The Complete Alrick H. Man Vienna Gambit Theme Tournament

I have posted analysis of Carlos Torre's two games from the Alrick H. Man Vienna Gambit Theme Tournament with Spielmann's favorite line 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.f4 d5 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Qf3!?  Analysis suggests that it is an interesting alternative to the standard 5.Nf3, if not quite as strong.

Position after 5.Qf3!?

As this completes my analysis of the Vienna Gambit and of the nine games from the tournament, I have also posted a Complete Tournament Games and Vienna Gambit Analysis (PGN) which includes all of the games previously annotated plus two additional games.   I hope my analysis is useful to those who would want to try out this interesting opening.   

See also:

• The Critical Line of the Vienna Gambit
• Torre and Marshall Victories over the Vienna
• Vienna Gambit Traps from the Alrick H. Man
• The Alrick H. Man Vienna Gambit Theme Tournament
• The Dimock Theme Tournaments and the Brooklyn Daily Eagle
• Torre - Norwood, Alrick H. Man Theme Tournament
• Vienna Gambit (C29) Bibliography

The Critical Line of the Vienna Gambit

I have annotated the game Torre - Marshall, Alrick H. Man Vienna Gambit Theme 1925 (Java / PGN).  It is fitting that this most important game from the Marshall Chess Club's theme tournament featured the most critical line of the Vienna Gambit: 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.f4 d5 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Bc5! (see diagram).

Position after 5...Bc5!

This sharp line featured in the recent game Jobava - Mamedyarov, European Team Championship 2013 and was discussed in depth by Alexander Finkel in New in Chess Yearbook #110.  As my notes show, White has good chances with the Vienna Gambit even against this dangerous line, which suggests that the opening remains viable with suitable preparation.  In fact, late in the game (which was eventually drawn), Torre missed  a winning move (see diagram below).

Torre - Marshall, New York 1925
White to play and win after 31...Rd8

See also:

• Torre and Marshall Victories over the Vienna
• Vienna Gambit Traps from the Alrick H. Man
• The Alrick H. Man Vienna Gambit Theme Tournament
• The Dimock Theme Tournaments and the Brooklyn Daily Eagle
• Torre - Norwood, Alrick H. Man Theme Tournament
• Vienna Gambit (C29) Bibliography

Torre and Marshall Victories over the Vienna

I have annotated G. Gustafson's games against Carlos Torre and Frank Marshall (PGN) from the Alrick H. Man Vienna Gambit Theme Tournament of 1924-1925.  The games demonstrate that Arthur Kaufmann's concept of playing Qe2 against most of Black's defenses following 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.f4 d5 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 is probably most accurate, as shown in Torre - Norwood, Smirka - Torre, and Torre - Marshall (to be annotated soon) from the same event. Gustafson's less challenging 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.d3 against Carlos Torre and 5.Nf3 Bc5 6.d4 against Frank Marshall proved completely unsatisfactory.

Gustafson - Torre after 31.Rxf1
Black to play and mate in two.

Gustafson - Marshall after 8.Qe2
Black to play and win material.

Bibliography on 2.b3 vs the Sicilian and the French

An early b3 for White is gaining legitimacy, as witnessed by the recent high-level appearance of the Nimzo-Larsen Attack with 1.b3 (consider, for instance, the games of Baadur Jobava and Elisabeth Paehtz).  So it should hardly surprise us that an early b3 is being used with greater frequency against the Sicilian (1.e4 c5 2.b3) and French Defense (1.e4 e6 2.b3), and analysis and experience show that it represents a fully legitimate system.  Those seeking an unusual way of meeting these two most common Black defenses to 1.e4 would do well to study 2.b3 against both lines due to the possible transpositions between them, as shown by the repertoire of IM/WGM Eva Repkova.  Dr. Richard Lewis of the Kenilworth Chess Club has been using this repertoire for over 40 years, and theory is just catching up with him...

The Sicilian with 2.b3 (Snyder Sicilian, Czerniak Attack, b3 Sicilian)
Most 1.e4 players these days accept that the Sicilian is a tough nut to crack, so they are happy just to reach an interesting position where they might feel more comfortable than their opponents.  The line 1.e4 c5 2.b3 (or 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3, sometimes called the Westerinen Variation) definitely serves that purpose and has been used occasionally by some very strong GMs, including Nigel Short, Boris Spassky, and Alexander Morozevich, and has been the main anti-Sicilian weapon of such strong players as GM Tamaz Gelashvili , IM Moshe Czerniak, and IM/WGM Eva Repkova.  It was first used in Cochrane - Staunton, London Match 2 1842 and tried out recently by current World Champion Magnus Carlsen.  I suggest that the name Czerniak Attack should take the place of Snyder Sicilian, especially given the reputation problems of the latter (see below).

