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.

The Good Old Spanish Game

LJUBOMIR LJUBOJEVIC vs. JOAQUIM MANUEL DURAO
Orense 1974

Spanish Game Classical Variation

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, Bc5
4. 0-0, Nd4
5. Nxd4, Bxd4
6. c3, Bb6
7. d4, c6
8. Ba4, d6
9. Na3, Bc7

Preparing for b5 eventually.....

10. d5, Bd7
11. dxc6, bxc6
12. Nc4, Qe7
13. f4, Nf6
14. fxe5, dxe5
15. b3 ....

Preparatory to Ba3....

15. .... Bb6+
16. Kh1 ....

Not 16. Nxb6 because White would lose its control over a3.

16. .... Nxe4
17. Ba3, Qe6
18. Qd3, f5

If 18....Nf2+, 19. Rxf2 Bxf2, 20. Nd6+ Kd8, 21. Rf1.. and White attacks the pawn on f7.

19. Rae1, Bc7
20. Rxf5!! Qxf5
21. Rxe4, 0-0-0
22. Nd6+ ....

Now White begins to atack. This Knight fork aims to dislodge the c7 Bishop from its post.

22. .... Bxd6
23. Qa6+, Kc7

If 23....Kb8, then 24. Bxd6+ Ka8, 25. Bxc6+ Bxc6, 26. Qxb6 mate.

24. Qxa7+, Kc8
25. Bb5, Resigns

An ingenious way of dealing with Black's threat of mate at f1. Now, White threatens Ba6 mate. If  25....cxb5, 26. Qa6+ Kc7, 27. Bxd6 mate.

Superb play!

Spanish Game Open Variation, Howell Attack

BORISLAV IVKOV vs. JAN HEIN DONNER
Havana Cap Memorial 1965

Spanish Game Open Variation, Howell Attack

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, a6
4. Ba4, Nf6
5. 0-0, Nxe4

The Open Variation.  White sacrifices the e4 pawn to keep the e-file open.

6. d4, b5
7. Bb3, d5
8. dxe5, Be6
9. Qe2 ....

The Howell Attack, popularized by David Howell, the youngest chess grandmaster in the United States, a title he earned in 2007 when he was 16.

9. .... Nc5
10. Rd1, Nxb3
11. cxb3, Be7
12. Nc3, 0-0
13. Be3, Na5
14. Rac1 ....

The reason behind White's 11th move.  White intends to control the c-file.

14. .... Nb7

Black intends to move c5.

15. Ne4 ....

Effectively preventing c5....

15. .... Bg4
16. h3, Bxf3
17. Qxf3, c6

Black intends to protect the d5 pawn at all cost.  If 18. Rxc6, then 18....Qd7, 19. Rdc1 Rac8, etc.

18. Ng3, Rc8
19. Nf5!, g6
20. Rxd5!! ....

The Rook cannot be taken by the Queen because of 21. Nxe7.  Now, if 20.....cxd5, then 21. Rxc8 Qxc8, 22. Nxe7+.

20. .... Qe8

If 20....Qc7, then 21. Rxc6 Qxc6, and White still threatens 22. Nxf7+.

21. Bh6 Resigns

Black loses more material.  Now, if 21.....gxf5, then 22. Qg3+ and mate next move.

Flank Attack

In chess, a struggle may happen along the a-file or h-file - a flank attack.  This situation may be aggravated by a trap or a sacrifice paving the way for an attack in an open file.  This phenomenon is best illustrated in the following post, a brilliant game in which the great grandmaster Adolf Anderssen demolished Mayet in just 12 moves.

MAYET vs. ANDERSSEN
Berlin, 1851

Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game)

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, Bc5
4. c3, Nf6
5. Bxc6 ....

Modern masters would perhaps prefer 5. d4 fortifying the center and getting rid of the pesky Bishop.

5. .... dxc6

Modern chess theory would suggest 5....bxc6 to be followed by 6....d5, but Anderssen has something up his sleeve.

6. 0-0 ....

Ill-timed.  The best move is still 6. d4.

6. .... Bg4!
7. h3 ....

Intending to drive off the annoying Bishop...

7. .... h5!

8. hxg4? ....

A bad move. White obligingly opened the h-file, paving the way for Black's attack.

8. .... hxg4
9. Nxe5, g3!!
10. d4, Nxe4!

Black threatens 11. Rh1+  Kxh1, 12. Qh4+  Kg1, 13. Qh2 mate.

