[Event "The Mighty London System!: Utilizing a pin!"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/HM0m7zRB/ktMBREqz"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/george_mcgeorge"]
[ECO "D00"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System"]
[UTCDate "2021.12.18"]
[UTCTime "12:08:58"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. d4 { We will just start out as usual, playing 1.d4 } 1... d5 { Black responds with d5, an often faced reply } 2. Bf4 { And here we go: It's London-time!
As usual we have a firm grip on the e5-square [%csl Ge5][%cal Gf4e5,Gd4e5] } 2... Nf6 { A good developing move, which further controls the e4-square [%csl Re4][%cal Rf6e4,Rd5e4] } 3. e3 { Our natural e3, defending d4 from any immediate threat and gluing our Bishop together with our pawn structure [%csl Bd4,Bf4][%cal Be3d4,Be3f4] } ( 3. Nf3 { This Knight move is another option and is more flexible than the pawn move naturally } ) 3... e6 { This move prepares Bd6, looking for the trade of Bishops } 4. Nf3 { This time we are not playing Bd3, because we have a long term trick in mind } ( 4. Bd3 { Of course, this move is great: It developes a piece, gains a little control over the e4-square and this Bishop is a great piece in the London System generally } ) 4... c5 { This move tries to pressurize our center, but we can defend it with c3 or ignore it with Nbd2 [%csl Rd4][%cal Rc5d4] } ( 4... Be7 { A good, although "passive" developing move, that allows us to play c4 } 5. c4 { Although we have a equal position here, it is a nice position for white } 5... O-O 6. Nc3 { We shouldn't take on d5, rather, we should let our Opponent take on c4, for 2 main reasons:
-- Our Bishop can recapture and is already developed then
-- Black will have no good center anymore, if d5 is missing } 6... Nbd7 ( 6... dxc4 7. Bxc4 { We are better now, our Bishop was able to develop in one swift move and Black now only controls the e4-square with his Knight [%csl Gc4][%cal Gf1c4] } ) 7. c5 { This may be a good option and worth investigating, but we should focus a little more on the main variation üòä } ) 5. c3 { We are defending the d4-pawn [%csl Bd4][%cal Bc3d4,Be3d4] } ( 5. Nbd2 { This is a good option, because we have the d4-pawn sufficiently defended and now want to develop } 5... Be7 ( 5... Qb6 6. Rb1 { We aren't planning to castle long, so this Rook move is a better option than to reposition the Queen or playing the move 6.b3, because we would create weaknesses } 6... Nc6 { We now should defend our pawn, because it is under attack 3 times, but we haven't defended it 3 times yet [%csl Rd4,Rb6,Rc5,Rc6,Be3,Bf3][%cal Rc5d4,Rb6d4,Rc6d4,Be3d4,Bf3d4] } 7. c3 { [%csl Bd4,Bc3,Be3,Rc5,Rb6,Rc6,Bf3][%cal Bc3d4,Be3d4,Bf3d4] } 7... cxd4 8. exd4 ) ) 5... Nc6 { This move pressurize d4, but we defended it in a advance with c3 (and of course, our Horsey on f3 ‚ôò) } ( 5... Bd6 { This is another option, but it leads to a main line Lnondon: } 6. Bb5+ { Checking the Black King, if he is alright } 6... Nc6 7. Bxc6+ { Normally, we should not give away the Bishop pair, but we not only damage our Opponents pawn structure, no, we also don't give him the Bishop pair: } 7... bxc6 8. Bxd6 Qxd6 { We now hav two Knights, while our Opponent has one Knight and only half of a Bishop pair [%csl Rc8,Gb1,Bf6,Bf3] } 9. Qa4 { This moves, pressurizes the pawn, and so, the Queen of Black's can't really move away. Also, if the King stays a little longer in the center, our Knight will further pressurize this pawn (but Black can use his Bishop) [%csl Ye8,Ge5,Rc6][%cal Ya4e8,Gf3e5,Ge5c6,Rd6c6] } 9... O-O 10. O-O cxd4 11. cxd4 c5 12. Rc1 ( 12. Qa3 { This move reminds of the Fischer-Spassky game, doesn't it [%csl Yd6][%cal Ya3d6] } ) 12... cxd4 13. Qxd4 { This is a nice position, but it is basically equal. Although this does not mean, that it is a draw or equal for humans... [%csl Gc3][%cal Gb1c3] } ) 6. Nbd2 { This is a good developing move } 6... Bd6 { Aiming for the exchachange of Bishops, but we will slide our one Back } ( 6... h6 { This move aims for a quick g5, and then wants to gat our Bishop with Nh5: } 7. Bg3 { This move avoids g5, but our Bishop "isn't safe", because Nh5 and g5 are still possible } ) 7. Bg3 { As usual, this move is good in avoiding the trade of Bishops [%csl Gg3] } ( 7. Bxd6 Qxd6 8. Be2 { Although this is by no means a bad or even worse position for White, it is a little to "passive" } ) 7... O-O { Castling is a natural move } ( 7... Be7 8. Bd3 { This is a nice position for White, but Black is perfectly fine too } 8... Nh5 { We are better developed than our Opponent, so we can allow this trade [%csl Rg3][%cal Rh5g3] } 9. dxc5 ( 9. Qe2 Qb6 10. Rb1 ) 9... Bxc5 10. Qe2 { Black has a variety of Options, but we don't have to worry about this in the slightest [%cal Re8h8,Rh5g3,Rg7g6,Rc8d7,Rc5e7] } ) 8. Bd3 { This is one of our most natural moves, and it is also one of the best. Our little trick is now set up, if Black just plays Qe7. If Black does not play Qe7, our trick does not work } 8... Qe7 { Black wants to play e5, and storm to our King.
