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Some nice puzzles: If you struggled with the last puzzle you may not want to try this one.... Those two puzzles came out of the Traxler Gambit. I have made a Tourney for the Traxler Gambit so if you like it, please feel free to join here: http://www.chess.com/tournament/traxler-gambit-tourney-1 !! CAUTION:If you play the Traxler Gambit VERY sharp lines will occur!

Hey all, I really want to learn the traxler gambit and couldn't find any blogs on it expaining all the lines of it. Are there any and if so, could you please post the link here? Thanks :)

What could be some possible responses to this move in the main line for white? 5. Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6. Kf1 Qe7 7. Nxh8 d5 8. exd5 Nd4 9. d6 (this move is optional, it's just the line I play to block the diagonal) cxd6 10. h3... h3 instead of... c3 because white knows that black is planning Bg4, and if black gets it off, white's usually hopeless. The queen gets ejected from where it needs to be. I think things would continue like.. 10. h3 Bh4 11. c3 Nf5 (or is there a better option?) Question now is, can white repel the attack?

Hi, I just played the following live chess game. I am curious abuot the variation that arose... Seems beatable, but I can't do it...

This is the current state of analysis. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kf1 Qe7 7.Nxh8 d5 8.exd5 Nd4 9.d6 cxd6 10.Kxf2! Bg4 11.Qf1 0-0-0 12.Nf7 d5 13.Kg1! Rf8 14.c3 Nc2 15.Na3 Nxa1 16.Bxd5 Nxd5 17.Qc4+

This section covers all variations after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.Bb3 *This is the updated version At this point, black cannot achieve equality in this variation. The news has worsened with the discovery of another refutation with simply 7.Nc3. I recommend this variation as this appears to be one of the strongest refutations. Currently, the Traxler can be refuted with the variations: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.Bb3 Rf8 7.0-0 d6 8.Nc3 Qe8 9.Nd5+ Kd8 10.Nxf6 gxf6 11.Nf3 Qg6 12.d3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.Bb3 Rf8 7.d3 d6 8.Be3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.Bb3 Rf8 7.Nc3 I tried my best, but black simply does not have enough answers for 6.Bb3. Black has two plans possible. A: 6…Qf8 This is now known to be dubious. It does have a lot of poison that can catch a white player off guard. The problem lies in this variation. If white deviates, then black can have a good game. In light of the problems with 6…Rf8, this might be a better practical choice. 7.0-0 (7.d3 Bxf2+) 7…d6 8.Nc3 Bg4 9.Nd5+ Kd8 10.Nxf6 Bxd1 11.Ne6+ Kc8 12.Nxf6 gxf6 13.Rxd1 Rxf8 14.c3 and black is struggling for a draw in the endgame. B: 6…Rf8 The main move; now white has three variations. B1: 7.0-0 d6 (7…h6 8.Nf3 d6 9.d3 Bg4 10.Be3 Nh5 11.Nbd2 and white has a significant advantage) and two more sub variations arise. B1A: 8.d3 Bg4 9.Nf3 (9.Qe1 h6 10.h3 hxg5 11.hxg4 Qe8 12.Bxg5 [12.Qd1 Qg6] 12…Qg6 13.Be3 [13.Qd2 Rh8] 13…Nxg4 14.Bxc5 Qh5 and black is winning) 9…Nd4 10.Nbd2 Qe8 (10…Nh5 11.c3 Nxf3+ 12.Nxf3 Bxf3 13.gxf3 Nf4 14.d4 Bb6 15.Kh1! with 16.Rg1 to follow up and white is winning) 11.h3 (11.Re1 Qg6!; 11.Kh1 Qh5 12.c3 Nxf3 13.gxf3 Bh3 14.Rg1 Kd8 15.Rxg7 [15.Nc4 Ne8) 15…Ne8 16.Rg8 Rxg8 17.Bxg8 Qh4 18.d4 exd4 19.Qg1 Nf6 20.Qg7 dxc3 21.Nb3 cxb2 22.Bxb2 Ne8 and black has a slight advantage; 11.c3 Nxf3+ 12.Nxf3 Qh5 13.d4 (13.Be3 Nd7; 13.Bd2 Nxe4; 13.Bc2 Nxe4; 13.Bc4 Nxe4 14.dxe4 Rxf3; 13.h3 Bxf3 transposes to 11.h3) 13…Bb6 14.Qd3 (14.Re1 Nd7=) 14…Bxf3 15.gxf3 Qh3 16.Qd1 (16.dxe5 Ng4; 16.Rd1 Nh5; 16.Qe2 Nh5 17.Bg5+ Kd7 18.a4 [ 18.dxe5 Rxf3 19.e6 Ke8 20.Bh4 Nf4 21.Qb5+ c6 22.Qg5 Bd8 23.Qxg7 {23.e7 Bb6 leads to perpetual} 23…Bxh2+ 24.Kxh2 Rh3+ 25.Kg1 Ne2+ perpetual] 18…h6 19.Bd2 Rf4; 16.Bc2 Nh5 17.dxe5 (17.Bg5+ Kd7 18.Ba4+ Kc8 followed by h6!) 17…Rxf3 18.cxd6+ Kf8 19.Qe2 Rg3+ perpetual) 16…Nd7 and black has equality) 11…Qh5 12.c3 Nxf3+ 13.Nxf3 Bxf3 14.Qxf3 Qxf3 15.gxf3 Nh5 16.Kg2 Nf4+ 17.Bxf4 Rxf4 18.Rad1 Raf8 19.d4 exd4 20.cxd4 Bb6 21.Rd3 Kf6 22.Re1 Re8 23.Kg3 g5 and white cannot make progress in the endgame. B1B: 8.Nc3! Qe8 (8…h6 9.Nh7!! Nxh7 10.Nd5+ Ke8 11.Qh5+ Rf7 12.Nb6!) 9.Nd5+ (9.d3 Qg6 10.Nd5+ Kd8 11.Nxf6 Rxf6 12.Nf3 Bg4 13.Bg5 Nd4 14.Nxe5 Qxg5 15.Ng4 Rg6 16.h3 Nxb3 17.axb3 h5 18.d4 hxg4 19.dxc5 gxh3 20.g3 Qxc5 21.Kh2 Rh6 and black has a slight advantage) 9…Kd8 10.Nxf6 gxf6 11.Nf3 Qg6 12.d3 and white is winning. B2: 7.d3 B2A: 7…h6 8.Nf3 d6 9.h3 (9.Be3 Bg4 10.Bxc5 dxc5 11.Nbd2 Nd4 12.h3 Bh5 13.0-0 Nxf3+ 14.Nxf3 Qc8 15.Kh2 g5 16.Qe2 g4 17.hxg4 Nxg4+ 18.Kg1 Qe8=) 9…Qe8 10.Nc3 Nd4 11.Nxd4 Bxd4 12.0-0 Qg6 13.Kh2 Bd7 14.Be3 Bxe3 15.fxe3 Rae8 16.Qd2 and white has a significant advantage. B2B: 7…d6 8.Be3 (8.0-0 transposes to B1A) 8…Qe8 (8…Bg4? 9.Qd2!; 8…Bxe3 9.fxe3 Qe8 10.Nc3 Qg6 11.Nf3 Bg4 12.Qe2 and white has a fantastic position with a pawn more) 9.Bxc5 dxc5 10.0-0 Qg6 11.Nf3 Bg4 12.Nbd2 and white is simply a pawn up. B3A: 7.Nc3 Bxf2+ (7.Nc3 d6 8.0-0 transposes to B1B; 7.Nc3 h6 8.Nf3 d6 [8…Qe8 9.d3 Kd8 10.Be3] 9.h3 Qe8 10.d3 Kd8 11.Be3 Bxe3 12.fxe3 Qg6 13.Qe2 Qg3+ 14.Kd2 and white is winning; 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.d3 Qg6 9.0-0 d6 10.Nd5+ Kd8 11.Nxf6 Rxf6 12.Nf3 h6 13.Nh4 Bg4 14.Nxg6 Bxd1 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.Rxd1 Bxf2+ 17.Kh1 Kd7 18.h3 and white has a solid extra pawn in the endgame) 8.Kxf2 Nxe4+ 9.Kg1 Nxg5 12.d4 Nf7 11.dxe5 and white has a huge initiative. It is doubtful black can survive.

