Cochrane Gambit
The Cochrane Gambit is a speculative knight sacrifice that arises in the Petroff Defence: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 and now 4.Nxf7!?
Black has no good alternative to taking the knight, and White is left with two pawns and an exposed black king as compensation for the sacrificed knight. Rather than striving for a quick attack on the black king, White will typically aim to build up a strong centre, while Black's natural development plans are disrupted by the misplaced black king, and Black will often spend tempi moving the king to a relatively safe position, allowing White to accumulate a space advantage and initiative in the meantime. In some games White completely crushes Black by pushing the central pawns forward, forcing Black to make heavy concessions.
The above position is a good illustration of the sort of trouble that Black can get into. Even though Black has succeeded in exchanging queens and remains a piece ahead for just two pawns, White is close to winning due to the powerful central pawns and kingside pressure.
The Cochrane Gambit is probably not completely sound, so players after a completely sound antidote to the Petroff may be advised to look at, for instance, Michael Goeller's 3.d4 repertoire or the line 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Nxc3 6.dxc3, which gives White the opportunity to castle queenside and, if Black castles short, roll the kingside pawns forward. However, I think the Cochrane is close enough to being fully sound to be a perfectly viable weapon at club level (and maybe a fair way beyond that).
The Cochrane Gambit is probably not completely sound, so players after a completely sound antidote to the Petroff may be advised to look at, for instance, Michael Goeller's 3.d4 repertoire or the line 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Nxc3 6.dxc3, which gives White the opportunity to castle queenside and, if Black castles short, roll the kingside pawns forward. However, I think the Cochrane is close enough to being fully sound to be a perfectly viable weapon at club level (and maybe a fair way beyond that).
Important lines and ideas
After the obligatory 4...Kxf7, White should avoid 5.Bc4+ as it is met by the strong 5...d5, attacking the white bishop and striking out in the centre, giving Black easy play. The usual move for White is instead 5.d4, with the idea that 5...Nxe4?! doesn't work because of 6.Qh5+ which results in White picking up the knight on e4 after 6...g6 7.Qd5+ or 6...Ke7 7.Qe2.
Most of Black's responses to 5.d4 allow White to get sufficient compensation for the sacrificed knight.
5...d5 6.e5 Ne4 leaves Black's knight in an unstable position after 7.Bd3.
5...Be7 can be followed up with the idea of "castling by hand" with ...Re8 and ...Kg8, but in the meantime White can build up a strong centre. 6.Nc3 c6 (or 6...Re8 7.Bc4+ Kf8 8.0-0) 7.Bd3 Re8 8.0-0 Kg8 9.h3 are typical sample lines, with White enjoying considerable compensation for the piece.
5...Qe8 has been given as better for Black in some sources, but I am not convinced. Black increases the pressure against e4, but 6.Nc3 d5 (6...c5 is suggested by Watson but then both 7.Be3!? and 7.Bc4+ Be6 8.d5 are quite good.) 7.e5 gives White good play.
The main theoretical problem, as far as I can see, is 5...g6 6.Nc3 (6.Bc4+ Kg7 7.Nc3 Be7 is also unconvincing) 6...c5 which intends to tuck the black king away on g7, while undermining White's d4-pawn. White retains practical chances due to Black's exposed king but theoretically the resulting positions appear to slightly favour Black. Black can also play 5...c5 but this gives White the additional possibility 6.dxc5 (6.Bc4+ is met by 6...d5 7.exd5 b5) 6...Nc6 7.Bc4+ Be6 8.Bxe6+ Kxe6, where White has more in the way of chances due to Black's exposed king. In that line, however, Black also has 6...d5!? which may suffice for a theoretical edge.
White's main alternative is 5.Nc3, which usually transposes to 5.d4 lines with Nb1-c3, following a subsequent d2-d4, since if White holds back with the d-pawn then this hinders White's ability to crush Black using the central pawns. I haven't been able to find a convincing way for White to avoid transposing into the problematic 5.d4 g6 6.Nc3 c5 line, but it appears that White can get good compensation for the sacrificed knight against other responses by Black.
Most of Black's responses to 5.d4 allow White to get sufficient compensation for the sacrificed knight.
5...d5 6.e5 Ne4 leaves Black's knight in an unstable position after 7.Bd3.
5...Be7 can be followed up with the idea of "castling by hand" with ...Re8 and ...Kg8, but in the meantime White can build up a strong centre. 6.Nc3 c6 (or 6...Re8 7.Bc4+ Kf8 8.0-0) 7.Bd3 Re8 8.0-0 Kg8 9.h3 are typical sample lines, with White enjoying considerable compensation for the piece.
