Booth vs Stefan Fazekas
Today, we will analyze one of the shortest yet most instructive games in the history of the French Defense. In 1940, Booth executed a beautiful tactical trap, catching his opponent’s queen in a net and forcing resignation in just 12 moves.
This game is a perfect demonstration of how greed can lead to disaster, while tactical awareness can decide the outcome in the opening.
Watch the game, and at the end, we will summarize the key takeaways.
Game Moves with Commentary
- 1. e4 - White opens with the King’s Pawn Opening, aiming for immediate control of the center and rapid piece development.
- 1. e6 - Black chooses the French Defense, a solid and strategic opening that challenges White's center.
- 2. d4 - White takes full control of the center with a classical pawn structure.
- 2. d5 - Black immediately contests the center, following the fundamental principles of the French Defense.
- 3. Nc3 - White develops the knight, reinforcing the central pawn on e4 and preparing for an aggressive setup.
- 3. Bb4 - The Winawer Variation—one of the sharpest and most theoretical lines in the French Defense. Black pins the knight and creates tension in the center.
- 4. e5 - White advances the e-pawn, gaining space and restricting Black’s knight on f6.
- 4. c5 - A key counterattacking move in the French Defense, immediately challenging White's center.
- 5. a3 - White forces Black to decide on the fate of the light-squared bishop.
- 5. Bxc3+ - Black exchanges the bishop for the knight, a common idea in the Winawer, but in doing so, gives White the bishop pair and potential attacking chances.
- 6. bxc3 - White accepts doubled pawns but strengthens control over the center.
- 6. Qc7 - A questionable move. Black targets the c3 pawn, but bringing the queen out early could prove risky. A safer alternative would have been Ne7 or Qa5.
- 7. Nf3 - White calmly develops a piece, ignoring Black’s pressure.
- 7. Nc6 - Black develops another piece, but now the queen looks vulnerable.
- 8. Bd3 - White completes development, prepares castling, and increases control over key central squares.
- 8. cxd4 - Black decides to open the center, hoping to create counterplay.
- 9. cxd4 - White strengthens the center, maintaining a strong pawn structure.
- 9. Nxd4 - A mistake! Black greedily captures a pawn but ignores White’s tactical threats.
- 10. Nxd4 - White immediately counters, forcing Black’s queen to move.
- 10. Qc3+ - Black tries to check White’s king, but this only worsens their position.
- 11. Qd2 - A simple and strong move. White blocks the check and suddenly traps the Black queen.
- 11. Qxa1 - Black grabs the rook, believing they are winning material, but they have walked straight into a losing trap.
- 12. c3 - A brilliant final move! The queen is completely trapped with no escape squares, and Black has no choice but to resign.
Key Takeaways from This Game
- Greed can be punished – Black's 9. Nxd4 was too optimistic and led to an immediate tactical disaster.
- Bringing the queen out early can be dangerous – Black wasted too many moves with their queen, losing control of the position.
- White executed the trap with precision – The move c3! was a fantastic finishing touch, immediately winning the game.
- Opening theory matters – Similar mistakes occur when players are unfamiliar with the subtleties of the French Defense.
This game is a textbook example of how tactical awareness can decide a game in just 12 moves.