They are called “unexploded bombs,” the opening moves that players prepare for upcoming games — and then don’t get a chance to use.
Time goes by — sometimes years — and another opponent, an unintended victim walks into the variation. The bomb goes off in his face.
But it’s not that easy for the bomb maker. He has to remember his analysis.
This happened last month at the Wijk aan Zee supertournament when Levon Aronian wandered into a Semi-Slav Defense against World Champion Vishy Anand.
Unbeknown to the Armenian GM, Anand had prepared the opening, beginning with a surprise 12th move, for his 2012 title-defense match against Boris Gelfand.
But when Anand reached the key position, he forgot what he’d prepared.
Was he supposed to play 16 . . . Bxd4+ 17 Kh1 Nf2+ and then 18 Rxf2 Bxf2 19 Nxf8 Nxf8?
What he remembered is that Black comes out ahead in all lines. “It’s a big help knowing that it’s good,” he said after the game. I was playing on that confidence.”
So he found the stunning 16 . . . Nde5! and 17 Bxg4 Bxd4+ 18 Kh1 Nxg4, which led to a winning position after 19 Nxf8 f5! and the invasion of the Black queen.
White resigned before 24 . . . Qxh3 mate.