7.  B-Kt5

---------------------------------------
8 | #R |    | #B | #Q |    | #R | #K |    |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P |    |    | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 |    |    | #Kt| #P |    | #Kt|    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
5 |    | ^B |    |    | #P |    | ^B |    |
|---------------------------------------|
4 |    | #B |    |    | ^P |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
3 |    |    | ^Kt| ^P |    | ^Kt|    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P |    |    | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R |    |    | ^Q |    | ^R | ^K |    |
---------------------------------------
A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H

Diag. 128.

The position is not unlike that in Diagram 90, and the same remarks apply to it.  Here B-K3 is inadvisable, because P-Q4, threatening to fork two pieces, forces the exchange of Black’s centre pawn.  After 7. ...  B-Kt5; 8.  Kt-Q5, Kt-Q5; 9.  B-B4, B-B4, on the other hand, we get the position discussed on p. 115, in which White obtains the advantage by Q-Q2.  Instead of 9. ...  B-B4, Black should play Q-Q2 with a similar threat.  But he has not the cooperation of his King’s Bishop for the attack, and White just manages to escape with a draw, e.g. 9. ...  Q-Q2; 10.  KtxKtch, PxKt; 11.  BxP, P-KR3(BxKt; 12.  PxB, Q-R6 fails on account of K-R1 and R-KKt1); 12.  P-B3, KtxKtch; 13.  PxKt, B-KR4; 14.  K-R1, K-R2 (Diagram 129); 15.  R-KKt1.

---------------------------------------
8 | #R |    |    |    |    | #R |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | #Q |    | #P |    | #K |
|---------------------------------------|
6 |    |    |    | #P |    | ^B |    | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 |    |    |    |    | #P |    |    | #B |
|---------------------------------------|
4 |    | #B | ^B |    | ^P |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
3 |    |    | ^P | ^P |    | ^P |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P |    |    |    | ^P |    | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R |    |    | ^Q |    | ^R |    | ^K |
---------------------------------------
A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H

Diag. 120.

This is the saving clause.  If now Black had his B at B4, as White has in the corresponding attack, White would first have to protect his BP with 15 Q-K2, and would be lost after R-KKt1; 16.  R-KKt1, R-Kt3; as 17.  B-R4 fails because of Q-R6; 18.  B-KKt3, R-B3; and on the other hand, after 17.  RxR, PxR Black plays R-KB1, attacking the BP a second time.

With the Black Bishop at Kt5, however, Black does not succeed.  The continuation could be l5. ...  R-KKt1; 16.  R-Kt3, R-Kt3; 17.  B-R4, with a probable draw.

This line of play is most difficult for both sides, and it has been avoided so far in tournaments.