[...] Finally, a genuine e-mail from Nigel Short who currently lives in Greece "Can you suggest a good opening for me to play next time I play against Kasparov? Or Anand or Kramnik, for that matter?"

Well Nigel, I noticed in your World Championship match against Kasparov that you always played an opening that had a certain amount of shock value. Therefore, after a scan of all three players' games I noticed a flaw in their repertoire. No one had yet faced the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit! This opening which for years has been the preserve of attacking minded club players deserves a wider audience and after the opening moves 1 d4 d5 2 e4 dxe4 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 f3 I am sure Gary will be startled. Here is a taste of what you might expect.

Szentra - Thiele  Deizisau 1998

1 d4 d5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 e4 dxe4 4 f3 ... This move indicates the start of the gambit. 4...exf3 5 Nxf3 e6 6 Bd3 Be7
7 0-0 0-0 8 Qe1 c5 9 dxc5+ bxc5 10 Kh1 Nc6 11 Bg5 h6 12 Qh4 Be7 13 Bxh6! Ne8 If 13...gxh6 then 14 Qxh6 intending Ng5 is a winner. 14 Bg5 f5 15 Rad1 Bd7 16 Bc4 Nf6 17 Rfe1 Qc8 18 Rxd7 1-0

If there are any other World Championship contenders looking for new ideas then just e-mail!


Gary Lane