Houdini 3 vs Komodo dev

[Don]

I played a 2 game match with the Morra Gambit, starting after 3... dxc3 - Houdini white in one game and black in the next. I couldn't help but notice that both Houdini and Komodo like to deploy the king bishop on e2 instead of the usual Bc4. I'm not a theoretician so I can't say much about that, but I don't see that in the books. Both games ended in draws, which used to be my experience when playing it as white, it was always good for draw!

[Event "Computer Chess Game"]<br> [Site "greencheeks"]<br> [Date "2012.10.16"]<br> [Round "-"]<br> [White "Houdini 3"]<br> [Black "Komodo"]<br> [Result "1/2-1/2"]<br> [TimeControl "600+5"]<br> [Annotator "4. +0.15 4... -0.02"]<br> <br> 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Be3 e6 7. Be2 Be7<br> 8. O-O Nf6 9. Qb3 Bd7 10. Rac1 O-O 11. Rfd1 h6 12. h3 Re8 13. a3 Rc8 14.<br> Nd2 Qc7 15. Kh1 Qb8 16. f4 e5 17. Bc4 Rf8 18. Nd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Na5 20. Qd3<br> a6 21. fxe5 Bb5 22. Rxc8 Qxc8 23. Qb1 dxe5 24. Nf3 Nc6 25. Qc2 a5 26. Rc1<br> Qb8 27. Qf2 Qd6 28. Rc5 Ba6 29. Bxc6 bxc6 30. Rxa5 Qd1+ 31. Kh2 Bd3 32. Nd2<br> Bb5 33. Ra7 Bf6 34. b3 Qc2 35. a4 Bd3 36. a5 Qc3 37. b4 Bb5 38. Bc5 Rd8 39.<br> Nf1 Bc4 40. a6 Bg5 41. Be3 Rd1 42. Qf5 g6 43. Qc8+ Rd8 44. Qc7 Rf8 45. Qxc6<br> Bxe3 46. Rc7 Bg1+ 47. Kh1 Bd4 48. Qxc4 Qe1 49. Qc1 Qxb4 50. Rc6 Qb5 51. Nd2<br> Kg7 52. Qc4 Qb2 53. Nf3 Qb1+ 54. Qc1 Qxe4 55. Nxd4 Qxd4 56. Qg1 Rd8 57. a7<br> Qxg1+ 58. Kxg1 Rd1+ 59. Kf2 Ra1 60. Rc7 Kf6 61. g4 Ra2+ 62. Kf3 Ra3+ 63.<br> Kf2 Ke6 64. h4 f5 65. Rc6+ Kd5 66. Rxg6 fxg4 67. Rg7 h5 68. Rh7 Ke4 69. Rf7<br> Ra2+ 70. Kg3 Ra4 71. Kf2 Ra3 72. Rg7 Kf5 73. Rf7+ Kg6 74. Re7 e4 75. Kg2<br> Kf6 76. Rh7 e3 77. Kg3 e2+ 78. Kf2 Kg6 79. Re7 Ra2 80. Rxe2 Rxa7 81. Re6+<br> Kf5 82. Rh6 Kf4 83. Rf6+ Ke4 84. Re6+ Kd5 85. Rf6 Re7 86. Kg3 Re3+ 87. Kg2<br> Re5 88. Kg3 Kd4 89. Rg6 Re3+ 90. Kf4 Kd3 91. Ra6 Re4+ 92. Kg3 Re5 93. Kf4<br> Rc5 94. Kg3 Rb5 95. Ra4 Ke3 96. Ra8 Ke4 97. Rh8 Rf5 98. Rh6 Rd5 99. Re6+<br> Re5 100. Rg6 Rc5 101. Re6+ Kd4 102. Kf4 Kd3 103. Rh6 Rb5 104. Rh8 Rd5 105.<br> Rh7 Ra5 106. Rh8 Kd4 107. Rh6 Re5 108. Rd6+ Rd5 109. Rh6 Rb5 110. Rd6+ Kc5<br> 111. Rg6 Kd5 112. Rh6 Rb4+ 113. Kf5 Kd4 114. Kf4 Kd3+ 115. Kg3 Rb5 116. Kf4<br> Rc5 117. Rh8 Ra5 118. Rh6 Kc3 119. Rg6 Rd5 120. Rg8 Kc4 121. Rc8+ Kd3 122.<br> Kg3 Ke3 123. Ra8 Rd3 124. Kg2 Kf4 125. Rf8+ Ke4 126. Re8+ Kf4 127. Rf8+ Ke4<br> 128. Re8+ Kf4 129. Rf8+<br> {Draw by repetition} 1/2-1/2


The second game:

