Frankenstein-Dracula Variation
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The Frankenstein-Dracula Variation is a chess opening. Usually considered a branch of the Vienna Game, it can also be reached from the Bishop's Opening. It is seen extremely infrequently in top-level play.
[edit] Annotated moves of the variation
The variation is brought about by the moves (given here in algebraic notation):
- 1. e4 e5
- 2. Nc3 Nf6
- 3. Bc4
Alternatively 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. Nc3 is also possible
- 3...Nxe4
- 4. Qh5
4.Nxe4 d5 is considered to give Black no problems; 4.Qh5 threatens Qxf7#, a threat which White continues to renew in this line
- 4...Nd6
- 5. Bb3
5.Qxe5+ is possible if White wants to avoid complications
- 5...Nc6
5...Be7 returning the pawn is a calmer, perhaps more sound, alternative
- 6. Nb5 g6
- 7. Qf3 f5
- 8. Qd5 Qe7
8...Qf6 has also been tried
- 9. Nxc7+ Kd8
- 10. Nxa8
Black almost always continues 10...b6, preparing Bb7 to trap the knight (see diagram). Black has sacrificed the exchange (a rook for a knight) in the hope of an attack.
[edit] Description
In return for his material, Black has a good pawn centre and his bishops will be well placed on the long diagonals. He will try to justify his sacrifice by avoiding a queen exchange and attempting to checkmate White. White will secure his king (usually by castling queen-side) and his queen (which for the moment is somewhat short of squares), hold onto his extra material and eventually may go on the offensive and attack the Black king stuck in the centre of the board. Whether Black has sufficient compensation is a matter of opinion.
The variation was given its name by Tim Harding in his 1975 book on the Vienna Game in which he said that the bloodthirstiness of this was such that "a game between Dracula and the Frankenstein Monster would not seem out of place."
