Tactics Time Chess Newsletter: Scotch Gambit Tactics

Published: Sun, 07/16/17

Newsletter Issue Scotch Gambit Tactics Tactics Time 
Scotch Gambit Tactics

Any good strategy is always based on good tactics! ~ GM Alex Fishbein


tactics position x
 
 
T
 
 
 
his position comes from the game James Canty (2353) vs Malaku Lorne (2099), Charlotte CCCSA IM, Round 2, March 24, 2016. 
 
   In the position on the right it is White to move
 
   Answer below.


   Last week on Facebook my friend Alex Fishbein wrote:

   "Thrilled to receive my new book today, The Scotch Gambit, just printed! Published by Russell Enterprises, it is my first book in almost 25 years and it is now available."

   I congratulated Alex and asked him if I could help him promote the book in my newsletter!

   He sent me two interesting games, one of which is included as today's tactic.  

   The book is called The Scotch Gambit: An Energetic and Aggressive System for White and here is a picture of the cover:
 
The Scotch Gambit: An Energetic and Aggressive System for White

   Alex notes that the book is only on the Scotch Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 ed4 4.Bc4) and not the Scotch (or scotch game) which is 4.Nxd4 -- that opening is not covered in the book.   

   I often play a similar opening that I learned from Joel Johnson, which often transposes into this, with the move order 1.e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3.Bc4.

   I first met Alex when he came to Denver a few years ago and did a simul at the Denver Chess Club.  I have since seen him at several large tournaments, such as the Millionaire events.  Alex recently competed in the World Open and did quite well!

   Alex also does a puzzle each year around Christmas time, where he makes Facebook status updates that contain some sort of hidden common theme.  I quite enjoy those, and have won the competition twice.  

   You can check out Alex's book on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/2unZX8A.

   Congrats again on the new book!


Here is the complete game:
[Event "Charlotte CCCSA IM"]
[Site "Charlotte"]
[Date "2016.03.24"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Canty, James H"]
[Black "Lorne, Malaku"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C56"]
[WhiteElo "2353"]
[BlackElo "2099"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2016.03.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "3"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. e5 d5 6. Bb5 Ne4 7. Nxd4 Bd7 8.
Bxc6 bxc6 9. O-O Bc5 10. Be3 O-O 11. f3 Ng5 12. f4 Ne4 13. Nd2 Nxd2 14. Qxd2 f6
{Diagram [#] In this example, Alex shows the importance of positional
subtleties such as weak squares of one color. The c5 square falls into White's
hands. However, to accomplish this, White needs tactics:} 15. Nb3 Bb6 16. Qc3
Qe7 17. Nc5 fxe5 18. fxe5 Rfe8 {White has occupied the c5-square, but can't
black win the e5-pawn?} 19. Rae1 Qxe5 $2 {Diagram [#] No, and here is why:} 20.
Rf8+ $1 {winning instantly after either 20...Kxf8 21.Nxd7+ or 20...Rxf8 21.
Qxe5. Any good strategy is always based on good tactics!} 1-0

   You can play through this game here: http://view.chessbase.com/cbreader/2017/7/16/Game143527437.html with annotations by GM Alex Fishbein.

 
   Answer:   20. Rf8+! winning instantly after either 20...Kxf8 21.Nxd7+ or 20...Rxf8 21.
Qxe5
.

 
   Happy Tactics!
 
   Your Friend,
  Tim
 

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