EV ANS GAMBIT

And A System Vs.

TWO KNIGHTS' DEFENSE

TIM HARDING

Chess Digest, Inc.

 °
Copy righ t 1 9 9 1 T i m Hard ing

A l l r i g h t s rese r v e d u n d er P a n Ame r i c a n a n d I nte r­

n a t i o n a l C opy r i g h t conve n t i on s .

IS B N: 0-8 7 5 68 - 1 9 4 - 8

T h i s i s a revi s e d a n d e xp a n d e d ed iti on o f t h e Evans

Gam bit: And A System vs Th e Two Knigh ts Defense by T i m
H a r d i n g ( C h e ss D i gest, I n c. 1984)
N o p a r t o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n m ay be reprod u ced,
s t o r e d i n a r e t r i ev a l sys t e m, or t ra n s m itted i n a ny form, o r
by a ny m e a n s: e l e c t ro n i c, e l e c t ros t a t i c, m ag n e t i c t apes, me­
c h a n i c a l p h otocopyi n g, re co r d i n g, o r o t h e r w i se, w i t h o u t
p r i o r a n d cu r r e n t p e r m i ss i o n f rom t h e p u b l i s h e r.

A u t h o r: T i m H a r d i n g
Ed i to rs: K e n S m i t h & H u gh Mye rs
Comp u t e r Typeset t i n g: E l a i n e S m i th
Cove r: E l a i n e S m i th
P roo f re a d e r: H u gh Mye rs
F i n al P re p a ra t i on & D i a g r a m s: K e n S m i t h

P u b l i s h e r: C h ess D i gest, I n c. ® , 1 6 0 1 T a n t o r, D a l l a s, T e x a s
75229

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 T a b l e o f Cont e n t s 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

P age
P R EF A C E 4

P A RT O N E: E V A N S G AM BIT 7
O v e r v i e w a n d C ru n ch P osi t i o n s
1 e 4 , e 5 2 N f 3 , N c6 3 B c4, B c 5 4 b4, B x b4 5 c 3
G a m e O n e (5 . . .B a5, 6 . . .d 6 I n t r o d u ct i on 29
G a m e T wo ( 5 ... B a 5 , 6 ... d 6 M a i n L i n e 39
G a m e Th ree ( 5 ... B a 5 6 d 4, Q f6) 44
G a m e F o u r (5 . . . B a5 6 d 4, e d 7 Q b3 I n t ro d u ct i o n 51
G a m e F i v e ( 5 ... B a 5 6 d 4 , e d 7 Qb3 M a i n L i n e) 59
G a m e S i x (5 . . .B c5 I n t ro d u c t i o n) 66
Game S e v e n (" N o rm a l Posi t i o n'' M a i n L i n e) 76
G a m e E i ght (5 ... B e 7) 89
G a m e N i n e (5 ... B f8) 99
G a m e T e n (5 ... B d 6) 105
G a m e E l e v e n ( G a m b i t D e c l i n e d 4 ... Bb6) 1 12
G a m e T w e l ve ( O th e r w a y s o f d e c l i n i n g 122

P A RT TWO : TWO K NI G H T S D EF E N C E 130

1 e4, e5 2 N f3, N c6 3 B c4
G a m e O n e (3 ... N f6 4 d 4, e d 5 e5, N g4) 130
G a m e T w o (5 e 5 , N e 4 a n d M a i n L i n e 9 .. c5)
. 144
G a m e Th ree (5 e 5 , d 5 w i th 9 B e 7)
... 151
G a m e Fou r ( 5 e 5 , d 5 w i th M a i n L i n e 9 . . B c5)
. 1 66
G a m e F i v e (5 e 5 , d 5 w i th 7 ... B c5) 176

P A RT T H R E E: H U N G A RI A N D EF E N C E 188
1 e4, e 5 2 N f3 , N c6 3 B c 4
G a m e O n e (3 ... B e 7) 188
G a m e T w o (3 ... d 6) 198
4 Evans G a m b i t: Pre face

PREFACE

T h i s i s a t h o rough l y re w ri t t e n algeb r a i c n o t a t i o n
u p d ate o f t h e C h e ss D i ge s t book o n the same s u bj e c t w r i t­
t e n i n 1 9 84. A n e x t r a cha p t e r, "O v e r v i e w a n d C r u n c h Pos i­
t i on s'' h a s b e e n a d d e d at the begi n n i n g, to i n t ro d u c e the
reader to t h e Evans G amb i t and in p a r t i c u l a r to the m a i n
a r e a s o f the o r e t i c a l con t ro v e rsy a n d p r act i c a l d e c i s i o n ­
ma k i n g. C e r t a i n i n te re s t i n g v ar i a t i o ns, w h i ch d o n o t form
p a r t o f t h e re p e rto i re c h a p t e rs, a r e d i s c u ssed he re.

In a fe w c ases it has b e e n n e cessa r y to a l t e r

comp l e t e l y t h e l i n e o f a t t a c k recomm e n d e d for Wh i t e i n
t h e l i g h t o f d e v e lopme n ts i n mas t e r p l a y a n d an a l y s i s o f
t h e l ast s e v e n y e a rs. C h e ss t h e o r y n e v e r st a n d s s t i l l! T h e
l i n e s chi e f l y a f fe c t e d b y cha n ge i n re c e n t y e a rs a r e
4... B x b4 5 c3 Ba5 6 d4 d 6, 5... Be 7, a n d 4... B b 6.

T h e i d e a o f t h e book i s to p ro v i d e a c le a r summ a r y
o f t h e m a i n l i n e o f p l a y f o r Wh i te i n a p a r t i c u l a r op e n i n g,
l imi t i n g the d i st r a c t i o n s o f sub - v a r i a t i on s w h i ch a re
p ro v i d e d i n n o rm a l monog r a p h s o n o pe n i n gs. So i n most
cases I g i v e j us t one I in e o f p 1 a y for Wh it e a g a i n s t e a c h o f
B l a c k's p l a u s i b l e moves i n t h e e a r l y s tages o f t h e g ame,
and some com p l e t e i l l u s t r a t i v e games.

T he i d e a b e h i n d Wh i te's p l a y is e x p l a i n e d i n c l e a r
l a n g u age, b u t a l t e rn a t i v e s ( w i t h on l y a fe w e x ce p t i o n s) a re
n o t m e n t i o n e d (to a v o i d con f u s i o n ) . H o w e v e r, t h e re a re
some cases w h e re i t i s n e ce ss a r y to b r i e f l y me n t i o n
a l t e rn a t i v e s: i n a fe w cases w h e re i t i s n e ce ss a r y to po i n t
o u t b ri e f l y w h y a c e r t a i n a t t r a c t i v e - l oo k i n g m o v e i s i n
f a c t n o t goo d . A lso i n some cases w h e re t h e move I
con s i d e r best i s o f an e x p e r ime n t a l a n d u n t r i e d n a t u re, I
gi ve a w e l l - t r i e d a l t e r n a t i v e as w e l l.
 Evans G a m b i t: Pre face 5

T he l i ne s o f p l a y g i ve n for Wh i te i n t h i s book a re
b ased o n t h o rough rese a r c h i n to o pe n i ng l i n e s w h ich I p l ay
m y se l f a n d c h e c k i ng o f t h e m a i n p u b l i s h e d sou rces o f
i n form a t i o n o n t h ose ope n i ngs w h i c h you r op pon e n t s are
l i k e l y to h a v e c o n s u lte d , such a s Th e En cy clop edia of Chess
Openings, Modern Ch ess Openin gs, Batsford Ch ess Op enings
(e d i te d b y K a s p a ro v a n d K ee n e) , Open Gam bit s by G e o rge
Botte r i l l , an d o t h e rs.

P a r t i c u l a r c a re h as be e n t a k en to gi v e good l i ne s o f
p l a y for Wh i t e i n ca se s w he r e t h ose po p u l a r re fe re n ce
w o r k s i m p l y t h a t B l a c k s t a n d s w e l l ! T h i s o fte n i n v o l v e s
c i t i n g l i n es o f p l a y w h i c h I h a v e p u b l i s h e d be fore i n t h e
book Play t h e Evans Gam b it b y B ritish Chess Magazine
e d i t or, B e r n a r d C a f fe r t y a n d m ys e l f. T h i s boo k , p u b l i s he d
i n L o n d o n b y R ob e rt H a le ( 1 976), i s long o u t o f p r i n t b u t
re a d e rs w h o w i s h to l o o k i n to t h e E v a n s i n more de t a i l
m a y be a b l e to f i n d se con d - h a n d cop i e s. T h a t b o o k d e a l s
w i t h a l l l i nes i n t h e E v an s .

M a n y o f Wh i t e's b e s t l i n e s n e v e r b e c a m e w e l l ­
k n o w n b e ca u s e th a t b o o k d i d n o t s e l l w i d e l y ; i n a d d i t i o n ,
t he re h a v e bee n f u r th e r g a m e s a n d a n a l y s i s to c l a r i f y
se v e r al m ai n l i n e s i n t h e E v a n s . I h a v e a lso t a k e n a c co u n t
o f t w o volu m e s p u b l i s h e d i n G e r m an: Das Evans Gam bit
(e d . Wi e t e c k , 1 9 8 6) an d E. H e y ke n a n d M. F e tte' s
t h o rough l y re v i se d ( 1 9 8 9) e d i ti o n o f Band XI i n t h e o l d
Eu w e Th eorie d e r Sch a ch-Eroffnungen s e r i es.

I also gi ve l i n es o f p l a y agai n st 3 ... Nf6 (T wo

K n i gh ts D e f e n ce) , 3 . Be 7 (H u n g a r i a n D e fe n ce) and B l a c k's
..

r a re r t h i rd m o ves. H e re , too, I w rote a book i n the 70's

(The Italian Gam e , co- a u t h o re d b y George B o t te r i l l a n d
p u b l i s h e d b y B a ts ford) b u t n e w d e v e lo p me n ts h a v e
re n d e re d s o m e o f t h e l i n e s o u t o f d at e . T h i s s e c t i o n o f t h e
b o o k h as a l so b e e n e x te n s i v e l y r e v i se d s i n ce t he 1 9 84
edi tion.

T h e re a d e r s h o u l d n o t e x p e c t e v e r y l i ne to e n d i n a
c l e a r p l us for t h e fi rst p l a y e r ( a l t h o u g h m ost d o, a n d n o n e
6 Evans G a m bit: Pre face

a re in a n y w a y wo rse for h im!) b e c a use t h a t is too m u c h to

e xpect. We ave r A d ams, t h e Ame r i c a n maste r a c t ive in t h e
1950's, u s e d to c l a im t h a t Wh i te s h ou l d w i n f rom t h e
s t a r t i ng p os i t i o n , b u t i t b e c ame a s t a n d i ng j o k e t h a t he
k ept c h a ngi ng h i s m i n d a b o u t w h a t l i n e o f p l a y he s h ou l d
a d o p t t o force t h i s r e s u l t ! C o n tempo r a r y t h i n k i ng among
maste rs i s t h a t t h e f i rst move gives Wh i t e a tem p o r a r y
i n i t i a t ive, b u t B l a c k m u s t m a k e a c o u p l e o f d e f i n i te
posi t i o n a l e r rors (or a n o u t rig h t b l u n d e r) be fo re t h i s
i n i t i a t ive w i l l amou n t to a w i n n i ng ad v a n t age for Wh i te .

T h e a u t h o r c a n n o t w i n y o u r g ames for y o u b u t h e
c a n s e t y o u on t h e r ig h t r o a d , o r a h igh l y p r om i s i ng roa d ,
a n d i t i s u p t o y o u t o f o l l o w t h roug h . T h e resu l ts y o u
ob t a i n w i l l d e p e n d o n t h e d egree t o w h i ch y o u u n d e rs t a n d
a n d c a r r y o u t t h e m i d d l e game p l a n s a r i s i ng f r om t h e
re commen d e d ope n i ng l i nes, a n d a lso on t h e re l a t ive
p l a y i ng st r e ng t h of y ou rs e l f and y o u r o p p o n e n ts.

B e c a u s e t h i s book i s a l im i t e d e d i t i o n , t h e re w i l l b e
ve r y f e w people i n you r a r e a w i t h t h i s s ame u p - t o - d a t e
r e p e rtoi re m a p p e d o u t for t h em. I t i s u n l i k e l y t h a t , i n t h e
fi rst y e a r o r so a n y w a y , y o u w i l l m e e t a n o p p o n e n t w h o
h a s s t u d i e d t h e l i n e s y o u a re n o w goi ng to p l a y . So l e a r n
t h em w e l l a n d m a k e u s e o f t h e a dv a n t age t h e y give y o u !

TIM H A R D I N G, D u b l i n 1 9 9 1
 Overview a n d Crunch Positio ns 7

PART ONE: EVANS GAMBIT

Overview and Crunch Positions

1 e4 eS
2 N f3 Nc6
3 B c4 B cS
4 b4

T h i s i s t h e Ev a n s G am bi t .

I n t h e l a t e 1 9 8 0 ' s a m aste r-leve l Ev a n s G am b i t i n ­

t e r n a t i o n a l t h e m e c o r respon d e n ce tou rn ame n t b e g a n w i t h
m y se l f as o n e o f t h e com p e t i t o rs, a l t h ou g h I cou l d n o t
s p a re as m u c h t im e for i t as I w o u l d h ave l i k e d . M a n y o f
t h e games a re s t i l l i n p l a y a s I w ri te, b u t t h e re h ave a l ­
re ad y b e e n som e i n te re s t i n g d i scove r i e s th a t I am a w a re o f.
I n t h i s ch a pte r a n d s ub s e q u e n t ch a p t e rs, I s h a l l re fe r to
m a n y games f rom this eve n t.

T e st i n g n ove l t i e s a n d u n c l e a r l i n e s i s t h e m a i n ob­
j e ct of a tou rn am e n t of t h i s k i n d ; w i n n i n g i s i n ci d e n t al,
e sp e c i a l l y a s busy postal p l a y e rs, w i t h i n t e rn a t i o n a l t e am
tou r n am e n t commi tme n t s, t e n d to l i m i t t h e t ime t h e y s pe n d
o n t h e m e e v e n ts o n c e t h e openi n g i s ov e r, o ft e n l e a d i n g to
b l u n d e rs, less- t h an -best, p l a y o r p rem a t u re d ra w s a n d res-
8 P art O n e: Evans G a m bit

i g n a t i o n s. N e v e r t h e l e ss I am s u re t h a t t h e e v e n t u a l boo k o f
t h e tou r n ame n t (to b e e d i te d b y IMs H agen T i em a n n a n d
Kje l l K ra n t z) w i l l pro v e v e r y i n te res t i n g.

B u t a p a r t f ro m t h e i n t ri n s i c e x c i teme n t o f t h e p os i ­
t i o n s t h a t a r i se, w h y p l a y t he E v a n s G amb i t?

T h e re a re s e v e r al good re asons, p a rt i c u l a r l y i f most

of y o u r c h ess i s p l a y e d aga i n st o p p o n e n ts b e l o w 2200
s t r e n g t h - a l t h ou g h it is c e rt a i n l y v i ab l e as an o c c a s i o n al
weapon a t h i g h e r l e v e ls also. (S u c h s t ro n g g r a n dm a s t e rs as
N u n n and T i mm a n h a v e p l a y e d t he E v a n s G amb i t in i n ­
t e r n a t i o n a l e v e n ts i n t h e l ast fe w y e a rs.)

Fi rst l y , Wh i t e ob t a i n s v e r y rap i d d e v e l opm e n t l e a d­

i n g to good a t t a c k i n g c h an ces aga i n st t h e k i n g. T h e re a re
m a n y t ra p s i n to w h i c h B l a c k m a y f a l l, a l l o w i n g Wh i te to
pull o f f v e r y q u i c k and be au ti fu l w i n s . R em embe r A n d e r­
sse n ' s "Eve rgre e n G a m e " w h i ch h e w o n agai n s t D u f re s n e?
T h at w as a Wh i te w i n 1 n a n E v a n s G a mb i t.

S e co n d l y , e v e n i f B l a ck a v o i d s e a r l y d i saste r, h e i s
o ft e n h e l d i n a b i n d w h i ch p re ve n t s h i m f rom d e v e l op i n g
h i s p i e ce s s a t i s f a c to r i l y , w h i le Whi te m a n e u v e rs to w i n i n
t h e l a t e r m i d d le game, o r p e r h a p s t r a n sposes t o a w o n e n d ­
i n g. T h i s w a s t h e lesson o f se v e r a l C h i g o r i n v s S te i n i t z
games i n t h e l a t e 1 9 t h ce n t u r y , w h e n S t e i n i t z ( t h e n w o r l d
c h a mp i o n) a t v a r i o u s t i m es c l a i m e d c e r t a i n arti f i c i a l de­
f e n s i v e s c h e m es for B l a c k as t h e re f u t a t i o n o f t h e gam b i t,
o n l y to f a i l ag a i n s t t h e g r e a t R u ssi a n p l a y e r' s m aste r y o f
s t r a te g i c a t t a c k .

T h i r d l y , B l a c k h as t h e m o r e d i f f i c u l t p s y ch o l ogi c a l
t a s k a s fe w p l a y e rs a re h app y d e fe n d i n g agai n s t a gamb i t
w i t h l i m i te d t ime on t h e c l o c k - o r e v e n i n post a l p l a y ,
w h e re Wh i t e h a s t h e t i m e to w o r k o u t t h e most a c c u rate
p l an of a t t a c k .

Fo u rt h l y (a n d t h i s p a r t l y accou n ts fo r t h a t s u ccess
1 n c o r resp on d e n ce gam e s) much of w h a t h as been pub-
 Overv i e w and Crunc h P o s i t i ons 9

l i s h e d o n t h e Eva n s i s r u b b i sh - wh i c h gives Wh i t e a lot o f

cha n ces o f w i n n i n g b y su p e r i o r k n o w le d ge even agai nst
p l a y e rs who t h i n k t h e y h a ve pre p a red well again st the
g a m b i t . T h i s i s wh y I recom m e n d the Eva n s to p l a y e rs who
l i k e a t t a c k s and combi n a t i o n s.

L e t us n o w t a k e an o v e rv i e w o f the p r i n c i p a l v a ri a ­
tions i n the Evans Gambit.

1 e4

M o v e o n e i s t h e h a rd e st to s a y an y t h i n g n e w about!
Wh i te ope n s d i ago n a l s for h i s k i n g b i shop a n d h i s q u e e n ,
w h i c h usu a l l y a l so i n val v e s e a r l y K - si d e cast l i n g. O t h e r
m o v e s a r e a l s o goo d , but w e a l l n e e d to p l a y 1 e 4 a t some
t i m e in our l i v e s, o r w e m i s s a lot of t h e fun o f c h e ss a n d
lose t ouch wit h the b asi c cut- a n d - t h rust o f t a c t i c a l c h es s a s
i t w as p l a y e d i n the g a m e's i n f a n c y a n d y ou t h . ( 1 e 4 w a s
b y f a r the m o st popu l a r f i rst m o v e u n t i l t h e s t a r t o f t h i s
ce n t u r y .)

1 ... e5

B l a c k h a s a h o s t o f a l t e rn a t i v e s h e re , w h i ch a r e be­
y o n d the scope o f thi s w o r k . Wi th l . . e5 B l a c k a i m s to d e­
.

v e l o p as f ree l y a s Whi t e d oes, a n d th a n k s t o the s y m m e t r i ­

c a l p a w n s t ructure B l a c k e qual i ze s i f Whi t e p l a y s o n e o r
t w o i n fe r i o r m o v e s. O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , Wh i t e h a s ch an ces
of bui l d i n g u p good p re ssure, so l o n g a s h e p l a y s a c cu­
r a te l y , b e c a u se he w i ll b e the f i rst to a t t a c k t h e oppo n e n t's
w e a k f7 square and also will b e the f i rs t to c a s t l e his k i n g
i n to r e l a t i v e s a f e t y .

2 N f3

Wh i t e a t t a c k s t h e e - p a w n a n d p re p a re s f o r c as t l i n g
f a i r l y soon. T h e re a r e a g a i n s o m e a l te r n a t i v e s, o f w h i ch
t h e b es t i s 2 B c4 ( the B i s h o p's Op e n i n g) w h i c h h a s a n i m ­
po r t a n t a d v a n t age o v e r 2 N f3 i n t h a t i t p re v e n ts t h e
P e t ro f f D e fe n s e a n d the P h i l i d or D e f e n s e . (B l a c k c a n p l a y
10 P art O n e : Evans G a m b i t

2 . . Nf6 o r 2. . d6 ag ainst 2 Bc4 b u t w i t ho u t t h e s a m e i m p act

. .

as Wh i t e c an d e fen d his e-pa w n b y d 3 w i tho u t s h u t t ing in

his bi shop.) Ho w e v e r, 2 Bc4 o f ten leads to very pos i t ion al
l in e s i n w h ich t h e d ec i s io n i s o ften d e l a y e d u n t il t h e
e n d g ame, so i f you a re a t actically- m i n d e d pl a y e r a n d do
no t m in d m e e t i n g the P e t ro f f oc cas ion all y, s t i c k w i t h u s!

2 ... N c6

On ce Bla c k pl a y s t h i s mo v e, yo u a re i n m y c a re!

Fo r t h e Phil i dor (2 . d 6) I re fe r you to my C h ess D i ­

. .

gest boo kl e t Philidor D efense. T h e P e t ro f f D e fense, 2 . N f6, .

is c u r re n t l y un d e rgo ing a thorough d e b a te at h i g h l e v el,

a n d i s b e yon d the scope o f t h i s boo k . T h e s a m e goe s fo r
2 .. f5 ( t h e L a t v i an, o r G re co, Co un t e r - G a m b i t), 2 . . d5
. .

(Q u e e n ' s P a w n ' s Co u n te r- G a m b i t, o r ''Ele p h a n t G a m b i t")

an d e v en r a r e r mo v e s l i k e 2 . Q e 7 ...

Wi th 2 . Nc6 ( t h e most f re q u en t l y pla y e d mo ve h e re,

. .

b y f a r) Bla c k d e fen d s h i s e - p a wn b u t f a l ls o n e mo v e be­

h i n d in t h e d e v elopm e n t of the K - s i d e an d p re p a r a t io n s
fo r castlin g . T h i s i s p a r t o f t h e reason t h a t Wh i t e i s a b l e to
ob t a in an e a rl y i n i t i a ti v e in the cl assi c al o p e n g a m e s .

3 B c4

Wh i te's m a in al te rn a t i v e, 3 B b5 (the R u y Lo p e z o r
S p an i s h Open i n g) , re q u i re s d e e p pos i t ion al un d e rs t a n d ing
to p l a y well, a n d a lot o f boo k k no w l e d ge; Bl ac k h as at
l e ast a dozen p l a y able d e fen ces to i t. T h e re are also 3 N c3
(slo w an d sto d g y unless f allo w e d u p b y th e d u b io u s Bel­
g r a d e G a m b i t 3. Nf6 4 d4 ed 5 Nd 5) an d 3 d4. The Sco tch
..

G a m e w i th 4 N x d4 (sou n d e r t h an 4 c3) h as been s u bjec t e d

t o a lo t o f sc ru ti n y i n t h e l a s t fe w ye a rs si n ce George Bot­
t e r ill' s boo k ( i n w h ich I assisted) w as p u bl i s h e d b y B a ts­
fo rd in the m i d -se v en t i es. So me w a y s have been fo u n d fo r
Bl a c k to mo re o r less e q u al i ze , i n m y o p i nio n .
 Overv i e w a n d Crunch P o s i t i o n s 11

3 B c 4 i s t h e m os t d i re ct con t i n u a t i o n t h a t W h i te c a n
a d op t , i n t h a t i t p re p a res c a s t l i ng wi th o u t d e l a y , p resses
d o w n ag a i n s t B l a c k ' s v u l n e ra b l e f- p a w n and stops f o r t h e
ti m e b e i ng a n y t h ough t o f B l a c k f re e i ng h i s g a m e w i t h
...d 5 . I n a d d i tion i t i s n o t e a s y f o r B l a c k t o a t t a c k t h e
bis h o p a t c4.

N o w B l a c k h as to m a k e a m ost fate f u l d e cision

w h i ch w i l l l a rg e l y d e te rmi n e w h a t sort o f posi ti o n s wil l
a r ise. I t i s n o w t h a t w e s h a l l fi n d ou t w h e t h e r w e c a n p l a y
t h e E v a n s G a m b i t o r w h e t h e r B l a c k wi l l a v oi d i t!

3 ... B c5

B r a v e m o ve! B l a c k h a s n o e a s y w a y o u t b u t it c e r ­
t a i n l y re q u i re s c o u r age an d st rong n e r ve to a t t e m p t 3 . Bc5.
..

We s h a l l l o o k a t 3 ... N f6, a n d B l a c k ' s o t h e r t hird m o v e s, i n

P a rt s T w o a n d T hree, a f t e r t h e di scussion o f t h e E v a n s
G a m b i t.

I n m y g a m es w i t h B l a c k o v e r t h e y e a rs, I h a v e
som e ti m e s c h ose n t h i s a n d s o m e ti m e s t h e T w o K nig h ts'
D e fe n se (3 ... Nf6) i n w h i c h B l a c k h as to be p r e p a re d to s a c­
ri fi ce a p a w n v e r y e a r l y . I n e v e r re a l l y d e c i d e d w hi c h
m o v e w as p re ferab le. B e ca u se t h e r e i s a m ai n li n e a f te r
3 . . Bc5 w hi c h is prob a b l y a f o r c e d d ra w (4 c3 Nf6 5 d 4 ed
.

6 cd B b 4+ 7 B d2 B x d2+ 8 Nb x d2 d5 9 ed Nx d 5 1 0 Qb3 Na 5
1 1 Qa4+ Nc6!) I w o u l d c h oose 3 . N f6 o n o c c a si o n s w h e n
. .

p l a ying fo r a win w as esse n ti a l , b u t w i t h o u t t o t a l c o n fi -

12 P a rt O n e : Evans G a m b i t

d e n ce. B l a c k win s a lot o f g ames wit h t h e T w o K nigh ts -

b u t u s u a l l y b e c a u s e o f ob v i ous e r rors b y \Vh i t e at some
stage.

A f t e r 3 ... B c5, W h i te's n o rm a l choi ce is 4 c3, w h i c h

i s fi n e i f B l a c k d o e s n o t re p l y 4 N f6. B u t i f h e d oe s, it is
...

ge n e r a l l y a c c e p t e d th a t t h e old move S d4 h a s h a d i ts d a y:
t h e t r a p s a re a l l too we ll- k n o w n a n d good l i n e s for B l a c k
h a v e b e e n fou n d ; a l t h ough t h e re h a v e b e e n s ome a ttem p t s
in re ce n t y e a rs to re v i v e t h e Moe l l e r A t t a c k ( S. ed 6 c d
..

B b 4+ 7 Nc3) t h e y a r e u n con v i n c i ng.

I ns t e a d , maste rs p l a y i ng W h i te have b e e n emp l o y i ng

s l o w e r b u i l d - u ps, u s u a l l y w i t h S d3 o r o c c as i o n a l l y w i t h S
b4 B b6 6 d3, t ra n s p o s i ng t o t h e form o f E v a n s D e cl i n e d
w h i ch I d i scuss i n G am e 1 1. S o t h i s boo k g i v e s y o u a n a I ­
t e r n a t i v e 1 i n e o f pI a y as W h i te: i f y o u h a v e a p a r ti cuI a r
oppon e n t aga i n s t w h om y o u a re re l u c t a n t to a l l o w t h e
E v a n s A c ce p t e d , y o u c a n emp l o y t h a t m o v e o r d e r!

A p a rt f rom 4 c3, W h i te c a n p l a y 4 d4 o r 4 0-0

(i n te n d i ng 5 d4); both o f t h e se l i n e s a re consi d e re d too
s h a r p an d n e i t h e r p rese n t s real p rob lems to B l a c k i f he
l e a r n s the correct l i n e s of d e f e n se. Or W h i t e can ch oose the
slo w e r b uil d - u p s w i th 4 d 3 o r 4 N c3 , comb i n e d w i t h a de­
v e l o pme n t o f t h e b i s h o p a t gS o r e 3 .

B u t i f W h i te w a n ts a s h a r p l i n e w i t h gen ui n e w i n ­
n i ng c h a n ce s , h e m u s t c h oose:

4 b4!

Wh i t e o f fe rs a p a w n t o d i s r u p t B l a c k ' s d e v e lopme n t.
A ft e r t h e n o rm a l a c ce p t a n ce o f t h e p a w n b y 4 . . . B x b 4 S c3
W hi t e h i ts t h e b i s h o p a s e co n d t ime w i t h a n imp o rt a n t
tem p o move: c 3 s u p po r ts t h e l a te r a d v a n ce d 4 a n d a l so
m a k e s w a y for t h e q u e e n t o b e d e v e lo p e d r a p i d l y on t h e
d l - a4 d i agon a l ( a t b3 u su al l y) . I f t h e b i sh o p t h e n g o e s b a c k
t o cS, i t s n a tu r a l s q u a re, i t wil l be k i c k e d ag a i n b y t h e
 O ve rv i e w a n d Cru n c h P o s i t i o ns 13

s p a ce - g a i n i n g d4; o t h e r w i se it w i l l h a ve to a b a n d o n one o f
i ts best d i agon a ls (f8-a 3 o r a 7-gl) .

O t h e r poin ts o f 4 b 4 a re t h a t i t e n ab l es, i n some

v a ri a t i o n s , the w h i t e q u e e n's b i sh o p t o b e d e v e l o p e d a t a3
( w h e re it can impe d e B l a c k 's c a s t l i n g and a t t a c k a q u e e n
a t e 7) o r e v e n b 2 f r om w h e re i t m a y b e a r d o w n t h e l o n g
d i a go n a l t o w a r d s a c a s t l e d b l a c k k i ng. E v e n t h e o p e n b- f i l e
m a y b e o f u se t o Wh i t e. A n d i f B l a c k does n o t a c c e p t t h e
g a m b i t , t h e n b 4 g a i n s s p a ce on t h e Q-si d e a n d t h e p a w n
m a y l a t e r k i c k t h e b l a c k q u e e n's k n i g h t a w a y f rom t h e d e ­
fe nse o f t h e e-p a w n b y b 5 . ..•

So t h e post t 1 o n a fte r 4 b 4 i s t h e f i rst " c r u n ch p os i ­

t i o n " f o r B l a c k . Is h e t o a c ce p t o r d e c l i n e t h e g am b i t ?

4 ••• B x b4

I n p r a ct i ce, B l a c k c a n r a re l y resist t h e t em p t a t i on
to s n a t c h t h e p a w n . O n o c c a s i o n I h a v e h a d to m e e t 4 . d 5 . .

( w h i ch t h e t h e m e tou r n am e n t o rg a n i ze r, D u t c hm a n M a r i o
F i o ri to, h as b e e n t r y i n g) ; f o r t h i s a n d oth e r r a re m o v e s see
G ame 1 2.

4 ... B b 6 i s t h e u s u a l w a y to d e cl i ne t h e E v a n s, h o w­
e ve r. (I n a l l m y y e a rs p l a y i n g t h e E v a ns, I h a v e n e ve r h a d
t o m e e t 4 B b 6 i n a n o v e r-t h e - b o a r d g am e , a l t h ou g h i t i s
...

possi b l y t h e best m o v e!) N o w i t i s Wh i te w h o f a ces a

c r u n ch pos i t i on:
14 P art O n e: E v a n s G a m b i t

B l a c k ' s re t r e a t se e m s t o i n v i te S b S N a S 6 N x e S b u t
a f te r 6 N h 6 7 d 4 d 6 8 B x h 6 g h! Wh i t e b e c omes com m i tt e d
..•

to a n u n so u n d p i e ce s a c ri f i ce ( s e e m y b o o k s Play the £vans

Gam bit o r The Ita lian Gam e fo r d e t a i l s) s o Wh i t e n o r m a l l y
p re fe rs m o r e posi t i o n a l t r e a tmen ts. T h e i d e a i s t o g a i n
s p a c e o n t h e Q - s i d e b y a t t a c k i n g t h e b l a c k b i sh op a n d
k n i g h t w i th t h e p aw n s as t h e y a d v a n ce .

T h e q u e s t i o n t h e n a r i s e s, w h a t i s t h e b e s t w a y to d o
t h i s? I n m y p re v i ou s e d i t i o n , I g a v e t h e u s u a l m a i n l i n e 5
a 4 h e re b u t n ow I a m r e c om m e n d i n g 5 c3 i n ste a d (see
G a m e E l e v e n) . In t h i s o v e r v i ew I w i l l b r i e f l y e x p l a i n wh y ,
as a re s u l t o f t h e t h e m e p o s t a l tou r n ame n t , I h a ve g i v e n u p
p l a y i n g 5 a 4, d e s p i te some s i g n a l s u c cess w i t h i t. T h e
p ro b l e m i s t h a t B l a c k h as o n e c le a r e q u a l i z i n g l i n e w h i ch
h as n ow b e e n w i d e l y p u b l i s h e d .

T h e o l d m a i n l i n e g o e s 5 a4 a6 6 N c3 N f 6 7 N d S
when B l a c k m u s t be a l i t t l e c a re f u l . F o r a full re v i ew see
m y 1 9 8 4 e di t i o n , to wh i c h t h e fol l o w i n g should b e s e e n a s
a n u p d a te:

7 N x e4?! d e fin i t e ly l a n d s B l a c k in d i f f i c u l t i es. A f­

...

te r 8 0 - 0 P . F e h e r-Polga r (H u n g a r y) a t t e m p t e d to imp ro v e
on K a n- B otvi n n i k, U S S R C h 1 92 9 ( i n wh i c h 8.. 0- 0 ? w as .

p l a y e d) b y 8 N d 6 b u t h e s u f f e r e d s u mma r y e x e c u t i o n a f-
...
 O ve r v i e w a n d Crunch Posi t i ons lS

t e r 9 B b3 e 4 1 0 d3! 0 - 0 (JO. . ef is b e t t e r, b u t 1 1 R e 1 ch, Kf8

.

12 Nx b 6, cxb 6 1 3 Bb2! c r e a t es s t r o n g thr e a ts, e.g. 1 3 ... Nxb 4

1 4 Ba3, a S 1 5 c3 or 1 3 ... Q g 5 1 4 Qxf3 or 1 3... g f 1 4 Qg4, f 6 15
Qf4!, Qc7 1 6 B xf6) 11 B gS Q e 8 1 2 Nf6+! gf 13 Bxf6 h6
(13 ... e3 14 Ne5! ef 15 Kh 1 Ne5 1 6 Qlz5 Nf5 1 7 Qf5 d5 1 8
Qg5+ Ng 6 1 9 Qh 6 w i ns) . 1 4 NgS! ( 1 4 Ne5 Kh 7!) 1 4 ... B d 4 1 S
Q h S NfS 1 6 Qg6+ 1-0. S o B l a c k c a n n o t a f fo r d t o be too
amb i t i o us.

In m y o p i n i on 7 ... 0 - 0 8 0-0 (8 Nx b 6 cb 9 d3 d5! Kor­

c h n oi) 8 ... N x d S d o es n ot q u i t e e q u a l i ze , s i n ce a ft e r 9 e d
N d4!? 1 0 e3 (1 0 Nx e5 d 6; 1 0 Nx d4 B x d 4 1 1 c 3 Ba 7 12 d4
ed) 10 N xf3+ 1 1 Q x f3 d 6 1 2 d3 I h a d t o d e fen d a c c u r a te l y
..•

i n E l d b u rg-H a r d i n g f rom t h e t h em e tou rn am e n t: 1 2 . . . B d 7

( 1 2... f5 ?! 1 3 Be3) 1 3 aS B a 7 1 4 B e 3 fS 1 S B x a7 R x a7 1 6
Qe3 R a 8 1 7 f4 Q f6 1 8 fe Q x eS 1 9 Q x e S de 2 0 d 6 + K h 8 2 1
d e R a e8 2 2 R a e 1 R fe 8 2 3 Rf3 R x c7 2 4 B d S (24 Rfe3 e4)
2 4 ... g6 2 S c4 K g 7 2 6 R fe 3 Kf6 2 7 R b 1 d r a w .

Ins t e a d 9 .. N e 7 1 0 d4 h as b e e n l o n g kno w n to gi v e
.

B l a c k a d i f fi c u l t p os i t i o n , w h i l e 9 .. e 4 1 0 d e ef g i v es a p o ­
.

si t i on t h a t c a n a lso a r ise b y t ra ns p osi t i o n f rom 7 . . . N x d S 8

e d e 4 9 d e ef! (9 . 0- 0 1 0 B b2! S o k o lsky - G o l d e n o v 1 9 4 S , o r
..

j ust 1 0 0- 0) 1 0 0 - 0! 0 - 0 (JO . bc?! 1 1 R e 1 + Kf8 1 2 B b2 a n d

..

d o u b l e roo ks o n t h e e- f i le) 1 1 Q x f3 d e 1 2 a S B a 7 t h e n 1 3
B b2 ! ( a n a l y ze d i n m y 1 984 e d i t i on) is m y o w n i mp ro v e ­
me n t on S o ko l s ky - L i l i e n t h a l , U S S R C h a m p . 1 9 4 4 .

U n f o r t u n a te l y B l a c k c a n , a n d must, p l a y 7 . . . N x d 5 8
e d N d4! w h e n i f 9 0 - 0 N x f3+! (i nste a d o f 9... d 6 1 0 Nx d4!
Alekh i n e - Fue n t e s 1 9 4 5 ) 10 Q x f3 d 6 a n d "Wh i te h as n ot h ­
i n g" a c c o r d i n g to Ge orge B o t t e ri l l, w h i ch w as c o n f i rme d
b y t h e 2 0 -move d r a w H a r d i n g- O lsso n , f r om t h e t h eme
tou r n am e n t: 1 1 Bb2 0-0 1 2 d 4 e d (12... B x d4 13 Bxd4 ed 1 4
Rfe1; 1 2 ... Qh4 1 3 g3!?) 1 3 Rfe 1 ! R e 8 ( 1 3... Qh 4 1 4 R e4) 1 4
Q f4 B d7 1 5 a 5 B a7 1 6 B x d4 B x d4 1 7 Q x d4 QgS 1 8 f4 Q h 4
1 9 g 3 Q h 3 2 0 8 f 1 d r a w.

I n F i o ri t o vs F e h e r- P o l g a r, Wh i te m a d e a n i n te r est­
ing a t t em p t to keep t h e v a ri a t i o n a l i v e b y 9 N x d4!? B x d 4
16 P art O ne : Evans G a m b i t

1 0 Ra3 mee t i n g 1 0 . . . B xf2+ 1 1 Kxf2 Q h 4+ by 12 R g3 Q x c4

13 R x g 7 . B u t t h e re followed 13 ... Q d4+ 14 Ke 1 Kf8 1 5
Rx f7+!? Kx f7 16 Q hS+ K e 7 1 7 Q gS+ K d6 1 8 Q f6+ Kx d S 1 9
Q xh8. Now Black could have taken a draw but preferred
to con t i n u e by 1 9 .. Q h 4+ 2 0 Kf l b5. S o i t loo k s a s i f 5 a4
.

c a n n o t g i v e Wh i t e a n y a d v a n t age aga i n st a we l l - p r e p a r e d
o p p o n e n t , a t l e ast i n pos. t a l c h e ss.

N ow let us re t u r n to the E v a n s G am b i t A c c e p t e d :

5 c3

The main li nes o f the Evans s t a rt from h e re , a n ­

o t h e r c r u n ch posi t i o n f o r B l a c k . H e h as fi ve mo v e s w i t h
t h e b i sh o p t h a t h e c a n con si d e r; a l l h a ve b e e n p l a y e d i n
master c h e ss a n d a t l e ast t h ree o f t h em a re imp o r t a n t:
5 ... B a5, 5 ... B e7 a n d 5 . B cS .
. .

O th e r moves a re s e l d om s e e n i n p r a c t i ce. F o r 5 . B d6
. .

see G ame T e n , 5 B f8 see G ame N i n e ; two p aw n moves

...

h a v e a l so been tried (see n ot e s t o B l a c k 's f i f t h m o v e i n

c h a p t e r 9) . T h e re a r e few re ce n t e x a m p l es o f a n y o f t h ese
moves, but 5 B d6 had a ra re o u t i n g i n F i o r i to- K r a n t z
...

f rom t h e t h eme post al tou r n ame n t: 6 d 4 Nf6 7 d e B x e5 8

N g5?! d5! 9 e d N a5 1 0 Q a 4+ c6 1 1 d e 0 - 0 1 2 B a3 ? N c4 1 3
Q c4 ( 1 3 B fB Nb2) 1 3 ... b5! 1 4 Qb3 ( 1 4 Q c 5 �4; 1 4 Q b S Rb8)
1 4 b 4 ! 15 B x b4 R b 8 1 6 Q c4 Rb4! 1 7 Qb4 Q d3 ! 0-1 .
.•.
 Overv i e w and Crunch P o s iti ons 17

5 ... B a5

O n l y t h i s move s e r i o u s l y t h re a t e n s to s e 1 ze the i n i ­
ti a t ive for B l a c k . T h e o n c e - p o p u l a r 5 . . . B c5 usu a lly l e a d s
a f ter 6 d4 e d 7 0 - 0 d6 8 cd B b 6 t o w h a t t h e 1 9 t h cent u ry
t h e o r i sts c a l l e d t h e N o rm a l Posi t i o n
11 11
al­
though Wh i te's o p t i o n s on t h e w ay (se e G ame S i x) a re c r i t­
ical.

S . .. B cS

I n t h e N o r m a l Positi o n , a r e a l c r u n c h p o s 1 t 10 n , 9 d S
is i n a d e q u ate and t h e m ai n l i n e a ft e r 9 N c 3 N a S ( O t h e rs,
see Game Si x) 10 B g5 l e a d s to a d r a w (see Play th e Evans
Gam bit by H a rd i n g & C a f f e r t y f o r all the d e t ails) I i n ­
v es t i g ate th e u n d e r r a t e d 1 0 B d3 !? i n G am e S e v e n .

I f \V h i te w a n ts a n a l t e r n a t i v e f r o m t h e N o rm a l Po­
Si t i on he can con s i d e r the v i r t u a l l y u n k n o w n 9 Q b 3 !? e . g.
9 B e6? 1 0 d 5 N a5 1 1 Q c3 N x c4 12 d e N e 5 1 3 N x e 5 d e 1 4
..•

e f+ K x f7 1 5 Qb3+! K e 8 1 6 N c3 c 6 1 7 B a3 Qf6 1 8 R a d 1 R d 8
1 9 R x d 8+ K x d8 2 0 N a4! K c 7 2 1 B c5! B x c5 2 2 N x c 5 b 6 2 3
R d 1! b e 2 4 Q a4 Kb6 2 5 R b 1 + K c 7 2 6 Q x a7+ 1-0 ( P a c h m an­
We b e r, P r a g u e 1 94 7). A more rece n t e x am p l e w e n t 9 ... N x d4
(Wi e t e c k ' s s u ggestio n 9.. Na5 1 0 B xf7+ KJB 1 1 Qd5 Nf6 i s
.

p ro b a b l y best.) 1 0 B x f7+ K f8 1 1 N x d 4 B x d4 1 2 B x g 8 R x g 8
1 3 Bb2 B x b2 1 4 Q x b2 Q f6 1 5 N c3 Qg6 1 6 f4 w h e n Wh i t e
h ad m o re th a n s u f fi c i e n t p l a y f o r h i s s a c ri f i c e d p a w n i n
V a n d e r Wi e l -We l l ing, H o l l and 1 9 8 6 .
 18 P a rt O n e: E\·ans G a m b i t

The other move needing more tests is 9 h 3 ( w i t h

which Mariotti once d e f e a t e d G l i go r i c) b u t t h i s w a s w e l l
m e t i n T i em a n n - S i t e k : 9 . . . N f6 1 0 R e 1 h 6 1 1 B a3 0-0 1 2 N c3
Re8 13 R c 1 N h 7 14 N a4 ( n e w) 1 4 ... N g5 ( 1 4... Ba5!?) 15 Nxg5
Qxg5 16 Nxb 6 ab 17 Q f3 Nxd4! 18 Qxf7+ K h 7 19 R c3 B e 6
2 0 Bxe6 Rxe 6 2 1 R g3 Q f6 2 2 Qxc7 R a f8 2 3 B b 2 Qx f2+
w i t h some a d v a n tage to B l a c k .

T h e p r i n c i p a l a l t e r n a t i v e t o 5 . . . 8a5 i s 5 . . . B e 7 (see
d i ag r am) w h i ch se e k s s imp l i fi c a t i o n a n d a p p r o x im a t e
e q u a l i t y. Wh i te h as n o prob lem i f h e i s h ap p y w i t h t h a t
b u t i t i s poss i b l e to u n b a l a n c e t h e g ame, a l t h ou g h t h i s
m e a n s t a k i n g r i s k s.

I h a ve m o d i f i e d m y recomm e n d e d l i n e 5 ... B e 7 6
Qb3!? (see C h ap t e r 8) b u t Wh i te c a n also s a fe l y con t i n u e
w i t h t h e m a i n l i n e 6 d4 w h i c h I summ a r i ze h e re. A f te r
5 ... B e 7 6 d4 B l a c k h as n o th i n g b e t t e r t h a n retu r n i n g t h e
p a w n to ob t a i n t h e t w o b i s h op s .

For e x ample, 6 . . . d 6 7 de! Nxe5 8 Nxe5 d e 9 Q h 5 ! g 6

1 0 Qxe5 N f6 1 1 B a3 ! ( F i s c h e r-Celle, 1 9 64) i s a f amo u s
E v ans w i n ( i n My Sixty Memora ble Gam es) w h i l e i f 6 . . . N f6
7 de N g4 8 Q d5 0 - 0 9 h 3 w i t h a d v a n t age ( T a l - B ra k m anis,
L a t v i a 1 9 5 9) o r 6 ... B f6 7 d5!? Nb8 8 d6! w i t h a p rom i sing
a t t a c k ( a n a l y s i s by t h e S w e d i s h maste r A t t i l a S c h n e i d e r i n
B. C.M. 1 9 9 0) o r f i n a l l y 6 ... e d 7 0 - 0 (7 Q b 3 a n d 7 c d a re a lso
·
q u i t e p romi s i n g.) 7 ... d c? (B u t a f te r 7... Nh6 8 cd 0- 0 9 Nc3 o r
9 B b 2 B l a c k ' s K -s i d e p i e c e s a r e w o rse p l a ce d t h a n i n t h e
 O ve rview a n d Crunch Pos i t i o n s 19

N o r m a l pos i t i o n .) 8 Q d5 N h6 9 B x h6 0 - 0 1 0 B e3 N b 4 1 1
Q h 5 (1 1 Qd 1 ? c2) 1 1 . . . N c2 1 2 N x c3 N x a 1 1 3 N d5 b5 1 4
N g5! h 6 15 f4! b e 1 6 R f3 d 6 1 7 R g 3 h g 1 8 f5 f6 1 9 R h 3 1-0
(1 9. .. c 6 2 0 Qh 7+ Kf 7 2 1 Qg6+ Kg8 22 Rh7 R f 7 23 Qh5)
S ar k a ny-J. B ro n s t e i n , U S S R 1 9 6 0 .

T h e re fo re B l a c k p l a y s 6 ... N a S 7 N x e S (B i sh o p moves
a re too s p e cu l a t i v e .) 7 ... N x c4 8 Nxc4 w h e n i f 8 ... d6 9 0 - 0
N f6 1 0 N b d2 ! Wh i t e h a s a u se f u l s p a c e a d v a n t a ge: 1 0 . . . 0 - 0
( N o t 1 0... Nx e4 1 1 Nx e4 d 5 1 2 Ng5!) 1 1 N e3 R eS 1 2 f 4 c6 1 3
K h 1 Q c 7 1 4 Q f 3 B f 8 15 c4 Q b 6 16 e S ! w i th a d v a n t age t o
Wh i t e i n Kran t z -Ah m a n, p o s t a l 1 9 85. S o t h e n o r m a l l i n e i s
8 ... d S 9 e d Q x dS 1 0 N e3 w i t h a n o t h e r st a n d a r d c r u n c h po­
s i t i o n (see t h e d i ag r a m).

T h re e q u e e n m o v e s h a v e to be t a k e n se r i o u s l y h e re .
I f 1 0 Q a S (JO. . Q c 6 ?! 1 1 0- 0 f o l l o w e d b y c4) 1 1 0 - 0 Nf6 1 2
.•. .

c4 0 - 0 ( 1 2. . . c 6 ! ? 1 3 B b 2 B e 6 1 4 Nc3 f o l l o w e d b y d5 s h o u l d
g i v e Wh i te s o m e a d v a n t age, b u t i s r e l a t i v e l y u n t e s t e d .) 1 3
d5! b S 1 4 N d2 b e ( 1 4. . . R d8 1 5 Nb 3 Qb 6 1 6 Nd4 B b7 1 7 R b 1
a 6 1 8 Nef5 B c 5 1 9 B e 3 c 6 ! 2 0 Qf3 w i t h s l i g h t a d v an t age i n
C a n d a vs S i e i ro - G o n z a l es, C u b a 1 9 86) 15 N d x c4 Q a6 1 6
B b 2 ReS ( 1 6. . . Ng 4! ? 1 7 R c 1 B o t te r i l l) 1 7 R c1 R b 8 1 8 B e S!
w i t h c l e a r a d v a n tage t o Wh i t e (Ti m m a n -T a t a i , Ams t e r d a m
1 9 7 7 ).

I n t h e theme t o u r n a m e n t , K ra n t z p l a y e d 1 0...Q d 7
( p rob a b l y be st) 1 1 0 - 0 N f6 ag a i n s t m e, p robab l y i n te n d i n g
aft e r 1 2 c 4 t o test N u n n ' s su gges t i on 1 2 ... b S !? (i n s te a d o f
1 2 ... 0- 0 1 3 Nc3 c6 1 4 d5! w i t h Wh i te a d v a n t a ge i n N u n n ­
L a rsen, Lo n d o n 1 98 0). I a m so r r y n o w t h a t I d i d n ot e x a m ­
i n e t h i s p ro b a b l y c r i t i c a l l i n e, b e c a u se m y i n n o v a t i o n 1 2
B a3 ?! d i d n o t p ro v e g o o d a ft e r 1 2 . . . b 6 1 3 Q f3 ! ? R b 8 1 4
B x e7 Q x e 7 I S N fS B x fS 1 6 Q x fS 0 - 0 17 N d2 R fe 8 1 8 N f3
Q e 4 a l t ho u g h I s c r a m b l e d a d r a w .

T h e o t h e r poss i b i l i t y i s t h e r a t h e r p assi v e 1 0 . . . Q d 8
w h e n i n H a r d i n g-S k o t o re n k o a ft e r 1 1 0 - 0 N f6 1 2 c 4 0 - 0 1 3
N c 3 c 6 1 4 B b 2 Q a S 15 d S B a3 1 6 B x a3 Q x a3 1 7 Q b 3 B l a c k
t r i e d 1 7 ... Q a S (An o l d r e co m m e n d a t i o n ; 1 7. . . Q x b 3 1 8 a b w a s
20 P art One: E v ans G a m b i t

w o n b y White i n T ar t a k o w e r - T r i funo v i c, France vs Y u ­

go s l a v i a 19 5 0 .) 18 R a b 1 b 6 19 Q b 4 Q x b4 2 0 R x b 4 c 5 2 1
Rb2 b 6 2 2 R fd l R fd 8 2 3 f3 Wh ite w as m a k i n g s l o w b u t
st e a d y p rogress; B l a c k c a n on l y w a i t a n d h o pe t o m a k e a
d raw in the en dgame.

N o w w e re t u rn to l i n es fol lo w i n g 5 ... B a5:

6 d4

In this c r u n ch posi t i o n , t h e o l d m o v e 6 0 - 0

i s s t i l l som e t i m e s p l a y e d b y p e o p l e d i ssat i s f i e d w i t h 6 d 4 .
T h e m a i n obj e c t i on i s t h at B l a c k c a n p l a y 6 . . . d 6 (I h a v e
e x p e r i m e n t e d w i th 6... Nf6 b u t a m n o t h a p p y w i t h m y re­
s u l t s.) 7 d 4 B b 6 8 d e d e 9 Q b 3 Q f6 (t h e L a s ke r D e f e n s e , see
d i a g r a m) .
 O ve r v i e w an d C ru n c h P osi t i o ns 21

B l a c k r et u r n s t h e p a w n. aim i n g fo r a s u p e r i o r
e n d g a m e w i t h bette r p a w n s t r u c t u r e a n d o ft e n t h e b i s h o p
p a i r a l so. T h e m a i n l i n e g o e s 1 0 B gS Qg6 1 1 B d S N ge 7 1 2
B x e 7 K x e 7 1 3 B x c6 Q x c 6 1 4 N x eS Q e 6 (Agai n s t S k o­
t o r e n ko, a re a l e x p e rt i n this l i n e. I t r i e d B o t t e r i l l' s
1 4... Qf6!? b u t stood b ad l y a ft e r 1 5 Nc4 R d B 1 6 Q a 3 + Ke8 1 7
Nbd2 Q e 7 1 8 Qb2 KfB 1 9 a 4 Q g 5 2 0 Klz l ! KgB 2 1 / 4 Qh 5 22
f5.) 15 N c 4 and now h e re a r e two games from the p os t a l
t h e m e t o u r n a m e n t i ll u st r a ti n g t h e possi h i l i t i e s for t h e t w o
p l a y e r s:

a) 1 5 B d 7 ( N e w) 1 6 N b d 2 R h d 8 1 7 K h 1 Q c 6 1 8 f4?!
...

Q a4! ( T h e q u e e n s come o f f and Wh i te i s i n t ro u b le.) 1 9

N x b 6 Q x b3 2 0 a b a b 2 1 N f 3 B c 6 2 2 R x a 8 R x a 8 2 3 e 5 B x f3
24 g f R a 2 a n d B l a c k d u l y won in H a r d i n g- El b u rg. I d o n' t
c l a i m to b e a n e x p e rt i n L a sk e r's D e f e n ce b u t I t r i e d i t 1n
t h ese games in o rd e r to gain some e x p e ri e n ce w i t h i t .

b ) 1 5 R d 8 1 6 N b d 2 K f8 1 7 K h 1 f 5 1 8 f4! Q f7 1 9
.•.

R ae 1 h 6 2 0 N f3 B e 6 2 1 N fe5 Q f6 2 2 e f Q x f5 ? 2 3 N g6+!
K f7 24 R x e 6! 1 - 0 (24 ... Qxe6 25 Nce5+ Kf6 2 6 c4! t h re a t 2 9
Qg3 ) K r a n tz-S c h roe d e r .

S e v e r a l p l a y e rs h a v e b e e n e x p e r i m e n t i n g w i t h t h e
"Qb3 M e t h o d " w h i ch B e r n a r d C a f fe r t y a n d I r e c o m m e n d e d
a d e ca d e ago, b u t i t i s n ot c le a r w h e t h e r Wh i te s h o u l d p re ­
fe r 6 d 4 e d 7 Q b 3 o r 6 Q b 3 a t o n ce ( a v o i d i n g 6 d 4 d 6 l i n e s,
b u t g i v i n g B l a c k o th e r o p t i o n s i n st e a d) .
22 P art One: Ev ans G a m b i t

6 Qb3!? w as u n d e r a c l o u d for a t i m e b e c a u s e o f t h e
g a m e N u nn - H uhne r, Jo h a n n esburg 1 9 8 1 (Inform a tor 3 2 ) i n
w h i ch Wh i t e w a s s t r u ggl i n g t o f i n d com p e n s a t i o n a fte r
6 ... Qf6! 7 0 - 0 B b 6 8 d 4 d6! (B.. . ed? see B i rd- C h i go r i n i n
G a m e F ive, n ot e to B l a c k ' s 8 t h m ove.) 9 d e ( 9 Ng 5 Nh 6 1 0
f 4 u n cl e a r - Fi l i p) 9 ... N x e5 1 0 N x e5 d e 1 1 a 4 a 6 1 2 K h 1
N e 7 1 3 f4 B e6! a l t h ough F i o r i t o con si d e rs t h a t Wh i t e ' s
g a m e a ft e r 8 . . . d6 i s p l a y ab l e . T h i s l i n e i s w o r t h s o m e
h o m e w o r k!

Agai n s t F i o r i t o I t ri e d a n ot h e r B o t t e r i l l s u g g e s t i o n
8 ... N a5!? (i n s t e a d o f 8.. . d 6) b u t a fte r 9 d e (9 Qa 4 Nx c4)
9 ... Qg6 1 0 Q a4 (1 0 Qb4 Nx c4 t r a n s p oses, w h i l e 1 0 Nh 4
Q x e4! 1 1 Bxf7+ KfB favou rs B l a c k .) 1 0 ... N x c4 ( 1 0. .. Q x e 4 ??
1 1 B xf7+ +-) 1 1 Q x c4 N e 7 (B e t t e r 1 1 . .. Qe6!? b u t Wh i te
p rob a b l y h as a n e d ge.) 1 2 a4 Q c6 13 Q d3 0 - 0 14 N d 4 B x d4
15 cd d5 1 6 f3 B e 6 1 7 N d2 Rfd 8 1 8 B a3 Wh i t e ' s ce n t e r w as
too st r o n g.

Wh i t e ' s c h a n ce s h ave al so p rob a b l y b e e n u n d e res­

t i m a t e d in t he sh a r p l i n e 6 ... Qf6 7 d 4!? N x d4!? (B o t t e ri l l) 8
Nxd4 e d 9 0 - 0 d e (9 ... Ne7 1 0 e5 Qg6 1 1 cd or 1 1 Ba3!? u n ­
c le a r; o r 9. . . Bxc3 1 0 Nx c3 d e 1 1 e5 w i t h c o m p e n s a t i on) 1 0
e5 Q x e5!? 1 1 B x f7+ Kf8 w h i c h i s w i l d l y u n c l e a r, e .g. 1 2
N a3 N f 6 ( 1 2 ... Qf6, as i n H a r d i n g- H e a p, i s p ro b a b l y b e t t e r.)
13 N c4 Q e 7 1 4 B a3 d6 15 N x a5 Q xf7 16 Q�c3 b6 1 7 N c4
B b 7 1 8 N e5 Q d5 1 9 Nf3 c5 2 0 B b 2 Kf7 2 1 R a d 1 Q c 6 2 2
N g5+ K g 6 2 3 Q d3+! K h 5 2 4 f 3 Q d5 25 g4+ K h 4 2 6 Q e3!
 O vervie w and Crunch P o si t i ons 23

R ae 8 2 7 Qf4! R hf8 28 Bxf6 Rxf6 29 Q g3+ Kxg5 30 Rxd5+

Bxd5 3 1 f4+ Kg6 32 f5+ K f7 33 g5 R g8 34 Q d3 1-0 (Di e u ­
H a rd i n g, t h e m e t o u r n a m e n t) .

A f te r 6 Q b3 B l a c k c a n a lso c o ns i d e r 6 ... Q e7
(poss i b l y best) 7 d 4 e d t r a n spos i n g to G a me Fou r, o r
6 N h6 7 d 4 0 - 0 w h e n M a r i o F i o r i t o h a s p roposed 8 d e ! ? (8
•..

Bxh6 also g i v e s Wh i te c h a n ces, as a n a l y ze d by Botte r i l l i n

h i s b o o k s.) 8 ... N g4 a n d n o w h i s 9 B a3! i s p ro m i s i n g w h i l e 9
B f4 (or 9 B xf7+!? R xf7 1 0 Ng5 Ncx e5 1 1 f4 Nd3+ a n d .. . d5)
9 Q e 8 1 0 Q b 5 B b 6 1 1 0-0 a6 12 Q d 5 a re u n cl e a r. N o w w e
..•

re t u rn to t r a d i t i o n a l l i n e s w i t h a c r u n c h p os i t i on f o r B l a c k
foll o w i n g 5 ... B a 5 6 d4:

6 ••• exd4

T h i s i s best in m y op i n i o n .

A close r u n n e r- up i s 6 ... d 6 , t h e m ost po p u l a r d e ­

f e n s e n o w a d a y s, u s u a l l y t r y i n g f o r a posi t i o n a l a d v a n t a ge.

Att e mp ts t o p l a y 6 ... d6 in a t a c t i c a l w a y s h o u l d re­

co i l o n B l a c k . For e x a m p le, 7 Qb3 Nxd4?! 8 Nxd4 e d h o pes
for 9 B x f 7 + (But 9 0- 0! i s best; see Game O n e .) 9 ... K f8 1 0
0 - 0 and n o w B l a c k c h ose 1 0 ... Q f6!? i n H ar ding - C ant on,
P o s t a l 1 9 8 6 . ( T h i s w a s an i n t e re st i n g a t t e mp t to i mp r o v e
u p o n A. R . B . T h o m as- U n z i c ke r, H as t i ngs 1 9 5 0-5 1, i n w h i ch
Wh i te e v e n t u a l l y w o n a f t e r 1 O... Qe 7 1 1 B c 4) N o w I c o n t i n ­
u e d 1 1 Q a4 (1 1 B x g8?! R x g8 f a v ou rs B l a c k, w h i l e i f 1 1
24 P art One: Ev ans G a m b i t

Bh5 g6! a n d 12 dc o r 1 1 Bc4 d e ) 1 1 . .. K x f7?! (B u t t h e q u e e n

...

r e c a p t u re m u st be r i g h t, w i t h a n u n c l e a r posi t i o n .) 1 2 Qxa5
d e 1 3 Qxe7+ N e7 1 4 Nxe3 Be6 15 B b2 R ac8 1 6 Qxd6 R h d 8
1 7 Q a3 Qg5 1 8 f4 Q e5+ 1 9 Qxe5 Rxc5 2 0 R a d 1 R d c 8 2 1 f5
B e4 22 R f2 B a6! 2 3 N e 2 ! ( t h e o n l y m o v e, b u t good e n o u gh)
2 3 ... R c2 24 N d 4 Rxf2 25 Kx f2 R d 8 26 R c 1 N c6 2 7 Ke3 N e 5
2 8 R e7+ R d 7 2 9 Rxd7+ N x d 7 3 0 N e 6 B c4 3 1 N d 8+ K g 8 3 2
Nxb 7 B x a 2 33 g4 N f6 3 4 Kf4 B b 1 3 5 N c5 a5 3 6 g 5 1 - 0 .

7 ... Q e 7 ?! i s a lso e x ci t i n g b u t u n sou n d . T w o g a m e s

f rom A rgen t i n a w e n t 8 d 5 N d 4 9 Q a4+!? (Be t te r 9 Nx d4!,
see G a m e O n e.) 9 ... B d7?! (9... Qd7! 1 0 QxaS b 6 1 1 Nx d4 ba
1 2 BbS ed 13 B x d 7+ Kx d7! 14 cd f5! w as =in Cranbo urne­
J u are z , R iver P l a t e 1 9 8 4 .) 1 0 Qxa5 N c2+ 1 1 K d 1 Nxa 1 1 2
R e 1 ! ? f 5 ? (Bette r 1 2... Nf6) 1 3 e f B x f5 1 4 B a3 ! B xb 1 1 5
Rxe 5 d e 1 6 Bxe7 B c2+ 1 7 K e 1 Nxe 7 1 8 Qxc7 R eS 1 9 B b 5+
K f8 2 0 Qxe5 R d8 2 1 N g 5 Nxd5 2 2 B e4 N e 7 2 3 N e 6+ K e 8 2 4
N x d 8 Kxd8 2 5 Q d 6 K e 8 2 6 B e6 1 - 0 Cranbourn e - O gg i er,
S e m i - f i n a l Arg e n t i n e C h a m p 1 9 8 4 .

So, a ft e r 6 d 4 d 6

7 Qb3, Black should play 7 . . . Q d7! w h e n Wh i te h as a w i d e

c h o i ce b u t m ost p e o p l e con s i d e r h i s best m o v e to be 8 d e ,
w i t h a n ot h e r c r u n c h posi t i o n f o r B l a c k .
 O vervie w and Crunc h P o s itions 25

N o w h i s c h o i ce is b e t w e e n 8 ... d e a n d 8 ... B b 6. B u t a n
i m p ro v e m e n t o f m i n e h as p u t a b i g q u es t i o n m a r k o v e r t h e
form e r l i n e: 8 . . . de 9 0 - 0 B b6 1 0 R d 1 Q e 7 a n d n o w 1 1 a 4
( G a m e O n e) i s best. A n e x ci ti n g g a m e K al s c h - Ero feyev
P o s t a l 1 98 8) f e a t u re d 1 1 R d5 !? i n s t e a d b u t t h a t g a m e is
less con v i n ci n g in m y v i e w:

1 1 . a6 1 2 N b d2 Q f6 13 N f 1 B e 6 1 4 N g3 ! ( 1 4 Bg5?!
.•

Qg6 f a v o u re d B l a c k i n L i s i t s in- R a b inovi c h , Leningrad

1 9 4 0) 1 4 ... B x d 5 (i f 14... Nge 7 1 5 Bg5 Qg 6 16 B x e 7! F i n e)
-

1 5 ed, N b 8 (1 5... Nce 7 1 6 Bg5 Qg6 1 7 d6! Q x d 6 1 8 B xf7+

KfB 1 9 Ne4 Qc6 2 0 Ne5 Qb5 2 1 Bh5! +- b u t 1 5... Na5! 1 6
Qa4+ c 6 , sugg e s t e d i n B o t t e r i l l's book Op en Gam b its, i s c ri t ­
i c al.) 1 6 B g 5 Q g6 1 7 R e 1 ! f6 1 8 d6 N h 6 1 9 d e N d 7 2 0 B x h 6
1 - 0.

