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- Herausgeber: Batsford
- Kategorie: Lebensstil
- Sprache: Englisch
'This romantic opening is a real rarity at top-level chess. Probably the greatest expert on this line right now is England's Grandmaster Joe Gallagher.' - Nigel Short in The Daily Telegraph The King's Gambit has always been a great favourite of tactical players. However, since its heyday in the nineteenth century, it appeared only sporadically in Grandmaster chess. Recently, this has begun to change, and the King's Gambit has once again become a force to be reckoned with. A whole host of new ideas have appeared, many of them introduced into international competition by the author himself and explained in this book.
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Seitenzahl: 356
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021
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Winning With the King’s Gambit
Joe Gallagher
Contents
Introduction
1 Fischer Defence
2 Cunningham Defence
3 Kieseritzky Gambit
4 Modern Defence
5 3 ... ♘c6
6 Becker Defence
7 Schallop Defence
8 Rare Third Moves
9 Falkbeer Counter-Gambit
10 Nimzowitsch Counter-Gambit
11 Classical Defence
12 Second Move Alternatives
Index of Variations
Symbols
+
Check
++
Double check
!
Good move
!!
Excellent move
?
Bad move
??
Blunder
!?
Interesting move
?!
Dubious move
1-0
White wins
0-1
Black wins
½-½
Draw
Ch
Championship
ol
Olympiad
Corr.
Correspondence
Introduction
1
e4
e5
2
f4 (1)
The King’s Gambit is, of course, an opening with a great history, but for the larger part of this century it has been lying dormant, a rare visitor to tournament practice. However, I am inclined to take the optimistic view and regard its demise as purely a matter of fashion.
The Spanish Game (or Ruy Lopez, who incidentally was the first person to publish King’s Gambit analysis) has now ruled the open game for countless years, but there is evidence that its reign could be drawing to a close. The last few years have witnessed an upsurge in the popularity of Scotch’s, Vienna’s and Four Knights’, including at the highest level - Kasparov used the Scotch with success in his latest match with Karpov, and Short employed various antiquated systems in his most recent Candidates’ tussle with Speelman, even a couple of King’s Gambit Declineds by transposition. I believe it can only be a matter of time before the King’s Gambit (proper) joins in this revolution. I know that many players have been toying with the idea of introducing the King’s Gambit into their repertoire, but have not yet found the courage to push that f-pawn two squares on their second move. My hope is that this book will help to allay many of their fears.
Winning With the King’s Gambit, as the title should inform you, is a look at this opening from the White point of view. Whilst I have endeavoured to remain as objective as possible in my assessments of positions, much more time has been devoted to finding new ideas for White, rather than attempting to refute existing theory where White already stands well. I see this as a task for our future opponents.
The theoretical revival of the King’s Gambit is really not that surprising, as it has always been based on sound positional principles. If Black accepts the gambit, then White is normally able to build a strong centre and if Black gives (or loses) the pawn back, White will also achieve a space advantage on the kingside. When Black plays to keep the material with... g5, then White usually does best to undermine the pawn chain as quickly as possible by playing h4 (see the chapters on Fischer or Kieseritzky, for example), forcing Black to advance... g4, which can often lead to a wrecked kingside.
The format of this book is one which is becoming increasingly popular and involves studying the opening through a series of annotated games. This is extremely important, as it enables the reader to familiarise himself (or herself) with the middlegame positions (and occasionally endgames) which arise from the King’s Gambit.
This is a book for the practical player (but also one who will appreciate the special buzz around this opening), and for that reason not all variations of the King’s Gambit are included, but only those which offer White good chances of obtaining the advantage. However, the chosen variations have been analysed in depth, as often it can be just as important to know which variations are bad (and why) as to which are good. The repertoire is based on the King’s Knight Gambit, so my apologies to those fans of the Bishop’s, and various other third move gambits, but my advice to you is to start playing 3 ♘f3.
1) Fischer Defence
1
e4
e5
2
f4
ef
3
♘f3
d6 (2)
Over the last few years this variation has developed into the most popular way of accepting the gambit. Personally, I feel quite happy about this as Black seems to be struggling in most of the lines. I only hope that this chapter won’t frighten off any potential opponents!
After his famous defeat against Spassky at Mar del Plata 1960, the great Bobby decided to refute the King’s Gambit. In the summer of 1961, the American Chess Quarterly published his analysis. “A high-class waiting move”, was how he described 3... d6.
The main point of the variation is demonstrated after the moves 4 d4 g5 5 h4 g4. White does not have the possibility of 6 ♘e5, as in the Kieseritzky Gambit. Therefore he has to go ‘all in’ with 6 ♘g5 (not to be recommended, I’m afraid) or return to base with the rather sad-looking 6 ♘g1 (3), when quite a comical position has arisen on the board - after six moves neither side has managed to get a piece off the back rank!
At the moment, Black is a pawn up but f4 is seriously weak and, if White manages to restore material equality without any sideeffects, Black’s punctured kingside will not allow him an easy game. Let’s have a look at some games to see how Black attempts to solve his problems.
Game 1Gallagher - ConquestBritish Championship,Blackpool 1988
1
e4
e5
2
f4
ef
3
♘f3
d6
4
d4
White does have other possibilities, but 4 d4 is clearly the most critical. However, the plan of ♗c4 followed by d3 is also interesting and can be seen later in games 9 and 10.
4
...
g5
Other moves have been tried from time to time without much success, for example: 4... ♘f6 5 ♘c3 ♘h5 6 ♗e2 (maybe 6 ♕d3, ♗d2 and 0-0-0) 6... ♗g4 7 0-0 c6 (7... g6 8 ♘d5) 8 ♘e1! ♗xe2 9 ♕xe2 g6 10 ♘d3 leaves White with a clear advantage.
5
h4
5 ♗c4 is illogical: if White wants to play this he should play it on the fourth move, as then Black is forced play... h6. The Dutch player Bosboom has experimented with 5 ♘c3, his idea being 5... g4 6 ♗xf4 and on with the game. His game with Ermenkov, Amsterdam 1985, continued instead: 5... ♗g7 6 h4 g4 (6 ... h6 should be considered) 7 ♘g1 ♘c6 8 ♗b5 ♗d7 9 ♗xc6 bc 10 ♗xf4 ♘e7 11 h5 with advantage to White. Further tests awaited!
5
...
g4
6
♘g1
As already mentioned, 6 ♘g5 runs into trouble. Not because of 6... h6 though, as after 7 ♘xf7 White has a decent version of the Allgaier Gambit (if there is such a thing), but 6... f6! and after 7 ♘h3 gh 8 ♕h5+ ♔d7 9 ♗xf4 ♕e8! 10 ♕f3 ♔d8 White doesn’t have enough for the piece (Fischer).
