CHAPTER 16:

SOME MORE GAMBITS

In the last chapter of this book we're looking at some more gambits, particularly the King's Gambit and the Evans Gambit.

Openings like these are excellent choices for you at this stage of your chess career. Gambits lead to open lines and rapid development, giving you many opportunities for tactics and combinations.

These openings were very popular in the 19th century, and many famous and brilliant games were played with them. Nowadays they are not played so much as defensive techniques have improved, but the opponents you're likely to meet will not be very good at defending. Even so, the King's Gambit has been played by such megastars as Fischer, Spassky, Judit Polgar and Nigel Short, and Kasparov has started a revival of the Evans Gambit.

The King's Gambit Accepted starts with the moves:

1. e4 e5
2. f4 exf4

What does White have for his pawn? He has lured a Black pawn away from the centre, and will play to control it completely with d4. He's also opened the f-file for a possible attack with Queen and Rook.

First, a quick game to show what might happen if Black really has no idea what he's doing.

This game was played by someone called WE Rudolph in 1912.

3. Bc4

The most popular move here is Nf3, but this is also good, and is the choice of both Judit Polgár and Short. White's not afraid of Qh4+ because he'll play Kf1 and be able to gain time by driving the Queen back.

3... Bc5?

A weak move, but one often played by beginners. White will seize the centre and attack the Bishop at the same time.

4. d4 Qh4+
5. Kf1 Bb6
6. Nf3 Qd8
7. Bxf4 Ne7
8. Ng5 0-0?

Castling into trouble! The only move was d5.

9. Qh5

A familiar attacking idea when Black's played Ne7 instead of Nf6. Remember it!

9... h6

10. Bxf7+ Kh8? (Diagram 244)

XABCDEFGH
8rsnlwq-tr-mk(
7zppzppsnLzp-'
6-vl-+-+-zp&
5+-+-+-sNQ%
4-+-zPPvL-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP"
1tRN+-+K+R!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 244
White to move

It shouldn't take you too long to find the winning move here.

11. Qxh6+! (DECOY!) gxh6
12. Be5#

In the next game Black didn't do much better. The great Paul Morphy, White, played without his Queen's Rook, so remove the Rook from a1 before you play through the game.

White: Paul Morphy Black: Conway
New York 1859

1. e4 e5
2. f4 exf4
3. Nf3 g5

This strange looking move was the most popular defence to the King's Gambit in the 19th century and is today still considered one of Black's best moves. The idea is to play g4 and Qh4+, attacking with Queen and pawns. White can react in three ways. He can play h4 to prevent Qh4+ after g4 (probably best), he can let Black carry out his plan, or he can sacrifice the Knight for an attack.

4. Bc4 g4
5. d4?!

Morphy chooses the third option. The most common way of giving up the Knight is 0-0 (the MUZIO GAMBIT). White can also try Nc3 (the McDONNELL GAMBIT - see Masters of the Universe 1). Morphy's move is the GHULAM KASSIM GAMBIT, named after an Indian who analysed the opening in the 1820s. Another sacrifice here is Bxf7+, called, would you believe, the LOLLI GAMBIT! Lolli and Muzio were both Italians: Muzio lived in the 17th century and Lolli in the 18th century.

5... gxf3
6. Qxf3 Bh6?

Correct is 6... d5 7. Bxd5 Nf6 when Black would almost certainly be winning even without the extra Rook.

7. 0-0 Ne7

8. Bxf4 Bxf4? (Diagram 245)

XABCDEFGH
8rsnlwqk+-tr(
7zppzppsnp+p'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+LzPPvl-+$
3+-+-+Q+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP"
1+N+-+RmK-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 245
White to move

Now Morphy smashes through Black's flimsy defences with an EXPLOSION ON f7!

9. Bxf7+! Kxf7
10. Qxf4+ Kg7
11. Qf6+ Kg8
12. Qf7#

Here's how Morphy played the Black side of the King's Gambit.

White: John Shulten Black: Paul Morphy
New York 1857

1. e4 e5
2. f4 d5

The FALKBEER COUNTER-GAMBIT.

3. exd5

You should remember what happens after fxe5. Now Black sacrifices a pawn to hamper White's development.

