© Copyright 2000 by Pafu · Read this book carefully and you will master the game of chess. If you...

© Copyright 2000 by Pafu

All rights to THE BEGINNER’S GAME are reserved by the author. No person is authorizedto copy, store electronically, or distribute by any means, any portion of this publicationwithout prior written permission by the author.

The author is the sole inventor, writer, editor, and publisher of the complete contents of THEBEGINNER’S GAME. All rights to original concepts and terminology in this publication are re-served by the author. Any reference to these concepts should make reference to this publication.

Cover design and drawings by PafuFirst printed in Italy by LiRiCo in Yr.0 (AD. 2000)All inquiries should be directed to www.beginnersgame.com

THE BEGINNER’S GAME was first published by the author as ISBN 88-900519-5-7

Printed in Victoria, Canada

National Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication Data

Pafu. The beginner's game

ISBN 1-55212-650-1

1. Chess. I. Title.GV1446.P34 2001 794.1'2 C2001-910369-7

Suite 6E, 2333 Government St., Victoria, B.C. V8T 4P4, CANADAPhone 250-383-6864 Toll-free 1-888-232-4444 (Canada & US)Fax 250-383-6804 E-mail [email protected] sitewww.trafford.com TRAFFORD PUBLISHING IS A DIVISION OF TRAFFORD HOLDINGS LTD.Trafford Catalogue #01-0051 www.trafford.com/robots/01-0051.html

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Preface to The Beginner’s Game

Read this book carefully and you will master the game of chess. If you are new to chess,you will learn to play fast! In a few minutes you will play the opening moves of the game as wellas anybody. In a few hours, you will play with confidence well beyond the opening. In the fewweeks it will take you to go thru this book, from a complete beginner you will become a solidplayer, able to confront even the strongest opponents, and offer them a tough game.

If you already play chess, then take this book seriously, because it challenges all of chessopening theory and practice. This system is better than anything you play now, or have everplayed. You are challenged to put your favorite opening, or any opening for that matter, againstthis system. After the opening, you will have no advantage. In the ensuing game, against anopponent of equal strength, your chances of winning will prove to be less than his.

Try this system and you will be convinced of its validity. It is incredibly strong: On defenseit is practically invulnerable. On offense it generates multitudes of dangerous attacks. Games thatresult from play with this system are of the highest quality, technically and artistically.

This completely new and radically different system has a most remarkable property: inmost games, with white or black, the same openings can be played out in standard form,regardless of what your opponent does. He simply cannot prevent you! And anything he plays,any conceivable opening, does not prove better than your standard game.

It is a startling claim, but all the evidence accumulated to date firmly supports it - it is thebest system that has ever been found for playing the game of chess. Not only that, it is quitepossibly the best system that exists, the optimal way to play the game.

It is a wonderful and inspiring discovery. It is something incredibly simple, in the midst ofincredible complexity, a true jewel of great and eternal beauty. And it was there all along, passedover by hundreds of millions of people, until someone who was looking for it found it.

It is the greatest discovery ever made in chess, one that will change forever the way thegame is played. And in the sense that chess has always been one of the most important of allhuman intellectual pursuits, it is in fact one of the greatest discoveries in human history!

Read on!

Great Are Thy GiftsLord

He Who Loves YouLives

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2. The Beginner’s Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3. Continuing Play After the Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4. The Beginner’s Game in Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5. Early Attacks on the Beginner’s Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6. Playing Against the Beginner’s Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7. The B-system Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8. B-System Variants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9. Playing the B-System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10. Why Wasn’t It Found Before? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11. How It Was Found . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12. Can it be Refuted? Is It Optimal? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13. What Happens Now to Chess? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14. Games Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Beginner’s Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Early Attacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Close Variants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Distant Variants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15. Concluding Remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Appendix: Move Notation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1. Introduction: The Easiest and Best way to Play Chess Ever Found!

A truly amazing and most unexpected discovery has been made: a new system of playingchess that is absolutely the simplest imaginable! It is incredibly easy to learn: even those whohave never played before can master the basic opening in a matter of a few minutes. In a fewhours anyone can learn a large number of strong related variants, and develop a good sense ofhow to play during and after the opening, at least thru the first 12 - 15 moves. It is, with absolutecertainty, the best system ever found for those learning to play the game of chess.

At the same time, this system is one of the strongest that has ever been seen, even forserious chess at championship level! In a thousand games played at master level this system hasproved its worth, compiling an impressive record of wins against every imaginable style ofopponent play. Given the ease with which it can be learned, It is therefore the quickest way toimprove for everyone who already play chess, whatever their current level of expertise.

This system is totally new, it has never been presented or described before this publication.It is not an improvement or a development of any existing method, but a brand new, amazinglystrong, and easy to play system, based on simple rules for playing the chess opening.

This system is unbelievably strong, both on defense and offense. It has a number ofremarkable properties rarely seen before in chess openings, that make it truly unique. Amongthese are that it can be played by both white and black indifferently, and that the openings can becarried out in most cases in standard form, irrespective of how the opponent plays.

The basic opening is called the Beginner’s Game, and the set of related variants on theopening is called the B-system. They all respect the same simple set of rules for opening playthat distinguishes them from openings used before. Together, they challenge all of classicalchess opening theory and practice, and in the hands of a competent player, emerge victorious.

Suitable for Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced Players Alike

If you have never learned to play chess before, consider yourself fortunate - you have beenspared years of drubbing by everyone better than you, while you struggled to learn the complexlabyrinth of chess openings. Instead you can memorize in a few minutes the Beginners Game,which guarantees you a successful opening. The author has taught the Beginner’s Game topeople with no familiarity with chess (and even an aversion to learning to play!) and seen themplaying quite well after a few games. A beginner can now play the openings like a professional!

For intermediate players, this system is a godsend. From the occasional to the seriousclub player, all have most difficulty with the openings. It is there that the better players take mostadvantage of them, wrecking their plans, and putting them at a disadvantage after only a fewmoves. Using their knowledge of the openings, better players push their adversaries away fromthe more familiar lines, present difficult tactical situations and traps, force disadvantageousexchanges, and in general, disorient and discourage their adversaries. Most occasional players do

Introduction 7

not have the time or interest to study the openings, so condemning themselves to mediocrity. Dothey really have to digest the entire body of opening theory to play well? It's just a game, right?

The chess opening can be immensely complicated and unbelievably difficult. Until now ithas generally been assumed that the only way to succeed in this phase of the game is bylaborious study and meticulous imitation. This system frees you from that drudgery, allowingyou to master the chess opening in the least time imaginable. It is enough to follow a few simplerules, keep in mind a few useful examples, and develop your own experience. With these, you willpass intact thru this most difficult and dangerous phase of the game. And you will do it bydeploying according to plan, and without allowing your adversary to develop any advantage.

Advanced players, including professional chess players, will be amazed by this system ofopenings. It is truly exceptional, having properties that distinguish it from anything knownpreviously in chess. These unique properties give a player of the system a real advantage overany rival of comparable strength. You play your game, not your adversary's. You control thenature of the game, closed or open, quiet or full of risks, where and when attacks are made, all thecharacteristics of play. You will also be able to anticipate the middle game well past the usuallimits, extending your preparation deep into the game. In addition, you are sure to find among thegreat diversity of variants in this opening system many that suit your preferred style of play.

Chess analysts will find a wealth to explore in the Beginner’s Game and its related systemof variants. The Beginner’s Game is a kind of resonance point in chess, with many fascinatingproperties to discover and understand. There is so much to explore, so much to experiment.Analysts will find much to research in the tuning of the system, such as selection of suitablevariants to counter sharper adversary play. Finding best defenses to the Beginner’s Game andother B-systems openings is a fascinating quest, not just for analysts, but for players of all levels.

Here then, is something for everyone, from beginners thru all grades of intermediateplayers, up to the top contenders for championship tournaments. By adopting this new systemyou are guaranteed to enrich and improve your game.

A Completely New Philosophy and Practice of Chess

The Beginner’s Game in particular, and the B-systems openings in general, are not acomplement to existing chess practice. They are a new framework for playing chess, that did notexist in any real form until the present. Rules defining sound opening play have been difficult toformulate in the past; now they are made clear and understandable for all.

The Beginner’s Game is completely new: it has not been presented or described before byanyone. There have been a few well known players who experimented with a related approach toopening play however, and deserve mention. A few names of those who have played somethingsimilar would include Nimzovitch, Reti, Petrosian, Larsen, and Spassky, all well knownprotagonists of modern openings. But even this elite vanguard of highly innovative players didnot find this incredibly simple but supremely powerful system of playing chess.

In conventional chess the opening is a race to control the center of the chessboard, andquickly develops into skirmishes to fight for that ‘high ground.' The Beginner’s Game is a tacticalredeployment of one’s own forces, in order to arrive at a solid position for the ensuing conflict. Itdoes not contest the center, avoids all engagement, and shows little or no reaction to theopponent’s play. In this sense the Beginner’s Game is not just a new chess opening, it is a newconcept of what the opening in chess is all about.

As the Beginner’s Game is occupied with its development only, the opponent is free topursue whatever development he desires. The resulting adversary openings are typicallyclassically perfect deployments of the pieces and pawns, the strongest configurations that can beimagined. They are certainly the strongest conventional openings that have ever been seen inchess. Almost all of them are quite impossible to achieve in normal play, where their aggressivedeployments would be challenged and restricted.

The Beginner’s Game therefore typically faces an opponent who has deployed morepowerfully than is normally possible in the chess opening. In no sense can its superiority beattributed to any deficiency on the part of the adversary, quite the contrary. But the Beginner’sGame confronts without any difficulty any classical opening, even more enlarged and moreaggressive versions of them. It fact it confronts any conceivable opening on the part of theadversary! And it has proved to be stronger than any of them! All of this defies the imagination,but it appears to be undeniably true.

The Beginner’s game is not a rote opening: it has an enormous variety of ways of playing it.So also do the openings in its related system of variants, which introduce different moves into thestandard opening, using the system rules. This system constitutes a subspace of the possibleopenings, that has been largely unexplored until now. Almost all of the openings in this systemare new, and almost all of them are playable. Many of them, and certainly the Beginner’s Gameitself, are among the best openings that have ever been found in chess.

All the openings in this new system respect the same simple and easy to learn rules foropening play. All openings, like the Beginner’s Game itself, strive to produce predeterminedpositions after the opening. To achieve this, they must resist adversary play, either as attacksduring the opening, or as preparations for attacks following their deployment. Amazingly, therules of the system seem to result generally in deployments with this strong aspect of nearindependence of one’s opening to the adversary play.

As the Beginner’s Game goes about its business of building a solid defense, it reveals aslittle as possible to the adversary, concerning either its final defensive position, or its possiblelines of attack. The philosophy of the Beginner’s Game is this - give the opponent nothing toattack, nothing to engage, no basis for orienting a counter strategy. At the same time, it developsand maintains full options for its own defense and offense, as always to a large degreeirrespective of the opponent's play.

Introduction 9

The author is convinced that, on the defense, the Beginner’s Game is absolutely the bestopening in chess! It is like an across-the-board castle position, a fortress that resists all attacks.It rarely needs to modify its opening moves, except when forced to make exchanges, that bring itsadversary no tangible gains. The Beginner’s Game really has no weak points: however it isattacked, it will resist. This has been proved in extensive experiments, against every conceivablestyle of opposing play. So the Beginner’s Game and its related system should appeal to allplayers who like to maintain a solid defense and keep the game under control.

The Beginner’s Game and the B-system openings concentrate in the first moves onbuilding a solid defense; only when this is complete do they pass to the offensive. This appearsto be a sensible way of playing the opening, to complete one’s own development beforeconfronting the adversary. But in no sense do they lose their attacking potential for subsequentplay; on the contrary, these are all highly aggressive openings. The compact defensiveformations of the Beginner’s Game and B-systems openings uncoil naturally into strong attackson a broad front, which the adversary can never totally prevent.

The author is convinced that, on the offense, the Beginner’s Game is absolutely the bestopening in chess! It always develops dangerous attacks, from an impressively large selection ofpossible lines. A player of the Beginner’s Game is never at a loss finding ways to attack. Once anattack starts, it is almost always effective in gaining space. These advances quickly producefavorable positions from which any experienced player can apply his skills to obtain a decisiveadvantage. So, the Beginner’s Game and its related system will also appeal to all players who liketo maintain pressure on their adversaries with an aggressive attack.

All these claims defy the imagination, but the evidence accumulated to date firmly supportsthem. The Beginner’s Game and the B-system is simply the best system ever found for playingchess, on defense, on offense, and in every other sense! At the same time it’s also the simplest!

One might guess that an easy to learn standard opening might result in dull games,

probably tending towards drawn results. Exactly the opposite is true - the Beginner’s Game andthe B-system openings result in brilliant games of superior quality, sparkling with possibility, andrippling with danger. They are true showcases for virtuosity, and anyone who loves chess willsoon find himself in a hitherto unknown universe of fascination!

Characteristics of Play

The same characteristics of play are almost always evident with this system: the defense issolid, and there are plenty of opportunities for attacking. These openings are therefore suitablefor attacking and defending players alike. On the defense, they offer little weakness, and a greatflexibility of options for the consolidation of a solid position. On the offence they are extremelystrong; regardless of how the adversary plays, powerful attacking lines are always present.

In games using the system, there is almost never a rout of a defensive position, or games inwhich strong attacks after the opening are not present. Moreover, the losses recorded do not

seem to result from any demonstrable weakness following the opening. Losses occur mostlywhen the system player overexploits the natural strengths of the opening, and takes excessiverisks in an attempt to win. Good players should be quite familiar with this phenomenon: trying forthe win also increases your chances of losing - it’s just part of the game.

The basic aim of these openings, often achievable in practice, is to carry out essentiallypreconceived developments, with minimal adaptations. This gives a player of the system realadvantages. He knows how to play within the familiar lines of his well-practiced opening, and heis better prepared to respond to anything his opponent might do.

In playing an opening that goes according to plan, you are at the same time forcing youropponent to play your game, and that is the basic strategy in any encounter. When your opponentplays your game, your confidence improves and so does your quality of play. You know your owngame, with its risks and opportunities, so your decisions are better founded in experience.

A surprising, almost miraculous, aspect of the Beginner’s Game and many of the B-systemopenings is that they can be usually be carried out in near complete tranquility. There is little thatthe opponent can do to disrupt these openings. At best he can force exchanges of pawns orpieces, or cause other minor damage which has minimal effect on the balance of the game.

Challenges All of Classical Chess Theory and Practice

The Beginner’s Game and many of the B-system openings confront any of the knownopenings, without particular difficulty. In this sense they challenge all of classical chess.Moreover, the general style of play in this system is very different from the guidelines for openingplay described in almost all books on chess written to date. You could say that the entire systemis conceptually opposed to conventional chess opening theory and practice.

To the degree that this new system has already proved successful against conventionalopenings, it may be said to challenge virtually all of what has been practiced in the game of chessuntil the present. It certainly challenges, and in large part refutes, much of what has beenexpounded until now as sound rules for opening play.

In a thousand games the author has played this system, with a computer opponent ofprofessional strength, the Beginner’s Game and the better B-systems openings have proved to beexceptionally strong. Playing the system with either white or black, there has been a consistentlylarge positive balance of wins. No adversary response has ever been found which could defeatthe standard opening in a series of games, and most of the strongest adversary defenses andearly attacks have already been tried. There is already a considerable amount of experimentalevidence confirming the validity of this system.

Introduction 11

How Important is this Discovery?

The Beginner’s Game is the greatest discovery ever made in chess. But even this may bean understatement, because this system, containing multitudes of strong new openings, mayeventually turn out to be comparable in significance to all of existing chess opening theory! It ispractically certain to change completely and irrevocably the entire practice of chess. In fact, it’s acompletely new game of chess that results, bearing little resemblance to all that has gone before!

Chess has been a principal intellectual pastime of modern civilization for hundreds ofyears, and in this sense the Beginner’s Game and its related system must be considered as one ofthe greatest discoveries in human history. This is not a self judgment; it is a simple logicalstatement, whose truth is established once the system has proved its superiority in competition.

Although the validity of this system must be tested by extensive play and universalacceptance, the preliminary findings are very encouraging indeed. Not only is it the easiest andprobably the best way to play the game that has ever been found, it is also quite possibly theoptimal way of playing the game. Optimal in the strong sense means that it is always capable ofproducing a win or draw, when played correctly. It would take a tremendous amount of researchto test this hypothesis, but it could be done, and the final result might well be that it is true.

It is too soon to say if the Beginner’s Game and its related system will never meet its equal.Perhaps millions of games must be played before we can begin to feel sure of that. But it is anexciting theory, and in the meantime we can wonder whether the game of chess was really just apuzzle, waiting all along to be solved. The Beginner’s Game could be that solution. If there existsa solution to the game of chess, then most likely this is it.

Entering a New Era of Chess

Share the excitement and enthusiasm of the author as you discover for yourself thisamazingly strong, yet incredibly simple system of playing chess. Use it, and your game willimprove immediately and significantly. You will now be able to confront even the strongestplayers and offer them a tough match.

The game of chess is no longer the preserve of a privileged few, with a rigid pecking orderamong those devoted to playing it seriously. It is now a truly universal game that anyone canlearn to play well in a few weeks. This was a correction that was sorely needed in the sport, tomake it more accessible, and more balanced between players of different levels of expertise.

The openings books must be revised, but that is not all. The entire practice of chess is

about to undergo a dramatic revolution, experience a complete transformation, and enter a totallynew era. Be part of it - it’s the most interesting thing that ever happened to the dull old game!

2. The Beginner’s Game

(Note - if you are completely new to chess, then you will learn by playing all the moves inthe text on your own chess set. Read the appendix on move notation, or better yet, ask someonewho plays chess to explain the basic rules and move notation, and then come right back.)

The Beginner’s Game is a standard configuration that is achieved after eight moves. Withits symmetrical aspect, this configuration can be memorized at a glance. The standard position ofthe Beginner's Game for both white and black is shown below:

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

Beginner’s Game with Black

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Beginner’s Game With White

In the Beginner's Game four pawns are brought forward to the third rank: the queen andking pawns, and the two knight pawns. Four pieces are placed on the second rank: the bishops inthe fianchetto position, and the knights in front of the king and queen. It is this position that allplayers should reproduce in the opening eight moves. Beginners and most intermediate levelplayers should continue to play the standard opening until their general chess playing skillsimprove significantly. More advanced players can move into B-system variants as soon as theyare confident that they understand and can exploit the natural strengths of the standard opening.

The Beginner's Game has proved very strong in competition, resulting in an impressivelylarge percentage of wins and draws. But perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Beginner'sGame is that, with few exceptions, this same opening position can be reached in most games,with white or black, regardless of how the adversary plays. This makes it easy for everyone, evenbeginners, to learn the opening and play it correctly.

Before concerning ourselves with what order of moves is used to open, or what our

opponent might be doing in the meantime, let’s take a good look at this standard position.

The Beginner’s Game is like an across-the-board castled position, with all approaches to itheavily protected. The entire front of the position is formed by pawns. Moreover, they are all inpawn chains, defending each other, so they cannot be attacked by pieces. All the pieces areplaced behind the pawns, making them also very difficult to attack. The pieces are all active: thebishops control the open long diagonals, and the knights control three forward squares each.The queen and king are safe behind the strong pawn wall and the active pieces.

The Beginner's Game 13

All pawns and pieces are well placed to co-operate in the defense. The deploymentexecuted in the first eight moves has placed all pawns and pieces in a very compact defensiveposition; in fact it is one of the most compact deployments possible in chess. Since our positionis so compact, our adversary will have to spend additional moves to bring his forces into range toattack. That will cost him time, and therefore loss of initiative.

The center of our position is extremely solid. The four squares in front of the position aretriply guarded, which minimizes the threat of frontal attack. As we shall see, most frontal attackssucceed only in exchanging pawns, and even pawn exchanges can be avoided in most cases.

The only accessible undefended squares on our side of the board are our Knight 4 squares.Here our opponent can place a bishop, pinning one of our knights. But the bishop can only staythere momentarily - on any following move we can advance the rook pawn and oblige him toeither retreat or exchange with our knight. Neither option is advantageous for our opponent, sothis bishop placement is in general an empty threat. Similarly, an opponent’s knight placed onthe same square can generally be forced to retreat by our rook pawn advance.

In fact there are really no vulnerable points in our position. Our defense can respond to

any enemy incursion. We have also kept open options for castling, which can be performedking-side, queen-side, or not at all. This makes it difficult for our opponent to orient his offense,because he does not yet know where to attack!

Having achieved this standard position of the Beginner’s Game, we have the basis forcompleting and consolidating our defense. We can be confident that our position will resist andrepel any adversary attack. We can now concentrate on offense.

The compact pawn structure with pieces placed behind them leaves a completely emptyfield in front of our position. All of our pawns can advance, unhindered by pieces. These pawnadvances can continue to construct other pawn chains, always hard to attack. Our adversarycannot prevent these pawn advances, whatever his position is, because they can be made onsuch a broad front. And there are so many possible moves that he cannot know where we willattack, and so cannot prepare for it. As we shall see, the Beginner’s Game attacks after theopening, in almost every single game.

Our position is perfectly symmetric, which means that any co-ordinated pawn and pieceactions playable on one side can be played on the other. This mirror aspect benefits the systemplayer significantly, allowing him to transfer experience in play between sides. Considering alsothat the Beginner’s Game is used for both white and black, and can be carried out in most gameswithout modifications, the result of all these factors is a dramatic reduction of the difficulty of thechess game for all players of this opening, with a corresponding increase in the chance of playingit well.

Move Sequences

What is the correct sequence of moves to produce the standard position of the Beginner’sGame? Actually, subject to the limitation that pawn moves must be performed prior to placementof the pieces behind them, any of the possible orderings of pawn and piece movements areplayable. This results in a very large number of ways (exactly: 2280!) to play the opening, allresulting in this same position after eight moves. Here are a few examples of move sequences toproduce the Beginner's Game: (the move notation is shown for white and black alternately).

Sequence N:Knights first, eg.1. d62. Nd73. e64. Ne7then bishops,eg.5. g66. Bg77. b6 (368. Bb7 ways)

§ ¯³¹ ¨”“”—˜“”“

”“

‘’‘’‘–•’‘’¦ ª²› ¤

Sequence P:Pawns first, eg.1. b32. d33. e34. g3 then pieces, eg.5. Bb26. Ne27. Nd2 (5768. Bg2 ways)

§˜ ¯³¹—¨” ” “ “” ”“ “

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘ ’ ’¦• ª²›–¤

Sequence K:K-side first, eg.1. g62. e63. Bg7 4. Ne7then Q-side, eg.5. d66. Nd77. b6 (368. Bb7 ways)

§˜ ¯³ ¨”“”“˜“¹“

“ “

’ ’‘’‘’•’›’¦• ª² ¤

Sequence Bbishops first, eg.1. b32. Bb23. g34. Bg2then knights, eg.5. e36. Ne27. d3 (36 8. Nd2 ways)

§˜ ¯³ —¨” ”“”“¹“” “

‘ ’‘ ‘’‘’›’¦• ª² –¤

All Sequencescontain the sameeight moves, justin different order.

There are 2280sequences of thestandardopening, and allof them areplayable!

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Sequence PtP:Pawn then Piece,eg.1. b32. Bb23. e3 4. Ne2 3. d34. Nd2 7. g3 (248. Bg2 ways)

§˜ ¯³¹ ¨” ”“˜“”“” “

‘ ’‘ ‘’•’‘’¦• ª²› ¤


Sequences of type P are easy to remember, and offer a large variety of move orderings.Sequences of type B and N give priority to developing bishops or knights first, and have fewerorderings. Sequences of type K develop the king side early, permitting early castling. Sequencesof type Q, developing the queen side first, and of type PtP, that bring out the pieces right aftermoving the corresponding pawn, have generally proved to be very strong. There are also manyother types of sequences in addition to the thematic groups shown above.

One can go into any amount of detail on the possible move sequences to produce thestandard configuration of the Beginner’s Game, or the strengths or weaknesses of each withregard to adversary play. The important thing to know is that all of the possible orderings areplayable. In a given game some sequences may be preferable to others, in the sense of forcing orlimiting the adversary's play. But in general, move sequence is just a matter of personalpreference - there is no ‘best’ sequence for playing the standard opening.

Those who already play chess may be uncomfortable with the freedom of this near randommove ordering. Conventional chess openings have rigid move sequences, and even slightmodifications can change dramatically the games that result. In the Beginner’s Game, the orderof the first moves hardly matters at all. Anyone can and should try many different sequences.

Depending on which sequence is chosen, the Beginner’s Game is subject to different typesof adversary attacks at different times. Some attacks may constrain the choice of sequences, oreven force introduction of moves not normally used. But here again the system player is at anadvantage: he can vary his move sequences while still playing his standard opening, whereas hisopponent often tries to invent different responses, changing his game each time.

Those who already play chess will definitely be uncomfortable with the idea of playing the

same opening all the time. They will already be thinking of modifying the standard opening, sothat their opponents will not know in advance what they are going to play. Many interestingvariants of the standard opening exist, and will be discussed in detail later. The important thing isthat even if your opponent knows that you are playing the standard opening he can do little tostop you, and whatever opening he plays, you will be able to confront it successfully. You caneven announce at the start that you will play the Beginner’s Game, it changes practically nothing.It is another singular aspect of the Beginner’s Game that has never been seen before (and maynever be seen again) in any opening in chess.

What if your adversary's play prevents you from carrying out your standard opening? As itturns out, there is little that he can do to attack or disrupt this opening, and only in a few rarecases can you get into serious trouble during these first eight moves. Only minor modificationsto the standard position are made by your responses to these attacks, so your game doesn’t reallychange that much. Each of these early attacks also has a number of possible responses that youcan choose from, so your play will almost never be forced by your adversary.

A quick overview of the early attacks is given in the following diagrams. We will discussthese attacks and the possible ways to respond to them in more detail later on.

§ ¯³¹—¨” ”— “”“” ”“

‘› ‘

•‘’‘ ’‘’¦• ª² ¤

Example Pc:1. e4 d62. d4 b63. Nf3 Nd74. Bc4 e65. d5

Center Pawn Attack

Your opponent advances a center pawnpast the middle of the board, challengingone of your center pawns.

You can usually advance the attackedcenter pawn, exchange pawns, or in manycases, even ignore the attack.

§˜ ¯³¹—¨” ”“”“”“”

’’

‘’‘ ‘’›’¦• ª² –¤

Example Bf: 1. d4 d62. g3 b63. Bg2 c6

Fianchetto Attack

Your opponent starts a fianchetto openingbefore you do. Here you can wait for himto block the diagonal with his own knightor pawns, which often occurs, or block thediagonal yourself, with a bishop pawn asshown here, a center pawn, or your knight.Any blocking moves that you perform willresult in a variant of the standard opening.

§˜ ¯³ ¨”“” ˜“¹“

”“ “

›’‘•

‘’‘ ’‘’¦• ª² ¤

Example Bp:1. e4 g62. d4 d63. Nf3 Bg74. Bc4 e65. Bg5 Ne7

Bishop Pin Attack

Your opponent attacks your king or queen with his bishop. Here you can block theattack by your normal knight move. If heexchanges his bishop for your knight thenyour queen recaptures. You can alsodrive the bishop off with rook or bishoppawn advances.

§ ¯ ¨³”“”—˜“¹“

”“ “

›’‘•

‘’‘¬ ’‘’¦• ² ¤

Example Q&B: 1. e4 g62. d4 d63. Nf3 Bg74. Bc4 e65. Bg5 Ne76. Qd2 Nd77. Bh6 O-O

Queen and Bishop Attack

Your opponent aligns his queen with hisbishop, threatening to bring his bishop toyour Rook 3 square, and force you toexchange.

You can either advance your rook pawn toshut down the attack, or wait for hisbishop to come down, and then exchange.


Rook Pawn Attack

Your opponent advances a rook pawn,threatening to dislodge your bishop, orexchange with your knight pawn.

You can counter by advancing the rookpawn one or two squares, or react invarious other ways.

Example Pr:1. e4 g62. d4 d63. Nf3 Bg74. h4 h6

§˜ ¯³ —¨”“” ”“¹

” “”

’‘ ’•

‘’‘ ’‘¦• ª²› ¤

Knight and Bishop Attack

Your opponent uses his knight and bishopto attack your bishop pawn or the centerpawn beside it, usually on the king side.

You can usually shut down the attack by advancing the center pawn or the rookpawn on the attacked side.

Example N&B:1. e4 g62. Nf3 d63. Bc4 Bb74. d4 Nd65. Bxg7+

§ ¯³ —¨”“”—”›¹“

” “

’‘•

‘’‘ ’‘’¦• ª² ¤

All of these attacks and the possible ways of handling them will be dealt with in morecomplete detail later on. What you should know now is that none of these attacks are particularlyeffective. They may put you under psychological pressure, but if you deal with them correctly,none of them can win material, seriously threaten your king or queen, or gain any real advantage.In most cases they result in delayed development and loss of initiative for your opponent.

In the many hundreds of games the author has played the standard opening against acomputer opponent of master level, these early attacks were used in a relatively smallminority of games; that is a good commentary on their value. It would seem that your opponenthas a better game if he concentrates on his own development rather than trying to disrupt yours;so you will often be able to complete your Beginner’s Game without modifications. If youcomplete the standard opening, you will have a solid defensive position and many good lines forattacking, no matter what your opponent has played in the meantime.

Adversary Openings

Now we take a look at some typical responses of the adversary. These are openingpositions of some of the games we will play thru in the next section, using the standard opening.

§ ¯ ¨³”“ “”“

—¹ ˜”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Game 7

§ ¯ ¨³”“” ¹“”“

— ˜”

”‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Game 5

§ ¯ ¨³”“ “¹“

— ˜“”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Game 3

§ ¯³ ¨”“ ”“

—¹ ˜”“”“

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª ¤²

Game 19

§ ¨³”“” “”“

—¯ ˜¹“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Game 17

§ ¨³”“ “”“

—¹ ˜¯ ”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Game 15

Adversary Openings(White Plays the Beginner’s Game)

During the opening our opponent has been left to pursue his development in the almostcomplete absence of threats from our side. The deployments that he makes, in his near totalfreedom to compose them, are usually perfect classical formations, typically with two or threeadvanced center pawns, bishops and knights optimally placed, the king castled, and the queenrelocated. In almost all cases the adversary places an impressive mass of material in the center.


In all games our opponent claims far more space on the chessboard than does the ultracompact Beginner’s Game. He appears to have absolute control of the center; he certainlyoccupies it, and we don’t. He is also attacking far more on our side than we are on his: only ourbishops are doing this a bit. He seems poised to pour over the center of the chessboard with anoverwhelming attack. Classical chess would rate our opponent a solid favorite at this point. Aclassical player would feel certain to have thoroughly crushed his timid opponent in the opening.

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘’‘‘ ’‘ – ’›’¦ ª² –¤

Game 12

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘’‘– •’

‘’ ’›’¦ ª² ¤

Game 6

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘’‘–› •

‘’ ’‘’¦ ª ¤²

Game 4

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘ ’‘– •’‘ ›’‘’

¦ ª ¤²

Game 18

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘’‘ ›’•‘ – ’‘’¦ ª² ¤

Game 16

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘‘

–› •‘’‘ ’‘’¦ ª ¤²

Game 14

Adversary Openings(Black Plays the Beginner’s Game)

It was the dream of classical chess to dominate the center so thoroughly in the opening asin any of these examples. Such successful deployments are virtually impossible to achieve inconventional chess; against us they can be played with almost no resistance. The Beginner’sGame always plays against the strongest possible opposition, this much is certain. Our opponentis always doing the maximum that anyone can possibly achieve in the chess opening.

All of the adversary deployments shown in these examples above are evidently valid, andobviously very strong. In fact, all of them are stronger than any openings that have normally beenplayable in chess until the present! As we play our standard moves, we watch as our opponentbuilds one of these impressive positions; but we are not particularly concerned. Formidable asthey appear, none of them will prove to have any real advantage over the Beginner's Game!

Now we present two complete games using the standard opening, one with white and onewith black. In both games the player of the Beginner’s Game is able to complete his standardopening, has good play afterwards, and produces a victory.


Game 1: Beginner’s Game with White

This game was the author’s first win withthe Beginner’s Game against a topstrength computer opponent. It’s nothingbrilliant, just a straightforward victory. Black has a perfect classical deployment, controlling the center with pawns andpieces aggressively poised. Black isstrong; white has not yet begun to fight!

1. b3 e52. Bb2 Nc63. d3 d54. Nd2 Nf65. g3 Bd66. Bg2 O-O7. e3 Bg48. Ne2 Qd7

§ ¨³”“” “”“

—¹ ˜“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

White advances both rook pawns, castlesand advances the bishop pawn - a typicalcontinuation of the Beginner’s Game.Black exchanges his bishop for a knight,improving the placement of white’s queen. White is developing in a regular andcoordinated manner; black is not able tohalt his push, or find counter attacks.

9. h3 Bxe210. Qxe2 a511. a3 Bc512. O-O Rfd813. f4 ...

§ ¨ ³“” “”“— ˜

” ¹“”’

’‘ ‘’ ’‘‘–ª ›

¦ ¤²

After the exchange of pawns, white startsmoving forward on the queen side.

Black here offers to sacrifice a piece fortwo pawns, with his passed rook pawnthreat in compensation for the materialdisadvantage.

13. ... exf414. Rxf4 Qe615. d4 Bd616. Rf3 a417. b4 Nxb4

§ ¨ ³“” “”“

¹ ˜“

“˜ ’’ ’¤’‘

‘–ª ›¦ ²

White exchanges bishops, and stops therook pawn from advancing to promotion.Black missed a better line with 19..Bc3, buteven with that he doesn’t regain equality.

White explores an attack with two rooks on the open bishop file. In spite of hisobligation to double protect the queeningsquare, white keeps all his pieces active.

18. axb4 Bxb419. Ba3 Bxa320. Rxa3 Qe721. Ra1 a322. Raf1 Rd623. Rf5 a224. Nb3 Re625. Re1 c6

§ ³“ ¯“”““ §˜“ ¤’

• ’ ’‘“ ‘ ª ›

¦ ²

³“”

§”“ “’ ’ ’

’“¦ ²–

26. Rff1 b627. c3 Ra328. Na1 Ne429. Bxe4 Rxe430. Rf4 Rxf431. exf4 Qxe232. Rxe2 h533. Kf2 c534. h4 cxd435. cxd4 Ra436. Rb2 Ra6

Now follows a phase in which most of thepieces are exchanged. It shows howquickly material can be traded down fromthis opening. The trades help white, sincethe material advantage is in his favor.

White offers to exchange for the advancedrook pawn; black’s rook can no longerprotect all of his queen side pawns!

“´ “

“” ’ ’• ’¦ ²

§

37. Rb5 g638. Rxd5 Kf839. Re5 Ra440. d5 Ra741. d6 b542. Re2 b443. d7 Rxd744. Rxa2 Ke745. Rb2 Rd146. Nb3 Kd6

White snaps up another pawn, then forcesblack to exchange his advanced pawn bydeveloping a advanced pawn himself.

White’s strategy from this point will be toexchange rooks, then cash in his knightfor the isolated pawn, leaving black’s kingtoo far away to intervene on the king side.

“““

´ ’ ’°’

–

47. Rd2+ Rxd2+48. Nxd2 Kc5 49. Ke2 Kd450. Kf3 Kd351. Nb3 Kc352. Na5 Kd253. Nc6 b354. Na5 b255. Nc4+ Kc356. Nxb2 Kd4

White’s knight takes Black’s passed pawn,but black doesn’t have time to recapture!

Black’s king gets back, but cannot preventthe loss of his remaining pawns.

³“ •

² ’ ’

57. g4 Kd558. gxh5 gxh559. Nd3 f560. Ke3 Kd661. Kd4 Ke662. Nf2 Kf663. Nh1 Ke664. Ng3 Kf665. Nxh5+ Ke6

White mates easily, with 2 queens.75. h7 Kxg476. h8=Q Kf3 77. f6 Ke478. f7 Kd379. f8=Q Kc480. Qd6 Kb381. Qc8 Ka282. Qb6 Ka383. Qa8++

66. Ng3 Kf667. h5 Ke668. h6 Kf769. Nxf5 Kg870. Ke5 Kh871. Ke6 Kg872. Ne3 Kh773. Ng4 Kg674. f5+ Kg5


Game 2: Beginner’s Game with Black

Black plays the Beginner’s Game, with oneof its numerous opening sequences.

White has a formidable development withthree pawns and all pieces aggressivelyplaced in the center. He follows with aQ-side castle, to intensify his attack. Suchoverwhelming control of the center hasnever been seen before in chess!

1. c4 b62. Nc3 e63. e4 g64. d4 Ne75. Nf3 Bg76. Bd3 d67. Bf4 Nd78. Qe2 Bb7

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘’‘–› •

‘’ ª’‘’¦ ² ¤

But appearances are misleading - it is notwhite, but black, that attacks! Black gainsspace and makes a quick series ofexchanges that shatters white’s impressivecenter and neutralizes all his threats.

Materially, there is equality at this point,but black has clearly seized the initiative.

9. O-O-O e510. dxe5 dxe511. Be3 Nc612. Bc2 O-O13. Ba4 Nd414. Nxd4 exd415. Bxd4 Bxd416. Rxd4 Qg5+17. Rd2 Qxg2

§ ¨³” ”— “ “” “

› ‘ ‘–

‘’ ¦ª’ ’² ¤

Queens and rooks are exchanged, and it isstill an even contest, but white now has someweakness in his pawn structure.

Black’s position is compact and harmonious.All the exchanges have left it perfectly intact.

18. Qf1 Qxf1+19. Rxf1 Nc520. Bc2 Rad821. Rxd8 Rxd822. Rd1 Rxd1+23. Kxd1 Ne6

³” ” “ “” — “

‘ ‘–

‘’› ’ ’°

Black exchanges the remaining piecesneatly, resulting in a doubled pawn, whichcripples white’s queen side majority.

The kings now begin their maneuvers, andit is black who has the opposition, andwhat is already looking like a win.

24. Nd5 Nd425. Nxc7 Nxc226. Kxc2 Bxe4+27. Kc3 Bc628. Nb5 Bxb529. cxb5 Kf830. Kd4 Ke731. Kd5 Kd7

” ³ “ “” “‘ °

‘’ ’ ’

””’‘ ´“²“’ ’

32. a4 g533. Ke5 Ke734. b4 f6+35. Kf5 Kf736. a5 h637. h3 h538. f4 gxf439. Kxf4 Ke640. h4 f541. Kg5 Ke5

On the queen side white’s damagedmajority cannot advance. On the kingside, the timing is close, but black is ableto produce a game winning passed pawnwith his pawn sacrifice.

” ’‘’

´ ²”

42. Kxh5 f443. Kg4 Ke444. h5 f345. Kg3 Ke346. axb6 axb647. h6 f2

Black’s pawn is going in; white can queenhis pawn as well, but loses it immediatelyafter white checks on g1 and then h1.

It’s all over except for the mating exercise.

” ¯‘’ ´ ²

48. Kg2 Ke249. Kh3 f1=Q+50. Kg4 Qf651. h7 Ke352. h8=Q Qxh853. Kf5 Qe854. Kg5 Qe655. Kh4 Kf456. Kh5 Qd657. Kh4 Qh6++

With his queen advantage, black matesquickly and easily.

Like many other games we shall see, this one shows how with incisive play following the standardopening, an experienced player is able to reduce even the most aggressive defenses to disarray.

The middle game often proves quite intense, with highly complex combinations involving manyexchanges. Against any defense there are always a number of playable and promising lines.

The endgame is very often favorable for the player of the standard opening, with the pawns beingrelatively advanced and usually remaining in chains or other good structures.


3. Continuing Play After the Opening

The Beginner’s Game is a fixed position reached after eight moves. Here we present ageneral summary of what often follows, to give you an idea of how to play on an additional five toeight moves after the standard opening. Excerpts are taken from the games in the next section.

The player of the Beginner’s Game normally begins attacking right after the standard

opening. Many of the first attacking moves are pawn advances. The rook pawns are often thefirst to be moved. If your opponent has placed a bishop in the center, your knight pawn then oftenadvances, forcing it to retreat. Bishop pawn double advances are most frequently used tochallenge the opponent's center, although center pawn advances are always strong as well.Castling is usually done in the first moves after the opening, often before challenging the center.

Game 1: White plays five of the most commonly seen continuation moves of the Beginner’sGame, advancing both rook pawns, exchanging knight for bishop, and castling. White thenattacks with a bishop pawn double advance, striking at the center, and opening the bishop file.

§ ¨ ³“” “”“— ˜

” ¹“”’

’‘ ‘’ ’‘‘–ª ›

¦ ¤²

9. h3 Bxe210. Qxe2 a511. a3 Bc512. O-O Rfd813. f4

1. b3 e52. Bb2 d53. d3 Nf64. Nd2 Nc65. g3 Bd66. Bg2 O-O7. e3 Bg48. Ne2 Qd7

§ ¨³”“” “”“

—¹ ˜“”

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The knights are usually active in the first moves following the opening. The most frequentknight moves are relocations to bishop 3 or 4, or knight 3, and exchanges in the center. Knightsoften succeed in exchanging with opponent’s bishops, especially when they are on the sixth rank.

Game 20: Black advances both rook pawns, then strikes the king side of the center with e5and f5. He castles, and relocates his knights, bringing them both into the attack. Black gainsspace, and limits his opponent’s mobility. He can now exchange his knight for a bishop.

§ ¯ ¨³” ¹

“ ” ˜“”“ ‘”—

›–ª‘’‘– ’‘’

¤¦ ²

9. Qd2 h610. Bc4 a611. d5 e512. Bb3 f513. Qd3 O-O14. Rad1 Nf615. exf5 Nxf516. Nd2 b5

1. d4 d62. Nf3 b63. e4 g64. Nc3 Bg75. Be3 Bb76. Bd3 Nd77. O-O e68. Re1 Ne7

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

’‘–› •

‘’‘ ’‘’¦ ª¦ ²

Deciding how and when to strike at the center is a critical aspect of play after the opening.The opponent usually occupies the center heavily with pawns and pieces. You can challenge onlywith well calculated moves. You must see the resulting board positions, not only if pawns areexchanged, but also if your opponent advances his attacked pawn, or piles up on yours. Centralpawn exchanges usually serve to blunt an opponent’s attack, and prepare for a longer series ofexchanges. Beginners should avoid the more complicated exchanges in the center until they cancalculate the resulting positions with reasonable accuracy.

Game 4: Black castles, and pushes a rook pawn, then strikes at white’s center, attacking hiswell defended square e4. Black avoids a central pawn exchange, and instead advances his solopawn and gives check. After the exchanges black’s position is good; his bishops are very strong.

§ ¨³”—¯ ¹

“” “ ””

ª ‘’– •

‘’ ›¦‘’¤ ²

9. Qa4 O-O10. Rad1 h611. Be2 f512. e5 g513. Bc1 a614. Be3 f415. exd6 fxe316. dxe7 exf2+17. Rxf2 Qxe7

1. c4 b62. Nc3 e63. e4 g64. d4 Ne75. Nf3 Bg76. Bd3 d67. O-O Bb78. Bf4 Nd7

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘’‘–› •

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Game 6: Black strikes immediately at the center with e5, forcing white to retreat. He thenexchanges with the queen pawn, stopping white’s center threats. Black castles and brings hisknight forward, then advances his queen side pawns. All black’s pieces are well placed and active.

§ ¨³˜“¹“

“” ” “” ˜‘ ‘

– – ’‘’ ª’›’

¦ ¤²

9. O-O e510. Be3 exd411. Nxd4 O-O12. Rc1 Ne513. Qe2 c514. Ndb5 a615. Na3 Qd7

1. d4 e62. c4 b63. e4 Bb74. Nc3 Ne75. g3 g66. Bf4 Bg77. Bg2 d68. Nf3 Nd7

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘’‘– •’

‘’ ’›’¦ ª² ¤

In the Beginner’s Game, the bishops are already very well placed in their fianchettopositions, and rarely move right after the opening, unless they are exchanged with opposingfianchettoed bishops, or with knights in their usual placements on Bishop 3. The adversary oftenforces exchange of bishops in the queen and bishop attack. Bishop captures in the center usuallyoccur as part of a series of exchanges somewhat later on.

Continuing Play After the Opening 27

Game 7: White castles, and immediately challenges the center with e4. He trades bishops,then maneuvers his knights to make favorable exchanges. White now pushes for the endgame; heis in better shape, with his solid pawn structure, and quality advantage (bishop versus knight).

§ ¨³” “”“

—¯“” ”

‘ ‘ ’‘ ‘ ’ ’¦ ª ¤²

9. O-O Qd710. e4 Bh311. Bxh3 Qxh312. exd5 Nxd513. Nc3 Nxc314. Bxc3 Qd715. Nc4 b516. Nxd6 Qxd6

1. b3 e52. e3 Nf63. Ne2 d54. Bb2 Bd65. g3 O-O6. Bg2 c57. d3 Nc68. Nd2 Be6

§ ¯ ¨³”“ “”“

—¹ ˜”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Queen moves following the opening are used either to relocate the queen nearby, or torecapture when your opponent exchanges his bishop for one of your knights. The most commonqueen relocation is to Queen Bishop 2, with Queen 2 and King 2 secondary preferences. Queensorties are not often seen right after the opening. If the queen does go out soon after theopening, it is usually for a queen exchange, or to support attacks already underway.

Game 15: White first castles, then expands on the queen side, in spite of black’sconcentration of forces there. White’s queen relocation to c2 is typical. After repelling black onthe queen side, white starts to attack on the king side. The exchange of bishop for knight givesup white’s strong fianchetto, but is effective in reducing black’s potential to attack.

§ § ³”“ — “”“

¹” ”’‘” ’’• ‘’ ’

ª • ’¦ ¤²

9. O-O Be610. c4 d411. a3 Bf512. Qc2 Rfe813. b4 Qb614. Nb3 Nd715. f4 Bg616. Bxc6 Qxc6

1. e3 d52. b3 e53. Bb2 Bd64. Ne2 Nf65. g3 O-O6. Bg2 c57. d3 Nc68. Nd2 Qa5

§ ¨³”“ “”“

—¹ ˜¯ ”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Castling is usually performed in the 5-8 moves immediately following the standard opening.The king side castle is always easier and safer; but the defensive strength of the Beginner’s Gameallows more risks to be taken. The queen side castle, which is almost always possible, is thereforea more attractive option than in classical chess. A queen side castle will intensify an attack onyour opponent’s king side; most of the pieces and all the king side pawns can participate in whatcan develop into an overwhelming assault. If you are confident that you are a better player thanyour opponent, then definitely you should experiment with the queen side castle.

Game 9: White follows his standard opening with knight relocations and exchanges. Thebishop is used to recapture, then returns to its initial position. White now finds a very sharpcontinuation - from this position he offers a splendid gambit by castling queen side!

§ ¨³”“ ”“

—¹¯ ” ”

‘ ‘¬ ’‘ ‘– ›’¦ ² ¤

9. Nc3 d410. Nce4 Nxe411. Bxe4 f512. Bg2 dxe313. fxe3 f414. Qe2 fxe315. Qxe3 Qa5

1. e3 e52. b3 Nf63. g3 d54. d3 Bd65. Bg2 O-O6. Bb2 c57. Ne2 Nc68. Nd2 Be6

§ ¯ ¨³”“ “”“

—¹ ˜”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Even from a king side castle, the king side pawns are typically advanced to use them in theattack. These advances are more natural from the fianchetto position, as they are supported bythe bishop. Here is another strength of the Beginner’s Game, that the castled position pawns alsoparticipate actively in the attack, whereas in classical chess these pawns have a purely defensiverole. The king is more active as well, advancing to defend his pawns, and mobilize his rooks onthe back rank. In all sharper play, stronger attacks are generated by taking more risks, includingthat of exposing the king somewhat.

Rook placements in the Beginner’s Game are similar to those usually seen in conventionalchess. The rook placements on Queen 1 and King 1 are frequently seen, but so also are those onBishop 1. Rook placements opposite the adversary queen are as always, among the strongest.

Game 8: Black castles, and advances the queen side pawns. He then maneuvers his knightdown field, and takes out a white bishop. Black’s position expands naturally, as white continuallyloses mobility. Black’s bishops are strong on the diagonals; his rooks are now on active squares.

§¯§ ³¹“

“ ” ““” “

˜ ’’‘–ª

‘’ ‘’¤ –¤ °

9. e4 O-O10. Ba3 a611. Qe3 c512. Rad1 b513. Bb2 Nc614. a3 Nd415. Rb1 f516. Ne1 Ne517. exf5 exf518. f4 Nxd319. Qxd3 Re820. Kh1 Rc8

1. Nf3 d62. Nc3 e63. e3 Ne74. Bd3 Nd75. O-O b66. b3 g67. Bb2 Bg78. Qe2 Bb7

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘–›’•‘ ‘’ª’‘’¦ ¤²

Continuing Play After the Opening 29

In Summary the typical moves after the standard opening are: Rook pawn single advancesBishop pawn double advancesCenter pawn single advancesKnight pawn single advancesKnight relocations to Bishop 3, Bishop 4, or Knight 3 Queen relocation to Queen Bishop 2, or Queen 2, or King 2Castle king side, or queen sideRook relocations to Queen Bishop 1, or Queen 1, or King 1 Center pawn and piece exchanges

Even with an easy to learn system like the Beginner’s game, one cannot reduce play afterthe opening to a simplistic sequence of habitual moves. But some moves occur so frequently ingames, that players of all levels should look first at selecting from this usual set. Below are twosuggested move sets for use after the opening, one for beginners and one for better players.

Better players can learn quickly the most effective move sequences to counter differentgeneral categories of adversary defenses, and so prepare most anticipated lines up to 15 movesinto the game. Beginners should concentrate on consolidating and then maintaining a coherentdefense, with only occasional attempts at attacking, when they see the opportunity.

Move Set for Beginners

Push one or both rook pawnsCastle king side Push knight pawn if bishop can be attackedPush queen bishop pawnRelocate queen to Queen Bishop 2Relocate one or both knightsRelocate rook to Queen 1 or King 1Avoid center pawn exchangesKeep pawns mostly in chains

Move Set for Better PlayersPush one rook pawnPush bishop pawn or center pawnRelocate one or both knights Relocate queen King or queen side castleCenter pawn exchangesRelocate rooks

4. The Beginner’s Game in Action

Now we present, including the two you have already seen, twenty complete games usingthe standard opening, alternating playing with white and black. A wide variety of defenses to theBeginner’s Game are used in this interesting collection. In this context ‘defense’ is used to meanany response to the standard opening other than early attack, whether played with white or black.

Watch in these games how the player of the Beginner’s Game is able to carry out his

standard opening, while the opponent builds a strong defense. Notice the great diversity ofdefenses that are possible. Study carefully the moves made immediately following the standardopening, to get a feel for how to continue play with the system after the first eight moves.

All games were played at master level, so they should be free from errors, with the morepromising lines having been chosen by both players throughout. They are all good examples ofchess being played well from start to finish, and can provide you with many valuable ideas of howto exploit the strengths of the standard opening as you progress into the middle and endgames.

In all these games the player of the Beginner’s Game either wins or draws. These openingpositions do not necessarily lead to the same results, of course. Losses also occur, but they havenot been included here, because we are still learning to play with the basic system. In laterchapters we will address the topic of playing against the Beginner’s Game.

Work carefully thru these games, before reading on in the book. It is essential that youdevelop familiarity with the standard opening, the type of defenses used against it, and the playthat results, especially right after the opening. Every effort you make to understand these gameswill add to your ability to play the system accurately and successfully. Attack!

The Beginner's Game in Action 31

Game 3: Beginner’s Game with WhiteWhite plays the Beginner’s Game, with oneof the many possible opening sequences. Black has a powerful development with athree pawn center, and the king bishop infianchetto: one of many effective classicaldefenses to the Beginner’s Game.

1. d3 g62. g3 Bg73. Bg2 Nf64. b3 O-O5. Bb2 c56. Nd2 Nc67. e3 d58. Ne2 e5

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Black starts the attack, but after a rapidseries of exchanges, soon finds himself apawn down. Black tries to recuperate the lost pawn by attacking with his rook.

9. O-O e410. dxe4 Nxe411. Bxg7 Kxg712. Nxe4 dxe413. Qxd8 Rxd814. Bxe4 Rd2

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After more exchanges, black is still a pawndown, and white keeps the initiative, with control of the open queen file.

15. Nc3 Bf516. Rad1 Rxd117. Rxd1 Bxe418. Nxe4 b6

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White feints an attack on the king side,then cleans out all black’s queen sidepawns. After the rooks are exchanged,white is two pawns up, and has the gamein hand. That was quick!

19. Rd6 Nb420. Rd7 Kg821. Ng5 Rf822. Rxa7 Nxc223. Rb7 Nb424. Rxb6 Nxa225. Ne4 Rc826. Rb5 f527. Rxc5 Rxc528. Nxc5 Kf7

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29. f3 Nb430. Kf2 g531. f4 gxf432. exf4 Ke733. Ke3 Kd634. Nd3 Nc2+35. Kd2 Nd436. Kc3 Nf337. h4 Kd5

White’s king moves over to support hispassed pawn. Black does what he can tooppose him, but the material differencedoesn’t permit him to intervene for long.

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38. b4 Nh239. Nc1 Ng440. b5 Kc541. Nb3+ Kxb542. Nd4+ Kc543. Nxf5 Nf644. Kd3 h545. Ne3 Kd646. Kd4 Ke647. f5+ Kd648. Nc4+ Ke7

White cashes in the passed pawn, andthen concentrates on his king sidemajority. Accurate play forces black intoretreat.

