Chess Master Key

Albin Countergambit Tactical Games

2015-09-10T07:28:00.000-07:00

The Albin Countergambit opening that begins with the moves:
1. d4 d5
2. c4 e5

and the usual continuation is:

3. dxe5 d4

The opening is an uncommon defense to the Queen's Gambit. White will try to return the pawn at an opportune moment to gain a positional advantage.

Declining the gambit
3. e3 Bb4+
4. Nc3 Ne7
5. dxe5 Nbc6
6. Nf3

Blunting black's counterattack
4. Nf3 Nc6 5. g3 Nge7 6. Bg2 Ng6 7. Bg5 Qd7 8. O-O Ngxe5 9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. Nd2 h6 11. Bf4 Ng6 12. Nb3 Nxf4 13. gxf4 c5 14. e3 Be7 15. exd4 cxd4 16. Qxd4

Kings Gambit Opening Tactics

2015-05-29T08:12:00.000-07:00

The King's Gambit is a chess opening that begins with the moves:

1. e4 e5
2. f4...

The King's Gambit is one of the oldest documented openings, as it was examined by the 17th-century Italian chess player Giulio Cesare Polerio.

King's Gambit Accepted
2. f4 exf4
3. Nf3 g5
5. h4 g4
6. Ne5 Nf6
7. d4 d6
8. Nd3 Nxe4

King's Gambit Declined
2.... Bc5
3. Nf3 d6
4. Nc3 Nf6
5. Bc4 Nc6
6. d3 Bg4
7. Na4 O-O

Falkbeer Countergambit
2.... d5
3. exd5 c6
4. Nc3 exf4
5. Nf3 Bd6
6. d4 Ne7
7. Bc4 O-O

King's Gambit Declined
2.... Nc6
3. Nf3 f5
4. exf5 e4
5. Ne5 Nf6
6. d3 Qe7
7. dxe4 Nxe4

King's Gambit Accepted, bishop's gambit, Grimm attack
1. e4 e5
2. f4 exf4
3. Bc4 Qh4+
4. Kf1 g5
5. Nc3 Bg7
6. d4 d6
7. e5

King's Gambit Accepted, bishop's gambit, classical defense
1. e4 e5
2. f4 exf4
3. Bc4 Qh4+
4. Kf1 g5
5. Nc3 Bg7
6. d4 Ne7

King's Gambit Accepted, bishop's gambit, McDonnell attack
1. e4 e5
2. f4 exf4
3. Bc4 Qh4+
4. Kf1 g5
5. Nc3 Bg7
6. d4 Ne7
7. g3

King's Gambit Accepted, bishop's gambit, Fraser variation
1. e4 e5
2. f4 exf4
3. Bc4 Qh4+
4. Kf1 g5
5. Nc3 Bg7
6. g3 fxg3
7. Qf3

Petrov Defence Tactical Games

2015-05-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

Petrov's Defence (also called Petroff's Defence, Russian Game and Russian Defence) is a chess opening characterised by the following moves:
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nf6

It was first popularised by Alexander Petrov, a Russian chess player of the mid-19th century. In recognition of the early investigations by the Russian masters Petrov and Carl Jaenisch, this opening is called the Russian Game in some countries.

Petrov's defence Sub Variants:
Petrov, French attack
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. d3 ...

Petrov, Kaufmann attack
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. c4 ...

Petrov, Nimzovich attack
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. Nc3 ...

Petrov, Cozio (Lasker) attack
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. Qe2 ...

Petrov, classical attack
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. d4 ...

Petrov, classical attack, Chigorin variation
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. d4 d5
6. Bd3 Be7
7. O-O Nc6
8. Re1 ...

Petrov, classical attack, Berger variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. d4 d5
6. Bd3 Be7
7. O-O Nc6
8. Re1 Bg4
9. c3 f5
10. Nbd2 ...

Petrov, classical attack, Krause variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. d4 d5
6. Bd3 Be7
7. O-O Nc6
8. Re1 Bg4
9. c3 f5
10.c4 ...

Petrov, classical attack, Maroczy variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. d4 d5
6. Bd3 Be7
7. O-O Nc6
8. Re1 Bg4
9. c3 f5
10. c4 Bh4

Petrov, classical attack, Jaenisch variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. d4 d5
6. Bd3 Be7
7. O-O Nc6
8. c4 ...

Petrov, classical attack, Mason variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. d4 d5
6. Bd3 Be7
7. O-O O-O

Petrov, classical attack, Marshall variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. d4 d5
6. Bd3 Bd6

Petrov, classical attack, Tarrasch variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. d4 d5
6. Bd3 Bd6
7. O-O O-O
8. c4 Bg4

Petrov, classical attack, Marshall trap
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. d4 d5
6. Bd3 Bd6
7. O-O O-O
8. c4 Bg4
9. cxd5 f5
10. Re1 Bxh2+

Petrov, classical attack, close variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. d4 Nf6

Petrov, Cochrane gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nxf7 ...

Petrov, Paulsen attack
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nc4 ...

Petrov, Damiano variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nxe5 Nxe4

Petrov three knights game
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nc3 ...

Petrov, Italian variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Bc4 ...

Scotch Game Tactical Defense

2015-05-15T07:11:00.000-07:00

The Scotch Game, or Scotch Opening, a chess opening that begins with moves:
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4

Ercole del Rio, in his 1750 treatise Sopra il giuoco degli Scacchi, Osservazioni pratiche d’anonimo Autore Modenese ("On the game of Chess, practical Observations by an anonymous Modenese Author"), was the first author to mention what is now called the Scotch Game.