Game collections can be found at 365chess, ChessTempo, Chess.com, the Snyder variation at Chessgames, and B20 Sicilian Snyder White at Chessgames.  What follows is a bibliography of sources I have in my possession or could find easily.  As always, I welcome reader additions and corrections.

An Anti-Sicilian Line: b3 before d4 by Dennis Monokroussos, ChessLecture.com (June 5, 2014).  A just-released 87-minute DVD available from ChessLecture.com, featuring games with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3.  You can also gain access to these videos by joining ChessLecture.com for at least a month, which is the better deal.

"An Anti-Sicilian Line: b3 before d4, Part 1" by Dennis Monokroussos, ChessLecture.com (June 5, 2013).  A 32 minute video featuring Carlsen - Svidler, World Blitz Championship (Moscow) 2009.  For subscribers only.


"An Anti-Sicilian Line: b3 before d4, Part 2" by Dennis Monokroussos, ChessLecture.com (June 12, 2013).  A 25 minute video featuring Kavalek - Hracek, Ceska Trebova 1998.  For subscribers only.

Experts on the Anti-Sicilian by Jacob Aagaard and John Shaw, Quality Chess (2011): 432-441.  Download PDF contents.  The last chapter features Peter Heine Nielsen's cheeky recommendation for Black of 2.b3 g6, with continuations like 3.Bb2 Nf6 4.Qf3 Bg7 5.e5 Ng8 6.e6 Nf6, or 4…Nc6 5.e5 Nh5, or 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e5 Nh5.

 "Sicilian: The Czerniak Attack" by Arthur Kogan, Secrets of Opening Surprises #9 (2008): 123-136.  Makes an excellent case for calling the opening the "Czerniak Attack" after its most highly regarded early adopter.  Sample games include Czerniak - Cebalo, Zagreb 1969; Mamedyarov - van Wely, Wijk aan Zee 2008; Gelashvili - Gagunashvili, Batumi 2001; Short - Prasad, Mumbai 2004; Gelashvili - Reddmann, Hamburg 1999; and Short - Thorfinnsson, Reykjavik 2000.

Fighting the Anti-Sicilians by Richard Palliser, Everyman Chess (2007): 189-200.  Explores 2...d6 and 2...Nc6, though I think 2...e6 would have fit better with his overall repertoire.  Sample games in the notes include Buchnicek - Plachetka, Czech League 2005; Jiangchuan - Xu Jun, Shenzhen 1992; Rogers - Ostermeyer, Biel 1984; Dos Santos - Pedersen, Matinhos 1994; and Minasian - Aronian, Omsk 1996.


Estudio Casero Defensa Siciliana con 1.e4 c5 2.b3!? by Job Sepúlveda, Proletario (2007).

Anti-Sicilians by Jonathan Rowson, ChessPublishing (May 2006).  By subscription.  

Gold Medals, Opening Lanes #71 by Gary Lane, ChessCafe (2004).  Lane analyzes the game Short - Prasad, Mumbai 2004, which a reader sent suggesting the b3 Sicilian be renamed "the Short variation."  Personally, I think this is a great game, but there are enough Short Variations already.

"The Sicilian, Snyder Variation, Part One" and "Part Two" by Andrew Martin at Chessville (March 2004) -- via the Internet Archive.  Part One's "Nosher on the Ocher" discusses Short - Prasad, Mumbai 2004, while Part Two discusses Pessi - Miron, Romania 2003.  From the web archive.

"The Verdict, Part One" and Part Two by Andrew Martin at Jeremy Silman's website (March 2004) -- via the Internet Archive.
A Little different from the article Martin published at Chessville, but Part One features Arp - Zomer, NED 2004 and Part Two features Short - Prasad, Mumbai 2004.  From the web archive.

The Chess Advantage in Black and White by Larry Kaufman, Random House (2004): 115-117, 128-133.  Demonstrates a surprising interest in b3 lines, via a Rossolimo move order or via 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3.  Games include Akopian - Fominyh, Ubeda 2001; C. Horvath - Fogarasi, Budapest 2002; Anand - Leko, Bastia 2001; and Berzins - Meijers, Latvia 2002.