A n o t h e r i n t e re sti n g m o v e a fte r 8 ... de i s 9 B a3!? I n

H aynes - S arosy, B ri t a in vs C ana d a P ost a l M a t c h 1 9 7 7 - 7 8 ,
i n w h i c h Wh i te s c o r e d a s e n s a t io n a l v i c t o r y , w h i c h w as
p u b l i s h e d w i t h o u t com m e n t i n a n E n gli s h j o u r n al. V a r y i n g
f rom t h e l i n e I re com m e n d , t h e B ri t i sh p l a y e r H a y n e s
ch ose 9 B a3 B b 6 1 0 N b d2 N a5 1 1 Q c2!? ( 1 1 Qb4 Q e 7 = or
1 1 Nx e5!? Nx b3 1 2 a b u n cl e a r.) 1 1 . .. N x c4 1 2 N x c4 f6 13 0 - 0
Q e 6 1 4 Q b 3 B d 7 1 5 R fd 1 0 - 0 - 0 1 6 R a b 1 N h 6 1 7 R d 6!? c d
( 1 7... Qf7 a n d 1 7... Qg4 l e a d t o u n c l e a r posi t i on s.) 1 8 B x d 6
Q f7?? 1 9 Q x b 6 a n d B l a c k resi g n e d b e c a use o f 1 9 ... ab 2 0
N x b 6 m at e .
26 P art One: Evans G a mbit

T h i s game i l l ust r a t e s v e ry w e l l the de fe n d e r' s p r a c­

t i c a l d i f fi cu 1 t i e s agai n s t t h e Ev a n s G a m b i t, eve n i n h i g h ­
cl ass postal e v e n t s w h e re t h e re s h o u l d b e p l e n t y o f t i m e t o
a n a lyze. I n f a c t H ay n e s' b r i l l i a n cy i s u n so u n d . I t c a n b e
re f u t e d by 1 8 ... R d g8! ( 1 8... B x f2+! ? 1 9 Kxf2 b 5 i s a n o t h e r
de fen se.) 1 9 N x b6+ K d8!! w h e n 2 0 N x d 7 Q x b 3 2 1 R x b3
Kx d 7 is a w i n n i n g e n d ga m e fo r B l a c k w h i le if 2 0 N c4 bS!
2 1 Qb4 Q x c4! 22 Q aS+ Ke8 the a t t a c k e v a p o r ates.

T h e p ro b l e m f o r Wh i te a fte r 6 ... d6 7 Qb3 Q d 7 8 d e

i s 8 . . . B b 6 . I n t h e e a r ly 1 9 8 0 ' s t h e fol l o w i n g i m p o r t a n t g a m e
g a v e a b i g k n oc k t o a c ce p t e d t h e o ry, Estri n - P a l c i au s kas,
l O th Postal Worl d C h am p F i n a l: 7 Qb3 Qd7 8 d e B b6! 9
N b d 2 ( T h i s u se d t o be ge n e ra l ly recom m e n d e d , b u t i n
G a m e T w o I recom m e n d 9 B b 5 h e re ; n o t 9 e d Na 5 1 0 Qb5
Nx c4 11 Qxc4 Qxd6 12 Ba3 Be6 1 3 Qb5 Qd7 14 Qx d 7+
B x d 7 1 5 0- 0 0- 0- 0 1 6 Nd4 Nh 6 1 7 R e i Rhe8 1 8 Nd2 Ba4 =+
P. R o drigu e z - V aides, C u b a n C h 1 9 8 8.) 9 ... N a S 1 0 Q c2 N x c4
1 1 N x c4 dS 12 N x b 6 a b 1 3 0 - 0 d e 1 4 Q x e 4 Q g 4 1 S Q e 3 N e 7
1 6 N d4 0 - 0 1 7 h 3 Q g 6 1 8 f 4 cS! 1 9 N b S R d 8 2 0 N d6 N fS 2 1
N x c8 R a x c8 2 2 Q f3 h S 2 3 Q x b 7 R c 6 2 4 Q a6 c4 2 S Q a4 R d3
26 R b 1 R x h3 2 7 e 6 R x e 6 2 8 Q x c4 Q g3 0 - 1 . A t t e m p t s t o se­
r i o u s ly i m p ro v e on t h i s g a m e for Wh i t e a fte r m o v e n i n e
h a v e b e e n u n su c cess fu l .

S i x t h m o ve s o t h e r t h a n 6 ... d 6 a n d 6 . . . e d a re r a re b u t
6 . . . B b 6 w as t ri e d i n Y o s i f i de s - G i m i n e z , V i l l a A lie n d e 1 9 8 9:
7 0-0 (b e t t e r 7 de! - s e e G a m e T h ree.) 7 ... Q e 7 !? ( 7... d 6 g i v e s
Las k e r's D e fen se, m e n t i o n e d a b o v e , w h i le 7. . . e d 8 c d d 6
g i v e s t h e N o rm al P os i t i on, d i s cu ssed i n G a m e s S i x a n d
S e v e nJ 8 a4 a S 9 Q b 3 d 6 1 0 d x e S N x e S 1 1 N x e S d x e S 1 2
B a3 Q f6 1 3 R d 1 B g4 1 4 Q b S+ c6 1 S Q x b 6 B x d 1 1 6 N d 2
B g 4 1 7 Q x b 7 R c 8 1 8 N b3 N e 7 1 9 N x aS R d8 2 0 Q a 6 B c8 2 1
Q b 6 0 - 0 2 2 B x e7 Q x e 7 2 3 N x c6 Q d6 2 4 aS R d7 2 S B d S R c 7
2 6 a6 h 6 2 7 c4 R e 8 2 8 cS Q d 7 2 9 a 7 B b 7 3 0 N x e S 1 - 0.
O t h e r si x t h m o v e s for B l a c k a re c o n s i d e re d i n G a m e
Th ree.

A fte r 6 d4 e d i t 1s Wh i te's tu rn to m a k e a c r u n c h
decision:
 Overvie w and Crunch P o s i t i ons 27

7 0 - 0!?

Usu a l b u t t his m o v e d o e s n o t f o r m p a rt o f m y
repe rtoire for White. F o r 7 Qb3 see G a m e s Fou r a n d Fi v e.

7 ... N ge7!

B l ac k cou l d a g ai n ste e r for the N o r m a l P osition (b y

7 d6 8 cd B b 6 o r fi rst 7 B b 6) b u t h e h a s a b e t te r p l a n i n
... ...

t his m o v e w hich I h a v e spe n t cou n t l e ss h o u rs t r yi n g to r e ­

f u t e , on l y to con vi n ce m y s e l f t h a t i f Whi te p l a y s c a re f u l l y
t h e g a m e is e qu al . I f White p resses too h a r d h e m a y win
b a c k a p a w n o r t w o b u t at t h e f a t a l cost of s u r re n d e ri n g
t h e initi a ti v e .

A n d i n t h e t h e m e post a l tou rn a m e n t (in w hi c h I

w o u l d h a v e scored m o re h e a vi l y h a d I u s e d t his d e f e n se i n
28 P art O n e : Ev ans G a m b i t

all m y B l a c k gam es) t h i s a l w a y s g a v e m e b e t t er t h a n e q u a l

pos i t i o n s. I h a d t h e o p p ort u n i t y o f follo w i n g se v er a l o f
George Botteri l l ' s Op en Gam b its s uggest i o n s a n d t h e y a l l
stood u p well to the test.

T h e tri c k i est c a se w e n t 8 c d d 5 9 e d N_ x d5 1 0 Qb3

(S i t e k - H ardin g w as a 27- m o v e B l a c k w i n fol l o w i n g 10 Ba3
Be6 1 1 B b5 f6! 1 2 Qa4 B b 6 13 B x c 6+ b e 1 4 Q x c 6+ Kf7 15
Nbd2 Qd7 16 Qc1 Nf4.) 1 0 ... Be6 1 1 B a3 (I h a d the b e t ter o f
a dra w agai n s t S c hroe d er a ft er 1 1 Q x b 7 Ndb 4 1 2 B b5 B d5.)
1 1 . Q d7 1 2 R c 1!? (Sz i l a g y i tri e d 1 2 B b5 Nde7 1 3 d5! ? B x d5
.•

1 4 Qa 4 b u t a f ter 1 4... Bxf3 1 5 gf 0-0 1 6 B x c 6 Nx c6 1 7 Bxf8

R xf8 1 8 Na3 h5 I ob t a i n e d h u ge com p e n s a t i o n for t h e e x ­
c h a n ge a n d w o n i n 3 3 m o v e s.) 1 2 ... N b 6 1 3 B x e 6 Q x e 6 1 4
Q b 5 a 6 1 5 Q g 5 Q g 6 1 6 Qh4 f 6 1 7 Q h 3 Q f7 1 8 N c 3 Q d7 1 9
Q x d7+ K x d 7 2 0 d 5 N b 4 2 1 R ab 1 N d3 =+ a l t h o u g h Wh i t e
l a ter cre ated e n ough con f u s i o n to sl i p a w a y w i t h a dra w
1 n K r a n t z- H ard i n g.

O n l y o n e oppon e n t tri e d 8 N g 5 , w h i ch perh a p s d e ­

serves more a t t e n t i o n , e . g . 8 d 5 9 e d N e 5 1 0 Q x d 4 f6 1 1
.•.

B b 5+ c 6 1 2 de ( a p p are n t l y a n e w m o ve) 1 2 ... b c 1 3 B e2 !

Q x d4 1 4 c d B g4 1 5 f 3 B b 6 with an a w k w ard pin g u ar a n ­
t e e i n g B l a c k a t l e a s t e qu a l i t y , e . g . 1 6 B b 2 B f5 1 7 N e 4 0 - 0 - 0
1 8 R d 1 N d 5 1 9 N a3 Rhe 8 2 0 N c2 N f7 2 1 B d3 N f4
(As a t ur y a n - H ar d i ng) . T h i s g a m e i s sti l l i n progress as I
wri t e .

T h e e v i d e n ce i s s tron g th a t 7 . . . N ge 7 ! p u ts a n e n d to
Wh i t e's re a l i s t i c hopes of w i n n i ng w i t h 7 0-0 a n d th at is
w h y I recom m e n d 7 Qb3 or (i f you are u n h a p p y w i th t h e
cru n c h p os i t i o n s t h a t res u l t from i t) p er h a p s 6 Q b 3 . I f y o u
d o n o t l i k e a n y o f t h ese p o s i t i o n s , you s h o u l d n o t b e p l a y ­
i n g g amb i ts a t a l l a n d h a d b e t ter a d o p t t h e G a m e E l e v e n
l i n e w h e n e v er y o u m e e t 3 . . . B c5.
 Evans G a m bit: G a m e O n e 29

EVANS GAMBIT- Game One

1 e4 e5
2 N f3 N c6
3 B c4 B cS
4 b4 Bxb4
5 c3 B aS

T h i s i s t h e m o v e you a re m ost l i k e l y to m e e t . S ... B aS

h a s a h i gh re p u t a tion for s e v e r a l re asons. I t i s t h e so u n d e s t
w a y o f d e fe n d i n g w h i c h sti l l g i v e s B l a c k c h a n ce s o f p l a y­
i n g for a w i n a n d Wh i te m u st b e c a re fu I to a v o i d o n e o r
two l i nes o f play that h a ve done well for Black. The
b i s h op on a S (com p a re d w i t h 5 Bc5) w i l l n ot b e t h re a t e n e d
. . .

b y a p a w n a d v a n ci n g to d 4 , so t h a t Wh i t e c a n n o t g a i n t i m e
so e as i l y . Moreove r, t h e p i n o n Wh i te's c- p a w n ( a fte r d4)
c a n b e i m p o r t a n t , a n d i n some cases t h e b i s h o p o n aS c a n
p l a y a use f u l role i n p r e v e n t i n g Rel+ b e c a u s e o f B x e l, b u t
i n most cases t h e bi s h o p w i l l r e t r e a t e v e n t u a l l y to b 6 .

6 d4

This h as to be th e righ t m o v e . 6 0 - 0 and 6 Q b3 a r e

d i s c u ssed i n t h e O v e r v i e w c h a p t e r.

6 ••. d6

This i s a con s e r v a ti ve and m o d e r n way of d e fe n d ­

i n g t h e E v a n s a n d i t r e a l l y consti t u t e s t h e m a i n l i n e o f t h e
E v a n s tod a y. A s w i t h t h e ot h e r pop u l a r d e f e n s e , S ... B e 7,
B l a c k i s less con c e r n e d w i t h h ol d i n g t h e g a m b i t p a w n t h a n
w i t h t r y i n g t o ob t a i n a sou n d pos i t i on w i t h posi t i o n a l a d ­
v a n tages. I f Wh i te n o w c astles t h e n 7 B b 6 e n te rs t h e
...

L a s k e r D e fe n se , w h i c h i s ge n e r a l l y co n s i d e re d d r a w a b l e a t
b e s t f o r Wh i te , as w e obse r v e d i n t h e O v e r v i e w c h a pte r.
H o w e v e r, Wh i t e can p l a y m o re a c t i v e l y a n d p r e v e n t B l a c k
f r o m ob t a i n i n g t h e t y pe o f g a m e h e w a n ts.
30 E v a n s G a mb it: G a m e O n e

7 Qb3!

You w i l l h a v e n o t i ced t h at t h i s move is u s u a l l y

p l a y e d f a i r l y e a r l y i n t h e a t t a c k i n g l i n e s I re com m e n d for
Wh i te in the E v a n s. B l a c k ' s f-p a w n i s u n d e r a t t a c k and h e
m u st d e c i d e h o w to m e e t t h i s t h re a t . N o w B l a c k f a ce s t h e
fi rst c r u n c h posi t i o n o f t h e 6 ... d6 v a r i a t i o n .

7 ••• Qd7!

T h i s i s r i gh t l y r e c k o n e d to b e t h e h a r d est m o v e f o r
Wh i te t o p l a y a g a i n st.

B l a c k m u st n ot p l a y 7 ... e d? 8 B x f7+ K f8 9 e 5 de 1 0
0 - 0 w i t h a p rom iSin g a t t a c k i n g s i t u a t i o n f o r Wh i te
(Ale x an der- Yates, E n g l a n d 1 93 2) a n d e v e n w o rse i s
7 ... Q f6?? 8 d5 w h e n Q a4+ w i l l s o o n w i n a p i e ce .

But s o m e o t h e rs a l so r e qu i re ac c u r a te p l a y f rom
y ou:

a ) 7 ... Nh6?! B x h 6 g h 9 B x f7+ K f8 10 d e Q e 7 1 1 B d 5

N x e 5 1 2 N x e5 Q x e5 1 3 Q a 3 B b 6 1 4 N d 2 B c5 ( 1 4. . . Qf4 1 5 0-
0- 0! or 14 ... c6 15 Bb3 Qc5 16 Qb2! to a t t a c k d o w n t h e f- f i le
a n d t h e long b l a c k d i agon a l) 1 5 Qb2 c6 16 Bb3 b5 (1 6 ... d 5
1 7 0- 0- 0!) 1 7 0 - 0 K e 7 1 8 N f3 Qg7 1 9 K h. 1 B d 7 20 e5! w i t h
a w i n n i n g a t t a c k for Wh i t e i n R agoz i n - Bro n s t e i n , 1 4 t h
USSR Ch 1945.
 E v a n s G amb i t: G ame One 31

b ) 7 N x d 4?! 8 N x d4 e d I n t h e t h e m e tou rn a m e n t , I
...

t ri e d t h i s l i n e a g a i n s t O l sson (S w e d e n ) b u t h e p ro v e d t h a t
Wh i te c a n re a c h a cl e a r a d v a n t age b y si m p l y p l a yi n g 9 0 - 0!
( fo r 9 Bxf7+ see t h e O v e r v i e w.) T h i s i nve rsion o f moves
m a k e s it i m poss i b l e t o r e a c h the d e s i re d v a ri a t i o n ( 9 . Qe 7?
. .

1 0 Qa 4+) an d a f te r 9 ... B b 6 10 B x f7+ K f8 11 B x g8 R x g8 12

cd B x d 4 13 N c3 B l a c k w a s a l re a d y se rio u s l y e m b a r rassed.
I f i n st e a d 9 .. d c Wh i te p l a y s 1 0 B x f7+ K f8 1 1 e 5! t ra n spos­
i n g to We dberg - K a i s z auri, S t o ckholm 1 9 8 1 (see Inform a tor
33) i n w h i ch a f te r 1 1 . .. Q e 7 Wh i te's best w o u l d h a v e b e e n 12
e d ! O x f7 1 3 Q a 3 w i t h a v e r y s t ron g a t t a c k (We d berg) .

c ) A g a i n s t t h e A m e ri c an p l a y e r , H e a p, I t r i e d
7 ... Q e 7?! 8 d 5 N d 4 b u t a ft e r h i s posi t i on a l con t i n u a t i on 9
N x d 4! (Wh i t e c a n n ot sa f e l y w i n t h e b l a c k b i s h op: see t h e
O v e r v i e w c h a pte r.) 9 ... e d 1 0 0 - 0 B b 6 1 1 B b 5+ ( K e res r e c­
o m m e n d e d 11 B b 2 h e re.) 1l. .. K f8 1 2 N d 2 I w as a l re a d y
v e ry u n h a p p y w i t h m y p os i t i on.

8 dxe5

T h e s e co n d c ru n ch p os i t i o n . B l a c k h as t o d e c i d e
w h e t h e r to re c a p t u re o r go f o r q u i c k d e v e l o p m e n t. T h e
conse q u ences o f t h i s v a ri a t i o n a re s o i m p o r t a n t th a t i t re­
q u i re s two c h a p te rs.

8 ... dxe5
32 Evans G a m b it: G a m e O n e

T h e o t h e r r e c a p t u re is b a d , v i z. 8 ... N x e 5 ? 9 N x e 5 d e
1 0 B x f7+ Q x f7 1 1 Q b 5+ B d7 1 2 Q x a5! Q f6 ( 1 2... Qg6 13
Qx e5+ Ne 7 1 4 Bg5) 1 3 Q x c 7 Ne7 1 4 0·0 as a n a lyze d by
C a f fe rty.
The m aj o r a l te rn a ti v e is 8 ... B b6!? w h i c h is t h e s u b ­
j e ct o f G a m e T w o.
8 ... de is w i d e ly r e co m m e n d e d fo r B l a c k. White n o w
fa ces a c r u n c h posi t i o n him sel f. Si n ce h e i s s till a p a w n
d o w n, h e h as t o p ro v e h i s a t t a c k is goo d . T h e re a r e s e v e r a l
w ays t h a t Wh i te c a n p roceed a t m o v e s n i n e a n d t e n ; t h e
b e s t is to t a k e con t rol o f t h e d - f i l e a n d t h e n a d v a n ce t h e
a-p a w n to h a r a ss B l a c k ' s m i n o r pie ces:
9 0·0 B b6
1 0 R d 1! Qe7
O n e o f t h e poi n t s o f b r i n ging t h e roo k to t h e d - f i l e
r a pid ly i s t h a t it sets u p s u ch combi n a t i o n s as 1 0 N a5? 1 1
..•

B x f7+! K f8! (1 1 ... Qxf7? 1 2 R d8+ Ke 7 1 3 Bg5+ win s m a te­

r i al.) 1 2 Q c2 ! a n d Wh i te h as regai n e d the g a m b i t p a w n
w i t h a s t ro n g pos i tion (a fte r 1 2. . . Qe 7 1 3 Ba3 c 5 1 4 B d 5 for
e x a m p l e , o r 13... Bc5 14 Bxc5 Qxc5 1 5 Rd5) f o r i f
1 2 ... K x f7?? 1 3 N x e5+ o r 1 2 ... Q x f 7 1 3 R d 8+ K e 7 1 4 B g5+
Ke6 (14 ... Nf6 15 R xh8) 15 Q d2 !

1 1 a4!

Other moves h a ve ra rely b e e n p l ay e d , for this one

h as g i v e n e x c e l l e n t resu l ts, a l t h ou gh v a ri o u s t h e o r e t i c a l
recom m e n d a t i o n s h a ve c l a i m e d e q u a lity for Bl a c k .
 Evans G amb i t : G ame O n e 33

1 1 ... N h6

H i t h e r to t h i s m o v e (A ro n i n's re comm e n d a tion) h a d

t he best t h e o re t i c a l re p u t a t i o n . T h e i d e a i s t o m e e t B a3 B y
. B c5 , n o w t h a t t h e f 7 p a w n is p ro t e c t e d .
..

B u t t h e re a re s e v e r a l o t h e r i m po r t a n t poss i b i l i t i es:

a) 1 1 . .. N a5 ? 12 B x f7+! a ga i n , e .g. 12 ... K f8 ( 1 2... Qxf7

13 R dB+ Ke 7 14 Bg5+ Nf6 15 Qxf7+ Kxf7 16 R xh 8 H ar d ­
i n g - L i t tle t o n , Dubli n 1 9 7 6) 1 3 Q a 2 N f6 1 4 B a 3 c5 1 5 B d 5
Bg4 1 6 N b d 2 w i t h a d v a n t age t o Wh i te - S h a p osn i k o v .

b ) ll. . B e6 1 2 a 5 ! B x c4 (I f 1 2. . . Nx a 5 1 3 R x a5 B x a 5
.

1 4 Qa 4+ w i n s t w o p i e ce s f o r a rook) 1 3 Q x c4 Q c5 (1 3. . . Bc5
1 4 R d5 B d 6 15 a 6) 14 Q f 1! N x a5 ( 1 4... B x a 5 15 R d 5 Q b 6 1 6
R b 5 Q a 6 1 7 Nx e5) 1 5 R d 5 Q c4 ( 1 5... Qxf2+ 16 Qxf2 Bxf2+
1 7 Kxf2 Nb 3 18 R a 3 Nxc1 1 9 R d 1 s t a y i n g a p i e ce u p) 1 6
R x e 5+ N e 7 1 7 R 1 x a5 Shapo n s n i kov-Mezhgailis, U S S R
1 9 5 8. T w o p i eces a re ge n e r a l l y b e t t e r t h a n rook a n d p a w n .

c ) ll. B c5 c o m e s i n to c o n s i d e r a t i o n , b u t i t m a k e s i t
..

d i f f i c u l t f o r B l a c k t o d e v e l o p h i s o t h e r b i s h op . Wh i te
s h o u l d p l a y 1 2 B d 5 N f6 1 3 N a3 0 - 0 (1 3 ... B x a 3 ? 1 4 B x a 3
a n d 1 3. . . Nx d5? 1 4 ed both g e t B l a c k i n to t e r r i b l e t ro u b l e.)
1 4 N c4 N g4 1 5 R a 2 i s p ro m i s i n g for Wh i te , b e c a u se i f
B l a c k t r i e s to a v o i d B x c6 b y 1 5 ... N d 8 1 6 h 3 N x f2 1 7 R x f2
c6 18 N c x e 5 B xf2+ 19 K x f2 c d 20 B a3 Q f6 21 B x f8 de (o r
2 1 ... Kxf8 22 Qx d5 w i th l e v e l m a t e r i a l b u t a c le a rl y b e t t e r
posi t i o n f o r Wh i t e) 22 R x d 8! Q x d 8 23 Q x f7+ a n d m a t es.

d) ll. .. B g4 12 a5 B x f3 (12... B x a 5 1 3 Qx b 7) 1 3 g f
N x a5 1 4 R x a 5 B x a5 1 5 Qb5+ c6 1 6 Q x a 5 w h e n t w o b i s h ops
w i l l be m u ch b e t t e r t h a n roo k and t w o p a w ns.

e) ll. . N f6? 12 B a3 Bc5 13 B x c5 Q x c5 14 B f 7+ K e 7

.

1 5 B d 5 reg a i n i n g t h e g a m b i t p a w n w i t h a d v a n t age .
34 Evans G a m b i t: G a m e O n e

f ) 1 1 . . . a5 1 2 B d 5 Bg4 (i f 12... B c 5 1 3 Qc4!) is assessed

i n Ba tsford Chess Op enin gs a s " w i t h com p e n s a t i o n , p roba­
b l y b i g a d v a n t age to Wh i te" - t h e m a n e u v e r N - d 2- c4 to
d i s r u p t B l a c k ' s 0 - s i d e is v e r y strong. T h e n S h aposn i ko v ­
Veltma n d er, U S S R 1 9 5 8 , con t i n u e d 1 3 R d 3 B e 6 ( 1 3... 0-0-0
14 Nbd2 Nf6 1 5 Nc4 Bc5 1 6 R b 1 ! - L a r r y E v a n s) 1 4 B a 3
Q f6 1 5 N b d 2 Nge7 1 6 N c4 R a6 1 7 Qb5 B c8 1 8 N f x e 5 0 - 0
1 9 R f3 Q x e5 20 B x f7+ R x f7 2 1 N x e 5 1 - 0.

But the m ost c ri t i ca l l i n e , a p a r t from the te x t m o v e ,

lS:

g) ll. .. a6 w h i c h i s best m e t b y 12 B a3!?, a n d i n te r­

e s t i n g a n d re l a t i v e l y n e w m o v e, w h i c h w i l l i n v o l v e a sec­
on d p a w n o f fe r . C o m p a re d w i t h t h e game q u oted in o t h e r
books (So k o l o v v s S e p p) Wh i te re v e rs e s t h e o r d e r o f h i s
1 2 t h a n d 1 3 t h m o v es t o p re v e n t B l a c k p l a y i n g ... BeS
(Eu w e ' s e q u a l i z i n g i d e a, g i v e n in m a n y re fe re n c e w o r k s) .
Wh i te u n d e n i ab l y h as p ressu re, a n d h e m a k es i t t e l l a s
f o l l o w s: 1 2 ... Q f6 1 3 aS!?

A ft e r 13 ... N x a5?? Wh i te h a s the s t a n d a r d 1 4 B x f7+

Q x f7 15 R d 8+ w i t h e v e n g r e a t e r e f fe et t h a n u s u a l. I f
13 ... B x a5 Wh i te p ro b a b l y i n te n d e d 1 4 B d 5 e.g. 1 4 ... B b 6 1 5
R d3! N g e 7 1 6 N b d2 0 - 0 1 7 B x e6 b e 1 8 N e 4 R b 8 1 9 Q a 4 re­
g a i n i n g a t l e a s t on e o f t he g a m b i t p a w n s a t on ce. ( T h e i d e a
i s t o w i n t h e e - p a w n a n d t h e n w i n o r w e a k e n t h e p a sse d a ­
p a w n , m o p p i n g u p t h e w o r t h less c - p a w n s l a t e r.) T h i s l i n e i s
a n e x c e l l e n t posi t io n a l h a n d l i n g o f t h e E v a n s, w i t h t h e
m a i n l i n e b a c k e d u p b y t a c t i c a l f i n e sses.

S o B l a c k p l a y e d 1 3 ... B a7 1 4 B d S N g e 7 1 5 R a2 (O n e
i n ge n i o u s p oi n t o f a d v a n ci n g t h e a - p a w n; t h e roo k c a n
c o m e i n to p l a y on t h e d- f i l e v i a t h e s e c o n d r a n k !) 1 5 . . 0 - 0
.

1 6 B xe6 b e 1 7 R a d2 a n d B l a c k h ad p rob l e m s t r y i n g t o
co m p l e t e h i s d e v e l o p m e n t w i t h o u t g i v i n g u p h i s e x t ra
p a w n . I n t h e g a m e w e a r e fol l o w i n g, N ilsso n - B o h m , p o s t al
1 9 7 9 , h e b l u n d e re d : 1 7 ... R b 8? ( B e t t e r i s 1 7 ,.Bg4 a l t h o u g h 1 8
..

Rd3 gi v e s a n e x c e l l e n t posi t i o n f o r Wh i te) 1 8 R d8! B g4 1 9

Q x b 8! 1 - 0 (I f 1 9... B x b 8 2 0 R xf8+ Kxf8 21 Rd8 m a te) .
 Evans G a m b i t: G a me O n e 35

N o w we re t u r n to t h e p os i t i o n a f te r 1 l . N h 6:
.•

12 aS! B x a5

I f 1 2 ... B c5 1 3 a6!

13 B a3 Q f6
14 Bb5 B d7
1 5 c4

Wi th e x c e l l e n t a t t a c k i n g ch a n ces fo r Wh i te in re­
t u rn for t h e t w o p a w n s s a c r i f i c e d , a c c o r d i n g t o K e re s ( a n d
a p p ro v e d b y Eu w e, P a n o v , E v a n s a n d Z a g o ro v s k y) . H o w­
e v e r i n t h e B a t s ford w o r k s The Italian Gam e a n d Op en
Gam b its, G e o rge B ot t e r i l l t a k e s i ss u e w i th t h i s v e r d i c t , re c­
o m m e n d i n g:

1 5 ... 0-0-0

N o w h e a r g u e d t h a t B l a c k i s n o t i n a r re a rs i n t h e
m a t t e r o f d e ve l op m e n t a n d shou l d b e a b l e to m a k e t h e e x ­
t r a m a t e r i a l cou n t . " T h e t h r e a t o f Q a 4 , c5 tu r n s o u t to b e
i l l u s o r y fo r t h e w i n o f a p i e ce w o u l d t u rn o u t to b e a
w h o l l y P y r r h i c v i ct o r y f o r Wh i te ...
"

H o w e v e r, t h e com p l i c a t i o n s a re g r e a t w i th m a n y
s a c ri fi c i al possi b i l i ti e s for Wh i t e. A ft e r a g re at d e a l o f
36 Evans G am b i t: G a m e O n e

a n a l y s i s I fou n d a h u ge i m p ro v e m e n t for Wh i t e i n t h i s l i n e
a n d t h e n I h a d t o w a i t s e v e r a l y e a rs f o r a n o p p o rt u n i t y t o
p l a y i t:

1 6 R d5!!

This v e r y i n t e re s t i n g m o ve p re v e n t s B l a c k f ro m
i n v a d i ng d o w n t h e d - f i l e a n d sets u p a p ro t e ct i v e s c re e n
b e h i n d w h i c h Wh i t e c a n c o m p l e te h i s a t t a c k i n g b u i l d - u p .

16 •.• Bb6

P rob a b l y b est. O t h e rs:

a) 16 N d4? n o w f a i l s to 17 N x d 4 ed 18 B x d 7+
...

R x d 7 1 9 R x d 7 K x d 7 ( 1 9 d3 2 0 B b 2) 20 Q a 4+ a n d 2 1 Q x a5 .
...

b) T h e r o o k a ls o p l a y s a posi t i v e role a s c a n be s e e n
from t h e c o n t i n u a t i o n o f a t r i a l g a m e i n w h i c h I t o o k
Wh i te a g a i n s t a s t ro n g c o m p u te r p ro�ram: 1 6 b6?! 1 7 B b 2!
••.

R h e 8 (1 7... Kb 7 1 8 B x c6+!) 1 8 B a6+ K b 8 1 9 R a x a 5 N x a 5 20

R x a5 Qg6 21 R x e5 R x e5 22 B x e 5 f6 23 Bg3 Q x e4 24 N c3
0 f5 25 N d5 w i t h a w i n n i n g a t t a c k.

c) I f 1 6 B e6? 1 7 B x c6 Bb6 (I f 1 7... B x d5?? 1 8 Qx b 7

•..

m a te o r 1 7... b c 1 8 R x a5.) 1 8 R x d 8+ R x d 8 1 9 . B d 5

17 c5
 Evans G a m b i t : G a me O n e 37

T h e re a re h u ge com p l i c a t i o n s a n d Wh i t e h a s m a n y
poss i b l e l i n e s o f a t t a c k . M y o r igi n a l i d e a h e re w as 1 7 Q a4
B e 6 1 8 N c3 b u t I t h i n k t h e m o v e p l a y e d i s t h e m ost
p ro m i s i ng.

1 7 ... Be6

I f 1 7 . . . 8 a5 1 8 Q d 3 (to m e e t 18... a 6 b y 1 9 B x a 6! ba
20 Q x a 6+ Kb 8 2 1 B b 4!) , w h i le 18 B b2 (p robab l y b e s t , c r i t i ­
c a l r e p l y: 1 8. . . Be6) a n d 1 8 Q a 4 a l s o loo k f a v o r ab l e f o r
Wh i t e. I s h a l l n ot a t t e m p t to f a t h o rn t h ese d e p t h s h e re, l e s t
I t a k e a l l t h e f u n o f t h e l i n e a w a y f r o m y o u ! N e v e r t h e less,
it is c l e a r that Wh i t e's p r a ct i ca l w i n n i n g c h a n ce s a r e g r e a t
so l o n g as h e i s t a c t i c al l y a l e r t a n d f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e
v a ri a t i o n . B l a c k ' s d i f fi c u l ti e s s e e m con s i d e r a b l e , p e r h a p s
i n s u p e r ab l e . M y o p p o n e n t w rote t o m e a fte r t h e p re se n t
g a m e t h a t h e cou l d f i n d n o d e f e n s e a g a i n st 1 6 R d S !

18 cxb6 cxb6

If 18 ..• B xd5 19 ed e4 20 Bb2 or 19 .•• N aS 2 0 b a! w i n s .

19 N c3 B x dS
20 N x dS Qe6
21 B x c6 b x c6
22 N x b 6+ axb6
23 Qxb6

Wh i te t h re a t e n s B b 2 a n d R a8 e t c.

2 3 ... Q d7!

A t fi rst s i g h t t h i s i s a s a v i n g resou rce fo r B l a c k be­

c a use it t h r e a te n s a b a c k r a n k m a te a n d i f 24 Bb4 Q b 7!
B u t Wh i te' s a n s w e r i s d e l i gh t f u l l y si m p l e:

24 Rc1!
38 E v a n s G a mb i t : G a me O n e

H e re B l a c k resi g n e d i n H ar d i n g - S. S z i l agy i , p o s t a l
(E v a n s T h e m e 1988) . A l t h o u g h B l a c k i s d e fi n i t e l y i n b a d
t ro u b l e , t h i s w as a l i t t l e p re m a t u re , a '' pos t a l c h ess r e s i g n a ­
t i o n " . H e w as p rob a b l y p u t i n a d e fe a t i s t f r a m e o f m i n d b y
t h e re a l i z a t i on t h a t t h e i n t e n d e d 2 4 ... Q d l+ n o w gets
n o w h e r e a f t e r 2 5 N e l ; B l a c k wou l d h a v e to play 2 5 ... Q x c l
2 6 B x c l losi n g e v e n t u a l l y b e c a u se o f h i s e x posed k i n g a n d
m a t e r i a l d e fi c i t.

O r 2 4 ... Q c7 2 5 Q a 6+! Qb7! (25... Kb8? 2 6 R b l + w h i l e

i f 25 ... Kd 7 26 Nx e5+! Q x e5 2 7 Q x c 6 m a te o r 2 6 .. Ke8 2 7 f4!
w h e n , w i t h t h e b l a c k t h re a t n u ll i f i e d , R x c6 w i l l be d e c i ­
si ve .) w h e n 2 6 R x c6+ K b 8 l e a d s to a n e n d i n g B l a c k c a n
p rob a b l y h o l d , b u t 2 6 Q a4! h a s t h e c r u e l d o u b l e t h re a t o f
R x c6+ a n d N x e5 w h i le k e e p i n g d l s a fe l y u n d e r o b se r v a ­
tion.

To be h on e s t , i t w as poss i b l e t o f i g h t o n a b i t
l o n ge r b y 2 4 ..• Qb7! si n ce i f 2 5 R x c6+ Kb 8 2 6 B d 6+ R x d6
(26... Ka 8? 2 7 Qa 5+ Qa 7 28 R a 6) 2 1 R x d 6 m ate r i a l i s l e v e l
a n d a d r a w v i rtu a l l y c e r t a i n . H o w e v e r , s i n ce B l a c k i s u n ­
d e r d e v e l o p e d w i t h h i s k i n g p e rm a n e n t l y o n t h e r u n i n t h e
m i d d le g a m e , Wh i te c a n p l a y f o r a w i n b y 2 5 Q c5!? o r 2 5
Q a5!? B u t i n m y o p i n i on t h e r i s k s a re too g r e a t. I t w o u l d
b e w o rt h re-e x a m i n i n g t h e m a i n l i n e m ov e 1 7 c5 a n d go
w i t h 17 Q a4 Be6 18 N c3 w h i ch w as m y o ri gi n a l i d e a.
 E v a n s G a m b i t: G a m e T w o 39

EVANS GAMBIT - Game Two

1 e4 eS
2 N f3 N c6
3 B c4 B cS
4 b4 B xb4
5 c3 BaS
6 d4 d6
7 Qb3 Qd7
8 dxeS B b6!

In the fi rst g a m e , w e saw t h a t re c a p tu r i n g o n e S o f­

f e rs Wh i te e x ce l l e n t a t t a c k i n g c h a n ce s fo r t h e p a w n s a c r i ­
f i c e d . H e n ce t h i s re t r e a t 8 .. B b 6 i s g e n e r a l l y r e c o m m e n d e d ,
.

e.g. b y M e d n i s i n h i s b o o k Un derstan ding the Op en Gam es.

H i s t re a t m e n t o f the E v a n s e n d s h e re w i t h no a n a l y s i s a n d
o n l y t h e com m e n t t h a t B l a c k t h re a te n s . N a S " re g a r d l e ss o f
. .

w h e t h e r Wh i te p l a y s 9 0 - 0 o r 9 e d ." Of cou rse, m a t t e r s a re

n o t so s i m p l e b u t t h e com b i n a t i o n o f 6 ... d6, 7 . Q d 7 a n d
..

8 B b 6 d oes rep rese n t a tough d ef e n s e re q u i ri n g a re t h i n k

•..

f ro m Wh i te i n t h e l i g h t o f g a m e s p l a y e d i n t h e p as t
d e ca d e .

As w e s a w i n t h e O v e r v i e w c h a p t e r, t h e o l d m o v e 9
N b d 2 ( f ro m t h e d i a g r am) c an n o t b e t r uste d , b e c a u se o f t h e
 E\·ans G a m b i t : G a m e T w o

i m port a n t d i sco v e r y m a d e b y t h e A m e r i c a n post a l gr a n d ­

m a ste r ( a n d fo rme r w o r l d c h a m p i on) V y t a u t as P a l c i a u s k as.
T h e re fore it seems t h a t \Vh i te m ust in f u t u re rely on:

9 B b 5!

This pin d i srupts Black's normal plan o f develop­

m e n t. Wh i t e m a y so m e t i m e s h a v e to e x ch a n ge B for N l a t e r
b u t h e i s u s u a l l y able to e x t ra c t a p r i ce fo r t h i s. I n p a r t i c ­
u l a r , he c a n o ft e n s a d d l e B l a c k w i t h a b a c k w a r d i s o l a t e d
d - p a w n , w h i c h i s a se r i o u s w e a k n ess i f t h e a d v a n c e . d 5 ..

c a n be p re v e n t e d . A n d , o f cou rse, Wh i t e i s u s u a l l y n ot a
p a w n d o w n i n t h is v a r i a t i on!

In ge n e ra l , 9 B b 5 leads to messy g a m es s i n c e Wh i te
h as l i t t le o r n o p ro s p e c t o f w i n n i n g q u i c k l y i n c a v a l i e r
fash i o n b y d a r i n g d i re c t a t t a c k s. B u t Wh i te s h ou l d b e s a t ­
i s fi e d b e cause i t o f fe rs d e f i n i t e p r o s p e c t s o f r i s k - f re e a d ­
v a n t a ge. I n t h e t h e m e postal tou r n a m e n t I t r i e d 9 B b 5 I n
t w o i n c o n c l u si \" e g a m e s b u t t h e e x p e ri e n ce w as v a l u ab l e .

9 ... a6

It l o o k s r i g h t to a t t a c k the b i s h o p a t once b u t a p ­
p e a ra n ces c a n be d e c e p t i v e . B l a c k ' s a l t e r n a t i v e 9 . . N ge7!?
.

g i v e s \Vh i t e g re a t e r s c o p e for b u i l d i n g u p a n a t t a c k b y 10
0 - 0 (b e tt e r t h a n 1 0 ed i n t h i s c ase) . N o w:

a) 10 . Qg4!? 1 1 e d cd 1 2 B a3 Be6 1 3 Q a 4 0-0-0 1 4

. .

N b d 2 Qg6 15 R fb 1 g a v e some a d v a n t age t o B l a c k i n C a f­

fe rt y - !\.-l arr i o t t , p o s t a l 1 9 5 6 . Wh i te h a s v a r i ou s o p p o rtu n i t i e s
o f i m p ro v i n g on t h i s, o f \\· h i c h t h e best i s p rob a b l y 1 2 a4!?
Be6 (12 ... Qx e4? 1 3 Qxf7+ Kf7 1 4 Ng5+) 1 3 Q c2. B l a c k is
l e ss i n c l i n e d t o c as t l e Q-si d e w i t h \Vh i te ' s a- p a w n c h a rgi n g
d o w n t h e b o a r d (1 3. . . 0- 0- 0 1 4 Nd4.' ? i n t e n d i n g 1 5 aS) w h i l e
i f 13 . . . 0 - 0 14 N g5 (th r e a te n i n g e5) a n d i f 14 ... h 6 ? ? 1 5 B e 2
Q h 4 16 g3 w i n s t h e b l a c k q u e e n .

b ) 1 0 . de (JO... d 5 ? 1 1 R d 1 ! o r 1 0. . . 0- 0?! 1 1 R d 1) 1 1
..

:l' x e 5 Q e 6 (on l y m o ve) 1 2 N x c6 (1 2 Nc 4 Q x e 4 i s u n c l e a r.)

 Evans G a m b i t: G a m e T w o 41

1 2 ... N x c6 ( 1 2... Qxb3 1 3 ab Nx c6 1 4 B x c 6+! be 1 5 Ba3 i s

good f o r Wh i t e.) 1 3 B a3! Q x b3 ( 1 3... Qx e4? 14 Nd2 a n d Rfe l ,
a ft e r t h e q u e e n m o v e s, w i t h a n a t t a ck) 1 4 a b B d 7 1 5 N d 2
0-0-0 1 6 N c4 w i t h a v e r y p r o m i s i n g g a m e fo r Wh i te .

c) 1 0 . . . a 6!? i s b e s t . T h e n I recom m e n d 1 1 B a 4! e .g.

1 1 . .. Bc5 12 e d ! B x d 6 (12 . . . b5 loses a p a w n to 13 de ba 1 4
Q x a 4 w h i l e 1 2. . . Qx d6!? 1 3 c4 fol l o w e d b y Nc3, B b 2 i s q u i te
p ro m i s i n g for Wh i te.) 1 3 c4 0-0 1 4 N c3 Qg4 1 5 B e 3 ( o r 1 5
B b2 o r 1 5 Qc2) w i t h s o m e a d v a n t age to Wh i te .

1 0 Q a4!

Wa d e ' s m o v e , w h i ch I re v i v e d in t h e t h e m e tou r n a­
m e n t. R e c e n t t h e o re t i c a l i n t e rest h as c e n t re d on 1 0 B a4 , as
recom m e n d e d in K a s p a r o v a n d K e e n e ' s B CO 2, b u t I t h i n k
t h a t m o v e i s i n fe r i o r i n t h i s p os i t i on b e c a u s e 1 0 B c5! ( n o t
•..

i n B CO) i s f i n e f o r B l a c k :

a) 1 1 c4 N g e 7 1 2 0 - 0 0-0 1 3 N c 3 (u su a l l y recom­
m e n d e d) i s a n s w e re d by 1 3 ...Qg4! 1 4 e d B x d 6 = + ( T or h o l a ­
N u r m i n e n , F i n l a n d 1 98 5 ) .

b ) 1 1 e d b 5 1 2 Qd5 B x d 6 1 3 B b 3 N f6 1 4 Qg5 0-0

and Black h as n o t h i n g t o fe a r, says Attila S c h n e i d e r in
BCM, 1 990.

10 ... Nge7
42 E v a n s G am b i t: G a m e T w o

I f 1 0 . . . R b 8 1 1 B x c6 Q x c6!? ( 1 1 . . . b c l e a v e s Wh i te t h e
more a c t i v e q u e e n a ft e r 1 2 Nb d2.) 1 2 Q x c6 b e 1 3 B a3 ! a n d
B l a c k ' s p a w n s a re l i a b i l i t i e s ( 1 3. . . d5 1 4 Nbd2!) .

1 1 e x d6 cxd6
12 0-0 Rb8
1 3 B e2

H a v i n g ach i e v e d t h e w e a k e n i ng o f d 6 , t h e re i s n o
n e e d t o su r re n d e r t h e b i sh op p a i r. T h e p i e ce i s r e t a i n e d for
s t r ategi c r e asons d e s p i te the a p p a re n t l oss of t i m e .

1 3 ... 0-0
1 4 Qb3

I w as follow i n g Wa d e -Wo o lvert o n , S o u t h e n d 1 9 5 8 , in

w h i ch t h e o r y c l a i m s a c l e a r a d v a n t age for Wh i t e h e re.

H a r d i n g- D i e u , i n the p o s t a l t h e m e t o u rn am e n t, now
con t i n u e d 1 4 ... B c5 1 5 a 4 ? ! Q e 6 1 6 N b d 2 Qg6 1 7 K h 1 B e 6 1 8
Q c2 d5 (a s i g n that Wh i te has gone w ro n g) 1 9 N b 3 B d6 2 0
B d3 de 2 1 B x e4 Q h 5 2 2 B a3 B x a3 2 3 R x a3 R fd 8 2 4 N b d 4
B d 5 2 5 c4 (Wh i t e s t a rts t o t a ke t h e i n i t i a t i v e a g a i n .)
2 5 ... N x d4 2 6 N x d4 B x e4 2 7 Q x e4 N g 6 2 8 R e 3 R d 7 2 9 N f5
R f8 3 0 h 4 ! (Th reate n i n g g4 t r a p p i n g t h e q u e e n ; J O. R d 1 ..

w o u l d n o t p re v e n t t h i s.) 3 0 ... N x h 4 ! ( t h e o n l y m o v e) 3 1
N x h 4 g5 32 R h 3 g h 3 3 R x h 4 f5! ( t h e p oi n t) 3 4 Q f4 d ra w
agree d , as Wh i te h as i n s u f fi ci e n t i n i t i a t i ve to b e w o r t h
co n t i n u i n g a p o s t a l g a m e .

Wh i te ' s i n accu r a t e l : t h m o v e w as m o t i v a t e d b y t h e
desi r e to a v o i d l i n e s l i k e 1 5 N b d2 b 5 ! ( a l t h ou g h 1 6 Kid i n ­
t e n d i n g Bb2 i s p e r fe c t l y p l a y ab l e t h e n) b u t i t w a s t h e c­
p a w n t h a t s h o u l d h a v e been a d v a n ce d , h o l d i n g up b o t h
.. b 5 a n d .. f5 a n d op e n i n g t h e long d a r k d i ago n a l as w e l l
. .

as m a k i n g c 3 a v a i l a b l e to t h e q u e e n ' s k n i g h t. N ate t h a t 1 5
N b d2 Q e 6 1 6 c 4 ! Q g 6 ( 1 6... Nd4 1 7 Nx d4 . B x d 4 1 8 B b 2 ) 1 7
B b 2 i s f i n e f o r Wh i te ( 1 7... Bh3 ?? 1 8 Nh 4 Qg5 1 9 Qxh3 ) as i s
 Evans G a m b i t: G a me T w o 43

15 c4 Nd4 (15 ... Qe6 16 JVc3 or 16 Nb d2) 16 N x d4 B x d4 1 7

B b2 N c6 1 8 N c3 con t ro l l i n g t h e d 5 p o i n t .

M o re tests a re n e e d e d to asce rt a i n w h e t h e r 1 5 c4 o r
1 5 N b d2 i s t h e b e t t e r m o v e . B u t w e h a v e see n e n o u g h to
u n d e rs t a n d t h a t 6 ... d 6 7 Qb3 Q d 7 is n o t , a fte r a l l B l a c k ' s
com p l e t e a n s w e r to t h e E v an s G a m b i t!
44 E v a n s G a m b i t: G a m e T h ree

EVANS GAMBIT- Game Three

1 e4 e5
2 N f3 N c6
3 B c4 B c5
4 b4 B x b4
5 c3 B a5
6 d4

6 ••• Q f6

T h i s w as o n e o f S t e i n i tz's w ac k i e r i d e as, t h e p oi n t
bei n g t h a t h e w a s p re p a re d t o g o t o al most a n y l e n gt h s to
m a i n t ai n the p a w n a t e5. You a re u n l i k e l y t o m e e t t h i s d e ­
fe n se, a l t h ou g h K u raj i c a d i d p l a y i t a g a i n s t T i m m a n a fe w
y e a rs ago a n d obt a i n e d a good posi t i o n .

O t h e r s i x t h m o ves f o r B l a c k c a n be d i s m i ss e d f a i r l y
b r i e f l y:

a) 6 ... B b 6 ( w h i c h c a n a lso a ri se v i a 5... Bc5 6 d4) i s a

l i t t le - k n o w n d e fe n si v e i d e a o n ce t r i e d b y C a p ab l a n c a.
Wh i te regai n s h i s p a w n b u t t h e d o u b l e d e - p a w n i s n o g re a t
asset a n d B l a c k w i l l t r y t o w i n i t b a c k l a t e r. S o Wh i te m u s t
p l a y a c c u r a t e l y , st a rt i n g w i t h 7 d e! w h e n:
 E v a n s G am b it: G a m e T h ree 45

a l ) 7 . . . h 6? 8 Q d 5 Q e 7 9 B a 3 Q e 6 1 0 Qd3 g a v e a
cle a r a d v a n t age t o Wh i te i n T ar t a k o w er- C h aj e s, K a rl s b a d
1 9 2 3 , w h i c h con t i n u e d 1 0 ... N x e5 (i f 1 0. . . Q g 6 1 1 0- 0 Nge 7 1 2
Nbd2 0- 0 1 3 BdS! R e8 1 4 Nc4) 1 1 N x e5 Q x e5 1 2 f4! Q h 5 1 3
N d 2 d 6 1 4 B b 5+!

a 2 ) T a r t a k o w e r s a i d 7 ... d6 or 7 ... Nge7 w ou l d b e

b e t t e r, b u t B l a c k ' s g a m e w o u l d r e m a i n d i f fi c u l t . I n r e p l y
t o 7 ... d 6 , i t s e e m s t o m e t h at 8 e d i s pe r fe ct l y goo d , i n fli ct­
ing a w e a k d - p a w n on B l a c k , w h i le a fte r 7 ... N ge 7
( C a p a b l a n c a ' s c h o i ce a g a i n st B l an co at H av a n a i n 1 9 1 3)
Wh i t e s h o u l d h a v e p l a y e d t o '' o v e r- p rote c t" h i s fo r w a r d e­
pawn by 8 B f4 e .g. 8 ...0 - 0 9 0-0 N g6 1 0 Bg3 Q e 7 11 Q d 5
R e 8 (1 1 ... Na 5 1 2 Nbd2 Nx c4 1 3 Nx c4 or 1 2... c 6 1 3 Qd6
w o u l d h e l p Wh i t e conso l i d a t e .) 12 Nbd2 a n d , i f B l a c k
m ai n t a i n s t h e s t a t u s q u o, Wh i te c a n t ry t o m a n e u v e r a
k n i g h t t o f5, poss i b l y i n conj u n ct i o n w i t h a n h 4- h 5 t h r u s t .

b ) 6 . . . N x d4?! 7 N xe5! N e 6 8 N x f7! Q f6 ( 8. . . Kxf7 9

Qh5+ a n d 1 0 Q x a 5) 9 B xe 6 a n d 1 0 N x h 8 ( K e r es) . B l a c k
loses too m u c h m at e ri al .

c) 6 . . . N f6? 7 d e N g4 ( 7. . .Nx e4? 8 Qd5) 8 B x f 7+ K x f7

(8... Kf8 9 Ba 3+) 9 N g5+ w i t h a b i g a d v a n t age t o Wh i te .

d) 6 b 5 !? i s a cou n t e r- ga m b i t t h a t re q u i res res p e c t.

. . •

Wh i te s h ou l d p l a y 7 B d 5! e d 8 N x d 4 Q f6 9 0 - 0 Nge7 1 0
N x b5! 0 - 0 ( i f 1 0... B a 6 1 1 a 4 ! b u t 1 0. . . a 6 i s best, w h e n I s u g­
gest 1 1 Nd4 e.g. 1 1 ... Nx d 5 1 2 ed Nx d4 1 3 R e 1 +! w i t h i n t e r­
e s t i n g com p l i c a t i o n s, o r 1 1 ... 0- 0 1 2 Be3 t r a n sposi n g; n o t
1 1 ... B x c 3 ? 1 2 Nx c3) 1 1 B e 3 a6 1 2 N d 4 N x d 5 (o r 1 2... B b 6 1 3
Nc2! w i t h a d v a n t age t o w h i te i n P u rd y - G o l d s t e i n , p o s t a l
1 94 6) 1 3 e d N e 5 1 4 N d 2! d 6 1 5 N 4 b 3 B b 6 1 6 B xb 6 cb 1 7 f4
N g6 18 Q f3 (P u r d y) m a ssi n g for t h e a t t a c k .

e) 6 Q e 7 7 0-0 B b 6 8 B a 3 Q f6 ( 8.. d6 9 B b 5 B d 7 1 0
. . • .

B x c 6 B x c 6 1 1 lVx eS! e x p l o i t i n g t h e p i n t o rega i n t h e g a m ­

b i t p a wn) 9 d e N x e5 1 0 N x e5 Q x e 5 1 1 Qb3 N h 6 1 2 N d 2
B c5! ( 1 2... d 6 1 3 B b 5+ B d 7 1 4 B x d 7+ Kx d 7 1 5 Qa4+ an d 1 6
46 Evans G a m b i t: G a m e T h ree

Nc4) 1 3 N f3 Q e 7 1 4 B e l! 0 - 0 (14 ... b 6 15 Bg5 f6 1 6 B xlt 6 gh

1 7 e5) an d n o w 15 Bg5! i m p ro v es R a g o z i n - L e ve n fi s h , 1 7 t h
U S S R C h a m p i o n s h ip 1 9 4 9 . T a k i ng t h e e - p a w n i s v e r y r i s k y
for B l a c k a ft e r 1 5 ... Q x e5?! 1 6 B x h 6 g h 1 7 R ae l .

7 0-0 Nh6

T w o o t h e r m o v e s h a v e a l so b e e n p l a y e d h e re:

a) 7 ••. N g e 7 8 d 5 N d8 9 Q a4 B b 6 1 0 Bg5 Qd6 11 N a 3

a n d n o w:

a l ) l l . Qg6 1 2 B x e 7 K x e 7 1 3 N x e5 Q f6 1 4 N f3
..

Q x c3 1 5 e 5 c6 16 d 6+ K f8 17 Bb3 h 6 18 Qh4 g5 19 Q h 5
Q d 3 20 R a d 1 Q h 7 (i f 2 0. . . Q g 6 2 1 Q x g 6 fg 22 e6 Kg 7 2 3
Rfe 1 !) 2 1 N c 2 K g 7 2 2 N c d 4 Q g 6 23 Q g 4 h 5 24 N f5+ K f8
25 Q x g5 Q x g5 26 N x g5 h 4 27 K h 1 R h 5 28 f4 N e 6 2 9 g4 h g
30 N x g3 R h 6 3 1 N x f7! K x f7 3 2 f 5 K e 8 33 fe d e 34 N e 4
1 - 0 C h i gori n - S t e i n i t z , 7 t h m at c h g a m e 1 8 89.

a 2 ) l l . c6 1 2 R a d 1 Qb8 (or 1 2 .. f6 1 3 de Q x c 6
.. 14
Nb5 fg 1 5 1Vx eS Q c 5 1 6 Nd 6+ KfB 1 7 Qx d 7! C h i g o r i n) 13
B x e 7 K x e 7 1 4 d 6+ K f 8 ( C h i go r i n -S t e i n i t z, 1 5 t h g a m e) 15
Qb4! f6 1 6 K h 1 ! a n d i f 1 6 ... g 6 ? 1 7 N x e 5 fe 1 8 f 4 K g7 1 9 fe
- C h i go r i n .

T h e re f o r e 7 N ge7 s e e m s c o rn p l e te l y u n s a t i s f a c t o r y ;
. • .

i t l e a d s t o al m ost com pl e t e p a r a l y s i s o f B l a c k's Q-si d e a s

 E v a n s G a m b i t: G a me T h re e 47

C h i go r i n s h o w e d . I n h i s t e l e g r a p h m a tch g a m e ag ai nst
C h i g o r i n in 1 8 9 0- 9 1 , S t e i n i t z then s w i t c h e d to the t e x t
m ov e ( N h6).

b) 7 ... h 6 (to stop Bg5) w a s the l ast move t o be t r i e d

b y S te i n i t z, agai n st G u n sb e rg i n t h e i r 1 8 9 1 w o r l d c h a m p i ­
o n s h i p m a t c h . S e v e r a l m o v es h a v e b e e n s h o w n to b e
p l a y ab l e h e re , b y C h i go r i n a n d o t h e rs. I suggest follo w i n g
C i o c a l t e a- B rz o z ka, R o m a n i a vs P o l a n d 1 95 8: 8 d e ! ? N x e 5 9
N x e 5 Q x e 5 1 0 Q b 3 Q h 5 (J O. Qf6 1 1 e5 Qxe5 1 2 Bxf7+) 1 1
..

e 5! N e 7 1 2 B a 3 N c 6 1 3 N d 2 B b 6 14 R a e 1 N a5 1 5 Q a 4! K d 8
( T h e ob v i o u s 1 5 Nx c4 w a l k s i n to t h e c r u s h i n g 1 6 e6! fe 1 7
...

R x e6+ Kf7 1 8 R e 7+.) 1 6 B d 3 R e 8 1 7 N f3 R e 6 (1 7 Nc6 1 8 ...

Qf4) 1 8 h 4 f 6 1 9 e f g f 20 R x e6 d e 2 1 B g6! B d 7 (21 Q x g 6 . . .

22 R d 1 + a n d m a tes.) 2 2 R d 1 1 - 0 .

7 . . . N h 6 w a s p ro p o s e d b y S t e i n i t z a f te r h i s 1 8 8 9
m at c h w i t h C h i go ri n , b u t h i s an a l y s i s d e a l t on l y w i t h t h e
con t i n u a t i on 8 d S N e 7 9 Q a 4 B b 6 1 0 B gS ( T i m m a n p l a y e d
1 0 Na 3 h e re agai n s t Kuraj i c a a t Wij k a a n Z e e 1 9 7 7 , b u t
e n d e d i n a n i n f e r i o r posi t i on .) 1 0 Q d 6 , w h i ch t r a n sposes
. . .

t o the n o t e to B l a c k ' s 9th m o v e b e l o w .

8 B gS

T h i s i s p e r h a p s s l i g h t l y m o r e a c c u r a t e t h an 8 d5 a l ­
t h o u g h t h e t w o m o v e s m a y l e a d t o t h e s a m e posi t i o n s.
48 Evans G a m b i t: G a m e T h re e

8 ... Qd6
S te i n i t z stee rs t h e g a m e t o w a r d s t h e l i n e h e h as a n ­
a l y z e d . B ogolj ubow' s s u gges t i o n 8 . . . Qg6 9 d S N b 8 1 0 B x h 6
Q x h 6 1 1 N x e S 0 - 0 1 2 d6 N c 6 c a n be m e t b y 13 N g4 Q g 6 1 4
R e 1 w i t h c l e a r a d v a n ta ge.
9 dS N d8
I f i ns t e a d 9 ... N e 7 Wh i t e p i a y s i n s i m i l a r f a s h i o n
w i th 1 0 Q a4 B b 6 1 1 N a3 a n d t h e n 1 1 . .. N g 4?! 1 2 h3 N x f2 1 3
R x f2 B x f2+ 1 4 K x f2 Q b 6+ 1 5 B e3 Q b 2 + 1 6 N c2 f a v o r e d
Wh i t e i n C h igori n -Markov, p o s t a l 1 8 9 0 . I f 1 6 Q x c3 ? t h e n
•..

1 7 R b 1 t r a ps B l a c k's q u e e n ( 1 8 Bd2) a n d o t h e r w i se B l a c k
h as a n u n d e ve lop e d posi t i o n a n d n o m a t e r i a l a d v a n t a ge
( 1 6 ... f6 1 7 Qb3 Qxb3 18 ab a6 1 9 d6 cd 20 Rd 1 Nc6 21 R x d 6
Na5 22 1Va J b5 2 3 B d 5 for e x am ple).
1 0 Q a4 Bb6
1 1 N a3 c6
A g a i n s t 1 1 . 0-0 V a s i u k o v's book on C h i go r i n g i v es
•.

12 B d3 Q g 6 13 N c4 f6 (1 3 ... d 6 1 4 B e 7!) 1 4 N x b 6 a b 1 5 B e3
w i t h a cle a r p l u s to Wh i te .

12 B e2! B c7

S te i n i t z a vo i d e d 1 2 B c5 b e ca u se o f 13 N c4 Q f8 1 4
•.•

B x d8 K x d 8 { 1 4... b5 1 5 Q a 5 b e 1 6 de) 1 5 N c x e 5 f 6 1 6 d e ,
w i t h C h i go r i n gi v i n g t h e p os s i b l e con t i n u a t i o n 1 6 . . . f e 1 7 c d
B x d 7 1 8 R a d 1 Q e 7 1 9 N x e 5 B d 6 2 0 N x d7 Q x d7 2 1 R x d 6
Q x d6 2 2 R d l a n d Wh i te w i n s .
 Evans G am b i t : G am e T h ree 49

1 3 N e4

C h i go r i n d i d n o t m i n d b l o c k i n g t h e a2 - g 8 d i ago n a l
a n d r e t re a t i n g t h e b i sh o p for h i s a i m w as to ge t t h e k n i g h t
to t h i s s t r o n g s q u a re , w h e re i n som e c a s e i t m a y th re a t e n
N b 6 or ( as i n t h i s g a m e) d 5 - d 6 .

1 3 ... Q f8
14 d6 B x d6

I f 1 4 ... B b 8 ? 1 5 N b 6 o r 1 4 ... b 5 1 5 d e N b 7 ( 1 S ba ? 1 6 ...

cd=Q m a te) 1 6 Q b 3 N e 5 1 7 Q b 4 b e 1 8 Q b 8!

15 Nb6 Rb8
1 6 Q x a7 Ne6

I n a n 1 8 9 1 g a m e, G u n sb erg- S t e i n i t z , 1 6 . . . N g4 also
w o r k e d to Wh i te' s a d v a n t a ge a ft e r 1 7 N h 4!

17 B e l! N g8

As l a te as t h i s i n t h e t e l e g r a p h m a t c h , S te i n i t z w as
s t i l l c l a i m i n g t h a t B l a c k h a d t h e b e t t e r posi t i o n a n d l a y i n g
od d s o f 2- 1 a g a i n s t a Wh i te v i ct o r y , b u t h i s assessm e n t
c h a n ge d r a d i c a l l y a f t e r Wh i te ' s n e x t m o v e .

Ton y M i les h a s s u gge s t e d 1 7 . . . B e7 '' b u t 1 8 B a3 i s

s t i l l s t ro n g." (I n v i e w o f 1 8... B x b 6 1 9 Qxb8 o r 1 8... d6 1 9
Nx e5 B l a c k wou l d h a v e t o p l a y 1 8... Qg8 a l l o w i n g 1 9 Nx c8
R x c 8 2 0 Qxb 7. S t e i n i t z' s e f fo rts t o m a i n t a i n h i s e x t r a p a w n
d es p i t e t h e p osi t i on a l d i s a d v a n t ages i n cu r r e d h a ve s u f­
fe r e d a " re d u ct i o ad absu r d u m " in t h i s v a r i a t i o n .)

1 8 B a3!

T h i s d e s t r o y s the l ast re m a i n i n g cohesion in B l a c k ' s

p os i t i o n , f o r i f 1 8 . . . B x a3 1 9 Q x b8, w h i l e o t h e r w i se Wh i te
t h re a t e n s t o w i n t h e e x ch a n ge b y Q x b 8 an y w a y .

18 ..• e5
so E v a n s G a mb i t: G a m e T h ree

1 9 R a d 1! N f6

I f 1 9 ... B c7 2 0 B b S ( a t t a c k i n g d7 t h re e t i m e s)
2 0 ... N f6 2 1 N d S B d6 22 N h 4! w i n s.