Scotch game
1. e4 e5      2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4

Scotch, Ghulam Kassim variation

1. e4 e5        2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4    4. Nxd4 Nxd4
5. Qxd4 d6 6. Bd3

Scotch, Pulling counter-attack
1. e4 e5    2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4    4. Nxd4 Qh4

Scotch, Horwitz attack
1. e4 e5      2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4
5. Nb5

Scotch, Berger variation
1. e4 e5       2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4       4. Nxd4 Qh4
5. Nb5 Bb4+ 6. Nd2 Qxe4+
7. Be2 Qxg2   8. Bf3 Qh3
9. Nxc7+ Kd8 10. Nxa8 Nf6
11. a3

Scotch game
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4
5. Nb5 Bb4+ 6. Bd2

Scotch, Rosenthal variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4
5. Nb5 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxe4+
7. Be2 Kd8 8. O-O Bxd2
9. Nxd2 Qg6

Scotch, Fraser attack
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4
5. Nf3

Scotch, Steinitz variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4
5. Nc3

Scotch, Schmidt variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6

Scotch, Mieses variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5

Scotch, Tartakower variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. Nd2

Scotch game
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5

Scotch, Blackburne attack
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5
5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7
7. Qd2

Scotch, Gottschall variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5
5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7
7. Qd2 d5 8. Nb5 Bxe3
9. Qxe3 O-O 10. Nxc7 Rb8
11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Nb4

Scotch, Paulsen attack
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5
5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7
7. Bb5

Scotch, Paulsen, Gunsberg defence
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5
5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7
7. Bb5 Nd8

Scotch, Meitner variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5
5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7
7. Nc2

Scotch, Blumenfeld attack
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5
5. Be3 Qf6 6. Nb5

Scotch, Potter variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5
5. Nb3

Scotch, Romanishin variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5
5. Nb3 Bb4+

Italian Game Opening Tactics

2015-05-12T07:07:00.003-07:00

The Italian Game a chess openings begin with the moves:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4

The Italian Game is one of the oldest recorded chess openings; it was developed by players Damiano and Polerio in the 16th century, and later by Greco in 1620, who gave the game its main line.

The Traxler Gambit
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Nf6
4. Ng5 Bc5
5. Nxf7 Bxf2+
6. Kxf2 Nxe4+
7. Ke1 Qh4+

Italian Game Variation
1.e4e5
2.Nf3Nc6
3.Bc4Bc5
4.O-ONf6
5.c3O-O
6.d4Bb6
7.a4a

Open Game Chess Tactical Opening

2015-05-12T06:07:00.002-07:00

Open Game (or Double King's Pawn Opening) is a chess opening which begins:
1. e4 e5

White has moved the king's pawn forward two squares and Black replies in kind, the result being an Open Game. Other responses to 1.e4 are termed Semi-Open Games, or Single King's Pawn Games.

The term Open Game can also refer to any chess position where ranks, files and diagonals are open, and usually favor tactical gameplay.

Examples of Open Games
Portuguese Opening
1.e4 e5 2.Bb5
Lopez Opening
1.e4 e5 2.c3
Vienna Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nc3
Bishop's Opening
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4
Danish Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3
Center Game
1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4
Alapin's Opening
1.e4 e5 2.Ne2
Ruy Lopez
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
Ponziani Opening
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3
Three Knights Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 without 3...Nf6
Four Knights Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6
Italian Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
Giuoco Piano
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5
Evans Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4
Hungarian Defense
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Be7
Two Knights Defense
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6
Scotch Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4
Inverted Hungarian Opening
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Be2
Konstantinopolsky Opening
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.g3
Elephant Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5!?
Philidor Defence
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6
Latvian Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5
Damiano Defense
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f6
Petrov's Defence
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6
Greco Defense
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Qf6
Napoleon Opening
1.e4 e5 2.Qf3?!
King's Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.f4
Parham Attack
1.e4 e5 2.Qh5!?

Danish Gambit Tactical Defense

2015-05-11T01:20:00.003-07:00

The Danish Gambit, known as the Nordisches Gambit (Nordic Gambit) in German, and the Noors Gambiet (Norwegian Gambit) in Dutch, is a chess opening that begins with the moves:
1. e4 e5
2. d4 exd4
3. c3

White will sacrifice one or two pawns for the sake of rapid development and the attack. However, with care, Black can accept one or both pawns safely, or simply decline the gambit altogether with good chances.

If Black enters the Danish Gambit Accepted with
3...dxc3, the main possibilities are 4.Nxc3 and 4.Bc4.

Alekhine Variation:
4.Nxc3 d6
5.Bc4 Nc6
6.Nf3

Option 1
4.Nxc3 Bc5
5.Bc4 Nc6
6.Nf3
Option 2
4.Nxc3 Nc6
5.Bc4 and 6.Nf3
Option 3
4.Nxc3 Bb4   5.Bc4 Bxc3+
6.bxc3 d6      7.Qb3 Qe7
8.Ne2 Alekhine–Pomar, clock simul Madrid 1943

Danish Gambit C21
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.c3 dxc3
4.Bc4 cxb2
5.Bxb2 Nf6?!
6.e5 Ng4
7.Nf3 Bb4+
8.Nc3 0-0
9.0-0 Nc6
10.Nd5

Danish Gambit Classic
1. e4 e5              2. d4 exd4
3. c3 dxc3           4. Bc4 cxb2
5. Bxb2 Bb4+      6. Nc3 d6
7. Qb3 Bxc3+      8. Bxc3 Qg5
9. Bxf7+ Kf8      10. Nf3 Qg4
11. O-O Nh6       12. Bc4 Nc6
13. e5 dxe5        14. Nxe5 Nxe5
15. Bxe5 Qg5     16. Rfe1 Nf5
17. Bxc7 Bd7     18. Qb4+ Ne7
19. Rxe7 Qxe7    20. Bd6 Qxd6
21. Qxd6+ Ke8   22. Re1+ Kd8
23. Re7 Kc8      24. Qxd7+ Kb8
25. Qxb7#

