Nimzo-Indian Defense, Bernstein Defense Except Gligoric System

WALTER SHAWN BROWNE vs. LJUBOMIR LJUBOJEVIC
Italy, 1978

1. d4, Nf6
2. c4, e6
3. Nc3, Bb4
4. e3, 0-0
5. Bd3, c5

The Bernstein Defense Except Gligoric System variation.

6. Nf3, d5
7. 0-0, cxd4
8. exd4, dxc4
9. Bxc4, b6
10. Bg5, Bb7
11. Re1, Nbd7
12. Rc1, Rc8
13. Qb3 ....

White defends the c4 Bishop, attacks Black's Bishop at b4, and at the same time exerts more pressure on the e6 pawn.

13. .... Qe7
14. Bd5 ....

White neutralizes Black's control of the long diagonal, taking advantage of the pin on the Queen.

14. .... Ba6

White wins a piece after 14....Bxd6, 15. Nxd6 Qd6, 16. Nxb4 ....

15. Qa4, Bxc3
16. bxc3, Nb8
17. Bb3, b5
18. Qa5, Qb7?

Black desperately needed to remove the Queen out of pin.  If 18....h6, then 19. Bh4 g5, 20. Nxg5 hxg5, 21. Bxg5 and White still retains the pin.

19. Bxf6, gxf6
20. d5!! .....

A freeing move, which creates mobility for White's pieces.

20. .... exd5
21. Qb4, Qd7
22. Qh4, Kg7
23. Nd4, Resigns

White threatens 24. Re7 followed by Nf5+ with a blistering attack.

If 23....Rce8, then 24. Bc2 Rxe1, 25. Rxe1 (...h6, 26. Nf5+ ...) Rh8, 26. Nf5+ with renewed threats.  

Simply fantastic !

French Defense, Classical - Burn Variation

VESELIN TOPALOV vs. EVGENY BAREEV
Linares, 1994

1. e4, e6
2. d4, d5
3. Nc3, Nf6
4. Bg5, dxe4

The Burn Variation of the Classical French Defense.  See a similar game.

5. Nxe4, Be7
6. Bxf6, Bxf6
7. c3, Nd7
8. Qc2, e5
9. dxe5, Nxe5
10. f4, Ng5
11. g3, 0-0
12. Bd3, Qd5!

Black pins the Knight as threat against the Rook on h1.

13. a3, Nxf4
14. Nxf6 ....

If 14....gxf4, 15. Bh4+ Kf1, 16. f4 Black gets to compensate the sacrifice.

14. .... gxf6
15. Bxh7+, Kg7
16. Qe4, Re8

If 16....Qxe4, 17. Bxe4 Re8, 18. 0-0-0 Rxe4, 19. gxf4 Rxf4, 20. Ne2 White would be able to secure his King and mobilize his pieces.

17. Qxe8, Bf5

Black sets a trap.  

18. Qxa8 ....

White falls into the trap. Black now spins a mating web.

18. .... Qe4+
19. Kf2 ....

If 19. Kd1 or Kd2, Black replies with Qe2+ followed by Qc2 mate.

If 19. Kf1, then 19....Bh3+, 20. Nxh3 Qe2+, 21. Kg1 Qg2 mate.

19. .... Qg2+
20. Ke3 ....

If 20.....Ke1, 21. Nd3+ Kd1, 22. Bf4 mate.

20. .... Nd5+
21. Kd4, Qd2+
22. Kc5 ....

If 22. Kc4 Nb6+, 23. Kb3 Be6+, 23. Kb4 Qxb2+ followed by Qxc3; and mate follows shortly thereafter.

22. .... Qe3+
23. Kc4 ....

If 23. Kxd5, then 23....Be6 mate.

23. .... Nb6+

White resigns, as the mating web is too much to handle.  If 24. Kb4, then ....Qe4+, 25. Kb3 Bb6+ and mate follows after.

If 24. Kb3, then ....Qe6+, 25. Kb4 Qc4+, 26. Ka5 Qc5 mate.

UnBareevable!