[Event "Computer Chess Game"]<br> [Site "greencheeks"]<br> [Date "2012.10.16"]<br> [Round "-"]<br> [White "Komodo"]<br> [Black "Houdini 3"]<br> [Result "1/2-1/2"]<br> [TimeControl "600+5"]<br> [Annotator "4. +0.13 4... +0.12"]<br> <br> 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Be2 Nf6 7. O-O e5<br> 8. Bg5 Be7 9. Qb3 O-O 10. Rfd1 Rb8 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Qa3 Be7 13. Nd5 Be6<br> 14. Rac1 Rc8 15. h3 a6 16. Bc4 Bxd5 17. Bxd5 Qb6 18. Rc3 Rc7 19. Rdc1 Rfc8<br> 20. Rb3 Qa7 21. Rbc3 Qb8 22. g3 g6 23. Qb3 Nd8 24. Kg2 Kg7 25. h4 Rxc3 26.<br> Rxc3 Rxc3 27. Qxc3 Ne6 28. Bxe6 fxe6 29. Ng5 Bxg5 30. hxg5 Qd8 31. f4 Qb8<br> 32. a3 Kg8 33. fxe5 dxe5 34. Qc4 Kf7 35. Qf1+ Ke7 36. Qh1 Qh8 37. b4 Qg8<br> 38. Qa1 Qb8 39. Qh1 Qh8 40. a4 Qg8 41. b5 axb5 42. axb5 Qh8 43. b6 Kd6 44.<br> Qd1+ Kc5 45. Qd7 Kxb6 46. Qd6+ Kb5 47. Qxe6 Qg7 48. Qd6 Ka5 49. Kg1 b6 50.<br> Qa3+ Kb5 51. Qd6 Qh8 52. Qd5+ Kb4 53. Qd6+ Kc4 54. Kg2 Qe8 55. Qxb6 Qe7 56.<br> Qe3 Qb4 57. Qa7 Qd2+ 58. Kh3 Qe1 59. Kh2 Qe2+ 60. Kg1 Qd1+ 61. Kg2 Qc2+ 62.<br> Kg1 Qxe4 63. Qxh7 Qb1+ 64. Kg2 Qc2+ 65. Kg1 Qc1+ 66. Kg2 Qd2+ 67. Kf3 Qd3+<br> 68. Kg2 Qd5+ 69. Kf2 Qd4+ 70. Kg2 Qd6 71. Qg7 Qd5+ 72. Kg1 Qd1+ 73. Kg2<br> Qc2+ 74. Kh3 Qf5+ 75. Kg2 Qe4+ 76. Kh2 Kd4 77. Qa7+ Kc3 78. Qa5+ Kd3 79.<br> Qb6 Qe2+ 80. Kh3 Qh5+ 81. Kg2 Qxg5 82. Qd6+ Ke4 83. Qc6+ Kf5 84. Qc8+ Kf6<br> 85. Qd8+ Kf5 86. Qc8+ Ke4 87. Qc6+ Kd4 88. Qd7+ Ke3 89. Qa7+ Kd3 90. Qa6+<br> Kd2 91. Qa5+ Kc1 92. Qc3+ Kd1 93. Qf3+ Kd2 94. Qd5+ Kc2 95. Qc4+ Kb2 96.<br> Qb4+ Ka2 97. Qa5+ Kb3 98. Qd5+ Kb4 99. Qb7+ Ka3 100. Qf3+ Kb2 101. Qb7+ Ka1<br> 102. Qa6+ Kb1 103. Qb6+ Kc2 104. Qc6+ Kd3 105. Qd5+ Ke3 106. Qc5+ Ke2 107.<br> Qc4+ Kd1 108. Qb3+ Ke1 109. Qb1+ Ke2 110. Qb5+ Ke3 111. Qc5+ Ke4 112. Qc6+<br> {Draw by repetition} 1/2-1/2

[Harvey Williamson]

re game 1 i can only find 1 example of this move order:

[Event "Valpovo op U20"]<br> [Site "Valpovo"]<br> [Date "2008.12.07"]<br> [Round "7"]<br> [White "Renjak, Adriano"]<br> [Black "Skvorc, Emanuel"]<br> [Result "1-0"]<br> [ECO "B21"]<br> [PlyCount "47"]<br> [EventDate "2008.12.05"]<br> [EventType "swiss (rapid)"]<br> [EventRounds "7"]<br> [EventCountry "CRO"]<br> [Source "ChessBase"]<br> [SourceDate "2009.11.30"]<br> <br> 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Be3 d6 6. Nf3 e6 7. Be2 Nf6 8.<br> Qc2 Be7 9. O-O a6 10. Rfd1 Qc7 11. Rac1 O-O 12. Nd4 Ne5 13. Qb1 Qb8 14. Na4 b5<br> 15. f4 bxa4 16. fxe5 dxe5 17. Nc6 Qb7 18. Nxe5 Qxe4 19. Qxe4 Nxe4 20. Bf3 Rb8<br> 21. Nc6 Bb7 22. Nxb8 Rxb8 23. Rd7 Bf6 24. Rxb7 1-0<br> <br> in game 2 after e5 we have this 1<br> <br> [Event "Jirasek Memorial op-B"]<br> [Site "Rakovnik"]<br> [Date "2009.08.09"]<br> [Round "3"]<br> [White "Novotna, Kristyna"]<br> [Black "Hajsman, Ladislav"]<br> [Result "0-1"]<br> [ECO "B21"]<br> [PlyCount "58"]<br> [EventDate "2009.08.08"]<br> [EventType "swiss"]<br> [EventRounds "9"]<br> [EventCountry "CZE"]<br> [Source "ChessBase"]<br> [SourceDate "2009.11.30"]<br> <br> 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Be2 Nf6 7. O-O e5 8. b3<br> Be7 9. Bb2 a6 10. Rc1 Be6 11. h3 O-O 12. Nh2 Rc8 13. f4 exf4 14. Rxf4 Nd7 15.<br> Rf1 Bg5 16. Rb1 Be3+ 17. Kh1 Nce5 18. Nf3 Nxf3 19. Bxf3 Ne5 20. Re1 Ba7 21. Ne2<br> Nxf3 22. gxf3 Bf2 23. Rf1 Qh4 24. Ng1 Bxh3 25. Rxf2 Qxf2 26. Nxh3 Qg3 27. Qf1<br> Rc2 28. Qg1 Qxh3+ 29. Qh2 Qxh2# 0-1

