and of course,
take a stroll into my pet unorthodox opening, the Schiller Defense.
We'll discuss the pros and cons of each unorthodox strategy, present
the basic moves along with a representative diagram, and go over the
thinking behind the moves and the direction the opening is heading,
so that you can fully understand and take advantage of the situation as
it develops on the board.
Where appropriate, I've included illustrative and famous games
that have occurred in tournament play so that you can see how weak
nesses in the openings were exploited in actual games, or where a sur
prise unorthodox opening took an opponent off guard, and was car
ried to victory. Indeed, while many of these sample games were played
at the amateur level, a suprising number we've included appeared at
top levels and included grandmasters and World Champions !
There's lots here to explore, so let's get on with the fun!
13
14
2. OVERVIEW
After five hundred years or so of chess played with modern rules,

one would think that the best strategies for opening a game have been
worked out, but in fact experimentation early in the game continues to
take place at both amateur and professional levels. Even the general
guidelines for opening play remain in a state of flux.
Although there are a number of principles which are agreed upon
by nearly all experts, many of the most popular openings violate one
or two of them. More egregious violations are generally condemned,
yet their remain many chessplayers who firmly believe that openings
which do not conform to the accepted principles are nevertheless wor
thy of being used in tournament games. In other words, they are "play
able", as chessplayers say.
This book contains examples of hundreds of strategies with a non
conformist bent. We call these Unorthodox Openings. We will learn what
characteristics such strategies share, and how they are different from
orthodox openings. The most obvious features of unorthodox open
ings are a reckless disregard of the center, awkward positions for mi
nor pieces, giving up the right to castle, and creating weaknesses in the
pawn structure.
However, just because an opening involves unorthodox maneuvers
does not mean that the opening is bad, or does not frequently appear
in professional games. Some unorthodox openings are well-designed
to remedy defects which arise in the first few moves. More importantly,
we now have a deeper understanding of the importance of transposi
tions, where openings merge and reach positions which are typical of
other variations.
As a consequence of the appreciation of transpositions, modern
chess has developed a notion of typical formations which is of almost
equal value to the traditional organization of openings by specific con
secutive moves.
Even in a big book like this, there is no way that every single unor
thodox openings can be examined superficially, let alone in detail.
Nevertheless, I am confident that you will find the vast majority of
15
important unorthodox openings here. They are sometimes discussed

briefly, and sometimes in considerable detail.
For each opening, an overview of the justification (or lack thereof)
for the unorthodox moves is explained. I have not tried to rank or
classify the openings on the basis of playability, because I have a very
subjective attitude toward many of them. When you enjoy playing (or
avoiding) an opening, it is hard to be objective. If an opening is
unplayable, that is, refuted beyond likely redemption, that will be clearly
mentioned in the discussion.
There is a huge literature on unorthodox openings totalling hun
dreds of books. Even the most obscure and unworthy of openings has
most likely been the subject of a book or scholarly article. It is impos
sible to present even a fraction of the analysis that has been published,
and I make no attempt to render verdicts on complicated positions.
Instead, you will get my personal opinion on the opening, and some
times there will be a commentary or criticism on published analysis.
There will even be corrections to analysis in my previous books, as
chess theory is always evolving.
One of the complications of studying unorthodox openings is that
names of the openings are by no means standardized. Very few au
thors explain their policy for assigning names, but I think it is impor
tant for the reader to know what factors play an important role, and so
I have included this information in the section How Openings Get Named
so that you can understand the differences between the naming policy
here and in other works.
THE GOALS OF THIS BOOK

This book is a collection of commentaries on unorthodox opening
strategies. You will encounter wonderful chess positions, some of which
are good enough to be used in tournament competition and many which
are totally lacking in any objective merit. Although it is not possible to
cover all of the possible unorthodox and bizarre strategies available at
the start of the game, you will fine a sufficient variety of openings to
satiate your appetite for forbidden fruit.
Chess is supposed to be fun. The openings included here run the
gamut from potentially useful tournament weapons to just plain silly.
By no means are all of them worthless rubbish, but you are more likely
to find cubic zirconium than diamonds here.
I have tried to create a book that will be useful, as well as enjoyable,
to all level of players. Beginners can learn quite a bit about the basic
principles of the openings by seeing how violations are quickly, and
16
often brutally punished. Intermediate players will find many openings

that can be used in casual play. More advanced players will find critical
discussion of some controversial positions, and even professional play
ers can pick up a few interesting ideas that lie in the outlying galaxy of
chess opening theory.
I think it is important to point out a few things that you will not find
in this book. It is impossible to research and present over two hundred
openings in any detail. Each opening might be, and often is, the sub
ject of an entire book. Similarly, there is no way that all of the attested
experiments can be included. I estimate that there are probably about
a thousand opening variants which might be included in an encyclope
dia (which this is not!). I have chosen the ones that I consider either
instructive, especially creative, or highly popular.
As for the amount of attention each gets, that is an entirely subjec
tive matter. The more interest I have in an opening, the more space it
gets here.
I have not tried to treat the openings uniformly. Some get detailed
treatment, others are dismissed with a mere text comment. In some
cases, where I have been involved in ongoing debate with other theore
ticians, I have taken the opportunity to put forward my latest argu
ments. In other cases, where there is an extensive literature on an open
ing, I have just concentrated on one or two positions that caught my
eye. Many times I have had to narrow the scope of the inquiry consid
erably, leaving out many fascinating side-lines and proposals. My goal
is to show you some of the possibilities of the openings and stimulate
your appetite for more.
The growth in popularity of unorthodox openings, combined with
a growing number of games in our chess databases, makes any printed
book fall out of date quickly. Fortunately, technology provides us with
the tools to keep up. For the benefit of the readers of this book I am
building a World Wide Web site on the internet where additional dis
cussion can take place. You will find it at http:/jwww.chessworks.com,
unorthodox.htm. I will, as time permits, update the material in this
book and correct any errors that are brought to my attention.
I hope that you find at least some of the openings covered here
worthy of further examination. This book is just an introduction to an
exciting world of strange phenomena. You should refer to the litera
ture on the openings that tickle your fancy, where you will find much
more information. If this book encourages you to explore the brave
new world, then it has done its job.
17
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE BOOK

There are many ways to organize our menagerie of openings, none
of which are entirely satisfactory. After considering such options as
grouping openings chronologically, by ECO code, evaluation, forma
tion, and even by the sort of name (animal, player, whatever) I finally
decided just to use good old alphabetical order. This had the fortu
itous effect of making the book truly something to be browsed, be
cause you never know what sort of beast lurks on the next page.
At the end of the book you will find a variety of indexes to help you
locate specific openings.
HOW OPENINGS GET NAMED

When I happen to know of other names for an opening, they will
be included in the index, but often openings get named in chess clubs
and schools and don't travel far. My general practice is to name open
ings for the player known to have both played and promoted a line. I
detest the practice of using the name of the player of the earliest game
listed in a database or found in a book. The idea that just because
someone makes a move in a single game (which could be just a slip of
the finger, which has been known to happen!) forces us to apply the
person's name to it, whether they like it or not, is just absurd.
Though we have over a million games in our databases, there are
millions more which have not found their way into the bellies of the
silicon beasts. One of the most annoying aspects of the unorthodox
openings literature is the attitude by some writers that if an opening
does not bear the name of the first person ever to set the piece on the
square, then the author is ignorant or is deliberately misleading.
Openings have almost never been named for the first person to
play them, a fact that seems to elude the pedantic writers who hold the
concept as some sort of holy writ.
Generally, I try to stick to names in widespread use. In most cases
I apply the names used in the publications as I find them, especially
the excellent gambit index by Volker Driike, but revisions are some
times needed to meet the criteria I use for naming variations. Some
times no opening name has been assigned, and in this case I have
appended the name of the inventor of the opening, if it can be estab
lished without a major research trip to the great chess libraries of Cleve
land or Europe, or I'll use a "placeholding" name, which will usually be
that of an animal.
Why an animal? It turns out that many openings are named for
animals, and most of those are unorthodox openings! Consider the
lA
following: Canard, Elephant, Hawk, Hedgehog, Hippopotamus, Kan

garoo, Lizard, Orangutan, Rat, Snake, Vulture, not to mention the Bird,
but that is named for Henry Bird, or the Dragon Variation, which is
based on a constellation and is in any case an orthodox opening.
I don't like to name openings after myself, and only in one case, a
defense I have played for almost two decades with considerable suc
cess, have I stuck my own surname to the opening. This is partly in
reaction to some rather silly mis-attributions which circulated elsewhere.
On the other hand, I have reassigned names to two openings which
have been attributed to me. One was a joke in a parody of the British
Chess Magazine, and the other was used simply in ignorance of the
real name.
For a few of my creative fantasies I have exercised my right as in
ventor to make up my own names, for example SanJorge for my Span
ish-flavored St. George Defense, Battambang, after a town in Cambo
dia near the Thai border, for a formation that lies in the far corner of
the board, the Kitchener Folly for a silly gambit I played once in col
lege.
In any case, if a Bureau of Standard Chess Names ever takes over, I
won't argue vociferously about the names I use here. I simply chose the
ones that best fits my own criteria, the criteria I have used for over a
decade. It is probable, almost certain in fact, that I have not located the
correct attribution for many openings. To those whose creative talent
is overlooked, I apologize in advance. I do invite anyone with correc
tions, comments, or arguments concerning the names to contact me
and I'll try to remedy the situation in future editions and on the web
site.
TRANSPOSITIONS
Many positions can be reached from a variety of opening move
sequences. This is as true of unorthodox openings as with standard
openings. So we have all of the normal problems that arise when open
ings are classified in a printed book which does not have the flexibility
of a computer database program such as Bookup.
Unorthodox move orders are often used to reach standard posi
tions. There is a natural tendency, when confronted with a strange
opening, to try to steer the game into more familiar waters. Often this
is just what the enemy is hoping for. A good example is the San Jorge
Variation of the St. George Defense. Black is actually aiming for a clas
sical Spanish Game, but without risking the many byways of the Span
ish Opening itself.
19
Often, an unorthodox move order is used to try to avoid certain

lines. While writing this book, I received an email requesting coverage
of l .d4 Nf6; 2.c4 e6; 3.a3, which the author, a fan of the Nimzo-Indian
and Queen's Indian, found "annoying". The experienced player knows
that the move a3 is of little use in the Queen's Gambit, so 3 ... d5 is an
obvious candidate, as is the Benoni with 3 ... c5. However, if the player
of the Black side has a narrow repertoire which does not include expe
rience in these defenses, there is a reluctance to accept the transposi
tion, even though it leads to a comfortable game for Black.
FORMATIONS
Many unorthodox opening strategies fall into a category of systems,
where the order of moves is not of great importance. In these open
ings, for example the Creepy Crawly, San Jorge, Rat and Lizard, the
player adopting the strategy simply sets up the pieces on the desired
target squares, paying attention to enemy moves only when they present
tactical or positional threats.
THE LIFE CYCLE OF AN UNORTHODOX OPENING

Most unorthodox openings follow a pattern of development which
is seen time and time again. First, a radical plan is proposed or intro
duced into tournament or correspondence play. The game is often
published with a great deal of fanfare, touting the new line as the cure
for all chess opening ills. This is usually met with scorn and derision,
and hasty analysis supporting this conclusion is published. Then things
settle down, and objective debate begins.
At this point, the participants in the debate tend to be amateur
players and theoreticians. Only when the opening is brought to the
attention of professional players with an interest in the topic can real
evaluation take place. Most unorthodox openings never reach this level.
Even when some stronger players, such as American Grandmaster
Joel Benjamin, get into the act, the arguments do not take place on a
level playing field. There are chess fans who devote their lives to the
meticulous study of one or two offbeat lines. The professional player
does not have unlimited time available to deal with such peripheral
openings until they reach a level of respectability such that they can be
expected to appear in professional play, at which point they become
what I call "standard" chess openings.
One can therefore expect that the authoritative judgements handed
down by professionals are likely to contain more than a few analytical
errors, if only because they are not the result of a great deal of thought.
20
Strong players do not spend all their time calculating like machines.
Instead, they draw conclusions from general principles. Sometimes the
unorthodox opening will contain an exception to those rules.
In the section below on the literature of unorthodox openings we
will see how the debate continues, but the most important thing to
keep in mind is that usually, over time, an unorthodox opening will be
shown to be less good, objectively, than standard openings. This does
not make them unplayable, and familiarity with the baroque strategy
and tactics of these openings goes a long way towards compensating
for objective weaknesses.
THE OPENING UNDERGROUND ON THE INTERNET

Although powerful computers may be taking some of the fun out
of the Royal Game, technology has also made it easier for unorthodox
openings to grow. The Internet is a global chess club where ideas are
being exchanged and developed at a furious pace. At the Internet Chess
Club (http:/jwww.chessclub.com) you can get a game anytime, and no
matter how quickly you play, all moves are recorded and at the end of
the game, the notation is sent to you by electronic mail. The
rec.games.chess.analysis newsgroup is an open discussion where open
ings can be dissected in free-wheeling debate.
Collections of games using unorthodox openings can be down
loaded from various FTP sites. Powerful search engines can track down
every mention of your favorite lines. The world is your oyster, and if
you are lucky, your own favorite unorthodox openings can turn out to
be pearls.
21
3. EVALUATING
UNORTHODOX OPENINGS
When it comes to evaluating unorthodox openings, arguments

become heated and passionate. Objectivity often gets thrown out the
window when a player tries to defend a conclusion about the merits of
a favorite opening, and when it is an unorthodox opening, it is even
harder to put aside prejudices. Chess is not an objective science, de
spite the success of much computer software.
When dealing with an unorthodox opening for White, Black tries
to equalize. If easy equality can be achieved, the opening is then re
jected as unpromising. When the opening is promoted for Black, things
are a bit messier. After all, there are no known guaranteed equalizers
against either l .e4 or l .d4. Therefore failure to obtain a level position
as Black cannot be considered a refutation. The question revolves
around the size of White's advantage given best play, and that is a very
subjective evaluation.
If an opening is only slightly worse for Black with best play by both
sides, then it is considered playable. But even if the amount of a disad
vantage is the same in two openings, there are still differences in the
nature of the problem. Some problems are long lasting, such as frac
tured pawn structures and the bishop pair. Their effects grow as the
game progresses. Others, such as a lead in development or an initia
tive, are only useful in the short term. A third group, falls in between
the two, for example, an advantage in space.
There are many approaches to evaluating the suitability of open
ings. In the real world, most players combine several of these styles
when trying to determine whether an opening is "playable". Of course
we should keep in mind the wisdom of the great Romantic player Savielly
Tartakower, that as long as an opening is dubious, it is playable! There
is a great deal of truth in that statement.
Even if an opening is objectively less than fully respectable, it can
still be used in tournament games. Only if an opening is thoroughly
refuted should it be avoided at all costs.
Let's now look at some of the ways used to evaluate openings.
22
"SHOW-ME" METHOD
The "Show-Me" analysts are incapable of rendering a judgment on
a position. They insist that a statement such as "White is better because
of the bishop pair, control of the center and healthier pawn structure"
is meaningless unless you can supply a continuation which tactically
demonstrates a superiority. Such analysts tend to be weak chessplayers
with an insufficient understanding of the positional elements of the
game.
Computer programs are often used to "assist" these analysts, and
sometimes can provide useful ideas for study. Computer evaluations
are crude, however, relying on mechanical manipulations of a set of
numbers calculated from material and positional considerations. They
are not of much use in evaluating positions with very strange charac
teristics or in appreciating long term structural values.
ANALOGY METHOD
There is a dangerous tendency to refer to openings by comparing
them to mirror image openings. For example, such an analyst argues
that an opening which is good for Black must be even better for White
with an extra tempo, but this is known not to be the case. The King's
English, l .c4 e5, is not better for White than the Sicilian Defense ( l .e4
c5) is for Black, despite the extra tempo. The reason for this seemingly
paradoxical statement is that with the extra tempo comes the unavoid
able obligation to disclose your strategy one move earlier. This makes
it easier for your opponent to choose an appropriate plan.
Even worse is the absurd use of a putative left-right symmetry which
does not exist in chess. This assumes that a kingside formation can be
effectively used on the queenside and vice versa. There is no basis for
this, since chess in inherently asymmetrical, with the king starting on
one side of the center and the queen on the other. The style of play of
a queenside fianchetto is quite different from a position where the
bishop is fianchettoed on the kingside.
Analogies can be used effectively only when the differences are
clearly recognized. Compare the Dragon Sicilian, say l .e4 c5; 2.Nf3
d6; 3.d4 cxd4; 4.Nxd4 Nf6; 5.Nc3 g6; 6.Be3 Bg7, with the Larsen Varia
tion of the Philidor Defense l .e4 e5; 2.Nf3 d6; 3.d4 cxd4; 4.Nxd4 g6;
5.Nc3 Bg7; 6.Be3 Nf6. We can see the similarities, of course, but the
differences between an open e-file and a semi-open c-file have enor
mous implications for the middlegame. In the Dragon, a rook often
moves to c8 and sacrifices itself for the knight at c3, a maneuver which
is not possible in the Philidor.
23
Similarly, to compare the disreputable Englund Gambit ( l .d4 e5?)

with the Scandinavian Defense ( l .e4 d5!?) is simply foolish. One in
volves a sacrifice of a pawn, the other does not.
PEDANTIC METHOD
This is the fuddy-duddy approach to openings, mindlessly applying
general statements inherited from literature centuries old. Pedantic
analysts will moan about moving a piece twice in an opening, or in
failing to seize a central square. Orthodox openings give rise to the
fewest objections by the pedants, who reserve their scorn for unortho
dox openings.
STATISTICAL METHOD
Statistics have no place in the study of openings. The simple fact is
that there is no strong correlation between the evaluation of an open
ing and the result of a game. If an opening is convincingly refuted, it
doesn't matter what its prior tournament record is. Opening fashions
change, and popularity is by no means an indication of any objective
merit in an opening.
Statistics can only be useful at an individual level. If you lose most
of your games with a specific opening, then you can reasonably con
clude that you should either change openings or deepen your under
standing of the opening to improve your results. I believe that the lat
ter is the preferable course.
CULT HERO METHOD

To some, an opening is known by the company it keeps, and there
are those who prefer to play only openings which have the approval of
top players. This is not a very good way to choose openings, because
openings are tailored to one's strengths and weaknesses, and rarely
will the fan have the same skills as the player they are trying to emu
late.
AUTHORITATIVE METHOD
Turning to expert opinion is not a bad way to evaluate openings,
provided that you share the stylistic preferences of the authority. For
example, when I watch Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert review films, I
have to keep in mind that Siskel has rather refined tastes and Ebert
wrote the screenplay for Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. If the film is a
drama on some socially topical theme, Siskel might be more informa
tive. But if we are talking about Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-o-
24
rama, I'll go with Roger. In chess, the views ofJoel Benjamin may be
too conservative for some, while others may find Stefan Biicker's open
ings just too far off the wall.
If you find the views of an author persuasive, and confirmed by
your own experience, then by all means investigate further suggestions
from the same source. At the same time, heed the advice of the late
Timothy Leary and question authority at all times. When it comes to
unorthodox openings, relying on the opinions of others is just not part
of the game.
PSYCHOLOGICAL METHOD
The psychological method involves considering the stylistic prefer
ences of your opponent when choosing an opening. The idea is to take
your enemy into unfamiliar territory, especially into positions where
the correct moves cannot easily be found at the board. The drawback
to this method is that a player who evaluates openings on the basis of
psychological effect needs to have a lot of weapons in the arsenal, so
that the appropriate one can be chosen on each occasion. With the
advent of large computer databases, it is harder to hide one's secret
weapons, and there is a greater chance that the opponent will come to
the board better prepared.
If one has a large enough stock of weaponry, then this can be an
effective approach. Tony Miles, the creative genius from England, is
known for his uncanny ability to produce opening and even middlegame
strategies that aim straight for the weakest skill set of the opponent. I
have fallen victim to it myself, and Miles has many impressive scalps,
including those of World Champions.
POSITIONAL METHOD
This is the method used by most strong players. A position is evalu
ated by considering material balance, short-term and long-term posi
tional characteristics, and the level of complexity of the position. A
more complex position which is familiar to one side but not the other
is likely to bring practical rewards at the chessboard.
A crucial part of the diagnostic method is to evaluate possible
endgame structures. If, for example, an opening strategy involves com
promising the pawn structure in such a way that the endgames may be
hopeless, it is important that there be compensating factors in the form
of material or serious attacking chances.
25
SCALES OF UNORTHODOXY
As we have seen in the preceding discussion, the term unorthodox
opening has not been defined clearly. In compiling this book, I tried to
come up with some way to quantify this somewhat subjective question,
and decided to apply a scale of penalty points which are applied when
ever an opening violates conventional wisdom. This leaves open the
question of how good that wisdom is, and perhaps it is all the better,
then, to provide a large set of principles to choose from.
In the following discussion, I'll examine a few old chestnuts of con
ventional wisdom, discuss the consequences of betraying the principles,
and suggest a penalty that should be assigned for the violation.
You will see how the most orthodox of openings, the Closed Varia
tion of the Spanish Game ( l .e4 e5; 2 .Nf3 Nc6; 3.Bb5 a6; 4.Ba4 Nf6;
5.0-0 Be7; 6.Re l b5; 7.Bb3 d6; 8.c3 0-0 9.h3) and Queen's Gambit De
clined ( l .d4 d5; 2.c4 e6; 3.Nc3 Nf6; 4.Bg5 Be7; 5.e3 0-0 6.Nf3 h6; 7.Bh4
b6; 8.Be2 0-0) hold to these principles, and will be referred for the
most egregious violators imprisoned in the collection of unorthodox
openings in our book.
OCCUPY THE CENTER WITH AT LEAST

ONE PAWN DURING THE FIRST TWO MOVES
Standard openings place a pawn in the center as soon as it is safe to
do so, which is at the first turn for White, and usually the first or
second move for Black, who can choose to first provide support for the
move with ... c6, ... d6, or ... e6.
A good example of an outright rejection of this principle is seen in
the Creepy Crawly Opening for White and the Mongredien Defense
for Black. In each case the opponent is invited to take over the center
free of charge.
MATERIAL EQUAliTY IS PRESERVED

Ordinarily, neither side sacrifices material early in the game. The
exceptions are gambits, where the side sacrificing material receives
definite compensation, usually in the form of rapid development, con
trol of space, and a safer king. Most gambits involve pawns, as these are
the most expendable soldiers in the army. Nevertheless, they should
not be sacrificed recklessly, as is the case in most of the unorthodox
gambits in this book.
26
RIM PAWNS ARE NOT ADVANCED PAST THE THIRD RANK

Moving pawns to h4 or a4 ( ... h5, ... a5) is only acceptable in stan
dard openings in response to a specific tactical situation, and this is
rarely the case in the first four moves of the game. I cannot agree with
Harding, who claims that l .h4 and la4 do not lead to inferior posi
tions for White if followed up correctly. The weakness at g4 or b4 can
be exploited by Black, who can use them for minor pieces which can
not be easily displaced, for example if White plays N c3 and Black plays
... Bb4.
ROOK PAWNS ARE ONLY ADVANCED TO THE THIRD RANK

WHEN ATTACKING AN ENEMY PIECE
Advancing a rook pawn one square is usually reserved for an attack
on an enemy piece, where it can be especially effective in breaking
pins.
Even when there is no enemy invader to be confronted, the move
can have a prophylactic value in preventing such pins. Yet there is a
penalty to be paid, in that the pawn structure is significantly damaged
by the advance.
KING'S KNIGHT PAWNS ARE NOT ADVANCED

TO THE FOURTH RANK
When a knight pawn leaves its home square it creates weaknesses
immediately. If it moves up just one square, and is replaced by a bishop
in the fianchetto formation, the damage is minor, because the bishop
covers the new weaknesses to the left and right of the advanced knight
pawn. If, however, the pawn advances two squares, the adjacent prop
erty cannot be so easily controlled, and the weakness can quickly be
come epidemic, growing in an attempt to support the advanced pawn.
The problem is particularly important on thekingside, as it reduces
the viability ofkingside castling, and in so doing also advises the oppo
nent about the future location of the king.
NO PAWNS ADVANCE BEYOND THE FIFTH RANK WITHOUT

CAPTURING AT LEAST T WO UNITS OF ENEMY FORCE
Although invading pawns can annoy the enemy forces at close range,
in the opening, most advances are more like mosquito bites which can
inflict no serious damage. To get to the sixth rank, a pawn must make
at least three moves, and if this takes place within the first six moves,
then there are at most three moves left over for supporting forces.
Without such support, the pawn cannot inflict serious damage.
27
THE F-PAWN REMAINS IN PLACE

The second square of the f-file is a particularly vulnerable point. It
is guarded only by the king. If the f-pawn advances, the pawn itself is
less vulnerable but a serious gap appears in the kingside pawn struc
ture. The diagonals near the king are compromised, and the effects
can be devastatingly rapid.
TWO MINOR PIECES DEVELOPED

In the normal scheme of development, each player develops two
pawns and two minor pieces in the first four moves.
NO PIECE SHOULD MOVE TWICE EXCEPT TO CAPTURE

AN ENEMY PIECE
This is a variant on the old chess maxim that no pieces should move
twice in the opening. The exception regarding capture is important,
because when you capture an enemy piece, the reply is usually a forced
recapture.
BISHOPS SHOULD NOT ADVANCE BEYOND THE FOURTH

RANK EXCEPT TO GIVE CHECK OR ATTACK AN ENEMY PIECE
Bishops should not swing in the air! If they advance to the fifth
rank without a clear mission, then an advance of an enemy pawn will
force them to beat a hasty retreat. Now you might well wonder what
sort of person would send a bishop out on such a foolish errand, but in
this book you will find numerous examples.
THE ROOKS DO NOT MOVE EXCEPT TO CASTLE, OCCUPY A

CENTRAL FILE, OR ATTACK AN ENEMY PIECE
Deciding where rooks should eventually be placed is one of the
trickiest questions. Rooks belong on open files, but who can predict
which files will be opened early in the game. For this reason, rooks are
generally left in place except when it is time to castle.
Keep in mind that if a rook moves before the king is castled, then
there is one less option for the king, since castling on the side of the
board where a rook has departed its home square is illegal. After the
king, queen, and all minor pieces have been developed, the rooks will
have a great deal of freedom in choosing their home for the early
middlegame.
28
THE QUEEN SHOULD REMAIN ON THE FIRST THREE

RANKS EARLY IN THE GAME
It used to be suggested that the lady remain at home throughout
the early part of the opening, but in these more liberated times her
majesty has earned the right to choose from a greater variety of homes.
It is even acceptable to go all the way to the fourth rank, but this is
usually justified only when the queen has to capture a pawn at c4 ( c5 ) ,
getting there via a pivot on the a-file. Nevertheless, such adventures
are still considered too unladylike for most circumstances. The queen
may be the most powerful piece on the board, but lack of patience can
get here into trouble. In the middle of the action she can find her
appetite whetted by pawns which turn out to be all too poisoned!
CASTLE KINGSIDE
Getting the king to safety before the real battle begins is obviously
wise. Usually this is not a particular problem for White, who only castles
on the other side of the board if Black is also clearly going to do so, or
if opposite wing pawn storms are planned. A pawnstorm is much more
effective on the opposite side of the board from the king's castled home,
because in any storm things tend to fly about and there is little protec
tion from the elements. Black rarely castles queenside unless the
kingside pawn structure has already been compromised, or if White
has castled queenside.
29
4. CONTROVERSIAL
LITERATURE
Most, perhaps even all of the literature on unorthodox openings is
the subject of controversy in the chess world. This is hardly surprising
considering the passion with which devotees of the bizarre promote
alternatives to standard opening strategies. Many times an author treats
an opening as if it were a precious child, tolerating no disrespect and
insisting that the opening is just as capable of achieving strategic aims
as its more respectable cousins.
Objectivity is not a defining characteristics of most books on unor
thodox openings. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It is true that very
few unorthodox openings hold up well under the scrutiny of today's
powerful computer programs, but those who enjoy our strange brews
do not usually spend their time locked in mortal battles with silicon
beasts. Against human opponents, especially amateurs, it is often pos
sible to turn a bad position into a smashing victory.
Even in cases where material is sacrificed for insufficient compen
sation, accurate play is required by the defender. We find many books
containing games which have results favoring the unorthodox player.
The purpose of most of these books is to evangelize on behalf of the
opening. One should not expect an even handed treatment.
Sometimes books appear which argue against many of these open
ings, such as my 1987 Unorthodox Openings with Grandmaster Joel Ben
jamin or my 1995 Big Book of Busts with International Master John
Watson. These books were immediately attacked by the bizarro bri
gade, who considered them not only offensive to their philosophies,
and a threat to their "children", but also an invasion of turf which had
previously been controlled by amateur players.
This is not to say that the professionals are always correct. In any
book on opening strategy there are incorrect assessments and missed
opportunities, and Joel, John and I have made our share of mistakes,
some of which are corrected in the present book. Our books covered
many different openings, hundreds in all, and after the books were in
circulation an army of analysts set to work to salvage the reputations of
openings which we had disparaged.
30
Their efforts are sometimes successful, though in more cases it has

not proven difficult to pin the unorthodox opening to the mat. Some
people just will not accept that an opening is bad, no matter how much
evidence is put forward. Positional judgments are ignored, much as
beginners will continue to argue that their position is not so bad, even
if it is. Computers are not yet (but probably soon will be) ready to stand
as objective arbiters of chess truth. Humans never will be.
There is great fun in the constant give and take between the de
fenders of principled play and the libertines who insist that anything
goes. If you take the debate too seriously, then it turns sour and bitter.
For me, chess is just a game, after all, and each theoretical proposal,
whether in an orthodox opening or something truly off the wall, is
food for the analytical feast.
I have a great deal of admiration for devotees of the weird. They
may be offended that their efforts are not taken seriously by the profes
sional community, but the fact remains that strong players limit their
experiments to principled openings unless they are playing for psycho
logical advantage. Sure, Miles beat Karpov with l ...a6, but he never
repeated the line against his formidable opponent. Books promoting
the opening never mention that!
Most of the literature on unorthodox play is written by players with
modest achievements in the professional chess arena. The books are
often a joy to read, filled with creative and inventive ideas. They are
not, however, to be trusted. Only serious tests involving highly compe
tent players can establish an opening as playable in an objective sense.
Amateur publications have improved thanks to the availability of com
puters to assist in the analysis, but computers spit out only numbers at
present, and cannot explain their conclusions in any useful way. That
may well change as the software improves, but for the moment the
machines are more useful as servants than mentors.
You can enjoy using unorthodox openings you read about, and may
well score some points against unsuspecting opponents. Just don't be
surprised if some master picks you apart, or if your computer program
grinds you into the dust. Just go back to the book, pencil in the prob
lem line, and then wait until the fans of the opening work out a tempo
rary solution or workaround. Eventually, the flood of objective analy
sis will spill over your game.
31
5. WEIRD OPENING
SPECIALISTS
There are many chessplayers, writers and scholars who have made
significant contributions to unorthodox opening theory. Here are a
few of the theoreticians whose name will frequently surface in this book.
MICHAEL BASMAN
England's Michael Basman is a true original in the chess world. An
International Master with a lot of international tournament experience,
Basman confronts amateurs and professionals alike with his current
favorite opening scheme.
Basman's openings fall into two basic groups, the "creepy-crawly",
as he describes them, and the "macho". Creepy-crawly openings lie in
wait until the enemy discloses a strategy. There is a logic to this ap
proach. Basman is very concerned about the exposure of his pieces to
possible danger. He feels that they should not advance onto the battle
field until it is clear what role they must play in the fight.
The Macho openings involve major violations of accepted opening
wisdom. Black thrusts the g-pawn forward but weakens the kingside
terribly. The openings almost always fail against professional opposi
tion, but score their share of points in amateur competition.
JOEL BENJAMIN
American GrandmasterJoel Benjamin, a former United States cham
pion, is one of the strongest theoreticians to have shown an interest in
unorthodox openings. He writes a regular column for Chess Life maga
zine on the subject. Benjamin's views are strident, and he has earned
the scorn of many in the unorthodox community for his harsh judg
ment of many openings. Joel approaches each one with an open mind,
however, analyzing and evaluating the possibilities.
He has played many strange openings himself, and you will see
examples of his experiments here. A collection of his opinions can be
found in our 1 987 book Unorthodox Openings.
Interestingly, IBM chose Benjamin as their main consultant when
preparing the Deep Blue computer to battle Garry Kasparov. The World
Champion did use unusual openings in that match, but the computer
handled them well.
32
STEFAN B"UCKER
Stefan Bucker is one of the best known writers on unorthodox
openings, not only in his native Germany, but also in English speaking
countries where many of his books have been published in translation.
Bucker's analysis usually runs very deep, and he has published large
books dealing with such esoterica as the Englund Gambit and the open
ing most often associated with him, the Vulture. His book Groteske
Schacheroffnungen deals with a variety of strange lines as the Mokele
Mbembe and the Norwald Variation of the King's Gambit.
LAWRENCE DAY
International Master Lawrence Day is one of Canada's two best
known devotees of unorthodox play, the other being Duncan Suttles,
who we'll meet below. Day developed the Big Clamp approach to the
Sicilian Defense and has written quite a bit on his favorite lines. Day's
deviant openings are all designed to stimulate action in some area of
the board, and general fall into the category of opening systems.
TIM HARDING
Irish theoretician Tim Harding is a chess master with a passion for
historical research. He deals with both unorthodox and standard open
ings, and is one of the most prolific chess authors of our time. He has
written extensively on such openings as the Macho Grob and
Nimzowitsch Defense, but is also an authority on the Bishop's Open
ing, Evans Gambit and the ultra-orthodox Classical Variation of the
French Defense.
JOHNNY HECTOR
Sweden's Johnny Hector is a proponent of the more moderate un
orthodox approaches and loves to play gambits. He has faced impres
sive opposition, including World Champions, and does not back down
from his beliefs. The Schara Gambit and Alapin Variation of the Span
ish Game are among the fringe defenses he has defended.
KARI HEINOLA
Finland's Kari Heinola plays unorthodox openings in both corre
spondence and over-the-board play and is not afraid to use his inven
tions or refinements against top grandmasters. He is a proponent of
the Myers' Variation of the English Opening and the Norwegian De
fense as Black. As White, the Bird Opening usually takes flight in his
hands.
33
TONY MILES
The great English Grandmaster Tony Miles doesn't write about un
orthodox openings, but he does use them. His victory over then World
Champion Anatoly Karpov using the St. George Defense was the unor
thodox shot heard round the world. Miles integrates unorthodox open
ings into his broad repertoire. He has an uncanny knack for selecting
just the right opening to make the opponent feel uncomfortable,
whether that involves 25 moves of mainstream theory or an obscure
diversion on the first or second move.
One of the greatest players in British history, and England's first
Grandmaster, Miles represents a fine balance between unorthodoxy
and standard play. To my mind he has the best attitude toward unusual
openings, one based on practical experience and constantly revised
on the basis of tournament results.
HUGH MYERS
It is not possible to discuss unorthodox openings without paying
attention to Hugh Myers. Although his curmudgeonly disposition and
untamed printed attacks against his "enemies" (real or imagined), his
Myers Opening Bulletin contains a great deal of interesting historical
and analytical material and should be read by anyone interested in the
subject of strange openings. Although barely a master who does not
regularly participate in strong tournaments, Myers works very hard on
his analysis. You have to cut through all the politics and unfortunate
prejudices to get to the meat of his articles, but you will be informed by
them if you make that effort.
Much of his invective is reserved for Carry Kasparov, Raymond
Keene, Joel Benjamin and myself. I am honored to be in such com
pany, and continue to read each issue of his journal with interest, even
if my temperature rises. For the record, I think that Myers performs a
useful service in compiling and presenting his material. He points out
errors of omission and commission in my own and many other works,
and that is all to the good.
CLYDE NAKAMURA
Hawaii's Clyde Nakamura, known affectionately as "the evil one",
strikes fear into the hearts of his opponents with his uncompromising
play and willingness to invest a pawn as either White or Black. The
Gibbins-Wiedehagen Gambit has been part of his repertoire for years,
and the new Khan Gambit was his consistent partner in the 1 997
Outrigger Prince Kuhio International.
34
RAINER SCHLENKER
The German theoretician Rainer Schlenker presents a stark con
trast to his countryman Stefan Biicker. Schlenker has a good sense of
fun and his journal, Randspringer, is filled with the wacky and weird,
presented in an informal atmosphere which is very appropriate to the
subject matter. He plays frequently and is not embarrassed to include
some of his less successful experiences in the pages of his magazine.
DUNCAN SUITLES
Canadian Duncan Suttles holds Grandmaster titles in both over
the-board and correspondence play, a rare honor. Although he aban
doned tournament play some time ago, he was a major influence in
the late 1960s and early 1970s with his extraordinary contributions to
the Modern Defense, a non-standard opening at the time. He was
equally innovative on the White side of the board.
ANTOANETA STEFANOVA
The rising superstar of female chess adopts unusual openings as
Black in many, if not most, of her games. From the St. George to the
Budapest Defense to all manner of weirdness, she likes to get the game
out of well-known theory as soon as possible. Sometimes, as in a recent
game against Gufeld, she finds herself in a situation which would make
the Perils of Pauline seem trivial, but most of the time she fights her
way to equality and then demolishes her opponent. The 1 8 year old
Bulgarian has already earned the title of International Master and
Woman Grandmaster, and earned her first international Grandmaster
norm at the 1997 Hawaii International.
SAVIELLY TARTAKOWER
Tartakower, a well-traveled Grandmaster and one of the top dozen
players in the world in his prime during the Roaring Twenties, embod
ied the footloose and experimental mood of his time, and loved to
investigate and play unusual openings. His words of wisdom still ring
true today: "As long as an opening is dubious, it is playable!"
He made significant contributions to both standard openings such
as the Queen's Gambit Declined, and to many unorthodox openings,
as you will see in the pages of this book. He was one of the first to
name openings for animals, and the Orang Utan is his invention. He
loved naming openings, and changed his mind frequently, leaving be
hind a bit of confusion we are still dealing with.
Unlike many modern proponents of unorthodox play, Tartakower
35
was not obsessive about his creative brainchildren. His motto was a
modest one which would serve today's analysts well, and one I apply to
myself: Erro ergo sum (I err, therefore I am).
GERARD WELUNG
Holland's Gerard Welling is an International Master with a long
histoi."y of involvement with openings that are off the beaten track. He
loves to steer the game into waters previously explored only by himself.
His pleasant disposition encourages him to experiment at the board,
with mixed results. A meticulous scholar and voracious reader, Welling
is active in correcting many of the mistakes that have crept into the
literature, including my own.
OTHER FIGURES IN THE UNORTHODOX WORLD

There are many other active writers and players of unorthodox
openings. M any amateurs t ake part in lively discussions o n
rec.games.chess.analysis. There is n o room to credit all of them, but
I'd like to squeeze in a word on Claude Bloodgood.
This controversial figure might have had a greater impact on chess
theory had he not spent so many years trapped not behind pawns, but
behind bars. His incarceration, the grounds for which I won't describe
in detail, is a lengthy and ongoing one. Nevertheless, he managed to
write a book on the Grob, and with the help of Donald Wedding, a
recent book on the Norfolk Gambits (which arrivedjust as I was finish
ing up the material for this book). He has also had classic encounters
with Humphrey Bogart, which are described in the section on the
Maltese Falcon variation of the Dutch Defense.
Bloodgood has managed to get his writings into the public eye from
time to time, and his work is becoming better known. The judgement
of the man, as of his moves, is something best left to history.
36
VI. THE OPENINGS
37
ALEKHINE DEFENSE
BROOKLYN VARIATION
I.e4 Nf6
2.e5 Ng8
The Brooklyn Variation, or Retreat Variation, is a radical twist on

Alekhine's plan. There is still the hypermodern goal of encouraging
the opponent to overextend, but in this case Black tucks the knight
away at g8, instead of moving it to d5, where it is vulnerable to attack
by White's pawns. The opening has been used by the author and by
1 997 United States Champion Joel Benjamin, but it is best used as a
surprise weapon or against inexperienced players.
White obtains a small advantage by developing normally.
EXAMPLES AND DISCUSSION

3.d4 d6; 4.Nf3. 4.f4 Nh6; 5.Nf3 g6; 6.Bd3 Bg7; 7.0-0 was the continua
tion ofYoung - Benjamin, Manhattan Chess Club (rapid) 1985, and here Black
should have castled, where White has only a small advantage.
4.exd6 is not an effective plan here, and all three recaptures are possible.
a) 4 ... exd6; 5.Nf3 Nf6. It is clear that Black is not behind in development,
and this position could also arise on l .e4 e5; 2.Nf3 Nf6; 3.Nxe5 d6; 4.Nf3
Nxe4; 5.d4 Nf6, the Russian Game, though the retreat of the Black knight is
not normal there. 6.c4 Be7; 7.Nc3 0-0; 8.h3 gave White the advantage in
Velimirovic - Reshevsky, Skopje 1 976, so Black should play ...Bg4 before White
plays h3.
b) 4 ... cxd6; 5.Bd3 Nc6; 6.c3 Nf6; 7.Nf3 Bg4; 8.0-0 Qd7; 9.Re 1 0-0-0;
10.b4 h5 gave Black good counterplay in Forster - Schiller, England 1982.
c) 4 ... Qxd6 see the Schiller Defense in the Scandinavian.
38
ALEKHINE DEFENSE
4...Bg4. Black logically attempts to undermine the support of the pawn at

e5, a key aspect of Black's strategy. 5.h3 Bh5.
White has not yet found a way to crack this position.

6.Be2. 6.e6?! is far too optimistic, and after 6 ...fxe6; 7.g4 Bg6; 8.Bd3 Bxd3;
9.Qxd3 N c6. White was unable to justify the investment of the pawn in Kaner
- Benjamin, World Open 1 980, while 6.Nc3 dxe5; 7.dxe5 Qxd 1+; 8.Nxd1 did
not scare Black in Blumenfeld - Benjamin, New York 1 979.
6 ...e6; 7.0-0 d5. Black has every reason to be satisfied with this position,
which resembles a French Defense except that Black's light-squared bishop
has been developed outside of the pawn chain.
KREJCIK VARIATION
l.e4 Nf6
2.Bc4
The Krejcik Variation is a groggy opening, with only one stum

bling idea behind the sacrifice of the e-pawn.
39

2 ...Nxe4; 3.Bxf7+. Otherwise there is nothing at all to show for the mate-
rial. 3 . .Kxf7; 4.Qh5+ Kg8. 4 ... g6; 5.Qd5+ e6; 6.Qxe4 Bg7 is the other form of
.
defense, for example 7.Nf3 Rf8; 8.d4 d5; 9.Qd3 Nc6; 1 0.Nc3 Kg8 and Black
was a little better in Zavarsky - Minic, Slovak League 1995.
5.Qd5+ e6; 6.Qxe4 d5; 7.Qe2 c5.
This is Joel Benjamin's plan. Black will develop rapidly with good attack
ing chances. The Black king is relatively safe at g8, and the inability to develop
the rook from h8 is only a minor problem.
Play might continue 8.Nf3 Nc6; 9.0-0. 9.d3 Bd6; 10.Nc3 h6; 1 l .Bd2 Kh7;
12.d4 cxd4; 13.Nxd4 Nxd4; 14.Qd3+ Nf5; 15.g4 Rf8; 16.0-0-0 Qf6; 17.h4
Qd4 was dearly better for Black inJongman - Van der Klashorst, Netherlands
Postal Championship 1 986.
9 ...Bd7; I O.c3 Bd6; l l.d4 Qf6; 12.Bg5 Qg6; 13.Bh4 ReS; 14.Nbd2 h6 and
Black will continue with ...Kh7 and ... Rhf8.
MOKELE MBEMBE
l.e4 Nf6
2.e5 Ne4
40
ALEKHINE DEFENSE
The Mokele Mbembe has been studied intensively by German theo

retician Stefan Biicker, who has written extensively in defense of his
pet opening. He has given it the strange name Mokele Mbembe, which
refers to an African beast, which is reported to be powerful enough to
stop the flow of rivers.
Chernev once strongly recommended 3.b4, which is a reasonable
approach, but modern analysts have concentrated on another line. Even
Biicker seems to have overlooked Chernev's analysis, which was pointed
out to me by Jeff Caveney.
After 3 ... e6; 4.c3 Kari Heinola has tried the idea 4 . . .f6, somewhat
analagous to our main line. This is necessary because 4 ... Qh4, pro
posed by Fahrni, is considered refuted by 5.Qe2. After 4 ... f6; 5.d3 Ng5,
Auvinen - Heinola, Finland Open Championship 1 987, White should
continue 6.exf6 Qxf6; 7.d4. I consider the position marginally better
for White, on the grounds that Black's light squared bishop is going to
find it difficult to take an active role in the game. White can continue
to develop in comfort. Still, Black's position is not all that bad.

The dismissal of the opening with 3.d4 in Unorthodox Openings was prema
ture, as we had not given sufficient attention to a defense which Biicker had
already worked out but which was not in our possession in 1 986. There is no
room here to go into even a superficial examination of the many lines he
analyzes, but here is my latest thinking on a good counter by White. 3 ...f6.
This is the move that Biicker touts as the salvation of Black's position.
4.Bd3. 4.Qh5+ g6; 5.Qe2 d5; 6.f3 Ng5; 7.exf6 Ne6 is an idea from the
unorthodox Finn, Kari Heinola, described as a critical variation by Biicker. I
don't think that this shuffling by the queen helps, and after 8.f7+ Kxf7; 9.c3
Bg7 I evaluate the position as roughly level.
4... d5; 5.£3. 5.Nc3 B£5; 6.Qf3 e6 was played in Rausis - Biicker, Dortmund
1 990, and Biicker found 7.g4! which he judges to be clearly better for White.
He prefers 5.Nc3 to 5.f3, and he may well be right, which just goes to show
how bad the opening is.
5 ...Ng5; 6.Bxg5 fxg5; 7.Ne2 aims to work on the light squares. Logically,
Black will advance the g-pawn to eliminate invasions by the White knight.
7.f4 is an old suggestion from Fahrni, back in 1 922. I failed to credit it
when researching The Big Book ofBusts because it was buried in a note to one
of Biicker's games against a computer in his Grotesque Schacheroffnungen. He
extends the analysis as follows in an article in his journal Kaissiber: 7 ... g6; 8.f5
(On 8.Nf3, then 8 ...gxf4; 9.Ng5 Bh6 and Black is better. True enough.) 8 ... Bxf5;
9.Bxf5 gxf5; 1 0.Qh5+ Kd7; 1 l .Qf7 was published in The Big Book ofBusts, and
Biicker counters with 1 l ...c6; 12.Nf3 Bh6; 13.Qxf5+ e6 and now 14.Qf6 is
ignored by Biicker, but I think it brings a small advantage to White. ( 14.Qh3
Bf8 is about equal.) 14 ... Qf8 (14 ... Qxf6; 15.exf6 Ke8; 16.Ne5 Nd7; 1 7.Rf1 is
41
surely better for White.) 15.Rfl ! White must be better here. Black has prob
lems defending the pawn at a6 and White owns the f-file.
The bishop on h6 looks pretty pathetic. Black can try 15 ... Na6; 16.c3 Nc7;
1 7.Nbd2 Ne8 getting rid of the queens, but 1 8.Qxf8 Rxf8; 19.h3 leads to an
endgame where the knight is better than the bishop.
7 ...g6.
What can we conclude from this position? Black's pawns are a little weak,
but there is the bishop pair to compensate for that. White can intensify the
pressure.
8.Qd2 e6. A major concession, locking in the bishop, but how else to
defend the g-pawn? 8 ... Bh6 is very artificial. 9.h4 wins a pawn, and 8 ...h6?;
9.Bxg6+ Kd7; 1 0.e6+! Kxe6; l l .Qe3+ Kd7; 1 2.Bf7 and the Black king must try
to survive.
9.c3 Bg7; IO.Na3 0-0. White has an advantage in space, development,
and structure. I think that this encourages opposite wing castling, and I present
a few lines for Biicker to think about, as he will no doubt continue the debate
in his next publication. A strong and tenacious analyst, it will not surprise me
at all if he comes up with something.
1 1.0-0-0 c5; 12.h4. As they say in Hawaii, "want beef?" 12 cxd4; 1 3.cxd4
..•
gxh4; 14.Rh2 Nc6; 15.Rdhl g5. 1 5 ...Nxd4; 16.Nxd4 Bxe5; 1 7.Rxh4 Bf4;
18.Rxf4 Qc7+!; 19.Nac2 Rxf4; 20.Nb5 and I prefer White.
16.f4! h6; 17.fxg5 hxg5; 1 8.Nc2.
42
ALEKHINE DEFENSE
With d4 under control White is better.
WELLIN G VARIATI O N
l .e4 Nf6
2.e5 Nd5
3.b3
The Welling Variation is based on avoiding an immediate confron

tation in the center, choosing instead to play along the long diagonal.
The plan is not especially unorthodox, but there are many possibilities
for early queen excursions.

3 ..g6 is the best reply. 4.Bb2 Bg7. This position can arise from the Alekhine
.
Defense or from the Nimzo-Larsen Attack via l .b3 or l .Nf3. 5.Qf3 is not at all
unreasonable, since the queen is safe from any enemy attacks.
5 .c4 Nb6; 6.d4 d6; 7.f4 0-0 (7 ... dxe5; 8.fxe5 0-0; 9.Be2 c5 is another vigor
ous response, seen in Sartor - Robledo Nestor, Argentinean Under-1 6 Cham
pionship 1 992.) 8.Nf3 dxe5; 9.fxe5 c5; 10.d5 Bg4; 1 l .h3 Bxf3; 12.Qxf3 and
White had an overextended center. 12 ... e6; 13 .Nc3 exd5; 14.Nxd5 Nxd5;
43
15.cxd5 Nd7; 16.0-0-0 Nxe5 was better for Black in Gruebner - Konopka,
Bundesliga 1 996.
Defending the knight with ... e6 weakens the dark squares on the kingside,
and ... c6 takes away the best square for the Black knight, so 5 . Nb4. 5 ... c6;
..
6.c4 Nc7; 7.Qg3 d6; 8.d4 dxe5; 9.dxe5 a5; 10.Bd3 Nba6; 1 l .Ne2 gave White
the freer game in Sirigos - Hinks Edwards, World Under- 16 Championship
1 993.
Here 6.Na3 0-0 is the most logical continuation. Black has an acceptable
game.
Z AIRE D E F EN S E
l.d4 Nc6
2.d5 Nb8
3.e4 Nf6
4.e5 Ng8
An extreme form of this hypermodern strategy is the Zaire De

fense. In this variation, Black hopes to attack the overextended pawns.
After 5.c4 and an eventual f4, White can hold the big center with
out much difficulty and use the d4 and e4 squares for safely maneuver
ing close to enemy lines.
44
AMAR OPENING
AMAR OPENING
l.Nh3
The Amar is an absolutely mad and ridiculous opening, also known

as the Paris Opening. The drunken knight is almost falling off the
board, and has a very limited range.

l...d5; 2.g3. 2.d4 Bxh3; 3.gxh3 e6; 4.Bg2 c6. The weakness of the pawn
structure is more important than the bishop pair. Bulla - Veselsky, Hlohovec
1 995. 2 ...e5. Of course Black should take advantage of the opportunity to
occupy the center. 3.c3. 3.Bg2 f5 was played in Tartakower - Marconi, 1932,
but someone should have radioed in 4.c4 in Tartakower's usual hypermodern
spirit, after which White would have some counterplay, but instead Tartakower
castled and got into trouble.
3.f4 Bxh3; 4.Bxh3 exf4; 5.0-0 fxg3; 6.hxg3 is a variation of the Paris Gam
bit (see below), but this Gent Gambit is not any better. 6 ... Qd6; 7.Rf3 Nd7;
8.d4 0-0-0; 9.Bf4 Qg6 (9 ... Qb6 is simpler, and stronger.) 1 O.Nc3 Bd6; 1 1 .Nxd5
Bxf4; 12.Nxf4 Qh6; 13.Bg2 and White managed to equalize in Welling -
Peleman, Gent 1 986.
3 ...Nf6; 4.Bg2 Be7; 5.0-0 0-0; 6.d4 Nbd7; 7.f4 exd4; 8.cxd4 Re8; 9.Nf2
Nb6; 10.Nc3 Bb4 was agreed drawn in Kadas - G. Szabo, Hajduszoboszlo
1 995. Maybe Black was just confused by the name of the tournament, because
his position certainly looks more comfortable.
45
u PARIS GAMBIT
l.Nh3 d5
2.g3 e5
3.f4
This is the Paris Gambit, a romantic but unprincipled opening.

3 ... Bxh3; 4.Bxh3 exf4.
The Paris Gambit was perhaps inspired by an overindulgence of wine,

because it combines a pawn sacrifice with a drunken knight move and sta
tions the bishop somewhat unnaturally at h3.
5.0-0. 5.d4 Bd6!; 6.Rgl (6.gxf4? Qh4+) 6 ... fxg3; 7.hxg3 c6. Black already
has the advantage, and can now simply develop and then exploit the weak
nesses of White's pawn structure later. 8.Qd3 Qe7; 9.Nd2 Nf6; lO.N£3. White
is forced to abandon his dream of e2-e4. 10 ... Nbd7; l l.Bd2 Nh5; 12.g4. What
else? 12 ...Ng3; 13.0-0-0. White is prepared to give up the e-pawn to release
the pressure, but Black is more ambitious than that! 13 ... Ne4!; 14.c4?? Nf2;
1 5.Qb3 Nxh3, as in Flugrath - Ter Braake, Postal l990.
46
AMAR OPENING
5 fxg3; 6.hxg3. 6.e4 d4 (6 ...Qh4; 7. Q£3 Nf6; 8. Q£5 Bc5+ forced White's
...
resignation in Lower - Guthrie, Tucson 1 993. That game actually began l .f4
e5; 2.Nh3 d5; 3.g3.) 7.Qh5 is called the Amar Gambit Compromised, but all it
compromises is White's position after 7 ...Nf6; 8.Qb5+ Nbd7; 9.Qxb7 since
9... Bc5 (9 ... gxh2+; 1 0.Kxh2 Bd6+ and Black will castle and then go king-hunt
ing.) 1 0.d3 0-0; 1 l .Bf4 is clearly better for White.
6 ... Nf6; 7.d3 Nc6; 8.Nc3 was played in Tartakower - Lilienthal, 1933, and
now Benjamin suggests (Tartakower-Lilienthal, 1933) 8 ... Be7; 9.Bf4. 9.Bg5
h6; 10.Bf4 d4 leads to the same result.
9...d4 and White is already in deep trouble.
47
ANDERSSEN OPENING
The Anderssen Opening, actually recorded in 1 839 in the game

Zekeriski - Boncourt, is primarily a transpositional device, and there
are many possibilities leading to the English Opening, Bugayev Attack,
and almost any opening which includes an early a3 by White which
does not involve an attack on an enemy piece.
As such, it is difficult to comment on the opening, except by exam
ining the limitations on those transpositions. Black can, of course, oc
cupy the center with pawns, and take over those privileges usually asso
ciated with the White side. The move a3 may be simply irrelevant, but
then again it may not.

For example, a reversed Spanish Game is out of the question, because the
Black bishop cannot safely occupy b4. So a good argument can be made that
Black should play l ...g6, since the move a3 is not usually employed by White
against the Modern Defense ( l .e4 g6; 2.d4 Bg7).
l. .. e5. l...Nf6; 2.Nf3 g6; 3.g3 b6; 4.Bg2 Bb7; 5.0-0 Bg7; 6.c4 c5. Against a
double-fianchetto the advance of the a-pawn looks positively useless. 7.Nc3 0-
0; 8.Rb l d6; 9.d4 cxd4 with:
a) 10.Nxd4 Bxg2; l l .Kxg2 should be even.
b) 10.Qxd4?! Ne4!; l l .Qd3 Nxc3; 12 .bxc3 Nd7; 13.a4? White was blinded
by the thought of exploiting the pin on the b-file but now he gets clobbered.
13 ... Nc5; 14.Qc2 Be4 White resigned, Kovacevic - Devcic, Novi Sad 1988.
l...d5 can have independent significance, of course. 2.d4 (2.Nf3 g6; 3.b4
Bg7; 4.Ra2 e5; 5.d3 Ne7; 6.Bb2 is a strange but interesting idea from Suttles -
48
ANDERSSEN OPENING
Schmid, Lone Pine 1 975.) 2 ...Nf6. Again, Black should just ignore White's
flank move, keeping in mind only that the b4 square will not be available. 3.e3
Bf5; 4.Bd3 Bg6 and now:
a) 5.c3 Nc6; 6.Nf3 (6.f4 Be4!) 6 ... Qd6 followed by ... e5.
b) 5.Nc3 e6; 6.Nf3 c5; 7.Qe2 Nc6; 8.0-0 Be7; 9.dxc5 Bxc5. Black has wisely
continued with development and has a comfortable game with greater con
trol of the center.
10.e4 0-0; 1 l .b4 White has suddenly become aggressive, but two can play
at that game! 1 l ...Nd4!; 1 2.Qe1 dxe4; 13.Nxe4 Nxf3+; 14.gxf3 Mieses - Cohn,
Ostende 1907.
l ...g6; 2.g4 Bg7; 3.Bg2 d5; 4.h3 c5; 5.d3 Nc6; 6.Nc3 is a grobby approach,
Basman - Ilic, Biel 1979. 6 ... Bxc3+; 7.bxc3 h5 would be an aggressive reply.
2.c4. 2.e4 Nf6; 3.Nc3 d5; 4.exd5 Nxd5; 5.Qf3 Nf6; 6.d3 Nc6 gave White
absolutely nothing in Larouche - Shirazi, Saint Martin 199 1 .
2 ...Nf6; 3.Nc3 d5; 4.cxd5 Nxd5; 5.e3 Be6; 6.Nf3 Bd6; 7.Be2 0-0; 8.d4.
8.0-0 Nxc3; 9.bxc3 f5; 10.d4 e4; 1 l .Nd2 Rf6; 1 2.f4 Rh6 is another Anderssen
- Morphy, Paris 1 858 match game.
8 ... Nxc3; 9.bxc3 e4; 10.Nd2 £5; 1 1.£4 g5; 12.Bc4 Bxc4; 13.Nxc4 gx£4;
14.exf4 Qe8; 15.0-0 Qc6; 16.Qb3 Qd5; 17.Rb l b6; 18.Qa2 was played in
Anderssen - Morphy, Paris (match) 1858, and here 18 ...Nc6; 19.Qe2 Rad8
would have been the most natural defense.
49
I
BALTIC DEFENSE
ARGENTINIAN GAMBIT
l.d4 d5
2.c4 Bf5
3.cxd5 Bxbl
4.Qa4+ c6
5.dxc6 Nxc6
The Argentinian Gambit is an unorthodox line in the Baltic De

fense. The Baltic is not an unorthodox opening but it did not have
much of a following until the late 1 980s. This gambit is temporary, and
after 6.Rxb l Qxd4. Black equalizes without difficulty.
BARNES OPENING
WALKERLIN G
The problem with the Barnes Opening is that White creates a weak
ness in the kingside without even knowing what sort of formation Black
is going to adopt. The best reply is l...eS, when White can choose from
50
BALTIC DEFENSE/BARNES OPENING
among a number of shady and disreputable plans.

l. ..e5. l . ..d5 2.d4 Nf6; 3.e4 dxe4; 4.Nc3 see Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
2.e4. There is no real justification for this, save that unlike the Damiano
Defense ( l .e4 e5; 2.Nf3 f6) , it does not lose immediately. The opening has
been seen from time to time but is as pointless now as it ever was. 2.Kf2 is a bit
of madness known as the Hammerschlag. The White king is the one who will
soon feel great weights descending rapidly, for f2 is no square for a monarch!
2.g3 d5; 3.Nh3 Nf6; 4.Nf2 Nc6; 5.Bg2 is an example of ridiculous develop
ment by White and sensible play by Black, who controls the center and has
better development. 2.g4?? Qh4# is the famous Fool's Mate, which says some
thing about the fans of the Barnes Opening.
2 ...Nf6; 3.Nc3. The King's Head Opening, which I have used a few times
in quickplay events. Not just any rapid tournaments, just those organized by
the King's Head Pub, my London chess club for a number of years. You can
draw your own conclusions about the inspiration for this folly.
3.Bc4 was the start of Walkerling - Nagy, Postal 1930, which actually be
gan l .f3 Nf6; 2 .e4 e5. The game didn't last long: 3 ...Nxe4? (3 ... Nc6; 4.c3 Bc5 is
a more logical defense.) 4.fxe4 Qh4+; S .Kfl Qxe4; 6.d3 Qg6; 7.Nc3 c6; 8.Qf3
£5?; 9.Nh3 Be7; 1 0.Bd2 d6; 1 l .Re1 Be6; 12.Nf4 and Black resigned.
3 ... Bc5; 4.a3 0-0; 5.b4 Bb6; 6.d3 Nc6; 7.Bg5 Bd4? 7 ... h6; 8.Bh4 g5 would
give Black a strong initiative. 8.Nge2 h6. Too late! 9.Bh4 Nb8. 9 ... g5; lO.Bg3
d6; 1 l .Nxd4 Nxd4; 12.Ne2 would be a bit better for White in the long run.
10.Qd2 c6; l l.Nxd4 exd4; 12.Ne2 d6; 13.Nxd4 and White had a huge
advantage in Schiller - Campbell, London (King's Head Quickplay) 1982.
51
BENONI DEFENSE
CO RMO RANT GAMBIT
l.d4 c5
2.dxc5 b6
What could possess Black to give up a pawn in this fashion?

Consider the position after 3.cxb6 Qxb6; 4.e4 d6; 5.Nf3 Bb7; 6.Nc3 Nd7;
7.Be2 Rc8; 8.0-0 Ngf6, a plausible continuation. We have a Sicilian Defense
where Black has mobilized quickly. I doubt it is a wise investment of a pawn,
but it is not without some logical foundation. I don't think that this gambit is
capable of flying to great heights in the modern world.
HAWK VARIATI O N
l.d4 c5
2.d5 Nf6
3.Nf3 c4
52
BENONI DEFENSE
This unprincipled advance of the c-pawn is a Biicker idea. It is nev

ertheless not easy to refute.

4.Nc3. 4.e4 is a very aggressive and interesting possibility. 4 ...Nxe4; 5.Bxc4
with a few options:
a) 5 ...g6; 6.Qd4 Nf6; 7.0-0 Bg7; 8.d6 e6; 9.Qh4 h6; 1 0.Nc3 a6; 1 l .Be3 bS;
12.Bd3 Nc6; 1 3 .a4 b4; 1 4.a5 Rb8; 1 5.Na4 QxaS; 1 6.Nc5 Qd8; 1 7.Nxa6
Maherramzade - Tellijohann, Leon 1 996.
b) S ...bS Biicker ( 1 989) considers this mandatory. 6.Bd3. Well, Biicker goes
the other way with 6.Bb3, but I find his analysis of this move unconvincing.
6 ... Qa5+; 7.c3 Nf6; 8.0-0 Bb7. Now he awards an exclamation point to 9.c4,
though in his line White fails to equalize. But why advance the c-pawn, when
there is a deadlier thrust! 9.d6! exd6 (9 ... e6; 10.Bf4 and what does Black have
to show for the pawn?) 1 0.Qe2+ Be7; 1 l .Re1 Nc6; 12.Bxb5 Qc7; 13.Bg5 and
Black's position is under considerable pressure.
c) 5 ... d6; 6.0-0 g6; 7.Qd4 Nf6; 8.Re1 Nbd7; 9.Bf4 Qb6; 1 0.Nc3 Qxd4;
l l.Nxd4 and White has better development and a slight advantage, Belozerov
- Praet, European Boys under-20 Championship 1 996.
4...Qa5; 5.Nd2.
S.BgS bS; 6.Bxf6 exf6; 7.Qd4 Na6; 8.d6 Bb7; 9.Qe3+ Kd8; 10.Nd4 Nb4;
1 l .Qd2 a6; 1 2.Rd1 Qb6; 1 3.Nf5 QcS; 14.e4 g6 (14 ... Bxe4; 15 .Nxe4 Qxf5; 1 6.f3
Nc6 and Black is a bit better, though it will take time to develop.) 15.Ne3 with
an unclear position in Schandorff - Olesen, Copenhagen 1 996.
5.Bd2 NxdS; 6.e4 Nxc3; 7.Bxc3 QcS; 8.Qd4 Qxd4; 9.Nxd4 Nc6; 10.Bxc4
Nxd4; 1 l .Bxd4 e6 and White is a little better in the endgame, according to G.
Waiters. Perhaps, but it is very unlikely that White can achieve much in the
long term. 1 2.f4 is probably the most promising line.
5 ... b5; 6.e4 d6. 6 ... e6; 7.Be2 Bb4; 8.0-0 Bxc3; 9.bxc3 Qxc3; 10.Rb 1 is prom
ising for White, according to Unorthodox Openings , but Biicker dissents, claim
ing that Black can continue with 1 O ... QaS. 1 l .Bb2 is an interesting reply.
( 1 l .Bxc4 bxc4; 1 2.Nxc4 Qc7 is winning for Black.) 1 l ...c3. ( 1 1...0-0; 12.Bf3
c3; 13.Nb3 Qa4; 14.Bxc3 Nxe4; 15.Bd4! and White is better. ) 12.Nb3 Qc7.
(12 ... Qxa2; 1 3.Bxc3 Qa3; 14.Bxf6 gxf6; 15.Bxb5 is clearly better for White.)
13.d6! Qc6; 14.Nd4 Qxd6; 15 .Nxb5 Qxd1 ; 1 6.Rfxd1 cxb2; 1 7.Nc7+ Kd8;
18.Nxa8 Nxe4; 1 9.Rxb2 Nc3; 20.Re1 Nxe2+; 2 l .Rxe2 Nc6; 22.Re3 and White
is still a little better, because even if Black can manage to corral the knight at
a8, this will require resources that will weaken the defense of the kingside.
7.a4 a6. 7 ...Ba6 was one of Biicker's ideas, but after 8.axb5 Qxa1 ; 9.Bxc4
Benjamin and I considered it to be refuted.
8.Ra2 b4; 9.Nxc4 was Watson's improvement over Biicker's 9.Ncb 1 Nxe4.)
9 ...Qc7; IO.Nb l Nxe4; l l.Qd4. Watson and I claim this position is better for
White. Biicker claims that Black has good chances. l l...N£6.
1 l ...Nc5; 12.Bf4 aS; 13.Nbd2 Nbd7; 14.Qe3 and now rather than 14 ... Kd8,
which Biicker admits is good for White, he prefers 14 ... e5; 15.dxe6 fxe6; 16.Be2
53
Nf6 which he claims, in an article in the first issue of his journal Kaissiber from
May 1 996, is playable for Black. 17 .Bf3 still looks better for White, for ex
ample 1 7 ... Ra7 ( 1 7... Bb7; 18.Bxb7 Qxb7; 19.Qh3 when Black must worry about
the pawn at d6. After 1 9 ... Qc7; 20.0-0 Be7; 2 l .Rd1 White has a good game,
though the rook at a2 may have to reposition itself. The hanging pawns at e6
and d6 will remain a target for some time.)
18.0-0 Be7; 19.Rd1 0-0 fails to 20.Nxd6! Bxd6; 2 l.Bxd6 Qxd6; 22.Nb3
Qb6; 23.Qxc5 Qxc5; 24.Nxc5 with an extra pawn for White, since 24 ... Rc7;
25.Nb3 Rxc2 loses the a-pawn to 26.Nxa5.
12.Nb6. Watson and I gave 12 .Bf4 as better for White, but Biicker re
sponded with 12 ... Bb7; 13.Nb6 Nxd5! ; 14.Nxd5 Qa5; 15.Qxb4 Qxd5; 1 6.Nc3
( 16.Ra3 Qe4+; 17.Qxe4 Bxe4; 18.Rc3 is unclear.) 16 ... Qe6+ with equality.
12 ...Qxc2; 13.Qc4 Qxc4; 14.Bxc4 Ra7; 15.Nxc8 Rc7; 16.Nb6 Nfd7; 17.a5
Nxb6; 18.axb6 Rxc4. Biicker evaluates this position as unclear, with White
holding compensation for the pawn. 19.Be3 Rc2; 20.0-0 e6 is his proposal for
further play.
NAKAM U RA GAMBIT
l .d4 c5
2.b4 cxb4
This one comes from the paradise of Hawaii, courtesy of Clyde

Nakamura.

3.e4 g6. 3 ... d5; 4.e5 e6 transposes to the Wing Gambit in the French
Defense.
4.Nf3 Bg7; 5.Bb2 d6 and I don't see much compensation for White.
54
BENONI DEFENSE
S NAIL VARIATI O N
l .d4 c5
2.d5 Na6
This drunken knight has a hazy idea that it can operate well from
c7, but this is not the Modern Benoni, with a different configuration
in the center. Here Black cannot find enough counterplay, though the
opening does not lead to any serious problems.

3.Nf3. 3.e4 can be played right away.
3 d6; 4.e4 Bg4; 5.Ne5! Qa5+. 5 ... Bxdl; 6.Bb5+ Qd7; 7.Bxd7+ Kd8; 8.Nxf7+
..•
Kxd7; 9.Kxd l and White wins.

6.Bd2 dxe5; 7.Bxa5 Bxdl; 8.Bb5# was the brutal conclusion of Chrosh
Jaffe, New York 1936.
V U LTU RE D E F EN S E
l.d4 c5
2.d5 Nf6
3.c4 Ne4
55
The Vulture is part of Biicker's trilogy which form a repertoire for

Black against l .d4, using l ...c5. The others are the Hawk and the Woozle.
The Vulture has become quite popular and a lot of theory has been
accumulated. The basic plan for Black is to play ... Qa5, retreat the knight
to d6 and counter and engage in battle for the e4-square with . . . f5.

4.Qc2. The Big Book ofBusts points out that 4.Qd3 is an interesting alter
native, but we'll stick to the main lines here. Biicker's extensive and detailed
study of the opening contains a great deal of valuable information. Here is an
update on the theory.
4 ... Qa5+; 5.Nd2 Nd6; 6.b3. This is the best move, but we must also con
sider the more common 6.e4. 6.e4 is usually met by 6 ... g6. Here White can try
a promising gambit. 7.b4!? Qxb4 (7 ... cxb4 8.Bb2 gives White good compensa
tion.) 8.Bb2 (8.Rb 1 Qa5; 9.Bb2 Rg8; 1 0.Bc3 Qa3; 1 l .h4 Bh6; 12.h5 Bxd2+; is
Crouch - Hodgson, London 1 983, and here 1 3.Bxd2 is the best capture, with
an unclear position.) and now Black has two plans.
a) 8 . . .f6; 9.Bd3 Bg7; 1 0.f4 b5; 1 l .cxb5 c4; 1 2.Be2 Nxe4; 13.Qxe4 f5?
( 1 3 ... Qxb2; 14.Rb 1 £5; 15.Qxc4 Qc3; 1 6.Qxc3 Bxc3; 1 7.Rcl Bxd2+; 1 8.Kxd2
and White is a little better but this is what Black should have played.) 14.Qxc4
Qxc4; 1 5.Nxc4 Bxb2; 1 6.Nxb2 Black resigned, Frank - Crawley, World Open
1 995.
b) 8 ... Rg8; 9.Rb1 Qa5; 10.Bd3 Na6; 1 l .a3 f6; 12.e5 fxe5; 13.Bxe5 N£7;
14.Bc3 and White had some compensation for the pawn in Meister - Schone,
West Germany 1 986.
6 ...f5. 6 ... g6; 7.Bb2 Rg8 is Zimmerman - Biicker, West Germany 1988,
and here the simple 8.Bc3 gives White a considerable advantage, since the
strong center will be built quickly. 8 ...Qa3 is Biicker's attempt to improve on
the Big Book ofBusts 8 ... Qb6; 9.Qb2 which is very strong for White, but 9.Nb1
Qa6; 1 0.e4 still looks much better to me. His other suggestion is 8 ... Qd8 and
now 9.e4 Bg7; 1 0.e5 N£5; 1 l .Ngf3 gives White a strong position.
56
BENONI DEFENSE
7.Bb2 e6. 7 ...b5; 8.f3 bxc4; 9.bxc4 is better for White. Biicker's 9 ... Rg8 is
hardly convincing. 1 O.Be5 looks good, and if Black plays 1 O ... g6, just take the
knight and doom the enemy light squared bishop.
8.Bc3 Qd8. 8 ... Qb6; 9.Qb2 (9.Nh3 is Benj amin's alternative, and a good
one.) 9 ... Rg8; 1 0.h4 Nf7; 1 l .Nh3! exd5; 12.cxd5 Qd6; 1 3.e4 fxe4; 14.Bc4 is
considered much better for White in the Big Book of Busts.
9.e4 fxe4; IO.Nxe4 exd5; l l.cxd5 Nxe4; 12.Qxe4+ and White has a huge
advantage, Chemin - Bischoff, Austria 1 996.
WOOZ LE
l.d4 c5
2.d5 Nf6
3.Nc3 Qa5
This is the Woozle, another of Biicker's contributions to the world

of the weird. The early deployment of the queen does not achieve the
goal of equality, as Watson and I demonstrated in the Big Book ofBusts.

4.Bd2. Breaking the pin on the knight is the most successful way of fight
ing for control of the e4 square. 4.e4 looks like a simple tactical blunder, but it
seems to have been played deliberately in two games which were won by White,
so we should take a look at this Pomes Gambit, where the victim was a Grand
master!
4 ...Nxe4; 5.Qf3 Nf6 (5 ...Nxc3; 6.Bd2 e5; 7.dxe6 dxe6; 8.Bxc3 Qc7; 9.0-0-
0 Bd7; 1 0.Be5 Qb6; 1 l .Qg3 Nc6; 12.Bc7 Qb4; 13.a3 Qa4; 14.Ne2 Ne7; 15.Nc3
Nf5; 1 6.Qf3 Nd4 looks active for Black but 1 7.Rxd4! leads to a winning posi
tion for White. 17 ... Qxd4; 1 8.Qxb7 Rc8; 1 9.Bb5 Rxc7; 20.Qb8+ Beth -
Wedervang, Postal 1 99 1 .) 6.Bg5 d6; 7.Bxf6 exf6; 8.0-0-0 Bd7; 9.Bd3 Be7;
1 0.Re1 Kd8; 1 l .Qg3 g6; 12.Nf3 Re8; 13.Qh4 h5 and again an exchange sacri
fice delivers the goods: 14.Rxe7! Rxe7; 15.Qxf6 Be8; 1 6.Re1 Qc7; 17.Nb5
Bxb5; 18.Bxb5 Nc6; 1 9.dxc6 bxc6; 20.Bxc6. Black resigned, Pomes - Bellon
Lopez, Benidorm 1 985.
57
4.g3 is an interesting try, from Hall - Watson, England 199 1 .

4...b5; 5.e4. 5.a3 is playable, but White cannot count on any advantage.
5...b4; 6.e5 bxc3; 7 .Bxc3 Qa4.
This is a very strange square for the queen, but Bucker has a habit of
placing his ladies in harm's way. He makes analogies to the Benko Gambit
here that do not make sense. Black has only a single open file on the queenside
and the pawn at c2 not only exists, but helps in the defense. There is no strong
fianchettoed bishop for Black.
8.exf6 gxf6. 8 ... Qe4+ is the older line, now largely abandoned. 9.Qe2
Qxe2+; 1 0.Nxe2 gxf6; 1 l .d6! e5; 1 2.0-0-0 Nc6 ( 12 ... Bb7; 13.Ng3 Rg8; 14.Kb 1
a S ; 15.f4 Bg7; 16.Re1 Kf8; 1 7.Rg1 exf4; 1 8.Nh5 f3; 19.gxf3 Bxf3; 20.Nxf6
Black resigned, Markl - Ebeling, Postal 1 991 . ) 13.Ng3 Rg8; 14.Bd3 Bxd6;
15.Bxh7 Rh8; 16.Rxd6 Rxh7; 17.Rd5 and White has an assortment of advan
tages, including a powerful outside passed pawn, Agnello - Gueci, Cattolica
1 994.
9.d6!
Not mentioned by Bucker, this logical thrust secures an advantage for

White.
9.Qf3 Bb7; 1 0.b3 Qa3; 1 l .Bc4 is an alternative.
58
BENONI DEFENSE
John Watson and I think White is better here, but Biicker, in his journal
Kaissiber, gives l l ...Na6, suggesting that Black can play ... Nb4 in the near fu
ture. 1 2.Bxa6 puts paid to that plan, at the price of the bishop pair. 12 ... Qxa6
(12 ... Bxa6; 13.d6 Rb8; 14.dxe7 Bxe7; 15.Qg3! and Black's pawn structure is a
mess. The White king needs some help to escape from the center, but I think
that Black's pieces are not active enough to take advantage.) 13.Ne2. White's
plan is to develop, move the bishop from c3, play c4, and Nc3, and maintain
an advantage in space while building an attack against the enemy king. If this
were easy to achieve, White would have a serious advantage. Black has
counterplay, however. I judge the position as somewhat more promising for
White, but perhaps it is more accurate to say simply that I'd prefer sitting on
the White side of the board.
9...Bb7; 10.Qe2 Qe4. Black might try 10 ... e6; l l .Bxf6 Rg8!? suggested to
me by Kari Heinola.
1 1.0-0-0 Qxe2; 12.Nxe2 Nc6; 13.Ng3. 13.dxe7 is even stronger, making
Black's structural disadvantage permanent.
13 ... e5; 14.Ne4 Nd4; 15.Nxf6+ Kd8; 16.Ba5+ Kc8; 17.c3 Bh6+; 18.Kb l
Ne6; 19.Bb5 Nf8; 20.Rhel e4; 2 1.Nxe4 Bxe4+; 22.Rxe4 Ne6; 23.Ba6+ Kb8;
24.Rxe6.
Black resigned, in a game found in my database as Just - Schiller, Postal
USA 1 99 1 .
59
BIRD OPENING
BATAVO -PO LI S H ATTAC K
l.f4 Nf6
2.Nf3 g6
3.b4
The Batavo-Polish Attack is another one of Schlenker' s faves, though

it has been used earlier by Myers, among others. For some reason, his
opponents refuse to accept pawns from this creative player, even when
there is no real reason to decline.

3 ... Nd5 wins a pawn. Schlenker claims that White gets great joy after.
3 ...Bg7; 4.Bb2 0-0; 5.e3 b6; 6.Be2 Bb7; 7.0-0 was played in Schlenker - Wienigk,
German High School Individual Championship 1 977. Instead of the ambi
tious 7 ... c5, I suggest 7... d6 intending ... Nbd7 and an eventual l .e5, in keeping
with generally useful strategies against queenside fianchettoes by White.
4.Bb2 f6. When Bent Larsen tried this in the 1958 Munich Olympiad
against Raizman, Black reacted with 4... a5. But it is important to block the
long diagonal.
5.f5 is now played, and was recorded by Pickett back in the 1970s. 5 ... Nxb4.
Only a masochist can find pleasure in White's position. The pawn at £5 achieves
nothing and will quickly become a target after the Black d-pawn advances.
After 6.fxg6, as in Campioli-Columbo, Italy 1 974, Black should just recap
ture and not go wild with 6 ... Nd5.
60
BIRD OPENING
FROM GAMBIT
l .f4 e5
2.fxe5
White can of course transpose to the King's Gambit with 2.e4, and
this is a common strategy.

2 ... d6. The From Gambit is a good, aggressive reply to the Bird Opening.
2 ... Nc6, the Schlechter Gambit, has become the popular line and is covered in
Standard Chess Openings. 3.exd6. 3.Nf3 Bg4!?; 4.e4 dxe5; 5.Bc4 Nd7; 6.Nc3
Bc5; 7.d3 Ngf6; 8.Bg5 h6; 9.Bh4 c6; 1 0.h3 Bh5; 1 l .Qe2 g5; 12.Bf2 b5 and in
Hayward - Nolan, Correspondence 1 98 7, Black had an initiative on both sides
of the board.
3 ... Bxd6. This is a very complicated opening, and there is no room to
squeeze in all of the details in a repertoire book, I have written a monograph,
How to Play the From Gambit, published in 1992 by Chess Enterprises. It also
covers the Schlechter Gambit.
4.Nf3 g5; 5.g3. 5.d4 g4; 6.Ng5 (6.Ne5 Bxe5; 7.dxe5 Qxd 1+; 8.Kxd1 Nc6;
9.Nc3 Be6!; 10.Bf4 0-0-0+; 1 l .Ke 1 Nge7; 1 2.e3 Ng6; and in Chigorin -
Tarrasch, Vienna 1 898, Black had solved the problems of the opening. Dog
matic old Tarrasch - who would have thought of him on the Black side of this
opening!) 6 ... f5; 7.e4 h6; 8.e5 Be7; 9.Nh3 gxh3; 10.Qh5+ Kf8; 1 l .Bc4 Rh7!;
12.Qg6 Rg7; 13.Bxh6 Nxh6 (1 3 ... Bb4+ is a popular alternative.) 14.Qxh6 Bb4+;
15.c3 Qg5; 16.Qxh3 Nc6; 1 7.0-0 Nxe5!; 1 8.dxe5 Bc5+; 19.Kh 1 Ke7; 20.b4
Be6! Rh8; 2 l .Nd2 Rh8; 22.Nf3! Qg6; 23.Nh4 and now perhaps Black should
settle for the draw by repeating the position. Instead, in Theiler - Ghitescu,
Romania 1 956, he tried for more and lost.
5 ...g4; 6.Nh4.
61
This certainly is not an orthodox position!

6 ... Ne7; 7.d4. 7.b3 Be5; 8.Nc3 Bf6; 9.Ng2 Nbc6; 10.Bb2 Bf5; 1 l .e3 is also
good, as in Noble - Rodriguez Monteiro, Las Palmas 1 996.
7 ...Ng6; 8.Nxg6. 8.Ng2 h5 !? Not the most common move, but it seems
good enough and avoids a lot of messy theory. 9.e4 h4; 10.e5 Be7!; 1 l .Rg1
Bf5; 12.Be3 Nc6; 13.c3 Qd7; 14.Bb5 0-0-0 and Black had a promising posi
tion in Genser - Jonassen, Correspondence 1 979.
8 ...hxg6; 9.Qd3. 9.Bg2 invites 9 ... Rxh2 ! but 10.Qd3 ( 1 0.Rxh2 Bxg3+;
1 l .Kf1 Bxh2 is better for Black.) 10 ...Rxh1+; 1 l .Bxh1 Nc6? ( l l ...c5!) 12.Bxc6+
bxc6; 13.Qe4+ and White had the upper hand in Petro - Kadlicsko, Sarospatak
1 996.
9 Nc6; 1 0.c3 Qe7; l l.Bg2 Bf5; 12.e4 0-0-0; 13.Be3! 13 .0-0?! Ne5!;
..•
14.Qd 1 ( 1 4.Qe3 Bd7; 15.Qg5 Nf3+; 16.Bxf3 f6 i s unclear, according to

Panchenko.) 14 ... Nf3+; 15.Bxf3 gxf3; 16.exf5.
1 6 ...Rxh2 !!; 1 7.Qxf3 Rh3; 1 8.Bf4 Bxf4; 1 9.Qxf4 Rdh8; 20.Qf3 Qg5; 2 l .Kf2
Rh2+; 22.Kg 1 Rh 1 + and White resigned, Antoshin - Panchenko, Soviet Union
1 983.
13 Rde8! 14.Nd2 g5. 14 ... f6; 15.exf5 Qxe3+; 16.Qxe3 Rxe3+; 17.Kf2 Rhe8
.•.
1 8.Rhe1 Rxe1; 1 9.Rxe 1 Rxe1 ; 20.Kxe 1 gxf5 and White is only a little better in
62
BIRD OPENING
the endgame.
15.exf5 Qxe3+; 16.Qxe3 Rxe3+; 17.Kf2 Rhe8; 18.Bd5 Re2+; 19.Kfl Rxd2;
20.Bxf7 Ree2 and Black wins.
H O BBS GAMBIT
l.f4
Black's confrontational 2 ... e5 has been treated in the From Gambit

section, but there are other radical moves that Black can use to attack
White's strategy. We'll take a brief look at the Hobbs Gambit.

l. ..g5.
The Hobbs Gambit is motivated by the reasonable success White has with
an early g4 against the Dutch Defense ( l .d4 f5 ). Here, however, Black is a
tempo down and has not established a pawn in the center. This allows White
to employ a strategy which is not as effective with colors reversed.
63
2.fxg5 h6. 2 ... e5; 3.e4 (3.d3 h6; 4.Nf3 Nc6; 5.e4 hxg5; 6.Bxg5 f6 provided
some compensation for Black in Spargo - Hobbs, Berkeley 1977, because the
open h-file is valuable.) 3 ... Qxg5 (3 ...h6 of Spargo - Hobbs, Berkeley 1978,
should be met by 4.g6! fxg6; 5.Nf3 Nc6; 6.Bc4 and the weakness of Black's
kingside is critical.) 4.Nf3 Qg6; 5.Nc3 is clearly better for White. Black will
have to worry about the vulnerability of f7, which now lies on an open f-file.
3.g6! fxg6; 4.e3 when Black's kingside is very vulnerable. I think that this
is better than 4.e4, seen in Hjortstam-Trokenheim, Postal 1990, because White
may want to use a bishop at d3 to attack g6. But that is also a good move.
H O R S E F LY D E F EN S E
l.f4 Nh6
If it were White's intention to advance the pawn to f5 right away,

this might make some sense, but even then, there are better ways to
achieve the goal.

2.Nf3 g6; 3.e4. 3.d3 d5; 4.e3 Bg7; 5.Be2 0-0; 6.0-0 Nc6; 7.d4 Bf5; 8.Bd2
Be4 and Black was doing fine in Schenk - Welling, Eindhoven 1986.
3 ...Bg7. Perhaps Heinola's suggested 3 ... d5 is better, but I still think Black's
position is suspect. 4.Bc4 looks good for White.
64
BIRD OPENING
LASKER ATTACK
l.f4
The Bird Opening would be orthodox enough if it were merely a

way of playing a Dutch Defense with an extra tempo. It can lead to
some strange positions too.

l . .. d5. The most testing approach is the provocative From Gambit ( l ...e5
2.fxe5) which we examined earlier.
2.e3. 2.Nf3 usually leads to similar positions, but if 2 ... g6, White can try
3.e4 dxe4; 4.Ng5. Bryntse-Hjorth, Postal 1 973 continued 4 ... Nf6; 5.Bc4 e6;
(5 ... Bg4; 6.Bxf7+ Kd7; 7.Qxg4+ Nxg4; 8.Be6+ Kc6; 9.Bxg4 e5; 10.Nf7 Qf6; 1 1 .
Nxe5+ Kb6; 1 2 .Nc3 c6 was the continuation of Heinola-Arne, Palo Alto 1 995.)
6.Nc3 Bg7; 7.Ncxe4 Nxe4; 8.Nxe4 0-0; 9.c3 c5; 10.d3 Qc7 1 l .h4 b6; 12.h5
Ba6; 13.hxg6 hxg6; 14.Qg4 Bxc4; 15.Qh4 Rc8; 16.f5 ! exf5; 17.Qh7+ Kf8; 18.
Qxg7+ and Black resigned a few moves later.
2 ...Nf6; 3.b3 e6. 3 ... e5 is an unorthodox sacrifice. 4.fxe5 Ng4; 5.Bb2 Nc6;
6.Bb5 Bb4 awaits a practical test.
4.Bb2 Be7; 5.Bd3. A somewhat artificial move, but not bad, because the c
pawn can still advance to c4, and then the bishop can retreat to c2, or b 1 , as
needed.
5 ...b6; 6.Nf3 Bb7; 7.Nc3 Nbd7; 8.0-0 0-0; 9.Ne2 c5; 10.Ng3 Qc7; l l .Ne5
Nxe5? With just one move, Black invites disaster. Moving one of the rooks to
c8 would have been better. 12.Bxe5. Just compare the relative activity of the
bishops Black is already in serious trouble. 12 ...Qc6; 13.Qe2 a6.
White has completed development and is ready to attack. The position of
the rook at a1 cannot be improved, for the moment. Lasker starts by eliminat
ing one of the few defenders of the Black king. But he doesn't part with the
Be5. 14.Nh5 Nxh5. White could simply recapture at h5; with a strong attack,
but by sacrificing a piece the momentum is greatly increased. 15.Bxh7+! Kxh7;
65
16.Qxh5+ Kg8; 17.Bxg7. This threatens mate at h8. 17 ...Kxg7; 18.Qg4+ Kh7.
Now the queen guards g2 and White can threaten the sideways equivalent
of a back rank mate. 19.Rf3 e5. The only defense. Now the Black queen can
come to h6. 20.Rh3+ Qh6; 2 1.Rxh6+ Kxh6; 22.Qd7. This wins one of the
bishops, and the game now is decisively in White's favor. 22 ...Bf6; 23.Qxb7
Kg7; 24.Rfl Rab8; 25.Qd7 Rfd8; 26.Qg4+ Kf8; 27.fxe5 Bg7; 28.e6 Rb7;
29.Qg6. White exploits the pin in the maximally efficient way. 29 f6; 30.Rxf6+
.•.
Bxf6; 3 1.Qxf6+ Ke8; 32.Qh8+ Ke7; 33.Qg7+. Now the rook at b7 falls, so
Black gives up. Lasker - Bauer, Amsterdam 1 889.
STU RM GAMBIT
l.f4 d5
2.c4
This is a radical plan for White, offering a pawn to get access to the
e4 square. The problem is that White's d-pawn becomes backward as a
result.

2 ...dxc4. 2 ... Nf6; 3.cxd5 Nxd5; 4.e4 Nxf4; 5.d4 Ng6; 6.Nf3 Nd7; 7.Bc4 e5;
8.0-0 exd4; 9.Bxf7+ was Sturm-Martin, 1 95 1 . Such gambits should not be
declined. But in Sturm's games I could find no case where Black accepted!
3.Na3. 3.Qa4+ Nc6; 4.Nf3 Nf6; 5.Nc3 is a more promising way of playing
the opening. There is no rush to recover the pawn. Still, Black is better.
3 ... e5; 4.e4 Bxa3; 5.Qa4+ Nc6; 6.Qxa3 Qd4. Black already has a clear
advantage, Sanchez - Sarmiento, Las Palmas Open 1 995.
66
BISHOP'S OPENING
BISHOP'S OPENING
KITC HENER FO LLY
l.e4 e5
2.Bc4 Nf6
3.d3 Be7
4.Nf3 0-0
This offer of a pawn is really too ambitious, and I abandoned it

after one game played at the Pan American Intercollegiate Champion
ship in 1984, even though I did somehow manage to draw the game. I
have seen this referred to as a Schiller Defense, but that is spurious. It
is some sort of relative of the Elephant Gambit.
I have never had any warm fuzzy feeling for this trash. Others have
tried it too. And failed.

5.Nxe5 d5; 6.exd5 Bd6; 7.d4 c6; 8.0-0 cxd5; 9.Bd3 Nc6; 10.Nxc6 bxc6;
l l.Bg5 Rb8; 1 2.b3 and White was better in Hergott - Schiller, Kitchener 1984.
LEWI S GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.Bc4 Bc5
3.d4
67
William Lewis's early 19th century gambit did not last long. White
gives up a center pawn for almost no compensation.

3 ... Bxd4. 3 ... exd4 is also good, since the wild 4.Bx£7+ Kx£7; 5.Qh5+ g6;
6.Qxc5 calms down after 6 ... Nc6 and Black has an excellent game. Without a
light-squared bishop White cannot cause any serious discomfort to the Black
king.
4.Nf3 Qf6; 5.Nxd4 exd4; 6.0-0 Nc6; 7.f4 d6; 8.Bb5 Bd7 is the refutation
provided by Schiffers.
KING ' S GAMBIT REVERS E D
l.e4 e5
2.Bc4 f5
This is a King's Gambit Declined in reverse with an extra tempo for

White.

3.d3! The King's Gambit Declined is perfectly fine with an extra tempo!
3 ... Bc5. 3 ...Nf6!; 4.Nf3 c6! (4 ... d5; 5.exd5 Bd6; 6.0-0 0-0; 7.Nc3 a6; 8.a4 h6;
9.d4! gave White an advantage in the center in Lenhof-Steinitz, Vienna 1859.)
and here 5.Nxe5 fails to 5 ... Qa5+.
4.Bxg8 Rxg8; 5.Qh5+ Kf8; 6.Nf3! Qf6; 7.Ng5 Rh8. A peculiar picture
one would think the Rh8 hadn't moved! 8.Nxh7+ Rxh7; 9.Qxh7± fxe4; 10.0-
0 d5; l l.Nc3 Be6; 12.Qh8+ Ke7; 13.dxe4 c6. Black needs this to try to activate
his queenside, but the position is already pathetic. 14.exd5 cxd5; 15.Be3 Bd6.
15 ... d4; 16.Ne4 Qg6; 1 7.Nxc5 dxe3; 1 8.fxe3 Qf8.
16.Radl Qf7; 17.b4! An effective closer. 17... Bxb4. 17 ... b6; 1 8.Nb5 would
have also won for White. 18.Ne4! Qf8. 18 ... dxe4?? is terminated by 1 9.Qd8#.
19.Qh4+ Kd7; 20.f4! Nc6; 2 1.fxe5 Qh8; 22.Qg3 Paulsen - St. Bon, London
1 862.
68
BISHOP'S OPENING
MACDO NNELL GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.Bc4 Bc5
3.b4!?
This is not unlike the standard Evans Gambit in the Italian game,
except that the knights have not yet made an appearance at f3 and c6.
So it is only mildly unorthodox.
EXAMPLES AND DISCUSSION \

3 ... Bxb4. 3 ... Bb6 is cowardice, and is suitably punished in this example:
4.Nc3 Nf6; 5.Nf3 Nxe4?; 6.Bxf7+! (6.Nxe4 d5) 6 ... Kxf7; 7.Nxe5+ Ke6; 8.Nxe4
Kxe5; 9.Bb2+ Kxe4?; 1 0.Qf3# Oskam - Grosian, Rotterdam 1930.
4.c3. 4.f4 d5 (4 ... exf4!? is greedy. 5.Nf3 Qe7; 6.Qe2 d5; 7.exd5 Qxe2+;
8.Kxe2 Nf6; 9.Bb2 0-0; 1 0.Bxf6 gxf6; 1 l .Kd 1 is a complicated position, but I
think White has considerable compensation for the pawn. 4 ... d6; 5.Nf3 Nd7;
6.0-0 Ngf6; 7.c3 Ba5; 8.fxe5 Nxe5; 9.Nxe5 dxe5; 1 0.Ba3 is a normal gambit
continuation. After 10 ... Bb6+; 1 l .Kh1 c5; 1 2.d4 0-0; 13.Nd2 exd4; 14.e5 Ng4;
Black was ahead in Steinitz - Evill, Cambridge 1874.)
5.exd5 e4; 6.Ne2 Nf6; 7.c3 (7.0-0 0-0; 8.Nbc3 c6; 9.dxc6 Nxc6; 10.Kh 1
Bg4; 1 l .Qe 1 e3! was better for Black in McDonnell - Labourdonnais, London
1834.) 7 ... Bc5; 8.d4 exd3; 9.Qxd3 0-0; 1 0.Ba3 Bxa3; 1 l .Nxa3 Bg4; 12.0-0 Bxe2;
13.Qxe2 Nxd5; 14.Qf3 c6; 1 5.Rab 1 Qe7; 1 6.Bxd5 cxd5; 1 7.c4 (Mongredien
Morphy, Paris 1 859.) 1 7... dxc4; 1 8.Rxb7 Nd7; 19.Kh1 is even, according to
the Bilguer Handbuch.
4... Bc5. 4 ... Be7; 5.Qh5 g6; 6.Qxe5 Nf6; 7.d4 Nc6 and Black has a decent
game.
4 ... Ba5; 5.Nf3 Nf6; 6.d4 0-0; 7.0-0 d6; 8.Ba3 Nxe4; 9.dxe5 Nxc3; 1 0.Qd3
Nxb1 ; 1 l .Raxb 1 Nc6; 12.exd6 cxd6; 13.Bxd6 Re8 and White was struggling to
justify the investment in Paulsen - Asbeck, Diisseldorf 1 863.
5.d4 exd4; 6.cxd4 Bb4+; 7 .Kfl. This unorthodox king move is justified by
the tactical threat of Qb3. 7.Bd2 Bxd2+; 8.Nxd2 Nf6; 9.e5 d5 is better for
Black.
69
7 Ba5? is an error (7 ... Qe7 and Black retains a small advantage), seen in
...
MacDonnell - Boden, London 1865, where White could have equalized with
8.Bxf7+ Kx£7; 9.Qh5+ g6; 10.Qxa5.
Although the Black king is a little exposed, there is nothing White can do
to exploit the situation. Both sides suffer from pathetic development.
70
BORG DEFENSE
BORG DEFENSE
TROO N GAMBIT
l.e4 g5
2.d4 h6
3.h4 g4
What cardinal sins are committed here! Black not only advances
the g-pawn two squares, but sacrifices it in the process. White owns the
center. But watch what happens in this game with the Troon Gambit,
also known as the Basman Gambit. The Borg Gambit, l .d4 g5, is utter
rubbish, but sooner or later, someone will try to claim it has merit. Just
take the pawn and smile.

4.Qxg4. White didn't get much out of 4.Bd3 in Bradbury-Basman, Lon
don 1 983.
4 d5; 5.Qf3 dxe4; 6.Qxe4 Nf6; 7.Qd3 Nc6; 8.c3 Qd5; 9.Nf3. Belakovskaia
..•
Lemon, National Open 1 995 saw instead 9.Qb5, which looks better, since
9 ... Qe4+; 10.Ne2 a6; 1 l .Qb3 Be6!?; 12 .Nd2 forces Black to exchange queens.
Leaving e4 would make it possible for White to grab the pawn at b7. The
game continued 9 ... Bf5; 1 0.Qxd5 NxdS; 1 l .Nf3 Rg8; 12.Be3 0-0-0 with a com
plicated game, but why not simply 10.Qxb7, which looks very powerful?
9...Rg8; 10.Nbd2. 1 0.c4 is stronger, taking the initiative and preparing
Nc3. 10 ...Bg4; l l.Nc4. 1 1 .Qe3 threatens Bc4. 1 1 .. .0-0-0; 12.Bc4 QhS; 13.N eS
NxeS; 14.dxe5 NdS and Black is no worse. 1 1 .Qb5 0-0-0; 12.Bc4 QxbS; 13.Bxb5
Nb8! and Black is slightly better.
1 1...0-0-0. Black can already be satisfied with the opening. The slight
structural weakness does not seem to be significant.
12.Ne3 Qd6; 13.Nxg4 Nxg4; 14.Qf5+ Kb8; 15.Bf4? 15.Qxf7 is a fairly
obvious move here. What did Black have in mind? 15 ... Rg6; 16.Qb3 eS; 17.Bd3
Rf6 and White can retain an advantage by giving back one of the extra pawns:
18.d5 QxdS; 19.Qxd5 RxdS; 20.Be4.
71
15...e5!
White is beginning to regret leaving the king in the center!

16.Nxe5 Nxd4!; 17.Nxg4? 1 7.cxd4 Qxd4; 1 8.Nxg4; ( 18.Nd3 Bb4+; 19.Ke2
Nxf2!; 20.Nxf2 Qxb2+; 2 l .Kf3 Qxal ; 22.Bc4 Qc3+ and Black has the advan
tage.) 1 8 ... Rxg4 and White has nothing better than ( 1 8 ... Bb4+; 1 9.Ke2 Qxb2+;
20.Kf3 Qxal; 2 l .Qc2 Bd6; 22.Nxh6 Qf6; 23.g3 and the king will retreat to g2,
with better long-term prospects.) 19.Bxc7+ Kxc7; 20.Be2 Re4; 2 l .Kfl Qxb2
and the end is near!
1 7.Qe4 Nxe5; 18.Qxd4 Qxd4; 1 9.cxd4 Rxd4; 20.Bxe5 Re4+; 2l .Be2 Rxe5
and White is a little worse, due to the problem on the e-file, but the long-term
prospects are far from hopeless.
17 ...Nc2+? 17 ... Nxf5; 1 8.Bxd6 Rxg4; 1 9.Bxf8 Re4+! ; 20.Be2 Rde8; 2 l .Kfl
Rxe2; 22.Ba3 and White's position can be held, though making much out of
the extra pawn may prove difficult.
18.Qxc2 Qx£4; 19.Ne3 Bc5; 20.g3??
This is too much of an invitation! 20.Rh3! and Black is completely lost.

20 ... Rxg3!; 2 1.fxg3 Qxe3+ Guilian - Basman, Troon 1984.
72
BUDAPEST DEFENSE
BUDAPEST DEFENSE
ASSO RTE D VARIATI O N S
l .d4 Nf6
2.c4 e5
3.dxe5 Ng4
The Budapest borders on respectability. If White overplays the po

sition, Black can close in quickly for the kill. With a calmer approach,
however, White can maintain an advantage in the opening. Neverthe
less, there are many players willing to defend the Black side, including
a number of Grandmasters. Pavel Blatny, conqueror of many major
tournaments, includes it in his repertoire.
The Budapest has been around for a long time, and the long jour
ney by the knight has not yet been refuted. Here we will concentrate
on some recent developments.The related Fajarowicz Defense is dis
cussed on page 157.

4.Nf3. As is so often the case, development is the best reaction to an unor
thodox opening strategy.
4...Nc6. 4...BcS is playable, for example S.e3 Nc6; 6.Nc3 0-0; 7.Bd3 (7.Be2
Re8; 8.0-0 NgxeS; 9.NxeS NxeS; 10.f4 Ng6; 1 l .Bd3 c6; 12.Ne4 was abut equal
in Klauser - Franzoni, Switzerland 1 996.) 7 ... Re8; 8.a3 NgxeS; 9.b4 Nxf3+;
10.Qxf3 NeS; 1 l .Qe2 Nxd3+; 1 2.Qxd3 Bd6; 13.0-0 b6; 14.Ra2 aS; 1S.bS Bb7;
16.Re2 Bxh2+; 17.Kxh2 Qh4+; 18.Kg1 Bxg2; 1 9.Kxg2 Qg4+; 20.Kh2 ReS;
2 l .QdS QhS+; 22.Kg1 RgS+; 23.QxgS QxgS+ and Black went on to win in
Gamboa - Blatny, New York Open 1 996.
5.Bf4 Bb4+; 6.Nbd2. Or 6.Nc3 Bxc3+; 7.bxc3 Qe7; 8.QdS f6; 9.exf6 Nxf6;
10.Qd3 d6; 1 l .g3 0-0; 12.Bg2 Na5 ( 12 ... Bg4; 13.0-0 Rae8; 14.Rae 1 Kh8; 1S.Nd4
NaS gave Black compensation in Dlugy - Epishin, New York Open 1 989.)
13.0-0 Be6; 14.Nd2 Nd7; 1S .Nb3 Nc6; 1 6.Nd4 NceS; 17.Qe3 Bxc4; 18.Bxb7
Rae8; 19.Qd2 Qf7; 20.Bg2 and White was better in Van Wely - Blatny, New
73
York Open 1 996.

6 ...Qe7. Black has developed quickly and will regain the pawn invested at
the second turn. There is still some time needed to recover the pawn, and this
gives White a chance to remedy the backward development. 6 ...f6 would not
be bad for Black if White had to capture at f6, but there is no law making the
capture mandatory. 7.a3! fxe5; 8.h3 exf4; 9.hxg4 Bxd2+; 10.Qxd2 Qf6; 1 l .g5
Qf5; 12.0-0-0 Na5?; 13.Qc3! c6; 14.e4 fxe3; 15.Bd3 and Black resigned, Schiller
- Kudevitsky. Chicago 1 982.
7.e3 Ngxe5; 8.Nxe5 Nxe5; 9.Be2 0-0; 10.0-0.
This is the logical continuation of the opening. Material is equal and both
sides are castled, White has a small edge in development, but nothing more.
10 ...Ng6. Black can also exchange bishops with 1 0 ... Bxd2; 1 l .Qxd2. Now
White has a permanent advantage in the form of the bishop pair, but that is
not in and of itself enough to secure victory. 1 l ...d6. This position has been
reached many times, and yet even some of the most respected authorities do
not consider the move that Smyslov plays in this game! 12.b4!?
White usually plays this move in the early middlegame, so why not play it
now? Smyslov really only had to take into account one additional reply, the
one chosen in the game. 1 2 ... a5 Black could try 1 2 ... b6, which would return to
known paths after, say, 1 2.Rfd1; 13.a3 Rd8; 14.Qc3 f6; 15.Rfc l !? This is the
point of Smsylov's refined move order. Instead of going to d 1, the rook oper
ates from c 1 . Black must now always keep in mind the possible advance of the
c-pawn. 1 5 ... Bf5; 16.f3 axb4; 17 .axb4 b6; 1 8.e4 Bg6; 19.Rxa8 Rxa8.
74
BUDAPEST DEFENSE
Now it is time for Smyslov to strike. 20.c5 bxc5; 2 l .bxc5. The pressure on
the c-file is still intense. 2 l . ..Bf7; 22.cxd6 cxd6; 23.Qd4. Now White's advan
tages are clear. Smyslov holds the bishop pair and the pawn at d6; is weak.
White went on to win in Smyslov - Blackstock, London ( Lloyds Bank) 1988.
l l.Bg3 Bd6; 12.Bxd6 Qxd6; 13.Nb3. 13.Ne4 Qe5; 14.Nc3 b6; 15.Qd5
Ba6; 16.Qxe5 ( 1 6.Qxd7 may be bold to the point of reckless, but it is worth a
look.) 16 ...Nxe5; 17.Nd5 c6; 18.Nc7 Bxc4; 1 9.Bxc4 Rac8; 20.Nd5 cxd5; 2 1.Bxd5
Rc2 brought equality in Stohl - Blatny, Prague (Kottnauer Memorial) 1 996.
13 ... Qe7; 14.c5 Rd8; 15.Rcl d6; 16.c6 b6; 17.Nd4 Rf8; 18.Rc3 Nh4; 19.f4
a5; 20.Qd2 g6; 2 l.Bd3 Kh8; 22.Qf2 with level chances in Belakovskaya - Blatny,
New York Open 1 996.
75
CANARD FORMATION
DOU BLE DUC K VARIATIO N
l.f4 f5
2.d4 d5
The symmetrical response to the Canard is not at all bad, but Black
must avoiding following the path of our example game, which led to a
rapid demise.

3.Nf3 c5; 4.e3 e6; 5.Bd3 c4? Black has been moving nothing but pawns,
and so White does not mind losing a tempo with the bishop. Black has lost all
flexibility on the queenside. 6.Be2 Nf6; 7.0-0 Bd7?! an irrelevant move. Bet
ter 7 . . Bd6 or 7 ...Nc6. 8.b3 b5; 9.bxc4 bxc4; 10.Ne5 Nc6. Black fails to see the
.
danger. l l.Bh5+! g6.
1 2.Nxg6! hxg6; 1 3.Bxg6+ Ke7; 14.Ba3+ Nb4; 15.Bxb4# Williams -

Henderson, Bristol, 1 9th century.
76
CARO-KANN DEFENSE
CARO-KANN DEFENSE
ADVAN C E VARIATI O N: BAYO NET
l.e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.e5 Bf5
4.g4
The early advance of the g-pawn constitutes a serious violation of

opening principles and Black can handle it without too much diffi
culty. It is somewhat more effective after 4. Nc3 e6.

4 .. Bd7.
.
This is the best defense. Now that White has created a weakness, the bishop
retreats to a square from which it can still keep pressure at g4.
5.Bg2. Welling describes this as "Basman's new idea", but in fact it is an
old move which Petrosian faced. White has about a dozen alternatives, but
we'll just look at a couple of the more unusual ones.
5.c4 hS; 6.gxh5 Bf5; 7.Nc3 e6; 8.Nge2 Bg4; 9.Qb3 Qb6; 10.Be3 BxhS;
l l .cxdS cxdS; 1 2.Nf4 Ne7; 13.Qxb6 axb6; 14.Nxh5 RxhS; 15.Nb5 Kd7; 16.Nd6
77
f6; 17.f4 Nec6; 18.Nxb7 Ra7; 19.Nd6 Bxd6; 20.exd6 Kxd6; 2 l .h4 f5; 22.b3
Nd7 was drawn in Bronstein - Magem Badals, 25-minute game 1992.
5 .Nh3 Qc8; 6.f3 hS; 7.Nf2 Nh6; 8.Bxh6 Rxh6; 9.g5 Rh8 and White had
nothing more than a minor advantage in space, offset by the weakness of the
f-pawn, in Dunworth - Orr, England 1 99 1 .
5 ... e6; 6.c4. 6.Nf3 cS; 7.0-0 Nc6; 8.c4! dxc4; 9.Nc3 Nxd4; 10.Nxd4 cxd4;
1 1 .Qxd4 Qc8; 12 .Ne4 and White had plenty of compensation for the pawn,
which was soon recovered, with a better position, in Basman - Bunkelbaum,
Birmingham 1 972.
6.Ne2 cS; 7.c3 Nc6; 8.a3 hS; 9.g5 g6; 1 0.b4 cxd4; 1 l .cxd4 aS; 12.b5 Na7;
13.a4 Bb4+; 14.Kfl Nc8; 15.h4 Nb6; 16.Na3 Rc8; 1 7.Nc2 Bf8 was about even
in Bauer - Litzka, Bundesliga 1990.
6 ...h5; 7.g5 Ne7; 8.h4 Nf5; 9.Ne2 dxc4; 10.Ng3 Na6; l l.Ne4 Qb6; 12.0-
0 Qxd4; 13.Qxd4 Nxd4; 14.Nbd2 Nf5; 15.Nxc4 Nxh4 and Black was clearly
better in Shishov - Petrosian, Tbilisi 1 948.
D E BRUYC KER D E F EN S E
l.d4 Na6
2.e4 c6
This is known as the De Bruycker Defense, and is based on the

idea that 3.Bxa6 can be met by 3 ... Qa5+ and then ... Qxa6, avoiding the
doubling of pawns. Other than that, it has little merit and is just an
inferior sort of Caro-Kann. The knight's only future is at c7, but that is
not the best square. It is interesting to compare this line with a more
standard Advance Variation of the Caro-Kann, l .e4 c6; 2.d4 d5; 3.e5
Na6!?, where White is held to enjoy a slight advantage after 4.c3.

3.Nf3. This is more promising than 3.Bxa6 QaS+; 4.Nc3 Qxa6; 5.Nge2 d6;
6.0-0 g6; 7.Bg5 Bg7; 8.f4 bS; 9.f5 b4; lO.Nb l Qb6; 1 l .c4 Nf6; 12.Qd3 Nd7;
13 .Nd2 Ba6; 14.a4 dS Mephisto - Van Geet, Hague (Aegon) 1995.
78
CARO·KANN DEFENSE
3 ... Nc7. 3 ...g6; 4.Nc3 Nc7; 5.a4 Bg7; 6.h3 d6; 7.Bd3 e5; 8.Be3 Qe7; 9.0-0
Nf6; 10.Re 1 0-0; 1 l .Qd2 Nh5; 12.Bc4 Be6; 13.d5 cxd5; 14.Nxd5 Nxd5; 15.Bxd5
Bxd5; 16.Qxd5 and Black had a hole at d5; and a passive bishop in Gorgs -
Welling, Budapest 1 996.
4.c4 Why not? 4 ...d5; 5.exd5 cxd5; 6.Nc3 Nf6; 7.Bf4 Be6. A very artificial
move, but White was threatening to capture on c7; and win the d-pawn, and
Black did not want to play ... e6, locking in the bishop at c8. 8.Qa4+ Bd7;
9.Qb3 Ne6. Black's mistreatment of the e6-square is almost humorous! IO.Be5
dxc4; l l.Bxc4 b6; 12.0-0 g6? This is a terrible weakening move. Maybe 12 ... a6
was best, to allow the rook to get to a7; and at least enable ... b5. 13.Bxe6!
Bxe6; 14.d5. This only works because the knight at f6; is pinned. 14 ...Bd7
Now White wins by force. 15.Bxf6 exf6; 16.Rfe l+ Be7; 17.d6 Be6; 18.dxe7!
and Black resigned in Cvitan - Zwick, Bad Ragaz 1 995.
E D INB U RG H VARIATI O N
l.e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.Nd2 Qb6
The Edinburgh Variation got its name from the 1 985 British Cham
pionship, held in that distinguished and venerable chess city in Scot
land. I have played it a number of times, and find it an interesting
antidote to 3.Nd2. The option may appeal to players of the Gurgenidze
System, since if Black adopts that formation here the knight on d2 is
well-placed, as a pawn is needed at c3 to support the center.

4.Ngf3. 4.c4 was once considered a refutation, but I found 4 ... e5! where
5.dxe5 Bc5 gives Black a strong initiative for the pawn. I am still waiting to try
it. Battsetseg-Schiller, Reno 1 997 saw 4.c3 Nd7 S.Ng f3 dxe4 6.Nxe4 Ngf6 with
equality. 4 ... Bg4; 5.c3 Kaufman-Schiller, Reno 1 997 saw 5.exd5 cxd5 6.Bd3
Nc6 and Black was fine. 5 ... e6; 6.Bd3 Nd7; 7.0-0 dxe4; 8.Nxe4 Ngf6; 9.Be3
Qc7; IO.h3 Bxf
79
The position is roughly level, and Black's position is very solid, Wall -
Schiller, London (Lloyds Bank) 1 985.
GO LDMAN VARIATI O N
l.e4 c6
2.Nc3 d5
3.Qf3
The Goldman Variation is another example of premature queen

development, but it is only bad if White makes errors later. Normally,
it leads to a dull equality.

