WINNING IN THE OPENING PART 1

You now know how to look for tactical ideas: forks, pins, ambushes and so on, in your own games. There are some tactical ideas which come up over and over again, especially in the opening. It's well worth learning these off by heart so that you'll be able to see them coming in your games. In this chapter we start to look at some of these ideas.

1) The Fatal Diagonal

We'll look first at something you've probably seen before: the shortest possible game ending in checkmate. You may remember that it goes like this:

1. f2-f3? e7-e5
2. g2-g4?? Qd8-h4# (Diagram 28)

XABCDEFGH
8rsnl+kvlntr(
7zppzpp+pzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+-zp-+-%
4-+-+-+Pwq$
3+-+-+P+-#
2PzPPzPP+-zP"
1tRNvLQmKLsNR!
xabcdefghy
Diagram 28
Checkmate!

A disaster for White! He paid the penalty for moving his King-side pawns in the opening. Of course this doesn't happen very often but you will find opportunities to use the idea of the Queen check in your games.

This is a silly game that really happened. White was playing blindfold.

White: Carl Hartlaub Black: Rosenbaum
Freiburg, 1892
Opening: Italian Game

1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. Bf1-c4 Nb8-c6
3. Ng1-f3

The game started as a Bishop's Opening but has now turned into an Italian Game. Black should play Ng8-f6 or Bf8-c5 here.

3... f7-f6?

4. Nf3-h4!? g7-g5?? (Diagram 29)

XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvlntr(
7zppzpp+-+p'
6-+n+-zp-+&
5+-+-zp-zp-%
4-+L+P+-sN$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzPPzP-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
Diagram 29
White to move

5. Qd1-h5+ Ke8-e7
6. Nh4-f5#

This game was repeated over 100 years later in a game between two Richmond Junior Club members: James Wingfield - Jack Seaman Richmond Rapidplay 1995

Here's another example: a game from the 1974 Chess Olympics. White was from the Dutch Antilles, Black from Wales.

White: OW Rigaud Black: John Cooper
Chess Olympics Nice 1974
Opening: Falkbeer Counter-Gambit

1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. f2-f4 d7-d5

Do you remember this move? It was played in a game in Masters of the Universe 1. Rosanes correctly played e4xd5 against Anderssen. In this game White tried the other capture.

3. f4xe5?? Qd8-h4+ (Diagram 30)

XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+kvlntr(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+pzP-+-%
4-+-+P+-wq$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzPPzP-+PzP"
1tRNvLQmKLsNR!
xabcdefghy
Diagram 30
White to move

4. g2-g3 Qh4xe4+
5. Ke1-f2 Bf8-c5+
White resigns

This is very similar to Micro-Chess Game 3 from MOVE ONE!, which went
1. e2-e4 e7-e5 2. f2-f4 Bf8-c5 3. f4xe5 Qd8-h4+ 4. Ke1–e2 Qh4xe4#

It's well worth playing the Falkbeer Counter-Gambit if you're Black against the King's Gambit. If your opponent hasn't read this book he may well play the wrong pawn capture.

Another idea worth knowing is a combined Queen and Knight attack. Here's a simple example.

1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. Ng1-f3 Bf8-c5?
3. Nf3xe5 f7-f6??
4. Qd1-h5+ g7-g6
5. Ne5xg6! (Diagram 31)

XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqk+ntr(
7zppzpp+-+p'
6-+-+-zpN+&
5+-vl-+-+Q%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzPPzP-zPPzP"
1tRNvL-mKL+R!
xabcdefghy
Diagram 31
Black to move

EXPLOITING THE PIN!

5... h7xg6
6. Qh5xh8

Here are a few more short games on the same theme. The first one, according to many books, is the shortest master game ever played. They tell you that is was played between Amédée Gibaud and Frédéric Lazard in the 1924 Paris Championship. This is untrue for three reasons: 1) it was a friendly game, not a tournament game: 2) the moves are not correct - the winning move was the same but the game lasted a couple of moves longer: 3) the record's been broken anyway, as you'll see shortly.