3... e4
4. Nc3 Nf6
5. d3 Bb4
6. Bd2 e3!

Sacrificing another pawn to open the e-file.

7. Bxe3 0-0
8. Bd2 Bxc3
9. bxc3 Re8+
10. Be2 Bg4

Attacking the PINNED piece.

11. c4?

Greedily clinging on to his extra pawns. Much better was Kf2, unpinning the Bishop and trying to get his King to safety.

11... c6
12. dxc6 Nxc6
13. Kf1 (Diagram 246)

Stepping aside from the vertical PIN. Can you play as well as Morphy here? See if you can find his next move.

XABCDEFGH
8r+-wqr+k+(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+n+-sn-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+P+-zPl+$
3+-+P+-+-#
2P+PvLL+PzP"
1tR-+Q+KsNR!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 246
Black to move

13... Rxe2!

Setting up a diagonal PIN on e2. White cannot defend his unfortunate Knight.

14. Nxe2 Nd4
15. Qb1 Bxe2+
16. Kf2 Ng4+
17. Kg1 (Diagram 247)
XABCDEFGH
8r+-wq-+k+(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+Psn-zPn+$
3+-+P+-+-#
2P+PvLl+PzP"
1tRQ+-+-mKR!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 247
Black to move

Now Black forces mate in seven moves: 17... Nf3+! 18. gxf3 Qd4+ 19. Kg2 Qf2+ 20. Kh3 Qxf3+ 21. Kh4 Nh6 22. Qg1 Nf5+ 23. Kg5 Qh5#.

Our final example of the King's Gambit features a KING HUNT. Black's King is driven from home by an EXPLOSION ON f7 and harried to the other end of the board where he meets his doom.

White: Rev Howard Ohman Black: Buck
Omaha 1942

1. e4 e5
2. Nc3 d6
3. f4 exf4
4. Nf3 Be7

An unusual move order giving a variation of the CUNNINGHAM DEFENCE (1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 Be7).
5. Bc4 Bh4+
6. g3 fxg3
7. 0-0 gxh2+
8. Kh1

In the Cunningham Defence proper (without 2. Nc3 d6) this is considered too risky for White. Can he get away with it here with an extra piece developed?

8... Bg3 (Diagram 248)

XABCDEFGH
8rsnlwqk+ntr(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+-zp-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+L+P+-+$
3+-sN-+Nvl-#
2PzPPzP-+-zp"
1tR-vLQ+R+K!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 248
White to move

A very complicated position! White's Bishop and Rook both attack f7, but if he's not careful his own King will run into trouble.

9. Bxf7+!?

Another EXPLOSION ON f7!

9... Kxf7
10. Ne5+ Ke6?

Bravely advancing into the middle of the board, but he would have been better advised to return home. After 10... Ke8 11. Nf7 Qh4 12. Nxh8 Bg4 the position is very unclear.

11. Qg4+ Kxe5
12. d4+ Kxd4
13. Be3+

The Reverend considers Bishops unnecessary! If 13... Ke5 Black is mated after 14. Bd4+ Kxd4 15. Qd1+ Kc5 16. Qd5+ Kb6 17. Qb5#. But White could have mated in three moves instead: 13. Qd1+ Kc5 14. Qd5+ Kb6 15. Qb5#

13... Kxe3

14. Rad1! (Diagram 249)

XABCDEFGH
8rsnlwq-+ntr(
7zppzp-+-zpp'
6-+-zp-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+P+Q+$
3+-sN-mk-vl-#
2PzPP+-+-zp"
1+-+R+R+K!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 249
Black to move

Quicker than Qxg3+. This QUIET MOVE threatens no less than SIX mates in one. Can you find them all?

14... Bxg4

This stops five of White's threatened mates, but not the sixth, which is...

15. Rd3#

If you play the King's Gambit, especially at Primary School level, you should do very well with it because your opponents won't know how to defend. At higher levels, it usually leads to very open positions where both players have attacking chances and both Kings are often in trouble.

A few words of advice about some of the moves you might expect to meet:

1. You already know that the best replies are 2... exf4, 2... d5 and 2... Bc5. Inexperienced players often play either 2... Nc6 or 2... d6. There moves are rather passive, but not too bad. Continue with Nf3, Nc3, Bb5 or Bc4 and your pieces will have more freedom of movement. 2... f6? loses at once after 3. fxe5 fxe5? 4. Qh5+.

