Chess is the Italian game for black. Variants of games in chess - Russian, Spanish, Scottish and Italian. Is it necessary to study the Italian game
Beginning chess players are often intimidated by the variety of chess openings. Dozens of titles, hundreds of variations, thousands of sequels... So how do you navigate this ocean of chess moves? Is it really necessary to study all existing books on chess openings in order to play the opening correctly?
Of course not. Even at the end of the XIX century. future world champion Emanuel Lasker wrote a book " Common sense E. Lasker wrote strictly and clearly about the most complicated things, arguing his point of view not so much with specific options as with logical conclusions based on generalizing the richest experience of chess struggle. In particular, Lasker advised beginner chess players to limit themselves to several opening systems. Today's chess Pedagogy adheres to the same opinion.Beginners are advised to choose I-2 openings for White and the same number for Black, study their basic ideas and boldly apply them in practice game. In the future, the opening repertoire can be gradually expanded.
Which openings should be preferred? There are no strict recipes here, but it is generally accepted that it is more useful for beginners to play open openings. Many outstanding masters said that every chess player striving for perfection should pay attention to the history of chess in his development, get acquainted with the evolution of chess ideas. And the history of the chess opening began with the development of precisely open opening systems, when the pieces of the players immediately enter the battle. That is why at first it is recommended to play, for example, the Italian game and the Evans Gambit, the Scotch game and the King's Gambit. Over time, the defense of two knights can be included in the opening repertoire, Spanish party, closed and semi-open openings, etc.
How to study the opening?
Let's assume that the choice of a particular opening has already been made. Let's say a beginner liked the Italian game. But how to study it? First of all, you need to take the opening guide and look at the main options. But try to understand the basic idea of the game between white and black in this opening. For the Italian game, in particular, it will be White's struggle to seize the central squares and attack on the kingside; Black's counterplay should consist in creating strong positions in the center, strengthening the security of his king and gradually neutralizing the opponent's initiative.
These general theses should be illustrated with concrete parties. Games are usually taken from textbooks, from tournament collections, from chess magazines. For beginners, there is no need to stock up on a large selection of examples.
A few typical games from the opening guide are enough to get the idea of the main variations. Then you have to play these variations yourself, write down and analyze mistakes, analyze your games with a stronger chess player.
In the process of such creative work each chess player usually comes up with his own continuations in main or side variations, often finding original ways. After all, chess is inexhaustible and in each position there can be a variety of ideas. This is how the opening repertoire of chess players is created and gradually expanded. Now let's take a look at an example.
Italian party. Ideas, plans, options
Opening theory largely began with the Italian game: strategic ideas, typical plans, tactics are quite simple to explain and easy to understand.
Consider one of the games of the outstanding Russian chess player M. I. Chigorin, in which he demonstrated successful strategy struggle in the Italian party.
Knorre — Chigorin
1.e4 e5 2.Kf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.0-0
In the old Italian manuals, this variation was called the "silent game". White simply develops pieces and does not show any activity. This strategy poses no problems for Black.
4...d6 5.d3 Kf6 6.Cg5 h6 7.Ch4?
"Serene" development rarely brings good results. It was necessary to exchange on f6 or retreat to e3. The position of the bishop on h4 gives Black the most important tempo for organizing an attack on the white king.
7...g5! 8.Cg3 h5!
Black conceived a great combination based on the fact that the white king determined his position too early.
Knorre goes to main variant, one should reply 9.h4 and try to repel the attack of the black pieces (9...Cg4 10...Qd7 11...0-0-0, etc.)
9...h4! 10.K:f7.
10...hg! Black plays checkmate.
11.K:d8. If 11.K:h8, then 11...Qe7.
11...Cg4! 12.Qd2 Kd4! Threaten checkmate in two moves: 13...Ne2+, 14...Rxh2X
13.Nc3 Kf3+! Graceful finale!
14.gf C:f3 White resigned as there is no defense against mate.
And here is a game illustrating White's possibilities.
Schiffers - Harmonist
1.e4 e5 2.Kf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3
White starts the fight to capture the center. This is the most correct strategy.