11. Qg4?, Bxd4

Anderssen may win in another way by 11....gxf2+, 12. Rxf2  Rh1+, 13. Kxh1  Nxf2+ winning the Queen.

12. Qxe4, Bxf2+

White resigns, as there is no stopping 13. Rxf2 (forced)  Qd1+, 14. Rf1  Rh1+, 15. Kxh1  Qxf1 mate.

Spanish Game, Berlin Defense

JOSE RAUL CAPABLANCA vs. MARC FONAROFF
New York, 1918

Spanish Game: Berlin Defense

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. d4, d6
4. Nc3, Nf6
5. Bb5, Bd7
6. 0-0, Be7
7. Re1, exd4
8. Nxd4, Nxd4
9. Qxd4, Bxb5
10. Nxb5, 0-0
11. Qc3, ....

Threatening 12. Qxc7...

11. .... c6
12. Nd4, Nd7

Black's Knight gives way to his Bishop.

13. Nf5, Bf6
14. Qg3, Ne5
15. Bf4, Qc7
16. Rad1, Rad8
17. Rxd6!! ....

The bombshell!  This move came very unexpectedly.

17. .... Rxd6
18. Bxe5, Rd1

If 18.....Bxe5, then 19. Qxe5 and White wins the Queen or the Rook because of a mating threat at g7.

19. Rxd1, Bxe5
20. Nh6+, Kh8
21. Qxe5!! ....

A magnificent move.  But Black has no choice but to capture.  If 21....Qc8, then 22. Nf5 f6, 23. Qe7 Rg8, 24. Nd6 and White wins the Queen or mates at f7.

22. .... Qxe5
23. Nxf7, Resigns

White comes ahead in material after winning the Queen.  If  23....Rxf7, then 24. Rd8+ and wins.

This game is one of Capablanca's best. A superb performance!

Win Some, Lose Some

It seems inconceivable for a grandmaster to lose a game in 15 moves.  But even grandmasters have mental lapses that would account for a game loss.  The following game shows how Rubinstein, an acclaimed chess master in his time, succumbed to the wiles of Frederick Yates using Ruy Lopez Opening.

FREDERICK YATES vs. AKIBA RUBINSTEIN
Budapest, 1926

Ruy Lopez Opening

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, a6
4. Ba4, Nf6
5. Qe2, b5
6. Bb3, Bc5

Black's last move may look attractive but it would be better placed at e7 to prevent a pin on the Knight.

7. c3, Qe7
8. 0-0, d6
9. Rd1, 0-0
10. d4, Bb6
11. Bg5, Nd8?

Reinfeld suggests 11....h6 to drive away the pinning Bishop.

12. Nh4! ....

Now, it is not possible to drive the Bishop away, for 12....h6 would be refuted by 13. Ng6.

12. .... Ne6?

In his haste to get rid of the pesky Bishop, Black loses control of the f5 square, which would become a stronghold for White's Knight.

13. Nf5!! ....

If Black plays 13....Qd8, White replies with 14. dxe5 and the double pin would be too much for Black to handle.

13. .... Qe8
14. Bxf6, gxf6
15. Bxe6, Resigns

White threatens Qg4+ and Qg7 mate.

If 15...fxe6, then 16. Qg4+! The only way Black could avoid mate is 16....Qg6 but would lose the Queen after 17. Ne7+.

A brilliant and very instructive little game.

Ruy Lopez Opening: Exchange Variation

ROBERT JAMES FISCHER vs. BORIS SPASSKY
$5 million match, 1992

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, a6
4. Bxc6 ....

The moves so far comprise the Exchange Variation of Ruy Lopez.

4. .... dxc6

This move is almost always chosen at master level. Black has gained the bishop pair at the cost of a weakened pawn structure, due to his doubled pawns on c6 and c7. In the Exchange Variation, by exchanging the 'Spanish Bishop', White aims to reach an endgame in which he has the superior pawn structure, which may become an important factor. Thus Black is compelled to strive for an active position, generally avoiding piece exchanges.

5. 0-0, f6
6. d4, exd4
7. Nxd4, c5
8. Nb3, Qxd1
9. Rxd1, Bg4
10. f3, Be6
11. Nc3, Bd6
12. Be3, b6
13. a4, 0-0-0
14. a5, Kb7
15. e5, Be7

If 15....fxe5, then 16. axb6 cxb6, 17. Ne4 Be7, 18. Rxd8 Bxd8, 19. Nexc5 bxc5, 20. Nbxc5... and White gets more than enough compensation.

