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Introduction

Fundamentals

6 Exercises

1
Check on f7
Course preview
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ Ke7
1. e4
  White takes the center.
2. e5
  We answer simply and keep a healthy structure.
3. Nf3
  The knight attacks e5.
4. Nc6
  We defend without conceding anything.
5. Bc4
  The bishop is already looking at f7.
6. Nf6
  We continue development and keep the Traxler idea.
7. Ng5
  White targets f7 directly.
8. Bc5
  We accept the challenge and play for the initiative.
9. Bxf7+
  This check tries to knock us out of our plan.
10. Ke7
  The king relocates without drama, and White does not get the promised attack. Remember that this check does not break the Traxler.
2
Trapped queen
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kf1 Qe7 7.Nxh8 d5 8.Bxd5 Bg4 9.Kxf2 Bxd1
1. e4
  White takes the center.
2. e5
  We answer simply and keep a healthy structure.
3. Nf3
  The knight attacks e5.
4. Nc6
  We defend without conceding anything.
5. Bc4
  The bishop is already looking at f7.
6. Nf6
  We continue development and keep the Traxler idea.
7. Ng5
  White targets f7 directly.
8. Bc5
  We accept the challenge and play for the initiative.
9. Nxf7
  White wins material but lets his coordination fall apart.
10. Bxf2+
  We deflect the king before thinking about anything else.
11. Kf1
  White refuses Kxf2 and blocks himself.
12. Qe7
  The queen steps aside and prepares to open the center.
13. Nxh8
  The knight takes the rook but buries itself in the corner.
14. d5
  We free the light-squared bishop with tempo.
15. Bxd5
  White captures again, but his queen will run out of air.
16. Bg4
  The bishop comes out with tempo on White’s queen.
17. Kxf2
  White finally captures on f2, too late to get organized.
18. Bxd1
  The queen falls and the line is won. Above all, remember the duo ...d5 followed by ...Bg4.
3
Pressure on the queen
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kf1 Qe7 7.Nxh8 d5 8.exd5 Nd4 9.c3 Bg4
1. e4
  White takes the center.
2. e5
  We answer simply and keep a healthy structure.
3. Nf3
  The knight attacks e5.
4. Nc6
  We defend without conceding anything.
5. Bc4
  The bishop is already looking at f7.
6. Nf6
  We continue development and keep the Traxler idea.
7. Ng5
  White targets f7 directly.
8. Bc5
  We accept the challenge and play for the initiative.
9. Nxf7
  White wins material but lets his coordination fall apart.
10. Bxf2+
  We deflect the king before thinking about anything else.
11. Kf1
  White refuses Kxf2 and blocks himself.
12. Qe7
  The queen steps aside and prepares to open the center.
13. Nxh8
  The knight takes the rook but buries itself in the corner.
14. d5
  We free the light-squared bishop with tempo.
15. exd5
  White captures in the center, but this mainly helps our pieces.
16. Nd4
  The knight jumps into the heart of the game with several threats.
17. c3
  White tries to chase it away, but weakens himself.
18. Bg4
  The bishop comes out with tempo and White’s queen will suffer. Remember that ...Nd4 followed by ...Bg4 turns the initiative around very quickly.
4
d6 breakthrough
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kf1 Qe7 7.Nxh8 d5 8.exd5 Nd4 9.d6 Qxd6
1. e4
  White takes the center.
