FIRST STEPS (September/October 1997)

Sometimes I play different openings simply to break the monotony of my normal repertoire. Having 66 completed and ongoing games on the black side of B40-49 in the Sicilian Defense occasionally makes me venture a French, Spanish or Petroff depending on who my opponent is and the tournament situation. However, even all my secondary defenses are main lines and heavily analyzed. So every once in a while I throw caution to the wind and play an opening that is truly offbeat.

When I began playing correspondence chess in 1991 I almost always played the Queen's Gambit Declined against 1.d4. Although I scored well with it, I became impatient with black's passive defense and frustrated by the extensive analysis on this opening, sometimes reaching into the endgame. Now I love to play the Nimzo Indian and Queen's Indian complex against 1.d4 but before I discovered these openings I found another opening which intrigued me. I think it will intrigue you too!

J.Helmbrecht v. W.Jones 93RS1 (A56)
1.d4 c5 2.d5 Nf6 3.c4 Ne4!

When I played 1..c5 I expected the game to transpose into a Benoni after 2.d5 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 ed 5.cd d6 or an unusual variation involving 2.dc. However, I did not feel very comfortable with the cramped positions that black gets in a Benoni and especially did not like the backward d-pawn so I looked for another third move for Black. I almost fell off my chair when I found 3..Ne4! recommended by the German IM Stefan Bucker in The Vulture, an excellent book that should be studied regardless of whether you decide to play the Vulture. Not only is the opening's name a little bizarre (although we do have another couple of strange chess animals called the Dragon and the Hedgehog, not to mention the Orangutan, RPM ), but 3..Ne4! seems ludicrous. What is the objective of this move and how can Black get away with it? I decided to answer these questions by playing this opening against John.

The first point that struck me about Bucker's original analysis is what he calls the "optical illusion" created by the pawn wedge d5-c4: white believes that his position is sound and that his central space advantage is the key feature of the position. Bucker counters that the main objectives of 3..Ne4!, which are exploiting the a5-e1 diagonal and preventing the natural development of the WQN to c3, "prove" that the advance of White's d and c pawns actually weakens White's position! This is an incredibly bold statement against what many consider to be White's best first move. Bucker also identifies the fianchetto of the BKB as a secondary objective to exploit the "weakened" a1-h8 diagonal assuming white allows it. Coupled with the long-term threats of b5 or f5 pawn breaks, this opening seems to be an attacker's dream!

Before going into the game itself, I should note that 3.c4 is not forced although it is by far White's most popular move. White could play 3.Nf3, against which Bucker recommends 3..c4!? known as the "Hawk", and 3.Nc3, against which Bucker recommends 3..Qa5!? known as the "Woozle". I suggest that everyone study the Vulture-Hawk-Woozle complex as all variations are quite original and interesting.

4.Qc2! Qa5+! 5.Nd2 Nd6!

John plays 4.Qc2! which Bucker believes to be White's best continuation. Other possible continuations given by Bucker are (in increasing order of importance): 4.Qa4, 4.e3, 4. Nf3, 4. Nd2, 4.f3 and 4.Qd3. While Bucker clearly prefers 4.Qc2!, he recommends close study of the nuances between 4.Qc2! and 4.Qd3.

Black continues to dictate the course of the game with 4..Qa5+!. White has three choices but only 5.Nd2 is the most challenging for Black. 5.Bd2?! is clearly inferior as it gives up the bishop pair without a fight: 5..Nd2 and (a) 6.Qd2 Qd2+ 7.Kd2 (worse is 7.Nd2 g6! followed by 8..Bg7 when Black has the bishop pair and owns the long diagonal while the WKB is hemmed in by the central pawns) g6 8.Nc3 is equal because the WK and WQN challenge the BKB's control of c3 and the long diagonal but Black has the better long term prospects due to the bishop pair and the bad WKB or (b) 6.Nd2 g6! (Buckner also gives 6..d6!? 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.Qb3 Nd7 9.e4 Bf3! as slightly better for Black) 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.e4 e5! after which Black is slightly better in my opinion after either of 9.de (e.p.) de or 9.Be2/d3 d6 when Black can play for the b5 or f5 pawn breaks. 5.Nc3 is also good for black according to Buckner after 5..Nc3 6.Bd2 e5! 7.Bc3 Qc7 with a favorable version of a Benoni without the WQN. An interesting alternative to line (b) is 7.de (e.p.) de 8.Bc3 Qc7 when play can transpose back into the line or continue independently.

