Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (10), poisoned Queen

Today’s blog entry is from is from an online, turned-based game. The Ziegler Defence of my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. Black made a mistake pinning the f3-Knight and with the mate threat, did not salvage the pinning Bishop. The remainder of the game features several interesting moves that occur in the slow, careful White attack.

The variations and move symbols are Houdini’s (1.5 w32), diagnosed with ‘Scid vs PC’ at 10 seconds per ply. The opening book reference is Stockfish. The verbal comments are my thoughts during the game and my interpretations of the analysis provided by Houdini. The score chart is at the bottom of this entry.

This game features a winning attack due to an early material advantage. Black eventually resigned when he could not prevent the pawn’s promotion.

English Symmetrical, Two Knights transposition

Today’s blog entry is from is from an online, turned-based game. White opened with d4, I tried to respond with the Benko Gambit, and White transposed to an English opening variation. We traded blunders in the early-middle game, then White did not see the seriousness of my King-side attack. The material was even when White resigned, but his position was lost.

The variations and move symbols are Houdini’s (1.5 w32), diagnosed with ‘Scid vs PC’ at 10 seconds per ply. The opening book reference is Stockfish. The verbal comments are my thoughts during the game and my interpretations of the analysis provided by Houdini. The score chart is at the bottom of this entry.

This game features a large space advantage, coupled with mistakes common to a cramped position and a King-side attack leading to White’s resignation.

Scandinavian/Blackburne Gambit (2), a quick win

Today’s blog entry is from is from an online, turned-based game. White opened with e4 giving me another chance to try the Blackburne Gambit. Black offered the d5 & c6 pawns and the gambit began. The Blackburne has typical gambit advantages: a lead in development, open d & c files give black good compensation for the lost pawn.

The variations and move symbols are Houdini’s (1.5 w32), diagnosed with ‘Scid vs PC’ at 10 seconds per ply. The opening book reference is Stockfish. The verbal comments are my thoughts during the game and my interpretations of the analysis provided by Houdini. The score chart is at the bottom of this entry.

This game features the destruction of White’s pawn structure and an early White blunder, leading to White’s resignation.

French Defense, opponent's slow development

Today’s blog entry is from is from an online, turned-based game. Black transposed my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit into a French Defense, Rubinstein variation. However, on move #4 he began wasting time by raising ‘ear’s on h6 & a6 ... ostensibly to keep my Bishops from pinning his Knights. A couple of mistakes later gave White a 2-piece advantage. From here, it is relatively simple to force trades down to a winning endgame.

The variations and move symbols are Houdini’s (1.5 w32), diagnosed with ‘Scid vs PC’ at 10 seconds per ply. The opening book reference is Stockfish. The verbal comments are my thoughts during the game and my interpretations of the analysis provided by Houdini. The score chart is at the bottom of this entry.

This game features a preponderance of force against an uncontested center.

Benko Gambit, new to my repertoire

Today’s blog entry is from is from an online, turned-based game. I recently added the Benko, aka Volga, Gambit to my black repertoire. I purchased Raetsky & Chetverik’s Starting Out: benoni systems so I could respond to the Queen’s Gambit with a gambit of my own. This initial foray was very successful.

The variations and move symbols are Houdini’s (1.5 w32), diagnosed with ‘Scid vs PC’ at 10 seconds per ply. The opening book reference is Stockfish. The verbal comments are my thoughts during the game and my interpretations of the analysis provided by Houdini. The score chart is at the bottom of this entry.

This game features a sudden and devastating attack along the a1-h8 and a5-e1 diagonals. The Benko Gambit often gets these open diagonals.

As many of my loyal readers know, I have been experimenting with gambits in most of my games. I find that gambits change chess back to being fun, as they change the opening back to playing instead of a memory contest to see which player better memorized the opening moves.

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (9), opponent undeveloped & King exposed

Today’s blog entry is from is from an online, turned-based game. My opponent stayed in book for 8 moves, unusual for my BDG opponents to stay this long. He then buries his Knights and consequently his Queen-side Rook. When he also opened his King-side pawn defense, White’s preponderance of force prevailed.

The variations and move symbols are Houdini’s (1.5 w32), diagnosed with ‘Scid vs PC’ at 10 seconds per ply. The opening book reference Christoph Scheerer’s The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. The verbal comments are my thoughts during the game and my interpretations of the analysis provided by Houdini. The score chart is at the bottom of this entry.

This game features another weakened color complex on the King-side and inactive defensive pieces, plus a preponderance of pieces pointed at the opposing King-side.