Danish Gambit Accepted

White: John P. Pratt.
Black: Mike Vernon.
Date: 12 Jun 1979









This game demonstrates the unbridled power of the Danish Gambit when unleashed. If Black plays conservative defense, he should win, but most people don't do that!

1. e2-e4, e7-e5. 
2. d2-d4, e5xd4.  
3. c2-c3, d4xc3.  
4. Bf1-c4, c3xb2. White trades off two pawns for a very powerful development.
5. Bc1xb2, Nb8-c6. White now has the classic Danish Gambit position.
6. Ng1-f3, Bf8-b4+. It's hard to avoid the temptation to check, but can be disastrous as it is in this game.
7. Ke1-f1, Ng8-h6. Why not 7....Ng8-f6.? Because once before that had led to 8. e4-e5, Nf6-e4. 9. Bc4xf7+, Ke8xf7. 10. Qd1-d5+ destroying the castle, winning the knight, and the game shortly afterward. So Black is trying to use his knight to protect that precious king bishop pawn.
8. Bb2xg7, Rh8-g8. Black didn't notice the long range bishop attack!
9. Bg7xh6, Rg8-g6. Black is determined to drive the bishop away.
10. Bc4xf7+, Ke8xf7. The dreaded bishop sacrifice strikes anyway! It is common in the Danish Gambit.
11. Qd1-d5+, Kf7-e8. This powerful queen move often makes the sacrifice pay off.
12. Nf3-g5, Rg6xg5. White threatens mate, so the rook puts a stop to it.
13. Bh6xg5, Nc6-e7. Black scrambles to protect queen and king.
14. Qd5-e5, Ke8-f7. White threatens Q-h8+ to win the queen.
15. Qe5-f6+, Kf7-g8.Again Black avoids Q-h8+, losing the queen.
16. Bg5-h6, resign. Black can only avoid checkmate by moving his knight and forfeiting his queen and then his knight.

Back to Chess Game Menu.
Back to John Pratt's Home page.