16. Rxd8, Bxd8
17. Ne4, Kc6
18. axb6, cxb6
19. Nbxc5, Bc8

If 19....bxc5, then 20. Rxa6+ Kd7, 21. Nxc5+!!...

20. Nxa6, fxe5
21. Nb4+, Resigns

If 21....Kb7, 22. Nd6+ Kc7, 23. Nf7!.

Black loses after 21....Kb5, 22. Nd6+ Kxb4, 23. Ra3!! Be7, 24. c3+ mate.

Black loses material after 21....Kd7, 22. Ra7+ Ke6, (if 22....Ke8, then 23. Nd6+) 23. Ng5+ followed by 24. Ra8 or 24. Nf7.

Black also gets nowhere after 21....Kc7, 22. Ra7+ Bb7, (if 22....Kb8, then 23. Nc6+ mate) 23. Rxb7+ Kxb7, 24. Nd6+ Kc7, 25. Nf7!.

Ruy Lopez Opening

PAUL MORPHY vs. ADOLF ANDERSSEN
Paris 1858

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, Nf6
4. d4, Nxd4
5. Nxd4, exd4
6. e5, c6?

A weak move, seen as the ultimate cause of this game's loss.

7. 0-0, cxb5
8. Bg5 ....

This pin is seen as much stronger than taking the Knight at once.

8. .... Be7

The correct reply.  If 8....h6 then White replies with 9. exf6 hxg5, 10. Re1+!! and White wins an extra piece with an overwhelming position.

9. exf6, Bxf6
10. Re1+, Kf8
11. Bxf6, Qxf6
12. c3, d5
13. cxd4, Be6
14. Nc3, a6
15. Re5, Rd8
16. Qb3, Qe7
17. Rae1 ...

Strengthens the e-file.  If 17. Nxd5, then Black replies with 17....Qd6, and the Knight is pinned.

17. .... g5

Black prevents the advance of the f-pawn.

18. Qd1, Qf6
19. R1e3!!, Rg8?

A losing move.  However, the game at this point is beyond recovery.

20. Rxe6, Resigns

White is now positionally and materially superior.  If 21....fxe6, then 22. Rf3!! and Black loses his Queen.

The Ukraine Immortal

The game got its name because it was played at Ukraine in 1931.

EFIM KORCHMAR vs. ABRAM BORISOVICH POLIAK
Spanish Game (Ruy Lopez), Steinitz Defense

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, d6
4. d4, Bd7
5. Nc3, Nf6
6. 0-0, Nxd4
7. Bxd7+, Qxd7
8. Nxd4, exd4
9. Qxd4, Be7
10. Rd1 ....

A preparatory move...

10. .... 0-0
11. e5!, Ne8
12. Bf4, a5
13. Rd3, Ra6
14. Re1, Qf5
15. Nd5 ....

Attacking the Bishop at e7 and threatening double-check...

15. .... Bd8
16. exd6, Nxd6
17. Rg3 ....

Threatening mate at g7...

17. .... f6
18. Bh6!!, Rf7

Black thinks he has successfully defended his position.  Here comes another bomb...

19. Nb4!!!, axb4
20. Qxd6!!!, Qd7

Black cannot take White's Queen because of a mating  threat: 21. Re8+ Rf8, 22. Rxg7+ Kh8, 23. Rxf8 mate.

Now, if 21. Qxd7 Rxd7, 22 Re8+ Kf7, 23. Rxg7+ Kxe8 and the game favors Black.

21. Qd5!! ....

Still the Queen cannot be taken because of the threat at e8.

21. ....Kf8

Black removes his King from the pin, and eliminates the threat at e8.  He must have thought he is safe, but here comes another attack...

22. Rxg7!!, Qxd5

If 22..... Rxg7 then 23. Qxd7 with no compensation.

23. Rg8!!!+ ....

Black resigns. For after 23.....Kxg8, 24. Re8+ Rf8, 25. Rxf8 mate.   An amazing brilliancy.

Attacking a Castled King

Capablanca, known for his elegant and brilliant style, transforms a lead in development into a brutal attack on a castled king. Capablanca manages to crush Reti, one of the strongest grandmasters of the day, in just 18 moves.

RETI vs. CAPABLANCA
Berlin Tageblatt, 1950
Ruy Lopez Opening

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, d6
4. c3 .....

This creates a pawn lever as preparation to d4.

4. ..... a6
5. Ba4, f5

An aggressive move.  Black must be careful now since his King is opened a bit.