English Opening, King's English Variation Kramnik-Shirov Counter

FARHAD TAHIROV vs. ALEXEY SHIROV
Villa de Canada de Calatrava, 2007

1. c4, e5
2. Nc3, Bb4

The Kramnik-Shirov Counter of the King's English Variation.

3. Qc2, Nf6
4. a3, Bxc3
5. Qxc3, Nc6
6. b4, 0-0
7. e3, d5
8. cxd5, Qxd5
9. b5, Nd4!

An ingenuous way of opening the e-file.  Note that White has not yet castled.

10. exd4, exd4
11. Qc4, Re8+
12. Kd1 ....

White loses his Queen after 12. Be2 or Ne2.

12. .... Qh5+
13. Be2, Qg6
14. Nf3, Be6

If 14....Qxg2, then Black replies with 15. Rg1 followed by 16. Bb2 and Black has a better position.

15. Qc2 ....

If 15. Qxd4, Black attacks with 15....Bb3+ Ke1, 16. Rad6 with attacking possibilities.

15. .... d3!
16. Qxd3 ....

Not 16....Bxd3 because Black replies with Qxg2, threatening both the Knight and the Rook.

16. .... Bf5
17. Qc4, Rxe2!!

A brilliant move.  If White's Queen captures the Rook, Black replies with 18....Bd3 followed by Re8 with a mating threat.

If 17....Kxe2, then 17....Bd3+, 18. Qxd3 Re8+ and White loses his Queen.

18. Nh4, Qh5
19. Qxe2 ....

White has forgotten an earlier threat.

19. .... Bc2+
20. Ke1, Re8
21. Qxe8, Nxe8

White resigns.  Black threatens Qe5+.  Now, if 22. Nf3 Qxb5 prevents White from castling and mobilizing his pieces. Then, if 23. Ra2 Qc4, 24. Rb2 Qe4+ and mate follows shortly.

English Defense, Symmetrical Anti-Benoni Variation

RAFAEL VAGANIAN vs. ALBIN PLANINC
Hastings, 1974

1. d4, Nf6
2. c4, c5

The position has reached the Symmetrical Variation where both sides advanced the c-pawns two squares, maintaining symmetry.

3. Nf3 ....

White avoided the Benoni Defense that would arise after 3. d5, hence this line is called Anti-Benoni.

3. .... cxd4
4. Nxd4, e6
5. Nc3, Bb4
6. Ndb5, 0-0

Not 6....a6, then 7. Nd6+ Bxd6, 8. Qxd6 which places White's Queen in a strategic square.

7. a3, Bxc3
8. Nxc3, d5!
9. Bg5, h6
10. Bxf6, Qxf6
11. cxd5, exd5
12. Qxd5 ....

It looks like White has grabbed a pawn, but Black now begins to control the center.

12. .... Rd8
13. Qf3, Qb6

If 13....Qxf3, 14. exf3 Re8+, 15. Be2 White's Bishop has become active.

14. Rd1, Rxd1
15. Nxd1, Nc6
16. Qe3, Nd4

Threatening 17....Nc2 double-check.

17. Qe8+, Kh7
18. e3, Nc2+
19. Kd2, Bf5!!

Sacrificing the rook to defend the Knight, but actually a mating scheme.

20. Qxa8, Qd6+
21. Kc1 ....

If 21. Ke2, then 22. Qd3 mate.

21. .... Na1
22.  Qxb7, Qc7

White resigns, as he cannot avoid mate without sacrificing the Queen, as in 23. Qxc7 Nb3 mate.

Amazing finale.

French Defense, Classical - Burn Variation

JUDITH POLGAR vs. FERENC BERKES
Hunguest Hotels Super Chess Tournament, 2003

1. e4, e6
2. d4, d5

The Classical Variation of the French Defense.

3. Nc3, Nf6
4. Bg5, dxe4

The Burn Variation, named after Amos Burn, one of the leading chess players in the 19th century, and a chess writer.

5. Nxe4, Be7
6. Bxf6, Bxf6
7. Nf3, 0-0
8. Qd2, Nd7
9. 0-0-0, Be7
10. Bd3, b6
11. Neg5, h6
12. Bh7+, Kh8
13. Be4 ....

White sets a trap.  With this move it seems White intends to capture the Rook on a8.

