T. Lassila - N.N. (C52 - Evans Gambit)

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4

Entering the Evans Gambit in the style of romantic 19th century players. This style of play is not for the weak of heart nor should it be actively cultivated, but every once in a while it can be productive to invite total mayhem on the chessboard.

5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4

Perhaps soundest here is the Lasker Defense 6...d6, but who can resist grabbing another pawn when Black won't have a pleasant middlegame in either case.

7. O-O Nf6

The Compromised Defense (7...dxc3!?) is notoriously tricky for Black, but this line is probably inferior as well.

8. e5 Ne4?

Black should have tried 8...d5 9. exf6 dxc4 10. fxg7 Rg8 11. Bg5 Qd5 12. Bf6 where White stands better but at least he must work hard to demonstrate an edge. Also good for White is: 8.Ng8!? (can anything good come from such an obscene looking move?) 9.Qb3 Qe7 10.Ba3 d6 11.exd6 Qf6 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. cxd4 c6.

Position after 8...Ne4

9. Re1! Nxc3

Inviting Black to grab some more material when he is already two pawns ahead. 9. cxd4 would give White a very small advantage.

10. Nxc3 Bxc3 11. Bg5 Ne7

The point behind the nasty business conducted on c3. Black's pieces are confined to his two first ranks and the lone bishop can't do much to help. Meanwhile White has four distinct targets, namely d7, f7, h7 and the Black king!

12. Nxd4 O-O

Black puts up resistance with 12...Bxe1 (12...Bxd4 13. Qxd4 O-O 14. Qh4 Re8 15. Re3 b5! 16. Bd3! h6 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. Qe4 Qc5!? 19. Qh7+ {NOT 19. Qxa8? when 19...c6! traps the queen} Kf8 20. Qh8+ Ke7 21. Qxg7 Qb6) 13. Nf5 d5 14. Nxg7+! Kf8 15. Bh6 Kg8 16. Nh5 but the only defense against Qg4 is 16...f5 17. e6 Bc3 18. Qc1 and Black is hopelessly lost.

13. Nf5 Bb4

The only way to save the knight.

Position after 13...Bb4

14. Qh5! Qe8

Qh5 wins on the spot as now there is no decent defense to save everything at the same time. Much too slow is Rb1, and Qg4 fails to d5. Black's best defense is 14. ...d5! 15.exd6 Bxf5 16.dxe7 Qd4! when White has sufficient material to win but needs to worry about Black's passed pawn and powerful queen.

15. Nxg7! Qd8

Kxg7 is mate in 4.

16. Bf6 1-0

Black resigned while still up a pawn but otherwise not much to take home with him.