Liubarski vs. Soultanbeieff Part 1

Liubarski vs. Soultanbeieff Part 1

Now, let’s look at the first half of the game.
White: Liubarski
Black: Soultanbeieff
Place: Liege, 1928
Opening: Giuoco Piano (ECO Code: C53)
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Bc5
Like the last game, we have an Italian Game with 3. Bc4 and a Giuoco Piano Variation with 3. …Bc5 (ECO Code: C53).  White’s Bishop on c4 aims at the f7 pawn, and White plan is rapid development and attack.  Black’s plan is to fight move for move with White in the center and to counter attack when possible.

4. c3
White prepares to play d4 and will support it first with c3.
4. …Bb6
Black retreats the Bishop before White plays d4.  Black want to keep his Bishop on the a7-g1 diagonal which attacks the kingside, the side where White will more than likely castle.
5. d4
This move helps control the center, frees the Bishop on c1, and blocks the a7-g1 diagonal.
5. …Qe7
Develops the Queen and adds a second defender to the e5 pawn.
6. O-O
White safe guards his King and mobilizes the rook.  Black was also threatening 6. …exd4 7.cxd4 Qxe4+ winning a pawn.
6. …Nf6
Black develops the Knight with an attack on the e4 pawn.  Note that 6. …exd4 7.cxd4 Qxe4 now loses the Queen to 8.Re1.

7. d5
Not the best move.  White is needlessly attacking the Knight.  The downside is that White now blocks the diagonal (a2-g8) for the Bishop on c4 and re-opens the diagonal for the Bishop on a7.
7. …Nb8
The only good move.  On 7. …Na5, White can play 8.Bd3 and then 9.b4 winning the Knight.
8. Bd3
White places the Bishop on a more active square and defends the e4 pawn.  White instead should develop its other peices.  For example 8.Nbd2 or 8.Qe2.
8. …d6
Defends the e5 pawn, strengthens the center, and free the Bishop on c8.
To be Continued….
King Kibitz
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