Gioachino Greco - Game #12

 
Why is 11.Bxe4 bad and what is White's best move?


Thought process:
        Checks - Mate Threats - Captures - Threats

The attack is simple. The defense requires more thought, but if you examine checks first, the solution pops right out at you.

11.Bxe4?? Bh4+ 12.Bf2 Qxf2#

11.Qh5+! g6 12.Bxe4 Qxh1+ (...Bh4+ loses) 13.Bxh1 gxh5.

Gioachino Greco - Game #11

 
The 11th game listed as Greco's in Chessbase cannot be his. It's very crude, with multiple hanging pieces, even queens.

Black to play and win.


Greco plays 10...Bd4?? I don't think so. 10...Qxc4+! 11.Kxf2 Qxa4 -+.

Gioachino Greco - Game #10

 
White resigned due to ...Bxa4. What should've he played?


1.a3! and White doesn't lose a full piece. If 1...Bxa4? 2.axb4! wins and if 1...bxa3 2.Qc4! limits White's losses to a single pawn. Unfortunately this move is not a check, mate threat, capture, or obvious threat so it's not so easy to see. Rybka gets the credit for spotting it.

Gioachino Greco - Game #9

 
How should White finish this game?


A draw against Gioachino Greco would be a good result for Mr. NN.

12.Nd6+ Kd8 13.Nf7+ Ke8 (with an obvious draw) 14.Nd6+ Kd8 15.Nf7+ Ke8 16.Nd6+ Kd8 17.Nf7+ Ke8 18.Nd6+ Kd8 19.Nf7+ Ke8 20.Nd6+ Kd8 10.Nf7+ Ke8 11.Nd6+ (draw by sixfold repetition--the rules of chess were slightly different in those days).

Gioachino Greco - Game #8

 
Is 1.Nc3 a good idea to play for a win?



I discounted 1.Nc3 because 1...Bh6 puts White on the defensive, say, with 2.Nd2. But I forgot to check the most forcing moves...

Thought process:
        Checks - Mate Threats - Captures - Threats

Checks: Re1+, Qe3+, Qe4+, Qe2+, Bf7+, Qh5+


2.Re1+! Kf8 3.Bxh6+ Nxh6+ 4.Qxf6+ Nf7 5.Qxf7#
(2...Kd8 3.Rxh6+ Nxh6 4.Bc7+ Kxc7 5.Qxf6 +-)
(2...Kd7 3.Qd3+ Kc8 4.Re8+ Qd8 5.Qxd8#)

Gioachino Greco - Game #7

 
Should Black play 4...Nxe4?



This game is not very exciting. No, 4...Nxe4?? 5.Qa4+ forks and wins. It's the only checking move to consider so it should jump out at you.

Gioachino Greco - Game #6

 
How should White defend?



1.Qb3!

Greco was amazing at meeting threats with counter-threats.

Now if 1...Bxa1 2.Bxf7+ (the only check) Kf8 3.Bg5 (no good checks or captures) and White wins at least a piece and a pawn for the rook, due to the discovery, besides strong attacking chances.