3 dxe4. 3 ... e6 is simply boring. 3 ... d4 is livelier and opens up the c4 square,
...
not a good idea. 4.Bc4! Nf6; Black can defend less aggressively with 4... e6, of
course. 5.e5 dxc3; 6.exf6 and Black has a choice of three captures. Are any of
them any good?
a) 6 ... cxd2+; 7.Bxd2 gxf6; 8.0-0-0 Qc7; 9.Nh3 Nd7? Why not just paint a
big bullseye at f7 and say "hit me"? (9 ... Bg7 is correct, clearing the f8-square.)
1 0.Bxf7+ Kxfl; 1 l .Ng5+ Kg6; 1 2.Qe4+ Black resigned, Ribeiro - Lloret, Linares
Open 1 995.
80
CARO-KANN DEFENSE
b) 6 ... cxb2; 7.Bxf7+! (7.Bxb2 of lpsarides - Saleh, Dubai Olympiad 1986,

rather misses the target.) 7 ... Kxf7; 8.fxg7+ Kxg7; 9.Bxb2+ Kg8; 10.Qb3+ and it
is time to turn out the lights.
c) 6 ... exf6 is the playable line. 7.dxc3 (7.Qxc3 Bd6; 8.Qe3+ Qe7 is struc
turally better for White.) 7 ...Bd6; 8 .Be3 Be6; 9.Bxe6 fxe6; 10.0-0-0 is better
for White, Starr - Bijoux, Jakarta Women's Interzonal 1993. But Black's posi
tion is not all that bad.
4.Nxe4 Nd7. This is played to allow ...Nf6 without the disruption of the
kingside pawn structure. 5.d4.
5.b4 is an original approach. 5 ... Qb6; 6.a3 Ngf6; 7.Bb2 aS; 8.Bc4 e6 was
seen in Czebe - Molinaroli, Dresden 1994 and here White could have cap
tured at f6 with advantage: 9.Nxf6+ Nxf6; 10.Bxf6 gxf6; 1 l .b5!? cxb5; 12.Rb 1
Bd7; 13.Bxb5 Bxb5; 14.c4 and White can capture at b5 with the rook.
5 ...Ndf6. 5 ... Ngf6; 6.Bc4 Nb6 is also playable for Black. 6.c3. 6.Bd3 is a
normal position unless Black grabs the pawn at d4. But is it safe? 6 ... Qxd4;
7.Ne2 Qd8; 8.N2c3 g6; 9.Bg5 Bg7; 10.0-0 Nxe4; 1 l .Nxe4 Nf6; 1 2.Nxf6+ exf6;
13.Rfe 1 + Be6; and Black is just a pawn up, Ozanne - Menghi, Arnhem 1989.
6...Nxe4; 7.Qxe4 Nf6; 8.Qc2 Bg4; 9.Ne2. 9.Be2 Bxe2; 10.Qxe2 e6 is equal.
9.Bd3 Bh5; 10.Ne2 Bg6; 1 1 .0-0 Bxd3; 12.Qxd3 is also about even.
9 ... e6; IO.Ng3 Qd5; l l.f3 Bh5; 12.Nxh5 Qxh5; 13.Bf4 Nd5; 14.Bg3 Qg5;
15.Qd2 Be7, agreed drawn in Lutikov - Petrosian, Soviet Championship 1960.
GU RG ENI DZ E COU NTERATTAC K
l .e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.Nc3 b5
The Gurgenidze Counterattack is not one of the Georgian

theoretician's lasting contributions to opening theory. Black's pawn
thrust makes no sense after

4.a3! It is now too late to return to a normal Caro-Kann. Do not confuse
this with the Gurgenidze Defense, a standard opening reached via 3 ...g6.
81
4 ... dxe4; 5.Nxe4 Nf6.

5 ... Bf5; 6.Ng3 Bg6; 7.h4 h6; 8.h5 Bh7; 9.Bd3 Bxd3; 10.Qxd3 gives White a
very good Classical Caro-Kann, since c4; will be played with added effect,
thanks to the weakness of Black's queenside pawns.
6.Nxf6+ exf6. 6 ... gxf6; 7.c4 a6; 8 .d5! puts too much pressure on the weak
pawns.
7 .a4! is a rare case of an effective double-step of the a-pawn early in the
game. Black's pawn structure is about to become a mess, with lasting conse
quences.
7 ...b4; 8.Bc4 Bd6; 9.Qe2+ Qe7; IO.Qxe7+ Kxe7; l l.Ne2 leaves Black look
ing forward to a long and miserable endgame, Klovans - Gurgenidze, Soviet
Championship 1 968.
HILLBILLY ATTAC K
l .e4 c6
2.Bc4
The Hillbilly Attack does not succeed in preventing . . . d5.

2 ...d5; 3.Bb3 What White has accomplished here is getting the bishop to
b3. This is not such a big deal in the Caro-Kann, where that is achieved rather
easily anyway.
3.exd5 cxd5; 4.Bb3 Nf6; 5.Nf3 Nc6; 6.0-0 Bg4 and Black can lay claim to
equality, Sarwari-Romeril, Yerevan 1 996.
3 ... dxe4; 4.Qh5. This is the move that qualifies the opening as unortho-
dox. 4 ... g6; 5.Qh4 Nf6; 6.f3 exf3.
6 ... e3; 7.dxe3 Bg7; 8.Ne2 0-0; 9.0-0 Na6; 10.Nbc3 Nc5; 1 l.e4 Nxb3; 12.axb3
Qb6+; 1 3.Kh 1 was played in Schlenker - Mackova, Prague 1 992, and here
Black retreated the queen to c7, but the simple 13 ...Rd8 would have given
Black a slight advantage.
7.Nxf3 Bg7; 8.0-0 0-0; 9.d4 transposes to a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit,
where the combination of ... c6 and ... g6 is not the best defense.
82
CARO·KANN DEFENSE
MAROCZY VARIATIO N
l.e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.f3
This is the Maroczy, or Fantasy Variation. White hopes that this

move will lead to some fantastic flashy win, but it really is a modest and
unambiguous strategy, except when played as a gambit, when it takes
on more unorthodox characteristics. Capturing at e4 is normal, though
there is no shortage of alternatives. Some strong players have been
found on the White side, not just fans of the weird such as Savielly
Tartakower, but even such quiet positional strategists as Vasily Smyslov,
not known for using unorthodox openings.

3 ... dxe4. 3 ... g6 transposes to the Gurgenidze Variation of the Modern
Defense, which is a fairly orthodox line.
3 ... e6 locks in the bishop at c8. This cannot be recommended for begin
ners. More advanced players can deal with this slight disadvantage, especially
if they like the French Defense. The eventual advance of the c-pawn loses
time, but then if White plays e5, then f4 is sure to follow and the tempo is
regained.
The Big Book of Busts contains an article on this system, concentrating on
the rather boring 4.Nc3, but let's look a little deeper at the sideline 4.Be3.
4.Be3 dxe4; (Watson prefers the calmer 4 ... Nd7, for example 5.e5 c5; 6.c3
Ne7; 7.Bd3 and now interesting play follows 7 ... Nf5; 8.Bf2 h5 .) 5.Nd2 exf3;
6.Ngxf3 Nf6; 7.Bd3 (7.Nc4 Nd5; 8.Bd2 Be7; 9.Bd3 Bh4+; 1 0.g3 Bf6; l l .Qe2
a5; 12 .a3 0-0; 13.h4 Be7; 14.Ng5 Nf6; 15.Ne5 b5; 1 6.Rfl h6 and here Smyslov
showed that he could uncork a classic combination: 1 7.Rxf6 gxf6; 18.Qh5
fxg5; 1 9.Qxh6 f5; 20.Qg6+ Kh8; 2 l .hxg5 Bxa3; 22.Ke2 Qd5; 23.Nf3 Black
resigned, Smyslov - Gereben, Moscow vs. Budapest 1949.) 7 ... b6; 8.Qe2 Bd6;
9.0-0 Nbd7; 10.Nc4 Bc7; l l .Nce5 Bb7 extended an invitation that the great
Romantic, Tartakower, could not resist!
83
1 2.Nxf7 Kxf7; 13.Ng5+ Ke7; 14.Nxe6 Kxe6; 15.Bc4+ Ke7; 1 6.Bf4+ Ne5;
1 7.dxe5 Qd4+; 1 8.Kh 1 Nd5; 1 9.Bg5+ Ke8; 20.Qh5+ g6; 2 l .Qf3 Nf4; 22.Qxf4
Qxf4; 23.Rxf4 h6; 24.Bf7+ K£8; 25.Bf6 g5; 26.Rf2 Kxf7; 27.Bxh8+ Kg8; 28.Bf6
and White went on to win in Tartakower - Weenink, Liege 1 930.
3 ...e5; 4.dxe5 Bc5 is a spirited line, which often continues 5.Nc3 Qb6;
6.Na4 Qa5+; 7.c3 Bxg1; 8.Rxg1 (8.b4 Qc7; 9.Rxg1 Qxe5; 10.Qd4 Nd7; 1 l .Qxe5+
Nxe5; 1 2.exd5 cxd5; 13.Bf4 f6; 14.0-0-0 and White had significant pressure
in the center in Smagin - Berg, Denmark 1 993.) 8 ... dxe4; 9.Bf4 Ne7; 1 0.fxe4
0-0; 1 l .b4 Qd8; 12.Qxd8 Rxd8; 13.Nc5 Ng6; 14.Bg3 b6; 15.Nb3 and Black's
healthier structure makes up for the bishop pair and missing pawn, Gallagher
- Anic, Lyons 1 993.
4.fxe4 e5; 5.Nf3 exd4. 5 ...Be6 is a popular alternative. The e-pawn is safe,
because if White captures with the pawn, then the queens are exchanged at
d 1 , while if the knight blunders onto e5, ... Qh4+ is embarrassing. 6.c3 Nf6
(6 ... Nd7; 7.Bd3 f6; 8.Qe2 Bd6; 9.0-0 Qe7; 1 0.Nbd2 Nh6; 1 l .Nc4 Nf7; 12.Ne3
Nb6; 1 3.Nf5 Bxf5; 1 4.exf5 0-0-0; 15.dxe5 Nxe5; 1 6.Nxe5 Qxe5; 1 7.Qxe5 Bxe5
led to an eventual draw in Flueckiger - Tisdall, Bern 1 994.) 7.Bd3 Nbd7; 8.0-
0 Qb6; 9.Kh 1 0-0-0; 1 O.Nbd2 exd4; 1 1 .cxd4 gives White control of the center.
In case you have forgotten what that can lead to, especially when there is
opposite wing castling, consider this a reminder: 1 l ...c5; 12.d5 Bg4; 13.Nc4
Qc7; 1 4.Qa4 Bxf3; 15.Rxf3 b6; 1 6.Bf4 Qb7; 1 7.Nd6+ Watson - Johansson,
Gausdal (Troll) 1 99 1 .
6.Bc4 Nf6. 6. . .Be6; 7.Bxe6 fxe6 is an interesting alternative, for example
8.Qxd4 Qxd4; 9.Nxd4 e5; 10.Ne6 Na6; 1 l .Nxf8 Kx£8; 12.Bg5 Kf7; 13.0-0+
Ke6; 14.Nd2 Nf6; 15.Bxf6 gxf6; 16.Rf3 Rad8 with a balanced position in
Alekhine - Broder, Novi Sad 1 930.
6 ...Bb4+ allows White to sacrifice at c3 and f7!
84
CARO-KANN DEFENSE
7.c3 dxc3; 8.Bxf7+ Kxf7; 9.Qxd8 cxb2+ (9 ... Ne7; 1 0.Qxh8 cxb2+; 1 l .Ke2
bxa1Q; 1 2.Ng5+ Kg6; 1 3.Qe8+ Kh6; 14.Ne6+ Black resigned, Rellstab - Keller,
Germany 1 948.) 1 0.Ke2 bxa1Q; 1 l .Ng5+ Kg6; 12.Qe8+ Kh6; 1 3.Ne6+ g5;
14.Bxg5# Tartakower - Anonymous, Paris 1 932.
7.0-0. Two alternatives are worthy of note:
7.e5 Nd5; 8.Qxd4 Be7; (8 ... Be6; 9.Bd2 Be7; 1 0.Nc3 a5; 1 1 .0-0-0 Na6;
12.Nxd5 cxd5; 13.Bb5+ Kf8; 14.Rhfl Nc5; 15.Qf4 Rc8; 1 6.Nd4 Qb6; 1 7.Bxa5
Ekstrom - Wickelmann, Bern 1 987.) 9.Nc3 Nxc3; 1 0.Qxc3 Bh4+; 1 l .g3 Be7;
12.e6 f6; 13.Be3 0-0; 14.Rd 1 Qe8; 1 5.0-0 b5; 1 6.Bb3 Na6; 1 7.a3 Kh8; 1 8.Rfe1
b4; 19.Qc4 bxa3; 20.bxa3 Nc7; 2 l .Bc5 Bxe6; 22 .Qc3 Bxc5+; 23.Qxc5 Qf7;
24.Rxe6 Nxe6; 25.Qf5 was eventually drawn in Alekhine - Kulzinski, Novi
San 1 930.
7.Ng5 Be6; 8.Nxe6 fxe6; 9.Bxe6 Qe7; 10.Bc8 Na6 was played as White by
the leading female proponent of unorthodox play, Bulgaria's Antoaneta
Stefanova, who just earned her first Grandmaster norm and is a rising star in
the chess world. But in Stefanova - Meriacre, European Cadet Championship
1992, the opening foray did not achieve a good position.
85
7...Bc5. 7 ... Be7; 8.Ng5 0-0; 9.Nxf7 Rxf7; 10.Bxf7+ Kxf7; 1 l .e5 Kg8; 12.exf6
Bxf6; 13.Nd2 Qd5; 14.Qe2 Be6; 15.Ne4 and White had a strong initiative in
Buecker - Vogel, Bled 1 990.
8.Ng5 0-0; 9.Nxf7 Qe7. 9 ...Rxf7; 10.Bxf7+ Kxf7; 1 l .e5 d3+; 12 .Kh1 Qd5;
13.exf6 Bh3; 1 4.fxg7+ Kg8; 15.Qf3 Qxf3; 16.Rxf3 and White has too many
threats, Jackova - Ismailova, European Cadet Championship 1992.
10.Ng5+ Kh8 and the game was in an uneasy balance in Spielmann -
Norberg, Lund 194 1 .
MIE S E S GAMBIT
l.e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.Be3 dxe4
Another variation on the Blackmar-Diemer theme.

4.Nd2. 4.Nc3 Nf6; 5.f3 Bf5 is good, because against such a defense the
White bishop usually performs more effectively from g5.
4 ... Nf6 5.c3. 5.f3 exf3; 6.Ngxf3 transposes to the O'Kelly Variation of the
Blackmar Diemer Gamit. After 6 ... Bg4; 7.c4 is an odd way to try to justify the
gambit, and after 7 ... Nbd7; 8.Be2 e6; 9.0-0 Bd6; 10.Ng5 Bxe2; 1 l.Qxe2 0-0;
12.Rf3 h6; 13.Nge4 Nxe4; 14.Nxe4 Bxh2+; 15.Kxh2 Qh4+; 1 6.Rh3 Qxe4.
White's position was bankrupt in Deyk - Litmanowicz, Imperia 1996.
5 ... Bf5; 6.Qc2 e6; 7.h3 Nbd7; 8.g4 Bg6; 9.Bg2 Nd5; 10.h4 f5; l l.Ne2
Qc7; 12.h5 Bf7; 13.gxf5 exf5; 14.Bg5 h6; 15.Bh4 and in Mieses - Davidson,
Scheveningen 1 923, Black secured the advantage with 15 ... Bd6; 16.Bh3 e3!
86
CARO-KANN DEFENSE
ULYSSES GAMBIT
l .e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.Nf3 dxe4
4.Ng5
The Ulysses Gambit is not without somejustification. White's knight

move is not unusual in many of the Caro-Kann lines. The true test
must be in accepting the gambit, but I was in no mood to test the home
preparation of my opponent, known affectionately as "The Evil One"
in Hawaii, and returned the pawn before too long.
2.Nc3 d5; 3.Nf3 dxe4; 4.Ng5 is the related Hector Gambit, and trans
positions are of course possible between the two, since White is going
to play N c3 at some point.

4 ... Nf6; 5.Bc4 e6; 6.Nc3 Nbd7. 6 ... Be7; 7.0-0 0-0; 8.Ncxe4 Nxe4; 9.Nxe4
was better for White in Nakamura - Perry, Hawaii 1986 because Black has a
bad bishop which is not likely to enter the game anytime soon. White obtains
a similar advantage in this game.
6 ...b5 is perhaps playable. The plan is reminiscent of the Semi-Slav, but
the queenside formation is quite different here, with the pawn back at c2 and
the e-pawn gone from the board. Of course this involves a positional conces
sion in that the pawn structure is weak and the bishop at c8; remains very bad,
but perhaps Black can take the initiative, for example 7.Be2 Bb4!; 8.0-0 Bxc3;
9.bxc3 h6; 1 0.Nh3 0-0 where Black holds on to the pawn, though White has
some compensation in the bishop pair and Black suffers from a miserable
bishop at c8, which might be activated by an early ... e5.
7.0-0 h6; 8.Ngxe4 Nxe4; 9.Nxe4 Nf6; 1 0.Qd3 Be7; l l.Be3 Qc7; 12.Radl.
87
White certainly stands better here, with equal material, better develop
ment, and considerable pleasure from the awful bishop at c8. I decided to get
the bishop into the game by fianchettoing it at b7; and playing an early ... c5.
12 ... b6; 13.f3 Bb7; 14.Rfe l Rd8. There is no rush to play ... c5 right away,
since Black has not finished developing. 15.Bf2 0-0; 16.Bg3 Qd7; 17.h3 c5;
18.c3.
1 8.dxc5 Qxd3; 1 9.Bxd3 ( 1 9.Rxd3 Nxe4; 20.fxe4 Rxd3; 2 l .Bxd3 Bxc5+
gives Black the better endgame.) 1 9 ...Nxe4; 20.Bxe4 Rxdl; 2 l .Rxd l Bxe4;
22.fxe4 Bxc5+; 23.Bf2 Bxf2+; 24.Kxf2 Rc8; 25.c3 Rc7 should be drawn, even
tually.
1 8... cxd4; 19.cxd4 Bd5; 20.b3! Bc6. 20 ... Bxc4; 2 l .bxc4 gives White con
trol of the center.
2 l .a4 Nd5; 22.Nf2? Black overlooks the threats on the dark squares.
22 ...Bb4! White had nothing better than to give up the exchange with 23.Ng4
Bxel ; 24.Bxel but after 24 ...Nf4!; 25.Qe3 Ng6. Black consolidated and even
tually won in Nakamura - Schiller, Hawaii International l 995.
VO N HENNI G GAMBIT
l .e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.Nc3 dxe4
4.Bc4
88
CARO-KANN DEFENSE
This is not especially unorthodox, and, like the Blackmar-Diemer

gambit into which it can transpose, the Von Hennig Gambit is included
here mostly because it is perceived to be an unorthodox opening. In
fact, it is a classical gambit.

4 ... Nf6 ; 5.£3 exf3. 5 ... Bf5; 6.g4 Bg6; 7.g5 Nd5 is a solid alternative.
5 ... b5. This is a rather wild line, but it has some appeal, and I have used it
myself. 6.Bb3 e6; 7.Bg5 (7.fxe4 b4; 8.Nce2 Nxe4; 9.Nf3 Nd7; 10.Qd3 Nd6;
1 1 .0-0 Qb6; 1 2.c3 Be7; 13.Ng5 Nf6; 14.Bf4 h6; 15.Bxd6 hxg5; 1 6.Bxe7 Kxe7;
17.Ng3 Ba6; 18.c4 Rad8 and Black went on to win in Cornelison - Schiller,
American Open 1 995.) 7 ... e3; 8.Nge2 Be7; 9.Bxe3 Nbd7; 10.0-0 0-0 is about
even, Van Schaardenburg - Boersma, Groningen 1 989.
5 ... e5; 6.dxe5 Qxd1+; 7.Nxd1 exf3; 8.Nxf3 Nd5; 9.Ne3 Nc7; 10.Ng5 Ne6;
1 l .Nxe6 Bxe6; 1 2.Bxe6 fxe6; 13.Nc4 b5; 14.Nd6+ Bxd6; 15.exd6 Rf8; 16.Be3
Nd7; 17.b3 Reuter - Gierth, Baden 1 992.
6.Nxf3 e6. 6 ...Bf5 is skating on thin ice. 7.Ne5 e6; 8.0-0 Bxc2; 9.Nxf7!
Welling's novelty has brought this line back from obscurity. 9 ...Kxf7 (9 ... Bxd 1;
10.Nxd8 Kxd8; 1 l .Rxd1 Nd5; 1 2.Re1 Bb4; 13.Rxe6 Nxc3; 14.bxc3 Bxc3;
15.Bg5+ Kd7; 16.Re7+ Kd6; 17.Rd1 h6. Black should play ... b5 first. 1 8.Re6+
Kd7; 19.Bf4 Re8; 20.Rd6+ Ke7; 2 l .Rd3 Bb4; 22.Re6+ Kf8; 23.Rf6+ Black re
signed, Welling - Wrobel, Luxembourg 1 982.) 1 0.Qg4 Qd7; 1 l .Bg5 Na6;
12.Bxf6 gxf6; 13.d5 Nc7; Lane claims that Black is in a hopeless situation
here.
( 1 3 ... cxd5 is better. 14.Nxd5 Bg7; 15.Rac l threatens to capture at a6; and
play Rd7. Can Black survive? There is a whole extra piece and a pawn to play
with! 15 ... Rhd8; 1 6.Nxf6 Bxf6; 17.Rxc2 Qd4+; 18.Qxd4 Rxd4; 1 9.Bxa6 bxa6;
20.Rcf2 Ke7; 2 l .Rxf6 Rd2 and I think there is enough counterplay to draw,
though White will have a pair of passed pawns after 22.Rf7+ Kd6; 23.Rxh7.)
14.dxe6+ Nxe6; 15.Rae1 Re8; 16.Ne4 Bxe4; 1 7.Rxe4 Bc5+; 18.Kh1 Re7; 19.Qh5+
Black resigned, Welling - Marzik, Biel 1 98 1 .
7.0-0 Be7. The best defense, preparing to castle.
89
8.Bg5. 8.Ne5 was seen in an early game in this line. 8 ... Nbd7; 9.Qe2 0-0;
10.Be3 Qc7; 1 l .Bf4 Bd6; 12.Rad1 Nd5; 13.Bg3 N7f6; 14.Bh4 Be7; 15.Rd3 was
Von Hennig - Carls, Goteborg 1 920, and Black should now play 15 ...Nxc3;
16.bxc3 b5; 17.Bxf6 bxc4; 18.Rg3 Bxf6; 19.Rxf6 Rb8! This game is not cited
in Lane's generally excellent book, but it is important.
8.Qe 1 is an interesting plan, bringing the queen to h4. 8 ...0-0; 9.Bg5 Nbd7;
10.Bd3 Re8; 1 l .Qh4 Nf8; 12.Ne5 c5; 13.Rf4 cxd4; 14.Nxf7 Kxf7; 15 .Bxf6 Bxf6;
1 6 .Ne4 Kg8; 1 7.Nxf6+ gxf6; 1 8.Rxf6 Qe7; 1 9.Rafl Qg7; 20.Rxf8+ Rxf8;
2 l .Bxh7+ Kh8; 22.Bg6+ Kg8; 23.Rxf8+ Kxf8; 24.Qd8# was Welling - Pardeen,
Biel 1 9 81 .
8...0-0. 8 ...Nbd7; 9.Qe2 Nd5; 10.Bxd5 cxd5; 1 l.Bxe7 Qxe7; 12.Rae1 gave
White some compensation for the pawn in Szokacs - Gal, Salgo 1 978.
9.Qd2 Nbd7; lO.Rael c5; l l.Khl a6; 12.a4 cxd4; 13.Nxd4 Nb6; 14.Bd3
Nfd5; 15.Ne4 Nxa4; 16.Bxe7 Nxe7; 17.Ng5 Nf5; 18.c3? 18.Bxf5 exf5; 19.b3
Nc5; 20.Qe3 h6; 2 l .Nxf5 Bxf5; 22.Qxc5 Bg6; 23.Ne4 was relatively best, though
White really doesn't have very much for the pawn.
18 ... h6; 19.Ngf3 Nxd4; 20.cxd4 and Black went on to win in Schiller -
Frenklakh, Foster City 1 996.
90
CARR DEFENSE
CARR DEFENSE .
l.e4 h6
If l .h3 is not useful for White, L.h6 is even worse for Black, who
weakens the kingside for no good reason and allows White to domi
nate the center. In this blindfold game, Black perhaps reasoned that
the edges of the board would be harder to "see".

2.d4 a5. A time-honored strategy when playing against a blindfolded op
ponent is to adopt an obscure, and often bad, opening, in the hope of creat
ing confusion. It is a bad idea, and rarely works. 3.Bd3 b6; 4.Ne2 e6; 5.0-0
Ba6; 6.c4 Nf6; 7.e5 Nh7; 8.f4. White has superior development and complete
domination of the center. Morphy hardly seems to be confused by his
opponent's ridiculous opening strategy. 8 ...Be7; 9.Ng3 d5; IO.Qg4 0-0.
This is knows as "castling into it." l l.Nh5 g5. Black has no choice but to
91
create a weakness on the kingside. l l ...g6; 1 2 .Bxg6 fxg6; 13.Qxg6+ Kh8;

14.Qg7#.
12.fxg5 hxg5. The Black king has only a single defender, which is easily
removed.
13.Bxh7+ Kh8. 13 ...Kxh7; 14.Nf6+ Bxf6; 15.Rxf6 checkmate follows shortly.

14.Nf6 dxc4; 15.Bc2 We hope that you will never be in such dire straights
as Black is here, even if your opponent is blindfolded. Black now uses a com
bination to exchange queens, but loses material. 15 ... Qxd4+; 16.Qxd4 Bc5.
17.Qxc5 bxc5; 18.Bxg5. Black's position cannot be said to be much im

proved. Fortunately, in Morphy - Carr, Blindfold game 1858, Black did not
live long enough to suffer greatly. 18 ... Nc6; 19.Rf3 Kg7. Now Morphy forces
checkmate in 6 moves. 20.Bh6+ Kxh6; 2 l.Rh3+ Kg5; 22.Rh5+ Kf4; 23.Kf2
Rg8; 24.g3+ Rxg3; 25.hxg3#.
92
CATALAN OPENING
CATALAN OPENING
H U N GARIAN GAMBIT
l.d4 Nf6
2.c4 e6
3.g3 e5
No, this isn't a Budapest Defense. White's pawn is at g3. Since that
is not a good place for the pawn in the Budapest, the question is whether
Black can get away with this move despite being a tempo down. Some
Hungarian players and the Brazilian Van Reimsdijk seem to think so.

4.dxe5. 4.Nf3 e4; 5.Nfd2 c6; 6.Bg2 d5; 7.0-0 Bd6; 8.cxd5 cxd5; 9.f3 0-0
10.fxe4 Ng4; 1 l .Qb3 gave White some pressure for the pawn in Molnar -
Portisch, Budapest 1 956.
4...Ng4; 5.e4. 5.Nc3 Nc6; 6.Bg2 Bc5; 7.Nh3 Ncxe5; 8.0-0 0-0; 9.Ne4 Be7;
10.b3 d6 was roughly level in Tukmakov - Van Riemsdijk, Groningen 1 990.
5.Qd4 d6; 6.exd6 Bxd6; 7.Qe4+ looks better for White, but it hasn't been
played yet.
5 ... Nxe5; 6.f4 Nec6. 6 ...Ng6; 7.Be3 Bb4+; 8.Nd2 Qe7; 9.Bd3 b5; 10.cxb5
turned out well for White in Flear - lvell, London (Lloyds Bank) 1985.
7.Be3 Bb4+. White has a lot of space, safeguarded by the advanced pawns,
but the pawns are to some extent in the way of the pieces. 8.Kf2 Qe7; 9.Bg2
Bc5; IO.Qd2 Bxe3+; l l.Qxe3 Nb4 and Black is no worse, Quinteros - Van
Riemsdijk, Sao Paulo 1 978.
93
CLEMENZ OPENING
l.h3
There really is no point to this move. It weakens the kingside, and

all Black has to do is choose an opening which does not involve placing
a piece at g4.

l...e5. l ...b6! is a very logical reply, since it prevents the Macho Grob
approach with 2.g4 on account of 2 ... Bb7, when Black grabs the diagonal
first. At the same time, one of the few merits of l .h3, that it keeps an enemy
bishop off of g4, becomes irrelevant, because the bishop is going to be
fianchettoed at b7 anyway. 2.c4 Bb7; 3.Nc3 Nf6; 4.d3 e6 (4 ... d5 is sensible, for
example 5.cxd5 Nxd5; 6.e4 Nxc3; 7.bxc3 e5; 8.Nf3 Nd7 and the pawn cannot
advance to d4 unless something is done to shore up the defense of e4.) 5.e4
d6 is too passive. 6.g4!? and White had a reasonable Closed Sicilian in Basman
- Cooper, London (Lloyds Bank) 1 993.
l . . .d5 is the remaining logical continuation. Michael Basman tried out a
Polish approach in the 1 99 1 British Championship: 2.b4 Bf5 (2 ...Nf6; 3.Nf3
e6; 4.a3 Nbd7; 5.e3 Bd6; 6.c4 c6; 7.Nc3 led to a good version of an English
Opening in Basman - Thipsay. 2 ... e5; 3.a3 Bd6; 4.e3 Nd7; 5.c4 dxc4; 6.Bxc4
a5; 7.b5 Ngf6; 8.Nc3 0-0; 9.Qc2 Nc5; 1 0.Nge2 e4 and Black's position was
much more appealing in Basman - Wells.) 3.e3 e6; 4.Bb2 Nf6; 5.a3 Nbd7;
6.Nf3 h6 provided Black with a solid defensive formation in Basman -
Summerscale.
l ...b5 is not out of the question, for example 2.e3 Bb7; 3.Nf3 b4; 4.b3 e6;
5.Bb2 Nf6 Basman - Rogers, British Championship 1 9 9 1 .
2.e4. Mead loses his nerve, and reverts to a standard opening. 2.c4 i s an
English Opening, reversed Sicilian. But an early ... h6 is a highly dubious strat-
94
CLEMENZ OPENING
egy in the Sicilian (see l .e4 c5; 2.Nf3 h6) and even with an extra tempo it is a
weakness. Of course for Basman, the idea is an early g4, as seen in these two
examples:
2 ... Nc6 (2 ... f5; 3.g4 d6; 4.Nc3 g6; 5.Bg2 Bg7; 6.d3 Nf6; 7.gxf5 and White
achieved a small advantage in Basman - Plaskett, British Championship 1991.)
3.Nc3 g6; 4.d3 Bg7; 5.g4 h5; 6.g5 Nge7 with a solid position for Black in
Basman - Barua, British Championship 1991.
2 ...Nf6; 3.Nc3 Bc5; 4.Bc4. So far we have a reversed Italian Game, where
the move h2-h3 performs a useful function keeping pieces out of g4. But in
the Evans Gambit, that is not a key part of the strategy, so Morphy jumps right
in. 4...b5!?; 5.Bxb5 c6; 6.Ba4 0-0; 7.Nge2. 7.Nf3 would have been better.
7 ... d5; 8.exd5 cxd5; 9.d4. 9.d3 Qa5; 1 0.a3 was suggested by Maroczy.
9 ...exd4; 10.Nxd4. Knights are supposed to be used to blockade isolated
pawns, but White does not have sufficient control of d4, and the king's safety
has not been achieved yet. 10 ... Qb6; l l.Nce2 Ba6.
The Black bishops already exert considerable pressure. 1 2.c3 Bxe2;

13.Kxe2. There is no better capture. 13.Qxe2 Bxd4; 14.cxd4 Qb4+; 15.Bd2
Qxa4.
95
13.Nxe2 Bxf2+; 14.Kfl Na6.

13 ...Bxd4; 14.Qxd4. Inviting an exchange of queens, which is declined.
14 Qa6+; 15.Kf3 Rc8; 16.b3 Ne4. White cannot survive this position. 17.Bh2.
•..
1 7.Qxd5 Nxc3; 18.Qxa8 also loses: 1 8... Qe2+; 1 9.Kf4 g5+; 20.Kxg5 ReS+; 2l.Kf4
Qxf2+; 22.Qf3 Ne2+; 23.Ke4 Qd4#.
17 ... Nc6; 18.Bxc6 Rxc6.
19.Ke3. Again the capture at d5; leads to rapid destruction. 1 9.Qxd5 Rf6+;
20.Kg4 Qe2+; 2 l .f3 Qxg2+; 22.Kh4 Qg3+; 23.Kh5 Rh6#.
19 ...Re8; 20.Rhel. The rest of the game is forced. 20 Nxc3+; 2 l.Kf3
.••
Rf6+; 22.Kg3 Qd6+; 23.f4 Ne2+; 24.Rxe2 Rxe2; 25.Rfl Rg6+; 26.Kf3 Rgxg2
and White resigned in Mead - Morphy, New York 1 857.
96
CREEPY CRAWLY FORMATION
CREEPY CRAWLY FORMATION
l.a3 e5
2.h3 d5
This is Basman's Creepy Crawly opening. White is content to sit

back and let Black determine the course of the game. Naturally Black
should take up the challenge and occupy the center. Then the kingside
minor pieces will be developed, enabling castling.

3.d3. 3.c4 c6; (3 ... d4; 4.d3 a5; 5.g4 Nc6; 6.Nf3 h6; 7.Nbd2 Nf6; 8.Bg2
Basman - Budnikov, London 1 993. 3 ...Nf6 invites a reversed Sicilian Defense,
where the advance of the rook pawns is sensible.) 4.cxd5 (4.e3 is a sensible
move from Welling. 4 ... Nf6; 5 .b4. This leads to some wild antics on the
queenside. 5 ... a5; 6.Bb2 axb4; 7.axb4 Rxa 1 ; 8.Bxa1 e4?; 9.cxd5 cxd5; 10.Bxf6!
Qxf6; 1 l .Nc3 Be6; 12.Qa4+ and Black's game was soon over in Welling -
Obers, Holland 1 992.) 4 ... cxd5 with a number of possibilities, for example:
a) 5.d3 Bd6; 6.g4 (6.Nc3 Ne7; 7.g4 0-0; 8.Bg2 Be6; 9.Nf3 f6; 10.Nh4 Nbc6
Basman - Small, British Championship 1 992.) 6 ... Ne7; 7.Bg2 Nbc6; 8.Nc3
Bc7; 9.Nf3 0-0; 10.b4 Ng6; 1 l .g5 Be6; 12.h4 f5; 13 .h5 Nf4; 14.Bxf4 Basman
Swan, British Championship 1992.
b) 5.g4 Nc6; (5 ... Ne7; 6.d3 Nbc6; 7.Nc3 g6; 8.Nf3 Bg7; 9.g5 Be6; 1 0.Bg2
Basman - Watson, British Championship 1 990) 6.Bg2 Be6; 7.d3 Nge7; 8.Nc3
Ng6; 9.Nf3 Be7; 1 0.g5 f5; 1 l .gxf6 gxf6; 12.Rg1 Qd7; 13.h4 h5; 14.Qa4 0-0-0;
15.b4 b6; 16.Bd2 Kb8; 1 7.b5 Na5; 18.Na2 Nb7; 1 9.Nb4 Bxb4; 20.axb4 Nd6;
2l .Bh3 Bxh3; 22.Rxg6 Rhg8; 23.Rxf6 Rg7; 24.Bg5 Qc8; 25.Rc l Rc7; 26.Rc6
Basman - Wall, British Championship 1 990.
3 ...c6; 4.Nf3 Bd6; 5.c4 Nf6; 6.Nc3 d4; 7.Ne4 Basman - Speelman, British
Championship 1 990. White may be no worse, but certainly has nothing to
write home about.
97
..
DORY INDIAN
l.d4 Nf6
2.c4 e6
3.Nf3 Ne4!?
The idea behind this move is to play ... Bb4+ and . . . f5, after which
the game can transpose to a Queen's Indian or a Dutch Defense. The
prohibition against moving the same piece twice in the opening is ig
nored, as is the advice to get a pawn to the fourth rank early in the
opening. But for all that the move does have its good points.
Because White can only develop the knight from b l , an early ex
change of knights is possible, but this does not work to Black's advan
tage if there is a weakness in the king's defenses.

4.Nfd2! Clearly this is the best move, and alternatives can quickly turn the
game to Black's advantage.
4.Nbd2 f5; 5.e3 (5.Qc2 dS; 6.e3 Nd7; 7.Be2 c6; 8.0-0 Bd6 transposed to a
Modern Stonewall Dutch in Rotunno - Alekhine, Montevideo 1938.) 5 ... Bb4;
6.Bd3 b6; 7.a3 Bxd2+; 8.Nxd2 Bb7. Black has achieved equality, and the fu
ture of the bishop at c l ; is not bright. Vukovic - Alekhine, Vienna 1922.
4.Qc2 dS (4 ... f5; 5.e3 b6; 6.Bd3 Bb7; 7.Nc3 Bb4; 8.Bd2 Nxd2; 9.Qxd2 0-0;
1 O.a3 Bd6; 1 l .Qe2 cS; 1 2.d5 exdS; 13.cxd5 a6 brought Black equality in Buerger
- Alekhine, Margate 1 937.) 5.Nc3 f5; 6.Bf4 Bd6; 7.e3 c6; 8.Be2 0-0; 9.0-0
Qe7; 10.c5 Bxf4; 1 l .exf4 Nd7; 12.b4 Qf6; 13.Bd3 Qh6; 14.Ne2 Ndf6 gave
Black a good kingside attack in Vidmar - Marshall, New York 1927.
4...Bh4; 5.Qc2 d5; 6.Nc3 f5. It looks as though Black has achieved com
plete domination of e4, but as long as White has an f-pawn the bind can be
broken at the right time. Meanwhile, the pawn at e6 is weak. 7.Ndxe4! fxe4.
98
DORY INDIAN
This pawn structure is not good for Black, and White will take action
against it after developing and castling. 8.Bf4 0-0; 9.e3 c6; 10.Be2 Nd7; 1 1.a3
Be7; 12.0-0. White's pieces are well-placed and Black has no real counterplay.
Marshall should have attended to his development, but he was always one to
attack as quickly as possible. 12 ...Bg5; 13.£3! Bxf4; 14.exf4 Rxf4; 15.fxe4 Rxf1 +;
16.Rxfl.
In my early days of playing the Dutch as Black I used to get such positions
and lose quickly. Marshall puts up a better fight. 16 ...e5! Excellent! Now 1 7
dxe5; d4! gives the Black knight an outpost o n e5. Alekhine comes up with a
stellar reply. 17 .Qd2! c5; 18.dxe5! d4. Alekhine is prepared for this move, and
has a deep sacrifice in mind. 19.Qf4! The point is to secure the e5-square. It is
actually worth a whole piece. 19 ...dxc3; 20.Qf7+ Kh8.
99
2 1.bxc3! The advance of the pawn to e6; is coming, and there is not much
Black can do about it. 2 1...Qg8; 22.Qe7 h6; 23.Bh5! There is no point in
advancing the e-pawn while the knight can escape to f6. 23 ... a6; 24.e6 g6. Or,
24...Nf6; 25.Bf7 Qh7; 26.Qd8+ Ng8; and now simply 27.Bxg8 Qxg8; 28.Rf8
25.exd7 Bxd7; 26.Rf7. There is no stopping Qf6+ so Black resigned and
Alekhine got the point and the Brilliancy Prize for this win, Alekhine - Marshall,
New York 1 927.
1 00
DOUBLE FIANCHEnO FORMATION
DOUBLE FIANCHETTO FORMATION
l.Nf3 Nf6
2.b3 g6
3.Bb2 Bg7
4.g3 0-0
5.Bg2 d6
6.0-0
The move, 6.d4, transposes to a fairly standard chess opening, a

variety of the Queen Pawn Game, while 6.c4 transposes to the English
Opening. To stay in unorthodox territory, White must continue to refuse
to occupy the center with pawns.
6 ... c5 can lead to the Hedgehog Variation of the English after 7 .c4
cxd4; 8.Nxd4 Qc7; 9.0-0 Bd7; 1 0.Nc3 Nc6; l l .Rc l .
Although the Hedgehog Formation i s a standard chess opening

these days, it was once considered highly unorthodox. White is given
complete command of the center, except for e5. Yet there is no other
violation of opening principle by Black.
1 01

6 ...Nc6.
6 ... e5 and White will almost always play c4 in the next few moves, again
heading into English territory.
7.Nc3. 7.c4 e5; is another English.
7 ... Ne4!? A surprising move, made possible by White's refusal to contest
the center. The pin on the knight at c3; is strong. In order to avoid disruption
to the pawn structure, White must either capture at e4, giving away the minor
exchange, or finally stick a pawn in the center. We'll look at the latter option.
8.d4 Nxc3; 9.Bxc3 f5. This is not merely some sort of transposition to the
Leningrad Dutch. White has the awkward bishop at c3, and at some point will
need to reposition it, giving Black valuable time. After 10.Qd3 Re8 the game
is dynamically balanced.
1 02
DUTCH DEFENSE
DUTCH DEFENSE
H O PTO N ATTAC K
l.d4 f5
2.Bg5
The Hopton Attack only drifts into unorthodox waters when Black
drives back the bishop, weakening the kingside.

2 ... h6. 2 ...Nf6 is not good, because White gets a better game by capturing
at f6, as demonstrated in Andrew Martin's book The Contemporary Anti-Dutch.
3.Bxf6 exf6; 4.c4 dS (4 ... Bb4+; 5.Nc3 Bxc3+; 6.bxc3 b6; 7.Qc2 g6; 8.h4 with a
promising attack in Nesis - Vasiliyev, Postal 1 977, 78.) S.cxdS QxdS; 6.Nc3
Bb4; 7.Qa4+ Nc6; 8.Qxb4 Nxb4; 9.Nxd5 NxdS; 1 0.e3 and White was structur
ally better in Gufeld - Knezevic, Kislovodsk 1 986.
3.Bh4. 3.Bf4 Nf6; 4.Nc3 d6; 5.e4 gS; 6.Bd2 Bg7 looks acceptable for Black.
3.Bcl is suggested by Martin. He considers 3 ...Nf6; 4.e4 fxe4; 5.Nc3 dS;
6.f3 BflS; 7.fxe4 and I think that here 7 ... dxe4; 8.Bc4 e6; 9.Nge2 Bd6; 1 0.0-0
c6 looks pretty solid for Black.
3...g5. 3 ... c5 is of historical interest and may have practical application. It
is not mentioned in Martin's book. 4.e3 (4.e4 Qb6; S.dxcS Qxb2; 6.Nd2 gS;
7.Qh5+ Kd8; 8.Rb 1 Qf6; 9.Ngf3 gxh4; 1 0.e5 Qg7 and Black went on to win in
Sournin - Marshal!, New York 1 896.) 4 ... Qb6; 5.b3 Nf6; 6.dxc5 (6.Bxf6 Qxf6;
would have been about even.) 6 ... Qb4+ and White resigned in Hopton -
Eastwood, England 1 860.
4.Bg3. The bishop does not have to retreat if the e-pawn advances, threat
ening mate at hS. 4.e4 is an interesting alternative. 4 ... Bg7; 5.Bg3 (S.QhS+
Kf8; 6.Bc4 dS; 7.exd5 Nf6 is given by Martin.)
1 03
5 ... f4? (5 ... d6 is also bad because of 6.exf5 Bx£5; 7.Bd3 and Black's light
squares will be weak, as is the case in the Balogh Defense. A possible improve
ment is 5 ... fxe4; 6.Qh5+ Kf8 when White has to justify the sacrifice of the
pawn. I haven't seen this gambit line played yet.) 6.Bxf4 gxf4; 7.Qh5+ Kf8;
8.Qf5+ Ke8; 9.Be2 h5? (9 ...Nf6; 1 0.e5 e6. Unfortunately, castling is illegal be
cause Black's king has moved. 1 l .Qxf4! d6; 1 2.exf6 Qxf6; 13 .Bh5+ Kd8;
14.Qxf6+ Bxf6; 15.c3 and White has an extra pawn.) 1 O.Bxh5+ Rxh5; 1 l .Qxh5+
Kf8; 12.Qf5+ Ke8; 13.Nf3 d5; 14.Qg5 Kf8; 15.Qxf4+ Ke8; 16.Qg5 Kf8; 17.Qxd5
Qxd5; 18.exd5 Nf6; 1 9 .Nc3 Na6; 20.Ng5 BfS; 2 1 .0-0-0 and Black resigned,
Dunnington - Guillon, Cannes, 1 995.
4 ...Nf6. 4 ...d5; 5.e3 Be6; 6.h4 g4; 7.Na3 Nf6 was played in Chigorin -
Bird, London 1 883. Now 8.c3 would give White a small advantage. 4 ... d6; 5.e3
·
Nf6 transposes below.

5.e3 d6; 6.Nc3. 6.h4 Rg8; 7.hxg5 hxg5; 8.Nc3 (8.Bc4 e6 was equal in Ilic
Bareev, Vrnjacka Banja 1 987.) 8 ... c6; 9.Bc4 d5; 1 0.Bd3 Be6; 1 l .Nf3 Nbd7;
12 .Ne5 Nxe5; 13.Bxe5 and White was a little better in Zaja - Santo Roman,
Cannes 1 996.
6 ...e6. 6 ... c6; 7.h4 Rg8; 8.hxg5 hxg5; 9.Bc4 was a little better for White,
who has better development and control of the h-file, Marjanovic - Beliavsky,
Belgrade 1 987.
7.h4. 7.Bd3 Nc6; 8.h4 Rg8; 9.hxg5 hxg5; 10.Nge2 Bd7; 1 l .f3 Qe7; 12.e4
0-0-0; 13.Qd2 g4!?; 14.exf5 gxf3; 15 .gxf3 e5 with compensation, Kempinski
- Schlosser, Lippstadt 1 995. This was a contest between two strong Interna
tional Masters.
7 ... Rg8; 8.hxg5 hxg5; 9.Qd2 Qe7; 10.0-0-0 Nc6; l l.f3 Bd7; 12.e4.
1 04
DUTCH DEFENSE
White is better, but has yet to find a way to win from the position. The h
file and strong center should be good for something!
12 ... fxe4! 12 ... 0-0-0; 13.d5 ( 13.exf5 exf5; 14.Bc4 is more appealing to
me.) 13 ... exd5; 14.exd5 Ne5; 15.Bf2 Kb8; 1 6.Nge2 Bg7; 1 7.Nd4 Rh8; 18.Rxh8
Rxh8 and Black eventually drew in Rodriguez - Mellado, Oropesa del Mar
1996.
13.fxe4 0-0-0; 14.d5 exd5; 15.exd5 Ne5; 16.Rel Kb8; 17.Kbl. 17.Nf3
seems more logical. 1 7 ... Bg7; 18.a3 Rh8; 19.Rxh8 Rxh8; 20.Bxe5 dxe5; 2 1.Nf3
e4; 22.Qxg5 Rh5 and Black had equalized in Kasparov - Illescas Cordoba,
Dos Hermanas 1 996.
KINGF I S HER GAMBIT
l.d4 f5
2.Nc3 d5
3.e4
White gives up a pawn and lets Black have a strong center. Driike
lists it as the Euwe Gambit but I know of no real justification for that
name. Many players have taken it up recently, so I'll just use a place
holder. The kingfisher feeds by snatching fish in shallow waters, and
that could well be the fate that weaker players face as Black.
1 05

This is worthy of inclusion in the book. Black has made four moves, all
with pawns, and offers White no less than 5 possible captures in the center.
White should capture at e5, according to Martin. 5.dxe5 d4; 6.Bc4! Nc6
(6 ... dxc3??; 7.Bf7+ Ke7; 8.Bg5+ and there goes the queen!) 7.Nd5 Nxe5; 8.Qe2
(8.Bf4 Nxc4; 9.Nc7+ K£7; 1 0.Nxa8 Nxb2; is unclear.) 8 ...Nxc4; 9. Qxc4 Bd6
and Black was no worse in Rossetto - Pelikan, Argentina 1 959.
3 dxe4. 3 ...e6; 4.exf5 exf5; 5.Bd3 Nf6; 6.Bg5 Bb4; 7.Nge2 h6; 8.Bxf6 Qxf6;
•.•
9.0-0 c6; 1 0.Qe 1 Bd6; 1 l .Nd1 0-0; 12 .f4 Nd7; 13.Ne3 Nb6; 14.b3 c5; 15.c3
Pereyra Arcija - De las Heras, Mar del Plata 1 992.
4.Bf4! White naturally plays on the weak dark squares. 4.f3 is a form of
the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
4 Nf6. 4 ... e6; 5.f3 (5.d5 Bd6 is quite interesting.) 5 ... exf3; 6.Nxf3 Bb4;
•..
7.Bc4 Nf6; 8.0-0 Bxc3; 9.bxc3 0-0; 1 0.Ne5 and White has compensation for
the pawn, Yui - Douthwaite, Toronto 1 993.
5.f3. 5.Bc4 e6; 6.Nge2 Bd6; 7.0-0 0-0; 8.f3 exf3; 9.Rxf3 Kh8; 10.Qd2
Nc6; 1 l .Rd1 is Ginsburg - Fishbein, Manhattan 1 990. I think that here 1 l ...Bxf4
12.Qxf4 Nb4; followed by ... Nbd5 gives Black a better game.
5.Qd2 e6; 6.Bc4 Bd6; 7.0-0-0 c6 (7 ... 0-0 is clearly a better choice.) 8.f3
(8.Bxd6 Qxd6; 9.f3 is a slight improvement for White.) 8 ... Bxf4; 9.Qxf4 Nd5;
1 0.Nxd5 exd5; 1 l .Bb3 Qe7; 12.fxe4 fxe4 Black has a large advantage. Barnes
- Wilson, England 1994. 5 ... exf3. 5 ... e6; 6.fxe4 (6.Bc4 Nd5 should be fine for
Black.) 6 ...fxe4; 7.Bc4 Nc6; 8.Nge2 Na5; 9.Bb3 Nxb3; 1 0.axb3 Bd7; 1 l.Ng3
Bc6 and Black held on to the pawn in Benjamin - Malaniuk, Moscow 1 987.
5 ... Nc6; 6.Bb5 Bd7; 7.fxe4 fxe4; 8.Nd5 Nxd5; 9.Qh5+ g6; 10.Qxd5 Nb4;
1 l .Bxd7+ Qxd7; 12.Qxd7+ Kxd7 is another good line for Black, Galeyev -
Karpov, Harkany 1 994.
6.Nxf3 e6; 7.Bc4 Bd6; 8.Bg5. 8.Qd2 0-0; 9.0-0-0 c6; 1 0.Bg5 Na6; 1 l .Qel
Nc7; 12 .g4 b5; 13 .Bb3 b4; 14.Ne2 Ncd5; 15.gxf5 exf5; 16.Ne5 and although
White eventually won, Black's position looks defensible, Gelfand - Nikolic,
Munich 1 994.
1 06
DUTCH DEFENSE
8...c6; 9.Qd3 b5; 10.Bb3 Na6; l l.a3 Nc7; 1 2.0-0 h6; 1 3.Bh4 g5; 14.Rael
gxh4; 15.Qxf5 Qe7?! 15 ... Rg8; 1 6.Nxh4 Be7 looks safer.
16.Qg6+ Kd8; 17.Ne5 Bxe5; 18.dxe5 Nfd5; 19.Rf7 Qg5 and Black was
much better in Tarjan - Gutierrez, Bogota 1 979.
KO RC HN O I ATTAC K
l.d4 f5
2.h3
The Korchnoi Attack threatens to undermine Black's pawn at f5 by

an early g4, and is therefore related to the Manhattan Gambit and other
Anti-Dutch systems which involve g4. Korchnoi didn't invent the at
tack, which is ancient, but the game against Karnel, cited here, attracted
the attention of the chess world in its inventive handling of the open
ing.

I think that Black should take advantage of the opportunity to discourage
g4 by playing ...Nf6, though Watson criticizes it. 2 ...Nf6. 2 ... d6; 3.Nf3 (3.g4
fxg4; 4.hxg4 Bxg4; 5.Qd3 is promising for White, along the lines of the Man
hattan Gambit. 5 ... Qd7; 6.f3 Bf5; 7.e4 Bg6; 8.Bh3 with some initiative for
White in Zwick - Butzerin, Bad Ragaz 1 995.) 3 ... g6; 4.g4! is strong, for ex
ample 4 ... fxg4; 5.hxg4 Bxg4; 6.Qd3 I point out this resource because it is not
mentioned in Watson's book. (6.Bg2 has teeth, too. 6 ...Nd7; 7.Ng5 c6; 8.Be4
Nh6; 9.Nxh7! and Black is busted, Rost - Petzold, Postal 1 989.) 6 ... Nf6; 7.Ng5!
Rg8; 8.Bh3 Bxh3; 9.Rxh3 Qd7; 10.Qb3 and White went on to win in Welling
- Timmerman, Strasbourg 1 986. White's play is a model of how this opening
should be played.
2 ... d5; 3.g4
a) 3 ...Nf6; 4.Qd3 e6; 5.Bg2 c6; 6.Bf4 Bd6; 7.Be5 (7.Bxd6 Qxd6; 8.Nd2 is
good, in the spirit of the normal Stonewall Dutch. Black suffers from an inac
tive bishop at c8.) 7 ... 0-0; 8.Nc3 Ne4; 9.Nf3 Bxe5; 10.Nxe5 was better for
1 07
White in Meszaros - Szeberenyi, Hajduszoboszlo 1 995. Black has a very bad

bishop.
b) 3 ... fxg4; 4.hxg4 Bxg4; 5.f3 Bf5; 6.Nc3 e6? (6 ... e5; 7.dxe5 Bb4; 8.Bd2
Be7 is an interesting possibility for Black. 8 ... c6 comes into consideration,
too.) 7.e4 gave White sufficient compensation for the pawn in Weber -
Vogiatzis, Postal 1 980.
3.g4. Anyway! This bold thrust, the Janzen-Korchoi Gambit, introduces
interesting complications. 3 ...fxg4; 4.hxg4 Nxg4. It is interesting to compare
this line to the Wiedehagen - Gibbins Gambit ( l .d4 Nf6; 2.g4) also discussed
in this book. 5.e4. 5.Qd3 is recommended by Alan Watson, not just because
of the trap 5 ... Nf6?? 6.Rxh7!, as played in Guldner - Pantelimon, England
1 990, but even if Black responds correctly with 5 ...Nh6; 6.Bxh6 gxh6; 7.Bh3
(Watson's 7.Qf5 makes sense, for example 7 ... Bg7; 8.Qh5+ Kf8 but it is not
clear how White can demonstrate an advantage. Black threatens to consoli
date with ... Qe8. A game played almost entirely by the queens, a true unortho
dox treat!) 7 ...e6; 8.Qb5 (8.Bg4 Qe7; 9.Bh5+ Kd8 is nothing special for White.)
8 ... Qg5!; 9.Nc3 a6; 1 0.Qc4 Be7; 1 l .Nf3 Qf6; 1 2.Rg1 Nc6; 13.0-0-0 bS; 14.Qb3
Bb7 and Black was better in Schneider - Rost, Postal 1 990.
5 ...d6; 6.Bg5! White pins the e-pawn and makes it hard for Black to de
velop. 6 ... g6. 6 ... c6 is preferred by Watson. 7.Be2 (7.Nc3 Qb6 gave Black good
counterplay in Sogin - Lampenfeld, Postal 1 9 9 1 . ) 7 . . . Nf6; 8.Bxf6 exf6
(8 ... Qa5+!?; 9.Qd2 Qxd2+; 1 0.Nxd2 gxf6; 1 l .Bh5+ and White has some play
for the pawn.) 9.Bh5+ Kd7; 1 0.Bg6 h6; 1 l .c4 and White has enough compen
sation for the pawn.
7.f3 Nf6; 8.Nc3 c6; 9.Qd2.
This position, from Korchnoi - Karnel, Biel 1 979, is typical of what White
gets for the pawn in the Korchnoi Attack. A slight lead in development isn't
much, but Black has more serious long-term challenges, such as defending
the holes in the pawn structure and keeping the king safe. If Black castles
kingside, then the open lines on that side of the board can prove fatal. Cas
tling queenside is possible, but even in that case the open lines will prove
dangerous for Black, who will have no source of counterplay.
1 08
DUTCH DEFENSE
KREJ C IK GAMBIT
l.d4 f5
2.g4
The Krejcik Gambit is a radical method of confronting the Dutch

Defense. Plans with g4 are plentiful, but the immediate advance gives
Black more defensive options. In general, this thrust is more effective
after Black has played ... e6.

2 fxg4.
...
2 ... e5 is the ridiculous Hevendehl Gambit, which is likely to send the player
of the Black pieces to heaven or hell quickly, because a swift death is almost
the best Black can hope for after 3.gxf5 exd4; 4.e4.
3.Bf4. This is the best move, according to Alan Watson, author of an
excellent book on the opening. 3.h3 is not very effective here. The plan with
h3 and g4 is seen in the reverse move order in the Korchnoi Gambit. 3 ...g3
This is the move that causes the most trouble for White. Accepting the second
pawn at h3 is not exactly suicide, but it is close. (3 ... Nf6; 4.hxg4 Nxg4; 5.Qd3
Nf6; 6.Rxh7 Rxh7; 7.Qg6# is a typical trap. ) 4.fxg3 Nf6; 5.Nc3 d5; 6.Bg2 and
here:
a) 6 ... c5; 7.Nf3 Nc6; 8.Bg5 cxd4; 9.Nxd4 e5; 10.Bxf6 ( 1 0.Ndb5 d4; 1 l.Nd5!?
is possible, and looks better for White.) 10 ... gxf6; 1 l .Nxc6 bxc6; 12.e3 Qb6;
13.Qh5+ Ke7; 14.0-0-0 led to interesting complications in Teske - Kristianssen,
Soviet Union 1 987.
b) 6 ... e6; 7.Nf3 Bd6; 8.Ne5 c5; 9.Bf4 Nh5; 10.0-0 0-0; 1 l .e3 Nxf4; 12.exf4
Nc6; 13.Nxc6 bxc6; 14.Kh2 Ba6 and Black had counterplay in Tregubov -
Malaniuk, Linares Open 1 996.
3.e4 is an interesting line. 3 ... d5! is the best reply. 4.Nc3 is the Tate Gam
bit, which was reached in this example by transposition from l .d4 f5; 2.Nc3
d5; 3.g4 fxg4; 4.e4. (4.e5 Bf5; 5.Nc3 c5; 6.Bg2 e6; 7.Nge2 Nc6; 8.Be3 cxd4;
9.Nxd4 Nxd4; 10.Qxd4 b6; 1 1 .0-0-0 Bc5; 12.Qa4+ Kf8! and Black was better
1 09
in Ponomarev - Manthe, Colorado 1 992. White is going to face a serious

queenside attack, but White cannot get anything going on the kingside.)
4 ... dxe4; 5.h3 gxh3; 6.Nxh3 Nf6; 7.Nf4 Bg4; 8.Be2 Qd7; 9.Nxe4 Bxe2; 10.Qxe2
Qxd4; 1 l .Nxf6+ Qxf6; 12 .Ne6 Kd7; 13.Bg5 Qxe6; 14.0-0-0+ Qd6; 15.Bf4 e5;
16.Bxe5 Qxd1+; 1 7.Rxd1+ Bd6; 18.Qg4+ Kc6; 1 9.Qc4+ Kb6; 20.Bxd6 cxd6;
2 l .Qb4+ Ka6; 22.Rd3 b6; 23.Qe4 Nd7; 24.Qc6 Ka5; 25.Ra3+ Kb4; 26.Ra4#
Tate - Blaine, Illinois 1 992.
3 ...Nf6 is now the most logical move. White can now play the normal
strategy of offering up the pawn at h3. 4.h3 d5; Advancing the pawn to g3;
makes no sense here. 5.Nc3 c6; 6.Qd2 b5!? A novelty. There were two previ
ous experiences which were quite rewarding for White. 6 ... Bf5; 7.hxg4 Bxg4;
8.f3 Bf5; 9.0-0-0 e6; 10.a3 Bd6; 1 l .Bxd6 Qxd6; 12.Bg2 Qc7; 13.e4 dxe4; 14.fxe4
Bg4; 15.Rf1 gave White a powerful attack in Martinovsky - McDonald, New
York 1 99 1 .
6. . .g6; 7.0-0-0 Bg7; 8.hxg4 Bxg4; 9.f3 Bf5; 1 0.Nh3 b5; 1 l .Kb 1 and the
White king is safe, so the attack in the center will soon be possible. Martinovsky
- Weiberger, Long Beach 1 988, continued 1 l ...b4; 12.Na4 Nbd7; 13.Qxb4
Nh5; 14.Bh2 0-0; 15.e4l dxe4; 16.Ng5l and Black was in trouble.
7.Bg2 Na6; 8.0-0-0 Qa5; 9.a3 e6; IO.Kb l b4; l l.Na2 Qb6; 12.axb4 Nxb4;
13.Nxb4 Bxb4; 14.c3 e5; 15.cxb4 exf4; 16.hxg4 Bxg4; 17.Qxf4 Qxb4; 18.Qe5+
Kd8; 19.Bh3 Rb8; 20.Rd2 ReS and Black eventually won in Martinovsky
Glek, Linares Open 1 996.
MANHATTAN GAMBIT
l .d4 f5
2.Qd3
This is also known as the Alapin Attack. The advance of the queen
to d3 is often seen in the Dutch Defense, so this is not of great interest
to the fan of the weird, but if White throws the g-pawn up to g4, that is
a different story!
1 10
DUTCH DEFENSE

2 ... d6. 2 ... e6; 3.g4 fxg4 (3 ... d5; 4.g5 c5; 5.Nf3 Nc6; 6.Bf4 Qb6 and Black
was better in Schiller - Pavlovic, New York 1 979.) 4.h3 gxh3; (4 ... Qh4; 5.Bg2
Nc6; 6.c3 g3 !; 7.fxg3 Qe7; 8.Nf3 Nf6 is Schiller - Chubinsky, New York 1972.
I think White has a small advantage here, and will be able to build a strong
center.) 5.Nxh3 Be7; 6.Nf4 Nf6; 7.Ng6 looks menacing, but after 7 ... Rg8; 8.e4
d6; 9.e5 hxg6; 10.Qxg6+ Kd7; 1 l .exf6 gxf6 and White does not have enough
compensation in Sieber - Rost, Postal 1 989.
2 ... d5! is best. 3.c4 c6; 4.Nc3 Nf6; 5.Nf3 e6; 6.Ne5 Bd6; 7.Bf4 0-0; 8.e3
Nh5; 9.Be2 Nxf4; 10.exf4 Nd7; 1 l .cxd5 exd5; 12.0-0 Nxe5; 13.fxe5 Bb4; 14.f4
Sorokin - Rozhkovan, Vladivostok 1 995.
3.g4. I got this move from a student of Grandmaster Lombardy. Unfortu
nately, I didn't bother with the paternity information, and was caught in my
own trap when I tried to "surprise" Lombardy with it at the 1972 United
States Open. He was wise enough to play 2 ... d5 ! of course. I put up a fight, but
lost.
3.e4 fxe4; 4.Qxe4 Nf6; 5.Qh4 Bf5; 6.c3 Nbd7; 7.Bc4 e5; 8.Ne2 Be7; 9.Qg5
Bg6; 10.f3 c6; 1 l .Qd2 d5; 1 2.Bd3 e4; 13.fxe4 Bxe4; 14.Bxe4 Nxe4 and Black
was clearly better in Hassabis - Mayers, Hastings Masters 1995.
3 ...fxg4; 4.h3 Nf6. 4 ...g3; 5.fxg3 Nf6; 6.e4 is proposed by Martin, and
White must be better, with complete domination in the center and easier
development.
5.Bg5 g6; 6.Bxf6 exf6; 7.hxg4 Nc6.
7 ... Bxg4; 8.Rxh7 Rxh7; 9.Qxg6+ Rf7; 10.Qxg4 Nc6; 1 l .Bg2 Rg7; 12.Qh5+
Ke7; 13.Qd5 Nb4; 14.Qe4+ Kf7; 15.Na3 and I am not sure whether White has
enough compensation, but the position remains unclear.
8.Bg2 Bg7.
Now a simple combination wins a pawn. 9.Rxh7 Kf7. 9 ... Rxh7; 1 0.Qxg6+
Kf8; 1 l .Qxh7 Nxd4; 1 2.Nf3 Nxf3+; 13.Bxf3 is comfortably better for White.
10.Bd5+ Be6; l l.Bxe6+ Kxe6; 12.Rxg7 Ne7; 13.Nc3 Qf8; 14.Qc4+ d5.
Another combination finishes things off. 15.Rxe7+ Kxe7; 16.Nxd5+ Kd6;
111
17.Qxc7+ Kxd5; 18.c4+ Ke4; 19.f3+ Ke3; 20.Rdl Qb4+; 2 1.Kfl Schiller
Zacher, Chicago Championship 1 973.
S ENE C HAUD GAMBIT
l.d4 f5
2.Bf4 e6
3.g4
As we have seen, there are many g4 gambits in the Dutch, and they
are especially prolific when ... e6 has been played. This one is not the
best, because the bishop is particularly useful at f4. You can compare
this with the g4 gambit in the Korchnoi Attack ( l .d4 f5; 2.h3 e6; 3.g4)
and the Manhattan Gambit ( l .d4 f5; 2.Qd3 e6; 3.g4) and see that the
latter are more useful.
From a practical standpoint however, l.d4 f5; 2.Bf4 is more likely
to elicit the ... e6 move than 2.h3 or 2.Qd3, which are a clearer signal of
White's intentions.

3 ... fxg4; 4.e4. A classical approach, though 4.h3 comes into consideration,
now that 4... g3 can be countered with 5.Bxg3 and White has a pleasant game
with good attacking possibilities.
4 ... Nf6; 5.Bg2 Be7; 6.e5. Otherwise the bishop on f4; will feel uncomfort·
able after Black castles. White needs to grab the pawn back now, even though
Black can then eliminate the bishop. 6 ...Nd5; 7.Qxg4 Nxf4. Black has no
choice, but this is in any case good, as Black takes over the initiative. 8.Qxf4
Bg5; 9.Qf3 Nc6; 10.Ne2 Qe7. 10 ...Nb4; 1 l .Na3 Qe7; 12.h4 Bh6; 13.c3 Nd5;
14.Nc2 Rf8; 15.Qg4 Nf4 Senechaud - Flament, La Rochelle 1995.
l l.c3 b6!
1 12
DUTCH DEFENSE
This is suggested in Gambit Revue. White can try 12.h4 Bh6. Not 12 ... Bxh4??
because of 13.Qh5+ g6; 14.Qxh4 .
13.Qh5+ Qf7; 14.Qxf7+ Kxf7. White has 15.d5!? exd5; 16.Bxd5+ Ke7;
17.Bxc6 dxc6; 18.Rgl!? Black's pawns are tied down and the knights will
soon get into the game. 18 ... Ke6; 19.£4 Rg8; 20.Nd2 Rf8; 2 1.Nf3 and now
2 l . .Bxf4; 22.Rxg7 Bxe5; 23.Ng5+. 23.Nxe5 Kxe5; 24.Rxh7 Bh3; 25.0-0-0 is
.
clearly better for White.

23 ... Kf5; 24.Rxh7 Ba6; 25.Nf3 Kg6; 26.Re7 Bxc3+; 27.Nxc3 Rxf3; 28.0-
0-0 is likely to end in a draw after 28 ... Rh8; 29.Rxc7 Rxh4; 30.Rxc6+.
S PIELMANN GAMBIT
l .d4 f5
2.Nc3 Nf6
3.g4
The Spielmann Gambit is a member of the family of the Anti-Dutch

Spike gambits.

3 ... d5. 3 ... Nxg4; 4.e4 d6; 5.Bg2 fxe4; 6.f3 exf3; 7.Nxf3 e5; 8.0-0 Be7; 9.dxe5
0-0; 10.exd6 Qxd6; l l .Qe2 Nc6; 12.Ne4 Qg6; 13.Ng3 Be6; 14.Bd2 Rae8;
113
15.Qb5 Bc8; 1 6.Qc4+ Kh8; 17.Rae1 Bd6?? ( 1 7 ... Be6 and Black is much better.
1 8.Rxe6 Qxe6; 1 9.Qxe6 Bc5+ wins for Black.) 1 8.Nh4 and Black resigned in
Kerchev - Nisi, Elhovo 1 985.
4.g5 Ne4; 5.Nxe4 fxe4; 6.f3. 6.c3 is a better plan.
6 ... Bf5; 7.Bg2 e6; 8.fxe4 dxe4; 9.Be3 Be7; 10.Qd2 Na6; l l.Nh3 Nb4; 12.c4
c5; 13.dxc5 Qa5; 14.0-0 Bxc5 and Black is slightly better, Spielmann - Mieses,
Berlin 1 920.
STAU NTO N GAMBIT: AMERICAN VARIATI O N
l.d4 f5
2.e4 fxe4
3.Nd2
This awkward looking move was practiced by the American players

in the 1950s. The key idea is that the knight on d2 can reach e5 via c4.
However this takes time and when playing a gambit, time is of the
utmost importance.
3.Nc3 can lead to a standard Staunton Gambit after 3 ... Nf6; 4.Bg5,
but 4.g4 is a variation on the same theme that we will see in the main
line. After 4 ...h6; 5.h4 d5; 6.Bh3 Qd6; 7.Qe2 g5; 8.Be3 Nc6; 9.0-0-0
Be6; 10.f4 exf3; 1 1 .Qxf3 h5; 1 2.Nb5 Qd7; 1 3.hxg5 hxg4; 14.Qf4 0-0-
0; 15.Bxg4 Bxg4; 16.Rxh8 Bxd1 ; 1 7.gxf6 Bxc2; 18.Qxc7+ Qxc7; 19.Nxc7
Bf5; 20.fxe7 Nxe7 the endgame resulted in an eventual draw in Nuyten
- Welling, Netherlands 1 980.

3 ... Nf6; 4.g4 d5; 5.g5 Nfd7; 6.f3 e5; 7.fxe4.
1 14
DUTCH DEFENSE
7 ...Qxg5. Although not a bad move the queen does lose time after 8.Ngf3
that's why we recommend playing 7 ... Be7. 7 ... Be7; 8.h4 0-0; 9.Ngf3 exd4;
10.exd5 Nb6. This position is better for Black due to his lead in development
and the exposed nature of White's king.
8.Ngf3 Qh5; 9.exd5. White gets carried away with the taking of pawns
when he should be concentrating on getting his king to safety with 9.Bg2
followed by castling. 9 ...Bd6. 9 ... Be7 is another move with the idea of taking
advantage of the weakened el -h4 diagonal with 1 0 ... Bh4+.
10.Ne4 0-0; l l.Bg2 Qg4; 12.Qe2 Bb4+; 13.c3 exd4; 14.Nxd4. 14.cxb4 d3;
15.h3 Qg6; 1 6.Nh4 dxe2; 1 7.Nxg6 hxg6. Both sides weaknesses cancel each
others out leading to play with equal chances.
14 ... Qh4+; 15.Kdl. 15.Nf2 Qxd4; 16.cxb4 Qxb4+ is winning for Black due
to his extra pawn and the exposed nature of White's king.
15 ... Be7. The first battle has ended with Black on top due to White's king
being trapped in the center. 16.Ng3. 16.Ne6 Ne5 would only create problems
for White since 17.Nxf8 could be answered by 17.Bg4 winning the White queen.
16 ... Nc5; 17.Nf3 Qa4+; 18.b3 Qd7. 1 8 ...Nxb3; 1 9.axb3 Qxal ; 20.Qxe7
allows White chances, having two pieces for the rook.
19.Kc2 Bf6; 20.Ba3 Nba6; 2 l .Nd4 Qf7.
1 15
Although material is even, the precarious position of White's king gives

Black a winning advantage. 22.Ne4 ReS. 22 ...Nxe4; 23.Bxe4 . 23.Rhfl. 23.Bxc5
Nxc5; 24.Nxf6+ gxf6. When White's position would collapse on the light squares
for example ... 25.Qd2 Qg6+; 26.Kb2 Nd3+.
23 ... Qg6. This move puts more pressure on the pinned knight. 24.Rael
Bh3; 25.Rxf6. 25.Bxh3 is easily countered by 25 ... Rxe4.
25 ...Qxg2; 26.Rf4.
26.Qxg2 Bxg2. Wins material for Black due to the knight being pinned on
the e-file.
26 ...Rxe4. The beginning of a combination with the idea of exploiting
White's queen being tied down to the second rank. 27.Rxe4 Nxe4; 28.Qxg2
Bxg2; 29.Re2 Bhl; 30.Rel Nf2; 3 l.Ne6. 3 l .c4 Be4+; 32.Kd2 Bg6.
3 1 ...Bxd5 and White resigned in Bisguier - Bronstein, Goteborg Inter
zonal l 955.
1 16
ELEPHANT GAMBIT
ELEPHANT GAMBIT
MAROCZY GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 d5
3.exd5 Bd6
The Elephant Gambit with 2 ... d5 has grown in respectability lately.

It is usually a standard gambit, but there are relevant deviations.
The Maroczy Gambit offers a pawn in return for a little develop
ment and a secure presence in the center, which sounds fine, but in
practice, it just is not enough.

4.Nc3. 4.Bb5+ is also good, for example: 4 ... c6 (4 ... Bd7; 5.Bxd7+ Nxd7;
6.d3 Ngf6; 7.Nc3 h6; 8.0-0 0-0; 9.Re1 and Black will not be able to play ... e4.)
5.dxc6 Nxc6; (5 ... bxc6; 6.Bc4 Nf6; 7.0-0 e4; 8.Ng5 Bxh2+ was played in Donev
- Adensamer, Schellenberg 1991 but what would Black do after 9.Kh l ! ) 6.d4
e4; 7.Qe2 Qe7; 8.Nfd2 Nf6; 9.Nc3 Rosenbaum - Wilson, Burlingame 1989,
but Black does not have enough here, since ... Bg4 can be met by Qe3.
4...Nf6. 4...f5; 5.d3 Nf6; 6.Bg5 0-0; 7.g3 Nbd7; 8.Bg2 Nb6; 9.0-0 is a grand
master response to the gambit. White's position is very good, Larsen -Jensen,
Denmark (simul) 1 99 1 .
5.Bb5+. 5.d4! is best. for example 5 ... e4; 6.Ne5 0-0; 7.Bg5 ReS; 8.Bb5 Re7;
9.Qd2 a6; 1 0.Be2 BxeS; 1 l .dxe5 RxeS; 12.0-0-0 Bf5; 13.g4 gave White a strong
initiative in Brazda - Muir, Postal 1 957-58.
5... c6; 6.Ba4. 6.dxc6 bxc6; 7.Bc4 0-0; 8.0-0 and Black can try 8 ... e4; 9.Ng5
Bxh2+ but after 1 0.Kxh2 Ng4+; 1 l .Kg1 QxgS; 12 .d4 e3; 13 .f3! Nf2; 14.Ne4
Nxe4; 15.fxe4 White has better attacking lines and healthier pawns.
6 ... e4; 7.dxc6 0-0; 8.Nd4 bxc6; 9.Nxc6 Qb6; 10.Nxb8 Rxb8; l l.Bb5. 1 1 .0-
0 allows the sacrifice seen in the game, even without the support of a rook at
d8. 1 l ...Bxh2+!?; 1 2.Kxh2 Ng4+; 13 .Kg1 Qh6; 14.Re1 Qh2+; 15.Kf1 Qh 1+;
16.Ke2 Qxg2; 1 7.Rf1 Ba6+; 1 8.d3 Rfd8 and White is unlikely to survive.
l l...Rd8; 12.0-0.
1 17
Now Black goes for the typical kingside cracker. 12 ... Bxh2+; 13.Kxh2 Ng4+;
14.Kg3. 14.Kgl Qh6; 1 5.Rel e3!; 1 6.Rxe3 Qh2+; 1 7.Kfl Nxe3+; 18.fxe3 Rxb5!
1 9.Nxb5 Qhl+ and Black wins.
14 ... Qc7+; 15.f4 ex£3+; 16.Kxf3 Rd4; 17.d3 Bb7+; 18.Ne4 Bxe4+; 19.Kxg4
Qh2; 20.dxe4 Qxg2+; 2 l.Kh4 Rxb5; 22.Qxd4 Rh5+; 23.Kxh5 Qh3+; 24.Kg5
h6+; 25.Kf4 g5+; 26.Ke5 Qe6# Zambelly - Maroczy, Postal 1 897.
PAU LS EN COU NTERGAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 d5
3.exd5 e4
The Paulsen Countergambit relies on some typical countergambit

ideas, such as a powerful pawn on the fifth rank, but because the e-file
is otherwise open, White is able to attack the vulnerable pawn immedi
ately and obtain an advantage.
118
ELEPHANT GAMBIT

4.Qe2 Nf6. This attacks d5 and defends e4, but White steps up the pres
sure. 4 ... Be7; 5.Qxe4 Nf6; 6.Bb5+ Bd7; 7.Qe2 Nxd5; S.Bxd7+ Qxd7; 9.d4 was
played in another game of the same 1 S57 blindfold match between Morphy
and Paulsen, but Black has problems competing in the center.
4 ... Qe7 is best met by 5.Nd4 Qe5 (5 ... g6; 6.Nc3 Bg7; 7.d6 cxd6; S.Nd5
QdS; 9.Qxe4+ Kf8 and Black's position is a disgusting mess, Mandl - Platz,
Badenweiler, Germany 1 9S5. 5 ...Nf6; 6.Nc3 Qc5 looks promising but after
7.Nf3! Qe7. White does not offer to repeat the position with Nd4, but instead
increases the pressure at e4 with S.Ng5 .) 6.Nb5 Bd6; 7.d4 Qe7; S.c4 Bb4+;
9.Bd2 Morphy - Mongredien, Paris (match) 1 S59.
4 ... f5. The miserly attempt to hang on to the pawn meets with refutation,
but there are no convincing alternatives. 5.d3 Bb4+ (5 ...Nf6; 6.dxe4 fxe4; 7.Nc3
Bb4; S.Qb5+ c6; 9.Qxb4 exf3; 1 0.Bg5 cxd5; 1 1 .0-0-0 Nc6; 12.Qa3 Be6 was
played in Tal - Lutikov, Soviet Team Championship 1 946, and here Tal ana
lyzed 13.gxf3 with a clear advantage for White. The Black king cannot castle,
and the pawn at d5; is very weak. 5 ... Qxd5; 6.Nfd2 Nc6; 7.Nc3 Qe6; S.dxe4
Bb4; 9.exf5 Qxe2+; 1 0.Bxe2 Anderson - Attig, casual game 1992) 6.c3 Be7;
7.dxe4 fxe4; S.Qxe4 Nf6; 9.Bb5+ Bd7; 1 0.Qe2 Nxd5; 1 l .Bc4. White still has
an extra pawn, and Black has problems on the e-file and a2-gS diagonal, Morphy
- Paulsen, New York (blindfold) 1 S57.
5.d3!
This is a good tactic to keep in mind in any opening where Black advances
the e-pawn to e4 early in the game. Black has tried several defenses here,
without success.
5 ... Qxd5. 5 ... Be7; 6.dxe4 0-0; 7.Nc3 ReS (7 ... c6; S.Bd2 ReS; 9.0-0-0 Qc7;
10.Bg5 Bg4; 1 l .h3 Bxf3; 12.Qxf3 allowed Black no compensation at all in
Jensen - Schneider, Postal 1 9S9.) S.Bd2 Bb4; 9.0-0-0 Bxc3; 10.Bxc3 Nxe4
(10 ... Nxe4; 1 l .Qe3 Nxc3; 12.Qxc3 Nd7; 13 .Bb5 a6; 14.Bxd7 Bxd7; 15.Rhe1
and White just has an extra pawn, De Smet - Schneider, Postal 19S9.) 1 1 .Qc4
Nd7 was used by a leading specialist in unorthodox openings in Schonthier -
1 19
Biicker, West Germany 1 986. After 12.Bd4, Black does not have any signifi
cant compensation for the pawn and the bishop pair.
5 ... Bb4+; 6.c3 0-0; 7.dxe4 Bc5 (7 ...Nxe4; 8.cxb4 Re8; 9.Be3 Qe7; 10.a3
gave White a secure advantage in jensen - Wolff, Postal 1989.) 8.Bg5 Re8 is
Knorr - Wolff, Postal 1989 and here 9.Bxf6 Qxf6; 1 O.e5 Qf4; 1 1 .Nbd2 is very
strong for White.
6.Nfd2 Be7. 6 ... Bb4; 7.c3 Be7; 8.Nxe4 0-0; 9.Bf4 is better for White, though
it will take a little time to develop the kingside, Brodie - Williams, Columbia
1990.
7 .Nxe4 0-0; 8.Nbc3 Qa5; 9.Bd2 and White was way ahead in Keres - De
Agustin, Madrid 1 943.
WASP VARIATION
l .e4 e5
2.Nf3 d5
3.Nxe5 dxe4
4.Bc4 Qg5
This is another line of the Elephant Gambit. White seems to have a

good position, but in fact chances seem to be about even, no matter
which way White captures at f7. Here the early deployment of the queen
is justified on tactical grounds. The defense was first used by an anony
mous player, so until a qualified advocate surfaces, I'll call it the Wasp
Variation, since it does have a sting.

5.Bxf7+. 5.Nxf7? allows 5 ... Qxg2 and now:
a) 6.Rf1 Bg4 and White cannot salvage the position. 7.Nxh8 (7.£3 exf3;
8.Rf2 Qg1+; 9.Bfl Kxf7; 10.Qe2 Nc6; 1 l .Qc4+ Ke8; 12.d3 Kd7; 13.Be3 Re8;
14.Kd2 Rxe3; 15.Kxe3 Nf6; 16.Nc3 Be6; 17.Bh3 Qg5+ Kehl - Rasmussen,
Tacoma 1989. Or 7.Be2 Bxe2; 8.Qxe2 Kxf7; 9.Qc4+ Ke8; 10.Qxc7 Nd7; 1 l.Qxb7
Rb8; 12.Qxa7 Qxh2 and Black has an extra piece for two pawns, a clear ad
vantage.) 7 ... Bxd1; 8.Bxg8 Nc6; 9.Nc3 Bxc2; 10.Bf7+ Kd8; 1 l .Ne2 Bd3; 12.Rg1
Qf3 Strand - Jensen, Denmark 1 986.
1 20
ELEPHANT GAMBIT
b) 6.Qh5 Qxh 1 +; 7.Ke2 Qxc l ; 8.Nd6+ Kd7; 9.Qf7+ Kxd6?? Such greed!
With so much extra material, Black should have played more defensively.
(9 ...Ne7!; 1 0.Nxc8 and of course Black cannot capture the knight because of
Qe8, but the king has nothing to fear, really. 1 0 ... Qxb2 and ... Qf6 threatens to
consolidate.) 1 0.Nc3 Qxa1 ; 1 l .Nxe4+ Ke5; 12.Qd5+ Kf4; 13.Qg5+ Kxe4; 14.d3+
Kd4; 15.Qe3# Lange - Anonymous, 1 855.
5 Ke7; 6.d4. 6.Qh5? Qxg2; 7.Bxg8 Qxh 1 +; 8.Ke2 Rxg8; 9.Qf7+ Kd6;
...
10.Qxg8 Kxe5; 1 l .Qxf8 Bg4+; 1 2.Ke3 Qe1# is Anonymous - Bronstein, 1 954.

6 . Qxg2; 7.Rfl.
..
The evaluation of the opening strategy must be based on this critical po
sition. 7 ..Bh3 sets up a deadly threat at fl , but White has resources.
.
7 ...Nd7 is considered best in Jensen, Purser and Pape's book on the El
ephant Gambit. 8.Bxg8 Nxe5; 9.dxe5 Rxg8; 1 0.Qh5.
Black's king is in a horrible position and there is no material compensa

tion.
a) 1 0 ...Bg4 and now 1 l .Qxh7 ( 1 1 .Qg5+ is surprisingly ineffective: 1 l ...Ke6;
12.Qf4 Bb4+; 1 3.c3 Bh3 and Black is better, Stanfield - Rittenhouse, Postal
1 989.) 1 l ...Kf7; 1 2.Nd2. The aforementioned authors do not consider this
121
move. (They do point out that 12.a3 Rd8; 13.Bd2 Bh3 wins for Black.) 12 ... Rd8;
1 3.e6+! Bxe6; 14.Qxe4 Qxe4+; 15.Nxe4 and I suppose that Black has enough
for a pawn, but surely no more. So 1 O ... Bg4 leads only to equality.
b) 10 ...g5 is an interesting move. 1 l .Be3 ( 1 l .Nc3 Bh3; 12.Nd5+ Ke6; 13.Ne3
Qf3; 14.Qxh7 Bb4+; 15.c3 Bxfl ; 1 6.Nxfl Bxc3+ and Black went on to win in
Mayer - Motta, Montana 1989. Or 1 l .Qxh7+ Rg7; 12.Qh6 Bh3; 13.Qf6+ Ke8;
1 4.Nd2 Rd8 and White has run out of moves, with Black threatening to cap
ture at d2; and then on fl .) 1 l ...Bg4; 12.Qxh7+ Rg7; 13.Qh6 Kf7; and here
14.Qf6+ is the most logical move. ( 14.Nc3 Rg6; 15.Qh7+ Bg7; 1 6.e6+ Rxe6;
1 7.Bd4 Rg6; 1 8.Bxg7 Rxg7; 19.Qh6 Rd8; 20.Rd1 Bxd1; 2l .Nxd1 Rxd1+. White
resigned, Graves - Hall, England 1987.)
b 1 ) 1 4 ... Ke8; 15.Nc3 Rd8; 16.Bxg5 Rd4; 1 7.e6! Bh3; 18.Qxd4! Qxfl+;
19.Kd2 e3+ ( 1 9 ... Qxa1 ; 20.Qd8#) 20.Kxe3! Bc5!; 2l .Rxfl Bxd4+; 22.Kxd4 Bxfl;
23.h4 and White has an easily winning endgame. A remarkable line!
b2) 14 ... Kg8 is better. 15.Nd2 Qxh2; 16.Bxg5 Be7; 1 7.Qf4 Qxf4; 18.Bxf4
B£5 and Black does not have enough for the pawn.
8.Bc4! Nf6. 8 ... Nd7; 9.Nc3 Ngf6; 10.Bf4 Nb6; 1 l .Be2 Nbd5; 12 .Nxd5+
Nxd5; 13.Qd2 e3 ( 1 3 ... Ke8; 14.0-0-0 Nxf4; 1 5.Qxf4 Bd6 gets the bishop into
the game but does not solve Black's fundamental problems. 16.Bb5+! Kd8;
17.Nf7+ Kc8; 18.Nxd6+ cxd6; 19.Rgl ! Qf3; 20.Qxf3 exf3; 2 l .Rxg7 and White
has enough to win with an extra pawn and much better pieces.) 14.fxe3 g5;
1 5.Bg3 Qe4; 1 6.Rf7+ Kd8; 17.Bf3! Qxe3+; 18.Qxe3 Nxe3; 19.Kd2 and the
game did not last long: 19 ... Ng2; 20.Bxb7 Rb8; 2 l .Nc6+ Ke8; 22.Rxc7 Black
resigned, Brinckmann - De Agustin, Madrid 1 943.
9.Bf4! White continues to develop quickly, and Black's game quickly col
lapses. 9 ...Nbd7; IO.Qd2 Nb6; l l.Be2 Nbd5; 12.Nc3 Be6. 12 ...Nxf4; 13.Qxf4
Be6; 14.h4 Rg8; 15.Nc4 Rd8; 1 6.0-0-0 and White was winning in Von Feilitsch
- Keres, Postal 1 932.
13.Nxd5+ Nxd5; 14.0-0-0 Qh3; 15.Bg5+ Black resigned, Lob - Eliskases,
Postal 1 932.
1 22
ENGLISH DEFENSE
I
ENGLISH DEFENSE .
HARTLAU B GAMBIT
l .c4 b6
2.d4 Bb7
3.Nc3 e6
4.e4 f5
5.exf5 Nf6
This is the Hartlaub Gambit. It is not sound. Black should opt for
5 . . . exf5; 6.Nf3 Nf6; 7.Bd3 Qe7+; 8.Qe2 Qxe2+; 9.Kxe2 g6; l O.Rel Kf7
and Black's position was not bad, Sapi - Jamrich, Solymar 1996. We
will examine the main lines of the English Defense in the next game.

6.fxe6 Be7; 7.Nf3. Why doesn't White capture again on d7? Perhaps the
accelerated Black development was scary, but it was more likely the knowl
edge that the Black pawn would be very weak and that it was time to develop
some pieces. 7.exd7+ Nbxd7; 8.Be3 is a simple path to an advantage.
7 ... 0-0; 8.Bd3 dxe6; 9.0-0 Nc6; lO.Rel Nb4; l l.Be2. White retreats, in
stead of simply sticking with the plan. l l .Ng5 is stronger. After l l ...Nxd3;
12.Qxd3 Bc8; 13.Nxe6 Bxe6; 14.Rxe6 White is winning easily.
l l...Ng4. Suddenly the Black horses are trampling on White territory!
12.a3 Nxf2. Desperation, as the invaders were about to be expelled. Or part
of a deep and brilliant plan? Probably a bit of both, and a healthy dose of
intuition. 13.Kxf2 Nc2; 14.Qxc2. This lets the enemy queen join the attack.
14.Be3 Nxe l ; 15.Qxe l and White is still comfortably ahead.
14 ... Qxd4+; 15.Be3 Bh4+; 16.g3. End of attack? Not yet! 1 6.Kgl Qxe3+;
17.Kh l Bxf3; 18.gxf3 Bxe l ; 1 9.Rxel Rxf3! and White is in trouble.
16 ... Qg4; 17.Nd5. 1 7.Kgl Bxg3 is a maniacal line Black, but White may
have seen 1 8.Qxh7+ Kxh7; 1 9.Ng5+ Qxg5; 20.Bd3+ Kh8; 2 l .Bxg5 is refuted
not by capturing the rook, but by 2 l ...Bf2+!; 22.Kfl Be3+; 23.Ke2 Bxg5 and
Black is clearly better.
17 ... exd5; 18.Kgl. At the cost of a piece, White has blunted the attack,
but Black is not finished yet. 18 ...Bxg3!; 19.h3. 19.hxg3 Qxg3+; 20.Khl (20.Kfl
Bc8! and the check at h3 is too painful to bear.) 20 ... d4 and White can resign.
19 ... Qxh3; 20.Bfl Qg4; 2 1.Bg2 d4!; 22.Nh2.
1 23
Here comes a finish with a flourish! 22 ... Bf2+!!; 23.Qxf2. 23.Bxf2 Qxg2#
23 ...Rxf2; 24.Nxg4 Rxg2+; 25.Kfl dxe3. White resigned in Carls -
Hartlaub, Bremen 192 1 .
EN G LI S H D E F EN S E: MAIN LINE
l.c4 e6
2.d4 b6
The English Defense is well named. Not only do familiar unortho

dox players such as Basman and Miles use it, England's hero of the
1980s,Jonathan Speelman, has also used it in many important encoun
ters. The idea of a queenside fianchetto combined with ... e6 is logical
and is seen in many standard openings. The lack of a knight at f6 here
means that unlike the Queen's Indian, the English Defense invites White
to occupy and maintain a pawn at e4. For some time in the 1 980s the
continuations with f5 were the subject of heated debate.
...
For a while it seemed as though White was winning all the battles
and the opening submerged, only to resurface on the other side of the
Channel in the hands of continental players.
1 24
ENGLISH DEFENSE
It remains controversial today, and here we will look at those lines

as well as the recommended early advance of the a-pawn, which keeps
the Black bishop from taking up a useful post at b4.

3.e4.
3.Nc3 Bb4 will usually lead to a Nimzo-lndian Defense or Dutch Defense.
3.a3 will transpose to a Queen's Indian, Nimzo-lndian or Dutch Defense. 3.Nf3
Bb7; 4.a3 (4.Nc3 Bb4 is a Nimzo-Indian.) 4 ... Ne7 is the Miles Variation. (4 ... f5
is again a Dutch Defense.)
The knight is headed for g6, where it can control f4 and h4. 5.Nc3 g6; 6.e4
Bg7; 7.Be2 (7.Be3 f5; 8.e5 h6; 9 .h4 d6; 10.exd6 cxd6; 1 l .Bf4 a6; 12 .Be2 Ra7;
13.0-0 g5; 14.hxg5 Ng6; 15.Bg3 hxg5 and Black had good prospects on the
kingside, Milov - Miles, Biel 1 996.) 7 ... 0-0; 8.0-0 f5; 9.e5 h6 with two signifi
cant branches.
a) 10.Re1 g5; 1 l .d5 Ng6; 1 2 .Bfl g4; 13.Nd4 Bxe5; 14.dxe6 Qf6; 15.Bxh6
Re8; 16.Ndb5 ( 1 6.exd7 Nxd7; 1 7.Ndb5 might have been more accurate.)
16... dxe6; 1 7.Qd2 Nc6 (17 ...a6! and Black is better.) 18.Qg5 Re7; 1 9.Rxe5 and
White had the advantage in Hellsten - Miles, Malmo 1996.
b) 10.h4 is a bit stronger. 1 0 ...d5; 1 l .exd6 cxd6; 12.Bf4 Nc8; 13.Qd2 Kh7;
14.Rae1 Nd7; 15.Bd1 Re8 and Black had achieved an equal game, Xu - Miles,
Beijing 1 996.
3 . Bb7.
..
1 25
White has two basic approaches here. The center can be supported by a
bishop at d3 or a knight at c3. The latter can be pinned by ... Bb4, but the
bishop move weakens the g2-square and invites complications.
4.Bd3. 4.Nc3 Bb4. Here 5.Qc2 leads to a more orthodox game and White
does not achieve any great advantage. More fun is to be had with 5.f3 f5;
6.exf5 Nh6; 7.fxe6.
7 ...Nf5 and now White should play 8.Nge2 (8.exd7+ Nxd7; 9.Nge2 can
transpose.)
a) 8 ... 0-0 leads to complicated play, for example 9.exd7 (9.Qd3 Qh4+;
lO.Kdl dxe6; l l .Kc2 Nc6; 1 2.d5 Ncd4+; 13.Kb l Rae8; 14.g3 Nxg3; 15.Nxg3
Rxf3; 16.Qe4 Qxe4+; 17.Ngxe4 exd5; 18.Nd2 Rf2; 19.a3 Bxc3; 20.bxc3 Ne2;
2 1 .Bxe2 Rexe2; 22.Ra2 d4; 23.Rfl Rxfl ; 24.Nxfl Be4+; 25.Ka l Re l Gislason
Budnikov, Reykjavik (8) 1994. Or 9.Qb3 c5; 1 0.exd7 Nxd7; l l .d5 Ne5; 12.Nf4
Qh4+; 13.Kd l Nd4; 14.Qa4 Rxf4; 15.g3 Qh5; 16.Bxf4 Qxf3+; 17.Kd2 Qxh l ;
18.Rdl Qxh2+; 19.Kc l Ng6; Ree - Morozevich, Tilburg 1994) 9 ...Nxd7; 10.Kf2
Qh4+; l l .Kgl Ne5; 1 2.Nd5 Bxd5; 13.cxd5 Rae8; 14.a3 Nxd4; 15.Nxd4 Nxf3+;
16.gxf3 Be l ; 17.Kg2 Qf2+ Svensson - Forslund, Postal l 985
b) 8 ... dxe6; 9.Bf4 (9.Qa4+ Nc6; 1 0.Bd2 0-0; 1 1 .0-0-0 Nfxd4; 12.Nxd4
1 26
ENGLISH DEFENSE
Qxd4; 1 3.Qc2 with a better position for White, Stone - Hergott, Canadian
Championship 1 995.) 9 ... 0-0; 1 0. Qd2 Qh4+; 1 l .Ng3 Bd6; 12.Bxd6 cxd6;
13.Nce2 Nc6; 14.0-0-0 Ncxd4; 15.Nxd4 Nxg3; 1 6.hxg3 Qxh1 ; 17.Nxe6 Rf6
and White does not have enough compensation, Panno - Miles, Buenos Aires.
4.f3 f5 is the Poli Gambit, and it has been used by two very strong players
as Black: S.ex£5.
Black can make this position interesting by bringing the knight to h6,
since if White captures, then ... Qh4+ recovers the piece without damaging the
pawn structure.
5 ...Nh6 (S ... ex£5; 6.Qe2+ Be7; 7.Bg5 Nc6; 8.d5 Nd4; 9.Bxe7 Qxe7; 10.Qxe7+
Nxe7; 1 l .Na3 f4; 12.0-0-0 cS; 13.dxc6 Nexc6; 14.Ne2 was drawn in Baginskaite
- Stefanova, Yerevan Olympiad 1 996.) 6.fxe6 N£5; 7.Bf4 dxe6; 8.Ne2 cS; 9.d5
exdS; 10.cxd5 QxdS; 1 l .Qxd5 BxdS; 12 .Nbc3 Bb7; 13.Nb5 Na6; 14.Ng3 Nxg3;
15.hxg3 Rd8; 1 6.Kf2 Be7; 17.Re 1 Kf8; 18.Bc4 BdS; 19.Bxd5 RxdS was eventu
ally drawn in Babu - Miles, Madras 1 996.
4...f5. This is the most exciting line. 4 ... Nc6, the Perrin Variation, is also
playable.
a) 5.Nf3 invites Nb4 and now 6.0-0 is playable since 6 ...Nxd3; 7.Qxd3
Ne7; 8.Nc3 Ng6 gives White the initiative on 9.d5 (9.Bg5 Be7; 10.Bxe7 Qxe7;
1 27
1 l .d5 0-0; 12.Rad1 is also interesting, Dreev - Speelman, Geneva 1996.) 9 ... Be7;
1 0.Be3 0-0; 1 l .Rad1 eS; 1 2.Ne2 d6; 13.Ng3 and White seems to have a slight
edge, Ruzele - Kengis, Bonn 1 996.
b) S.dS NeS; 6.Be2 fS; 7.exf5 exfS; 8.Nh3 Bb4+; 9.Nd2 Nf6 and although
Black has a somewhat passive bishop at b7, the chances are about equal,
Ahundov - Bagirov, Yerevan Olympiad 1 996.
c) 5.Ne2 is a sensible developing move. 5 ...Nb4 Black can also adopt a
fianchetto formation on the kingside, now, or a bit later. 6.Nbc3 Nxd3+; 7.Qxd3
Ne7; 8.0-0 d6 (8 ... g6; 9.Qh3 Bg7; 1 0.Bh6 0-0; 1 l .Bxg7 Kxg7; 12.Rad1 d6;
13.Nf4 Ng8; 14.Qe3 Qe7; 15.Rfe1 and White's position is a bit more comfort
able, but Black managed to defend in Kohlweyer - Gulko, Geneva 1997.) 9.Qh3
Qd7; 1 0.Be3 g6; 1 l .d5 Ba6; 1 2.dxe6 Qxe6; 13.Qh4 Bg7; 14.b3 0-0; 15.Bd4 f6;
16.Rad1 Rae8; 17.Rfe 1 cS; 1 8.Be3 fS; 19.Bh6 Bxh6; 20.Qxh6 fxe4; 2l .Ng3
NfS; 22.Nxf5 QxfS; 23.Re3 was drawn in Bareev - Kengis, European Team
Championship 1 997.
5.exf5.
This is the fun line.

5.Nc3 Bb4; 6.d5 fxe4; 7.Bxe4 is being explored these days. 7 ... Qh4; 8.Qe2
Nf6; 9.Bf3 0-0 (9 ... Ba6; 1 0.dxe6 dS; 1 l .a3 Bxc3+; 1 2.bxc3 Bxc4; 13.Qc2 Ne4 is
about even, Kostin - Grabuzova, Moscow 1 996.) 1 O.dxe6 N c6; 1 1 .g3 Qd4;
1 2.Bd2 Ba6; 13.exd7 Bxc4; 14.Qe3 Qxd7; 15.0-0-0 Rae8; 16.Qf4 NeS; 1 7.Qh4
Qe6; 1 8.Kb 1 Bxc3; 1 9.Bxc3 Bxa2+; 20.Ka1 Bb3; 2 l .Re1 bS; 22.Rxe5 Qa6+;
23.Kb1 Qa2+; 24.Kcl RxeS; 25.Bxe5 Rd8; 26.Bd4 Qa1 +; 27.Kd2 Qxb2+; 28.Ke3
Qcl + and White resigned in Marchand - Gulko, Geneva 1 997.
5 ...Bb4+; 6.Kfl . 6.Nc3 Bxg2; 7.Qh5+ Kf8; 8.fxe6 Qe8; 9.Qf5+ Nf6; 10.d5
dxe6; 1 1 .dxe6 Qg6; 12.Qxg6 hxg6; 13 .Nge2 Bxh1 and Black cruised to a win
in Lopez - Miles, Gran Canaria 1996.
6 ...Nf6; 7.c5 bxc5; 8.a3 c4!? This sacrifice is not enough to salvage Black's
position. 9.Bxc4 Ba5; IO.fxe6 dxe6; l l.Qa4+. 1 1 .Qb3 0-0; 12.Ne2 Ne4; 13.Nf4
Nxf2; 14.Kxf2 Qxd4+; 15.Kg3 and Black's attack ran out of steam in Kragelj -
Schneider, Feldbach 1 997.
1 28
ENGLISH DEFENSE
l l...Nc6; 1 2.Nf3 Qd6; 1 3.Nc3 0-0-0; 14.Nb5 Qd7; 15.Nxa7+ Nxa7;

16.Qxa5 Nc6; 17.Qa4 and Black was unable to hold the position in Dautov
Teske, Vienna 1 996. The point is that 17 ...Nxd4; 18.Qxd7+ Rxd7; 19.Nxd4
Rxd4; 20.Bxe6+ is a hopeless ending for Black, even though it will take little
time to get the pieces off the first rank.
1 29
ENGLISH OPENING
AN G LO - SCAN D INAVIAN D E F EN S E
l.c4 d5
This opening, also known as the Vector Gambit, is based on faulty

logic. There is no real similarity to the Scandinavian Defense. White
will not have to give up a valuable center pawn by capturing at d5, but
can use the less precious c-pawn.

2.cxd5 Qxd5. 2 ... c6; 3.e4 cxd5; 4.exd5 Qxd5; 5.d4 Nc6; 6.Nf3 Bg4; 7.Be2
Nf6; 8.h3 BfS; 9.Nc3 QaS; 1 0.Qb3 Bd7; 1 l .Bf4 Nxd4; 12 .Nxd4 eS; 13.Qxb7
Rc8; 14.Nb3 Qd8; 15.Bxe5 Be7; 16.Rd1 and White won easily in Dorsch -
Nakamura, Hawaii International 1 994.
3.Nc3 Qa5; 4.d4 Bf5 attempts to prevent e4, but White achieves the ideal
pawn center quickly enough after 5.Bd2 c6; 6.e4. Schinzel - Persson, Boras
1 980, continued 6 .. Bg6 ; 7.Nf3 Qd8.
.
1 30
ENGLISH OPENING
It is obvious that White has a tremendous advantage in development and

in the center.
ANTI-EN G LI S H
l.c4 N£6
2.Nc3 d5
The Anti-English involves a Griinfeld-like strategy for confronting

White in the center, but Black concedes the center far too quickly and
cannot hope for equality.

3.cxd5 Nxd5; 4.d4 B£5. This is Schlenker's preferred plan. He notes that
the position can also be reached via the Reti with l .Nf3 Nf6; 2.c4 d5; 3.cxd5
Nxd5; 4.d4 Bf5. 5.Qb3 e6? Here Schlenker gives the following line: 5 ...Nxc3
6.bxc3 b6 may be best, but it leaves Black with a misplaced bishop.
6.e4.
This is the best move. 6 ...Nxc3; 7.exf5 Nd5; 8.Bc4 Nc6 was played in
Schlenker - Giinzler, W. Germany 1 976, and here gives rise to two interesting
plans, and one bad one.
1 31
a) 9 ... Nxd4; 1 0.exf7+ Ke7; l l .BgS+ Nf6; 12.Qe3+ wins at least a piece.
b) 9 ...Bb4+; 1 0.Bd2 Bxd2+; l l .Kxd2 QgS+; 12 .Kel fxe6; 13.Nf3 Qxg2;
14.Rgl Qh3; 15.Bxd5 exdS; 16.Qxd5 Rd8; 17.Qe4+ Kf8; 18.Rg3 QhS ( 1 8... Re8;
19.Qxe8+ Kxe8; 20.Rxh3 wins a rook.) 1 9.Kfl .
c) 9 . . . fxe6 ; 1 0 .Qxb7 ( 1 0.Nf3 Bb4+; l l .Bd2 Bxd2+; 1 2 . Nxd2 Nxd4;
13.Qa4+Qd7; 14.Qxd7+ Kxd7+) 10 ... Nxd4 and here l l.BgS looks critical. I
think that White comes out on top, for example l l . .. Bb4+; 12.Kfl Be7; 13.Bxd5!
QxdS; 14.Qxd5 exdS; IS.Rel Nc6; 1 6.Nf3.
This is healthier pawn structure for White, who can later play Ke2-d2 and
centralize the king.
BELLO N GAMBIT
l.c4 l ...e5
2.Nc3 Nf6
3.Nf3 e4
4.Ng5 b5
A rather confusing picture is presented here, but there have been

sufficient tests of the Bellon Gambit to determine that White can, at
best, achieve a small advantage against it, whether the gambit is ac
cepted or declined. This opening is still seen in professional competi
tions.
1 32
ENGLISH OPENING

5.d3 is the most promising reply for White. 5.Nxb5 lets Black gain
counterplay in the center with 5 ... h6; 6.Nh3 c6; 7.Nc3 d5; 8.cxd5 cxd5; 9.d3
(9.e3 Bd6; 10.Bb5+ Kf8; 1 l .d3 Bg4; 12.Qd2 Qa5; 13.a3 Na6; 14.0-0 Rd8; 15.d4
was better for White in Reshevsky - Bellon Lopez, Palma de Mallorca 1 97 1 . )
9 . . .Nc6; 10.g3 ( 1 0.e3 Bb4; 1 l .dxe4 Nxe4; 12.Bb5 Bd7; 1 3.0-0 Bxc3; 14.Qxd5
is clearly better for White, Adamski - Borkowski, Poznan 1 976.) 1 0 ... Bg4;
1 l .dxe4 d4; 1 2.Nb 1 Qa5+; 13.Bd2 Qb6; 14.f3 Qxb2; 15.Qc l Qxc l+; 1 6.Bxcl
was only a little better for White in Sznapik - Bellon Lopez, Cienfuegos 1 976.
5.cxb5, accepting the gambit, gives Black immediate counterplay with 5 ... d5;
6.d4 a6; 7.Nh3 (7.g3 axb5; 8.Nxb5 was played in Malich - Nun, Decin 1976
and here Black can try 8 ... Bf5; 9.Bg2 Qd7 threatening ...h6.) 7 ... axb5; 8.Nxb5
c6; 9.Nc3 Bd6; 10.g3 0-0; 1 l .a3 Bg4; 1 2.Nf4 Re8; 13.h3 Bf5; 14.e3 Na6; 1 5.Bd2
Nc7; 16.g4 allowed White to develop a kingside initiative in Partos - Liardet,
Zurich 1 990.
5 ...exd3. 5 ...bxc4 is also playable, as is 5 ...Bb7. These lines deserve more
attention because the main line has been looking good for White. Neverthe
less, I have not found any convincing lines for Black there.
6.cxb5. 6.Nxb5 Bb4+; 7.Bd2 Bxd2+; 8.Qxd2 0-0; 9.e3 Nc6; 10.Bxd3 Ne5;
1 l .f4 Nxd3+; 12.Qxd3 Rb8; 13.b3 d5; 14.0-0 dxc4; 15.Qxd8 Rxd8; 1 6.bxc4
Ng4 and Black had some counterplay for the pawn in Van der Sterren - Bellon
Lopez, Wijk aan Zee 1977. 6.exd3 bxc4; 7.dxc4 Bb4; 8.Qf3 is Olesen - Reynolds,
Iowa 1993 where White is fighting for equality after 8 ... Qe7+ 9.Be2 Nc6.
6 ... h6; 7.Nf3 dxe2; 8.Bxe2 Bc5; 9.0-0 Bb7. 9 ... 0-0 is an alternative move
order. 1 0.Ne5 Bb7; 1 l .Bf3 Qc8; 12.Nd5 gave White the advantage in Alburt
Pribyl, Decin 1 976.
10.Nd4 0-0. 10 ... Bxd4; 1 l .Qxd4 0-0; 12.b4 d6; 13.Bb2 Nbd7; 14.f4 Re8;
15.Bf3 Bxf3; 16.Rxf3 was even in Plaskett - Hempson, Blackpool 1 988.
l l.Be3 Bb6. 1 l ...Bxd4; 12.Bxd4 d6; 13.Bf3 Bx£3; 14.Qxf3 Nbd7; 15.Qc6
Ne5; 1 6.Bxe5 dxe5; 17.Rad1 Qe7; 18.Nd5 Nxd5; 19.Rxd5 e4; 20.Rd7 Qe5;
2l .a4 Qxb2; 22.Qxe4 a6; 23.Qd5 Zagorskis - Garcia Ilundain, Yerevan Olym
piad 1996, drawn, ( 47).
12.Bf3 d5; 13.Nf5 Re8; 14.Rel Nbd7; 15.Nxd5 Bxd5; 16.Bxd5 Nxd5.
16 ...Re5; 17.Bxa8 Qxa8; 1 8.Bxb6 axb6; 1 9.Rxe5 Nxe5 was easily winning for
White in Van de Dool - Nyberg, Postal 1 989.
17.Qxd5 Ne5; 18.Qxd8 Raxd8; 19.Bxb6 cxb6; 20.b3 with a comfortable
advantage for White in Ghitescu - Ermenkov, Moscow 1 977.
1 33
D RILL VARIATI O N
l.g3 e5
2.c4 h5
An absolutely shocking move to see in a United States Champion

ship. The uncompromising Kamran Shirazi seems to be launching a
kamikaze attack on the kingside. Although the play becomes weird, it
is more of a nightmare for Black.
The opening doesn't have a name, so we can call it the Drill, a
primate that likes to go out on a limb. Black attempts to drill into the
White position using the h-pawn to poke a hole in the White pawn
structure.

3.Nc3 h4; 4.g4 h3; 5.Bxh3 Qh4; 6.d4 d6; 7.Nd5 Na6; 8.b4 Qd8; 9.a3 Ne7;
10.Bg5 f6; l l.Be3 Be6; 12.Nxe7 Bxe7. White has a large advantage in space
and untangles the kingside by threatening the pawn at b7.
13.Bg2 Qc8; 14.h3 Bxc4; 15.Rcl Bf7; 16.Nf3 c6; 17.b5 Nb8; 18.bxc6 bxc6;
19.dxe5 dxe5; 20.0-0 Qa6.
20 ... Bxa3; 2 l .Ral Bb4; 22.Rxa7 Rxa7; 23.Bxa7 cS; 24.Bxb8 Qxb8; 25.Qa4+
Ke7; 26.Ral e4; 27.Qa7+ Qxa7; 28.Rxa7+ Ke6; 29.Nh2 is better for Black.
2 l.Rc3 Bd5; 22.Qc2 Nd7; 23.Qg6+ Kf8; 24.Ng5 e4; 25.Qf5 Ne5; 26.Bd4
g6; 27.Qf4 Kg7; 28.Nxe4 Rae8; 29.Bxe5 fxe5; 30.Qxe5+ Kh6; 3 l .Ng3 Rhf8;
3 2.Bxd5 cxd5; 3 3 . Qxd5 Bf6; 34.Rc6 Re5 ; 35.Qd2+. Black resigned,
Dzindzichashvili - Shirazi, United States Championship 1 992.
1 34
ENGLISH OPENING
HALIB UT GAMBIT
l.c4 b5
Volker Driike lists this as the English Gambit, but I see no need to
blame the opening on them. I am tempted to call this the Halibut,
because it belongs at the bottom of the sea. But that might be offensive
to the Halibut, who is surely more sensible. Black gains nothing tan
gible for giving up this pawn.
It is important to note that the idea of challenging a pawn at c4
with ...b5 is good only when White has already advanced the d-pawn to
d5. Then there is some positional compensation. Here there is none.

2.cxb5 a6. 2 ... g6; 3.Nf3 a6; 4.bxa6 Bxa6; 5.g3 exposes the weakness
of the long diagonal. Note that in the normal Benko Gambit White has
a pawn at d5 which blocks the scope of the light-squared bishop. 5 ... Bg7;
6.Nc3 Nf6; 7.Bg2 0-0; 8.0-0 with a strong extra pawn for White, Rachow
Dragoy, Germany 1990.
3.Nc3. 3.e4 axb5; 4.Bxb5 Bb7; 5.Nc3 Nf6; 6.d3 also leaves Black
with a miserable game, Schakel-Thedens, Germany 1990. 3 ... g6; 4.e3
Bg7; 5.d4.
1 35
White is clearly better.
LOHN GAMBIT
l.c4 d5
2.cxd5 e6
The Lohn Gambit is probably no worse than the Vector Gambit,

but not better, either. Black gives up a pawn for a little breathing room.

3.Qa4+ is a useful move, because Black does not want to exchange queens,
and the alternatives are not great either. 3 ... Bd7. 3 ... c6; 4.dxc6 Nxc6; 5.Nc3
Bd7; 6.Nf3 and White will be able to occupy the center with pawns, in addi
tion to having an extra one.
4.Qb3 and Black has nothing to show for the pawn, since 4 ... exd5; 5.Qxb7
Bc6. Black should probably just develop the knight to this square, but even so
it is hard to find enough compensation.
6.Qb3 Nf6; 7.d4!
1 36
ENGLISH OPENING
This gives White a strong center and development follows quickly.
MYERS DEFENSE
l.c4 g5
2.d4 Bg7
The Myers Gambit is not based on a sound foundation. Black weak

ens the kingside and gives up a pawn, for what? A bit of central pres
sure and a long diagonal. Black will not get enough for the pawn, so
there is no reason to decline.

3.Bxg5! c5. The Black bishop eyes White's b-pawn lustily, but remains just
a voyeur. 4.Nf3. 4.Nc3 cxd4; 5.Nd5 (5.Nb5 Nc6; 6.Nf3 Qb6; 7.Qb3 d6; 8.Bf4
Be6; 9.Ng5 Na5 is about even, Jorns - Summermatter, Bern Open 1995.)
5 ...Nc6; 6.Nf3 h6; 7.Bh4 d6; 8.Qd2 Bg4 was played in Hagesaether - Verduyn,
World Boys Under-1 6 Championship 1 992. Here 9.0-0-0 is playable for White,
and Black is a bit worse.
1 37
4 ...Nc6. 4 ... exd4 has been analyzed and after reviewing the standard 5.Nxd4
I now think that the best plan for White is a gambit: 5.Nbd2 Nc6; 6.Qb3,
which I'll call the Maverick Gambit. White plans g3, Bg2, 0-0, Rd1 etc. This
awaits practical tests. As for the "main line", here is one example that should
serve as a warning to White: 5 .Nxd4 Qb6; 6.Nb5 Bxb2; 7.Be3 Qa5+; 8.Nd2
Bxa1; 9.Qxa1 f6; 10.g4 d5; 1 l .Bf4 Na6; 12.e3 Bxg4; 13.cxd5 Rc8; 14.Qd4 Rcl #,
Haataja - Heinola, Tampere 1 989.
5.e3. 5.d5!? is possibly very strong, if Black accepts the sacrifices at b2 and
al. 5 ... Bxb2; 6.Nbd2 Bxa1; 7.Qxa1 Nd4; 8.Nxd4 cxd4; 9.Qxd4 f6; 1 0.Bf4, Black
has problems untangling. I rate the position as objectively about even, but the
White side is easier to play. 10 ... e5? fails to 1 l .Bxe5 fxe5; 12.Qxe5+, of course.
5 ... cxd4(5 ... Qb6; 6.Nc3 Qxb2; 7.Nd5 Rb8 is unclear. 6.exd4 Qb6; 7.Qd2
Nxd4 regains the pawn, but at a price. 8.Nxd4 Qxd4; 9.Nc3 d6; 10.Bd3. In
stead, Friedgood - Myers, Lugano Olympiad 1 968 saw Black get some
counterplay after 10.Nd5?!
White is much better developed, with a healthier pawn structure. Heinola

tells me that that he doesn't think Black's position is so bad, and he is a big fan
of this defense, but I would be delighted to play White.
1 38
ENGLISH OPENING
NEI GAMBIT
l.c4 Nf6
2.Nc3 e6
3.e4 c5
4.e5 Ng8
This is the Nei Gambit, a well-known line in the Flohr-Mikenas

Variation of the English Opening. It is an unorthodox retreat, conced
ing time and space to the opponent. Driike credits it to Kasparov, but
that is nonsense since it has been around since the 50s. There is a neat
little gambit continuation for Black which has been adopted even by
Garry Kasparov, and that's what we'll concentrate on here.

