Saturday, May 5, 2012

According To Plan (Not)



Planning is an important part of chess, both during the game and before the game. If my opponent does this, then I will respond with this...

Wall,B - Guest848078
15 minutes, Playchess.com, 2012

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.0-0 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ 





A delayed Jerome Gambit.

4...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4 Rf8 





This looks like the result of a little planning: Black will give back a piece (after all, he has two extra) in order to castle-by-hand and bring his King to safety. It has the benefit of almost being a Theoretical Novelty, as there is only one example of it in the 26,000+ game The Database; and that is a win for Black.

Indeed, now after 8.dxc5 Kg8 (...Qe7 is even stronger), Black is clearly better.


8.dxe5 


Well, not exactly according to plan, but all is not lost..


8...Ne8 


Showing that there was not, in effect, a Plan B. Black needed to steel himself and play 8...d6, as after 9.exf6 Qxf6 he would be only a pawn down; and, after the interesting line suggested by Fritz, 10.Nc3 Kg8 11.Be3 Bxe3 12.fxe3 Qxf1+ 13.Qxf1 Rxf1 14.Rxf1 White's material advantage would not be so large, given his doubled, isolated pawns; facing Black's two Bishops.


9.Qd5+ Kg6 10.Qxc5 Black resigned





White's material advantage, safer King, better development and greater central control are difficult to overcome.

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