[Event "Any Game"]
[Site "Anywhere"]
[Date "Anytime"]
[Round "Whichever"]
[White "Whomsoever"]
[Black "Whatsoever"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteELO "?"]
[BlackELO "?"]
{The current board position and moves represent a sample game. To enter a different game in PGN format for viewing and output, choose the "Import PGN" button.} 1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3 1-0
[Site "Anywhere"]
[Date "Anytime"]
[Round "Whichever"]
[White "Whomsoever"]
[Black "Whatsoever"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteELO "?"]
[BlackELO "?"]
{The current board position and moves represent a sample game. To enter a different game in PGN format for viewing and output, choose the "Import PGN" button.} 1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3 1-0
zvardon-jackdaw1
[Event "Cochrane's Gambit Game 1"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.09.23"]
[Round "-"]
[White "zvardon"]
[Black "jackdaw1"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteELO "?"]
[BlackELO "?"]
[WhiteElo "2053"]
[BlackElo "1946"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6. Kf1 Qe7 7. Nxh8 d5
8. exd5 Nd4 9. d6 Qxd6 10. c3 Bg4 11. Nf7 Qe7 12. Qa4+ Nd7 13. Kxf2 Qh4+ 14.
Kf1 Bh5 15. cxd4 Qf4+ 1/2-1/2
zvardon-jackdaw1[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.09.23"]
[Round "-"]
[White "zvardon"]
[Black "jackdaw1"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteELO "?"]
[BlackELO "?"]
[WhiteElo "2053"]
[BlackElo "1946"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6. Kf1 Qe7 7. Nxh8 d5
8. exd5 Nd4 9. d6 Qxd6 10. c3 Bg4 11. Nf7 Qe7 12. Qa4+ Nd7 13. Kxf2 Qh4+ 14.
Kf1 Bh5 15. cxd4 Qf4+ 1/2-1/2
[Event "Challenge from jackdaw1"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.09.29"]
[Round "-"]
[White "zvardon"]
[Black "jackdaw1"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteELO "?"]
[BlackELO "?"]
[WhiteElo "2034"]
[BlackElo "1954"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Nxf7 Bxf2+ {The Traxler
Counter-Attack - one of the sharpest openings in chess. The variations are
still 'unclear' in many lines - despite all the software available nowadays
for analysis. It is a particularly dangerous weapon in over-the-board
tournament games; provided Black is prepared to specialize in its use. I've
included the game here so that I can link to it in my blog.} 6. Kxf2 {A bit
risky: However, this was an unrated game and was more like a discussion. Safer
is 6.Kf1.} 6... Nxe4+ 7. Kg1 {Other moves have been tried and each brings
White unique problems but which all share the a common theme - the exposed
nature of the king.} 7... Qh4 8. g3 Nxg3 9. Nxh8 {In the Traxler - it's not
about material - its all about tempo and space - or the lack of it.} 9... d5
{Again - tempo: Black wants to 'clear the decks' of any driftwood. He need the
c8 bishop and the remaining rook to join the attack without further delay -
absolutely nothing else matters. If he dithers for even a single move - then
White will consolidate - perhaps giving back a little of the material - but
will definitely win. } 10. Qf3 {But White also is well aware of the real
agenda and so he also doesn't miss a chance to develop a piece.} 10... Qd4+
11. Qe3 Nxh1 {The queens are destined to disappear and Black is forced to
recoup some of the material.} 12. Qxd4 Nxd4 13. Bb3 {13.Bxd5 would lead to
still further complications because after 13...Nxc2 14.Nf7 Black is not
obliged to immediately capture the a1 rook} 13... Bh3 14. Na3 {A critical
decision. On the positive side, Na3 develops a piece in a position where this
is clearly a major priority. On the other hand, it appears to be insufficient:
The game continuation suggests that Black is beyond equality and may even
already hold a telling advantage.} 14... Nxb3 15. axb3 Kd7 {[!] Castling
queen-side achieves a similar result [bringing the a8 rook into the game] but
is not just as strong because the king on c8 would be further removed from the
action. Black needs every single piece involved in the game and so the text is
strongest. The e7 square is avoided because of a potential tempo-gaining check
by a later Bg5.} 16. d3 Rf8 {[!] On another internet site an analyst only
considers 16...Rxh8. but again - the Traxler is all about tempo. Getting the
rook to the f-file at once is, I think, stronger than pausing to pick up the
piece.} 17. Be3 d4 {And from this point onwards, White's problems increase:
Black's compensation includes extra pawns and since he already has a bishop
controlling the light squares, the pawns do a very good complimentary job with
the central dark squares.} 18. Nc4 {[!] This is the best chance - but it is, I
think, already too late.} 18... dxe3 19. Nxe5+ Ke6 {And so the king insists on
getting involved as well.} 20. Nhf7 Nf2 {As luck would have it - the knight
which seemed all but doomed - now escapes.} 21. Re1 Ng4 22. Nxg4 Bxg4 23.
