Bishop's Opening, Berlin-Vienna Hybrid | AMAZING GAME!
#vienna #berlinvienna #maxlangedefense
I recently came to the realisation that I needed to talk about the "Bishop's Opening: Berlin, Vienna Hybrid Variation", which I've realised is a rather frequent line that comes out of the Vienna Game, Max Lange Defense. From the Vienna, this position is reached via (1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3). According to OpeningTree.com, I've played 40 games from this position, winning 65% of the time, making it one of the most common lines out of the Vienna! In fact, I've created a new playlist on my channel specifically about this opening: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5X_LrdT7hCWllqK_yCcBbh3edfB0VtJu
The other way this position is reached, as per the name, is via the Berlin Defense to the Bishop's Opening (1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Nc6 4. Nc3).
My opponent in this game was from Vietnam and rated just under 1000 ELO, which is an odd match up. I played this game last week from my hotel room during some time off while in Melbourne for work, and chess.com took some time before the game matched. My opponent played really well and on move 4, made the best response for Black (4... Bb4). Now, since the game, I've learnt on analysis that the best move for White is to develop another minor piece - either Bd2, Ne2, or Nf3. In this game, perhaps a little arrogant seeing my opponent rated almost 400 points less, I played f4 immediately without thinking. This is a mistake [-1.2] as in this position, Black has a very strong move d5, which wins material with my queen's knight pinned to the king.
Luckily for me, Black didn't immediately punish my mistake and opted to trade their bishop for my knight first. Clarified, their d5 on the next move is less powerful [-0.3], but they come out of the opening ahead a point of material having captured one of my pawns. This was brilliant opening play by a sub-1000 beginner chess player! Luckily for me, I managed to take the advantage with perhaps my better experience in the middle game.
On move 15, I miscalculate and miss a very winning attack that I had. Although I might blame being tired working interstate, the reality is that I was taking it easy (arrogance!) as I simply took the view that I would probably win regardless. Rather that capturing Black's pinned knight with my rook with check, a potential mating attack, I lazily captured their other knight first, giving Black the opportunity to develop and break the pin. This was practically a blunder with the evaluation dropping from [+4] → [-1]!
Move 19 was when Black's prospects changed and is perhaps a good message for beginner chess players. Although doing well in the opening is, of course, better than doing badly in the opening, developing strategies and finding tactics in the middlegame is needed to convert an opening advantage into a win. Black's (19... a5) was an indication to me that they weren't sure what to do, while I had a simple strategic idea - to launch an attack on Black's king! First, I brought my knight, and then the already "lifted" rook on the third rank to the g-file. The tactic to identify is that Black's g-pawn will potentially be pinned to its king, meaning that it doesn't defend the f- and g-files. Along with the tricky knight L-shaped moves, Black missed the significance of the pin and believed that everything was defended. So, on move 24 I captured their rook that was seemingly defended by the g-pawn with Rxf6... except it wasn't! I can imagine Black attempting to drag the pawn to capture back and only in their horror, discovering the pin, and resigned! Emotional damage, GG!
The big takeaway from this game is to always respect your opponent by playing carefully, even if they are lower rated. Indeed, especially if they are lower rated!
Game on chess.com: https://www.chess.com/game/live/85992606779