1 computer game after 6. Be2

[Event "Habanero's Friday High Noon 16.03."]<br> [Site "playchess.com #050112"]<br> [Date "2012.03.16"]<br> [Round "4"]<br> [White "shadowsarmy, houdini 1.5a x64"]<br> [Black "pipolo, houdini 2.0c pro x6"]<br> [Result "1/2-1/2"]<br> [WhiteElo "2517"]<br> [BlackElo "2511"]<br> [PlyCount "174"]<br> [EventDate "2012.03.16"]<br> [EventType "swiss (blitz)"]<br> [TimeControl "300"]<br> <br> 1. e4 {B 0} c5 {B 0} 2. Nf3 {B 0} Nc6 {B 0} 3. d4 {B 0} cxd4 {B 0} 4. c3 {B 0}<br> dxc3 {-0.04/20 17} 5. Nxc3 {B 0} d6 {-0.07/20 6} 6. Be2 {0.05/19 26 (Lc4)} g6 {<br> -0.16/20 8} 7. O-O {0.04/21 0 (Db3)} Bg7 {-0.20/21 9} 8. Be3 {-0.02/20 0 (h3)}<br> Nf6 {-0.20/20 5} 9. h3 {-0.09/19 9} O-O {-0.22/22 0 (a7-a6)} 10. Rc1 {-0.09/19<br> 9} a6 {-0.22/21 0} 11. a3 {-0.10/18 7} Be6 {-0.24/20 0 (Lc8-d7)} 12. Ng5 {-0.<br> 16/19 6} Bd7 {-0.27/21 28} 13. b4 {-0.17/21 0 (Sf3)} b5 {-0.31/21 17 (Ta8-c8)}<br> 14. Qd2 {-0.12/20 20 (f4)} Qb8 {-0.22/19 16 (Ta8-c8)} 15. f4 {-0.07/18 8} Rc8 {<br> -0.19/19 6 (a6-a5)} 16. Bd3 {-0.14/18 14 (Sd5)} Qb7 {-0.39/17 5 (a6-a5)} 17.<br> Rc2 {-0.20/15 7 (Tfd1)} e5 {-0.54/18 7 (a6-a5)} 18. Nf3 {-0.33/17 4 (Sd5)} Re8<br> {-0.47/18 9 (Sf6-h5)} 19. fxe5 {-0.44/17 6} Nxe5 {-0.50/20 4} 20. Nxe5 {-0.39/<br> 20 0} dxe5 {-0.50/19 0} 21. Bg5 {-0.42/19 4} Re6 {-0.49/21 1} 22. Nd5 {-0.41/<br> 20 9} Nxd5 {-0.46/20 0} 23. exd5 {-0.40/19 1} Rd6 {-0.43/20 3} 24. Rc5 {-0.35/<br> 20 5} f6 {-0.44/20 6} 25. Bh4 {-0.35/19 0} Rd8 {-0.38/20 17 (Ld7-e8)} 26. Be4 {<br> -0.26/17 3} Qb6 {-0.34/19 1} 27. g4 {-0.27/17 7} Bc6 {-0.41/21 5} 28. Rd1 {-0.<br> 29/20 0 (Lf2)} Ba8 {-0.41/20 4} 29. Bf2 {-0.40/20 5} Qb7 {-0.38/22 15} 30. Rdc1<br> {-0.37/23 0 (Dc3)} Qb8 {-0.37/20 2 (Db7-f7)} 31. Be3 {-0.28/18 4} Bb7 {-0.38/<br> 20 0} 32. Rd1 {-0.30/18 3} R6d7 {-0.40/19 0 (Td8-f8)} 33. Rc3 {-0.23/19 3} Kh8<br> {-0.41/18 2 (Db8-a8)} 34. Bb6 {-0.34/16 4 (Dg2)} Rf8 {-0.58/19 3 (Td8-c8)} 35.<br> Bc5 {-0.44/19 3} Rg8 {-0.59/20 3} 36. Qc2 {-0.46/18 0} Bh6 {-0.58/19 6} 37. Bg2<br> {-0.48/19 0} Qe8 {-0.54/19 12 (Db8-a8)} 38. d6 {-0.44/18 3} Bxg2 {-0.57/20 0}<br> 39. Qxg2 {-0.42/19 4} e4 {-0.56/21 0} 40. Re1 {-0.45/20 3} Qe5 {-0.61/22 0} 41.