2. After 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 Nf3, many of your opponents will play a move like Nc6, or, even worse, Bc5. These moves just encourage White to occupy the centre with d4.

3. A better third move for Black after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 is Nf6. You can then play 4. e5 when your opponents will be unlikely to find the best move, Nh5 (to defend f4), because they've been taught not to put their knights on the side of the board. Instead they'll probably prefer Nd5 or Ne4 when you can gain time by attacking the Knight.

4. Another good move for Black is 3... d5. This can be met by 4. exd5 when Black should play 4... Nf6 rather than 4... Qxd5, when White can start kicking the Black Queen around with 5. Nc3.

Now for a quick look at the VIENNA GAME.

1. e4 e5
2. Nc3 Nf6

2... Nc6 is equally good.

3. f4 (Diagram 250)

XABCDEFGH
8rsnlwqkvl-tr(
7zppzpp+pzpp'
6-+-+-sn-+&
5+-+-zp-+-%
4-+-+PzP-+$
3+-sN-+-+-#
2PzPPzP-+PzP"
1tR-vLQmKLsNR!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 250
Black to move

Already Black has a couple of ways of going wrong.

3... exf4? unlike in the King's Gambit, is a mistake. 4. e5!, and the Knight has nowhere to go except back home. White can follow up with Nf3, d4 and Bxf4. A game Dr Wurzburger - Peifer, played in Paris in 1933, continued 4... Qe7 (PIN!) 5. Qe2 (UNPIN!) 5... Ng8 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. d4 d6?? 8. Nd5 Qd8 (Diagram 251)

XABCDEFGH
8r+lwqkvlntr(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+nzp-+-+&
5+-+NzP-+-%
4-+-zP-zp-+$
3+-+-+N+-#
2PzPP+Q+PzP"
1tR-vL-mKL+R!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 251
White to move

9. Nxc7+ (FORK + DECOY!) and Black resigned because 9... Qxc7 10. exd6 (DISCOVERED CHECK!) wins the Queen.

Another poor third move for Black is 3... Nc6?, allowing 4. fxe5 Nxe5 5. d4 followed by e5, driving the Black Knights back and dominating the centre.

The second best choice for Black is 3... d6, leading to the same sort of position as after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d6.

Black's only third move to equalise is 3... d5, when the main line starts 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. Nf3.

So you can see that the Vienna Game is another opening that, if you learn it well, will enable you to score quick wins against players who haven't done their homework.

The other opening we asked you to look at was the EVANS GAMBIT. We'll follow a friendly game between Bobby Fischer (White) and Reuben Fine, a World Championship Candidate in the late 1930s, played in New York in 1963.

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Bc5
4. b4

Sacrificing a pawn to play c3 and d4 (as in the Giuoco Piano) with gain of time. Black can decline with Bb6, but we'll see what happens if he accepts.

4... Bxb4
5. c3 Ba5

Most modern masters prefer Be7 here. Another move is Bc5, which we'll look at in the next game.

6. d4 exd4 (Diagram 252)

XABCDEFGH
8r+lwqk+ntr(
7zppzpp+pzpp'
6-+n+-+-+&
5vl-+-+-+-%
4-+LzpP+-+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2P+-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmK-+R!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 252
White to move

Another defence is 6... d6. In the game Black EXPLOITS THE PIN on c3 to win another pawn. Is he being too greedy?

7. 0-0 dxc3

Again he could return material with Bb6 or d6.

8. Qb3 Qe7
9. Nxc3 Nf6?

According to Fischer, the best defence is Qb4, allowing Bxf7+ in order to exchange queens.

10. Nd5 Nxd5
11. exd5 Ne5
12. Nxe5 Qxe5

13. Bb2 Qg5 (Diagram 253)

XABCDEFGH
8r+l+k+-tr(
7zppzpp+pzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5vl-+P+-wq-%
4-+L+-+-+$
3+Q+-+-+-#
2PvL-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 253
White to move

It looks almost like a Danish Gambit. The finish is rather similar to some of the Danish Gambit games you saw in Chapter 13.

14. h4! (DECOY!)

