Two lines from our repertoire
Follow each line from the starting position. The notes explain the position after the displayed move, including the plan for the next move. These are repertoire examples; your opponent can choose other replies.
Pause at the diagrams to see the idea. The highlighted squares show the last move; the note explains what comes next.
Moves use international algebraic notation: N = knight, B = bishop, R = rook, Q = queen, K = king.
1. ♟f7 - a signal for the maneuver ♘f3-g5 (1)
1. e41... c6After 1... c6We play ♙d2-d4, seizing the center!
2. d42... d5After 2... d5White has many different continuations, but one of the trickiest is ♙f2-f3! Already on the third move we throw the opponent out of their preparation, forcing them to play from scratch.
3. f3
After 3... dxe4White to move. At the board3... dxe4After 3... dxe4The most popular continuation, simplifying the position in the center. We capture in return with ♙f3xe4, freeing the f3 square for ♘g1.
4. fxe44... e5After 4... e5Please note: Black not only attacked ♙d4, but also created the threat of ♛d8-h4, winning ♙e4 with a fork. Therefore, we play ♘g1-f3, keeping the position under control.
5. Nf35... exd4After 5... exd4Capturing the pawn: ♘f3xd4 is not very promising because of the counter ♟c6-c5, leading to an endgame with an isolated ♙e4 for White. Therefore, we play ♗f1-c4, rapidly developing our pieces and creating pressure on ♟f7.
6. Bc46... Nf6After 6... Nf6We castle, bringing the ♖h1 into play for active, albeit indirect for now, pressure on ♟f7. Of course, for Black to capture with ♞f6xe4 would be extremely dangerous...
7. O-OAfter 7... Bc5White to move. At the board7... Bc5After 7... Bc5What do Black want? They want to castle quickly, play ♝c8-g4, and confidently keep their extra pawn. Therefore, we need to act decisively, using the main trumps of the position. We play ♘f3-g5, organizing a swift attack against ♟f7.
8. Ng58... O-OAfter 8... O-OSurely many will be tempted to play ♙e4-e5, bringing ♖f1 into the attack against ♟f7, but in that case — let’s say ♞f6-d5. Therefore, first we strike: ♗c1xf7, forcing the ♚ to move onto the same "f" file as the ♖f1.
9. Bxf7+9... Rxf7After 9... Rxf7We capture in return ♘f3xg5!
10. Nxf7After 10... Kxf7White to move. At the board10... Kxf7After 10... Kxf7White can play either ♙e4-e5 winning the knight pinned, or ♕d1-h5, capturing the more dangerous ♝c5. We announce a fork!
11. Qh5+11... Kg8After 11... Kg8We capture the bishop: ♕h5xc5!
12. Qxc512... Nxe4After 12... Nxe4Send ♕c5 - e5, centralizing the main attacking piece
13. Qe513... Nf6After 13... Nf6White's position is winning, but confidently converting the game in your favor without development will be difficult. Play ♗c1-g5, bringing the bishop into active play.
After 14. Bg5Black to move. At the board14. Bg5
2. You can't be this greedy!
1. e41... c6After 1... c6We play ♙d2-d4, seizing the center!
2. d42... d5After 2... d5White has many different continuations, but one of the trickiest is ♙f2-f3! Already by the third move, we force our opponent out of their preparation, making them play from scratch.
3. f3After 3... dxe4White to move. At the board3... dxe4After 3... dxe4The most popular continuation, simplifying the position in the center. We capture in response with ♙f3xe4, freeing the f3 square for ♘g1.
4. fxe44... e5After 4... e5Please note: Black not only attacked ♙d4, but also created the threat of ♛d8-h4 with the idea of capturing ♙e4 with a fork. That’s why we play ♘g1-f3, keeping the position under control.
5. Nf35... exd4After 5... exd4Capturing the pawn: ♘f3xd4 is not very promising because of the counter ♟c6-c5, leading to an endgame with an isolated ♙e4 for White. Therefore, we play ♗f1-c4, quickly developing our pieces and putting pressure on ♟f7.
6. Bc46... Nf6After 6... Nf6We castle, bringing the ♖ h1 to a more active position, applying, albeit indirect for now, pressure on the ♟ f7. Of course, for Black to capture with ♞ f6 - e4 would be extremely dangerous...
7. O-OAfter 7... Nxe4White to move. At the board7... Nxe4After 7... Nxe4Because of Black's severe lag in development, their greed cannot go unpunished... We play ♘f3-e5, putting strong pressure on ♟f7
8. Ne58... Be6After 8... Be6The simplest path to victory is to strike: ♘e5xf7, exposing the ♚e8. We not only capture a pawn, but also decisively expose the king, which we will take advantage of.
9. Nxf79... Bxf7After 9... Bxf7We capture ♗c4xf7, exposing the enemy king
10. Bxf7+10... Ke7After 10... Ke7Pay attention to the poorly placed ♚e7 on the "e" file and take advantage of this by pinning the knight: ♕d1-e2!
After 11. Qe2Black to move. At the board11. Qe2After 11. Qe2Victory will be ours!
Original commentary from Theoria’s opening lessons, prepared by FIDE Master Maksims Golubovskis.
Put the idea on the board
Open this opening in the trainer to study and practise its lines. Start with one line, explain the purpose of each move, then try to recall it without hints.