Dutch Defense: Hopton Attack

MISO CEBALO vs. EVGENI VASIUKOV

Sibenik, April 6, 2014

 

1. d4, f5

2. Bg5, g6

3. e3, Nh6

4. h4, Nf7

5. Bf4, d6

6. Nf3, N8d7

7. Bc4, Bg7

8. Bxf7+ ...

 

White attacked the weakest part of Black's defense.

 

8. ....  Kxf7

9. Ng5+, Kf6

10. Nc3, c6

11. Qf3, e5

12. Qd5 !! ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brilliant!  Threatening Qe6 or Qf7 mate.  The Queen cannot be captured because of Nxd5 mate.

12. ... Qe7

Black has to protect the f7 and e6 squares.

13. Nxh7+ !! Resigns

White's next move (Bg5 mate) cannot be prevented.

Sicilian Defense: Kan. Polugaevsky Variation

VISWANATHAN ANAND vs. KIRIL NINOV
Baguio City, 1987

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, e6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nd4, a6
5. Bd3, Bc5
6. Nb3, Ba7
7. Nc3, Nc6
8. Qe2, d6
9. Be3, Bxe3

White prefers this exchange of Bishops because the Black Bishop is more powerful.

10. Qxe3, Nf6
11. g4 ...

A surprise move.  This is part of White's plan to attack Black's King side.

11. ... b5

What happens if the Knight takes the Pawn?  If 11. ... Kxg4 then 12.Qg3 Nf6, 13. Qxg7 Rg8, 14. Qh6 ...  White succeeds in disrupting the enemy's castling, with a potential attack on its flanks.

12. 0-0-0, 0-0
13. g5!, Ne8
14. f4, b4
15. Ne2, a5
16. Nbd4, Nxd4
17. Nxd4, Qb6
18. e5,  Bb7
19. Rhf1, dxe5
20. fxe5, Rd8?!

Black should have played 20...g6 cutting White's Bishop's line of attack.

21. Bxh7, Kxh7

22. g6+!, Kg8

If 22...Kxg6 then 23. Qh3 (with threat of Rg1#) f6, 24. Nxe6! forking three major pieces.

23. Qh3, Nf6

A necessary sacrifice.  White threatens Qh7 mate.

24. exf6, fxg6
25. fxg7,  Resigns

If 25... Kxg7 then 26. Nxe6+ Kg8, 27. Rxf8 Rxf8, 28. Nxf8 Kxf8, 29. Qh8+ and mate follows soon.

If 25... Rxf1 then 26. Qh8+ Kf7, 27. Rxf1+ Ke7, 28. g8=Q Rxg8, 29. Qxg8 Qxd4, 30. Qf8+ Kd7, 31. Rd1 White wins.

Spanish Game: Exchange. Bronstein Variation

MATTHIAS WAHLS vs. SAEVAR BJARNASON
Malmo, Sweden, 1985

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, a6
4. Bxc6, dxc6
5. 0-0, Qd6
6. d3, Bg4
7. Be3, 0-0-0
8. Nbd2, f6
9. Rb1, Ne7
10. b4 ...

This move is part of White's plan to attack the flank.

10. ... Ng6
11. h3, Be6
12. a4, Qd7
13. d4, Bd6
14. b5, axb5

White succeeds in forcing Black to open this side of the board.  A weakness is now being created at  the a file.

15. axb5!, exd4
16. Ra1!, Kb8
17. Nxd4 ...

17. ... cxb5?

Black does not really have much of a choice.  If 17. ... c5 then 18. Nc6+ bxc6, 19. Ra6 cxb5, 20. Qa1 and White's attack is unstoppable.

18. Ra8+, Kxa8
19. Qa1+, Kb8
20. Qa7+!!  Resigns

Amazing Queen sacrifice!  Mate cannot be avoided.  After Kxa7, White replies with Nc6 double check.  White finishes off with Ra1 mate.