This forum addresses anything after 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.d4. The current view of this variation is that with best play it peters out to a dead equal endgame, or if anything, a slight advantage for black. This is an extremely rare variation so you probably will not face this line. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.d4 and now: The way to play is: 6...Nxd4 7.c3 h6! 8.cxd4 Bxd4 9.Qb3 hxg5 10.Bxg5 Bxb2 11.Qxb2 Kxf7 12.Qxe5 Qe8 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Qd5+ Qe6 with an equal endgame.

Hi all! I have been in the group for some time now, yet sadly have not contributed much. I then saw the need of a master pgn some months before, so I compiled some lines from this forum and those of a guy on youtube explaining openings (forgot his name) Here they are! The guy on youtube's (credits to him) 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Nxf7 ( 5. Nc3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. d3h6 8. Nf3 Bg4 9. h3 Be6 10. Bb3 Qd7 11. Be3 Bb6 12. Qd2 Rfe8 13. Rfe1 Rad8 )5... Bxf2+ 6. Kxf2 ( 6. Kf1 Qe7 7. d3 ( 7. Nxh8 d5 8. Bxd5 ( 8. exd5 Bg4 9. Be2Bxe2+ 10. Qxe2 Nd4 11. Qxf2 O-O-O 12. Nc3 ( 12. d6 cxd6 13. Nc3 Rxh8 14. d3 Rf815. Kg1 Ne4 16. Qe3 Nxc3 17. bxc3 Nxc2 18. Qh3+ ) 12... Rxh8 13. Kg1 Ng4 14.Qg3 h5 15. h3 ( 15. Qd3 Rf8 16. h3 ( 16. Ne4 Qf7 17. h3 Nf2 18. Qf1 Nxe4 19.Qxf7 Rxf7 20. b3 Nxc2 21. Rb1 Ng3 22. Bb2 Nxh1 23. Kxh1 ) 16... Qh4 17. hxg4 (17. g3 Ne2+ 18. Nxe2 Qf6 19. Nf4 Qb6+ ) 17... Qf2+ 18. Kh2 hxg4 ) 15... Qc5 16.Kf1 Rf8+ 17. Ke1 Nf2 ) 8... Bg4 ) 7... Rf8 8. Kxf2 d5 9. exd5 Ng4+ 10. Ke1 Qxf711. Qd2 Nd4 12. c3 Ne3 13. cxd4 exd4 14. Na3 Qf1+ 15. Rxf1 Rxf1+ 16. Ke2 Bg4# )( 6. Ke2 Nd4+ 7. Kd3 b5 8. Nxd8 ( 8. Bb3 Nxe4 9. Nxd8 ( 9. Kxe4 d5+ 10. Kd3 (10. Bxd5 Bf5+ 11. Kxe5 Qf6+ 12. Kf4 Bc8+ 13. Ke4 Qf5# ) ( 10. Kxe5 Nc6+ 11. Kf4Qf6# ) 10... Bf5+ 11. Kc3 Ne2+ 12. Qxe2 Bd4+ 13. Kb4 a5+ 14. Kxb5 ( 14. Ka3Bc5# ) 14... Qd7# ) ( 9. c4 b4 10. c5 ( 10. Kxe4 Bb7+ 11. Kd3 ( 11. Kxe5 Qf6# )11... e4# ) 10... Nxc5+ 11. Kc4 d5+ 12. Kxb4 ( 12. Kxc5 Qe7+ 13. Kxd5 c6+ 14.Ke4 ( 14. Kc4 Ba6# ) 14... Bf5# ) 12... a5+ 13. Kc3 ( 13. Ka3 Nb5# ) 13... Ne4+14. Kd3 Ba6+ 15. Bc4 Bxc4# ) 9... Nc5+ 10. Kc3 Ne2+ 11. Qxe2 Bd4+ 12. Kb4 a5+13. Kxb5 Ba6+ 14. Kxa5 Bd3+ 15. Kb4 Na6+ 16. Ka5 Nb4+ 17. Kxb4 c5# ) 8... bxc4+9. Kxc4 ( 9. Kc3 Nxe4+ 10. Kxc4 ( 10. Kb4 a5+ 11. Ka3 ( 11. Kxc4 Ba6+ ) 11...Nb5+ 12. Ka4 Nc5+ 13. Kxb5 Ba6+ 14. Kxa5 Bb7+ 15. Kb5 c6+ 16. Kb6 Kxd8 17. d4cxd3 18. Qxd3 Kc8 ) 10... Ba6+ 11. Kd5 Nf6+ 12. Kxe5 d6+ 13. Kf4 Nd5+ 14. Ke4O-O 15. Kxd5 ( 15. Rf1 Re8+ 16. Ne6 Rxe6+ 17. Kxd5 c6# ) ( 15. Qg4 Nf6+ 16. Kf4Nxg4+ 17. Kxg4 Bc8+ 18. Kg5 Rf5+ 19. Kg4 h5+ 20. Kh3 Rf3# ) 15... Rf5+ 16. Ke4d5# ) 9... Ba6+ 10. Kb4 Be2 11. Nb7 Rb8 12. Qxe2 Rxb7+ 13. Kc4 Nxe2 ) 6...Nxe4+ 7. Kg1 ( 7. Ke1 Qh4+ 8. g3 ( 8. Ke2 Qf2+ 9. Kd3 Nb4+ 10. Kxe4 Qf4# ) 8...Nxg3 9. Rg1 ( 9. hxg3 Qxh1+ 10. Bf1 ( 10. Ke2 Nd4+ ) 10... Kxf7 ) 9... Ne4+ 10.Rg3 Nxg3 11. hxg3 Qxg3+ ) ( 7. Ke2 Nd4+ 8. Kf1 ( 8. Ke1 Qh4+ ) ( 8. Kd3 Nf2+ 9.Ke3 Nxd1+ ) ( 8. Ke3 Qh4 9. g3 Nxg3 10. hxg3 ( 