Earlier in the week, I had a video and article on a tactic from my book, “50+2 Chess Quick Wins” – “Attack using open centre files”. This game is another good demonstration of that tactic!
As noted in that video, this is a relatively more subtle tactical idea. Opening the centre files early is potentially risky, but it is something that can naturally occur in certain openings or may be something that simply evolves in a game in the opening and early middlegame. Being sensitised to the possibility and the potential of this attack, will help identify opportunities for an attack, as well as defend against a weakness.
This was a game of the Smith-Morra Gambit against Black’s Sicilian Defense, but where they decline the gambit with an interesting (3… a6). One of the advantages of the Smith-Morra Gambit is that declining the gambit typically gives the advantage to White.
The opening itself in this game is not especially interesting, other than Black freestyling against the Smith-Morra. On move 7, this allowed me to have castled kingside, while Black was significantly down on development, having committed (? wasted) moves for a potential future queenside attack.
In line with the tactical idea, “Attack using the open centre files”, I’ve focussed on this in this game review. Notice that on move 10, both the d- and e-files are semi-open. With Black having their king still stuck in the centre, this makes their king safety a bit loose.
On move 13, the d-file is fully opened, meaning that there is a critical weakness to king safety for Black. The Stockfish evaluation in this position (roughly [+1]) can potentially be misleading in a sense. With perfect play of the engine, Black is “fine” but under human conditions, Black must play very accurately as mistakes can be fatal.
We see this very quickly – after a series of trades, the d-file is controlled by White’s rook on d1, and Black’s king is almost trapped against the file. Black now plays a single inaccurate move with Rb8, and there is [+M8]! The mistake is immediately apparent after (16. Bc6+) and Black resigns, GG!
The big takeaway from this game is to recognise the possibility and potential of attacks on the king down early open centre files.
Game: https://www.chess.com/game/live/94786178411
[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.11.27"]
[Round "-"]
[White "vitualis"]
[Black "steebo1976"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "B21"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Sicilian-Defense-Smith-Morra-Gambit-2...cxd4-3.c3"]
[UTCDate "2023.11.27"]
[UTCTime "01:08:04"]
[WhiteElo "1287"]
[BlackElo "1263"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]
[Termination "vitualis won by resignation"]
[StartTime "01:08:04"]
[EndDate "2023.11.27"]
[EndTime "01:15:46"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/94786178411"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723.png"]
[WhiteCountry "17"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://www.chess.com/bundles/web/images/noavatar_l.84a92436.gif"]
[BlackCountry "2"]
[BlackTitle ""]
1. e4 {[%clk 0:15:09.9]} 1... c5 {[%clk 0:15:07.7]} 2. d4 {[%clk 0:15:16.5]
Sicilian Defense $2 Smith-Morra Gambit $1} 2... cxd4 {[%clk 0:15:03.8]} 3. c3
{[%clk 0:15:25.8]} 3... a6 {[%clk 0:15:11.4][%c_arrow
d4c3;keyPressed;none;from;d4;opacity;0.8;to;c3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c3;keyPressed;shift;opacity;0.8;square;c3;persistent;false] The optimal move for
Black is to accept the Smith-Morra Gambit. Declining the Smith-Morra yields an
advantage to White [+0.4]} 4. cxd4 {[%clk 0:15:30.4] And White gains the full
centre} 4... Qc7 $2 {[%clk 0:15:17.1][%c_effect
c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;path;null;size;100%25;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d7d5;keyPressed;none;from;d7;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false] A mistake [+1.4].
This breaks several opening principles - try to take control of the centre with
pawns, develop minor pieces before the queen, unless it is part of a specific
opening attack.} 5. Nf3 {[%clk 0:15:15]} 5... b5 $6 {[%clk 0:15:25.9][%c_effect
b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e7e6;keyPressed;none;from;e7;opacity;0.8;to;e6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e6;persistent;false] Black's queenside
expansion is interesting, but inaccurate [+1.9]} 6. Bd3 {[%clk 0:14:50.3]} 6...
