Thursday, October 27, 2011

King's Gambit

This opening is a variation of King's Gambit Accepted.

1. e4, e5
2. f4, exf4
3. Nf3, d5
4. Nc3, dxe4
5. Nxe4, Bg4
6. Qe2 ....

White rightfully sees the e-file as an avenue for attack.

6. .... Bxf3
7. Nf6 mate.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Mad Sicilian

The Mad Sicilian is an opening contributed by madhatter (Chess Tempo, January 20, 2009).  It is a simple yet tricky opening.

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, d6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. Nc3, g6
6. Be3, Bg7
7, f3, Nc6
8. Qd2, 0-0
9. 0-0-0,d5

If Black decides to immediately attack the Knight with 9....e5, then White exchanges Knights and gets an extra pawn, e.g. 10. Nxc6 bxc6, 11. Qxd6 ....

10. Kb1, dxe4


11. Nxc6, Qxd2
12. Nxe7+ .....

White gains an extra piece.  The exchange of Queens becomes immaterial.

12. .... Kh8
13. Rxd2 ....

Simply elegant !