[continued from previous post]
Here is another recent game between two 2700+ rated Grandmasters, contesting an opening that had its heyday more than 150 years ago - an opening which may have inspired Alonzo Wheeler Jerome to create the Jerome Gambit, 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+.
Yes, even lacking the element of surprise, Grischuk played the Sarratt Attack, again. Even in blitz, that's saying something.
Grischuk, A. - Dominguez Perez, L.
St. Louis Blitz, St. Louis, 2018
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4
Scotch Gambit.
4...Bc5 5.Ng5
The Sarratt Attack. As long ago as 1860, in Morphy's Games of Chess, Johann Lowenthal noted
This mode of proceeding with the attack is comparatively obsolete, as, with correct play, the defence to it is perfectly satisfactory.
All is new that has been forgotten.
Perhaps both players recall Lajos Portisch's wisdom, that the goal of the opening is to reach a playable middlegame.
Perhaps both players recall Lajos Portisch's wisdom, that the goal of the opening is to reach a playable middlegame.
10.O-O dxe4 11.c3 Qd6
Varying from 11...Be6, played by Karjakin.
12.cxd4 Nxd4 13.Qxd6 cxd6
Grischuk is comfortable with exchanging Queens, as he no doubt is sure to recover a pawn, leaving his opponent with an isolated pawn - and an unsafe King. In fact, he now offers the exchange, expecting proper compensation.
14.Nc3 Bg4 15.Nxe4 Nc2 16.f3 Nxa1 17.fxg4+ Ke6 18.Ng5+ Kd7
19.Rf7+
The computer has a minor grumble with this move, preferring 19.Ne4 Nc2 20.Rd1 Kc7 21.Nxd6. This would remove the central passer, while Grischuk would prefer to improve his Kingside pawn majority.
19... Kc6 20.Nxh7 Rae8 21.Bd2
Again, Stockfish 9 grumbles, preferring 21.Bg5, but I am not comfortable criticizing super-Grandmasters playing blitz. It comes down to what is adequate compensation for the exchange. White's Knight does seem to wander around a bit.
21...Re2 22.Bc3 Rhe8 23.Nf8 g5 24.Nh7 Nc2 25.Rf2 d5 26.Nxg5
Mission accomplished: White has a 3 vs 0 pawn advantage on the Kingside. On the other hand, Black's overlooked passer quickly becomes a menace.
26...d4 27.Bd2 d3 28.Nf3 Rxf2 29.Kxf2 Re2+ 30.Kg3 Kd5
White has 2 pawns for the exchange, but Black's isolani has become a troublesome passer, and his "unprotected" King is rushing into the action. Black certainly looks better - but things continue to be complicated, as the clock ticks. (For example, 30...Ne3!?, forcing 31.Bxe3 Rxe3 32.Kf4 Re2 33.h4 Ke6!? led to crazy play, with Black for choice.)
31.g5 Ke6 32.h4 Kf5 33.h5 Re4
Black drafts the Rook to help defend against the advancing pawns, but it proves overmatched. Possibly better was returning the exchange with 33...Rxd2 34.Nxd2 Kxg5.
In the meantime, White has some interesting ideas.
34.g6 Nd4 35.Nxd4+ Rxd4 36.Kf3 Rg4 37.g3 b5 38.Bf4
The Rook is locked up by the Bishop and pawns. White's King is free to munch on Black's pawns. Amazing.
38...a5 39.Ke3 b4 40.Kxd3 a4 41.Kc4 a3 42.bxa3 bxa3 43.Kb3 Black resigns
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