Chess Opening Secrets Revealed*

Chess: Understanding the Pirc Defense (Austrian Attack) Part II

2012-01-09T13:02:00.007-05:00

1 e4 d6 2 d4 Nf6 3 Nc3 g6 Line

What's the game plan for Black?

Black aims to undermine and disrupt
White's center via a timely ... c5. In some
scenarios, however, ... e5, or, ... c6 followed
by ... b5, is preferable to ... c5. Black also
wants to establish the latent power of the
fianchettoed king's bishop.

What's the game plan for White?

White has divers weapons, but the toughest
questions are posed by the Austrian Attack
(3 Nc3 g6 4 f4). White tries to effectuate
a central clamp, followed by direct kingside
hostilities. More subtle but no less menacing
is the Classical Variation (3 Nc3 g6 4 Nf3 Bg7
5 Be2). Its motivation is to ensure that White's
space advantage endures. Other attempts
(4 Bc4, 4 Bg5, 4 Be3) carry their own brand of
trouble but are less likely to obtain a pull
against precise defense.

1 e4

1 ... d6

Inaugurating the Pirc Defense.

2 d4

2 Nc3
2 Nf3
2 f4
2 g3
2 c4
2 d3
2 Bc4

2 ... Nf6

2 ... g6
2 ... e5
2 ... c6
2 ... Nd7
2 ... Nc6
2 ... c5
2 ... e6
2 ... f5

3 Nc3

3 f3
3 Bd3
3 Nd2
3 Be3

3 ... g6

3 ... e5
3 ... c6
3 ... Nbd7
3 ... Nc6
3 ... e6

4 f4

4 Nf3
4 Be3
4 Bg5
4 g3
4 Be2
4 f3
4 h3
4 Bc4
4 Nge2
4 Bf4
4 h4
4 Bd3

4 ... Bg7

4 ... c6
4 ... Bh6

5 Nf3

5 e5
5 Bc4
5 Bd3
5 Be2
5 a3
5 Be3

Position After 4 ... Bg7

Most generally, White wants to first complete
mobilization via Bd3/O-O or Be3/Qd2/O-O-O
so as to push e4-e5 with absolute luxury.

Position After 4 ... Bg7

5 e5 is not too threatening because of:

5 ... Nfd7 6 Nf3 c5 7 dxc5 dxe5 8 fxe5 Nxe5
9 Qxd8+ Kxd8 10 Nxe5 Bxe5 11 Ne4 f6 12 c3 Be6
13 Be3 Nc6 14 Nd2 Kc7.

Position After 4 ... Bg7

5 Bd3 permits Black to exploit the unprotected
d4 pawn to his advantage:

5 ... Nc6 6 d5 Nb4 7 Be2 c6 8 a3 Qa5 9 Be3 Nxe4
10 axb4.
5 ... Nc6 6 Nf3 d5 7 e5 Ng4 8 O-O O-O 9 h3 Nh6
10 g4 Nb4 11 f5.
5 ... Nc6 6 Nf3 Nb4 7 Be2 d5 8 e5 Ne4 9 a3 Nxc3.

Position After 4 ... Bg7

5 Bd3 permits Black to exploit the unprotected
d4 pawn to his advantage:

5 ... Nc6 6 Nf3 Bg4 7 e5 Bxf3 8 gxf3 Nh5 9 Be3 e6
10 h4 O-O 11 Qd2 dxe5 12 dxe5 Nb4 13 O-O-O.
5 ... Nc6 6 Nf3 Bg4 7 d5 Nd4 8 Be3 Nd7 9 O-O c6
10 Qd2 Nxf3+ 11 gxf3 Bh3 12 Rfe1 Nf6 13 dxc6.
5 ... Nc6 6 Nf3 Bg4 7 Be3 e5 8 dxe5 dxe5 9 Bb5
9 ... exf4 10 Qxd8+ Rxd8 11 Bxc6+ bxc6 12 Bxf4 O-O
13 h3.

Chess: Understanding Petroff's Defense Part V

2012-01-09T10:26:00.025-05:00

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6:

PETROFF'S DEFENSE:

Lines with 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nxe5 d6
4 Nf3 Nxe4 5 Nc3 Nc5.

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nxe5 d6 4 Nf3 Nxe4 5 Nc3.
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nxe5 d6 4 Nf3 Nxe4
5 Nc3 Nc5.
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nxe5 d6 4 Nf3 Nxe4
5 Nc3 f5.
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nxe5 d6 4 Nf3 Nxe4
5 Nc3 Qe7 6 Nd5.
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nxe5 d6 4 Nf3 Nxe4
5 Nc3 Ng5 6 Nxg5 Qxg5 7 d4.
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nxe5 d6 4 Nf3 Nxe4
5 Nc3 d5 6 Qe2 Be7 7 Nxe4 dxe4
8 Qxe4 O-O 9 Bc4.

PETROFF'S DEFENSE (COCHRANE'S GAMBIT)

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nxe5 d6 4 Nxf7.

ALSO AVAILABLE: 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6
3 Nxe5 d6 4 Nf3 Nxe4 5 d4 d5
6 Bd3 Nc6 7 O-O Be7 8 c4 Nb4
9 Be2 O-O 10 Nc3 Be6 Line

Chess: Understanding the Trompowsky Opening Part I

2007-11-12T00:10:00.000-05:00

1 d4 Nf6 2 Bg5 Line

What's the game plan for White?

* 2 Bg5 gains White an early initiative by
threatening Black with double pawns
through 3 Bxf6.
* In the variation where Black plays an
early Nf6-e4, after moving the bishop away
from the attack, White usually kicks the
e4 knight back with f2-f3.
For White, the Trompowsky is ideal because
it leads to reasonable middlegame positions
without requiring detailed opening knowledge.
Also, White can choose to play positionally
or tactically.

What's the game plan for Black?

* Black needs to decide whether to allow
the trade on f6 or move his knight away
to e4.
* It is logical for Black to pinpoint the
only potential drawback of the early Bg5
(the unprotected b2 pawn) with c7-c5
followed by Qb6.
* Black can also adopt a more solid plan
by playing d7-d5.
From Black's perspective, the Trompowsky
offers the solid set-ups with d7-d5 or
the more inspired c7-c5, Qb6 line.

1 d4

Staking a claim in the center (c5/e5) and affording
the c1 bishop a diagonal along which to develop.

1... Nf6

Exerting influence over the central d5 and e4 squares.

2 Bg5

At this juncture, Black can opt to allow Bxf6 or
prevent it by playing 2... Ne4. The latter makes
for a sharper game.

2... Ne4

2 ... e6
2 ... g6
2 ... d6
2 ... c6
2 ... b6
2 ... h6
2 ... b5

Other favored moves are:

1 d4 Nf6 2 Bg5

a) 2 ... c5

Now White is ready to take on f6.

3 Bxf6

3 Nc3
3 dxc5
3 e3
3 Nf3

The gambit variation with 3 d5 Qb6 4 Nc3 Qxb2
5 Bd2 Qb6 6 e4 d6 7 f4 is worthy of attention.
Black expends three moves hunting the b2 pawn,
and, in return, White gets an active position
with initiative. Now Black needs to be on the
defensive for a while, if he's to hold on to
the extra pawn:

Back to 1 d4 Nf6 2 Bg5 c5 3 Bxf6

3 ... gxf6

3 ... exf6
3 ... Qa5+

4 d5

4 dxc5
4 c3
4 e3
4 e4
4 Nc3

4 ... Qb6

4 ... d6
4 ... f5

After the normal developing moves 4... Bg7 5 c3 d6
6 e3 f5 7 Ne2 Nd7 8 Nf4 White gets a pleasant
position with a clear target on the kingside.

5 Qc1

5 Nd2
5 e3
5 b3

5 ... f5

5 ... Bh6
5 ... e6
5 ... Bg7
5 ... Na6

6 g3

6 c4
6 e3
6 c3
6 Nf3
6 Na3

6 ... Bg7

6 ... e6
6 ... d6
6 ... c4
6 ... Na6

7 c3 d6

7 ... h5
7 ... Na6
7 ... Qd6
7 ... e6
7 ... e5

8 Nd2

8 Bg2
8 Bh3
8 e3
8 Na3

8 ... Nd7

8 ... Qc7
8 ... O-O
8 ... e6

9 Nh3

9 Bg2
9 Nc4
9 Qc2

9 ... Nf6

9 ... O-O
9 ... e5

10 Bg2

10 ... 0-0

10 ... Bd7
10 ... Qa6
10 ... e6

11 0-0 e6

11 ... e5
11 ... Qc7
11 ... Qa6

If Black does not initiate any tension then White's
plan is to arrange for e2-e4 with Qc2, Nf4
and Rfe1 etc.

12 Nf4.

12 dxe6
12 c4

Or

1 d4 Nf6 2 Bg5

b) 2 ... d5

3 Bxf6

3 Nc3
3 Nf3
3 e3
3 Nd2
3 c3

3 ... exf6

3 ... gxf6

4 e3

4 Nd2
4 Nf3

4 ... Bd6

4 ... c6
4 ... Be6
4 ... Be7
4 ... Bf5
4 ... f5
4 ... c5
4 ... Nd7
4 ... Nc6

5 g3

5 c4
5 Bd3
5 Nf3
5 Nd2
5 Qh5
5 Qf3

5 ... c6

5 ... O-O
5 ... Be6
5 ... Bf5

6 Bg2

6 Nd2
6 Bd3
6 Kd2

6 ... f5

6 ... Qb6
6 ... Bf5
6 ... O-O

7 Ne2

7 Nd2
7 Nf3

While Black gets the bishop pair, he also has to deal
with the doubled f-pawns. Usually, White's plan is to
prepare c2-c4 and make a play on the queenside.

