I have a question to the two kinght's defense of the Italian Game, Black's pawn structure was totally destroyed and was down a pawn, and why the computer is saying this position is equal?
(Never enable your opponent to play the fried liver white Nxf7?!, the correct move is Na5!?)
Black has a big lead in development, more space, and the initiative. White is a bit cramped, and long term, his extra pawn isn't felt because often Black exchanges a knight for the bishop on d3 and White's pawns are doubled and isolated on d3.
4. Ng5 is one of my favorite positions in chess, and I absolutely love it when they go 5. ... Na5 instead of letting me take on f7. White gets an extra pawn in just 5 moves and the onus is on black to prove some sort of compensation. If the opponent does not know his variations and plays unenergetically, the game is simple with an extra pawn.
"... [After 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Nf6 4 Ng5 d5 5 exd5 Na5 6 Bb5+ c6 7 dxc6 bxc6,] Black has sacrificed a pawn and hopes that his easier access to developing the minor pieces will provide an initiative that will counterbalance the material investment. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2010)
[Event "Zurich Christmas Open"] [Date "2014.12.28"] [White "Oliver Kurmann"] [Black "Arkadij Naiditsch"] [ECO "C58"] [WhiteElo "2426"] [BlackElo "2731"] 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Nf6 4 Ng5 d5 5 exd5 Na5 6 Bb5+ c6 7 dxc6 bxc6 8 Bd3 Nd5 9 Nf3 Bd6 10 O-O O-O 11 Re1 Bg4 12 h3 Bxf3 13 Qxf3 f5 14 Bxf5 Qe7 15 Qe4 g6 16 Bg4 Rf4 17 Qe2 Raf8 18 Bf3 Rxf3 19 gxf3 Nf4 20 Qf1 Qg5+ 21 Kh1 Qh5 22 Re3 Nxh3 23 Nc3 e4 24 f4 Nxf4+ 25 Kg1 Ne2+ 26 Qxe2 Qh2+ 27 Kf1 Qh1#
www.chessgames.com/nodejs/game/viewGamePGN?text=1&gid=17810763...Bc5 is a standard alternative to 3...Nf6.
@andythechessplayer said in #1:
> (Never enable your opponent to play the fried liver white Nxf7?!, the correct move is Na5!?)
"?!" means it's dubious (so I would always tend to allow that)...and "!?" means a bit risky but enterprising (not "correct")
@andythechessplayer said in #1:
> ... the correct move is Na5!? ...
@MrPushwood said in #5:
> ... "!?" means a bit risky but enterprising (not "correct")
My copy of Small ECO 3 defines "!?" as "a move deserving attention".
It's not an unreasonable sacrifice, given that white wastes tempos with the B capturing the pawn, and with the N-g5 move.
The Ulvestad variation 5...b5 6.Bxd5 Qxd5 is also worth a punt.
"If the opponent does not know his variations and plays unenergetically, the game is simple with an extra pawn."
If black plays unenergetically, he is in trouble in any mainline opening, whether he gives up a pawn or not. It's mostly a question of what kind of trouble, and how soon.
After 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Nf6 4 Ng5 d5 5 exd5 b5, isn't 6 Bxd5 rather dangerous? Anyway, I thought that the standard move was 6 Bf1.
6.Bf1 is the main variation, yes. It too is a matter of time against material, and both players have to be prepared to alter the material balance as just part of their evaluation of the specific positions that may arise.
@kindaspongey said in #8:
> After 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Nf6 4 Ng5 d5 5 exd5 b5, isn't 6 Bxd5 rather dangerous? Anyway, I thought that the standard move was 6 Bf1.
There's no Bxd5, your own pawn is on b5. If you meant Bxb5, then Qxd5.
Also the main line Na5 is pretty cool and theory-heavy for both sides. Black needs to be as dynamical as possible.
