[Event "Wijk aan Zee"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Petrosian, TV."] [Black "Ree, H."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A22"] [Opening "English: King's, 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3"] 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bb4 5.Nd5 Nxd5 6.cxd5 e4 {#r} 1-0

[Event "Hluboka (simul)"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Kasparov, G."] [Black "Marikova, J."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B50"] [Opening "Sicilian: 2.Nf3 d6 3.c3 Nf6 4.Be2"] { In a simultaneous display, after the moves } 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.c3 Nf6 4.Be2 { , the following position appeared on the board. Could the great Kasparov have lost a pawn after only four moves } 4...Nxe4 { Black grabs the pawn but Kasparov is ready to win. } {#r} 1-0

[Event "Checkmate Pattern"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Date "2017.03.21"] [Round "0"] [White "Mortimer's Trap"] [Black "Stockfish"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C65"] [Opening "Spanish: Berlin, 4.d3"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 { , became immensely popular after Vladimir Kramnik used it against Garry Kasparov to fend off his Ruy Lopez in their World Championship match, London 2000. In recent times White has been trying to avoid the main line by playing } 4.d3 { However, in 2008 much excitement has arisen from a seemingly new idea: the odd-looking } ( 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Nc3 { and Kramnik drew every one. } ) 4...Ne7 { which has caused a sensation. The idea is that } {#R} 0-1

[Event "Belgian Team Championship"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Lane, G."] [Black "Lemmers, O."] [Result "1-0"] [FEN "Q4bk1/5p2/p5r1/1p2pN1p/7P/1P6/P1q2PP1/3R2K1 w - - 0 1"] 1.Qxf8+ { and Black did not want to witness } 1...Kxf8 2.Rd8# { checkmate. } 1-0

[Event "European Championship, Plovdiv"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Fressinet, L."] [Black "Macieja, B."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C42"] [Opening "Russian Game: Classical"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.O-O Be7 8.Nc3 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Bg4 10.Re1 O-O 11.Bf4 Bd6 12.Bxd6 cxd6 13.Re3 Na5 14.h3 Bh5 15.Rb1 a6 16.Qe2 b5 17.Re1 Nc4 18.Bxc4 bxc4 19.Re7 Qa5 20.Qe3 Qxa2 21.Nh4 Qxc2 22.Qg5 Bg6 23.Qxd5 a5 { Black is oblivious to the danger and has just serenely advanced his a-pawn. } 24.Qxa8 { Only now did the grandmaster notice that } {#r} 1-0

[Event "Budapest"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Steiner, E."] [Black "Capablanca, JR."] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C70"] [Opening "Spanish: 4.Ba4"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 d6 5.d4 b5 6.Bb3 Nxd4 7.Nxd4 exd4 8.Qxd4 { This is the move casually suggested by Alekhine in the tournament book 'New York 1924'. } ( { It looks logical to regain the pawn, but } 8.Bd5 { is better } ) ( { or else } 8.c3 { which is a gambit that relies on White's superior piece development after } 8...dxc3 9.Nxc3 { . } ) {#R} 0-1

[Event "Bydgoszcz"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Dzwikowski, A."] [Black "Wodzislawski, M."] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C70"] [Opening "Spanish: 4.Ba4"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 d6 5.O-O Nf6 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 exd4 8.Nxd4 Nxd4 9.Qxd4 { The slightly different move order by Black has lured White into the Noah's Ark trap. Here the difference is that Black has a knight on f6 and White has castled, but the trick still works: } {#R} 0-1

[Event "Australian Championship, Adelaide"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Eiffe, P."] [Black "Crewe, J."] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C60"] [Opening "Spanish (Ruy Lopez)"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nce7 4.d3 { The threat is 5 Bxc6 followed by Nxe5, so already White is thinking of winning a pawn. } 4...Nf6 { At first sight it appears that Black has misguidedly given up his pawn for nothing. In the 1990s when the English grandmaster Tony Miles enjoyed success with this line, Mortimer's contribution was forgotten by commentators. } {#R} 0-1

[Event "?"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Date "2017.03.21"] [Round "0"] [White "Who dares wins"] [Black "?"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C23"] [Opening "Bishop's Opening"] 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 { I play this move quite often and have written a couple of books on the Bishop's Opening. } ( { It is increasing in popularity partly because people want to avoid the Petroff Defence which occurs upon } 2.Nf3 Nf6 { . } ) 2...Nc6 3.d3 Na5 { This is often played after ...Nf6 - } ( { in particular } 3...Nf6 4.Nc3 Na5 { - so the question is, why not play it straight away? The answer is soon revealed because White now enjoys a feast of tactics. } ) {#r} 1-0