5...Qe8 has been given as better for Black in some sources, but I am not convinced. Black increases the pressure against e4, but 6.Nc3 d5 (6...c5 is suggested by Watson but then both 7.Be3!? and 7.Bc4+ Be6 8.d5 are quite good.) 7.e5 gives White good play.
The main theoretical problem, as far as I can see, is 5...g6 6.Nc3 (6.Bc4+ Kg7 7.Nc3 Be7 is also unconvincing) 6...c5 which intends to tuck the black king away on g7, while undermining White's d4-pawn. White retains practical chances due to Black's exposed king but theoretically the resulting positions appear to slightly favour Black. Black can also play 5...c5 but this gives White the additional possibility 6.dxc5 (6.Bc4+ is met by 6...d5 7.exd5 b5) 6...Nc6 7.Bc4+ Be6 8.Bxe6+ Kxe6, where White has more in the way of chances due to Black's exposed king. In that line, however, Black also has 6...d5!? which may suffice for a theoretical edge.
White's main alternative is 5.Nc3, which usually transposes to 5.d4 lines with Nb1-c3, following a subsequent d2-d4, since if White holds back with the d-pawn then this hinders White's ability to crush Black using the central pawns. I haven't been able to find a convincing way for White to avoid transposing into the problematic 5.d4 g6 6.Nc3 c5 line, but it appears that White can get good compensation for the sacrificed knight against other responses by Black.
Games and analysis
The coverage is divided as follows:
1. 5.Bc4+?!
2. 5.d4 Be7 (plus other 5th-move options
3. 5.d4 Qe8
4. 5.d4 g6
5. 5.d4 c5
6. 5.Nc3
1. 5.Bc4+?!
2. 5.d4 Be7 (plus other 5th-move options
3. 5.d4 Qe8
4. 5.d4 g6
5. 5.d4 c5
6. 5.Nc3
[Event "Groningen GAM"]
[Site "Groningen"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Reinderman, Dimitri"]
[Black "Bosboom, Manuel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2440"]
[BlackElo "2430"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 {The Petroff Defence.} 3. Nxe5 d6 (3... Nxe4 {is dubious,
but not disastrous. Black generally temporarily goes a pawn behind and then
falls behind in development in regaining the pawn. For example,} 4. Qe2 Qe7 5.
Qxe4 d6 6. d4 dxe5 7. dxe5 (7. Qxe5 Qxe5+ 8. dxe5 Bf5 {gives Black partial
compensation for the pawn, Sergeev,G (2412)-Afromeev,V (2573) Tula 2005}) 7...
Nc6 8. Bb5 Bd7 9. Nc3 O-O-O 10. Bf4 (10. O-O Nxe5 11. Be3 Bxb5 12. Nxb5 {with
a slight advantage, Ponkratov,P (2615)-Bezgodov,A (2494) Tyumen 2014}) 10...
Qb4 ({Also good for White is} 10... g5 11. Bg3 a6 12. Ba4) 11. O-O-O Qxe4 12.
Nxe4 Nxe5 13. Bxd7+ Nxd7 14. Ng5 {with advantage for White, Csonka,A (2387)
-Volkmann,F (2420) Austria 2014}) (3... Qe7 {also gives White some advantage
after, for example,} 4. d4 d6 5. Nf3 Nxe4 6. Be2) 4. Nxf7 {Diagram [#] A
speculative knight sacrifice, with the idea of exposing the black king and
gaining a strong centre.} Kxf7 {There is no good way to decline the knight
sacrifice.} 5. Bc4+ {Probably slightly inferior to 5.Nc3 and 5.d4, because of
Black's strong reply.} d5 {Black strikes out in the centre and is thus able to
free the position.} (5... Be6 6. Bxe6+ Kxe6 7. d4 $44 {leaves White with
promising compensation for the sacrificed knight.}) 6. exd5 (6. Bb3 {has been
tried in some games, and Black generally responded sub-optimally. I think
that White gets some, but not quite enough, compensation for the sacrificed
knight after, for example,} Bg4 (6... Nc6 7. d4 Be6 8. e5 Ne4 9. O-O {is
another sample continuation, but here I think White has reasonable
compensation for the piece, and can set about gaining the initiative starting
by kicking Black's e4-knight away with f2-f3.}) 7. f3 Be6 8. d4 c5 {and Black
is slightly better. White still doesn't have many pieces out.}) 6... Bd6 {
Concentrating on development and preventing any tricks based on d5-d6. The
black king can "castle by hand" with ...Rf8 (or ...Re8) followed by ...Kg8.} (
6... Qe8+ {is the main alternative.} 7. Be2 (7. Kf1 {holds the d5-pawn,
leaving White with three pawns for the piece, but Black has the better game
following} Bd6) 7... Bg4 (7... Nxd5 8. O-O {followed by Re1 gives White good
attacking chances.}) 8. f3 Bf5 9. Nc3 {and White has three pawns for the piece
but Black has good development.}) 7. O-O Rf8 8. d4 Kg8 {Diagram [#] White has
three pawns for the piece, but Black has "castled" and has the better
development, so this position is advantageous for Black, and in practice
White's results have been dismal.} 9. h3 (9. Nc3 {is a more active move,
concentrating on getting pieces out.} Nbd7 10. Bg5 Nb6 11. Bb3 Qe8 {is one
plausible continuation, which is probably a little better for Black.}) 9... Bf5
10. Bb3 b5 11. a4 bxa4 12. Rxa4 Qe8 13. Nd2 Qg6 14. Kh1 Bg4 {A cheeky move,
since White cannot safely take the bishop.} 15. Nf3 ({White must avoid} 15.