DECOYING the Queen from either g7 or e7: for example if 14... Qh6, 15. Qa3 followed by Rhe1+.

14... Qxh4
15. Bxg7 Rg8
16. Rfe1+ Kd8

Bxe1 only delays by one move the inevitable defeat.

17. Qg3! (DECOY!)

Black resigns, for if 17... Qxg3 or Qxc4, Bf6#.

There's just room for one more example of the Evans Gambit. You'll enjoy the finish of this one.

White: Hermann Clemenz Black: Eisenschmidt
Dorpat 1862

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Bc5
4. b4 Bxb4
5. c3 Bc5
6. d4 exd4
7. cxd4 Bb6

7... Bb4+ 8. Kf1 is an interesting alternative.

8. 0-0 d6

We've now reached what was called in the 19th Century the Normal Position. Anderssen used to play 9. d5 here, but in this game White prefers Morphy's move.

9. Nc3 Bd7?!

According to the books, Bg4 and Na5 are both better.

10. e5! (Diagram 254)

XABCDEFGH
8r+-wqk+ntr(
7zppzpl+pzpp'
6-vlnzp-+-+&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4-+LzP-+-+$
3+-sN-+N+-#
2P+-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 254
Black to move

A typical pawn sacrifice in this opening, to clear the e-file for a Rook.

10... dxe5
11. Re1 Nge7
12. Ng5 Be6

An alternative was 12... 0-0 13. Qh5 Bf5, with complications.

13. Bxe6 fxe6
14. Nxe6 Qd6
15. Nxg7+ Kf8
16. Qg4 Bxd4?!
17. Ne4 Qb4
18. Ne6+ Ke8
19. Nf6+ Kf7
20. Ng5+ Kf8 (Diagram 255)

Alternatives are 20... Kxf6 21. Qe6+ Kg7 22. Qf7+ Kh6 23. Ne4+ and mate in two moves, or 20... Kg7 21. Nh5+ Kf8 22. Qf3+ Ke8 23. Nf6+ Kd8 24. Nf7+ Kc8 25. Qh3+ Kb8 26. Nd7+ Kc8 27. Nb6+ Kb8 28. Qc8+! Rxc8 29. Nd7#, which you'll recognise as a version of PHILIDOR'S LEGACY.

XABCDEFGH
8r+-+-mk-tr(
7zppzp-sn-+p'
6-+n+-sN-+&
5+-+-zp-sN-%
4-wq-vl-+Q+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2P+-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vL-tR-mK-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 255
White to move

Can you see how White finishes off?

21. Ba3!

Time is more important than material in this position. White saves his attacked Rook and attacks the Queen at the same time. He doesn't need the Bishop for his mating finish.

21... Qxa3?
22. Qe6 Nd8

If you haven't already worked out White's next move stop and look again.

23. Qf7+! Nxf7
24. Ne6#

This is the third time you've met this idea, so you should know it by now! White's cavalry reigns supreme!

QUIZ

For your final quiz in this book, ten positions from games played with the openings featured in this chapter. In each case you have to find the winning idea. Eight out of ten, and you'll have successfully completed this stage of the course.