13. .... hxg5

Black falls into the trap.  With a few more moves, White opens the h-file.

14. g4, Rb8
15. h4, g6
16. hxg6+, Kg7
17. Qf4, Bb7
18. Rh7+!! ....

Another sacrifice! White uses the h-file to her utmost advantage.

18. .... Kxh7
19. Qh2+, Kg8
20. Rh1 ....

At this point, White wins the game.  But Black manages to prolong the game further.

20. .... Bxg5+
21. Nxg5 ....

What happens if White just moves the King away?  If 21. Kb1, the game may continue ....Bh4, 22. Nxh4 Qf6, 23. Nxg6 Qg7, 24. Ne7 mate.

Polgar made the text move, knowing that she is winning anyway.

21. .... Qxg5+
22. f4, Qxf4+
23. Qxf4, Bxe4
24. Qxe4, Resigns

Without his Queen, Black is lost. 

Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch Defense - Pillsbury Variation

MIGUEL NAJDORF vs. LAJOS PORTISCH
Varna, 1962

1. d4, d5
2. c4, e6
3. Nc3, Nf6
4. Nf3, c5
5. cxd5, Nxd5
6. e3, cxd4
7. exd4, Bb4
8. Qc2, Nc6
9. Bd3, Nxc3
10. bxc3, Nxd4

Black takes advantage of the pin on White's King.

11. Nxd4, Qxd4
12. Bb5+, Ke7

If 12....Bb7, then 13. Bxb7 Qxb7, 14. cxb4 and White is one piece up.

13. 0-0, Qxc3
14. Qe2, Bd6

Not 14....Qxa1 because of 15. Bg5! 

15. Bb2, Qa5
16. Rfd1, Rd8
17. Qh5, f6

If 17....a6, then 18. Qh4+ f6, 19. Bxf6 gxf6, 20. Qxh7+ Kf8, 21. Qh8+ Kf7, 22. Qxd8 and the position favors White.

18. Qxh7, Kf7

If 18....Qxb5, then 19. Qxg7+ Ke8, 20. Qh8+ Ke7, 21. Bxf6+ with an overwhelming attack.

19. Be2 ....

Preparing for an attack on h5.

19. .... Qg5

Black defends the g7 pawn. In the course of the game, Black has underestimated the importance of this defense.  The alternative 19.....Bf8 will not hold because of 20. Bh5+ Ke7, 21. Qg6 with a mating threat at f7.

20. Bc1, Bxh2+
21. Kxh2, Qe5+

Black also threatens the a1 Rook.

22. f4!!, Resigns

The Black Queen is driven away, and there is no stopping White in a mating attack.  If 22...Qxa1, then 23. Bh5+ Kf8, 24. Qh8+ Ke7, 25. Qxg7 mate.

Semi-Slav Defense, Stoltz Variation - Shabalov Attack

BORIS GELFAND vs. ALEXANDER SHABALOV
Bermuda Round Robin, 2004

1. d4, d5
2. c4, c6
3. Nc3, Nf6
4. Nf3, e6
5. e3, Nbd7
6. Qc2, Bd6
7. g4 ....

This innocuous sacrifice is meant to open the g-file.

7. .... dxc4
8. Bxc4, b6
9. e4, Bb7
10. e5, c5
11. exf6, Bxf3
12. fxg7, Rg8
13. Qxh7+, Nf6
14. Bb5+, Ke7
15. Bg5, Bf4

If 15....Bxh1, then 16. Qh6 winning the Knight and the game.

16. Qh3, Bxh1
17. Bxf4, Qxd4
18. Qg3, Ne4
19. Qh4+, Qf6

If 19....f6, then 20. Rd1 Qb4, 21. Rd7+ and White's attack would be overwhelming.

20. g5, Qf5
21. 0-0-0, Rad8
22. Rxd8, Kxd8

Black's King is trying to escape from the tight situation he is in.