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49. Ke5 Nd7+50. Kf4 Kf651. Ne3 Nb652. g4 hxg453. Nxg4+Kf754. h5 Kg855. f6 Nd756. Kf5 Nf857. Ne5 Kh758. Ng6 Nd7

White now cleans up on the king side, andprepares to advance his pawns towardspromotion.

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’°³–

59. Kg5 Kg8 60. h6 Nc561. Kf5 Nb762. Ne5 Nd863. Kg6 Kf864. h7 Nf765. Nxf7 Ke866. h8=Q+ Kd767. Ne5+ Kd6 68. Qb8+ Kd5

White mates quickly, with two queens:69. Qb3+ Kxe570. f7 Kd471. f8=Q Ke572. Qe3+ Kd573. Qfc5++


Game 4: Beginner’s Game with BlackBlack plays the Beginner’s Game, using asequence completing the king side early.

White uses a powerful classical opening,with three advanced pawns and all piecesaggressively poised in the center.

Despite white’s impressive deployment, itis black’s Beginner’s Game that seizes andmaintains the initiative.

1. c4 b62. Nc3 e63. e4 g64. d4 Ne75. Nf3 Bg76. Bd3 d67. O-O Bb78. Bf4 Nd7

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White looks to attack on the queen side,but instead gets pushed back on the kingside. Black launches his castled positionpawns into the attack - rarely seen thisearly in classical chess, but a commontheme in continuing play from thestandard opening.

Both sides seize the chance to send solopawns ripping thru the defenses.

9. Qa4 O-O10. Rad1 h611. Be2 f512. e5 g513. Bc1 a614. Be3 f415. exd6 fxe316. dxe7 exf2+17. Rxf2 Qxe7

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A few more moves, and black has aserious assault on white’s king side withthe participation of all his pieces, and adangerous advanced pawn.

Black’s king is highly exposed - he hascommitted everything to the attack!

18. h3 h519. Rff1 g420. hxg4 hxg421. Nh2 c522. d5 Rxf1+23. Kxf1 Rf8+24. Kg1 Bd4+25. Kh1 Ne5

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Following further trades, black retains his double bishop attack on white’s king. The endgame superiority of bishop over knightis here quite evident.

Black’s isolated king is very vulnerablehowever, and his subsequent play makesthis critical.

26. Ne4 Rf427. Ng3 exd528. Rf1 Rxf1+29. Bxf1 dxc430. Bxc4+ Nxc431. Qxc4+Kh8

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32. Qf1 Bxb233. Nf5 Qe634. Qf2 Kh735. Nxg4 Qxa236. Nf6+ Kg637. Nh4+ Kg738. Ne8+ Kg839. Qg3+ Kf840. Nd6 Bxg2+41. Qxg2 Qa1+

Black chooses a very sharp line whichleaves his king completely open, and white seizes the opportunity to attack.

Black has to sacrifice a bishop to get outof trouble. The situation is then evenmaterially, still it is black that threatensmore, with three powerful passed pawns.

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42. Qg1 b543. Nhf5 b444. Qxa1 Bxa145. Ne4 c446. Ne3 c347. Nc5 a5

Queens are exchanged, and the advanceof black’s pawns begins. It appears theycan reach promotion, especially since thewhite king is far away.

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48. Nb3 a449. Nxa1 b350. Nac2 Ke751. Kg2 Kd652. Kf3 Kc553. Ke2 bxc254. Nxc2 Kc4

White’s knights slow the pawn advance,and succeed in exchanging one knight forthe bishop and a pawn.

Can black now find a way to promote oneof the remaining pawns?

°´•

55. Ne3+ Kb356. Kd3 a357. Nc2 a258. Na1+ Kb259. Nc2 a1=Q60. Nxa1 c261. Nxc2 drawn

Hard luck! Black has to settle for a draw.

Even so, black kept the initiative from startto finish, and kept his adversary undersevere pressure the entire game!


Game 5: Beginner’s Game with White:This game shows how easy it is for theplayer of the Beginner’s Game to chosethe open or closed nature of the contest.Here the author with white quickly closesthe center, and finally earns a draw againsthis top strength computer rival.

Black uses a classical 2 pawn centergame, and initiates an attack as whitecompletes his standard opening.

1. e3 e52. b3 d53. Bb2 Nc64. Ne2 Nf65. g3 Be76. Bg2 O-O7. d3 Bg48. Nd2 d4

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White has no trouble closing and holdingthe center. A few pieces are traded, andthe resulting position is fairly stable.

The closed game is the safe option whenusing the Beginner’s Game against astronger opponent, as was the case here.

9. e4 Bxe210. Qxe2 Bb411. a3 Bc312. Bxc3 dxc313. Nf3 Qd614. h3 Nd715. O-O Rfe816. h4 a517. Bh3 Nc518. Qe1 Nd4

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White keeps the game closed. Heexchanges his remaining bishop for theknight - with almost all the pawns still onthe board, knights are more dangerous.

Facing a superior opponent, white iscontent to trade down, keeping the gameeven and under control. What can blackdo to about it?

19. Nxd4 Qxd420. Kg2 Ne621. Rh1 a422. b4 c523. Rb1 cxb424. Rxb4 Qc525. Bxe6 Rxe626. Qe3 Qe727. Qg5 f628. Qe3 Rea6

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White proposes to exchange queens, butblack refuses. All the while white gainsspace on the king side, and now threatensto break open black’s castled position.

29. Rhb1 Rb830. f4 b631. f5 b532. h5 Rb733. Qc1 Qc534. Qg1 Qc635. Qe3 Ra836. h6 Rc8

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37. Rh1 Kh838. g4 gxh639. Rxh6 Rg840. Rh4 Qd641. Kg3 Rc742. Kf3 Rd743. Rh1 Rb744. Rh4 Rf7

But black’s position is not that easy toattack. White does not commit further, heis content with a draw.

The to-and-fro movements of the piecesconfirm that neither player is willing orable to force the situation.

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45. Rh6 Rfg746. Rh4 Qc647. Qf2 Rb848. Rh6 Rc849. Rb1 Rf850. Rb4 Rff751. Rh1 Qd6drawn

A few more moves, and it is obvious thatneither side will be able to produce anydecisive advantage from the position. Adraw is agreed.


Game 6: Beginner’s Game with BlackBlack plays the Beginner’s Game. Whitehas a powerful opening featuring a threepawn center and aligned bishops. He ispoised for a massive queen side attack.

But such impressive deployments do notoverwhelm the Beginner’s Game - it’stough!

1. d4 e62. c4 b63. e4 Bb74. Nc3 Ne75. g3 g66. Bf4 Bg77. Bg2 d68. Nf3 Nd7

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White takes time to castle, and blackattacks! A pawn is exchanged, andwhite’s pieces are forced into retreat.

Black always moves forward; his knightsare active and his bishops gain in strengthas the long diagonals are cleared.

9. O-O e510. Be3 exd411. Nxd4 O-O12. Rc1 Ne513. Qe2 c514. Ndb5 a615. Na3 Qd7

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White looks for counterplay, but black stillmaintains the initiative. His forward knightand strong bishop and rook placementskeep white from regaining the upper hand.

Black now threatens with a pawn fork ofthe knights, and is also in position toattack the king side with all of his pieces.

16. f3 f517. Bh3 Rae818. Qd2 Qd819. Bf4 N7c620. Bg2 Nd421. h3 Qd722. Rcd1 b523. Bxe5 Bxe5

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White loses a piece for a pawn, and tries toconsolidate his position. He has troubledefending and finding any counter play.

Black’s pieces are all poised for the attack.

24. f4 Bg725. exf5 b426. Nd5 bxa327. fxg6 hxg6

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28. b3 Re229. Qd3 Qf530. Rf2 Rfe831. Qxf5 Nxf532. g4 Nd433. Rd2 Kh734. f5 gxf535. gxf5 Rxd236. Rxd2 Nxf5

The rook incursion and exchanges after itworsen white’s game - he goes a full piecedown, and black keeps up the pressure.

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37. Nf6+ Bxf638. Bxb7 Bc339. Rd3 Bd4+40. Kf1 Ne3+41. Kf2 Nc2+42. Kg3 Nb443. Rd2 Bc344. Rd1 Nxa245. Bc6 Re1

White exchanges knight for bishop, tryingto win the rook pawn, but only gets intomore trouble.

Black now has the game won, his passedpawn can no longer be stopped.

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46. Rxd6 Be5+47. Kf2 Bxd648. Kxe1 Nc349. Kd2 a2

Rooks are exchanged, and black advanceshis pawn for promotion. There is nothingwhite can do about it, other than resign.

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50. Kxc3 a1=Q+51. Kd2 Qf152. Ke3 Qe1+53. Kf3 Qh1+54. Ke3 Qxc655. h4 Kg656. b4 Kf557. Kf2 Qe458. h5 Kg459. Kg1 Kf360. b5 Qb1++

A devastating win with black for the brandnew and amazing Beginner’s Game!


Game 7: Beginner’s Game with White:White plays the Beginner’s Game in astraightforward manner, exchanging whenpossible and maintaining equality until theend, where he emerges a tempo ahead. Black plays the superlative 3 pawnstandard classical defense, with all piecesoptimally placed on his third rank.

1. b3 e52. e3 Nf63. Ne2 d54. Bb2 Bd65. g3 O-O6. Bg2 c57. d3 Nc68. Nd2 Be6

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Three pieces are exchanged quickly,completely disarming black’s game. Henever developed any threat.

Black’s queen incursion on h3 only looksdangerous - if black then plays Ng4, whitecovers with Nf3.

9. O-O Qd710. e4 Bh311. Bxh3 Qxh312. exd5 Nxd513. Nc3 Nxc314. Bxc3 Qd715. Nc4 b516. Nxd6 Qxd6

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The remaining minor pieces are traded,and white sets up to trade off the rooksand queens as well.

White decides the character of the contest:it’s a race to the endgame, and white is inbetter shape, with his queen side majority.

17. f4 Nd418. fxe5 Qxe519. Bxd4 Qxd4+20. Kh1 Rae821. Qf3 Re322. Qf2 f623. Rae1 Rfe8

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All the remaining pieces are exchanged,and it becomes a classic pawn endgame.

Black repairs his disadvantage somewhat,by bringing a pawn towards the center toslow white’s queen side pawns.

24. Rxe3 Rxe325. Re1 Qd5+26. Kg1 Rxe1+27. Qxe1 Qe528. Qxe5 fxe5

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29. c3 Kf730. Kf2 Ke631. Ke3 b432. cxb4 cxb433. Ke4 h534. h3 g635. d4 exd436. Kxd4 Kf5

Center pawns are exchanged; the situationremains balanced. White has only a slightadvantage, but it’s enough: it’s his move.

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37. Kd5 h438. gxh4 Kf439. Ke6 Kg340. Kf6 Kxh441. Kxg6 Kxh342. Kf5 Kg343. Ke4 Kf244. Kd4 a5

Both take out the other’s king side pawns;white’s king is then better positioned.

White has effectively retained his openingmove advantage thru the entire game!

’‘´°

45. Kc5 Ke346. Kb5 Kd447. Kxa5 Kc548. Ka4 Kb649. Kxb4 Kc650. a4 Kb651. a5+ Kc652. Ka4 Kc5 53. b4+ Kc654. b5+ Kc5

White’s king gets to the queen side first, capturing both of black’s pawns. White’s pawn pair can no longer be stopped.

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55. b6 Kc656. Kb4 Kb757. Kb5 Kc858. a6 Kd759. a7 Ke6 60. a8=Q Ke561. Qf3 Kd662. Qf5 Ke7 63. b7 Kd6 64. b8=Q+ Ke7 65. Qbf8++

White once again mates with two queens.

White won the game in a nearly effortlessmanner, trading down at every occasionuntil the end!


Game 8: Beginner’s Game with BlackBlack plays the Beginner’s Game, againsta hypermodern opening by white. Neitherside occupies the center, it’s completelyempty.

The hypermoderns were right that new andeven better openings could be found. Theywould have recognized the Beginner’sGame as the ideal that they were pursuing.

1. Nf3 d62. Nc3 e63. e3 Ne74. Bd3 Nd75. O-O b66. b3 g67. Bb2 Bg78. Qe2 Bb7

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Black follows the standard opening bynaturally expanding his position whilewhite continues to lose mobility.

Black takes out one of white’s bishops; hisown bishops are now very strong, and geteven stronger as the contest evolves.

9. e4 O-O10. Ba3 a611. Qe3 c512. Rad1 b513. Bb2 Nc614. a3 Nd415. Rb1 f516. Ne1 Ne517. exf5 exf518. f4 Nxd3

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Black consolidates defensively, and bringsall his pieces into attack formation.

White can find nothing better than toexchange his other bishop for black’sknight. He has no counterattack, and isbeginning to have difficulties defending.

19. Qxd3 Re820. Kh1 Rc8 21. Rf2 Rc722. a4 b423. Na2 Rce724. Qc4+ Kh825. Qf1 Qb626. Ba1 a527. Bb2 Bd528. d3 Kg8

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White surrenders a pawn and exchangesrooks, but doesn’t get any more room tomaneuver than he had before. Black isslowly but surely crushing his position.

29. Rd2 Qc630. Bxd4 Bxd431. Rbd1 Qb7 32. Nc1 Be333. Re2 Bc634. d4 Re435. Ned3 Bxd436. Ree1 Qe737. Rxe4 Bxe438. Ne1 Bc3

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39. Kg1 Qh440. Ned3 Bd4+41. Kh1 Qh542. Re1 Bc343. Re2 Qh4 44. Na2 Bd445. Nac1 h646. Rd2 Qh347. Re2 Qg448. Rd2 Bc3

There follows a phase of feints andshifts with no exchange of material.Black finds ways to limit further thealready scant mobility of his adversary.

White’s position approaches zugzwang;he is running out of effective defenses.

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49. Rf2 Kh750. Ne2 Bd251. Nec1 Be352. Re2 Bd553. Ne1 c454. bxc4 Bxc455. Ncd3 Re456. Nf3 Bxf457. Rf2 Be358. Re2 Re6

Black plays the tunes, and white has todance to them, awkwardly.

White’s position is barely holding; blackis gradually forcing it open.

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59. Qe1 f460. Qd1 Qf561. Re1 b362. Qb1 Qe463. Rd1 Bd564. Nde1 Bc565. cxb3 Qe266. Qd3 Bxb367. Ra1 Re3 68. Qxe2 Rxe2

Black goes two pawns ahead, but stillhas to crack the remaining defenses. Hesets up for the final exchanges.

Black’s attack finally pays off: at move80 white must lose one of his pieces.After that one of black’s pawns queens,and white loses his last piece for it. Thegame ends with a mate for beginners.

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69. Nd3 Be370. Nfe1 Bd571. h3 Be472. Ra3 Rd273. h4 Kg774. Rb3 h575. Rc3 Rd176. Kh2 Kh777. Rb3 Kh678. Rc3 Bxd3 79. Nxd3 Bg1+

91. Rxd6 a2 92. Rd1 Bd4+93. Ke2 f3+94. Kd3 Rg195. Ra1 Rxa196. Kxd4 Rd1+97. Kc5 a1=Q98. Kb4 Qb2+99. Kc5 Qc3+100. Kb6 Rb1+101. Ka7 Qa1++

80. Kh3 Bd481. Rc1 Rxd3+82. Kh2 Ra383. Rf1 Rxa484. Rf3 Bf685. Rh3 Re486. Kg1 Re387. Rh2 a488. g3 a389. Rd2 Rxg3+90. Kf2 Bb2


Game 9: Beginner’s Game with White:Here is another quick and easy win for theBeginner’s Game. White trades down andthen wins a rook and pawn endgame.

Black’s 3 pawn standard opening, likeother perfect classical openings, does notprove better than the Beginner’s Game!

1. e3 e52. b3 Nf63. g3 d54. d3 Bd65. Bg2 O-O6. Bb2 c57. Ne2 Nc68. Nd2 Be6

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After a trade of knights and two pawns,white chooses a clever continuation fromthis position: he castles queen side!

9. Nc3 d410. Nce4 Nxe411. Bxe4 f512. Bg2 dxe313. fxe3 f414. Qe2 fxe315. Qxe3 Qa5

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Fine tactical play by white - not only doeshe easily regain his sacrificed pawn, hesmashes black’s center and wins a pawn!

Neat combinations like this one canalmost always be found in sharper linesfollowing the standard opening.

16. O-O-OQxa217. Bxc6 bxc618. Ne4 Bc719. Qxc5 Bd520. Nc3 Qa521. Qxa5 Bxa522. Nxd5 cxd523. Bxe5 Rf2

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White retains his pawn lead after thebishops are exchanged, but now the blackrooks threaten white’s backward pawns.

24. Rdf1 Re225. Bd4 Rc826. c4 dxc427. dxc4 Bb628. Rd1 Bxd429. Rxd4 a530. Rf4 Rb831. Rd1 Re3

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32. Rd5 Rexb333. Rxa5 Rb1+34. Kd2 R1b2+35. Kc3 Rxh236. Ra7 Rg237. Rg4 g638. c5 Rg139. Rg5 Rc840. Kd2 Rf141. Re5 Rf7

Black regains his lost pawn, but white stillhas the tempo, and a passed pawn as well.He must make the most of both to win.

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42. Rxf7 Kxf743. Kd3 Re844. Kd4 Rxe545. Kxe5 Ke746. c6 Kd8

Rooks are exchanged, and white developshis passed pawn threat. Here white’s kingabandons his passed pawn and goes afterblack’s pawns instead; this wins the game.

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47. Kf6 Kc748. Kg7 g549. Kxh7 g450. Kg6 Kxc651. Kf5 Kd652. Kxg4 Ke653. Kg5 Kf754. Kh6 Kf6

A few moves later white prepares for theadvance of his game winning pawn. Itended with:

63. Kf5 Kb464. Qd5 Kc365. Ke4 Kc266. Qc5+ Kd267. Qc7 Ke268. Qc2+ Kf169. Kf3 Kg170. Qg2++

55. g4 Kf756. g5 Kg857. Kg6 Kf858. Kh7 Ke759. g6 Kd660. g7 Ke561. Kg6 Kd462. g8=Q Kc5


Game 10: Beginner’s Game with BlackThe author with black produces a drawagainst his top strength rival, here playingthe two pawn standard classical defense.

White’s maneuver with the queen knight starts one of the sharper lines from hisopening. He is perfectly positioned for anall-out attack on the king side.

1. d4 g62. e4 Bg73. Be3 d64. Nf3 Nd75. Qd2 b66. Bd3 Bb77. Nc3 e68. Ne2 Ne7

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Black plays a straightforward continuationof the standard opening, simplifying wherepossible, and maintaining a tight defense.

As in many games against the classicaldefenses, the opponent quickly loses hisbishop pair and pawn center, deprivinghim of much of his attacking potential.

9. Bh6 O-O10. O-O c511. Bxg7 Kxg712. Rad1 d513. exd5 Nxd514. dxc5 Nxc515. b4 Nxd316. Qxd3 Qf6

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Black exchanges knights, then finds thisneat little combination which puts whiteunder a bit of pressure, and forces theexchange of the remaining minor pieces.

17. Qb3 Nf4 18. Nxf4 Qxf419. Rd4 Qf520. Rd3 Rfd821. Rfd1 Bxf3

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White stops the mate threat easily, and theresulting position is still balanced.

Even non-expert players of the Beginner’sGame can reach parity in the endgame ashere, by a series of simplifying exchanges,all the while maintaining the initiative!

22. Rxd8 Rxd823. Rxd8 Qg524. Qxf3 Qxd825. Qc3+ Kg826. Qd3 Qc7

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27. g3 Qe528. Kg2 Qd5+29. Qxd5 exd530. Kf3 f631. Ke3 Kf732. Kd4 Ke6

Following this black forces the exchangeof queens, and meets white’s king in thecenter. White cannot invade on either sideor otherwise provoke a pawn asymmetrywhich would permit him to exploit hissuperior skills in the endgame.

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33. a4 Kd634. g4 a635. f4 g536. fxg5 fxg537. h3 Ke6

White brings his pawns up, but black hasno difficulty keeping the center closed andthe game equal and under control.

White now tries to lure black’s kingforward, but black doesn’t go for it: he’ssatisfied with things the way they are.

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38. Kd3 Kd639. c4 dxc4+40. Kxc4 Kc641. Kd4 Kd642. Ke4 Ke643. a5 b544. Kd4 Kd645. Ke4 Ke646. Kd4 Kd647. Ke4 Ke6drawn

Black sits on the opposition until whitehas to accept the drawn conclusion.

Although certainly not a candidate for anybrilliancy prizes, this game neverthelessillustrates that with the Beginner’s Gameeven amateur wood pushers can go rightto the wire with top competition, and evenkeep a step ahead all the way!


Game 11: Beginner’s Game with WhiteWhite plays the Beginner’s Game anddefeats his adversary with brilliant tacticalplay, of the highest technical standards.

Black’s opening, like white’s, is compact,but can uncoil into a very strong attack.

1. e3 Nf62. Ne2 e63. g3 Be74. Bg2 d55. b3 O-O6. Bb2 Na67. d3 Bd78. Nd2 c6

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White pushes forward quickly, placing hisopponent in a disadvantageous position.Black’s knights have no good placement,and his king side is becoming vulnerable.

White’s knights are active, and his kingside castled position is unassailable.

9. O-O Qc710. Nf3 Rad811. c4 c512. a3 Qb613. Qc2 Nb814. e4 Rfe815. Rfd1 Na616. e5 Ng417. Rab1 Bc6

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Black’s attempt to win the exchangeproves futile. White’s center pawnsadvance, scattering black’s pieces.

White is pressing his initiative to themaximum, developing threats all over thechessboard.

18. d4 dxc419. bxc4 Qa520. h3 Nh621. d5 exd522. cxd5 Ba423. Qd2 Qb624. Re1 Nc725. d6 Ne626. Bc3 Qa6

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Black loses a piece for poor compensation.White positions his bishops and advanceshis pawns, building for a king side assault,supported by the open knight file. Black isin serious trouble.

27. Qb2 b628. dxe7 Rxe729. Nh4 Red730. Nf4 Nxf431. gxf4 Qc432. Be4 Rc733. f3 Kh834. f5 Ng8

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35. Ng2 Bc636. e6 f637. Nf4 Qa438. Qb3 Qxb339. Rxb3 Ne740. Rbb1 Ba441. Kf2 Kg842. Rg1 Kf843. h4 Rd644. Rg2 Bd1

White exchanges queens, and concentrateson the king side attack with all his pieces.

Black will now be forced to surrender theexchange, as the white attack continues.

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45. Nd5 Rxd546. Bxd5 Bc247. Rc1 Bxf548. Bc4 Bg649. Rd1 Be850. Rd8 Rc851. Rxc8 Nxc852. Bd3 h653. f4 Bc6

White then forces an exchange of rooks,and redeploys to attack the king side withhis remaining pieces.

White now looks for a way to cash in hisadvanced passed pawn.

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54. Rg1 Ne755. f5 a656. Bd2 b557. Rd1 Kg858. Bc2 Be859. Be3 Nc660. Bxc5 Kh761. e7 Bf762. Rd8 Nxe763. Bxe7 Bc4

Black’s position gets ever more desperate,he has to sacrifice his knight to stop thepawn promotion. White now wins by forcewith his two piece advantage.

White’s rook on the back rank signals thatthe end is near for black.

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64. Bd1 Bf7 65. Rf8 h566. Rxf7 Kh667. Bb3 a568. Rf8 g569. Bxf6 a470. Rh8++

White now checkmates with precision play.Very few games at master level end likethis one, with an advantage of three pieces.

Bravo, Beginner’s Game, brilliantly played!


Game 12: Beginner’s Game with BlackBlack plays the Beginner’s Game, with a‘Pawn then Piece’ opening sequence.

White tries a custom opening with a bigforward pawn wall, and piece placement asin the Beginner’s Game. The pawn walldoes not do much damage however, andfinally black wins with superior tactics.

1. d4 e62. c4 Ne73. e4 g64. b3 Bg75. Bb2 b66. g3 Bb77. Bg2 d68. Nd2 Nd7

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White manages some offensive action fromhis aggressive version of the Beginner’sGame, but doesn’t produce any real gains.

Black’s position is active and coherent; hiscontinuing play is fully consistent with thestandard opening.

9. Ne2 O-O10. f4 c511. O-O Qc712. a3 Nc613. Nf3 d514. exd5 exd515. cxd5 Ne716. Ne5 Nxd5

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White’s play generates threats; but blackdoesn’t have difficulty finding responses, and wins the exchange with a knight fork. White now loses time with his queen move,and black takes command of the game.

17. dxc5 Bxe518. fxe5 Ne319. cxb6 axb620. Rc1 Nc521. Qd4 Nxf122. e6 f623. Rxf1 Nxe6

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White regains a pawn, and threatens mateon the move, but black again finds theright response: check!

24. Qe3 Nc525. Bxb7 Qxb726. Rxf6 Rxf627. Bxf6 Qf728. Bb2 Rd829. h4 Rd330. Qe5 Rd1+

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31. Kh2 Qf2+32. Kh3 Qf1+33. Kg4 Qf5+34. Qxf5 gxf5+35. Kxf5 Rd2

After more checks and a queen exchange,black finds another fork. Now up a fullpiece, black has the game in hand.

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36. Nd4 Rxb237. b4 Na438. g4 Nc339. g5 Ra240. h5 Rxa341. g6 Ra142. Nc6 Kg743. gxh7 Kxh744. Ne5 Kh645. Nd7 Rf1+

The material advantage is decisive; blackpresses on for his victory.

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46. Ke5 Re1+47. Kd6 Rd1+48. Kc6 b549. Nc5 Rd450. Na6 Rc4+51. Kb6 Kxh552. Ka5 Kg553. Nb8 Kf554. Nd7 Ke455. Nb8 Kd5

Black’s king moves over to assist. White here runs out of options: he can lose hisknight, or lose the game! It ends quickly.

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56. Nd7 Rc757. Nb8 Rc858. Na6 Kc659. Nc5 Rd860. Na6 Rd261. Nb8+ Kb762. Na6 Ra2++

A clever mate and a resounding win for thesurprisingly strong new Beginner’s Game!


Game 13: Beginner’s Game with WhiteWhite plays the Beginner’s Game against astrong classical defense with a king sidefianchetto. It uses a similar style of playas the standard opening, with pawn chainsand mostly recessed piece placements. Against any classical opening, blackwould have a good game; far less soagainst the Beginner’s Game.

1. e3 g62. g3 Bg73. Bg2 d64. Ne2 Nf65. b3 O-O6. Bb2 e57. d3 Nc68. Nd2 Be6

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Following the opening, white pushesforward with his pawns. Black’s knightsretreat to the Beginner’s Game position: a curious ‘echo’ of the standard openingthat frequently occurs.

White’s queen placement on c2 is strong.Black looks aggressive, but white’s mobileking side castle position holds well.

9. h3 Qe710. O-O Rad811. Ba3 Rfe812. Re1 Nd713. c3 Qg514. Qc2 Qh615. h4 Qh516. b4 Bg417. f3 Be618. b5 Ne7

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Black opens the queen rook file, but whiteprevents any break thru.

Seeming frustrated with the closingposition, black decides to sacrifice a pieceto open the king side - but he will get onlya single pawn for it, and his attack isstopped cold.

19. c4 Nf520. Kf2 a621. bxa6 Ra822. Bb2 Rxa623. a4 Rea824. Bc3 Nc525. a5 Ne726. Rh1 Bf527. e4 Bd728. g4 Bxg4

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Black regroups his pieces and improveshis game somewhat, but is by now too farbehind materially to start any offensiveaction. White also consolidates nicely,and now has all his pieces well placed forboth defense and offense.

29. Ng3 Qh630. fxg4 Qf4+31. Bf3 Nc632. Ne2 Qf633. Nb3 Ne634. Qd2 h635. Kg2 Rb836. Qe3 Re837. Qg1 Qe738. Bd2 Raa8

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39. Rb1 Qd740. Qe1 Reb841. Be3 Re842. Qd2 Kh743. h5 g544. Ng3 Nf4+45. Kh2 Ne646. Nf5 Bf647. Qc3 Bh848. Kg3 Ng7

White moves forward in preparation for aking side attack, but black is dug in. It isnow a question of finding some way tostorm the black fortress.

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49. Qd2 Ne650. Kg2 Bf651. Qc3 Reb852. Ra1 Ng7 53. Rhf1 Re854. Kg3 Rg855. Bg2 Qe656. Ra2 Rgf857. c5 dxc558. Raf2 b6

White shifts his rooks into attack position.The opening move of his assault is nowclear: Nxh6!

There is absolutely nothing that black cando about it. He tries to distract white with apawn advance on the queen side.

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59. Nxh6 Ne860. Bxc5 bxc561. Nxc5 Qd662. Nf5 Qd863. a6 Rb864. Qc4 Rb4 65. Qd5 Qxd566. exd5 Na767. Be4 Kg868. Nd7 Nc8

White’s bishop sacrifice opens up thequeen side, producing a dangerouspassed pawn.

White attacks all across the chessboard,developing multiple threats. His forwardknights wreak black’s scattered defenses,and his rooks now smash what remains.

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69. Nxf6+ Nxf670. Nh6+ Kh8 71. Rxf6 Nd672. Nxf7+ Nxf773. Rxf7 Rxf774. Rxf7 Kg875. Rxc7 Rb876. d6 Rd877. Bd5+ Kh878. a7 Re8

White finishes his adversary in few moves:79. a8=Q Rxa880. Bxa8 Kg881. d7 Kf782. d8=Q+ Ke683. Bd5++

An unrelenting attack from the best newopening in chess, the Beginner’s Game!


Game 14: Beginner’s Game with BlackHere is a simple and elegant victory forblack’s Beginner’s Game. The win is soeffortless it seems almost magical. But theBeginner’s Game is a surprising opening, and amazing games evolve from it!

White starts an attack from his 2 pawn andpin classical defense as black completeshis opening, using a pawns first sequence.

1. e4 d62. d4 e63. Nf3 g64. Bd3 b65. Nc3 Bg76. Bg5 Ne77. O-O Bb78. d5 Nd7

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White trades bishops for knights: playerswho automatically pin the knights oftenfind nothing better to do when the rookpawns ‘put the question’ to the bishops.

9. Bb5 a610. Bxd7+Qxd711. Qd3 O-O12. Rfe1 h613. Bxe7 Qxe7

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A long series of exchanges ends with anunpleasant ‘sting’ for white: he must retirehis knight, and then lose his rook pawn.

14. Rad1 b515. a3 Rac816. e5 dxe517. Nxe5 Qd618. Ng4 exd519. Nxd5 Bxd520. Qxd5 Qxd521. Rxd5 Bxb222. Nxh6+ Kg7

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Black delays the capture of the rook pawn,and then traps white with a subtle bishopfork: rook takes pawn contains anothersting, but what else can white do?

23. Ng4 Rfd824. Ne3 Rxd525. Nxd5 c626. Nb4 a527. Nd3 Bxa328. Ra1 b429. Ne5 Bb2

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30. Rxa5 Bc331. Nc4 b332. cxb3 Bxa533. Nxa5 Ra834. b4 c5

White loses the exchange rather thanallow black’s pawn to pass. Now there’sanother sting - black has a mate threat,and uses it to win another pawn.

An undeveloped castled position oftenproves the undoing of classical defenses.It never happens to the Beginner’s Game!

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35. Kf1 cxb436. Nb3 Ra337. Nd2 b338. Ke2 b239. Nb1 Ra140. Nd2 Rc141. Kd3 Rd1

Black’s pawn marches straight in. White’sefforts to stop it are almost comicallyfutile.

Black’s play is easy and precise; he hasalready won the game decisively.

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42. Kc2 Rxd2+43. Kb1 Rxf244. g3 Rxh245. Ka2 Kf646. Kb1 Ke547. Ka2 Kd448. g4 Kc3

White is awaiting his execution. Theadvance of black’s king will allow thepawn to queen; but black mates in two,without bothering to promote the pawn.

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49. g5 Rh150. Ka3 Ra1++

A tidy finish to a lovely game - Bravo, theBeginner’s Game!


Game 15: Beginner’s Game with WhiteHere is one of the earliest wins everrecorded with the new Beginner’s Game.It shows many of the elements of soundplay following the standard opening.

Black’s opening dominates the center andprepares for an attack on the queen side.Needless to say, he never gets the chance!

1. e3 d52. b3 e53. Bb2 Bd64. Ne2 Nf65. g3 O-O6. Bg2 c57. d3 Nc68. Nd2 Qa5

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White castles, then starts forward with a series of pawn advances. White’s queenplacement on c2, and knight on b3 are alsotypical moves following the opening.

White’s exchange of bishop for knightgives up a worthy resource, but succeedsin disarming black’s buildup on the queenside.

9. O-O Be610. c4 d411. a3 Bf512. Qc2 Rfe813. b4 Qb614. Nb3 Nd715. f4 Bg616. Bxc6 Qxc6

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Effective combinatorial play by white winshim a pawn, creates a passed pawn, andstill keeps the pressure on his adversary.

Neat combinations such as this one seemto abound in the Beginner’s Game, nomatter what defense is played against it!

17. exd4 exd418. g4 f519. bxc5 Bxc520. g5 Bh521. Ng3 Bg422. Qf2 Re323. Bxd4 Rf324. Qd2 Rxf1+25. Rxf1 Qd626. Bxc5 Nxc5

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Knights and queens are exchanged;white’s interposed knight check splitsblack’s king side pawns, creating anotherweakness.

27. Qb4 b6 28. d4 Ne429. Nxe4 Qxb430. Nf6+ gxf631. axb4 fxg532. fxg5 a5

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33. bxa5 bxa534. Ra1 a435. Ra3 Bd136. Nc5 Re837. d5 f438. d6 Re1+39. Kg2 Re2+40. Kh3 Kf741. Nxa4 Re3+42. Rxe3 fxe3

Black abandons his rook pawn and tries toattack white’s king with rook, bishop andpawn. He is two pawns down, but stillthreatens with a pawn nearing promotion.

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43. Nb2 e244. Nd3 Bc245. Ne1 Bf5+46. Kg3 Ke647. Kf2 Kxd648. Kxe2 Be649. Ke3 Kc550. Nd3+ Kxc451. Ke4 Bd5+52. Ke5 Bf7

Correct knight play stops black’s lastthreat. White then drops a pawn, leavingblack’s king too far away to intervene onthe king side.

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53. Nf4 Be8 54. Ne6 Ba455. Nf8 Bc256. h4 Bd357. h5 Kc558. Nxh7 Kb659. Nf8 Kc760. g6 Kb661. h6 Kb562. h7 Kc6

Here’s the situation a bit later. Black canno longer stop the pawns from advancing,and checkmate comes a few moves later.

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63. h8=Q Bc464. Ne6 Kb565. Qb8+ Ka466. Nc5+ Ka367. Kd4 Bb568. Qxb5 Ka269. Kc3 Ka370. Qa4++

Another convincing demonstration of thestrength of the Beginner’s Game in masterlevel play!


Game 16: Beginner’s Game with BlackHere is an interesting contest in whichwhite uses a special opening to confrontblack’s Beginner’s Game. It is a variant ofthe standard opening, called Bv34F’G. This opening gives white a strong kingside attack, especially after a long castle.Most of the variants of the Beginner’sGame are among its toughest opponents!

1. d4 e62. e3 b63. Bd3 Bb74. Nf3 d65. c4 Ne76. b3 g67. Bb2 Bg78. Nbd2 Nd7

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White makes final adjustments to hisposition to support an all-out attack on theking side.

Black starts to spoil his game; the queencheck costs white the initiative.

9. Qc2 O-O10. O-O-O Nc611. a3 f513. h4 Nf614. b4 Ng415. Nb3 a516. d5 Bxb2+17. Kxb2 Qf6+18. Kb1 a4

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The knights are exchanged and white,though a pawn down, regains the initiativeand finds an attack. But black seems tohave no real difficulties defending, andwhite must regain his lost material.

19. Nbd4 Nxd420. exd4 exd521. h5 dxc422. Bxc4+ Kh823. hxg6 Qxg624. d5 Ne525. Nxe5 dxe5

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White wins back his pawn, but cannotbuild the attack. The board is beingcleared rapidly, and white still hasproblems to maintain equality.

26. Rhe1 Qg727. f3 Rf728. d6 Rd729. dxc7 Rxc730. Qxf5 Rf831. Qd3 Qxg232. Rxe5 Qg6

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33. Re6 Qxd3+34. Bxd3 Bxf335. Rf1 Rc336. Re3 Rb3+37. Ka1 Rxa3+38. Kb2 Rb3+39. Ka1 Rxb4

Queens are exchanged, and then blackleaps to the occasion, taking out threepawns. He will lose his bishop for it, but itstill looks like a fair exchange at this pointin the game.

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40. Rfxf3 Rxf341. Rxf3 h542. Rf5 h443. Rb5 Rxb544. Bxb5 h3

Rooks are exchanged, and the board lookslike this: white can’t win, and it doesn’tlook like black can either.

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45. Bxa4 Kg746. Bc6 Kf647. Kb2 Ke548. Kc3 Kd649. Bb7 Kc550. Be4 b551. Bf3 b4+52. Kb3 h253. Bh1 Kb5drawn

After a few moves, it’s clear that neitherblack pawn can advance; it’s a draw.Good game!


Game 17: Beginner’s Game with WhiteHere is one of the first contests everplayed with the newly discoveredBeginner’s Game. Seeing games like thisgave the author confidence that he hadfound the best opening in chess.

Both sides play superbly, but whitedevelops the most threats, all the whileliving ‘on the edge of the abyss’.

1. g3 d52. d3 Nc63. Bg2 Nf64. b3 e55. Bb2 Be66. Nd2 Bc57. e3 O-O8. Ne2 Qd6

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Black tries the queen and bishop attack,and white accepts. This attack against theBeginner’s Game is often seen but rarelydangerous; afterwards the queen is poorlyplaced, and has to get back in the game.

White’s move 15. f4 is surprising, but wellcalculated, and gives rise to a very sharpcontinuation, with both sides now fullycommitted to the attack!

9. O-O Ba310. Bxa3 Qxa311. c4 Rad812. Qc2 Nb413. Qc3 Bg414. f3 Bf515. f4 Bxd316. fxe5 Ng4

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Following the white pawn’s solo march topromotion and the equally effective ripthru the ranks by black’s bishop, thingsseem to be going in black’s favor - he is apawn up and has two knights and hisqueen in enemy territory.

But from this position white attacks!

17. e6 Bxe218. e7 Bxf119. Exf8=Q+ Kxf820. Rxf1 c521. cxd5 b622. Nc4 Qxa2

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A bit later, the board has a completelydifferent aspect. White now is threatening,and black’s king is dangerously exposed.

Here white finds an excellent continuation,allowing his bishop to join the attack.

23. e4 Nc224. Qf3 Nh625. Ne5 Nd426. Qh5 f527. Qg5 Re828. Nd7+ Kf7

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29. d6 Qe230. e5 Ne631. Bd5 Qd332. Bc4 Qd4+33. Kg2 Qxc434. Rxf5+ Kg835. Nf6+ Kh836. Qxh6 Qc2+37. Rf2 Qb1

White plays a brilliant series of moves. Hisattack seems to hang in midair, but it is allas correct as it is sharp.

Black has trouble avoiding the tighteningnoose, but is equally resourceful in findingadequate defenses.

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38. Qh4 Rd839. h3 Rf840. Qe4 Qxe4+41. Nxe4 Kg842. Rf3 Nd443. Rd3 Re8

White proposes to exchange queens, andit produces this situation. It appears whitecannot advance his passed pawns, but hefinds the winning moves!

White has seen this continuation with theexchange of queens: an impressiveshowing of his powers of calculation.

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44. Ng5 h645. d7 Rb846. Rxd4 cxd447. Ne6 d348. Kf3 a549. Ke3 b550. D8=Q+ Rxd851. Nxd8 a452. Kxd3 a3

Lovely chess! If 44..Rxe5, white wins by 45.d7 Rd5,46.Re3. White’s 46.Rxd4 is also very fine.

There’s not much black can do now.

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53. Kc3 Kf854. Ne6+ Kf755. Nd4 b4+56. Kxb4 a257. Nc2 Ke658. Ka3 Kxe559. b4 h560. Kxa2 Kd5 61. Ne3+ Kc6

From here white won easily with:67. b5 Ke368. b6 Kf269. b7 Kxg370. b8=Q+ etc.

62. h4 g663. Kb3 Kd664. Nc4+ Kd565. Ka4 Kxc466. Ka5 Kd4


Game 18: Beginner’s Game with BlackBlack produces a sensational win with theBeginner’s Game, building slowly andsurely to a smashing finale. Following hisstandard opening he neatly escapeswhite’s attack, all the while carefullypreparing one of his own.

White’s strong classical opening ends withthe launching of a rook pawn attack.

1. e4 e62. d4 g63. Nf3 Bg74. Nc3 Ne75. Be2 b66. O-O Bb77. Bf4 d68. a4 Nd7

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Following the opening, it’s all white’sgame, lodging the rook pawn, controllingthe queen file, and preventing black fromcastling.

Both white knights are about to enter deepinto black’s position and create furtherhavoc. It looks like a rout.

9. a5 h610. a6 Bc811. Be3 Nf612. Qc1 Bd713. Rd1 g514. Nd2 c515. Nc4 Qc716. dxc5 dxc5

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The knights go in, but cause no damage.Unable to bring any other pieces into play,white pulls them out again.

The episode has been not only futile, butcostly - in the meantime all of black’spieces have been aggressively redeployed!

17. Nd6+ Kf818. Ncb5 Qb819. f3 Bc620. Bf2 Ng621. Nc3 Nh522. Ndb5 Be5

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Black now goes thru a patient restructuringphase, bringing rooks into communication,and finding better placements for hisqueen, bishop, and knights.

White finds few moves that can improve hisgame, and changes to a defensive posture.

23. g3 Nf624. Qe3 Kg725. Rab1 Qf826. Ra1 Qe727. Bc4 Rhd828. Qe1 Rac829. Bf1 Bb830. Rdc1 Ne531. Kg2 Nh7

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32. Ra4 f533. Be2 Nf634. h3 fxe435. fxe4 Qe836. b3 Qg637. Bd1 Rd738. Kg1 Rcd8

Now black starts his attack, graduallyadding pressure to the critical e4 pawn.But this pawn is only a fraction of White’sreal troubles across the board.

Black has carefully built the tension in thisposition; with his next three moves heeffectively wins the game!

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39. Kh1 Bxb540. Nxb5 Rxd141. Rxd1 Qh5

One, two, three, and black has a matethreat, and a double attack on white’srook.

From here on, all white can do is throwaway material to delay the end. Better was39.Kf1, but even so white loses.

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42. Rd7+ Rxd743. Kg2 Qf3+44. Kg1 Rd145. Nc3 Rxe1+46. Bxe1 Nh5

White ditches his rook and loses hisqueen. The impotence of his final movesis truly pathetic.

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47. Nd1 Qe248. Bc3 Nxg349. Bd4 cxd450. Nf2 Qf1+51. Kh2 Nf3++

None of white’s forces can defend theking. Black mates with the participation ofall of his pieces.

A marvelous example of chess at its best,from the best opening in chess, the brandnew Beginner’s Game!


Game 19: Beginner’s Game with WhiteThe Beginner’s Game is such a strongopening that, using it, even amateurs canoffer a real challenge to the best players.Here the author plays white and drawsagainst his top strength computer rival.

Black’s 4 pawn standard opening isabsolutely formidable; but neither this, norany other opening ever tested, has provedto be better than the Beginner’s Game!

1. b3 e52. g3 d53. e3 c54. Bb2 Nc65. Ne2 Bd66. Bg2 Be67. d3 f58. Nd2 Nf6

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White seems quite out of his depth afterthe opening. He tries for a pawn fork, butblack ignores it: there is no substance!

White is already in trouble; in order tokeep the material balanced, white has toopen the king side to black’s knight pair.

9. O-O O-O10. c4 d411. exd4 cxd412. a3 Qb613. b4 Rfd814. Nb3 Kh815. f4 Ng416. c5 Bxb317. Qxb3 Bxc518. Rac1 Bf8

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White’s plan of action on the queen side isinvalidated by the redefinition of the kingside as theater of operations.

White is under pressure, but manages tostay even by keeping black’s pieces underthreat of capture.

19. fxe5 Na520. Qa4 Qh621. h3 Qe3+22. Kh1 Qxe223. hxg4 Nc624. Bxc6 bxc624. gxf5 Rac826. Qc2 Qxe527. Qf2 Qf6

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White consolidates his game, and piles upon the d4 pawn, to keep black tied up. Butblack now starts threatening again, andwhite’s best bet is to counter attack.

28. Rc4 c529. bxc5 Bxc530. Re1 Bb631. Rxc8 Rxc832. Re6 Qf733. Re4 Qb3

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34. f6 Qxd335. Re7 Kg836. Rxg7+Kf837. a4 Rc538. Kg2 Rh539. Rg4 Rf540. Rf4 Rxf441. Qxf4 Kf742. Qe5 Qd2+

White’s counter attack buys him sometime and simplifications. Black was notable to force the situation, because whitethreatened to win the exchange, or evencheckmate.

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35. Kh3 Qh6+36. Kg4 Qxf637. Qxf6+ Kxf638. a5 Bc539. Kf4 a640. Ke4 Kg541. Bxd4 Bxd442. Kxd4 Kg4

The remaining pieces are traded, andblack is a move ahead in the race topromotion. When black gets his queen, itcovers white’s promotion square. It lookslike its all over, but white can still draw!

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43. Kc5 Kxg344. Kb6 h545. Kxa6 h446. Kb7 h347. a6 h248. a7 h1=Q+

Black’s queen gives check and covers thequeening square, but white’s pawn is justa move away from promotion. There is noway black can win, unless white makes amistake and gets trapped in the corner.

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49. Kb8 Qb1+50. Ka8 Qh751. Kb8 Qg8+52. Kb7 Qd5+53. Kb8 Qb5+54. Kc8 Qc6+55. Kb8 drawn

Black gives it a try, but white knowswhat’s good for him. A few more movesand it’s obvious; the result is a draw.

Even in the hands of an amateur, theBeginner’s Game is a potent weapon!


Game 20: Beginner’s Game with BlackBlack plays the Beginner’s Game, andtriumphs in convincing fashion in acontest distinguished by a fine pawnsacrifice that launches a winning attack.

White opens with the 2 pawn standardclassical defense, dominating the center,unopposed by black. How often inclassical chess have players tried toachieve this opening position!

1. d4 d62. Nf3 b63. e4 g64. Nc3 Bg75. Be3 Bb76. Bd3 Nd77. O-O e68. Re1 Ne7

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White maneuvers, looking for some way to attack, as black’s position unfolds nicely.

Black’s moves after the opening areamong those most typically made. Hisgame proceeds naturally and consistently.

9. Qd2 h610. Bc4 a611. d5 e512. Bb3 f513. Qd3 O-O14. Rad1 Nf615. exf5 Nxf516. Nd2 b5

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Black cashes in his knights; white looksfor something to attack on the queen side. Black now offers a deep pawn sacrifice,and starts building what will become asavage attack, that will end in mate.

17. Nde4 Nxe318. Qxe3 Nxe419. Qxe4 Kh720. Qb4 Qd721. a3 e4

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Black arranges all his pieces for theattack; There is little that white can doabout it, his forces are poorly coordinatedfor defense.

22. Rxe4 Qf523. f3 Rae824. Rde1 Be525. Ba2 Qh526. h3 Qf527. Rd1 Qg528. Qa5 Re729. Kf1 Qg330. Re3 Qh2

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31. Qb4 Ree832. Red3 Bf633. Ne4 Qh1+34. Kf2 Bh4+35. g3 Qh2+36. Kf1 Qxh3+37. Kg1 Bxg3

Black smashes white’s king side, andthreatens to end it all quickly; white isbarely able to respond.

More trouble is on the way, black’s otherbishop is about to join the fight.

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38. R1d2 c539. dxc6 Bxc640. Re3 Bf441. Bg8+ Kxg842. Qb3+ Kh743. Nf6+ Rxf644. Rxe8 Bxe845. Re2 Be5

White loses two pieces trying to slowmate, but as they say in French, ‘rien neva plus.’

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46. Rxe5 Qg3+47. Kf1 Rxf3+48. Qxf3 Qxf3+49. Ke1 dxe550. Kd2 Bd751. c4 bxc452. Kc1 Qe3+53. Kc2 Bf5+54. Kd1 Bg4+55. Kc2 Qd3+56. Kc1 Qd1++

Now come white’s most desperate moves: he loses both rook and queen. Afterwardsblack mates quickly.

A well deserved win from a perilous attack.Bravo, the Beginner’s Game!


Characterizing Play With the Beginner’s Game

For a skilled player, the typical course of events in play with the Beginner’s Game is asfollows: the opening moves are carried out in standard fashion with minimal or no modifications,and a solid defensive position is constructed. Afterwards the diversity of options for ensuing playallows the system player to attack in any of a number of ways. When the attack starts, it inevitablypushes back the adversary, maintaining the initiative as it gains space. The opponent’s positionis compressed, his mobility limited; he often has to fall back and play defense.

After the initial gain of space, the system player can decide for a closed or open game. Thegame can be closed to almost any degree, and kept closed if preferred. In open games on theother hand, a phase of exchanges soon starts, usually initiated and controlled by the systemplayer. This phase can be highly complex, involving exchanges of many of the pieces. Accurateand incisive play in this phase often results in a decisive advantage for the system player. A greatdeal of skill is needed here, to strike precisely and forcefully, and cause the greatest damage tothe opponent’s position. Such skills are acquired only with experience; but all players willbecome skilled quickly by playing the same opening all the time, with both black and white.

In all closed games, and in open games following the exchange phase, there is typically a

tactical phase, in which the system player must find strong lines for the rest of the middle game.At this point the game has moved far beyond the opening, and only superior combinatorial playcan guarantee success in what follows. A skilled player can take the initiative from the openingall the way to a favourable result. Of course no opening, however strong, can give you the win; ithas to be earned with superior play in the middle game and in the endgame as well. But anyplayer should be able to complete his opening in near standard form, and will have plenty ofstrong continuations to choose from afterwards. And anyone using the opening should at leastbe able to play well enough into the middle game to present a tough position for his adversary toattack, no matter what his skill level is.

Games after the standard opening are confrontations on a highly complex tactical level, inwhich almost anything can and does happen. Unlike conventional openings, in which generalobjectives of the middle game can often be identified in advance and then worked for, games inthis system are considerably more complicated, with action covering the entire board. As anexample, control of the center is far more difficult to achieve for either side, and does not seem toconfer any definitive advantage, because there is always plenty of action on both flanks.

During the opening a system player is carrying out a regular plan of deployment with onlyminimal adaptations imposed by the opponent's play. This is the great strategic advantage of theBeginner’s Game, that it is able to confront successfully the largest possible variety of adversaryopening deployments. But such development can continue long after the eight standard moves,as a player proceeds according to plan along his preferred lines. Using the standard opening, anyserious player should be able to extend his analysis and preparation well into the middle game;and anyone that well prepared will almost certainly prove to be an extremely tough player.

5. Early Attacks on the Beginner’s Game

The adversary of the Beginner’s Game has the greatest possible range of responses to thestandard opening. He can focus on his own development, as does the Beginner’s Game, which heis free to pursue without opposition. Most opponents use this opportunity to build strongclassical positions which occupy and control the center, and provide good play afterwards. Inmaster level play, such well constructed classical defenses are those most frequently seen.

It is also possible to attack the Beginner’s Game during its opening moves. These earlyattacks have limited scope, seeking in general only to exchange pawns or pieces. Most earlyattacks do not seriously affect the standard opening. They are rarely dangerous or very disruptive.In many cases the Beginner’s Game can be completed in standard form even though it issubjected to an early attack; in other cases a reaction is forced, or is preferable. Any player ofthe Beginner’s Game should be familiar with all the early attacks, and should also know some ofthe most effective ways to respond to them.

Since the Beginner’s Game always plays the same opening moves, all of the early attacksare generally valid against it, that is they can almost always be played. For any given type of earlyattack, some sequences of the standard opening will be more vulnerable than others; only a fewsequences will be seriously at risk. The system player therefore does well to vary the sequencesof his standard opening, in order to keep his opponent guessing. In the examples shown in thissection, the sequences chosen were generally those more at risk to that particular early attack.

Most of the early attacks can be shut down by ‘prophylactic’ moves that frequently occur in

continuing play from the standard position. If your opponent favors early attacks you may preferto introduce one of these moves. This only delays your standard opening and in most cases stopsthe early attack completely. The most common prophylactic moves are the rook pawn advances,preventing the most threatening bishop and knight placements on our side of the board.

The solid underpinning provided by prophylactic moves justifies their introduction; butthey are mostly defensive in nature and so do not contribute best to an attack. The sharper linestherefore are those where minimal use is made of prophylaxis, and the system player allows hisopponent to build and launch an early attack. Even without prophylaxis, the Beginner’s Game isremarkably resistant to attacks of any kind, from the simplest to the most elaborate. Against all ofthe early attacks it always generates sharp counter play, even from the most perilous situations.

The early attacks on the Beginner’s Game fall into a small number of distinct categories:center pawn, fianchetto, bishop pin, rook pawn, queen and bishop, and knight and bishop.Combinations of early attacks are also possible. All the early attacks are easy to recognize, evenfor beginners. Better players should be able to deal with any of the early attacks withoutdifficulty, and be able to formulate strong counterattacks. Beginners should stick to prophylaxis,and avoid sharper exchange lines until their general chess playing skills improve significantly.