Bb7 {[%clk 0:15:34.5]} 7. O-O {[%clk 0:14:58.3]} 7... e6 {[%clk 0:15:42.5]} 8.
e5 $2 {[%clk 0:13:18.4][%c_effect
e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;path;null;size;100%25;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d4d5;keyPressed;none;from;d4;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false] Stockfish calls this
a mistake [+2 $37 +0.7]. My logic was to close the centre while Black's queen and
bishop are on the queenside. The engine prefers a more provocative approach with
d5 to open the centre.} 8... d6 $6 {[%clk 0:15:32.8][%c_effect
d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;path;null;size;100%25;persistent;true][%c_arrow
b8c6;keyPressed;none;from;b8;opacity;0.8;to;c6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c6;persistent;false] Opening up the centre
is inaccurate while Black's king is still in the centre, against White who has
already castled [+1.5]} 9. Bf4 {[%clk 0:13:23.7]} 9... dxe5 {[%clk 0:15:39.2]}
10. Bxe5 {[%clk 0:13:00.5][%c_highlight
d8;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false,d7;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false,d6;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;false,d5;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false,d4;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false,d3;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false,d2;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;d2;persistent;false,d1;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;d1;persistent;false,e1;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;e1;persistent;false,e2;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false,e3;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;e3;persistent;false,e4;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;e4;persistent;false,e5;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false,e6;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;e6;persistent;false,e7;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false,e8;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false]
Notice: both central files are now semi-opened} 10... Qd8 {[%clk 0:15:30]} 11.
Nbd2 $6 {[%clk 0:12:21][%c_arrow
b1c3;keyPressed;none;from;b1;opacity;0.8;to;c3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c3;persistent;false][%c_effect
d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A relative inaccuracy
[+1.5 $37 +1.0]} 11... Nd7 $6 {[%clk 0:15:38.9][%c_effect
d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
g8f6;keyPressed;none;from;g8;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false] A relative inaccuracy
[+1.0 $37 +1.5]} 12. Ne4 $2 {[%clk 0:11:51][%c_effect
e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;path;null;size;100%25;persistent;true][%c_arrow
a2a4;keyPressed;none;from;a2;opacity;0.8;to;a4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a4;persistent;false] My goal was to attack
with my knight and potential trade it for Black's dark square bishop [+0.2].
Stockfish doesn't agree.} 12... Nxe5 $6 {[%clk 0:15:46.8][%c_effect
e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;path;null;size;100%25;persistent;true] However,
this was an inaccuracy by Black and I maintain the advantage [+1.1]} 13. dxe5
{[%clk 0:11:51.1][%c_highlight
d1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d1;persistent;false,d2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d2;persistent;false,d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false,d4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false,d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false,d6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;false,d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false,d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false]
Notice the full-open d-file, a potentially tactical resource. For Black, this
places their king in danger, while for White, their king has already castled to
safety.} 13... Bxe4 $2 {[%clk 0:15:34.5][%c_effect
e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;path;null;size;100%25;persistent;true][%c_arrow
g8h6;keyPressed;none;from;g8;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false] Black trading away
their powerful light square bishop is a mistake [+3]} 14. Bxe4 {[%clk
0:11:59.4]} 14... Qxd1 {[%clk 0:15:41.8]} 15. Raxd1 {[%clk
0:12:08.6][%c_highlight
d1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d1;persistent;false,d2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d2;persistent;false,d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false,d4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false,d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false,d6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;false,d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false,d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false][%c_arrow
d1d8;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false] White's rook
now commands the fully open d-file} 15... Rb8 $4 {[%clk 0:15:41][%c_effect
b8;square;b8;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_highlight
d1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d1;persistent;false,d2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d2;persistent;false,d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false,d4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false,d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false,d6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;false,d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false,d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false,c8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c8;persistent;false][%c_arrow
d1d8;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false,a8c8;keyPressed;none;from;a8;opacity;0.8;to;c8;persistent;false]
This blunders a forced checkmate line} 16. Bc6+ $1 {[%clk 0:12:09.5][%c_effect
c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true,g1;square;g1;type;Winner,e8;square;e8;type;ResignBlack][%c_highlight
e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false,c6;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;c6;persistent;false,d1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d1;persistent;false,d2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d2;persistent;false,d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false,d4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false,d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false,d6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;false,d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false,d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false][%c_arrow
c6e8;keyPressed;none;from;c6;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false,d1d8;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false]
And Black realises too late their mistake and resigns. GG $1} ({The checkmate
line [+M7]} 16. Bc6+ Ke7 17. Rd7+ Ke8 18. Rfd1 Bd6 19. R7xd6+ Ke7 20. Rd7+ Kf8
21. Rd8+ Rxd8 22. Rxd8+ Ke7 23. Re8# {[%c_arrow
e8a8;keyPressed;none;from;e8;opacity;0.8;to;a8;persistent;false,e8f8;keyPressed;none;from;e8;opacity;0.8;to;f8;persistent;false,c6e8;keyPressed;none;from;c6;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false,e5f6;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false,e8e7;keyPressed;none;from;e8;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false,e5d6;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;d6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f8;persistent;false,d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false,e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false,d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false,f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false,d6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;false,e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false]})
1-0
Adventures of a Chess Noob 