Italian Game Classical Variation, Greco Gambit Moeller-Bayonet Attack

FREDERIC LAZARD vs. AMEDEE GIBAUD
Paris, 1909

1. e4, e5
2. d4, exd4
3. Nf3, Nc6
4. Bc4, Bc5
5. c3, Nf6
6. cxd4, Bb4+
7. Nc3, Nxe4
8. 0-0 ....

White intends to open-up the e-file.

8. .... Bxc3
9. d5 ....

White keeps the pressure mounting.

9. .... Bf6
10. Re1, Ne7
11. Rxe4, d6
12. g4 ....

The Greco Gambit, Moeller-Bayonet Attack.  An impressive variation of the Italian Game.

12. .... h6
13. h4, Kf8?

The only logical explanation for the latest Black move is that Black desired to take control of the h file, and at the same time remove the pin on his King.

14. h5, g5
15. Nd4, c6
16. Qf3, Nxd5
17. Bd2, Nc7
18. Rae1, d5
19. Bb4+, Kg7
20. Re7!!, dxc4

If 20....Bxe7, then 21. Bxe7 followed by 22, Bf6+ with a good attack on Black's king side.

21. Nxc6 ....

The move opens up the d file and would force the Black Queen to retreat.  If 21....bxc6, then 22. Rd1 Qd8, 23. Rxc7 ....

21. .... Qd3
22. Rxf7!! ....

A surprise move!  Black doesn't know what is coming.

22. .... Kxf7

White could win outright by 23. Ne5 double check, but he chooses a better plan....

23. Re7+, Kg8

Forced retreat.

24. Qxf6, Rh7
25. Re8+!!, Resigns

It would be useless to take the Rook because of White's threat 26. Qf8 mate.

An amazing finale.

The Battle of Hastings

WILLIAM STEINITZ vs. CURT VON BARDELEBEN
Hastings, 1895
Italian Game Classical Variation, Greco Gambit
1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Bc5
4. c3, Nf6
5. c4, exd4
6. cxd4, Bb4
7. Nc4, d5

The Greco Gambit allows the e4 pawn to be taken in return for an open file. In this game, however, the gambit was declined.

8. exd5, Nxd5
9. 0-0, Be6
10. Bg5, Be7
11. Bxd5, Bxd5
12. Nxd5, Qxd5
13. Bxe7, Nxe7
14. Re1, f6

Black blocks 15. Re5 followed by 16. Qe2 pinning the e7 Knight.

15. Qe2, Qd7
16. Rac1 ....

Bringing the other Rook into an open position.

16. ... c6
17. d5!!, cxd5
18. Nd4, Kf7
19. Ne6!, Rhc8
20. Qg4, g6
21. Ng5+!!, Ke8

Defending the Queen.  The White Knight could not be taken.

22. Rxe7+!! ....

 22. .... Kf8

If 22....Qxe7, then 23. Rxc8+ Rxc8, 24. Qxc8+ and White wins.

King takes Rook exposes the King to enemy attack, as in:  22.....Kxe7, 23. Re1+ Kd8, (if 23....Kd6, then 24. Ne4+ dxe4, 25. Rd1+ ...)   24. Ne6+ Ke8, 25. Nc5+ and White wins.

23. Rf7+ ....

The Black Queen is still untouchable because of Black's mating threat at c1.

23. .... Kg1
24. Rg7+, Kh8

If 24....Kf8, White continues the attack with 25. Nxh7+ followed by 26. Qxd7+....

25. Rxh7+, Resigns

Mate can only be averted if Black sacrifices his Queen.  Analysis:  25....Kg8 26. Rg7+ Kh8 27. Qh4+ Kxg7 28. Qh7+ Kf8 29. Qh8+ Ke7 30. Qg7+ Ke8 31. Qg8+ Ke7 32. Qf7+ Kd8 33. Qf8+ Qe8 34. Nf7+ Kd7 35. Qd6 mate.

Italian Game Classical Variation, Greco Gambit

ALEXANDER STEINKUEHLER vs. JOSEPH HENRY BLACKBURNE
Manchester 1863

Italian Game Classical Variation, Greco Gambit

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Bc5
4. c3, Nf6
5. d4 ....

The Greco Gambit allows the e4 pawn to be taken in return for an open file. In this game, the gambit was declined.

5. .... exd4
6. cxd4, Bb4+
7. Bd2 ....

This author suggests 7. Nc3. Now, if 7.....Nxe4, then 8. Qc2.

7. .... Bxd2+
8. Nfxd2 ....

A weak move. Nbxd2 is much better.

8. .... Nxd4
9. 0-0, d6
10. Nb3. Nxb3
11. Qxb3, 0-0
12. Re1, Nh5
13. e5, Qg5
14. exd6, Nf4
15. Bxf7+. Kh8

Of course not 15.....Rxf7 because of 16. Re8+.

16. g3, cxd6
17. Nc3, Nh3+
18. Kg2, Qf6!!

Black threatens White's f-pawn and Bishop at the same time.

19. Bd5? ....

White decides to keep the Bishop, ignoring the safety of his King.

19. .... Qxf2+
20. Kh1, Qg1+

A brilliant Queen sacrifice. White has no choice but to accept the offer.

21. Rxg1, Nf2+
22. Kg2, Bh3 mate.

An elegant finish.

Italian Game: Classical Variation, Greco Gambit

MAX EUWE vs. S. VAN MINDENO
Holland, 1927

Italian Game, Classical Variation, Greco Gambit

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Bc5
4. c3, Nf6
5. d4 ...

The Greco Gambit. White allows the e-pawn to be taken in return for an open e-file.

5. .... exd4
6. cxd4, Bb4+
7. Nc3, Nxe4
8. 0-0 ....

Qe2 is bad for White because of 8....d5! allowing support for the Knight.

8. .... Bxc3
9. d5!!, Bf6

If 9....Ne7, 10. bxc3 Nxc3, 11. Qd4!!

10. Re1, 0-0

Black castled his King into safety, knowing that one of his Knights will be taken anyway.

11. Rxe4, Ne7
12. d6, cxd6
13. Qxd6, Nf5
14. Qd5 ....

14. .... d6
15. Bg5, Bxg5

Black fell to the trap! Better is 15....h6 sustaining the defense.

If 15. Be6 then 16. Rxe6 fxe6, 17. Qxe6+ Kh8, 18. Qxf5 with more than enough compensation.

16. Nxg5, Qxg5
17. Qxf7+, Resigns

If 17....Rxf7, then 18. Re8 mate.