15. Center Counter Defense

The Center Counter—1 P-K4, P-Q4—is an attempt by Black to wrest away White's endowed initiative on the very first move. This is in direct conflict with theory.

Axiomatic—and almost comical—is the proposition in the chess opening that, when White plays 1 P-Q4, he sets his sights for P-K4, and, when he plays 1 P-K4, then P-Q4 is his militant goal. The moves P-K4 and P-Q4 (or vice versa) cannot be suc­cessfully enforced in consecutive order, when both players im­mediately fight for control of the center. For the scales of open­ing play are so delicately balanced that the sequence would cost as little as a tempo or as much as a Pawn. By the same token, Black may not respond to 1 P-Q4 with . . . P-K4 or to 1 P-K4 with . . . P-Q4. Material or time will be his price.

On this ground, the Center Counter, which violates that tenet, is doomed from the beginning. For, on the second move, Black presents White with a valuable tempo. Yet, since there is no known way for the elected defender to seize the lead without some kind of investment, the offer of a tempo is his calculated risk.

The Center Counter was first recommended by Lucena (1497). Since then it has cropped up time and again in serious play, with intermittent success. A favorite with Mieses, it has enabled him to chalk up innumerable and brilliant victories. Because new ways to capitalize the extra tempo have come to light, however, the popularity of the defense is on the wane.

The defense arises as follows:

1 P-K4 P-Q4

The Center Counter. Black's Queen Pawn strikes White's King Pawn, suggesting an exchange of Pawns. The idea behind Black's move is the opening of the Queen file, the release of the Queen Bishop for immediate action and the relocation of the Queen to a dominating position, bearing on the center of the board.

The idea is good insofar as its attainment leads to a free and easy game. Its execution, however, is impossible to achieve with proper play on White's part.

2 PxP . . . .

The only way to attempt a refutation of Black's move. 2 P-K5 sets no problems, for Black is able to develop all his forces with facility. 2 N-QB3 is a poor alternative since it grants Black the option of advancing . . . P-Q5 or capturing . . . PxP. He obtains an easy game in either case. 2 P-Q4 is a needless gambit which compels White to pursue the recovery of a Pawn.

2            . . . . QxP

This is the main variation. Black's Queen momentarily en­joys a dominant role.

Alternatives here are 2 ... N-KB3 and the gambit, 2 ... P-QB3. In both instances, White obtains the superior position. For example, if 2 ... N-KB3; 3 P-QB4, P-B3; 4 P-Q4, PxP; 5 N-QB3, N-B3; 6 B-N5, P-K3; 7 P-B5. With proper procedure, White nurses his Queen-side Pawn majority into a real threat. Or, if 2 ... P-QB3; 3 PxP, NxP, Black's minimal lead in de­velopment is insufficient for the Pawn minus.

3            N-QB3

The Knight develops and attacks the adverse Queen, thereby gaining a move. Thus, instead of the usual initiative which is White's lot, White picks up an extra tempo.

3 . . . . Q-QR4

Black's idea is to exercise pressure on his diagonal, QR4-K8, as well as on the open Queen file later on. The issue is whether the pressure will offset the effect of White's superior develop­ment.

The unappetizing alternative is 3 ... Q-Ql. On the face of it, this move is ruled out, because the time in bringing out and retreating the Queen is spent to no avail. The opening of the Queen file, of itself, is insufficient compensation for White's superior development.

4 P-Q4 . . . .

White may venture on the gambit 4 P-QN4 at this point. In that case, White promotes his development at a rapid pace at the expense of a Pawn. While the gambit may be sound, there is no need to speculate so long as the normal moves pro­duce an excellent position.

The text move controls the important central squares.

4 . . . . N-KB3

A temporizing, developing move, bearing on the center. Black hopes to bring out all his men soon and crack down on White's Queen Pawn.

An interesting alternative is 4 . . . P-K4. With correct play, however, this falls short because the game opens wide, while White is still ahead in development. On the other hand, it is best for White to familiarize himself with its possibilities. The line might run as follows: 4 . . . P-K4; 5 N-B3 (accent on development), B-QN5; 6 B-Q2, B-N5; 7 B-K2, PxP; 8 NxP, Q-K4; 9 QN-N5! QBxB; JO QxB, BxBch; 11 KxB, QxQch; 12 KxQ, N-QR3; 13 KR-K1, O-O-O; 14 NxPch, K-Nl; 15 N/7-B6ch. This is from a game Tarrasch—Mieses, Gothenburg, 1920. White won the endgame.

