1.e4
e5
2.f4?!
White might be able to equalize after this move. (For those of you who think I'm engaging in hyperbole, you should know that White has a whopping 49% score in the Powerbook 2009 database with the King's Gambit. When you consider that most people who play the KG are likely to have experience, preparation and the element of surprise on their side, that's a pretty dismal score.)
2...Nc6
[2...exf4!
]
3.Nc3
exf4
4.d4
In the good old Steinitz style. White wants a fun game, and he gets it. (He gets it, alright.)
4...Qh4+
The principled move.
5.Ke2
d5
6.Nf3
Bg4
7.exd5
0-0-0!!
I don't know if this move is good or not, but I always like seeing the gambittee out-gambit the gambitter!
8.dxc6
Nf6
[8...Bc5
might be better.]
9.cxb7+
Kb8
A critical position for White. Give Black another move, to play ...Bc5 and threaten ...Rhe8+, and White will get crushed. White must find something here, before the whirlwind carries him off.
10.Qe1?-+
[10.g3
fxg3
11.Bg2
Bxf3+
12.Bxf3
gxh2
13.Qd2
Bd6
14.Qg5
Qxd4
15.Be3
Rhe8
16.Rad1
looks good for White at first glance. Giving up a couple of pawns, he has finished mobilizing his forces and can start dreaming of winning with his extra piece. But Black's counterplay endures: 16...Qc4+
17.Rd3
(17.Kf2?
Rxe3!
18.Qxe3
Qh4+
19.Kf1
Qh3+
20.Kf2
Qg3+
21.Ke2
(21.Kf1?
Ng4-+
) 21...Re8-+
) 17...Re5
18.b3!
The only move! 18...Qa6
19.Qxg7
Bc5
20.Nd1
Bxe3
21.Nxe3
Rxd3
22.cxd3
Qxa2+
23.Kf1
Qb1+
24.Nd1
Qxd3+
25.Kg2
Qd2+
26.Kh3
Qd7+
27.Kxh2
Qd2+
28.Qg2
Qh6+
29.Kg1
Re1+
30.Kf2
Qd2+
31.Kg3
Qg5+=
; 10.Bxf4!
Bxf3+
11.Kxf3
Qg4+
12.Ke3
Re8+
13.Kd3
Qxf4
14.Qf3
Qd6
15.g3
might be the route to a White edge, though the position isn't yet clear.]
10...Bxf3+
11.gxf3
Re8+
12.Ne4
Qh5!
White probably missed or underestimated this move. Remarkably, despite enjoying an extra piece and pawn, White is lost.
13.Kf2
Nxe4+
14.Kg1
[14.fxe4
Qh4+
wins the queen (15.Ke2 Rxe4+).]
14...Bb4!
Another nice shot! The Re8 is now protected, so the knight can move if need be.
15.Qxb4
Qxf3
16.Qe1
Ng3
Splat! Gambits are often played to help speed development, so it's ironic that White has four pieces sitting on their initial positions. [16...Qg4+
works too: 17.Bg2
f3
18.Qf1
f2+
19.Qxf2
Nxf2
20.Kxf2
Re2+
21.Kf1
Qxg2#
] 0-1