[Event "The Mighty London System!: A dynamic trick!"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/HM0m7zRB/3nE1qktZ"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/george_mcgeorge"]
[ECO "A46"]
[Opening "Indian Defense: London System"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.11"]
[UTCTime "15:59:53"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 { We start as usual, we can choose, if we want to develop our dark-squared Bishop first or our Knight. Of course, the Knight allows for more flexibility } ( 2. Bf4 { The signature move of the London system will eventually lead to the same position } ) 2... e6 ( 2... d5 3. Bf4 { This could also transpose into our eventual position [%csl Rc5,Re6,Ge3,Gd2][%cal Rc7c5,Re7e6,Ge2e3,Gb1d2] } ( 3. c4 { The Knight allows for much more flexibility, so we can play the Queens Gambit or other Openings. Also, it does not make us commit to the London System which could come in handy, if we know, that our Opponent prepared for the London } ) ) 3. Bf4 ( 3. c4 { As stated before, the early Knight development lets us deviate from the London System. As such, it is a mighty weapon in regards of move order deviation and things along those lines üòé } ) 3... c5 { Black immediatly pressurizes our center and we can simply respond to this with the move e3! [%csl Rd4][%cal Rc5d4] } ( 3... d5 { Once again, this could be merely a deviation from the mainline moveorder. } ) 4. e3 { This move stabilizes our d4-pawn, our f4 Bishop and it also opens up our light-squared Bishop. [%csl Bd4][%cal Be3d4] } 4... b6 { This is the move, where our little trap begins to unfold. We have many good moves, most notably c4, Bd3 and Nbd2 [%csl Gb7,Gd2,Bc4,Yd3,Bc3][%cal Gc8b7,Gb1d2,Bc2c4,Yf1d3,Bc2c3] } 5. Nbd2 { This move develops our Knight and, moreover, marks the beginning for tricky Opening trap... } ( 5. Bd3 { A nice developing move, which would be followed up by the development of the Knight, by stabilizing the center even more through the move c3 and by castling the King to safety (we can also castle long, which would take a little more time) [%csl Bc3,Gd2][%cal Bc2c3,Gb1d2,Ge1h1] } ) ( 5. c4 { Here we would have a pleasent position, with a nice center control, we ccould develop our Knight to c3 or play Nbd2, we can choose, wether we develop our Bishop to e2 or d3. [%csl Gc3,Bc4,Bd4][%cal Gb1c3,Gf1e2,Gf1d3] } ) ( 5. c3 { We now have built a pawn pyramid and we would now proceed to develop our Bishop to d3 [%csl Bb2,Bc3,Bd4,Be3,Bf2,Gd3,Gd2][%cal Bf2e3,Be3d4,Bc3d4,Bb2c3,Gf1d3,Gb1d2] } ) 5... Bb7 { A natural developing move which does not immediately fall into our trap. After this move, we can play many good moves } 6. Nc4 { This move seems to violate the Opening principle: "Never move the same piece twice in the Opening" and, yes, it does violate this principle. Then again, we are by no means worse then our Opponent: Our threat is simple: We want to jump our Knight into Black's camp and force an exchange Bishop for Knight, where we might hinder Black from castling. Also, those principles aren't always valid. [%csl Gc4,Gd6][%cal Gc4d6] } ( 6. h3 { This move frees up the h2 square for our Bishop, so that we can preserve