Italian Game, Guioco Pianissimo Normal Variation

SERAFINO DUBOIS vs. WILHELM STEINITZ
London, 1862

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Nf6
4. d3, Bc5
5. 0-0, d6
6. Bg5, h6
7. Bh4, g5
8. Bg3, h5!!
9. Nxg5? ....

White should have moved h4, neutralizing Black's attack.

9. .... h4!
10. Nxf7 ....

10. .... hxg3!!

Black continues the attack sacrificing the Queen in the process.

11. Nxd8, Bg4!

Black takes advantage of the pin on f2.

12. Qd2, Nd4!!
13. Nc3 ....

White thought that the Knight is going to e2, that is why he did not move hxg3, because of what he thought was the threat Ne2+ winning his Queen.  But Black has the most perfect idea in mind.

13. .... Nf3+
14. gxf3 ....

Black cannot move his King to h1 because of Rxh2 mate.

14. .... Bxf3!!

Now White's doom is sealed.  Black threatens gxh2 mate.

15. hxg3 Rh1 mate.

A relentless attack by Black enhanced even more by a beautiful Queen sacrifice.

Ruy Lopez Opening, Open Variation - Karpov Gambit

JUDIT POLGAR vs. SHAKHRIYAR MAMEDYAROV
Bled Olympiad, 2002

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, a6
4. Ba4, Nf6
5. 0-0, Nxe4
6. d4, b5
7. Bb3, d5
8. dxe5, Be6
9. Nbd2, Nc5
10. c3, d4
11. Ng5 ....

The Karpov Gambit in Open Variatiation.

11. .... Bd5

If 11....Qxg5, then 12. Nf3 followed by 13. cxd4.  Connected pawns at the center of the board would be formidable.

12. Nxf7!! ....

An unexpected move.  The beginning of White's devastating attack.

12. .... Kxf7

If 12....Bxf7, then 13. Bxf7+ Kxf7, 14. Qf3+ followed by 15. Qxc6 ....

13. Qf3+, Ke6
14. Qg4+, Kf7
15. Qf5+ Ke7

If 15....Kg8, then 15. Qe6+ Bxe6, 16. Bxe6 mate.

16. e6!!, Bxe6
17. Re1, Qd6
18. Bxe6, Nxe6
19. Ne4, Qe5
20. Bg5, Kd7

The Bishop cannot be captured because of the double-pin.

If 20....Ke8, then 21. Nd6+ Qxd6, 22. Rxe6 double-check.

21. Nc5+, Bxc5
22. Qf7!! ....

Better than 22. Rxe5 Nxe5, 24. Qxe5 ....

22. .... Kd6
23. Be7+, Kd5

If 23.....Nxe7, then 24. Rxe5+ Kxe5, 25. Re1+  followed by 26. Qxe6 mate.

Black eventually resigned.  White's threatens mate after Rxe5.

Queen's Gambit Accepted, Classical Defense

SMBAT GARIGINOVICH LPUTIAN vs. MAXIM DLUGY
New York, 1998

1. d4, d5
2. c4, dxc4
3. e3, e6
4. Bxc4, Nf6
5. Nf3, c5
6. Qe2 ....

If 6. dxc5 Qxd1, the exchange of Queens would be bad for White.

6. .... a6
7. dxc5, Bxc5
8. e4, Qc7
9. e5, Ng4
10. 0-0, Nxf2
11. b4, Nh3+
12. Kh1, Nf2+
13. Rxf2, Bxf2
14. Nbd2, Ba7
15. Ne4, 0-0
16. Nf6+ ....

The sacrifice intends to open-up the g-file.

16. .... gxf6
17. gxf6, Nd7
18. Qd2 ....

The Queen is bound for g5, threatening mate.

18. .... Rd8
19. Qg5+, Kf8
20. Bf4, Qc6

If 20.....Qxc4, then 21. Bd6+ Ke8, 22. Qg8+ Nf8, 23. Qxf8+ Kd7, 24. Qe7+ Kc6, 25. Qxd8 ... and White wins more materials.

21. Rd1 ....


The threat of Bd6+ has become more plausible.

21. .... Nxf6
22. Rxd8+, Ne8
23. Ne5, Resigns

The White Queen has nowhere to go.  If 23....Qb6, then White continues the attack by 24. Rxe8+ Kxe8, 25. Qg8+ Ke7, 26. Qxf7+ Kd6, 27. Nd7+ and Black loses his Queen.

If 23....Qc7, then 24. Ng6+ hxg6, 25. Bxc7 ....

If 23....Qa4 or Qe4, then 24. Nd7+ Bxd7, 25. Bd6 mate.

Sicilian Defense Closed Variation

FRANCISCO VALLEJO-PONS vs. IAN NEPOMNIACHTCHI
18th Pamplona International, 2008

1. e4, c5
2. Nc3, a6
3. Nge2, d6
4. g3, b5
5. Bg2, Bb7
6. d4, cxd4
7. Nxd4, e6
8. 0-0, b4
9. Nd5!! ....

