(1) Esserman,Marc (2503) - Moldovan,John (1847) [B21]
Smith-Morra Gambit Thematic Simul Kenilworth, NJ, 15.04.2010
[Moldovan & Deep Rybka 3]

1 of 8 simultaneous games by IM Esserman B21 Sicilian Defense Smith-Morra Gambit

1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 Diagram

This was the starting position for the simul. Obviously, in a real game, one can ruin White's party by transposing into the Alapin Variation, with 3...d5 (?! MCO-13) or 3...Nf6.

4...e6 5.Nf3 a6 6.Bc4 Nc6 7.0-0 d6 [According to the Schiller, in Standard Chess Openings (Cardoza, 1998), 7...Qc7 8.Qe2 Bd6 "is a somewhat awkward" but "highly effective defense."]

8.Qe2 Qc7 [There are many options here. The more logical 8...Nge7 /\9.Bf4?! Ng6 10.Bg3 Be7=/+ ; & the little-seen, trade-forcing 8...Ne5!? 9.Nxe5 dxe5 10.Rd1 (Del Hoya Estades - Ilchev : Benidorm 2002) 10...Bd7 are but 2.]

9.Bf4 Nf6 [>=9...Nge7 /\ ...Ng6 + ...Be7]

10.Rac1 Diagram



10...Qb8? [After the correct 10...Be7 11.Rfd1 0-0 Black is solid.]

11.Nd5!?N This piece-sac is thematic... [... But >=11.Rfd1+/= Fohler - H. Boecker : Lauda 1986.; 11.Rfe1 (Pruefer - Triger : correspondence, IECG 2001) has also been played.]

11...Nxd5?? [11...exd5[] 12.exd5+ Ne7 13.Rfe1© was necessary.]

12.exd5 Nd8 13.Bg5? [>=13.dxe6 Nxe6 14.Nd4+- ]

13...Bd7? [13...f6 14.Bxf6! gxf6 15.dxe6 d5 16.Bxd5 Be7+/- was a better try.]

14.Bxd8 Qxd8 15.dxe6 fxe6 16.Bxe6 Bxe6? 17.Qxe6+ Qe7 18.Qd5 Black resigns 1-0