This walks into our trick. But: Our trick is no trap, it is sadly a little more gentle, in that it does not give Black a losing position, but a drawn one, and that's another speciality of the London [%csl Re7,Re5][%cal Re6e5,Rd6e5,Rc6e5] } ( 8... b6 { In this case, Black hasn't played Qe7, and our trick does not work... But now we get to play an exciting game of Chess! And we can already start with a Break in the center with e4 } 9. e4 { Of course, Black can not allow e5 to come with a fork [%csl Re5][%cal Re4e5,Re5d6,Re5f6] } 9... Be7 10. e5 Nh5 { This looks like a fun position: We can attack Blacks castled King (especially if the Knight takes our Bishop), but we are also super solid (that's one of the London's benefits) } ) 9. Ne5 { That's the move! Our Knight is good in the center [%csl Ge5][%cal Gf3e5] } 9... Nd7 { This aims for a trade of Knights: Naturally Black does not like the influence of our Knight and wants to get rid of it [%csl Rd7] } ( 9... cxd4 10. exd4 { This is a better structure than if we take back with the c-pawn, because the e4-square can be controlled now by playing Qe2 [%csl Ge2,Ge4][%cal Gd1e2,Rd5e4,Rf6e4,Gd3e4,Gd3c2,Gd2e4] } 10... g6 ( 10... Ne8 { Freeing up the f6-square to kick our Knight } 11. Qe2 f6 { [%csl Re5][%cal Rf6e5] } 12. Nxc6 bxc6 { We can castle, where ever we like [%cal Ge1h1,Ge1a1] } ) 11. Ndf3 { This is a nice turn of events for us, but we coul not play our trick, so we are in some sense suffering from success } ) ( 9... Bxe5 10. dxe5 { Our pawn is like a good hook, in the middle of the board: It is gaining space } 10... Nd7 { [%cal Rd7e5,Rc6e5,Bg3e5] } 11. Nf3 { We can sufficiently defend it too [%cal Bf3e5,Bg3e5,Rd7e5,Rc6e5] } 11... f6 { "Never play f6!" [%cal Rf6e5] } 12. exf6 Nxf6 13. Ne5 Bd7 { This position is slightly better for us, we can gain the Bishop pair or we can castle [%csl Gd7,Gh1][%cal Ge5d7,Ge1h1] } ) 10. Nxd7 { We take the opposing Knight, because this is all part of our plan } ( 10. Ndf3 { Of course, we can defend our Knight } ) 10... Qxd7 { This our main move, Bd7 was the alternative option, that is worse for Black } ( 10... Bxd7 { This is not a playable move!! } 11. Bxd6 { We play like we were in the main variation } 11... Qxd6 12. dxc5 Qxc5 { This loses, as we play our normal-variation moves: } ( 12... Qc7 { This is Blacks best option: Being down a pawn } 13. O-O Ne5 14. Bc2 { But Black has compensation } 14... Bb5 { [%csl Rf1][%cal Rb5f1] } ( 14... Qxc5 ) 15. Re1 { Black has compensation, but we have a pawn! } 15... Nd3 { This forces the esxchange of Bishop for Knight [%csl Re1,Rb2][%cal Rd3e1,Rd3b2] } 16. Bxd3 Bxd3 17. b4 b6 18. Nb3 Bc4 19. cxb6 axb6 { If white plays accordingly, he will eventually create a Queenside past pawn, and be better [%csl Ga4][%cal Ga2a4] } ) 13. Bxh7+ { London Calling! } 13... Kxh7 14. Qh5+ { Checking, if everything is alright } 14... Kg8 15. Ne4 { And in this variation, we are winning, because of the Bishop on d7: [%csl Yc5,Re4][%cal Yh5c5,Rd5e4] } 15... g6 { The normal move avoiding mate } ( 15... Qe7 16. Ng5 { [%csl Gh7][%cal Gh5h7] } 16... Qxg5 17. Qxg5 { We are clearly better, but Black has two pieces for a Queen } ) 16. Nxc5 { [%csl Rd7][%cal Rc5d7] } 16... gxh5 17. Nxd7 { We are up a pawn, but more importantly, we have the better pawn structure and Black need 4 moves to trap our Knight, but we have 3 moves, to