5.Nf3 Nc6; 6.d4.
Black can win the e-pawn, but suffers from many weaknesses, which can
be exploited by White.
6 ... cxd4; 7.Nxd4. 7.Nb5 a6; 8.Qa4 d6; 9.Nbxd4 Bd7 was played in Mikenas
- Abramian, Baku 1 944. 7 ...Nxe5; 8.Ndb5 has become established as the best
move, and play usually continues 8 a6; 9.Nd6+ Bxd6; I O.Qxd6 f6. Black has
..•
1 39
a backward d-pawn and the bishop at c8 has no way to get into the game.
Black must find a way to liberate the d6-square. l l.Be3 Ne7. 1 l ...Nf7; 12 .Qg3
with enough compensation for White, Ginsburg - Rousseau, Quebec Open
1 980.
12.Bb6 Nf5; 13.Bxd8. 13.Qb4 Nc6; 14.Qc5 Qe7; 15.0-0-0 Qxc5; 1 6.Bxc5
d6; 1 7.Bxd6 Nxd6; 1 8.Rxd6 Ke7 was even in Korchnoi - Timman, Brussels
1 99 1 . 13.Qc5 has become more popular and has been seen in recent games.
13 ... Qe7.
a) 14.Qxe7+ Kxe7!? (14 ... Nxe7; 15.f4 N5c6; 16.0-0-0 d5 gave Black suffi
cient counterplay in Karpov - Ribli, Reggio Emilia 1 989.) 15.0-0-0 d6; 16.Be2
Bd7; 1 7.f4 Nf7; 1 8.Rhe1 Rhc8; 19.b3 Bc6; 20.Bfl h5; 2 l .Kb2 N7h6; 22.Rd2
Kf7; 23.g3 ReS; 24.Be2 g6 and despite the odd looking Black pawn structure,
White did not have quite enough for the pawn in Linqvist - Tolonen, Turku
1996.
b) 14.0-0-0 Qxc5; 15.Bxc5 is even, Ragozin - Cosson, Paris Champion
ship 1 992.
c) 14.Qa5.
14 ... Nc6 ( 1 4 ... 0-0; 15.0-0-0 d6; 16.f4 Nd7; 17.g4 Nh6; 18.h3 Nxb6; 19.Qxb6
Nf7 remains unclear, Williams - Lehtivaara, England 1997.) 15.Qa4 Qd6; 16.c5
Qe5+; 17.Qe4 d5; 1 8.cxd6 Nxd6; 19.Qxe5 Nxe5; 20.0-0-0 Ndf7; 2 l .g3 Bd7;
22..f4 Bc6; 23.Rg1 Nd7; 24.Ba5 0-0; 25.Bc4 Rfe8; 26.Rge1 and White's pres
sure was worth a pawn in Petursson - Bjarnason, Reykjavik 1 996.
13 ...Nxd6; 14.Bc7 Ke7; 15.c5 Ne8; 16.Bb6 d5; 17.cxd6+.
1 40
ENGLISH OPENING
This position has been reached dozens of times, and it seems that White
cannot make much progress after the knight captures.
17 ...Nxd6. 17 ... Kxd6; 1 8.f4 ( 1 8.Be2 Ke7; 1 9.0-0-0 f5; 20.Bd4 gave White
enough compensation in Kavalek - Huss, Biel 1 977.) 18 ... Nd7; 19.Bd8 Nc7;
20.Ne4+ Kd5; 2 l .Nxf6+ gxf6; 22.Bxc7 and White was better in Gulko - Diesen,
Polanica Zdroj 1 977.
18.Bc5. 1 8.0-0-0 Ne£7; 1 9.g3 Bd7; 20.Bh3 Rhc8; 2 l .Rhe1 e5; 22.Bg2 Bc6;
23.Bh3 was agreed drawn in Miles - Polugayevsky, Reykjavik 1978.
18 ...Nef7. 18 ...b6; 19.Bxb6 Bb7 was a simple path to equality in Uhlmann
- Kurajica, Sarajevo 1 980.
19.Rdl b5; 20.h4 Bb7; 2 l.Rh3 Rac8; 22.Ba3 Rhd8.
White no longer has enough to justify the pawn, Garcia - Browne, Banja
Luka 1 979.
1 41
PORCUPINE VARIATION
l.c4 f5
2.e4 fxe4
3.Nc3 Nf6
4.g4
The paternity of this opening remains unclear. It is rather spiky, so

perhaps Porcupine makes sense.

4 ... e6. 4... d5 is bolder, and perhaps stronger. 5.g5 (5.cxd5 Bxg4; 6.Qb3
Qc8; 7.Bg2 e5! and Black is better.) 5 ... d4 (5 ... Ng4; 6.cxd5 e5; 7.Nxe4 Bc5;
8.Nxc5 Qxd5; 9.f3 Qxc5; 1 0.fxg4 0-0 is Persson - Muller, Eger 1993. White
would have had a great game after 1 l .Qb3+ Kh8; 1 2 .Qg3 ) 6.gxf6 dxc3; 7.fxg7
cxd2+; 8.Bxd2 Bxg7; 9.Qh5+ gives White sufficient compensation for the pawn.
5.g5 Ng8.
6.d4. 6.d3 d5; 7.cxd5 exd5; 8.dxe4 d4 looks good for Black. A desperate
try is 9.Bc4 dxc3; 1 0.Bf7+ Ke7; 1 l .Qb3, Lipp - Storm, Postal 1992. But the
simple l l ...Qd3! leaves White in a bad position. 6 ... d5; 7.£3 e3; 8.Bxe3 Ne7;
9.Bd3 dxc4; 10.Qa4+ Nbc6; l l.Qxc4 Nd5. Black has the advantage; the iso
lated pawn is blockaded and the bishop at e3 has a hard time keeping an eye
on both the d-pawn and g-pawn. A.Vooremaa - M.Vooremaa, Estonia 1965.
1 42
ENGLISH OPENING
SCHULZ GAMBIT
l.c4 d5
2.cxd5 Nf6
The Schulz Gambit has somewhat more merit than the Vector or
Lohn Gambits which offer White the opportunity to exchange the pawn
at d5 for one of Black's. The problem is that White can actually defend
the pawn!

3.e4! c6. 3 ... Nxe4?? loses the knight to 4.Qa4+. 4.dxc6 Nxc6; 5.Nc3 e5;
6.Bb5 Bb4; 7.Qa4 and White has a great game, and an extra pawn.
THE WHALE
l.e4 e5
2.c4
This move creates a big weakness at d4, and White will not be able
to get the pawn from d2 to d4 easily. Cochrane probably deserves credit
1 43
for it, but he is already so closely associated with the Cochrane Gambit
in the Russian Game that it would be confusing to put his name on this
opening, too. It seems to me rather large and lumbering, and one of its
fans has a tendency to spout effusive praise on it. So I'll call it the
Whale. Young American female star Jennie Frenklakh who lives close
to whale territory in California played it in her early years, but does
not use it anymore.
The opening is highly transpositional in any case, and can lead to
the Botvinnik System of the English, a King's Indian, even an Averbakh
Variation in the Modern Defense. Here we will look at one of the more
unusual approaches for White.

2 ...Nc6 is the logical replay, taking firm control of d4. I am rather dis
gusted when I see such openings used by White in World Youth Champion
ship competition. Some trainers are so obsessed with results that they will fill
the heads of young players with crap like this just to gain a few surprise victo
ries. As they get older, the young players have to rid themselves of such bad
habits, and learn real openings.
2 ... Bc5; 3.Nc3 Ne7; 4.Bd3, an awkward place for the bishop. Rapid devel
opment make sense if castling is intended, but both players take their sweet
time getting around to it in this example. 4 ... Nbc6; 5.Nf3 d6; 6.h3 a6; 7.Nd5
Ng6; 8.g3 Nd4; 9.b4 Ba7; 10.Bb2 Ne6; 1 l .h4 c6; 12.Ne3 Bxe3; 13.dxe3 h5;
14.Qd2 aS; 15.a3 b6; 16.Rd1 axb4; 1 7.axb4 Ra7; 18.Be2 Rd7; 19.Qc3 Bb7;
20.Nh2 c5; 2 l .f3 cxb4; 22.Qxb4 Nc5; 23.Ba3 Bc6; 24.Rd2 Ra7; 25.Bd1 0-0;
26.0-0 and now that both sides have finally castled, the game is about level,
Cochrane - Staunton, London 1 842.
2 ... Nf6; 3.d3 Bb4+. This helps to keep the knight from getting to c3. If
4.Bd2, the exchange of dark-squared bishops leaves White with a bad bishop
and an inferior game. 4.Nd2 0-0; 5.a3 Be7; 6.Be2 Nc6; 7.Nfl Nd4; 8.Ne3 d6;
9.g4 Nxe2; 10.Qxe2 g6; 1 l .h4 Be6; 1 2.h5 Qc8; 13.f3 c6; 14.hxg6 fxg6; 15.Qh2
Qe8; 1 6.Nh3 h5; 17.Ng5 Bd7; 1 8.Bd2 b5; 1 9.cxb5 cxb5; 20 .b4 Qd8; 2 l .Bcl
Kg7; 22.Qg2 Qc8; 23.gxh5 Qc3+; 24.Bd2 Qxa1 +; 25.Ke2 Qxa3 and Filip Frenkel,
who specializes in unorthodox, trappy openings, went down to defeat in a
game against a computer in 1 993.
3.d3. With 3.Nc3 g6; 4.g3 Bg7; 5.Bg2 Nge7; 6.Nge2 d6; 7.d3 0-0; 8.0-0
White sensibly transposed into an English Opening, but eventually lost in
Berkes - Krits, European Boys under- 1 0 Championship 1 994.
3 ...Bc5; 4.£4 Bxgl; 5.Rxgl Qh4+. This tactic of winning an h-pawn rarely
justifies the amount of time involved, but here White has no pieces devel
oped, so it is acceptable. 6.g3 Qxh2; 7.Rg2 Qh3 and Black was better in
Frenklakh - Dimova, World Girls under- 1 2 Championship 1 992.
1 44
ENGLISH OPENING
WA D E GAMBIT
l.c4 f5
2.g4
The Wade Gambit is similar to the Krejcik Gambit against the Dutch
Defense, but c4 is a little less useful than d4.

The basic idea is 2 ... fxg4; 3.e4. 3.h3 gxh3; 4.Nxh3 e5; 5.Qc2 Nc6; 6.Nc3
d6; 7.Nd5 Nd4; 8.Qdl c6; 9.Nc3 and Black was clearly in control in Persson
Hogberg, Lidkoping 1 994.
3 ...d6; 4.d4 Nf6. 4 ... e5 seems more forceful, since 5.dxe5 dxe5; 6.Qxd8+
Kxd8; 7.Nc3 Bb4 doesn't give White anything for the pawn. Notice how con
fined White's light-squared bishop is.
5.Nc3 g6; 6.Be3 Bg7; 7.Qa4+ c6; 8.0-0-0 0-0. It is easy to play gambits
against opponents who insist on justifying your investment. Here opposite
wing castling encourages White to open up lines. 9.h3! Na6; 10.Be2 gxh3;
l l.Nxh3. White has more than enough compensation for the pawn here. In
fact, Black's king is a sitting duck. Observe: l l ...Ng4; 12.Rdgl Nxe3; 13.fxe3
Bh6; 14.Ng5 Kg7; 15.Qdl e5; 16.Rxh6! Kxh6; 17 .Rhl+ Kxg5; 18.Rxh7 exd4;
19.Qhl?! There was a more efficient forced mate. 19.Qg1+ Kf6; 20.e5+! and
mate follows in no more than 5 moves.
19 .. Kf6 ; 20.exd4 Bf5; 2 l.exf5. Black resigned, Laco - Lanzani, Italy 1992.
.
The finish might have looked like this: 2 l . ..Nc5. Everything else gets mated
within 7 moves. 22.dxc5 dxc5; 23.fxg6 Qd4; 24.Ne4+ and Black gets check
mated in seven moves or less.
1 45
WING GAMBIT
l.c4 c5
2.b4
The English Wing Gambit is a damaged bird indeed. White gains

very little by giving up the pawn, only the right to plant a pawn at d4.

2 ... cxb4; 3.d4 g6; 4.Bb2 Bg7; 5.e4 Qa5; 6.Nf3 d6; 7.Nbd2 Nc6 and Black
will soon contest the center with ... e5, removing what is left of White's com
pensation for the pawn.
1 46
ENGLUND GAMBIT
ENGLUND GAMBIT
FELBECKER GAMBIT
l.d4 e5
2.dxe5 Nc6
3.Nf3 Bc5
The Felbecker Gambit at least conforms to principles of develop

ing forces rapidly. It still falls short of the mark because White can
make use of the greater freedom of movement in the center. We'll ex
amine the main lines of the Englund Gambit in the next game.

4.Bf4. This is probably inferior to 4.Nc3! f6. Now, with 5.Ne4 White coop
erates by getting greedy. White should use this square for a pawn. (5.exf6
Nxf6; 6.Bg5 and how can Black claim any compensation for the pawn?) 5 ... Bb6;
6.exf6 Nxf6; 7 .Ng3 dS; 8.e3 Qe7; 9.Be2 hS. Pure bluff. 1 O.Bd3 Ne4; 1 1 .c3
( 1 1 .0-0 h4; 12.Ne2 h3; 13 .g3 Bg4; 14.Nf4! and White is clearly better.) 1 1 ...h4;
12 .Ne2 Bg4; 13.Nfd4. Now White pays the price for not having castled.
13 ... Nxf2; 14.Kxf2 h3; 15.Nxc6 bxc6; 16.Qa4? ( 16.g3 0-0+; 17.Ke 1 Qf6; 18.Kd2
Bxe3+; 19.Kc2 and White is still a piece ahead.) 1 6... 0-0+; 17.Kg3 Bxe2; 18.Bxe2
Bxe3; 19.Bf3 hxg2; 20.Bxg2 Bf2+; 2 l .Kh3 d4. White resigned, Fleischer -
Felbecker, Postal 1 970.
4 ... Nge7. 4 ... f6; 5.exf6 Qxf6; 6.Qc l d6; 7.Be3 and Black does not have
much to show for the pawn, Michael - Felbecker, Postal 1 986.
5.e3 0-0; 6.Nc3 Ng6; 7.Bd3 Nxf4; 8.exf4 Re8; 9.Bxh7+ Kxh7; IO.Ng5+
Kg8; l l.Qh5 f6 and Black resigned in Alekhine - Lovewell, Providence (Si
multaneous Blindfold Exhibition) 1 923. Even under such grueling conditions,
without sight of the board, Alekhine managed to demolish this pathetic open
ing!
1 47
MAIN LINE
l.d4 e5
The Englund is a terrible gambit, but is often used by amateurs

seeking a famous 8-move checkmate. Black gives up an important cen
tral pawn and White gets a great game by returning the pawn for rapid
development. Despite book-length arguments by several of the gambit's
supporters, no one has ever come up with a plan that promises even
the hope of equality for Black. White gets the advantage with almost
any rational development plan.
The gambit should be accepted, of course.

2.dxe5 Nc6; 3.Nf3 Qe7.
This move is necessary if Black wants to recover the pawn, but it locks in
the bishop at f8. Black will recapture the pawn with the knight, leaving it
vulnerable to attack in the center. While this strategy sometimes works in the
Nimzowitsch Defense ( l.e4 Nc6; 2.d4 e5; 3.dxe5), here the presence of a knight
at f3 dooms the plan to failure. Technically, the Englund Gambit does not
begin until this move, but in general usage the term applies to the l .d4 e5
gambits as a whole. The related Soller and Hartlaub gambits are also un
sound and are analyzed separately.
4.Nc3!. 4.Bf4 Qb4+; 5.Bd2 Qxb2.
1 48
ENGLUND GAMBIT
This is often seen in games by beginners. 6.Nc3.

(6.Bc3?? is a serious blunder. If the knight occupies the square instead,
Black is in deep trouble. 6 ... Bb4!; 7.Qd2 Bxc3; 8.Qxc3 Qc l # is the famous
trap. I must confess that when in high school I used it a few times as Black.
Now I know better.)
6 ... Bb4; 7.Rb1 Qa3; 8.Nd5! Ba5; 9.Rb5 (9.e4 Nge7; 10.Bc4 0-0; 1 1.0-0 is a
reasonable alternative which sets up a pretty combination. 1 l ...Bb6; 12.Nf6+
gxf6; 13.exf6 Ng6; 14.Ng5 h6; 15.Qh5 Black resigned. Aveline - Fourche, Postal
1 987.) 9 ... Bxd2+; 1 0.Qxd2 Kd8; 1 l .e4 h6; 1 2.h4 b6; 13.Bc4 Qf8 is evaluated as
unclear by the unorthodox opening player Grob, but clarity is brought by the
utterly convincing 14.Nf4, e.g., 14 ...Nge7?; 15.0-0 Ba6; 16.e6 Kc8; 17.exd7+
Kb7; 1 8.Rc5! bxc5; 1 9.Rb1 + Nb4; 20.Rxb4+ cxb4; 2 l .Qxb4+ Kc6; 22.Ne5#.
This is exactly what Black deserves for playing such rubbish. Analysis is by
Benjamin.
4.Qd5 is a foolish attempt to hold on to the pawn and illustrates what
White should not do in a gambit like this. It is known as the Stockholm Varia
tion, because there was a thematic tournament featuring the opening held
there in the early 1 930s. 4 ... f6! is now a strong gambit, since when White
1 49
captures at f6, and there is hardly a good alternative in sight, Black will gain a
tempo on the White queen. 5.exf6 Nxf6; 6.Qb3 d5 ! OK, so the Black queen is
still on a silly square. Nevertheless, Black has a lead in development, control
of the center and can mobilize quickly. Probably there is still not quite enough
for the pawn, but White has far less of an advantage here than in the 4.Nc3
lines.
White has many options here. The most logical are the development of
the bishop to g5 and the development of the knight at c3.
a) 7.Nc3 Bd7. Black offers the poisoned pawn, which may tempt players
greedy enough to play 4.Qd5. And now:.
al ) 8.Qxb7 Rb8.
ala) 9.Qa6 d4! gives Black plenty of compensation, for example
1 0.Na4 ( 10 .Nb5? Qb4+; l l .c3 Qxb5) 1 0 ... Nb4; l l .Qxa7 Qd8! and Black has
threats on the a-file, at c2 and a led in development.
alb) 9.Qxc7 and now 9 ... Qc5; 10.Qf4 d4 prevents the exchange of
queens. This is better than 1 0 ... Bd6; l l .Qe3+ Qxe3; 12.fxe3 and Black does
not have enough for the pawns. Or 1 0 ...Ng4; l l .e3 h6; 12.Bd3 Bd6; 1 3.Bg6+
Kd8; 14.Qf7 Nge5; 15.Qxd5 Nxg6; 16.Qxc5 Bxc5; 1 7.a3 Bf5 and here Biicker
gives only Kdl , which strikes me as a pointless attempt to defend the pawn. I
prefer rapid development, to wit: 1 8.0-0! Bxc2; 1 9.b4 Bd6; 20.b5 Nce5; 2 l.Nd4!
Bd3; 22.Rdl Bc4; 23.Nf5 and White wins.
a2) 8.Nxd5 Nxd5; 9.Qxd5 Nb4; 1 0.Qc4 ( 10 .Qb3 Qe4; l l .Ng5 Nxc2+;
12.Kd l Qd4+; 1 3.Kxc2 Ba4 and Black wins. ) 1 0 ... b5; l l.Qb3 Qe4; 12.Ng5
Nxc2+; 1 3.Kdl Qd4+!; 14.Kxc2 Bf5+.
b) 7.Bg5 is met by 7 ... Bd7; 8.c3 0-0-0; 9.e3 h6; 1 0.Bxf6 Qxf6; l l.Nbd2
and Black did not have enough for the pawn in Witke - Lach, Germany 1 989.
4 ...Nxe5.
1 50
ENGLUND GAMBIT
5.e4. 5.Nd5 is also very strong.

5 ... c6. This is just one of many plans, but it is logical in that it covers the
critical b5 and d5 squares which can otherwise be used by White for an inva
sion. 5 ...Nf6; 6.Bg5 c6; 7.Qd4 Nxf3+; 8.gxf3 d5; 9.0-0-0 Qe6; 10.exd5 Nxd5;
1 l .Nxd5 Qxd5; 1 2 .Qe5+ Be6; 1 3 .Rxd5 cxd5; 14.Bb5#, Auger- Sormany,
Carnaval Chicoutimi 1 978. 5 ... d6; 6.Nd5 Qd8; 7.Nxe5 dxe5; 8.Qh5 Qd6; 9.Bg5
Be6; 10.0-0-0 Qc5; 1 l .Bb5+ Astengo Corrado - Genne, Ticino 1992. 5 ...Nxf3+;
6.Qxf3 Qf6; 7.Qg3 and the threat of NdS or Nb5 is strong. 7 ... Bb4; 8.Bd2 d6;
9.0-0-0 Be6; 10.Nd5 Bxd2+; 1 l .Rxd2 Bxd5; 1 2.exd5 0-0-0; 13.Qa3 Kb8;
14.Qb3 and White threatens Ba6. 14 ... Ka8; 15.Bb5 Ne7; 1 6.Qc4 Rc8; 17.Re1
and the rook can pivot to the a-file via e3. 17 ... a6?; 18.Bxa6 bxa6; 1 9.Qxa6+
Kb8; 20.Re3 and mate follows.
6.Be2! Simple and strong.
White is ahead in development and Black has a cramped position.

6 ...Nxf3+; 7.Bxf3 Qe5. 7 ... d6; 8.Bf4! Nf6; 9.Qd4 and White threatens Rd1
or queenside castling, with great danger for the d-pawn. Black is still horribly
under-developed. 9 ... d5; 1 0.0-0-0 dxe4; 1 l .Rhe1 Qd7 ( 1 l...Bf5; 12.Nxe4 Bxe4;
13.Bxe4 Rd8; 14.Bd5 is just one elegant example of a White attack.) 12.Nxe4
1 51
and now if 12 ... Qxd4 then 13.Nxf6+ comes with a double check attached and
mate at e8; to follow.
8.0-0 Bc5. 8 ... Nf6; 9.Be3 Be7 (9 ... Bd6 just looks silly after IO.h3 ) 10.Bd4
Qc7; l l .eS Ng8; 12.Rel and Black is paralyzed. For example: 1 2 ...d5; 13.exd6
Qxd6; 14.Bxg7 winning loads of material. 8 ... Ne7; 9.Be3 followed by Bd4 gives
White a clear advantage.
9.g3! White threatens Bf4, eS, Ne4 etc. 9 ...g5. The only way to stop White's
plan is to accept a critical weakness on the kingside. Black will be forced to
castle on the opposite flank, where it can be on the receiving end of a rapid
and effective attack. IO.Na4! Be7; l l.Be3. First White completes development
and takes control of the center. l l ... c5. Black has dealt with the threat of Bd4,
but pays a high price as the light squares are now weak. 12.Bg2 d6; 1 3.Nc3
Nf6; 14.f4 gxf4; 15.Bxf4.
White wins the d-pawn, and Black still has no kingside attack. 15 ... Qh5;
16.Bxd6 Bg4; 17.Qd3 0-0-0; 18.e5! If the knight moves Black loses control of
dS; and mate follows swiftly. 18 ...Bxd6. 18 ... Nd7; 1 9.Bxb7+ Kxb7; 20.Qd5+
Ka6 (20 ... Kc8 2 l .Qc6#) 2l . Qc6+ Nb6; 22.Rf4 and mate is coming at a4.
19.exd6 Ne8; 20.Rael?! 20.Ne4 seems much more efficient, for example
20 ... Be2; 2 l .Qb3! b6; 22.Rxf7 and Black is defenseless.
20 ...Nxd6; 2 l.Nd5. White does not need a material advantage to win this
position. The Black king is simply too vulnerable. 2 l . .. Be6; 22.Nf4 Qf5. Black
hopes to relieve some of the pressure by exchanging queens. 23.Qa3.
1 52
ENGLUND GAMBIT
23 ... Qxc2? Everything loses here. White threatened Nxe6, winning a piece.
24.Rcl Qd2; 25.Rfdl. Black must now sacrifice the queen just to prolong the
game. 25 ... Qxdl+. 25 ... Qb4; 26.Qxb4 and the pin on the c-file forbids the
recapture of the queen.
26.Rxdl b6; 27.Qxa7. Black resigned, Schroll - Roesch, Germany 1 995.
MOSQUITO GAMBIT
I
l.d4 e5
2.dxe5 Qh4
Finding an opening like this in a grandmaster encounter usually

only happens in the last round of round-robin events when both play
ers are satisfied to get out of town quickly. I don't think you would find
either player using this opening in a serious game.
Since White keeps swatting at the fleeing Black queen, you might
call this the Mosquito. Given persistence by White, it will be crushed
in the end.
1 53

3.Nf3 Qa4; 4.Nc3 Qa5; 5.e4. Agreed drawn in Miles - Huhner, Tilburg
1985. Huhner is known for some interesting short draws, though he is gener
ally one of the most tenacious of players who has produced many brilliant
combinations.
SOLLER GAMBIT
l.d4 e5
2.dxe5 f6
The Soller Gambit it another horrible plan for Black, who weakens
the kingside for no good reason. White gets the advantage by advanc
ing the e-pawn, so that the pawn at e5 cannot be captured because of
Qh5+.

3.e4. 3.exf6 Nxf6; 4.e4 is also promising. 4 ... Bc5 (4 ... Nxe4; 5.Qh5+ g6;
6.Qe5+ Qe7; 7.Qxh8 Ng3+; 8.Be3 Nxhl ; 9.Nf3 and White will emerge with an
extra piece since the knight at hl is trapped, while 4 ... Nc6 transposes to the
note below.) 5.Nf3 0-0; 6.Bc4+ Kh8; 7.0-0 d6; 8.Nc3 Bg4; 9.Qd3 Bxf3; 10.Qxf3
Nc6; l l .Qh3 Qe8; 1 2.Bd3 Nh5; 13.Nd5 Rc8; 14.g4 Ne5; 15.Qxh5 Qe6; 1 6.Be3
Rf7; 17.f4 and White is better, Muller - Soller, Postal 1979.
3 ...Bc5. 3 ... Nc6; 4.exf6 Nxf6; 5.Bd3 Bc5; 6.Nf3 d6; 7.h3 and Black does
not have nearly enough for the pawn. White should castle queenside.
4.Bc4 Qe7; 5.Bxg8 Rxg8; 6.Nf3!.
1 54
ENGLUND GAMBIT
White just develops normally, since Black's position is a disgusting mess.

6 ... d6. 6 ...fxe5; 7.0-0 is good for White, and Soller has made no inroads
as Black. 7 ... d6 (7 ...h6; 8.Qd5 Qf8; 9.Qxe5+ Kd8; 1 0.Be3 d6; 1 l .Bxc5 dxc5;
12.Nc3 Nd7; 1 3.Rad1 g5; 14.Nb5 Qf4; 15.Qxc5 g4; 1 6.Ne5 c6; 1 7.Nc7 Kxc7;
18.Qd6+ Muller - Soller, Postal 1 979.) 8.Nc3 h6; 9.Nd5 Qd7; 1 0.b4 Bb6;
1 l .Bxh6 Qf7; 12.Be3 Bg4; 13.Nxe5 dxe5; 1 4.Qxg4 Na6; 15.Bxb6 c6; 16.f4
Muller - Soller, Postal 1 979.
7.Qd5! Kf8. 7 ... Qe6; 8.Qxe6+ Bxe6; 9.exd6 Bxd6; 1 0.Nc3 c6; 1 l .Nd4 Bd7;
12.Be3 and White is much better, with an extra pawn and better development.
8.exf6 Qxf6; 9.0-0 c6; 10.Qh5 h6; l l.Be3! White would be delighted to
open the f-file after an exchange at e3. l l...g5.
White now wraps up the game by exploiting the configuration of Black's

forces on the dark squares. 12.e5! Qe6; 13.Bxc5 dxc5; 14.Rdl Nd7; 15.Rd6.
Black invited this disaster with the misguided move 2 ...f6, and was suitably
punished in this debacle, Muller - Soller, Postal 1 979.
1 55
SOLLER GAMBIT DEFERRED
l.d4 e5
2.dxe5 Nc6
3.Nf3 f6
The Soller Gambit Deferred is a sort of reversed Blackmar-Diemer

Gambit where the missing tempo makes it almost impossible for Black
to get anything going against reasonable play by White. There is exten
sive analysis of it in Biicker' s 1 988 book.

4.exf6 Nxf6; 5.Bg5 h6. 5 ... Bc5; 6.e3 d6; 7.Nc3 h6; 8.Bxf6 Qxf6; 9 .Nd5
splits into:
a) 9 ... Qf7; 1 0 .Bc4 Na5; l l .Bd3 Be6 ( l l ...Nc6 is Biicker's first choice, but
12.Bg6 Qxg6; 13.Nxc7+ Kd8; 14.N:xa8 looks much too strong for White.) 12.Nf4
0-0; 13.Bg6 Qf6; 14.Nxe6 Qxe6; 15.Qd3 and I would much rather be White.
b) 9 ... Qxb2 Biicker criticizes this move and asks why the queen does not
retreat to f7. Let's answer that question. 1 0.Rb1 Qxa2; 1 l .Nxc7+ and White
obtains a winning advantage, according to Biicker.
6.Bh4. 6.Bxf6 Qxf6; 7.c3 is a simple way for White to consolidate, Pepelea
- Betanco, Sunnyvale 1 992.
6 g5; 7.Bg3 d6; 8.e3 Bg7; 9.Nc3 Bg4. 9 ...Be6; 1 0.Qd2 0-0; 1 1.0-0-0 will
•..
surely lead to Black's destruction on the kingside. This is similar to the Larsen
Variation of the Philidor Defense except that the Black pawns on the kingside
are much weaker, and White has an extra pawn!
10.Be2 Qe7; l l.Qd2 0-0-0; 1 2.0-0-0 Qf7; 13.Kbl. 13.h4 is correct and
Black faces great danger on the kingside, for example 13 ... Nb4; 14.a3 Na2+;
15.Kb1 Nxc3+; 16.Qxc3 Ne4; 1 7.Qb4!
13 ...Rhe8; 14.h3 Bd7; 15.Rhel Nb4; 16.a3 Ne4. White resigned, Shefler
- Purser, Postal 1 980.
1 56
FAJAROWICZ DEFENSE
FAJAROWICZ DEFENSE
l.d4 Nf6
2.c4 e5
3.dxe5 Ne4
The Fajarowicz Defense, like its cousin the Budapest Defense, sends
the knight on a journey before any other useful move are made. By
moving to e4, Black threatens ... Bb4+, liquidating some minor pieces
and easing the defensive burden.

It is the subject of a few recent books and has been used by Grandmaster
Ian Rogers, but remains highly suspect after the simple 4.a3! This move was
strongly recommended in Unorthodox Openings. Now Black has several op
tions, including the queen sally to h4, which we will take as our main line, and
making the opening a true gambit with ... d6 or ... f6, which can be played with
or without the inclusion of Nf3 and ...Nc6.
4 ... Qh4. There is a lot of literature on this opening now. Here we'll just
look at the main lines and a few interesting branches, commenting on the
1 995 analysis by Niels j0rgen jensen, who writes extensively on gambits.
4 ... d6 is a gambit Benjamin and I failed to consider in our 1 987 book, but
it is a lousy idea, which can be dismissed easily enough. 5.Nf3 is simple and
strong:
a) 5 ...Nc6; 6.Qc2 Nc5 (6 ... d5; 7.e3 Be6; 8.Nbd2 Nxd2; 9.Bxd2 d4; 10.Rd1
dxe3; 1 l .Bxe3 Qe7; 12.Be2 h6; 13.0-0 g6; 14.b4 Bg7; 15.Bc5 Bf5; 16.Qa4
Qe6; 17.Nd4 Michenka - Korostenski, Ceske Budejovice 1 996) 7.b4 Ne6;
8.Bb2 dxe5; 9.e3 f6; 1 0.Bd3 g6; 1 l .h4 Bg7; 12.Nc3 f5; 13.0-0-0 is much better
for White, Garcia - Rogers, Las Palmas 1 995.
b) 5 ... Bf5; 6.Nbd2 (6.exd6 Bxd6 gives Black some play for the pawn, but
probably not enough.) 6 ... dxe5 (6 ... Nc6; 7.Nxe4 Bxe4; 8.Bg5 is clearly better
for White.) and now 7.Nxe4 Qxd1 +; 8.Kxd1 Bxe4; 9.Nxe5 gives White an ex-
1 57
tra pawn, Ward - Dausch, Copenhagen 1 995.

4 ...Bc5 sets a small trap: 5.Nf3 Bxf2# Bourquin - Moullimard, Paris 1 996.
But better is 5.e3 Qh4; 6.Qc2 "and Black will be beaten back into his cave."
Unorthodox Openings.
4 ... a5 is too slow. 5.Nf3 Nc6; 6.Qc2 d5; 7.exd6 Nxd6; 8.Nc3 and White is
better. 4 ...f6 fails to the simple 5.Qc2 f5; 6.Nd2 Nxd2; 7.Bxd2.
4 ... b6, the BonxdorfVariation, has an interesting trap. If White plays 5.Qd5
then Black sacrifices the rook with 5 ... Nc5; 6.Qxa6 Nc6 and the queen is stuck
in the corner. An alternative is 5.Nd2, but Welling's 5 ... Bb7 is then reason
able. Harding's book does not mention the rook sacrifice. Further investiga
tion is needed here.
4 ...Nc6 is given some attention by Harding but after 5.Qd5 (5.Nf3 is also
good) 5 ...Nc5 White gets a good game with 6.Be3, since 6 ... Nc2; 7.Ra2 is only
a minor inconvenience. Eventually the knight will be driven out, the b-pawn
will advance, and the rook will be active along the second rank.
5.g3. 5.Be3 is a significant alternative. 5 ... Bc5; 6.Bxc5 Nxc5; 7.Nf3! Qxc4;
8.Nc3 and Black's pieces are awkward. Remember, White did not have to in
vest a pawn to get this position!
5 ... Qh5; 6.Bg2 Qxe5. has become the main line. 6 ...Nc5; 7.Nc3 Nc6; 8.f4!
This game was played too late for Jensen's book, but it seems to bury this
variation. (8.Nd5 Ne6; 9.Nf3 Nxe5; 1 0.Nxe5 Qxe5; 1 l .Bd2 is also better for
White, Aagaard - Kuntz, Kobanya 1991.) 8... d6; 9.Nb5 Ne6; 1 0.Bf3 Qg6; 1 l .e4
f5; 1 2 .Bh5 Black resigned, Gyimesi - Kahn, Budapest 1995.
7.Nf3.
1 58
FAJAROWICZ DEFENSE
Now where does the queen flee to?

7 ... Qh5. The only move considered by Harding in his 1996 book. But
alternatives have been tried. 7 ...Qf6; 8.Qc2 Nc5; 9.Nc3 Ne6; 10.0-0 Nc6; 1 l .Nd5
Qd8; 1 2.b4 gave White a large lead in development in Yrjola - Fossan, Gausdal
1 988. 7 ... Qe7; 8.0-0 d6; 9.Nd4 c6; 1 0.b4 g6; 1 l .Bb2 Nf6; 12.Nc3 Bg7; 13.b5
c5; 14.Nc2 0-0; 15.Ne3 Be6; 1 6 .Ncd5 Nxd5; 1 7.Nxd5 and White was better in
Kutirov - Kurajica, Strumica 1 995. 7 ...Qc5; 8.Nd4 Nd6; 9.b3 Be7; 1 0.Be3 Qe5;
1 l .Nc3 and White's lead in development is too great, Effert - Brandies,
Kecskemet 1 990.
8.Qc2. 8.0-0 a5 (8 ... d6; 9.Nd4 Nf6; 1 0.Nc3 Be7; 1 l .e4 Qxd1 ; 1 2.Rxd1 0-
0; 13.Bf4 aS; 14.Ndb5 Na6; 15.c5 dxc5; 1 6.Nxc7 Nxc7; 17.Bxc7 Be6; 18.e5
Ne8; 19.Bb6 a4; 20.Nd5 and White is clearly better, Flear - Bellon Lopez,
Bern 1991.) 9.Nd4 Nf6; 1 0.Nb5 Na6; 1 l .Bf4 d6; 1 2.Qd2 Be7; 1 3.Qxa5 0-0;
14.Qd2 and White has successfully stolen a pawn, Scholseth - Gundersen,
Bronnoysund 1 990.
8 ...Nf6. Harding suggests 8 ...f5 instead. Perhaps he simply overlooked that
9.Nh4! threatens 10.Nxf5 as well as 1 0.Bxe4.
9.Nc3 Be7; 10.e4. 1 0 .h3 c6; 1 l .e4 d6; 1 2.b4 is marginally better for White,
Van Wely - Alburt, New York Open 1 994.
10 ...d6; l l.h3 h6; 12.g4 Qc5; 13.b3 Na6; 14.Be3 Qa5; 15.0-0 c6; 16.b4
Qc7; 17 .Bf4 and White had control of most of the game in Dies en - Gundersen,
Norway 1 990.
1 59
FOUR KNIGHTS
HALLOWEEN GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Nc3 Nf6
4.Nx e5
This sacrifice, the Halloween Gambit, also known as the Leipzig

Gambit, has been studied enthusiastically by Stefan Jakob, who has a
web page devoted to it. Many of the variations have been given names
by him. I'll describe some of them here. In general, I find the opening
to be well short of sound, but that should hardly be surprising, since all
White gets for the piece is a pawn and the center.

4 ...Nxe5; 5.d4.
Now there are three moves for Black. The main line should be the retreat
to g6. 5 ...Ng6. Another plan is 5 ... Nc6; 6.d5 Ne5; 7.f4 Ng6. This is the sort of
position often found in the Kennedy Variation of the Nimzowitsch Defense,
except that here Black has an extra piece, for which White only has the pawn
at d5. It is a powerful pawn, we must admit, and the knight at g6 is only of
marginal value, so as long as White can maintain an initiative things are not
too bad. 8.e5 Ng8; 9 .d6. Consistent, though other moves may be playable,
since Black needs a lot of time to untangle. 9 ... cxd6; 1 0.exd6 Qf6.
1 60
FOUR KNIGHTS
Necessary, to deal with the threat of check on the e-file. The Black king
needs a place to hide. l l .Nb5 (Nothing significant can be achieved by l l .Qe2+
Kd8.) is best met by l l.. .Kd8. l l ...Rb8 is called the Plasma Variation byJakob.
12.Qe2+ Kd8; 13.Be3 b6; 14.0-0-0 Qe6 is a plausible continuation. 6.e5.
Here Black usually retreats to g8, keeping the piece. Now the most logical
continuation is 6 Bb4.
...
6 ... Ng8; 7.Bc4 Bb4; 8.Qf3 is the main line.
161
a) 8 ... f5 is Jakob's choice but the Oldtimer Variation looks like a computer
move. 9.h4 (9.Qxf5 d5; 1 0.e6 Nf6; l l .Bd3 Bxc3+; 1 2 .bxc3 Qe7; 13.0-0 Bxe6;
14.Qg5 Bf7; 15.a4 Ne4 is nevertheless more than sufficient for Black.) 9 ...Bxc3+;
1 0.bxc3 d6 seems solid, for example l l .BgS Qd7!?; 1 2.e6 Qc6; 13.Qxf5 ( 13.Bd5
Qb5; 14.Qxf5 Nf6; 1 5 .Bxf6 Rf8 and I can't find a good line for White.)
13 ... N8e7; 14.Qf7+ Kd8; 15.Qxg7 ReS.
One can imagine the White king shouting "My kingdom for a horse!"
since White has no other means of continuing the attack and it is the White
king who is in greater danger.
b) 8 ... Bxc3+; 9.bxc3 Qe7; 1 0.0-0
1 62
FOUR KNIGHTS
Jakob gives many different options here, but after 10 ...f6 ( 1 0 ...Nh4 is not
considered but I think it has merit. l l .Qg4 Ng6; 1 2 .Qf3 could lead to a pre
mature cessation of hostilities. 10 ... Rb8; l l .Rel b5 is called the Spear Varia
tion. I think this is also promising, as Black can play ... Bb7, ...Nh4 and attack
g2. ) l l .exf6 Qxf6 he gives 1 2.Qh5 where White certainly has some compensa
tion for the piece, in that Black is way behind in development. 7.exf6 Qxf6.
Black is clearly better, with a significant lead in development and pressure

in the center. Jakob relies heavily on computer analysis, and the machines
tend to evaluate a position like this as about even. In my opinion, Black has
such a comfortable game that there is no reason to avoid this position. For
those who would hold on to the piece, consider the variation 6 ...Ng8 above.
1 63
FRED DEFENSE
AND MAO TSE TUNG
l.e4 f5
The Fred Defense is not a reversed From Gambit, make no mis

take! Perhaps the single worst defense at Black's disposal, it should
never be used by a serious chessplayer.

After the obvious 2.exf5. Black is cruising for a bruising, and Pillsbury
turned his opponent into a dough boy after 2 ...Kf7; 3.d4. 3.Qh5+ g6; 4.fxg6+
Kg7; 5.gxh7 Rxh7; 6.Qg5+ Kh8 is known in Russia as the Mao Tse Tung At
tack. This seems to be a bit revisionist, and more likely than not a subtle
psychological trick to discredit a political opponent. Or maybe someone was
very drunk. In any case, Black has no compensation for two pawns.
3 ... d5; 4.Qh5+ g6; 5.fxg6+ Kg7; 6.Bd3 Nf6; 7.Bh6+ Kg8; 8.gxh7+ with the
game Pillsbury - Magagna, Paris 1 902 wrapping up thus: 8 ...Nxh7; 9.Qg6+
Bg7; 10.Qxg7#.
1 64
FRENCH DEFENSE
FRENCH DEFENSE
ADVANCE VARIATION: NIMZOWITSCH ATTACK
l.e4 e6
2.d4 d5
3.e5 c5
4.Qg4
The Nimzowitsch Attack in the Advance French exposes the queen

to danger, and Black can attack her immediately, capture the pawn at
d4, or continue with development with ... Nc6. The latter plans are cov
ered in depth in John Watson's excellent Play the French, and lead to
fairly orthodox positions. Things liven up when Black goes after the
queen, and that is what we will look at here.

4 ... cxd4. 4 ...Nh6 is risky, because the damage to the kingside pawn struc
ture is great after 5.Bxh6 gxh6 but it may not be unplayable. 4 ... f5; 5.Qg3
cxd4 transposes.
5.Nf3. This is known as the Nimzowitsch Gambit. Again Black can head
for normal play with 5 ...Nc6, and on 6.Bd3 I agree with Watson that 6 ... Qc7!
is best. Let's look at promising alternative. 5 ...f5; 6.Qg3. 6.exf6 Nxf6; 7.Bb5+
Nc6 is good for Black.
6 ... Ne7!?; 7.Bd3. 7.Bb5+ Nbc6; 8.Nxd4 K£7; 9.Nxc6 bxc6; 10.Bd3 c5; l l .c4
d4; 12.0-0 Nc6 gives Black counterplay, Boey - Timman, Amsterdam 1977.
7 ...Nec6.
1 65
8.0-0 Nd7. 8 ...Nb4; 9.Nxd4 Nxd3; 10.Qxd3 Nc6; 1 l .Nxc6 bxc6 is no worse
for Black. 9.a3. 9.Re1 Nc5; 10.Ng5 Nxd3; 1 l .cxd3 Bb4; 12 .Nd2 0-0 and White
does not have enough for the pawn, Bhat - Navara, Szeged 1994.
9 ...Nc5; 10.b4 Ne4; l l.Qh3. 1 l .Bxe4 dxe4; 12.Nfd2 Qd5; 13.f4 b5; 14.Bb2
Bb7; 15.Nb3 0-0-0 and Black was better in Howard - Carleton, Postal 1987.
l l. ..Qc7; 12.Bf4 a6; 13.Nbd2 Be7; 14.Nb3 0-0; 15.Nbxd4 Nxd4; 16.Nxd4
g5; 17.Bxe4 gxf4; 18.Bf3 Qxe5 and Black was better in Khavin - Boleslavsky,
Soviet Union 1 938.
ALAPIN GAMBIT
l .d4 d5
2.e4 e6
3.Be3
The Alapin Gambit is a favorite of Blackmar-Diemer Gambit fans,

and can lead to very similar positions. In other words, the gambit does
not quite work, but Black must play with exceptional care. Reverend
Tim Sawyer, author of the best study of this obscure line, points out
that in his database White won 72 of the games, and Black won a mere
1 8 with just a 10% draw rate. Of course the overwhelming majority of
these games are played by amateurs, which means that their defensive
1 66
FRENCH DEFENSE
skills were not up to the task of handling the protection of their king.
Black does not have to accept the gambit, but this is the best course of
action and the true test of the soundness of the opening.
I will concentrate here on what I consider to be the best defense,
and refer anyone interested in the opening to Sawyer's wonderful little
book Alapin French.

3 ... dxe4; 4.Nd2. 4.f3 Nf6; 5.fxe4 Nxe4 is described by Sawyer as risky, bit
I think it is safe enough.
a) 6.Bd3 Nf6; 7.Nf3 (7.Nh3 Nc6; 8.Bb5 is Morgado - Paz, Gustavo 1 972. I
think that now 8 ... a6; 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 is quite a bit better for Black, who can use
the open b-file and bishop pair to good effect, never mind the extra pawn.)
7 ...Bd6; 8.0-0 0-0; 9.Ne5 (9.Qe1 Nbd7; 10.Qh4 is Diemer - Lott, Varnhalt
1953, and now the question is whether Black has time for such luxuries as
10 ... b6; 1 l .Nbd2 Bb7. White has a lot of guns trained on the kingside, but
Black's defenses looks like they will hold until the c-file gets blasted open, for
example 12.Rae 1 Rc8; 1 3.c3 cS; 14.Nc4 Be7.)
b) 6.Nf3; Be7; 7.Bd3 Nf6; 8.Ne5 Nbd7; 9.0-0 was played in Studier - Dold,
Germany 1 964. Here 9 ...c5; 1 0.Qf3 Qc7; 1 l .Bf4 Bd6; 1 2.Nxd7 Bxd7; 13.Bxd6
Qxd6 is very strong, because 14.Qxb7 Rb8; 15.Qf3 Qxd4+; 16.Kh1 Qxb2 leaves
White with a hopeless position.
4 ...Nf6; 5.f3. This is the thematic move, but there are alternatives, such as
5.c3 or 5.c4. They are a bit slow, however. 5 . exf3. S ... NdS !?; 6.Qe2 exf3
..
(7 ...Nxe3 comes into consideration, as suggested to me by Babinski.) 7.Ngxf3

is another form of defense, and it is also good. 7 ... b6 (Sawyer evaluates 7 ... Bd6;
8.0-0-0 0-0; 9.Ne4 Bf4; 10.Bxf4 Nxf4; 1 l .Qd2 Ng6; 1 2.h4 QdS; 13.Nc3 QhS;
14.Be2 as equal. I doubt that White has quite enough for the pawn, but there
is certainly room for a kingside attack.) 8.Qf2 cS; 9.Ne5 f6; 1 0.Bb5+ Nd7;
1 1 .0-0 Nxe3; 12.Nc6. This is a very complicated position, but White is much
better and went on to win in Rasa - Foord, Postal 1 96 1 .
1 67
What Black missed was the forcing variation, not played in the game, that
would lead to a hopeless endgame: 12 ... Nxfl; 1 3.Nxd8 Nxd2; 14.Nxe6 Ne4;
15.Qf3 Bb7; 16.Nc7+ Kd8; 1 7.Nxa8 Bxa8; 1 8.Re1 and Black's material com
pensation of three pieces for the queen falls to pieces, e.g., 1 8 ... a6; 1 9.Bxd7
Kxd7; 20.Rxe4 Bxe4; 2 l .Qxe4 and the pawns start dropping.
6.Ngxf3 Be7; 7.Bd3 b6; 8.0-0 Bh7; 9.Bg5.
Rev. Sawyer has played both sides of this position. He comments that
Black will find it difficult to reach the endgames, which are likely to be favor
able if not too many compromises are made during the defensive stage of the
middlegame. 9 ... 0-0.
9 ... Nbd7; 1 0.Qe1 c5 is recommended by Sawyer in his book, but without
mentioning this game. 1 l .Bb5 Sawyer proposes 1 l .dxc5, 1 l .c3 and 1 l .Qh4. I
doubt that any of them come close to equality, but White's move in the game
is pointless once Black castles. 1 1 ...0-0; 12 .Bd3 cxd4; 13.Qh4 g6; 14.Nc4 Nd5;
15.Nd6 Rb8; 16.Nxd4 Bxg5; 1 7.Nxf7 Be3+; 18.Kh 1 Qxh4. White resigned,
Black - Sawyer, USA 1 988.
lO.Qe l .
1 68
FRENCH DEFENSE
This is the critical line.

1 0 ... Nc6; 1 l .c3 Ne8. Here Sawyer gives only 12.Qh4 in Sawyer - Snapstys,
Hatboro 1 989, but, as Ed Babinski pointed out to me, 12.Bxh7+ wins on the
spot!
10 ...Nbd7; 1 l .Qh4 Re8; 12.Bxf6 Nxf6; 13.Ng5 QdS; 14.Bxh7+ Kf8; 15.Be4
Qxd4+; 1 6.Kh 1 Bxe4; 17.Qh8+ and Black resigned before getting suffocated
by 17 ...Nxc6# Sawyer - Lindy, Hatboro 1 989.
So that leaves 10 . c5; l l.Qh4 h6. This is an invitation to disaster, and the
..
reverend delivers a storm of biblical proportions. ( 1 l. ..g6; 12 .Rae1 Nc6 and it

is hard to see a convincing continuation for White.) 12.Bxh6 gxh6; 13.Qxh6
Qd5; 14.g4.
14 ... c4 (14 ... cxd4; 1 5.g5 Nbd7; 1 6.gxf6 Nxf6; 1 7.Kh1 QhS; 1 8.Rg1+ Qg6;
19.Bxg6 Bxf3+; 20.Nxf3 fxg6; 2 l .Qxg6+ Kh8; 22.Qg7# Sawyer - Katz, Postal
1 99 1 ) 1 5.Nxc4 Nbd7; 1 6.Ne3 Qc6 would put up serious resistance. Of course
White could now bail with the perpetual check, but perhaps there is some
thing else to try? 1 7.g5 Ne4; 1 8.g6 fxg6; 19.Qxg6+ Kh8; 20.Qh6+ Kg8; 2 l .Rf2
gets the rook to the g-file, since the knight is pinned to the h7 square. 2 l ...Bf6
(2l ...Rxf3; 22.Rxf3 NgS; 23.Rg3 Qh1 +; 24.Kf2 Rf8+; 25.Nf5 ! ! ) 22.Rg2+ Kf7;
1 69
23.Ne5+ Bxe5; 24.dxe5 Ke7; 25.Qh4+ Ke8 and now the quiet 26.Be2 keeps the
pressure on, with two pawns and an attack for the piece. On the other hand,
Black has possibilities on the kingside.
BIRD INVITATION
l.e4 e6
2.Bb5
This swinging bishop move actually has a point. It is one of very few
moves which discourages Black from playing the French move 2 . . d5. .
Henry Bird used it in the last century.

.2 . .Qg5 attacks the bishop and the pawn at g2, so White should retreat to
fl . 3.Bfl. 3.Be2 Qxg2; 4.Bf3 Qg6; 5.Ne2 is an untested gambit, but it might be
worth a try. White will play d4, develop the queenside and castle there, using
the g-file in a kingside attack. 3 . d5. 3 ... Qd8; 4.Bb5 Qg5; S.Bfl would lead to
. .
a quick draw.
4.Nf3 and here Black should retreat the queen to d8. 4 . . Qd8 with a posi
.
tion which is more efficiently reached by l .e4 e6; 2.Nf3 d5! Inferior is 4 ... Qg6;
5.exd5 exd5; 6.d4 Nf6; 7.Ne5 which caused great discomfort to the Black
queen in Bird - Fleissig, Vienna 1873. White quickly developed an attack after
7 . . . Qe4+; 8.Be3 Ng4; 9.Nxg4 Bxg4; 1 0.Qd2 Qe6; 1 l .Bd3 Bd6; 12.0-0 0-0;
1 3 .Nc3 c6?! ; 14.Rae1 Qd7; 15.Bf4 Bh5; 16.Bxd6 Qxd6; 17.f4.
1 70
FRENCH DEFENSE
DIEMER-DUHM GAMBIT
l .e4 e6
2.d4 d5
3.c4
The Diemer-Duhm Gambit is not just a waste of a pawn. White

gives up the center pawn in the spirit of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
but at the same time keeps control of d5; with a pawn at c4. It is not
sound enough for regular use and is not likely to be seen on profes
sional tours, but is a fun opening for use at the club level. Much of the
analysis here is a reaction to the web page http/jwww.funet.fijpub/
doe/ games/ chess/ ddg/Indexj analysis.html which is devoted to the
opening.

3 ...dxe4. 3 ...dxc4 would be an inferior position for Black from the Queen's
Gambit Accepted. l .d4 d5; 2.c4 dxc4; 3.e4 where 3 ... e6 is considered weak.
4.Nc3 Nf6; 5.f3. Now capturing at f3 leads to positions where White can build
a strong attack. Black has a more effective plan, which is to strike quickly at
White's central pawn by attacking it from the flank. 5 ... c5. This is the Keres
Variation, and it is the strongest test of White's plan. 6.d5. is the normal move.
Supporting the center with 6.Be3 allows Black the luxury of capturing at f3,
as the bishop is too passively placed. 6 .. exd5; 7.cxd5 exf3; 8.Nxf3.
.
1 71
In contrast to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, White suffers from a weak

pawn at d5; that will require defense as the game goes on. There is only a little
better development for White to act as compensation for the pawn.
8 ... Bd6! Black is now clearly better. As very little has been published in
standard books, I have looked at the analysis on the web page, and particu
larly the suggestions ofJohn Watson in Play the French, and present the follow
ing examples. 9.Bb5+. 9.Bd3 0-0; 1 0.0-0 Nbd7; 1 l .Bg5 h6; 12.Bh4 a6 and
Black is ready to launch a queenside attack, while the kingside remains safe,
Heikkinen - Anonymous, Zone 1 996. 9.Bc4 0-0; 10.0-0 Bg4; 1 1 .Bg5 h6; 12.Bh4
Re8 is Watson's defense, and it is a good one. Again, White has no tangible
threats. 9.Bg5 Nbd7; 1 0.Bb5 0-0 transposes to the main line. 9 ...Nbd7; 10.0-
0 0-0; l l.Bg5 h6; 12.Bh4 and here Black takes the initiative with 12 ... a6 since
after 13.Bxd7 Bxd7; 14.Ne4. Black plays 14 ...Bf4; 15.Bxf6. 15.Nxf6+ gxf6;
16.Bf2 Rc8 and White will have problems in the endgame. 15 ...gxf6; 16.Qc2
ReS; 17.Nfd2 Be3+; 18.Khl f5 and Black has the initiative.
EXCHANGE VARIATION: CANAL ATTACK
l .e4 e6
2.d4 d5
3.Nc3 Bb4
4.exd5 exd5
5.Bd3 Ne7
6.Qh5
1 72
FRENCH DEFENSE
The early deployment of the queen is usually suspect, but Canal

has a specific plan in mind which justifies his novel idea. With the
knight at e7 there is no ...Nf6 to worry about in the short term, and
... g6 would weaken the kingside with the dark squared bishop on as
signment on the queenside.

6 ... Qd7?! 6 ... g6; 7.Qe5 0-0; 8.Bh6 f6; 9.Qf4 leaves Black facing a tremen
dous attack with no source of counterplay, e.g., 9 ... Re8; 10.Nge2 Nf5; 1 1 .0-0-
0 Nxh6; 12.Qxh6 Be6; 13.Nf4 Bxc3; 1 4.bxc3 Bf7; 15.Nh5! gxh5; 1 6.Qxh7+
Kf8; 17.Rde1 Qd7; 1 8.Qh8+ Bg8; 1 9.Qxf6+ Qf7; ( 1 9 . . . Bf7; 20.Qh8+ Bg8;
2 l .Qh6+ Kf7; 22.Bg6+) 20.Qh6+ Qg7; 2 l .Rxe8+ Kxe8; 22.Qxg7 and White
wms.
6 ... c5; 7.dxc5! is given by Tartakower. 7 ... d4; 8.Bg5 dxc3; 9.0-0-0 cxb2+;
10.Kb1 Nbc6?; 1 l .Bc4 0-0; 1 2.Rxd8 Rxd8; 1 3.Bxe7 Nxe7; 14.Qxf7+Kh8;
15.Qxe7 is another way for White to score the point quickly. Black should
capture on a2 at move 1 0. 6 ... c6! is best, in my opinion, though after 7.Nge2
White is better developed.
7.h3! This thwarts Black's idea of Qg4. 7 ... g6. 7 ...Ng6; 8.f4 and White can
play Nf3-e5. 7 ...h6; 8.Nge2 0-0; 9.g4! is going to crack open the kingside like
a walnut. 7 ... Qe6+; 8.Nge2 Nd7; 9 .Bg5 Nf6; 1 0.Bxf6 Qxf6; 1 1 .0-0-0! Qxf2;
12.Rhfl Qe3+; 1 3.Kb 1 and White's lead in development creates an awesome
attack.
8.Qf3 Nf5; 9.Nge2 Nc6. 9 ... c5!? was an initiative-grabbing alternative. 10.0-
0!
10 ... 0-0. 10 ... Ncxd4 loses to 1 l .Nxd4 Nxd4; 12.Qf6.

l l.Nxd5! Ncxd4. 1 l ...Be7; 12.Bxf5 gxf5 ( 1 2 ... Qxf5; 13.Qxf5 Bxf5; 14.Nxe7+
Nxe7; 1 5.Bg5) 1 3.Bf4 Bd8; 14.Bxc7! is a clever line given by Tartakower. The
bishop is taboo because of the fork at f6.
12.Nxd4 Nxd4; 13.Qe4! Qc6; 14.Qxd4 Bc5; 15.Nf6+ Kh8; 16.Qh4 h5;
17.Qg5 Canal - Sacconi, Merano 1 926.
1 73
EXTENDED BISHOP SWAP
l .e4 e6
2.d4 d5
3.e5 Bd7
Black's plan in the Extended Bishop Swap is to get rid of the typi
cal French bad bishop. Although condemned by Harding, Benjamin
feels that the idea has considerable merit, but White may be able to
secure an advantage with accurate play.

4.Qg4! 4.Nf3 a6; 5.c3 (5.c4 dxc4; 6.Bxc4 Bc6 is certainly playable for Black,
Lau - Benjamin, New York 1 985.) 5 .. .Bb5; 6.Be2 Ne7; 7.0-0 Nf5 is solid for·
Black, Strenzwijk - Shipman, Florida 1 985.

4 ... a6; 5.Nc3 Nc6; 6.a3. 6.Nf3 Nb4; 7.Kd1 h5; 8.Qg3 Nh6 and Black was at
least equal in Edelman - Benjamin, World Open 1 987.
6 ...h5; 7.Qdl and according to Benjamin, White's position is more com
fortable. Black has committed too many pawns to light squares, and there are
weaknesses on both sides of the board.
LA BOURDONNAIS VARIATION
l .e4 e6
2.f4
1 74
FRENCH DEFENSE
The La Bourdonnais Variation is not in and of itself unorthodox,

but there is one interesting reply for Black which can lead to some
exciting play.

2 ...f5!? 2 ... d5; 3.e5 cS; 4.Nf3 Nc6; 5.Bb5 Bd7; 6.Bxc6 Bxc6; 7.d4 BbS! gives
Black a very comfortable game.
3.exf5. 3.e5 b6; 4.d4 Bb7; 5 .Nf3 Be7 leaves Black with some questions
regarding kingside development, but the position is structurally sound.
3 ...exf5; 4.Nf3 Nf6; 5.Bc4 Nc6; 6.0-0 Bd6; 7.Ng5 Rf8; 8.Re l+ Ne7; 9.d4
b6; 10.Nxh7 g6; l l.Nxf8 Kxf8; 12.Qf3. Black resigned in Jakov - Mueller,
Germany 1 994.
ORTHOSCHNAPP GAMBIT
l.e4 e6
2.c4 d5
3.cxd5 exd5
4.Qb3
The Orthoschnapp, so named by Stefan Biicker in his book Gambit

59,sets up an isolated pawn position and weakens the light squares.
Black has no problems developing quickly.

4 dxe4. Accepting a gambit must be the primary candidate! 5.Bc4 Qe7.
.•.
5 ... Qd7; 6.f3! Nf6 (6 ... Nc6; 7.fxe4 Nd4 led to interesting complications in
Heinola - Kujala, Postal 1 986.) 7.fxe4 BcS; 8.Nf3 gives White adequate com
pensation, according to Biicker. 8 ... Nc6; 9.d3 0-0; 1 O.Bf4 Nd4 forces 1 l .Nxd4
12.Bxd4, with a position Black can be very happy in. White has no choice,
because 1 l .Qc3 drops the queen to 1 l ...Bb4 Heinola - Keto, Finland 1 984.
5 ... Qf6; 6.Nc3 and here:
a) 6 ... Qg6; 7.Nge2 Bd6 is given by Biicker as leading to unclear complica
tions after 8.Bd5 c6; 9.Bxe4 fS (9 ... Qe6 is mentioned by Biicker without com
ment. 10.Qxe6+ Bxe6; 1 l .Nb5! is very uncomfortable for Black, for example
1 75
1 l .. .Be5; 1 2.d4 a6; 13.dxe5 axb5; 14.a3 and White has the bishop pair and a
more mobile pawn majority.) 10.Bf3 Qf7; 1 l .Qxf7+ Kxf7; 12.d4 Nf6; 1 3.0-0
or 1 3.d5!?
b) 6 ... Bd6; 7.Nxe4 Qe7; 8.d3 Nf6; 9.Bg5 Bb4+; 10.Kfl Nxe4! ; 1 l .Qa4+
Qd7; 1 2.Bb5 c6; 13.dxe4 Be7 ( 1 3 . . . Bd2!?; 14.Rd1 cxb5; 15.Qb3 Bxg5; 1 6.Rxd7
Bxd7; 1 7.Qd5 Bf6; 18.Qxb7 Bc6; 1 9.Qc8+ Bd8 and Black has too much mate
rial for the queen.) 14.Rd1 cxb5 ( 14 ... Qg4; 15.Bxe7 cxb5; 16.Qxb5+ Bd7;
1 7.Rxd7 Qxd7; 18.Qxd7+ Kxd7; 1 9.Bc5 Nc6 and Black is better.) 15.Rxd7
Bxd7; 16.Qd4 and Black does not have enough compensation for the queen,
Cekala - Zembaty, Bytom 1 995.
6.Nc3 Nf6; 7 .d3.
Does Black dare to take this pawn? 7 exd3+. Biicker describes accepting
..•
the pawn as very dangerous and I think he is right, in the sense that Black will
have to play with extreme caution. But two pawns are a lot of material.
7 . . . Nc6 is Biicker's main line. 8.Be3 Ng4 is not mentioned, but I don't see
a good continuation for White. 9.Nd5 Qd7; 10.Bf4 Bd6; 1 l .Bxd6 Qxd6; 12.dxe4
0-0 and Black has a positional advantage, with knights aiming at the vulner
able dark squares in the center.
8.Be3 g6. Not considered by Biicker, but not unreasonable. 8 ... d2+; 9.Kfl
is better for White, according to Biicker. Let's look further: 9 . . . Nbd7; 10.Nf3
Ng4; l l .Bxd2 Nc5! ; 12.Qc2 Be6; 1 3.Bxe6 fxe6! and although White's pieces
are more active, getting the rook at hl into the game is going to be difficult.
The position remains unclear.
9.0-0-0 Bg7; 10.Bg5 c6; l l.Nf3 0-0; 12.Rhel. White tries to keep the
initiative, recovering the pawn can come later. 12 ... Qc7; 13.Bxf6 Bxf6; 14.Ne4
Bg7; 15.Neg5 Na6.
1 76
FRENCH DEFENSE
White is down two pawns and must go for broke. 16.Nxf7! b5. Black opts
for the drawing line. 16 ...Rxf7; 17.Re8+ Bf8; 18.Ne5 Nc5; 19.Bxf7+ Kg7; 20.Qc3
would have been very unpleasant! 16 ... Qf4+; 17.Kbl Nc5 and although White's
attack looks overpowering, I am not sure there is any kill here.
17.Nh6+ Kh8; 18.Nf7+ Kg8; 19.Nh6+ Kh8 drawn, Richter - Poenisch,
Postal 1 988.
SHAPOSHNIKOV GAMBIT
l.e4 e6
2.d4 d5
3.Nd2 c5
4.exd5 Nf6
When I described this gambit to John Watson on the phone, he

thought for a moment and then right away came up with: "But what
about Bb5+?" Yes, indeed, that does cast some shadows on Black's hopes.
Of course if White wanted to cooperate by capturing on e6, a different
story would be told.
1 77

5.Bb5+. 5.dxe6 Bxe6; 6.dxc5 Bxc5 gives Black a lot of play for the pawn,
though it may not be enough.
5 ...Bd7; 6.Bxd7+ Qxd7; 7.dxe6 Qxe6+. 7 ...fxe6; 8.Ngf3 Nc6; 9.dxc5 Bxc5;
1 0.0-0 0-0; 1 l .Ne4 Qxd1 ; 1 2.Nxf6+ gxf6; 1 3.Rxd1 and Black has nothing for
the pawn, Butze - Schulz, Postal 1 974.
8.Ne2 Nc6; 9.0-0 0-0-0. Black has play for the pawn, because he can
complete development while White is untangling the knights. 10.Nf3 Bd6;
l l.c3 h6. 1 l ...Rhe8; 12.Re1 Qf5; 13.Bd2 Ne4; 14.Be3 g5; 15.Ng3 Bxg3; 16.hxg3
was a little better for White in Lyavdansky - Lepichin, Soviet Union 1954.
12.Bf4 Bxf4; 13.Nxf4 Qf5; 14.Qc l Rhe8; 15.Rel Rxel+; 16.Nxel cxd4
led to a draw in Hagemeister - Kuehn, Postal 1 990.
STEINITZ ATTACK
l.e4 e6
2.e5
The Steinitz Attack was introduced to the world in this game and
the success of the White side led to some interest in the opening. It
proved to be just a fad, however, as Black eventually found the right
recipe. The idea is simply to meet Black's planned 2 ... d5 by capturing
en-passant at d6, thwarting the strategy. In so doing, however, White
neglects both development and the center.

2 ...d5. 2 ... c5 is a good alternative, as in the Sicilian Defense, an early ad
vance of the e-pawn is usually premature. 3.f4 Nc6; 4.Nf3 Nh6; 5.g3 was played
in Steinitz - Mason, Vienna 1 892, and here Black could have equalized simply
with 5 ...Nf5; 6.Bg2 d6 according to Francophile theoreticianJohn Watson.
3.exd6 Bxd6; 4.d4 Ne7. 4 ...Nc6 makes more sense, for example 5.Nf3
Nge7 6.Bd3 e5 as suggested by Watson. 5.Bd3 Ng6; 6.Nf3 Nc6; 7.Nc3 Nb4?!
This is a waste of time. 7 ... e5 is playable, for example 8.Bxg6 hxg6; 9.dxe5
1 78
FRENCH DEFENSE
Nxe5; 1 0.Nxe5 Bxe5; 1 l .Qxd8+ Kxd8; 1 2.Bg5+ f6; 13.0-0-0+ Ke7 and there is
no effective way to continue the attack.
8.Bc4 c6? Black's entire plan is wrong. The basic problem of the French
Defense is the light-squared bishop, which should not be entombed by such
maneuvers. 8 ... 0-0 9.0-0 c5 is more reasonable. 9.Ne4 Bc7; 10.0-0 0-0; l l.Rel
Nd5; 12.Nc5 Nh4; 13.Ne5 Nf5; 14.c3.
White has a large advantage in space and control of most of the center, so
Black tries to relieve the pressure. 14 ... Bxe5; 15.Rxe5 Nf6; 16.Re l . White can
be satisfied with the position, holding the bishop pair and still controlling
more space. 16 ... h6; 17.Qf3 Nd5; 18.Bb3 b6; 19.Nd3 Ba6. A desperate at
tempt to activate the dead bishop. 20.Ne5 Rc8; 2 l.Bc2 Nfe7; 22.Qg3 Kh8;
23.Qh4 Kg8; 24.Qg3 Kh8; 25.Qh3 Ng8; 26.Qh5 Rc7; 27.Bd2 Ndf6 28.Qh3
Nd5; 29.c4 Ndf6 30.Radl Qe8; 3 l.Bf4 Rc8.
Now White wins a pawn, and the rest of the game is simple. 32.Qa3 Bb7;
33.Qxa7 Ba8; 34.Qxb6 g5; 35.Bg3 Nd7; 36.Qb3 f5; 37.f3 Kg7; 38.c5 Ndf6
39.Nc4 Steinitz - Fleissig, Vienna 1 882.
1 79
WING GAMBIT
l.e4
2.Nf3 d5
3.e5 c5
4.b4
The Wing Gambit succeeds better in the French Defense than in

the Sicilian, because Black is already committed to ... e6, locking in the
bishop at c8. Black can safely accept the gambit provided that atten
tion is paid to the bad bishop.

4 ... cxb4. Black can also decline the gambit with 4... b6, but there is no
need to do so. 5.a3.
This is another one of those wing gambits that never turn out to be any
good, although White does gain space. White gives up queenside pawns for
open lines, but does not achieve rapid enough development to compensate.
We follow the recommendation of the Big Book of Busts.
5.d4 is best handled by 5 ... Bd7 which was virtually unknown a decade
ago, but which is now the main line. 6.a3 (6.Bd3 can be met in a number of
ways. One good one is 6 ... Ne7; 7.a3 Nbc6; 8.axb4 Nxb4.) and 6 ... Qa5! sets up
1 80
FRENCH DEFENSE
nasty threats of discovered check. 7.Bd3 BbS; 8.0-0 Bxd3; 9.Qxd3 Qa6 equal
izes. 8.axb4 is unsound: 8 ... Qxa1 ; 9.BxbS+ Nc6; 1 0 .Bd2 Qb2; 1 l .c3 aS; 12.0-0
axb4; 1 3.c4 Nge7; 14.NgS h6; 1S.cxdS hxgS; 1 6.dxc6 bxc6; 1 7.Qf3 Rc8; 18.Ba6
Rc7; 19.BxgS NdS; 20.Bc4 Qxd4; 2l .Qe2 Be7; 22.Rd1 QcS; 23.Bcl Rd7; 24.Re1
Qd4; 2S.Qa2 0-0. At last! The rest is simple. 26.Qe2 Rfd8; 27.Bb3 Nc3; 28.QhS
Nxb1 ; 29.Be3 Qc3 Day - Huhner, World Junior Championship 1 967.
Now Black has a critical decision:
5 . d4. S ...bxa3 is a bit greedy. After all, why capture when the pawn at b4
..
is defended, since if White plays axb4, then ... Bxb4 recaptures while develop
ing the bishop. Here is just one example 6.d4. There is no reason to rush to
recapture the pawn at a3. It isn't going anywhere. 6 ... Nc6; 7.c3 Bd7 (7 ...f6;
8.Bd3 fxeS; 9.dxeS Qc7; 1 O.Qe2 Nh6; 1 1 .0-0 Nf7; 12.Re 1 g6; 13.Nxa3 BcS;
14.NbS Qd8; 1 S.Ra4 a6; 1 6.Nbd4 Nxd4; 1 7.Nxd4 Bd7; 18.Ra2 Qb6; 1 9.Qg4)
8.Bd3 and here Black is still a bit better after 8 ... Nge7 (8 ... Rc8; 9.0-0 and
it is hard to find a good plan for Black.) 9.0-0 g6; 10.BgS Bg7; 1 l .Qd2 h6;
12.Bf4 NaS; 13.Qe2 0-0; 14.Rxa3 Qc7; 1S.Nbd2 Rfc8; 16.Rfa1 b6; 1 7.h4 Bc6;
18.hS Nc4; 1 9.R3a2 aS; 20.hxg6 Dovzik- Popescu, Odorheiu Secuiesc 1 993.
S ...Nc6; 6.axb4 Bxb4; 7.c3 Be7; 8.d4 does not give White enough for a
pawn.
6.Bb2. 6.Bd3 Nc6; 7.0-0 Nh6; 8.Qe2 Be7; 9.Bb2 fS! ; 10.exf6 Bxf6; 1 l .axb4
Nxb4; 1 2.BbS+ Nc6; 1 3.Qe4 Nf5; 14.Bxc6+ bxc6; 1S.Qxc6+ Bd7; 16.Qe4 0-0;
17.Na3 Qe8! 18.Nxd4 Bxd4; 1 9.Bxd4 Bc6 and Black had excellent attacking
changes for the pawn, Whitehead - Rohde, Lone Pine 1978.
6.axb4 Bxb4; 7.c3 (7.Ba3 is handled by 7 ... Bxa3; 8.Nxa3 Ne7; 9.Bd3 Ng6;
10.0-0 Nc6; 1 l .Re1 0-0; 12 .Re4 f6; 13.exf6 Qxf6; 14.Re1 eS; 1S.Nc4 Bg4 and
Black was much better in Martens - Djurhuus, World junior Championship
1 990.)
7 ... dxc3; 8.Qa4+ Nc6 is already better for Black, e.g., 9.dxc3 BcS (9 ... Be7;
10.Be2 f5; 1 1 .0-0 Bd7; 12.Qa2 Nh6; 1 3.Bxh6 gxh6; 14.Rd 1 Qc7; 1S.Qd2 0-0-
0; 1 6.Qxh6 BcS and Black had chances on the kingside, Reindermani -
Tondivar, Leeuwarden 1 99S.) 1 0.Qg4 Nge7; 1 l .Qxg7 Rg8; 12.Qxh7 Qb6;
13.Nbd2 Bx£2+; 14.Ke2 NxeS; 1S.Ne4 Ng4; 16.NfgS Bd7; 17.Rb 1 BbS+; 18.RxbS
181
QxbS+ and Black went on to win in Biicker - Namyslo, Dortmund 1993.

6...Nc6; 7.Bb5 Bd7; 8.0-0. 8.Qe2 a6; 9.Bd3 (9.Bxc6! Bxc6; 10.Nxd4 Bxg2;
1 l .Rg1 bxa3; 12.Nxa3 Bd.
13.Nab5! axbS; 14.Qxb5+ Bc6; 15 .Nxc6 Rxa1+; 16.Bxa1 bxc6; 17.Qxc6+

Qd7; 18.Qa8+ with a draw. This spectacular variation was provided by
Djurhuus.) 9 ... Bc5; 1 0.axb4 Nxb4; 1 l .Bxd4 Bxd4; 1 2.Nxd4 Qb6; 13.Qe4 Nxd3+;
14.Qxd3 Qb2; 15.Nb3 QxeS+; 16.Kd 1 BbS; 17.c4 RdS; 18.Qc2 Bc6; 19.Nc3
Bxg2; 20.Ra5 Qf4; 2 l .Re1 Nf6. White resigned, Gausel - Djurhuus, Norwe
gian Championship 1 990.
8 ... Qb6. 8 ... bxa3; 9.Nxa3 BcS; 10.c3 dxc3; 1 l .Bxc3 a6; 12.Bxc6 Bxc6; 13.d4
Bxa3; 14.Rxa3 Ne7 is also acceptable for Black, though the d6-square is very
weak, Helin - Karlsson, Vaxjo 1 992. 8 ...Nxe5? A very bad move which gets
Black into trouble, but as Knaak noted, both 8 .. . Qb8 and 8 ... Nh6 are playable.
9.Nxe5 BxbS; 1 0.Nxf7 Kxf7; 1 l .Qh5+ g6; 12.Qxb5 and White was better in
Biicker - Uhlmann, German Championship 1 99 1 .
9.Bxc6 Bxc6 is good because 10.Nxd4? leaves the bishop at b2 overworked
after 10 ...bxa3!, and l l.Bc3 Qa6; 12.Qe2 Qxe2; 13.Nxe2 b5!, keeps the pawn.
1 82
GROB OPENING
GROB OPENING
l.g4
The Grob Opening is arguable the worst opening in chess. White

weakens the kingside, and after 2.f4?? experiences the humilation of
Fool's Mate with 2 ... Qh4#. Nevertheless, it enjoys a devoted following
of fans, or perhaps fanatics, who use it persistently.
The opening can be played in two ways. If White follows up with
h3, we have the Macho Grob. When the g-pawn advances to g5, we
have the Spike, though that is extremely rare these days. Other ap
proaches for White involve a gambit of the g-pawn, or various schemes
of development explored by Claude Bloodgood, who wrote a book titled
The Tactical Grob.
ALESSI GAMBIT
l .g4 f5
The Alessi Gambit is a very silly opening. Black weakens the kingside
1 83
just to draw the g-pawn to f5. It had to happen sometime: a defense to

the Grob that is so bad that White's opening play actually seems justi
fied! Black tosses a pawn for no particular reason other than to weaken
his own kingside, and gets the thrashing he deserves.

2.gxf5 d5; 3.Bg2?! Why give the pawn back so readily? 3.e4! is a vigorous
and effective reply. 3 ...dxe4 (3 ... Qd6 prepares to meet QhS+ with ... g6.) 4.Qh5+
Kd7; 5.Bc4 Nf6; 6.Be6 +Kd6; 7.Qh3 Bxe6; 8.fxe6 and White is better, or 4 ... g6;
5.fxg6 Nf6; 6.g7+ NxhS; 7 .gxh8Q and White has a decisive advantage.
3 ...Bxf5; 4.c4 e6; 5.Qb3 Nc6; 6.cxd5 Nb4; 7.e4 Bg6; 8.a3 Na6; 9.Qxb7
Nc5; IO.Qc6+ Kf7; l l.dxe6+ Nxe6; 12.Nf3 Bc5; 13.Bh3 Nf4; 14.Ne5+. Black
resigned, Winckelmann - Alessi, Postal 1 989.
DOUBLE GROB
l.g4 g5
As bad as l .g4 is for White, this is perhaps the only move (other
than 1 ...£5) that actually justifies White's play in the Double Grob.
l ...c6; 2.c4 g5; is another form of the Double Grob, seen in a corre
spondence game between Grob and Stuecheli. After 3.d4 h6; 4.e4 and
now 4 ... d5 is relatively best. ( 4 ... e6?; 5.d5 White secured an advantage
in space which led to a rapid victory.) 5.cxd5 (5.exd5 cxd5; 6.Qa4+
Bd7; 7.Qb3 Nc6 gives Black some counterplay.) 5 ... cxd5; 6.e5 gives White
a lasting advantage in space and mobility.

2.Bg2 Nf6; 3.h3 d5. 3 ... h5 would at least have the benefit of co nsistency.
4.d4 h6; 5.Nc3. 5.f4 looks very strong here. 5 ... c6; 6.a3. Pointless. Again
6.f4 is strong.
1 84
GROB OPENING
6 ...Qd7? This blocks in the bishop and deprives both knights of the d7-
square. 7.b4. 7.f4 is still correct. 7 ...Nxg4? Two pawns are not enough for a
knight, especially in the opening. 8.hxg4 Qxg4; 9.Bh3 Qh5; 10.Bd7+ and in
Wall - Tyra, Dayton 1 984, Black, faced with the loss of the queen, resigned. A
truly wretched game, but one which illustrates the fate which awaits those
who combine bad pawn play ( ... g5) with premature queen activity.
GROB GAMBIT
I
l.g4 d5
2.Bg2 Bxg4
White commits a chess felony by advancing the g-pawn two squares

on the first move, and then does not even bother to protect it. Such a
cavalier attitude deserves to be punished, but Black must not overplay
the position.

3.c4 Nf6. This is one of many playable defenses, but it is the most prin
cipled. 4.Qb3. 4.Nc3 Nbd7; 5.cxd5 Nb6 is a good line for Black, who will pick
up the d-pawn at leisure later. Or perhaps not at all! For example 6.Qb3 Qd7;
7.d4 Rd8; 8.e4 e6! 9.dxe6 Bxe6; 1 0.d5 Bg4 and Black will quickly complete
development.
4 ... Nbd7. 4 ...Qc8 can lead to a tactical trap: 5.Nc3 c6; 6.cxd5 Nxd5; 7.Nxd5
Be6; 8.Qa4 b5; 9.Qc2 Black resigned, Eiger - Kurth, Kassel 1994.
5.cxd5 e5. 5 ... Nb6; 6.Nc3 transposes to the note on 4.Nc3.
6.Nc3 Bd6; 7.d3 0-0; 8.h3 Bh5; 9.Bg5 Nc5; 10.Qc2 Bg6; l l.e4 a5 and
Black had a solid position in Mueller - Schneider, Dortmund 1987.
1 85
KEENE DEFENSE
l.g4 d5
2.h3 e5
3.Bg2 c6
Against the premature flank attacks, Black must secure control of

the center in order to get a good game. The Keene Defense sets up an
ideal pawn center, anchored by a strong pawn at c6. This greatly limits
the scope of White's forces, and Black can develop in comfort.
It is generally considered best to counter a flank action with activ
ity in the center of the board. Building a strong center is therefore a
good idea. This is a solid defense to the Grob, and its reputation was
greatly enhanced by the following game.

l .g4 d5; 2.h3 e5. 2 ... c6; 3.Bg2 (3.Nf3 e6; 4.b3 Bd6; 5.Bb2 f6; 6.c4 Nd7;
7.Qc2 Nf8; 8.Nc3 Bd7; 9.e3 Qc7; 10.Rcl dxc4; 1 l .Bxc4 0-0-0; 12.Qe4 Kb8;
1 3.Rg1 Ne7; 14.a3 e5 was fine for Black in Basman - Taylor, London (En
gland) 1 989.) 3 ... e5.
4.d4 e4; 5.c4 Bd6; 6.Nc3 Ne7; is a very solid position for Black. 7.Bg5! f6;
8.Bd2 0-0; 9.Qb3 Kh8; 1 0.Rcl Na6 with unclear complications in Basman
Kudrin, Manchester 1981.
The fianchetto approach is also possible, for example 2 ... g6; 3.d4 Bg7;
4.Bg2 e6; 5.Nc3 c5; 6.e3 Nc6; 7.Nge2 b6; 8.b3 Nge7; 9.Bb2 Bb7; 10.Qd2 Qd7;
1 l .dxc5 bxc5; 12.0-0-0 Qc7; 13.Kb 1 0-0; 14.h4 Bradianu - Peptan, Romania
1 993. Finally, from the fringes comes 2 ... h5; 3.g5 e5; 4.d3 Bc5; 5.Bg2 f5; 6.gxf6
Qxf6; 7.e3 Ne7; 8.c4 0-0; 9.Qe2 Nbc6; 10.a3 e4; l l .dxe4 dxe4; 12.Nc3 Bf5;
1 3.Nxe4 Bxe4; 14.Bxe4 Ne5; 15.Bd2 Qh4; 1 6.Bxb7 Rxf2; 17.Bxa8 Rxe2+;
1 8.Kxe2 Qxc4+; 1 9.Kf2 c6; 20.Nf3 Qf4 Egreteau - Maleki, Avoine 1 995.
3.Bg2. 3.d3 c6; 4.Bg2 Bd6; Benjamin and I suggest 4 ...Ne7 in our book,
but I find this move a bit more active. Still, the move delivered in a recent test
a) 5.Nc3 Ne7; 6.e4 Be6 (6 ... d4; 7.Nce2 would have played into White's
hands, as f2-f4 would be possible.) 7.Nf3 Nd7; 8.0-0 f6. Black's position looks
1 86
GROB OPENING
a bit artificial, but it is actually very well balanced and does not have any
weaknesses. 9.d4 0-0; 1 0.dxeS NxeS; 1 l .exdS cxdS!; 12.Nd4 Bf7; 13.b3 Rc8;
14.Bb2 Bb4; 1S.Nce2 Qd7; 1 6.a3 BaS and Black had the upper hand in
Duckworth - Schiller, San Diego 1 988.
b) S.c4 Ne7; 6.Nc3 Be6. This is the best formation against White's out
landish opening play. 7.cxdS NxdS; 8.Ne4 Bb4+; 9.Kfl . This makes sense only
if White is going to play on the h-file. As it turns out, his intention was to work
the queenside, so this was an inappropriate move. 9 ... 0-0; 10.Nf3 f6; 1 l .a3
Be7; 12.b4 Nd7; 1 3.Ng3 aS; 14.bS Nc3! This simply wins a pawn. 1 S.Qd2 NxbS;
16.Nh4 Nd4 and Black went on to win in Townsend - Schiller, Visalia 1994.
c) S.BgS Qb6; 6.b3 Ng6; 7.Nf3 BcS; 8.0-0 hS; 9.Nc3 hxg4; 10.Na4 Qc7;
1 l .hxg4 e4; 12.dxe4 dxe4; and eventually Black prevailed in Yavez - Sutovskij,
Benasque 1 996.
3 ...c6.
This is a solid defense to the Grob, and its reputation was greatly en
hanced by this game. 4.d4 e4; 5.c4 Bd6; 6.Nc3 Ne7. This is the essential for
mation in the Keene Defense. Black has comfortable paths of development
for all the pieces, and the center is secure. 7.g5.
7.Qb3 has also been tried, but Black has adequate defensive resources.
For example 7 ... Na6; 8.BgS f6; 9.Bd2 Qb6; 1 0.e3 Qxb3; 1 l .axb3 hS; 12.gxhS
Be6; 1 3.Bfl Nb4; 14.Ra4 aS and Black had more space and more targets in
Narciso - P.Cramling, Linares 1 99 1 . 7.Qc2 0-0; 8.e3 Be6; 9.cxdS cxdS; 10.f3
exf3; 1 l .Nxf3 Nbc6 1 2.0-0 f6; 13.Qb3 NaS; 14.QbS Rc8; 1S.Bd2 a6; 1 6.Qd3
Nc4; 1 7.Bc l Nb6; 18.e4 Qc7 Mietz - Pauwels, Postal 1994, drawn, (47)
7.BgS f6; 8.Bd2 does little to improve White's chances, for example 8 ... 0-
0; 9.Qb3 Kh8; 1 0.cxdS cxdS; 1 l .NxdS ( 1 1 .Rc l Nbc6; 12.NxdS Be6; 13.Bxe4
Bc7; 14.Qxb7 BxdS; 1 S.BxdS QxdS with a better position for Black in Voltolini
- Frederiks, Postal 1 994.) 1 l ...Nbc6; 12 .Nxe7 Qxe7 ( 1 2 ...Nxd4; 13.Ng6+ hxg6;
14.Qa4 BeS; 1S.Bxe4 f5 gives Black counterplay.) 1 3.dS NeS; 14.Bxe4 Nxg4;
1S.Bc2 NeS; 1 6.Nf3 b6; 1 7.NxeS fxeS with compensation for the pawn.
7 ... Be6; 8.h4 Nf5; 9.Bh3 0-0. 9 ... e3; 1 0.Bxe3 Nxe3; 1 l .fxe3 Qe7; 12.Qc2
h6; 13.0-0-0 hxgS; 14.Bxe6 Qxe6; 1S.Nf3 g4; 16.NgS Qxe3+; 17.Kb1 is Basman
1 87
- Barton, London 1 98 1 . Black should now play 17 ... N a6 with a good game.
10.cxd5 cxd5; l l.Nxd5 Ng3; 12.Nf6+ gxf6; 13.fxg3 Bxg3+; 14.Kfl Nc6;
15.Be3 Nb4; 16.Kg2 Nd5; 17.Kxg3 Nxe3; 18.Qd2 Qd6+; 19.Kf2 Qf4+; 20.Nf3
exf3 and in Basman-Keene, Manchester 1 9 8 1 , White resigned. I spoke to
Basman just after the game and he was pessimistic about the Grob, though his
confidence returned quickly, as usual!
LONDON DEFENSE
l.g4 e5
2.h3 Nc6
3.Bg2 d5
This center is not as secure as that of the Keene Defense, because

the pawn at d5 is only supported by the queen. Nevertheless, it is fully
playable. Basman battled against it many times in London. He consid
ers it one of the most aggressive options available to Black, and sug
gests that it is comparatively rare only because, as he writes in The
Killer Grob, "many chess players are not particularly aggressive! "
l.g4 e5; 2.h3 Nc6. 2 ... Bc5; 3.c4 Ne7; 4.Nc3 aS; 5.d3 0-0; 6.Nf3 Nbc6;
7.Bg2 d6; 8.g5 Be6; 9.h4 d5; 1 0.cxd5 Nxd5; 1 l .Ne4 Bb4+ Basman - Bellin,
Edinburgh 1 985. 3.Bg2 d5; 4.d3 Bc5; 5.e3 Qf6; 6.Ne2 Nge7; 7.a3 Be6.
1 88
GROB OPENING
This is another solid formation against the Grob. The Black queen does
not have a lot of maneuvering room but with opposite wing castling coming
she can help in the kingside attack. In this example, White takes measures to
discourage queenside castling.
8.b4. 8.0-0 0-0-0; 9.b4 Bd6; 1 0.b5 Nb8 looks aggressive but White is
attacking with just one lowly pawn, and the Black king is surrounded by defen
sive forces.
8 ... e4. 8 ... Bd6; 9 .Bb2 a6 stops White's queenside adventures and Black
remains ahead in development, for example 1 0.Nf4 0-0-0; l l .Nxe6 Qxe6;
12.Nd2 f5 with a complicated position, but the long term health of the White
king is suspect.
9.d4 Bb6; 10.Bb2 Ng6; l l.Bfl Nh4; 12.Nd2 a5. 12 ... 0-0-0; 13.b5 Ne7;
14.Nf4 Ba5! is better for Black. 13.b5 Ne7; 14.Nf4 0-0; 15.c4 c6; 16.Qb3 Bc7.
White is in trouble now. 17.Ng2 Nf3+; 18.Nxf3 Qxf3; 19.c5 a4; 20.Qdl? A
blunder which allows a pretty finish.
20 ...Ba5+! and White resigned in Kranzl - Dorn, 1993.
SPIKE: HURST ATTACK
l.g4 e5
2.Bg2 d5
3.c4
1 89
White has a clear target in mind, and it is sitting at d5. White tem
porarily gambits a pawn, which will be recovered by Qa4+ and Qxc4.
This takes time however. Black can put it to good use!

3 ...dxc4. Black has a wide variety of acceptable defenses. 3 ... c6; 4.cxd5
cxd5 is a simple and solid line for Black, for example 5.Qb3 (5.d4 e4; 6.Nc3
Bb4; 7.h3 Nc6; 8.Bf4 Nge7; 9.e3 Ng6; 1 0.Bg3 0-0 and Black stands well, Duncan
- B.Wall, Postal 1 995.) 5 ...Ne7; 6.Nc3 Nbc6; 7.h3 Nd4; 8.Qd1 Be6; 9.e3 Ndc6;
1 0.d4 exd4; 1 l .exd4 Ng6; 1 2.Nf3 Be7; 13.Ne2 Qd6; 14.Be3 0-0 with a level
game, Hurst - Kopp, Postal 1981. 3 ...Nf6; 4.g5 Nh5; 5.Bxd5 c6; 6.Be4 Be6;
7.d3 Bb4+; 8.Kf1 0-0; 9.a3 Bc5; 1 0.Nf3 Bh3+; 1 l .Ke1 Nd7; 12.b4 Be7; 1 3.Rg1
Nf4; 14.Bxf4 exf4 Keller - Paul, Kirchheim 1990. 3 ... Bc5; 4.h3 Bxf2+? does
not work. 5.Kxf2 Qf6+; 6.Nf3 e4; 7.cxd5 exf3; 8.Bxf3 and White is better,
Vervier - Verheyden, Luttich 1 986.
3 ... Bxg4 leads to the Grob Gambit. 3 ... Qh4 is an oddball response which
might not be bad, for example 4.Bxd5 Bc5; 5.e3 c6; 6.Bf3 e4; 7.Bxe4 Nf6;
8.Nc3 Nxe4; 9.Nxe4 Bxg4; 1 0.Qa4 Bf3; 1 l .Nxf3 Qxe4; 12.Ke2 but Black prob
ably doesn't have enough for the pawn.
4.Qa4+ c6; 5.Qxc4 Be6; 6.Qc3.
6 ...£6. 6 ... Nd7; 7.h3 Ngf6; 8.Qc2 Nd5 is solid for Black, Beak - Halliwell,
Postal 1 995. 7.h3 Ne7; 8.d3 Nd5; 9.Qc2 c5; 10.Nc3 Nc6; l l.Nf3 Qd7; 12.Bd2
Ncb4 13.Qcl Be7; 14.a3 Nc6; 15.Be3 and White was faced with an uphill
challenge against Black's Maroczy Bind formation, Hurst - Scherfke, Postal
1 98 1 .
1 90
GRUNFELD DEFENSE
..
GRUNFELD DEFENSE
GIBBON GAMBIT
l.d4 Nf6
2.c4 g6
3.Nc3 d5
4.g4
The two-step advance of the g-pawn is usually bad, and this gambit
is particularly inappropriate since the open g-file is not all that much
help against a fianchetto formation. There is a relationship with the
Gibbins - Wiedehagen Gambit, into which the game can transpose.
We might call this the Gibbon Gambit, which should be used only
when you feel like monkeying around.

4 ...Bxg4 is most often seen but capturing at c4; is better.
4 . . . dxc4!; 5.g5 Nd5; 6.Bg2 (6.e4 Nb6; 7.Be3 h6; 8.f4 hxg5; 9.fxg5 Bg7;
10.Qd2 Nc6; 1 l .Nge2 Bg4 and Black had a large advantage in Moravcik -
Pribyl, Sala 1 995. White cannot organize attack against f7, which is the only
weakness in Black's position.) 6 ... Nb6; 7.Bf4 Bg7; 8.Nf3 Nc6; 9.d5 Nb4; 10.Ne5
0-0; 1 l .a3 Na6; 12.Qd4 Nd7 is Murey - Napolov, Cheliabinsk 1975 and here
1 3.Rd1 should have been met by 13 .. . Re8.
5.Qb3. 5.Bg2 Bg7; 6.Qb3 Nbd7 (6 ... Nc6; 7.cxd5 Nxd4; 8.Qa4+ Nd7 gives
Black good play.) 7.cxd5 0-0; 8.Qxb7 Rb8; 9.Qa6 Rb6; 10.Qd3 and White had
safely snatched the poisoned pawn in Murey - Janotta, Metz 1994.
5 ...Bc8. 5 ... dxc4?!; 6.Qxb7 Nbd7; 7.Bg2 Nb6; 8.Nb5 Rc8; 9.Bc6+ Bd7;
1 0.Nxa7 Rb8; 1 l .Bxd7+ Nfxd7; 12.Qf3 and again the raiding party comes
home with the loot, Duckworth - Burg, Los Angeles 199 1 .
6.cxd5 Bg7.
1 91
7.Bg2. 7.e4 c6; 8.Be3 0-0; 9.h3 QaS; 1 0.0-0-0 Rd8 gives Black the same
kind of pressure as in the Fianchetto Variation of the Panov Attack, Hansen -
Ladegaard, Norresundby 1 992.
7 ...0-0; 8.Nf3 c6; 9.e4 cxd5; 10.e5 Ne4; l l.Qxd5 Nxc3; 12.Qxd8 Rxd8;
13.bxc3 Be6 with at least equality for Black, Plaskett - Fedorowicz, London
1 987.
1 92
GUATEMALA DEFENSE
GUATEMALA DEFENSE
l.e4 b6
2.d4 Ba6
The Guatemala Defense seeks to eliminate the light squared bishop

right away. The price is high as Black left with a knight stuck on the
edge of the board.

3.Bxa6 Nxa6; 4.Qe2. 4.Nf3 Qc8; 5.0-0 Qb7 is a slow and ineffective plan
which I used in a few games in Erik Knoppert's world-record setting blitz
marathon at London Docklands in 1 985: 6.Re1 e6 (6 ... d6; 7.c4 h6; 8.Nc3 c5;
9.d5 Nc7; 1 0.e5 0-0-0; 1 l .a4 e6; 12.dxe6 Nxe6 and there were a lot of holes in
Black's position.) 7.Bg5 h6; 8.Bh4 Ne7; 9.c4 g5; 1 0.Bg3 Ng6; 1 l .Nc3 d6 with a
complicated position, but the queen does look a bit silly at b7.
4...Qc8; 5.Nf3 d6. Black might consider. . . Qb7 followed by queenside cast
ing. That will transpose to my games against Knoppert. 6.Nc3 g6; 7.e5 Bg7;
8.Bf4 Kd8; 9.0-0 h6; IO.Rfel Kd7; l l .exd6 cxd6; 12.Qb5+ Kd8; 13.Bxd6
Nc7; 14.Bxc7+ Qxc7; 15.Qd5+ Schoor - Nunnally, Email 1995. The Guate
mala Defense seeks to eliminate the light squared bishops right away. The
price is high, as Black is left with a knight stack on the edge of the board.
White won.
1 93
HIPPOPOTAMUS FORMATION
l.a3 g6
2.b3 Bg7
3.c3 d5
4.d3 c5
5.e3 e5
6.£3 Ne7
7.g3 Nbc6
A hippopotamus is a strong and ugly creature. The Hippopotamus

Formation is ugly enough but weak. The advance of the pawns to the
third rank has a weakening effect not only on the pawn structure, but
also on king safety. It also hampers development, because the squares
along the third rank, usually the best home for pieces, are occupied by
pawns.

8.Nh3 0-0. 8 ... h5 would be well justified here, threatening ... h4. There is
no need to act so precipitously, however, and by continuing to develop in
normal fashion Black obtains the better game.
9.Nf2 f5; IO.Bg2 Be6; 1 1.0-0 Qc7. Black has played very sensibly and can
be satisfied with the position. 12.e4.
1 94
HIPPOPOTAMUS FORMATION
White acts in the center, despite the backward development. But at some
point action needs to be taken, else Black will play ... Rad8 and advance to e4
himself. 12 ... dxe4! 1 2 ... Rad8; 1 3.Qc2 c4 was played in Kiihl - Bornack, Berlin
(club game) 1 985. After 14.dxc4 dxc4; 15.b4 b5; 16.a4 a6; 17.axb5 axb5; 18.Be3
White had play on the dark-squares and a-file. This illustrates an important
point regarding unorthodox formations. If you choose an inappropriate plan,
any advantage inherited from the opening stage of the game is soon dissi
pated and your opponent, despite awkward or even ridiculous play, can gain
the advantage.
13.dxe4 Rad8; 14.Qc2 Qb6! The correct plan is to target weaknesses in
the White camp and make them even more vulnerable. Here the b3-square is
the target. 15.b4 a5! Now it is b4 that is under fire, and Black has an initiative.
1 95
HORWITZ DEFENSE
l .d4 e6
The Horwitz Defense is normally a standard opening conforming

to orthodox principles, and usually transposes to a Dutch, French or
Queen's Gambit Declined. Its developer had some rather strange ideas.

2.c4 c6; 3.e4. 3.Nc3 f5; 4.Nf3 Nf6; 5.Bg5 Be7 played in the 13th game of
the same match as our main line, brought White nothing. Black stubbornly
refused to advance the d-pawn, but managed to win anyway.
3 ...£5? 3 ... d5 is correct, transposing to a normal Queen's Gambit. White
can maintain the center and play 4.Nc3, reaching the Marshall Gambit of the
Semi - Slav. 4.exf5 Qa5+; 5.Nc3 Qxf5; 6.Bd3 Qf7; 7.Nf3 BM; 8.Ne5 Qf6;
9.0-0 Bxc3; 10.bxc3 Ne7.
l l.Qh5+ g6; 12.Qh6 and White had a large advantage in Harrwitz

- Horwitz, 1 5th match game, 1 849.
1 96
HUNGARIAN OPENING
HUNGARIAN OPENING
REVERSED ALEKHINE
The first move of this opening, l .g3, is more commonly preceded

by l .Nf3, which prevents Black's reply. It is sometimes known as the
Benko - Barcza opening, for two Hungarian players who used it a lot,
but the term Hungarian Attack is also common.
l.g3 e5
2.Nf3

l.g3 e5; 2.Nf3. This is an Alekhine Defense with colors reversed, and it is
perhaps unsurprising that Alekhine himself is playing the "White" side! 2 ...e4;
3.Nd4 d5.
3 ... c5 is really taking up the gauntlet, but it is dangerous to play a reversed
line here. 4.Nb3 dS (4 ... c4; 5.Nd4 BcS; 6.c3 Nc6; 7.Nxc6 dxc6; 8.Bg2 Nf6; 9.b3
Be6; 1 0.Ba3 Qe7; 1 l .Bxc5 Qxc5; 12.b4 QeS with an unclear position in Mozes
- Navrotescu, Rumania 1 993.) 5.Bg2 (5.d3 fS; 6.Bg2 Nf6; 7.Bg5 Be7; 8.dxe4
fxe4; 9.c4 0-0; 10.Nc3 e3; 1 l .Nxd5 exf2+; 1 2.Kf1 Nbd7; 13.Bf3 Kh8; 14.Be3
NxdS; 15.Qxd5 and White's king is safer than it looks, and the advantage
grows quickly in Mozes - Egedi, Hungary 1 99 1 .) 5 ... f5; 6.0-0 Nf6; 7.d3 Bd6;
8.Nc3 0-0; 9.Nb5 BeS; 1 0.Nxc5 Qb6; 1 l .d4 QxbS; 12.dxe5 QxcS; 13.exf6 Rxf6;
14.Be3 QbS; 15.a4 Qc4; 1 6.b3 and White was able to use the dark squares
effectively in Wall - Greer, Palo Alto 1 989.
4.d3 exd3. Playing the reversed Exchange Variation is a reasonable idea
here. 4 ... f5; 5.Bg2 Nf6; 6.0-0 Be7; 7.c4 cS; 8.Nc2 d4; 9.Nd2 is an example of
full hypermodern pressure. Black cannot maintain the broad center and it
collapses quickly. 9 ... exd3; 1 0.exd3 0-0; 1 l .b4 cxb4; 12.Nb3 Nc6; 13.Bb2 f4;
14.Ncxd4 and White was a little better in Dely - Andric, Belgrade 1 968.
5.Qxd3. Recapturing with a pawn would have provided a stronger central
pawn formation. 5.exd3 Nf6; 6.Bg5 Bb4+; 7.c3 Be7; 8.Bg2 cS; 9.Ne2 Nbd7;
1 97
10.0-0 h6; l l .Bf4 Nf8; 12.d4 Ng6; 13.dxc5 Bxc5; 14.Nd2 0-0; 15.Nb3 Bb6;
16.a4 a6 Blom - Faure, Postal l 965, was eventually drawn.
5 ...Nf6; 6.Bg2 Bb4+; 7.Bd2 Bxd2+; 8.Nxd2 0-0. White has a lead in devel
opment but if Reti simply castled, then Black might take over the initiative, so
instead he finally advances the c-pawn. 9.c4 Na6; 10.cxd5 Nb4; l l.Qc4 Nbxd5
12.N2b3 c6.
Black's position is relatively passive, but it is solid. The power of the bishop
at g2 is limited by the strong post at d5.
1 3.0-0 Re8; 14.Rfdl Bg4! A good move, because the pawn at e2, though
twice defended, is a weak spot in White's armor. 15.Rd2 Qc8. Black has the
initiative, and is preparing to attack on the kingside. 16.Nc5 Bh3; 17.Bf3 Bg4.
Now a dance begins. Under modern rules, a draw could be claimed by either
side once the position has been repeated three times.
18.Bg2 Bh3; 19.Bf3 Bg4; 20.Bg2 Bh3; 2 1.Bf3 Bg4; 22.Bhl. Reti finally
decides to play for a win, accepting the risk of facing Black's kingside attack.
22 ...h5!; 23.b4 a6; 24.Rcl h4; 25.a4. The battle is raging on both flanks.
25 ... hxg3; 26.hxg3 Qc7; 27.b5?! A poor move. 27.e4 was the correct move,
according to Alekhine. 27 ... axb5; 28.axb5.
1 98
HUNGARIAN OPENING
The pawn at f2 is the key to White's defense, protecting the pawn at g3.
28...Re3!! The rook cannot be captured but White should have moved the
bishop to £3; instead, to eliminate its Black counterpart.
29.Nf3. 29.fxe3 Qxg3+; 30.Kfl (30.Bg2 Nxe3) 30 ...Nxe3#; 29.Bf3! Bxf3;
30.exf3 cxb5; 3 l .Nxb5 Qa5; 32.fxe3 Qxd2 with many dangerous threats.
29 ... cxb5; 30.Qxb5 Nc3; 3 1.Qxb7 Qxb7; 32.Nxb7 Nxe2+; 33.Kh2. The
king would not be much safer at fl .
33 ...Ne4!! The Black knights gallop in and inflict major damage. 34.Rc4!
Best, since the alternatives lose by force. 34.fxe3 Nxd2; 35.Nxd2 Nxcl and
Black has enough left to win. 34.Rd8+ Rxd8; 35.fxe3 Rd5; 36.Rel Rh5+; 37.Kg2
Bh3+; 38.Kh2 Bfl+; 39.Nh4 N4xg3 is terminal.
34 ... Nxf2!; 35.Bg2 Be6; 36.Rcc2 Ng4+; 37.Kh3 Ne5+; 38.Kh2.
Now Alekhine brings the game home with a sacrifice. 38 ...Rxf3!; 39.Rxe2
Ng4+; 40.Kh3 Ne3+; 41.Kh2 Nxc2; 42.Bxf3 Nd4 and in Reti - Alekhine, Baden
Baden 1 925, White resigned.
1 99
INDIAN GAME
ALEKHINE ANTI-GRUNFELD
l.d4 Nf6
2.c4 g6
3.f3
Alekhine's Anti-Griinfeld system was introduced to the world in

the 1 9 2 9 World Championship match between A lekhine and
Bogoljubow. It has never really caught on, largely because Black can
actually carry out the Grunfeld strategy despite White's support of the
center. Of course the opening makes little sense against players who
have the King's Indian and Benoni in their repertories, since Black can
comfortably slide into those openings where the move f3 is well-estab
lished in the main lines.

3 ... d5. Griinfeld players should not hesitate to confront White's strategy
directly, daring the opponent to occupy the center with pawns in true
hypermodern style. 4.cxd5 Nxd5; 5.e4 Nb6; 6.Nc3 Bg7; 7.Be3 0-0.
200
INDIAN GAME
White has a huge classical center and Black is going to have to find a way
to create counterplay.
8.Qd2. 8.f4 was Alekhine's choice, and it is returning to favor now that
8.Qd2 seems to be running out of steam. 8 ... Nc6; 9.d5 presents the Black
knight with a choice: retreat to b8 or take up a risky post at aS. The latter is
more ambitious and a lot more fun. 9 ...Na5; 1 0.Bd4 Bg4. Black takes the ini
tiative and develops with gain of time. 1 l .Qd3 eS! Active play is still essential.
12.fxe5 ( 12.Bxb6 axb6; 1 3.b4 Nb3 is given as winning for Black by Alan Watson,
but that seems a bit of an overstatement after 14.Rb 1 Nd4; 15.a4 where White
is certainly no worse.) 12 ...Nac4; 1 3.Qg3 hS; 14.Nf3 Qe7 and White may be
slightly better after capturing on c4 and castling short, though queenside cas
tling is also possible, as in Gheorghiu - Korchnoi, Zurich 1 984.
8 ...Nc6; 9.0-0-0. 9.Rd1 is a reasonable alternative, but Black obtains
counterplay immediately with 9 ... e5! inviting 10.d5 Nd4. White should elimi
nate the knight at d4; with 1 l .Nb5! NxbS; 12.Bxb5 Bd7; 1 3.Bxd7 and now the
intermezzo 1 3 ...Nc4!; 14.Qc3 Nxe3; 15.Qxe3 Qxd7 is acceptable for Black, for
example 16.Ne2 fS; 1 7.0-0 Rf7 and Alan Watson points out that Black can
aim for equality with ... b6, ... Re8, ... Bf8, and ... Bd6.
9 ...e5; 10.d5 Nd4; l l.f4. 1 l .Nb5 NxbS; 12.Bxb5 Bd7 was even in Padevsky
- Pachman, Moscow 1 956 and Varga - Jansa, Odorheiu Zonal 1995.
l l...c5!; 12.fxe5. 12 .dxc6 Nxc6 is better for Black, as Larsen suggests.
12 ... Bg4; 13.Rel Bxe5!; 14.h3 Bd7; 15.Nf3 Nxf3; 16.gxf3 Qe7 is a much
discussed position, from Enevoldsen - Pachman, Moscow Olympiad 1 956.
The general consensus here is that Black has counter play, and is at least equal.
DEVIN GAMBIT
l.d4 Nf6
2.c4 e6
3.g4
The idea behind this gambit is the same as in the Gibbins

Weidehagen Gambit. White gives up a g-pawn to take over the center,
and win some time. The question is, does the inclusion of c4 and ... e6
20 1
make a big difference? I am not sure.

3 Nxg4; 4.e4 Qh4 is available. 5.Nh3.
.••
5.Qf3 Nxf2!? is not as good as it looks, since after 6.Qxf2 Qxe4+; 7.Be2
Black cannot capture at hl because the queen is trapped after Bg3! Play might
continue 7 ... d5; 8.Nf3 dxc4; 9.Nc3 Bb4 with a complicated position. White's
piece may prove more powerful than the three pawns.
5 . Bb4+; 6.Bd2. 6.Nc3 Bxc3+; 7.bxc3 Nf6 and White's position is almost
. .
hopeless.
6 ... Bxd2+; 7.Qxd2 Nf6 is clearly better for Black.
GEDULT ATTACK
l.d4 Nf6
2.f3 d5
3.g4
The Gedult Attack is an opening which involves depraved indiffer

ence to kingside pawn structure. It is like a Gibbins - Wiedehagen Gam
bit without the gambit, but with a stupid looking pawn at £3. Benjamin
and I described by stating that "This deformed opening seems to have
been inspired by toxic waste!"
A decade later I feel the same way about it.

3 ... c5; 4.g5 Nh5 and the White pawns are simply sick. Black can continue
with a kingside fianchetto and castle to safety, then go on the attack against
the weaklings.
202
INDIAN GAME
GIBBINS-WIEDEHAGEN GAMBIT
I .d4 Nf6
2.g4 Nxg4
This gambit is a favorite of many unorthodox specialists, including

Hawaii's Clyde Nakamura. White gets a big center and an open g-file
for the attack. The compensation is long-lasting, but is probably not
sufficient to justify the investment of a pawn. White scores well with it
in correspondence play.