10. Rf1 d5 11. Bb5+ Nxb5 12. Nc3Nxf1+ 13. Qxf1 O-O ) 10... Qxg3+ 11. Ke4 d5+ 12. Kxd5 Be6+ 13. Ke4 Bf5+ 14. Kd5Qg2+ 15. Kc5 Qc6+ 16. Kb4 ) 8... Qf6+ ) ( 7. Ke3 Qh4 8. Nxh8 ( 8. g3 Nxg3 9.hxg3 Qd4+ 10. Kf3 d5 11. Rh4 e4+ 12. Kg2 O-O 13. Nc3 ( 13. Ng5 Qf2+ 14. Kh1dxc4 15. Qg1 ( 15. Nxe4 Qf1+ 16. Qxf1 Rxf1+ 17. Kg2 Rxc1 ) 15... h6 16. Nxe4 (16. Qxf2 Rxf2 17. Nxe4 ( 17. Kg1 hxg5 18. Kxf2 gxh4 19. gxh4 ) ) 16... Qf3+ 17.Kh2 g5 18. Rxh6 Ne5 19. Qe1 Ng4+ 20. Kg1 Nxh6 ) 13... dxc4 14. Qh5 Ne7 15.Qxh7+ ( 15. Nxe4 Bf5 16. Nfg5 h6 17. Nc3 Bg4 18. Rxg4 ( 18. Nh3 Qf6 19. Qxg4Qf1+ 20. Kh2 Rf2+ 21. Nxf2 Qxf2+ 22. Kh3 Qf1+ ) 18... Qf2+ ) 15... Kxf7 ) 8...Qf4+ 9. Ke2 Qf2+ 10. Kd3 Nb4+ 11. Kxe4 Qf4# ) ( 7. Kf3 Qf6+ 8. Ke3 ( 8. Kxe4Qf4+ 9. Kd3 d5 10. Bxd5 Qd4+ 11. Ke2 Qxd5 12. h3 Nd4+ 13. Ke3 Qxf7 ) 8... Qf4+9. Ke2 Qf2+ 10. Kd3 Nb4+ 11. Kxe4 Qf4# ) ( 7. Kf1 Qh4 8. Qf3 ( 8. Qe1 Ng3+ 9.Qxg3 Qxc4+ 10. Ke1 Qxf7 ) ( 8. Qe2 Ng3+ 9. hxg3 Qxh1+ 10. Kf2 O-O 11. Qe1 Qxe1+12. Kxe1 Rxf7 13. Bxf7+ Kxf7 ) 8... Nd4 9. g3 ( 9. Qe3 Nxc2 ) 9... Qh3+ 10. Qg2Qf5+ 11. Ke1 ( 11. Kg1 Nf3+ 12. Kf1 Nh4+ ) 11... Nxc2+ ) 7... Qh4 8. g3 Nxg3 9.hxg3 Qxg3+ 10. Kf1 Rf8 11. d3 d5 12. Bxd5 Nb4 13. Bb3 Bh3+ 14. Rxh3 Qxh3+ 15.Ke1 Rxf7 16. Bxf7+ Kxf7 17. Nc3 Qh1+ 18. Kd2 Qh6+ 19. Ke1 Qh4+ * 8. ... Nxd4 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Nxf7 ( 5. Nc3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. d3h6 8. Nf3 Bg4 9. h3 Be6 10. Bb3 Qd7 11. Be3 Bb6 12. Qd2 Rfe8 13. Rfe1 Rad8 )5... Bxf2+ 6. Kxf2 ( 6. Kf1 Qe7 7. d3 ( 7. Nxh8 d5 8. Bxd5 ( 8. exd5 ) 8... Bg4) 7... Rf8 8. Kxf2 d5 9. exd5 Ng4+ 10. Ke1 Qxf7 11. Qd2 Nd4 12. c3 Ne3 13. cxd4exd4 14. Na3 Qf1+ 15. Rxf1 Rxf1+ 16. Ke2 Bg4# ) ( 6. Ke2 Nd4+ 7. Kd3 b5 8. Nxd8( 8. Bb3 Nxe4 9. Nxd8 ( 9. Kxe4 d5+ 10. Kd3 ( 10. Bxd5 Bf5+ 11. Kxe5 Qf6+ 12.Kf4 Bc8+ 13. Ke4 Qf5# ) ( 10. Kxe5 Nc6+ 11. Kf4 Qf6# ) 10... Bf5+ 11. Kc3 Ne2+12. Qxe2 Bd4+ 13. Kb4 a5+ 14. Kxb5 ( 14. Ka3 Bc5# ) 14... Qd7# ) ( 9. c4 b4 10.c5 ( 10. Kxe4 Bb7+ 11. Kd3 ( 11. Kxe5 Qf6# ) 11... e4# ) 10... Nxc5+ 11. Kc4d5+ 12. Kxb4 ( 12. Kxc5 Qe7+ 13. Kxd5 c6+ 14. Ke4 ( 14. Kc4 Ba6# ) 14... Bf5# )12... a5+ 13. Kc3 ( 13. Ka3 Nb5# ) 13... Ne4+ 14. Kd3 Ba6+ 15. Bc4 Bxc4# ) 9...Nc5+ 10. Kc3 Ne2+ 11. Qxe2 Bd4+ 12. Kb4 a5+ 13. Kxb5 Ba6+ 14. Kxa5 Bd3+ 15. Kb4Na6+ 16. Ka5 Nb4+ 17. Kxb4 c5# ) 8... bxc4+ 9. Kxc4 ( 9. Kc3 Nxe4+ 10. Kxc4 (10. Kb4 a5+ 11. Ka3 ( 11. Kxc4 Ba6+ ) 11... Nb5+ 12. Ka4 Nc5+ 13. Kxb5 Ba6+ 14.Kxa5 Bb7+ 15. Kb5 c6+ 16. Kb6 Kxd8 17. d4 cxd3 18. Qxd3 Kc8 ) 10... Ba6+ 11.Kd5 Nf6+ 12. Kxe5 d6+ 13. Kf4 Nd5+ 14. Ke4 O-O 15. Kxd5 ( 15. Rf1 Re8+ 16. Ne6Rxe6+ 17. Kxd5 c6# ) ( 15. Qg4 Nf6+ 16. Kf4 Nxg4+ 17. Kxg4 Bc8+ 18. Kg5 Rf5+19. Kg4 h5+ 20. Kh3 Rf3# ) 15... Rf5+ 16. Ke4 d5# ) 9... Ba6+ 10. Kb4 Be2 11.Nb7 Rb8 12. Qxe2 Rxb7+ 13. Kc4 Nxe2 ) 6... Nxe4+ 7. Kg1 ( 7. Ke1 Qh4+ 8. g3 (8. Ke2 Qf2+ 9. Kd3 Nb4+ 10. Kxe4 Qf4# ) 8... Nxg3 9. Rg1 ( 9. hxg3 Qxh1+ 10.Bf1 ( 10. Ke2 Nd4+ ) 10... Kxf7 ) 9... Ne4+ 10. Rg3 Nxg3 11. hxg3 Qxg3+ ) ( 7.Ke2 Nd4+ 8. Kf1 ( 8. Ke1 Qh4+ ) ( 8. Kd3 Nf2+ 9. Ke3 Nxd1+ ) ( 8. Ke3 Qh4 9. g3Nxg3 10. hxg3 ( 10. Rf1 d5 11. Bb5+ Nxb5 