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.

Italian Game: Scotch Gambit - Max Lange Attack

BOZIDAR KAZIC vs. B. VUKOVIC
Unknown Location, 1940

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Nf6
4. d4, exd4
5. 0-0, Bc5
6. e5 ....

The Max Lange Attack.  A similar game is found in this blog (Fred Brown vs. Gibbs, London, 1918).

6. .... d5
7. exf6, dxc4
8. Re1, Kf8
9. Bg5, gxf6
10. Bh6+, Kg8
11. Nc3, Bg4
12. Ne4, b6
13. c3, Ne5
14. Nxe5!! ....

White used his own Queen as bait.

14. ....  Bxd1
15. Nd7 ....

The Knight could not be taken because of N4xf6 mate.

15. .... Be7

Black defends the f6 pawn, but White proves that the defense is futile.

16. Nexf6+, Bxf6
17. Re8+, Qxe8
18. Nxf6 mate.

A picture-perfect mate.

Italian Game, Scotch Gambit - Max Lange Attack

FRED BROWN vs. GIBBS
London, 1918

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Nf6
4. d4 ....

The e-pawn is sacrificed in order to open up the e-file.

4. .... exd4
5. 0-0, Bc5
6. e5! ....

The Max Lange Attack.  The position can arise from many different opening lines. including the Two Knights Defense, Petroff Defense, Bishop's Opening, and Center Game.

6. .... d5
7. exf6, dxc4
8. Re1+!!, Kf8
9. Bg5, gxf6?

This move aggravated Black's position.  Black instead should have moved his Queen to a safer location.

10. Bh6+, Kg8
11. Nc3, Bg4
12. Ne4, Bb6?

Better for Black is Be7 in order to defend the pawn at f6.

13. Qe2 ....

Threatening Nxf6, then Qe8.

13. .... Ne5
14. Nxe5 ....

A totally unexpected Queen sacrifice.

14. .... Bxe2

Better (but still inadequate) reply for Black is 14. .... Bf5, 15. Qf3 fxe5, 16. Qxf5  ...

15. Nd7 !! ....

Threatening N(any)xf6+.  At this point we could not see any solution for Black.

15. .... Ba5
16. N7xf6, Qxf6
17. Nxf6 mate.

Beautiful.