[Event "Paris"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Legall de Kermeur"] [Black "St Brie"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C23"] [Opening "Bishop's Opening"] 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 d6 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Nc3 g6 5.Nxe5 Bxd1 { Who could resist taking the queen. } ( { Anyway if } 5...dxe5 { then } 6.Qxg4 { leaves White a pawn up. } ) {#r} 1-0

[Event "Kleve"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Anderberg, P."] [Black "Byvank, B."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C41"] [Opening "Philidor Defence"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Nc3 Bg4 4.Bc4 Nc6 ( { The urge to contain d2-d4 with } 4...c5 { backfired in the game J.Conde Rodriguez-J.Munoz Palmerin, Vila de Padron 2000. There followed } ) 5.h3 Bh5 6.Nxe5 { This might look a fabulous move, but once you are aware of Legall's checkmate it is much easier to find when you are playing a game. Even if White misses the trick he might still have another chance. } ( { For instance: } 6.d3 Nd4 ) {#r} 1-0

[Event "Denver"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Ivanov, Al"] [Black "Simms, G."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B30"] [Opening "Sicilian: 2...Nc6 3.Nc3 e5"] 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Bc4 d6 5.d3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.Nxe5 { Once again Legall's checkmate appears, but this via the Sicilian Defence. It just shows that such tactics occur in a variety of positions. } {#r} 1-0

[Event "Sydney"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Lane, G."] [Black "Paterson, D."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C55"] [Opening "Two Knights: 4.d3"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 d5 { This is a popular reply but arguably risky, because it leaves the e5-pawn vulnerable after White castles and puts a rook on the e1-square. } {#r} 1-0

[Event "Chicago (simul)"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Fischer, RJ."] [Black "Rouse, T."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C57"] [Opening "Two Knights: 4.Ng5"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 { White threatens the f7-pawn so Black takes evasive action. } 5.exd5 Nxd5 { This has been played numerous times but it is a serious error which allows White to stir up tactical tricks. } ( { The main alternative goes } 5...Na5 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6 8.Be2 { with roughly equal chances. } ) {#r} 1-0

[Event "Hastings"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Barden, L."] [Black "Adams, W."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C57"] [Opening "Two Knights: 4.Ng5"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 {#r} 1-0

[Event "St Petersburg (13th matchgame)"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Schiffers, E."] [Black "Chigorin, M."] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C40"] [Opening "Open Game: Damiano Defence"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f6 { This is the Damiano Defence. The problem is that the pawn on f6 takes away a good square for the king's knight and exposes the black king. } {#d} 1/2-1/2

[Event "US Open, Cherry Hill"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Lenderman, A."] [Black "Sloan, S."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C40"] [Opening "Open Game: Damiano Defence"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f6 3.Nxe5 fxe5 {#r} 1-0

[Event "Asian Junior Championships"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Nguyen Hoang Hiep"] [Black "Hooi Ming Yew, B."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C25"] [Opening "Vienna: 2...Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Qg4"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 { White signals his intention to play the Vienna Game. } 2...Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 { Black continues to copy moves. } 4.Qg4 { It certainly looks strange but this is a special case where a queen can be developed early in the game. } {#r} 1-0

[Event "Langley"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Raymer, E."] [Black "Waters, J."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C42"] [Opening "Russian Game: Damiano Variation"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nxe4 {#r} 1-0

[Event "European Team Championship, Plovdiv"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Shaw, J."] [Black "Volkmann, F."] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C42"] [Opening "Russian Game: Damiano Variation"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nxe4 4.Qe2 Qe7 {#d} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Zapata, A."] [Black "Anand, V."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C42"] [Opening "Russian Game: 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Bf5 { This lazy move supporting the knight on e4 was given as a theoretical novelty in the respected 'Informator' publication; } ( { reporting the grandmaster encounter A. Miles-L.Christiansen, San Francisco 1987, which continued } 5...Bf5 6.Nxe4 Bxe4 7.d3 Bg6 8.Bg5 Be7 9.Bxe7 Qxe7+ 10.Be2 Nc6 11.O-O O-O 12.Re1 Rae8 13.Qd2 Ne5 14.d4 Nxf3+ 15.Bxf3 Qd7 16.c3 b6 17.Rxe8 Rxe8 18.Re1 Rxe1+ 19.Qxe1 Kf8 20.g3 { 1/2-1/2. Anand had apparently briefly looked in the book and decided to copy the example. However, he did not know the friends had agreed a draw in advance, and that when Black had made his fifth move the Englishman Tony Miles had started to smile and clean the e2-square with his fingers. Such things are not reported in serious chess books, and this led to Anand's humiliation. } ) {#r} 1-0