6. d4 .....

Reti grabs the center, but leaves the e-pawn hanging.

6. ..... fxe4
7. Ng5, exd4
8. Nxe4, Nf6

Black continues to develop and pressures the center.

9. Bg5, Be7
10. Qxd4 ?! .....

A fancy move that takes advantage of the pinned knight. This move is still extremely dangerous.

10. ..... b5!

Black breaks the pin and attacks the White Queen.

11. Nxf6+, gxf6
12. Qd5!, bxa4
13. Bh6 .....

White could have captured the Knight, but thought it best to prevent Black from castling.

13. ..... Qd7

Since he cannot castle on the king-side, Black prepares to castle on the other side.

14. 0-0, Bb7
15. Bg7! .....

Black's rook is trapped!

15. ..... 0-0-0
16. Bxh8, Ne5

A discovered attack on the Queen.

17. Qd1, Bf3!!

An unstoppable attack.  Now the White Queen can no longer protect the queen side.

18. gxf3, Qh3!
19. Resigns

White cannot stop Nxf3 threatening mate, and Rg8 with mate in a few moves.

To view the game in PGN format, you may visit Reti vs. Capablanca.

Henry Bird

The creator of the Bird's Opening, Henry Bird was one of the great players of his day and a true chess enthusiast.  He loved the game because he thought of it as a "free fight".  Henry Bird also authored many great chess books.

In the following game, Bird relentlessly pushes his f pawn down his opponent's world champion's throat.

BIRD vs. STEINITZ
New Orleans, 1866
Ruy Lopez Opening

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

So far, standard Ruy Lopez opening.

3. ..... Nf6

Usually this move comes later in the Ruy Lopez, but it is completely playable now.

4. d4 .....

This move is so sharp it drifted the game into unclear territory.

4. ..... exd4
5. e5, Ne4
6. Nxd4 .....

A centralized Knight so powerful it cannot be driven away by pawns.

6. ..... Be7
7. 0-0, Nxd4

This move hastens White's development.  Black would have been wise to castle instead.

8. Qxd4, Nc5
9. f4, b6
10. f5, Nb3

The reason for Black's 9th move.  In addition to the fork, he threatens a pin on White's Queen.

11. Qe4, Nxa1
12. f6!, Bc5+
13. Kh1, Rb8

Black defends his Rook and plans to develop his Bishop at b7.

14. e6!! .....

A brilliant move that takes advantage of the pinned Black's d pawn.

14. ..... Rg8
15. Qxh7, Rf8
16. exf7+, Rxf7
17. Re1+, Be7

Forced, it is the only move that does not result in immediate checkmate.

18. Qg8+, Rf8
19. f7 mate.

A beautiful finish.

Transposed Moves

Transposed moves -- changing the order of a series of moves -- has lost games and won them.  Here is an impressive case in point.

ALEKHINE vs. MINDENG
Amsterdam, 1933
Ruy Lopez Opening

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, d6
4. d4, exd4
5. Qxd4 .....

This gets the Queen strongly into play and prepares for Queen-side castling.

5. ..... Bd7
6. Bxc6, Bxc6
7. Nc3, Nf6
8. Bg5, Be7
9. 0-0-0, 0-0
10. h4!, h6

11. Nd5 .....

This clever sacrifice of a piece is based on White's expectation of making good use of the resulting open h file.

11. ..... hxg5?
12. Nxe7+!, Qxe7
13. hxg5, Nxe4

After 13. .....Qxe4, 14. gxf6 Qxd4, 15. Rxd4 the threat of Rg4 is decisive.

14. Rh5 .....

White wants to double Rooks on the open file with a view to Rh8 mate.  This means that Black must play up his King Bishop Pawn sooner or later in order to open an escape hatch for his King.

14. ..... Qe6

After 14......f5, 15. g6! (nailing down the Black King) we get the same finish as in the game.

15. R1h1, f5

It seems that Black is safe after all, because after 16. g6 Qxg6, 17. Qc4+, he has 17. ..... d5.

16. Ne5!! .....

Threatens 17. Rh8 mate.

16. ..... dxe5

Or 16. .....Qxe5, 17. Qxe5 dxe5, 18. g6  forcing mate.

17. g6!, Resigns

For Black realizes that after 17. ..... Qxg6 White forces mate beginning with 18. Qc4+.  Thus we see that White's win was made possible by transposing g6 and Ne5.  A logical strategic play!