Danish gambit, Collijn defence
1. e4 e5
2. d4 exd4
3. c3 dxc3
4. Bc4 cxb2
5. Bxb2 Qe7

Danish gambit, Schlechter defence
1. e4 e5
2. d4 exd4
3. c3 dxc3
4. Bc4 cxb2
5. Bxb2 d5

Danish gambit, Soerensen defence
1. e4 e5
2. d4 exd4
3. c3 d5

Budapest Gambit Tactical Defense

2015-05-10T02:15:00.000-07:00

The Budapest Gambit (or Budapest Defence) is a chess opening that begins with the moves:

1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e5

The Budapest Gambit is an Indian Defense that would particularly recommend to players who have a strong end game.

Budapest, Fajarowicz variation
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e5
3. dxe5 Ne4

Budapest, Fajarowicz, Steiner variation
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e5
3. dxe5 Ne4
4. Qc2

Budapest defence
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e5
3. dxe5 Ng4

Budapest, Adler variation
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e5
3. dxe5 Ng4
4. Nf3

Budapest, Rubinstein variation
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e5
3. dxe5 Ng4
4. Bf4 Nc6
5. Nf3 Bb4+
6. Nc3 Bxc3
7. bxc3 Qe7
8. Qd5

Budapest, Alekhine variation
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e5
3. dxe5 Ng4
4. e4

Budapest, Alekhine, Abonyi variation
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e5
3. dxe5 Ng4
4. e4 Nxe5
5. f4 Nec6

Budapest, Alekhine variation, Balogh gambit
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e5
3. dxe5 Ng4
4. e4 d6

Center Game Tactical Openings

2015-05-08T02:19:00.000-07:00

The Center Game is a chess opening that begins with the moves:
1. e4 e5
2. d4 exd4
3. c3

The Center Game is an old opening. It was mostly abandoned by 1900 because no advantage could be demonstrated for White. Jacques Mieses, Ksawery Tartakower and Rudolf Spielmann, the last strong players who would adopt it.

White/Black pairs, preceded by the move number and a period:
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6

Other Variation
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3
White attacks the black e-pawn.
2... Nc6
Black defends and develops simultaneously.
3. Bb5
White plays the Ruy Lopez.
... a6
Black elects Ruy Lopez Morphy's Defence.

Center Game
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.Qxd4

Center Game: Kieseritsky Variation
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.Nf3 c5
4.Bc4 b5

Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit, Danish Variation
1.e4 c5
2.d4 cxd4
3.c3 dxc3
4.Nf3

Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.f4

Center Game: Lanc-Arnold Gambit
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.Nf3 Bc5
4.c3

Center Game: Lanc-Arnold Gambit, Schippler Gambit
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.Nf3 Bc5
4.c3 dxc3
4.Bc4

Center Game: Ross Gambit
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.Bd3

Center Game: Von der Lasa Gambit
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.Bc4

Danish Gambit: Accepted
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.c3 dxc3
4.Bc4 cxb2
5.Bxb2

Danish Gambit: Accepted, Chigorin Defense
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.c3 dxc3
4.Bc4 cxb2
5.Bxb2 Qe7

Danish Gambit: Accepted, Classical Defense
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.c3 dxc3
4.Bc4 cxb2
5.Bxb2 Nf6

Danish Gambit: Accepted, Copenhagen Defense
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.c3 dxc3
4.Bc4 cxb2
5.Bxb2 Bb4+

Danish Gambit: Accepted, Schlechter Defense
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.c3 dxc3
4.Bc4 cxb2
5.Bxb2 d5

Danish Gambit: Accepted, Svenonius Defense
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.c3 Ne7

Danish Gambit: Declined, Sorensen Defense
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.c3 d5

Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit, Crocodile Variation
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.f4 Bc5
4.Nf3 Nc6
5.c3

King Pawn Game: Beyer Gambit
1.e4 e5
2.d4 d5

Center Game: Charousek Variation
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.Qxd4 Nc6
4.Qe3 Bb4+
5.c3 Be7

Center Game: l'Hermet Variation
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.Qxd4 Nc6
4.Qe3 f5

Center Game: Kupr Variation
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.Qxd4 Nc6
4.Qe3 Nf6
5.Nc3 Bb4
6.Bd2 O-O
7.O-O-O Re8
8.Bc4 d6
9.Nh3

Center Game: Hall Variation
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.Qxd4 Nc6
4.Qc4

Center Game: Berger Variation
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.Qxd4 Nc6
4.Qe3 Nf6

Center Game: Normal Variation
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.Qxd4 Nc6

Center Game: Paulsen Attack Variation
1.e4 e5
2.d4 exd4
3.Qxd4 Nc6
4.Qe3

Queens Gambit Tactics

2015-05-06T23:38:00.001-07:00

The Queen's Gambit is a chess opening that starts with the moves:

1. d4 d5
2. c4

Any variations
Queen's Gambit Declined
2.... e6
3. Nc3 Nf6
4. Bg5 Be7
5. e3 O-O

Queen's Gambit Declined other variation
3.Nc3 Nf6
4.Bg5 Nbd7
5.e3 c6
6.Nf3 Qa5
7.Bd3 Ne4
8.Nd2 Nxd2
9.Qxd2 dxc4

Semi-Slav Defence
2.... ...
3.... c6
4. Nf3 Nf6
5. e3 Nbd7

Queen's Gambit Accepted
2.... dxc4
3. Nf3 Nf6
4. e3 Bg4
5. Bxc4 e6

Slav Defence
2.... c6
3. Nf3 Nf6
4. Nc3 dxc4
5. a4 Bf5

Chigorin Defence
2.... Nc6
3.Nc3 Nf6
4. Nf3 Bg4
5. cxd5 Nxd5

Albin Countergambit
2.... e5
3. dxe5 d4
4. Nf3 Nc6
5. g3 Bg4

Symmetrical Defence
2.... c5
3. cxd5 Nf6
4. e4 Nxe4
5. dxc5 Nxc5

Marshall Defence
2. ... Nf6
3. cxd5 Nxd5
4. Nf3 Bf5
5. Qb3 ....