1. d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2. Nb1-d2?! e7-e5!? 3. d4xe5 Nf6-g4 4. h2-h3? Ng4-e3!! (Diagram 32)
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqkvl-tr(
7zppzpp+pzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-sn-+P#
2PzPPsNPzPP+"
1tR-vLQmKLsNR!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 32
White to move

White resigns: his Queen has no squares and if he takes the Knight Black mates in two moves.

Next, another look at Micro-Chess Game 4 from MOVE ONE!.

Opening: From Gambit

1. f2-f4 e7-e5 2. f4xe5 d7-d6 3. e5xd6 Bf8xd6 4. Nb1-c3? (Ng1-f3 is correct, to prevent the check.) 4... Qd8-h4+ 5. g2-g3 (Diagram 33)

XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+k+ntr(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+-vl-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-wq$
3+-sN-+-zP-#
2PzPPzPP+-zP"
1tR-vLQmKLsNR!
xabcdefghy
Diagram 33
Black to move

5... Qh4xg3+! 6. h2xg3 Bd6xg3#

You may find the final example rather amusing.

White: Frank Teed Black: Eugene Delmar
New York, 1896
Opening: Dutch Defence

1. d2-d4 f7-f5 2. Bc1-g5 h7-h6 3. Bg5-h4 g7-g5 4. Bh4-g3 f5-f4? (This looks like it's winning the Bishop but turns out to be a mistake.) 5. e2-e3! (What's the threat?) 5... h6-h5 6. Bf1-d3 (What's the threat?) 6... Rh8-h6? (Diagram 34)

XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqkvln+(
7zppzppzp-+-'
6-+-+-+-tr&
5+-+-+-zpp%
4-+-zP-zp-+$
3+-+LzP-vL-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tRN+QmK-sNR!
xabcdefghy
Diagram 34
White to move

7. Qd1xh5+! (DECOY!) 7... Rh6xh5 8. Bd3-g6#

When your opponent moves his f-pawn look to see if you have a strong queen check. And think very carefully before moving your f-pawn.

2) Queen Forks

Queens are particularly good at snapping up undefended pieces. A very common way of winning a piece in the opening is via a QUEEN FORK, attacking an undefended piece at the same time as either checking or threatening mate.

a) Queen forks on h5 (h4).

Yes, THAT square again. If Black's f-pawn has moved Qd1-h5 will check the King on e8 and maybe also attack a loose Bishop on c5. Here's the opening of a game from a junior tournament.

Opening: Ruy Lopez

1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3. Bf1-b5 a7-a6
4. Bb5xc6 d7xc6
5. 0–0 f7-f6
6. d2-d4 e5xd4
7. Nf3xd4 Bf8-c5??
8. Qd1-h5+ (Diagram 35)

XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+ntr(
7+pzp-+-zpp'
6p+p+-zp-+&
5+-vl-+-+Q%
4-+-sNP+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tRNvL-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy
Diagram 35
Black to move

Winning the Bishop, and, eventually, the game.

Another example, this time from a grandmaster tournament. Black was one of the best players in the world, but here he plays like a beginner.

White: Frank Marshall Black: Mikhail Chigorin
Monte Carlo 1903
Opening: Queen's Gambit Declined

1. d2-d4 d7-d5
2. c2-c4 Nb8-c6
3. Nb1-c3 d5xc4
4. d4-d5 Nc6-a5
5. Bc1-f4 Bc8-d7
6. e2-e4 e7-e6
7. d5xe6 f7xe6??

8. Qd1-h5+ (Diagram 36)

XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqkvlntr(
7zppzpl+-zpp'
6-+-+p+-+&
5sn-+-+-+Q%
4-+p+PvL-+$
3+-sN-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+-mKLsNR!
xabcdefghy
Diagram 36
Black to move

Rounding up the stray Knight on a5. Black resigned.
b) Queen forks on a4 (a5).

A very common way of winning a piece in the opening. This game really is the shortest ever loss by a player of master strength.