Ng5+ Ke5 24. h3 Bf5 {White's bad luck continues: Taking the e3 pawn runs into
Kf4 attacking both rook and knight.} 25. Kg2 Rf6 {Increasing the scope of the
rook still further.} 26. Nf3+ Kf4 27. Ng1 {At this point White offered to
resign but sportingly allowed a nice finish. You see, these two pieces -
White's g1 knight and Black's queen's rook - have been mortal enemies in the
Traxler for a very long time: The knight began its journey from g1 and
captured the rook's colleague some time ago and has now returned home again.
But guess who is waiting to meet him. } 27... Rg6+ 28. Kh2 Rxg1 {Not forced
and not even the best move - but I think the best ending to this particular
'story'.Black resigned. If White recaptures with the rook then after 29...e2
30.Kg2 it is even possible to give up Black's last remaining piece with
30...Bxh3+ 31.Kxh3 Kf3 and, after the rook is given up for the pawn, Black
will win any resulting king and pawn ending.} 0-1
zvardon-jackdaw1[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.09.29"]
[Round "-"]
[White "zvardon"]
[Black "jackdaw1"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteELO "?"]
[BlackELO "?"]
[WhiteElo "2034"]
[BlackElo "1954"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Nxf7 Bxf2+ {The Traxler
Counter-Attack - one of the sharpest openings in chess. The variations are
still 'unclear' in many lines - despite all the software available nowadays
for analysis. It is a particularly dangerous weapon in over-the-board
tournament games; provided Black is prepared to specialize in its use. I've
included the game here so that I can link to it in my blog.} 6. Kxf2 {A bit
risky: However, this was an unrated game and was more like a discussion. Safer
is 6.Kf1.} 6... Nxe4+ 7. Kg1 {Other moves have been tried and each brings
White unique problems but which all share the a common theme - the exposed
nature of the king.} 7... Qh4 8. g3 Nxg3 9. Nxh8 {In the Traxler - it's not
about material - its all about tempo and space - or the lack of it.} 9... d5
{Again - tempo: Black wants to 'clear the decks' of any driftwood. He need the
c8 bishop and the remaining rook to join the attack without further delay -
absolutely nothing else matters. If he dithers for even a single move - then
White will consolidate - perhaps giving back a little of the material - but
will definitely win. } 10. Qf3 {But White also is well aware of the real
agenda and so he also doesn't miss a chance to develop a piece.} 10... Qd4+
11. Qe3 Nxh1 {The queens are destined to disappear and Black is forced to
recoup some of the material.} 12. Qxd4 Nxd4 13. Bb3 {13.Bxd5 would lead to
still further complications because after 13...Nxc2 14.Nf7 Black is not
obliged to immediately capture the a1 rook} 13... Bh3 14. Na3 {A critical
decision. On the positive side, Na3 develops a piece in a position where this
is clearly a major priority. On the other hand, it appears to be insufficient:
The game continuation suggests that Black is beyond equality and may even
already hold a telling advantage.} 14... Nxb3 15. axb3 Kd7 {[!] Castling
queen-side achieves a similar result [bringing the a8 rook into the game] but
is not just as strong because the king on c8 would be further removed from the
action. Black needs every single piece involved in the game and so the text is
strongest. The e7 square is avoided because of a potential tempo-gaining check
by a later Bg5.} 16. d3 Rf8 {[!] On another internet site an analyst only
considers 16...Rxh8. but again - the Traxler is all about tempo. Getting the
rook to the f-file at once is, I think, stronger than pausing to pick up the
piece.} 17. Be3 d4 {And from this point onwards, White's problems increase:
Black's compensation includes extra pawns and since he already has a bishop
controlling the light squares, the pawns do a very good complimentary job with
the central dark squares.} 18. Nc4 {[!] This is the best chance - but it is, I
think, already too late.} 18... dxe3 19. Nxe5+ Ke6 {And so the king insists on
getting involved as well.} 20. Nhf7 Nf2 {As luck would have it - the knight
which seemed all but doomed - now escapes.} 21. Re1 Ng4 22. Nxg4 Bxg4 23.
