It's A Small World After All (Part 2)

Of course [continuing from "It's A Small World After All (Part 1)"] there would not be much of a story if "fluffybunnyfeet" did not turn out to be National Master James Marfia after all.

He did.

We swapped emails. Jim remembered his opponent and the game. Of the Jerome, he noted "It was, indeed, not much of a gambit."

All of which is a light-hearted introduction to a game that is of significant interest for the serious Jerome Gambiteer.


Marfia,J - Stelter,J
Offhand Game, 1964

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

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ g6

7.Qxe5 d6

Blackburne's "generous" offer of a Rook.

Those slightly familiar with Amateur - Blackburne, London, 1885, will remember the game ending in a crush of White.

Those a bit more familiar will recall that later analysis suggested that White was winning.

Regular Readers will know, however, that the move actually leads to a complicated draw. (See "Flaws" Part 1 and Part 2.) 

8.Qxh8 Qh4 9.d4

The Database has only 5 other games with this move, including perrypawnpusher - bakker, blitz, FICS, 2007 (1-0, 33).

9...Qxe4+

Black's best was 9...Nf6, as detailed in "Traps and Zaps", leading to a complicated mess that favors the second player.

The text is tempting, but losing.

10.Be3 Qxc2

Houdini recommends 10...Qxg2 11.Qxh7+ Kf8 12.Rf1 Bb6 13.Nc3 Bf5 14.0-0-0 Qh3 15.Qxh3 Bxh3 16.Rfe1 Bf5 17.f3 Ba5 18.Bd2 Nf6 when White is better.
11.dxc5 dxc5 12.Qc3

Withdrawing the White Queen from mischief, guarding the White King, and offering a safety-making exchange.

12...Qxc3+ 13.Nxc3 Bf5 14.Bxc5 Re8+ 15.Be3 Re5 16.0-0 Bd3 17.Rfd1 Bc2 18.Rd7+ Re7 19.Rxe7+ Nxe7 Black resigned

A Rook is, after all, a Rook.