Richter–Veresov Attack
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Moves | 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ECO | D01 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Origin | 1902 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Named after | Kurt Richter Gavriil Veresov | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Parent | Closed Game | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Synonym(s) | Veresov Opening |
The Richter–Veresov Attack (or Veresov Opening) is a chess opening that begins with the moves:
It is also often reached by transposition, for example 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bg5 (the most common move order), 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 d5 3.Nc3, or 1.Nc3 Nf6 2.d4 d5 3.Bg5.
The opening was named after the German
Along with the
The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings code for the Richter–Veresov Attack is D01.
Incremental development
The opening dates back as far as the game Marshall–Wolf, Monte Carlo 1902. However, it was Savielly Tartakower who played it regularly in the 1920s and even to the end of his life, using it in his victory over Donner at Staunton Centenary 1951. Tartakower's interpretation and treatment of the opening generally led to a closed, manoeuvring game.
Kurt Richter was the next player to develop new ideas in the opening, during the 1930s. He mostly found it useful to facilitate his risk-taking style, and he produced some dazzling victories which contributed to a whole chapter of his book of best games. Some theoreticians refer to the opening as the Richter Attack.
It was Gavriil Veresov, however, who greatly strengthened both the theory and practice of the opening from World War II to his heyday in the 1950s and 1960s. He is credited with demonstrating that the opening contained more subtlety and depth than was previously considered, often culminating in a central advance or direct assault on the enemy king. As a tool for rapid piece development, it resembled a king pawn opening, and required fewer pawn moves than standard queen pawn fare.
The opening has never been very popular at the top level, though various prominent players have employed it on occasion. In 1959, for example, David Bronstein played the Richter Attack against Veresov himself.[1]
The Veresov today
Moving into the last third of the 20th century, grandmasters of the calibre of
In more contemporary play, the system has remained popular. Grandmaster Jonny Hector has become an adherent of the Veresov and some interest has also been shown by leading GM Alexander Morozevich.
After 3.Bg5 (diagram), Black's most popular choices are 3...Nbd7, 3...e6, 3...Bf5, 3...c6, and 3...c5, all potentially leading to different variations. White's plans typically include rapid queenside castling and an early f3 and e4.
After the Black reply 3...Bf5, Richter usually continued 4.f3, intending to build a large pawn centre; Veresov, on the other hand, usually played 4.Bxf6, damaging the black pawn structure. Today, these two lines are known, respectively, as the Richter Variation[2] and Veresov Variation.[3]
See also
References
- ^ "David Bronstein vs Gavriil Veresov (1959)". Chessgames.com. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
- ^ Hooper & Whyld (1996), pp. 340-41. Richter Variation.
- ^ Hooper & Whyld (1996), p. 440. Veresov Variation.
Bibliography
- Chessgames.com: Richter–Veresov Attack (D01)
- CHESS magazine, Jimmy Adams, Volume 44 Nos. 805–6, November 1978, pp. 57–62.
- ISBN 0-19-280049-3.
Further reading
- ISBN 9780938650973.
- ISBN 9781857443356.
- Cyrus Lakdawala (2010). A Ferocious Opening Repertoire. ISBN 9781857446616.