| [NOTE
BY SILMAN: I was very happy with Donaldson's
excellent article on the ever-young Evans Gambit
(click HERE to
see that article), so when Grandmaster Larry
Christiansen - one of the most feared attacking
players in U.S. history - sent the following
letter suggesting a possible strengthening
of White's play, I was delighted. I hope you
enjoy it as much as I did.] Hi Gentleman, Good
stuff on the Evans! Let me suggest the following
idea in the critical line JD, Val Zemitis
et al analyzed: 1.e4
e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Ba5 6.d4
exd4 7.0-0 Nge7 8.Ng5
d5 9.exd5 Ne5 10.Qxd4 N7g6 11.Re1 f6 12.d6 Bb6
13.Qd5 Qd7 It looks
like 14.Ba3 c6 15.Qf7+ is OK for Black as mentioned
in part one of the article since I can't
find anything for White after 15.Kd8. 
NOTHING
FOR WHITE
14.Bf4! 
CHIPPING
AWAY AT e5
White
definitely needs to get his queenside pieces
involved. 14.Nxf4 14...Qxd6
(14.cxd6?? 15.Bxe5 smashes due to the "small" threat
of Bb5.) 15.Qf7+ Kd8 16.Qxg7 Qf8 17.Nf7+ Ke7
18.Nxe5+ Qxg7 19.Nxg6+ Kd8 20.Nxh8 Qxh8 21.Na3
looks good for White. He can also take a draw
if he wants with 21.Rd1+ Ke7 22.Re1+, etc. 15.Rxe5+! 
e5
FALLS, BUT BLACK'S STILL ALIVE
15.fxe5
16.Qxe5+ Kf8 17.Qxf4+ Qf5 18.Qd2 The decentralizing 18.Qg3 is less effective
because of the annoying retort ...h5!, which threatens
things like ...Qg4, ....h4 and ..Rh6. 
THE CRITICAL POSITION, BLACK TO MOVE This position is critical for the assessment
of the whole line after 10.N7g6. White has all
the chances. 18.Qf6 18.Bd7!? is also interesting. However, 18.Qc5?
should be avoided due to 19.Bd5! cxd6 20.Ne4
Qc7 21.Na3 with a winning attack for White. 19.Na3 Continuing the theme of speedy development. 19.Qxd6 20.Qxd6+ cxd6
21.Nf7 Rg8 22.Nxd6 We are reaching the end of my analysis. Obviously
White has at least a draw after 22...Rh8 23.Nf7,
but he can also play to win with 23.Re1 followed
soon by Bd5. Black will likely lose another
pawn and he seems to have trouble activating
his rooks. I would judge the position after 23.Re1
as "slight edge for White" but then I am an optimist
in these lines. Glad
to see that Val Zemitis is still active and
playing this sharp opening! Congratulations,
Jeremy, for a truly outstanding website. Larry
Christiansen
|