6
...
f3!? (4)
Black decides to give back his pawn in order to disrupt the white kingside. The other possibilities: 6... ♘f6, 6... ♗h6 and 6... ♕f6, will be considered in games 4 to 8.
7
gf
7 ♗g5 can be seen in games 2 and 3, whilst 7 ♗e3 occurred in the game Popovic - Spassky, New York 1986. However, after 7... ♗e7 8 ♗f2 ♘f6 9 gf ♖g8 10 ♗g2 ♘c6 11 ♘c3 gf 12 ♗xf3 ♘g4, Black had the initiative
7
...
♗e7
8
♗e3
This sensible developing move minimises the disruptive value of the check on h4. During the game I was sorely tempted to play 8 h5 but couldn’t quite summon up the courage to do so. Only Mark Hebden has, in his game with R. Alvares, Costa del Sol 1987, which continued: 8... ♗h4+ 9 ♔e2 (Not such a pretty place for the king, but we still have our h-pawn) 9... gf+ 10 ♘xf3 ♗g4 11 ♔d3 ♘c6 12 c3 ♘e5+?! (I have a vague memory of looking at 12... f5 with Mark and after 13 ♗h3 fe+ 14 ♔xe4 ♘f6+ 15 ♔d3 coming to the conclusion that Black’s king was in more trouble than White’s. Maybe we were drunk!) 13 de de+ 14 ♔e3! ♕xd1 15 ♗b5+ c6 16 ♖xd1 cb 17 ♖d5 and White had the better endgame.
8
...
♗xh4+
9
♔d2
c5! (5)
This new idea of Conquest’s certainly seems to be Black’s best try. After 9 ... ♘c6 10 ♘c3 ♗f6 (or 10... ♗g5 11 f4 ♗f6 and White’s centre is stronger than Black’s passed pawns) 11 ♗b5 ♗d7 12 ♗xc6 bc 13 fg White held the advantage in Gallagher - Konrad, Lloyds Bank 1985.
10
♔c1!?
10 c3 also deserves consideration, but at the time I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to support my centre, as it would come under heavy pressure from moves such as ... ♘c6, ... ♗f6, ... ♕b6 etc.
10
...
cd
11
♕xd4
♗f6
12
♕d2
♘c6
13
♘c3
♗e6
14
♘d5
♗xd5?!
After this, White has very good play for the pawn; 14... ♗g7 looks better. I’m sure White has some compensation, but the position is such a mess it is hard to define exactly what. Maybe it’s his safer king!
15
ed
♘e5
16
f4
♘d7
17
♖h5!
Black is prevented from connecting his passed pawns.
17
...
♘e7
18
♗e2
g3
19
a4!
White continues developing in beginner’s fashion with his second rook about to enter the fray along the file.
19
...
a6
Black doesn’t want to have to concern himself with any♗b5+’s.
20
♖a3
♖c8
21
♗d4
♖g8
22
♖xh7?
I set off on a false trail. With 22 ♖e3! White has the better chances.
22
...
♘f5
23
♗h5
♗xd4!
Not 23 ...♘xd4? 24 ♖e3+.
24
♖xf7
♕b6!
Black is not afraid.
25
♖g7+ (6)
25
...
♔d8!!
Black is willing to invest an enormous amount of material to keep the game going.
26
♖xg8+
♔e7!
27
♕e2+
♘e5!
28
♖xc8
Both sides now had very little time remaining until move 40, which made the game even more random. White’s great material advantage is offset by the amazing lack of co-ordination between his pieces.
28
...
♗xb2+
29
♔d2
♕xg1!
30
fe
Loses, but what else?
30
...
♗c1+
31
♔c3
♕d4+
32
♔b3
♕b2+
33
♔c4
b5+
34
ab
ab+
35
♔d3
♕d4 mate
One of the advantages of the King’s Gambit over other, more mundane, openings, is that even when you lose it can occasionally be enjoyable.
Game 2Gallagher - BodeBad Wörishofen 1991
1
e4
e5
2
f4
ef
3
♘f3
d6
4
d4
g5
5
h4
g4
6
♘g1
f3
7
♗g5
To my knowledge, this is the first time 7 ♗g5 had been played in a serious game.
7
...
♗e7
8
♕d2
f6
This can’t be good, but the alternatives don’t look rosy either.
(a) 8... ♗xg5 9 hg and the black squares on the kingside are already terminally ill.
(b) 8... f2+ 9 ♔xf2 (9 ♕xf2!?) 9... ♘f6 10 ♗d3! (This vacates the f1-square for the king) 10... g3+ 11 ♔xg3 ♖g8 12 ♔f2 ♘g4+ 13 ♔f1 and White stands clearly better, for example: 13... ♗xg5 14 hg ♕xg5 15 ♕xg5 ♖xg5 16 ♖xh7 ♘e3+ 17 ♔f2 ♖xg2+ 18 ♔xe3 ♖xg1 19 ♖h8+ ♔d7. A very curious position has arisen with both sides having terrible problems completing their development. However, the weakness of the black f-pawn enables White to gain a decisive advantage with 20 ♖f8!
(c) 8... h6 is examined in game 3.
9
♗h6! (7)
Black had banked on something like 9 ♗e3 f5 with a good game. Now 9 ♗h6 f5 10♗g7! ♗xh4+ 11 ♔d1 and any compensation Black appears to have is just illusory. For example: 11... fe 12 ♗xh8 ♗g5 13 ♕e1! By skilfully manoeuvring his king and queen, White has achieved a won position. If now 13... d5, then 14 gf gf 15♘xf3♗g4 16♗e2!; or 11... ♗f6 12 ♗xh8 ♗xh8 13 ♖xh7 (or 13 gf) wins for White.
9
...
♘xh6
10
♕xh6
♗e6
10 ... f2+ is possible, but it is not clear if it helps Black at all.
11
gf
11♕h5+♗f7 12♕xg4 is an alternative, but I didn’t want to let the initiative slip away.
11
...
gf
After 11... d5, I intended 12 ♘c3 de 13 0-0-0 ef and then deciding between 14 ♕h5+ ♗f7 15 ♕xg4 or 14 ♖e1. Both seem to be good for White.
12
♘xf3
c6
Black has to work hard to try and develop.
13
♘c3
♕a5?
It was essential to play 13... ♗f8! 14 ♕d2 h5 to prevent White from castling. Even then, after 15 ♕f2! ♗h6 16 ♘d2, White’s superiority is evident.
