The Chess Mind

When I was a kid, I enjoyed thumbing through the Guinness Book of World Records. Like many, I was fascinated by the extremes of human existence and performance, and while I haven't given that work more than a cursory glance in nearly three decades, that curiosity hasn't entirely left me - especially not in the realm of chess. (For an extreme confirmation, take a look at this post from my earlier blog.)

Here, then, are two recent games: one very short, the other quite long, and both instructive. The first, the short one, shows that even very strong players - IMs and GMs - are not immune to getting miniaturized, while the second highlights the value of simple solutions.

Click here.

No doubt all of you are disappointed to see so few Petroff's Defenses in the FIDE World Championships. Well, you're in luck: I've attached a game in that most beloved of openings - right here.

It's not just any Petroff, however; it's a Cochrane Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nxf7?!), actually played at the GM level! It's an interesting sac, both in its own right (White does get some objective compensation, though most players doubt it's enough) and as a psychological ploy (Petroff practitioners presumably prefer peaceful positions). In the few GM games where I've seen it played, however, it hasn't done very well. Topalov actually tried it a few years ago against Kramnik and was very fortunate not to lose, and in the two Sulskis games included above White only achieves .5/2.

In any case, Petroff fans need to know the gambit, while those suffering from anti-Petroff desperation as 1.e4 players might want to see if they can turn the Cochrane Gambit into a silk purse. It's not a get-rich quick line, but it might be worth an occasional try, just for fun.