2 ... e5 is an interesting way of declining a gambit. It is the Oshima Defense.
a) 3.dxe5 Nxg4; 4.Nf3 Bc5 ( 4 ... Nc6; 5.Bf4 Bc5; 6.e3 d6; 7.Bc4 dxe5; 8.Qxd8+
Nxd8; 9.Bxe5 Nxe5; 1 0.Nxe5 B£5 is a balanced endgame, Driike - Mieck, Postal
1983.) 5.e3 Nc6; 6.Nc3 Ngxe5; 7.Nxe5 Nxe5; 8.Qh5 d6; 9.Be2 g6; 1 0.Qh6 was
played in Nakamura - Oshima, Hawaii 1 985. Black has a much better game,
but fell for the tempting 1 0 ... Qf6, which is not best. Instead, 10 ... Bb4; 1 l .Qg7
Rf8; 1 2.Bd2 h5 gives White no way to attack.
b) 3.Bg2 has been seen a couple of times.
203
b 1 ) 3 ... Nxg4; 4.h3 Nh6; 5.dxe5 (5.Bxh6 gxh6; 6.dxe5 Qg5! is a justifiable
queen excursion.) 5 ... Nf5 is a superior choice.
b2) 3 ... Nc6; 4.d5 Nd4; 5.h3 c5; 6.c4 e4; 7.g5 (7.e3 Nf3+; 8.Nxf3 exf3;
9.Bxf3 and Black has a miserable position.) 7 ... Nh5; 8.Bxe4 Qe7; 9.Nc3 f5;
1 O.gxf6 Nxf6; 1 1 .Bg5 and White had a tremendous game, Nakamura - Oshima,
USA 1 985.
c) 3.g5 Ne4; 4.Nf3 exd4; 5.Qxd4 d5; 6.Be3 (6.Nc3 Nxc3; 7.Qxc3 Nc6; is
about even, Barton - Unknown, London 1 975.) 6 ... Nc6; 7.Qd1 Be7; 8.h4 f6;
9.Nbd2 Bf5; 1 0.Rg1 Nb4; 1 l .Nd4 Bg6; 12.Bh3 fxg5; 13.hxg5 Nxg5; 14.Bf5
Ne4; 15.Rxg6 hxg6 was drawn in Simon - Lambert, Ludwigshafen 1984.
3.e4. 3.f3 Nf6; 4.e4 sets up the ideal pawn center.
This gives us the Bogie, or Maltese Falcon, used by the famous actor
Humphrey Bogart, a dedicated fan of the Royal Game. 4 ... d6; 5.Be3 (5.Nc3
e5; 6.dxe5 Nfd7! and the threat of ... Qh4+ is strong. Or 5 ... b6; 6.Bf4 Bb7;
7.Nh3 e6; 8.Bb5+ Bc6; 9.Qe2 Bxb5; 10.Nxb5 Nbd7; 1 l .Qc4 gave White strong
pressure in Winckelmann - Van der Heijden, Postal 1985.) 5 ...g6; 6.Nc3 Bg7;
7.Qd2 Nc6; 8.0-0-0 0-0; 9.Bd3 e5; 1 0.d5 Nb4; 1 l .Bc4 a5; 12.a3 Na6; 13.h4
Nh5; 1 4.Nge2 f5; 1 5 . Bg5 Bf6. Black is clearly better, so Bogie tries a
confusionary riff. 16.f4 exf4; 1 7.Nxf4 Nxf4; 18.Qxf4 fxe4; 19.Bh6 Re8; 20.Nxe4
Bg7; 2 l .Bxg7 Kxg7; 22.h5 Bf5; 23 .hxg6 Bxg6; 24.Qh6+ Kg8; 25.Rdg1 Qe7;
26.Rxg6+ hxg6; 27.Qh8+ Kf7; 28.Rh7# 1-0 Bogart - Anonymous, USA 1933.
3.Nc3 d5; 4.Bg2 (4.Bg5 h6; 5.Bh4 Nc6; 6.Qd2 Bf5; 7.f3 Nf6; 8.Bxf6 exf6;
9.e4 dxe4; 10.fxe4 Bg4; 1 l .h3 Bh5; 12 .Bb5 Bd6; 13.Nge2 0-0; 14.0-0-0 Ne7;
15.Rhg1 Ng6; 16.Rdfl c6; 17.Rf5 Bxe2; 18.Bxe2 and Black is a bit better,
Schirmer - Hof, Postal 1 988.) 4 ... e6; 5.e4 Nf6; 6.e5 Nfd7; 7.Nh3 is Stopher
Vlha, Postal 1983, and here Black should play 7 ... c5 with a superior French
Defense.
204
INDIAN GAME
3 d6. 3 ...Nf6; 4.e5 Nd5; 5.c4 (5.Nf3 d6; 6.c4 Nb6; 7.Nc3 dxe5; 8.Nxe5
...
Bf5; 9.c5 was better for White, despite the missing pawn, in Stummer - Steuer,
Postal 1 992.) 5 ...Nb6; 6.Nc3 (6.c5 Nd5 is a Hunt Variation of the Alekhine
Defense, with White missing a g - pawn but having g2 available and an extra
tempo as compensation. 7.Bg2 e6; 8.Nc3 Nxc3; 9.bxc3 d6; 10.cxd6 cxd6; 1 l.Nf3
Nc6; 12.Bf4 dxe5; 1 3.Nxe5 Nxe5; 14.Bxe5 Bd6; 1 5.Bg3 0-0; 16.Qh5 Qe7; 17.0-
0 Bxg3; 1 8.fxg3 Rb8; 1 9.Rae l . This was agreed drawn in Schlenker - Groszek,
USA 1 983, but I would certainly play on with Black, and even greedily play
19 ... Qc3!) 6 ... d6 and here someone should try 7.Nf3 Bg4; 8.Rgl !?, making use
of the open file. 3 ... d5 is a good move.
a) 4.Be2 Nf6; 5.e5 Nfd7; 6.e6 (6.Bg5 c5; 7.Nc3 cxd4; 8.Qxd4 Nc6; 9.Qxd5
e6; 1 0.Qd2 Be7; 1 l .Bxe7 Qxe7; 12.f4 Qh4+; 1 3.Kf1 0-0; 14.Nf3 Qh6; 15.Ng5
Nb6; 1 6.Bd3 f6; 1 7.Nxh7 Rd8 Bach:Jaap, Germany 1 983.) 6 ...fxe6; 7.Nf3 (7.Nh3
Nf6; 8.Nf4 g6; 9.h4 Rg8; 10.Be3 Qd6; 1 l .Nc3 c6; gave Black a comfortable
advantage in 0-1 Au - Datuin, Shofield 1 984. 7.Qd3 g6; 8.Bf4 c5; 9.dxc5 Qa5+;
10.Bd2 Qxc5; 1 l .b4 Qc7; 1 2 .Bc3 Nf6 and White has nothing to show for the
pawns, Lykke - Urban, Postal 1 992.) 7 ... g6; 8.h4 Bg7; 9.h5 e5; 1 0.hxg6 hxg6;
1 l .Rxh8+ Bxh8; 12.Ng5 Nf8; 1 3.dxe5 Bxe5; 14.Bd3 Qd6; 15.Qf3 Be6; 16.Na3
Nc6; 17.Nh7 was going swimmingly for Black in Barton - Steedman, Manchester
1976 and Black should have just gone with the flow and castled queenside,
with a huge advantage.
b) 4.Nc3 dxe4; 5.Nxe4 (5.Bf4 Nf6; 6.Bc4 Bg4; 7.Nge2 c6; 8.Rg1 is Barton
Thomas, Nottingham 1 986, where 8 ... e6 would have left White with a miser
able position.) 5 ... e5.
205
6.Qf3 ( 6.Nf3 exd4; 7.Bc4 Nc6; 8.Bg5 Be7; 9.Bf4 0-0; 1 0.Rg1 ReS; 1 l .Kf1
Bh4; 1 2.Neg5 BxgS; 13.Nxg5 Nce5; 14.h3 Nxc4; 15.Qd3 Qf6 and White re
signed in Panman - Danleyko, Postal 1 992.) 6 ... Be7; 7.Bd3 exd4; 8.Bf4 Nf6;
9.0-0-0 cS (9 ...Nxe4; 1 O.Bxe4 c6; 1 l .Ne2 Be6; 1 2.Nxd4 Qc8; 1 3.Nxe6 Qxe6;
14.Rhe1 Qxa2; 15.Bxh7 Qa1+; 16.Kd2 QaS+; 17.c3 Na6; 1 8.Rxe7+ Kxe7;
19.Qe4+ Kf6; 20.Qd4+ Black resigned, Carson - Chase, Washington 1 990.)
1 0.Nxf6+ Bxf6; 1 l .Re1+ Kf8! and Black's king is safe, with the rook standing
guard on the kingside. White's king, on the other hand, is facing an avalanche
of pawns.
c) 4.h3 with two possibilities:
c l ) 4 ... Nf6; 5.e5 (5.Nc3 dxe4; 6.Bc4 e6; 7.Qe2 Nc6; 8.Be3 Bb4; 9.0-0-0
Bxc3; 1 0.bxc3 Ne7; 1 l .Bg5 NedS; 1 2.Qd2 Qd6; 1 3.Ne2 e3; 14.Qd3 exf2; 15.Qf3
Bd7; 1 6.Rhfl Bc6; 1 7.Bxd5 BxdS; 18.Qxf2 Qa3+; 1 9.Kb 1 Bxa2+; 20.Ka1 Bb3+;
2 l .Kb1 Qa2+; 22.Kc l Qxc2# 0-1 Cardella - De Palma, Postal 1986) 5 ... Nfd7;
6.Bg5 c5; 7.Bg2 QaS+; 8.Bd2 Qc7; 9.c3 e6; 10.f4 Nc6; 1 l.Nf3 g6; 12.Qc2 c4;
1 3.h4 hS; 14.a4 NaS; 15.Na3 Nb3; 16.Ra2 Tonjes - Wokittel, Germany 1985.
c2) 4 ... Nxf2; 5.Kxf2 eS is a position of great appeal to any lover of the
bizarre!
206
INDIAN GAME
Is it sound? Not really. 6.Qh5! The beginner's tactic actually works here.
Blkack really misses the defensive power of the knight at g8. 6 ... exd4; 7.exd5
Nd7; 8.Bb5! Bc5. A discovered check is not always to be feared. 9.Bg5! d3+;
1 O.Kg2 dxc2; 1 l .N c3 Be7 was eventually won by White in Knoerich -
Winkelmann, Postal 1 983, but here 1 2.Re1 would have been most efficient.
d) 4.f3 is a sensible continuation, and Black shouldjust retreat with 4 ...Nf6.
5 .Nc3 (5.e5 Nfd7 doesn't give White much play, since 6.e6 is far too opti
mistic. 6 ...fxe6; 7.Bh3 g6; 8.Bxe6 Nf6; 9.Bxc8 Qxc8 and White remains down
a pawn. That's the problem with many two-pawn sacrifices. One pawn can be
returned with a better position and still a little spare change in the bank.)
5 ... dxe4; 6.fxe4 g6; 7.Be2 Bg7; 8.Bg5 c5; 9.d5 (9.Nf3 cxd4; 1 0.Qxd4 Qxd4;
1 l .Nxd4 Nxe4 isn't a Sicilian picnic! ) 9 ... Qa5; 1 0.Qd2 Qb4; 1 l .e5 Ne4; 12.Nxe4
Qxe4; 1 3.0-0-0 Qxe5; 14.c3 Bf5; 15.Bb5+ Kf8 ; 1 6.Re1 Qc7?? ( 1 6 ...Be4; 1 7.Nf3
Qf5; 18.Nh4 Qe5; 1 9.Nf3 holds the draw.) 17.d6 Bxc3; 1 8.Qxc3. Black re
signed, Nakamura - Alvarez, Hawaii 1 986.
e) 4.e5 deprives Black of the f6-square, but simple development keeps
the advantage. 4 ...g6 (4 ... Bf5; 5.h3 Nh6; 6.Bxh6 gxh6; 7.Bd3 Bg6; 8.e6 fxe6;
9.Bxg6+ hxg6; 1 0.Qd3 Rg8; 1 1 .Qb5+ Nc6; 12.Nf3 Bg7; 1 3.Qxb7 Nxd4; 14.Nxd4
Bxd4; 15.Qc6+ Kf7; 1 6.c3 Bf6. White resigned, Breuer - Winkelmann, Postal
1 983.) 5.Be2 and now:
e 1 ) 5 ... h5; 6.Bf4 (6.h3 Nh6; 7.Bg5 c6; 8.Nc3 Be6; 9.Nf3 Qc8; 1 0.h4 Bg4;
1 l .Qd2 e6; 1 2.Bf6 Rg8; 1 3.0-0-0 Nf5; 14.Kb 1 c5; 15.dxc5 Nd7; 16.c6 bxc6;
1 7.Ng5 Bxe2; 18.Qxe2 Nxf6; 1 9.exf6 Bd6; 20.Nf3 Qd8; 2 1 .Qa6 Qb6; 22.Qxb6
axb6; 23.Rhe1 0-0-0 0-1 Fricke - Pape, Postal 1993) 6 ... Bg7; 7.Nf3 c6; 8.c3
Qb6; 9.Qd2 a5; 10.Nh4 Na6; 1 l .Bf3 Nh6; 12 .Na3 Nf5; 1 3.Ng2 Be6; 14.0-0
Rd8; 15.Nc2 Bc8; 1 6.Nce3 Nc7; 17.a3 Senechaud - Larand, Poitiers 1992.
e2) 5 ...Nh6; 6.Nf3 (6.Nc3 Nf5; 7.Nf3 Bg7 is very solid for Black.) 6 ...Bg7;
7.Bf4 and now instead of 7 ... Bf5?; 8.Qd2 Ng8; 9.Nc3 Nc6; 10.Nh4 Bh3; 1 l .Qe3
with an initiative for White in Philips - Bishop, Postal 1990, Black should play
the logical 7 ... Nf5 with a good game.
207
4.Be2. 4.Nc3 is a popular alternative, and it is as good as the text. 4 ... e5

5.Nf3 (5.Be2 Qh4; 6.Bxg4 Bxg4; 7.Qd3 c6; and White has no propects of
compensation. 5.d5 Qh4; 6.Nh3 Be7 is also good for Black.) 5 ... exd4 and Black
is better regardless of which way White recaptures. 6.Nxd4 ( 6.Qxd4 Nc6; 7 .Bb5
Bd7; 8.Bxc6 Bxc6; 9.Rg1 Qf6; 1 0.Qd3 Ne5; 1 l .Nxe5 Qxe5; 12.Be3 was played
in Krabbe - Timman, Leeuwarden 1 970, but why didn't the Black queen chow
down on h2?) 6 ... Nc6; 7.Bf4 Nxd4; 8.Qxd4 Qf6; 9.Qxf6 Nxf6 and White is
going to find it hard to get an attack going without the ladies on the board.
4.h3 is an inferior method of kicking the knight, because it fails to help
with development. Still, Black must be careful after 4 . . .Nf6 .
a) 5.Nc3 (5.Bg2 e5! shuts down the White bishop and secures the advan
tage, Diebert - Wygle, Ohio 1981.)
Now what is the most effective formation for Black? Solid defense with
... e6 or ... c6 is possible, but a classical player can hardly resist the temptation
to slam the central door with 5 ... e5!?; 6.Be3 (6.dxe5 dxe5; 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8;
8.Bg5 Be6 and White has yet to demonstrate sufficient compensation for the
pawn.) 6 ... exd4; 7.Bxd4 Nc6; 8.Bb5 Bd7; 9.Bxf6 Qxf6; 10.Nd5 Qd8; 1 l.Bxc6
bxc6; 12 .Nc3 Be7; 1 3.Nf3 0-0 and Black's advantage is indisputable, Schmitzer
208
INDIAN GAME
- Emms, Bad Worishofen 1 996.

b) 5.Bd3 e5; is good for Black. Compare this with the Anti-Pirc system
l.e4 d6; 2.d4 Nf6; 3.Bd3 e5. Here Black already has ... Nf6, and White is down
a pawn, with no compensating factors. 4.f3 allows Black to play creatively with
4... e5!?; 5.fxg4 Qh4+; 6.Kd2 Qf2+ (6 ... Bxg4; 7.Qe l . 6 ... exd4; 7.h3 and Black
cannot justify the sacrifice.) 7.Qe2 Qxd4+; 8.Qd3 Bxg4; 9.Qxd4 exd4; 10.c3
dxc3+; 1 1 .Nxc3 c6 and Black has three pawns for the piece, Buchhauser -
Kaul, Postal 1 985. 4 Nf6; 5.Nc3.
...
This is the Stummer Gambit, also seen above with Nc3 coming after 4.f3.
...5 g6 . There is no shortage of alternatives:
a) 5 ... c5; 6.Nf3 (6.dxc5 dxc5; 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 is better for Black but not
6 ... Qa5; 7.cxd6 Nxe4; 8.Qd5 Qb4; 9.Qxe4 Qxd6; 10.Bf4 and White is win
ning, Stummer - Rau. Postal 1 992.) 6 ... cxd4; 7.Nxd4 g6 is a Sicilian Dragon
with White missing the g - pawn. 8.Be3 Bg7; 9.Qd2 Nc6; 10.0-0-0 Nxd4?!
(10 ... Ng4!) 1 l .Bxd4 gave White some compensation for the pawn in Nakamura
- Tsoy, Hawaii 1 984.
b) 5 ...Nbd7; 6.Nf3 e5; 7.Rg1 exd4; 8.Nxd4 Nc5; 9.Bf3 (9.f3 h6; 10.Be3
Bd7; 1 l.Qd2 g6; 1 2.0-0-0 was seen in Oberpriller - Wuest, Germany 1995
where Black should have played the simple 1 2 ...Bg7 with at least equality.)
9 . . . Bd7; 1 0 .Bf4 g6; 1 l . Qe2 Be7; 1 2 .0-0-0 0-0 ; 1 3 .Nf5 is S tummer -
Schevchenko, Postal 1 992, where Black should play 13 ... Bxf5 14.exf5 Re8; and
swing the bishop to g7.
c) 5 ... e5; 6.dxe5 dxe5; 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 is better for Black, since White can
not mount enough of an attack to offset the missing pawn. 8.Bg5 (8.Nf3 Bd6;
9.Bg5 Be6; 1 0.0-0-0 Nbd7; 1 l .Bxf6+ gxf6; 1 2.Rhg1 Bc5; 13.Rg2 c6 and Black
has a small advantage, Kalbermatter - Espig, Bern 1992.) 8 ...Be6; 9.0-0-0+
Nbd7; 10.Nf3 Kc8; 1 l .Bh4 Bb4; 12.Nd5 Nxd5; 1 3.exd5 Bf5 with a clear advan
tage for Black, Stummer - Meissner, Postal 1993.
d) 5 ... c6; 6.Be3 ( 6.Nf3 g6; 7.Bg5 Bg7; 8.Qd2 d5! and Black has a good
Gurgenidze Defense.) 6 ...g6 (6 ... Qa5, along the lines of the Czech Defense, is
another good idea.) 7.Qd2 Bg4; 8.f3 Bh5! is better. The bishop cannot be
209
attacked here, and defends against the advance of White's h - pawn. Black has
the better game here. (8 ... Bd7; 9.0-0-0 bS; 10.e5 dxeS; 1 l.dxe5 NdS; 12.Nxd5
cxdS; 13.Qxd5 and White had the advantage in Stummer - Heydemann, Postal
1 992.) 9.0-0-0 Bg7; 10.Nh3 Nbd7; 1 l .Nf4 QaS with a promising queenside
attack.
6.Bg5.
6 ... Bg7. 6 ... c6; 7.Qd2 bS; 8.Bd3 Nbd7; 9.0-0-0 Bb7; 10.f4 b4; 1 l .Nce2 cS;
12.d5 QaS; 13.Kb 1 NxdS; 14.Nf3 N5f6; 15.Ng3 Bg7; 16.Rde1 0-0-0. White
has nothing significant for the pawn, Nakamura - Leski, Honolulu 1994. 7 .Nf3.
7.Qd2l ? h6; 8.Bf4 c6; 9.0-0-0 (9.h4 Qb6; 1 0.0-0-0 eS; 1 l .dxe5 dxeS; 12 .Bxe5
Nxe4; 13.Qf4 Nxc3; 14.bxc3 0-0 and Black is better.) 9 ... Qa5; 10.h4 bS; 1 l .e5
b4; 12.exf6 bxc3; 13.Qxc3 Qf5; 14.Bxd6 ( 14.fxg7 Qxf4+; 15.Kb1 Rg8; 16.d5l
and White is better.) 14 ... Bxf6; 15.Bf3 0-0; 1 6.Be5 Be6; 17 .Bxf6 Qxf6; was
eventually drawn in Stummer -Just, Postal 1 993. 7 ... 0-0; 8.Rgl Nbd7; 9.Qd2
c6! 9 ... e5; 1 0 .0-0-0 exd4; 1 l .Nxd4 NeS; 12.h4 Be6; 13.Nxe6 fxe6; 14.h5 gave
White a strong attack in Stummer - Schevchenko, Postal 1 992. 10.Bh6 b5;
l l.Bxg7 Kxg7; 12.e5 dxe5?
Opening the e-file is an invitation to disaster. 12 ... Ne8l; 13.e6 fxe6; 14.Ng5
Ndf6 gives Black more than enough defense. 13.dxe5 Ne8; 14.e6 fxe6; 15.Nd4
Ndf6?? as is so often the case in amateur games, the results are misleading.
15 ... Rf6; 1 6.Ne4 Qc7; 1 7.Nxf6 Ndxf6; 1 8.Bf3 would have been only a little
better for White. 16.Nf5+ and Black resigned in Stummer - Steuer, Postal
1 992.
210
INDIAN GAME
MADDIGAN GAMBIT
l .d4 Nf6
2.Nc3 e5
I think that you need to be a little bit crazy to play the Maddigan
Gambit. White's knight at c3 is a useful piece. Gambits such as this are
more successful when White has done something foolish.

2.Nd2 eS is the Lazard Gambit which is better than the Maddigan because
the knight at d2 is just in the way and it is more difficult to hold on to the
pawn. Still, after 3.dxe5 Ng4; 4.Ngf3 Qe7; 5.e4 NxeS; 6.Nxe5 QxeS; 7.Bd3.
White is a little better. Of course, given the stupidity of White's second move,
you are unlikely to encounter this one.
3.dxe5 Ng4; 4.Nf3. 4.e4 NxeS; 5.f4 Ng6; 6.Be3 Nc6; 7.a3 Be7; 8.Nf3 d6
turned into a fairly normal game in Schmaranzer - Senoner, Germany 1 994.
4 ...Bc5; 5.Ne4! Bb4+. 5 ...Qe7 6.Qd5 is not quite as catastrophic for Black,
but is still bad.
6.c3 Ba5; 7.h3 wins by force: 7 ...Nh6; 8.Bg5 f6; 9.exf6. Black resigned,
Rosch - Russel, Baden-Baden 1 990.
21 1
MEDUSA GAMBIT
l.d4 Nf6
2.c4 g5
The Medusa is an empty gesture, offering a pawn for nothing.

3.Bxg5. 3.Nc3 Bg7; 4.e4 white is also better when stubbornly refusing the
offer, reaching a King's Indian where Black's kingside is simply weak.
3 ...Ne4; 4.Bh4 Bg7; 5.£3 just makes Black's opening look ridiculous. Here
some wag may point out that 5 Nc5; 6.dxc5 allows 6 Bxb2 but the sad fact
•.. ...
is that after 7 .Nd2 Bxal; 8.Qxal Rg8; 9.Qbl Rg7; 10.e4. White has two pieces
for the rook and pawn, and is way ahead in development.
OMEGA GAMBIT
l.d4 Nf6
2.e4
The Omega Gambit is not likely to bring a quick end to Black's life.
White gives up an important central pawn for a little development.
212
INDIAN GAME

2 ... Nxe4; 3.Bd3 Nf6; 4.Bg5.
4.Nf3.
This is the Arafat Gambit. Mr. Arafat also plays the Omega Gambit. Terri
torial claims regarding the name will be ignored here in the interest of world
peace. 4 ... d6 (4 ... d5; 5.c3 e6; 6.Bg5 cS; 7.Bb5+ Bd7; 8.Qa4 BxbS; 9.Qxb5+
Qd7. White had nothing to show for the pawn in Arafat - Sammut, Dubai
Olympiad 1 986.) 5.c3 Bg4; 6.Bg5 Nbd7; 7.Nbd2 eS; 8.Bxf6 Nxf6; 9.dxe5 dxeS;
10.Bc4 Bd6; 1 l .Qb3 0-0; 1 2.Ng5 BhS and Black had a strong defense in Arafat
- Ferreira, Lucerne Olympiad 1 982. But let's get back to 4.Bg5
4 ... e6. 4 ... d5; 5.Nd2 e6; 6.f4 Nc6; 7.c3 h6; 8.Bh4 Qd6 and Black had a
solid position in Nakamura - Roods, Hawaii 1 985 .
5.Nf3 Be7; 6.h4. 6.Nbd2 d6; 7.c4 Nbd7; 8.Rcl cS; 9.dxc5 NxcS. Black had
a great Sicilian formation, with White missing the e-pawn, Arafat - Chudleigh,
Lucerne Olympiad 1 982.
6 ...Nc6; 7.c3 Ng4; 8.Nbd2 d5; 9.Bxe7 Qxe7; 1 0.Ng5 Nf6; l l.Qe2 e5;
12.dxe5 Nxe5; 13.0-0-0 Nxd3+; 14.Qxd3 Arafat - Awobokun, Malta Olym
piad 1 980.
213
SCHNEPPER GAMBIT
l.d4 Nf6
2.Nf3 b6
3.c3 e5
The Shnepper Gambit is just a pointless waste of a good pawn.

4.Nxe5 Bb7; 5.Bg5 is much better for White.
214
ITALIAN GAME
ITALIAN GAME (GIUCO PIANO)

FRIED LIVER ATTACK
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Bc4 Nf6
4.Ng5 d5
5.exd5 Nxd5
6.Nxf7 Kxf7
The famous Fried Liver Attack (or Fegatello Attack) is part of al
most every chessplayer's learning experience. This radical sacrifice not
only exposes the Black king, but additionally creates a strong pin against
the knight at d5. It has been recorded in the literature back in the 1 7th
century in Greco's manuscript, and there is a reported game from 1 600!
If Black abandons this knight, then White has the advantage of an
extra pawn and easy target in the enemy king. Therefore Black must
try to hold the knight, which means bringing the king into an even
more exposed position.
The Fried Liver has not, surprisingly, had any definitive analysis,
with most authorities simply passing on older opinions. In 1 995, Inter
national Master John Watson undertook a careful study of the line,
and his results were published in our Big Book ofBusts. The bottom line
is that the opening seems to be very promising for White, and Black
can still dare to capture with the knight at d5.

7.Qf3+ Ke6. 7 ... Kg8; 8.Bxd5+ is a truly ugly finish. 7 ... Qf6; 8.Bxd5+ Be6;
9.Bxc6 Qxf3; (9 ...bxc6; 10.Qxc6 Bd6; l l .Nc3 and Black is still in trouble.)
1 0.Bxf3 and Black resigned in Gilmore - Bringer, Dayton 1982. 7 ...Ke8; 8.Bxd5
and White is likely to win, though Black need not fall for 8 ... Nd4; 9.Qf7#
Dubois - Mapelle, Val l989.
8.Nc3. Now there are two ways to try to preserve the knight. 8 ...Ncb4.
8 ...Nce7; 9.d4.
21 5
9 . . . c6 (9 ... g6; 1 0.Bg5 c6; 1 1 .0-0-0 Bg7; 12.dxe5 Qf8; 13 .Nxd5 Qxf3;
14.Nc7+! K£5; 1 5.gxf3 Kxg5; 1 6.Nxa8 Bxe5; 17.Rhe1 with a winning position
for White, Schmidt - Solice, Bundesliga 1 993. 9 ... Qd6; 10.0-0 Kd7; 1 l.dxe5
Qxe5; 1 2.Bxd5 Nxd5; 1 3 .Nxd5 c6; 14.Bf4 Qxb2; 15.Nc7 Rb8; 1 6.Rad1+ Ke7;
1 7.Bg5+ and Black resigned in Ramos - Cubas, World Girls Cadet Champion
ship 1 995.
9 ...b5; 1 0.Nxb5 c6; 1 l .Nc3 Qb6; 12.dxe5 Bb7; 13.Ne4 Qb4+; 14.Bd2 Qxc4;
15.Qg4+ Kxe5; 1 6.f4+ Kd4; 1 7.c3+ Nxc3; 1 8.Bxc3+ Kxe4; 1 9.£5+ Kd5; 20.0-0-
0+ Kc5; 2 l .b4+ Kb5; 22.a4+ was the spectacular conclusion to Von der Lasa
Mayet, Berlin 1 839.) 1 0.Bg5 h6 ( 1 0 ... Kd7; 1 l .dxe5 Ke8; 12.0-0-0 Be6 looks
solid, but back in 1 876 Cook pointed out that 1 3.Nxd5 Bxd5; 14.Rxd5! gives
White a clear advantage, since 14 ... cxd5; 1 5.Bb5+ forces Black to interpose
with the knight, dropping the queen.) 1 l .Bxe7 Bxe7; 12.0-0-0 Rf8; 13.Qe4
Rxf2; 14.dxe5 Bg5+; 15.Kb1 Rd2; 1 6.h4 Rxd1+; 1 7.Rxd1 Bxh4; 1 8.Nxd5 cxd5;
1 9.Rxd5 Qg5; 20.Rd6+ Ke7; 2 l .Rd5. Black resigned in the ancient game Polerio
- Domenico, Rome 1 600!
8 ...Nd4 loses quickly, if White finds the right move. 9.Bxd5+ Kd6; 1 0.Be4?
( 10.Qd3 ! and Black cannot escape a serious disadvantage.) 10 ... Nxf3+; 1 l .Bxf3
c6; 1 2 .0-0 Kc7; and Black went on to win in Deb - Mont Reynaud, San Mateo
1 995. The player of the Black side was not well known prodigy Jordy Mont -
Reynaud, but his younger sister Mary Jo!
216
ITALIAN GAME
9.a3! Nxc2+; lO.Kdl Nd4. 10 ...Nxa1? is a poor choice. 1 l .Nxd5 Kd6; 12.d4
exd4 ( 1 2 ...Qh4; 13.dxe5+ Kc5; 14.Qd3! leaves Black in a hopeless position
Sharansky. 12 ... c6; 1 3.Bf4! exf4; 14.Qxf4+ Kd7; 15.Re1 is a convincing line
given by Lisitsyn.) 13.Bf4+ Kc5; 14.Ba2 a5; 15.Bxc7 Qd7; 1 6.Kd2 Nc2; 17.Rcl
d3; 18.Rxc2+ dxc2; 1 9.Qc3+ Kb5; 20.Qc4# H.Steiner-unknown, California 1945.
l l.Bxd5+ Kd7! is suggested by John Watson, and may secure equality for
Black. 1 l ...Kd6; 1 2.Qg3 ( 1 2.Qf7 Qe7; 1 3.Ne4+ Kd7; 14.Nc5+ Kd6; 15.Nxb7+
Bxb7; 16.Qxe7+ Bxe7; 1 7.Bxb7 Rab8; 1 8.Be4 Nb3; 19.Rb 1 Bg5; 20.Bc2 c5;
2l.Bxb3 Rxb3; 22.Kc2 c4; 23.d4 and White liberates the position and enjoys
an extra pawn and healthier pawn structure.
Analysis by John Watson from The Big Book of Busts. 12 ... Bf5; 13.d3 c6;
14.Be4 Qf6; 15.Be3 Kd7; 1 6.Bxd4 exd4; 17.Bxf5+ Qxf5; 1 8.Ne4 Be7; 19.Qxg7
c5; 20.Rcl b6; 2 l .Re1 Rhg8 22.Nxc5+ bxc5; 23.Qxe7+ Kc6; 24.Re6+ and Black
resigned in Giordanengo - Gehrke, Zurich 1 99 1 .
12.Qg3. 12.Qf7+ Qe7; 13 .Re1 Qxf7; 14.Bxf7 Bd6 and I'd rather be Black.
12 ... Qf6; 13.Ne4 Qf5; 14.d3 c6; 15.Ba2 Kc7; 16.Be3 Qg4+; 17.Qxg4 Bxg4+;
18.f3 Bf5 with roughly level chances as Black gets in ... Rd8.
217
JEROME GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Bc4 Bc5
4.Bxf7+ Kxf7
This rather extravagant gambit is included by popular request, as

the Internet newsgroup rec.games.chess.analysis had quite a bit of dis
cussion on it in the summer of 1997 and several of the participants
asked me to include it. White sacrifices a piece just to draw the enemy
king into the game.

5.Nxe5+. Ray Keene, in The Complete Book of Gambits, writes: This is totally
unsound and should never be tried! 5 ...Nxe5; 6.Qh5+ Ke6. This is the real test
of the opening.
6 . . . g6 led to some spectacular fireworks, though the inventor of the open
ing got burned after 7.Qxe5 d6!?; 8.Qxh8 Qh4; 9.0-0 Nf6; 10.c3 ( 1 0.Qd8!
would have caused Black greater problems.) 1 O Bf5; 1 1 . Qxa8 Ng4; 12.h3 Bxf2+;
•••
1 3.Kh1 Qxh3+; 14.gxh3 Bxe4# wasJerome-Blackburne, from the last century.

Strangely, part of the appeal of this opening, according to one of its modern
practitioners, is that bellowing 'jERRROOOOOMME" seems to have a de
cided effect on the opposition. 7.£4.
21 8
ITALIAN GAME
White will win back one of the sacrificed pieces. Black should react calmly
be developing and protecting the king. It is useful to keep in mind that for an
attack to succeed the attacker usually requires greater force than that which
defends the king. Here the Black king is surrounded by pieces, and White has
only the queen and a pair of pawns. The Black king can retreat to e7, but this
would confine the Black queen. Therefore the correct move suggests itself.
7 . .Qf6!; 8.Nc3.
.
8.Qxe5+ QxeS; 9.fxe5 KxeS and the Black king is perfectly safe in the
middle of the board. One defensive plan is ...Nf6, ...ReS and ... Ke6-f7. 8 ... Ne7.
Black can play the "cute" 8 ... Bf2+ here, since capture of the bishop allows
... Qxf4+, but after 9.Ke2 White has not been greatly discomforted. The text
follows the standard plan of rapid development. Note that on 9.f5+ Black
simply captures with the knight. Being two pieces up has its advantages! 9.Rfl
g6. An option is 9 ... c6. The point of this move is to create an escape plan for
the king via d6 and c7. 1 0.Qh3+ Kd6; l l .fxeS+ QxeS; 12 .d4! looks like a way
out. After 1 2 ... Bxd4; 1 3.Bf4, however, White wins. 10.Qh3+ Ng4!; l l.Qxg4+
Kf7.
White has two pawns for the piece, but the attack is fading fast. There is
no reason for Black to fear this position.
219
SHILLING GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Bc4 Nd4
The Shilling Gambit (aka Blackburne - Shilling Gambit) is a waste

of a pawn. Unlike the Bird Variation of the Spanish Game, Black here
gives up a pawn in addition to wasting time with the knight. Still, it is
not completely lacking in merit. Worth a few pence, no more!

4.Nxe5 Qg5; 5.Nxf7? 5.c3 threatens the Black knight but the threat can
be ignored: 5 ... Qxg2; 6.Rf1 Qxe4+; 7.Be2 Nc2+ and White resigned in Kozelek
- Holzmann, Germany 1 929. 5.Bxf7+! Ke7; 6.0-0! Qxe5; 7.Bxg8 Rxg8; 8.c3 is
the recommended line for White, but the claimed advantage after 8 ... Nc6
9.d4 has yet to be established.
9 ... Qf6 leaves the position somewhat unclear, though White has a lot of
compensation for the piece. Two pawns are already in hand, the center is
solid, Black has a vulnerable king and awkward development.
Still, if Black can play ... d6, ... Bd7 and ...Re8 the king can walk to the
queenside. 5.Ng4 has been seen quite a few times, but I am not sure why.
5 ... d5 !; 6.Bxd5 (6.Be2 Nxe2; 7.Qxe2 Bxg4; 8.f3 Bd7; 9.exd5+ Qe7; 10.Qxe7+
Bxe7 and White has nothing for the piece, Pirinen - Aarnio, Finland 1993.)
6 ... Qxg4; 7.Qxg4 Bxg4; 8.Na3 Bxa3 and Black went on to win in Bhave - Sze,
California 1 993.
5... Qxg2.
220
ITALIAN GAME
White is unable to deal with the multiple threats. The Black king is not in
any real danger.
6.Nd6+. 6.d3 Qxh1 +; 7.Kd2 Qg2; 8.Nxh8 Qxf2+ and White resigned in
Kozelek - Holzmann, Germany 1 929. 6.Nxh8 Qxh 1 +; 7 .Bfl Qxe4+; 8.Be2 dS;
9.d3 N£3+; 10.Kfl Bh3# Mueller - Pieper, Eppingen 1 988. 6.Rf1 Qxe4+; 7.Be2
Nf3# was terminal in Muhlock - Kostics, Cologne 1912. 6 ... Bxd6; 7.Qh5+ g6;
8.Bf7+ Kxf7. 8 ...Kf8 would have forced immediate resignation. 9.Qd5+ Ne6.
9 ... Kf8; 10.Qxd4 Qxh 1+; 1 l .Ke2 Qxh2 is stronger, because 12.Qxh8 loses the
queen to 12 ... Be5. IO.Rfl Ke8 and Black eventually won in Bjerke - Vaideslaver,
Rimavska Sobota 1 992.
I
TRAXLER COUNTERATTACK
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Bc4 Nf6
4.Ng5 Bc5
This very aggressive variation is known as the Wilkes Barre Varia

tion in American and the Traxler Counterattack in Europe. The latter
is certainly more justified. By any name, it is a very sharp opening, but
22 1
seems to be just too risky for Black. Even if one believes in some un
tested resource for Black, the amount of memorization and tactical
skill required discourage many chessplayers from adopting it.
The opening is rarely seen in professional competition, but is a
favorite at the amateur level. Although White can play prosaically with
5.d4, most players prefer to capture at f7 with one of the minor pieces.

5.Nxf7. 5.Bxf7+ is the other option. 5 ... Ke7; 6.Bd5 is Chigorin's contri
bution. The idea is to get rid of one of the enemy knights. 6 ... d6 ( 6 ... Rf8; 7.0-
0 d6; 8.h3 keeps the enemy bishop off the useful g4-square. 8 ... Qe8; 9.Nc3
Qg6; 10.d4 Bb6! leads to a complex but well-investigated position.) 7.c3 Qe8!?
( 7 ... Rf8 would resemble lines with 6 ... Rf8.) 8.d4 and in a game between
supergrandmasters Karpov chose to take up the challenge with 8 ... exd4; 9.cxd4
Nxd4; 1 O.N c3 Qh5; 1 1 .Qd3 Rf8 with a sharp position, which certainly did not
quiet down after 12.b4! Bb6; 13 .Na4 Nc6; 14.Nxb6 axb6; 15.Qc3 h6!; 1 6.Nf3
Bg4; 1 7.Bxc6 bxc6; 18.Nd2 Qb5 and Black has a better game in Karpov
Beliavsky, Soviet Championship 1 983, because the king is trapped in the cen
ter and Black has useful open lines for the rooks.
5.b4 is a bizarre queenside deflection. 5 ... Bb6; 6.Nxf7 Bxf2+; 7.Kf1 Qe7;
8.Nxh8 d5; 9.exd5 Nd4; 1 0.Be2 Qf8; 1 l .d3 Nxe2; 12.Qxe2 Bd4; 13.c3 Bg4;
14.Qb2 Ne4+; 15.Ke1 Bf2+; 1 6.Kf1 Be3+; 17.Ke1 Bxc l; 1 8.Qc2 Bd2+ and White
resigned in Hardy - Farrand, England 1 956.
5 . Bxf2+.
..
There is certainly nothing orthodox about an opening where both f7 and

f2 are occupied by enemy pieces in the first 5 moves! The Traxler counterat
tack has been the subject of scrutiny by amateur chessplayers for decades, but
professionals pay less attention, because 4.Ng5 is not generally encountered
in serious tournaments. 6.Kxf2 is very risky, as the king is too exposed.
6.Kf1 is one alternative. After 6 ... Qe7; 7.Nxh8 d5. Black has good attack
ing possibilities. 8.exd5 is usually played, there being no superior move. 8 ...Nd4.
222
ITALIAN GAME
This position has been analyzed for a century but no firm conclusions have
been reached. 9.d6 Qxd6; 1 0.c3 Bg4; 1 l .Qa4+ Nd7; 12.Kxf2 Qf6+; 13.Ke1
( 1 3.Kg1 Be2!; 14.h3 Qfl+ ; 15.Kh2 Qf4+ is a draw, following analysis by Kabiyev.)
13 ... 0-0-0; 1 4.Rf1 ( 14.cxd4? exd4 and Black has an irresistible attack, accord
ing to Estrin. 15.Be2 Bxe2; 16.Kxe2 leaves White with two extra pieces and an
extra rook, but there is no shelter for the king, for example 16 ... Qe6+; 1 7.Kf2
Rf8+; 18.Kg3 Qd6+; 19.Kh3 Qh6+; 20.Kg3 QgS+; 2 l .Kh3 Rf4 and mate fol
lows: 22.g3 Qf5+; 23.Kg2 Rf2+; 24.Kg1 Qf3 and White can only toss in a final
move before getting mated.) 14 ... Qh4+; 15 .Rf2 Nb6; 1 6.g3 Qh3; 1 7.cxd4 Nxa4;
18.Nf7 and according to Radchenko, White has a small advantage.
6.Ke2 is of historical interest. 6 ... Nd4+; 7.Kd3 bS; 8.Bb3 Nxe4; 9.Nxd8
NcS+; 10.Kc3 Ne2+; 1 l .Qxe2 Bd4+; 12.Kb4 aS+; 13.Kxb5 Ba6+; 14.Kxa5 Bd3+;
15.Kb4 Na6+; 16.Ka4 Nb4+; 17.Kxb4 cS# Reinisch - Traxler, Prague 1896.
6 ...Nxe4+.
White's king is very exposed and Black can exploit this to build an attack.
7.Ke3. 7.Kg1 Qh4; keeps the pressure on.
a) 8.g3 Nxg3; 9.hxg3 (9.Nxh8 dS. This is Black's best chance, at least al
lowing another piece to join the attack. 10.Qf3 Qd4+; 1 l .Kg2 NfS; 12.Qxd5
Nh4+; 13.Kfl Bh3+; 14.Ke2 Qg4+; 15 .Kf2 QfS+ Braskin - Simchen, Postal
1989, and here 16.Kg3 Qg4+; 1 7.Kf2 Qf5+ draws. Or 9.Qe1 Qxc4; 10.Nxh8
Ne2+; 1 l .Kf2 Qf4+; 12 .Kxe2 Nd4+; 1 3.Kd3 dS; 14.Na3 Ne2 and White's king,
shakily sitting at d3, tipped over, Manolov - Sapundzhiev, Varna 1963.)
9 ...Qxg3+; 1 0.Kfl Rf8; 1 1 .Qh5 d6 ( 1 l ...Nd4; 12.Rg1 Qf4+; 13.Kg2 Qe4+; 14.Kg3
Nf5+; 15.Kf2 Qd4+; 16.Kg2 Nh4+; 1 7.Kh2 Qf4+. 1 l ...d5 is better and gives
Black good winning chances.) 12.Nc3 Bg4; 13.Qh2 Qf3+; 14.Kg1 Nd4; 15.Bd5
Ne2+; 16.Qxe2 Qg3+; 1 7.Qg2 Qe1+; 1 8.Qfl Qg3+; 1 9.Qg2 Qe 1+ was drawn in
Foltys - Rossolimo, Amsterdam 1 950.
b) 8.Qfl is countered by 8 ... Rf8; 9.d3 Nd6; 10.Nxd6+ cxd6; 1 1 .Qe2 Nd4;
12.Qd2 Qg4 and the troika of Black forces was just too much, so White re
signed in Soyka - Toth, Vienna 1 948.
223
7 ...Qh4. 7 ... Qe7; 8.Kxe4 Qh4+ and the best White can do is concede a
pawn with 9.Ke3 Qf4+; 10.Ke2 Qxc4+; 1 l .Ke1 Qxf7; 12.Rfl Qe7 and Black
has a clear advantage.
8.g3. 8.Nxh8 Qf4+; 9.Ke2 Nd4+; 10.Kd3 Nf2+; 1 l .Kc3 Nxd1+; 12.Kb4
Nxc2+; 13.Kb3 Nxa1+; 14.Ka3 Qxc4; 15.Rxd1 Nc2# was Grider - Pratt, Ar·
kansas 1 964. 8.Qf3 Ng5; 9.Qg3 (9.Nxg5 Qxg5+; 1 0.Kd3 Rf8; 1 l .Qe2 Qh4 wins
for Black.) 9 ... Qd4+; 1 0.Ke2 Qxc4+; 1 l .Ke3 Nxf7; 12.Nc3 0-0; 1 3.d3 Qd4+;
14.Ke2 d5 was eventually won by Black in Cordero - Petrovich, World Girl's
under- 1 2 Championship 1 996.
8 ...Nxg3; 9.hxg3 Qd4+; 10.Kf3 d5; l l.Rh4 e4+; 12.Kg2 0-0; 13.Qh5 Rxf7;
14.Bxd5 was drawn in johnstone - Finegold, U.S. Open 1 992.
224
KADAS OPENING
KADAS OPENING
The Hungarian player Kadas has the dubious distinction of being

perhaps the greatest living exponent of l .h4, a move even Myers, a
true fan of bizarre openings, considers poor. It isn't as bad as l .g4, of
course, since it does not create such critical weaknesses in the kingside
pawn structure. The opening is also known as the Desprez Opening,
or, among some Americans, as the Reagan Attack, which has some
thing to do with being "thoroughly unmotivated and creates weaknesses
with only vague promises of future potential", as Benjamin and I put it
in 1987.
From Black's point of view, moves such as l ...b6 point out the irrel
evancy of White's move, while l ...g6 makes it easier to justify White's
opening by inviting an attack along the h-file.

l...c5. l ...d5; 2.d4 c5; 3.e4 dxe4; 4.d5 Nf6; 5.Nc3 was played by Myers.
5 ... a6! (5 ... e5; 6.Bg5 h6 allowed White to obtain the advantage in Myers -
Vano, Chicago 1 972.)
a) 6.a4 Nbd7 and Black is better, according to analysis by Joel Benjamin:
7.Be3 (7.Bg5 h6; 8.Bxf6 Nxf6; 9.Bc4 Bg4; 1 0.Qd2 g6! and Black will complete
development quickly and keep working against the weakness at d5.) 7 ... Nb6;
8.Bxc5 Nbxd5
b) 6.Be3; 6 ... e6; 7.dxe6 Qxdl+; 8.Rxdl Bxe6 is an Albin Countergambit
reversed, but one which is better for Black, because of the rapid and harmoni
ous development combined with the fact that Black will be able to make use of
the g4 square for a minor piece.
225
The recommended l . . .b6 was actually seen in what might have been the
debut of the opening. 2.e4 Bb7; 3.Nc3 e6; 4.d4 h6 (4 ... Bb4 would have put
more pressure on White's center, and Black is at least equal.) 5.Nf3 Nf6; 6.Bd3
dS; 7.e5 Ne4; 8.Qe2 Bb4; 9.Bd2 Bxc3; 1 0.Bxc3 Nd7; 1 l .Bxe4 dxe4; 12.Nd2 cS;
13 .Nxe4 and White's position was not at all bad in Ledesma - Herrera, Uru
guayan Championship 1 928.
l . . .eS ; 2.Nc3 Be7; 3.e4 Bxh4 is very greedy play by Black, and sometimes
this gets punished. 4.Bc4 Be7; S.QhS g6; 6.Qxe5 Nf6; 7.Nd5 0-0; 8.Nxe7+
Black resigned, Welling - Ten Haaf, Eindhoven blitz 198 1 . Kadas has tried
2 .d4, not without success, but it really is rather loopy and relies on the inabil
ity of Black to play defensively.
2.b4 cxb4. Although in the 20th century it is not obligatory to accept
gambits, it would be silly to decline this one, as the advance of the h-pawn has
no relevance so White is effectively playing a tempo down. 3.e4 d5.
3 . . . e6; 4.d4 dS; S.eS Nc6; 6.a3 QaS; 7.Nf3 Bd7; 8.Bd3 bxa3+; 9.Bd2 Qb6;
1 0.c3 f6; 1 l .Nxa3 fxeS; 12.dxe5 BcS; 13.Rb1 Qc7; 14.Nb5 Qb8; 15.Bf4 a6;
1 6.Nbd4 Nge7 Kadas - Stojqnovics, Hungary 1 987.
4.e5 Nc6; 5.d4.
White has no pieces developed, and Black can even afford to use the queen
immediately, for example S ... QaS. Or Black can put pressure on the center:
5 ...Qb6; 6.Be3 h5; 7.a3 Bf5; 8.Nf3 e6; 9.axb4 Bxb4+; 10.c3 Ba5; l l.Bd3
Nge7; 1 2.0-0 Bxd3; 13.Qxd3 Nf5; 14.Nbd2 Qd8; 15.Bg5 Qd7; 16.Nb3 Bb6;
17.Ncl Bd8; 18.g3 Bxg5; 19.hxg5 g6. White has no compensation for Black's
extra queenside pawns, Kadas - Vign, Tapolca 1 986.
226
KANGAROO DEFENSE
KANGAROO DEFENSE
l.d4 e6
2.c4 Bb4+
The Kangaroo is a recent addition to the ranks of acceptable open

ings, and Tony Miles has a lot to do with that. The opening is unusual
only in that the bishop comes out to b4 before any action is taken in
the center, either directly with ... d5 or f5, or with ... Nf6. Because
...
White must react to the check, there is no time to immediately grab

the center.
If White plays 3.Nc3, then Black can transpose to well-known open
ings such as the Nimzo-Indian or Dutch. Even after 3.Bd2, later trans
positions to the Bogo-Indian are possible. Here we will consider only
more original play.

3.Bd2 Qe7. 3 ... a5 will usually transpose to a Bogo-Indian, when White
plays Nf3.
4.e4. White grabs the whole center. 4.a3 Bxd2+; 5.Qxd2 d6; 6.Nc3 Nf6;
7.g3 (7.Nf3 0-0; 8.e4 e5; 9.d5 aS; 1 0.h3 Na6 gave Black equality in Tomicic
Kovacevic, Makarska Tuce 1 995.) 7 ... e5; 8.dxe5 dxe5 is also harmless, Suarez
- Dolezal, Buenos Aires 1 995. 4.g3 will reach a Catalan Opening or Dutch
Defense.
4 ...Nf6; 5.a3 Bxd2+; 6.Nxd2 d6; 7.Bd3 e5; 8.d5 0-0 and Black has a good
game. White has a bad bishop, but Black has gotten rid of his. Llanos -
Hoffman, San Luis Clarin 1 995.
227
KERES DEFENSE
TRANSPOSITIONAL VARIATION
l.d4 e6
2.c4 BM+
3.Nc3
White invites a transposition to the Nimzo-Indian Defense after

3 Nf6, but Black can explore several other options.
...

3 ...Ne7!?
3 . . f5 is a variation of the Dutch Defense.
.
3 .. b6 transposes to the English Defense.

.
3 ...Nf6 is the Nimzo-Indian.

4.Qc2 0-0; 5.e3 c5; 6.Bd3 h6; 7.a3 Bxc3+; 8.Qxc3 cxd4; 9.exd4 d5!? 10.c5
b6. Black hopes to exchange light-squared bishops on the a6-fl diagonal.
l l.Nf3?! l l .b4 is the natural move here, and White should then be happy
with the position. l l...bxc5; 12.dxc5 f6; 13.b4 e5; 14.Bc2 Bf5; 15.Bb3 Kh8;
16.0-0 d4; 17.Qb2 Nbc6; 1 8.b5 e4!?
228
KERES DEFENSE
Black's domination of the center is clear, so White tries 19.Nh4 Ne5;

20.Nxf5 Nxf5; 2 l .Qe2 to win the e-pawn, but after 2 l...d3; 22.Qxe4 Nd4.
Black had good compensation in Gelfand - Andersson, Osterskars (match)
1995.
229
KING PAWN GAME

ALAPIN OPENING
'
l.e4 e5
2.Ne2
The Alapin Opening is more ugly than unorthodox. This awkward

move places the knight in the way of development and Black equalizes
easily with a normal move such as 2 ...Nf6 or 2 ... Nf6. We'll look at the
unorthodox queen excursion instead.

2 ...Qh4 is the most unorthodox response.
2 . . .Nf6 is a more conservative approach. 3.f4 Nxe4 (3 ... d6; 4.Nbc3 Bg4;
5.h3 Bxe2; 6.Bxe2 Nc6; 7.0-0 Be7; 8.Bc4 Nd4; 9.d3 c6; 10.Be3 Ne6; l l .Ne2
a6; 12.Ng3 exf4; 13.Bxf4 d5; 14.exd5 Nxd5 was about equal in Charousek
Englander, Kassa 1 894.) 4.d3 Nc5; 5.fxe5 d5.
White now takes firm control of the dark squares with 6.d4, a position
which Alapin played many times as White.
230
KING PAWN GAME
6 ...Ne4 (6 ...Ne6; 7.Nf4; 8.Nc3 cxd4; 9.Ncxd5 Nc6; 10.Bd2 Nxf4; 1 1.Nxf4
Nxe5; 12 .Bb5+ Bd7; 13.Qe2 Bd6; 14.c3 0-0; 15.Bxd7 Qxd7; 16.cxd4 Nc6; 1 7.0-
0 Nxd4; 1 8.Qd3 Bxf4; 1 9.Bxf4 Rad8 and Black was clearly better in Alapin
Rubinstein, Vienna 1 908.) 7.Nd2 and here are a few more of Alapin's experi
ences:
a) 7 ... Bf5; 8.Nxe4 Bxe4; 9.Ng3 Qh4; 10.Be3 Nc6; 1 1 .Qd2 Nb4; 12.Bb5+
c6; 1 3.Ba4 Bg6; 14.0-0 Qg4; 15.c3 Na6; 1 6.Bd1 Qd7; 17.Nh5 Nc7; 18.h3 Ne6;
19.Bg4 with a wonderful game for White in Alapin - Suechting, Vienna 1908.
b) 7 ... Nxd2; 8.Bxd2 Nc6; 9.c3 Bg4; 10.Bf4 Be7; 1 1 .Qd2 Qd7; 12.Ng3 h5;
1 3.h3 Be6; 14.0-0-0 h4; 15.Ne2 Na5; 1 6.Kb 1 Nc4; 1 7.Qcl b5; 18.Ng1 Rb8;
1 9.Nf3 was eventually drawn in Alapin - Blackburne, Ostende 1905.)
c) 7 ...f5; 8.Nxe4 fxe4; 9.Nf4 g6; (9 ... Bf5; 1 0.c3 c6; 1 1 .Be2 Be7; 12.Bg4
Qc8; 1 3.Bxf5 Qxf5; 14.Qb3 g5; 15.Nh5 0-0 with a complex game in Alapin
Leonhardt, Ostende 1 905.) 1 0.Be3 c6; 1 1 .Be2 Bh6; 12 .Nxd5 cxd5; 1 3.Bxh6
Qh4+; 14.g3 Qxh6 and White had the worst of it in Alapin - Schwarz, Vienna
1 898.
There are a few transpositions to consider too.
2 ...N c6 is only good if you like to play the Black side of the Scotch Game
after 3.d4. 2 ...f5 is not the worst of King's Gambits in reversed form. 3.exf5
d5; 4.d4 e4; 5.Ng3 Nf6; 6.Bg5 Be7; 7.Bxf6 Bxf6; 8.Qh5+ Kf8 ; 9.c3 with a slight
edge for White in Alapin - Suechting, Berlin 1897. 2 ... Bc5; 3.d4 exd4; 4.Nxd4
Nc6 reaches a Scotch Game.
2 . . . d5; 3.exd5 Qxd5; 4.Nbc3 Qa5; 5.d4 transposes to the Scandinavian
Defense.
3.Nbc3 Bc5; 4.g3 Qf6; 5.d4.
5.f4 Ne7 looks acceptable for Black. 5 ... exd4; 6.Nd5. Aggressive stuff!
Black should probably retreat to d8 here, but the players were clearly in a
fighting mood. 6 ... Qe5; 7.Bg2 Na6; 8.Bf4 Qh5; 9.Nxd4. 9.Nxc7+ Nxc7; 10.Bxc7
Bb4+; 1 1 .Kf1 ! and Black's game is going to fall apart quickly.
9 ... Qxdl+; lO.Rxdl Bxd4; l l.Rxd4 d6; 12.Bfl Ne7; 1 3.Bxa6 Nxd5;
14.Bb5+ c6; 15.Rxd5 cxb5; 16.Rxb5 and White went on to win in Alapin
Albin, Germany 1897.
23 1
BEYER GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.d4 d5
This pixel-like formation can be reached from a number of move

orders:
King Pawn Game: l .e4 eS; 2.d4 dS. Scandinavian Defense: l .e4 dS;
2.d4 eS. Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: l .d4 dS; 2.e4 eS. Englund Gambit:
l .d4 eS; 2.e4 dS.

The simplest, and perhaps only way that White can get an advantage is
3.dxe5 dxe4. 3 . . d4; 4.f4 Bb4+; 5.Bd2 Bxd2+; 6.Nxd2 f6; 7.Bc4 and Black
.
shouldn't last long.

4.Qxd8+ Kxd8; 5.Nc3 Nd7; 6.Bg5+ Be7; 7.Nxe4 Bxg5; 8.Nxg5 Nxe5 fails
not to 9.f4, which is met by 9 ... h6 with only a small advantage for White, but
9.0-0-0+ Ke7; lO.Re l f6; l l.Nlf3! fxg5; 12.Rxe5+ Kf6; 13.Rxg5 with an ex
tra pawn.
232
KING PAWN GAME
CLAM VARIATION
l.d3 e5
2.e4
The clamshell opens to let the bishop into the game from c l , but at
the same time blocks the bishop at fl . Black must not fall into the trap
of playing this as a reversed Philidor, because that opening has consid
erable bite when played with an extra tempo. The extra tempo makes
the advance of the f-pawn to f4 sounder than when Black tries to get in
. . f5 in the Philidor. For fans of unorthodox play, there is little gold in
.
these hills, but there are some paths that are murky enough to qualify.

2 ...Bc5.
2 ... Nc6; 3.f4 dS; 4.Nc3 (4.exd5 QxdS; 5.Nc3 Bb4; 6.Bd2 is a better way to
play for White.) 4 ... Bb4; 5.Bd2 exf4; 6.Nxd5 Qh4+; 7.g3 fxg3; 8.Nf3 g2+; 9.Nxh4
gxh 1 Q. Black promoting to a queen in the opening certainly qualifies as
strange! 1 0.Nxc7+ Kd8; 1 l .Nxa8 was played in Macleod - Judd, USA Con
gress VI 1889. Black has a substantial advantage if the pawn at h2 is captured,
but ... Bh3, chosen in the game, is not bad either.
2 ... Nf6; 3.f4 dS; 4.Nf3 exf4; 5.e5 NhS; 6.Be2 gS; 7.Nxg5 QxgS; 8.Bxh5
Qh4+; 9.Kf1 Nc6; 1 0.Bf3 Be6; 1 l .d4 f6; 1 2.exf6 Qxf6 with a messy position,
Mishuchkov - Varavin, Winter Open 1 99 1 . 2 ... d5; 3.exd5 QxdS; 4.Nc3 is a
reversed Center Game, where the missing tempo makes the opening even less
useful.
3.c3. 3.Nc3 Nf6; 4.Nf3 Ng4; 5.g3 Nxf2; 6.Bg5 f6; 7.Qe2 Nxh1 ; 8.Bh4 Bf2+;
9.Kd1 d6; 10.g4 Bxg4; 1 l .Bxf2 Nxf2+; 12 .Qxf2 Nc6; 13.h3 BhS; 14.Be2 Qd7;
15.Ne1 Qxh3 Stark - Ou, Northern California Championship 1 993. 3.f4 Bxg1;
4.Rxg1 Qh4+; 5.g3 Qxh2; 6.Rg2 Qh l . The Black queen is the only active piece.
This is something similar to the Norwald Variation. Black has an extra
pawn, but the queen is exposed, and faces a longjourney back to safety. 7.fxe5
Ne7; 8.Nc3 0-0; 9.Bg5 f6; 1 0.exf6 dS; 1 l .e5 Bh3; 12.Qe2 Nbc6; 1 3.0-0-0!
233
Nd4; 14.Qf2 Bxg2; 15.Bxg2 Qh5; 16.Bf4 Neffi; 17.Bxd5+ Kh8; 1 8.g4 Qxg4;
19.Rg1 Qh5; 20.Qxd4 Frenkel - Collins, World Open 1990.
White should certainly avoid 3.Ne2 Nf6; 4.Bd2 Ng4; 5.f3 Bf2#.
This not a composition, it was actually played in Delaney - Lopez, Hay

ward Open 1968.
3 ...Nf6; 4.b4.
The pawn structure of the Clam takes on an appropriate shape. 4 ... Bb6;
5.Bb2 d6; 6.Nd2 Nc6; 7.Nc4 Be6; 8.Nxb6 axb6; 9.a3 0-0; 10.Nf3 Ne7. Black
has a solid position and went on to win in A.Day - Schiller, Brighton 1985.
234
KING PAWN GAME
CLAM: KING'S GAMBIT REVERSED
l.e4 e5
2.d3 f5
Can Black get away with a reversed King's Gambit where White's
extra tempo is the useful move d3? In a word, no.

3.exf5 Nf6; 4.g4 h6; 5.Bg2 d5; 6.h3 Bc5; 7.Nf3 Nc6; 8.0-0 0-0; 9.Nc3.
White has a large advantage, and Black has very little counterplay. Hanham -
Gunsberg, USA Congress VI 1889.
DAMIANO DEFENSE
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 f6
The Damiano Defense has the reputation of being one of the old
est unorthodox openings, and games are dated back to the 1 6th cen
tury. No new ideas have been found to shore up the weakness caused
by Black's second move, which invites a promising sacrifice right away.
235

3.Nxe5! fxe5. 3 ... Qe7; 4.Nf3 d5; 5.d3 dxe4; 6.dxe4 Qxe4+; 7.Be2 Nc6;
8.0-0 Bd7; 9.Nc3 Qg6 was seen in Schiffers - Chigorin, match 1887, where
White uncorked 10.Ne5! and the threat of Bh5; left Black with a hangover.
4.Qh5+ g6; 5.Qxe5+ Qe7; 6.Qxh8 Nf6; 7.d4 Kf7; 8.Bc4+ d5; 9.Bxd5+
Nxd5 is the ancient game Ruy Lopez - Leonardo, 1560. White can continue
with 10.Qxh7+ Bg7; 1 1.0-0 Qxe4; 12.c3 Nf4; 1 3.Bxf4 Qxf4; 14.g3 and White's
material advantage is too great.
DANISH GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.c3
The Danish Gambit has been relegated to an opening used almost

exclusively by beginners and dedicated gambiteers. White offers two
pawns for open lines and rapid developments, a strategy which can
succeed against players with weak defensive skills or inadequate knowl
edge of opening theory. It once enjoyed the patronage of top players,
but that was back in the 19th century. Black gets a good game whether
the gambit is accepted or declined, and the best advice is to take both
pawns and then simply watch out for tactical tricks.
According to W. John Lutes, the chronicler of the gambit, the first
two moves of the opening date back to the late 1 6th century manu
script by Polerio but it had to wait a while to get serious attention, and
the true double gambit was worked out only by Blankensteiner, a Dan
ish jurist, about 1830. It took another three decades to become popu
lar. By the end of the century, however, it had faded into obscurity.

3 dxc3. Declining the gambit keeps things orthodox, but accepting it
..•
challenges White to justify the investment of not one, but two pawns. 4.Bc4.
4.Nxc3 is possible, and if further play includes N£3 and ...Nc6, then the game
transposes to the Goring Gambit covered in Standard Chess Openings.
236
KING PAWN GAME
4... cxb2; 5.Bxb2.
White's bishops are menacing, but Black can take appropriate action in
the center and limit their effectiveness. 5 ... d5! This is the best move, which
comes close to being an outright refutation of the Danish Gambit. With two
extra pawns, Black can afford to return one for rapid development.
5 ... f5; 6.Qh5+ g6; 7.Qe2 Nf6; 8.exf5+ was a quick win for the historian in
Lutes - Hartenstein, Indianapolis 1 962.
6.Bxd5. 6.exd5 Nf6; 7.Nc3 Bd6; 8.Nf3 0-0; 9.0-0 Bg4 gave Black a com
fortable game and an extra pawn in Opocensky - Reti, Baden bei Wien Gam
bit Tournament 1 9 14. 6 ...Bb4+; 7.Nc3. 7.Kf1 Nf6; 8.Qa4+ Nc6!; 9.Bxc6+ bxc6;
1 0.Qxb4 loses to ( 1 0 .e5 Qd3+; 1 l .Ne2 Ba6; 12.Qxc6+ Nd7 and White cannot
defend.) 10 ... Qd1 +; 1 l .Qe1 Ba6+ and White resigned in Albrecht - Bobber,
Postal 1 990.
7.Ke2 Nf6; 8.Qa4+ c6; 9.Bxf7+ Kxf7; 1 0.Qxb4 lets Black take control with
10 ... Re8; 1 l .Nd2 b6; 12.Ngf3 Ba6+; 1 3.Ke1 Qd3 as in Thomas - Yeo, British
Championship 1 986. 7.Nd2 can be met by John Watson's 7 ...Kf8 and White
has insufficient compensation for the pawn. (7 ... Bxd2+; 8.Qxd2 Nf6; 9.Qg5
0-0 is also satisfactory for Black.)
7 ...Bxc3+!; 8.Bxc3 Nf6.
237
White's compensation is rapidly fading. 9.Qf3. 9.Qb3 NxdS; 1 0.exdS 0-0;

1 l .Nf3 Re8+; 12.Kfl Nd7 and White has nothing to show for the pawns, Weitzer
- Reipsch, Bundesliga 1996. 9.Nf3 NxdS; 1 O.exdS Qe7+; 1 1 .Kf1 0-0 was clearly
better for Black in Radevic - Asaturian, USSR 1 968.
9 ...Nxd5. 9 ... 0-0; 1 0.Ne2 c6; 1 l .Bb3 aS; 12.0-0 a4; 13.Bc2 Bg4; 14.Qe3
Qe7 also looks good.
10.exd5 0-0; l l.Ne2 c6. Black is also in a strong position after the simple
... Re8. 12.dxc6 Nxc6; 13.0-0 Qg5; 14.h3 Be6; 15.Rfdl Rfd8; 16.a3 Bd5; 17.Qg3
Qxg3; 18.Nxg3 f6; 19.Nf5 Rd7; 20.Nd4 Ne5; 2 1.f4 Nc4; 22.Kf2 Rc8 and in
Kirste - Schulz, Postal 1 990, White resigned, since the Black knight will pivot
at d6; and land at e4, with devastating effect. In any case there is no compen
sation for the missing pawn.
DRESDEN OPENING
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.c4
The Dresden Opening shares a lot of characteristics with its En

glish cousins and can be reached via l .c4, l .e4 or l .Nf3. The main
problem with the approach is the weakening of the dark-squares, which
can be immediately exploited by Black.

3 ... Bc5. Black can of course play 3 ...Nf6 but this more directly targets the
dark squares. 4.Nc3 d6. 4 ... Nf6; S.NxeS was played in Nimzowitsch - Yates,
Dresden 1 926. 5.Na4 Bg4. S ... Nge7; 6.a3 aS; 7.d3 0-0; 8.Be3 Bxe3; 9.fxe3 fS;
1 0.Be2 f4 gave Black a strong attack in Shirazi - Shipman, New York 1983.
6.Nxc5 dxc5; 7.Be2 Nf6; 8.d3 Qd6. This is analysis by Joel Benjamin.
Black has a fluid position with possibilities of castling on either wing, and the
d4-square is a big hole.
238
KING PAWN GAME
MACLEOD ATTACK
l.e4 e5
2.c3
The Macleod Attack is a slow attempt to occupy the center, and by

reacting vigorously, Black solves all of his opening problems. Play can
also transpose into the Ponziani Opening or the Goring Gambit. Black
can afford to play more actively, eliminating the transpositions. MacLeod
Call was not a very good player, but he was persistent in his use of this
opening. At the 6th American Chess Congress of 1 889, he relied on
his pet opening, but finished at the bottom of the cross table with just
6.5 points out of 38 in this massive 2 0-player double round robin.
The opening is still seen today, but, appropriately, mostly in the
hands of weaker players.

2 ...d5! 2 ... Nf6 (2 ... d6; 3.Nf3 Be7; 4.Be2 Nf6; 5.0-0 0-0; 6.Qc2 Nc6; 7.d4
Bg4; 8.d5 Nb8 is a rather classical approach, and not at all bad for Black,
Macleod - Hanham, USA Congress VI 1889.) 3.d4 gives Black several roads
to choose from.
a) 3 ... Nxe4; 4.dxe5 Bc5 (4 ... d5; 5.exd6 Nxd6; 6.Nf3 Be7; 7.Bd3 Nc6 and
the game was level in Macleod - Delmar, USA Congress VI 1 889.) 5.Qg4
Nxf2; 6.Qxg7 Rf8 ; 7.Bg5 f6; 8.exf6 Rxf6; 9.Bxf6 Be7; 10.Qg8+ and Black re
signed in Morphy - Bottin, Paris 1 858.
b) 3 ... Nc6; 4.f4 Nxe4 (4 ... exf4; 5.e5 Nd5; 6.Nf3 d6; 7.c4 Ne3 is better for
Black, according to Steinitz's notes.) 5.Qf3 d5; 6.fxe5 Be7; 7.Bd3 Ng5; 8.Bxg5
Bxg5; 9.Ne2 Be6; 10.Nd2 Ne7; 1 l .Nb3 0-0; 12.h4 Bh6; 13.g4 f6; 14.Qg3 fxe5;
15.g5 and White had a winning position in Macleod - Blackburne, USA Con
gress VI 1 889.
c) 3 ... d5; 4.f4 Nxe4; 5.Nf3 exd4; 6.Qxd4 a6; 7.Bc4 Be6; 8.Bd3 Nc6 and
Black had the initiative in Macleod - Chigorin, USA Congress VI 1 889.
239
d) 3 ... exd4; 4.e5 Qe7; 5.Qe2 d3; 6.Qxd3 QxeS+; 7.Be2 Be7; 8.Nf3 Qe4;
9.Qd1 0-0; 10.0-0 Nc6; l l .Re l QdS; 12.Bd3 QhS; 13.h3 dS with equal chances
in the earliest example of the opening, Evans - St. Amant, London 1 843.
3.Nf3. There is no shortage of alternatives here, either. 3.exd5 QxdS; 4.d4
Nc6; 5 .Be3 B£5; 6.Nf3 0-0-0 gives Black a good game.
3.Qh5. An unprincipled activation of the queen early in the game. 3 ... Bd6;
4.exd5 Nf6; 5.Qg5 (5.Qf3 Bg4; 6.Qd3 e4; 7.Qb5+ Nbd7; 8.Qxb7 0-0 gives
Black more than enough compensation for the pawn. Notice that Black has
four pieces developed and has castled, while the only White piece in the game
is the queen. Or 5.Qd1 NxdS; 6.d4 exd4; 7.Qxd4 Nf6; 8.Bg5 Qe7+; 9.Be2 Nc6;
1 0.Bxf6 Nxd4; 1 l .Bxe7 Nc2+; 1 2.Kd2 Nxal; 13.Bxd6 BfS; 14.Bxc7 0-0; 15.Na3
Rac8; 16.Be5 Rfd8+; 1 7.Bd4 Nc2; 1 8.Nxc2 Bxc2; 1 9.Kxc2 Rxd4; 20.Nf3 Rd6;
2 l .Rd1 Rxd1; 22 .Kxd1 f6; 23.c4 Kf7; 24.Kd2. Augustin - Leisebein, Postal
1 990) 5 ... 0-0; 6.Bc4 White is wasting his time defending this, but otherwise
he is simply way behind in development. 6 ... h6; 7.Qh4 (7.Qe3 Nbd7; 8.Bb3
BcS; 9.Qe2 e4; 10.d4 exd3; 1 l .Qxd3 NeS and Black is better, Ottenbreit -
Oesterle, Postal 1 986.) 7 ... Bd7; 8.Nf3 c6; 9.dxc6 Nxc6; 10.0-0 Bg4! The threat
of the capture at f3 keeps the pressure on. 1 l . Qg3 Be6!? Roscher - Andrae,
Postal 1 989. 1 2 .Bxe6 e4; 1 3.Qh3 and White is a little better.
3.Qa4+ Nc6; 4.Bb5 is not quite so bad. 4 . . . Nge7; 5.f4?! White could trans
pose to the Ponziani with 5.Nf3 dxe4; 6.Qxe4 exf4; 7.d4 gS; 8.Nf3 f6; 9.c4 BfS
and Black had the pawn and the initiative in Schlenker - Herbrechtsmeier,
Germany 1 989.
3 ...Nc6. Even 3 ... f6 is playable. 4.Be2 (4.Nxe5 fxeS; 5.Qh5+ Ke7; 6.Qxe5+
Be6; 7 .exdS QxdS; 8.Qxc7+ N d7 gives White three pawns for the piece, but as
Steinitz notes "his pawn superiority is divided on two wings and his pieces
are, moreover, little developed, White's game would be much inferior.")
4 . . . dxe4; 5.Qa4+ Nc6; 6.Qxe4 fS; 7.Qa4 Bd7; 8.Bb5 a6; 9.Bxc6 Bxc6; 1 0.Qd1
and White was in retreat, with Black holding the bishop pair and a better
game, Macleod - Gunsberg, USA Congress VI 1 889.
3 . . . dxe4; 4.Nxe5.
240
KING PAWN GAME
4 ... Qd5 (4 ... Bd6; 5.Ng4 Nf6?; 6.Nxf6+ Qxf6; 7.Qa4+ Nc6; 8.Qxe4+ and
White had an extra pawn in Macleod - Martinez, USA Congress VI 1889.
4 ... Nf6; 5.Qa4+ Bd7?; 6.Qb3! Be6; 7.Qxb7 Bd6; 8.Qxa8 and White was way
ahead in Macleod - Bird, USA Congress VI 1 889, though McLeod managed
to blunder away the game.) 5.d4 exd3; 6.Nxd3 Nf6; 7.Be3 Nc6; 8.Nd2 Bd6;
9.Qf3 0-0; 1 0.Be2 Bf5 and here:
a) 1 l .Qxd5 NxdS; 1 2.Nc4 ( 1 2.Nfl is suggested by Steinitz.) 12 ...Nxe3;

13.Nxe3 Bxd3 ( 1 3 ... Be6! and Black is better.) 14.Bxd3 NeS; 15.0-0-0 Nxd3+;
16.Rxd3 with an even endgame, Macleod - Gossip, USA Congress VI 1889.
b) 1 1 .Bg5 "The waste of a move here with this bishop has serious conse
quences. He was, however, already on the defense and his position is a little
inferior."-Steinitz. 1 l ...Rfe8; 12.Qxd5 NxdS; 13.Kd1 h6; 14.Bh4? Steinitz sums
it up well: "Falling into a cleverly-laid trap. 14.Be3 was his only move, but of
course a pawn was then lost. In view, also, of the relative strength of the
players, the adverse victory was assured." 14 ... Rxe2; 15.Kxe2 Re8+; 16.Kd1
Bxd3; 17 .Re 1 Rxe 1 + and Black went on to win in Macleod - Weiss, USA Con
gress VI 1889.
3 ... Nf6; 4.Nxe5 Bd6; 5.d4 Nxe4 transposes to a Russian Game. 3 ... Bd6 is
24 1
an unsound gambit. 4.exd5 Nf6; 5.d4 e4; 6.Nfd2 Nxd5; 7.Nxe4, Stubbs -
Barnard, Postal 1 994.
4.Bb5 dxe4. 4 ...f6; 5.Qa4 Nge7; 6.0-0 dxe4; 7.Qxe4 Bf5; 8.Bxc6+ bxc6;
9.Qa4 Bd3; 1 0.Re1 Qd7; 1 l .c4? "A badly played opening further degenerates
with this move which costs a piece."-Steinitz. 1 l . ..e4; 12.Re3 exf3; 1 3.Rxf3
Qe6! and Black won easily in Macleod - Pollock, USA Congress VI 1889.
5.Nxe5 Qd5; 6.Qa4. This position can also be reached from the Ponziani.
6 ...Nge7.
7.Nxc6 Nxc6. 7 ...bxc6?!; 8.Be2 (8.Bc4 was stronger, according to Steinitz,

but after 8 ...Qg5 Black has counterplay.) 8 ... Ng6; 9.0-0 Bd7; 1 O.Re 1 Bd6; 1 l.Bc4
Qh5; 12.Rxe4+ Kd8; 1 3.h3 and now Black launched a speculative sacrifice
with 13 ...Bxh3 but after 14.Qxc6 Bc8; 15.Qxa8 Qd1+; 1 6.Bfl Qxc l ; 1 7.Qb8
White had a wining position, which he managed to lose, Macleod - Burn,
USA Congress VI 1889.
8.0-0. 8.c4?! Qe6; 9.0-0 Bc5; 10.Nc3 0-0; 1 l .Nd5 Qg6! ; 12.Bxc6 bxc6;
1 3.Nf4 Qf6; 14.Nh5 Qe5; 15.Qxc6 Qxh5 ! ; 16.Qxa8 Bd6; 17.f4 exf3; 1 8.g3
Bc5+; 19.Kh 1 Bh3; 20.Qxf3 Qe5; 2 l .d4 Qxd4; 22.Rd1 Bg4; 23.Rxd4 Bxf3+;
24.Kg1 Bxd4+ Macleod - Showalter, USA Congress VI 1889.
242
KING PAWN GAME
8 ... Bd6. 8 ... Bc5; 9.Re1 0-0; 10.Bxc6 Qxc6; 1 l .Qxc6 bxc6; 12.b4 Bd6;
13.Rxe4 with an extra pawn for White in Macleod - Lipschuetz, USA Con
gress VI 1 889. 8 ... Bd7; 9.Re1 0-0-0; 1 0.Rxe4 a6; 1 l .Bxa6 Nb4; and Black
should win in this line provided by Steinitz.
9.Rel 0-0; 10.Bxc6 Qxc6; l l.Qxc6 bxc6; 12.c4 f5; 13.Nc3 Rf6; 14.Ne2
c5; 15.b3 Bb7 and Black has the better game, Macleod - Burille, USA Con
gress VI 1889.
NAPOLEON AnACK
l.e4 e5
2.Qf3
Letting your lady stand outside the door with no protection is im
polite, at best. This opening would barely merit consideration, were it
not involved in a game attributed to Napoleon, who was said to have
some interest in the Royal Game.

2 ...Nc6; 3.Bc4 Nf6. 3 ...Nh6; 4.c3 Bc5 met with the vigorous refutation
5.d4! exd4; 6.Bxh6 0-0 (6 ... Ne5; 7.Bxf7+ Nxf7; 8.Bxg7 Rg8; 9.Bf6 Be7; 10.Bxd4
and White is clearly better.) 7.Qg3 Qf6; 8.Bf4 d6 in Cooper - Sloan, Postal
1994 and here 9.Nf3 would have been most effective.
4.Ne2. 4.c3 is reasonable, if after 4 ... a6 White plays something sensible
like 5.Bb3, but after 5.g4 b5; 6.Bb3 the surprising 6 ... g5 bottles things up, and
the attempt to uncork the position with 7.h4 should be met by 7 ... h5, and not
7... Bh6?; 8.d3 Bb7; 9.hxg5 Na5; 1 0.Bc2 d5; 1 l .Rxh6 c5 and White could have
won quickly by capturing on f6; with any of three pieces (but didn't) in Koenig
- Chan, Cloverleaf Chess Bowl 1994.
4...Bc5; 5.a3 d6; 6.0-0 Bg4; 7.Qd3 Nh5; 8.h3 Bxe2; 9.Qxe2 Nf4; I O.Qel
Nd4; ll.Bb3.
243
Now the obligatory Napoleonic fireworks (not to the tune of the 1812
Overture, of course) begin: l l...Nxh3+; 12.Kh2 Qh4; 13.g3 Nf3+; 14.Kg2
Nxe l+; 15.Rxe l Qg4; 16.d3 Bx£2; 17.Rhl Qxg3+; 18.Kfl Bd4; 19.Ke2 Qg2+;
20.Kdl Qxhl+; 2 1.Kd2 Qg2+; 22.Kel Ngl; 23.Nc3 Bxc3+; 24.bxc3. This
sparkler was attributed to Napoleon vs. the Automaton, Germany 1 809.
NORWALDER GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.c3 d5
3.Qh5 Bd6
This isn't really a gambit because Black will recover the pawn right
away. The unprincipled activity of the queen is what makes this work.

4.exd5 Nf6; 5.Qh4 Nxd5. 5 . 0-0; 6.Bc4 Bc5! and White cannot hold the
..
pawn.
6.Qxd8+ Kxd8 isn't really better for White, because Black is better devel
oped and the king will find a safe home at c7.
244
KING PAWN GAME
PHILIDOR GAMBIT
l.d4 d6
2.e4 e5
3.dxe5 Bd7
The idea behind this move is to block the d-file so that the pawn
can be recaptured at e5 without allowing the exchange of queens which
would require Black to give up any thoughts of castling.

4.exd6 Bxd6; 5.Nf3 Nc6; 6.Bg5 Nf6; 7.Nc3 h6 otherwise Nd5 is a threat.
8.Bh4 Qe7 and Black has a little counterplay which is probably not enough to
justify the pawn.
TAYLER OPENING
I
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Be2
The Tayler Opening is also known as the Inverted Hanham and is

a quiet system for Black unless John Tayler's gambit continuation is
used.
245

3 ... Nf6; 4.d4?! This is the Tayler Variation, which was first explored in the
early 1 980s. 4 ...exd4; 5.e5 Ng4!; 6.0-0 Ngxe5!; 7.Nxe5 Nxe5; 8.Qxd4 Qf6!
8 ...Nc6; 9.Qc3 d5; 10.Bb5 Bd7; 1 l .Bxc6 bxc6; 12.Re 1+ Be6; 13.Qxc6+ Qd7;
14.Qxa8+ Ke7; 15.Nc3 c6; 1 6.Bf4 g5; 1 7.Bb8 Bg7; 18.Qxa7 Black resigned,
Reynolds - Colias, Peoria 1 989.
9.Qe4 Be7; 10.Nc3 c6; l l.f4 Ng6; 12.f5 d5 and Black was better in
Martinovsky - Schiller, Chicago 1 987. I haven't used the opening in a serious
game since that debacle.
TORTOISE OPENING
l.e4 e5
2.Bd3
The tortoise extends its neck just a little bit, often to retreat later. It
can only snap at short range. By blocking the d-pawn, White has only
limited plans available for development.

2 ...Nf6; 3.Nf3.
3.Na3. The turtle's guardian knight is a bit tipsy and heads to the edge of
the board, where it can easily fall off. 3 ... Bc5 (3 ... Bxa3!; 4.bxa3 0-0; 5.Bb2 d6;
6.Nf3 Nbd7 and this horse will have fun riding the range, stopping at c5,
perhaps also a4.) 4.b3 0-0; 5.b4 Bxb4; 6.Nb5 c6; 7.Na3 d5; 8.exd5 cxd5; 9.Nf3
e4; 10.Bxe4 dxe4; 1 l .Ne5 Re8; 12.Nec4 Bxa3; 13.Bxa3 Bg4; 14.Ne3 Bxd 1;
15.Kxd1 Qa5; 1 6.Rb 1 Rd8; 17.Rb3 Qxd2# Leary - Kirshner, Dublin 1992.
3 ...Nc6; 4.Nc3 d5. 4 ...Bc5! is a reversed Four Knights Game where the
bishop at d3; is simply ridiculous.
5.0-0 Bg4; 6.h3 Bxf3; 7.Qxf3 Nd4; 8.Qg3 actually justifies the presence
of the bishop at d3! White was clearly batter in Musa - Ferrer, Cuba 1992.
246
KING PAWN GAME
WAYWARD QU EEN ATTACK
l.e4 e5
2.Qh5
This is a terrible opening strategy because it is based on a few stu

pid human tricks which will only succeed against the truly suicidal. It is
often seen in games by beginners.
We'll see a few examples of games played in the National Elemen
tary Championships. Even a WorldJunior Championship! But no games
here by grown-ups. They should know better!

2 ...Nc6.
2 ... Qf6 is not a bad move. The queens dance with each other, but other
potential partners soon join the action. 3.Bb5 (3.Nf3 Nc6; 4.Nc3 Nb4; 5.Bd3
Nxd3+; 6.cxd3 Be7; 7.Nd5 Qd6; 8.Qxe5 Qxe5; 9.Nxe5 Bd6; 10.Nc4 Kd8; 1 l .d4
b5; 12.Nxd6 cxd6; 1 3.d3 Bb7; 14.Bf4 Bxd5; 15.exd5 Nf6; 16.Bxd6 Nxd5; 17.Rcl
ReS+; 18.Kd2 Re6; 1 9.Be5 f6; 20.Bg3 and Lundy - Fischer Kirshner, National
Elementary Championship 1 994, ended reasonably in a draw.) 3 ... Bc5; 4.d3??
Even a beginner must remember to watch out for direct attacks! (4.Nf3 a6;
5.Ba4 b5; 6.Bb3 d6 and White is a little better.) 4 ... Qxf2+; 5.Kd1 Qfl +; 6.Kd2
Qxg2+; 7.Qe2 Qxh 1 etc., O'Leary - Moretti, National Elementary School
Championship 1994.
2 ... g6?? is the beginner's trap.
247
3.Qxe5+ Be7; 4.Qxh8 Bf6 (4 ... Bb4; 5.Qxg8+ Ke7; 6.Qxh7 Qf8; 7.Qh4+
Ke8 and Black resigned, having counted up the dead material, Faulkner -
Lee, National Elementary School Championship 1994) 5.Qxg8+ Ke7; 6.Qxh7
Qh8; 7.Qxh8 Bxh8; 8.Nc3 Nc6; 9.Nd5+ Ke6; 10.Nf3 Nd4; 1 l .Nxd4+ Bxd4;
12 .Bc4 Ke5; 13.c3 Bc5; 14.d4+ Bxd4; 15.cxd4+ Kxd4; 16.Bb3 c6; 1 7.Nc7 Rb8;
18.Be3+ Kxe4; 1 9.0-0 b6; 20.Rac l b5; 2 l .Bc2+ Ke5; 22.f4+ Kd6; 23.Ne8+ Ke7;
24.Ng7 Ba6; 25 .Bc5+ d6; 26.Rfe1+ Kf6; 27.Bd4# Carter - Vora, National El
ementary School Championship 1 994.
2 ... Nf6; 3.Qxe5+ Be7 is dismissed as a trap, but in fact it is no less sound
than many other gambits seen in this book. Black wins a little time against the
White queen. Still, there is no reason to play it. 4.Nf3 Nc6; 5.Qf5 d6; 6.Qf4 0-
0; 7.Bb5 is Toor - Chou, National Elementary School Championship 1994,
and here 7 ...Nb4 should give enough for the pawn. 2 ... Ke7?? is the worst pos
sible reply, but like almost everything else under the sun, it has been seen:
3.Qxe5# Schiller - Pack, Port Washington 1 969.
3.Bc4. Black must defend the f7-square, but how? 3 ...Nh6?! 3 ... Qe7 is bet
ter, aiming for ... Nf6.
4.d3 g6; 5.Qf3 f6. 5 ... d5?; 6.exd5 Bg4; 7.Qg3 successfully targeted the e5-
square in Strombom - Bui, National Elementary School Championship 1994.
6.Ne2 d5?!
248
KING PAWN GAME
The Mellon Gambit is a lemon. Black's position is not strong enough to

offer up a pawn.
6 . . . d6; 7.0-0 Bg4; 8.Qe3 f5; 9.£3 f4 is probably decent for Black as long as
the king heads to the queenside.
7.exd5 Bg4; 8.Qe3.
8 ...Bxe2?. 8 ...Nb4 equalizes.

9.dxc6 b6. 9 ... Bg4; 1 0.cxb7 Rb8; l l .Bb5+ Ke7; 12.Qxa7 is all but over.
10.Qxe2 Nf5; l l.c3 and White won without difficulty in Braksa - Melion,
World Junior Championship 1 99 1 .
249
KING'S GAMBIT
ALLGAIER GAMBIT
This variation involves the early sacrifice of a piece, and is there

fore much riskier than the lines with 5.Ne5.
l.e4 e5
2.f4 exf4
3.Nf3 g5
4.h4 g4
5.Ng5
Black has no choice but to accept the offer, as all cowardly continu
ations are severely punished.

l .e4 e5; 2.f4 exf4; 3.Nf3 g5; 4.h4 g4; 5.Ng5 h6; 6.Nxf7 Kxf7. In return for
the sacrifice of the piece White has brought the Black monarch into an ex
posed position. Over the years, however, solid defensive resources have been
found and the Allgaier is now rarely seen in tournament play.
7.Bc4+. 7.d4 f3 ! This is hardly new, as it was discussed in Gunsberg ( 1895)
who played the White side a few moves later. Now 8 Bc4+ transposes above.
8.gxf3. Estrin & Glazkov also suggest 8.Bf4, 8.Be3, and 8.Nc3 but these re
main untested. 8 ... Be7 seems a useful reply in each case. 8 ... d5 !; 9.Bf4 Nf6;
10.e5 Nh5; 1 l .fxg4 Nxf4; 12.Qf3 Kg7; Gunsberg-Bird, London 1889.
7...d5; 8.Bxd5+ Kg7! Until recently it was thought that 8 ... Ke8 was the
safer move, but recent analysis confirms that the text is best. Which just goes
to show that even though the variation has been around a long time, there are
still discoveries to be made!
9.d4. 9.Bxb7? Bxb7; 10.Qxg4+ Kf7; 1 l .Qh5+ Ke7; 12.Qe5+ Kd7; 13.Qf5+
Kc6; 14.Rh3 aS! gives Black an escape hatch. 13.Qxh8 Nf6 and here: a) 14.b3
Bxe4; 15.Bb2 Be7 was given by Gunsberg ( 1 895) b) 14.d3 Bb4+! c)14.Nc3 Qe7
and the White queen is trapped-Gunsberg ( 1895). 14.e5 Bxg2; 15.Rg1 (15.Rh2
f3; 1 6.Qxf6 Qxf6; 17.exf6 Bc5 -Gunsberg.) 15 ... f3; 16.Qxf6 Qxf6; 17.exf6 Bc5;
is cited by Levenfish and Freeborough & Ranken 1910. Black wins.
250
KING'S GAMBIT
9 ... f3! is once again the correct reply. 10.gxf3 Nf6. Black is willing to give
up a pawn to close the f-file for a moment and get a piece developed. l l.Nc3
Bb4; 12.Bc4. 12 .Bb3 Nc6; 1 3.Be3 Na5 -Bilguer 1 9 1 6. 12.Bf4 Nxd5; 13.exd5
Nd7; Levenfish.
12 ...gxf3; 13.Rgl+ Ng4; 14.Qxf3 Qxh4+; 15.Rg3 Rf8 ; 16.Bf4 Be7! Marco
Schlechter, Vienna 1 903 saw instead 1 6 ... Qf6; 17.Rxg4+ Kh7; 18,Bg8+ Kh8
which was eventually drawn. 17.Nd5. 17.0-0-0 loses to 17 ... Rxf4; 18.Qxf4
Bg5 17 ...Bg5!; 18.Bxg5 Qxg5!; 19.Qe2 b5; 20.Ne3. Here Black should play
20 ... Rf4 or 20 ... h5 (Analysis).
BASMAN GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.f4 exf4
3.Qe2
Michael Basman has always been an original player. This opening

idea was seen in the 6th game of a match he played against Bill Harts ton
in 1974.

3 ... d5!? Now this seems a rather strange response, allowing White to cap
ture the pawn with check.
3 . . . Qh4+ is possible of course, but with the d 1 ; square vacant, White is
prepared to play 4.Kd1 Then best is 4 ... Nc6; 5.Nf3 Qh5; 6.Nc3 g5; 7.Nd5 but
after 7 ... Kd8; 8.h4 f6; 9.Rh2 Qg6! Black is better, e.g. 10.hxg5 fxg5; 1 l .Qc4
d6; 12.d4 Bg4; 13.Bd3 Qg7 cited by Leach.
4.Nc3. If White goes for the pawn with 4 exd5+, then 4 ... Qxe7 leads to an
exchange of queens, and the pawn at d5 may prove weaker than the pawn at
f4. Heinola adds that Black can just play ... Be7, castle kingside and ... Re8,
which also looks good. 4 ... dxe4; 5.Nxe4 Be7; 6.Nf3 Nc6; 7.c3 Bf5. It is clearly
easier for Black to develop. The queen at e2 ; locks in White's light-squared
bishop. 8.d4 Qd5; 9.Nc5 0-0-0; 10.b4 Bxc5; l l.bxc5 Nf6. Black has the bet
ter prospects, and Hartston eventually prevailed.
25 1
BREYER GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.f4 exf4
3.Qf3
This early deployment of the queen is aimed at preventing the cen

tral counter-thrust ... d5. The queen can also be useful on the f-file, as
seen for example in the Muzio Gambit, but here it is merely exposed.
Breyer argued against the playability of this move against 3 Qh4+, ...
although present thinking is that the consequences are less than fully
clear.

3 ...Nc6! is a logical reply. 4.c3.
4.Qxf4 regains the pawn, but loses time. The German correspondence
player Daikeler has been spectacularly unsuccessful with it. 4... d5 (4 ... Qf6;
5.Qxf6 Nxf6; 6.Nc3 Bc5; 7.Nf3 0-0; 8.Be2 Re8; 9.d3 d5; 10.exd5 Nb4; 1 l .Kd1
Nbxd5; 12 .Nxd5 Nxd5; 1 3.d4 Bb6 is a little better for Black, and this is a fully
playable alternative. Neto - Malaniuk, Oviedo 1 993.) 5.exd5 (5.Bb5 Nge7;
6.exd5 Qxd5; 7.Bxc6+ Nxc6; 8.Qe3+ Be6; 9.Nf3 0-0-0 and Black has a great
Scandinavian Defense, Daikeler - Otte, Postal 1 990. Or 5.a3 Bd6; 6.Qe3 d4;
7.Qd3 Nf6; 8.Nf3 0-0; 9.Nxd4 Nxd4; 1 0.Qxd4 Bg3+; 1 l .Qf2 Bxf2+ was Daikeler
- Zuechner, Postal 1 990.) 5 ... Nb4; 6.Qe4+ Qe7; 7.Qxe7+ Bxe7; 8.Na3 (8.Bd3
Nf6; 9.c4 Nxd3+; 1 0.Kfl Nxc l ; 1 l .Nf3 Bf5; 12.Nc3 Nd3; 13 .b3 0-0-0 and
White resigned in Daikeler - Wolfram, Postal 1990.) 8 ... Bf5; 9.d3 Nxd5; 10.Nf3
Ngf6; 1 l .Nc4 0-0-0; 12 .Bd2 Rhe8; 13.0-0-0 Ng4; 14.Re1 Bf6; 15.h3 Rxe1+;
16.Bxe 1 Nge3; 1 7.Nxe3 Nxe3; 18.Bd2 Nxfl; 1 9.Rxfl Re8 and Black has a
better endgame, Daikeler - Geisler, Postal 1 990.
4...Ne5!?
252
KING'S GAMBIT
The choice of this seemingly strange move, which involves the second
move of the knight early in the game, is based on a problem with the old main
line. 5.Qxf4 Bd6. The tactic of returning the pawn for an initiative is a com
mon one in the lines which involve an early development of the queen! 6.Qe3
Ng4; 7.Qh3 h5; 8.d4 Qf6.
White has control of the center, but Black has a big lead in development
and the White forecourt is quite weak. White now concedes a pawn to reduce
the pressure. 9.Qf3 Bxh2; 10.Bc4 Qxf3; l l.Nxf3 Bg3+; 12.Ke2 Nf2; 13.Rfl.
253
13 ...Nxe4. Black can safely grab this second pawn, so long as he declines
the following piece sacrifice. 14.Bxf7+! Ke7; 15.Bg6 Ngf6; 16.Nbd2 Nxd2;
17 .Bxd2 d6; Black has an extra pawn and his king is just as safe as that of his
opponent, Kupka-Blatny, Czechoslovakia 1 962.
BRYAN COUNTERGAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.f4 exf4
3.Bc4
The Bishop's Gambit heads into unorthodox territory when Black

accepts the invitation to force the White king to move from el and
forfeit the right to castle. It is not considered the best plan of action for
Black, but leads to complex positions which remain playable for both
sides.

3 ... Qh4+. This check causes the White king some discomfort, but it also
wastes a lot of time. 4.Kfl b5.
254
KING'S GAMBIT
A ridiculous position, you think? After all, Black has moved only the queen
and has just offered another pawn. White's king has already moved and the
bishop is about to take its second step. Yet this opening, the Bryan
Countergambit, gave rise to one of the most famous and brilliant games in
chess history. This game, the "Immortal Game" was played in London in 1851
between Adolph Anderssen and Lionel Kieseritzky.
The opening resurfaced in 1 993 as part of the exhibition match following
the conclusion of the PCA World Championship match between Kasparov
and Short. The openings were chosen by lot, and Kasparov complained bit
terly about being forced to play the Black side of this position, which he lost
quickly. But the opening had been chosen from the authoritative Batsford Chess
Openings, written by Kasparov himself, with Raymond Keene and me.
The official evaluation was a bit better for White, but after this game
Kasparov declared the opening to be trash. He's right, of course, but history
will never forget this odd experiment which has had an impact in two centu
ries of play!
But there is even more to the story, as we shall see. The idea behind this
move is to gain some time back by annoying the bishop should it capture the
pawn. But Morphy maintains the initiative by attacking the enemy rook. 5.Bxb5.
There is no point at all in declining this sacrifice!
5.Bd5 Nc6; 6.Nf3 Qh5; 7.d4. With each move, White attacks an enemy
piece. This time it is the f-pawn. 7 ...Nf6; 8.Bb3 Ba6. Black plans a discovered
check by advancing the b-pawn. 9.Qe2. Now the b-pawn is pinned. But Morphy
has overlooked something. The White king has only two defenders, the knight
and queen. Each of them can be drawn away from the monarch.
255
9 ...Nxd4 First the knight is lured away. 1 0.Nxd4. Now the queen is forced
to leave the area. 1 0 ... b4; 1 l .Qxa6. There wasn't any real choice, as otherwise
the queen is lost. But now the king is defenseless, and Black finishes neatly.
1 l ...Qd1+; 1 2.Kf2 Ng4# Morphy - Maurian, Unknown 1855.
5 .. Nf6. 5 ... Bb7; 6.Nc3 Bb4 (6 ...Nf6 was tried the next year, but Anderssen
.
was not impressed: 7.Nf3 Qh6; 8.d3 Bc5; 9.d4 Bb6; 10.Bd3 Nc6; 1 l .Ne2 Nh5;
12.c3 with a very strong position for White in Anderssen - Pollmacher, Leipzig
1852.) 7.d3 Bxc3; 8.bxc3 Nf6 was an earlier, and more successful, attempt by
Kieseritzky to get counterplay. 9.Nf3 Qh5; 1 0.Rb 1 g5; 1 l .Bxd7+ Nbxd7;
12.Rxb7 0-0 and Black had a reasonable attack, Harrwitz - Kieseritzky, Ox
ford 1847.
5 ...g5 was later attempted by Anderssen himself! 6.Nf3 Qh5; 7.Be2 g4;
8.Ng1 f5; 9.d3 Bd6; 10.Nf3 Nc6; 1 l .e5 Nxe5; 12.Bxf4 Nc4; 13.dxc4 Bxf4; 14.Qd5
Rb8 and Black went on to win in Schurig - Anderssen, Leipzig 1855.
6.Nf3. 6.N c3 was a popular line in the 1840s, and Anderssen himself played
the Black side. 6 ...Ng4; 7.Nh3 Nc6; 8.Nd5 Nd4; 9.Nxc7+ Kd8; 10.Nxa8 f3;
1 l .d3 f6; 12.Bc4 d5; 1 3.Bxd5 Bd6; 14.Qe1 fxg2+; 15.Kxg2 Qxh3+; 16.Kxh3
Ne3+; 1 7.Kh4 g5+ (Another conclusion is 1 7...Nf3+; 18.Kh5 Bg4# Schulten
Kieseritzky, Paris 1 847.) 18.Kh5 Bg4+; 1 9.Kh6 Bf8# Schulten - Anderssen,
Paris 1 846.
6 ...Qh6; 7.d3. 7.Nc3.
256
KING'S GAMBIT
This sensible move has been seen in both new and old games.
a) 7 ...g5; 8.d4 Bb7. This is the choice of one world champion. (But the
great Paul Morphy had a different idea. 8 ... Bg7; 9.e5 Nh5; 1 0.Kg1 Bb7; 1 l .Be2
Rg8; 1 2.Ne1 f3; 1 3.Bxf3 Bxf3; 14.Qxf3 Nc6; 15.Nd5 0-0-0; 16.Ne7+ Kb8;
17.Nxg8 Rxg8; 18.Qxf7 Rf8; 1 9.Qb3+ Kc8; 20.Nf3 Qg6; 2 l .c3 g4; 22.Nh4 Qd3;
23.Bg5 Nf4; 24.Bxf4 Rxf4; 25.Re1 Qd2; 26.Nf3 gxf3. White resigned, Raphael
- Morphy, New York 1 857.) 9.h4 Rg8; 10.Kg1 gxh4; 1 l .Rxh4 Qg6; 12.Qe2
Nxe4; 13.Rxf4 £5; 14.Nh4 Qg5; 15.Nxe4 and Black resigned in Short - Kasparov,
London 1 993.
B) 7 ... c6; 8.Bc4 d6; 9.d4 Anderssen - Kieseritzky, London 1 85 1 . was played
twice by Anderssen against Kieseritzky, also in London in 1 85 1 !
7 ...Nh5; 8.Nh4 Qg5; 9.Nf5 c6; 10.g4 Nf6; l l .Rgl cxb5; 12.h4 Qg6; 13.h5
Qg5; 14.Qf3 Ng8; 15.Bxf4 Qf6; 16.Nc3 Bc5; 17.Nd5 Qxb2; 18.Bd6 Bxgl;
19.e5.
The finish of this game should be familiar to every chess player. Extensive
commentaries and analysis to the game have been published hundreds of
times, so here the moves will speak for themselves. 19 ... Qxal+; 20.Ke2 Na6;
2 l.Nxg7+ Kd8; 22.Qf6+ Nxf6; 23.Be7#.
257
CARRERA GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.f4 exf4
3.Qh5
Perhaps White hopes for 3 Ke7??; 4.Qe5#, but otherwise this open
...
ing has no value whatsoever.

3 d6! Not all replies suffice. 3 ... Qe7; 4.d3! g6; 5.Qg4 Nc6; 6.Nc3 is fully
.•.
playable - for White.

4.Bc4 g6; 5.Qf3 Bh6; 6.Ne2 Qf6; 7.d4 g5; 8.h4 g4; 9.Qf2.
9 ... f3! The march of the kingside pawns gives Black a big advantage. After
10.gxf3 gxf3; l l.Bxh6 Nxh6; 12.Ng3 Ng4; 13.Qd2 f2+; 14.Ke2 Rg8; 15.Nc3
Be6; 16.Bxe6 fxe6. Black is winning.
258
KING'S GAMBIT
DOUBLE-MUZIO GAMBIT
l .e4 e5
2.f4 exf4
3.Nf3 g5
4.Bc4 g4
5.0-0.
This is the Muzio Gambit above, which sacrifices a full piece for a
strong attack. The complexities of this line have been examined for
over a century, but new ideas are still being discovered. The Muzio is
one of the most brutal of openings, with all forces targeted at f7.
Below, we'll concentrate on the Double-Muzio Gambit, an interest
ing continuation that is reached through the Muzio.

5 gxf3. Black should accept the gambit, as otherwise White has a com
..•
fortable lead in development. 6.Qxf3 Qf6. This is the best way to defend,
since both f4 and f7 are covered, and the king can move to d8 if necessary.
7.e5. White invests another pawn to deflect the enemy queen. This is the
Double Muzio Gambit. 7 ... Qxe5; 8.d3 is the obvious and consistent move.
White opens a path for the bishop at c l and will capture the pawn at f4 with it.
8 ...Bh6. Other moves have not proven successful. For example, 8 ... Bc5+;
9.Kh1 Be3; 1 0.Bxf7+ Kxfl; l l .Bxe3 d6; 12.Bxf4 Qf6; 13.Qh5+ Qg6; 14.Be5+
Nf6; 15.Rxf6+ and Black resigned in Gedult-Gill, Paris 1974. 9.Nc3 Ne7. 9 ... c6
is too slow: 10.Bxf4 Qxf4; 1 l .Qh5 Qd4+; 1 2.Kh 1 d5; 1 3.Qxf7+ Kd8; 14.Rae 1
Bd7; 15 .Bxd5 cxd5; 16.Nxd5 Nc6 and now for the "Pulitzer prize-winning"
shot: 17.Re8+ Bxe8; 18.Qc7# Pulitzer-Marco, Gambit Tournament 1900.
10.Bd2. How should Black defend? Logically, Black should strive to ad
vance d7-d5, cutting off the diagonals. To accomplish that, support is needed
from a pawn at c6. 10 c6. 10 ...Nbc6 is a different plan. Black hopes to gain
•..
time to move the queen from e5, station the knight there, and fork the White
queen and bishop. l l.Rael Qc5+; 12.Khl d5; 13.Bxd5. 13.Qh5 is also effec
tive, pinning the pawn at d5 and attacking the bishop at h6. 13 ...cxd5; 14.Nxd5
Be6. 14 ... Qxd5 loses the queen to 15.Rxe7+ Kxe7; 16.Qxd5. 15.Nf6+ Kd8;
16.Qxb7 Nec6; 17.Rxf4! Who needs the rook at a8? White is after the king!
17 ...Bc8; 1 8.Rd4+!! Nxd4; 19.Ba5+ Qxa5; 20.Qe7# Zukertort-Anderssen,
Breslau 1865.
259
EISENBERG VARIATION
l .e4 e5
2.f4 exf4
3.Nh3
The Eisenberg Variation is an ineffective method of conducting

the attack. Myers considers it "barely playable". The drunken knight
gets kicked back to f2 right away or after a preliminary countergambit.
3 ... d5! 3 ... Qh4+; 4.Nf2 Nf6; 5.Nc3 Bb4!; 6.Bc4 0-0; 7.0-0 Re8 and White
must do something about the d-pawn. If 8.d3, then 8 ... Bxc3; 9.bxc3 d6 and
Black is a little better. 4.exd5. 4.Nxf4 dxe4; 5.Nc3 Nf6; 6.d3 Bb4! White's
game is falling apart. 4 ... Bxh3. 4... Qh4+; 5.Nf2 is also fine for Black, but I
think the text is better. 5.Qe2+ Qe7. Myers prefers to interpose with the bishop,
but why not head into the endgame where White has miserable kingside pawns.
He claims that the bishop pair and possible recovery of the pawn at f4 are
compensating factors, but I am not buying it.
6.gx:h3 Nd7; 7.Qxe7+ Nxe7. The d5 pawn is under attack. The knight will
go to g6 to protect the f-pawn, taking care of one of Black's concerns. 8.Bg2
0-0-0; 9.d3 Ng6; 10.0-0 Bc5+; l l.Khl Rhe8 and Black has a strong initiative.
GAGA GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.£4 exf4
3.g3
260
KING'S GAMBIT
It is not unusual for White to sacrifice two pawns in an Open game,

but in this case White is going to give up three pawns! You have to be a
bit gaga yourself to play this one!

3 ... fxg3; 4.Nf3!? 4.hxg3 would open the h-file, but after 4 ... d5 the pawn at
g3 would be very weak. 4...gxh2. 4 ... d5 comes into consideration, for example
5.exd5 Bg4 or 5 ...Bd6. 5.Bc4. 5.d4 d6; 6.e5 was played injiminez & Luzuvirga
- Asiain & Oreilles, Mexico 1 9 14, 6 ...dxe5 is correct, since the pawn cannot be
safely recaptured. 7.Nxe5 (7.dxe5 Qxd1+; 8.Kxd1 Bg4; 9.Be2 Nc6; 10.Bf4 0-
0-0+; 1 l .Nbd2 Nge7; 12.Bxh2 Ng6 is much better for Black.) 7 ... Qh4+; 8.Kd2
(8.Ke2 Qe4+; 9.Be3 Qxh1 ) 8 ... Qxd4+; 9.Nd3 Bd6. White can give up now.
5 ...Nf6; 6.Rxh2 Nxe4; 7.Re2 d5; 8.Bxd5 Qxd5; 9.Nc3.
9 ... Qh5; IO.Nxe4 Be7; l l.Ng3 Qg4 and White is busted.
KEENE DEFENSE
l.e4 e5
2.f4 Qh4+
26 1
The Keene Defense involves two early moves by her majesty, since
after 3.g3 the queen must retreat. The basic idea in this maneuver is to
set up tension on the e-file, where the pawn at g3 gets in the way.

3.g3. 3.Ke2 is rather silly, and after 3 ... d5; 4.Nf3 Bg4; 5.d3 dxe4; 6.dxe4
Nc6 Black is already considerably better, Tejada - Padros, Postal 1985. 3 ... Qe7.
4.Nc3. This is the line recommended in Unorthodox Openings.
Also well explored is 4.fxe5, for example 4... Qxe5; 5.Nc3 Bb4; 6.Nf3 (6.Bg2
Nf6; 7.d4 Qe7; 8.Qd3 c5; 9.dxc5 Na6; 1 0.Be3 Nxc5; 1 l .Bxc5 Qxc5; 12.Nge2
Ng4; 13.Nd4 Ne5; 14.Qd1 Bxc3+; 15.bxc3 Qxc3+; 16.Kf2 Ng4+. White resigned
in Semprun-Galego, Linares 1 994.) 6 ... Qe7; 7.Qe2 Bxc3; 8.bxc3 Nc6; 9.Bg2
d6; 10.0-0 Nf6; 1 l .d3 is Basman-Haik, London 1 978. Here Black should castle.
Another common plan is 4.d3 d5. (There is a safe alternative in 4 ... d6.)
5.Nc3 (5 .Nf3 Nc6; 6.Nc3 Nf6; 7.fxe5 Nxe5; 8.Nxe5 Qxe5 is also about even,
Vann-Richards, Cotswold 1 990. Or 5.fxe5 dxe4; 6.d4 c5 which is also accept
able for Black, Champion-Vancouver, Czub 1 992.) 5 ... c6; 6.fxe5 dxe4; 7.Nxe4
Qxe5; 8.Nf3 Qe7 was about even in Lundquist-Schiller, Illinois 1988.
Rather artificial is 4.Qe2, for example 4 ... d6 (4 ... exf4; 5.gxf4 Qh4+; 6.Qf2
Qxf2+; 7.Kxf2 Bc5+ is at least equal.) 5.d3 Nc6; 6.Nc3 Nf6; 7.Be3 Bg4; 8.Qf2
d5 ; 9.exd5 exf4; 1 O.dxc6 fxe3; 1 l .Qf4 bxc6. Black was on top, Machado
Garbarino, Argentina 1 98 1 .
S o we return to the main line with 4...exf4.
White strives for rapid development, but this involves the investment of
material. 5.Nf3. There is no shortage of alternatives, for example:
5.Qf3 fxg3; 6.Nd5 Qd8; 7.Bc4 Nf6; 8.Nxf6+ Qxf6; 9.Qxf6 gxf6; 1 0.hxg3
d6; 1 l .Nf3 Be6; 12.Bb3 Nc6; 1 3.d3 0-0-0; 14.Bh6 Ne5; 15.Nd4 Kd7 and Black
is better, Tommiska-Lammi, Finland 1 997.
5.d4 fxg3; 6.Bf4 gxh2 is risky, but after 7.Rxh2 c6 followed by ... d5 White
must still justify the investment of two pawns. 5.Bg2 c6; 6.N ge2 fxg3; 7 .hxg3
d6; 8.d4 Bg4; 9.Bf4 Nf6; 1 0.Qd2 Nbd7; 1 1 .0-0-0 0-0-0 is very solid for Black,
262
KING'S GAMBIT
who exploited her advantage in Seger-Trabert, 1 989.

5.Bc4 fxg3; 6.hxg3 c6; 7.Qe2 d6; 8.d4 Nf6; 9.Bg5 Bg4 and Black had the
intiative in Morawietz-Busch, Bellheim 1 994.
5 ...d5; 6.e5 fxg3; 7.hxg3 Bg4; 8.d4 c6.
White has very little to show for the pawn here. 9.Bd3. An alternative is
9.Be2 Nh6; 1 0.Bxh6 gxh6; 1 l .Nh2 Bxe2; 12.Qxe2 was seen in Rechel-Karimi,
Giessen 1 994, where Black should simply have continued development with
...Nd7. 9 ... h5; IO.Qe2 Nd7; l l.Qf2 0-0-0; 12.Bg5 f6; 13.Nh4 fxg5; 14.Ng6
Qb4; 15.a3 Qxb2; 16.Kd2 Qb6; 17.Rhb l Qa5; 18.Nxh8.
White is up the exchange for two pawns, but Black has a crushing tactic.
18 ...Nxe5!; 19.Bf5+ Kb8; 20.Bxg4 hxg4; 2 l .dxe5 d4 and Black went on to win
in Hosking - Schiller, Lewisham 1981.
263
LEONARDO GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.f4 exf4
3.h4
If White so often plays h2-h4 in the King's Gambit, why not do it

right away? No less a player than Blackburne has played it, but only
once. As usual, a premature commitment to a specific plan allows the
opponent to steer the game in another direction. The advance of the
h-pawn is only really appropriate when Black has played ... g5.

3 ... Be7. This is the most logical move, attacking the weak pawn. But 3 ... d5
is a perfectly acceptable alternative, for example 4.exd5 Bd6!? or (4 ... Qxd5;
5.Qe2+ Be6; 6.Nc3 Qd7; 7.d3 Bd6; 8.Nh3 Nc6; 9.Nb5 0-0-0; 10.Nxd6+ cxd6;
l l .Nxf4 Bg4; 12.Qd2 Re8+; with a big advantage for Black.)
4.Nf3. 4.Qg4 has been tried a couple of times. 4 ... d5 !; 5.Qxf4 (5.Qxg7
Bf6; and the queen is trapped! ) 5 ... dxe4; 6.Qxe4 Nf6.
7.Qa4+ (7.Qf3 0-0; 8.c3 Nc6; 9.d4 Bg4; 10.Qf2 BcS; l l .Be3 Re8; 12.Nd2
Nxd4!; 13.cxd4 Bxd4; 14.Nc4 NdS; 15 .Be2 Nxe3; 1 6.Nxe3 Bxe3; 17.Qg3 Qd2+;
264
KING'S GAMBIT
18.Kf1 Re4; 19.Bxg4 Rxg4; 20.Qf3 Re8; 2 l .Nh3 Bb6; 22.Rd1 Rge4 and it was
time for White to give up in Ritter - Zukertort, Berlin 1 869.) 7 ... c6; 8.d3 0-0;
9.Bf4 Re8; 1 0.Be2 Na6; 1 l .c4 Bb4+; 12.Kfl Qd4; 1 3 .Bd2 BcS; 14.Be1 Bg4 and
Black was dearly better Lionne & Morant - Auzout & Maubissonmm Paris
180 1 .
4...d5! In the Modern Defense to the King's Gambit, a standard line, White
almost never plays h4. 5.exd5 Bg4; 6.Be2 Nf6. Black should not go pawn
grabbing with 6 ... Bxf3 7 .Bxf3 Bxh4+ because after 8 Kfl, White has plenty of
attacking possibilities. 7.Nc3 0-0; 8.d4 Nh5!; 9.0-0.
This position was reached in a game Blackburne & Aloof versus Bird &
Womersley, London 1 897. The game continued 9 ... Nd7. 9 . . . Ng3 ! ; 10.Rf2
Nxe2+; 1 l .Qxe2 Bxf3; 1 2.Qxf3 Nc6. White is in deep trouble.
10.Ne4 h6; l l.Ne5 Bxe2; 12.Qxe2 Ng3; 13.Nxg3 fxg3; 14.Qg4! Nxe5;
15.dxe5 Qxd5; 16.Bxh6 Qxe5; 17.Rael Bc5+; 18.Khl Qxb2; 19.c3 Qxc3;
20.Rcl f5!; 2 1.Rxf5 Rae8!; 22.Rxf8+ Bxf8; 23.Qdl Qe5. Black went on to
win.
MAFIA DEFENSE
l.e4 e5
2.f4 c5
265
The Mafia Defense is a Sicilian reaction to the King's Gambit. It

can also be reached from the Sicilian via l .e4 c5; 2.f4 e5. It is a typical
example of disclosing one's defenses prematurely. While this strategy
would be viable if White already had a knight on c3, here it is too easy
to smash open the center with c3 followed by d4, where the added
pressure at e5 might lead to an early crisis for Black.