White: Ziva Djordjevic Black: Milorad Kovacevic
Bela Crkva (Yugoslavia) 1984
Opening: Trompowsky Opening

1. d2-d4 Ng8-f6
2. Bc1-g5 c7-c6
3. e2-e3?? Qd8-a5+ (Diagram 37)

XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+kvl-tr(
7zpp+pzppzpp'
6-+p+-sn-+&
5wq-+-+-vL-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-+-zP-+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tRN+QmKLsNR!
xabcdefghy
Diagram 37
White to move

White resigns, as he loses his Bishop for nothing.

The previous (genuine) record holder went like this. It's another Olympic game. White was from Scotland, Black from Lithuania.

White: Robert Combe Black: Wolfgang Hasenfuss
Chess Olympics Folkestone 1933
Opening: Queen's Pawn Game

1. d2-d4 c7-c5
2. c2-c4 c5xd4
3. Ng1-f3 e7-e5
4. Nf3xe5?? Qd8-a5+ (Diagram 38)
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+kvlntr(
7zpp+p+pzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5wq-+-sN-+-%
4-+Pzp-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzP-+PzPPzP"
1tRNvLQmKL+R!
xabcdefghy
Diagram 38
White to move

White resigns. This time it's a Knight that's lost to the fork.

Here's a trap you might be able to try out yourself with White if your opponent plays the Sicilian Defence.

1. e2-e4 c7-c5

This is the Sicilian Defence, the most popular opening in master chess.

2. Ng1-f3 d7-d6
3. Bf1-e2

This will surprise your opponents. The usual move is d2-d4.

3... Ng8-f6
4. c2-c3

Baiting the trap. If Black takes on e4 you know what happens. So he develops his Knight to block the check.

4... Nb8-c6
5. d2-d4 Nf6xe4? (Diagram 39)
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvl-tr(
7zpp+-zppzpp'
6-+nzp-+-+&
5+-zp-+-+-%
4-+-zPn+-+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-+LzPPzP"
1tRNvLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
Diagram 39
White to move

6. d4-d5 Nc6-e5
7. Qd1–a4+

Winning the Knight on e4.

Even strong players often fall for this one. The decisive game in the 1991 Richmond Junior Club Championship saw Black, who should have known better, lose after taking the pawn on move 4. As it happens, Black can win a pawn by playing 5... c5xd4 6. c3xd4 Nf6xe4, when 7. d4-d5 can be answered by Qd8-a5+, saving the piece. White, though, is happy to give up the pawn because he gets a lead in development in exchange.

Just to show how often these forks happen, a game from a recent Richmond Junior Tournament started like this: 1. d2-d4 d7-d5 2. c2-c4 e7-e6 3. e2-e3 Ng8-f6 4. Nb1-c3 Bf8-b4 5. Ng1-e2 b7-b6?? 6. Qd1-a4+ winning a piece because Black can no longer safely play Nb8-c6.

c) Queen forks on d5 (d4).

This usually happens when a Black Knight has captured a pawn on e4 before Black has castled. Then Qd1-d5 (with a Bishop on c4) will threaten Qd5xf7 mate as well as the Knight on e4. Play through this example from the Two Knights Defence.

1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3. Bf1-c4 Ng8-f6
4. d2-d4 Nf6xe4?
5. d4xe5 Bf8-c5??
6. Qd1-d5! (Diagram 40)
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+-tr(
7zppzpp+pzpp'
6-+n+-+-+&
5+-vlQzP-+-%
4-+L+n+-+$
3+-+-+N+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tRNvL-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy
Diagram 40
Black to move

6... Bc5xf2+
7. Ke1-e2

Winning a piece.

This idea is seen a lot in junior chess games. Here's an example where Black wins. It's another King's Gambit.

1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. f2-f4 Bf8-c5
3. Ng1-f3 d7-d6
4. Bf1-c4 Ng8-f6
5. d2-d3 0–0

If White thinks he can now win a pawn he's in for a nasty shock.
6. f4xe5 d6xe5
7. Nf3xe5?? Qd8-d4! (Diagram 41)

XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+-trk+(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+-+-sn-+&
5+-vl-sN-+-%
4-+LwqP+-+$
3+-+P+-+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP"
1tRNvLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
Diagram 41
White to move

Again the Knight is lost. If White plays Ne5-g4 to stop the mate on f2 Black just takes it off: Bc8xg4.