hxg4 $4 Qh6+ 16. Kg1 Qh2#) 15... Qh5 ({Stronger is} 15... Bxf3 16. Qxf3 Ne4)
16. Kg1 Nbd7 17. Re1 (17. hxg4 $2 {is still bad for White, e.g.} Nxg4 18. Re1
Bh2+ 19. Kf1 Bg3 20. Re7 (20. fxg3 Qh1+ 21. Ke2 Qxg2+ 22. Kd3 Nf2+) 20... Nxf2)
(17. Be3 {is met by the strong sacrifice} Bxh3) 17... Kh8 (17... Bxh3 18. gxh3
Qxh3 {is no longer effective because of} 19. Ne5) 18. hxg4 $6 (18. Re3 {may
have been safer, after which Black may have a slight edge but there are no
immediate threats.}) 18... Nxg4 {Black's attacking chances in this position
are more than worth two pawns.} 19. Re4 (19. Be3 Rae8) 19... Bh2+ 20. Kf1 Ndf6
21. Re6 Bg3 22. Be3 Nxe3+ 23. fxe3 $6 (23. Rxe3 {is a stronger defence but is
still difficult for White, e.g.} Ng4 24. Ke2 Rae8) 23... Ng4 24. Ke2 Rxf3 25.
Rxa7 Rff8 26. Qa1 Rxa7 27. Qxa7 Qh1 28. Kd3 Qf1+ 29. Kc3 Be1# 0-1
[Event "GEO-ch KO 3rd-4th place 67th"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2008.03.31"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Shanava, Konstantine"]
[Black "Mchedlishvili, Mikheil"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2521"]
[BlackElo "2635"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nxf7 Kxf7 5. d4 {This is the most common
continuation. White takes control of the centre immediately, rather than
checking the black king. The e4-pawn cannot be taken safely.} Be7 {Diagram [#]
A quiet developing continuation, preparing to castle by hand with ...Rf8/Re8
and ...Kg8. However, I think White can get enough compensation for the
sacrificed knight in this line by forgoing ideas of an immediate attack on the
black king, and aiming for a slow build-up in the centre.} ({White ends up
with an extra pawn for insufficient compensation after} 5... Nxe4 $6 6. Qh5+ g6
(6... Ke7 7. Qe2 $16) 7. Qd5+ Kg7 8. Qxe4 {although Black can get partial
compensation for the pawn starting with} Nc6 {, for example,} 9. c3 $6 (9. d5 {
is stronger, and then} Ne5 10. Be2 Bf5 11. Qd4 {is one plausible continuation,
with advantage for White}) 9... Bf5 10. Qf4 Qd7 11. Be3 d5 {and Black's
compensation is quite good, Reinderman,D (2525)-Van der Sterren,P (2535)
Amsterdam 1999}) (5... d5 {is a rarely played but sensible-looking option,
striking out at the centre immediately. The downside is that following} 6. e5
Ne4 {Black's knight on e4 is in an unstable position.} 7. Bd3 Nc6 8. Be3 Be7 9.