20 B c4 Bc7
21 N dS! Bd6
22 N h 4! N x dS
23 N fS!

T h e assau l t on B l a c k' s k e y b i sh o p i s r e l e n t less.

23 ... g6
24 N x d6+ Q x d6
25 B x dS Qc7
26 B x e6 fx e6

H e c a p t u res t h i s w a y t o g i v e t h e k i n g m o re p rotec-
tion.

2 7 B x cS ! Ra8
2 8 Q x a8 Q x cS

B l a c k , t h e e x c h a n ge d o w n , i s n o w cle a r l y lost. T h e
re m a i n i n g m o v e s o f t h e C h i g o r i n - S t e i n i tz t e l e g r a p h g a m e
w e re 2 9 Q a4 K d 8 3 0 R d 2 Kc7 3 1 R b 1 ! R d 8 3 2 R b S Q c 6 3 3
Q b 4 d 6 3 4 a4! Q e 8 3 5 R b 6 Q f8 3 6 Q aS d S (a l a s t d e s p e r a t e
a t t e m p t t o com p l i c a t e m a t te rs) 3 7 e d Kb8 3 8 d 6 1 - 0 .
 Evans G a m b i t: G a me Four 51

EVANS GAMBIT- Game Four

1 e4 eS
2 N f3 N c6
3 B c4 B cS
4 b4 Bxb4
5 c3 B aS
6 d4

I f Wh i t e p l a y s 6 Q b 3 f i rst, t h e n 6 . . . Q e 7 7 d 4 e � m a y
l e a d t o t h e s a m e p os i t i on as i n t h i s g a m e . 6 . . . N h 6 a n d
6 . . . Q f6 w e re d i s c u sse d i n t h e O v e r v i e w c h a p t e r, w h i le
6 .. Q e 7 7 d4 N x d 4 ?! s h o u l d b e w e l c o m e d o n a c cou n t o f 8
N x d4 e d 9 0 - 0 d e 1 0 B a3 Q f6 1 1 e 5 ! w i t h s t ro n g i n i t. i a t i v e
( O p l - V a kroj , A u st r i a 1 9 78).

6 ••• e x d4

6 d6 w a s d i s c u ss e d i n G a m e s O n e a n d T w o; o t h e r
.•.

m o v e s h e re a re d e a l t w i t h i n G a m e T h re e .

7 Qb3

As w e s a w i n t h e O ve rv i e w ch a p t e r , t h e n o r m a l
m o v e 7 0 - 0 a lso g i v e s Wh i t e v a r i o u s a t t a c k i n g ch a n ces a n d
h i s o p p on e n t p l e n t y o f w a y s t o go w rong B u t 7 . . . N g e 7 !
m a k e s i t u n a t t r a c t i v e i f B l a c k i s a s t rong p l a y e r.
52 Evans G a m b i t : G a m e Four

Wi t h 7 Qb3 y o u h a v e , once a g a i n , good c h a n ce s o f

ge t t i n g y o u r o p p o n e n t o u t o f h i s p re p a re d l i n e a n d i n to
u n k n o w n te r r i t o r y - u n k n o w n f o r h i m , t h a t i s , n o t f o r you!

T h e i d e a b e h i n d 7 Qb3 (a crude and d i re ct m o v e , i t

m u st b e a d m i t t e d) i s t o force t h e b l a c k q u e e n ou t i n to t h e
ope n . T h is i s o f cou rse a d ou b l e - e d ge d p roce d u re . N o t o n l y
i s t h e q u e e n t h e m ost p ow e r fu l p i e ce w h e n u n l e a s h e d o n
a n o p e n b o a r d , s h e i s a l so t h e m os t v u l n e ra b l e b e c a use s h e
u s u a l l y h as t o m o v e w i t h l oss o f t i me w he n t h re a te n e d b y
a p i e ce o f lesse r v al u e . A ft e r 7 Q b 3 b o t h p l a y e rs a re f i gh t­
i n g w i t h th e i r q u e e n s a n d the one w i t h t h e i n i t i a t i v e
s h o u l d b e a b l e to w i n . A t p rese n t , a t l e ast, Wh i te h as t h e
i n i t i a t i v e so c a n h o p e t o b e n e f i t f ro m t h e c u t - a n d - t h r u s t .

7 ... Qe7

H a v i n g d on e a lot o f s tu d y o f 7 Q b 3 , I c a m e t o
v i e w t h a t t h i s i s a som e w h at tou g h e r d e f e n s i v e m o v e t h a n
7 ... Q f6 , w h i ch I d i sc uss i n G a m e F i v e . T h e o n l y ot h e r m o v e
t h a t m i g h t b e con si d e re d i s 7 B x c3+!? e .g. 8 N x c3 N a S 9
•..

B x f7+ Kf8 b u t a ft e r 1 0 Qb4+ K x f7 1 1 Q x aS (1 1 Ne5+ m a y

l e a d t o n ot h i ng.) 1 1 . . . d c 1 2 Q x c3 B l a c k i s t o t a l l y u n d e v e l ­
oped a n d Wh i te s h o u l d h a v e e x ce l l e n t co m pe n sa t i on f o r t h e
s a c ri f i c e d p a w n .

A n u n t e s t e d i d e a f o r Wh i te n o w i s 8 B gS!? ( to m e e t
8 . Qx e4+ b y 9 Kd l w i t h t h r e a t s o f R e l a n d Bxf7+) b u t i n
..

p r a ct i ce Wh i t e h as al w a y s c h osen t h e t e x t m o v e .

8 0-0 B b6!

O t h e rs do n ot p rese n t s u c h a p rob l e m to Wh i te:

a) 8 h 6?! 9 B a 3 d 6 1 0 e5 Qd7 1 1 cd N d 8 12 e d c6
•..

13 Ne5 w i n n i n g ( H arr w i t z vs Duke o f B ru n.s w i c k, 1 8 5 7) .

 E v a n s G a m b i t : G a m e Four 53

b) 8 ... d3? 9 e5! Bb6 1 0 Ba3 Na5 1 1 Q a4 Q d 8 13 B x d 3

N e 7 1 3 Q e 4 d 5 1 4 e d c d 1 5 R e 1! B c 5 1 6 B x c 5 d e 1 7 N a 3
B e 6 1 8 R a d 1 w i t h a c ru s h i n g l e a d i n d e v e l o p m e n t , e.g.
18 ... Q c7? 19 Nb5 Qb6 20 N d 6 +! K f8 (20... Q x d 6 21 Bb5+) 2 1
N x f7! a n d w i n s ( R o z h l ap a - P i e ti u k h ov a , U S S R Wo m e n ' s
C h a m p . 1 963).

c) 8 ... N f6 9 e 5 N g4 1 0 B a 3 d 6 11 e d cd 1 2 R e 1 N ce5
13 N x e 5 N x e 5 1 4 Nd2 Bxc3 1 5 N e 4! B x e 1 1 6 N x d 6+ K d 7
1 7 N x f7 B x f2+ 1 8 K h 1 a n d B l a c k i s b u st e d (B r i t ish pos t a l
g a m e f ro m t h e 1 96 0s) .

d ) 8 ... d c 9 N x c3 i s a form o f t h e C o m p rom i s e d D e ­

fe n se ; n ow:

d 1) 9 ... N f6? 10 N d 5! N x d 5! ? (JO.. . Qxe4 11 Ng5) 1 1

e d N e 5 (1 1 ... Nd8 1 2 Ba3) 1 2 N x e 5 Q x e 5 1 3 B b 2 Qg5 1 4 h 4!
o c c u r re d i n t h e F i s c h e r - F i n e g a m e t o b e fou n d i n My Six ty
Memora ble Gam es, a b o o k w h i ch s h o u l d b e i n e v e ry c h ess
p l a y e r' s l i b r a r y .

d 2 ) 9 B x c3 1 0 Q x c3 f6 (JO. .. Nf6 1 1 Ba3) 1 1 B a3

• . .

d 6 1 2 B d 5! B d 7 ( S t e i n it z - G ra n d , 1 8 72) 1 3 R ab 1 0 - 0 - 0 1 4
N d 4 - F i s c h e r.

d 3 ) 9 ... Q b 4 1 0 B x f7+ K d8 (best a c cord i n g to F i s ­

c h e r, b u t...) 1 1 B b 2 Q x b3 1 2 B xb3 B x c3 (I f 1 2. . . Nf6 1 3 Nd5!
RfB 14 Ng5! h 6 15 B x f6+ gf 16 Nh 7) 1 3 B x c3 N f6 1 4 N g5
K e 7 1 5 e 5 N e 8 1 6 f4 h 6 1 7 N f3 K d 8 1 8 N h 4 ( t h r e a t Ng 6)
a n d a d i s h e a r te n e d B l a c k resi g n e d h e re in H arto c h - Es l o n ,
N e t h erl a n d s vs S w e d e n t e l e x m a t c h 1 97 6. C a re fu l s tu d y o f
t h e posi t i o n a fte r 1 2 B x b3 r e v e a ls t h a t B l a c k i s v i rtu a l l y
h e l p l ess!

e) 8 ••• d 6 9 e5! de 10 B a3! Q f6 1 1 cd a n d n o w :

e l ) 1 1 . .. e 4 ( 1 1 . . . Nge 7 1 2 d5 Nd4 1 3 Nx d4 ed 1 4
Qa4+ B d 7 1 5 Qxa5) 1 2 N e 5 N h 6 1 3 N x c6 b e 1 4 Q a 4 Bb6 1 5
N c3 B d 7 1 6 N x e4 Q f4 1 7 N c5 B x c5 1 8 B x c5 w i t h a c ru s h -
54 Evans G a m b i t: G a m e F o u r

i n g pos1 t 1 o n for Wh i te i n F i s c h e r - J a n u s h k o w s k y , D avis

C o l l ege s i m u l t a n e o u s d i sp l a y , 1 9 6 4 .

e 2 ) 1 1 . .. e d 1 2 N b d 2 N ge 7 1 3 B x e 7 K x e 7 1 4 R fe 1+
K f8 1 5 N e 4 Q f4 1 6 N e g5 B x e 1 1 7 R x e 1 N d 8 1 8 Q b 5 ! B e 6
1 9 B x e 6 fe 20 R x e6! Q c 1+ 2 1 R e 1 Qc6 2 2 Q f5+ Q f6 23 Q d 7
Nc6 2 4 R e 6 Q f5 25 R e S+ R xe 8 26 Q x f5+ K e 7 27 Q e 6+ K d 8
28 N f7 m a te ( Ku h n - Ke c k, H al le c h am p 1 95 2 ) ; a n i ce e x ­
a m p l e o f s u s t a i n e d a t t a c k agai n st a h o m e less k i n g .

f ) 8 .. . N h 6!? s h o u l d p rob a b l y b e m e t b y 9 c d t h re a t­
e n i n g st r a i g h t fo r w a r d d e v e l o p m e n t b y N c3 e t c. I f B l a c k
r i s k s 9 ... Q x e4 t h e n a f te r 1 0 B x h 6 gh 1 1 B x f7+ K f8 ( 1 1 ... Kd8
12 Nc3) 1 2 B d 5 Q f5 ( 1 2 ... Nx d4 1 3 B x e4 Nx b3 1 4 ab or
12 ... Qg4 13 B x c6 and 14 Qa3+) 13 N b d 2 a n d t h e i n se c u r i t y
o f t h e b l a ck k i n g i s cle a r l y w o rt h t h e s m a l l m a t e r i al
s a c r i f i ce.

9 cxd4

I h a v e re l u c t a n t l y c o m e t o t h e con cl u s i o n t h a t
m o ve s o f t h e q u e e n ' s b i s h o p l e a d t o s o m e a d v a n t age f o r
B l a c k . Wi th t h e t e x t m o v e w e f o l l o w i n t h e footste p s o f t h e
West G e r m a n g ra n d m as t e r H e l m u t P fl e g e r .

9 ••• N x d4
 E v a n s G a m b i t : G a me Four 55

I f 9 . . . N a 5 1 0 Q c2 N x c4 1 1 Q x c4 a posi t i o n s i m i l a r
t o t h e N o r m a l V a r i a t i o n a r ises i n w h i c h B l a c k h a s ra t h e r
m o re b ac k w a r d d e v e l o p m e n t t h a n u s u a l a n d a q u e e n e x ­
posed to a t t a c k b y N - c3 - d 5 . Wh i te h as m o r e s p a c e , p ressu re
a g a i n s t c7 a n d c h a n ce s in t h e ce n t e r a n d K -s i d e -- amou n t ­
i n g t o f i n e posi t i o n a l co m pe n sa t i o n fo r t h e p a w n . T h i s r e ­
q u i res tests, b u t B l a c k n o r m a l l y p r e fe rs to gam b l e on t a k ­
i n g t h e se con d p a w n .

9 B x d4 i s d ub i ou s b e c a u s e o f 1 0 N x d4 N x d 4 1 1
.•.

Q c3 N e 6 ( l l .. Qxe4?? 1 2 R e i ) 1 2 B a3 d 6 1 3 f 4 , a p ro m i s i n g
.

a t t a c k i n g l i n e , w h i le a s a fe alte r n a t i v e i s 1 2 B x e 6 w h e n ,
w h i ch e v e r w a y B l a c k r e c a p t u res, Wh i te reg ai n s o n e p a w n
w i th good ch a n ces, e .g. 1 2 f e (t h e g - p a w n i s r e t a i n e d for
•..

the s a k e of the k i n g.) 1 3 Q x c7 Q f6 1 4 N c3 Ne7 1 5 B b 2 a n d

t h e o p p os i t e colored b i s h o p s f a v o r Wh i te b e c a u s e h e h a s
t h e i n i t i at i v e a n d w i l l a t w o rse a ch i e v e a d ra w n e n d g a m e .

1 0 N x d4 B x d4
1 1 N c3

I n t h e h o p e o f i n d u ci n g t h e e r roneous re p l y i n t h e
g a m e b e l o w . H o w e v e r 1 1 B a3 d 6 1 2 N c3 i s obj e c t i v e l y o f
e q u a l m e ri t. T h e n :

a) 1 2 . . . B x c3 ? ( a n u n w i se e x p e r i m e n t i n E i l m e s ­
H ar d i n g , t h e me post a l 1 9 8 8) 1 3 Q x c3 Qe5? ( 1 3 . . . Qf6 i s
p robab l y b e t t e r d e s p i t e 1 4 Qa5!?; 1 3 ... B e 6 1 4 B x e 6 fe 1 5
e5!±) 1 4 Q b 3 N h 6 1 5 B b 2 Q g 5 1 6 f4 Q c5+ 1 7 K h 1 a n d
B l a c k i s i n a h o r r i b l e m e ss. C a s t l i n g gets m a t e d a t o n ce b y
1 8 Q c3 b e cause t h e f- p a w n i s p i n n e d !

b ) 1 2 .. N f6 ( N ot 1 2. . . c 6 ? 1 3 R a d 1 ) i s c r i t i cal. T h e n:
.

b 1 ) I n m y fi r s t a t te m p t a t t h i s v a r i a t i o n w i t h
Wh i te, I m i s p l a y e d t h e a t t a c k b y 1 3 B x f7+?! ( 1 3 e5?! B x e5!
14 Rfe l 0- 0! 15 f4 B d 4+ 1 6 K/2 1 Qd 7 i s a l so good for
B l a c k .) 1 3 ... Q x f 7 14 Q a 4+ Bd7 1 5 Q x d 4 0 - 0 1 6 f4 B c6! a n d
i t t u r n s ou t t h a t Wh i t e c a n n ot m a k e p rogress w h i l e B l a c k
g r a d u a l l y secu res h i s posi t i on a n d b u i l d s u p aga i n s t e 4 , e .g.
56 Evans G a m b i t: G a m e Four

1 7 R a e 1 R fe 8 18 R e 3 R a d 8 19 Bb2 Qh5 20 f5 a6 2 1 R f4
R e 5 22 R h 3 Q f7 23 R fh 4 R d e 8 24 Q d 3 B x e4 25 N xe4 R x e4
0 - 1 ( H ard i n g - O r e n, t h e m e p o s t a l 1 9 8 8) a v e r y i n s t r u c t i v e
d e fe a t!

b2) R e f l e ct i n g o n t h ese e x p e ri e n ces, I re a l i ze d

e v e n t u a l l y t h a t Wh i te's c o r r e c t cou rse is 1 3 R a d 1! posi n g
a n a w k w a r d q u e s t i o n to B l a c k :

b2 1 ) 13 .•. B b 6 ? 1 4 e 5 w i t h c l e a r a d v a n t age;

b2 2 ) 13 ... c5?! 1 4 Nb5 w i n n i n g b a c k one p a w n w i t h

e x ce l l e n t com p e n s a t i on ; B l a c k d a re n o t p l a y 1 4 ... N x e4?! 1 5
N x d 4 cd 1 6 R x d 4 0 - 0 1 7 f3 w i t h a f i n e g a m e fo r Wh i te.

b 2 3 ) 1 3 Q e 5 ? 1 4 B x f7+ K f8 1 5 N b 5 Bb6 ( 1 5... Bc5

..•

16 Nx c 7) 16 N x d6! w i th a w i n n i n g a t t a c k .

b 2 4 ) 1 3 B c5 1 4 e 5 Ng4 (o n l y m o v e) 1 5 e d! Q h 4!?
•.•

(S i n ce 15 ... B x d6 loses a p i e ce t o 16 Bxd6 cd 1 7 Rfe 1 B e 6 1 8

B x e6 fe 1 9 Qa4+ a n d Q x g 4) 1 6 h 3 n e e d s m o re h o m e w o r k ,
b u t B l a c k i s p robab l y com m i t t e d to 1 6 ... N x f2 w h e n 1 7
B x f7+ K f8 1 8 B x c5 N x d 1 1 9 e d o p e n s l i n es f o r a d e c i s i v e
attack.

b 2 5 ) 1 3 B x c3 ( 1 3. . . Be5 1 4 f4 B x c3 i s si m i l a r b u t
..•

w i t h an e x t ra m o v e for Wh i te .) 1 4 Q x c3 N x e 4 1 5 Q x g7 Q f6
l oo k s c r i t i c a l b u t Wh i te s t a rts reco v e r i n g m at e r i a l b y 1 6
B x f7+! K e 7 ( t o k e e p f l a t t a c k e d) 1 7 Bb2! Q x g7 1 8 B xg7
R d 8 19 B d5! B f5 ? 20 R d e 1 , a n d w i n n i n g. B l a c k can t r y
s a c r i f i c i n g a n e x c h ange a t m o ve 1 8 b u t Wh i te w i l l h a v e
w i n n i n g c h a n ces.

1 1 ... c6?

T h i s t u r n s out v e r y b a d l y . The c r i t i c al l i n es a re:

a ) 1 1 . N f6!? 12 B a 3!? d6 1 3 R a d 1 !. t r a n sposes to t h e

.•

l i n e j u st consi d e r e d .
 Evans G a mb it: G a m e Four 57

b ) 1 1 . B x c3!? 1 2 Q x c3 Wi t h e x ce l l e n t posi t i o n a l a n d
. •

t a c t i c a l c o m p e n s a t i o n f o r t h e t w o p a w n s, e .g. 1 2 ... N f 6 1 3 e 5
N e 4 1 4 Q d 4 N c5 (I f 1 4 ... f5 1 5 ef Nxf6 1 6 Bg5 w i t h st ro n g
t h re ats d o w n t h e e - f i l e .) 1 5 Ba3 b6 (I f 1 5. . . Ne 6 1 6 Qc3
t h re a te n i n g /4-f5.) 16 R a c 1 ( N o t 16 f4 n o w: B l a c k m u s t n ' t
b e a l l o w e d to c a s t l e 0 - s i d e u n d i st u rb e d .) 1 6 . . . B b 7 1 7 B d 5!
(p rotects g2 a n d e x p l o i t s t h e p i n on t h e k n i g h t) 17 ... c6
(1 7... Ne6 1 8 B x e 6) 1 8 B e 4 Ne6 (Else B x c5 w i l l regain one
p a w n w i t h a good p os i t i o n) 1 9 Q e 3 Qg5 20 f4 Qh5 21 Bd6
and Wh i te h as a strong b i n d w i t h good a t t a c k i n g p rospec ts.

12 R d 1! B cS

A ft e r 1 2 B x c3 13 Q x c3 Wh i te ' s d e fi c i t o f t w o
..•

p a w n s w o u l d b e f a r l e s s s i g n i fi c a n t t h a n h i s l e a d i n d e v e l ­
o p m e n t, con t rol o f t h e d a r k s q u a re s a n d r a p i d l y d e v el o p ­
i n g t h re ats, e .g. 13 ... N f6 1 4 B a3 N x e 4 ( 1 4. . . c 5 15 B x c5 o r
1 4... Qx e4? 1 5 R e1 o r 1 4. . . Qd8?? 1 5 Qe5+) 1 5 Q x g7 Q x a 3 1 6
B x f7+ K e 7 1 7 B d 5+! a n d Wh i te comes o u t a rook a h e a d .

13 N a4 d6
14 N x cS d x cS
15 B x f7+ Q x f7
16 R d 8+ Ke7
17 B g5+ N f6
18 Rx h8
58 Eva n s G a m b i t : G a m e Four

Wh ite has w o n the e x c h a n ge by a co m b i n a t i on t y p i ­

c a l o f t h e E v a n s G am b i t , a n d h e w e n t on t o w i n t h e g a m e
( P fleger-Men d e s, Lourenco Marques 1 9 73).

It m i g h t seem su r p r i si n g t h a t Wh i te st a n d s so w e l l
a ft e r s a c r i f i c i n g t wo p a w n s , b u t t h e k e y to i t i s t h a t i n
t a k i n g t h ose p a w n s B l a c k u s e d u p a l l h i s " po te n t i a l e n e rg y "
- h i s a c t i v e p i e ces w e re e x c h a n g e d i n t h e p rocess, l e a v i n g
h i m se l f b e h i n d on d e v e l o p m e n t to t h e e x te n t t h a t i t be­
came h a r d t o catch u p .

Mo reo v e r w i t h h i s q u e e n o n e 7 , B l a c k h as t a k e n t h e
best s q u a re f rom h i s k i n g' s k n i g h t - y o u w i l l a l re a d y h a v e
n oti ce d t h a t f 6 i s r a r e l y a good s q u a re f o r t h at p i e ce i n
t h e E v a n s, b e c a use i t e n cou rages e 4 - e5 . T h e c ri t i ca l l i n e o f
7 Qb3 Q e 7 w o u l d s e e m t o b e m y a n a l y s i s from t h e l as t d i ­
ag r a m , s h o w i n g h o w t o h a n d l e N f6 i n t h i s v a r i a t i o n .
.•.
 Evans G a m b i t: G a m e F i ve 59

EVANS GAMBIT - Game Five

1 e4 e5
2 N f3 Nc6
3 B c4 B c5
4 b4 B xb4
5 c3 B a5
6 d4 e x d4
7 Qb3 Q f6

T h i s m o v e i s t h e o t h e r m a i n d e f e n se to b e r e c k o n e d
w i t h aga i n s t 7 Q b 3 . I t h as t h e a d v an t age, f o r B l a c k , o f a l ­
lo w i n g a s u bse q u e n t N g e 7 b u t t h e q u e e n i s m o re e x p osed
on f6 t h a n e 7 and Wh i te has very good c h a n ces.

8 0 - 0! N ge 7

A l so possi b le:

a) 8 ... N h 6 9 e 5 Q g 6 1 0 B a 3 d e 1 1 N x c3 B x c3 1 2
Q x c3 b6 1 3 e6 w i t h a s t rong a t t a c k ( B arne s - O w e n , 1 8 5 7) .

b ) 8 . . . B b 6? 9 e 5 Q g 6 1 0 c d N x d 4 1 1 N x d 4 B x d 4 1 2
N c3 N h 6 ( 1 2 . Ne 7 1 3 Ba3) a n d n o w Wh i te c a n i m p rove o n
..

B i rd - C h igorin, H as t i ngs 1 89 5 , b y 1 3 B a 3! t h re a te n i n g 1 4
N d 5 w h i ch i s h op e less f o r B l a c k .
60 Evans G a mb i t: G a m e F i v e

c) 8 ... b5!? 9 B x b 5 R b 8 1 0 Q a 4 N ge7 11 e5 N x e 5 (I f

1 1 ... Qg6 as i n S t e el - B l a c kburne, Lo n d o n 1 8 8 1 , t h e n 1 2 cd!
restores m a t e r i a l e q u a l i t y a n d k e e p s some i n i t i a t i v e .) 1 2
Q x a5 N x f3+ 1 3 g f Q e 5 1 4 N a3 c 6 15 f 4 Q d 5 1 6 R e 1! c b 1 7
Q c 7 R a 8 1 8 N xb5! t r a p p i n g t h e b l a c k k n i g h t .

d) 8 ... d 6 9 e 5 d e 1 0 R e 1 a n d n o w:

d 1 ) 1 0 ... B d 7 1 1 Bg5 Q f5 1 2 Q x b 7 w h e n :

d 1 1) 1 2 . . . R c 8 ? loses to 1 3 N x e5! (More p r e c i s e t h a n

1 3 B d 5 w h i ch m i g h t b e m e t b y 1 3 ... Nge 7.) 1 3 ... N xe 5 14 f4
f6 15 fe fe 16 Q d 5 N e7 1 7 R x e5 1 - 0 j u s t a foo t n o t e to h i s­
tory! ( H ar d i ng · A asu m , p o st a l t h e m e tourn a m e n t 1 9 88).

d 12 ) 12 ... R b 8 1 3 R x e5+! w i th a d v a n t age t o Wh i te

( K e re s) e.g. 1 3 ... Q x e5 1 4 B x f7+ K f8 (1 4... Kxf7 1 5 Nx e5+
Ke6 1 6 Qa 6) 1 5 Q x b8+ N x b8 1 6 N x e 5 d e 1 7 B b 3 N e 7 1 8
N a 3 Bb4 1 9 R d 1 ! w i t h some a t t a c k i n g ch a n ces. Wh i te's
p i e ce s a re a c t i v e and h e should win a t l e as t o n e p a w n v e r y
soo n .

d 2 ) 1 0 . . . N ge 7 1 1 Bg5 Qg6 1 2 B x e 7 N x e 7 1 3 N x e 5
Qb6 1 4 B b 5 + c6 1 5 Q x f7+ K d 8 1 6 N x c6+! a n d w i n s
( K ol i s ch - B a r n e s) .

d 3 ) 1 0 . .. N h 6 1 1 B g 5 Q f5 1 2 Q a3! f6 1 3 B x h 6 gh 1 4
B d 5 B x c3 1 5 N x c3 d e 1 6 B x c6+ b e 1 7 Qc5 B d 7 1 8 N xe 5
w i t h a cle a r a d v an t age (Sozi n & L e v e n f i s h) .

d 4 ) 1 0 B b 6 1 1 B g 5 Q f5 (1 1 ... Na 5 ? 1 2 Qa4+ Bd 7 1 3
• .•

Bxf6 B x a 4 1 4 B x g 7) 1 2 N x e5 N xe 5 1 3 f4! d e+ 1 4 K h 1 B d 4
( 1 4... / 6 1 5 B x g B t h re a te n i n g Q/7+) 1 5 N x c3 K f 8 1 6 R a d 1
N x c4 ( 1 6... c 5 1 7 R x d4) 1 7 Q x c4 B e 6 1 8 Q x d 4 f 6 1 9 N e 4
w i th a w i n n i n g posi t i o n , e.g. 1 9 . . .b 6 (or 1 9. . .fg 20 Nx g5 R e8
2 1 R eS Qg 4 22 Qc5+) 20 N g 3 Qc5 2 1 Q x c5+ b e 22 R x e 6 fg
2 3 fg a n d Wh i te soon won in Morp h y - Ki p p i ng, B ir m i n g h a m
(Engl a n d ) 1 8 5 8 .
 E v a n s G a m b it: G a m e F i ve 61

e ) 8 ... d c (8... B x c3 9 Nx c3 i s n o bette r.) i s t h e m a i n

l i n e o f t h e C o m p ro m i s e d D e fe n se, b y t r an sposi t i o n . T h i s i s
o n l y f o r m asoch i sts, w h o a re f a r less p l e n t i f u l t h a n t h e y
w e re i n t h e 1 9 t h c e n t u r y h e y d a y o f t h e E v a n s . S i n ce t h i s
" d e fe n se " , a n a l y ze d i n g r e a t d e t a i l i n Play the Evons Gam­
bit, h a rd l y e ve r a ri s e s f rom 7 Qb3, I sh a l l on l y gi v e the
m a i n line h e re:

Wh i te con t i n u e s 9 e 5 Q g 6 (9... Nx e5? 10 R e 1 d 6 11

Qa4+ and 12 Qx a5) 1 0 N x c3 N g e 7 (1 0... b 5 11 Nx b 5 R b 8 12
Qe3! Nge 7 1 3 Qe2! o r 10... B x c3 11 Qxc3 Nge 7 1 2 Ba3 0- 0 1 3
R a d 1 a n d B l a c k ' s posi t i o n i s v e r y d i f fi cu l t .) 1 1 B a3! 0 - 0
( 1 1 . . . b 5 ! ? 1 2 Nx b 5 R b 8 1 3 Qe3! o r 1 1 . . . R b 8 1 2 Nd5 Nx d5 1 3
Bxd5 b 5 1 4 e 6 ! fe 1 5 B x c 6 de 1 6 Ne5 Q e 4 1 7 Q g 3 a n d
B l a c k ' s p osi t i o n i s c o l l a p s i n g; T arrasc h - K e l z , N u re m b e rg
1 8 9 0) 1 2 R ad l! b 5 ( 1 2... R d8 1 3 B x e 7! o r 1 2 ... R e8 1 3 Bd3 Qh 5
1 4 Ne4 Nx e5 1 5 Nx e5 Q x e5 1 6 Bb2 Qe6 1 7 Qb5 w i n n i n g -
L as k e r) 13 B d3 Q h5 1 4 N d5 N x d5 1 5 Q x d 5 b 4 1 6 B b2 R b 8
1 7 R fe l w i t h a w i n n i n g p os i t i on ( T a y lo r-Zu k e rtort).

9 c x d4!

9 .•. d6?

O b v i ou s - but bad. H o w e v e r, B l a c k h as a d i f f i c u l t
p osi t i o n i n a n y case as w e c a n s e e f rom t h ese v a ri a t i o n s:
62 Evans G a m b i t: G a m e Five

a ) 9 B b 6 1 0 e5 Qg6 1 1 B d 3! Q h 5 1 2 d 5 N d 8 13 Ba3
...

w i t h a clear a d v a n t a ge.

b) 9 N x d4 1 0 N x d 4 Q x d 4 1 1 B x f7+ K f8 (or 11 ... Kd8

...

12 Bb2) 12 B h 5 d5 (I f 1 2... g6 13 Bb2 or 12 ... Qf6 13 B b 2 a n d

1 4 Qf3) 1 3 e d! Q x a 1 (I f 1 3... Q x d 5 1 4 R d 1 ! a n d 1 5 R d8+
w i n n i n g , or 1 3 ... Nx d5 1 4 R d 1 ) 14 B b 2 a n d Wh i t e w i l l h a v e
q u e e n f o r rook a n d b i s h o p , w h i c h s h o u l d b e e n o u gh
m a te ri al a d v an t age to w i n .

c ) 9 0 - 0 1 0 B b 2 d 6 i s t h e toughest l i n e t o c r a c k .
...

T h e p os i t i on i s a t y p i ca l E v an s G a m b i t e a r l y m i d d l e g a m e
i n w h i ch Wh i te, m assi n g h i s p i e ce s b e h i n d a m o b i l e cen te r,
h as a m p l e com p e n s a t i on f o r h i s p a w n , a l t h o u g h i t i s n o t
poss i b l e t o p ro v e a cle a r a d v a n t a ge u n t i l t h e re h a s b e e n
some p ra c t i c a l e x p e r i e n ce w i t h t h e s ub - v a ri a t i o n . A s t h i s
l i n e i s e x p e r i m e n t a l , I s h a l l d i s c u ss m o re t h a n o n e p oss i b i l ­
i t y f o r Wh i t e:

c l ) I do N O T l i k e 1 1 d5 ( A n d e rsse n - Ko l i s c h , P aris
1 8 6 0) b e c a u se it sh u ts in Wh i te' s k i n g' s b i sh op, nor 1 1
N b d 2 B x d 2! 1 2 N x d 2 N x d 4 w h e n B l a c k s e e m s t o h a v e
s a fe l y w o n a p a w n .

c 2 ) 1 1 e5 d e 1 2 d e i s t h e l i n e t o p l a y i f Wh i te d oe s
n o t w a n t t o s a c ri f i c e a secon d p a w n .

c3 ) 1 1 N c3!? i s t h e m o v e Wh i t e r e a l l y w a n ts t o p l a y .
I f B l a c k d oes n ot a c ce p t t h e s e con d p a w n h e f a c e s a s t ro n g
a t t a c k i ng b u i l d - u p a n y w a y . A fte r 1 1 . .. N x d 4 1 2 N x d 4 Q x d 4
1 3 R a d 1! ( N o t 1 3 Nd5 ? Q x e 4 b e c a u se B l a c k ' s b i s h o p con ­
t rols e l ) 1 3 ... Q b 6 Wh i te h a s t h e ch o i ce b e t w e e n reg rou p i n g
b y 1 4 Q c 2 o r goi n g f o r a n a l l - o u t com b i n at i ve a t t a c k : 1 4
N b 5 a6 1 5 Qg3 Ng6 1 6 B d 4 c5 1 7 B xg7! ( 1 7 Ba 1 a b 1 8 R x d 6
Qc 7 1 9 R x g 6 Qxg3 l e a d s to a d r a w , I t h i n k .) 1 7 ... ab ( N o t
1 7 Kx g 7 1 8 R x d 6 t r a p p i n g t h e q u e e n ) 1 8 R x d 6 Q c 7 1 9
...

B x f8 K x f8 2 0 B x b 5 a n d Wh i te , w h o h as " on l y " s a c ri f i c e d
t w o p i e ce s f o r a roo k , h as g o o d p rosp e c ts o f p ressi n g h o m e
t h e a t t a c k aga i n s t t h e w e a k e n e d b l a c k k i n g posi t i o n , e .g.
20 ... Be6 21 R fd 1 B x a 2 22 Qe3 Kg7 23 f4 Bb6 24 f5.
 E v a n s G a m b i t: G a me Five 63

1 0 Bg5! Qg6
N o t 10 ... N x d 4? 1 1 B x f6 N x b3 12 ab and B l a c k loses
a p i e ce b e c a u s e h i s b i s h o p i s now a t t a c k e d b y the roo k .

11 d5

I n a u g u r a t i n g a lon g fo rci n g v a n a tt o n w h i c h l e a d s
to a w i n f o r Wh i te . B l a c k can not ret r e a t t h e k n i gh t to b 8
o r d 8 b e c a u s e Q a4 s i m p l y w i n s t h e b i s h o p . H e h a s to t r y
d e s p e r a t e cou n te rp l a y:

1 1 ... Ne5

I f 1 1 . f 6 1 2 B f4 N e 5 1 3 B x e 5 o r 1 1 . . . B g4 1 2 d e B x f3
• .

13 eh!

12 N x e5 dxe5

O f 1 2 . . . Q x g5 13 N f3 Q g 6 ( 1 3. . . Qf6 1 4 e 5 d e 1 5 Qa 4+)
1 4 Q a4+ B d7 1 5 Q x a 5 B h3 1 6 N e 1 a n d B l a c k h as i n su f f i ­
c i e n t p l a y f o r h i s p i e ce .

13 B xe7 Kxe7
1 4 Q a3+ Kd8

B l a c k m u s t m a i n t a i n h i s t h re a t of . B h 3 . I f i n s t e a d
..

1 4 . . . K f6 t h e k i n g i s v e r y e x p ose d a n d Wh i t e p l a y s 1 5 K h 1
B b 6 1 6 f4 w i th d e a d l y e f fe ct.
64 Evans G am b i t: G a m e Five

1 5 d6!

The bishop st i ll s u r v i v e s be c a u se of 15 Q x a 5 ?? B h 3
1 6 g3 Q x e4 . I n st e a d Wh i t e k e e ps h i s t h re a t a n d o p e n s t h e
l i n e s agai n s t t h e b l a c k k i n g. A t t h e s a m e t i m e t h e q u e e n
c o v e rs h 3 a l o n g t h e r a n k .

1 5 ... B b6

N o t 1 5 ... cd? b e c a u se t h e n 1 6 Q x aS i s c h e c k .

1 6 d x c7+ K x c7

T r y i n g to escape i n t o the c o r n e r. If 1 6 B x c7 17 .•.

R d 1+ Ke8 (1 7... Bd7 1 8 B b 5) 1 8 B b 5+ w i n n i n g a p i e ce.

1 7 N c3

Wh i te i s n o t i n too m u c h o f a h u r r y t o c h e c k , b u t
b r i n gs h i s rese r v e s i n to p l a y w i th t h re a ts o f N d 5 a n d R a c l .

17 .•. B e6?

T h i s l e a ds to i m m e d i ate coll apse b u t 17 Kb8 is also

•..

h op e l ess in t h e l o n g r u n , as Wh i te p l a y s 1 8 Q e 7 (B u i l d - u p s
w i t h roo k s on t h e c - a n d d - f i l e s w ou l d also b e s t r o n g)
1 8 ... Q f6 ( 1 8... B c 7 1 9 Nb5) 1 9 Q x f6 g f 2 0 B x f7 R f8 2 1 B b3
fol l o w e d b y N d5 . Wh i te h a s reg a i n e d h i s p a w n w i th a
l o v e l y p o s i t i o n , a n d w h i le B l a c k st r u ggles t o d e v e l o p h i s
p i e ce s Wh i te w i l l t a k e con t ro l o f a l l t h e s t r o n g p o i n ts a n d
w i n i n t h e e n d i n g ( i f n o t s oo n e r) .

18 NbS+ Kc8

I f 1 8 . . . K b 8 1 9 Q d 6+ Kc8 2 0 R a c 1 w h i le 1 8 . . . Kd7 (or

Kd8) i s m e t by 1 9 R fd 1+ Ke8 ( 1 9... Bd4 20 Qd6+ Ke8 2 1 Nc 7
m ate) 2 0 N d 6+ K f8 2 1 N fS+ Kg8 2 2 N e 7+.
 Evans G am b i t: G am e F i ve 65

19 Rac1 B x c4

P re - e m p t i n g Bxe6 d i sc o v e r e d c h e c k , and h o p i n g to
run a w a y a ft e r 20 R x e 6+ K d 8 . But Wh i te h a s yet a n ot h e r
n e a t f i nesse:

20 Q e 7!

B l a c k r e s i g n e d , f o r i f 2 0 ... Q e 6 2 1 R x c 4+! Q x c4 2 2
N d6+ Kb8 2 3 N x c4 o r 2 0 . . . Kb8 2 1 R x c4 R c 8 2 2 N d 6 R c 7 2 3
Q d8+ ( H arding- D a y , post a l 1 9 73 ) .
66 Evans G a m b i t : G a m e S i x

EVANS GAMBIT- Game Six

1 e4 e5
2 N f3 N c6
3 B c4 B c5
4 b4 B xb4
5 c3 B c5

I n t h e 1 9 t h cen t u r y , w h en t h e d e b a t e s as to w h i c h
b i s h o p ret re a t w as b e st w e re at t h e i r h e i gh t, t h e m a i n c o n ­
te n d e rs w e r e t h i s m o v e a n d 5 . . . B a 5 . T h e d i s c u s s i o n w a s
com p l i c a t e d b y t h e f a c t t h a t t h e so- c a l l e d " N o r m a l Pos i ­
t i o n " (a fte r B l a c k ' s 8 t h m o ve) cou l d a r i se f ro m e i t h e r
m o v e . H o w e v e r, w i t h b o t h m o v e s t h e re a re n u m e ro u s o f f­
s h oots for both Wh i te a n d B l a c k , i n c l u d i n g some l i t t le­
k n o w n b y - w a y s w h i c h , t h o u g h n o t e sse n ti a l for Wh i te to
k n o w , g i v e him added c h a n ces of a d v a n tage .

6 d4 e x d4

B l a c k h a s fe w o t h e r p ossi b i l i ti es: 6 . . B b 6!? is i n

.

G a m e T h r e e u n d e r 5 . . . B a5 6 d 4 B b6 . N o t 6 . . . N a5? 7 B x f7+
K x f7 8 N x e5+ K f8 (8.. Kf6 ?? 9 Bg5+ Kx g5 10 Nxf7+ o r
.

8.. Ke 6 9 Qg4+ Ke 7 1 0 de) 8 d e a n d Wh i te i s a p a w n u p

.

w i t h a w i n n i n g p os i t i o n .
 E v a n s G a m b i t: G a m e S i x 67

7 cx d4!

T h i s i s a v e r y i n t e r esti n g m o v e w h i c h i s not v e r y
w e l l k n o w n . I t d oe s n o t p re ve n t B l a c k f r o m re a c h i n g t h e
N o r m a l Pos i t i o n ( w h i ch a r ises a f te r t h e regu l a r 7 0- 0 d 6 8
c d B b 6) b u t i t te m p ts h i m t o g i v e a c h e c k w h i c h i n fact
helps Wh i te.

Wh i te a lso d oe s well to gi v e h i m se l f e v e r y c h a n ce
o f a v oi d i n g t h e N o r m a l P o s i t i o n . I t is n o t t h a t t h e l i n e i s
b a d f o r h i m , b u t i t m a y b e t h a t w i th 7 cd h e c a n d o e v e n
b e t t e r.

7 •.• B b 6!

7 ... B b 4+?! h e l p s Wh i te so m u ch t h a t t h e re i s i n f a c t
a n e m b a r r a ss m e n t o f r i c h e s - 8 B d2 , 8 N b d 2 a n d 8 K f l a re
a l l good for Wh i t e; i t i s h a r d t o s a y w h i c h i s b e s t . I n p r a c­
t i ce, I p l u m p e d fo r 8 K f l w h i c h i s b e t t e r t h a n t h e K ra k o w
V a r i a t i o n o f t h e G i u o co P i a n o ( 3 B c 4 B c5 4 c3 Nf6 5 d4 ed
6 cd B b 4+ 7 Kf1 !?) b e c a u se of t h e c r u ci a l e x t r a possib i li t y
o f ga i n i n g a t e m p o b y a 3 f o r a r a p i d d e v e l op m e n t o f t h e
rook v i a a2 . Wh i t e fo r fe i ts t h e r i g h t t o c as t l e , b u t u s u a l l y
B l a c k h as to d o t h e s a m e b e c a u se t h re a t s d e v e l o p r a p i d l y
on t h e e- f i l e .

A fte r 7 .•. B b 4+ 8 K f l p l a y goes:

a) 8 ... N f6 9 e 5 o r 8 ... d 6 ? 9 d 5 Ne5 1 0 N xe5 de 1 1

Q a 4+ a n d 1 2 Q x b4.

b ) 8 Be7 9 Qb3 N a5 1 0 B x f7+ K f8 1 1 Q c3 K x f7 1 2

..•

Q x a 5 d 6 1 3 B b 2 w i th f a i r p rospects f o r Wh i te, w h o h as r e ­
g a i n e d h i s p a w n at t h e c o s t o f c o n ce d i n g t h e b i s h o p p a i r.
A g a i n st Za k ' s 1 3 ... c6! I r e c o m m e n d 1 4 Q d 2 N f6 1 5 N c3 R eS
16 h 3 B f8 1 7 Q f4 K g8 1 8 g4 fo l l o w e d b y K g2 t o l i n k t h e
roo k s. Wh i t e' s k n i gh ts a re good p i e ce s a n d i t i s h a r d f o r
B l a c k to stop Wh i t e f r o m s e t t i n g u p a m ob i le p a ssed e ­
p a w n i n t h e m i d d le g a m e.
68 Evans G a m b i t: G a m e S i x

c) 8 ... Q e 7 (re com m e n d e d b y Zagoro v s k y) 9 e5 a n d

n o w:

c l ) 9 ... f6!? 1 0 a3! B a 5 1 1 Qb3 fe 1 2 B x g8 e4 1 3 Bg5

Q f8 14 B d 5 e f 1 5 N c3 Q f5 1 6 Re 1+ K f8 17 B x c6 Q x g5 18
B x f3 d 6 19 h 4! Qg6 20 Re3 B x c3 21 Q x c3 c6 22 h5 Q b 1+ 23
R e 1 Qb5+ 24 K g 1 h6 25 Qe3 B f5 26 R h 4 K g8 27 R f 4 R f8
28 g4 g5 29 R x f5 R x f5 30 Qe8+ B l a c k resi g n e d i n K a n ­
K o t s , Mosco w C h a m p . 1 9 3 1 .

c 2 ) 9 ... d 6 ! 1 0 a 3 ! (Wh i t e c a n n o t s a fe l y w i n a p i e c e
h e re.) 1 0 . . . Ba5 1 1 R a2! Bb6 (I f l l .. B d 7 1 2 Bg5 o r l l .. Bg4 1 2
. .

Q a 4 t h re a t e n i n g d5) 1 2 R e 2! K f8 1 3 N c e w i th a p ro m i s i n g
i n i t i a t i v e f o r w h i te .

T h e i n a c t i v i t y o f t h e h l r o o k d oes n ot m a t t e r m u c h
as y e t b e c a u se b o t h i ts e n e m y co u n t e r p a rts a re h e m m e d i n .
L a t e r Wh i te c a n p l a y t h e m a n oe u v re h 3 , g 3 a n d K g2 t o
g i v e t h e k i n g a s a fe h o m e a n d open t h e w a y f o r t h e roo k .
B u t i n t h e s h o r t r u n Wh i t e i s b e t te r e m p l o y e d d e v e l op i n g
t h rea ts. N ote t h a t Wh i t e h a s i d e a s l i k e e 6 an d e d a n d d 5 i n
rese r v e ( a s w e l l as Bg5) . I f y o u d o n o t w a n t to p l a y t h i s
l i n e , y o u c a n a l w a y s g o d i r e c t f o r t h e N o r m a l P os i t i o n i n ­
stead.

Wh i te c a n t r y t o p rose c u t e h i s a t t a c k w i t h o u t
castl i n g (e .g. b y 8 Bb2) b u t as h e p robab l y c a n n o t a v o i d i t
fore v e r. I re com m e n d d o i n g i t n o w . N ote t h at, w i t h t h e
repe rtoi re I am re com m e n d i n g, t h i s is t h e o n l y w a y t h a t
B l a c k c a n f o r c e t h e N o rm a l P osi t i o n , si n ce l a t e r o n I s h a l l
s h o w h o w t o a v o i d i t a l toge th e r i f B l a c k p l a y s 5 ... B a 5 .

8 ... d6

T h e Normal P os i t i on a t la st.
 E v a n s G a mb i t: G a m e S i x 69

9 N c3

T h i s i s t h e m ov e al w a y s c h os e n i n t h e N o r m a l Posi­
t i o n b y Mo r p h y and C h i go r i n . Wh i te k e e ps the p a w n ce n te r
m ob i l e a n d d e v e l o p s h is p i e ces, w a i t i ng t o see h o w B l a c k
w i l l r e a ct.

9 .•• B g4

9 •.. N aS (be s t) w i l l b e d i s c u ssed i n G a m e S e v e n .

Wh i t e h a s v e r y good c h a n ce s o f w i n n i n g agai n s t a l l
o t h e r m o ves:

a) 9 N g e 7 1 0 N g5 d 5 ( 1 0 ... 0- 0 ? 1 1 Qh 5 et c) 1 1 N x d 5
...

B x d 4 1 2 N x f7! Q d 7 (I f 1 2 ... Kxf7 1 3 Nx c 7+ Kf8 1 4 Qf3+

Bf6 1 5 Qxf6+ gf 1 6 Blz 6 m at e!) 1 3 N x h 8 B x a 1 1 4 Q h 5+ g6
1 5 Q x h 7 Nd8 1 6 N f6+! B x f6 17 B f 7+ N x f7 1 8 Q x f7+ K d 8
1 9 Q f8+ Q e 8 20 R d 1+ a n d Wh i te soon w o n i n a b l i n d fold
game by H a r r w i t z ( i f 2 0... Bd7 2 1 Nf7+ Kc8 22 Qx e8+ a n d
2 3 R d8 m a te) .

b) 9 ... N ce 7 1 0 Q b 3 f6 1 1 e5! o p e n s u p t h e ce n te r .

c) 9 B d7?! 1 0 e 5 d e a n d n o w I r e co m m e n d a n o l d
...

m o v e i n a n e w con te x t, 1 1 B a 3! ( 1 1 ... Nge 7 1 2 Ng5) si n ce t h e

b oo k l i n e 1 1 R e 1 N ge 7 1 2 Ng5 B e 6 is n o t e n ti re l y c l e a r a f-
70 E v a n s G a m b i t: G a me S i x

te r 1 3 B x e6 f e 1 4 N x e 6 Q d 6 1 5 N x g7+ K f8 16 Qg4 a n d
n o w 1 6 . . . Qg6.

d) 9 ... N f6 i s gi v e n as u n c l e a r by ECO but I t h i n k

Wh i te h as t h e a d v a n tage a ft e r 1 0 e 5 ! d e (J O. . d 5 1 1 e f d e 1 2
.

fg Rg8 1 3 R e 1 + l e d t o a Wh i t e w i n i n Morp h y - d e R i v i e r e ,
1 8 5 8 , and 1 O.. Ng4 11 h3 Nh 6 1 2 Bg5 Qd 7 1 3 e6 i s also v e r y
.

good fo r Wh i t e, i n v i e w o f 1 3... fe 1 4 B x e 6 Q x e 6 1 5 R e 1 .) 1 1
B a 3 ! a n d n o w:

d 1 ) 1 l . .. N a5!? w as recom m e n d e d b y U n zi c k e r i n
ECO, a n d ag a i n b y S c h n e i d e r i n B CM. T h e i d e a i s a f te r 1 2
N x e5 N x c4 1 3 Q a4+ t o p l a y 1 3 ... c 6 ( 1 3... B d 7? 1 4 Qx c4 Be6
15 d5! Bxd5 16 Qa4+ c 6 1 7 R a d 1 Nd 7 18 Nx d 7 Qx d 7 1 9
Nx d5 c d 2 0 R x d5! 1 - 0 L e h m a n n - P .M u e l l er, G er m a n y vs
S w i t z e rl a n d 1 9 5 2) b u t n o w com e s 14 N x c4!, a p re v i ou s l y
u n s u gge s t e d b u t s t ro n g m o v e . N o w 1 4 ... B x d 4 loses t o 1 5
N d 6+ a n d i f 1 4 ... Q x d 4?! 1 5 R a d 1! Q x c3 (O t h e rs m a y b e m e t
b y Nd 6+, Nx b 6 o r Rfe 1 +.) 1 6 N x b 6! R b 8 1 7 N x c8 R x c8 1 8
R fe 1+ w i n s.

d 2 ) 1 1 . .. B x d 4 1 2 Qb3! Q d 7 ( o r 1 2... Be6 1 3 B x e 6 as i n

t w o M o r p h y w i n s) 1 3 N g5 N d 8 1 4 R a d 1 h 6 ( o r 1 4. . . Ne 6 1 5
B x e 6 fe 1 6 Nb5 w i t h m a n y th re ats) 1 5 R x d 4! w i t h a p o w ­
e r fu l a t t a c k for Wh i te. N o te h o w t h e b i sh op on a3 s t o p s
B l a c k cas t l i n g a n d so m a k e s d e fense w e l l - n i g h i m p o ss i b l e
i n t h e long r u n .

d 3 ) 1 1 . . .e d 1 2 R e 1+ Be6 1 3 Qb3 N a5 1 4 B x e 6! N x b3
1 5 B f 5 + a n d Wh i te w i n s ( E u we).

d4) 1 1 . .. B g4 12 Qb3 Bh5 (1 2... Qd 7 1 3 Nx e5) 13 R fe 1

(I n t h e A p ri l 1 9 9 0 B CM, S c h n e i d e r re com m e n d s 1 3 d e b u t
d oe s n o t m e n t i o n 1 3. . . Na 5! w h i ch i s c r i t i c a l , a n d t h e g a m e
h e c i t e s w as i n f a c t Morp h y - H a m p t o n , L o n d o n 1 8 5 8 , not
a n a l y s i s by M o r p h y!) 13 ... N d 7 1 4 N x e 5 N c x e5 1 5 R xe5+!
N x e5 1 6 Qb5+ c6 1 7 Q x e5+ K d 7 18 Q x h 5 w i th a w i n n i n g
g a m e ( C a f ferty - P arry , B i r m i n g h a m 1 9 69) .
 E Y a n s G a m b i t: G a me S i x 71

d 5 ) 1 1 . .. N x d 4? 1 2 N x d 4 B x d4 1 3 Q b 3 R f8 1 4 R a d 1
w i t h a d o m i n a t i n g posi t i o n , e .g. 1 4 ... c6? 1 5 N e 2 Bg4 1 6
N x d 4 B x d 1 1 7 R x d 1 Q c 7 1 8 N f5 R g8 ( fo l l o w i n g a g a m e b y
T a u b e n h a u s) 1 9 B x f7+! w i n n i ng.

N o w we re t u rn to 9 . B g4 , w h i ch i s fre q u e n t l y rec­
..

o m m e n d e d a s a n e q u a l i z i n g l i n e . H i stori c a l l y , it s u cc e e d e d
9 . N f6 a s t h e m a i n l i n e i n t h e m i d - 1 9 t h ce n t u r y b u t w as
. .

m o re o r less su p p l a n t e d b y 9 . N a 5 (see G a m e Se v e n ) i n
.

C h i go r i n ' s t i m e.

1 0 Bb5!

T h e o n l y goo d m o v e .
h as good d e v e l o p m e n t a n d
m e a n s h e c a n s w i t c h p i e ces
o t h e r. B l a c k ' s b i s h o p o n b 6 ,
o v e r t o d e fe n d t h e K - s i d e .
Wh i t e i s a p a w n d o w n b u t h e
a s t rong p a w n cen t e r, w h i c h
q u i c k e r f ro m o n e w i n g to t h e
i n p a r t i c u l a r, i s h a r d to b ri n g

1 0 ... K f8

Wh i t e t h re a t e n e d d 5 . T h e k i n g m o v e u n p i n s. O t h e r s:
a) 1 0 . . B d 7 ?! 1 1 e5! w h en B l a c k' s g a m e i s v e r y d i f f i ­
.

c u l t t o p l a y , a l t h o u g h i t i s h a rd to d e m o n s t r a t e a force d
w i n . T h i s l i n e h a r d l y w o r r i e s Wh i te b e c a u se t h e t e n t h
m o v e i s a r e t r a c t i o n o f t h e n i n t h! A poss i b l e fol l o w - u p i s
ll. N ge7 (se e m s b e t te r t h a n 1 1 . de 1 2 d5!) 1 2 Bg5 d e ( 1 2 . . . 0-
.. .

0 1 3 Nd5!) 1 3 N d 5 Q c8 1 4 B x e 7 N x e 7 1 5 N x e 7 K x e 7 1 6
72 E v a n s G a m b i t: G a m e S i x

R e l B x b 5 1 7 R x e 5+ K f8 1 8 R x b5 with good com pe nsat i o n

fo r t h e p a w n , a s i n 1 9 t h ce n t u r y G e r m a n a n a l y s i s.
b ) 1 0 B x f3 1 1 g f K f8 ( 1 1 ... Qf6 1 2 Be3 0- 0- 0 1 3 Nd5
...

a l so f a v ou rs Wh i te .) 1 2 B e 3! N c e 7 ( 1 2... Nge 7 1 3 d5 Nb B 1 4
Kh 1 b u i l d i n g u p o n t h e g- f i le ; i f 1 4. . . Ng 6 1 5 f4 e t c.) 1 3
K h l c 6 1 4 B a 4 d 5 1 5 R b 1 R b 8 1 6 Q d 3 B c7 1 7 R g 1 a n d
Wh i te soon h a d a d e c i s i v e a t t a c k i n Morp h y - S c h u l t e n , N e w
York 1 8 5 7 .
c) 1 0 a6!? i s o fte n s u gge s t e d (S ch n e i d e r c re d i ts
. . .

M a r o c z y) b u t n e v e r teste d . T h e i d e a i s t h a t i f Wh i te con­
t i n u e s 1 1 B a 4 K f8 1 2 B e 3 N ge7 as in two C h i go r i n - G u n s­
b e rg g a m es, h e c a n n ot e m p l o y t h e a2-a4 p l a n u s e d b y
C h i go r i n b e c a u s e t h e b i s h op i s i n h i s w a y. T h e r e fo r e Wh i te
s h o u l d p l a y 1 2 B x c6! b e 1 3 B a 3 as i n B l a c k b u r n e - S t e i n i t z
(b e lo w) . I t i s h a r d t h e n to see a n y l i n e w h e re B l a c k cou l d
b e n e f i t from h a v i n g h is p a w n o n a 6 i n s t e a d o f a 7 . I n fact
B l a c k would h a v e to w aste a tempo o n 2 2 ... a 5 .
1 1 B x c6!?
B e r n a r d C a f fe rt y an d I n e g l e c t e d t o m e n t i o n t h i s
m o v e w h e n w ri t i n g Play th e Evans Gam bit - p ro b ab l y be­
cause in .\fasters of tlz e Ch ess Boa rd R e t i g i v e s the i m p res­
sion that B l a c k s t a n d s v e r y w e l l. But t h i s i s n ot so c l e a r, as
we a re abou t to see! Wh i te c a n a l so p l a y 1 1 B e3 , fo r w h i ch
I reco m m e n d t h a t y o u con s u l t m y e a r l i e r b o o k s on t h e
E v a n s G a m b i t . I n t h e sp i ri t o f C h e ss D i ge s t b oo k s,
a v o i d i n g h a ck n e y e d p a t h s, I n o w o f fe r y o u a d i f fe re n t
w a y to p l a y t h i s v a r i a t i o n as Wh i te!
11 .
.. b x c6
 E v a n s G a m b i t: G a m e S i x 73

1 2 B a3

T h i s is q u i te poss i b l y n o t best. I com m e n d 1 2 e 5 !? to

your a t te n t i o n , a forgot t e n 19th ce n t u r y m o v e a n a l y z e d t n
rece n t t i m e s b y S o v i e t m as t e r s N e i s t a d t a n d R a v i n s k y:

a) 1 2 ... B x f3 1 3 Q x f3! B x d 4 1 4 e d c d a n d n o w 1 5
B a3 o r 1 5 N e 4 , w i t h s t r o n g a t t a c k i n e i t h e r c as e , o r

b ) 1 2 . . . d e 1 3 B a3+ N e 7 1 4 R e 1 B x d 4 1 5 N x d 4 B x d 1
1 6 N x c6 Q d 7 1 7 N x e 7 Bg4 1 8 h 3 B e 6 1 9 R a d 1 w i t h i n t e r­
e s t i n g c o m p l i c a t i o n s ( N e i st a d t / R a v i n s k y)

c) 1 2 ... c5 1 3 B a 3 cd 1 4 N e 4 f5 1 5 e d c d 1 6 N x d 6
N e 7 1 7 R e 1 R b 8 1 8 Q b 3 B h 5 1 9 Q e 6 1 - 0 N e u m a n n - K n o rre,
B e rl i n 1 8 64.

1 2 ... B x f3

R e t i w rote: " T h i s looks d a n ge ro u s , t h e o p e n g- fi le

se e m i n g l y f a v o r i n g Wh i te ' s a t t a c k . S te i n i t z h o w e v e r c o n s i s­
t e n t l y a i m s a t t h e fi x a t i o n o f t h e w h i te c e n t e r a n d t h e
weakening of the pawn at d4".

1 3 g x f3 Qg5+
14 K h l Ne7

N o w R e t i obse r v e d " I n o r d e r t o ob t a i n t h e a t t a c k ,
Wh i te m u s t fi rst o f a l l a d v a n ce t h e f- p a w n , i n ot h e r w o r d s
h e m u s t s e e k to ob t a i n c o n t rol o f t h e s q u a r e f4 " .

15 Ne2 Ng6
16 Rgl Q f6
17 Q d3 Kg8
18 Bel

F i rs t ro u n d t o Wh i te: h e w 1 n s t h e b a t t l e fo r con t r o l
o f f4 .
74 Evans G a m b i t: G a m e S i x

18 ... h6
19 f4 Kh7
2 0 rs N e7
2 1 Bb2 dS
'' Con t i n u a t i o n of t h e attack aga i n s t t h e w h i t e c en-
te r" - R e t i .
2 2 f3 Rad8
A n i m p o r t a n t p o i n t to n o t e is t h a t h a d B l a c k p l a y e d
1 0 a6 be fore K f8 t h e a-P a w n w o u l d n o w b e e n p r i s e a n d
.•.

t h e t e m po B l a c k w ou l d h a v e t o e x p e n d on . a S b e f o re
. .

m o v i n g h i s rook from a8 w o u l d b e v i t a l to Wh i t e' s K - si d e

attack!

23 N f4 R h g8

N o t 2 3 ... d e 2 4 fe B x d4 2 5 N h S Q e S 2 6 R x g7+ Q x g 7
2 7 N x g7 B x b2 2 8 Q f 1 B x a 1 (28. B x g 7 2 9 f6) 2 9 Q x a 1 a n d
..

3 0 N h S w i t h a d v a n t a ge t o Wh i t e ( N e i s t a d t) .
24 N hS Qh4
2 5 f6! Qx hS
26 fxei Rd7?

A c ri t i c al p o i n t i n t h e g a m e . R e t i obse r v e d t h a t
2 6 . . . R e 8 ( w h i c h g i v e s B l a c k good c ou n te rp l a y a c co r d i n g t o
Ne i s t a d t) w o u l d b e m o re ob v i o u s b u t S t e i n i t z i n te n d e d to
rese r v e that squ a re fo r t h e o t h e r roo k; t h e move p l a y e d
h a s a m aj o r t a c t i c a l d e fe c t! I t i s b e c a u se o f 2 6 ... R e 8 t h a t
y o u m a y p r e fe r 1 2 eS!?
 E v a n s G a m b i t: G a me S i x 75

2 7 R x g7+!

I n B l a c k b u rn e - S t e i n i t z , Lo n d o n 1 86 3 , both p l a y e rs
o v e r l oo k e d t h i s m o v e a n d Wh i t e c h ose 2 7 e d+, e v e n t u a l l y
losi n g a fte r m i ssi n g a n o t h e r o p p o rt u n i t y (3 1 Ba 3!) n o t
m e n ti on e d b y R e t i i n h i s n o tes. I t i s n o t c l e a r w h o fi rst
poi n te d out 27 R x g 7+!, w h i ch m a k e s t a c t i c a l u se o f Wh i t e' s
a d v a n ce d p assed p a w n ; see B CM S e p te m b e r 1 9 8 2, p ages
3 8 9 - 3 9 0 f o r t h e best accou n t . Wh a t fol l o w s i s a com posi te
of a n al y s i s f ro m v a n o u s sou rce s:

2 7 ... K x g7
28 R g 1 + Qg5

The q u e e n i n te r posi t i o n i s p robab l y b e s t but Wh i te

s t i l l h a s good w i n n i n g c h a n ces. I f 2 8 ... K h 7 2 9 e 5 +! Q g 6 3 0
R x g6 f g 3 1 B a3 ( t h r e a te n i n g e6) w i n s, w h i l e i f 2 8 . . . K f6 2 9
R x g8! B l a c k c a n c a p t u re t h e p asse d p a w n b u t h a s t ro u b l e
w i t h h i s e x p ose d k i n g; 2 8 ... Qg6 i s a lso p ossi b l e b u t
i n fe r i o r.

2 9 Qe3! Rxe7

I f 2 9 . . . K f6 3 0 R x g5 h g 3 1 B a3 .

30 R x g5+ h x g5
31 Q x g5+ K f8
32 Q h 6+ Ke8
33 Q x c6+

a n d " B l a c k i s i n a bad w a y " w rote K o to v 1n h i s

Train Like a Gran dmaster.
76 Evans G a m b i t: G a m e S e v e n

EVANS GAMBIT - Game Seven

1 e4 eS
2 N f3 N c6
3 B c4 B cS
4 b4 B x b4
5 c3 B cS
6 d4 e x d4
7 cxd4 B b6!
8 0-0 d6
9 N c3

9 .•. Na5

T h i s is t h e m os t c r i t i c a l l i n e a n s 1 n g f ro m t h e
" N o r m a l Posi t i o n " . B l a c k t r i e s t o e x ch a n ge t h e E v a n s
b i s h op or ch ase i t t o a l e ss d a n ge ro u s d i agon a l . O n t h e
o t h e r h a n d , 9 N a5 d oe s p u t t h e k n i g h t " o f fs i d e " f o r a
. . .

w h i l e a n d i t i s w e l l - k n o w n t h a t k n i g h ts a re u n d e re m p l o y e d
on t h e edge o f t h e b o a r d .