Schachtraining: Geheimwaffen in der Eroffnung by Stefan Kindermann (circa 2002-2003)
Features some excellent PGN downloads with analysis covering all major lines following 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3!? which is practically a cross-over variation. From the internet archive.

Anti-Sicilians, A Guide for Black by Dorian Rogozenko, Gambit (2003).  Recommends 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3 b6!? and 2.b3 b6!?

Black Repertoire, Sicilian, 2.b3 and Games by Eric Tangborn, Geocities (circa 1998)
Black's perspective from IM Tangborn.


Foxy Chess Openings, 149 (Vol. 2): White Repertoire Against the Sicilian, Center Counter & Pirc by Andrew Martin (no date).  "Volume Two continues Martin’s new 'Winning Repertoire Series for White – 1.e4', which outlines a complete repertoire system for the first player, built around the King’s Pawn opening. Here IM Martin covers how to answer the Sicilian, the Center Counter and the Pirc. After 1.e4 c5 White will continue 2.b3! and enter prepared territory; if 1.e4 d5 we follow with 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.Rb1!, and the Pirc meets with 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Be2 Bg7 5.g4! and attack as shown."

Sicilian Unusual [B20] Survey, by Tamas Horvath, ChesssBase Encyclopedia (1993).  Covers 2...d6 (e.g.: Spassky - Huebner, Bueonos Aires 1978; Tschichowani-Lapenis, Belzy 1979) and 2...e6 (e.g.; Spassky-Hernandez, Buenos Aires 1978; Kanzler-Ionov, Daugavpils 1979).

Sicilian 2.b3, Snyder Sicilian: A Complete Opening System against the Sicilian with 2.b3 by Robert M. Snyder, Players Press (1984).  
A 125 page pamphlet by the notorious chess teacher and child molester, featured on "America's Most Wanted."  I have not seen this item.

De schaakopening. Siciliaans-flanksystemen: het 2. f2-f4 complex, het vleugelgambiet 2. b2-b4, de 2. b2-b3 variant by Paul Boersma, Andriessen (1983).  Thanks MNb.

The French with 2.b3 (Reti Gambit, Papa Gambit)
The line 1.e4 e6 2.b3, which can lead to the gambit 2...d5 3.Bb2 dxe4, is often attributed to Richard Reti, who played it in Reti - Maroczy, Gotheburg 1920.  Later, the opening was adopted by Rudolf Spielmann with some success, as in Spielmann - Mueller, Vienna 1928 and Spielmann - Grau, San Remo 1930, so his name is sometimes associated with the opening as well.  Mike Papa published a pamphlet on the line that generated interest, so his name has also gained some followers.  But the most thorough treatment of the variation has been by Thomas Johansson, who calls it "The Fascinating Reti Gambit" -- so that name seems best.  I will add some items from French repertoire books here in the coming week, and I welcome additions from readers.

Play the French 4th edition by John Watson, Everyman Chess (2012): 414-415.
Watson argues that "b3 and e4 do not mix well."  Sample games include Bury - Watson, Leominster 1977 (the main focus of earlier editions, with 2...b6 sidestepping White's main preparation); Arvola - Westerinen, Tromso 2008; Karasev - Farago, Polanica Zdroj 1974; and Rzayev - Tran Tuan Minh, Budapest 2011.

Attacking Chess: The French by Simon Williams, Everyman Chess (2011): 301-304. Williams writes: "I am not entirely sure what the name of this variation should be, but it is an interesting little move.  White figures that now that Black has played 1...e6, he can no longer block the a1-h8 diagonal with ...e5.  For that reason White wants to place his bishop on b2 as then it will be a good piece.  There is some logic to this way of thinking, but Black has a number of ways to gain equality."  This is a great book on the French for Black, and Williams's recommendation of 1.e4 e6 2.b3 d5 3.Bb2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 fits well with his overall repertoire and may be Black's best.  Sample games include Paehtz - Zhukova, European Women's Ch Gotheburg 2005 (White's 9.d4?! does not fit the system); Houska - Levitt, London 2004; and Repkova - Boric, Sibenik 2008. 





"Reti's Line against the French" by Alexander Finkel, Secrets of Opening Surprises #9 (2008): 102-108.  Argues that the Reti Gambit leads to very interesting positions where familiarity will help.  Sample games include Maze - Vaisser, Val d'lsere 2004; Repkova - Macak, Slovokia tt 2004-2005; Totsky - Zakharov, Perm 1997; and Repkova - Rajlich, Biel 2004.  A very useful overview.