O-O $44 {is one likely continuation, with good chances for White.}) (5... Bg4
6. f3 Be6 7. Nc3 {is also quite promising for White, building up a strong
centre, for example,} d5 8. e5 Ne8 9. Bd3 g6 10. O-O $44 {Kangur,A (2539)
-Gerzina,M (2535) ICCF email 2006}) (5... c6 {covers the d5 and b5-squares and
allows the black queen access to b6 and a5. I think White shouldn't have much
trouble getting full compensation for the sacrificed knight in this line
either, e.g.} 6. Nc3 Qa5 (6... Be7 {transposes to the game.}) 7. Bd2 Qh5 8. Be2
Qh4 9. Bf3 $44) (5... Nbd7 {has been suggested by John Watson and has only
been tested in a few games and remains largely unexplored. I think White
should be able to get enough compensation for the knight here too, e.g.} 6. Nc3
Nb6 (6... c5 $6 7. e5 {doesn't work for Black.}) 7. Bd3 c5 8. O-O Qe8 9. b3 {
(discouraging ...c5-c4) and if} cxd4 10. Nb5 $44) 6. Nc3 {Probably the best
response, defending e4 and bringing another piece out.} c6 (6... Re8 {is most
popular, but while Black is busy castling by hand, White can set about
building up an impressive array of pawns in the centre.} 7. Bc4+ Kf8 (7... Be6
{is met by} 8. Bxe6+ Kxe6 {and now Black is further away from getting the king
into safety, and I like White's chances after} 9. O-O Kf7 10. f4 $44 {Kololli,
K (2094)-Gressmann,M (1999) Magdeburg 2013}) 8. O-O c5 9. d5 Nbd7 10. f4 $44 {
Cox,J (2008)-Poelstra,B (2102) Hoogeveen 2011}) 7. Bd3 (7. Bc4+ {is a good
alternative, for here} d5 8. exd5 cxd5 9. Nxd5 {gives White a third pawn for
the piece. Black must defuse White's threats against the exposed king with}
Be6 10. Ne3 Bxc4 11. Nxc4 {and chances are approximately equal as White has
three pawns for the piece and fairly strong central control, Marcotulli,G
(2271)-Anderskewitz,R (2301) IECG email 2004}) 7... Re8 (7... Rf8 8. O-O Kg8 {
has scored 100% for White in the database. Because of Black's threat of ...
Ng4 uncovering the f8-rook's path down the f-file,} 9. h3 {is advisable here,
but White's compensation for the piece is pretty good.}) 8. O-O Kg8 9. h3 ({I
am not convinced by the immediate attempt to force matters in the centre with}
9. e5 dxe5 10. dxe5 Ng4 11. Bf4 Rf8 {although White enjoys some attacking
prospects on the kingside.}) 9... Na6 10. a3 {Preventing ...Nc6-b4.} ({Now
that White has covered the g4-square, White can consider} 10. e5 {again, but
this is met by} Nd7 (10... dxe5 $2 11. dxe5 {leaves Black facing a kingside
onslaught, for example,} Nd5 12. Qh5 g6 13. Bxg6 $1 hxg6 14. Qxg6+ Kh8 15. Qh5+
Kg8 16. Bh6 $16) 11. f4 (11. Qh5 Nf8) 11... Nf8) 10... g6 11. f4 Bf8 12. f5 (
12. Qf3 {is a good alternative, adding some more preparation behind the f4-f5
push.}) 12... gxf5 13. Bg5 Bg7 14. Kh1 ({A good alternative is} 14. exf5 h6 15.
Bh4 Qb6 16. Rf4 $44) 14... Nc7 (14... Qb6 {threatening to take on d4 is
inconvenient for White here.}) 15. Qf3 Qd7 16. Rae1 d5 ({White gets good
kingside attacking chances, despite the exchanges, following} 16... fxe4 17.
Nxe4 Nxe4 18. Rxe4) 17. e5 $5 {This leads to sacrificial attacks, but it may
not necessarily be best.} (17. exf5 {followed by Qg3 retains excellent
attacking chances for White.}) 17... Ne4 18. Nxe4 ({The materialistic} 18. Bxe4
$6 dxe4 19. Qg3 {is well met by} Nd5) (18. Rxe4 dxe4 19. Nxe4 {probably
doesn't work because of} Qd5) 18... dxe4 19. Rxe4 $1 (19. Bxe4 $2 fxe4 20. Qxe4
Qd5 {leaves White two pieces down for not much.}) 19... Qf7 ({After} 19... fxe4
$6 20. Qxe4 {it appears that White's attacking chances are sufficient, despite
being a rook and knight down, although it is not clear if White has more than
a draw if Black finds the right defensive moves.}) (19... h6 {is the strongest
test but White's attacking chances may still be sufficient, e.g.} 20. Rf4 Ne6
21. Bxh6 Nxf4 22. Qxf4 Bxh6 23. Qxh6 Qg7 24. Bc4+ Kf8 25. Qd6+ {is likely to
lead to a draw by perpetual check.}) 20. Rh4 {Now White is back to being just
a piece for two pawns down, and has at least sufficient attacking chances as
compensation.} Be6 21. c4 Rf8 22. g4 Bxc4 23. Bxc4 Qxc4 24. gxf5 Rf7 $2 (24...