14
♘g5!
fg
15
♕xe6
♘d7
16
♗c4!
Stronger than 16 ♗h3 ♘f8.
16
...
♖f8?!
A better chance was 16... gh as now 17 0-0-0? ♕g5+ 18 ♔b1 0-0-0. White should instead play 17 e5! and if 17 ... d5 18 ♗e2 or 17... de 18 0-0-0 and Black is unlikely to survive for very long, e.g. 18... ed 19 ♖xd4 ♕g5+ 20 ♔b1 0-0-0 21 ♖hd1 and wins.
17
0-0-0
gh
Black is dreaming of escaping by... ♕g5+ and... 0-0-0. However,
18
e5!
This cuts all communications.
18
...
d5 (8)
19
♗xd5!
1-0
19... cd 20 ♘xd5 ♕d8 21 ♖hf1 and Black is totally paralysed; or alternatively 19... 0-0-0 20 ♕xe7 cd 21 ♖xh4 and White will soon be two pawns ahead with a good position.
Game 3Gallagher - ZiatdinovLenk 1991
1
e4
e5
2
f4
ef
3
♘f3
d6
4
d4
g5
5
h4
g4
6
♘g1
f3
7
♗g5
♗e7
8
♕d2
h6
9
♗xe7
fg
This is better than 9... ♘xe7 10 gf ♘g6 11 h5 with advantage to White; or 9... ♕xe7 10 ♘c3 and again Black has an unenviable position (10... d5 doesn’t he1p: 11 0 -0-0 de 12♘xe4!).
10
♗xg2
♘xe7 (9)
11
♘c3
For the pawn, White has a lead in development and a strong centre; when you add this to Black’s weakened kingside, you can already see the writing on the wall.
11
...
♘g6
12
♕f2
♘d7
This is a very strange move. My opponent said he didn’t like his position after 12... h5, but this is no excuse for allowing yourself to be pushed around.
13
h5
♘gf8
14
♘ge2
White keeps open the option of castling short. Even though his king will feel less secure on the kingside, the swift placing of the rooks on the e- and f-files would be telling.
14
...
♕f6
15
♕g3
♘e6
After 15... ♕g5 16 0-0 it is dangerous to take the h-pawn, e.g. 16... ♕xh5 17 ♘f4 ♕a5 18 ♘fd5! (threatening b4) 18... c6 19 ♕xd6 cd 20 ♘xd5! ♘g6 21 b4! winning. If Black had tried 17... ♕g5, then 18 ♘fd5 ♘e6 19 ♖f5 with an enormous attack.
16
0-0-0
♕g5+
17
♔b1
♘f6?!
Black gets greedy, but good moves are hard to come by.
18
e5!
Of course.
18
...
de
18... ♘xh5 19 ♕h2 ♘hf4 20 ♘e4 g3 21 ♘2xg3 with a winning attack.
19
de
♘d7
Now if 19... ♘xh5 20 ♕h2 (20 ♖xh5 followed by ♘e4 also looks good) 20... ♘hf4 21 ♘e4 ♕xe5 (10)
22 ♖d5!! There’s no answer to a move like this.
20
♖d5!
I thought an awful long time as there were a number of tempting alternatives:
(a) 20 ♘e4 ♕xe5 21 ♖xd7 ♕xg3 22 ♘f6+ ♔f8 23 ♘xg3 ♗xd7 24 ♘xd7+ ♔e7 25 ♘e5 with a clear advantage for White. But I wanted more than this.
(b) 20 ♖xd7!? ♗xd7 21 ♘e4 ♕e7 22 ♘f6+ with a very dangerous attack, but then I thought “why sacrifice at all?”. After 20 ♖d5, White has an attack of similar strength, but is only a pawn down.
20
...
c6
21
♘e4
♕e7
21...♕g7 is no better. At the board I was considering the exchange sacrifice 22 ♖xd7 as 22... ♗xd7 loses to 23 ♘f6+ ♔e7 24 ♕d3!; but 22... ♔xd7 is a much tougher nut to crack: 23 ♕d3+ ♔c7 24 ♕d6+ ♔b6 25 ♘2c3 a5! and I can’t see any forced win for White. Therefore it’s better not to ‘sac’ the exchange and play instead 22 ♘d6+ ♔f8 23 ♕a3! Black is forced to play 23... c5, as 23... ♔g8 loses to 24 ♘xc8 cd 25 ♘e7+ ♔h7 26 ♕d3+.
22
♖d2
♘g5
23
♘d6+
♔f8
24
♘f5!
♕e6
25
♖f1
♔g8 (11)
This allows White to win a piece, but there was nothing better.
26
♖d6!
♕xe5
Otherwise Black will quickly get mated.
27
♖xd7!
♕xg3
27... ♕xe2 28 ♖d8+ ♔h7 29 ♖xh8+ ♔xh8 30 ♕c3+! is the main point.
28
♖d8+
♔h7
29
♖xh8+
♔xh8
30
♘fxg3!
This removes Black’s last hope of counterplay.
30
...
♗e6
31
♔c1
♖e8
32
♖f4
♗c8
33
♔d2
♖e5
34
♘d4
♔h7
35
♗f1!
c5
36
♗xd3+
♔h8
37
♘df5
♗e6
38
♘xh6
♘f3+
39
♔c3
b5
Threatening mate!
40
b3
c4
Black continues till the bitter end. The remaining moves were: 41 bc bc 42 ♗xc4 ♖e3+ 43 ♔b2 ♗xc4 44 ♖xc4 ♘e5 45 ♖c8+ ♔h7 46 ♘hf5 ♖f3 47 ♖c7 a6 48 a3 ♖f4 49 ♖e7 ♘c4+ 50 ♔c3 ♘xa3 51 ♖xf7+ ♔h8 52 ♖e7 ♘b5+ 53 ♔d3 a5 54 ♘h4 ♔g8 55 h6 ♖f7 56 ♖e4 ♔h7 57 ♘hf5 ♖a7 58 ♖xg4 a4 59 ♘e4 ♖a6 60 ♖g7+ ♔h8 61 ♘g5 ♘d6 62 ♘e7 1-0.
Game 4Hebden - BormOrange 1987
1
e4
e5
2
f4
ef
3
♘f3
d6
4
d4
g5
5
h4
g4
6
♘g1
♘f6 (12)
Black launches a counterattack against the white e-pawn and hopes that this will give him time to defend with ♘h5.
7
♗xf4!?
It looks strange to give up a central pawn for the one on f4, which might drop off anyway, but as always in this type of position Black’s extra pawn is virtually useless.
