Chess Mail

46
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zppzpp+pzpp0
9-+n+-sn-+0
9+-vl-zp-sN-0
9-+L+P+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzPPzP-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This move, leading to spectacular
complications, was discovered by Czech
master Karel Traxler in the 1890s and was
much analysed by the Wilkes-Barre Club
of the USA in the 1930s. Revived in the
1960s by Yakov Estrin, a lot more has
been discovered about it since.
When studying sharp openings, it is
usually best to look first at “established”
GM sources to see “what the world
knows”. Only then can you judge if a
new idea is actually good.
This approach to study is particularly
valuable for CC as there are often easy
points to be won in sharp openings
against opponents who don’t have good
reference books or up-to-date databases,
and/or who are too ready to believe what
the standard works recommend.
I began with “NCO” (Nunn’s Chess
Openings, 1998) especially as this was
one of the sections edited by John Nunn
personally. He devotes two lines (and
several notes) to the Traxler.
He said the ¤ capture on f7 is losing
for White while the ¥ capture promises a
slight advantage if followed up by 6 ¥b3!,
but 5 ¥xf7+ ¢e7 6 ¥d5 is unclear.
“ECO” (3 rd edition, 1997) on the other
hand considers 5 ¤xf7 is equal whether
White continues with 6 ¢xf2 or 6 ¢f1.
New evidence may revive the latter.
It is not easy to find new games which
are not on the CD but here are a couple
of recent games which illustrate how
White can lose if he puts a foot wrong.
Eberhard Rosenhahn (GER) -
Jonathan A. Tait (ENG)
Thematic RC/1/93/final corr ICCF, 2000
1 e4 e5 2 ¤f3 ¤c6 3 ¥c4 ¤f6 4 ¤g5
¥c5 5 ¥xf7+
5 ¥xf7+ is the choice of those who
follow orthodox theory or just want to
keep the position under some sort of
control. White settles for just an extra
pawn but it is not easy to prevent Black
from obtaining compensation.
5...¢e7 6 ¥c4!?
Better than its reputation says Heisman.
6 ¥d5 or 6 ¥b3 would be normal;
see the next game.
6...¦f8 7 d3²
Heisman says “A simple move; Black
cannot do anything drastic.” He gives the
following line to illustrate that: 7...¥xf2+?
8 ¢xf2 ¤xe4+ 9 ¢g1 ¤f2 10 £h5 d5 11
¤xh7 ¤xh1 12 ¥g5+ ¦f6 13 £g6+-.
7...d6 8 h3 £e8 9 0–0 £g6 10 ¢h2?
h6 11 ¤f3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-tr-+0
9zppzp-mk-zp-0
9-+nzp-snqzp0
9+-vl-zp-+-0
9-+L+P+-+0
9+-+P+N+P0
9PzPP+-zPPmK0
9tRNvLQ+R+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...¤g4+! 12 hxg4 ¥xg4 13 ¤bd2
£h5+ 14 ¢g1 ¤d4 0–1.
1/2001