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LCB, Issue #044 --, Enjoy Miniature Magic and a Beautiful Trap
January 01, 2019

Enjoy Miniature Magic and a Beautiful Trap

Lapoc Chess Board, Issue #044 -- GOTM #13


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It's London in 1864 and a game between Andrews and Jassens takes place. This is not a long arduous fight with a victory at the end for one of the two protagonists. It's a short scuffle but one that is settled by an ingenious trap.

Neither of these players are among the most famous names in chess history but the game still qualifies as an interesting and useful example of tactical mastery.

The game opens with a Center Gambit, White quickly develops his Kingside and occupies the center. In just a few moves the events we talked about unfold with a stunning conclusion.


Miniature Magic and a Beautiful Trap



Andrews - Jassens, Franciscus G [D56]


GotM #13 - London, 1864
[Connaughton, Ken]

1.e4 e5 2.d4

Center Gambit

2...exd4 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Nxd4 Nxd4 7.Qxd4 d6 8.f4

Game position after 8.f4

Typical of the times, White begins his assault with most of his Queenside undeveloped. Black also has much to to and White hopes to force a concession with the e5 push that is prepped by the text move.

8...b6

(8...0-0 would have avoided much of his problems that arose in the game but Black wanted to claim the long diagonal as quickly as possible.)

9.e5

And the attack on the central King begins.

9...d5

Game position after 9...d5

Black sees an opportunity for a lethal counter.

(Instead, 9...dxe5 10.Qxd8+ Kxd8 11.fxe5 Ng4 12.Bd5 Rb8 13.Nc3 Bc5+ 14.Kh1 Nf2+ 15.Kg1 Nd1+ 16.Kh1 Nf2+= would have drawn.)

10.Bb5+ Bd7 11.exf6!

White apparently oblivious to the threat leaves the possibility open.

11...Bc5

Game position after 11...Bc5

And Black duly springs the trap. But White has seen more and as it turns out...

12.Re1+!

It is Black who has fallen into White's trap.

12...Kf8

(12...Qe7 is clearly disgusting and the outcome is bad for Black: 13.Rxe7+ Kf8 14.Qxc5 bxc5 15.Rxd7 gxf6 16.Rxd5+-; 12...Be7 is no better: 13.fxe7 Qxe7 (13...Qc8 is also losing badly: 14.Bxd7+ Qxd7 15.Qxg7 Qc8 16.Nc3 c6 17.Qxh8+ Kd7 18.e8Q+ Qxe8 19.Rxe8 Rxe8 20.Qf6+-) 14.Rxe7+ Kxe7 15.Qe5+ Kf8 16.Bxd7+-)

13.fxg7+ Kg8 14.gxh8Q#

Game position after 14.gxh8Q#

Black never had a chance to capture the pinned Queen and now it's checkmate.

0-1

Andrews - Jassens (London, 1864)


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See you next month.

Ken

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