Thank you, AirmanLeonidas

Earlier this year I was surprised by a creative new idea in the Semi-Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit, and while I was lucky enough to scramble to overcome it, I later analyzed it to be ready for the next time.

This game proved to be the next time.

perrypawnpusher - TijsH
blitz, FICS, 2010

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 h6

The Semi-Italian Opening.

4.0-0 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bc5

The Semi-Italian Four Knights Game.

6.Bxf7+

The Semi-Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit.

6...Kxf7 7.Nxe5+ Nxe5 8.d4

8...Nf3+

A creative alternative to the ordinary, and probably stronger, 8...Bxd4.

9.Qxf3

My first encounter continued: 9.gxf3 Bb4 10.Qd3 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Rf8 12.e5 Nh7 13.Qxh7 d6 14.Bxh6 Ke8 15.Qxg7 Rf7 16.Qg6 Bf5 17.Qg8+ Ke7 18.Bg5+ Black resigned, perrypawnpusher - AirmanLeonidas, blitz, FICS, 2010.

9...Bxd4 10.Nb5 d6

A cavalier response, simply returning the sacrificed piece. I was prepared for 10...Be5 11.Qb3+ d5 12.f4 Bd6 13.Nxd6+ followd by 14.e5 when Black's advantage is minimal.

11.Nxd4 Bg4

After the game Rybka gave a serious alternate line of play: 11...Re8 12.Re1 c5 13.Nb5 a6 14.Nc3 b5 15.Bf4 Bb7 16.Rad1 Re6 17.Qh3 Qe7 18.f3 Re8 19.Bg3 Kg8 where Black is a pawn down, but King is safe and his development is complete.

analysis diagram







12.Qb3+ Ke7

13.f3 Bd7 14.Qxb7 Rb8 15.Qxa7 g5

Black looks to punish my pawn-grabbing on the Queenside with an attack on the Kingside, but then decides to harass my Queen, after all.

16.b3 Ra8 17.Qb7 Qb8 18.Nc6+ Bxc6 19.Qxc6 Qa7+ 20.Kh1 Rhb8

Black's heavy pieces look impressive, but my plan was to move the action back to the Kingside.

21.Bb2 Rb6 22.Qc3 Rf8 23.e5 dxe5

24.Qxe5+ Kd8 25.Rfd1+ Nd7 26.Rd3

Flashier was 26.Rxd7+  but this will do.

26...Re8 27.Qg3 Rbe6 28.Rad1

Black's last hope was a back-rank checkmate, but my Rooks cause more trouble than his do.

28...R6e7

29.Bf6 Qc5 30.Rxd7+ Kc8 31.Bxe7 Rxe7 32.Rxe7 Qxe7

33.Qe1 Qh7 34.Qe8+ Kb7 35.Qb5+ Kc8 36.Qa6+ Kb8 37.Rd8 checkmate

graphic by Jeff Bucchino, the Wizard of Draws