[Event "Cappelle la Grande"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Shaw, J."] [Black "Takahashi, R."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C42"] [Opening "Russian Game: 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Bf5 { It is best to be prepared in case Black plays the correct moves. } ( { Ironically Anand has recently taken up this line as White, and after } 5...Nxc3 6.dxc3 { (White voluntarily allows doubled c-pawns in return for a semi-open file for his rook when he castles queenside) } 6...Be7 7.Bf4 O-O 8.Qd2 Nd7 9.O-O-O Nc5 10.Be3 ( { instead } 10.Nd4 Re8 11.f3 Ne6 12.Be3 { led to equal chances in Mi.Adams-V. Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee 2008 } ) 10...Re8 ( { or } 10...c6 11.Bxc5 dxc5 12.Qf4 Qa5 13.Bd3 Be6 14.a3 { with a level position, P.Leko-V.Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee 2008 } ) 11.Bc4 Be6 12.Bxe6 Nxe6 13.h4 Qd7 14.Qd5 ( 14.Qd3 { intending 15 Ng5 is worth considering } ) 14...Qc6 15.Qf5 Qc4 { the players eventually drew in V. Anand-V.Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee 2008. } ) {#r} 1-0

[Event "World Junior Championships, Timisoara"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Samer, MI."] [Black "Reyes, Ju"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C50"] [Opening "Italian: Blackburne-Shilling Gambit"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4 {#R} 0-1

[Event "Internet (blitz game)"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Banks, P."] [Black "Karmmark"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C50"] [Opening "Giuoco Piano: Jerome Gambit"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ { The starting point of the Jerome Gambit. The great benefit of playing this in something like a one minute game on the Internet is that it is the last move your opponent will be expecting. } {#r} 1-0

[Event "?"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Date "2017.03.21"] [Round "0"] [White "Jerome Gambit"] [Black "?"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C50"] [Opening "Giuoco Piano: Jerome Gambit"] 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6 ( { Black is spoilt by the good alternatives; for example, } 6...Kf8 7.Qxe5 d6 8.Qg3 Nf6 { when White has very little for the piece. } ) 7.f4 d6 { I think this is the best way to defend: allowing one of the extra pieces to be taken, and in return obtaining a solid position with extra material. } {#R} 0-1

[Event "US Championship, Berkeley"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Shirazi, K."] [Black "Peters, J."] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B20"] [Opening "Sicilian: Wing Gambit, Marshall Variation"] 1.e4 c5 2.b4 cxb4 3.a3 { This is the standard way to play the Wing Gambit. White offers to exchange pawns on a3, after which the queen's rook will be active on the a-file, while recapturing on a3 with the bishop accelerates his development. } ( { Also possible is } 3.Bb2 d5 { (the thrust in the centre is the recommended response to this gambit opening; the idea is to activate the queen and open lines for his pieces) } 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Nf3 { (White carries on developing, which I think is the best approach) } 5...Nf6 6.c4 bxc3 7.Nxc3 Qa5 8.Bc4 { (a logical choice to pinpoint f7 as a target and maintain the temporary initiative provided by the lead in development) } 8...e6 9.O-O Ba3 { (Black is eager to thwart White's attacking ambitions by exchanging the dark-squared bishops) } 10.Qb3 Bxb2 11.Qxb2 O-O { and Black consolidated the extra pawn, Z. Harari-A.Dunnington, Highgate 1997. } ) 3...d5 { Peters challenges the centre and ignores the a3-pawn. } ( { I think Black should avoid } 3...bxa3 { , but one still needs to know the options. For example, } 4.Nxa3 e6 5.Nf3 { (this works out well with the emphasis on rapid development, though other moves are possible) } 5...d5 6.exd5 exd5 7.Bb5+ Nc6 8.O-O { (as usual in this line it is important for White to get on with the job of developing in order to maximize attacking options) } 8...Bd6 9.Bb2 { (the bishop takes its place on the long diagonal, which is virtually an automatic idea having made space for it with 2 b4) } 9...f6 10.c4 { was J.Perez Reclusa-A.Skripchenko, Pamplona 2000. White is playing very energetically and is seeking to undermine the centre and open more lines for his pieces. } ) 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.axb4 { The obvious move is to grab the pawn back; and when you are playing in the US Championship, with the knowledge that every move will be scrutinized around the world, you don't want to go wrong. The motivation was probably based upon the line 5...Qe4+ 6 Ne2 Qxb4, which is a little bit greedy in view of 7 Na3 planning to chase the black queen around the board. } ( { The benefit of hindsight suggests that } 5.Bb2 { was necessary, when I think } 5...e5 { is fine for Black. } ) {#R} 0-1

