Darren Reed    --    Montagues
VeggieClan vs Lions   redhotpawn
2003.09.19     0-1     C63u

The Schliemann - I have been experimenting with this for a while after watching an exciting game on RHP. This is the opening with which I also took a draw off David Tebb. Darren played 4. Nc3 as did David, I have played some wonderful blitz games with my brother where he plays 4.d4 - although whether this is a sensible correspondence move needs testing.

Black has 3 good moves, fxe4, Nf6 or Nd4 as in the Birds defense. I use the term good to mean, interesting and offering exciting chances to both players.

I much prefer this to the alternative moves 7...Qd5 or 7...bxc6

here Qxg2 is inviting a disaster

Qh4+ is playable but hey see a pawn take a pawn as Korchnoi once said (I think)

White has tried 10.Nxa7+ but this is not dangerous for Black ? for example 10...Bd7 11.Bxd7+ Nxd7 (or Kxd7!?) 12.Nb5 0-0-0 13. d4 exd3 with a small advantage to black

Bf4 is interesting and David Tebb also played it in one game but the more usual move is Bg5, I prefer the longer move for the bishop, it puts more pressure on black and keeps the F file open. Bf4 is still a reasonable move though

I was seriously tempted to play 0-0-0 maybe in blitz I would have!

Either strike first or strike hardest, at least this will make white sit up and take notice

Now if only white had played Bg5 earlier!

Now things are getting serious, obviously bxa3 is just bad but now the White King is shaking in his boots

After this move I was confident of winning but there are still counter chances. This knight is like the famous chess octopus his influence is everywhere

He completely missed this!

Starting to look pretty. If in doubt when you are attacking, pile on more pressure

b5 is an important move forcing the queen away from pinning the powerful knight

If Bf2 exf2 32.Qf7 f1=Q wins

White resigned rather than allow the mate.