12. Nc3 Nxf1+ 13. Qxf1 O-O ) 10...Qxg3+ 11. Ke4 d5+ 12. Kxd5 Be6+ 13. Ke4 Bf5+ 14. Kd5 Qg2+ 15. Kc5 Qc6+ 16. Kb4) 8... Qf6+ ) ( 7. Ke3 Qh4 8. Nxh8 ( 8. g3 Nxg3 9. hxg3 Qd4+ 10. Kf3 d5 11. Rh4e4+ 12. Kg2 O-O 13. Nc3 ( 13. Ng5 Qf2+ 14. Kh1 dxc4 15. Qg1 ( 15. Nxe4 Qf1+ 16.Qxf1 Rxf1+ 17. Kg2 Rxc1 ) 15... h6 16. Nxe4 ( 16. Qxf2 Rxf2 17. Nxe4 ( 17. Kg1hxg5 18. Kxf2 gxh4 19. gxh4 ) ) 16... Qf3+ 17. Kh2 g5 18. Rxh6 Ne5 19. Qe1 Ng4+20. Kg1 Nxh6 ) 13... dxc4 14. Qh5 Ne7 15. Qxh7+ ( 15. Nxe4 Bf5 16. Nfg5 h6 17.Nc3 Bg4 18. Rxg4 ( 18. Nh3 Qf6 19. Qxg4 Qf1+ 20. Kh2 Rf2+ 21. Nxf2 Qxf2+ 22.Kh3 Qf1+ ) 18... Qf2+ ) 15... Kxf7 ) 8... Qf4+ 9. Ke2 Qf2+ 10. Kd3 Nb4+ 11.Kxe4 Qf4# ) ( 7. Kf3 Qf6+ 8. Ke3 ( 8. Kxe4 Qf4+ 9. Kd3 d5 10. Bxd5 Qd4+ 11. Ke2Qxd5 12. h3 Nd4+ 13. Ke3 Qxf7 ) 8... Qf4+ 9. Ke2 Qf2+ 10. Kd3 Nb4+ 11. Kxe4Qf4# ) ( 7. Kf1 Qh4 8. Qf3 ( 8. Qe1 Ng3+ 9. Qxg3 Qxc4+ 10. Ke1 Qxf7 ) ( 8. Qe2Ng3+ 9. hxg3 Qxh1+ 10. Kf2 O-O 11. Qe1 Qxe1+ 12. Kxe1 Rxf7 13. Bxf7+ Kxf7 )8... Nd4 9. g3 ( 9. Qe3 Nxc2 ) 9... Qh3+ 10. Qg2 Qf5+ 11. Ke1 ( 11. Kg1 Nf3+12. Kf1 Nh4+ ) 11... Nxc2+ ) 7... Qh4 8. g3 Nxg3 9. hxg3 Qxg3+ 10. Kf1 Rf8 11.d3 d5 12. Bxd5 Nb4 13. Bb3 Bh3+ 14. Rxh3 Qxh3+ 15. Ke1 Rxf7 16. Bxf7+ Kxf7 17.Nc3 Qh1+ 18. Kd2 Qh6+ 19. Ke1 Qh4+ * And the last one: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6. Kxf2 Nxe4+ 7. Ke3Qh4 8. g3 Nxg3 9. hxg3 Qd4+ 10. Kf3 d5 11. Rh4 ( 11. Be2 { Mysticknight'ssuggestion. } ) 11... e4+ 12. Kg2 O-O 13. Nc3 ( 13. Bb3 Rxf7 14. Qg1 ( 14. Rf4Rxf4 15. gxf4 Be6 16. Nc3 ) 14... Qe5 15. Nc3 g5 ) ( 13. Qh5 Rxf7 14. Qxh7+ (14. Bb3 ) 14... Kf8 15. Qh8+ Ke7 16. Rf4 ( 16. Bb3?? Qf2+ 17. Kh1 Qf1+ 18. Kh2Rf2# ) 16... Rxf4 17. gxf4 dxc4 ) ( 13. Rf4 dxc4 14. Qf1 Be6 15. Ng5 Bd5 16.Nc3 e3+ ) 13... dxc4 14. Qh5 Ne7 15. Qxh7+ ( 15. Nxe4 Bf5 16. Nfg5 h6 ( 16...Qd5 17. d3 cxd3 18. cxd3 h6 19. Nf3 Ng6 20. Rh1 ) 17. Nc3 Bg4 18. Nh3 Qf6 19.Rxg4 Qf1+ 20. Kh2 Rf2+ 21. Nxf2 Qxf2+ 22. Kh3 Qf1+ ) ( 15. b3 cxb3 16. Qxh7+ (16. axb3 Ng6 ) ( 16. Ng5 Qf2+ ) 16... Kxf7 17. Rxe4 Qd6 18. Rf4+ ( 18. axb3 Bf519. Rf4 Qxf4 ) 18... Ke8 19. Qh5+ g6 20. Rxf8+ Kxf8 21. Qf3+ Kg8 22. axb3 Bd7 )( 15. Rxe4 Qf6 16. Rf4 ( 16. Ng5 Qf1+ ) 16... Qc6+ ( 16... Qg6?! 17. Qxg6 Nxg618. Nh6+ gxh6 19. Rxc4 ) 17. Kg1 ( 17. Rf3 Qe8 18. Nh6+ gxh6 19. Rxf8+ Qxf8 20.d3 cxd3 21. Bxh6 Qf7 22. Qg5+ Qg6 23. Qxe7 Qxh6 24. Qd8+ Qf8 25. Qd5+ Qf7 26.cxd3 Qxd5+ 27. Nxd5 c6 28. Ne7+ Kf7 29. Nxc8 Rxc8 30. Rh1 Kg6 ) 17... Qb6+ (17... Qe8?! 18. Nh6+ gxh6 19. Qxe8 Rxe8 20. Rxc4 ) 18. Kh2 ( 18. Rf2 Bf5 19.Nd5 Qxf2+ ( 19... Qc5 20. Nf6+ gxf6 21. Nh6+ ) 20. Kxf2 Nxd5 21. Nh6+ gxh6 22.Kg1 Rae8 ) 18... Qg6 19. Qxg6 Nxg6 20. Nh6+ gxh6 21. Rxc4 Be6 22. Rxc7?? Rf2+23. Kg1 Raf8 24. Ne4 Rf1+ 25. Kh2 Bd5 26. d3 Bxe4 27. dxe4 R8f2+ 28. Kh3 Rh1+29. Kg4 Ne5# ) 15... Kxf7 16. Rxe4 Qf6 17. Rxc4 Bf5 18. Qh4 ( 18. Qh1 b5 19.Nxb5 Qe6 20. Rf4 Nd5 21. Rf3 ( 21. Rf2 Kg6 22. Kg1 Bd3 23. Qg2 Qe1+ 24. Kh2Rh8+ ) 21... Qe2+ 22. Kg1 Kg8 ) 18... g5 19. Qh5+ Kg7 20. Qe2 ( 20. Rxc7 Bh3+21. Kxh3 Qf1+ 22. Kg4 Qf5# ) 20... Rae8 21. Rxc7? Bg4 22. Qe1 Bf3+ 23. Kg1 Rh8* thanks for reading and any comments are welcome