Baltic Defence
2.... Bf5
3. cxd5 Bxb1
4. Qa4+ c6
5. Rxb1 Qxd5

Dutch Defense Winning Tactics

2015-05-06T05:47:00.000-07:00

The Dutch Defence is a chess opening moves:

1. d4 f5

Dutch Defence
2 c4 Nf6
3 g3 e6
4 Bg2 Be7

Dutch defence, Blackburne variation
2. g3 Nf6
3. Bg2 e6
4. Nh3 ...

Dutch, Leningrad, Basman system
2. g3 g6
3. Bg2 Bg7
4. Nf3 c6
5. O-O Nh6

Dutch, Leningrad, Karlsbad variation
2. g3 g6
3. Bg2 Bg7
4. Nh3 ...

White continuations
traditional: 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.0-0 d6
common: 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6
common: 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.Nf3 Be7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6

Staunton Gambit
1.d4 f5
2.e4 fxe4
3.Nc3 Nf6
4.Bg5 ...

Rubinstein Variation
1.d4 f5
2.c4 Nf6
3.Nc3 ...

Leningrad Dutch
1.d4 f5
2.c4 Nf6
3.g3 g6
4.Bg2 Bg7
5.Nf3 0-0
6.0-0 d6
7.Nc3 Nc6

Botvinnik Variation
1.d4 f5
2.c4 Nf6
3.g3 e6
4.Bg2 Be7
5.Nf3 0-0
6.0-0 d5
7.b3 ...

Stonewall
1.d4 f5
2.c4 Nf6
3.g3 e6
4.Bg2 Be7
5.Nf3 0-0
6.0-0 d5
7.b3 c6
8.Ba3 ...

Ilyin–Genevsky Variation
1.d4 f5
2.c4 Nf6
3.g3 e6
4.Bg2 Be7
5.Nf3 0-0
6.0-0 d6
7.Nc3 Qe8
8.Qc2 ...

Openings for Tactical Players: Dutch Defense
Alexander Kotov (?) vs. Igor Bondarevsky (?)
Leningrad | Leningrad | 1936 | ECO: A90 | 0-1
1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 f5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 d5 5. O-O Bd6 6. c4 c6 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. b3 Qe8 9. Ne1 Nbd7 10. Nd3 Ne4 11. Nf3 Qh5 12. Nf4 Qf7 13. Qc2 g5 14. Nd3 Qh5 15. Nfe5 Rf6 16. f3 Rh6! 17. h4 Nxg3 18. hxg5 Qh2+ 19. Kf2 Rh4 20. Rg1 Rxd4 21. Bb2 Qh4! 22. Bxd4 Ne4+ 23. Ke3 (23. Kf1 Ng3+ 24. Kf2 Qxd4+ 25. Kxg3 Nxe5 26. Nxe5 Bxe5+ 27. Kh3 Qf4 with the threats of Qg3 or Qh2 checkmate )23... f4+! 24. Nxf4 Qf2+ 25. Kd3 Qxd4+!! 26. Kxd4 Bc5+ 27. Kd3 Nxe5#! beautiful finish!

Glucksberg (?) vs. Miguel Najdorf (?)
Warsaw | Warsaw | 1929 | ECO: A85 | 0-1
1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e6 4. Nf3 d5 5. e3 c6 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. Ne2 Nbd7 9. Ng5 Bxh2+ 10. Kh1! Ng4 11. f4 Qe8 12. g3 Qh5 13. Kg2 Bg1!! 14. Nxg1 Qh2+ 15. Kf3 e5!! 16. dxe5 Ndxe5+! 17. fxe5 Nxe5+ 18. Kf4 Ng6+ 19. Kf3 f4! the threat is Ne5 checkmate!
20. exf4 Bg4+!! 21. Kxg4 Ne5+!! 22. fxe5 h5#!

Rabinovich, Ilya Leontievich vs. Botvinnik, Mikhail
URS-ch05 | Moscow | Round 2 | 1927 | ECO: A95 | 0-1
1. d4 e6 2. c4 f5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Nf3 d5 7. O-O c6 8. Qc2 Qe8 9. Bf4 Qh5 10. Rad1 Nbd7 11. b3 Ne4 12. Ne5!? Ng5?! 13. h4?! Ne4 14. Bf3 Qe8 15. Nxd7 Bxd7 16. Kg2 Bb4! 17. Bxe4?! fxe4 18. Rh1 Qh5 19. f3 Qg6 20. Kf1 e5 21. dxe5? Rxf4! 22. gxf4 Qg3! with the threat of e3 23. Nxe4 dxe4 24. Rxd7 Bc5 25. e3 Qxf3+ 26. Qf2 Qxh1+ 27. Ke2 Qh3 28. f5 Qg4+ 29. Kd2 Rf8 30. e6 Qxf5 31. Qxf5 Rxf5 32. Rxb7 Rf2+ 33. Ke1 Rf6 34. b4 Bxe3 35. Ke2 Bg1 36. e7 Kf7 37. e8=Q+ Kxe8 38. Rxg7 Rg6 39. Rxh7 Bd4 40. c5 Rg2+ 41. Kf1 Rf2+ 42. Ke1 e3

