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| Chess Game Menu | Bird's Opening | Pratt's Home Page |
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Bird's Opening is thought to be one of the worst, but when I saw a brilliant game using it, it seemed like worth trying. It anticipates Black castling king side and mounts an all out attack on it. Unfortunately in this game Black sees the plan and castles queen side, which ruins the elegance of Bird's Opening. But then fortunately for White, Black thinks more of saving his queen than his king!
| 1. f2-f4, Ng8-f6. | Now that will surprise your opponent! | |
| 2. Ng1-f3, Nb8-c6. | ||
| 3. e2-e3, d7-d6. | ||
| 4. b2-b3, e7-e5. | ||
| 5. f4xe5, d6xe5. | ||
| 6. Bc1-b2, Bc8-g4. | The classic Bird's Opening will also have White's king bishop on d3 or c4. | |
| 7. h2-h3, Bg4xf3. | White encourages Black to take his knight. | |
| 8. Qd1xf3, Nc6-b4. | Black threatens the vicious forking check. | |
| 9. Nb1-a3, e5-e4. | Black's pawn is under attack, and it can immobilize a queen! | |
| 10. Qf3-f2, Qd8-d6. | White is cautious and Black prepares to attack. | |
| 11. Bf1-c4, 0-0-0. | White's bishops both now point at a non-existent king side castle! | |
| 12. 0-0-0, Nb4xa2. | White loses one precious castle pawn while protecting another. | |
| 13. Kc1-b1, Na2-b4. | ||
| 14. Rh1-f1, Nb4-d5. | At least White has all his pieces fully developed now. | |
| 15. Bc4xd5, Nf6xd5. | White trades his hampered bishop to win a pawn. | |
| 16. Qf2xf7, Nd5-f6. | ||
| 17. Na3-b5! Qd6-a6?? | Black doesn't see the mate as he saves his queen and pawn. | |
| 18. Qf7xc7 mate. |