3.Nf3 d6; 4.Bc4 Qf6. Here we see a premonition of the Norwald Varia
tion in the King's Gambit Declined. 5.Nc3 Be6; 6.Bb5+. 6.Bxe6 Qxe6 (6 ...fxe6;
7.fxe5 dxe5 ; 8.0-0 is clearly better for White, with better development and
pawn structure.) 7.0-0 Nf6; 8.d3 gives White a better game. Black has a bad
bishop.
6 ... Nc6; 7.f5 Bd7; 8.0-0 Qd8; 9.d3 Be7; 10.g4 h6; l l.Be3 Nd4; 12.Bxd7+
Qxd7; 13.Nd5 and White was a little better in Morphy - Thrupp, London
1 859.
MARSHALL COUNTERGAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.f4 d5
3.exd5 c6
This pawn sacrifice for Black has been revived in recent years. Black
gives up a pawn for rapid development, keeping in mind that the pawn
at e5 is not under threat since ... Qh4+ is then strong. White has tried
all sorts of plans here, and we can just sample the menu.

4.Nc3. 4.Qf3 leads to the Breyer Gambit if Black captures on f4. 4 ... Bc5;
5.fxe5 cxd5; 6.c3 Bxg1; 7.Rxg1 Ne7; 8.d4 gave White the bishop pair on a nice
open board in Breyer - Johner, Baden-bei-Wien 1 9 14.
266
KING'S GAMBIT
4.Qe2 cxdS (4 ... e4; 5.Qxe4+ Be7; 6.dxc6 Nxc6; 7.Bb5 Nf6; 8.Bxc6+ bxc6;
9.Qxc6+ Bd7; 1 0.Qf3 0-0; 1 l .Ne2 Qb6; 1 2 .Nbc3 Rfe8; 13.d4 Bb4; 14.0-0 Bc6;
15.Qd3 Bb7; 16.a4 Rad8 is Matthews - Rimawi, Dubai Olympiad 1986, where
17.Nb5 would have consolidated White's advantage.)
a) S.fxeS Nc6; 6.c3 d4; 7.Nf3 Nge7 (7 ...Bc5; 8.b4 Bb6; 9.b5 Nce7; 10.cxd4
Bxd4; 1 l .Nxd4 Qxd4; 12.Nc3 and White is better, Cherushev - Vasilchuk,
Moscow 1 956.) 8.d3 Ng6; 9.Qe4 BcS; 10.Nbd2 0-0; 1 l .Nb3 £5; 12.Qe2 Bb6;
13.Bg5 Qd7; 14.Qd2 f4; 15.cxd4 Nxd4; 16.Nbxd4 Bxd4; 17.Qb4 Be3; 18.d4
Qg4 is the old game Alekhine - Johner, Carlsbad 1 9 1 1 , where the future
World Champion went down to defeat. But after 1 9.Rd1 h6; 20.Bc4+ Kh8 the
position is still unclear.
b) S.QxeS+ leads to 5 ... Be7 and now:
b 1 ) 6.Qxg7 Bf6 traps the queen.

b2) 6.b3!? may be better. 6 ... Nc6; 7.Bb5 Be6 was seen in Kujawski -
Juroszek, Warsaw 1 989. Now 8.Qe2 looks very good for White.
b3) 6.d4 Nf6; 7.Bb5+ Nc6; 8.Bxc6+ bxc6; 9.Ne2 (9.Nf3 is similar to the
main line.) 9 ... Ng4!
b4) 6.Bb5+ Nc6; 7.Nf3 (7.Nc3 Nf6; 8.Nf3 0-0; 9.Bxc6 bxc6; 10.0-0 Re8;
1 l .d4 aS and White had enough counterplay in Rethy - Szigeti, Budapest
1932.) 7 ...Nf6; 8.Nd4! (8.Bxc6+ bxc6; 9.0-0 0-0; 1 0.d4 Bd6 was drawn in
Hausner - Spacek, Prague 1 990.) 8 ... Bd7; 9.Bxc6 bxc6; 10.0-0 0-0; 1 l.Nb3
Re8; 12.d4 and White is just a little better, because Black's pieces are active
and the extra pawn is not of such great importance.
4.dxc6 is another strategy.
267
a) 4 ... Bc5 is the Pickier Gambit, but White is going to pickle Black after
5.Nf3 (5.cxb7 Bxb7; 6.Qh5! is the best plan for White.) 5 ... e4; 6.Ne5 Nxc6;
7.Bb5 Qb6; 8.Bxc6+ bxc6; 9.Qe2 Nf6; 10.Nc3 Ba6; 1 l .d3 exd3; 12.cxd3 0-0
and Black had more than enough compensation for the pawn, Campbell -
Pickier, California 1 967.
b) 4 . . .Nxc6 is sounder, and has been used in professional games.
Note that White is behind in development. Compare this with l.e4 e5;
2.d4 exd4; 3.c3 dxc3; 4.Nxc3, the Danish Gambit. In the present case, White
has an extra move, but has used that for f4. White can't even play 5.fxe5
because of 5 ... Qh4+. That leaves:
b 1 ) 5.Nf3 e4; 6.Ne5 Nf6; 7.Bc4 Bc5; 8.Bxf7+ Kf8; 9.Nxc6 bxc6; 10.Bc4
Qd4; 1 l .Qe2 Bg4; 12.Qfl e3; 1 3.dxe3 Qd1 +; 14.Kf2 Qxc2+; 15.Kg1 and Black
had run out of attacking ideas, so White's extra material prevailed in Basman
- Rumens, London 1 982.
b2) 5.Bb5 exf4; 6.Nf3 Bd6; 7.d4 Nge7; 8.0-0 0-0; 9.Na3 Bg4; 1 0.Nc4
Bc7; 1 l .c3 led to a complicated but balanced game in Ree - Short, Wijk aan
Zee 1 986.
b3) 5.d3 goes nowhere after 5 ... Bc5; 6.Nc3 Nf6; 7.Nf3 0-0; 8.fxe5 (8.Be2
268
KING'S GAMBIT
Re8; 9.Na4 Qa5+; 1 0.c3 e4; 1 l .Ne5 Nxe5; 1 2.fxe5 exd3; 13.Bxd3 Rxe5+; 14.Kfl
Bg4; 15.Qc2 Rae8; 16.Bf4 Re2; 17.Bxe2 Bxe2+; 18.Qxe2 Rxe2; 19.Kxe2 Qxa4;
20.Bd2 Qe4+ and White resigned in S.Sigurjonsson - Bjarnason, Icelandic
Championship 1 994) 8 ...Nxe5; 9.Bg5 Re8; 1 0.Ne2 Nxf3+; 1 l .gxf3 Qd4; 12.c3
Qf2+; 13.Kd2 Qxf3; 14.Ng3 Be3+; 15.Bxe3 Qxe3+; 16.Kc2 Be6 and the White
king remained uncomfortable until his demise in Lazard - Tartakower, Paris
1 929.
Then there are these fairly random tries.
4.d4 exd4; 5.Qxd4 cxd5; 6.Nc3 Nf6; 7.Bd2 Nc6; 8.Bb5 Be7; 9.Nf3 0-0
settled into a boring equality in Lurje - Klaric, Zurich 1984.
4.d3 exf4; 5.Bxf4 cxd5; 6.Nf3 Nf6; 7.Be2 Qb6; 8.d4 Qxb2; 9.Nbd2 Nc6;
1 0.0-0 Be7; 1 l .Nb3 Qa3; 1 2 .Bd3 Ne4; 1 3.c4 Be6; 14.Bxe4 dxe4; 15.Nfd2 Na5
gave Black enough counterplay in O'Donovan - Hebden, Cork 1985. 4.fxe5?
Capturing at e5 is usually a blunder in the King's Gambit, and is here too.
4... Qh4+; 5.Ke2 Qe4+; 6.Kf2 Bc5+; 7.d4 Bxd4+; 8.Kg3 Bxe5+; 9.Kf2 Bd4+;
· 1 0.Kg3 Qg6+; 1 l .Kf4 Qf5+. White resigned, Antler - Franklin, New Jersey
1 986.
4 ...cxd5. 4 ... exf4; 5.Nf3 reaches a position similar to the Modern Varia
tion in the King's Gambit Accepted ( l .e4 e5; 2.f4 exf4; 3.Nf3 d5; 4.exd5 c6;
5.Nc3). Nothing unorthodox at all about that.
5.fxe5 d4.
269
6.Ne4 Nc6. 6 ... Qd5; 7.d3 Nc6; 8.Nf3 Bf5; 9.Ng3 Bg4; 10.Be2 Bb4+ equal
ized in Hebden - Tempone, World Youth Team Championship 1 983.
7.Nf3 Qd5; 8.Nf2 Bf5; 9.Bd3 Bg6; 10.0-0 0-0-0; l l.Qe2 Bc5; 12.a3 Nh6;
13.b4 Bb6; 14.Bc4 d3; 15.cxd3 Nd4; 16.Nxd4 Qxd4; 17.Ra2 Ng4; 18.Bb2
Qf4; 19.g3 Bxf2+. Black was better in Teichmann - Marshall, Ostende 1905.
DODO GAMBIT
l .e4 e5
2.f4 exf4
3.Qg4
This would not be much different from the Breyer, if not for the
strength of Black's reply.

3 ...d5!; 4.Qxf4 Bd6; 5.e5 Qe7; 6.d4 f6; 7.Nf3 Nd7; 8.Nc3 c6; 9.Be3 fxe5.
White has a hopeless position.
NORWALD VARIATION
l.e4 e5
2.f4 Qf6
270
KING'S GAMBIT
The Norwald Variation is one of Biicker's more interesting con

ceptions. Black develops the queen prematurely and has the audacity
to actually threaten ... Qxf4. It is by no means easy to refute this strat
egy, but no strong player uses it as Black. Is this mere distrust or is
there a clear path to an advantage for White? The best plan for White
is to let Black have the pawn, counting on positional advantages in
time and space to compensate.
If Black does not attend to development, sooner or later a high
price will have to be paid. Biicker has written volumes on this open
ings, and all there is room for here is a brief presentation of the main
lines and counters to his recent attacks on analysis by Benjamin and
Watson.

3.Nc3 Qxf4; 4.d4. This is the Schubert Variation. Biicker chides us for not
paying attention to this line, which starts with this move, so I'll try not to leave
the symphony unfinished here. 4.Nf3 is a most worthy alternative.
a) 4 ... Bb4; 5.Bc4 Bxc3; 6.0-0 f6; 7.dxc3 Qg4 (7 .. . Qxe4; 8.Nxe5 Ne7; 9.Rel
Qf5; 1 0.g4 Qxe5; l l .Rxe5 fxe5; 1 2.Bg5 is analysis by Biicker, ending with a
better position for White.) 8.Bf7+ Ke7 (8 ... Kxf7??; 9.Nxe5+ picks up the queen.)
9.h3 Qg3; 1 0.Bxg8 Biicker gives 1 0.Ng5 as winning for White, but Watson
and I prefer this move as less complicated. 10 ... Rxg8; l l .Qd5 Rf8; 12.Qc5+
Ke8; 13.Qxc7 was our analysis, and now Biicker protests that 13 ... Nc6; 14.Qd6
b6 is playable but now 15.Be3! is the obvious move. White rooks obviously
belong on fl ; and d l . 15 ... Bb7 ( 1 5 ... Ba6 forces the rook to move from the f
file, but after 16.Bf2 Qg6; 1 7.Rfe l Black's king will find it difficult to reach a
safe haven.) 1 6.Radl and Black cannot castle, because the king has moved, so
that leaves. 16 ... Rf7 ( 1 6 ... Rd8; 1 7.Qc7 Ba6; 1 8.Rfe l ) 17.Bf2 Qg6; 18.Rfel and
White is better in either case.
b) 4 ... d6 is therefore Biicker's prefered line. 5.d4 (5.Be2 is, I think, more
promising. The idea is to quickly castle and then play d4.) 5 . . . Qg4; 6.dxe5
271
dxe5 (6 ... Nc6 is suggested in a recent article by Biicker. 7.Nb5 is an interesting

reply, for example 7 ...Qxe4+; 8.Qe2 Qxe2+; 9.Bxe2 Nb4; 10.Nxc7+ Kd7; 1 l.Nxa8
Nxc2+; 12.Kf2 Nxa1; 13.Bd2 and White is clearly better.) 7.Bc4 and here Biicker
proposes (7.Nxe5 Qxd1 +; 8.Nxd1 is nothing special for White.) 7 ... Be6 which
does indeed provide sufficient defense.
4 ... Qh4+. 4 ... Qf6; 5.Nf3 Bb4; 6.dxe5 Bxc3+; 7.bxc3 Qe6; 8.Bf4 Nc6; 9.Bd3
f6; 10.Nd4 Nxd4; 1 l .cxd4 fxe5; 12.Bxe5 Nf6; 1 3.0-0 White has a very strong
center, better development, and the bishop pair, R.Anderson - Standig, San
Francisco 1 994.
5.g3.
5 ...Qd8. 5 ... Qf6; 6.Nd5 Qd8; 7.dxe5 c6; 8.Nc3 d6; 9.Bc4 Be6; 10.Bxe6
fxe6; 1 l .Qg4 Qd7; 1 2.Nf3 and White has the more promising position, Frink
- Simon, Balatonbereny 1 996.
6.dxe5 d6. 6 ... Nc6; 7.Nf3 d6; 8.Bg5 f6; 9.exf6 gxf6; 10.Bf4 Bg4; 1 l .Be2
Qd7; 12.Nh4 Bxe2; 13.Qxe2 0-0-0; 14.0-0-0 Nge7; 15.Nd5 Qe6; 16.Qc4 Kb8;
17.Rhfl Bg7; 18.Bd2 Rde8; 19.Bc3 Rhf8; 20.Nf5 Nxf5; 2l .Rxf5 Qxe4; 22.Qxe4
Rxe4; 23.Rdfl Ne7; 24.Nxf6 Nxf5; 25 .Nxe4 Ne3; 26.Rxf8+ Bxf8; 27.Nf6 Be7;
28.Nxh7 Kc8; 29.h4 Kd7; 30.Bd2 Nf5 ; 3 l .Bf4 Ke6; 32.Kd2 Kf7; 33.Kd3 Kg6;
34.Ng5 Bxg5; 35.hxg5 and White had the better endgame and went on to win
the Berthelot - Biicker, Eger 1989.
7.Bf4!
272
KING'S GAMBIT
7 ... g5. This is the best reply, according to Biicker. 7 ... dxe5; 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8;
9.0-0-0+ Nd7; 10.Bxe5 c6; 1 l .Nf3 Ke8; 12.Bc7 Be7; 13.Nd4 g6; 14.Bc4 hS;
15 .e5 NcS; 16.Bd6 with a better position for White in Spassky - David, French
Team Championship 1 993. 7 ... Nc6; 8.exd6 Bxd6; 9.Bxd6 cxd6; 10.Nb5 Nf6;
1 l .Qxd6 Qxd6; 1 2.Nxd6+ Ke7; 13.0-0-0 Rd8; 14.Nxc8+ Raxc8; 15.Rxd8 Kxd8;
16.Bd3 and White is a little better in the endgame, which he went on to win in
Berthelot - Bricard, Pau 1 988.
8.Be3. 8.Qh5 gxf4; 9.Bc4 Nh6; 10.e6 Qf6 is his continuation. 1 l .exf7+
Nxf7; 12.Nge2 Bg7; 13.0-0 Qg6; 14.Bxf7+ Qxf7; 15.Qxf7+ Kxf7; 1 6.Rxf4+
does not give White enough for the piece.
8 ...Nc6; 9.exd6 Bxd6; 1 0.Qd2 h6; l l.Bg2 a6. 1 l ...Bg4 is clearly better for
Black, Biicker claims, but 1 doubt that. 1 2.Nf3 Nf6 ( 1 2 ... Qd7; 1 3.0-0-0 0-0-0;
14.Qf2 ! and White is better, in my opinion.) 1 3.0-0 and the knight at f6 makes
his plan of ... Qd7 and ... 0-0-0 awkward at best.
12.Nf3 Nge7; 13.0-0 Be6. is Backman - Heinola, Correspondence 1984
and here 14.Nd5 would have given White an advantage.
ORSINI GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.f4 exf4
3.b3
273
The idea behind this twisted move is that Black often opens up the
al-h8 diagonal by playing g7-g5 and then putting a bishop at g7. The
only merit this move has is in inhibiting that plan and also in putting
pressure on g7. But on the other hand, there is no easy way to recover
the f-pawn. Black can apply a standard remedy.

3 ... d5; 4.exd5 Qh4+; 5.Ke2 Nf6; 6.Nf3 Bg4.
7.d4. Alternatives fail to impress. 7.d3 then 7 ... Bc5 forces 8.d4 and after
8 ... Bb6; 9.Nc3 (9.c4 Ne4) 9 ... 0-0 and Black's superior mobilization is critical.
7.Nc3 Bc5; 8.d4 Bb4; 9.Qd3 Bxc3; 10.Qxc3 0-0; l l .Bd2 Re8+; 12.Kd1
Ne4; 13.Qxc7 Nxd2; 14.Kxd2 Qf2+; 15.Kc3 Rc8; 16.Qxc8+ Bxc8 and Black
has a decisive material advantage, Guglie1metti - Di Aria. Postal 1 899. 7.c4
leads to some fun: 7 ... Nc6; 8.dxc6 0-0-0; 9.cxb7+ Kb8; 10.Bb2 Bb4; 1 l .Be5
Rhe8. White resigned, Valle - Omniboni, Postal 1 899.
7 ...Ne4. Black is much better.
PARIS GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.£4 exf4
3.Ne2
274
KING'S GAMBIT
The idea behind the Paris Gambit is to attack the pawn at f4 while
limiting the effect of Qd8-h4+, since the g-pawn can be advanced as
the g-square is protected by the knight. But it doesn't work.

3 ...Qh4+! The check lures the pawn to g3, where Black can target other
pieces, such as the dark-squared bishop.
4.g3 fxg3; 5.Nxg3 Bd6; 6.Qf3 Nf6! So far play has been forced, but at the
last move, Black could go wrong with 6 . . .Bxg3+; 7.hxg3 Qf6 since 8.Qe3 al
lows White easy equality with c2-c3, d2-d4, Bfl-c4, etc. The text puts addi
tional pressure on the pawn at e4.
7.Nc3 Ng4. The threat is 8 ...Nxh2; 9 Rxh2; Bxfg3+, and if 8 Bc4, then
8 ... Ne5! wins material. 8.Nb5 Be5; 9.d4 Nxh2. Black wins.
SENECHAUD COUNTERGAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.f4 Bc5
3.Nf3 g5
275
What madness is this? When I first saw this game I was sure that it
would be accompanied by some rational explanation, such as an error
in correspondence notation, a coffee stain, a move made by extrater
restrials ... in other words, something plausible. But no, the player of
the Black side committed this move intentionally, perhaps with pre
meditation.
Let's see if we can figure out the reasoning behind the Senechaud
Countergambit. Black's pawn at e5 was under attack by two pieces, the
pawn at f4 and the knight at f3. Does Black defend the pawn? No! Does
Black capture the White pawn? No! Instead, Black offers another pawn
to be captured by either pawn or knight.

4.Nxe5.
Two can play at this game: 4.d4 exd4 (4 ... Bxd4; 5.fxe5 Bc5; 6.Bxg5 ... ugh!)
5.Nxg5 puts an awful lot of pressure on f7, with Bc4 and Qh5 in the air.
4 ...gxf4; 5.Qh5 Qe7; 6.Nx£7 Nf6; 7.Nd6+ Kd8.
8.Qxc5! 8.Nf7+ Ke8 and Giraud - Senechaud, Postal 1992 was agreed
drawn here.
8 ...cxd6. 8 ... Qxd6; 9.Qxd6 cxd6; 1 0.d3 is simply hopeless for Black.
9.Qg5 Qxe4+. 9 ... Nxe4; 1 0.Qxe7+ Kxe7; l l .d3 Nf6; 12.Bxf4 is awful for
Black.
10.Be2 Qe5; l l.Qh4 Re8; 12.Nc3 Nc6; 13.d3 f3; 14.Bg5! and after 14...Re6;
15.0-0! h6; 16.Bxf6+ Qxf6; 17.Qxf6+ Rxf6; 18.Rxf3 Rxf3; 19.Bxf3. White
should win without difficulty.
276
KING'S GAMBIT
TUMBLEWEED/DRUNKEN KING
l.e4 e5
2.f4 exf4
3.Kf2
This is known in Nebraska as the Tumbleweed, according to Soltis

in Chess to Enjoy. It is White's game that goes tumbling after this hor
rible and reckless move. Appropriately enough, it is also known as the
Drunken King!

3 ...Qh4+; 4.g3. 4.Kf3?? Qh5+; 5.g4 fxg3+ was the disastrous conclusion to
Nash:Jordan, Dayton 1 979. 4.Ke2 d5 and Black has an excellent game.
4 ... fxg3+; 5.Kg2 gxh2; 6.Rxh2 Qxe4+; 7.Nf3.
7 ... d6; 8.Kgl. 8.Nc3 Qg4+ (8 ... Qg6+; 9.Kh 1 Nf6 is stronger.) 9.Kh l .
a) 9 . . .Nc6!; 1 0.Rh4 Qg3; 1 l .Nd5 ( 1 l .Ne4 Qg6; 12.Qe1 Be7) 1 l . ..Kd8 and
White has no compensation for the pawns.
b) 9 ...Be6?! ; 1 0.d4 Nf6; 1 l .d5 Bf5; 12 .Bg5 Ne4; 13.Qe2 Be7; 14.Rg2 Qh3+;
15.Kg1 Nf6; 16.Re 1 , Chiarelli - Jennings, Columbus 1 979, White had a pow
erful attack.
8 ... Be7! closes the e-file and deprives the White rook of access to h4.
277
8 ... Be6; 9.Nc3 Qg4+; 10.Rg2 Qh5; 1 l .d4 Bg4? 1 2.Rf2 Nd7; 13.Qe1 +! and White
has some compensation. 1 3 ... Ne7; 14.Ng5 Nf6; 15.Bc4 Be6; 1 6.Nxe6 fxe6;
1 7.Bxe6 Qh4; 18.Nb5 Kd8; 1 9.Bf4 Neg8; 20.Qfl ! Ng4; 2 l .Bf5! Fort-Cambell,
Omaha 1 9 1 3 .
9.Nc3 Qg6+; 10.Rg2 Qh5; l l.Rh2 Qa5, White has compensation for a
pawn or so, but not three!.
278
LATVIAN GAMBIT
LATVIAN GAMBIT
l.e4
2.Nf3 f5
The Latvian Gambit would be a standard opening if it were sound,

which it is not. As with many dubious openings, it does have a good
deal of success in amateur events but is almost never seen in profes
sional play. Here we will examine only the more unorthodox aspects of
the opening. There is a huge literature available on the opening.

3.Nxe5 is the main line, but White has many other tries. 3.Bc4 fxe4; 4.Nxe5
is a very forcing variation. There are two common responses, 4 ... Qg5 and the
calmer 4... d5. Both have been exhaustively analyzed. Here is a taste of the
former, known as the Poisoned Pawn Variation. 4 ... Qg5.
5.d4 Qxg2; 6.Qh5+ g6; 7.Bf7+ Kd8; 8.Bxg6! Qxhl +; 9.Ke2 c6. Kosten's
recent book argues that 9 ... Qxc l , long suspect, might be playable, but White
can draw by repetition if so inclined so we will stick with the main line. 10.Nc3
279
e3 !; l l .Nf7+ Kc7; 1 2.Bxe3 ( 12.Qa5+ b6; 13.Qe5+ d6; 14.Be4 Bg4+ Gerloff
Schneider, Postal l 986.) 12 ... Qxa l .
Positions like this don't happen i n most ordinary openings! 13.Qg5 Be7;
14.Bf4+ Kb6; 15.Na4+ Ka6; 1 6.Nc5+ BxcS; 17.Bd3+ bS; 18.Qxc5 is the fasci
nating game Harding - Comley, Postal 1 986. 18 ... Qxa2 ( 1 8 ... Qxb2; 19.Nd6
Nf6; 20.a4! Re8+; 2 l .Kf3 Bb7; 22 .d5! and White wins!) 19.Nd6 Qxb2; 20.Bcl
Qb l ; 2 l .Bd2 Qb2; 22.Bc3 Qxc3; 23.Bxb5+ KaS; 24.Qxc3+ and White won.
3.exf5 e4; 4.Ngl is an interesting, and in my opinion, promising continu
ation. Consider this position as a King's Gambit in reverse, with the Black
pawn at e4 exposed and with Black having less control of the center.
3 .b4.
The Senechaud Gambit is based on drawing the bishop to b4; where it is

exposed. Black should keep the bishop home. 3 ... fxe4; 4.Nxe5 Nf6 ( 4 ... Qg5
5.d4 is better for White.) 5.c3 dS; 6.d4 is Senechaud - Stummer, Postal l990.
Now 6 ... exd3; 7.Nxd3 Bd6; 8.Be2 0-0; 9.0-0 is going to give Black a strong
kingside attack.
280
LATVIAN GAMBIT
A truly wacky plan is unveiled by 3.g4?!
This must be some sort of crustacean, perhaps the Lobster Gambit, with
pincers closing on fS . Only problem is that it is Black to move! 3 ... fxe4; 4.Nxe5
d6; 5.Nc4 dS; 6.Ne3 d4; 7.N£5 Poor horse! All those moves, and the exhausted
beast gets cut down before it can rest! 7 ... Bx£5; 8.gx£5 Qh4 and Black was
better in Senecahud - Koser, Postal 1 993.
3.Nxe5 Qf6. This early queen move is not absolutely mandatory, but it is
the main line. 4.d4 d6; 5.Nc4 fxe4.
Hundreds of games have been played from this position. We will look at
two lines, an obscure gambit and the main line. 6.Nc3.
6.Qh5+ g6; 7.Qe2 Qxd4; 8.Nc3 is proposed by David Bronstein. The
Grandmaster's idea is to develop quickly and not worry about the pawn at e4.
Notice that although the White queen wasted time going to hS, that Black's
development is non-existent, as the Black queen will soon be driven back.
8 ... d5; 9.Nb5 Qg7; 10.Bd2 is unclear, according to Kosten. I think that after
10 ...Na6 ( 1 0 ... dxc4?; 1 l .Qxe4+ Kd8; 12.0-0-0 and Black is in trouble, e.g.,
12 ... Nd7; 13.Ba5 b6; 14.Nd4! bxaS; 15 .Nc6#), Black can hang on.
6 ...Qg6; 7 .f3 is the best established continuation. This resembles many
281
other gambits, except that here White is not a pawn down!

7.Ne3 Nf6; 8.f3 (8.Be2 Be7; 9.0-0 0-0; 1 0.f3 Nc6; 1 l .fxe4 Nxe4; 12.Ncd5
gave White a small advantage in Tolonen - Sinervuo, Espoo 1996.) 8 ... exf3
(8 ... Be7; 9.Bc4 and White is better, Jackson - Hayward, Postal 1991.) 9.Qxf3
Nc6; 1 O.Nb5 Kd8; 1 l .Bd3 Qe8; 1 2.c3 a6; 13.Na3 Bg4; 14.Qg3 d5; 15.0-0 Bd6;
16.Qh4 Qh5; 1 7.Qxh5 Bxh5; 18.Nf5 Bg6; 19.Nxd6 Bxd3; 20.Nxb7+ Kc8; 2 l .Rd1
Kxb7; 22.Rxd3 and White is a pawn ahead, Pihlajasalo - Hamalainen, Helsinki
Championship 1 997.
7 ...exf3. "Virtually forced", according to Kosten. 7 ... Nf6; 8.fxe4 Be7; 9.e5
and Black has not been able to find a way to equalize in the past three decades
since Grivainis - Gabrans, Postal 1 969.
8.Qxf3.
8 ... Nc6. Alternatives have not fared better than this move. 9.Bd3 Qg4.
Having failed to draw White into a brawl in the opening, Black is luring the
enemy into an endgame, and an unpleasant one at that.
9 ... Qe6+; 1 0.Be3 Qg4 ( 1 0 ...Nxd4; 1 l .Qf4 Nc6; 12.0-0 Nf6; 13.Rae1 was
better for White in Meyers - Crowl, Australia 1 936.) 1 l .Qf2 Nf6; 12.0-0 Bd7;
1 3.Rae 1 0-0-0; 14.d5 Ne5; 15.Nxe5 dxe5; 16.Bxa7 Bd6; 17.Bc5 Bxc5; 18.Qxc5
Qd4+; 19.Qxd4 exd4; 20.Ne2 Nxd5; 2 l .Nxd4 with a decisive extra pawn in
the endgame, Morgado - Leiva, Postal 1 969.
10.Qe3+! The endgame is actually a little better for Black, because the
pawn at d4; is weak. So White does not exchange queens. 10.0-0 Qxf3; 1 l .Rxf3
Nxd4 Atars - Morgado, Postal 1 980.
10 ...Be7.
282
LATVIAN GAMBIT
l l.d5. 1 1 .0-0 is the other popular line. 1 l ...Nf6; 12.d5 Nb4; 13.Rf4 Qd7;
14.Bf5 Qxf5! (14 ... Qd8; 15 .Bxc8 Nbxd5; 1 6.Nxd5 Nxd5; 17.Bxb7 and Black
resigned, Melchor - Krantz, Postal 1 994.) 15.Rxf5 Bxf5; 1 6.Qf4 Bg6; 17.Ne3
Na6; 1 8.Nf5 Bxf5; 19.Qxf5 0-0; 20.Be3 and White was much better in Trim
Vaughan, USA 1 993.
l l ...Nb4; 1 2.0-0 Nxd3. 12 ...Nf6 transposes to the previous note.
1 3.Qxd3 Bd7; 14.Na5! 0-0-0. This shortens the agony. Or would have, if
this were a tournament game. But, as Kosten pointed out, we are following a
correspondence game that managed to take three years for all of its 17 moves!
14 . .. Bf6; 15.Nb5 Qb4; 16.Nxc7+ Kd8; 17 .Ne6+ Bxe6; 1 8.dxe6 is no fun at
all for Black, Sclart - Menta, Postal 1 972.
15.Be3 Kb8; 16.Rf4 Qh5; 17.Rb4. Black resigned, Morgado - Priede, Postal
1 970-73.
283
LEMMING DEFENSE
l.e4 Na6
In the Lemming Defense, the knight is drawn to the precipice at

the edge of the world, for reasons not known to most of us. Perhaps
the knight is used as a target for the bishop, daring White to capture
and give up the minor exchange for a mere disruption of the pawn
structure.

2.d4 c5. 2 ... c6 is the De Bruyker Defense. 2 ...b6 transposes to the Guate
mala Defense.
3.c3 b6; 4.Nf3 Bb7; 5.Be2 Qc8; 6.e5 was given in Unorthodox Openings,
with White clearly holding the advantage in the center.
284
LIZARD DEFENSE
LIZARD DEFENSE-PIRC
DIEMER GAMBIT
l .d4 g6
2.h4 Nf6
3.h5
What we have here in the Diemer Gambit, is a reversed Drill, but

the extra tempo doesn't really help, and the gambit is a bit over the
top.

3 ... Nxh5; 4.e4 d6; 5.Nc3 Nf6; 6.Bg5 c6; 7.a4 Nbd7; 8.f4 Qa5; 9.Qd2 Bg7;
10.0-0-0 b5; l l .Qe l b4; 12.Nb l Qxa4; 13.e5 dxe5; 14.fxe5 Nd5; 15.e6 fxe6; 16.b3
Qa l; 1 7.Kd2 Qxd4+. Black went on to win, Samovojska - Dizdar, Croatia 1995.
NORWEGIAN DEFENSE
l .e4 g6
2.d4 Nf6
The Norwegian Defense is awkward because the g7-square must be

reserved for the knight which goes to h5. Therefore the bishop cannot
occupy that square. The result is difficulty in developing the kingside.
285
MAROCZY DEFENSE
I
l.e4 d6
2.d4 e5
The Maroczy Defense can easily transpose to the Philidor or Old

Indian, but the big question is whether White gets any serious advan
tage after the exchange of queens.

3.dxe5 dxe5; 4.Qxd8+ Kxd8.
White is a little better here than in the Indian games where a White pawn
already stands at c4. Here that square can be used more effectibely by a bishop.
5.Bc4 Be6; 6.Bxe6 fxe6; 7.Nd2 and according to Benjamin, the White
knight will be able to operate effectively from c4.
286
MCCONNELL DEFENSE
MCCONNELL DEFENSE
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Qf6
What is the queen doing on this square? Well, when Greco ana
lyzed the defense back in 1 620, which is why it is also known as the
Greco Defense, he discovered that it was an invitation to some fantas
tic quick kills.

3.Bc4. 3.Nc3 c6; 4.d4 exd4; 5.e5 Qg6 of Morphy - McConnell, New Or
leans 1 849, is best met by 6.Qxd4 when White is way ahead in development.
3 ... Qg6. 3 ... Nh6 at least somewhat justifies Black's plan. The knight at h6; is
usually vulnerable to capture by the White bishop after the d-pawn as ad
vanced, but here the knight is protected by the queen, so no disruption to the
pawn structure takes place. 4.0-0 Bc5; 5.Nc3 c6; 6.d4! Bxd4; 7.Nxd4 exd4;
8.e5 Qg6; 9.Qxd4 gave White a similar advantage to that noted in the 3.Nc3
line, Paulsen - Busch, Diisseldorf 1 863.
4.0-0 Qxe4; 5.Bxf7+ Ke7; 6.Re l Qf4; 7.Rxe5+ Kd8; 8.Re8# .
287
MEXICAN DEFENSE
l.d4 Nf6
2.c4 Nc6
Sometimes called The Two Knights Tango, this opening has been
around since Carlos Torre made waves with it at the great tournament
in Moscow, 1925. Respectability came late, however, and it was not
until the 1990s that the defense became commonplace. Black allows
the knights to get kicked around by advancing pawns, but this leads to
a weak pawn structure that can be the subject of counterattacks.
This ultra-hypermodern opening has gained a strong following, but
if White plays with some restraint the normal opening advantage can
be achieved. Theory has been advancing quickly and there is now an
abundant amount of source material on the opening. Here are some
recent developments. Sadly, the opening has lost its unorthodox flavor
as White no longer recklessly challenges the knights early in the game.

3.d5 was the initial reaction, but it has since been largely abandoned in
professional circles.
3 .Nf3. This is generally accepted as best, controlling the e5-square. 3 ... e6
Now White needs to look at two things. Black can aim for ... d5 and ... Bb4,
transposing into the Ragozin Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined. Black
can also head for the Nimzo-Indian with . . . Bb4, especially after 4.Nc3.
Fianchettoing on the kingside transposes to a Catalan. Therefore 4.Nf3 re
mains to keep the game in Mexican territory. 4.a3 d5 (4 ... d6; 5.Nc3 e5; 6.d5
Nb8; 7.e4 gives White a strong queenside initiative, for example 7... a5; 8.Be2
Na6; 9.b4 Bd7; 10.Rb 1 Be7; 1 1 .0-0 0-0; 1 2.Qc2, Wallace - Hagesaether,
Gausdal (Eikrem Memorial) 1 996.) 5.Nc3 We now have an opening which is
hardly unorthodox, and even the top players in the world battle on this field.
288
MEXICAN DEFENSE
a) S ...a6; 6.cxdS exdS; 7.BgS Be7; 8.e3 h6; 9.Bh4 0-0; 10.Bd3 Be6; 1 1 .0-0
Nd7; 12.Bg3 Bd6; 1 3.Rc l Bxg3; 14.hxg3 Ne7; 1S.Na4 c6; 16.Qc2 aS; 17.b4 bS
and there was no way to exploit the weakness at c6 in Kasparov - Yermolinsky,
Yerevan Olympiad 1 996.
b) S ... dxc4; 6.e4 NaS; 7.Bxc4 Nxc4; 8.Qa4+ c6 (8 ... Nd7; 9.Qxc4 cS; 10.Be3
Nb6; 1 l .Qe2 cxd4; 12.Bxd4 is even better for White, Yakovich - Vlassov, Mos
cow 1 996.) 9.Qxc4 aS; 1 0.NeS and White was just a little bit better due to
Black's bad bishop at c8, Manninen - Benjamin, Rilton Cup 1996.
c) S ... g6; 6.BgS Bg7; 7.e3 h6 (7 ... 0-0; 8.Rcl h6; 9.Bxf6 Bxf6; 1 0.cxdS exdS;
1 l .Bd3 Ne7; 1 2.0-0 c6 is solid for Black, Baburin - Lee, National Open 1997.)
8.Bxf6 Bxf6; 9 .cxdS exdS; 1 0.Be2 0-0; 1 1 .0-0 Ne7; 12.b4 c6; 13.Na4 ( 13.Rc l
a6; 14.a4 bS; 1S.Nd2 Qd6; 16.Qb3 NfS; 1 7.Nd1 Be7 and Black was n o worse
in Gutov - Vlassov, Yalta 1 99S.) 13 ... Nf5; 14.bS cxbS; 1S.BxbS QaS; 16.Qb3
Nd6; 1 7.Be2 b6; 18.Qb4 Qxb4; 1 9.axb4 and White had a more active game,
Koziak - Vlassov, Yalta 1 99S.
3 ...Ne5.
White can now continue the bloodhunt with Qd4 or f4, or exploit the
awkward position of the knight to play e4, taking complete control of the light
289
squares in the center. 4.e4. 4.Qd4 Ng6; 5.Nf3 (5.e4 e5; 6.Qd3 Bc5; 7.Be3 Bxe3;
8.Qxe3 0-0; 9.Nc3 d6 left White with a bad bishop in Svela - Efimov, Gausdal
1 99 1 .
5.f4 e6; 6.e4 Bb4+; 7 .Nc3 d6; 8.Nf3 0-0; 9.Bd2 e5; 1 O.fxe5 Bc5; 1 l .Qd3
Ng4; 12.Nd1 N6xe5 and White is in deep trouble, Erlandsen - Nilsson, Hillerod
1 993.) 5 ... e6; 6.Nc3 b6; 7.a3 Bc5; 8.Qd1 aS; 9.g3 Ba6; 10.b3 exd5; 1 l .cxd5 0-
0; 12.Bg2 Qe7; 1 3.0-0 Rfe8 and Black has tremendous pressure on the e-file
and diagonals, Rotariu - Van Geet, Postal 1 986.
4.f4 is the Horsefly Gambit. If you keep annoying a horse, it will kick back,
and here one of the insects bites the dust. 4 ...Nxc4; 5.e4 Nb6; 6.Nc3 e6 and
White has nothing for the pawn.
4 ..Ng6. This is one gallop too many! The more sensible plan is to go after
.
the center by playing .... e6, but I am making this the focus of attention be
cause it is the game that made history in the opening. The 6th round of the
great Baden Baden tournament of 1925 had an effect on unorthodox open
ing theory which I think is deeper than any round in any tournament in his
tory! Of the ten games, the following made their mark: the present game, a
Schliemann Defense in Roselli - Marshall, the Albin Countergambit in
Rabinovich - Tartakower, a revival of the Breyer Gambit in Spielmann -
Gruenfeld, Nimzowitsch himself playing the Nimzowitsch Defense against te
Kolste, and Reti's hypermodern l .g3 against Yates.
4... e6! was noted in Velasco's notes to the game, reprinted injimmy Adam's
production of the tournament book, one of the classics in the literature and a
desert island book by anyone's standards.
a) 5.Nc3 Bb4; 6.Qd4 d6 is fine for Black. One recent game went 7.Be2 0-
0; 8.f3 c5; 9.Qd2 b5; 10.cxb5 exd5; 1 l .exd5 Re8; 1 2.Kf1 Bb7; 13.a3 Ba5; 14.f4
Neg4; 15.Bxg4 Nxg4; 16.Qd3 Qh4; 1 7.g3 Qh5; 1 8.f5 c4; 19.Qf3 Nxh2+; 20.Kg2
Qxf3+; 2 l .Nxf3 Nxf3 and White resigned in Petit - Meszaros, Cannes 1997.
b) 5.Qd4 Bb4+; 6.Bd2 Bxd2+; 7.Nxd2 d6; 8.f4 Ng6; 9.Qf2 exd5; 10.cxd5
0-0; 1 1 .0-0-0 c6; 12.dxc6 bxc6; 1 3.Ne2 Rb8; 14.Nc3 d5; 15.exd5 was agreed
drawn in Lengyel - Jongsma, Amsterdam 1968.
290
MEXICAN DEFENSE
c) 5.f4 is just the sort of move hypermodern players love to see.
c l ) 5 ...Nxe4 was pointed out in the tournament book. Reading the clas
sics has a real practical value in chess! 6.fxe5 Qh4+; 7.Ke2 (7.g3 Nxg3; 8.Nf3
Qe4+! ; 9.Kf2 Nxh1+; 1 0.Kg1 Nf2; 1 l .Kxf2 Bc5+ and Black is better.) gives
Black a choice between an immediate draw and a risky line.
cla1) 7 ... Qf2+; 8.Kd3 Nc5+; 9.Kc3 Ne4+; 10.Kd3 ( 1 0.Kb3 Qb6+; 1 l .Kc2
Nf2 wins material. ) 10 ...Nc5+ etc.
cla2) 7 . . .Ng3+; 8.hxg3 Qxh 1 ; 9.Nf3 d6 with an unusual formation in
the Black forecourt, all jammed up for the moment, but with Black's bishops
reader to get into the game. The Black queen is stuck in the corner, so the
position is still unclear.
c2) 5 ... Ng6; 6.Bd3 (6.e5 Ne4; 7.Bd3 Qh4+; 8.g3 Bb4+; 9.Nc3 Nxc3; 10.bxc3
Bxc3+; 1 l .Kfl Qe7; 12.Rb 1 0-0 was drawn in Torres - Silman, California
1 992.) 6 ... exd5; 7.cxd5 Bb4+; 8.Nc3 0-0; 9.Nge2 d6; 10.f5 Ne5; 1 l .Bg5 c6 and
Black had good play, Pomar - Van Geet, Wijk aan Zee 1967.
d) 5.Nf3 Bb4+; 6.Bd2 Nxf3+ (6 ... Bxd2+; 7.Nbxd2 d6; 8.Nxe5 dxe5; 9.Qa4+
c6; 10.dxc6 0-0; 1 l .c5 bxc6; 1 2.Nb3 aS is not very clear, Gligoric - Jongsma,
Amsterdam 1 970.) 7.Qxf3 Qe7; 8.Bxb4 Qxb4+; 9.Qc3 Qe7; 1 0.dxe6 dxe6 gives
White little, if anything, Husari - Hamid Yerevan Olympad 1996.
5.f4!
29 1
This move creates serious problems for Black, but they can be solved by
one, and only one, move. 5 ...e5!
5 ... Nxe4; 6.f5 Nh4; 7.Qd4 wins a knight. 5 ... e6; 6.Bd3 exdS; 7.e5 Ne4;
8.cxd5 Qh4+; 9.g3 Nxg3; 1 0.Nf3 QhS; l l .Rg1 NfS; 12.Rg5 was pointed out by
Mieses. 5 ... d6; 6.Nc3 gives White a permanent advantage in space.
6.f5! White secures a lot of space with this move, too, but Black can actu
ally accept the offer at e4. In fact, he has little choice. 6 ...Nxe4!; 7 .Qf3! Ah,
Saemisch. The man famous for his time trouble finds the right move, but
consumes nearly an hour doing so. 7 ...Bb4+; 8.Kdl! Another fine move, more
precious time runnning off the clock. 8 ... Qh4; 9.g3. 9.fxg6 Qe 1 +; 1 O.Kc2 fxg6;
1 l .Qe2 0-0; 12.Qxe1 Bxe 1 ; 13.Be3 Rxfl is noted in the tournament book.
9 ... Qg4; 10.Qxg4 Nf2+; l l.Ke2 Nxg4; 12.h3!
Perhaps the winning move, in a sense that Saemisch has a much superior
position. But the slow pace of his play (the commentators noted that he smoked
an entire cigarette while contemplating this move) has placed him in maniacal
time pressure.
12 ... Nf6; 13.fxg6 hxg6. Who is more nervous, Torre, with a miserable
position, or Saemisch, down to less than 6 minutes for 1 7 moves? 14.a3. This
move is often criticized, but I am not so sure that there is anything wrong with
it. 14.Nd2 has been suggested as an improvement, contesting the e4-square.
1 4... Nh5; 15.Kf2 fS keeps that square under control, though Black is still hold
ing just two pawns for the piece. 14 ... Bc5; 15.Be3 d6; 16.Bxc5. 16.b4 Bxe3;
1 7.Kxe3 aS; 18.b5 is also good for White, but the blocked nature of the posi
tion makes it harder to win. 16 ... dxc5; 17.Nc3 Bf5. Black is trying to sneak in
at b3; via c2, but White is unconcerned. 18.Bg2 0-0-0. 18 ... Bc2; 1 9.Nf3 Bb3;
20.Nd2 kicks out the invader.
19.g4. 1 9.Nf3 was more to the point, but I don't think the advance of the
g-pawn is a horrible blunder, given the time pressure.
19 ... Bc2; 20.Rcl? This is where White lets it slip. 20.Nf3 Bb3; 2 1 .N d2 Bc2;
22.Racl and the bishop is lost! So why do so many commentators criticize
1 9.g4?
292
MEXICAN DEFENSE
20 Bb3; 2 l .Ne4 b5. White is better, but a draw was agreed. Saemisch
...
Torre, Baden - Baden 1 925. Saemisch surely knew that he was better after
22.Nd2, but the clock was his real enemy.
293
'
MODERN DEFENSE
BEEFEATER VARIATION
I
I
l.d4 g6
2.c4 Bg7
3.Nc3 c5
4.d5 Bxc3+
5.bxc3 f5
This is the Beefeater Variation, a defense favored by the creative

American Grandmaster Roman Dzindzichashvili, who has produced a
videotape containing analysis of the line. Black's counterplay comes
from unusual angles, involving ...Qa5 and sometimes ... Nd6. It has some
thing in common with the Vulture, except that here, Black has given
up the bishop to fracture the queenside pawn structure and has held
onto the knight instead. That works well, because knights can be of
greater use in the blocked positions that arise.
The opening remains suspect at higher levels, but is a useful weapon
among non-Grandmasters.

6.h4. 6.f3 Qa5; 7.Qc2 Nf6; 8.Bd2 d6; 9.e4 fxe4; 1 0.fxe4 Nbd7. Black has
more prospects for a win, Varga - Gdanski, Budapest 1 996. 6.e4 fxe4; 7.h4
looks good, since 7 ... Nf6; 8.h5 gxh5; 9.Bg5 Qa5; 10.Bxf6 exf6; 1 l .Qxh5+ was
better for White in Farago - Davies, Balatonberenyi 1985
6.Nf3 Qa5; 7.Qc2 d6 is solid for Black. 8.g3 Nd7; 9.Bg2 Nb6; 10.Nd2 Qa4;
1 l .Qb3 Nf6 with equal chances, Benitah - Okhotnik, French Team Champi
onship 1996. 6.Nh3 Nf6; 7.f3 d6 has had frequent outings, for example:
294
MODERN DEFENSE
a) 8.Nf4 Qa5; 9.Qb3 Nbd7; 1 0.h4 Ne5; 1 l .e3 Bd7; 12.a4 ( 1 2.Qxb7 Qxc3+;
13.Kf2 Qxa 1 ! ; 14.Qxa8+ Kf7; 15.Qxh8 Ne4+!; 1 6.Kg1 Nxf3+; 1 7.gxf3 Qxh8;
18.fxe4 Qc3. Black wins, according to Ftacnik.) 12 ...Rb8; 13.Bd2 Kd8; 14.Be2
Kc7 and Black has all the chances, Barbero - Vokac, Lazne Bohdanec 1995.
b) 8.Bh6 Qa5; 9.Qb3 Nbd7; 1 0.Ng5 Rg8; 1 l .h4 Ne5; 12.e4 fxe4; 13.Nxe4
Nxe4; 14.fxe4 Bg4 and Black is better, De Briey - Vitor World Student Cham
pionship 1 996.
c) 8.Nf2 Nbd7; 9.e3 e5; 1 0.Be2 0-0; 1 1 .0-0 Qe7 and Black has a comfort
able position, Hausner - Conquest, Bundesliga 1 996.
6.g4 is one of those spikes that falls short of the mark. 6 ... Qa5 ( 6 ... fxg4
7.h3 Qa5; 8.Qd3 Nf6; 9.hxg4 Nxg4; 10.f4 d6; 1 l .Bd2 Nd7; 12.Nf3 Ndf6 13.e4
Qc7; 14.Qe2 Nh5 and Black has blocked all of White's threats, Nooyen -
Heeneman, Soest 1 996.) 7.Qd3 d6; 8.g5 Nd7; 9.Nf3 Nb6; 10.Nd2 Bd7; 1 l .f3
h6; 12.gxh6 Nxh6. Black is better, Santos - Rocha, Lisbon 1996.
6 ...Nf6. 6 ... Qa5!? is an interesting alternative. 7.Bd2 Nf6; 8.h5 (8.Nh3 d6;
9.Nf4 Nbd7; 1 0.h5 Rg8; 1 l .hxg6 hxg6; 12.Nd3 Nb6; 13.Nb2 Bd7; 14.e3 0-0-
0 and Black has solved all the problems in the opening, Kahn - Tyrtania,
Budapest Spring 1 995.) 8 ... gxh5; 9.e3 d6; 1 0.Be2 Nbd7; 1 l .Bxh5+ Kd8; 12.Nf3
Nb6; 13.Qb3 Bd7; 14.a4 Rg8; 15.Bf7 Rxg2; 16.Be6 Qa6 and Black has the
initiative on both flanks, Frialde - Day, Canadian Championship 1996.
7.h5.
Black has three options here. The pawn at h5; can be captured by the
pawn or the knight, or the pawn at g6 can be defended by the rook. Each
involves compromise. The least damaging, in the long run, is the capture with
the knight. Black can also play ... Qa5 first. 7 ...Rg8.
7 ...gxh5; 8.Nh3 Qa5; 9.Qc2 d6; 1 0.Nf4 Nbd7; l l .Nxh5 ( l l .e3 Ne5; 12.Nxh5
Nxh5; 13.Rxh5 Bd7 is also about equal, Ahmed - Mohamed, Cairo 1 996.)
l l ...Nxh5; 12 .Rxh5 Nf6; 13.Rh4 Bd7 with an unclear and delicately balanced
position in Demirel - Day, Yerevan Olympiad 1 996. 7 ... Nxh5; 8.e4 d6; 9.exf5
Qa5; 10.fxg6 Qxc3+; 1 l .Bd2 Qe5+; 1 2.Ne2 Nf6; 13 .Bc3 and White is better,
Remlinger - Ashley, New York (Marshall GM) 1 995.
8.hxg6 hxg6.
9.Qa4. 9.e3 Qa5; 10 .Qb3 d6; 1 l .Bd3 Nbd7; 12.Nf3 Nb6; 13.Bd2 Bd7;
14.Ng5 0-0-0 Black has a strong position, Birens - Okhotnik, French Team
Championship 1 996. 9.Nf3 Qa5; 1 0.Qc2 d6; 1 l .Ng5 ( 1 l .Bg5 Nbd7; 12.Nd2
Nb6; 13 .e4 Bd7; 14.Bd3 fxe4; 15.Nxe4 Nxe4; 16.Bxe4 0-0-0; 17.Bd3 Rde8;
18.0-0 Qa4 and the weak c-pawns are an eternal problem for White, Potapov
- Golod, Pardubice 1 994.) l l ...Nbd7; 12.Bf4 Nb6; 13.e3 Bd7; 14.Bd3 0-0-0.
White has good reason to feel uncomfortable, Altukhov - Tkaczuk, Donau
1996.
9 ... Qb6; 10.Nf3 Qa6. 1 0 ...Ne4; l l .Ng5 Qf6; 12.Nxe4 fxe4; 13.Qc2 gives
White a target in the center, Sakayev - Reinderman, Capelle 1995.
l l.Qb3 d6; 12.Ng5 Qa5; 13.Bf4 Bd7; 14.Rh3 b6; 15.e3 Na6; 16.Bd3 Nc7;
17.f3 0-0-0 is better for Black, Vincent - Bonnafous, French Team Champi
onship 1 996.
296
MODERN DEFENSE
PTERODACTYL
l.Nf3 c5
2.c4 g6
3.d4 Bg7
4.e4 Qa5+
5.Nc3 d6
The Pterodactyl is reached by many different move orders. The

essential elements are a kingside fianchetto, ... c5, and ...Qa5 for Black
when White establishes the pawn center with pawns at c4, d4, and e4.
The early queen development is reasonable here because she is not
overly exposed at a5. It is not easy to force it to evacuate.
Ray Keene named the variation. He wrote that "The reptilian ele
ment in the opening's designation is a kind of homage to Black's infa
mous fianchettoed bishop from the Dragon Variation, a hallmark of
both lines. I have been using the Pterodactyl on and off in my own
games occasionally since 1 981."

6.Be2. If White captures immediately with 6.dxc5, then after 6 ... dxc5 Black
has an easy game and exchanging queens can get White into trouble: 7.Qa4+?!
Qxa4; 8.Nxa4 b6; 9.Nc3 Bb7; 1 0.f3 Nc6; 1 l .Be3 0-0-0 and there are many
weaknesses in White's game, Lehmann - Schiller, Berkeley Class Struggle 1997.
6 ...Bg4. 6 ...Nc6; 7.d5 Nd4 is an interesting alternative, for example 8.0-0
(8.Bd2 Nxe2; 9.Qxe2 Bg4; 1 0.h3 Bxf3; 1 1 .Qxf3 Nf6; 12.Qe2 Nd7; 13.Nb5
Qd8; 14.Bc3 0-0; 15.0-0 a6; 16.Bxg7 Kxg7; 1 7.Nc3 is roughly level, Robatsch
- Holzl, Australia 1 987.) 8 ... Nxe2+; 9.Qxe2 Bg4 (9 ... f6?!; 10.a3 Qd8; 1 l .Ne1
Nh6; 12.Nd3 Nf7; 13.f4 £5; 14.e5 dxe5; 15.fxe5 e6; 1 6.Nxc5 Qe7; 1 7.d6 Qh4.
18.Nb5 Nxe5; 19.Bf4 and Black resigned, Mestel - Chernyayev, Hastings
1 993.) 10.h3 Bxf3; 1 l .Qxf3 Nf6; 12.e5 dxe5; 13.d6 exd6; 14.Bg5 Nd7; 15.Qxb7
Rb8; and Black took the initiative in Sambuyev - Batsanin, Russia 1996.
7.dxc5. 7.d5 Bxf3; 8.gxf3 Nf6; 9.Be3 0-0; 1 0.Qd2 Na6 provided Black
with plenty of counterplay in Ostenstad - Chekhov, Gausdal 1 9 9 1 . 7.0-0 Bxf3;
8.Bxf3 cxd4; 9.b4 Qd8, here Black's extra pawn is a serious advantage, Murey
- Keene, Manchester 1 98 1 .7... dxc5. 7 ... Bxc3+; 8.bxc3 dxc5; 9.0-0 Nc6; 10.Qc2
Nf6; 1 l .Bh6 Qc7 was better for White in Spassov - Chandler, Indonesia 1982.
8.0-0 Nc6.
297
We can see that Black is ready to contest the cl-file with ... Rd8, and will be
able to catch up in development in just a couple of moves. White has had a
hard time getting anything going here.
9.Be3. 9.Bf4 Nf6; 1 0.e5 Nh5; 1 l .Bd2 0-0; 12.h3 Bxf3; 13.Bxf3 Nxe5;
14.Bxh5 gxh5; 15 .Nd5 Qd8; 1 6.Bc3 e6; 17.Qxh5 Ng6; 18.Bxg7 Kxg7; 19.Ne3
Qc7; 20.Ng4 f5 gave Black good counterplay in Sherzer - Soltis, New York
1 992. 9.Nd5 Bxf3; 1 0.Bxf3 e6; 1 l .Bd2 Qd8; 12 .Bc3 Nd4; 13.Nf4 Ne7; 14.Nd3
b6; 15.e5 Rc8; 16.Be4 0-0 and White had no useful targets in Reshevsky -
Gurevich, Beersheva 1 982. 9.Qb3 Qb4; 1 0.Qxb4 cxb4; 1 l .Nd5 Rc8; 12.a3 b3
kept the White queenside pinned down in Jurka - Brodsky, Pardubice 1993.
9 ...Bxc3; 10.bxc3 Nf6; l l.Qc2 h6; 12.h3. 12 .Rab 1 b6; 13.e5 Bf5; 14.Bd3
Bxd3; 15.Qxd3 Rd8; 16.Qc2 is more promising for White, Wekh - Nesterov,
Warsaw 1993. 12 ...Be6; 13.Nd2 Nd7; 14.f4 f6; 15.e5 Bf5; 16.Bd3 fxe5; 17.Bxf5
gxf5; 18.Nb3. White picks apart Black's position, Barsky - Nesterov, Warsaw 1993.
PTERODACTYL VARIATION 11
l.e4 c5
2.Nf3

l.e4 c5; 2.Nf3. 2.c4 d6; 3.Ne2 g6; 4.d4 Bg7; 5.Nbc3 Qa5; 6.Be3 Nf6; 7.f3
0-0 8.Qd2 Nc6; 9.Rc l a6; 1 0.d5 Ne5; 1 l .Ng3 b5! is a good illustration of
298
MODERN DEFENSE
Black's queenside plans. After 12.cxb5 axb5; 13.Bxb5 Ba6; 14.Be2 Bxe2;
15.Qxe2 c4; 1 6.0-0 Nd3. Black has an excellent Benoni position, Drtina -
Timoshchenko, Slovak League 1 995 .
2 ...g6 3.c4. 3.c3 would make the Pterodactyl irrelevant, but would lead to
a quiet Sicilian. 3 ...Bg7. 3 ... Qa5; 4.Nc3 d6; 5.d4 Bg4; 6.dxc5 dxc5; 7.Qd5 Nc6;
8.Ne5!? Nxe5; 9.Qxe5 f6; 1 0.Qg3 Bd7; 1 l .Bd2 Bh6; 12.f4 ( 12.Bxh6?! Nxh6;
13.0-0-0 Rd8) 12 ... e6 and Black's position leaves something to be desired.
4.d4 d6;
The theme of pressure against d4 is very clear. Black prepares to under

mine support of the pawn at d4 by playing ... Bg5.
5.Nc3. 5.Be2 Qa5+; 6.Bd2 Qb6; 7.Bc3 cxd4; 8.Nxd4 Nf6; 9.Nd2 0-0; 10.Nc2
Nbd7; 1 l .Ne3 Nc5 gave Black typical Sicilian counterplay against the Maroczy
Bind in Lesiege - lvanov, Bermuda 1 995.
5 ...Qa5; 6.d5 Bxc3+; 7 .bxc3 Nf6.
The theme here is similar to that of the Beefeater, except that the knight
grazes at f6 rather than staying in the stable while the f-pawn advances to f5.
8.Nd2. 8.Qc2 Nxe4; 9.Bd3 Nf6; 1 0.0-0 0-0 and Black has extra material
and a good game, for example 1 l .Nh4 ( 1 l .Re1 ReS; 1 2.Bg5 Nbd7; 13.Re3
299
Kg7; 14.Rae1 Ng8; 15.h4 Ndf6; 16.Bxf6+ Nxf6; 17.Rxe7 Rxe7; 18.Rxe7 Qd8;
1 9.Re1 and a draw was agreed in Uhlmann - Barbero, Austria 1 992, though
there is plenty of play left in the position. 1 l .Ng5 Nbd7; 12.Re1 Ne5 is good
for Black.) 1 l ...Nbd7; 1 2 .f4 b5; 13.cxb5 c4; 14.Bxc4 Bb7; 15.Qd3 Rfc8; 16.Re1
Nb6; 1 7.Rxe7 Rxc4; 18.Rxb7 Qxb5; 19.Ba3 Qa6; 20.Rc7 Nfxd5; 2 l .Rxc4 Qxc4;
22.Qf3 Nxc3 and Black eventually won, Tal - Chekhov, Moscow 1 9 9 1 .
8. . .Qxc3; 9.Rb l Nxe4; 10.Rb3. 10.Bb2? Qxd2+; 1 l .Qxd2 Nxd2; 12.Kxd2
( 1 2 .Bxh8 Nxb 1 ; 13 .Bb2 Bf5 and Black is a piece and two pawns ahead.) 12 ... f6;
13.Bd3 Nd7; 14.f4 Nb6. Black was clearly better in Rogers - Keene, Adelaide
1 983. 10 ... Qd4. 10 ... Qa5; 1 l .Ra3 was a quick draw used in Eingorn - Chekhov,
Palma de Mallorca 1 989.
l l.Nxe4 Qxe4+; 12.Re3.
12 ... Qg4. 12 ... Qh4; 13 .Bb2 0-0 was agreed drawn in Schmidt - Danner,
Prague 1 989. 12 ... Qd4; 13.Qb3 0-0; 14.Bb2 Qf4; 1 5.Rxe7 Nd7 "with obscure
complications"-Keene. 1 3.Qb3 e5. 13 ...f6; 14.h4 Kf7; 15.h5 g5; 16.h6 b5;
17.Be2 bxc4; 18.Rxe7+ Kxe7; 19.Qe3+ Kf7; 20.Bxg4 Bxg4; 2 l.Qg3 ReS+; 22.Be3.
a) 22 ...f5 keeps the position complicated. 23.Qxd6 f4; 24.0-0! Be2 (24 ... fxe3
25.fxe3+ Kg8; 26.Qf6 mates.) 25.Bxc5 Bxfl ; 26.Kxfl and Black cannot acti
vate the queenside pieces.
b) 22 ... Bf5; 23.Qxd6 and White is on top, Uhlmann - Holzl, Graz 1991.
14.dxe6 fxe6; 15.Be2 Qh4; 16.Bb2 0-0; 17.Qc3 Qxf2+; 18.Kdl e5; 19.Rxe5
Nc6! and White does not have enough compensation for the pawns, since the
knight can come to d4 and blunt the power of the battery on the a1-h8 diago
nal, Schebeniuk - Bloch, Postal 1 988.
300
MODERN DEFENSE
RANDSPRINGER VARIATION
l.d4 g6
2.c4 Bg7
3.Nc3 d6
4.e4 f5
Most of the Modern Defense consists of openings that were once

considered unprincipled but are now considered standard. The funda
mental flaw of the Randspringer Variation is that it weakens impor
tant light squares. Unlike the Dutch Defense, where White has diffi
culty getting the pawn to e4, here White can immediately capture on f5
to gain an advantage.

The Averbakh approach, setting up the broad center, can be challenged
in many ways. l .e4 g6; 2.d4 Bg7; 3.c4 d5 !?; 4.cxd5 (or exd5) c6; 5.dxc6 Bxd4 is
the Dunworth Defence, played not only in Dunworth's native England, but
around the world. Salleh ( Qatar) -Tan, Asian Team Championships 1 995 saw:
4.cxd5 c6; 5.dxc6 Bxd4; 6.Be2? Nxc6 and Black was already better.
5.exf5! The alternatives are not as difficult to meet. 5.f4 Nc6; 6.Nf3 Nh6;
7.h3 fxe4; 8.Nxe4 Nf5; 9.d5 N cd4; 1 O.Nxd4 Nxd4; 1 l .Be3 e5; 12.Bxd4 exd4;
13.Bd3 0-0; 14.0-0 c5 and Black had a good game in Savage - Schiller, Online
1 990. 5.f3 e5; 6.d5 Ne7; 7.Be3 0-0; 8.Nge2 R£7. Black was at least equal in
Josephs - Schiller, New York 1 972 .
5.h4!? Nf6; 6.Bd3 fxe4; 7.Nxe4 Nc6 (7 ... 0-0; 8.Nxf6+ exf6; 9.h5 Re8+;
10.Ne2 g5 looks awkward but I think that the weakness of the light squares is
offset by the lack of a role for the bishop at c l . Black can swing the knight to
f8; to assist with the defense. In the meantime, White must develop. Here is
one possible continuation. 1 l .Qc2 h6; 12.Bg6 Re7; 13 .Be3 d5; 14.c5 c6 and
... Bg4 and ...b6 are only two of Black's weapons.) 8.d5 Nd4; 9.Ne2 c5; 10.Nxd4
Nxe4; 1 l .Ne6 Qa5+; 1 2.Bd2 Nxd2; 13.Nxg7+ K£7; 14.Qxd2 Qxd2+; 15.Kxd2
Kxg7; 1 6.Rae1 was better for White in Kostov - Kotonek, Teteven 1 9 9 1 .
5.Be3 Nf6 ( 5 ... Nc6; 6.d5 Bxc3+; 7.bxc3 Ne5; 8.Qa4+ Qd7; 9.Qxd7+ Bxd7;
1 0.f4 N£7; 1 l .e5 e6; 12.exd6 cxd6; 13.dxe6 Bxe6; 14.Bd4 is much better for
White. 5 ... e5; 6.exf5 transposes below to 5.exf5 Bxf5; 6.Be3.) 6.Bd3 fxe4; 7.Nxe4
301
Nc6; 8.Nf3 Nxe4; 9.Bxe4 0-0; 1 0.Ng5 Qe8; 1 l .Nxh7! White won quickly in
Tempone - Diaz, Argentinean Championship 1 992. 5.Nf3 Nh6; 6.Be2 Na6!;
7.h4 c5; 8.d5 Bxc3+; 9.bxc3 is a superior Beefeater for Black. 9 ... fxe4; 10.Bxh6
exf3; l l .Bx£3 and White's advantage is minimal, according to Unorthodox Open·
ings.
5 ... Bxf5. 5 ... gxf5 is risky, but may be playable. 6.Qh5+ Kf8; 7.Bd3 (7.Nf3
Nf6; 8.Qh4 Nc6; 9.Be2 e6; 1 0.0-0 Ne7; 1 l .Bh6 Ng6; 12.Bxg7+ Kxg7; 13.Qg5
and White is only a little bit better, Contoski - Gerzadowicz, Postal 1987.)
7 ...Nc6; 8.Nge2 e6 (8 ... Nf6; 9.Qf3 "when the Black king should experience
some discomfort Unorthodox Openings.) 9.Bg5 Nf6; 10.Qf3 Qe8; 1 1 .0-0-0
"-
Qf7; 12.Rhe1 Bd7; 13.h3 Rb8; 14.a3 Ne7; 15.Nf4 Ng6; 16.g4 and White had a
strong attack, Le Gore - Gerzadowicz, Postal 1 986.
6.Nf3. 6.Bd3 Bxd4; 7.Bxf5 Bxc3+; 8.bxc3 gxf5; 9.Qh5+ gives White a strong
initiative, but there have been those bold enough to dare face it. 9 ... Kd7
10.Qxf5+ e6 and it isn't clear that White has anything here.
a) 1 l .Qd3 Qf6; 12.Nf3 Nc6; 13.c5 Qg6; 14.Qd 1 ( 14.Qxg6 hxg6; 15.cxd6
cxd6 leads to a balanced endgame, Dieks - Renet, Dieren 1 980.) 14 ... Qe4+;
15.Be3 Nge7; 16.cxd6 cxd6; 17.Qb3 Na5; 1 8.Qb5+ Nec6; 19.0-0-0 a6; 20.Qc5
d5; 2 l .Ng5 Qc4 was agreed drawn in Portisch - Bilek, Sousse 1967.
b) 1 l .Qb5+ Nc6; 1 2.Nf3 ( 12.Ne2 Rb8! and White will soon be driven back
by ... a6.) 12 ... Qf6; 13.0-0 Nge7; 14.Bg5 Qxc3 ( 14 ... Qf5; 15.Rab 1 b6; 16.Qa4
Rag8; 1 7.Rb5 e5; 18.Nxe5+ dxe5; 19.f4 Rxg5; 20.fxg5 Qxg5 and Black is bet
ter, Cvetkovic - Fradkin, Eger 1 988.) 1 5.Racl Qb4; 16.a3 Qxa3; 17.Rfd1 a6;
1 8.Qb 1 Qc5; 1 9.Bf6 Rhf8; 20.Bxe7 Nxe7; 2 l . Qxh7 Rf4 and Black was better
in I.Polgar - Nagy, Hungary 1 968.
6.Be3 e5; 7.Nf3 Nd7 (7 ... Nc6; 8.d5 Nce7; 9.Qb3 is a little better for White,
as the threat at b7 is somewhat awkward to meet.) 8.Qb3 exd4; 9.Nxd4 Nc5 is
fine for Black. 6.g4!? Bd7 (6 ... Bc8; 7.Be3 Nc6; 8.h4 e5; 9.d5 Nd4, Basanta
Neufahrt, Vancouver 1 990 may be best for Black.) 7.Bg2 (7.Be3 e5; 8.Be2 Nc6;
9.d5 Nd4 and the knight is very strong at d4, Rada - Henrich, Postal 1 986.)
7 ... Nc6; 8.Be3 e5; 9.d5 Nd4 gives Black an active position, Watson - Beedle,
England 1 988.
302
MODERN DEFENSE
6 ...Nh6. This is an unorthodox post, but the knight will stand well at f7.
7.Be2. 7.h3 0-0; 8.Be3 Na6; 9.Qd2 Nf7; 1 0.Be2 c5 brought Black equality in
Langeweg - Bilek, Lugano 1 968.
7 ... 0-0
8.0-0 Na6; 9.d5. 9.Bg5 Nf7 (9 ... Qd7; 1 0.Qd2 Nf7; 1 l .Be3 Rae8; 12.Rad1
gave White a strong defense, but no initiative, in Rogoff - Van Wijgerden,
Amsterdam 1 980.) 10.Be3, Dobosz - Nielsen Esbjerg 1988, requires vigorous
action by Black. 1 0 ... c5!; 1 l .d5 Nb4 with an active game. 9.a3 c5; 10.d5 Nc7;
1 l .h3 Nf7 with a comfortable position for Black, Cremer - Kotitschke, 1 987.
9 ... c5; 10.Ng5 Nc7; l l.Bd3. 1 l .Be3 Nf7; 12.Qd2 Nxg5; 13.Bxg5 is Turner
Copley, Postal 1 990. I think that 1 3 ... Qd7 is safest here.
l l...Bd7. 1 L.Qd7!; 12.Nb5 Nxb5; 13.cxb5 Ng4; 14.h3 Ne5; 15.Bxf5 Rxf5
( 1 5 ... Qxf5 and Black has a playable position.) 16.g4 Rxg5; 1 7.Bxg5 Rf8; 1 8.f4.
White had a strong position, Scheeren - Van Wijgerden, Leeuwarden 1 980.
12.Ne2 Nf7; 13.Nxf7 Rxf7; 14.a4.
14 ... Qf8. 14 ... e6 and the position is unclear. 15.Ra3 e6; 16.dxe6 Bxe6;
17.Nc3 Bd4; 18.Be3 Bxe3; 19.fxe3 d5; 20.cxd5 Nxd5; 2 l.Nxd5 Bxd5 was
about equal in Polugaevsky - Bilek, Lipeck 1 968.
303
NIMZO-LARSEN AnACK
ASSORTED VARIATIONS
The immediate l.b3 is far less reliable than its cousin l .Nf3 fol
lowed by 2.b3. The reason is simple, against l.b3 Black plays l ...e5 !
after which White is playing an Owen Defense, and not even an extra
tempo can make that fully respectable.

l...e5!; 2.Bb2 Nc6. 2 ... d6; 3.e3 Nf6 (3 ...Nh6; 4.d4 Nd7; 5.c4 g6; 6.Qc2
Bg7; 7.Nf3 0-0; 8.dxe5 Nxe5. Black emerged from the opening with an even
position in Chellstorp - Suttles, Chicago 1973.) 4.c4 Be7; 5.Nc3 0-0; 6.Nf3
Re8; 7.d4 e4; 8.Nd2 d5; 9.cxd5 Bb4; 1 0.Bb5 Bd7; 1 l .Bc4 Bxc3; 12.Bxc3 b5;
13 .Be2 Nxd5 and the initiative was shifting to Black in Dimitrijevic -
Dzindzichashvili, New York Open 1987.
3.c4. 3.e3 d5 has a long lineage, but Black has a good game with proper
play. 4.Bb5 (4.Nf3 e4; 5.Nd4 Nxd4; 6.Bxd4 Nf6; 7.c4 dxc4; 8.Bxc4 Be7; 9.0-0
0-0 posed no problems for Black in Basman - Nunn, London 1975.
4.g3 f5; 5.Nh3 Nf6; 6.Bb5 was Morphy - Maurian, New Orleans 1 866, and
here Black should have played 6 ...f4!, attacking the knight at h3.) 4 ... Bd6
( 4 ... Qg5; 5.Nf3 Qxg2; 6.Rg1 Qh3 is a rare kingside example of the poisoned
pawn approach for White. 7.Rg3 Qh6; 8.Nxe5 Nge7; 9.Qf3 f6; 10.Nd3 a6;
1 l .Bxc6+ bxc6 gives Black a strange pawn structure, but White's pieces are
awkwardly placed, Munoz - Lidon, Spain 1996.) 5.f4 has some lines with early
queen moves. 5 ... f6 (5 ... Qh4+; 6.g3 Qe7; 7.Nf3 f6; 8.Qe2 Bg4; 9.h3 Bh5; 10.g4
Bf7; 1 l .Bxc6+ bxc6; 12.Qa6 and White was better in Keene - Martin Gonzalez,
Alicante 1 977.) 6.Qh5+ g6; 7.Qh4 Bd7; 8.Nc3 Nb4 gave Black counterplay in
Bini - Di, Toscolano 1 996.
3 ...Nf6; 4.Nf3. This is a risky approach.
304
NIMZO·LARSEN AnACK
4 ... e4. This is the most aggressive line. 5.Nd4. 5.Ng5 Bc5; 6.Nc3 Bxf2+;
7.Kxf2 Ng4+; 8.Kg1 Qxg5; 9.Nxe4 Qf4 was much better for Black in Sulava
Kovacevic, Bled 1 995.
5 ...Bc5; 6.Nxc6. This was a new move at the time. 6.e3 had previously
been seen. 6 ... Bxd4; 7.exd4 d5; 8.d3 (8.cxd5 Qxd5 is just awful for White.)
8 ... 0-0; 9.dxe4 Bg4; 10.f3 Nxe4; 1 l .fxg4 Qh4+; 1 2.g3 Nxg3! ; 13.hxg3 Qxh1 ;
14.Nd2 Rae8+ and Black won without difficulty in Benko - Rossetto, Buenos
Aires 1955. 6.Nc2 d5; 7.cxd5 Qxd5 is acceptable for Black since 8.Bxf6 gxf6;
9.Nc3 Qf5; 10.Ne3 Bxe3; 1 l .dxe3 Be6; 1 2.g3 h5; 13.h4 Qe5 is not much fun
for White! 6 ... dxc6! Black's pressure on the open files is very strong. 7.e3.
7.d4 exd3; 8.Qxd3 Qxd3; 9.exd3 Bf5; 1 0.d4 Bxb 1 ; 1 l .Rxb1 Bb4+; 12 .Kd1 0-
0-0 gives Black a clear advantage. 7 ... Bf5; 8.Qc2 Qe7; 9.Be2.
9.d4 exd3; 10.Bxd3 Bxd3; 1 l .Qxd3 Rd8; 12.Qc2 0-0; 13.0-0 Ne4 and
Black has considerable pressure.
9 ... 0-0-0.
White should capture at f6, but is naturally reluctant to part with his prized
bishop. Nevertheless, the plan chosen in the game leads to destruction.
10.f4? 1 0.Bxf6 Qxf6; 1 l .Nc3 Qe5; 12 .0-0 Bd6; 13.g3 h5 with a strong
attack for Black.
305
10 ...Ng4; l l.g3 h5; 12.h3 h4!! 1 3.hxg4. 1 3.Bxg4 Bxg4; 14.hxg4 hxg3;
IS .Rgl ( 15.Rxh8 Rxh8 is an exchange of a defender (at h l ) for a spectator (at
d8), which obviously works to Black's advantage.) IS ... Rhl !!; 16.Rxhl g2; 1 7.Rgl
Qh4+; 1 8.Ke2 Qxg4+; 19.Kel Qg3+; 20.Ke2 Qf3+; 2 l .Kel Be7! ! You have to
play like a champion to get to positions that contain treasures like this!
13 ...hxg3; 14.Rgl.
14 ...Rhl!! The brilliant theme works anyway! 15.Rxhl g2; 16.Rfl. 16.Rgl
Qh4+; 1 7.Kdl Qhl !; 18.Qc3 Qxgl +; 1 9.Kc2 Qf2; 20.gxf5 Qxe2; 2 l .Na3 Bb4!!
was demonstrated by Spassky after the game. His point is seen in the continu
ation 22.Qxb4 Qd3+; 23.Kcl glR#.
16 ...Qh4+; 17.Kdl gxflQ+ and White resigned, as there was no way even
to get past move 20, Larsen - Spassky, USSR vs. Rest of World 1970. The end
might have come thus: 18.Bxfl Bxg4+; 1 9.Be2 ( 1 9.Kcl Qe l+; 20.Qdl Qxd l#)
1 9 ... Qhl#.
306
NIMZO·LARSEN AnACK
NORFOLK GAMBITS
l.Nf3 d5
2.b3 c5
The Norfolk Gambit comes in two flavors, each involving the of
fer of the e-pawn. One of these varieties is seen above. The other one
involves the additional moves ...Nf6 for Black, and Bb2 for White.

l.Nf3 d5; 2.b3 c5. 2 ... Nf6; 3.Bb2 c5; 4.e4 is an even more radical form of
the gambit, allowing Black to capture with the knight and keep the pawn
structure intact. 4 ...Nxe4; 5.Bb5+ Bd7; 6.Bxd7+ Qxd7; 7.Ne5.
The strong knight at e5 is the cornerstone of the Norfolk plan. Yet how
can White expect an advantage with no lead in development and no evident
weaknesses in the Black position. 7 ... Qf5; 8.Qe2 (8.0-0 Nd7; 9.Nxd7 Qxd7 is
more comfortable for Black, who threatens to build a big center.) 8 ... Nd7;
9.Qb5 Qx£2+; lO.Kdl 0-0-0! Bloodgood considers only 10 ... Rd8; l l .Rfl a6! ;
12.Rxf2. I don't see anything better. ( 12.Qd3 Nxe5; 13.Bxe5 Qxg2.) 12 . . .Nxf2+;
13.Ke2 axb5; 14.Nxf7 e5! ; 15.Nxh8 Ne4.
307
Black has an extra pawn, better development, and an awesome center!

3.e4.
The Norfolk Gambits are the subject of a new book by Claude Bloodgood.
The idea is basically a reversed Fajarowicz Defense.
3 ... dxe4; 4.Ne5.
308
NIMZO-LARSEN AnACK
In Nimzovich Attack: The Norfolk Gambits, Bloodgood writes: "In exchange

for the pawn, Whtie has set up the knight at eS in a strong attacking position,
hoping to entice Black to play a bad move. Black must deal with the threat
presented by the knight at eS while trying to develop his pieces." Of course
these themes are familiar from the Fajarowicz, and it is somewhat surprising
that he considers only 4 ... Qd4, 4 ...Nf6 and 4 ... Nd7. To my mind, 4 ... a6 also
comes into consideration, since there are no immediate threats.
4 ...Nf6. Probably best, since the obvious plan of bringing the queen to d4
does not work. 4 ... Qd4; 5.Bb2 is a wild sacrifice, analyzed by Daniel Quigley.
5 ... Qxb2; 6.Nc3 Be6 is the critical line.
7.a3. Quigley considers this best. Otherwise, Black can reply by bringing
the knight to d7, challenging the strong knight. The battle rages over the c4-
square, with White trying to trap the queen. 7 ... Nc6 (7 ...f6; 8.Nc4 is indeed
better for White, who will use a rook at a2 to trap the queen.) 8.Nxc6! (8.Nc4
Bxc4; 9.Bxc4 Rd8! is an amazing resource for Black. Now 10.Ra2 allows
10 ... Qxc3! ; l l .dxc3 Rxd l+; 12.Kxd l Nf6, although the pawn structure is
strange, one can clearly count Black's two knights and extra pawn as superior
to the White rook, which looks mighty silly at a2! ) 8 ... e3 (8 ... Bg4; 9.Be2 Bxe2;
10.Kxe2) 9.Ra2 Qxa2; 1 0.Nxa2 exf2+; l l .Kxf2 bxc6. White has the advantage,
though it is not a great one. 5.Bb2.
309
Here Bloodgood provides analysis of 5 ... g6, 5 ... Bf5, 5 ... e6 and 5 ... Nc6, but
for some reason does not consider the obvious challenge to the knight at e5.
5 Nbd7!; 6.Bh5. 6.Nxd7 Bxd7 is surely at least equal and probably better for
.•.
Black. 6 ...a6; 7.Bxd7+ Bxd7; 8.Nxd7 Qxd7; 9.0-0 0-0-0.
Opposite wing castling usually leads to an exciting game, but with intense
pressure on the d-file and an extra pawn at e4 which constricts the White
game.
PASCHMANN GAMBIT
l.b3 e5
2.Bb2 Nc6
3.f4
The Paschmann Gambit is a reckless attempt to disrupt Black's

center. It not only gives away a pawn, but it also weakens the f2-square.

3 ... exf4; 4.Nf3 d5. White will not be able to recover the pawn without
seriously compromising the position.
310
NIMZO-LARSEN AnACK
RINGELBACH GAMBIT
l.b3 e6
2.Bb2 f5
3.e4
The Ringelbach Gambit is an aggressive attempt to storm the cen

ter against Black's Dutch formation. It is quite interesting, since Black
cannot safely capture at e4.

3 ...fxe4; 4.Qh5+ Ke7. 4 .. g6; 5.Qe5 wins for White. 5.Nc3 Nf6; 6.Qh4 d5;
.
7.f3 exf3; 8.Nxf3 and White has a lot of development for the pawn, while
Black's king will be stuck in the center for a long time.
SPIKE VARIATION
l.b3 Nf6
2.Bb2 g6
3.g4
31 1
This is a somewhat more logical advance of the g-pawn than is usu

ally seen in the opening. White is trying to immediately exploit the pin
on the knight at f6.

3 ... Bg7; 4.g5 Nh5; 5.Bxg7 Nxg7 brings about a sort of Norwegian De
fense formation ( l .e4 g6; 2.d4 Nf6; 3.e5 Nh5; 4.g4 Ng7, but White has not
made as many weaknesses. 6.Qcl 0-0! 6 ... d6; 7.Qb2 0-0 is a reasonable alter
native, but 7 ...f6 looked very artificial in Schlenker - Batradoy, Tiibingen 1981.
7.e3 e5; 8 . h4 d5; 9.Be2 Nc6 looks fine for Black, since IO.h5 Qxg5; l l.hxg6
fxg6; 12.Nf3 Qf6 leaves White with no clear plan of attack.
312
NIMZOWITSCH DEFENSE
NIMZOWITSCH DEFENSE
LEAN VARIATION
l.e4 Nc6
2.Nf3 f5
The Lean Variation, also known as the Colorado Counter, has

achieved a certain following among the thrill-seekers with its unortho
dox bent. It is a fierce opening, sacrificing a pawn, and hoping that the
airy e8-h5 diagonal will not prove fatal. Those looking for more straight
forward variations of the Nimzowitsch Defense, which is by no means
inherently unorthodox, should refer to Standard Chess Openings.

There is no doubt that White should capture the pawn. 3.exf5 d5. The
battle for the e4-square continues. Black is ready to reclaim the pawn, and
perhaps White can even afford to be greedy. 4.Bb5. 4.Nh4!? and Black must
not fall for the tempting 4 ... e5? ( 4...Nf6; 5.Bb5 e5 is the right way to play.)
5.Qh5+ g6; 6.fxg6 Nf6; 7.g7+ Nxh5; 8.gxh8Q Qxh4; 9.Qxh7 (9.d4 Bf5; 10.Bd3
e4; l l .Be2 0-0-0 and White, with the queen helplessly trapped in the corner,
resigned in Hallier - Winckelmann, Postal l 989.) 9 ... Nd4; 10.Qg6+ Ke7; l l .d3
Nf4; 12.Qg3 ( 1 2.Bxf4! Qxf4; 13 .Na3 and White should win easily.) 12 ... Qf6;
13.Kdl Nf5; 14.Qf3 Nh4; 15.Qg3 Nf5; 1 6.Qf3 Nh4; 1 7.Qg3 with a draw,
McAleer - Toll, NATO Championship 1 996.
4.d4 Bx£5; 5.Be2 Nf6; 6.0-0 e6.
31 3
This sort of structure favors White, because the e-pawn is backward and
the bishop at f5; is exposed. 7.c3 Bd6; 8.Nbd2 Qe7; 9.Qb3 Rb8; 10.Qd1 0-0;
1 l .Nh4 Bxh2+; 1 2.Kxh2 Ng4+; 13.Bxg4 Qxh4+; 14.Bh3 Bxh3; 15.g3 Qg4;
16.Qxg4 Bxg4; 1 7.£3 Bh5; 18.g4 Bg6 and Black's weak pawn at e6; is an extra
one, Sorsa - Juslin, Naantali 1 996.
4...Bxf5; 5.Ne5. 5.0-0 Qd6 (5 ... Nf6; 6.d4 Nd7; 7.c4 a6; 8.Ba4 Nb6; 9.cxd5!
Nxd5; 10.Nc3 b5; 1 l .Bb3 Nxc3; 1 2.bxc3 and White has a strong position,
Nicholson - Chua, Commonweath Championship 1986.) 6.d4 0-0-0; 7.Bxc6
Qxc6; 8.Ne5 Qe8; 9.Bf4 Nf6; 1 0.Nd2 Rg8; 1 l .Nb3 g5 with counterplay, Silman
- Root, Lone Pine 1 979.
5.d4 e6; 6.0-0 (6.Ne5 Nge7; 7.Bg5 Qd6; 8.Nc3 a6 and Black defends, lvanov
- Young, Vermont 1992.) 6 ... Bd6; 7.Re1 Qf6; 8.Ne5 Bxe5; 9.Rxe5 and Black
still has a nasty hole at e5, Sack - Poethig, Germany 198 1 . 5.Nd4?! Qd7; 6.Qe2.
Here one of the leading proponents of the defense shows how to play
brilliantly as Black: 6 ...Nxd4; 7.Bxd7+ Kxd7; 8.Qe5 Nxc2+; 9.Kd1 e6; 10.b3
Nf6; 1 l .Bb2 Nxa1; 1 2.Bxa1 Bxb 1 ; 13.Qe2 Bg6; 14.Qb5+ Kc8; 15.Re1 Ne4;
1 6.£3 Nf2+. White resigned, Hudson - Root, Los Angeles 1986.
314
NIMZOWITSCH DEFENSE
5 ...Qd6. 5 ... Bd7; 6.Bxc6 bxc6 (6 ... Bxc6; 7.Qh5+ g6; 8.Nxg6 Nf6; 9.Qh4
Rg8; 1 0.Nxf8 Rxf8; 1 l .d4 is similar.) 7.Qh5+ g6 Gueroff - Becker, Germany
1 996. Now White should play 8.Nxg6 Nf6; 9.Qh4 Rg8; 10.Nxf8 Rxf8; 1 l .d4
with a clear advantage.
6.d4 Nf6. 6 ...Bd7; 7.Nxd7 Qxd7; 8.0-0 is better for White, Sedgwick -
Rowe, Guernsey 1 99 1 . 7.0-0 Nd7.
8.Nc3!? Ncxe5; 9.dxe5 Qxe5; IO.Bxd7+ Bxd7; l l.Re l Qd6; 1 2.Qxd5 and
White is clearly better, Hintikka - Heinola, Postal 1 985.
KENNEDY VARIATION
l.e4 Nc6
2.d4 e5
This plan was dismissed in the early days of the Nimzowitsch De
fense, and even the Great Experimenter, Savielly Tartakower, con
demned it as a mistake because White will capture at e5 and then play
f4. Modern thinking is not so harsh, and the line has advocates even at
the Grandmaster level. It is useful to remember that the position can
31 5
CARDOZA PUBLISHING • ERIC SCHIUER
also be reached via l .d4 Nc6; 2.e4 e5, so it is no surprise to find Mikenas
defending the Black pieces, since he also liked l .d4 Nc6. The variation
also bears his name, but the 1 9th century player Kennedy played it and
research by Myers is convincing, so Kennedy Variation it is.
If White does not confront Black's plan directly, then transposi
tions into the conservative Scotch Game or a variety of gambits (Scotch,
Goring, Relfsson) is possible.

3.dxe5. 3.d5 Nce7; 4.c4 (4.Nf3 Ng6; 5.Be3 Bb4+; 6.c3 Ba5; 7.Bd3 Bb6 gave
Kennedy a decent game against Turner at Brighton 1 848. Myers admits that
7.Qa4 is problematic, and offers 7 ... c6; 8.d6 Bb6 as unclear. I think 8.d6 is
wrongheaded and after 8.dxc6 dxc6; 9.Nbd2 I much prefer White.) 4 ... Ng6;
5.Be3 Bb4+; 6.Nd2 Nf6; 7.f3 Qe7 worked out well for Black in Shirazi - Miles,
Chicago 1 990.
3 ...Nxe5; 4.f4. 4.Nf3 is a controversial move. Czech theoretician Pavel Blatny
thinks highly of it, while British theory maven john Nunn likes Black's posi
tion. Black can now transpose to the dubious Englund Gambit with 4 ... Qe7,
but much stronger is 4 ...Nxf3+; 5.Qxf3 Qf6; 6.Qg3 (6.Qxf6 Nxf6; 7.e5 Nd5;
8.Bc4 Nb6; 9.Bb3 d6 is just fine for Black.) and now 6 ... Qg6 is an interesting
line. If 7.Qxc7 then 7 ... Bd6! (7 ... Qxe4+?!; 8.Be3 Bb4+; 9.Nd2 Bxd2+; 10.Kxd2
Qb4+; 1 l .Qc3 Qxc3+; 12.Kxc3 gave White a big structural advantage in the
endgame in Lombardy - Calvo, Siegen Olympiad 1970.) 8.Qc4 Nf6; 9.Nc3
(9.f3? Bxh2! ; 1 0.Rxh2 Qg3+ is much better for Black.) 9 ... Be5 Castling is an
acceptable alternative. 10.Bd2 0-0; 1 1 .0-0-0 and here 1 l ...d6 would be fine
for Black, but 1 l ...d5!? also worked out well in Hebden -Jadoul, Tarnby 1 987.
4.Nc3 Bc5; 5.Bf4 Ng6; 6.Bg3 d6; 7.h4 is dangerous for Black, who cannot
let the h-pawn advance. After 7 ... h5; 8.Qd2 Nf6; 9.0-0-0 Qe7; 10.Nd5 ! White
had a strong initiative in Dolmatov - Gulko, Hastings 1989.
4 Ng6. 4 ...Nc6 is also possible, and it is not obvious what kind of advan
...
tage White can expect to find. 5.Bc4 (5.Nf3 Bb4+; 6.Bd2 Bxd2+; 7.Qxd2 d6;
8.Nc3 Bg4 brought Black approximate equality in Mortensen - Kjeldsen,
Copenhagen 1 995.) 5 ... Bb4+ is played to deprive the White knight of use of
the c3-square. 6.c3 Ba5; 7.Be3 (7.Nf3 Qe7; 8.Qe2 was slightly more comfort
able for White in Knaak - Przewoznik, Dortmund 1 992.) 7 ... Qh4+; 8.g3 Qe7;
9.Nf3!? gave White an initiative in Levi - Tu Hoang, Canberra 1995. The
point is that 9 ... Qxe4?? fails to 1 0.Bxf7+ Kxf7 ( 1 0 ... Kd8; 1 l .Qe2 Nh6; 12.Nbd2
is also promising for White.) 1 l .Ng5+.
316
NIMZOWITSCH DEFENSE
5.Nf3. 5.Bc4 c6; 6.Nf3 Bc5; 7.Nc3 Qe7; 8.Qe2 b5; 9.Bd3 d6 Suttles - Avram,
USA 1 963. 5.Be3 allows Black to try a gambit approach with 5 ... d5 !?
a ) 6.Qxd5 i s preferred by Myers, but o n 6 ... Qxd5; 7.exd5 Nf6. Black has
compensation for the pawn. Benjamin analyzes further: 8.Nc3 (8.c4 Ng4; 9.Bd2
Bc5) 8 ... Bb4; 9.0-0-0 Bxc3; 1 0.bxc3 0-0 and the White position is a mess.
b) 6.exd5 is possible but 6 ... Nf6; 7.Bb5+ Bd7; 8.Be2 Bb4+; 9.Nc3 0-0 gave
Black a good game in Reinhardt - Rossetto, Mar del Plata 1 96 1 .
5 ...Bc5. 5. . .Bb4+ is not as good here, because after 6.Nc3 Bxc3+; 7.bxc3
Qe7; 8.Bd3 Black does not have 8 ... d5 since 9.e5 f6; 1 0.0-0 fxe5 is met by
1 l .Bxg6+ hxg6; 12.Qxd5 e4; 13.Re 1 ! is good for White. 6.Bc4.
6 ... d6. 6 ... Qe7; 7.Nc3 d6; 8.Qe2 c6; 9.Bb3 Nf6; 1 0.Bd2 0-0; 1 1 .0-0-0 b5;
12.Rhe1 a5 is a promising alternative, seen in Schroder - Kaulfuss, Germany
1 988.
7.Ng5 Nh6; 8.Nc3 0-0; 9.Na4 Qf6; 10.Qd2 Qd4. Black equalized in Steiner
- Mikenas, Kemeri 1 937.
317
NEO-MONGOLOID DEFENSE
l.e4 Nc6
2.d4 f6
The Neo-Mongoloid Defense was assigned its name in Europe, but

unlike many European fads, it has not contaminated North America in
a serious way. The move ... f6 just weakens the kingside, and does not
even truly support the e5-square, since exchanges on that square could
lure the pawn from f6 to e5, after which its defensive impact on the
kingside is reduced to nil. But if the pawn remains at f6, then the knight
at g8 must move to h6 or e7, not the friendliest of squares.

3.Nf3 e5; 4.Bc4 is a strong plan, reaching a Scotch Game where Black's
center is under tremendous pressure, and the threats of 5.dxe5 fxe5; 6.Ng5 or
simply 5.Bxg8 are nothing to sneer at.
WHEELER GAMBIT
l.e4 Nc6
2.b4
31 8
NIMZOWITSCH DEFENSE
The Wheeler Gambit puts White's game into a tailspin pretty

quickly. White gets only a strong center for the pawn, but remains be
hind in development.

2 ...Nxb4; 3.c3 Nc6; 4.d4 d5; 5.e5 Bf5; 6.Nf3 e6; 7.Be2 Be7; 8.0-0 Qd7
and Black has a good game.
WILLIAMS VARIATION
l.e4 Nc6
2.Nf3 d6
This is a plan that has been popular in recent years. Black can opt
to return to an Open Game after ... e5, but the pawn at d6; will restrict
the possible transpositions.

3.d4 Nf6. 3 ... g6; 4.Nc3 Bg7; 5.h3 Nf6 transformed the game into a Pirc
Defense in Bek - Mikenas, Kemeri 1 939. 4.Nc3 Bg4; 5.Be3.
319
5 ... e6. 5 ... a6; 6.h3 Bh5; 7.d5 Nb8 is an interesting alternative, seen in
Yagupov - Hodgson, Linares (open) 1 996.
6.h3 Bh5; 7.d5. 7.Bd3 was the continuation chosen in the debut perfor
mance back in the mid-19th century. 7 ... Be7; 8.a3 Bg6; 9.Qe2 0-0; 10.g4 d5;
l l .e5 Bxd3; 12.Qxd3 Ne8. Black has as good French Defense, with no bad
bishop to worry about. Counterplay is possible with ... Na5 ,c4 and eventually
... c5, while White's attack is not going anywhere. Withers - Williams, Bristol
1 846. 7 Ne7. 7 ... exd5; 8.exd5 Ne5 (8 ... Bxf3; 9.Qxf3 Ne5; 1 0.Qe2 threatens
.••
Qb5+ and Qxb7. 10 ... a6; 1 1 .0-0-0. Black had great difficulty developing and
eventually lost in Golubev - Markowski, Biel (Open) 1995.) 9.g4 Bg6 (9 ... Nxf3+;
1 O.Qxf3 Bg6; 1 1 .0-0-0. White has an excellent game, and has been successful
from this position, for example in Spraggett - Mohr, Ubeda (Open) 1996.)
10.Bb5+ Ned7; l l .Qe2 Be7; 12.0-0-0 a6; 13.Bd3 Bxd3; 14.Qxd3 looks a little
better for White, Ivanov - Nesterov, Moscow 1 995.
8.Bb5+! c6; 9.dxc6 bxc6. 9 ... Nxc6 would leave Black with a weak pawn
structure, but it might have been better than the text. IO.Ba4 Qc7; l l .Qe2
Nd7; 12.g4.
It is clear that White controls the play on both flanks and in the center.
12 ... Bg6; 13.0-0-0 e5; 14.Qc4. There was no better news in another game
from the same round at the same event. 14.Nh4 Nc8; 15.Qc4 Nc5? ( 15 ... Ncb6;
16.Qxc6 Qxc6; 1 7.Bxc6 Rc8 would have been relatively better.) 16.Bxc5 dxc5;
1 7.Qd5 and in the game Apicella - David, Black resigned right here.
14 ... Rc8; 15.Nh4 Nb6; 16.Bxb6 axb6.
320
NIMZOWITSCH DEFENSE
Black's lack of development is suffocating. The Black forces are sitting

targets. Illescas now adds to the pressure by threatening to double rooks on
the d-file. 17 .Rd3! d5. 17 ... f6; 1 8.Nxg6 hxg6; 1 9.Rhdl and Black cannot sur
vive, for example: 19 ... Rd8; 20.Nb5! 17 ...b5 loses instantly to 18.Nxb5 cxb5;
1 9.Qxb5+ Kd8; 20.Qe8#.
18.exd5 Bxd3; 19.Qxd3. The pawn at d5 remains a thorn in Black's side.
19 ... Rd8; 20.Rdl g6; 2 1.d6. The fork wins, though White will not collect the
bounty for a few more moves.
2 l ...Bh6+; 22.Kbl Qb8; 23.Ne4 b5; 24.Nf6+ Kf8 ; 25.dxe7+ Kxe7.
32 1
Now what? Illescas finds a clever move to wrap things up. 26.Nd7!! bxa4;
27.Nf5+! The relentless pursuit of the king brings the game to an end. 27 ...gxf5;
28.Qa3+ Ke6; 29.gxf5+ Kxf5; 30.Qf3+ in Illescas - Miles, Linares Zonal 1995.
Black resigned, since checkmate is inevitable.
322
OWEN DEFENSE
OWEN DEFENSE
l.e4 b6
The Owen Defense has virtually disappeared from serious tourna

ments, though there are efforts by some die-hard fans to bring it back
to life. White can grab the entire center. There are a few trappy lines,
and these often lead to quick victories by Black, but most of them are
double-edged and White comes out on top with accurate play.

2.d4 Bb7; 3.Nc3 e6; 4.Bd3. 4.a3 g6; 5.Nf3 Bg7; 6.d5 Ne7; 7.Bc4 0-0; 8.0-
0 exd5; 9.exd5 Bxc3; 1 0.bxc3 Nf5; 1 l .Re1 Na6; 1 2.g4 Nd6; 13.Qd4 f6; 14.Bh6
Rf7; 1 5.Re3 Nc5 Shamkovich - Basman, Lloyds Bank 1 978.
4.Nf3 Bb4; 5.Bd3 Nf6; 6.Bg5 h6; 7.Bxf6 Qxf6; 8.0-0 Bxc3; 9.bxc3 Nc6;
1 0.Rb 1 a6; 1 l .Qe2 e5; 1 2.Nxe5 Nxe5; 13.dxe5 Qxe5; 14.f4 Qxc3; 1 5.Kh1 Qa5
Livshits - Day Lawrence, Canadian Zonal 1 992.
4...Nf6 is the most reasonable move, but there are a lot of alternatives.
4 ... Nc6; 5.Nf3 Nb4 is an extravagant waste of time. 6.Be3 (6.Be2 c5; 7.0-0
Nf6; 8.a3 Na6; 9.e5 Ng4; 1 0.d5 exd5; 1 l .Nxd5 Nc7; 12.Bg5 Qb8; 13 .Bc4 Ne6;
14.Re1 h6 Leyton - Basman, Islington 1 975.) 6 ...Nxd3+; 7.Qxd3 and White
has a very solid center and a lead in development. 4 ... Bb4; 5.Qe2 Nf6; 6.Bd2
Nc6; 7.Nf3 d5; 8.e5 Ne4?! (8 ... Ng8+); 9.Nxe4 dxe4; 1 0.Bxe4 Nxd4; 1 l .Bxb7!!
Nxe2; 12 .Bc6+ Kf8; 13.Bxb4+ Kg8; 14.Rd1 Qc8; 15.Bxa8 Qxa8; 16.Be7 and
Black resigned in Carleton-Wicker, London 1 977.
4 ... c5; 5.Nf3 cxd4; 6.Nxd4 a6 transposes into a Hedgehog, which can of
ten arise from the Kan Sicilian ( l .e4 c5; 2.Nf3 e6; 3.d4 cxd4; 4.Nxd4 a6; 5.Bd3.
This, however, is not the best of handling positions for Black. 7.0-0 Nf6; 8.Qe2
Qc7; 9.Be3. In order to achieve counterplay on the queenside, Black is going
to have to play b6-b5 at some point, losing a tempo by comparison with nor-
323
mal Kan lines.

4 ... d6; 5.Nf3 Nf6; 6.Qe2 Be7; 7.Bf4 gives White a great deal of latitude in
his choice of plans. One example: 7 ... 0-0; 8.h4 g6?!; 9.0-0-0 Qc8; 10.e5! dxe5;
1 l .dxe5 Nd5; 1 2.Nxd5 Bxd5; 13.h5 with an overpowering attack in Rafill
Sferra, Berkeley 1 982. 4 ... g6 leads to classical dark-square problems. 5.Be3
Bg7; 6.Qd2 d6; 7.Nge2 Nd7; 8.0-0 Ne7; 9.f4 Nc6; 10.f5! exf5; 1 l.exf5 Nf6;
12 .Bh6 and Black was in deep trouble in Steinitz-Blackburne, London 1 862.
4 ... f5 is a typical amateur mistake. In Baturina-Beliayeva, Jurmala 1 976, Black
was punished quickly. 5.Nf3 fxe4; 6.Nxe4 Nf6; 7.Neg5 Be7; 8.Ne5! 0-0.
9.Qh5!! h6 (9 ...Nxh5??; 1 0.Bxh7+ Kh8; 1 l .Ng6#) 10.Nef7 Qe8; 1 l.Bg6 hxg5;

1 2.Qh8#. 4 ...h6 is a complete waste of time which Black can ill-afford in a slow
opening. Here the fallacy of left-right symmetry comes into play. The similar
approach in the Modern Defense ( l .e4 g6; 2.d4 d6; 3.Nc3 Bg7; 4.Bd3 a6)
succeeds because counterplay is possible with ...b5, but here ... g5 would be a
big mistake. The alternative plan in the Modern might involve ...c5, but here
... f5 is very dangerous, because it weakens the king. There is no left-right sym
metry in the the opening, even though it does apply in the endgame. Such are
they mathematical mysteries of chess. 5.Nge2 Nf6; 6.0-0 c5; 7.d5! We have
now transposed into an inferior version of the Franco - Sicilian defense where
h7-h6 makes no sense at all. 7 ... exd5; 8.Nxd5 Nxd5; 9.exd5 Bxd5; 1 0.Nf4 A
recurring theme in this line! 1 O ... Bb7 ( 1 O ... Be6; 1 l .Nxe6 dxe6; 12.Be4) 1 l.Ng6!!
fxg6; 12.Bxg6+ Ke7; 13.Re1+ Kf6; 14.Qh5! and Black resigned in Kaiser-Strom,
Karlstadt 1 926.
5.Nge2. The point of this deployment is not so much to free the f-pawn as
it is to concentrate on d5, which can be supported by the knight if it moves to
f4.
324
OWEN DEFENSE
5 ...c5. 5 ... d5; 6.e5 Nfd7; 7.Nf4 c5? A natural-looking move, but one which
leads to immediate disaster. 8.Nxe6! Qe7 (8 ... fxe6; 9.Qh5+ g6; 1 0.Bxg6+ hxg6;
1 l .Qxg6+ Ke7; 1 2.Bg5+ Nf6; 13.Bxf6+ Kd7; 14.Bxd8 Kxd8; 15.Qf6+. Ugh!)
9.Nxd5 and in Bhend-Schneiders, Switzerland 1 985, Black resigned because
of the coming check at c7.
6.d5! This is a small sacrifice which gains a lot of space. 6 ... a6. 6 ... exd5;
7.exd5 Nxd5; 8.Nxd5 Bxd5; 9.Nf4 Qe7+; 1 0.Be3 Bb7; 1 1 .0-0 and while Black
is trying to develop, White will take over the e-file.
7.a4. There is no rush. This move prevents the expansion of Black's
queenside with b6-b5. 7 ... exd5; 8.exd5 Nxd5; 9.Nxd5 Bxd5; 10.Nf4 Be6. If
10 ... Qe7+, then 1 l .Be3 is similar to the previous note. 1 1.Be4 Ra7; 12.0-0
Be7; 13.Ra3! Although such maneuvers are often criticized in manuals on
how to play the opening in chess, certain positions lend themselves to this
flank development. 13 ... 0-0. 13 ... g6 is suggested by Basman, but the weaken
ing of the kingside cannot be considered a major improvement, though it is
clearly less dangerous than the text. 14.Rg3 followed by Re 1 and Black is very
tied down.
14.Rg3 f5! Otherwise there are going to be big problems at e6 and g6.
15.Bd5.
325
15 ...Rf6; 16.Rel! Bxd5; 17.Qxd5+ Rf7. By comparison with the previous

note Black has lost a valuable defensive tempo and can no longer save the
game. 18.Nh5 g6; 19.Bh6! Nc6; 20.Rge3. Black resigned, Speelman - Basman,
British Championship 1984.
MATINOVSKY GAMBIT
l.e4 b6
2.d4 Bb7
3.Bd3 f5
4.exf5 Bxg2
5.Qh5+ g6
6.fxg6
This wild line is typical of openings where White plays e4 and Black
fianchettoes on the queenside. The f-pawn is sacrificed to get the e
pawn out of the way, with a capture at g2 trapping the rook. But in the
meantime Black's kingside gets shredded.

6 ... Bg7. 6 ... Nf6??; 7.gxh7+ Nxh5; 8.Bg6# dates back to Greco in the 17th
century! 7 .gxh7+ Kf8; 8.hxg8Q+.
8.Ne2 is considered best by Wall, but this is one of those misleading games,
where right before the end Black missed a winning line. 8 ... Bxh l ; 9.Nf4 Nf6;
1 0.Ng6+ Ke8; l l .Nxh8+!! Nxh5; 12.Bg6+ Kf8; 13.Bxh5 e5? ( 13 ... Be4! seems to
refute this plan.) 14.Ng6+ Kf7; 1 5.Nxe5+ Ke6; 16.Bg4+ Kd5; 17.Bf4 Ke4; 1 8.Be3
Black resigned, Lalev - Trifunov, Bulgaria 1 985.
8.Nf3 Nf6; 9.Qg6 Bxf3! leads to a lively game. lO.Rgl Rxh7; l l .Qg3 Be4;
12 .Bxe4 Nxe4; 13.Qf3+.
326
OWEN DEFENSE
13 ...Nf6 ( 1 3 ...Kg8; 14.Qxe4 d5; 15.Qe6+ Kh8; 16.Nc3 with a much better
game for White in Carlsson - Frausing, Denmark 1 977.) 14.Qxa8 Rxh2 ( 14 ... d5
15.Nc3 c6; 16.Bf4 Nfd7; 17.0-0-0 e5; 1 8.dxe5 Qc7; 19.Rxg7 Kxg7; 20.Nxd5
cxd5; 2 l .Qxd5 Nf8; 22 .Rg1 +. Black resigned, Kolenbrander - Perrenet, Postal
1979.) 15.Bf4 Rh4; 16.Qg2 Rg4; 17.Bg3 and White is better, Dallmann - Ewald,
Leipzig 1 996.
8 ...Kxg8. 8 ... Rxg8; 9.Nf3 Bxh 1 ; 1 0.Ng5 Qe8; 1 l .Nh7# Standler - Mukhin,
Postal 1973. 9.Qg4 Bxhl.
10.h4 Bd5! l l.h5 Be6. 1 l ...Kf8; 12.Nc3 Bf7; 13 .Bg6 Nc6; 14.Bxf7 Kxf7;
15.Qg6+ Kf8; 1 6.h6 Bxd4; 1 7.h7 Bg7; 1 8.Bh6 Bxh6; 1 9.Qxh6+ Kf7 ; 20.Nf3
and the Black king is about to topple, Navarro - Espinosa, Postal 1986.
12.Qg2 Rxh5!; 13.Qxa8 Bd5; 14.Qxa7 Nc6; 15.Qa4 Rhl ; 16.Kfl Nxd4;
17.Bc4 e6. 1 7... Bxc4+; 1 8.Qxc4+ d5; 19.Qc3? ( 1 9.Qd3 Qd6; 20.Na3 must surely
be better for White.) 19 ...Rxg1+; 20.Kxg1 Ne2+ has been cited as the same
game.
18.Bxd5 exd5; 19.Bf4? Qh4; 20.Qa8+ Kh7; 2 1.Qxd5 Qh3+; 22.Qg2 Rxgl+;
23.Kxgl Ne2+; 24.Kfl Qxg2+; 25.Kxg2 Nxf4+; 26.Kf3 Bxb2; 27.Kxf4 Bxal;
28.c3 Bb2; 29.Ke3 Bel+ was agreed drawn i n Shmit - Vitolins, Soviet Union
1969.
327
NASELWAUS GAMBIT
l.e4 b6
2.d4 Bb7
3.Bg5 Bxe4
White has given up an important asset at e4, and is not even ahead
in development. This gambit is entirely lacking in motivation or justifi
cation. It seems to be one of those situation where someone made up a
gambit just for the fun of it, but I doubt White is going to find this
experience enjoyable!

l.e4 b6; 2.d4 Bb7. Here are a pair of gambits not mentioned in Bill Wall's
informative monograph on the Owen. They are listed by Driike but are not
attested in my database, and neither is worth playing. 3.Bg5. 3.Nf3 Bxe4 is
another variation on this theme, known as the Smith Gambit. 3 ...Bxe4.
4.c4 Bb7; 5.Nc3 h6; 6.Bh4. White tries to keep Black from advancing the
e-pawn. Here, however, Black can afford to adopt an unorthodox double
fianchetto. 6 ... g5; 7.Bg3 Bg7. Black has some holes on the kingside, but a
solid extra pawn, and ... c5 is coming, threatening to increase the pressure at
d4. 8.Nf3 c5; 9.d5 Bxc3+; 10.bxc3 Nf6 is in the spirit of the Beefeater. Black
will finally play ... e6.
328
POLISH DEFENSE
POLISH DEFENSE
l.d4 b5
2.e4 Bb7
This is the Polish Defense, which can easily transpose into the St.
George when Black plays ... a6. In the pure Polish, the pawn frequently
advances to b4 instead. Of course White does not have to play 2.e4,
and 2 .Nf3 Bb7; 3.e3 a6; 4.a4 b4; 5.c3 is a good alternative for White, as
recommended in The Big Book of Busts.

3.f3. 3.Bd3 is a common alternative.
a) 3 ... e6; 4.Nf3 (4.Qe2 a6; 5.Nf3 cS; 6.dxc5 BxcS; 7.Be3 d6; 8.0-0 Nd7;
9.Nbd2 Ne7; 1 0.Nb3; 10.c4 would have been more ambitious. 10 ... 0-0; 1 l .Nfd2
Qc7; 12 .f4 Rfc8; 13.Rf3 Bc6; 14.Rh3 Bxe3+; 15.Rxe3 Ng6 with level chances,
Stojnic - Caspersic, Ljubljana 1 9 95.) 4 ... Be7 (4 ... c5; S.dxcS BxcS; 6.0-0 Qb6;
7.Qe2 a6; 8.Nbd2 Nc6; 9.c3 and White has a promising game, with a4 coming
in the near future, Hernandez - Cutter, Yerevan Olympiad 1 996 5.0-0 a6;
6.c3 d6; 7.a4 c6; 8.Qe2 Nd7; 9.Bf4 Ngf6 1 0.h3 and White is clearly better, with
more space and better development, Jaworski - Klimaszewski, Lubniewice
1 995.
b) 3 ...b4; 4.c4 aS; 5.a3 e6; 6.Bd2 cS; 7.dxc5 BxcS ; 8.axb4 axb4; 9.Rxa8
Bxa8 and Black is no worse, Hoeper - Preston, Redcar Open 1 995.
3.Bxb5 is the Spassky Gambit, covered in the next game. 3 a6. ...
329
We are now back in a St. George, but with White already committed to f3 .
4.Bg5. 4.Be3 e 6 (4 ... d5; 5.e5 e6; 6.f4 g6; 7.Nd2 c5; 8.c3 Nd7 i s a solid alterna
tive for Black, Lahlum - Pedro, Gausdal Skei IM 1 995.) 5.Bd3 Ne7; 6.Ne2 g6;
7.c3 Bg7; 8.a4 c6; 9 .0-0 d6; 1 0.Qb3 and White has all the chances, Garcia
Wijesurija , Yerevan Olympiad 1 996.
4.c4 bxc4; 5.Bxc4 e6; 6.Nc3 d5; 7.Qb3 Nc6; 8.exd5 Nxd4; 9.Qxb7 Rb8;
1 0.Qxa6 Ra8; 1 l.Bb5+ Ke7. Now the game blows up!
12 .d6+!! Euwe - Abrahams, Bournemouth, Black resigned, rather than

suffer the humiliation of 12 ... cxd6; 13.Bg5+ f6; 14.Qb7+ Qd7; 15.Qxd7#.
4 ... h6; 5.Bh4 d6; 6.Qd2 Nd7.
330
POLISH DEFENSE
It is not clear that White has any advantage left here. 7.Ne2. 7.c4 bxc4;
8.Bxc4 Ngf6; 9.Nc3 is perhaps a better way to proceed. 7 ... Ngf6; 8.Ncl c5;
9.d5. 9.dxc5 NxcS; 1 0.Bxf6 gxf6; l l .c4 might be more promising.
9 ... g6; 10.c4! Finally White catches on! 10 ... Bg7; 1 1.Na3. l l .cxbS! is strong,
for example l l ...axbS; 12.Bxb5 Qb6; 13.Nc3 0-0; 14.Bxd7! Nxd7; 15.Bxe7
and White has too many extra pawns.
1 1...0-0; 12.Rbl. 1 2.cxb5 e6!?; 13.dxe6 Nxe4; 14.Bxd8 Nxd2 has been
suggested but 15 .Be7! looks very strong for White. 12 ...bxc4; 13.Nxc4. Black
has an ugly bishop at b7 but otherwise has solved the problems of the open
ing. White still has a lot of development to take care of. 13 ... a5; 14.Nb3 a4;
15.Nba5 Ba6; 16.Nc6. The knight is only a minor annoyance. 16 ... Qe8; 17.Be2
Bb7!; 18.N6a5 Ba6; 19.0-0 Nb6!; 20.b3 Bb5. 20 ... axb3; 2 l .axb3 BbS; 22.Nxb6
Bxe2; 23.Qxe2 RxaS; 24.b4! is a bit awkward for Black.
2 l.Nxb6 Bxe2; 22.Rfel. 22.Qxe2 RxaS; 23.Qd2 is even stronger for White.
22 ... Ra6; 23.Nxa4 Bb5; 24.e5 Nxd5!
25.exd6. 25.Qxd5 RxaS; 26.exd6 Bd4+; 27.Khl e6; 28.Qe4 Bxa4; 29.bxa4
Rxa4 gives Black sufficient counterplay. 25 ...Bd4+; 26.Bf2 Bxa4; 27.Bxd4 cxd4;
28.dxe7 Nxe7; 29.bxa4 Qxa4; 30.Rxe7 Rxa5; 3 1.Qxh6 Qxa2. 3 l...d3!?; 32.Rxf7
331
(32.Qd2 !?) 32 ... Qd4+; 33.Kfl ! Putting the king in the corner leaves more back
rank mate possibilities open. 33 ... Kxf7; 34.Rb7+ Ke8; 35.Qxg6+! Kd8; 36.Rb8+
Ke7; 37.Qh7+ Ke6; 38.Rxf8 Qal+; 39.Kf2 Qd4+ is a draw. The king cannot
escape to g3 because of 40 ... Qd6+; 4 l .Rf4 RgS+.
32.Rbb7 Qc2. 32 ... Qal +; 33.Kf2 Ra2+?; 34.Kg3. The notes in Informator
indicate that White wins, but Black has a simple defense to the threats: 34 ... d3!;
35.Rb6 Qg7; 36.Qxg7+ Kxg7; 37.Rd7 Re8; 38.Rbb7 Ree2; 39.Rxf7+ Kg8;
40.Rfd7 Rxg2+; 4 l .Kf4 Ra8; 42.Rxd3 Rf8+; 43.Ke3 Re8+; 44.Kd4 Rd8+; 45.Kc3
Rxd3+; 46.Kxd3 Rxh2 and draws. 33.h4 Qf5. 33 ... Ra2; 34.Qg5 Qf5; 35.Qxf5
gxfS and White is better in the endgame.
34.Rbd7 Rd5. 34 ... d3; 35.h5. 35.Rxd5 Qxd5; 36.Qg5 was agreed drawn
in Malaniuk - Alexandria, St. Petersburg 1995.
SPASSKY GAMBIT
l.d4 b5
2.e4 Bb7
3.Bxb5
Yes, sometimes even a World Champion has an appetitite for unor

thodox play! In the Spassky Gambit, Black swaps the b-pawn for the
pawn at e4, though there are some more radical plans, too.