Italian Game: Evan's Gambit

ADOLF ANDERSSEN vs. BERTHOLD SUHLE
Breslau, 1860

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Bc5
4. b4, Bxb4

Main line of Evan's Gambit.  White sacrifices a pawn in order to control the center.

5. c3, Bc5
6. 0-0, d6
7. d4, exd4
8. cxd4, Bb6
9. d5, Na5
10. Bb2, Nf6
11. Bd3, Bg4
12. Nc3, c6

Stockfish (computer software) comments that 12...0-0 is better.  The game may continue 13. Na4 Re8, 14. Nxb6 axb6, 15. Qc2 c6, 16. Nd2 Rc8  Black is good.

13. Ne2, 0-0
14. Qd2, Rc8

Stockfish suggested 14. ... Re8.  Now, if 15. Qf4 Bh5, 16. Bxf6 Qxf6, 17. Qxf6 gxf6, 18. Nf4 Bg6 ...

15. Qg5, Bxf3
16. gxf3, cxd5
17. Kh1, Nc4?

A bad move.  Black should have forced exchanges in order to eliminate the mating threat by 17. ... Ne8, 18. Qxd8 Bxd8, 19. Rac1 Rxc1, 20. Rxc1 Nc6, 21. exd5 ...

18. Rg1 Ne8

19. Qxg7+, Nxg7
20. Rxg7+, Kh8
21. Rg8+, Kxg8
22. Rg1+ ...

White now wins the game.  The rest of the move is plain cosmetics.

22. ... Qg5
23. Rxg5 mate.

Italian Game, Max Lange Attack

VISWANATHAN ANAND vs. MAGNUS CARLSEN
Norway Rapid, April 1, 2017

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Nf6
4. d4, exd4
5. 0-0, Bc5

Black employs the Max Lange Attack.

6. e5, d5

Black opts to exchange pieces.

7. exf6, dxc4
8. Re1+, Kf8
9. Bg5 ...

White intends to capture the g7 pawn, while attacking the opponent's Queen.

9. ... gxf6
10. Bh6+, Kg8
11. Nc3, Bg4

Black cannot capture the Knight because of the mating threat Qxd8.

12. Ne4, b6
13. c3, Ne5

If 13....dxc3, then 14.Qxd8 Rxd8, 15. Nxf6 mate.

14. Nxe5!,  Bxd1

A stunning Queen sacrifice!  This paves the way for White's victory.

15. Nd7!  ...

Now, it is clear.  White intends to capture the f6 pawn, which leads to mate.

15. ... Be7
16. N4xf6, Bxf6
17. Re8+!, Qxe8
18. Nf6 mate.

Great play by Anand.

Author's note:  While a You Tube video presentation exists, the game is not recorded in other chess literature.  Therefore, there is no certainty that the game was ever played.

Gruenfeld Defense: Exchange Variation

VISWANATHAN ANAND vs. IAN NEPOMNIACHTCHI
FIDE Chess.com Online Nations Cup
May 2020

1.d4, Nf6
2. c4, g6
3. Nc3, d5
4. cxd5, Nxd5
5. Bd2, Bg7
6. e4, Nxc3
7. Bxc3, c5
8. d5! ...

Anand opts to neutralize immediately Black's g7 Bishop.  This is part of his overall strategy.

8. ... Bxc3
9. bxc3, Qd6

Black hopes to control the c7-h2 diagonal.

10. Qd2, 0-0
11. f4! ...

Most common chess engines regard this as White's best move, in preparation for a center advance.

11. ... e6
12. Nf3, exd5
13. Bc4 ...

If the d5 pawn is taken, White's King would be in danger.

13. ... Be6
14. 0-0, d4
15. f5! ...

 An unexpected move.  White sacrifices a Bishop for a great pawn advance.

15. ... Bxc4

Black should have sacrificed this Bishop to neutralize White's impending attack.  Best move is Bxf5.

