Analysis by Fritz 9
1.e4
e5
2.Nf3
Nf6
3.Nxe5
d6
4.Nxf7!?
The Cochrane Gambit. This is a positional sacrifice based on the idea that the strong pawn centre that White obtains, coupled with the looseness of the Black kingside, will be sufficient compensation for the small material deficit. Karpov and Bronstein have both spoken out in its favour, although neither ever employed it in a serious game.
4...Kxf7
5.d4
Qe7
[Black cannot touch the e-pawn: 5...Nxe4
6.Qh5+
g6
7.Qd5+
Kg7
8.Qxe4
]
6.Nc3
c6
7.Bg5
h6
8.Bxf6
Qxf6
9.Bc4+
d5
[Black faces a difficult choice: 9...Kg6
10.Qd3
Kh7
11.0-0-0
Be7
12.Kb1
preserves dynamic equality, but White will soon launch a huge kingside pawn storm that will be hard to stop.]
10.exd5
b5
11.Bb3
Qe7+
12.Ne2
[12.Kf1
causes even more trouble: 12...Kg6
13.dxc6
and now Black doesn't even have a nominal material advantage.]
12...Ke8?
[12...Kg6
is necessary.]
13.0-0
cxd5
14.Re1
Kd8
15.Nf4
Black remains a piece up, but his king is exposed, his queen is attacked, and none of his other pieces have yet moved. White, on the other hand, is ready to throw everything at the enemy king.
15...Qg5
16.Bxd5
[16.Qf3
is stronger: 16...Nc6
17.Bxd5
Nxd4
18.Qe4
Bd6
19.Ng6
Qh5
20.g3
Nf3+
21.Qxf3
Qxg6
22.Bxa8
]
16...Qxf4
17.Bxa8
Bd6
Black's last few moves represent a good practical decision: handing over some material to help with development.
18.g3
Qf6
19.Qf3
[White should probably try to open up more lines of attack against Black's king, e.g. 19.a4
b4
20.c4
bxc3
21.bxc3
Rf8
However, the pressure against f2 is awkward.]
19...Qg6?!
[19...Qxf3
20.Bxf3
Rf8
removes the danger to the king.]
20.Be4
Bg4
21.Qc3
Qf7
22.Qa5+
Qc7
23.Qxb5
Bd7
24.Qb7?!
[White has been increasing her advantage, and now 24.Qd3
Be6
25.Rac1
Bc4
26.Qd2
Kc8
27.b3
Be6
28.c4
would be very hard to meet, as Black's pieces get kicked around by the white pawns.]
24...Nc6
25.Qxc7+
[As before, the queens should stay on, e.g. 25.Qa8+
Qc8
26.Bxc6
Bxc6
27.Qxa7
]
25...Kxc7
26.d5
[Missing the right plan: 26.Rad1
Rd8
27.c3
Ne7
28.b3
Be6
29.c4
, rolling the pawns forward.]
26...Ne5
27.f4
Ng4
28.a3
Bc5+
29.Kg2
Ne3+
With the white king exposed, Black has counterchances.
30.Kh1
Bh3
[Even better is 30...Re8
31.Bf3
Nxc2
32.Rxe8
Bxe8
33.Rc1
Bg6
and Black is close to some kind of equality.]
31.b4
Bb6?
Giving White one last clear chance.
32.Rac1?
[White returns the favour. 32.c4
Bd4
(32...Nxc4?
33.Rac1
) 33.Ra2
wins]
32...Ng4
33.c4
[33.Re2
is the only way to play for a win: 33...Re8
34.c4
Bd4
35.Rd1
Nf2+
36.Rxf2
Bxf2
37.Bg2
Bg4
, but it won't be easy. Now Black forces the draw.]
33...Nf2+
34.Kg1
Bd4
35.Bf3
[Or 35.Bg2
Ng4+
36.Kh1
(36.Kf1?
Nxh2+
37.Ke2
Bxg2
) 36...Nf2+
with a perpetual.]
35...Nd3+
36.Kh1
Capturing either rook would only give White winning chances, so Black gives perpetual check. 1/2-1/2