Skype coaching session, 26 April 2020. Three Sunday coaching sessions are planned for May, on the dates: 17, 24, 31. Time: all sessions will start at UTC 14:00, which is, BMT 15:00. The game discussed (33 moves) is given below with annotations and then without annotations. Re-structuring of the sessions now offers the option for guests to bring their own games for group discussion. Recordings of some previous coaching sessions can be found at: http://www.open-aurec.com/Skype/PaulBenson/PaulBenson.htm Paul Benson. * * * Annotated Game. White: W. Hanstein. Black: Baron von der Lasa. Event: Berlin 1839. Result: 0-1 in 33 moves. Opening: King's Gambit Accepted, Kieseritsky Variation, C39. | Editorial. Back to 1839 again, same place, same players, same colours as the previous session, completely different opening but still similarities in the style of play. || 1. e4 e5 2. f4 | In the early days of competitive chess there seems to have been an unwritten rule: "If you do not offer a gambit then you are not a, "Gentleman", Sir." || 2. ... exf4 | Another unwritten rule seems to have been: "If you do not accept the gambit then you are not a, "Gentleman", Sir." Thankfully attitudes have changed, nowadays letting the mayhem be postponed until the middlegame is perfectly acceptable. Those wishing to mix it up as black should give, 2. ... d5, a chance, after plenty of homework of course. A different approach, declining with, 2. ... Bc5, is equally worthy of study. Which option is best, accept, mix it up, decline? Wrong question. Determine which type of middlegame leads to the sort of fight in which you feel most comfortable, closed, semi-open, or open games. Then study a few games in each opening system and the choice should almost make itself. Lastly, those who enjoy psychological battles might find declining with, 2. ... Bc5, might be the best way of annoying your, "Gambiteer", opponent, and it scores quite satisfactorily on the database as well. || 3. Nf3 | The most popular choice. Instead, 3. Bc4 Qh4+ 4. Kf1, has many followers who manage to score quite well, strange as it may seem. || 3. ... g5 | Played with a different intention than appearances might suggest. Black is not really expecting to keep the gambit-pawn, instead there are plans of more kingside pawn activity. This system produces extremely tactical middlegames, not for the faint-hearted. Also producing sharp play is, 3. ... d5, while, 3. ... d6, is a much calmer approach. Lastly, 3. ... Be7, intending an annoying, Bh4+, is worth considering. || 4. h4 | Challenging the black pawn structure. Instead, 4. Bc4 g4 5. O-O gxf3 6. Qxf3, is a positional piece sacrifice for a great lead in development with further options for white to continue offering gifts, much study required to play this line. || 4. ... g4 | Almost universally played. A novel approach of, 4. ... gxh4, produced some fascinating imbalances. Y. Shulman (2425) - A. Aleksandrov (2535), Minsk 1994, went: 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 gxh4 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. e5 Ng4 7. d4 Ne3 8. Bxe3 fxe3 9. Bc4 Bg7 10. Bxf7+ Kxf7 11. Nxh4 d5 12. O-O+ Kg8 13. Qh5 Be6 14. Nf5 Nc6 15. Nh6+ Bxh6 16. Qxh6 Nxd4 17. Rf4 c5 18. Re1 Bf5 19. Rxe3 Qf8 20. Rg3+ Kf7 21. e6+ Ke8 22. Qh5+ Ke7 23. Nxd5+ Kxe6 24. Nc7+ Ke5 25. Re3+ Kd6 26. Nxa8 Kc6 27. c3 Qd6 28. Rf1 Bg6 29. Qg4 Rxa8 30. cxd4 Qxd4 31. Qf3+ Kb6 32. Rd1 Bh5 1-0. Perhaps 33. Rxd4 Bxf3 34. Rd7, picking off the black h7 pawn is considered resignable at this standard. || 5. Ne5 | The opening is beginning to take shape. Black has a couple of advanced but vulnerable pawns, in particular the g4 pawn is hit by the white d1 queen and e5 knight. White has an active e5 knight just waiting for the light square bishop to land on c4 to target the black f7 pawn. Instead, 5. Ng5 h6, forces white to sacrifice with, 6. Nxf7 Kxf7, after which 7. d4, seems the best option for white, though, 7. Bc4+, also produces decisive games. || 5. ... h5 | Perhaps no one has told black that pieces are