JOIN USThe Openings in chess are diverse and each and every player can choose one which would suit his style, be it aggressive or defensive. The opening phase is also the one which is the most analysed and beginners would do well to spend a lot of time on these aspects. However, for beginners, it is advisable to first study and work on the endings, the middle-game and then start preparations on the Openings.
In the game which follows, White is dominating the game throughout, right from the beginning where he outplays Black n the Opening stages. Black gets into a cramped position as his pieces are still stranded on their original squares even after most of White’s pieces have taken up aggressive positions.
White: Vladislav Nevednichy(2537) – Black: Viktor Kupreichik (2429)European Championship,1999Sicilian Defence 1.e4 c5The Sicilian Defence, one of the sharpest responses to the King Pawn Opening2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.Nc3 g6 5.h3The most popular continuation here however is 5.e55...Qc7 6.0–0 Bg7 7.Re1 0–0Black should have waited for a while before castling and tried out 7...a6 8.e5 axb5 9.Nxb5 Qb6 10.Nd6+ Kf8 11.exf6 Bxf6 12.Nc4 Qd8 13.d4 cxd4 14.Bh6+ Kg8 with a decent position. If 7...e5 8.Bc4 0–0 9.d3 h6 10.Nh2 d6 11.Ng4 Nxg4 12.hxg4 Qd8 13.g3 Kh7 14.Kg2 ended in a victory for White in a previously played game8.e5White wastes no time in pushing his central pawn 8…Ne8 9.d4 cxd4 10.Nd5 Qd8 11.Bg5 Diagram 1 A notable position so early in the Opening stages. White is dominating the whole board and Black’s pieces are more or less still stranded on their original squares.11. ..f6A mistake! Pushed on the back foot, Black tries to brazen it out!. If 11...h6 12.Bh4 (12.Bxc6 hxg5 (12...dxc6 13.Nxe7+ Kh7 14.Bh4 Qb6 15.Nxc8 Rxc8 16.Qxd4) 13.Ba4 e6 14.Nb4 b5 15.Bxb5 Qa5) 12...g5 (12...Kh7 13.Bxc6 dxc6 14.Nxe7) 13.Bxg5 hxg5 14.Nxg5 Bh6 15.Qh5 Kg7 16.Bd3 12.exf6 exf6 13.Bf4 f5 14.Qd2It is difficult for Black’s pieces to enter actively into warfare. Perhaps he can give it a try with 14. ..Qa5 14. ..d6 15.Rxe8White sacrifices his rook for the knight. He could have maintained pressure with 15.Bh6 Kh8 16.Bxg7+ Nxg7 17.Bxc6 bxc6 18.Ne7 Be6 15. ..Qxe8Another mistake! Black misses a good opportunity to get back into the game by capturing with the rook15...Rxe8 16.Bg5 Qd7 17.Bc4 Kh8 18.Nf6 Qd8 19.Nxe8 (19.Nxh7 Qa5 20.Qf4 Re4) 19...Qxe8 20.Re1 Qf8 21.Bf4 h6 22.Bxh6 Bxh6 23.Re8 Bxd2 24.Rxf8+ Kg7 25.Rf7+ Kh6 26.Nxd2 16.Nc7Immediately pointing out Black’s mistake 16. ..Qd8 17.Bc4+ Kh8 18.Nxa8 Ne5A series of suicidal moves by Black! His best chance at defence was 18...Bd7 19.Bxd6 Rf6 20.Bf4 (20.Be5 Nxe5 21.Nxe5 Be8 22.Re1±; or 20.Ng5 Qxa8 21.Re1 also puts White in the driver’s seat) 20...Qxa8 21.Nxd419.Bd5 Bd7 20.Bxb7 Qb8 21.Bd5 Qxb2Invading the seventh rank but it is too late now 22.Re1White is in total command now 22. .. Qb5 23.Nc7 Qc5Better appears 23. ..Rc8 even though nothing is working for Black now 24.Nxe5 dxe5 25.Bxe5 Bxe5The sequence is forced and there is no way out for Black26.Rxe5 Qxc7 27.Re7 and Black resigned.1–0Diagram 2White to play and checkmate in two moves1.Rh4+ Rxh4 2.g4 checkmate.
Manisha Mohite