00008.4.15 Analyzed by National Master John Graves

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 d6 4. Bc4 Nf6

Be7! stops Ng5.

5. Ng5

winning a pawn by force.

5... Be6 6. Bxe6 fxe6 7. Nxe6 Qe7 8. Nb5

Nf8 is best. White is just a pawn up. A possible plan would be to play Nf8, d3,0-0, Bg5 and Nd5 trading down into a winning endgame.

8... Rc8 9. Nbxc7+ Rxc7 10. Nxc7+ Qxc7 11. d3 Nd4

A one move threat, Be7 completing development is far superior.

12. c3 Qa5 13. b4

Wins a piece by force!

13... Qc7 14. O-O

?? cd4 wins!! Black just gets a few scary checks.

14... Qxc3 15. Bd2

Rb1 is better. Bd2 loses another pawn.

15... Qxd3 16. Re1

oops. Mabye 16. f3 holding on to the pawn is a better idea.

16... Nc2 17. Rc1 Nxe1 18. Qa4+

Not a bad try.

18... Kf7 19. Bxe1 Nxe4 20. Qd7+ Kf6

20... Be7 lets black rook into the game and develops ALL of his pieces, black should win in due time.

21. Qd8+ Be7 22. Qd7

Qh8! gives black a winning position. Don't waste a check if you have no follow up.

22... Nd2 23. Bxd2 Qxd2 24. Rf1 Rf8

24...Qb4! covers b7 and wins easily.

25. Qxb7 Rf7 26. Qxa7 d5 27. b5 e4 28. a4 Ke5 29. Qe3

Keeping queens on would make it harder for black to make progress.

29... Qxe3 30. fxe3 Rxf1+ 31. Kxf1 Bd8 32. g3 d4 33. exd4+ Kxd4 34. h4 Kd3

35. Ke1 h5

Both sides missed their chances in this mistake filled game. White one the opening battle but gave away a winning middle game. The early Nb5 was fancy but it gave black 2 minor pieces for a rook which in most cases favors the 2 minors.