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1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6
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The starting position of the thematic mini-tournament -> the Two Knights Defense, or perhaps more appropriately the Tchigorin Counterattack. This move is more aggressive than 3...Bc5 as it attacks e4 and provokes White to attack f7. |
 
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4. Ng5
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White accepts the challenge, looking to win the pawn, but a complicated tactical game will likely ensue, where Black will try to wrest the initiative. |
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4... d5 5. exd5 Na5
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Also possible are Nd4 and b5 which share related ideas. Black looks to take over by chasing away the bishop/knight and to take control over the center. |
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6. d3
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A questionable move (but played by none other than Morphy) looking to hold the gambit pawn. Usually white plays 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6 8.Be2 h6 |
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6... h6
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The principled reply - pushing back with the intent of e4. |
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7. Nf3 e4 8. Nfd2
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Another questionable move, but Black is controlling the game. 8.Qe2 Nxc4 9.dxc4 pinning the e-pawn, or perhaps 8.Ne5 may have been stronger. |
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8... Nxc4 9. dxc4
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Stronger would have been 9.Nxc4 unblocking his queen from being attacked. (9.Nxc4 Bg4 10.Qd2 Qxd5 11.Nc3 Qc5 12. O-O O-O-O) |
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9... Bg4
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I suspect that Bc5 or Bd6 may have been more thematic, but Bg4 certainly adds complications in attacking the kingside at f6. |
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10. f3 exf3 11. gxf3
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If 11.Nxf3 then 11...Bc5 with the intent to exchange the light-squared bishop for the knight if taken to the task. |
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11... Bh5
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Maintaining the pin on the weak f-pawn to the queen and striking into White's center. |
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12. Qe2+
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Nc3 I suspect was more principled - the Queen check does very little at the moment as it is easily blocked, and it's always dangerous to align your Queen in front of the King. |
1 comment
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12... Be7
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Simply blocking the check and allowing for castling. |
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13. Rg1
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Black looks to take over the semi-open g-file, but I feel this may have been premature as the minors are hardly involved. The rook threat is mitigated through simply castling. |
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13... O-O 14. Nc3 Re8
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Naturally opposing the Queen on the open file to the King. |
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15. Nde4
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White looks to make gains in the center with a pair of connected knights. However, he is walking into a tactical minefield... |
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15... Nxe4
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First we remove one of the knights... |
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16. Nxe4 Bc5
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And now we have a puzzle-like position -> the f-pawn is pinned to the queen, the knight is pinned to the queen who is indirectly pinned to the king, and the rook is being attacked! |
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17. Be3
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White looks to relieve some of the tension and block a pin, however the defender of the formerly pinned knight is also pinned, leaving 17...Rxe4 to continue the assault. 17.Rg3 f5 18.Nxc5 Rxe2+ 19.Kxe2 looks about best for White, but Black still holds the advantage. |
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17... Rxe4
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So now... the f-pawn is pinned the queen, the bishop is pinned to the queen and the rook, and the queen is indirectly pinned to the king. |
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18. O-O-O
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White gives up a piece to get his King to safety. |
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