Greco Defence
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| Moves | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Qf6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECO | C40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Named after | Gioachino Greco | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent | King's Knight Opening | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Synonym(s) | McConnell Defence | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Greco Defence (or McConnell Defence), named after Gioachino Greco (c. 1600 – c. 1634), is a chess opening that begins with the moves:
The opening is categorised by Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings as code C40.
Discussion[edit]
Of the several plausible ways Black has to defend his e-pawn, 2...Qf6 is considered one of the weaker choices, since the queen is developed prematurely and can become a target for attack. Also, the black knight on g8 is deprived of its most natural square. There is, however, no obvious refutation of this opening; White's advantage consists mainly of smoother development.
Although it is a popular opening choice by novice players, it has also been used by players who, according to International Master Gary Lane, "should know better".
Examples[edit]
Greco line[edit]
Greco himself illustrated the following amusing line against this defence in 1620:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Qf6?! 3. Bc4 Qg6 4. 0-0 Qxe4 5. Bxf7+!! Ke7
- 5...Kxf7?? 6.Ng5+! wins the black queen.
6. Re1 Qf4 7. Rxe5+ Kxf7
- 7...Kd8 8.Re8#
8. d4 Qf6 9. Ng5+ Kg6 10. Qd3+ Kh6 11. Nf7# 1–0[1]
McConnell game[edit]
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
| 8 |              | 8 | |||||||
| 7 | 7 | ||||||||
| 6 | 6 | ||||||||
| 5 | 5 | ||||||||
| 4 | 4 | ||||||||
| 3 | 3 | ||||||||
| 2 | 2 | ||||||||
| 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
Morphy vs. McConnell, New Orleans 1849:[2]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Qf6 3. Nc3 c6 4. d4 exd4 5. e5 Qg6 6. Bd3
- 6.Qxd4! gives White a big lead in development.
6... Qxg2 7. Rg1 Qh3 8. Rg3 Qh5 9. Rg5 Qh3 10. Bf1 Qe6 11. Nxd4 (diagram)
- ... and Morphy was better.
Busch game[edit]
Paulsen vs. Busch, Düsseldorf 1863:[3]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Qf6 3. Bc4 Nh6
- Making some sense, since Black is able to respond ...Qxh6 if White were to play d4 followed by Bxh6.
4. 0-0 Bc5 5. Nc3 c6 6. d4! Bxd4 7. Nxd4 exd4 8. e5 Qg6 9. Qxd4
- And again, White is ahead in development.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Opening Lanes Gary Lane, Chesscafe.com, 2001, last question on the page.
- ^ Benjamin, Joel; Schiller, Eric (1987). "Greco Defence". Unorthodox Openings. Macmillan Publishing Company. pp. 91–92. ISBN 0-02-016590-0.
- ^ Schiller, Eric (1998). "McConnell Defense". Unorthodox Chess Openings. Cardoza Publishing. p. 287. ISBN 0-940685-73-6.