Qd5 {should have been played immediately although White still has more than
enough play for the sacrificed knight after} 25. Qxd5+ cxd5 26. Rg4) 25. Rg1
Qd5 26. Qxd5 Nxd5 27. f6 {Diagram [#] This is quite typical of how White often
wins in the Cochrane Gambit. Rather than falling for a quick checkmate, Black
ends up crushed by White's powerful wall of central pawns.} Kh8 (27... Bf8 $2
28. e6) 28. fxg7+ Rxg7 29. Rhg4 {This leaves White with an extra pawn in the
endgame and the advantage of bishop against knight in an open position. White
went on to win.} Rg6 30. h4 Rag8 31. h5 R6g7 32. R4g2 Rf7 33. h6 Rg6 34. Bd2
Ne7 35. Rxg6 hxg6 36. Bg5 Nf5 37. e6 Rf8 38. e7 Re8 39. Kg2 Kh7 40. Rf1 Kg8 41.
Rf3 Kf7 42. Rb3 b6 43. Rc3 Nxd4 44. h7 Rh8 45. Re3 Ke8 46. Bf6 Rxh7 47. Bxd4
Rxe7 48. Be5 c5 49. Kf3 Kd7 50. Rd3+ Kc6 51. Rd6+ Kb5 52. Ke4 a5 53. a4+ 1-0
[Event "Keres Memorial-A"]
[Site "Tallinn"]
[Date "2007.01.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Sulskis, Sarunas"]
[Black "Liiva, Riho"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2525"]
[BlackElo "2439"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2007.01.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "EST"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.07"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nxf7 Kxf7 5. d4 Qe8 {One of Black's most
important responses to 5.d4. Black increases the pressure on e4. However, I
think White can get full compensation for the sacrificed knight in this line.}
6. Nc3 {This is usually played, adding to the defence of the e4-pawn and
bringing a piece out.} d5 {Striking out in the centre and undermining White's
e4-pawn.} (6... c5 {is perhaps not as strong as it is on the fifth move.} 7.
Bc4+ (7. Be3 {is an untested Rybka suggestion which looks promising for White,
e.g.} Nc6 (7... cxd4 8. Bxd4 Be6 9. Be2 $44) 8. Bc4+ Kg6 9. dxc5 Be6 10. Nd5
$44) 7... Be6 8. d5 Bd7 9. Qe2 $13 {and I think White's compensation is quite
good.}) 7. e5 {This does not immediately threaten the f6-knight because of the
pin on the e-file against the white king, but Black must be careful.} Bb4 {
This looks aggressive but White can just develop and castle kingside and get
out of the pin.} (7... c5 {is more critical, and scores well for Black in the
database. Black undermines the d4-pawn. However, White can get reasonable
compensation for the piece with} 8. Bb5 {, for example,} Nc6 9. Ne2 Nd7 10. f4)
8. Bd3 (8. Be2 {is also good, unpinning the e5-pawn. For example,} Ne4 9. O-O
Bxc3 10. bxc3 Nxc3 11. Bh5+ g6 12. Qf3+ Kg8 13. Qxc3 gxh5 14. Rb1 $44 {
Fernandez Romero,E (2188)-Andres Gonzalez,A (2258) Seville 1999}) 8... Ne4 9.
O-O (9. Bxe4 dxe4 10. O-O {is also promising for White. Brenninkmeijer,J
(2490)-Hoeksema,H (2415) Groningen 1995}) 9... Nxc3 10. bxc3 Bxc3 {White has
given up a pawn, so is now a piece down for just one pawn, but retains
considerable attacking chances. I am not convinced that this continuation is
fully sound, though, and prefer 9.Bxe4, above.} 11. Rb1 ({White also has the
materialistic} 11. Qf3+ Kg8 12. Qxd5+ Be6 13. Qxb7 Nd7 {which leaves White
with three pawns for the piece, but White's initiative fizzles out, so I think
White is better off with the game continuation.}) 11... Nc6 12. Bb5 ({White
can also try} 12. Qh5+ g6 (12... Kf8 13. Ba3+ Ne7 14. Qf3+ $44) 13. Bxg6+ hxg6
14. Qf3+ Kg8 15. Qxc3 {which gets back a second pawn for the piece, but again
White's initiative is reduced.}) 12... Kg8 13. Rb3 a6 14. Ba4 b5 (14... Ba5 {
intending} 15. Rg3 Bf5 {is more critical, whereupon I am not convinced that
White's attack is worth the sacrificed material.}) 15. Rxc3 bxa4 16. Rc5 Be6
17. f4 Bf5 18. c4 dxc4 19. d5 Nb4 20. d6 cxd6 21. exd6 Qg6 $2 (21... Qf7 {was
a better defence, the main point being} 22. Qd4 Bd3 23. Re1 Nc2 {although this
is not a complete disaster for White following} 24. d7 Nxd4 25. Rc8+ Qf8 26.
