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. Difficult in training, easy in battle!
1. e41... e5After 1... e5We attack ♟ with the move ♘g1-f3
2. Nf32... Nc6After 2... Nc6We develop ♗f1-c4, targeting ♟f7
3. Bc43... Bc5After 3... Bc5We play ♙d2-d4 under attack from three black pieces. The opponent definitely isn’t expecting this move—that’s how we catch them off guard!
4. d4
After 4... exd4White to move. At the board4... exd4After 4... exd4Let’s begin our journey with the capture of ♟, which is considered the worst move, and there is a clear logic behind this: Black loses control of the e5-square, doubles the ♟ on the d-file, and creates a target for a further undermining of the center with ♙c2-c3.
5. c35... dxc3After 5... dxc3More than half of players can’t resist capturing. We’re just waiting for the moment to shock our opponent by capturing with ♗c4xf7, destroying the shelter around the ♚, and our opponent will never be able to castle again. It’s important not to forget this in a live over-the-board game :)
6. Bxf7+6... Kxf7After 6... Kxf7We deliver a double attack ♕d1-d5+
7. Qd5+7... Ke8After 7... Ke8You want to immediately capture ♝, but a little patience is needed. The additional check ♕d5-h5+ gives the opponent a choice: weaken their pawn structure with ♟g6 or move ♚ to a worse position.
8. Qh5+After 8... g6White to move. At the board8... g6After 8... g6We have weakened the a1-h8 diagonal, so we can capture ♝
9. Qxc59... d6After 9... d6We capture ♟, attacking ♜h8 and restoring material equality
10. Qxc310... Qf6After 10... Qf6Let’s pause briefly at this position: our opponent is offering a ♕ trade—should we accept? We have the advantage in central control, and we must not forget that the ♚ has already moved and cannot castle. Therefore, we need the ♕ for the attack! The next question is: where should it retreat? I suggest b3, with ♟b7 in its sights.
11. Qb311... Nge7After 11... Nge7Before launching the attack, let’s make sure our own ♔ is safe.
12. O-OAfter 12... Bg4White to move. At the board12... Bg4After 12... Bg4A dangerous move; ♕xb7 is unfavorable now, since Black has prepared the defense of their ♞c6 in advance, allowing them to play ♜b8 and ♝xf3. Therefore, always check whether your opponent is “giving” you something, because there is no such thing as a free lunch. Let’s complete our development with an attack: ♗c1-g5
13. Bg513... Qe6After 13... Qe6Exchanging ♕ is still not in our interest! We attack ♜h8 again!
14. Qc314... Bxf3After 14... Bxf3If the opponent had played ♜f8, we would bring out the last piece ♘d2, but here the situation is more dangerous, as it is easy to make a mistake. First ♕c3xh8, but be careful.
15. Qxh8+15... Kd7After 15... Kd7Read the commentary! It is very tempting to take ♜, but ♛g4 awaits us, threatening checkmate. After that, there will be no one to defend ♔, and we will be checkmated. We bring ♕ back to the third rank. We are learning not only to attack, but also to defend.
16. Qc3After 16... Nd4White to move. At the board16... Nd4After 16... Nd4The threat is a fork ♞e2+, and a new threat ♛g4 appears. We have only one move: ♔g1-h1
17. Kh117... Qg4After 17... Qg4We defend against checkmate ♖f1-g1. Now Black has 3 minor pieces under attack
18. Rg118... Bxe4After 18... Bxe4We don’t capture ♕xd4, because we would allow a discovered check! So we develop ♘b1-d2, keep an eye on ♝e4, and convert the extra exchange.
After 19. Nd2Black to move. At the board19. Nd2
2. The exchange of ♕ is declined! (2)
1. e41... e5After 1... e5We attack ♟ with the move ♘g1-f3
2. Nf32... Nc6After 2... Nc6We develop ♗f1-c4, targeting ♟f7
3. Bc43... Bc5After 3... Bc5We play ♙d2-d4, placing it under attack by three black pieces. Our opponent certainly won’t expect this move—that’s how we catch them off guard!
4. d4After 4... exd4White to move. At the board4... exd4After 4... exd4Let’s begin our journey with the capture of ♟, which is considered the worst move, and there is a clear logic behind this: Black loses control of the e5-square, doubles the ♟s on the d-file, and creates a target for a further undermining of the center with ♙c2-c3.
5. c35... dxc3After 5... dxc3More than half of players can’t resist capturing. We’re just waiting for the moment to shock our opponent with ♗c4xf7, destroying the ♚’s shelter, after which they will never be able to castle again. It’s important not to forget this in a live over-the-board game :)
6. Bxf7+6... Kxf7After 6... Kxf7We deliver a double attack ♕d1-d5+
7. Qd5+7... Ke8After 7... Ke8It is tempting to immediately capture the ♝, but a little patience is needed. The additional check ♕d5-h5+ gives the opponent a choice: weaken their pawn structure with the move ♟g6 or move the ♚ to a worse position.
8. Qh5+After 8... g6White to move. At the board8... g6After 8... g6We weakened the a1-h8 diagonal, so we can capture ♝
9. Qxc59... d6After 9... d6We capture ♟, attacking ♜h8 and restoring material equality
10. Qxc310... Qf6After 10... Qf6Let's pause for a moment in this position: the opponent is offering a ♕ trade—should we accept? We have the advantage in controlling the center; let's not forget that the ♚ has already moved and cannot castle. So we need the ♕ for the attack! The next question is: where should it retreat? I suggest b3, targeting ♟b7
11. Qb311... Bg4After 11... Bg4We can capture ♕b3xb7, since it is a double attack on the ♞ and ♜
12. Qxb7After 12... Bxf3White to move. At the board12... Bxf3After 12... Bxf3Not the best idea to leave ♞c6 undefended—we’ll capture it with check!
13. Qxc6+13... Kf7After 13... Kf7We can capture the ♝, or we can capture the ♜. Let’s capture the more valuable piece.
14. Qxa814... Bxg2After 14... Bxg2We attack the ♝
15. Rg115... Ne7After 15... Ne7♕ is under attack, don’t forget, move ♕a8-b7
After 16. Qb7Black to move. At the board16. Qb7
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.