I t i s n o t e w o r t h y t h a t 9 N c 3 is o ft e n k n o w n a s t h e
M o r p h y V a ri a t i o n . T h e g r e a t A m e ri c a n p l a y e r f r e q u e n t l y
p l a y e d 9 N c3 b u t h i s o p p o n e n t s c h ose to r e p l y w i th 9 N f6 • . .
 E v a n s G a m b i t: G a m e S e v e n 77

o r 9 B g4 ( s e e G a m e F i v e) so we s h a l l n e v e r k n o w w h a t h e
...

w o u l d h a v e p l a y e d a g a i n s t 9 N aS. A s I s a i d i n t h e
...

O v e r v i e w c h a p t e r, a ft e r t h e n o r m a l re p l y 1 0 B g S , t h e r e a re
i n te re s t i n g a n d sou n d v a r i a t i o n s l e a d i n g to a n a d v a n t a ge
for Wh i te in m a n y c a ses, b u t to a v o i d a force d d r a w in t h e
m a i n l i n e I recom m e n d Wh i te t o r e v i ve a m o v e t h a t h a s
r a re l y been s e e n s i n ce t h e 1 8 60's!

1 0 B d3!?

I n r e c e n t y e a rs I h a v e been a n a l y z i n g t h i s v e r y l og­
i c a l and u n d e resti m a t e d m o ve, d r a w i n g on e x a m p l e s from
the Oxford En cy clop a edia of Chess Gam es 1 485- 1 86 6 w h i c h
con t a i n s s e v e r a l e x a m p le s o f t h i s v a r i a t i on h i t h e r t o forgot­
ten.

Wi t h 10 B d3 Wh i te i s h a p p y to t r a n s fe r h i s b i s h op
t o t h e d i agon a l (b 1 -h 7) w h e re i t w i l l b e m ost u se f u l a g ai n s t
t h e c a s t l e d b l a c k k i n g. T h e b l a c k k n i gh t i s le f t t o f i n d i t s
o w n w a y b a c k i n to t h e g a m e . A n o t h e r p r a c t i c a l a d v a n t age
of 1 0 B d3 is t h a t y o u r o p p on e n t s a re now on t h e i r own -
t h e b oo k s w i l l gi v e t h e m n o gu i d a n c e, w i th t h e e x ce p t i on
o f t h e b o o k I w ro t e w i th C a f fe rt y , w h e re t h e d i s c u s s i o n i s
m u ch l e s s d e t a i l e d t h a n h e re .

1 0 ... B g4!?

T h i s w as p l a y e d in
a b l e to test t h e v a r i a ti on
r e p l y, t h re a te n i n g .•• B x f3
Apparently new, it leads
s h a l l d i s c u ss l a t e r i n t h i s
t e rn a t i v es:
t h e on e g a m e w h e r e I h a ve b e e n
a ga i n s t a s t r o n g p l a y e r. B l a c k ' s
or . . . B x d 4 , i s a l s o v e r y logi c a l .
to i n t e re st i n g p os i t i o n s w h i ch I
c h a p t e r a f te r loo k i n g a t t h e a l ­

a) In a S t e i n i tz - B i r d s k i t t l e s g a m e in 1 8 7 0 , B l a c k
t r i e d 1 0 c5?! 1 1 d 5 B g 4 1 2 N e 2 Q f 6 ( 1 2... B xf3 w o u l d con­
...

ce d e t h e bishop p a i r and a n a v e n u e of a t t a c k on t h e g­
f i l e .) 1 3 Bg5 Qg6 and now Wh i t e co u l d h a v e ob t a i n e d a d e ­
c i si v e a d v a n t a ge b y 1 4 e5! e.g. 1 4 . . f5 ( 1 4. . . Qiz 5 ? 1 5 Ng3!
.

B x f3 1 6 Qa4+ w i n n i n g the b l a c k q u e e n ; o r 14 Bf5 1 5 Nf4) ...

78 Evans G a m b i t: G a m e Seven

15 e f Q f 7 1 6 Q a4+ Bd7 17 Q e 4+ K f8 1 8 fg+ Q x g 7 1 9 :\T f 4

R e 8 20 Ne6+ B x e 6 2 1 d e w i n n i n g.

b) 1 0 ... N e 7 w a s e s t a b l i sh e d 1 9 t h ce n t u r y t h e o r y .

Wh e n t h i s pos i t i o n a rose i n t h e 1 8 60s, Wh i t e t ri e d

m a n y m o v e s, i n cl u d i n g 1 1 d 5 0 - 0 1 2 B b 2 w h i ch t r a n sp ose
i n t o A n d e rsse n ' s 9 d5 l i n e ( i n a d e q u a te agai n st c o r r e ct d e ­
f e n se, I t h i n k) a n d 1 1 B b 2 0 - 0 1 2 N e 2 N g 6 w h i c h also
t e n d e d t o t ra n s p ose i n to t h a t l i n e. S o m e t i m e s Wh i t e p l a y e d
1 1 N a 4?! to e x c h a n g e t h e b l a c k b i sh o p ( w e s h a l l s e e t h a t
t h e re i s a b e t t e r w a y o f d o i n g t h i s!) w h i le 1 1 B g 5 a n d 1 1
Qc2 s h o u l d a lso b e i n su f f i c i e n t. Wh i te's r e a l c h o i c e i s be­
t w e e n 1 1 e 5 ( w h i ch se e k s a r a p i d ope n i n g of t h e p o s i t i o n
a n d p a r t i cu l a rl y o f t h e e- fi le a n d t h e b l -h 7 d i agon al) a n d
1 1 N d 5, b o t h o f w h i ch I n o w d i s c u ss i n d e t a i l b e c a u se t h e
l i n e i s so l i t t l e k n o w n .

T h e follo w i n g l i n e s s h o u l d b e s t u d i e d c a re f u l l y b e ­
f o r e y o u d e c i d e w h a t to p l a y at m o v e 1 1 , b u t I t h i n k t h e y
s u ggest t h a t 1 1 N d 5 i s i n f a c t t h e b e t t e r m o v e a s Wh i te
b u i l d s u p t h e p re s s u re r a t h e r t h a n goi n g too soon f o r a
k i l l:

bl) 1 1 e5 w a s t h e u s u a l m o v e i n t h e 1 9 t h ce n t u r y ,
b u t p e rh aps i t i s n o t best. T h e re a r e a cou . p l e o f l i n e s fol­
l o w i n g t h i s move w h e re Wh i t e ' s i n i t i a t i v e s e e m s t o h a n g by
a t h re a d , a n d I w o u l d not r e co m m e n d t h i s l i n e t o t h e
 E v a n s G a m b i t : G a me S e ve n 79

fa i n t - h e a r t e d , o r to a n y o n e aga i n st st ro n g op posi t i o n , a l ­
t h o ugh i t i s l i k e l y to w i n q u i c k l y ag a i nst p o o r d e fe n d e rs.

bll) 1 1 . . . B g4!? sets up an a w k w a r d p i n . The o n l y

e x a m p l e I k n o w w e n t: 1 2 e d Q x d 6! ( N o t 1 2 . . . cd t a k i n g t h e
p r ess u re o f f Wh i te ' s cen t e r) 1 3 N e 4 Q d 7 1 4 N eg5 h 6 ?
( L e a d s to c a t as t ro p h e ; 1 4 . . . 0-0-0 i s c r i t i c a l , rel y i n g o n
cou n t e r- a t t a c k .) 1 5 N x f7! R f8 ( 1 5... Kxf7? 1 6 Ne5+) 1 6 R e 1!
( Z o l l ne r - D o w n e y , M a n c h e s t e r 1 8 80). B l a c k c a n n o t c a s t l e
u n t i l h e r e m o v e s t h e k n i g h t , b u t i f 1 6 ... R x f7 1 7 B g6 N a c6
(covers the k n i g h t c h e c k , but a l l o w s an oth e r) 1 8 Bx f7+
K x f7 19 Qb3+ K f8 20 B a 3 w i t h a v i r u l e n t a t t a c k for Wh i te
(20 ... N a 5 2 1 Q e 3) . H o w e v e r, t h i s l i n e i s v e r y com p l i c a t e d
a n d i m p rov e m e n t s f o r B l a c k cou l d p u t 1 1 e 5 u n d e r a
cloud.

b 1 2 ) l l . . . d 5 t ri e s t o k e e p t h e posi t i on c l o s e d b u t
Wh i te c a n con t i n u e 1 2 B a 3 w h e n :

b 1 2 1 ) 1 2 . . .B e 6?! 1 3 N a4 0 - 0 14 N g 5 h 6 1 5 N x e 6 f e 1 6
Qg4 Q d 7 1 7 N x b6 ab 1 8 B x e 7 Q x e 7 1 9 Q g 6 1 - 0 N e u m an n ­
A n derssen, B re s l a u 1 8 6 4 - a n e at e l i m i n a t i o n o f t h e d e ­
fe n d e rs!

b 1 2 2 ) 12 ... N a c6! (as in a con s u l t a t i on g a m e B e rg e l l

a n d Goe h l e v e rs u s C o r d e l a n d N e u m a n n) i s c r i t i c a l b u t
Wh i t e s e e m s t o h a v e e n o u gh f o r t h e p a w n a ft e r t h e
M i n c k w i t z / v o n S c h m i d t s u ggest i o n 1 3 R c 1 , e.g. 1 3 ... B x d 4?!
80 E v a n s G a m b i t : G a m e S even

( 1 3 ... Nx d 4 ? 1 4 Nx d4 B x d4 1 5 Bb5+) 1 4 N x d4 N x d 4 1 5 B x e 7
K x e 7 ( 1 5... Qxe 7? 1 6 lvx d5) a n d B l a c k ' s k i n g i s c a u gh t i n
t h e c e n t e r , o r 1 3 ... Bg4! 1 4 h 3 B x f3 1 5 Q x f3 N x d 4 ( 1 5 ... Bxd4
16 Qg4) with a d o u b l e - e d ge d p osi t i o n w h i c h would s u i t the
com b i n a t i v e p l a y e r. Wh i te w i l l be ob l i g e d to s a c r i f i c e t w o
o r t h ree p a w n s b u t a l l h i s p i e ce s a r e com i n g i n to r a p i d
p l a y a n d t h e o p p o r t u n i ti e s for t a c t i c a l c o u p s a r e e v e r y ­
w h e re.

b 13 ) 11 ... 0-0 12 Bg5 Qd7 1 3 N e 4 Ng6 1 4 h 3!

( R e s t r i cts t h e scope o f B l a c k ' s q u e e n , a s w e s h a l l s e e , a n d
p re ve n t s . . .Ng4 i n s o m e l i n es.) 1 4 ... d e 1 5 d e N c6 1 6 N f6+! g f
1 7 B x f6 ( T h r e at e n i n g Qd2-h 6) 1 7 ... h 6 1 8 N g5! 1 - 0
( N e u m a n n - Z u kertort, B re s l a u 1 8 64) f o r i f 1 8 ... h g 1 9 Q h 5
m at e s or 1 8 . . . N e 5 1 9 Q h 5! N x d 3 20 Q x h 6 .

b 1 4 ) 1 1 . .. d e w as a f r e q u e n t r e a c t i on i n t h e 1 8 60s,
b e c a u s e it gi v es B l a c k c h a n c e s of e x p loi t i n g some i n se c u ­
r i t y i n t h e w h i te c e n t e r i f Wh i te l o s e s t h e i n i t i a t i v e . B u t
p rob a b l y B l a c k s h o u l d n o t co- o p e r a t e so re a d i l y i n Wh i te ' s
atte m p ts to o p e n t h e p os i t i o n . A fte r 1 2 d e B l a c k h a s:

b 1 4 1 ) 12 ... Bg4 13 Bg5 N a c6 14 R e 1 0-0 15 Re4 B f5 ?

( 1 5 .. Qd 7! i s t h e c ri t i ca l test .) 1 6 Q d 2! B x e4 1 7 N x e4 N d 4 1 8
.

N f6+! g f 1 9 B x f6 N x f3+ 20 g f Q d 4 2 1 R f 1 a n d B l a c k h a s
n o d e f e n s e t o t h e m at i n g t h r e a t s - a s i n a n e x h i b i t i on g a m e
b y B l a c k b u rn e .

b 1 42 ) 1 2 . . . Be6 1 3 Q c2 Q d 7 1 4 B b 5 ( t o p re v e n t . .. 0- 0-
0) 14 ... c6 15 R d 1 N d 5 16 N x d 5 B x d 5 17 B d 3 B x f3 ( 1 7. . . 0- 0-
0?? 1 8 Bf5 or 1 7... h6 18 NJz 4) 18 g f Q e 7 19 B f5 R d 8 20
R x d 8+ Q x d 8 21 B a3 Q g5+ 2 2 K h 1 Q f4 23 K g2 N c4 24 Q d 3
Q g5+ 2 5 K f 1 N x a3 26 B d 7+ K f8 27 Q x a 3+ Q e 7 28 Q d 6 g6
29 B c 8 w i t h e q u a l c h a n ces a n d a 4 1 - m o v e d r a w in a n o t h e r
N e u m a n n - A n de rsse n , B re s l a u 1 8 6 4 g a m e . T h i s l i n e n e e d s
more a n al ysis.

b 1 4 3 ) 1 2 . . . 0-0 1 3 Q c 2 h 6 (B o d e n ' s 1 3... Ng 6 i s s u p e ­

r i o r, a v o i d i n g P w e a k n esses, b u t I s t i l l p re fe r Wh i te ' s
c h an res a ft e r 1 4 Na 4.) 1 4 B a3 c5 1 5 R a d 1 B d 7 1 6 e6! f e
 E v a n s G a m b i t: G a me S e ve n 81

( 1 6... B x e 6 ?! loses t h e q u e e n for rook a n d t w o p a w n s a f te r

1 7 Bh 7+ b u t n o w Wh i te h a s a d e c i s i v e b re a k t h rough on t h e
l i g h t s q u a res) 1 7 B h 7+ K h 8 1 8 N e 5 N d 5 1 9 N x d 5 e d 2 0
R x d 5 ! ( E v e n b e t t e r t h a n 2 0 Ng 6+) 20 . . . B f5 2 1 R x d 8 B x c2 2 2
R x f8+ R x f8 23 B x c2 B l a c k resi g n e d , a s h e h as l o s t a p i e ce
( M a c k e n z i e - L. P a u l s e n , L o n d o n 1 8 6 2 ) .

b 2 ) 1 1 N d 5!? i s a very i n teres t i n g move i n t rod u ce d

b y B i r d i n 1 89 9 agai n s t C h i go r i n h i m se l f.

B i r d w as a c t i v e as e a r l y as t h e 1 8 60s w h e n t h e 9
N c3 l i n e o f t h e N o r m a l w as e v o l v i n g fast, a n d h e p robabl y
t h o u g h t t h i s m o v e u p subse q u e n t l y as a n i m p ro v e m e n t o n
1 1 N a4. 1 1 N d 5 f i rs t l y t h re a t e n s to e x ch a n ge t h e b l a c k
b i sh o p , d o u b l i n g t h e p a w n s on t h e b - f i le, th e re b y c r i p p l i n g
t h e cou n t e r p l a y t h a t B l a c k re l i e s o n i n t h e 9 d 5 l i n e o f t h e
N o r m a l . B u t u n l i k e 1 1 N a4 Wh i te i s u n d e r n o i m m e d i ate
c o m p u l s i o n to take t h e b i s h op as t h e k n i g h t i s doing o th e r
u se f u l w o r k o n d 5 . A n d i f B l a c k d e c i d es t o c a p t u r e o n d 5 ,
gi v i n g Wh i t e d o u b l e d i s o l a t e d d - p a w n s, h e w i l l f i n d t h a t
h e h a s o p e n e d l i n e s f o r Wh i te to a t t a c k h i m o n , a n d t h a t
t h e p a w n o n d 5 c u t s t h e d e fense forces 1 n t w o
( p a r t i c u l a rl y a w k w a r d fo r t h e k n i gh t s t u c k on a S) .

T h e p l a y f r o m t h e d i a g r a m n e e d s m o re a n a l y s i s:
b2 1 ) 1 l . .. N x d 5 g i v e s Wh i te d o u b l e d i s o l a t e d d - p a w n s
b u t o p e n s 1 i n e s f o r Wh i t e w h i 1 e t h e d 5 p a w n cu ts t h e b 1 a c k
force s i n t w o (espe c i a l l y t h e w re t c h e d Na 5) 1 2 e d 0 -0
82 Evans G a m b it: G a m e Seve n

(I n v i t es u n sou n d s a c ri f i c i n g. H o w e v e r, w i th m a n y b l a c k
p i e ce s a w a y f r o m t h e K - s i d e, t h e re i s t i m e for a c a re f u l
b u i l d - u p) 1 3 h 3! ( p r e v e n ts cou n te r- p l a y b ased on ... Bg4)
1 3 ... B d 7 (1 3... Qf6 ?? 1 4 Bg5) 1 4 Q c 2 g6 1 5 Bg5 f6 1 6 B h 6
R f7 (or 1 6. . . R e8) 1 7 B x g6! h g? 1 8 Q x g6+. N o t e x h a u s ti ve
a n a l y s i s b u t t h e re i s g r e a t scope for com p l i c a t i o n s i n
w h i c h t h e s t ronge r p l a y e r s h o u l d w i n .
b 2 2 ) 1 l .. . N a c 6 ( m e e t i n g 1 2 Blz 6 ?! si m p l y b y c a s t l i n g)
i s a n a t t e m p t to con sol i d a t e b y n o t a l l o w i n g t h e k n i g h t to
be caught o f f- s i d e . T h e p re s s u r e on Wh i te' s d - p a w n a lso
i n h i b i ts the a t t a c k e r f r om t r y i n g l i n es i n v o l v i n g N g5, b u t
a g a i n Wh i te s e e m s to h a v e fai r l y s t ro n g a t t a c k i n g p oss i b i l i ­
t i es, e.g. 1 2 B b 2 0 - 0 ( 1 2. . . Nx d5 1 3 ed costs B l a c k a n i m ­
p o r t a n t t e m p o.) 1 3 N x b 6 ab 1 4 d 5 a n d i f n o w 1 4 . . . N b 4? 1 5
Bb l ( T h r e a te n i n g Qd4) a n d Wh i te h a s g r e a t f r e e d o m w h i c h
s p e l l s l o n g- t e r m t rou b l e for B l a ck . T h e p a w n d e f i c i t i s
n e g l i g i b le. A n ot h e r i d e a i s N d 4, f4- f5 a n d i f e v e r ... f6,
then N e6 will b e st rong.
b 2 3 ) 1 1 . .. 0-0 1 2 N x b6 (Poss i b l y t o o h as t y a s the
b i s h op c a n n o t run a w a y) 1 2 ... ab 1 3 d5! N g6 14 Q c2 c5! 15
Rbl Bg4 1 6 B e 2 R e 8 (So far B ird - C h i g o ri n , Lo n d o n 1 8 9 9 ,
i n w h i ch 1 7 B b 5 ? B xf3! o c c u r r e d .) 1 7 h 3 w i t h a g o o d g a m e
for Wh i te (Le v e n f i s h & S o z i n) . B l a c k ' s d o u b l e d p a w n i s o f
li t t le v al u e a n d h i s q u e e n ' s k n i g h t i s c u t o f f f r o m t h e a c­
tion.

N o w we r e t u rn t o t h e g a m e I p l a y e d a f te r B l a c k ' s
c h o i c e , 1 0 B g4!?
. . .
 Evans G ambit: Game Seven 83

1 1 d5

Wh a t e l se? H o w e v e r, t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of the b i s h o p
a t g4 m e a n s t h a t B l a c k c a n n o t n o w re a c h t h e m a i n l i n e o f
9 d5, w h i c h i s k no w n t o b e fa vorable for h i m .

11 ... N f6

1 1 . .. N e 7 i s p e rh aps b e t t e r . A ft e r 1 2 Bb2 (I n n o r m a l
9 d S l i n e s t h i s i s p l a y e d be f o r e Nc3.) 1 2 . 0 - 0 w e h a v e a po­
. .

s i t i o n w h i ch u s e d t o a r i se in the 1 9 t h ce n t u r y v i a 9 d5 N a5
1 0 Bb2 N e7! 1 1 B d3 ( 1 1 B x g 7? R g8) 1 1 . . 0 - 0 1 2 N c3 B g4!?
.

( i n s t e a d of the u s u a l a n d good 1 2 ... Ng 6 w i th the i d e a ... cS,

... f6, ... B c 7, ... R b 8, ... b S) . N o w a n ci e n t t h e o r y goes 13 N e 2
(B u t i n s t e a d Wh i t e c a n con t i n u e 1 3 h 3 ! ? w i th good
c h a n ce s.) 13 ... B x f3 14 g f N g6 15 f4!? ( 1 5 Klt l , rese r v i n g op­
t i on s, is a n ot h e r p ossi b le i m p ro v e m e n t .) 15 ... Qh4 16 N g3 f6
'' w i th a s a fe p os i t i o n " for B l a c k a c co r d i n g to 1 9 t h ce n t u r y
a n a l y s t Wo r m a l d . S u c h o l d asse s s m e n ts, e s p e c i a l l y f rom
p l a y e rs b e l o w the f i rst r a n k , a r e a l w a y s w o r t h recon s i d e r­
i n g i n t h e l i g h t o f p re se n t - d a y u n d e rs t a n d i n g.

1 2 Bb2

In Play th e Evans Gam b it, t h i s pos 1 t1on i s m e n t i o n e d

on p age 1 4 5 a ri s i n g v i a 9 d5 N a5 1 0 Bb2 N f6 1 1 B d3 B g4
1 2 N c3 .

12 .•. c6

F o rm e r l y I c re d i te d F reeborough & R a n k e n w i th
t h i s s u gges t i o n b u t I s i n ce d i sc o v e re d an e a rl i e r g a m e f rom
t h i s p os i t i o n . I d o u b t i f my o p p o n e n t was a w are of any o f
t h i s!

13 N e2 cx dS

13 0-0 i s ob v i o u s l y c r i t i cal t oo, e.g. 1 4 Q d 2 R c8 1 5

•••

Q g S B x f3? ( N ot 1 5. . . h 6 ?? 1 6 B xf6 w h i l e i f 1 5. . . B d 7 1 6 Nf4!

84 Evans G a m b i t: G a m e S e ve n

a n d Wh i te b r i ngs u p t h e rese r v e s w i t h fa i r a t t a c k i n g
c h a n ces, e.g. 1 6. . . h 6 1 7 Qh 4 g 5 ? 1 8 Nx g5 h g 1 9 Qxg5+ Kh8
20 e5! de 2 1 B x e5 w i n n i n g.) 1 6 g f cd 1 7 Kh 1 N c4?? 1 8 R g 1
N e 8 1 9 Q x g7+! N x g7 2 0 R x g7+ K h 8 2 1 Rg8+ K x g8 2 2 R g 1 +
Q g 5 2 3 R x g5+ m a te ( A n dersse n - Su h le , B re s l a u 1 85 9) . B l a c k
s h o u l d h a v e p u t u p a t o u g h e r res i s t a n c e b y 1 7 ... N e8!
(Wi e t e c k) w h e n 1 8 Qh5 N f6 1 9 Qg5 Ne8 etc l o o k s l i k e r e p ­
e t i t i on b u t A n d e rsse n w o u l d n o t h a v e p l a y e d t h i s; 1 8 Qg3!?
( u n c l e a r) w o u l d h a ve b e e n more h i s s t y le!

1 4 e x d5 0-0

1 5 N g5!?

P e r h a p s for c i n g t h i n gs too m u c h . 1 5 K h 1 ( d a ri n g
B l a c k t o o p e n t h e g- fi le) w o u l d p e r h a p s b e m y c h o i ce n e x t
ti me.

1 5 ... h6
1 6 Bx f6

T h i s w a s my p o i n t , b u t gi v i n g up t h e d a r k s q u a re d
b i s h o p i s a n t i - posi t i o n a l .

1 6 ... gx f6

16 ..• Qx f6 loses t h e e x c h a n ge to 1 7 N h 7 .
 E v a n s G a m b i t: G a me S e v e n 85

17 Ne4 fS
A v o i d i n g 1 7 . . . R e 8 ? 1 8 Q a 4 and B l a c k al so d e n i e s
Wh i t e t h e ch a n ce o f l e i su re l y b u i l d - u p s l i k e h3 o r Kh 1
( w i t h the i d e a f3) .
1 8 N 4 g3 QgS
P rob a b l y best in v i e w of 18 .. f4 1 9 Q a 4 o r 18 ...
.

Q f6 19 h3. A v e r y tough f i g h t for the i n i t i a t i v e now e n -

sues.
19 Qa4 h5
T h i s w as a g o o d t r y ( 2 0 h 3 c a n n o w be m e t b y B x h 3
a n d . . h4) .
.

2 0 h 4! Q f6
I f 2 0 Q x h 4 , b o t h 2 1 N x fS a n d 2 1 B x f5 gi v e Wh i t e
...

t h e i n i t i at i v e on t h e K -s i d e .

2 1 Q f4

U n f o rt u n a te l y Wh i te c a n n o t b r e a k t h e p i n o n h i s f­
p a w n , so he t h re a t e n s Ne4 i n ste a d .

21 •.. R fe 8

A c r i t i c a l posi t i o n , i n w h i ch I a m n o t s u re w h a t
m o v e i s best. Wi t h b o t h p l a y e rs a t t a c k i n g on t h e K -s i d e ,
t h e assess m e n t i s " t r u l y ob s c u re".

22 Rac1
86 Evans G am b i t: G a me S e v e n

A l t h o u g h I o v e rloo k e d B l a c k ' s 23 rd m o v e at t h e
ti m e , t h is m o v e m a y be b e s t . I t m i g h t be an i d e a to p l a y 2 2
R a b l i n s t e a d (t r y i n g to g e t t o t h e K -s i d e v i a b 4 ) b u t i f 2 2
R f e 1 , R e S!? m a y be g o o d . N o t , o f cou rse, 2 2 N e 4? R x e 4 23
B x e 4 B x e2 .

2 2 ... Re7

Wi t h t h e i d e a o f d o u b l i n g roo k s o n t h e e- f i l e b u t
t h i s n e v e r h a p p e n s.

2 3 N c3

Wh i te ' s s i t u a t i o n b e c o m e s v e r y p re c a ri ou s a ft e r t h i s.
B e t t e r m o v e s a re n o t e as y t o spot, h o w e v e r .

23 ... B d4!

I f B l a c k now g a i n s the t i m e f o r ... a 6 , ... bS an d

N b 7 t h e n Wh i te w i l l b e b u s t e d .

2 4 Q gS+!

E x ch a n g i n g q u e e n s is t h e o n l y w a y to k e e p t h e o p ­
pon e n t o f f b a l a n c e b y m ai n t a i n i n g t h e com p l i c a t i o n s. I r e ­
j e ct e d 2 4 N b S B e S 2 S QgS+ Q x g S 2 6 h x g S a6 2 7 N c3 f 4
a n d 2 4 N x fS B x fS 2 S Q x fS B x c3 2 6 R x c3 Q x c3 2 7 Q g S +
K f8 w h e n B l a c k wt n s.

2 4 ... Q x gS
2S h x gS f4
2 6 N ge 4 B e S!?

2 6 ... R e S!? 27 NbS w a s a l so u n cl e a r, w h i l e 2 6 ... B fS 27

N f6+ B x f6 2 8 B x fS B x gS 29 Ne4 ReS 3 0 N x d 6 a l t h ou g h not
h o p e le ss was p rob a b l y n ot as good as the p o s i t i o n I
achieved i n the game.

2 7 g3!?
 Evans G am b i t: G a me Seven 87

I f 27 f3 B fS ! ( t h r e a t e n i n g ... Bx c3) o r 27 N b S? B fS!

so I p robabl y ch ose r i g h t .

2 7 ... Kg7

B l a c k s t a rts t o lose h i s w a y . M a y b e 27 ... B f5 w as s t i l l

b e s t ? I f 2 7 ... fg 2 8 f 4 B d4+ 2 9 K g 2 h 4 (or 2 9 Bf5 3 0 Nf6+
. . .

Bxf6 3 1 Bxf5) 3 0 N b S o r 3 0 N x d6!? i t i s a l l v e r y u n cl e a r

agai n .

2 8 N f6 Rh8
2 9 N ce4 B h3
3 0 R fe 1 h4?

T h i s is a losi n g move but I w as a l re a d y s t a r t i n g to

m a k e t h i n gs really m u r k y .

3 1 g4!

S u d d e n l y I t h re a t e n K - h 2 x h3 w i n n i n g a p i e ce.

3 1 ... f3

Wh a t e lse?

32 N h S+!
88 E v a n s G a m b i t : G a me S ev e n

Accu r a c y is r e q u i red to avoid w a st i n g t h e o p p o rtu­

n i t y . I f 3 2 Re3? B f4 33 N h 5+ R x h 5 . B u t i n H ard i n g - S i t e k,
p o s t a l (E v a n s T h e m e) 1 9 8 8 - 9 0 , a ft e r t h e c h e c k ( t h e s t a t e o f
t h e g a m e a t t h e t i m e o f w r i t i n g) B l a c k i s d e fi n i te l y wo rse
and q u i t e poss i b l y lost:

a) 3 2 ... K h 7?? 3 3 N e f6 m a t e o r 3 2 ... K g8?? 3 3 R c8+

a n d m a tes.

b ) 32 ... K f8 3 3 R c8+ R e 8 34 R x e8+ K x e 8 3 5 N x d 6+

w i n s (35... Kd 7 36 Nx f7) .

c ) 3 2 ... Kg6!? 3 3 N x d 6+ K xg5 i s a t ou gh e r d e f e n se

b u t Wh i te h as a d e c i s i v e corn bi n a t i v e l i q u i d a t i o n i n 34
R x e 5+! R x e5 35 N x f7+ K x g4 3 6 N x e 5+ (36 Nf6 ? Kf4)
36 ... K x h 5 3 7 Bg6+! (3 7 Kh2!? i s also i n te resti n g b u t less
forci n g.) 3 7 ... K g5 / K h 6 3 8 N f7+! K x g6 39 N x h 8+ K g7 a n d
t h e rook b e a t s t h e m i n o r p i e ce s h e re a ft e r 40 R c5! b6 4 1
R c7+ K x h 8 42 d 6 K g8 4 3 K h 2 (43 d 7 i s also goo d .) 43 . . .B e 6
( o r Bf5) 4 4 d 7 B x d 7 4 5 R x d 7 N c4 4 6 R x a 7 soon w i n n i n g
a l l B l a c k ' s p a w n s.

d ) 3 2 ... R x h 5 is t h e re fore n e ce s s a r y but a f te r 3 3 gh

Wh i te ' s m a t e r i a l ad v a n t age w i t h i m p ro v e d p a w n s s h o u l d be
e n o u g h to win i n the e n d . B l a c k c a n n ot cou n te r- a t t a c k
su ccess fu l l y b y 3 3 . . .B g 4 34 h 6+ K g6 i n v i e w o f 3 5 N f6+
K xg 5 3 6 h 7 B x f6 37 R x e7.
 E v a ns G a m b i t: G a m e E i g h t 89

EVANS GAMBIT- Game Eig h t

1 e4 eS
2 N f3 Nc6
3 B c4 B cS
4 b4 B x b4
5 c3 Be7

Wi th t h i s d e f e n s e , B l a c k ge n e r a l l y i n t e n d s to re tu rn
t h e pawn and m i n i m i ze com p l i c a t i on s, hoping t o a ch i e v e
q u i e t e q u a l i t y o r e v e n a posi t i o n a l a d v a n t a ge i f Wh i te
p l a y s too s p e c u l a t i v e l y . B l a c k ' s b i s h o p on e 7 p re v e n ts h i m
a d o p t i n g an y o f t h e a gg ressi ve cou n t e r- a t t a c k s based o n
Q e 7 o r Q f6 , a n d o n t h a t s q u a re i t d oes l i t t le to i n te r fe re
w i t h Wh i te ' s de v e lo p m e n t. B u t t h e b i sh o p s h i e l d s t h e b l a c k
k i n g on t h e e - f i l e a n d m a k e s e a r l y K - si d e castl i n g a r e a ­
s o n a b l e p rospect for B l a c k .

Wh i te m u st e x p e ct to m e e t t h i s d e fen se to t h e E v a n s
f a i rl y o ft e n , f o r i t i s recom m e n d e d a s l e a d i n g to e q u a l i t y
o r b a l a n ce d c h a n ces i n n e a r l y a l l t h e m a i n re fe re n ce w o r k s
- Ba tsford Chess Op en ings , E. C. O., M. C. O. a n d i n t h e book
Roman tic Chess Op en in gs b y V . Zago r o vs k y . I n t h e
O v e r v i e w ch apte r I d e a l w i th t h e n o r m a l m o v e 6 d 4 , b u t as
90 E v a n s G a m b i t: G a me E i g h t

I c a n s e e n o ob v i o u s w a y t o i m p ro v e o n N u n n ' s re com m e n ­
d a t i o n f o r B l a c k a ft e r 1 0 Q d7 I re co m m e n d Wh i te t o t r y:
. . . ,

6 Qb3!
A l t h o u g h t h e re h as been a lot m o re p u b l i s h e d a n a l­
ysis of t h i s re l a t i v e l y l i t t l e - k n o w n move s i n c e Ca f f e rt y
a n d I fi rst re com m e n d e d i t o v e r a d e c a d e ago, m a n y o f
you r o p pon e n t s w i ll s t i l l b e t a k e n b y s u r p r i se w i t h t h i s
m o v e i f y o u f o l l o w i t u p as I s u ggest. Most re fe r e n c e
w o r k s s t i l l t r e a t t h is v a ri a t i on i n a d e q u a t e l y . H o w e v e r, I
c a n n o t d e n y t h a t t h e m o ve n o w c a r r i e s some r i s k a n d
aga i n s t s t ro n g o r w e l l-boo k e d - u p o p p o n e n ts y o u m a y b e
w i se r t o p l a y 6 d 4 .
6 ... N h6
T h i s i s re a l l y t h e o n l y m o v e , b e c a u se a ft e r 6 N a5?
.••

7 B x f7+ K f8 8 Q a 4 c6 (o r 8... Kxf7 9 Nx e 5+ and 10 Q x a 5) 9

B x g 8 K x g 8 1 0 N x e 5 d 5 1 1 0 - 0 B f 6 1 2 f 4 Wh i te i s a p a w n
u p.
7 d4! Na5
T h i s i s t h e o n l y w a y t o c o p e w i t h t h e th r e a t o f
B x h 6 . T h e q u e s t i o n i s, n o w w h e re sh o u l d t h e w h i t e q u e e n
go?
8 Qb5!
T h i s a c cu rate m o ve ( w h i c h I l e a r n e d f ro m B CM e d i ­
t o r B e r n a rd C a f fe rt y) i s v i t a l l y i m po r t a n t b e c a u se i t e n ­
ab les Wh i te to a v o i d t h e v a r i a t i on 8 Q a 4 N x c4 9 Q x c4 d 5 !
10 e d e 4 1 1 N e 5 f 6 ! ( A ro n s o n - U m a n s k i , p o s t a l 1 9 7 8) .

8 •.. N x c4
 E v a n s G a m b it: G a m e E i g h t 91

8 . c6, t r y i n g t o t a k e a d v a n t a ge o f Wh i t e ' s l ast m o v e

..

s i m u l t a n e o u s l y t o d e fe n d t h e k n i g h t a n d a t t a c k t h e q u e e n ,
i s i n Wh i te ' s f a v o u r a ft e r 9 Q x e 5 , as t h ese e x a m p le s s h o w :

a) 9 ... 0 - 0 1 0 B d 3 f6? (1 O . d6 i s m o re s e n s i b l e, w h e n
..

1 1 Qg3 Klz 8 1 2 0- 0 i s o n � good l i n e; t h e re i s n o n e e d t o

p l a y B x h 6 as Wh i t e i s n o t b e h i n d i n m a t e r i a l .) 1 1 Q h 5 R f7
(Not 11 ... Qe8?? 12 Qxa5; B l a c k p rob a b l y i n te n d e d 11 ... Nf7
b u t 1 2 Nlz 4! g 6 1 3 Nxg6! hg 1 4 Qxg 6+ Kh 8 1 5 e5 i s c r u s h ­
i n g, a n d o t h e r a t t e m p t s l i k e 1 2. . . Ng5 1 3 e5 h 6 1 4 f4 l e a v e
h i m w i th a t e r ri b l e g a m e .) 1 2 N h 4 d 5 ( t o d e fe n d f5 w i t h
t h e b i sh op) 1 3 B x h 6 g h 1 4 N d 2 ( c a l l i n g u p t h e rese r v e b a t ­
t a l i o n s) 1 4 . . . f 5 ! ? ( t r y i n g t o com p l i c a t e w h i l e t h e w h i te k i n g
i s i n t h e c e n t e r) 1 5 N x f5 B x f5 1 6 e f B g5 1 7 N f3 R e 7+ 1 8
N e 5 ( a t t a c k a n d d e fe n se comb i n e d) a n d a fte r 1 9 0 - 0 Wh i te
w i l l be a p a w n u p a n d r e a d y f o r t h e f i n a l assau l t
( H ard i n g - Moo n e y , D u b l i n 1 9 7 9) .

b ) 9 .. f6 1 0 O h S+ K f8 (i f 1 0 ... g6 1 1 Qxh 6 Nx c4? 1 2

.

Q g 7 o r 1 1... B f8 ! 1 2 B f7+ ! Kx f 7 1 3 Q f4 a n d Wh i t e h a s b o t h
reg a i n e d h i s p a w n a n d p re ve n te d B l a c k f r o m c a s t l i n g - a
p ro m i s i n g ou t co m e f r o m t h e f i rst d oze n m o v e s.) 1 1 B d 3!
N f7 1 2 0-0 (o r 1 2 B a 3 w h e n B l a c k h as se v e re p rob l e m s
w i th d e v e l o p m e n t.) 1 2. . .g6 1 3 Q h 4 K g7 1 4 Q g 3 d 5 1 5 N b d 2
R e 8 1 6 R e 1 B e 6 1 7 h 4 w i t h s o m e i n i t i a t i v e t o Wh i t e
( Kr a nt z - S aro s y , p o s t a l 1 9 8 0 ) .

c) 9 N x c4 1 0 Q x g7 R g8 1 1 Q x h 7 ! R x g2 12 B x h 6 d 5
...

( 1 2 ... d6 i s n o b e t te r) 1 3 Q h 8+ K d 7 1 4 Q x d 8+ K x d 8 a n d
Wh i te i s a c l e a r p a w n a h e a d a ft e r 1 5 N b d 2! B g 4 1 6 h 3 B h 5
1 7 e d c d 1 8 N x c4 a l th o u g h t h e e n d g a m e w i l l s t i l l r e q u i re
a c c u r a t e p l a y in v i e w of B l a c k ' s b i s h o p p a i r. The w h i te
k n i g h t w i l l be a ct i v e an d B l a ck m u s t k e e p t h e h - p a w n
b l o c k a d e d const a n t l y . Wh i t e ' s t a s k i s t h e n t o e x ch a n ge o n e
roo k a n d a ct i v a t e t h e o t h e r.

9 B x h6!
92 Evans G a m b i t: G a m e E i g h t

I f t h e q u e e n stood i n s t e a d o n a 4 , t h e n ... N b 6 n o w
w o u l d a t t a c k h e r, w i n n i n g a p i e ce . A n d i f 9 Q x c4 h e re,
t h e n 9 d 5 as a l re a d y m e n t i o n e d , r a t h e r t h an
... 9 N g 4 10
...

N x e 5 ! ( N o t 10 h 3 lvf6 1 1 d e d5! w h i c h i s fine f o r B l a c k)

w h i c h i m p ro v e s Wh i te's c h a n ces.

9 ••• gxh6

9 N d 6 1 0 Q x e 5 f 6 1 1 Q h 5+ h as b e e n l i t t le t e s t e d
•.•

a n d o f fe rs g o o d s c o p e for h o m e a n al y s i s:

a ) l l . g6 1 2 Q h 4! (I f 1 2 Qh 3 Nx e4 1 3 Bg 7 d5 a t t a c k s
..

t h e q u e e n , e q u a l i zi n g.) 1 2 . . . f5 1 3 Q h 3 s e e s B l a c k' s t h r e a t s
ru n n i n g o u t , le a v i n g h i m w i t h a p rob l e m as h e c a n n o t c a s ­
t l e K - si d e. F u r t h e r com p l i c a t i o n s b y 1 3 . . . f e ? (1 3. . . Nx e 4 i s
m e t t h e s a m e w a y .) 1 4 Bg7 R g 8 1 5 Q x h 7 R xg7 1 6 Q x g 7 e f
a re d i s as t ro u s for B l a c k a ft e r 1 7 0 - 0 , t h re a te n i n g 1 8 Qg8+
B f8 1 9 R e 1+.

b ) ll. K f8! 12 e5 (12 Be3!? Nx e4 1 3 Qd5 h as b e e n

..

s u g g e s t e d b u t s e e m s u n n e ce ss a r i l y u n c l e a r.) 1 2 . . . N f7 1 3 e f
B x f6 1 4 B e 3 g6 ( 1 4... c6 m a y g i v e ch a n ce s o f e q u al i z i n g
a f te r 1 5 0 - 0 g 6 1 6 Q h 3 d 5 1 7 Q g 3 a c c or d i n g to H ag e n
T i e m a n n .) 1 5 Qb5 d 5 1 6 0 - 0 c6 1 7 Qb3 Q c7 1 8 N b d 2 K g7
1 9 R fe 1 B f5 20 c4 w i t h a n e d ge t o Wh i te ( Kra n tz - A h m a n ,
p o s t a l 1 9 7 8) .

1 0 Q x c4
 E v a n s G a m b i t: G a m e E i g h t 93

I h a v e r e a c h e d t h i s posi t i o n se v e r a l t i m e s a n d c o n ­
s i d e r i t o n e o f t h e c r u n ch pos i t i o n s i n t h e E v a n s. E v e n i f a
t h e o re t i c al assess m e n t o f e q u a l i t y is a fte r a l l c o r re c t, t h e
posi t i o n i s b y n o m e a n s d e a d a n d Wh i t e h as g o o d c h a n ces
of p l a y i n g f o r a w i n . B l a c k ' s e x t ra d o u b l e d h - p a w n is
n o t h i n g t o worry abou t, but his b i sh o p pair m u st n o t be
a l l o w e d to s w a m p Wh i t e's p o te n t i a l l y use f u l K n i g h t.

1 0 ... e x d4

T h i s p ro b ab l y h e l p s Wh i t e b y i n c r e as i n g h i s cen t r al
con t rol. The a l t e r n a t i v e s a re m o r e test i n g:

a) l O ••• dS!? 1 1 e d a n d n o w:

a l ) 1 1 . .. ed 12 0-0 (1 2 cd see b e l o w , n o t e c to B l a c k ' s

1 1 t h) 1 2 ... Q d 6 1 3 Q x d 4 R g8 14 K h 1 Q g 6 1 5 R g 1 (By f a r
t h e s a fest a n d s i m p l est w a y) 1 5 ... B d 6?! (B u t i t i s h a rd f o r
B l a c k t o a r r a n ge Q - s i d e c a s t l i n g b e c a u se t h e w h i te q u e e n
a t t a c k s a l.) 1 6 N d 2 B g4 1 7 R a e 1 + a n d t h e b l a c k k i n g w e n t
o n w a l k ab o u t b u t w as e v e n t u al l y h u n te d d o w n i n H ard i n g­
Ture k, p o s t a l 1 9 7 4 .

a 2 ) 1 1 . ..e 4 ! ? c a u g h t m e b y su r p ri s e i n H a r d i n g- A s a t ­
u r y an , f r o m t h e t h e m e tou r n a m e n t, a n d m y r e p l y w as n ot
e x e m p l a r y: 1 2 N d 2 (At t h e t i m e I t h o u g h t 1 2 Ne 5 w as i m­
poss i b l e b e c a u se o f 1 2... /6 b u t 1 3 d6 a n d 1 3 Qb5+ KfB b o t h
l e a d to posi t i o n s w o r t h m o re a n a l y s i s.) 1 2 . . . f5 (1 2. . . Rg8!?
s e e m s f i n e for Wh i te a f te r 13 Nx e4 R x g2 14 Ng3 or 1 4
Nb d2.) 1 3 0 - 0 (Be t t e r 1 3 Qb3 an d a t e n a c i o u s d e fen s e o f
t h e d - p a w n) 1 3 ... a 6 1 4 Q e 2 Q x d 5 1 5 N c 4 0-0 w i t h a d v a n ­
t a ge t o B l a c k a l t h o u g h Wh i te i s s t i l l fig h t i n g te n a c i o u s l y a t
t h e t i m e o f w r i t i n g.

b ) 1 0 ... d6!? a l s o s e e m s c ri t i c a l . Wh i t e m u s t a c c e p t
B l a c k ' s p a w n o f fe r b y 1 1 e d a n d a f t e r 1 l . .. Be6! ( T i e m a n n
a n a l y zes 1 1 ... R g 8 b u t 1 2 g3 f o l lo w e d b y Nb d2 k e e p s Wh i t e
i n c o n t rol.) 1 2 Qb5+ ( 1 2 Q d 4 R g8! i s u n c l e a r.) w h e n :
94 E v a n s G a m b i t: G a m e E i g h t

b l ) H ar d i n g- J . H . H o dgson, p o s t a l 1 9 7 4 , con t i n u e d
1 2. . . K f 8 ? 1 3 Q x b 7 K g7 1 4 0 - 0 Q d 7 1 5 e d B x d 6 1 6 e5 R h b8
1 7 Q e 4 B e 7 1 8 Nbd2 B f5 19 Qd4 Qe6 20 Nb3 and I e v e n t u ­
a l l y w o n w i t h m y e x t ra p a w n .

b 2 ) 1 2 ... Q d 7! 1 3 Q x b 7 ( 1 3 Qx d 7+ B x d 7 1 4 Nb d2 R g 8!
got Wh i te n o w h e re i n H ar d i o g -M a e e r, p o s t a l 1 9 8 6 .) 1 3 ... 0-0
forces very accurate play f rom Wh i te: 1 4 Q a 6! ( N o t 14 0- 0?
Bc4 and t h e black queen m u s t also b e kept o u t of d3.)
w h e n I q u i t e l i k e Wh i te ' s p os i t i o n: p a w n u p , q u e e n p l aced
t o e x ch an ge her o p p os i t e n u m b e r i f B l a c k goe s i n f o r ... de.
B u t Wh i te m u st b e c a r e f u l of roo k i n v a s i o n s a t b 2 so a f t e r
1 4. . . R fb 8 t h e c o r r e c t m o ve i s 1 5 Q e 2! Q c6! (to p re v e n t 0- 0)
1 6 e d B x d 6 1 7 N d 4 Q c4 1 8 Q e 3! ( t h e k e y m o ve) a n d
1 8 ... R b 2 f a i ls t o 1 9 N d 2 Q a6 20 N x e 6 f e 2 1 Q x h 6 R e 8 2 2
Q h 5 R e 7 23 Q e 2 consoli d a t i n g t h e m a t e r i a l ad v a n t age. T h i s
l i n e o f cou rse n e e d s test i n g.

1 1 cx d4

11. .. Rg8

Wh i te may a l so m e e t:

a ) l l . . d 6 ( a n i m p o r t a n t possi bi l i t y) 1 2 0 - 0 w h e n
.

1 2 ... R g8 t ra n sposes to t h e m a i n l i n e b e l o w w h i le 1 2 ... Bg4

w o u l d allow Wh i te t o r e c o v e r h i s p a w n ·b y 13 Qb 5+. B l a c k ' s
m o s t n a tu r a l con t i n u a t i o n i s 1 2. . . 0 - 0 1 3 N c3 ( 1 3 Q c 1 !?)
1 3 ... c6 t r y i n g to re s t r i c t t h e s co p e o f t h e k n i g h t , b u t
 Evans G ambit: G ame Eight 95

aga i n st t h i s I fou n d 1 4 R ab 1 ! R b 8 . (I f 1 4 .. Kh 8 1 5 d 5 i s
.

p ro b a b l y b e s t a g a i n .) 1 5 d 5 c5 1 6 e5 a6 1 7 a 4 d e (1 7. . . B f5
1 8 R a e 1 t h re a te n i n g to w i n an h - p a w n a ft e r 1 9 Qf4) 1 8
N x e5 a n d t h e k n i g h t s a re ve r y t h re a t e n i n g , e .g. 1 8 ... B f 5 1 9
R b e 1 Q c8 (1 9... f6? 20 Ng4 a n d B l a c k m u st p l a y Bxg4
e x ch a ng i n g his m a i n asset.) 20 Q f4 Bg5 21 Qg3 K h 8 22 f4
B f6 23 N e 4 a n d B l a c k m u s t soon e x c h a n ge a b i sh o p fo r
k n i g h t a n d r e m a i n w i t h w e a k h - p a w n s w h i l e Wh i te ' s d ­
p a w n i s goo d .

b ) l l . B f6? 1 2 N c 3 c6 1 3 0 - 0 0-0 1 4 e5 Bg7 1 5 N e4

..

w i th clear a d v a n tage to Wh i te in t h e 1 9 7 2 S o v i e t w o m e n ' s

g a m e R oz h l a p a- B el o v a.

c) l l . d5 m a y b e best, r e t u r n i n g t h e p a w n to o p e n
..

t h e g a m e f o r t h e b i sh ops. A f t e r 1 2 e d B l a c k h as:

c l ) 12 ... R g8 ( 1 2 . .. Bf5 ?! 13 Qb5+ an d 14 Qx b 7) 1 3 g3

B h 3 14 N e5! B d 6 15 N c3 K f8 16 f4 f6 1 7 N d 3 Q e 8+ 18 K f2
w i t h a c l e a r p l u s t o Wh i t e i n S ko to re n ko - Kres m er, p o s t a l
1 9 7 6. Wh i te h as t h e b e t t e r p a w n s a n d w i l l n o w s e i z e t h e e ­
file.

c2) 1 2 . . 0-0 ( K o n s t a n t i n op o l s k y) i s s u g g e s t e d b y B o t ­
.

t e r i l l i n Op en Ga m b its: 1 3 0 -0 c6 1 4 d e b e 1 5 Q x c6 B e 6 gi v­
i n g up a p a w n for cou n te rp l a y , in o r d e r t o b r e a k u p
Wh i te's st ron g d o u b l e d d - p a w n s. I f i n d th is h a r d t o b e l i e v e
a fte r 1 6 Q c 1 ! K g? (B l a c k c a n n ot a f fo r d t h e si m p l i fi c a t i on
resu l t i n g from 1 6... Bg5.) 1 7 N c3 R c 8 1 8 Q e 3 w i t h a good
c e n t r a l i z e d posi t i o n and a n e x t r a p a w n .

d) 1 1 . . 0 - 0 1 2 0 - 0 c6!? ( 1 2. . d 6 see n o t e a ) w as t r i e d
. .

I n Kra n t z - K al i s h , p o s t a l (8 t h O l y m p i a d) b u t a g a i n 1 3 Q c 1 !
B g 5 1 4 N xg5, a n d 1 5 f 4 l o o k s p ro m i s i n g fo r Wh i t e .

12 0-0 d6

L a Bou r d o n n a is r e a c h e d t h i s p os i t i o n w i t h Wh i te I n
1 8 35!
96 E v a n s G a m b i t : G a me E i g h t

I n A h lstro m - B ry h a m m e r, p o s t a l 1 9 8 0 , B l a c k t r i e d
1 2 . . . d5 b u t t h i s i s a m o v e or t w o t o o l a te: 1 3 e d B h3 1 4 N e 1
Q d 7 1 5 Qb3 0 - 0 - 0 1 6 K h 1 B f 5 1 7 N c 3 B f 6 (T i e m a n n sug­
gests 1 7... B d 6!? with the i d e a Rg8-g5-h5, but 1 8 Nf3 i s a
...

s i m p l e a n t i d o t e , fo l l o w e d b y a 4-a5-a 6 or lve5 o r e v e n a n
e x c h a nge s a c r i f i c e b y R a b l .) 1 8 R d 1 Q d 6 1 9 N c2 a 6 2 0 N e 3
w i t h a d v a n t age to Wh i te .

13 R c l !

B u t L a B o u r d on n a i s d i d n' t p l a y t h i s s t r o n g m o v e ,
w h i c h k ee p s t h e i n i t i at i v e b e c ause o f t w o m a i n p oi n ts - t h e
t h re a t to t h e c-p a w n a n d t h e f a c t t h a t ...B h3 c a n n o w b e
m e t b y g 3 w i t h o u t losi n g t h e e x c h a n ge.

13 ..• c6
14 d5 B d7

I f 1 4 ... B h3 1 5 g3 B d 7 p l a y con t i n u es m u ch t h e s a m e
b u t Wh i te h a s b e e n gi v e n a b o l t - h o l e for h i s k i n g a n d
B l a c k ' s c h a n ces o f a t t a c k d o w n t h e g- f i l e w o u l d t h e n be
m i n i m a l.

1 5 N b d2 B g5

I n Play th e Evans Gam bit, C a f fe r t y a n d I a n a l y ze d :

a ) 1 5 ... c5 1 6 e 5 b5 1 7 Qe4 a n d

b ) 1 5 ... e d 1 6 Q x d 5 B c6 1 7 Q h 5 ( T h i s s w i t c h b e t w e e n
Q - si d e a n d K - s i d e p l a y i s t y p i c a l o f Wh i te ' s resou r c e s i n
t h e v a r i a t i o n .) 1 7 ... R g6 1 8 N d 4, i n e i t h e r c ase w i th good
c h a n ce s for Wh i t e .

16 Qd3

En v i s a g i n g a n e 4 · e 5 b re a k w i t h a t a rge t o n h 7 , a n d
m e e t i n g t h e t h re a t o f B x d2 fol lo w e d b y Q g 5 . B l a c k d oe s
t h a t a n y w a y, f o r h e h as f e w a v a i l a b l e p l a n s:
 E v a n s G a mb i t: G a me E i g h t 97

16 ... B x d2

So m u c h for t h e b i sh op p a i r!

1 7 N x d2 QgS
18 g3 Q g6
19 Rab l

Wh i t e re t u r n s to t h e Q-si d e p l a y w h i c h i s m o re o f­
te n e f fe c t i v e i n t h e E v a n s G a m b i t t h a n i s ge n e r a l l y a p p re­
c i a t e d . Wh i te ' s a d v a n t age in s p a c e and p i e ce m ob i l i t y g i v e s
h i m t h e c h a n ce o f s w i t c h i n g t h e fo c u s o f h i s p re s s u r e b a c k
a n d f o r t h faste r t h a n B l a c k c a n m a t ch . A l so, i f B l a c k c a s­
tles now the Q - s i d e m a g i c a l l y becomes the K - s i d e!

1 9 .. 0 - 0 - 0?!

B l a c k w as a n y w a y t h re a t e n e d w i t h t h e loss o f h i s
extra pawn.

A 1 9 82 Euro p e a n p o s t a l g a m e , Erl a n d sso n - E c e n arro,

e n d e d a b r u p t l y 19 ... cd? 20 R x b 7 a n d B l a c k re s i g n e d! T h i s
s e e m s a t fi rst s i g h t to be e x ce ss i v e l y pessi m i s ti c, b u t p e o p l e
o f t e n resi gn e a r l i e r i n p os t a l g a m e s t o s a v e m o n e y a n d f u r­
t h e r w e e k s o f m i se r y . Wh a t c a n B l a c k do? Wh i t e t h re a t e n s
R cc 7 a n d i f 2 0 . . . R c 8 (2 0... R d8 2 1 ed) t h e n 2 1 R x c8+ B x c8
2 2 R c 7 K d 8 (22 ... Qe6 23 ed o r 22 . Qg4 23 Qx d5) 2 3 R x a7
..

a n d B l a c k' s k i n g i s f a t a l l y e x p ose d .
98 E v a n s G a m b i t: G am e E i g h t

2 0 Qb3! b6
2 1 Q b S!

T h i s i s v e r y s t ro n g a n d t h e g a m e m i g h t e n d 2 1 . .. c5
22 Q a6+ Kb8 23 R x b6+! ab 24 Q x b6+ Kc8 25 R b l !

We m a y con c l u d e t h a t 5 B e 7 d oes n o t c l e a r l y
. . •

e q u a l i ze so l o n g as Wh i te fol l o w s t h i s l i n e o f p l a y a n d
m a k e s t h e m os t o f t h e o p p o r t u n i ti e s a v a i l a b l e fo r h i s
k n i g h t s a n d m aj o r p i e ces.
 E v a n s G a m b i t: G a m e N i n e 99

EVANS GAMBIT - Game Nine

1 e4 e5
2 N f3 N c6
3 B c4 B cS
4 b4 B xb4
5 c3

T h e p r i n c i p a l b i sh o p r e t re a ts h a v e a l re a d y b e e n a n ­
a l y z e d . I n t h i s g a m e w e loo k at t h e u n u s u a l re t r e a t 5 ... B f8
a n d a t t w o p a w n m o ves. We s h a l l look a t 5 ... B d6 i n G a m e
Ten.

Cou n t e r- a t t a c k s a g a i n s t t h e w h i te b i sh o p c a n b e
b r i e f l y d i s m isse d as t h e y a re u n so u n d a n d v e r y ra re l y s e e n :

a ) 5 f5'? ! 6 cb fe 7 bS N a S ( N o t 7... ef?? 8 Qxf3 d5 9

•.•

B x d5 Nce 7 1 0 Qf7+ Kd 7 1 1 Be6+ Kd 6 1 2 Ba3+ c5 1 3 B x c8

R x c8 1 4 Q x g 7 w i n n i n g e as i l y) 8 B x g8! (S ch n e i d e r, i n B CM
1 99 0) p re fers 8 N x e S Q gS 9 d 4 .) 8 ... R x g8 9 N x e S QgS 1 0 d 4
Q x g2 1 1 O h S + g 6 1 2 Q x h 7 Q x h 1+ ( 1 2... Rf8 1 3 Q x g 6+ Q x g 6
1 4 Nxg 6 a n d Wh i t e s t a y s a p i e ce u p .) 1 3 K e 2 Q x c l ( 1 3. . . Rf8
1 4 Q x g 6+ a n d 1 5 Bg5+ m a t e s) 1 4 Q x g8+ K e 7 1 S Q f7+ K d 6
1 6 N d 2! ( t h re a te n i n g b o t h Nx e4 m a t e an d R x c 1 ) 1 6 ... Q c 2 1 7
R c 1 ! Q b 2 1 8 Q f6+ K d S 1 9 R eS+ K x d 4 20 N d 3 m a te, a s a n ­
a l y ze d i n t h e c l a ss i c p re - w a r R u ssi an o p e n i n gs boo k
1 00 E v a n s G a mb i t: G am e N i n e

Sovrem enny Deby ut . T h i s for ci n g v a r i a t i o n , w i t h i t s d o u b l e

roo k o f f e r b y Wh i te , i s s i m i l a r t o t h e 3 B c 4 l i n e a g a i n s t
t h e L a t v i a n Cou n te r - G a m b i t - o n l y c le a re r f o r Wh i te .

b ) 5 . . . b 5 !? ( a n i d e a o f t h e 1 9 t h ce n t u r y G e r m a n a n ­
a l yst, C o r d e l) 6 B xb 5 B d 6! ? (or 6. . .B c 5 7 0- 0 fol l o w e d b y d 4
w i t h g a i n o f t i m e) 7 0 - 0 B b 7 (Com p a r e d w i t h G a m e T e n ,
B l a c k' s Q-si d e d e v e l op m e n t i s e as i e r b u t h e h a s n o e x t r a
p a w n .) 8 d 4 N ge 7 ( 8 Nf6 ? loses a p i e ce a ft e r 9 B x c6 a n d
. . .

1 0 de.) 9 N b d 2 0 - 0 1 0 N c 4 w i t h a v e r y p l e a s a n t g a m e for
Wh i te . H e i s in co n t rol of the c e n t e r, and the two b i shops
a re h i s a t any time h e c h ooses a l t h ou g h for t h e m o m e n t
t h e k n i g h t s a re bot h good p i e ce s. Wh i te c a n f o l l o w u p w i t h
m o v e s l i k e R b l a n d R e l to post t h ose p i eces a c t i v e l y ; i t i s
not cle a r y e t w h e re t h e b e s t s q u a re s for t h e q u e e n a n d
q u e e n ' s b i sh o p w i l l b e . A n d a s Wh i te h as n ot s a c r i f i c e d a
p a w n i n t h i s l i n e , B l a c k h as n o com p e n sa t i o n for t h e i n a d ­
e q u a c i e s o f h i s posi t i o n .

5 ... B f8?!

M a x L a n ge ' s m o v e , o n c e a d o p t e d u ns u ccess fu l l y b y
S t e i n i tz, i s d e s i g n e d t o re m o ve t h e b i sh o p f rom a n y i m m e ­
d i a te d a n g e rs b u t h a s t h e o b v i ou s d e fe ct o f le a v i n g B l a c k
e v e n m ore u n de v e l o p e d t h a n e v e r, w i t h n o i m m e d i ate
p ro s p e c t of cas t l i n g. 5 ... B f8 i s very r a re n o w a d a y s.

6 d4
 Evans G ambit: Game N ine 101

6 ..• Qe7

B l a c k c a n a l so t r y:

a) 6 . .. Q f6!? ( L a n ge) c an b e w e l l m e t b y 7 0 - 0 and i f

7 .. d 6 8 N g5 N h 6 9 f4 t o ex p l o i t t h e expos ed pos i t i on o f t h e
.

b l a c k q u e e n , e . g . 9 .. e d 1 0 e 5 d e 1 1 f e Q x e 5 ? 1 2 R el o r
.

9 . . .B g 4 1 0 Q b 3 .

b ) 6 . . . d 6!? 7 d e d e 8 Q b 3! w i t h p l a y s i m i l a r to G a m e
T e n , b u t w i th n o t h r e a t o f . . . N a 5 for Wh i t e to w o r r y abou t
and w i t h B l a c k's d e v e lo p m e n t m o re b a c k w a r d i n t h i s c a s e .

c ) 6 e d!? 7 c d ! w h e n 7 . B b 4+ i s m e n t i o n e d i n G a m e
•.. . .

S ix. I f B l a c k i n s t e a d p l a y s 7 . d 6 8 0 - 0 B g 4 ( t h e on l y a c t i v e
..

poss i b i l i t y) t h en 9 Q b 3 ( a n d i f 9.. Na5 1 0 Bxf 7+ Ke7 1 1

.

Qc3).

7 0-0 d6

B l a c k t ri es to m a k e a s t ron g p oi n t of e5, a t h e m e
t h a t reoc c u r s i n o t h e r d e f e n ses to t h e E v a n s. H o w e v e r, t h e
h e m m i n g i n o f t h e K i n g' s B i shop g i v e s Wh i t e en co u r a g e ­
m e n t, and a f a i r l y f re e h a n d. Wh i le t h e re a r e no i m m e d i a te
c o m b i n a t i o n s, Wh i t e's s p a ce ad v antage a nd lead in de­
v e l o p m e n t g i v e h i m a m p l e posi t i on al com p e n s a t i on for the
pawn.

I f 7 ... e d Wh i te o b t a ins a d yn a m i c p a w n cente r b y 8

c d s i n c e B l a c k c a n n o t go 8 ... Qxe 4?? b e c a u se o f 9 R e l .

8 Qb3

P u t t i n g p re s s u r e on f7 and b 7 .

8 ... g6

T h i s m e t h o d o f rede v e l o p ing t h e b i s h o p is t h e p rin­

c i p a l p oi n t of 5 . 8 f8. I f i n s t e ad 8 . B d7 ( t h r e a t e n ing Na5)
.. . .
102 Ev a n s G a m b i t: G a m e N i ne

\Vhite c an a f fo r d to re g a in h i s p a wn by 9 Q x b7 R b 8 1 0
Q a 6 b e c a u se h e t h re a t e n s d 5 and B l a c k i s not su f f i c i ent l y
w e l l organi z e d t o e x p lo i t t h e o f f-s i d e pos i t i on o f t h e w h i te
q u e e n ( i f then 10 . Rb6 11 Qa3) .
. .

9 dxe5 dx e5

The knight must stay on c6 to cove r d 8 . I f ins t e a d

9 .. N x e 5 1 0 N x e 5 de (10. . Qxe5? 11 Bxf 7+) 1 1 R d 1 B l a c k h as
. .

a l m os t no p i e ce s in p l a y and i t i s ve r y h a rd f o r h i m to
re m e d y t h i s s i t u a t i on. For i f 1 1 . . . N f6? Wh i t e has the t y p i ­
c a l cou p 1 2 B x f7+! Q x f7 1 3 R d 8+ K x d 8 1 4 Q x f7 o r
13 . . . K e 7 1 4 B a3+ b e c a u se t h e k i n g h as n o f l i g h t s q u a re on
f 6 . I f ins t e a d 1 1. .. B h 6 1 2 B a3 Q f6 1 3 B x f7+ or 1 1. . N h 6 12
.