A surprise sacrifice!  White intends to open-up the e-file.

9. .... exd5
10. exd5, Bc8

Black has accurately predicted that the Bishop is more important in the defense of the King.

11. Re1+, Be7
12. c4 ....

White intends to move his Queen to a4 followed by Nc6.

12. .... Kf8
13. a3, bxa3
14. Rxa3, Bg5
15. Bxg5, Qxg5
16. Ne6+ ....

Another surprise move by White.  taking advantage of Bishop's power along the main diagonal.

16. .... fxe6
17. dxe6, d5
18. Rf3+, Nf6
19. h4!!, Qg6
20. Qxd5!, Ra7
21. e7!!+ ....

The final attack.

21. .... Rxe7

If 21....Ke8, then 22. Qd8+ Kf7, 24. e8=Q+ Rxe8, 25. Qxe8 mate.

22. Rxe7, Qb1+
23. Kh2, Kxe7
24. Re3+, Be6

If 24....Kf8, then 25. Qd6+ Kf7, 26. Re7+ Kg6, 27. Be4+ and White has a great attack.

25. Qxe6+ ....

Black resigns, as mate is inevitable.

If 25....Kd8, then Qe7 mate.

If 25.....Kf8, them 26. Qe7+ Kg8, 27. Bd5+ Nxd5, 28. Qe8 mate.

Italian Game Evans Gambit Accepted

CAPTAIN WILLIAM DAVIES EVANS vs. ALEXANDER MCDONNELL
London, England, 1929

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Bc5
4. b4, Bxb4
5. c3, Bc5
6. 0-0, Nf6
7. d4, exd4
8. cxd4, Bb6
9. e5, d5
10. exf6, dxc4
11. Re1+, Kf8
12. d5, Na5
13. Be7! ....

White begins to dislodge the Black Queen from the back rank.

13. .... Qd7
14. fxg7, Kxg7
15. Qd2, Qg4

Black prevents White's check by Queen at g5.

16. Qc3+!, Kg8
17. Qxh8+!! ....

An unexpected Queen sacrifice!

17. .... Kxh8
18. Bf6+, Qg7
19. Re8 mate

Simply amazing!

Spanish Game, Bird Variation

GARRY KASPAROV vs. KHALIFMAN
FIDE Moscow Grand Prix, 2002

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, Nd4

The Bird Variation of Ruy Lopez Opening.

4. Nxd4, exd4
5. 0-0, c6
6. Bc4, d5
7. exd5, cxd5
8. Bb5, Bd7
9. Re1, Nd7
10. c4, a6
11. Bxd7, Qxd7
12. d3, 0-0-0
13. Nd2, Kb8
14. b4, dxc4
15. dxc4, Nc6
16. b5, axb5
17. cxb5, Nb4
18. Nc, Qf5

Black threatens Nc2.

19. Re5, Qc2
20. Bf4 ! ....

Attacking the opponent King and defending the Queen at the same time.

20. .... Qxd1
21. Rxd1, Ka8

If 21....Nxa2, then 22. Re2+ and White wins a piece.

22. a3!, f6
23. axb4, Resigns

Black has no defense against 24. Ra1+.  If 23.....fxe5, then 24. Ra1+ Kb8, 25. Bxe5+ Kc8, 26. Nb6 mate.

Philidor Defense, Exchange Variation

JOHN COCHRANE vs. BONNERJEE MOHISHUNDER
Unknown Location, 1854

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, d6
3. d4, exd4
4. Qxd4, Nc6
5. Bb5, Bd7
6. Bxc6, Bxc6
7. Bg5, f6
8. Bf4, Qe7
9. Nc3, Qe6
10. 0-0, Ne7
11. Rfe1, h6
12. Nd5!, Qd7
13. Nh4 ....

White sets a trap.  If 13....g5, then 14. Nxf6 winning Black's Queen.

If 13.....Bxd5, 14. exd5 g5, 15. Ng6 Rg8, 16. Rxe7 Bxe7, 17. Re1 with a good pin.

13. .... Kf7
14. c4, Bxd5
15. exd5, g5
16. Re6, Bg7
17. Rae1, Rhe8
18. Qe4, gxf4
19. Qh7, c6
20. R1e4, cxd5

21. Rxf6+!!, Kxf6

Black has no other choice.

22. Rxf4+!!, Ke6

If 22....Ke5 or Kg5, then 23. Qxg7+ Kxf4, 24. Qg3+ Ke4, 25. Qe3 mate.

23. Qxg7, Qc6
24. Qg4+, Nf5

Black is hoping for 25. Qxf5+ Ke7, 26. Qf6+ Kd7, and the Black King escapes.

25. Nxf5 ....

Black resigns.  White threatens 26. Nd4+ or Ne3+ with a good attack.