3 ... Bxe4. 3 ... f5 ; 4.exf5 Bxg2; S.QhS+ g6; 6.fxg6.
332
POLISH DEFENSE
This is another example of a strategy also seen in the English Defense and
Owen Defense. Black goes after the rook at h 1 , hoping that the king will find
some shelter. 6 ... Bg7 (6 ...Nf6; 7.g7+ NxhS; 8.gx h8Q wins for White.) 7.gxh7+
Kf8; 8.hxg8Q+ Kxg8.
Black is down a piece and two pawns, but will win the rook at h 1 , and now
9.Qg6 (9.Qg4 Bxh 1 ; 1 0.Bf4 e6; 1 l .c3 Bb7 and the pawns and vulnerability of
the Black king add up to an advantage for White, Nathe - Weiz, Postal 1 990.)
9 ... Bxh 1 ; 10.Bf4 Nc6; 1 l .Ne2 Rb8; 12.Nbc3 Rb6 ( 1 2 ... Nb4; 1 3.Bc4+ e6; 14.0-
0-0 Ba8; 15.Rg1 Qe7; 1 6.a3 dS; 1 7.Be5 Rh7; 1 8.Nf4 dxc4; 19 .Nh5 and Black
had to duck in Quack - Leisebein, Saint John 1990.) 13.Qg3 d6; 14.Bc4+ Kf8 ;
15.0-0-0 NaS; 1 6.Rg1 Pohl - Leisebein, Saint John 1990.
4.Nf3 Nf6; 5.0-0 e6; 6.c4. 6.Re1 Be7; 7.Bg5 Bb7; 8.c4 (8.Bd3 0-0; 9.c4 aS;
10.Nc3 d6; 1 l .Qe2 Nbd7; 12.Rad 1 Re8; 13.Bc2 NhS; 14.Bc l g6; 15.Ba4 Qc8;
16.c5 dxcS; 1 7.dxc5 c6; 18.Ne4 NxcS; 1 9.Nxc5 BxcS; 20.Ne5 Bb4 and Black
was clearly better in Chekhov - Spassky, Murcia 1990.) 8 ...Ne4; 9.Bxe7 Qxe7;
10.d5 Nd6; 1 l .Nc3 0-0; 12.Qd4 Na6; 13.Ba4 c6; 14.Rad1 Rfd8; 15.Bc2 Qf6;
16.Ne5 with a spatial advantage for White, Tisdall - Basman, London (Kings
Head) 1 982.
6 ...Be7; 7.Nc3 Bb7; 8.Re l . 8.Qe2 0-0; 9.Rd1 d6; 10.d5 c6; 1 l .dxc6 Nxc6;
12.Bf4 a6; 13.Ba4 NaS; 14.c5 dS; 15.b4 and White was a little better in Palatnik
- Csom, Palma de Mallorca 1 989.
8 ...0-0; 9.Ba4. 9.Bg5 d6; 10.Ba4 Nbd7; 1 1 .Qe2 Nb6; 12.Bc2 with a bit
more space for White, Stone - Starr Toronto 1 995.
9 ...Nc6. 9 ... d6; 1 0.Bc2 Nbd7; 1 l .Bg5 Rb8; 12.h3 cS gave Black counterplay
in Havansi - Kivisto, 1984.
333
10.Bc2 Re8; l l.a3 Bf8; 12.Bg5 h6; 13.Bh4 Ne7; 14.d5 g5; 15.Nxg5 hxg5;
16.Bxg5 Ng6; 17.dxe6 Bg7; 18.exf7+ Kx£7; 19.Qd3 and White has better pros
pects, Ree - W.Watson, Amsterdam 1 985.
334
POLISH OPENING
POLISH OPENING/ORANGUTANG
Tartakower, in his collection My Best Games, wrote about l .b4, "This

move, which has so bizarre an aspect, occupies a place ofhonor amongst
the 'freak' openings. Later, at the New York Tournament of 1 924, I
termed this the 'Orangutang' Opening, not only because I employed it
there - against Maroczy - after a previous consultation with a young
orang-outang (during a visit by all the masters to the New York Zoo on
the eve of the game in question) but also since the climbing movement
of the pawn to b4 and then b5 is reminiscent of that inventive animal.
The name has stuck."
BIRMINGHAM GAMBIT
l.b4 c5
335
This gambit serves little purpose. Black quickly recovers the pawn,
but concedes the center and lags behind in development as a result.

2.bxc5 e5. This is Black's best try, occupying the center and discouraging
White from playing d4 in support of the infantryman at cS.
2 ... e6; 3.d4 d6 (3 ... b6; 4.cxb6 Qxb6; 5.e4 Nf6; 6.f3 Nc6; 7.Be3 Qb2; 8.Nd2
Nxd4; 9.Bd3 BcS; 1 0.Kf2 0-0; 1 l .Nc4 QbS; 12.Rb 1 Qa4; 13.c3 Qxd1 ; 14.Rxd1
dS; 15.Ne5 is hardly acceptable for Black, Olej - Nemeskal, Postal 1964.) 4.cxd6
Bxd6; 5.e4 would be terrible for Black. 2 ... Qa5; 3.Nf3 QxcS; 4.d4 Qc7; 5.e4
d6; 6.Bd3 Nc6; 7.0-0 Nf6; 8.Nbd2 is a good example of what White can hope
to achieve.
3.d4! is probably the best move anyway. 3.Bb2 Nc6; 4.Nf3 BxcS (4 ... e4;
5.Ne5 BxcS; 6.d4 exd3; 7.Nxd3 Bd4; 8.Bxd4 Nxd4; 9.e3 Nc6; 10.Be2 is a rather
odd position and I don't know quite what to make of it. Both sides have three
pawn islands, and White has somewhat better squares for the pieces, but ob
jectively chances are about level.) 5.e3 and Black has used a variety of strate
gies, but we'll just take a look at one of them. 5 ...f6 Black can also play 5 ... d6,
but why not aim to reach dS in one go? 6.Be2 (6.Nc3 dS; 7.Na4 Bd6; 8.c4 was
played in Schueller - Stabenow, Postal 1 987, and here instead of accelerating
White's development with ... dxc4, Black should have played 8 ... Be6 with a
good game.) 6 ... d5; 7.0-0 d4 (7 ... Qb6 is stronger.) 8.exd4 Nxd4; 9.Nxd4 Bxd4;
10.c3 and White took the initiative with a big lead in development in Sveshnikov
- Pantaleev, Havirov 1968.
3 ... exd4; 4.Ba3 Bxc5; 5.Bxc5 Qa5+.
6.c3 dxc3. 6 ... Qxc5; 7.cxd4 Qb4+; 8.Qd2 Qxd2+ (8 ...Nc6!?) 9.Nxd2 Nc6;
1 0 .e3 and White is just a tiny bit better. 7.Qd6 c2+; 8.Nd2. Black resigned,
Ritter - Tuchtenhagen,Postal 1 988.
336
POLISH OPENING
BUGAYEV ATTACK
l.b4 e5
2.a3
The formation with the pawn at b4 supported by a pawn at a3 was

considered quite radical in the 1 9th century, and it is still suspect to
day. White concedes the center to Black, in return for a minor amount
of real estate on the queenside.

l.b4 e5. l ...d5; 2.Bb2 Qd6!? is playable. The queen supports the center
and attacks the pawn at b4. White is not likely to be well prepared for this line!
a) 3.b5 e5! (3 ... Qb4; 4.Bc3 Qxb5; 5.e4 Qd7; 6.exd5 Qxd5; 7.Nf3 and White
has some play for the pawn.) 4.e3 Nf6; 5.Nf3 Bg4; 6.Be2 e4; 7.Nd4 Bxe2;
8.Qxe2 Nbd7.
b) 3.a3 props up the b-pawn and can easily transpose to our main line.
3 ... e5; 4.e3 Nf6; 5.d3 is designed to discourage any further advance of the e
pawn. 5 ...Nbd7; 6.Nf3 Lalic - Uhlmann, Sarajevo 1 980.
2.a3. 2.Bb2 f6; 3.a3 is a variation on the same theme. 3 ... d5; 4.e3 Be6;
5.Nf3 Bd6; 6.Be2 Ne7; 7.d4 (7.0-0 seems sounder, so that the plan of advanc
ing the f-pawn can be accelerated.) 7 ... e4; 8.Nfd2 0-0; 9.c4 c6; 1 0.£3 f5; 1 l .f4
Nd7; 12.Nc3 Rf7; 13.c5 Bc7; 14.0-0 g5 and Black had a strong attack in Bugayev
- Zolovtsev, Moscow (match) 1 888.
2 ...a5. 2 ... g6; 3.Bb2 Bg7; 4.Nf3 d6; 5.c4 f5; 6.e3 Nf6; 7.Qc2 Be6; 8.c5 Ng4;
9.Bc4 Qe7; 1 0.cxd6 cxd6; 1 l .Bxe6 Qxe6 was about even in Basman - Hardy,
Cambridge 1 980. 2 ... Nf6; 3.e3 d6; 4.Nf3 g6; 5.h3 Bg7; 6.Bb2 0-0; 7.c4 was
seen in Basman - Kinlay, Bristol 1 980.
3.b5 Bc5; 4.e3 Nf6; 5.Bb2 Qe7; 6.c4 0-0.
337
Black has equality here, if nothing else,Wilk - Pinkas, Katowice 1 995.
KARNIEWSKI VARIATION
l.b4 Nh6
Well, I suppose a player named Karniewski has the right to com

ment on all things Polish, but the tipsy knight is about to fall off the
board, and here is a game that breaks most of the rules.

2.e4 e6; 3.a3 a5; 4.b5 c6; 5.Bb2 d5; 6.e5.
338
POLISH OPENING
What can one say about such a postion, reached after six moves! White
has managed to limit the power of each of his bishops.
6 ... Qb6; 7.Nc3 a4; 8.d4 Bd7; 9.Rb l cxb5; 10.Nxb5 Bxb5; l l .Bc3 Nc6;
12.Rxb5 Qc7; 13.Qbl Ra7; 14.Qb2 Be7; 15.Bd3 f6; 16.f4 0-0; 17.Nf3 seems
about even, Bowers - Karniewski, Colorado 1 987.
SCHUHLER GAMBIT
l.b4 c6
2.Bb2 a5
3.b5 cxb5
4.e4
The Schiihler Gambit gives up the b-pawn, gets powerful bishops,

and Black has to take care of the weakling pawn at b5. Black may waste
more time by advancing that pawn, and it is not at all easy to complete
development.
Of course, this strange sequence of opening moves is hardly likely
to appear on the chessboard with great frequency!
339

4 ... b4. 4 ... Qb6 is an early queen move which can run into trouble quickly,
e.g.,. 5.Nc3 b4; 6.Nd5 Qd6; 7.Nf3 and White has justified the investment of
the pawn.
5.Bc4. 5.a3 is a continuation in true gambit spirit. 5 ... Qb6 (5 ...bxa3; 6.Nxa3
gives White some play for the pawn, enough to justify the investment but no
more. For example 6 ...Nc6; 7.Bc4 e6; 8.Nb5 d6; 9.Nf3.) looks the best to me.
6.d4 (6.Nf3 e6; 7.Bc4 Nf6; 8.Bxf6 gxf6; 9.0-0 Qc7; 10.Qe2 b6; 1 l.axb4 Bxb4;
12.Na3 Bb7; 13 .Nb5 Qf4; 14.c3 Be7; 15.g3 Rg8; 1 6.Rfe1 Na6; 1 7.Rab 1 f5 and
Black has a promising attack, Volke - Aleksandrov, Minsk 1 994.) 6 ... Nf6; 7.e5
Nd5; 8.Bc4 Qc6; 9.Qf3 Qxc4; 10.Qe4 bxa3; 1 l .Rxa3 Qb4+; 12.c3 Qxb2. White
resigned, already two pieces down, in Hasler - Petrini, Postal 1993.
White is way ahead in development and the Black position is starting to

show signs of weakness, but there is still the extra pawn to balance things out.
9 ...Nf6 (9 ...Nge7; 10.Qe2 Ng6; 1 1 .0-0 e5; 12.Ng5 was better for White in
Borrmann - Bendig, Postal 1 988. 9 ...Na7; 1 0.Nxa7 Rxa7; 1 l.Bd4 b6; 12.Qb1
with strong pressure, Adam - Hoehne, Postal 1981.) 10.e5 dxe5; 1 l .Nxe5 Bb4;
12 .Nd3 0-0; 13.0-0 b6. I think I'd prefer Black.
5.d4 d5 made the bishop at b2 look rather silly in Fricke - Bendig, Postal
1993. 5 ... Qc7; 6.d3 e6; 7.Nf3 and how does Black continue to develop?
7 ...Nf6.
340
POLISH OPENING
8.e5! Nd5; 9.Bxd5 exd5; 10.0-0 Nc6; l l.a3 is possible. After l l...bxa3;
12.Nxa3 Be7; 13.Nb5 Qb6; 14.c4 dxc4; 15.dxc4 and Black is not going to be
able to activate the bishop at c8 or rook at a8.
TARTAKOWER GAMBIT
l.b4 e5
2.Bb2 f6
3.e4 Bxb4
The Tartakower Gambit has been seen even in professional en

counters, as witnessed in this game. White gives up a pawn in return
for which operations on the a2-g8 diagonal.

4.Bc4 Ne7. 4 ... Qe7 is the logical alternative. 5.f4 (5.Ne2 Nc6; 6.0-0 d6;
7.Nbc3 was agreed drawn in Roczniak - Mos, Postal 1980. Here 7 ... Bxc3;
8.Nxc3 Na5; 9.Be2 Be6 followed by ... Nc4 looks strong.) 5 ... exf4; 6.Qh5+ g6;
7.Qf3 Bd6 (7 ... Nc6!; 8.Qxf4 Ne5; 9.Bb3 d6 and Black is a clear pawn ahead.)
34 1
8.d4 Nc6; 9.Ne2 Na5; 1 0.Bd3 b6; 1 l .e5 Bb7; 1 2.exd6 Bxf3; 13.dxe7 Bxg2;
14.Rg1 f3; 15.Nf4 Nxe7; 16.Nc3 g5; 1 7.Nh5 Kf7; 18.Kf2 d5; 19.Rge1 £5; 20.Ba3
Nec6; 2 l .Nxd5 Nxd4; 22.Re7+ Kg6; 23.Ndf6 c5; 24.Rg7+ and Black resigned,
Andersson - Gedigk, Postal 1 99 1 .
4. . .Nc6 is possible, with a two basic approaches for White. The first in
volves capturing at g8 and grabbing the h-pawn, while the second aims for a
direct attack by opening up lines with f4.
5.Bxg8 Rxg8; 6.Qh5+ Kf8; 7.Qxh7 d5; 8.c3 Bc5; 9.Ne2 and here Black's
best line is 9 ...d4; 1 0.0-0 Be6; 1 l .Re1 Qd7; 12.cxd4 exd4; 13.Nxd4 Bxd4; 14.Nc3
Bxc3; 15.Bxc3 Qf7 with a much better game for Black, Seack - Dietzsch, Postal
1 989.
So the best move is 5.f4 and now 5 ... Qe7 (5 ... exf4; 6.Nh3 Qe7; 7.Bd5 Ne5;
8.Nxf4 c6; 9.Bb3 d5; 10.c3 Bd6; 1 1 .0-0 dxe4; 12 .d4 exd3; 13.Nxd3 Bg4; 14.Qc2
Nxd3; 15.Qxd3 Be2; 16.Qf5 Bc5+ Schmidt - Augustin, Postal 1990.) 6.£5 (6.Ne2
exf4 sets up the trap: 7.0-0?? Qc5+; 8.d4 Qxc4 Roth - Schirmer, Postal 1984)
6 ... g6 is the Brinckmann Variation and now:
342
POLISH OPENING
a1) 7.c3 Ba5; 8.Nf3 (8.Ne2 Bb6; 9.d4 exd4; 10.fxg6 hxg6; 1 l .Bxg8 Rxg8;
12.cxd4 Qxe4 Gross - Thapper, Postal 1 986 or 8.g4 Bb6; 9.Qe2 d6; 10.Nf3
Qg7; 1 l .d4 Nge7; 12.Nbd2 Bd7; 13.0-0-0 0-0-0; 14.Kb 1 gxf5; 15.gxf5 d5
and Black is better, Markus - Brinkmann, Postal 1989.) 8 ... Bb6; 9.d4 exd4;
1 0.Qe2 gxf5; 1 l .exf5 Qxe2+; 12 .Kxe2 Nge7; 13.g4 h5; 14.Nxd4 Nxd4+; 15.cxd4
d5. Black won, Woschkat - Brinkmann, Postal 1 985.
a2) 7.Ne2 Qc5; 8.Bb3 Nge7 9.c3 Ba5; 1 0.Ba3 Qb6; 1 l .Ng3 d6; 12.Bb2
Bd7; 13.Na3 0-0-0; 14.Nc4 Qa6; 1 5.0-0 gxf5; 16.exf5 h5; 17.Ne3 Bb6; 18.d4
h4; 1 9.Ne4 Rdf8; 20.a4 and Black should just advance ...h3 with a very strong
game. Brinkmann - Springer, Postal BRD 1 986.
a3) 7.Nc3 is nothing since 7 ... Bxc3; 8.Bxc3 Qc5 is fine for Black, for
example 9.Qe2 (9.fxg6 hxg6; 1 0.Bxg8 Rxh2! ; 1 l .Rxh2 Qxg1+; 12.Ke2 Qxh2;
13.Qfl Qh8; 14.Bd5 Ne7; 15.Bc4 d6; 16.d4 Bg4+; 1 7.Kd2 0-0-0; 1 8.Ba6 Qh6+
Weise - Thole, 1971) 9 ... Nge7.
a1cl) 1 0.fxg6 hxg6; 1 l .Qfl ( 1 l .Nf3 d5; 1 2.exd5 Nxd5; 13.Bxd5 Qxd5;
14.d3 Bg4; 15.Qe3 Bxf3; 16.Qxf3 Qxf3; 1 7.gxf3 0-0-0; 1 8.0-0 Rd5; 19.Bb2
Rb5; 20.Rab1 Rh4; 2 l .Bc3 Rxb1 Schaar - Bendig, Postal 1993) 1 l ...Rh4; 12.d3
b5; 13.Qxf6 Rf4; 14.Bf7+ Kf8; 15.Qh8+ Kxf7; 16.Qh7+ Ke8; 1 7.Ne2 Qf2+;
18.Kd2 d6; 1 9.g3 Rf7; 20.Qh8+ Rf8; 2 l .Rafl Qxfl Rosner - Brinkmann, 1989
a1c2) 1 0.0-0-0 b5; 1 l .Bd5 Nxd5; 12 .exd5 Qxd5; 13.d4 e4; 14.Nh3 has
been seen a number of times, although Black is already cleary better and
should win most games from this position. 14 ...b4; 1 5.Bb2 a5; 16.Rhe 1 Bb7;
17.Qxe4+ Qxe4; 1 8.Rxe4+ Ne7; 1 9.d5 Kf7; 20.fxg6+ hxg6; 2 l .Rf4 Nxd5 and
here White is lost, since 22.Rxf6+ Nxf6; 23.Ng5+ Ke7; 24.Re1+ Kf8; 25.Bxf6
runs into 25 ... Rxh2! Springer - Brinkmann, Postal 1989.
5.f4. 5.Qh5+ is sometimes played to weaken the Black kingside.
343
a) 5 . . . g6 (Not 5 . . . Kf8; 6.Qf7# actually happened, in Brinkmann -

Breitenstein, Postal 1 985 ! ) and now:.
a 1 ) 6.Qf3 Nec6; 7.Ne2 Qe7; 8.0-0 Na5; 9.Bb3 Wall - Louie, Guam 1 974
(22) 9 ...Nxb3 ; 1 0.axb3 0-0 and White does not have enough compensation
for the pawn.
a2) 6.Qh6 d5; 7.Bb3 (7.exd5 N£5!) 7 ... dxe4; 8.Qg7 R£8; 9.Qxh7 B£5; 10.c3
Bc5; 1 l .Na3 Bxf2+ Rabold - Wiik, Postal 1 985.
a3) 6.Qh4; 6 ... d5; 7.exd5 Qd6! and both of White's bishops are power
less. 8.Ne2 (8.f4 Nd7+) 8 ... 0-0; 9.0-0 (9.Nbc3 Bxc3; 10.Nxc3 N£5 Gruszczynski
- Dziel, Postal Malyszka mem 1 9 9 1 (35) 9 . . . g5; 1 0 .Qg3 Brinkmann -
Trokenheim, 1 989 (12) 10 ...Nd7 and Black will have the advantage after ...Nb6.
b) 5 ...Ng6 is also playable, as attempts to storm the kingside do not suc
ceed, for example 6.f4 exf4; 7.a3 (7.Ne2 Qe7; 8.Nbc3 Qe5; 9.Qf3 Nc6; 1 0.0-
0-0 Bxc3; 1 l .Bxc3 Qc5; 12.Bb3 Na5; 13.d4 Nxb3+; 14.axb3 Qg5. Black has
the superior game, Rodriguez - Gamarra, Argentina 1 993) 7 ...Bd6; 8.Nf3 Qe7;
9.0-0 Kd8; 10.Nc3 c6 ( 10 ...Ne5; 1 l .Ba2 Nxf3+; 12.Qxf3 Be5; 13.Rad1 Nc6;
14.Kh 1 Nd4; 15.Qd3 c6; 1 6.Nd5 cxd5 Simmelink - Engbersen, Postal 1991)
1 l .d4 Bc7; 1 2.Rad1 Bonte - Van Yperen, Postal 1 983, and here Black could
have freed the position with 12 ...b5; 13.Bd3 Bb6 with a better game.
5 ...d5.
344
POLISH OPENING
Black takes care of the center with this move. 6.exd5 Bd6. Black returns
the pawn for a comfortable position. 6 ...Nxd5 is stronger. 7.fxe5 allows 7 ...Ne3!
8.Qh5+ g6; 9.Qe2 Nxc2+; l O.Kdl Nxa l , etc.
7.fxe5 fxe5; 8.Qh5+. 8.Nf3 Roczniak - Marczak, Poland 1980 (32) 8 ... 0-0;
9.Nxe5 BxeS; 1 0.d6+ Kh8; l l .dxe7 Qxe7 and White has no acceptable moves!
8 ...Ng6; 9.Nf3 Nd7; 10.0-0 0-0.
l l .Nc3. l l .d3? Nf4; 1 2 . Qh4 Qxh4 ; 1 3 .Nxh4 Ne2+ Woj ciechowski

Lorenzen, Postal l 958. l l. .. Rf4; 12.d3 Nf6; 13.Qg5 h6; 14.Qg3 e4; 15.Nxe4.
15.dxe4 Ng4 is given as better for Black, according to Tartakower, but I am
not so sure. 16.Nb5 seems to be a strong reply, and I would evaluate the posi
tion as holding better chances for White.
15 ... Nxe4; 16.dxe4 Bg4; 17.Qel Bxf3; 18.Rxf3 Rxf3; 19.gxf3 Qg5+; 20.Khl
Qh5; 2 l.Qf2 Rf8. Now there is the small threat of ... Rxf3! 22.Be2 Be5; 23.Bxe5
Qxe5; 24.Rgl Nf4; 25.Bfl Rf6; 26.Qxa7 Rb6.
345
"White shows that he knows, not only how to seize but also how to sacri
fice pawns! It is, above all, a clearance sacrifice that permits him to throw a
reserve force (the bishop on b 1 ) into the thick of the battle." -Tartakower.
27.d6 Qxd6; 28.Bc4+ Kh7; 29.Qb8 Ne6; 30.Bxe6 Qxe6; 3 l.Qxc7 Qf6;
32.Rxg7+ Qxg7; 33.Qxb6. Black resigned, because the pawns are falling like
ripe apples. 33 ...Qal +; 34.Kg2 Qg7+; 35.Kf2 and there are no more checks,
so Black resigned in Tartakower - Reti, Vienna 1 9 19.
WOLFERTS GAMBIT
l.b4 e5
2.Bb2 c5
The Wolferts Gambit is powered by some twisted logic indeed.

With the second move, White attacks a pawn. Black does not bother to
defend the pawn, or capture the hanging White pawn at b4, but in
stead decides to let the White b-pawn grab a tasty morsel before its
demise. Yet, the opening is not so bad, which just goes to show that
l .b4 has serious drawbacks.
346
POLISH OPENING

3.bxc5 Nc6; 4.Nf3. 4.e3 BxcS; 5.Nf3 f6; 6.d4 Qb6; 7.dxc5 Qxb2; 8.Nbd2
Qc3; 9.Bc4 was played in Visser - Wolfertz, 1 987, and now 9 ... Nge7 would
have given Black a considerable advantage. 9 ...e4 might be even stronger.
4 ... e4; 5.Nd4 Nf6. S ... BxcS; 6.Nxc6 Qb6; 7.Bd4 dxc6; 8.Bxc5 QxcS and
Black is a little better. A strange line for a strange opening.
6.Nb3
6 ...a5. 6 ... d6; 7.cxd6 Bxd6 would at least provide Black with some attack
ing chances. 7.a4 Be7; 8.d4 b6?!; 9.cxb6 Ba6; 10.e3 Bxfl; l l.Kxfl Rb8; 12.Na3
Qxb6; 13.Nb5 d5; 14.c4! Feilmayr - Wolfertz, 1 987. Now White has the upper
hand.
347
PORTUGUESE OPENING
I .e4 e5
2.Bb5
The Portuguese Opening is an excellent example of a bishop dan

gling in the air with no useful targets. The opening gained some pub
licity in 1995, when it was featured in a public spectacle. The musical
group Phish was kicking off its 1995 West Coast tour at the Shoreline
Ampitheater in Mountain View, California. Equipped with a huge,
homemade demonstration board the band challenged the audience to
a game of chess, played at the ever so civilized pace of one move per
concert. To get things rolling, they decided to play three moves at the
inaugural concert.

After l .e4 eS, the musicians opted for 2.Bb5, a move they expected would
take everyone out of the books. They realized that it was unorthodox, but
then their creative spirit always moves them toward improvisational and new
musical styles, so it was hardly surprising that they wanted to play with some
originality at the chessboard as well. The move was greeted with 2 ... Nc6, an
attempt to return the game to more normal challenge. After 3.Nf3, transpos
ing back into the Spanish Game, the audience was invited to vote on the next
move by turning up at the Greenpeace fundraising table. I joined the crowd
there, and when the band got word that there was a genuine chess master in
the audience (I was Northern California champion at the time), I was invited
to spend the intermission with the musicians. We chatted about chess, and I
let them know that not only was the move 2.Bb5 known, it was even the sub
ject of a monograph by two Portuguese players and was known as the Portu
guese Opening. Before the music resumed, I was ushered onstage to make
the third move for Black. I have to say that I led the game into normal chan-
348
PORTUGUESE OPENING
nels after 3 ... a6. After this "appearance" before about 20,000 screaming fans,
I got a lot of e-mail from people who were interested in getting back into
chess, now that Phish turned out to be fanatical chessplayers, occupying much
of their traveling time in pursuit of checkmate.
All that cannot rehabilitate the opening, however, which should only be
used by "fish" (or Phish)! 2 ... c6! 2 ... a6 is also good, but this move comes close
to being an outright refutation of White's opening play. 3.Ba4 Nf6. Naturally
this straightforward move is the most principled choice. White must now at
tend to the e-pawn.
White has tried many plans here, but all seem to fall short of even mere
equality. 4.Qe2. 4.Nc3 b5; 5.Bb3 b4; 6.Na4 Nxe4; 7.Nf3 d5! ; 8.d3 Nf6; 9.Nxe5
Bd6; 1 0.d4 0-0; 1 1 .0-0 Nbd7 and White had problems developing pieces use
fully in Damaso - Tisdall, Manila Olympiad 1 992.
4.d3 d5!; 5.exd5 gives Black a choice:
a) 5 ... b5; 6.Bb3 cxd5; 7.Qe2 is considered better for White by Ferreira &
Sampaio, but I think they are way off the mark here. 7 ... Nc6; 8.Nf3 (8.d4
Nxd4; 9.Qxe5+ Qe7; 1 0.Qxe7+ Bxe7; 1 l .Be3 Nxb3; 12.axb3 a6 and in the long
run the bishop pair will be effective for Black.) 8 ...Bg4; 9.Nc3 Bd6! is an inter-
349
esting gambit: 1 0.Bxd5 ( 1 0.Nxb5 Qa5+; 1 l .Nc3 d4) 10 ... Nxd5; 1 l .Nxd5 Nd4;
12 .Qd1 Rc8; 13.c3 Nxf3+; 14.gxf3 Be6. Black has more than enough compen
sation for a pawn.
b) 5 ... Qxd5; 6.Nf3 Bg4; 7.Nc3 (7.Nbd2 Nbd7; 8.Bb3 is evaluated as better
for White by Ferreira & Sampaio but I think chances are more or less even
after 8 ... Qa5.) 7 ... Qa5; 8.Bb3 Be7; 9.Bd2 Qc7; 1 0.Qe2 Nbd7; 1 1 .0-0 0-0; 12.h3
Bh5; 13.g4 Bg6; 14.Nh4 b5; 15.Kg2 aS; 16.Nxg6 hxg6; 1 7.a3 Nc5. Black had a
strong queenside initiative and a safe king in Almgren - Kramer, United States
Championship 1 948.
4.d4 Nxe4; 5.Nf3 (5.Qe2 Qa5+) 5 ... d5; 6.Nxe5 Nd7 gives Black at least
equality, and probably more, since White's bishop has no future on the
queenside. Eventually it can retreat to c2.
4• . .Bc5; 5.Nf3. 5.c3 0-0; 6.f4 is suggested by Ferreira & Sampaio (6.Nf3 is
handled by 6 ... d5; 7.d3 dxe4; 8.dxe4 Bg4; 9.0-0 Nbd7 and Black has a lead in
development. ), but I think that after 6 ... d5 Black has the better chances, for
example 7.fxe5 Nxe4; 8.d4 Qh4+; 9.g3 Nxg3; 1 0.Qf2 ( 1 0.hxg3 Qxh 1 ; 1 l .dxc5
Qxg1+) 1 0 ... Qe4+; 1 l .Be3 Nxh 1 ; 12.Qf3 Qxf3; 13.Nxf3 Be7; 14.Kfl Bh3+;
15.Kg1 f6; 1 6.Kxh1 ( 1 6.Nbd2 Nd7; 17.Kxh1 fxe5; 1 8.Nxe5 Nxe5; 19.dxe5 Rf5)
16 ... fxe5 Black is much better.
5 d5; 6.exd5 0-0. 6 ... e4; 7.dxc6 0-0!; 8.cxb7 Bxb7; 9.Ng5 Qd5 gives Black
.•.
a promising position too, but at the cost of several pawns.

7.Nxe5? How can White fail to appreciate the danger on the e-file? 7.dxc6
e4; 8.cxb7 Bxb7 transposes to the previous note. 7 Re8!; 8.c3. What else?
•..
Black threatens to exploit the pin on the e-file quickly.

8.dxc6 Qd4 is devastating.
S. .Bx£2+!!; 9.Kfl. 9.Kxf2 Rxe5; 10.Qxe5 Ng4+ wins for Black.

.
9.Qxf2 Rxe5+; 1 0.Kd1 Bg4+; 1 l .Kc2 Re2 and Black should win without
difficulty. 9 ...Bg4; lO.Qx£2 Rxe5; l l.Kgl Qe7. White resigned. Vescovi -
Sokolov, Malmo 1 995. This is a great example of how quickly an unorthodox
opening can get one into trouble when a top professional is on the other side
of the board!
350
QUEEN PAWN GAME
QUEEN PAWN GAME

ANTI-TORRE
l.d4 d5
2.Nf3 Bg4
Some players will go to great lengths as Black to avoid the Torre

Attack. The plan below, however, is not one of Black's best options.
l.d4 d5; 2.Nf3 Bg4; 3.Ne5 Bf5; 4.g4. 4.c4 f6 (4 ... c6 is probably wiser. This
position requires practical tests, but I do not see any serious problems for
Black.) 5.Nf3 e6; 6.Qb3! b6; 7.Nc3 c6; 8.a4 Na6; 9.cxd5 exd5; 10.e4! dxe4;
1 l .Bxa6 exf3; 1 2.0-0. White was better in Lasker - Schiffers, Nurnberg 1 896.
4 ...Bc8! Having provoked the weakness, the bishop returns home. 5.g5.
5.e3 f6; 6.Nd3 Nh6; 7.h3 Nf7; 8.f4 e5; 9.fxe5 fxe5; 1 0.dxe5 Qh4+ and Black
has a strong attack. 5 ...Bf5. Now that the pawn has advanced, Black returns to
the outpost at f5. 6.c4 e6; 7.Nc3 Ne7; 8.Bg2 Nd7.
9.cxd5 Nxd5; 10.Nxd7. 1 0.Nxd5 exd5; 1 l .Bxd5 Nxe5; 12.dxe5 Bb4+; 13.Kfl
Bh3+; 14.Kg1 c6; 15 .Bb3 Qc8; 1 6.e3 Qf5 is even better for Black.
10 Qxd7; 1 1.e4 Nxc3; 12.bxc3 Bg6; 13.0-0 Be7; 14.Be3 0-0; 15.£4. Are
••.
35 1
the pawns strong or weak? 15 ...f6!; 16.h4 fxg5; 17.hxg5 Kh8; 18.Qd3 Rf7;
19.Rf2 Ra£8; 20.Rafl h6; 2 l.gxh6 gxh6; 22.Khl Rg8; 23.Rf3 Bh7; 24.Rh3
B£8; 25.Bf3 Rf6. Black's position is solid enough. White has no targets on the
kingside. The game Lobron - Hodgson, Haifa 1 989 ended in a win for Black.
BISHOP ATTACK
l.d4 d5
2.Bg5
White's has a swinging bishop at g5, and it is very exposed. It does

not even discourage . . Nf6, but Black has other resources.
.

2 ...h6. 2 ... Bg4 is the Welling Variation, an oddball line which offers White
an initiative for free. 3.f3 Bh5; 4.c4 f6; 5.Bf4 e5; 6.dxe5 fxe5; 7.Bxe5 Nc6;
8.Qa4 d4; 9.Bf4 Qf6; 1 0.Nh3 Bb4+; 1 l .Nd2 Nge7 12.a3 Bxd2+; 13.Bxd2 0-0;
14.Nf4 and White is ready to castle, Piket - Welling, Eindhoven 1985. 2 ... Nf6
transposes to the Trompowsky. 2 ... f6; 3.Bh4 Nh6; 4.Nf3 Nf5; 5.Bg3 Nc6; 6.e3
Nxg3; 7.hxg3 Bg4 and Black has an equal game, Turian - Petek, Bled 1995.
3.Bh4 c6; 4.Nf3 Qb6; 5.b3 Bf5; 6.e3 e6; 7.Bd3 Bxd3; 8.Qxd3 Be7; 9.Bxe7
Nxe7; 10.0-0 0-0.
352
QUEEN PAWN GAME
Black obviously has nothing to worry about here. There are no bishops to
take advantage of the dark squares. If we placed bishops at, say, e2 and c8, that
would be an altogether different story.
l l.c4 Nd7; 12.Nc3 Rfd8; 13.Rfdl Nf6; 14.Racl Ng6; 15.h3 Qb4; 16.Qb l
Qe7; 17.cxd5 cxd5; 18.Ne5 Nxe5; 19.dxe5 Nd7; 20.f4 f6; 2 l.exf6 Nxf6 and
Adams - Dautov, European Team Championship 1997 was eventually drawn.
BLACKMAR-DIEMER GAMBIT
l.d4 d5
2.e4
What is unorthodox about this gambit? Nothing at all. I include it

because the chess world tends to think of the Blackmar-Diemer Gam
bit as some sort of unorthodox opening, even though it conforms fully
to all opening principles except that it sacrifices a pawn. I don't think
it is 100 percent sound, and have written extensively on two of my
preferred defenses, but that is a judgment aimed at chess played in the
professional arena. Among amateurs, the BDG, as it is known by the
Blackmar Diemer Gemeinde, the opening is not just playable, but fun!
There is a vast literature on this opening, including an excellent
new book by Gary Lane and a journal devoted to the subject lovingly
edited by Tom Purser. Thousands of games are available for study, and
it is only a slight exaggeration to say that the opening has a cult follow
ing. All I will do in this game is give a taste of the possibilities. I've
tried to include examples by many of the best known members of the
fan club.When Black captures at e4, White will develop Nc3 and then
offer up the f-pawn, recapturing with the knight (taking with the queen
is the inferior Ryder Gambit) and developing quickly.
353

2 ... dxe4; 3.Nc3 Nf6. This position can also arise via l .d4 d5; 2.Nc3 Nf6;
3.e4 dxe4. 4.£3 ex£3; 5.Nx£3.
5 ... c5. This is a rare defense, but it has the merit of threatening to com
plete the destruction of the White center. I choose it largely because of its
obscurity. In Gary Lane's excellent book, it is not even mentioned directly,
with only a single transpositional reference from 4 ... c5; 5.d5 exf3; 6.Nxf3.
There are many standard replies to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. 5 ... e6, the
Euwe Defense is the strongest available, in my opinion. But this is a book on
unorthodox openings, and that is a very classical approach.
6.Bf4 resulted in some quick kills for gambitmeister Gedult, but the de
fense was not handled will in any of the games. 6.d5 reaches, by transpostiion,
Meszaros - Weiss, Eger 1 992, where White gained the advantage after 6 ... g6
(6 ... a6! eliminates any use of b5 by White, and this gives Black a good game.)
7.Bg5 Bg7; 8.Bb5+ Nbd7 (8 ...Bd7; 9.Bxd7+ Qxd7; 1 0.0-0 0-0; 1 l .Ne5 gives
White reasonable attacking chances.) 9.a4 0-0; 10.Qd2 Nb6; 1 l.Rd1 a6; 12.Be2
B£5; 13.0-0 Ng4; 14.Nh4 Qd6 (14 ... Bd4+; 15.Kh 1 Nf2+; 16.Rxf2 Bxf2; 17.Nxf5
gx£5; 1 8.Bh6 and White recoups the material.) 15.Bf4 Be5; 1 6.Nxf5 gx£5;
17.Bxe5 Qxe5; 1 8.Qg5+ etc.
6 ... Nd5. 6 ... Bg4; 7.Bb5+ Nbd7; 8.dxc5 a6; 9.c6 axb5; 10.cxd7+ Nxd7; 1 l .Qe2
b4; 12.Nb5 e5; 13.Bxe5 Be7; 14.Bxg7 Rg8; 15.Nd6# Gedult - Brillon, Paris
1 970. 6 ... cxd4; 7.Nb5 Nd5; 8.Bg3 Nc6; 9.Nfxd4 Nxd4; 1 0.Qxd4 a6; 1 l .Qxd5
axb5; 12.Bxb5+ Bd7; 13.0-0-0 Gedult - Cheby, Paris 1971. 6 ...e6!; 7.dxc5
Qxd1 +; 8.Rxd1 Bxc5; 9.Nb5 Na6; 1 0.Nd6+ Bxd6; 1 l .Bxd6 Bd7 and even after
12 .Bxa6 bxa6; White may have compensation for one pawn, but now two.
7 .Bb5+ Nc6; 8.Ne5 Nxf4. 8 ... Nxc3; 9.bxc3 a6; 1 O.Nxc6 Qb6; 1 l.dxc5 Gedult
- As car, Paris 1 968.
9.Qf3.
354
QUEEN PAWN GAME
9 . Qxd4?? The reputation of this defense has suffered greatly as a result

..
of this blunder. But what would be the view of the variation after 9 ... Qd6;
1 0.Qxf4 f6; l l .Ne4 Qc7; 1 2.Nd3 Qa5+; 13.Nc3 cxd4; 14.Bxc6+ bxc6; 15.Qxd4
e5 and Black is much better?
10.Nxc6 bxc6; l l.Qxc6+ Gedult - Sardat, Lausanne 1970.
HUBSCH GAMBIT
l.d4 Nf6
2.Nc3 d5
3.e4 Nxe4
The ability to capture with the knight is provided by this move

order. Black can of course switch to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit by
capturing with the pawn instead. The Hiibsch Gambit is sometimes
chosen by BDG fans to avoid the rather cheesy Lemberger Variation
where Black gets in an early ... e5. Although long considered a disrepu
table relative of the BDG, the Hiibsch may not be pretty, but it is prob
ably no more or less useful than its more famous cousin.
355

There is a great deal of theory on this opening, and here we'll just look at
the main line with a few unorthodox sallies on the way. 4.Nxe4 dxe4; 5.Bc4
Bf5; 6.c3.
6.g4 Bd7; 7.Be3 e6; 8.c3 Bc6; 9.Ne2 Nd7; 1 0.Bb3 Qh4; 1 l.h3 0-0-0; 12.Qc2
Nf6; 13.0-0-0 NdS; 14.Bxd5 exdS; 15.c4, of Diebert - Benjamin, Columbus
1 986, is cited by Purser, in the 54th issue of his fascinating magazine BDG
World. He claims the position holds "incalculable complications". The posi
tion does not seem so complicated to me, Black has an extra pawn and the
bishop pair, White has, well, nothing that I can see. Diebert, by the way, is a
master who loves gambit play, though he tends to play in an orthodox style
once he has punted the pawn. He may be the strongest exponent of the
Blackmar-Diemer and related gambits. Of course he was facing a Grandmas
ter in this game, the co-author of Unorthodox Openings!
6 ... e6; 7.g4 Bg6; 8.Qb3.
Typically, when Black's light-squared bishop heads to the kingside early in

the game, the White queen will often occupy b3 with pressure at dS and b7.
8 ...Qc8; 9.£4 ex£3; lO.Nx£3. Purser now considers White to have enough
compensation, in the form of a lead in development and a lasting initiative.
Certainly White has some compensation for the pawn, but he doesn't indicate
any way for Black to survive even to move 20! I think that the unorthodox
violation of the rules by the g-pawn is still significant here. The kingside is
weak. Black should develop and do something about it! IO ...Bd6; l l.Be3 Nc6
threatens ... NaS, once Black has castled. 1 l .. .c6; 12.a4 Be4?!; 13.0-0 Na6;
( 1 3 ... Qc7 is more logical. ) 14.Ng5 Bg6; 15 .Nxf7 here Purser notes that White
won in Augustin - Hohne, Postal 1 986, 87. But how?
12.0-0 0-0; 13.Be2 e5! and Black has taken over the initiative.
356
QUEEN PAWN GAME
MORRIS COUNTERGAMBIT
l.d4 d5
2.Bf4 c5
3.e4 dxe4
White gives up a valuable central pawn, and at first the opening

seems to defy logic. But after 4.d5 it becomes clear that White is play
ing an Albin Countergambit in reverse, with the extra tempo used for
Bf4. The problem is that this is not the best square for the bishop.
More importantly, White's early declaration allows Black to choose an
appropriate reaction.

4... Qb6! hits the weakness at b2. 5.Qcl Nf6 and Black is better. This is an
instructive example which helps to illustrate that playing a sound gambit with
an extra tempo is not always advantageous, because the obligation to move
also carries a forced disclosure of strategy.
ZURICH GAMBIT
l.d4 d5
2.g4 Bxg4
357
This gambit does not return any real compensation to White, who
cannot even play e4 quickly, which is possible in the somewhat similar
Gibbins - Wiedehagen Gambit. 3.f3 Bf5; 4.Nc3 e5! and the weakness
of the h4-e 1 diagonal is obvious.
358
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED

VON HENNIG GAMBIT
l.d4 d5
2.c4 e6
3.Nc3 c5
4.cxd5 cxd4
5.Qxd4 Nc6
6.Qdl exd5
7.Qxd5 Be6
8.Qxd8+
With the move 8 ... Rxd8, which will soon see, Von Hennig's Gam
bit is generally considered refuted. Indeed, White can enter a favor
able endgame if well prepared, but one slip along the way can prove
fatal. First White must deal with the simple threat of ... Nb2 and ... Nc2#!

8.Qb5 a6; 9.Qxb7 Nb4; 10.Qe4 Nf6; l l .Qbl gives Black more than enough
compensation for the pawn-or at least enough to have discouraged anyone
from playing it as White!
8 ... Rxd8; 9.e3! Nb4; 10.Bb5+ Ke7; l l .Kfl.
This is the move which has put the endgame variation out of business,
359
though as the database shows, it seems few players are aware of it! l l. .. g6. Von
Hennig worked out this idea back in the 1 920s.
1 l ...Nf6; 1 2 .Nf3 Nc2 ( 1 2 ... a6!?; 1 3.Be2 Nfd5; 14.Nxd5+ Bxd5; 15.b3 g5!?
might provide a little more counterplay than the game.) 13.Rb1 Bf5; 14.Bd2
g5; 15.Rcl h6; 1 6.e4 Nxe4; 1 7.Rxc2 Nd6; 18.Nd4 Nxb5; 1 9.Nxf5+ Kf6; 20.Nxb5
K.xf5; 2 l .Ke2 Smyslov - Estrin, Leningrad 1 95 1 . This game is usually cited as
theI refutation of the gambit. 1 l ...g5 has been played but 12 .b3 looks awkward
for Black.
12.Nf3. 12.a3 Nc2; 13.Rb 1 Bg7 was given by von Hennig. 12 ... Bg7; 13.Bd2
a6; 14.Be2. ECO 11 ( 1 987) stops here, with an evaluation attributed to Kasparov
claiming that White has a clear advantage, citing the present game. Is it so?
14 ... g5!? It is strange that Black has spent two tempi getting the pawn ad
vanced to this vulnerable square, but it seems to be an effective plan.
15.Nd4?! Nc2!; 16.Rdl Nxd4; 17.exd4 Bxd4 Mitov - Estrin, Postal 1972.
Black is at least equal here. Better is 15.Ne4! The Knight at b4 is now attacked.
After 15 ... Nxa2; 16.Nc5! Bxb2; 17.Rb 1 Black has too many weaknesses.
360
QUEEN'S GAMBIT REFUSED

ALBIN COUNTERGAMBIT
l.d4 d5
2.c4 e5
There is a great deal of published analysis on this opening, includ

ing one of my books, and I can only survey a small bit of the territory
here. I'll concentrate on an unorthodox line and recent developments
in the main line.

3.dxe5 d4; 4.e4.
This move continues to ignore development and gives Black a passed pawn,
but it does conquer some central territory. 4 ... Nc6; 5.f4 f6; 6.exf6 Nxf6;
(6 ... Bb4+; 7.Nd2 Nxf6 is a reasonable, if untested suggestion by Minev.)
36 1
7.Bd3 In this line, Black has given up the pawn in return for space and
active bishops. 7 ... Bb4+! must be played immediately, before White gets in
8.a3. 8.Nd2 (8.Bd2 0-0; 9.e5 Ng4; 10.Nf3 Ne3 with a good game for Black,
Berasasin-Mettler, Montevideo 1 920.) 8 ... Ng4. Now Black achieves the desired
position. 9.a3 Ne3; 1 0.Qe2 Bg4; 1 l .Qf2 ( 1 1 .Ngf3 Bxf3; 12.Qxf3 0-0!; 13.g3
Ne5; 14.Qe2 Rxf4!; 15.axb4 Qf6; 16.Rfl Rxfl+; 1 7.Nxfl Nf3+; 1 8.Kf2 Nxh2+;
1 9.Ke1 Nhxfl and Black was on top in Osipov-Zhuravlev, Latvia 1972.) 1 1 ...0-
0!?; 1 2.axb4 Nxb4; 1 3.Ra3 Nec2+; 14.Bxc2 ( 14.Kf1 Nxa3; 15.bxa3 Nxd3 and
Black wins.) 14 ... Nxc2+; 15.Kf1 Nxa3; 1 6.bxa3 Qd6.
After 4.Nf3 Nc6, White can use many move orders, but the key elements
are a kingside fianchetto, kingside castling, Nbd2 and often a3, with a queenside
attack to follow, since the Black king usually castles in that direction. 5.g3
Be6. 5 ... Bf5 is not yet refuted(5 ... Bg4 is the older line. 6.Bg2 Qd7; 7.0-0 0-0-
0; 8.Nbd2 Bh3; 9.e6!? Bxe6; 1 0.Ng5 Be7; 1 l .Nxe6 Qxe6; 12.Qa4 and White is
better, Reitano - Stephens, Scheveningen Cup 1 996.), but it is not in good
health, either, after 6.a3 Qd7!
Most books only consider the weaker 6 ... a5, but as Lamford notes, the text
leads to positions where Black has compensation for his pawn. 7.b4. The most
consistent move. Delay only makes it easier for Black to achieve his objectives.
( 7.Bg2 0-0-0; 8.0-0 Bh3; 9.b4 h5; 10.b5 Nce7; 1 l .e6 should almost be forced,
if White is to have any active play. The e5-square is worth more than the weak
pawn. 1 l ...Bxe6; 12.Qa4 Kb8; 13.Ne5 Qc8; 14.c5 f6; 1 5.b6 a6; 16.c6. This
looks like an impressive attack for White, but too few pieces are in the battle
field, and Black has a strong defensive resource. 16 ... Bd5!; 1 7.bxc7+ Qxc7;
1 8.Bf4 fxe5; 1 9.cxb7 exf4; 20.Nd2 Bxg2; 2 l .Rfcl Qd6; 22 .Kxg2 Qd5+; 23.Kg1
Rh6! Solokina-Borisenko, RSFSR Team Championship 1958. Once again the
strategy of deploying rooks from the flank is involved in the middlegame.)
7 ... Rd8 (7 ... 0-0-0 comes into consideration.) 8.Nbd2 Bxb4? (8 ...Nge7 Sug
gested by Lamford, but there is no practical experience, so what follows is
analysis. 9 .b5 Nb8; 10.Bg2 h6!?; 1 1 .0-0 g5; 1 2 .Nb3 Ng6; 1 3.Nbxd4 Nxe5;
14.Qb3 Bg7; 15.Bb2+.) 9.axb4 Nxb4 is refuted by 10.e6! fxe6 ( 1 0 ... Qxe6;
1 l .Qa4+-Brinckmann.) 1 l .Ne5 Qd6 ( 1 1 ...Nc2+; 12.Qxc2 Bxc2; 1 3.Nxd7 Rxd7;
362
14.Rxa7) 12.Nd3 c5; 13.Rxa7 b5; 14.Nxb4 cxb4; 15.Bg2 Nf6; 16.0-0 and Black's
weak pawns are no match for the piece, Engels-Richter, Bad Oeynhausen 1939.
6.Nbd2 Qd7; 7.Bg2 0-0-0.
8.0-0. 8.a3 causes Black severe problems. I worked this out back in 1983,
and have yet to find a completely satisfactory line for Black. I tried 8 ... g5
9.Nxg5 Nxe5; 1 0.Nxe6 Qxe6 in Hess - Schiller, Postal 1 983, but 1 l .Bd5 is a
strong rejoinder to that plan.
8 ...h5.
This is the established main line. White has developed and castled, so the
queenside attack is ready to begin. Black still needs to get the knight at g8 into
the game. The game is not likely to end in a draw, as both sides will try to blast
open the enemy fortress and get to the king. 9.h4. There are many other
moves here, but preventing the advance of Black's pawn is the most logical.
9.a3 h4; 10.b4 is too slow. 1 0 ...Bh3; 1 l .Bb2 Bxg2; 12.Kxg2 hxg3; 13.fxg3
Qh3+ with a strong attack for Black in Harris - Wilcox, Guernsey 1989.
9 Nh6; 10.Ng5. 1 0.a3 Ng4 ( 1 0 ...Be7; 1 l .b4 Ng4; 12.Qa4 Kb8; 13.Bb2
...
Ncxe5; 14.Qxd7 Rxd7; 15.Nxd4 Bxc4; 1 6.f4 Bxe2; 1 7.fxe5 Bxfl; 18.Nxfl Nxe5;
19.Bh3 Rxd4; 20.Bxd4 Nf3+; 2 l .Kf2 Nxd4 and Black had a winning endgame
363
in Skorpik - Chetverik, Policka 1 996.) 1 l .Qa4 Kb8; 12.b4 Ncxe5 ( 1 2 ... Ngxe5
13.b5 Nx£3+; 14.Nxf3 Ne7 and White was better in Carlsson - Schiller, Postal
1 983.) 13.Qxd7 Rxd7; 14.Bb2 Nxc4; 15.Nxc4 Bxc4; 1 6.Nxd4 led to unclear
complications in Boness - Schiller, Postal 1 983.
10...Bg4!; l l.Ndf3 f6!; 12.exf6 gxf6; 13.Ne4 Qe6. This plan was origi
nally suggested by Paul Lamford and Andrew Law. 14.Qc2 Nb4; 15.Qa4 a6;
16.c5 Nc6; 17.Nfd2 Bxe2; 18.Rel d3; 19.Nc3 Bxc5; 20.Nb3 Bb6; 2 l .Bfl? An
attempt to chase my bishop out of the parish, but in fact it simply extends an
invitation for my all-out assault on the monarch. 2 l .Bxc6 Ng4!; 22.Bxb7+ Kxb7;
23.Ne4 Qe7 is better for Black, but not as disastrous as the game.
2 1...Nd4!; 22.Nxd4 Rxd4; 23.b4 Rxh4!; 24.Nxe2.
Now the game ends with a flourish! 24...Bxf2+!!; 25.Kxf2 Ng4+; 26.Kgl
Qb6+; 27.Nd4 Qxd4+; 28.Be3 Nxe3; 29.gxh4 Rg8+; 30.Kf2 Ndl+. White re
signed, Lindberg - Schiller, Postal 1 983.
ALEKHINE DEFENSE
l.d4 d5
2.c4 g6
364
This is not one of Alekhine's more successful ideas. He used it in

the late 1930s, and perhaps was under the "influence" at the time,
because the refutation is simple and straightforward.

3.cxd5 Qxd5; 4.Nc3 Qa5; 5.Nf3 Bg7; 6.Bd2 and now the Black queen
must squirm a bit. 6 ... c6; 7.e4 Qb6; 8.Bc4! Bxd4; 9.Nxd4 Qxd4; 10.Qb3 with
a powerful threat at f7.
After 10 Qg7; 1 1 .0-0 Nd7; 12.Rfel Ne5; 13.f4 and White's initiative was
..•
worth at least a pawn in Stahlberg - Alekhine, Kemeri 1937.
AUSTRIAN DEFENSE
l.d4 d5
2.c4 c5
The Austrian Defense is tricky, but if White knows what to do it

crumbles quickly.
365

3.cxd5. 3.dxc5 d4 is the Salvia Countergambit, which is not bad, because
B lack grabs a lot of important space. Compare this with the Albin
Countergambit or the Tarrasch Gambit.
3 ...Nf6. This is the Gusev Countergambit, which is unsound, but the alter
natives are not great, either. 3 ... Qxd5; 4.Nf3 (4.Nc3 Qxd4; 5.Qxd4 cxd4; 6.Nb5
Na6; 7.Nxd4 is an easy excuse for a draw.) 4 ... cxd4; 5.Nc3 Qc5; 6.Nxd4 Nf6;
7.e4 e5; 8.Nb3 is a bit better for White, but perhaps not unplayable for Black.
4.dxc5 Qxd5; 5.Bd2! 5.Qxd5 is less effective: 5 ...Nxd5; 6.e4 Nb4; 7.Na3
e6? Black can equalize with 7 ... e5! as in Taimanov - Malich, Budapest 1965.
8.Be3 N8a6; 9.Bb5+ Bd7; 1 0.Bxd7+ Kxd7; 1 1 .0-0-0+ Kc6; 12.Nf3 Bxc5; 13.Ne5+
Kb6; 14.Rd6+ Nc6; 15.Nd7+. Black resigned, Korchnoi - Gusev, Poltava 1 956.
5 ...Ne4; 6.Nf3 e5; 7.Nc3 Nxc3; 8.Bxc3 Qxdl+; 9.Rxdl.
White's advanced development is overpowering here. 9 ...f6; 10.b4 a5; l l.a3

axb4; 12.axb4 Ra3; 13.Rcl b6; 14.e3 bxc5; 15.bxc5 and Black has few pros
pects for survival, according to this analysis by Podgrony.
CHIGORIN DEFENSE: LAZARD GAMBIT
l.Nf3 Nc6
2.d4 d5
3.c4 e5
366
The Lazard Gambit is one of the most interesting lines in the

Chigorin Defense to the Queen's Gambit. Black offers a pawn to facili
tate development. White must be careful not to overextend. American
Weaver Adams contributed heavily to the theory of the variation.
I really don't understand Dunnington's treatment of this line. He
considers capturing with the pawn to be correct and dismisses the cap
ture with the knight.

4.Nxe5. After 4.dxe5 Bb4+, Black can transpose to the Albin Countergambit
with 4... d4, but the check is stronger. 5.Bd2. This is considered the strongest
move. (5.Nbd2 dxc4; 6.a3 Ba5; 7.Qc2 b5; 8.b3 Nd4; 9.Nxd4 Qxd4; 10.Rb 1
Ne7; 1 l .e3 Qxe5; 1 2.bxc4 Bf5; 13.Qb2 was played in Fedorowicz - Boissonet,
Buenos Aires 1 99 1 . 13 ... Qxb2; 14.Rxb2 bxc4; 15.Bxc4 is evaluated as a bit
better for White by Dunnington, who does note that Black's active pieces
provide some counterplay. I think the position is dead even after 15 ... Rd8
with annoying pressure at d2. White gets nothing by invading the seventh
rank, and 1 6.Rb7 Bb6; 1 7.Bb2 0-0; 18.Bc3 Rb8 is one simple plan for Black. )
5 ...dxc4 and White has tried many plans, but the advance of the e-pawn is the
most logical move.
a) 6.e4 Be6; 7.Qc l Qe7; 8.Bxb4 Qxb4+; 9.Nbd2 0-0-0 gives Black the
advantage, for example 1 0.Bxc4 Bxc4; 1 l .Qxc4 Nxe5; 12.Qxb4 Nd3+; 1 3.Ke2
Nxb4; 14.Rhd1 ( 14.Rhcl Ne7; 15.Ne5 Rhf8 1 6.a3 Nbc6; 1 7.Nxc6 Nxc6 is also
good for Black, Stuart - Sarapu, New Zealand Championship 1 987.) 14 ... Ne7;
15.Ng5 Rdf8; 16.f4 h6; 17.Ngf3 f5 with an active game for Black, Vasiukov
Welling, Eindhoven 1 986.
b) 6.e3! is a more effective move.
6 ...Be6; 7.Qc2 ( 7.a3 Bxd2+; 8.Nbxd2 b5; 9.a4 a6; 10.Rcl Na5; 1 l .Nd4 c5;
12 .Nxe6 fxe6; 13.Qg4 Qe7; 14.Ne4 Nh6; 15.Qf3 Rb8; 16.Nd6+ proved effec
tive for White in one of the earliest games in this line, Apscheneek - Lazard,
Paris Olympiad 1924.) 7 ... Qd5 (7 ...b5 is suggested by Volkov and Dunnington
367
says that it is worth considering. I am skeptical. 8.Nc3 a6; 9.0-0-0 and the e4
square is particularly inviting, to be occupied by knight or queen as required.)
8.Bxb4 Nxb4; 9.Qa4+ Nc6; 1 0.Nc3 QcS; 1 l .Nd4 Bd7; 12.Qb5 QxbS; 13.Ncxb5
Nxd4; 14.Nxd4 cS; 15.Nf3 ( 1 5 .Nc2 bS; 16.a4 bxa4; 1 7.Bxc4 Rb8; 18.0-0-0
and White is better, Klinger - Polzin, Oberwart 1 992.) 15 ... b5; 16.a4 bxa4;
17.Bxc4 Ke7; 18.Ng5 Nh6; 19.0-0-0 and Black's pawns are weaker, Cvitan -
Godena, Biel 1 988. 4.cxd5 QxdS; 5.Nc3 Bb4 is already better for Black who
has pressure at c3 and d4.
a) 6.dxe5 Qxd1 +; 7.Kxd1 Bg4; 8.Bf4 (8.Bg5 h6; 9.Bd2 0-0-0; 1 0.Rc l Nge7
1 l .a3 BcS; 12.Ne4 Bb6; 13.b4 RdS; 14.Ke1 Rhd8; 15.Bc3 Ng6; 16.e6 f5; 1 7.Ned2
f4; 1 8.Nc4 Bd4; 19.Nxd4 Nxd4 Praszak-Mokry, Prague 1990. 8 ... Bxc3; 9.bxc3
Nge7; 1 0.e3 Ng6; 1 l .Be2 0-0; 12.Rb1 Rad8+; 13.Kcl b6; 14.Re1 Bxf3; 15.gxf3
NcxeS; 16.Bg3 Nd3+; 1 7.Bxd3 Rxd3; 1 8.Kc2 Rd7. Black had the better pawn
structure in Daniuszewski - Lazard, Paris Olympaid 1 924.
b) 6.Bd2 Bxc3; 7.Bxc3.
7 ...e4 (7 ...Nge7 comes into consideration.) 8.Nd2! This is the only move to
maintain equality, though Black can already be pleased with the result of the
opening. 8 ... e3!? is now good. 9.fxe3 Nf6; 1 0.Qb3 ( 1 0.Nf3? 0-0; 1 l.g3 Ng4;
361
1 2.Bd2 ReS; 13.Qc l Nxd4 and White is already lost, Packroff - Philipp, Postal
1 977.) 10 ... Be6; 1 l .Qxb7 ( 1 1 .e4!? Nxe4; 12.Nxe4 Qxe4; 13.Qxb7 and now
13 ... 0-0; 14.d5! Bxd5; 15.Qxc7 Nb4; 1 6.Qg3 f6; 17.Bxb4 Qxb4+; 18.Qc3 Qxc3+;
1 9.bxc3 which should lead to a draw after Black recovers the pawn with
19 ... Rac8. 1 l .Qxd5 Bxd5; 12 .e4 Nxe4; 13.e3 0-0-0; 14.Nxe4 Bxe4; 15.Bc4 was
about even in Bajrachn}j - Panchenko, Yalta 1996.) 1 l ...Nxd4; 12.Qxd5 Nc2+;
13.Kf2 Nxd5; 14.Bxg7 Rg8; 15.Rcl Ndxe3; 1 6.Bh6 Ng4+; 17.Kg1 Nxh6; 18.Rxc2
and White is a little better.
4 ...Nxe5; 5.dxe5.
5 ...dxc4. 5 ... d4?! is dubious and White gains a strong position with 6.e3!
a) 6 ... Bb4+; 7.Bd2 dxe3; 8.Qa4+ (8.Bxb4?? exf2+; 9.Ke2 Bg4+) 8 ... Bd7;
9.Qxb4 exd2+; 1 0.Nxd2 Bc6; 1 l .Be2 Qg5; 12.Nf3 Qxg2; 1 3.Rg1 Qh3; 14.Rd1
Ne7; 15.Rxg7 Qh6; 1 6.Rg4 a5; 1 7.Qc3 Ng6; 1 8.e6 with a strong attack for
White in Mengarini - W.Adams, Log Cabin 1 950.
b) 6 ... Bc5; 7.f4!? Nh6 (7 ... dxe3; 8.Nc3 Nh6; 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8; 10.Nd5 Nf5;
1 l .Bd3 and the pawn will fall quickly.) 8.e4 d3; 9.Qxd3 Ng4; 10.Qxd8+ Kxd8;
1 l .Be2 Nf2; 12 .Rf1 Nxe4; 13.Bf3 and White already has a decisive advantage,
Simonson - Bernstein, United States Championship 1936. 6.Qxd8+ Kx.d8.
369
White has only a small advantage in this endgame. Dunnington considers

only 7.e4, but there are other important moves.
7.e4. 7.Nc3 c6; 8.Bg5+ Kc7; 9.0-0-0 Be6 and Black could be happy with
the position, Reinfeld - W.Adams, New York 194 1 . 7.Bg5+ Be7; 8.Bxe7+ Nxe7;
9.Na3 Ng6; 1 0.Rd1 + Ke7; 1 l .Nxc4 Be6; 12.e3 Bxc4; 13.Bxc4 Nxe5 led to an
even endgame in Gyimesi - Berenyi, Hungary 1993. 7 ... b5. 7 ... Be6; 8.f4 g6 is
suggested by Dunnington, but I think White has a much better game after
9.Nc3 Bb4; 10.Be3 followed by queenside castling.
8.a4 c6; 9.Be3 a6; 10.axb5 cxb5; l l.Nc3 Bb7; 12.Be2 h5; 13.0-0 Rc8;
14.Rfdl+ and White is better, Kramer - Boey, Postal 1984.
CHIGORIN DEFENSE: TARTAKOWER GAMBIT

I
l.d4 d5
2.c4 Nc6
The Chigorin Defense has not had an advocate at a high level of

chess since Mikhail Chigorin at the turn of the century, and no World
Champion had ever shown it much respect. Euwe described it as "A
rather unusual defence which can yield good results only if White makes
a premature attempt to sieze the advantage."
The opening is a bit unorthodox in that Black places a knight on
c6, blocking the c-pawn which usually advances quickly in the Closed
Games. For the purposes of our unorthodox investigations, the lines
with an early ... e5, often involving gambit play, are of more interest
than the old lines with ... Bg4 or ... dxc4. In this, and the next section,
we will look at this radical strategy.
370

3.Nc3 e5.
The main line has been 3 ... Bg4, but that has taken a lot of pounding in
recent decades, and Tartakower's move has come to be viewed as a last salva
tion for Black.
4.cxd5. This is White's most promising move. 4.dxe5 is an interesting op
tion for White. I managed to outplay six-time United States Champion Waiter
Browne as Black in the 199 1 United States Blitz Championship but the posi
tion after 4 ... d4; 5.Nd5 Be6; 6.e4 dxe3; 7.Bxe3 Nxe5; 8.Nf3 Nxf3+; 9.Qxf3 c6;
10.Nc3 ( 1 0.Nf4 is a losing blunder: 10 ... Bb4+; l l .Ke2 Bxc4+ was another game
from the same event, where my opponent had to resign.) 1 0 ... Bb4 ( 1 0 ... Qa5!?)
l l .Rdl Qa5; 12.Bd4 f6; 13.a3 Be7; 14.Be2 was objectively better for White.
4.e3 is unambitious and Black gets a good game quickly. 4 ... Bb4; 5.Bd3 exd4;
6.exd4 Nxd4; 7.Bd2 Qe7+; 8.Kfl Nf6 gave Black the advantage in Uusi -
Lahtinen, Finland Team Championship 1 997. 4...Nxd4; 5.e3 Nf5; 6.e4.
This is the most aggressive move and it is surprising that Dunnington

dismisses it without analysis. 6.Nf3 Bd6 is another way to handle the position.
7.e4 is considered best, even though White has wasted a tempo. True,
371
Black cannot retreat the knight to d6, but is that really a problem? 7 ... Nfe7;
8.Be2. This is the only move considered by Dunnington, but there are several
alternatives which have been tried. (8.Bb5+ Bd7; 9.Qb3 Nf6; 10.Bxd7+ Qxd7;
1 l .Qxb7 0-0; 12 .0-0 Ng6 is Polak - Omelka, Moravian Championship 1996.
Here instead of 13.Qc6?! White should play 13.Rd1 with an advantage. 8.Qb3
Nf6; 9 .Bg5 Nd7; 10.0-0-0 0-0; 1 l .Qc2 a6; 12 .Nd2 b6; 13.Nc4 f6 gave Black
no serious problems in Zoebisch - Stuhlik, Vienna 1996. 8.Be3 Nf6; 9.h3 0-0;
1 0.Be2 a6; 1 1 .0-0 Ng6 didn't bring White much in Mincsovics - Mester, Bajnok
1 996.) 8 ... a6; 9.a4 Bg4; 10.Nd2 Bxe2; 1 l .Qxe2 Nf6; 12.Nc4 gave White the
more comfortable game in Lautier - Meulders, Lyon Zonal 1 990. Still, had
Black played 12 ...Ng6; 13.0-0 0-0 is not easy to see how White-can improve
the position, and Dunnington's claim that "White's extra space and more
active pieces guarantee a lasting advantage." I think that it is hard for Black to
play with ambition here, but defense should not be too difficult.
6 ... Nd6; 7.Nf3.
White is certainly better here, and the present game served as the illustra
tion for White's best play in this variation in my 199 1 book on the Chigorin.
7.Qh5 Qe7; 8.Nf3 Nf6; 9.Qxe5 Nfxe4; 10.Nxe4 Nxe4; 1 l .Bb5+ Bd7; 12.Bxd7+
Kxd7; 13.Qf5+ Kd8; 14.0-0 Nd6; 15.Qc2 Qe4; 16.Qd1 Be7; 17.Re1 Qg4; 18.h3
QhS; 19.Qb3 b6; 20.Ne5 Re8; 2 l .Bf4 f6; 22.g4 Qh4; 23.Nc6+ Kd7; 24.Bxd6
Bxd6; 25.Nb8+ Kd8; 26.Qb5 and Black resigned, Pihlajasalo - Pystynen, Fin
land 1 997.
7...Bg4; 8.Qa4+ Bd7; 9.Qb3 f6; 10.Be3. White is developing in comfort,
but Black's pieces make an ugly impression. IO. . Ne7; l l.Rcl Nec8. Neces
.
sary, if Black wants to castle. 12.Bd3 Be7; 1 3.0-0 0-0. Euwe suggests 13 ...a6
here. 14.Nb5 Bxb5; 15.Bxb5.
372
This is a crucial position for the evaluation of the line. If Black now played
15 ...N£7 and 16 ...Ncd6, the position would not look so bad to me. Euwe, how
ever, felt that Black should slide the king into the corner instead. 15 ...Nxb5?
Tartakower's choice was clearly wrong. 15 ... Kh8; 16.Bd3 f5; 17.Qc2 is Euwe's
line, where White stands better thanks to the pressure on the c-file and on the
b l -h7 diagonal. 16.d6+ Rf7. 1 6 ... Kh8; 1 7.dxe7 Qxe7; 18.Qxb5 gives White an
extra piece. 17.dxe7 Qd7? Another error. 1 7... Qe8 was better, even if Black's
position would still be undesirable. 18.Rfdl Ncd6. 18 ... Nbd6?; 1 9.Qxb7 Nxb7;
20.Rxd7 Rxe7; 2 l .Rxe7 Nxe7; 22.Rxc7 and one horse falls. 19.a4 Nd4; 20.Bxd4
exd4; 2 1.e5! This leads to the win of material, and then Euwe displayed his
technical skills to bring the point home in Euwe - Tartakower, Nottingham
1 936.
373
RAT DEFENSE
I
BALOGH DEFENSE
l.e4 d6
2.d4 f5
This is a really bad opening. Black creates weaknesses on the kingside

and never recovers. It does not lose by force, but great defensive skill is
needed just to survive, with no prospect of an advantage, even if you
do make it through.

3.exf5 Bxf5; 4.Bd3 Bxd3.
4 .. Qd7; 5.Bxf5 Qx£5; 6.Nf3 is good for White, as Black has light-square
.
weaknesses and the queen is exposed.

4 .. c6; 5.Bxf5 Qa5+; 6.Nc3 Qxf5 shows that Black can find a simple tactic,
.
but after 7.Nf3 White is even better than in the previous variation with 4 . . . Qd7.
5.Qxd3 Nc6; 6.Nf3 e6; 7.0-0 Qd7; 8.c4 is offered by Taimanov, and it is
certainly a better position for White, because the e-pawn and f7 are very weak,
and White controls more space.
374
RETI OPENING
RETI OPENING
PENGUIN VARIATION
l.Nf3 d5
2.c4 d4
3.Rgl
The Penguin is going to find the waters icy indeed after the simple
moves we show below.

3 . . g6. Here for some reason Bucker chooses 4.Ne5, an unprincipled move
.
which allows Black to equalize with 4 ... Bg7.

4.b4 is the most promising move, I think, but the idea ofRgl is so bad that
White cannot find any way to get a good game.
375
RUSSIAN GAME
COCHRANE GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nf6
3.Nxe5 d6
4.Nxf7 Kxf7
The Cochrane Gambit is an ancient opening which has found a

new following in the 1990s. White sacrifices a whole piece to expose
the enemy king. Anyone interested in this opening should certainly
pick up W. John Lutes' thorough study of the opening. The sacrifice
was worked out by John Cochrane, who used it in a number of games
against Mohescunder Bnnerjee in Indai in the late 1 840s. The opening
remained in obscurity for some time, because it was generally felt that
a piece was just too much to gambit in the opening.
In recent years it has been reconsidered, and a lively debate has
taken place both on the chessboards of the world and on the Internet.
White can follow the sacrifice with three distinct plans. 5.Bc4+ is the
most obvious, but taking the center with 5.d4 and developing with
5.Nc3 also have a strong following. Here is some recent theory on each
of the lines, but it is only a taste of the vast menu of attacking options
offered by the Cochrane Gambit.

5.d4.
5.Nc3 is not popular now. 5 ... Qe7 (5 ... c6; 6.d4 Qe8! and play transposes to
5.d4.) 6.d4 g6; 7.Bd3 Bg7; 8.Bg5 h6; 9.Bh4 gS; 1 0.Bg3 R£8; 1 1 .0-0 Kg8 and
White does not have enough for the piece, Svenn - Maiorov, Hallsberg 1980.
5.Bc4+ dS!? (5 ... Be6; 6.Bxe6+ Kxe6; 7.d4 Kf7; 8.Nc3 Be7; 9.Qe2 R£8; 10.Be3
Kg8 and Black had achieved a safe position, though White has some compen
sation for the piece in the form of two pawns and a strong center. Gossip -
Birmingham Chess Club, Postal 1 860.
376
RUSSIAN GAME
5 ... Ke8; 6.0-0 c5; 7.h3 Qc7; 8.f4 Nc6; 9.Nc3 a6; 10.a4 Qe7; 1 l .Nd5 Qd8;
12 .d4 cxd4; 13.e5 Nxd5; 14.Bxd5 dxeS; 15.Bxc6+ bxc6; 1 6.Qh5+ Kd7; 17.fxe5
Kc7; 1 8.Rf7+ Kb8; 19.e6 Bd6; 20.Bg5 Qb6; 2 l .a5 QcS; 22.b4 QeS; 23.Bf4 Qxe6;
24.Qc5 Qxf7; 25.Bxd6+ and Black resigned in Cochrane - Mohishunder,
Calcutta 1848.) 6.exd5 Bd6; 7.d3 Re8+; 8.Be3 Bg4; 9.Qd2 Nbd7; 10.0-0 NeS;
1 l .Nc3 Nf3+; 12.gxf3 Bxf3; 13.Ne4 Rxe4; 14.dxe4 Ng4; 15.Bf4 QgS; 16.e5
BxeS; 1 7.d6+ Kf8; 18.dxc7 Bxf4; 1 9.Qb4+ Ke8; 20.Bb5+ Bc6 and White re
signed, Wiztum - Von Minckwitz, Wiesbaden 1880.
5... Qe8! 5 ... c6 allows White to try a variety of plans. 6.Bd3 ( 6.Nc3 Qe8
transposes to the main line.) 6 ... Be7; 7.0-0 Na6 (7 ...Rf8 looks safest, e.g., 8.e5
dxeS; 9.dxe5 Ng4; 1 0.Re1 Kg8 and Black can attack, so White had nothing
better than exchanging queens with 1 l .Bc4+ Kh8; 12.Qxd8 Bxd8 when Black
is much better.) 8.Nc3 Be6; 9.f4 Qc7; 1 0.e5 ( 10.f5 !?) Qb6 (Bg4!); 1 l .Kh1 Bg4;
12 .Qe 1 Nd5; 13.Qg3 Bc8; 14.Nxd5 cxd5; 15 .c3 and White has enough com
pensation for the piece, Vitolinsh - Aleksandrov, Riga 1 990.
6.Nc3 c6!
Black is better, according to the Big Book ofBusts, which gives 7.Bd3 Bg4!;
8.f3 Bh5; 9.0-0 Kg8; IO.Bg5 Nbd7; l l.Qd2 h6; 12.Bh4 g5 and the White
attack is beaten back. This is not to say that White has no compensation at all,
but rather that the compensation is not enough to make the line usable in
professional circles. At the amateur level it is probably fine.
377
DAMIANO VARIATION
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nf6
3.Nxe5 Nxe4
The Damiano Variation has long been condemned, as it seems that

Black simply cannot achieve equality by ordinary means, and White is
usually happy to see the position on the chessboard in tournament
situations.

4.Qe2 Qe7; 5.Qxe4 d6; 6.d4 dxe5; 7.dxe5. 7.Qxe5 Qxe5+; 8.dxe5 Bf5;
9.c3 Nd7; 1 O.f4 0-0-0; 1 l .Be3 is also good, Kos - Potapov, Ceske Budejovice
1 995. 1 l ...f6; 12.Nd2 fxe5; 13.fxe5 Nxe5; 14.0-0-0 Nd3+; 15.Bxd3 Rxd3;
16.Nc4 Be7; 17.Rxd3 Bxd3; 18.Nd2 Re8; 1 9.Nf3 Bd6; 20.Kd2 Be4; 2 l .h3 c5;
22.Re1 Bg3; 23.Rd1 b6; 24.Rf1 h6; 25.Ke2 Bd5; 26.Nd2 g5; 27.Kd3 c4+; 28.Kd4
Bg8.
7 ...Nc6; 8.Nc3! is best, even though it lets Black get the pawn back. 8 ... Qxe5;
9.Qxe5+ Nxe5.
This looks calm enough, but after 10.Bf4 Bd6; l l .Bg3! White had lasting
pressure in Vasyukov - Chekhov, Kishinyev 1 975.
378
SCANDINAVIAN DEFENSE
BRONSTEIN VARIATION
l.e4 d5
2.exd5 Qxd5
3.Nc3 Qd6
4.d4 Nf6
5.Nf3 a6
This is the Bronstein Variation. I prefer the plan with ... c6 instead
of ... a6 (see the Schiller Defense). In either case Black concedes the
center and brings the queen to a vulnerable position, where she will
often lose more time in retreat. David Bronstein has been an innovator
throughout his accomplished career, which included a World Champi
onship match, and sometimes dabbles in occult openings.

6.Be2. 6.Ne5 Nc6; 7.Bf4 is an interesting gambit approach. (7.Nxc6 Qxc6;
8.d5 Qd6; 9.Be3 b5; 1 0.Qd4 e5; 1 1 .dxe6 Bxe6; 1 2.0-0-0 Qxd4; 13 .Bxd4 Be7;
14.Be2 0-0 posed no problems for Black in Borgo - Bronstein, Ubeda 1996.)
7 ...Nxd4; 8.Bc4 Be6; 9.Bxe6 Nxe6; 10.Qf3 Nxf4; 1 1 .Qxf4 e6; 12.0-0 Be7; 13.Ne4
Qd5; 14.Rfe1 Rd8; 15 .c4 Qd4; 1 6.Nf3 Qd7; 1 7.Ne5 led to a draw by repetition
in Mortensen - Bronstein, Hastings 1 995. 6.h3 e6; 7.Be3 (7.Bd3 Nbd7; 8.Qe2
c5; 9.Be3 b5; 10.Ne4 Qc7; 1 1 .dxc5 Bxc5; 12 .Bxc5 Nxc5; 13 .Nxc5 Qxc5; 14.0-
0 Bb7; 15.a4 b4; 1 6.Qe5 Qe7; 1 7.Nd2 0-0 brought equality in Wood -
Bronstein, Hastings Masters 1 995.) 7 ... b5; 8.a3 Bb7; 9.Be2 Nbd7; 10.0-0 c5;
1 l .dxc5 Qxd1 ; 1 2.Raxd1 Bxc5; 13.Bxc5 2Nxc5; 14.Ne5 Ke7! Black has achieved
an equal position, Ferguson - Bronstein, Hastings 1 995.
6 ...e6; 7.0-0 Nbd7. 7 ... Be7; 8.Ne5 Nc6; 9.Nxc6 Qxc6; 10.Bf3 Qd6 is very
solid for Black, Rozentalis - Bronstein, Reykjavik 1 996. 8.Bg5 c5; 9.Bh4 cxd4;
10.Nxd4 Be7; l l.Bg3 Qb6.
379
12.Nb3. 12.Rbl is a Chigorinish move which might be good. 12 .. 0-0;

.
13.a4 Nc5; 14.a5 Qb4; 15.Bd6 Rd8; 16.Bxe7 Rxdl; 17.Rfxdl and White was
clearly better in Hartman - Bronstein, Wrexham 1 995.
ICELANDIC-PALME GAMBIT
l.e4 d5
2.exd5 Nf6
3.c4 e6
This is the Icelandic-Palme Gambit, one of the most aggressive

lines of the Scandinavian Defense. It rose in prominence in the 1 980s
as an alternative to 3 . . c6, which usually transposes to the Panov Attack
.
of the Caro - Kann. Rudolph Palme and Otto Hardy analyzed the open
ing in detail, and much of the material presented below derives from
their analysis.
Before we get to the analysis, however, there is a matter of dispute
on the name. In Kaissiber (May 1996), Biicker argues that Palme de
serves credit, because he started to play it in 1 955 although Andrew
Martin mentions a player named Tapaszto "who gave all his pawns
away in the 1950s and hasn't been heard of since", but doesn't present
380
any games. Yet we now have a 1954 game Szily-Tapaszto, so does that
mean we should call it the Tapaszto? I think not, because there is a San
Francisco game from 1950, between Stamer and King.
Following the notion that an opening is named for its first user,
then we must call it the King's Gambit! I think Palme does deserve
some credit, because he has played the opening consistently. But Ice
landic Gambit is already well established in the literature on the basis
of important innovations from that chess-loving land that still didn't
have an opening to call its own. So, if you can handle the image of a
palm tree in Iceland, Icelandic-Palme Gambit it is, at least here.
Extensive analysis of this opening is presented in the companion
volume Gambit Opening Repertoire for Black.

4.dxe6. 4.Nc3 exd5; 5.d4 dxc4; 6.Nf3 c6; 7.Bxc4 Bb4; 8.0-0 0-0 led to a
quieter game in Stamer - King, San Francisco 1 952. Worthy of investigation
is 4.Qa4+ Bd7; 5.Qb3 Na6; 6.d4 exd5; 7.c5! This was suggested to me by Gerry
Forbes. 4 ... Bxe6. In return for the pawn Black has two pieces developed, while
White's forces still lie uselessly on the home rank. But there is added posi
tional compensation. Notice that the White cl-pawn must advance to d4 now
or remain backward, because Black will quickly play ... Nc6 and control d4. Yet
the advance of the cl-pawn allows the Black bishop at f8 to develop with check
at b4.
5.d4. 5.Nf3 can also lead to a lively game after 5 ... c5; 6.Be2 Nc6; 7.d3
Qd7; 8.0-0 0-0-0; 9.a3 Bd6; 10.Nc3 h6; 1 l .b4; Bb8, but I prefer White's posi
tion after 12 .bxc5 Bg4; 13.Rb 1 Qf5; 14.Qb3; Rd7; 15.Nb5, for example Szily
Tapaszto, Budapest 1 954 which continued 15 ... Qxc5; 16.d4 Qh5; 1 7.h3 a6;
18.Qc3 ( 18.hxg4 Qxg4; 19.Nc3 and White should win.) 18 ... Re8; 1 9.Bd1 Re4;
20.Ne5 Nxe5; 2 l .dxe5 Bxd 1 ; 22.exf6 gxf6; 23.Be3 Be2; 24.Qxf6 axb5; 25.cxb5
Bxfl ; 26.Bb6 Qe5; 27.Rc l+ Bc4 and White resigned. 5...Bb4+.
38 1
White usually interposes the bishop at d2. 6.Bd2 Qe7. Dr. Palme played
7 ... Bxd2+; 8.Qxd2 Qe7 against Maugg in 1 972. That is also a good plan. 7.Be2.
This modest move is probably best, but White can explore other paths.
7.Bxb4 Qxb4+ and now White usually blocks with the queen. 8.Qd2 Nc6; 9.d5
0-0-0; 1 0.Nc3 ( 10.Na3 Bf5; 1 l .f3 Rhe8+; 1 2.Be2 Qc5; 13.Kfl Nb4; 14.g4 Nfxd5;
15.cxd5 Nxd5; 1 6.Qcl Ne3+; 17.Ke1 Bc2; 1 8.Nxc2 Nxc2+; 1 9.Kfl Rd5; 20.Rb1
Ne3+ and the point was split in Metz - Hauke, Kehl 1 989.) 10 ... Bg4; 1 l .Bd3
Rhe8+; 12 .Nge2 Ne5; 13.0-0 Nxd3; 14.Qxd3 Bxe2; 15.Nxe2 Qxb2; 16.Nd4
Re4; 17.Nb5 Kb8; 18.Nc3 Rh4. This brings the rook too far offside. There are
no real threats against White's king. ( 1 8 ... Re5; 1 9.Rab 1 Qa3; 20.Rb3 Qe7 and
now the weakness of White's back rank makes it impossible to bring enough
firepower to the b-file.) 19.g3 Rh6; 20.Rab1 Qa3; 2 l .Qd4 Rh5; 22 .Nb5 Qa5;
23.Rfe 1 Qb6; 24.Qxb6 axb6; 25.Re7 and White had a strong endgame advan
tage in Osadchenko - Denisov, Moscow (Petrosian) 1997.
This shows the foolishness of sending the rook to the h-file and conced
ing the important central highway. 7 ... Nc6; 8.d5 Nxd5; 9.cxd5 Bxd5; lO.Kfl
0-0-0; l l.Qe 1. This looks good, but the position remains too congested. White
should consider the alternatives. l l. .. Bxd2; 12.Nxd2 Kb8; 13.Bf3. White must
try to untangle, somehow. 13 ... Qd6; 14.Bxd5 Qxd5; 15.Ngf3 Rhe8; 16.Qcl
Qd3+; 17.Kgl Re2; 18.Qc4 Rxd2; 19.Nxd2 Qxd2; 20.Qc3 Qe2; 2 1.h4 Rd2;
22.Rfl Nd4; 23.Rh3.
382
Amazingly, Black's reply was overlooked in Ioseliani - Gurieli, Tbilisi 19871

That game saw 23 ... c5?1 and White eventually won. One of our correspon
dence players improves with 23 ... Rdl. White resigned in Banaszkiewicz -
Kaczynski, Postal l 992 .because of 24.Rxdl Qxd l+; 25.Kh2 Ne2; 26.Rd3 Nxc3.
MAIN LINES
l .e4 d5
2.exd5 Qxd5
3.Nc3 Qa5
This is the main line of the Scandinavian Defense. It is a standard

opening that is also unorthodox in that Black moves the queen to the
fourth rank early in the opening and allows White to take the center
with 4.d4. Nevertheless, it has never been considered more than a little
bit worse for Black and in recent games it has been seen more and
more often, inspired by Viswanathan Anand's use of it in his World
Championship match against Carry Kasparov. The literature of the
Scandinavian is growing, and it is included here only because Black
does violate enough of our general principles. However, this is only a
383
small bite of the Scandinavian pie.

4.d4 Nf6. 4 ... e5, The Anderssen Attack, is now considered to be refuted.
5.Nf3 Bb4; 6.Bd2 exd4; 7.Qe2+ Ne7; 8.Nxd4 is better for White, as Tal has
demonstrated. 8 ... 0-0; 9.a3 Bd6; 1 0.Ndb5 Qb6; 1 1 .0-0-0 Be6; 12.Bg5 Ng6;
13.Nxd6 cxd6; 1 4.h4 Nc6; 15.Be3 Qa5; 16.h5 Nge5; 17.Rh4 d5; 1 8.h6 g6; 19.f4
Nc4; 20.f5 Nxe3; 2 l .Qxe3 Bxf5; 22 .Nxd5 Rad8; 23.b4 Qa4; 24.Qc3 Ne5;
25.Ne7+ Kh8; 26.Qxe5+ f6; 27.Qxf6+ and Black resigned in Tal - Skuja, Latvian
Championship 1 958.
5.Nf3 c6. The systems with the development of the bishop at f5 or g4 are
too ambitious and White can obtain an advantage. 5 ...Nc6 is bad: 6.d5 Nb4;
7.Bb5+ c6; 8.dxc6 bxc6; 9.Ba4 Ba6; 1 0.a3 Rd8; 1 l .Bd2 Rd6; 12.axb4 Qf5; 13.Bb3
Ne4; 14.Rxa6 Rxd2; 15.Qa1 Nxc3; 16.bxc3 Rd6; 17.0-0 and Black gave up in
Fischer - Seidman, New York (Rosenwald Memorial) 1 959. 5 ... Bf5 has been
defended by Larsen, but not with great success. 6.Bd2 Nbd7; 7.Bc4 c6; 8.Qe2
e6; 9.d5 cxd5; 1 0.Nxd5 and White has a strong initiative, Spassky - Larsen,
Montreal 1 979. 5 ...Bg4; 6.h3 Bh5; 7.g4 Bg6; 8.Ne5 (8.b4 Qb6; 9.Bg2 c6; 10.Bd2
Nbd7; 1 l .Ne5 Nxe5; 12.dxe5 Rd8; 13.Qe2 Nd5; 14.Na4 Qc7; 15.c4 and White
was much better, in Kasparov' s only previous game in the opening, from a
1991 simultaneous exhibition.) 8 ... e6; 9.h4 Bb4; 1 0.Rh3 c6; 1 l .Bd2 Qb6; 12.h5
Be4; 13.Re3 Bxc3; 14.Bxc3 Bd5; 15.g5 and White has a strong attack, Karpov
- Rogers, Bath 1 983. Australian Grandmaster Ian Rogers has been a leading
advocate of fringe defenses such as the Scandinavian and Budapest Defenses.
6.Ne5. 6.Bd2 was Tal's preference, and it also looks a little better for White.
6.Bc4 Bf5; 7.Ne5 e6; 8.g4 Bg6; 9.h4 Nbd7; 1 0.Nxd7 Nxd7; 1 l .h5 Be4; 12.Rh3
is a hotly debated line, and the latest word is 12 ... Bg2 ! ; 13.Re3 Nb6; 14.Bd3
N d5 with a solid position for Black, Bauer - Prie, French Championship 1996.
6 ... Be6!? At present, this is considered Blacks best, and it is also at least a
slightly unusual configuration for the bishop. 7.Bd3. 7.Nc4 Bxc4; 8.Bxc4 e6;
9.Qe2 Nbd7; 10.Bd2 Bb4; 1 1 .0-0 0-0; 12.a3 Bxc3; 13.Bxc3 gave White the
384
advantage of the bishop pair in Maink - Mathonia, Bundesliga 1 995.( 13.Bxc3

Qc7; 14.g3 bS; 15.Bd3 Nb6; 16.b3 aS; 17.Qe5 NbdS; 1 8.Bd2 QxeS; 19.dxe5
Nd7; 20.Rfe 1 NcS; 2 l .Bfl a4; 22.b4 Na6; 23.Rec l Nac7; 24.c4 bxc4 Mainka
Mathonia, Bundesliga 1995.).
7 ...Nbd7; 8.Nxd7. 8.f4?! Kasparov was probably taken by surprise, since
he had so little experience with the Scandinavian. 8 ... g6! This is the best way
of developing the bishop. 9.0-0 Bg7.
(9 ... Bf5 is Kaminski - Gelashvili, World Under- 1 8 Championship 1995.

1 0.Bxf5 gxfS; 1 l .Ne2 and White will play c4 with some advantage.) 1 0.Kh1
BfS! and Black achieved equality in Kasparov - Anand, PCA World Champi
onship (game 14) 1 995.
8 ...Bxd7. 8 ...Nxd7; 9.0-0 is surely a bit better for White.
9.0-0 e6. 9 ... Bg4; 10.Ne2 e6 ( 1 0 ... 0-0-0; 1 l .f3 BhS; 12.c3 eS; 13.b4 and
White had the initiative in Brodskij - Galliamova Ivanchuk, Novgorod 1995.)
1 l .c3 Bd6; 1 2.f3 BhS; 13.Bf4 Be7; 14.Qb3 Qb6; 15.Qxb6 axb6 is perhaps a
little better for White, but not much. Lagoda - Shvedchikov, Yalta 1996.
10.Bf4.
385
White has not been able to make progress here. 10 ...Qb6. 10 ... c5; 1 l .d5
0-0-0; 12.Bc4 exd5; 13.Nxd5 Be6; 14.Bd2 Qa4.
l l.Ne2 c5; 12.c3 Bd6; 13.dxc5 Qxc5; 14.Bxd6 Qxd6; 15.Ng3 Bc6; 16.Bb5
Drawn, San Segundo - Ricardi, Buenos Aires 1 995.
SCHILLER VARIATION
l.e4 d5
2.exd5 Qxd5
3.Nc3 Qd6
One of my favorite defenses. Although I won this game, which was

published in at least 4 countries, White did in fact get the better of the
opening, and I consider his play a model for correct play by White. I
still play it from time to time. It has had some good results recently, but
not, I think, due to advantages gained by the opening.

4.d4. The most logical move. 4.Nf3 e5; 5.d3 c6; 6.Be2 f5; 7.0-0 Nf6; 8.Re1
Be7; 9.Bfl Nbd7; 1 0.a3 0-0; 1 l .b4 Nd5; 1 2.Nxd5 cxd5; 13.Bb2 Bf6; 14.c4 d4
and Black is better, Bromberg-Schiller, ICC 1997.
4 ...c6. 4 ... Nf6 is an alternative move order.
a) 5.Nf3 and now 5 ... c6 transposes to Gallagher - Schiller, Lewisham 1985,
which continued 6.Bg5 (6.g3 Bg4; 7.Bg2 Nbd7; 8.Bf4 Qb4; 9.0-0 Qxb2 was
better for Black in "FLMaster" - Schiller, ICC 1 997.) 6 ... Bg4; 7.Be2 Nbd7;
8.Qd2 e6; 9 .0-0 Qc7; 10.Ne5 Bxe2; 1 l .Qxe2 Be7; 12 .Rfe1 0-0 with equality.
b) 5.Bd3 c6; 6.Nge2 g6; 7.Bf4 Qd8; 8.Qd2 Bf5; 9.Bxf5 gxf5; 10.0-0-0 e6;
1 l .Rhe1 Nbd7; 12.d5?! Praised in the tournament bulletin, White's play is
suspect in hindsight. Too late for me! 12 ... cxd5; 13 .Nxd5 Nxd5; 14.Qxd5 exd5;
15.Nc3+ Qe7? ( 15 ... Be7; 1 6.Nxd5 0-0; 17.Nxe7+ Kh8 and Black is winning.)
16.Nxd5 Qxe 1 ; 17.Rxe1+ Ne5 ( 1 7 ...Kd8; 18.Nc7 Bh6) 18.Bxe5 0-0-0; 1 9.Bxh8
Bh6+; 20.f4 Rxd5; 2 l .g3 and White went on to win in Bjerring - Schiller, Biel
1 985.
386
c) 5.Bc4 must be handled with care. 5 ... a6?! transposes to the Bronstein
Variation. 6.Nge2! (6.Bb3 is not necessary, but even here White looks slightly
better.) 6 ... e6; 7.Bf4 Qd8 (7 ... Qb4; 8.Bb3 and the lead in development com
bined with the locked inbishop at c8 gives White the edge.) 8.0-0 Be7; 9.Qd2
0-0; 1 0.Rad l . White has the better prospects-analysis. I prefer 5 ... c6.
4 ... a6 is the Bronstein Variation, handled in the previous chapter.
5.Bc4.
This is the best move order. The knight at g 1 will be developed at e2, and
then the bishop will go to f4 to attack the queen. I have not found a com
pletely satisfying reaction to this plan, though I haven't given up on the de
fense yet. The bishop should be developed immediately so that White can
bring the knight to e2 in support of a bishop at f4.
5.Be2 Nf6; 6.Nf3 is less effective.
A) 6 ... Bg4?!; 7.h3 (7.Bg5 Nbd7; 8.Qd2 e6; 9.Bf4 Qb4; 10.0-0 Bd6!; 1 l .Bxd6
Qxd6; 1 2.Rad1 0-0 brought Black equality in Feustel - B.Pytel, Poland 1 976
(via transposition).) 7 ... Bxf3 (7 ...Bh5; 8.g4 Bg6; 9.Ne5 Nbd7; 10.Nc4 Qc7; 1 l .a4
e6; 1 2.Bf3 Bb4; 13.0-0 h5; 14.g5 Nd5; 15.Ne2 Bf5; 16.Bg2 h4; 1 7.Ne3 Nxe3;
18.fxe3 Be7; 1 9.e4 and White owns the center, Calistri - Morin, Paris 1 996.)
8.Bxf3 e5; 9.0-0 exd4; 1 0.Nb5 Qd8; 1 l .Re1 + Be7; 12.Qxd4 0-0; 1 3.Qxd8 Bxd8;
14.Nd6 and White was clearly better in Bradford - Schiller, Internet 1 990.
B) 6 ...Bf5 is the correct square for the bishop in this variation. 7.0-0 Nbd7;
8.Re 1 h6; 9.Be3 e6; 1 0.Qd2 Qc7; 1 l .Bf4 Bd6 gives Black equality, at the very
least. In this example, Black gets a strong kingside attck. 12.Ne5 Rd8; 1 3.Bd3
g6; 14.Bxf5 gxf5; 15.Qe3 Ng4; 16.Qg3 Ndxe5; 1 7.dxe5 Bc5; 18.Re2 Qb6; 19.Rfl
Qxb2; 20.Na4 Qb5; 2 l .Nc3 Qc4; 22.Qf3 Bd4; 23.Nd1 Qd5; 24.c4 Qxc4; 25.h3
and now the bold sacrifice 25 ...h5! brought quick victory: 26.Rfe1 Bb6; 27.hxg4
hxg4; 28.Qc3 Qxf4; 29.g3 Qh6. White resigned, Friedman - Schiller, Chicago
1 983.
5.d5 Nf6; 6.dxc6 Qxd1 +; 7.Nxd1 Nxc6 and Black is doing fine, "WJS" -
Schiller, Internet 1 990. 5 .Be3 Nf6; 6.Qd2 Bf5; 7.Nf3 e6; 8.Nh4 Bg6; 9.Nxg6
hxg6; 1 0 .0-0-0 Qc7; 1 l .Bf4 Bd6; 1 2 .Bxd6 Qxd6 was agreed drawn in
387
K.Thomas - Schiller, Chicago 1 985.

5 ...Nf6; 6.Nge2.
6 ... Bg4?! This move is one step too far. This turns out to be a mistake. I
later learned to put the bishop on f5. 6 ... Bf5; 7.Bf4 Qd8 (7 ...Qb4; 8.Bb3 Nbd7;
9.Ng3 Bg6; 1 0.a3 Qb6; 1 1 .0-0 h5; 1 2.Re1 h4; 13.Nge4 Nxe4; 14.Nxe4 Bxe4;
15.Rxe4 Nf6; 16.Re3 e6; 17.c3 0-0-0 with a balanced game in Nabours -
Schiller, Online (USAT) 1 990.) 8.0-0 (8.Ng3 Bg6; 9.h4 h6; 10.h5 Bh7; 1 l .Be5
Nbd7; 12.Qe2 e6; 13.0-0-0 Qa5; 14.f4 0-0-0; 15.f5 Nxe5; 1 6.dxe5 Nd5;
1 7.Nxd5 cxd5; 18.Bb3 Be7; 1 9.Kb1 Bg5 and the Black bishops were coming to
life in Gerber - Braun, Bundesliga 1 996.)) 8 ...Nbd7 is Black's best, I think, but
even here White enjoys a comfortable position.
7.f3 Bh5. This is the wrong direction of retreat, since f7 really doesn't
need more support in this line. 7 ... Bf5; 8.Bf4 Qb4; 9.Bb3 e6; 10.Qd2 Be7;
1 l .g4 Bg6; 12.0-0-0 Nbd7; 13.h4 h5!; 14.g5 Nd5; 15.Rhe1 ( 1 5.Nxd5 Qxd2+;
16.Rxd2 cxd5; 17.c3 followed by Bc2 is about even.) 15 ... 0-0-0; 16.a3 Qa5;
1 7.Nxd5 Qxd2+; 1 8.Rxd2 exd5; 1 9.Ng3 was about even in Ayas - De la Riva,
Catalynia 1996. 7 ... Be6; 8.Bf4 Qd7; 9.Bxe6 Qxe6; 1 0.0-0 was played in Quadrio
- Correia, Lisbon Championship 1 996. Here I think that Black should de
velop the knight from b8 to either d7 or a6.
8.Bf4 Qd8; 9.Be5. 9.Qd2 !? is a good alternative, as suggested originally by
Rudi Blumenfeld. 9 ...Nbd7; 10.Nf4 e6.
388
l l.Qe2. 1 l .Nxh5 Nxh5 threatens to capture at e5 and then check at h4.

l l...Qa5.
This is a critical position. White still enjoys a lead in development, and

the Black king is still in the center.
12.g4. Mengarini always plays with aggression, but there was an even nas
tier move which could have caused Black serious problems. He who hesitates
is lost! Direct action was called for. 12.Bxf6! Nxf6; 13 .Nxe6 ( 1 3.Bxe6 fxe6;
14.Qxe6+ Be7 is not a problem.) 13 ... fxe6; 1 4.Qxe6+ Be7 ( 1 4 ... Be7; 15.0-0-0
looks very strong!) 1 5.0-0-0 Qc7 ( 1 5 ...Rd8; 16.Rhe1 ) 16.g4 Bg6; 1 7.g5 Ng8;
18.d5 cxd5; 1 9.Nxd5! Qxc4; 20.Nf6+ gxf6; 2 l .Qxc4 and the three pieces are
no match for the queen here.
12 ... Bg6; 13.h4? once again, the sacrifice comes into consideration. 13.Bxf6
was even stronger here. 13 ...Nxf6; 14.Nxe6 fxe6 ( 1 4...fxe6; 15.Qxe6+ Be7; 16.0-
0-0 is also possible.) 15.Qxe6+ Be7; 16.0-0-0 Qc7; 1 7.g5 Ng8; 1 8.d5 Bf7;
19.Qxf7+ Kxf7; 20.d6+ Kf8 ; 2 l .dxc7 Bxg5+; 22.Kb1 Rc8; 23.Ne4 Be7; 24.Rd7
and White is much better. 13 ...Bb4! Now White finds himself on the receiving
end of the attack. Now Black has some counterplay! 14.h5 White should have
considered evacuating the king from the center.
389
14.0-0 leds to unclear complications, but the king looks exposed. 14.Qe3
NdS; 15 .Nfxd5 cxdS; 16.Bb3 Rc8; 17.Kd2 NxeS; 18.dxe5 d4!; 19.Qxd4 Rd8
was included in commentary to this game by Rudy Blumenfeld.
14 ... Nxe5; 15.dxe5 Bxc3+; 16.bxc3 Qxc3+; 17.Kf2 0-0-0. Black has two
pieces hanging, but ignores material and goes for the kill. 18.hxg6 Nxg4+!;
19.fxg4 Rd2; 20.gxf7 Rxe2+; 2 1.Bxe2 Qxe5; 22.Kf3? This leads to immediate
catastrophe, but Black was way ahead anyway. 22 .Nd3 was better, but Black
already has two extra pawns and will soon have a third after 22 ... Qf6+; 23.Kg3
Qxf7; 24.Rafl Qc7+; 25.Kg2 eS and the queen and three pawns are more
aggresive than the rook and two minor pieces.
22 ... Rf8; 23.Bc4 Rxf7. White resigned, Mengarini - Schiller, New York
1 980. One of my nicer wins, but, as we have seen, White certainly looked
better out of the opening.
390
SCOTCH GAME
SCOTCH GAME
GORING GAMBIT: DOUBLE PAWN SACRIFICE
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.d4 exd4
4.c3 dxc3
The only Goring line of interest to unorthodox fans is the Double

Pawn Sacrifice. If White recaptures 5.Nxc3, which I believe is the best
move, then we have a standard gambit opening.
Schallop remarked in the tournament book that this double pawn
sacrifice is incorrect, but that the refutation is not easy to find. Indeed,
this sums up the situation well, save that after over a century of analysis
Black has managed to find the best path.

5.Bc4 cxb2. Accepting the pawn is the only way to play for the advantage.
6.Bxb2 Only the double-gambit accepted qualifies as an unorthodox open
ing. 5.Nxc3 is a standard type fo gambit. 6 ... d6.
39 1
This is the best defense for Black, in my opinion. 6 ...Bb4+.
This is a logical move, developing with tempo. Nevertheless, it leaves the

kingside without a defender of the dark squares. 7.Nc3 d6! (7 ...Nge7 is pos
sible, for example 8.Ng5 Ne5; 9.Qb3 d5; 10.Bb5+ c6; 1 l .Qxb4 cxb5; 12.0-0 0-
0; 13.Rad1 N7c6; 14.Qxb5 Qxg5; 15.f4 Qh5; 16.fxe5 d4; 1 7.e6 drawn, Rich
ter-Oechslein, Postal 1 973.) 8.Qb3 Qe7!; 9.0-0 Bxc3; 10.Qxc3 f6; 1 l .Bd5 Bd7;
12.Qb3 Kf8; 13.Qxb7 Rb8; 14.Qxc7 Rc8; 15.Qb7 Rb8; 16.Qc7 Rc8 drawn,
Liptay-Kluger, Hungary 1 963.
7.Qb3. 7.0-0 is the major alternative, but it is too slow. 7 ... Be6! ; 8.Bxe6
fxe6, a weak pawn, but an extra one! 9.Qb3 Qd7; 10.Ng5 Nd8; 1 l .f4 White
plays this so that after ... h6 the knight can return to f3. 1 l ...Nf6 and now it is
hard to find a convincing continuation for White.
7.Nc3? is recommended by both Cimmino and Smith & Hall, but they
overlooked published analysis showing that it is bad. 7 ... Be7!; 8.Qb3 Na5!
(8 ...Nh6; 9.Nd5 f6; 1 0.Nf4 of Vance - Thrush, Postal 1987, is, as Smith & Hall
state, better for White. But it is irrelevant.) 9.Bxf7+ What else? 9 ... Kf8; 1 0.Qa4
Kxf7; 1 l .Qxa5 c6!; 12.Qa4 Nh6 and Black is better, according to Zagorovsky
in Romantic Chess Openings ( 1982).
7 ...Na5. 7 ... Qd7! looks awkward, but as we often see in the Goring Gam
bit, it can be a useful defender of the f-pawn. 8.Bc3 Nh6; 9.0-0 f6 (9 ... Be7;
1 0.Na3 0-0; 1 l .Rad1 Qg4; 12.Nb5 Bd8; 13.Nbd4 Qg6; 14.Ne2 Bg4; 1 5.Rd3
Rb8; 16.Bd5 Ne5; 17.Nxe5 dxe5; 18.f3 Be6; 19.Bxe5 Bxd5; 20.Rxd5 and White
had more than enough compensation, with almost all of his pieces playing an
important role while Black's are all passively placed, Pliester- Schollmann,
Postal 1 977.) 10.Nbd2 Nf7; 1 l .Rad1 Ncd8!; 12.Nd4 Be7 and although Black is
a little cramped, in the long run the pawns will decide, Bryson - Fernandez,
Thessaloniki (Olympiad) 1984.
8.Bxf7+.
392
SCOTCH GAME
8 ... Ke7; 9.Qd5 c6. 9 ...Nf6; 10.Bxf6+ gxf6; 1 l .Bh5 gives White a winning
position, as noticed by Rolf Schwarz.
IO.Qh5. 1 0.Qg5+ Nf6; 1 l .e5! Kx£7; 12.exf6.
Both Cimmino and Smith & Hall evaluate this position as holding excel
lent attacking chances for White. No doubt that is true, to some extent. But
White is not attacking with much, so let's take a look at some improvements
for Black over the game. 12 ... g6 ( 1 2 ... gxf6!? is an obvious test. The pawn on
f6; performs useful defensive chores, and the g-file is now open for Black.
13.Qh5+ Kg8 and White has no more checks. Black still has problems with
development, but then White has to take some time out to get pieces into play.
Black will continue with ... Bg7 and ... Be6 -d5. I don't see sufficient compensa
tion here, so the entire line may be playable for Black. ) 1 3.Qh4 h6; 14.Ng5+!
Ke8; 15.£7+ Kd7; 16.Bxh8 and White went on to win in Mischke - Staf, Postal
1 986.
IO... Qb6!; l l.Ba3 Nf6.
393
Black is developing with tempo and White's army is being driven back.
12.Bxd6+. A desperate act, but circumstances were difficult. 12 ... Kxd6;
13.Qe5+ Kd7; 14.Nc3.
14.Qf5+? loses to 14 ... Ke7. 14...Qxf2+!; 15.Kdl. 15.Kxf2 Ng4+; 16.Kg3

Nxe5; 17 .Bb3 Nxb3; 1 8.axb3 Bd6 and Black wins without difficulty. 15 ...Qc5!
16.Nd5. 16.Qxc5 Bxc5; 17.Ne5+ Ke7 and the attack is over.
16 ...cxd5; 17.exd5 Bd6. White has no more attack, and the rest is simple.
18.Qg5 Qc3; 19.Qxg7 Qxal+; 20.Ke2 Qb2+; 2 l .Nd2 Kc7; 22.Be6+ Bd7;
23.Bxd7 Qe5+. White resigned in Coleman - Morris, Eastbourne 1 990.
394
SCOTCH GAME
STEINITZ VARIATION
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.d4 exd4
4.Nxd4 Qh4
The Steinitz Variation is an ancient line involving an early deploy

ment of the queen. For a long time it was considered refuted, but re
cent analysis has revived interest in the line. There is a monograph by
John Hall on the subject which contains many new ideas and some
hidden treasures. Hall "dares" players to confront Kasparov with the
line, obviously having great faith in it. Yet strong players seem reluc
tant to take it up.
White's best reaction, known for a century, is to sacrifice the e
pawn for rapid development. Analysis of an important correspondence
game between Vienna and London in the 1 870s remained influential
and guided the handling of the opening in many reference books. We
will take that approach, featuring 5.Nb5 as our main line. We'll also
briefly consider the popular 5.Nc3.

