These are two more games that start with the Scotch opening. The previous two had only the base opening to start, these will include the Goring Gambit continuation. After black takes the pawn at d4, white follows with 4. c3.
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Characterized by the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 (C44)
The Scotch Game is a preferable opening for a number of reasons, the main one being that it is an effective alternative to the hyper-analyzed Ruy Lopez. The opening does tend to result in an early tussle, with tension being released early in the battle for the middle of the board — this actually caused the opening to fall into disuse for awhile. However, the Scotch Game does give white ample opportunity to predict his opponent and respond accordingly, and white also has the freedom to choose between using a gambit for rapid development or sticking with a slightly more defensive line in order to more gradually accrue an advantage in the center. Either way, it is a fun opening with many exciting possibilities.
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Well, we wrapped up our first couple games, and while it might be good to pick the best of those and give some commentary, I’ve really wanted to work on the Scotch Game (C44), so I’m putting up two new games for Eric and I to play through, beginning with that opening. This is the utmost basic form of the Scotch Game: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4
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The Frankenstein-Dracula (ECO C27) is bloodthirsty chess at its best (in fact, it was so named by Tim Harding because of its tooth and nail nature).
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Here is an epic refutation of the Vienna Game by Lasker against Steinitz in the 1899 World Championship in London. Lasker shows some of the weaknesses of the Vienna Game and wins, even though Steinitz plays the opening very effectively at the outset. It may be oversimplification of the game as a whole, but I don’t think I’d be wrong in saying that Steinitz was privately cursing at queenside castling.
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Eric has chosen to work on the Fyfe Gambit play of the Vienna Game. It is characterized by the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. d4
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This is among the variations that I’ve always wanted to try — the Alekhine Variation of my personal favorite version of the Vienna Game, the Stanley Variation. It is characterized by the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4 Nxe4 4. Qh5 Nd6 5. Bb3 Be7 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Nxe5
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The first blitz game (we play 5 minutes with 3 seconds added after each turn) for the night came to the Vienna Game, Stanley Variation, Three Knight’s Variation (C28), characterized by the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4 Nc6.
Why play blitz? Well, there are a lot of arguments against blitz play, and I agree with them if you play blitz games exclusively; however, I also think blitz play is the quickest way to find misconceptions in your play because when pressed for time you’ll fall back on the habits of your play-style, and it is easiest to find errors in that style by putting it to the test. When learning and developing a new skill you should begin with regular play and advance to blitz play — that is my personal opinion. Read more…
Characterized by the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 (C27)
The Vienna Game is an opening that leaves white with a good deal of options after seeing black’s initial response. For instance, white can develop a flanking attack with a fianchetto of his kingside bishop. However, the more common play of the Vienna Game is as a delayed King’s Gambit, building more forces to remove black’s e5 pawn from play and launch the eventual attack on the f-file. A normal King’s Gambit launches an ambush without really seeing any development of the black pieces, whereas the Vienna Game allows white a bit more of a glimpse. Typically, white in using the Vienna Game will try to develop Bc4, d3, f4, in order to advance the f-pawn while avoiding the usual complications of the King’s Gambit. Still, as the continuations and variations show, this is not always the case.
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