Another Asterisk

A general warning can be made as this year comes to a close, and another year prepares to open itself up to us: Those who do not remember (and prepare for) the "Jerome Gambit (or similar) experience" are quite likely doomed to repeat it...


bartab - VeniceOdyssey
standard, FICS, 2011

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

The Semi-Italian Opening.

4.0-0 Na5

I probably said all I needed to say about this move in "Asterisk" earlier this year, but some things bear repeating. (Especially since that earlier post contained a game with the same variation as today's game, and Black, who lost in that earlier game, is the same player who loses today.)

It seems fair to describe this move as being "Like walking around with a Kick Me! sign pinned to the seat of your pants..." as I did in "A Hot Rocket to Oblivion". The game provides "Too much 'shock and awe' or something..." as I said in "Bully".

It is interesting to note that bartab played (and lost) a similar, earlier game (0-1, 36) against the same opponent which saw 3...Na5 4.Bxf7+, but which did not include the further-weakening ...h6. In the current game, bartab demonstrates the difference a move makes.

5.Bxf7+ Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Ke8

If, instead, 6...Ke6, then 7.Qh5 is a good response. 

7.Qh5+ Ke7

Interposing the g-pawn does not help much: 7...g6 8.Qxg6+ Ke7 9.Nc3 c6, etc.

8.Ng6+ Kd6

There is no relief in going "home": 8...Ke8 9.Nxh8+ g6 10.Qxg6+ Ke7 11.Qf7+ Kd6 12.Qd5+ Ke7 13.Qe5 checkmate 

9.Nxh8

The Reader might be thinking "Okay, you win your way, I'll win my way..." An alternative to the text move was 9.Qd5 checkmate. 

9...Nc4 10.Nf7+ Black resigned

To add insult, Black will lose his Queen.