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. Introduction to the variation 3... ♛h4+
1. e41... e5After 1... e5We play ♟f2-f4, transitioning to the starting position of the King's Gambit
2. f42... exf4After 2... exf4As with any gambit, the best response from the opponent is to accept the pawn sacrifice. White has two moves: ♞g1-f3 and the very tricky ♝f1-c4, which provokes Black into giving a check with ♛d8-h4. We develop the bishop!
3. Bc4
After 3... Qh4+White to move. At the board3... Qh4+After 3... Qh4+A sensible response aiming to deprive White of the right to castle. We play ♚e1-f1 with a further attack by ♞g1-f3 on ♛h4
4. Kf1After 4. Kf1This is a blunder
4... Bc5After 4... Bc5At first glance, what seems like a logical move turns out to be a blunder. We play ♟d2-d4, seizing the center with tempo.
5. d45... Bb6After 5... Bb6Now is the perfect moment to continue development: we play ♞g1-f3, taking advantage of the awkward position of the enemy ♛
6. Nf36... Qe7After 6... Qe7Combining business with pleasure: we play ♞b1-c3 both to reinforce the ♟e4 pawn and to bring a new piece into play
7. Nc3After 7... Nf6White to move. At the board7... Nf6After 7... Nf6A logical attempt to complete development turns out to be a decisive mistake: we play ♟e4-e5, taking advantage of Black’s lack of central control and forcing the ♞f6 to a less favorable position.
8. e58... Ng4After 8... Ng4We capture ♝c1xf4, preventing the possible jump ♞g4-e3
9. Bxf49... O-OAfter 9... O-OWhite's position is absolutely winning. All that remains is to fully capitalize on the better placement of their pieces to achieve a decisive advantage. We play ♞c3-d5, bringing the piece into the attack!
10. Nd510... Qd8After 10... Qd8Which black piece is the most active? — ♞g4. We confidently play ♟h2-h3, forcing Black to send the ♞g4 to the edge of the board.
11. h3After 11... Nh6White to move. At the board11... Nh6After 11... Nh6Confidently capture with ♝ f4 - h6, ruffling the hairstyle of the enemy ♚
12. Bxh612... gxh6After 12... gxh6Only a small task remains: to reach the opponent’s ♚. We jump in with ♞d5-f6, planning to bring the ♛d1-d2 into play next!
13. Nf6+13... Kh8After 13... Kh8We play ♛d1-d2, threatening checkmate in two moves. The rest is a matter of just a few moves.
After 14. Qd2Black to move. At the board14. Qd2
2. Unfortunate development ♝f8-c5 #1
1. e41... e5After 1... e5We play ♟f2-f4, transitioning to the starting position of the King's Gambit
2. f42... exf4After 2... exf4As with any gambit, the best response from the opponent is to accept the pawn sacrifice. White has two moves: ♞g1-f3 and the very tricky ♝f1-c4, which provokes Black into giving a check with ♛d8-h4. Let's develop the bishop!
3. Bc4After 3... Qh4+White to move. At the board3... Qh4+After 3... Qh4+A sensible response aiming to deprive White of the right to castle. We play ♚e1-f1 followed by an attack with ♞g1-f3 on ♛h4.
4. Kf14... Bc5After 4... Bc5At first glance, what seems like a logical move turns out to be a blunder. We play ♟d2-d4, seizing the center with tempo.
5. d45... Bb6After 5... Bb6Now is the perfect time to continue development: play ♞g1-f3, taking advantage of the awkward position of the enemy ♛
6. Nf36... Qe7After 6... Qe7Combining the pleasant with the useful: we play ♞b1-c3 both to support ♟e4 and to bring a new piece into play
7. Nc3After 7... c6White to move. At the board7... c6After 7... c6A more successful attempt from Black, aiming to limit the mobility of ♞c3. Since we cannot deliver any threats for now, we capture the pawn — ♝c1xf4, bringing a piece into play.
8. Bxf48... Nf6After 8... Nf6As we already know from the first example, the absence of the black ♟d6 allows us to confidently play ♟e4-e5, completely seizing space in the center.
9. e59... Nh5After 9... Nh5If we have the opportunity to advance, we certainly do so by playing ♝f4-g5, forcing a weakness in Black's camp by provoking the move ♟f7-f6 forward.
10. Bg510... f6After 10... f6What should we do: exchange with ♟e5xf6 or maintain the pin by playing ♝g5-h4? If we choose ♟e5xf6, we allow the ♞h5 to escape its dubious position. Therefore, it’s better to retreat with ♝g5-h4, provoking Black into a mistake.
11. Bh4After 11... g5White to move. At the board11... g5After 11... g5Excellent, the mistake has been provoked! Black overlooked the dubious placement of ♞h5, naively assuming that we are forced to save ♝h4. We confidently strike with ♞f3xg5, opening up an attack on ♞h5!
12. Nxg512... fxg5After 12... fxg5With great pleasure, we capture the knight — ♛d1xh5!
13. Qxh5+13... Kf8After 13... Kf8We play ♝h4xg5 with a quick checkmate to the opposing ♚f8 to follow.
After 14. Bxg5Black to move. At the board14. Bxg5
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.