Abdel Irada: Amazing that a player as strong as Skembris would fall into this antediluvian opening trap in the Marshall — although it is admittedly disguised by the addition of several moves for both sides. On the other hand, I don't think 16. ...
d7 suffices for equality anyway. Almost compulsory against the 16. d2 line is 16. ...b7, leading to an ending in which White has two pieces for a rook, but faces the usual difficulties getting them into play; practical chances, I believe, are very slightly in Black's favor.
As a sidelight, a friend of mine in Santa Cruz who routinely used the Grob (and was in fact a great fan of "St." Skembris) also used to play this variation of the Marshall, with one exception: After 16. d2, he sacrificed 16. ...xh3?!, a variation he called Sullivan's Folly. It seemed somewhat insufficient, but winning against it was admittedly grueling.
