The Rainbow Checkmate

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Checkmate Monday is here again and in today’s instalment we present a rare case of the Rainbow Checkmate.

I first saw the Rainbow Checkmate in Irving Chernev’s wonderful book, 1000 Best Short Games of Chess. It comes at the end of the following offhand game. I don’t want to judge the path of a casual game too strictly but the final position is worth the journey.

S. Dodge – J. Houghtelling
Chicago, 1905

1 d4 d5

2 c4 e5

The Albin Counter-gambit is a sharp attempt to seize the initiative at the cost of a pawn.

3 e3

Obviously not the most testing line. White should play 3 dxe5, when theory claims the first player can obtain an advantage, despite allowing the space-grabbing reply of 3 …d4.

3 …exd4 

4 Qxd4 

Another controversial move. It is well known that early queen moves are likely to be punished. The opponent will gain time by developing minor pieces and threatening the queen at the same time. 4 exd4 transposes to a rather trendy version of the French Defense, Exchange Variation (1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 exd5 4 c4).

4 …Nf6

5 Nc3 Nc6

The Queen is a Target

The queen is already under pressure.

6 Qd1 Bf5

7 f3 Nb4

Black on the Attack

When 8 Kf2 is the best move, it is safe to say White is in trouble. Dodge tries another way, but the trade of queens brings no relief.

8 Qa4+ Qd7

9 Qxd7+ Kxd7

10 e4 dxe4

11 fxe4 Nxe4

Closing In

Dark Knights Closing In

I believe the expression is ‘the dark knights are closing in.’

12 Rb1 Nc2+

13 Kd1 Nf2+

14 Ke2 Bc5

Exemplary minor pieces!

Here Comes the Rainbow Checkmate

Exemplary Minor Pieces Setting up the Rainbow Checkmate

15 Nf3 Bd3+

16 Kd2 Be3 

The Rainbow CheckmateThe Rainbow Checkmate

The rainbow of knights and bishops makes a striking impression.

I have used this game as a chess lesson for decades. 1000 Best Short Games of Chess appears to be out of print at the moment, which is a pity. In addition to this instructive game there are 999 other chess lessons too use in the classroom.

There are many more beautiful checkmate patterns in our course, The Checkmate Patterns Manual, by International Master John Bartholomew and CraftyRaf.

There is a shortened, free version of the course here.

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