Sally Simpson: Hi Everett,
You are right there.
In 1974/75 someone dropped Bronstein's '200 Games' in my lap. He writes that 4.Nxf7(!) [The Cochrane Gambit v the Petrov]  click for larger viewis worth a try. White gets two mobile centre pawns for piece. He ends by saying:
"You certainly must try the Knight sacrifice on f7." I took it up right away and theoretically armed only with Bronstein's words of encouragement. (I did not even know it had a name.) I scored very well with it. It's still in my rep, especially at blitz. Recall in the 80's in a simul winning both Black Bishops with the same cross pin tactic. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nxf7 Kxf7 5. d4 Nxe4 6. Qh5+ Ke7
7. Qe2 Kf7 8. Qxe4 Qe8
 click for larger viewBlack tries to get the Queens off
9. Bc4+ Be6 10. Qf5+
 click for larger viewThere goes one Bishop with the cross pin check.
10...Ke7 11. Qxe6+ Kd8 12. Bg5+ Be7 13. Bb5 c6 14.Qxd6+  click for larger viewThere goes the second Bishop with the same trick. 14...Nd7 15. Bxe7+ White won without an further drama. An odd book '200 Open Games' of course one would never expect Bronstein to actually write a 'normal' book. Some days I think it's a masterpiece, other days I think it's a bit over rated. In this respect I suppose I have fallen for a Bronstein trap. I dive into it months apart and my opinion changes. Today it's a masterpiece. Next month I may tell you it's a bummer. |