5.Nb5.
395
An alternative is 5.Nc3 Bb4; 6.Be2! The plan with Nb5 is not as good
then. 6 ... Qxe4; 7.Ndb5 Bxc3+ (7 ...Nf6 transposes after 8.0-0 Bxc3; 9.bxc3 Kd8.)
8.bxc3 Kd8; 9 .0-0 Nf6; 10.Be3 ( I O.Rbl may be stronger.) 10 ...d6 ( 1 0 ...Re8?!;
l l .Re 1 Qd5; 12.Qc l Qf5; 13.Qa3 d6; 14.Radl Re7; 15.c4 Be6; 16.Bf3 Rd7 led
to the following brilliancy: 17.Bxc6! bxc6; 18.Nd4 Qh5; 19.Bg5! ! c5; 20.Bxf6+
gxf6; 2 l .Nc6+ Ke8; 22.Qb2 Qh4; 23.Qb7 Rad8; 24.Rd3! and Black resigned in
Azmaiparashvili - Hector, San Sebastian 199 1.) l l .Re 1 Re8 and Black had a
good game in Belikov - Kholmov, Moscow 1 996.
5 Bb4+. 5 ...Bc5 has long been known to be inadequate. 6.Qf3! and now:
...
a) 6 ...Nf6; 7.Nxc7+ Kd8; 8.Nxa8 Re8; 9.Bd3 Nxe4; 1 0.Bxe4! ( 1 0.0-0?? Nxf2;
l l .Rxf2 Rei+; 12.Bfl Nd4; 13.Qxf7 Ne2+; 14.Khl Rxfl+; 15.Rxfl Ng3# Anony
mous - Bird, England 1 850) 1 0 ...Nd4; l l .Qd3 Rxe4+; 12.Kdl Qg4+; 13.£3
Qxg2; 14.Rfl and Black lacks sufficient compensation.
b) 6 ... Nd4; 7.Nxc7+ Kd8; 8.Qf4 Nxc2+; 9.Kdl Qxf4; 10.Bxf4 Nxal; l l.Nxa8
d6; 12.Nc3 Ne7; 13.Bc4 Bg4+; 14.f3 Bh5; 15.Kd2 Kd7; 16.b4 Bxb4; 1 7.Rbl
Bxc3+; 18.Kxc3 Rxa8; 19.Rxb7+ Kd8; 20.Bxd6 Nc6; 2 l .Bxf7 Bxf7; 22.Rxf7
Rc8; 23.Kb2 Nc2; 24.Rf8+ Kd7; 25.Rxc8 Kxc8; 26.Kxc2 and Black resigned in
Staunton - Anonymouse, London 1856.
Capturing at d4 is also risky: 5 ... Qxe4+; 6.Be2 Bb4+; 7.Nd2 Qxg2; 8.Bf3
Qh3; 9.Nxc7+ Kd8; 1 0.Nxa8 Nf6; l l .c3 Re8+; 12.Be2 Qg2; 13.Rfl Nd5; 14.Nc4?
( 14.Nbl ! is safer and gives White an extra rook to play with.) 14 ...Bxc3+; 15.bxc3
Nxc3; 16.Ne3 Rxe3; 17.Bxe3 Nxd l ; 1 8.Rxdl Rosenthal - Steinitz, Baden -
Baden 1 870. Finally, retreat is not out of the question. 5 ... Qd8!?; 6.Bf4 (6.Nd4
Qh4 is an amusing invitation to a draw.) 6 ... d6; 7.N lc3 a6; 8.Nd4 Bd7; 9.Bc4
Qf6 gave Black an acceptable game in Saradjen - Zaloznik, Slovakian Team
Championship 1 996.
6.Bd2.
6 ...Qxe4+. 6 ... Bc5 is preferred by Hall. 7.Qf3 Bb6; 8.Bc3 Nf6; 9.Nd2 a6;
1 0.Na3 d6; l l .Bd3 Ne5; 12.Bxe5 dxe5; 13.Nac4 Bg4; 14.Qg3 Qxg3; 15.hxg3
Nd7; 16.Nxb6 Nxb6; 1 7.Nc4 Nd7; 1 8.Ne3 Berenyi - Schenkerik, Balatonbereny
1 996. 7 ..8e2 Kd8. 7 ... Qxg2; 8.Bf3 Bxd2+; 9.Nxd2 Qh3; 1 0.Bxc6 bxc6; l l .Nxc7+
Kd8; 12.Nxa8 was better for White in Gallagher - Costa, Bern 1991. 7 ... Bxd2+
396
SCOTCH GAME
8.Nxd2 gives White too much development for free. 8.0-0
8 ..Bxd2. Hanging on the the bishop is not a good idea: 8 ...Nge7; 9.c3
.
Ba5; 1 0.b4 Bb6; 1 l .c4 Nd4; 12 .Nxd4 Bxd4; 13 .Nc3 is a little better for White,
according to Sveshnikov. 8 ... Nf6; 9.N1c3 Qh4; 1 0.g3 Qh3; 1 l.Bg5 Qf5; 12.Bxf6+
gxf6; 13 .Nd5 Ba5; 14.Bg4 Qg5 is Welz - Hesselbarth, Postal 1 984, where Hall
suggests 15.h4 and after 15 ... Qg7; 1 6.Qf3 a6; 1 7.Na3 Ne5; 1 8.Qxf6+ Qxf6;
1 9.Nxf6 Nxg4; 20.Nxg4 the position is about event. Black has the bishop pair
but the weaker pawns and an awkwardly placed king. 8 ...a6; 9.Bf3 Qc4; 1 0.N5c3
Nf6; 1 l .Re1 Bd6; 12.b3 Qh4; 13.h3 Ne5; 1 4.Ne4 Nxe4; 15.Rxe4 Qf6; 16.Bc3
Nxf3+; 17.gxf3 Qh6; 1 8.Qd5 Rf8; 1 9.Bd2 c6; 20.Ba5+ Bc7; 2 l .Qe5 1-0 Meisling
- From, 1 883. 9.Nxd2. White can of course capture with the queen instead.
9. Qf4. This is the old move.
..
If 9 ... Qh4, The queen returns to its old post. Black's position is a little
awkward and under-developed, but the pawn is safely held. 10.Re1 Nge7 1 l.Bc4
f5; 12.Bb3 a6; 13.Nf3 Qf6; 14.Re6 Qf8 ( 14 ... Qxb2 is greedy, but perhaps good.)
15.Ng5! and the attack is overpowering. 1 5 ...Na5; 1 6.Re2 axb5; 1 7.Ne6+ Ke8;
1 8.Nxc7+ Kd8; 19.Ne6+ Ke8; 20.Nxf8 Nxb3; 2 l .Qd6 Schmittdiel - Montavon,
Geneva 1 997.
397
The Black king has moved but is not easy to attack since White has bishop
to operate on the dark squares. At the same time, development remains prob
lematic.
10.c4. 1 0.Nb3 Nge7; 1 l .g3 Qf6; 12.c3 h5; 13.Qd2 h4; 14.Rad1 Qh6; 15.Nc5
Qxd2; 1 6.Rxd2 b6; 17.Ne4 hxg3; 1 8.fxg3 f6 and Black was better in Golmayo
- Steinitz, Havana 1 883. 1 O.g3 Qh6; 1 l .Nc4 Nge7; 12.Bf3! gives White consid
erable compensation for the pawn, for example 12 ... a6; 13.Nd4 Rb8; 14.Re l
b5; 15.Nxc6+ Nxc6; 1 6.Bxc6 bxc4; 17.Bd5 Qf6; 1 8.Qe2 Rxb2; 1 9.Qxc4 of
Botterill - Staples, Manchester 1 974, where Black should consider 19 ...c6.
10 ...Nf6. 10 ...Nh6; 1 l .Nf3 ReS; 1 2.g3 Qf6; 13 .Nc3 b6 is better, according to
Hall. l l.N£3 Ng4; 12.g3 Qf6; 13.Nc3 ReS; 14.Nd2 Nh6; 15.Nde4 Qg6; 16.Bh5
Qf5; 17 .B£3 b6; 18.Bg2 Bb7 was seen in the important game between London
and Vienna. Although Black will have to be patient about involving the rook
at a8 in the game, Black stands better.
398
SEMI-SLAV DEFENSE
SEMI-SLAV DEFENSE
GUNDERAM GAMBIT
l.d4 d5
2.c4 e6
3.Nc3 c6
4.e4 dxe4
5.£3
Another Diemerish Gambit, but this time White has a pawn at c4;
and Black has a bad bishop, which makes this somewhat promising.
Yet it seems to be remarkably easy to equalize as Black.

5 ... exf3. 5 ... e5; 6.dxe5 Qxd 1+; 7.Nxd1 Nd7 (7 ... Bb4+; 8.Nc3 Bxc3+; 9.bxc3
Bf5 should be at least equality for Black.) 8.fxe4 Nxe5; 9.Nf3 Bd6; 10.Bd2
Be6; 1 l .Bc3 f6; 12.Ne3 Ne7; 13.Nd4 Bd7; 14.Be2 0-0; 15.0-0-0 Rfd8 pro
vided equal chances in Sandmeier - Buerkle, Germany 1980.
6.Nxf3 N£6; 7.Bd3 Nbd7. 7 ...c5; 8.d5 exd5; 9.cxd5 Bd6; 1 0.0-0 0-0; 1 l .Bg5
Nbd7; 12.Ne4 c4; 13.Kh1 cxd3; 14.Nxd6 Qb6; 15 .Nf5 Nxd5; 16.Qxd3 N7f6
was the original defense, seen in Richter - Michel, Berlin 1938.
8.0-0 Bd6; 9.Qel.
399
Black has a solid position. Two examples: 9...h6. 9 ... Qc7; 10.Qh4 b6; 1 l .Bd2
Bb7; 1 2.a3 0-0-0; 13.b4 e5! with a good game for Black in Jensen - Sylvan,
Denmark 1 993.
10.Ne5 Nxe5; l l.dxe5 Bxe5; 12.Qxe5 Qxd3; 13.b3 Bd7; 14.Rxf6 gxf6;
15.Qxf6 Rg8; 16.Ba3 Qe3+; 17.Khl Qg5; 18.Qf2 f5; 19.Bd6 b6; 20.Rel 0-0-
0 and White had no compensation for the exchange in Pejka - Drzemicki,
Poznan 1 987.
400
SICILIAN DEFENSE
SICILIAN DEFENSE
ACCELERATED PAULSEN VARIATION
l.e4 c5
2.Nf3 Qc7
The early queen move is usually just transpositional, if White en

ters the main lines of the Sicilian. The opening is also known as the
Quinteros Variation.

3.Nc3. 3.c3 d6; 4.d4 Nf6; 5.Bd3 g6; 6.h3 Bg7; 7.0-0 0-0; 8.Be3 was at best
nmarginally better for White in Smyslov - J.Polgar, Prague 1 995. 3.d4 cxd4;
4.Nxd4 Nc6 transposes to the standard Sicilian Defenses.(4 ... a6; 5.Bd3 e6 is a
standard Kan Variation in the Sicilian Defense.)
3 ... a6; 4.d4 cxd4; 5.Nd5 is an interesting deviation. 5.Nxd4 is a normal
Sicilian after ... e6 or ... Nc6, or both. 5 ... Qd8; 6.Bf4. 6.Nxd4 e6; 7.Nc3 Qc7 is
just a strange transposition into a Paulsen Sicilian. 6.Qxd4 Nc6; 7.Qb6 threat
ens mate at c7, but after 7 ... Qxb6 8.Nxb6 White is better.
6 ... d6; 7.Qxd4 e6; 8.Nb6 Nc6; 9.Qe3 Rb8; 10.0-0-0 Nf6; l l.Nc4 Ng4;
12.Qd2 e5; 13.Bg5 f6; 14.Bh4 Be6; 15.Nxd6+ Bxd6; 16.Qxd6 Qxd6; 17.Rxd6
Ke7; 18.Rd2 g5; 19.Bg3 h5; 20.h4 and White had the advantage in Campos -
Johnsen, Gausdal l 995.
40 1
ACTON EXTENSION
l.e4 c5
2.Nf3 g6
3.c4 Bh6
The Acton Extension was cooked up at the house of Ray Keene's

mother-in-law, where various chessplayers would drop by for extended
stays of days, weeks, months, or longer. A lot of informal analysis went
on there whenjon Tisdall, David Goodman and I were all there at the
same time (with Keene in an adjacent apartment).
Since Keene was very interested in the Pterodactyl and other beasts
at the time, we came to examine this line briefly, hoping to find a cure
for the Maroczy bind. The idea is simply to pin the d-pawn, at least for
a while. Unfortunately it does not work.

4.Nc3 d6; 5.d4! Bxc l; 6.Rxc l.
White is much better developed and has an indisputable advantage.
402
SICILIAN DEFENSE
BRUSSELS GAMBIT
l.e4 c5
2.Nf3 f5
In what sense is this different from the Fred? It has the advantage
that with a knight at f3, there is no immediate danger of the White
queen getting to h5 and taking advantage of the weakened h5-e8 diago
nal. On the other hand, White is ahead in development.

3.exf5 d6. 3 ... d5; 4.Bb5+ Nc6; 5.Ne5 and Black is busted. 3 ... Nc6; 4.Bb5
Nf6; 5.0-0 d6; 6.d4! and it is hard to find a useful move for Black.
4.Bb5+ Bd7 allows the elegant 5.Nd4!! cxd4. 5 ... Bxb5; 6.Qh5+ g6; 7.fxg6
Nf6; 8.g7+ Nxh5; 9.gxh8Q cxd4; 1 0.Qxh7 transposes. 6.Qh5+ g6; 7.fxg6 Nf6;
8.g7+ Nxh5; 9.gxh8Q Bxb5; 10.Qxh7 Nf4.
l l .d3! Nxg2+; 12.Kfl Bc6; 13.Qh5+ Kd7; 14.Rgl and White picks up two
pieces for a rook and Black can't mobilize quickly. For example: 14 ... e5; 15.Rxg2
Bxg2+; 16.Kxg2 Kc8; 17.Qf5+ Nd7; 18.c3 Qb6; 19.Qe6 and Black is getting
squeezed to death.
403
FREDERICO VARIATION
l.e4 c5
2.Nf3 g6
3.d4 f5
The Sicilian Fred, or Frederico Variation, perhaps, is a mess by

any name.

White can immediately break up the position with 4.exf5 gxf5; 5.dxc5
and Black has no good reply, for example 5 ...e6. 5 ... Qa5+; 6.Bd2 Qxc5; 7.Bc3
Nf6; 8.Bxf6 exf6; 9.Qd4 leaves Black with more problems than can be solved
in the endgame. 6.Be3 Qa5+; 7.Qd2 and Black fails to recover the pawn.
HYPERACCELERATED PTERODACTYL
l.e4 c5
2.Nf3 g6
3.d4 Bg7
If Black heads for the Pterodactyl formation by this route, there

may be some trouble along the way, since White can capture the pawn
at c5.
404
SICILIAN DEFENSE

4.dxc5 Qa5+; 5.c3 Qxc5; 6.Be3 Qc7; 7.Na3 strikes me as a bit odd, but in
this particular position it seems to work, because the threat of Nb5 is actually
very hard to meet.
7.Bd4 e5; 8.Be3 Nf6; 9.Na3 0-0; 1 0.Nb5 Qc6; 1 l .Nd6 is not as impressive.
After 1 l ...Nxe4; 12.Nxc8 Rxc8; 13 .c4 N d6; 14.Rc l Nf5. Black has a comfort
able material and positional advantatge, Skripchenko - Sakhatova, Yerevan
Olympiad 1 996. 7 ... Nc6. 7 ... a6; 8.Nc4 and the hole at b6 is serious.
8.Nb5 Qd8; 9.Bc4 d6; 10.0-0 a6; l l .Nbd4 gives White control of the cen
ter and much better development, Skatchkov - Batsanin, Moscow 1 995.
KATALYMOV SICILIAN
l.e4 c5
2.Nf3 b6
The Katalymov Sicilian has only mild interest among strong play
ers, because it commits Black to a plan with ... b6 rather than the ag
gressive ... b5 that is typical in the Sicilian Defenses. The only players
who feel comfortable with it as Black are those who are willing to de
fend hedgehog positions, and the early declaration of Black's inten
tions makes it easy for White to choose a formation which will cause
the hedgehog discomfort.

3.d4 cxd4. 3 ... e6; 4.c3 transposes to the Alapin Variation of the Sicilian
Defense. 3 ... Bb7; 4.Bc4 should be met by 4 ... e6, but not the reckless 4 ... Bxe4
5.Bxf7+ Kx£7; 6.Ng5+ Ke8; 7.Nxe4 cxd4; 8.Qh5+ g6; 9.Qe5 Nf6; 10.Nd6#
Koronghy - Szemegyi, Budapest 1 985. 4.Nxd4. 4.c3 is in the spirit of the
Smith - Morra Gambit, but after 4 ... Bb7! White has to worry about the e
pawn, and 5.e5 dxc3; 6.Nxc3 a6; 7.Bc4 e6; 8.Bf4 Ne7; 9.0-0 Ng6; 10.Bg3 Be7
the Papenhausen Gambit seems to have lost its edge, and Black was better in
Papenhausen - Vehre, Mansfield 1 989.
405
4 Bb7. Here two alternatives have been used by strong professional play
...
ers:
4 ... Nc6; 5.Nc3 e6; 6.g3 Nxd4; 7.Qxd4 Ne7; 8.Bg2 Nc6; 9.Qd2 Be7; 10.b3
0-0; 1 l .Bb2 a6; 1 2.0-0 b5 gave Black counterplay in Sakharov - Gufeld, Tallinn
1 965. 4 ...a6; 5.g3 e5; 6.Ne2 Bb7; 7.Bg2 f5 is quite a different approach. After
8.Nbc3 h6; 9.Nd5 Bxd5; 10.Qxd5. White had a clear advantage in Liutsko
Shabalov, Riga 1 987.
5.Nc3. 5.Bd3 is an important alternative.
White retains the option of placing a pawn at c3 or fianchettoing the

bishop at b2.
a) 5 ... e6; 6.0-0 a6; 7.c4 Qc7; 8.Be3 Nf6; 9.Nc3 Be7; 10.Rcl d6; 1 l .f4 0-0
was a normal Sicilian in Gunawan - Bellon Lopez, Indonesia 1 982.
b) 5 ...g6 is an ultra-hypermodern line but it seems to be playable. 6.Be3
(6.f4 Bg7; 7.Nf3 d6; 8.Qe2 Nd7; 9.0-0 Rc8; 10.Nc3 Nc5; 1 l .Bb5+ Kf8; 12.Bd2
a6; 13.Bd3 b5; 14.Rae1 b4; 15.Nd1 aS with good counterplay for Black, Borgo
- Mantovani, Reggio Emilia 1 99 1 .) 6 ... Bg7; 7.Nc3 Nc6; 8.Nxc6 dxc6; 9.Qd2
looks to be a little better for White, Tampa - Barczay, Zalakaros 1 992.
c) 5 ... d6 has been used by Grandmaster Nana Alexandria. 6.c4 sets the
Maroczy Bind. 6 ...Nf6 (6 ... a6; 7.0-0 Nd7; 8.Qe2 e6; 9.b3 Be7; 10.Bb2 Bf6;
1 l .f4 Ne7; 12 .£5 exf5; 13 .Nxf5 Nxf5; 14.exf5+ Qe7; 15.Qxe7+ Kxe7; 16.Bxf6+
Nxf6; 17.Nc3 was agreed drawn in Ulibin - Alexandria, St. Petersburg Open
1 995. 6 ...Nd7; 7.Nc3 g6; 8.0-0 Bg7; 9.Be3 a6; 10.Rc l Ngf6; 1 l .Bb1 0-0; 12.Qe2
e6; 13.Rfd1 Qc7; 14.f3 Rad8; 15.Qf2 Qb8 with a fully grown hedgehog in
Bojkovic - Alexandria, Rostov on Don 1 995.) 7.Nc3 Nbd7; 8.b3 e6; 9.0-0 Be7;
1 0.Bb2 0-0; 1 l .Qe2 Re8; 12.Rad1 a6; 13.f4 Qc7; 14.Bb1 Bf8; 1 5.Nf3 Rad8
16.Kh1 Qb8; 1 7.Rd2 and White had pressure on the d-file in Fuentes - Alex
andria, Buenos Aires 1 992.
5 .a6 aims for the hedgehog formation. Black can also declare kingside
..
intentions immediately with 5 ... e6 or 5 ... g6, or can temporize with 5 ... d6.
5 ... d6 a) 6.Bg5 Nd7 has been defended several times by former Soviet and
Israeli Champion Lev Psakhis.
406
SICILIAN DEFENSE
7.Bc4 (7.Nd5 a6; 8.Qf3 Qc8; 9.Nf5 g6; 1 0.Ndxe7 Bxe7; 1 l .Ng7+ Kf8;
12.Ne6+ Ke8; 13.Ng7+ Kf8 ; 14.Ne6+ Ke8; 15.Ng7+ Kf8; 16.Ne6+ was agreed
drawn in Mikhalchishin - Psakhis, Vilnius 1 978.) 7 ... a6; 8.Qe2 b5; 9.Bd5 Qc8;
1 0.0-0 Ngf6; 1 l .Rad1 e6; 1 2.Nxe6 fxe6; 13.Bxe6 Qc5; 14.Nd5 Bxd5; 15.exd5
0-0-0; 16.Rd3 and White was able to mount a successful queenside excursion
in Panchenko - Psakhis, USSR 1 978.
b) 6.Bd3 Nd7; 7.0-0 Ngf6; 8.f4 g6 and here White does not have to accept
a simple hedgehog. There are two interesting alternatives, though one seems
overambitious. 9.e5 (9.Qe1 Bg7; 1 0.Nf3 0-0; 1 l .Qh4 e6; 12.f5 exf5; 13.exf5
Ne5; 14.Nxe5 dxe5; 1 5.fxg6 hxg6; 1 6.Bg5 Qd4+; 17.Qxd4 exd4; 1 8.Nb5 and
White had pressure all over the board in Borghi - Alexandria, Buenos Aires
1 992.) 9 ... dxe5; 10.fxe5 Nxe5; 1 l .Bb5+ Nfd7; 12.Bf4 Bg7 and White could not
get any real attack going in Yurtayev - Psakhis, Vilnius 1978.
6.Bd3. 6.Bg5 is an odd but usable move. 6 ... Qc7; 7.Bd3 e6 (7 ... g6; 8.Qd2
Bg7; 9.Nde2 h6; 10.Bf4 d6; 1 1 .0-0-0 Nf6; 1 2.£3 b5 with interesting counterplay
in Zuse - Alexandria, Biel 1 994.) 8.0-0 Bc5; 9.Nb3 Bd6; 10.Kh1 Nf6; 1 l .Qe2
Nc6; 12 .Be3 Be5; 13.Na4 b5; 14.Nb6 Rb8; 15.c3 Bf4 ( 1 5 ... Bxh2; 16.f4 Bg3;
1 7.Qf3 is strong for White.) 1 6.Bxf4 Qxf4; 1 7.a4 and White was chopping up
the queenside in Agzamov - Psakhis, Vilnius 1 978.
407
6 ...e6. Black can, of course, also use 6 ... d6 or 6 ... g6 or 6 ... Nf6 to set up the
same formation. 7.0-0 Qc7; 8.Be3 Nf6; 9.f4 d6; 10.a4 Nbd7; l l.Khl Be7 with
a fairly typical he dgehog p osition, Thorhallsson - Barczay, Oberwart
1991.
MENGARINI GAMBIT
l.e4 c5
2.a3
This is only an unorthodox opening when White (or Black) chooses

to do something radical. We'll look at the Wing Gambit approach with
an early b4 here.

2 ... Nc6. 2 ...g6; 3.b4 Bg7; 4.c3 d5; 5.exd5 Qxd5; 6.Qf3 Qe6+; 7.Qe3 c4;
8.d4 cxd3; 9.Bxd3 was better for Black in Mufics - Palkovi, Budapest 1990.
2 ... e6; 3.b4 cxb4; 4.axb4 Bxb4; 5.c3 Be7; 6.d4 d6; 7.Bd3 Nc6 (7 ... e5; 8.Qa4+
Nd7; 9.Nf3 Ngf6; 1 0.0-0 0-0 did not give White much for the pawn injohansen
- Adamski, Luzern Olympiad 1 982.) 8.f4 f5; 9.e5 Nh6; 10.Nf3 Nf7; 1 l .exd6
Bxd6; 12.0-0 0-0 White has some play for the pawn, but it should not be
enough if Black defends accurately, Berry - Frumkin, Postal 1980.
3.b4 cxb4; 4.axb4 Nxb4; 5.c3. 5.d4 g6; 6.c3 Nc6; 7.Bc4 Bg7; 8.Qf3 e6;
9 .Nh3 Nge7; 1 0.e5 0-0; 1 l .Bg5 d6; 12 .exd6 Qxd6; 13.Nd2 Nf5; 14.Ne4 Qc7
was very solid for Black in Berry - Povah, Postal 1 980.
5 ...Nc6; 6.d4 d5; 7.e5. 7.exd5 Qxd5; 8.Na3 e6 (8 ...Nf6!) 9.Nb5 Bd6; 10.Qg4
Kf8; 1 l .Nxd6 and Black resigned, since capturing the knight loses to Ba3.
Kramps - Funke, Germany 1 989. 7.Bb5 e6; 8.e5 Nge7; 9.Bd3 Ng6; 10.f4 Be7;
1 l .Nf3 0-0 and White has very little to show for the pawn, Zala - Nilsson,
Budapest 1 993.
7 ...Bf5.
408
SICILIAN DEFENSE
8.Bd3. 8.g4 is a familiar theme, but played in the wrong place. 8 . . .Be4;
9.f3 Bg6; 1 O.h4 hS and here the desperate 1 l .e6 failed to remedy the prob
lems after 1 l ...Qd6; 12.exf7+ Bxf7; 13.g5 eS in Ungureanu - Geiser, Geneva
1 993.
8 ... Bxd3; 9.Qxd3 e6 and Whitejust doesn't have enough, as the following
examples show. 10.Ne2. 1 0.Nh3 Nge7; 1 l .Bg5 Qc7; 12 .0-0 Condron - Woo
druff, US Open 1 994 where Black should have played ... h6 and ...NfS.
10 ... Nge7; 1 1.0-0 Nf5; 12.f4 g6; 13.Nd2 Be7. Black had a solid position
in Kovacs - Parkanyi, Budapest 1 996.
MONGOOSE VARIATION
l .e4 c5
2.Nf3 Qa5
Well, this is one way to prevent the normal Sicilian play with 3.d4!
White must now find a different plan. 3.c3 is very appropriate, aiming
for an Alapin Sicilian where the queen is not well situated. One has to
admit, however, that if White does not customarily play an Alapin Sicil
ian, the player may not know how to handle the position. So as a prac-
409
tical matter, the opening is not unplayable as Black. In this game, we

see that White does not know what to do. I should point out that
Stefanova is a rising superstar in chess, having earned her International
Master title with one Grandmaster norm already achieved.

3.c3. 3.c4 g6; 4.Nc3 Bg7; 5.d4 is a Pterodactyl. 3 ... g6; 4.Bc4?! There is not
going to be any serious pressure at f7, so the Bishop does nothing here. 4 ... Nc6;
5.0-0 b5; 6.Be2 Bg7; 7.d4 cxd4; 8.cxd4 d6. We have a form of Modern De
fense where Black has gotten in ...b5 for free. Black is behind in development,
however, and it will take some time to castle. 9.Nc3 b4; 10.Nd5 Bg4.
Pressure on d4 is an important theme in such positions, so Black under

mines its support. l l.Be3 e6; 12.Nf4 Nge7; 13.h3 Bx£3; 14.Bxf3 0-0. At the
cost of the bishop pair, Black has finished deveoping. White's advantage is
minimal. 15.Qd2 Rac8; 16.Rfdl Rfd8; 17.a3 b3; 18.Qd3 Qa4; 19.Racl e5;
20.dxe5 Nxe5; 2 1.Rxc8 Nxc8 and Black was stuck with a problem on the cl
file in Sulistya - Stefanova, Yerevan Olympiad 1 996.
MORPHY GAMBIT
l.e4 c5
2.d4 cxd4
3.Nf3
410
SICILIAN DEFENSE
The Morphy Gambit is not as good as the Smith - Morra Gambit

with 3 .c3. Black can hold on to the pawn here, and establish a firm
grip on the center.

3 ... e5. The pawn at e5 is safe, because 4.Nxe5? fails to 4 ...Qa5+, picking
off the knight. 4.Bc4 Be7.
4... Qc7 would be a more active form of defense, and White would have to
come up with something to justify the investment of a pawn.
5.c3 d6; 6.Qb3. There isn't anything to be done about the pawn at f'7,
because 6 ...Nh6 will be met by 7.Bxh6. 6 ... dxc3; 7.Bxf7+ Kf8 ; 8.Nxc3 Nc6;
9.Bxg8 Rxg8; 10.0-0. Don't be confused. Black is not castled, and the king is
vulnerable. 10 ... Qe8; l l.Ng5 Bxg5; 12.Bxg5 Be6; 13.Nd5 h6. Now all White
has to do is blast open the f-file and victory is his. The method is easy to find
14.f4 Qd7. 14 ...hxg5; 15.fxg5+ Bf'7; 1 6.Nc7 Qe7; 1 7.Nxa8 Ke8; 1 8.Rxf'7 Qxf'7;
19.Nc7+ Ke7; 20.Qxb7. Black will not survive.
15.fxe5+ Ke8.
The Black queen is overburdened, defending both c7 and e6. 16.Nc7+

Qxc7; 17.Qxe6+. Black resigned. Morphy - Jounoud, Paris 1 858.
41 1
SNYDER VARIATION
l.e4 c5
2.b3
This is not an unorthodox opening if play develops quietly, but

when Black takes up the challenge of strongpointing the e5 square,
White will need to try some unusual ploys. The d4 square belongs to
Black, and White can make no progress in the center.

2 ... e5; 3.Bb2 Nc6; 4.f4. 4.Nf3 d6; 5.Bc4 Be6; 6.d3 Bxc4; 7.bxc4 Nge7;
8.Nc3 Ng6; 9.Nd5 Be7 was about even in Cochrane - Stuanton, Londoin
1 842.
4.Bb5 d6; 5.f4 is the same plan in a different guise. 5 ... Bd7; 6.Nf3 exf4;
7.0-0 Nf6 and chances are level, for example 8.Qe2 (8.Na3 Be7; 9.Bxc6 Bxc6;
1 O.e5 dxe5; 1 l .Nxe5 Rc8; 1 2.Nxc6 Rxc6; 13.Rxf4 0-0 Khatena - Casella, World
Open 1 995.) 8 ... Be7; 9.Bxc6 Bxc6; 10.e5 dxe5; 1 l .Nxe5 f3; 12.gxf3 0-0; 13.Nxc6
bxc6; 14.Nc3 Re8 Jacot - Blum, Geneva 1 992.
4...exf4; 5.Nf3.
41 2
SICILIAN DEFENSE
This position must not be confused with the King's Gambit! White has
pressure on the long diagonal and ...g5 is out of the question.
5 ... Nf6!; 6.Nc3 Be7; 7.Qe2 0-0; 8.e5 Ng4; 9.Nd5 d6; 10.0-0-0 Re8; l l.h3
Ngxe5; 12.Nxf4 Bf8. Black escapes with an extra pawn and a solid position,
Velickovic - Antic, Yugoslav Championship 1 9 9 1 .
SNYDER VARIATION ••. b6
l.e4 c5
2.b3 b6
John Watson and I consider this the best response to the Snyder
Sicilian. Here I expand a bit on the analysis in the Big Book of Busts.

3.Bb2 Bb7; 4.Nc3. 4.d3 e6; 5.Nf3 Nc6; 6.g3 Nf6; 7.Bg2 d5; 8.Nfd2 Be7;
9.0-0 0-0; 1 0.exd5 Nxd5; 1 l .Ne4 f5; 12.Ned2 Bf6; 13.Qc l Qe7; 14.Re1 Rad8
15.Nc4 f4 gave Black good counterplay in Friis - Petersen, Lyngby 1 9 9 1 .
4. . .Nc6. 4 ...e 6 heads into Hedgehog territory.
5.f4 e6; 6.Nf3 a6.
41 3
This is the line that was proposed in our book. The idea is simply to play
the standard Sicilian break with dS, which could also be played right away.
6 ...Nf6?! ; 7.e5 NdS; 8.Nxd5 exdS; 9.d4 d6; 1 0.Bb5 a6; 1 l .Bxc6+ Bxc6; 12.0-0
is not so bad, as long as Black does not fall for 12 ... f6; 13.exf6 gxf6; 14.dxc5
dxcS; 1 5.Ng5 and the naked king gets whipped, Root - Adam, Scottsdale 1981.
6 ...d5; 7.Bb5 a6; 8.Bxc6+ Bxc6; 9.Ne5 Bb7 (9 ...Qc7; 10.Nxc6 Qxc6; 1 l.exd5
exdS; 12.0-0 looks a little better for White.) 1 0.exd5 exdS; 1 1 .0-0 Be7; 12.Qe2
Nf6; 13.Rae1 0-0 sets the stage for an interesting middlegame battle.
7.d4. 7.Be2 dS; 8.d3 Nf6 challenges White's center, and if9.e5 Ng4; 10.Qd2
d4; 1 l .Nd1 Be7. White had better castle before ... Bh4+ forces White to play
g3, weakening the long diagonal. 12 .0-0 hS and the knights can swing to dS;
and f5, occupying powerful posts. It is hard to find a good plan for White
here.
7 ...cxd4; 8.Nxd4 Nxd4; 9.Qxd4 Nf6.
Black has powerful bishops, with cS available. Counterplay on the c-file

will be strong, and development can be completed in comfort. White is fight
ing for equality here. The most aggressive plan is 10.e5 but after 1 0 ...Bc5;
l l.Qdl Ne4; 12.Nxe4 Bxe4 we were quite satisfied with Black's game.
414
SICILIAN DEFENSE
SICILIAN WING GAMBIT
l .e4 c5
2.b4
The Sicilian Wing Gambit is a futile attempt by White to grab the

initiative. Such a weakening of the queenside just gives Black extra
targets, and White gets nothing in return but temporary custody of d4.

2 ...cxb4; 3.a3.
3.d4 d5; 4.e5 Nc6; 5.a3 is another way to play the gambit. 5 ... Qb6 now
puts a lot of pressure on White's weaknesses. 6.Be3 (6.Ne2 Bf5; 7.axb4 Nxb4;
8.Na3 Rc8 was evalated as clearly better for Black in the Big Book of Busts.
Biicker gives further 9.Nf4 Bxc2; 1 0.Qg4 e6; 1 l .Bb5+ Nc6; 12.Nxd5 is cited in
the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings as unclear, based on Mariotti - Kuzmin,
Leningrad 1 977. But ECO has never been a useful source of information on
unorthodox openings, and had Biicker bothered to actually look at the posi
tion he would quickly include that White's position is a mess after the simple
12 ... Qd8, threatening to capture at d5 with the queen. )
3 ...bxa3. This is an offer that Black can accept. Declining the offer at a3 is
often recommended. Indeed, Black has good chances there, too. 3 ... d5; 4.exd5
Qxd5;
a) 5.Bb2 e5; 6.axb4 Bxb4; 7.Na3 Bxa3; 8.Rxa3 Ne7 doesn't really provide
enough compensation for the pawn, though there is a lead in development
which can be dangerous, Day - Livshits, Canadian Championship 1 994. Biicker
gives only 8 ...Nc6, after which he notes that 9.f4 is possible.
b) 5.Nf3 e5; 6.axb4 Bxb4; 7.Na3.
41 5
Neither side has developed more than a couple of pieces but White's forces
do threaten to enter the game very quickly. Black can try to develop th kingside
or exchange minor pieces at a3.
b l ) 7 ...Nf6; 8.Nb5 0-0; 9.Nc7 Qc5; 1 0.Nxa8 e4; l l .Ngl . Here ECO gives
l l ...Re8, where 1 2.c3 is better for White Biicker offers two alternatives.
b la) l l ...e3; 12.fxe3 Qxe3+; 13.Qe2 Qd4; 14.c3 Bxc3; 15.Ra3 Re8 and
White can't afford to sacrifice the queen by capturing on c3 or e8, for ex
ample 1 6.Rxc3 ( 1 6.dxc3 Rxe2+; 1 7.Bxe2 Qe4; 1 8.Nf3 Qc2; 1 9.Bd2 Qb l+;
20.Bd l Qe4+ with a draw, or 1 6.Qxe8+ Nxe8; 1 7.Rxc3 Nc6; 18.Nf3 Qd8 and
the knight at a8 will never escape. ) 16 ... Bg4; 1 7.Nc7 Rxe2+; 18.Nxe2 Qe5;
1 9.h3 Bxe2; 20.Bxe2 Ne4. These are just a few sample lines, but I believe that
the 7 ...Nf6 line touted by Biicker gives Black just a small example, and still
prefer our 7 ... Bxa3.
b lb) l l ...Ng4 is Biicker's other plan. After 12.Nh3 e3; 13.Be2! Nxf2;
14.Nxf2 exf2+; 15.Kfl Black has two pawns for the rook, and may pick up the
knight at a8, but White will be able to untangle with c3 or d3, depending on
Black's moves.
b2) 7 ... Bxa3; 8.Bxa3 Nc6; 9.c4 Qd8; lO.Qb l Nge7; l l .Bd3 f5 (We recom
mended l l ...g6 but here Biicker claims that White has good compensation
after 1 2.Be4 f5, why not castle? 1 3.Bxe7 Qxe7; 14.Bxc6+ bxc6; 15.Ra5 and
here he claims equality for White. I rather doubt that. 15 ... 0-0; 16.Rxe5 Qf7
and Black has an outside passed pawn and bishop against knight. The pawn at
c4 is weak. Black may not have a decisive advantage, but any claim of equality
for White is unjustified.).
c) 5.axb4?? is one of the most incredible blunders ever made at the cham
pionship level.
416
SICILIAN DEFENSE
Black replied 5 ... Qe5+ and White resigned immediately in Shirazi - Pe
ters, United States Championship 1 986!
4.Nxa3.
4 ... d6; 5.Bc4. 5.d4 Nf6; 6.Bd3 g6 gives Black a good Modern Defense, and
the sacrifice of White's queenside pawns has not brought White anything in
return.
5 ...Nf6; 6.Bb2 Nc6; 7.Qe2 e6; 8.Nf3 Be7; 9.0-0 0-0; 10.Nb5 was played in
Spielmann - Gebhardt, Munich 1 926. Here 10 ... d5.
41 7
As Joel Benjamin and I pointed out in our 1 987 book, Black has a better
position with a extra pawn. After all, the basic plan for Black in the Sicilian is
the ... d5 break, and that has just been played. Later Black can expand with
...a6 and ...b5.
2 ••• H6 VARIATION
l .e4 c5
2.Nf3 h6
This early commitment by Black can be exploited by White only by

very careful strategic planning. The normal Sicilian strategy calls for
3.d4.

3.d4. 3.c3 is a sensible alternative, since ...h6 is not of much use in an
Alapin Sicilian, for example 3 ... g5, the Basmanian approach, is met by 4.d4
cxd4; 5.cxd4 (5.Qxd4 Nf6; 6.e5 Nc6; 7.Qa4 Nd5; 8.h4 gxh4; 9.Qxh4 d6; 10.Qe4
dxe5; 1 l .Nxe5 Qd6; 12 .Nxc6 bxc6; 13.Nd2 Qf6; 14.Nc4 Bg7 Casper - Rechel,
Bundesliga 1 995.) 5 ... d5; 6.exd5 Nf6; 7.Nc3 Bg7; 8.h4 g4; 9.Ne5 a6; 1 0.Be2
41 8
SICILIAN DEFENSE
h5; 1 1 .0-0 Nbd7 ( 1 l ...Nxd5?; 12.Nxd5 Qxd5; 13.Bc4) 1 2.Bg5 Nb6; 13 .Qb3
and White is better, Palac - Sulava, Montecatini Terme 1 995.
3 ...cxd4; 4.Nxd4 Nf6; 5.Nc3 e5. This is the crucial line. 6.Nde2. 6.Ndb5
d6 reaches a position similar to the Lasker - Pelikan Variation, but with a
pawn at h6 instead of a knight at c6. This gives Black the option of placing the
knight at d7, instead, and after ...a6 forces the enemy knight back, Black will
have a good Najdorf Sicilian where White's knights at c3 and a3 are not in
active positions. 7.Bc4 a6; 8.Na3 b5; 9.Bd5 may nevertheless be a bit better for
White, who cannot usually achieve such a good post for the bishopl and if
9 ... Nxd5; 10.Nxd5. White has a good form of the Lasker - Pelikan.
6 ... Bc5; 7.Be3 Bxe3; 8.fxe3 0-0; 9.Qd2 Nc6; 10.Ng3 Qb6; 1 1.0-0-0 d6;
12.Be2 Be6. Black had a good game in Dekker - Welling, Eindhoven 1 988,
since taking the pawn at d6 is too dangerous. 1 3.Qxd6 Rfd8; 14.Qa3 Qxe3+
and Black will build an attack on the queen side.
419
SODIUM ATTACK
VARIOUS LINES
l .Na3
This opening gets its name from the element sodium, for reasons
you can find in the periodical table of the elements, if you can't guess.
The Sodium Attack is also known as the Durkin Opening, and we'll
see one of his games below.
In any case, it is a drunken knight opening for White and Black can
take over the center without much resistance. There are a number of
odd gambit approaches that can be seen from time to time.

l .Na3 Nf6. l ...g6; 2.c3 (2.g4 is the Chenoboskian Variation. 2 ... d5; 3.h3
c5; 4.Bg2 Bg7; 5.c4 d4 is fine for Black.) 2 ... d5; 3.g3 Bg7; 4.Bg2 e5; 5.Nc2 c6;
6.d4 e4; 7.f3 f5; 8.Nh3 Nf6; 9.0-0 0-0; 1 0.Bg5 h6; 1 l .Bxf6 Rxf6; 12.fxe4 dxe4.
Black is no worse, Welling - Horvath, Budapest 1 996. l...e5; 2.d3 Bxa3; 3.bxa3
d5; 4.e3 c5; 5.Rb 1 is the Celadon Variation. Black is already considerably bet
ter with full control of the center and a better pawn structure. l...e5 2.c3 is a
reversed DeBruycker Variation in the Caro - Kann.
2.c3. 2.f4 d5; 3.e3 c5; 4.Nf3 g6; 5.Be2 Bg7; 6.0-0 0-0; 7.d3 Nc6; 8.Qe1 b6;
9.c3 Ba6 and Black had the freer position in Durkin - Fuster, USA 1 957.
2 ...g6. 2 ... e5; 3.d4 Bxa3; 4.bxa3 exd4 is better for Black whichever way
White recaptures. 3.g3 Bg7; 4.Bg2 d5; 5.f4.
White has cleverly set up a reversed Leningrad Dutch where the moves
Na3 and c3 actually make sense! 5 ... c5; 6.d3 Nc6; 7.Nh3 0-0; 8.0-0 Re8; 9.Nf2
e5; 10.Nc2 Qb6; l l.e4 with a complicated position in Welling - Szakall,
Budapest (Spring) 1 996.
420
SPANISH GAME
SPANISH GAME ( RUY LOPEZ)

ALAPIN VARIATION
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Bb5 Bb4
The venerable Spanish Game is not known for unorthodox play.

True, Black can adopt the Bird Variation with 3 ... Nd4 or the Schliemann
Defense with 3 ... f5, but these are only single opening violations and
are considered normal openings, covered in Standard Chess Openings.
The difference between the Bird and the Schilling Gambit in the Ital
ian Game is that 3 ... Nd4 attacks the bishop on b5, and after 4.Nxd4
exd4 the bishop is left on a vulnerable square, so Black will win time by
attacking it.
The Alapin Variation is the grandaddy of swinging bishop posi
tions. Black's bishop at b4 attacks absolutely nothing and can be driven
back by c3, which is a normal move in the Spanish anyway.
This simple logic kept the opening out of circulation for decades,
but some players now feel that the queenside is a good home for the
bishop. The game can actually transpose to several popular variations
when the bishop gets to b6.

4.c3 Ba5; 5.0-0. 5.d4 exd4; 6.b4 Bb6; 7.cxd4 Nge7; 8.0-0 d5; 9.exd5 Nxd5
De Wit - Welling, Belgium 1 987. White's pawns at d4 and b4 suddenly look
very weak. 5.Na3 Bb6 (5 ...Nf6; 6.Nc4 Bb6; 7.d3 d6; 8.h3 a6; 9.Nxb6 cxb6;
10.Ba4 b5; 1 l .Bb3 h6; 12.0-0 0-0 was marginally better for White in Isupov
Gusev, Moscow 1 995.) 6.Nc4 d6; 7.d4 exd4; 8.a4 Be6; 9.Nxb6 axb6; 10.Bg5
Nge7 1 l .Nxd4 Bd7 and White could not make progress in Suarez - Hector, La
Coruna 1 995.
5...Nge7. White has tried many moves here, and we will just look at four
42 1
logical systems.
6.Na3. White plans to attack the bishop with Nc4. 6.Qa4 is interesting.
After 6 ... Bb6; 7.d4 exd4; 8.cxd4 Ng6; 9.Nc3. White's strong center is very
impressive, Maksyutov - Hudiakov, Russia 1 996. 6.b4 is a popular move. Play
continues 6 ... Bb6; 7.Bxc6 Nxc6; 8.b5 NaS; 9.Nxe5 0-0; 1 0.d4 Qe8 and after a
whole century the opening continues to find advocates for the Black side.
a) 1 l .Qe2 f6; 1 2.Nc4 dS; 13.Nxb6 cxb6; 14.Nd2 Bd7; 15.a4 and White was
better in Chaplinsky - Gusev, Soviet Union 1 967.
b) 1 l .Nd2 d6 ( 1 l .. .f5; 1 2.Nec4 fxe4; 13.Ne3 c6; 14.Ba3 Rf6; 1 5.Bb4 dS;
16.bxc6 bxc6; 17.Qa4 and White had pressure on the Black pawn chain in
Anand - Hector, Palma de Mallorca 1 989.) 12.Nd3 QxbS; 13.c4 Qd7; 14.Bb2
c5; 15.d5 Bc7; 16.Rb1 Rb8; 17.Nf4 Qg4; 18.Qxg4 Bxg4. Black hung in and
eventually drew in Hansen - Dreyev, Kiljava 1 984.
c) 1 l .Qd3; 1 l ...f5; 1 2.Qg3 Kh8; 13.exf5 d6; 14.Nf3 QxbS; 15.Be3 Bxf5;
16.Nbd2 Qa4; 17.Nh4 Nc4 and Black was not worse in Schlechter - Alapin,
Berlin 1 897.
6.d4 exd4; 7.cxd4 dS (7 ... 0-0; 8.d5 a6 was played in Melekhin - Zubkov,
Moscow 1 995, where Black is worse if White retreats to e2.) and here:
422
SPANISH GAME
a) 8.Qa4 0-0; 9.exd5 Qxd5; 1 0.Nc3 Qh5 brought Black equality in Metger
- Alapin, Berlin 1 897.
b) 8.exd5 Qxd5 ; 9.Bxc6+ (9.Qa4 0-0; 1 0.Nc3 Qh5; 1 l .Bg5 f6; 12.Bf4 Bg4
and Black had the initiative in Lupu - Hector, Val Maubuee 1 990.) 9 ... Nxc6
1 0.Nc3 Bxc3; 1 l .bxc3 0-0 was about even in Lipke - Alapin, Vienna 1 898.
c) 8.e5 8 ... 0-0 (8 ... Bg4; 9.h3 Bh5; 1 0.Bg5 0-0; 1 l .Bxc6 bxc6; 12.Nbd2 Bxd2;
13.Qxd2 Bxf3; 14.gxf3 and Black is worse, Bussacchini - Renaud, Yerevan
Olympiad 1 996.) 9.Bg5 (9.h3 h6; 10.a3 f6; 1 l .exf6 Rxf6 gives Black some
chances on the kingside, Crisan - Moffat, Toronto 1 995.) 9 ... h6 (9 ... f6; 1 0.exf6
gxf6; 1 l .Be3 Bg4 is also playable, Schmittdiel - Hector, Ostende 1990.) 1 0.Bxc6
hxg5; 1 l .Ba4 Ng6; 12 .Bc2 Nf4; 1 3.Nc3 Bxc3; 14.bxc3 g6; 15 .Ne 1 Kg7; 16.Nd3
Rh8 gave Balck counterplay in Petersen - Welling, Lyngby 1 9 9 1 .
6. . .0-0; 7.Nc4 d5; 8.Nxa5 Nxa5.
Hector has defended this position many times, with mixed results but
enough draws against Grandmaster competition that one can certainly make
the claim that the variation is playable for Black. Old Simon Alapin would be
pleased!
9.d4. 9.d3 f6 (9 ... c6; 1 0.Ba4 f6; 1 l .h3 b5; 12.Bc2 Be6; 13.Be3 Qc7; 14.b4
423
Nb7; 1 5 .a4 Rfd8; 1 6.Qb1 Kh8; 17.Rcl a6 Hellers - Hector, Nastved 1988.)
does not lead to anything better than a boring draw.
a) 1 0.Ba4 Bd7; 1 l .Bc2 dxe4; 12.dxe4 BbS; 13.Re1 ( 1 3.Qxd8 Raxd8 was
instantly drawn in Rozentalis - Hector, Rilton Cup 1991.) 13 ... Qxd1 ; 14.Bxd1
previously led to a longer draw in Rozentalis - Hector, Stockholm 1 990.
b) 1 0.Qe2; 10 ... c5; 1 l .exd5 QxdS; 12.d4 Bg4; 13.dxc5 e4; 14.b4 a6! and
Black took the initiative in Donchev - Hector, Toulouse 1989.
9 ...dxe4; 10.Nxe5 f6.
l l .Ng4. 1 l .b4 fxeS; 1 2.bxa5 QdS; 13.Ba4 Qd6; 14.Rb 1 Qg6; 15 .Kh1 was a
bit better for White in Kovalev - Hector, Gausdal 1 990.
l l...Qd5; 12.Ba4 Bxg4; 13.Qxg4 f5; 14.Qg3 Qc4; 15.b3 Qa6; 16.Qxc7
and White was much better in Kindermann - Hector, Debrecen 1989.
BRENTANO VARIATION
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Bb5 g5
This move commits the cardinal sin of advancing the king's knight
pawn two squares in the opening, and also allows White to take over
the center.
424
SPANISH GAME

4.d4! Nxd4; 5.Nxd4 exd4; 6.Qxd4 Qf6; 7.e5. 7.Qxf6 Nxf6; 8.Bxg5 Nxe4;
9.Bf4 Nd6; 1 0.Bd3 is simple and strong. Black has no compensation for the
weak kingside and will have difficult developing quickly. Play might continue
1 0...Rg8; 1 1 .0-0 h5; 1 2.Nc3 with an obvious advantage for White.
7 ... Qb6; 8.Qd3 c6; 9.Bc4 Qa5+; IO.Nc3 Qxe5+; l l.Kdl Be7; 12.Rel Qg7.
This is Elbers - Welling, Eindhoven 1 987, and here 13.Be3 would have
given White a clear advantage according to Welling.
VINOGRADOV VARIATION
l.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Bb5 Qe7
The Vinogradov Variation has two flaws. The queen on e7 gets in

the way of the bishop at f8, and the queen is deployed prematurely.
Black's idea is to retreat the knight to d8 and then play ... c6, but this is
too slow, and among titled players, only the experimentally minded
theoreticians such as Duncan Suttles and Lawrence Day have tried it,
and only International Master Edward Formanek has dared to use it in
repeated professional contests.
425

4.0-0. 4.Nc3 Nd8; 5.d4 (5.0-0 c6; 6.Bc4 d6; 7.d4 g6; 8.a4 Nh6; 9.h3 f6;
1 0.Be3 Bg7; 1 l .Re1 Nhf7; 12.Bfl Bh6; 1 3.Bxh6 Nxh6; 14.Qd2 Nhf7; 15.b4 0-
0 1 6.a5 exd4; 1 7.Nxd4 a6; 1 8.Na4 and White is clearly better, Rizzitano -
Formanek, World Open 1 988.) 5 ... f6; 6.dxe5 fxeS; 7.Bg5 QcS; 8.Bxd8 Kxd8;
9.Ng5 Qe7; 1 0.Qh5 Nf6; 1 l .Qh4 c6; 1 2.Bc4 and White has powerful play on
the light squares, Bailey - Day, Canada 1988.
4...Nd8; 5.d4 c6; 6.Ba4. 6.Bd3 d6; 7.dxe5 dxeS; 8.b3 Qc7; 9.Bb2 f6; 1 0.Nbd2
Nh6; 1 l .a4 is also good for White, de Firmian - Formanek, World Open 1987.
6 ...d6; 7.h3. 7.c4 g6; 8.Nc3 Bg7; 9.dxe5 dxeS; 1 0.Nd5 Qd7 was seen in A.Ivanov
- Formanek, Boston Open 1 990. Here 1 l .Qc2 or 1 l .c5 look better than 1 l.b4,
as played in the game. 1 l .Qc2 bS fails to 1 2.cxb5 cxd5; 1 3.b6.
7 ...f6; 8.c4 a6; 9.Be3.
Black has a very constricted position but trying to buy space on the
queenside does not work.
9... b5; 10.Bb3 Rb8; l l.cxb5 axb5; 12.Nc3 g6; 13.Qd2 g5; 14.dxe5 dxe5;
15.Rfdl and White is clearly better, Matanovic - Suttles, Belgrade 1 969.
426
SPIKE DEFERRED
SPIKE DEFERRED
l.d3 g6
2.g4
The Spike Deferred is a slight improvement on the usually grubby

Grob. It eliminates one Black's defensive plans by commiting the pawn
to g6, but there are plenty of other good defenses. Joel Benjamin and I
recommend 2 d5. ...

2.d5; 3.h3. 3.g5 is a pure Spike. It can be handled by 3 ... h6. 3 ... Bg7; 4.Bg2
c5; 5.Nc3 e6; 6.Bf4 Nc6; 7.Qd2 a6; 8.a4 h6; 9.Bg3 Nge7; 10.e4 0-0; l l.f4
dxe4; 12.Nxe4 Bxb2; 1 3.Rbl Bg7.
14.Ne2. 14.Nxc5 b6; 15.Bh4 f6 sets up a very unusual pawn formation for
Black, but is it so weak? 16.Ne4 Bb7 and the row of spikes is hard to penetrate.
14 c4; 15.dxc4 Qxd2+; 16.Nxd2 and Black's healthier pawns provided a sight
.•.
endgame advantage in Basman - Joksic, Biel 1 979.
427
ST. GEORGE DEFENSE
l.e4 a6
The move ... a6 is an integral part of many openings, and the only
disadvantage to playing it so early in the game is that after 2.d4, many
of Black's better defensive options will disappear. The move contrib
utes nothing to development or control of the center. It has only a
single purpose: to support the advance of the b-pawn to bS.

2.d4 b5; 3.Nf3. 3.a4!? is unecessary, but not bad.
a) 3 ... Bb7; 4.axb5?! Bxe4! (4 ... axb5; 5.Rxa8 Bxa8; 6.Nd2 b4; 7.Ngf3 e6;
8.Bd3 cS; 9.dxc5 BxcS; 1 0.Nb3 and White is a bit better, Holoubkova -
Stefanova, Nadole (Women's Zonal) 1 995.) 5.bxa6 Bb7!
b) 3 ... b4; 4.Nf3 Bb7; 5.Bd3 e6; 6.0-0 cS; 7.Nbd2 cxd4; 8.Nxd4 Nf6; 9.e5
NdS; l O.Nc4 Qc7; 1 l .Qg4 Nc6; 12.Nf3 g6; 13.Qg3 h6; 14.a5 Be7; 15 .Bd2 gS;
16.Rfe1 Rg8; 17.Nd6+ Bxd6; 18.exd6 and White was much better inJ.Polgar
Kamsky, Monaco (Rapid) 1994.
3 ...Bb7; 4.Bd3. 4.e5 e6; 5.c4! challenges Black's plan directly. 5 ... Bxf3
(5 ... bxc4; 6.Bxc4 cS; 7.d5 exdS; 8.Bxd5 should be a bit better for White.) 6.Qxf3
Nc6; 7.Be3 f6; 8.cxb5 axbS; 9.Bxb5 Nb4; lO.Na3. Perhaps Black should settle
for ... c6 here, but prefers a simplification of the position by tactical means.
10 ... Rxa3; 1 l .bxa3 Nc2+; 12 .Ke2 Nxa1; 13.Rxa1 Qb8? ( 13 ... Bxa3 would have
been safer.) 14.Rb l ! Qa7; 15.a4. The threat of dS is so strong that Black is
actually lost! 15 ... c6; 16.d5 QaS; 17.dxc6 and White won in Chandler - Schulz,
Hamburg (Germany) 1980.
428
ST. GEORGE DEFENSE
4 ...Nf6. 4 ... e6 is more accurate. 5.0-0 (5.Bf4 see the Sanjorge Variation.)
5 ...Nf6; 6.Qe2 c5; 7.c3 Qb6 (7 ... d6 is better, taking the sting out of e5 and
preparing a transposition to the San jorge Defense, for example on 8.Re1
Nbd7; 9.Nbd2 e5; 10.d5 g6; 1 l .Nfl Bg7; 12.Ng3 0-0.) 8.a3 Be7; 9.b4 (9.e5!
Nd5; 1 0.a4 bxa4; 1 l .Rxa4 cxd4; 12.cxd4 and White has a serious advantage in
space, with Nbd2-c4 as one possible plan.) 9 ... cxd4; 1 0.cxd4 d6; 1 l .Nbd2 Nbd7
1 2.Nb3 Rc8; 13.Bd2 0-0 and the position was even in Thipsay - Botsari,Jakarta
Women's Interzonal) 1 993.
5.Qe2. 5.e5 Nd5; 6.Ng5!? is suggested by Miles, with a kingside attack in
mind. 5.Nbd2 is a good alternative, for example 5 ... e6; 6.0-0 c5; 7.c3 Nc6;
8.Re 1 cxd4; 9.cxd4 Rc8; 1 0.a3 Na5; 1 l .Qe2 Qb6; 12.b4 Nc4; 13.Bxc4 bxc4;
14.Nxc4 Qc6; 1 5.Na5 Qc7; 1 6.d5 Ba8; 1 7.Qxa6, Torre - Winants, Brussels
1 986.
5 ...e6; 6.a4. 6.Bg5!? is interesting here. 6 ... c5.
6 ...b4 is suggested by Tony Miles.

7.dxc5. 7.e5! may be strong, since on 7 ... c4; 8.exf6 cxd3; 9.fxg7 Bxg7;
10.Qxd3 and White is clearly better. 7.c3 Nc6; 8.0-0 cxd4 is a critical line.
429
a) 9.axb5 (9.Nxd4! ? b4; 1 0.e5 Nxd4; 1 l .cxd4 Nd5 is marginally better for
White, at best.
b) 9.cxd4 Nb4; 1 0.e5! Nxd3; 1 l .Qxd3 Nd5; 1 2.axb5 Nb4; 13.Qe2 Qb6!?
14.Nc3 and Black does not have enough for the pawn.
c) 9.e5 Nd5; 1 0.axb5 axb5; 1 l .Rxa8 Qxa8; 12.cxd4 b4 is not so bad for
Black.) 9 ... axb5; 1 0.Rxa8 Qxa8; 1 l .Bxb5 ( 1 l .cxd4 Nb4 1 l .Nxd4 Nxd4; 12.cxd4
Bxe4+ 1 l .e5 Nd5+) 1 l ...Na7! ( 1 l ...dxc3; 1 2.Nxc3 ... e5 +d5) 12.Nxd4 ( 12.e5
comes too late here. 12 ... Bxf3; 13.gxf3 Nxb5; 14.exf6 gxf6; 15.Qxb5 Rg8+;
1 6.Kh1 Qxf3#) 1 2 ... Bxe4; 13.Bg5! ( 13.Nd2 loses to 13 ...Bxg2 .) 13 ...Bc5!; 14.Bxf6
gxf6; 15.Nxe6? fxe6; 1 6.Qh5+ Kd8; 17.Qxc5 Nxb5; 18.Qxb5 Bxg2; 1 9.Rd1
Bc6 and the bishop at c6 is worth a lot more that White's knight, and the
White king has plenty to worry about, Kok - Welling, Holland 1 98 1 .
7 ...Bxc5; 8.Nbd2. White finally threatens to capture the pawn at b5, so
Black advances it. 8.axb5 axb5; 9.Rxa8 Bxa8; 10.Bxb5 Nxe4 is fine for Black.
8 ... b4; 9.e5 Nd5. 9 ... Ng4; 1 0.0-0 d5; 1 l .Nb3 Ba7; 12.h3 h5; 13.Bg5 Qc7;
14.hxg4 hxg4; 15.Nfd4 g3! led to a quick win for Black, despite the fact that
most of the army was huddling in a queenside corner, far from the action.
16.Rae1 gxf2+; 17.Rxf2 Nd7; 18.Nxe6 Qb6; 1 9.Ned4 Nc5; 20.Qf3 Qc7; 2 l.Nxc5
Bxc5; 22.c3 Kf8; 23.Ne6+ Hennigan - Accardo, Rome 1 990.
10.Ne4 Be7.
430
ST. GEORGE DEFENSE
1 1.0-0. 1 l .Bg5 is now acknowledged to be stronger.

a) 1 l ...f6?! is premature: 12.exf6 Nxf6 ( 1 2 ... gxf6?; 13.Ne5 !) 13.0-0 0-0;
14.Rfe 1 Nxe4; 15 .Bxe4 Bxe4; 16.Qxe4 Nc6; 1 7.Bxe7 Qxe7, here White has a
much healthier pawn structure.
b) 1 1 ...0-0; 12.Nd6 Bc6; 13.h4 f6; 14.exf6 gxf6; 15.Ne5 fxg5; 16.Qh5 Rf5;
1 7.Bxf5 exf5; 18.Qf7+ Kh8; 19.Ng6+ Volovik - Kozlov, USSR 1 987
1 1...Nc6; 12.Bd2. 1 2.Bg5 is still good. 12 ... f6; 13.exf6 gxf6; 14.Bh6 Qc7;
15.g3 Rg8; 16.Rfc l Ne5; 1 7.Nxe5 Qxe5 and Black's position was a bit ragged
in Westerinen - Schulz, Hamburg 1 980.
12 ...Qc7; 13.c4 bxc3; 14.Nxc3 Nxc3; 15.Bxc3 Nb4; 16.Bxb4 Bxb4; 17.Racl
Qb6; 18.Be4. 18.Ng5!? is an interesting alternative.
18 ... 0-0.
An interesting position. Many commentators suggest a classic sacrifice at

h7 now, but it was dismissed by Karpov. 19.Ng5. 19.Bxh7+ Kxh7; 20.Ng5+
Kg6; 2 l .Qg4 f5 (2l ...f6!?) 22.Qg3 Qd4 is given by Karpov, claiming that Black
can defend. But in examining this position recently I found that his idea,
based on the interpolation of the queen at g4, is flawed. 23.Nxe6+! (23.h3?
Kh5!) 23 ... Qg4; 24.Nxf8+ Rxf8; 25.Qxg4+ fxg4; 26.Rc4 a5; 27.Rxg4+ and White
has rook and three pawns for the bishop pair, definitely much better for the
rooks. For example: 27 ... Kf7; 28.Rf4+ Ke7; 29.Rxf8 Kxf8; 30.Rd1 Bc6; 3 l .b3
and White's winning plan is to bring the king to a2 to defend the b-pawn, and
then use the rook to support the advance of the pawns on the kingside.
19 ... h6; 20.Bh7+. 20.Bxb7 Qxb7; 2l.Qe4 would have kept the chances even.
20 ...Kh8; 2 1 .Bb 1 Be7; 22.Ne4 Rac8; 23.Qd3. Karpov claimed that this
was his only serious error in the game, and that 23.Rcd1 would have main
tained an advantage.
23 ...Rxcl; 24.Rxcl Qxb2; 25.Re1 Qxe5; 26.Qxd7.
43 1
White is just a pawn down, and not even Karpov's formidable technique
could save him. 26 Bb4; 27.Re3 Qd5; 28.Qxd5 Bxd5; 29.Nc3 Rc8; 30.Ne2
.•.
g5; 3 l .h4 Kg7; 32.hxg5 hxg5; 33.Bd3 a5; 34.Rg3 Kf6; 35.Rg4 Bd6; 36.Kfl
Be5. The power of the bishops isjust too great. 37.Kel Rh8; 38.f4 gxf4; 39.Nxf4
Bc6; 40.Ne2 Rhl+; 41.Kd2 Rh2; 42.g3 Bf3; 43.Rg8 Rg2; 44.Kel Bxe2; 45.Bxe2
Rxg3; 46.Ra8 Bc7. White resigned, Karpov - Miles, European Team Champi
onship 1 980. Truly a game that shook the chess world!
432
ST. GEORGE DEFENSE
SAN JORGE VARIATION
l .e4 e6
I no longer use l...e6 to achieve the target formation. Black's plan

in the San Jorge is to set up a formation from the Closed Variation of
the Spanish Game.
l ...a6; 2.d4 g6; 3.Nf3 Bg7; 4.c3 b5; 5.Bd3 d6; 6.0-0 Nd7; 7.Re l e5 is
the most direct way to reach the SanJorge. 8.Nbd2 c5; 9.d5 c4; 1 0.Bc2
Ne7; l l .Nfl 0-0; 12.a4 Bb7 is a typical continuation. The best move
order is l.e4 d6 2.d4 g6 3.Nc3 a6, a form of the Rat Defense. This is
least likely to provoke a very early c4 by White.

2.d4 a6; 3.Nf3 b5; 4.Bd3 Bh7.
5.Bf4. This extends a special invitation to our formation, since Black will
eventually play ... e5 with gain of tempo. A more standard continuation is 5.0-
0 d6; 6.Bg5 Be7; 7.Bxe7 Qxe7; 8.Nbd2 c5; 9.c3 e5; 1 0.d5 Nf6; l l .a4 c4; 12.Bc2
Nbd7; 13.axb5 axb5; 14.Rxa8+ Bxa8 with a typical Spanish position where
433
neither bishop is accomplishing much.

5 ... Nf6; 6.Qe2 c5; 7.c3 d6; 8.0-0 Nhd7; 9.Rdl Qc7; 10.a4 e5!; l l.dxe5
dxe5; 12.Bg5 c4; 13.Bc2 Be7; 14.b4 Qc6; 15.Nbd2 0-0; 16.Nfl Rfe8; 17.Ng3
g6; 18.a5 Bf8; 19.Nd2 h6; 20.Bxf6 Nxf6. The unorthodox heretic converts to
orthodoxy!
Black has a superior form of the Closed Spanish. 2 1.Ngfl Rad8; 22.Ne3
Qe6; 23.h3 h5; 24.Qf3 Bh6; 25.Ndfl Bf4!; 26.h4 Qc6; 27.Nd5 Nxd5; 28.exd5
Qd7; 29.Ne3 Bxe3; 30.fxe3 Bxd5; 3 1 .e4 Qa7+; 32.Qf2 Qxf2+; 33.Kxf2 Be6;
34.Ke3 Bg4; 35.Rfl Rd6; 36.Rf2 RedS 37.Rffl Rd3+. White resigned in Rejto
- Schiller, World Open 1 983.
ST. GEORGS GAMBIT
l.d4 a6
2.c4 b5
3.e4 e6
4.cxb5 axb5
5.Bxb5
This is called the St. Georgs Gambit by Driicke. White has a firm
grip on the center and better development, so it is hard to see how
Black can claim any compensation at all.
434
ST. GEORGE DEFENSE

5 Bb7; 6.Bd3.
••.
6.f3 Qh4+; 7.Ke2 Bxe4; 8.Nc3 Bb7 and Black is better, Haslinger - Well
ing, Isle Of Man 1 993. 6.Nc3 Bb4; 7.Bd3 looks much stronger for White, and
now 7 . . £5 ; 8.Bd2 (8.exf5 Bxg2; 9.Qh5+ Kf8 gets nowhere.) 8 ... Bxc3; 9.bxc3
.
Nf6 (9 ... fxe4; 1 0.Qb l ! Ra7; 1 l .Bxe4 Bxe4; 12.Qxe4 Nf6; 13.Qe2 is definately
better for White.) 1 0.Bg5 fxe4; 1 l .Qb 1 Ra7; 12.Bxf6 Qxf6; 13.Bxe4 is better
for White.
6 £5; 7.Qe2 Nf6; 8.Nc3 Bb4; 9.Bg5 fxe4; 10.Bxf6 exd3.
.••
l l.Qh5+ g6; 1 2.Qg5 Be7; 13.Bxe7 Qxe7; 14.Qxe7+ Kxe7; 15.£3 Nc6;
16.Rdl Nxd4, Black's advantage in the endgame is indisputable, Wolfradt -
Moerschbach, Germany 1 988.
435
TROMPOWSKY ATTACK
BORG VARIATION
l.d4 Nf6
2.Bg5 Ne4
3.Bf4 g5
This is not a sound move, but there is a certain logic to it. If the
bishop retreats, then Black is playing a Borg with an extra tempo. But
one tempo is not enough to redeem that rubbish.

4.Bcl h6; 5.f3 Nf6; 6.e4 Bg7; 7.Nc3 0-0; 8.Bc4 d6; 9.Nge2. 9.Be3 c5;
1 0.Nge2 Nc6; 1 l .Qd2 cxd4; 1 2.Nxd4 Nxd4; 1 3.Bxd4 would give White a strong
game, with the threat of Be3 followed by h4. 9 ... Nbd7; 10.0-0 c6; l l.Be3 b5;
12.Bb3 b4 and Black had counterplay in Dzagnidze - Breslavskaya, World
Girls Under- 1 0 Championship 1 996.
RAPTOR VARIATION
I
l.d4 Nf6
2.Bg5 Ne4
3.h4
This may look like an unorthodox opening, but in fact it has earned
a high degree of respect and is used in top professional competition.
436
TROMPOWSKY AnACK
White's offers the minor exchange to Black, who has moved nothing
but the knight.
Julian Hodgson, the leading exponent of the Trompowsky, describes
the move in his 1 992 Trends pamphlet as "a move with which I have had
some successs but I think this is due more to its psychological effect on
the opponent rather than any actual merits of the move itself!"
3 ... c5. 3 ...Nxg5; 4.hxg5 is not seen, because it gives White a big advantage
in space. 3 ...d5 is a solid alternative favored by Belyavsky.
4.d5 is often connected with a sacrifice of the pawn at b2, for example.
4.dxc5 h6 Black can also play ... Nc6 or even ...Na6 here. ( 4 ...Na6; 5.Nd2 Naxc5
6.Ngf3 is Emms - Hodgson London (Lloyds Bank) 1 9 9 1 , and here Hodgson
suggests 6 ... Nb6. I assume he means 6 ...Nd6.) 5.Be3 (5 .Bf4!? deserves consid-
eration.) 5 ... e6; 6.Nd2 Nxc5; 7.Ngf3 d5; 8.c3 b6; 9.g3 Bb7; 10.Bg2 Be7; 1 1 .0-
0 0-0; 1 2.c4 Nbd7; 1 3.cxd5 Bxd5; 14.b4 Ne4; 1 5.Nxe4 Bxe4; 16.Qa4 Nf6;
17.b5 Qd5; 18.Rfd1 Qb7; 1 9.Ne 1 Rfc8; 20.Racl Rxcl was drawn in Miladinovic
- Svidler, Yugoslavian Team Championship 1 995.
4 ... Qb6; 5.Nd2. 5.Qc l c4; 6.e3 Qa5+ and Black has the initiative, Ohlzon
- Sandstrom, Swedish Championship, 1 997. 5.b3 was played in Alves - Braga,
Sao Paolo 1 996. Black missed the fantastic 5 ... Nxf2! ; 6.Kxf2 h6 with the threat
of ... Qf6+, picking off the rook at a1, so 7.Rh3 hxg5; 8.hxg5 Rxh3; 9.gxh3 is
best, but Black is a bit better after 9 ... g6 with the bishop pair in hand. 5...Nxg5.
5 ...Nxd2; 6.Bxd2 Qxb2; 7.e4 Qe5; 8.Bd3 Qc7; 9.Bc4 d6; 10.Bc3 e5; 1 l.f4 Nd7
was better for Black in Ferguson - Findlay, Canadian Open 1 995. 6.hxg5 Qxb2.
7.g6. 7.e4 is interesting. Now Black has to find something better than
7 ...Na6?! (7 ... d6?; 8.Rb 1 Qa3; 9.Bb5+ Nd7; 10.Nc4 Qc3+; 1 l.Kf1 and White
will play Ne2, according to Yermolinsky.) and here inYermolinsky - Zlotnikov,
New York 1 995, White should have played 8.Rb l ! Qa3; 9.Rh3 Qa5; 1 0.g6!
fxg6; 1 l .e5 with good compensation for the pawn.
7 fxg6; 8.e4 Qf6; 9.Ngf3 e5; IO.dxe6 Nc6; l l.exd7+ Bxd7; 12.Rbl 0-0-
.••
0 with a solid advantage for Black, Sallen - Berthelot, Cannes 1995.
437
VAN GEET OPENING
l .Nc3
The Van Geet is mostly a transpositional device, and is known by

different names around the world, including the Dunst Opening in
English speaking countries. There is little doubt, however, that the honor
belongs to the Dutchman D.D. Van Geet, who gave the developing
move a life of its own.
In this book we consider only unorthodox variations. For a general
overview of Van Geet's system, see Standard Chess Openings. I might
mention here my own preferred plan of an early a3, the Battambang
formation. The idea is to transpose into a Mengarini Opening or just
use the extra move to keep nasty pieces off of b4. A Bugayev Attack is
also possible in this case.
438
VAN GEET OPENING
ANTI-PIRC VARIATION
l.Nc3 g6
2.h4
White's advance of the h-pawn is motivated in the Anti-Pirc Varia

tion by the weakening move ... g6. Since in almost all cases where a
bishop is fianchettoed on the kingside Black castles in that direction,
White can count on attacking chances, casting queenside and then send
ing a barrage of pawns at the enemy king.

2 ... Nf6. 2 ... Bg7; 3.Nf3 d6; 4.d3 Nf6; 5.Bg5 Nbd7; 6.Qd2 h6; 7.Bxf6 Nxf6;
8.e3 e5 ; 9.0-0-0 is Moser - Riickleben, Bad Worishofen 1 987. 9 ... Be6 would
give Black a solid position and the long-term asset of the bishop pair.
3.e4 d6; 4.h5. 4.Be2 h5; 5.d3 c5 is an odd Closed Sicilian, with Black
facing potential problems if the king goes to the kingside, Rauber - Quinn,
Yerevan Olyampiad 1 996.
4 ...Nxh5; 5.Rxh5 gxh5; 6.Qxh5 e6; 7 .d4.
439
7 ... Qf6; 8.Nf3 Qg6; 9.Qh2 Bd7; IO.Bf4 Nc6; 1 1.0-0-0 0-0-0 and White
had insufficient compensation for the exchange in Leiser - Davies, Hamburg
1995.
NAPOLEON ATTACK
l.Nc3 e5
2.Nf3
Napoleon loved the horses and was proud of his cavalry. The N a
poleon Attack, a sort of reversed Alekhine Defense, is playable, be
cause the e-pawn cannot advance and harass the knight at £3. It is one
of the more interesting lines of the Van Geet Opening.

2 ... Nc6. 2 ... d6; 3.e4 transposes to the Philidor Defense. (3.d4 Nc6; 4.d5
Nce7; 5.e4 f5 is an interesting option pointed out by Van Geet.) 3 ... f5; 4.h3
fxe4; 5.Nxe4 Nc6; 6.Nfg5 d5; 7.Qh5+ g6; 8.Qf3. Threatening... 8 . . . Nh6
(8 ... Nd4?? is mated immediately by 9.Qf7# .) 9.Nf6+ Ke7; 10.Nxd5+ Kd6;
1 l .Ne4+ Kxd5; 1 2.Bc4+ Kxc4; 13.Qb3+ Kd4; 14.Qd3# is a game attributed to
Napolean vs. Madame de Remusat at Malmaison Castle in 1 804.
3.d4 exd4; 4.Nxd4. The knights are in Scottish formation, but White does
not have a pawn at e4. 4 ... g6; 5.Nd5! causes Black some difficulty. One major
threat is Nb5, converging on c7.
440
VAN GEET OPENING
5 ... a6. 5 ...Nb4 is an attempt to clear the field of a pair of horses, but after
6.Nb5! NxdS; 7.Qxd5 d6; 8.Bg5 and White is better, according to Van Geet.
6.Bg5! f6. 6 ... Qxg5; 7.Nxc7+ Kd8; 8.Nde6+! ! fxe6; 9.Nxe6+ Ke8; 10.Nxg5
wins for White.
7.Bh4 Bg7; 8.e4 Nh6; 9.Bc4 Na5? 9 ...Ne5 is better, and Black will quickly
drive back the enemy forces, for example 10.Bb3 c6; 1 l .Nc3 d6; 12.0-0 Nef7;
13.f4 0-0 and Black's defenses are solid.
10.e5! and White had a winning position in Van Geet - Sokolov, Wijk aan
Zee 1 970.
NOVOSIBIRSK VARIATION
l.Nc3 c5
2.d4 cxd4
3.Qxd4 Nc6
4.Qh4
The Novosibirsk Variation was developed by Zarichuk, but the way

ward queen maneuver has not caught on with anyone. Just as well,
because it isn't very good. Black can fianchetto at g7, and if White
plays e4, then Black has a good Sicilian. The queen has stumbled drunk
enly to h4, where it can only hope to keep out of harm's way.
44 1

l.Nc3. l .d4 Nf6; 2.Bg5 c5; 3.Nc3 cxd4; 4.Qxd4 Nc6; 5.Qh4 is another
form of this opening, reached from a Trompowski Attack. 5 ... d6 (5 ... e6; 6.e4
Be7; 7.f4 Qb6; 8.0-0-0 Qe3+; 9.Kb 1 Nxe4; 1 0.Nxe4 Qxe4; 1 l .Bd3 Qb4; 12.Nf3
gave Black reasonable compensation for the pawn in Taylor - Shamkovich,
New York 1 976.) 6.0-0-0 Qa5; 7.e4 Bd7; 8.Bc4 h6; 9.Bxf6 gxf6; 1 0.Nd5 Rg8;
1 l .Ne2 Rg4 gave Black good counterplay in Mar.Tseitlin - Taborov, Soviet
Union 1 978.
l...c5; 2.d4 cxd4; 3.Qxd4 Nc6; 4.Qh4 g6; 5.Bd2. 5.e4 Bg7; 6.Bd2 trans
poses. 5 ..Bg7; 6.e4 was played in Zarichuk - McKee, Postal 1976, and here
.
Benjamin and I suggest 6 ... Nb4. 6 ... a6; 7.Nf3 d6; 8.Bc4 Bd7 led to typical
sicilian play in Leeners - Thorstensen, Postal 1 978.
7.Bd3. 7.0-0-0 Bxc3; 8.Bxc3 Nxa2+; 9.Kb 1 Nxc3+; 1 0.bxc3 Qb6+; 1 l .Kc l
Qf6 and Black should win without much difficulty.
7 ... d6; 8.Nf3 Nxd3+; 9.cxd3 Nf6.
Black has the bishop pair, good development and a better pawn structure.
442
VAN GEET OPENING
REVERSED NIMZOWITSCH DEFENSE
l.Nc3 e5
The Reversed Nimzowitsch Defense is fully playable for White,

given the extra tempo. Play can follow the paths of the normal
Nimzowitsch Defense.

2.Nf3. 2.e3 d5; 3.Nce2 is a very perverse idea from Schlenker. 3 ...Nc6;
4.b3 Nf6; 5.Bb2 Bd6; 6.g3 0-0 7.f4 was Schlenker - Wolf, Tiibingen (casual)
1 980. Here Black played 7 ... Bg4 and was embarrassed after 8.h3, since 8 ... exf4
did not turn out at all well. 7 ... Qe7 is best, with a better game for Black, who
controls the center.
2 ... Nc6. 2 ... Bc5; 3.Nxe5 Bxf2+; 4.Kxf2 Qh4+; 5.g3 Qd4+; 6.e3 Qxe5; 7.d4
is simply better for White, Muster - Luffy, Postal 1989. 3.d4 exd4; 4.Nxd4
Nf6. 4 ...Bb4; 5.g3 Qf6; 6.Be3 Nge7; 7.Bg2 Nf5; 8.Nxf5 Qxf5; 9 .0-0 Bxc3;
1 0.bxc3 give White powerful bishops, Lang - Mueller, St. Ingbert 1995.
5.Bg5. 5.e4 is a Scotch Four Knights, a dull and stodgy orthodox opening.
5 ...Bb4; 6.Nxc6 bxc6; 7.Qd4 Be7; 8.0-0-0 0-0; 9.e4.
443
This is another sort of Scotch. White may have a very small advantage, but
with attacks coming on both flanks the outcome is still very much in doubt.
REVERSED SCANDINAVIAN
l.Nc3 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.Qxd4 Nc6
4.Qa4
White has set up a formation which is a reversed Scandinavian

Defense with an extra tempo; hence the Reversed Scandinavian. But
in the Scandinavian, Black is usually struggling to get equality, and the
extra tempo here means only that reaching equality is not so difficult.
Gaining any sort of advantage is another matter.

4 ... Nf6; 5.Bg5 Be7; 6.Nf3 0-0; 7 .Qh4 d6 was played in Schlenker - Muller,
casual game 1 987. Here 8.e4 would give White a spatial advantage similar to
that of the Philidor Defense, and good attacking chances on the kingside.
SICILIAN TWO KNIGHTS
l.Nc3 c5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.d4 cxd4
4.Nxd4
444
VAN GEET OPENING
There is nothing unprincipled about the Sicilian Two Knight's at

tack except for White's stubborn refusal to take charge in the center
with e4. Black can now play a move which invites tranposition to a
Sicilian, for example 4 ... g6, or can prevent it.

4 ...g6. White can of course reach the Accelerated Dragon Variation of the
Sicilian Defense by playing 5.e4. That is fine if Black has that opening in the
repertoire, but if not, it is a mistake to enter waters which are more frequently
navigated by the opponent. True, even after l .Nc3 c5 White can directly enter
the Sicilian with 2.e4, but then Black gets to choose which variation will be
played. Here, at move 4, Black must declare the variation before White de
cides whether or not to head to the Sicilian ball, and it takes two to tango! If
you do decide to permit a Sicilian as Black, White then can go along for the
ride or take a detour with a move like 5.g3, a favorite of Van Geet. 4 ... d5.
4 ... Qb6 is a sensible Godiva approach, where the queen gallops around
naked in the company only of horses. It can lead to a Sicilian Four Knights.
5.Nb3 e6; 6.e4 a6; 7.g3 d6; 8.Bg2 Qc7; 9.0-0 Nf6; 1 0.h3 b5; 1 l .a3 Bb7; 12.f4
Be7 and Black had a normal Sicilian position in N othnagel - Zunker, Mainz
1 995. 4... e5; 5.Ndb5 is good for White, since Nd6+; is coming. 4 ... d5; 5.e4 is
better for White, according to Van Geet.
a) 5 ... e5; 6.Nxc6 bxc6; 7.exd5 Bb4; 8.dxc6 Bxc3+; 9.bxc3 Qxd1+; 10.Kxd1
Ne7; 1 l .Bb5 Bg4+ ( 1 1 . ..0-0; 1 2.Ba3 Rd8+; 1 3.Kc l is winning for White.) 12.£3
Rd8+; 13.Ke2 wins for White.
b) 5 ...dxe4 is the obvious test.
6.Be3 (6.Bb5 Bd7; 7.Nxc6 Bxc6; 8.Bxc6+ bxc6; 9.0-0 Qxd1 ; 10.Rxd1 Nf6
and Black is better. 6.Nxc6 Qxd1+; 7.Nxd1 bxc6; 8.Nc3 Nf6; 9.Bg5 Bf5 and
Black holds on to the extra pawn, though the weaknes of the pawns at a7, c6;
and e4; provide significant compensation to White.) 6 ... Nf6; 7.Nxc6 Qxd 1+;
8.Rxd1 bxc6; 9.Bc4 should give White sufficient compensation for the pawn.
Compared with the previous note, White has much better development.
445
5.g3. 5.Bf4 is Schlenker's choice, but it is just a one-trick pony.

a) 5 ... d6; 6.Nxc6 bxc6; 7.Qd4 Nf6 (7 ... e5; 8.Bxe5l dxe5; 9.Qxe5+ and White
wins.) 8.0-0-0 c5 looks like the most reasonable plan for Black.
b) 5 ... a6; 6.Nxc6 bxc6; 7.Be5 is unpleasant for Black.
c) 5 ... Bg7? looks natural, but leads to disaster. 6.N db5 d6; 7 .N d5 and Black
hs nothing better than 7 ... Kf8.
5 ... Bg7; 6.Nxc6 bxc6; 7.Bg2 Nf6.
Staking out territory with ... d5 looks risky if White can counter with e4.
8.0-0 0-0; 9.Na4. This discourages Black from playing ... d5 as that would
create a big hole at c5. 9 ...Qc7; IO.c4 d6; l l.b3 Nd7; 12.Bb2 Bxb2; 13.Nxb2
Bb7; 14.Na4. White creates the positional threat of c5, which even at the
temporary cost of a pawn would shatter Black's pawn formation. 14...c5; 15.Nc3
Bxg2; 16.Kxg2 Nf6. Black has a fine Queen's Indian position, but there is
little life left in the position so after 17 .Qd3 the players agreed to a draw in
Savage - Toubdale, World Open 1 995.
TUBINGEN GAMBIT
l.Nc3 Nf6
2.g4
446
VAN GEET OPENING
This is the Tiibingen Gambit, so named by A. Aasum of Norway.

White will obtain a strong center and slight lead in development for
the pawn.

2 ...Nxg4; 3.e4 d6; 4.d4 g6; 5.Bg5 Bg7; 6.Bc4 Nc6; 7.Nf3 f6?! Black should
just calstle, as there in nothing particular to fear on the kingside. This move
leads to some serious weaknesses, though Black still has a small advantage,
perhaps. 8.Bh4 e5; 9.h3 exd4. Now things get interesting. 10.hxg4 dxc3;
l l.Qd5! Qe7; 1 2.0-0-0 cxb2+. Black now adds a third pawn to his booty.
13.Kbl Bxg4, and a fourth! 14.Rd3 Bxf3; 15.Rxf3 0-0-0; 16.Rb3 Qe5!; 17.Qf7.
17 ...Rhg8? An error which seriously compromises Black's game. 1 7 ... Na5;

18.Rb5 Qc3 would maintain a significant advantage for Black.
18.Bg3 Qxe4. The fifth pawn should be sufficient for a win, but 19.Be6+
Kb8; 20.Bd5 Qe7.
2 1.Bxc6! An excellent move, even if it is the only one. 2l ... Qxf7; 22.Rxb7+
Kc8; 23.Rxa7 Black resigned in Schlenker - Trettin, Germany, as mate at a8
cannot be delayed for long.
447
TWYBLE ATIACK
l.Nc3 c5
2.Rb l
This drunken rook move accomplishes nothing.

2 ...Nf6; 3.g3 d5; 4.Bg2 e5; 5.e4 Be6. 5 ... d4 is a reversed Lizard Defense,
cf. l.e4 g6; 2.d4 Bg7; 3.c4 Nc6; 4.Nf3 eS.
6.exd5 Nxd5. 6 ... Bxd5; 7.Bxd5 NxdS; 8.Qf3 Nxc3; 9.Qxb7 QdS; 1 0.Qc8+
Qd8; l l .Qxd8+ Kxd8; 12 .dxc3 leaves White with a healthy extra pawn, though
I hardly think the game is over yet.
7.Qf3 Nxc3; 8.bxc3 Nc6; 9.Rxb7 Rc8?
10.Qxc6+! Rxc6; l l.Bxc6+ Bd7; 12.Rxd7 Qg5; 13.Nf3 Qf5; 14.Rd5+ Ke7;
15.Rxe5+ Qxe5+; 16.Nxe5 and White wins, Twyble - Sugden, Southend 1986.
448
VENEZOLANA FORMATION
l.d3 c5
2.Nc3 Nc6
3.g3
The Venezolana Formation involves a kingside fianchetto and a

pawn at d3, which are found in many flank openings. The main differ
ence is the stationing of the knight at c3, in front of the c-pawn. White
therefore makes no effort to occupy the center, and this opening can
only appeal to those with strong Hypermodern tendencies.
As with all formations, many move orders may be used to arrive at
the same position.

l .g3 is the preferred move order of Duncan Suttles, who had quite a bit of
experience with the Venezolana formation. Here are some samples.
l .d3 c5; 2.Nc3 Nc6; 3.g3 g6; 4.Bg2 Bg7; 5.Nf3 e6 (5 ... e5; 6.e4 Nge7 is a
more ambitious plan for Black.) 6.0-0 Nge7; 7.e4 0-0; 8.Be3 Nd4; 9.Qd2 d6;
1 0.Bh6 Nec6; 1 l .Bxg7 Kxg7; 1 2.Nd1 Nxf3+; 1 3.Bxf3 f5; 14.exf5 gxf5 ; 15.Bxc6
bxc6 left Black with an artificial pawn structure in Torres - Diaz, Venezuela
1 973. l .Nc3 c5; 2.Nf3 e6; 3.g3 Nc6; 4.Bg2 d5; 5.d3 is another way to reach the
position.
Here Black has chosen a very solid defensive formation, taking a good
piece of the center but not creating too many targets for White's pieces. 5 ... Nf6;
6.0-0 Be7; 7.e4 0-0; 8.Qe2 d4; 9.Nd1 e5 and White managed to create some
tension in the position with 1 0.Ne1 Ne8; 1 l .f4, Hoffman - Grefe, USA 1978.
l .Nf3 e6; 2.g3 d5; 3.Bg2 c6; 4.d3 Bd6; 5.Nc3.
449
White has set up the Venezolana Formation, though as this game shows
the position was investigated quite a long time ago by Yates. White plays slowly,
aiming for a timely e4 to attack the enemy pawn barrier. 5 ...Ne7; 6.0-0 0-0
7.e4 b5; 8.Ne1 f5; 9.exd5 exd5; 1 0.Ne2 Nd7; 1 l .Bf4 Nb6; 12.Qd2 Ng6 with an
equal game in Yates - Nimzowitsch, Carlsbad 1 923.
l...d5. l...g6; 2.Bg2 Bg7; 3.d3 c5 invites a transposition to the Sicilian.
(3 ... d5; 4.Nc3 Nf6; 5.Bd2 0-0; 6.Qcl is really maneuvering behind the lines!
6 ... c6; 7.Nd 1 Re8; 8.f3 e5; 9.e4 Be6; 10.Nh3 Qc8; 1 l .Ndf2 a5; 12.0-0 dxe4;
13.dxe4 Nbd7; 14.Rd1 Nc5; 15.Bfl was a level playing field in Suttles - Ostojic,
Belgrade 1 969.) 4.Nc3 Nc6; 5.f4 (5.e4 d6; 6.Be3 e5; 7.Qd2 Rb8; 8.Nge2 Nge7
9.0-0 0-0; 10.Rae1 b5 led to a standard Closed Sicilian in Suttles - Minic,
Palma de Majorca Interzonal 1 970.) 5 ... d6; 6.Nf3 Nf6; 7.0-0 0-0; 8.h3 Ne8;
9.Kh2 Nc7; 1 0.Ne4 f5 equalized in Suttles - Evans, Lone Pine 1975.
2.Bg2 e5. 2 ... c5; 3.d3 Nc6; 4.a3 e5; 5.Nc3 Be6; 6.e4 is a reversed Modern
Defense, Suttles - lvkov, Belgrade 1 969.
3.d3 c6. 3 ... c5; 4.Nc3 Be6; 5.e4 d4; 6.Nce2 g5 is designed to stop f4. It
doesn't! 7.f4!? gxf4; 8.gxf4 Qh4+; 9.Ng3 exf4; 10.Qh5! Qxh5; 1 l .Nxh5 Nc6;
1 2.Nxf4 Nb4; 13.Kd1 and White had the better structure in Suttles - Portisch,
450
Sousse interzonal 1 967. 3 ...Bc5; 4.Nf3 Qe7; 5.Nc3 c6; 6.e4 dxe4; 7.Nxe4 Bb6;
8.0-0 Bg4; 9.a4 £5; 1 0.Ned2 Nf6 was approximately even in Suttles - Sampouw,
Indonesia 1 982.
4.Nf3 Bd6; 5.0-0 Ne7; 6.Nc3 0-0; 7.e4 d4; 8.Ne2 f6; 9.Nd2 Qe8; 10.£4 c5.
White's kingside attack almost plays itself! 1 1.£5 Nbc6; 12.g4 a6; 1 3.h4
b5; 14.Ng3 Bd7; 15.Nf3 and White was better in Suttles - Ujtumen, Palma de
Mallorca interzonal 1 970.
45 1
VERESOV ATTACK
SHROPSHIRE DEFENSE
l.d4 d5
2.Nc3 h5
This move prompted Tom Purser to wonder whether it was even

legal! Black's irrelevant, weakening move invites all sorts of ideas, some
of which are good and some foolish.

3.e4 dxe4; 4.Bc4. 4.Nxe4 is correct. In both the French Defense and Caro
-Kann Defense, the move ... h6 is often needed, and ...hS is premature. Black
can try a fianchetto approach. 4 ... g6; 5.Bf4 Bg7; 6.c3 Nf6; 7.Ng5 0-0; 8.Bc4
looks a little better for White. The knight on gS is annoying since Black no
longer has ... h6 to kick it out.
4 ...Nf6; 5.f3. This is a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit now, with the odd move
...hS thrown in. 5 ... exf3; 6.Nxf3 Bg4; 7.0-0 c6; 8.Ne5 e6. 8 ...Bxdl?? gets mated
instantly by 9.Bxf7#.
9.Qd3 Bd6; 10.h3 b5; l l .Nxb5 cxb5; 12.Bxb5+ Kf8; 13.hxg4 hxg4; 14.Be3
Rh5.
452
VERESOV AnACK
Black had at least equal chances in Everington - Brotherton, Shroshire

1 992.
ANTI-VERESOV
l.d4 d5
2.Nc3 Bg4?
Black's last move is very poor, because the bishop will be driven
back by advancing White pawns, which will eventually overwhelm the
center. It is an example of the floating bishop, which can be blown
around the board, pushed in various directions by White pawns.

3.Qd3, an early queen move, but it frees the e-pawn from the pin and
prepares for e4. 3.f3 Bh5; 4.Nh3 e6; 5.Nf4 Bg6; 6.h4 Bd6; 7.h5 Qg5 is
Hasangatin - Truus, Moscow 1 996. 8.Nd3 Bg3+; 9.Nf2 and White wins a piece.
3 ... Qd7; 4.f3 Bh5; 5.Nh3. Since f3 is occupied, the knight must find an
other way to develop. Here the knight is well-stationed, because it cannot be
attacked by the enemy bishop and threatens to win a pawn with Nf4. The
knight can also be used at f2 in support of the e4-square. 5 ... Bg6; 6.e4. Now
White has the ideal pawn center and has consolidated the opening advantage.
6 ...Nc6. Normally Black might seek counterplay with ... c5, so this is an incon
venient spot for the knight. But with d7 occupied,and queenside castling likely,
Black doesn't have much choice. 7.Be3 h6; 8.0-0-0 e6; 9.Bf4 dxe4; 10.fxe4
Bh7. Now the White queen goes on the attack. l l .Qb5! g5.
453
12.d5! This thrust is decisive. Black's poor development has led to her
demise. 12 ...gxf4; 13.dxc6 Qxc6; 14.Qe5! Bd6; 15.Qxh8 0-0-0; 16.Qxh7.
Black resigned in Schiller - Leroy, London (Lloyds Bank) 1985.
454
VIENNA GAME
VIENNA GAME
FRANKENSTEIN - DRACULA VARIATION
l.e4 e5
2.Nc3 Nf6
3.Bc4 Nxe4
This variation of the Vienna Game can lead to very exciting play,
and it gives rise to the Frankenstein-Dracula, or Monster Variation
after 4.Qh5 Nd6; 5.Bb3 Nc6.

4.Qh5 Nd6; 5.Bb3 Nc6. 5 Be7 takes all the fun out of the line, and leads
...
to a somewhat boring equality.

6.Nb5. White threatens to remove the knight at d6 which defends the
pawn at f7, so the next few moves are forced. 6 ... g6; 7.Q£3 f5; 8.Qd5 Qe7;
9.Nxc7+ Kd8; 10.Nxa8.
This is the start of the Frankenstein - Dracula Variation, which was named
by Irish theoretician Tim Harding, who considered that this position might
arise if the mad scientist and the Count sat down and played a game of chess.
Indeed, the messy complications have not been solved even after decades of
455
research, and the opening is seen far more frequently in correspondence play
than over the board in normal competition. I have written a monograph on
this opening, starting from the position in the diagram, and it is impossible to
summarize all the complications of the position in a single game, so this is
just a taste.
10 ... b6 is invariably played, and now White has eight different plans. Most
authorities agree that advancing the d-pawn to d3 is best, to keep control of
the important e4 square is invariably played, and now White has eight differ
ent plans. Most authorities agree that advancing the d-pawn to d3 is best, to
keep control of the important e4 square. l l.d3. 1 l .Qf3 was tried by Weaver
Adams, one of the early specialists in the variation. 1 l ...Bb7; 1 2.Qh3 Nd4;
13.c3 Ne6; 14.Bxe6 Qxe6; 15.Ne2 Bg7; 16.0-0 g5; 1 7.d4 g4; 18.Qh4+ Kc8;
19.dxe5 Bxe5; 20.Nf4 and White went on to win in Adams - Hesse, United
States Championship 1 948.
l l...Bb7; 12.h4 f4. 1 2 ... Kc8?!; 13.Bg5! gave White a strong attack in Adams
- Jackson, Ventnor City 1 943.
13.Qf3.
13 ... Bh6. 13 ...Nd4 is, in my opinion, a playable alternative. 14.Qg4 h5!

15.Qxg6 Rh7 leads to very messy complications. Some authorities consider
the position more promising for White after 1 6.Qg5, but I feel that while
1 6.Nxb6 axb6; 17.Rh2 Rg7; 18.Qxh5 Bxg2; 19.c3 looks good at first, I found
the following amazing line: 1 9 ... Be4! ! ; 20.cxd4 Rxg1+; 2 l .Kd2 Nf5!; 22.dxe4
Qb4+; 23.Kc2 Nxd4+; 24.Kd3 Nxb3; 25.Qxe5 Bg7!; 26.Qc7+ Kxc7; 27.Bxf4+
Be5!!; 28.Bxe5+ Kc6; 29.Rxg1 Qd2+; 30.Kc4 Na5#. I used some computers to
analyze the complications, and none of the programs came close to finding
this variation, it is something only a human fantasy can create! 1 6 . . .Rg7;
1 7.Qxe7+ Bxe7; 18.c3 Bxg2; 1 9.Rh2 Bxa8; 20.cxd4 Rxg1+. Black has good
compensation for the exchange. Details of the analysis can be found in The
Frankenstein-Dracula Variation, Chess Enterprises 1997.
456
VIENNA GAME
14.Qg4. 14.Bd2 is considered stronger. It was origianlly proposed by So

viet theoreticians Konstantinopolski and Lepeshkin, but at the time they wrote
their book no practical examples were at hand. Now we have some experience
in the line, for example 14 ... Nd4; 15.Qg4 e4; 1 6.0-0-0 e3; 17.fxe3 Nxb3+;
18.axb3 fxe3; 1 9.Be1 e2+; 20.Rd2 Bxd2+; 2 l .Kxd2 Re8; 22.Qg5 Bxg2; 23.Rh2
Bxa8; 24.Nxe2 which was eventually drawn in Liiva - Norri, Finland 1 997.
14...e4!; 15.Bxf4 exd3+; 16.Kfl Bxf4; 17.Qxf4 Rf8; 18.Qg3 Ne4; 19.Qc7+
Ke8.
All this is forced, and was well-known from a famous game Ost - Hansen
- Nunn, Teesside 1 974. Wibe now improves on that game with 20.Nf3! and
after 20 ... Qc5; 2 l.Kgl Rxf3!? 2l . ..Qxf2+; 22.Kh2 Rxf3; 23.Rhfl Qxh4+; 24.Kg1
Rxfl +; 25.Rxfl Ng3 comes into consideration.
22.Kh2. 22.cxd3 Qx£2+; 23.Kh2 Rf4 wins for Black. 22.Rf1 Rxf2; 23.Kh2
Qh5; 24.Rxf2 Qxh4+; 25.Kg1 Qxf2+; 26.Kh2 d2 and the threat is ... Qh4+,
followed by d 1 =Q+.
22 ...Qh5? Black missed a very complicated winning line here, after the
stunning Black missed a very complicated winning line here, after the stun
ning 22 ... d2 ! ! and the analysis is complicated, but here is a samnple: 23.Qxb7
457
(23.gxf3 Qx£2+; 24.Kh3 Qxf3+; 25.Kh2 Qe2+; 26.Kh3 N£2+; 27.Kg3 Qe3+;
28.Kh2 Ng4+; 29.Kg2 Nd8+!; 30.Qxb7 Nxb7; 3l .Rhfl Qe2+; 32.Kh3 Ne3 and
Black wins.) 23 ... Qd6+; 24.Kgl dlQ+; 25.Rxdl Qxd l +; 26.Kh2 Qd6+; 27.Kgl
Rx£2 and Black's attack is overpowering.
23.Rhfl Nd4; 24.Rael d2; 25.Qxb7 dxelQ; 26.Nc7+ Kf8; 27.Qc8+ Kg7;
28.Qxd7+ Kh6.
The Black king finds shelter all the way over on the kingside, and White's
attack comes to a halt. Notice how effectively the Black knights control key
squares. 29.Rxel Qxh4+; 30.Kgl Qxf2+; 3 l.Kh2 Qh4+; 32.Kgl Rfl+!! and
White resigned because of and White resigned because of 33.Rxfl . (33.Kxfl
Qhl#) 33 ... Ne2# Wybe - Bryson, Postal l 985.
GIRAFFE ATTACK
l .e4 e5
2.Nc3 Bc5
3.Qg4
The queen should not move to this square unless it can safely cap
ture at g7, and here she cannot. We might call this the Giraffe Attack,
because White is sticking his neck out here.
458
VIENNA GAME

3 ...Nf6; 4.Qxg7.
4.Qg3 0-0 and Black is just a little better. 4... Rg8; 5.Qh6 Bxf2+; 6.Kdl.
6 .Kxf2 Ng4+. 6 .. Rg6; 7.Qh3 d5.
.
Black had the much better game in Tsikhelashvili - Karpov, Soviet Team
Championship 1 968.
HAMPPE - MEITNER
l.e4 e5
2.Nc3 Bc5
3.Na4
White breaks a rule by moving a piece twice in a row. Black reacts

by sacrificing the attacked piece! This is a very famous game, and al
though the variation is rarely repeated, it does deserve to bear the
name of both combatants.

Role reversal. l .e4 Nc6; 2.Bc4 e5; 3.d3 Na5 shows the theme of this game,
but with colors reversed! 4.Bxf7+ Kx£7; 5.Qh5+ Ke6; 6.Qf5+ Kd6; 7.d4 Kc6
459
(7 ... Qe8! is better, see the main line.) 8.Qxe5 d5; 9.exd5+ Kb6; 1 0.Nc3 Qe7;
1 l .Na4+ Kb5; 12.Nc3+ Kb6; 13.Bf4 Bf5 was agreed drawn in Schiller - Shipman,
New York 1 98 1 .
3 ...Bxf2+. 3 . . .Be7 is safe and reaches a level game. 4.Kxf2 Qh4+; 5.Ke3
Qf4+; 6.Kd3 d5.
7.Kc3. 7.Qe l ! Nf6! and it is hard to find a way for White to keep a signifi
cant advantage, for example (7 ...dxe4+ is the only move given in Estrin &
Glazkov's book on the Vienna. 8.Kc3 e3; 9.Kb3 Be6+; 1 0.Ka3 hold onto the
piece.) 8.Nc5 Nbd7; 9.Nxd7 Bxd7; 1 0.c4 Nxe4!; 1 l .Kc2 Nf2; 12.d3 Qf6.
7 ... Qxe4; 8.Kb3 Na6; 9.a3 Qxa4+; 10.Kxa4 Nc5+; l l.Kb4 a5+; 12.Kxc5
Ne7; 13.Bb5+ Kd8; 14.Bc6 b6+; 15.Kb5 Nxc6; 16.Kxc6 Bb7+; 17.Kb5 Ba6+;
18.Kc6 Bb7+ and a draw was agreed in Hamppe - Meitner, Vienna 1 872.
460
VIENNA GAME
MENGARINI VARIATION
l.e4 e5
2.Nc3 Nf6
3.a3
The Mengarini Variation is named after the chess master and writer
Ariel Mengarni. He actually preferred 2.a3, but Myers chose to credit
him with this particular variation, and as there are no other champi
ons to be found, there is no reason to change it. To reach the position,
l .e4 e5; 2.a3 is probably best, since 2 .. . Nf6 is the most logical reply,
when White reaches the diagrammed positon after 3.Nc3.
White's idea is fairly subtle. The reversed Spanish Game is out of
the question, and the reverse Italian Game allows White to make good
use of the move in support of a pawn at b4. There is also a dangerous
possibility of a reversed Scotch Game, which we shall see is very good
for White. There are no real drawbacks to the plan for White, but it is
rather defensive-minded.

3 ...Nc6. 3 ... d5 (3 ... d6; 4.d4 exd4; 5.Qxd4 Nc6; 6.Bb5 Bd7; 7.Bxc6 Bxc6;
8.Bg5 Be7; 9.Nf3 0-0; 1 O.h4 Re8; 1 1 .0-0-0 b5; 1 2 .Nd5 Bxd5; 1 3.exd5 Qd7;
14.h5 Ng4; 1 5.h6 gave White a strong attack in Welling - Van Evert, WLC
Club Championship 1 980.) 4.exd5 Nxd5 is also seen. The gambit continua
tions with ... Bc5 or ... c6 let White make good use of the pawn at a3, so they are
not to be recommended. Here White should play 5 .Qh5! and the fact that b4
is unavailable to Black means that in this reversed Scotch Game White has
forced the game into a favorable variation. 5 ... Qd6! ; 6.Nf3 Nd7 is Welling
Verreck, Eindhoven 1 981 where 7.Ng5! is very strong.
4.Nf3 d5; 5.Bb5 was recommended by Myers but Black has a strong reply:
5 ...d4!; 6.Ne2 Qd6! 6 ... Qe7; 7.d3 Bd7; 8.0-0 g6; 9.c3 dxc3; 1 0.bxc3 Nd8; 1 l .a4
was better for White in Welling - Reimer, Dinard 1 986.
46 1
7.Ng3 g6.
8.d3. 8.Qe2 comes into consideration. 8 Bg7; 9.Bd2 0-0; IO.Qcl Bd7;
•..
1 1.0-0 and Black had a very comfortable equality in Schiller - Bryson, Hastings
Challengers 1 980, 8 1 . The player of the Black pieces hails from Scotland and
is an expert in his native opening, from either side of the board.
STEINITZ GAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.Nc3 Nc6
3.f4 exf4
4.d4 Qh4+
5.Ke2
This is the Steinitz Gambit. The first official World Champion was
not afraid to leave his king exposed in the center. Over a century of
study has refined the defensive schemes to the point where the open
ing is not seen much these days. Here is a brief report on the state of
the art. Among the leading practitioners of the gambit is the young
International Woman Master Martha Fierro.
462
VIENNA GAME

5 .. b6. This is the sharpest move, but Black should probably advance the
.
d-pawn instead. Let's look at that and some of the other tries.
a) 5 ...d5 is the Zukertort Defense. 6.Nxd5 Bg4+; 7.Nf3 f5.
8.Kd2 Bxf3 (8 ... Qd8 is not mentioned in any of my sources, but seems an
obvious move to me, threatening to get medieval on the d-file. I can't see any
useful move for White here.) 9.gxf3 Qf2+; 1 0.Qe2 Qxd4+; 1 l .Ke1 and here
1 l . ..Bd6 ( 1 1 ...0-0-0; 12.c3 Qa4; 13.b3 Qa5; 1 4.b4 Qa4; 15.Bxf4 Bd6; 1 6.Qd1
Qxd1 +; 1 7.Rxd1 Bxf4; 18.Nxf4 is evaluated as better for White. 18 ... Rxd1+;
1 9.Kxd1 fxe4; 20.fxe4 Nf6 is surely not a problem for Black.) 12.Qb5 is their
continuation. I think 12 ... fxe4; 13.Qxb7 Qxd5 falls short. 14.Qxa8+ Kd7;
15.Bxf4 exf3 ( 1 5 ... Qe6; 16.Bxd6 exf3+; 1 7.Kf2) 16.Bh3+ Ke7; 1 7.Bxd6+ Qxd6;
18.Kf1 and Black's attack never gets off the ground.
b) 5 ...Nf6; 6.Nf3 Qg4; 7.d5 Ne5; 8.h3 Qh5; 9.Bxf4 Nxf3; 10.gxf3 d6; 1 l .Kd2
Qh4; 12.Be3 Be7; 13.Nb5 Bd8; 14.Nxa7 Bd7; 15.Nb5 0-0; 16.N c3 Nh5; 1 7.Qe 1
Ng3; 18.Rgl Nxfl+; 19.Qxfl was a little better for White in Chigorin - Steinitz,
World Championship (4th game) 1 892.
c) 5 ...g5; 6.Nd5 Kd8; 7.Nf3 Qh5; 8.Kf2 d6; 9.Be2 (9.h4 Bg7; 10.c3 h6;
l l .Bd3 Qg6; 12.hxg5 hxg5; 13.Rxh8 Bxh8; 14.g3 f5; 15.Qhl Bg7; 16.Nxg5
Qxg5; 17.Bxf4 Qg6; 18.Qh4+ Nce7; 1 9.Bg5 Qf7; 20.Nxe7 Nxe7; 2 l .exf5 Kd7;
22.g4 Ng8; 23.Re1 and White went on to win in Steinitz - Dufresne & Schull,
Liverpool 1 874.) 9 ... Bg4; 1 0.h4 Qg6; 1 l .Nxg5 Bxe2; 12.Qxe2 Qg7; 13.c3 f6;
1 4.Ne6+ Fierro - Maria, Matinhos World junior Girl's Championship 1 994
d) 5 ... d6; 6.Nf3 Bg4; 7.Bxf4. This is a very messy line and we cannot go
into all the details here, so will just look at the move which is, at present,
considered best . 7 ...f5 .
463
d l ) 8.Qd2 (8.Ke3 Qh5; 9.h3 g5; 1 0.Bh2 f4+; l l .Kf2 Bxf3; 12.gxf3 0-0-0
and the Black king is safer than its opposite number, Gufeld - Anikaev, Soviet
Union 1981.).
d2) 8.Kd3 Qe7; 9.Qd2? fxe4+; 1 0.Nxe4 B£5 and White resigned in Blumich
- Svenson Postal l 9 10.
d3) 8.Be3 fxe4; 9.Nxe4 has been studied by Tseitlin and Glazkov. They
recommend 9 ... Be7; 10.Kd3 Qh5; l l .Kd2 Nf6; 12.Nf2 Qa5+; 13.c3 B£5; 14.Bd3
which they evaluate as approximately equal. After 14 ... Bxd3; 15.Nxd3 Qb5;
16.Qc2 Na5; 1 7.Rae l Nc4+; 18.Kcl Nxe3; 19.Rxe3 Nd5; 20.Re2. White is bet
ter, but Black can probably improve on this. ) 8 ... Nf6; 9.exf5 0-0-0; 10.g3 Qh5;
l l .Bg2 d5; 12.h3 Bx£5; 13.g4 Qg6; 14.Nh4 Qe8+; 15 .Kf2 Be4. Black is a little
better, because the White king remains vulnerable, Averbach - Trifunovic,
Soviet Union vs. Yugoslavia 1963.
6.Qd2! 6.g3 is an interesting alternative. 6 ... fxg3; 7.Nf3 Ba6+; 8.Kd2
8 ...g2. This game gets wild, and stays in high gear until the end. 9.Bxa6
Qf2+; 10.Ne2 Qxf3; l l .Rel Qf2; 1 2.c3 Nxd4; 13.cxd4 Bb4+; 14.Kd3 Qxe l;
15.Qxel Bxe l ; 16.Bf4 Bf2; 17.Bxc7 Ke7; 18.e5 Nh6; 1 9.Bd6+ Kd8; 20.Bb7
Rc8; 2 l .Bxg2 Nf5; 22.Rfl Nxd6; 23.exd6 Bh4; 24.Rxf7 Ke8; 25.Rxg7 Bf6;
464
VIENNA GAME
26.Rg4 hS; 27.Rg6 Rf8; 28.Bb7 Rb8; 29.Bd5 Bd8; 30.Ng3 bS; 3 l .Nxh5 BaS;
32.Nf6+ Kd8; 33.Rg7 Rb6; 34.Nxd7 Rxd6; 35.Nxf8 RxdS; 36.Ke4 RhS; 37.Rxa7
Bb6; 38.Rh7 Black gave up the hopeless endgame in Hase - Casas, Argentina
1 984.
6 Ba6+; 7.Kdl Bxfl; 8.Nf3 Qh5; 9.Rxfl g5; 10.d5 0-0-0; l l.Qe2
.•.
l l...Nb8. 1 l ...f6; 12.a4 Bd6; 13.a5 bxaS; 14.Bxf4 is better for White, ac
cording to Tseitlin and Glazkov, citing Chigorin - Zybiun, Postal 1 900.
12.a4 a5; 13.Nb5 Kb7; 14.Bd2 Bg7; 15.Rb l Na6; 16.c3 Ne7; 17.b4 axb4;
18.a5 Rhe8; 19.axb6 Nxd5; 20.bxc7 Ndxc7; 2 l.Nd6+ Ka8; 22.Ral Re6;
23.Rxa6+ Kb8; 24.Rb6+ Ka7; 25.Qc4. Black resigned, Fierro - Borrellas,
Vendrell 1 996.
ZHURAVLEV COUNTERGAMBIT
l.e4 e5
2.Nc3 Bb4
3.Qg4
With this move White goes on an expedition to seize a pawn which

turns out to be poisoned.
465

3 ... Nf6; 4.Qxg7 Rg8; 5.Qh6 Rg6; 6.Qe3 Nc6; 7.Nd5. 7.Nf3 d6; 8.Nh4
Ng4; 9.Qg3 Nd4; 10.Nxg6 Nxc2+; l l .Kdl Nxal ; 1 2.Nh4 Bc5 creates the awe
some threat of ...Bxf2.
7 ...Ng4; 8.Qd3 Bc5; 9.Nh3 d6.
Black has the advantage, despite being a pawn down. White is behind in
development and with the exception of the knight at d5 none of the White
pieces are stationed on useful squares. Black will continue with ... Ne7, to ex
change off the powerful White knight, and quickly castle queenside. Black
went on to win in Klyavin - Zhuravlev, Latvia 1 969.
466
WADE DEFENSE
WADE DEFENSE
l.d4 d6
2.Nf3 Bg4
The Wade Defense languished in obscurity until quite recently, when

it suddenly soared to become a popular defense, especially in the move
order l .Nf3 d6; 2.d4 Bg4. The early development of the bishop is justi
fied because the battle is already raging around the e5-square, and the
threat to capture on f3 makes Black's plan of ... e5 more realistic.
Alternatively, Black can adopt a small center approach with ... e6,
now that the bishop will no longer be trapped at c8. The downside of
the plan is that Black has less defensive resources on the queenside.