the Bishop pair to counter Black's Bishops [%csl Gh2][%cal Gf4h2] } ) ( 6. Be2 { This move would develop our Bishop and inderectly fight for the h5 and the g4 square } ) ( 6. Bd3 { This move develops our Bishop, but our Bishop is neutralized by Black's fianchetto Bishop } ) ( 6. c3 { This move reinforces our center and allows our Queen to move to c2, b3 and a4, if needed [%csl Bd4][%cal Bc3d4] } ) ( 6. h4 { We can gain some space, while also allowing our Bishop a retreating area. This move could also help building an attack. (It also is AlphaZero-esque, isn't it?) } ) 6... d5 { This move falls into the trap! } ( 6... d6 { This is a (bad) alternative, since we are either straight up winning a pawn or getting the initiative, [%csl Rd6,Bd4][%cal Bd4c5] } 7. dxc5 { Black must decide, if he wants to recapture (and if so, then with which pawn) or if our Opponent does something different [%cal Rd6c5,Rb6c5] } 7... dxc5 ( 7... bxc5 { If bxc5, we will take the d6-pawn, we can even choose if we want to capture with the Knight or Bishop üôÇ } 8. Nxd6+ ) ( 7... e5 { If Black lashes out and attacks our Bishop we will take on d6 or put our Bishop on g5 [%csl Gg5,Bd6][%cal Rf4g5,Bc5d6] } 8. cxd6 { [%csl Rd6] } ( 8. Bg5 ) 8... exf4 { Now we should put our Queen on e2, which would more or less guarantee that we would get our piece Back [%csl Ge2][%cal Gd1e2] } 9. Qe2 { The astounding trick here would be, that our d6 pawn blocks the only square, where Black could safely block the upcoming check of our Queen, eventually we would get our piece Back [%csl Ge2,Ge8,Bf4][%cal Ge2e8,Be3f4] } 9... Ne4 { Probably the best try } ( 9... Qd7 10. O-O-O ) ( 9... Bxd6 10. O-O-O ) 10. O-O-O { [%csl Gd2,Ge4,Bf4,Re8][%cal Gf3d2,Gd2e4,Be3f4,Re2e4,Re2e8] } ) 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nce5 { [%csl Ge5][%cal Ge5f7,Rf7d8,Rf7h8,Gf3e5] } ) ( 6... Nc6 { By far one of Black's best chances, we now can proceed to check the Black King and gain the Bishop pair } 7. Nd6+ Bxd6 8. Bxd6 Ne4 { Black's Knight is surprisingly good placed and attacks our Bishop, we can retreat to f4 or g3 [%csl Re4] } 9. Bf4 { Black can regain the Bishop pair by playing g5. But we are by no means worse } ( 9. Bg3 ) 9... O-O ( 9... g5 { We would lose the Bishop pair, but we get Black's stong Knight in exchange, we can also inflict weaknesses into Black's camp before giving up the Bishop. We also have the usual London System solidness: As such we have many pawns fighting for the dark squares and thereby "replacing" the Bishop } 10. Bg3 ( 10. Be5 ) ) 10. Bd3 { We are developing our Bishop while attackin Black's strongest piece } ) 7. Nce5 { Look at this powerfull Knight!! Not only is it restricting our Opponents movement (the e-pawn is blocked, the c6, d7, f7, g6 and g4 squares are partially controlled), but it also enables two threats: First of all 8.Bb5+ which would win a piece and 8.Ng5 which would threaten the exchange (or even the whole Rook) and destroy eventually the Kingside. [%csl Gg5,Be5,Rb5][%cal Gf1b5,Gf3g5] } 7... Bd6 { This is the engines choice, and after... } ( 7... a6 { This move prevents our threat of 8.Bb5+ where we would either end up winning a piece or the castling rights, we