Happy First Day of Summer Everybody!!! Since the whole planet is in a frenzy with World Cup Fever, I figured this was a good time to introduce the World Cup of Chess Openings!! To register your group, please go to this thread: http://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/wcoco---2010-registration World Cup of Chess Openings - Official Rules (Taken from the FIFA World Cup format) The current tournament features 32 teams, representing different openings, competing in Vote Chess games at 2-days per turn. There are two stages: the group stage followed by the knockout stage. In the group stage, teams compete within eight groups of four teams each. Each group plays a round-robin tournament, guaranteeing that every team will play at least three matches. A match will consist of 2 games, one from each team's prefered starting position. The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage. Points are used to rank the teams within a group. Three points are awarded for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss. If two or more teams end up with the same number of points, tiebreakers are used: first is goal difference, then total goals scored (this will be the in-game score found on the details tab), then head-to-head results, and finally drawing of lots (i.e., determining team positions at random). The knockout stage is a single-elimination tournament in which teams play each other in one-off matches, with extra games used to decide the winner if necessary. It begins with the "round of 16" (or the second round) in which the winner of each group plays against the runner-up of another group. This is followed by the quarter-finals, the semi-finals, the third-place match (contested by the losing semi-finalists), and the final. World Cup of Chess Openings - Proposed Schedule Aug 2010 - Match 1 begins (played Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov) Nov 2010 - Match 2 begins (played Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb) Feb 2011 - Match 3 begins (played Feb, Mar, Apr, May) Jun 2011 - Round of 16 begins (played Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) Oct 2011 - Quarter-Finals begin (played Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan) Feb 2012 - Semi-Finals begin (played Feb, Mar, Apr, May) Jun 2012 - Finals begin (played Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep)