Ree8 Kf7 27. d8=Q Rxc8 28. Rxf8+ Rxf8 29. Qxd4) 22. Qd4 Bd3 23. Re1 h6 (23...
Nc2 $2 24. Qd5+ {forces checkmate.}) 24. Re7 Qf6 25. Bb2 Qxd4+ 26. Bxd4 Rd8 27.
Rxg7+ Kf8 28. Bf6 h5 29. d7 Rh6 30. Bxd8 Kxg7 31. Bf6+ 1-0
[Event "W-ch34 prel10 email"]
[Site "ICCF email"]
[Date "2010.03.10"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Canibal, Jaromir"]
[Black "Limanskis, Nikolajs"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2351"]
[BlackElo "2238"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2010.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn (corr)"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.12"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nxf7 Kxf7 5. d4 {One of the most popular
responses to 5.d4, intending to bring the king to comparative safety on g7.} g6
6. Nc3 {Usually played and probably best, developing a piece and defending e4.}
(6. Bc4+ Kg7 7. Nc3 Be7 {is the other popular continuation but it is less
convincing for White.} 8. O-O (8. Bf4 Nh5 9. Be3 Bg5 $15) {and Black can get a
good game using the "fork trick"} 8... Nxe4 9. Nxe4 d5) 6... Kg7 {Most
consistent but possibly not the best move.} (6... c5 {is the most critical
test, undermining White's central pawns and encouraging an exchange of pawns
on c5 followed by a queen exchange on the d-file.} 7. Bc4+ (7. Bf4 Nc6 {and
the d-pawn comes under stonger attack, preventing the plan of Qd2 and 0-0-0})
7... Kg7 8. dxc5 {is the usual way of meeting this, but Black has a 100% score
in the database.} (8. h4 {is an aggressive alternative, attacking on the
kingside immediately, but I doubt that this gives full compensation either, e.
g.} cxd4 9. h5 h6 10. Nd5 gxh5 11. Qxd4 Nc6 12. Qc3 Ne5) 8... Nc6 {with
advantage for Black, for example,} 9. Bg5 h6 10. Be3 (10. Bh4 {should probably
be preferred, keeping the pin, but then} g5 11. Bg3 dxc5 12. Qe2 Nd4 13. Qd3 {
is still better for Black.}) 10... dxc5 11. Qxd8 Nxd8 {Van Tricht,M (2188)
-Hans,P (2122) LSS email 2010}) (6... Be6 7. Bd3 {gives White few problems
getting enough compensation, for example} c5 {is now well met by} 8. d5 {-
Mark Ginsburg}) 7. Bf4 Nc6 8. Qd2 {A logical plan, with queenside castling and
a h-pawn hack geared against Black's g6-pawn, aiming to open lines against the
black king.} h6 {Black moves the h-pawn to prevent Bh6+, but this weakens the
black kingside.} 9. f3 Kh7 {Since the king ends up returning to g7 in a few
moves' time, this may amount to a loss of tempo.} (9... Be7 10. O-O-O a6 {
intending ...b5 is a good way for Black to get some counterplay rolling on the
queenside, although White has reasonable attacking chances on the kingside in
return for the sacrificed knight.}) 10. O-O-O {Diagram [#] White has good
long-term attacking chances since Black's kingside pawns have advanced
slightly, making them easy targets for a kingside pawn roller from White.} a6
11. g4 b5 12. h4 h5 (12... Bg7 13. g5 (13. h5 g5 {closes off many of White's
attacking options}) 13... Nh5 14. Be3 $44) 13. Nd5 Kg7 (13... Bg7 {leaves
Black with defensive problems after} 14. Bg5) 14. Bg5 Be7 15. Nxe7 Qxe7 16.
gxh5 Rxh5 17. Be2 Rh8 $6 (17... Rh7 18. h5 gxh5 {is a stronger defence as the
black king can hide more easily on f7 or h8, though White remains better in
spite of being a piece for two pawns down.} 19. Rhg1 {is a strong continuation.