23. Bd3, Rxg7
24. Nxe4 ....

White loses after 24. Qh8+ Ke7, 25. Qxg7 Qxf4+, followed by 26.....Nxc3 or 26.....Qd2 depending on White's move.

With the text move, if Black captures the Bishop with 24....Bxe4, then White wins Black's Queen with 25. Bxe4 Qxe4, 26. Bc7+.

24. .... Rh7
25. Bc7+, Resigns

If 25....Kxb7, then 26. Qg3+ and White's attack will be decisive.  Now, if 26....e5, then 27. Nf6 and White wins the Rook.

Now, if Black decides not to capture the Bishop, he loses the Queen by a double-check, or the Rook after 25....Ke7, 26. Qg3 Qd5, 27. Nf6.

Pirc Defense, Classical - Schlechter Variation

BORRIS SPASSKY vs. YASSER SEIRAWAN
It (shv.), 1984

1. e4, d6
2. d4, Nf6
3. Nc3, g6
4. Nf3, Bg7
5. h3, 0-0
6. Be3, a6
7. a4, b6
8. Bc4, Bb7
9. e5, Ne4
10. Nxe4, Bxe4
11. Ng5! ....

This sacrificial move intends to open the g-file for White's attack.

11. .... Bxg2
12. Rg1, Bc6
13. Qg4, e6
14. 0-0-0, Nd7
15. h4, dxe5
16. dxe5, Qe7

Black moves the Queen out of harm's way.

17. Rxd7 ....

The Black Knight is much too powerful in his present post.

17. .... Bxd7
18. h5!, f5
19. Qh3 ....

If 19. exf6 Bxf6, 20. hxg6 h6, White's attack fizzles out.

19. .... f4
20. hxg6!! ....

White begins to deliver the final blows.  If 20....hxg6, then 21. Qh7 mate.

If 20.....h6, then the game may continue 21. Bd2, Rae8, 22. Nf7 with a clear advantage for White.

20. .... Bxe5

Black finally takes the e5 pawn, partly to secure the h7 pawn.

21. Nxe6, Bxe6
22. Bxe6+, Kg7

If 22.....Kh8, then 23. Rh1 which adds pressure to the h7 pawn.

23. gxh7, Resigns

If 23. Qxh7+ Kf6, and Black's King manages to escape.

Now, Black's King is forced to retreat:  23.....Kh8, but then comes the crushing blow: 24. Rg8+ Rxg8, 25. hxg8=Q mate.

Sicilian Defense, Scheveningen Variation - English Attack

GARRY KASPAROV vs. LOEK VAN WELY
Wijk aan Zee Corus, 2000

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, d6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. Nc3, a6
6. Be3 ....

The Scheveningen Variation - English Attack, modeled after the Yugoslav (Rauzer) Attack in the Sicilian Dragon. White castles in the queenside and a sharp game usually occurs.

6. .... e6
7. f3, b5
8. g4, h6
9. Qd2, Nbd7
10. 0-0-0, Bb7
11. h4, b4
12. Na4, d5
13. Bh3, g5
14. Bg2 ....

If 14. hxg5 hxg5, 15. Bxg5 dxe4, 16. fxe4 Bxe4, the position favors Black.

14. .... gxh4
15. Rxh4, dxe4
16. g5!! ....

Attacking simultaneously the f6 Knight and the e4 pawn.

16. .... Nd5
17. Rxe4, hxg5
18. Bxg5, Qa5
19. f4! ....

Opening the b7-g2 diagonal, which would be crucial in the impending attack.

19. .... Rh2
20. Nxe6, fxe6
21. Rxe6+, Kf7
22. Qd3 .....

 22. .... Bg7

If 22....Kxe6, then 23. Qg6+ N7f6,  24. Bxd5+ followed by 25. Qxf7+ with a devastating attack.

23. Qf5+, Kg8
24. Rxd5, Qxa4

If 24....Bxd5, 25. Bxd5 White's Bishop in the long diagonal would be very powerful.

25. Re7, Resigns

White intends to mate after 26. Qf7+ and 27. Qxg7.

Now, if 25....Rf8, 26. Qg6 Rh7, 27. Rxd7, and White sustains attack on g7.