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This free chess games analysis is of a game between Leonhardt and Marshall, the Falkbeer Counter Gambit. It illustrates a common pawn error that you’ll see on many sites giving free chess games to the public.

White: Leonhardt, Paul S. (Poland)

Black: Marshall, Frank J (USA)

Place: San Sebastian

Opening: Falkbeer Counter Gambit

1. e4 e5

2. f4 d5

3. exd5 e4

4. d3 exd3

5. Qxd3 Nf6

6. Nc3

Moving the pawn to c4 in order to keep the extra pawn will hamper development of pieces and is not recommended. After 6. c4 Black will try to take control of the open e file using his Rook after castling and White will not be able to move the King to safety in time. For example the game may proceed; 6 c4, Bc5; 7 Nf3, O-O; 8 Be2, Re8. After that Black threatens Ne4, or Ng4 with Bf2+ or Nf2 to follow.

6. … Bc5

7. Bd2

If White tries to dispute the possession of the diagonal by playing Be3, Black can play Qe7 which would result in White losing his ability to castle on time. If the opening results in open lines, or if there is a likelihood of lines being opened by force, losing the ability castle can be highly disadvantageous.

7. … O-O

8. O-O-O Nbd7

9. Be2 Nb6

10. Bf3 Bg4

11. Be3?

White should have completed the development of his pieces as opening principles dictates, by bringing out his king-side Knight. White could have easily accomplished this by 11 Bxg4, Nxg4; 12 Nh3. Instead by playing Be3, White not only gave Black an opportunity to take control of e file, but let him gain an extra move in the process as well.

11. … Bxe3+

12. Qxe3 Re8

13. Qd4 Qd6

Black is on course to win the pawn on d5 which will result in material equality. However, White will continue to suffer from the weakness in his position; his exposed pawn on f file.

14. h3

White moves a pawn yet again. He should have completed the development of his pieces by playing Bxg4 and then Nf3. This game forcefully illustrates the devastating results of a broken pawn position. By moving the h pawn to h3 White leaves the g3 square without any support. This becomes an issue when white plays g3 in order to defend f4. In fact as a result of this move both the g and f pawns become weak. In addition, with the game heading for a Knights’ ending, weakness at g3 can have significant consequences. Frank Marshall playing Black effortlessly takes full advantage of the above mentioned weaknesses during the remainder of the game.

14. … Bxf3

15. Nxf3 Rad8

16. Rhe1 Rxe1

17. Rxe1 Nbxd5

18. Nxd5 Nxd5

19. g3 h6

Black makes a so called loophole for the King. This frees the Rook from the 8th rank by eliminating the mate threat. Weak players tend to make this loophole as sort of a preemptive move early in the game, even when there is no requirement. A player should in fact create such a loophole only when here is a clear need for it or when the game has progressed to a Rook ending.

20. a3

White is not willing to capture the pawn (20 Qxa7) because of threats resulting from 20. … Nb4; namely Nxc2 and Qc6. If White tries to counter Nb4 by 21 Qxb7, he faces a mate threat from Qc5. If he tries 21 Qa4, Black will launch a lethal attack starting with b5.

Typically when castling was done on different wings of the board, other player will try to open the files by sacrificing pawns, in order to let his Rooks and Queen, launch attacks against the King unobstructed. Such games tend to be decided in middle game and can become rather disorderly and violent. Since the game is unlikely to go to an end game players will place less value on their pawns, their numbers, and their position. Historically this type of game has been won by the player who was able to carry out an attack first. Since it is unfruitful to merely defend against an attack in a game like that, players have tended to make use of any opportunity to launch a counter attack.

With all the attacks and counter attacks involved it is hard to understand and judge all the possibilities in a game where castling was carried out on different wings, especially for a beginner. Only years of experience and practice will give that ability.

20. … a6

21. Rd1 Nf6

22. Qxd6 Rxd6

23. Rxd6 cxd6

24. Nd4 Ne4

25. Ne2 Kf8

Black brings his King forward relentlessly in order to attack the opponent’s weak pawns in the king-side. White King is unable to help with the defense, since Black Knight will then check the King in order to gain a pawn easily. Rests of the moves are simple to understand.

26. c3 Ke7

27. Kc2 Ke6

28. b3 Nf2

29. Nd4+ Kf6

30. h4 h5

Pawn in weak g3 has become a “backward” pawn and its end is near

31. c4 Ne4

32. Ne2 Kf5

33. Kd3 Nf2+

34. Kc3 Kg4

35. b4 Ne4+

36. Kd3 Nxg3

White resigns.

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