After 4 ... P-K4; 5 PxP, Black is able to equalize as fol­lows: . . . B-QN5, 6 N-B3, B-N5; 7 B-K2, N-QB3; 8 O-O, KN-K2. Black must recover the Pawn.

5            N-B3 . . . .

Normal development, bearing on the center.

6            . . . . B-N5

Neutralizing the Knight's effect on the center and clearing the path for an eventual Queen-side castling, with pressure on White's Queen Pawn.

6 P-KR3! . . . .

Putting the question to the Bishop.

6           . . . . B-R4

The Bishop retreats to maintain the pin on the Knight. If 6 ... BxN; 7 QxB, White not only maintains control of the center but also has the advantage of two Bishops.

7           P-KN4! . . . .

This wing demonstration liberates the King Knight at the expense of White's King-side Pawn structure. Since White is ahead in development, however, he wishes to capitalize this plus before Black can consolidate. By doing so, he hopes that the weakness of the Pawn structure will play little part in the future proceedings.

1. . . . . B-N3
2. N-K5 . . . .

The Knight is now in a dominant post and threatens to mo­lest the Black Queen, by retreating to QB4. The Queen is shy a good escape square.

1. . . . . P-B3

Creating an exit for the Queen.

1. N-B4 . . . .

Compelling the Queen to retreat and to relinquish the pin on the Queen Knight.

9 . . . . Q-B2

The Queen's haven. 9 ... Q-Ql is an admission that the entire Queen Maneuver—Q-Q4-QR4—is pointless.

10 Q-B31 . . . .

The star move in White's play. The objectives of the sacri­fice are:

1. to support the Queen Bishop at KB4. This, in turn, will promote White's development at Black's expense;
2. to clear the first rank in readiness for Queen-side
   castling;
3. to bolster and make more potent White's contemplated King-side Pawn advance by nullifying Black's K5. Thus, this square will not be available to the Knight or Bishop in the event one or the other is attacked.

10 BxP

On other moves, 11 B-B4, followed by 12 O-O-O, leaves White with an overwhelming position.

The text move is definitely faulty and Black's play may be considered to be refuted.

11 B-B4 . . . .

11 . . . . Q-Ql

Because Black's last move loses immediately, the less appe­tizing 11 . . . Q-Q2 is worthy of consideration. Even that, however, leaves Black in dire straits: 11 . . . Q-Q2; 12 R-Bl, B-N3; 13 N-K5, Q-Ql; 14 P-Q5. If now 14 . . . PxP; 15 B-N5ch, QN-Q2; 16 NxQP, White wins at least a piece by the threat of 17 NxNch and 18 BxNch. On 16 ... Q-R4ch, there follows 17 P-N4! In this line, if 23 ... QxQP; 14 N-N5 is a crushing rejoinder: . . . Q-K5ch; 15 QxQ, BxQ; 16 N-B7ch, K-Ql; 17 NxR, BxR; 18 NxPch and 19 NxR-also 16 P-B3, N-R3; 17 PxB, PxN; 18 BxPch, N-Q2 (forced) 19 BxNch.

12 Q-K2!! . . . .

Even though the movement of the Queen twice in the opening is contrary to principle, it is, in this case, the sock dolager. And the apparent violation is based on Black's com­plete misconception of the strategy of the opening.

12 . . . . B-N3

If 12 ... QxP; 13 B-K5 wins the unguarded Bishop.

13 N-Q6ch. . . .

The point of White's 12th. Black's King Pawn is pinned and his King is prodded into insecurity.

1. . . . . K-Q2
2. NxNP . . . .

Black is lost. White has recovered the Pawn.

The entire line is based on the game Horowitz—Kibber-man, Warsaw, 1935, which ended as follows:
14 . . . Q-N3; J5 N-B5ch, K-B1; 16 B-N2, P-K3; 17 O-O, N-Q4; 18 NxN, BPxN; 19 QR-B1, K-Ql; 20 B-N5ch! B-K2; 21 BxBch, KxB; 22 BxP, N-Q2; 23 BxR, RxB; 24 NxN, KxN; 25 KR-Q1, Q-N2; 26 P-Q5, PxP; 27 Q-K5, Resigns.

