Defeating Xena
One of the most common offenses I see I've started calling
the Xena attack. White moves out the Knings pawn and then attacks
with their Queen and white Bishop trying to check mate quickly at
the F7(or F2 if Black if the hyper one) square. If they don't mate the Queen slips off to the
corner and beats up the Rook and possibly the Knight and pins the
Black Bishop.If they are a real vindicive person they slap around
a few pawns in the prosess.Now the Xena Attack works against some
people but you will not be one of them any more!
All that is needed to defeat Xena and her trusty side kick is
to remember a few things.
- The first is Relax. They are shoting themselves in the
foot and they don't even know it yet.
- You will get your turn. Your job as Black is to let White
make the first mistake. Let them attack, by bringing the
Queen out to early they waste time.
- Meet their Pawn in the middle. They move KP out two
sqaures you do to.Then defend the Pawn with the Queen
side knight.Do not try and take their Pawn right now it
is Posion!
- Defend yourself by atttacking the middle of the Board.(I'll
rant about the middle of the board later.) Get your
Bishops and Knights out of the Gate.When they attack meet
each of their moves with a differnt peice!
- Pretend you want to take their Queen, but don't really
worry about it.
- With White's Queen and Bishop out attack the Queen side
with your Knight.If you can Fork their King and
Rook it will ruin their chance to castle and you get to
take their rook:*)!
- While they dance around looking tough and feeling the
force with Ole' Xena the Rambo Queen, Castle and get your
Rooks working together.
- Once you've Castled the threat from Ole' Xena should be
about over.Get ready to attack with ALL of your
Knights and Bishops you have left and your Queen Don't
make the same mistake White did. Always attack with
atleast three pieces!
These simple steps should help you on your way to defeating
the Xena Attack. Something else to try is to be Xena a couple
times and see first hand how not getting all your pieces out
makes you weak.