White’s main alternative is 7 ♕d3, after which Black should play 7... d5 (of course 7... ♘h5 loses to 8 ♕b5+) 8 e5 ♘h5 (8... ♘e4 occurred in Gallagher - Westerinen, Metz 1987, and after 9 ♗xf4 c5 10 ♘d2 ♘c6 11 ♘xe4 de 12 ♕xe4 ♕xd4 13 ♕xd4 ♘xd4 14 0-0-0, the game was roughly level) 9 ♘e2 ♗h6! (9... ♗e7 10 ♗xf4 c5 11 dc ♘c6 12 ♘bc3 ♘xf4 13 ♘xf4 ♘xe5 14 ♕e3 ♗f6 15 ♘cxd5 0-0 16 0-0-0 ♗g7 17 ♘h5 ♘d7 18 ♘e7+ ♔h8 19 ♘xg7 ♔xg7 20 ♖xd7 1-0 Gallagher- Sanz,Gijon 1988) 10 g3 and now Bangiev gives 10... ♘c6! with a fully satisfactory game for Black. For example: 11 ♘xf4 (11 ♗g2♘e7 with the idea of... ♗f5) 11...♘xf4 12♗xf4♗xf4 13 gf ♘e7 with a good blockade on the light squares.
7
...
♘xe4
8
♗d3!
An improvement on the previously played 8 ♘c3, which leads to unclear play after 8... ♘xc3 9 bc ♘c6 10 ♗d3 ♗e6!
8
...
♕e7
Hebden - Psakhis, Moscow 1986, continued 8... f5 9 ♘e2 ♗g7 10 ♗xe4 fe 11 ♗g5 ♗f6 12 ♘bc3 ♗xg5 13 hg ♕xg5 14 ♘xe4 ♕e3 15 ♘f6+ ♔d8 16 ♕d2! ♕xd2+ 17 ♔xd2 ♘c6 18 ♖af1 and White eventually picked up the two kingside pawns and won a long ending.
9
♘e2
♗g7
10
0-0
0-0 (13)
11
♗xe4!
After this White’s lead in development begins to take serious proportions.
11
...
♕xe4
12
♘bc3
♕c6
13
♕d2
d5
Black has to stop 14 ♗h6.
14
♘g3
♕f6
This move demonstrates the dire situation that Black is already in. Unable to find a satisfactory way of getting his pieces out, he decides to indulge in a spot of pawn hunting instead.
15
♗e5
♕xh4
16
♗xg7
♔xg7
17
♘xd5!
f5
Of course the knight ong 3 is untouchable because of mate in three moves.
18
♕f4
♘c6
19
♘xc7
♖b8
20
♖ae1
It is only a matter of time now.
20
...
♔g8
21
d5
♘e7
22
♘h5!
♕xh5
Black has little choice because of the threat of 23 ♕h6.
23
♖xe7
b5
24
♖fe1
♖b6
25
d6
♕h4
26
g3
♕f6 (14)
27
♘e8!
An elegant finale.
27
...
♕xb2
28
♕g5+
♔h8
29
♖xh7+
♔xh7
30
♖e7+
♔h8
31
♕h5+
♔g8
32
♕h7
mate
Game 5Gallagher - S. JacksonBritish Championship,Blackpool 1988
1
e4
e5
2
f4
ef
3
♘f3
d6
4
d4
g5
5
h4
g4
6
♘g1
♗h6 (15)
This time Black wants to hang on to that f-pawn.
7
♘c3
White develops, keeping his options open. Maybe he will play ♘ge2 or perhaps a plan with ♕d3, ♗d2 and 0-0-0. 7 ♘e2 is also quite playable and, after 7... ♕f6 8 ♘bc3 ♘e7, we transpose to game 8.
7
...
c6
Black secures his d5-square in order to be able to defend the f-pawn with his queen. 7... ♗e6 will be seen in game 6; 7... ♘c6 and 7... ♘f6 in game 7.
8
♘ge2
There are a couple of interesting alternatives:
(a) 8 ♗c4. White understandably prefers to develop his bishop before playing ♘e2, but he does leave himself exposed to counterplay on the queenside: 8... ♘f6 9 g3!? ♕e7?! (I wonder what White intended after 9... b5!, as 10 ♗d3 ♘h5 11 ♘ge2 doesn’t work in this position: 11... ♘xg3! 12 ♘xg3 fg 13 ♗xh6 g2 14 ♖g1 ♕xh4+) 10 ♘ge2 b5 11 e5! de 12 de ♕xe5 13 ♗xf 4 ♗xf 4 14 gf ♕e7 15 ♗d3 ♘bd7 16 ♕d2 with a good game for White, Sanchez Almeyra - Anic, Lyon 1990.
(b) 8 ♕d3 b6!?. White often has to worry about this move after an early ♕d3. The f- and the g-pawns take away a lot of squares on the third rank (8... ♕f6 is less good, as Black is just asking for e5). 9 ♘d1!? (Recommended by Bangiev) 9... ♗a6 10 c4 d5 11 ed cd 12 ♕e2+ ♕e7 13 ♘f2!? ♘f6 14 ♕xe7+ ♔xe7 15 ♘e2 ♗xc4 16 ♘xf4 and White has just enough compensation for the pawn
8
...
♕f6 (16)
8... f3 9 ♘g3 (9 ♘f4 is also possible) 9... ♕f6 10 ♗xh6 f2+ (10... ♘xh6 11 ♕d2 is also pleasant for White) 11 ♔e2 ♘xh6 12 ♕d2 and White wins back the pawn with advantage.
9
g3!
In this way, White takes control of all the dark squares. True, he allows Black a protected passed pawn on f3, but his central control is so great that this is hardly relevant.
9
...
f3
9 ... fg 10 ♘xg3 ♗xc1 11 ♖xc1 doesn’t help Black. After 11... ♕f4 (otherwise White can develop harmoniously) 12 ♘ce2 ♕e3 13 ♕d2, White achieved a better ending in Christiansen - Lobo, San Jose 1980, but 13 c4 followed by ♖c3 to expel the lone intruder looks even stronger to me.
10
♘f4
♕e7
Black has to play with extreme care. The slightest slip and it will all be over. For example: 10... ♘e7? 11 e5! de 12 ♘e4 ♕g7 13 ♘h5 ♕g6 14 ♘hf6+ ♔f8 15 h5 ♕g7 16 de ♘d7 17 ♕d6 1-0 Craig - Dempster, Corr. 1985; or 10... ♗xf4?! 11 ♗xf4 b5? (What is Black doing?) 12 ♕d2 ♕e7 13 0-0-0 ♘d7 14 ♗xb5! ♗b7 15 ♗c4 a5 16 ♖he1 ♘b6 17 ♗d3 ♘d7? 18 ♘d5 1-0 Hebden - Cantero, Spain 1986. That was certainly a bad day at the office for Senor Cantero. Basically, whatever Black does, White is going to complete his development and then try to smash open the centre.