King's Safety First

The objective of chess is to checkmate the opponent's king.  It is but imperative to castle into safety behind a wall of pawns, and keep you pawns in front of your king unmoved if possible.

If your opponent's king is not safely protected, your plan could be to attack it!

The following game emphasizes this basic principle in chess.

KMOCH vs. WADE
Vienna, 1934
Ruy Lopez Opening

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, N8e7
4. 0-0, g6

The logical sequel to Black's previous move, which has blocked the Bishop's natural development.

5. d4, Bg7
6. dxe5, Nxe5
7. Nxe5, Bxe5
8. Bh6!? .....

A very enterprising speculation.  He offers a Pawn and the Exchange in order to get rid of Black's King Bishop.

8. ..... Bxb2
9. Nd2 .....

In the event of 9. .....Bxa1, 10. Qxa1 Rg8, 11. Bg5.  White's mastery of the black squares will  give Black a hard time.  Avoiding this, Black stumbles into something just as bad.

9. ..... c6
10. Rb1, Bd4?
11. Nc4! .....

White threatens 12. Nd6 mate.

11. ..... Bc5


12. Qd4!!, Resigns

If 12......Bxd4, 13. Nd6 mate  If 12. .....Rg8, 13. Qxc5 and White's Bishop is immune because of the renewed threat of Nd6 mate.  A sparkling miniature.

The Romantic Era of Chess

Most scholars believe that the Romantic Era began in 1798 and ended with the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1837, and the beginning of the Victorian Period.  The Romantic movement which was so influential, also left its mark on chess.  The games of this period are full of forceful attacks and slashing sacrifices.  The following game is one of the masterpieces of the period.

ANDERSSEN vs. LANGE
Breslau, 1859
Ruy Lopez Opening

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, Nd4
4. Nxd4, exd4
5. Bc4? .....

Waste of time.  Simply 5. 0-0 Nf6, 6. e5 was in order.

5. ..... Nf6
6. e5, d5!

A formidable counter. On 7. exf6 dxc4 Black has a fine game.

7. Bb3 .....

Now the Bishop is buried alive, whereas the Black Knight performs great deeds.

7. ..... Bg4!
8. f3, Ne4!
9. 0-0 .....

On 9. fxg4 Qh4+, 10. Ke2 Qf2+, 11. Kd3 Nc5 mate or 10. g3 Nxg3, 11. hxg3 Qxh1 with a winning attack for Black.

9. ..... d3!
10. fxg4, Bc5+
11. Kh1, Ng3+
12. hxg3, Qg5

Black threatens Qh6 mate.

13. Rf5, h5!

On 14. Rxg5 hxg4, 15. Rh5 Rxh5 mate.

14. gxh5, Qxf5

With the piquant threat 15......Qf1, 16. Qxf1 Rxh5 mate.

15. g4, Rxh5+
16. gxh5, Qe4

Threatens ...Qh4 mate.

17. Qf3, Qh4+!
18. Qh3, Qe1+
White resigns.

Black has a forced mate: 19 Kh2 Bg1+!, 20. Kh1 Bf2+, 21. Kh2 Qg1 mate.

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Queen Sacrifice

In a chess blog full of Queen sacrifices, the Queen sacrifice in the following game is truly remarkable.  In fact, the whole game is off the beaten track.

FOX vs. GOLMAYO
Antwerp, 1901
Ruy Lopez Opening, Berlin Defense Rio Gambit Accepted

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, Nf6
4. 0-0, Nxe4

The old Berlin Defense, rarely seen nowadays.

5. Re1 ....

The alternative 5. d4 is more likely to create difficulty for Black.

5. .... Nd6
6. Nxe5, Be7

Of course not 6. .... Nxb5, 7. Nxc6 dis ch winning Black's Queen.

7. Bf1, 0-0
8. d4, Nf5
9. c3, d5

Here Black has an easier game with 9. .....Nxe5, 10. dxe5 d6.

10. Qd3, Re8
11. f4, Nd6
12. Re3, Na5 ?

Feeble.  Much better was 12.....Bf5 then Be4.

13. Nd2, Nf5 ?
14. Rh3, Nh4 ?

Instead of effectively centralizing his Queen Bishop, Black has badly posted his Knights.

15. g4, Ng6
16. Rh5 ......

White intends to increase pressure with Qh3, but Black's next move offers a stunning inspiration.

16. .... Nc6

17. N2c4 ! ......

One of the deepest surprise moves ever played. Had Black dreamed of what was coming, he would have tried 17. .... Ncxe5.

