Originally posted by GolubIf you like open tactical games the Morra is the obvious choice.
I've switched back to what I played first 1. e4 and my results are better than with 1. d4
But my problem is to find a line against the sicilian that I like. I tried playing the chameleon variation for a while, but realized there are forced variations into waters I do not like. Any ideas on other lines? I like to play the open games.
Originally posted by Tigran PTalking about opening traps - look at Game 3940013.
My favorite line nowadays is 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3, and if 2 d6, play 3 c3. This line is full of traps.
[Event "uChess rated"]
[Site "www.uchess.com"]
[Date "2007.8.25"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Korch"]
[Black "FoRgiVe Me"]
[Result "1-0"]
1. e2-e4 c7-c5 2. c2-c3 d7-d5 3. e4xd5 Qd8xd5 4. d2-d4 Ng8-f6 5. Ng1-f3 Bc8-g4 6. d4xc5 Qd5xc5 7. h2-h3 Bg4-h5 8. Bc1-e3 Qc5-c7 9. Nb1-a3 a7-a6 10. Qd1-a4 Nb8-d7 11. O-O-O O-O-O 12. Bf1xa6 b7xa6 13. Qa4xa6 Qc7-b7 14. Qa6-c4 Qb7-c7 15. Qc4-a4 Bh5xf3 16. g2xf3 Qc7-b7 17. Na3-b5 e7-e5 18. Rd1-d6 Rd8-e8 19. Rd6-c6 Kc8-d8 20. Rc6-a6 Bf8-c5 21. Be3xc5 Nd7xc5 22. Rh1-d1 Nf6-d7 23. Rd1xd7 Qb7xd7 24. Qa4-h4 f7-f6 25. Ra6-d6 Nc5-d3 26. Kc1-c2 Nd3-f4 27. Rd6xd7 Kd8xd7 28. Qh4-g4 Kd7-c6 29. a2-a4 g7-g6 30. Qg4-g1 Re8-b8 31. Qg1-f1 Kc6-d7 32. Qf1-c4 Kd7-e7 33. Qc4-c7 Ke7-e6 34. Qc7-d6 Ke6-f5 35. Qd6-d7 Kf5-g5 36. Nb5-d6 Rb8-d8 37. Nd6-f7 Kg5-h5 38. Qd7-g4 1-0
Other opening trap in 2.c3 Sicilian - after 11....0-0-0 12.Bxa6! black got into hopeless position.
Go for the fun option against 1...c5
Game 3886585
Squelchbelch (1635) vs Erlsto (1582)
Morra gambit accepted
1.e4...c5
2.d4...cxd4
3.c3...dxc3
4.Nxc3...d6
5.Bc4...Nf6
6.e5!
This is the first critical position. 6...dxe5?? defending Nf6 might seem good at first glance, but allows the devious 7.Bxf7+! deflection check, winning Q for B.
On the chesslive.de database there are 12(!) examples of 6...dxe5?? leading, unsurprisingly, to 12 wins for white.
6...Ng4 my opponent played a much better response.
7.e6 I plan to deprive the black K of cover & strengthen my control of the light squares
[b]7...Ne5
8.exf7+...Nxf7
9.Nf3...e6
10.0-0...d5
11.Bxd5!?
A bishop sac which allows me to centralise, exert pressure on the e-file (e7) & further expose black KS
11...exd5
12.Re1+...Be7
13.Nxd5...Nc6
14.Bg5 attacking the pinned Be7 again & forcing black to exchange his defensive Nf7
14...Nxg5
15.Nxg5...0-0
16.Nxe7+...Nxe7 I will win the N back with attacking tempo
17.Qxd8...Rxd8
18.Rxe7...Bf5?
19.Rxb7 I'm now up 2 pawns with the attack
19...Rd2
20.Re1...h6
21.Nf3...Rc2
22.h3 preventing any back-rank embarrasments & allowing for later expansion
22...Bd3
23.Nd4...Rc5
24.R(e)e7! doubling the rooks on the 7th with no KS cover is going to be big trouble for black
24...Rg5
25.Ne6...Rxg2? desperate & losing tactic which I thought was a problem for me initially with the upcoming B fork...
26.Kxg2...Be4+
27.Kg3...Bxb7
28.Rxg7+ picking up the pawn as well as the Bb7
28...Kh8
29.Rxb7...Rg8+ the next few moves allow me to bring my K into the attack in a won game
[b]30.Kf4...Re8
31.Ke5...a5
32.Ra7...Kg8
Originally posted by KorchI agree that the Morra player has to be prepared to face the c3 Sicilian but he can make do with knowing only these 2 systems well.
In my opinion the main problem for Morra players is that black can play 3...Nf6 (after 1.e4 c5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3) switching to 2.c3 system.
In my experience here about 80% of the time the gambit is accepted although OTB at GM level I think it reduces to about 55% (I am sure someone with a good DB can correct these figures).
Originally posted by SquelchbelchWell played.
Go for the fun option against 1...c5
Game 3886585
Squelchbelch (1635) vs Erlsto (1582)
Morra gambit accepted
Originally posted by KorchNo repertoire is going to be perfection.
But these 2.c3 lines may not like player who loves to play Morra.
The point being that concentrating on Morra accepted theory & some c3 Sicilian lines is much less learning than phonebook open/closed Sicilian theory!
That was the logic behind me choosing 2.d4 in reply to 1...c5. It severely limits black's reasonable responses.
Originally posted by MoneyMaker7The point is, I did mention my own "personality" (I like open games). This is not "perfect" information of course, but anyone who reads that and gives advice accordingly, might give me advice at least in the near area of what I am looking for.
Also, why do you ask other people what to play in a chess game?? Other people are at different skill levels and tastes, so why don't you try out your own openinngs and see what you like instead of have everyone spit out their personalities at you.