Game 668591: yamiyokaze v. lucifershammer: Public

Okay...this is a game that me and lucifershammer are going to be playing publically waiting for zucchini to finish some of his games...

Game 668591

1. e3

This is the Van't Kruijs Opening...it's the fourth worst opening for White, but I've had tremendous success with it.

It seems to me -after using this a few times- the strategy of this opening is to either confuse White into losing the game, or try to hamper bishop movement.

1. ... e5

I haven't played the Vant Kruij's much, so I really just chose the simplest reply available. Other moves possible included 1. ... d5, 1. ... Nf6 and 1. ... Nc6.

In any case, e5 challenges White's control over the f4 and d4 squares, preventing an immediate 2. d4 (2. d4 exd4 3. exd4 [3. Qxd4 Nc6 should allow Black to equalise] d5 4. Nc3 c6 should give Black a comfortable position).

2. Nc3

Developing the knight. I played this only with this in mind. I want to get my central pieces out as quickly as possible...besides...I've found that 2. Nc3 complements 1. e3 e5 nicely.

2. ... Nf6

The direct reply to 2. Nc3. Black develops a piece and challenges White's control over the squares e4 and d5.

Now, after 3. d4 exd4 4. exd4 d5 and Black should have an equal position.

3. d4

Thinking down the road...I think I can turn this into C01: French: Exchange Variation...that normally plays out: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bg5

So I'm thinking that if I move here offering an exchange...I can start following along that opening theory...

My opening theory for 1. e3 is that it can be modified easily into a position for White without much effort...the good thing is...it can still throw opponents off.

3. ... exd4

After 4. exd4 d5, this will have transposed into an Exchange Variation French. Now after 5. Bg5, Black can either play the solid 5. ... Be7 or the more aggressive Winawer-style 5. ... Bb4. In the latter, White cannot win the d-pawn with 6. Bxf6 because of 6. ... Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 Qxf6

4. exd4

An exchange. If I get this to go along with C01: French: Exchange Variation...Black has two options: 5...Be7 or 5...Bb4

As 5...Be7 would be more tactically correct...I'm expect 5...Bb4 still following along C01: French: Exchange Variation. In which case I'll probably develop my bishop.

4. ... d5

And now we're in the Exchange French.

5. Bg5

Following through with the C01: French: Exchange Variation.

5. ... Bb4

I decided to spice things up a little with the more aggressive Bb4 instead of Be7.

6. Bd3

Developing the bishop. I'm going to ignore 5...Bb4 for now because I'm still trying to develop. I honestly thought about 6. Qe2+ but as far as Queen's go...I prefer VERY active squares for them...and 6. Qe2+ didn't seem as active as I would like...besides...I still need to gets so pieces out for mobilities sake.

6. ... 0-0

I decide to castle early to get my King to safety.

7. Nge2

Developing the knight. I want to get my knight out there, but I also like overprotecting pieces that are in danger as long as they are active. That's a great way to be sure a piece is safe if you suddenly have to deal with something somewhere else that you didn't see.

While this is also my short hand tactic...I'm slowly bringing my pieces in to advance on his kingside. If I can get him to push back his developing center...I'll be in great shape...

Notice we're still in the book here.

7. ... c6

After 8. 0-0, the pin on the Knight is no longer in place, leaving the d-pawn unprotected (after Bxf6 Qxf6). c6 protects the d-pawn, although Black falls behind in development.

8. 0-0

Bringing the kind into safety and unpinning the knight...At this point I think White has surpassed Black in development and is going on the attack.