Caro-Kann Defense, Classical Variation

ALEXANDER BELIAVSKY vs. BENT LARSEN
Tilburg, 1981

1. e4, c6
2. d4, d5
3. Nc3, dxe4
4. Nxe4, Bf5
5. Ng3, Bg6
6. h4, h6
7. Nf3, Nd7
8. h5, Bh7
9. Bd3, Bxd3
10. Qxd3, Ngf6
11. Bf4, e6
12. 0-0-0, Be7
13. Ne5, a5
14. Rhe1, a4
15. Ng6! ....

White intends to break open Black's defenses.  The sacrifice is necessary.

15. .... Nd5

If 15....fxg6, 16. Qxg6+ Kf8, 17. Rxe6 with a good game for White.

16. Nf5!! ....

White intends to mate with Nxg7....

16. .... Bf8

If 16.....fxg6, then 17. Nxg7+ Kf8 (if 17....Kf7, 18. Qxg6+!!), 18. Nxe6+ and Black loses his Queen.

If 16.....exf5, then 17. Nxe7 Nxf4 (if 17.....Nxe7, then 18. Bd6), 18. Nxc6+ Kf8, 19. Qa3+ and Black loses his Queen.

17. Bd6!! ....

The Bishop could not be taken because of the threat Nxg7 mate or Nxd6 mate.

17. .... Rg8

If 17. .... fxg6, then 18. Nxg7+ Bxg7, 19. Qxg6 mate.

18. c4, Nb4
19. Qh3, fxg6
20. Rxe6+, Kf7
21. hxg6+, Kxe6
22. Re1+, Ne5

If 22.....Kf6, then 23. Nxh6 gxh6, 24. Re6+ Kg5, 25. e4 mate.

23. Bxe5, Resigns

White threatens 24. Nxh6+ Ke7, 25. Nxg8+ Ke8, 26. Bd6+ and White wins.

Sicilian Defense, Botvinnik Defense I Edge Variation

ISTVAN BILEK vs. FLORIN GHEORGHIU
Bucharest, Romania, 1968

1. e4, c5
2. Nc3, Nc6
3. g3, g6
4. Bg2, Bg7
5. d3, d6
6. f4, e5
7. Nh3, Nge7

The Botvinnik Defense I, Edge Variation.

8. 0-0, 0-0
9. f5, gxf5
10. exf5, Bxf5
11. Rxf5!! ....

A necessary sacrifice to open up the e4-h7 diagonal.

11. .... Nxf5
12. Be4, Nfd4
13. Qh5, Re8

If 13...f5, then 14. Ng5 h6, 15. Bd5+ Kh8, 16. Qg6 (threatening Qh7 mate) hxg5, 17. Qh5+ Bh6, 18. Qxh6 mate.

If 13....h6, then 14. Bxh6 gxh6, 15. Qxh6 f5, 16. Bd5+ Rf7, 17. Ng5 with a good game for White.

14. Qxh7+, Kf8
15. Bg5, Qd7

If 15....f6, then 16. Bd5 fxg5, 17. Qg8+ Ke7, 18. Qxg7 mate.

16. Nd5, Re6

If 16....f6, then 17. Nxf6 Qe6, 18. Bd5 with a good game for White.

17. Rf1, Nxc2
18. Bg6!! ....

Taking advantage of the pin, White presses on with the attack.

18. .... N2d4
19. Bh6!!, Resigns

If 19....Bxh6, then 20.Qh8 mate. The same mating move follows after 19....g6 or g5.

Colle System

EDGAR COLLE vs. J. O'HANLON

Nice, 1930

The Colle System, also known as the Colle–Koltanowski system, is a chess opening strategy for White introduced by Belgian Edgard Colle in the 1920s, and further developed by George Koltanowski. This variation of the Queen's Pawn Game is characterised by a systematic if modest development of White's minor pieces to support a quick pawn move to the e4 square. It is solid, but inflexible.