As practice has shown, this is the strongest move based on the idea of counterattacking the center.
The passive defense is much worse, for example: 4...d6 5.d4 ed 6.cd Bb6 7.Nc3 Kf6 8.0-0 0-0 9.Cb3 Cg4 10.Be3 Re8 11.Qd3 Ch5 12.Rae1 Cg6 13.Cg5 h6 14.Ch4 Ch5 15.Kd5 g5. 16.K:g5 K:d5 17.ed hg 18.dc gh 19.cb Rb8 20.Qf5, and further struggle is useless.
5.d4ed 6.cd Bb4+ 7.Cd2
This is an attempt to gain an advantage without resorting to strong means. The continuation of 7.Ks3, leading to the gambit game, will be considered in the next game.
7...C:d2 8.Kb:d2 d5
Unprofitable 8...Nxe4 because of 9.d5! Kxd2 10.Qxd2 Ne7 11.d6! cd 12.0—0 with a positional advantage.
9.ed Kxd5
The resulting position is regarded as approximately equal. White has the best piece development, but Black has no weaknesses.
10.QbZ Xe7
To difficult game led 10...Na5 11.Qa4+ Nc6! 12.Bb5 0-0. On the contrary, the hasty check 10...Qe7+? would have led Black to lose a piece, since after 11.Kpf1! threatens both 12.Re1 and 12.C:d5.)
11.0-0 0-0 12.Rfe1 c6
Later, about this position, Em. Lasker wrote that "thanks to the pawn on d4, White has a certain advantage." Nevertheless, with a clear defense, Black should equalize the chances.
13.a4 Qc7
14.Las1. Now threatens 15.C:d5
14... Kf4 15.Kg5 Keg6
16.Le8!
The unfortunate arrangement of the black pieces allowed E. Schiffers to start a forced combination.
19.Kphl Nxc1 20.Kf7+ Kpg8 21.Kh6++ Kpf8 22.Qg8+ Kpe7 23.C:g6 hg 24.Q:g7+ Kpd8 25.Qf8+ Kpd7 26.Ke4! Crowns White's attack.
26...Qd8 27.Qd6+ Kpe8 28.Kf6+. Black resigned.
The Italian game is also found in modern tournaments. Here is one of the games of the famous Hungarian grandmaster L. Portisch.
Good evening!
Today I liked the games of D. Greco and D. Polerio.
Party No. 1
Italian party
Greco NN
1. e4 e5 2. Kf3 Ncb 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3
Here is the classic interpretation of chess in Italian:
-rapid development of figures in the center
-bishops immediately target vulnerable points f2 and f7. One blow and the king goes on a long and unpleasant journey.
-attention to the creation of a strong pawn center (formation of the pawn pair e4 + d4).
The name of the opening after the release of the bishops on c4 and c5 went down in history as the "Italian game".
4... Kf6 5. d4 ed 6. cd Bb4+ 7. Nc3.
The invention of the "Calabrian" Greco: White strives for rapid development and does not spare pawns for this. The e4-pawn falls first.
7... Nxe4 8.0-0 Nxc3 9. bc Nxc3.
Black's tactics are the most primitive, he "eats" all the pawns in a row and is far behind with the mobilization of forces. Instead of 8... Nxc3, the theory recommends 8... Bxc3 and on 9.bc - 9...d5. But gambits were always accepted - it was a matter of honor for the player!
10. Qb3!
White sacrifices a rook. This game was played in the 17th century, when even strong chess players did not know the move 10...d5 , which gives Black the opportunity to defend successfully.
For example: 11.Bxd5 0-0 12.Bxf7 + Kph8 (if 12... Rxf7, then 13.Kg5) 13.Qxc3 Rxf7, and White has only a slight positional advantage.
10... B:a1
Having accepted the sacrifice, Black falls under a beautiful and irresistible attack.
11.B:f7+ Kpf8 12.Bg5 Ne7
13.Ne5! Bxd4 14.Bg6!(very aesthetic) magic game white pieces!
14... d5 15.Qf3+ Bf5 16.C:f5 B:e5
17.Ce6+ Bf6 18.Bxf6 gxf6 19.Qxf6+ Kpe8 20.Qf7x.