Back to 1 d4 Nf6 2 Bg5 Ne4

3 Bf4

3 h4
3 Bc1
3 Bh4 c5 4 f3 g5 5 fxe4 gxh4 6 e3 Bh6 7 Kf2 cxd4
8 exd4 Qb6 9 Nc3 e6 10 Nf3 Nc6 11 Nb5 O-O
12 c4 d6 13 Nxd6 e5 14 Qb3 exd4 15 Qxb6 Be3+
16 Ke1 axb6 17 Nxh4.
3 Bh4 d5 4 f3 Nd6 5 Nc3 Nf5 6 Bf2 c5 7 dxc5 d4
8 Ne4 Nc6 9 g4 9 ... Ne3 10 Bxe3 dxe3 11 Qxd8+ Nxd8
12 O-O-O g6 13 g5.
3 Bh4 g5 4 f3 c5 5 fxe4 gxh4 6 e3 Bh6 7 Kf2 cxd4
8 exd4 Qb6 9 Nc3 e6 10 Nf3 Nc6 11 Nb5 O-O 12 c4 d6
13 Nxd6 e5 14 Qb3 exd4 15 Qxb6 Be3+ 16 Ke1 axb6
17 Nxh4.

3... c5

3 ... d6
3 ... Nc6
3 ... e6

Following the more conservative 3... d5

White can solidly proceed with:

4 e3

4 f3
4 Nd2
4 Nf3

4 ... Bf5

4 ... c5
4 ... e6
4 ... c6
4 ... g6
4 ... Nd7

5 f3

Kicking the knight back.

5 Nd2
5 Bd3
5 Nf3

5 ... Nf6

5 ... Nd6

6 c4

6 g4
6 Bd3
6 Ne2

6 ... c6

6 ... e6
6 ... c5
6 ... Bxb1
6 ... Nc6

7 Nc3 e6

7 ... Qb6
7 ... Nbd7

8 Qb3

Taking advantage of the early Bc8-f5 move to attack
the b7 pawn.

8 g4
8 cxd5

8 ... Qb6

8 ... b6
8 ... Qd7 leads to 9 g4 Bg6 10 h4 h6 11 c5 Be7
12 Nb5! cxb5 13 Bxb8.

9 c5 Qxb3

10 axb3

And White is slightly better. He will follow up with
the b4-b5 pawn advance, and, because of the pin on
the a-file, Black will have a difficult time halting
the charge.

Back to 1 d4 Nf6 2 Bg5 Ne4 3 Bf4 c5

4 f3

4 d5
4 dxc5
4 e3
4 c3
4 Nd2

4 ... Qa5+

Or, 4 ... Nf6 5 dxc5 Qa5+ 6 Qd2 Qxc5 7 e4 and White
is okay. Black squandered two moves with his Queen
just to regain the pawn. In the initial stages of the
game, it is advisable to delay bringing out her
ladyship.

4 ... Nd6

5 c3

5 Nd2

5 ... Nf6

5 ... Nd6

6 Nd2

6 dxc5
The more belligerent 6 d5 gives Black enough
counterplay via 6 ... Qb6. Now, White is forced
to retreat with 7 Bc1 because after 7 Qd2 Black
has the tactical decoy 7 ... Nxd5! 8 Qxd5 Qxb2,
trapping the a1 rook.

6 ... cxd4

6 ... Qb5
6 ... Nd5

7 Nb3

7 Nc4

7 ... Qb6

7 ... Qd8
7 ... Qh5

Black could not keep his extra pawn by playing
7 ... Qf5 because of the interposing move 8 Bxb8,
as 8 ... Rxb8 9 Qxd4 b6 10 e4 Qf4 11 Nh3 Qc7
12 e5 Ng8 13 0-0-0 gives White the initiative.
After Black retreats 7 ... Qd8, White will
follow up with 8 cxd4 d5 9 e3 e6 10 g4 Nc6
11 Rc1 Bb4+ 12 Kf2 0-0 13 Bb5 Bd7 14 Ne2.

8 Qxd4

8 cxd4

8 ... Nc6

Provoking the exchange of Queens on b6. After the
more natural 8 ... Qxd4 9 cxd4 9 ... d5 10 e3 e6
11 g4, White has an edge in space and somewhat
better development.

8 ... Qd8

9 Qxb6 axb6

10 Nd4

10 Be3
10 a3
10 a4
10 e4
10 Bg5
10 e3

10 ... e5

10 ... Ra5
10 ... Nd5

After 10 ... Nxd4 11 cxd4 d5 12 e3 White is also
slightly better due to the differences in pawn
structure.

11 Nxc6 exf4

11 ... dxc6

12 Nd4

With a balanced position.

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Defense (Najdorf Variation) Part I

2007-11-06T16:25:00.000-05:00

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6
6 Bg5 e6 7 f4 Be7 8 Qf3 Qc7 9 O-O-O Line

Also available:
Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Najdorf Part II
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-sicili_115316520058364198.html
Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Najdorf Part III
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-sicilian-najdorf.html
Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Najdorf Part IV
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-sicilian-najdorf_17.html
Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Najdorf Part V
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-sicilian-defense_23.html
Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Najdorf Part VI
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2007/01/chess-understanding-sicilian-defense.html
Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Defense
(Accelerated Fianchetto)
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-sicilian-defense.html
Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Defense
(Keres Attack) Part I
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/06/chess-understanding-sicilian.html
Chess: Understanding the Smith Morra Gambit
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/06/chess-understanding-smith-morra-gambit.html
Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Richter
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/06/chess-understanding-sicilian-richter.html
Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Defense
(Sveshnikov Variation)
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/06/chess-understanding-sicilian-defense.html
Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Defense
(Sozin Variation)
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/01/chess-understanding-sicilian-defense_30.html
Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Dragon
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/01/chess-understanding-sicilian-dragon.html
Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Defense
(Löwenthal Variation)
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/08/chess-understanding-sicilian-defense_23.html
Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Defense
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/08/chess-understanding-sicilian-defense_22.html

1 e4

Controlling the central square d5 plus near-central
square f5, and, opening up a diagonal for both the
Queen and f1 bishop.

1 ... c5

The d4 and b4 squares are now under Black's influence,
and his Queen also gets breathing space along the a5-d8
diagonal.

2 Nf3

White prepares for d4 so as to challenge Black's hold
on that key square.

2 ... d6

Shielding e5 from a prospective e4-e5 advance.
Please remember, the acquisition of e5 is a
critical theme for the defense. This move also
opens up a diagonal for the c8 bishop.

3 d4

3 ... cxd4

By trading his c-pawn for White's d-pawn,
Black guarantees pressure down the half
open c-file and chances to mold his
central pawn majority into a strong
center.

4 Nxd4

In return, White gains a developmental lead,
the half open d-file and an edge in space.

4 ... Nf6

The e4 pawn now needs protection, and so White
responds with:

5 Nc3

5 ... a6

Initiating the Najdorf Defense.
Black achieves two goals with this move:
(i) He deters White's pieces from intruding
on the b5 square.
(ii) He prepares for the ... b5 break, which,
in turn, initiates queenside action and
makes room on b7 for the c8 bishop.

6 Bg5

Threatening 7 Bxf6. The idea is to:
(i) Eliminate the knight's d5 influence in
order to attain a firmer grip on that focal
point.
(ii) Compromise Black's pawn structure
(7 Bxf6 gxf6/exf6).

6 ... e6

White's control of d5 and f5 is challenged and the
e7 square is vacated for the f8 bishop.

6 ... Nbd7 7 Bc4 Qa5 8 Qd2 e6 9 O-O-O b5 10 Bb3 Bb7
11 Rhe1 O-O-O 12 a3 Kb8 13 f4 Rc8 14 e5 dxe5 15 fxe5
15 ... b4 16 Na2 Ne4 17 axb4 Qxe5 18 Qf4 Qxf4+ 19 Bxf4+
19 ... e5 20 Nf5 exf4 21 Rxd7.
6 ... Qb6? 7 Bxf6 gxf6 8 Nd5 Qa5+ 9 Qd2 Qxd2+ 10 Kxd2,
and White looks better. The same is true after:
6 ... e5? 7 Nf5 Bxf5 8 exf5 Nbd7 9 Bc4 Rc8 10 Bb3 Be7
11 0-0 0-0 12 Bxf6 Nxf6 13 Qf3 b5 14 Rfd1.
6 ... e5? 7 Nf5 Bxf5 8 exf5 Nbd7 9 Bc4 Rc8 10 Bb3 Be7
11 0-0 0-0 12 Bxf6 Nxf6 13 Qf3 d5 14 Nxd5 e4
15 Nxf6+ Bxf6 16 Qxe4 Bxb2.
6 ... e5? 7 Nf5 Bxf5 8 exf5 Nbd7 9 Bc4 Rc8 10 Bb3 Be7
11 0-0 0-0 12 Bxf6 Nxf6 13 Qf3 d5 14 Nxd5 Nxd5
15 Rad1 e4 16 Qxe4 Nf6 17 Rxd8 Nxe4 18 Rxc8 Rxc8
19 Re1 Rd8 20 g3.

7 f4

Preparing for an eventual e4-e5 pawn push,
protecting the bishop on g5 and facilitating
the Queen's development to f3. Once there,
she can step sideways to g3 to aid e4-e5.