B x h 6 B x h 6 1 3 B x f7+ Q x f7 14 R d8+ K e 7 15 Q x f 7+ K x f7 1 6
R x d 8 w inn ing t h e exc h a n ge.

10 R d l

1 0 ... B h6

T h i s m a y not b e B l a c k's b e s t m ove. 1 0 .. N a5 ? i s a

b l und e r b e c a u se o f 1 1 B x f7+ b u t E. C.O. s u ggests t w o m oves
for B l a c k :

a) 1 0 ... l" h 6!? ( U nzi c k e r) g ives e x tra p rote c t i on to

t h e w e a k f - p a w n, b u t is p assive and m a k e s it h a r d for
B l a c k to c a s t l e , e.g. 1 1 Bd5 (Or 11 Nbd2 f i rst) ll. .. Bg7 12
 Eva n s G a m b i t: G ame N i n e 103

N b d 2 0 - 0 1 3 B x c6 b e 1 4 B a 3 c5 1 5 Q d 5 reg a i n i n g t h e g a m ­
bit pawn.

b) 1 0 ... Rb8!? (Bog a t y r ch u k) l i b e r a t e s t h e q u e e n ' s

b i sh op b ut l e a ve s t h e K-si d e p e r i lo u s l y u n d e v e l o p e d . Wh i t e
m i g h t t r y 1 1 B d 5 B d 7 1 2 B a 3 N a5 (I f 12... Qd8 13 Bxf8
KxfB 14 Bxc6 be 15 Qa3 + w i t h a c l e a r p l u s.) 13 B x e 7 N x b 3
1 4 B x b 3 ( T h e com p l i c a t i o n s f o l lo w i n g 1 4 Bxf8!? Nxa1 15
Bg 7 a r e e n t e rt a i n i ng a n d you m a y l i k e to an a l y z e t h e m .)
1 4 ... B x e 7 ( o r 14... Nxe 7) 1 5 N x e 5 a n d Wh i te re g a i n s t h e
p a w n w ith a s u p e r i o r posit i o n . A l so 1 4 a b c o m e s i n to c o n ­
si d e r a t i o n .

c) 1 0 N f6? f a i l s to 1 1 N g 5 N d 8 1 2 N x f 7! N x f7 1 3
•..

B x f7+ Q x f7 1 4 R d 8+ K e 7 1 5 B a3+ etc.

1 1 N b d2 Q f6
1 2 B a3 Nge7
13 B d5 0-0

N o t 1 3 ... N x d5 1 4 e d N e 7 1 5 R e l a n d Wh i te b u i l d s
u p o n t h e e- f i l e.

1 4 B x c6 b x c6
1 5 Qb4

B l a c k h as m a n ag e d to castle and h as e v e n o b t a i n e d
the t w o b i s hops, b ut h i s e x t r a p a w n i s n o w d e v a l u e d b y
t h e r u i n at i o n o f h i s Q - s i d e p a w n st r u c t u re. I n t h e a tte m pt
to obt a i n s o m e scope for h i s p i e ces, B l a c k n o w g a v e b a c k
t h e e xt r a p a w n b u t Wh i te w as i n f i rm p ossessi o n o f t h e
i n i t i ati v e .

C h i go r i n - S t e i n i tz, V i e n n a 1 8 8 2, n o w con t i n u e d :

1 5 . . . c5 ( i f 1 5... R e 8 16 Nc4) 1 6 Q x c 5 N c6 1 7 N c4 R e 8
(Wh ite w i n s a p a w n i n t h e l i n e 1 7... Bg4 1 8 Ncxe5 1Yxe5 1 9
Qxe5 Qxe5 20 Nxe5 Bxdl 21 Bxf8.) 1 8 N d 6! c d 1 9 Q x c6
B g4 2 0 R x d6 Q g 7 2 1 R a d l B g 5 (21... R ac8 loses to 22 Qxc8!
Bxc8 23 Rd8.) 2 2 N x g5 B x d l 2 3 R x d l R a c 8 2 4 Q a 4 Q f6 2 5
104 Evans G ambi t: G ame N i n e

N f3 Q e 6 2 6 R d S Q b 6 (Hop i n g for a back row m a t e) 2 7 Bb4

Re6 28 N x eS R ce 8 29 Rd6 Q b 8 (29 Rxd6 30 Qxe8+) 30 N d7
...

Q d 8 a n d n o w t h e si m p l est w i n , a s seen b y C h i g o r i n l a t e r,
w ou l d h a v e b e e n 3 1 N f6+! Q x f6 3 2 Q x e8+ b u t h e soon
-

w on a n y w a y .
 Eva n s G ambit: G ameTe n 1 05

EVANS GAMBI T- Game Ten

1 e4 e5
2 N f3 N c6
3 B c4 B c5
4 b4 B xb4
5 c3 B d 6!?

T h i s m o v e , w h i ch i s d i s m i ss e d i n t h e Encyclopaedia
of Chess Openings w i t h a b ri e f a n d m is le a d i n g n ote, m a y
p ossi b l y b e re v i v e d n o w t h a t B atsford Chess Openings g i v e s
i t m o re p rom i n e n ce a n d a n assessm e n t o f u n cl e a r. I h a v e
n e v e r h a d to p l a y a g a i n s t t h i s m o v e , a n d y ou m a y n e v e r
h a ve t o e i t h e r.

W h i t e s h o u l d con ce n t ra t e on obt a i n i n g a s p a c e a d­
v a n t age w i t h s m oot h a n d a c t i v e d e v e l o p m e n t , r a t h e r t h a n
t r y to f i n d fo r c i n g l i n e s i n t h e o p e n i n g . L e t B l a c k d o t h e
h a r d w o r k o f t r y i n g to j u s t i f y p u t t i n g h i s b i sh op on t h i s
a n t i - posi tion al s q u a re w h e re i t b l o c k s h i s d - p a w n .

6 d4

I n m a n y c a s e s i n t h e E v a n s G a m b i t , W h i te h a s t h e
c h o i ce b e t w ee n t h i s m o v e a n d cast l i n g. A good ru l e o f
106 E\·ans G a m bit: G a m e Ten

t h u mb, a g a inst unusu a l d e fenses, i s to p l a y the m o re ag­

g re ss i v e d 4 f i rst s in c e c a s t ling c annot b e p re v ented and d 4
p u ts on mo r e p ressu re. B l a c k c an u s u a l l y t a k e the d-p a wn,
b u t i f he d oe s, t h en posi tion opens up to Wh i te ' s
a d v antage. T h e c l e a r e s t i ll u s t r a t i on o f t h i s IS t h e
C o m p romise d D e fense ( S e e G a m e Fou r).

6 ••• Qe7

A s in t h e p re v i ou s g a m e, B l a c k ' s m a in i d e a i s to
m a ke a st ron g p oint of e 5 . The b i s h o p on d 6 m a k e s it v e r y
h a rd f o r Wh i te t o g a in cont rol o f t h a t s q u a re b y o r d in a r y
m e ans. O n t h e oth e r h an d , B l a c k' s s e t-u p i s v e ry a rt i f i c i al
and h e w i l l h a v e a t o u g h t ime m anaging to d e v e l o p h i s a­
side.

O t h e r s i x t h mo v es t h a t Wh i te m a y meet:

a) 6 ... e d 7 c d N a 5 ? ( 7. . .Bb4+ s e e G am e S i x) 8 Bd3 c6

9 0-0 and w h i le B l a c k i s still t r y ing to sort o u t h i s p i e ce s
Wh i te w i l l b e m assing f o r a cen t r a l b r e a k t h r o u g h w i t h
m o v e s l i k e R e 1 , Bg5 and N c3 , d e p end ing on B l a c k ' s r e ­
s p onse.

b ) 6 Q f6 7 0-0 h6 (to stop Bg5; i f 7 . ed 8 cd t h r e a t ­

... ..

e n s e5) 8 N a 3! (Wi t h t h e i d e a o f Nb5, w h i ch B l a c k c an

h a r d l y a l l o w for posi t i on a l reasons) and now:

b 1 ) i f 8 ... a6 9 N c 2 an d t h e kni g h t goes to e 3 t h r e a t ­

ening inv as i on o n f5 o r d 5 . B l a c k m a y t r y 9 N g e 7 1 0 N e 3
...

0 - 0 (JO. . . h5 1 1 Nd5 Nxd5 12 e d Ne 7 1 3 de Bxe5 1 4 B g 5 fol­

lowed b y c a t a s t rop h e f o r B l a c k on the e- f i l e) 11 N g4 Qg6
1 2 h 3! K h 8 (Unp ins t h e f-p a wn; i f 12... Qxe4 1 3 B d 3 Qd5 1 4
c 4 Qa5 1 5 c5 w ins a p i e ce.) 1 3 d e B c5 1 4 Q e 2 an d Wh i te
h a s r e g a in e d h i s p a wn w i t h good K-si d e p rosp e c ts, b a se d on
an e v en t u a l a d v ance o f t h e f-p a wn.

b 2 ) 8 ... N ge7 9 N b 5 0-0 1 0 a4 a6 (Ne c e ss a r y soone r o r

l a t e r) 1 1 N x d 6 Q x d 6 {11 .. cd g i v e s Wh i te a c l e a r and p e r­
.

manent a d v antage in t h e p a wn s t r u c t u re.) 1 2 B a 3 Q f6

 E v a n s G a mb it: G a m e T e n 107

(12... Qg6 13 d5 Na5 14 Bxe 7) 1 3 d5 (Not a l l ow i n g t i m e for

consol i d a t i o n w i t h ... d6) 1 3 ... N a5 (O t h e rs g i v e Wh i t e a free
h a n d e.g. 13... Nd8 14 d6 cd 15 Qxd6! Qxd6 16 Bxd6 rega i n ­
i n g t h e p a w n w i th a w o n g a m e) 1 4 B a 2 ( R e v i v i n g t h e d5-
d6 t h r e a t) 14 ... d6 1 5 B b 4 b6 16 B x a 5 ba 1 7 Q d 3! (So t h a t
1 7... Bg4 c a n b e m e t b y 1 8 Nd2 foll o w e d b y Nc4 a n d f3)
a n d i f 1 7 ... B d 7 1 8 B c4. O t h e r w i se Wh i t e cont i n u e s w i t h
R fb 1 , N d 2 e t c a n d b u i l d s u p a g a i n st B l a c k's w e a k a - p a w n s
w i t h good p rosp e cts o f w i n n i n g b o t h o f t h em i n t h e l o n g
ru n , w h i c h w o u l d l e a v e Wh i te w ith a d e ci si v e w e a p on i n
t h e f o rm o f h i s o w n a-p a w n .

b3 ) 8 ... B x a 3 9 B x a 3 d 6 1 0 d e d e (JO .. Nxe5 11 Nxe5

.

and 12 Qb3) 1 1 Q b 3 N g e 7 1 2 B d 5 R b 8 (12 ... Nxd5 13 ed Ne 7

14 Rfe1) 1 3 R a d 1 a s i n a g ame H an s te i n - B i l gu e r f rom t h e
1 8 4 0 s i s 1 e c k o n e d to f a v o r Wh i te , e .g. 1 3 ... B g 4 (13 ...0-0? 1 4
Bxc6! w i n s m a t e r i a l , o r 1 3 g5? 1 4 Bxe 7! Nxe 7 1 5 Bxf7+.'
...

Qxf 7 1 6 Rd8+ or 13 ...B d 7 14 Bxf 7+! Qxf 7 15 Qxf7+ Kxf 7

16 Rxd 7) 1 4 R d 3 0-0 (14 ... Nxd5 15 ed 1Ve 7 16 Nxe5! Qxe5
1 7 Re3) 1 5 h 3 B h 5 (15 ... Bxf3 16 Rxf3 w i t h t w o b i s h ops a n d
p re ss u re o n f 7) a n d Wh ite h a s some i n i ti a t i v e , e .g. 1 6 B x c6
b e 1 7 Q a 4 R f e 8 ( T h r e a te n i n g ...N-g6-f4 w i t h a cou n t e r- a t­
t a c k) 1 8 B x e 7 Q x e 7 ( B e t t e r t h a n 18... Rxe 7 1 9 Qxa 7) 1 9
R f d 1 a n d Wh i t e wil l r e g a i n h i s p a w n w i t h so m e w i n n i n g
c h a n ce s . M a y b e y ou c a n f i n d a n e v e n m o r e c l e a r- c u t l i n e
f o r Wh i t e a fte r 1l. N g e 7 .
..

c) 6 . . . N f 6 7 0-0 0-0 ( 7. . .e d 8 cd Nxe4? 9 Re 1 f5 10

Ng5 o r 7...Nxe4? 8 de! e.g. 8... Na5 9 Bxf7+! Kxf 7 10 Qd5+
a n d 1 1 ed w i n n i n g a p i e c e) 8 N b d 2 Qe7 s e e b e l o w .

7 0 - 0 N f6

O t h e rs:

a) 7 b6 8 R e 1 B b 7 9 N b d 2 (me e ti n g 9 . Na5 b y 10
... ..

Bd3) fo l l o w e d by 10 Nf1 w as r e c o m m e n d e d for Wh i te b y

S c h l e c ht e r. Wh ite c a n a f fo rd a s l o w b u i l d-u p i n t h i s sort o f
posi t i o n w h e re h e wil l b e w e l l p l a c e d t o a t t a c k t h e b l a c k
108 E v a n s G a m b i t: G am e T e n

k ing w h i c h e v e r s i d e i t c as t les, s o long as h e k e e p s cont rol

o f the c e n t e r) .

b ) 7 . h 6 (to stop Ng5, w h i ch m a y not b e a goo d i d e a

..

f o r Wh i te an y w a y) 8 N b d 2 g 5 ( t h re a ten ing . g4) 9 d e N x e 5

..

10 N d 4 N x c4 1 1 N x c4 a n d \Vh i te h as t e r r i f i c a c t i v i t y w i t h
h i s kni g h ts.

Wi t h 7 N f6 B l a c k i n te n d s to g i v e up a pt e ce fo r
•••

fou r p a w n s a fte r 8 N g 5?! 0 - 0 9 f4 e f 1 0 e 5 N x e5 ! 1 1 fe

B x e 5 w h e n b o t h 12 Qb3 a n d 12 K h 1 can be m e t b y 12 ... d 5 !
w i t h a n u n cl e a r p os i t i o n . Th e re fo re I re com m e n d f o r Wh i t e
a m o r e c a u t i o u s , posi t i onal b u i l d- u p :

8 Nb d2! 0-0

Or 8 b 6 9 B d3 N a5 1 0 N h 4! g6 1 1 f 4 e d 1 2 c d w i t h
•..

a c l e a r a d v a n t a ge f o r Wh i te as i n a 1 9 5 8 Soviet g a m e H a l ­
i b e i l y - S h is h ov.

9 B d3 !

P l an n ing t h e e l e g an t kni g h t m aneu v e r 9 ... N e 8

( h o p ing to a d v ance t h e f-p a wn; 9. Re8 w o u l d b e m e t s i m i ­
..

l a r l y .) 1 0 N c4 f 6 1 1 N e3 g 6 {stop p i n g Nf5) 12 N d 5 as g i v en
b y Soz i n a n d L e v en f i sh in Sovremenny Debyut.

9 ... N a5
 Evans G a m b it: G a m e T e n 109

To c a p t u re t h e k ni g h t s h ou l d i t go to c4. White now

s w it c h e s to h i s f a l l - b a c k p l a n:

1 0 Re 1 cS

He h as to d o som eth i n g to j u s t i f y h i s k n i g h t m o v e .
I f n o w 1 1 d S B l a c k h a s a s lo w b u t poten t i a l l y d a n ge ro u s
cou nte r-att a c k on t h e 0-si d e w ith m ov e s l i k e . . . a6, . . . b S a n d
.. N b 7 t h re a t e n i n g t o m ob i l i ze h i s p a w n m aj o ri t y . S o Wh i t e
.

d o e s b ette r to k e e p t h e g a m e o p e n a n d o b t a i n t h e bis h op
p a i r.

1 1 dxeS B x eS
1 2 N x eS Q x eS
1 3 Q c2

Set t i n g u p a " b a t t e r y " aga i n st h 7. We n o w f o l l o w a

g a m e won b y E n g l i s h post a l c h e ss m aste r M i k e Wi l l s i n a
1 9 7 2 o v e r- t h e - b o a r d g a m e aga i n s t f o rm e r B ritish c h a m p i on
A l a n P h i l l i p s:

1 3 ... dS

G o i n g f o r a c t i v e c o u n t e r p l a y a n d for c i n g t h e c ris i s .

1 4 N f3 Q hS
15 e5
110 E v a n s G a m bit: G a me T e n

1 5 ... N d7

A l t e r n a t i v es:

a) 15 ... Ne4 1 6 B x e 4 a n d Wh i te reg a i n s h i s p a w n

w i th a s t ro n g , cen t r a l i ze d posi t i on .

b ) 1 5 . . .c 4 ! ? 1 6 e f d e 1 7 Q x d 3 a n d i f 1 7 . . . g f 1 8 B a 3.
B l a c k h a s a rot t e n posi t i o n fo r an e x t ra p a w n w h i c h w i ll
be h a r d to h ol d , w h i le o t h e r m ov e s g i v e Wh i te e q u a l m a te­
r i al and some i n i ti at i v e. The b i s h o ps of o p p osi te colors a re
n o t d r a w i s h h e re b e ca use o f t h e p re se n ce o f o th e r p i e ces.

c ) 15 . . . N g4!? 1 6 h 3 Nh6 (16...c4?? 1 7 hg de 18 Qa4

a n d w i n s) 1 7 B x h 7+ K h 8 1 8 N g5! ( T h e b i shop h a s n o s i m­
p l e r e t r e a t a n d Wh i te a l so h as to w a t c h o u t fo r . Bxh3, so . .

d i re c t a tta c k is t h e a n s w e r.) 18 ... g6 ( N o t 18... /6 19 Bg6 Qh4

2 0 Nf3 w i n n i n g t h e q u e e n , w h i le 18... Nc6 1 9 e6! i s s i m i l a r.)
19 e6! e.g. 19 ... B x e 6 20 N x e 6 fe 2 1 B x g 6 or 19 ... fe 20 B x g6
o r 19 N c6 20 e f d e s t ro y i n g t h e b l a c k k i n g's de fe n se s.
...

1 6 B f5 !

B l a c k i s und e r st ron g p ressu re, w i th th re a t s l i k e g4

( fo l l o w e d by Ng5) o r e6 or N g 5 i n the a i r.

1 6 ... Nb6

S ee k i n g r e l i e f i n s i m p l i f i c a t i o n , b u t. ..

1 7 e6! B x e6

N o b e t t e r 1 7 ... fe 18 g 4 ! a n d n o w:

a) 1 8 ... Qe8 ( 1 8... Qf 7 1 9 Ng5) 19 B x h 7+ K h 8 20 Bg6

Q e 7 21 N e 5 t h re a te n i n g Q - d 3-h3.

b ) 18 ... Q h 3 19 N g5 Q h 4 20 N x e 6 R f7 ( o r 2 0. . Re8) 2 1 .

Bg5 Q h 3 2 2 N f4 a n d w i n s t h e q u e e n .
 Eva n s G a mb i t: G a m e T e n 111

1 8 R x e6! fx e6
1 9 g4!

a ) Bla c k n o w g a v e u p t h e q u e e n b y 1 9 ... R x f5 20 gh
R x f3 b u t fou n d he w as lost a f t e r 21 Qe2.

b ) I f 19 . Q e 8 20 B x h 7+ K h 8 2 1 Bg6 Q e 7 22 N g 5 c4
. .

23 B f7! and Qh7 m a t e .

c) 19 .•. Q h 3 20 N g 5 Q h 4 (20. . Qh6 2 1 Nxe6 regatn t n g

.

t he e x chan ge) 2 1 N x e 6 a n d i f 2 l . .. R f c8 ( t r y i n g to d e f e n d
e v e r y t h i n g) 22 B g 5 Q h 3 23 R e l a n d B l a c k ' s q ue e n i s e n c i r­
cle d b y 24 N f4 Q f3 25 R e3 .

T h i s con cl u d e s o u r s t u d y o f t h e E v an s G a m b i t A c ­
c ept e d . I n G a m e s Ele v e n a n d T w e l v e , I d i sc u ss t h e v a ri o u s
f o r m s o f E v an s D e cl i n e d a n d t h e n w e s h a ll m o v e o n t o
loo k a t Bla c k ' s o t h e r t h i r d m o v e s.
1 12 Eva n s G a m b i t : G a me E l e v e n

EVANS GAMBIT D ECLI N ED

Game Eleven

1 e4 e5
2 N f3 N c6
3 B c4 B c5
4 b4 Bb6

B l a c k reje cts t h e com p l i c at i on s o f 4 . . . B x b 4 a n d opts

for a m o re pos i tion a l g a m e w i t h l e v e l m a t e r i a l .

5 c3 !

I h a ve e x p 1 a i n e d i n t h e 0 v e r v i e w" c h apte r w h y a 1-
''

t e r n a t i ves a re u n s a t i s f a c t o r y : 5 b 5 i s u n sou n d a n d 5 a4
l e a d s to t o t a l e q u a l i t y i f B l a c k k n o w s the book l i n e .

B u t w i t h 5 c 3 Wh i te w i l l t r a n sp ose t o w h a t i s n o w a ­
d a ys a popu l a r l i n e i n t h e I t a l i a n G a m e , a ris i n g v i a 1 e 4 e 5
2 N f 3 N c6 3 B c4 B c5 4 c3 N f 6 5 b 4 B b 6 6 d3. (I t b e c a m e
re a l i ze d d u ri n g t h e 1 9 8 0 s t h a t i f Wh i te p l a y s t h e o l d m o v e
o r d e r 5 d 3 t h e n 5 a6! e n a b le s t h e b i shop to r e t r e a t t o a
...

b e t t e r s q u a re at a7.) T h i s i s i n f a c t i tse l f a m o d i f i c a t i o n o f
a l i n e B i r d w a s p l a y i n g a g a i n s t t h e E vans D e c l i n e d i n t h e
l a s t cen tu r y , 4 b 4 B b 6 5 a4 a 6 6 c3 w h i c h w i l l t r a n spose t o
l i n e s b e l o w a f te r 6 . . . N f6 or 6 . . . d 6 .
 Evans Gambit: Game Eleven 113

5 ... N f6

T he on l y reaso n a b le alte r n a t i v e i s S ... d6 a n d t h a t

w i l l p rob a b l y soon t r a n spose too, e . g . 6 a 4 ! ( 6 0-0 Bg4 7
d4!? ed 8 Bxf 7+? as i n M a rs h a l l - R . S h o r t , Mo n t real 1 8 94,
shou l d h a v e b e e n r e f u t e d b y 8... Kxf 7 9 Ng5!? Qxg5.) 6 ... a6
w i t h the p os i t i on that a r i ses f ro m B i r d ' s move o r d e r. N o w
7 d 3 i s t he m ost p re c i se m o ve ( a v o i d i n g 7 0-0 Bg4 of =

C h igorin - Z u kertort, Lo n d o n 1 883) a n d a fte r 7 . . . N f 6 8 0 - 0

o r 8 N b d2 he a d i n g fo r G a m e 1 1 A be l o w.

6 d3 d6

a) B l a c k som e t i m e s p l a y s 6 ... a6 a t on ce. A ft e r 7 0-0

0-0 8 N b d 2 c o m e s:

a 1 ) 8 ... d 6 9 B b 3 N e7 ( 9... d5 10 a3 de 1 1 de Qd3 1 2

Bb2 Nxe4 1 3 B c2 Nxf2 1 4 Rxf2 Qd8 1 5 Nc4 Bxf2+ 1 6 Kxf2
f a v o rs \Vhi te som ewhat.) a n d a t t h i s po i n t Wh i te s h o u l d
p robab l y p l a y 1 0 a 4 w i t h t r a n spos i t i o n t o G a m e 1 1 A, b e ­
l o w . I n S h ort- P o rt i s c h , B ru s s e l s 1 9 8 6 , Wh i t e p re fe r re d to
d o w i t h o u t t h i s m o v e b u t a fte r 1 0 Re1 N g6 1 1 h3 B e 6 12
N c4 Ba 7 1 3 B e 3 Bxe3 1 4 R x e3 B l a c k sho u l d h a v e p u n is h e d
t h e o m i ss i on b y 1 4 ... b 5 ! m ee t i n g 1 5 N a 5 b y 1 5 . . . c5 an d 1 5
N c d 2 b y 1 5 ... a5 w i t h e q u a l i t y ( H e y k e n & F e t te) .

a2) 8 ... d 5 ?! 9 e d N x d 5 1 0 Qb3! N f4 (JO... Be6? 11 Ne4

f6 12 Nfg5! w i t h a s t rong a t t a c k) 1 1 d 4 B e 6 ? (Too a m b i ­
t i o u s, b u t a f te r 1 1... e d 1 2 Ne4 Ne6 1 3 Bb2 de 1 4 Qxc3 Whi t e
h a s s t r o n g t h r e a t s for t h e p a w n s a c r i f i ce d .) 1 2 d e N x e 5 1 3
N x e 5 Q g5 1 4 g3 N e 2 + 1 5 B x e2! ( T h re e p i e ce s a r e b e t t e r
t h a n t he q u e e n i n t h i s s i t u a t i on .) 1 5 . . . B x b 3 1 6 N d f 3 Q f6 1 7
ab w i t h c le a r a d v a n t age a n d a ra p i d Wh i t e w i n i n N .
S h o r t - Korc h n o i, B e l gr a d e 1 9 8 7 .

b ) 6 0 - 0 7 a4 a 6 8 a 5 B a 7 9 0 - 0 d 5?! 1 0 e d N x d 5 1 1
.•.

Qb3 N f6 1 2 N g 5 Q d 7 1 3 N d 2 N d 8 1 4 N d f3 R e S 1 5 R e 1 h 6
1 6 N e 4 a l so g a v e a c l e a r p l u s t o Whi te i n P a n c h e n ko ­
V l a d i m i rov, U S S R 1 9 7 8 .
1 14 Ev a n s G a m b i t : G a m e Eleven

7 a4!

I f Wh i te i n te n d s to p l ay this con s i s te nt a d v a n ce at
all, h e sh o uld d o so now w h ile Bla c k is com p elle d to m a k e
a n a - p a w n m o v e i n re p l y . N u n n a n d Mestel u s e d to e m ploy
the alt e rn a t i v e o r d e r 7 0-0 0-0 8 a4 b u t a ft e r 7 0-0?! K a r­
p o v ' s 7 ... N e 7 ! a v o i d s t h e n e ce ss i t y of m o v i n g th e a - p a w n
a fte r a s u b se q u e n t a4 b y Wh i te, e .g . 8 N b d2 c 6 9 R e 1 0 - 0
10 a 4 ?! (bette r 1 0 Bb3 Y u d as i n & N e k rasov, Shakhmatny
Biulleten) 10 ... Ng6 11 aS B c 7 12 Bb3 d 5 an d B l a c k alr e a d y
h as some a d v a n t age: 1 3 e d? ( 1 3 Nfl Be6 i s on l y s l i gh t l y
b e t t e r f o r Bla c k , a n d h e a c t u all y lost i n Lj u b oj e v i c ­
Hj artars o n , T i l b urg 198 9 .) 13 . . . N x d 5 14 N e4 h 6! 1 5 B c4 Bf5
(15... Kh8!? i n te n d i n g . f5) 16 B d2 b 6 17 ab ab 1 8 R x a8
. .

Q x a8 19 b5 cb 2 0 B x b5 N df4 21 B c4 (Yu d a s i n- K arpov,

USS R Ch 1 9 8 8) a n d now K a rp o v s h o u l d h a v e pla y e d
21. . . Q c8! i n ten d i n g 22 ... B e 4 a n d 2 3 . . . Q g 4 o r 2 3 . . . N x g2 .

T h i s i s a n o t h e r c ru n ch posi t i o n f o r Bla c k . F a ced

w i t h the th r e a t of a4 - a5 t r a p p i n g h i s b i s h op, h e cle a rl y
m u st m o v e h i s a - p a w n, b u t s h ould i t go o n e squ a re o r t w o ?
7 a 6 le a v es t h e t e n s i o n u n resol v e d ; 7 . . . a5 cle a rs u p t h e
.•.

q u ee n -si d e s i t u a t i on b u t con c e d e s a s p ace a d v a n tage t o

Wh i te. P r a c t i c al exa m ples s e e m e q u ally d i v i d e d , s o I s h all
s p lit t h i s " G a m e" i n to t w o:

G a m e 11a: 7 ... a 6
G a m e 11b: 7 ... a5
 Evans G a m b i t : G a me E leve n 1 15

Game 11a

7 ... a6
8 0-0

T h e most f l e x ible. 8 N b d2 almost i n v a r i a b l y t r a n s­

poses a ft e r 8 .. 0 - 0 9 0 - 0 b u t t h e "ob v i o u s'' 8 aS s e e m s to be
.

t h e w ro n g p l a n , a s it loses t h e fle x ibi l i t y of t h e w h i te a­

s i d e p a w n s.

8 ... 0-0

a) 8 . . . Q e 7 9 N b d 2 0-0 1 0 B b 3 B a 7 1 1 N c4 N d 8
( B e t t e r 1 1 ... Be6, m e t b y 1 2 Ng5 C a f fe r t y) 1 2 R a 2 K h 8 1 3
R e 1 (+=) 1 3 ... b 5 ( 1 3... Ng8 1 4 d4!) 1 4 ab ab 1 5 N e 3 c 6 1 6
N f 5 ! B x f 5 1 7 e f w i t h a c l e a r p 1 u s t o Wh i te (I i g h t s q u a re
con t rol a n d a t t a c k i n g c h a n ces on bot h w i n gs) i n L u t i k o v ­
M a l isov, USS R 1 9 69.

b ) 8 . h 6 9 Nbd 2 0-0 1 0 B a2 Ba7 1 1 b 5 N aS 12 B a 3

..

R e S 1 3 Q c2 B e 6 1 4 B x e 6 R x e 6 1 5 R fb 1 d 5 (be t t e r 15... Bb6

1 6 Bb4 += B a r d e n) 16 Bb4! c5 (16... Bb6 17 c4!) 17 B x a 5
Q x a 5 1 8 b 6! w i n s m a t e r i a l (18... Rxb6 1 9 Nb3) M i l e s -S a n z ,
Montilla 1978.

9 N b d2

Co r r e c t: Wh i t e s t i l l a v o i d s pl a y i n g aS, i n t e n d i n g t o
g a i n a t e mpo on B l a c k's b i s h op w i t h t h e k n i g h t i ns t e a d ( a s
i n K ee n e's s u g ge s t i o n abo v e). 9 N a3 a n d 9 B gS h a v e a lso
been su ccess f u l b u t the s t r a i gh t fo r w a r d move was p re­
f e r re d by Ljuboje v i c, the p l a y e r who h as s c o r e d the g r e a t ­
e s t su c cesses w i th t h i s v a ri a t i on .

9 •.• Ne7

F o r 9 ... h6 see M i les-Sanz abo v e a n d for 9 ... Qe7 see

L uti k o v -M a l i so v a b o v e . O t h e rs:
116 Eva n s G a m b i t: G a m e E l e ve n

a ) 9 Be6 1 0 B b 3 B xb3 1 1 Q x b3 B a 7 1 2 R a 2 R e 8 1 3
...

b 5 N a 5 1 4 Q c 2 B c5 1 5 d 4 e d 1 6 cd B b 6 1 7 B b 2 d 5 1 8 e 5
N d 7 1 9 B c 3 with a d v an t age to Wh i te ( D vorets ky- L e v i t t,
U S S R 1 9 79).

b ) In a pos t a l game of m i n e , B l a c k t r i e d 9 . R e 8?! 10

..

Ng5 (En visagi ng a t r a n s a c t i o n on f7 w h i ch i s u s u a l l y not

goo d , but w h i ch see m e d p romis i ng i n t h ese c i r cu m s t a n ces,
w h e re B l a c k w i l l have w as t e d t w o t e m p i w i th his rook.)
1 0 ... R e 7 1 1 K h 1 h 6 1 2 N x f7 R x f7 1 3 B x f7+ K x f7 1 4 f4
Bg4 ( 1 4... Ng4? 15 fe+; 14... Kg8 15 Nc4! Ba7?! 16 b5
a t ta c k i ng t h e e-p a w n; 1 4... ef m a y b e best) 1 5 Q e1 Kg8 1 6
N c4 B a 7 1 7 b 5 a x b5 1 8 a x b 5 N e 7 1 9 f x e 5 d x e 5 20 N x e 5
B e 6 2 1 B x h 6 g x h 6 2 2 R x f6 Q c 8 23 Qg3+ K h 7 24 Q f4 Ng8?
(B l a c k ' s p os i t i o n is b a d a n y w a y: 24... Kg8 25 Rafl +- or
2 4... Be3 25 Rxh6+ o r 2 4... Nf5 25 ef Be3 2 6 Rxh6+ Kg7 27
f6+ KgB 2 8 Qg3+ a n d 29 RxaB) 25 R f7+ a n n ou n c i ng m a te
( H a rd i n g- G o o d a c re , 1 9 8 4) .

10 Bb3 Ng6
1 1 N c4 Ba7
1 2 B e3

Lj u b oj e v i c' s i m p ro v e m e n t on a 1 9 7 5 g a m e o f his
w i t h F u r m a n , i n w h i c h he p l a y e d 12 R a2 a n d o n l y d re w .

12 .•. Be6

I f 1 2 . . . B x e3 1 3 N x e3 Wh i t e c o n q u e rs t h e k e y s q u a re
fS w hich i s s t r ategi c a l l y i m po r t a n t i n th i s posi t i o n just as
it i s in a close d S p a n i sh.

13 B x a7 R x a7
14 Re 1 R a8
15 R a2 h6
16 R d2

Ljub oje v i c- H j art arso n , L i n ares 1 9 8 9 , con c lud e d :

16 •.. N h 7 1 7 N e3 N g S 1 8 N x gS Q x gS 1 9 B x e6 f e 2 0 Q g 4 Qf6
 Eva n s G ambit: G ame Eleven 117

2 1 g3 K h 7 22 h 4 Rf7 2 3 Q h5 R af8 2 4 d4 Q e 7 25 Q g4 Qf6

26 Q d 1 ed 27 cd e5 28 Nd5 Q e 6 29 h 5 N e 7 30 N x c 7 Q h 3 31
de de 32 Re3 N c6 33 N d 5 g6 34 h g+ K x g6 35 f4 K h 7 3 6
R h 2 Q e 6 3 7 f5 Qd6 3 8 g 4 Rg8 3 9 R e h 3 N d 4 4 0 Kf2 Rg5 41
Q h1 1 - 0 .

Game 11b

7 .•• aS

Wh i t e ' s c h a n ce s o f a s h o r t-t e r m p l u s a re n o w less

th a n a ft e r 7 .. a 6 but h e h as a n aggi ng s p a c e a d v a n t age, a c­
co r d i ng to g ra n d m aste r Nu n n .

8 b5 Ne7

T h i s ( p l a n n i ng . Ng6) i s best.
..

8 ... N b 8 i s c l e a r l y i nfe r i o r b e c a u se when B l a c k p l a y s

. . Nd7 Wh i t e c a n b l o c k t h e k n ight's re d e p l o y m e n t b y a
.

t i m e l y d3 - d 4 . A n e x a m p l e i s 9 0 - 0 0 - 0 10 N bd2 (10 Re 1 a n d
1 0 Bg5 a re a lso goo d .) 1 0 . . h 6? (Bette r 1 O... Bg4 1 1 Qc2 Nbd7
12 d4 " w ith a m o d e st a d v a ntage" for Whit e - Nu n n) 11
B a2 ! a n d B l a c k a l re a d y h as gre at p rob l e m s d e v e l o p i ng h i s
pie c e s: 11. N b d 7 12 d 4 N h 7 13 N c4 Qf6 14 N e3 ! (th r e a t
•.

Nd5) 1 4 . . . e d ( 1 4... c6 15 Ba3 ReB 1 6 Nf5 with st rong p ressu re

aga i n s t d6) 15 c d N g 5 16 N x g5 Q x g5 17 f4 Q e 7 18 B b1!
1 18 Ev a n s G a m b i t: G ame E leve n

(conso l i d a t i n g the c e n t e r p a w n s p ri o r to t he i r d e c i s i ve
a d v a n ce) 18 ... R e 8 19 K h 1 Q d 8 2 0 R a3 Nf 6 2 1 e S d e 2 2 f e
N h 7 2 3 B a2 N g 5 2 4 N d 5 B e 6 2 5 N x b 6 cb 2 6 d 5 B d 7 2 7 Q d 4
Q e 7 2 8 Re3 R a c8 2 9 B a3 Q d 8 3 0 h 4 N h 7 31 e6! B x e 6 3 2 d e
1 - 0 (32 ... Qxd4 33 ef+ KhB 34 feQ+ Rxe8 35 Rxe8+ Nf8 3 6
Rexf8+ Kh 7 3 7 Bbl+ g6 3 8 Rlf 7+ Qg 7 3 9 Bb2! a n d m at e i n
t w o) Noon - Cro u c h , L o n d o n (A aro n s o n Mast ers) 197 8 .

9 Nbd2

Lj u b oj e v i c s a y s t h i s i s m o re fle x i b le t h a n 9 N a3 b e ­
c a use b y g u a r d i ng e 4 i t c r e a tes t h e possib i l i t y o f d 3 - d4
w i t h t e n s i on i n the c e n t e r. 9 0 - 0 sho u l d t r a n spose a f te r
9 ... N g6 10 N b d2 .

9 •.. N g6
10 0 - 0 0-0

A s t a n d a r d p osition w hi c h c a n a r i se b y s e v e r a l
m o v e o r d e rs. Whi te n o w h a s a w i d e choi ce o f p l a n s .

1 1 B b3

I n te n d i ng N c 4 , t h i s has b e c ome t he m ost po p u l a r

m o v e i n r e ce n t y e a rs, s u p p l a n t i ng t h e o n c e - p re f e r r e d re­
t re at to a2 b e c a u se in some l i n e s w i th . d 5 Whi t e can n o w
..

a l l o w a b l a c k k n ight to b 4 w i tho u t f e a r o f t h e e x c h a nge

. . N x a2 .
.
 Eva n s G a m b i t: G ame Eleve n 1 19

H o w e v e r, H e y k e n a n d F e t t e ' s s u ggest i o n 1 1 h3 !?
( w i t h t h e i d ea 11... d5 12 ed Nxd5 13 QbJ or 11...Be6 12
Bxe6 fe 1 3 Nc4) i s a n a l te r n a t i v e w o r t h con si de r i n g. 1 1
Qb3 h as b e e n t r i e d b u t se e m s u n re l i ab l e to m e.

1 1 ... d5

1l. .. B a7!? ( K o rc h n oi ) is best met by 12 d4 says

Lj u b oj e v i c.

11. .. c6 i s p rob a b l y c r i t i c a l . Lj u b oj e v ic w rote ( i n New

In Chess) t h a t Wh i te ' s m o s t log i c a l con t i n u a t i on i s 1 2 b e!?
b e 13 d 4 but t h e n 13 ... B g4 14 Q e2 Nf4!? (14... R b8 G re e n ­
fe l d) 1 5 d e d e 1 6 N xe 5 ! Be2 1 7 N df3! N6 h 5 ! 18 Re 1 B x f3
1 9 N xf3 Q d 7 g a v e B l a ck com p e n s a t i on i n Meste l ­
G reenfe l d , Beersheva 1 9 8 8 , a n d Wh i te a l so f a i l e d t o ob t a i n
a n y a d v a n t a g e w i th thi s p l a n i n P s a k his- S c h u s s l e r , L u g a n o
19 8 8 ( i n w h i c h t h e w h i t e b i s h o p w a s o n a2) .

T h e re fo re t h e i m m e d i a t e 12 d4 (or possi b l y 12 Nc4

Bc7 w i t h e i t h e r 1 3 Qc2 NitS 14 d4! o r 13 Ba3) s e e m s t h e
c o r r e c t r e p l y, a l t h o u g h t h e re i s as y e t no tot a l l y con v i n ci n g
e x a m p l e: 11. .. e 6 1 2 d 4 B g4 (He y k e n & F e t te s a y 12... Re8
m a y b e s a f e r.) 1 3 B b 2 d5?! 1 4 h3 de 1 5 N xe4 w i t h a c l e a r
a d v a n t age to Wh i te: 1 5 . . . Bf5? (H e h a d t o t r y 15... Bxf3 o r
1 5... Nxe4.) 16 N g 3 ( w i n s a p a w n) 1 6 . . . Qe8 17 N xe5 N xe5 1 8
d e Ne4 1 9 Qf3 N d2 2 0 Qf4 N x b3 21 N xf5 Qe6 2 2 R a d1 B e7
2 3 e4 N e5 2 4 b6 N x a4 (24... Bd8 25 Ba3) 2 5 b e N x b 2 2 6 R d 6
Q x e4 2 7 Q g 5 1 - 0 N u n n -Wi n a n ts, B russels Wo rl d Cup 1 9 8 8 .

1 2 B a3 ReS
13 ex d 5 N x d5
14 Ne4

I n t e n d i n g e4 - e5 to n e u t ra l i ze t h e B a7 , a n d a lso
t h re a t e n i n g 15 N fg 5 , 16 Qh5 .

14 .•. N df4?
120 Evans G ambit: G ame E l even

The best ch a n ce w as 14 h 6 w h e n Lj u b oj e v i c s u g­
•..

gests 1 5 R a2 ! ? (15 g3 Ndf6 f a v o u rs Wh i te s l i gh t l y .)

1S ... N d f4 16 R d2 B e 6 17 c4 w i t h a com p l i c a t e d pos i t i o n
f a vou r i n g Wh i t e. He a l so a n al y z e d 1 4 . . . N g f4 15 c4 N b 4 1 6
c 5 ( N o w w e s e e w h y t h e b i sh o p i s b e t t e r o n b 3 t h a n a2.}
1 6 ... B a7 17 B x b 4 ab 18 N fg5 R e 7 (18... Ne6 ? 19 QltS) 19 g3
N h 3+ (19... Nd5 20 Qf3) 2 0 N x h 3 B x h 3 21 R e1 B fS 22 R c1
w i t h c l e a r a d v a n t age; t h e b l a c k b 4 p a w n i s v e r y v u l n e r a­
ble.

15 N fg 5 !

Wi t h a clear a d v a n t a ge to Wh i te , in view of
1 5 ... N e 6 ? 16 Ql ::: h 6 17 N x f7. We n o w follow Lj u b oj ev i c ­
K o rc h no i, Brussels 1987:

1 5 ... Be6
1 6 N x e6 Me6

Wh i te d om i n a te s t h e w h i te s q u a re s, espe c i a l l y the
cru c i a l a2-g8 d i a go n a l. The game e n d e d : 1 7 ... Kh8 18 Q f3 f6
19 h 4 ! N g f8 20 R a d1 Q d 7 21 R fe1 R a d 8 22 B c4 h 6 23 Q h 5
N h 7 2 4 K h 2 B a7 2 5 R f1 B b 8 (Wi t h t i m e p ressu re loo m i n g
a n d f2-f 4 i n t h e a i r, B l a c k f i n d s n o u se f u l m o v e s.) 2 6 N c 5
N x c5 2 7 B x c5 b 6 ( T h e b e s t p r a c t i c a l ch a n ce i n v i e w o f
27... Rc8 28 d 4 e 4 2 9 Bf7 Red8 3 0 Bg6} 2 8 B a3 c 5 2 9 b e
Q x c 6 3 0 B b 5 Q x c3 3 1 B x e 8 Q x a3 3 2 B b S B d6 ( i d e a ... Bc5)
3 3 d4! ed 3 4 R fe 1 B e S (34... Qa2 35 Re2) 3 5 f4 B d 6 36 R e 8+
 Evans Gambit: Game E l e v e n 121

R x e8 3 7 Q x e 8+ Bf8 (37...Nf8 38 Qf7 a n d Bc4) 3 8 fS! Q f3 3 9

Q e6! (3 9 Rfl Qd5 40 Qe6 a l so w i n s i n t h e e n d .) 3 9 . . . Q x d l
(3 9... Bd6 40 Qxd6 Qf2+ 41 Kh3 Qxf5+ 42 g4 Qf3+ 43 Qg3
Qxdl 44 Qb8+ NfB 45 Qxf8+ Kh7 46 QaB Qb3+ 47 Kh2 w i n s
e v e n tu a l l y .) 4 0 B c4 Q c2+ 4 1 K h 3 Q x c4 4 2 Q x c4 B cS 4 3
Kg4 Nf8 4 4 Q d S K h 7 4 5 Kf3 K h 8 4 6 K e 4 K h 7 4 7 K d 3 K h 8
4 8 K c 4 K h 7 4 9 K b S K h 8 S O K c 6 K h 7 5 1 K c 7 ( T h e k i ng w i l l
w a l k to f7 a n d t h e n g4-g5 d e c i d es, s o. .) S l . . . h S 5 2 K d 8 K h 6
5 3 K e 8 1-0 .
122 Evans G ambit: G a m e T w e lve

EVANS GAMBIT D ECLINED

Game Twelve

1 e4 eS
2 Nf3 N c6
3 Bc4 B cS
4 b4

T h i s c h a p t e r d e a l s w i t h r a re m e t h o d s of d e c l i n i ng
t h e E v a n s G a m b i t a t m o v e fou r, o f w h i c h t h e p r i n ci p a l
one i s:

4 ... d S!?

R a re but by no m e a n s r i d i culous.

H o w e v e r, b e fore we e x am i n e this in d e t a i l , it is
n e cess a r y to deal w i th t h e oth e r m e t h o d s of d e cl i n i ng the
g a m b i t ( a p a rt f rom 4 . . Bb6 w h i ch i s in Game E l e v e n).
.

a) I f B l a c k a c c e p t s the gam b i t by 4 ... N x b 4 Wh i te

m u st a v o i d t h e t ra p 5 N x e 5?! Q f6! 6 0-0 Q x e 5 7 c3 Nc6 8
d 4 N x d 4! (H e y k e n & F e tt e) a n d i n s t e a d p l a y 5 c3 a ft e r
w h i c h 5 . . . N c6 w h i ch t r a n s p oses to 4 ... Bxb 4 5 c3 B c 5 ( G a m e
 E v a n s G a m b i t : Game T w eh·e 123

S i x) . B e c a u se t h i s l i m i ts B l a c k's o p t i o n s se vere l y , t h e
k n i g h t c a p t u re i s v e r y r a r e l y seen.

b ) 4 b 5!? i s n o t d a n ge ro u s to Wh i t e e i t he r. ( T h e re
...

a re t h i n gs w h i ch Wh i t e c a n d o e a r l y i n t h e g a m e t h a t a r e
most u n w i se fo r B l a c k .) Wh i te con t i n ues 5 B x b 5 B x b4 6 c3
B a5 7 0-0 and h e h as n e a rl y all the a d v a n t ages of t h e
E v a n s G a mb i t w i t h o u t s a c r i f i c i n g a p a w n . H e i s re a d y t o
o p e n t h e cen t e r b y d 4 a n d � a n a l so ch oose b e t w e e n r e p o s i ­
tion i n g t h e b i sh o p a t c4 or k e e p i n g i t on i ts R u y L o p e z
s q u a re .

A ft e r 7 0 - 0 B l a c k h as n o good p assi v e d e f e n se to
t h e t h reat of B x c6 and N x e 5. And i f h e con t i n u e s h i s pol­
i c y of cou n t e r - a t t a c k by 7 ... N f6 then Wh i te h as a g r e a t
choi ce o f g o o d m o v es. I recom m e n d 8 d 4 e d ( 8 N:xe4? loses ...

a p i e ce a ft e r 9 Bxc6 be 10 Qa4.) 9 cd 0 - 0 1 0 Qa4 B b 6 1 1

N c3 . Wh i te i s c l e a r l y o n top w i t h h i s st rong c e n t e r a n d n o
material de ficit.

c) 4 ••• Be7

C o m p a r e d w i t h 4 . . .B b 6 , t h i s i s a r a t h e r r a re m e t h o d
o f d e c l i n i n g t h e E v a n s G a m b i t , p rob ab l y b e c a u se fash i o n
fol l o w s p re c e d e n t a n d f e w p e o p l e consi d e r t h e m o v e . I ts
m a i n d i s a d v a n t age i s p e r h a p s t h a t t h e b l a c k q u ee n c a n n o t
d e fe n d f7 for t h e t i m e b e i ng, a n d o f cou rse t h e b i s h o p
p u t s n o p ressu re on Wh i te' s c e n t e r from e7. O n t h e o t h e r
124 Ev a n s G ambit: G ame T w e l ve

h a n d , Wh i te can n ot n o w g a i n t i m e by a d v an c i ng h i s a­
p a w n to a t t a c k the b i sh o p as he can do in 4 ... Bb6 l i n e s.

Aft e r 4 ... B e 7 Wh i te' s m ost i n c i s i v e m o v e i s 5 b 5

w h i c h f o r c e s 5 ... N a 5 ( 5... Nb8 ? 6 Nxe5) a n d n o w w e n ot i ce
t h e fi rst d iffe r e n ce b e t w e e n t h e t w o r e t r e a t s of t h e b i sh o p .
If Wh i te p l a y s 6 N x e 5 t h e n B l a c k l a c k s t h ree of t h e p o ss i ­
b i l i t i e s a v a i l a b l e w i th t h e b i s h o p on b 6 (n am e l y Qg5, Qf6
a n d Bd4) b u t he c a n p l a y 6 ... N x c4 7 N x c 4 d 5 8 e d Q x d 5
b e c a u se Wh i te's k n ight h as n o b i shop to c a p t u re.

A c c or d i ng l y , aft e r 4 ... B e 7 5 b 5 N a5 Wh i t e p l a y s 6
B e 2! w h i c h is a c ce p t a b l e i n vie w o f t h e d efe n si v e posti ng
of B l a c k' s b i s h o p . Wh i t e can n ow p l a y to t a k e a d v a n t age of
t h e off-s i d e p os i t i o n of t h e b l a c k k n ig h t . F o r e x a m p l e:

c l ) 6 ... d 5 ?! i s met by 7 d 4! ( w h i ch w o u l d n ot b e pos­

s i b l e w e re the b l a c k b is h o p o n b6) a n d n o w :

ell) 7 . . . d e 8 N x e 5 Nf6 ( 8... f 6 ?! w e a k e n s t h e K -s i d e

a n d Wh i t e c a n con s i d e r 9 Bh5+!? g 6 1 0 Nxg6 o b t a i n i ng
t h ree p a w n s for t h e k n igh t .) 9 0-0 0 - 0 1 0 c4 (So k o l s ky - K ir­
i ll o v, L e n i n g r a d 1 9 4 7). M a t e r i a l i s l e v e l, b u t Wh i t e ' s Q - s i d e
m aj o r i t y gi v e s h i m a s p a c e a d v an t age a n d c a u se s p r ob l e m s
fo r t h e b l a c k k n ight.

c12 ) 7 ... e d 8 Q x d 4 Bf6 ( 8... Nf6 9 Bd2 b6 10 e5 is

s i m i l a r.) 9 e 5 B e 7 1 0 Bd2 b 6 ( 1 O.. . c6 ? i s even w o rse aft e r 1 1
Qa4!) 1 1 B x a 5 b a 1 2 Q a 4 a n d B l a c k loses a p a w n w i th o u t
a n y co m pe n s a t i o n .

c2 ) 6 . . . Nf 6 7 N c3 d 6 8 0 - 0 0 - 0 9 d 4 e d 1 0 N x d 4 d 5!?
(Else Wh i t e k e e p s the "sm a l l c e n t e r" and c a n b u i l d u p
w h i l e t h e b l a c k k n ig h t r e m a i n s a s p e c t a t o r a t a5.) 1 1 e 5
Ne 4 1 2 B b 2 w i t h aga i n a s l ig h t b u t c le a r a d v a n t age to
Wh i t e ( M i n ev I . A t a n asov, B u l g a r i a 1 9 5 0) .
-

No w , l e t u s re t u rn to:

4 ••• dS!?
 Eva n s G a mbi t: G a me T w e l ve 125

T h i s h as b e e n p l a ye d aga i n s t m e i n t h e t h e m e pos t a l
tou r n a m e n t a n d a l s o o v e r - t h e-bo a r d b y o n e o f t h e s t ronge st
I ri sh p l a y e rs ( a m e m b e r of t h e 1982 o l y m p i a d te a m ) . B l a c k
t r i es to g i v e Wh i te a d ose o f h i s o w n m e d i ci n e! H i s cou n ­
t e rga m b i t a t t a c k s t h e w h i te b i s h op a n d p re p a re s to de v e lo p
h i s o w n q u e e n ' s b i s h op . B u t t h e d ra w b a c k o f t h i s m o v e i s
t h a t i t gi v e s u p a c e n t r a l p a w n ( t h e b l a c k d - p a w n) i n e x­
c h a nge f o r a m u ch less i m p o r tant p a w n ( t h e w h i t e b­
p a w n .)

5 exd5!

T h i s i s d e f i n i te 1 y Wh i te's b e s t m o v e.

s ... N xb4
6 0 - 0!

As f i rst re co m m e n d e d by C h igo r i n. In the t r u e

E v a n s G a m b i t s t y l e, Wh i te con t i n u e s w i t h h i s d e v e l op m e n t
a n d ge ts h i s k i ng i n to s a fe t y . I t i s v e r y ri s k y n o w f o r
B l a c k to a c c e p t t h e p a w n s a c r i f i ce b e c au s e o f t h e d a nge r
d o w n t h e e- f i le. (I n The Italian Game, George B o t te ri l l
w rote t h a t 6 Ba3 w o u l d b e t h e m o v e t o p u n i s h 4 . d5, b u t
..

t h i s i s n o t cle a r b e c a u s e o f 6 . e4! a l t h ough y o u m a y l i k e t o

..

a n a l yze i t f o r y o u rse l f.)

6 ••• N x dS
12 6 Eva n s G a m b i t : G a m e Tw e l ve

As m y I r i s h oppon e n t p l a y e d . O t h e rs:

a) T h e "boo k " lin e 6 Nf6 7 N x e 5 N b x d 5 j u st re­

.•.

t u rn s to my m a i n l i n e b e l o w .

b ) D u t c h p l a y e r M a rio Fiorito in t ro d u c e d his in n o­

v at i on 6 ... c6!? in t h e t h e m e tou r n a m e n t. H e c a m e u n st u c k
a g a i n s t m e a ft e r 7 d e N x c6 8 B b 2 B g 4 9 h 3 p l a y i n g t h e u n ­
sou n d 9 . . h 5 ? b u t t h i s i d e a m a y be w o rt h a f u r t h e r l oo k .
.

c) 6 . . . B g 4 7 R e 1 f 6 o f fe rs m a n y t a c t i c a l o p p o r t u n i­
tie s. T h e sim p l est i s p ro b a b l y 8 c3 to m e e t 8 ... N x d 5 b y
9 N x e 5! B x d 1 1 0 N c6+ Q e 7 1 1 N x e 7 N d x e 7 1 2 R x d 1 w i t h
Wh i te h a vi n g t h e t w o bis h o p s a n d con trol o f t h e c e n t e r to
m a k e the l a te m i d d l e g a m e a n d e n d g a m e v e r y d i f ficu l t for
B l a c k . I f B l a c k com p li c a t e s by 8 ... B x f3 t h e n Wh i te p l a y s 9
Q a 4+! c6 ( 9... Nc6? 10 gn 1 0 b e B d 4 1 1 N c3 a n d B l a c k i s fa­
t a l l y b e hin d in d e v e l op m e n t, e.g. 1l. .. B x c3 12 de B x d 5 1 3
R d 1 N e 7 (13...b 5 14 Bxb5! cb 1 5 Qxb5+) 1 4 B x d 5 b 5 ( o r
14. . . Nxd5 15 c4 b5 16 cb) 1 5 B x c6+! N x c6 1 6 R x d 8+ R x d 8
a n d n ot n o w 1 7 Q x b 5 ? ? R d 1+ b u t 1 7 Q b 3 w i t h q u e e n for a
roo k .

d ) 6 . N e 7 i s p a ss i v e a n d a l l o w s White t o b u i l d a
. .

v e r y st ron g cen t e r a ft e r 7 c3 N b x d 5 8 N x e 5 0 - 0 9 d 4 B d 6
1 0 f4 e.g. 1 0 ... c6 11 B d 3 N f5 1 2 O hS N f6 1 3 Q f3 B e 6 1 4
N d 2 B d 5 1 5 Q h 3 a n d White wi l l soon b e re a d y to l a u n c h
his K - si d e att a c k .
 E v a n s G a m b i t : G a m e Twe lve 127

7 N xe5

I ch ose t h i s a ft e r s o m e m i n u t es t h ough t. T he book

l i n e runs 7 Re 1 N ge 7 ( 7. . . [6? 8 d4) 8 N x e 5 0-0 9 d 4 B b 4 1 0
Bd2 B xd2 1 1 Q xd2 B f5 1 2 N c3 c6 1 3 N e 4 a n d Wh i t e h a s
t h e i n i ti a t i v e , foll o w i ng a 1963 ga m e b e t w e e n t w o little­
k n o w n S o v i e t p l a y e rs M i n d i b a y e v a n d M a n i n i m . I t h ough t
i t m u st b e poss i b l e to d o b e t t e r t h a n t h i s. B u t 7 d4 seems
o v e r- s h a rp, f o r a ft e r 7 ... e d 8 Re 1+ N d e 7 t w o p a w n s h a v e
b e e n g i v e n u p a n d t h e com p l i c a t i o n s on 9 N g 5 ( 9 Ne5, Be6)
9 ... N h 6 a r e u n c l e a r, so I c h ose t h e i m m e d i a t e reco v e r y o f
� y m a t e r i a l i n v es t m e n t .

7 ••• N g f6

R e t u r n i ng to th e "boo k'' m a i n l i n e. I f 7 Bd4 Wh i t e

.•.

h a s 8 R e 1 ! w h e n 8 . Bxa1? loses to 9 N c6+ w h i l e o n 7 . . . N g e 7

. .

( h o p i ng f o r 8 Rei t r a n sp o s i ng to M i n d i b a y e v - M a n i n i m)
Wh i t e cou l d a lso con s i d e r 8 d4.

Hardi n g - P .S h o rt , D ub l i n 1983, went i n st e a d 7 Be6 ..•

(to c o v e r f2 and the e - f i l e) 8 d4 Bb6! (I t is esse n t i a l to get

coun t e r p l a y by a t t a c k s on the w h i te d - p a w n .) 9 Bb3!
( T h re a te n i ng a p a w n r o l l e r b y c4 and d5) 9 N d f6 10 B x e 6
•••

f e 1 1 B b 2 (1 1 c 3 i s a l so w o r t h con s i d e r i ng.) 1 1 . .. N e 7 a n d
n o w i n ste a d o f 1 2 N a3 ?! I s h o u l d h a v e p l a y e d 1 2 Re 1
(th re a t e n i ng Ng4) w i t h c le a r a d v a n t age. T h e s u b se q u e n t
m e ssy cou rse o f t h e g a m e i s i r rele v a n t b u t I d i d w i n i n th e
e n d.

8 d4 B e7

T h i s i s t h e b e s t m o v e h e re. A l t h ough i t l e a v e s Wh i te
w i t h t h e f r e e r game, h e m u st w a t c h o u t fo r t h e co u n t e r­
th r u s t . c 5 .
. .

I f B I a c k p I a y s 8 B b 4, Wh i t e s i m p 1 y g a i n s t i m e b y 9
•••

c3 a n d t h e b i s h o p m u s t r e t r e a t b e c a u s e i f t h e c - p a w n i s
t a k e n Wh i te e x p l o i t s B l a c k's u n c as t l e d state r u th lessl y:
9 N x c3 ? 10 N x c3 B x c3 1 1 N x f7! Q xd4 1 2 R e 1 + o r 9 ... B x c3
..•

1 0 N x f7 ! Q e 7 (JO Kxf7 1 1 Nxc3 or 10 . Qd7 1 1 Nxc3 Nxc3

... . .
128 E v a n s G a mb i t: G a m e Tw e lve

12 Qe1+) 1 1 N x c3 N x c3 1 2 Q d 3 N e2+ 13 K h 1 Rg8 1 4 B a3

a n d Wh i te h a s a c r u sh i ng a t t ac k .
B l ac k ' s o t h e r m o v e , 8 . . . B d6, a l lo w s a p i n: 9 B g5! c 6
1 0 N d2 0 - 0 1 1 Q f3 t h r e a te n i ng b o t h 1 2 N e 4 a n d 1 2 B x d 5 .
A g a m e Sch i f fe rs-P i l l sb u r y t h e n con t i n u e d 1 1 . .. h 6 ( B e t t e r
11... Be7, a d m i t t i ng t h e e r ro r a t m o v e 8 ) 1 2 B h 4 B e 6 1 3
R a b 1 R b 8 1 4 N e 4 B e 7 1 5 N x f6+ B x f6 1 6 B g3 ( t h re a t e n i ng
Nxc6) 1 6 ... Q c8 1 7 B d3 N e 7 (17... Nc3 18 Rbel w i t h a n acce l­
e r a t i ng a t tac k on t h e K - s i d e l ig h t s q u a res.) 1 8 c3 R a 8 a n d
n o w Wh i t e ' s b e s t l i n e w o u l d h a ve b e e n 1 9 R b e 1 s i nce i f
1 9 ... B x a2 ? 2 0 Q e 4 g6 2 1 Ng4 N d5 2 2 c4 h 5 2 3 N x f6+ N x f6
2 4 Q h 4 a n d B l ack ' s h ol e s on t h e d a r k s q u a res a ro u n d h i s
k i ng w i l l b e f a t a l l y w e a k aga i n s t a n y com p e te n t l y
con d uc t e d a t t ac k , e.g. 2 4 . . N g 4 2 5 h 3 N h 6 2 6 Q g S Kg7
(26... Kh7 27 QxhS) 27 R e 7 Ng8 28 Q x g6+ Kh8 2 9 Q h 7 m a t e .
9 Bb3
C l e a r i ng t h e w a y f o r a cen t r a l s p ace-gai n i ng p a w n
a d v a nce. Wh i te h as t h e f r e e r g a m e a n d , a s i n a l l t h ese
l i n e s, t h e t ech n ic a l d i s a d v a n t age of h i s possessi ng t h ree
p a w n i s l a n d s com p a re d w i t h B l ac k ' s two is o u t w e ig h e d b y
t h e act i v i t y o f h i s p i eces. T h e e n dg a m e i s a l o ng w a y
a w a y.
9 ... 0-0
1 0 c4 Nb6
1 1 Bb2 c6
1 2 N d2 Q c7
1 3 Re 1 Bb4
14 Re3
 E v a n s G a mb i t: G a m e T w elve 129

Wh i te i s begi n n i n g t o mass h i s fo rces f o r L h e al tac k,

w h e reas B lac k ' s are i n two d i s con ne ct ed sectors of the
b oard , lac k i n g real ta rgets.

A gam e Ca f fe rt y - C u b i t t n o w con t i n u e d 1 4 ... B f5 1 5

h 3 N b d7 1 6 f 4 R a e8? ( T h e w rong rook) 1 7 N d f3 N x e S 1 8 f e
h 6 1 9 Q e 2 N d 7 2 0 R f 1 Q d 8 2 1 N h 4! Q x h 4 2 2 R x f5 Q d 8 2 3
Q h S N c5!? (Not 2 3 g6? 2 4 Qxh6 gf 2 5 Rg3+) 2 4 B c2 ( T h e
...

t rap was 24 de? Bxc5 p i n n i n g t h e r o o k agai n s t t h e k i n g

an d t h reate n i n g . . g6 a t t h e sam e t i m e) 2 4 ... N e 6 2 5 Q d 1 !
.

(Wh i t e regro u ps, h i s f i rs t a t tac k hav i n g gai n e d h i m t h e t wo

b i sh ops, a s t ro n g m o b i le pa w n c e n t e r an d act i v e roo k s.)
2 5 ... R e 7 2 6 Q d 3 R fe 8 2 7 R g3 N f8 2 8 B e l R e 6 2 9 R h 5 ( T h e
h - pa w n i s n o w t h reate n e d .) 2 9 K h 8 3 0 R g4 c5 3 1 Q g3 N g 6
...•

3 2 B x h 6! g h 3 3 Q e 3 K g 8 3 4 Q x h 6 an d B lac k re s i g n e d , s i n ce
t h e on l y d e f e n s e t o Q h 8 mate i s 3 4 ... f5 3 5 R x g6, also
lead i n g to f o r c e d mat e .