2. e5
  We answer simply and keep a healthy structure.
3. Nf3
  The knight attacks e5.
4. Nc6
  We defend without conceding anything.
5. Bc4
  The bishop is already looking at f7.
6. Nf6
  We continue development and keep the Traxler idea.
7. Ng5
  White targets f7 directly.
8. Bc5
  We accept the challenge and play for the initiative.
9. Nxf7
  White wins material but lets his coordination fall apart.
10. Bxf2+
  We deflect the king before thinking about anything else.
11. Kf1
  White refuses Kxf2 and blocks himself.
12. Qe7
  The queen steps aside and prepares to open the center.
13. Nxh8
  The knight takes the rook but buries itself in the corner.
14. d5
  We free the light-squared bishop with tempo.
15. exd5
  White captures in the center, but this mainly helps our pieces.
16. Nd4
  The knight jumps into the heart of the game with several threats.
17. d6
  White tries to get counterplay before being suffocated.
18. Qxd6
  We recapture calmly and keep all the developing threats. Remember not to panic against d6.
5
Fork on c2
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+ 7.Kf1 Qh4 8.Qf3 Nd4 9.Qe3 Nxc2
1. e4
  White takes the center.
2. e5
  We answer simply and keep a healthy structure.
3. Nf3
  The knight attacks e5.
4. Nc6
  We defend without conceding anything.
5. Bc4
  The bishop is already looking at f7.
6. Nf6
  We continue development and keep the Traxler idea.
7. Ng5
  White targets f7 directly.
8. Bc5
  We accept the challenge and play for the initiative.
9. Nxf7
  White wins material but lets his coordination fall apart.
10. Bxf2+
  We deflect the king before thinking about anything else.
11. Kxf2
  The king accepts the sacrifice.
12. Nxe4+
  The knight takes the center with check.
13. Kf1
  This retreat keeps the king on the first rank.
14. Qh4
  The queen enters quickly and forces White to defend.
15. Qf3
  White covers the essentials, but his queen becomes a target.
16. Nd4
  The knight wins a decisive tempo.
17. Qe3
  This retreat keeps the material but gives up c2.
18. Nxc2
  We strike immediately and get concrete play. Remember that the king on f1 makes Black’s forks very strong.
6
Check on h3
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+ 7.Kf1 Qh4 8.Qf3 Nd4 9.g3 Qh3+
1. e4
  White takes the center.
2. e5
  We answer simply and keep a healthy structure.
3. Nf3
  The knight attacks e5.
4. Nc6
  We defend without conceding anything.
5. Bc4
  The bishop is already looking at f7.
6. Nf6
  We continue development and keep the Traxler idea.
7. Ng5
  White targets f7 directly.
8. Bc5
  We accept the challenge and play for the initiative.
9. Nxf7
  White wins material but lets his coordination fall apart.
10. Bxf2+
  We deflect the king before thinking about anything else.
11. Kxf2
  The king accepts the sacrifice.
12. Nxe4+
  The knight takes the center with check.
13. Kf1
  This retreat keeps the king on the first rank.
14. Qh4
  The queen enters quickly and forces White to defend.
15. Qf3
  White covers the essentials, but his queen becomes a target.
16. Nd4
  The knight wins a decisive tempo.
17. g3
  White tries to close the dark squares.
18. Qh3+
  We keep the queen active and the king remains under pressure. Remember that g3 does not always make the king safe.