If 15...gxf5 then 16. Qg5+ Kh8, 17. Qf6+ Kg8, 18. exf5! pinning the Bishop.

16. e5!, Qd7
17. f6!,  Resigns

Mate cannot be prevented at g7.

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.

Spanish Game: Berlin Defense, Rio de Janeirro Variation

ALBERT WRITING FOX vs. ALBERT CLERC
Paris, 1901

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, Nf6
4. 0-0, Nxe4
5. d4, Be7
6. Qe2, Nd6
7. Bxc6, bxc6
8. dxe5, Nb7
9. Nc3, 0-0
10. Be3, Nc5
11. Bxc5, Bxc5
12. Ne4, Be7
13. Rad1, a5
14. Rfe1, a4
15. Nd4, Qe8

Preempting 16. Nxc6 ....

16. Qh5, Kh8
17. Nf6 ....

17. ....Bxf6

If 17.....gxf6 then 18. exf6 pinning the Bishop.

18. exf6, Qd8
19. fxg7+, Kxg7
20. Nf5+, Kh8
21. Qh6, Rg8

To prevent Qg7 mate.

22. Re8 ...

Black resigned.

Black cannot parry simultaneous mating threats Qg7 and Qf6.  If 22.....Qg5 then 23. Qxg5 Rxe8 24. Qg7 mate.

Caro-Kann Defense, Main Line

Rudolf Spielmann vs. Balduv Hoenlinger
Vienna, 1929

1. e4, c6
2. d4, d5
3. Nc3, dxe4
4. Nxe4, Nf6
5. Ng3, e6
6. Nf3, c5
7. Bd3, Nc6

Black loses his Queen after 7....cxd4, 8. Nxd4 Qxd4, 9.Bb5+...

8. dxc5, Bxc5
9. a3, 0-0
10. 0-0, b6
11. b4, Be7
12. Bb2, Qc7
13. b5, Na5
14. Ne5, Bb7
15. Ng4, Qd8
16. Ne3, Nd5
17. Qh5!, g6
18. Ng4!, Bf6

If 18....gxh5 then 19. Nh6 mate.

19. Nxf6, Nxf6
20. Qh6, Rc8
21. Rad1, Qe7
22. Rfe1, Ne8

Black secures the g7 square.

23. Nf5!!, Qc5

If 23....gxf5 then 24. Bxf5 with mating threat at h7.

24. Re5, Bd5
25. Ne7+ .....

Black resigned.  If 25.....Qxe7 then 26. Qxh7+ Kxh7, 27. Rh5+ Kg8, 28. Rh8 mate.

Fabulous game !!

Central Pawn Sacrifice

A pawn sacrifice at the center of the board is sometimes necessary to open up a central file.  This post gives us an example of an attack while the opponent King is not yet castled.

 BORIS SPASSKY vs. ALEX AFTONOMOV
Leningrad, USSR, 1949

1. d4, d5
2. c4, dxc4
3. Nf3, Nf6
4. e3, e6
5. Bxc4, c5
6. 0-0, e6
7. Qe2, Nc6
8. Nc3, b5
9. Bb3, Bb7
10. Rd1, cxd4
11. exd4, Nb4
12. d5!! ....

White intends to open the e-file.

 

12. ... N4xd5
13. Bg5, Be7
14. Bxf6, gxf6

Not 14.....Bxf6, Black would lose a piece after 15. Nxd5 Bxd5, 16. Rxd5 ...

15. Nxd5, Bxd5
16. Bxd5, exd5
17. Nd4, Kf8
18. Nf5, h5

 

Black thought that White's Queen is going to h5, so he 'blocks' the square.  White's reply surprises him.

19. Rxd5!! Qxd5
20. Qxe7+, Kg8
21. Qxf6!! Resigns

Black cannot handle the simultaneous threats at e7 (Knight fork) and mate at g7.

To view the game in PGN format, you may visit  Spassky vs. Aftonomov.