Early Attacks on the Beginner's Game 69

Center Pawn Early Attacks on the Beginner’s Game

The most serious early attack on the Beginner’s Game, and the one most frequently used,is the center pawn attack. In it your adversary attacks your center with two or three pawnssupported by pieces. The attack is most often on your more vulnerable king side, supported bythe adversary’s king bishop and king knight, but It has different forms, including combinationswith other early attacks. It takes 5 moves to mount the attack. In those moves you will havealready built half of your Beginner’s Game, and whatever you have done, it will resist the attack.But you may be obliged to exchange pawns, or make other moves not normally in the standardopening. Center pawn attacks should not be ignored, but this does not mean that a reactionoutside the opening is forced. The main thing is to recognize any early attacks in time. Here are afew examples of center pawn early attacks, playing mostly with the more vulnerable black.

White starts an attack on his 5th move, butblack doesn’t need to react yet: his doublyattacked pawn is doubly defended. Whitealso does better by delaying the exchangeof pawns and building the attack, bringingin his rook.

Black chooses not to play the standard 7..d6; he would lose a pawn after 8.dxe6.

Example 1:1. d4 g62. e4 e63. Bc4 b64. Nf3 Bb75. d5 Ne76. O-O Bg77. Re1 ...

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Instead he substitutes three moves oftenused after the standard opening: O-O, a6,and h6. Black then exchanges pawns, andplays his familiar d6 and Nd7.

Black has returned to a continuation of theopening, with minimal disruptions, andnow has even chances.

Example 1a:7. ... O-O8. Nc3 a6 9. a4 h610. Bf4 exd511. exd5 d612. Qd2 Kh713. Re2 Nd7

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In this different continuation, black getsinto trouble, exchanging pawns and thentrying to continue his standard opening.His game is disrupted and he losesmaterial. Black should castle on his 8thmove instead of proceeding with thestandard opening. After a center pawnexchange your king and queen areexposed to attack!

Example 1b:7. ... exd58. exd5 d69. Bg5 f610. Nd4 fxg511. Ne6 Bxb212. Nxd8 Kxd813. Nd2 Bxa114. Qxa1 Re815. Qf6 Nd716. Qxg5 a6

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Example 1c:7. ... exd58. exd5 O-O9. Nc3 d610. Bg5 Re811. Qe2 Kf812. Qd2 Nd7

In this continuation black exchangescenter pawns, and castles right after.White then attacks on the open king file.Black is under pressure, but is able tocomplete his standard opening, and hasgood chances from here.

Also playable for black in this context isf6, which gains time by forcing the bishopto retreat, but is somewhat riskier.

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Example 1d:7. ... e58. Nc3 d69. a4 Nd7

The alternative response to the centerpawn attack is to avoid the exchange byadvancing your attacked pawn. This oftenblocks the center long enough for you tocomplete your standard opening.

Avoiding the exchange is advisable forbeginners, because it is usually less risky.It generally isn’t the strongest line; stillblack has roughly even chances.

Remember: a center pawn early attack usually obliges your reaction, eg. Delayed reaction, as long as your pawn is adequately defended exchanging your attacked pawnadvancing your attacked pawncastlingcounterattacking

If you exchange central pawns, attend to the safety of your king and queen!

Game 21: Beginner’s Game with Black (Center Pawn Early Attack)

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1. e4 e62. d4 b63. Bc4 Bb74. Nf3 d65. d5 g66. dxe6 fxe67. Ng5 Qe78. Nxe6 Bg7

To complete this example, we show how aplayer of the Beginner’s Game can offer agambit in a center pawn early attack andstill win. Risky lines like this may appealto better players; beginners should bewary!

Black ignores the attack at his 5th move;white immediately wins a pawn, attackingdeep in black’s position with his knight.


White presses the attack, exchanging twopieces. Black’s position improves, butwhite still looks very threatening.

White’s attack slows when he is obliged todefend his bishop. In spite of the threatsto his king and queen, black manages toequalize.

9. Nxg7+ Qxg710. O-O Nf611. Nc3 Nc612. Bg5 h613. Bxf6 Qxf614. Nd5 Qg715. Qg4 Ne516. Qe6+ Kd8 17. Nf4 Bxe418. Bd5 Bxd5

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White continues his attack on the king, butblack now has an answer to everything.White decides not to exchange queens,and both sides go off pawn hunting.

White’s undeveloped castled position nowbecomes a liability. Luft! - the Beginner’sGame never suffers from such suffocation!Black exploits this weakness with a welltimed rook challenge, threatening mate.

19. Qxd5 Kd720. Qe6+ Kc6 21. Nd3 Rae822. Nxe5+ Qxe523. Qxg6 Qxb224. Rae1 Rxe125. Rxe1 Qxa226. Qg7 Rd827. Qxh6 Re8 28. Qd2 Rxe1+

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Black’s challenge with the rook wins him apawn. He now takes command of thegame, pressing his advantage to develophis promotion threats.

White can do nothing more than harassblack’s king; he cannot stop the pawns.

29. Qxe1 Qxc230. h4 b531. h5 b4 32. Qxb4 Qd1+33. Kh2 Qxh5+34. Kg1 a535. Qa4+ Qb536. Qe4+ Kb637. g4 a4 38. Qd4+ Kb7

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Finally a queen down, white must resign:a surprising but well deserved victory forblack, playing the new Beginner’s Game!

This game illustrates how a player of thestandard opening can find resources toresist intense pressures of an early attack.

NB: White can also win or draw this gamewith sharper play, eg. 9.O-O, 10.Bg5.

39. Qa1 Qb340. Qd4 a341. Qe4+ Kb6 42. Qd4+ Kb543. Kg2 a2 44. f4 Qb145. Qd5+ Kb646. Qd4+ Kb747. Qd5+ Kb848. Qg8+ Ka7 49. Qc4 Qb7+50. Kf2 a1=Q

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Example 2 is a different, less dangerous center pawn attack, still black can be put under pressure.

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Example 2:1. d4 e62. c4 g63. e4 Bg74. Nf3 b65. Nc3 Bb76. Bd3 Ne77. O-O d68. d5 ...

Here the opponent’s center pawn attack isnot supported by the bishop. As it is not adouble attack, we are not obliged to reactby modifying the standard opening.

Advancing the attacked center pawn in thisexample is strong, because it anchors tothe pawn beside it. This allows completionof the opening, so it’s good for beginners.

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Example 2a:8. ... Nd79. dxe6 fxe610. Ng5 Nc511. Na4 Qd712. Nxc5 dxc5

What if black doesn’t react to the attack,completing his opening with 8..Nd7? Whiteexchanges, then attacks the king pawn.Black is left with some pawn problems, butotherwise his position is satisfactory.

Staying to the standard is always the basicstrategy in playing the Beginner’s Game - go off it only if you have to, or want to!

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Example 2b:8. ... O-O9. dxe6 fxe610. Ng5 Bc811. Qg4 h512. Qh3 Qd7

Black can also castle first, then exchangecenter pawns. His center still comes underpressure, and he has to fall back, but hisposition holds, and he maintains equality.

Castling away from a center pawn attack isa solid move, but it doesn’t stop the attack.

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Example 2c:8. ... exd59. exd5 O-O10. Bg5 h6

Black does much better by exchanging thecenter pawns and castling immediatelyafterwards. Black now has a fine game.

Exchanging is often the best option forresponding to the center pawn attack: itfrees the center, and gives you bettercounter play, but it puts you more at risk.


Now we look at some potentially dangerous combinations of center pawn with other early attacks.

Here black attacks, using a combination ofcenter pawn and bishop pin. This is veryrisky attack on his part, including a gambitoffer of his king pawn. White doesn’t go for it, and stays with his standard opening. Black starts the attack at his sixth move.We first see what happens if white doesn’treact to the attack immediately, and goesahead with his standard move, 7.e3.

Example 3:1. b3 e52. Bb2 d53. d3 Bb4+4. Nd2 Nf65. g3 O-O6. Bg2 e4

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White exchanges one center pawn, thenavoids a second pawn exchange. Black’sattack is stopped, and white now has astable position, and an excellent game. Asecond pawn exchange 9..exd4 results in asharp game, that still favors white.

Exchanging with 7.dxe4 is also fine. Theexchange option is far less risky in thiscase, since the king pawn isn’t attacked.

Example 3a: 7. e3 exd38. cxd3 d49. e4 Bc310. Qc2 Bxb211. Qxb2 Nc612. Ngf3 Bg413. O-O Nd7

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White also does well by counter attacking;here his rook pawn advance forces black’sbishop to exchange or retreat.

White avoids all complications and tradesdown quickly. In this continuation he alsogoes a pawn up, enough to win the game.

Example 3b:7. a3 Bxd2+8. Qxd2 c59. Rd1 Nc610. dxe4 dxe411. Qxd8 Rxd812. Rxd8+ Nxd813. Bxf6 gxf614. Bxe4 a5

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Advancing the attacked pawn in this caseis dangerous, as it does not anchor to thecenter pawn beside it. White’s opening isdisrupted and he must now scramble tostay even.

Avoiding the exchange by advancing yourattacked center pawn doesn’t necessarilystop the attack, or result in a quiet game!

Example 3c:7. d4 e38. fxe3 Ng49. Qc1 Nxe310. c3 Nxg2+11. Kf2 Ne312. cxb4 Re813. h3 Nf514. Ngf3 Qd6

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Example 4:1. e4 d62. d4 e63. Nf3 b64. d5 Ne75. Bb5+ Nd76. dxe6 fxe67. Ng5 Bb78. Qf3

A worst case scenario with a combinationcenter pawn and bishop pin early attack isshown here. Black effectively loses thegame after only seven moves!

This particular combination early attack isworth remembering. Alarms should soundany time you see a potential combinationearly attack.

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Example 4a:5. Bb5+ c66. dxc6 Nbxc67. O-O Bb78. Nc3 a69. Bxc6+ Nxc6

Black should have reacted to the bishoppin early attack as soon as it is presented,rather than continuing his opening, andwaiting for the combination attack to start.

In this continuation, black shuts down thebishop pin portion of the combinationattack with his bishop pawn advance. Heexchanges, and has good play afterwards.

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Example 5a:1. d4 d62. e4 g63. f4 Bg74. Nf3 Nd75. Nc3 b66. Bc4 e67. f5 exf58. O-O Ne79. Bxf7+ Kxf710. Ng5+ Kg8

Here is another dangerous combination, ofcenter pawn, and knight and bishop earlyattacks. White’s bishop sacrifice andsubsequent knight incursion disruptblack’s position. Black is under pressure,and can stay even only with accurate play.

Recapturing the pawn with 7..gxf5 alsoleads into difficult lines for black.

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Example 5b:6. Bc4 h67. O-O Bb78. f5 g59. Be3 Ngf610. e5 dxe511. Nxe5 Nxe512. dxe5 Qxd113. Raxd1 Ng4

The previous situation can be avoided byreacting differently to the knight andbishop attack, which was present as soonas 6. Bc4 was played. Instead of invitingthe combination early attack with 6..e6,black shuts most of it down with 6..h6.

Black here is still fighting for equality, butnow he has better counter play, in whatwill continue as a sharp contest.


Fianchetto Early Attacks on the Beginner’s Game

In the fianchetto attack, your opponent develops one or both of his bishops as you do inthe Beginner’s Game, in the fianchetto position. If he is first in doing so, you will not be able todevelop your own fianchetto on the same diagonal, until one of you moves a pawn or piece toblock the attack. If your opponent blocks the diagonal, you can usually continue with your ownfianchetto and complete the standard opening. If he doesn’t block the diagonal, you will have tochange your opening somewhat. There are a large number of possible responses to this attack.

Your opponent’s fianchetto will usually be on his king side, and generally started early inthe opening play. You can either challenge his fianchetto immediately, or wait.

When your opponent starts his fianchettobefore you do, it’s often best to wait a fewmoves. He will usually block the diagonalwith a knight or center pawn. You can thenproceed with your own fianchetto andfinish the standard opening.

Remember: an opponent’s fianchettousually doesn’t require you to change yourstandard opening.

Example 6:1. d4 e62. g3 g63. Bg2 Bg74. Nf3 b65. O-O Bb76. c4 Ne77. Nc3 d68. e4 Nd7

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If your opponent keeps the diagonal open,as in the Beginner’s Game, you’re obligedto modify the standard opening.

Here black cannot play the usual 7..b6, buthe has a number of other moves: c6, c5,e5, f5, Nc6, Nf6, Rb8, O-O, etc.

Black went on to play c6, b6, Bb7, Qc7,and O-O-O, then started a king side attack.

Example 7:1. d4 e62. g3 g63. Bg2 Bg74. c4 Ne75. Nc3 d66. e3 Nd77. Nge2 ...

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You can open your fianchetto later thanyour opponent on an open diagonal, butyou will have to react immediately with ablocking move when his bishop moves.

Here black plays the blocking move d5,and then continues his standard opening.Black is then forced to exchange pawns;after castling he has a satisfactory game.

Example 8:1. d4 e62. g3 b63. Bg2 d54. e4 Bb75. exd5 exd56. Nf3 g67. O-O Bg78. Re1+ Ne79. c4 O-O

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Example 9:1. d4 e62. g3 g63. Bg2 Bg74. b3 Ne75. Bb2 d66. Nf3 Nd77. O-O b68. Ng5 d59. c4 Bb7

Your opponent may also reveal an attackon your half finished fianchetto, forcing animmediate reaction, as in this example.

In this case only the blocking moves 8..c6and 8..d5 were playable, or 8..Rb8. Hereblack played 8..d5 and completed hisBeginner’s Game without any problems.

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Example 10:1. d4 e62. g3 g63. Bg2 Bg74. c4 Ne75. Nc3 d66. Nf3 Nd77. d5 ...

A revealed attack on your half finishedfianchetto may be combined with a centerpawn attack. Here black gets into troublewith his standard move 7..b6, but he hasseveral good alternatives, eg. exd, e5, O-O,and Nb6.

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Example 11:1. d4 e62. g3 g63. Bg2 Bg74. c4 Ne75. Nf3 b66. Bf4 Bb77. Nc3 d68. c5 ...

Here white again combines center pawnand fianchetto attacks. Black loses apawn if he plays his usual 8..Nd7 becauseof the double attack, but he he can avoiddifficulties with 8..dxc, the best alternative.

Risk takers can attempt the gambit 8..Nd7,which can actually win from this position!

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Example 12:1. g3 g62. Bg2 e63. e3 Ne74. b3 Bg75. d4 Nbc66. Bb2 b67. Ne2 Bb78. Nd2 O-O

If both are playing the Beginner’s Game,the active diagonal must be blocked by theplayer starting his own fianchetto late.

The usual blocking moves are center pawndouble advances, or knight placementsforward. Here both moves are seen.

Since black’s knight is developed forward, d6 is not needed, so black castles instead.


Bishop Pin Early Attacks on the Beginner’s Game

In the bishop pin attack, your opponent brings a bishop to one of your Knight 4 squares,attacking either directly or indirectly your king or queen. There are two types of bishop pins: thepin on the knight, and the pin on the pawn. Bishop pins on the knight are often seen, as they arecommonly used in classical chess; bishop pins on the pawn are seen less frequently. Bishoppins alone rarely cause difficulties for the Beginner’s Game; when combined with center pawnattacks however, they can be dangerous. Often bishop pins are a waste of time, because thebishops have to retreat or exchange when challenged by your pawn advances. On the whole,your adversary does better to deploy his bishops behind his pawns. In all the standard defensesto the Beginner’s Game they are optimally placed on the opponent’s third rank.

A bishop attack on your exposed king orqueen is not a problem: proceed with yourstandard knight move, blocking the attack.

Your opponent’s bishop can be challengedlater by your rook pawn. The bishop mustretreat or exchange with your knight; bothof these moves are to your advantage.

Example 13:1. d4 e62. e4 g63. Nf3 Bg74. Bg5 Ne7

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If your fianchetto on the attacked side ishalf finished, the bishop can then advanceand force you to move your rook, as in thisexample. White stops black from castlingking side, and cramps his game.

You can avoid this situation by reactingaggressively to the bishop pin with anonstandard move: 4..Be7 or 4..f6.

Example 14:1. d4 e62. e4 g63. Nf3 b64. Bg5 Ne75. Bf6 Rg8

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The bishop pawn advance is anaggressive response to the bishop pin,forcing your adversary’s bishop to retreat.It may seem better than the normalblocking move with the knight, but ingeneral it is not : the center pawn besideit is often seriously weakened.

An early castle after your bishop pawnadvance, as shown here, is safest.

Example 15:1. d4 e62. e4 g63. Nf3 Bg74. Bg5 f65. Be3 Ne76. c4 O-O

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Example 16:1. d4 d62. Bg5 h63. Bh4 g54. Bg3 Bg75. h4 ...

A bishop pin on the pawn stops you fromdeveloping your king or queen pawn, andso from completing the standard opening.

You can run the bishop off with rook andknight pawn moves, as shown here, butthen your position is compromised: youradvanced flank pawns can be attacked,driving you further from your opening.

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Example 17a:1. d4 d62. Bg5 f63. Bd2 g64. e4 Bg75. Nf3 b66. Bc4 Bb77. Nc3 Nd78. O-O e5

The forceful response to the bishop pin onthe pawn is again your bishop pawnadvance, relieving the pin. You should beable then to proceed with your opening.

A double advance of the center pawnbeside the advanced bishop pawn is thennormally used. Here the standard singleadvance wasn’t even playable.

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Example 17b:1. d4 d62. Bg5 g63. e4 Bg74. Bc4 Nd75. Qf3 f66. Qb3 fxg57. Bxg8 Nf68. Qf7+ Kd79. Qxg7 Rxg810. Qh6 Nxe4

Respond to the bishop pin on the pawnearly, before your adversary can build anattack around it. Here black waits severalmoves and is attacked. His game isdisrupted, but he maintains equality andeven manages to find good counterplay.

Remember: Relieve the bishop pin on thepawn before it becomes a problem.

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Example 17c:5. Qf3 Ngf66. Nd2 O-O7. Ne2 c68. O-O e59. Qa3 Qc7

In the previous situation Black does betterby moving into a different variant, with5..Ngf6 and 6..O-O, stopping the attack.and starting a strong counter offensive.

An early reaction to the bishop pin on thepawn may be the best course, even thoughyou depart from the standard opening.


Rook Pawn Early Attacks on the Beginner’s Game

In the rook pawn attack, your opponent’s rook pawn is advanced to the fifth rank, where itthreatens either to exchange with your knight pawn, or to advance and displace your fianchetto.Rook pawn attacks are seen somewhat less frequently in master level play against the Beginner’sGame than the other early attacks presented so far, but they are nevertheless just as effective.

Rook pawn early attacks can be disruptive; in most cases they force departures from thestandard opening. They may also be combined with other early attacks, in particular the queenand bishop attack. There is a variety of adequate responses.

Rook pawn attacks can be dangerous.Here black ignores the attack; his kingside is invaded and he now loses a pawn,after 10.Ng5 and 11.Nxh7. When the attack starts, different standardmoves, 5..Bb7 or 5..d6 resist better. After5..Ne7 black could play 6..gxh or 6..O-Oinstead, but both give white a strong kingside assault, aided by the open rook file.

Example 18a:1. e4 e62. d4 g63. Bd3 Bg74. Nf3 b65. h4 Ne76. h5 Bb77. h6 Bf88. Bg5 d69. Bf6 Rg8

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You can respond immediately to the rookpawn early attack with a double advanceof your rook pawn, stopping the attack.

This introduced move avoids exchanges,and allows you to complete your opening,so it’s good for beginners. Here black alsoavoids a later center pawn exchange, andnow has a reasonably good game.

Example 18b:5. h4 h56. O-O Bb77. Nc3 Ne78. Bg5 d69. d5 e510. Bb5+ Nd7

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You can also respond to the rook pawnearly attack with an immediate singleadvance of your rook pawn, which oftenshuts down the attack. If white pressesthe attack, you can advance your knightpawn as here, so avoiding the exchange.

This is a quieter alternative to the standardmoves. Black can complete his Beginner’sGame after the two introduced moves.

Example 18c:5. h4 h66. h5 g57. Nc3 d68. O-O Ne79. Be3 Bb710. Nd2 Nd7

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Example 18d:5. h4 h66. h5 Ne77. hxg6 Nxg68. Be3 Bb79. Qd2 Nc610. Nc3 e511. dxe5 Ngxe512. Nxe5 Nxe513. O-O-O Nxd3+14. Qxd3 d6

Most of the exchange lines following yourrook pawn single advance are dangerous,and should not be entered into unless youare prepared with a sharp counter attack.Here black maintains parity by aggressivedefense. Recapturing with the knight givesbetter results than with the bishop pawn,which leaves weaknesses on e6 and g6.

Remember: many exchange lines in therook pawn early attack are risky.

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Example 19:1. e4 e62. d4 b63. Bd3 Bb74. h4 Ne75. Nf3 d66. h5 Nd77. Be3 g68. hxg6 Nxg6

If the attack begins before the fianchettoon that side has been started, you can playthe fianchetto last, and your nearlycompleted development resists better.

Black here plays his standard opening,with the fianchetto last. He recaptures withthe knight, as shown, to avoid weakeninghis king pawn. Black now has reasonablechances, despite the king side damage.

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Example 20:1. e4 e62. d4 b63. Bd3 d64. h4 Bb75. h5 h66. Nc3 Nd77. Nf3 Be78. Bf4 Ngf69. Qe2 a6

If the fianchetto on the attacked side hasnot been started, you have a wide range ofresponses outside the standard as well.Here black stops the rook pawn advance,and moves into a strong close variant withdifferent knight and bishop placements.

Black completes his variant opening, andhas good play from this position. Manyother close variants respond just as well.

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Example 21:1. d4 g62. e4 d63. Nf3 Nd74. Nc3 b65. Bd3 Bb76. h4 e67. h5 Bg78. hxg6 hxg69. Rxh8 Bxh8

If the fianchetto on the attacked side ishalf finished when the rook pawn earlyattack starts, you may as well proceed withthe standard moves. If the rook pawnthen advances, you can bring the bishopout to Bishop 3. If it exchanges instead,you can then exchange rooks, as here.

After the exchanges both sides will castleQ-side. Black has roughly even chances.


Queen and Bishop Early Attacks on the Beginner’s Game

In the queen and bishop attack, your opponent aligns his queen with one of his bishops toattack one of your fianchettos via the Rook 3 square. Queen and bishop attacks are frequentlyseen in play, most usually on the king side. There are some cases in which the queen and bishopattack can succeed in winning a pawn, but not without substantial cost.

You have a number of ways to respond to the queen and bishop attack: stop it, with a rookpawn advance, or by keeping your knight in place, exchange when his bishop challenges yours,or wait for your opponent to exchange bishops.

Queen and bishop attacks may be stoppedby pushing the rook pawn. Since theserook pawn advances often figure in playfollowing the opening, you may prefer tomake these ‘prophylactic’ moves as soonas the attack is presented.

Here black responds to two queen andbishop attacks with rook pawn advances.He completes his standard opening, and isin very good shape.

Example 23:1. e4 d62. d4 g63. Be3 Nd74. Nf3 b65. Qd2 h66. Bc4 Bb77. Nc3 Bg78. Qd3 a69. O-O e610. Rad1 Ne7

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As long as your knight is in place, theattack is shut down. Here white has thequeen and bishop attack ready by his 4thmove, but can launch it only much later,after black finally moves his king knight.

Black completes his Beginner’s Game andcastles rather than initiating the exchangeof bishops. The bishop exchange has notseriously affected the balance of the game.

Example 24:1. e4 g62. d4 b63. Bf4 Bg74. Qd2 e65. Nf3 Bb76. Bd3 d67. Nc3 Nd78. O-O-O Ne79. Bh6 O-O10. Bxg7 Kxg7

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If your adversary starts the queen andbishop attack before your bishop is in thefianchetto position, you can start counterattacking, eg. with the bishop pawn doubleadvance as shown.

White stops black from completing hisopening and castling on the king side, buthe must take serious risks to derive anydefinitive advantage from this position.

Example 25:1. e4 d62. d4 g63. Be3 Nd74. Nf3 b65. Qd2 e66. Bd3 Ne77. Nc3 Bb78. Bh6 f5

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Example 25a:9. Bxf8 Rxf810. Qh6 Nf611. Ng5 Qd712. Nxh7 Nxh713. Qxh7 fxe414. Nxe4 O-O-O15. O-O Rh816. Qg7 Rdg817. Qf6 Rf8

Here we see what happens when youradversary continues this attack. Whiteexchanges bishops, and then invades onblack’s king side, winning a pawn.

Afterwards white loses several movesretreating with his queen however, asblack counter attacks. White retains thepawn lead, but black has a very strongking side offensive to compensate for it.

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Example 25b:8. Bh6 Bxh69. Qxh6 a610. Qg7 Rg811. Qxh7 g512. O-O c513. d5 e514. Nd2 Nf615. Qh3 Bc816. Qe3 b5

Much the same scenario results if youinitiate the bishop exchange whenchallenged, as in this continuation.

Once again white wins a pawn with theattack, and once again black respondswith a strong counter offensive. Hereblack pushes on the queen side as well aspreparing to attack white’s king side.

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Example 26:1. e4 g62. d4 b63. Bf4 Bg74. Qd2 e65. Nf3 Bb76. Bd3 d67. Nc3 Nd78. O-O-O h69. h4 Ne7

It would appear that you do somewhatbetter by blocking the attack with the rookpawn advance, since this move is often used in play following the opening.

The problem is that as long as the attack isin place, you will not be able to castle kingside. But in general you have good playfrom the completed standard opening.

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Example 26a:6. Nc3 Nf67. e5 Nh58. Be2 Nxf4

If your opponent persists in using thequeen and bishop attack, you may wish totry some of the close variants of theBeginner’s Game as alternative openings.

Here black draws a center pawn advancewith his forward king knight placement,and then neutralizes white’s attack with anexchange. Black now has good chances.


Knight and Bishop Early Attacks on the Beginner’s Game

This is the most famous early attack in all of chess, the ‘fegatello’, or ‘brave little’ attack.The knight and bishop attack is usually on your King Bishop 2 and King 3 squares. The threat is abishop sacrifice for a pawn on either square, disrupting your opening and sometimes winningmaterial as well. In most of the possible sequences of the Beginner’s Game the attack is shutdown easily, by the advance of the king or king rook pawns. There are some sequences that arevulnerable however, and should be remembered. In master level play this potentially dangerousattack is rarely seen, as it is easy to stop and the forward bishop can then be repelled, losing time.

After only four moves, the knight andbishop attack is in place, making it thefastest, and one of the most dangerous,early attacks on the Beginner’s Game.

Here white avoids all problems with hisstandard move 5.e3, or the introducedmove 5.h3, but watch what happens if heplays the standard move 5.Bg2...

Example 27:1. d3 d52. b3 e53. g3 Bc54. Nd2 Nf6

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The bishop sacrifice and knight incursiondisrupt white’s game and cost him a pawn.Here white misplays: he should refuse thesacrifice with 6.Kf1; he accepts, and nowloses his queen!

Remember: the knight and bishop attackcan start as soon as both pieces are in thefield; Defend your King and Queen!

Example 27a:5. Bg2 Bxf2+6. Kxf2 Ng4+7. Ke1 Ne3

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White’s standard move 5.Bg2 was wrong,and 5.e3 was right. What about 5.Bb2? Inthis continuation, black again attacks, butdoesn’t obtain adequate compensation forhis sacrificed bishop.

Still the attack is disruptive; anytime youropponent has a knight fork of your queenand bishop he obtains near equality.

Example 27b:5. Bb2 Nc66. Bg2 Bxf2+7. Kxf2 Ng4+8. Ke1 Ne39. Qc1 Nxg2+10. Kf2 Nh411. gxh4 Qxh4+12. Kg2

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Example 27c:5. Bb2 Nc66. Bg2 O-O7. e3 Ng48. Ne2 Bxe39. O-O Nxf210. Rxf2 Bxf2+11. Kxf2

After you have advanced the King pawn,the attack loses most of its threat. Buteven this pawn chain can be attacked, ifyou do not repel the knight immediatelywhen it invades, as in this continuation.

Black here wins a pawn. White shouldreact immediately to the knight incursionwith 8.h3 instead of his standard 8.Ne2. Ifblack then plays 8..Bxe3, 9.hxg4!

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Example 28a:1. d3 d52. e3 e53. Nd2 Bc54. Ne2 Nc65. g3 Nf66. Bg2 Ng47. b3 Bxe38. O-O Bc5

Here’s another example, to insist on thepoint for the beginners: 7.h3 or even 7.Nb3is OK. But the usual 7.b3 loses a pawn, asshown here. Note that 7.O-O also loses.

Remember: you usually must react whena knight invades. An enemy bishop onyour side of the board is a nuisance; anenemy knight is a serious threat!

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Example 28b:6. b3 Bf57. Bb2 Nb48. Bg2 Bxd39. cxd3 Nxd3+10. Kf1 Nxb211. Qc2 Ba312. Nb1 Qe713. Nxa3 Qxa314. Rb1 Qxa215. Rxb2 Qa3

On the queen side, the knight and bishopattack does not work as well, for variousreasons. Even so, you should normallyreact to a queen side knight invasion.

Here 8.a3 can drive the black knight off.White continued with his standard move8.Bg2, and is attacked, but manages tostay even, and still has a good game.

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Example 29:1. b3 d52. e3 Nc63. Ne2 Bf54. Bb2 e65. d3 Nb46. Nd2 Bxd3

If completely ignored, the knight andbishop attack on the queen side can bedangerous. Here white should repel theknight with 6.a3, or play the standardmove 6.g3. He ignores the attack, playing6.Nd2, and gets into serious trouble.

Beginners note: if white recaptures with7. cxd3, he is checkmated!


6. Playing Against the Beginner’s Game

This at the same time a difficult subject, and an easy one. No responses have been foundto the Beginner’s Game that consistently put it in serious trouble. But a large number of openingshave shown to be strong responses, and have won games against it. We can already identifymany of the best defenses. They are the strongest conventional openings that have ever beenseen in the game of chess; each one is a theoretically perfect deployment. But non of them haveproved superior to the standard opening.

The Beginner’s Game allows the adversary to perform any opening he wishes withoutopposition. Responses to the standard opening are the least constrained, and therefore the mostvaried possible. The Beginner’s Game has to face hundreds of valid adversary defenses, far morethan for other openings in chess. Most of these defenses are new, in the sense that they have notbeen playable until the present. In fact, a completely new game of chess results from playing thissystem, because the opening positions on both sides have rarely if ever been seen before!

It is a fascinating quest to find the best rivals to the Beginner’s Game. When one is atalmost complete liberty to compose, play in the opening becomes an exercise for the imagination,quite different from the close contact and blow-by-blow character of conventional opening play.The usual dynamic clash of force and constraint becomes instead a calm deployment phase asone plays the component moves of a preferred opening position. It is as though you are settingup the board eight moves into the opening and starting the game from there!

Here we present a sampler of adversary openings which have shown to be strong againstthe Beginner’s Game. It is a highly varied assortment of stunning new openings. All readers areencouraged to choose a few that look interesting to try in play. Beginners and lesser intermediateplayers should mostly play the close variants of the Beginner’s Game, while they are gainingexperience in the system. Better players should try some of everything. It’s a new game of chess!

This discussion of playing against the Beginner’s Game is divided into four parts: earlyattacks, classical defenses, custom defenses, and B-systems defenses. In each section examplesshow adversary responses that have won games from these positions, reached after eight moves.No adversary defense or early attack has been able to win consistently against the standard.

Early Attacks:

The early attacks on the Beginner’s Game have been discussed earlier in some detail. Dueto the compact deployment of the standard opening, any attacks on it take longer to mount. Earlyattacks start at the 5th to 7th move. The most frequently seen at master level are the center pawnattacks, but all the other attacks: fianchetto, bishop pin, rook pawn, queen and bishop, and knightand bishop, are used as well. Combination early attacks are generally the most problematic forplayers of the system. At amateur level early attacks will often be played, since they can forcemodifications in the standard opening, and put weaker players under more pressure. At this level,it is also likely that all of the early attacks will be tried with about the same frequency.

When the Beginner’s Game is attacked early, usually no more than one or two of the firsteight opening moves have to be changed. Most of the development, and therefore much of theresulting play remains the same. Staying as close as possible to the standard moves is alwaysthe basic strategy when playing the Beginner’s Game.

Early attacks are aggressive, but not necessarily more aggressive than openings whichavoid early conflict and concentrate on building a strong position, as does the Beginner’s Gameitself. In play against the computer at master level, early attacks are seen in a small minority ofgames. It would appear that the best responses take more time to prepare. It is also probablehowever that the computer, not knowing it is playing against the standard opening, doesn’t useearly attacks as often because they are not judged to be strongest in the general context.

Further research will reveal which move sequences of the standard opening are overlyvulnerable to specific early attacks. Moves outside the standard opening may be needed to dealadequately with these situations. At present, the early attacks do not appear to be the strongestresponses to the Beginner’s Game, because they don’t push it significantly off track. In mostcases they only succeed in forcing exchanges which do not seriously affect the strength of thestandard opening. Often they result in loss of time and initiative for the adversary. All the earlyattacks can be avoided by defensive play, or challenged by aggressive counter play.

The author’s assessment of the different early attacks:The center pawn attacks can be responded to in too many ways to be consistently effective. The fianchetto attacks, as seen in the B-system close variants, are generally not disruptive.The bishop pin attacks are not effective, unless combined with center pawn attacks. The rook pawn attacks are somewhat disruptive, but have a variety of adequate responses. The queen and bishop attacks can force the bishop exchange, but give no real advantage. The knight and bishop attacks are not dangerous unless ignored or misplayed.

Early attacks have scored wins in games from the positions shown below at 8 moves. Mostwins were recorded with the center pawn, rook pawn, or combination center pawn and bishop pinattacks, but all of the early attacks can be dangerous, and all of them have won on occasion.

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Playing Against the Beginner's Game 87

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Classical Defenses:

The classical defenses shown here are not only valid, they are the strongest conventionalopenings that exist. They all develop aggressively, typically with two or three doubly advancedcenter pawns, and the pieces optimally deployed, most frequently to the third rank. Castling inmost cases has been performed, and the queen has been relocated. Classical defenses all place amass of material in the center, maximizing potential for attack while retaining a strong defense.

During the eight moves used to complete the standard opening, the opponent is atcomplete freedom to compose a perfect classical opening. He usually completes it in 7 moves, amove earlier than does the Beginner’s Game. But his extra move and attacking potential are hardto capitalize, because in general he can find little to attack.

Two main categories of classical defenses are those with either two or three advancedcenter pawns. Three pawn centers provide better support for a pawn assault, but there is noconclusive evidence they are better than the two pawn centers, or the other non-classicaldefenses. Below are some of the classical defenses that have won games. As they have beenseen only rarely in chess, the author has taken the liberty of giving them names. The codednames are explained briefly below; the descriptive names are simpler, but also less precise.

§ ¯ ¨³”“ ¹“”“

— ˜”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

C3vF1 3 pawn F back

§ ¨³”“ “”“

—¹ ˜¯ ”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

C3vD3 3 pawn queen out

§ ¯ ¨³”“ “”“

—¹ ˜”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

C3v0 3 pawn standard

§ ¨³”“” ¯“”“

— ˜¹“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

C2vC2D5F2 2 pawn CF center

§ ¨³”“” “”“

—¯ ˜¹“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

C2vD4F2 2 pawn F center

§ ¨³”“” “”“

—¹ ˜“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

C2v0 2 pawn standard

§ ¯ ¨³”“ “¹“

— ˜“”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

C3v7F5 3 pawn F fianchetto

§ ¯§ ³”“” “”“

—¹ ˜“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

C2vC1H1 2 pawn C back

§ ¨³”“” ¯“”“

—¹“˜“

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

C1v5C2D5 1 pawn C center

§ ¨³”“” “”“

— ˜“”

¹‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤ C2vC3F3 2 pawn CF pin

§ ¯³ ¨”“” “”“

¹“”˜ —‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

C2vBC2F2G 2 pawn 2 N&B

§ ¯³ ¨” ” “¹“”— ˜“

“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

C2v27C5F5 2 pawn 2 fianchetto

The coded names attempt to give details of the opening: first the type of response (early Attack,B-system, Classical, custom Designed), then the number of doubly advanced pawns, then ‘v’(meaning ‘variant’), and then the figures that moved differently from the related standard opening:first numbers (1-8) for the pawns, and then letters (A-H) for the pieces. The pieces have severalvariant moves; the number following the piece letter indicates which of these moves was made. Ifa figure is moved twice, this is again indicated by giving the pawn number or piece letter.


Custom Defenses:

A custom defense is one which has been specially designed to confront the Beginner’sGame. There are many imaginative and often impressive openings that can be designed. All theseopenings are virtually new to chess, so the author has taken liberty to invent names for them. Thecustom defenses below have proved to be very strong responses to the standard opening.

§ ¯³ ¨”“ —˜ ”“

¹”“”“

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

D4vB1G1 4 pawn ‘Tomahawk’

§ ¯³ ¨” — “”“” ¹ ˜”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

D3v2B1C5 3 pawn ‘Shotgun’

§ ¯³ ¨”“ ”“

—¹ ˜”“”“

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

D4v0 4 pawn Standard

§ ¯³ ¨”“”

—¹ ˜“”“”“

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

D5v678 5 pawn ‘King Wing’

§ ¯³ —¨¹“”“

—”“”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

D5vF1 5 pawn ‘Queen Wing’

§ ¯³ ¨“” “”—¹ ˜

” “” “

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

D4v18 4 pawn ‘Battle Axe’

§˜ ³ ¨”“¯ ˜“”

“¹ ”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

D2v3D1G1 2 pawn ‘Shotgun’

§˜ ¯³ ¨“ ˜ ”

¹” ”“”“ “

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

D6vG1 6 pawn ‘Six Gun’

§ ¯³ ¨”“ —˜ ”“

“ ”¹“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

D2v36B1C2F2G1 ‘BroadAxe’

B-System Defenses:

B-system openings obey a strict set of rules that distinguish them from most classicalopenings, and make them close relatives of the Beginner’s Game. All make primary use of pawnchains and piece placement behind the pawns. Their names list the component moves that aredifferent from the Beginner’s Game. The ones shown below with black are only a few of the manyB-system openings that have proved to be very strong responses to the standard opening. Thecoded names use a slightly more compact form of the nomenclature presented earlier, since thereare less variant moves used in B-system openings than in the responses to the standard opening.

Those openings which imitate closely the Beginner’s Game are among the best defensesthat exist. These are the B-system close variants. They are used when both are playing theBeginner’s Game, but they are also valid openings in their own right. All of the B-system closevariants are exceptionally strong; in certain contexts they can be stronger than the standard!

§ ¯³ ¨” ” ˜“¹“”—”“ “

‘–‘’ ’‘ ‘ •’›’¦ ª² ¤

BvB

§˜ ¯³ —¨” ¹“”“”“”“

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Bv3’6’

§ ¯ ¨³” ”—”“¹“” ” ˜“

‘ ‘’•’‘ ‘– ’›’¦ ª² ¤

BvEG

³¨ ¹—¨” ¯— “”“”“”“

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Bv3’DE’

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ” “

”

‘ ‘’•’‘ ‘– ’›’¦ ª² ¤

Bv5

§ ¯ ¨³” ”—¹“”“” ”“˜

‘ ‘’•’‘ ‘– ’›’¦ ª² ¤

BvEFG


§ ¯ ¨³” ”“¹“”—” ˜“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Bv3BEG

§ ¯³ ¨” “”“”—¹“˜”“

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Bv34BF’G

³¨ ¹—¨” ¯ “”“”— “”“

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Bv34BDE’

§˜ ¯³ —¨“ ”“ “¹ ” ”

“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Bv13’456’8C’F’

§ ¯³ ¨”“ —˜ ”“

“¹ ”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Bv3’456’C’F’

³¨ ¹—¨” ” “”—” ” ”

”

‘ ‘’•’‘ ‘– ’›’¦ ª² ¤

Bv58B’D’E’

All of the defenses shown in this chapter are very effective against the standard opening.But there are hundreds of others that are as good. All of the openings in this great multitude areas strong or stronger than anything ever seen before in chess. We can only react with utteramazement that none of them have proved to be consistently effective against the standardopening, with its fixed set of moves !

The enormous variety of valid responses to the Beginner’s Game increases the probabilitythat eventually some can be identified which present serious problems. But even if somedefenses are found that can put the standard opening in real difficulty, there are so many possiblesequences, and so many close variants, that there will always be ways of avoiding specificproblematic lines. The large number of move sequences and diversity of strong close variants isthe best possible guarantee that the standard opening will never be surpassed in its ability torespond to attacks of any kind.

7. The B-System Definition

We have seen examples of the possible variants of the Beginner's Game which can beforced by adversary play in the early attacks. These variants are part of the system associatedwith the standard opening, that one should know in order to play the standard opening correctly.

There are many other possible variants of the Beginner’s Game. Some are obtained byintroducing moves typically used in continuing play into the first eight moves of the opening, andplaying the omitted standard moves a bit later. Examples would be advancing a rook pawn orcastling early. Such variants retain the basic character of the opening, and can be considered asdifferent threads of the same game. It is interesting to experiment with such variants, as it isinteresting to experiment with different orderings of the eight moves of the Beginner’s Game.

Other variants may be defined in which any moves at all are introduced into the first eight.If only a few moves of the basic opening are changed, and the introduced moves fit in well, thenthese variants may also be worth trying. Some such variant openings will prove to be strong, anda player of the Beginner’s Game might consider adding a few to his openings portfolio.

As more moves of the standard opening are modified, the resulting variants get fartheraway from the Beginner’s Game. We then start to lose the synergy that playing a close variantopening has with playing the standard familiar one. If we decide to get interested in more distantvariants, then we should focus our interest on those that not only work well, but that also are insome way similar to the Beginner’s Game, in the sense that we can profit from our knowledge ofhow to play with the standard opening.

The number of possible variants is enormous, growing rapidly with each move of thestandard opening that is changed. How can we find the strongest ones without having to tryeverything that appears it might work? We need a heuristic, a method to reduce the search andtesting to a tiny subset of all possible variants, but which still contains most of the best ones.

For the author, the best heuristic was to select variants that respect a set of rules foropening play, similar to those used by the Beginner’s Game itself. It respects the following rules:

Pure positional playSingle pawn advances, constructing pawn chainsPiece placement behind pawns

The success of the Beginner’s Game confirms that these are valid rules for opening play.But there is only one opening which truly obeys these rules, and that is the Beginner’s Gameitself. We get no variants with these rules, so we have to change the rules somewhat to startadmitting candidate variants.

The B-System Definition 93

Now the obvious thing to say is that these rules should still be generally respected inopening play, but that a few exceptions are allowed. These exception cases must be well definedand highly restrictive, to permit us to search effectively in a small subset of the enormous spaceof possible openings; and they must result of course, in the selection of the strongest variants.The author has experimented extensively with variants on the Beginner’s Game that respect thefollowing modified rules, for the first eight moves:

B-System Rules

Play in the opening is purely positional; pawns and pieces are not moved twiceunless it is necessary.Single pawn advances are generally used. Double pawn advances are allowed only ifthe pawn joins a pawn chain.Pieces are developed behind the pawns. The only exception allowed is that oneknight may be played in front of the pawns.Queen and rook moves behind the pawns are allowed.Castling is allowed.

Any opening which obeys these rules is in the B-system. All B-system openings are in factvariants of the Beginner’s Game, in a way that we can describe and quantify. A specialnomenclature for B-system openings makes clear their relationship to the Beginner’s Game.

Of the variants generated using these modified rules, most are interesting, almost all areplayable, and many are very strong. There are not too many of them, it is a manageable collection.And they do retain a kind of similarity in play with the Beginner’s Game, that we were looking for.

Note that there is no mention in the B-System rules to the Beginner’s Game. In particular

there is no mention of the number of moves of the Beginner’s Game which may be modified. Anopening in the B-system may have any number of component moves different from the Beginner’sGame, even all eight of them!

You would think that variants with many moves different from the standard opening wouldbe too different to be useful, in the sense that they share commonalties in play with it. Butconformity to the same strict set of rules seems to predominate over the differences in actualcomponent moves. Openings in the B-system, no matter how distant they are from the Beginner’sGame, still have much in common with it, and play much like it.

There is another motive in defining a set of variants other than to enrich play with theBeginner’s Game. The Beginner’s Game is a new opening, and is the charter member of theB-system. Most of the openings in the B-system are also new, rarely if ever seen before in play. Itis quite possible that within this practically new system we will find not only many strongopenings, but many that like the Beginner’s Game itself, are optimal or close to it. In other words,the B-system is an attempt to define an optimal subset in the space of all possible chessopenings, which at the same time is largely new.

With few exceptions, the members of the B-system that have been seen before in play aregenerally considered alternative openings, and are not very commonly used. The B-system as awhole should be considered as a new way of playing the chess opening. The entire style of playin this system is quite different from that of classical chess. In any case the B-system isdistinguished from, not based on other openings or opening systems that have been used to date.

The rules for the B-system are precise enough to allow us to determine immediatelywhether any candidate opening is in the system or not. A few examples of valid B-systemopenings, and openings not in the system are given here to make these distinctions clear:

§ ¯³ ¨” “˜“¹“”— “ “”

Bv3B

§ ¯ ¨³” ”— “”“” ¹“˜

“ Bv4EF’G

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ” “

” Bv5

§ ¯³ ¨”“ —˜ ”“

“¹ ”“”

Bv3’456’C’F’

§ ¯ ¨³”“ ˜“¹“

—” “” ”

Bv35BE

§ ¨³”“¯— “”“

“¹“˜“

Bv3’4DEF’G

Valid B-system Openings

§ ¯ ¨³” “ “”“”—¹“˜” Bishop in front

of Pawn

§ ³ ¨”“ “¹“

—”“˜“¯ ”

Queen in front of Pawn

§ ¯³ ¨” ” “¹“”—” ˜“

”More than one knight

in front of pawns

§ ¯³ ¨” “¹“”“”— “”— unforced knight

double move

§ ¯³ ¨” ” ˜“¹“”— “

“” advanced pawns not in

pawn chains

§ ¯³ ¨“”“¹“

“ — ˜““” advanced pawn not in

pawn chain

Non B-system Openings

The B-System Definition 95

These illustrations show positions that are still intact after eight moves. We also include inthe B-system variations of these openings which have had to make exchanges, as forced byadversary play, even though positions after these exchanges may not conform completely withthe system rules. There are a few borderline cases, but as a whole the B-system is a well-definedset. It’s fairly easy for anyone to look at an opening and tell if it’s in the B-system or not.

The B-system rules result in the generation of a large number of variants. The author hasnot made an attempt to count them, but estimates there are several thousand, including theexchange variants. Not all of these are worthy of our attention. Once again we need a heuristicwe can apply to determine the best openings in the system for further study; once again we canlook for openings that share other characteristics of the highly successful Beginner’s Game.

There are various characteristics that we can look for. These are not hard and fast rules,such as those used to define the B-system, but secondary guidelines, that may prove useful in theidentification of interesting candidates for further study.

Examples of such guidelines are:Exchanges of pieces or pawns are generally not offered. Exchanges proposed bythe opponent are not accepted unless necessary.Generally, no offensive action is initiated prior to completing the opening. Theopenings prepares however, for attacking immediately afterwards.Castling options are generally maintained thru the opening.

The most important opening guideline however, is that most singular characteristic of theBeginner’s Game, of being able to play with either white or black, making only minimalmodifications as imposed by adversary play. The variants we are most interested in are those thatare generally playable, confronting successfully the largest possible variety of adversaryresponses. In this system, we are trying to maximise our chances of getting intact thru theopening, while achieving a good starting position for the game that follows.

As in the Beginner’s Game, the B-system player is striving to carry out a preconceived plan,with only slight alterations as necessary to counter adversary play. He is trying to produce apredefined configuration, which should be evident by his eighth move. His choice of moves willbe highly varied, but anything he plays should be building to a position within the system.

B-system Rules OK

The B-system rules were quite ad-hoc, so naturally you might ask if some other set of rulescould be even better. Relaxing the rules would include many more strong openings; tighteningthem would refine the system. Here the author has drawn a line in the sand. On one side are theBeginner’s Game and the B-system, virtually unknown. On the other side are almost all the chessopenings ever played until the present, and a large number of even stronger new ones. A greatbattle between them is about to begin. It is now the battle between the new chess and the old; butif the B-system rules OK, this line marks the field for most of the future battles in chess.

8. B-System Variants

The Beginner’s Game is the central member of a set of openings defined by the author,called the B-system. All B-system openings respect the same restrictive and well-defined rulesfor opening play. These rules have already been detailed, and include as elements primarily use ofrecessed pawn structures and piece placement behind the pawns, as in the Beginner’s Game.

The main interest in defining the B-system is to identify those openings which are close to

the Beginner’s Game, in the sense of being alternative lines of the standard opening. Due to theirconformity to the same set of rules, even distant B-systems openings are generally related interms of the style of games that result, so there is good commonality of play in the entire system.

A classification system for B-system openings is introduced here which defines anyopening in the system as a variant of the Beginner’s Game. Variants are named by indicating thepawn and piece moves in that opening that are not present in the Beginner’s Game. Pieces arelabeled A - H, and pawns 1 - 8, starting from the queen side. For example, a modification of theBeginner’s Game in which the king knight is developed to Bishop 3 instead of King 2 is called avariant G, whether for white or for black. All variant names start with the letters ‘Bv’ (meaningB-system variant) and then put the variant moves in first numerical, and then alphabetical order.

§ ¯³ ¨” “˜“¹“”— “ “”

variant 3B - Bv3B

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ” “

” variant 5 - Bv5

§ ¯³ ¨” ”— “¹“” ”“˜“

variant G - BvG

The variant name by itself does not describe the opening completely. We usually do notknow for example, which moves of the standard opening were left out. When this detail isneeded, we can include a version qualifier, which is a list of the moves of the Beginner’s Gamewhich were not made. For example, a Beginner’s Game with an introduced queen rook pawnmove, but without the usual king knight move, would be called variant 1 Version G. In general, wewill refer to variants using only the names, without the version qualifiers.

§ ¯³ ¨”—˜“¹“

“” ”“ “

Bv1(VC)

§ ¯³¹ ¨”—˜“ “

“” ”“ “

Bv1 - Version F

§ ¯³ —¨”— “¹“

“” ”“ “

variant 1 - Version G

The variant name, even with inclusion of the version qualifier, still does not give a completedescription of the opening. Missing in particular, is the move order. Also missing is a descriptionof how pawn and piece moves different from the Beginner’s Game were actually performed.

B-System Variants 97

The idea is to have a convenient nomenclature for openings in the B-system, that makesclear their relationship to the Beginner’s Game. Including too much information in the variantnames makes them long and unusable. We can leave out information on move order because, asin the Beginner’s Game, variants may be produced using many different sequences of moves. Butit is useful to indicate for the modified moves how the piece or pawn has moved.

A shorthand for variations of the modified moves is suggested here which appends amodifier to the pawn number or piece letter for less frequently used moves, but not to the mostfrequently used move. This shorthand makes the variant names more precise, without makingthem too complicated. The pieces and pawns have different rules for use of qualifiers, accordingto which of their moves are most frequently made. Here is the suggested syntax:

Less Frequent Moves - Single Qualifier

Rook pawns: double advanceOther pawns: single advanceKnights: to Rook 3Bishops: to King 3 / Queen 3Rooks: to Knight 1 Queen: to Queen 2 King: Queen side castle

Most Frequent Moves - No Qualifier

Rook pawns: single advanceOther pawns: double advanceKnights: to Bishop 3Bishops: to King 2 / Queen 2Rooks: to King 1 Queen: to Queen Bishop 2 King: King side castle

Other moves, eg. Bishop to Rook 3, Queen to King 2 (or King 1 or Queen Bishop 1), have adouble qualifier. The single qualifier is the apostrophe; the double qualifier is the quote sign. Thequalifier ‘x’ is used when a pawn or piece captures. If a figure is forced to move a second time,only the figure symbol is repeated in the variant name. With this shorthand for moves, we can nowname and describe all openings in the B-system. Below are some examples with move qualifiers:

§˜ ³ —¨” ¯“¹“”“”“ “

Bv3’D” (VBG)

§ ¯³¹ ¨” ”—˜“ “” ” “

Bv5x(VF)

§ ¯³¹ ¨”—˜“ “

” ”“ “” Bv1’(VF)

This naming scheme allows us to refer to all B-system members in a convenient fashion.Unlike other nomenclatures for chess openings, it succeeds in giving an accurate and adequatedescription of an opening set of moves, in a way that anyone can understand and use quite easily.

The ‘distance’ of a B-system variant from the Beginner’ Game is equal to the number ofmoves that are different from the standard opening, which is equal to the number of figuresymbols in the name. Most classical openings are not in the B-system of course, but we canmeasure their distance from the Beginner’s Game in the same way. Almost all are 6 to 8 movesdistant; the overall average is about 6.5 moves. That’s another reason why the Beginner’s Gamedoesn’t have much in common with most conventional chess openings.

Now we present a brief catalog of B-systems variants. This is just a small representative sampleof the entire system. These are listed according to their distance from the Beginner’s Game.

B-System Variants at Distance 1:

§ ¯³ ¨” ”— “¹“” ”“˜“

variant G - BvG

The B-system variants at distance 1which modify one move of theBeginner’s Game, but perform all ofthe other standard moves are theknight move variants B and G, and..

§ ¯³ ¨” ” ˜“¹“”—”“ “

variant B - BvB

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ” “

” Bv5

Variants 4 and 5, with center pawndouble advances. All other variantsomit moves of the standard opening.A version qualifier can be added toshow the standard moves left out.