[Event "World Junior Championships, Yerevan"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Tairova, E."] [Black "Alaverdyan, L."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B33"] [Opening "Sicilian: Open, 2...Nc6"] 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 { Obviously White cannot now play c2-c4 since the knight is in the way, but she can interfere with Black's plans in another way: } 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 { The idea of giving up a pawn on d5 is borrowed from another line where Black follows up with ... Rb8 and ...Bb7 with reasonable compensation, but crucially...g7-g6 is not normally played. } ( { It might look ugly but the best move in the position is the passive retreat } 7...Ng8 { , when } 8.Bc4 Bg7 9.Qf3 f5 ( { of course } 9...Nh6 { fails to } 10.Bxh6 Bxh6 11.Qxf7# ) 10.Bf4 { , intending to castle queenside, gave White the superior game thanks to his lead in development in G. Lane-M.Apicella, Cappelle la Grande 1991. } ) 1-0

[Event "US Championship, New York"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Fischer, RJ."] [Black "Reshevsky, S."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B32"] [Opening "Sicilian: Open, 2...Nc6"] 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 O-O 8.Bb3 Na5 { Black is keen to exchange the light-squared bishop, which is traditionally a strong attacking piece in this variation. } ( { Instead, } 8...d6 { is a sensible alternative, and if } 9.h3 { then } 9...Na5 { is possible. } ) {#r} 1-0

[Event "Euless"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Movsisyan, M."] [Black "ONeill, J."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B27"] [Opening "Sicilian: Accelerated Pterodactyl"] 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 Bg7 4.Nc3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 O-O 8.Bb3 Na5 {#r} 1-0

[Event "Pardubice"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Reutsky, S."] [Black "Vitovec, J."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B30"] [Opening "Sicilian: 2...Nc6 3.Nc3 g6"] 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 g6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 O-O 8.Bb3 a6 9.f3 { White supports his e4-pawn and rules out any chance of ...Ng4. } ( 9.h3 { is another way to stop the black knight occupying the g4-square, and that also led Black into a state of carelessness in A.Parkanyi-E.Golovko, Gyongyos 1995. There followed } 9...Na5 ) 9...Na5 {#r} 1-0

[Event "Telex"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Kasparov, G."] [Black "West, G."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B29"] [Opening "Sicilian: Nimzowitsch, 3.Nc3"] 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 e6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 { The Australian apparently tried to confuse his opponent by playing something relatively unusual but it backfired. Actually, the Pin Variation used to be thought of as a dubious line, but it was revived in the 1970s and is still played occasionally. White needs to know what he is doing to avoid any tricks. } 6.e5 Nd5 7.Bd2 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Bf8 { This is a quiet line, not really in keeping with the sprit of the opening. Then again, other moves invite complications, which would be welcome news for the young Kasparov who revelled in tactics. } ( { For example: } 8...Be7 9.Qg4 { and now: } 9...-- ( 9...O-O 10.Bh6 g6 11.h4 ( { the tempting } 11.Bxf8 { is what Black wants because } 11...Bxf8 { has shown to construct a robust defence } ) ) ( 9...g6 10.Bd3 ( 10.h4 { is interesting, although } 10...Nc6 { is roughly equal } ) 10...d6 11.Bh6 dxe5 12.Bg7 Bf6 ( 12...Rg8 { is necessary } ) ) ) ( 8...Ba5 9.Bd3 Nc6 10.Qg4 Kf8 ( 10...O-O 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Qe4 g6 13.O-O { also favours White } ) 11.Nxc6 dxc6 12.O-O h5 13.Qf4 { gives White a good position due to the poorly-placed black king, I.Kurnosov-A.Daurimbetov, Tashkent 2008. } ) {#r} 1-0

[Event "Belgrade"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Jeremic, D."] [Black "Nestorovic, DN."] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B21"] [Opening "Sicilian: Smith-Morra Accepted"] 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 { The starting point of the Morra Gambit, named after the French player Pierre Morra; it has also been known as the Rivadavia Gambit. White sacrifices a pawn in return for a lead in development and some open lines to aid the attack. } 3...dxc3 4.Nxc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 Qc7 7.Qe2 Nf6 8.O-O Ng4 { It seems a logical response to watch out for the advance of the e4-pawn, so this trap has the beauty of making White complacent. } {#R} 0-1