Earlier in this chapter we looked at the start of a Ruy Lopez game: 1. e2-e4 e7-e5 2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3. Bf1-b5 a7-a6 4. Bb5xc6 d7xc6. Perhaps you wondered why White didn't play Nf3xe5 here, giving Diagram 42

XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvlntr(
7+pzp-+pzpp'
6p+p+-+-+&
5+-+-sN-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzPPzP-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmK-+R!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 42
Black to move

The answer is that Black can regain the pawn with the aid of a QUEEN FORK: Qd8-d4, FORKING e4 and e5. Or, if he prefers, Qd8-g5, FORKING g2 and e5. Not to mention Qd8-e7 with a SKEWER on the e-file.
d) Other Queen forks

This last example showed you a possible QUEEN FORK on g5 by Black. This is another idea that crops up quite often. You do have to be careful, though, that your Queen does not run into trouble in enemy territory.

Another square for a QUEEN FORK is b3. If you turn back to the Masters of the Universe section of the last chapter you'll find an example of the 7th move of Morphy's game against the Duke and the Count. Variation 4A1 of Chapter 6 will show you another example.

Watch your for all these ideas in your games. Remember them and they'll win you a lot of points.

QUIZ

A two-part quiz to test that you remember what you've read in the last two chapters. Five questions on Chapter 2 and five on Chapter 3. You need to score at least 4 out of 5 in each part to pass. If you don't make it, go back and read the chapter you fell down on again.

Q1.
XABCDEFGH
8r+lwqk+-tr(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+nzp-sn-+&
5+-vl-zp-+-%
4-+L+P+-+$
3+-sNP+N+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
White to move.
Would you play:
a) Bc1-g5, b) Nc3-d5, c) 0-0 or d) Nf3-g5?
Q2.
XABCDEFGH
8r+lwqk+-tr(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+nzp-sn-+&
5+-vl-zp-vL-%
4-+L+P+-+$
3+-sNP+N+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tR-+QmK-+R!
xabcdefgh
Black to move.
Would you play:
a) Bc8-g4, b) Nc6-a5, c) 0-0 or d) Nf6-g4?
Q3.
XABCDEFGH
8r+-wqk+-tr(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+nzp-sn-+&
5+-vl-zp-vL-%
4-+L+P+l+$
3+-sNP+N+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefgh
Black to move.
Would you play:
a) Bg4xf3, b) 0-0, c) Nc6-d4 or d) Nc6-a5?
Q4.
XABCDEFGH
8r+lwqr+k+(
7zppzp-+p+p'
6-+nzp-zp-vL&
5+-vl-zp-+-%
4-+L+P+-+$
3+-+P+N+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tR-+QmK-+R!
xabcdefgh
White to move.
Would you play:
a) Qd1-d2, b) 0-0, c) Nf3-d2 or d) Nf3-h4?
Q5.
XABCDEFGH
8r+-wqk+-tr(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+-zp-sn-+&
5+-vl-zp-vL-%
4-+LsnP+-+$
3zP-sNP+P+-#
2-zPP+-zP-zP"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefgh
Black to move.
Would you play:
a) Qd8-d7, b) Nd4xf3+ c) 0-0 or d) Nf6-h5?
Q6.
XABCDEFGH
8rsnlwqkvlntr(
7zppzpp+-zpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+-zp-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmKLsNR!
xabcdefgh
White to move.
What would you play?
Q7.
XABCDEFGH
8r+l+k+-tr(
7zppzpp+pzpp'
6-+n+-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-sNn+-wq$
3zP-zP-+PzP-#
2-+P+-+-zP"
1tR-vLQmKL+R!
xabcdefgh
Black to move.
What would you play?
Q8.
XABCDEFGH
8rsnlwq-+ntr(
7zppzpp+kzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-vl-+-+-%
4-+-zpP+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmK-sNR!
xabcdefgh
White to move.
What would you play?
Q9.
XABCDEFGH
8rsnlwqkvl-tr(
7zppzp-zppzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+P+-+-%
4-+-+n+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzP-zP-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmKLsNR!
xabcdefgh
White to move.
What would you play?
Q10.
XABCDEFGH
8r+lwqk+-tr(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-+p+-sn-+&
5+-vl-sN-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+-+P+-+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmK-+R!
xabcdefgh
Black to move.
What would you play?