Ng5+ Ke5 24. h3 Bf5 {White's bad luck continues: Taking the e3 pawn runs into
Kf4 attacking both rook and knight.} 25. Kg2 Rf6 {Increasing the scope of the
rook still further.} 26. Nf3+ Kf4 27. Ng1 {At this point White offered to
resign but sportingly allowed a nice finish. You see, these two pieces -
White's g1 knight and Black's queen's rook - have been mortal enemies in the
Traxler for a very long time: The knight began its journey from g1 and
captured the rook's colleague some time ago and has now returned home again.
But guess who is waiting to meet him. } 27... Rg6+ 28. Kh2 Rxg1 {Not forced
and not even the best move - but I think the best ending to this particular
'story'.Black resigned. If White recaptures with the rook then after 29...e2
30.Kg2 it is even possible to give up Black's last remaining piece with
30...Bxh3+ 31.Kxh3 Kf3 and, after the rook is given up for the pawn, Black
will win any resulting king and pawn ending.} 0-1
[Event "Challenge from jackdaw1"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.10.10"]
[Round "-"]
[White "zvardon"]
[Black "jackdaw1"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteELO "?"]
[BlackELO "?"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Bxf7+ {A change from the previous
two games.} 5... Ke7 6. Bd5 {6.bb3 is the main alternative.} 6... d6 7. d3
Qe8 8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. Be3 Qg6 10. Nf3 Bxe3 11. fxe3 {this position has been
played once before. In the Game Anand - Beliavsky; 1991, Back now took the g2
pawn and after 11...Qxg2 12.Rg1 Qh3 13.Rxg7 Kd8 14.Rg3 Qh6 went on to win.
However, I did not like the idea of having the king on d8 when it will soon
have to move yet again in order to connect the rooks. consequently, I chose a
different approach.} 11... Qh6 12. Qe2 a5 {Giving White something to think
about if he wishes to castle queenside. Black also plans to put the bishop on
the a6-f1 diagonal to restrain d4 and, hence, the move order.} 13. Nc3 Ba6
14. O-O-O Rab8 15. Rdg1 {So now we have it: This is going to be a game of
attacks at opposite sides of the board.} 15... Rb4 {Provoking a weakening pawn
move so that when Black eventually doubles rooks on the b-file and b2-b3 is
played - then the pawn will only be guarded by its colleague on c2. These
little things matter.} 16. a3 Rb7 {It may have been better to go to b6
instead. True, White could attack the rook with 17.Na4. But after the rook
goes to b7, the knight will sooner or later have to spend another move to
return to c3. The problem with the immediate Rb7 choice is that it blocks the
bishop's return to the c8-h3 diagonal where it will soon be needed.} 17. g4
Nd7 18. g5 Qe6 19. g6 {White's pawn is fast and it now also vacates g5 for the
knight.} 19... hxg6 {It would be too dangerous to leave the pawn on g6 where
it would be only a piece sac and two moves away from queening in either the
middle game or ending.} 20. Ng5 Qg8 21. h4 {And now here comes his friend.}
21... Nf6 22. Qf3 Rb6 {Making way for the bishop to cover some weak light
squares - especially on e6.} 23. d4 Qc4 {If there is a problem with White's d4
move then it is simply that it allows the Black queen to finally get to a good
square. There is no point in spending too many moves in protecting the weak
pawns on the g-file. The best defence is to cause some problems for White's
own king.} 24. Qh3 Bc8 25. Qg3 Bd7 {Black is nearly ready to gain some
counter-play.} 26. dxe5 Rxb2!? {This is the best practical chance. On 27...Nh5
28.Qh2 Qc5 29.exd6+ cxd6 30.Rd1 is very strong and focusses on the weak d6
square.} 27. exf6+ gxf6 {The rook is taboo. A sample line: 28.Kxb2 Rb8+ 29.Kc1
Qxc3 30.Nf3 Rb2 31.Nd4 c5 and white finds that his queen cannot venture too
far away. If 32.Qxg6 cxd4 33.e5 dxe5 34.exd4 Qxa3 and it is White who is in
danger in an otherwise equal position.} 28. Qe1! {Absolutely essential: }
28... Rhb8 29. Nf3 R8b3! {This move comes within a hairs-breadth of drawing
and it is also very easy now for White to lose. If 30.Nd4 then 30...Rxc2+!
