Project 30: 9th Mike Closs Memorial Tournament Openings (2)

Today we reveal four more of the openings which will be in the draw for the 9th Mike Closs memorial tournament.

I have selected 12 in all but only some will be used in the tournament, as determined by a random draw.

The Danish Gambit: 1 e4 e5 2 d4 exd4 3 c3 dxc3 4 Bc4

This was Mike's big favourite as White. Black can keep on capturing pawns but at the risk of granting White such superior development that a quick attack could finish the game.

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King's Indian Defence: 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7

Mike usually - and typically - aimed for dynamic play against d-pawn openings and the King's Indian Defence certainly suited his style.

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Modern Benoni: 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 c5 4 d5 exd5 5 cxd5 g6

Mike enjoyed the Modern Benoni too. It was never easy keeping the lid on his tactical tricks.

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Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4

One of the more positional parts of his repertoire. Mike tried this a few times early on his chess battles (mid to late 1980s) before it was replaced by the King's Indian and Benoni.

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The invited players should have plenty of fun on both sides of the board if these openings are utilised in the tournament.