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ANNOTATED GAME

The King leads the way to victory!
The Hon. R Steel vs. Unkonown
Annotated by: charleshiggie (2211)
Chess opening: Vienna (C25), Steinitz gambit, Zukertort defence
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Pages: 123
I find this game extraordinary! I found it in a book called "Win at Chess" by William Hartston. What is amazing in this game is that from very early on the White king charges up the board. Now I know many games when this happens, and the king is usually mated. May I refer you to "The King Hunt" by William Cozens and updated by John Nunn, if you want to see some examples. I also know of a famous game where the king is forced up the board and it ends in perpetual check, and of when the attack peters out and the side with the king in the centre of the board suddenly finds itself well placed for the ending. This is the only game I know of where the king in the centre of the board in the mid-game with queens still on, ends up playing a key role in a mating attack. Enjoy - but a word of caution - do not try to play like this, you are more likely to end up getting mated yourself!
1. e4
White starts conventionally.

 
1... e5
Black replies with the same.

 
2. Nc3
This is the Vienna Game http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_Game

 
2... Nc6
Black continues to copy.

 
3. f4
This is now the Vienna Gambit, a King's Gambit, with both sides having their queen's knight developed.

 
3... exf4
Black accepts. In the 19th century, it was considered unsporting not to accept gambits.

 
4. d4
This is a mistake by White, allowing the black queen to check on h4. Better is Nf3 or even Bc4, so that if the queen checks, the white king has f1 to go to.
1 comment
 
4... Qh4+
So black throws in the check.

 
5. Ke2
And the king starts his march up the board.

 
5... d5
Black gives his extra pawn back, to open up the game. It is very much in the style of 19th century chess. Simply d6 is better.

 
6. exd5
So white takes.

 
6... Bg4+
Black throws in a check

 
7. Nf3
White blocks, rather than part with his queen.

 
7... O-O-O
Black castles, sacrificing a knight for an attack.

 
8. dxc6
So white takes.

 
8... Bc5
Black concentrates on development.
1 comment
 
9. cxb7+
White takes again.

 
9... Kb8
The black king decides to shelter behind he pawn, rather than take it. Amazingly all this was played again in 1997! http://gameknot.com/analyze-board.pl?bd=x592552&mv=17&rnd=0.6976808656472713 In that game white decided to try Qe1 and lost after Qh5 11. Bxf4 Re8+ 12. Be3 Bxd4 13. Nd1 Nf6 14. Qd2 Bxe3 15. Nxe3 Bxf3+ 16. gxf3 Nd5 17. Re1 Nxe3 18. Kf2 Ng4+ 19. Kg3 Ne5 20. Bg2 Re6 21. Qc3 Rhe8 22. h4 g5 23. Re4 f5 24. Ra4 gxh4+ 25. Rhxh4 Qg5+ 26. Kf2 Ng6 27. Rh2 Re2+ 28. Kf1 Qc1+

 
10. Nb5
Played to protect d4

 
10... Nf6
Blcak continues to develop.

 

Pages: 123