7 ... Be7

Breaking the pin on the f6 knight.
7 ... Qb6 inaugurates the Poisoned Pawn Variation:
8 Qd2 Qxb2 9 Rb1 Qa3 10 f5 Nc6 11 fxe6 fxe6 12 Nxc6
12 ... bxc6 13 e5 dxe5 14 Bxf6 gxf6 15 Be2.
7 ... Qb6 8 Nb3 Be7 9 Qf3 Nbd7 10 O-O-O Qc7 11 Bd3 b5
12 a3 Bb7 13 Rhe1 O-O-O 14 Qe2 h6 15 Bh4 g5 16 Bg3 gxf4
17 Bxf4 Ne5 18 Kb1.
7 ... b5 8 e5 dxe5 9 fxe5 Qc7 10 exf6 Qe5+ 11 Be2 Qxg5
12 Qd3 Qxf6 13 O-O-O Be7 14 Rhf1 Qh6+ 15 Kb1 O-O 16 Qg3
16 ... Qg5.
7 ... b5 8 e5 dxe5 9 fxe5 Qc7 10 exf6 Qe5+ 11 Be2 Qxg5
12 Qd3 Qxf6 13 Rf1 Qe5 14 O-O-O Ra7 15 Ndxb5 Qg5+
16 Rd2 Rd7.

8 Qf3

8 ... Qc7

From c7, the Queen dissuades White from
advancing 9 e4-e5 because of 9 ... dxe5 10 fxe5
10 ... Qxe5+. Additionally, she gets to mind
the half open c-file. Please observe how the
Queen cannot be harassed by Ndb5 because
of 5 ... a6.
Another popular option is 8 ... h6 9 Bh4 Qc7 10 0-0-0 Nbd7
11 Bd3 g5 12 fxg5 Ne5 13 Qe2 Nfg4 14 Nf3 hxg5 15 Bg3 Nxf3
16 gxf3 Ne5 17 Qf2 Bd7 18 h4 gxh4 19 Bxh4 Qc5 20 Qxc5 dxc5
21 Bxe7 Nxd3+ 22 cxd3 Kxe7.

9 0-0-0

Assigning the King to safety and developing the a1 rook
to the half open d-file.

9 ... Nbd7

Development towards the ever so important e5 square.
Also, the knight gains access to c5.
9 ... Nc6 10 Nxc6 bxc6 11 e5 dxe5 12 fxe5 Nd5
13 Bxe7 Nxe7 14 Ne4 0-0 15 Qc3 Nd5 16 Qd4 Rb8
17 c4 c5 18 Nxc5 Nb4.
9 ... h6 10 Bh4 Nxe4 11 Qxe4 Bxh4 12 Nf5 Be7
13 Nxg7+ Kf8 14 Nh5 f5 15 Qe3.

10 Bd3

10 ... b5

White enables Rh1-e1 in support of e4-e5 and Black
initiates queenside action. He also prepares for
11 ... Bb7.

Some alternatives for both sides are:

10 g4 h6 11 Bxf6 Bxf6 12 h4 Qb6 13 Nde2 Nc5
14 g5 Be7 15 Nd4 Bd7.

10 ... Nc5 11 Qg3 h6 12 Bh4 0-0 13 Rhe1 Nh5
14 Qg4 Bxh4 15 Qxh4 Nxf4 16 Qxf4 e5 17 Qh4
17 ... exd4 18 Nd5.

10 ... h6 11 Bh4 g5 12 fxg5 Ne5 13 Qe2 Nfg4
14 Nf3 hxg5 15 Bg3 Bd7 16 h3 Nxf3 17 hxg4
17 ... Rxh1 18 Rxh1 Nh4 19 e5 Bc6 20 Rf1
20 ... Bxg2 21 Rf2 Bc6 22 Qf1 d5 23 Rxf7
23 ... O-O-O.

10 ... h6 11 Bh4 g5 12 fxg5 Ne5 13 Qe2 Nfg4
14 Nf3 hxg5 15 Bg3 Bd7 16 h3 Nxf3 17 hxg4
17 ... Rxh1 18 Rxh1 Nh4 19 e5 Bc6 20 Rf1
20 ... Bxg2 21 Rf2 Bc6 22 Qf1 dxe5 23 Rxf7
23 ... Ng2 24 Rh7 Nf4 25 Bxf4 exf4 26 Rh8+
26 ... Bf8.

10 ... h6 11 Bh4 g5 12 fxg5 Ne5 13 Qe2 Nfg4
14 Nf3 hxg5 15 Bg3 Bd7 16 h3 Nxf3 17 hxg4
17 ... Rxh1 18 Rxh1 Nh4 19 e5 Bc6 20 Rf1
20 ... Bxg2 21 Rf2 Bc6 22 exd6 Bxd6
23 Bxd6 Qxd6 24 Qe3 Qe7 25 Ne4.

10 ... h6 11 Bh4 g5 12 fxg5 Ne5 13 Qe2 Nfg4
14 Nf3 hxg5 15 Bg3 Bd7 16 h3 Nxf3 17 hxg4
17 ... Rxh1 18 Rxh1 Nh4 19 e5 Bc6 20 Rf1
20 ... Bxg2 21 Rf2 dxe5 22 Rxg2 Nxg2
23 Qxg2 O-O-O.

10 ... h6 11 Bh4 g5 12 fxg5 Ne5 13 Qe2 Nfg4
14 Nf3 hxg5 15 Bg3 Bd7 16 h3 Nxf3 17 hxg4
17 ... Rxh1 18 Rxh1 Nh4 19 e5 Bc6 20 Rf1
20 ... Nxg2 21 exd6 Bxd6 22 Bxd6 Qxd6
23 Ne4 Bxe4 24 Bxe4 Nf4 25 Qf3 O-O-O
26 Bxb7+ Kc7.

10 ... h6 11 Bh4 g5 12 fxg5 Ne5 13 Qe2 Nfg4
14 Nf3 hxg5 15 Bg3 Bd7 16 h3 Nxf3 17 hxg4
17 ... Rxh1 18 Rxh1 Nh4 19 e5 Bc6 20 Rf1
20 ... Nxg2 21 Qf2 Nf4 22 Bxf4 gxf4
23 Qxf4 O-O-O.

10 ... h6 11 Bh4 g5 12 fxg5 Ne5 13 Qe2 Nfg4
14 Nf3 hxg5 15 Bg3 Bd7 16 h3 Nxf3 17 hxg4
17 ... Rxh1 18 Rxh1 Nh4 19 e5 Bc6 20 Rf1
20 ... Nxg2 21 Qf2 O-O-O 22 Qxf7 Nf4
23 Bxf4 gxf4 24 Qxe6+ Kb8.

10 ... h6 11 Bh4 g5 12 fxg5 Ne5 13 Qe2 Nfg4
14 Nf3 hxg5 15 Bg3 Bd7 16 h3 Nxf3 17 hxg4 Rxh1
18 Rxh1 Nh4 19 e5 Bc6 20 Rf1 Nxg2 21 Qf2 O-O-O
22 Qxf7 Kb8 23 Qxe6 Nf4 24 Bxf4 gxf4 25 exd6
25 ... Rxd6 26 Qe5.
10 ... h6 11 Bh4 g5 12 fxg5 Ne5 13 Qe2 Nfg4
14 Nf3 hxg5 15 Bg3 Nxf3 16 gxf3 Ne5 17 f4 gxf4
18 Bxf4 Bd7 19 Rdf1.
10 ... h6 11 Bh4 g5 12 fxg5 Ne5 13 Qe2 Nfg4
14 Nf3 hxg5 15 Bg3 Qc5.
10 ... h6 11 Bh4 g5 12 fxg5 Ne5 13 Qe2 Nfg4
14 Nf3 hxg5 15 Bg3 Qb6.
10 ... h6 11 Bh4 g5 12 fxg5 Ne5 13 Qe2 Nfg4
14 Nf3 hxg5 15 Bxg5 Bxg5+ 16 Nxg5 Qc5 17 Nh3
17 ... Bd7.
10 ... h6 11 Bh4 g5 12 fxg5 Ne5 13 Qe2 Nfg4
14 Nf3 Nxf3 15 gxf3 hxg5 16 Bg3 Ne5.
10 ... h6 11 Bh4 g5 12 fxg5 Ne5 13 Qe2 Nfg4
14 Nf3 Nxf3 15 gxf3 hxg5 16 fxg4 Rxh4 17 Rhf1.

11 Rhe1

11 ... Bb7

11 ... b4? 12 Nd5 exd5 13 Nf5 h6 ( 13 ... Bf8 14 e5)
14 Bh4 g5 15 e5 15 ... dxe5 16 fxe5 Nxe5 17 Rxe5
17 ... Bxf5 (17 ... Qxe5? 18 Bg3) 18 Qxf5.

12 Qg3

12 ... b4

Just as White readies himself for e4-e5, Black attacks
the c3 knight.
12 ... 0-0-0? 13 Bxb5! axb5 14 Ndxb5 Qc5
(14 ... Qb6 15 e5 d5 16 f5!) 15 e5 dxe5 16 fxe5 Nd5
17 Bxe7 Qxe7 18 Nd6+ Kb8 19 Nxd5 Bxd5 20 Rxd5
20 ... exd5 21 Qb3, with mate to follow.
12 ... 0-0? 13 e5.
12 ... g6? 13 e5 dxe5 14 fxe5 Nh5 15 Qh4 Qd8
16 Ne4 Bxg5+ 17 Nxg5 Qe7 18 Qg4 Nc5 19 c3 Nxd3+
20 Rxd3.

13 Nd5

13 ... exd5

While this capture seems harmful to White,
it actually comes at the expense of Black's
centralized King.
13 ... Nxd5? 14 exd5 Bxd5 15 Nxe6 fxe6 16 Bxe7.
13 ... Bxd5? 14 exd5 Nxd5 15 Be4 Bxg5
16 Bxd5 0-0-0 17 Bxe6.