Q1.
XABCDEFGH
8r+lwqk+-tr(
7zppzpn+pzp-'
6-+-+-sn-zp&
5+-vL-+-+-%
4-+L+p+-+$
3+-sN-+-+-#
2PzPP+Q+PzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefgh
White to play
What is his best move?
Q2.
XABCDEFGH
8r+-+-trk+(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+n+-+-+&
5+-+LzP-+Q%
4-+-+-tR-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PwqP+-+PzP"
1tR-+-+-+K!
xabcdefgh
White to play
How can he mate quickly?
Q3.
XABCDEFGH
8r+lmk-+ntr(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+-zp-+-+&
5vlQ+-+q+-%
4-+-zp-+-+$
3vL-zP-+-+-#
2P+-+LzPPzP"
1tRN+KtR-+-!
xabcdefgh
White to play
It's mate in three!
Q4.
XABCDEFGH
8r+l+k+-tr(
7zppzpnsnpzpp'
6-vl-+-+-+&
5+L+QsNq+-%
4-+-zp-+-+$
3vL-zP-+-+-#
2P+-+-zPPzP"
1tRN+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefgh
White to play
Win the Queen or mate!
Q5.
XABCDEFGH
8r+-+kvl-tr(
7zp-zp-+p+p'
6l+p+-sn-+&
5+-+-sN-+q%
4-+-zPPzppzP$
3+-sN-+-+-#
2PzPP+-+P+"
1tR-vLQ+-mKR!
xabcdefgh
Black to play
Find a winning sacrifice
Q6.
XABCDEFGH
8rsnlwq-+ntr(
7zppzppmk-vlp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+-+-+Q%
4-+-zPPvL-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzPP+-+pzP"
1tRN+-+RmK-!
xabcdefgh
White to play
It's mate in five!
Q7.
XABCDEFGH
8rsnlmkr+-+(
7zppzp-+Lzpp'
6-+-+-vl-+&
5+-+-+-+q%
4-+Q+-zp-+$
3+-+-+N+-#
2PzPPzP-+PzP"
1tR-vL-+K+R!
xabcdefgh
Black to play
Another mate in five!
Q8.
XABCDEFGH
8-+-+r+-+(
7zp-+-+pmkp'
6q+-+-+-+&
5+-+Lvll+-%
4P+-zP-zppzP$
3+-sN-+-sn-#
2-zPP+-mKPtR"
1tR-vLQ+-+-!
xabcdefgh
Black to play
A difficult mate in four!
Q9.
XABCDEFGH
8r+l+k+ntr(
7zp-+p+pzpp'
6n+-vL-+-+&
5+p+NzPN+P%
4-+-+-+P+$
3+-+P+Q+-#
2P+P+K+-+"
1wq-+-+-vl-!
xabcdefgh
White to play and achieve immortality.
No further clues should be needed!
Q10.
XABCDEFGH
X-tr-+k+r+(
7zplzppsnp+p'
6-vl-+-zP-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4Q+-+-+-+$
3vL-zPL+q+-#
2P+-+-zPPzP"
1+-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefgh
White to play.
You're on your own again to find another of the most famous moves in chess history!
ACTIVITIES

As you approach the end of the book, a bit of light relief with the opportunity to try out two of the best chess variants.
a) Exchange Chess

This is very popular amongst young players and frequently played as a recreation between tournament games.

You need four players, two teams of two, and two boards. The partners sit next to each other, one playing White and one Black. Checkmate on one board ends the game. When a player captures a piece he passes it to his partner. The player to move may, instead of moving a piece, place a piece captured by his partner on the board. A captured piece may not be placed so as to put the opponent in check, and pawns may not be placed on the first or eighth ranks. When a pawn queens it is placed on its side and, on capture, reverts to being a pawn. The game is best played on a clock with a fast time limit to prevent stalling. Tournament organisers, however, may not like their clocks being used in this way!

Knights and, especially, pawns are more valuable than in normal chess. Knights can be placed on forking squares and you can create havoc in your opponent's position by placing pawns on the sixth and seventh ranks.

It's actually a very difficult game to play well because you have a much wider range of possibilities on each move than in normal chess.

b) Kriegspiel

The name is German for war game. What happens is that two players play chess without either one being able to see what the other one's doing. This is how it works. (These are the rules in force at Richmond Junior Chess Club, which vary slightly from those usually accepted in order to make it easier for young players.)

You need three boards, two players and an umpire (who needs to be an experienced player). The players sit back to back at separate boards and move as in normal chess. The umpire, who can see both boards, has another board placed between the players so that they cannot see it. The umpire monitors the game and announces when a capture has been made, and on which square ("White has captured on e5", for example). Checks are announced as being on the rank, file, long diagonal, short diagonal (if you look at a chess board you'll see that each square except those in the corners is on two diagonals, one longer than the other), or from a knight. He also informs a player if he tries to make an impossible move (if he tries to move over an enemy piece or into check). At any move a player can (and should) ask if any of his pawns can make a capture ("Any?"). If he can do so the umpire replies "Try", and the player may make up to three attempts to find a pawn capture. If he is unsuccessful he must play another move.

Kriegspiel is just the thing for a light-hearted club session at the end of term. It's great fun, especially for the umpire and spectators, who must try not to laugh too loudly as it can sometimes help the players.

