Supposing White wants to try the immediate exchange on f6, hoping that somehow or other he will be able to take advantage of the weakness resulting on f6 and h6.  In exchanging he can give up either his Knight d5 or his Bishop g5.  In both cases there are promising possibilities for attack, but Black, with correct play, can sufficiently defend himself and even get the better.

If White plays (1) Ktxf6 he has to lose a move before he can bring up other pieces to help in the attack, for after Pxf6 he must first move the Bishop g5.  The only good square for the Bishop is h4 from where he maintains the pin on f6 which would become very dangerous for Black if he could not prevent White’s Queen from entering on h6 or render the double threat on f6 ineffective in some other way.  The logical continuation for Black is to answer (2) B-h4 with K-h8 in order to occupy the g-file with his Rook as soon as possible.  Indeed, this is at the same time the best defense against White’s threat, for if White now plays (3) Q-d2; Black replies Ktxf3+; (4) Pxf3, Bxf3; and he is the first to take advantage of the open g-file as his King has already made room for the Rook.

It would be dangerous for Black to play (3) ..., Bxf3 instead of Ktxf3.  For White would continue (4) Q-h6 and the only way for Black to prevent the disaster threatened on f6 is to give back the piece he just won:  (4) ..., Kt-e2+; (5) K-h1, Bxg2+; (6) Kxg2, R4-g8+; (7) K-h1, R-g6; or (6) ..., Kt-f4+; (7) K- h1, Kt-g6.  In either case Black’s defense is very difficult.

The play outlined in the last variation suggests a better method for White to institute the attack in the position of Diagram 47.  This is the preparatory move (1) Q-d2. (1) Bxf6 is obviously not as good, as Black can soon drive away the Knight d5 by P-c6, relieving f6 of all pressure.

In answer to (1) Q-d2, which threatens (2) Bxf6, (3) Q-h6, (4) Ktxf6 and (5) Qxh7 mate, Black has three replies, namely:  Bxf3 or Ktxf3 or P-c6.

That (1) ..., Bxf3 is not sufficient can easily be seen.  White continues (2) Bxf6, Q-d7; (3) Kt-e7+/-, and Black must give up the Queen for the Knight as (3) ..., K-h8 would be followed by (4) Bxg7+, (5) Q-g5+ and (6) Q-f6 mate.  It is interesting to note that it is just the one move which White is ahead in the development that gives him the win.  If he tried to checkmate Black by (3) Q-g5, P-g6; (4) Q-h6 he would be checkmated himself by (4) ..., Kt-e2+ followed by Bxg2+ and Q-g4+, etc.

(2) ..., Pxf6 would not be of avail either.  The consequence would be:  (3) Q-h6, Kt-e2+; (4) K-h1, Bxg2+; (5) Kxg2, Kt-f4+; (6) Ktxf4, Pxf4; (7) K-h1, K-h8; (8) R-g1, R-g8; (9) Rxg8+, Qxg8; (10) R-g1 and the mate can only be averted by the sacrifice of the Queen for the Rook.