The Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack, Welling Variation, begins with an immediate sortie of both bishops to pin the knights. White has the bishop on g5, attacking Black's knight on f6, while Black has their bishop on g4, applying pressure to White's knight on f3. This position is quite symmetrical regarding the bishops' positions and indicates an early tactical battle revolving around these pinned pieces.
Best Moves
The Sensible ♙h3
♙h3 is a common move that asks the question of the bishop on g4. White intends to unpin their knight and potentially gain the bishop pair if ♗Bxf3 follows. This move also allows for pawn structure flexibility, supporting future moves like g4 to chase the bishop away.
The Interesting ♙c4
Playing ♙c4 strikes at the center and prepares for a pawn break with cxd5. This move fits with the classical aim of controlling the center, possibly leading to an open game for White's bishops. It also indirectly questions Black's bishop on g4, as capturing on c4 following Nc3 can help White establish a fuller pawn center.
The Tactical ♙f3
♙f3 is another initiative-taking approach, immediately attacking Black's bishop on g4. Generally, the move f3 aims to remove the pin and prepare e4, although it does slightly weaken the king's position by advancing pawns.
Important Alternatives
The Steady ♘Nc3
By playing ♘Nc3, White continues development without immediately addressing the pin on g4 or g5. This move prepares for a central pawn break with e4 or c4 while keeping flexible options for further pawn play.
The Quiet ♘Nf3
♘Nf3 opts for solid development. It supports pieces towards controlling the center and can later be followed by moves like Nbd2 or e3 to consolidate control of the central squares.
Critical Mistakes
The Erroneous ♗Bf6
♗Bf6 would be an ill-advised move due to loss of material after ♘Nxf6. It simply surrenders the vital bishop without any compensation and leaves central squares inadequately defended.
The Misstep of ♗Bxe7
With ♗Bxe7, White voluntarily gives up their active bishop for a knight without a specific strategic motive. This loses tempo and trades down their more dynamically active pieces.
Conclusion
The Levitsky Attack in the Welling Variation sees an initial clash of ideas centered around pinned knights. White's best continuations like ♙h3, ♙c4, and ♙f3 capitalize on maintaining or breaking these pins while directing further action into the center. Critical to success in this variation are active engagement with the pinning bishops and preparing central pawn strikes. Missteps such as prematurely trading off the bishop or losing a tempo can result in unfavorable positions.