Ignoring Black's responses in order to consider White's moves only, the typical plan is as follows: 1.d4 2.e3 3.Nf3 4.Bd3 5.0-0 6.Re1 7.c3 8.Nbd2 9.e4, with White rearranging his move order appropriately. It is a perfectly solid scheme of development, but, inflexibly applied, it cannot offer more than equality against a vigorous Black response. It may be a good tool for avoiding book variations, for Blitz play, or for forcing opponents to think for themselves early on. These days it is considered totally innocuous, and is rarely seen at Master level or above.

1. d4, d5

2. Nf3, Nf6

3. e3, c5

4. c3, e6

5. Bd3, Bd6

6. Nbd2, Nbd7

7. 0-0, 0-0

8. Re1, Re8

9. e4, dxe4

10. Nxe4, Nxe4

11. Bxe4, cxd4

12. Bxh7+!! ....

White has determined Black's weakness, and presses on with the attack.

12. .... Kxh7

13. Ng5+, Kg6

14. h4!!, Rh8

The pawn intends to land at h5, to menace the opponent King.

15. Rxe6!! ....

The move breaks apart the King's defenses.

15. .... Nf6

If 15....fxe6, then 16. Qd3+ Kf6 (if 16....Kh5, 17. Qf3+ Kxh4, 18. Qh3 or g3 mate.), 17. Qf3+ Ke5 (if 17....Ke7, 18. Qf7 mate), 18. Nf7 mate.

16. h5!!, Kh6

If 16....Rxh5, then 17. Qd3+ Kh6, 18. Nxf7 mate.

17. Rxd6 ....

White already wins with 17. Nxf7 but decides to place his Rook to safety.

17. .... Qa5

18. Nxf7+, Kh7

19. Ng5+ ....

White cannot attack with Qd3+ because of Bf5.

19. .... Kg8

If 19....Kh6, then 20. Ne6+ Kh7, 21. Qd3+ Kg8, 22. Rd8+.

20. Qb3+, Resigns

Black cannot prevent mate at f7. 

Queen's Gambit Accepted, Janowski-Larsen Variation

ALBERTO FOGUELMAN vs. DAVID BRONSTEIN
Amsterdam International, 1964

1. d4, d5
2. c4, dxc4
3. Nf3, Nf6
4. e3, Bg4

The Janowski-Larsen Variation of Queen's Gambit Accepted.

5. Bxc4, e6
6. Qb3?!, Bxf3
7. gxf3 ....

The double-pawn structure may benefit White if he plans to castle on the queen side and his opponent on the king side, but White eventually castled where the war zone is.

7. .... c5
8. Qxb7, Ncd7
9. dxc5, Bxc5
10. f4 ....

Apparently White is trying to attack the e6 pawn, but this move benefited Black more.

10. .... 0-0
11. 0-0, Nd5
12. Rd1, Rb8
13. Qc6, Qh4!!

Black threatens Qg4+ threatening White's d1 Rook.

14. Nc3, Rb6

If 14.....Nxc3, 15. Rxd7 and the position favors White.

15. Qxd7, Nxf4!!

16. Ne2 ....

White could not take the f4 Knight because of 16.....Qxf2+ 17. Kh1 Qf3 mate.

16. .... Nh3+
17. Kg2 ....

Forced.  If 17. Kf1 Qxf2 mate.  If 17. Kh1 Qe4+, 18. f3 Qxf3 mate.

17. .... Nxf2
18. Rd4, Ng4

Black threatens 19....Qxh2 20. Kf1 Qf2 mate.

19. Rf4, Qxh2+
20. Kf1, Bxe3!!
21. Bd5, Bxf4

White resigns.  Black threatens Qf2 mate, Now, if 22. Ke1, then Qf2+, 23. Kd1 Qf1+, 24. Kc2 Qxe2+ and the position favors Black.

French Defense, Winawer Fingerslip Variation - Kunin Double Gambit

KUNIN vs. OCHSENGOIT
Moscow, 1958

1. e4, e6
2. d4, d5
3. Nc3, Bb4

The Winawer Variation of the French Defense.

