Sometimes People Don't Think Like Computers

I like to consult with a computer program when I prepare games for posting on this blog. Often Rybka or Houdini point out tactical oversights. Sometimes, though, they make recommendations that are terribly esoteric, like in the following game, and I am forced to conclude, once again, that sometimes people don't think like computers...


Mvskoke - trss
blitz, FICS, 2012


1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Bc5 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.Bxf7+ 

The Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit.


5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4 Bxd4 8.Qxd4 d6 

9.0-0 Nc6 10.Qa4 


Something new. Instead, 10.Qd3 would have transposed, after 10...Re8 11.Bg5, to the recent perrypawnpusher - JoseSoza, Chess.com, 2012 (0-1, 34)


10...Re8 11.Bg5 h6 12.f4 hxg5 13.fxg5 Kg8 14.gxf6 gxf6

According to Rybka, this leads to a slight edge for White. The computer recommends 14...Ne5 and a complicated follow up for a small edge for Black. 


15.Nd5 Rf8 16.Qb3 Be6 17.Qg3+ Kh7 

Stepping into the open is very dangerous. 


Rybka's recommendation leaves Black with a Rook and two minor pieces for his Queen and a couple of pawns, which is unclear: 17...Kf7 18.Rxf6+ Qxf6 19.Nxf6 Kxf6 20.Rf1+ Ke7 21.Qg5+ Ke8 22.Rxf8+ Kxf8 23.Qf6+ Bf7 24.Qh8+ Bg8 25.h4 Re8 26.Qh6+ Ke7 27.Qg5+ Kf7 28.Qf5+ Ke7 29.h5 Be6 30.Qf4 Rg8 31.h6.


I am not surprised that Black did not see this "escape". I don't think that regular club players think that way.


18.Rf4 f5 19.Rh4+ Qxh4 20.Qxh4+ Kg6 21.Nxc7 fxe4

22.Nxa8 Rxa8 23.Rf1 Bf5 24.g4 Black resigned