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