Here is the line we had in one of our votechess games. This thread is for the sole purpose of finding improvements in the event we play this line again so that we do not face the same difficulties. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+ 7.Kg1 Qh4 8.g3 Nxg3 9.Nxh8 Nd4 10.Nc3 d6 11.Bf7+ Kd8 12.hxg3 Qxg3+ 13.Kf1 and now We played 13...Bh3+ 14.Rxh3 Qxh3+ 15.Kf2 Qf5+ 16.Kg3 which leads to the problem we now face fighting for a draw. I suggest two improvements. First I propose 15...Qh2+ to prevent the queen defense although this can turn out badly for black if white can escape with 16.Ke3. Second I propose 13...Qf4+. By keeping the bishop at home, the queen cannot interpose the checks so perpetual check will be forced.

This section deals with any variations after the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kf1 Qe7 7.Nxh8 d5 8.Bxd5. This is a minor section that is an alternative to 8.exd5. The current belief is that black should immediately get the advantage after 8...Bg4. This variation is very risky for white because one mistake will likely mean a forced mate. Another great variation to play through! 8.exd5 Bg4! 9.Kxf2 (9.Qxg4? and all roads lead to Rome; 9...Nxg4 10.h3 Qf6 11.hxg4 Bh4+ 12.Ke2 Qf2+ 13.Kd1 [13.Kd3 leads to mate; 13...Qg3+ 14.Kc4 b5+ 15.Kxb5 Rb8+ 16.Kxc6 Rb6+ 17.Kxc7 Bd8+ 18.Kc8 Qxg4+ 19.Be6 Qxe6#] 13...Nd4 14.Bc4 [14.Nc3 leads to mate; 14...Qxg2 15.Bf7+ Kd8 16.Re1 Qf2 17.Re2 Qf1+ 18.Re1 Qxe1#] 14...Qxg2 15.Re1 Qxg4+ 16.Be2 Nxe2 17.d3 Ng1+ 18.Kd2 Bxe1+ 19.Kxe1 Qe2#) 9...Bxd1 10.Rxd1 Nd4 11.c3 (11.Na3? Ng4+ 12.Kg3 Qg5 13.Bf7+ Ke7 14.Ng6+ hxg6 15.Bxg6 Ne3+ 16.Kf2 Qxg2+ 17.Kxe3 Qf3#; 11.Bxb7 Ng4+ 12.Kg3 [12.Kg1 Qh4 13.Bc6+ Ke7 14.Ng6+ hxg6 15.h3 Ne2+ 16.Kh1 Nf2+ 17.Kh2 Qg3#] 12...Qg5 13.Bc6+ Ke7 14.Ng6+ hxg6 15.Bxa8 Ne3+ 16.Kf2 Qxg2+ 17.Kxe3 Qe2#; 11.h3 Nxd5 12.exd5 Nxc2 and black has a huge material advantage with a great position to boot) 11...Nc2 12.Bxb7 Rb8 13.Bc6+ Kf8 14.b4 Nxa1 15.Bb2 Qd6 and black has a huge material advantage in the endgame.