4. Bd2, dxe4
5. Qg4, Qxd4

The Kunin Double Gambit of the French Defense.  White sacrifices two central pawns to open up attacking lines.

6. 0-0-0, f5
7. Bg5, Qe5

An exchange of Queens would favor White.

8. Rd8+, Kf7
9. Nf3!!, Qa5

If 9....exf3, then 10. Qxb4 c5, 11. Qb5 Nc6, 12. Rxc8 Rxc8, 13. Qxc7+ and White gains materials.

10. Bb5!! ....

Despite dangers to his Queen and Knight, White presses on with the attack. This subtle move actually has two mating threats.  One is Be8+ followed by Bg6 or Bh5 mate, and the other is Ne5 (also mate).

10. .... Nc6?

Black might prolong the game with 10....Nf6 but the end result is also mate.   The game would continue:  11. Ne5+ Ke7, 12. Bxf6+ Kxf6 (not 12....gxf6, 13. Qg7+ Kxe8, 14. Qxf6+ Be7, 15. Qxh8 and mate next move.), 13. Nxe4+ Kxe5 (if 13....fxe4 then 14. Qf4+ Ke7, 15. Qg5 mate.), 14. f4+ Kxe4, 15. Qf3 mate.

11. Ne5+!!, Resigns

Zukertort Opening, Queen's Pawn Defense

VLADIMIR KRAMNIK vs. ALEXANDER BELIAVSKY
Belgrade, Yugoslavia, 1995

1. Nf3, d5

The Queen's Pawn Defense of Zukertort Opening.

2. g3, c6
3. Bg2, Bg4
4. 0-0, Nd7
5. d4, e6
6. Nbd2, f5
7. c4, Bd6
8. Qd3, Rb8
9. Re1, Nh6
10. cxd5, cxd5
11. h3, Bh5
12. e4!!, fxe4
13. Ng5, Bf7

If 13....Qxg5, then 14. Nxe4 Qe7, 15. Bg5 Nf6, 16. Nxd6 Qxd6, 17. Bf4 with a good play for White.

14. Ndxe4, dxe4
15. Nxe6!! ....


White breaks open the center pawns.

15. .... Bxe6

If 15....Qf6, then 16. Rxe4 Be7, 17. Bg5 and White gains material.

16. Qxe6, Qe7
17. Rxe4, Kd8

If 17....Qxd6, then 18. Rxd6+ Be7, 16. Bg5 Nf6, 17. Rae7 Nf5, 18. g4 and the pinned Knight will eventually fall.

18. Qd5!!, Resigns

If 18.....Qf8, then 19. Re6 Bc7, 20. Bg5+ Kc8, 21. Re7 Qd8, 22. Rc1 with excellent attacking possibilities.

Italian Game, Scotch Gambit Anderssen Attack

WILLIAM HENRY KRAUSE POLLOCK vs. ALLIES
Buffalo, New York, 1893

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Nf6
4. d4, exd4
5. 0-0, Nxe4
6. Re1, d5
7. Bxd5!, Qxd5
8. Nc3!! ....

The Scotch Gambit Anderssen Attack.  White takes advantage of the pins.

8. .... Qf5
9. Nxe4, Be6
10. Nxd4, Nxd4
11. Qxd4, h6
12. b3 ....

White opens the long diagonal....

12. .... a6
13. Bb2, a5
14. Rad1, f6
15. Qd7+!! ....

An unexpected attack.  Black has no choice but to capture the Queen.

15. .... Bxd7
16. Nd6+!!, Kd8
17. Nf7+ ....

Rather than capture the opponent Queen, White keeps the pressure....

17. .... Kc8
18. Re8+!!, Bxe8
19. Rd8 mate

A magnificently executed attack, made even more beautiful by a Queen sacrifice.

Modern Defense, Two Knights Suttles Variation Tal Gambit

MIKHAIL TAL vs. GEORGI TRINGOV
Amsterdam, 1964

1. e4, g6
2. d4, Bg7
3. Nc3, g6
4. Nf3 ....

The Two Knights Variation of the Modern Defense.