}) 18. h5 Bd7 (18... gxh5 {should be met by} 19. Rh4 {followed in most cases
by Rg1, and White has a strong, probably winning, attack.}) 19. hxg6 {An early
resignation, but White's attack should be winning with best play.} 1-0
[Event "FIDE GP"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2002.04.04"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Short, Nigel D"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2663"]
[BlackElo "2715"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2002.04.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.08.12"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nxf7 Kxf7 5. d4 c5 {This move came up as a
critical response in the 5...g6 variation and it is also critical at move 5,
undermining White's d4-pawn.} 6. dxc5 (6. Nc3 {can be met by} Nc6 (6... g6 {is
also good, transposing to the line 5...g6 6.Nc3 c5, which appears to be
slightly better for Black.}) 7. Bc4+ d5 8. Nxd5 Be6 9. Bg5 (9. O-O {is met by}
Na5) 9... cxd4 10. O-O {and White has compensation for the sacrificed knight
but it is not clear if it is enough.}) (6. Bc4+ d5 7. exd5 b5 {is a
problematic line for White- John Watson. If} 8. Be2 (8. Bxb5 Qxd5) 8... cxd4
9. O-O Bc5 10. Bg5 Nbd7 {with a slightly better position for Black, though
White retains some chances due to the exposed black king, Pegg,R (2447)
-Helbich,J (2545) ICCF email 2008}) 6... Nc6 (6... d5 7. e5 Ng4 {was advocated
by Vass at the Chesspublishing.com forum,} (7... Qe8 {is the main alternative
for Black, but I think White can get reasonable compensation for the piece in
this line.} 8. f4 Bg4 ({If} 8... Bxc5 9. Be2 {then Black's best is probably to
return the piece with} Nbd7 10. exf6 Nxf6 {and it's Black's turn to be the
gambiteer, with good compensation for a pawn.}) 9. Be2 Bxe2 10. Qxe2 Ne4 11.
Nd2 $44 {Csillag,B (2413)-Lubas,J (2444) ICCF email 2005}) 8. Qf3+ Kg8 9. Bg5
Qa5+ 10. Nc3 Be6 {and Black probably has the edge.}) 7. Bc4+ Be6 (7... d5 $6 8.
Bxd5+ Nxd5 9. exd5 Nb4 10. d6 $44 {leaves White with dangerous play because of
the well-advanced central pawns.}) 8. Bxe6+ Kxe6 {Diagram [#] Black's king is
very exposed on e6, but White's centre has been significantly disrupted. It
is not clear if White's compensation for the piece is sufficient, but White
will always get practical chances due to Black's misplaced king.} 9. O-O Kf7
10. Qe2 (10. Qd3 {is the main alternative.} Qd7 (10... d5 11. Nc3 Bxc5 12. Bg5
$44) 11. Rd1 Qe6 12. cxd6 Nb4 $15 {is the line that White needs to crack in
order to make Qd3 work, Kamler,Z (2201)-Pedersen,H (2337) ICCF email 2008})
10... Qe8 11. Re1 d5 (11... Qe6 {is probably superior, then} 12. Nc3 Rd8 13.
Bg5 dxc5 14. f4 {leaves White with some, but probably insufficient,
compensation, Schwetlick,T (2444)-Lehtosaari,J (2352) ICCF email 2005}) 12. e5
Ne4 13. Nc3 Nxc3 14. bxc3 ({White could have avoided the tripling of the pawns
on the c-file with} 14. Qf3+ Kg8 15. Qxc3) 14... Qe6 {Here chances are
approximately equal, as Black's king remains exposed and White has three pawns
for the piece, but White's pawn structure is a mess.} 15. Rb1 Rb8 16. Be3 Be7
17. f4 {With ideas of f4-f5 in the long term, but Black can keep the f5-square
well covered.} ({Probably best here is} 17. Qf3+ Kg8 18. Red1) 17... Rhf8 18.
Bd4 Kg8 19. Rf1 g5 (19... Na5 {intending ...Nc4 looks strong.}) 20. fxg5 Bxg5
21. Rxf8+ Kxf8 22. Qh5 (22. Qf3+ {is met by} Kg8 23. Rf1 Bh6) 22... Qg6 23.
Qf3+ Kg7 24. Qxd5 Qxc2 25. e6+ Kg6 26. Rf1 Qd3 27. Qd7 Be3+ $2 (27... Nxd4 {is
quite dangerous for both sides, but White's attacking chances appear to be
sufficient, e.g.} 28. Qf7+ Kh6 29. cxd4 Qxd4+ 30. Kh1 Qe5 31. h4) 28. Bxe3
Qxe3+ 29. Kh1 {Now White's attacking chances are sufficient to give White the
advantage.} Rf8 $2 (29... Ne5 30. Qd6 {is not quite as disastrous for Black,
though White has the upper hand because of the strong e-pawn.}) 30. Rg1 $2 (30.