This section deals with any variations other than 8.exd5 and 8.Bxd5 after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kf1 Qe7 7.Nxh8 d5 The current thought is that black should have an advantage in all lines. For the sake of completeness, I have made this minor section. A: 8.d3?! dxc4 (8...Bg4 9.Qd2 Bh4 may be even stronger) 9.Kxf2 Bg4 10.Qd2 0-0-0 11.Nc3 cxd3 12.cxd3 Rxh8 and black is slightly better. B: 8.Be2?! Bb6 9.d4 (9.d3 Qc5 10.Qe1 Bg4 11.Nc3 0-0-0 and black has the advantage; 9.Bh5+ Kf8 10.Ke1 Nxe4 11.Qf3+ Kg8 12.d3 Nf6 13.Ng6 Qc5 14.Nc3 Nd4 15.Qd1 hxg6 16.Bxg6 Bg4 and black has the advantage) 9...Nxd4 10.Bh5+ Kf8 11.Bg5 Qc5 12.Nc3 Nxh5 13.Qxh5 Be6 14.Qxh7 Nf3 15.Bh4 dxe4 16.gxf3 Bh3+ 17.Ke1 Qe3+ 18.Ne2 exf3 19.Be7+ Ke8 20.Qg6+ Kd7 21.Rd1+ Bd4 and black wins. This is mostly untested though, few games have been played with this variation.

This is what I culled from the discussion in the original topic.

This section deals with all variations following the variation 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.0-0 To summarize, this variation is not a threat to black at all. You might see this variation from players who smell a rat after taking on f7. Black should get an advantage with best play. 5.0-0 0-0 This move is the only move and black should be fine. Three plans for white: A: 6.Nc3 d6 7.d3 (7.Be2 Nd4 is good for black; 7.h3 Bd7 8.Na4 [8.d3 Na5 and black has a great position] 8...h6 9.Nxc5 dxc5 10.Nf3 Nxe4 and black has a significant advantage) 7...Bg4 and black is will have strong pressure. B: 6.d3 Na5 should be sufficient for a solid advantage. C: 6.Re1 d6 7.Nf3 Ng4 8.Rf1 Be6 and black has the advantage.