4. .... c6

The Suttles Variation.

5. Bg5, Qb6
6. Qd2, Qxb2

The Tal Gambit variation.

7. Rb1, Qb3
8. Bc4, Qa5
9. 0-0, e6
10. Rfe1, a6
11. Bf4, f5
12. dxe5, dxe5
13. Qd6!! ....

Part of a deep-seated foresight.  White sets a trap and webs a mating net.

13. .... Qxc3
14. Red1, Nd7
15. Bxf7+!! ....

A surprise attack!

15. .... Kxf7

Black's other option is equally grim. If 15.....Kd8, then 16. Ng5 and White mates after 17. Ne6.

16. Ng5+, Ke8
17. Qe6+, Resigns

Black cannot escape mate.  If 17.....Kd8, then 18. Nf7+ Kc7, 19. Qd6 mate.

If 17....Ne7, then 18. Qf7+ Kd8, 19. Ne6 mate.

Modern Defense, Three Pawns Attack

ARTHUR BISGUIER vs. BENT LARSEN
Zagreb, 1965

1. d4, g6
2. e4, Bg7
3. f4 ....

The Three Pawns Attack.

3. .... d6
4. Nf3, Nf6
5. Bd3, 0-0
6. 0-0, Nbd7
7. e5!, Ne8
8. Qe1, c5
9. f5, dxe5
10. fxg6, hxg6
11. Qh4, exd4
12. Bh6, Nef6
13. Ng5, Ne5

Black attacks the d3 Bishop, but actually is of no consequence.

14. Rxf6!!, Bh8

The Rook cannot be captured.  If 14....exf6, then 15. Bxg7 and White mates at h8 or h7.

If 14....Bxf6, then 15. Bg7 and same mate follows.

15. Rf1, Re8
16. Bf8, Bf6
17. Rxf6, exf6
18. Qh6!! ....

A terrific brilliancy.  White poses a mating threat at g7.

18. .... Rxf8
19. Qh7!!

A picture-perfect mate.

French Defense, Tarrasch Variation Modern System

EFIM GELLER vs. ALEXEY DREEV
1990

1. e4, e6
2. d4, d5
3. Nd2, a6
4. Ngf3, c5
5. exd5, exd5
6. Be2, c4
7. 0-0, Bd6
8. b3, b5
9. a4, Bb7
10. bxc4, bxc4
11. Bxc4! ....

The first in a series of attacks.

11. ..... dxc4
12. Nxc4 ....

This Knight attack on d6 cannot be underestimated.  If 12.....Ne7, then 13. Nxd6 Qxd6, 14. Ba3 Qd7, 15. Re1 Ng6,  Black would not be able to castle anymore.

12. ..... Be7
13. Re1, Qc7
14. Rb1, Qxc4
15. Rxb7, Nc6
16. Nd2, Qxd4
17. Bb2, Qxa4
18. Re4, Qa2
19. Bxg7, 0-0-0
20. Rb3, Bf6

Black thinks he has solved the problem posed by the g7 Bishop.  He is terribly mistaken.

21. Qg4+!!, Kc7

If 21.....Rd7, then 22. Rd3 Ne5, 23. Rxe5 and White wins.

22. Qf4+, Kc8
23. Bxf6, Nxf6
24. Qxf6, Qxc2
25. Qf5+ ....

Black resigns.  He will lose his Queen after 25....Rd7, 26. Re8+ Rxe8, 27. Qxc2.

Italian Game Scotch Gambit, Nakhmanson Gambit

VLADIMIR SOKOLOV vs. RUSHNIKOV
Corr-1, 1966

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Nf6
4. d4, exd4
5. 0-0, Nxe4
6. Nc3 ....

The Nakhmanson Gambit.  White sacrifices the Knight to achieve greater Queen mobility.

6. .... dxc3
7. Bxf7, Kxf7
8. Qd5, Ke8
9. Re1+, Be7
10. Rxe4, d6
11. Bg5, cxb2
12. Rae1!, Rf8
13. Bxe7, Nxe7
14. Qh5+ ....