[Event "Alushta"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Erenburg, S."] [Black "Yevseev, D."] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B12"] [Opening "Caro-Kann: Advance, 3...c5"] 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 { This variation is known as the Advance Caro-Kann. } 3...c5 {#R} 0-1

[Event "Polanczyk"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Skurski, J."] [Black "Gasik, P."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B12"] [Opening "Caro-Kann: Maroczy (Fantasy), 3...dxe4"] 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 { This is regarded as the starting point of the Fantasy Variation. } 3...dxe4 4.fxe4 e5 5.Nf3 ( { Naturally } 5.dxe5 { is poor in view of } 5...Qh4+ 6.Kd2 Qxe4 { when the white king is exposed. } ) 5...exd4 { The obvious reply, but it grants White the opportunity to attack. } ( { It might look odd but } 5...Be6 { is the accepted move here; it's hardly obvious if you don't know about it. } ) 6.Bc4 { The prospect of castling kingside to help increase the pressure against the f7-pawn is regarded as strong for White. } {#r} 1-0

[Event "Szczawno Zdroj"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Keres, P."] [Black "Arlamowski, E."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B10"] [Opening "Caro-Kann: Two Knights, 3...dxe4"] 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Qe2 { This ticks all the boxes for something odd but playable, and is likely to gain plenty of time on the clock. The fun idea is: } 5...Nbd7 6.Nd6# { . And yes, it did happen! } 1-0

[Event "Budapest"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Csapo, Z."] [Black "Koczo, K."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B12"] [Opening "Caro-Kann: 3.Nd2 dxe4"] 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Qe2 { The first time I saw this played in a tournament it was by a nine-year-old some years ago. His childish move was immediately ignored by his experienced opponent, who played the same move as in the main game with a flourish. The thing is that, against just about everything else, moving the king's knight to f6 is the standard reply. So, assuming that White has gone wrong, Black just carries on with the usual plan. } 5...Ngf6 {#r} 1-0

[Event "Port Erin"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Luther, T."] [Black "Allen, K."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B12"] [Opening "Caro-Kann: 3.Nd2 dxe4"] 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 ( 3.Nc3 { transposes to the game after } 3...dxe4 4.Nxe4 { . } ) 3...dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Qe2 Ndf6 { Black is already playing something new because, as I said above, the standard development involves ...Ng8-f6. None of the suggestions in these notes are mentioned in standard reference books such as Nunn's 'Chess Openings', so there is no obvious continuation that can be adopted. The bottom line is that Black now has to decide how best to continue without resorting to a memory test of book moves. } ( 5...e6 { is solid but a little passive because the bishop on c8 will now take some time to activate. For instance, } 6.Bf4 Ngf6 7.Nf3 ( { after } 7.Nxf6+ Nxf6 8.O-O-O Bd6 9.Be5 Qe7 10.Nf3 { the position is equal, J.Aabling Thomsen-B.Nielsen, Vanlose 2005 } ) 7...Nxe4 8.Qxe4 Nf6 9.Qd3 Be7 10.Bg3 ( { maybe } 10.Be2 { is worth considering, and if } 10...Nd5 { then } 11.Bd2 { intending c2-c4 to oust the knight from d5 with a slight edge } ) 10...O-O 11.Be2 b6 12.Ne5 Bb7 13.Bf3 Qc8 14.O-O { gave White a small initiative in Kr.Georgiev-T.Liverios, Estia Nea Smyrni 1978. } ) 6.Nf3 { White brings another piece into the game and waits to see if Black chooses a decent plan of development. } ( { Instead, V.Knox-P. Wells, British Championship, Southport 1983, continued } 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.Be3 ( { or } 8.c3 Qd5 9.Bf4 Bxf3 10.gxf3 O-O-O 11.Rg1 { with roughly equal play } ) 8...Qd5 9.c4 Bxf3 10.gxf3 Qa5+ 11.Bd2 Qc7 12.O-O-O g6 13.Kb1 Bg7 14.f4 ( 14.Bh3 O-O 15.Bg5 Rfd8 16.Qe3 { is level } ) 14...Qd7 15.Bg2 O-O 16.h4 Rab8 ( { not } 16...h5 17.Ka1 Qxd4 ) 17.h5 b5 18.hxg6 hxg6 19.c5 Qxd4 20.Be3 Qc4 21.Qd2 Qe6 22.Ka1 b4 23.f5 Qxf5 24.Bxc6 b3 25.a3 Ng4 26.Bd7 Qc2 27.Bd4 Ne5 ( 27...e5 { was correct } ) ) 6...Nxe4 7.Qxe4 Nf6 8.Qh4 { Sliding the queen across to h4 is a natural idea because it could put Black off from castling kingside, afraid of a possible attack. } ( { It is to his credit that Allen responds well, so I would consider } 8.Qe5 e6 ( { to prepare ...Bd6, but } 8...Bg4 { is more sensible, when } 9.Be2 { offers equal chances } ) 9.Bf4 Be7 10.Bd3 O-O 11.O-O { , which gave White the edge due to Black's passive pieces in G.Lane-Morsa, Internet 2006. } ) 8...Bf5 9.c3 e6 10.Bc4 Be7 11.Qf4 { Luther is cautious about having his queen chased around the board so moves it again. It is fair to say that Black has equalized, but at what cost on the clock. } ( { Alternatively, } 11.O-O Ne4 12.Qf4 Bd6 13.Qe3 Nf6 ( 13...O-O 14.Bd3 Nf6 15.Bxf5 exf5 16.Qg5 { is slightly better for White } ) 14.Ne5 { offers equal chances. } ) 11...h6 12.Ne5 Qc7 13.h3 Bd6 14.Qe3 Nd5 15.Qe2 O-O-O 16.O-O g5 { I have to be realistic and declare that White has allowed the position to drift, so that he is now on the defensive. } 17.Re1 Rhg8 18.Bd2 Rg7 19.Rad1 Nf4 20.Bxf4 ( { Instead } 20.Qf3 { , threatening Bxf4, is fine for White, who keeps his options open while the g-file remains closed. } ) 20...gxf4 21.Qf3 Rdg8 22.Bf1 Kb8 23.b4 Bxe5 24.dxe5 f6 25.exf6 Rf7 26.Rd4 e5 { This looks like a classic time-trouble mistake, and the rest of the game seems to indicate that Black had to rush his moves. } {#r} 1-0