ACTIVITIES

In the next chapter we'll be looking at some positions with King and Pawn against King. Before you go on to the next chapter you might like to have a look at the positions on the next page (Diagrams 43, 44, 45 and 46). See if you can work out whether each of the positions is a win for White or a draw. Look at each position first with White to move, and then with Black to move.

XABCDEFGH
8-+-+k+-+(
7+-+-zP-+-'
6-+-mK-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 43
a) White to play
b) Black to play
XABCDEFGH
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-+-mk-+-'
6-+-+P+-+&
5+-+K+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 44
a) White to play
b) Black to play
XABCDEFGH
8-+-+k+-+(
7+-+-+-+-'
6-+-+K+-+&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 45
a) White to play
b) Black to play
XABCDEFGH
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-+-mk-+-'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+-mK-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 46
a) White to play
b) Black to play

Masters of the Universe 3

After Paul Morphy's retirement Adolf Anderssen was once again considered the strongest player in the world. The next big International Tournament took place in London in 1862 and Anderssen again came out the winner.

A young man from Prague called Wilhelm Steinitz came to London to play in the 1862 tournament. After finishing in sixth place he decided to stay in London and turn professional. By 1866 he had improved enough to win a match against Anderssen by 8 games to 6 (no draws!). In his early days he had a reputation as a brilliant attacking player in the style of Morphy.

In this friendly game he gave his opponent a Rook start, so take the White Rook on a1 off the board before you start playing it through.

White: Wilhelm Steinitz Black: Rock
London 1863
Opening: Evans Gambit

1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3. Bf1-c4 Bf8-c5
4. b2-b4 (Diagram 47)

XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+ntr(
7zppzpp+pzpp'
6-+n+-+-+&
5+-vl-zp-+-%
4-zPL+P+-+$
3+-+-+N+-#
2P+PzP-zPPzP"
1+NvLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
Diagram 47
Black to move

This is the Evans Gambit, invented by a Welsh sea captain called William Evans. It was one of the most popular openings in the last century. White sacrifices a pawn to control the centre and gain time for development.

4... Bc5xb4
5. c2-c3 Bb4-a5
6. d2-d4 e5xd4
7. 0-0 Ng8-f6
8. Bc1-a3

To stop Black from castling.

8... Ba5-b6?
9. Qd1-b3 d7-d5
10. e4xd5 Nc6-a5

11. Rf1-e1+ Bc8-e6 (Diagram 48)

XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqk+-tr(
7zppzp-+pzpp'
6-vl-+lsn-+&
5sn-+P+-+-%
4-+Lzp-+-+$
3vLQzP-+N+-#
2P+-+-zPPzP"
1+N+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
Diagram 48
White to move

Now Steinitz sacrifices his Queen. The Black monarch has to walk the plank, along the diagonal from e8 to a4, where he falls off the board into the water!

12. d5xe6!! Na5xb3?

Better was Na5xc4 when he's not getting mated, but White still has a very strong attack.

13. e6xf7+ Ke8-d7
14. Bc4-e6+ Kd7-c6
15. Nf3-e5+ Kc6-b5
16. Be6-c4+ Kc6-b5
17. Ba3-b4+ Ka5-a4
18. a2xb3#

Another famous tournament took place in London in 1883. It was won by a man called Johannes Zukertort. Steinitz finished well behind in second place. At a banquet after the tournament a toast was drunk to the World Champion. Both Steinitz and Zukertort stood up to be acclaimed. So in 1886 a match was arranged in America to find out who really was the World Champion. Steinitz came out the winner, and so became the first official World Champion.