11
♗d3
11 ♔f2 also looks good, but I preferred to tuck my king away on the queenside.
11
...
♗g7
12
♗e3
h5
13
♕d2
♘d7
14
0-0-0
♘f8
15
♖he1
White’s preparations are complete and unfortunately for Black her king is still in the centre.
15
...
♗d7?! (17)
15... ♘e6 is somewhat better, but Black is going to suffer. 16 e5 and 16 d5 both look very dangerous, or White can even choose to play in a quiet fashion.
16
e5
de
That Black has little choice apart from opening the centre is confirmed by the following variations:
(a) 16... d5 17 ♘cxd5! cd 18 ♘xd5 ♕d8 19 ♗g5! ♕c8 (19... ♗h6 20 ♘f6+ ♘xf6 21 ef+ is very good for White) 20♘f6+ ♗xf6 21 ef+ ♔d8 22 ♖e7! (Now Black has to take the rook otherwise White will simply munch his way through the seventh rank) 22... ♘xe7 23 fe+ ♔e8 24 ♗f6! ♖g8 25 ef=♕+ ♖xf8 (The point of 24 ♗f6 is revealed in the variation 25... ♔xf8 26 ♕b4+) 26 ♕b4 and wins
(b) 16... 0-0-0 17 ♘cd5! (White will pursue the black king wherever it runs) 17... cd 18 ♘xd5 ♕e8 (18... ♕e6 then 19 ♕a5 b6 20 ♕xa7) 19 ♕a5 ♔b8 20 ♕c7+ ♔a8 21 ♗e4! ♗c8 (21... ♗c6 22 ♘b6+ ab 23 ♖d3 or 21... ♖b8 22 ♖d3 with the wonderful threat of 23 ♕xd7!!) 22 ♖d3 with a crushing attack.
17
de
♘e6
18
♘e4
♗xe5
Again Black is forced to open further lines.
19
♘xe6
♗xe6
If 19... ♕xe6 20 ♗c4 is very strong.
20
♗c5
♕c7 (18)
20... ♕d7 21 ♘g5 and wins, for example: 21... ♕d5 22 ♘xe6 ♕xe6 23 ♗f5! ♕xf5 24 ♖xe5+ ♕xe5 25 ♕d7 mate.
21
♘d6+!!
♗xd6
22
♖xe6+
I was rather enjoying myself here.
22
...
♗e7!
The only chance as 22... fe 23 ♗g6+ ♔d7 24 ♗xd6 wins.
23
♗d6!
The pressure just keeps on increasing.
23
...
♕xd6
I remember feeling quite disappointed after this as I was itching to play 23... ♕d7 24 ♗f5! as now 24... fe 25 ♗g6+ ♔f8 26 ♕f4+ ♔g7 27 ♕f7+ ♔h6 28 ♗f4+ is the end. Black is therefore forced to take on e6 with his queen: 24... ♕xe6 25 ♗xe6 fe. Now White has the very strong move 26 ♕e3! forcing 26... ♖h6 (26... ♔f7 27 ♗xe7 ♘xe7 28 ♖el) 27 ♗xe7 ♔xe7 28 ♕c5+! ♔e8 29 ♕g5! and wins.
24
♖xd6
♗xd6 (19)
25
♗a6!
It’s amazing! This game just seems to stumble from tactic to tactic.
25
...
0-0-0
25 ... ♗xg3 was a slightly better chance.
26
♕c3!
♘e7
27
♖xd6
ba
28
♖f6
♖hf8
29
♕c5
♖d7
Of course this game is not going to finish in the normal way. White now removes the black pawns in artistic fashion.
30
♕xh5
♖fd8
Threatening mate...
31
♕xg4
Pinning...
31
...
♔b7
32
♕xf3
And defending.
32
...
♘d5
33
♖xf7
♘b6
34
b3
a5
35
h5
a4
36
♔b2
ab
37
ab
a5
38
h6
a4
39
h7
ab
40
cb
♔a6
41
♖xd7
The time control has been negotiated, so Black resigned.
This was awarded the best game prize and certainly made up for a miserable tournament.
Game 6Gallagher - HübnerBiel 1991
1
e4
e5
2
f4
ef
3
♘f3
d6
4
d4
g5
5
h4
g4
6
♘g1
♗h6
7
♘c3
♗e6 (20)
Black finds a novel way of protecting his d5-square (in order to play... ♕f6 if necessary). The text has one important advantage over 7... c6: the d6-square is not weakened, which means that the dangerous attacking plan of e5 and ♘e4 will lose a lot of its potency.
White can, of course, gain time by attacking the bishop with d5 but this is extremely anti-positional and should only be played if there is a very strong follow up.
8
♕d3
I decided to play a plan with ♕d3, ♗d2 and 0-0-0 as Black can no longer harass the queen with... b6 and... ♗a6. However, if I get this position again I think I would prefer 8 ♘ge2, immediately fighting for some space on the kingside. Play could continue: 8... ♕f6 9 g3 (9 ♕d2!? f3 10 ♘f4 ♗xf4 {or 10... fg 11 ♗xg2 ♗xf4 12 ♕xf4 ♕xd4 13 e5! with good play for White} 11 ♕xf4 ♕xd4 12 gf with play for the pawn) 9... fg (9... f3 10 ♘f4 is pleasant for White) 10 ♘xg3 ♗xc1 11 ♖xcl and, in spite of his material deficit, White has the better chances (The position is very similar to the note to Black’s ninth move in Gallagher - Jackson).
8
...
a6!
This looks like a loss of time, but it turns out that without a possible ♕b5 White’s options are severely limited. If instead 8... ♘c6 then 9 ♘ge2 ♕f6 10 ♕b5! is difficult to meet.
9
♗d2
♘c6
9... ♕f6 is also possible. If then 10 0-0-0 ♘c6 play transposes to a position I didn’t feel like playing during the game. It is probably best for White to play 10 ♘d5 ♗xd5 11 ed, whilst 10 d5 ♗c8 11 ♘b5 also deserves attention.
10
♘d5
As already mentioned 10 0-0-0 ♕f6 didn’t appeal to me as 11 e5 de 12 d5 ♗f5 13 ♘e4 ♗xe4 14 ♕xe4 ♘d4 is good for Black (15 c3 ♕f5). 11 ♘d5 might be playable but if I’m going to do this I prefer the black queen on d8 whilst 11 ♘ce2 leaves White extremely cramped.