The Fascinating Reti Gambit by Thomas Johansson, Lulu.com (2006).  Previews available at Google Books.  I am always surprised to find complete and thoroughly researched books on obscure lines -- such as this fascinating study.  Johansson has previously contributed some great books on the King's Gambit.  I especially recommend The Fascinating King's Gambit, focused on the Bishop's Gambit, which seems not to have gotten as much attention as The King's Gambit for the Creative Aggressor from 1998.  Johansson naturally starts off with The Reti Gambit Accepted (1.e4 e6 2.b3 d5 3.Bb2 dxe4 4.Nc3) exploring first the greedy 4...f5?! when he focuses on the standard 5.f3 (which seems most promising) and the interesting alternative 5.d3!? which is definitely playable if not as clear.  He then devotes considerable attention to Reti's ow line 4...Nf6 5.Qe2 which can lead to fascinating positions involving an early g4-g5 thrust for White and opposite side castling.  He also examines Mike Papa's idea of 5.g4 immediately.  In the declined section, he covers a wide range of options for both players but devotes the most attention to "The Safe" 3...Nf6 4.e5 Nbd7 5.Qg4 c5 6.f4 Nc6 7.Nf3 -- which is likely the line you will see the most.  Transpositions to the Sicilian with 1.e4 e6 2.b3 c5 are also considered in detail.  Basically, if you are going to make this line part of your repertoire, this book is a must.  And, fortunately, it is not out of print nor likely to go out of print any time soon (since it is published "print on demand").

French: Advance and Other Lines by Steffen Pedersen, Gambit (2005): 135-136.  Merely mentions the main line with 2...d5 3.Bb2, giving the games Varga - Farago, Nagykanizsa 2003; Kapnisis - Berelovich, Kavala 2002; and Repkova - Cosma, Pula 2002.  The main focus is on the admittedly "non-theoretical" 2...b6 as seen in Bury - Watson, Leominster 1977; Gallinnis - Jackelen, Bundesliga 1998/1999; and Wisnewski - Meister, Hoeckendorf 2004.

"Terra Incognita" by Tim McGrew, The Gambit Cartel #14 at ChessCafe (2003)
Discusses the Reti Gambit with 1.e4 e6 2.b3 d5 3.Bb2!? in three games: McGrew - Balan, Kalamazoo, MI, September 2003, Karasev - Akopian, USSR Cup 1970, and Borkowski - Matlak, Correspondence 1979.

The Papa gambit vs. The French Defense: 1.e4 e6 2.b3!! by Michael Joseph Papa, Jr., MICH Publications (July 3, 1991).

Review of Pete Tamburro's "Openings for Amateurs"

Pete Tamburro's Openings for Amateurs (Mongoose 2014) lives up to its billing as an excellent introduction to the openings for scholastic and club players.  They just don't write books like this anymore -- ones that give good general advice on the openings and explore a variety of lines for advanced beginners and amateurs to play and learn from, with discussion they can quickly grasp and use.  In fact, this book fills a void in the contemporary chess literature last served by classics like Larry Evans and company's How to Open a Chess Game (1975) and I. A. Horowitz's How to Win in the Chess Openings (circa 1950s) -- both still in print (!) and both still in English descriptive notation (!) which tells you how few books have been published to take their place.  To be fair, there are some other contemporary books in this category, such as Sam Collins's Understanding the Chess Openings, which covers opening principles and surveys all of the major openings; but Collins's book, while useful, is more of a map than a guide. Pete Tamburro, meanwhile, wants to be your guide, and I can think of no better guide for amateurs than the man who invented "Openings for Amateurs" with his articles, videos, and online discussion forum.

