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Classical Opening, The Flang Attack in TEAM

Introduction

The Classical Opening starts as follows:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8

Lately I have found out a very good way to play as for R/Y that B/G almost stays paralized with their Queens and pieces in camp. The novelty starts with Red's 2.. d2-d4. At first side this looks like this move is doing nothing, but it stops Blue with going with the flang attack himself, and also in many variations it prevents Blue from kicking Queen's Knight that protects Red from checks, and also stops Blue from playing c6 in case Queen is out. Yellow of course does the same on his side.

When your opponents bring their King's Knight, you should immidiately respond with another flang pawn to avoid him from jumping and also prepares your Knight to jump into the game.

Apart from Queen's Attack, R/Y slowly builds up a solid position with attacking potential.

Final position of the mainline should look like this:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. d2-d4 .. Qa7-b7 .. d13-d11 .. Qn8-m8
3. Ne1-f3 .. Na10-c9 .. Nj14-i12 .. m11-k11

In my opinion i12 is also worth trying not running into opponents flang attack. In near future Yellow can pin the pawn with green's Rook, with Queen.

Some other variations

Game 1 (Don't play d11):

1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8

2. d2-d4 .. Qa7-b7 .. k13-k11 .. Qn8-m8

3. Ne1-f3 .. Na10-c9 .. 

And Yellow can't foolishly play d11 due to the checkmate thread.

Game 2 (The most critical respond from blue):

1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8

2. d2-d4 .. Qa7-b7 .. k13-k11 .. Qn8-m8

3. Ne1-f3 .. Na10-c9 .. Nj14-i12 .. Nn5-l6

4. k2-k4 .. Nc9-e10 ..

Blue brings his Knight to the more active square from where he will give check to the yellow's King.

Game 3 (How to deal with it):
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. d2-d4 .. Qa7-b7 .. k13-k11 .. Qn8-m8
3. Ne1-f3 .. Na10-c9 .. Nj14-i12 .. Nn5-l6
4. k2-k4 .. Nc9-e10 .. d13-d11 .. Qm8xNi12
5. Qg1-j4 .. Ne10-f12+ .. Ne14xNf12 .. Qi12xh13
6. Qj4-e4 .. Qb7xQe4 .. Bi14xQh13+ ..

And the material is even, but R/Y has some activity.

Game 4 (How to deal with 2nd Knight jump):
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. d2-d4 .. Qa7-b7 .. k13-k11 .. Qn8-m8
3. Ne1-f3 .. Na10-c9 .. Nj14-i12 .. Nn5-l6
4. k2-k4 .. Nc9-d11 .. e13-e12 .. Qm8xNi12
5. Qg1-j4 .. Nd11-e13+ .. Bf14xNe13 .. Qi12xh13+
6. Qj4-e4 .. Qb7xQe4 .. Bi14xQh13 ..

After Nd11 Yellow must immidiately respond with e12, otherwise he will get crushed very soon. e12 in this case is a good respond for yellow.

Game 5 (When Red decides to grab green's King's Knight):
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. d2-d4 .. Qa7-b7 .. k13-k11 .. Qn8-m8
3. Ne1-f3 .. Na10-c9 .. Nj14-i12 .. Nn5-l6
4. k2-k4 .. Nc9-d11 .. e13-e12 .. Qm8xNi12
5. Qg1xNl6 .. Nd11-c9 .. j13xQi12 .. m5xQl6

Blue can reatreat his Knight, yellow takes Queen towards the center, opening the file for his Rook and the diagonal for the bishop. Green does the same. The material is equel. Yellow has an open bishop with two diagonals,  and his Queen can come up actively placed very soon.

Miniatures in TEAM (2017-11-30)

Games that shows how you can employ attacking ideas and use opponents errors in your own games.

Game 1
rezacz/usa2017 vs Lincher1000/The-Lone-Wolf
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-k8
2. d2-d4 .. Qa7-b7 .. k13-k11 .. Qn8-m8
3. Ne1-f3 .. Na10-c9 .. Nj14-i12 .. m7-k7
4. k2-k4 .. Nc9-d11 .. Bf14xBn6 .. Qm8-l8

It was really crushing attack by rezacz cause we haven't done anything about it.

