Annotated chess game

The gameknot analysis version of the game is as follows ..... game

I really like the terrible traxler  

This opening has been one of my favorites - for both sides.

3. ..Nf6 - Stronger is Bc5

Black flatly ignores White's attack upon f7. The result is fireworks!

What was strong just 1 move ago is now a blunder. correct was d5 blocking the B

Also playable is 5.Bxf7ch and 5.d4. The Bishop check is considered safer, and it is a bit harder for Black to keep up in that line. After the knoght capture, forking Q and R, the game takes a ferocious turn.

and not KxB as then follows 6. Nxe4+ 7. Ke3 Qh4 and whites position is blown apart

Eat, eat; munch munch; masticate, masticate, BURP. But Black has at least some compensation in terms of time and space to mobilize counter-play.

This always looks like a straight win of the R but as we shall see, as so often happens, the N remains trapped on h8 til the end of the game. So in reality it is a trade of N for R

See how, having declined to take the f2-Bishop at move 6, White finds it hard to do much about its presence far advanced in her King-side position. That Bishop is really scrambling White's King side game! Having said that, 8...Bg4 also deserved attention.

It plainly wins the queen for the two bishops and a rook (KxB, BxQ, RxQ, Nxc2), with the white pieces completely stucked in. Best for white: Be2, BxB+, QxB, NxQ, KxB, Ne4+, but who will go for it?

7. d5 Another bad move allowing exd5 opening up the centre. Much better was Bb6 or Bc5 retreating the B to a safe place whilst keeping up pressure on whites disrupted K-side

The position here was subjected to intensive analysis some 40-50 years ago. For a long time, 9.h3 was considered essential, but subsequently this text move has been regarded as the main (i.e. best) line.

9...Qxd6 has also been tried, but I preferred the text as more promising. At this point, White is ahead a rook and a bishop - almost the Queen's equivalent. Yet most of the Black army in in action and well centralised, whilst White active pieces are scattered - those few so far that have crawled out from their barracks! The game is probably too close to call here. But check out the GK engine analysis! It suggests Black must be dead lost in this situation, although I do agree that ...Bg4 deserved consideration at least.

10. Kxf2 - Now Ne4 is not an option as black would not have d5 to block the white B

11.c3 is often played, to bring the Q out via a4 with check.

Giving the Bishop on c4 for developement. h3 would be a second best, because once the Kf6 has jumped with check, the black queen comes in. White must defend g4.

Stronger was c3 attacking that well placed central N

Given the enormous material deficit, Black has no choice but the fling in everything in an all-out attack.

11. Bg4 - A missed oportunity. Ng4+ followed by Qc5 aims a powerful combination at the open K-side 13. h3 And in a single move white gives away all advantage and opens the way for black to charge in. Correct was Re1 forcing black to remain guarding e5 with the Q.

Obligingly destroying the last semblance of protection on the K-side. Correct was Kg1 and for a while the pressure is off

So powerful are Black's threats, White has to return the greater part of her material edge.

This was a brilliant, non-intuitive move. Black wins after the "blinking" Ne2+, but it's much more difficult. And funny: 15. ... Qf6+ 16. Kg2 (best), Bf3+ 17. g2-g1 (Kh2 must be considered), d4-e2+ 18. Kh2 (best?. Black seems out of attack but Rd8 brings another black attacker, at the cost of allowing white's queen to fly) Rd8 19. Qe3 (say), now Bh1 is more dangerous because the threat of Rd1. 20. QxNe2 (If KxB, Rd1+ seems lethal). Here, black is still down in material, but white can' avoid to return it. 20... Bf3, and ok, white can play 21. Qxc4, but Rd1 threats mate in one. White has to stop Rh1#, and it seems that g4 is the only defence, that provides an escape square for the king. But this allows black to take RxBc1, and now f4 is not defended anymore, and Qf4# is unstoppable. By the other side, black can't take the bishop or white will get a perpetual. Really tricky! Black's move avoids all that and goes straightforward to the win.

16. Kg2 Bf3+ The carnage begins

Forced. Already Black has the distinct advantage.

Given the outcome, you may consider QxB, NxQ+, Kg2. White will lose the knight in h8 in the future (it will be -1), but will cool down a little the game until gets his forces out.

I agree with damalfi - Better was QxB removing the mate threat

There was really only one defence that would at least prolong the game. But it's not surprising White didn't choose it. The stunning reply to White's developing defensive move would have been easy to overlook.

Not only develops the knight, but guards the d1-square menaced by Black's Rook... Unfortunately, it shortens the game: Black has a quick problem-like forced mate.

Well, I cosidered Nd2: develops, threats the queen and blocks d1. If Qe3, Rg2, and so on. Black will have to find another way to break in. On the other side, white won't be able to play Nxc4 because Rd1#, so it all seems completely cramped. Very interesting.

Rg2!?

It's what I saw, too. If QxR, KxB. But black can interpose Qxe4+, and soon white will lose much more material.

24.Rg2 Qxg2 25.Kxd1 Qf1ch 26.Kd2 Qxh3 followed by 27...Qxg3 and shove the h-pawn.

Beautiful and decisive - a decoy sacrifice. White is induced to block the king's one escape route, whence mate will follow. The Traxler Variation is highly volatile and very risky, but Black gets to have the most fun! Thanks for this annotation, Jo.

!! just for the pawn. Wow!   Thanks for this very interesting game! I've found many tricky positions all around in the side lines too.

A ruthless attack by black after just two bad moves from white with 13.h3 and 15.g3. Also note that most of whites pieces are still asleep in barracks