W e s ha l l n o w p rocee d to P a r t T w o ( t h e T w o
K n i g h t s D e f e n se) a n d Pa rt T h ree (H u n ga r ian D e fe n se an d
rare t h i rd m o v e s) to see w hat to d o i f B la c k a v o i ds t h e
E va n s Gam b i t .
130 Part Tw o: Tw o K n i g h t s D e fe n se - G a m e O n e

PART TWO

TWO KNI GHTS D EFENS E

Game One & I ntroduction

1 e4 e5
2 N f3 N c6
3 B c4 N f6

T h e T w o K n ig h t s D e f e n se i s a n a n c i ent counte r­
g a m b i t , i n w h i c h B l a c k i n v i te s Wh i te to " w i n " h i s f- p a wn
b y 4 N g5, w h i ch T a r ra s c h c a l l e d " a d u f fe r' s m o v e ". T h e
c h o i ce f a c i ng Wh i te i s w h e t h e r to a c ce p t t h i s inv i t a t i o n , o r
p l a y a ce n t e r-ope n i ng l i n e w i th 4 d 4 , o r a d o p t a s l o w e r
method.

I t i s note w o rt h y t h a t in t h e B a ts fo r d b o o k The Ital­

ian Game ( 1 9 77) George B o t te r i l l a n d I w rote: "4 d3 m u st
b e t a k e n se r i o u s l y as a p os i t i on a l re p l y to t h e T w o Knigh t s
D e fense!"' A t t h a t t i m e , 4 d 3 ( w h i c h u s u a l l y l e a d s to s l o w
s t r a t eg i c b u i l d - u p s a k in to t h e R u y Lope z) w a s com p a ra­
t i v e l y r a re l y seen, but in t h e 1 9 8 0 s i t became t h e most
popu l a r m e t h o d by far aga i n st t h e T wo Knig h ts, and in­
d e e d m a n y grand m a ste rs a d o p t 3 B c4 onl y b e c a u s e it i s
 Part Tw o: T w o K nig h t s D e fense - G a m e O ne 131

p os s i b l e to m e e t both 3 N f6 a n d 3 Bc5 i n t h i s r e s t ra i n e d ,
... ...

posi t i o n a l fas h i o n . I sti l l t h i n k 4 d3 i s a good m o v e , but i t

i s b e t t e r to a v o i d f a s h i on a b l e v a ri a t i o n s w h e n y o u c a n a nd
a n y w a y 4 d3 w i l l h a r d l y be to the taste o f m a n y p l a y e rs
w h o a re a t t r a c t e d to t h e e x c i te m e n t of t h e E v a n s G a m b i t!

T h e refore, b efore s e l e c ti n g t h e l i n e to recom m e n d

a g a i n st t h e T w o K n i g h ts (a n d to p l a y m y self) s i x y e a rs
ago, I re-e x a m i n e d a l l t h e m a i n l i n es a ft e r 4 N g5 a n d 4 d 4
and I too k a n oth e r h a r d loo k at these v a r i a t i o n s w h i le
p re p a r i n g t h e p rese n t b oo k . A l t h o u g h I b e l i e v e 4 N g5 i s
p l a y a b l e i f h a n d le d w i th e x a ct i t u d e b y Wh i te, I rej e c t e d i t
as a r e co m m e n d a t i on fo r E v a n s G a m b i t p l a y e rs a ft e r
d r a w i n g t h e s e con c l u si on s:

i) T h e Wi l k e s - B a r r e (4 .. B c5) r e q u i res g r e a t c a re
.

from Wh i te a l t h o u g h 5 B xf7+ shou l d gi v e h i m so m e a d v a n ­

t a ge. 5 N xf 7 i s to b e a v o i d e d as t h e re i s as g re a t a d a n ge r
of los i n g q u i c k l y a s of w i n n i n g, a n d ce r t a i n l i n e s l e a d to
p re m a t u re p e r p e t u a l c h e c k s.

i i ) Afte r 4 N g5 d 5 5 e d t h e l i n e 5 ... b 5 6 B f l N d 4
m a y b e v i ab le a g a i n b y e m p lo y i n g B e rl i n e r' s a n a l y s i s
q u ot e d i n Batsford Chess Openings (B CO) a n d i n
Z a g o ro v s k y' s b o o k Romantic Chess Openings. B u t t h e re a re
a l so d an ge ro u s si d e l i n e s i n w h i c h B l a c k th re a t e n s to ob t a i n
a good a t t a c k f o r a p a w n. I b e l i e v e t h a t m ost E v a n s G a m ­
b i t p l a ye rs w o u l d r a t h e r be B l a c k i n these v a ri a t i o n s.

i i i ) T h e m a i n l i n e 4 N g5 d 5 5 e d N a 5 i s a lso v e r y
h a r d t o ref u t e . T h e D u t c h m as t e r V a n d e r Wi e l f a i l e d to
r e v i v e 6 B b 5+ c6 7 de be 8 Qf3 a n d a t t e n t i o n i s now foc u s­
i n g on 8 B e 2 h6 9 N f3 e 4 1 0 N e 5 B d 6 ( B l a c k h a s a l te r n a­
t i v e s.) 11 d 4 ( 1 1 f4 s e e m s good fo r B l a c k.) ll. .. e d 1 2 N x d 3
Q c 7 1 3 b 3 a l t h ou g h B l a c k p robab l y h a s e n o u g h p l a y f o r
t h e p a w n a n d c h a n ce s se e m b a l a n ce d .

I n general, when I have played the Two K n i ghts as

B l a c k , I h a v e a l w a ys f e l t h a p p i e st w h e n Wh i t e c h ose 4 N g 5
b e c a u se t h e com p l i c a t i o n s, i n w h i c h B l a c k m a y h a v e a
132 Part Tw o: Tw o K n i g h t s D e fe n se - G a m e O n e

p rolonge d i n i t i a ti v e , g i v e t h e f i rs t p l a y e r m a n y c h a n ce s t o
g o w ro ng.

So I h a v e c h osen 4 d4. A good p o i n t i n f a v o r o f t h i s

m o v e i s t h a t i f y o u p a r t i c u l a r l y e n j o y p l a y i ng t h i s l i n e, o r
h a v e to p l a y a n o p p o n e n t w h o k n o w s t h e E v a n s w e l l, t h e n
you c a n v i r t u a l l y fo rce i t b y p l a y i ng 3 d 4 ( i n st e a d of 3
Bc4) 3 e d 4 B c4 a l t h o ugh y o u m a y o c c asi o n a l l y t h e n m e e t
•••

4 B c5 (not c o n s i d e re d h e re) o r i n fe r i o r m o v e s l i k e
•••

4 •.. B b 4+.

4 d4 exd4

T h i s i s t h e on l y m o v e t o b e c o n s i d e re d b y m ost
people. B l a c k ' s ot h e r possib i l i t i e s:

a) 4 .•• N x d4? 5 B x f7+ K x f7 6 N x e 5+ K e 6 7 Q x d 4.

b) 4 ... N x e 4 5 d e Nc5 6 0-0 B e 7 7 Nc3 0-0 8 N d 5

w i t h s o m e a d v a n tage to Wh i te a t n o r i s k , e.g. 8 ... Ne6 (or
8 d6 9 Nxe7+ fol l o w e d b y 10 ed) 9 Be3 f6 1 0 N x e 7+ Q x e 7
...

1 1 e f Q x f6 1 2 Ng5 K h 8 1 3 f 4 Q e 7 1 4 N x h 7! K x h 7 1 5 Q h 5+
Kg8 1 6 f5 Ne5 1 7 f e! R xf 1+ 1 8 R x f 1 N x c4 1 9 Qf7+! Q xf7
20 e f+ K f8 21 B d 4! 1-0 ( i n v i e w of 22 Bxg7+ Kxg7, JB=Q+)
i n S o ko l s ky - N avro d s k y , N o vosib irsk 1 94 4 .

5 eS!
 P art Two: Tw o K n i g h ts D e fe nse- G a m e O n e 133

T h e m os t p o p u l a r m o v e he re, 5 0 - 0 , gi v e s B l a c k t h e
c h o i ce b e t w e e n t h e com p l e x M a x L a n ge Att a c k ( p l a y a b l e i f
B l a c k k n o ws t h e t h e o r y) a n d 5 . . . N x e 4 w h i c h h e c a n p l a y
for a f a i r l y sol i d d r a w i f h e w a n ts, b u t w h i c h c a n l e a d t o
com p l i ca t i on s i f e i t h e r p l a y e r se e k s t h e m . A l so 5 N g5 l e a d s
to com p l i c a te d p l a y w h e r e B l a c k i s p rob a b l y n o t w o rse
a fte r 5 ... d 5 6 ed Q e 7+ so we are le ft with 5 e 5, n a m e d (b y
Est r i n) t h e M o d e r n V a r i a t i on o f t h e T w o K n i g h ts a l t h o u gh
i t w as i n t ro d u ce d b y C h i go r i n abou t 1 0 0 y e a rs a go.

I h a v e a l w a ys fou n d 5 e 5 the most a w k w a r d to m e e t

o f Wh i te's m e t h o d s a g a i n st t h e d e fe n se. A no t h e r re a son for
rec o m m e n d i ng it i s that i t i s h a rd e r for y o u r oppon e n t s to
p re p a re aga i n s t t h i s, than t h e b e t te r - k n o w n l i n es. A m az­
i ngl y, t h e f i r s t e d i t i o n of Batsford Chess Openings d i d n ot
m e n t i o n 5 e5 a t a l l a n d t h e v e r y l i m i te d cove rage i n B CO 2
w i l l n o t h e l p B l a c k m ee t m y reco m m e n d e d l i n e s i n t h e
m os t c ru c i a l v a ri a t i on s, G a m e s F o u r a n d F i v e . L i k e w i se,
the ( 12 t h ) E d i t i on of Modern Chess Openings o n l y gi ves one
col u m n of ( m i sl e a d i n g) a n a l y s i s . V a r i o u s t r a n s p os i t i on a l
p oss i b i l i t i e s a lso m a k e i t a con f u s i ng v a r i a t i on t o s t u d y ,
u n less y o u h ave a gu i d e l i k e t h i s boo k .

5 ... N g4!?

T h i s is one of t h ree re ason a b le m o v e s for B l a c k ,

a n d g r a n d m a s te r Joh n N u n n o n c e t o l d m e h e c o n s i d e re d i t
t h e best, a l t h ough h e d i d n ot s a y w h y; h i s r e m a r k i m p l i e d
a l a c k of con f i d en ce i n t h e a lt e r n a t i v e s 5 . . . N e 4 ( p e r h a p s
b e s t) a n d t h e m a i n l i n e 5 d 5 w h i c h w i ll b e d i sc usse d i n
•.•

s u b se q u e n t G a m es.

You w i l l look in v a i n in the t h e o r y books for

S ... Q e 7 b u t it i s q uite t ra p p y and y o u m i g h t h a v e to meet
i t. A ft e r t h e ob v i o u s 6 0 - 0 Black w i l l not want to r e t r e a t
h i s k n igh t to a b a d s q u a re, w i t h se r i o u s loss o f t i m e , s o
y o u c a n e x p e c t t h e d a nge rous ( i f d u b i o u s) 6 . . . N x e 5?! 7
N x e S Q x e S 8 R e l N e 4 . Now t h e r i gh t l i n e i s 9 f3! ( c l e a r e r
t h a n 9 Bd3 d 5 10 f3 f5 1 1 fe de 1 2 Nd2 Be6) 9 . . dS 1 0 N d2 ! .
134 P a rt Two: Two K n i g h t s D e fe n se - G ame O n e

f S (JO.. B d 6 11 Nxe4 Qxh2+ 12 Kf2 de 13 Rxe4+ o r 12 ...

.

Qlz 4+ 13 Ng3+) 1 1 B x dS! (11 Bd3? Bd6 12 Nxe4 fe) 1 1 . .. B d 6

(11... Qxd5 12 fe) 1 2 N x e 4 Q x h 2 + 1 3 K f l w i t h a win n i n g
posi tio n fo r Wh i te, b e c a u se s p i te c h e c k s do not h i n g a n d
B l a c k ' s k i n g i s c a u g h t i n c ross- f i re i n t h e ce n te r.

6 Qe2

T h i s h i n d e rs .. d 6 a n d i s de fi n i t e l y Wh i te ' s s t ro n gest
.

mo v e . Note that 6 B x f7+?! K x f7 7 N gS+ gets now h e re a f te r

7 Kg8 e .g . 8 Q x g4 h 6!? 9 N f3 d6 1 0 Q e 4 d e 1 1 c3 (11 Nxe5
•..

i s l e v e l a t b e s t .) 1 1 . .. Q f6 1 2 g4 B e 6 1 3 N b d2 R d 8 1 4 c 4 d 3
w i t h a d v a n t a ge to B l a c k (Wa n t a n ab e- S h i rov, T i m is o a ra
Wo rl d J u n i o rs 1 9 8 8) w h i l e i n K r i s t e n s e n - S m a g i n, C o p e n ­
h ag e n 1 98 8, Wh i te p l a y e d too rou t i n e l y b y 6 0 - 0 d6! ( b e t t e r
t h a n 6 .. Ngxe5) 7 R e 1 a n d h a d noth i n g fo r h i s p a w n a ft e r
.

7 N g x e5 8 B f4 B e7 9 B x e 5 d e 1 0 N x e S N x e S 1 1 R x e S 0 - 0
•••

1 2 R dS Q e 8 1 3 N d 2 B f6 1 4 B d3 g 6 15 N e 4 B g7. 6 B f4 i s
a l so w e l l m e t b y 6 d 6 ! 7 e d B x d 6 .
•..

6 ••• Q e7

F i g h t i n g for con t rol o f t h e c e n t e r. C l e a r l y Wh i te's

queen on t h e e- f i l e p re v e n ts d S but "norm a l" d e v e lop m e n t
..•

b y 6 . . . B e7 c a n be m e t b y 7 Q e 4 ! (e v e n b e t t e r t h a n 7 Id Nh6
8 Bxh6) b e c a use a ft e r 7 ... d5 8 B x d S o r 7 N h 6 8 N x d4 ..•

B l a c k h a s lost h i s e x t ra p a w n a n d i s st i l l on t h e d e f e n s i v e .
 P a rt Two: Two K n i g h ts D e fe n s e - Game O n e 135

6 . . . B b 4+ h as b e e n t ri e d a n d fou n d w a n t i n g, e .g . 7 c3
de 8 0 - 0 0 - 0 (o r 8 . Qe7 9 a3 Bc5 10 b4 Bb6 11 Nxc3 Ng x e5
..

12 Nd5 o r 9 cb 10 Bxb2 Ba5 11 lz3 Nlz6 12 Nc3 w i t h a v e r y

...

d a n ge rou s i n i t i a t i v e fo r Wh i t e - E s t r i n ) 9 a 3 cb 1 0 B x b 2
B cS 1 1 h 3 N h 6 1 2 N c3 d6 13 R a d 1 w h e n Wh i t e h as
t rem e n do u s d e v e lop m e n t g i v i n g h i m a s t rong a t t a c k fo r t h e
p a w n s s a c r i fi ce d ( A n z o rge - Kl i n g , corr 1 9 80).

7 B f4

Wh i te no w t h re a t e n s N b d2 a n d poss i b l y h3, a n d h as
t h e op t ion o f c a s t l i n g on e i t h e r s i d e follo w e d b y r e c a p t u r­
i n g t h e g a m b i t p a w n . So B l a c k m u s t t a k e a c t i v e s t e p s to
f r e e h i s g a m e a n d d e v e lop h i s p i e ces, the f a c t t h a t h i s
q u e e n b loc k s h i s k i n g' s b i shop b e i n g a p a r t i c u l a r wor r y .

7 ••• f6!

B l a c k m u s t u n d e r m i n e Wh i te's ce n t ra l s a l i e n t a n d
t h i s i s t h e most a c c u r a t e w a y t o d o i t . T h e a l t e r n a t i v e s a re:

a) 7 . d 6 8 e d Q x e 2+ 9 B x e2 B x d 6 (or 9 Nb4 10 de
.. ...

Nxc2+ 1 1 Kd2 Nxa1 12 Bb5+ fol lo w e d b y R e 1 +) 1 0 B x d 6 c d

1 1 N a 3 when B l a c k w i l l lose one d-p a w n and b e le f t w i t h
anoth e r w e a k one, e.g.:
136 P art Two: T w o K n i g h ts D e fe n se - G a m e O n e

a 1 ) 11. . . B e 6 1 2 N b5 0-0-0 1 3 N f x d 4 R h e 8 1 4 0-0 N f6

1 5 R a d 1 w i t h a s m a l l b u t d e f i n i te p l u s to Wh i t e ( H ro m a d a ­
A d a m s , p o s t a l 1 9 7 7) .

a 2 ) 11. . . B f5 1 2 N b5 0-0-0 1 3 N f x d 4 N x d 4 1 4 N x d4
B d 7 15 B x g4 (So t h e re w i l l be not h i n g to c h a l le n ge the
b loc k a d i n g k n i g h t.) 15 ... B x g4 1 6 f3 w i t h t h e b e t t e r c h a n ces
fo r Wh i t e ( S ves h n i kov- Ku z m i n , U S S R C h a m p i o n s h ip F i rs t
L e a g u e 1 9 80).

a 3 ) 1l. . . a6 1 2 N c4 Ke7 1 3 N b6 R b 8 1 4 R d 1 N g e 5 1 5
N x d 4 B e 6 1 6 0-0 w i t h a d v a n t age t o Wh i te i n N e s t e re n ko ­
Z i m me r m a n , p o s t a l 1 9 6 3 .

a 4 ) 11. .. N g e 5 1 2 N b5 d 3 1 3 N x e 5 d x e 5 1 4 B x d 3 0 - 0
1 5 0 - 0 - 0 N b 4 1 6 B c4 w i th e n d g a m e a d v a n t a ge t o Wh i t e i n
L e b o v i c h - U m a n s k y , K a l u g a 1 9 6 8.

a S ) 11. .. 0-0!? (Svesh n i kov) m a y be r e la t i v e l y best.

R e p l y w i t h 1 2 0-0.

b ) 7 b5!? is a com p l i c a t i n g mov e w h i c h 1 s l i t t l e

...

k no w n:

b 1 ) 8 B x b 5 Q b 4+ 9 c3 d e 1 0 N x c3 Q x f4 1 1 N d 5 Q h 6
(11... Bb4+? 12 K/1 Nd4 13 Qc4! Nxe5 1 4 Qxb4 w i n s) 1 2 O ­
D?? (A f t e r t h e ob v iou s 12 Nxc 7+ Kd8 1 3 Nxa8 B l a c k p l a y s
1 3... Bb 7 p i c k i n g u p t h e k n i g h t w i t h s t rong a t t a c k i n g
c h a n ces o n t h e K - s i d e .) 1 2 ... N d 4 13 N x c7+ K d 8 1 4 N e6+ fe
a n d Wh i te ( a n A m e r i c a n I.M.) h ad to r e s i g n ( R e g a n ­
p . Li t t l ew o o d , E n g l i s h N a tio n a l C lub C h a m p i o n s h i p F i n a l
1 9 8 2 .) Wh a t i s Wh i t e t o d o a bo u t t h i s a n d w h y h a s 7 . . . b5!?
not, to my k no w l e dge, b e e n repeated? Fo r on e t h i n g, t h e re
i s 1 2 h 3, a s s u ggested i n British Chess Magazine. A l t hough
h x g4 is not yet a t h r e a t , it w i l l b e a fte r c a s t l i n g (now s a fe
a s h2 i s s h i e l d e d) . Wh i te s hou l d h a v e good a t t a c ki n g
c h a n ce s .

b 2 ) T h e re i s anot h e r possi b i l i t y . T h e E n gl i s h a n a l y s t
O t to H a r d y s u ggests s i m p l y 8 Bb3! w h e n 8 . . . Qb4+ 9 B d 2
 Part T w o: T w o K n i g h t s D e fe n se - G a m e O n e 137

Qc5 1 0 0 - 0 g i v e s Wh i t e som e a d v a ntage s i nce 1 0 . . . Ngxe5?

f a i l s to 1 1 N x e 5 N x e 5 (11... Qxe5 ? 12 Qxe5 etc) 12 Rcl d6
13 f4 d 3+ 1 4 Q f2.

8 e x f6 Q x e2+

G l i go r ic (in E CO) reco m m e n d e d 8 ... N x f6 9 N b d 2 d 6

1 0 Nb3 B g4 1 1 Q x e7+ B x e7 1 2 N b x d 4 N x d 4 as l e a d i n g to
e q u a l i t y b u t a ft e r 1 3 N x d4 Z ago rovs k y s a ys t h a t Wh ite h a s
a s l i g h t a d v a n t a ge d e s p i te t h e s i m p l i fic a t io n . T h e test o f
t h i s w a s Sves h n i k ov- B erkov i c h , Moscow C h 1 9 8 3 , w h ich
con t i n u e d 13 ... d5! (13. . . 0-0-0 14 h3 a n d 15 Ne6 w i t h so m e
a d v a n t age - S v e s h n i k o v) 1 4 B d3 (14 Bb5+ c6!) 1 4 ... c 6
(14... 0-0-0 1 5 h 3 t h re a t e n i n g Nf5 w i t h a c l e a r a d v a n t a ge o r
1 4... c5 1 5 Bb5+ Bd7 1 6 Bxd7+ Kxd7 17 Nf5 Svesh n i kov) 15
h 3 B d7 16 N fS B x fS 1 7 B x fS 0-0 18 Be3 w i t h s u p e rio r i t y
b a s e d on t h e t wo b i shops.

9 K x e2 !

T h e c a p t u re w i t h t h e k i n g m a i n t a i n s t h e l i g h t­
squ a re d b i shop on i ts act i v e post . Note t h a t i n t h e 7 ... d6
s u b- v a r i a t ion Wh i t e reca p t u re d w i t h the b i shop, but h e re
h e n e e d not f e a r e a r l y t h reats f rom t h e en e m y l i g h t ­
squ a re d b i shop, w h i l e t h e e xc h a n ge o f B l ac k ' s f-p a w n
m a k e s t h e c 4 pos t i n g p rom i s i n g fo r t h e b i shop.

9 •.. N x f6
138 P a rt T w o : T w o K n i g h t s D e fe n se - G a me O n e

9 ... g f!?, w h i ch w e a k e n s B l a c k' s p a w n s t ru c t u re o n

t h e K-s i d e b u t t h re a t e n s N ge S, h as o f t e n b e e n s u gges t e d
b u t n o t y e t t ri e d i n m as t e r p r a x i s. I t i s l i a b l e t o b e p l a y e d
i n t h e f u t u re, s i n c e t h e k n i gh t r e c a p t u re h as b e e n s h o w n to
be u n s a t i s f a c tor y .

A ft e r 9 . . . g f, Wh i t e h as t o c hoose b e t w e e n c a p t u r i n g
on c 7 , w h i c h le v e l s m a te r i a l a t o n c e b u t c a u ses p rob l e m s i n
ret r i e v i n g t h e b i shop, or a g a m b i t p l a n s i m i l a r t o t h e m a i n
l i n e . T h e l a t t e r m i gh t b e p re f e r r e d on pos i t io n a l g rou n d s,
b u t a n a l y s i s h as con vi n e ed me t h a t B l a c k c a n hold h i s e x ­
t r a p a w n w i t h best p l a y , a ft e r w h i ch t h e ce n t r a l k n i g h t
m a k es i t h a r d fo r Wh i te to k ee p t h e i n i t i a t i v e .

So 1 0 B x c 7 i t i s, w h e n:

a) 1 0 ... d6 1 1 B b5 B d 7 1 2 B x c6 b e 1 3 N x d 4 w h e n ,
com p a r e d t o t h e note t o Wh i te's lOt h mo v e b e lo w , B l a c k i s
i l l-p l a c e d t o j u s t i f y h i s p a w n s a c ri f i ce b e c a u se h i s K -s i d e
p a w n s a re s h a t t e r e d a n d h i s k n i g h t doe s n o t h a v e a c ce ss to
t h e c r u c i a l s q u a r e d 4.

b ) 1 0 ... N ge5 1 1 B x e5! ( 1 1 Nbd2 Nxc4 12 Nxc4 d5; 1 1

Bb3 d 6 o r 1 1 ...b 6 t h re a te n i n g . Ba6+) 1 1 . . . fe! ( 1 1... Nxe5 12
..

Nbd2 fol lo w e d by Rlze 1, Kf 1 e tc . w h e n Wh i te h as r e g a i n e d

h i s p a w n s w i t h c l e a r a d v a n t age) 1 2 c 3 ! { 1 2 Ng5 lz6! 1 3 Ne4
Be 7 ) 1 2 ... d c 1 3 N x c3 w h i c h u n dou b l e s b l a c k p a w n s b u t
=

g a i n s p e rm a n e n t con t rol o f dS a n d l e a d i n d e v e lop m e n t .

T h i s n e e d s tests.

10 Re 1

I t p rob a b l y does not m a t t e r w h e t h e r t h i s o r N b d2 i s

p l a y e d f i rst, b u t i t i s b a d t o p l a y 1 0 B x c7? b e c a u se o f
1 0 . . . d 6 ! w h e n 1 1 B dS i s n e ce ss a r y t o e x t r a c t t h e o t h e r
bi s hop f rom i ts t i g h t cor n e r, g i v i n g B l a c k t i m e t o t a k e t h e
i n i t i a t i v e ( O k h o t n i k - C h e l i d z e , U S S R 1 9 73) .
 P art T w o : T w o K n i g h t s D e fe n se - G a m e O n e 139

A n e x a m p le o f 1 0 N b d2 i s 1 0 . . . d 6 1 1 Rhe1 B cS
(l l. Bd7 1 2 Kf1 + Be 7 o r 1 1 . Be 7 1 2 Kf1 see b e low) 1 2 K f 1+
.. ..

K d 7 1 3 N b3 B e 4 1 4 N b x d4 N x d 4 1 5 N x d 4 d S 1 6 R x e 4!
w h e n , fo r the e x c h a n ge , Wh i te h a d a t e r r i f i e a t t a c k w i t h
h i s m i no r p i e c es a n d h e won i n 42 mo v e s i n S ve s h n i k o v ­
Ro driguez, M a n i l a 1 9 8 3 . B u t 1 6 B b 3 fo llo w e d b y f3 wou l d
also h a v e g i v e n Wh i te som e s l i gh t a d v a n t age a c co r d i n g to
Hey ken and Fette.

10 ..• d6
1 1 K f 1+ Be7
1 2 N b d2 a6

1 2 ... B d7 1 3 N b 3 h6 14 N b x d4 gS 1 5 B d2 a l so
f a vo r e d Wh i te som e w h a t i n G e o rg a dz e - K a t a l i m o v, U S S R
1975.

A ft e r 1 2 a 6 t h e g a m e w e s h a l l be fol lo w i n g i s E s ­
•..

trin - B o e y , f rom t h e l O t h Wor l d C o rre sp o n de n ce C h a m p i ­

o n s h i p F i n a l , w h i ch b e g a n i n 1 978:

13 Nb3 b5
14 B d3 B d7
15 N b x d4 N x d4
16 N x d4 K f7

B l a c k h o p e s t o c o n so l i d at e b y 1 7 ... R h e 8 a n d 1 8 ... 8 f8
so Wh i te now p l a y s a ct i v e l y to k e e p t h e i n i t i a t i v e .
140 P art T w o: T w o K n i g h ts D e fe n se - G a me O n e

1 7 c4! R hb8

I n Fernsclzaclz m a gazi n e (Octobe r 1 9 82) Est r i n a n a -

l y ze d :

a) 1 7 . . . b 4 1 8 c 5 ! d e 1 9 B c4+ K f8 20 N e 6+ B x e 6 2 1
R x e6;

b ) 1 7 . .. c5 1 8 N f5 B x f5 1 9 B x f5 b e 20 Be6+ K f8 2 1
Rad1;

c ) 1 7 ... b e 1 8 B x c4+ d 5 1 9 B b 3 c 5 20 N f 3 c4 2 1 N e 5 +
K f8 22 B c2. I n e ac h c ase, Wh i t e o b t a i n s a c l e a r a d v an t age.

18 Racl b x c4
19 B x c4+ d5
20 B b3 Rb4
21 Be5 c5

B l a c k se e k s com p l i c a t i o n s by o f fe r i n g t h e e x c h a n g e .
H e w ou l d p res u m a b l y m e e t 2 2 B x f6 b y 2 2 ... K x f6 2 3 B x d 5
c d! 2 4 B x a8 R x b2 w i t h t h r e a t s a n d a d a nge rous p assed d ­
p a w n . N e v e r t h e less, Es t r i n s a y s h i s o p p on e n t w as w ro n g i n
t h i n k i n g t h a t t h e com p l i c a t i on s w o u l d a l l b e f a v o ra b le fo r
B l a c k . I n t h e se q u e l t h e f o rm e r Wo r l d C o r respo n d e n ce
C h a m p i on d e m o n s t r ates t h a t h e h a s t h e a d v a n t age b e c a u se
o f h i s b e t t e r - p l a ce d p i e ces:

2 2 N c2 ! c4
2 3 B x f6 K x f6

I f 23 ... B x f6 24 N x b 4 cb 25 N x d5 B l a c k h as i n su f fi ­
c i e n t co m p e n s a t i o n f o r t h e e x ch a n ge.

24 R x e 7! Kxe7
25 N x b4 c x b3
26 N x d5+ Kd6
27 Rdl B b 5+
 P a rt T w o: T w o K n i g h ts D e fe n se - G a m e O n e 14 1

I f 2 7 ... b a 2 8 N b 6+ w i n s .

2 8 Ke l

2 8 ... b x a2!?

B l a c k t r i e s a d o u b l e - e d ge d l i n e . I f i n s t e a d 28 ... R e 8+
2 9 N e3+ K c S 3 0 R c l+ K b 4 3 1 a3+ Ka4 3 2 R c 7 R g 8 33 R f7
t h re a t e n s R f4+ fol l o w e d b y R b 4 w i n n i n g.

29 N b 6+ KcS
3 0 N x a8 Kb4

B l a c k ' s obj e ct i v e in s a c r i f i c i n g his rook i s to b r i n g

t h e k i n g t o ass i st t h e p assed p a w n . To m e e t t h i s d a n ge r,
Wh i t e m u st p l a y a c c u r a t e l y w i t h k i n g an d k n i g h t.

3 1 N c7 Kb3
32 Kd2 gS

32 ... K x b 2 w ou l d b e met the s a m e w a y as m o v e 36 i n

t h e g a m e.

33 Ne6 g4
3 4 f4 g x f3
3 5 g x f3 Kxb2
1 42 P art T w o: T w o K n i g h t s De f e n se - G a me O n e

B l a c k h a s d o n e a l l h e c a n on t h e K -s i d e , to e n s u re
t h a t h i s g- p a w n w o u l d b e e x c h a nged i n s t e a d o f l ost for
n ot h i n g. But t h e o u t co m e i s the same since Wh i t e st i l l h as a
K - si d e p asse d p a w n .

3 6 R a t!!

I f Wh i te w a i t e d to g i v e up his roo k for the p ro­

moted p a w n , the game w ou l d b e d ra w n - B l a c k h a v i n g a
se con d a - p a w n to a d v an ce . N o w , h o w e v e r, t h e b l a c k forces
w i l l be bottled u p h e l p lessl y .

3 6 ... B c4

I f 3 6 ... K x a l 3 7 K c l h S 3 8 N d 4 B a 4 3 9 f4 w i n s e as-
iIy.

37 N d4 aS
3 8 f4 1-0

B l a c k' s on l y h o p e w o u l d be to t a k e t h e roo k , a d ­
v a n ce h i s a - p a w n , gi v e u p b i shop f o r p asse d p a w n a n d
t h e n r u s h h i s h - p a w n t o c r e a t e a st a l e m a t e be fore Wh i t e
cou l d c h e c k m a t e w i t h h i s k n i g h t a t c2 o r b 3 . U n fo rtu­
n a t e l y for h i m , h o w e v e r, m a te t h re a ts. a ri se a s soon as t h e
b l a c k k i n g i s t r a p p e d i n t h e corn e r, e.g. 3 8 . . . K x a l 3 9 K c l
B d3 4 0 N b3 m a te, w h i le i f t h e roo k i s le ft u n to u c h e d t h e
 P art T w o: T w o K n i g h t s De fe nse - G ame O ne 143

e n d i s 3 8 ... a 4 3 9 fS a3 4 0 N c2 B b 3 4 1 f6 8 f7 4 2 Re 1 B b 3
43 R e 7 a 1=Q ( 4 3 . B x c2 i s m e t b y 44 R x a 2+) 4 4 N x a 1 Kx a 1
. .

4 5 R x h 7 a 2 4 6 R a7 a n d Wh i t e w i n s w i t h f- p a w n a n d h ­
p a w n a g a i n st b i sh o p b e c a u se t h e b l a c k k i n g c a n n ot get
b a c k in time f rom a l.

We m a y con c l u d e t h a t 5 ... N g 4 i s a l m ost ce rt a i n l y (i f

on l y s l i gh t l y) u n s a t i s f a ct o r y f o r B l a c k , a l t h o u g h t h e re i s
n o p r a c t i c a l e x p e ri e n ce w i t h t h e l i n e 9 . . .g f.
144 T w o K n i g h t s D e fe n se: G a m e T w o

TWO KNI GHTS D EFENS E

Game Two

1 e4 eS
2 N f3 N c6
3 B c4 N f6
4 d4 e x d4
S eS Ne4

B l a c k ' s m a i n i d e a w i t h t h i s m o v e is to r e g r o u p t h e
k n i g h t v i a cS to e6 w h e re i t w ou l d p ro t e c t t h e d 4 p a w n
a n d s h i e l d t h e f 7 p a w n f ro m d i a gon a l a t t a c k . A l t h ou gh i t
i s r a re l y p l a y e d , b o th K e re s a n d G l i go r i c h a v e c o n s i d e re d
i t a d e q u a t e f o r B l a c k to e q u a l i ze. I n d e e d t h e re i s n o d i re c t
re f u t a t i on a n d Wh i te d oe s b e s t to stee r t h e g a m e t o w a r d s a
t r a n sposi t i on i n t o t h e S . . . d S l i n e s w h i c h we s h a l l d i s c u ss i n
t h e n e x t t h ree g a m e s .

6 0 - 0!

I t i s best to p l a y t h i s m o v e , w h i ch w i l l soon b e n e c ­
e ss a r y a n y w a y , a t o n c e a n d see w h a t B l a c k w i l l d o. At­
t e m p ts to force t h e p a ce a re a t best u n cl e a r si n ce 6 Qe2
and 6 B d S j u st allow B l a c k to e xe cu te his m a i n i d e a. T w o
rece n t e x a m p l es:
 T w o K n i g h ts De f e n se: G a me T w o 145

a) P i n t o - B isgu ier, N e w Y o r k O p e n 1 9 8 9 , w e n t 6 B d 5
N c5 (H a r d y su ggests 6 ... B b 4+!?) 7 0 - 0 Ne6 8 a 3 ? ( T h e m a i n
l i n e goes 8 c3 de 9 Nx c3 B e l 1 0 Qa4 0- 0 fol l o w e d b y . . . d 6!
w i t h e q u a l c h a n ces.) 8 ... B e 7 9 N b d 2 d6 1 0 R e 1 0-0 1 1 B x c6
b e 1 2 N c4 c5 1 3 b 3 f6 1 4 e d c d 1 5 B d 2 d 5 � Wh i te h a d n o t h ­
i n g for h i s p a w n a n d l o s t i n 30 m o v es.

b ) K o t ro n i as - M i k h a l c h i s h i n , Lvov 1 9 8 8 , saw the

o t h e r m a i n try 6 Q e 2 N c5 7 0-0 (l Ng5 ?! Ne 6 8 f4 Nx g5! 9
fg B e l) 7 ... N e 6 ( l. . . B e l 8 R d 1 Ne6 9 B x e 6 de 10 Be3 0- 0 11
JVx d4 Qd5 1 2 f4 Bc5 1 3 Nc3 Nx d4! = H a ag- L e n g y e l , H u n ­
g ar i a n C h a m p . 1 9 6 4 .) 8 B x e6 d e 9 R d l B c 5!? ( M o r e a m b i ­
t i o u s t h a n a re t u r n to " t h eo r y " b y 9. . . B e l.) 1 0 b4 B x b4 1 1 c 3
B c 5 1 2 c x d 4 B e 7 1 3 N c 3 N b 4 1 4 h 4 N d 5 1 5 N e 4 B d 7 16 h 5
h 6 1 7 a4 B c 6 1 8 a5 Q d 7 1 9 R b 1 b6 2 0 B d 2 0 - 0 2 1 N h 2 f 5
22 e x f6 N x f6 a n d a d ou b le - e d g e d s t ru gg l e e n d e d i n a 3 8 -
move d raw.

6 •.• d5

It i s up to B l a c k w h e t h e r h e w i l l a c q u i e sce to 6 ... d5
7 Bb5 B d 7 8 B x c6 b e o r w h e t h e r he w i l l v a r y , e i t h e r h e re
o r a t o n e o f h i s n e x t t wo t u rn s. A t move s i x , B l a c k ' s a l te r­
n a t i v e s d e f i n i te l y a p p e a r t o b e i n fe ri or:

a) 6 . . . N c5 (6 ... B c 5 ? l Qe2 a n d w i n s t h e k n i gh t.) 7

N x d 4 N x d 4 ( l... Nx e 5 ? 8 R e 1 b u t l... Ne 6 m a y be some i m ­
p ro v e m e n t.) 8 Q x d 4 d 6 (8.. . d5?! 9 B x d 5 b u t ag a i n 8. . . Ne 6!?
may be b e t t e r.) 9 B f4 d 5 (I t i s h a rd to u n d e rst a n d w h y
B l a c k took t w o tem p i o n t h i s!) 1 0 Q x d 5 Q x d 5 1 1 B x d5 B f5
1 2 b 4 c6 1 3 b e cd 1 4 N c 3 0-0-0 1 5 R fd 1 B x c 5 1 6 R x d 5
R x d 5 1 7 N x d 5 R d 8 1 8 c 4 Be6 = w as K u z m i n - R o m a n i s h i n,
T a l l i n n 1 9 7 9 . Wh i t e, h o w e v e r, h a d some a d v a n tage rou n d
a b o u t m o v e 1 2 a n d cou l d a l so h a ve p l a y e d Zagoro v s k y ' s 1 0
B x d 5 ! s i n ce 1 0. . . c 6 ? f a i ls to 1 1 B x f7+ a n d 10 . . N e 6 t o 1 1
Q a 4+ w h i l e 1 0 . . . B f 5 1 1 Q c 4 i s p rom i s i n g f o r h i m .

b) 6 . . B e 7 7 c3!? d 5 ( l... d c ? 8 Qd5) 8 Bb3 N c5 (8. . . d c

.

i s p rob a b l y b e t te r a l t h o u g h 9 B x d5 cb 1 0 B x b 2 Nc5 1 1 Nc3

146 T w o Knights De fense: Game T w o

o r 1 1 B x c 6+ b e 1 2 Nd4 loo k s l i k e a p rom 1 s 1 n g g a m b i t for

Wh i t e.) 9 c d N xb3 1 0 Q x b3 R b 8 ( T h i s loo k s a w k w a rd , b u t
i t i s n e cess a r y to de f e n d t h e b-P a w n i n o r d e r to de fe n d t h e
d - p a w n w i t h t h e b i s hop.) 1 1 N c3 B e 6 1 2 B e 3 w i t h a n e d ge
to Wh i t e i n K u p re i c h i k- B e ly avsky, U S S R C h 1 9 8 1 .

T h a t g a m e co n t i n u e d 1 2 . . .0 - 0 1 3 R a d 1 N a5 1 4 Qc2
B g 4 1 5 Qe2 (The se l f- p i n w i l l b e o n l y t e m p o ra r y , a n d
a v o i d s d o u b l e d p a w n s.) 1 5 ... N c4 1 6 h 3 N x e 3 (I f 1 6. . .B x f3 1 7
Qxf3 Nx b 2 1 8 R b 1 a n d d 5 f a l l s.) 1 7 Q x e 3 B e 6 1 8 N h 2 ( T h e
t w o k n i g h ts t a k e on t h e t w o b i shops a n d w i n !) 1 8 . . . f6 1 9 e f
R x f6 20 N f3 Q d 6 2 1 R d e 1 R e S 22 N e 5 B f8 23 f 4 c 5 24
K h 1 Qb6 25 Ng4 R f5 26 Qg3 K h 8 27 Ne3 R f7 28 N e x d 5
Qc6 29 d e B x d 5 30 R x e 8 B x g2+ 3 1 Q x g2 Q x e8 3 2 N e 4
(Wh i t e sti l l h a s m u ch more a c t i v e p i e c es.) 32 ... Q d 7 33 Q f 3
h 6 34 R d 1 Q c 6 35 R d 8 K h 7 3 6 K h 2 B e 7 37 R d 3 B x c5 ? (A
b l u n d e r in a d i f f i c u l t posi t i o n , for Wh i te was re a d y to
consol i d a t e his Q - s i d e m aj o r i t y by b2- b4.) 38 R c3 Qb6
(38... b6? 3 9 Ng5+ o r 38... Rf5 3 9 b 4) 39 R x c5 Q x b 2+ 40 K g3
Q d 4 4 1 R c2 1 -0.

7 Bb5

C a p t u r i n g e n passant gets n o w h e re a ft e r 7 e d N x d 6
8 B d 5 B e 7! so Wh i te k e e p s p i e c e s o n a n d p i n s t h e N c 6 .

7 ... B d7
 T w o K n i g h ts D e f e n se: G a m e T w o 147

7 B c5 i s a l so poss i b l e , t r a n s posi ng t o G a m e F i v e a f ­
...

t e r 8 N x d4 , b u t b re a k i n g t h e p i n s e e m s best. N o w p l a y w i l l
n o rm a l l y r e a c h t h e n e x t d i a g r a m , w h i c h i s p a r t o f t h e
m a i n l i n e o f t h e Mo d e rn ( o r C h i go r i n) V a r i a t i o n , w h i c h
n o r m a l l y a ri se s v i a 5 . . . d 5 6 B b 5 N e 4 7 N x d 4 B d 7 8 B x c6 b e
9 0-0.

T h e m a i n c h a n c e f o r B l a c k to a v o i d t h e s e t r a n s posi­
tions i s to try t h e re l a t i v e l y u n c h a rt e d 7 B g4!? w h e n :
...

a) P a c h m a n - G l ig o r i c , Leip z i g O l y m p i a d 1 9 6 0 , con ­
t i n u e d 8 h3 B x f3 9 O x f3 a6?! ( a rg u a b l y a t e rn po loss, a l ­
t h o u g h t h e p i n i s a w k w a r d a n d Wh i te m i g h t re t a i n t h e
b i sh o p p a i r i n s o m e c a ses) 1 0 B x c6+ b e 1 1 N d 2 N g5 1 2 Q d 3
N e 6 1 3 f4 g 6 1 4 f5 g f 1 5 Q x f5 Q d 7 1 6 N f3 h 6 1 7 B d 2 c5
w h e n 1 8 Q h 5! (P a c h m a n) wou l d h a v e l e f t Wh i te st a n d i n g
b e t t e r b e c a u se o f p ressu re on t h e f- fi l e . H o w e v e r, B l a c k
c a n p l a y i n s t e a d 9 . . .B e 7 ( a b o u t e q u a l a c co rd i n g t o H e y k e n
a n d Fette) o r 9 . . .B c5!? ( O t t o H a rd y) 1 0 Q g 4 g6 w i t h com p l i ­
c a t i o n s possi b l y f a v o r ab l e to h i m .

b ) 8 Q x d 4 ! i s c r i t i c a l . A ft e r 8 . . .B x f3 ( H o w e l s e t o
p u n i sh Wh i t e?) 9 g f O t t o H a r d y ' s A u dio Ch ess a n a l y s i s
c o n t i n u e s 9 . .. N g 5 1 0 Q c 3 N h 3+ 1 1 K g2 w i th a d v a n t a ge to
Wh i t e (e.g. 1 1 ... Qd 7 12 e6! Q x e 6 ? 1 3 R e 1 ) or 9 . . . N c5 10 Qg4
( w h y n ot 10 Nc3 a t on ce?) 1 0 ... Qd7 11 N c3 Q x g4+ 1 2 fg, or
f i n a l l y 9 . .. Bc5 1 0 Q a 4 si n ce 1 0 ... B x f2+ i s not to b e fe a r e d .

8 B x c6 b x c6

B l a c k ' s l ast c h a n ce of a v o i d i n g m a i n l i n e s i s b y
p l a y i n g t h e ra re 8 B x c6. A f t e r 9 N x d 4 B c5 Es t r i n c i t ed 1 0
. •.

f 3 N g 5 1 1 f4 N e 6 1 2 c 3 B b 5 1 3 R f2 B x d4 1 4 c d c5 1 5 d e
N x c5 1 6 N c 3 w i t h a d v a n t a ge to Wh i t e ( V o o re m a a ­
R o z h d e s t ve n s ky , E s to n i a 1 9 6 5 ) b u t 1 0 B e 3 a l so c o m e s i n t o
consi d e r a t i o n ( J O B b 6 1 1 Nx c 6 or 1 0... B d 7 1 1 f3 Ng5 12 f4
...

Ne4 1 3 Nd2 or 1 0... Qd 7 1 1 Nd2) .

9 Nxd4
14 8 T w o K n i g h ts D e fe nse: G am e T w o

N o w b y a so m e w h a t u n u s u a l route, we h a v e r e a c h e d
t h e m a i n d i v i d i n g poi n t o f t h e M o d e r n V a ri a t i o n ( s e e t h e
d i a g r a m ) . B l a c k h as a w i d e choi ce , b u t on l y 9 . . . B e 7 ( G a m e
Th ree) a n d 9 . . . B c5 ! ( G a m e Fou r) re a l l y c o m e i n to
consi de r a t i o n . I n t h i s c h a p t e r we sh a l l d i spose o f t h e lesse r
m o v es.

9 . •. c5?!

B l a c k t r i e s to d ri v e t h e K n i g h t f rom i ts ce n t ra l post
but c re a tes new w e a k n e sses, as w i l l soon b e a p p a re n t.
O t h e r mo v e s:

a) 9 ... Q h 4 (a w aste o f ti m e) 1 0 f3 N c 5 1 1 f4 g6 12
B e 3 N e 6 13 N d 2! (th r e a t e n i n g to move this p i e ce to b3 or
f3) 1 3 .. N x d 4 14 B x d 4 c5 1 5 e6! - Es t r i n .

b) 9 . . .g 6 1 0 f 3 N c5 1 1 f 4 ( 1 1 B e 3 i s a l s o good.)
1 1 . . N e 6 1 2 f5! N x d4 1 3 Q x d 4 B x f5 1 4 e 6 f6 1 5 N c3 B g 7 1 6
R e 1 Q e 7 1 7 Q a 4 w i t h a d v a n t a ge to Wh i te ( S h ip o v S o l i n t
• •

sev, 1\fo s c o w 1 9 64).

10 Nb3! c6

Y o u m u st a l so be p re p a re d for:
 T w o K n i g h t s De fe nse: G a me T w o 14 9

a) 1 0 ... B c6 ( J O.. . c4? 1 1 Q x d 5 o r 1 0. . . B e 6 ? 1 1 f3 Ng5

12 h4 [Est r i n] 1 1 f3! N g 5 1 2 N a5 B d 7 (1 2 ... Bb5 1 3 c4!) 1 3
Q x d 5 a re a l l c l e a r l y h o p e less fo r B l a c k .

b ) 1 0 . . B b 5 1 1 R e 1 B e 7 1 2 f3 N g 5 1 3 N c3! c6 1 4 f4
Ne6 1 5 f5 w i t h a st ro n g a t t a c k , e .g. 15 .. c4 1 6 fe cb 17 e f+
.

K x f7 1 8 N x b 5 cb 19 Q f3+ K e8 a n d n o w , as a n a l t e r n a t i v e
to 20 Q x b3 Qb6+ 2 1 B e 3! w h e n Wh i t e e v e n t u a l l y won i n
C v a c h o u ce k - Ro m a n e n k o , p o s t a l 1 9 7 2 , Wh i t e c a n a l so con­
s i d e r 20 a b! w h i ch th r e a t e n s to b r i n g t h e R a 1 i n to the
game and p re v e n ts a p ossi b l e d e f e n se B l a c k m i ssed i n the
g a m e s i n c e t h e d - p a w n i s p i n n e d on t h e d i ago n a l .

1 1 c4!

Wh i te fi x e s the d o u b l e d p a w n . Fo r B l a c k to t a k e on
c4 and con v e rt it to a t r e b l e d i so l a t e d p a w n h a rd l y m a k e s
posi t i o n a l s e n s e , b u t w h a t else c a n h e d o ?

1 1 ... d x c4

I f 1 1 . .. d4 1 2 f3 N g 5 1 3 f4 Wh i t e gets a d e c i s i v e a t ­
t a c k a ft e r 1 3 . . . N e 6 1 4 f5 a n d , a f t e r t h e k n i g h t m o v e s , 1 5
e 6 ! (Es t ri n) w h i l e i f 1 3 ... N e 4 ? the k n i g h t i s c u t o f f a n d c a n
b e w o n b y 1 4 R e 1 B f5 ( 1 4. . . f5 i s m e t b y 1 5 ef.) 1 5 g4 w h i c h
i s c r u s h i n g a n d on l y s u pe r fi c i a l l y r i s k y .

1 2 N b 3 - d2

T h e i n se c u ri t y o f B l a c k ' s pos i t i on i s i m m e d i a t e l y
o b v i ous.

12 ... N x d2
13 N x d2 Be6
14 Qa4 Qb6
15 Q c2 !

Not 1 5 N x c4 Q b 5 =. T h e poi n t of t h e a p p a r e n t
t e m po loss i s t h a t t h e b l a c k q u e e n h as been d r i v e n t � a n
i n fe r i o r s q u a re w h e re i t w i l l be a t t a c k e d b y t h e k n 1 g h t .
150 T w o K n i g h ts D e fe n se: G a m e T w o

S i n ce g 1 v 1 n g u p t h e e x t ra p a w n ( a l m ost m e a n i n g l e ss a s i t
i s) w o u l d l e a v e B l a c k n o com p e n s a t i o n f o r h i s b a d pos i ­
t i o n , h e t r ies to h o l d i t:

1 5 ... Q a6
16 Ne4 0-0-0

R i s k y , b u t 1 6 . . . B e 7 l e a v es Wh i t e c l e a r l y s t a n d i n g
b e t t e r. B l a c k h op e d to s p e e d u p h i s de v e lop m e n t a n d c re a te
com p l i c a t i on s .

1 7 Be3 Qb5
1 8 Ng5 Rd5

A l l p a rt o f t h e pol i c y, b u t i t f a i l s t o a com b i n a t i o n .
On t h e o t h e r h a n d , Wh i t e t h r e a t e n e d s i m p l y N x e 6 , R a c 1
a n d t h e n t h e consu m p t i on o f t h e b l a c k p a w n s on t h e c - fi l e .

1 9 N x f7! B x f7
2 0 Q f5+!

A n d Wh i t e w o n i n t h e g a m e Es t r i n - S ad om s k y ( 5 t h
U S S R C o rresp o n d e n ce C h a mp io n s h ip 1 9 6 1 - 2 ) .
 T w o K n i g h ts De fense: G a me T h ree IS 1

TWO KNI GHTS D E FENS E

Game Th ree

1 e4 eS
2 N f3 N c6
3 B c4 N f6
4 d4 e x d4
5 eS dS

S d S i s t h e m ai n l i n e of t h e Modern V a ri a t i o n ;
•..

Wh i te ' s a t t a c k on t h e b l a c k k n i g h t i s a n s we red b y a
cou n t e r- a t t a c k on t h e b i s h o p. Wh i t e's p l a n n o w i s to p i n
t h e b l a c k q u ee n ' s k n i g h t a n d s o recov e r t h e p a w n h e h as
te m p o r a r i l y g a m b i t e d . A f t e r t h a t, d e pe n d i n g o n B l a c k ' s re­
sponse, h e may b e a b l e to rush for w a rd his f - p a w n
(som e t i m e s as f a r as f6) o r h e m a y con c e n t r a t e on c e n t r a l
p l a y , fo c u s i n g a ro u n d a b l o c k a d e o f t h e s q u a re cS, t h e
s t r a t eg i c i m p o r t a n ce o f w h i ch s t e m s f r o m i t s p r o x i m i t y t o
t h e c e n t e r a n d i t b e i n g t h e sq u a re i n f ro n t o f B l a c k ' s
doubled c-pa wn.

6 BbS Ne4
152 T w o K n i g h t s D e fe n s e : G a m e T h re e

T h e a l t e r n a t i v e 6 . . . N d 7 ( 6. . . Ng4 ? 7 Jz3 o r 6. . . Bb4+?! 7

e3 d e 8 be Qe 7? 9 0- 0) i s r a re a n d i n fe r i o r . Wh i t e g e t s a
cle a r a d v a n t age a ft e r 7 0 - 0 be c a use:

a) 7 ... B c5 ? 8 Bg5 B e 7 9 B x c6 be ( 9 . . B x g5 10 Nx d 4)
.

1 0 N x d4! a n d i f 1 0 .. . B x g5? Wh i te w i n s t h e q u e e n b y 1 1
N x c6. 1 0 ..B b 7 i s v e r y p assi ve (con c e d i n g f5) w h i l e 1 0 . Nb8
. ..

11 Bxe7 Q x e 7 1 2 f4 g i v e s Wh i t e e x cel l e n t com p e n s a t i o n .

b) 7 . . . N b 6? 8 N x d4! B d 7 9 e 6! fe 10 B x c6 b e
( J O... B x e6 1 1 Nx e 6) 1 1 Q h 5+ g6 1 2 Q e 5 R g8 1 3 N x e 6 .

c) 7 . . . B e7 a l l o w s Wh i te se v e r a l p r om i si n g con t i n u a ­
ti ons, o f w h i c h t h e s a fest i s t o rega i n t h e p a w n b y 8 B x c 6
( a l t h o u g h H a r d y ' s 8 Bf4!? 0- 0 9 R e l comes i n to con s i d e r a­
ti on) 8 ...b c 9 N x d 4 N b 8 ( 9... Nx e 5 ? 1 0 Bf4!) 1 0 f4 ( a v o i d s
a n y d a n ge r o f B l a c k i m p ro v e m e n ts a ft e r t h e b e t t e r- k n o w n
1 0 Nc3) a n d n o w i f 1 0 B a 6 ( 1 O. e 5 1 1 Ne2 g 6 1 2 Nb e3 e 6
... ..

1 3 Ng3 g a v e Wh i t e c l e a r a d v a n t age i n S a l y g o - M i z k e vi c h ,
p o s t a l 1 9 6 5 .) t h e n 1 1 Re 1 Q d 7 1 2 e 6 o r 1 1 . . . c 5 1 2 N f5 .

7 N x d4

T h e m a te r i a l b a l a n ce h as b e e n restored a n d Wh i te
t h r e a t e n s to c a p t u re on c6 w i t h k n i g h t o r b i s hop. B l a c k
m u st c h oose b e t w e e n d e fense a n d cou n te r- a t t a c k .

7 ... Bd7
 T w o K n i g h ts D e fe nse: G a m e T h re e 1 53

T h e v e r y sh a rp m o v e 7 ... B c5 1 s d i s cussed I n Game

Fi v e .

8 B x c6

8 N e 2 m a y b e p l a y ab l e b u t 8 Nb3 gets n o w h e re a f­
te r 8 ... a6 ( o r 8. . Qh 4) 9 Q x d 5 ab 1 0 Q x e 4 Ra4 1 1 Q e 2 B e 6
.

1 2 N c3 B b 4 ( I s a kov- L.Estrin, M o s c o w 1 9 13) a n d 8 N x c6?!

c l e a r l y loses t h e i n i t i a ti v e si n ce the b i s hop m u s t r e t r e a t a f­
t e r 8 .. b c.
.

8 ... b x c6

I n s t e a d 8 .. B x c6 9 0 - 0 r e a c h e s b y t r a n s p os 1 t1 o n a
.

l i n e t h a t h as a l re a d y b e e n dealt w i th i n G a m e T w o.

9 0-0 Be7

T h e m os t agg ressi ve move f o r B l a c k i s 9 B c5 , .. .

w h i ch w i l l be d i s c u s se d i n G a m e Fou r. I n G a m e T w o w e
l oo k e d a t t h e i n fe r i o r m o v e s 9 g 6 , 9 . . . Q h 4 a n d 9 . c 5 .
.•. ..

9 B e 7 i s B l a c k ' s s e co n d best m o v e ; i t s b i ggest d ra w ­

•. •

h a c k i s t h a t e 7 s h o u l d be rese r v e d for t h e q u e e n to
cou n t e r- a t t a c k the e - p a w n , so t h a t B l a c k m u st f a ce a n
e a rl y f4 - f5 p a w n s t o r m a n d m a y h a ve t o m o v e t h e b i s h o p
to c5 a f te r a l l , w i t h l oss o f t i m e . Ne v e r t h e l ess, B l a c k ' s s e t ­
u p a p p e a rs sol i d ; h e h as t h e t w o b i shops a n d a sta k e i n t h e
cen t e r. Wh i te's pote n t i a l l i e s i n h i s m ob i l e K - s i de p a w n
m aj o r i t y , cou p l e d w i t h t h e w e a k n ess o f B l a c k ' s dou b l e d
p a w n . I n p a r t i cu l a r Wh i t e w i l l s e e k to con t rol t h e blo c k a d­
i n g sq u a re s d 4 a n d c 5 i f poss i b l e.

10 f3 N c5

1 0 . . N g 5 i s occas i o n a l l y seen b u t i t rea l l y m a k e s l i t­

.

t l e d i f fe re n ce as t h e k n i g h t w i l l usu a l l y go soon t o e6 o r
( a f t e r f4 b y Wh i te) t o e 4 i n a n y case.
154 T w o K n i g h t s D e fe n s e : G a me T h ree

1 1 f4

T h i s i s t h e o n l y move g i v e n in m ost boo k s a l t h o u g h

i n a 1 9 87 D u b l i n l e ag u e g a m e I t r i e d 1 1 B e3 0 - 0 1 2 N d2
a n d obtai n e d q u i te a good g a m e a f t e r 1 2 .. R e 8?! ( 1 2 ... f6! i s
m o re to t h e poi n t.) 1 3 f4 N e 6 1 4 N 2 b 3 N x d 4 1 5 B x d4,
e v e n t u a l l y w i n n i n g a ft e r s e v e r a l e r ro r s b y my o p p on e n t.

B l a c k h a s t ri e d a v e r y l a rge n u m be r o f m o v e s f rom
t h e d i ag r a m a n d so m e of t h ese a l te r n a t i v e s are q u i t e i m ­
p o r t a n t , s o I s h a l l sp l i t t h e m a i n re p l i e s i n to fou r s u b ­
g a m e s:

Game 3 A: 1 1 . .0 - 0
.

Game 3 B: 1 1 . . . f5
G am e 3 C: 1 1 . .. N e 6
G a me 3 D: 1 1 . .. N e 4 !

Wh i t e m u s t a l so k n o w a b o u t:

a) 1 1 . .. f6 1 2 f5! (Best, a l t h o u g h O t t o H a r d y re c k o n s
1 1 b 4 ! ? i s o f e q u a l m e r i t) 1 2 ... 0-0 (A f t e r 1 2. . .fe ? 1 3 QlzS+
KfB 1 4 Ne6+! B l a c k c a n resi g n .) 13 e6 Be8 14 N c3 N e4 1 5
N x e 4 d e 1 6 B e 3 R b 8 1 7 N b 3 w i t h a c l e a r a d v a n t a ge to
\Vh i t e ( E s t ri n - C h e k h o ver, L e n i n gr a d 1 9 5 4) .

b ) 1 1 . . . g6? 1 2 f5! g f 1 3 Q h 5 a l so w i t h a b i g a d v a n ­
t age fo r Wh i t e ( G ro m b cze w s k i - G a l e w i c z , P o l i s h C h 1 9 6 1 ) .
 T w o K n i g h t s D e f e n se: G a m e T h ree 155

c) l l . .. Q b 8 ! ? ( t h e m ost rece n t t r y) w as seen i n

O k h o t n i k- D i d i s k o , E g e r o p e n 1 9 8 9 . Wh i te , a re a l e x p e r t i n
t h i s v a ri a t i o n , w o n a s follows: 1 1 . . . QbS!? 1 2 f 5 Q b 6 1 3 a 4!
0-0- 0?! ( 1 3 ... a5!? O k h ot n i k) 1 4 a5 Q a 6 1 5 N c 3 R h e S 1 6 O f3!
( w i t h cle a r a d v a n t a ge) 16 ... g6 (I f 16 ... Bf8 1 7 Bg5) 17 Be3
Q c4 1 S B f2 ( t h re a t e n i n g 1 9 Ncb5 cb 19 b3 Qb4 2 0 c3 t r a p ­
p i n g t h e q u e e n .) 1 S ... N e 4 1 9 e6 f e 2 0 f e B c 5 2 1 e d + R x d 7
2 2 R a d 1! N x f2 2 3 Q x f 2 R fS 2 4 Q x fS+ B x fS 2 5 R x fS+ K b 7
26 N e6 c5 2 7 N a 4 R d 6 2S N a x eS+ K c6 29 R eS R x e 6 30
N x e 6 K d 6 31 R x c7 Q e 2 32 R c6+ Ke5 33 R a 1 ( m i ssi n g 33
R x d 5+! Ke4 3 4 R c 4+) 3 3 ... h 5 34 h 4 Qe4 3 5 R f1 Q x h 4 36
N f4 Qg3 37 R e6+ 1 -0.

Game 3A
1 1 ... 0-0

B l a c k g e t s i n to t r o u b l e w i t h t h i s a u to m a t i c m o v e
a n d y o u s h o u l d be a b l e to w i n com fort a b l y .

1 2 f5 N e4

O t h e rs a re n o b e t t e r:

a) 1 2 B g5 1 3 N c3 R e S 1 4 B xg 5 ( 1 4 b4 i s a l so
•..

st ron g.) 14 ... Q xg5 15 Q e 2 R ab S 16 Q f2! Qe7 17 R a e 1 R x b 2

1 S f6 Q fS 1 9 f g Q e 7 20 e 6! a n d Wh i t e h a d a d e c i s i ve a t t a c k
i n B ar c z a y -Mestrovic, S araj evo 1 9 6 9 .
156 T w o K n i g h t s D e fe n se: G a m e T h ree

b ) 1 2 ... R e 8 ( N e i s ta d t - N a t ap o v, 1 9 63) s h o u l d be met

b y Es t r i n' s 1 3 N c3! when Wh i te com p l e t e s h i s d e v e l op m e n t;
1 3 ... B g 5 t h e n t r a nsposes to t h e p re v i o u s n ote.

A fte r 12 ... N e 4, Wh i te s h ou l d n o t b e a f r a i d of h i s
o w n c- p a w n becom i n g d o u b l e d . I t i s i m p o r t a n t to c h a l l e n ge
B l a c k ' s m a i n a c t i v e p i e ce:

13 N c3! N x c3
14 b x c3 c5

14 ... f6 is n ot to b e fe a re d , e.g. 15 e 6 Be8 16 Q g 4

K h 8 1 7 R f3 w i t h a s t ro n g a t t a c k ( T arm a n n - B a i r a mov,
1 9 69).

1 5 N b3 c4
16 N d4 cS

B l a c k h a s a ls o t r i e d:

a ) 1 6 ... R e 8 17 Q f3 c 5 1 8 f6! w h e n :

a 1) 1 8. . . g f 1 9 B h 6! K h 8 (1 9. . Bf8? 2 0 Bxf8 Kxf8 2 1

.

ef! c d 2 2 Qg3 w i n n i n g) 2 0 e f B x f6 2 1 Q x f6 Q x f6 22 R x f6
cd 23 cd B e 6 24 R f4 w i t h a v e r y s t ron g a t t a c k t h a n k s to,
r a t h e r t h a n in sp i te o f, the o p p o s i t e colored b i s h ops.

a 2) 1 8 ... cd 1 9 fe Q x e 7 20 cd B e 6 21 Qg3 ( E s t ri n ­
P o l y a k, 1 9 5 4) a n d a g a i n Wh i t e h as a s t ro n g i n i t i a t i v e o n
t h e d a r k s q u a re s w h i le B l a c k' s b i sh o p i s j u st b a d .

b ) 1 6 . . . B c5 1 7 Q h S (t h re a t e n i n g f6) 1 7 . . . £ 6 1 8 e 6 B e 8
1 9 Q h 4 Q e 7 20 R f3 R b 8 ( B e r ez i n - G o l d b e rg) a n d n o w Es­
t r i n ' s 21 Be3 is best. B l a c k ' s Q - s i d e d e m o n s t r a t i o n can be
m o r e or l e ss i g n o r e d as Wh i te t h r e a te n s a m assi v e b u i l d - u p
w i t h v a r i a t i o n s l i k e 2 1 . . . R b 2 22 R h 3 h 6 23 B x h 6! i n t h e
c a r d s.

