(1) Schakel,C (2431) - Miettinen,K (2349) [C21]
2002 USCF Absolute Championship 02A01, 25.07.2003
[Schakel,C]



1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3 dxc3
Black does not need to take the d Pawn; 3. ... Nc6 allows white to play 4.Nf3..., the Goring Gambit, which is more sound for white (and a lot less manic). [ 3...Nc6 4.Nf3 ]

4.Bc4 cxb2
Both players had move four options, but this is the Danish Gambit Accepted.

5.Bxb2 c6
The Horowitz Defense. Lutes cites earlier I. A. Horowitz books which suggest that this is a refutation of the Danish. All white can do is develop pieces and hope.

6.Nc3 d6 7.Nf3 Nd7
I'm down two Pawns. What was I thinking, playing this wild opening?

8.0-0 Nc5
Horowitz recommends this (followed by 9. ... Be6, forcing the retreat or exchange of White's "mighty bishop" on c4). W. John Lutes-D. J. Butters continued 9.Qe2 Be6 10.Nd5 Ne7 11.Nf4 Bxc4 12.Qxc4 Nc8 13.Rfd1 Qc7 14.Qe2 Nb6 15.Rac1 O-O-O 16.e5 d5 17.Bd4...and Lutes recommends Ne6! with a solid game for black.

9.Re1
[ 9.Qe2 Be6 10.Nd5 Ne7 11.Nf4 Bxc4 12.Qxc4 Nc8 13.Rfd1 Qc7 14.Qe2 Nb6 15.Rac1 0-0-0 16.e5 d5 17.Bd4 Ne6 ]

9...b5
Kristo had played ...b5 earlier in a previous game. Challenging that "mighty bishop" with ...Be6 seems safer. [ 9...Be6 ]

10.Bxf7+ Kxf7
With the King exposed Black will have a difficult time getting to a draw.

11.Ne5+ Ke8 12.Nxc6 Qd7
Here ...Qb6 may be better, but the exposed King will still be Black's problem.

13.Qh5+ g6
Nothing else seems better.

14.Qf3 Bb7 15.Na5 h5
Now the two Pawns come back with interest.

16.Nd5 Rh7 17.Nxb7 Qxb7 18.e5 Kd7 19.Rad1
White has too many threats: 18. ... Rd8 19.Bd4..., or 18. ... Rc8 19.exd6... win material. 1-0