The book is divided into two halves: "The Primer: Mistakes in the Opening Most Often Made by Amateurs, and Other Worries" (comprised of general opening advice with illustrative games and examples) and "Openings for Amateurs" (comprised of an opening repertoire with illustrative games and analysis).  The first half will mostly appeal to players rated between 1100-1900 (from advanced beginners to club players), while the second half has a lot to offer any players looking to expand their repertoires.  But even stronger players would do well not to skip the Primer, since it is chock full of useful "bonus" lines and repertoire analysis, so that the two halves really form a coherent whole in the end.  The material to illustrate principles in the Primer is usually drawn from basic or less important lines that are part of the repertoire -- such as ideas for meeting the King's Gambit, Danish, Halasz Center Gambit, and Vienna Gambit (part of an Open Games repertoire for Black), or the Grob and Orangutan (which you are bound to meet at some point). There is also a nice section titled "When Facing Some of the 'Pre-Planned' Openings, Don't Be Afraid to Have Your Own Plan Ready to Go," which offers a coherent repertoire for counter-attacking the Colle, Barry, and Zuke. Tamburro fills the Primer with interesting bonus material like this, also discussing some openings that don't make it into the repertoire such as the Barry Attack and Colle for White (not a bad 1.d4 repertoire) and C.J.S. Purdy's "All-Purpose Defense" for Black with ...e6, ...d5, and ...c5, leading to a French or Tarrasch Defense depending on White's choices.  

Most players will find the "Openings for Amateurs" repertoire portion of the book to be its main attraction.  As a player who has always played "amateur" lines, I liked Tamburro's opening choices a lot and was surprised at how many were already part of my repertoire or had been in the past.  Then it slowly dawned on me that I have known Tamburro's work for well over a decade, so he has already had his influence on me!

Tamburro recommends a repertoire built around 1.e4 for White.  For Black against 1.e4 he suggests either 1...e5 (heading toward sharp Open Games) or 1...c5 (heading toward the Sicilian Dragon).  And for Black against 1.d4 he recommends either 1...Nf6 (heading toward the Nimzo-Indian or Bogo-Indian) or 1...f5 (heading toward the Stonewall Dutch).  Along the way, he also discusses the Reversed Dragon line of the English, which can be used for White or Black.  Typically, each chapter here will discuss a number of interesting options before focusing on the repertoire line, so there is plenty of bonus material here as well.  

The principles that Tamburro uses in choosing an opening include that it: does not require a lot of memorization, follows general principles, makes you feel comfortable, makes your opponent uncomfortable, and is an opening "you can grow with" (meaning it doesn't allow a known equalizing line or have a known refutation that your stronger opponents are sure to know).  For the remainder of this review, I'd like to take a closer look at this repertoire, which seems very well chosen for its intended reader:

Sicilian Defense, Chekhover/Rossolimo, Closed and Alapin (1.e4 c5)
Tamburro starts in the right place, as the Sicilian is the line you are most likely to face if you open with 1.e4.  To help combat this important defense, he discusses three alternatives which will appeal to a variety of styles.  After all, one of his key principles is that you need to choose openings that you feel comfortable playing.

I especially like the lines with Bb5 for White.  Tamburro recommends 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3, meeting 2...d6 with 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 Nc6 5.Bb5 and 2...Nc6 with 3.Bb5 or an Alapin-like 3.c3 (covered later).  He also discusses possible transposition to Alapin-like lines if Black chooses 2...e6.   Sample games here include Tal–R. Byrne, Biel Interzonal 1976; J. Polgár–Shirov, Las Palmas 1994; Vojtek–Debnar, Slovak Team Chp. 1997; Firat–Reshetnikov, Moscow 2013; Rossolimo -  Müller, Bad Gastein 1948; Rossolimo - Kottnauer, Bad Gastein 1948; and Rossolimo - Romanenko, Salzburg 1948.  The coverage of the Chekhover is first-rate and includes material I wish I had seen before writing my own "Notes on the Chekhover Sicilian (B53)."  

The closed line with 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 followed by 3.g3 is another good option for players seeking to limit their theory.  Sample games here include Smyslov–Denker, USA-USSR Radio Match 1946 and Spassky–Geller, Candidates’ Match (6) 1968.  Though I usually play the Grand Prix Attack myself (another amateur favorite), I have also tried the Closed with g3, especially as a way of addressing the move order 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 a6!? when White's light-squared Bishop will probably be most comfortable fianchettoed.  I learned a lot about this line from analyzing Capablanca - Zhenevsky, Moscow 1925, which demonstrates the strategic depth of the opening for both players, and from IM Attila Turzo's excellent video The Basic Principles of the Closed Sicilian for White (ChessLecture) which covers some of the same territory that Tamburro does.  

Finally, the c3 Sicilian is a completely different animal but also a good system for amateurs, some of whom might also want to experiment with the Smith-Morra (which is definitely not a line that Tamburro recommends, let me be clear!)  Samples games include Alekhine–Podgorny, Prague 1943 and Sveshnikov–Bonsch, Cienfuegos 1979.  All-in-all, a great set of options for meeting the Sicilian, and definitely all lines you can "grow with."