1 7 Ne2
 T w o K n i g h t s D e fe nse: G a me T h ree 157

1 7. . . B c6

A l so e m p h as i z i n g B l a c k ' s i n f e r i o r i t y:

a) 1 7 ... B c8 ( t o t a k e t h e s t i n g ou t o f Nf4) 1 8 N g3
R e 8 1 9 Q h 5 B f8 20 Bg5 Q c 7 2 1 R ae 1 B a6 22 f6 g6 23 Q h 4
R e 6 24 N f 5 ! a n d Wh i te h a d a w i n n i n g a t t a c k i n M a s e y e v ­
K o t i kov, U S S R p o s t a l c h a m p i o n s h ip 1 9 5 9 - 6 0 .

b ) 1 7 ... B a4 1 8 N f4 d 4 1 9 f 6 ! g f 20 N h 5! K h 8
(M a k arov- Lub l i ns ky , 1 9 5 0) 2 1 B h 6! Rg8 2 2 e f a n d Wh i te
w i n s (Est r i n) .

1 8 f6!

T h i s is e v e n st ro n ge r t h a n t h e m o v e 1 8 N f4 w h i c h I
g a v e i n Th e Italian Gam e .

1 8 ... g x f6
19 B h6 fx e 5

A g a i n s t 1 9 ... R e 8 ( i n t e n d i n g t o d e fe n d w i t h Bf8
a n d / o r Kh 8) Wh i t e h a s 20 N d4! B f8 (20 ... cd 2 1 Qg4+ a n d
m a t e n e x t m o v e , o r 2 0... B d 7 2 1 e 6!) 2 1 Qg4+ K h 8 2 2 N x c6
Q c7 2 3 B x f8 R x f8 2 4 R x f6 a n d w i n s e v e n t u a l l y .
2 0 N d 4!
1 58 T w o K n i g h t s D e fe n s e: G a m e T h ree

The k n i g h t can e v i d e n t l y n ot be t a k e n b e c a u se o f
Q g4+.
2 0 ... B d7
2 0 N c6! Qe8
I f 2 1 . .. B x c6 2 2 Q g4+ B g 5 2 3 B x g5 Q d 7 2 4 R f5 ! h 5
2 5 Q h 3 f 6 2 6 B x f6 R x f6 2 7 R x f6 Q x h 3 2 8 g h R eS 2 9 R a f 1
e 4 3 0 R 1 f5 a n d w i ns - P a c h m a n . T h e b l a c k forces c a n n ot
coope r a t e , e.g. 3 0 ... Kg7 3 1 R d 6 e3 32 R e 6 R e 8 3 3 R x e 8
B x e8 3 4 R x d 5 a n d t h e p assed P i s e as i l y s to p p e d .
2 2 Nxe5
P rot e c t i n g t h e d - p a w n a n d i n n o h u r r y t o t a k e t h e
e x c h a n ge.
22 ... Be6
23 Q f3 ! Kh8
24 Q g3 Rg8
25 N x f7+!
E l eg a n t l y v a c a t i n g t h e e 5 s q u a re for t h e q u e e n to
g i v e t h e d e c i s i v e c h e c k . B l a c k resi g n e d ( O k h o t n i k - O fre ­
n i u k, K i e v 1 96 7 ) .

Game 38
1 1. . . f5

B l a c k s t a l l s Wh i te ' s K -s i d e a t t a c k but i n v i t e s Wh i t e
to s t r i k e e l se w h e re o n t h e b o a r d . T h e com p l i c a t i o n s fol l o w ­
i n g Wh i t e's n e x t m o v e a re gi v e n b y m a n y a u t h o r i t i e s t o b e
i n Wh i te ' s f a v o u r b u t t h i s i s n o t c l e a r i n a t l e a s t o n e l i n e:
 T w o K n i g h t s D e fe n se: G am e T h ree 159

1 2 b4!?

O t t o H a r d y o f fe r s a d i sse n ti n g o p i n i o n h e re . H e
b e l i e v e s t h i s m o v e t o b e p re m at u re a n d t h a t Wh i t e ' s a d v a n ­
t age w i l l n o t g o a w a y i f h e p ro ce e d s c a l m l y b y 1 2 B e3 ( H e
a l so m e n t i o n s 1 2 c3 a n d 1 2 c4.) 1 2 . . N e 4 1 3 N b 3 B e 6 1 4
N 1 d2.

12 ... N e 4!?

T h i s is the d e f e n se w h i c h is not q u i t e c l e a r. E s t r i n
on l y g a v e 1 2 . . . N e 6 1 3 N x f5 B x b4 1 4 N g3 ( 1 4 B - e3 0- 0 1 5 N­
d4, a s p l a y e d o n ce b y To n y M i l e s i n 1 9 7 2 , c ou l d also b e
i n v e s t i g a t e d .) w h i ch i s a d v a n t age o u s t o Wh i t e a s h i s K - s i d e
m aj o ri t y i s f r e e d :

a) 1 4 . . . B c5+ 1 5 K h 1 0-0! ( 1 5 .. ./z 5 1 6 f5 h 4 1 7 Qg4 lzg

18 Qg6+ a n d Wh i te ' s a t t a c k i s d e c i s i v e ; M e d i n a - Ly m a n , U S
O p e n 1 9 6 3 .) 1 6 f 5 N d 4 1 7 e 6 B c8! (i m p ro v i n g o n 1 7... B e8 1 8
B b 2 - P a c h m a n) w i t h f a i r com p e n s a t i o n f o r t h e e x ch a n ge
in O t t o H a r d y' s v a r i a t i o n 1 8 Bb2 B a6!? 1 9 B x d 4 B x d 4 20
Q x d 4 B x f 1 21 N x f 1 R x f5 2 2 N g3 R f6 .

b ) 1 4 . . . Q h 4 1 5 c3 B a 5 1 6 f5 N c5 1 7 e 6 ( S ar k isy a n ­
E fre m o v, U S S R p o s t a l 1 9 5 2 ) w i t h c l e a r a d v a n t a g e t o Wh i t e .

c) 1 4 ... 0 - 0 1 5 f5 N c 5 ? ( 1 5. . . B c5+ 1 6 Klz l s e e n ot e a ;

A l so c r i t i c a l i s 1 5... Ng5 1 6 B e 3 , a n d n o t 1 6 Qg 4 ? B c5+ 1 7
Klz l Ne4 1 8 Nx e4 d e 1 9 B d 2 ? B x f5! 0- 1 B ra cz k o - Ku h n e ,
p o s t a l 1 9 6 8 .) 16 Q g4 Ba5 17 B a 3 B b 6 18 Kh 1 ! w i n n i n g
( L a u re n ce -Wi t t m a n n , p o st a l).

13 e6 B c8
1 4 N x c6

T h i s i s b e t t e r t h a n 1 4 N x f5 B f6 1 5 N x g 7 + K f8 1 6
N f5 B x e6 u n c l e a r ( R o g e rs - F o rm a n e k, R e g g i o E m i l i a 1 9 8 3 ) .

1 4 ... Qd6
15 N x e 7 Q b 6+!
160 T w o Kn i g h t s De fense: G a m e T h ree

T h i s gi v e s B l a c k f i g h t i n g c h a n c e s w h e r e a s 15 ... K x e 7
1 6 B e 3 B x e 6 1 7 Q d 4 K f7 1 8 N c3 i s cle a r l y i n Wh i t e ' s f a v o r.

16 Kh 1 Kxe7
17 Qe1!

N o t , o f cou rse, 1 7 Q x dS? N f2+. 1 7 Q e 1 ( G o l o v k o ­

G ret c h k i n , U S S R P o s t a l C h am p 1 9 6 1 - 62) p ro t e ct s b o t h b 4
a n d f2 , a n d t h re a t e n s B e 3 - d 4 . Est r i n t h o u g h t Wh i te s t ood
c l e a r l y b e t t e r, b u t H a r d y p roposes 17 ... Qd4 18 c3 Q f6 (1 9
Be3 Qxe6) w h i l e H e y k e n & F e t t e s a y 1 7 ... B x e6 i s u n c l e a r.
Wh i te s h o u l d t h e r e fore p e rh a p s a d o p t o n e o f H a r d y ' s s u g­
ges t i on s a t m o v e 1 2.

Game 3C
11 ..• Ne6

A s i m p l i f y i n g con t i n u a t i o n , r a r e l y s e e n .

1 2 f5 N x d4
1 3 Q x d4 c5

The book l i ne 1 3 ... Q b 8 14 e6 fe 15 Q x g7 i s good for

Wh i te , a l t h ou g h c a re i s re q u i re d . Wh i t e also g e t s w h a t h e
w a n t s a f t e r 1 3 ... 0 - 0? 1 4 f 6 g f 1 5 e f B d 6 1 6 Q h 4 (H a r d y) o r
1 3 . . . f6 ( i n te n d i n g a n e v e n t u a l 0 - 0 - 0) 1 4 e 6 B c8 1 5 Q h 4 h 5
1 6 N c 3 B c5+ 1 7 K h 1 B a6 1 8 Re 1 Q e 7 1 9 Q a 4! B b 7 2 0 N x d S
 T w o Kn i g h ts D e f e n s e : G a m e T h ree 161

Q d 6?! 2 1 c 4 ( t h r e a t e n i n g Bf4) as 1n H ar d y - S h arp e ,

S ke g n ess o p e n 1 9 86 .
14 Qg4 K f8
1 5 N c3
N o w Wh i t e h as t h e f r e e r g a me b u t a f t e r t h e reso l u t e
d e fe n d i n g m o v e 1 5 . . . c 6 (S a x) B l a c k w o u l d s t i l l h a v e
d r a w i n g ch a n ces. I n st e a d i n S a x - A i t ke n , S ko pj e 1 9 7 2 ,
B l a c k ch ose 1 5 d 4? w h i ch h o p e s t o cou n t e r - a t t a c k on t h e
•.•

l o n g d i agon a l b u t i s i n f a c t a se r i o u s posi t i on a l e r ro r s i n ce
i t l e ts i n t h e w h i te k n i gh t.
T h e con c l u s i o n w a s i n s t r u c t i v e : 1 5 . . . d 4 ? 1 6 N e 4 h 5 !
1 7 Qg3 h 4 1 8 Q f4 f6! 1 9 e f g f 2 0 Q g4 ( t h re a t Q g 6) 2 0 ... Q e 8
2 1 B d2 Q h 5 2 2 Q f4 B c6 2 3 R a e 1 Rg8! ( 2 3. . . R c8 2 4 Nx f6!
B xf6 25 R e 6) 24 Q x c 7 R x g2+! ( I n v i e w o f 24 ... Qg4 25 Ng3 .'
t h i s i s B l a c k ' s o n l y h o p e .) 2 5 K x g2 Q g4+ 2 6 K f2 B x e 4 2 7
R e 2 R e S 2 8 R g 1 Q x f5+ 2 9 Ke 1 Q h 7 ( 3 0 B h 6+ w a s t h e
t h re a t a n d i f 2 9. . Kf 7 3 0 Rfl Qlz 7 3 1 B g 5 w i ns,) 3 0 Q f4 B g6
.

3 1 Rg4 f5 3 2 R g 1 h 3 ! ( p re v e n ts a l a t e r d o u b l i n g o f roo k s
on t h e K N - fi l e) 3 3 K f 1 Q h 5 3 4 R e 6 B h 7 ( 3 4.. . Q d l + 35 B e l )
3 5 Q h 6+ Q x h 6 3 6 B x h 6+ ( N o w t h e a d v a n t a ge o f t h e
e x c h a n ge m u s t t e l l .) 3 6 . . . K f7 3 7 R a 6 B f8 3 8 R x a 7+ R e 7 3 9
R x e7+ B x e 7 4 0 8 f 4 1 - 0 .

Game 3D :
1 1 ... Ne4!

1 2 f5
1 62 T w o K n i g h ts D e fense: G a me T h re e

Be fore B l a c k c a s t l e s i n to re l a t i v e s a f e t y , h e h as to
con t e n d w i t h th r e a t s of e 6 a n d Q h 5 o r Q g4 , w i t h f6 also i n
t h e a i r. N e v e rt h e l e ss , t h e re a re t w o l i t t l e - k n o w n a l te r n a ­
t i v e s:

a) 1 2 N c3 h as b e e n t r i e d i n H u n g a r y: 1 2 ... c5 1 3 N b 3
N x c3 1 4 be c4 1 5 N d 4 c5 16 N e 2 B c6 1 7 B e 3 Q d 7 1 8 f5 d 4
1 9 cd Q d 5 20 N f4 Qe4 2 1 Q f3 c d 2 2 Q x e 4 B x e 4 23 B x d 4 0-
0-0 24 c3 B f5 25 Nh5 g6 26 N g 7 Be6 2 7 N x e6 fe 28 B x a 7
( B iro - Z s i n k a, B u d ap e s t 1 98 5) . Wh i t e h as w o n a p a w n a n d
d u l y w o n t h e g a m e . C l e a rl y , t h e e a rl y com p l i c a t i o n s re­
qu i re close a n a l y s i s t o d e te r m i n e w h e t h e r B l a c k m i s s e d a n y
o p p o r t u n i ti es. A t t h e s t a r t o f t h e l i n e, 1 2 ... f5!? w as s u g­
gested b y K e re s w h i l e 1 2 ... N x c3 1 3 b e B c5 ( 1 3... 0- 0 ? see
Game 3A) gave s o m e a d v a n t a g e t o Wh i te in S t a n c iu - Ko ­
vacs, D u b l i n 1 9 6 9 .

b ) 1 2 N b3 ! ? ( re co m m e n d e d b y H e y k e n & F e t te)
12 .. 0-0 1 3 B e3 f6 14 N 1 d 2 f x e 5 15 N x e 4 e x f4 16 B x f4 d x e4
.

1 7 Q e 2 B f5 1 8 R a d 1 Q c8 1 9 Nd4 Bg6 20 Q c4+ K h 8 21

N x c6 B f6 2 2 B e 5! w i th clear a d v a n t age to Wh i te ( B e l i n kov­
N a t ap o v, M o s c o w 1965). Zagoro v s k y c i t e s K e re s' l i n e 12 ... a5
13 a 4 N c 5 14 N d 4 f5! w h i c h n e e d s a t e s t .

1 2 ... B c5 !

B l a c k ' s b e s t c h a n ce, d e s p i te t h e l o s t t e m po. 1 2 ... 0-0

gets B l a c k i n to t ro u b l e - i t t r a n sposes t o G a m e 3 A .

T h e o t h e r possi b i l i t y i s 12 . . c5 1 3 Nb 3 B b5 ( 1 3. . . c 6
.

1 4 Nc3 e x c h a n ge s k n i gh ts, l e a v i n g Wh i te a f r e e h a n d ;
H arry - B ro w n , I ri s h C h a m p 1 9 8 7 .) w h e n 1 4 R f3 ! ( i n st e a d o f
1 4 R e i Bh 4! u n cl e a r) gi v e s Wh i te a s t ro n g a t t a c k a c co r d i n g
t o Est r i n . G l i go r i c ( i n E CO) g i v e s 1 4 . . . Q d 7 a s u n c l e a r. H i s
p l a n i s to c a s t l e Q - s i d e a n d m ob i l i ze h i s p a w n s , t a k i n g a d ­
v a n t age o f Wh i t e ' s i n ab i l i t y t o p l a y Q f3 a n d Q h 5 . I r e c­
om m e n d 1 5 N c3 ! N x c3 1 6 b e! 0 - 0 - 0 ( 1 6. .. 0- 0 w i l l b e m u c h as
in G a m e 3 A , Wh i te h a v i n g i n c re as e d a t t a c k i n g c h a n c e s) 17
B e 3 c4 ( 1 7... Qc6 1 8 Q e l t h re a t e n i n g Qf2; 1 7... d 4 ?! 1 8 cd cd
 T w o K n i g h ts D e fen se: G a me T h re e 163

1 9 Q x d 4 .) 1 8 N d 4 B a 6 1 9 Rb 1 c 5 ? 2 0 e6! fe 2 1 fe a n d
B l a c k' s k i n g i s i n g re a t d a n ge r a s h i s ce n t e r s t a rt s to col­
l a p se.

1 3 e 6! ?

N o w t h e q u e s t i on fo r Wh i te i s: w h i c h m e t h od o f
g i v i n g u p h i s e - p a w n w i l l ob t a i n t h e m os t p l a y ? T h i s, rec­
o m m e n d e d b y E s t r i n , m a y be Wh i te ' s b e s t ( a p a r t from t h e
m o v e 1 2 s u gg e s t i o n s) e v e n i f c 3 ? i s c e rt a i n l y b a d a ft e r
1 3 . . . Q e 7 (Keller-Keres, Zurich 1 9 6 1 ) b u t 1 3 N c3 Q e 7 i s a l s o
i m p o r t a n t:

a) 1 4 N a4 Q xe 5 1 5 N x c5 N x c 5 1 6 c3 N e 4 ( N o t 1 6 ... 0-
0 ? 1 7 f6! w i th a s t ro n g Wh i te a t t a c k i n H a a g - Kara fi a t h ,
H u n g a ri a n C h 1 9 5 8 .) 1 7 B f4 Q f6 1 8 B x c 7 0 - 0 Heyken &
=

Fette.

b ) A lso, t h e con t i n u a t i o n o f B a rry - O ' D w y e r, D u b l i n

1 9 8 8 , i s w o r t h s t u d y: 1 4 e 6! ? f e 1 5 N x e 4 d e 1 6 f e B x e 6 1 7
B e 3 0 - 0 - 0 1 8 c3 (Wh i t e m u s t p l a y s ol i d i y i n w h i c h case h e
i s n ot w o rse, t h a n k s t o B l a c k' s m u t i l at e d p a w n s . Wh i t e
p r o ce e d s t o o u t p l a y h i s l o w e r - r a n k e d o p p on e n t:) 1 8 ... B c4
(B e tt e r 1 8... B x d 4 to k ee p t h e e x t r a p a w n , a l t h o u g h t h e re­
su l t i n g op posi t e c o l o r b i s h o ps w ou l d be d r a w i s h a s B l a c k' s
p a s s e d p a w n i s e as i l y b l oc k a d e d f rom e J .) 1 9 R e 1 Q f6 20
Q a4 B b 5 21 N x b 5 B x e 3+ 2 2 R x e 3 cb ( 2 2... R d2 ? 23 Rf1 Q g 5
2 4 Nx a 7+ Kb 7 25 Q x e 4 R eB 2 6 Q c 6+ Kx a 7 2 7 R x e8 - B a r r y)
23 Q x e 4 c 6 ? (23 ... Qb 6 i s s o l i d .) 24 a4 b a 25 Q g4+? (25 Q x a 4 !
i s s t ro n g .) 25 . . . K b8 26 Q b 4+ K c8?? (26 ... Ka 8, w i t h t h e i d e a
2 7 R e 7 R b B 2 8 Q c 5 R b 7 2 9 R a e 1 R h b 8 , d e fe n d s .) 2 7 R e 7
R d 7 2 8 R x d 7 K x d 7 29 Q b 7+ K d 6 30 R d 1+ K e5 3 1 Q x a 7
Q h 4 32 Q x g7+ 1 - 0 .

1 3 ... fxe6
14 fxe6 B x e6

N o t 1 4 ... B x d 4+ 15 Q x d 4 B x e 6 1 6 Q x g7 f a v o r i n g
Wh i te.
164 T w o K n i g h t s D e fe nse: G a me T h ree

15 Q h 5+ Kd7!

I f 1 5 . . . g6 1 6 Q e 5 B x d 4+ 1 7 Q x d4 Rg8 1 8 N c3 t h e
B l a c k K i n g i s st i l l t ra p p e d i n t h e c e n t e r, w i t h l e s s cou n ­
terplay.

1 6 Be3 Qe8!

A fte r 1 6 ... Q e 7 1 7 N c3 ! N x c3 1 8 b e R a f8 1 9 R fe 1
Wh i te h ad a n e n d u ri n g i n i t i ati ve t n Neistadt- Berezin,
Moscow 1953.

1 7 Qe2 Qg6

H e y k e n & F e t t e su ggest 17 B x d4 1 8 B x d4 Q g 6 1 9
.•.

N c3 B g 4 a n d 2 0 . R h e 8 w h e n t h e y s a y t h e B l a c k p os i t i o n i s
..

fu l l y s a t i s f a c t o r y . B u t w i t h 2 0 Qe3 (20... Rhe8 2 1 h3) Wh i te

can c e r t a i n l y p l a y for a w i n .

1 8 N c3 N x c3
1 9 b x c3

T h i s i s gen e r a l l y a g r e e d t o be t h e c r i t i c a l p os i t i o n ,
gi v e n as " u n c le a r" b y E CO a n d '' e q u a l b u t q u i t e com p l i ­
c a t e d " b y Zagoro v s k y . I w o u l d b e h a p p y t o p l a y t h i s for
Wh i t e , and will j u st q u ote t h e o p i n i on of L u d e k P a c h m a n ,
t h e e m i n e n t g ra n d m as t e r a n d t h e o re t i ci a n , " i n S chach-Arclziv
1 9 7 9: ''A c ri t i c a l posi t i o n fo r t h e 9 ... B e 7 v a r i a t i o n , w h i ch
 T w o K n i g h t s D e fense: G a m e T h ree 165

s t i l l nee d s p ra c t i c a l tes t i ng. The e x t r a B l a c k p a w n he re h as

n o gre a t v a lue a n d t he B l a c k k i ng' s posi t i o n i s uns afe .
T he refore we h ol d t he Wh i te c h a n ces to be some w h a t
p refe r able."
166 T w o K n i g h ts D e fense: G a m e F o u r

TWO KN I G H TS D E FENS E

Game Four

1 e4 e5
2 N f3 N c6
3 B c4 N f6
4 d4 e x d4
5 e5 d5
6 Bb5 Ne4
7 N x d4 Bd7

7 . .. B c 5 8 0 - 0?! (See G a m e F i ve f o r a b e t t e r m o v e.)

8 . . 0 - 0 9 B x c6 b e 1 0 B e 3 B d 7 1 1 f3 N g5 1 2 f4 (be st)
.

1 2 ... Ne4 a lso re a c h e s a p os i t i on a n a l y z e d b e l o w .

8 B x c6 b x c6
9 0-0 B cS

N o w t h e v a n a t t o n s w i th 1 0 B e3 Q e 7! s e e m t o be
good fo r B l a c k , so it i s i m p o r t a n t f o r Wh i t e to obse r v e the
most a c c u rate m o v e o r d e r:

A f te r 1 0 ... Q e 7 ( J O . B b 6! ?) 1 1 R e l 0 - 0 (ll Q x e5 ? 12
. . ...

f3; l l R b 8 K r i s t e n s e n - Bj e r r i n g; l l B b 6!?) 1 2 f3 N gS 1 3
... ...

Q d 2 f 6 ! = i s t h e m a i n a l t e r n a t i v e , e .g. Hey k en & Fette p ages

 T w o K n i g h t s D e fe nse: G a me F o u r 167

4 1 - 42. Krist e nse n - Bj e rri n g , C op e n h age n 1 9 8 8 1 0 B e 3 Q e 7 1 1

Re1 R b 8 1 2 N d2 B x d4 1 3 B x d 4 c5 1 4 N x e 4 d x e 4 1 5 B c3
B c6 1 6 Q g 4 0 - 0 1 7 R e 3 Q e 6 1 8 Q f4 R fd 8 1 9 a3 h 6 2 0 h 3
Rd4 2 1 R g3 K f8 2 2 R e 1 g 5 2 3 Q f6 Q x f 6 2 4 e x f 6 R d 5 2 5 h 4
ReS 2 6 h x g5 h x g5 2 7 R h 3 Kg8 2 8 K h 2 R f5 2 9 Kg3 R f4 3 0
Rh5 1-0.

1 0 f3! Ng5
1 1 f4

One of the m a i n e x p o n e n t s of the Mod e r n v a ri a t i o n ,

g r a n d m as t e r S v es h n i k o v , s e e m s to p re fe r t h i s d i r e ct m o v e
to t h e p op u l a r a l t e r n a t i v e 1 1 B e3 w h i c h p r ob a b l y w i l l
t r an spose i f B l a c k c a s t l es. ( T h e p ro b l e m i s t h a t 1 1 B b 6 i n ­
...

s t e a d m a y e n a b l e B l a c k to g e t a good g a m e s i n ce h e c a n
t h e n p l a y fo r c 5 to p re v e n t a b lo c k a d e o f t h e 0 - s i d e) .
...

I h a v e a l so t r i e d 1 1 K h 1 (b ad a f te r 1 1 R b 8!) a n d 1 1
. . .

N c3 !? w h i ch i s s a fe b u t a l l o w s B l a c k to e q u a l i ze s t r a i g h t­
fo r w a r d l y b y 1 1 . .. 0 - 0 1 2 B e 3 N e 6 13 Q d 2 B x d 4 ! 1 4 B x d 4 c5
15 B f2 B c 6 = P fl e g e r - H o l as z e k , Z ur i c h 1 9 6 4 , e . g . 16 R a d 1
d4 1 7 N b 1 R b 8 1 8 b 3 B b 5 1 9 R fe 1 ( t h r e a t QaS) 1 9 ... c6 2 0
N a3 B a6 a n d B l a c k i s f i n e . A fte r 1 3 . . . N x d4?! 1 4 B x d4 B b 4
1 5 Q f2 ( N o t 1 5 Qe3 R fe8 w i t h t h e i d e a ... f6) Wh i t e h as
some a d v a n t age t h a n k s to h i s f i r m con t rol o f c 5 .

1 1 ... Ne4

O t h e rs are a lso i m p o r t a n t:

a) l l . .. B g4?! 1 2 Q x g4 B x d 4+ 1 3 K h 1 N e 4 1 4 N d 2!
( 1 4 Qxg 7?! Qh 4 w a s u n c l e a r i n a 1 9 7 8 U S S R g a m e O k h o t ­
n i k - Z a i d a n d O k ho t n i k' s lnform a tor s u ggest i o n 1 4 Nc3 a l so
se e m s d u b i o u s - b y com p a r i s o n w i t h t h e te x t m o v e t h e
k n i g h t h as fe w e r p rospe cts.) 1 4 ... N f2+ 1 5 R x f2 B x f2 1 6
Q x g 7 R f 8 1 7 N f 3 Q d 7 18 Qg5! a n d Wh i t e h a d e x ce l l e n t
com p e n s a t i o n f o r t h e s a c ri f i ce d e x c h a n ge i n S ve s h n i ko v ­
B arre ras, C i e n fu e g o s 1 9 7 9 .
168 T w o K n i g h ts D e fen se: G a me F o u r

b ) l l . N e 6!? 1 2 Be3 0 - 0 ( 1 2 ...f 6 1 3 Kil l !) t r a n sp ose s

..

to Messere - N y m a n , 5 t h Wor l d P o s t a l C h a m p io n s h ip F i n a l ,
w h i c h co n t i n u e d 1 3 c3 f5 14 N d 2 Bb6 1 5 b4 w i t h s o m e a d ­
v a n t age to Wh i t e , w h i c h i n c re ased a f t e r 15 . . . B x d 4? 1 6 B x d 4
N x d 4 1 7 c d Q e 7 a n d n o w t h e p a w n o f fe r 18 N b 3! g a v e
Wh i t e a s t r a tegi c a l l y w on g a m e , t h a n k s to h i s g r i p on c 5
w h e t h e r or not B l a c k a c c e p ts t h e g a m b i t. I n s t e a d o f
cas t l i n g B l a c k h a s a l so t r i e d 1 2 . . .B x d 4 1 3 B x d 4 N x d 4 1 4
Q x d 4 0-0 ( H a r d i n g - W. C u m m i n s, P o s t al 1 9 8 6) w h e n 1 5 a4!?
i s p rob a b l y best and 1 2 ... Bb6 1 3 a4!? a 5 ( G robe - T u r e k , corr
1 9 8 4) when 14 N f5 i s c o r r e c t .

12 Be3!

N o t 1 2 f5? Q e 7 !

I n t h e d i a g r a m p os i t i on Black h as t w o p r i n c i p a l
p l a n s:

Game SA: 12 ... 0-0

G ame 5 8: 12 •.. Bb6

O t h e r m o v e s:

a) 1 2 . . . Q h 4? 13 N d 2 Bg4 1 4 Q c 1 Bb6 1 5 N x e4 B x d 4
1 6 B x d 4 d e 17 f 5 g6 1 8 Q f4 w i t h cle a r a d v a n t a ge to Wh i t e
i n B e l i n kov- B o brov, M o s c o w 1 9 6 5 .
 T w o K n i g h ts D e fe nse: G a m e F o u r 169

b ) 1 2 . . . f 6 w as g i v e n w i t h o u t fu r t h e r co m m e n t i n The
Italian Gam e . A f te r 1 3 N d 2 0-0 i t t r a n sposes i n to G a m e 5A
b e l o w. 1 3 ... B g4? i s crazy b e c a use of 1 4 Q x g4 N x d 2 1 5 Q x g7.

Game SA
1 2 ... 0-0

T h i s i s t h e posi t i on t h a t Wh i te i s p r i n c i p a l l y p l a y ­
i n g f o r i n t h i s v a r i a t i o n . T h e K -s i d e m aj o r i t y h as a d ­
v a n ce d w i th g a i n o f t i m e. Wh i te ' s n e x t obj e c t i v e w i l l be t o
n e u t r a l i ze t h e p i n on t h e a 7 - g 1 d i agon a l a n d a t t e m p t t o f i x
t h e w e a k B l a c k 0-s i d e p a w n s.

1 3 N d2 f6!

T h e re are i m p o r t a n t a l t e r n a t i v e s:

a) 1 3 . . . f5 1 4 N x e 4 fe (or 1 4... de 1 5 Qe2 w i t h a n e d ge

to Wh i t e) 1 5 Q d 2 w i t h t w o e x a m p les f a v o r a b l e t o Wh i te:
15 ... Q e 7 ( V i s t a n e c ki s - Uusi, V i l n i u s 1 9 6 0 , v a r i e d w i t h
1 5... B b 6 1 6 Nb3 a S 1 7 a 4 Q e 7 1 8 Kil l Rf7 1 9 Qc3 g 6 2 0 Bc5
QeB 2 1 h 3 w i t h a n e d ge.) 1 6 N b 3 B b 6 17 Q c3, se c u r i n g con ­
t ro l o f c 5 w i t h a c l e a r a d v a n t age. Wh i te w on i n 3 2 m o v e s
i n O k h o t n i k - S . So ko l o v, U S S R 1 9 8 1 .

b ) 1 3 Q e 7 ( s u gge sted b y O k h ot n i k i n Inform a tor 3 1

...

a n d recom m e n d e d b y H e y k e n & F e t te) c a n be m e t b y 1 4

N x e 4 d e 1 5 Qe 1 ! con t ro l l i n g d a r k s q u a res, e.g. 1 5 . . .B b 6 1 6
N b 3 c5 1 7 Q f2 c4 1 8 N c 5 .

c) 1 3 ..• N x d2 1 4 Q x d 2 u s e d to be t h e m a i n l i n e . N o w:

c l ) 1 4 ... Q e 7 1 5 N b 3! B b 6 1 6 R ae 1! ? B f5 ( 1 6 ... [6 1 7
e 6!) 1 7 Q c 3 Q d 7 1 8 B c 5 R ab 8 1 9 R f2 R f d8 2 0 R d 2 w i t h
a d v a n t age t o Wh i te i n A d o rj a n - K i u ge r, H u n g a r i a n C h a m p
1966.

c 2 ) A f t e r 1 4 ... f6 1 5 R fe 1 ! (Most b o o k s recom m e n d 1 5

Nb 3 B b 6 1 6 B c 5 b u t i n A d orj a n - Le ng y e l , H u n g ari a n C h a mp
170 T w o K n i g h t s De fense: G a me F o u r

1 9 7 5 , B l a c k got a d r a w i n 32 moves a ft e r 1 6 ...f e 1 7 f e Qh4

18 Qe3 Qe4; he re O t to H a r d y' s 18 Klt l m i gh t h a v e re t a i n e d
s o m e e d ge.) 1 5 . . . f e 1 6 f e B b 6 1 7 e 6 B c8 1 8 N x c6 Q d 6
( B e l i n ko v - D o n c h e n ko , M o s c o w 1 9 63) a n d n o w 1 9 Q x d 5 !
(Est rin) e n s u res t h a t Wh i t e w i n s a p a w n t h a n k s to t h e
k n i g h t f o r k on e 7 .

1 4 N x e4 dxe4
1 5 Qe2 B g4!

15 ... Qe7 (15 ... Kh 8 16 Qc4 Qe 7 see be l o w) gi v e s Wh i te

an e asi e r t i m e a n d h e h a s a c h o i ce b e t w e e n 1 6 N b3!?
(Es t ri n) 16 ... B x e3 + ( I f 1 6... Bb6 1 7 Qc4+ w i n s a p a w n .) 1 7
Q x e3 , w h i c h f a v ou re d h i m i n A u z i n s - Z u ev , p o s t a l 1 9 7 6 ,
a n d 1 6 Q c4+ K h 8 1 7 R a e 1 fe 1 8 N x c6 B x e3+ 1 9 R x e3 Q e 8
2 0 N x e 5 B b 5 2 1 N g6+ Q x g6 2 2 Q x b 5 R ab 8 2 3 Q c 5 Q d 6 2 4
Q x d6 w h e n Wh i t e w a s a g o o d p a w n u p a l t h o u gh h e u l t i ­
m a t e l y f a i l e d to w i n i n Sves h n i kov- L e n g y e l , C o p e n h ag e n
1 9 84.

16 Q f2 !

N o t 1 6 Q c4+ Q d5 ! w h e re a s n o w 1 6 ... Q d 5 ? c a n b e r e ­
f u t e d b y 1 7 N x c6! e.g. 1 7 ... B x e3 1 8 N e 7+ K h 8 1 9 N x d 5 a n d
Wh i t e w i n s a p a w n .

1 6 ... Qe8

1 6 ... Q d 5? 17 Nx c6! g a v e Wh i te a c l e a r p l u s in Sves h ­

n i kov- Keres, U S S R C h 1 9 7 3 . A f te r 1 7 ... B a3 1 8 e f R x f6 1 9
N e 5 Q x e 5 2 0 f e R x f2 2 1 B x f2 B x b2 2 2 R a e 1 B f5 2 3 B c 5 g 6
S v e sh n i k o v threw a w a y t h e win by 2 4 e6? T h e c o r r e c t c o n ­
t i n u a t i o n w as 2 4 g4! B x g4 2 5 R x e 4 B f5 2 6 Re3 .

1 7 Nb3
 T w o K n i g h t s D e fe nse: G a m e Fo u r 17 1

17 •. . B e 7!?

A l t h o ug h t h i s m o v e looks good , w a t c h i n g both s i d e s

o f t h e b o a r d , i t h a s t h e d r a w b a c k t h a t i t h a n ds o v e r k e y
s q u a re c S , l e a v i n g B l a c k c r a m p e d f o r t h e rest o f t h e g a m e.

1 7 ... B b 6! i s r e c k o n e d to b e c r i t i c a l . T h e n m an y
boo k s c i te t h e posi t i o n a f t e r 1 8 c 4 B x e3 1 9 Q x e3 Q g6
(B e t t e r t h a n 1 9. . . fe 20 Q x e 4 ef 2 1 R x f4 Q x e 4 22 R x e4 Bf5
23 R e 7 Rf7 24 R xf7 Kxf 7 25 Nd4!) 2 0 R ae l fe 2 1 Q x e 4 e f
( B re de w o u t - K ar a k l aj i c, B e ve r w ij k 1 9 67) a s = b u t c o n t i n u ­
i n g t h e a n a l y s i s i n t o t h e e n d g a m e s h o w s t h a t Wh i te h a s e x ­
c e l l e n t p r a c t i c a l ch a n ces o f v i c t o r y . B l a c k h as a t h a n k l ess
task d e fen d i n g an e n d ga m e in w h i c h h e h as a p e r s i s te n t
i n f e r i o r i t y b e c a u se o f h i s w e a k Q-si d e p a w n s.

My m a i n l i n e g oe s: 2 2 Q x g6 h g 2 3 R e 7 (The a c t i v i t y
o f t h e roo k on t h e se v e n t h r a n k i s m o re i m p o r t a n t t h a n a
q u i c k r e c a p t u re o f t h e p a w n , w h i c h i s d o o m e d a n y w a y .)
2 3 . . R a c8! (B l a c k t ri e s t o rest ri c t t h e s c o p e o f t h e a d v a n c e d
.

ro o k .) 2 4 N cS ! ( T h re a t e n i n g 25 h 3 ) 2 4 ... g 5 ! 2 5 R fe l !

T h e k n i g h t i s so w e l l p l a c e d on c 5 t h a t i t w o u l d be
c ri m i n a l to play N a 6 . I f Wh i te goes p a w n - g ra b b i n g h e
s h ou l d m a k e s u re i t i s t h e f ron t g - p a w n t h a t h e w i ns, a n d
t h i s i s n o w h i s p l a n . F i rst h e p re v e n ts a c h a l l e n ge on t h e e­
f i le and th re a t e n s N e 6 .
172 Two K n i g h t s D e fense: G a m e F o u r

Play can go on 2 5 ... R f7 ( 2 5 . R b 8 2 6 b3 and B l a c k

. .

h as gi v e n Wh i t e e x t r a t a rget s.) 2 6 R 7 e 5 ! ( T h e a t t a c k
s w i t c h e s to t h e f ron t g- p a w n w h i c h p ro t e c t s t h e f- p a w n .)
2 6 ... B f5 2 7 Ne4! B x e 4 2 8 R l x e4 f3 ( T h e b e s t d e f e n si v e t r y .
A f t e r 2 8. . . R b 8 2 9 b 3 R b 6 3 0 R a 5! Wh i te k ee ps o n e r o o k a t
h o m e to d e fe n d w h i l e t h e o t h e r g o e s m a r a u d i n g.) 2 9 g f
R x f3 3 0 R x g5 (A fte r t h e e q u a l i z a t i on o f m a t e r i a l , Wh i te's
ad v a n t age i n pawn st r u ct u re and p i e ce a c t i v i t y i s c l e a r.)
30 ... R d 8 3 1 Re2 R d 1+ 32 Kg2 R f f 1 33 R a5 R g 1+ 34 K f2!
a v oi d i n g p e r p e t u a l check, with a p ro m i s i n g e n d g a m e:
3 4 ... R d f 1+ 3 5 Ke3 R f7 3 6 b4! R e 7+ 3 7 Kd2 R x e2+ 3 8 K x e2
Rg2+ 3 9 Ke3 R x h 2 4 0 R x a 7 g5 4 1 R x c7 R x a2 42 R x c6 K f7
43 R d 6 K e 7 44 R d2 R a3+ 4 5 K d 4 a n d t h e t w o con n e cted
p assed p a w n s w i l l d e f e a t t h e s o l i t a r y p a w n .

1 8 B d4 aS
19 Qe3

Wh i t e m u st s e c u re h i s e - p a w n b e f o re o c cu p y i n g e 5 .

1 9 ... f5

B l a c k f e a r e d o p e n i n g l i n es f o r Wh i t e by ... fe b u t
t h a t m i g h t h a v e b e e n t h e l e sse r e v i l .

2 0 N c5 ! B x c5
2 1 B x c5 R f7

2 2 Q b 3 a4 2 3 Q c 4 K h 8 2 4 e6 R f6 2 5 e7 Q d 7! T h i s
w as t h e posi t i o n B l a c k h a d i n m i n d w h e n p l a y i n g 1 7 . . . B e 7 .
A l l h e n e e d s t o d o n o w i s p l a y ... Q d 5 a n d a l l i s w e l l , so
Wh i t e m u st ge t to the cl - fi l e q u i c k l y! He shows he can do
t h i s by a b r i lli ant and corn p l e t e l y logi c a l con t i n u a t i o n:

2 6 h 3 ! B h 5 2 7 g4! fg (Black c a n n o t l a u n c h h i s
cou n te r- a t t a c k i n t i m e , e .g. 2 7. . .B x g 4 2 8 h g R g 6 2 9 g 5 Jz 6 3 0
Rad 1 Q e 8 3 1 Kf2 hg 32 Ril l + o r 2 7. . . Rg6! 28 Rad 1 Q e B 2 9
Q d 4 fg 3 0 Q d 8 gh+ 3 1 Kh2 B x d 1 3 2 R x d l R d 6! 3 3 QxaB!
Qx a 8 34 B x d 6 w i t h a w i n n i n g posi t i o n .) 2 8 R a d 1 Q e 8 2 9
Q x e 4 g h 3 0 R d2 B f7 3 1 f 5 B d 5 3 2 Q g 4 h 6 3 3 c 4 B f7 3 4
 T w o K n i g h ts D e fe nse: G a m e F o u r 1 73

K h 2 K h 7 3 5 Q e 4 Q g 8 3 6 b3 ab 3 7 ab g6 3 8 Q e 5 Rx f5 3 9
R x f5 g f 40 Q x f5+ B g6.

H e re the game w as a dj u d i c a t e d a win fo r Wh i te ,

w h o d e m o n s t r a t e d t h e f o l l o w i n g w i n n i n g l i n e s: 4 1 Q f6 Q g7
(4 1 ... Qf7 42 Qxf7+ B xf7 43 Kxh 3 R e8 44 Rf2 , w i n n i n g;
4 l ... Be8 42 Rf2 Bg6 43 Bd4 and 44 Qf8; 4 l ... Be4 42 Rf2 R e8
43 Qf8) 42 Q x g 7+ K x g7 43 R f2 R e 8 (43... B e 8 44 Kxlz 3 R a 5
4 5 b 4 Ra3+ 4 6 Klt 4 Kg 6 4 7 R f8 R a B 48 B d 4 R c8 4 9 B e5!) 4 4
K x h3 B f7 4 5 K h 4 K g6 4 6 R f4 h 5 ( 4 6. . Kg 7 4 7 Bd4+ Kg8 48
Rg4+) 47 R f3 Kg7 48 B d4+ Kg8 49 Rg3+ K h 7 50 R g 7+ K h 8
5 1 R x f7+ K g 8 5 2 Rg7+ K h 8 53 Rg5+ K h 7 5 4 B c 5 1 - 0
Ke f fler- G i b b s, p o s t a l 1 9 7 8 .

Game 58
12 ... B b6!

T h e s e c o n d e d i t i o n of E. C. O. r i g h t l y a w a r d s t h i s
m o v e a ! b e c a u s e i t l e a d s to a v e r y h a r d figh t f o r t h e i n i ­
t i a t i v e w h e r e as i n m os t l i n e s o f t h e M o d e r n V a r i a t i o n t h e
q u es t i o n i s m e re l y w h e t h e r Wh i t e w i l l w i n o r w i l l u l ti ­
m a t e l y h a v e to con c e d e a d r a w.

13 N d 2 !

ECO q u otes a g a m e w i t h 1 3 N c3 N x c3 1 4 b e 0 - 0
le a d i n g to e q u a l i t y ; h o w e v e r, t h e i m m e d i a t e 1 4 ... c5 i s e v e n
174 T w o K n i g h t s D e fense: G a m e F o u r

st ronge r as I fou n d to my cost 1n o n e e x p e r i m e n t a l p ost a l

game.

1 3 ... N x d2

A l l re cen t g a m e s h a v e fe a t u r e d t h i s. I f 1 3 ... c 5 1 4
N b 3 (O f cou rse n o t 1 4 Nx e4?? cd) 1 4 ... d 4?! ( 1 4... Nx d2 1 5
Qxd2 t r a n s p oses to t h e m a i n l i n e . H o w e v e r b o t h 1 4. . . Bb5!?
1 5 Rf3 t h re a te n i n g a4-a5 and 1 4 ... c4!? 15 Bxb6 a b 16 Nx e 4
de 1 7 Nd2 o r 1 6. . . cb 1 7 Q x d5 look i n t e res t i n g and worth a
test.) 1 5 N x e 4 d e 1 6 c4! (S h u t t i ng ou t t h e d a r k- s q u a re d
b i sh op) 1 6 . . . B f5 1 7 N b3 Q x d 1 1 8 R fx d 1 ! B c2 1 9 R e 1 a n d
Wh i te w i n s a p a w n .

1 4 Q x d2 c5
1 5 N f3 ! ?

This looks l i k e the criti cal move; u n fortunately I

d i d n o t t h i n k o f i t w h e n p l a y i n g C h a n d l e r a n d w as p u t
o f f 1 3 N d2 b y t h e poss i b i l i t y 1 5 N b 3 d4! ( N ot 1 5... c 4 ? 1 6
B x b 6!) 1 6 B f2 B b 5 ! 1 7 R fe 1 Q d 5 w i t h a st rong B l a c k a t ­
t a c k ( S ve s h n i k o v - A g z a m o v, T a s h k e n t 1 9 8 4 ) , w h i c h h a d j u s t
b e e n p u b l i s h e d i n Informa tor 38.

T h e a l t e rn a t i v e for Wh i te 1s 15 Ne2 d 4 16 B f2
when:

a) 1 6 .. 0 - 0 i s e q u a l: 1 7 c4 ( 1 7 a 4 a 6
. V oro b e t s - B a n -
=

n i k, 1 9 5 6) 1 7 ... f5! ? 18 a4 a 5 ! ? 1 9 h 3 Bc6 20 K h 2 Q d 7 2 1 b 3

R ae 8 2 2 B h 4 Q f7 23 N g 3 B b 7 2 4 R a d 1 Q g 6 u n c l e a r; Wh i te
w o n i n 5 9 m o v e s i n S ve s h n i k o v - M i lo s, R i o de J a n e iro 1 9 8 5 .

b ) 1 6 . . . B c6!? 1 7 c4 Q c8 1 8 Q d 3 Q g 4 1 9 B g3 g6 20 h 3
Q f5 2 1 Q x f5 g f w i t h a n u n c l e a r pos i t i on , w o n b y B l a c k
( p ro b a b l y as a resu l t o f t i m e t ro u b le) i n J . L. F e r n a n d e z ­
We s t e ri n e n , A l i c a n t e 1 98 9 .

1 5 ... B f5
 T w o K n i g h t s D e f e n se: G a me F o u r 175

A fte r 1 5 ... d 4 1 6 B f2 B c6 1 7 B h 4 Q d S 1 8 fS Wh i t e
h as som e a d v a n t a g e a c cord i n g to S n e i d e r & V . G u re v i c h .

1 6 c3 0-0
17 b4

T h e r i g h t p l a n b u t i n a c c u r a t e e x e c u t i o n . 1 7 R a d l !?
c6 1 8 b 4 w o u l d b e m o re p re ci s e , as B l a c k s h o u l d n o w p l a y
1 7 . . . d4!? 1 8 c d cb 1 9 Q x b 4 Q d 5 = ( a N i m zo w i t s c h s t y l e
p a w n o f fe r for b l o c k a d e) . A ft e r B l a c k m i sses t h i s , Wh i t e
h as a n e as y r u n .

1 7 ... Q e 7?!
18 b x c5 B x c5
1 9 Rae 1

Wh i te h as a c l e a r a d v a n t age: 1 9 ... R a d 8 2 0 B x c 5
Q x c5+ 2 1 K h 1 f6 2 2 N d 4 fe 2 3 fe (23 R x e5! ? i s a l so goo d .)
2 3 ... B c 8 2 4 e6 R x f l+ 2 5 R x f l R e 8 2 6 Q g 5 Q e 7 2 7 Q e 5 ! Q d 6
2 8 Q x d6 c d 2 9 R e l g5! 3 0 K g l K g 7 3 1 Re3 K f6?! (3 1 . a 5 ! ? ..

w as obj e c t i v e l y t h e l as t c h a n c e .) 3 2 R f3 + Kg6 3 3 R f7 a5
and now in V . G ur e vi c h - P o l o vo d i n , U S S R 1 9 8 7 , Wh i t e b l e w
i t b y 3 4 R a 7 ? a n d o n l y d re w . T h e c o r re c t w a y t o w i n w as
3 4 R d7 ! e.g. 3 4 ... B x d 7 3 5 e d R d8 3 6 N e 6 R x d 7 3 7 N f8+.
176 T w o K n i g h t s D e fe nse: G a m e F i ve

TWO KNI GHTS D EFENS E

Game Five

1 e4 e5
2 N f3 N c6
3 B c4 N f6
4 d4 e x d4
5 e5 d5
6 Bb5 Ne4
7 N x d4 B c5 !?

T h i s d o u b l e - e d ge d m o v e h as to b e h a n d le d w i t h
g r e a t c a re b y b o t h si d es. B l a c k i s w i l l i n g to o f fe r t h e g a m ­
b i t o f h i s c - p a w n (a fte r 8 0- 0 0-0) w h i c h s h o u l d b e d e ­
c l i n e d , a n d h e a l s o h o pes to r e a ch f a v o r a b l e l i n es f rom
Game F o u r by t r a n s p os i t i o n (8 0- 0 Bd7 9 B x e6 b e o r 8 B e 3
B d 7 9 B x e 6 b e 10 0- 0) but this c a n b e a v o i d e d .

8 Be3!

I n t h e 1980s t h i s su p e rse d e d 8 0 - 0 as t h e m a i n c o n ­
t i n u a t i o n i n m a s t e r p l a y . N ote t h a t 8 N x c6 ? B x f2+ 9 K f l
Q h 4 i s a loser.
 T w o K n i g h t s D e fe n se: G a m e Five 177

S i n ce B l a c k h as t h ree p r i n c i p a l r e p l i e s from t h e d i ­
a g r a m , a l l o f w h i c h l e a d t o e n t i re l y d i f fe re n t t y p es o f p o­
s i t i o n , i t i s n e ce ss a r y fo r m e to sp l i t t h i s g a m e i n t o t h ree:

G a m e S A: 8 ... 0-0?!
G a me 5B: 8 ... B x d 4
G a m e 5 C : 8 ... B d 7

Game S A
8 ... 0 - 0?!
9 N x c6! b x c6
1 0 B x c5 N x c5
1 1 B x c6 B a6

I f 1 1 . .. R b 8?! 1 2 0 - 0 R x b 2 1 3 B x d 5 Q e 7 ( 1 3 ... Bf5 w as

i n s u f f i c i e n t i n C a rl e t o n -M i les, Wo lve r h a m p t o n 1 9 7 2 .) 1 4
Re l R d 8 1 5 N c3 c 6 1 6 Q c 1 ! R b 6 1 7 B f3 a n d Wh i t e h a s a n
e x t r a p a w n w i th a sou n d pos i t i on ( O t t o H a rd y) .

1 2 N c3 !

Not 12 Qxd5? Qg5! ( K a ra k l aj i c - Traj ko v i c, Yu­

g o s l av i a 1 9 68)

12 . . . d4!

The t r i c k i est move t o m e e t .

a) 1 2 ... Q g 5 1 3 Q d 4! gi v e s Wh i te a cle a r a d v a n t a ge:

1 3 ... R ab 8 (13 ... Qxg2 14 0- 0-0! o r 13 ... Ne 6 14 Qe3 Qxg2 15 0-
0- 0 o r 13 ... R a e8 14 B x e8 R x e8 15 f4 Qg4 16 lz3 Qg3+ 1 7 Qf2
w i n n i n g i n B ar d e n - J a n e t s c h e k, C l are B e n e d i c t T e a m s
1 9 6 0) 1 4 Q x c5 Q x e5+ 1 5 Q e 3 an d w i n s ( H e n k i n - V as i u kov,
L e n i ngrad 1 9 5 4) .

b) 12 Rb8 13 Q x d 5 Q x d 5 14 Bxd5 R xb2 1 5 0-0-0

.•.

R b 4 1 6 R h e 1 R fb8 1 7 Bb3 w i t h a s a fe e x t r a p a w n ( E s t r i n­
G u re v i c h , Mos c o w 1 9 72) .

1 3 B x a8! d x c3
178 T w o K n i g h t s De fe nse: G a me F i ve

I f 1 3 ... Q x a 8 1 4 Q x d4 R d 8 1 5 Qg4! f o l l o w e d b y R d 1
w i t h a c l e a r a d v an t a ge for Wh i t e K e re s.
-

14 Q x d 8 R x d8
1 5 b4!

Wh i t e s h ou l d be a b l e to re f u t e t h e e x c h a n g e s a c r i ­
f i ce i f h e i s c a re f u l to a v o i d t r a ps. N o t 1 5 B c6? R d2 1 6 b 4
Re2+ - + as a n a l y ze d b y S p ass k y' s fo r m e r t r a i n e r, Z a k .

1 5 ... Ne6
1 6 B c6 B c4!

T h i s i s a n i n g e n i o u s a t te m p t to i m p ro v e on 1 6 . . . N d4
17 B a4! (Ma c i ej e w s ki - B i e l c z y k, D u b l i n 1 9 74) and 16 ... Rd2?
1 7 b 5 N d 4 18 0 - 0! w h i c h a re w i n n i n g for Wh i t e. A n o l d
a n a l y s i s b y Z a k , i n t h e L a t v i a n m ag a z i n e Salz s , c l a i m e d
t h a t 1 6 . 8 c 4 ! i s h i gh l y u n c l e a r b u t Wh i t e c a n t h r e a d h is
. .

w a y th rough t h e com p l i c a t i o n s to s u c cess.

17 R d 1 !

1 7 B e 4 R d2! 1 8 B d3 B x d3 1 9 c d N d4 g1 v e s B l a c k
good p l a y .

1 7 . . .N d 4
 T w o K n i g h t s D e f e n s e: G a m e F i ve 179

Wh e n Z a k r e p e a t e d h i s a n a l y s i s i n h i s 198 5 B a ts f o r d
book Improve Your Chess Results, h e d i d n o t g i v e Wh i t e ' s
n e x t m o v e , co y l y w ri t i n g t h a t " B y con t i n u i n g t h e a n a l y s i s ,
t h e r e a d e r c a n w i t h o u t a n y p a r t i c u l a r t ro u b l e , d i s co v e r f o r
h i m se l f t h e r i g h t con t i n u a t i on for Wh i t e ... " I w as a m u s e d
w h e n I r e a d t h is f o r I h a d , a fe w y e a rs b e f o r e , s p e n t m a n y
h o u r s a n a l y z i n g a n d r e ch e c k i n g t h e f o l lo w i n g re f u t a t i o n
o f Z a k ' s o r i g i n a l a n a l y s i s:

1 8 B a4!

Z a k g i v e s the ex a m p 1 e 18 8 e 4 ? f 5 ! 19 e f? N x c 2 + a n d
B l a c k m a t e s i n 2 , b u t t h e t e x t i s a d e ci s i v e i m p ro v e m e n t .
A l t h o u g h t h e p l a y r e m a i n s t ri c k y f o r a w h i l e , B l a c k l a c k s
ge n u i n e posi t i o n a l c o m p e n s a t i o n f o r h i s s a c r i f i c e d m a t e ­
r i al.

18 ... g5!?

S i n ce Zak's re m a r k s u n d e re st i m a t e the p r a c t i c a l
d i f fi c u l t i e s B l a c k c a n p u t i n Wh i te ' s w a y , I s u s p e c t t h a t h e
o v e r l oo k e d t h i s resou r c e w h i ch a r t i fi c i a l l y i so l a tes t h e
w h i t e e - p a w n . H o w e v e r, l i k e a l l t h e o th e r t r i c k s i n t h i s
v a ri a t i o n , i t i s u l t i m a t e l y i n s u f f i c i e n t f o r B l a c k . T h e a l ­
te r n a t i v e s a r e 1 8 . . . B x a2 ? 1 9 R d3 o r 1 8 . . . f6!? 1 9 f 4 .

1 9 B b3 ! B x b3
2 0 c x cb3 c2

Or 20 ... N c2+ 2 1 Ke2 R x d l (2 1 ... Nd4+ 22 Ke3 1Vc2+ 23

Ke4) 2 2 R x d 1 N x b 4 23 R d 8+! K g 7 2 4 K d 1 N c6 (24... Nx a2 25
Kc2) 25 Rd7 N x e 5 26 R x c 7 a n d Wh i t e w i n s .

2 1 Rcl R d5

2 1 . .. Rb8!? m i g h t r e s i s t a l i t t l e l o n g e r. N o w a t f i rst
s i g h t Wh i te seems in t ro u b l e w i t h t h e b l a c k k n i g h t l oo k i n g
m u ch m o re e f fe c ti v e t h a n t h e R h 1 , b u t B l a c k ' s g r i p w i l l
w e a k e n as soon a s h e m o v e s e i t h e r o f h i s p i e ces, a s h e
m u st soo n e r o r l a t e r d o.
180 T w o K n i g h t s D e fe n se: G a me F i ve

2 2 f3 !

I t w a s st i l l poss i b l e t o th row i t a l l a w a y b y 2 2 0 - 0??

N e 2+ 2 3 K h l N x c l 2 4 R x c l R d l + e t c.

B u t now it i s all up w i t h B l a c k . You s h o u l d a n a l y z e

t h i s e n d g a m e f o r y o u rsel f, b u t a poss i b l e con t i n u a t i o n a f-
t e r 22 f3 ! i s 2 2 ... Kg7 (or 22 ... R x e5+ 23 Kd2! t h re a t e n i n g
R h e l , a n d i f 23 ... R e2+? 24 Kd3 .) 23 K f2 R x e 5 2 4 R h e l R b 5
2 5 a3! c5 ( 2 5... Nx b3 2 6 R x c2 o r 25. . . aS 2 6 R e4 Rd5 2 7 b a )
2 6 R e S ! cb 2 7 R x b 5 N x b5 2 8 a b ! N d 4 2 9 Ke3: w i n n i n g.

T h e w h ol e v a ri a t i on f rom 1 6 ... B c4 i s b a d l y i n n e e d
o f a p r a ct i c a l test, b u t i n p r a c t i ce B l a c k p re f e r s to p i a y
sa f e b y 8 .. B x d 4 o r to se e k t r a n sposi t i o n to G a m e Fou r b y
8 ... B d 7 . I s h a l l n o w con s i d e r t h e se poss i b i l i t i e s.

Game 58
8 •.• B x d4

T h i s m o v e h as b e c a m e q u i te p o p u l a r i n t h e l a te
1 9 80s, w i t h B l a c k t r y i n g to e q u a l i z e t h e g a m e b y e x ­
c h a nges.

9 Q x d4
 T w o K n i g h t s D e fe n se: G a m e Five 181

T h i s i s u s u a l , b u t 9 B x d4 i s w o r t h c o n s i d e r i n g, e.g.
9 . 0-0 1 0 B x c6 be 1 1 N d2 ! Q g 5 1 2 N x e 4 d e 1 3 Qd2 Q x d 2 +
..

( 1 3. . . Qxg2 1 4 0- 0- 0! w i t h a st ron g a t t a c k) 1 4 K x d2 w i t h
some a d v a n t a ge to Wh i t e a cc o r d i n g to S n e i d e r a n d V .
G u re v i c h i n I n for m a to r .

9 ... 0-0
1 0 B x c6 b x c6
1 1 N c3

Not 1 1 f3? cS! 1 2 Q a4 ( 1 2 Qd 1 Qh4+ 1 3 g 3 Nxg3 1 4

Bf2 Qb 4+) 1 2 ... B d 7 1 3 Q a3 Q h 4+ 1 4 g3 N x g3 1 5 B f2 Q h 6!
0 - 1 H u n e r ko p f- S p as s k y , G e r m a n Bundesliga 1 9 8 4 .

1 1 ... N gS

B l a c k' s l i n e , w i th t h i s m o v e g i v e n as e q u a l i z i n g, h as
b e e n recom m e n d e d i n a f e w r e ce n t so u rc e s b u t w i t h o u t
a n y suggested i m p ro v e m e n t o n B l a c k ' s p l a y i n t h e fo l l o w ­
i n g g a m e ! O t h e rs:

a) 1 l . .. N x c3 12 Q x c3 Q d 7 13 0-0-0 Ba6 14 h4 w i t h a
clear a d v a n t a geto Wh i te (Esp i g -Wa l t e r, E a st G er m a n
C h amp. 1 9 73 ) ;

b) 1 1 . . 8 f S ! ? w h e n Wh i t e p l a y e d w e a k l y i n P i n t o ­
.

H e n ao , N e w Y o r k o p e n 1 98 9 : 1 2 0 - 0 ? c5 1 3 Q a 4 d 4 1 4 N x e 4
B x e4 1 5 B f4 R b 8 1 6 R fe 1 R b 4 1 7 Q x a7 Q d 5 ; B l a c k h a d t h e
i n i t i a t i v e a n d w o n i n 29 m o v e s. Wh i te w a s w ro n g to w o r r y
a bo u t o p p os i t e c o l o r e d b i sh ops; a f t e r 1 2 N x e 4! B x e4 ( 1 2 ... de
a lso l e a v e s B l a c k ' s p a w n s in a m ess) the fo r k o f the t w o
p a w n s i s i m m ate ri a l s i n c e Wh i te c a n e i t h e r p l a y a spe c u l a­
t i v e g a m b i t b y 1 3 0 - 0-0!? B x g2 1 4 R h g 1 B f3 1 5 R d 3 o r re­
c o v e r his pawn a fte r 1 3 0-0! B x c 2?! 14 R f c l . The i m p o r t a n t
t h i n g t o n o t e is th a t Wh i t e s h o u l d n ot s u r re n d e r c o n t rol o f
c5!

12 Qa4 B d7
13 0-0-0 Ne6
1 4 Qa3! f6
1 82 T w o K n i g h ts D e fe nse: G a m e F i ve

1 5 e f Q x f6 1 6 N e 4 Q g 6 ( 1 6 .. de 1 7 R x d 7) 1 7 N c5
w i l h a c l e a r a d v a n t age t o Wh i te i n Estri n - B rg l e z , 7 t h c o r ­
re s p o n d e n ce Wo rl d C h a m p i o n s h i p F i n a l 1 9 7 2 . The con t i n ­
u a t i on w as 1 7 ... N x c5 1 8 B x c5 R f4!? ( 1 8... Rfe8 m a y b e
s a fe r.) 1 9 B d 4 R e 8 ( 1 9. . Qxg2? 2 0 Rlz g 1 ) 2 0 g 3 R fe 4 2 1 Q c3
B f5 2 2 b3 Re2 2 3 R d2 R x d2 2 4 Q x d2 c5!? ( T r y i n g t o b r e a k
l h e st r a n g l e h o l d) 2 5 B x c5 Q c6 2 6 B d 4! ( N o t 2 6 B x a 7? d4.')
26 ... Qe6 27 Kb2 a6 (2 7... Qe2 28 Rd 1 or 27 ... Qa6 28 B e3) 2 8
R d 1 h 6 2 9 Q c3 c 6 (29... Qf7 3 0 B e5 R e 7 3 1 f4 Est ri n) 3 0
B x g7 c 5 3 1 B x h 6! 1 - 0 ( A f t e r 3 1 ... Qxlz 6 3 2 R x d5 a n d R x c5
Wh i t e h as loo m a n y p a w n s f o r B l a c k t o cope w i t h) .

Game S C
8 ... B d7

9 B x c6 b x c6
1 0 N d2 !

T h e m os t i m p o r t a n t n o v e l t y f rom t h e 1 9 8 0 s i n t h e
M o d e r n V a r i a t i o n , fi r s t i n t r o d u ce d to m as t e r p l a y b y t h e
Y u gos l a v g r a n d m as t e r B oj an K u r aj i c a i n 1 9 82. O f t h e a l ­
t e r n a t i v e s, 1 0 f3 ?! Q h 4+ g i v e s co m p l i c a t i o n s w h i c h a re
p rom i s i n g f o r B l a c k w h i le t h e obj e c t i o n t o t h e m o v e 1 0 0 - 0
i s t h a t B l a c k m a y r e a c h f a v o r a b l e l i n es f ro m G a m e F i v e ,
h a v i n g t h e p le a sa n t c h o i ce b e t w e e n 1 0 ... 0 - 0 , 1 0 ... B b 6 a n d
1 0 ... Q e 7 .
 T w o K n i g h t s D e fense: G a m e F i ve 1 83

1 0 ... Qe7

T h i s leads to very sh a rp com p l i c a t i o n s.

B l a c k h a s t w o m aj o r a l t e r n a t i v e s:

a) 1 0 ... Q h 4 w h e n:

a 1 ) T h e s t e m g a m e , Kuraj i c a - S m ej k a l , N ovi S a d
1 9 8 2 , w e n t 1 1 N x e 4 Q x e 4 1 2 0 - 0 0 - 0 (A f t e r K u raj i c a ' s s u g ­
ge s t i on 1 2. . .B b 6, 1 3 R e i Q x e 5 ? a n d 1 3 . 0- 0 a r e b o t h m e t b y
..