<br> Rd3 {-0.40/20 3} Re8 {-0.57/22 0} 42. Bd4 {-0.41/21 4} Qe6 {-0.38/21 1} 43. g5<br> {-0.41/21 1} Bg7 {-0.38/21 1} 44. gxf6 {-0.33/21 6} Bxf6 {-0.45/22 0} 45. Bc5 {<br> -0.34/21 2} Qc4 {-0.41/21 2} 46. Rd2 {-0.32/20 3} Qc3 {-0.39/20 7 (Kh8-g7)} 47.<br> Red1 {-0.32/19 2} Be5 {-0.42/20 0} 48. Qg4 {-0.36/19 2} Qg3+ {-0.44/21 0} 49.<br> Qxg3 {-0.38/21 2} Bxg3 {-0.42/22 0} 50. Kg2 {-0.30/21 2} Bf4 {-0.34/21 0} 51.<br> Re2 {-0.32/20 2} Kg8 {-0.34/21 0 (Kh8-g7)} 52. Rf1 {-0.32/20 2} g5 {-0.35/22 0}<br> 53. h4 {-0.34/21 3} h6 {-0.35/23 0} 54. Kh3 {-0.35/20 2 (hxg5)} Re6 {-0.37/19<br> 1 (Kg8-g7)} 55. hxg5 {-0.30/20 2 (Td1)} hxg5 {-0.30/19 4} 56. Kg4 {-0.29/23 0}<br> Rh7 {-0.30/21 1} 57. Be3 {-0.29/21 0} Bxd6 {-0.30/21 1} 58. Bxg5 {-0.20/21 3}<br> Rg7 {-0.31/22 0} 59. Rf5 {-0.21/22 2} Re8 {-0.21/21 3} 60. Kh4 {-0.21/22 0} Rg6<br> {-0.22/20 3 (Kg8-h7)} 61. Bf4 {-0.21/19 2 (Td5)} Bf8 {-0.22/20 2} 62. Bg5 {-0.<br> 21/22 0} Bg7 {-0.20/20 2 (Kg8-h7)} 63. Kg4 {-0.21/22 2} Rge6 {-0.19/20 0 <br> (Lg7-h6)} 64. Rd5 {-0.16/19 2} Kh7 {-0.19/20 0 (Te8-f8)} 65. Rh2+ {-0.16/20 2 <br> (Le3)} Kg6 {-0.19/21 1} 66. Be3 {-0.16/21 1} R8e7 {-0.17/21 3} 67. Rd8 {-0.16/<br> 20 0 (Thh5)} Rc6 {-0.17/20 1} 68. Bc5 {-0.12/20 0 (Th5)} Re5 {-0.17/20 1 <br> (Te7-e6)} 69. Kf4 {-0.09/20 2 (Le3)} Rf5+ {-0.17/19 1 (e4-e3)} 70. Ke3 {-0.08/<br> 21 2} Re6 {-0.08/21 0 (Tf5-g5)} 71. Rg2+ {-0.08/22 1} Kf6 {-0.11/22 2 (Tf5-g5)}<br> 72. Ke2 {-0.09/20 1} Bh6 {-0.11/23 0} 73. Bd4+ {-0.09/20 1} Ke7 {-0.10/22 0}<br> 74. Ra8 {-0.09/21 1} Rf3 {-0.10/22 0} 75. Ra7+ {-0.09/21 1} Kd6 {-0.10/24 0}<br> 76. Rxa6+ {-0.09/21 0} Kd5 {-0.05/25 1} 77. Rxe6 {-0.09/24 0} Kxe6 {-0.06/23 0}<br> 78. Rg6+ {-0.07/24 1} Kd5 {-0.06/25 5} 79. Rxh6 {-0.05/28 0} Kxd4 {-0.06/25 0}<br> 80. Rd6+ {-0.04/29 2} Ke5 {-0.01/26 3} 81. Rb6 {-0.04/29 0} Kf4 {-0.01/25 1 <br> (Tf3xa3)} 82. Rxb5 {-0.04/26 4} Re3+ {0.01/26 0 (Tf3xa3)} 83. Kd1 {-0.04/26 2}<br> Rd3+ {0.01/26 0 (Te3xa3)} 84. Kc2 {-0.02/23 2} Rxa3 {0.01/27 0} 85. Rb7 {-0.02/<br> 23 1 (Tb8)} e3 {0 (Kf4-e5)} 86. b5 {-0.01/23 1} Ke4 {0 (e3-e2)} 87. b6 {-0.01/<br> 22 1} Ra8 {0} 1/2-1/2