permitted to move in the opening? Instead, 5. ... Nf6, is more popular here. || 6. Bc4 Rh7 | The other way to defend the black f7 pawn with, 6. ... Nh6, leads to similar play as in game. || 7. d4 d6 | A challenge is given to the white e5 knight, big decision to make here. || 8. Nd3 | The modern way of handling this position. A few attempts of sacrificing with either, 8. Nxf7, or, 8. Bxf7+, were tried in the mid 1840s, results heavily favouring black. However many an old line can be re-introduced if Fritz and friends can find improvements. H. Pitre - F. Meng (2272), 30th Keres Memorial 2005, showed very active play: 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 h5 6. Bc4 Rh7 7. d4 d6 8. Bxf7+ Rxf7 9. Nxf7 Kxf7 10. Bxf4 Bh6 11. O-O Kg7 12. g3 Nc6 13. Nc3 Nce7 14. Qd2 Ng6 15. Nd5 Nxf4 16. Nxf4 Qe8 17. Rae1 Ne7 18. Qc3 Bxf4 19. Rxf4 Ng6 20. d5+ Ne5 21. Ref1 c5 22. Rf6 Qe7 23. Qe3 Qxf6 24. Rxf6 Kxf6 25. Qg5+ Kf7 26. Qxh5+ Ke7 27. Qg5+ Ke8 28. Qf6 Nf7 29. h5 Bd7 30. h6 Rc8 31. h7 b5 32. e5 dxe5 33. d6 1-0. The imbalance combined with an exposed black king seemed to give white a lasting initiative. || 8. ... f3 | Black could not save the f4 pawn and so decides to give white the choice of opening or closing the kingside. || 9. gxf3 | White chooses to open the kingside. Instead, 9. g3, remains untested after 1843 on the limited database referenced for these notes, a surprise as it denies the, "Gambiteer", an open position. || 9. ... Be7 | Targeting the white h4 pawn and giving white a tricky decision to make, defend it or let it go. || 10. Bg5 | White was losing the h-pawn by force, the only question was by which line it would be eliminated. This method trades off the dark square bishops which leaves white weak on the dark squares. Instead, 10. Be3 Bxh4+ 11. Kd2, and black should choose between, 10. ... gxf3, or, 10. ... Bg5, or, 10. ... Bf6. || 10. ... Bxg5 11. hxg5 Qxg5 12. f4 | This creates a large imbalance in the pawn structure, white has a good centre, black has kingside connected passed pawns. Keeping the kingside open leads to active piece play. J. Ray - R. Williams, Correspondence 1975, gave: 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 h5 6. Bc4 Rh7 7. d4 f3 8. gxf3 d6 9. Nd3 Be7 10. Bg5 Bxg5 11. hxg5 Qxg5 12. fxg4 Bxg4 13. Qd2 Qg7 14. Qf2 Nc6 15. Rf1 Nxd4 16. Bxf7+ Kd7 17. Bg6 Nf3+ 18. Kd1 Nh2+ 19. Kc1 Nxf1 20. Bxh7 Rf8 21. Bf5+ Bxf5 22. exf5 Qg5+ 23. Nd2 Rxf5 24. Qe2 Ng3 0-1. A tale of differing king safeties. || 12. ... Qg7 | A doubler. Firstly, the white d4 pawn is attacked, white must spend a tempo guarding it. Secondly, the black passed g4 pawn is supported from behind. The short-term black strategy is clear, march the passers down the board before white can get pieces kingside to stop their progress. || 13. c3 | Attempting to strengthen the kingside with, 13. Nf2, runs into problems: (A). If, 13. Nf2 g3 14. Nh3 g2 15. Rh2 g1=Q+ Nxg1 16. Qxg1+ Kd2 17. Qxg2+, white loses a rook plus knight. (B). Or if, 13. Nf2 g3 14. Nh3 g2 15. Rg1 Bxh3, white loses a knight. (C). Or if, 13. Nf2 g3 14. Rg1 gxf2+ 15. Kxf2 Qh8, the displacement of the black queen is temporary, white has no compensation for the lost knight. || 13. ... g3 | Generalisation: "Passed pawns must be pushed." Passed pawns become stronger with each rank they advance, the phrase, "7th Heaven", definitely applies to them. || 14. Kd2 | White must get pieces off the back rank, the a1 rook must get into the game to support whatever central activity can be created with pawns. Instead, 13. Na3, with the same idea was an option. || 14. ... g2 | Black chooses a forcing line. Calculation needed to be made to be sure this pawn will not be surrounded and captured. White must spend a tempo moving, Rg1, then perhaps another tempo with, Qf3. In turn black has 2 tempi to support g2, such as, pawn h4 - pawn h3, and the black passed pawns are secure. || 15. Rg1 h4 16. Qf3 h3 | Black is almost ready to win material on the kingside with, pawn h2, but there are a few tactics to be calculated and avoided first. || 