Central chase

5 Exercises

1
Pressure on f2
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+ 7.Ke3 Qh4 8.Nxh8 Qf4+ 9.Ke2 Qf2+
1. e4
  White takes the center.
2. e5
  We answer in the same way.
3. Nf3
  The knight attacks e5.
4. Nc6
  We defend and develop.
5. Bc4
  The bishop targets f7.
6. Nf6
  We allow the critical line to appear.
7. Ng5
  White attacks f7 very early.
8. Bc5
  We ignore the threat in order to play for the initiative.
9. Nxf7
  White mainly thinks he is winning material.
10. Bxf2+
  We deflect the king before recovering anything.
11. Kxf2
  The king accepts and loses its safety.
12. Nxe4+
  The knight takes the center with check.
13. Ke3
  The king walks into the middle of the board.
14. Qh4
  The queen joins the attack immediately.
15. Nxh8
  The knight takes the rook, but goes completely out of play.
16. Qf4+
  The queen chooses an active square and forces the king again.
17. Ke2
  The king tries to come back, without real safety.
18. Qf2+
  We keep the king trapped in the center. Remember that pressure on f2 often replaces a simple direct mate.
2
Knight on d4
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+ 7.Ke3 Qh4 8.Qf3 Nf6 9.Nxh8 Nd4
1. e4
  White takes the center.
2. e5
  We answer in the same way.
3. Nf3
  The knight attacks e5.
4. Nc6
  We defend and develop.
5. Bc4
  The bishop targets f7.
6. Nf6
  We allow the critical line to appear.
7. Ng5
  White attacks f7 very early.
8. Bc5
  We ignore the threat in order to play for the initiative.
9. Nxf7
  White mainly thinks he is winning material.
10. Bxf2+
  We deflect the king before recovering anything.
11. Kxf2
  The king accepts and loses its safety.
12. Nxe4+
  The knight takes the center with check.
13. Ke3
  The king walks into the middle of the board.
14. Qh4
  The queen joins the attack immediately.
15. Qf3
  White wants to hold the center and cover several threats.
16. Nf6
  We cut off squares and prepare the knight’s arrival on d4.
17. Nxh8
  White’s knight takes the rook, but it is out of play.
18. Nd4
  The knight jumps with tempo and White’s center cracks. Remember that ...Nd4 often comes after a too-slow defense with Qf3.
3
Intermediate check
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+ 7.Ke3 Qh4 8.g3 Nxg3 9.hxg3 Qd4+
1. e4
  White takes the center.
2. e5
  We answer in the same way.
3. Nf3
  The knight attacks e5.
4. Nc6
  We defend and develop.
5. Bc4
  The bishop targets f7.
6. Nf6
  We allow the critical line to appear.
7. Ng5
  White attacks f7 very early.
8. Bc5
  We ignore the threat in order to play for the initiative.
9. Nxf7
  White mainly thinks he is winning material.
10. Bxf2+
  We deflect the king before recovering anything.
11. Kxf2
  The king accepts and loses its safety.
12. Nxe4+
  The knight takes the center with check.
13. Ke3
  The king walks into the middle of the board.
14. Qh4
  The queen joins the attack immediately.
15. g3
  White wants to close the position around his king.
16. Nxg3
  We open this screen immediately.
17. hxg3
  The recapture looks logical, but it releases a tactical motif.
18. Qd4+
  We start with the useful check before recovering anything. Remember that in the Traxler, the strong check often comes before material.
4
Jump to b4 (1)
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+ 7.Ke3 Qh4 8.Nxh8 Qf4+ 9.Kd3 Nb4+ 10.Ke2 Qf2#
1. e4
  White takes the center.
2. e5
  We answer in the same way.
3. Nf3
  The knight attacks e5.
4. Nc6
  We defend and develop.
5. Bc4
  The bishop targets f7.
6. Nf6
  We allow the critical line to appear.
7. Ng5
  White attacks f7 very early.
8. Bc5
  We ignore the threat in order to play for the initiative.
9. Nxf7
  White mainly thinks he is winning material.
10. Bxf2+
  We deflect the king before recovering anything.
11. Kxf2
  The king accepts and loses its safety.
12. Nxe4+
  The knight takes the center with check.
13. Ke3
  The king walks into the middle of the board.
14. Qh4
  The queen joins the attack immediately.
15. Nxh8
  The knight takes the rook, but goes completely out of play.
16. Qf4+
  The queen chooses an active square and forces the king again.
17. Kd3
  The king still has no refuge.
18. Nb4+
  The knight jumps with check and closes even more squares. Remember the sequence ...Qh4, ...Qf4+ then ...Nb4+.
19. Ke2
  Forced.
20. Qf2#
  mate.
5
Forced retreat (1)
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+ 7.Ke1 Qh4+ 8.Ke2 Qf2+ 9.Kd3 Nc5+ 10.Kc3 Qd4#
1. e4
  White takes the center.
2. e5
  We answer in the same way.
3. Nf3
  The knight attacks e5.
4. Nc6
  We defend and develop.
5. Bc4
  The bishop targets f7.
6. Nf6
  We allow the critical line to appear.
7. Ng5
  White attacks f7 very early.
8. Bc5
  We ignore the threat in order to play for the initiative.
9. Nxf7
  White mainly thinks he is winning material.
10. Bxf2+
  We deflect the king before recovering anything.
11. Kxf2
  The king accepts and loses its safety.
12. Nxe4+
  The knight takes the center with check.
13. Ke1
  This retreat looks more cautious, but the king remains uncoordinated.
14. Qh4+
  The queen wins a tempo and already cuts off squares.
15. Ke2
  The king keeps retreating without saving itself.
16. Qf2+
  We force another move.
17. Kd3
  White’s king still has no safe square.
18. Nc5+
  The knight joins the attack with check. Remember that retreating does not extinguish Black’s attack.
19. Kc3
  Forced.
20. Qd4#
  mate.