Brutal destruction!
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Party #2
Italian party
Greco NN
In another Greco game, his opponent did not accept the rook sacrifice, in a familiar position,
but played 10... Bxd4,
trying to include the bishop in defense. And in this case, White carried out the attack in one breath:
11.C:f7+ Kpf8 12.Bg5 Nf6 13.Rae1
The rook remained in the game and made itself known: Re8+ threatens.
13... Ne7 14.Ch5 Kg6
15.Ne5!(effective move!)
15... Nxe5 16.Rxe5 g6(there is no other defense against mate on f7)
17.Ch6+ Cg7
18.Rf5+! Ke7 19.Re1+ Be5 20.R1xe5+ Kpd6 21.Qd5x.
All white pieces "crossed the border", everyone took part in the attack. By the final position, you can immediately determine that the White army was commanded by an experienced commander.
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Party #3
Polerio Domenico
Defense of two knights.
1.e4 e5 2.Kf3 Kc6 3.Cc4 Kf6 4.Kg5 d5 5.exd5 Kxd5?
This is a well-known opening inaccuracy of black. A lot of young chess players smashed their opponents in their school years, having just got acquainted with the experience of Polerio in this variation.
I remember it was necessary to put a team of junior chess players on " white rook". There was not much time for preparation ...
Being a student of the 7th grade, I prepared the whole team in a month. Taught the methods of realizing a material advantage, the most primitive methods of chess strategy in the opening and middle of the game, 10 exact positions of the end of the game, and... defending two knights for White :-)) The team scored a lot of points when playing with White :-) 9 opponents out of 10 attacked the pawn on d5 with the knight.
6...Kxf7 7.Qf3+ Ke6
Otherwise, White wins back the piece, keeping the extra pawn and the attack.
8.Nc3 Nce7
More persistent is 8...Ncb4 , but even in this case, after 9.Qe4 c6 10.a3 Na6 11.d4 Black has a very difficult defense to do.
9.d4! c6 10.Bg5 h6
11.Bxe7 Bxe7 12.O-O-O Rf8 13.Qe4 Rxf2 14.dxe5!
The strongest move in this position.
14...Bg5+ 15.Kb1 Rd2 16.h4! Rxd1 17.Rxd1 Bxh4 18.Nxd5 cxd5 19.Rxd5
With the fall of the d5-point of Black's main bastion of defense, the game is decided.
(19.Bxd5 Ke7 20.Qxh4 was also good)
19... Qg5 20.Rd6 Ke7 21.Rg6
Black resigned.
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Party #4
Greco NN
King's Gambit.
1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Cc4
One of the oldest interpretations of this gambit by White. For a very long time this move was favored against bringing the knight to f3. White immediately takes aim at the f7-square (the main target of the Italian attacks), and also prevents the counterattack in the center associated with the move d7-d5. However, the efforts of the Russian player and theoretician Karl Andreevich Yanish in the middle of the 19th century showed the way (c6 followed by d5) leading black to an excellent game.
Black's most obvious reaction was tested at the dawn of theoretical research. With the check of the queen, black deprives the white king of castling, but is subsequently attacked by white pieces ... white gets the opportunity to outstrip black pieces in development.
3... Qh4+ 4.Kpf1 Cc5?
Unprecedentedly weak. White already plans to capture the center with d2-d4 and open the diagonal for the c1-bishop. And here it is done with a gain in tempo (black's bishop falls under attack and spends time retreating)
Black tried to play differently in this position and 4...g5, and 4... Kf6, and 4...d5! The last move is the most promising, Black strives to keep up with the development of the pieces with a reciprocal sacrifice, opens the lines for the bishop, breaks the center for White.
5.d4 Bb6 6.Kf3 Qe7 7.Bxf4 Qxe4 ?
As I wrote in yesterday's entry, accepting sacrifices was a sign of fearlessness and valor. Sometimes it was completely unjustified.
