TalJechin wrote on 05/26/11 at 17:11:17:
Quote:In my opinion the Hanstein Gambit is just as sound as the Kieseritzky Gambit.
And how sound do you think the Kieseritzky is nowadays?
Sound enough. Few people believe that White can win by force, so imo an occasional draw isn't a cause for panic. More important is that White can vary between 4-5 correct systems, so that he always can choose: play the safest line (if a draw would be OK), the best line or the "must-win" repertoire. That's what Spanish and Scottish can offer, and we need similar options in the KG. Neglecting the Hanstein doesn't make sense. Those who defend the KG classically must tremble in fear whether they'll face the Hanstein, the Kieseritzky, the Muzio, the Philidor or whatever Gambit. Nowadays a KG player who doesn't vary his systems is no threat at all. But if opponents see all kinds of lines in your games: Kieseritzky, Hanstein with 8.Qa4, with 8.Na3, with 8.b4 (Steinitz), with g3 or the Philidor Gambit (h4), Quaade, Salvio etc., the chances are good that they'll rather avoid the classical system completely.
TalJechin wrote on 05/26/11 at 17:11:17:
As for 8.Qa4 I thought you would know (and be sure to point out) it was played by Macdonnell already in 1839, but apparently not.
Urk.
Good man, that McDonnell. He already knew high-class stuff, like 1.e4 e6 2.f4. - Did you notice, by the way, that the game given by ChessBase, Alexander McDonnell - NN, sim Edinburgh 1839, has a little problem: Alexander McDonnell died in 1835. How did they do this?
Henk Smout gave the hint (thanks!): the moves are right, but not the data. The game was played on December
10th, 1828, in William Lewis' house. McDonnell won (blindfolded) against
"W......". Source: George Walker:
A Selection of Games at Chess, Actually Played in London, by the late Alexander McDonnell Esqu., the best English Player, with his principal Contemporaries, including the whole of the Games played by Mons. De La Bourdonnais and Mr. McDonnell. With an Appendix, containing three Games played by Mons. Des Chapelles and Mr. Lewis, in 1821. ... , London 1836, pp.37-38.
(
Edit: Correcting the last paragraph; corrections in bold print. Because of the historical importance of the book - the McDonnell vs Labourdonnais-Matches greatly inspired the Berlin plejades - it seemed appropriate to give the title in full)
TalJechin wrote on 05/26/11 at 17:11:17:
Anyway, I don't remember what conclusion I arrived at in the FKG, except that it feels slightly uncomfortable.
After a fresh look today, I'd probably prefer to give the b-pawn instead of the f-pawn, i.e: 8.Qa4 Bd7 9.Qb3 Qe7 10.Qxb7 Rb8 11.Qa6 etc
[...] It's simply not the kind of position I'd be hoping for as white with 2.f4!?
Will analyze it a bit (i.e. your analysis in the other post). There is also 11.Qxc7 Rc8 12.Qb7 Na5 13.Bxf7+ Qxf7 14.Qa6 Nc6 15.Na3. The PC doesn't like it, but if White can get a "stable" ending (preferably with an exchange of queens) with a bunch of pawns on the q-side for the bishop, it might be an idea.
Pages: 
C34-C39:Alexei "Fire on Board" Shirov plays the KG (Read 54717 times)
