Centre Counter Defence.
1. P-K4 P-Q 4 2. PxP QxP 3. Kt-QB3 Q-QR4 4. Kt-B3
It is better to advance the QP at once and so threaten B-Q2, after which Black is almost under compulsion to provide a retreat for his Q by P-QB3, thus blocking his QKt.
4. … Kt-QB3 5. B-K2 B-B4 6. P-Q3
Already now the mistake of having allowed Black to develop his Queen’s side unmolested is apparent. P-Q4 is now impossible, for Black would castle on the Queen’s side and keep the initiative by exerting a permanent pressure on White’s QP by P-K4. White must yield up the centre to Black.
6. … P-K4 7. B-Q2 Castles 8. P-QR3 Q-B4
The Queen must escape from White’s threat of P-QKt4.
9. Castles Kt-B3 10. P-QKt4 Q-K2 11. P-Kt5
This advance is somewhat purposeless, as the White pieces are not ready for an attack on Black’s King. It is difficult, though, to find a sensible plan, as the White pieces have so little mobility. It would perhaps be best to play R-K1, B-B1, and Kt-K4.
11. … Kt-Q5 12. R-K1 Q-B4 13. B-KB1 B-Q3 14. Q-Kt1?