31.Nxc2 Rxc3 32.Rh2 c5! threatens to add the bishop to the attack via a4 and
Black gains the upper hand.} 30. Rh2! {White continues to find the best
defence.} 30... Rxa3 {At around about here I began to see longer term
possibilities for my a-pawn.} 31. Kxb2 Qb4+ 32. Kc1 Ra1+ 33. Kd2 Ra3 {Taking
the queen would be poor: The remaining white pieces would be more than a match
for the black queen} 34. Ke2 Rxc3 35. Rxg6 Rxc2+ 36. Nd2 Be8 37. Rh6 Qxe4 38.
Kf2 a4 39. Kg1 {This king is well travelled: having now visited both castling
squares} 39... Qd3 40. Nf3 a3 41. Rxc2 Qxc2 42. Nd4 Qe4 43. Qf2 Bg6 {i still
had high hopes for the pawn - at least as a drawing resource.} 44. Kh2!! {I
think anything else leads to a draw} 44... c5 45. h5 Qe5+ 46. Qg3 Be4 47.
Rh7+ {I resigned here} 1-0
zvardon-jackdaw1[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.10.10"]
[Round "-"]
[White "zvardon"]
[Black "jackdaw1"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteELO "?"]
[BlackELO "?"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Bxf7+ {A change from the previous
two games.} 5... Ke7 6. Bd5 {6.bb3 is the main alternative.} 6... d6 7. d3
Qe8 8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. Be3 Qg6 10. Nf3 Bxe3 11. fxe3 {this position has been
played once before. In the Game Anand - Beliavsky; 1991, Back now took the g2
pawn and after 11...Qxg2 12.Rg1 Qh3 13.Rxg7 Kd8 14.Rg3 Qh6 went on to win.
