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11. dxc6
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! But isn't white going to now lose his prized bishop? |
 
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11... axb5
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Yes, of course, but remember the white still has 3 developed pieces, while black has none! |
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12. cxb7
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Some computer analysis reveals that this may not be the most pronounced victory, and that another move (revealed later) would have been stronger. Having said that, the longer it analyzes this move, the more it likes it. What I particularly like about it is the fact that the e-pawn has "become" all the gambited pawns, having traversed the d, c, and b files. He is now just one square from promotion, having devoured three members of the black army successively. At this point I knew this must be the right move, but hadn't actually worked out the conclusion. More on that in a bit. |
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12... Bxb7
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Black doesn't really have much of a choice here. Letting the pawn take either the Rook or Bishop would be an automatic loss. Now, he is still up the gambit pawn after all those fireworks. Plus, he's finally developed a piece!
This is where I wondered whether I had a forced win, as I was stuck for a while on the idea of equalizing material with Qxb5+, but this would have left me with only a very small advantage, because after 13...Qd7 14. Qxd7+ Kxd7 15. Ne5+ (to avoid doubled pawns in the end game) Ke6, and white doesn't really have any advantage, as black will soon develop his king-side pieces and should comfortably draw.
Looking at that 15th move of Ne5+, I realized, that if I simply leave the pawn on b5, black is going to have a very uncomfortable time defending the renewed threat on black's weakest square, f7. This was the move the computer prefers on move 12, but it seems to work out about the same... |
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13. Ne5
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!! A right combination of patience and bravery is required when attacking. Weaker players (myself included) often look for "checking" moves to continue attacks, but often it is far stronger to cut off an escape square for the king. This move cuts off d7, and threatens immediate mate by Qxf7. Black has a few ways to stop immediate mate, but none of them are any good and lead to horrible positions, thus my opponent honorably resigned. Here are a few of the variations:
13...e6?? 14. Qxb5+ Bc6 15. Qxc6+ Ke7 16. Qb7+ Kc5 17. Qb5+ Kd4 18. Be3+ Kxc3 19. Qb3++
13...Nh6?? or 13...Bd5?? both lead to 14. Qxb5 Bc6 15. Qxc6 Qd7 16. Qxd7++
The only non-forced mates involve moves by the black queen, the best of which being 13...Qa5, which could lead to 14.Qxf7 Kd8 15. O-O Qxc3 16. Bf4 Bh6 17. Rhd1 Kc7 18. Rac1 Qxc1 Rxc1 and mate to follow with the coordinated white pieces bearing down on the helpless black king, undefended by his castles still on their starting squares.
Thanks to my opponent for a fun game. Please rate and comment, feedback is much appreciated.
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3 comments
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