8.С:f7+
The excellent development of white pieces, the weakness of the most vulnerable f7-square, and the viciousness of the practice of early entry of the queen into the game begin to show. Capturing the bishop is bad now because of the double attack (8... Kxf7 9.Kg5+ and 10.Nxe4)
8... Kpf8 9.Cg3 Kh6
Now White, using the advanced black queen, brings the last fighting pieces into play and sets up hell for black.
10.Nc3 Qe7 11.Bb3 c6
Black's developmental lag is serious. With the last move, they try to put up a pawn fence in the center against the bishop on b3 and the knight on c3.
12.Qd3 d5 13.Re1 Qf6
14.Ch4! Qg6
This attempt to extinguish the initiative by exchange runs into an effective refutation. The attack is strong even without queens!
Too many pieces are in the game. I will not tire of repeating the defense in those days was at the level of 2 ranks.... much stronger 14... Qf5
15.Be7+ Kpg8 16.Qxg6 hxg6 17.Kxd5!
Position destruction.
17... с:d5 18.C:d5+ Kph7 19.Kg5 mate
Of course, black could not get checkmate, but the book would have lost because of this :-))
Instead of 18... Kph7, 18... Kf7 was more stubborn (see diagram No. 02)
Diagram #02
But even here White has a decisive advantage after
19.Ne5 Kh7 20.K:f7 Nf5 21.g4!(see diagram #01)
Diagram #01
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Party #5
Greco NN
A beautiful ending is indicated by Greco, in another game, where the opponent moved his queen to another place on the 13th move....
13... Qf7 14.Bd6+ Kpg8 15.Re7 Qf6
16.Kxd5 Qxd6(If a 16... c:d5 17.C:d5+ Kpf8 18.Re6+ with a decisive advantage)
17.Kf6 ++ Kpe8 18.Re8 checkmate
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Party #6
Greco NN
Wrong start.
The last game is an excellent illustration of why the coach strictly told me:
"Until you become a first-class player, I forbid even taking on the f-pawn until castling is completed! They will kill you right away, like a mammoth!" :-))
1.e4 b6 2.d4 Bb7 3.Cd3 f5?!
Now this move (3... f5) is considered refuted. And in those days he looked! It looks like it's impossible to take a pawn. The pawn on g2 dies, and with it the rook on h1.
Nevertheless, the weakness of the king's diagonal h5-e8 is higher!
4.e:f5! C:g2 5.Qh5+ g6(single move)
5.f:g6 Kf6 ?
Decisive error. There are only chances to continue the fight if 5... Bg7 . True, and here the position of "extinguish the light" ...
5... Bg7 6.g:h7+ Kpf8 7.Kf3!! (with the strongest threat Ne5) Kf6 8.Qg6 Cxf3 9.Rg1 Rxh7 10.Qg3 Be4 11.Bxe4 Nxe4 12.Qf3+ Kpg8 13.Qxe4 Nc6 14.d5 Ka5 15.Kc3(See Diagram No. 00
Diagram #00
With a huge advantage for White.
6.g:h7+ K:h5 7.Cg6 mate.
The Italian game is an open opening that begins with the moves: 1. e2-e4 e7-e5 2. Kg1-f3 Kb8-c6 3. Cf1-c4 Cf8-c5.
Refers to the oldest beginnings. White is trying to create a strong pawn center and increase pressure on the f7-square. In a number of variations this leads to a sharp struggle, but with accurate defense Black can repel all threats. The debut was successfully used by Italian masters, starting from the 16th century.
Major sequels
4. c3: The main variation of the Italian game, White wants to create a strong pawn center.
Possible development options
4. … Kf6 5. d4 ed 6. c4 Bb4+ (Significantly weaker is 6. … Bb6. After 7. d5 Ne7 8. e5 Ng4 9. d6, with a strong attack for White).
7. Nc3 (By sacrificing the central pawn, White wants to develop pieces quickly. More calm play after 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5 9. ed Nxd5 10. Qb3 Nce7 11. 0-0 0-0 12 Rfe1 c6 13. Ne4 Nb6 14. Nc5 Nxc4 15. Qxc4 b6 16. Nd3 Qd6).
With approximately equal chances.
7. … Nxe4 (By destroying the e4 central pawn, it is easiest for Black to equalize the game). 8. 0-0 (The strongest continuation of the attack).