If 14. Rxe7 Qxe7, 15. Rxe7 b1=Q mate.

14. .... Kd7

If 14....g6, then 5. Qxh7 Bf5, 16. Rxe7+ and White wins.

15. Nd4, c5
16. Qg4, Kc7
17. Rxe7+, Qxe7
18. Rxe7+, Kd8
19. Qg5!!, h6

If 19....b1=Q, then 20. Re1 dis chk Kc7, 21. Qe7+Kb6, 22. Rxb1+ with a mating attack.

20. Rxb7 dis chk

Black resigns.  He cannot avoid mate even if he captures the Queen.  If 20......hxg5, then 21. Nc6+ Ke8, 22. Re7 mate.

If after 20. Rxb7, Black moves Rf6, then 21. Nc6+ Ke8, 22. Re7+ Kf8, 23. Qxg7 mate.

A brilliant ending!  And Black has a pawn waiting for promotion.

Queen's Gambit Accepted, Mannheim Variation

MARK TAIMANOV vs. LEV POLUGAEVSKY
USSR Championship, 1960

1. d4, d5
2. c4, exd4
3. Nf3, Nf6
4. Qa4+ ....

The Mannheim Variation.

4. .... Nbd7
5. Nc3, e6
6. e4, c5
7. d5, exd5
8. e5, d4
9. Bxc4, dxc3
10. exf6, Qxf6
11. Bg5, Qc6
12. 0-0-0, cxb2+

If 12....Qxa4, then 13. Rhe1+ Be7, 14. Rxe7+ Kf8, (if 14....Kd8, then 15. Rxd7+ Ke8, 16. Rd8 mate.) 15. Rxf7+ with a mating attack.

13. Kxb2, Be7
14. Rhe1, f6
15. Bb5, Qb6
16. Kc1 ....

Removing the King to safety in case Black moves pawn to a6.

16. .... fxg5
17. Bxd7, Kf8
18. Rxe7!! ....

White sacrifices the Rook in order to expose the King.

18. .... Kxe7
19. Qe4+, Kd8
20. Bf5+, Kc7
21. Qe5+, Kc6
22. Rd6+, Kb5
23. Qb2+, Resigns

Black can only escape mate at the cost of materials, including his Queen.

Italian Game Classical Variation, Greco Gambit Moeller-Bayonet Attack

FREDERIC LAZARD vs. AMEDEE GIBAUD
Paris, 1909

1. e4, e5
2. d4, exd4
3. Nf3, Nc6
4. Bc4, Bc5
5. c3, Nf6
6. cxd4, Bb4+
7. Nc3, Nxe4
8. 0-0 ....

White intends to open-up the e-file.

8. .... Bxc3
9. d5 ....

White keeps the pressure mounting.

9. .... Bf6
10. Re1, Ne7
11. Rxe4, d6
12. g4 ....

The Greco Gambit, Moeller-Bayonet Attack.  An impressive variation of the Italian Game.

12. .... h6
13. h4, Kf8?

The only logical explanation for the latest Black move is that Black desired to take control of the h file, and at the same time remove the pin on his King.

14. h5, g5
15. Nd4, c6
16. Qf3, Nxd5
17. Bd2, Nc7
18. Rae1, d5
19. Bb4+, Kg7
20. Re7!!, dxc4

If 20....Bxe7, then 21. Bxe7 followed by 22, Bf6+ with a good attack on Black's king side.

21. Nxc6 ....

The move opens up the d file and would force the Black Queen to retreat.  If 21....bxc6, then 22. Rd1 Qd8, 23. Rxc7 ....

21. .... Qd3
22. Rxf7!! ....

A surprise move!  Black doesn't know what is coming.

22. .... Kxf7

White could win outright by 23. Ne5 double check, but he chooses a better plan....

23. Re7+, Kg8

Forced retreat.

24. Qxf6, Rh7
25. Re8+!!, Resigns

It would be useless to take the Rook because of White's threat 26. Qf8 mate.

An amazing finale.