10
...
♗xd5
11
ed
♘ce7
12
♘e2!?
12 c4 seems more logical, but after 12... ♘f6 13 ♘e2 ♘h5 14 g3 ♕d7 15 ♘xf4 ♘xf4 16 gf, I hadn’t liked the kingside pawn structure.
12
...
♘xd5
13
♕e4+?!
White’s idea is very risky. More prudent was 13 c4 ♘e3 14 ♘xf4 ♗xf4 15 ♗xe3 ♕e7 16 ♔d2 ♕xe3+ 17 ♕xe3 ♗xe3+ 18 ♔xe3 when the active king combined with Black’s dubious pawn structure should enable White to hold the balance. If my c-pawn had been one square further back, I wouldn’t have thought twice about entering this ending.
13
...
♘ge7
14
c4
Not 14 ♘xf4 f5!
14
...
♘f6
If 14 ... ♘e3 15 ♘xf4.
15
♕xb7 (21)
At this stage, I was not altogether delighted with my position, but by now it was too late to change track.
15
...
♕b8?
Black assumed that the ensuing endgame was very favourable for him and didn’t seriously examine 15 ... ♖b8!. This seems to give him a winning attack after ♕xa6 ♖xb2 and now:
(a) 17 ♗c3 ♖b6 18 ♕a4+ ♔f8 19 d5 ♘f5! and White’s days are numbered.
(b) 17 ♗xf4 ♖xe2+ 18 ♗xe2 ♗xf4 19 ♖f1 ♗g3+ 20 ♔d1 ♘e4 21 ♕b5+ c6 22 ♕h5 ♘f2+ 23 ♔c2 ♘g6 24 ♗xg4 0-0 when Black has a dangerous attack in addition to his material advantage.
(c) 17 0-0-0 ♖xd2 18 ♖xd2 f3 with a very strong attack.
(d) 17 ♗cl. This is the critical line, as if the rook retreats White will have no problems, e.g. 17... ♖b6 18 ♕a4+ ♔f8 19 ♘xf4 with the idea of ♘e6+. However, Black has a very strong reply, 17... ♕b8!!, after which White seems defenceless:
(d1) 18 ♗xb2 ♕xb2 19 ♕b5+ ♕xb5 20 cb ♘ed5. Despite being the exchange ahead White is completely lost. It is impossible for him to untangle his pieces and he is also in grave danger of getting mated. His only trump is the passed a-pawn, but this is not far enough advanced to cause any problems, e.g. 21 a4 ♘e4 22 a5 f3!, with the threat of 23... ♗d2+ 24 ♔d1 ♘e3 mate.
(d2) 18 ♕a4+ ♔f8 19 ♘xf4 ♖b1 20 ♖xb1 ♕xb1 winning, as 21 ♕d1 loses to... ♗xf4 and... ♕e4+.
(d3) 18 ♕a3 ♖b1 19 ♖xb1 ♕xb1 20 ♕a8+ ♔d7 21 ♕xh8 (22).
White has won a rook, but his forces are totally disjointed and Black’s next move is the nail in the coffin: 21... ♘eg8! (21... ♘e4 22 ♕xh7 and it is unclear if Black has anything better than perpetual check with 22... ♕b4+ and 23... ♕a4+; 22... f3 is dangerous, but White should escape with 23 ♕xh6 f2+ 24 ♔d1 ♕d3+ 25 ♗d2 ♘f5 26 ♕f4 ♘xd4 27 ♕xe4! ♕xe4 28 ♘xd4 ♕xd4 29 h5). After 21 ... ♘eg8 White’s queen will take no further part in the game, e.g.
(d31) 22 ♔f2 g3+ 23 ♔g1 ♕g6 24 ♘xf4 (24 h5 ♕g4 is no better) 24... ♕c2! 25 ♘e2 ♕xc1!! 26 ♘xg3 ♕e3+ 27 ♔h2 ♗f4 28 ♕g7 ♘h5 29 ♕xf7+ ♘e7 and mate follows.
(d32) 22 h5 with the idea of preventing... ♕g6 meets with a brilliant refutation: 22... ♔e7!! and White is powerless to prevent... ♔f8 and... ♗g7.
16
♕xb8+
♖xb8
17
♗xf4!
White must liberate his position immediately, not spending any time counting pawns. 17 0-0-0 loses to 17 ... ♘e4 18 ♗xf4 ♗xf4 19 ♘xf4 ♘f2 20 ♖e1 ♘xh1 21 ♘d5 ♔f8!
17
...
♗xf4
18
♘xf4 (23)
18
...
♘e4?!
It seems very strange not to take on b2 but in fact after 18... ♖xb2 19 ♗d3 ♘c6 20 0-0 ♘xd4 21 ♖ae1+ ♔f8 22 h5!? White has ample compensation for the pawns.
Black should instead play 18... ♘g6 immediately and then if 19 ♘xg6 hg 20 0-0-0 Black has a slightly better ending. Better is 19 ♘d3! with a roughly level game, e.g. 19... h5 20 0-0-0 0-0 21 ♘f2! ♖fe8 22 g3!? ♖e3 23 ♖d3 ♖be8 24 ♘d1.
19
b3
♘g6?
Black completely overlooked White’s reply. Better is 19... ♘g3 or 19... ♘f5, but White is already over the worst.
20
♘h5!
g3
Otherwise ♗d3 will give White a clear advantage.
21
♗e2
0-0
If 21...♘f2 22 0-0!
22
0-0
½-½
Here the peculiarities of club chess took over as I was informed by my captain that it was in our team’s interest for me to offer a draw. White, of course, has the better chances now, e.g. 22... f5 23 ♗f3 ♘xh4 24 ♗xe4 fe 25 ♘f6+ (25♘xg3!?) 25... ♔g7 26 ♘xe4 ♘f5 27 d5. Black has a large number of weaknesses.
Game 7Bangiev - PashaianCorr. 1987
1
e4
e5
2
f4
ef
3
♘f3
d6
4
d4
g5
5
h4
g4
6
♘g1
♗h6
7
♘c3
♘c6 (24)
Black has one other alternative, namely 7... ♘f6. A complicated game arises from 8 ♘ge2 d5 (After the immediate 8... ♘h5, 9 g3 promises White a good game) 9 ♗xf4!? (9 e5 ♘h5 10 g3 leads to a position where the inclusion of d5 and e5 is not unfavourable for Black) 9... ♗xf4 10 ♘xf4 de 11 ♗c4! (This seems more logical to me than Makarichev’s suggestion in New in Chess of ♕d2 followed by 0-0-0. Black is weak on the f-file so the good old-fashioned recipe is called for: bishop on c4, rook on f1. An eventual ♘d5 may also cause problems). Black can try:
(a) 11... ♘c6 12 0-0 ♕xd4+ 13 ♕xd4 ♘xd4 14 ♘fd5 ♘xd5 15 ♘xd5 ♘e6 16 ♘f6+ ♔e7 17 ♖ael and White has more than enough compensation.