8. … Bxc3 9. d5 Bf6 10. Re1 Ne7 11. Rxe4 d6 12. Bg5 Bxg5 (Weaker is 12. … Bf5 13. Bb5+ Kf8 14. Rf4, with strong threats).
Black repelled all the main dangers.
4. d3: a reliable continuation that does not pose any difficult problems for Black.
4. … Kf6 5. Kc3 d6 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8. Nd5 Qd8.
Black achieved an approximately equal game.
Evans Gambit 4. b4: White offers a pawn sacrifice in order to develop quickly and create a mobile pawn center. An interesting and difficult opening, in which there is a sharp struggle with mutual chances.
5. … Bxb4. (The best continuation. At the right moment, Black is going to return the pawn, providing himself with the possibility of a convenient development).
6. c3 Ba5 4. d4 d6 5. Bg5 f6 6. Qb3 Kf8 7. Be3.
For the sacrificed pawn, White maintains pressure.
Pitfalls in the opening
Party 1
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 ed 6. cd Bb4+ 7. Nc3 Nxe4 8. 0-0 Bxc3 9. d5 Bf6 10. Re1 Ne7 11. R: e4 0-0 (Worth noting is 11. … d6, preventing White's next move).
12. d6 cd 13. Qxd6 Nf5 14. Qd5 d6?
(Black could play for a draw by repeating moves: 14. ... Ne7 15. Qd6 Nf5 16. Qd4 Ne7, etc.)
(15...Nh6 doesn't help either, in view of the possible 16. Bf4 Bxb2 17. Rae1 Ba3 18. Nxf7 Nxf7 19. Qxf7+ Rxf7 20. Re8+ Qxe8 21. Rxe8X).
16. Bxg5 (White sacrifices a bishop to set up a trap).
16. … Qxg5? (Black falls into a trap, stronger than 16. ... Qc7 17. Qd3 Bd7 8.g4 h6 19. Bf4, although in this case, despite the extra pawn, it is difficult for him to resist the attack of white).
17. Qxf7+! Rxf7 18. Re8X.
Part 2. Lange - Lampert (1903)
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 ed 6. cd Bb4+ 7. Nc3 Nxe4 8. 0-0 Nxc3 9. bc Be7? (Stronger is 9. … d5).
10. d5 Na5 11. d6 Bxd6 (In case of 11. ... Nxc4 White continues 12. de Kxe7 13. Qe2+ and wins a piece).
12. Re1+ Be7 13. Bg5 f6 (No 13. … Nxc4 due to 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Rxe7+ Kxe7 16. Qe2+ and then 17. Qxc4).
14.Bxf6 gf 15. Ne5 (threatening 16. Qh5+ and checkmate next move).
15. … h5 16. Qd3 Rh6 17. Qd5 Rh7 18. Qg8+ Bf8 19. Ng6+ Re7 20. Qf7X.
Party 3. Hoffmann - Petrov (Warsaw, 1903)
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 ed 6. e5 Ne4 (6. … d5 is better) 7. Bd5 Nxf2 8. Kxf2 dc+ 9. Kg3 cb 10. B :b2 Ne7 11. Ng5? (Worse than 11. Qc2 or 11. Nc3).
11. … Nxd5 12. Nxf7.
Black has three pieces attacked, including the queen; 12. … Kxf7 is impossible due to 13. Qxd5 and then Qxc5, but they find a nice way to win.
12. … 0-0. (Black sacrifices a queen for a mating attack).
13. Nxd8 Bf2+ 14. Kh3 (14. Kg4 Ne3+ 15. Kg5 Rf5X) 14. … d6+ 15. e6 (15. g4 Nf4X) 15. … Nf4+ 16. Kg4 Nxe6 17. Nxe6
(17. Qd5 Rf4+ 18. Kh5 Rh4X; 17. g3 Nd4+ 18. Kh4 Nf3+ 19. Kh5 g6+ 20. Kh6 Be3X).
17. … Bxe6+ 18. Kg5 Rf5+ 19. Kg4 h5+ 20. Kh3 Rf3X. (Double checkmate).