14 e5

Finally, the key maneuver is realized.
14 exd5? Kd8 15 Rxe7 Kxe7 16 Nf5+ Kd8 17 Bh4 Qc5
18 Qxg7 Kc7 19 Bxf6 Rhg8 20 Bd4 Rxg7 21 Bxc5 Nxc5
22 Nxg7 Rg8 23 Nf5 Rxg2, with equality.

14 ... dxe5

15 fxe5

15 ... Nh5

Attacking the Queen.
15 ... Ne4? 16 Bxe4 dxe4 17 Bxe7 Qxe5 18 Qxe5 Nxe5
19 Bxb4.
15 ... Ne4? 16 Bxe4 Bxg5+ 17 Qxg5 dxe4 18 Nf5 Qxe5
19 Nd6+ Kf8 20 Qxe5 Nxe5 21 Nxb7 Ng4 22 Nd6.
15 ... 0-0-0? 16 Nf5.

16 Qh4

Now, Black's e7 bishop and h5 knight are both
under fire.
16 e6 Nxg3 17 exf+ Kxf7 18 Rxe7 Kg8 19 hxg Qxg3
20 Ne6 Qe5 21 Rf1 Nf8! 22 Bf5 Bc8 23 Re8 Kf7 24 Re7+
24 ... Kg8 25 Re8 Kf7.

16 ... Bxg5+

So, he uses a complimentary check to gain time
for protecting h5.

17 Qxg5

17 ... g6

18 e6

18 ... Nc5!

Black poises the knight for a forthcoming
e6 relocation. From e6, it can threaten the
Queen on g5 and also shield the dark squares
around its denuded King.
18 ... Ndf6 19 exf7+ Kxf7 20 Rf1 Rae8 21 g4 Qe5
22 Qxe5 Rxe5 23 gxh5 Rxh5 24 Rde1.
18 ... Qxf4+ 19 Qxf4 Nxf4 20 exd7+ Kxd7 21 Rf1
21 ... Nxd3 22 Rxd3 Rhf8 23 Rdf3 (23 Rf6 Rae8
24 Rb3) 23 ... Ke7 (23 ... f5 24 g4) 24 Re1+ (24 Re3+
24 ... Kd7 25 Rf6).
18 ... 0-0? 19 exd7 Rad8 20 g4 Qf4+ 21 Qxf4 Nxf4
22 Re7.

19 exf7+

19 ... Kxf7

20 Rf1+

20 ... Kg8

21 Nf5

21 ... Ne6

Taking advantage of the f5 knight's absence from d4
to occupy the more active e6 post. Henceforth, Black
should be able to hold his own.

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Vienna Opening Part II

2007-10-02T19:04:00.000-04:00

1 e4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 f4 d5 4 fxe5 Nxe4 5 Nf3 Bc5
6 d4 Bb4 7 Bd2 Nc6 8 Bd3 Bf5 9 O-O O-O

1 e4

1 ... e5

2 Nc3

2 ... Nf6

2 ... d6
2 ... f5
2 ... g6
2 ... Bb4
2 ... Bc5
2 ... Nc6

3 f4

3 a3
3 d3
3 d4
3 g3
3 Bc4
3 Be2
3 Nf3
3 Nge2

3 Bc4 Nc6 4 d3 Na5 5 Nge2 Nxc4 6 dxc4 Bc5 7 O-O d6
8 Qd3 Be6 9 Bg5 a6 10 Kh1 h6 11 Bxf6 Qxf6 12 Nd5.
3 Bc4 Nxe4 4 Qh5 Nd6 5 Bb3 Nc6 6 Nb5 g6 7 Qf3 f5
8 Qd5 Qe7 9 Nxc7+ Kd8 10 Nxa8 b6 11 d3 Bb7 12 h4
12 ... f4 13 Qf3 Nd4 14 Qg4 Bxa8.
3 Bc4 Bc5 4 d3 Nc6 5 f4 d6 6 Nf3 Ng4 7 Ng5 exf4
8 Bxf4 Bf2+ 9 Kd2.
3 Bc4 Bb4 4 f4 Nxe4 5 Qh5 O-O 6 fxe5 d5 7 Nxd5 Nc6
8 Nf3 Be6 9 Ne3 g6 10 Qh6 Nxe5 11 Nxe5 Bxd2+
12 Ke2 Bxc1 13 Raxc1 Qd2+ 14 Kf3 Bxc4 15 N5xc4
15 ... Qf2+ 16 Kg4 Qe2+ 17 Kh3 Nf2+ 18 Kg3 Nxh1+
19 Rxh1 f5 20 Qf4.
3 Bc4 d6 4 d3 Nc6 5 f4 Na5 6 f5 Nxc4 7 dxc4 g6
8 g4 Bd7 9 Qf3 gxf5 10 gxf5 Bc6 11 Nh3 Rg8 12 Nf2 a6
13 Be3.
3 Bc4 Be7 4 f4 d6 5 Nf3 Nc6 6 d3 O-O 7 O-O Na5
8 f5 c6 9 Bb3 b5 10 h3 h6 11 Qe1 Nh7 12 Be3 Kh8
13 Ne2 a6 14 g4.
3 Bc4 c6 4 Qf3 d6 5 d3 g6 6 h3 Bg7 7 Nge2 Qe7
8 O-O Be6 9 Bb3 Na6 10 Be3
10 ... Nb4 11 Rfc1 O-O.
3 g3 d5 4 exd5 Nxd5 5 Bg2 Nxc3 6 bxc3 Bd6 7 Nf3 O-O
8 O-O Nc6 9 Rb1 Rb8 10 d4 Bg4 11 h3 Bd7 12 Re1 Re8
13 Bg5 Qc8 14 dxe5 Bxe5 15 Nxe5 Nxe5 16 Bf4 Ng6
17 Rxe8+.
3 g3 Bc5 4 Bg2 Nc6 5 Nf3 d6 6 d3 a6 7 O-O O-O
8 h3 h6 9 Kh2 Be6 10 Be3 Bxe3 11 fxe3 d5 12 exd5 Nxd5
13 Qe1 Qd7 14 Rd1 Rad8 15 a3 Rfe8.
3 g3 Bb4 4 Bg2 O-O 5 Nge2 c6 6 O-O d5 7 exd5 cxd5
8 d4 exd4 9 Nxd4 Nc6 10 Bg5 Bxc3 11 bxc3 h6 12 Bf4 Bg4
13 Qd3 Qd7 14 Rfe1 Rfe8 15 Nxc6 bxc6 16 Qd4.
3 g3 c6 4 Bg2 d5 5 exd5 cxd5 6 d4 exd4 7 Qxd4 Nc6
8 Qd1 d4 9 Nce2 Bc5 10 Nf3 Bf5 11 O-O O-O 12 Nf4 Re8
13 Nd3 Bb6.

3 ... d5

3 ... d6
3 ... exf4
3 ... Bb4
3 ... Nc6

4 fxe5

4 d3
4 d4
4 exd5
4 Nf3
4 Qe2

4 exd5 e4 5 Qe2 Be7 6 Nxe4 Nxd5 7 d3 O-O
8 Bd2 f5 9 Ng3.
4 exd5 exf4 5 Bb5+ c6 6 dxc6 bxc6 7 Be2 Bd6
8 Nf3 O-O 9 O-O Nbd7 10 Kh1 Re8 11 b3 Bb7
12 a4 a6.
4 exd5 Nxd5 5 Nf3 exf4 6 Nxd5 Qxd5 7 d4 Be7
8 c4 Qe4+ 9 Kf2 Bf5 10 Be2 Nc6.
4 d3 exf4 5 exd5 Nxd5 6 Nxd5 Qxd5 7 Bxf4 Bd6
8 Bxd6 Qxd6 9 Qd2 O-O 10 Nf3 Bg4 11 Be2 Bxf3
12 Bxf3 Re8+ 13 Be2 Qe7 14 O-O Nc6 15 Rae1.
4 d3 d4 5 Nce2 Nc6 6 Nf3 Bd6 7 c3.

4 ... Nxe4

5 Nf3

5 d3
5 Nxe4
5 Qe2
5 Qf3

5 ... Bc5

5 ... c5
5 ... Bb4
5 ... Be7
5 ... Bg4
5 ... Nc6
5 ... Nxc3

6 d4

6 Qe2

6 ... Bb4

7 Bd2

7 Qd3

7 ... Nc6

7 ... Bg4

8 Bd3

8 ... Bf5

8 ... Nxd2

9 O-O

9 ... O-O

9 ... Bg6

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Center Game

2007-10-02T08:35:00.000-04:00

1 e4 e5 2 d4 exd4 3 Qxd4 Nc6 4 Qe3 Nf6 5 h3 Nb4
6 Na3 Qe7 7 e5 Nfd5 8 Qe4 Nb6 9 Nf3 d5 10 Qf4
10 ... Be6 11 Nd4 O-O-O 12 c3 Nc6 13 Nxc6 bxc6
14 Be3 f6 15 O-O-O