White has two quite different approaches. 3.c4 leads to the Tartakower
Indian on 3 ...Nf6, while 3.e4 more directly challenges Black's plan. 3.e4. 3.Nbd2
is another way of defending the knight at f3 against a capture which would
disrupt White's pawn sturcture. After 3 ... Nf6, a move which need not be played
automatically, 4.h3 BhS. White can try 5.g4 Bg6; 6.Bg2 (6.Nh4 Be4!; 7.Nxe4
Nxe4; 8.Bg2 dS left White's pieces looking ridiculous in Ravikumar - Hodgson,
British Championship 1990.) 6 ... c6; 7.Nh4 as in Larsen - Hodgson, London
(WFW) 199 1 , where the best reply, according to Larsen, is 7 ... e6.
3.g3 can transpose into various openings. Black should capture at f3 and
follow with a kingside fianchetto, as in Raptis-Rausis, Athens 1 993. 3.c4 in
vites the Tartakower - Indian, but Black can adopt two alternative plans.
467
a) 3 ... Nd7 and now:

a 1) 4.Qb3 avoids the doubling of pawns on the kingside, but Black can
adopt the unorthodox Chigorin maneuver 4 ...Rb8 ! Karpov tried the strange
5.h3 Bxf3; 6.Qxf3 g6; 7.Qa3 in Karpov-Hickl, Baden Baden 1 995. After 7 ... Bg7
Black had a solid position. Or 5 .g3!? g6; 6.Bg2 Bg7; 7.Be3 Nh6! with a com
plex game, Schiller-Browne, Reno 1 997.
a2 ) 4.e4 e5; 5.Be2 (5.d5?! Ngf6; 6.Nc3 Nc5; 7.h3 Bh5 and White must
worry about the future of the pawn at e4, Illescas - Hodgson, Wijk aan Zee
1 993.
a3) 4.Nc3 leads to Old Indian territory after 4 ... e5; 5.e3 c6. Now 6.h3
Bh5; 7.Be2 Be7; 8.0-0 looks calm, but Black has the explosive 8 ... f5 ! which
provided a strong initative in Vera - Gulko, World Team Championship 1 993.
a4) 4.g3 Bxf3; 5.exf3 g6 is decent for Black, used in Dokhoyan:Jansa,
Cattolica 1 993.
b) 3 ... Bxf3!?; 4.gxf3 ( 4.exf3 c6; 5.Nc3 Nf6 is solid for Black, Stohl - Jansa,
Stary Smokovec 1 9 9 1. ) 4 ... c6 (4 . . .g6; 5.Qb3 lets White grab the initiative.)
5.Nc3 g6; 6.e4 (6.Qb3 can now be met by 6 ... Qb6.) 6 ... Bg7; 7.Be3 Nd7; 8.f4
and now 8 ... e5! is available, because Black has not blocked the diagonal with
...Nf6. 9.fxe5 dxe5; 1 O.dxe5 Nxe5; 1 1 .Be2 Qh4 and Black had good play in
I.Sokolov - Rivas, Barcelona 1 992.
3 . Nf6. There are of course many alternatives. 3 ...e5 transposes to an
..
inferior line of the Philidor Defense. 3 ... Nd7; 4.c4 Bxf3 (4 ... e5; 5.Be2 exd4;
6.Nxd4 Bxe2; 7.Qxe2 g6; 8.Nc3 Bg7; 9.Be3 gives White more space, Moutousis
- Karayannis, Ilioupolis 1 995. 4 ...Ngf6; 5.Nc3 e5 ; 6.d5 Be7; 7.Be2 c6; 8.0-0 0-
0; 9.Ne1 Del Blanco - Bravo, Trelew 1 995.) 5.Qxf3 g6; 6.Nc3 Bg7; 7.Qd1 c6;
8.Be3 and again White has more freedom of movement, Supatashvili -
Minasian, Ankara zt 1995, drawn, (36)
3 ... e6; 4.h3 Bh5; 5.c3 Nf6; 6.Bd3 Be7; 7.Nbd2 c6; 8.a4 was a little better
for White in Zhidkov - Priehoda, Hlohovec 1 995. 3 ... c6; 4.Be2 Nd7; 5.Ng1
Bxe2; 6.Nxe2 d5; 7.e5 e6; 8.0-0 is not so bad for Black. It is rather in the spirit
of the Advance Variation of the Caro-Kann, Tisera - Iglesias, Trelew 1 995.
468
WADE DEFENSE
4.Nc3. 4.Nbd2 e6; 5.Bd3 (5.Be2 Be7; 6.c4 c6; 7.0-0 0-0; 8.b3 dS; 9.e5 Ne4
Taimanov - Karasev, St.Petersburg-Championship 1995.) 5 ... Be7; 6.0-0 Nbd7
(6 ... d5; 7.c3 dxe4; 8.Nxe4 Nbd7; 9.Ng3 0-0; 1 0.h3 Bxf3; 1 l .Qxf3 c6; 12.Qd1
drawn, Lengyel - Sulskis, Budapest 1 995) 7.Re1 0-0; 8.h3 BhS; 9.Nfl Bg6;
1 0.Ng3 NhS; 1 l .Nxh5 BxhS; 12.c3 Re8; 13.Be3 c6; 14.Qe2 drawn, Andersson
- Miles, Benasque 1 995
4.Bd3 e6 (4 ... e5 ; S.dS Be7; 6.c4 0-0; 7.h3 BhS; 8.Nc3 aS; 9 .Be3 Alvarez
Galego, Havana 1 995. 4... Nbd7; 5.0-0 eS; 6.c3 Be7; 7.Be3 dS; 8.Nbd2 dxe4;
9.Nxe4 Mueller - Tischbierek, Dresden 1995.) and now 5.Nbd2 (5.0-0 Be7;
6.c3 c6; 7.Nbd2 BhS; 8.Re1 0-0 gave Black equality in Schmidt - Bezold,
Bundesliga 1 995.) 5 ... Be7; 6.0-0 (6.c3 BhS; 7.Nfl Bg6; 8.Ng3 dS; 9.exd5 Bxd3;
10.Qxd3 QxdS Miles - Van der Wiel, Hoogovens 1996, drawn, ( 1 03)) 6 . . . c6
(6 . . . 0-0; 7.h3 BhS; 8.b3 dS; 9 .Bb2 Bg6; 10.Qe2 cS; 1 l .dxc5 Potapenko -
Karpatchev, Moscow-Championship 1 995.) 7.Re1 0-0; 8.c3 BhS; 9.Qc2 Bg6
Steinbacher - Hennig, Bundesliga 1 995 which was eventually drawn.
4.h3 and Black can either capture or try 4... Bh5; 5.Nbd2 e6; 6.c3 Be7;
7.Qb3 Qc8; 8.e5 Nfd7 as in Kurajica - Van der Wiel, Yerevan Olympiad 1996.
.4 .. e6. 4 ... c6 is a good alternative. 5.Be2 e6; 6.Be3 dS; 7.e5 Nfd7; 8.Nd2
Bxe2; 9.Nxe2 cS gave Black an excellent French Defense, with the light-squared
bishops gone from the board, in Bouton - Demarche, Paris 1 996.
5.Be2 is very quiet, and White cannot hope for more than the tiniest ad
vantage. 5.h3 BhS; 6.g4 (White can play more calmly with 6.Qe2.) 6 ...Bg6;
7.Qe2 a6; 8.Bg5 ( 8.h4 hS; 9.g5 Nfd7; 1 0.Bh3 bS; 1 l .Bf5 Be7; 12.Bxg6 fxg6;
1 3.Be3 Nb6; 14.0-0-0 N8d7; 15.Nd2 and Black's kingside pawns are weak,
Larsen - Welling, Copenhagen 1995.) 8 ... Be7; 9.h4 hS; 10.Bxf6 Bxf6; 1 l .g5
concedes a lot of space to White, Hennig - Hickl, Hamburg 1995.
469
5 ...c6. 5 ... Be7 is a reasonable alternative which is also frequently seen.

6.0-0. 6.h3 Bxf3; 7.Bxf3 d5; 8.0-0 Be7; 9.Bf4 0-0; 10.Qd2 Qb6 gave Black
excellent counterplay in Lyrberg - Berg, Denmark 1 995. 6 ... Be7; 7.e5 dxe5;
8.dxe5 Qxdl; 9.Nxdl Nd5 with a promising position for Black, Brynell -
Jansa, Hillerod (Politiken Cup) l995.
470
WARE DEFENSE
WARE DEFENSE
l.e4 a5
2.d4
The Ware Defense does not wear well, and Black's position is al
ready damaged. The main problem here, as in many openings with
early advances of flank pawns, is that ... aS is the kind of move that is
only appropriate in certain situations. Black has already weakened the
b5 square, and no longer has ... a6 available to chase out enemy pieces.
Queenside castling is compromised. White is allowed to build a strong
center unmolested.
No serious player would even think of using it these days.

2 ...e6. This is the way Ware preferred to play the opening. By choosing
the French Defense, even though effectively a tempo down, Black must still be
careful not to fall into a variation where the lack of ... a6, or presence of a pawn
at aS, is inconvenient. 2 ... a4 is truly excessive. 3.c4 c6; 4.Nf3 g6; 5.a3 (5.Nc3
QaS; 6.Bd2 looks stronger.) 5 ... Bg7; 6.Nc3 QaS; 7.Bd2 d6 was not bad for
Black in Palmo - Rantanen, Finland 1 992.
3.Nf3. 3.Nc3 Bb4; 4.Bd3 c6; 5.Nge2 dS ; 6.0-0 and White's advanced de
velopment and control of the center provided a clear advantage in Delmar -
Ware, New York 1 880. 3.f4 dS (3 ... c6; 4.Nf3 dS; S.eS cS; 6.c3 cxd4; 7.cxd4 Nc6;
8.a3 Be7; 9.Nc3 Bh4+; 10.g3 Be7; 1 l .Bd3 f5; 1 2.Be3 Nh6; 13.h3 Bd7; 14.Rcl
Rb8 and Black had the more solid position in Grundy - Ware, New York
1880.) 4.e5 cS; S.BbS+ Bd7; 6.Bxd7+ Nxd7; 7.Nf3 cxd4; 8.Nxd4 BcS; 9.c3 Qh4+;
10.g3 Qh3; 1 l .Qf3 Ne7; 12.Be3 Bxd4; 1 3.cxd4 Nf5. Black has an advantage,
with excellent endgame prospects because of White's bad bishop, Cohnfeld
Ware, New York 1 880.
471
3 b6. 3 ... c6; 4.c4 d5 of Mohle - Ware, New York 1 880, should be met by
.•.
5.Nc3 with a superior game in the Semi - Slav.

4.c4 d5; 5.cxd5 exd5; 6.e5 Be6; 7.Bd3 Bb4+; 8.Nc3 h6; 9.0-0 Bxc3; 10.bxc3
Na6; l l.Ba3 and White's superior bishops provide a significant advantage,
Moehle - Ware, United States Championship 1880.
472
ZUKERTORT OPENING
WARE OPENING
The Ware Opening, or Meadow Hay, is one of the worst openings.

The move l .a4 is too commital, and does nothing but weaken the b4-
square. There are very few openings for Black where ... aS is useful, so
with colors reversed Black need only avoid such strategies as the Bogo
Indian, Budapest or Fajarowicz Defense. The best choice is probably
l ...e5, since the move a4 will almost never be useful.

l...e5. l ...d5; 2.Nf3 c5?! would be an error, because on 3.e4!? dxe4; 4.Ne5
the pawn at a4 controls the important b5 square, so the knight can find a safe
haven at c4. This is a reversed Fajarowicz Defense. 2 ...Nf6 is a better choice.
2.e4 Nf6; 3.Nc3 Bb4 is an excellent strategy for Black, because in the
Spanish Game, Black usually chases the bishop with ... a6, a continuation which
is not possible in this case with colors reversed.
473
COLOGNE GAMBIT
l.a4 b6
2.d4 d5
3.Nc3 Nd7
This bit of whimsy is knowns as the Cologne Gambit. The idea is to

give up a pawn in return for creating a powerful bishop.

4.Nxd5 Bb7. After 5.e4 e6; 6.Nc3 Bb4; 7.Bd3. Black has some small
compensation for the pawn, largely due to the foolish advance of the a-pawn
at the first move, so that the bishop cannot easily be chased away. It is often
easier to adopt an unorthodox reaction to a foolish opening like l.a4. White
is still a bit better, but play can become lively now. 7 ... f5.
Here White should probably play something nice and safe, like 8.Nf3.
Capturing at f5 opens the floodgates. 8.exf5 Bxg2; 9.Qh5+ Kf8. 9 ... g6; 1 0.fxg6
Ngf6; l l .g7+ Ke7; 1 2.gxh8Q wins. 10.fxe6 Qe7 and Black is clearly better.
474
WARE OPENING
WING GAMBIT
l.a4 b5
2.axb5 Bb7
This gambit is listed by Driicke as a Wing Gambit, but it awaits a

less generic name.

3.Nf3 Nf6; 4.d3 looks better for White, who can continue with e4 or c4. A
typical beginner mistake is thinking of this position as if it were a Benko Gam
bit, for example 4... a6; 5.Nc3 g6; 6.e4 Bg7; 7.e5 Nd5; 8.Nxd5 Bxd5; 9.d4 Bb7
and Black has no compensation. The bishop at g7 has no scope.
WARE GAMBIT
l.a4 e5
2.a5 d5
3.e3 f5
4.a6
This is the Ware Gambit. It is odd in the extreme, with a pawn on

the sixth rank after just four moves. A rather pointless exercise.

4...Nxa6 is the correct reply. If 5.Bxa6 bxa6; 6.c4. Black should be greedy.
6 ... dxc4; 7.Qa4+ Qd7!; 8.Qxc4 Bb7; 9.Nf3 Bd6 gives Black an easy game.
475
ZUKERTORT OPENING
AMPEL VARIATION
I.N£3 d5
2.Rgl
This is the Ampel (German for a hanging lamp or traffic signal)

variation. I'd recommend proceeding with caution before applying this
bizarre opening.
The rook has absolutely no business at all on gl , and White has
forfeited the right to castle. White wants to play g4, but hasn't the guts
to gambit the pawn with 2.g4, which probably has more merit than this
ridiculous move.

2 ...c5; 3.g4 Nc6; 4.d3 e5; 5.Nc3. White prepares e4. If the pawn were at
g3, and the rook still on h l , we would have a respectable reversed King's
Indian. 5 ...Be6; 6.Ng5 Qd7; 7.e4 d4; 8.Nxe6 Qxe6.
8 . .. dxc3; 9.Nxf8 cxb2; 1 0.Bxb2 Kxf8; l l .g5 gives White a reasonable posi
tion. 9.Nd5 Bd6.
476
ZUKERTORT OPENING
This was played in Alber - Hiiber, Hessen 1 983. There 1 0.c4 dxc3; l l .bxc3
Nge7; 1 2.Rbl Rb8; 13.Qf3 b5 gave Black a strong initiative.
10.Rg3 is suggested as better, having the typical Ampel plan of Bh3 in
mind, but I think that is very artificial and on 10 ... Nge7. There is serious
pressure at d5, for example
a) l l .Bh3 Nxd5; 12 .g5 and now 12 ...Nc3 ! guarantees Black an advantage.
13.bxc3 Qe7; 14.cxd4 cxd4 and Black holds on to an extra pawn.
b) l l .Bg2 can be countered by l l ...Ng6; 12.h3 Nf4; 13 .Bxf4 exf4; 14.Rf3
g5 and White's position is a mess.
Summing up, Black has ample counterplay in the Ampel!
HERRSTROM GAMBIT
l.Nf3 g5
The Herrstom Gambit is a typical example of an inadequate re

turn on investment. All Black receives is a tempo or two, and gains no
other compensation.

2.Nxg5 e5; 3.d3 is much better for White, who is ahead in material and
development.
477
REVERSED MEXICAN DEFENSE
l .N£3 d5
2.Nc3
The Mexican Defense can be played in reverse, hence the name,

the Reversed Mexican Defense. White certainly benefits from the ex
tra tempo in this opening.
Black should avoid advancing pawns too far, and adopt a simple
developing scheme, keeping an eye on the e4 square at all times. Since
White has forsaken plans with the advance of the c-pawn, providing a
route to b3 for the White queen, Black can afford to develop the bishop
to the kingside, as b7 will not need defense in the forseeable future.

2 ... Nf6; 3.d3 Bg4; 4.Bg5 h6. This is unecessaily weakening. 5.Bxf6 gxf6;
6.e3 e5; 7.Be2 c6; 8.Nh4! Be6; 9.Bg4 and White had the initiative in Welling
- Trammert, Strasbourg 1 986.
478
ZUKERTORT OPENING
SANTASIERE'S FOLLY
I .Nf3 d5
2.b4
Not surprisingly, Santasiere's own description of this opening is

the most elegant:
"But why the 'Folly'? Yes, why? Ah, my dear readers, there exactly,
is the pure delight of the title, the opening and the man! And I ask
only this of players who may plunge into my system, that before they
do, they read that wise and delightful volume by Desiderius Erasmus,
In Praise of Folly. Then you will admit that no other name for this par
ticular opening can be superior in either objective or subjective de
scription to 'Santaseiere' s Folly'."

I .Nf3 Nf6. l ...dS is the other gateway to Santasiere's Folly. 2.b4 Nf6; 3.Bb2
e6 (3 ... Bf5; 4.e3 e6; 5.a3 aS; 6.b5 cS; 7.Be2 h6; 8.d3 Nbd7; 9.Nbd2 Qc7; 10.c4
Bd6; 1 l .cxd5 exdS; 12.Rcl 0-0; 13.h3 a4; 14.g4 Be6; 15.Qc2 QaS; 16.Rb 1 d4
and White's diagonal and hopes for an attack are shut down, Santasiere -
Bisguier, New York 1 945.)
4.a3 cS; S.bxcS BxcS; 6.e3 0-0; 7.c4 Nc6; 8.d4 Bb6; 9.Nbd2 Qe7; 1 0.Bd3
Rd8; 1 1 .0-0 Bd7; 12.Ne5 Be8; 1 3.f4 Rac8; 14.Rcl Nd7? 15.Nxc6 Rxc6; 16.c5
NxcS; 17.dxc5 BxcS; 1 8.Rf3 Bxa3; 19.Rxc6 Bxc6.
479
20.Bxh7+! ! Kxh7; 2 l .Rh3+ Kg8; 22.Bxg7 and Black resigned in Alekhine

- Drewitt, Portsmouth 1 923.
2.b4.
2 ... e6. 2 ... d6; 3.d4 g6; 4.c4 Bg7; 5.Bb2 0-0; 6.Nbd2 a5; 7.a3 e5; 8.dxe5
Nfd7; 9.e3 Nc6; 1 0.Qb3 axb4; 1 l .axb4 Rxa l +; 1 2.Bxa1 Ncxe5 13.Bc3 was played
in Santasiere - Bronstein, USA vs. USSR match 1 945. Here Black played with
a shade too much ambition. 13 ... c5?! and fell into a bad position after 14.Be2.
13 ... Nxf3+; 14.Nxf3 Bxc3+; 15.Qxc3 Qf6 would have led to equal chances.
3.a3 c5. 3 ... a5; 4.b5 c5; 5.Bb2 b6 closes up the queenside, but that didn't
prevent the game from becoming exciting! 6.e3 Bb7; 7.c4 d6; 8.d4 Nbd7;
9.Nbd2 Rc8; 1 0.Bd3 Be7; 1 1 .0-0 0-0; 12.Qe2 Qc7; 13 .Rac l Rfe8; 14.Ne1 Bf8;
15.f4 cxd4; 16.exd4 e5; 1 7.fxe5 dxe5; 1 8.d5 Qd6; 19.Bc2 g6; 20.Bb 1 Bh6; 2l.Rc3
Nh5; 22.g3 Nc5; 23.Ne4 Qe7; 24.Nxc5 Qxc5+; 25.Kg2 e4; 26.Nc2 Bg7; 27.Ne3
Qd6; 28.Rccl Bxb2; 29.Qxb2 £5; 30.Qd4 Rf8; 3l .Kh1 Ng7; 32.Rcd1 Rc7; 33.Rd2
Rfc8; 34.Rdf2 Rd7; 35.Bxe4 fxe4; 36.Ng4 N£5; 37.Nf6+ Kf7; 38.Nxd7 Qxd7;
39.g4 e3; 40.Qxe3 Rxc4; 4 l .Rxf5+ gx£5; 42.Rxf5+ Qx£5; 43.gxf5 Bxd5+; 44.Kg1
Kf6; 45.Qxb6+ and Black resigned in Santasiere - Pinkus, New York 1939, a
game which earned a brilliancy prize.
480
ZUKERTORT OPENING
4.bxc5 Bxc5; 5.e3 Nc6; 6.d4 Be7.
7.c4 d5; 8.Nbd2 Qa5; 9.Bb2 0-0; 10.Bd3 dxc4; 1 1.Bxc4 e5. Black is play
ing according to classical principles, and at the moment has an equal game.
12.0-0 Rd8? To leave f7 unguarded is folly indeed! 13.Ng5. 13.Qb3 is more
logical, and White has a strong attack.
1 3 ... Bg4; 14.Qc2 Bh5; 15.Nb3 Qa4; 16.dxe5 Bg6.
17.Bxf7+! The game ends with an elegant sacrifice by Santasiere. 17 ... Bxf7;
18.exf6 Bg6; 19.£7+ Kh8; 20.Qc3 Bf8; 2 1.Ne6 Bx£7; 22.Nbc5 and White won,
Santasiere - Draxl, Kitchener 1 960. This game led me to call one of my own
experiments the "Kitchener Folly". The Canadian town has seen its share of
interesting chess!
48 1
TENNISON GAMBIT
l.Nf3 d5
2.e4
The Tennison Gambit is a radical attempt to alter the opening

landscape with a gambit which encourages Black to create weaknesses
early in the game. It is not sound, and most sensible defensive plans
will suffice.
The related l .Nf3 f5; 2.e4, the Lisitsyn Gambit, has become re
spectable. There, the weakness at f7 justifies the investment of a pawn.

2 dxe4; 3 .Ng5 Nf6.
...
There are several other significant defenses:

3 ... e5; 4.Nxe4 f5 is the plan I recommend for Black in the Gambit Reper
toirefor Black. But that is not to say the White side is unplayable. Indeed, after
5.Ng3 Nf6; 6.Bc4 Nc6; 7.0-0 Black will find it difficult to castle. 3 ...f5!? cre
ates many weaknesses on the light squares, but is better than its reputation so
482
ZUKERTORT OPENING
White must be careful 4.Bc4 Nh6 and here:
a) 5.d3 exd3; 6.0-0! is the line gambit lovers will prefer. 6 ... dxc2; 7.Qxc2
AI ) 7 ...Nc6; 8.Rdl Nd4; 9.Rxd4! Qxd4; 10.Be3 Qf6; l l .Nc3 c6; 12.Rdl f4?
( 1 2 ... Bd7; 13.Qb3 0-0-0; 14.Ne6 gives White enough compensation for the
pawns.) 13.Nb5! QeS ( 1 3 ...cxb5??; 14.Bxb5+ and mate in 3.) 14.Qe4! and Black
lost in Lutes - Felt, Indianapolis (blitz) 1 969.
a2) 7 ...e5; 8.Rdl Bd6 (8... Qf6 is stronger. 9.Nc3 c6; 10.Qb3 provides
compensation for at least one of the pawns.)
b) 5.Nxh7?! is not as good as it looks: 5 ...Rxh7 (5 ... g6!, suggested by Maser,
keeps the game level.) 6.Qh5+ Kd7; 7.Qg6 Rh8; 8.Be6+ Kc6; 9.Bxc8+ Qd6;
1 O.Qe8+ Kb6; l l .Qa4 Black resigned in Tennison - Anonymous, New Or
leans 1 89 1 . Tennison gives the possible conclusion l l ...Qc6; 12.Qb3+ Ka6;
13.Nc3, answering any move with Bxb7+, Qa4+ and QbS#.
Black can also stubbornly hang on to the pawn with 3 ... Qd5.
a) 4.d3 exd3; 5.Nc3 QeS+; 6.Be3 dxc2; 7.Qd5.
483
What an amazing sight! White has sacrificed three pawns and now offers
an exchange of queens. But Black cannot accept! 7 ... Qf6 (7 ... Qxd5; 8.Nxd5
h6; 9.Nxc7+ Kd8; 1 0.Nxa8 hxg5; l l .Bxa7 Nc6; 1 2.Bb6+ Kd7; 13.Rcl and White
has an extra exchange.) 8.Bd3. This is analysis byJakobetz, Somlai and Varnusz.
I can't quite agree with their evaluation of a clear advantage for White, but do
think that White has enough compensation, after, say, 8 ...c6; 9.Qb3 h6; 10.Nce4
Qg6; l l .Nc5 ( l l .Nd6+ Qxd6; 1 2.Nxf7 Qxd3; 13.Qxd3 Kxf7; 14.Qxc2 does
not appeal to me.) l l ...Qf6; 12.Nh7 (12.Nce4 Qg6; 13.Nc5 Qf6 bails to a
draw.) 1 2 ... Qe5; 1 3.Nxf8 Kxf8; 14.Bxc2 Nf6; IS.Rdl Nbd7; 1 6.Nxd7+ Nxd7;
1 7.0-0 and White is fully developed, while Black has little prospect of getting
the rooks into the game and the king may never be safe.
b) 4.h4 can be considered as a safer, if less interesting, alternative. 4 ... Nf6;
5.Nc3 Qe5.
6.Bc4 e6; 7.Qe2 Nc6 is roughly level, according to Benjamin, whose analy
sis has received a practical test: 8.Bb5 (8.Ngxe4 Nxe4; 9.Nxe4 Nd4 leads to
undesirable consequences for White.) 8 ... Bd7; 9.Ngxe4 Nxe4; 10.Qxe4 Qxe4+;
l l .Nxe4 a6.
484
ZUKERTORT OPENING
1 2.Ba4 ( 12.Bxc6 Bxc6; 13.d3 is likely to be drawn in the end, as ... f5 is not
such a great threat. Still, Black is better.) 12 ... b5; 13.Bb3 Nd4; 14.c3 ( 1 4.d3
Nxb3; 15.axb3 would maintain the balance.) 14 ... Nxb3; 15.axb3 left Black with
a better game in Bullockus - Wegener, World Senior Championship 1996.
3 ...Bf5; 4.g4 Bg6; 5.Bg2 Nf6; 6.Nc3 Nc6; 7.Ngxe4 e6; 8.Nxf6+ Qxf6; 9.d3
Bd6; 1 0.Bxc6+ bxc6; 1 l .Be3 Ke7; 1 2.h4 h6; 13.Qe2 provided a lively game in
Bendic - Melchor, Postal 1 992.
4.Bc4 e6; 5.Qe2!? More common is Nc3, but this move is at least as good.
5 ...h6. 5 ... Nc6; 6.Nxe4 Nd4; 7.Nxf6+ Qxf6; 8.Qe4 and White will play c3 and
d4 with a strong position. 6.Nxe4 Nxe4; 7.Qxe4. White has two pieces devel
oped and the queen sits safely in the middle for the board. Black will have
problems developing the bishop from c8. White's position is comfortable.
7 ...Nd7; 8 .d3 Nf6; 9.Qf3 Bd6; 10.Nc3 0-0.
l l.g4! White does not castle because the kingside attack will take the form
of a pawnstorm. Therefore, the king is safer on the other side of the board.
l l. .. Nh7; 12.h4 Qf6. Black attempts to get the queens off the board, but White
will not cooperate. 13.Qe2 Bb4; 14.Bd2 b5. This was Black's desperate reac
tion in Vazquez - Corzo, Havana 1 900. In the famous 8th edition of the Bilguer
Handbuch, Schlechter and Berger recommend 15 .g5! instead of capturing the
pawn at b5. The attack on the kingside should prove successful.
485
. LISITSIN GAMBIT
l.Nf3 f5
2.e4
The Lisitsin Gambit is somewhat controversial and is being seen a

bit more in games among masters. White gives up a pawn to disrupt
Black's intended Dutch Defense. Mikhail Botvinnik took the opening
seriously, and considered it "the most sensible reply".
There are various methods of declining the gambit, but they don't
lead to very interesting positions, so we'll just examine some important
lines where Black accepts the challenge.

2 fxe4; 3.Ng5 Nf6.
..•
3 ... e5 is an interesting alternative. 4.d3 is the only reasonable reply, and

now Black can try 4 ... e3!?; 5.Bxe3 Be7; 6.Nf3 Nc6. White must now advance
the d-pawn again in order to free the bishop at fl from its cage. 7.d4 exd4;
8.Nxd4 Nxd4; 9.Qxd4 Bf6; 1 0.Qe4+ Qe7; 1 l .Qxe7+ Nxe7. Black has equal
ized. Stocek-Hoang Thang Trang, Budapest 1 996.
3 ... d5; 4.d3 Qd6 has been tested in the upper echelons.
A) 5.Nc3 h6; 6.Nb5 Qc6! ; 7.dxe4! (7.Nxc7+ Qxc7; 8.Qh5+ Kd7; 9.Nf7 Nf6;
1 0.Qg6 Rg8 and White has no real compensation for the piece.) 7 ...hxg5;
8.exd5 Qd7; 9.Bxg5 a6; 10.Nc3 e5!; 1 l .Bd3 Be7; 12.Qf3! Nf6; 13.Bg6+ Kd8;
14.h3 Ne8; 15.Bxe7+ Qxe7; 16.Bxe8 Kxe8; 1 7.0-0-0 Qg5+; 18.Kb 1 Bf5; 1 9.g4
Bg6 with a complex position in Piket-van Mil, Netherlands Championship
1 992.;
B) 5.dxe4 is too slow. 5 ... h6; 6.Qh5+ g6; 7.Qh4 c6!; 8.Bd3 Bg7; 9.Nf3 g5;
1 0.Qh5+ Kf8; 1 1 .0-0 Nd7; 12 .e5! Nxe5; 13.Nxe5 Bxe5; 14.f4 Bxf4; 15.Bxf4
gxf4 and White does not have quite enough compensation for the two pawns,
Lautier-Bareev, Biel 1 99 1 .
4.d3
486
ZUKERTORT OPENING
Black plays in the spirit of a From Gambit reversed.

4...e5. Black should attend to development right away. 4 ... exd3? is fool
hardy, a reckless move that is sure to be punished. 5.Bxd3 g6 (5 ... e5; 6.Nxh7
Bc5; 7.Bg6+ Ke7; 8.Bg5 d5; 9.Nc3 Be6; 10.Qf3 was overpowering in Covington
MacLean, US Open 1 996.) 6.Nxh7 Rg8; 7.Nxf8 Kxf8 was played in Alavi
Salas, Yerevan Olympiad 1 996. White could have obtained a strong game with
8.Bh6+ Ke8; 9.Nc3 Nc6; 1 0.Qd2.
4 ... d5; 5.dxe4 h6; 6.Nf3 dxe4; 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8; 8.Ne5 Be6. This is an
endgame which has been tested many times. White seems to have scored a bit
better, despite the missing pawn. 9.Ng6 Rg8; 1 0.Nc3 Nbd7; 1 l.Bf4 ( 1 l .Be3 c6;
12.0-0-0 Ke8; 13.Be2 B£7; 14.Nxf8 Rxf8; 15 .Rd4 Bd5; 16.g4! gave White com
pensation for the pawn in Lisitsin - Korchnoi, Soviet Championship 1956.)
1 l ...c6; 12.0-0-0 Ke8; 13.Bg3. White has compensation for the pawn, Tsang
Santa, Yerevan Olympiad 1 996.
5.dxe4 Bc5; 6.Bc4 Qe7; 7.Bf7+! What is the point of White's opening if
not to take advantage of the weakness at £7?
7 ...Kf8; 8.Bb3 h6; 9.Nf3 d6; 10.Nc3. Black's king has been forced to move
and the long diagonal is weak. Black can use the g7-square for the king, how
ever, and the question is, should the pawn advance one square or two?
10...g5. 10 ...g6 is a safer plan. 1 l .Qe2 Kg7 gave Black a solid position in
Martin-Wastney, New Zealand Championship 1 997. l l.h4 g4; 12.Nh2 Bb4.
12 ... Kg7 comes strongly into consideration.
13.f3 Bxc3+; 14.bxc3 Qg7; 15.fxg4 Ke8; 16.0-0 Nc6; 17.g5 hxg5; 18.Bxg5
Nxe4 ; 19.Bf7+. Black resigned in Rohde - Palatnik, World Open 1990. Stephen
Gordon, author of the book The Lisitsin Gambit, credits this game with popu
larizing the gambit.
487
VII. FINAL NOTE
We have journeyed to the four corners of the chess universe and

seen all sorts of wonders. Some of our discoveries can be turned to our
advantage in tournament play, others are merely a source of amuse
ment, and many, well, we just don't know what to make of them yet. We
can conclude that violations of opening principles are punishable by
miserable positions. Except when they are not.
Broad generalizations are mere tendencies, and we can't tell just
from looking quickly at an opening whether it has merit or not.
I leave it to the reader to draw such conclusions as they wish. To
me, the unorthodox opening gallery is still under construction and
the critics are about as useful, or useless, to the practical chess player
as they are in the areas of film, theater and music. I hope you found
some openings you can use in your own games, but also would be sat
isfied if you just found some amusement in the time you spent reading
this book.
There is much more to be said on the topic of unorthodox open
ings. This book covers a lot of ground, but a large unexplored territory
remains. I am sure there are plenty of openings already in use which
are not mentioned in this book.
I intend to continue my journey of discovery, and will no doubt
update this volume early in the next millenium. If you have any com
ments, suggestions, criticisms or strange openings you'd like me to
take into account when preparing future revisions, please contact me
by email: overlord@chessworks.com. You can also send mail to the
publisher, who will forward it to me, but I am notoriously slow about
anwering snail mail, so email is definitely preferred.
488
VIOLATION INDEX
The listings below point you to openings in which specific opening prin
ciples are violated. Many categories could be occupied by dozens of entries, so
these are just selections.
Openings Where White Sets Up an King's Gambit Declined

Ideal Pawn Center Marshall Countergmbit
Caro-Kann Defense Nimzowitsch Countergambi

Gurgenidze Counterattack Van Geet Opening: Twyble Attack
Maroczy Variation Venezolana Formation
Carr Defense Vienna Game: Mengarini Variation
English Defense Zukertort Opening: Ampel Variation

Four Knights Game: Halloween Gambit
Guatemala Defense Openings Where White has a
Horwitz Defense Drunken Knight
King's Gambit Accepted: Norwalde Variation Amar Opening
Lemming Defense Sodium Attack
Modern Defense
Pterodactyl Variation Openings Where Black Has a
Randspringer Variation Drunken Knight
Nimzowitsch Defense Benoni Defense: Snail Variation
Kennedy Variation Bird Opening: Horsefly Defense
Neo-Mongoloid Defense Caro-Kann Defense: De Bruycker Defense
Williams Variation Lemming Defense
Owen Defense Polish Opening: Karniewski Variation
Polish Defense
Rat Defense
Openings With an Early g4 by White
Balogh Defense
Grob Opening
San jorge Defense
Indian Game: Gibbins-Wiedehagen Gambit
Semi-Siav Defense: Gunderam Gambit
Queen Pawn Game: Zurich Gambit
Spanish Opening
Brentano Variation
Openings With an Early g5 by Black
Vinogradov Variation
Borg Defense
St. George Defense
English Opening: Myers Variation
Wade Defense
King's Gambit Accepted
Ware Defense
Allgaier Gambit
Double Muzio Gambit
Openings Where Black Sets Up an
Ideal Pawn Center
Openings With an Early Queen
Anderssen Opening
Excursion by White
Creepy Crawly Formation
French Defense
Grob Opening
Advance Variation: Nimzowitsch Attack
Hippopotamus Formation
Exchange Variation: Canal Attack
King Pawn Game
King Pawn Game
Clam Variation: King's Gambit Reversed
Macleod Attack: Norwalder Gambit
Macleod Attack
Wayward Queen Attack
Portuguese Opening
King's Gambit Accepted
Tortise Opening
Carrera Gambit
Dodo Variation
Owen Defense: Matinovsky Gambit
Van Geet Opening: N ovosibirsk Variation
Van Geet Opening: Reversed Scandinavian
Vienna Game: Giraffe Attack
Vienna Game: Zhuravlev Countergambit
Openings With an Early Queen

Excursion by White
Benoni Defense
Benoni Variation
Woozle
Elephant Gambit: Wasp Variation
Englund Gambit: Mosquito Gambit
King's Gambit Accepted: Bryan Countergambit
Modern Defense: Pterodactyl Variation
Scandinavian Defense: Main Lines
Sicilian Defense: Mongoose Variation
Openings With an Early h4 by White

Indian Game
Trompowsky Attack: Rap tor Variation
Kadas Opening
King's Gambit Accepted: Leonardo Gambit
Van Geet Opening: Anti-Pirc Variation
Openings With an Early h5 by Black

English Opening: Drill Variation
Queen Pawn Game
Veresov Atack: Shropshire Defense
490
OPENINGS INDEX
This index is organized alphabetically by openings, with the variations
and subvariations listed within that grouping. The column to the right shows
the game number where the opening is featured or referenced. Where a refer
ence to an opening or variation is only mentioned in this book, but covered in
my companion volume, Standard Chess Openings, the entry reference will be
marked "SCO" in the far column.
Alekhine Defense l .e4 Nf6
Brooklyn Variation l .e4 Nf6 2.e5 Ng8 38
Exchange Variation l .e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 sco
Krejcik Variation l . e4 Nf6 2.Bc4 39
Mokele Mbembe l .e4 Nf6 2.e5 Ne4 40
Welling Variation l .e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.b3 43
Amar Opening 45
Gent Gambit l .Nh3 d5 2.g3 e5 3.f4 Bxh3 4.Bxh3 exf4 5.0-0 fxg3 6.hxg3 45
Paris Gambit l .Nh3 d5 2.g3 e5 3.f4 46
Anderssen Opening l .a3 48
Barnes Opening 50
Fool's Mate l .f3 e5 2.g4 50
Hammerschlag l .f3 e5 2.Kh2 51
Walkerling l .f3 e5 2.e4 Nf6 3.Bc4 50
Benko Gambit l .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 sco
Benoni Defense l .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 52
Cormorant Gambit l .d4 c5 2.dxc5 b6 52
Hawk Variation l .d4 c5 2.d5 Nf6 3.Nf3 c4 52
Nakamura Gambit l . d4 c5 2.b4 cxb4 54
Snail Variation l .d4 c5 2.d5 Na6 55
Vulture Defense l .d4 c5 2.d5 Nf6 3.c4 Ne4 55
Woozle l .d4 c5 2.d5 Nf6 3.Nc3 Qa5 57
Bird Opening l . f4 60
Batavo-Polish Attack l . f4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.b4 60
From Gambit l . f4 e5 61
Hobbs Gambit l . f4 g5 63
Horsefly Defense l .f4 Nh6 64
Lasker Attack l .f4 ... 2.e3 ... 3.b3 65
Schlechter Gambit l .f4 e5 2.fxe5 Nc6 sco
Sturm Gambit l .f4 d5 2.c4 66
Bishop's Opening l .e4 e5 2. Bc4 68
King's Gambit Reversed l .e4 e5 2.Bc4 f5 68
Kitchener Folly l .e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 Be7 4.Nf3 0-0 67
Lewis Gambit l . e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5 3.d4 67
MacDonnell Gambit l .e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5 3.b4 69
Bogo-Indian Defense l .d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ sco
Griinfeld Variation l .d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Nbd2 sco
Borg Defense l .e4 g5 71
Borg Gambit l .d4 g5 71
Troon Gambit l .e4 g5 2.d4 h6 3.h4 g4 71
Canard Formation 76
Double Duck Variation l .f4 f5 2.d4 d5 76
49 1
Caro-Kann Defense l .e4 c6 77

Advance Variation l .e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 sco
Bayonet Attack l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.g4 77
De Bruycker Defense l .d4 Na6 2.e4 c6 78
Edinburgh Vatiation l .e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Qb6 79
Goldman Variation l .e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3 .Qf3 80
Gurgenidze Counterattack l .e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 b5 81
Gurgenidze System l . e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 g6 sco
Hector Gambit l .e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 dxe4 4.Ng5 87
Hillbilly Attack l .e4 c6 2.Bc4 82
Maroczy Variation l .e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 83
Mieses Gambit l .e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Be3 dxe4 86
Panov Attack l .e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 sco
Ulysses Gambit l .e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nf3 dxe4 4.Ng5 87
Von Hennig Gambit l . e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Bc4 88
Carr Defense l . e4 h6 91
Catalan Opening l . d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 sco
Hungarian Gambit l . d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 e5 93
Center Game l . e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 sco
Normal Variation l .e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6 sco
C1emenz Opening l .h3 94
Creepy Crawly Formation l .a3 e5 2.h3 d5 97
Czech Defense l .e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 c6 sco
Dutch Defense l .d4 f5 1 03
Hevendahl Gambit l . d4 f5 2.g4 e5 1 09
Hopton Attack l . d4 f5 2.Bg5 103
Janzen-Korchnoi Gambit l .d4 f5 2.h3 Nf6 3.g4 1 08
Kingfisher Gambit l . d4 f5 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 1 05
Korchnoi Attack l .d4 f5 2.h3 1 07
Krejcik Gambit l . d4 f5 2.g4 1 09
Leningrad Variation l .d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 g6 sco
Manhattan Gambit l .d4 f5 2.Qd3, 3.g4 1 10
Senechaud Gambit l .d4 e6 2.Bf4 f5 3.g4 1 12
Spielmann Gambit l . d4 f5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g4 113
Staunton Gambit 1 14
American Attack l .d4 f5 2 . e4 fxe4 3.Nd2 1 14
Stonewall Variation sco
Modern Variation l.d4 f5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 c6 5.Bg2 d5 6.0-0 Bd6 sco
Tate Gambit l .d4 f5 2.g4 fxg4 3 . e4 d5 4.Nc3 1 09
Elephant Gambit 1 17
Maroczy Gambit l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 Bd6 1 17
Paulsen Countergambit l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 e4 1 18
Wasp Variation l . e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3 .Nxe5 dxe4 4.Bc4 Qg5 120
English Defense l . d4 e6 2.c4 b6 123
Hartlaub Gambit l .c4 e6 2.d4 b6 3.Nc3 Bb7 4.e4 f5 5 .exf5 Nf6 123
Perrin Variation l . c4 e6 2.d4 b6 3 . e4 Bb7 4.Bd3 Nc6 126
Poli Gambit l . c4 e6 2.d4 b6 3.e4 Bb7 4.f3 f5 126
English Opening l .c4 130
Anglo-Indian Defense 1 39
Flohr-Mikenas l .c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 Ng8 1 39
Anglo-Scandinavian Defense l .c4 d5 130
Lohn Gambit l . c4 d5 2.cxd5 e6 136
Schulz Gambit l .c4 d5 2.cxd5 Nf6 143
Anti-English l . c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 131
Drill Variation l.g3 e5 2.c4 h5 1 34
Halibut Gambit l .c4 b5 1 35
King's English Variation 1 32
Bellon Gambit l .c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 e4 4.Ng5 b5 132
492
Myers Variation l .c4 g5 2.d4 Bg7 1 37

Nei Gambit l .c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 Ng8 139
Porcupine Variation l .c4 f5 2.e4 fxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g4 142
Symmetrical Variation sco
Benoni Variation l .c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 sco
Hedgehog l.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 b6 4.Bg2 Bb7 5.0-0 e6 6.Nc3 Be7 sco
The Whale l . e4 e5 2.c4 143
Wade Gambit l .c4 f5 2.g4 1 45
Wing Gambit l .c4 c5 2.b4 146
Englund Gambit l.d4 e5 147
Felbecker Gambit l .d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Bc5 147
Mosquito Gambit l.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Qh4 153
Soiler Gambit l . d4 e5 2.dxe5 f6 1 54
Soiler Gambit Deferred l . d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 f6 1 56
Stockholm Variation l . d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Qe7 4.Qd5 148
Four Knights Game l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 sco
Halloween Gambit l.e4 e5 2 .Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nxe5 1 60
Oltimer Variation l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nxe5 Nxce5 5.d4 Ng6 6.e5 1 62
Plasma Variation l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nxe5 Nxce5 5.d4 Nc6 161
Fred Defense 1 64
Mao Tse Tung l .e4 f5 1 64
French Defense l . e4 e6 1 65
Advance Variation 1 65
Extended Bishop Swap l . e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bd7 1 74
Nimzowitsch Attack l . e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.Qg4 1 65
Nimzowitsch Gambit l . e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.Qg4 cxd4 5.Nf3 1 65
Alapin Gambit l . e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Be3 1 66
Bird Invitation l .e4 e6 2.Bb5 1 70
Diemer-Duhm Gambit l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.c4 dxe4 171
Exchange Variation
Canal Attack l.e4 e6 2 .d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bd3 Ne7 6.Qh5 1 72
La Bourdonnais Variation l . e4 e6 2.f4 174
Orthoschnapp Gambit l .e4 e6 2.c4 d5 3.cxd5 exd5 4.Qb3 1 75
Steinitz Attack l.e4 e6 2.e5 1 78
Tarrasch Variation
Shaposhnikov Gambit l . e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Nf6 1 77
Wing Gambit l .e4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e5 c5 4.b4 1 80
Grob Opening l .g4 183
Alessi Gambit l.g4 f5 183
Double Grob l.g4 g5 1 84
Grob Gambit l .g4 d5 2.Bg2 Bxg4 1 85
Keene Defense l .g4 d5 2.h3 e5 3.Bg2 c6 1 86
London Defense l . g4 e5 2.h3 Nc6 1 88
Macho Grob l .g4, 2.h3 1 83
Spike 190
Hurst Attack l.g4 e5 2 .Bg2 d5 3.c4 190
Griinfeld Defense l . d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 191
Gibbon Gambit l . d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.g4 191
Guatemala Defense l . e4 b6 2.d4 Ba6 193
Hippopotamus Formation Formation: a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 194
Horwitz Defense l . d4 e6 196
Hungarian Opening l .g3 197
Reversed Alekhine l . g3 e5 2.Nf3 1 97
Indian Game l .d4 Nf6 200
Anti-Grunfeld 200
Alekhine Variation l . d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3 200
Budapest Defense l . d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 73
Devin Gambit l . d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g4 201
Dory Indian l .d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Ne4 202
493
Fajarowicz Defense l .d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 157

Bonsdorf Variation l .d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 Ne4 4.a3 b6 157
Fajarowicz Variation l.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 Ne4 1 57
Gedult Attack l.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.g4 202
Gibbins-Wiedehagen Gambit l .d4 Nf6 2.g4 Nxg4 203
Maltese Falcon l .d4 Nf6 2.g4 Nxg4 3.f3 Nf6 4.e4 204
Oshima Defense l .d4 Nf6 2.g4 e5 203
Stummer Gambit l .d4 Nf6 2.g4 Nxg4 3.e4 d6 4.Be2 Nf6 5.Nc3 209
Lazard Gambit l .d4 Nf6 2.Nd2 e5 211
Maddigan Gambit l .d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 211
Medusa Gambit l .d4 Nf6 2.c4 g5 212
Omega Gambit l . d4 Nf6 2.e4 212
Arafat Gambit l . d4 Nf6 2.e4 Nxe4 3.Bd3 Nf6 4.Bg5 213
Schnepper Gambit l .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 b6 3.c3 e5 2 14
Trompowsky Attack l .d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4 436
Borg Variation l.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4 3.Bf4 g5 437
Raptor Variation l .d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4 3.h4 436
Italian Game (Giuco Piano) l . e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 215
Evans Gambit l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 sco
Jerome Gambit l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 218
Schilling Gambit l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4 220
Two Knights Defense l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 2 15
Fried Liver Attack l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Nxf7 2 15
Traxler Counterattack l . e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 22 1
Kadas Opening l .h4 225
Kangaroo Defense l .d4 e6 2.c4 Bb4+ 227
Transpositional l .d4 e6 2.c4 Bb4+ 3.Nc3 228
King Pawn Game l.e4 e5 230
Alapin Opening l .e4 e5 2.Ne2 230
Beyer Gambit l .e4 e5 2.d4 d5 232
Clam Variation l . e4 e5 2.d3 233
King's Gambit Reversed l .e4 e5 2.d3 5 235
Danish Gambit l .e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3 236
Dresden Opening l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c4 238
King's Head Opening l . e4 e5 2.f3 Nf6 3.Nc3 51
Macleod Attack l .e4 e5 2.c3 239
Norwalder Gambit l.e4 e5 2.c3 d5 3.Qh5 Bd6 244
Maroczy Defense l . e4 d6 2.d4 e5 286
Napoleon Attack l .e4 e5 2.Qf3 243
Philidor Gambit l .d4 d6 2.e4 e5 3.dxe5 Bd7 245
Portuguese Opening l .e4 e5 2.Bb5 348
Tortoise Opening l .e4 e5 2.Bd3 246
Wayward Queen Attack l . e4 e5 2.Qh5 247
Mellon Gambit l .e4 e5 2.Qh5 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nh6 4.d3 g6 5.Qf3 f6 6.Ne2 d5 249
King's Gambit l .e4 e5 2.f4 250
Accepted l . e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 250
Allgaier Gambit l . e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 g5 4.h4 g4 5.Ng5 250
Allgaier Gambit l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 g5 4.h4 g4 5.Ng5 h6 6.Nxf7 Kxf7 250
Basman Gambit l .e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Qe2 251
Breyer Gambit l .e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Qf3 252
Bryan C ountergambit l .e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Bc4 Qh4+ 4.Kfl b5 254
Carrera Gambit l .e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Qh5 258
Dodo Gambit l .e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Qg4 270
Double Muzio Gambit l .e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 g5 4.Bc4 g4 5.0-0 gxf3 6.Qxf3 Qf6 259
Eisenberg Variation l .e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nh3 260
Gaga Gambit l .e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.g3 260
Leonardo Gambit l .e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.h4 264
Modern Defense l .e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 d5 sco
Muzio Gambit Accepted l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 g5 4.Bc4 g4 5.0-0 gxf3 6.Qxf3 Qe7 260
494
Norwalder Variation l .e4 e5 2.f4 Qf6 270

Orsini Gambit l .e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.b3 273
Paris Gambit l .e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Ne2 274
Tumbleweed/Drunken King l .e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Kf2 277
Keene Defense l .e4 e5 2.f4 Qh4+ 3.g3 Qe7 261
Mafia Defense l .e4 e5 2.f4 c5 265
Marshall Countergambit l .e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5 c6 266
Pickier Gambit l .e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exdf5 c6 4.dxc6 Bc5 269
King's Indian Attack l .Nf3 d5 2.g3 sco
King's Knight Opening
Damiano Defense l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 f6 235
McConnell Defense l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Qf6 287
Latvian Gambit l .e4 e5 2 . N f3 f5 279
Lobster Gambit l .e4 e5 2 . N f3 f5 3.g4 281
Poisoned Pawn Variation l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Bc4 fxe4 4.Nxe5 Nxe5 5.d4 Nc6 6.d5 Ne5 279
Lemming Defense l .e4 Na6 284
Lizard Defense
Pirc-Diemer Gambit l .d4 g6 2.h4 Nf6 3.h5 285
Mexican Defense l . d4 Nf6 2.c4 Nc6 288
Horsefly Gambit l .d4 Nf6 2.c4 Nc6 3.d5 Ne5 4.f4 290
Modern Defense
Beefeater Variation l .d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c5 4.d5 Bxc3+ 5 .bxc3 f5 294
Dunworthy Variation l .e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.e4 d5 4.exd5 c6 5.dxc6 Bxd4 301
N orwegian Defense l .e4 g6 2.d4 Nf6 285
Pterodactyl Variation l .d4 d6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 c5 5 . N f3 Qa5 297
Randspringer Variation l .d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.e4 f5 301
Nimzo-indian Defense l . d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 sco
Nimzo-Larsen Attack l .b3 304
N orfolk Gambit 1 l .Nf3 d5 2.b3 Nf6 3.Bb2 c5 4.e4 307
Norfolk Gambit 2 l .Nf3 d5 2.b3 c5 3.e4 308
Paschmann Gambit l .b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.f4 310
Ringelbach Gambit l .b3 e6 2.Bb2 f5 3.e4 311
Spike Variation l .b3 Nf6 2.Bb2 g6 3.g4 311
Nimzowitsch Defense l .e4 Nc6 3 13
Kennedy Variation l .e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5 315
Lean Variation l . e4 Nc6 2 . N f3 f5 313
N eo-Mongoloid Defense l .e4 Nc6 2.d4 f6 318
Wheeler Gambit l .e4 Nc6 2.b4 3 18
Williams Variation l .e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6 3 19
Old Indian Defense l .d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 sco
Owen Defense l .e4 b6 323
Matinovsky Gambit l .e4 b6 2.d4 Bb7 3.Bd3 f5 4.exf5 Bxg2 5 . Qh5+ g6 326
Naselwaus Gambit l . e4 b6 2.d4 Bb7 3 .Bg5 328
Smith Gambit l .e4 b6 2.d4 Bb7 3 . N f3 Bxe4 328
Philidor Defense l .e4 e5 2 . N f3 d6 3.d4 sco
Pirc Defense l .e4 d6 2.d4 N f6 sco
Polish Defense l .d4 b5 329
Spassky Gambit l .d4 b5 2.e4 Bb7 3. Bxb5 332
Polish Opening/Orangutang l .b4 335
Birmingham Gambit l .b4 c5 335
Bugayev Attack l .b4 e5 2.a3 337
Karniewski Variation l .b4 Nh6 338
Schiihler Gambit l .b4 c6 2.Bb2 a5 3.b5 cxb5 4.e4 339
Tartakower Gambit l .b4 e5 2.Bb2 f6 3.e4 Bxb4 341
Brinckmann Variation l.b4 e5 2.Bb2 f6 3.e4 Bxb4 4.Bc4 Nc6 5.f4 Qe7 6.£5 g6 342
Wolferts Gambit l .b4 e5 2.Bb2 c5 346
Ponziani Opening l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 sco
495
Queen Pawn Game l .d4 d5

Anti-Torre l .d4 d5 2.Nf3 Bg4 351
Bishop Attack
Welling Variation l .d4 d5 2.Bg5 352
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit 1 .d4 d5 2.e4 353
Lemberger Variation l .d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 356
O'Kelly Defense l .d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 86
Ryder Gambit l .d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5 . Qxf3 354
Hiibsch Gambit l .d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 355
Morris Countergambit l .d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5 3.e4 dxe4 357
Veresov Atack
Shropshire Defense l .d4 d5 2.Nc3 h5 452
Anti-Veresov l .d4 d5 2.Nc3 Bg4 453
Zurich Gambit l .d4 d5 2.g4 Bxg4 357
Queen's Gambit Accepted l .d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 sco
Queen's Gambit Refused l.d4 d5 2.c4
Albin Countergambit l .d4 d5 2.c4 e5 361
Austrian Defense l .d4 d5 2.c4 c5 365
Gusev Countergambit l . d4 d5 2.c4 c5 3.cxd5 Nf6 366
Baltic Defense 1 .d4 d5 2.c4 Bf5 sco
Argentinian Gambit l .d4 d5 2.c4 Bf5 3.cxd5 Bxb1 4.Qa4+ c6 5.dxc6 Nxc6 50
Chigorin Defense l .d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6 366
Lazard Gambit l .d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nf3 e5 366
Tartakower Gambit l .d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nc3 c5 370
Queen's Indian Defense l .d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 sco
Rat Defense
Balogh Defense l .e4 d6 2.d4 f5 374
Sanjorge Defense Formation: ... d6, ... a6, ... g6, . . . b5, . .. e5 433
Reti Opening I .Nf3 d5 2.c4 sco
Penguin Variation l .Nf3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.Rg1 375
Russian Game l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 376
Cochrane Gambit l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nxf7 376
Damiano Variation l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nxe4 378
Scandinavian Defense l .e4 d5 379
Anderssen Counterattack l .e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 e5 384
Bronstein Variation l . e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4 . d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 a6 379
Icelandic-Palme Gambit l .e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.c4 e6 380
Main Lines l .e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 383
Schiller Defense l .e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 386
Scotch Game l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 39 1
Goring Gambit
Double Pawn Sacrifice l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.c3 dxc3 5.Bc4 391
Steinitz Variation l . e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Qh4 395
Semi-Siav Defense l .d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 c6 399
Gunderam Gambit l .d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.e4 dxe4 5 . f3 399
Marshall Gambit l .d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.e4 sco
Sicilian Defense l .e4 c5 401
2 ... h6 Variation l .e4 c5 2.Nf3 h6 418
Accelerated Dragon
Maroczy Bind l .e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4 sco
Accelerated Paulsen l . e4 c5 2.Nf3 Qc7 401
Acton Extension l .e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bh6 402
Alapin Variation l .e4 c5 2.c3 sco
Brussels Gambit l .e4 c5 2.Nf3 f5 403
Frederico Variation l .e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 f5 404
Hyperaccelerated l .e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 Bg7 404
Katalimov Sicilian I .e4 c5 2.Nf3 b6 405
Mengarini Gambit l .e4 c5 2.a3 408
Mongoose Variation l.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Qa5 409
496
Morphy Gambit l .e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.Nf3 410

Smith Morra Gambit l .e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 sco
Snyder Variation l .e4 c5 2.b3 412
Queen Fianchetto l .e4 c5 2.b3 b6 4 13
Wing Gambit l.e4 c5 2.b4 4 15
Sodium Attack l .Na3 420
Celadon Variation l .Na3 e4 2.d3 Bxa3 3.bxa3 d5 4.e3 c5 5 . Rb 1 420
Chenoboskian Variation l .Na3 g6 2.g4 420
Spanish Game (Ruy Lopez) l . e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 42 1
Alapin Defense l .e4 e5 2 .Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Bb4 42 1
Bird Variation l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4 sco
Brentano Variation l .e4 e5 2 .Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g5 424
Schliemann Defense l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5 sco
Vinogradov Variation l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Qe7 425
St. George Defense l .e4 a6 428
St. Georgs Gambit l .d4 a6 2.c4 b5 3.e4 e6 4.cxb5 axb5 5.Bxb5 434
Spike Deferred l .d3 g6 2 .g4 427
Tarrasch Defense l .d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 sco
Von Hennig Gambit l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 cxd4 5.Qxd4 Nc6 6.Qd1 359
Van Geet Opening l .Nc3 438
Anti-Pirc Variation l .Nc3 g6 2.h4 439
Battambang Variation l .Nc3, 2.a3 440
Napoleon Attack l .Nc3 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 440
Novosibirsk Variation l .Nc3 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6 4.Qh4 44 1
Reversed Nimzowitsch l .Nc3 e5 443
Reversed Scandinavian l .Nc3 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6 4.Qa4 444
Sicilian Two Knights l .Nc3 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 444
Tiibingen Gambit l .Nc3 Nf6 2.g4 446
Twyble Attack l .Nc3 c5 2.Rb1 448
Venezo1ana Formation White formation: Nc3, d3, g3, Bg2 449
Vienna Game l .e4 e5 2.Nc3 sco
Frankenstein-Dracula l.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Qh5 Nd6
5.Bb3 Nc6 6.Nb5 455
Giraffe Attack l .e4 e5 2.Nc3 Bc5 3.Qg4 458
Hamppe-Meitner l .e4 e5 2.Nc3 Bc5 3.Na4 459
Mengarini Variation l.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.a3 461
Steinitz Gambit l .e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 exf4 4.d4 462
Zukertort Variation l .e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 exf4 4 . d4 Qh4+ 5.Ke2 d5 463
Zhuravlev Countergambit l .e4 e5 2.Nc3 Bb4 3.Qg4 465
Wade Defense l . d4 d6 2.Nf3 Bg4 467
Chigorin Plan l .Nf3 d6 2.d4 Bg4 3.c4 Nd7 4.Qb3 Rb8 468
Ware Defense l .e4 a5 47 1
Ware Opening l .a4 473
Cologne Gambit l .a4 b6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nd7 474
Ware Gambit l .a4 e5 2.a5 d5 3.e3 f5 4.a6 475
Wing Gambit l . a4 b5 2.axb5 Bb7 475
Zaire Defense l.d4 Nc6 2.d5 Nb8 3.e4 Nf6 4.e5 Ng8 44
Zukertort Opening l .Nf3 sco
Ampel Variation l .Nf3 d5 2.Rg1 476
Herrstrom Gambit l .Nf3 g5 477
Lisitsin Gambit l.N f3 f5 2. e4 486
Reversed Mexican Defense l .Nf3 d5 2.Nc3 478
Santasiere's Folly l .Nf3 d5 2.b4 479
Tennison Gambit l .Nf3 d5 2.e4 482
497
OPENING MOVES INDEX
OPENING VARIATION SUBVARIATION PAGE #
l .a3 Openings
l.a3
Anderssen Opening 48
l.a3 e5 2.h3 d5
Creepy Crawly Formation 97
1 .a4 Openings
l.a4
Ware Opening/Meadow Hay 473
l.a4 b5 2.axb5 Bb7
Ware Opening Wing Gambit 475
l.a4 b6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3
Ware Opening Cologne Gambit 474
l.a4 e5 2.a5 d5 3.e3 f5
Ware Opening Ware Gambit 475
l .b3 Openings
l.b3
Nirnzo-Larscn Attack 304
l.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.f4
Nimzo-Larscn Attack Paschmann Gambit 310
l.b3 e6 2.Bb2 f5 3.e4
Nimzo-Larsen Attack Ringelbach Gambit 31 1
l.b3 Nf6 2.Bb2 g6 3.g4
Nimzo-Larscn Attack Spike Variation 311
l .b4 Openings
l.b4
Polish Opening/Orangutang 335
l.b4 c5
Polish Opening Birmingham Gambit 335
l.b4 c6 2.Bb2 a5 3.b5
Polish Opening Schiihler Gambit 339
l.b4 e5 2.a3
Polish Opening Bugayev Attack 337
l.b4 e5 2.Bb2 c5
Polish Opening Wolfcrts Gambit 346
l.b4 e5 2.Bb2 f6 3.e4
Polish Opening Tartakowcr Gambit 34 1
l.b4 e5 2.Bb2 f6 3.e4
Polish Opening Tartakower Gambit Brinckmann Variation 342
l.b4 Nh6
Polish Opening Karnicwski Variation 338
498
1 .c4 Openings
l.c4
English Opening sco
l.c4 b5
English Opening Halibut Gambit 135
l.c4 c5 2.b4
English Opening Wing Gambit 146
l.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4
English Opening Symmetrical Variation Benoni Variation sco
l.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3
English Opening Symmetrical Variation Hedgehog sco
l.c4 d5
English Opening Anglo-Scandinavian Defense 130
l.c4 d5 2.cxd5 e6
English Opening Anglo-Scandinavian Defense Lohn Gambit 136
l.c4 d5 2.cxd5 Nf6
English Opening Anglo-Scandinavian Defense Schulz Gambit 143
l .c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6
English Opening King's English Variation Bellon Gambit 1 32
l.c4 e6 2.d4 b6
English Opening English Defense 123
l.c4 e6 2.d4 b6 3.e4
English Opening English Defense Perrin Variation 127
l .c4 e6 2.d4 b6 3.e4
English Opening English Defense Poli Gambit 127
l.c4 e6 2.d4 b6 3.Nc3
English Opening English Defense Hartlaub Gambit 123
l.c4 f5 2.e4 fxe4 3.Nc3
English Opening Porcupine Variation 142
l .c4 f5 2.g4
English Opening Wade Gambit 145
l .c4 g5 2.d4 Bg7
English Opening Myers Variation 137
l.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5
English Opening Anti-English 131
l.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4
English Opening Anglo-Indian Defense Flohr-Mikenas Variation: Nei 139
1 .d3 Openings
l .d3 g6 2.g4
Mieses Opening Spike Deferred 427
1 .d4 Openings
l.d4 a6 2.c4 b5 3.e4 e6
St. George Defense St. Georgs Gambit 434
l.d4 b5
Polish Defense 329
l.d4 b5 2.e4 Bb7
Polish Defense Spassky Gambit 332
l.d4 c5 2.b4 cxb4
Benoni Defense Nakamura Gambit 54
l.d4 c5 2.d5 Na6
Benoni Defense Snail Variation 55
l.d4 c5 2.d5 Nf6 3.c4
Benoni Defense Vulture Defense 55
499
l.d4 c5 2.d5 Nf6 3.Nc3

Benoni Defense Woozle 57
l.d4 c5 2.d5 Nf6 3.Nf3
Benoni Defense Hawk Variation 52
l.d4 c5 2.dxc5 b6
Benoni Defense Cormorant Gambit 52
l.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5 3.e4
Queen Pawn Game Morris Countergambit 357
l.d4 d5 2.Bg5
Queen Pawn Game Bishop Attack Welling Variation 352
l.d4 d5 2.c4 Bf5
Queen's Gambit Refused Baltic Defense sco
l.d4 d5 2.c4 Bf5 3.cxd5
Queen's Gambit Refused Baltic Defense Argentinian Gambit 50
l.d4 d5 2.c4 c5
Queen's Gambit Refused Austrian Defense 365
l.d4 d5 2.c4 c5 3.cxd5
Queen's Gambit Refused Austrian Defense Gusev Countergambit 366
l.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4
Queen's Gambit Accepted sco
l.d4 d5 2.c4 e5
Queen's Gambit Refused Albin Countergambit 361
l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3
Tarrasch Defense sco
l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3
Tarrasch Defense Von Hennig Gambit 360
l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3
Semi-Slav Defense Marshall Gambit sco
l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3
Semi-Slav Defense Gunderam Gambit 399
l.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6
Queen's Gambit Refused Chigorin Defense 366
l.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nc3
Queen's Gambit Refused Chigorin Defense Tartakower Gambit 370
l.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nf3
Queen's Gambit Refused Chigorin Defense Lazard Gambit 366
l.d4 d5 2.e4
Queen Pawn Game Blackmar-Diemer Gambit 353
l.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
Queen Pawn Game Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Lemberge Variation 355
l.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
Queen Pawn Game Blackmar-Diemer Gambit O'Kelly Defense 86
l.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
Queen Pawn Game Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder Gambit 353
l.d4 d5 2.g4 Bxg4
Queen Pawn Game Zurich Gambit 357
l.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Bg4
Queen Pawn Game Veresov Attack Anti-Veresov 453
l .d4 d5 2.Nc3 h5
Queen Pawn Game Veresov Atack Shropshire Defense 452
l.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Bg4
Queen Pawn Game Anti-Torre 351
l.d4 d6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3
Modern Defense Pterodactyl Variation 297
l.d4 d6 2.e4 e5 3.dxe5
King Pawn Game Philidor Gambit 245
l.d4 d6 2.Nf3 Bg4
Wade Defense 467
500
l.d4 e5
Englund Gambit 147
l.d4 e5 2.dxe5 f6
Englund Gambit Soller Gambit 1 54
l.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6
Englund Gambit Felbecker Gambit 147
l.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6
Englund Gambit Soller Gambit Deferred 1 56
l.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6
Englund Gambit Stockholm Variation 148
l.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Qh4
Englund Gambit Mosquito Gambit 1 53
l.d4 e6
Horwitz Defense 196
l.d4 e6 2.Bf4 f5 3.g4
Dutch Defense Senechaud Gambit 1 12
l.d4 e6 2.c4 Bb4+
Kangaroo Defense 227
l.d4 e6 2.c4 Bb4+
Kangaroo Defense Keres Defense Transpositional Variation 228
l.d4 f5
Dutch Defense 103
l .d4 f5 2.Bg5
Dutch Defense Hopton Attack 1 03
l.d4 f5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3
Dutch Defense Stonewall Variation Modern Variation sco
l.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3
Dutch Defense Leningrad Variation sco
l.d4 f5 2.e4 fxe4 3.Nd2
Dutch Defense S taunton Gambit American Attack 1 14
l.d4 f5 2.g4
Dutch Defense Krejcik Gambit 1 09
l.d4 f5 2.g4 e5
Dutch Defense Hevendahl Gambit 1 09
l.d4 f5 2.g4 fxg4 3.e4
Dutch Defense Tate Gambit 109
l.d4 f5 2.h3
Dutch Defense Korchnoi Attack 1 07
l.d4 f5 2.h3 Nf6 3.g4
Dutch Defense Janzen-Korchnoi Gambit 1 08
l.d4 f5 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4
Dutch Defense Kingfisher Gambit 105
l.d4 f5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g4
Dutch Defense Spielmann Gambit 1 13
l.d4 f5 2.Qd3, 3.g4
Dutch Defense Manhattan Gambit 1 10
l.d4 g5
Borg Defense Borg Gambit 71
l.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3
Modern Defense Beefeater Variation 294
l.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3
Modern Defense Randspringer Variation 301
l.d4 g6 2.h4 Nf6 3.h5
Lizard Defense Pirc-Diemer Gambit 286
l.d4 Na6 2.e4 c6
Caro-Kann Defense De Bruycker Defense 78
l .d4 Nc6 2.d5 Nb8 3.e4
Zaire Defense 44
50 1
l.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4

Indian Game Trompowsky Attack Borg Variation 436
l.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4
Indian Game Trompowsky Attack Raptor Variation 436
l.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5
Benko Gambit sco
l .d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6
Old Indian Defense sco
l.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5
Indian Game Budapest Defense 73
l.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5
Indian Game Fajarowicz Variation 1 57
l.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5
Indian Game Fajarowicz Defense Bonsdorf Variation 1 57
l.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3
Calalan Opening sco
l.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3
Catalan Opening Hungarian Gambit 93
l.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g4
Indian Game Devin Gambit 201
l.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3
Nirnzo-Indian Defense sco
l.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3
Queen's Indian Defense sco
l.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3
Bogo-Indian Defense Griinfeld Variation sco
l.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3
Indian Game Dory Indian 202
l.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g5
Indian Game Medusa Gambit 212
l.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3
Indian Game Anti-Griinfeld Alekhine Variation 200
l.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3
Griinfeld Defense Gibbon Gambit 191
l.d4 Nf6 2.c4 Nc6
Mexican Defense 288
l.d4 Nf6 2.c4 Nc6 3.d5
Mexican Defense H orsefly Gambit 290
l.d4 Nf6 2.e4
Indian Game Omega Gambit 212
l.d4 Nf6 2.e4 Nxe4
Indian Game Omega Gambit Arafat Gambit 213
l.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.g4
Indian Game Gedult Attack Gedult Attack 202
l.d4 Nf6 2.g4 e5
Indian Game Gibbins-Wiedehagen Gambit Oshima Defense 203
l.d4 Nf6 2.g4 Nxg4
Indian Game Gibbins-Wiedehagen Gambit 203
l.d4 Nf6 2.g4 Nxg4
Indian Game Gibbins-Wiedehagen Gambit Stummer Gambit 209
l.d4 Nf6 2.g4 Nxg4
Indian Game Gibbins-Wiedehagen Gambit Maltese Falcon 204
l.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4
Queen Pawn Game Hiibsch Gambit 355
l.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5
Indian Game Maddigan Gambit 211
l.d4 Nf6 2.Nd2 e5
Indian Game Lazard Gambit 211
502
l.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 b6 3.c3

Indian Game Schnepper Gambit 2 14
1 .e4 Openings
l.e4 aS
Ware Defense 47 1
l.e4 a6
St. George Defense 428
l.e4 b6
Owen Defense 323
l.e4 b6 2.d4 Ba6
Guatemala Defense 1 93
l.e4 b6 2.d4 Bb7 3.Bd3
Owen Defense Matinovsky Gambit 326
l.e4 b6 2.d4 Bb7 3.Bg5
Owen Defense Naselwaus Gambit 328
l.e4 b6 2.d4 Bb7 3.Nf3
Owen Defense Smith Gambit 328
l.e4 c5 2.a3
Sicilian Defense Mengarini Gambit 408
l.e4 c5 2.b3
Sicilian Defense Snyder Variation 412
l.e4 c5 2.b3 b6
Sicilian Defense Snyder Variation Queen Fianchetto Variation 413
l.e4 c5 2.b4
Sicilian Defense Wing Gambit 415
l .e4 c5 2.c3
Sicilian Defense Alapin Variation sco
l .e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3
Sicilian Defense Smith Morra Gambit sco
l.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.Nf3
Sicilian Defense Morphy Gambit 410
l.e4 c5 2.Nf3 b6
Sicilian Defense Katalimov Variation 405
l .e4 c5 2.Nf3 f5
Sicilian Defense Brussels Gambit 403
l.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4
Sicilian Defense Acton Extension 402
l.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4
Sicilian Defense Hyperaccelerated Pterodactyl 404
l.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 f5
Sicilian Defense Frederico Variation 404
l .e4 c5 2.Nf3 h6
Sicilian Defense 2.-.h6 Variation 418
l .e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4
Sicilian Defense Accelerated Dragon Maroczy Bind sco
l.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Qa5
Sicilian Defense Mongoose Variation 409
l.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Qc7
Sicilian Defense Accelerated Paulsen Variation 401
l.e4 c6 2.Bc4
Caro-Kann Defense Hillbilly Attack 82
l .e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Be3
Caro-Kann Defense Mieses Gambit 86
l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5
Caro-Kann Defense Advance Variation sco
503
l .e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 77

Caro-Kann Defense Advance Variation Bayonet Attack 77
l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5
Caro-Kann Defense Panov Attack sco
l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3
Caro-Kann Defense Maroczy Variation 83
l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3
Caro-Kann Defense Gurgenidze Counterattack 81
l.e4 c 6 2.d4 d 5 3.Nc3
Caro-Kann Defense Von Hennig Gambit 88
l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3
Caro-Kann Defense Gurgenidze System sco
l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2
Caro-Kann Defense Edinburgh Vatiation 79
l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nf3
Caro-Kann Defense Ulysses Gambit 87
l.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3
Caro-Kann Defense Hector Gambit 87
l.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Qf3
Caro-Kann Defense Goldman Variation 80
l.e4 d5
Scandinavian Defense 379
l.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.c4
Scandinavian Defense Icelandic-Palme Gambit 380
l.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5
Scandinavian Defense Main Lines 383
l.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5
Scandinavian Defense Anderssen Counterattack 384
l.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5
Scandinavian Defense Schiller Defense 386
l.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5
Scandinavian Defense Bronstein Variation 379
l.e4 d6 2.d4 e5
King Pawn Game Maroczy Defense 286
l.e4 d6 2.d4 f5
Rat Defense Balogh Defense 374
l.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6
Pirc Defense sco
l.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3
Czech Defense sco
l.e4 e5 2.Bb5
King Pawn Game Portuguese Opening 348
l.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5 3.b4
Bishop's Opening MacDonnell Gambit 69
l.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5 3.d4
Bishop's Opening Lewis Gambit 67
l.e4 e5 2.Bc4 f5
Bishop's Opening King's Gambit Reversed 68
l.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3
Bishop's Opening Kitchener Folly 67
l.e4 e5 2.Bd3
King Pawn Game Tortise Opening 246
l.e4 e5 2.c3
King Pawn Game Macleod Attack 239
l.e4 e5 2.c3 d5 3.Qh5
King Pawn Game Macleod Attack Norwalder Gambit 244
l.e4 e5 2.c4
English Opening The Whale 143
504
l.e4 e5 2.d3
King Pawn Game Clam Variation 233
l.e4 e5 2.d3 f5
King Pawn Game Clam Variation King's Gambit Reversed 233
l.e4 e5 2.d4 d5
King Pawn Game Beyer Gambit 232
l.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3
King Pawn Game Danish Gambit 235
l.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4
Center Game Normal Variation sco
l.e4 e5 2.f3 Nf6 3.Nc3
King Pawn Game King's Head Opening 51
l.e4 e5 2.f4 c5
King's Gambit Declined Mafia Defense 265
l.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5
King's Gambit Declined Marshall Countergmbit 266
l.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exdf5
King's Gambit Declined Pickier Gambit 268
l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.b3
King's Gambit Accepted Orsini Gambit 273
l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Bc4
King's Gambit Accepted Bryan Countergambit 254
l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.g3
King's Gambit Accepted Gaga Gambit 260
l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.h4
King's Gambit Accepted Leonardo Gambit 264
l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Kf2
King's Gambit Accepted Tumbleweed 277
l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Ne2
King's Gambit Accepted Paris Gambit 274
l .e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3
King's Gambit Accepted Modern Defense sco
l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3
King's Gambit Accepted Muzio Gambit Accepted 259
l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3
King's Gambit Accepted Double Muzio Gambit 259
l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3
King's Gambit Accepted Allgaier Gambit 250
l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3
King's Gambit Accepted Allgaier Gambit 250
l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nh3
King's Gambit Accepted Eisenberg Variation 259
l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Qe2
King's Gambit Accepted Basman Gambit 25 1
l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Qf3
King's Gambit Accepted Breyer Gambit 252
l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Qg4
King's Gambit Accepted Dodo Variation 270
l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Qh5
King's Gambit Accepted Carrera Gambit 258
l.e4 e5 2.f4 Qf6 271
King's Gambit Accepted Norwalde Variation 26 1
l.e4 e5 2.f4 Qh4+ 3.g3
King's Gambit Declined Keene Defense 261
l.e4 e5 2.Nc3
Vienna Game sco
l.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Bb4
Vienna Game Zhuravlev Countergambit 465
505
l.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Bc5

Vienna Game Hamppe-Meitner 459
l.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Bc5
Vienna Game Giraffe Attack 458
l.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4
Vienna Game Steinitz Gambit 462
l.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4
Vienna Game Steinitz Gambit Zukertort Variation 462
l.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.a3
Vienna Game Mengarini Variation 461
l.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6
Vienna Game Frankenstein-Dracula 455
l.e4 e5 2.Ne2
King Pawn Game Alapin Opening 230
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5
Elephant Gambit Maroczy Gambit 117
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5
Elephant Gambit Paulsen Countergambit 1 18
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5
Elephant Gambit Wasp Variation 120
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4
Philidor Defense sco
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5
Latvian Gambit 279
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Bc4
Latvian Gambit Poisoned Pawn Variation 279
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.g4
Latvian Gambit Lobster Gambit 28 1
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f6
King's Knight Opening Damiano Defense 235
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
Spanish Game 420
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
Spanish Game Alapin Defense 421
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
Spanish Game Schliemann Defense sco
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
Spanish Game Brentano Variation 424
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
Spanish Game Bird Variation sco
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
Spanish Game Vinogradov Variation 425
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
Italian Game Evans Gambit sco
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
Italian Game Jerome Gambit 218
l.e4 e 5 2.Nf3 Nc6
Italian Game Schilling Gambit 220
l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
Italian Game Two Knights Defense Traxler Counterattack 22 1
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
Italian Game Two Knights Defense Fried Liver Attack 2 15
l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3
Ponziani Opening sco
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c4
King Pawn Game Dresden Opening 238
l .e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4
Scotch Game Goring Gambit Double Pawn Sacrifice 391
506
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4

Scotch Game Steinitz Variation 398
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
Four Knights Game sco
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
Four Knights Game Halloween Gambit 1 60
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
Four Knights Game Halloween Gambit Plasma Variation 161
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
Four Knights Game Halloween Gambit Old timer Variation 162
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6
Russian Defense Cochrane Gambit 376
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6
Russian Defense Damiano Variation 378
l.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Qf6
King's Knight Opening McConnell Defense 287
l.e4 e5 2.Qf3
King Pawn Game Napoleon Attack 243
l.e4 e5 2.Qh5
King Pawn Game Wayward Queen Attack 247
l .e4 e5 2.Qh5 Nc6
King Pawn Game Wayward Queen Attack Mellon Gambit 260
I .e4 e6 2.Bb5
French Defense Bird Invitation 170
l.e4 e6 2.c4 d5 3.cxd5
French Defense Orthoschnapp Gambit 175
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Be3
French Defense Alapin Gambit 166
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.c4
French Defense Diemer·Duhm Gambit 171
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5
French Defense Advance Variation Extended Bishop Swap 174
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5
French Defense Advance Variation Nimzowitsch Attack 165
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5
French Defense Advance Variation Nimzowitsch Gambit 165
l .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3
French Defense Exchange Variation Canal Attack 172
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2
French Defense Tarrasch Variation Shaposhnikov Gambit 177
l.e4 e6 2.e5
French Defense Steinitz Attack 178
l.e4 e6 2.f4
French Defense La Bourdonnais Variation 174
I.e4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e5
French Defense Wing Gambit 1 80
l.e4 f5
Fred Defense and Mao Tse Tung 1 64
l.e4 g5
Borg Defense 71
l.e4 g5 2.d4 h6 3.h4 g4
Borg Defense Troon Gambit 71
l .e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.e4
Modern Defense Dunworth Variation 301
l.e4 g6 2.d4 Nf6
Modern Defense Norwegian Defense 285
l.e4 h6
Carr Defense 91
507
l.e4 Na6
Lemming Defense 284
l.e4 Nc6
Nimzowitsch Defense 313
l.e4 Nc6 2.b4
Nimzowitsch Defense Wheeler Gambit 3 18
l.e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5
Nimzowitsch Defense Kennedy Variation 3 15
l.e4 Nc6 2.d4 f6
Nimzowitsch Defense Neo-Mongoloid Defense 318
l.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6
Nimzowitsch Defense Williams Variation 319
l.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 f5
Nimzowitsch Defense Lean Variation 3 13
l.e4 Nf6 2.Bc4
Alekhine Defense Krejcik Variation 39
l.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.b3
Alekhine Defense Welling Variation 43
l.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4
Alekhine Defense Exchange Variation sco
l.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Ne4
Alekhine Defense Mokele Mbembe 40
l.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Ng8
Alekhine Defense Brooklyn Variation 38
1 .f3 Openings
l.f3 e5 2.e4 Nf6 3.Bc4

Barnes Opening Walkerling 50
l.f3 e5 2.g4
Barnes Opening Fool's Mate 50
l .f3 e5 2.Kh2
Barnes Opening Hammerschlag 51
1 .f4 Openings
l.f4
Bird Opening 60
l.f4 ... 2.e3 ... 3.b3
Bird Opening Lasker Attack 65
l.f4 d5 2.c4
Bird Opening Sturm Gambit 66
l.f4 e5
Bird Opening From Gambit 61
l.f4 e5 2.fxe5 Nc6
Bird Opening Schlechter Gambit sco
l.f4 f5 2.d4 d5
Canard Formation Double Duck Variation 76
l.f4 g5
Bird Opening Hobbs Gambit 63
l.f4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.b4
Bird Opening Batavo-Polish Attack 60
l.f4 Nh6
Bird Opening Horsefly Defense 64
508
1 .g3 Openings
l .g3 e5 2.c4 h5
English Opening Drill Variation 1 34
l.g3 e5 2.Nf3
Hungarian Opening Revesed Alekhine 1 97
1 .g4 Openings
l.g4
Grob Opening 1 83
l .g4 d5 2.Bg2 Bxg4
Grob Opening Grob Gambit 1 85
l.g4 d5 2.h3 e5 3.Bg2
Grob Opening Keene Defense 1 86
l.g4 e5 2.Bg2 d5 3.c4
Grob Opening Spike Hurst Attack 189
l.g4 e5 2.h3 Nc6
Grob Opening London Defense 1 88
l.g4 f5
Grob Opening Alessi Gambit 1 83
l.g4 g5
Grob Opening Double Grob 1 84
l.g4, 2.h3
Grob Opening Macho Grob 1 83
1 .h3 Openings
,
l.h3
Clemenz Opening 94
1 .h4 Openings
l.h4
Kadas Opening 225
1 .Na3 Openings
l.Na3 420
Sodium Attack
l.Na3 e4 2.d3 Bxa3
Sodium Attack Celadon Variation 420
l.Na3 g6 2.g4
Sodium Attack Chenoboskian Variation 420
1 .Nc3 Openings
l .Nc3
Van Geet Opening 438
l.Nc3 c5 2.d4 cxd4
Van Geet Opening Novosibirsk Variation 44 1
l.Nc3 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6
Van Geet Opening Sicilian Two Knights 444
l.Nc3 c5 2.Rbl
Van Geet Opening Twyble Attack 448
509
l.Nc3 e5
Van Geet Opening Reversed Nimzowitsch Defense 443
l.Nc3 e5 2.d4 exd4
Van Geet Opening Reversed Scandinavian 444
l.Nc3 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
Van Geet Opening Napoleon Attack 440
l.Nc3 g6 2.h4
Van Geet Opening Anti-Pirc Variation 440
1 .Nc3 Openings
l.Nc3 Nf6 2.g4
Van Geet Opening Tiibingen Gambit 446
l.Nc3, 2.a3
Van Geet Opening Battambang Variation 438
1 .Nf3 Openings
l.Nf3
Zukertort Opening 476
l.Nf3 d5 2.b3 Nf6
Nimzo-Larsen Attack Norfolk Gambit 1 307
l.Nf3 d5 2.b3 c5 3.e4
Nimzo-Larsen Attack Norfolk Gambit 2 307
l.Nf3 d5 2.b4
Zukenort Opening Santasiere's Folly 479
l.Nf3 d5 2.c4
Reti Opening sco
l.Nf3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.Rgl
Reti Opening Penguin Variation 375
l.Nf3 d5 2.e4
Zukenon Opening Tennison Gambit 482
l.Nf3 d5 2.g3
King's Indian Attack sco
l.Nf3 d5 2.Nc3
Zukertort Opening Reversed Mexican Defense 478
l.Nf3 d5 2. Rg l
Zukertort Opening Ampel Variation 476
l.Nf3 d6 2.d4 Bg4 3.c4
Wade Defense Chigorin Plan 468
l .Nf3 f5 2.e4
Zukenon Opening Lisitsin Gambit 486
l.Nf3 g5
Zukenon Opening Herrstrom Gambit 477
1 .Nh3 Openings
l.Nh3 d5 2.g3 e5 3.f4
Amar Opening Paris Gambit 46
l.Nh3 d5 2.g3 e5 3.f4
Amar Opening Gent Gambit 45
Formation: ... d6, ... a6,
Rat Defense SanJorge Defense 434
Formation: a3 b3 c3 d3
Hippopotamus Formation 194
White formation: Nc3,
Venezolana Formation 449
510
ECO CODES INDEX
The following index contains the codes used in the Encyclopedia of Chess
Openings, Chess Informant, and many other important chess publications. Each
code has a letter followed by two numbers. The letter refers to the volume of
the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings in which the opening is treated, the num
bers are used to identify the grid number in that book.
If you see a game in a publication which uses ECO codes (pronounced ee
see-oh), then you can use this index to find the relevant discussion in Unortho
dox Chess Openings. Note that transpositional openings can be covered in sev
eral different codes.
EC Opening Variation System

AOO Amar Opening Gent Gambit
AOO Amar Opening Paris Gambit
AOO Anderssen Opening
AOO Barnes Opening Fool's Mate
AOO Barnes Opening Hammerschlag
AOO Barnes Opening Walkerling
AOO Clemenz Opening
AOO Creepy Crawly Formation
AOO Grob Opening
AOO Grob Opening Alessi Gambit
AOO Grob Opening Double Grob
AOO Grob Opening Grob Gambit
AOO Grob Opening Keene Defense
AOO Grob Opening London Defense
AOO Grob Opening Macho Grob
AOO Grob Opening Spike Hurst Attack
AOO Hippopotamus Formation
AOO Hungarian Opening Reversed Alekhine
AOO Kadas Opening
AOO Mieses Opening Spike Deferred
AOO Polish Opening
AOO Polish Opening Birmingham Gambit
AOO Polish Opening Bugayev Attack
AOO Polish Opening Karniewski Variation
AOO Polish Opening Schiihler Gambit
AOO Polish Opening Tartakower Gambit
AOO Polish Opening Tartakower Gambit Brinckmann Variation
AOO Polish Opening Wolferts Gambit
AOO Sodium Attack
AOO Sodi urn Attack Celadon Variation
AOO Sodium Attack Chenoboskian Variation
AOO Van Geet Opening
AOO Van Geet Opening Anti-Pirc Variation
AOO Van Geet Opening Battambang Variation
AOO Van Geet Opening Napoleon Attack
51 1
AOO Van Geet Opening Novosibirsk Variation

AOO Van Geet Opening Reversed Nimzowitsch
AOO Van Geet Opening Reversed Scandinavian
AOO Van Geet Opening Sicilian Two Knights
AOO Van Geet Opening Tubingen Gambit
AOO Van Geet Opening Twyble Attack
AOO Ware Opening
AOO Ware Opening Cologne Gambit
AOO Ware Opening Ware Gambit
AOO Ware Opening Wing Gambit
AOI Nimzo-Larsen Attack
AOI Nimzo-Larsen Attack Norfolk Gambit 1
AOI Nimzo-Larsen Attack Norfolk Gambit 2
AO I Nimzo-Larsen Attack Paschmann Gambit
AOI Nimzo-Larsen Attack Ringelbach Gambit
AO I Nimzo-Larsen Attack Spike Variation
A02 Bird Opening
A02 Bird Opening Batavo-Polish Attack
A02 Bird Opening From Gambit
A02 Bird Opening Hobbs Gambit
A02 Bird Opening Schlechter Gambit
A02 Bird Opening Sturm Gambit
A02 Canard Formation Double Duck Variation
A03 Bird Opening Horsefly Defense
A03 Bird Opening Lasker Attack
A04 Venezolana Formation
A04 Zukertort Opening
A04 Zukertort Opening Herrstrom Gambit
A04 Zukertort Opening Lisitsin Gambit
A06 Zukertort Opening Ampel Variation
A06 Zukertort Opening Reversed Mexican
A06 Zukertort Opening Santasiere's Folly
A06 Zukertort Opening Tennison Gambit
A07 King's Indian Attack
A09 Reti Opening
A09 Reti Opening Penguin Variation
AIO English Opening Anglo-Scandinavian
A IO English Opening Anglo-Scandinavian Lohn Gambit
A IO English Opening Anglo-Scandinavian Schulz Gambit
A IO English Opening English Defense
A IO English Opening
AIO English Opening Halibut Gambit
AIO English Opening Myers Variation
AIO English Opening Porcupine Variation
AIO English Opening Wade Gambit
Al6 English Opening Anti-English
Al9 English Opening Anglo-Indian Defense Flohr-Mikenas Variation
A20 English Opening Drill Variation
A22 English Opening King's English Variation Bellon Gambit
A30 English Opening Symmetrical Variation Hedgehog
A30 English Opening Wing Gambit
A31 English Opening Symmetrical Variation Benoni Variation
A40 Borg Defense Borg Gambit
A40 Caro-Kann Defense De Bruycker Defense
A40 English Opening English Defense Hartlaub Gambit
A40 English Opening English Defense Perrin Variation
512
A40 English Opening English Defense Poli Gambit

A40 Englund Gambit
A40 Englund Gambit Felbecker Gambit
A40 Englund Gambit Mosquito Gambit
A40 Englund Gambit Soller Gambit
A40 Englund Gambit Soller Gambit Deferred
A40 Englund Gambit Stockholm Variation
A40 Horwitz Defense
A40 Lizard Defense Pirc-Diemer Gambit
A40 Modern Defense Beefeater Variation
A40 Modern Defense Dunworth Variation
A40 Polish Defense
A40 Polish Defense Spassky Gambit
A40 St. George Defense St. Georgs Gambit
A41 Wade Defense
A41 Wade Defense Chigorin Plan
A42 Modern Defense Pterodactyl Variation
A42 Modern Defense Randspringer Variation
A43 Benoni Defense Cormorant Gambit
A43 Benoni Defense Hawk Variation
A43 Benoni Defense Nakamura Gambit
A43 Benoni Defense Snail Variation
A43 Benoni Defense Woozle
A45 Indian Game Gedult Attack Gedult Attack
A45 Indian Game Gibbins-Wiedehagen
A45 Indian Game Gibbins-Wiedehagen Maltese Falcon
A45 Indian Game Gibbins-Wiedehagen Oshima Defense
A45 Indian Game Gibbins-Wiedehagen Stummer Gambit
A45 Indian Game Lazard Gambit
A45 Indian Game Maddigan Gambit
A45 Indian Game Omega Gambit
A45 Indian Game Omega Gambit Arafat Gambit
A45 Indian Game Trompowsky Attack Borg Variation
A45 Indian Game Trompowsky Attack Raptor Variation
A47 Indian Game Schnepper Gambit
A50 Indian Game Medusa Gambit
ASO Mexican Defense
A50 Mexican Defense Horsefly Gambit
A5 1 Indian Game Budapest Defense
A5 1 Indian Game Fajarowicz Defense Bonsdorf Variation
A5 1 Indian Game Fajarowicz Variation
A53 Old Indian Defense
A56 Benoni Defense Vulture Defense
A57 Benko Gambit
A80 Dutch Defense
A80 Dutch Defense Hevendahl Gambit
A80 Dutch Defense Hopton Attack
A80 Dutch Defense Janzen-Korchnoi Gambit
A80 Dutch Defense Kingfisher Gambit
A80 Dutch Defense Korchnoi Attack
A80 Dutch Defense Krejcik Gambit
A80 Dutch Defense Manhattan Gambit
A80 Dutch Defense Senechaud Gambit
A80 Dutch Defense Spielmann Gambit
A80 Dutch Defense Tate Gambit
A82 Dutch Defense Staunton Gambit American Attack
513
A86 Dutch Defense Leningrad Variation

A90 Dutch Defense Stonewall Variation Modern Variation
BOO Borg Defense
BOO Borg Defense Troon Gambit
BOO Caro-Kann Defense Hillbilly Attack
BOO Carr Defense
BOO Fred Defense Mao Tse Tung
BOO Guatemala Defense
BOO Lemming Defense
BOO Nimzowitsch Defense
BOO Nimzowitsch Defense Kennedy Variation
BOO Nimzowitsch Defense Lean Variation
BOO Nimzowitsch Defense Neo-Mongoloid Defense
BOO Nimzowitsch Defense Wheeler Gambit
BOO Nimzowitsch Defense Williams Variation
BOO Owen Defense
BOO Owen Defense Matinovsky Gambit
BOO Owen Defense Naselwaus Gambit
BOO Owen Defense Smith Gambit
BOO St. George Defense
BOO Ware Defense
BOl Scandinavian Defense
BOl Scandinavian Defense Anderssen Counterattack
BOl Scandinavian Defense Bronstein Variation
BOl Scandinavian Defense Icelandic-Palme Gambit
BOI Scandinavian Defense Main Lines
BOI Scandinavian Defense Schiller Defense
B02 Alekhine Defense Brooklyn Variation
B02 Alekhine Defense Krejcik Variation
B02 Alekhine Defense Mokele Mbembe
B02 Alekhine Defense Welling Variation
B02 Zaire Defense
B03 Alekhine Defense Exchange Variation
B07 Czech Defense
B07 King Pawn Game Maroczy Defense
B07 King Pawn Game Philidor Gambit
B07 Modern Defense Norwegian Defense
B07 Pirc Defense
B07 Rat Defense Balogh Defense
B07 Rat Defense San Jorge Defense
Bl2 Caro-Kann Defense Advance Variation
Bl2 Caro-Kann Defense Advance Variation Bayonet Attack
Bl2 Caro-Kann Defense Edinburgh Vatiation
Bl2 Caro-Kann Defense Goldman Variation
Bl2 Caro-Kann Defense Hector Gambit
Bl2 Caro-Kann Defense Maroczy Variation
Bl2 Caro-Kann Defense Mieses Gambit
Bl2 Caro-Kann Defense Ulysses Gambit
Bl3 Caro-Kann Defense Panov Attack
Bl5 Caro-Kann Defense Gurgenidze Counterattack
Bl5 Caro-Kann Defense Gurgenidze System
B l5 Caro-Kann Defense Von Hennig Gambit
B20 Sicilian Defense Mengarini Gambit
B20 Sicilian Defense Snyder Variation
B20 Sicilian Defense Snyder Variation Queen Fianchetto
B20 Sicilian Defense Wing Gambit
514
B20 Sicilian Defense Alapin Variation

B2 1 Sicilian Defense Morphy Gambit
B2 1 Sicilian Defense Smith Morra Gambit
B27 Sicilian Defense 2 ... h6 Variation
B27 Sicilian Defense Accelerated Paulsen
B27 Sicilian Defense Acton Extension
B27 Sicilian Defense Brussels Gambit
B27 Sicilian Defense Frederico Variation
B27 Sicilian Defense Hyperaccelerated
B27 Sicilian Defense Katalimov Variation
B27 Sicilian Defense Mongoose Variation
B36 Sicilian Defense Accelerated Dragon Maroczy Bind
coo French Defense Alapin Gambit
coo French Defense Bird Invitation
coo French Defense Diemer-Duhm Gambit
coo French Defense La Bourdonnais Variation
coo French Defense Orthoschnapp Gambit
coo French Defense Steinitz Attack
coo French Defense Wing Gambit
COl French Defense Exchange Variation Canal Attack
C02 French Defense Advance Variation Extended Bishop Swap
C02 French Defense Advance Variation Nimzowitsch Attack
C02 French Defense Advance Variation Nimzowitsch Gambit
C07 French Defense Tarrasch Variation Shaposhnikov Gambit
C20 English Opening The Whale
C20 King Pawn Game Alapin Opening
C20 King Pawn Game Clam Variation
C20 King Pawn Game Clam Variation King's Gambit Reversed
C20 King Pawn Game King's Head Opening
C20 King Pawn Game Macleod Attack
C20 King Pawn Game Macleod Attack N orwalder Gambit
C20 King Pawn Game Napoleon Attack
C20 King Pawn Game Portuguese Opening
C20 King Pawn Game Tortise Opening
C20 King Pawn Game Wayward Queen Attack
C20 King Pawn Game Wayward Queen Attack Mellon Gambit
C2 I King Pawn Game Beyer Gambit
C2I King Pawn Game Danish Gambit
C22 Center Game Normal Variation
C23 Bishop's Opening King's Gambit Reversed
C23 Bishop's Opening Lewis Gambit
C23 Bishop's Opening MacDonnell Gambit
C24 Bishop's Opening Kitchener Folly
C25 Vienna Game Giraffe Attack
C25 Vienna Game Hamppe·Meitner
C25 Vienna Game Steinitz Gambit
C25 Vienna Game Steinitz Gambit Zukertort Variation
C25 Vienna Game Zhuravlev Countergambit
C26 Vienna Game Mengarini Variation
C27 Vienna Game
C27 Vienna Game Frankenstein-Dracula
C30 King's Gambit Accepted Dodo Variation
C30 King's Gambit Accepted Eisenberg Variation
C30 King's Gambit Accepted Norwalde Variation
C30 King's Gambit Declined Keene Defense
C30 King's Gambit Declined Mafia Defense
515
C3l King's Gambit Declined Marshall Countergmbit

C3l King's Gambit Declined Pickier Gambit
C33 King's Gambit Accepted Basman Gambit
C33 King's Gambit Accepted Breyer Gambit
C33 King's Gambit Accepted Bryan Countergambit
C33 King's Gambit Accepted Carrera Gambit
C33 King's Gambit Accepted Gaga Gambit
C33 King's Gambit Accepted Leonardo Gambit
C33 King's Gambit Accepted Orsini Gambit
C33 King's Gambit Accepted Paris Gambit
C33 King's Gambit Accepted Tumbleweed
C36 King's Gambit Accepted Modern Defense
C37 King's Gambit Accepted Double Muzio Gambit
C37 King's Gambit Accepted Muzio Gambit Accepted
C39 King's Gambit Accepted Allgaier Gambit
C39 King's Gambit Accepted Allgaier Gambit
C40 Elephant Gambit Maroczy Gambit
C40 Elephant Gambit Paulsen Countergambit
C40 Elephant Gambit Wasp Variation
C40 King's Knight Opening Damiano Defense
C40 King's Knight Opening McConnell Defense
C40 Latvian Gambit
C40 Latvian Gambit Lobster Gambit
C40 Latvian Gambit Poisoned Pawn Variation
C4l Philidor Defense
C42 Russian Defense Cochrane Gambit
C42 Russian Defense Damiano Variation
C44 King Pawn Game Dresden Opening
C44 Ponziani Opening
C44 Scotch Game Goring Gambit Double Pawn Sacrifice
C45 Scotch Game Steinitz Variation
C46 Four Knights Game
C46 Four Knights Game Halloween Gambit
C46 Four Knights Game Halloween Gambit Oltimer Variation
C46 Four Knights Game Halloween Gambit Plasma Variation
C50 Italian Game Jerome Gambit
C50 Italian Game Schiiiing Gambit
C5 l Italian Game Evans Gambit
C57 Italian Game Two Knights Defense Fried Liver Attack
C57 Italian Game Two Knights Defense Traxler Counterattack
C60 Spanish Game
C60 Spanish Game Alapin Defense
C60 Spanish Game Brentano Variation
C60 Spanish Game Vinogradov Variation
C6 l Spanish Game Bird Variation
C63 Spanish Game Schliemann Defense
DOO Queen Pawn Game Bishop Attack Welling Variation
DOO Queen Pawn Game Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
DOO Queen Pawn Game Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Lemberger Variation
DOO Queen Pawn Game Blackmar-Diemer Gambit O'Kelly Defense
DOO Queen Pawn Game Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder G ambit
DOO Queen Pawn Game Hiibsch Gambit
DOO Queen Pawn Game Morris Countergambit
DOO Queen Pawn Game Veresov Atack Shropshire Defense
DOO Queen Pawn Game Veresov Attack Anti-Veresov
DOO Queen Pawn Game Zurich Gambit
516
002 Queen Pawn Game Anti-Torre

002 Queen's Gambit Refused Baltic Defense
006 Queen's Gambit Refused Austrian Defense
D06 Queen's Gambit Refused Austrian Defense Gusev Countergambit
D06 Queen's Gambit Refused Chigorin Defense Lazard Gambit
D06 Queen's Gambit Refused Chigorin Defense Tartakower Gambit
D07 Queen's Gambit Refused Chigorin Defense
DOS Queen's Gambit Refused Albin Countergambit
D20 Queen's Gambit Accepted
D31 Queen's Gambit Refused Baltic Defense Argentinian Gambit
D31 Semi-Slav Defense Gunderam Gambit
D31 Semi-Slav Defense Marshall Gambit
D32 Tarrasch Defense
D32 Tarrasch Defense Von Hennig Gambit
D70 Indian Game Anti-C riinfeld Alekhine Variation
D80 Griinfeld Defense Gibbon Gambit
EOO Catalan Opening
EOO Catalan Opening Hungarian Gambit
EOO Indian Game Devin Gambit
EOO Kangaroo Defense
EOO Kangaroo Defense Keres Defense Transpositional Variation
EIO Indian Game Dory Indian
El l Bogo-indian Defense Griinfeld Variation
EI2 Queen's Indian Defense
E20 Nimzo-indian Defense
517
SCO INDEX
This index shows the list of openings for Standard Chess Openings (SCO),
the companion guide to this book. SCO is available direct from Cardoza Pub
lishing, or at your local bookstores. SCO, UCO and WCO ( World Champion
Openings) combined contain more than 1700 pages of opening strategy!
SCO presents more than 3,000 openings strategies, and more than 250
completely annotated games illustrating the principles of the openings.
Alekhine Defense Center Game

Exchange Variation Normal Variation
Four Pawns Attack Czech Defense
General Discussion Dutch Defense
Modern Variation: Alburt Variation Hopton Attack
Modern Variation: General Discussion Leningrad Variation
Modern Variation: Main Line Staunton Gambit
Scandinavian Variation Stonewall Variation: Modern Variation
Benko Gambit Elephant Gambit
Fianchetto Variation English Opening
King Walk Variation Anglo-lndian Defense: Hedgehog System
Zaitsev Variation: General Discussion Anglo-lndian Defense: Nimzo-English
Zaitsev Variation: Nescafe Frappe Attack Opening
Benoni Defense King's English Variation:
Classical Variation: Czerniak Defense King's English Variation: Four Knights Var.
Four Pawns Attack Symmetrical Variation
Modern Variation: Penrose Variation Symmetrical Variation: Rubinstein Variation
Old Benoni: Russian Variation Four Knights Game
Old Benoni: Schmid Variation Scotch Variation
Taimanov Variation Spanish Variation
Bird Opening French Defense
Dutch Variation Advance Variation
From Gambit Classical Variation: Burn Variation
Schlechter Gambit Classical Variation
Bishop's Opening Classical Variation: Richter Attack
Boi Variation Classical Variation: Steinitz Variation
Urusov Gambit MacCutcheon Variation
Vienna Hybrid MacCutcheon Variation: Janowski Variation
Vienna Hybrid: Spielmann Attack Rubinstein Variation
Bogo-lndian Defense Tarrasch Variation: Closed Variation
Griinfeld Variation Tarrasch Variation: Open System
Budapest Defense Tarrasch Variation: Pawn Center Variation
Caro-Kann Defense Winawer Variation:
Acce !era ted Panov Attack Advance Variation: Positional 1i·eatment
Advance Variation Advance Variation: Poisoned Pawn Var.
Advance Variation: Van der Wiel Attack Winawer Variation: Fingerslip Variation
Classical Variation Griinfeld Defense
Classical Variation: Lobron System Exchange Variation: Classical Variation
Classical Variation: Seirawan Variation Exchange Variation: Modern Exchange Var.
Exchange Variation Russian Variation: Smyslov Variation
Karpov Variation Three Knights Variation: Saemisch Attack
Maroczy Variation Hungarian Opening
Panov Attack Indian Game
Catalan Opening Pseudo-Benko Gambit
Closed Variation Trompowsky Attack
518
Italian Game (Giuco Piano) Old Indian Defense

Classical Variation Janowski Variation
Evans Gambit Tartakower-Indian
Hungarian Defense Two Knights Variation
Scotch Gambit Ukrainian Variation
Two Knights Defense: Fried Liver Attack Philidor Defense
Two Knights Defense: Fritz Variation Larsen Variation
Two Knights Defense: Lolli Attack Pirc Defense
Two Knights Def: Modern Bishop's Opening Austrian Attack
Two Knights Defense: Traxler Counterattack Kholmov System
Two Knights Defense: Ulvestad Variation Ponziani Opening
Kangaroo Defense Queen Pawn Game
King's Gambit A nti-Torre
Accepted: Abbazia Defense Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Accepted: Bishop's Gambit Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Bogoljubow
Accepted: Bonsch-Osmolovsky Variation Variation
Accepted: Breyer Gambit Colle System
Accepted: Cunningham Defense Double Fianchetto
Accepted: Fischer Defense Franco-Sicilian Defense
Accepted: Kieseritsky Gambit London System
Kiescritsky Gambit: Long Whip Steinitz Countergambit
Accepted: Muzio Gambit Veresov Atack
Declined: Classical Variation Veresov Attack: Richter Variation
Declined: Falkbeer Countergambit Queen's Gambit Accepted
King's Indian Attack Classical Defense
French Variation Saduleto Variation
King's Indian Defense Showalter Variation
Averbakh Variation Queen's Gambit Declined
Fianchetto Variation: Classical Variation Anti-Tartakower Variation
Fianchetto Variation: Main Line Cambridge Springs Variation
Fianchetto Variation: Panno Variation Exchange Variation: Positional Variation
Orthodox Variation Harrwitz Attack
Petrosian System Lasker Defense
Saemisch Variation Orthodox Defense: Botvinnik Variation
Steiner Attack Orthodox Defense: Rubinstein Attack
Latvian Gambit Ragozin Defense
Modern Defense Semi-Tarrasch Defense: Exchange Var.
Anti-Modern Semi-Tarrasch Defense
Averbakh Variation Tartakower Defense
Mongredien Defense Queen's Gambit Refused
Nimzo-Indian Defense Albin Countergambit
Classical Variation Baltic Defense
Classical Variation: Noa Variation Chigorin Defense
Classical Variation: Romainshin Variation Queen's Indian Defense
Classical Variation: Zurich Variation Capablanca Variation
Huebner Variation Classical Variation: Polugayevsky Gambit
Kmoch Variation Classical Variation: Taimanov Gambit
Leningrad Variation Fianchetto Variation: Nimzowitsch
Normal Variation: Taimanov Variation Fianchetto Variation: Nimzowitsch Attack
Panov Attack: Main Line Fianchetto Variation: Saemisch Variation
Ragozin Defense Kasparov-Petrosian Variation
Romanishin Variation Opocensky Variation
Spielmann Variation Petrosian Variation: Farago Defense
St. Petersburg Variation Pseudo-Queen's Indian
Nimzo-Larsen Attack Traditional Variation: Main Line
Nimzowitsch Defense Reti Opening
Bogoljubow Variation Bogoljubow Defense
Franco-Nimzowitsch Variation Russian Defense
Scandinavian Variation Cochrane Gambit
Williams Variation Modern Attack
519
Scandinavian Defense Geller Gambit

Anderssen Counterattack Schlechter Variation
Main Lines Winawer Countergambit
Modern Variation Spanish Game (Ruy Lopez)
Modern Variation: Gipslis Variation Berlin Defense: Beverwijk Variation
Scotch Game Berlin Defense: Improved Steinitz Defense
4 ... Bc5 Classical Variation: Cordel Gambit Var.
Goring Gambit Classical Variation
Haxo Gambit Closed Variation: Zaitsev System
Mieses Variation Exchange Variation
Scotch Gambit: Advance Variation Exchange Variation: Gligoric Variation
Sctoch Game Exchange Variation: King's Bishop Var.
Scotch Gambit: Kingside Variation Morphy Defense:
Semi-Slav Defense Morphy Defense: Archangelsk Variation
Botvinnik System Breyer Defense: Quiet Variation
Meran Variation Breyer Defense: Zaitsev Hybrid
Meran Variation: Wade Variation Breyer Def: Smyslov-Breyer-Zaitsev Hybrid
Stoltz Variation Chigorin Defense: Panov System
Sicilian Defense Morphy Defense: Dilworth Variation
Accelerated Dragon Morphy Defense: Mackenzie Variation
Accelerated Dragon: Gurgenidze Variation Morphy Defense: Marshall Attack
Accelerated Dragon: Maroczy Bind Morphy Defense: Modern Steinitz Defense
Alapin Variation Modern Steinitz Defense: Fianchetto Var.
Ala pin Variation: Smith-Morra Decined Modern Steinitz Defense: Siesta Variation
Boleslavsky Variation Morphy Defense: Neo-Archangelsk Var.
Canal Attack Morphy Defense: Norwegian Variation
Canal Attack: Main Line Morphy Defense: Open Variation
Classical Variation: Anti-Sozin Variation Morphy Defense: Yates Variation
Closed Variation Morphy Defense (Closed): Worrall Attack
Dragon Variation: Schliemann Defense
Yugoslav Attack: Main Line Schliemann Defense: Classical Variation
Yugoslav Attack: Soltis Variation Schliemann Defense: Dyckhoff Variation
Yugoslav Attack: Panov Variation Schliemann Defense: Mohring Variation
Grand Prix Attack Schliemann Defense: Schonemann Attack
Kalashnikov Variation Steinitz Defense
Kan Variation Tarrasch Defense
Lasker-Pelikan Variation: Chelyabinsk Var. Classical Variation: Advance Variation
Lasker-Pelikan Variation Classical Variation: Main Line
Lasker-Pelikan Variation: Sveshnikov Var. Classical Variation: Spassky Variation
McDonnell Attack Schara Gambit
McDonnell Attack: Tal Gambit Swedish Variation
Najdorf Variation: Main Line Symmetrical Variation
Najdorf Variation: Poisoned Pawn Von Hennig Gambit
Nimzowitsch Variation Three Knights Opening
Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack Steinitz Defense
Paulsen Variation Torre Attack
Paulsen Variation: Bastrikov Variation Classical Defense
Paulsen Variation: Kasparov Gambit Classical Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation
Richter-Rauzer Variation: Neo-Modern Var. Fianchetto Defense
Scheveningen Variation Van Geet Opening
Scheveningen Var: Delayed Keres Attack Vienna Game
Scheveningen Variation: English Attack Frankenstein-Dracula Variation
Scheveningen Variation: Keres Attack Mieses Variation
Scheveningen Variation: Matanovic Attack Steinitz Gambit
Scheveningen Variation: Modern Variation Vienna Gambit
Smith Morra Gambit Vienna Gambit: Steinitz Variation
Sozin Attack: Flank Variation Wade Defense
Slav Defense Zukertort Opening
Czech Variation Wade-Tartakower Defense
Exchange Variation
520
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521
CARDOZA PUBLISHING CHESS BOOKS
STANDARD CHESS OPENINGS by Eric Schiller-The new definitive standard on opening chess
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Unorthodox Chess Openings by Eric Schiller

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UNOR7BODOX

NEW CARDOZA PUBLISHING BOOKS BY ERIC SCHILLER

Get online now to learn more about upcoming titles! www.cardozapub.com

Copyright © 1998 by Eric Schiller

Library of Congress Catalogue Card No: 96-71755

Ill. EVA LUATING UNORTHODOX OPENINGS 22

IV. CONTROVERSIA L LITERATURE 30

V. WEIRD OPENING SPECIA LISTS 32

VI. THE OPENINGS

Mosquito Gambit 153

Shilling Gambit 220

Maroczy Defense 286

Austrian Defense 365

Borg Variation 436

VII. FINAL NOTE 488

This encyclopedic guide to all the significant unorthodox opening

After five hundred years or so of chess played with modern rules,

important unorthodox openings here. They are sometimes discussed

THE GOALS OF THIS BOOK

often brutally punished. Intermediate players will find many openings

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE BOOK

HOW OPENINGS GET NAMED

following: Canard, Elephant, Hawk, Hedgehog, Hippopotamus, Kan­

Often, an unorthodox move order is used to try to avoid certain

THE LIFE CYCLE OF AN UNORTHODOX OPENING

THE OPENING UNDERGROUND ON THE INTERNET

When it comes to evaluating unorthodox openings, arguments

Similarly, to compare the disreputable Englund Gambit ( l .d4 e5?)

CULT HERO METHOD

OCCUPY THE CENTER WITH AT LEAST

MATERIAL EQUAliTY IS PRESERVED

RIM PAWNS ARE NOT ADVANCED PAST THE THIRD RANK

ROOK PAWNS ARE ONLY ADVANCED TO THE THIRD RANK

KING'S KNIGHT PAWNS ARE NOT ADVANCED

NO PAWNS ADVANCE BEYOND THE FIFTH RANK WITHOUT

THE F-PAWN REMAINS IN PLACE

TWO MINOR PIECES DEVELOPED

NO PIECE SHOULD MOVE TWICE EXCEPT TO CAPTURE

BISHOPS SHOULD NOT ADVANCE BEYOND THE FOURTH

THE ROOKS DO NOT MOVE EXCEPT TO CASTLE, OCCUPY A

THE QUEEN SHOULD REMAIN ON THE FIRST THREE

Their efforts are sometimes successful, though in more cases it has

OTHER FIGURES IN THE UNORTHODOX WORLD

The Brooklyn Variation, or Retreat Variation, is a radical twist on

EXAMPLES AND DISCUSSION

4...Bg4. Black logically attempts to undermine the support of the pawn at

White has not yet found a way to crack this position.

The Krejcik Variation is a groggy opening, with only one stum­

EXAMPLES AND DISCUSSION

The Mokele Mbembe has been studied intensively by German theo­

EXAMPLES AND DISCUSSION

With d4 under control White is better.

The Welling Variation is based on avoiding an immediate confron­

EXAMPLES AND DISCUSSION

An extreme form of this hypermodern strategy is the Zaire De­

The Amar is an absolutely mad and ridiculous opening, also known

EXAMPLES AND DISCUSSION

This is the Paris Gambit, a romantic but unprincipled opening.

EXAMPLES AND DISCUSSION

The Paris Gambit was perhaps inspired by an overindulgence of wine,

following: Canard, Elephant, Hawk, Hedgehog, Hippopotamus, Kan

The Krejcik Variation is a groggy opening, with only one stum

The Mokele Mbembe has been studied intensively by German theo

The Welling Variation is based on avoiding an immediate confron

An extreme form of this hypermodern strategy is the Zaire De

The Argentinian Gambit is an unorthodox line in the Baltic De

This unprincipled advance of the c-pawn is a Biicker idea. It is nev

The Budapest borders on respectability. If White overplays the po