Game 2
ChessGamertag/NN vs Lincher1000/usa2017
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g11 .. m8-l8
2. Qg1-j4 .. Qa7-b7 .. Nj14-i12 .. Qn8-m8
3. Ne1-f3 .. Na10-c9 .. d13-d11 .. Nn10-l9
4. Nj1-i3 .. b4-d4 .. h13-h11 .. Nn5-l6
5. d2-d3 .. d4-e4 .. d11-d10 .. Nl9-k11
6. Nf3-h2 .. Nc9-e10 .. Qh14-h13 .. Qm8xNi12
7. k2-k4 .. Ne10-f12+ .. Ne14xNf12 .. Qi12xQh13+

The major mistake was exposing my opponent's King too much. It's always better to stick with basic theory.

Game 3
The-Lone-Wolf, NN
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. Qg1-j4 .. Qa7-b7 .. Nj14-i12 .. Qn8-m8
3. Bi1-h2 .. Na10-c9 .. Qh14-e11 .. Nn5-l6
4. k2-k4 .. Na5-c6 .. Ne14-f12 .. Nn10-l9
5. Nj1-i3 .. Nc6-d8 .. d13-d11 .. Nl9-k7
6. Ne1-f3 .. b10-d10 .. Qe11xd10 .. m11-k11
7. Qj4-e9 .. Ra11-a10 .. Qd10xRa10 .. Qm8-l9
8. Qe9xNc9 .. b8xQc9 .. Qa10xBa9 .. Ql9xNf3

9. Bh2xc7#

Queen's trading line variations in TEAM

Opening starts as follows:
1. h2-h3 .. b8-c8 .. g13-g12 .. m5-l5

Example with blue's Nb8:
1. h2-h3 .. b8-c8 .. g13-g12 .. m5-l5
2. Bi1xBa9 .. Qa7xQh14+ .. Kg14xQh14 .. Bn6xj2
3. Ba9xb10 .. Na10-b8 .. Bf14xm7 .. Nn5xBm7
4. Bb10xBj2 .. Ra11-a10 ..

Example with blue's c9:
1. h2-h3 .. b8-c8 .. g13-g12 .. m5-l5
2. Bi1xBa9 .. Qa7xQh14+ .. Kg14xQh14 .. Bn6xj2
3. Ba9xb10 .. b9-c9 .. Bf14-g13 .. Bj2-m5
4. Bb10xc9 .. Na10xBc9 .. Bg13xNc9 .. Bm5xe13
5. Qg1-h2 .. b7-c7 .. Bc9xRa11 .. Be13xRd14

In this one R/Y stays a lot better.

The only good try for B/G with c9 can run like this:
1. h2-h3 .. b8-c8 .. g13-g12 .. m5-l5
2. Bi1xBa9 .. Qa7xQh14+ .. Kg14xQh14 .. Bn6xj2
3. Ba9xb10 .. b9-c9 .. Bf14-g13 .. Bj2xRk1
4. Bb10xRa11 ..

Variation with the Knight on c9 is even worse due to the pin on green's Bishop, also the Knight can be lost sooner or later too:
1. h2-h3 .. b8-c8 .. g13-g12 .. m5-l5
2. Bi1xBa9 .. Qa7xQh14+ .. Kg14xQh14 .. Bn6xj2
3. Ba9xb10 .. Na10-c9 .. Bf14-g13 .. Bj2xRk1
4. Bb10xRa11 ..

c11 variation:
1. h2-h3 .. b8-c8 .. g13-g12 .. m5-l5
2. Bi1xBa9 .. Qa7xQh14 .. Kg14xQh14 .. Bn6xj2
3. Ba9xb10 .. b11-c11 .. Bf14xm7 .. Qn8xBm7

4. Bb10xBj2 ..

With ..Bf14xm7!!

I think the line is pretty much unplayable for B/G, so I decline playing this in higher rated games.

Fool's Mate in TEAM

Fool's Mate is the fastest checkmate that might happen in lower rated games and can run like this:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m7-l7
2. Qg1xQn8+ .. Qa7-b7 .. Bf14-m7#

Or:
1. g2-g3 .. b8-c8 .. g13-g12 .. m7-l7
2. Qg1-g2 .. Qa7xQh14+ .. Bn6-g13#

Playing on the same diagonals isn't good idea. In many cases you might have to block the diagonals with knights to avoid this accident:
1. h2-h3 .. Na10-c9 .. g13-g12 .. Nn5-l6
2. Ne1-f3 .. b8-c8 .. Nj14-i12 .. m7-l7

Or for the opposite can run like this:
1. g2-g3 .. b8-c8 .. Ne14-f12 .. m7-l7
2. Nj1-i3 .. Na5-c6 .. g13-g12 .. Bn6xBf14
3. j2-j3 .. Ba9-b8 .. Rd14xBf14 .. m4-l4

Queen's Attack variations in TEAM [to edit]

Introduction

The opening starts as follows:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. Qg1-j4 ..