Since both 5.Bd2?! and 5.Nc3 lead to equality according to Buckner, White is left with 5.Nd2. This move appears to neutralize Black's early initiative and leave white with a clear spatial advantage after an exchange of knights on d2. However, the "ugly" retreat 5..Nd6!, the move that really convinced me to play this opening, ensures a double-edged game with chances for both sides. The centralization of the BKN and the pin by the BQ compares very favorably in my opinion to the relative passivity of the WQ and the WQN. So much for the Queen's Gambit Declined!

6.e4 g6! 7.Ngf3 Bg7 8.Be2 0-0 9.0-0 f5!

After 5..Nd6! White has a choice between 6.b3 and 6.e4. While the strong center created by 6.e4 appears very imposing at first glance, it proves to be a clear target that black can play against as shown by my game. Buckner believes 6.b3 to be better because white gains control of the long diagonal before expanding in the center. The downside to 6.b3 is that black can play to isolate the d5 pawn with 6..f5! (the move, which as Tim Harding suggests, probably gives the name to this opening - notice the wings of the Vulture on c5 and f5). Buckner gives the following variation: 6.b3 f5! 7.Bb2 e6! 8.f3 Qd8! (Buckner does not give as many exclams as I do but I find black's moves to be very accurate and beautiful and deserving of exclams) 9.e4 fe 10.fe Qh4+ 11.g3 Qh6 freeing the BKB from defending the potential weakness on g7 and reaching equality according to Buckner. It is worth quoting Buckner's own thoughts regarding this position: "In many modern openings the defender puts up with an opposing space advantage, provided that his pieces can operate smoothly within limited territory. If you study [this] key position ..., you soon realize that Black in no way has to assume a passive role. He plans to seal off the long diagonal with Nf7 [and] e5, and this could be followed by a piece attack against the white king position weakened by g3." (Emphasis in the original.) Although 6.b3 in my opinion leads to a slight edge for white (disagreeing with Buckner's claim of a slight edge for black), black gets an early initiative and tremendous potential for counterplay if white does not play accurately. What else can you expect from an opening as Black?

John chose to expand in the center immediately with 6.e4 but this allows Black to gain control of the a1-h8 diagonal with 6..g6! 7.Ngf3 Bg7. Buckner claims that 7.Ngf3 is best as white's other choices for his 7th move are harmless. White has an interesting choice between 8.Bd3 after which Buckner recommends playing for a b5 pawn break with 8..Na6 9.a3 (to stop 9..Nb4) b5! and 8.Be2 after which Buckner recommends playing for an f5 pawn break with 8..0-0 9.0-0 f5!. Notice that in either case the pawn breaks are intended to remove a defender of white's d-pawn in order to isolate it. Buckner claims equality for Black in the 8.Be2 line after 9..f5!, a claim that seems difficult to dispute.

10.Bd3?! Na6 11.ef? Nb4 12.Qb1 Nd3 13.Qd3 Nf5

The game takes an original turn with 10.Bd3?! but I think this move mixes the Be2 and Bd3 variations and is therefore inaccurate. After 9..f5! Bucker suggests 10.Nb3, 10.ef and 10.a3. Moving the WKB for a second time in three moves gives black a clear edge. I expected 11.a3 or 11.e5!? but not 11.ef? which allows the exchange of the WKB, whose scope is potentially dangerous after black's f-pawn is exchanged, and the posting of the BKN to f5. I think the resulting position is slightly better for Black in view of his control of the a1-h8 diagonal and the semi-open f-file, his more active pieces and the bishop pair.