17. Nf2 | White anticipates that black, pawn h2, cannot be prevented and that material will be lost, it is this knight which will be given up. || 17. ... Nf6 | Timing is important, instead, 17. ... h2 18. Rxg2 h1=Q 19. Nxh1, and black must move the g7 queen, white will not lose the h1 knight, black has thrown away the pawns for nothing. || 18. f5 | A doubler. Firstly, an interference of the support of the black c8 bishop means the h3 pawn is now en prise to the double-attack of the white f3 queen and f2 knight. Secondly, the plan of, Ng4, intending to trade the f2 knight off or push it away, after white black retreats, Qh8, and the h-pawn is pushed most likely costing white the a1 rook. || 18. ... Qh6+ | A doubler. Firstly, the black queen gets off the g-file with tempo-gain, when white replies with, Rxg2, the black queen will not be attacked. Secondly, when the planned, pawn h2 - pawn h1=Q, arrives, it will be the more powerful black queen who invades by capturing the white h1 knight. || 19. Kc2 h2 20. Rxg2 h1=Q 21. Nxh1 Qxh1 | A very curious position. The black passed pawns have done their job, win material. However this has resulted in complete loss of coordination for black, the queenside pieces are yet to develop, the king is stuck in the middle, the h7 rook is doing little, the only plus is the black queen has a couple of pins in operation. White has 3 active units plus central pawns ready to roll, if the centre opens there could be some strong threats for white, though this is going to take a few moves to organise. If the white queenside pieces can get into the game then black might struggle to hold it despite being a piece up. In essence, black has gained material but white is now going to have the initiative. So white to play must get activity and as quickly as possible. || 22. e5 | The only dynamic move available to white. A slower plan is, pawn b4 - Kb2 - Nd2, centralise the a1 rook, and find a central pawn to push. This slow approach however allows black to get some queenside development, maybe even castling queenside, once the black king achieves safety the extra piece will begin to count. Black to play finds that the phrase: "Attack is the best form of defence.", suits this position well. || 22. ... Rh2 | Exploiting the pin on the white g2 rook, there is only a single move to avoid loss of material. || 23. Bf1 | The, "Active Unit Count", has shifted in favour of black. Instead, 23. Rxh2 Qxf3 24. exf6 Bxf5+ 25. Kb3 Nd7,black will castle queenside next move, the white f6 pawn will soon fall, the advantage of queen for rook will be decisive in favour of black. Worse would be, 23. Rf2 Qxf3, the white f2 rook is still pinned, white can only play down the line, 24. Rxh2 Bxf5+ 25. Kb3 Nfd7, when black has won the white queen for a rook. || 23. ... dxe5 | Retreating with, 23. ... Nfd7, allows, 24. e6, and white will expose the black king whatever black does. || 24. Nd2 | A tripler, white, who has not made a single serious threat all game, takes the first chance to set up some tactics. Firstly, there is an x-ray attack from the white a1 rook through the f1 bishop on the black h1 queen, a bishop check is the idea. Secondly, the f3 queen is given a protection, the pin on the white g2 rook is less dangerous now. Thirdly, the f1 bishop is given a couple more protections, the d2 knight and the a1 rook. Instead, 24. dxe5, again leaves black wondering where the f6 knight should go. || 24. ... Nc6 | Making any move by the white f1 bishop ineffectual. White now has a chance to deflect the black c6 knight, so was this move wise? || 25. d5 | Hitting the important black c6 knight, if it moves then white will have, Bb5+, and the white a1 rook picks off the black h1 queen. || 25. ... Nxd5 | Oh well, since black is a piece up giving it back is not the end of the world. Besides, there seems to be the opportunity to grab a pawn or 2 along the way. || 26. Rxh2 | Accepting the black d5 knight leads to problems: (A). If, 26. Qxd5 Bxf5+ 27. Kb3 Be6, skewering the white royalty. (B). Or