It is pretty much well known that bringing the Queen out early in the game makes you already an advantage. Finding some mating threads and weak spots. The only problem with it you have to be careful to not get tricked by your opponents.

Here is an example in classical opening that doesn't work for B/G (Blue/Green):
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. Qg1-j4 .. Ba6-b7 .. Qh14-e11 .. m5-k5
3. Qj4-k4 .. Bb7xg2 .. Qe11-j11 ..

Blue prepare his bishop to sac on g2 with check and Green gambits a pawn in order to get the Queen soon. Red declines the pawn and focus the weak spot on m6 which is more weaken than before. Blue sacrifice his bishop hopes for Green playing Nl6 or Bj5 getting the Queen, but it is a fake imagination due to yellow's check and B/G pretty much loses the game.

Another example in other opening when Green hasn't comitet l8 and Red accepts the gambit.
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. Nn5-l6
2. Qg1-j4 .. Ba6-b7 .. Qh14-e11 .. m5-k5
3. Qj4xk5 .. Bb7xg2 .. Qe11-e4 .. m4-l4
4. Bf1xBg2 .. Na5-c6 .. Bf14xm7 .. l4xQk5
5. j2-j3 .. b10-c10 .. Bm7xQn8 .. Rn4xQe4

In this case R/Y (Red/Yellow) are the one who are losing.

In this example it it the way how not to play for B/G:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. Nn5-l6
2. Qg1-j4 .. Ba6-b7 .. Qh14-e11 .. m5-k5
3. Qj4xk5 .. Bb7xg2 .. Qe11-e4 .. m4-l4
4. Bf1xBg2 .. b6-c6 .. Bf14xm7 .. Qn8xBm7
5. Qk5xb5 ..

The only thing is, Yellow has to be careful with some mating threads.

The only proper way to play is to not accepting the gambit and putting the Queen on a safe square that cannot be attacked by Green.

Strong players knows that this gambit isn't something to worry about. You just have to know their attention with gambitting material.
In most cases it does not happen like it and the game runs normally.

Another gambitting line that is something to worry about runs as follows:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. Qg1-j4 .. Qa7-b7 .. Qh14-e11 .. Qn8-m8
3. Ne1-f3 .. b10-d10 ..

And yellow musts retreat his Queen to g13 otherwise he gets mated with ..Qxh13 and ..Qxg12. So bringing Yellow's Queen symetrically to Red on e11. A little bit better is playing Ni12 or i12 opening another diagonal for Queen and stopping Green from flang attacking (.. k11 .. j11).

Here is the example:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. Qg1-j4 .. Qa7-b7 .. Nj14-i12 .. Qn8-m8
3. Ne1-f3 .. b4-d4 .. Qh14-e11 .. m11-k11

And i12:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. Qg1-j4 .. Qa7-b7 .. i13-i12 .. Qn8-m8
3. f2-f3 .. Na10-c9 .. Qh14-e11 .. Nn5-l6

Pushing b4 and m11 pawns doesn't make any sense at this points and R/Y finds some problems developing his Queenside.

The most critical position is when, B/G blocks the diagonals with bishops threatning checks and to make R/Y some weak moves such as f3:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. Qg1-j4 .. Ba6-b7 .. Qh14-e11 .. Bn9-m8

Otherwise if he blocks diagonal with Queen's Knight it can run like this:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. Qg1-j4 .. Ba6-b7 .. Qh14-e11 .. Bn9-m8
3. Ne1-f3 .. Bb7xNf3 .. Nj14-i12 .. m5-k5 and B/G are the one who are winning in this line.

Another problem is when Blue possibly takes f3:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. Qg1-j4 .. Ba6-b7 .. Qh14-e11 .. Bn9-m8
3. f2-f3 .. Bb7xf3 .. i13-i12 .. m5-k5 and Red is adviced not to take the gambitting pawn.