Conclusions

While the strategic concept of the Center Counter Defense is laudable, its tactical execution is impossible of fulfillment. In the line where Black plays 4 ... P-K4 (see note to Black's fourth move), Black succeeds in obtaining a free game and a comparatively easy development for all his men. His position bogs down, however, because he is two tempi behind in de­velopment. If some way can be found to bolster this plan, the defense may yet be tenable.

Chess Movie

COUNTER COUNTERED

Acourse in winning chess tactics is the fare o£ this classic brevity. Knight forks, pins, double attacks are rampant. To boot, the strategic concept of simultaneous attack and defense is exemplified. Duras, White, finally belays his pugnacious op­ponent, Spielmann, by a well-directed grenade. Vienna, 1907, is the scene of play. Follow the game "movie style." 1 P-K4, P-Q4; 2 PxP, QxP; 3 N-QB3, Q-QR4; 4 P-Q4, N-KB3. (See diagram No.1.)

1

 There follows 5 N-B3, B-N5. White omits any King-side Pawn demon­stration. The slow, positional 6 B-K2 is his move. This gives Black the opportunity to show his stuff. With 6 ... N-B3, Black readies for Queen-side castling and pow­erful pressure against the Queen Pawn.

2

 Anticipating the attack on the Pawn, Duras plays the prophylactic 7 B-K3 and Spielmann counters with 7 ... O-O-O. A Knight maneuver further wards off the pressure: 8 N-Q2. There follows 8 ... BxB; 9 QxB, Q-KB4. Observe that a Knight fork had immunized the weakling Queen Pawn.

3

 Duras swings his Knight to the long side of the board with 10 N-N3, and Spielmann furthers his development with 10 ... P-K3. Now follows: 11 P-QR3, . . . B-Q3. In order to con­tain the battle on one side, White castles long: 12 O-O-O. Black responds 12 . . . N-Q4. 13 . . . NxN is his threat.

4

 13 N-R4 is the follow-up. White's men begin to close in on the Black monarch. Black counters with 13 . . . P-K4 and there fol­lows the exchange 14 PxP, BxKP. White pre-empts a stra­tegic square with 15 N/4-B5 and Black consolidates his po­sition with 15 . . . N-N3.

5

 Duras attempts to force a weakening on the flank with 16 P-QR4, and Spielmann parries with . . . P-QR4. Now Duras drives the Black Queen with P-N4, and the Queen re treats: 17 . . . Q-B3. There follows 18 P-QB3, KR-K1. As yet, no perceptible incursion is under way. But wait.

6

 19 NxNP upsets Black's equanimity. A free-for-all ensues: 19 . . . Rx Rch; 20 RxR, BxBP, and both Kings are in jeopardy. The complications are thick and the action fast. Who will come out on top of this per­plexing maze? Whose attack will hit home hardest?—that is the vital question.

7

Duras retreats 21 N/7-B5 and opens a direct avenue to the Black monarch. Spielmann counters with 21 . . . N-N5. There follows 22 P-N5, Q-K4. Both sides are on tenterhooks. To attack and defend simultane­ously is a difficult feat. One slip, and the game falls by the wayside.

8

 Now comes the prelude to one of the finest com­binations of the sixty-four squares. White plays 23 NxP, heading for the general direction of the opposing King. Offhand, it has the ear­marks of a trap. (Black dare not play 23 ... QxN on ac­count of 24 Q-N4ch.) Black plays 23 . . . P-R4.

9

 Now, however, White can capture the loose Bishop and he does with 24 PxB. Black continues with 24 . . . QxPch and per­force White plays 25 K-Nl. There evidently is no reason why Black cannot take the Knight at this moment. So Black plays 25 ... QxN, satisfied that the game is in the bag.

10

Maybe it is and maybe I w it isn't. One thing is certain, White's King is just as exposed to flailing blows as Black's. Who would dream that in one fell move the game is over? 26 R-Q8ch is the move!! and Black top­ples from the Sessel. He can­not capture the Rook safely. Black resigns.