Richter-Veresov Attack: Veresov Variation
Richter-Veresov Attack
Definition
The Richter-Veresov Attack (often shortened to “the Veresov”) is an opening system that arises after the moves 1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5 (or 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5). White quickly develops the queen’s knight to c3 and pins Black’s f6-knight with the bishop on g5, aiming to generate early pressure on the center and kingside.
How It Is Used in Chess
- Surprise Weapon: Because it is less theoretical than 1. e4 or the mainline Queen’s Gambit, the Richter-Veresov is popular among players who want to pull opponents out of book early.
- Flexible System: White can choose between quiet development (e2–e3, Nf3, Bd3) or an aggressive pawn storm with f2–f3, g2–g4 and a rapid attack on the black king.
- Typical Middlegames: Positions resemble certain French-Defense structures: White often castles queenside, places a knight on e5, and attacks on the kingside; meanwhile Black counters in the center with …c5 or on the queenside with …b5.
Strategic & Historical Significance
The system is named after two strong masters:
- Kurt Richter (Germany, 1900-1969) – an inventive tactician who popularized 3. Bg5 in the 1930s.
- Gavriil Veresov (USSR, 1912-1979) – a Soviet Grandmaster who scored notable wins with the line in the 1940s-50s, beating elite opponents such as Kotov and Najdorf.
Although it has never been a mainstay at world-championship level, the opening periodically resurfaces. Modern grandmasters like Baadur Jobava, Richard Rapport, and even Magnus Carlsen (in faster time controls) have employed it to imbalance the game.
Illustrative Example
This classic miniature (Veresov – Kotov, USSR Championship 1951) shows White’s attacking potential. After 10. Nf3, pieces flood toward Black’s king, culminating in a mating net.
Interesting Facts
- In some databases the opening is coded as D01, the same ECO code as the Trompowsky—emphasizing that both are
quick-bishop-out
systems versus 1…d5/1…Nf6. - Bobby Fischer experimented with the Richter-Veresov in simultaneous exhibitions, calling it “annoying to meet if you haven’t done your homework.”
- The set-up is a favorite in online blitz: because the early Nc3 blocks the c-pawn, engines initially evaluate the position as roughly equal, but practical chances are high.
Veresov Variation
Definition
The term “Veresov Variation” is most commonly used inside the framework of 1. d4 openings to denote the line 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5, although some authors apply it to 1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5 as well. It is therefore a sub-category of the Richter-Veresov Attack, distinguished primarily by the move order (with 1…Nf6). The key features—Nc3, Bg5, and pressure on e4/e5 squares—remain identical.
Main Ideas & Typical Plans
- Early Pin: By pinning the f6-knight, White discourages …e7-e5 and prepares to occupy the center with e2-e4.
- Control of e5: Knights often hop to e5, supported by f2-f4 or sometimes g2-g4, creating attacking chances.
- Flexible Castling: White may castle short or long; opposite-side castling battles are frequent.
Theoretical Branches
- 3…Nbd7 – the most solid; Black plans …c6 & …Qb6.
- 3…e6 – transposes to French-Defense-type structures after 4. e4.
- 3…Bf5 – the “Classical” counter, instantly challenging White’s dark-square bishop.
- 3…c5!? – an immediate strike in the center; play may transpose into Tarrasch-Defense izolani positions.
Historic Games & Examples
A frequently cited model game is Veresov – Najdorf, Moscow 1955, where White’s knights danced to e5 and g5, culminating in a textbook kingside attack.
The finale 57. Rxf5# is a picturesque mate spawned by the Veresov Variation’s signature piece activity.
Interesting Nuggets
- Because the move order begins 1. d4 Nf6, club players sometimes dub it the
Nimzo-Veresov
. - Veresov once said of his brain-child: “It is not an opening but an invitation to a duel.”
- Modern computers assess the starting position at roughly +0.20 for White—respectable but not enough to dethrone the Queen’s Gambit, keeping the line in the practical-weapon category rather than mainstream theory.