Читать книгу The Double Dangerous Book for Boys - Conn Iggulden - Страница 21
ОглавлениеA chess opening is a pattern of moves that has been proven over time to create a strong attack or defence. The idea is both to control the centre of the board and to create an opportunity to castle. Which opening you use depends on the responses of the opponent, with nearly infinite variations. The idea here is to learn and practise four or five of them, so as to be able to develop any opening position. That said, former world champion Bobby Fischer began every white game with pawn e2-e4. He considered that the perfect opening move.
There was a chapter on the basics of chess in the first Dangerous Book. Unfortunately, with the constraints of space, the only classic opening we were able to include was ‘The King’s Indian’. For that reason, we have not included it here.
We’ll use the standard modern description of a board, with ‘a’ to ‘h’ across from the left and 1–8 up. (Always begin with a white corner in the bottom right.) So ‘e2-e4’ would mean the fifth white pawn from the left, moving forward two places. (A lot of chess books use shorthand such as ‘e4’ to describe the same move.) As both knights and kings begin with the letter ‘k’, knight moves are usually written with an ‘N’ such as ‘Nf3’ or ‘Nc6’. For those, there will be only one knight that can reach the square
RUY LOPEZ
One of the quickest and easiest openings in three white moves.
1 White opens with pawn e2-e4. Black counters with pawn e7-e5.
2 White moves knight Nf3, attacking the black pawn. Black responds with Nc6, protecting the pawn.
3 White brings out the bishop to b5, to attack the black knight on c6. That’s it.
The Ruy Lopez (pronounced ‘Roy’) is a favourite of Garry Kasparov. It does, however, usually lead to the exchange of knight and bishop.
THE ENGLISH OPENING
Most openings begin with the white pawn move e2-e4 or d2-d4. That’s because those moves begin to control the central four squares and open a path to move a bishop – allowing you to castle on king or queen side. Set up a board and have a look at the opportunities that come from each move.
The English Opening is so named because it was a popular first move among English players in the 19th century, including Howard Staunton. You are probably using a set with pieces named after him as they are now the standard design. However, it is not a weak or old-fashioned opening. It was used by Fabiano Caruana in round ten of the 2016 world championship, to defeat former world champion Viswanathan Anand.
1 Pawn c2-c4 – that’s it. One move.
In the Caruana vs. Anand game, Anand as black replied by going for the centre squares with pawn e7-e5.
White brought up a knight Nc3, which was echoed by black with Nf6.
White Nf3, black Nc6 – all knights out.
White (Caruana) then brought up another pawn at g2-g3 – and the game develops. The English Opening has the advantage of surprising opponents who are not used to a flank attack on the centre.
Back almost two hundred years ago, Staunton also tended to bring out his knight behind the c4 pawn and develop the pawn on g2 to g3.
THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT
This is one of the most popular openings because of its quick attack and then constant pressure on black. It is an opening for players who like to play white aggressively.
1 Pawn d2-d4, answered by black’s pawn d7-d5. So far, nothing too shocking.
2 White moves pawn c2-c4 – allowing it to be taken by the black pawn.
The idea is to develop white rapidly, at the expense of a pawn, while black loses a move of its development to take that pawn: ‘Queen’s Gambit Accepted’. It’s a trade-off and it’s risky. White will then reply by moving the pawn on e2-e3, which defends the pawn on d4 and attacks the black pawn. It’s not easy for black to protect that pawn and it mucks up his whole development trying.
However, black can also defend that pawn on d5 with a pawn to e6. White can then exchange pawns. The Queen’s Gambit is an interesting opening and well worth including in your range.
THE NIMZO-INDIAN DEFENCE
So far, we’ve dealt with white openings, but, of course, there are also black openings – defences. The Nimzo-Indian Defence (developed by Aron Nimzowitsch 1886–1935) is a good example of the class of black openings known as ‘Indian’ defences. They were first developed by Moheschunder Bannerjee in the 19th century. The Nimzo-Indian, Bogo-Indian and Queen’s Indian are all in response to a pawn d2-d4 opening by white.
1 Pawn d2-d4 by white. Black responds with Nf6 – knight to f6.
2 Pawn c2-c4 by white. Black moves pawn e7-e6.
Those two exchanges are the opening moves of all ‘Indian’ defences. The Nimzo variation looks a little bit like the Ruy Lopez attack.
3. If white moves Nc3 – knight to c3 – black can bring the bishop across to pin the knight. The white attack has been disrupted. Black usually takes the knight on c3, for the advantage of doubling white’s pawns.
Indian Defence
Nimzo-Indian Defence
THE SICILIAN DEFENCE
This defence begins from an e2-e4 pawn opening by white. Instead of the standard response of e7-e5, black responds with c7-c5, attacking from the c file.
This is known as the Dragon Variation, as the black pawns are said to look like a dragon.
1 Pawn e2-e4, Black responds with c7-c5.
2 White knight moves: Nf3. Black moves pawn d7-d6.
3 White moves pawn d2-d4. It is taken by black’s pawn: c5 x d4.
4 White takes the black pawn: N x d4. Black is still developing and moves: Nf6.
5 White moves up second knight: Nc3. Black responds with pawn g7-g6.
Sicilian Defence after two opening moves
Further developed: five moves
The Najdorf Variation of the Sicilian Defence was one often used by Bobby Fischer. It is exactly the same until move five, when instead of the g7-g6 pawn move, a pawn is moved a7-a6 instead. There is also an attack on the foremost white knight with the black pawn move e7-e5.
You get better at chess by playing, but also by learning successful strategies. Get to know these. Use them as often as you can and enjoy the games that result.
