An Unfriendly Friendly

The following game, between Philidor 1792 and a friend, starts out like any friendly game. White plays the Jerome Gambit, and Black does his best to fashion a suitable defense. 


Then, things become violent...


Philidor 1792 - NN

friendly game, 2012


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

The Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit.


5...Kxf7 6.Nxe5+ Nxe5 7.d4 


Black's Knight at f6 rules out any 7.Qh5+ lines, but it also eliminates 7...Qh4 as a response to the text.


7...Bxd4 8.Qxd4 d6 

9.Bg5 Re8 10.0-0-0 Kg8 

White has castled Queenside while Black has castled-by-hand.


Black has the advantage, but White has the advantage (from experience) of knowing where the weak points might develop in the defense.


11.f4 Nc6 12.Qf2 Bg4 13.Rd3 Qc8 


Black reinforces his Bishop, but removes support from his Knight. That is enough to move the advantage to the first player.


14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.Qh4 

Here comes trouble.


15...Rf8 16.Rg3 h5 17.h3 Kf7 18.hxg4 hxg4 19.Nd5 

Sealing the enemy King's fate.


19...Qd8 20.Qh5+ Ke6 21.Qf5+ Kf7 22.Rh7+ Ke8 23.Qe6+ Ne7 24.Rxe7+ Qxe7 25.Qxe7 checkmate