Hoyle's Games Modernized Part 44

1. P to K 4 1. P to K 4 2. Kt to K B 3 2. Kt to Q B 3 3. B to B 4 3. B to B 4 4. P to Q Kt 4 ...

The first three moves are those of the Giuoco Piano. The last move const.i.tutes the Evans Gambit. The object of sacrificing the Kt P is to establish a centre through the advance of the Q B P and Q P; to open an outlet for the Q and Q B, and so obtain a quick development of the pieces, and consequently a powerful attack.

4. B takes P

If 4. ... Kt takes P, White replies with 5. P to B 3, and after 5. ...

Kt to Q B 3 the position is the same.

5. P to B 3 5. B to Q B 4

The Bishop may also retire to R 4, to Q 3, or to K 2. The two last mentioned moves cannot be recommended, and may be dismissed; but it is desirable to know the variations arising from 5. ... B to R 4, which is preferred by many eminent players.

6. P to Q 4 6. P takes P 7. Castles ...

White may also play here 7. P takes P, to which Black's best reply is 7. ... B to Kt 3, and not 7. ... B to Kt 5; ch.

... 7. P to Q 3

This is the only safe move in this variation. 7. ... P takes P, would be bad unless, on the fifth move, Black had played B to R 4, when the so-called "compromised" defence would have ensued. {365}

7. ... Kt to B 3, which seems a plausible move here, would involve the probable loss of the game--_e.g._:

7. ... 7. Kt to B 3 8. P takes P 8. B to Kt 3 9. P to K 5 9. P to Q 4 10. P takes Kt 10. P takes B 11. R to K sq.: ch. 11. K to B sq.

12. B to R 3: ch. 12. K to Kt sq.

13. P to Q 5 13. Kt to R 4 14. B to K 7 14. Q to Q 2 15. P takes P 15. K takes P 16. Q to Q 2 16. Q to Kt 5 17. Q to B 3: ch. 17. K to Kt sq.

18. Q takes R: ch. 18. K takes Q 19. B to B 6: ch. 19. K to Kt sq. (or Q to Kt 2) 20. R to K 8: checkmate

8. P takes P 8. B to Kt 3 9. P to Q 5 9. Kt to R 4

The best move. It is the Normal Defence to the previous move, which const.i.tutes the Normal Attack.

9. ... Kt to K 4 would be unfavourable, because of 10. Kt takes Kt, P takes Kt; 11. B to R 3, B to Q 5 (?); 12. Kt to Q 2, B takes R; 13. Q takes B, P to K B 3; 14. P to B 4, and should win. The alternative Knight's move--viz., 9. ... Q Kt to K 2, is also inferior, because of 10. P to K 5, Kt to R 3 (!); 11. Kt to B 3, Castles; 12. Kt to K 4, with a good attack.

10. B to Kt 2 10. Kt to K 2 (!)

One of the chief points of the Evans Gambit is that Black's Q Kt is driven to Q R 4, and has to remain there for some time inactive, so that Black is, for the time being, practically a piece _minus_ for the defence. White must, therefore prevent as long as possible this Knight from coming into play. It will be seen that Black could not have played 10. ... Kt takes B, because in such case 11. B takes K Kt P, winning the exchange.

11. B to Q 3 ...

{366}

If White had here played 11. B takes P instead of the text move, the continuation might probably have been--

11. B takes P 11. R to K Kt sq.

12. B to B 6 12. Kt takes B 13. Q to R 4: ch. 13. Q to Q 2 14. Q takes Kt 14. R takes P: ch.

15. K takes R 15. Q to Kt 5: ch.

16. K to R sq. 16. Q takes Kt: ch.

17. K to Kt sq. 17. B to R 6, and wins.

... 11. Castles 12. Kt to B 3 12. Kt to Kt 3 13. Kt to K 2 13. P to Q B 4

White concentrates his forces for an attack on the King's side, whilst Black, being stronger on the Queen's side, must try to create a diversion on that side.

14. Q to Q 2 14. P to B 3 15. K to R sq. ...

The King's move is necessary, else Black could play 15.... Kt to K 4; 16.

Kt takes Kt, B P takes Kt, and White could not reply 17. P to B 4 (an essential move for the attack), because Black would then win a piece with 17.... P to B 5; discovering check, and attacking the Bishop at the same time.

... 15. B to B 2

This Bishop being now comparatively useless at Kt 3, since the White King has quitted the black diagonal, retires, in order to make room for the advance of the p.a.w.ns.

16. Q R to B sq. 16. R to Kt sq.

To support the advance of the Kt P.

17. Kt to Kt 3 17. P to Kt 4 18. Kt to B 5 18. P to B 5

It is an essential point in the defense to prevent White's Knight from being posted at K 6. If White is able to {367} accomplish this, his attack becomes so powerful that it cannot be withstood. It would, therefore, be bad for Black to play, instead of the move given in the text, 18.... B takes Kt, because of 19. P takes B, Kt to K 4; 20. B takes Kt, B P takes B; 21. Kt to Kt 5, followed by 22. Kt to K 6 (the dangerous move just pointed out).

Black.

+---------------------------------------+ #R #B #Q #R #K --------------------------------------- #P #B #P #P --------------------------------------- #P #P #Kt --------------------------------------- #Kt #P ^P ^Kt --------------------------------------- #P ^P --------------------------------------- ^Kt --------------------------------------- ^P ^B ^Q ^B ^P ^P ^P --------------------------------------- ^R ^R ^K +---------------------------------------+ White.

FIG. 9.

[POSITION AFTER WHITE'S 19TH MOVE.]

19. B to K 2 ...

Not 19. B to Kt sq. White wants to keep a pressure upon Black's p.a.w.ns. The position is now as shown in Fig 9. Neither side has as yet gained any marked advantage. {368}

SECOND VARIATION.

Repeat Opening to Black's eighth move inclusive.

Kt to B 3 9. ------------- B to Kt 5[82]

B to Q Kt 5 10. -------------- K to B sq.[83]

B to K 3 11. -------- K Kt to K 2

P to Q R 4[84]

12. -------------- Kt to R 4[85]

P to Q 5 13. --------- B takes B

P takes B 14. ---------- Kt to Kt 3

K to R sq.[86]

15. -------------- P to K R 3