Masters of the Universe 16

In the last fifteen chapters we've introduced you to the best players in the world, past and present: the World Champions, and, in the last chapter, some players who could become World Champion in future.

Vladimir Kramnik and Judit Polgár, whom you met in the last chapter, are by no means the youngest to make their mark in international chess.

Another Hungarian, Peter Lékó, beat Judit Polgár's record as the youngest ever Grandmaster in 1994, gaining the title at the age of 14. Peter was born in 1979 and like the Polgárs only goes to school to take exams, spending five or six hours a day studying chess. This win against a Russian helped him on his way to the International Master title in 1992.

White: Peter Lékó Black: Viktor Moiseev
Nettetal 1992
Opening: Sicilian Defence

1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 d6
3. Bc4

A move often played by beginners but unknown in master chess until the 1990s. In this game Peter aims to keep the centre closed and slowly build up a King-side attack.

3... e6
4. Qe2 Be7
5. 0-0 Nf6
6. c3 0-0
7. Bb3 b6
8. Re1 Bb7
9. d3 Nc6

10. Nbd2 Rc8

Peter thought 10... Ne5 was a better move.

11. Nf1 Ba6
12. Ng3 Nd7
13. Bc2 Re8
14. Bd2 Bf8
15. Rad1 g6
16. Bg5! (Diagram 256)

XABCDEFGH
8-+rwqrvlk+(
7zp-+n+p+p'
6lzpnzpp+p+&
5+-zp-+-vL-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+-zPP+NsN-#
2PzPL+QzPPzP"
1+-+RtR-mK-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 256
Black to move

16... Qc7?!

According to Peter, Black should have played 16... f6 17. Bc1 d5. Now White can break the awkward PIN on the a6-f1 diagonal.

17. Qd2 Bg7
18. Bh6 Bh8
19. h4

The start of the attack. Black should try to bring some pieces across to defend his King over the next few moves, but instead presses on with his Queen-side attack.

19... b5
20. h5 b4
21. Ne2 bxc3
22. bxc3 Nde5
23. Nh2! c4
24. d4 Nd3
25. Rf1 Qa5
26. hxg6 hxg6
27. Ng4 Qh5

The Queen rushes across to defend her King, but she's going to run short of squares here.

28. f3 f5 (Diagram 257)

XABCDEFGH
8-+r+r+kvl(
7zp-+-+-+-'
6l+nzpp+pvL&
5+-+-+p+q%
4-+pzPP+N+$
3+-zPn+P+-#
2P+LwQN+P+"
1+-+R+RmK-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 257
White to move

29. Bxd3! fxg4

No choice. 29... cxd3 loses to 30. Nf4 Qh4 31. Nxg6.

30. fxg4 Qxg4
31. Bc2 Bg7
32. Rf3 Rf8

Or 32... e5 33. Rg3 Qh4 34. Bxg7 Kxg7 35. Rh3 with a winning attack.

33. Rg3 Qh4

Setting a trap: 34. Rxg6? Qf2+ 35. Kh1 Qh4+ is a draw by perpetual check.

34. Bg5 Qh5
35. Rh3

Black resigns: after 35... Qg4 36. Rh4 his Queen is trapped.

In 1997 Lékó's record as the world's youngest ever Grandmaster was broken by Étienne Bacrot, of France, who gained the title at the age of 14 years 2 months. Other top teenage stars include Ruslan Ponomariov, of the Ukraine and Luke McShane, who at the age of 13 in 1997 became England's youngest ever International Master.

Every year, World Championships are organised, for both boys and girls, for all ages from Under 21 down to Under 10. Every country in the world can enter one boy and one girls in each age group. It is in these tournaments that many of tomorrow's Grandmasters can be found. Judit Polgár won the Boys (!) Under 12 title in 1988 and the Boys (!) Under 14 title in 1990. In 1991, Vladimir Kramnik came first in the Boys Under 18s while Peter Lékó finished equal first in the Boys Under 12 section. English players have often been successful in these events, but never more sensationally than in 1992, when Luke McShane, of Richmond Junior Chess Club, became World Under 10 Champion.

