400 Year Old Gruesome Greco Game

400 Year Old Gruesome Greco Game, Follow-up on the Fool's...by, Ms Jessica Era Martin (aka BoundingOwl)

In 1619, a man named Gioachino (pronounced "Joe-a-kino") Greco, swiftly mini-mated his opponents.  It's unclear whether he actually played these games, or if he made them up, but fortunately for us, he notated the moves.  So we can see the games today!  Maybe in 400 years some one will be studying your notated games!

 

 

 

 

Here's how it started.  Greco had white.  His unnamed opponent, Mr Beginner, we'll call him, played a not-so-good opening.  It's called Owen's Defense.  And in defense of Owen, at least it's sneaky.

 

 

 

 

 

 After this move, black has really opened himself up!  Look at the short diagonal to the king!  The f pawn has moved!  Black does have a plan, though.  That pawn on e4 is actually pinned to the pawn on g2.  If it moves, Bxg2 traps the rook on h1.  Fianchetto bishops are very tricky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

But what is a rook compared to checkmate?  Attack the king!

 

 

 

White can sacrifice a queen and a rook for mate.  All he needs is a bishop on the short diagonal!  Watch for a disco check!

 

 

Remember: guard your f pawn.

You may not move it unless you have written permission from your coach.  Especially if your coach is Ms Martin...

 

See you next week!