Second verse, same as the first...

My first game against Abatwa (see"Pulled Up Short") was short. I challenged him again days later: would anything be different?

perrypawnpusher - Abatwa
blitz, FICS, 2010

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6

Black decided, after some thought, not to play the Blackburne Shilling Gambit, as in our first game, perrypawnpusher - Abatwa, blitz, FICS, 2010 (1-0, 8).

Good choice, but he was not out of the woods yet.

4.Nc3 Bc5 5.Bxf7+

The Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit.

5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4

7...Rf8

Figuring, I guess, that since he is going to lose a piece no matter which one he moves, he might as well prepare to safegard his King by castling-by-hand. Under other circumstances this would be a fine idea, but his best move here was 7...Bd6.

8.dxe5 Ne8

Understandably wanting to stay a piece ahead, but it was necessary to surrender one with 8...d6 9.exf6 Qxf6 10.0-0 Qe5 when White will have an edge.

9.Qd5+ Ke7

After the game Rybka showed that Black's King could reach safety in a round-about way: 9...Kg6 10.Qxc5 d6 11.Qd4 Kf7 12.Be3 Kg8. However, after 13.0-0-0 White is clearly better.

10.Bg5+ Black resigned

What an uncomfortable position!

After 10...Nf6 11.exf6+ gxf6 12.Qxc5+ d6 it looks like White has won two pieces, only to have left two en prise himself, but with 13.Nd5+! he can give the Bishop back and maintain the attack, e.g. 13...Kd7 14.Qd4 fxg5 15.Qg7+ (or 15.0-0-0).