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” “ “

“ Bv4

§ ¯³¹ ¨” ”—˜“ “” ” “

Bv5x(Version F -VF)

Variants Bv4x and Bv5x have madecentral pawn exchanges, and omittedone of the piece moves. Each ofthese variants has 4 versions; shownare versions G and F, respectively.

§ ¯³ —¨” ”— “¹“” “ “

Bv4x(version G - VG)

§ ¯ ¨³” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

BvE(VC)

In variant Bv4’ the queen pawn hasbeen moved twice. This variant hasfour versions; shown is Version B.Variant BvE, with an early castle, hastwo versions; version C is shown.

§˜ ¯³ ¨” ” ˜“¹“” “ “

“ Bv4’(VB)

§ ³ —¨” ”—¯“¹“” ”“ “

BvD”

Variant Bv1 has substituted a queenrook pawn move for a piece move.Shown is version G. Similarly forBv1’ Bv8 & Bv8’, Bv3 & Bv3’, Bv6 &Bv6’. Variant BvD” has several forms;this version prepares a long castle.

§ ¯³ —¨”— “¹“

“” “ “

Bv1(VG)

Variants Bv4’ & Bv4x, Bv5’ & Bv5x are responses to central pawn attacks, forced by adversaryplay. Variants Bv1 & Bv8, Bv3’ & Bv6’ reply to bishop pins or knight incursions. Variants BvB &BvG, Bv4 & Bv5 respond to fianchetto attacks, or are used when both are playing the Beginner’sGame. Variants BvD” and BvE are general purpose alternatives to the standard opening.



§ ¯ ¨³” ”“˜“¹“”— “ “

BvBE

At distance 2 from Beginner’s Gameare many interesting variants, suchas these two with one knight forwardand early castling. They are strong,easy to play, and worth remembering.

§ ¯ ¨³” ”—”“¹“” ” ˜“

BvEG

§˜ ¯³ ¨” ”“ ¹“” “˜“

“ Bv6G

Variants with advanced bishop pawnand a knight forward are very strong.These four variants are prominentamong the rare occurrences of closevariants that have been seen in play.

§ ¯³ ¨” “˜“¹“”— “ “”

Bv3B

§ ¯³ ¨” ”— “¹“” ” ˜“

” Bv5G

These two variants with a centerpawn double advance and a knightforward are generally playable, sincethe challenge in the center can madelast. The compact variants are themost generally playable.

§ ¯³ ¨” ” ˜“¹“”— “ “

“ Bv4B

§˜ ¯³ —¨” “¹” ”“ “” “

Bv38’

There is a variety of variants at thisdistance which use double advancesof the rook pawns. These variantskeep open options for placement ofboth the knights and the bishops.

§˜ ¯³ —¨” “¹” ”“ “

” “ Bv1’8’

§˜ ¯³ —¨” “¹

“” ”“ “”

Bv18

Variants with introduced pawn movessuch as these two ‘canonical forms’are strong. Bishop pawn moves (left)block an opponent’s bishop pin; rookpawn moves (right) prevent them.

§˜ ¯³ —¨” ¹“”“”“”“

Bv3’6’

§ ³ —¨” ¯—”“¹“” ” “”

Bv3D(V5G)

Various distance 2 variants developthe queen side, and prepare a longcastle. These openings can give riseto very powerful king side attacks.

§ ³¹—¨” ¯— “ “”“”“ “

Bv3’D(VFG)


§ ¯³ ¨” —¹“”“” ”“˜”

Bv3FG

At distance 3 from the standard aremany strong variants, such as thesetwo with changed king knight andbishop placements. Both of themwere experimented with before thediscovery of the Beginner’s Game.

§ ¯ ¨³” ”—¹“”“” ”“˜

BvEFG

³¨ ¹—¨” ¯—”“ “”“” “

Bv3’DE’(V5FG)

The queen side opening left was animportant intermediate discovery onthe road to the Beginner’s Game.This and similar openings such asthe version right are valid and strong.

³¨ ¹—¨” ¯— “”“”“”“

Bv3’DE’(V7FG)

§ ¯³ ¨” —¹“”“” ”“˜”

Bv3FG

A number of interesting, generallyplayable variants can be found with aqueen bishop pawn double advance.They are more aggressive, but alsomore vulnerable, than those above.

§ ³¹ ¨” ¯— “”“” ”“˜”

Bv3DG

§˜ ¯ ¨³” ” “¹“” “˜“

“ Bv4EG

Many of the better variants at thisdistance include early castling and achallenge in the center, as in the twostrong variants shown here.

§˜ ¯ ¨³” ” “¹“” ” ˜“

” Bv5EG

§ ¯³ ¨” ˜“¹“”—” “” ”

Bv35B

We also find variants such as these,with advanced queen bishop andking pawns. There is good play fromthese and other similar variants.

§ ¯³¹ ¨” — “ “” ” ˜“” ”

Bv35G

§ ¯³¹ ¨—˜“”“

“ ”““”

Bv123

Some of the distance 3 variants resultfrom early pawn moves on the flanks.These moves usually repulse bishopincursions, gaining time, and ofteninitiating a pawn assault on that side.

§ ¯³ ¨” ”— “¹” ”“˜ ”

” Bv78G



§ ¯ ¨³” “”“¹“”— ˜“”

Bv3BEG

At distance 4 from the Beginner’sGame we find a large variety ofopenings. These two with forwardknight placements and one bishoppawn forward are typical examples.

§ ¯ ¨³”“” ¹“

—”“˜““

Bv6BEG

§ ¯ ¨³” ”—¹“”“” ” ˜

” Bv5EFG

There are a number of strong variantswith different king knight and bishopplacements. Those shown here playvery well, and can evolve easily andnaturally from a classical opening.

§ ¯ ¨³” ”— “”“” ¹“˜

“ Bv4EF’G

§ ¯³ ¨” — “”“” ¹“˜”“

Bv34F’G

There are larger and more aggressivequeen side developments, with twodoubly advanced pawns, and a largechoice of placements for the pieces.

§ ¯³ ¨—”“¹“

“ ” ˜““”

Bv123G

§ ¯§ ³”“”— “¹“

” ˜“”

Bv5EGH

Many of the better variants at thisdistance include early castling, andalternate placements for two pieces.Pawn structure and K-side fianchettoare here the common elements.

§ ¯ ¨³”“” ˜“¹“

—” “”

Bv5BC’E

§ ¯ ¨³”“”— “¹

” ˜“””

Bv58EG

There are a few lines of the classicalfianchetto openings for white andblack with variants at this distance.

§ ¯ ¨³”“”— “¹“

˜“”

Bv4x5EG

§ ¯ ¨³”“ ˜“¹“

—” “” ”

Bv35BE

These and most other openings onthis page are beginning to have amore classical look; but most of theconventional opening lines in thesystem are at distance 5 or more.

§ ¨³”“¯—”“¹“

“” ˜“

Bv3’DEG


§ ¯ ¨³”“” ¹“

—” ˜“”“

Bv56BEG

At distance 5 are a large number ofvariants. Most retain only one pieceplacement from the standard. At thisdistance we find many of the lines ofconventional openings that bydefinition are in the B-system.

§ ¯ ¨³” “¹“”“”— “˜”

Bv3BEFG

§˜ ¯³ ¨” “¹ ”“” “˜”

Bv366xFG

More distant variants must make useof advanced pawn placements, somany include exchanges made in thefirst moves, as in these examples.

§ ¯³¹ ¨” “”“”— “˜”

Bv344xBG

³¨ ¹—¨” ” ”“—” ” ”

” Bv78B’D’E’

The first new opening studied by theauthor was the intriguing ‘king andqueen in the castle’ position left. It’sstrong on attack, not on defense. Thecompact variant right with a longcastle attacks early on the king side.

³¨ ¹—¨¯“ “”“

“”— “”

Bv13BDE’

§˜ ³ ¨” ¹“”“” ” ˜” ”

Bv35D”FG

Variants with this characteristiccenter pawn formation can be strong,with active diagonals for the bishopsand queen; defensively they are fairlysolid, despite the backward pawn.

§˜ ³ ¨”“ “¹“

” ˜“” ”

Bv35CD”G

§˜ ¯³ —¨” ¹“” ”“ ”” ”

Bv378CF

Many variants at this distance haveflank pawn advances (best used asreactions to early attacks), combinedwith alternative placements for thepieces, as in these two examples.

§ ¯³ ¨”—¹“”

“ ”“˜ ”“

Bv128FG

§ ¯ ¨³”“” “¹

—” “˜” “

Bv58BEG’

There are also variants with a doublyadvanced rook pawn, often with theknight or bishop behind it. Openingsof this type are often playable whenthey contest the center only later on.

§ ¯ ¨³”“¹“”“

—” “˜” Bv1’B’EFG



§ ¨³”“¯ ¹“”“

—”“˜”

Bv3BDEFG

At distance 6 from the standardopening there are many variants, butnot very many that are generallyplayable. Among these very distantvariants we find some of the bestdefenses to the Beginner’s Game.

§ ¯³¹ ¨” “””— “˜ ””“

Bv348BCG

§ ¨³”“¯— “”“

“¹“˜“

Bv3’4DEF’G

Several classical openings have linesthat obey the B-system rules at thisdistance; these two are examples.

§ ¨³”“¯—¹“”“

“” ˜”

Bv3’5DEFG


§˜ ¨³”“¯ “”“

“¹“˜“

Bv3’4CDEF’G

Distance 7 variants develop all piecesdifferently from the Beginner’s Game.Usually a queen or king pawn moveis the only remaining element of thestandard opening.

§ ¯ ¨³”“ ¹“”“

—” ˜” ”

Bv35BCEFG

§˜ ¨³”“¯ ¹ ”“

“ “˜“ “

Bv3’46DEFG

Many variants at this distancecentralize the bishops and bring theknights forward. In spite of all thedifferences, such distant B-systemmembers continue to resemble thestandard opening in style of play.

§˜ ¯ ¨³“” ¹“”

“ ” ˜ ””

Bv158CEFG


§˜ ¯³ —¨“ ¹ ”

“ “ ” ”“”

Bv13’456’8C’F

Variants at distance 8 do not retain asingle move of the Beginner’s Game,and don’t look at all like conventionalopenings. The most distant variantsare best played against the standardor the other B-system openings.

§˜ ³¹—¨“¯ ”

“ “ ” ”“”

Bv13’456’8CD

B-System Variants: Canonical Forms

§˜ ¯³ —¨” “¹

“” ”“ “”

Bv18

Canonical forms are symmetricdeployments in the B-system. Theymay or may not be used as generalpurpose openings. Mainly they areinteresting reference configurationsfor pawn and piece placements.

§˜ ¯³ —¨” ¹“” ”“ “” “

Bv36

§ ¯³ ¨” “” ¹“”— ˜“” “

Bv36BG

Canonical forms can be thought of asleitmotifs which guide initialdevelopment. Any of them can beused, at least in large part, as aschema for play in the opening.

§˜ ¯³¹—¨

“” ”“ “”” “

Bv1368

§ ¯³ ¨”“”“¹

—” “˜” “ Bv1’8’B’G’

Some of the canonical forms may eventually prove the basis for validgeneral purpose openings, such asthese, which develop on the flanks.

§˜ ¯³ —¨” “

” ”“ “¹” “ Bv1’8’C”F”

§ ¯³ ¨”“ ¹ ”“

—”“˜” “

Bv36BCFG

Is it possible the best defense to theBeginner’s Game is, like it, acanonical form? Shown right is aform that has already won severaltimes against it. The form left has aninteresting ‘center castle’ and may begenerally playable.

§˜ ¯³ —¨” ¹“

“ ”“ ”“ ”

Bv1278CF

§˜ ¯³ —¨“ ”

“ “¹ ” ”“”

Bv134568C’F’

Here are two distance eight canonicalforms that have proved very effectiveagainst the Beginner’s Game. Bothblock the long diagonals, andprepare for an across-the-board pawnassault.

§˜ ¯³ —¨“ ¹ ”

“ “ ” ”“”

Bv134568CF

The author believes that the serious study of the canonical forms in chess could reveal some verystartling discoveries. It is certainly more than a coincidence that the Beginner’s Game is acanonical form! It is also more than a coincidence that the B-system rules generate most of thesymmetric deployments in chess that are also generally playable openings!


Canonical Forms After the Beginner’s Game:

§ ¯³ ¨” —˜ ¹“” ”“ “” “

10 moves

It is interesting to look at canonicalforms that can occur with evolutionof the standard opening. The formshown left may be considered thestandard one, as it is often seen inplay after 10 moves.

§ ¯³ ¨”—˜“¹

“” ”“ “”

10 moves

§ ¯³ ¨” ¹“”—”“˜“” “

12 moves

If we look only at forms which staywithin the B-system rules (except fordouble moves), we find they exhibitmany of the characteristic structuresfrequently seen in games, at least onone side of the board.

§ ¯³ ¨”—˜“¹

“ ”“ ”“ ”

12 moves

§ ¯³ ¨¹

”—”“˜“” ” “ “ 14 moves

These diagrams contain patternsoften seen in play. They can provideyou some valuable ideas for playingon after the standard opening.

§ ¯³ ¨” “¹

“˜ ”“ —”“ ”

14 moves

§ ¯³ ¨“ —˜ ”

“ “¹ ” ”“”

10 moves

It is also interesting to look at theevolution of other canonical forms.Here are two of the various possiblestarting from the canonical formsBv1278CF (left) and Bv13’456’8C’F’.

§˜ ¯³ —¨¹

“ ”“ ”“” “”

10 moves

§ ¯³ ¨—˜

“ “¹ ” ”“ “” ”

12 moves

Again looking only at those canonicalforms which stay close to the systemrules, we find that they evolve withone of several characteristic piecesymmetries and a mobile pawn wall.

§ ¯³ ¨¹

“ —”“˜ ”“” “”

12 moves

§ ¯³ ¨

“˜“¹ ”—”“ “” ”

14 moves

A systematic study of canonicalforms might reveal useful informationto players of this system, eg. on howto transpose between different lines.Does the form right remind you ofanything you have seen before?

¨ ¯³ §¹

“ —”“˜ ”“” “”

14 moves

9. Playing the B-System

B-system variants use rules for opening play similar to those of the newly discoveredBeginner’s Game. Play is purely positional, using either single pawn advances or doublyadvanced pawns in chains, with most of the pieces placed behind the pawns. B-system openingsalso share that principle objective of the Beginner’s Game, of trying to reproduce a preconceivedposition, at about the eighth move. All have many possible sequences of their component moves,and most of them have a number of related versions as well. All openings in the system have alarge number of possible transpositions, while staying within the system rules.

The B-system includes a fairly large number of openings, perhaps several thousand. Butall B-system members share the same rules for opening, that make them all somewhat similar intheir style of play. Use of recessed pawn structures, and piece placements mostly behind thepawns, tends to result in openings that share many common aspects.

Though only a small subset of all the possible openings, the B-system is believed tocontains many of the best openings in chess. The B-system rules seem to result in many cases inopenings that inherit to a large extent the strengths of the Beginner’s Game, such as a resistantdefense and a powerful offense. They all give rise to interesting, highly complex games.

Because there are so many openings in the B-system, and because experimenting with theB-system was of secondary importance to researching the Beginner’s Game, it was not possiblefor the author to do a truly systematic study of the B-system. Research has been limited to tryingabout a hundred different system openings in play, as a quick test of their general validity. Inthese first tests most of them performed quite well.

Several of the B-system variants selected for testing are show here in action during andafter the opening. All these examples are excerpts taken from complete games in the final sectionof the book. The scant introduction to playing the B-system offered here is only sufficient to wetthe intellectual appetite. Many B-system variants are among the strongest openings in chess.Some have been played before, but most of them are completely new. Players of all levels shouldselect several interesting variants and experiment with them. Your game will improve as youdevelop the ability to move from the standard opening into your chosen variants, especially whenthese have been carefully selected to respond to adversary play.

Playing the B-System 107

Close Variants

Close variants have from one to three moves different from the standard opening. Theclose variants play much like the Beginner’s Game. Almost all the close variants are also verystrong in general play, against any adversary opening. With the Beginner’s Game and its closevariants alone a player can respond well to virtually anything his adversary can do in the opening.

Variants Bv4’, Bv4x, Bv5’, and Bv5x are reactions to center pawn attacks. Bv1, Bv3’, Bv6’,and Bv8 respond to bishop pins. Bv4, Bv5, BvB, and BvG are used primarily when both areplaying the Beginner’s Game; the single move different from the standard opening blocks theactive diagonal of the opponent’s fianchetto. BvE and BvD” are general purpose openings.

Game 45: White plays the close variant Bv3’. His bishop pawn advance runs off black’sbishop, and prepares for a queen side castle. A second bishop pin attack is met with anotherbishop pawn advance. Black loses time with these moves, but white is able to incorporate theminto his game. Soon after the opening white trapped black’s bishop, and went on to win easily.

§¨³

“” ¹“”““ — ˜

“”‘‘

‘’‘’ ‘‘ ª • ›–¦ ² ¤

9. f3 Be610. Ne2 Qd711. f4 Bf512. Qc2 Ng413. Nf1 Rae814. h3 Nf615. g4 Bg616. f5 Bh517. Nh2 a6

1. b3 e52. g3 d53. Bb2 Nc64. Bg2 Nf65. d3 Bb4+6. c3 Be77. Nd2 O-O8. e3 Bg4

§ ¯ ¨³”“” ¹“”“

— ˜“”

‘’‘’ ’‘ – ’›’¦ ª² –¤

Game 46: Black plays close variant Bv5’, responding to a center pawn early attack byadvancing his pawn. He completes his Beginner’s Game with a queen side castle, and beginswhat will develop into a powerful king side attack and a quick win.

´ ¨ ¨” ¹

“ ” ˜“”’“ ‘”“’ ‘– ¬•

› ‘ ’‘’¦ ¤ ²

9. Qe2 a610. a4 Nd711. Nd2 f512. Bg5 h613. Bxe7 Qxe714. Qe3 Bf615. Nf3 O-O-O16. b4 Kb817. Rfb1 Qf718. Rd1 Be719. a5 b520. Ba2 Nf6

1. e4 e62. d4 b63. Nf3 Bb74. Nc3 g65. Bc4 Bg76. Be3 Ne77. O-O d68. d5 e5

§˜ ¯³ ¨” ” ˜“¹“” ” “

‘”› ‘– •

‘’‘ ’‘’¦ ª ¤²

There are many B-system variants at distances 2 and 3 that are strong in general play, aswell as against the standard opening. Some introduce moves generally seen in continuing playinto the first eight moves. Others use different piece placements, especially for the knights.

Game 61: After opening on the queen side in the usual fashion, white moves into closevariant BvEG. Following his opening, white launches his queen side pawns. All of black’s pieceshave to retreat under the white advance. White’s defense is solid, and he is already attacking well.

˜ ¨ ¨³”“”—¹ ”“

”‘ ”‘

’ ‘¦•’‘ª– ’›

¦ ²

9. c4 d410. h3 Bh511. a3 Rad812. b4 Qe613. Qc2 Be714. Rfe1 Nd715. b5 Ncb816. e3 dxe317. Rxe3 f6

1. b3 Nf62. Bb2 d53. d3 Nc64. Nd2 e55. Ngf3 Bd66. g3 O-O7. Bg2 Qe78. O-O Bg4

§ ¨³”“” ¯“”“

—¹ ˜“”

‘ ‘ •’‘ ‘–‘’›’¦ ª ¤²

Game 68: Black plays variant Bv3’DE’ blocking white’s fianchetto with his bishop pawn,then castling queen side. After the opening black gains space, and prepares an assault on theking side. Notice how white’s knights fall back to their position in the standard opening.

´ ¨§¯ “¹

“ ”“˜—”“”‘‘ ‘ “

’‘’ª–•’›’

¤¦ ²

9. Bf4 h610. Qa4 g511. Be3 a612. Qc2 Bg713. Nd2 c514. d5 Ngf615. Bh3 g416. Bg2 Kb817. Rfe1 Ne518. Bf4 Ng619. Ne2 Rhe820. Rad1 b5

1. c4 e62. g3 b63. Bg2 c64. Nf3 Bb75. Nc3 Qc76. d4 d67. O-O Nd78. e4 O-O-O

³¨ ¹—¨” ¯— “”“”“”“

‘’‘– •’

‘’ ’›’¦ ª ¤²


Game 73: White plays variant BvEFG, another strong compact deployment with alternativeking knight and bishop placements. Black counters with the 3 pawn C back classical defense.Both sides have good play after the opening, but white is slightly ahead in his push forward.

¨§ ³” ¹ “””— ¯ ”” ” ª‘”›

‘ ‘’ –‘ ’‘’¦ ¦ ²

9. c4 d410. Ng5 Qe711. Ba3 Bc712. Bf3 Rae813. Nge4 b614. Ng3 Rd815. Re1 Qd616. Qe2 Rfe817. Nde4 Nxe418. Bxe4 Qf619. Qh5 h6

1. e3 e52. b3 d53. Bb2 Nf64. d3 Bd65. Be2 O-O6. Nd2 c57. Ngf3 Nc68. O-O Bd7

§ ¯ ¨³”“ “”“

—¹ ˜”“”

‘ ‘’•‘ ‘–›’‘’¦ ª ¤²

Game 78: Black plays close variant Bv4EG against white’s Bv3BEG, both contending thefianchettoes. Many variants of both types exist, and most of them are very strong. It’s an evenmatch after the opening. White later gained the upper hand in a difficult queen and rook endgame.

§¯ ¨³” “ “

“ “” ¬‘

’‘¦ ‘’°’

¤

9. d4 dxc410. bxc4 c511. dxc5 Ne412. Nxe4 Bxb213. Rb1 Bxe414. Rxb2 bxc515. Qc1 Nd716. Qe3 Bc617. Ne5 Nxe518. Qxe5 Bxg219. Kxg2 Rc8

1. c4 e62. b3 b63. Bb2 Nf64. Nf3 Bb75. Nc3 g66. g3 Bg77. Bg2 d58. O-O O-O

§˜ ¯ ¨³” ” “¹“” “˜“

“‘‘– •’‘ ’‘’›’¦ ª ¤²

Distant Variants

Distant variants have from 4 to 8 moves different from the Beginner’s Game. At thesedistances from the standard opening, variants generally have one or two advanced pawns, and anumber of different piece placements. Typically one or both knights are forward, and differentbishop placements are also seen. Examples of variants at distances 4,5,6, and 8 are shown below.

The advanced placements of pawns and pieces in these more distant variants offers theopponent more to attack. There are more lines with exchanges and modifications imposed byadversary play. Even so, many distant variants are generally valid openings, strong against mosttypes of adversary deployments. As B-system members, even the distant variants retain manycharacteristics of the Beginner’s Game and similarities in play.

Game 85: White plays the classical looking variant Bv5EGH. Queens are exchanged soonafter the opening; white then gains space and begins contention of the open lines.

§¨ ³” ”“¹

” “”˜“

–‘‘’ ’‘

‘ ’›¦¤ ²

9. Nxe4 Nxe410. dxe4 Rd811. Qxd6 cxd612. c3 Be613. Be3 Rac814. Red1 Bg415. h3 Bd716. Rac1 h617. Nd4 Na518. b3 b5

1. g3 d52. Bg2 g63. d3 Bg74. Nd2 Nf65. Ngf3 Nc66. O-O O-O7. e4 Qd68. Re1 dxe4

§ ¨³”“” ”“¹“

—¯ ˜“

“‘ •’

‘’‘– ’›’¦ ª¦ ²

Game 79: White plays variant Bv1378, an improbable looking development consisting ofmostly pawn moves. Still it plays quite well - so much for the old theories about the opening!White emerges from his unconventional start with a threatening king side attack, and an activealthough somewhat scattered position. White went on to draw in a sharp contest.

¨ ´“” ¹“”— ˜

” ”‘

’‘ §’•– ’›¦

² ¤

9. Nd2 a510. Bg2 Rfd811. Qc2 dxc412. dxc4 h513. Ngf3 hxg414. hxg4 Bxg415. O-O-O Qd316. Qxd3 Rxd317. Rh2 Rad818. Rdh1 Kf8

1. e3 e52. b3 Nf63. Bb2 Nc64. c4 Be75. d3 O-O6. a3 d57. h3 Be68. g4 Qd6

§ ¨³”“” ¹“”“

—¯ ˜“”‘ ‘

’‘ ‘’ ‘’

¦• ª²›–¤

Game 89: Black plays variant Bv345xF’G against a compact white fianchetto opening. Black’sstrong bishop placements are well countered. Both sides have good play after the opening, butblack develops more threats, moving his pieces early into enemy territory.

§ ¨³¯“”“

“¬”˜• —

‘’•’‘’ ›’

¤ ¤²

9. Nc3 O-O10. Bg5 d411. Nb5 Nc612. e4 dxe313. fxe3 Be714. Rad1 a615. Na3 Ng416. Bxe7 Qxe717. Qxb6 Nb418. Nc4 Bd5

1. g3 e62. Nf3 b63. Bg2 Bb74. O-O c55. d3 d56. c4 Nf67. cxd5 exd58. Qb3 Bd6

§˜ ¯³ ¨” “”“” ¹ ˜”“

ª ‘ •’‘’ ‘’›’¦• ¤²


Many of the most distant B-system variants are playable only against the Beginner’s Game,or other system variants. The two examples shown below are of this description. There are somedistant variants that are generally playable however, usually those that do not contest the center.

Game 98: Black plays the distant variant Bv3’456’C’F’ against white’s Beginner’s Game.After the opening both sides have good play. White’s queen placement is better than black’s. Thegame continued into a difficult tactical contest, which resulted in a draw.

§¨ ´”“¹—˜ ”“

“”“

’‘’ª– ’ ’

– ’›’¤¦ ²

9. c4 O-O10. O-O Qb611. Nc3 Rae812. Re1 Bb413. a3 Bd614. b4 Qa615. Qc2 Kh816. Qb3 dxc417. dxc4 f518. Rad1 Bc7

1. e3 e52. b3 d53. Bb2 Bd64. g3 Be65. Bg2 c66. Ne2 f67. d3 Nd78. Nd2 Ne7

§ ¯³ ¨”“ —˜ ”“

“¹ ”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

Game 100: Black plays the strange looking distance 8 variant Bv13’456’8C’F’, againstwhite’s Beginner’s Game. After the opening black goes a pawn down, but he opens the queenside, and gains ground against the standard opening. Black eventually wins in a close match.

¨³¨ ˜ ”

¹ ” ”¯ ” ”

‘’ª ’ ’

•’›’¦ ² ¤

9. c4 Ne710. a3 Nd711. b4 c512. Qb3 dxc413. Nxc4 O-O14. b5 Nb615. bxa6 Rxa616. Bxb7 Ra717. Bg2 Nxc418. dxc4 Qa5+

1. e3 e52. b3 d53. Bb2 Bd64. g3 Be65. Bg2 c66. Ne2 f67. d3 h68. Nd2 a6

§˜ ¯³ —¨“ ”

“ “¹ ” ”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤

By now the reader should have a better appreciation of the B-system and its relevance tothe Beginner’s Game. Players of all levels are encouraged to stay within the B-system when theyplay variants of the standard opening. In this manner you will profit most from any improvisationsyou make, taking note of the variants that you are playing, and how well they do versus particularadversary deployments. With experience you should be able to move into familiar variants thatrespond best to different general categories of adversary openings.

The author hopes that this brief introduction to playing the B-system will stimulate theinterest of all readers. Try playing some of the variants shown here, and others in the B-systemvariants chapter and in the games section. Better yet, define new openings of your own in thesystem, and carry them on to victory !

10. Why Wasn’t It Found Before?

You would think that we would have found the Beginner’s Game long before now. After all,chess has been around for a very long time. Hundreds of millions of people have playedhundreds of billions of games. Every new game is a search for the best way to play, from the firstmoves onwards. There are only so many different valid openings. With the substantial novelty andexperimentation of every game, in probabilistic terms we should have found the Beginner’s Gameand most of the B-system long ago. The reasons we didn’t are thus primarily psychological ones.

The most obvious reason is that play in the chess opening has been purely imitation. Mostplayers seem to have accepted tacitly that the openings have already been thoroughly researched,and that the best anyone can do is to imitate the established lines. That almost all players repeatas best they can the known lines still seems a bit strange, given that in the rest of the gameeveryone is completely on his own. Imitation rather than innovation has always characterized anytraditional activity, but often to its detriment. Starting with the premise that it was possible to findsomething new, the author invented scores of valid original openings in just a few months.

Stylized though it is, chess is still a battle, encouraging aggressive behavior. Some playersslam down the pieces, or make other gestures showing their natural reaction to conflict. Evenbetter behaved players not indulging in these displays are nevertheless busy perfecting their trueaggressiveness in play. In this context the first moves, being the only ones that are also wellrehearsed, have been used almost theatrically to make an aggressive gesture.

No opening move is more aggressive than the double advance of a center pawn. Aboutninety-five percent of all games start with one, and virtually all of the remaining few percent ofgames use them immediately afterwards. So basically it would seem that everyone has beenplaying aggressively from the start, too immersed in the confusion of battles started with theirfirst moves to consider whether the less aggressive openings might have some merit.

Another factor explaining our failure to find the Beginner’s Game is what the author callsthe ‘dance mentality’. The music has started and our partner is already dancing, so shouldn’t webe dancing with him? In other words, shouldn’t we be reacting closely to what he does? TheBeginner’s Game shows that the answer is not necessarily yes. If you think again of the analogyof chess with battle, the negative response makes more sense: instead of responding immediatelyto our adversary’s first aggressive moves, we first carry out a redeployment of our own forces, toplace them in battle formation. They are then better able to resist and repulse the invader.

It would also seem that practically no one was looking for openings with the characteristicsof the Beginner’s Game. The main criterion for research for the author was that the same openingmoves could always be carried out, regardless of the adversary’s play. Anyone seriously lookingfor openings with this characteristic would have been lead to their discovery, because only a fewopenings exist having this independence, even in a limited form. Among these few, theBeginner’s Game is almost certainly the most resistant of them all.

Why Wasn't It Found Before? 113

There are several other ways that anyone interested in looking could have discovered theBeginner’s Game and its close variants in the B-system. One is by looking for the most compactdevelopments possible. Another is by looking for the strongest defensive positions possible. Yetanother is by looking for the best offensive positions possible, in the sense of offering the mostlines for attack. The Beginner’s Game is the unique answer to all these quests for the superlative.

If we can excuse most serious chess players for being too concerned with their results in

competition to be highly innovative in opening play, it is more difficult to excuse chess analysts,whose main activity is to explore new lines. The author started his quest for a new opening withpawn to King 3. This solid opening move with white has been almost completely neglected inchess. A popular collection of best games commented that after this first move one was basicallymoving into unknown territory. You might call it a more than a slight oversight.

Following the discovery of the Beginner’s Game, the author began checking the chessliterature to see whether others had ever played anything similar. Some well known players hadcome close, and could easily have found it. A few of those on the right road were Nimzovitch,Reti, Petrosian, Larsen, and Spassky. But there have been many outstanding players with apositional orientation who experimented with openings, such as Capablanca, Colle, Bogoljubow,Keres, Benko, Miles, and Speelman. Any of these and many others could have found it as well.

How close did they actually come? In fact, only few games of this select vanguard have asmany as four of the eight moves of the standard opening. Only rarely did they come closer. Still,many of their games share the same style of opening play as the B-system, with primary use ofpawn chains and piece placement mainly behind the pawns. Many similarities to this new systemcan be found in their games, but it seems there remained an element of aggressiveness in theiropening play that could not be abandoned completely, that lead them elsewhere.

Why didn’t our chess playing programs, with their incredibly ability to research new lines,find the Beginner’s Game? The answer is that they were playing their openings books, repeatingthe past. But even without them, programmed as they are, they would never have found it.

The reason for this is that the position evaluation function, the decision making element ofthe chess playing engine, invariably rates the Beginner’s Game as inferior throughout theopening. It is judged to be poor because it seems to be losing the contest for control of the entirechessboard, but most especially for the center. Computer display of this evaluation shows theBeginner’s Game to be at a significant disacvantage, in all games. In other words, the expertdesigners of these chess programs had decided that computers, like themselves, should playaggressively from the start; any other style of play was considered unacceptable.

A suitably programmed computer could have discovered the Beginner’s Game. It wouldhave used different rules for position evaluation, giving more weight to the solidity of the defense,and to the number of options for attack. More flexibility in move choice was needed, with lessemphasis on maximizing the advantage at each move. In a way, this is what good chess is allabout - finding less obvious moves, whose true strength is revealed only later.

There are other factors in the philosophy and practice of classical chess that also explainour failure to find the Beginner’s Game until the present. In classical chess, control of the centeris the objective of opening play. Pieces placed in the center have more power, because theystrike more squares, especially on the adversary’s side of the board. You can refer to almost anybook on chess, and find much the same advice: during the opening you should contest thecenter, developing the central pawns and most of the pieces in the open field.

Control of the center as the correct objective of opening play is refuted by the success of

the Beginner’s Game. The standard opening contends just its side of the board. The battle forcontrol of squares on the other side begins only after the opening. This misplaced emphasis inclassical chess on control of the center during the opening has excluded from consideration theless aggressive openings, such as the Beginner’s Game and most of the B-system variants.

Classical chess openings also typically aim at producing some advantage, however slight,in the first moves. Play is highly tactical, with frequent piece relocations and exchanges. At timesthe objective seems less to define the most sound lines, as to find complications and traps whichmight confound the opponent. Many classical openings are still preferred for the tacticalcomplexity they present the adversary, rather than for their natural strength against correct play.

Many of the gambit openings are good examples of this tendency to exploit psychologicalfactors in addition to searching for correct play. Gambits are often taken because it seemspointless to refuse them. When the player tries to hold on to his lead however, he often falls intoa trap. In more correct play gambits are usually refused, or offered back soon afterwards.

Lesser players tend to favor trades, and so better players can often win just by proposingslightly unfavorable exchanges. We often see considerable simplifications in the classicalopenings seeking these and other small advantages.

The Beginner’s Game is the best opening in chess largely because it is absolutely free ofthese extraneous objectives: it avoids conflict, shuns exchanges and simplifications, and doesnot attempt to produce any advantage. Not only is it completely free of psychological factors, it isvirtually independent of, and largely uninfluenced by, adversary play. And it develops the mostcomplex positions ever seen in chess, from the easiest to play opening ever invented!

The intent is neither to bury classical chess nor to praise it. Classical openings haveevolved from the simpler cut and thrust style of early days to the more solid positional play ofrecent years. At the end of this long road we have found the Beginner’s Game. It is the final stageof the longest journey ever made by the human intellect, to find the best way to play the game ofchess. It is also the final step in the evolution of the chess player, from the young firebrand eagerto engage, into the mature warrior who prepares calmly as his enemy approaches.

No reference is made in this book to any of the known openings, and minimal reference to

the players that invented or used them. Nor are there any examples taken from the games of

Why Wasn't It Found Before? 115

others who played B-system openings; all the games reported here were played by the computer,or by the author. Here many readers will object, arguing that all that anyone can do is add to theexisting knowledge, and that this is best done by referring to what has already been agreed anddocumented. But this argument is not valid in the present case, for several reasons.

The standard opening is completely new, and almost all the close variants of the B-systemare virtually unknown, in the current practice of chess. The B-system contains only a few lines ofthe conventional openings, and they are almost all distant variants. No more than a few games ina thousand taken from conventional play respect the B-system rules, and these rules are not inconformity with the guidelines for opening play expounded in virtually every book ever written onchess. The Beginner’s Game and the B-system are radically different from conventional chesstheory and practice. You could say that they are ideologically opposed to classical chess.

All of the openings described in this system are eight moves deep. This results in the leastpossible overlap with any existing openings, systems, or nomenclatures that have been used todate. Those openings in the B-system that have been played before may be better described andunderstood by relating them to this new system than to any previous one.

The Beginner’s Game and the B-system were discovered by the author without referring tothe accumulated knowledge of the chess openings. No other player had any influence on him inmaking this discovery. Most players who have used openings in the B-system apparently havenot recognized the full extent or significance of the system. Few of them used the same openingswith white and black, or with different move sequences, both key aspects of play in the B-system.

In the last few years a handful of players have appeared who play B-system close variantsregularly. These players seem to be well aware of the strengths of their openings. It is also likelythat some of them have recognized the position of the standard opening as the basis for theirvariants. The author would like to salute this elite group of modern players who have used theclose variants in competition. Certainly for them this book will ring every bell in the tower!

There are only a few rare games on record in which the standard opening was producedexactly. Among the extremely rare games found on record. the first one found was with black, bySpassky. Other instances were mostly with black, and all from recent years, by several otherplayers of all master levels. Occurances of most of the close variants are also fairly rare. Gameswith the standard opening and its close variants have usually occurred as isolated episodes in aplayer’s career. Most players who tested this approach to opening play abandoned it quickly;probably their impression was that it was too passive.

Rare and isolated occurrences should not detract from the serious and authentic claims tothe discovery of the Beginner’s Game and its system of variants. Never before has there been areal understanding of this vast and powerful new system for playing chess, nor a suitableannouncement of it to the world. It is one thing to pass along a new pathway and noticesomething glittering on the ground. It is quite another to dedicate a good portion of one’s life toworking there, mining and refining the precious matter hidden below, and then bringing it back totown, minted into coin whose value anyone can recognize.

11. How the Beginner’s Game Was Found

The Beginner’s Game was discovered by the author alone, unassisted by any otherpersons, or special chess programs, and without consultation of the chess literature or previouslyplayed games. It is completely original; this is the exact truth. This system is new in concept andrealization; it is not based on any other openings, or methodology that has been used to date.

It was found by looking for it, not by stumbling upon it. It was the result of seriousresearch lasting for months, involving formation of hypotheses, extensive experimentation, andanalysis of results - by scientific method. So, fortunate as he is to be the agent of this discovery,the author is also saying that it wasn’t just a lucky find. And that’s the way it should be, becausechess is a game of skill, not of luck.

The author is an amateur chess player with scant experience in competition. He enjoyschess, but plays only occasionally, and has never studied it. He had tried many of the classicalopenings, but was not satisfied with any of them. Preferring the stability and control of positionalplay, he usually looked to build in the opening rather than to engage quickly. But openings he hadtried that were strong on defense seemed weak on offense. He began to try new moves; with allthe openings possible, surely something different could be found, maybe something better.

From the outset, the intention was to find an opening that could be played, to the largestextent possible, regardless of the opponent’s play. This was the working hypothesis thru theentire process, the criterion for judging any opening that was tried. It was not a temporaryadvantage that was being sought after the opening, but a solid position reached in a system ofplaying your own game, instead of having to adapt closely to that of the adversary.

The author started out playing black, which is more challenging, and invented the followingopening moves: e6 followed by c5. A few games with these two moves showed them to be fairlysolid, and worthy of further investigation.

§˜ ¯³¹—¨”“ “ “”“

“”’‘

‘’‘ ’‘’¦• ª²›–¤

Black’s opening move 1..e6 often provokes white to advanceboth center pawns. Black’s next move 2..c5 strikes at thisformation effectively: if white plays 3.dxc5, black gains timewith 3..Bxc5.

White is now obliged to protect his queen pawn, else 3..cxd44.Qxd4 Nc6 and white again loses time relocating his queen.These two opening moves with black seemed quite solid,and also effective in forcing white’s play.

How It Was Found 117

If white plays 3.d5, black exchanges pawns, with agood game afterwards. If white prefers to build, he canplay 3.Nf3 as shown, or 3.Be3. Black can thenexchange pawns, but if he wants to build as well, anatural move is 3..b6, preparing the fianchetto.

White then has various moves, but 4.c4 as shown isone of the most aggressive. Normal black knightmoves at this point are problematic; but either 4..Be7or the fianchetto 4..Bb7 shown here are good buildingmoves.

§˜ ¯³¹—¨” “ “”“” “”‘’‘

•‘’ ’‘’¦• ª²› ¤

In a few games played on from this position, the author managed to defend, and then later

developed a strong attack. The new opening moves with black were holding up.

At this point there was a fortuitous coincidence: a message arrived from a best friend andchess rival of university years. On hearing he was still playing regularly, a mention was made ofthe new opening, and he took the bait. We started a series of correspondence matches, playedover the next six months, at the rate of one move each per day.

Correspondence chess is unlike chess played in real time. You have plenty of time toanalyze positions, and can also play forward on the board and try moves out. Move search isdeeper, play is more correct, and quality games result. Investing so much time, you try that muchharder to win. Chess is always a tough game, but correspondence chess is toughest of all.

Here are the openings the author improvised in two of the correspondence games:

First Game: The author with black confronts an aggressive attempt to refute his opening1..e6 and 2..c5. White attacks black’s center and sacrifices a pawn, disrupting black’s castling.Black retained the pawn lead, exchanged queens and pieces, and then attacked white’s weak kingside pawns with his knight, which decided the outcome.

§ ¨³˜“ “

“”—¯“ “›”“

ª ’’ ‘

‘’ ’ ’¦ ² ¦

9. gxf3 d510. Qa4+ Nc611. Nd6+ Bxd612. exd6 Qxd613. Bb5 Ne714. Rg1 g615. Bh6 Kd7

1. e4 e62. d4 c53. c3 b64. e5 Bb75. Nf3 Qc76. Be3 d67. Na3 a68. Nc4 Bxf3

§˜ ³¹—¨¯ “”“

“” ”“” ’•’’

‘’ ’‘’¦ ª²› ¤

Second Game: The new opening with black was again challenged in an aggressive manner,this time with a king side assault. After the opening black consolidates well, and starts acounteroffensive on the queen side that succeeds in preventing white from castling. Black herehas already made inroads into white’s position, and went a pawn up soon afterwards.

§ —¨³” “¯ “” “ “

’“’‘˜ ’

• ª’ ’‘

¦› ² ¤

9. h4 Bxg510. hxg5 g611. Qg4 f512. Qh3 Qe713. e5 cxd414. cxd4 Nc615. Nf3 Nb416. Bb1 Ba6

1. e4 e62. d4 c53. c3 b64. Nf3 Be75. a4 Nf66. Nbd2 O-O7. Bd3 Bb78. Ng5 Ne8

§˜ ¯—¨³” “¹“”“” “” –

‘ ’‘’›’ – ’‘’

¦ ª² ¤

In the third and fourth games the author with white experimented with another invention,trying the moves 1.d4 and 2.Nd2. Afterwards he continued building the center in classical fashion,once with 3.e4, and 4.c3, and once with 3.e3 and 4.c3. These were all tough contests, but theauthor won three of the four correspondence games, using the new openings. This was a firstconfirmation of their validity, and provided encouragement to keep trying these new lines.

Using the opening with black in casual play afterwards, results were mixed. It had weakpoints: in many games white blocked the center with his pawns, closing the bishop’s diagonal.The queen side was regularly attacked and disrupted. Various moves were tried to shore up theopening. Even so, it was difficult to avoid exchanges that inevitably weakened the position.

Convinced that the new opening could be made to work, the author decided to research itseriously. In several weeks of experiments, various forms were improvised and tested.Throughout the entire process, the author felt growing confidence that he would find a valid newopening in chess.

³¨ ¹—¨” ¯“ “”“”— “”

The first opening

The first opening with black (shown here at 7 moves) usedthe same 3 opening pawn moves, but in any order. It wasoriented to the queen side, with a long castle and queenplacement on c7. In most games black would add a6 toavoid white’s Nb5, and often d6 to shore up the c5 pawn.

This first new opening was interesting: the novel ‘King and Queen in the castle’ positionwas intriguing, and could be reached in some form in most games. But far more impressive wasthe potential for attack: massive king side assaults could be mounted, with participation of all thepieces and king side pawns. When this opening was tried with white, it resulted in severaloverpowering wins. At this point the author began working full time researching new openings.


When this first opening was tested more extensively however, it didn’t hold up well. Inmany games this position could not be reached. The pawn on c5 often had to be exchanged, andthe knight on c6 was displaced. Without them, the ‘castled couple’ position was vulnerable. Untila better defense was found, the attacking potential of the opening could not be unleashed.

The long castle and the queen on c7 still looked attractive, but better placements for theforward pawn and knight had to be found. The second opening was designed to improve these.

The second opening at 8 moves substituted c5 and Nc6 withthe more compact c6 and Nd7. The powerful ‘castled couple’position was retained, and also the full attacking potential ofthe first opening. The new move c6 also prevented a knightincursion on b5. Many variants of this opening can be found;most include some king side development in the first 8 moves.

³¨ ¹—¨” ¯— “”“”“”“

The second opening

This second opening proved far better than the first one: the more compact formation didsucceed in lessening the frequency and intensity of attacks, and the position could be reached inrecognizable form in most games. It was tested in play, and it proved quite solid. Still it wasalmost always under pressure: black’s concentration of forces on the Q-side guaranteed that anyadversary would focus his attack there, and some cases succeeded in breaking thru the defenses.

In chess openings it is often useful to keep open options for castling, but in these twoopenings a long series of moves had to be made before the long castle could be performed.These preparations began to appear too elaborate. Some experimenting was done with delayingthe moves c6 and Qc7 in variants of the second opening. This seemed to make sense, especiallyin view of the possibility of playing c5 instead of c6. The new knight placement on d7 and thepawn on d6 were proving very solid, and so were retained in the next version of the opening.

The third opening (at 7 moves) postponed c6, e6, Qc7, andO-O-O, and played g6, Bg7, and Nf6 instead. The postponedmoves could then be played, or a straightforward O-O couldbe used instead. Other lines were possible, such as e6, Qe7,and O-O-O. This opening kept open options for consolidationof the defense as well as opening different lines for the attack.

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—”“¹“” ” ˜“

The third opening

This third opening and several of its close variants proved to be unqualified successes, andthe research might have stopped here with these three openings and their related variants, exceptfor the euphoria of the author, who was by now completely immersed in openings improvisation.

Throughout this entire period of experimentation and analysis, the author had theincreasingly strong conviction that these new openings were all interrelated. They all usedrecessed pawn structures and piece placement mostly behind the pawns, and so seemed part of asame general system for opening play. The research began to focus on definition of a suitable setof rules that could define a set of valid openings related to the ones already invented.

The step from here to the Beginner’s Game is but a short one. If the queen side seems allright, you might try the same on the king side. There are only a few ways to rearrange theremaining pieces, while retaining what already has proved to work. Still, making that final stepwas more like a mystical experience than a logical process. When the position of the Beginner’sGame was finally composed, there was certain recognition. Eureka, I have found it !

Here something completely new was being revealed, something incredibly simple in themidst of incredible complexity, so symmetric it appeared to be an arrangement of pieces made bya small child. It was perfect in shape, proved extremely hard to break, and had sharp cuttingedges as well. It was a true jewel, something unique, of great and everlasting beauty.

The author raced to write up a brief description of the opening, and deposit it for copyright.This was in July of 1999. It was hard to restrain the wild enthusiasm that this grand discovery wasconstantly provoking, to avoid attracting attention. There was also quite a bit of paranoia, becauseeven a quick glance at the Beginner’s Game by any knowledgeable person would reveal all.

The author then started extensive experimentation with the Beginner’s Game, using thecomputer to play on after the standard opening. In game after game, with both white and black,the opening piled up wins, and draws that were near wins. It was winning at grandmaster level!The quality of the games was superb; every contest seemed a classic, a battle between titans.

Now the system had to be tried on beginners. The author taught the system quickly tosomeone with absolutely no familiarity with chess. Within a few weeks he was winning games,playing alone against a handheld computer at top level. Such rapid improvement would have beeninconceivable without this system, and proved that it was the best ever found for learning to play.

A more extensive description of the Beginner’s Game and the B-system was then drafted

and deposited. At this time the author had a most profound personal experience, which cannot berelated casually here, but which brought him the certainty that he is living in the grace of God. Thediscovery he made was part of that illumination. It was a gift of the eternal to humanity, and it hadto be used to benefit all mankind. This remains the firm intention of the author, to convert theamazement and wonder that this discovery will provoke into a powerful force for the good of all.

Months of extensive experimentation now followed. There was so much to investigate. Theopening was doing well against classical defenses but they all had to be tried. Was it also capableof confronting custom designed unconventional openings? Could it be refuted? The computerwas of little aid here, because it did not invent radically new openings. This left the author aloneto improvise strategies for the defense, including all of the custom and B-system openings.

After playing several hundred games at master level, the author compiled the results.Playing with either white or black, the Beginner’s Game had won consistently won more than itsshare of games. More importantly no defense, classical or improvised, or early attack was foundwhich could consistently put the standard opening in difficulty, or could even produce a positivebalance of wins against it. It was time to present the Beginner’s Game to the entire world.


12. Can It be Refuted? Is It Optimal?

The singular properties of the Beginner’s Game and the outstanding results obtained usingit in master level play make both of these questions quite serious indeed. Of course we must startby trying to answer the first question, whether the Beginner’s Game can be refuted. All seriouschess players will certainly try their best to do so, and we can expect that in the period followingthe announcement of this system there will be tremendous efforts to overturn it. But it isextremely improbable that this system will ever be refuted, for a number of good reasons.

There are 2280 possible ways to play the eight moves of the standard opening. Even ifsome of these sequences prove to be problematic, we can always use other sequences instead.In this respect the Beginner’s Game is far less likely to be refuted than any conventional openinghaving a strict or limited move ordering.

Experimentation doesn’t support the conjecture. In hundreds of games played at masterlevel, there have been very few where the Beginner’s Game was in any real difficulty following theopening. Games in which a rout of the defensive position occurred were seen only where theopening was seriously misplayed. Most importantly, no adversary openings were found whichcould produce a positive score in a series of games starting from the same opening position.

All games seen to date demonstrate the difficulty of attacking the standard position. Thedefense is so compact and coherent that it resists all attacks. There are practically no weaknessesthat can be exploited. Even if some lines are found where serious weakness can be provoked,strong responses will be found: there will always be other sequences of the standard opening tocounter effectively, or we can move into one of the large number of close variants.

All the close variants are almost as strong as the Beginner’s Game, and some of them mayeven be stronger, when responding to particular adversary openings. The large number ofpossible lines, all retaining the basic character of the standard opening, insures that the openingwill be able to resist any opposing play, while retaining its basic form.

On the offense, there is always a wide range of options present. The open field in front ofthe position makes almost all the pawn moves playable. The pieces all have good relocationsquares, and are ideally placed to support the pawn advances. Various queen placements andcastling options exist as well. The attacking potential of the Beginner’s Game has beendemonstrated in almost every single game played with it. It seems to be a natural consequence ofthe standard opening that it always uncoils into strong attacks.

Can other B-systems openings be refuted? Certainly some will prove useful only in definedcontexts, because they contain forward placements that can’t always be supported, or becauseother members in the system are more effective in developing along given lines. TheBeginner’s Game is probably the most generally playable of all the B-system openings. But many

other new openings in the system will prove to be valid against most lines of adversary play, andso worthy of inclusion in a revised compendium of chess openings.

It is almost certain that the close variants of the Beginner’s Game are valid: their similarityto the standard opening virtually guarantees it. They may be considered as part of an overallsystem of play, but each one is also a valid opening in its own right. Among the more distantvariants, there are many examples of generally playable openings, even if many others aresuitable only against certain conventional openings, or against other B-system openings.

In summary, it is highly unlikely that the Beginner’s Game, its close variants, and many ofthe better distant variants of the B-system will ever be refuted.

Optimality:

In the early days of wild excitement after the discovery of the Beginner’s Game, the authorstaggered about considering the consequences if it should prove to be optimal - it would meanthat the game of chess was in fact a puzzle waiting all along to be solved. There’s a real possibilitythat it is so. If there is such a solution, the first eight moves of it have likely been found.

There are various possible definitions of optimality. The strong definition is that it isalways possible to win or draw using the opening. This type of optimality is extremely hard toprove, given the immense number of possible games, even from an advanced starting position. Asimpler, more operational definition would be that the opening results in the largest percentage ofwins (and draws) in play at master level between players with similar ratings.

The author feels confident that the Beginner’s Game will prove optimal in the operationalsense. Experience in play will soon put this hypothesis to a test. Proving optimality in the strongsense is another question altogether.

If an optimal opening according to the strong definition does exist, it is likely to have thecharacteristics of the Beginner’s Game. Principal among these is use of the same opening forblack and white, and ability to confront any adversary with a standard deployment. The existenceof a small and well defined set of related variants, such as the close variants of the B-system,would also likely be a part of an optimal system. These variants offer some flexibility inresponding to those few situations in which an adversary could possibly develop an advantage.

A true test of strong optimality would require the compilation of millions of games, withextensive research into lines that put the standard opening in difficulty. The vast majority ofthese games could be generated by computer, but still with significant human participation. TheBeginner’s Game was not found by a computer, and the best defenses to it may not be found by acomputer either. A real test of strong optimality can only be done with massive experimentation;but even a limited experiment would furnish an excellent indication of operational optimality.

Can It Be Refuted? Is It Optimal? 123

With highly specialized chess playing programs alone we should be able to come veryclose to a definitive response to the question of strong optimality. The participation of manyexperts would still be necessary: not only expert players, but also designers and analysts capableof modifying and improving these programs. Any competent group that decides to dedicatethemselves to this research will certainly find a receptive audience for their findings.

With even a modest amount of organization, it should be possible to collect and builddatabases of games generated by players of this system. The chess playing community could beenlisted to research advanced positions, and submit results for compilation. Using large gamedatabases, we can identify problematic lines, and begin pruning the move trees. With theparticipation of a large number of interested persons, it should be possible to obtain a veryreliable response to the question of strong optimality.

