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.

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.

Scotch Game, Scotch Gambit

PAUL MORPHY vs. HART
Unknown Location, 1854

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. d4, exd4
4. Bc4 ....

The Scotch Gambit is an aggressive line in the Scotch Game that gives up an early pawn for a strong early attack against the black King.

4. .... d6
5. c3, dxc3
6. Qb3, Qe7

If 6....Na5, then 7. Bxf7 Ke7, 8. Qxc3 ....

7. 0-0, b6
8. Nxc3, Na5
9. Qb4, Nxc4

If 9....c5, then 10. Bb5+ Bd7, 11. Qa4 ....

10. Qxc4, Bb7
11. Re1, 0-0-0
12. Bf4, f6
13. Rac1, Kb8
14. Nd5, Bxd5
15. exd5, Qd7
16. Nd4, Ne7
17. Rxe7!! ....

Eliminating a major defensive piece....

17. .... Bxe7
18. Qa6, c5

Black's Queen cannot go to c8 because of the threat 19. Nc6+ and mate afterwards.

19. dxc6, Qc8

Of course not 19....Qc7, because White threatens 20. Nb5....

20. c7+!!, Ka8
21. cxd8=Q, Qxd8
22. Nb5, Qb8
23. Rc7, Resigns

Fantastic attack!