14.Ne4 Qc7 15.Nc3?! a6 16.a4 b6 17.Re1 Bb7

Both sides regroup and develop in moves 14 to 17. The repositioning of the WQN beginning with 14.Ne4 seems logical (I think white's only other worthwhile move is 14.Re1) and threatens a temporary pawn sacrifice on d6 after 14..Qc7. However, I did not expect 15.Nc3?! Which has the benefit of "challenging" the BKB's control of the a1-h8 diagonal but has the greater drawback of limiting the WQN's scope to e4 and b5. I think 15.Ng3 may be more accurate with a possible line being 15..Ng3 (15..Nd6 16.Re1) 16.fg! d6 17.Qe2 Bf5 18.Ng5 (18.Nh4!? seems to allow a draw by force after 18..Bg4!? 19.Qg4 Bd4+ 20.Be3! (forced) Be3+ 21.Kh1 Bd4 (also seems forced) 22.Ng6! hg 23.Qg6+ Bg7 24.Qe6+ Kh8 25.Qh3+ with a draw by repetition of moves) Qd7 19.Bf4 Bg4 20.Qd2 h6 21.Nf3 (21.Ne4 allows an eventual gain of tempo with Bf5) g5 22.Be3 e5 although I think Black is also better in this line.

15..a6 is clearly intended to stop any harassment of the BQ by Nb5 but also prepares a b5 break. John overprotects b5 with 16.a4 but I think both 16.Re1 or 16.Bg5 may be better to complete White's development and generate some activity for his pieces. 16.a4 also "forces" Black to prevent a5 with 16..b6 which seems better for black as it solves the problem of how to develop the BQB. After 17.Re1 Black can fianchetto the BQB without fearing 18.g4? and the loss of the e-pawn in view of 18..Nd4 19.Nd4 Bd4 20.Nd1 (better than either 20.Ne4 or 20.Be3?) e6! When Black succeeds in opening the position for his bishops and g4 has seriously weakened White's kingside.

18.Bg5 Rae8 19.Rad1 e5? 20.Ne4 Nd4 21.Nd4 ed

18.Bg5 attacks the only apparent weakness in Black's position and allows both sides to complete development by centralizing the queen rooks. I feel that 19..e5?! is incorrect and allows White to equalize. Better is 19..Rf7 which threatens to displace the WQB with 20..h6 followed by Ref8 and Nd4 attacking f2 indirectly. I thought White's best was 20.de (e.p.) de when white can try to play against Black's isolated e-pawn but John surprised me again with 20.Ne4. Since this move allows Black to establish an unshakeable grip on d4 I decided to force the exchange of knights to create the long-term strategic advantage of a protected passed pawn. While the position appears equal, I think Black has a solid plus due to the protected passer and his firm control over the central dark squares while White is unable to exploit the white square weaknesses in Black's camp.

22.Bh4 Be5 23.Bg3 d6! 24.Be5 Re5 25.Qg3 Qe7 26.f3 Re8 27.Qf4 Bc8 28.g4 Bf5! 29.gf gf 30.Rd2! Kh8! 31.Rde2? fe 32.Re4 Rg8+! 33.Kf2 Qg7 34.Qg3 Qh6 35.Qf4 Reg5! 36.Ke2 Rf8!

The game assumes a very tactical character starting 22.Bh4 which leads to the exchange of dark squared bishops, normally a favorable exchange for white to lessen Black's control over the dark squares. However, the exchange of bishops allows Black to gain another strong positional advantage in the form of the battery of rooks and queen on the open e-file. 23..d6! Is a very good move which will support a rook on e5 and perhaps more importantly allows the repositioning of the BQB to the c8-h3 diagonal.