[Event "Goodrington"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Martin, T."] [Black "Smith, D."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B12"] [Opening "Caro-Kann: 3.Nd2 dxe4"] 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Bg5 { This is the twist in a familiar position: White is now threatening Nd6+ because the e-pawn is pinned by the bishop. } {#r} 1-0

[Event "Reykjavik"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Karklins, A."] [Black "Dlugy, M."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B15"] [Opening "Caro-Kann: 4.Nxe4"] 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Bg5 Ngf6 6.Qd3 { White signals his intention to castle queenside. If you consider that the position is roughly equal, then there has to be some merit in making Black think from move 5, rather than being able to fluster his opponent with loads of memorized lines. If nothing else White should be ahead on the clock after the opening. } ( { Instead, } 6.Qe2 { is the tricky reply, hoping for the Keres's trap of Nd6 checkmate; for example, } ) 6...Nxe4 7.Qxe4 Qa5+ ( { Alternatively Black can play } 7...Nf6 { , when } 8.Bxf6 gxf6 9.Bc4 Qa5+ 10.c3 Qf5 11.Qxf5 ( 11.Qe2 { is also possible, just maintaining the tension } ) 11...Bxf5 12.Ne2 { led to an equal ending in S.Gregory-T.Dickinson, British League 2006. } ) 8.Bd2 Qb6 9.O-O-O Nf6 10.Qe5 Be6 { The grandmaster is oblivious to the danger and concentrates merely on developing his queenside. After all, in standard lines of the Caro-Kann the tricks are well known, but in this less familiar position Black suddenly goes horribly wrong. } {#r} 1-0

[Event "New York (6th matchgame)"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "COMP Deep Blue"] [Black "Kasparov, G."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B15"] [Opening "Caro-Kann: 4.Nxe4"] 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Ng5 { This amused spectators because Kasparov had used this variation as White, so the computer managed to strike a psychological blow! } 5...Ngf6 6.Bd3 e6 7.N1f3 h6 { At the time of the game this move had a dubious reputation with White enjoying a lot of success after the subsequent sacrifice. Since then plenty of people have tried to defend the position without much success, which suggests that Black has already gone seriously wrong. The reason why Kasparov chose this line is still shrouded in mystery. However, American grandmaster, Joel Benjamin, was part of the support team for IBM. He told me that Kasparov had probably tested other chess software in this position and they all played 8 Ne4. It seems Kasparov gambled and lost. } ( 7...Bd6 { is the sound alternative. } ) {#r} 1-0

[Event "Leningrad"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Ilyin Zhenevsky, A."] [Black "Kasparian, G."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B10"] [Opening "Caro-Kann: Two Knights, 3...dxe4"] 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 { This is the standard reply in the main line, so Black dutifully replicates what he thinks is the right move. He is thinking of the variation 1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6 6 Nf3 Nd7 7 h4 h6 8 h5 Bh7 9 Bd3. } ( { But here, with d2-d4 replaced by Nf3, } 5...Bg4 { should be preferred. } ) {#r} 1-0