1 e4

1 ... e5

2 d4

2 ... exd4

3 Qxd4

3 ... Nc6

4 Qe3

4 Qa4
4 Qc4
4 Qd1
4 Qd2

4 ... Nf6

4 ... d6
4 ... g6
4 ... Bb4+

5 h3

5 e5
5 Bc4
5 Bd2
5 Be2
5 Nc3

5 ... Nb4

5 ... Bb4+

6 Na3

6 Qe2

6 ... Qe7

7 e5

7 ... Nfd5

8 Qe4

8 ... Nb6

9 Nf3

9 ... d5

9 ... Nc6

10 Qf4

10 Qe2
10 Qe3

10 ... Be6

10 ... a6
10 ... Nc6
10 ... Nd7
10 ... Bd7

11 Nd4

11 ... O-O-O

12 c3

12 ... Nc6

13 Nxc6

13 ... bxc6

14 Be3

14 Ba6+
14 Nc2

14 ... f6

15 O-O-O

15 exf6

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Bishop's Opening

2007-10-01T22:05:00.000-04:00

1 e4 e5 2 Bc4 Nf6 3 d3 Nc6 4 Nf3 Be7 5 O-O O-O
6 Re1 d6 7 a4 Be6 8 Nbd2 Qd7 9 c3 h6 10 a5 a6
11 Nf1 Rfe8 12 Ne3 Bf8 13 Qb3 Bxc4 14 Qxc4 Ne7
15 Bd2 Ng6 16 Rad1 c6 17 Qa4 Line

1 e4

1 ... e5

2 Bc4

2 ... Nf6

2 ... b5
2 ... c6
2 ... d6
2 ... f5
2 ... Bc5
2 ... Nc6
2 ... Qg5
2 ... Qh4

3 d3

3 d4
3 f4
3 Nc3
3 Nf3
3 Qe2

3 ... Nc6

3 ... c6
3 ... d5
3 ... d6
3 ... Bb4+
3 ... Bc5
3 ... Be7

4 Nf3

4 f4
4 h3
4 Bg5
4 Nc3
4 Nf3

4 ... Be7

4 ... d5
4 ... d6
4 ... h6
4 ... Bb4+
4 ... Bc5

5 O-O

5 c3
5 h3
5 Bb3
5 Nbd2
5 Nc3

5 ... O-O

5 ... d6

6 Re1

6 a4
6 c3
6 h3
6 Bb3
6 Nbd2
6 Nc3

6 ... d6

7 a4

7 a3
7 c3
7 Bb3

7 ... Be6

7 ... a5
7 ... h6
7 ... Bg4
7 ... Kh8
7 ... Na5
7 ... Nd4

8 Nbd2

8 a5
8 c3
8 Na3
8 Bxe6

8 ... Qd7

8 ... h6
8 ... Bxc4
8 ... Nd7
8 ... Re8

9 c3

9 a5
9 h3

9 ... h6

9 ... Na5
9 ... Rad8
9 ... Rae8
9 ... Rfe8

10 a5

10 ... a6

11 Nf1

11 h3
11 Qb3

11 ... Rfe8

12 Ne3

12 ... Bf8

13 Qb3

13 ... Bxc4

14 Qxc4

14 ... Ne7

15 Bd2

15 ... Ng6

16 Rad1

16 ... c6

17 Qa4

By Chesscoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Ruy Lopez Opening (Exchange Variation) Part II

2007-09-27T07:39:00.000-04:00

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Bxc6 bxc6 5 Nxe5 Qe7
6 d4 d6 7 Nxc6 Qxe4+ 8 Qe2 Qxe2+ 9 Kxe2 Bb7
10 d5 Bxc6 11 dxc6 Ne7 12 Nc3 Nxc6 13 Nd5 O-O-O
14 Be3 Line

What's the game plan for White?

* Win the e5 pawn by getting rid of its
c6 defender (4 Bxc6, 5 Nxe5).
* Also take the unprotected c6 pawn left
over from the above exchange (7 Nxc6).
Please remember, this gained material will
only become helpful if Black doesn't force
its retaking.

What's the game plan for Black?

* Allow White to attain the e5 and c6 pawns,
and then force their return (5 ... Qe7, 6 ... d6,
7 ... Qxe4, 11 ... Ne7). Please note, any clingy
attempts on his part can be punished by
taking the c6 knight.

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Bxc6:

4 ... bxc6

Black TEMPORARILY gives up the e5 pawn.

4 ... dxc6

5 Nxe5

5 d4
5 Nc3
5 O-O

5 ... Qe7

Now, the e5 knight is attacked, and should it move
away, the e4 pawn will fall to 6 ... Qxe4+.

5 ... Qg5

5 ... Qg5 6 Ng4 d5 7 h3 dxe4 8 d4 Qg6 9 O-O Bxg4
10 Qxg4.
5 ... Qg5 6 Nf3 Qxg2 7 Rg1 Qh3 8 d4 Nf6 9 Nbd2 d5
10 Qe2 dxe4 11 Nxe4 Nxe4 12 Qxe4+ Qe6.

6 d4

Protecting e5, fighting for c5, and freeing the c1 bishop.

6 ... d6

Forcing the knight away from its desirable central post.

6 ... f6 7 Qh5+ g6 8 Qh4 fxe5.
6 ... f6 7 Ng4 f5 8 Ne5 d6 9 Nxc6 Qxe4+ 10 Qe2 Qxe2+
11 Kxe2 Bb7 12 d5 Bxc6 13 dxc6 Ne7 14 Nc3 Nxc6
15 Nd5 Kd7.
6 ... f6 7 Nc4 Qxe4+ 8 Qe2 Qxe2+ 9 Kxe2 c5 10 d5 Ne7
11 d6 Nd5 12 dxc7 Nxc7 13 Nb6 Rb8 14 Nxc8 Rxc8
15 c4 d5.
6 ... f6 7 Nc4 Qxe4+ 8 Qe2 Qxe2+ 9 Kxe2 c5 10 d5 Ne7
11 d6 Nd5 12 dxc7 Nxc7 13 Nb6 Rb8 14 Nxc8 Rxc8
15 c4 d5.
6 ... f6 7 Nf3 Qxe4+ 8 Be3 Ne7 9 Nc3 Qg4 10 O-O Rb8
11 Rb1 d5 12 Re1 Kf7 13 h3 Qf5 14 Na4 Ng6 15 Nc5 Bxc5
16 dxc5 Ne5 17 Nh4 Qe4 18 Bg5.
6 ... Nf6 7 Nc3 c5 8 Bg5 Bb7 9 Ng4 h5 10 Ne3 Bxe4 11 O-O
11 ... O-O-O.

7 Nxc6

White is up another pawn, for now anyway.

7 Nc4

7 Nc4 Qxe4+ 8 Ne3 Be7 9 O-O Nf6 10 Re1 Qg6
11 Qf3 Bd7 12 d5.
7 Nc4 Qxe4+ 8 Ne3 Nf6 9 O-O Be6 10 Nc3 Qh4
11 d5.

7 ... Qxe4+

Retaking part of the lost material with gain of tempo.

8 Qe2

Any other response would lead to the loss of the
c6 knight: 8 ... Qxc6.

8 ... Qxe2+

8 ... Bf5 9 Nc3 Qxe2+ 10 Kxe2 Nf6 11 d5 Kd7
12 Nd4 Re8+ 13 Be3 Bg6 14 Kf1 Ng4 15 Bg5.
8 ... f5 9 Qxe4+ fxe4 10 Nc3 Bd7 11 d5 Bxc6
12 dxc6 Ne7 13 Bf4 Nxc6 14 O-O-O.

9 Kxe2

9 ... Bb7

Attacking the knight and, indirectly, the g2 pawn.

10 d5

So White protects the knight.

10 ... Bxc6

The knight is too much of a menace, what with its
extensive reach into Black's position
(a7, b8, e7, d8).

11 dxc6

11 ... Ne7

The c6 pawn is a goner. Black is about to regain all his
lost material.

12 Nc3

12 ... Nxc6

13 Nd5

Threatening 14 Nxc7+, which forks the King and rook.

13 Be3

13 ... O-O-O

Dual purpose move:

(i) Prevents 14 Nxc7+

(ii) Puts the king in a safe position

13 ... Kd7

14 Be3

Completing development of the minor pieces
and taking aim at Black's queenside.

14 b4
14 Kd2

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Scheveningen Part I (Classical Variation)

2007-09-09T12:54:00.003-04:00

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 d6
6 Be2 a6 7 O-O Be7 8 f4 O-O 9 Kh1 Qc7 10 a4 Nc6
11 Be3 Re8 12 Bf3 Rb8 13 Qd2 Bd7 14 Nb3 b6 15 g4
15 ... Bc8 16 g5 Nd7 17 Bg2 Bb7 18 Qf2 Bf8 19 Rad1
19 ... Nb4 20 Rd4 d5 21 exd5 exd5 22 Rd2 Line

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 d6:

The "Humble" Scheveningen Center (d6-e6)

Black's center is actually full of defensive and
offensive potential. It's also able to allow for
the smooth development of his pieces. Both
bishops are ready to come out to e7 and d7.
The knight has c6, his majesty is just about
ready to castle, and her ladyship has a5-d8,
particularly c7.

Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Dragon Part LXII

2007-04-02T16:02:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7
10 O-O-O Rc8 11 Bb3 Ne5 12 Kb1 Nc4 13 Bxc4
13 ... Rxc4 14 g4 b5 15 h4 b4 16 Nce2 Qc7
17 h5 Rc8 18 hxg6 fxg6 19 Nf4 e5 20 Nfe6 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Sicilian Dragon Part I

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7 10 O-O-O
10 ... Rc8 11 Bb3 Ne5:

12 Kb1

12 h4
12 Bg5
12 g4
12 Bh6
12 Qe2
12 Rhe1
12 Nb1
12 h3

12 ... Nc4

12 ... Re8
12 ... a6
12 ... a5
12 ... Qa5
12 ... Rc5

13 Bxc4

13 Qd3

13 ... Rxc4

14 g4

14 Nb3
14 h4
14 b3
14 Nde2
14 Qd3

14 ... b5

14 ... Re8
14 ... Qc8
14 ... Qa5
14 ... Qc7
14 ... Qb8
14 ... h5
14 ... a6
14 ... Kh8

15 h4

15 Nce2
15 b3
15 g5
15 Qd3
15 Ncxb5
15 Ndxb5

15 ... b4

15 ... Qc7
15 ... Qb8

16 Nce2

16 Nd5

16 ... Qc7

16 ... Qb8

17 h5

17 Bh6
17 Qd3

17 ... Rc8

17 ... e5

18 hxg6

18 Bh6
18 Rc1

18 ... fxg6

19 Nf4

19 Rc1

19 ... e5

20 Nfe6

20 Nde6

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Dragon Part LXI

2007-04-02T15:44:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7
10 O-O-O Rc8 11 Bb3 Ne5 12 Bg5 Nc4 13 Bxc4
13 ... Rxc4 14 e5 dxe5 15 Nde2 Rc7 16 Bxf6
16 ... Bxf6 17 Nd5 Bf5 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Sicilian Dragon Part I

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7 10 O-O-O
10 ... Rc8 11 Bb3 Ne5:

12 Bg5

12 h4
12 Kb1
12 g4
12 Bh6
12 Qe2
12 Rhe1
12 Nb1
12 h3

12 ... Nc4

12 ... b5
12 ... Rc5
12 ... Qa5
12 ... Nc6

13 Bxc4

13 Qe2
13 Qd3
13 Qe1

13 ...Rxc4

14 e5

14 Nb3
14 Qd3

14 ... dxe5

14 ... Ne8

15 Nde2

15 Nb3
15 Ndb5

15 ... Rc7

16 Bxf6

16 Nb5
16 Rhe1
16 h4

16 ... Bxf6

16 ... exf6

17 Nd5

17 Nb5

17 ... Bf5

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Dragon Part LX

2007-04-02T15:31:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7
10 O-O-O Rc8 11 Bb3 Ne5 12 g4 Nc4 13 Bxc4
13 ... Rxc4 14 h4 b5 15 h5 b4 16 Nce2 Qa5
17 hxg6 Qxa2 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Sicilian Dragon Part I

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7 10 O-O-O
10 ... Rc8 11 Bb3 Ne5:

12 g4

12 h4
12 Kb1
12 Bg5
12 Bh6
12 Qe2
12 Rhe1
12 Nb1
12 h3

12 ... Nc4

12 ... b5
12 ... Qa5
12 ... a5
12 ... a6

13 Bxc4

13 Qd3
13 Qe2

13 ... Rxc4

14 h4

14 Kb1
14 Qd3

14 ... b5

14 ... Qa5
14 ... Qc7
14 ... h5

15 h5

15 Kb1
15 Qd3
15 Ncxb5
15 Ndxb5

15 ... b4

15 ... Qa5

16 Nce2

16 Nd5
16 Nb1

16 ... Qa5

16 ... Qc7
16 ... e5

17 hxg6

17 Kb1

17 ... Qxa2

17 ... hxg6

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Dragon Part LIX

2007-04-02T15:15:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7
10 O-O-O Rc8 11 Bb3 Ne5 12 Bh6 Bxh6
13 Qxh6 Rxc3 14 bxc3 Qa5 15 Kb2 Rc8
16 Qe3 Qb6 17 Ka1 Nc4 18 Qd3 Na3 19 f4
19 ... Qa5 20 Kb2 Nxe4 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Sicilian Dragon Part I

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7 10 O-O-O
10 ... Rc8 11 Bb3 Ne5:

12 Bh6

12 h4
12 Kb1
12 Bg5
12 g4
12 Qe2
12 Rhe1
12 Nb1
12 h3

12 ... Bxh6

12 ... Nc4

13 Qxh6

13 ... Rxc3

13 ... Qa5

14 bxc3

14 ... Qa5

14 ... a5
14 ... Qc7

15 Kb2

15 Rhe1
15 Qe3
15 Kb1
15 h4

15 ... Rc8

15 ... Re8

16 Qe3

16 Qd2

16 ... Qb6

16 ... Rc5
16 ... Nc4+
16 ... b5

17 Ka1

17 Kc1

17 ... Nc4

17 ... Qa5

18 Qd3

18 Bxc4

18 ... Na3

18 ... Ne5

19 f4

19 h4
19 g4
19 Rhe1

19 ... Qa5

19 ... Bg4

20 Kb2

20 e5
20 Rhe1

20 ... Nxe4

20 ... Nb5
20 ... b5
20 ... Bb5

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Dragon Part LVIII

2007-04-02T15:01:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7
10 O-O-O Rc8 11 Bb3 a5 12 Rhe1 Ne5 13 g4
13 ... b5 14 g5 b4 15 Ncb5 Nh5 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Sicilian Dragon Part I

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7 10 O-O-O
10 ... Rc8 11 Bb3:

11 ... a5

11 ... Ne5
11 ... Nxd4
11 ... Na5
11 ... Qa5

12 Rhe1

12 Ndb5
12 Nxc6
12 h4

12 ... Ne5

12 ... Qe8

13 g4

13 Bg5

13 ... b5

13 ... a4

14 g5

14 a3

14 ... b4

14 ... Nh5

15 Ncb5

15 Nce2
15 Na4

15 ... Nh5

15 ... Ne8

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Dragon Part LVII

2007-04-02T14:46:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7
10 O-O-O Rc8 11 Bb3 Qa5 12 h4 Ne5 13 h5
13 ... Nxh5 14 Bh6 Rxc3 15 Bxg7 Rxc2+ Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Sicilian Dragon Part I

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7 10 O-O-O
10 ... Rc8 11 Bb3:

11 ... Qa5

11 ... Ne5
11 ... Nxd4
11 ... Na5
11 ... a5

12 h4

12 g4
12 Kb1

12 ... Ne5

12 ... h5
12 ... Nh5
12 ... a6

13 h5

13 g4
13 Kb1

13 ... Nxh5

13 ... Nc4

14 Bh6

14 Nd5
14 Nde2

14 ... Rxc3

14 ... Bxh6

15 Bxg7

15 bxc3

15 ... Rxc2+

15 ... Nxg7
15 ... Kxg7

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Dragon Part LVI

2007-04-02T14:33:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7
10 O-O-O Rc8 11 Bb3 Na5 12 Kb1 Nxb3
13 Nxb3 a5 14 Nd4 Rc4 15 g4 b5 16 g5
16 ... Nh5 17 Ncxb5 Bxb5 18 Nxb5 Rb4
Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Sicilian Dragon Part I

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7 10 O-O-O
10 ... Rc8 11 Bb3:

11 ... Na5

11 ... Ne5
11 ... Nxd4
11 ... Qa5
11 ... a5

12 Kb1

12 h4
12 Rhe1

12 ... Nxb3

12 ... Nxc4
12 ... Ne8
12 ... Re8

13 Nxb3

13 cxb3

13 ... a5

13 ... Be6

14 Nd4

14 Nc1
14 Bd4

14 ... Rc4

14 ... a4
14 ... Re8

15 g4

15 Qd3

15 ... b5

15 ... h5
15 ... a4

16 g5

16 Ncxb5

16 ... Nh5

16 ... Ne8

17 Ncxb5

17 Rhe1

17 ... Bxb5

17 ... Qb8

18 Nxb5

18 ... Rb4

18 ... Qd7
18 ... Qb8

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Dragon Part LV

2007-04-02T14:14:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7
10 O-O-O Rc8 11 Bb3 Nxd4 12 Bxd4 b5
13 Nd5 Nxd5 14 Bxg7 Kxg7 15 Bxd5 a5
16 h4 h6 17 Qd4+ f6 18 f4 Bg4 19 Rd3
19 ... e6 20 Rg3 exd5 21 Rxg4 Rxc2+
Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Sicilian Dragon Part I

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7 10 O-O-O
10 ... Rc8 11 Bb3:

11 ... Nxd4

11 ... Ne5
11 ... Na5
11 ... Qa5
11 ... a5

12 Bxd4

12 ... b5

12 ... a5
12 ... Ne8
12 ... a6

13 Nd5

13 Qe3
13 e5
13 h4
13 Bxa7
13 Kb1

13 ... Nxd5

13 ... a5
13 ... Be6

14 Bxg7

14 exd5
14 Bxd5

14 ... Kxg7

15 Bxd5

15 exd5
15 Qxd5

15 ... a5

15 ... Qb6
15 ... Qc7

16 h4

16 Qd4+
16 Rhe1

16 ... h6

16 ... f6

17 Qd4+

17 Kb1
17 h5

17 ... f6

17 ... Kg8

18 f4

18 h5

18 ... Bg4

18 ... e6

19 Rd3

19 Rd2

19 ... e6

19 ... Qc7

20 Rg3

20 Bb7

20 ... exd5

20 ... Qc7

21 Rxg4

21 ... Rxc2+

21 ... Qc7

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Dragon Part LIV

2007-04-02T13:59:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7
10 O-O-O Rc8 11 Bd3 Ne5 12 h4 h5 13 Bg5
13 ... Rc5 14 g4 hxg4 15 f4 Nxd3+ 16 Qxd3
16 ... Nh5 17 f5 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Sicilian Dragon Part I

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7 10 O-O-O
10 ... Rc8:

