The subject of this lecture never gets old. A dream of every chessplayer is to win the game with a quick checkmate. Let’s take a look at the following classical battle. It’s easier to learn such things from old games, where one player is significantly better than another, and the plan can be followed from start to finish without interruptions. Today, the art of defense in chess has improved dramatically, making it more difficult to learn basic methods and ideas from games of grandmasters. It’s useful to remember that all grandmasters studied classical games.

Adolf Andersen - Lionel Kizeritsky

The following game has been labeled “Immortal” – White sacrifices almost all his pieces!

1.e4 e5 2.f4

The King’s Gambit is a fun opening to play and was successfully employed by such great players as Spassky, Bronstein, Keres, and most recently, Judit Polgar.

2...exf4 3.Bc4

This line is named the “Bishop’s Gambit” and leads to complex and interesting positions.

3...Qh4+

It has been proven that 3...Nf6, developing the kingside, is a better strategy. The text often leads to situations where Black loses a lot of time by moving his Queen back and fourth.

4.Kf1 b5

The purpose of this counter-gambit is to distract White’s Bishop from attacking the f7-square, which often becomes very vulnerable. 

5.Bxb5 Nf6 6.Nf3! Qh6

No better was 6...Qh5, as White would play 7.e5 and if 7...Ng4, then 8.d4 Ne3+ 9.Bxe3 dxe3 10.Nc3 and White would be way ahead in development.

7.d3

White defends the e-pawn, and his dark-square Bishop is looking at Black’s Queen through the f4-pawn, creating some tactical options. Black missed his best chance to evacuate his King from the center with 7...Be7, but 150 years ago chessplayers preferred a more macho approach.

7...Nh5

Looking for a “cheapo” ...Nh5-g3+!

8.Nh4!

White does not waste his time. He defends and attacks at the same time.

8...Qg5?

In this game Black violated two main opening principles, which are: 1) Try to develop all your pieces and do not move the same piece twice unless absolutely necessary, and 2) Castle as soon as possible!

The better move was 8...Bb7 and if 9.Nf5 then 9...Qg6.

9.Nf5 c6?!

After this move Black goes down in flames. He should try 9...Bb7, with the idea of 10...Nc6 and 11...0-0-0!. I must also mention that 9...g6 is met by 10.h4! Ng3+ (10...Qf6 11.Nc3 is bad for Black) 11.Nxg3 Qxb5 12.Nc3, with a strong initiative for White.

10.g4! Nf6 11.Rg1!

A brave sacrifice! White decided that tempo is more important than a piece.

11...cxb5 12.h4 Qg6 13.h5 Qg5 14.Qf3

Threatening to win the Queen with 15.Bxf4.

14...Ng8 15.Bxf4 Qf6 16.Nc3

The triumph of White’s opening strategy! He has only a pawn for a piece, but his development is overwhelming. The threats of 17.Nd5 and 17.Nxb5 are very unpleasant.

16...Bc5?

Instead, 16...Bb7 was better, though after 17.Nd5! Bxd5 18.exd5, with 19.Re1+ to follow, White’s attack would be very strong.

17.Nd5

Objectively, 17.d4! was stronger, and if 17...Bxd4 then 18.Nd5 winning at once, but Adolf Andersen prepared a double Rook sacrifice.

17...Qxb2 18.Bd6?
 

It is hard to criticize the immortal game, but 18.Be3! was more precise. After 18...Qxa1+ 19.Kg2 Qb2 20.Bxc5 Qxc2+ 21.Bf2, Black would be in trouble in spite of having the extra Rook.

18...Bxg1?

The Chess World is thankful to Kizeritsky for allowing a beautiful combination. Black had to play 18...Qxa1+ 19.Ke2 Qb2 with good chances for a successful defense.

19.e5!!

This pawn push cuts off Black’s Queen from g7, while the other pieces are unable to help.

19...Qxa1+ 20.Ke2

Black has two (!!) extra Rooks plus a Bishop, but he is lost because his King is defenseless. White threatens 21.Nxg7+ Kd8 22.Bc7 checkmate.

20...Na6 21.Nxg7+ Kd8

22.Qf6+!

A final sacrifice.

22...Nxf6 23.Be7 checkmate!

The following conclusions can be drawn from this game:

1) Crucial factors of opening strategy are quick development and castling as  soon as possible

2) Time is often more important than material (especially while pursuing the opponent’s King). Don’t waste any time in the opening!

3) Several things are “no-no’s” of opening play. Those things are time-consuming pawn grabs, playing for a “cheapo” (unless it goes along with development of pieces), and pawn moves like a3, h3, a6, and h6. All these things can be key ingredients in opening catastrophes.