Because the entire process is one of gradually approaching absolute certainty, researchinto the optimality of the Beginner’s Game may go on for many years. And if the final answer isaffirmative, it doesn’t mean the end of chess, or even the end of chess as it has been played untilthe present. It does mean the end of the real competition between humans and computers. Theywill finally be unbeatable, as has always been predicted. But this shouldn’t conceal the triumph ofthe human over the computer, because most of the moves of their lookup game will have beentaught to them by humans. Moreover it was humans who invented, built, and programmed them!

The author ventures the following odds on the possible results of strong optimality: White can always win or draw: more than 1/2Black can always win or draw: about 1/2

In all this discussion we have not considered what is probably the best practical definitionof optimality: that the greatest number and variety of players can adopt the system andimmediately improve their game. Under this definition the Beginner’s Game is definitely optimal!

The X series Experiments

The author ran a controlled experiment with the Beginner’s Game to see how strong it is. Aseries of 200 games was generated, played by the computer from the ninth move onwards, usingdifferent ‘personalities’. Two thirds of the games used classical defenses, invented by thecomputer. The other third of the games used strong custom defenses, such as those describedpreviously, invented by the author. Both sides had equal computing time, of 20-30 minutes.

The results of this experiment are impressive: the Beginner’s Game won 58% and drew 28%of the games. Results with black were almost as good as with white. Another experiment showedthat, using this system, a beginner can play at master level thru the first 12 moves! Although fartoo limited to be a serious indicator of how well the Beginner’s Game will perform in practice,these experiments should arouse our interest. Not only have we found the easiest and probablythe best system ever for chess, we may well have found the optimal way of playing the game.

13. What Happens Now to Chess?

Unless extensive analysis and experience in play proves this new system to be inferior, it isfairly certain that the game of chess will never be the same as it was before, or even anything likeit. Sooner or later, most play should move to the new system, displacing virtually all of theexisting theory and practice of chess.

Beginners and lesser intermediate players will be the easy converts: for them it is the onlyquick route to playing well, the only system that allows them to survive for more than a fewmoves against superior opponents. Better players will be more difficult to convince, but as theyface these openings more often, they will be learning not only how to play against it, but how toplay with it. As their initial curiosity in the novel system grows into a deep appreciation, more andmore good players will try it, in casual play at first, and then in competition.

Most advanced players will be reluctant converts, because they have made tremendousefforts to master their current games and push their way up using them. But their currentopenings do not work against this new system, and like it or not, they are moving into a new andcompletely different practice of opening play. The lines they wish to pursue against it areincredibly rich in possibility, so every top player can and should have his own novel defense. Wecan expect to see brilliant and highly innovative chess against the Beginner’s Game, and there aresome big trophies waiting for those who can consistently bring it down. But even the best playersshould finally appreciate that the easiest way of playing against the B-system is to play it yourself.

Given the impact the new system will make on chess, it is fairly certain to divert the interest

of analysts. The Beginner’s Game and the entire B-system is an extremely fertile field for originalresearch. The strongest defenses to confront this new system have to be found, and the sharpestlines explored. These defenses will be strong in the hands of superior players. But where skillsare evenly matched, the new system should begin to show a positive balance of outcomes.

In chess, as in most difficult games, better players usually win, and that formula doesn’tchange with the introduction of a new opening, however strong it is. So the best players now willprobably remain at the top, but some may have to cross over to stay there. Any player with areputation and a high ranking may agonize for a while about it, but the increasing ranks of goodplayers using the system should be sufficient argument to help them make the commitment.

Will the new chess be better or worse than the old chess? In the opinion of the author itwill be much better. It will be better because it will be more accessible: there is really no reasonnow why anyone cannot learn quickly to play well. There should be a surge in new players, andso there will be an increase in interest in the game as played at championship levels. Even topplayers holding out against the new system will benefit from all the new interest in the game.

The new chess will also be better because the quality of games resulting from play with thissystem is superior. All of the games the author has seen with the Beginner’s Game and the

What Happens Now to Chess? 125

B-system are very interesting; many of them are superb. These openings give rise naturally tohighly complicated positions that encourage the most brilliant combinations and tactical play.

Another principal improvement will be that more games will be close, between players ofdiffering skill levels. When in the past could a beginner offer an interesting game to an expertplayer? Many potentially interested people have turned away from chess after a few humiliatingexperiences of being badly beaten. The better player is often bored or arrogant, makingeverything worse. Most people don’t react well to failure, especially when it reflects on theirintelligence. But anyone who plays well can feel satisfied, even in defeat. This is very important.

Chess is fascinating, even exciting, to those interested in it, but it is incredibly boring tothose who aren’t. A little compassion for non-players goes a long way. What is the interest ofsitting in silence for hours hunched over a board? Life is to be lived, not contemplated. Noweven those with a justified aversion to chess can learn quickly to play reasonably well, and sobegin to share your passion for the game. Your whole world will brighten up if you spend moretime with your loved ones and less in the isolation of a pastime they cannot appreciate.

Chess has always been a predominately male pursuit. Wives, daughters, sisters, and

girlfriends take note: you can gain the respect of someone close to you by learning to play. In theprocess maybe you can help them understand that all games, and life in general, should be fun.

Chess is also famous for attracting and producing introverts, nonassertive types lost intheir interior world. There is too often a somber atmosphere to the game, imposed by those whotake it too seriously. So what if you lose - set the pieces up again! Reintroduce the humanelement into the game: lighten up, enjoy yourself, laugh when you lose, and do something elseoccasionally than play chess. Change the image by changing yourself.

Can we say adieu to classical chess? Not at all. It will continue to live and thrive. But itwill lose its present exclusivity on opening play, and it will gradually be less practiced, first bybeginners, then by intermediate players, then by computers, and finally, by the top players.

A few predictions by the author concerning the future of the Beginner’s Game and the B-system:

Within 1 year, the system will come to the attention of most serious chess players, and manycasual ones. Most players adopting the system will increase ranking.Within 2 years chess programs will be playing the system, and prove better than any previousgeneration programs. Best lines for play following the standard opening will be determined.Within 3 years most players, including some of the world’s best, will be using the systemregularly or exclusively. There will be a great surge of interest in the game of chess globally.

14. Games Section

Now we propose a large selection of complete games. In all games the author played theB-system opening to at least the eighth move. After that, unless otherwise noted, the computerplayed both sides until the conclusion. In all games the computer played at top strength, and wasgiven one to two hours computing time, with equal time for each side. All games should becorrect, that is free from errors, with lines chosen from among those most promising and forceful.

These are excellent chess games, as good as those typically found in collections of bestgames. The quality of play overall is at the master or grandmaster level. The Beginner’s Gameand the B-systems openings in general produce very interesting contests. It seems to be a naturalresult of these openings that very sharp games are produced. You rarely see boring games withthis system, because it always attacks and defends superbly, whatever the adversary plays.

Only wins and draws are presented. Of course there were also losses, and many of themare very interesting. Naturally, the author wants to convey an optimistic image of the system, toencourage everyone to try it. But many losses were due to a lack of strategic competence by thecomputer in playing the system, and for this reason may not be especially instructive. The authorhas not found a consistently effective strategy for playing against the system, so he cannotpropose with any confidence strategies for the adversary. Finding the best defenses to theBeginner’s Game and other B-systems openings is left, as they say, as an exercise for the reader.

The collection presents a wide variety of openings. There are standard openings, and closevariants where a departure from the standard opening was necessary to respond to an adversaryearly attack. There are other games with close variants, differing by 1-3 moves from the standardopening, but where play was not forced. Then there are games with distant variants, differing by4-8 moves from the standard. Games are ordered roughly by the distance of the variant played.

Games are reported on one page each, with only a brief text outline and highlights of each.Six diagrams per game are shown, presenting snapshots of the ongoing contest, which shouldpermit better players to follow most of the action from the diagrams alone. In all cases theposition of the board after eight moves each is shown. Afterwards, diagrams show the progress ofthe game at intervals, trying to catch some of the more interesting moves. Diagrams are labeledwith the move about to be made. Asterisks in the move lists flag the corresponding diagrams.

There are so many openings in the B-system, that it was impossible in a book of this size togive anything more than a brief presentation of a few of them. Many of these openings are verystrong, as good as anything ever seen in chess to date. The author hopes that the few gamespresented here will stimulate the interest of readers to research some of the better B-systemopenings in serious play, and finally establish their rightful places in the openings pantheon.

Games Section 127

All of the openings in the B-system use positional play; the games that result are usuallyquite complex. Some games have a complicated series of exchanges right after the opening, andpass quickly into the endgame. Others are closed, and characterized by long passages ofposition readjustment, with only insinuated threats and little overt action. Difficult sections ofgames of either type will be hard to follow for beginners and lesser intermediate players. Betterplayers should appreciate that such passages are often seen in matches between closely matchedexperts. Understanding and reproducing these subtleties is a key skill for top players.

As with any collection, the reader should look about for games of special interest, and playthem first. But all of the games in the collection are worthy of study. They are all good examplesof play within the system, and each one you work thru and understand will help you on the road tocomplete mastery of the game of chess. Attack!


Black’s Beginner’s Game faces a 3 pawn classical defense, featuring a strong king side attack.White plays well into the middle game until black’s pieces start to command all the open files. Afine sacrifice of the exchange at move 30 opens the way for black’s pawns to a crushing victory.Major participants the entire game, black’s bishop pair are front and center when the curtain falls.

¨ ³¯ “¹“

“” ”

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²¤¦ 30..gxf4

´““

‘ ‘” ’›¹

‘ ”²ª ¤ 42..Bf3

¦´““

‘ ‘ ’¹

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51. Rxd2

37. Bxh7+ Kf8 38. Bd3 Rb8+39. Ka1 Qxg440. Rb1 Rb741. Rxb7 Bxb742.* Qb1 Bf343. Qb8+ Ke744. Rb1 Qf445. Qa7+ Kf646. Qb8 Qxb847. Rxb8 Be448. Bf1 d349. Rd8 d250. Kb2 Ke751.* Rxd2 Bxd252. Kb3 Kd653. a5 Bxa554. Ka4 Bd855. h5 Kc556. Kb3 Kd457. c5 Bd358. Bg2 Kxc559. Kc3 f1=Q60. Bxf1 Bxf161. h6 Bf6+62. Kc2 Kd463. Kd1 Bd364. a4 Bg565. Ke1 Bxh666. Kd1 Be367. Ke1 f568. Kd1 f469. a5 f370. a6 f271. a7 f1=Q++

1. d4 g62. e4 d63. f4 Bg74. Nf3 Nd75. Nc3 b66. Bd3 Bb77. Be3 e68. Qd2 Ne79. * O-O-O O-O10. Kb1 c511. Bb5 Nf612. dxc5 bxc513. e5 Nfd514. Nxd5 Nxd515. Rhe1 Nxe316. Qxe3 Qa517. Be2 Rfd818. c3 Rab819.* b3 Qc720. g3 Bd521. c4 Bb722. exd6 Rxd623. Ne5 Rdd824. Bd3 a525.* Kc1 a426. bxa4 Rd427. Bc2 Rbd828. Qb3 Ba629. Bd3 g530.* Nf3 gxf431. Nxd4 cxd432. g4 f333. Qc2 Bh6+34. Kb1 Be335. h4 f236. Rf1 Qg3

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

’‘’–› •

‘’‘¬ ‘’¦ ² ¤ 9. O-O-O

¨ ¨ ³” “¹“

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’‘’ ¬•

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19..Qc7

¨ ¨ ³¯ “¹“

“ “” ” –

‘ ’‘ ›¬ ’

‘ ’²¤¦

25..a4

Beginner's Games 129


White plays the Beginner’s Game against a strong near B-system opening. Neither side has thebetter of it until black offers a pawn at move 29 to start an offensive. White keeps the pawn, andthe initiative too, winning a second pawn soon afterwards, then a third. Black’s exposed positionthen makes it easy for white to finish him off in fine style with three pieces. An impressive victory!

§¹³

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45..Nxb3

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51. Rxg7+

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62. Nf5+

33. Bxb4 cxb434. Qxb4 Rc835. Neg4 Bf536. Qb7 Nc537. Qxa7 e438. Ne3 Nd339. Nxf5 Qxf540. Re2 Rcd841. g4 Qg642. Re3 Rd643. Nf1 Ra644. Qb7 Nc545.* Qb5 Nxb346. Rxb3 Re547. Qb7 Re848. Rd7 e349. Nxe3 Rf650. Bf1 Rd651.* Rxg7+Qxg752. Nf5 Qxb753. Rxb7+Kg854. Nxd6 Ra855. c5 Rxa556. Bc4+ Kh857. c6 Ra1+58. Kh2 Ra859. c7 Rf860. Rb8 Kg761. Rxf8 h562.* Nf5+ Kh763. Rf6 h464. Rh6++

1. g3 e52. e3 d63. Bg2 Nc64. Ne2 g65. b3 Bg76. Bb2 Be67. d3 Nf68. Nd2 Qd79. * h3 O-O10. Nf3 Qe711. c4 Nd712. O-O Rfd813. Nc3 Nb414. a3 Na615. d4 Nb616. Qd2 c617. Rfe1 f618. a4 f519. e4 h620. a5 Nd721. Ba3 c522.* dxe5 dxe523. Nd5 Qf724. Rad1 fxe425. Rxe4 Bf526. Ree1 g527. Bb2 Re828. Ne3 Be629. Nh2 Rad830.* Bxb7 Nb431. Bg2 Qg632. Bc3 Kh7

§ ³ ¨”“” “¹“

—” ˜“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤ 9. h3

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¬ ’›¦ ¦ ² 22. dxe5

¨§ ³”“ — ¹— ”’ ” ” ”

‘‘ – ’‘

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30. Bxb7


Black’s Beginner’s Game faces the 2 pawn C center F back classical defense. After the openingwhite develops a strong passed pawn, well supported by all his pieces. Black falls back to slow it,but then counterattacks. At move 31 white has to yield, as both his king and his advanced pawnare threatened. From that point on black tears up his position with finesse and deadly precision.

§ ³“ “

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31. Kh1

§ ³“ “

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¦ ° 35..Rd8

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43..g5

35.* Rc1 Rd836. gxf3 Rd1+37. Rxd1 Qxd1+38. Kg2 Qc2+39. Kg3 Qxc640. Qb4 Qc7+41. Kg2 Qe542. h4 h543.* Qd2 g544. Qxg5+ Qxg5+45. hxg5 Kg746. Kg3 Kg647. f4 f648. Kh4 fxg5+49. fxg5 e550. Kg3 Kxg551. Kf3 h452. Ke3 h353. Kf3 e4+54. Kg3 e355. Kf3 Kf556. Kxe3 h257. Kf3 h1=Q+58. Ke2 Ke459. Kd2 Qh2+60. Kc3 Qg3+61. Kc4 Qa362. Kb5 Kd563. Kb6 Kd664. Kb5 Qb3+65. Ka6 Kc666. Ka7 Qb7++

1. Nf3 e62. e4 g63. d4 Ne74. Nc3 Bg75. Be2 b66. O-O Bb77. Bf4 d68. Qd2 Nd79. * Bh6 Bxh610. Qxh6 d511. exd5 Nxd512. Nxd5 Bxd513. Qe3 Qf614. c4 Bb715. Rfd1 c516. dxc5 bxc517.* b4 cxb418. Rab1 a519. a3 Bxf320. Bxf3 Rc821. axb4 axb422. Rxb4 Ne523. Be2 O-O24. c5 Nc625. Rb6 Rfd826. Rc1 Ne727.* Bf3 Nf528. Qa3 Rd229. Rb4 Nd430. c6 Qh431.* Kh1 Qxf232. Rbb1 Rc233. Rxc2 Qxc234. Rd1 Nxf3

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

’‘– •

‘’‘¬›’‘’¦ ¤² 9. Bh6

§ ³ ¨” — “ “

“¯“”’‘

¬•‘ ›’‘’¦ ¤ ² 17..cxb4

§¨ ³˜“ “

¦ “¯“’

¬›’‘’

¦ ² 27..Nf5



White plays the Beginner’s Game against a 2 pawn C pin classical defense. White’s play after theopening is very characteristic, forcing black into retreat. White wins a pawn, then another, withsolid tactical play. As White’s two passed pawns near promotion, black is pressed to the wall,losing one piece, then another, to stop them. Then two pieces up, white crushes the rest.

¨ ¯ ´¦ “”“

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43. Qa7

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58. b8=Q

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66. g4

39. d6 Be540. Rc6 Kf841. Kh2 Qd742. Rc7 Qd843.* Qa7 Kg844. Nc4 Bf645. d7 Bf546. Nd6 Be647. b5 Qf848. Qxb8 Qxb849. Rc8+ Qxc850. dxc8=Q+Bxc851. Nxc8 Kf852. b6 Be553. f4 Bb854. Na7 Bd655. Nc6 h556. h4 g657. b7 Kg758.* b8=Q Bxb859. Nxb8 f660. Be4 Kf761. f5 gxf562. Bxf5 Kg763. Nc6 Kf764. Kh3 Ke865. Bg6+ Kd766.* g4 f567. Bxf5+ Kxc668. gxh5 Kd669. h6 Ke770. h7 Kd671. h8=Q Kd572. Qc3 Kd673. h5 Kd574. h6 Kd675. h7 Kd5,76. h8=Q resigns

1. b3 e52. e3 d53. Ne2 Nf64. g3 Nc65. Bg2 Bd66. Bb2 O-O7. d3 Bg48. Nd2 Qe79. * h3 Be610. a3 a511. c4 Rfe812. O-O Rad813. Qc2 Bc514. Nf3 e415. dxe4 dxe416. Nfd4 Nxd417. exd4 Bb618. c5 Ba719. Nf4 Bf520. Rae1 Bd721. Qc4 c622. Bc3 b523. cxb6 Bxb624. b4 Ra825.* d5 axb426. axb4 Rac827. Bxf6 Qxf628. Rxe4 Rxe429. Qxe4 c530. Rc1 Bf531. Qe2 Qd632. Nd3 c433. Ne5 Qe734. Qb2 Qg535.* Nxc4 Bd436. Qa3 Bg637. Ne3 Rb838. Qa6 Qd8

§ ¨³”“” ¯“”“

—¹ ˜“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤ 9. h3

§ § ³¯“”“

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25. d5

§ ³“”“

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’“’‘

¬ ’›¦ ²

35. Nxc4


Black plays the Beginner’s Game against the strong 3 pawn F back classical defense, in a shortbut action packed encounter. Faced with losing a pawn at move 14, black finds counterplay, andstays even. White attacks well, winning the exchange and later threatening mate, but black findsthe right responses and is ready with a counter attack. White then settles for a draw by repetition.

§ ¨³” “¹“” “

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27..Be6

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after 33..Kf6

19. Bxe7 Qc620. Rac1 Qa421.* Rfd1 Bxa222. Bxf8 Rxf823. Rc7 Bxb224. Rdd7 a525. Rd2 Re826. Re7 Rxe727.* Qxe7 Be628. Rd8+ Kg729. Qf8+ Kf630. Qh8+ Ke731. Qf8+ Kf632. Qh8+ Ke733. Qf8+ Kf6drawn*

1. c4 g62. Nf3 e63. d4 b64. e4 Bg75. Nc3 Bb76. Be2 Ne77. O-O d68. Be3 Nd79. * d5 exd510. cxd5 O-O11. Nd4 Nc512. Qd2 c613. dxc6 Nxc614.* Ndb5 Ne715. Bg5 Nxe416. Nxe4 Bxe417.* Nxd6 Bd518. Qe3 Qxd6

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘’‘– •

‘’ ›’‘’¦ ª ¤² 9. d5

§ ¯ ¨³” “¹“”—” “•˜

‘–

‘’ ¬›’‘’¦ ¤² 14..Ne7

§ ¯ ¨³” ˜“¹“” – “

‘’ ¬›’‘’¦ ¤² 17..Bd5



White’s Beginner’s Game faces the optimal 3 pawn standard classical defense. White has a finegame following his long castle. With a complex combination beginning at move 23 whitesucceeds in producing a queen side passed pawn. Black harasses white’s exposed king to slowthe pawn advance. Unable to avoid the insistent checks, white finally has to settle for a draw.

³¹ ”

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42. Bd6

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¬ 48. Qe6+

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74. Qe5

40. a5 Qe241. a6 Be742.* Bd6 Bxd6+43. Rxd6 Qf244. Rxc6 h445. Rc7 Qf546. Qe1 Qf8+47. c5 Rxc548.* Qe6+ Kh749. Rxc5 Qxc5+50. Ka4 Qd4+51. b4 Qd1+52. Kb5 Qd3+53. Kb6 Qd4+54. Ka5 Qd8+55. Qb6 Qd5+56. Qc5 Qa2+57. Kb5 Qe2+58. Qc4 Qe5+59. Kc6 Qe8+60. Kc7 Qe7+61. Kc8 Qe8+62. Kb7 Qe7+63. Kb6 Qf6+64. Ka7 Qe7+65. Kb8 Qf8+66. Qc8 Qxb4+67. Ka7 Qd4+68. Ka8 Qe4+69. Qb7 Qf570. Kb8 h371. a7 Qe5+72. Qc7 Qb2+73. Kc8 Qg274.* Qe5 h275. Qh5+ Kg876. Qe8+ Kh777. Qh5+ Kg8drawn

1. e3 e52. b3 Nf63. g3 d54. d3 Bd65. Bg2 O-O6. Bb2 c57. Ne2 Nc68. Nd2 Be69. * h3 d410. c3 dxe311. fxe3 Qd712. Qc2 Be713. Nf3 Rad814. O-O-O Nd515. Qd2 f516. e4 Nb617. Qe3 Qd618. c4 f419. gxf4 exf420. Qf2 Nd721. d4 cxd422. Nexd4 Nc523.* e5 Qc724. Nxc6 bxc625. Nd4 f326. Bxf3 Qxe527. Nxe6 Bg5+28. Kb1 Qf5+29. Qc2 Qxe630. Bg4 Qf731. Bd4 Ne632. Bxa7 h533. Bxe6 Rxd1+34. Rxd1 Qxe635. Bc5 Rf336.* a4 Qxh337. Ka2 Rc338. Qb1 Qg2+39. Ka3 Rc2

§ ¯ ¨³”“ “”“

—¹ ˜”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤ 9. h3

¨ ¨³”“ ¹ ”“

—¯˜‘–‘”

‘ • ‘‘ ¬›

²¤ ¤ 23. e5

³”

“¹“

‘‘ § ‘

‘ ª° ¤

36. a4


Black’s Beginner’s Game is challenged by the aggressive 5 pawn ‘queen wing’ custom defense.The big pawn wall does some damage, but black finds counterplay and goes up a pawn in acomplex exchange soon afterwards. Then black goes straight for the win, using well calculatedbishop and pawn sacrifices. Another good show by the surprising new Beginner’s Game!

§¦““ “”

” ´‘ ‘’

›’²

25..a4

§

“ “”´

‘ ’

“ ›’¤ ²

29..a1=Q

¨

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47..e2

29.* Rd1 a1=Q30. Rxa1 Rxa1+31. Kg2 Kd432. c5 Kxc533. Bd3 Ra434. Kf3 Rxh435. Bxg6 h536. Bf7 Kd537. Kg3 Rg4+38.* Kh3 Rf439. Bxh5 Rxf240. Kg3 Rf841. Bd1 e542. Bh5 Kc443. Be2+ Kc344. Bd1 Kd245. Bb3 e446. Bc4 e347.* Kg4 e248. Bxe2 Kxe249. Kh4 Rg850. Kh5 Kf351. Kh4 Rg4+52. Kh5 Kf453. Kh6 Kf554. Kh5 Re455. Kh6 Re756. Kh5 Rh7++

1. d4 b62. c4 d63. Nc3 g64. e4 Bb75. b4 Nd76. a4 Bg77. Be3 e68. Be2 Ne79. * Nf3 O-O10. O-O c511. bxc5 dxc512. a5 cxd413. Bxd4 Nc514. Bxg7 Qxd115. Rfxd1 Kxg716.* Rab1 Nxe417. Nxe4 Bxe418. axb6 Bxb119.* b7 Bf520. bxa8=Q Rxa821. Rd7 Kf622. h4 h623. Ne5 Kxe524. Rxe7 a525.* g4 a426. gxf5 a327. fxe6 fxe628. Rd7 a2

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘’‘’‘–

›’‘’¦ ª² –¤ 9. Nf3

§ ¨” ˜“´“” “ “

’ ˜‘ ‘– •

›’‘’¦ ¤ ² 16. Rab1

§ ¨”‘ ˜“´“

“ “

‘•

›’‘’¤ ²

19..Bf5



White plays the Beginner’s Game against a 2 pawn C center classical defense. White surprises hisadversary by advancing the castled position pawns, trapping a piece. Showing little concern forhis exposed king, white concentrates on the attack. Starting at move 40, white begins an all-outoffensive, with a novel queen sacrifice, that finally wins. More magic from the Beginner’s Game!

¯ ¨ ´“ –“”“““˜

’ §’ ‘

‘ • ¬¦¤ °

40. Nd4

¯ ´“”ª

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‘ °¦

47. Rh5

¯ ³”¤

”““ “

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‘ °¤

50. Rh8+

33. Bg4 Bxg434. hxg4 Rg535. Nf5 Rxg4+36. Kh1 Be537. Bxe5 Nxe538. Qh2 Qb839. Ne7+ Kf840.* Nd4 Rxd441. Rxe5 Rd642. Nf5 Rf643. Rfe1 b644. Qxh7 Rh6+45. Nxh6 Rh4+46. Kg2 Rxh647.* Rh5 Rxh748. Rxh7 Kg849. Reh1 f550.* Rh8+ Kf751. Rxb8 b552. Rc8 f453. Rc7+ Ke654. Rxc6+ Kd755. Rg6 Ke756. Rxg7+Kf657. Rb7 Ke558. c3 d459. Rh6 dxc360. Kf3 c261. Rxb5+Kd462. Rc5 c1=Q63. Rd6++

1. e3 d52. d3 e53. Ne2 Nf64. b3 Bd65. Nd2 Nc66. g3 O-O7. Bg2 Bf58. Bb2 Qe79. * a3 Rad810. h3 Bg611. O-O Qe612. b4 Rfe813. Nb3 Nd714. Nc3 Ne715. e4 c616.* f4 exf417. gxf4 Bc718. Kh1 Bb619. f5 Nxf520. exf5 Bxf521. Qf3 Bg622. Qg3 Nf623. Bf3 Qc824. Ne2 Bc725. Qh4 Nd726. Rae1 Nf827. Kg2 Bd628. Qf2 Qc729.* Qxa7 Bf530. Qf2 Ng631. Nbd4 Bc832. Bh5 Re5

§ ¨³”“” ¯“”“

—¹ ˜“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤ 9. a3

¨§ ³”“ —˜“”“

“¹“”

’ ‘’•–‘ ’‘

‘ ’›¦ ª ¤² 16. f4

¨§˜³”“¯ “”“

“¹“

’’• ‘ › ‘

‘ •¬°¦¤

29. Qxa7


Black plays the Beginner’s Game against a 4 pawn custom defense. White’s expansive opening isstrong, but he loses time later with ineffective knight play. Black opens up the queen side castleposition and then wins white’s queen for rook and bishop at move 30. White fights on afterwards,but black is by then too far ahead materially, and pushes on to a decisive win. Interesting game!

‘´ ¹“ “

” “¤•°–

49. Nf4

•¹ “

” ”³ “

•°¤

65..e4

“” ´

””¤–

¯°

75. Rxe3+

40. Nxd3 Qxh241. Nhf2 h5 42. c5 Qg1+43. Kd2 Qb144. d6 Qa2+45. Ke3 cxd646. cxd6 Qd547. d7 Kf748. Ke2 Ke749.* Nf4 Qa2+50. Kf1 Qf751. N4d3 Qd552. Nf4 Qc653. N4d3 Qd654. Rb4 Qc755. Rb1 Kxd756. Rc1 Qb657. Ke2 Ke658. Ne4 Bf859. Ng5+ Kd560. Nf3 Bd661. Rd1 Ke662. Nf2 a563. Ng5+ Kf564. Nf7 Qa6+65.* Nd3 e466. Nxd6+Qxd667. Rf1+ Ke668. Nf2 Qa6+69. Ke1 e370. Ne4 Ke571. Ng3 Qc472. Rf3 Qc1+73. Ke2 Qd2+74. Kf1 h475.* Rxe3+ Qxe376. Ne2 h377. Ng3 Qxg3resigns

1. d4 e62. c4 Ne73. e4 g64. b3 Bg75. Bb2 b66. g3 Bb77. Bg2 d68. f4 Nd79. * Nc3 Nf510. Nf3 Ne311. Qe2 Nxg2+12. Qxg2 f513. O-O-Ofxe414. Ng5 Qe715. Ngxe4O-O16. Rhe1 Rab817. d5 e518. Ng5 h619.* Nh3 Qf720. Nb5 a621. Nc3 Rbe822. Ne4 b523. Kb1 bxc424. bxc4 Qf525. g4 Qf726. Qd2 Bc827. Nef2 Nb628. Re4 Na429. fxe5 Nxb230.* Qxb2 Bxg431. Nxg4 Rb832. Rf4 Rxb2+33. Kxb2 Qe734. Re4 dxe535. Ngf2 Qb4+36. Kc2 Qa4+37. Kd2 Qxa2+38. Ke1 Rf339. Rd3 Rxd3

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘’‘’‘ ’

‘ ›’¦• ª² –¤ 9. Nc3

¨ ¨³” ”—¯ ¹” ” “”

‘” –‘ ’

‘– ’‘ ª’

²¤¦ 19. Nh3

§¨³” ¹

“ ” “”‘’‘ ¤ ‘

•‘¬ – ’° ¤

30..Bxg4



White’s Beginner’s Game is challenged by the 3 pawn queen out classical defense. White goes apawn up at move 25. Black’s vulnerable castled position then allows white to produce a passedpawn. After that, it is only a matter of maneuvering to cover the queening square - and avoidgetting checkmated! The Beginner’s Game can always find the resources to win, often with ease.

” ³”“”‘ ”¨¬’ ‘ ’

’¦ ²

33. d4

” ”“”‘ ” ´

¨’ª

’ ’’

¤ ² 37. Qh4+

”“”¤ ” ´

”¨ ’

ª’²

45. Rxb6

30. Qc4+ Kf831. Qb4+ Kf732. Re1 Rc533.* d4 Rh534. Qe7+ Kg635. Qe4+ Kh636. Rd1 Ra537.* Qh4+ Qxh438. gxh4 Rxa339. Rc1 Rd340. c7 Rxd441. c8=Q a542. Qh3 Rb443. Rc6 Kg644. Qd3+ Kh645.* Rxb6 Rxh446. Qe3+ Kg647. Qg3+ Kh548. Rb5+ g549. Qf3+ Rg4+50. Kh2 a451. Kh3 a352. Qxg4+ Kh653. Qf5 g4+54. Qxg4 a255. Rh5++

1. e3 d52. b3 e53. g3 Nf64. Bb2 Bd65. Bg2 O-O6. Ne2 c57. d3 Nc68. Nd2 Qa59. * O-O Be610. c4 d411. exd4 exd412. a3 Rae813. b4 Qb614. bxc5 Bxc515. Rb1 Bg416. Re1 Qa617. h3 Bxe218. Rxe2 Rxe219. Qxe2 Re820. Qd1 Nd721. Nb3 Qb622. Nxc5 Qxc523. Qb3 b624.* Bxc6 Qxc625. Bxd4 Ne526. Bxe5 Rxe527. Qc3 Qe628. c5 f629.* c6 Qxh3

§ ¨³”“ “”“

—¹ ˜¯ ”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤ 9. O-O

§ ³” — “”“”—¯‘”

’ª ‘ ’‘’›

¤ ² 24. Bxc6

³” ”“” ”’ ¨

’ ¬‘ ’‘’

¤ ² 29. c6


Black plays the Beginner’s Game and destroys his rival, despite his impressive 4 pawn standardopening. In the midgame black piles up on the queen pawn and wins it. White offers the exchangesoon afterwards, trying for counterattack. But he is doomed: black forces him to throw away all ofhis pieces to slow the inevitable mate. A convincing victory, over an optimal adversary opening!

¨ ³¯ ¹

“ § “”“ –““ ’

¬‘’ ‘’› ¤ ²

27..Red6

¨ ´¯ ¹

“ •”“ ““ ’

¬‘’ ¨ ‘’› ¦ ²

31..Kf7

§¯ ³

“ ”“ ““¹ ’ –

¬‘’ ¨ ‘’› ¦ °

34. Bxf5

26. Rd1 Ba827.* Qg3 Red628. Re1 Rxd429. Nxg6 Rd230. Ne7+ Kf831.* Ng6+ Kf732. Nh4 Bd4+33. Kh1 Rg834.* Bxf5 Rxg335. hxg3 Bf236. Bg6+ Kf637. Re6+ Kxe638. Kh2 Bxg3+39. Kxg3 Rd440. Be4 Rxe441. Ng6 Rxf442. Nxf4+ Kf543. Kf2 Qxf4+44. Ke2 Bxg245. a3 Qf3+46. Kd2 Qf2+47. Kd1 Bf3+48. Kc1 Qe1+49. Kc2 Be4++

1. d4 b62. e4 Bb73. Bd3 g64. c4 Bg75. Be3 e66. f4 Ne77. Nc3 d68. Nf3 Nd79. * O-O O-O10. Qb3 c511. d5 exd512. cxd5 a613. Ng5 b514. Rac1 Qc715. Bb1 Nb616. Rfd1 h617. Nf3 f518. e5 Rfd819. exd6 Rxd620.* Ne5 c421. Qa3 Nexd522. Nxd5 Nxd523. Bc5 Re624.* Rxd5 Bxd525. Bd4 Rd8

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘’‘’–› •

‘’ ‘’¦ ª² ¤ 9. O-O

§ ³¯ ˜ ¹

“˜ ¨ “”“”‘–“

’ª–

‘’ ‘’›¦¤ ²

20..c4

§ ³¯ ¹

“ § “”“ —–““ ’

¬‘’ ‘’›¦¤ ²

24. Rxd5


Game 33: Beginner’s Game with White and Black

White and black play the Beginner’s Game, both moving into variant BE. After the opening it’s aneven contest, until white decides to grab a rook pawn. He doesn’t live to regret it - he is torn apartby a queen and pawn attack, beginning with a decisive knight sacrifice at move 30. Black is sointent on the offensive, that he ignores all of white’s counter threats. A smashing encounter!

§´“

• ”“ª

“²’ ’

‘ ¯ ’¦

33..Qf2+

§´

• ”“ª “

“’ ’°

‘ ¯ ’¦

35..g5

”³

‘²

‘ “ ’¤

50..Qd6

31. Kxf2 Qd2+32. Kf3 e4+33.* Kf4 Qf2+34. Kg4 h5+35.* Kh3 g536. Qb7+ Kh637. Qxc8 g4+38. Qxg4 hxg4+39. Kxg4 Qxe340. Rc2 Qf3+41. Kh3 Qf1+42. Rg2 Qb543. Rc2 e344. Nd4 Qd545. Rc8 Qxd446. Rh8+ Kg747. Rb8 Qd7+48. Kh4 Kg649. g4 e250.* Rb1 Qd651. Kh3 Qd3+52. Kg2 Qxb153. h4 Qf1+54. Kh2 e1=Q55. h5+ Kh756. a3 Qh1++

1. g3 g62. b3 Bg73. Nc3 b64. Bg2 Nc65. Bb2 Bb76. e3 e67. Nge2 Nge78. O-O O-O9. * Na4 d510. Bxg7 Kxg711. d4 Qd712. c4 dxc413. bxc4 Na514. Bxb7 Nxb715. Qc2 f616. Nac3 Nf517. Ne4 Nfd618. c5 Nxe419. Qxe4 c620. Rac1 bxc521. dxc5 Rad822. Qa4 a523. Rfd1 Qc824.* Nd4 e525. Nxc6 Rxd1+26. Rxd1 Nxc527. Qb5 Ne428. Rc1 Qd729. Qxa5 Rc830.* Qb5 Nxf2

§ ¯ ¨³” ”“˜“¹“”— “ “

‘– ’ ’‘ ‘’•’›’¦ ª ¤² 9. Na4

¨ ¨— ´““ “”“

” ’ª –

’ ’‘ ’ ’

¦¤ ² 24..e5

§´“

• ”“ª ”

—’ ’

‘ ’ ’¦ ²

30..Nxf2


Black plays the Beginner’s Game, against a strong 4 pawn custom defense. Black goes a pawnup as early as move 16, and then starts trading down, heading for the endgame. White forces apassed pawn at move 32 and develops his promotion threat. White outplays black in a curiousknight and pawn endgame, that climaxes with black under promoting his pawn. A bitter draw!

´– “˜“

” ’ “ “‘ ¬

’’

² 39. Qd6

˜“ “

’ ´“ “– ’

’

² 47. Nd3+

’˜

“– ’

“´ ²

62..e1=N

37. a4 bxa438. bxa4 h539.* Qd6 Qxd640. cxd6 Kf741. Nc4 Ne442. Nxa5 Nxd643. Nc6 Ne844. a5 Nc745. h4 Kf646. Nb4 Ke547.* Nd3+ Ke448. Nf4 Kf349. Kh2 e550. Nxg6 e451. Ne7 f452. gxf4 e353. Nc6 Ne654. Ne5+ Kxf455. Nd3+ Kf356. a6 Nc757. a7 Na858. Kg1 e259. Kh2 Ke360. Ne1 Kf261. Ng2 Nb662.* Nf4 e1=N63. Nxh5 Nf3+64. Kh3 Nxh465. Kxh4 Ke366. Kg5 Kd467. Nf6 Na868. Nd7 Kd569. Nb8 Kc570. Kh6 Kb671. Nd7+ Kxa7drawn

1. d4 e62. e4 d63. f4 Ne74. c4 Nd75. Nf3 g66. Nc3 Bg77. g3 b68. Bg2 Bb79. * O-O O-O10. e5 c511. dxc5 dxe512. fxe5 Nxe513. Bg5 Nxf3+14.* Bxf3 Qd4+15. Kh1 Bxf3+16. Qxf3 Qxc517. Ne4 Qc718. Bf6 Nf519. Bxg7 Nxg720. Nf6+ Kh821. Rad1 Rad822. b3 Rxd123. Rxd1 Rd824. Rxd8+Qxd825. Ne4 f526. Nc3 Kg827. Qe3 Qd628. Nb5 Qc6+29. Kg1 a630. Nc3 Qd631. Kf2 Nh532.* Na4 b533. c5 Qc634. Nb6 Nf635. Kg1 a536. Qd4 Kg7

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘’‘’– •’

‘’ ›’¦ ª² ¤ 9. O-O

§ ¯ ¨³” ˜“¹“” “ “’‘– ›’

‘’ ’¦ ª ¤² 14..Qd4+

³“

“” ¯“ ““ —

• ‘‘ ¬ ’

‘ ² ’

32..b5


Game 35: Beginner’s Game with White and Black

White and black play the Beginner’s Game, both moving to variant 4. A tough contest follows, butblack always manages to stay a step ahead. White tries aggressive alternatives to the moreobvious moves (18, 26), but his attacks never seem to put black into trouble. White continues onthe offensive later with his advanced pawns, but it’s not enough; black stops his threats and wins.

§ ³“

“

—‘ ª’‘ ’

¤ ° 34. Qxf5

¨¤ — “

‘ ³’‘

°

57. Rb2

—’“¨

²³

¦

67. Rc2

40. Kg2 Kf741. Kf3 Rf5+42. Ke3 Rh543. h4 Ra544. g4 Ra845. Kd2 Ke746. g5 Kd647. Rb4 Rd848. Kc1 Kc649. a5 Kc750. a6 Nc551. Rg4 Rd652. h5 Nd3+53. Kc2 Ne554. Ra4 Rd855. Rb4 Kc656. Rb7 Nd757.* Rb2 Ra858. g6 Rxa659. g7 Ra860. h6 Nf661. Kc3 Kd562. Rg2 Ng863. Rd2+ Ke464. Re2+ Kf365. Rh2 Ra666. Kd4 Rxh667.* Rc2 Rd6+68. Ke5 Rd769. Rc3+ Kg270. Rc2+ Kh371. Rc3+ Kh472. Rc4+ Kg573. Rc3 h574. Ke6 Rxg775. Rg3+ Kh676. Rxg7 Kxg777. Kf5 Kh6resigns

1. g3 g62. e3 e63. Bg2 Bg74. Ne2 Ne75. d4 d56. b3 b67. Bb2 Bb78. Nd2 Nd79. * c4 c510. Qc2 O-O11. dxc5 bxc512. Bxg7 Kxg713. cxd5 exd514. O-O Qb615. e4 f516. exd5 Bxd517. Rfe1 Bxg218.* Nf4 Be419. Nxe4 fxe420. Qxe4 Nf521. Ne6+ Kh822. Nxf8 Rxf823. Qa4 Nf624. Qf4 Qb725. Rad1 Nd426.* Rxd4 cxd427. Qxd4 Kg828. f3 Qxf329. Rf1 Qd530. Qxa7 Ra831. Qf2 Ne432. Qf3 Qc5+33. Kh1 Qf534.* Qxf5 gxf535. a4 Nd236. Rxf5 Nxb337. Rb5 Nd438. Rb4 Ne639. Rc4 Ra5

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” “ “

“’

‘ ’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤ 9. c4

§ ¨” —˜ ´“¯ “” “

‘ ’‘ ª–•’ ’¦ ¦ ² 18. Nf4

¨ ´” “

˜“”˜ ¬

‘ ’‘ ’ ’

¤¦ ² 26. Rxd4


Black’s Beginner’s Game faces the ‘Tomahawk’ defense (4 pawn BG back), one of its mostdangerous rivals. Most pieces are traded, and a wide open queen, rook, and piece endgameresults, in which both sides attack fiercely. At move 31 white starts what looks like a finaloffensive but he falls into a subtle trap that costs him his queen and the game. Scintillating chess!

§¹ ´”‘ ¤ “

“

ª²‘’

¯ 31. Rxh7+

ª”‘ ³

“

¹°‘’

35. Ke4

27. b7 Qe728. Qb3 Qc729. Rf7 Qc1+30. Kf2 Re831. * Rxh7+ Kxh732. Qf7+ Bg733. Qxe8 Bd4+34. Kf3 Qf1+35. * Ke4 Qe2+36. Kxd4 Qxe837. g3 Qd7+38. Ke5 Qxb739. Kf4 a540. h4 a441. h5 a342. Kg5 Qd5+43. Kf4 Qd4+44. Kf3 Qd3+45. Kg2 Qe2+46. Kh3 Qxh5+47. Kg2 Qe2+48. Kh3 g549. g4 Qf3+50. Kh2 a251. Kg1 a1=Q+52. Kh2 Qah1++

1. d4 e62. e4 g63. Be3 Bg74. Bd3 b65. Ne2 Bb76. Nd2 d67. f4 Nd78. c4 Ne79. * f5 exf510. O-O fxe411. Bxe4 d512. cxd5 Nxd513. Qb3 Qe714. Bxd5 Bxd515. Qxd5 Qxe3+16. Rf2 O-O17. Qxd7 Qxd218.* Raf1 Qxb219. Rxf7 Rxf720. Rxf7 Qa1+21. Rf1 Qxa222. Rc1 c523. dxc5 Bf824. cxb6 Qxe225.* Qd5+ Kh826. Rf1 Rb8

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘’‘’›

‘’ –• ‘’¦ ª² ¤ 9. f5

§ ¨³” ”ª “¹“” “

’

‘’ ¯•¦‘’¤²

18..Qxb2

§ ¹³” ª “’ “

‘’¦ ²

25. Qd5+



White’s Beginner’s Game confronts the highly aggressive double knight and bishop attack. Afterthe opening black smashes white’s position and threatens to win the queen, but white finds sharpcounterplay and stays in the game. Under pressure all the way, white fights back in a marvelousdisplay of tactical chess, and finally earns a draw. A true trial by fire for the new Beginner’s Game!

§“ ³”“

“–“” ’ ’

‘ ›¨‘ °

¤ 34..R8xe5

“” ›‘

‘ ¦“´

¨²

51. Bf5

¤

›”¨ ‘

‘ ´

”°

58..b5

39. Kf2 Rh340. Bg6 b6 41. Re1+ Kf642. Re8 Rb343. Rf8+ Kg544. Rf5+ Kg445. Rf7 Rxb446. Rxg7 Rb2+47. Kg1 Kg548. Rd7 f349. Rxd5+ Kf450. Rxd4+ Kg351.* Bf5 Rg2+52. Kf1 Rf2+53. Ke1 Re2+54. Kd1 Re555. Rg4+ Kh356. Bc8 f257. Rg8+ Kh458.* Bxa6 b559. Bxb5 Rxb560. Rf8 Rb1+61. Ke2 Rb2+62. Ke3 Kg363. h6 Rb3+64. Ke2 Rb2+65. Kd3 Rb3+66. Kd2 Rb2+67. Kc3 Rb868. Rf7 Rh869. Rg7+ Kf370. Rf7+ Kg271. Rg7+ Kf172. h7 Rc8+73. Kb4 Rb8+74. Kc5 Ke275. Re7+ Kf3drawn

1. b3 d52. e3 Nc63. Ne2 Bf54. Bb2 e55. g3 Nb46. d3 Bc57. Bg2 Nf68. Nd2 Ng49. * O-O Bxe310. fxe3 Nxe311.* Rxf5 O-O12. Qe1 Nxf513. Qf2 Nh614. Bxe5 Nxc215. Rc1 Ng416.* Qc5 Nxe517. Qxc2 Re818. Nf4 c619. d4 Qb620. Qc3 Ng621. Nxg6 hxg622. Bf1 Re723. Nf3 Rae824. Bd3 Re325. Kg2 Qd826. Qd2 a627. Ne5 Qg528. Rd1 c529. Qf2 f530. h4 Qh631. Qf4 Qxf432. gxf4 cxd433. Nxg6 Kf734.* Ne5+ R8xe535. fxe5 Ke636. h5 Kxe537. b4 f438. a4 Rg3+

§ ¯³ ¨”“” “”“

¹“”˜ —‘ ‘’ ’

‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤ 9. O-O

§ ¯³ ¨”“” “”“

“”˜‘ ‘˜ ’

‘ ‘–• ›’¦ ª ¤² 11. Rxf5

§ ¯ ¨³”“” “”“

“—

‘ ‘ ’‘ —–•¬›’

¦ ² 16. Qc5


Black’s Beginner’s Game here faces the aggressive ‘queen wing’ custom defense. The big forwardpawn wall succeeds only in exchanging a few pawns however, after which black obtains equality.At move 23 black launches a series of exchanges which wins him material, but which leaves whitea dangerous passed pawn. Black can then do no better than to harass white’s king for a draw.

´” ¹“‘ §¯ “

›

¦ª‘’²

28..Rc3

¦ “‘ ´“

° ‘’

37. Kd3

’ “´ “

¤

²’

after 59..Qf3

31. Rc8+ Kg732. Rc7+ Kf633. Rxa7 Qd1+34. Kf2 Qc2+35. Kf3 Qf5+36. Ke2 Qg4+37.* Kd3 Qxg238. Rb7 Qf1+39. Kd2 Ke540. Re7+ Kd641. Rb7 Qg2+42. Kd3 Qd5+43. Kc3 Qc6+44. Kd2 Ke545. Rb6 Qg2+46. Kd3 Qd5+47. Ke2 Qh148. a7 Qg2+49. Kd3 Qe4+50. Kd2 Qd5+51. Kc3 Qf352. Rb5+ Kd653. Kd2 Qg2+54. Kd3 Qf1+55. Kd4 Qd1+56. Kc3 Qf357. Kc4 Qe2+58. Kd4 Qd1+59. Kc3 Qf3*drawn

1. d4 d62. e4 e63. c4 Ne74. Nc3 g65. Nf3 Bg76. b4 b67. a4 Nd78. Be2 Bb79. O-O O-O10. a5 bxa511. bxa5 c512. a6 Bc613. Ra3 cxd414. Nxd4 Nc515. Bg5 Rc816. Qd2 Qd717.* f3 f518. Be3 fxe419. Nxc6 Rxc620. Nxe4 Nxe421. fxe4 Rxf1+22. Bxf1 Qc723.* Qb4 d524. cxd5 exd525. exd5 Nxd526. Qb3 Qd627. Bc4 Kh828. Bxd5 *Rc329. Qxc3 Bxc330. Rxc3 Qxd5

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “

‘’‘’‘– •

›’‘’¦ ª² ¤ 9. O-O

§ ¨³” ˜“¹“‘ ”“ “

˜‘–‘

¦ – ‘¬› ‘’

¤² 17..f5

³” ¯ ˜ ¹“‘ §”“ “

¬‘ ‘¦

‘’›²

23..d5



White provides a textbook win using the Beginner’s Game. With accurate play he gains thequality advantage and has all pieces in attack position by move 20. He then overpowers black inthe center, and starts an across-the-board assault on his hard pressed adversary. White finallytakes his victory in regal manner, mating with two queens and two rooks: a real Beginner’s treat!

§ ´“ § “— ’“

“ ‘¦’ ¬‘ ‘

‘ ¦°

33. e5

¤“ § ³— §’“”

’

’ ‘ ‘‘ ¦°

39..Nxe5

¤“ §

´‘¦ ”

’ §‘²

51. Re6+

38. Ra8+ Kh739.* Rf2 Nxe540. Re2 Rfxf641. Bxe5 Rf1+42. Kd2 g543. d4 Re744. h4 Ref745. hxg5 hxg546. Rh8+ Kg647. Rg8+ Kf548. Bd6 Rf349. Re5+ Kf650. d5 Rd751.* Re6+ Kf552. Rf8+ Kg453. Re4+ Kh554. Rxf3 Rxd655. Rd4 b556. Rc3 Rd757. d6 Kg658. Rf3 Kh559. Rf5 Kg660. Rxb5 Kf661. Rbd5 Rd862. c4 Ke663. d7 g464. c5 Rf865. c6 Rf2+66. Ke1 Rf867. c7 Rh868. d8=Q Rh1+69. Kf2 g3+70. Ke3 Re1+71. Kd2 Rd1+72. Kxd1 g273. c8=Q+ Kf774. Qdc7+ Kg675. Qa6++

1. b3 e52. Bb2 Nc63. d3 d54. e3 Nf65. Ne2 Bd66. Nd2 Be67. g3 O-O8. Bg2 Bb49.* a3 Bxd2+10. Qxd2 Qd611. O-O-O a512. h3 a413. b4 Rfe814. f4 exf415. Nxf4 Ne516. Nxe6 Qxe617. Rdf1 Qd618. g4 Nfd719. Rf5 Rac820. Rhf1 c521.* bxc5 Nxc522. Kd1 Ncd723. Qb4 Qc624. R1f2 f625. g5 g626.* Qd4 Kh827. R5f4 Qb528. gxf6 Nf729. Bxd5 Nde530. e4 Nc631. Qc3 Rf832. Bxf7 Rxf733.* e5 Qd534. Qc4 Qxc435. Rxc4 Re836. Rxa4 h637. Re2 Re6

§ ¯ ¨³”“” “”“

— ˜“”

¹‘ ‘’ ’

‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤ 9. a3

§ § ³“ — “”“

¯”“˜¤

“’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘

‘¬ ›² ¤

21. bxc5

§ § ³“ — “

”““˜¤’

“¬’ ‘’ ‘

‘ ¦›°

26. Qd4

Game 40: Beginner’s Game with Black (Queen and Bishop Early Attack)

The author with black plays the Beginner’s Game and defeats his strong computer rival in astraightforward manner. White attacks on the queen side as black launches a king side assault.Black goes a pawn up early, then trades down to a knight and rook endgame. At the right momentblack launches his mobile king side castled position forward, creates a passed pawn, and wins.

§¤ “´”• “

“‘ — “

²’ ’‘

33. Kf4

§“´

• “¤’‘ ²

“˜

37..Rh8

31. c4 Nf632. Nc6 Ne4+33.* Kf4 Nxf234. Rxb6 h435. b4 h336. gxh3 gxh337.* Rb5 Rh838. Ra5 h239. Ra1 h1=Q40. Rxh1 Rxh141. Ke3 Ng4+42. Kd4 Rd1+43. Kc5 Kf644. b5 Ne545. Nxe5 Kxe546. Kb6 f547. c5 f448. c6 Kd649. c7 Rc150. Kb7 Rxc7+51. Kb8 f352. b6 Rc353. b7 f254. Ka7 Ra3+55. Kb6 Rb3+56. Ka7 Kc757. b8=Q+ Rxb858. Ka6 f1=Q+59. Ka7 Qa1++

1. e4 b62. d4 g63. Nf3 Bb74. Nc3 Bg75. Bd3 d66. O-O Nd77. Qe2 e68. Ba6 Bxa69. * Qxa6 h610. Be3 g511. a4 Ne712. a5 O-O13. Rfd1 Ng614. axb6 cxb615. Nb5 Qb816.* e5 g417. Nd2 dxe518. dxe5 Bxe519. Nc4 Bxh2+20. Kh1 Nde521. Qa4 Nxc422.* Qxc4 Bf423. Bxf4 Qxf424. Qxf4 Nxf425. Rxa7 Rxa726. Nxa7 Ra827. Rd7 h528. Kh2 Nd529. Rb7 Kf830. Kg3 Kg7

§ ¯³ —¨” ”— “¹“” ”“ “

’‘– •

‘’‘ ª’‘’¦ ¤² 9. Qxa6

§¯ ¨³” — “¹ª” ”“ —”• ’ ”

’•

’‘ ’‘’¦ ¤ ² 16..g4

§¯ ¨³” “” “ —”•ª “

’‘ ’‘¹¦ ¤ ° 22..Bf4

Early Attacks 147

Game 41: Beginner’s Game with White (Center Pawn Early Attack)

White plays the Beginner’s Game, not reacting to the center pawn attack until black exchanges.White refuses a riskier second center pawn exchange and consolidates his defense. Black’schallenge for the center trips up as white wins one pawn and then another. Here’s an illustrationof the main defects of early attacks: delayed development, loss of time, and no gain of material!

