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Greco Defence

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(Redirected from Greco Defense) Chess opening
Greco Defence
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8a8 black rookb8 black knightc8 black bishope8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black knighth8 black rooka7 black pawnb7 black pawnc7 black pawnd7 black pawnf7 black pawng7 black pawnh7 black pawnf6 black queene5 black pawne4 white pawnf3 white knighta2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 white pawnd2 white pawnf2 white pawng2 white pawnh2 white pawna1 white rookb1 white knightc1 white bishopd1 white queene1 white kingf1 white bishoph1 white rook8
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Moves1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Qf6
ECOC40
Named afterGioachino Greco
ParentKing'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:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Qf6

The opening is categorised by Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings as code C40.

This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

Discussion

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

Greco line

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

McConnell game

Morphy vs. McConnell, 1849
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8a8 black rookb8 black knightc8 black bishope8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black knighth8 black rooka7 black pawnb7 black pawnd7 black pawnf7 black pawng7 black pawnh7 black pawnc6 black pawne6 black queene5 white pawng5 white rookd4 white knightc3 white knighta2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 white pawnf2 white pawnh2 white pawna1 white rookc1 white bishopd1 white queene1 white kingf1 white bishop8
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Position after 11.Nxd4

Morphy vs. McConnell, New Orleans 1849:

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

Paulsen vs. Busch, Düsseldorf 1863:

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

References

  1. Opening Lanes Gary Lane, Chesscafe.com, 2001, last question on the page.
  2. Benjamin, Joel; Schiller, Eric (1987). "Greco Defence". Unorthodox Openings. Macmillan Publishing Company. pp. 91–92. ISBN 0-02-016590-0.
  3. Schiller, Eric (1998). "McConnell Defense". Unorthodox Chess Openings. Cardoza Publishing. p. 287. ISBN 0-940685-73-6.
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