(b) 11... ♘bd7 12 0-0 ♘b6 is too slow: 13 ♗xf7+ ♔xf7 14 ♘h5 ♘d7 15 ♘xe4 and White’s winning.
8
♗b5!?
White has a major alternative in 8 ♘ge2 after which Black is forced to advance: 8... f3 9 ♘f4 (9 ♘g3!? f2+ 10 ♔e2! {10 ♔xf2 ♕f6+} also deserves attention) 9... f2+!? (If 9... ♕f6, then 10 ♘cd5 ♕xd4 11 ♕xd4 ♘xd4 12 ♘xc7+ ♔d8 13♘xa8 ♘xc2+ 14 ♔d1 ♘xa1 15 ♘d5 and White’s knight on a8 will now escape, whilst it will take a miracle for Black’s to perform a similar feat) 10 ♔xf2 g3+ 11 ♔xg3 ♘f6 12 ♗e2 (12 ♔f2!? ♖g8 13 g3 ♗g4 14 ♕d3 ♕d7 15 ♘cd5 ♗g7 16 ♘xf6+ ♗xf6 17 c3 0-0-0 18 ♘d5 ♗g7 19 ♗f4 f5 20 ♗g2 ♕f7?! 21 ef ♗xf5 22 ♕xf5+ ♕xf5 23 ♗h3 with a clear advantage to White, Naftalin - Selke, Corr. 1988) 12... ♖g8+ 13 ♔f2 ♘g4+ 14 ♗xg4 ♗xg4 15 ♕d3 ♗g7 16 ♗e3 ♕d7 (25)
17 ♘cd5! (After 17 ♘ce2?! 0-0-0 18 ♘g3 f5! Black had a strong attack in Planinc – Gligoric, Ljubljana/Portoroz 1977). The German correspondence player Niemtz has been responsible for rehabilitating this line. Here are some examples after 17 ♘cd5! 0-0-0 18 b4:
(a) 18... f5 19 b5. White’s attack now arrives in time: 19... ♘e7 20 ♕a3 ♔b8 21 ♘xe7 ♕xe7 22 e5 with a slight advantage for White, Niemtz - Bodkov, Corr. 1983/84.
(b) In the game Niemtz - Skorpik, Corr. 1983/84 rather than 18... f5, there occurred 18... ♘e7 19♘xe7+ ♕xe7 20 ♘d5 ♕e6 21 ♖ael ♖de8 22 ♕c4 ♕d7 23 b5 ♔b8 24 ♗f4 with a better game for White.
(c) 18... ♖de8! 19 b5 ♘d8 20 c4 (20 a4!?) 20... ♘e6 21 c5! (21 ♖ael f5, Dufraisse - Roos, Corr. 1987) 21... dc 22 dc ♗xa1 23 ♖xa1 ♘xf4 24 ♗xf4 with compensation.
8
...
a6
8... ♗d7 is too passive as Black no longer has the possibility of... a5 and... ♗a6.
9
♗xc6+
bc
10
♕d3
The usual plan of castling long and then having a look to see what’s going on.
10
...
♕f6
10... ♘e7 leaves the f-pawn devoid of protection, e.g. 11 ♘ge2 ♘g6 12 g3! ♕f6 13 h5!
11
♗d2
♘e7
12
0-0-0 (26)
12
...
d5
(a) 12... a5!? 13 e5 de 14 ♘e4 gives good attacking chances.
(b) 12... 0-0 13 ♘ge2 a5!? 14 e5 de 15 ♘e4 ♕g7 16 de ♗a6 17 ♘f6+ ♕xf6 18 ef ♗xd3 19 fe ♗xe2 20 ef=♕+ ♗xf8!? 21 ♖de1 f3 22 gf gf 23 ♖hg1+ ♗g7 24 ♗c3 f2 25 ♖xg7+ ♔f8 26 ♖xh7 fe=♕+27♗xe1 with better chances for White in the endgame (Bangiev).
13
♘ge2
As usual, White will not want to advance his e-pawn as this would give Black a fine square on f5.
13
...
f3
14
gf
gf
15
♖df1
♗xd2+
16
♕xd2
h5!
Black might want to exchange queens with... ♕h6 at an appropriate moment.
17
♘g1!?
♗g4
18
♕e3
♕h6
19
♕xh6
♖xh6
20
♘xf3
f6
21
e5?!
It would have been better to play 21 ♘d2!. This both creates pressure on the f-file and sends the knight off on a pleasant journey towards c5. In that case, White would have had the better chances.
The rest of the game is given in brief: 21... ♘f5 22 ♘e2 0-0-0 23 ♔d2 ♖e8 24 ♖f2 fe 25 ♘xe5 ♘d6 26 ♘c3 c5?! 27 ♘xg4 ♘c4+ 28 ♔c1 hg 29 dc ♖e3!? 30 ♘xd5 ♖xh4 31 ♖d1 ♖eh3 32 c6 ♖h8 33 ♖f4 ♘e5 34 ♘e7+ ♔b8 35 ♖b4+ ♔a8 36 ♘d5 ♖3h7 37 ♖e4 ♘xc6 38 ♖xg4 ♔b7 39 ♘c3 ♖h1 40 ♖e4 ♖xd1+ 41 ♔xd1 ♖d8+ 42 ♔c1 ♖d6 43 b3 ♘b8 44 ♔b2 ♘d7 45 ♖h4 ♔c6 46 b4 ♔b7 47 ♖h5 ♔c6 48 ♔b3 ♔b7 49 ♘a4 ♔c6 50 ♘b2 ♘b6 51 a4 ♖f6 52 ♘d3 ♘d7 53 a5 ♖d6 54 ♖h8 ♖f6 55 ♖a8 ♔b7 56 ♖d8 ♔c6 57 b5+ 1-0 (if 57... ab 58 a6 ♖f8 59 ♘b4+ is winning).
Game 8Bangiev - FigerCorr. 1987
1
e4
e5
2
f4
ef
3
♘f3
d6
4
d4
g5
5
h4
g4
6
♘g1
♕f6 (27)
As we have already seen, Black has to take special care when he develops his queen to f6, as the advance e5 is always in the offing.
