Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation. Yugoslav Attack, Modern Line

VISWANATHAN ANAND vs. MANUEL APICELLA
Champigny sur Marne op, 1984

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, d6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. Nc3, g6
6. Be3, Bg7
7. f3, 0-0

So far, we have seen the main line of the Sicilian, Dragon Variation.

8. Qd2 ...

White prepares to castle on the Queen side.

8. ... Nc6
9. 0-0-0, Bd7
10. h4!, Qa5

Black plans to attack the a2 pawn, presumably Black's weakest spot.

11. g4!, Rfc8
12. Nb3 ...

Effectively driving away Black's Queen.

12. ... Qe5
13. g5!, Nb4?!

Again, Black prematurely attacks the a2 pawn.  He is hoping for 14. a3 Na2+, 15. Nxa2 Nxe4, 16. fxe4 Qxb2 mate.   But White's reply is unexpected.

14. Bd4! ...

Effectively destroying Black's line of attack.

14. ... Qe6
15. gxf6, exf6
16. Kb1, a5
17. Bh3, Qe8
18. Bxd7, Qxd7
19. a3, Nc6
20. Nd5, Nxd4
21. Nxd4, Qd8

Black prevents Nb6.

22. h5!, b5
23. hxg6, hxg6
24. Nf5! ...

White threatens 25. Nxg7 Kxg7, 26. Qh6+!!

24. ... gxf5
25. Rdg1!   Resigns

Black has no defense against White's eventual Qg2.  Now, if 25....Qf8, then 26. Nxf6 mate.

If 25....Kf8 then 26. Rxg7 Ke8, 27. Rh8+ Kd7, 28. Rxf7+ Kc6, 29. Rxd8 Rxd8, 30. Rc7 mate.

A gem of a game.

Scandinavian Defense

HIKARU NAKAMURA vs. ALIREZA FIROUZJA
Magnus Carlsen Invitational 2020

1. e4, d5

Firouzja chooses the Scandinavian Defense.

2. exd5, Qxd5
3. Nc3, Qa5
4. b4 ...

Known as the Leonhardt Gambit,  with the objective of driving away Black's Queen.  d4 is an alternative choice.

4. ...  Qxb4

5. Rb1, Qd6
6. d4, Qd8?!

A devious move.  Better options would be Nf6 or c6 (to control d5).

7. Bc4, Nf6
8. Nf3, e6
9. 0-0, Be7
10. Ne5! ...

Now, White prepares for a center attack.

10. ...  0-0
11. Re1, c5

Black challenges the center pawn.   Chess observers say Nf6 is a better move.

12. d5 !!

White chooses to advance the pawn, hoping for an exchange.

12. ...  exd5
 13. Nxd5,  Be6?

Considered a blunder by chess observers.   But after 13....Nxf5, 14. Qxd5 Qxd5,  15. Bxd5 Bf6,  16. Nxf7 Rxf7, 17. Re8+  White's attack becomes fatal.

14. Nxf7!!,  Resigns

If 14....Rxf7 then 15. Nxe7 Qxe7, 16. Rxe6!  White wins.

If 14....Bxf7 then 15. Nxe7+ Kh8, 16. Qxd8 Rxd8, 17. Bxf7  White has the advantage.

If 14....Kxf7 then 15. Rxe6 Kxe6, 16. Nxf6+ Kxf6, 17. Qf3+ Kg6, 18. Qe4+ Rf5,  19. Qe6+ Kh5, 20. Be2+ kH4, 21. g3+ Kh3, 22. Qxf4 mate.

This was one of Nakamura's best games.