1 4 Nx c 6! o r 1 3... Qg6! 1 4 Nb 3 0- 0 1 5 a 4 a S 1 6 B c5 Rfe8 1 7

R e2 Qf5 1 8 Qd4 R a b 8 1 9 Qc3 th e n R a e 1 , m a i n t a i n i ng t h e
b i n d a n d Wh i t e ' s i n i t i a t i v e .) 1 3 R e 1 Q g6 1 4 N e 6! B xe 6 1 5
B x c5 w i t h a s m a l l b u t d e f i n i t e a d v a n t a g e to Wh i t e:
1 5 ... R fb8 1 6 b3 B h 3!? (1 6... Bf5 1 7 R e3 ! B x c2 1 8 Q d 4 t h re a t­
e n i n g R g3) 1 7 Q f3 B f5 1 8 Qc3! B e 4 1 9 f3 B x c 2 20 e6 fe
and now, i n st e a d of 21 R a c 1 ? l os i n g a t e m po, w i t h 2 1 B d 4!
Wh i te ' s p rospe c t s o f v i c t o r y w o u l d h a v e b e e n e x c e l l e n t .
T h e se pos i t i on s w i t h o p p o s i t e c o l o r e d b i s h o p s a n d h e a v y
p i e ces a re n o t d r a w i s h ; t h e p l a y e r w i t h t h e i n i t i a t i v e h a s
good w i n n i n g c h a n ces, m a t e r i al b e i n g o f m i n o r i m po r t a n ce .

a 2 ) 1 1 N 4 f3!? (p r ob a b l y e x p e c t i n g t h e r e t r e a t Q e 7,
w i t h a n e d ge to Wh i te) w a s e n te r p ri s i n g l y m e t b y a v e r y
u n c l e a r q u e e n s a c r i f i ce i n K o t ro n i a s - B a rbero, B u d ap e s t
1 9 88: 1 1 . .. B x e3!? 1 2 N x h 4 B x d 2+ 1 3 K f 1 B a 5 . A p p ro x i m a t e
m a t e r i a l e q u a l i t y a rose a ft e r 1 4 Q e 2 g5 1 5 N f3 B b 6 1 6 c3
N x f2 1 7 Nd4 N x h 1 1 8 K g 1 0-0-0 1 9 b 4 R d e8 20 K x h 1 K b 7
a n d t h e g a m e w as d r a w n i n 5 9 m o v es.

b ) 10 ... N x d2 ( B l a c k ' s s a f e st r e p l y) is m e t by 1 1
Q x d 2, i n t e n d i n g Q c3 a n d N b 3 t o t r a d e o f f B l a c k ' s d a r k ­
s q u a r e d b i s h o p ; K u r aj i c a assesse d t h i s a s s l i g h t l y f a v o r a b l e
to Wh i te a n d t h e r e h a v e s i n ce b e e n s e v e r a l t e s t s. B e s t p l a y
s e e m s to b e 1 1 .. .Q e 7 ( N o t 1 1 . . 0- 0 1 2 0- 0 f6 1 3 Nx c 6 B x c 6
.

1 4 B x c 5 R e8 1 5 e f Qxf6 1 6 B d 4 w i t h c l e a r a d v a n t age t o
Wh i te i n R o m e ro H o l m e s - C a mp os, L e o n 1 9 8 9 .) 1 2 N b 3 B b 6
1 3 Qc3 0-0 1 4 0-0 a n d n o w:
18� T w o K n i g h t s D e fe nse: G a m e F i ve

b l ) 1-l ... R f e 8 ! 1 5 f-l f6 1 6 B c 5 f e 1 7 f e Q h 4! (1 7... Qg5

18 R a e 1 +=) w a s p l a y e d i n R i n k i s - P o l e s c h u k, U S S R p o s t a l
1 9 8 � . N o w \Vh i t e s h o u I d h a v e p I a y e d 1 8 N d 2 d 4 1 9 Q a 3
fol l o w e d b y N f3 ; B l a c k cannot play 19 ... R x e 5 b e c a u s e o f
20 B x b6 a n d 2 1 N f3 w i n n i n g t h e e x c h a n g e . T h i s l i n e n e e d s
m o re te sts.
b2) 1 4 . . . R a e 8 i s i n f e r i o r be c a u s e 15 Bc5! fo r c e s t h e
bishop e x ch ange and l e a ves Wh i t e with su perior pawn
s t r u c t u re a n d a s t r o n g K n i g h t , e . g . 1 5 . . . B x c 5 16 N x c5 B f5
1 7 R a e 1 f6! ? ( R e l i e v e s so m e o f t h e c r a m p b u t a l so c re a t e s
n e w w e a k n e s s e s) 1 8 e f Q x f6 1 9 Q x f6 g x f6 20 c3 K f 7 2 1 f 3
R e 5 2 2 K f 2 R b 8 23 b3 R b 5 2 4 b 4 R b 8 ? (24... R x e 1 2 5 R x e 1
d4 w a s n e c e ss a r y .) 2 5 R x e 5 f e 2 6 g 4 B g6?! ( B e t t e r 2 6 ... Bc8)
2 7 R e 1 R e 8 2 8 N d 7 e 4 29 f 4 K e 7 30 N c 5 K d6 31 K e 3 B f7
3 2 N b 7+ K e 7 33 f5 R b 8 3 4 N c 5 a 5 3 5 a3 ab 36 a b R a 8 3 7
K f 4 R a 2 3 8 K e 5 ! R x h 2 39 R a 1 ! B g 8 (3 9 . e 3 4 0 f6+ Kf8 4 1. .

Xe6+ Kg8 4 2 R a S+ BeB 4 3 R x e 8+ Kf 7 4 4 R e 7+ Kg 6 45 Rg 7+

Kh 6 46 g5+ Kh 5 4 7 R xh 7+ a n d 39 B e8 40 Ra 7 e3 41 R x c 7+
...

Kf8 42 Kf6 e2 43 R e 7 a l s o w i n f o r \Vh i t e .) 40 R a 8 e 3 4 1

R x g 8 e 2 4 2 f6+ K f 7 43 R g 7+ K e 8 4 4 R e 7+ K d 8 4 5 K f 5 1 -0
Krebs- B i n der, p o s t a l 1 9 8 3 .

N o w b a c k t o t h e m a i n l i n e:

1 1 Nxe4 dxe4

\Vh i t e ' s e - p a w n a p p e a rs d o o m e d b u t n o w c o m e s t h e
pr in ci pal tactical ju s t i fi c a ti o n for 1 0 N d2 . \Vh i t e b re a ks
 T w o K n i g h t s De fe n se: G a m e F i ve 1 85

t h rough w i t h d i rect t h re a t s be fore B l a c k c a n com p l e t e h i s

d e v e l o p m e n t.

1 2 e6! fx e6!

1 2 ... B x e6?! w as t r i e d in v a n Wij g e rd e n - L e n g y e l ,

A rn h e m - A ms t e r d a m 1 9 8 3 . A t fi rst s i g h t , t h i s a p p e a rs to b e
a n ob v i o u s b l u n d e r b u t B l a c k ( a H u n g a ri a n g r a n d m a s t e r)
m a y h a v e c o n s i d e re d i t t o b e a good p r a c t i c a l c h a n ce .
H o w e v e r , a ft e r 1 3 N x e 6 B x e3 ( 1 3 ... fe ? 1 4 Qh5+ x c5) 1 4
N x g7+ K f8 c a m e 1 5 N f5 ! T h i s fo r k i s t h e j u s t i fi c a t i on f o r
Wh i te ' s p l a y f ro m m o v e 1 2 . Wh i t e r e t a i n s t h e e x t r a p i e ce
a n d B l a c k w as force d i n t o d e s p e r a d o p l a y w i t h o u t ge n u i n e
com p e n s a t i o n a n d d u l y lost.

13 N x c6!

1 3 Q h 5+!? i s not a s good i f B l a c k d e fe n d s c o r re c t l y:

1 3 g6 ( 1 3... Kd8 1 4 Nx c 6+ o r 1 3 ... Kf8 1 4 Nx e 6+ o r 1 4
•••

Q x c5!?) 1 4 Q e 5 0 - 0! ( N o t 1 4... B x d 4 1 5 B x d 4 R g 8 1 6 0- 0! n o r
1 4... Qf8 1 5 Nx e6! B x e 6 1 6 Q x e 6+! B e 7 1 7 Q x c6+ Kf7 1 8
Qd5+ n o r 1 4... Rf8 1 5 Nx c6! b u t 1 4... 0- 0- 0!? co m e s i n t o c o n ­
s i d e r a t i on .) 1 5 0 - 0 (I o r i g i n a l l y i n t e n d e d 1 5 Nx c 6 b u t
1 5... B b 4+! e q u a l i ze s.) 1 5 ... Q d 6! 1 6 Q x e4 Q d 5 1 7 f 3 e 5 !
( 1 7... Q x e 4 1 8 fe i s f i n e f o r Wh i t e a f te r 1 8... e 5 1 9 Nf5 .) 1 8
N f5 B x f5 1 9 Q x d S + c d 2 0 B x c5 R fb 8 ! 2 1 B a3 d 4 (2 1 ... Bxc2
22 Rfc 1 ) 2 2 R f2 R b 5 2 3 R e 1 R e 8 24 R fe 2 g 5 25 b 3 R d S
(25... R a 5 2 6 B b 2 ! R xa 2 2 7 B x d 4 =) 2 6 B b 2 B g 6 2 7 K f2 h 6
2 8 c4 R d 6 2 9 R x e5 R x e 5 3 0 R x e 5 B b l 3 1 R d S d r a w
( H ard i ng - C o l l i n s o n , p o s t a l 1 98 5) .

1 3 . .. B b 4+
1 4 N x b4 Q x b 4+
1 5 Qd2 Q x b2?!

A ft e r 1 5 . . . Q x d2+ 16 K x d 2 ! ? ( h e a d i n g f o r c3) Wh i te
h as a l l t h e t r u m ps: a p e r fe c t p a w n s t r u ct u re w h i l e B l a c k 's
i s ru i n e d . The o n l y q u e s t i on i s w h e t h e r B l a c k can h a n g on
fo r 5 0 moves o r m o re f o r a d r a w - n o c h a n c e i n p r a c t i ce
u n l e ss h e i s t h e s t r o n ge r p l a y e r b y f a r! A l l Wh i te m u s t
1 86 Two K n i g h ts D e fense: G a me F i ve

a v o i d i s t h e e x c h ange o f b o t h p a i rs o f roo k s. I n t h e M o d ­
e r n V a ri a t i o n Wh i t e s h o u l d a l w a y s b e h a p p y to r e a c h f a ­
vorable e n d g a m e s, h o w e v e r s l i g h t t h e a d v a n t age i n t h ose
e n d i n gs m a y a p pe a r at fi rst. P a rt i c u l a r l y at c l u b a n d a m a­
t e u r tou r n a m e n t l e v e ls, t h e i n i ti a t i v e i n t h e e n d i n g ( h e re
a i m e d a t B l a c k ' s w e a k e n e d Q-si d e p a w ns) i s a pote n t w i n ­
n i n g fa c t o r. B l a c k p re fers to g rab a p a w n b u t m e e t s w i th
e x e m p l a r y p l a y f rom Wh i te . I t i s t h e e n d u r i n g f o r c e o f
Wh i t e's a t t a c k t h a t I u n d e rest i m a t e d w h e n I a v o i d e d 1 3
N x c6 a g a i n s t Col l i n so n . N o w w e f o l l o w R o m a n D z i n d z i ­
h as h v i l i v s G i l . G ar c i a , N e w Y o r k O p e n 1 9 88:

16 0 - 0 Qb5

B l a c k ' s f i rst p ro b l e m i s h i s bishop ( h e c a n n o t c astle

K - s i d e b e c ause of i t) and his secon d p ro b l e m i s t h a t i f
1 6 ... B c6 1 7 B d 4 w i n s t h e g-p a w n w i t h d e v a st a t i n g e f fe ct.
A fte r 16 . 0 - 0 - 0 Wh i t e cou l d win the g - p a w n but p l a y i n g
..

f o r m a te b y 1 7 R fb 1 w o u l d b e e v e n st ron ge r.

17 R fd 1 aS

He s t i l l c a n n o t c a s t l e a n d R d8 w o u l d l e a v e t h e a ­
•..

p a w n e n p r ise ( a p a r t f r o m t h e p i n on t h e d - f i l e a n d t h e
poss i b i l i t y o f B g5 a t a n a w k w a r d m o m e n t) . B l a c k i s a l ­
re a d y re d u ce d to s c r a m b l i n g a ro u n d w i th a rt i f i c i a l m o v e s.

18 R ab 1 Q a4
1 9 B c5 0-0-0

T h r e a t e n e d w i t h 2 0 Q g 5 , B l a c k a c ce p ts t h a t i t i s
n o w o r n e v e r. B u t t h e st r o n g m o v e s k e e p com i n g:

2 0 B e7! Rde8
2 1 Qe2! Qc6

H e c a n n o t a l l o w Q a 6!+.

22 Qe3! Qa8
 T w o K n i g h t s De fe nse: G am e F i ve 187

N o w i t w as Q a 7 h e h a d to p re v e n t .

2 3 Q c5

Wh i t e h a s a d o m i n a t i n g p os i t i o n i n re t u r n fo r a
m e re d ou b l e d i s ol a t e d p a w n . T h e e n d w as: 23 ... B c6 2 4 Rb3
e3 2 5 fe B x g2 2 6 R c3 Q c6 2 7 Q e S Rxe7 2 8 R x c6 B x c6 29
Q x a5 R d 7 3 0 Q a6+ Bb7 3 1 Q x e 6 R h d8 3 2 R x d 7 R x d7 33
Q g8+ R d8 3 4 Q x h 7 B d5 3 5 a 4 Kb7 3 6 Q d3 R d 6 3 7 Q b 5+
K c 8 3 8 aS Rg6+ 3 9 K f 1 B g2+ 4 0 K f2 K d 8 4 1 Q d3 + 1 -0.

T h i s con c l u d e s our e x a m i n a ti o n of the Two

K n i gh ts' D e f e n se .
188 P ar t T h ree: H u n ga r i a n D e f e n se G a m e O n e

PART T H R E E

H U N GAR I A N D E F E N S E : Game One

1 e4 eS
2 N f3 N c6
3 B c4

3 •.• Be7

I n t h i s a n d t h e n e x t g a m e , we s h a l l e x a m i n e l i n e s i n
w h i c h B l a c k a v o i d s t h e reg u l a r m o v e s 3 B c5 a n d 3 . . . N f6 .
.•.

T h e H u n g a r i a n D e f e n s e (i.e. 3 . B e 7 and t h e very s i m i l a r

. .

3 . d 6 , w h i ch i s d i scu ssed i n G a m e T w o o f t h e H u n g a r i a n
..

D e fe n se) a re t h e on l y re ason a b l y se n s i b l e w a y s o f d o i n g
t h i s.

F i rst l e t u s look a t s o m e r e a l l y u n u su a l t h i r d m o v es:

a ) 3 ... f5?! is an i n fe ri o r form o f L a t v i a n C ou n te r­

G a m b i t. Wh i te p l a y s 4 d 4! a n d n o w:

a l ) 4 ... N f6 5 d e N x e4 6 0 - 0 B c 5 7 N c3 N x c 3 8 b e h 6
9 N d 4 g6 1 0 N b 3 w i th c l e a r a d v a n t a g e · to Wh i t e - a n o l d
v a ri a t i o n f r o m B ilgu ers Han dbuch .
 P a rt T h ree: H u n g a r i a n D e fe nse G a m e O n e 1 89

a2 ) 4 ... fe 5 N x e 5 d 5 6 Bb5 N ge 7 7 0-0 a 6 8 B x c6+ b e

( 8. . . Nx c 6 ? 9 Qh 5+) 9 h 3 B f5 1 0 N c3 aga i n w i t h cle a r a d ­
v a n t age s a y s t h e Han dbuch .

a3) 4 ... d 6 5 d e d e (o r 5... fe 6 Qd5 Q e 7 7 B g 5 B e 6 8

Q x e 4) 6 Q x d 8+ N x d 8 (6 ... Kx d8 7 Bg5+ Nf6 8 Nc3) 7 N x e 5
fe 8 B d 2 B d 6 9 B c3 w i t h c l e a r a d v a n t age to Wh i te i n t h e
con s u l t a t i o n g a m e L o w e n t h a l a n d M e d l e y versu s Morp h y
a n d Mo n g re d ie n , L o n d o n 1 85 7 .

b ) 3 . . . N d 4?! 4 c 3 ! (A v oi d s a l l t h e t ra p s) 4 . . . N x f 3+ 5
Q x f3 N f6 6 d 4 d 6 7 B g 5 ( a n d i f 7... B g 4 ? 8 B xf6 w i n n i n g) i s
s i m p i e a n d good f o r Wh i te , as g i v e n b y N e i s t a d t i n h i s In ­
troduction to Chess Op en in gs.

c ) 3 . . . g 6 is re l a t i v e l y the best of t h ese m i n o r m o v e s

b u t i t s s l o w d e v e l op m e n t e n co u r ag e s e a rl y a t t a c k s. A com­
p l e te l y s a fe plan t o g e t some a d v a n t age is t o f o l l o w
S p a s s ky - G e n i n , Le n i n gr a d C h am p 1 9 5 9 , w i th 4 d 3 B g 7 5
N c3 N g e 7 6 N g 5 0 - 0 7 h 4! b u t B l a c k o u g h t t o h a v e p re­
v e n te d t h i s r u s h b y 5 ... N f6. I f y o u want so m e t h i n g m o re
e n te rp ri si ng, t h e re i s a g a m b i t b y 4 d 4 e d 5 c3 e .g.:

c l ) 5 ... d3 6 0-0 B g7 7 Qb3 Qe7 8 B g5 (M a c i ej e w s k i ­

S c h i n z e l , L o d z 1 9 8 0) w i t h c l e a r a d v a n t a ge to Wh i t e ;

c 2 ) 5 ... d c 6 N x c3 B g 7 (Me d n i s s u ggests 6. . . d 6 , to m e e t

7 Q b 3 b y Q d 7; Wh i te ' s b e s t i s p rob a b l y 7 Ng 5 Nh 6 8 0- 0
a n d i f 8... Ne5 9 B b 3 fol l o w e d b y f4; B l a c k h as a lot o f u n ­
t a n g l i n g t o d o.) 7 Q b 3 Q e 7 8 N d 5 Q x e4+ 9 B e 2 K d 8 ( 9... Na 5
1 0 Qd 1 !) 1 0 0-0! a n d B l a c k h as a b a d p os i t i o n . U n zi c k e r' s
a n a l y s i s con ti n u e s 1 0 . . .Q x e 2 1 1 B g5+ f6 1 2 R fe 1 Q x e 1+ 1 3
R x e 1 fg 1 4 N x g5 N h 6 1 5 Q h 3! R f8 1 6 Q h 4 a n d w i n s.
d ) 3 Q f6?! 4 N c3 N ge7 5 N b 5 K d 8 l oo k s b a d f o r
••.

B l a c k , w i t h h i s k i n g st u c k i n t h e cen t e r, a l t h o u g h Wh i te
m u s t p l a y a c c u r a t e l y to p ro v e h i s s u p e r i o r i t y a f t e r 6 d 4 e d
( 6... a 6 7 d e Nx e5 8 Nx e5 Qx e5 9 Nc3) a n d n o w , i n s t e a d o f
t h e u n co n v i n c i n g v a r i a t i on U n z i c k e r g a v e i n t h e f i rst e d i ­
t i on o f ECO, I t h i n k Wh i te ' s b e s t i s s i m p l y 7 0 - 0! e .g.
1 90 P a rt T h ree: H u n gari a n D e fe n se G a m e O n e

7 ... Q g 6 8 R e 1 ! d 6 (se e k i n g com p l i c a t i o n s b ased on B g 4 or

B h 3) 9 N f x d 4! Bg4 (I f 9 .. Bh 3 ? 1 0 Qf3 o r 9 . a 6 1 0 Nx c6
. ..

Nx c 6 11 Nd4) 1 0 f 3 Bh3 11 B f 1! a6 1 2 N x c6+ N x c6 1 3 N d 4

Ne5 1 4 B f4! (th r e a t e n i n g both B x e 5 a n d Bg3) a n d B l a c k ' s
cou n t e r p l a y w i l l b e u tt e r l y r e p u l se d .
e) 3 N ge7?! i n te n d s 4 d 4 e d 5 N x d 4 N x d 4 6 Q x d 4
...

N c6 w h i c h i s o n l y s l i g h t l y i n Wh i te ' s f a v o u r. I t i s a l so pos­
s i b l e to force a l i n e o f t h e T w o K n i g h ts D e fe n se w h i c h
u sed to be t h o u g h t a f o r c e d w i n b y 4 N g5! d 5 5 e d N a5
(B l a c k c a n t r y 5 . . Na 5 as in the Two K n i g h ts, but the p a s­
.

si v e p os i t i on o f h i s K N m e a n s he w i l l not h a v e s u f f i c i e n t
co m p e n sa t i on f o r t h e s a c r i f i c e d p a w n .) B u t n o w a ft e r both
6 N x f7 ( t h e or i g i n a l Fegatel/o o r Fried L i v e r A t t a c k ) o r
t h e l a t e r re f i n e m e n t 6 d 4 B l a c k h as t h e o p p o r t u n i t y to
c re a te com p l i c a ti o n s w h i ch co u l d reb o u n d on Wh i t e i f he
d oe s n o t k n o w them w e l l .
S i n ce 4 Ng5 i s n o t o u r r e p e r toi r e m o v e a g a i n s t t h e
T w o K n i gh ts, i t w o u l d b e u n w i se to b e t e m p t e d a s t r a y i n
t h i s w a y a n d I r e c o m m e n d 4 c3 b u i l d i n g a se c u re c e n t e r
a f t e r 4 ... h 6 (H e m u s t p re v e n t Ng5 n o w .) 5 d 4 w i th a n i m ­
p ro v e d v e rs i o n o f t h e m a i n l i n e i n t h e n e x t c h a p te r.
f) 3 h 6? i s a t y p i c a l b e gi n n e r' s m o v e . B l a c k p re ­
...

v e n ts N g5 i n a w a y t h a t w e a k e n s t h e K -s i d e w i t h o u t assist­
ing d e v e l o p m e n t . B y p l a y i n g 4 d 4! Wh i t e is v i r t u a l l y a
m o v e u p on t h e H u n g a r i a n D e fen se, e s p e c i a l l y i f h e p l a y s
f o r a n e a r l y op e n i n g o f t h e posi t i o n .

4 d4
 P art T h re e : H u n g a ri a n D e fe n se G a m e O n e 191

U n l i k e most o f t h e m o v e s d i s c u ss e d e a rl i e r, 3 ... B e 7
i s n o t a b a d m o v e . N e v e r t h e le ss i ts c h o i ce u su a l l y i n d i c ates
a p l a y e r w h o i s r a t h e r a f r a i d of t h e com p l i c a t i o n s a r i s i n g
f rom t h e E v a n s, I t a l i a n G a m e o r T w o K n i g h ts D e f e n se or
e l se somebo d y who i s con t e n t to p l a y fo r a d r a w b y s i m ­
p l i f i c a t i o n . I n or d e r t o m a i n t a i n some i n i t i a t i v e a n d see k
to d e m on s t r a t e a n a d v a n t age, Wh i te s h o u l d i m m e d i a te l y
" p u t t h e q u es t i o n " t o B l a c k w i t h t h i s ce n t r a l c h a l l e n ge t h a t
g a i n s some s p a c e a n d o p e n s l i n e s.

4 ... d6

I n ste a d 4 ... N f6?! loses a pawn a ft e r 5 de N g4

(5... Nx e 4 ? 6 Qd5) 6 B f4 .

4 . . . e d i s, h o we v e r, p l a y ab l e , a n d c a n e v e n t r a n sp ose
to the m ai n l i n e , a l t h o u gh t h e p a w n e x c h a n ge is less pop­
u l a r b e e a u se it a p p e a rs to " g i v e up the c e n t e r " . T h i s is
n o w a d a y s consi d e r e d a less serious m a t t e r than of o l d a n d
Wh i t e m u s t p 1 a y a c c u r a t e 1 y t o m a i n t a i n h i s i n i t i a t i v e .

A n i n t e re st i n g p l a n , a d v oc a t e d i n Est r i n a n d
G l a z k o v ' s rece n t b o o k 3 Double Kin g Pawn Op en ings b u t
n o t d i s cu ssed e l se w h e re, t o m y k n o w le d ge, goes 5 N x d 4 d 6
6 N c3! (H e re 6 0- 0 i s n o r m a l , l e a d i n g t o t h e m a i n l i n e be­
low a t move 8.) 6 ... N f6 7 h 3 0-0 8 B e3 ! ? w i t h the i d e a o f
c a st l i n g Q-si d e i n s o m e c i r c u m s t a n ces. P l a y c a n con t i n u e :

a) 8 .. . N d 7 ? 9 B x f 7+! R x f 7 ( 9.. . Kxf7?? 1 0 Ne6! Kx e6

11 Qd5+ Kf6 1 2 QJS m a te o r 1 0... Qe8 11 Qd5) 10 N e6 Qe8
1 1 N x c7 a n d Wh i t e w i l l obt a i n t h ree p a w n s a n d rook for
two p i e ces, as well as d i s r u p t i n g B l a c k ' s g a m e .

b ) 8 . . .N x e 4 9 N x e 4 d 5 o n l y r u i n s B l a c k ' s p a w n
s t ru c t u re a f t e r 1 0 N x c6 b e 1 1 B d 3 d e 1 2 B x e 4 Q e 8 1 3 Q f 3
B d 7 1 4 0 - 0-0! B d 6 1 5 R h e l ( T art a ko w e r - D avi d s o n , T h e
H ague 1 9 2 1 ) .
192 P art T h re e: H u n g a r i a n D e fe n se G a m e O n e

c) 8 .. N x d 4 9 Q x d4 N d 7 1 0 0 - 0 - 0 B f6 1 1 Q d 2 a6 1 2
.

f 4 a n d "Wh i t e s t a r ts ope r a t i on s o n t h e K - si d e" (Es t r i n a n d

G l a z k o v) .

d ) 8 .. N e 5 9 B e 2! w h e n Est ri n a n d G l a z k o v gi v e t h e
.

l i nes 9 .. d 5 1 0 f 4 N g6 1 1 e 5 N e 4 1 2 N x e4 d e 1 3 0 - 0 w i t h
.

t h e b e t t e r c h a n ces, a n d 9 R e 8 1 0 0-0 B f8 1 1 f4 N g6 1 2
...

B d 3 w i t h a n a c t i v e pos i t i o n . I t s h o u l d b e n o t e d t h a t i f
Wh i te does n ot castle Q - s i de h e m a y re a c h pos i t i o n s f rom
l a t e r in the m a i n l i n e , w h e re B l a c k p l a y s ... e d .

A fte r 4 . . . d6 Wh i t e h a s to m a ke a n i m p o r t a n t c h o i ce
- w h e t h e r to cl ose t h e posi t i o n b u t g a i n s p a c e (5 d5), f i x
t h e c e n t r a l p a w n st ru c t u re ( 5 de), a i m i n g fo r a s l i g h t
e n d g a m e a d v a n t age w i t h ou t r i s k a f t e r t h e q u e e n e x ch a n ge,
o r m a i n t a i n t h e t e n s i on (5 Nc3).

5 N c3

I n v i e w o f Wh i te ' s m o re a c t i v e d e v e l op m e n t, t h i s
s e e m s t o m e s l i g h t l y b e t t e r t h a n t h e ot h e r l i n e s w h i c h ,
t h ou g h t h e y a p p e a r m o re for c i n g, h a v e been m o re s t u d i e d ,
w i t h B l a c k u s u a l l y a b l e to n e u t r a l i ze Wh i t e ' s i n i t i a t i v e i n
t h e l o n g r u n i f h e p l a y s a c c u r a t e l y . Wh i te c a n p l a y t h i s
v a r i a t i on w i t h 5 h 3 fi rst b u t t h e re i s n o n e e d to p re v e n t
t h e p re m a t u re 5 B g4 .
.•.

5 N f6
 P a rt T h ree: H u n g a ri a n De fe nse G a me O n e 1 93

S ... B g4 i s w e l l m e t b y 6 h 3 w h e n 6 ... B h 5 7 d S N d 4 8
g4 N x f3+ 9 Q x f3 B g6 1 0 B b 5+ (a n a l y s i s b y H e y k e n &
F e t te) s h u t s ou t t h e b i s h o p a n d denies Black c a st l i n g
r i g h ts.

Or 6 ... B x f3 7 Q x f3 N f6 ( 7... Nx d 4 ? 8 Qx f7+ Kd 7 9 0-

0! i s good for Wh i te e v e n i f h e loses m a t e r i a l , e .g. 9.. Nx c 2 ? .

1 0 B e6+ Kc6 1 1 Nd5! Nx a 1 ? 1 2 B e3 o r 1 1 . . . Qf8 1 2 Qxf8!

R xf8 1 3 R b 1 .) 8 dS N b 8 (8 ... Nd4 9 Qd3 a 6 1 0 a 4 fo l l o w e d
b y Nd 1 a n d c3 to c u t o f f t h e k n i g h t .) 9 B e 3 N b d 7 (Est r i n
a n d G l a z k o v s u ggest 9 c 6 w h e n 1 0 0- 0 m a y b e b e s t .) 1 0 g 4
. . .

N f8 1 1 h 4 Q d 7 1 2 B b S e 6 1 3 B e 2 ! B d 8 1 4 g S N g8 1 5 0 - 0 - 0
w i t h a c r u s h i n g g a m e f o r w h i te ( A i e k h i n e - B re y e r,
M a n n h e i m 1 9 1 4) .

6 h3

I t i s n o w n e cess a r y t o p re v e n t t h e p i n n i n g m o v e
. B g4 to m a i n t a i n con t rol o f d 4 .
..

6 ... 0-0

K m o c h ' s 6 . . . N x e4?! h as to be r e c k o n e d w i t h . T h e
b e s t a n s w e r i s p ro b ab l y 7 N x e4 d S 8 B b S d e 9 N x e S w h e n
Wh i te s h o u l d a c h i e v e a s l i g h t b u t p e rs i s te n t e d ge ou t o f
t h e ope n i n g: 9 ... B d 7 ( o r 9.. Qd6 1 0 B x c 6+ b e 1 1 c 3 a n d i f
.

1 1 ... c5 1 2 Qa4+) 1 0 B x e6 B x e6 (o r 1 0... b c 1 1 0- 0) 1 1 N x e6 b e

1 2 0 - 0 ( a n d i f 1 2... c5 1 3 d5) .

B l a c k c a n n o t r e a l l y a f fo r d t h e t i m e t o p re v e n t B b S
b y 6 . . .a 6 ; a f t e r 7 B e 3 Wh i te s t a n d s b e t t e r, e . g . 7 . . N x e 4 8
.

N x e 4 dS 9 N e3! d e 1 0 d S e 4 1 1 N d2 ! N e S 1 2 N d x e 4 or 7 . . b 5
8 B d S N x d S ( T y l or- S ir G eorge T h o m as , N o t t i n g h a m 1 93 6)
9 e d! e d 1 0 N x d 4 N x d 4 1 1 B x d 4 0 - 0 1 2 Q f3 (Es t r i n a n d
G l a z k ov ) .

7 0 - 0!

Natu ral and best.

194 P art T h ree: H u n g ari a n D e f e n s e G a m e O n e

T h i s i s a m aj o r d i v e rgen ce p o i n t for B l a c k as h e h as
to d e c i d e h o w h e i s to ch a l l e nge t h e w h i te ce n t e r.

7 ..• e x d4

7 ... N x d4 w i l l, o r cou rse, t ra n s pose. Y o u a l so n e e d to

know abou t:

a) 7 ... N x e 4?! 8 N x e4 d 5 9 B x d 5 ! (B est n o w t h a t t h e

w h i t e k i n g i s i n s a f e t y ) 9 . . . Q x d 5 1 0 N c3 Q d 6 1 1 d e ! N x e5
1 2 N x e 5 Q x e 5 13 R e 1 (Mari o t t i - Os te r m a n , P o rto­
roz / Lj u b lj a n a 1 9 75) with clear a d v an t a ge to Wh i te .

b ) 7 h 6 8 Re 1 R e 8 9 B e 3 e d (Zago r o v s k y p re fers
.••

9... Bf8 but Wh i te m i g h t then t r y 1 0 d e and i f 1 0. . . d e 1 1

Q x dB R x dB 1 2 Nd5.) 1 0 N x d 4 B f8 1 1 B f4 N x d 4 1 2 Q x d 4
B e 6 1 3 R a d 1 w i t h some a d v a n t age t o Wh i t e i n T a i - F i l i p ,
M i s k o l c 1 9 6 3 , w h i ch con t i n u e d 1 3 . . . N d 7 1 4 B d 5 B x d 5 1 5
N x d 5 c6 1 6 N c3 N e 5 1 7 b3 Q b 6 1 8 Q d 2 R a d 8 1 9 B e 3 Q a 5
20 B d 4 b 5 2 1 a 3 ! N d 7 22 f 4 Q c7 23 R e 3 a 5 24 R f 1 N c5 2 5
b 4 ab 26 a b N e 6 27 N e 2 N x d 4 2 8 N x d 4 Qb6 29 K h 1 d 5 3 0
e 5 c5 3 1 b e B x c5 32 R d 3 B x d 4 33 R x d 4 Q c 5 34 R f 3 R a 8 3 5
R x d5 R a 1+ 36 K h 2 Q g 1+ 37 K g3 R b 1 38 R f d 3 K h 7 39
Rd7 K g8 40 R d 8 R x d 8 41 R x d 8+ K h 7 42 e6! 1 - 0 .

c) 7 . . . a6 8 a4 e d ( i f 8 h 6 9 R e 1 ReS t h e n G u f e l d ' s
...

1 0 B e 3 , m u c h as i n n o te b , i s b e t te r t h a n t r y i n g to d e v e l op
 P art T h re e: H u n g ari a n D e fense G a m e O n e 195

t h e b i s hop o n b2.) 9 N x d 4 N b 4 ( 9. . . Nx d 4 1 0 Qx d 4 B e 6 1 1
B x e 6 fe 1 2 e5 w i t h a n e d ge to Wh i t e - Z a g o ro v s k y ) 1 0 N d 5!
Nbxd5 1 1 ed Nd7 1 2 a 5 ! (gi v i n g Wh i te K m o c h ' s f a m o u s
" q u a rt g r i p '' on t h e 0 -s i d e) L i p n i ts k y - P e tros i a n , 1 9 5 1 .

8 N x d4

Some b oo k s d i s c u ss t h i s posi t i o n as a v a r i a t i on o f
t h e T w o K n i gh ts D e fe n se , s i n ce i t c a n also a ri se v i a 3 B c4
N f6 4 d 4 e d 5 0 - 0 d 6 6 N x d4 B e 7 7 N c3 0 - 0 8 h3 b u t i n o u r
re p e r t o i re w i t h 5 e 5 t h at r o u t e i s a v o i d e d .

8 ••• N x d4

A l so i m po r t a n t t o k n o w a re:

a) 8 . .• B d7 9 Be3 ( 9 f4 is a l so a d v a n tageou s.) 9 . . N x d 4

.

1 0 B x d 4 B c 6 1 1 0 d 3 N d 7 1 2 f4 B f 6 1 3 B f2 ! w i t h a c l e a r
a d v a n t a ge (Me s t ro v i c- F u c a k , s e e Informa tor 5) . Wh i t e p re ­
p a res for a n e 4 - e 5 b re a k .

b ) 8 ... R e 8 9 R e 1 w h e n :

b 1 ) 9 N d 7 ? 1 0 B x f7+! w i n s m a te r i a l , f o r i f
...

1 0 ... K x f7 i t' s t h a t m o v e N e 6 a g a i n! ( H o l z h ause n - T arrasc h ,

Fra n k furt - a m - M a i n 1 9 1 2) .
196 P art T h ree: H u n g ari a n D e fense G a m e O n e

b2 ) 9 ... N e5 1 0 B f 1 an d Wh i te s t a n d s b e t t e r (Est r i n
a n d G l a z k o v). T h i s t y p e o f pos i t i on a lso occ u rs i n t h e A n ­
tos h i n V a r i a t i o n o f t h e P h i l i d o r D e fense, for w h i c h I re f e r
y o u to m y C h e ss D i gest b o o k on t h a t ope n i ng.

b 3 ) 9 ... B f8 1 0 Bg5! h 6 (Estri n - C h ap l i ns k y , M o s co w

1 9 70) 1 1 N x c6! b e 1 2 B h 4 B e 6 1 3 B d 3 w h e n B l a c k w astes
time re t u rn i n g h is b i sh op to e 7 i n o r d e r to b r e a k the pin
(Est r i n ) .

b4) 9 ... h6 ( i t ' s t h e s a m e i f t h i s i s p l a y e d a t m o v e 8.)

1 0 B f4 N e 5 1 1 B b 3 B f8 1 2 Bg3 c6 1 3 f 4 w i t h a s l i g h t a d ­
v an t age to Wh i t e - U n zi c k e r.

c) 8 N e 5!? 9 B e 2! ( 9 B b 3 c 6 1 0 Be3 Q c 7 1 1 f4 Ng 6
.••

1 2 Qe2 b 5 1 3 a 3 a S g a v e d o u b l e - e d g e d p l a y i n G ru n fe l d ­
S my s l o v, War s a w 1 9 4 7 .) 9 . . . c6 ( T h e p oi n t; n ot 9.. . d5 1 0 e d
Nx d5 1 1 Nx d5 Q x d 5 1 2 Nf5!) 1 0 R e 1 R e S 1 1 B f 1 B f8 1 2 a4
a 5 1 3 K h 1 with p ressu re f o r Wh i t e , e.g. 1 3 ...B g4!? ( h op i n g
for 1 4 h g ? Nfxg4 w i t h s t ro n g t h r e at s) 1 4 Q d 2! B d 7 1 5 f4
N g6 16 Q f 2 Qb6 (A g a i n st L a r r y E v a n s' su gge s t i o n 16 ... c5
Wh i t e h as 1 7 Ndb5! Bc6 1 8 B d3 - Est r i n a n d G l a z k o v .) 1 7
B d 3 R ab8?! 1 8 R b 1 Q c 7 1 9 B d 2 B c 8 20 g4! a n d Wh i t e's
s t ro n g K - si d e a t t a c k led t o a win i n 3 2 moves ( S a n g u i n e t t i ­
R u b i n e t t i , M a r d e l P l a t a 1 9 6 6 .)

9 Q x d4 c6!

T h i s seems the to u g h e s t d e fen se. In T arrasc h ­

T au b e n h au s , O s t e n d 1 9 0 5 , B l a c k p l a y e d 9 B e 6 a n d a fte r
•..

1 0 B x e 6 fe 1 1 e S (to forest a l l . . d5) 1 1 . .. N d 7 1 2 e d c d h i s

.

weak central pawns gave h i m a s l i g h t b u t d e fi n i te

d i s a d v a n t age. Wh i t e s h o u l d n o w h a v e p l a y e d 1 3 Q g4!
( K ost i c) e.g. 1 3 ... R f6 14 B g 5 R g6 1 5 B x e 7 Q x e 7 1 6 Qe4
a l t h o u gh T a r r asch (p l a y i n g 1 3 B e3) d i d in fact w i n
anyway.

1 0 a4 N d7
1 1 B e3 b6
12 R a d 1 Qc7
 P a rt T h re e : H u n g a r i a n D e fe n s e G a m e O n e 197

1 3 f4

As E CO s a y s, Wh i te h as a s l i g h t b u t d e f i n i te ad v a n ­
t a g e , w h i c h c a n n ot b e d e n i e d a l t h o u g h t h e S p a s s k y - H ort
1st m a t c h game 1 9 7 7 w as d r a w n in a few m o re m o ve s
f rom t h i s p osi t i o n . Y o u w i l l n ot m ee t m a n y o p p on e n ts w h o
c a n d e fe n d a s w e l l as H a r t!

B l a c k p l a y e d 1 3 a6 n o w a n d S p ass k y c o n t i n u e d
..•

w i t h 1 4 R f3 b 5 1 5 B b 3 K h 8 1 6 R g3 f 6 1 7 B e6 N c5 1 8 B x c8
R fx c8 1 9 B f2 R c b 8 2 0 b 3 B f8 2 1 R f3 d r a w a g re e d .

P rob a b l y Wh i te a d op t e d t h e w r o n g p l a n a t m o v e 1 4 ,
b e c a u se h e w a s n e v e r a b l e to f o r c e t h rou g h t h e a d v a n ce
e 4 - e 5 . B e t t e r 1 4 B e 2 , r e g ro u p i n g t h e b i s h o p a t f3 a n d m a i n ­
t a i n i n g t h e g r i p. (O n e c a n n o t i m ag i n e K a r p o v f a i l i n g to
w i n f rom t h e d i ag r am p os i t i on!)
1 98 H u ng a ri a n De fense: G a m e T w o

H U NGARIAN D EFENSE

Game Two

1 e4 e5
2 N f3 N c6
3 B c4 d6!?

I h a v e seen t h i s re fe r re d to as " t h e de f e n se w i t h o u t
a n a m e''! B l a c k cou l d t ra n s p ose to t h e H u n g a ri an D e f e n se
p ro p e r (Game O n e) a ft e r 4 d 4 B e 7 but h e m i g h t a l so t r y
4 . . . e d 5 N x d 4 g 6 as R a y K e e n e h as d o n e , u s u a l l y t ra n s p os ­
i n g to L a rs e n ' s V a r i a t i on o f t h e P h i l i d o r ( s e e m y C h ess D i ­
gest b o o k o n t h e d e f e n s e , s e c o n d e d i t i on 1 9 83).

T o a v oi d t h i s p oss i b i l i t y ( a n d a l so the t r i c k y l i n e 4
d4 Bg4) Wh i t e d oes b e s t to p re p a re h i s c e n t r a l a d v a n ce
w i t h a se m i - w a i t i n g m o v e :

4 c3 !

N o t e t h a t t h i s p os i t i on c a n a lso a r i se from t h e
Pon z i a n i O pe n i n g a f te r 1 e 4 e 5 2 N f3 N c6 3 c 3 d6!? 4 B c4!
 H u n g a ri a n D e fe n se: G a m e T w o 199

N o w t h e re a re t wo m a t n r e p l i es a n d a c l u s t e r o f
lesse r a l t e r n a t i ves:

A: 4 ... B g4!? (Sh a rp)

B: 4 ... B e 7 (Sol i d)

a) 4 Q e 7 5 d 4 g6! (Ale k h i n e ' s su ggest i on ; i f i n s t e a d

...

S. . . e d Zagoro v s k y r e com m e n d s 6 0- 0!) c a n a l so a r i se v i a

4 ... g 6 o r e v e n 3 ...g 6 . I t re q u i re s m o re a t t e n t i o n a s p e rh a p s
t h e m ost p l a y ab l e l i n e f o r B l a c k i n t h e w h ole c h a p t e r:

a l ) A ft e r 6 0 - 0 B g 7 (Me d n i s s u ggests 6 . . B g 4 u n ­
.

c l e a r.) 7 d e N x e 5 8 N x e 5 Q x e 5 9 B e 3 N f6 1 0 B d 4 Q h 5 1 1
f3 0-0 1 2 N d 2 B d 7 1 3 R e 1 B c 6 1 4 N f 1 Q g5 1 5 N e 3 w i t h a
s l i g h t a d v a n t age to Wh i t e ( G i p s l i s - V o ro t n i kov, U S S R S p a r ­
t a k i a d 1 9 7 9) .

a 2 ) I f 6 d e ( 6 h 3 B d 7 u n cle a r, i n te n d i n g 7 0- 0 0- 0-
0! ? s a y s Me d n i s .) 6 ... N x e 5 ! 7 N x e5 de 8 0 - 0 N f6 9 Q f3 B e 6
( 9 . Bg4!? M e d n i s) 1 0 B g 5 B g 7 1 1 N d 2 B l a c k sh o u l d e q u a l i ze
. .

b y 1 1 . .. 0 - 0! I n Me d n i s - Korc h n o i , V i e n n a o p e n 1 9 8 6 , B l a c k
r i s k e d 1 1 . .. h 6 1 2 B x f6 B x f6 1 3 B x e 6 Q x e 6 b u t 1 4 N c 4!
c a u g h t h i m on t h e h o p . Good p l a y cou l d s t i l l h a v e e q u a l ­
i ze d t h e g a m e b u t K o r c h n o i lost i n 23 m o v e s a ft e r a b l u n ­
d e r.
200 H u n g ari a n D e fe n se: G a m e T w o

b ) 4 . . . Q f6 5 d 3 h 6 6 B e 3 g 5 ! ? (o r 6. . . Ng e 7 7 Nb d2 a 6
8 d 4 Ng 6 9 lt 4 Nf4 1 0 Rlz 2 b 5 1 1 Bfl B d 7 1 2 b3 Ng 6 1 3 a 4
w i t h a d v a n t age to Wh i te i n Bog danov-D im itrov, Sofia 1 958)
7 N b d 2 Nge7 8 h4 g4 9 N g 1 Rg8 10 g3 Be6 1 1 Q a 4 B x c4 1 2
d e! ? N c 8 1 3 0-0-0 N b 6 1 4 Q c 2 Q e 6 1 5 b3 h 5 1 6 K b 1 B h 6 1 7
N f 1 0-0-0 1 8 B x h 6 Q x h 6 1 9 N e 3 ( T h e s p r i n g b e g i n s t o
u n coi l.) 1 9 ... N e 7 2 0 N e 2 c 6 2 1 a 4 ( P re p a ri n g g lobal
e x p a n s i o n) 2 1 . .. N a8 22 N cl N c 7 23 R h e 1 Q e 6 24 Rd2 d 5
( T r y i n g to b re a k o u t) 25 cd c d 2 6 R e d 1 d e 2 7 R x d 8+ R x d 8
2 8 R x d 8+ K x d 8 2 9 Q x e 4 O g 6 3 0 Q x g6 N x g6 3 1 N f5 a n d
Wh i te w o n t h e e n d i n g i n 5 6 m o ves t h a n k s t o B l a c k' s p o rous
K - s i d e (We db e rg- B e n e d i ktsson, N e s k aups t a d 1 9 8 4 ) .

c) 4 . . . N f6? 5 Qb3 N x e 4 ( 5. . . Q d 7? 6 Ng5 o r 5. . . Qe 7 6

Ng5 Be6 7 Nx e 6 fe 8 Qx b 7 o r 5... Na 5 ? 6 B xf7+ Ke 7 7 Qa4
Kxf7 8 Qxa5 a n d Wh i t e w i n s a p a w n for i f 8... Nx e 4 ? 9
Qd5+.) 6 B x f7+ K e 7 7 B h 5! g6 ( 7... B e 6 ? 8 Qx b 7) 8 d 3 N f6 9
N g5 Qe8 1 0 B f3 fo l l o w e d b y 0-0. B l a c k ' s u n s a fe k i n g w i l l
t e l l a g a i n st h i m soo n .

d) 4 . . . B e6 ( T a r t a k o w e r) 5 B x e6 fe 6 Qb3 Q d 7 (I f
6... Qc8 e i t h e r A le k h i n e ' s 7 d 4 o r 7 Ng5 Nd8 8 0- 0! g i v e s
Wh i te s o m e a d v a n t age ( L o w i t z k y - T arta k o w e r, Y u r a t a
1 93 7.)

d l ) I f 6 ... Q d 7 ( h op i n g f o r 7 Qx b 7, w h i c h h e can
m e e t b y R b8) t h e n 7 N g 5 a n d a ft e r 7 . . . K e 7 (o t h e rs l o s e the
e - p a w n) Wh i te w i l l a v oi d t h e t ra p s w i t h s i m p l y 8 0 - 0 fol ­
lowed b y de velopment, cent ralization and an e v e n t u a l as­
s a u l t on the u n c as t l e d b l a c k k i n g.

e) F i n a l l y 4 h 6!? 5 d 4 Q f6 w a s t ri e d i n P i ke t - P r i n s,
..•

A ms t e r d a m 1 9 7 0 , co n t i n u i n g 6 d 5 N b 8 7 B d 3 N e 7 8 B e 3 g5
9 h 4 g4 1 0 N f d 2 h 5 w i t h a com p l i c a t e d posi t i o n . Hey ken &
F e t t e s u ggest 1 1 N f 1 w i t h c h a n ces fo r a n a d v a n t ag e .
 H u n ga r i a n D e f e n s e : G a m e T w o 20 1

Mai n Li ne A
4 ... B g4!?

B l a c k ' s s h a rpest a n d most c o n s i s te n t m o v e ; h e h o p e s

for 5 Q b 3 ! ? Q d 7 6 Q x b7 ! ( 6 B xf7+ Q x f 7 7 Qx b 7 Kd 7 8
QxaB B x f3 9 gf Qxf3 1 0 R g 1 Qx e4+ 1 1 Kd 1 Qf3+ g i v e s
Black a t l e as t a d ra w , w h i l e 6 Ng5 Nh 6 i s also p l a y a b l e f o r
him - A l e k h i n e.) 6 R b 8 7 Q a 6 B e7 ! 8 d3 B x f3 9 g f B h 4!
.••

when B l a c k is n ot w o rse in the com p l i c a ti o ns ( B r y n e l l - H e c ­

tor, M a l m o 1 986) .

5 d4!

T h e re fo re t h i s i s t h e c o r r e c t re p l y . A l t h o u g h B l a c k
h a s t r i e d a h u ge v a r i e t y o f m o v es, n o n e se e m s s a t i s f a c t o r y
f o r h i m:

5 ••• Qe7

I s u s p e c t t h at t h i s m o v e h as b e e n u n d e r e s t i m a t e d .
O t h e rs:

a) 5 N f6? (5 ... B e 7? 6
...
( 6. . . Nx e 4 ? 7 Qx b 7 o r 6. . . Na5 ?
N a5 8 B x f 7+ K e 7 9 Q a 3 h 6
B x g 7 1 3 Q x a 5 R a e8! (A l l - o u t
Qb3 is w o rse.) 6 Qb3 Q d 7
7 B x f 7+ Ke 7 8 Q a 4) 7 N g 5
1 0 d e h g 1 1 e f+ K x f 7 1 2 f g
a t t a c k i s B l a c k ' s o n l y h o p e .)
202 H u n g ari a n D e fe n se: G a m e T w o

1 4 Q d 5+ K f8 1 5 f 3 ( C a st l i n g co u l d a l l o w com b i n a t i on s
b ased on Bf3) 1 5 . . . R e 5 1 6 Q d 3 (D i s c re t i o n is t h e b e t t e r
. . .

p a rt o f v a la r.) a n d Wh i te w i l l c a stle a n d t h e n t a k e t h e i n i ­
t i a t i v e w i t h f4. He i s o f cou rse a lso t w o p a w n s u p!

b ) 5 . Q f6?! 6 B e 3 B x f3 7 g f N g e 7 8 B b 5! a 6 9 B a 4
. .

b 5 1 0 B b 3 N a 5 1 1 N d 2 N g6 1 2 a4! R b 8 1 3 ab N x b 3 1 4
Q x b3 a b 1 5 R a 5 c6 1 6 d 5 Q d 8 1 7 R a7 c5 1 8 N c4! w i t h a
d a n g e r o u s i n i t i a t i v e for Wh i te, a l t h o u g h I d re w a ft e r h e
m a d e a n e r ror i n G u b n i t s ky - H ard i n g, p o s t a l 1 9 7 7 .

c) 5 .. Q d 7 ?! 6 d 5 N d 8 7 h3 B x f 3 8 Q x f3 N f 6 9 B e 3
.

B e 7 1 0 N d 2 w i t h cle a r a d v a n t age to Wh i t e i n I v l e v G o I e n i
• ·

s h e v, U S S R 1 96 2 .

d ) 5 . B x f 3 6 O x f3 0 f6 ( R ag o z i n vs I l y i n - Z h e ne v s k y ,
. .

L e n i n gr a d 1 9 3 6) 7 B e 3 and Wh i t e h as s o m e a d v a n t age
t h a n k s to his b i s hop p a i r.

e) 5 ... e d 6 c d N f6 7 N c3 w i t h a s l i g h t e d ge U n z-
i c k e r.

6 B e3

T h i s , t h e " b o o k " m o v e , gi v e s Wh i te a sli g h t a d v a n -

t age.

6 ... N f6
7 Qb3 Nd8
8 N b d2 g6
9 de

( Le ve n fi s h - T o l u s h , L e n i n gr a d 1 9 3 9) Wh i te , a i m i n g at
Q-si de p l a y w i t h a 4 - a5 , h a s a s l i g h t a d v a n t age.

Mai n l i ne B
4 ••. Be7

T h i s i s t h e sol i d m o v e for B l a c k .
 H u n g a r i a n D e fen se: G a me T w o 2 03

5 Q b3 Nh6
6 d4 0-0

I f 6 . N a5 7 Q a4+ c6 8 B e2 b 5 9 Q c2 Q c7 1 0 B x h 6
. .

(or 1 0 a 4 w i t h t h e e d ge t o Wh i te E CO) 1 0 . . . g h 1 1 d e d e 1 2
-

N b d2 R g 8 1 3 g 3 B e6 1 4 b 4 ! w i t h a d v a n t ag e t o Wh i te
( S m i l g a - R ag o z i n , M o s co w 1 9 5 7 ) .

7 B x h6 gxh6
8 Nbd2 N a5
9 Q c2 N x c4
10 N x c4

(I t i s w o r t h n o t i n g t h a t b y p l a y i n g 6 d3 Wh i te cou l d
b r i n g a b o u t t h e s a m e se q u e n ce o f m o v e s b u t w i t h h i s d ­
p a w n o n d 3 i n s t e a d o f d 4, i f h e p re fe rs.)

1 0 ... fS!

A c r i t i c a l l i n e . Zagoro v s k y c l a i m s e q u a l i t y for
B l a c k h e re, b u t I t h i n k he o v e r v a l u e s t h e b i sh op p a i r.
Wh i te ' s k n i gh ts a re j u s t as s t ron g and the b l a c k d o u b l e d h­
p a w n , besi d e s b e i n g a w e a k n e ss in i ts e l f, e x p o s e s the b l a c k
k i ng t o t h r e a ts.

1 1 N e3 fxe4
1 2 Q x e4
204 H u n gari a n D e fen se: G a me T w o

U n z i c k e r, i n E CO, c l a i m s t h a t Wh i t e h as som e a d ­
v a n t a ge, a m o re a c cu r a te assessm e n t I n m y o p i n i on .
H e y k e n & F e t t e con c u r.

1 2 ... exd4
1 3 N x d4!

In M a k ari c h e v- A ve rb a k h , Mosco w C h a m p . 1 9 7 8 , i n
w h i c h Wh i te c a m e c lose t o w i n n i n g, M a k a ri c h e v p l a y e d 1 3
c d h e re t o k e e p a toe h o l d i n t h e ce n t e r, w h e r e a s t h e m o v e I
a m su ggest i n g ge n e r ates m o re a c t i ve p l a y f o r Wh i t e i m ­
m e d i a t e l y , i n w h i c h h i s k n i g h t p a i r w i l l b e v e r y i m p o r t a n t.
B l a c k m a y h a ve to g i v e b a c k a t l e a s t o n e b i s h o p f o r a
k n i g h t (a f t e r Ne 6) b e c a u se h i s d e v e lo p m e n t i s b a c k w a rd
a n d h i s fron t h - p a w n i s v u l n e ra b l e . P l a y c a n go: 1 3 N x d 4
Q d7 ( N o t 1 3 ... Rf6 1 4 Nd5) 1 4 0 - 0 c6 1 5 R ae 1 B f6 ( 1 5... d5?
loses a p a w n to 16 Nx d5.) 16 N e f5 B g7 17 N x g7 and Wh i te
h as a s t r o n g i n i t i a t i v e , poss i b l y a t t a c k i n g w i t h h i s roo k v i a
e 3 - g3 .

F o r s a k e o f i n te rest, a n d to g i v e y o u a com p l e te
g a m e to s t u d y , h e re i s t h e con t i n u a t i o n o f t h e M a k a r i c h e v ­
A v e rb a k h g a m e: 13 cd ( G i v e s B l a c k t i m e to b u i l d s o m e sort
of de fe n s i v e p os i t i o n .) 13 . . c6 14 0-0 d 5 15 Q d3 B d 6 1 6 N e 5
Qg5 1 7 f 4 ! ( L e a d s to a f o r c e d l i q u i d a t i on) 1 7 . . . R x f4 1 8
R x f4 Q x f4 1 9 N x d 5 ( 1 9 R f 1 c e r t a i n l y c o m e s i n t o con si d e r ­
a t i on a l so, b u t 1 9... Q e 4 2 0 Q x e 4 d e 2 1 Rf4, a l t h ou g h re­
ga i n i n g t h e p a w n , may not b e as sa fe as t h e game l i n e , b e ­
c a u se B l a c k r e t a i n s h i s b i s h o ps i n to t h e e n d i ng, w h e n t h e y
b e c o m e e f fe c t i v e .) 1 9 . . . c d 2 0 R f 1 B f5 ( T h e o n l y m o v e - i f
n o w 2 0... Qe4 t h e n 2 1 Qg3+ w i t h m a te to f o l l o w .) 2 1 R x f4
(21 QxfS i s a l so p l a y a b l e , b u t Wh i te w an ts h i s roo k on t h e
fo u r t h r a n k so h e c an c h e c k on t h e g- fi le.) 2 1 . .. B x d3 2 2
R g 4 + B g6 ( 2 2... Klt 8?? 23 Nf7 m a t e , a n d 2 2. . . Kf8 23 Nx d3
Rc8 g i v e s Wh i t e some c h a n ces.) 2 3 N x g6 K f7 (23... /zg 24
R x g 6+ a n d 25 R x d 6 w i n s a p a w n for Wh i t e .) 24 N e 5+ B x e 5
2 5 d e R c 8 2 6 R h 4 K g 6 ( T h e rook e n d i n g i s e q u a l b e c a u se
Wh i t e h a s to e x c h a n ge ce n t r al p a w n s l e s t h e lose h i s o w n .)
2 7 e6 R e S 2 8 R d 4 R x e 6 2 9 R x d 5 R e2 3 0 Rb5 d r a w a g re e d .
 G r e a t B o o k s Fro m C h e ss D i g e s t , I n c . 205

O R D E R T H E F O L L O \VI N G F R O l\'1 C H E S S D I G E S T , I N C .

C- 1 01 8 OPE1VING IDEA S A ND A NA L YSIS FOR AD­

VA NCED PLA YER S - V o l u m e O n e - G!\-1 A n d re w S o l t i s ( 1 9 9 1 ).
The book e v e r y chess p l a y e r n e e d s. Ei gh t e e n c h a p t e r s w i t h
" m u st h a v e" i d e as. 2 8 1 p a ges. $ 1 6 . 6 5
L - 463B THE WOR L D CHAA!PIONSHIP 1 9 72 FIS CHER VS.
SPA S SKY- E v a n s & S m i t h . T h e i n s i d e sto r y w i t h e v e r y m o v e
e x p l a i n e d . A g r e a t i n s t r u c t i o n a l b o o k as we l l a s t h e b e s t
m a tch book e v e r p u b l i s h e d . P a p e r b a c k . $ 7.95.
E- 99 CHE S S INS TR UC TIONS: Move By Mo v e - C h ess D i g e s t
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J- 8 1 EXER CISES IN THE END GAME: D iagra m m ed Move
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n e e d e d as t h e re i s a d i a g r a m a ft e r e a ch m o v e. 1 3 7 9 d i ag r a m s
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J- 65 MA KING CHE S S ENDINGS EA S Y TO S TUD Y Vol i �
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J-82 MA KING CHESS E!v.DINGS EA S Y TO S TUD Y Vol 2-
K e n S m i t h . S a m e fo r m a t a s Vol 1. T e a c h e s i d e a s a n d v i ­
s u a l i z a t i o n . A u th o r m a k e s i t e n j o y a b l e w h i l e l e a r n i n g t h e
m os t i m p o r t a n t p a r t o f t h e g a m e o f c h e ss. P ap e r b a c k . $8.95 .
J-64 UNUS UA L ENDINGS - C h e ss D i gest ( K e n S m i t h ) . C re ­
a t i v e i m a g i n a t i o n i s t h e o r d e r o f t h e d a y. P a pe r b a c k . $ 4 . 9 5 .
J- 80 CHA L LE.VGES I N THE E 1VD GA AfE - B r i e g e r . T h ese
ch a l l e n gi n g posi t i o n s are d e s i g n e d to h e l p t e a c h you some o f
t h e t a ct i cs o f t h e e n d g a m e . T h e p r a c ti c a l v a l u e i s t h e re fo r
e v e r y p l a y e r- n o m a t t e r h i s s t re n g t h . P a p e rb a c k . $ 7 . 9 5 .
L - 583 THE 1 986 WORLD CHESS CHAAfP!OJVSHIP: KA S­
PA R O V- KA R PO V- B r i t i s h C h ess M ag a z i n e . T h e s t o r y , t h e
calor a n d a l l t h e g a m e s a n n o t a t e d . P a p e rb a c k . $ 4 . 5 0 .
J-54 Q UEEN A ND PA WN ENDINGS - A v e rb a k h . T h e b o o k
i s d i v i d e d i n to m a n y p a r t s co v e r i n g e v e r y c o n ce i v a b le a s ­
pect o f t h e com m o n Q u ee n e n d i ngs. H e r e a re 268 d i a g r a m e d
e x a m p les w i th e x ce l l e n t n o t e s a n d a n a l y s i s t h a t a re u n su r­
p asse d . C loth bo u n d . L i st $ 2 1 .0 0 , ou rs $ 1 0 . 0 0 .
2 06 G re at B o o ks Fro m C h e ss D i gest, I n c.

A C O M P L E T E C H E S S C O U R S E: " T h e fol l o w i n g b o o k s,
i f t a k e n toge t h e r, m a k e a com p l ete cou rse t h a t e v e r y p l a y e r
s h o u l d h a v e s t u d i e d . I am t a l k i n g a b o u t r a t i n g j u m p s o f 1 0 0
to 2 0 0 p o i n t s i n t h e p u p i l s I h a ve w o r k e d w i t h . T h e y co v e r
i d e as, b as i cs , t h e C t o A p l a y e rs, a n d m a t e r i a l f o r t h e E x ­
p e r t a i m i n g f o r M a s t e rs h i p " - K e n S m i t h ( F I D E 2363) .
B - 1 1 THE PS YCHOLOGY O F CHE S S - H a r t s t o n -Was o n .
T h o u g h t p rocess, w i n n i n g a n d los i n g , t a l e n t a n d m ot i v a t i o n .
C l o t h bou n d . $9.95.
E-4 6 THE BA TTLE OF CHESS IDEA S -S a i d y . E v o l u t i on o f
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e rs t h a t e v e r l i v e d . C l ot h bou n d . $ 1 6.95.
E-41 THINK L IKE A GRANDMA S TER - K o t o v . I n c l u d e s:
A n a l y s i s o f V a r i a t i on s , Pos i ti o n a l J u d ge m e n t , P l a n n i n g, T h e
E n d i n g, P l a y e r' s K n ow l e d ge. P a p e r b a c k . $ 23. 70.
E- 76 PLA Y L IKE A GRANDMA S TER - K o t o v . A v i r t u a l
t e x t-book on t h e h i g h e r p r i n c i p l es o f p l a y . I n c l u d es:
Comb i n a t i o n a l V i s i on , C a lcu l a t i on a n d P r a c t i c a l P l a y .
P a p e rb a c k . $23.70.
E-88 TRAIN LIKE A GRANDMA S TER - K ot o v : One of t h e
m os t p e rce p t i v e an d en g a g i n g a u t h o rs i n c h e s s h i s t o r y
t e a c h e s a m o n g o t h e r t h i n g s u n d e rs t a n d i ng, p l a n n i n g, a n d
t r a i n i n g . $ 23.70
E- 1 33 PLAN LIKE A GRA ND l'v!A S TER - S u e t i n . The m ost
c r u c i a l s t age of a c h e ss game i s the op e n i n g and e a r l y
m i d d l e g a m e . T h i s b oo k s s h o w s h o w to assess t h e mos t
c r u c i a l f e a t u res o f a pos i t i on a n d t h e n e m b a r k o n a p l a n .
$15.15.
E- 1 45 LES SONS WITH THE J'JA S TER S - GM E v a n s & F M
S m i t h ( 1 989). \Vi l l m a k e y o u t h i n k le a r n a n d h ope f u l l y enj o y
c h ess. P a p e r b a c k . $ 1 4.20
F- 5 7 MODERN A R T OF A TTA CK K e n S m i t h & J oh n H a l l
-

( 1 988) . E r a o f T a l , F i s c h e r an d K as p a r o v . P a p e rb a c k . $ 1 3.25.
O R D E R F R OM: C H E SS D I G E ST, I N C
P.O. B O X 59029
DA LLA S, TEXAS 75229
A d d H a n d l i n g & Pos t a ge F e e s: $ 0 t o $ 9 . 9 9 a d d $ 2 .05 ; $ 1 0 to
$24.99 add $2.85; $ 2 5 t o $49.99 add $3.55; $50 t o $ 74.99 a d d
$ 3.95.
NOTES
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