¤ ¨³”“ ”“

‘‘’

’‘‘ ¨¦ ² 29. Rac1

´”“

’¦

²‘’¨‘

39..Rb3

³¦“

’²

‘’§ ‘

43. f5

31. Rc8+ Ke732. Rc7+ Kf833. Rxb7 a534. Ra7 Ra1+35. Kf2 Ra2+36. Ke3 Ra3+37. Kd4 Rb338. Rxa5 Rxg339.* b6 Rb340. Kc5 Ke741. Ra7+ Kd842. Rxg7 Kc843.* f5 Rc3+44. Kd4 Rf345. Ke5 Rxh346. f6 h647. Rg8+ Kb748. f7 Rf349. f8=Q Rxf850. Rxf8 Kxb651. Kd6 Kb552. e5 Kc453. e6 h554. Rc8+ Kd355. e7 h456. e8=Q Kd257. Qe4 Kd158. Rc2 h359. Qe2++

1. b3 e52. Bb2 d53. d3 Bb4+4. Nd2 Nf65. g3 O-O6. Bg2 e47. e3 exd38. cxd3 d49. * e4 Bc310. Qc2 Bxb211. Qxb2 Nc612. Ngf3 Bg413. O-O Nd714. h3 Bxf315. Nxf3 f516.* b4 fxe417. dxe4 Qe718. b5 Qb419. Rfb1 Qxb220. Rxb2 Nce521. Nxd4 Nc522. Rc2 Ned323.* Bf1 Rad824. Bxd3 Rxd425. Rxc5 Rxd326. Rxc7 Rd227. f4 Rf728. Rc8+ Rf829.* Rac1 Rxa230. Rxf8+ Kxf8

§˜ ¯ ¨³”“” “”“

˜

¹ ”‘ ‘’ ’

‘ – ’›’¦ ª² –¤ 9. e4

§ ¯ ¨³”“”— ”“

—“

”‘‘ ‘ •’‘

‘¬ ’›¦ ¤² 16. b4

§ ¨³”“” ”“

‘˜–‘— ’‘

‘ ¤ ’›¦ ² 23. Bf1

Game 42: Beginner’s Game with Black (Rook Pawn Early Attack)

Black responds to the rook pawn attack by moving into variant Bv12, and then completes hisBeginner’s Game. A terrific queen and rook battle ensues, with each side threatening to promotea central passed pawn. Black cleverly shuts down white’s threat while keeping his own alive. Atmove 45 black goes a pawn up, which proves to be just enough to win. Interesting game!

§ ³’ ¨“¹

“¦ “”’

¤“ •

’‘’ª ²

45. Qc1

¨ “ ³“”

”

¦ ’‘’²

63. Ra4

¤

²“¨

´79. Kb5 Kf3 80. Rg5 Rxg381. Rxh5 f4 82. Kc4 Kg283. Rf5 f3 84. Kd3 Kg185.* Ke3 f2+ Resigns

40. Qd1 Re741. Rcc4 Rc842. Qb1 Qd643. Rb6 d344. c7 Qd545.* Qc1 Qxa546. Rb8 Ree847. Rc5 Qa248. Qf4 a549. h3 Qa350. Rc6 Qe751. Rb7 Qe252. Rb1 Qe453. Qxe4 Rxe454. Rb8 Ree855. Rb3 Kh756. g3 Re757. Rb7 Be558. Nxe5 Rxe559. Rd6 Rc560. Rxd3 R8xc761. Rxc7 Rxc762. Ra3 Ra763.* Ra4 Kg764. Kf1 Kf665. Ke2 Ke666. Kd3 Kd567. Kc3 Kc568. Kb3 Rb7+69. Ka3 Rb570. Re4 Rb171. Re7 f572. Rc7+ Kd573. Rd7+ Ke474. Rh7 h575. Rg7 Rf176. Rxg6 Rxf277. Ka4 Rh278. Kxa5 Rxh3

1. d4 b62. e4 d63. Nf3 Bb74. Bf4 Nd75. a4 a66. a5 b57. Nbd2 g68. Bd3 Bg79. * O-O e610. c3 Ne711. c4 bxc412. Nxc4 O-O13. Rc1 h614. Ncd2 Rb815. Qa4 e516. Be3 exd417. Bxd4 Nc518. Bxc5 Bc619. Qd1 dxc520. Nc4 Re821. Qc2 Bb722. Rfe1 Nc623. Rcd1 Nd424. Nxd4 cxd425.* Nd2 Qd626. Rc1 Qb427. Ra1 Bc828. Reb1 Qd629. Rc1 Re730. Ra2 Bb731. Ra4 Rbe832. Rc4 c633. b4 Rd834. Nf3 Qf435.* Qb3 c536. bxc5 Bxe437. Bxe4 Rxe438. c6 Qc739. Rb4 Qf4

§ ¯³ —¨”—”“¹“

“ ” “’“

’‘› •

’‘– ’‘’¦ ª² ¤ 9. O-O

¨ ¯§ ³” “¹

“ “”’

•”‘›

’ª ’‘’¤¦ ²

25. Nd2

¨ ³¨“¹

“ “ “”’’¤”‘¯ª › •

’‘’¦ ²

35..c5

Early Attacks 149

Game 43: Beginner’s Game with White (Knight and Bishop Early Attack)

White’s Beginner’s Game is hit by the knight and bishop early attack. Black sacrifices a piece todisrupt his position, but white counterattacks (move 10. Ne4 is worth remembering) and retainshis advantage. White wins a pawn and stops black’s promotion threat with a slick rook sacrificeat move 29. It’s then an easy task for white to shepherd his own pawns forward to victory. Theknight and bishop attack looks far more dangerous than it really is: beginners take heart!

³” ¦“

““

²‘ ¨‘’

29. Rxc7+

³“

“’°’ “

‘

35. Kc5

26. cxd3 g527. Be3 g428. Re7 h529.* Rxc7+ Kxc730. Bf4+ Kb631. Bxg3 Kb532. d4 Ka533. Kc4 Kb634. b4 Kb735.* Kc5 h436. Bxh4 Kc737. Bg3+ Kd738. d5 cxd539. Kxd5 Kd840. b5 Kc841. Kc6 Kd842. b6 Ke743. Kd5 Kf644. b7 Kg645. b8=Q Kg746. Ke6 Kh647. Kf6 Kh748. Qb7+ Kg849. Qg7++

1. d3 d52. e3 e53. Nd2 Bc54. Ne2 Nc65. g3 Nf66. Bg2 Ng47. h3 Nxf28. Kxf2 Qf6+9. * Ke1 Bxe310. Ne4 dxe411. Bxe3 exd312. Qxd3 Bf513.* Qb5 O-O-O14. Bxc6 Qxc615. Qxc6 bxc616. Rf1 Bxh317. Rxf7 Rhf818. Rxf8 Rxf819. Kd2 Rd8+20. Kc3 Bg421. Nc1 Rf822. Nd3 Rf323. Re1 Rxg324.* Bxa7 Bf525. Rxe5 Bxd3

§ ³ ¨”“” “”“

— ¯¹“”

‘’ ’‘‘’‘–•²›¦ ª ¤ 9. Ke1

§ ³ ¨”“” “”“

— ¯”

ª ’‘‘’‘ • ›¦ ² ¤ 13. Qb5

³” ” ”“

“”

²• ¨‘’‘

¦ 24. Bxa7


Black plays the Beginner’s Game until he has to respond to the queen and bishop attack, thenmoves into BvE. After the opening white attacks, but black’s defense is tight. Impatient with theclosed position, white tries to open it with his 31st move. Black offers the exchange at move 36,and then sends his queen on a wild rampage thru white’s poorly coordinated defenses. A big win!

ª —´” “” “”

¤ ‘

•‘’

¹° 40..Qd3+

ª —´” “” “”‘

’

°–

45..Qh1

—” ´” “”

“• ’

°

50. Kd3

39. Ke1 Qxe4+40.* Kd1 Qd3+ 41. Kxc1 Qxb542. Nd2 Qc5+43. Kd1 Qg1+44. Kc2 Qxg245.* h4 Qh146. Qa4 Qxd547. Qf4 Kg748. Qc4 Qxc4+49. Nxc4 f550.* Kd3 Nf651. Ne3 Kf752. Ng2 Nd553. Ne1 c554. Nf3 Ke655. Ke2 Nc3+56. Kd2 Ne4+57. Ke3 d558. Kd3 Kd659. Ne1 Ke560. Ke2 c461. Nf3+ Kf462. Nd4 Ng3+63. Kf2 Ke464. Ne6 f465. Nc5+ Kf566. Ke1 Ke567. Nd7+ Kd468. Nf6 h569. Nd7 c370. Nf6 f371. Kf2 Ne4+72. Kxf3 c273. Nxe4 dxe4+74. Kg3 e375. Kf4 c1=Qresigns

1. e4 e62. d4 d63. Nc3 Ne74. Nf3 Nd75. Bd3 g66. O-O Bg77. Qe2 b68. Ba6 O-O9. * Bxc8 Rxc810. d5 e511. Be3 h612. a4 a513. Rfb1 Ra814. b4 Nf615. bxa5 Rxa516. Nb5 Ra817. Qc4 Rc818. a5 bxa519. Na7 Rb820. Rxb8 Qxb821. Nd2 Qd822. Nc6 Nxc623. Qxc6 Qb824. f3 Rd825. Rxa5 Ne826. Ra7 Qb427. Ra4 Qb828. Nb3 Kf829. Ra7 Kg830. Rb7 Qa831.* f4 exf432. Bxf4 Qa233. Bc1 Qb134. Qc4 Ra835. Rb5 Kf836.* Qc6 Bb237. Qxa8 Bxc138. Kf2 Qxc2+

§ ¯ ¨³” ”—˜“¹“›” ”“ “

’‘– •

‘’‘ ª’‘’¦ ¤² 9. Bxc8

¨— ³¤” “¹ª” “”‘”‘

• ‘‘ ‘’

² 31. f4

§ —´” “¹ª” “”¤ ‘

‘•‘ ‘’

² 36..Bb2

Early Attacks 151

Game 45: Beginner’s Game with White (Bishop Pin Early attack)

The author plays the Beginner’s Game, responding to the bishop pin early attack. He gains timewith both bishop pawn moves, and advances on the king side, trapping black’s bishop. A queenside castle strengthens his position. White stays on the offensive, and keeps up the momentumuntil the win. There are a few pretty moves towards the end. Not bad, as they say, for an amateur.

§¨“” “

“ ¹³’‘ •”

‘’ ‘‘ ¦

² ¦ 34. Ng7

§“ “

“ •‘ ”³

‘‘ §‘² ¦

¦ 41. Nf4+

§““ ’

¤‘¦ “

‘ ´‘²

48. Rxg4

31. Rg1 Bf632. Nd4 Kf733. Nxf5 Kg634.* Ng7 Re435. Ne6 Rg836. c4 Bxb2+37. Kxb2 Kxh638. Nxc7 Re339. Ne6 Kh540. Rf2 Rxh341.* Nf4+ Kh442. Nxh3 Kxh343. d6 g444. Rd2 h545. Rh1+ Kg346. Rxh5 Kf447. Rd4+ Ke348.* Rxg4 Rxg449. d7 Rg850. Re5+ Kf351. Re8 Rg2+52. Kc3 Rg353. d8=Q Kg4+54. Kd2 Rg2+55. Ke3 Rg3+56. Ke4 Re3+57. Kxe3 b558. Qd7+ Kh459. Rg8 a560. Qg4++

1. b3 e52. g3 d53. Bb2 Nc64. Bg2 Nf65. d3 Bb4+6. c3 Be77. Nd2 O-O8. e3 Bg49. * f3 Be610. Ne2 Qd711. f4 Bf512. Qc2 Ng413. Nf1 Rae814. h3 Nf615. g4 Bg616. f5 Bh517. Nh2 a618.* O-O-O Bc519. d4 Bd620. gxh5 exd421. exd4 Qe722. Rd2 Ne423. Bxe4 dxe424. h6 g625. d5 Ne526. Qxe4 Qg527.* Ng4 gxf528. Qe3 f629. Qxg5+ fxg530. Nxe5 Bxe5

§ ¯ ¨³”“” ¹“”“

— ˜“”

‘’‘’ ’‘ – ’›’¦ ª² –¤ 9. f3

§¨³“” ¹“”“

“ — ˜“”‘

‘‘’‘’ ‘‘ ª • ›–¦ ² ¤ 18. O-O-O

§¨³“” “ “

“ ¹ “’‘˜‘¯ª

‘’ ‘‘ ¦• –

² ¤ 27. Ng4


Black avoids the center pawn attack by advancing his pawn, and completes his Beginner’s Gamewith the strong queen side castle. Black then attacks on the king side, bringing all his pieces andking side pawns into the assault. White shifts pieces about, barely able to respond to changingthreats. In the end black traps his adversary in the king corner and nothing can stop mate.

´ ¨ ¨”

“ ” ¯’“ ‘¹“ “’ “ ’

’› ‘¬•’

¤ ¤ ° 35..f4

´ ¨”

“ ” ¯’“ ‘¹ “’ “”§’’ ’

› •’¬¤ ¤²

38..f3

´”

“ ”’“ ‘¹ “’ “¬§¯’ “’

› ’¤¦ ²

41..Qh3

24. Nf1 h525. h3 Nh626. h4 Be727. Nh2 Rdf828. Qe2 Ng429.* exf5 Nxh230. Kxh2 gxf531. Rf1 e432. Rad1 Bf633. Qd2 Be534. Kh1 Qf635.* Ne2 f436. Qc1 Rhg837. c3 Rg438.* Kg1 f339. Nf4 Qxh440. Rfe1 Rfxf441.* Qxf4 Qh342. Qf8+ Ka743. Qxf3 exf344. c4 Qg2++

1. e4 e62. d4 b63. Nf3 Bb74. Nc3 g65. Bc4 Bg76. Be3 Ne77. O-O d68. d5 e59. * Qe2 a610. a4 Nd711. Nd2 f512. Bg5 h613. Bxe7 Qxe714. Qe3 Bf615. Nf3 O-O-O16. b4 Kb817. Rfb1 Qf718. Rd1 Be719. a5 b520. Ba2 Nf621. Nd2 Ng422. Qf3 Bh423.* g3 Bg5

§˜ ¯³ ¨” ” ˜“¹“” ” “

‘”› ‘– •

‘’‘ ’‘’¦ ª ¤² 9. Qe2

´ ¨ ¨”

“ ” “”’“ ‘”“’ ‘ —¹– ª

› ‘– ’‘’¦ ¤ ² 23. g3

´ ¨ ¨” ¹

“ ” “’“ ‘”“ “’ ‘ —’– ’

› ‘ ª’ –¦ ¤ ² 29. exf5

Early Attacks 153

Game 47: Beginner’s Game with white (Bishop Pin Early Attack)

The author with white plays close variant Bv3’F against his computer rival. This position is bestreached by repulsing the bishop pin, as in this case. White’s defense holds, and his attack isgood, but it doesn’t quite succeed. White uses some rather unusual knight moves to support theattack. The finale is quite interesting, white finds a clever way to save a draw. Good try, mate!

¨ ´¯ ”‘

” ¹ ˜” ” ˜§–‘

‘” ”’‘ ‘ •

¬ ’° ¦ ¤

32. Nxf4

´”‘

”” ” ¹ –‘

‘” —’‘ ‘

’² ¦ ¦ 38. Rxg4

´”‘

”” ” ¦ –‘

‘”’‘ ‘

¯²

43..Qh1+

28. Nfg5 Bf529. Bg4 Ne530. Bxf5 Rxf531. Bc1 Ref832.* Nxf4 Rxf433. Qxf4 Rxf434. Bxf4 Qf635. Bxe5 Bxe536. Rhg1 Qf537. Ka1 Ng438.* Rxg4 Qxg439. Rxe5 Qg1+40. Kb2 Qxf2+41. Kc1 Qg1+42. Kd2 Qh2+43.* Kc1 Qh1+44. Kb2 Qg2+45. Kc1 Qf1+ drawn

1. e3 d52. g3 Nc63. b3 a64. Bb2 e55. d3 b66. Nd2 Nh67. Be2 Bb48. c3 Bd69. * Qc2 O-O10. h3 Be611. O-O-O Qd712. Kb1 f613. Nf1 Kh814. Nh2 Rae815. g4 f516. g5 Nf717. h4 a518.* c4 d419. Nhf3 Nb420. Qd2 c521. h5 f422. exf4 exf423. g6 Nh624. gxh7 Ng425. Nh3 Qe726. a3 Nc627.* Rde1 Nh6

§ ¯³ ¨” “”“

“”—¹ ˜“”

‘’‘’ ’‘ –›’ ’¦ ª² –¤ 9. Qc2

§¨ ´” —”“

”—¹” “”“’

’‘’‘’‘ ª ›’ –° ¤ –¤

18. c4

§¨ ´¯ ”‘

”—¹” ” ‘

‘” ”—’‘ ‘ • •

¬›’° ¤ ¤

27. Rde1


Black avoids the center pawn attack and subsequent bishop attack on his rook, moving intoBv5’A’. White trades his bishops for knights and goes after a pawn. Black parries all white’sthreats, and then responds with highly effective counterattacks, smashing white’s position. andeventually winning rook odds Another easy victory for the remarkably strong Beginner’s Game!

¨³¹

¬ “”‘

‘ “

‘¯ ‘’¦°

26..Qf2

¨³

“”‘

‘ ¹

‘ ¯‘’¬ ¦°

29..Qxg1+

‘´° “

“§

’

40. Kc5

26.* Qxd6 Qf2 27. Qe6+ Kh728. Qxe4 Bd429.* Qe1 Qxg1+30. Qxg1 Bxg131. Kxg1 Rc832. Kf2 Rxc2+33. Ke3 Kg734. g3 Rxh235. Kd4 Ra236. Kc5 Rxa437. d6 Kf638. d7 Ke739. Kc6 h540.* Kc5 Kxd741. Kd5 Rg442. Kc5 Ke643. Kc6 Rxg344. Kc5 h445. Kd4 h346. Kc4 h247. Kb4 h1=Q48. Kb5 Qd5+49. Ka4 Qc4+50. Ka5 Rg5+51. Kb6 Rb5+52. Ka7 Qa2++

1. Nf3 g62. e4 d63. d4 b64. Nc3 e65. d5 e56. Bb5+ Nd77. Bc6 Rb88. Qd3 Bg79. * Bg5 Ne710. b4 O-O11. O-O h612. Bxe7 Qxe713. a4 a514. Bxd7 Bxd715. bxa5 bxa516.* Rfb1 f517. Rxb8 Rxb818. Qa6 fxe419. Nd2 e320. fxe3 e421.* Qxa5 Qg522. Kh1 Qxe323. Qxc7 Rf824. Qxd7 Qxc325. Rg1 Qxd2

¨ ¯³ —¨” ”— “¹“”›” “

‘”‘

–ª •‘’‘ ’‘’¦ ² ¤ 9. Bg5

¨ ³” ¯ ¹

ª ” “”” ‘”“‘ ‘

– •‘ ’‘’

¦ ² 16..f5

¨ ³” ¯ ¹” “”

¬ ‘‘ “

– ’‘– ‘’

¦ ² 21..Qg5

Early Attacks 155


Black’s Beginner’s Game is interrupted by the queen and bishop early attack. White invades withhis queen, and wins a pawn. He pays a high price for this pawn however: black’s strong king sideattack forces him to defend for the remainder of the game! Black finds interesting moves (23,28)to keep white under pressure. At move 33 black obtains equality, then quickly brings the game toa drawn conclusion. Aggressive players will enjoy playing such lines, with their powerful attacks.

³ ¨”” ”“”’—–ª› ‘

‘’‘ ‘¦ ² 28..Nf2

” ³”” ”

¨›² ‘

‘’‘ ‘¤

33..Bxg2

”³“” ²

’’‘

39..c4

25. Re2 Rxe226. Nxe2 c527. Nf4 Ne428.* Qg4 Nf229. Kxf2 e530. Qxd7+ Kxd731. dxe5 Rxf4+32. Ke3 dxe533.* Rf1 Bxg234. Rxf4 exf4+35. Kxf4 Bxh336. Bf5+ Bxf537. Kxf5 b538. Ke5 Kc639.* a3 c440. Kd4 a641. b3 cxb342. cxb3 a543. b4 axb444. axb4 Kd645. Ke4 Ke646. Kd4 Kd647. Ke4 Ke648. Kd4 Kd6drawn

1. e4 d62. d4 g63. Be3 Nd74. Nf3 b65. Qd2 e66. Bd3 Ne77. Nc3 Bb78. Bh6 f59. * Bxf8 Rxf810. Qh6 Nf611. Ng5 Qd712. Nxh7 Nxh713. Qxh7 fxe414. Nxe4 O-O-O15. O-O Rh816. Qg7 Rdg817.* Qf6 Rf818. Qg5 Rh519. Qg4 Nd520. Nc3 Nf621. Qg3 g522. Rfe1 Rh423.* h3 Rf424. Qxg5 Rxf2

§ ¯³¹ ¨” ”—˜ “” ”“ “

“’‘–› •

‘’‘¬ ’‘’¦ ² ¤ 9. Bxf8

³ §¨” ” ˜” ”“¬“

’•›

‘’‘ ’‘’¦ ¤² 17..Rf8

³ ¨” ”” ”“˜

”’ ¨

–› ¬‘‘’‘ ’‘¦ ¦ ² 23. Rf4

Game 50: Beginner’s Game with Black (Bishop Pin Early Attack)

Black’s Beginner’s Game is challenged by a bishop pin early attack. Black reacts aggressively bymoving into close variant Bv56’ and completes his standard opening. White attacks for most ofthe game, but black skillfully defuses every threat. White finds a nice gambit (move 33) that finallywins a pawn, but then black develops his promotion threat to force the draw. Right on the edge!

¨³” “

““

¬‘’

‘’¦ ²

33. h3

” ‘ª ‘

´ ¯°

51..b3

ª ’

¯´ ° ‘”

71..Qc4

39. Qe8+ Kf640. Qd8+ Ke541. Qe7+ Kd442. Qxa7+ Kxe443. Qe7+ Kd344. Qd6+ Kc345. Qf6+ Kb346. Qxg6 Qe1+47. Kh2 b448. g4 Qf2+49. Kh1 Ka250. Qa6+ Kb251.* Qd3 b352. g5 Qc253. Qd4+ Ka354. Qd6+ Ka455. Qd4+ Kb556. Qd5+ Kb657. Qd4+ Kc658. Qa4+ Kd659. g6 Qc1+60. Kh2 Qd2+61. Kg3 Qe3+62. Kg2 Qe2+63. Kg3 Qe5+64. Kg4 b265. Qa6+ Kc566. Qa7+ Kb467. Qb7+ Kc368. g7 Qe6+69. Kf4 Qf6+70. Ke3 Qd4+71.* Kf3 Qc472. Kg3 Qd3+73. Kf4 Qf1+74. Ke5 Qe1+75. Kf6 Qh4+drawn

1. d4 d62. Bg5 f63. Bd2 g64. e4 Bg75. Nf3 b66. Bc4 Bb77. Nc3 Nd78. O-O e59. * Qe2 Ne710. dxe5 dxe511. Rad1 Nc812. Bd5 Bxd513. Nxd5 Nd614. Be3 O-O15. Qd3 Rf716. Nxc7 Qxc717.* Qxd6 Qxc218. Qd5 Rd819. Rc1 Qxb220. Rc7 Qa321. Ng5 fxg522. Bxg5 Rf823.* Rxd7 Qa424. Be7 Rc825. Rd8+ Rxd826. Qxd8+ Bf827. Bxf8 Rxf828. Qd5+ Rf729. Qxe5 Qxa230. f4 Qe231. Qd4 b532. Rc1 Rf833.* h3 Rxf434. Rc8+ Rf835. Rxf8+ Kxf836. Qh8+ Ke737. Qxh7+ Kf638. Qh8+ Ke6

§ ¯³ —¨” ”— ¹“” ” ”“

”›’‘– •

‘’‘ ’‘’¦ ª ¤² 9. Qe2

§ ³” ¯— §¹“” ˜ ”“

”‘

ª •‘’‘ ’‘’

¤ ¤² 17. Qxd6

¨³” ¤ §¹“” “

ª”‘

¯‘ ’‘’

¤² 23..Qa4

Early Attacks 157

Game 51: Beginner’s Game with Black (Fianchetto Early Attack)

Black responds to a fianchetto early attack by moving into Bv4B. He puts white in difficulty early,piling on the queen pawn, and winning a rook for piece and pawn. Black plays a well calculatedseries of exchanges that keeps white under fire and clears the board. He stays ahead until thevery end, but in a thrilling finale white develops his promotion threat and finally earns the draw.

• ³“

” “”

’ ¨’

›²

34. Kg1

“´‘

”’–²

§ 47..Rh8

’‘”

³²

“¨ –

62..Rxg1

34.* Kg1 b535. Nd6 Kg736. Nxb5 h537. Kf2 Rc438. Ke3 Rc139. Kd4 Ra140. Kc3 h441. Kb2 Rg142. Bc6 g543. a4 h344. a5 h245. a6 h1=Q46. Bxh1 Rxh147.* Nc3 Rh848. b5 Ra849. Kb3 g450. Ne2 Kf651. Kb4 Ke552. Ka5 Kd653. b6 Re854. Nd4 g355. a7 g256. Nf3 Kc657. Ka6 f658. Ng1 Kc559. b7 Re6+60. Ka5 Re161. Ka4 Kc462.* Ka3 Rxg163. a8=Q Ra1+64. Kb2 Rxa865. bxa8=Q g1=Q66. Qa6+ Kd567. Qxf6 Qg2+drawn

1. g3 b62. Bg2 Nc63. Nf3 Bb74. O-O e65. d4 g66. Nc3 Nge77. a3 Bg78. Qd3 d59. * Re1 O-O10. e4 dxe411. Rxe4 Qd712. Be3 Nf513. Rd1 Rad814. Qe2 Qc815. h3 Qa816.* Nb5 Nce717. Nxc7 Qc818. Bf4 Bxe419. Qxe4 h620. h4 Qd721. Qe2 e522. Bxe5 Bxe523. Qxe5 Nc624. Qf4 Ncxd425. Nxd4 Nxd426.* Kh2 Ne627. Rxd7 Nxf428. Rxd8 Rxd829. gxf4 Rc830. Nb5 Rxc231. Nxa7 Rxf232. b4 Rxf433. Nc8 Rxh4+

§ ¯³ ¨” ” ˜“¹“”— “ “

“’

’ –ª •’’‘ ‘’›’

¦ ¤² 9. Re1

¨ ¨³” ” “¹“”— “ “• —

’¤’ •’‘’‘ ª’›

¤ ² 16..Nce7

¨ ¨³” – “” “”

˜ ¬ ’’ ’’‘ ’›²

¤ 26..Ne6


Black’s Beginner’s Game is interrupted by the queen and bishop attack. A wild series ofexchanges follows the opening. Black first manages to maintain equality (3 pawns for piece), butthen white’s two pieces start to clean up. Black fights on and finally earns a draw in a colossalendgame. There is plenty of action for risk takers in the sharper lines of the Beginner’s Game!

³“

‘ ¦“– ²

¨ 43..Rg1+

’ ³¦ ”• °”

§

68..Rf2+

’³

•²“¨“

¤ 75..Rf1

40. Rf5 Rh1+41. Kg3 Ra142. Nc3 Kg643.* Rf4 Rg1+44. Kf2 Rc145. Rc4 Kf546. Rc5+ Kg647. Kg3 Rg1+48. Kh2 Ra149. Rd5 Ra350. Rd3 h451. Kg1 Kf552. Kg2 Rb353. a5 Ra354. Rd5+ Kf655. Ne4+ Ke656. Rh5 Ra2+57. Kf1 Ra1+58. Kf2 Ra2+59. Ke3 Ra3+60. Kf4 g361. Rh6+ Kd562. Rd6+ Kc463. Nd2+ Kc564. Rg6 Kb565. Rb6+ Kc566. Nb3+ Kd567. Kf3 Ra268.* Rb4 Rf2+69. Ke3 Rb270. Rd4+ Kc671. Nd2 h372. Nf3 Kb573. Kf4 g274. Rd1 Rf275.* Kg3 Rf176. Kxh3 Rxd177. Kxg2 Kxa5drawn

1. e4 e62. d4 g63. Nf3 Bg74. Be2 b65. O-O Bb76. Bg5 Ne77. Qd2 d68. Bh6 Bxh69. * Qxh6 Bxe410. Nc3 Bxc211. Ne1 Bf512. g4 e513. gxf5 Nxf514. Qd2 Nxd415. f4 O-O16. fxe5 dxe517. Rd1 Nbc618. Nf3 Nxf3+19. Bxf3 Qxd220.* Rxd2 Rad821. Re2 Nd422. Rxe5 Nxf3+23. Rxf3 Rd224. Re7 Rxb225. Rxc7 Re826. Rfxf7 Re1+27. Rf1 Rxf1+28. Kxf1 Rxh229.* Rxa7 h530. Ra6 Rc231. Nd5 Kf732. Nxb6 g533. Nd5 Rc1+34. Kg2 Rc2+35. Kf3 Rc136. Rf6+ Kg737. a4 g4+38. Kg3 Rg1+39. Kh4 Rd1

§˜ ¯³ ¨” ” ˜“ “” ”“ “¹

’‘•

‘’‘¬›’‘’¦• ¤² 9. Qxh6

§ ¨³” ” “ “”— “

”

– ›‘’ ¦ ’

¤² 20..Rad8

³¦ “” “

–‘ ¨

° 29..h5

Early Attacks 159

Game 53: Beginner’s Game with Black (Bishop Pin Early Attack)

Black interrupts his Beginner’s Game to repulse white’s bishop and then moves into close variantBv6’D”. White attacks furiously after the opening, sacrificing a piece to open the queen side.Black holds, then counter attacks. The tension culminates when white has to delay his pawnadvances to defend. Black then takes enough material to guarantee a decisive win. Well played!

¨ ´’ “

¤˜ “‘”

¹ ’’ °’

36. d6

¹‘ §´

“”

” ’‘¦ °

45..e2

“’“’

³ °¹

60. Kh2

36.* d6 Bc537. b4 Bxd638. Rxb6 Bxc739. Rc6 Bb840. b5 Kg741. b6 e442. b7 Rf743. Rb6 e344. Rb2 h645.* h3 e246. Rxe2 Rxb747. Re3 Ba748. Rc3 Rf749. g4 Kf650. Rf3+ Ke651. Rxf7 Kxf752. Kf3 Kf653. h4 Ke554. Kg3 Ke455. Kg2 Kf456. Kh3 Kf357. g5 h558. Kh2 Bd459. Kh3 Bf260.* Kh2 Bxh461. Kg1 Bxg562. Kf1 Bd263. Kg1 g564. Kh2 g465. Kg1 g366. Kh1 h467. Kg1 Be3+68. Kh1 g2+69. Kh2 g1=Q+70. Kh3 Qg3++

1. e4 e62. d4 b63. Nc3 Bb74. Nf3 g65. Bd3 Bg76. Bg5 f67. Be3 Qe78. O-O d69. * d5 e510. a4 a611. a5 b512. Nxb5 axb513. Bxb5+ Kf814. a6 Nxa615. Qd3 f516. Nd2 f417.* Bxa6 Bxa618. Rxa6 Rxa619. Qxa6 fxe320. fxe3+ Nf621. Qa8+ Kf722. Qa3 Rb823. Ra1 Qd724. c4 Qg425. c5 Qe226. Qa7 Rf827.* cxd6 Qxd228. dxc7 Kg829. Qb6 Kh830. Qc5 Nxe431. Qc1 Bh632. Qxd2 Nxd233. g3 Bxe3+34. Kg2 Nc435. Ra6 Nb6

§˜ ³ —¨” ” ¯ ¹“” ”“”“

’‘–› •

‘’‘ ’‘’¦ ª ¤² 9. d5

§ ´—¨” ¯ ¹“

— ” “› ‘”

‘”ª

’‘– ’‘’¦ ¤² 17. Bxa6

¨¬ ” ³¹“

’ ˜“‘”‘’

’ – ‘’¦ ² 27..Qxd2


Black moves into Bv1E, in the face of a center pawn attack, then completes his Beginner’s Game.Afterwards he keeps the game under control, trading down carefully, and staying even with whiteright down to the wire. In a highly entertaining knight and pawn endgame, black first goes apawn up, then a pawn down, and then finally draws. Neck and neck from start to finish!

—´“ “ °

’• ‘

50..d4

˜

’

• ´“ °

61. Kf4

¬

³–

¯°

75..Qe5+

40. Ke3 Nc2+41. Kf3 Nxb442. d4 gxf443. gxf4 Kd744. d5 f545. Nxb5 Nxd546. Nd4 Ne747. Kg3 d548. Kh4 Kd649. Nb3 Nc650.* Kxh5 d451. h4 d352. Kg6 Ke753. Nd2 Kf854. Kxf5 Kg755. Kg5 Nd856. Kg4 Nb757. Nc4 Kh658. Kf3 Kh559. f5 Kxh460. f6 Nd861.* Kf4 Kh562. Kf5 Nf763. Nd2 Nd6+64. Ke6 Kg565. Nb1 Kg666. Nc3 Nf767. Ne4 Ng5+68. Nxg5 d269. f7 d1=Q70. f8=Q Qe2+71. Kd5 Qd3+72. Ke5 Qc3+73. Ke4 Qc4+74. Ke3 Qc3+75.* Ke2 Qe5+76. Ne4 Qxe4+77. Kd2 Kg5drawn

1. d4 g62. e4 e63. Bc4 b64. Nf3 Bb75. d5 Ne76. O-O Bg77. Re1 O-O8. Nc3 a69. * a4 h610. Bf4 exd511. exd5 d612. Qd2 Kh713. Re2 Nd714. Rae1 Re815. Nd4 Ne516. Ba2 Qd717. b4 b518. Bxe5 Bxe519. axb5 axb520. Bb3 Bxd421. Qxd4 Nf522.* Qd3 Rxe223. Nxe2 Re824. Rf1 Re525. Nc3 c626. h3 Qe827. g3 h528. Kh2 Kg729. Rg1 f630. Ba2 Re131. dxc6 Bxc632. Bd5 Bxd533. Nxd5 Qe234. Kg2 Rxg1+35. Kxg1 Qxd336.* cxd3 Kf737. Nc3 Nd438. f4 Ke639. Kf2 g5

§˜ ¯ ¨³”“˜“¹“

“” “ “‘

› ‘– •

‘’‘ ’‘’¦ ª¦ ² 9. a4

§ §” “ ³” “”

“ ‘ —’›–ª‘ ¤’‘’

¦ ² 22..Rxe2

´” ”“

“ • — “’

‘ ’‘’²

36..Kf7

Early Attacks 161

Game 55: Beginner’s Game with Black (Combination Early Attack)

Black avoids a simultaneous center pawn and fianchetto attack on his Beginner’s Game, bymoving into variant Bv5’E. Both sides attack well after the opening, but black develops morethreats. He accepts a sharp gambit on move 17, and finally gets to keep the pawn. But then whitefinds good counterplay, regains his lost pawn, and robs black just short of victory. Hard luck!

§ ´”“ ¹

” “”•

²‘‘

¦ ’

31..Be5+

´”“

¦ “”

¨ ‘‘ ‘

°

36..Rxb3

” ´ ”“

² ‘’

43..Kf7

26. Kg3 Nb627. b3 Qxd228. Rxd2 h629. Bf4 Nd530. Nb5 Nxf431.* Kxf4 Be5+32. Kf3 Rf8+33. Kg2 Rf434. h3 Rb435. Nxd6 Bxd636.* Rxd6 Rxb337. Rxg6 Rb638. Rxb6 axb639. Kf3 Kg740. Ke4 Kf641. h4 b542. Kd5 b643.* Kd4 Kf744. Kc3 Ke645. Kb4 Ke546. Kxb5 Kf447. g5 hxg548. hxg5 Kxg549. Kxb6 drawn

1. d4 e62. g3 g63. Bg2 Bg74. e4 Ne75. Bf4 d66. c4 Nd77. Ne2 O-O8. O-O e59. * dxe5 Nxe510. Na3 N7c611. Qd2 f512. Rad1 fxe413. Bxe4 Bf514. Bd5+ Kh815. Nb5 Nd316. Bg5 Qd717.* g4 Bxg418. Nxc7 Qxc719. Qxd3 Rae820. f3 Nb421. Qd2 Nxd522. fxg4 Qc5+23. Nd4 Rxf1+24. Kxf1 Qxc4+25.* Kf2 Qxa2

§ ¯ ¨³”“”—˜“¹“

” “”

‘’‘’

‘’ •’›’¦• ª ¤² 9. dxe5

§ ¨ ´”“” ¹“

—” “• ›‘ ‘—

‘’ ¬•’ ’¤ ¤²

17..Bxg4

§ ´”“ ¹“

” “—– ‘

‘’ ¬ ² ’¤

25..Qxa2


Black completes his Beginner’s Game in spite of a combination of center pawn, fianchetto, andknight and bishop attacks, with a number of dangerous threats. Black goes down a pawnimmediately and has to resolve various problems fast, but after some sharp counterplay heobtains parity. By move 24 it is white that is in trouble. Black finds a clever fork at move 28 to goa pawn up, then wins effortlessly in the pawn endgame. The Beginner’s game is truly amazing!

” § ´“” –§ “˜¤’

‘’

‘² ¤

28..Rxe5

” § “” “´ ˜

‘–’

‘ °¤

36. Nd3+

”

“´ ”“‘² ’

‘

41..a5

28.* Rd5 Rxe529. Rxe5 Nd3+30. Ke2 Nxe531. Ne8+ Kf732. Nc7 Kf633. Nd5+ Ke634. Nf4+ Kd635. Rd1+ Kc536.* Nd3+ Nxd337. Rxd3 Rxd338. Kxd3 h539. Ke3 g540. Kd3 b541.* Ke3 a542. Kd3 b443. e5 Kd544. e6 Kxe645. Kc4 h446. gxh4 gxh447. a3 bxa348. Kb3 h349. Kxa3 h250. Ka4 h1=Q51. Kb3 Qc152. Ka4 Qb253. Kxa5 Kd554. Ka6 Kc655. Ka7 Qb7++

1. d4 e62. g3 g63. Bg2 Bg74. c4 Ne75. Nf3 b66. Bf4 Bb77. Nc3 d68. c5 Nd79. * cxd6 cxd610. Nb5 O-O11. Nxd6 Bxf312. Bxf3 Nd513. Bxd5 exd514. Qb3 Bxd415.* Rd1 Nc516. Qxd5 Bxb217. Bh6 Bc3+18. Kf1 Bg719. Bxg7 Kxg720. h4 Qf621. h5 Rad822. hxg6 fxg623. f4 Qe724.* Ke1 Rd725. e4 Rf626. Qe5 Qxe527. fxe5 Re6

§ ¯³ ¨” ”—˜“¹“” ”“ “’’

– •’‘’ ‘’›’¦ ª² ¤ 9. cxd6

§ ¯ ¨³” — “ “” – “

“¹

ª ’‘’ ‘’ ’

¤² ¤ 15..Nc5

¨ ¨” ¯ ´“” – “˜ª

’’

‘ ‘¤ ° ¤

24. Ke1

Early Attacks 163

Game 57: Beginner’s Game with Black (Rook Pawn Early Attack)

Black plays the Beginner’s Game, with two introduced moves to respond to the rook pawn earlyattack. Following the opening white tries an attack on the queen side. Black plays sharp defense,and takes a pawn. White offers an aggressive gambit at move 20 that black accepts and survives,retaining odds of the exchange, enough to win. The Beginner’s Game defends best by attacking!

¨ ´ ¨” ” “”›” ¯ ”

˜ ”‘

¬‘’‘ ’‘° ¤¦

20..Qxf2

¨ ¨” ´” ”

› ‘”‘

‘’‘° ¤

29..Rbe8

¤” ´” ”

¨§ ‘› “

‘’‘²

35..Rg5

29.* gxf5 Rbe830. Kc1 Re531. Rd1 Rfxf532. Bc4 g433. Rd7+ Kf834. Rd8+ Ke735.* Rg8 Rg536. Rxg5 Rxg537. Bf1 Rxh538. Kd2 Rh2+39. Kd3 g340. a4 h541. b4 h442. a5 g243. Bxg2 Rxg244. axb6 axb645. c4 h346. c5 h247. Kc4 h1=Q48. Kb5 Qb149. Ka6 Ra2+50. Kb5 Qd3+51. Kc6 Ra652. Kb7 bxc553. Kc8 Qd7+54. Kb8 Rb6+55. Ka8 Qb7++

1. e4 e62. d4 b63. Bd3 g64. h4 h65. h5 g56. Nf3 d67. Be3 Bb78. Qd2 Bg79. * Nc3 Ne710. O-O-O Nd711. d5 exd512. exd5 Nxd513. Bd4 Bxd414. Nxd4 Ne515.* Bb5+ Kf816. Nc6 Bxc617.* Bxc6 Nxc318. Qxc3 Rb819. Rhe1 Qf620.* Kb1 Qxf221. Rxe5 dxe522. Qxe5 Kg823. Qxc7 Kg724. Qe5+ Qf625. Qxf6+ Kxf626. Rf1+ Kg727. Bd5 Rhf828. g4 f5

§˜ ¯³ —¨” ” “¹” ”“ ”

”‘’‘› •

‘’‘¬ ’‘¦• ² ¤ 9. Nc3

§ ¯³ ¨” ” “” ” ”› —˜ ”‘

––

‘’‘¬ ’‘²¤ ¤

15..Kf8

§ ¯ ´ ¨” ” “”›” ”

—˜ ”‘

–‘’‘¬ ’‘

²¤ ¤ 17..Nxc3


Black plays the Beginner’s Game, with an early castle to avoid a center pawn attack. He tradesdown very rapidly to a rook and piece endgame, and breaks the pawn symmetry at move 22. Hisbishop versus knight advantage then proves more than sufficient. Black times his pawn advancesperfectly and wins with a florish. The Beginner’s Game with black can beat any classical opening!

” ¦“´“”

“¨

–‘’ ’ ’

² 25..Bf3

¤“

‘“

’ ”– ´²

¨ 38..h3

¦’ “

‘ § “

²³”

43..Bf3

34. Rh8 Kg335. Rg8+ Bg436. a6 Rf1+37. Kd2 Ra138.* b4 h339. b5 h240. Rh8 Kg241. Nd5 Rd1+42. Kc3 Rxd543.* a7 Bf344. a8=Q Rc5+45. Kd4 Bxa846. Kxc5 h1=Q47. Rxa8 Qc1+48. Kb6 f449. Kb7 f350. b6 f251. Ra2 Qb152. Re2 Kg153. Rxf2 Kxf254. Ka8 f555. Kb7 f456. Ka6 f357. b7 Ke258. Ka7 Qa1+59. Kb6 Qe560. Kc6 f261. b8=Q Qxb862. Kd5 f1=Q63. Ke6 Qb6+64. Kd5 Qf3+65. Kc4 Qfc6++

1. c4 b62. Nc3 e63. e4 g64. d4 Ne75. Nf3 Bg76. Bf4 Bb77. Qe2 d68. e5 O-O9. * O-O-O Nbc610. d5 Nxe511. Nxe5 dxe512. Bxe5 exd513. Bxg7 Kxg714. cxd5 Qd615. Qd2 Rad816.* Bc4 c617. dxc6 Qxd2+18. Rxd2 Rxd219. Kxd2 Rd8+20. Kc1 Bxc621. Re1 Nf522.* g4 Rd423. Bd5 Bxd524. gxf5 gxf525.* Re7 Bf326. Rxa7 Rh427. Ra6 Rxh228. Rxb6 Rxf229. a4 h530. Rb4 Kf631. a5 Kg532. Rb8 h433. Rg8+ Kf4

§˜ ¯ ¨³” ” ˜“¹“” ”“ “

’‘’– •

‘’ ª’‘’¦ ²› ¤ 9. O-O-O

¨ ¨” ” ˜“´“” ¯ “

‘›–

‘’ ¬ ’‘’²¤ ¤

16..c6

¨” “´“” “

—› ‘–

‘’ ’ ’² ¦

22..Rd4

Early Attacks 165


Black plays the Beginner’s Game, reacting aggressively to the dangerous combination of centerpawn and bishop pin early attacks. White trades his knights for a rook and pawn (move 13), and itproves to be a poor bargain. Afterwards black turns his knight pair loose on the queen side.White’s rook and king cannot defend against the multiple forks, and black clenches an easy win.

´”” ” “

‘˜“ ‘—’¤ ‘’

° 28..Nxc4

´¦” “

“ ‘˜ ’

” ²˜ ‘

33..a2

” ³‘ ’

—°”—

46..b1=Q+

26. Kf1 Ne527. Rc1 Nb328.* Rc2 Nxc429. Kf2 b530. h4 Nd431. Rc3 Nxb232. Rxc7 a333.* Ke3 a234. Rc1 Nb335. Rf1+ Kg736. g4 a1=Q37. Rxa1 Nxa138. Kd2 Na439. h5 b440. Kc1 b341. hxg6 b2+42. Kb1 Kf643. g7 Kxg744. Ka2 Nc245. g5 Kg646.* Kb3 b1=Q+47. Kc4 Qf1+48. Kb3 Nd4+49. Ka2 Qb550. Ka3 Qb3++

1. e4 d62. d4 e63. Nf3 b64. d5 g65. Bb5+ Bd76. dxe6 fxe67. Bg5 Be78. Bxe7 Nxe79. * Bxd7+Nxd710. O-O O-O11. Nc3 a512. Ng5 Nc513.* Na4 Nxa414. Nxe6 Qd715. Nxf8 Rxf816. Qd4 Nc517. f4 Qe618. Rae1 Qxa219. f5 Nc620. Qd5+ Qxd521.* exd5 Nb422. fxg6 hxg623. Rxf8+ Kxf824. c4 Nbd325. Rb1 a4

§˜ ¯³ ¨” ” ˜ “” ”“ “›

‘•

‘’‘ ’‘’¦• ª² ¤ 9. Bxd7+

§ ¯ ¨³” ˜ “” ”“ “

” ˜ –‘

–‘’‘ ’‘’¦ ª ¤² 13. Na4

¨³” “”—” “

” ˜‘ ‘

’‘ ‘’¦¤²

21..Nb4

Game 60: B-System Variant G with Black

Black plays the distance one variant BvG and defeats a strong classical deployment by white.After the opening neither side is able to obtain any advantage, until black gains control of thequeen file. Rather than defending, white tries to counterattack. Black then launches a fineoffensive that wins two pawns and a piece, all the while threatening mate. Good tactical chess.

¯ ³“

“ ª “ “”“ ’ —

’§• ’‘’

¦ ² 31. a4

“´¬“ “”

’“˜–’‘’

§ ¦° 38..Nh3

“ ³“ “”

’“¬

‘‘

¯—² 46..Qe3+

36. Qxa6 Qe437. Rg1 Rb138.* Qd6 Nh339. Rxb1 Qxb1+40. Nd1 Nxf2+41. Kg1 Nxd142. Qd4+ Kh743. h3 Ne3+44. Kh2 Qe145. Qf4 Nf1+46.* Kg1 Qe3+47. Qxe3 Nxe348. a6 Nd549. Kf2 b450. a7 Nc751. Ke3 b352. Kd2 e553. Kd1 e454. h4 e355. g4 b256. Kc2 e257. Kxb2 e1=Q58. h5 Qe2+59. Kb3 Qxg460. hxg6+ fxg661. Kb2 Qd4+62. Kc2 Qxa763. Kd3 Qa3+64. Kd4 Ne6+65. Ke4 Qc366. Kd5 Nf4+67. Kd6 h568. Kd7 Qc569. Kd8 Qc670. Ke7 Nd5+71. Kf8 Qa8+72. Kf7 Qg8++

1. d4 e62. c4 g63. Nf3 Bg74. Nc3 b65. Bf4 Bb76. e3 Nf67. Bd3 d68. O-O Nbd79. * Qe2 O-O10. Bg5 c511. Rac1 Qe712. Nd2 d513. a3 h614. Bh4 Rfe815. Rfe1 a616. Bc2 dxc417. Nxc4 cxd418. exd4 Rec819. Bg3 Nh520. Bd6 Qd821. Be4 Bxe422.* Nxe4 Ndf623. Be5 Nxe424. Qxe4 Ra725. b3 Rd726. Rc2 b527.* Ne3 Rxc228. Nxc2 Bxe529. dxe5 Rd330. Qc6 Rxb331.* a4 Qd232. Rf1 Nf433. Ne3 Qd434. a5 Kg735. Kh1 Qxe5

§ ¯³ ¨” ”— “¹“” ”“˜“

‘’–›’•

‘’ ’‘’¦ ª ¤² 9. Qe2

§ §¯ ³— “¹

“” “ “”—

•’•’’ ª’‘’¦ ¦ ²

22..Ndf6

§¯ ³§ “¹

“ “ “”“ —

’ª’‘ –

¤ ’‘’¦ ²

27..Rxc2

Close Variants 167

Game 61: B-System Variant EG with White

The close variant BvEG is worth remembering: it’s strong! White gains territory after the opening,squeezes black’s position, and finally wins the exchange at move 46. He then builds a matingattack. In a sharp combination at move 59, he forces black off base, and goes a rook up. A nicebishop sacrifice at move 64 then permits his pawn to queen. All first rate chess, sharp as a razor!

— ³” ¯—¨ ”“‘”‘” §‘ ’– ‘ª¦ ›¦ ²

46. Nd5

˜ ´” ”‘” ¨ ”‘”› ‘‘ —

ª ‘¤²

¤ 59. Bxe4

˜ ´” ”‘” ‘”‘”‘

‘¤

¬ ° 64. Bxb6

40. Qc2 Re741. Bg3 Rf842. a6 f543. gxf5 Bh544. Rc1 Rxf545. Nc3 Bg646.* Nd5 Rxd547. Bxd5+Kh848. Qc3 Bf549. Bh4 Re850. Rg2 Nf851. Bc6 Re652. Bd8 Qf753. Bd5 h654. Qg3 Nd655. Rd1 Ne456. Qf3 Qe857. Kh2 Bh758. f5 Rd659.* Bxe4 Rxd160. Qxd1 Qxe461. Qa1 Bg662. fxg6 Qf4+63. Kh1 Qf364.* Bxb6 Qxh3+65. Kg1 Qe3+66. Kh2 Qf4+67. Kh1 Qxc468. Bxa7 Nd769. Bxc5 Qxc570. a7 Qh5+71. Kg1 Qc5+72. Rf2 Qg5+73. Kf1 Qxb5+74. Re2 Qf5+75. Ke1 Qxg676. a8=Q+ Kh777. Qg2 Nf678. Qxg6+ resigns

1. b3 Nf62. Bb2 d53. d3 Nc64. Nd2 e55. Ngf3 Bd66. g3 O-O7. Bg2 Qe78. O-O Bg49. * c4 d410. h3 Bh511. a3 Rad812. b4 Qe613. Qc2 Be714. Rfe1 Nd715. b5 Ncb816. e3 dxe317. Rxe3 f618.* Ng5 Qb619. Bd5+ Kh820. Ne6 Bc521. Nxc5 Nxc522. d4 Ncd723. dxe5 Nxe524. a4 Bg625. Qc3 c626. Bg2 Qc727. Ba3 c528. Ne4 Nbd729. f4 Nf730. Rae1 Nh631. g4 Rfe832. Bc1 Ng833. R3e2 Nb634. a5 Nd735. Bd2 Bf736. Be3 Ne737.* Rd2 Nc838. Red1 b639. Bf2 Kg8

§ ¨³”“” ¯“”“

—¹ ˜“”

‘ ‘ •’‘ ‘–‘’›’¦ ª ¤² 9. c4

˜ ¨ ¨³”“”—¹ ”“

”‘ ”‘

’ ‘¦•’‘ª– ’›

¦ ² 18. Ng5

¨§ ´”“¯—˜ ”“

”’‘”

‘ •’‘¬ ‘

¤ ›¦ ²

37. Rd2

Game 62: B-System Variant 78 with Black

Black plays the close variant Bv78 and defeats white’s strong 3 pawn classical opening. Blackplays it risky, wining the exchange for pawn and piece, and loss of castling. He is under pressureafterwards, but finally manages to consolidate, and retain his pawn advantage. His rook andbishop then rip thru white’s ranks, winning more material and finally permitting a pawn to queen.