Shabalov, Alexander (2375) vs. Vyzmanavin, Alexey (2485)
URS Army-ch | Tashkent | 1987 | ECO: A90 | 0-1
1. Nf3 f5 2. d4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 d5 5. O-O Bd6 6. c4 c6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Bf4!? Bxf4 9. gxf4 Nbd7 10. Ne5 Ne4 11. Nxe4 fxe4 12. e3 Nxe5 13. fxe5 Bd7 14. Qb3 b6 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. Rac1 Qg5 17. Rc7 Be8 18. Kh1 Bh5! the Bishop joins the attack and the game comes to a quick end.
19. Qa3 Be2! 20. Rg1 Rxf2 21. Bxe4 Rf1! 22. Rxf1 Bxf1 23. Qd6 Qg4! 24. Bxd5 Bg2+!! White resigned due to the next forced line: (24... exd5?? 25. Qxd5+ and Qxa8 next wins on the spot )25. Bxg2 (25. Kg1 Bf3+ 26. Kf2 Qg2+ 27. Ke1 Qe2# )25... Qd1+ 26. Bf1 Qxf1#

Hippo Defense Tactics

2015-05-05T08:52:00.002-07:00

The Hippopotamus Defence is an irregular chess opening systems in which Black moves a number of his pawns to the third rank, often developing his pieces to the second rank, and does not move any of his pawns to the fourth rank in the opening.

The Hippopotamus Defense is an unusual opening better than looks.

1. e4 Nh6;
2. d4 g6;
3. c4 f6;

A typical beginning to a game involving the Hippopotamus Defense would therefore be
1. e4 Nh6;
2. d4 g6;
3. c4 f6;
4. Nf3 Bg7;
5. Nc3 O-O;
6. Be2 d6;
7. O-O e5;
8. dxe5 fxe5;
9. Bg5 Qd7;
10. Qd2 Ng4;
11. h3 Nf6;

The Modern Robatsch Pirc Hippopotamus Defense
1. e4 g6
2. d4 Bg7
3. Nc3 d6
4. Nf3 a6
5. a4 b6
6. Bd3 Bb7
7. O-O Nd7
8. Re1 c5
9. d5 Ngf6
10. Bf4 O-O
11. h3 Qc7

This is the recommended Move Sequence:
Against e4:
1. e4 b6
2. d4 Bb7
3. Bd3 e6
4. Nf3 d6
5. Nc3 Ne7
6. O-O g6
7. Be3 Bg7
8. Qd2 h6
9. Rd1 Nd7
10. Re1 a6
11. Nce2

Against d4:
1. d4 b6
2. e4 Bb7
3. Nc3 e6
4. Bd3 g6
5. Nf3 Bg7
6.0–0 Ne7
7. Bf4 d6
8. Qd2 h6
9. h3 Nd7
10. Rfe1 a6
11. a4

Against c4:
1. c4 b6
2. d4 Bb7
3. Nc3 e6
4. Nf3 d6
5. e4 Nd7
6. Bd3 Ne7
7. O-O g6
8. Be3 Bg7
9. Qe2 a6
10. Rd1 h6
11. Re1

Against Nf3:
1. Nf3 d6
2. e4 b6
3. d4 Bb7
4. Nc3 e6
5. Bd3 g6
6. O-O Bg7
7. Be3 Ne7
8. Qd2 h6
9. h3 Nd7
10. Rd1 a6
11. Ne2

Whenever white plays e4, d4, c4, Nf3, black plays b6
Whenever white plays Nf3, black plays d6
Whenever white plays Nc3, black plays e6
Whenever white plays Bd3, black plays g6
Whenever white plays Be3, Qd2 black plays h6
Whenever white plays Bd3, Qe2 black plays a6
Whenever white plays Be3, black plays Bg7

Illustrative games
Spassky vs. Ujtelky, Sochi 1964
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 a6 4.Nf3 d6 5.Bc4 e6 6.Bg5 Ne7 7.a4 h6 8.Be3 b6 9.0-0 Nd7 10.Re1 0-0 11.Qd2 Kh7 12.Rad1 Bb7 13.Qe2 Qc8 14.Bf4 Rd8 15.h4 Nf8 16.Bb3 f6 17.Nb1 e5 18.Bc1 Ne6 19.c3 Rf8 20.Na3 f5? 21.dxe5 dxe5 22.Nxe5! Bxe5 23.exf5 Rxf5 24.Bc2 Rh5?? 25.Qxh5 1–0

Petrosian vs. Spassky, World Championship 1966 (game 12)
1.Nf3 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.d4 d6 4.Nc3 Nd7 5.e4 e6 6.Be2 b6 7.0-0 Bb7 8.Be3 Ne7 9.Qc2 h6 10.Rad1 0-0 11.d5 e5 12.Qc1 Kh7 13.g3 f5 14.exf5 Nxf5 15.Bd3 Bc8 16.Kg2 Nf6 17.Ne4 Nh5 18.Bd2 Bd7 19.Kh1 Ne7 20.Nh4 Bh3 21.Rg1 Bd7 22.Be3 Qe8 23.Rde1 Qf7 24.Qc2 Kh8 25.Nd2 Nf5 26.Nxf5 gxf5 27.g4 e4 28.gxh5 f4 29.Rxg7 Qxg7 30.Rg1 Qe5 31.Nf3 exd3 32.Nxe5 dxc2 33.Bd4 dxe5 34.Bxe5+ Kh7 35.Rg7+ Kh8 36.Rg6+ Kh7 37.Rg7+ Kh8 38.Rg6+ Kh7 39.Rg7+ ½–½