Qf7+ Rxf7 31. exf7 {and White gets a new queen by promoting the pawn on f8.})
30... Ne5 31. Qd6 Rf6 $2 (31... Re8 $17) 32. h3 $2 (32. e7 {is good enough for
at least a draw.}) 32... Nd3 33. Qd5 $2 Nxc5 (33... Qg3 {is even stronger.})
34. e7 Qxe7 35. Qg8+ Kh6 36. Rd1 Ne4 0-1
[Event "Linares 16th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "1999.03.02"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2700"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "1999.02.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nxf7 Kxf7 5. Nc3 {5.d4 is more usual, but 5.
Nc3 is also playable. There are some transpositions between 5.Nc3 and 5.d4
lines, since d2-d4 usually follows at some point.} c5 (5... Be6 {is John
Watson's recommendation, although it has scored well for White in practice.} 6.
d4 d5 (6... g6 {is most popular but White has reasonable chances following} 7.
Bd3 Bg7 8. O-O Rf8 9. Bg5 $44 {Morin,S (2310)-Corbat,P (2046) IECC email 2002})
7. e5 Ne8 (7... Ne4 {appears to be untested but may be stronger, e.g.} 8. Qf3+
Kg8 9. Nxe4 dxe4 10. Qxe4 Nc6 {and White has three pawns and a strong centre
for the piece, but Black is threatening to play ...Qd5.}) 8. h4 (8. Qf3+ Kg8 9.
Bf4 $44 {looks good to me, with White enjoying a strong centre and superior
development.}) 8... c5 9. Bg5 Qd7 10. dxc5 Nc6 11. Qf3+ Kg8 {gives White some
compensation for the piece, though it is not clear if it is enough, Mrva,M
(2423)-Jurcik,M (2391) Prievidza 2014}) (5... Qe8 6. d4 {transposes into the
line 5.d4 Qe8 6.Nc3, which I think gives White full compensation for the
sacrificed knight.}) (5... g6 {is probably the most critical response, since I
think White may struggle to find a way to avoid transposing into the line 5.d4
g6 6.Nc3 c5.} 6. Bc4+ (6. d4 {is more usual, but again we have the
transposition with} c5) 6... Kg7 7. O-O (7. d4 c5 {is another transposition to
5.d4 g6 6.Nc3 c5}) 7... Be7 8. d4 Nxe4 9. Nxe4 d5 10. Bd3 dxe4 11. Bxe4 $15) 6.
Bc4+ (6. d4 {transposes into the line 5.d4 c5 6.Nc3.} g6 {may then be the
strongest reply, transposing to the line 5.d4 g6 6.Nc3 c5.}) 6... Be6 7. Bxe6+
Kxe6 8. d4 {Diagram [#] Black's king has been brought out into the middle of
the board, and White has a strong centre, though Black has sniped effectively
at the centre with ...c7-c5.} Kf7 9. dxc5 Nc6 10. Qe2 Qd7 (10... Nd4 {doesn't
work well in this position because of} 11. Qc4+ Ne6 12. Be3 $44) 11. Be3 dxc5
12. f4 Re8 (12... Rd8 {may be stronger, promoting the threat of ...Nc6-d4.})
13. e5 Ng4 14. Rd1 $44 {I think White has pretty good compensation for the
sacrificed knight here.} Qf5 15. O-O h5 16. Bc1 (16. Nb5 {may be stronger,
heading into d6 or c7.}) 16... Nd4 17. Qc4+ Kg6 (17... Qe6 {is stronger,
encouraging White's queen to move to a less ideal square.}) 18. h3 Nh6 19. Nb5
a6 20. Nxd4 cxd4 21. Qxd4 Rc8 22. Qb6+ Kh7 23. Qxb7 Rxc2 24. Be3 Qg6 (24... Re2
{threatening ...Qc2 is more dangerous for White, and keeps the chances level.})
25. Rc1 Rxc1 26. Rxc1 Nf5 27. Bf2 h4 28. Rc7 {This gives Black strong enough
attacking chances on the kingside to force a draw by perpetual check.} (28. Rc6
Qh5 29. Qxa6 {gives White four pawns for the piece, so White probably has the
better chances.}) 28... Ng3 29. Kh2 Nf1+ 30. Kg1 Qb1 31. Bxh4 Bc5+ 1/2-1/2