and any time I get an excuse here is the best game i ever played annotated by IM Gary lane which follows your game 2 as far as ...d6

[Event "?"]<br> [Site "?"]<br> [Date "2002.??.??"]<br> [Round "?"]<br> [White "Williamson, Harvey"]<br> [Black "Overton, David"]<br> [Result "1-0"]<br> [ECO "B21"]<br> [WhiteElo "2400"]<br> [BlackElo "2743"]<br> [PlyCount "71"]<br> <br> 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O Nf6 {<br> Black is behind in development.} 8. b4 {I highly recommend this move for<br> correspondence games. This is because most players will use a computer<br> although they tend to say it is only to avoid blunders. However, I suspect a<br> few who have limited time to study will also use it in the opening.<br> Consequently, Black will assume he is doing well here because the computer<br> does not take into account the long-term benefits of the pawn sacrifice in the<br> Morra such as active piece play and attacking opportunities. Also someone<br> using a computer will think he is doing well when suddenly the silicon monster<br> will realise what is going on by abruptly changing the assessment.} Bg4 {It<br> makes sense to pin the king's knight to reduce White's attacking opportunities.<br> } (8... Nxb4 9. Bxf7+ ({Or} 9. Qb3 e6 $1 10. Qxb4 d5 {and Black gets his piece<br> back.}) 9... Kxf7 10. Qb3+ e6 11. Qxb4 d5 12. Qd4) 9. b5 Bxf3 (9... axb5 10.<br> Bxb5 g6 11. e5 $6 {A tempting move but it is always going to be a risky<br> business to enter an ending a pawn down} ({I prefer} 11. Bb2 $5 {when} Bg7 12.<br> Nd5 {gives White decent compensation for the pawn}) 11... dxe5 12. Qxd8+ Rxd8<br> 13. Nxe5 Bd7 14. Nxd7 Rxd7 15. Rb1 Bg7 16. Re1 O-O 17. Na4 Nd5 18. Nc5 ({Or} <br> 18. Rd1 $5 e6 19. Bc4 Nce7 {makes Black work harder for victory}) 18... Rc7 19.<br> Ne4 Nd4 20. Bd3 f5 21. Nd2 (21. Ng3 {has the merit of covering the e2 square<br> to avoid the tactic which occurs a few moves later but Black remains on top<br> due to the extra pawn}) 21... Nc3 22. Rb4 Nce2+ $3 {A clever trick which<br> unveils the rook on the c-file with deadly consequences for White.} 23. Rxe2 {<br> the rook is successfully deflected from the defence of the dark-squared bishop}<br> ({Or} 23. Bxe2 Nxe2+ 24. Rxe2 Rxc1+ 25. Nf1 Rd8 {intending to double along the<br> a-rank winning easily.}) 23... Rxc1+ 24. Nf1 Nxe2+ 25. Bxe2 Rb8 {with a<br> winning position, Reeman,I-May,M/SCCA 2000/}) 10. gxf3 (10. Qxf3 $2 {is not<br> advisable on account of the fork} Ne5 {when Black can win material upon} 11.<br> Qe2 Rc8 $1 ({White survives after the inaccurate} 11... Nxc4 $6 {followed by}<br> 12. Qxc4 Rc8 13. Qd3 {when the queen can protect the knight}) 12. bxa6 bxa6 (<br> 12... Nxc4 $6 {is silly because} 13. axb7 Rc6 14. Rb1 {gives White some play<br> when he should be resigning}) 13. Bxa6 Rxc3 {and Black is much better}) 10...<br> axb5 11. Nxb5 $5 {A nice idea of Williamson's to activate the knight because<br> previous examples had concentrated on pinning the queen's knight with} (11.<br> Bxb5) 11... Ne5 12. Bb3 e6 {Black just wants to catch up with development by<br> preparing to castle kingside.} 13. Bg5 (13. Bb2 {is also worth considering to<br> make the most of the knight being on b5, which allows the dark-squared bishop<br> to have greater influence on the a1-h8 diagonal}) 13... Nc6 14. Bxf6 (14. Rc1 {<br> leads to double-edged play after} Ra5 15. a4 Be7 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. f4) 14...<br> gxf6 15. f4 Qb6 (15... Ra5 {is met by} 16. a4 {to support the knight on it's<br> strong outpost}) 16. a4 Na7 17. Nxa7 Rxa7 18. f5 $1 {White gets more space. An<br> excellent move designed to increase the scope of the light-squared bishop.<br> Black is already in trouble and significantly still has not caught up with<br> development.} Ke7 19. Kh1 Ra5 20. Rc1 Rc5 (20... exf5 21. Bd5 fxe4 22. Qh5 {<br> leaves Black close to resignation}) 21. Rb1 Qc6 ({Once again, taking the pawn<br> on f5 leads to ruin upon} 21... exf5 22. Qh5 Kd8 23. Bd5 {wins}) 22. Qd3 (22.<br> Re1 Qd7 23. Qd3 {is also good for White.}) 22... b6 23. Rfe1 h5 24. fxe6 fxe6<br> 25. f4 Rc3 26. Qd2 Bh6 27. Qg2 Qa8 28. Bd1 Rg8 29. Qf2 {White intends f5} Rc4<br> 30. Qxb6 Rgc8 31. f5 {The other f-pawn now continues the theme of undermining<br> the pawn barrier around the stranded black king.} exf5 32. Bf3 f4 (32... Qxa4<br> 33. exf5+ Kd7 34. Bd5 {and White can give up}) (32... fxe4 33. Bxe4 $1 {a nice<br> surprise} Rxe4 34. Qb7+ Qxb7 35. Rxb7+ Ke6 36. Rxe4+ Kf5 37. Rh4 Kg6 38. Rd7 {<br> gives White a winning ending.}) 33. Red1 {Now the threat really is mate in one}<br> R8c6 ({Of course,} 33... Qxa4 $4 {quickly loses after} 34. Qxd6+ Kf7 35. Bxh5+<br> Kg8 36. Rg1+ Bg5 37. Qxf6) (33... Rxa4 $4 34. Qxd6+ Kf7 35. Bxh5+ Kg8 36. Rg1+<br> Bg5 37. Rxg5+ $1 fxg5 38. Qg6+ Kh8 39. Qh6+ Kg8 40. Qxg5+ Kh7 41. Qg6+ Kh8 42.<br> Qh6+ Kg8 43. Rg1# {mate}) 34. Qg1 Qe8 $6 ({An improvement is} 34... Bg5 $5) 35.<br> a5 $1 Bg5 36. e5 (36. e5 {Black resigned in view of} dxe5 37. Rb7+ Ke6 38. h4<br> Bxh4 39. Bd5+ Kf5 40. Bf7 {winning}) 1-0