17. .....dxc4

18. Qxg6 !! .....

The expendable Queen.  After 18. ....fxg6 there follows 19. Bxc4+ Kf8, 20. Nxg6+ hxg6, 21. Rh8 mate.

18. ... hxg6

19. Nxg6!, fxg6

20. Bxc4, Resigns

Black cannot stop mate.  Truly an unconventional game.

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The Value of Surprise

In chess as in war, an opponent taken by surprise is half defeated. The following game emphasizes the case, giving us the insidious notion that third-rate surprise moves are "better" than first-rate logical moves. This cynical concept adds to the charm of chess.

RICHTER vs. CORTLEVER
Munich, 1941
Ruy Lopez Opening

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, a6
4. Ba4, Nf6
5. 0-0, Nxe4
6. d4, b5

So far, so good. Everything has proceeded along well-trodden paths.

7. d5!? .....

But this comes as a complete surprise (instead of the conventional 7. Bb3), played to rattle Black.

7. .... Ne7
8. Re1, Nc5?

The Knight moves are wasting too much time. With 8. ...f5 or even 8. ...bxa4 Black would have had a safe game.

9. Nxe5! ....

Black cannot capture White's Bishop because of the tricky continuation 10. Qf3! (threatens mate) f6, 11. Qh5+ g6, 12. Nxg6 hxg6, 13. Qxg6 mate.

9. ... d6

The obnoxious Knight is driven away, only to go to an even more troublesome spot.

10. Nc6, Qd7

The Knight has become a "rusty nail in the knee".

11. Bg5! ...

The terrible pin is reinforced. If Black tries 11....f6, 12. Bxf6 gxf6, 13. Qh5 mate.

11. .... Qg4
12. Qxg4, Bxg4
13. Bxe7, Nxa4

Or 13. ...Bxe7, 14. Rxe7+ Kf8, 15. Bb3 and White is a piece to the good.

14. Bxd6, Kd7
15. Bxf8, Resigns

Black realizes that after 15. ...Rhxf8 White will continue 16. Ne5+ winning a piece. White's crafty plan of creating confusion in Black's ranks has paid off handsomely.

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Ruy Lopez Opening or Spanish Game

The Ruy Lopez opening dates from a work known as the Gottinberg Manuscript, written in Latin in 1500 by Lucena.  Ruy Lopez, a Spanish priest, later wrote about the opening in a book which was published in 1561, so the opening was named after him.

The Ruy Lopez, also called the Spanish Opening or Spanish Game, is a chess opening characterized by the moves 1. e4 e5, 2. Nf3 Nc6, 3. Bb5 ....   The Ruy Lopez opening is one of the oldest and most studied openings in the realm of chess.  So many books have been written on the subject, not to mention the thousands of articles about it found in the Internet. 

This author will not expound on the opening itself, but will emphasize on the importance of having a sound pawn structure.  "The pawns," said the great Philidor, "are the soul of the game." In the following game, a weakness in Black's pawn structure leads to the direst of consequences.

ATKINS vs. GIBSON
Southport, 1924

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, a6
4. Ba4, Nf6
5. 0-0, Nxe4

Black's last move is not recommended.  It has the possible drawback of leading to a weakness in pawn structure.

6. d4, b5
7. Bb3, d5
8. dxe5, Be6
9. c3, Be7
10. Be3, 0-0
11. N1d2, f5

After this move, Black's pawn structure is in a shaky state.  This is particularly true of the b3-g8 diagonal.

12. exf6 (e.p.), Nxf6
13. Ng5, Bf5 ?

The safer course for Black is 13. .... Qd7.

14. N2e4 !! .....

This surprise move underline's Black's troubles on the weakened diagonal.  Observe that the d5 pawn is pinned.

14. ..... Nxe4

Black must lose some material.  For example, if he plays 14. ....Bxe4 White replies 15. Nxe4 and Black's d5 pawn must go.  In that case, the reply to 15. ....Nxe4 would be 16. Bxd5+ Kh8, 17. Bxc6 and White wins at least the Exchange.

15. Qxd5 ....

To this Black's relatively best reply is 15. ....Qxd5, 16. Bxd5 Kh8 but after 17. Nxe4 White would have achieved his objective: winning the weakened d5 pawn.  Avoiding this, Black falls into something much worse.

15. .... Kh8 ?
16. Qg8+!!, Rxg8
17. Nf7 mate !

One must admit the single-mindedness with which White exploited the weakness in Black's pawn structure.

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