escape and preserve our Horsey ‚ôò } ) 11. Bxd6 { Trading the Bishop } ( 11. Nf3 b6 { We still can play a normal game of chess, if we don't want to utilize the pin. And we have a lot of options too! [%csl Ge2,Gc2,Gh1,Ga3][%cal Gd1e2,Gd1c2,Ge1h1,Ga2a3] } ) 11... Qxd6 { And now, we lure the Queen one square away } 12. dxc5 { Luring the Queen even more away } ( 12. f4 { This would be a stonewall-esque position, but Black can play: } 12... cxd4 13. cxd4 { And normally, we would take with the e-pawn back, so this is a unfavorable variation of the "London-Tower" } ) 12... Qxc5 { Look at the path, the Queen took! But now, we are in for The Clash: [%cal Rd8e7,Re7d7,Rd7d6,Rd6c5] } 13. Bxh7+ { London Calling! [%csl Gh7][%cal Gd3h7,Rh7g8] } 13... Kxh7 { This is practically forced } ( 13... Kh8 { This, well, this... This loses: } 14. Qh5 { If Black doesn't move his Rook, he will get checkmated } 14... Rd8 { This survives... but at what cost? } 15. Bg6+ { This is winning a pawn } ( 15. O-O-O Rd7 16. Nf3 ) 15... Kg8 16. Bxf7+ { Now we are up 2 pawns } 16... Kf8 { This is forced } 17. Nf3 { Now we bring more attackers: Go, Horsey! ‚ôò‚ôò‚ôò } 17... Ke7 18. O-O { We are clearly better, look at the Kings: Blacks King is stranded in the middle of the board! } ) 14. Qh5+ { Just Checking +, if everything is alright } 14... Kg8 { This is forced } 15. Ne4 { And now we bring a Backup attacker to the party, while we utilize the pin! [%csl Yc5,Re4,Bg5][%cal Rd5e4,Yh5c5,Be4g5,Re4c5] } 15... g6 { This move avoids the loss of the Queen and the loss of the Game } ( 15... dxe4 { ?? } 16. Qxc5 { White is of course winning, but Black still has 2 pieces for the Queen } ) ( 15... Qe7 { This loses tragically: } 16. Ng5 { We are now threatining checkmate, and the only way to stop this threat is, to sacrifice the Queen for the Knight: [%csl Gh7][%cal Gg5h7,Gh5h7] } 16... Qxg5 ( 16... Qf6 { ??, as an example } 17. Qh7# { Checkmate! } ) 17. Qxg5 { Although Black still has 2 pieces for the Queen, we are winning (We still are up a Queen, after all!), 1-0 } ) 16. Qg5 { The only move, that preserves Knight, once again because of the pin [%csl Yc5,Re4][%cal Yg5c5,Rd5e4] } ( 16. Nxc5 { ?? } 16... gxh5 { And Black is up a piece for a pawn, 0-1 } ) 16... Qe7 { This move aims for a Queen trade, but we have a perpetual draw: [%csl Be7,Rg5,Gf6][%cal Bc6e7,Rf6e7,Rf6g5,Ge4f6] } ( 16... Qa5 { We now have to move our Knight [%csl Ba5,Re4][%cal Bc6a5,Rd5e4] } 17. Nf6+ Kg7 ( 17... Kh8 { This loses immediately: } 18. Qh6# { Checkmate! } ) 18. Nh5+ Kh7 { Sadly, we only have a draw here... But we have a draw } ( 18... Kh8 { This loses immediately: } 19. Qh6+ { Check! } 19... Kg8 20. Nf6# { Checkmate! } ( 20. Qg7# { The other checkmate! } ) ) ) 17. Nf6+ { And so we can draw the game: } 17... Kg7 { Forced, if Black doesn't want to lose } ( 17... Kh8 { This loses immediately: } 18. Qh6# { Checkmate! } ) 18. Nh5+ { Checking, for a mistake by Black } 18... Kh7 { Once again, forced, if Black doesn't want to lose the game } ( 18... Kh8 { This loses immediately: } 19. Qh6+ { Check! } 19... Kg8 20. Qg7# { Checkmate! } ) 19. Nf6+ { Check! } 19... Kg7 { This is a perpetual check, ending in a threefold repition } ( 19... Qxf6 { This loses, although Black has still 2 pieces for the Queen } 20. Qxf6 { 1-0 } ) 20. Nh5+ { This Game is... } 20... Kg8 { ...Drawn, 1‚ÅÑ2-1‚ÅÑ2 } *