billwall's Blog

Off the Wall Chess - Blackmar Diemer Gambit

Submitted by billwall on Wed Aug 29, 2007 1:55pm.

The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (BDG) (1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 or 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 or 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3) is a fun gambit for d4 players.  It is an offshoot of the Blackmar Gambit, 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.f3.  The BDG was extensively an... Read more »

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Off the Wall Chess - Trampling the Trompowsky

Submitted by billwall on Sat Aug 25, 2007 2:41pm.

The Trompowsky Attack is 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 or 1.d4 d5 2.Bg5.  It was named after Octavio Siqueiro F. Trompowsky (1897-1984) of Brazil.  In 1939, he won the 9th Brazilian Championship and played Board 1 for Brazil in the 1939 Chess Olympiad ... Read more »

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Off the Wall Chess - The Baker is Cooked

Submitted by billwall on Tue Aug 21, 2007 4:09pm.

The Queen Pawn opening is usually a safe opening that is not as tactical as other openings, and can lead to cramped positions for both sides.  But when lines are open and there is a chance to expose the enemy king, it may be a good time to sa... Read more »

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Off the Wall Chess - French Fries Again

Submitted by billwall on Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:35pm.

The French defense is good if you like to be patient and don't mind a cramped game for awhile.  It also avoids a lot more to study such as the Sicilian or any 1...e5 response.  But if Black fails to protect or weaken his kingside, th... Read more »

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Off the Wall Chess - U.S. Open Endgame

Submitted by billwall on Sun Aug 12, 2007 11:57am.

Thirty years ago this month I was playing in the U.S. Open in Columbus, Ohio.  I had a cold, wasn't playing well, then had a tough, long endgame to play about half way through.  After the game, Bill Lombardy looked over the game and ... Read more »

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Off the Wall Chess - Almost Burned on the Byrne Variation

Submitted by billwall on Sat Aug 11, 2007 3:39pm.

I played a wild Sicilian, Najdorf, Byrne variation (6.Be3) against phobetor (Elo rating -2143) here at www.chess.com.  The game could have gone either way.  I had to hold off a tremendous kingside attack, in which he threw at me all his ... Read more »

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Off the Wall Chess - Fiacco's Fiasco

Submitted by billwall on Thu Aug 9, 2007 8:07pm.

In July, 1975, I played in my second World Open (I played in the first World Open in 1973), again held at the McAlpin Hotel in New York City (once the largest hotel in New York).  William Goichberg, again was the director.  The even... Read more »

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Off the Wall Chess - Trapped Queen Leads to Trapped King

Submitted by billwall on Wed Aug 8, 2007 7:07pm.

I enjoy playing the King's Gambit in casual games because of all the tactical possibilities.  Sometimes it can backfire on you, but most of the time I get away with a few sacs and eventually press for the win.  In this game, I sacrif... Read more »

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Off the Wall Chess - Queen's Gambit Accepted

Submitted by billwall on Sun Aug 5, 2007 7:08pm.

The Queen's Gambit Accepted really isn't a gambit.  You can always get the pawn back with 3.Qa4+ and 4.Qxc4.  But if you delay taking the c-pawn, some players try to defend and hold onto that pawn.  That's usually not a ... Read more »

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Off the Wall Chess - Premature Resignation

Submitted by billwall on Sat Aug 4, 2007 11:08pm.

I got lucky in this game and scared my opponent into resigning.  It looked like mate, but he missed the saving move.  Always look at every possibility and every defense.  Don't resign too soon unless you are sure there is no hop... Read more »

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