returnoftheking: I am not sure if Nf4 is theory. It's not in The Book of Fritz but ok according to the engine.
h4 is (maybe)?! but works out very well when black plays g6 and 0-0 Some notes: 11. Nxe6 is also an option according to the engines. It is even messier than the game continuation, f.e: e4 12. Bf4 exf3 13. Nc7+ Kd8 14.O-O fxg2 15.0-0
In this position black has several options:
A funny line starts with 14..Be7 when there is a forced mate:  click for larger viewInstead of Be7, Bb4 or any other move is better; but Nf6 is maybe best. The knight on a8 can land in trouble some day-but the computer is not convinced and blacks king is only protected by the d pawn.
Black can also give the queen on c7 when he has 3 pieces for the queen.
Looks like a fun opening to play.
In the game 18. Be3 looks like an improvement, instead of the direct sac on h7. 18..d4(18... Qc7 19. Bxh7+ Kxh7 20. Qd3+ Kh8 21. Ng6+
Kg8 22. Rc1 Qd7 23. h6) (18... Qd6 probably blacks best bet) 19. Bxh7+ Kxh7 20. Qd3+ Kh8 21. Bxd4+ this move being the point of inserting Be3.  click for larger viewHowever, Be3 is possible on almost every after Bh7 too: 18. Bxh7 Kxh7 19. Be3 (or even one move later after Qd3) so the move order of Be3 and Bh7 is probably not important. In the game Be3 was not played at all because black erred with 19..Kg8 ? 19... Kh8 is an improvement for black but it still looks deadly after 20. Be3 Qd6 21. Ng6+ Kg8 22. h6 Bd7 23. a3
Ba5 24. Ne7+ Kh8 25. Qg6
Question..Is 16.0-0 the losing move? |