Italian Game, Evans Gambit Morphy Attack

HERMANN CLEMENZ vs. EISENSCHMIDT
Dorpat, 1890

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Bc5
4. b4 ....

The Evans Gambit.  White sacrifices a pawn to establish control of the center.

4. .... Bxc4
5. c3, Bc5
6. d4, exd4
7. cxd4, Bc6
8. 0-0, d6
9. Nc3 ....

The Evans Gambit, Morphy Attack.

9. .... Bd7
10. e5!, dxe5
11. Re1, Nge7

It would be futile to defend the e5 pawn.

12. Ng5, Be6

If 12....0-0, then 13. Nxf7 Rxf7, 14. Qf3 White has a strong attack.

13. Bxf6, fxf6
14. Nxf6, Qd6
15. Nxg7, Kf8
16. Qg4, Bxd4?

Black could have fared batter if 16....Rg8, 17. Ne6+ Kf7, 18. Ng5+ Ke8, 19. Qh5+ Qg6.

17. Ne4, Qb4
18. Ne6+, Ke8
19. Nf6+, Kf7
20. Ng5+, Kf8

If 20....Kxf6, then White clinches victory with 21. Qe6+ Kg7, 22. Qf7+ Kh6, 23. Nf3+ with a mating attack.

21. Ba3 ....

Done to save the Rook at e1.

21. .... Qxa3
22. Qe6 ....

Threatens mate at f7.

22. .... Nd8

Black covers the threatened square.  So he thought.  Now comes a shocker....

23. Qf7+ ....

Black is caught flat-footed !

23. .... Nxf7
24. Ne6 mate.

Magnificent!

Sicilian Defense, Nimzowitch Advance Variation

PAUL KERES vs. WILLIAM WINTER
Warsaw, 1935

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, Nf6
3. e5, Nd5
4. Nc3, e6
5. Nxd5, exd5
6. d4, d6
7. Bg5, Qa5+
8. c3, cxd4
9. Bd3 ....

If 9. Nxd4, then Black fortifies its center by dxe5.

9. .... dxc3
10. 0-0, cxb2
11. Rb1, dxe5
12. Nxe5, Bd6
13. Nxf7!, Kxf7
14. Qh5+ ....

Seeing an opening, White begins to attack.

14. .... g6
15. Bxg6+, hxg6
16. Qxh8, Bf5
17. Rfe1, Be4

If 17....Bxb1, then 18. Qf6+ Kg8 19. Re8+ and mate follows.

18. Rxe4, dxe4
19. Qf6+ ....

Black resigns.  White would be able to capture the other Black Bishop with a strong attack.

King's Gambit Accepted, Lolli Gambit

GIOACHINO GRECO vs. NN
Italy, 1620

1. e4, e5
2. f4, exf4
3. Nf3, g5
4. Bc4, g4
5. Bxf7 ....

The Lolli Gambit.  White sacrifices major pieces in order to bring the opponent King to the center of the board.

5. .... Kxf7
6. Ne5+, Ke6
7. Qxg4+, Kxe5
8. Qf5+, Kd6
9. d4!, Bg7
10. Bxf4+, Ke7
11. Bg5+, Bf6

If 11....Nf6, then 12. e5 pinning the Knight.

12. e5!, Bxg5
13. Qxg5, Ke8
14. Qh5+, Ke7
15. 0-0, Qe8
16. Qg5, Ke6
17. Rf6+! ....

 17. .... Nxf6
18.  Qxf6+, Kd5
19. Nc3, Kxd4
20. Qf4+, Kc5
21. b4+!! ....

Now, Black is doomed.  No matter his move, White clinches victory.

21. ....Kc6
22. Qc4, Kb6
23. Na4 mate.

White also mates by 23. Nd5.   A picture-perfect mate.

Slav Defense, Exchange Variation

LAGOS PORTISCH vs. TIGRAN VARTANOVICH PETROSIAN
Moscow, 1967

1. d4, d5
2. c4, c6
3. cxd5, cxd5
4. Nc3, Nf6
5. Nf3, Nc6
6. Bf4, e6
7. e3, Bd6
8. Bg3, 0-0
9. Bd3, Re8
10. Ne5, Be5
11. dxe5, Nd7
12. f4, Qb6
13. 0-0, Qxe3
14. Kh1, Qb6
15. Qh5, Nf8
16. Rf3, Ng6
17. Bf2, Qd8
18. Nb5, Nce7
19. Nd6, Bd7
20. Bh4, Qb6
21. Rh3 .....

Preparing for attack along the h-file.

21. .... h6
22. Bf6, Qxb2
23. Rf1, Nf5
24. Bxf5 ....

If 24.....exf5 then 25. Bxg7 followed by Qxh6 and mate follows.

If 24......gxf6, then 25. Bxg6 fxg6, 26. Qxf6+ and mate follows.

Black resigns.   Magnifico!!