:

[kingliveson]

You didn't specify time control.

[User923005]

Here are my analysis records for the salient portion of that opening with those choices:
rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - acd 43; cce 38; ce 24; bm d4; pm e4 {2379495} d4 {1725526} Nf3 {483679} c4 {479713} g3 {39820} f4 {35589} b3 {27764} Nc3 {13010} e3 {2686} b4 {2458} g4 {2450} c3 {1654} d3 {1649} a3 {1150} h3 {717} a4 {552} h4 {425} f3 {363} Nh3 {82} Na3 {28}; pv d4 Nf6 c4 e6 Nf3 d5 Nc3 c5 cxd5 cxd4 Qxd4 exd5 e4 dxe4 Qxd8+ Kxd8 Ng5 Be6 Nxe6+ fxe6 Bg5 Ke8 Bb5+ Kf7 O-O-O a6 Ba4 Nc6 Bxf6 gxf6 Nxe4 f5; white_wins 1826279; black_wins 1425008; draws 1430947;
rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq - acd 37; cce -38; ce -12; bm e6; pm c5 {1218905} e5 {412609} e6 {257916} c6 {204175} d5 {78062} d6 {71821} g6 {57457} Nf6 {46929} Nc6 {20542} b6 {4882} a6 {1853} g5 {987} h6 {878} a5 {501} h5 {447} Na6 {410} f6 {336} f5 {276} Nh6 {273} b5 {241}; pv e6 c4 d5 cxd5 exd5; white_wins 874667; black_wins 685852; draws 642462;
rnbqkbnr/pp1ppppp/8/2p5/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - acd 34; cce 29; ce 24; bm Nf3; pm Nf3 {985387} Nc3 {97297} c3 {81458} f4 {8522} d4 {8027} Ne2 {7615} d3 {7365} g3 {5548} b3 {5485} c4 {3255} Bc4 {2574} b4 {1485} a3 {1393} a4 {1002} h3 {637} Na3 {523} Be2 {317} Qf3 {271} Bd3 {184} Qe2 {125} f3 {125} Bb5 {102} e5 {76} h4 {65} Qh5 {47} Nh3 {14} Ke2 {6} Qg4 {3} g4 {3}; pv Nf3 d6 Bc4 Nf6 Nc3 Nc6 O-O Bg4 h3 Bxf3 Qxf3 e6 Bb3 Nd4 Qd3 Be7; white_wins 455845; black_wins 380012; draws 321955;
rnbqkbnr/pp1ppppp/8/2p5/3PP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq - acd 35; cce 17; ce -12; bm cxd4; pm cxd4 {7993} e6 {480} d6 {39} g6 {35} Nc6 {28} Nf6 {24} d5 {17} Qa5+ {9} b6 {4} a6 {3} c4 {1} e5 {1} h6 {1}; pv cxd4 Nf3 e5; white_wins 2992; black_wins 3307; draws 1927;
rnbqkbnr/pp1ppppp/8/8/3pP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - acd 34; cce -21; ce 16; bm Nf3; pm c3 {5453} Nf3 {2122} Qxd4 {353} Bg5 {25} f4 {20} Bc4 {10} c4 {5} Bd3 {2} h3 {2} Ke2 {1} Qd3 {1}; pv Nf3 Nc6 Nxd4 e5 Nxc6 bxc6 Qh5 Qc7 Nc3 Nf6; white_wins 2707; black_wins 3069; draws 1833;
rnbqkbnr/pp1ppppp/8/8/3pP3/2P5/PP3PPP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq - acd 34; cce 26; ce 36; bm dxc3; pm dxc3 {3131} Nf6 {1200} d3 {499} d5 {263} g6 {198} Nc6 {49} e5 {40} d6 {32} Qa5 {23} e6 {16} b6 {2}; pv dxc3 Nxc3 Nc6 Nf3 e6 Bc4 d6 O-O Be7 Qe2 Bd7 Rd1 a6 Bf4 e5 Be3 Nf6 Rac1 O-O a3 Rc8 Ba2 Qe8 Bg5 Bg4 Bxf6 Bxf6 Rxd6 Be7 Rcd1 Bxd6 Rxd6; white_wins 1807; black_wins 2115; draws 1327;
rnbqkbnr/pp1ppppp/8/8/4P3/2p5/PP3PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - acd 35; cce -34; ce -36; bm Nxc3; pm Nxc3 {3051} Bc4 {62} Nf3 {18} bxc3 {4}; pv Nxc3 e6 Bf4 Nc6 Nf3 Bb4 Bd6 Nh6 Bxb4 Nxb4 Qa4 Nc6 Bd3 O-O O-O Qb6 Qa3 f5; white_wins 1046; black_wins 1276; draws 703;
rnbqkbnr/pp1ppppp/8/8/4P3/2N5/PP3PPP/R1BQKBNR b KQkq - acd 35; cce 31; ce 28; bm e6; pm Nc6 {2281} e6 {539} d6 {178} a6 {35} g6 {10} e5 {3} b6 {2} Nf6 {1} Qa5 {1} Qc7 {1}; pv e6 Nf3 Nc6 Bc4 d6 O-O Be7 Qe2 Bd7 Rd1 a6 Bf4 e5 Be3 Nf6 Nd5 Nxd5 Bxd5 O-O Rac1 Rc8 a3 Qe8 Qd3 Bg4 Bb6 Be6 Be3 h6 b4 Kh8 Nd2; white_wins 1026; black_wins 1231; draws 691;
r1bqkbnr/pp1ppppp/2n5/8/4P3/2N5/PP3PPP/R1BQKBNR w KQkq - acd 35; cce -26; ce -36; bm Nf3; pm Nf3 {2046} Bc4 {215} Bd3 {8} f4 {6} Bb5 {3} Bg5 {1} Nb5 {1} g3 {1}; pv Nf3 e6 Bf4 Bb4 Bd6 Nh6 Bxb4 Nxb4 Qa4 Nc6 Bb5 O-O O-O f5 Rad1 fxe4 Nxe4 Nf5 Rfe1 Qb6 Rc1 a6 Bxc6 bxc6 b3 a5 Nc5 Ne7 Qh4 Nd5 Qg3 Rf5 Ne5 Ra7 Re4; white_wins 768; black_wins 899; draws 539;
r1bqkbnr/pp1ppppp/2n5/8/4P3/2N2N2/PP3PPP/R1BQKB1R b KQkq - acd 34; cce 24; ce 36; bm e6; pm e6 {1322} d6 {739} g6 {93} Nf6 {58} a6 {21} e5 {9} Qc7 {4}; pv e6 Bf4 Bb4 Bd6 Nf6 Bxb4 Nxb4 a3 Nc6 Qd6; white_wins 757; black_wins 872; draws 542;
r1bqkbnr/pp2pppp/2np4/8/4P3/2N2N2/PP3PPP/R1BQKB1R w KQkq - acd 34; cce -19; ce -24; bm Bb5; pm Bc4 {852} Bb5 {5} Bd3 {3} Bf4 {3} Qb3 {3} Be3 {2} h3 {2} Bg5 {1} Nd4 {1}; pv Bb5 e6 O-O Be7 e5 d5 Be3 Bd7 Rc1 Nh6; white_wins 290; black_wins 326; draws 224;
r1bqkbnr/pp1ppppp/2n5/8/4P3/2N1B3/PP3PPP/R2QKBNR b KQkq - acd 35; cce -0; ce 64; bm e6; pm e6; pv e6 Nf3 Nf6 Rc1 Be7 Be2 O-O O-O a6 Nd4 d6 f4 Bd7 Nb3 b5 Bf3 Rb8 Re1 Re8 Kh1 b4 Ne2 e5 Ng3 exf4 Bxf4 Ne5 Nf5 Bb5 Qd4 Nd3 Nxe7+ Rxe7 Qxd6; white_wins 0; black_wins 0; draws 0;
r1bqkbnr/pp2pppp/2np4/8/4P3/2N1B3/PP3PPP/R2QKBNR w KQkq - acd 33; cce 0; ce -40; bm Nf3; pm Nf3; pv Nf3 Nf6 Qb3 Bd7 Be2; white_wins 0; black_wins 0; draws 0;