[Event "Adelaide"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Staak, E."] [Black "Wynne, D."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B10"] [Opening "Caro-Kann: 2.Nf3"] 1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Ne5 Bh7 8.Qh5 g6 9.Bc4 { White can afford to ignore the threat to his queen because 10 Bxf7 is checkmate. } {#r} 1-0

[Event "Greek Team Championship"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Mavrikakis, G."] [Black "Dermentzis, K."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C02"] [Opening "French: Advance, 4.c3 Qb6"] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 { This is known as the Advance French. } 3...c5 4.c3 Qb6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bd3 { The starting point of the Milner-Barry Gambit. It seems at first glance that the d-pawn has just been lost, but numerous players as Black have found to their cost that this is not the case. } 6...cxd4 7.cxd4 Bd7 ( { Those who are new to the French Defence are particular prone to fall for the trap and take the offered pawn immediately: } 7...Nxd4 ) 8.O-O Nxd4 9.Nxd4 Qxd4 10.Nc3 { White has given up one pawn and now offers another, in the hope of exploiting his lead in development. } 10...Qxe5 { Black acknowledges that greed is good and accepts a two pawn advantage. However, White has plenty of play in compensation and Black can easily go wrong. In fact it is possible to go astray at once by being complacent about the safety of the black queen. } ( 10...f6 ) ( 10...a6 11.Kh1 { (preparing to play f2-f4 if Black does not take on e5) } 11...f6 ) 11.Re1 Qd6 ( { In recent years } 11...Qb8 { has been the most popular reply, when play tends to continue } 12.Nxd5 Bd6 13.Qh5 Kf8 14.Nc3 Nf6 15.Qh4 Bc6 ( 15...h6 { is best met by } 16.Be3 { intending Rad1 with a slight edge } ) 16.Bg5 Be5 { and now, instead of } 17.f4 { as in the much quoted game A.Bisguier-H.Westerinen, Netanya 1971, } ( { White should play } 17.Rad1 { with adequate compensation for the pawn because Black's pieces lack co-ordination. This assessment depends on the latest computer software which seems to like White's prospects. } ) ) 12.Nb5 Bxb5 { This is the usual reply on the evidence of numerous games. } ( { However, } 12...Qb6 { looks better, when I can't find anything better than } 13.Be3 Qa5 14.Bd2 Qb6 15.Be3 { repeating the position with a draw. } ) {#r} 1-0

[Event "Bled"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Alekhine, A."] [Black "Nimzowitsch, A."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C15"] [Opening "French: Winawer, Alekhine Gambit"] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Ne2 { White employs a solid alternative to the usual 4 e5, making sure that he avoids doubled c-pawns if Black exchanges on c3. This move is still rated as unusual in tournaments so will have a certain amount of surprise value. The logical continuation for Black is to try and punish White by taking on e4 and then holding on to the extra pawn. } 4...dxe4 5.a3 Bxc3+ ( { It is also possible to retreat the bishop with } 5...Be7 { and that is discussed in the game Chadaev-Ponkratov later in this chapter. } ) 6.Nxc3 f5 { This is a greedy adventure to hang on to the extra pawn and hope to make it count. In a book of his best games, Alekhine wrote: 'Played against all the principles of a sound opening strategy, as the dark-coloured squares of Black's position will become very weak, especially because of the exchange of his king's bishop.' } ( { A reasonable alternative, suggested by Alekhine, is } 6...Nc6 { to attack the d4-pawn. Play usually continues } 7.Bb5 Ne7 8.Bg5 { (provoking Black into blocking the pin with a pawn to ensure a long-term weakness) } ) {#r} 1-0

