Martin Burrows (2167 ECF/2042 Fide) - Spanton (1958 ECF/1946 Fide)
Spanish Berlin
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.0-0 Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Ba4!?
This is third in popularity in ChessBase's 2025 Mega database, but a long way behind 6.dxe5 and 6.Bxc6. However, the text scores 57%, five percentage points more than 6.dxe5 and three more than the main continuation, 6.Bxc6.
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| How should Black respond? |
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6...Be7?!
'Safety-first', but probably a more forcing response is necessary. The mainline in Mega25 runs 6...e4 7.Re1 Be7 8.Ne5 0-0 9.Nc3, with complete equality, according to Stockfish17 and Dragon1. However the engines slightly prefer 6...exd4, when they reckon 7.c3!? Be7 8.cxd4 b5!? 9.Bc2!? (more common is 9.Bb3) Nb4 10.Bb3 Bb7 11.Nc3 leaves White with enough for a pawn, but no more.
7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Nc3 0-0
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| Now both sides have castled, how would you assess the position? |
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White has more space in the centre and a slight lead in development, giving the upper hand, according to the engines.
9.Nd5 Nh4?!
The engines suggest 9...d6.
10.Nxh4 Bxh4 11.Bf4 Re8?!
The engines much prefer 11...Ne7!?
12.Re1
Even stronger, according to the engines, is 12.g3 Be7 13.e6!
12...d6!?
There seems nothing better.
13.exd6 Rxe1+ 14.Qxe1 cxd6 15.Rd1 Be6 16.c3
The engines point out that, among other good moves, 16.Bxd6!? is possible.
16...Qa5?!
The engines reckon 16...Ne7 is best.
17.Bb3 Re8!?
This may be best, or at least better than 17...Rd8?!. when 18.g3 Be7 19.Nxe7+ Nxe7 20.Bxe6 fxe6 21.Qxe6+ Kf8 22.Bxd6 wraps things up.
18.Bxd6
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| White is a good pawn up, with continuing pressure |
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18...Bd7 19.Qd2 Re6?
Trying for counter-chances, but weakening the back rank only makes matters worse.
20.Bf4 Bc8!? 21.Nc7 Re4
The rook cannot be saved.
22.Bc2 Rxf4 23.Qxf4 Bg5 24.Qe4 Qe5 25.Qxe5!?
Objectively stronger is 25.Qxh7+, but both moves win easily.
25...Nxe5 26.f4! 1-0
The Rookies won the match 5.5-0-5.
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