Power of the Bishop Pair

It is always advantageous when you have two Bishops working together.   This phenomenon, known in the chess world as the Bishop Pair, has been proven in countless grandmaster battles.  This post is an example.

DAVID JANOWSKI vs. FRITZ SAMISCH
Marienbad, Germany, 1925

1. d4, Nf6
2. Nf3, e6
3. Bg5, c5
4. e3, Nc6
5. Nd2, b6
6. c3, Bb7
7. Bd3, cxd4
8. exd4, Be7
9. Nc4, 0-0
10. Qc2, Qc7
11. h4, h6
12. Qd2, Ng4

After 12.....hxg5 13. hxg5, White's attack would be devastating along the h-file.

13. Bf4, d6
14. Ne3, Nxe3
15. Qxe3, h5
16. Rh3, e5
17. dxe5, Nxe5
18. Nxe5, dxe5
19. Bxe5, Bd6
20. Qh6!! ....

 Black resigns.  White's Queen cannot be captured because of the threat Rg3+.

If 20....f6, then White's attack would be relentless:  21. Qh7 Kf7, 22. Bg6+ Ke6, 23. Bxd6 Kxd6, 24. 0-0-0 ...

Amazing game.

To view the game in PGN format, you may visit  Janowski vs. Samisch.

Queen's Gambit Declined

HARRY N. PILLSBURY vs. SEYMON WINAWER
Budapest, 1896d3

1. d4, d5
2. c4, e6
3. Nc3, c6
4. e3, Nf6
5. Nf3, Nbd7
6. Bd3, Bd6
7. 0-0, 0-0
8. e4, dxe4
9. Nxe4, Nxe4
10. Bxe4, Nf6
11. Bc2, h6
12. Be3, Re8
13. Qd3, Qc7
14. c5, Bf8
15. Ne5, Bxc5

Black hopes to get an extra pawn, but White's reply surprises him.

16. Bxh6, Bxd4

If 16.....gxh6, then White attacks with Qg3+ and threatens to capture the Queen with Ng6+.

17. Qxd4, gxh6
18. Qf4!! ....

Still threatening the Black Queen ....

18. ... Nd5
19. Qxh6!! ...

Black cannot capture the Knight because of the threat Bh7+.

19. ... f6
20. f4!! ....

White maintains the threat.

20. ... Re7
21. Ng6!! ...

21. .... Re8

If 21....Rh7, then White mates with 22. Qf8.

If 21....Rg7, then 22. Qh8+ Kf7, 23. Qf8 mate.

22. Qh8+, Kf7
23. Qh7 mate.



Superb play by Harry Pillsbury !

To view the game in PGN format, you may visit  Pillsbury vs. Winawer.

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation

VAHAP SANAL vs. HJORVAR STEIN GRETARSON
Chess Olympiad, 2012

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, d6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. Nc3, a6
6. Bg5, Nbd7
7. Bc4, Qa5
8. Qd2, e6
9. 0-0-0, b5
10. Bb3, Bb7
11. Rhe1, Rc8
12. e5 !! ....

The beginning of White's attack, the objective of which is to create weaknesses along d and e files.  However, Black refuses to take the bait.

12. .... b4


Black decides to counterplay.

13. exf6, bxc3
14. Qf4, Ne5
15. Nxe6, fxe6
16. Rxe5 !!

Black resigns.  White threatens mate at f7.  Now, if 16..... Qxe5, then 17. f7+ Kd7, 18.. Qxe5 and Black is lost.

An exciting 16-move game.

Bishop's Opening, McDonnell Gambit

ARNOLD DENKER vs. ARTHUR RANDOLPH SHAYNE

Rochester, New York, 1945

1. e4, e5

2. Bc4, Bc5

3. b4, Bxb4

A pawn sacrifice, common in Bishop's Opening, the objective of which is to consolidate White's center.

4. c3, Bc5

5. d4, exd4

6. Nf3, Nf6

7. e5, Ne4

8. 0-0 ....