Open kingside

5 Exercises

1
Rook on h1
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+ 7.Ke1 Qh4+ 8.g3 Nxg3 9.hxg3 Qxh1+
1. e4
  White takes the center.
2. e5
  We answer symmetrically.
3. Nf3
  The knight attacks e5.
4. Nc6
  We defend and develop.
5. Bc4
  The bishop targets f7.
6. Nf6
  We keep the Traxler idea.
7. Ng5
  White attacks f7 very early.
8. Bc5
  We choose the initiative instead of defending.
9. Nxf7
  White wins material, but forgets king safety.
10. Bxf2+
  We deflect the king and open lines.
11. Kxf2
  The king accepts the sacrifice.
12. Nxe4+
  The knight takes the center with check.
13. Ke1
  White retreats, but remains badly coordinated.
14. Qh4+
  The queen enters with tempo.
15. g3
  White wants to build a screen on the dark squares.
16. Nxg3
  We open this screen instead of going around it.
17. hxg3
  White recaptures, but the h-file opens completely.
18. Qxh1+
  We win the rook with check and the attack continues. Remember that ...Nxg3 often serves to tear away h1.
2
Pin on f8
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+ 7.Kg1 Qh4 8.Qf3 Rf8 9.g3 Nxg3
1. e4
  White takes the center.
2. e5
  We answer symmetrically.
3. Nf3
  The knight attacks e5.
4. Nc6
  We defend and develop.
5. Bc4
  The bishop targets f7.
6. Nf6
  We keep the Traxler idea.
7. Ng5
  White attacks f7 very early.
8. Bc5
  We choose the initiative instead of defending.
9. Nxf7
  White wins material, but forgets king safety.
10. Bxf2+
  We deflect the king and open lines.
11. Kxf2
  The king accepts the sacrifice.
12. Nxe4+
  The knight takes the center with check.
13. Kg1
  The king heads toward the kingside, without real safety.
14. Qh4
  The queen already creates several threats.
15. Qf3
  White wants to defend and trade queens.
16. Rf8
  We add a piece to the attack and pin the f7-knight.
17. g3
  White tries to create an escape square.
18. Nxg3
  We immediately open White’s castled position. Remember that the pin on f8 prepares ...Nxg3 very well.
3
Infiltration on e1
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+ 7.Kg1 Qh4 8.Qf3 Rf8 9.d3 Qe1+
1. e4
  White takes the center.
2. e5
  We answer symmetrically.
3. Nf3
  The knight attacks e5.
4. Nc6
  We defend and develop.
5. Bc4
  The bishop targets f7.
6. Nf6
  We keep the Traxler idea.
7. Ng5
  White attacks f7 very early.
8. Bc5
  We choose the initiative instead of defending.
9. Nxf7
  White wins material, but forgets king safety.
10. Bxf2+
  We deflect the king and open lines.
11. Kxf2
  The king accepts the sacrifice.
12. Nxe4+
  The knight takes the center with check.
13. Kg1
  The king heads toward the kingside, without real safety.
14. Qh4
  The queen already creates several threats.
15. Qf3
  White wants to defend and trade queens.
16. Rf8
  We add a piece to the attack and pin the f7-knight.
17. d3
  White consolidates the center, but lacks coordination.
18. Qe1+
  The queen infiltrates the first rank with check. Remember that d3 does not solve the dark-square problem.
4
Opening g3
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+ 7.Kg1 Qh4 8.g3 Nxg3 9.hxg3 Qxg3+
1. e4
  White takes the center.
2. e5
  We answer symmetrically.
3. Nf3
  The knight attacks e5.
4. Nc6
  We defend and develop.
5. Bc4
  The bishop targets f7.
6. Nf6
  We keep the Traxler idea.
7. Ng5
  White attacks f7 very early.
8. Bc5
  We choose the initiative instead of defending.
9. Nxf7
  White wins material, but forgets king safety.
10. Bxf2+
  We deflect the king and open lines.
11. Kxf2
  The king accepts the sacrifice.
12. Nxe4+
  The knight takes the center with check.
13. Kg1
  The king heads toward the kingside, without real safety.
14. Qh4
  The queen already creates several threats.
15. g3
  White tries to close the lines around his king.
16. Nxg3
  We break this structure immediately.
17. hxg3
  White recaptures, but opens his kingside even more.
18. Qxg3+
  The queen enters White’s castled position directly. Remember that pushing g3 can speed up our attack instead of slowing it down.
5
Breakthrough with Nd4
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+ 7.Ke2 Nd4+ 8.Ke3 Qh4 9.g3 Nxg3
1. e4
  White takes the center.
2. e5
  We answer symmetrically.
3. Nf3
  The knight attacks e5.
4. Nc6
  We defend and develop.
5. Bc4
  The bishop targets f7.
6. Nf6
  We keep the Traxler idea.
7. Ng5
  White attacks f7 very early.
8. Bc5
  We choose the initiative instead of defending.
9. Nxf7
  White wins material, but forgets king safety.
10. Bxf2+
  We deflect the king and open lines.
11. Kxf2
  The king accepts the sacrifice.
12. Nxe4+
  The knight takes the center with check.
13. Ke2
  This retreat looks prudent, but it lacks coordination.
14. Nd4+
  The knight wins another tempo and pushes the king farther away.
15. Ke3
  The king remains right in the middle.
16. Qh4
  The queen enters the game at the best moment.
17. g3
  White wants to close the kingside.
18. Nxg3
  We immediately open White’s structure. Remember that ...Nd4+ followed by ...Nxg3 often gives a very clean attack.