¨ ´

’•“” ’

”

‘’²

35..b4

´

’– ’”

“§°

42..b3

’

³

§ “²

53..Rf4

33. Qf8+ Rg834. Nf4 Rxf835. * Nxe6 b436. Be1 Rg837. Nxc5 Rxg2+38. Kf1 h339. Bh4 Rxh240. Bg3 Bb5+41. Ke1 Re2+42.* Kd1 b343. Nxb3 Re344. Bf4 Rxb345. e6 Rd3+46. Kc2 Kg747. Be5+ Kg648. e7 Kf749. Bh2 Rf350. Be5 Ke651. d7 Bxd752. Bc7 Kf553.* Kd2 Rf454. Ke3 h255. Bxf4 h1=Q56. Bg3 Qg1+57. Kf3 Be858. Ke2 Qd459. Kf1 Kg460. Kg2 Bc6+61. Kf1 Kxg362. Ke2 Bf3+63. Kf1 Qa1++

1. e4 e62. d4 b63. Nf3 Bb74. Bd3 d65. O-O Nd76. c4 h67. d5 g58. Be3 Bg79.* Nd4 Ne510. dxe6 Nxd311. exf7+ Kxf712. Qxd3 c513. Nf5 Bxb214. Nc3 Bxa115. Rxa1 d516. cxd5 Ne717.* Nxe7 Qxe718. f4 Kg719. d6 Qf620. Rf1 Raf821. Ne2 Qe622. Ng3 gxf423. Bxf4 Bc624. a4 Rhg825. a5 Kh726. axb6 axb627.* e5+ Kh828. Qe2 Rg429. Bd2 Rxf1+30. Qxf1 h531. Bc3 h432. Nh5 b5

§ ¯³ —¨” ”— “¹” ”“ ”

‘ ”‘ ‘› •

‘’ ’‘’¦• ª ¤² 9. Nd4

§ ¯ ¨” ˜³” ””‘ •”

‘–ª

‘ ’‘’¦ ² 17. Nxe7

¨§³

” ’ ””

‘ª –

‘’¤²

27. e5+

Close Variants 169

Game 63: B-System Variant 8E with White

White plays the very solid variant Bv8E, which introduces a rook pawn move and early castle intothe standard opening. White immediately pushes his opponent back, and then starts a masterfulseries of exchanges in the center which finally earns him a rook for piece and pawn. He then hasno difficulty in exploiting his advantage for a quick win. The B-system close variants are powerful!

³”“ “”

“ ¹ ”

˜ ’‘’‘ ª ‘

§ ›²¤

26. Qxe2

³”“ “

” ”“

’‘’‘ ‘

— ²¤

29. Re1

“”³”

’ ˜ ²‘‘

¤

41. Rc5

31. Rxb7 a532. Rb8+ Kg733. Rd8 Ne634. Rd5 Kg635. Kg3 d336. b4 axb437. axb4 d238. Rxd2 Nc739. Kf4 Nb540. Rc2 Nd441.* Rc5 Ne6+42. Ke4 Nf843. Rd5 Ne644. b5 Nc745. b6 Na646. Kf4 h547. gxh5+ Kg748. b7 Kh649. Rd8 Kxh550. Ra8 Nc751. b8=Q Nd5+52. Kf5 Ne3+53. Kxf6 Nd5+54. Kxf7 Kh455. Ra4+ Kxh356. Qb3+ Nc357. Qxc3+Kg258. Ra2+ Kf159. Qa1++

1. b3 e52. e3 Nf63. Bb2 Nc64. Ne2 d55. g3 Be76. Bg2 O-O7. O-O Bf58. h3 Qd79. * g4 Be410. f3 Bg611. a3 Rae812. d4 exd413. exd4 Qe614. Nbc3 h615. f4 Be416. Nxe4 Nxe417.* c4 Bf618. cxd5 Qxd519. Ng3 Nxd420. Rb1 Re721. Re1 Rfe822. Kh2 c623.* Nxe4 Rxe424. Rxe4 Rxe425. Qd3 Re226.* Qxe2 Nxe227. Bxd5 cxd528. Bxf6 gxf629.* Re1 Nxf430. Re7 d4

§ ¨³”“” ¹“”“

— ˜“”

‘ ’ ’‘‘ ‘’•’›¦• ª ¤² 9. g4

§¨³”“” ¹“”

— ”“’—’‘

’‘ ‘‘ • ›

¦ ª ¤² 17. c4

§ ³”“ ¨“”

“ ¹ ”

˜—’‘’‘ –‘

›²¤ ª¦

23. Nxe4

Game 64: B-System Variant 3’D with White

White plays close variant Bv3’D against the 2 pawn standard classical defense. Both sides thenattack in a fierce battle. Black’s fine bishop sacrifice at move 19 seems to have his opponent onthe ropes, but soon afterwards black is fighting for his life, as white counterattacks brilliantly.Sharp games like these proliferate in the B-system, for those who like to live dangerously. E viva!

§ ¨ ´“” ”

” “’

’‘ ‘ª ‘

¦ ° ¤ 24..d5

¨ ´“ § ”

¯” ¬“

’‘ ‘‘¤ °¦

33. Rxg7

´“ ¦

‘ ”’ § ‘

° 35. Rd7+

29.* Rd3 a430. bxa4 f431. Rg5 Qe632. Qxe6 Bxe633. Rxg7 Rxd334. exd3 Rxd335.* Rd7+ Kg836. Rxd3 Bc437. Ke2 Kf738. Bc1 f3+39. Kd2 Bxd340. Kxd3 Ke641. Ke3 f242. Kxf2 Kf543. Ke3 Kg544. Kd4+ Kh445. Kc5 Kxh346. Kb6 Kg447. Kxb7 Kf348. a5 Ke249. a6 Kd150. Bg5 Ke251. a7 Kf352. a8=Q Ke453. Kb6+ Kf554. Qd5+ Kg455. Be3 Kg356. Qh5 Kg257. Qg4+ Kf158. Qf3+ Ke159. Qf2+ Kd160. Qd2++

1. b3 e52. d3 d53. g3 Nf64. Bg2 Nc65. Bb2 Bd66. Nd2 O-O7. c3 Be68. Qc2 Qd79. * h3 a510. a3 Rfd811. Ngf3 e412. dxe4 dxe413.* Nd4 e314. Ne4 exf2+15. Kxf2 Nxe4+16. Bxe4 Nxd417. Bxh7+Kh818. cxd4 f519.* Bg6 Bxg3+20. Kxg3 Qd6+21. Kf2 Qf4+22. Ke1 Qg3+23. Kf1 Qxg624.* d5 Qg525. Qxc7 Rd726. Qe5 Bxd527. Rg1 Qh628. Rd1 Rad8

§ ¨³”“” “”“

—¹ ˜“”

‘’‘ ’‘ ª–‘’›’¦ ² –¤ 9. h3

§ ¨ ³“” “”“—¹ ˜

”“

’‘’ •’‘ª–‘’›

¦ ² ¤ 13. Nd4

§ ¨ ´“” ”

¹ ›” “

’’‘ ’‘

ª ‘²¦ ¤ 19..Bxg3+

Close Variants 171

Game 65: B-System Variant 45xB with White

White anticipates a center pawn attack on his Beginner’s Game by moving into Bv45xB. Whitegoes a pawn up early, but black equalizes. White’s active queen and bishop then make thedifference: he again goes a pawn up, then promotes his rook pawn, winning a piece. It’s clearsailing for white after that. Easy wins such as this can only result from superior openings!

›´“”“

”¨

’’ ’

¦ ² 32. Bd5

¦›´

” ’’°’

¨ 39. Kf3

¨¦´

› ‘²‘

’

53. Rd7+

32.* Bd5 Rd433. Ra7+ Kd634. Bxf7 c435. Bg8 c336. Bxh7 Rd237. Kg2 Rd138. Rxg7 Ra139.* Kf3 Ra540. Rg6+ Kd741. Rh6 Rc542. Bc2 Ke743. h4 Kf744. Rh8 Rc445. g4 Kg746. Ra8 Rc547. h5 Rd548. Rc8 Rd249. Rxc3 Rd850. Rc7+ Kf651. Kf4 Ke652. Bf5+ Kd653.* Rd7+ Rxd754. Bxd7 Ke755. g5 Kxd756. h6 Ke657. g6 Kf658. g7 Kf759. Ke5 Ke860. g8=Q+ Kd761. Qe6+ Kc762. Qd6+ Kb763. h7 Ka764. h8=Q Kb765. Qhb8++

1. e3 Nf62. g3 d53. Bg2 e54. Ne2 Nc65. b3 Bc56. d4 exd47. exd4 Bd68. Nbc3 O-O9. * O-O Bf510. Bg5 Be711. Bxf6 Bxf612. Nxd5 Re813. Qd2 Bg414. Rae1 Bxe215. Rxe2 Rxe216. Qxe2 Nxd417.* Qe4 c618. Nxf6+ Qxf619. c3 Ne620. Qb4 Rd821. Qxb7 Qxc322. Qxa7 c523. Qb6 Rd224. a4 Rd325.* a5 Qxb326. Qxb3 Rxb327. Ra1 Nc728. a6 Kf829. a7 Ke730. a8=Q Nxa831. Bxa8 Rb4

§ ¯ ¨³”“” “”“

—¹ ˜“’

‘– ’‘ ‘ •’›’¦ ª² ¤ 9. O-O

§ ¯ ³”“” “”“

¹•˜

‘ ’‘ ‘ ª’›’

¤² 17. Qe4

³“”“

¬ —”

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’›’¤²

25. a5

Game 66: B-System Variant EG with Black

Black here plays the strong close variant BvEG, against a custom 4 pawn opening by white. Blackwins a pawn fast, with a combination at move 14. He then presses the attack, as white threatenswith two passed pawns. Black goes a rook up by move 27, stops white’s pawn threat and preparesmate. This is chess as it should be played, with absolute precision and unrelenting aggression.

¨ ³‘ § “¹“

“’

¦ ˜ –“’‘’

¤ ² 27. Rxc3

¤¨‘ § “´“‘ “

¹ •

’“’²

32..Ba7

¬¹ “´“‘ “

¨¤

°’

¨ 39..Rh5+

26. b7 Rb827.* Rxc3 Bxc328. a6 Bd429. Rd1 Rbd830. Rc1 fxg231. Ng4 Kg732.* Rc8 Ba733. Ne5 Rd1+34. Kxg2 R8d235. Ra8 Rxf2+36. Kh3 Rg137. Rc8 Rf538. Rc4 Rxe539.* b8=Q Rh5+40. Rh4 Rxh4+41. Kxh4 Bxb842. a7 Bxa743. Kh3 Kh644. Kh4 g5+45. Kh3 g4+46. Kh4 Bf2++

1. d4 b62. e4 g63. c4 d64. a4 Bg75. Na3 Nd76. Nf3 Bb77. Bd3 Ngf68. Qe2 O-O9. * O-O e510. dxe5 dxe511. Bc2 Nc512. Bg5 Re813. Rfd1 Qe714.* a5 Bxe415. b4 Bxc216. Nxc2 Nce417. Bxf6 Nxf618. axb6 cxb619. Ra3 a520. c5 e421.* cxb6 exf322. Qxe7 Rxe723. bxa5 Rd724. Rb1 Nd525. Ne3 Nc3

§ ¯ ¨³” ”—”“¹“” ” ˜“

‘ ‘’‘– › •’ ª’‘’¦ ² ¤ 9. O-O

§ § ³” ” ¯“¹“” ˜“

’ ˜ ”‘ ‘

– •’› ª’‘’

¦ ¤ ² 14..Bxe4

§ § ³¯“¹“

” ˜“” ’’ “

¦ •• ª’‘’¤ ²

21. cxb6

Close Variants 173

Game 67: B-System Variant 5G with White

White plays the close variant Bv5G against black’s near B-system opening (bishop relocated). Acomplex open field clash results on the queen side. White finally gets a hard earned pawn at 30moves, then pushes his passed pawn. He can exchange it for the knight, but instead he patientlybrings his king up, wins the piece outright, then gets his queen, and the victory. Well played!

§ ¯ ³˜ “”“

‘ ª’

” ’ ’’

¦ ² 34. Qxd8+

¤ ¨‘ ´“”“—

’

’ ’’

² 41. Bc5+

¤‘ ³ “”— §°’

”’ ’

’

47. Rf8

31. Rxd5 Rd832. Qd3 Rxd533. Qxd5 Qd834.* Qxd8+ Rxd835. b6 Nc836. b7 Ne737. Bd4 a238. Ra1 Nc639. Rxa2 Kf840. Ra8 Ke741.* Bc5+ Kd742. Bd6 Re843. Kg2 h644. Kf3 h545. Ke4 Re646. Kd5 h447.* Rf8 Ne7+48. Kc5 Nc649. Rxf7+ Ke850. Rf8+ Kd751. Rc8 Re852. Rxc6 Ke653. Rc8 Kf554. Rxe8 Ke455. b8=Q Kd356. Qb1+ Kd257. Kd4 g558. Rc8 Ke259. Rc2+ Kf360. Qd1++

1. Nf3 Nf62. g3 b63. Bg2 Bb74. d3 e65. b3 Bd66. Bb2 O-O7. Nbd2 Be78. e4 d69. * O-O Nfd710. Qe2 Nc611. d4 Re812. a3 a513. Rfd1 a414. b4 Na715. c4 c516. e5 d517.* cxd5 Bxd518. dxc5 bxc519. Ne4 cxb420. axb4 Nb621.* b5 Nac822. Rac1 a323. Ba1 Bb424. Nd4 Na725. Nc2 Be726. Nc3 Bc527. Ne3 Bxe328. fxe3 Qb829. Nxd5 Nxd530. Bxd5 exd5

§˜ ¯ ¨³” ” ¹“”“” ”“˜

‘‘ ‘ •’‘ ‘– ’›’¦ ª² ¤ 9. O-O

§ ¯§ ³˜ —¹“”“” “”“’

“’‘’’ •’

–ª’›’¦ ¤ ² 17. cxd5

§ ¯§ ³˜ ¹“”“˜ “

’“’ •

•’ª’›’

¦ ¤ ² 21. b5

Game 68: B-System Variant 3’DE’ with Black

Variant Bv3’DE’ was an important step towards the discovery of the Beginner’s Game. Here itbrushes aside a powerful queen side assault, and produces a tripled pawn and a menacing queenside pawn storm. White trades to stop it, going a rook down, but 5 pawns up! White promotes twopawns but still falls, to a combined attack of all black’s pieces. Excellent tactical play throughout.

§´” ˜‘ ‘

– ’‘¦‘ ‘

¨•²

51..Re1

‘´ ” —

’¤‘ ‘²•

¨§

62. f8=Q

ª

³”° —

¨¨

after 75..Re3++

39. Rxb2 Rg8+40. Bg4 b341. axb3 a342. Ra2 Nf643. h3 h544. Rxa3 Bb745. f3 hxg446. hxg4 Rc347. Kf2 Rd348. Nc6+ Kc749. Nb4 Rd2+50. Kg1 Re851.* Nf1 Re152. Ra7 Rdd153. g5 Rxf1+54. Kg2 Nh555. Nd3 Rb156. f6 Rfd157. f7 Rd2+58. Nf2 Nxf4+59. Kg3 Ng660. Nh3 Kb661. Ra4 Bxd562.* f8=Q Nxf863. Rf4 Ne664. Rf6 Kc665. g6 Rxb366. Nf2 Nd467. Nh3 Nxf368. Nf4 Ne5+69. Kh4 Rh2+70. Kg5 Rg3+71. Kf5 Rf272. Re6 Bxe6+73. Kxe6 Rxf474. g7 Ng675. g8=Q Re3++*

1. c4 e62. g3 b63. Bg2 c64. Nf3 Bb75. Nc3 Qc76. d4 d67. O-O Nd78. e4 O-O-O9.* Bf4 h610. Qa4 g511. Be3 a612. Qc2 Bg713. Nd2 c514. d5 Ngf615. Bh3 g416. Bg2 Kb817. Rfe1 Ne518. Bf4 Ng619. Ne2 Rhe820. Rad1 b521.* Qb3 exd522. cxd5 c423. Qc2 Nxf424. gxf4 Nh525. Nf1 Qa526. Qb1 Qb427. Ne3 Qxb228. Qxb2 Bxb229. Nxg4 f530. exf5 Rc831. Ne3 b432. Rb1 c333. Bf3 Nf634. Nd4 a535. Red1 a436. Re1 Ne437.* Re2 Ba638. Rexb2cxb2

³¨ ¹—¨” ¯— “”“”“”“

‘’‘– •’

‘’ ’›’¦ ª ¤² 9. Bf4

´ ¨§¯ “¹

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ª ’‘’ –•’›’

¤¦ ² 21..exd5

´§ §

” ”‘ ‘

“” –—’” –›

‘¹ ¤’ ’¤ ²

37..Ba6

Close Variants 175

Game 69: B-System Variant 12x3 with Black

Black plays Bv12x3, a disrupted queen side opening that moves into other lines. White’s attackloses inertia after the opening exchanges. There is a pile up on the center pawn, which black winsin a long episode. He then attacks, with consistently sharp play. Black’s rook sacrifice offer atmove 45 is very fine; the mate with 2 rooks and 2 queens is scintillating. An impressive victory!

§ ³“”

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‘’¤¦ ²

37. Kh1

¨¯ “ ³

“”

¬¨ ‘ ‘

“ ‘¤¦ °

45..Rxf3

¤ “ ³“”

ª§ ‘

“¨ ‘¦ °

50..Rb1

31. R3d2 Rdc832. Re2 a433. Ree1 h634. Nd4 Qg635. f3 Rc336. Qf4 Qb637.* Kh1 Qc738. Qd2 Rb839. Nf5 Be640. Ne7+ Kh741. Nd5 Bxd542. Qxd5 a343. Qe4+ g644. Qh4 a245.* h3 Rxf346. Qd4 Rfb347. Qf2 Rb248. Qd4 R8b349. Qg4 Qb750.* Rd7 Rb151. Rdd1 a1=Q52. Kh2 Qc7+53. Kg1 Qaa7+54. Kh1 Qab855. Re5 Qxe556. g3 Qb7+57. Kh2 R1b2+58. Rd2 Rxd2+59. Qe2 Qxg3++

1. e4 e62. d4 b63. Nf3 Bb74. Bd3 d65. O-O Nd76. c4 c57. Nc3 a68. dxc5 bxc59. * Qb3 Rb810. Qc2 Be711. a3 Ngf612. b4 O-O13. Be2 Qc714. Rd1 d515. exd5 cxb416. axb4 Bxb417.* Ba3 Bxa318. Rxa3 exd519. cxd5 Qc520. Qa2 Nb621. Qa1 Rfc822. Bd3 Nbxd523. Ne4 Nxe424.* Bxe4 Qe725. Bxd5 Bxd526. Re3 Qd627. Qa5 Rd828. Red3 Rb529. Qe1 Rc530. Qe3 a5

§ ¯³¹—¨— “”“

“ ”“”‘ ‘–› •

‘’ ’‘’¦ ª ¤² 9. Qb3

¨ ¨³¯— “”“

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¹‘– •ª ›’‘’

¦ ¤ ² 17..Bxa3

¨§ ³“”“

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›¦ •

’‘’¬ ¤ ² 24..Qe7

Game 70: B-System Variant 3EG with White

White plays Bv3EG against a near B-system opening by black. It’s a close contest, but whiteeventually gets the upper hand. He wins two pawns and threatens mate, but black finds amate-on-the-move which constrains white to abandon a piece. With advantage of 5 pawns versusknight and pawn, white still can’t find a way to bring his pawns home, and has to settle for a draw.

¦ ¨ ´– ¹“¬ ˜

¯‘’“ –

“’’ ’°

43. Rxf8+

´‘‘ ‘

‘“

˜ ’²

57..Ne4

˜³’’

²

“’

77. Kf4

40. Qd6 f441. Rb8 f3+42. Kf1 Qa543.* Rxf8+ Bxf844. Neg6+hxg645. Qxf8+ Ng846. Nxg6+Kh747. Qf7+ Kh648. Qf4+ Kxg649. Qxe4+ Qf550. Qxf5+ Kxf551. h4 Ke452. d5 Ke553. g4 Nf654. g5 Ne455. g6 Kf656. h5 Nd2+57.* Kg1 Ne458. c5 Nxc559. d6 Kg760. Kh2 Kf661. Kh3 Kg762. Kg4 Ne463. d7 Nf6+64. Kg5 Nxd765. h6+ Kg866. Kf4 Kf867. Kf5 Kg868. Ke6 Nf8+69. Kf6 Nd7+70. Kf5 Kf871. Kf4 Kg872. Ke4 Kf873. g7+ Kf774. Kf4 Nf675. Kf5 Ng876. Kg5 Ne777.* Kf4 Kg678. Kxf3 drawn

1. e3 b62. b3 d63. g3 Bb74. Nf3 g65. Bb2 e56. Bg2 Nc67. O-O Bg78. c4 Nh69. * d3 O-O10. Nc3 Re811. Qe2 a512. Rac1 Nb413. Rfd1 f514. a3 Na615. Rc2 Nc516. b4 axb417. axb4 Na618.* Ba3 c519. bxc5 bxc520. e4 Qa521. Ra1 Nb422. Rb2 Bc623. Rb3 Nf724. Rab1 Rab825. exf5 gxf526. Nh4 Bxg227. Bxb4 Rxb428. Kxg2 Rxb329. Rxb3 Nh630.* Nd5 Qa731. Qb2 Qf732. Rb7 Qh533. Qb5 Rf834. Qd7 Qf735. Ne7+ Kh836. Qxd6 Qf637. Qxc5 e438. Rb6 Qf739. d4 Qh5

§ ¯³ ¨” ” “¹“”—” “˜

”‘‘ ’•’

‘ ’ ’›’¦• ª ¤² 9. d3

§ ¯§ ³” ¹“

—” ” “˜”“

’‘–‘’•’¤ ª’›’¤ ²

18. Ba3

§ ³¹“

” ˜¯ ” ”“

‘ –¤–‘ ’

ª’°’

30. Nd5

Close Variants 177

Game 71: B-System Variant EG with White and Black

White and Black play the same strong B-system close variant. BvEG. In fact their positions areidentical thru 12 moves! Black builds a powerful attack in the center and wins a pawn. But whitethen outmaneuvers him, and develops a serious threat in his passed rook pawn. This pawn, andblack’s exposed king finally make the difference. An excellent game, with one of the best variants.

§ ¹´““

’ ”“’ “” ’‘

ª ’¦ ² 42. a6

§’

´“”“ “

¤¹ “ ’’

¬“ ’²

48. Qxb4

§’ ´

“ª “ “

’” ’

¤ ’°

56..Qe4+

39. Qd2 c340. Qa2+ Kg741. Bxb5 Qxb542.* a6 Bxb443. Qb3 c244. a7 Qb745. Qb2 Kf646. h4 h547. Ra4 Qc648.* Qxb4 c1=Q+49. Bxc1 Qxc1+50. Kh2 Qc651. Qa3 Qc252. Kg2 e353. Qd6+ Kg754. Qxe5+ Kf755. Qd5+ Kg756.* Ra2 Qe4+57. Qxe4 fxe458. a8=Q Rxa859. Rxa8 e260. Ra1 Kf661. f4 exf3+62. Kxf3 Ke563. Ra5+ Ke664. Kxe2 Kf665. Kf3 Kg766. Kf4 Kf667. Re5 Kf768. Kg5 Kg769. Re7+ Kf870. Kf6 g571. hxg5 h472. gxh4 Kg873. Re8+ Kh774. g6+ Kh675. Rh8++

1. b3 Nf62. Bb2 b63. Nf3 Bb74. g3 g65. Bg2 Bg76. d3 d67. Nbd2 Nbd78. O-O O-O9. * c4 c510. Qc2 Qc711. e3 e612. Rfe1 Rfe813. h3 a614. a3 Rac815. b4 b516. e4 e517. cxb5 axb518. Qb3 c419. dxc4 bxc420.* Qc3 d521. Rac1 Nb622. Qc2 Nxe423. Nxe4 dxe424. Nd2 f525. Nb1 Rcd826. Nc3 Rd327. a4 Red828. Rcd1 Qd629.* a5 Nd530. Nxd5 Bxd531. Bc3 Bc632. Ra1 Bb533. Bf1 Rd534. Be2 Qc635. Red1 R5d736. Bd2 Rc837. Be3 Rxd1+38. Qxd1 Bf8

§ ¯ ¨³” ”—”“¹“” ” ˜“

‘ ‘ •’‘ ‘–‘’›’¦ ª ¤² 9. c4

§ § ³¯— “¹“” ˜“”

’“ ‘’ ¬ •’‘

– ’›¦ ¦ ² 20..d5

¨ ³¹“

˜ ¯ “”“

‘’“ “–§ ’‘ª ’›¤¦ ²

29. a5

Game 72: B-System Variant 5’8F with Black

Black avoids a center pawn early attack, and moves into Bv5’8F. A very closed game results:neither side can make progress, until black finally manages to start a flank attack. Once blackgets his queen and rook on the back ranks, however, his assault is unstoppable. If you preferclosed games, you’ll like the Beginner’s Game and the B-system: they’re as closed as you want!

¹ ³“”

˜ ””‘”‘ ‘

¨ ¬ ‘’“–¤ ’

² 70. Qd2

”³”

” ”‘

¤ “— ² ’

¨ 91..Re2+

79. Kg1 Bg580. Nd3 Qf381. Qc2 Bxc182. Nxc1 Nxc483. Qf2 Qxd584. Nd3 Ra385. Rf1 Ne386. Qf8+ Kh787. Ne1 Ra188. Qf3 Qxf389. Rxf3 Rxe1+90. Kf2 Nc291.* g4 Re2+92. Kg3 e493. Rf2 Rxf2 resigns

40. Re1 Qb741. Rf1 a542. Qd2 h543. Ne2 h444. Ne3 Nh745. Raa1 Bd846. Kh1 Qb647. Nc1 Rb748. Nd3 Rba749.* Ra2 a450. bxa4 Bxa451. Rb1 Qc752. Bxa4 Rxa453. Rxa4 Rxa454. Qb2 Nhf855. Qb3 Ra656. Nf5 Bg557. Qc2 Nd758. Be1 Qa759. Nc1 h360. g3 Ne761. Nxe7+ Bxe762. Bd2 Ra363. Nd3 Qa664. Kg1 Bd865. Bc1 Ra266. Rb2 Ra167. Qc3 Nb668. Rc2 Ra469. Nb2 Ra370.* Qd2 Rxf371. Nd1 Qa172. Nb2 Rb373. Qd1 Ra374. Kf2 Ra275. Re2 Qb176. Qb3 f577. exf5 Ra178. Re1 Qxf5+

1. e4 e62. d4 b63. Nf3 Bb74. Bd3 d65. O-O Nd76. c4 h67. d5 e58. Nc3 Be79. * Be3 Ngf610. Bc2 O-O11. Qe2 c612. Nd2 Qc713. Rfe1 Ba614. a4 Rfc815. b3 c516. Nf1 Nf817. Ng3 Ng618. Bd2 Nh419. a5 bxa520. Nd1 Rcb821. Ne3 Ng622. Bxa5 Qd723. Bd2 Bc824. Qf3 Nh425.* Qd1 Qb726. Bc3 Bd727. Qe2 Bd828. f3 Ng629. Qf2 Ne830. Ra2 a631. Ngf5 Qa732. Rea1 Bc733. Qe2 Nf634. Qd2 Ne835. Qf2 Nf636. Qe1 Rb737. Ng3 Rbb838. Nef5 Ne839. Qf2 Nf6

§ ¯³ —¨” ”—¹“”” ” ”

‘”‘ ‘–› •

‘’ ’‘’¦ ª ¤² 9. Be3

§¨ ³” ¹“”

” ˜ ””‘”‘ ‘ ˜‘ – –› ’‘’

¦ ª¦ ² 25..Qb7

§ ¹ ³¨ “”—¯ ” —” ”‘”

‘ ‘ ”‘ •–‘¤ ›¬ ‘’

¤ ° 49..a4

Close Variants 179

Game 73: B-System Variant EFG with White

White plays BvEFG, one of the strongest close variants and a step towards the discovery of theBeginner’s Game. In this game white triumphs by building the attack slowly, bringing his piecesto the center, and winning the exchange on move 31. He presses his advantage well, and finallyoverwhelms his adversary in the endgame. Masterful chess, from an opening for chess masters!

¨¹ ´

ª”“” ’ ”¤’ ” ”

‘ ‘– ’‘

¤ ² 53. c6

¨¹ ´

‘ ‘– ”“¬ ”

¤ ” ”‘

’‘¤ ²

63. Rb7

¯ ¨¦ ’‘ – ”³

” ”¤ ” ”¬ ‘

’‘²

67..Qc8

40. h3 h441. Rbb1 f642. Rb2 Qa343. Rcb1 Qb444. Rc2 Bc745. c5 b546. Bc6 bxa447. Rc4 Qb848. Rxa4 Rf849. b4 Ne750. Nd2 Nxc651. Qxc6 Bb752. Qe6 Qa853.* c6 Bc854. Qc4 Re855. bxa5 Ba656. Qd5 Rd857. Qe6 Rf858. Ne4 Bc859. Qd5 Rd860. Qc5 Rf861. a6 Bf562. Nd6 Bxd363.* Rb7 g564. Rxc7+ Kg665. Ra7 Qd866. Qa3 Be267.* c7 Qc868. Nxc8 Rxc869. Qb3 g470. Qe6 Kg571. Qxc8 gxh372. Qg8+ Kf473. c8=Q h2+74. Kxh2 Bh575. Qge6 Kg576. Qf5+ Kh677. Rh7++

1. e3 e52. b3 d53. Bb2 Nf64. d3 Bd65. Be2 O-O6. Nd2 c57. Ngf3 Nc68. O-O Bd79. * c4 d410. Ng5 Qe711. Ba3 Bc712. Bf3 Rae813. Nge4 b614. Ng3 Rd815. Re1 Qd616. Qe2 Rfe817. Nde4 Nxe418. Bxe4 Qf619. Qh5 h620. Rad1 a621. Qf3 Qd622. Rb1 a523. Bb2 Ne724. Rbd1 Ng625. Ra1 Nh426. Qh5 Qf627.* Bd5 Rf828. Ne4 Qe729. exd4 cxd430. a4 Nf531.* Ba3 Qe832. Rac1 Bc833. Qg4 Kh834. Bxf8 Qxf835. Qh5 g636. Qf3 Kg737. Re2 h538. Rec2 Bb839. Rb2 Qb4

§ ¯ ¨³”“ “”“

—¹ ˜”“”

‘ ‘’•‘ ‘–›’‘’¦ ª ¤² 9. c4

¨§ ³¹ “”” ¯ ”

” ” ” ª‘”› ˜‘ ‘’ –

‘ ’‘’¦ ¦ ² 27. Bd5

¨ ¨³¹ ¯“”” ”

” ›”— ª‘ ‘”•‘ ‘

’‘’¦ ¦ ² 31. Ba3

Game 74: B-System Variant 4xCE with Black

Black plays Bv4xCE, exchanging one of his two attacked center pawns. White quickly creates adoubled isolated pawn, which he then attacks and wins. But white’s pawn advantage doesn’tprove to be worth much: after a long series of exchanges black equalizes, producing his owncounter threats. The game ends in a classic drawn position. B-systems openings are hard to beat!

”“ ¦³ “’

§ ‘’²

26..b5

´‘‘

””°

after 45. Kb3

24. Rxg7 Rxb225. Rxh7 Rxa226.* Rg7 b527. Rxg6+Kf728. Rf6+ Ke729. Rf2 Rxf230. Kxf2 b431. Ke3 a532. h4 Ke633. Kd4 a434. Kc4 a335. Kb3 Kxe536. g4 Kf437. h5 Kg538. Ka2 Kh639. Kb3 Kh740. g5 Kg741. g6 Kf642. Ka2 Kg743. Kb3 Kf644. Ka2 Kg745.* Kb3 drawn

1. e4 d62. d4 Bd73. Nf3 g64. Nc3 Bg75. Bc4 e66. O-O Ne77. d5 O-O8. e5 dxe59. * dxe6 Bxe610. Bxe6 fxe611. Qxd8 Rxd812. Ng5 Rd613. Nb5 Rc614.* Nxe6 Nd715. Nbxc7Rc816. Bg5 Kf717. f4 R8xc718. Nxc7 Rxc719. fxe5+ Ke620. Bxe7 Kxe721.* Rad1 Rxc222. Rxd7+ Kxd723. Rf7+ Ke6

§˜ ¯ ¨³”“” ˜“¹“

“ “‘”

›– •

‘’‘ ’‘’¦ ª ¤² 9. dxe6

§˜ ³”“” ˜ ¹“

§ “ “• ” –

‘’‘ ’‘’¦ ¤² 14. Nxe6

”“¨—´ ¹““

’

‘’‘ ‘’¦ ¤² 21. Rad1

Close Variants 181

Game 75: B-System Variant 6EG with White

White plays close variant 6EG, against black’s compact near B-system deployment. After theopening black attacks superbly, and almost wins the exchange. White saves himself with strongcounter attacks. There follows a long tactical phase, in which black finally wins a pawn (move 52),but white out maneuvers him afterwards in brilliant style to win the contest. Great chess!

§” ¨ ”³” “””‘ ‘’’ ‘

‘ ¦ ª²¦

52. Qf3

¨ ´” ”” ’ ¯‘””

ª’’ ²

‘ ¤

64. Rd2

¯ ¨ ´” ‘ ”

¤ ‘””ª

’“ ²

‘

70. Qd6

39. Re1 Qa440. Rbd1 Nd641. Bf3 Ne842. g4 Nd643. g5 Nf544.* g6 fxg645. Qxe6+ Kh746. Qe2 Re747. Be4 Qd748. Qf2 Rde849. Rd2 Nd650. Qg2 Nxe451. dxe4 Qa452.* Qf3 Qxc453. e5 Qf754. Kg3 Rf855. Qe4 Kh856. Ree2 Re657. Rd6 Qe758. Rd5 Qe859. Rd6 Kh760. h4 Rxd661. exd6 Qf762. h5 Kh863. hxg6 Qf664.* Rd2 Qxc3+65. Rd3 Qf666. d7 Qd867. Rd6 b568. Qd5 b469. Rc6 b370.* Qd6 Rg871. Qe6 Rf872. Rc8 Qf673. Rxf8+ Qxf874. Qe8 Qg875. Qxg8+ Kxg876. d8=Q++

1. b3 d52. g3 Nf63. f4 e64. Bg2 Nc65. e3 Bd66. Bb2 O-O7. Nf3 b68. O-O Ba69. * d3 Ng410. Qd2 Bb411. Nc3 Bc512. Rae1 Nxe313. Rxe3 d414. Nxd4 Qxd415. Nd1 Qd616.* Qc3 Nd417. Kh1 Nf518. Re5 Bd419. Qd2 Bxb220. Nxb2 Rad821. Nc4 Bxc422. bxc4 c523. Bh3 Ne724. Qc3 Qc6+25. Bg2 Qd726. Rd1 Nf527. Ree1 Rc828. Qb2 Rfd829. c3 Ne730. Qe2 Qa431. Rb1 Rc732. Be4 Rcd733. Kg1 Qa534. Rb3 h635. h3 Qa636. Kh2 Qc837. Rd1 Nf538. Rbb1 Qa6

§ ¯ ¨³” ” “”“”—¹“˜

“’

‘ ’•’‘ ‘’ ›’¦• ª ¤² 9. d3

§ ¨³” ” “”“”—¯“¹

’‘ ‘¦ ’

‘ ‘¬ ›’• ¤²

16. Qc3

¨ ³” § “”” “ ”” —’‘ ’’‘ › ‘

‘ ª ²¤¦

44. g6

Game 76: B-System Variants Bv6FG versus Bv5D”

In a tough match between B-system close variants, white’s Bv6FG takes on black’s Bv5D”. Bothsides have good play after the opening, but white threatens more, and wins a pawn at move 27.Under pressure, black saves himself by trading down, then finding good moves with his knight. Inthe endgame black manages to keep his promotion threat alive, and earns a draw. Good game!

´“

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² 35. Bxc6

¦

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‘²

45. Kf2

—

‘°

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62. Re1

40. Rh7 gxh441. Rxh6+Ke542. Rxh4 Ne343. Rh8 Nd544. Rb8 Kd645.* Kf2 Kc546. Kf3 Kd447. Rb7 Kd348. Ra7 b549. Ra5 Nc350. Kxf4 b451. Ra8 b352. Rb8 Kc453. g4 Nb554. Rc8+ Kb455. Rc1 b256. Re1 Kc357. g5 Nc758. Kf5 Kc259. g6 Ne860. Re2+ Kb361. Re3+ Ka262.* Re1 b1=Q+63. Rxb1 Kxb164. Ke6 Ng7+65. Kf6 Nh5+66. Kf5 Ng7+67. Ke5 Ne868. Kd5 Nf6+69. Ke6 Nh570. Ke5 Kc271. Kf5 Ng3+72. Kg4 Ne473. Kf4 Nf674. Kf5 Nd575. Ke5 Ne776. g7 Ng877. Ke6 Nh6drawn

1. e3 d62. b3 g63. Bb2 e54. f4 Bg75. Nf3 Nd76. d3 b67. Nbd2 Bb78. Be2 Qe79. * O-O O-O-O10. a4 f511. a5 Ngf612. e4 exf413. axb6 axb614. Ra7 fxe415. dxe4 Nxe416. Bxg7 Qxg717. Nxe4 Bxe418. Ng5 Kb819.* Ra2 Bb720. Ne6 Qc321. Nxd8 Rxd822. Bf3 d523. Qa1 Qe3+24. Kh1 Re825. c3 Qe726. c4 Qb427.* Bxd5 c628. Bf3 g529. Qd4 Qe130. Rxe1 Rxe1+31. Qg1 Rxg1+32. Kxg1 Nc533. b4 Nd334. b5 Ne535.* Bxc6 Bxc636. bxc6 Nxc437. h4 h638. c7+ Kxc739. Ra7+ Kd6

§ ³ —¨” ”—¯“¹“” ” “

”’

‘ ‘’•‘ ‘–› ‘’¦ ª² ¤ 9. O-O

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–”

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19. Ra2

´ §”— “” “

“¯‘ ”‘ ›

¤ ‘’¬ ¤ ° 27. Bxd5

Close Variants 183

Game 77: B-System Variants 5BCE versus 5G

White and black play the strong B-system variants Bv5BCE and Bv5G. Both sides play well, butwhite’s play is a bit sharper, and he wins the exchange at move 26 with a nice combination. Blacklater equalizes with a pin of the queen on the king, and emerges in slightly better shape for thepawn endgame. The finale is about as close as it can be, but black finally wins it by a hair.

¨ ´“”

” ¯¤

” ’‘’ ª’

¤ ° 31..Qxd5

“” ´ “‘‘ ° ’

43. b4

’³

”“”°

’

48. Kd3

31.* Rd5 Qxd532. Qxd5 Bb733. Qxb7 Rxb734. b3 Re735. Kg2 Rd736. Kf3 Rd237. a4 Rxh238. Rb1 e239. Re1 Kf640. Rxe2 Rxe241. Kxe2 Ke542. Kd3 h543.* b4 axb444. Kc4 g545. a5 Kd646. a6 Kc647. a7 Kb748.* Kd3 h449. gxh4 gxh450. Kc4 h351. Kxb4 Kxa752. Kc5 h253. Kc4 h1=Q54. Kd4 Kb655. Ke5 Kc556. Kf4 Qh4+57. Ke5 Qg458. Kf6 Kd659. Kf7 Qg560. Kf8 Ke661. Ke8 Qe7++

1. d3 g62. Bd2 d63. Nc3 b64. e4 Bb75. g3 Nd76. Bg2 Ngf67. Nge2 Bg78. O-O e59. * Qc1 O-O10. Bh6 a511. Bxg7 Kxg712. Qd2 Nc513. f4 h614. Nd5 Nxd515. exd5 f516. fxe5 dxe517. d4 Ne418. Bxe4 fxe419.* c4 Qe720. Qe3 c621. dxc6 Bxc622. dxe5 Qxe523. Qxb6 Rfc824. Nd4 Bd725. Rad1 Rxc426.* Nf5+ Bxf527. Qb7+ Rc728. Qxa8 Qc5+29. Kh1 e330. Qg2 Bc8

§ ¯³ ¨” ”— “¹“” ” ˜“

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–‘ ’‘’‘ •’›’¦ ª ¤² 9. Qc1

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’“’

‘’‘¬• ’¦ ¤² 19. c4

§´

¬ “”” ¯

§–“’

‘’ ’¤ ¤²

26. Nf5+

Game 78: B-System Variants 3BEG vs 4EG

Here is another battle between strong B-system Variants: white plays Bv3BEG, and black playsBv4EG. Note the tension on the diagonals after the opening. The minor pieces are traded quickly,and it turns into a long tough queen and rook endgame. Both sides play well but white finally getsthe better of it starting at move 39, picking up two pawns and cruising to an easy win afterwards.

¤¬“´

“” “

‘’¯ ‘ °’¨ 39..Rb1

´¦¨ “

“‘² ’‘’

52. Kg5

§ ´

¦ ‘²’’ ’

63. g7+

37. Qc5 Qb238. Qe3+ Kg739.* Qe7 Rb140. Qf8+ Kh741. Qxf7+ Qg742. Qc4 Rb243. Rxa5 Qe744. Kf2 Rd245. h4 Qd746. Ra8 Qd4+47. Qxd4 Rxd448. Ra7+ Kg849. e4 Kf850. Ke3 Rb451. Kf4 Rb652.* Kg5 Rd653. f4 Re654. e5 Rc655. Kh6 Rb656. Rg7 g5+57. Rg6 Rb758. hxg5 Rc759. Rf6+ Kg860. g6 h461. Rb6 Rc862. gxh4 Kf863.* g7+ Ke764. f5 Kd765. Rd6+ Kc766. f6 Rd867. Rxd8 Kb768. g8=Q Kb669. Qb3+ Kc770. Qd5 Kb671. Rb8+ Kc772. Qb7++

1. b3 e62. c4 b63. Bb2 Nf64. Nf3 Bb75. Nc3 g66. g3 Bg77. Bg2 d58. O-O O-O9.* d4 dxc410. bxc4 c511. dxc5 Ne412. Nxe4 Bxb213. Rb1 Bxe414. Rxb2 bxc515. Qc1 Nd716. Qe3 Bc617. Ne5 Nxe518. Qxe5 Bxg219. Kxg2 Rc820.* Rb7 Qa521. Rd1 Qxa222. Qf4 e523. Qe4 Rcd824. Rxd8 Rxd825. Rc7 Qa626. Rxc5 Rd427. Qa8+ Kg728. Rxe5 Rxc429. Re7 Rc230. Qe4 Ra231.* f3 Qf632. Qe3 a533. Ra7 Ra134. Ra8 h535. Qe8 Kh636. Qf8+ Qg7

§˜ ¯ ¨³” ” “¹“” “˜“

“‘‘– •’‘ ’‘’›’¦ ª ¤² 9. d4

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“ “” ¬‘

’‘¦ ‘’°’

¤ 20. Rb7

” ¦“´““

ª’

§ ‘’°’

31. f3

Distant Variants 185

Game 79: B-System Variant 1378 with White

White plays Bv1378 a weird looking opening consisting of mostly pawn moves, but it plays well;so much for the old theories about the opening! White offers a pawn early to open the attack, andthen keeps the pressure on for the remainder of the game. White’s play is always sharp, alwaysgoing for the win. Perilous attacks such as this are the fascination and delight of chess.

¨ ´—¦“”§— ¹“

” ”‘‘

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27. fxg6

“”

’ ³’‘

§° ’

42. b5

§’

³

°

79. Ka2 Re2+80. Bb2 Re881. Be5 Ra882.* Bb8 drawn

40. Bxd4 Ra341. a5 Rh342.* b5 Ra343. Bc3 Ra2+44. Kb3 Rxf245. a6 bxa646. bxa6 Ke447. a7 Rf848. Bb4 Ra849. Bc5 Kf550. Ka3 Ke651. Kb4 Kf552. Ka5 Ke453. Bf2 Kd354. Kb4 Ke455. Bg1 Kd356. Bc5 Rd857. Bf2 Ke258. Bg1 Ra859. Kc3 Kf360. Kc2 Kf461. Bd4 Ke462. Kc3 Re863. Bf2 Rd864. Bc5 Ra865. Kc2 Rh866. Kb3 Kd367. Bg1 Rd868. Bf2 Ra869. Bc5 Re870. Bb4 Kd471. Ba5 Kc572. Bxc7 Re3+73. Ka4 Re274. Bf4 Kxc475. Bd6 Re876. Bb8 Re177. Be5 Re278. Ka3 Re3+

1. e3 e52. b3 Nf63. Bb2 Nc64. c4 Be75. d3 O-O6. a3 d57. h3 Be68. g4 Qd69. * Nd2 a510. Bg2 Rfd811. Qc2 dxc412. dxc4 h513.* Ngf3 hxg414. hxg4 Bxg415. O-O-O Qd316. Qxd3 Rxd317. Rh2 Rad818.* Rdh1 Kf819. Rh8+ Ng820. Bf1 R3d721. Rg1 Bf522. Rg3 f623. Bh3 Bxh324. Rgxh3 f525. e4 g626. exf5 Bf627.* fxg6 Bxh828. Rxh8 Kg729. Nxe5 Nxe530. Bxe5+ Kxg631. Nf3 Re832. Bc3 Kf533. Bxa5 Nf634. Rxe8 Nxe835. Kc2 Ng736. Bc3 Ne637. b4 Rh738. a4 Rh339. Nd4+ Nxd4+

§ ¨³”“” ¹“”“

—¯ ˜“”‘ ‘

’‘ ‘’ ‘’

¦• ª²›–¤ 9. Nd2

§ ¨ ³“” ¹“”—¯ ˜

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’‘ ’ ‘ª– ’›

¦ ² –¤ 13. Ngf3

¨ ³“” ¹“”— ˜

” ”‘

’‘ §’•– ’›¦

²¤ 18. Rdh1

Game 80: B-System Variant 18EG with Black

Black plays Bv18EG, a more distant variant of the strong BvEG. Black maintains easy equalityafter the opening exchanges, and is never threatened. For a long period afterwards black probeswhite’s defenses, but no break thru is possible until move 59, when the white defense is forced offbalance. Black wins a pawn, then the exchange, then smashes the remains of white’s position.

¨§““ — ´’ “ ”“’“

¦ ’ ’ ’¦ª’–°

52..Na7

§¨““ ´’— “ ”’“ ‘’ ’ “

¤ ’¦ª– ²

59. Qd2

§¨““ ´’— “’“ “’ ’ “

¤ ¤ ª’ ²–

62..Nxc3

40. Qc2 Qf741. Ng2 Nd742. Rdd1 Ne543. Ra4 g544. Kg1 c545. Qe2 c446. Ra3 Qg647. Kf1 Kh648. b4 Qe449. Rd4 Qf550. Ne1 Nc651. hxg5+ fxg552.* Rd2 Na753. Ra1 Nb554. Rc1 Rf855. Kg1 h456. g4 Qe457. Ra2 Rde858. Qd1 h359.* Qd2 Qxg4+60. Kh2 Qe461. Rcc2 g462.* Qe2 Nxc363. Rxc3 Qe5+64. Kg1 Qxc365. Nc2 Qe566. Ne1 g367. Nf3 Qh568. fxg3 Qxf369. Qxf3 Rxf370. Kh2 Rg871. e4 Rfxg372. Ra1 Rg2+73. Kh1 c374. Rf1 c275. exd5 Rg1+76. Rxg1 Rxg1+77. Kxg1 c1=Q+resigns

1. Nf3 Nf62. d4 g63. Bf4 Bg74. Nc3 O-O5. e3 d66. Be2 Nbd77. O-O h68. h3 a69. * a4 Re810. Bc4 c611. Bg3 d512. Bb3 e513. dxe5 Nh514. Bh2 Nxe515. Bxe5 Bxe516. Nxe5 Rxe517. a5 Re818. Qd2 Qg519.* Kh1 Ng720. Ne2 Qe721. Kg1 Bd722. Rfd1 Rad823. c3 Qg524. Kh2 Nf525. Nf4 Nd626. g3 Qe727. Qe2 Ne428. Ba4 Qf629. Nd3 Qe630. Qf1 Qd631. Bc2 h532. Nf4 Qf633. Kg2 Nc534. Kg1 Bf535. Bxf5 Qxf536.* h4 f637. Qe2 Kg738. Kh2 Qe439. Rd4 Qe7

§ ¯ ¨³“”—”“¹

“ ” ˜“”

’– ’• ‘

‘’‘ ›’‘¦ ª ¤² 9. a4

§ § ³“ “

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›– ’ ‘’‘¬ ’‘

¦ ¤ ° 19..Ng7

¨§ ³“ “

“ “ “’ ˜“ “

– ’’ ’ ’

’ ’¦ ¤ ª² 36..f6


Game 81: B-System Variant 8B’D’DE' with White

White plays Bv8B’D’DE', an interesting compact queen side variant here with a forced queenmove. For most of the game white flirts with danger, keeping a step ahead of disaster. He neatlyskirts a number of serious attacks, and masterfully coordinating his scattered forces, manages towin a pawn and finally walk away with a victory. The B-system is laden with such hidden treasure!

¨ ´””

¦› ‘

” ¨ ‘‘ ¹‘° ¤

39. Bd3

¨ ´”

‘ ”¤ ›‘

¹ ‘¨

° ¤ 48. Rf7

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”¤’§

¹°

53. Kb3

38. Ra5 a339.* Bd3 Rg340. e5 Rxg241. e6 Re842. Rxa3 Bc543. Ra5 Rb844. Rb5 Ra845. c4 Rh246. Be4 Rd8+47. Bd5 Ba348.* Rf7 Rxh349. e7 Re850. c5 Rxe751. Rxe7 Rd3+52. Kc2 Rxd553.* Kb3 Rxc554. Rb8+ Kh755. Kxa3 h556. Rb1 Kh657. Re6+ g658. Kb4 Rf559. Rh1 Rf4+60. Kc3 Rg461. Kd3 h462. Ke3 Kh563. Re8 Rg3+64. Kf2 g565. Rg1 Rxg166. Kxg1 Kg667. Kg2 g468. Rh8 Kg569. Kf2 Kf570. Rxh4 Kf471. Rh1 Ke572. Kg3 Kd473. Kxg4 resigns

1. b3 e52. Bb2 d53. d3 Nf64. Na3 Nc65. Qd2 d46. O-O-O Bb47. Qg5 O-O8. h3 Nd59. * Qxd8 Rxd810. Nc4 b511. e4 dxe312. Nxe3 Be613. Nf3 Nc314. Bxc3 Bxc315. Ng5 Nb416. a3 Nd517.* Be2 c618. Nxe6 fxe619. Bg4 Rd620. Nf1 Rf821. Ng3 Nf622. Rhf1 c523. Ne4 Nxe424. dxe4 Ra625.* Rd7 Rxa326. Bxe6+ Kh827. Kd1 Ra628. Bd5 Bd429. Ke2 Ra230. Kd2 Bxf231. Kd3 h632. Re7 c4+33. bxc4 Ra3+34. Ke2 Re3+35. Kd1 bxc436. Rxe5 a537. Bxc4 a4

§ ¯ ¨³”“” “”“

——” ¬

¹ ”–‘ ‘ ‘‘ ‘ ‘’‘

²¤ ›–¤ 9. Qxd8

§ ¨ ³” ” “”“

“ —” –

’‘¹‘– ‘‘ ’‘²¤ › ¤

17. Be2

¨³” ”“§ ““” ”

‘ ›’‘¹ ‘

‘ ’‘²¤ ¤

25. Rd7

Game 82: B-System Variant 3BxBxG with White

White plays the ‘borderline’ Bv3BxBxG, with knight capturing moves figuring in the first eight.White wins a pawn quickly, then plays active defense while black attacks. But he never succeedsin equalizing; white seizes the initiative at mid-game, and carries it all the way to victory. Variantssuch as this show how you can depart from the standard into more aggressive exchange lines.

¨ ³¨—”

“”“ ”’’• ¤

‘ ’ª‘ ¦‘

² 47..Ng5

¨ ³”

“”“ ‘¦

¨‘ ’

‘ ‘¤²

54. Rf7

¨ ³¦ ¤

“”“

‘ ’‘ ‘²

66. Rhc7

79. Rxb8+ Kxh780. a6 resigns

40. Qh4 Kg841. Rde1 b642. Ne4 Nf743. Rf4 Qe644. Ref1 Rb845. R1f2 h646. Qh3 Qg647.* Rg4 Ng548. Qh4 Rd749. Nxg5 hxg550. Rxg5 Qb1+51. Rf1 Qd352. e6 Qxd4+53. Qxd4 Rxd454.* Rf7 Kh755. Rfxg7+ Kh856. e7 Rd1+57. Kh2 Re158. Rf7 b559. Rh5+ Kg860. Rhh7 Rxe761. Rhg7+ Kh862. Rxe7 a563. Rh7+ Kg864. Reg7+Kf865. Ra7 Kg866.* Rhc7 a467. bxa4 bxa468. Rxa4 Kf869. Rxc6 Re870. Rc7 Rd871. Raa7 Rb872. Rf7+ Kg873. a4 Rc874. a5 Rb875. Rg7+ Kh876. Rh7+ Kg877. Rag7+Kf878. Rb7 Kg8

1. b3 Nf62. Bb2 d53. d3 Nc64. Nd2 e55. Ngf3 Bd66. c4 dxc47. Nxc4 O-O8. Ncxe5 Nxe59. * Bxe5 Bb4+10. Nd2 Ng411. Bg3 Qf612. Rc1 Re813. e4 Ne514. Be2 Nc615. O-O Bd716. Nc4 Rac817. Bg4 Rcd818. Bxd7 Rxd719. Ne3 Qg620.* Nd5 Bd621. Re1 Bxg322. hxg3 a623. Qd2 Qh524. d4 f525. f3 fxe426. fxe4 Qg627. Qd3 Kh828. Rcd1 Qd629. Qc3 Red830. Rf1 Ne731. Nf4 Qb632.* Ne2 Qe633. Qf3 c634. Nf4 Qd635. Qg4 Ng836. Qh3 Nh637. Ne6 Re838. Nc5 Rde739. e5 Qg6

§ ¯ ¨³”“” “”“

¹ ˜˜

‘ ‘ •‘ ‘’‘’¦ ª²› ¤ 9. Bxe5

§ ³”“”§ “”“

—

¹ ‘‘ ‘–

‘ ’‘’¦ª ¤²

20. Nd5

¨ ´“”§˜ ”““¯

’‘–‘¬ ’

‘ ‘¤ ¤²

32. Ne2


Game 83: B-System Variant 34FG with White

White plays Bv34FG against a near B-system opening by black. All pieces except the bishops areexchanged quickly, and the game looks fairly certain to end in a draw, in spite of black’s queenside majority and white’s doubled pawn. White actually succeeds in trapping a bishop, but hecan’t protect his scattered pawns afterwards. The B-system can get you to the endgame so fastthat even with modest skills you should be able to draw many games against superior opponents.