Instead of 23.Bg3 I thought 23.Rf1 was better as it threatens f4 and therefore forces Black to exchange on g3, the retreat of the bishop being clearly worse. After 23..Bg3 24.fg! White has at least removed the potential a potential target from f2 and is able to challenge Black's control of the open files. However, I still think Black is better in this line after 24..Qe7. Beginner level players should note that the capture 24..Re5 is mandatory as 24..de? would create a weak pawn on e5 for White to attack and give White a strong long-term positional threat in the form of the passed d5 pawn. I am not sure I see the point behind 25.Qg3; it seems that 25.Rd2 is better to protect f2 and double rooks on the d-file. Notice that White is at a loss for good moves. After 27..Bc8 Black has significantly improved his position while White is relegated to a passive defensive role. I think White is strategically lost.

Although 28.g4 allows a neat tactical shot, it is not clear what else white can do to hold on. For example, a normal move such as 28.Rd2 to double on the e-file actually loses immediately to 28..Bf5 29.Rde2 d3! winning at least a pawn in all variations. The temporary piece sacrifice 28..Bf5! works because the WN is pinned after the exchange on f5. Although the BQB would be a better piece in the endgame tant the WN, its exchange is beneficial for two reasons: it removes the WN as a blockader on e4, which actually increases the long term danger to White of the protected passed pawn on d4, and opens the g-file for operations against the WK.

Although 30.Rd2! was a very good move, I think White should have followed with 31.Rg2 rather than 31.Rde2 which allows Black a check with gain of tempo that begins the repositioning of its major pieces for the final attack. 30..Kh8! delays the capture on e4 in preparation for the attack on the WK. Notice that 32.fe does not work due to 32..Rg5+! 33.Rg2 Rg2+ 34.Kg2 Rf8! with a winning advantage.

Black continues to seize he initiative with 32..Rg8+ and 33..Qg7 threatening mate in one. The maneuver Rg8+/Qg7/Qh6/Reg5!/Rf8 allows Black's major pieces to increase the pressure on white's position and eventually to dominate the kingside of the board. 36..Rg2+ also wins but it simplifies the position with the exchange of queens and allows White some opportunity for counterplay. 36..Rf8! is clearly a better move as it jettisons the WQ away from its strong position on f4. 37.Qh4 loses to 37..Rh5 and 38..Rh2+.

37.Qc1 Qh2+ 38.Kd1 Qh5 39.Kc2 Re5?! 40.Rh1 Qf3 41.Re5 de 42.Qh6 Qe4+ 43.Kb3 Qd3+ 44.Ka2 Qc4+ 45.Kb1 Rf1+ 46.Rf1 Qf1+ 47.Ka2 Qf7 48.Qb6 Qd5+ 49.Ka3 d3 50.Qa6 d2 51.Qc8+ Kg7 52.Qg4+ Kf7 53.Qh4+ Kf5?! 54.Qh7+ Kf6 55.Qh4+ Ke6 56.Qg4+ Kd6 57.Qd1 Qd3+ 58.Ka2 Qc4+ 59.Kb1 Qe4+ 60.Ka2 Qe1 61.Qg4 d1(Q) 0-1

The rest of the game is interesting but is mainly a technical exercise for Black to convert the full point. I believe I played inaccurately with 39..Re5?! because it allows 40.Re5 de 41.Kb1 Rf3 when Black has to keep a watchful eye on counterplay generated with d6 (better is 39..Rf3) and 53..Kf5?! (better is 53..Ke6 to escape the perpetual checks as I played on my 55th move). The nice touch is that the protected passed pawn created on my 21st move technically wins the game!

I must admit that I have not tried the Vulture again in correspondence play and have only used it for blitz OTB games. This is greatly due to the uneasy feeling I had throughout the opening and the middlegame that White had better moves at a number of points. I need to study this game and the Vulture more deeply before I try it again. Nevertheless, this game was very interesting and challenging so I recommend that every once in a while you also throw caution to the wind with a novel opening!