Party 4
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 ed 6. 0-0 0-0? (Stronger is 6. ... Nxe4 and further, if 7. Re1, then 7. ... d5).
Black allows White to create a strong pawn center.
7. cd Bb6 8. d5 Ne7 9. e5 Ne8 10. d6 cd 11. ed Ng6 12. Bg5 Nf6 13. Nc3 h6 14. Qd3 Kh7 (Bad for Black and after 14. … hg 15. Qxg6 with the threat of 16 .Nxg5).
15. Bxf7 (threatening 16. Qxg6) 15. ... Rxf7 16. Ne5 hg 17. Qxg6 Kg8 18. Qxf7+
with quality gain.
Party 5
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Bc5 (following 5. … Ba5 is stronger).
6. 0-0 Nf6 (Better 6. … d6 and on 7. d4, play 7. … Bb6).
7. d4 ed 8. cd Bb6.
White has a powerful pawn center, followed by a decisive attack by the black king.
9. e5 d5 10.ef dc 11. Re1+ Kf8
(If 11. … Be6, then after 12. d5 White wins a piece. In the case of 11. …
Kd7 White, continuing 12. d5 Na5 13. Ne5+ Kd6 (or 13. … Ke8 14. Nc6+)
14. Nxf7+ wins the queen).
12. Ba3+ Kg8 13. d5 Na5 14. Be7 Qd7 15. fg Kxg7 16. Qd2 (threatening 17. Qg5X) Qg4
(If 16. … f6, then after 17. Bxf6+ Kxf6 18. Qg5+ Kf7 19. Ne5+, Black loses his queen).
17. Qc3+ Kg8 18. Qxh8+ Kxh8 19. Bf6+ Qg7 20. Re8X.
Party 6. G. Neumann - S. Loyd (Paris, 1867)
1. e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 ed 7. 0-0 Nge7 8. cd d5 9. ed Nxd5 10. Ba3 Be6 11. Nbd2 Bxd2 12. Qxd2 Qf6 13. Bb5 Ne7.
Black didn't manage to castle in time, and White builds up the initiative by sacrificing one more pawn.
15. Bxe7 Nxe7 16. Qa5 Rxd5 17. Qxa7 Rxb5 18. Qa8+ Kd7 19. Qxh8 Bg4 20. Rad1+ Nd5 21. Rfe1 Bxf3 22. Qe8+ Kd6 23. Q: b5 and White wins.
Part 7. G. Neumann - A. Andersen (Berlin, 1860)
1. e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 ed 7. 0-0 dc 8. Qb3 Qf6
9. e5 Qg6 10. Nxc3 Bxc3 11. Qxc3 Nge7 12. Ba3 0-0 13. Rad1 d6 14. ed cd 15. Rxd6 Qh5 16. Re1 king.)
16. ... Ng6 (or 16. ... Bg4 17. Ne5, and after a possible 17. ... Nf5 18. Rxc6 bc 19. Bxf8 Rxf8 20. f3 White has an extra piece).
17. Rxg6 Qxg6 18. Bxf8 Bh3 19. Nh4 Qg5 20. Qxh3 Rxf8 21. Bf7+.
(A decisive blow. The bishop cannot be taken because of the checkmate (21. ... Kxf7 22. Qe6X or 21. Rxf7 22. Re8+ Rf8 23. Qe6+ Kh8 24. Rxf8X), after 21. ... Kh8 Black loses the queen : 22. Ng6+).
Part 8. G. Neumann - A. Andersen (Berlin, 1865)
1. e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 ed 7. 0-0 dc 8. Qb3 Qf6 9. e5 Qg6 10. Nxc3 Bxc3 11. Qxc3 Nh6 12. Ba3 Nd8 13. Rfe1 b6 14. Bd5 Bb7.
(Or 14. … c6 15. Be4 Qh5 (15. … Qe6 16. Nd4) 16. e6 Nxe6 17. Bxc6 Rb8 18. Qxg7 Rg8 19. Rxe6+ Kd8 20. Qf6+ Kc7 21. Qf4+ Kd8 22. Rxh6 Qg4 23. Qf6+ Kc7 24. Bd6+ Kxc6 25. Ne5+, winning the queen).