However, I did not like the idea of having the king on d8 when it will soon
have to move yet again in order to connect the rooks. consequently, I chose a
different approach.} 11... Qh6 12. Qe2 a5 {Giving White something to think
about if he wishes to castle queenside. Black also plans to put the bishop on
the a6-f1 diagonal to restrain d4 and, hence, the move order.} 13. Nc3 Ba6
14. O-O-O Rab8 15. Rdg1 {So now we have it: This is going to be a game of
attacks at opposite sides of the board.} 15... Rb4 {Provoking a weakening pawn
move so that when Black eventually doubles rooks on the b-file and b2-b3 is
played - then the pawn will only be guarded by its colleague on c2. These
little things matter.} 16. a3 Rb7 {It may have been better to go to b6
instead. True, White could attack the rook with 17.Na4. But after the rook
goes to b7, the knight will sooner or later have to spend another move to
return to c3. The problem with the immediate Rb7 choice is that it blocks the
bishop's return to the c8-h3 diagonal where it will soon be needed.} 17. g4
Nd7 18. g5 Qe6 19. g6 {White's pawn is fast and it now also vacates g5 for the
knight.} 19... hxg6 {It would be too dangerous to leave the pawn on g6 where
it would be only a piece sac and two moves away from queening in either the
middle game or ending.} 20. Ng5 Qg8 21. h4 {And now here comes his friend.}
21... Nf6 22. Qf3 Rb6 {Making way for the bishop to cover some weak light
squares - especially on e6.} 23. d4 Qc4 {If there is a problem with White's d4
move then it is simply that it allows the Black queen to finally get to a good
square. There is no point in spending too many moves in protecting the weak
pawns on the g-file. The best defence is to cause some problems for White's
own king.} 24. Qh3 Bc8 25. Qg3 Bd7 {Black is nearly ready to gain some
counter-play.} 26. dxe5 Rxb2!? {This is the best practical chance. On 27...Nh5
28.Qh2 Qc5 29.exd6+ cxd6 30.Rd1 is very strong and focusses on the weak d6
square.} 27. exf6+ gxf6 {The rook is taboo. A sample line: 28.Kxb2 Rb8+ 29.Kc1
Qxc3 30.Nf3 Rb2 31.Nd4 c5 and white finds that his queen cannot venture too
far away. If 32.Qxg6 cxd4 33.e5 dxe5 34.exd4 Qxa3 and it is White who is in
danger in an otherwise equal position.} 28. Qe1! {Absolutely essential: }
28... Rhb8 29. Nf3 R8b3! {This move comes within a hairs-breadth of drawing
and it is also very easy now for White to lose. If 30.Nd4 then 30...Rxc2+!
31.Nxc2 Rxc3 32.Rh2 c5! threatens to add the bishop to the attack via a4 and
Black gains the upper hand.} 30. Rh2! {White continues to find the best
defence.} 30... Rxa3 {At around about here I began to see longer term
possibilities for my a-pawn.} 31. Kxb2 Qb4+ 32. Kc1 Ra1+ 33. Kd2 Ra3 {Taking
the queen would be poor: The remaining white pieces would be more than a match
for the black queen} 34. Ke2 Rxc3 35. Rxg6 Rxc2+ 36. Nd2 Be8 37. Rh6 Qxe4 38.
Kf2 a4 39. Kg1 {This king is well travelled: having now visited both castling
squares} 39... Qd3 40. Nf3 a3 41. Rxc2 Qxc2 42. Nd4 Qe4 43. Qf2 Bg6 {i still
had high hopes for the pawn - at least as a drawing resource.} 44. Kh2!! {I
think anything else leads to a draw} 44... c5 45. h5 Qe5+ 46. Qg3 Be4 47.
Rh7+ {I resigned here} 1-0
[Event "Traxler!"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.10.25"]
[Round "4"]
[White "zvardon"]
[Black "jackdaw1"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteELO "?"]
[BlackELO "?"]
[WhiteElo "2050"]
[BlackElo "1949"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. d4 Nxd4 6. Nxf7 Qe7 7. Nxh8 d5
8. c3 dxc4 9. cxd4 Bxd4 10. Qa4+ Bd7 11. Qxc4 O-O-O 12. O-O Rxh8 13. Nc3 Be6
14. Qd3 Qf7 15. Qc2 Bc4 16. Re1 Ng4 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. fxe3 Rf8 19. Rac1 c6 20.
Nd5 Kb8 21. Nb4 Nf2 22. Qxc4 Nh3+ 23. gxh3 1/2-1/2
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.10.25"]
[Round "4"]
[White "zvardon"]
[Black "jackdaw1"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteELO "?"]
[BlackELO "?"]
[WhiteElo "2050"]
[BlackElo "1949"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. d4 Nxd4 6. Nxf7 Qe7 7. Nxh8 d5
8. c3 dxc4 9. cxd4 Bxd4 10. Qa4+ Bd7 11. Qxc4 O-O-O 12. O-O Rxh8 13. Nc3 Be6
14. Qd3 Qf7 15. Qc2 Bc4 16. Re1 Ng4 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. fxe3 Rf8 19. Rac1 c6 20.
Nd5 Kb8 21. Nb4 Nf2 22. Qxc4 Nh3+ 23. gxh3 1/2-1/2
