Bad Wörishofen Round Two

FACED an Italy-registered opponent.

Spanton (1876) - Albin Ernst Kofler (1660)

Owen

1.e4 b6 2.d4 Bb7 3.Nc3

Marginally more popular in ChessBase's 2024 Mega database, and also preferred by Stockfish16 and Komodo14.1, is 3.Bd3.

3...e6 4.Bd3 Bb4 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Qe2 d5 

How should White proceed?

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7.e5

This is the main move in ChessBase's 2024 Mega database, but 7.exd5!? may be better.

7...Ne4

How should White proceed?

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 8.Bxe4?!

White should probably accept Black has equalised.

Black to play and win (according to the engines)

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8...Bxc3+?!

After 8...dxe4 9.Ng5 Qxd4 Black is winning, according to the engines.

9.bxc3 dxe4 10.Ng5 Nd7?!

The knight has few prospects here. The engines suggest 10...h6, claiming equality.

11.Nxe4?!

Castling is probably better.

11...Bxe4?!

Black has a slight edge after 11...Qh4, according to the engines.

12.Qxe4 0-0 13.Ba3 Re8 14.0-0 c5 15.f4 Qc7 16.f5 f6??

After 16...exf5 or 16...Rac8, White has the upper hand, according to the engines, but the game goes on.

17.fxe6 Rxe6?!

This does not help, but 17...Nf8 18.exf6 is also horrific for Black.

18.Qxa8+ 1-0