³” “” ” ’ ”“

›‘ ’ ’‘‘ ¹ ²

36. Bf3

´” “

” ” ’ ›”

‘ ’ ‘‘ ¹°

40..Bb4

´

” “›” ’”°

after 55..Kd8

28. Kg2 c529. Kf3 g530. Kg2 Bd231. Kf3 Bb432. Kg2 Be133. Be4 Bd234. Kf2 Ba635. h3 Bb536.* Bf3 h437. gxh4 gxh438. Be2 Bc639. Bh5+ Ke740.* Ke2 Bb441. a3 Bd542. axb4 axb443. e4 Bxb344. Bc1 Bc4+45. Ke1 Ba246. Bg5+ Kd747. Kd2 Bb148. Be2 Bxe449. Bxh4 Bg250. Bb5+ Kc751. Kc2 Bxh352. Kb3 Bg453. Bg5 Bf354. Bc7 Be455. Bd6+ Kd8*drawn

1. b3 Nf62. Bb2 e63. c4 Nc64. e3 Be75. d4 d56. Nd2 O-O7. Ngf3 b68. Be2 a59. cxd5 Qxd510. Ne5 Nxe511. dxe5 Ne412. Nxe4 Qxe413. O-O Rd814.* Bf3 Rxd115. Bxe4 Rxf1+16. Rxf1 Rb817. Rd1 Ba618. f4 Bc519. Bd4 Bb420. Bb2 Bb521. f5 g622. fxe6 fxe623. Bd3 Rd824.* Bc2 Rxd1+25. Bxd1 Be126. Bc2 Kf727. g3 h5

§ ¯ ¨³” ¹“”“”— “˜” “

‘’‘ ’•‘ –›’‘’¦ ª² ¤ 9. cxd5

§ ¨ ³” ¹“”“” “

” ’

‘ ’‘ ›’‘’¦ ª ¤² 14. Bf3

¨ ³” “” “ “

” ’¹‘ ›’

‘ ‘’¤ ²

24. bc2

Game 84: B-System Variant 13EFx with Black

Black plays Bv13EFx, expanding on the queen side and exchanging pawns early on. White attacksafter the opening, but falls into a trap that wins black a piece for a pawn as early as move 14.Afterwards black trades down without problems, and carries his advantage all the way to an easyvictory. Games like this show the resistance of the B-system to attack: awesome and then some!

³“

˜“‘ —–“”‘ ‘

’ ’²

30..Nc3

—’ ³ “

— • “”°

’

40..Ke6

—’ ²“

³˜

’

48. Kf8

36. Nd3 Nc737. Nb4 Kf738. a7 Ndb539. Nd5 Na840.* Kf3 Ke641. Kxf4 Kxd542. Kxf5 Nd6+43. Kg5 Ne4+44. Kh6 Nf645. Kg7 Ke646. Kf8 h547. Kg7 Kf548.* Kf8 Nd549. Kg7 Kg550. Kf7 Ndc751. Ke7 Nb552. Ke6 Nxa753. Ke5 Kg454. Kf6 h455. Kg6 h356. Kf6 Kf357. Ke5 Kg258. Kf4 Kxh259. Kg4 Kg260. Kf4 Nb661. Ke5 h262. Ke4 h1=Q63. Kd4 Qd1+64. Ke5 Nc6+65. Kf4 Qf3+66. Kg5 Ne767. Kh6 Qf6+68. Kh7 Qf7+69. Kh8 Ng6++

1. e4 b62. Nf3 c53. d4 e64. dxc5 Bxc55. Nc3 Bb76. Bc4 Ne77. O-O O-O8. Qe2 a69. * Na4 Bd610. Be3 Bc711. Rad1 Bxe412. Nxb6 Bxb613. Bxb6 Qxb614.* Qxe4 d515. Bxd5 Nxd516. c4 f517. Qe1 Nc718. Qc3 Nc619. Rd7 Rf720. Rxf7 Kxf721. Rd1 Rd822. Rxd8 Nxd823. Qd2 Nb724. Ne5+ Kg825.* b4 Qd626. Qxd6 Nxd627. a4 g528. b5 axb529. cxb5 Nd530.* g4 Nc331. gxf5 exf532. a5 Ncxb533. f4 gxf434. Kf2 Nd435. a6 N6b5

§˜ ¯ ¨³“˜“”“

“” “¹› ‘– •

‘’‘ ª’‘’¦ ¤² 9. Na4

§˜ ¨³“˜“”“

“¯ “

› ª•

‘’‘ ’‘’¤ ¤²

14..d5

³—˜ ”““¯ “

–“’‘

‘ ¬ ’‘’²

25..Qd6


Game 85: B-System Variant 5EGH with White

White plays Bv5EGH, a B-system opening with a distinctly classical aspect. Neither side producesanything decisive until move 34, when black surrenders a pawn and attacks with his rook, tryingto free the way for his rook pawn. White nurses his lead until the decisive moment at move 66,when a valiant rook sacrifice launches his remaining pawns towards promotion. Well done!

¨§”“ ³

” ¹“ ‘ “

“ ’› ‘‘ ‘

‘ •¤ ¤ ²

34..d5

¨”“´

¹“ ‘’ ’ ‘”›‘ ¨•²¤ ¤

40. Ke1

¨

’’

°– ³¹ ”

¤ 66. Rxf2+

40.* Ke1 Rb241. Rxb2 axb242. Rb1 Kf643. Bd5 Rg844. Bf3 e645. fxe6 Bxe646. Rxb2 Bxg447. Bxg4 Rxg448. Nc3 Rxd449. Nxb5 Rh450. Kd1 Rh1+51. Kc2 Ke552. a4 f553. a5 Be354. Kd3 f455. Nc3 Rh356. Re2 Rh857. Nd1 Rd8+58. Kc2 Kd459. Kb3 Kd360. Re1 Rb861. Nc3 f362. Rd1+ Bd263. b5 Ke364. b6 f265. Rf1 Kf366.* Rxf2+ Kxf267. Ne4+ Ke368. Nxd2 Kxd269. Kc4 Rb770. Kb5 Rf771. a6 Rf5+72. Kc6 Rf6+73. Kb7 Rf7+74. Ka8 Rf675. Ka7 Rf7+76. b7 Kd377. Ka8 Kc478. b8=Q resigns

1. g3 d52. Bg2 g63. d3 Bg74. Nd2 Nf65. Ngf3 Nc66. O-O O-O7. e4 Qd68. Re1 dxe49. * Nxe4 Nxe410. dxe4 Rd811. Qxd6 cxd612. c3 Be613. Be3 Rac814. Red1 Bg415. h3 Bd716. Rac1 h617. Nd4 Na518. b3 b519. Rd2 Kh720. Ne2 Nc621. Rcd1 a522.* f4 Be623. g4 a424. Bb6 Re825. Rb1 Rg826. Rd3 Rgf827. Rdd1 Rb828.* Bd4 Nxd429. cxd4 Rfc830. f5 Bd731. Rd2 gxf532. exf5 h533. Be4 Bh634.* Rdd1 d535. Bxd5 Rc236. Kf2 a337. b4 hxg438. hxg4 Kg739. Bb3 Rd2

§ ¨³”“” ”“¹“

—¯ ˜“

“‘ •’

‘’‘– ’›’¦ ª¦ ² 9. Nxe4

§¨”“¹³

—” “””“

‘‘’ ’‘

‘ ¦•’›¤ ²

22. f4

¨ ¨”“¹³

—” “”“

“ ‘’‘‘’ ‘

‘ • ›¤ ¤ ²

28. Bd4

Game 86: B-System Variant 4F’GxG with White

White wins easily with Bv4F’GxG (king knight forced to move twice) in this straightforward game.White goes up a pawn as early as move 14, then launches a pawn which finally costs black apiece. It’s all downhill for black after that, his position is torn apart by white’s queen, rook, andbishop. This game should serve as a warning for ill prepared attackers of the B-system openings!

§ ³¬ ¤”“

”” ¯

–› ’‘’

² 34. Bb3

´ ›

““

• ’‘’²

45. h4

‘’´

“”›

• ’²

52. Nxb4

33. Rxf7 Qe534.* Bb3 Qxc735. Re7+ Kf836. Rxc7 Rd837. Rf7+ Ke838. Rxg7 Be439. Rg5 Bc640. Bc2 b541. Bxh7 a442. Rg8+ Ke743. Rxd8 Kxd844. Nc2 Kc745.* h4 Be846. Bd3 Kb647. g4 Kc548. h5 Bf749. h6 Bg850. g5 b451. g6 Bc452.* Nxb4 Be653. Nc2 Bb354. h7 Kd655. h8=Q Bxc256. Bxc2 a357. Qd8+ Kc658. Be4+ Kc559. Qa5+ Kd660. Qd5+ Ke761. Bf5 Kf662. f4 Kg763. Qf7+ Kh864. g7++

1. b3 Nf62. Bb2 b63. e3 e64. d4 d55. Bd3 c56. Ne2 cxd47. Nxd4 e58. Ne2 Bd69. * Nd2 O-O10. e4 Bb711. exd5 Bxd512. O-O Bb713.* Nc4 Bc714. Bxe5 Bxe515. Nxe5 Qc716. Nc4 Rd817. Qd2 Na618. Qf4 Qc519. Rfd1 Nb420. Ne3 Re821. c4 Rad822. Bf5 Qe723. a3 Nc624. Nc3 Rxd1+25. Rxd1 Qxa326. Ncd5 Nxd527. cxd5 Nb828.* Qc7 Ba829. d6 Qxb330. Bc2 Qb531. d7 Nxd732. Rxd7 a5

§˜ ¯³ ¨” “”“” ¹ ˜

“”

‘ ›’‘ ‘ •’‘’¦• ª² ¤ 9. Nd2

§˜ ¯ ¨³” “”“” ¹ ˜

”•‘ ›

‘ ‘ •’‘’¦ ª ¤² 13..Bc7

˜ § ³” “”“”

‘ ›¬

¯‘ –’‘’

¤ ² 28. Qc7


Game 87: B-System Variants 34BEFG versus 46EF’G

White and black both play B-system distant variants. White effectively wins the game soon afterthe opening, in a combination beginning at move 15 in which he sacrifices a rook to produce a pinof black’s queen on his king. White then keeps the heat on until the final ‘coup de grace.’ Gamessuch as this demonstrate the character of B-system openings: quiet . . until they explode!

¹ § ³” ˜ ”“”

’§ ”’ ’•

¦ ’‘’ª ²

27. Rd8

¬ ´” ˜ ”“

“ –’§ ¹

’’‘’²

32. Bxg7+

” “¬

“ –³’§ ¹

’’‘’²

35. g4+

26. Nf3 f427.* Rd8 Bc728. Rxe8+ Bxe829. Ng5 b530. exf4 Bxf431. Qd8 Kf832.* Bxg7+Kxg733. Qxe7+Kh634. Qf6+ Kh535.* g4+ Kxg436. h3+ Kh537. Ne6 Bh638. Qf5+ Kh439. f4 Rc1+40. Kh2 Rc2+41. Qxc2 Bxf4+42. Kg2 h643. Qf5 Bc6+44. Kf2 Bg3+45. Kg1 Bf346. Qxf3 h547. Qe4+ Bf448. Qxf4+ Kxh349. Ng5++

1. e3 e62. d4 f53. Nf3 Nf64. Be2 b65. O-O Bb76. b3 d57. c4 Bd68. Nc3 O-O9. * Bb2 c510. dxc5 Bxc511. a3 Nc612. cxd5 exd513. Qc2 Qd714. Rfd1 Rad815.* Nxd5 Nxd516. Rxd5 Qxd517. Bc4 Ne718. b4 Bd619.* Rd1 Rc820. Bxd5+ Bxd521. Qd3 Rc422. Qe2 Rfc823. Nd4 Bf724. Rd2 Bb825. Qd1 Re8

§˜ ¯ ¨³” ” ”“” ¹“˜

“ “‘’‘– ’•‘ ›’‘’¦ ª ¤² 9. Bb2

¨ ¨³” ”“”— ˜¹“ “

’‘– ’•ª ›’‘’

¦ ¤ ² 15. Nxd5

¨ ¨³” ˜ ”“” ¹

“’›

’ ’•ª ’‘’

¦ ² 19. Rd1

Game 88: B-System Variant 3EFxGG with Black

The author with black plays a ‘borderline’ variant, Bv3EFxGG, and trounces his computer rival. A‘borderline’ variant is one with an unforced double move (outside system rules) that results inimmediate gain of material. Black tries to win a pawn at his 8th move, but instead this turns out tobe the first move of a winning attack! Black takes a pawn and then the exchange, and an easyvictory. If the author can play the B-system openings and beat the computer, then so can you!

´” ”›” ”¨ ¨”

’ °’’ ’

¤ 29..Rh5

¨ ³

›¦”‘

“ °¨

41..Ke7

¨´ ¦

›‘

“ °

¨ 45..Rf7

29.* Bxh7 Rh530. Bg6 Rxh231. Rxd4 Rxb232. Re4 Rc833. Re3 b534. Bf5 Rb835. Rd3 a536. g4 b437. axb4 axb438. Rd7 b3 39. Be6 g540. Rf7+ Ke841.* Rxf6 Ke742. Rg6 Rf8+43. Bf5 Rc244. Rxg5 Rc145.* Rg7+ Rf746. Rxf7+ Kxf747. Bd3 b248. Kf4 b1=Q49. Bxb1 Rxb150. Ke5 Kg651. Kf4 Rf1+52. Ke3 Kg553. Ke2 Rf454. Kd3 Kxg4resigns

1. g3 b62. Nf3 Bb73. e4 c54. d4 e65. dxc5 Bxc56. Bf4 Nf67. Nc3 O-O8. a3 Ng49. * Qd2 Bxf2+10. Ke2 d511. exd5 exd512. Bh3 Re8+13. Kf1 Be314. Bxe3 Nxe3+15. Kf2 Nc616. Rhe1 d417. Qd3 Qf618.* Ne4 Qxf3+19. Kxf3 Ne5+20. Kf2 Nxd3+21. cxd3 Bxe422.* dxe4 Nc223. Bf1 Nxa124. Rxa1 Rac825. Bd3 f626. Rd1 Kf827. Kf3 Rc528. e5 Rexe5

§˜ ¯ ¨³” “ “”“” “¹

‘ —’ – •’’‘ ’ ’

¦ ª²› ¤ 9. Qd2

§ § ³” “”“”— ¯

”•’ ª˜•’›’‘ ² ’

¦ ¦ 18..Qxf3+

§ § ³” “”“”

”‘’ ˜ ’›’ ² ’

¦ ¦ 22..Nc2


Game 89: B-System Variant 345xF’G with Black

Black plays Bv345xF’G, a distant variant featuring the ‘shotgun’ double bishop attack on the kingside. After the opening black comes under some pressure, but he gets out of it nicely. Black’sknight fork at move 22, rook sacrifice at move 27, and pawn sacrifice at move 32 are fine examplesof solid tactical chess. Yet another win with yet another opening of the powerful new B-system!

¨ ³“ “

“ ”’

› —•’ ’¦ ’

² 32..f5

³’ “

‘“˜

‘›²

43. a3

´

—²“

67..h2

38. h3 Ba639. c7 Bc840. Kf2 Nc241. Be2 Nb442. g4 a443.* gxf5 a344. Bc4+ Kf845. Ke3 Bxf546. h4 Ke747. Kf4 Bh348. Kg3 Bc849. Kf4 h650. Ke5 a251. Bxa2 Nxa252. Kd4 Kd653. Kc4 Kxc754. Kc5 Bg455. Kc4 Kd656. Kd4 Nb457. Ke3 Nd5+58. Kf2 h559. Ke1 Ne360. Kd2 Nf561. Ke1 Nxh462. Kf1 Nf363. Ke2 h464. Kf1 Nd2+65. Kf2 h366. Kg3 Ne4+67.* Kf4 h268. Kxe4 h1=Q+69. Ke3 Qc1+70. Ke4 Qc4+71. Ke3 Ke572. Kf2 Qe2+73. Kg1 Bh374. Kh1 Qg2++

1. g3 e62. Nf3 b63. Bg2 Bb74. O-O c55. d3 d56. c4 Nf67. cxd5 exd58. Qb3 Bd69. * Nc3 O-O10. Bg5 d411. Nb5 Nc612. e4 dxe313. fxe3 Be714. Rad1 a615. Na3 Ng416. Bxe7 Qxe717. Qxb6 Nb418. Nc4 Bd519. Rfe1 Rab820. Qa5 Rfd821. Qa4 Bc622.* Qa3 Nc223. Qc3 Nxe124. Rxe1 Qf625. Qxf6 gxf626. Re2 Bb527.* Ne1 Rxd328. Nxd3 Bxc429. Rd2 Rd830. Be4 Bxa231. b4 Bc432.* bxc5 f533. Bxf5 Nxe334. Be4 f535. Bf3 Rxd336. Rxd3 Bxd337. c6 a5

§˜ ¯³ ¨” “”“” ¹ ˜”“

ª ‘ •’‘’ ‘’›’¦• ¤² 9. Nc3

¨ ¨ ³¯“”“

“”˜• —

¬ ‘’•’‘’ ›’

¤¦ ² 22..Nc2

¨ ¨ ³“ “

“ ””• —‘’ ’

‘’ ¤ ›’– ²

27..Rxd3

Game 90: B-System Variant 34BD’G with White

White plays Bv34BD’G, one of the strong queen side distant variants. Black counters well with anear B-system opening. After a long phase of tactical play, black seems better placed, but whitelater repulses him. White’s 43rd move opens to a very sharp continuation: for twenty movesthereafter, both sides threaten across the board. White finally triumphs in this tenacious contest.

§ ³¹“”

§ “ ”“’ ˜

–’‘

ª ‘’¦¤ ²

43. e4

§¤ ”³ª ”

¨–“’°

¯¦

58..f2

¨³¤ ”

”¨ •

ª¯ ’

”°¤

62..Rxd5

40. Red1 Rea841. Bd4 R3a642. Nf4 Qd743.* e4 dxe444. h4 exf345. hxg5 Bxg546. e6 fxe647. g3 Ra448. Be5 Qa7+49. Kh1 Qf750. Rd2 c551. Qxc5 Bf652. Qe3 Ra353. Qe1 Qb754. Kh2 Bxe555. Qxe5 R3a556. Qxe6+ Kh757. Rd7 Qb2+58.* Kh3 f259. Rcd1 Rf860. Kg2 Qc361. Qe4+ Kg862.* Nd5 Rxd563. Qxd5+ Kh764. Qd3+ Qxd365. R7xd3 h566. Rf3 Rc867. Kxf2 Rc768. Rd6 Rc2+69. Ke3 Rc3+70. Ke4 Rc4+71. Kd5 Rc272. Rf5 Rh273. Rg5 Rd2+74. Ke6 Rxd6+75. Kxd6 Kh676. Rc5 g577. Ke5 Kg678. Rc6+ resigns

1. b3 Nf62. Bb2 e63. c4 Nc64. Nc3 d55. e3 Bd66. d4 O-O7. Nf3 b68. Qd2 Bb79. * cxd5 exd510. a3 Qd711. Bd3 Ne712. O-O a613. Qc2 Rfe814. Rfe1 Rad815. Ne5 Qc816. Rac1 Qb817. Qe2 b518. b4 c619. Qc2 Nc820. Nb1 Nb621. Nd2 Nc422. Ndf3 h623.* Bf5 Bc824. Bxc8 Rxc825. Nd3 Qc726. Nc5 Ra827. a4 a528. bxa5 bxa429. Nxa4 Rxa530. Bc3 Rb531. Nb2 Na332. Qa4 Qb733. Nd3 Ne434. Qd1 Nc435. Qc2 Rb336. Ba1 Ra337.* Nfe5 Nxe538. dxe5 Be739. f3 Ng5

§ ¯ ¨³” ” “”“”—¹“˜

“‘’‘– ’•‘ ¬ ’‘’¦ ²› ¤ 9. cxd5

¯ ¨§ ³“”

“ “¹ ˜ ”“ “–’—’

’ ›’•ª ’‘’¦ ¦ ²

23. Bf5

§ ³“”

“¹ ”“

—’—¨ •’•

ª ’‘’¦ ¦ ²

37. Nfe5


Game 91: B-System Variant 348BG White

White plays Bv348BG, with an expanded queen side development, against black’s near B-systemopening. White delays castling, and then gets in trouble for it: his king is exposed and attacked.Assaulted on all sides, white still manages to remain intact, and threatens with a passed pawn.Black stays slightly ahead in material until the end, but still isn’t able to force a win. Close game!

§ ³” ”“” –

‘¹

§ ‘¦›² ¤

29. Nxe8

” ³”“•

“ ‘

‘°

§ 39..b4

‘ “

¨³“²

52..Ra3

35. Kxe1 Ra1+36. Ke2 Kf737. Nc7 Rh138. Ne6 b539.* Be5 b440. Bxg7 a541. Be5 a442. Kd2 Rf143. Ng5+ Kg644. d6 Kxg545. d7 Rf846. Bc7 Kh447. Bd6 Rg848. Bxb4 Kxh349. Ba5 a350. Kc3 Rg3+51. Kc2 a252.* Kb2 Ra353. Ka1 Rd354. d8=Q Rxd855. Bxd8 h556. Kxa2 h457. Bc7 Kg258. Bd6 Kh159. Be7 h360. Bd6 Kg161. Kb3 Kf262. Bc5+ Kg363. Bd6+ Kg264. Bc7 Kh165. Bb8 h266. Bc7 Kg267. Bxh2 drawn

1. b3 Nf62. Bb2 e63. c4 Nc64. e3 Be75. d4 d56. Nf3 O-O7. h3 b68. Nc3 Ne49. * Bd3 Nxc310. Bxc3 Nb411. Be2 dxc412. bxc4 c513. Qb3 Bb714. Rd1 Qc715. a3 Na616. d5 exd517. cxd5 c418.* Qxc4 Bxa319. Ne5 Bd620. Qxc7 Nxc721. Nc4 Bc522. e4 Rae823. f3 f524.* Be5 fxe425. Bxc7 exf326. gxf3 Rxf327. Rd2 Bb428. Nd6 Rd329.* Nxe8 Rxd230. Bd6 Bc331. Kf2 Ba632. Re1 Ra233. Kf1 Bxe134. Bxa6 Rxa6

§ ¯ ¨³” ” ¹“”“”— “

“‘’—

‘– ’• ‘‘ ’‘¦ ª²› ¤ 9. Bd3

§ ¨³” ¯ ¹“”“—”

‘“

’ª ’• ‘›’‘

¤² ¤ 18. Qxc4

§¨³” ˜ ”“”¹‘ “• ‘

‘ ‘› ‘

¤² ¤ 24. Be5

Game 92: B-System Variant 134BG White

The author with white plays Bv134BG, and blitzes his computer rival. Black’s opening is fairlyrestrained, allowing white to build his big queen side castled position. White has black’s defenseunder pressure soon after the opening, with all pieces and the king side pawns participating in theoffensive. The defending pieces are exchanged and an assault with queen, bishop, and rookssmashes black’s king side and results in a quick and easy win. Chalk up one for the humans!

§ ´§” ª ¤—” ”

”‘¯‘

’‘ ‘’

° ¦ 28..Qe7

´¦ ˜” ””‘‘

’‘ ‘’

° 34. f4

¤ ‘´”

’ ”‘‘

° 50. a6

28.* Qf7 Qe729. Qxe7+Rxe730. Rg8+ Kd731. Rxe7+ Kxe732. Rxa8 Nc733. Rxa7 Kd834.* f4 Kc835. f5 Ne836. Re7 Kd837. Re6 b538. f6 Nxf639. Rxf6 bxc440. bxc4 Kd741. f4 Kc742. Rf7+ Kd843. Ra7 Kc844. f5 Kd845. f6 Ke846. f7+ Kf847. Rd7 Kg748. a4 Kf849. a5 Kg750.* a6 Kg651. f8=Q Kh552. Rg7 Kh653. Qh8++

1. e3 e62. d4 Nf63. Nf3 Be74. b3 O-O5. c4 b66. Bb2 Bb77. Nc3 Na68. a3 d69. * Bd3 e510. Qc2 Bxf311. gxf3 exd412. exd4 c513. d5 Re814. O-O-OQc715. Ne4 Nxe416. Bxe4 Bg5+17. Kb1 g618.* h4 Bh619. Rdg1 Bg720. h5 Bxb221. Kxb2 Qe722. hxg6 Qe5+23. Kb1 fxg624.* Bxg6 hxg625. Qxg6+ Kf826. Qg8+ Ke727. Rh7+ Kd8

§ ¯ ¨³” ” ¹“”“—” ”“˜

‘’’‘– ’•

’‘’¦ ª²› ¤ 9. Bd3

§ § ³” ¯ “ “—” ” “

”‘ ¹‘ ›

’‘ ‘ª ’ ’

° ¤ ¤ 18. h4

§ § ³” “—” ” “

”‘¯‘ ›

’‘ ‘ª ’

° ¦¤ 24. Bxg6


Game 93: B-System Variants EFG versus 35BDE’

In this battle between strong B-system variants BvEFG and Bv35BDE’ we get the flavor of gamesof the future. Both variants were tested prior to the discovery of the Beginner’s Game. Here bothattack well from their opposing castled positions. White takes a gambit at his 23rd move, and thenbarely survives a 3-way knight fork, but still wins. Another display of fireworks by the B-system!

§¹”³ “””

¯’’ ª ’

–—’ ’¦ °

27..Re7

¬ ¹” ¦ ¨ ”³” ”

’’ ’

– ’ ’²

33. b5+

” ¬ ”³” ”

’ ’’ ’•²

36..f5

29. Rxc3 Qh530. Kg1 f631. Qd8 Qe832. Rc7+ Ka633.* b5+ Qxb534. Rxe7 Bxe735. Qxe7 Qd336.* Nf1 f537. Qxg7 Qxa338. Qe5 Qc539. Qxc5 bxc540. h4 c441. Ne3 Kb542. h5 f443. gxf4 a544. h6 c345. h7 c246. Nxc2 a447. h8=Q Kc648. f5 Kd749. f6 Ke650. Nd4+ Kd551. f7 a352. f8=Q Kc453. Qc8+ Kb454. Qhf8+ Ka555. Nc6+ Kb656. Qb4++

1. e3 b62. b3 Bb73. Bb2 d64. d3 c55. Nd2 Qc76. Ngf3 Nc67. Be2 O-O-O8. O-O e59. * c4 Kb810. d4 exd411. exd4 cxd412. Nxd4 Nxd413. Bxd4 Ne714. Rc1 Nc615.* Bc3 d516. cxd5 Rxd517. Bf3 Rd818. b4 Qf419. a3 Be720. g3 Qg521. Qc2 Rhe822. Rfe1 Bf823.* Qxh7 Nd424. Bxb7 Kxb725. Rxe8 Rxe826. Qd3 Ne2+27.* Kf1 Re728. Rc2 Nxc3

³¨ ¹—¨” ¯ “”“”—”” ”

‘ ‘’•‘ ‘–›’‘’¦ ª ¤² 9. c4

´ ¨ ¹ ¨” ¯ “”“”—”

‘‘‘ –›’‘’

¦ª ¤² 15..d5

´ ¨§¹” “”“”—

¯’’ ›’

ª– ’ ’¦ ¦ ²

23. Qxh7

Game 94: B-System Variant 6BD”EG with White

White plays the distant variant Bv6BD”EG and triumphs over black in another contest that quicklyreaches the endgame. Following the opening white presses the initiative, ignoring black’s threats.White’s incisive play succeeds in keeping his opponent off balance. Black maintains equalitythroughout, but white always stays a tempo ahead, just enough to win in a classic pawn endgame.

³” ” ”

”

¬ ’‘‘¯‘

² 29. Qb3+

”“”

”³² ’

‘ ’‘

35. h5

” ” ²

‘ ´‘

42..Kf3

29.* Qb3+ Qxb330. cxb3 Kf7 31. Kf2 Ke632. Ke3 Kd533. Kf4 g634. h4 c535.* h5 gxh536. Kf5 a537. Kg6 Ke438. Kxh6 Kf339. Kxh5 Kxg340. Kg5 Kf341. Kf5 Ke342.* Ke5 Kf343. Kd5 Kf444. Kxc5 Ke545. Kb6 Kd646. Kxa5 Kc647. b4 Kb748. b5 Ka749. b6+ Kb850. Kb5 Kb751. a4 Kc852. a5 Kd753. a6 Kd654. a7 Ke555. a8=Q Kd456. Qf3 Ke557. Kc5 Ke658. b7 Ke759. b8=Q Ke660. Qd6++

1. g3 Nf62. Bg2 d53. f4 Bf54. Nf3 e65. O-O Be76. d3 h67. Qe1 O-O8. Nc3 Nc69. * e4 Bc5+10. Kh1 dxe411. dxe4 Bg412. Be3 Qe713. h3 Bxf314. Bxf3 e515. Nd5 Nxd516. exd5 Nb417.* Bxc5 Qxc518. fxe5 Rad819. Rd1 Nxd520. e6 Ne321. exf7+ Kxf722. Rxd8 Rxd823. Qf2 Kg824.* Re1 Re825. Bxb7 Qb526. Rxe3 Rxe327. Qxe3 Qxb7+28. Kg1 Qxb2

§ ¯ ¨³”“” ¹“”

— “˜ ”“

’–‘ •’

‘’‘ ‘ ›’¦ ¬¤² 9. e4

§ ¨³”“” ¯“”

”¹‘”

˜ ’›’‘

‘’‘¦ ¬¤ ° 17. Bxc5

¨ ³”“” ”

”¯

˜›’‘‘’‘ ¬

¤ ° 24. Re1


Game 95: B-System Variant 33xBDE’ with White

White plays the first opening invented by the author, featuring the ‘king and queen in the castle’position. White’s attack, using all the king side pawns and most of the pieces, is one of thestrongest in chess. For it to succeed however, his defense must hold on the vulnerable queenside. In this complex tactical game the tension revolves around black’s d5 pawn. It falls to theclassic ‘pile up with pieces, then advance a pawn’ attack. Black’s crippled game then falls as well.

§ ³§˜ ””• ˜‘

” “– “‘¯‘¬ ’ ‘

¤¦ ›°

39. Rf2

§ ³§˜ ””•¯ ˜‘

” “ ¤ “‘‘ ª’ ‘

° ¤ ›

46. e4

¨ ´§ ›”” ‘

” – “‘‘ ‘

° ¦

54..Rbxf7

38. fxg6 Nf639.* Rf2 Be640. Qd3 Bc841. Rf4 Be642. Rf1 Qd643. Ka2 Bd744. Nxd7 Qxd745. Rf5 Qd646.* e4 Nxe447. Rxd5 Nxd548. Bxe4 Nb4+49. Nxb4 Qxd350. Nxd3 Rbb851. Bd5+ Kh852. Rf2 Rf853. Bf7 Rb754.* Ne5 Rbxf755. gxf7 g556. Ng6+ Kg757. Nxf8 Kxf858. Rf5 g459. hxg4 hxg460. Rg5 Kxf761. Rxg4 Ke762. Rg6 b563. axb5 Kd864. Rc6 Kd765. Rc4 Ke666. b6 a467. bxa4 Kd568. Rc8 Ke469. b7 Ke370. b8=Q Kf371. Qe5 Kg272. Rf8 Kh373. Qg7 Kh474. Rh8++

1. b3 d52. e3 e53. Bb2 Nd74. c4 Ngf65. Qc2 c66. Nc3 Bb47. O-O-O Qe78. cxd5 cxd59. * g4 h610. Bg2 Nb611. h3 Bd712. Nge2 O-O13. f4 e414. Nd4 Rac815. Kb1 Bc516.* d3 Bb417. Rc1 Rfe818. Rhe1 exd319. Qxd3 Ne420. Re2 a621. Rec2 Rcd822. a4 Nf623. Nd1 Na824. Nf3 a525. Ne5 Be626. Nf2 Qd627. f5 Bd728.* Qd4 Bc829. Nfd3 Ba330. Bxa3 Qxa331. Qc3 b632. Nc6 Rd733. Nde5 Rb734. Rd2 Nc735. Rcc2 h536. g5 Nh737. g6 fxg6

§ ³ ¨”“ —¯“”“

˜“”

¹‘– ’

‘ ª’ ’‘’²¤ ›–¤

9. g4

§ ¨³”“ ¯“”˜ ˜ ”¹“–“’‘

‘– ’ ‘‘ ª’ ›° ¤ ¤

16. d3

— ¨§ ³“ “”

¯ ˜ ”” “–‘‘¹ ‘‘ ª’ ‘¤ –›°¦

28. Qd4

Game 96: B-System Variant 45xBD’E’ with White

White plays Bv45xBD’E’, a variant of the first opening invented by the author. This opening showsanother way to move from a classical into a B-system opening. White’s undeveloped king sidecomes into play only later on. Here white keeps the initiative all the way with sharp play, takingqueen for rook on move 29, after an unusual knight sacrifice. It’s an easy win for white afterwards.

¨³

¦ “”“ ¬“’

“‘’

‘ ’‘°

29..Qxd6

¨ ´¬

“’ ’

“”

‘ ’‘°

37. Kc1

ª´

“’

°’‘

50. Qa7+

34. bxa4 Bf735. Qc7 Kh836. a5 f437.* Kc1 e338. Qxf4 e239. Kd2 Re840. Ke1 Bxa241. a6 Bd542. Qf6+ Kh743. Qd6 Bf744. Qd7 Kg845. Qb7 Be646. a7 Kf847. a8=Q Rxa848. Qxa8+ Ke749. Kxe2 Bf550.* Qa7+ Kf851. Qc5+ Kf752. Kf3 Bd753. Qc7 Ke654. Kg3 Ke755. f4 Ke856. Qe5+ Kd857. Qf6+ Kc858. Qxg6 Kc759. Qf6 Bb560. g6 Bc461. Qc3 Kd662. Qxc4 Ke763. Qd5 Ke864. Qf7+ Kd865. g7 Kc866. g8=Q++

1. e3 g62. d4 d53. b3 Nf64. Bb2 Bg75. Nc3 O-O6. Qd2 c57. O-O-O cxd48. exd4 Nc69. * h3 Qd610. Nf3 Ne411. Nxe4 dxe412. Ng5 f513. Bc4+ e614.* d5 Bxb2+15. Kxb2 Ne516. Qc3 Nxc4+17. Qxc4 exd518. Rxd5 Qf6+19. c3 Kh820. h4 h621.* Kb1 a522. Rc5 Bd723. Rc7 Rac824. Rd1 b525. Qc5 hxg526. hxg5 Rxc727. Qxc7 Qc628. Qe5+ Kg829.* Rd6 Qxd630. Qxd6 Be831. Qd5+ Kh732. c4 bxc433. Qxc4 a4

§ ¯ ¨³”“ ”“¹“

— ˜““’

‘–‘ ‘¬ ’‘’

²¤ ›–¤ 9. h3

§ ¨³”“ ¹“

—¯“ ““–

›’“‘ ‘‘ ‘¬ ’‘

²¤ ¤ 14. d5

§ ¨ ´”“

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ª “ ’‘’‘² ’‘

¤ 21. Kb1


Game 97: B-System Variant 124EFG with White

White plays the distant variant Bv124EFG, and triumphs in this complex positional game. Whitegains a slight space advantage on the queen side following the opening. After a long series offeints and shifts with only two pawns removed from the board, white finally finds a way to break itopen at his 37th move. He wins a pawn, then another, and finally gets a hard earned victory.

§ ³“’¦ •”

” ‘ — “‘ “ “

ª ›’‘’²

49. Qc4

¦§’ ´’

” “ “‘ “

¬ ’‘’›²

58. Rxc8

’ª’ ³

” “ “‘ “

’‘’²

63. Kf1

38. Qc4 e539. Nde4 Ngf540. Nxd6 Nxd641. Qa2 Qf742. Ne6 N4f543. Rc7 Rxc744. bxc7 e445. Be2 h546. Rb1 Rc847. Bxd6 Nxd648. Rb6 Nf549.* Qc4 Bd750. Qxe4 Ng751. Nxg7 Qxg752. d6 f553. Qd5+ Kf854. Rxb7 Qc355. Rb8 Qe1+56. Bf1 Qe857. Qd2 Kg758.* Rxc8 Qxc859. Bb5 Kg660. Bxd7 Qxd761. Qc1 Qc862. Qc6 Qe663.* Kf1 g364. hxg3 Qf665. c8=Q Qa1+66. Qc1 Qxc1+67. Qxc1 f468. Qc2+ Kf669. d7 Ke770. Qc8 Kf771. d8=Q f372. Qf5+ Kg773. Qdf8++

1. e3 Nf62. d4 d53. Be2 Nc64. Nf3 e65. a3 Bd66. Nbd2 Bd77. b4 O-O8. O-O a59. * b5 Na710. a4 c611. c4 cxb512. cxb5 Nc813. Qb3 Qb614. Ba3 Ne715. Ne5 Rfc816. Rfd1 h617.* Bd3 Be818. Qb2 Kh819. Nb3 Qd820. Nc5 Rab821. b6 Nc622. Nf3 Qe723. Rac1 Ra824. Bb5 Kg825. Ra1 Nd826. Bd3 Kh827. Rdc1 Nc628. Nd2 Kg829. Qb3 Nd830. Nf3 g631. Qb2 Nh532. Be2 f633. Qb3 Ng734. Bd3 g535. e4 g436. Nd2 Nc637.* exd5 Nxd4

§ ¯ ¨³“” “”“—¹“˜

” “’ ’

’ ’•‘–›’‘’

¦ ª ¤² 9. b5

§ § ³“ ˜“”¯ ¹“˜ ”

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–›’‘’¦ ¤ ² 17. Bd3

§ § ³“ ¯ ˜’—¹“” ”

” –“‘ ’‘ “ª ›

– ’‘’¦ ¦ ² 37. exd5

Game 98: Beginner’s Game with White versus B-System Variant 3’456’C’F’

White’s Beginner’s Game faces one of its toughest rivals: distant B-system variant Bv3’456’C’F’.White has the best of it for most of the game, but black maintains order and finds counterattacks.In a fine combination initiated at his 45th move, white gains a piece for a pawn. He seems to havethe victory in hand, but black finds the right responses, and finally salvages a draw. Superb game!

³”“˜“ §“ —’ “ ’

’ ’ª¦ ’›

² 45. f3

¨ ”›´

“² ¤’“ ’

63..g5

¨³

° ’“ ’

¤ 68. Kxb3

38. Qc2 Nd539. Qc5 Kg840. Ra1 Nef641. Ra6 Nd742. Qc2 N7b643. Ra7 Rf744. Rxf7 Kxf745.* f3 Nf646. fxe4 Qg647. e5 Qxc248. Rxc2 Nfd549. Bh3 Nxb450. Rf2+ Ke751. Ba3 Rxe552. Bxb4+c553. Bd2 Nc454. e4 Nxd255. Rxd2 Rxe456. Bf5 Re557. Bxh7 c458. Rd4 Rc559. Kf2 b460. Re4+ Kd661. Rg4 Rc762. Ke3 b363.* Kd4 g564. Rxg5 Rxh765. Kxc4 Rb766. Rd5+ Ke667. Rd1 Rg768.* Kxb3 Rxg3+69. Kc2 Rh370. Rd4 Kf571. Rb4 Kg672. Rf4 Kh573. Kd2 Rxh4drawn

1. e3 c62. b3 f63. Bb2 e54. g3 d55. Bg2 Bd6 6. Ne2 Be6 7. d3 Nd78. Nd2 Ne79. * c4 O-O10. O-O Qb611. Nc3 Rae812. Re1 Bb413. a3 Bd614. b4 Qa615. Qc2 Kh816. Qb3 dxc417. dxc4 f518. Rad1 Bc719. a4 Rf620. a5 Rg621. h4 Rh622. Qa4 e423. Bf1 b624.* Nd5 Bxd525. cxd5 Qc826. Qa1 Nf627. d6 Bxd628. Nxe4 fxe429. Rxd6 Qf530. axb6 axb631. Bc4 Rf832. Be6 Qf333. Bh3 Rg634. Bg2 Qf535.* Red1 Ne836. R6d2 b537. Qb1 Re6

§ ¯³ ¨”“ —˜ ”“

“¹ ”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤ 9. c4

§ ´” ¹—˜ ”“”“ ¨

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– ’ ’– ’¤¦›²

24. Nd5

¨ ´˜ ”“

”“¦ ˜§

’ “ ’’ ’’›

¬ ¤ ² 35..Ne8


Game 99: B-System Variant 11x23’CxCG

White defies all common sense with this outrageous ‘borderline’ opening, but still wins in arollicking contest. Black offers a pawn to intensify a queen side assault, but white survives it witha punching counter attack that threatens mate and forces black to sacrifice his queen for rook andpiece (move 25). There are always new ways to play the game, for anyone willing to experiment!

§ ¨ ´”“¯ ›

— ”ª

’‘¦’• ’²

25..Qxh7

§“ ³¬” ‘

’‘§’

² 36. d6

ª¨³

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‘²

§

58. f7+

36.* d6 Ke637. Qxb7 Rgg838. e4 a439. Qa7 Kxd640. Qxa4 Ke741. f4 Rg242. Qa3+ Kf743. Qh3 Reg844. Qd7+ Kg645. Qe6+ Kg746. f5 Kh747. Kf1 R8g748. f6 Rg1+49. Ke2 Ra750. Qf5+ Kg851. Qd5+ Rf752. Qe6 Rg553. h4 Rg2+54. Ke3 Rg3+55. Kf4 Rg156. h5 Rg257. Qe8+ Rf858.* f7+ Kg759. h6+ Kh760. Qxf8 Rg161. Qe7 Rf1+62. Kg5 Rg1+63. Kh4 Rh1+64. Kg3 Rg1+65. Kf2 Kg666. f8=Q Rf1+67. Kxf1 Kh568. Qf5+ Kxh669. Qef8++

1. a3 e52. b4 d53. Bb2 c54. Bxe5 Nc65. Bb2 cxb46. axb4 Qb67. c3 Nf68. Nf3 Bd69. * e3 O-O10. Be2 Bg411. c4 Nd712. c5 Nxc513.* Bxg7 Nd3+14. Bxd3 Kxg715. Nc3 Nxb416. Qb1 Bxf317. gxf3 d418. Ne2 dxe319. fxe3 Be520. Rg1+ Kh821.* Bxh7 Bxa122. Qxa1+f623. Qb1 Nc624. Qf5 Qc725.* Rg3 Qxh726. Rh3 Rf727. Rxh7+Rxh728. Qxf6+ Kg829. Nd4 Nxd430. Qxd4 a531. Qa4 Rg732. d4 Kf833. d5 Rg234. Qd4 Kf735. Qb6 Re8

§ ³ ¨”“ “”“¯—¹ ˜

“’’ •’‘’‘’

¦• ª²› ¤ 9. e3

§ ¨³”“ “ “¯—¹˜“’

’•’›’‘’

¦• ª² ¤ 13..Nd3+

§ ¨ ´”“ “ “¯

¹˜

›’‘’• ’

¦ª ² ¦ 21. Bxh7

Game 100: B-System Variant 13’456’8C’F‘ with Black

Black plays one of the most distant B-system variants possible, Bv13’456’8C’F’: all eight movesare different from the Beginner’s Game! Strange as it looks, it is a valid defense to the standardopening. In this swashbuckling encounter white goes a pawn up quickly, but then black attackswell on the queen side and wins two pawns. White struggles, and nearly equalizes by simplifyingto a queen versus rooks endgame, but black then converts it to a one pawn advantage and wins!

¨ ´§ ”

” ””

¬ ’” ’›’¯ ’

¦ ¦ ² 40..Bd1

§ ´¨ ”” ”

¬‘’ ’°

49..Rxe4

“³’“

²

68..Ke3

36. Bxb4 Qxb437. Rec1 Kh838. h4 Qd239. Bf3 c3 40.* Qb4 Bd1 41. Rxd1 Qxd1+42. Bxd1 Rxd1+43. Kg2 Rxa144. Qxc3 Raa845. f4 exf446. gxf4 Re847. Kf3 Re748. e4 Rae849.* Qd4 Rxe450. Qxe4 Rxe451. Kxe4 g652. Kd5 Kg853. Ke6 Kg754. Kd5 Kf755. Kd4 f556. Ke5 Ke757. Kd4 Ke658. Kc5 Kf659. Kd4 g560. hxg5+ hxg561. Ke3 g462. Ke2 Ke663. Ke3 Kd564. Kd3 Kc565. Ke3 Kc466. Ke2 Kd467. Kf2 Ke468.* Kg3 Ke369. Kg2 Kxf4resigns

1. e3 c62. b3 f63. Bb2 e54. g3 d55. Bg2 Bd66. Ne2 Be67. d3 h68. Nd2 a69. * c4 Ne710. a3 Nd711. b4 c512. Qb3 dxc413. Nxc4 O-O14. b5 Nb615. bxa6 Rxa616. Bxb7 Ra717. Bg2 Nxc418. dxc4 Qa5+19.* Nc3 Rb820. Qa2 Ra621. Rc1 Rab622. Ba1 Rb323. O-O Rxa324. Qd2 Rd825. Qc2 Bxc426. Bb2 Rb327. Rfd1 Rbb828. Ne4 Bb329. Qd2 Qb630. Re1 c431.* Nxd6 Rxd632. Qe2 Rbd833. Qg4 Nd534. Ra1 Nb435. Ba3 R6d7

§˜ ¯³ —¨“ ”

“ “¹ ” ”“”

‘ ‘’ ’‘ ‘–•’›’¦ ª² ¤ 9. c4

¨³¨ ˜ ”

¹ ” ”¯ ” ”

‘’ª ’ ’

•’›’¦ ² ¤ 19. Nc3

¨ ¨ ³˜ ”

¯ ¹ ” ””

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¬ ’›’¦ ¦ ²

31. Nxd6


15. Concluding Remarks

The Beginner’s Game and its related set of variants are a totally new system and practicefor playing the game of chess. The author believes that it is the strongest system that exists, andthat extensive analysis and experience in competition will finally prove this to be true.

Whatever you believe, you should by now be convinced that the ‘B-Game’:is a new and valid system for playing chessis playable by black and white indifferentlyis very strong on both defense and offenseis the easiest way to learn to play chess is the quickest way to improve for players of all levels

Advice for Beginners

If you were new to chess when you picked up this book, you have by now learned to playwell for the first part of the game. You still lack the basic chess playing skills that you need in themiddle and end games. But you should already be able to play well enough to make the gameinteresting for your opponent, and if you think about it, that’s the most important thing.

While you are acquiring your basic skills, don’t be impatient for your first big wins. Mostplayers spend their entire lives without ever offering a serious challenge to a local chess ‘bully.’So practice a while before confronting that certain someone who thought you didn’t have thebrains to play. The best revenge is to prove you deserve someone’s respect, and to do that,you’ve got to keep finding good moves each time it’s your turn.

It’s a thinking game, and you can’t succeed at it by just playing anything that looksplayable. You must try hard to play well. You have to go deep into moves that look interestingand see the positions that result. You have to calculate exchanges precisely, and foresee as bestyou can anything that your opponent can do. As you get better, you will begin to feel more incontrol of the evolving situations, and will play with more confidence.

Some of those who are just now learning will dedicate themselves to the game, and go onto become first rate players. To these the author offers this encouragement: you are armed withthe best weapon that exists for this battle. Use it well, and you will be a true warrior, or even achampion. You will have the satisfaction of doing well something that is very difficult, and willprove yourselves, in a way that anyone will recognize and respect.

Advice for Intermediate Players

Intermediate players of all levels should take note of this system, because the best way toimprove your game is to master the opening. This system offers you safe passage thru thedangerous first moves, and it will give you the basis for pushing your performances well beyondyour current limits. If you are not a strong player, then you should improve immediately and

significantly by adopting this system. Try the system against your friends or the computer, andyou should see the evidence right away that you are playing better than before.

Stronger players should ask themselves whether they know their current openings to12-15 moves, which they get with minimal effort using openings in the system. They should alsoask themselves whether they really like their current openings, or whether they keep playing themjust because it’s what they know best. The alternative is to move to a new system that is secondto none, and accommodates every style of play.

Advice for Advanced Players

Top players and those aspiring to become contenders spend years studying the openings.Worthy adversaries still kick them about however, and after the opening they often findthemselves playing their opponent’s game, not their own. You do not beat someone easily bytrying to find the best alternatives among the poor moves he leaves you. The openings in thissystem have the characteristic that your opponent has to play your game. Add to that thepossibility to extend analysis deeper than in current practice, and you should see the interest inresearching openings in this system in preparation for championship play.

This system has to prove itself at the highest levels, and you can be a protagonist orantagonist of this effort, as you prefer. You can be one of those who carry it on to victory, or oneof those who make victory tougher to achieve. All are invited to do their best, and also to do both.

The Beginner’s Game is revolutionary, introducing a new philosophy and practice of chessnever seen before. But a true revolution is one which places in the hands of the common man thatwhich previously was the preserve of a privileged few. With this new system such a revolutioncan now take place, measured by the number of new people taking up the game, the increase ofinterest worldwide, the improvement in the overall quality of play, and finally the success of thesystem at the highest levels. Be part of it - the most exciting thing that ever happened in chess!

Before closing, the author would like to make a special appeal to you all: Save the Earth.We can do this easily, by leaving or returning large areas of it to natural state. Keeping a large partof the earth healthy is the best investment we can make in our own future. Only by taking care ofthe Earth can we guarantee that humanity will also survive and prosper. When left alone, theEarth returns to its normal state, a paradise, where all of us can live. And It is all life that isimportant, that is beautiful, that is precious, not just our own lives. This Earth is the jewel ofcreation, and it is our home. If this book gave you anything, then please give it back, to yourEarth. Now, before it is irreparably damaged. If we act now, we will live on; if we don’t, we won’t.

It’s time to close, and the author hopes to leave you all with your hearts thumping (or at

least, still beating)! May your interest in chess, and in the world around you be born or reborn, byyour delight at seeing this lovely new star on the horizon. There are many new stars rising alongwith it; choose some of your own, dedicate yourself to the game, and before long people younever expected to meet will be offering to shake your hand - from the other side of a chessboard!

Concluding Remarks 209

Appendix: Chess Move Notation

There are various systems for movenotation. The one used in this book isthe algebraic system, which is theone most commonly used. In this systemeach square on the board is identifiedwith a letter and a number. Thehorizontal axis of the board is labeledwith the letters a - h, and the verticalaxis 1 - 8, starting from the lower lefthand corner on white’s side of the board.

a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1

§˜ ¯³¹—¨”“”“”“”“

‘’‘’‘’‘’¦• ª²›–¤

In this notation system a move is coded by indicating first the type of figure that moves, and thenthe square that it goes to. If a capture is involved, the symbol ‘x’ is inserted after the figuresymbol. The pieces are labeled as: ‘R’ - rook, ‘N’ - knight, ‘B’ - bishop, ‘Q’ - queen, ‘K’ - king.Pawn moves are indicated by the destination square alone, unless a capture is involved, in whichcase the column that the pawn was on is prefixed (eg. ‘exd5’ - king pawn takes figure on squared5). Pawn captures using the 'en passant' rule are coded in the same way.

When either of two rooks or knights can move to a destination square, it is necessary to specifywhich of the two moves. This is done by appending a column identifier (or if they are both on thesame column, a row number) to the figure symbol of the piece to indicate where it came from. If amove involves check, attacking the king, then the symbol ‘+’ is added at the end of the move. Ifthe move gives checkmate, ending the game, then ‘++’ (or ‘#’) is used instead. When a pawnreaches the last row, it can be promoted to any other figure. This is indicated by appending ‘=’then the figure to which the pawn is promoted (typically a queen), eg. ‘a8=Q’. Castling is indicatedby ‘O-O’ for the king side castle, and ‘O-O-O’ for the queen side castle.

These are the eight standard moves of the Beginner’s Game, using a ‘Pawn then Piece’ sequencethat proceeds from the queen side to the king side:

White: b3, Bb2, d3, Nd2, e3, Ne2, g3, Bg2Black: b6, Bb7, d6, Nd7, e6, Ne7, g6, Bg7

With this explanation of move notation you can return to the text. Be sure to actually reproduceall moves in the text on your own chess set or computer screen. If you make a mistake playingout a game, go back to an earlier diagram, reset the board as shown, and play forward from there.

Acknowledgements:

My wife and constant companion, for her incomparable presence during thegestation of this momentous discovery.

My father, the finest man I have ever known, and my mother, for giving me agood start in life, and for setting the example.

My daughter, a lovely young woman, who was also the first beginner wholearned to play the Beginner's Game.

My grandfather, who taught me how to play chess. A strong player, he beatme without mercy: a good introduction.

My best friend and chess rival during university years, who played thecorrespondence matches that started this research.

211

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