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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