Petrosian vs. Spassky, World Championship 1966 (game 16)
1.d4 g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.Nf3 d6 4.Be2 e6 5.c3 Nd7 6.0-0 Ne7 7.Nbd2 b6 8.a4 a6 9.Re1 Bb7 10.Bd3 0-0 11.Nc4 Qe8 12.Bd2 f6 13.Qe2 Kh8 14.Kh1 Qf7 15.Ng1 e5 16.dxe5 fxe5 17.f3 Nc5 18.Ne3 Qe8 19.Bc2 a5 20.Nh3 Bc8 21.Nf2 Be6 22.Qd1 Qf7 23.Ra3 Bd7 24.Nd3 Nxd3 25.Bxd3 Bh6 26.Bc4 Qg7 27.Re2 Ng8 28.Bxg8 Rxg8 29.Nd5 Bxd2 30.Rxd2 Be6 31.b4 Qf7 32.Qe2 Ra7 33.Ra1 Rf8 34.b5 Raa8 35.Qe3 Rab8 36.Rf1 Qg7 37.Qd3 Rf7 38.Kg1 Rbf8 39.Ne3 g5 40.Rdf2 h5 41.c4 Qg6 42.Nd5 Rg8 43.Qe3 Kh7 44.Qd2 Rgg7 45.Qe3 Kg8 46.Rd2 Kh7 47.Rdf2 Rf8 48.Qd2 Rgf7 49.Qe3 ½–½

Barczay vs. Ivkov, Sousse Interzonal 1967
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nf3 d6 4.Bc4 a6 5.0-0 e6 6.Bg5? Ne7 7.Qd2 h6 8.Be3 Nd7 9.Nc3 b6 10.Rfe1 Bb7 11.a4 Nf6 12.e5? Nfd5 13.Bf4 Nxc3 14.Qxc3? (14.bxc3) 0-0 15.exd6 cxd6 16.Qa3 Nf5 17.c3? (17.Rad1) Bxf3 18.gxf3 e5! 19.Bg3 h5 20.dxe5 dxe5 21.Kh1 Qg5 0–1[

Baburin vs. Miles, 4NCL, England 2000
1.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 An English Defense, but it soon transposes to a Hippopotamus. 3.a3 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 Ne7 6.Nf3 Bb7 7.Bd3 d6 8.0-0 Nd7 9.Re1 h6 10.h3 a6 11.Be3 g5 12.Rc1 c5 13.d5 Ng6 14.Bc2 Qe7 15.Qd2 0-0 16.Rcd1 Nde5 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Bd3 Qf6 19.Na4 Rab8 20.Nxb6 Bc8 21.Na4 If 21.Nxc8 Rxb2! 22 Qa5 Rxc8 23 Qxa6 Rcb8 followed by ...Nf4 and ...Bd4. Bd7 22.Nc3 Rb3 23.Rb1 Rfb8 24.Nd1 exd5 25.cxd5 Nf4 26.Bxf4 gxf4 27.Bc2 Rxh3! 28.gxh3 Kh8 29.f3 Rg8+ 30.Kh1 Qh4 0–1 (Notes by John B. Henderson)

Birds Opening Tactics

2015-05-05T03:19:00.001-07:00

Bird's Opening (or the Dutch Attack) is a chess opening move:

1. f4

Bird's is a standard but never popular flank opening. White's strategic ideas involve control of the e5-square without occupying it, but his first move is also non-developing and slightly weakens his kingside. Black may challenge White's plan to control e5 immediately by playing From's Gambit (1...e5!?). However, the From's Gambit is notoriously double edged and should only be played after significant study.

1...d5, when the game can take on the character of a Dutch Defence (1.d4 f5) with colors reversed.

One line Taylor pure Bird Variation is after 1.f4 c5. White into the Grand Prix or Closed Sicilian variations.
1.f4 c5
2.Nf3 g6
3.e4 Bg7
4.Be2 d6
5.0-0 Nf6
6.d3 .... a setup used more than once by Bent Larsen.

Bird Variation
1. f4 d5
2. Nf3 Nf6
3. e3 g6
4. Be2 Bg7

1.... Nf6
2. Nf3 g6
3. e3 Bg7
4. Be2 O-O

1. f4 e6
2. g4 Qh4#

From Gambit
1.... e5
2. fxe5 d6
3. exd6 Bxd6
4. Nf3 Nf6

Two Knights Defense Tactics

2015-05-04T16:44:00.001-07:00

The Two Knights Defense is a chess opening that begins with the moves:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Nf6

The Black Knight move 3... Nf6 announces the Two Knights; this aggressive defense results in open and often complex play.

White must respond to the attack on his e-pawn

Wilkes-Barre or Traxler Variation
4. Ng5 Bc5!?
5. Bxf7+! Ke7
6. Bb3!

Traxler Counterattack
or Wilkes-Barre Variation
4. Ng5 Bc5!?
5. Bxf7+ Ke7
6. Bd5 Rf8
7. O-O d6
8. c3 Bg4
9. Qb3 Bb6
10. Bxc6 bxc6

Lolli Variation
4.Ng5 d5
5. exd5 Nxd5!?
6. d4 Bb4+
7. c3 Be7
8. Nxf7 Kxf7
9. Qf3+ Ke6
10. Qe4 Rf8

Fried Liver Attack
6. Nxf7!? Kxf7
7. Qf3+ Ke6
8. Nc3 Ncb4
9. a3 Nxc2+
10. Kd1 Nxa1

Morphy Variation
5.... Na5
6. d3 h6
7. Nf3 e4
8. Qe2 Nxc4
9. dxc4 Bc5
10. Nfd2 O-O