if, 26. Qxd5 Bxf5+ 27. Bd3 Bxd3+ 28. Kxd3 Qxg2, black has won a rook. (C). Or if, 26. Qxd5 Bxf5+ 27. Kc1 Rxg2 28. Qxg2 Qxg2 29. Bxg2, black has a winning advantage, the kingside connected passed pawns will cost white material, and note that black will not suffer with the, "Impotent Pair, the light square bishop plus black a-pawn are matched for success. || 26. ... Qxh2 27. Bd3 | Again the tactics favour black, that ending with kingside connected passed pawns arising after, 27. Qxd5 Bxf5+, is simply lost for white. Black to play has a neat trick available which shortens the game considerably. Clue: The white royalty are in a particular relationship other than marriage. || 27. ... Ndb4+ | Forcing moves, such as captures, checks, x-ray exposures, must always be examined at every move. Many times they will produce nothing and only chew up time on the clock, such is chess. However on the occasions they do work, opportunities to shorten a game can be found. Here black is exploiting the formation of the white royalty, they are on the same colour squares which should at least send out signals there could be either a bishop skewer or knight fork out there. Aha, there is a knight-fork on the d4 square, but it is guarded by the white c3 pawn. So black says: "If the white c3 pawn were not there I can play, Nd4+, winning the white queen and the game." Which means black can land the d5 knight on b4 with check without fear of capture. Of course, just because it can be safely played does not automatically mean it fits in with the demands of the position. Careful consideration of the consequences of playing, Ndb4+, must be made, black has done so, and in finds it suits very well, though there are a few minor scares to be noted as white goes into, "Desperation-Mode". || 28. Kb3 | As stated above, 28. cxb4 Nd4+, and white loses the f3 queen at the price of only a couple of black knights. Instead, 28. Kd1 Nxd3+ 29. Qxd3 Qf4, black will pick off the white f-pawn with the white a1 rook still out of play. || 28. ... Nxd3 | Liquidation to a favourable endgame with kingside connected passed pawns is now the black plan. White to play realises the black plan is a long-term winner and so decides to, "Punch The Random Button", in the hope that something, anything, might happen. || 29. Rh1 | Activation of the white queen and rook is the only hope, this should not work, but with virtually no black pieces around the e8 king this is worth a try. || 29. ... Qxd2 | Black goes 3 pieces up, the only question is can the white remaining queen, rook, plus f5 pawn find something? || 30. Rh8+ Kd7 | Instead, 30. ... Ke7 31. f6+ Kd6, white runs out of checks, black will follow with, Nc5+, and, Qd5, finishing the white dream. || 31. f6 | Attacking fails, instead, 31. Qd5+ Ke7 32. f6+ Kxf6 33. Qf3+ Nf4 34. Rh6+ Ke7, and white has no more sensible checks. Black to play has a neat trick to finish the game. Clue: The white royalty are still in that particular formation. || 31. ... Nd4+ | Forking the white royalty, this piece offer dare not be declined. || 32. cxd4 | The white c3 pawn has been deflected to d4, fine, but just what does that gain black? Clue: When a unit moves lines previously closed become open. || 32. ... Qb4+ | Forcing the white king onto the c2 square, the white royalty will still be in that certain formation. || 33. Kc2 Ne1+ White resigns, 0-1 | The white f3 queen is falling off next move with, 34. ... Nxf3. || * * * ## Unannotated Game. White: W. Hanstein. Black: Baron von der Lasa. Event: Berlin 1839. Result: 0-1 in 33 moves. Opening: King's Gambit Accepted, Kieseritsky Variation, C39. 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 h5 6. Bc4 Rh7 7. d4 d6 8. Nd3 f3 9. gxf3 Be7 10. Bg5 Bxg5 11. hxg5 Qxg5 12. f4 Qg7 13. c3 g3 14. Kd2 g2 15. Rg1 h4 16. Qf3 h3 17. Nf2 Nf6 18. f5 Qh6+ 19. Kc2 h2 20. Rxg2 h1=Q 21. Nxh1 Qxh1 22. e5 Rh2 23. Bf1 dxe5 24. Nd2 Nc6 25. d5 Nxd5 26. Rxh2 Qxh2 27. Bd3 Ndb4+ 28. Kb3 Nxd3 29. Rh1 Qxd2 30. Rh8+ Kd7 31. f6 Nd4+ 32. cxd4 Qb4+ 33. Kc2 Ne1+ White resigns, 0-1 * * *