In this investigation we’ll consider:

1. the new and the very strong defence (as a result of theoretical novelties) against the Lasker attack in the Intermezzo variation of the Scotch game, the Classical (C45);
2. the new and the very strong defences (as a result of theoretical novelties) in the Hungarian defence (C50).

Author’s novelties are marked by the symbol “AN”.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6

Paragraph 1: 3.d4 ed 4.Nd4 Bc5 5.Nc6 Qf6 6.Qf3 Qc6

7.Nc3! [Probably, the Lasker attack was firstly played in the game Lasker – Smythe of the simultaneous exhibition in 1901. The modern opening theory considers it as the strong weapon for White.] 7…a6! [This move isn’t new, but its large strength wasn’t understood earlier.]

I) 8.Nd5 [8.Bc4? Bf2; 8.Bd3 Ne7 with the excellent Black’s position, but not 8…d6?! 9.Nd5!AN Qd7 (with the idea Ng8-e7) 10.Be3, and White has the advantage.] 8…Ne7!AN 9.Bf4 [9.Bc4? Bf2; 9.b4? Nd5; 9.Qg3 Nd5; 9.Qc3 Nd5] 9…Nd5 [9…Bd6 is good too.] 10.ed Qb6 11.Qe4 Kd8 12.0-0-0 [This White’s gambit is interesting, but Black stands better.]

II) 8.Qg3! Nf6!

II.A) 9.e5AN [After 9.Qe5?!AN Black should play 9…Kf8 (or even 9…Kd8) with the advantage, but not 9…Be7? 10.Nd5!, and White stands better.] 9…Nh5 with the unclear position.

II.B) 9.Bd3 0-0! 10.e5 = [10.Bd2!?AN with the unclear position]. The game Kruit – Reintke (Netherlands, 2019) had the following continuation: 10…Qe6 11.0-0 Nh5 12.Qg5 g6 13.Bd2, and here the simplest way to keep the equality was 13…Bd4!AN 14.Rae1 d6!. But the game continued as the “Two Bishops defence” (it is possible to call it so): 13…Be7 14.Qe3 d6 15.f4 de 16.fe Bd7 17.Rae1 b6 18.Qh6 Bc5 19.Kh1 Bc6. Black’s most chronic mistake was his renunciation of f7-f6 during some moves, and here after 20.Ne4!AN White could get the large advantage.

[The addition by Bruno Berenguer: I suggest to call the defence 7…a6 as the “Bukayev Intermezzo defence” in honour of its author. He agrees to this defence’s name.]

Paragraph 2: 3.Bc4 Be7 4.d4 d6 5.de de

6.Qd8 [6.Bd5! Qd7!AN 7.Ng5 Nd8! = ; 7…Bg5 8.Bg5 Nge7! 9.Bb3 Na5! = ; 9.Bc4! Qd1 10.Kd1 Bg4 11.f3!? Rd8 12.Kc1!? Bc8 with the unclear position; 7.Qe2!? Nf6 8.Bc4 with the unclear position] 6…Bd8 [the main Hungarian Queenless position]

I) 7.Nc3 a6! 8.Be3 Be7!AN = [with the ideas 9.0-0-0 Bd6!, 9.Bd5 Nb4! 10.Bb3 Bd6]

II) 7.Be3 Be7!AN 8.Nc3 a6! =

[The addition by Bruno Berenguer: I suggest to call the defence with …a6 and …Be7 as the “Bukayev Hungarian queenless defence” in honour of its author. He agrees to this defence’s name.]

Author: Y.Bukayev