Another Staunton Gambit. I can vaguely remember playing one of the Ledger brothers 25 or years ago. When he opened 1. f4 I bashed out 1. ... e5 and was completely crestfallen when he responded 2. e4. I can't remember anything else about the game, but I'm almost sure I lost. It's much more fun for Black when, like this game, it's apparent that White has never met the Staunton Gambit before.
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nb1c3 Ng8f6 4. Ng1f3 Nb8c6 5. Bc1g5 Bf8e7 6. e3 O-O {In this position, 7. Bd3 is often played according to the 1400+ database of RHP games. However, I try to avoid it because of 7.. dxc4 8. Bxc4. The bishop has just moved twice, which is a wasted tempo. I want to squeeze in another developing move.} 7. Qd1c2 {This seemed the most natural to me, because it eyes on h7.} h6 {This could happen of course. I almost immediately saw the idea of what to play next, but took a while before I dared to set the trap.} 8. h4 {Sacrificing the bishop, but opening the h-file, which is dangerous for black because of the Qh7# threat.} hxg5 9. hxg5 {The knight is the only defender of h7, but it is attacked by the pawn.} Nf6e4 {This was anticipated.} 10. Nc3xe4 dxe4 11. Qc2xe4 {The threat on h7 is now very real. At this point Black can maybe still save the game with 11.. f5 (11.. g6 12. Qh4 and there is no defense. Maybe 11.. Bb4+ is a defense, but White comes out better.), but he missed the threat. } Be7xg5 12. Qe4h7 {1-0. Game over.} 1-0
1. e4 c5 2. Ng1f3 Nb8c6 3. d4 {I used to not like this for White, purely as it gives up a centre pawn, but I've learned how many rules of thumb can be broken on many occasions.} 3... cxd4 4. Nf3xd4 e5 5. Nd4b5 {Labourdonnais-Loewenthal variation, I had never really played this as White} 5... Ng8f6 {Perhaps playable, but d6 is better} 6. Bc1g5 Bf8e7 {Breaks the pin} 7. Bg5xf6 {But Black must take with the g7 pawn, damaging the kingside structure, because if Bishop takes...} 7... Be7xf6 8. Nb5d6 {Black loses the ability to castle and has difficulties in defending light squares... this is why d6 earlier was better.} 8... Ke8f8 9. Bf1c4 Qd8e7 10. Nd6xf7 Rh8g8 11. c3 {Quiet move, but this now allows Qd5, as there is no Nb4 or Nd4} 11... d6 12. Qd1d5 Bc8d7 13. Nf7xd6 {Threatening mate in one, Rh8 is needed} 13... Nc6d8 {It is missed} 14. Qd5xg8 {1-0} 1-0
I had to look up this fishing pole trap. You are right, it looks much like it although with a bishop instead of a knight. It's the kind of moves that makes chess interesting. Without such shortcuts, we would all be stuck with boring piece development and positional fights, trying to convert small advantages in tempo or position to a win.
CHECKMATE in under 20 moves
29 May '15 13:47
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