11 Bd3

11 Bb3
11 Nxc6

11 ... Ne5

11 ... Nb4

12 h4

12 g4

12 ... h5

12 ... Nc4
12 ... Nxd3+

13 Bg5

13 Rhe1
13 Kb1

13 ... Rc5

13 ... a6
13 ... Re8
13 ... Nxd3+

14 g4

14 Nb3
14 Rhe1

14 ... hxg4

14 ... Nxd3+

15 f4

15 Be2

15 ... Nxd3+

15 ... Nf3
15 ... Nc4

16 Qxd3

16 ... Nh5

16 ... Nh7

17 f5

17 b4

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Dragon Part LIII

2007-04-02T13:35:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7
10 O-O-O Rc8 11 Nxc6 Bxc6 12 Bb3 b5 13 Bxa7
13 ... Qa5 14 Bd4 b4 15 Bxf6 Bxf6 16 Nd5 Bxd5
17 Qxd5 Rc5 18 Qd3 Rfc8 19 f4 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Sicilian Dragon Part I

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7 10 O-O-O
10 ... Rc8:

11 Nxc6

11 Bb3
11 Bd3

11 ... Bxc6

11 ... Rxc6

12 Bb3

12 Bd3

12 ... b5

12 ... a5

13 Bxa7

13 Bd4
13 Qe1
13 Qf2

13 ... Qa5

13 ... b4

14 Bd4

14 Qe3

14 ... b4

14 ... e5

15 Bxf6

15 Nd5

15 ... Bxf6

15 ... bxc3

16 Nd5

16 Ne2

16 ... Bxd5

17 Qxd5

17 exd5

17 ... Rc5

17 ... Qb6

18 Qd3

18 Qd2

18 ... Rfc8

18 ... Bg7
18 ... Rc7
18 ... Be5

19 f4

19 Kb1

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense Part XXXIX

2007-03-30T12:55:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Qc7 12 Bd2 O-O-O 13 Qe2 c5 14 Ne5 Nb6
15 dxc5 Bxc5 16 Ne4 Bd4 17 O-O-O Nd5 18 Rh3
18 ... Ngf6 19 Rb3 Bxe5 20 fxe5 Qxe5 21 Rxb7
Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Caro-Kann Defense Part I

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Qc7 12 Bd2 O-O-O 13 Qe2 c5 14 Ne5 Nb6
15 dxc5 Bxc5:

16 Ne4

16 O-O-O

16 ... Bd4

16 ... Bd6

17 O-O-O

17 Nc3

17 ... Nd5

17 ... Nf6

18 Rh3

18 Nf3
18 Rh4
18 g3
18 c4

18 ... Ngf6

18 ... Bxe5

19 Rb3

19 Nf2

19 ... Bxe5

19 ... Nxe4

20 fxe5

20 ... Qxe5

20 ... Nxe4

21 Rxb7

21 Qb5

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense Part XXXVIII

2007-03-30T12:35:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Qc7 12 Bd2 O-O-O 13 Qe2 c5 14 O-O-O cxd4
15 Nxd4 a6 16 Ne4 Ngf6 17 Nxf6 Nxf6 18 Nf3 Bc5
19 Ne5 Rd4 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Caro-Kann Defense Part I

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Qc7 12 Bd2 O-O-O 13 Qe2 c5:

14 O-O-O

14 Ne5

14 ... cxd4

14 ... Ndf6

15 Nxd4

15 Qd3
15 Kb1

15 ... a6

15 ... Bc5

16 Ne4

16 Kb1
16 Rh3
16 Rhf1
16 Qf3

16 ... Ngf6

16 ... Ndf6

17 Nxf6

17 Nb3

17 ... Nxf6

17 ... gxf6

18 Nf3

18 Be3
18 Nb3

18 ... Bc5

18 ... Rd5

19 Ne5

19 Rh3

19 ... Rd4

19 ... Kb8

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense Part XXXVII

2007-03-29T13:23:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Qc7 12 Bd2 O-O-O 13 Qe2 Ngf6 14 Ne5 Nb6
15 c3 Bd6 16 c4 Bf8 17 O-O-O Rxd4 18 Be3 Rxd1+
19 Rxd1 Na4 20 Bxa7 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Caro-Kann Defense Part I

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Qc7 12 Bd2 O-O-O 13 Qe2:

13 ... Ngf6

13 ... c5
13 ... Ne7

14 Ne5

14 O-O-O

14 ... Nb6

14 ... Nb8

15 c3

15 Be3

15 ... Bd6

15 ... c5
15 ... Rg8
15 ... Kb8

16 c4

16 O-O-O

16 ... Bf8

16 ... c5

17 O-O-O

17 a4
17 Be3

17 ... Rxd4

17 ... c5

18 Be3

18 Qf2
18 Kb1

18 ... Rxd1+

18 ... Ne4
18 ... Rd8

19 Rxd1

19 Qxd1

19 ... Na4

19 ... Rg8
19 ... Bb4
19 ... c5

20 Bxa7

20 Qd2
20 Qf2

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense Part XXXVI

2007-03-29T13:09:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Qc7 12 Bd2 O-O-O 13 Qe2 Ne7 14 O-O-O Nf6
15 Ne5 Ned5 16 c4 Nb4 17 Qe1 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Caro-Kann Defense Part I

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Qc7 12 Bd2 O-O-O 13 Qe2:

13 ... Ne7

13 ... c5
13 ... Ngf6

14 O-O-O

14 Ne5

14 ... Nf6

14 ... Nd5
14 ... Kb8

15 Ne5

15 Qe5

15 ... Ned5

15 ... Nf5

16 c4

16 Kb1

16 ... Nb4

16 ... Nb6

17 Qe1

17 a3

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense Part XXXV

2007-03-29T12:55:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Qc7 12 Bd2 O-O-O 13 O-O-O Bd6 14 Ne2 Ngf6
15 g3 Ng4 16 Rhf1 Ndf6 17 Ne5 Nxe5 18 dxe5 Bxe5
Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Caro-Kann Defense Part I

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Qc7 12 Bd2 O-O-O:

13 O-O-O

13 Qe2

13 ... Bd6

13 ... Ngf6

14 Ne2

14 Rh4
14 Qe3

14 ... Ngf6

14 ... Ne7

15 g3

15 Kb1
15 Rh4

15 ... Ng4

15 ... Rhg8
15 ... Kb8

16 Rhf1

16 Be1

16 ... Ndf6

16 ... Kb8

17 Ne5

17 f5

17 ... Nxe5

17 ... Bxe5

18 dxe5

18 fxe5

18 ... Bxe5

18 ... Bb4

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense Part XXXIV

2007-03-29T12:39:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Qc7 12 Bd2 Ngf6 13 Ne5 c5 14 O-O-O cxd4
15 Qxd4 Bc5 16 Qa4 O-O 17 Ba5 Nb6 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Caro-Kann Defense Part I

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Qc7 12 Bd2:

12 ... Ngf6

12 ... O-O-O

13 Ne5

13 O-O-O
13 Ne2
13 O-O

13 ... c5

13 ... Bd6
13 ... Rd8
13 ... Be7

14 O-O-O

14 Nxd7
14 Be3

14 ... cxd4

14 ... Be7

15 Qxd4

15 Nf3
15 Nxd7

15 ... Bc5

15 ... Nxe5

16 Qa4

16 Qc4
16 Qd3

16 ... O-O

16 ... Rd8

17 Ba5

17 Nxd7
17 Kb1

17 ... Nb6

17 ... Be3+

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense Part XXXIII

2007-03-29T12:26:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Qc7 12 Qe2 Ngf6 13 Bd2 c5 14 O-O-O O-O-O
15 Ne5 Nb6 16 Ba5 Rxd4 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Caro-Kann Defense Part I

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Qc7:

12 Qe2

12 Bd2

12 ... Ngf6

12 ... O-O-O
12 ... Bd6

13 Bd2

13 O-O
13 Ne5

13 ... c5

13 ... Bd6
13 ... Be7

14 O-O-O

14 Qc4
14 Ne4

14 ... O-O-O

14 ... Bd6
14 ... Be7

15 Ne5

15 Kb1

15 ... Nb6

15 ... Nb8

16 Ba5

16 dxc5

16 ... Rxd4

16 ... cxd4
16 ... Bd6

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense Part XXXII

2007-03-29T12:12:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Bd6 12 Ne4 Ndf6 13 Nxd6+ Qxd6 14 f5 Qg3+
15 Kf1 exf5 16 Rh3 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Caro-Kann Defense Part I

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3:

11 ... Bd6

11 ... Qc7
11 ... Ngf6

12 Ne4

12 Bd2
12 O-O
12 Qb3

12 ... Ndf6

12 ... Qe7
12 ... Qc7

13 Nxd6+

13 Bd2
13 Nxf6+
13 Ng3

13 ... Qxd6

14 f5

14 Bd2

14 ... Qg3+

14 ... exf5

15 Kf1

15 ... exf5

15 ... Ng4

16 Rh3

16 Qxf5

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense Part XXXI

2007-03-29T11:58:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Ngf6 12 Bd2 c5 13 O-O-O Qc7 14 dxc5 Bxc5
15 Ne4 O-O 16 f5 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Caro-Kann Defense Part I

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nd7 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3:

11 ... Ngf6

11 ... Qc7
11 ... Bd6

12 Bd2

12 O-O
12 Qb3
12 Nd2
12 Ne5
12 c4

12 ... c5

12 ... Qc7
12 ... Bd6

13 O-O-O

13 O-O

13 ... Qc7

13 ... Bd6

14 dxc5

14 Ne5
14 Qe2
14 Ne4
14 Rhe1
14 Ne2

14 ... Bxc5

14 ... Be7

15 Ne4

15 Kb1

15 ... O-O

15 ... O-O-O
15 ... Nxe4

16 f5

16 Ne5

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense Part XXX

2007-03-29T11:39:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Bd6 9 h5 Bh7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Nf6 12 Bd2 O-O 13 O-O-O Nbd7 14 Ne5 c5
15 Nxd7 Nxd7 16 d5 c4 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Caro-Kann Defense Part I