7
♘c3
♘e7
7... c6 is also playable and now everybody has recommended 8 e5 de 9 ♘e4 ♕e7 10 de ♕xe5 11 ♕e2 with a dangerous attack, e.g. 11 ... ♗g7 12 ♘d6+ ♔f8 13 ♗xf4 or 11... ♘d7 12 ♗d2 or 11... ♗e6 12 ♗d2 and Black has problems on the long diagonal.
But what about 11... ♗e7 12 ♗d2 ♘f6!. I now can’t find any position that I would feel like playing for White, e.g.
(a) 13 ♘xf6+ ♗xf6 14 ♗xf4 ♕xe2+ 15 ♗xe2 ♗xb2. White has probably a good pawn’s worth of compensation, but unfortunately he is two down.
(b) 13 ♗c3 ♕xe4 14 ♕xe4 ♘xe4 15 ♗xh8 ♘g3 16 ♖h2, (For the exchange Black has two pawns and everything will now hinge on whether the f- and g-pawns are strong or weak). 16... ♗e6 looks like Black’s best (If 16... ♘f5 17 0-0-0 ♗xh4? 18 ♖xh4 ♘xh4 19 ♗f6; Black could also try to lock the bishop out of the game with 16... f6, but he would then run into trouble along the a2-g8 diagonal and on the e-file. However, 16... ♗d6 17 0-0-0 ♗c7 is unclear) 17 ♗e5 (After other moves Black has good compensation, e.g. 17 ♘e2 ♘xf1 18 ♔xf1 ♗d6; or 17 0-0-0 ♘d7) 17... ♘xf1! 18 ♔xf1 ♗c4+ 19 ♔el ♗c5! (Black is hanging onto his pawn by tactical resouces) 20 ♘e2 (20 0-0-0 ♗e3+ 21 ♔b1 ♘d7 or 20 ♖h1 ♗e3 are good for Black) 20 ... g3! (20... f3 is not so good after 21 gf gf 22 ♘d4 ♘d7 23 ♘xf3! ♘xe5 24 ♘xe5 ♗d6 25 ♖g2!) 21 ♖h3 (21 ♖h1 f3! 22 gf g2 with advantage to Black) 21... ♗f2+ 22 ♔f1 (22 ♔d1 f3 is strong) 22... ♗e3 23 ♔e1 and Black has the pleasant choice between 23... ♗xe2 or 23... ♗e6.
So, instead of 8 e5?!, 8 ♘ge2. Now Black can play 8 ♗h6, transposing to Gallagher - Jackson (and we don’t mind that!), or push with 8... f3 9 ♘g3 f2+ 10 ♔e2 (OK, we’ve had to move our king, but take a look at Black’s position. What a mess!) 10... b6 doesn’t help: 11 ♗g5 ♗a6+ 12 ♔e3 ♗h6 13♕xg4.
8
♘ge2
♗h6
8... f3, as usual, doesn’t solve Black’s problems: 9 ♘f4 (9 ♘g3 also looks good) 9... fg (Black should have tried 9... f2+ 10 ♔xf2 g3+, regardless of whether it’s good or not) 10 ♗xg2 c6 11 e5! with a crushing attack in Bangiev - Mayr, Corr. 1986.
9
♕d2
This strange move is seen from time to time in the King’s Gambit, normally when White is in a hurry to retrieve the gambit pawn. However, in this position it doesn’t seem to work too well. Bangiev also considers 9 g3!? fg! 10 ♗xh6 ♕xh6 (10... ♕f2+ 11 ♔d2 g2 12 ♗xg2 ♕xg2 13 ♗g5 with active play for the pawn) 11 ♕d2 ♕xd2+ 12 ♔xd2 ♘bc6 13 ♗g2♗d7 14 ♖af1 with a distinct initiative compensating for the lost material.
I think White would do best here to play 9 ♕d3 with the usual idea of ♗d2 and 0-0-0.
9
...
♘bc6!
Black puts d4 under immediate pressure. 9... ♗d7 is rather passive; Planinc - Portisch, Ljubljana 1973 continued: 10 g3 ♘bc6 (10... fg? 11 ♕xh6 is good for White) 11 gf 0-0-0 12 ♗g2 ♕g7 13 d5 ♘e5 14 ♕e3 ♔b8 15 ♕f2 with the better game for White.
10
g3?! (28)
This recommendation of ECO is not good. Instead, White should take advantage of the one drawback created by Black’s ninth move (i.e. the inability to defend c7 sensibly) and play 10 ♘b5. After 10... ♔d8 11 d5 (Bangiev considers the complications after 11 e5 ♕f5 12 ed ♘d5 13 dc+ ♔d7 to be in White’s favour, but he didn’t suggest a way to beat off the black attack. I certainly can’t see anything resembling a White advantage) 11... ♘e5 12 ♘xf4 a6! 13 ♘d4 g3 with an unclear position. The game Gallagher - G. Flear, Lenk 1992 continued 14 ♘de2 ♖g8 15 ♕d4 ♗g4 16 ♗e3 ♗xe2 17 ♘xe2 ♘f 3+! ? 18 gf ♕xf3 19 ♗xh6 ♕xh1 20 ♗g5! g2 21 ♔f2! ♖xg5! 22 hg gf=♕+ 23 ♖xf1 ♕h4+ 25 ♘g3 ♔d7 26 ♕f6 ♖g8 27 ♖h1 ♕xg5 28 ♕xg5 ♖xg5 29 ♖xh7 ♔e8 ½-½.
10
...
♗g7
The bishop switches diagonals in order to assist the attack on d4, whilst at the same time unpinning itself. To avoid losing a pawn, White is forced into the extremely ugly...
11
d5?!
fg!
Well, it turns out he loses one anyway as 12 dc ♕f2+ followed by... g2 is disastrous.
12
♘xg3
♘d4
13
♗g2
♘f3+!
14
♗xf3
♕xf3
15
♘ce2
♗e5
The full effects of 11 d5 are shown as Black completely dominates the centre.
16
♖g1
16 ♕d3 is probably a slight improvement although after 16... f5! 17 ♖f1 fe 18 ♖xf3 (or 18 ♘xe4 ♕xd3) 18... ed 19 ♖xd3 ♘f5, Black stands clearly better.
16
...
f5
17
♕h6
The only way to try to develop.
17
...
♖f8
18
♗g5
f4!
19
♖f1
fg
Not really a queen sacrifice but elegant nevertheless.
20
♖xf3
gf
21
♗xe7
f2+
22
♔d20-1
♔xe7
