29 Nov 07
In Game 4010788 after:
1.e4...c5
2.d4...cxd4
3.c3...dxc3
4.Nxc6...e6
5.Nf3...Nc6
6.Bc4...a6
7.0-0...N(g)e7
8.Bg5...f6
9.Be3...Ng6
I think I may have been too hasty with the pre-emptive 10.Bb3
I have an interesting line instead in:
10.Qe2...Be7
11.R(f)d1...Qc7
12.R(a)c1...b5
13.Bb3...0-0
14.Nd5!
& possibly
14...exd5
15.exd5 (threatening lethal 16.d6+!)...Kh8
16.dxc6
& white is dominant
29 Nov 07
1 edit
Originally posted by SquelchbelchI just don't like 11. ... Qc7. Normally the blacl squares are horrible for the black queen and c7 is one of the worst she can found herself in.
In Game 4010788 after:
1.e4...c5
2.d4...cxd4
3.c3...dxc3
4.Nxc6...e6
5.Nf3...Nc6
6.Bc4...a6
7.0-0...N(g)e7
8.Bg5...f6
9.Be3...Ng6
I think I may have been too hasty with the pre-emptive 10.Bb3
I have an interesting line instead in:
10.Qe2...Be7
11.R(f)d1...Qc7
12.R(a)c1...b5
13.Bb3...0-0
14.Nd5!
[fen]r1b2rk1/2qpb1pp/p1n1ppn1/1p1N ...[text shortened]...
& possibly
14...exd5
15.exd5 (threatening lethal 16.d6+!)...Kh8
16.dxc6
& white is dominant
I would go with
11. ... b5
12. Bb3 Na4
Now if 13. Bc2 Nc4 {hitting on the dangerous dark squared bishop and b-pawn. And at this position I don't think white can afford another pawn so off with the bishop it seems.}
And if
13. Rac1{Playing for another open file} O-O
What white should do here?
29 Nov 07
Originally posted by adam warlockYes but then I have 12.Bxe6 & you cannot take my light-square B unless you're prepared to lose your Q for my B & R because of the pin on your d7 pawn by my Rd1.
I just don't like 11. ... Qc7. Normally the blacl squares are horrible for the black queen and c7 is one of the worst she can found herself in.
I would go with
11. ... b5
29 Nov 07
Originally posted by Dragon FireIt's actually white's move I think in the diagram given by Yuga. I think he has a point when he says that if black plays 8...f6, he shouldn't follow it up with an early Ng6 but instead plan for b5, Bb7, Na5 and Nec6 (or maybe even b4). I still prefer 'my' move 8...h6 though accept that both moves may well lead to black advantage. I personally am normally well-disposed to gambit play, but I don't think the Morra is quite sufficient.
As given above by me there follows:
10. .. Ng6;
11. Nd4 .. NXd4;
12. BXd4 (previously) thought to be the strongest line, but now
12. QXd4 leaves white very active and with a strong centralised queen preserving options.
29 Nov 07
Originally posted by SquelchbelchLOL. Of course!!! Please never mind that. I'm off to lunch and maybe then I can have a coherent thought. 😕 😳
Yes but then I have 12.Bxe6 & you cannot take my light-square B unless you're prepared to lose your Q for my B & R because of the pin on your d7 pawn by my Rd1.
29 Nov 07
Originally posted by Northern LadJust read what Yuga said and it seems very good to me too. In future games I'll adopt that plan and see were it leads to.
It's actually white's move I think in the diagram given by Yuga. I think he has a point when he says that if black plays 8...f6, he shouldn't follow it up with an early Ng6 but instead plan for b5, Bb7, Na5 and Nec6 (or maybe even b4). I still prefer 'my' move 8...h6 though accept that both moves may well lead to black advantage. I personally am normally well-disposed to gambit play, but I don't think the Morra is quite sufficient.
29 Nov 07
1 edit
Originally posted by Northern LadYou know I can't help thinking that if Landa had beaten Kasparov in 1988 with the Morra when he had the chance, theory on this gambit would have taken a much more enlightened turn in favour of it!
It's actually white's move I think in the diagram given by Yuga. I think he has a point when he says that if black plays 8...f6, he shouldn't follow it up with an early Ng6 but instead plan for b5, Bb7, Na5 and Nec6 (or maybe even b4). I still prefer 'my' move 8...h6 though accept that both moves may well lead to black advantage. I personally am normally well-disposed to gambit play, but I don't think the Morra is quite sufficient.
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1070396
29 Nov 07
Originally posted by SquelchbelchWishful thinking can only get you so far. Unless white can find some improvements in this line (it seems that both 8...h6 and 8...f6 are good for black), the Morra has to be deemed inadequate.
You know I can't help thinking that if Landa had beaten Kasparov in 1988 with the Morra when he had the chance, theory on this gambit would have taken a much more enlightened turn in favour of it!
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1070396
29 Nov 07
4 edits
Originally posted by Northern LadLanda had winning chances against Kasparov against 8...h6 in this line!
Wishful thinking can only get you so far. Unless white can find some improvements in this line (it seems that both 8...h6 and 8...f6 are good for black), the Morra has to be deemed inadequate.
Landa/Kasparov URS CH Moscow 1988
1.e4...c5
2.d4...cxd4
3.c3...dxc3
4.Nxc3...Nc6
5.Nf3...e6
6.Bc4...a6
7.0-0...N(g)e7
8.Bg5...h6
then
9.Bh4...d6
10.Qd2...g5
11.Bg3...Ng6
12.R(a)d1...Be7
13.Bb3...N(g)e5
14.Nxe5...dxe5
15.Qe3...Qa5
16.Nd5...Bd8
17.Rc1...Bd7
18.Rc5...b5
19.Rxc6!...Bxc6
20.Bxe5
But instead, Landa played
19.Qf3...exd5
20.Bxd5...0-0
& only managed to draw!
😉
29 Nov 07
Originally posted by SquelchbelchIt's interesting that Kasparov preferred 8...h6 too and that Landa played 9.Bh4 rather than Be3. I hesitate to criticise the great man, but his opening play (idea g5 and Ng6) does seem very committal. I would prefer to develop the queenside with moves like Qa5, b5, Bb7, Rc8 and maybe later Qb6, Na5 and Nec6 depending on how white plays.
Landa had winning chances against Kasparov against 8...h6 in this line!
Landa/Kasparov URS CH Moscow 1988
1.e4...c5
2.d4...cxd4
3.c3...dxc3
4.Nxc3...Nc6
5.Nf3...e6
6.Bc4...a6
7.0-0...N(g)e7
8.Bg5...h6
then
9.Bh4...d6
10.Qd2...g5
11.Bg3...Ng6
12.R(a)d1...Be7
13.Bb3...N(g)e5
14.Nxe5...dxe5
15.Qe3...Qa5
16.Nd5...Bd8
17.Rc1...Bd7
18.Rc ...[text shortened]...
20.Bxe5
But instead, Landa played
19.Qf3...exd5
20.Bxd5...0-0
& only managed to draw!
😉