[Event "Tula"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Dzhangobegov, V."] [Black "Mukhin, A."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A00"] [Opening "Van Geet: 1...d5 2.e4"] 1.Nc3 d5 2.e4 e6 3.d4 Bb4 4.Ne2 dxe4 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Nxc3 f5 7.f3 exf3 8.Qxf3 Qxd4 9.Qg3 c6 { The c-pawn is attacked so Black moves it. This obvious continuation is bound to be attractive because it also stops a future Nb5 by White. } 10.Be3 ( { Actually } 10.Bf4 { is probably stronger here, as given in the notes to Alekhine-Nimzowitsch above; but the move played isn't bad either. } ) 10...Qg4 { Black is two pawns up so it is hardly surprising that he wants to exchange queens. } ( { If instead } 10...Qf6 { , to maintain the guard on the g7, then I think } 11.O-O-O { is strong, with the threat of Bg5 followed by Rd8+. For instance, } 11...Ne7 12.Bg5 Qg6 13.Be2 Nd7 ( { not } 13...h6 { as } ) 14.Qh4 { (threatening the knight on e7, as well as Bh5 to pin the queen) } 14...Qf7 15.Bh5 Ng6 ( 15...g6 { further weakens the dark squares } ) 16.Qf4 { with a strong initiative. } ) 11.Qc7 Qh4+ { It seems that the queen can retreat to fend off the threats, but this is an error based on a miscalculation. } ( { I think the only way Black can stay in the game is by inserting } 11...Nd7 12.Be2 { , and only then play } 12...Qh4+ ( { but not } 12...Qxg2 { as } ) 13.Bf2 Qd8 { , though after } 14.Qg3 Qe7 15.O-O { , planning Rae1 and Bc4, White has ample compensation for the pawns. } ) {#r} 1-0

[Event "Russian Junior Championships"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Chadaev, N."] [Black "Ponkratov, P."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C15"] [Opening "French: Winawer, Alekhine Gambit"] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Ne2 dxe4 5.a3 Be7 { Black has no desire to exchange pieces, so adopts a standard line of retreating the bishop. } 6.Nxe4 b6 { Intending to fianchetto the light-squared bishop in a bid to harass the knight on e4. } ( { The main alternative is } 6...Nf6 { , when play might continue: } 7.-- ( 7.Qd3 Nbd7 8.Bf4 b6 9.N2c3 Bb7 10.Be2 { (planning to challenge the supremacy of the b7-bishop by placing his own on f3) } 10...Nxe4 11.Nxe4 Nf6 12.Bf3 Nxe4 13.Bxe4 Bxe4 14.Qxe4 O-O 15.O-O-O Bg5 16.Kb1 Bxf4 17.Qxf4 Qd6 18.Qxd6 { {#r} 1-0

[Event "?"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Date "2017.03.21"] [Round "0"] [White "Silicon Alekhine"] [Black "?"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B02"] [Opening "Alekhine: Scandinavian, Exchange"] 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.exd5 Nxd5 4.Bc4 e6 { The defence of the knight with the e-pawn is supposed to be a mistake. } {#R} 0-1

[Event "Seefeld"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Voss, I."] [Black "Kreusch, F."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B01"] [Opening "Scandinavian: Portuguese, 4.Nf3"] 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.d4 Bg4 4.Nf3 Nxd5 5.c4 Nb6 6.c5 ( { The standard move is } 6.Be2 { , but the text gives Black the chance to go wrong. } ) {#r} 1-0

[Event "Graz"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Wieser, A."] [Black "Lischnig, H."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B07"] [Opening "Pirc: Holmov (4.Bc4)"] 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Bc4 { This is an aggressive way to handle the Pirc and may unsettle the average player who is used to the standard lines. } 4...Bg7 5.Qe2 { I like this queen move because it makes Black worry about the significance of the white e-pawn advancing. } 5...e5 { This certainly stops any ideas of e4-e5, but White has scored well in this position. Other moves are examined in the next game. } {#r} 1-0

[Event "Buenos Aires Olympiad"] [Site "masterchessopen.com"] [Round "0"] [White "Weeramantry, S."] [Black "Clua Ballague, M."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B07"] [Opening "Pirc: Holmov (4.Bc4)"] 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Bc4 Bg7 5.Qe2 O-O { Black elects not to stop the white e-pawn advancing. Black has also tried: } ( 5...Nbd7 6.e5 { is good for White; for example, } 6...dxe5 7.dxe5 Ng8 8.Nf3 Nh6 ) ( 5...Nc6 6.e5 Nxd4 ( { tempting, but it produces a position that is hard for Black to control; instead } 6...Nd7 7.Nf3 Nb6 8.Bb3 O-O 9.h3 Na5 10.O-O { leads to roughly equal play } ) ) 6.e5 dxe5 { The snag with exchanging on e5 is that it allows White to put a rook on the d-file at some point to harass the black queen. } ( { Instead: } 6...Ne8 { should be met by } 7.Bg5 { intending to castle queenside. } ) ( 6...Nfd7 7.e6 Nb6 8.Bb3 ( { here } 8.exf7+ Kh8 9.Bg5 { is promising } ) 8...Nc6 ( 8...d5 { offers equal chances } ) 9.Nf3 fxe6 10.Bxe6+ Bxe6 11.Qxe6+ Kh8 12.Be3 Rf6 ( { perhaps } 12...Qc8 { is the best defence } ) ) {#r} 1-0