Steinitz was a very important chess teacher. He taught that you must gain an advantage by putting your pieces on better squares than those of your opponent before you start to attack. He became famous in his later years for his defensive style of play. But even as an old man he could still attack as strongly as anyone.

White: Wilhelm Steinitz Black: Curt von Bardeleben
Hastings 1895
Opening: Giuoco Piano

1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3. Bf1-c4 Bf8-c5
4. c2-c3 Ng8-f6
5. d2-d4 e5xd4
6. c3xd4 Bc5-b4+

7. Nb1-c3 (Diagram 49)

XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+-tr(
7zppzpp+pzpp'
6-+n+-sn-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-vlLzPP+-+$
3+-sN-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy
Diagram 49
Black to move

You'll learn more about this opening variation in Chapter 6. White's sacrificing a pawn here (7... Nf6xe4, EXPLOITING THE PIN), but Black turns down the offer.

7... d7-d5
8. e4xd5 Nf6xd5
9. 0-0 Bc8-e6
10. Bc1-g5 Bb4-e7
11. Bc4xd5 Be6xd5
12. Nc3xd5 Qd8xd5
13. Bg5xe7 Nc6xe7
14. Rf1-e1 (PIN!) f7-f6
15. Qd1-e2 Qd5-d7
16. Ra1-c1 c7-c6?
17. d4-d5!

A pawn sacrifice to clear the d4 square for his Knight.

17... c6xd5
18. Nf3-d4 Ke8-f7
19. Nd4-e6 Rh8-c8
20. Qe2-g4 g7-g6
21. Ne6-g5+ Kf7-e8 (Diagram 50)

XABCDEFGHY
8r+r+k+-+(
7zpp+qsn-+p'
6-+-+-zpp+&
5+-+p+-sN-%
4-+-+-+Q+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1+-tR-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy
Diagram 50
White to move

22. Re1xe7+!! Ke8-f8

Qd7xe7 would have lost to Rc1xc8+, and after Ke8xe7, White gets a winning attack with Rc1-e1+. It now looks as if White is in trouble. Black threatens Rc8xc1+, forcing mate, Qd7xg4 and f6xg5. But Steinitz has seen a very long way ahead.

23. Re7-f7+! Kf8-g8
24. Rf7-g7+! Kg8-h8

Black still can't take the Rook: if he takes with the Queen White still has Rc1xc8+, and if he takes with the King, Qg4xd7 is check. And if the King had returned to f8, Ng5xh7+ would have won.

25. Rg7xh7+

At this point Black stormed out of the room and never came back, losing the game on time. Not very nice: don't do it in your tournament games! Here's how Steinitz was planning to win the game: 25...Kh8-g8 26. Rh7-g7+ Kg8-h8 27. Qg4-h4+ Kh8xg7 28. Qh4-h7+ Kg7-f8 29. Qh7-h8+ Kf8-e7
30. Qh8-g7+ Ke7-e8 31. Qg7-g8+ Ke8-e7 32. Qg8-f7+ Ke7-d8 33. Qf7-f8+ Qd7-e8 34. Ng5-f7+ Kd8-d7 35. Qf8-d6#

Steinitz must have seen all this at move 22! You may not yet understand how it's possible to see a long way ahead like that, but as you work through this book you'll start to learn how to go about it.

LESSONS FROM CHAPTER 3

1. DON'T MAKE THE MISTAKE OF ONLY STARTING TO LOOK AT TACTICAL IDEAS WHEN YOU REACH THE MIDDLE-GAME. THEY CAN OFTEN OCCUR IN THE OPENING.

2. WATCH OUT FOR ATTACKS ON THE e1-h4 AND e8-h5 DIAGONALS IN THE OPENING.

3. QUEENS ARE VERY GOOD AT FORKING UNDEFENDED PIECES - SO WATCH OUT FOR QUEEN FORKS THROUGHOUT THE GAME. BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT LEAVING PIECES UNDEFENDED.

4. WHEN THERE'S BEEN A PAWN EXCHANGE IN THE CENTRE, CASTLE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. SEE WHAT HAPPENED TO STEINITZ'S OPPONENTS WHEN THEY DIDN'T CASTLE.