would definetely get a better position. Now, a6 on the other hand doesn't stop us from going Ng5 and falls into our little trap [%csl Rb5][%cal Ra6b5] } 8. Ng5 { F7 is double-attacked and can not be defended appropriately [%csl Rf7][%cal Gg5f7,Ge5f7] } 8... Rg8 9. Nexf7 { Winning the pawn, while attacking the Queen: We would have an extra pawn, Black couldn't castle and both of our Knights can retreat at any time! [%csl Rd8][%cal Rf7d8] } ) ( 7... Nbd7 { This is an inferior move, because we can pressurize the Knight: } 8. Bb5 { In a best case scenario, we would take the Knight with our Knight [%csl Rd7][%cal Yb5e8,Re5d7] } 8... a6 ( 8... Rc8 9. Nxd7 ( 9. Ng5 { White is dominating this Game, f7 can't be defended (unless Black gives up the Queen) and the d7 Knight is pressurized [%csl Rf7,Rd7][%cal Rg5f7,Re5f7,Yb5e8,Re5d7] } 9... Qe7 10. Ngxf7 { [%cal Rf7h8] } 10... Rg8 { Both Castling and c3 followed by Qa4 are good, White has a massive advantage! [%cal Ge1h1,Gd1a4,Bc2c3] } ) 9... Nxd7 10. Ne5 { [%csl Rd7][%cal Yb5e8,Re5d7] } 10... Rc7 { Black can't move! At our leisure, we can choose to exchange the Knights or we can move our Queen out. Black is paralyzed! } ) 9. Ng5 { We can sacrifice the Bishop, because we get the f7-pawn and fork the Queen and the Rook, winning the exchange! [%csl Rf7][%cal Re5f7,Rf6f7,Rg5f7,Ra6b5] } 9... axb5 { Probably best, but still insufficient. That said, the entire trick is dynamic, if you hate complicated tactics, do not play this trick! } 10. Nexf7 { [%csl Rh8,Rd8][%cal Rf7d8,Rf7h8] } 10... Qe7 11. Nxh8 { Our Knight seems to be stranded, but it ain't: [%csl Gf7][%cal Gh8f7,Gf7e5] } 11... h6 { Trying to cut of the supply-line? This does not work: [%csl Rg5][%cal Rh6g5] } ( 11... Ne4 { Probably the best move! [%csl Rg5][%cal Re4g5] } 12. Qh5+ g6 13. Qxh7 { Offering a trade of Queens, which Black can't really deny [%csl Gh7][%cal Gg5h7] } ( 13. Nxg6 { Sacrificing the Knight! } 13... hxg6 14. Qxg6+ Kd8 15. Nxe4 { We are threatening, to win the Queen through a Bishop pin [%csl Rg5][%cal Rf4g5,Yg5d8] } 15... dxe4 16. Bg5 { Although we are up a Queen, we still need to develop our Rooks. But that isn't too hard and we would be straight up winning [%csl Re7][%cal Rg5e7] } ) 13... Nxg5 ( 13... Qxh7 14. Nxh7 { With this, we are threatening to capture on f8 and then we could retreat our Horsey (or Jumpsey) through winning a pawn (g6). We can also immediately retreat, we still are up an exchange! [%csl Bg6,Rf8,Gg5][%cal Bh8g6,Rh7f8,Gh7g5] } ) 14. Qxg6+ Nf7 { The Black Knight is now pinned, we are pressuring it with our Queen and the corner Knight, Blacks Queen is holding Blacks position together, and so we would have to deflect her from her duties } 15. Bg5 { !! [%csl Re7,Bg5][%cal Gg5e7] } 15... Qxg5 16. Qxf7+ Kd8 { We can simply win the Bishop: [%csl Rd8,Rg5,Rh8] } 17. Qxf8+ { Although we sac' the Queen, we are also ensuring, that we win the Black Queen } 17... Nxf8 ( 17... Kc7 { Although the Rook may be attacking our Queen, while Blacks Queen is looking at our g2 pawn, we still have a massive advantage } 18. Qd6+ { If Black takes our Queen, we fork all the same (18...Kxd6 19.Nf7+ 19...K.anywhere 20.Nxg5) } 18... Kc8 { We