Openings / French Advance
Though Melekhina (right) did get a strong position out of the opening with 9. Nbd2 against IM Zatonskih (left) at the 2014 U.S. Women’s Championship, she ultimately lost the game. My best hope for a drawing chance is to go into
the pawn-down endgame with 29. Re2 Rxe2 30. Qxe2 Qxf3 31. Qxf3 Bxf3 32. Rd7.
means a clear-cut refutation.
45. ... a5 46. Kf2 Be4 47. Ke3 a4 48. Kf4 g5+ 49. Ke5 Kg6 50. Be7 Bc2 51. h3 Bb3 52. Kd4 Be6 53. h4 Kh5 54. Ke3 Kg4 55. hxg5 hxg5 56. Bd6 Bd7 57. Kf2 f4 58. gxf4 gxf4 59. Ba3 Bc6 60. Bd6 Kf5 61. Ke2 Ke4 62. Bf8 f3+ 63. Kd2 Bb5 64. Ke1 Kd3 65. Bc5 Kc2 66. Kf2 Bc6 67. Ke3 Kb3 68. Kd2 a3 69. Bd4 a2 70. Bf6 Bd7 71. Be5 Bg4 72. Ke1 Kc2, White resigned.
21. ... Bc6 22. Rd4 Qe7 23. Bd2 Threatening Bb4. The bishop has served its
purpose on e3. 23. ... Ba8 24. Rf4?
Getting carried away with the rook lifts. 24.
Bb4 Qb7 25. f3 Rfe8 26. Rd3 and my position is fine.
24. ... Rc2 I thought Black would need to defend the f-
pawn, and missed this move. Remem ber, this opening is not about the material count for either side!
25. Qe3
25. Qd3 Qc7 instead of capturing on a2, Black threatens ... Rd8 and I have to move my queen anyway.
25. ... Rd8 26. Bb4 Qe6 27. Rd4 Re8 28. f3 Qc6 29. Rf1
44 October 2015 | Chess Life
29. ... Rxa2 30. Rd6 Qc8 31. Rfd1 h6 Of course not 31. ... Qc2? 32. R6d2.
32. Qf4 Qc2 33. R6d2 Qxb3 34. Rd8 Bc6 The game soured very quickly.
35. e6 Qxe6 36. Rxe8+ Qxe8 37. Re1 Qd7 38. Bc3 Qd5 39. Qb8+ Kh7 40. Qf8 Qc5+ 41. Qxc5 bxc5 42. Re5 Rc2 43. Rxc5 Bxf3 44. Bd4 Rxc5 45. Bxc5
I managed to get an opposite-colored bishop
ending at the end of the time-trouble complications, but it is still losing. The main point of this game was that the opening choice was vindicated. My down fall was 24. Rf4. The gambit was as successful as it could be against a player of Zatonskih’s strength. 9. ... Bc5 is one of Black’s best tries, but it is by no
9. Nbd2 is an unexplored gambit line rich with
tactical possibilities. This primer should be sufficient for you to adopt it not merely as an effective surprise weapon, but as a simple and direct line consistent with your opening repertoire. I wish you much success (and fun!) as you make this line your own.
See more from FM Melekhina on the 9. Nbd2 gambit line of the French Advance here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGs7bmXSrSE.
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CHESS CLUB AND SCHOLASTIC CENTER OF SAINT LOUIS
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