The Frankenstein-Dracula Var. in the Vienna Chess Book

This book is in like-new condition.  It has some light cover wear.   It has a cover price of $9.95.  It was printed in 2000 by Chess Enterprises.  161 pages.

National Master Eric Schiller presents and overview of contemporary theory, historical background, over 200 complete games and atmospheric excerpts from the original Frankenstein and Dracula stories which aims to be both entertaining and instructive. 

The Frankenstein-Dracula Variation

Annotated Moves of the Variation

The variation is brought about by the moves:1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. Nc3 is another common way of reaching this position.

3...Nxe4 4. Qh5

4.Nxe4 d5 is considered to give Black no problems. 4.Bxf7+?! Kxf7 5.Nxe4 is considered good for Black as long as Black avoids 5...Nc6 (5...d5) 6.Qf3+ Kg8?? 7.Ng5! and White wins (7...Qxg5 8.Qd5#). 4.Qh5 threatens Qxf7#, a threat that White continues to renew in this line.

4...Nd6

Surprisingly, this awkward move is the only good response to White's dual threats against f7 and e5; 4...Ng5 would be met by 5.d4 Ne6 6.dxe5 with some advantage. Also possible is 6.d5, when 6...g6?? loses to 7.dxe6!. Instead, 6.d5 Nd4 leads to very complicated play.

5. Bb3

Swedish Grandmaster Ulf Andersson recommended 5.Qxe5+ Qe7 6.Qxe7+ Bxe7 7.Be2!, claiming that White has some advantage.

5...Nc6

5...Be7 (returning the pawn) is a quieter alternative, e.g. 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Nex5 0-0 8.Nd5 Nxe5 9.Qxe5 Re8 10.0-0 Bf8 11.Qf4.

6. Nb5 g6
7. Qf3 f5

David Bronstein once won a game after with 7...f6!? 8.Nxc7+ Qxc7 9.Qxf6 b6 10.Qxh8 Bb7 11.Qxh7 0-0-0.

8. Qd5 Qe7

8...Qf6 has also been tried.

9. Nxc7+ Kd8
10. Nxa8

Black almost always continues 10...b6, preparing Bb7 to trap the knight (see diagram). Black is at the moment a rook down, but will eventually regain the knight, leaving Black down the exchange. In return, Black will play for an attack.

Position after 10...b6

Final Analysis

In return for his material, Black has a good pawn centre and his bishops will be well placed on the long diagonals. He will try to justify his sacrifice by avoiding a queen exchange and attempting to checkmate White. White will secure his king (usually by castling queenside) and his queen (which for the moment is somewhat short of squares), hold onto his extra material and eventually may go on the offensive and attack the Black king stuck in the centre of the board. Whether Black has sufficient compensation is a matter of opinion.

I combine shipping costs if you buy more than one item.

All international buyers must contact me concerning shipping.

All scans are original not stock photos.

Delivery confirmation is included in shipping cost for United States buyers.