French, Tarrasch Variation (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2)
This is a good approach to the French and fits well with other recommendations, especially the c3 Sicilian (which Tamburro shows can reach similar positions).   Illustrative games include Rublevsky–Dyachkov, Russia Club Cup 1998; Karpov–Kuzmin, Leningrad Interzonal 1973; and Tiviakov–Zhang Pengxiang, Olympiad 2006. 

Caro-Kann, Fantasy Variation (with 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3!?)
Probably one of Tamburro's most surprising recommendations is the Fantasy Variation, which has been an interest of mine (see my bibliography on the Fantasy Variation of the Caro-Kann, for instance) and a line that I definitely plan to return to after reading this chapter! I would recommend the recent book Extreme Caro-Kann by Alexey Bezgodov for serious students. Sample games here include Tatai - Mariotti, Reggio Emilia 1967-68; Smyslov - Gereben, Moscow vs Budapest 1949; and Robson–Shankland, U.S. Junior Ch. 2010 (where Tamburro has some improvements on White's play).  Interestingly, in his excellent earlier book Learn Chess from the Greats, Tamburro gave a "?!" mark in his annotations to White's third move.  Clearly he has had a change of heart over the years!

Austrian Pirc (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4)
I have been one of many players inspired by Tamburro's "Openings for Amateurs" lectures at ICC/ChessFM, where he presented on the line 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.e5 dxe5 6.dxe5!? exchanging Queens to achieve a favorable ending.  I wrote about this line in the article "The Simplified Pirc."  It's definitely a solid system that will teach you a lot about chess and score you many points.  And if Black does not exchange pawns in the center, he will be under quite a bit of pressure. Sample games include Bronstein–Benko, Monte Carlo 1969 and Z. Polgár–Shchekachev, Vienna 1991.  

Canal Variation of the Alekhine's Defense (1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Bc4)
I have from time to time experimented with a "Mad Dog" opening repertoire built around 1.e4 with an early Bc4 for White against most everything Black can play, and it naturally features the Canal Variation against the Alekhine with 4.Bc4 (though I have also experimented with the gambit line of the Chase Variation with 3.c4 Nb6 4.c5 Nd5 5.Bc4!? as well).  I agree with Tamburro's view that Canal's approach is underestimated by theory and I was glad to see him discuss it.  Sample games include Canal–Pérez, Madrid 1951, and Sax–D. Burić, 2002.

Scandinavian (1.e4 d5 2.exd5)
I like Tamburro's repertoire against the Scandinavian, especially 2...Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.d3!? which I play also, ever since I saw Andrew Martin mention that it might be White's "most dangerous" option.  Tamburro also covers some of my favorite attacking lines, including the sharp 2...Nf6 3.d4 Nxd5 4.c4 Nb6 5.Nf3 Ng4 6.c5! N6d7 7.Bc4, which is another one of those "Mad Dog" lines where the Bishop aims at f7.  Sample games include Houska–Keitlinghaus, Bundesliga 2003/04; Losev–Orlinkov, Moscow 2010; R. Byrne–Rogoff, U.S. Chp. 1978; and Lisetskaya–Everitt, ICCF 2011.

Spanish Four Knights (1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.Bb5)
About eight years ago I visited Fred Wilson at his book shop in New York City, where he completely sold me on the Spanish Four Knights by calling it a "real man's" opening -- because it leads to hand-to-hand combat and has been played by some of the toughest players in chess history.  Following Wilson's recommendations, I played and analyzed it quite a bit (see my bibliography and articles one, two and three on the line in what should have been a much longer series).  On the only occasion that I visited Pete Tamburro at his home, we discussed our mutual interest in the Four Knights and he photocopied some fascinating historical analysis for me from the January 1922 issue of British Chess Magazine (which he also discusses at length in his book).  The article he copied recommended meeting Rubinstein's  4...Nd4 with the simple 5.O-O! -- the same line I had learned from Wilson and discussed in my first article.  Sample games in this chapter include Capablanca–H. Steiner, Los Angeles 1933; Maróczy–F. Treybal, Prague 1908; and Perlis–Freymann, St. Petersburg 1909.  Besides those books mentioned in my bibliography, there are also the more recent The Four Knights Game by Andrey Obodchuk and The Four Knights: Move by Move by Cyrus Lakdawala -- the latter of which also discusses the next line via Glek's move order.

