Horowitz, I. A. - Amateur
C25 Vienna Game
Notes by Bethel McGrew



1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bc4


The Vienna Game.

3...Bc5


Common and natural. Now, Horowitz uncorks a fascinating response.

4.Qg4!


The point: If it comes down to a Queen race, White's Queen infiltrates more rapidly and with more deadly effect than Black's.

4...Qf6 5.Nd5!


This excellent multi-purpose move activates the Knight on a superb central outpost. It both forces Black's Queen to make a decision and creates a fork threat at c7.

5...Qxf2+


Black swallows the bait.

6.Kd1 Kf8


Attempting to cover all his bases by moving out of the fork threat and protecting the g-pawn.

7.Nh3!


An unusual square for the Knight, but it makes sense when you think about it. On this square, the Knight kicks Black's Queen off the second rank and makes way for the King's Rook to join the action.

7...Qd4 8.d3!


With each move, White creates a fresh threat. Suddenly a Queen trap has sprung from nowhere, and c3 is next on the cards.

8...Bb6


Black hastily creates an escape hatch.

9.Rf1!


You'll pardon my free use of exclams, but White's moves are just too good! Now he brings a fresh warrior into play and guns down the f-file at Black's dislocated King. The full power of this move will be felt in a moment.

9...Nf6


This innocent-looking move, which challenges White's strong Knight and attacks the Queen, sets off a string of tactical fireworks.

10.Rxf6!! d6


10...gxf6 11.Bh6+ Ke8 12.Qg7! and mate cannot be stopped.

11.Qxg7+!!


Wheeee....!

11...Kxg7 12.Bh6+ Kg8 13.Rg6+!! hxg6 14.Nf6#

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