Durkin Opening: Sodium Attack

The Durkin Opening is a rarely seen move in chess, starting with the move 1. Na3. It is not considered a serious opening by most chess players and is often used for surprise value in casual games. Despite its lack of popularity, the Durkin Opening is an interesting option for those looking to try something unconventional and shake up their opening repertoire.

Origin of the Durkin Opening

The origin of the Durkin Opening is not well documented, but it is named after the American chess player Michael J. Durkin, who was known for using it in his games. It is not clear whether he was the first player to use 1.h3 or if the opening was named after him because he popularized it. Regardless, the Durkin Opening has been around for many years and continues to be a unique and unorthodox option in chess.

How to Play the Durkin Opening

Playing the Durkin Opening involves making the move 1.h3 at the beginning of the game. The idea behind this move is to prevent Black from playing 1...g5, which would allow them to play the Grob's Attack. By making the move 1.h3, White delays the development of their pieces, but also provides Black with a lead in development.

Strategy and Tactics of the Durkin Opening

The strategy behind the Durkin Opening is to use surprise and unconventional tactics to catch the opponent off guard. As the Durkin Opening is not a commonly seen move, the opponent may not know how to respond, giving White an advantage. However, it is important to keep in mind that the delayed development of the pieces may make it more difficult for White to control the center and develop their pieces effectively.

Advantages for White

One advantage for White in playing the Durkin Opening is that it can be used for surprise value and to throw the opponent off their game. Additionally, the move 1.h3 may lead to an unorthodox pawn structure, which can create opportunities for tactical play and tactical surprises for both sides.

Magnus Carlsen vs. Sahaj Grover

PGN:

1. Na3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O c5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. D4 Nc6 9. dxc5 Bxc5 

10. Nc4 b6 11. Bd2 Bb7 12. Rc1 Rc8 13. a3 a5 14. e4 Nde7 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. Nxe3 Ba6 17. Re1 Qxd1 

18. Rexd1 Be2 19. Rd7 Bxf3 20. Bxf3 Ne5 21. Rcc7 Nxf3+ 22. Kg2 Ne1+ 23. Kf1 Rxc7 24. Rxc7 Nd3 25. Rxe7 Nxb2 

26. Rb7 Na4 27. Nc4 g6 28. e5 Rc8 29. Nd6 Rc3 30. h4 Rxa3 31. Rb8+ Kg7 32. Ne8+ Kh6 33. Nf6 Rf3 34. g4 g5 35. Rg8 1-0

Key Takeaways & Analysis:

8. d4: This move is a central pawn advance, aiming to control the center of the board and limit the opponent's options. It also prepares for the possibility of opening lines for the bishop and queen.

10. Nc4: This move places the knight on a more active square, where it attacks the opponent's queen's pawn and also prepares for potential operations on the queenside.

14. e4: This move gains central space and opens up lines for the bishop and queen. It also prepares for a potential pawn push to e5, which could kick the knight from its central post on d5.

19. Rd7: This move places the rook on the 7th rank, a very active and often devastating post for the rook. It also attacks the bishop on e7 and prepares to double the rooks on the 7th rank if needed.

21. Rcc7: Doubling rooks on the 7th rank is a powerful strategy. It increases the pressure on the opponent's position and often leads to material and positional advantages.

24. Rxc7: This move captures an undefended knight, gaining material advantage. It also keeps one rook on the 7th rank, maintaining pressure on the opponent's position.

28. e5: This pawn push gains space, limits the mobility of the opponent's knight, and opens up the bishop's diagonal. It also threatens to push the pawn to e6, which could create weaknesses in the opponent's pawn structure.

33. Nf6: This move places the knight in a very aggressive position, threatening checkmate on the next move. It also blocks the f-pawn, preventing the opponent from advancing it to f6 to kick the rook away.

35. Rg8: This is the final move of the game, forcing the opponent to resign. The rook threatens to capture the g5 pawn with checkmate, and there's no way for Black to prevent this.

Timur Gareyev vs. Kulkarni Saurabh

PGN:

1. Na3 d5 2. Nh3 Nf6 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2 e5 5. O-O Be7 6. c4 O-O 7. b3 Bf5 8. Nc2 h6 9. Ne3 Be4 10. d3 Bxg2 

11. Kxg2 Qd7 12. f4 d4 13. fxe5 dxe3 14. exf6 Bxf6 15. Rxf6 gxf6 16. Bxe3 Re8 17. Bxh6 Qg4 18. e4 Qxd1 

19. Rxd1 Nd7 20. Nf2 c5 21. Bd2 Ne5 22. Bc3 Rad8 23. Bxe5 fxe5 24. Ng4 Rd6 25. Ne3 a6 26. Nd5 Kg7 27. Kf3 b5 

28. Rc1 b4 29. a3 bxa3 30. Ra1 Rb8 31. Rxa3 Kg6 32. Kg4 Rb7 33. h4 Kg7 34. Kf5 Rh6 35. Kxe5 1-0

Key Takeaways & Analysis:

9. Ne3: This move develops the knight to a more central square, where it can exert influence on key squares and potentially support a pawn push to d4.

