Nimzowitsch Defense, Kennedy Gambit & Keres Attack
Nimzowitsch Defense
Definition
The Nimzowitsch Defense is an off-beat reply to 1.e4 characterized by the move
1…Nc6 (ECO code B00). Instead of occupying the center immediately with a pawn, Black develops a knight and keeps the central pawns flexible, aiming to strike back later with …d5 or …e5 according to circumstances.
Typical Move-Orders & Usage
- 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 – the “Closed” Nimzowitsch; Black challenges the center in Scandinavian style.
- 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 – transposes to a Pirc/Modern set-up.
- 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5 – leads to a reversed Vienna or Scotch Game.
The opening is chiefly employed as a surprise weapon. Because White has many reasonable replies (2.d4, 2.Nc3, 2.Nf3, even 2.c4), deep theoretical preparation is less critical than sound familiarity with the resulting pawn structures.
Strategic Themes
- Flexibility – By delaying …d5 or …e5 Black chooses the most convenient moment to strike at the center.
- Provocation – Black tempts White to over-extend, then undermines the pawn chain.
- Transposition Potential – Depending on White’s second move Black can steer the game into French, Pirc, Scandinavian, or even Alekhine-like positions.
Historical Background
Named after Aron Nimzowitsch (1886-1935), one of the fathers of hypermodern chess. Although Nimzowitsch did not use 1…Nc6 frequently himself, the opening embodies his philosophy of controlling rather than occupying the center.
Illustrative Mini-Game
After 6…O-O-O Black’s queen and rook are already active; if White grabs the c-pawn too casually, …e5 can create dangerous initiative.
Interesting Facts
- Grandmasters Bent Larsen and Alexander Morozevich have occasionally adopted 1…Nc6 against elite opposition.
- Because the move 1…Nc6 does not commit a pawn, some engines at faster time controls score surprisingly well with it.
- In Bullet chess the defense is popular for its ability to avoid long, forcing mainlines.
Kennedy (Kennedy Gambit / Kennedy Variation in the Petroff)
Definition
The Kennedy Gambit is an energetic line of the Petroff Defense arising after
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6!?
Black immediately counters in the center, offering a pawn to accelerate development. After the common continuation 4.Nxc6 dxc6 Black has surrendered the e-pawn but opens diagonals for the bishop pair and keeps the position unbalanced.
Origins & Naming
The line is named for the English master Hugh Alexander Kennedy (1818-1878), a participant in the first international tournament (London 1851) and friend of Howard Staunton. Kennedy employed this gambit in casual and match play, popularizing the idea of swift counterplay in the staid Petroff.
Main Ideas
- Rapid Development – …Bf5, …Qd7, and long castling are typical.
- Open Lines – The half-open d- and e-files favor Black’s pieces.
- Psychological Surprise – Many Petroff players expect the solid 3…d6; meeting 3…Nc6 !? over the board can be disconcerting.
Critical Continuations
- 5.d3 Bc5 6.Be2 h5 – a sharp race on opposite wings.
- 5.Nc3 Bb4 6.e5 Nd5, when Black relies on piece activity to compensate.
- 5.d4 Nxe4, reaching messy positions akin to Scotch Gambit structures.
Illustrative Game Snippet
H.A. Kennedy – J. Harries, London 1853:
Black soon gained the pawn back and went on to win with his more active pieces.
Fun Facts
- The gambit was considered “unsound” for decades, yet modern engines give Black perfectly adequate chances.
- Because the c-pawn remains at home, Black sometimes plays …c6 and …Qe8–h5 in vintage King’s-Gambit style.
- GM Vladimir Kramnik tried 3…Nc6 in a blitz game vs Mamedyarov (Doha 2014), showing its value even at elite level.
Keres Attack
Definition
The Keres Attack is a ferocious pawn-storm against the Sicilian Scheveningen (and closely related Najdorf lines). It arises after
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.g4 !?
With 6.g4 White immediately drives away the f6-knight, seizes space on the kingside, and signals an all-out assault on Black’s king.
Strategic Concept
- Space Grab – The g- and h-pawns advance, fixing Black’s kingside.
- Tempo Gain – …Nf6 must move again (usually to d7), giving White a developmental head-start.
- Flexible Castling – White often castles queenside; Black must decide between castling short into the pawn storm or braving the center.
Historical Significance
The line is named after Estonian grandmaster Paul Keres (1916-1975), who introduced the idea against elite opposition in the late 1940s. His stunning victory over Efim Bogoljubov (Tallinn 1947) convinced many that 6.g4 was more than a mere surprise.
Typical Continuations
- 6…h6 7.h4 – Black tries to halt the pawn storm, but White happily gains more space.
- 6…e5 7.Nf5 g6 8.g5 gxf5 9.exf5 – ultra-sharp lines where material counts less than king safety.
- 6…Nc6 7.g5 Nd7 8.Be3 – harmoniously combining attack with development.
Illustrative Classic
Keres – Botvinnik, Candidates 1953 (Zurich):
After 18.Bf4 White had regained the pawn with a stranglehold on the dark squares; Keres converted the advantage masterfully.
Practical Tips
- Do not fear an early …h5; simply advance the g-pawn again or reroute the knight to g3.
- When Black delays castling, be ready for an immediate f2-f4–f5 break to rip open the center.
- If Black plays the Najdorf move …a6 before …e6, 6.g4 can still be played, though move-orders must be watched carefully.
Trivia
- The Keres Attack was a favorite of both Garry Kasparov and Bobby Fischer in their early careers.
- In correspondence chess the line enjoys an excellent score for White, hinting at its long-term positional bite.
- The idea inspired similar pawn storms in other openings, such as 7.g4 against the King’s Indian.