The bishop cannot be taken because of 16. ed+ K:d7 17. Ne5+ and Black is left without a queen. And in case of 15. de decides 16. Qxc7. On 15... fe White continues with 16 Bxb7 Nxb7 17 Ne5 and then 18 Qxc7 wins.
Have you studied the opening? Practice new knowledge in practice online ->
The Italian game is one of the oldest openings in chess. From this video you will learn what moves are made in order there. You will also learn the main traps encountered in this variation. Over 400 years, a huge theory has accumulated, but the main directions are three options: "the quietest Italian", and the move "c3". This video focuses on last move, which is the most fundamental way of fighting for an advantage on the part of White. In general, this video is only a general overview of the Italian game, intended for beginner chess players. For a more complete study of this opening, we advise you to read the article below.
The Italian game is an opening that occurs on the board after the following moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5. Main extensions:
- d3 - "The quietest Italian"
- c3-d4
- b4 - Evans Gambit
For a long time, the move “4. c3" preceded an immediate attack in the center with "5. d4". However, with the development of theory, such a plan gave way to "d3" either immediately on the 4th move, or on the 5th after "4. c3".
Consider the main theoretical lines.
The Quietest Italian
The quietest Italian is a modern version of the Italian party. This option has an extremely positional character.
Option "4. c3 5.d3"
The sequence of moves in this example is not strict.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 (Now Black is attacking e4, so White defends with a move) 5. d3 (Black, in turn, reinforces the pawn on e5) d6 (The sides castling) 6. O-O O-O (A prophylactic move follows, aimed at d5 or b5 went without pace. Also in the future, White can place the bishop on c2) 7. Bb3 (Black puts a pawn on) a6 (to arrange a comfortable stop for his bishop on a7) 8. Nbd2 (White develops his second knight, which in the future with a high probability through f1 will be on g3) Ba7 9. h3 (This move is aimed at preventing the black light-squared bishop from g4 and tie the horse f3, Black follows White's example and puts the pawn on) h6 (Reinforcing the pawn on e4, White simultaneously vacates the square f1 for his knight) 10. Re1 (Offering an exchange, Black thus develops the last minor piece) Be6 11. Nf1 (After) Re8 ([%cal Gb3e6,Gb3c2,Gc1e3,Gf1g3] White has 4 main ideas: one of them is exchange for e6) 12. Bxe6 (after that, White has a promising plan to transfer the knight from f3 on the h4 and further on f5, such a knight will become a very unpleasant piece;) ((translate the light-squared bishop to c2 and start opening the center) 12. Bc2 (in this case, Black should open the center with the first move) d5) ((develop the dark-squared bishop on e3) 12. Be3 (and exchange Black's strong bishop) Bxe3) ((transfer the knight from f1 on the g3) 12. Ng3 (Black can answer in the center again with the move) d5) *
Each of these ideas can be implemented in one sequence or another.