12. f4: This move is a pawn break, aiming to disrupt Black's pawn structure and open up lines for the rooks and queen. It also prepares for the possibility of pushing the pawn to f5 to gain more space and kick the black bishop.

14. exf6: This move captures a pawn and opens up the e-file for the rook. It also disrupts Black's pawn structure and creates a doubled pawn on the f-file.

15. Rxf6: This move captures a pawn and doubles Black's pawns on the f-file, creating a potential weakness. It also opens up the f-file for the rook.

18. e4: This move gains central space and opens up lines for the bishop and queen. It also prepares for a potential pawn push to e5, which could kick the knight from its central post on d5.

20. Nf2: This move repositions the knight to a more defensive position, where it can support the d3 pawn and potentially jump to e4 or g4.

24. Ng4: This move places the knight on an aggressive square, where it can jump to e5 or h6.

27. Kf3: This move brings the king closer to the center, preparing for the endgame. It also supports the e4 pawn and prepares to bring the king to an even more active position.

34. Kf5: This move places the king on an aggressive square, where it can support the e5 pawn and potentially create threats against Black's position.

35. Kxe5: This is the final move of the game, capturing a pawn and gaining a decisive material advantage. Black resigned after this move.

Advantages for Black

Maxime Lagarde vs. Johan Salomon

PGN:

1. Na3 e5 2. c4 Nf6 3. e3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bb5 Bxa3 7. bxa3 O-O 8. O-O e4 9. Ne1 Nc3 10. Qb3 Nxb5 

11. Qxb5 Re8 12. f3 a6 13. Qc5 Qf6 14. Rb1 Qg6 15. f4 b6 16. Qc3 Qd6 17. Bb2 f6 18. Rc1 Bd7 19. Rf2 Rac8 20. g4 Ne7 

21. Rg2 Nd5 22. Qc4 a5 23. g5 f5 24. a4 c5 25. a3 Be6 26. Be5 Qd7 27. Qc2 Bf7 28. g6 hxg6 29. Qb2 Rxe5 30. Qxe5 Qxa4 

31. Qb2 c4 32. Nc2 c3 33. dxc3 Rxc3 34. Nd4 Qxa3 35. Qxa3 Rxa3 36. Rc8+ Kh7 37. Rf8 Bg8 38. Nc2 Rc3 39. Rg3 Nf6 

40. Rh3+ Nh5 41. Nd4 a4 42. Nxf5 Be6 43. Rxh5+ gxh5 44. Nd4 Bc4 45. Ra8 a3 46. Ra7 a2 47. Nf5 Rc1+

48. Kf2 a1=Q 0-1

Key Takeaways & Analysis:

6. Bb5: This move pins the knight on c6, preventing it from moving and potentially preparing to double Black's pawns if Black decides to capture.

8. O-O: This move castles the king to safety and connects the rooks. It's a standard move in the opening that helps to secure the king and prepare for the middlegame.

9. Ne1: This move is a bit unusual, but it frees up the f3 square for the pawn to advance, potentially challenging Black's central pawn on e4.

11. Qxb5: This move captures the knight, gaining material and putting pressure on Black's position.

15. f4: This move challenges Black's central pawn on e4 and prepares to open up the f-file for the rook.

20. g4: This move is a pawn thrust on the kingside, aiming to create weaknesses in Black's position and potentially launch a pawn storm against Black's king.

21. Rg2: This move prepares to double rooks on the g-file, potentially creating threats against Black's king.

23. g5: This move continues the pawn storm on the kingside, aiming to create weaknesses in Black's position and potentially open up lines for the rooks and queen.

28. g6: This move creates a pawn wedge on g6, potentially creating weaknesses in Black's kingside and opening lines for the rooks and queen.

34. Nd4: This move centralizes the knight, where it attacks the queen and prepares to jump to f5 or e6.

40. Rh3+: This move checks the king and forces it to move, potentially creating weaknesses in Black's position.

41. Nd4: This move repositions the knight to a more central square, where it can jump to f5 or e6.

44. Nd4: This move repositions the knight again, aiming to bring it to a more active square.

47. Nf5: This move places the knight on an aggressive square, where it threatens to check the king and attack the rook on c1.

While the Durkin Opening is not considered a serious option for White, it does provide Black with several advantages. The first advantage is that Black gains a lead in development, which can make it easier for them to control the center and set up their pieces for a strong position. Additionally, Black may be able to use their extra time to launch a counterattack, which can put pressure on White and potentially lead to a win.

Common Mistakes When Playing the Durkin Opening

One common mistake when playing the Durkin Opening is to rely too heavily on surprise tactics and neglect proper development and control of the center. Another mistake is to play the Durkin Opening in serious games, where it is not a viable option for obtaining an advantage in the opening. It is important to keep in mind that the Durkin Opening is best used in casual games and for surprise value, rather than as a serious option for obtaining an advantage.

In conclusion, the Durkin Opening is a unique and unconventional option in chess that can be used for surprise value in casual games. However, it is not considered a serious option for obtaining an advantage in the opening, as it delays development and provides Black with a lead in development. Despite its limitations, the Durkin Opening can be an interesting and fun option for players looking to try something different in their games.