Problem with in both cases is that R/Y must move their Queens once again to avoid that situation. The least dangerous are light-squares and the center.

Queen trappy lines

This is an example of how NOT to play this line:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. Qg1-j4 .. Na5-c6 .. Qh14-e11 .. Nn10-l9
3. Qj4-j3 .. Na10-c9 .. Qe11-e12 .. Nn5-l6

At first glance it looks like green has blundered the mating attack with Qxm6, however blue can reply with Bf11!! and R/Y are lost. Also it is a passive square for Queen in which case can easily get attacked by Rook pawns.

Same can be said to this:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8

2. Qg1-j4 .. Na10-c9 .. Qh14xNc9 .. Bn9-i4
When Yellow foolishly takes the Knight with the plan of red's checking blue.

Taking a free Knight:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. Qg1-j4 .. Ba6-b7 .. Qh14-e11 .. Bn9-m8
3. Ne1-f3 .. Bb7xNf3 .. Qe11-e6 .. m5-k5

This is an example when R/Y loses tempo with their Queen checking not the proper player. Better is when red checks green, and yellow checks blue.

Classical opening variations in TEAM

Playing with Queen finding threads is usually fun and makes your opponent shaky about your Queen's manouvers.
Here are basic variations that you can play in the classical opening.


Queen's Attack:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. Qg1-j4 ..

Best choice to play in many cases. Queen can sooner jump to j9 from where she can attack both weak spots m6 and b9. Or she can go to the central squares where she has a lot of attacky potential, finding some weaknesses and making his oppents uncomfortable. The only thing is you have to be careful using this opening to not lose your Queen or to not waste many tempos with her, while your opponent can start focus with his minor pieces. Soon I will focus more on this line which I have played many times with good results.

Queen's Attack Passive variation:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. Qg1-i3 ..

This variation can be useful sometimes taking blue's Knight on c9 if allowed and also protects your partner's i13 in some variations when green possibly plays l9. Bad things are you can't jump to j9 and your Queen will soon be attacked by the Knight (Nl6 .. Nk4/Nj5) or pawn (k4 .. j4).

Queen's Attack Poison Pawn attack:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. Qg1-k5 ..

This variation theoretically stops blue's bishop from moving, but taking the pawn b5, but also taking might be usually unpleasent. Good thing is that she can jump to k8 from where it attacks two soft spots b8 and m6.

Queen's Knight variation:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. Ne1-f3 ..

A solid enough move, brings Knight into the game and avoids some tricks based on diagonal. A good alternative is also:

Queen's Pawn Passive variation:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. f2-f3 ..

Also this move opens up another diagonal for Queen.

Another opening opens up light-square bishop and avoids blue from playing c6 attacking f2 whenever red moves the Queen, and also prevents blue's Queen's Knight from jumping to d4 in some variations:

Light-square bishop opening:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. e2-e3 ..

The last opening in the classical:

King's Knight Attack:
1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8
2. Nj1-i3 ..

Good thing about this move is that Knight can soon jump to k4 or j5 from where can give check to green's King. The only drowback is, it blocks the Queen from coming out.

Basic openings for TEAM

King's pawn opening: 1. h2-h3 ..

Queen's pawn opening: 1. g2-g3 ..

Classical opening: 1. h2-h3 .. b7-c7 .. g13-g12 .. m8-l8

Reversed classical: 1. g2-g3 .. b8-c8 .. h13-h12 .. m7-l7

Queen's Pawn Game: 1. g2-g3 .. b7-c7 .. h13-h12 .. m8-l8

Classical Queen's Defence: 1. h2-h3 .. b6-c6 .. g13-g12 .. m9-l9

Queen's trading line: 1. h2-h3 .. b8-c8 .. g13-g12 .. m5-l5 (refused)

Reversed classical variation in TEAM

An equel game that can run like this:
1. g2-g3 .. b8-c8 .. h13-h12 .. m7-l7
2. Qg1-g2 .. Na5-c6 .. Qh14-h13 .. Nn10-l9
3. d2-d4 .. b4-c4 .. k13-k11 .. m11-l11
4. Nj1-i3 .. Qa7-b8 .. Ne14-f12 .. m4-k4
5. Ne1-f3 .. b11-d11 .. d13-d12 .. Qn8-m7