1.d4 d5 2.Bg5
Some sources call this line the Levitsky Attack, while
others insist on the name Hodgson Attack. But in both cases the idea
is the same - to disturb Black's kingside development.
The best reaction according to theory is 2...c6, which
is very logical - since White has weakened his b2 pawn, Black is going
to attack it with 3...Qb6.
It is is also possible to include the moves 2...h6
3.Bh4 and then play 4...c6. In that case Black can be sure that,
isolated from the queenside, White's dark-squared bishop will not be
able to defend the dark squares in his native territory.
2...c5
A standard move for closed openings, which here does
not look very good, since after 3.dxc5 the stereotypic 3...e6 is not
possible and Black can not regain the pawn immediately. But
nevertheless the 2... c5 move is playable.
3.dxc5 Qa5+?
After 3...f6 4.Bh4 e5 5.e4! Black's position is
dangerous.
But 3...Nf6 is possible. After 4.Nf3 e6 5.e3 Bxc5
Black takes his pawn back and has a normal position.
4.Nc3 e6 5.e4!
Of course. White need to break up Black's center using
his development advantage and the [too] early black queen jump to a5.
5...Bxc5
5...dxe4? loses after 6.b4 Qc7 7.Nb5
6.exd5 Qb6 7.Qd2!
A very good move, but the alternative 7.Bb5+!? Bd7
8.Qe2 also gives White an advantage.
7...Bxf2+ 8.Qxf2 Qxb2
9.Qc5?
This is a mistake. After 9.Bb5+
Nd7 (Or 9...Bd7 10.Qc5 Qxa1+ 11.Kd2 f6 12.Qc8+ Ke7 13.d6+ Kxd6
14.Qf8+ Ne7 15.Qxg7) 10.Nge2! Qxa1+ 11.Bc1!
followed by 0-0 and Ba3 White is winning.
9...Nd7 10.Bb5 Qxa1+ 11.Kd2
11...a6?
Black had the very strong move 11...Ngf6 with the
threat of 12...Qxc3+!! White therefore must take on f6 and after
12...gxf6 13.Qe3 White must try very hard to prove he has compensation
for the sacrificed material.
12.Nge2!?
Nice move, but gives no more than a draw.
The alternative 12.dxe6 axb5
(Or 12...fxe6 13.Qb6 axb5 14.Qxe6+ Kf8 15.Qd6+)
13.exd7+ Bxd7 14.Qe5+ Be6 15.Qxb5+ also leads to a draw.
12...Qxh1 13.Ne4!
This moves secures at least a draw.
13...axb5
Black could have also tried
13...h6. After 14.dxe6! (But not
14.Nd6+? Kf8 15.Qc7 g6 and the king escapes to h7)
14...hxg5 15.Nd6+ Kf8! (15...Ke7? loses
after 16.Nf5+ Kd8 17.exd7 Bxd7 18.Qb6+) 16.exd7
Bxd7 and White is forced to give perpetual check.
Also was possible 13...Qxh2
14.Nf4 Ngf6 15.Bxd7+ Bxd7 16.Nd6+ Ke7 (A nice checkmate occurs
after 16...Kf8? 17.Nc8+ Kg8 18.Ne7+ Kf8 19.Neg6+ Kg8 20.Qf8+ Rxf8
21.Ne7#) 17.Nxb7+ Ke8 18.Nd6+ Ke7 with
perpetual check.
14.Nd6+ Kf8 15.Qc7!
The discovered check does not work due to the simple
15...Nxc5.
15...g6
The only defence from 16.Qd8 checkmate.
16.Qd8+ Kg7 17.Ne8+ Kf8 18.Nf4
Nice position. Black is two rooks up but must be
careful as his king is in danger.
18...h6?
This is the losing move. After the correct 18...Qf1
White has no decisive continuation and must give a perpetual check.
19.dxe6?
A reciprocal courtesy. Immediately after the game
Varuzhan and I found a fantastic win: 19.Be7!! Nxe7 20.Nxe6!! fxe6
21.Nd6+ with a mate in two! Of particular note is the fact that this
combination is the only winning continuation.
19...hxg5 20.e7+ Nxe7 21.Ne6+ fxe6 22.Nd6+ Kg7
23.Qxe7+ Kh6 24.Nf7+ Kg7 1/2-1/2
In
1993-1999 I was the coach of young Varuzhan Akobian. During our training
sessions we often played training games with different time control, mostly
15 and 30 minutes each.