White could take the d pawn immediately, but he has other things in mind.

8. ... Nxc3

9. Nxc3, dxc3

10. Bg5, Be7

11. Qd5, Rf8

12. Bf6! ...

A subtle move.  This neat Bishop gambit forces White to open the e-file.

12. ... gxf6

13. exf6, Bxf6

14. Rfe1+, Be7

15. Ng5! ...

15. ... c6

Black tries to drive away White's Queen, but Black is unperturbed.

16. Nxf7, cxd5

If 16.... Qc7 then 17. Qh5! with great attacking possibilities.

17. Nd6 mate

Sicilian Defense

Viswanathan Anand vs. Peter Svidler
6th Round, 2016 Moscow Candidates Tournament

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, a6
4. Ba4, Nf6
5. 0-0, Be7
6. Re1, b5
7. Bb3, 0-0
8. a4, Bb7
9. d3, Re8
10. Nbd2, Bf8
11. c3 ...

Anand prepares for d4....

11. ... Na5
12. Bc2, c5
13. d4, exd4
14. cxd4, d5
15. e5, Ne4
16. axb5, axb5
17. Nxe4, dxe4
18. Rxe4 ....

The Rook is poisoned.  If 18....Bxe4, 19. Bxe4 followed by 20. Bxh7 and 21. Ng5 with good attacking prospects.

18. .... Nb3

Black offers his Knight in return, to lure White's c2 Bishop away from action.

19. Rxa8, Bxa8
20. Ng5, Nxc1
21. Qh5!! ....

   
White's attacking prospects are greater than the value of captured material.  Here, White has a two-pronged attack.

21. .... h6
22. Qxf7+, Kh8
23. Rg4 ....

The move takes the Rook away from harm, and defends the Knight from Black's Queen.  If 23. Qg6, then Black equalizes with Qxg5.

Now, if 23....hxg5, then 22. Qh5+ Kg8, 23. Bh7+ Kh8, 24. Bg6+ Kg8, 25. Qh7 mate.

23. .... Qa5

Black creates a diversion on the Queen side of the board.

24. h4 ....


Whites creates an escape square for his King.

Having no other good move, Black resigns. White's Queen cannot be prevented from going to g6 and h7.

At this point, if 24.....hxg5, then 25. Qh5+  Kg8, 26. Bh7+ Kh8, 27. Bg6+ Kg8, 28. Qh7 mate.

If 24....Qe1+, 25. Kh2 Ne2, 26. Nf3 !!...

A superb play by Viswanathan Anand!

Sicilian Defense

GM Ian Rogers vs. IM Michael Hennigan
Hastings Premier, 1993

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, e6
4. Bxc6, bxc6
5. 0-0, d5
6. d3, Ne7
7. c4, Ng6

Undeterred by a double-pawn, Black develops his pieces.

8. Nc3, Be7

Black should have moved 8. .... Bd6 right away.

9. b3, 0-0
10. Ba3, Bd6
11. Re1, d4
12. Na4, e5

Black has to block the advance of White's e-pawn.

13. Bxc5, Nf4
14. g3?! ....

A dubious move.  14. h3 makes more sense.

14. .... Nh3+
15. Kg2, Bg4

Black threatens Ng5 winning the Knight.

16. Qd2, f5!!
 

17. Ng1 ....

White cannot take the pawn.  Doing so would put tremendous pressure on the f-file.

If 17. Nxe5 Bxe5, 18. Bxf8 Ng5! Black plays aggressively.

17. .... Nxg1
18. Kxg1, Bf3
19. Bxd6, Qxd6
20. Qg5, f4
21. Rec1 ....

White's King intends to run to the queen side.

21. .... Rf6
22. Kf1, Rg6
23. c5, Qc7
24. Qh4, Rh6
25. Qg5, Rh5!!
 

 The Queen is "mated", so White resigns.  While 25.....Rxh2 is also good, the text nails down the Queen immediately.

A superb ending !

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.