Option "4.d3 5.Toc3»
An example similar to the previous one. The difference is that the field c3 in the variant under consideration, it is occupied by a knight.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 (After the move) 4. d3 (an extremely reliable position for White appears on the board. Black responds) Nf6 (Now White has a choice: to play) 5. Nc3 (or 5. c3 which will lead to the already considered variant above. If White leads to c3 knight, instead of a pawn, then most likely follows) 5... d6 ((You can still) 5... h6 (without letting the dark-squared bishop g5.)) ((Casting is also possible) 5... O-O([%cal Gc1g5,Ge1g1])) 6. Bg5(Pining the knight before Black castling may seem premature, but it is not without meaning, in view of the following variation) ((Conclusion elephant on e3 looks good too) 6. Be3 Bb6 (6... Bxe3 7. fxe3 Na5 8. Bb3 c6) 7. Qd2 Be6([%cal Gc4b3,Gc4b5])) 6... h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8. Nd5 Qd8 9. c3 Ne7([%cal Gd5e3,Gd3d4]) *
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Option "4.c3 5. dfour"
This option is more specific than the previous ones. Currently, it is not used at the grandmaster level, but it is absolutely correct and may be of interest to chess players who are inclined to play more actively.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 (Play c d4 more specific. This move is aimed at immediately clarifying the position of the sides in the center) 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 ((Except for this variation) 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4 Bb6) 6... Bb4+ (This continuation is more calm:) 7. Bd2 ((Unlike) 7. Nc3 Nxe4 8. O-O (After) Bxc3 ((If Black decides to c3 take the knight, then you should) 8... Nxc3 9. bxc3 Bxc3 10. Qb3 (And this position is in White's favor. Moreover, Black will need precise play in order not to lose immediately) d5 11. Bxd5 O-O 12. Bxf7+ Rxf7 13. Ng5 Be6 14. Qxc3) 9. d5 ([%cal Gc3f6,Gc6e5] on the board - meller attack full of traps. Arrows show 2 main extensions. Modern theory treats this line without problems for black, but only if he plays accurately. If Black has previously captured with the bishop on c3, they must be ready to Meller's attack.)) 7... Bxd2+ ((After capturing e4 White should play as follows:) 7... Nxe4 8. Bxb4 Nxb4 9. Bxf7+ Kxf7 10. Qb3+ d5 11. Qxb4 Re8 12. O-O c6 13. Nc3) 8. Nbxd2 Nxe4 9. Nxe4 d5 10. Bxd5 Qxd5 11. O-O*
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The Italian part has been known for about five hundred years and was especially popular until the 19th century. In old Italian manuals, the opening was called “giocco pianissimo”, which means “the quietest game”. White's intentions included a quick education a strong pawn center by c2-c3 and d2-d4 and creating an attack on the weakly defended f7-square. However, it turned out that blacks could successfully fight these plans.
In recent years, successful attempts have been made in this ancient system to sharpen the struggle, the Italian game has again returned to the world arena of professional chess. But let's get back to the opening itself.
After opening moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 the Italian game was played (diagram 1). In this basic position, White has two continuations:
4.c3(and 4.d3 after 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bg5 the so-called Canal attack was played. 6...h6 logical and natural answer. (Equal chances are also given by the continuation 6...Be6 7.Nd5 Bxd5 8.Bxd5 h6) 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.Nd5 Qd8 There is also a double-edged continuation:
8...Qg6 9.Qe2 (Wrong 9.Nxc7+ due to 9...Krd8 10.Nxa8 Qxg2 11.Rf1 Bg4) 9...Bg4 10.c3 warning Kc6 - d4 10...Bb6 however, in this case White can profitably play 11.a4) 9.c3 a6 (Possible 9...Ne7 10.Ne3 O-O 11.O-O Ng6 12.d4 Bb6) 10.d4 ed 11.cd Ba7 12.h3 O-O 13.O-O Be6 14.Rc1 Na5 15. Bd3 c5 16.Bb1.
After such a long theoretical variant, a critical position arose. Black has the advantage of two bishops, which may have an effect later on, and the actions of their pieces are well coordinated. Thus, even in the quietest game» Black is not obliged to agree to colorless exchanges, but can create double-edged positions with mutual chances.
Now, as for the system that appears after the move 4. c2 - c3 (diagram 2).
In this position Black has many interesting continuations, let's consider the most energetic one. 4...Nf6 , leading to double-edged positions with rich tactical content.
5.d4 ( Often used 6.b4 Bb6 7.d3 d6 8.a4 a6 after 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 g5 11.Bg3 Nh5 Black has a full play.) 5...ed (If 5...Bb6 then 6.de Nxe4 7.Qd5 and White wins, Black loses his knight on e4 or).
6.cd (On 6.e5 followed by a standard counterattack 6...d5) 6...Bb4+ in this position White has a choice between the calm continuation 7.Bd2 (and sharp 7.Nc3 leading to the Meller attack.) Unfavorable for whites 7.Krf1 the so-called Krakow variant due to 7...d5 it is dangerous for black to take a pawn 7...Nxe4 due to 8.d5 with White's attack.
That's all for now, the Italian game is a very interesting and dynamic opening, it can and should be recommended for beginner chess players to study and put into practice. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below and I'll be sure to answer them all.