Luke McShane, who was born in January 1984, was competing against players up to two years older than him. By winning he became the youngest ever World Chess Champion, and was awarded the title of FIDÉ Master (the rank below International Master: FIDÉ is the International Chess Federation), beating Peter Lékó's record as the youngest ever holder of this title. Here's his last round game from the tournament. His opponent came from Azerbaijan, where Garry Kasparov was born.

White: Sarkhan Kuliev Black: Luke McShane
World Under 10 Boys Championship: Duisburg 1992
Opening: King's Indian Defence

1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Nc3 Bg7
4. e4 d6
5. f3 0-0
6. Be3 c5

This pawn sacrifice was prepared by Luke together with his coach, Grandmaster Daniel King.

7. dxc5 dxc5
8. Bxc5 Nc6
9. Be2

The correct reply is 9. Qxd8 Rxd8, when Black's strong Rook on d8 and Bishop on g7 give him compensation for the pawn.

9... Qa5
10. Be3 Nb4
11. a3 Rd8
12. Qb1 Nc6
13. Kf2 Qe5
14. f4 Qb8
15. h3 e5
16. fxe5 Nxe5
17. Nf3 (Diagram 258)

A natural developing move, but he failed to notice Luke's reply.

XABCDEFGH
8rwqltr-+k+(
7zpp+-+pvlp'
6-+-+-snp+&
5+-+-sn-+-%
4-+P+P+-+$
3zP-sN-vLN+P#
2-zP-+LmKP+"
1tRQ+-+-+R!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 258
Black to move

17... Neg4+! (FORK!)
18. hxg4 Nxg4+ (FORK!)

White's King has to abandon his Bishop, so Luke's won his pawn back with much the better position.

19. Kg1 Nxe3
20. Qc1 Ng4
21. Nd5 Bf8
22. Qg5?

He should have played b4, to prevent checks on c5.

21... Qd6?

Luke slips up, missing a win by 22... Bc5+ 23. Kf1 Rxd5! 24. cxd5 Qg3 and White can't defend f2.

23. Qh4 h5
24. Rd1 Qc5+
25. Kf1 (Diagram 259)

XABCDEFGH
8r+ltr-vlk+(
7zpp+-+p+-'
6-+-+-+p+&
5+-wqN+-+p%
4-+P+P+nwQ$
3zP-+-+N+-#
2-zP-+L+P+"
1+-+R+K+R!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 259
Black to move

White's last two moves have walked straight into a combination, but it was difficult to suggest good alternatives for him. If instead 25. Nd4, one possible variation is 25... Rxd5! 26. exd5 Bg7 (ATTACKING THE PINNED PIECE!) 27. Qd8+ Kh7 28. Bxg4 Bxg4 29. Qxa8 Bxd1 and Black will be able to take the Knight next move, leaving him with two Bishops against a Rook.

25... Rxd5!

The gold medal winning move!

26. b4

He might as well have resigned as play this. But if 26. exd5 (or cxd5) 26... Ne3+ (FORK!) 27. Ke1 Nxg2+ (FORK!) or 27. Kg1 Nf5+ (DISCOVERED CHECK!), in either case winning the Queen. His best try was 26. Rxd5, but after 26... Ne3+ 27. Ke1 Nxg2+ 28. Kd1 Nxh4 29. Rxc5 Nxf3 30. Rd5 Bg4 Luke would have had a winning material advantage.
26... Rxd1+
27. Bxd1 Qxc4+
28. Be2 Qxe4
29. Ne1 Be6
30. Bf3 Qe3
31. Bxb7 Bc4+

White resigns.

LESSONS FROM CHAPTER 16

Now you've finished the book, some advice on what to do next.

1. PLAY CHESS AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, AT HOME, AT SCHOOL, AT CHESS CLUBS AND IN TOURNAMENTS. THE MORE YOU PLAY THE MORE YOU'LL IMPROVE.

2. READ AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT CHESS - BOOKS, MAGAZINES, NEWSPAPER ARTICLES. USE YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY TO BORROW CHESS BOOKS IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY THEM.

3. PLAY THROUGH ALL YOUR GAMES AGAIN AT HOME, IF POSSIBLE WITH YOUR TEACHER OR A STRONGER PLAYER, TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU MADE MISTAKES.

4. MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL: WHEREVER YOU GO AND WHATEVER YOU DO, ENJOY YOUR CHESS.