This section deals with all variations after 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.Bc4. The opinion of this variation is that it is a weaker option than 6.Bb3 and 6.Bd5 due to the fewer options and the exposed position. The lines are very similar to 6.Bb3 so I have not gone as deep in analysis. Overall, black seems to have an easier game. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.Bc4 <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> A: 6…Qf8 7.0-0 d6 8.Nc3 Bg4 9.Nd5+ Kd8 10.Nxf6 Bxd1 11.Ne6+ Ke7 12.Nxf8 gxf6 13.Rxd1 Raxf8 14.d3 Na5 and white is a solid pawn up. <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> B: 6…Qe8 7.0-0 (7.Nc3 Rf8 8.0-0 Kd8 9.d3 h6 10.Nf3 g5 and black has compensation; 7.d3 Rf8 8.0-0 Qg6 9.Nf3 d6 10.Nbd2 Bg4 11.Kh1 Qh5 and white has a small advantage) 7... Rf8 (7…d6 8.Nc3 h6 9.Nf3 Bg4 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 and black has insufficient compensation; 7…h6 8.Nf3 Kd8 9.d3 g5 10.Nc3 Rf8 and black has compensation) 8.Nc3 h6 9.Nf3 Kd8 10.d3 g5 and black has compensation. C: 6...Rf8 and white has three moves: <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> C1: 7.d3 d6 and two more variations: C1A: 8.Be3 Bxe3 (8…Qe8 9.Bxc5 dxc5 10.0-0 and black has many problems to solve a pawn down) 9.fxe3 Qe8 (9…Ng4 10.Nxh7) 10.0-0 Qg6 11.Nf3 Bg4 12.Bb5 and white has the advantage with the extra pawn, but this might be playable for black. <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> C1B: 8.0-0 Bg4 9.Nf3 Nd4 10.Nbd2 Qe8 11.c3 (11.h3 Qh5 and black should be okay) 11...Nxf3+ 12.Nxf3 Qh5 and black can probably hold the endgame. <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> C2: 7.0-0 d6 (7...h6 8.Nf3 Nxe4 9.Bd5 Nf6 10.Bxc6 dxc6 11.Qe2 Kf7 12.Nxe5+ Kg8 13.c3 followed by d4 and white has the advantage and a pawn up) 8.Nc3 (8.d3 transposes) 8…Qe8 (8…h6 9.Nxh7) 9.Nd5+ Kd8 10.Nxf6 gxf6 11.Nf3 Qg6 12.d3 Bg4 13.c3 Ne7 14.Be3 Bxe3 15.fxe3 c6 and white has a small advantage. <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> C3: 7.Nc3 Bxf2+ (7…d6 8.0-0 Nd4 [8…h6 9.Nh7] 9.b4 Bxb4 [9…Bb6 10.Nxh7 is terrible for black] 10.Nxh7 Nxh7 11.Nd5+ Kd7 12.Nxg4 and black is in trouble; 7…h6 8.Nf3 d6 9.h3 Qe8 10.d3 Bd7 11.Be3 Bxe3 12.fxe3 Qg6 13.Qe2 Qg3+ 14.Kd2 and white has a solid advantage and a pawn up; 7…Qe8 8.d3 Qg6 9.0-0 d6 10.Nd5+ [10.Na4 Bg4 and white has an advantage, but this is playable for black] 10…Kd8 11. c3 [11.Nxf6 Rxf6 12.Nf3 h6 and black has just about equalized] 11…Bg4 12.Qb3 Na5 13.Qa4 [13.Qb5 b6!=] 13…Nxc4 14.Qxc4 c6 15.Nxf6 gxf6 16.Ne6+ Bxe6 17.Qxe6 Rg8 18.g3 d5 which leads to an endgame where white has the advantage, but black can draw) 8.Kxf2 Nxe4+ 9.Kg1 Nxg5 10.d4 Nf7 11.dxe5 Ke8 12.Bf4 and it is doubtful that black can survive.

I sent out our first match so hopefully we can get ten people to take a board.

This article covers black's response to 5.b4. 5.b4 This pseudo-Evans Gambit is a very poor move for white. Black should respond: 5...d5! 6.exd5 (6.bxc5 dxc4 7.Nc3 Bg4 8.Nf3 Nd4 and black is much better) 6...Nxb4 7.d6 (7.0-0 Bg4) 7...Qxd6 8.Bxf7+ (8.Nxf7 Qd4 9.0-0 Bg4 10.Qe1 Nxc2 and black wins) 8...Kf8 9.Bb3 (9.Nc3 Qc6) 9...Qd4 10.Qe2 Qxa1 11.Qc4 Bxf2+ and black wins.

5.Nxf7 Bxf2 6.Kxf2 Nxe4 7.Kg1 Qh4 8. Qe2 Nd4 9.g3 Nxg3 10.hxg3 Qxg3 This is the variation I have and in my opinion is really bad for black. Do you guys have another variation to avoid this ?

This section deals with all variations after the moves 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.b4?! The current status of this variation is that it can only be refuted in the 6...Nxb4 variation. All other moves allow white to equalize or obtain an advantage. Three variations for black against 6.b4?! A: 6...Nxb4! This is the best move, white is now in trouble. This is the only way to challenge white's plan. 7.Bb3 Rf8 8.0-0 d6 9.Nf3 Bg4 10.d3 Qe8 11.Nbd2 Kd8 12.Rb1 Qg6 13.Kh1 Nh5 14.h3 Qh6 15.Nc4 Nf4 16.Bxf4 Rxf4 17.Ncd2 g5 and black has a significant advantage. B: 6...Bxf2+ This is a second best move, but black acheives equality. 7.Kxf2 h6 8.Bc4 hxg5 9.d3 g4 10.c3 Qe8 11.Ke1 Kd8 12.Qd2 Rh5 = C: 6...Bxb4? This move is the worst of the three. White will have a good advantage after this. 7.Bd5! Rf8 8.0-0 d6 9.c3 Ba5 10.d4 exd4 11.cxd4 h6 12.Nf3 Nxd5 13.exd5 Nb8 14.Bd2 Bb6 15.a4 a5 and white has a solid advantage.

Is everyone here OK with me starting a vote chess seek? I've found that it is in fact possible to use the Traxler as a starting position.