The Zukertort-Paulsen Connection.... Kh7!

Some chess moves have a striking impression on our psyche; they leave a mark! When you look at game collections, you find that a Master can give you inspiration in different ways; maybe a new opening line, or how he builds an attack, or defends a difficult position, and even how to play an endgame well!

But sometimes you meet some manuevers that are so unique, so special, they become part of chess lore!

Today I want to share with you something special, from two great players: Zukertort and Paulsen.

Johannes Zukertort was Steinitz's opponent in the first official World Championship Match.

                                                                 Johannes Zukertort
                                                                       (1842-1888)

Louis Paulsen was a great player, with many important theoretical contributions to the game of chess; The Paulsen-Taimanov Variation, The Sicilian Dragon, among other contributions of his.

                                                                        Louis Paulsen
                                                                         (1833-1891)

On January 29, 2018 I published a blog about the Ruy Lopez with Black in the hands of the great Masters.

The blog was inspired by a game between Munk and Zukertort from 1870:

Now, Black played Kh7, and it is not immediately apparent (at least to a player of my strength, or lack of it) what the idea is. But then, we get to see the idea.....to bring the rook to h8, bring back the king to g8, and then attack through the h-file!

This maneuver had a deep impression on my mind....impossible to forget it!

Recently, looking at the Paulsen book, I found a similar maneuver, played 12 years after the Munk-Zukertort game! Take a look!

So we see how one Master can inspire another!

In the words of Mikhail Tal:

"I go over many game collections
and pick up something
from the style of each player."