Good point. So, why wouldn't black not play Bc5+ first and after Kh1 then take Qxe5. My reason not to do it is that it is not clear where the bishop has to go (in the mainline it goest to h6), and also, it can be useful for black to keep that check-giving tempo for a later moment.
Originally posted by bosintangThats because once the decision was taken to embark down this line most of the moves are obvious. A point will come then more serious debate is necessary but that is not now.
Qxe5. The problem with this line is there is too much agreeing going on and too little discussion!
7. ... Qxe5 is necessary.
Originally posted by ivan2908It is not even sure that this game will ever leave book. So many games have been played and documented following this line. Therefor it may be interesting to suggest and discuss moves that are NOT book.
I hope this thread won't stop when we leave the book...
1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 g4 5. O-O gxf3
6. Qxf3 Qf6 7. e5 Qxe5 8. d3.
8. BXf7 was the cause of my worse ever loss as black here on RHP so has some merit but subsequent analysis and help from the likes of Mephisto 2 among others convinced me that there were sufficient improvements by black to hold that line so 8. d3 must be the more solid alternative. If solid can ever be used in this line.
As I said before, the double Muzio (8.Bxf7+) is playable OTB as a surprise, but is likely to be punished in correspondence. I found two (old, so don't compare the ratings, they would be much higher today) RHP games: in the first one Game 112265 , black was not prepared and lost terribly. In the second one Game 114330 , black was prepared and punished white.
After 8.d3, black wants to hold his f-pawn at least for another while, so 8. ... Bh6.
Originally posted by Mephisto2In Game 2277047 I was definately not prepared. I was punished (as black) early and decisively.
As I said before, the double Muzio (8.Bxf7+) is playable OTB as a surprise, but is likely to be punished in correspondence. I found two (old, so don't compare the ratings, they would be much higher today) RHP games: in the first one Game 112265 , black was not prepared and lost terribly. In the second one Game 114330 , black was prepared and p ...[text shortened]... white.
After 8.d3, black wants to hold his f-pawn at least for another while, so 8. ... Bh6.