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3:

8 ... Bd6

8 ... Nd7
8 ... Nf6

9 h5

9 Ne5

9 ... Bh7

9 ... Bf5

10 Bd3

10 c4

10 ... Bxd3

10 ... Nf6

11 Qxd3

11 cxd3

11 ... Nf6

11 ... Na6

12 Bd2

12 O-O
12 c4
12 Qb3
12 a4
12 Qe2

12 ... O-O

12 ... Nbd7

13 O-O-O

13 Ne5
13 O-O

13 ... Nbd7

13 ... Qc7

14 Ne5

14 Ne2
14 Rhe1

14 ... c5

14 ... Qc7
14 ... a5
14 ... Rc8

15 Nxd7

15 dxc5

15 ... Nxd7

15 ... Qxd7

16 d5

16 Ne4

16 ... c4

16 ... Re8
16 ... exd5

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense Part XXIX

2007-03-29T11:24:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3 Nf6 9 Ne5 Bh7 10 Bc4 Nbd7
11 O-O Bd6 12 Qe2 O-O Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Caro-Kann Defense Part I

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 Nf3:

8 ... Nf6

8 ... Nd7
8 ... Bd6

9 Ne5

9 h5
9 Bd3

9 ... Bh7

9 ... Be4

10 Bc4

10 Bd3
10 Be2

10 ... Nbd7

10 ... Bd6

11 O-O

11 h5

11 ... Bd6

11 ... Nd5
11 ... Be7

12 Qe2

12 c3

12 ... O-O

12 ... Nd5

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense Part XXVIII

2007-03-29T10:12:00.000-04:00

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6 8 h5 Bh7 9 Nf3 Nd7 10 Bd3 Bxd3
11 Qxd3 Qc7 12 Ne5 Ngf6 13 O-O Bd6 14 Be3 O-O
15 Nxd7 Qxd7 16 Rae1 Rfd8 17 Ne4 Ng4 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Caro-Kann Defense Part I

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6
6 h4 h6 7 f4 e6:

8 h5

8 Nf3

8 ... Bh7

8 ... Bf5

9 Nf3

9 Be2

9 ... Nd7

9 ... Nf6
9 ... Bb4+

10 Bd3

10 c4
10 Be2

10 ... Bxd3

10 ... Bb4+

11 Qxd3

11 cxd3

11 ... Qc7

11 ... Ngf6
11 ... Bd6

12 Ne5

12 Bd2
12 Qe2
12 Ne4
12 O-O
12 Ne2
12 Qe3

12 ... Ngf6

12 ... Bd6
12 ... Be7

13 O-O

13 a3
13 Be3

13 ... Bd6

13 ... Be7

14 Be3

14 Ne4
14 a3
14 Qe2

14 ... O-O

14 ... Rd8

15 Nxd7

15 Ne4

15 ... Qxd7

15 ... Nxd7

16 Rae1

16 c4
16 Rad1

16 ... Rfd8

16 ... Qc7
16 ... Rad8

17 Ne4

17 c4

17 ... Ng4

17 ... Be7
17 ... Nxe4

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Albin Counter Gambit Part X

2007-03-28T16:57:00.000-04:00

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5 d4 4 f4 f6 5 e4 Nc6
6 exf6 Nxf6 7 Bd3 Bb4+ 8 Nd2 Ng4 9 a3 Ne3
10 Qh5+ g6 11 Qe2 Bg4 12 Ngf3 Bxf3 13 Qxf3
13 ... O-O 14 axb4 Rxf4 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Albin Counter Gambit Part I

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5 d4:

4 f4

4 Nf3
4 e3
4 Bf4
4 a3
4 e4

4 ... f6

4 ... Bb4+
4 ... Bc5

5 e4

5 Nf3

5 ... Nc6

5 ... Bb4+

6 exf6

6 Nf3

6 ... Nxf6

6 ... Bb4+

7 Bd3

7 Nd2

7 ... Bb4+

7 ... Bg4
7 ... Bc5
7 ... Ng4

8 Nd2

8 Kf1
8 Bd2

8 ... Ng4

8 ... O-O

9 a3

9 Qe2

9 ... Ne3

9 ... Bd6
9 ... Be7

10 Qh5+

10 Qe2

10 ... g6

11 Qe2

11 Qf3

11 ... Bg4

11 ... Bxd2+

12 Ngf3

12 Qf2

12 ... Bxf3

12 ... Be7
12 ... Bd6

13 Qxf3

13 gxf3

13 ... O-O

13 ... Rf8

14 axb4

14 Qe2

14 ... Rxf4

14 ... Nxb4

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Albin Counter Gambit Part IX

2007-03-28T16:38:00.000-04:00

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5 d4 4 Bf4 Nc6 5 Nf3 Nge7
6 Nbd2 Ng6 7 Bg3 Bc5 8 a3 a5 9 Qc2 Qe7 10 Qe4
10 ... a4 11 h4 h5 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Albin Counter Gambit Part I

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5 d4:

4 Bf4

4 Nf3
4 a3
4 e4
4 e3
4 f4

4 ... Nc6

4 ... Ne7
4 ... g5

5 Nf3

5 Nd2
5 Qd3

5 ... Nge7

5 ... Bf5

6 Nbd2

6 Qd3

6 ... Ng6

6 ... Qd7

7 Bg3

7 e3

7 ... Bc5

7 ... h5

8 a3

8 Qa4

8 ... a5

8 ... O-O

9 Qc2

9 Nb3
9 Qa4

9 ... Qe7

9 ... O-O

10 Qe4

10 O-O-O
10 Nb3

10 ... a4

10 ... O-O

11 h4

11 O-O-O
11 e3
11 Rg1

11 ... h5

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Albin Counter Gambit Part VIII

2007-03-28T16:23:00.000-04:00

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5 d4 4 e3 Bb4+ 5 Bd2 dxe3
6 fxe3 Qh4+ 7 g3 Qe4 8 Qf3 Bxd2+ 9 Nxd2 Qxe5
Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Albin Counter Gambit Part I

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5 d4:

4 e3

4 Nf3
4 a3
4 e4
4 Bf4
4 f4

4 ... Bb4+

4 ... Nc6

5 Bd2

5 Nd2

5 ... dxe3

5 ... Bc5

6 fxe3

6 Qa4
6 Bxb4

6 ... Qh4+

6 ... Nc6

7 g3

7 ... Qe4

7 ... Qe7

8 Qf3

8 Nf3

8 ... Bxd2+

8 ... Qxf3

9 Nxd2

9 ... Qxe5

9 ... Qc2

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Albin Counter Gambit Part VII

2007-03-28T16:07:00.000-04:00

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5 Ne7 4 e4 d4 5 Bg5 Nbc6
6 Nf3 h6 7 Bh4 g5 8 Bg3 g4 9 Nh4 Bg7 10 f4 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Albin Counter Gambit Part I

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5:

3 ... Ne7

3 ... d4
3 ... dxc4
3 ... Be6

4 e4

4 Nc3
4 Nf3

4 ... d4

4 ... dxe4

5 Bg5

5 f4
5 a3
5 Nf3

5 ... Nbc6

5 ... Qd7

6 Nf3

6 f4
6 Qa4
6 c5
6 Nd2

6 ... h6

6 ... Bg4

7 Bh4

7 Bxe7
7 Bf4

7 ... g5

7 ... Bg4

8 Bg3

8 ... g4

8 ... Ng6

9 Nh4

9 Nfd2
9 Ng1

9 ... Bg7

9 ... Rg8

10 f4

10 f3

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Albin Counter Gambit Part VI

2007-03-28T15:53:00.000-04:00

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5 Be6 4 cxd5 Qxd5 5 Qxd5 Bxd5
6 Nc3 Bb4 7 Bd2 Be6 8 Nf3 Nc6 9 a3 Bf8 10 Bg5 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Albin Counter Gambit Part I

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5:

3 ... Be6

3 ... d4
3 ... dxc4
3 ... Ne7

4 cxd5

4 ... Qxd5

5 Qxd5

5 ... Bxd5

6 Nc3

6 ... Bb4

6 ... Be6

7 Bd2

7 Bg5
7 a3
7 Bf4

7 ... Be6

7 ... Bxc3

8 Nf3

8 O-O-O
8 a3

8 ... Nc6

8 ... Nd7

9 a3

9 O-O-O
9 Rd1

9 ... Bf8

9 ... Ba5

10 Bg5

10 Bf4

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Chess: Understanding the Albin Counter Gambit Part V

2007-03-28T15:39:00.000-04:00

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5 dxc4 4 Qxd8+ Kxd8 5 e4 Be6
6 f4 Nc6 7 Nf3 Nb4 8 Nd4 Bc5 9 Nxe6+ fxe6 Line

Also available:Chess: Understanding the
Albin Counter Gambit Part I

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5:

3 ... dxc4

3 ... d4
3 ... Be6
3 ... Ne7

4 Qxd8+

4 ... Kxd8

5 e4

5 Bg5+
5 Nf3

5 ... Be6

5 ... Nc6

6 f4

6 Nc3

6 ... Nc6

6 ... Kc8

7 Nf3

7 Nc3
7 f5

7 ... Nb4

7 ... g6
7 ... Bc5
7 ... f6

8 Nd4

8 Kd2

8 ... Bc5

8 ... Bd7

9 Nxe6+

9 a3

9 ... fxe6

By ChessCoach@care2.com