What's going on
I'd like to explain where I've been lately. One thing is that I got healthy and went back to work, which left less time for posting here.

The big reason, however, is that I've been hanging around at www.chessgames.com, under the user name Phony Benoni. It's an interesting place, if a bit juvenile at times. (Right now, I've just spent several posts yelling at people who keep misspelling the author's name as Dr. Suess, instead of Dr. Seuss. We don't talk just chess.)

At any rate, I've received a request for some of my games with gambits. Assuming this means the games where I intended to play a gambit, here goes. Let's start with the King's Gambit.

Overall, I've had reasonable results with this against weaker players, not so great against stronger. Perhaps that's no different than normal, but I have to admit I don't feel comfortable with this one.

Moody,David (1871) - Rothenbusch,Herman (1576) [C37]
US Open Friday 30-30 Palo Alto, Calif. (3), 14.08.1981

1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 g5 4.Bc4 g4 5.0-0 Nc6

Hmm. I didn't know you could decline the Muzio. Nobody ever does.

6.d4 Bh6 7.Ne5

OK, OK, if you're going to insist.

7...Nxe5 8.dxe5 Qg5

Now there's no reason not to play simply 9.Bxf4, but I was out to sacrifice a piece and wasn't going to let his reluctance to take one stop me.

9.Bxf7+ Kxf7

I don't get this guy. He declines to take the knight, fearing an attack, then takes the bishop and walks right into a ready made one!

10.Bxf4 Qxf4 11.Rxf4+ Bxf4 12.Qf1

I imagine he missed that. Black plays consistently from here on in, refusing to develop any piece other than his king.

12...h5 13.Qxf4+ Ke8 14.Nc3 c6

Does this stop Nd5? Ha! It does no such thing when Wild and Crazy Piece Sacrifice Man is playing!

15.Rf1 Kd8 16.Qf8+ Kc7 17.Nd5+!

Take that!

17...cxd5 18.Qc5+ Kb8 19.Qd6# 1-0