Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Still Worth Knowing

Side lines are not played as often as main lines, but it can be helpful to know how to play against (and punish) certain wanderings-away, as this can be a pleasant (and often quick) way to score points.

sainik - glaucokoltz
blitz, FICS, 2011

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6 4.c3


This move is a decent alternative to the routine 4.0-0 in the Semi-Italian opening, one that shows up in 226 games in The Database and scores 69% for White.

4...Na5

I first covered this move when it appeared against 4.0-0 in "A Line of Play Everyone Should Know About"; and later in "Bully" and "A Hot Rocket to Oblivion". Currently The Database contains only 10 games with the 4.0-0 Na5 line, but 9 of them were won by White.

For the record, the fourth move alternative 4.Nc3 Na5 shows up in 49 games in The Database, with White scoring 86%; and 4.d3 Na5 shows up in 34 games, with White scoring 71%.

As for 4.c3 Na5, as in the current game, that shows up in The Database 88 times, with White scoring 88%.

5.Bxf7+ Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Ke8


Black's best defense is 6...Ke6, but after 7.Qh5 his prospects are gloomy. Two possibilites: 7...Nf6 8.Qf5+ Ke7 9.Ng6+ Kf7 10.Nxh8 Kg8 11.Qxa5 Kxh8 and Black is down two pawns (although his King is safe); and 7...g5 8.d4 Nf6 (8...Qe7 9.Qg4+ Kd6 10.Ng6 followed by 11.Qf5) 9.Qf7+ Kd6 10.Ng6 Rh7 11.e5+ Kc6 12.Qxf6+, etc.

7.Qh5+ Ke7 8.Ng6+ Kf6 9.e5+

This wins, as does 9.Qf5#.

9...Ke6 Black resigned




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