"Attack" by GM Julian Hodgson, 1996 Hodgson Enterprises, Figurine Algebraic Notation, Flexi- cover, 125pp., $17.95 About five weeks ago, we reviewed two recent releases dealing with the attack: "Attacking Technique" by Colin Crouch and "How to Attack in Chess" by Gary Lane. We liked the former and were not impressed with the latter. Since it also deals with the same theme, it would have been convenient to include British GM Julian Hodgson's latest effort "Attack" with them, but alas, it was not available to us at the time. First, it is notable that it appears that Hodgson has become involved both in the authoring and publication of this book. The publisher is ... Hodgson Enterprises. It promises to be the first of two books dealing with attack, and if you order directly from the publisher author, you may receive a suitably inscribed copy. Very interesting. The book is divided into eight chapters: (1) All Out for the King; (2) The King Hunt; (3) The Lead in Development; (4) Using the Initiative; (5) The Exchange Sacrifice; (6) Raking Bishops; (7) Weak Colour Complex; and (8) The Pawn Roller. The author clearly states his objective in the book's Introduction: "I wanted [this book] to be both entertaining and educational at the same time. To this end each book will contain 40 great attacking games (some of which are my own, he says modestly!) and annotate them in a lighthearted yet (hopefully!) instructive way. "I have tried to make it possible for the reader to be able to follow the games anywhere, so with this in mind there are plenty of diagrams and amusing anecdotes to make it flow more easily. Thus it can be read while travelling on the train to work, lying in bed at home or even relaxing in a hot bath without necessarily having to get out a chess set. "I have written the book as if I were actually a friend talking you through these games, whether it be in your home or in the pub over a few drinks. I hope after reading this book you feel that you still want me as a friend!" For the most part, Hodgson does accomplish his objectives. The games are annotated using the right balance of insight and humor. Indeed, his anecdotal style may make the book an interesting read even if you do not want to follow the games. And yes, there are diagrams aplenty liberally sprinkled throughout each game. But no board at all? Uh, well, thanks, Julian, but you do present a few games that go 15 or 20 moves at the outset sans pictures, and that may just be a bit too much for mere mortals. Even in a hot bath. From Chapter Two, The King Hunt... The title of this chapter is fairly self explanatory. King hunts are in essence a more spectacular version of what we saw in the previous chapter. The attacking side donates varying amounts of material to lure the enemy king up the board from where there will be no escape. I first saw the following game in most unusual circumstances. I, together with Nigel Short, and a couple of other players, were coaching some juniors one weekend in a school in North London. During one of my breaks, I decided to nip in and spectate on one of Nigel's lectures. He was talking to a group of about twenty 7 year-olds on the topic of weak squares. It was clear to me that they did not have the faintest idea of what Nigel was on about. I think you could safely say it was all Greek to them! It was at this point I decided to make my presence known and ask Nigel if he would demonstrate one of his wins from his previous tournament. He was only too happy to oblige. Here then is his brilliant sacrificial win against the mighty Ljubomir Ljubojevic, one of my favourite personalities on the chess scene. White: Nigel Short Black: Ljubomir Ljubojevic Euwe Memorial 1988 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 Nc6 6 Bg5 e6 7 Qd2 a6 8 0-0-0 h6 9 Be3 Bd7 10 f4 b5 11 Bd3 Be7 12 Kb1 Nigel is very fond of this move in the Sicilian. He calmly takes a time-out to improve the position of his king. There are no longer any nasty checks on the c1-h6 diagonal, which is very useful. 12...b4?! Nigel felt that this pawn thrust was premature. Black should have continued his development with 12...Qc7. 13 Nce2 0-0 This is definitely a case of castling into it. White's attack is more dangerous as Black has already played the very weakening h6. However, it's all very well for me to say this in hindsight, but where else can the black king go? 14 h3! Simple but effective! Nigel intends the highly subtle g4 followed by g5 followed by checkmate. How I wish chess was always so easy! 14...Qc7 15 g4 Here we go! 15...Qb7 16 Ng3 Nxd4 17 Bxd4 Bc6 18 Rhe1 Rfe8 19 g5! With a queen, two rooks, two bishops, a knight and four pawns all pointing at the black king, Nigel decides the time is right for an attack. It is hardly surprising that Ljubo cannot find a defence because put quite simply, there isn't one! 19...hxg5 20 fxg5 Nd7 (See Diagram) 21 Bxg7!! Bang! Nigel rips away the pawn cover from the black king. 21...Kxg7 22 Nh5+ Crash! 22...Kg6 Ljubo boldly marches his monarch into the valley of death. In the words of Margaret Thatcher, "There will be no turning back!" On a more serious note, all king retreats would be well met by 23 g6! which wins in all lines. 23 e5+! Wallop! By now even the juniors were getting excited! Who doesn't like a good king hunt? 23...Kxh5 Basically, Black is two pieces up but a king down. 24 Qf4! A quiet move threatening 25 Qg4 mate. The net is closing in. 24...Bxg5 25 Qxf7+ Kh4 Hi ho, hi ho, it is up the board we go... 26 Qh7+ Kg3 27 Qh5 Kh2 It might seem as if the black king has a death wish but there is no escape from the marauding white army... 28 Qxg5 This is the move that I too would have played but according to my computer Fritz 4 it is not the most accurate move. After 28 Qe2+ Fritz seems to think that it is mate in 6 against the best defence. Who am I (a mere mortal) to argue? Here it is: 28...Kg3 (the other two moves 28...Kxh3 and 28...Bg2 both get mated in 5 moves) 29 Rgl+ Bg2 30 Be4 Kf4 31 Qg4+ Kxe5 32 Qxg5+ Kxe4 33 Rge1+ Kf3 34 Qe3 mate. Thank you Fritz! You are more than just a pretty interface. 28...Rg8 29 Rd2+ Bg2 30 Qf4+ Rg3 31 Be4 Qxe4 32 Qxe4 At this juncture Ljubo decided to call it a day. I have to say that is often more enjoyable taking your opponents pieces than delivering checkmate. Oh yes, and by the way, all the juniors seemed most impressed! The initial entry by Hodgson Enterprises into the competitive world of chess publishing is good. It will entertain and instruct without putting a major dent into your cash flow.