Paulsen Vienna with g3 (1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3)
This line has been a favorite of mine, as I discuss in my Glek Four Knights and Paulsen Vienna Bibliography.  It really fits the bill for an opening that you can play on general principles without a lot of memorization.  Sample games from the book include Motwani–B. Jónsson, Iceland 1992 and Bisguier–Snow, U.S. Amateur Team East 2013.

Open Games as Black (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6)
I have always been attracted to the open games for both White and Black, and there are many good opening manuals to support that choice (John Emms's Play the Open Games as Black is still a favorite of mine). I'm glad that Tamburro does not shy away from this approach, as it has always struck me as the most principled defense for Black and the one most likely to lead to fun and interesting games for amateurs.  Tamburro recommends the Fritz Variation of the Two Knights Defense against the Italian and main lines against the Scotch.  Sample games here include Sachs - Friedman, Cleveland 1948; Spielmann–Eliskases, Match 1936; Showalter–Gossip, New York 1889; and Smeets–M. Adams, Staunton Memorial 2008.  In the last chapter of the book, Tamburro discusses the Ruy Lopez as White and Black, recommending the Marshall Gambit for serious students, but also discussing the fun to be had with the Schliemann (3...f5).  For those interested, I had a couple of articles on GM Josh Friedel's use of the Fritz-Ulvestad Defense (see first and second) and a webliography and commentary on the Two Knights for Black.  I also have an interesting piece on the Anti-Modern 5...Ng4.

Sicilian Dragon (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6)
For those who are not up to playing the open games as Black, Tamburro recommends the Sicilian Dragon, which was my own first line (picked up from the classic How to Think Ahead in Chess by Fred Reinfeld and I.A. Horowitz).  As Tamburro notes, you don't have to do a lot of deep opening study to get started with this line at the amateur level, but as you climb up the ratings ladder you will have to hit the books -- or at least check out my webliography.  Tamburro's sample games include Vasiukov–Parma, Rijeka 1963; M. Burrows–Felgaer, Gibraltar Masters 2013; and Rauzer–Botvinnik, USSR Ch. 1933.

English, Reversed Dragon (1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Bg2)
Some years ago we had a "Reversed Dragon" theme tournament at the Kenilworth Chess Club, in which I really enjoyed participating.  It definitely convinced me that this is a great line for amateurs, as Tamburro had already discussed in one of his ICC/Chess FM lectures. Here he outlines a repertoire that follows the games of former World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik: Botvinnik–Lundin, Stockholm 1962; Botvinnik–Portisch, Monte Carlo 1968; Botvinnik–Söderborg, Stockholm 1962; and Benko–Botvinnik, Monte Carlo 1968.  I think a player who adopted this and the Sicilian Dragon as Black would have an interesting lifetime system.  

Nimzo- and Bogo-Indian (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4)
Tamburro makes a great case for the Hübner Variation but also covers a wide range of methods of handling this solid defense.  The Hübner was nicely discussed recently by Jeremy Silman in his series "Riding the Winds of Fashion, Part One" and "Part Two" at Chess.com, which should definitely convince you that this is an opening you will learn a lot from playing.  Sample games from Tamburro's book include Pinter–Timman, Las Palmas Interzonal 1982; Spassky–Fischer, World Championship 1972; González–Perrine, corr. 1943; Abramavicius–Ribera, Hamburg 1930; and Colle - Capablanca, Karlsbad 1929.

Dutch Stonewall (1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 e6 4.Bg2 d5 5.Nf3 c6 6.O-O Bd6)
I had noticed that Tamburro was playing the Dutch Stonewall in recent years, and his interest in the line may have been part of what led me to experiment with it myself. I put together an article on The Stonewall in Black and White, which has been a favorite of readers ever since (probably my most popular article ever to judge from the stats).  And the Stonewall definitely has much to recommend it, not least because of its well deserved reputation for leading to super-solid positions.  Sample games include Flohr - Botvinnik, Match (10) 1933; Marshall–Chigorin, Ostend 1905; Gurevich - Illescas, Sanxenxo 2004; Kasparov - Illescas, Dos Hermanas 1996; Turner–Agdestein, Tromsø 2008; and Lenic - Kuzubov, World Youth 2005.

Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5) Tamburro ends with "A Plea for the Ruy Lopez" as a great line for lifelong learning.  But that one fell on deaf ears: like most amateurs, I will do anything to avoid the Spanish Torture, even by "flipping the Bird" at the Lopez Bishop with 3...Nd4!?  But this might be the best chapter in the book for those willing to listen.

Overall, this is a great book with much to recommend it.  Download an excerpt from the Mongoose website for more details.

The Bird Defense (C61) of 40 Years Ago

I have been reading 40 Years of Friendship, 100 Games of Chess by Wayne Conover, Steve Pozarek, and Eugene Salomon (Smashwords eBook 2014), which I picked up mostly out of nostalgia for New Jersey chess: I knew all three players when I was a young member of the Westfield Chess Club from 1979-1984.  I also correctly predicted the book would contain some of former New Jersey champion Pozarek's games with the Bird Defense from the 1970s, which I have used to analyze the classic Bird line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4 4.Nxd4 exd4 5.O-O c6 6.Bc4 Nf6 -- last popular about 40 years ago, but perhaps due for a revival.  It was Pozarek who introduced me to the Bird Defense in a series of articles on this specific variation.  That series began in the Westfield Chess Club Newsletter of March 1980 (edited by UNIX inventor Ken Thompson), in the same number that featured Wayne Conover's annotated victory over an IM and the crosstable of a 5-minute tournament where Gene Salomon finished second behind future IM Mike Valvo -- and a 14-year-old unrated kid named Mike Goeller finished in the middle of the strong field.  

In retrospect, I think it was also Pozarek who introduced me to the idea that amateurs can make useful contributions to chess theory.  I am a collector of amateur chess memoirs and game collections like this one, and I find that I have often discussed in this blog the important contributions they offer to theory: Sidney Bernstein's Combat: My 50 years at the Chessboard shows ways of playing a New York approach to 1...Nc6 and ...h5 in the Dragon (among numerous other interesting ideas); Dr. Philip Corbin's Calypso Chess features games with the Smith-Morra Gambit and the Elephant Gambit; Asa Hoffmann's Chess Gladiator offers a game with Janowski's Brother Indian (among many other original opening ideas); Ariel Mengarini's Predicament in Two Dimensions: The Thinking of a Chessplayer illustrates the Albin Counter Gambit with Nge7; and Billy Colias's posthumous Midwest Master offers insight into the Grand Prix Attack for Black and White.  The spirit of chess amateurism is alive and well, and the present volume does not hesitate to offer up some opening novelties and insights of its own.

In the middle section of the book, Conover, Pozarek, and Salomon offer contributions to theory in the Leningrad Dutch, the Caro Kann Defense, the Averbakh Variation of the King's Indian, and the Alekhine Defense.  Though there should be fewer games and a little more theory in this part, it is still more than most readers would expect to find.  This part of the book is made up mostly of games from Conover and Salomon, who studied together and played many of the same openings, but Pozarek tries his best with the Alekhine (using mostly his co-authors' games).  Too bad he didn't think to write about the Bird.  I would have liked to see more off-beat openings like that one.  After all, amateurs tend to experiment more than the pros.

Steve Goldberg's "Stories from Grandpa" at ChessCafe offers two useful critiques of the book.  I especially agree with his complaint about the number of diagrams, considering that, as an e-book, it would not have cost anything to add more.  I also agree with the implicit criticism in Goldberg's title, because the memoir part of the book seems less written for a general reader than, as Pozarek explicitly tell us, "first and foremost" for "families and friends."  However, there are definitely some very good games in these pages against a lot of quality opposition, including a whos-who of Northeast chess history: Pal Benko, Joel Benjamin, John Fedorowicz, Arnold Denker, William Lombardy, Steve Stoyko, Leroy Dubeck, Scott Massey, Mike Valvo, Orest Popovych, and Edgar McCormick. It even has some simultaneous games against such one-name luminaries as Korchnoi, Petrosian and Alekhine(!)  And practically none of these games will be found in the databases.  In fact, if it were not for this book, all of these games would vanish and remain unknown, like so many great master games.  

As with all amateur volumes, written as a "labor of love," it has something to offer those willing to take the time to look.  The following diagrams highlight some of the better moments enjoyed by these three players:

(1) Conover - Rozier
White to play and win.

(2) Zweibel - Pozarek (see game)
Black to play and win.

(3) Salomon - Watson
White to play and win.

Solutions: (1) 46.Nf5! (forcing mate in 9 moves or fewer); (2) 14....Bxf2+!; and (3) 61.Rc4!! (the only way to win)