[Event "The Fried Liver Attack Guide: Chapter 5 - \"Polerio Defense\""] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/LDCZvBvp/9u233yFD"] [Result "*"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "C58"] [Opening "Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Polerio Defense, Bishop Check Line"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/jjeremmy77"] [UTCDate "2016.08.20"] [UTCTime "22:51:28"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/LDCZvBvp/9u233yFD"] [Orientation "white"] { The "Polerio Defense" is the best defensive plan for Black against the Fried Liver Attack. As usual, we will get right to critical position... } { [%csl Gf2,Gf7][%cal Ge1f2,Ge8f7] } 1. e4 { [%csl Gd5,Gf5][%cal Ge4d5,Ge4f5] } 1... e5 { [%csl Gf4,Gd4][%cal Ge5d4,Ge5f4] } 2. Nf3 { [%csl Ge5][%cal Gf3e5] } 2... Nc6 { [%csl Ge5][%cal Gc6e5,Gf3e5] } 3. Bc4 { [%csl Gf7][%cal Gc4f7] } 3... Nf6 { [%csl Ge4][%cal Gf6e4] } 4. Ng5 { [%csl Gf7][%cal Gg5f7,Gc4f7] } 4... d5 { [%csl Ge4,Gc4][%cal Gd5e4,Gd5c4] } 5. exd5 { [%csl Gc6][%cal Gd5c6] } 5... Na5 { Na5 is the defining move of the "Polerio Defense" and it looks a little weird, doesn't it? "Knights on the rim are grim", and all that. However, this is Blacks best chance at maintaining equality. } { [%csl Gc4][%cal Ga5c4] } 6. Bb5+ { [%csl Ge8][%cal Gb5e8] } 6... c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Bd3 $10 { The computer insists that the position is absolutely equal despite White having won a pawn. The argument is that even though Blacks pawn structure is shattered and they are down a pawn, Whites lack of development and piece mobility gives equal compensation. Blacks pieces are free to move while White still needs to solve the issue of how to develop the Queenside pieces. However, White does control the e4 square so the g5 Knight can retreat safely in the future. This position will always lead to a fun middlegame. } { [%csl Ge4,Ga1,Gb1,Gc1] } (8. Qf3 { an interesting side variation; The Bogoljubov variation in the Polerio Defense. Sometimes, you can catch a greedy opponent off guard with this variation. } { [%cal Gf3a8] } 8... cxb5 9. Qxa8) *