Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Platypus Perils and Follies

Here's another example of what Gary K. Gifford, editor of the Unorthodox Openings Newsletter,  would call "the Jerome Gamble" (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+). The "bet" pays off, but only after some tense – and ridiculous – moments.

perrypawnpusher - Banassi
blitz 2 12, FICS, 2009

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+



4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Ke6



If Black is brave – or knowledgeable – enough to play this move, his game has a good chance at a happy ending.

7.Qf5+ Kd6 8.f4 Qh4+



Ah, here is part of the "gamble": does Black know the killing Queen sacrifice, or is he just causing trouble??

9.g3 Nf3+ 

Okay, so far.

10.Kd1 Qe7



Uh, no. That would indicate "brave".


11.e5+

Incredible. Black allows a mate-in-one and White overlooks it!

Waiter! Coffee for my friend and me. None of that de-caf stuff, give me high-test!

11...Kc6



Black misses a chance for complete recovery with 11...Nxe5, since after 12.d4 Kc6 13.fxe5 d5 14.Qd3 Bg4+ he has an edge (and an extra piece).






analysis diagram





12.Qe4+ Kb6 13.Qxf3 d6



Black is not distressed with the loss of the advanced Knight (he is still a piece ahead) and, seeing the White King as vulnerable, he works to open lines in the center.

14.Nc3

After the game, Rybka gave a tortuous route to equality: 14.d4 Bxd4 15.Qb3+ Kc6 16.Qa4+ Kc5 17.Na3 Bg4+ 18.Kd2 dxe5 19.Qb5+ Kd6 20.fxe5+ Ke6 21.Qc4+ Kf5 22.c3 Be3+ 23.Kxe3 Qxe5+ 24.Kf2 Re8 25.Rf1 Qe6 26.Kg1+ Kg6 27.Bf4 Whew!





analysis diagram






14...Be6



15.Na4+

There has to be some kind of attack on the King, I thought.

That is true, but the move played should only lead to a draw. Rybka preferred 15.b4 Bxb4 16.a3 c6 17.axb4 and White is better in a tense position.

15...Kb5

This is too cooperative. After 15...Ka6 White can play to split the point with 16.f5 Qf7 17.Nxc5+ dxc5 18.Qa3+ Kb6 19.d4, with the plan for repetition of position.

16.Qxb7+


Now White does have an attack going.

16...Bb6 17.Nxb6 axb6 18.Qxa8



18...dxe5 19.a4+ Kc5 20. d3 exf4


Black continues with his plan to open up the center against the White King. He doesn't have many alternatives.

21. b4+ Kd6 22. Bxf4+ Kd7 23. Qb7 Bg4+ 24. Kc1 Ke8 25. Qa8+


White is ahead two pawns plus the exchange, and has a potential for either opening the a-file for his Rook or creating a protected passed pawn. An endgame is just fine for him.

25...Kf7 26.Qd5+ Kf8 27.Qe4 Qxb4 



A game-ending oversight, but the endgame held nothing but suffering for Black.

28. Qxb4+ Black resigned








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