Main Line Ng5
6. Bb5+ c6
7. dxc6 bxc6
8. Be2 h6
9. Nf3 e4
10. Ne5 Bc5

Steinitz Variation
9. Nh3 Bd6
10. d3 O-O

Bogoljubow Variation
8. Qf3 Rb8
9. Bd3 h6
10. Ne4 Nd5

Ulvestad Variation
5. ... b5
6. Bf1 h6
7. Nf3 Qxd5
8. Nc3 Qe6
9. Bxb5 Bb7
10. Qe2 O-O-O

Fritz Variation
5. ... Nd4
6. c3 b5
7. Bf1 Nxd5
8. Ne4 Qh4
9. Ng3 Bg4
10. f3 e4

Classical Variation
4. d4 exd4
5. O-O Nxe4
6. Re1 d5
7. Bxd5 Qxd5
8. Nc3 Qh5
9. Nxe4 Be6
10. Bg5 Bd6

Max Lange Attack
5. ... Bc5
6. e5 d5
7. exf6 dxc4
8. Re1+ Be6
9. Ng5 Qd5
10. Nc3 Qf5

Modern Variation
5. e5 d5
6. Bb5 Ne4
7. Nxd4 Bc5
8. Be3 Bd7
9. Bxc6bxc6
10. O-O Bb6

op. 1 Modern Variation
5 ... Ne4
6. Qe2 Nc5
7. O-O Ne6
8. Rd1 d5
9. Bb5 Bc5
10. c3 O-O

op. 2 Modern Variation
5 ... Ng4
6. O-O d6
7. exd6 Bxd6
8. Re1+ Be7
9. h3 Nf6
10. Nbd2 O-O

Boden-Kieseritzky Gambit
4. Nc3 Nxe4
5. O-O Nxc3
6. dxc3 Be7
7. Qd5 O-O
8. Nxe5 Nxe5
9. Qxe5 Bf6
10. Qh5 c6

Op. 1 Boden-Kieseritzky Gambit
4. O-O Nxe4
5. Nc3 ...
6. ... f6
7. Nh4 g6
8. f4 Qe7
9. Kh1 d6
10.... ...

Kings Indian Defence Tactics

2015-04-28T02:09:00.000-07:00

The King's Indian Defence chess opening. It arises after the moves:

The Classical Variation
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Nc3 Bg7
4. e4 d6.

This defense is a hypermodern idea that allows white to control the center of the board early on while black looks to develop his minor pieces early on and move his pawns towards the center later on in the game.

The Four Pawns Attack
5.f4 c5
5...c5 Black immediately attacks White's center and forces him to make a decision
6.d5 0-0
7.Nf3
7...b5! Black makes a pawn sacrifice that is similar to the Benko Gambit. Black desperately, and correctly, tries to break up White's center. White must accept the sacrifice because b5-b4 threatens to win the e4-pawn
8.cxb5 a6

The Samisch Variation
5.f3
5... e5 This is probably the only time that Black should make this move before castling, an important nuance.
6.d5 This is considered White's best chance of gaining an advantage. Recall from considering the Barcza Opening from our page The Opening Solution Secret, that a line like
6...Na6

The Averbakh Variation
5.Be2 0-0
6.Bg5 c6 Black prepares to counter in the center.
7.Qd2 e5 Now this break works because the d5-square is covered.

The Main Line Variation
5.Nf3 0-0
6.Be2 e5
7.0-0 exd4
8.Nxd4 Re8
9.f3 c6 Black is ready to break out with ...d6-d5 or, at certain time , ...Qd8-b6, which can be an annoying move for White.

King's Indian, Nf3
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Nf3

Queen's pawn, Mengarini attack
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Qc2

King's Indian, Anti-Gruenfeld
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6

King's Indian, Danube gambit
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. d5 b5

King's Indian, g3
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. g3

King's Indian, g3, counterthrust variation
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. g3 Bg7
4. Bg2 d5
3. d5

Pirc Defence Winning Tactics

2015-04-26T23:52:00.000-07:00

The Pirc Defence sometimes known as the Ufimtsev Defence or Yugoslav Defence, is a chess opening characterised by Black responding to

1.e4 d6
2.d4 Nf6,
3.nc3 g6 and
4.f4 Bg7,
while allowing White to establish an impressive looking centre with pawns on d4 and e4. It is named after the Slovenian Grandmaster Vasja Pirc.

Pirc defence
1. e4 d6
2. d4 Nf6
3. Nc3 g6
4. Be2 ...

Pirc, Ufimtsev-Pytel variation
1. e4 d6
2. d4 Nf6
3. Nc3 c6

Pirc, 150 attack
1. e4 d6
2. d4 Nf6
3. Nc3 g6
4. Be3 c6
5. Qd2

Pirc, Sveshnikov system
1. e4 d6
2. d4 Nf6
3. Nc3 g6
4. g3 ...

Pirc, Holmov system
1. e4 d6
2. d4 Nf6
3. Nc3 g6
4. Bc4 ....

Pirc, Byrne variation
1. e4 d6
2. d4 Nf6
3. Nc3 g6
4. Bg5 ...

Pirc, Chinese variation
1. e4 d6
2. d4 Nf6
3. Nc3 g6
4. Be2 Bg7
5. g4 ...

Pirc, bayonet (Mariotti) attack
1. e4 d6
2. d4 Nf6
3. Nc3 g6
4. Be2 Bg7
5. h4 ....

Robatsch defence, Geller's system
1. e4 g6
2. d4 Bg7
3. Nf3 d6
4. c3 ...

Ruy Lopez Opening Tactics

2015-04-25T09:41:00.001-07:00

The Ruy Lopez, also called the Spanish Opening or Spanish Game, is a chess opening characterised by the moves:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5

It is a favourite opening of World Champion, Gary Kasparov, Former Champion, Bobby Fischer and British Grandmaster, Nigel Short.

