Nd5

This game is the latest in a series of my attempts to understand a move that Rybka has recommended in various post mortems. Although I still quite don't understand it, I played it – and my opponent responded as if he didn't understand it, either – and suddenly the game was over.

perrypawnpusher  - LeChinois
blitz, FICS, 2011

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

The Semi-Italian Opening.

4.0-0 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bc5 6.Bxf7+

The Semi-Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit.

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

8...Bxd4 9.Qxd4 Nc6

More frequently seen is 9...d6 10.f4 Nc6, but I do not see a problem with the text.

10.Qd3

I've lost a couple of games with the alternative, 10.Qc4+, e.g.: 10...Kg6 11.f4 Re8 (11...Rf8 12.f5+ Kh7 perrypawnpusher - mjmonday, blitz, FICS, 2010 (0-1, 26)) 12.f5+ Kh7 perrypawnpusher - DeDaapse, blitz, FICS, 2010 (0-1, 19)

10...Qe7

11.f4

After the game I fed the moves to Rybka in blundercheck mode, and here (and for subsequent moves) it recommended instead 11.Nd5.

I know that Nd5 is the kind of move that you play here (at least according to Rybka, which has made that recommendation several times in past games) but I did not like what would happen with Black's Queen at e7: 11...Qxe4 12.Qxe4 Nxe4 13.Nxc7 Rb8. I was hoping for more than exchanging my e-pawn for my opponent's c-pawn. 

11...d6 12.Bd2

Again, Rybka preferred 12.Nd5 Qxe4 13.Qxe4 Nxe4 14.Nxc7 Rb8.

12...Bd7 13.Rae1

Okay, with my e-pawn protected with this move, now I'm ready for Nd5.

13...a5

Of course Rybka preferred 13...Rae8 – followed by 14.Nd5 (and 15.Bc3).

14.Nd5

Tah dah!

White also had 14.e5 dxe5 15.fxe5 Nxe5 16.Qd5+ Kg6 17.Qxe5 Qxe5 18.Rxe5 which equalized, but which took much of the dynamism out of the game. 

14...Be6

Well, that settles everything...

Rybka pointed out the essential 14...Qd8 and then suggested that White could/should draw with 15.Nxf6 Qxf6 16.Bc3 Qe7 17.e5 Be8 18.Re3 Kg8 19.Qd5+ Kh7 20.Qe3+ Kg8 21.Qd5+ etc.

15.Nxe7 Black resigned