have many paths, we can choose [%cal Gd6e6,Gd6g3,Gh8f7] } ) 18. Nf7+ { ForKing (I am truly sorry for this bad pun) [%csl Bg5][%cal Rf7d8,Rf7g5] } 18... Ke7 19. Nxg5 { We are up an exchange! } ) ( 11... Ra7 12. Nxh7 Nxh7 13. Qh5+ { Forking the Knig and Knight [%csl Re8][%cal Rh5h7,Rh5e8] } 13... g6 { The only way to keep the Knight (but it is insufficient) } ( 13... Kd8 14. Qxh7 ) 14. Qxg6+ Kd8 15. Nf7+ { Interposing the Queens defence of the Knight } 15... Kc8 16. Qxh7 { We are up an exchange! } ) ( 11... e5 { Trying to break in the center, we do not have to worry about this } 12. dxe5 Nxe5 { Naturally recapturing, we do not want to give our Bishop away! } 13. Nxh7 Nxh7 14. Qh5+ { Again, we fork, this time, we fork not only the King and the h7-Knight, but also the e5 Knight! [%csl Re5,Rh7,Re8][%cal Rh5e8,Rh5e5,Rh5h7] } 14... g6 { A logical response to defend the h7-Knight. But this loses the e5-Knight: } 15. Qxe5 Bg7 { The engines top choice, we are simply winning here } 16. Qxe7+ Kxe7 17. Nxg6+ { We retreat with a check. But we will probably lose the b2-pawn to the g7-Bishop, as well as the a2 pawn. Blacks only counterchance is, to create a passed pawn, but with some accurate play we should be winnig at best and be Ok at worst! } 17... Kf7 18. Ne5+ { This move saves the Knight while Blocking out Blacks Bishop [%csl Rg7] } 18... Ke6 19. Nd3 { Defending the b2-pawn [%csl Gb2][%cal Gd3b2,Rg7b2] } 19... c4 { "Kicking" our Knight around, we will lose the b2 pawn } 20. Nc1 Bxb2 21. Rb1 { If Black retreats badly, we may capture on b5 [%csl Gb7][%cal Gb1b7] } 21... Bxc1 ( 21... Bc3+ 22. Kf1 { This move defends the g2-pawn, and we can still activate our Rook through h4 (h5, h6) and Rh3 (Rh4, Rh5). White should win this position, because he has 3 Pawns, that can easily storm down the board, in addition, white is up an exchange [%csl Gg2][%cal Gf1g2] } ) 22. Rxc1 Rxa2 { We should be winning here } ) 12. Ng6 { With an tempo on the Queen we are retreating our Knight, before we save the other Knight! [%csl Re7][%cal Rg6e7] } 12... Qd8 { We can choose, if we want to take on e6 or if we want to retreat to f3 [%cal Rg5e6,Gg5f3] } 13. Nf3 { [%csl Ge5][%cal Gg6e5] } ( 13. Nxe6 { "Let's fork the Bishop and the Queen", in any other context but chess, this would be a questionable statement [%cal Re6d8,Re6f8] } 13... Qc8 { We can exchange our Knight for the Bishop, or we could fork again [%csl Rf8,Rc7][%cal Re6f8,Rg6f8,Re6c7] } 14. Nc7+ Kf7 { Do not capture immediately! One check won't hurt us: [%cal Rf7g6,Rc7a8] } 15. Ne5+ Kg8 ( 15... Nxe5 16. dxe5 { We should definetely take the Knight, because we are attacking the other Knight aswell, If the Dark Horse on f6 moves out of the way, we capture on a8 [%cal Re5f6] } 16... Ne8 ( 16... Qxc7 { This does not work: } 17. e6+ { 1-0 [%csl Rc7][%cal Rf4c7] } ) 17. Nxa8 Bxa8 { We are up two exchanges! } ) 16. Nxa8 Bxa8 { We are simply and overwhelmingly winning [%cal Ge1h1] } ) ) 8. Bb5+ Ke7 { ...we still would have an advantage: We are more developed, the threats are still looming and, most notable, our King can castle, whereas Black's King will stay in the center and seek slowly for security [%csl Gg5,Gc3][%cal Gf3g5,Gc2c3] } *