The Terrible Traxler Part 6
The Terrible Traxler Part 6
7.Ke2 Qh4 moves other than 8.Rf1
by NM Steve Colding
The 7.Ke2 variation is not a difficult one but it does have several branches.Until now the variations which we have studied have been pretty straight forward. To use Kotov's metaphor he used in his book Think Like a Grandmaster, rather than a single branch of variations, we will now move to variations with a few branches. Later on we will move to the bushes (Gee, I can hardly wait).
Below are 3 diagrams which represent three branches of the 7.Ke2 variation ( there are actually 4 branches, we dealt with the most important branch, 8.Rf1, in the previous article. These diagrams show you the branches and then we will give you three games which will explore each branch.
Black's best reply to 7. Ke2 is 7...Qh4. Below are the diagrams of White's choices.
Position after 8.Qe1 | Position after 8.Qf1 | Positon after 8.g3 | |||
Now we move onto the analysis:
Dan Heisman's book on the Traxler is a very good effort and contains many insights. I heartily recommend it for a good solid understanding in this opening. He could not have listed every variation though, and one he missed was the 8.g3 variation. Have no fear dear readers I have stayed up late at night torturing GMs for the answers. After much screaming and crying I bring to you the brand new analysis. Promise you will use it only for good!
Position after 8.Qe1 | Position after 8.Qf1 | Position after 8.g3 | |||
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