When the Paulsen Goes Wrong

Chessorb Classic, Issue #120 -- GOTM #90

The Paulsen Variation is one of the main variations of the French Defense. White eschews the Exchange Variation (3.exd5), the Advance Variation (3.e5) and the Tarrasch Variation (3.Nd2).

He plays 3.Nc3. Black has two main replies to the Paulsen. He can play 3...Bb4 pinning the Paulsen Knight. Or he can develop with 3...Nf6. In this month's game, Black goes for a sideline. He plays 3...dxe4. The result is a fascinating fight that does not much resemble a typical French Defense game.

This game was contested by two Germans in 1971. The game was played in Elmshorn, Germany. Bernd Koester had White and Rene Gralla had Black.

Conquer the Home Rank with Tactics

Koester,Bernd - Gralla,Rene [C10]

GotM #90 Elmshorn, 1971
[Connaughton, Ken]

1.e4

King's Pawn Opening

1...e6

French Defense

2.d4 d5 3.Nc3

Paulsen Variation

(3.exd5 Exchange Variation; 3.e5 Advance Variation; 3.Nd2 Tarrasch Variation)

3...dxe4

(3...Nf6; 3...Bb4)

4.Nxe4

(4.f3)

4...Nd7 5.Nf3 Ngf6 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6 7.Bg5 Be7 8.Bc4 0-0 9.0-0

Game position after 9.0-0

9...Nd5 10.Qd2 Bxg5 11.Nxg5 b6 12.b4 a5 13.b5 Bb7 14.f4 Qd6 15.Qd3 g6 16.Qe4 Qb4 17.Bd3 Nc3?!

Game position after 17...Nc3?!

An ill-conceived sacrifice which just hands the advantage to White.

(17...Qd2 would have been a way to maintain equality 18.Rf2 Qc3 19.Rd1 Rfe8 20.Rf3 h6 21.Be2 Qb4=)

18.Qxb7 Qxd4+

This is the compensation for Black but it's scarcely enough.

19.Kh1 Nd5

And with the next couple of moves White gives Black the chance to slot his horse into a deadly position.

20.Be4?!

(20.g3 would have kept the advantage for White and he might have won after a sequence like 20...Rad8 21.Rfe1 Qb2 22.Ne4 Kg7 23.Qc6 h6 24.Kg2 Ne3+ 25.Rxe3 Qxa1 26.Qxc7 Qd4 27.Qe5+ Qxe5 28.fxe5 Rd4 29.Nd6 Rd5 30.c4 Rc5 31.Bc2 Rd8 32.Rf3+-)

20...Ne3 21.Rfe1?! Ng4

Game position after 21...Ng4

And now a well known pattern has been set in place. In fairness to Black, as soon as he is given the opportunity, he finishes his opponent quickly.

22.Rf1 Nf2+ 23.Kg1 Nh3+ 24.Kh1 Qg1+

Game position after 24...Qg1+

And White resigns as he now sees the incoming smothered #.

(Of course after 24...Qg1+ 25.Rxg1 Nf2# was forced.)

0-1

Koester,Bernd - Gralla,Rene [C10]

P.S.
If you do not have html based email software and you're using a text only system, you may find that the links are only partially highlighted and may not work. If this is the case, simply copy and paste the entire link into the browser and hit Enter. That should get you where you want to go.

Comments, ideas, feedback? I'd be stoked to hear from you.

Get in touch

See you next month.

Ken

Back to Back Issues Page