3...a6
4. Ba4 Nf6, the variation is called Morphy Defence (C77), after
5. O-O Be7, the variation is called Closed System (C84) and after
6. Re1 b5
7. Bb3 d6
8. c3 O-O
9. h3 Be6 the variation is called Kholmov Variation (C92).Enjoy!

Black may continue in various ways:
Classical Defence
3.... Bc5
4.c3 Nf6
5.0-0 0-0
6.d4 Bb6
7.Re1 d6
8.Bg5

Berlin Defence
3.... Nf6
4.0-0 Nxe4
5.d4 Be7
6.Qe2 Nd6
7.Bxc6 bxc6
8.dxe5 Nb7
9.Nc3 0-0

Steinitz Defence
3... d6
4.d4 Bd7
5.Nc3 Nf6
6.0-0 Be7
7.Re1 exd4
8.Nxd4 0-0

Schliemann Defence/Jaenisch Gambit
3... f5
4.Nc3 fxe4
5.Nxe4 d5
6.Nxe5 dxe4
7.Nxc6 Qg5

Modern Steinitz
3...a6
4.Ba4 d6
5.c3 Bd7
6.d4 Nge7
7.0-0 Ng6

Open Defence
3...a6
4.Ba4 Nf6
5.0-0 Nxe4
6.d4 b5
7.Bb3 d5
8.dxe5 Be6

Closed Defence
3...a6
4.Ba4 Nf6
5.0-0 Be7
6.Re1 b5
7.Bb3 d6
8.c3 0-0

Marshall Attack
3...a6
4.Ba4 Nf6
5.0-0 Be7
6.Re1 b5
7.Bb3 0-0
8.c3 d5
9.exd5 Nxd5
10.Nxe5 Nxe5
11.Rxe5 c6

Smyslov Defence
3...g6
4. c3 a6
5. Ba4 d6
6. d4 Bd7
7. 0-0 Bg7

Bird's Defence
3...Nd4
4. Nxd4 exd4
5. 0-0 Bc5
6. d3 c6
7. Ba4 Ne7

Cozio Defence
3...Nge7
4. 0-0 g6
5. c3 Bg7
6. d4 exd4
7. cxd4 d5

Arkhangelsk Variation
3...a6
4. Ba4 Nf6,
5. O-O b5
6. Bb3 Bb7;
7. Re1 Bc5
8. c3 Ng4
9. d4 exd4
10. h3 Nxd4;
11. Nxd4 Qh4;
12. Nf3 Qxf2+;
13. Kh1 Qg1+;
14. Rxg1 Nf2++Mate.
This might catch some players out. If white played 12. h3 instead then black gets an advantage after 12....Qxf2+; 13. Kh1 Bxd4; and white can't take the knight with the pawn because 14. hxg4 Qh4++; is mate.

French Defence Winning Key

2015-04-24T08:57:00.000-07:00

The French Defence is a chess opening moves:

1. e4 e6

Black often gains counterattacking possibilities on the queenside while White tends to concentrate on the kingside.

2. d4 d5

d4 - forward two spaces now completely dominates the centre squares.
d5 - Moving the Queen Pawn two spaces forward now forms a strong pawn chain (both the Classical and Winawer Variation of the French Defense complete this move).

3. Nc3 Bb4

Nc3 - Again a logical move, white is now covering the pawn on e4 and has developed another piece.

Bb4 - Moving the bishop to B4 (forming the Winawer Variation) successfully pins white's knight to the king.

French Defence all games after
1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5,
3. Nc3

3...dxe4 (the Rubinstein Variation),
3...Bb4 (the Winawer Variation)
3...Nf6 (the Classical Variation).

3...Nc6!?
4.Nf3 Nf6 with the idea of
5.e5 Ne4; from German IM Helmut Reefschlaeger move.

3...dxe4 (Rubinstein Variation)
4. Nxe4, Black has the following options:
4...Nd7
5.Nf3 Ngf6
6.Nxf6+ Nxf6 when Black is ready for ...c5.

4...Bd7
5.Nf3 Bc6 (the Fort Knox Variation) activating the light-square bishop, which played by Alexander Rustemov.

Sicilian Defence Winning Tactics

2015-04-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

The Sicilian Defence is a chess opening that begins with the moves:

1. e4 c5

The Sicilian is the most popular and best scoring response to White's first move 1.e4. 1.d4 is a statistically more successful opening for white due to the high success rate of the Sicilian defence against 1.e4.

2.Nf3 d6

Nf3 - Moving White's knight to f3 is an aggressive move for White. it controls one of the centre squares and prepares to play 3.d4.

d6 - This logical move prevents White from playing e5, gaining space and stopping Black's knight from coming to f6. However many players also consider 2... Nc6 or 2...e6 to look for tactics with the queen.

Scheveningen Variation
1.e4 c5
2.Nf3 e6
3.d4 cxd4
4.Nxd4 Nf6
5.Nc3 d6
6.Be2 Be7
7.0-0 Nc6
8.Be3 a6
9.f4 Qc7
10.Qe1 Bd7

Dragon Variation
1.e4 c5
2.Nf3 d6
3.d4 cxd4
4.Nxd4 Nf6
5.Nc3 g6
6.Be3 Bg7

Najdorf Variation
1.e4 c5
2.Nf3 d6
3.d4 cxd4
4.Nxd4 Nf6
5.Nc3 a6

Taimanov Variation
1.e4 c5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.d4 cxd4
4.Nxd4 e6
5.Nc3 a6
6.Be3 Qc7
7.a3 b5
8.Be2 Bb7