The non-standard field cce is the calculated ce as a function of actual game play outcomes. white_wins, black_wins, and draws are the outcomes from my high quality game database.
The curly braced numbers next to the predicted moves are the number of times the preceding move was actually played in a game.

[Nelson Hernandez]

Harvey, there's also EL-SHADDAI-Werty1000, 0-1, 04.11.2011, 3m blitz game on Playchess.

[Event "3m, rated"]
[Site "Engine Room"]
[Date "2011.11.04"]
[Round "?"]
[White "EL-SHADDAI, Houdini 2.0b Pro x6"]
[Black "Werty1000, Houdini 2.0 Pro x64"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B21"]
[WhiteElo "2579"]
[BlackElo "2555"]
[PlyCount "206"]
[EventDate "2011.06.14"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[WhiteTeam "Ukraine"]
[BlackTeam "Israel"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "UKR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ISR"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nf3 dxc3 5. Nxc3 d6 6. Be3 Nc6 7. Be2 Nf6 8.
O-O Be7 9. Qb3 O-O 10. h3 Bd7 11. a3 Rb8 12. Rfd1 h6 13. Qc2 Rc8 14. Rac1 Qc7
15. Nd2 Qb8 16. Qb1 Ne5 17. f4 Ng6 18. g3 b5 19. Qd3 a6 20. Bf3 Bd8 21. Kg2 Bb6
22. Nf1 Bc7 23. b4 Rfd8 24. Qe2 Bb6 25. Bxb6 Qxb6 26. Rd3 Bc6 27. Rcd1 Bb7 28.
Nd2 Ba8 29. Nf1 h5 30. h4 Ne7 31. Ne3 Qc7 32. Kh2 Rd7 33. R1d2 Qb6 34. Rc2 Bb7
35. Rcd2 Rdd8 36. Qd1 Ng6 37. a4 Rd7 38. axb5 axb5 39. Qe2 e5 40. f5 Ne7 41.
Rd1 Rdd8 42. Kh3 Qa6 43. R1d2 Rc7 44. Rd1 Rcd7 45. Qg2 Rc8 46. Qb2 Qb6 47. Qe2
Rcc7 48. Kg2 Rd8 49. Kh2 Ba8 50. Ra1 Bc6 51. Rad1 Bb7 52. Ra1 Ra8 53. Rxa8+
Bxa8 54. Qg2 Ra7 55. Qe2 Ra1 56. Qb2 Ra6 57. Qe2 Bb7 58. Qd2 Qd8 59. Bg2 Qd7
60. Qb2 Ra8 61. Rd1 Rc8 62. Rd3 Rd8 63. Qe2 Ra8 64. g4 Nc6 65. g5 Nd4 66. Qd1
Ng4+ 67. Nxg4 hxg4 68. Qxg4 g6 69. h5 gxf5 70. exf5 Bxg2 71. Qxg2 Ra7 72. Nd5
Qxf5 73. Ra3 Rxa3 74. Ne7+ Kh7 75. g6+ fxg6 76. hxg6+ Kg7 77. Nxf5+ Nxf5 78.
Qg5 Ra2+ 79. Kg1 Nd4 80. Kf1 Ra8 81. Kg2 Re8 82. Qh5 Rh8 83. Qg4 Kf6 84. Qd7
Kxg6 85. Qxd6+ Kf5 86. Qc7 Rh6 87. Qb7 Kf4 88. Qf7+ Ke4 89. Qf2 Rc6 90. Qh4+
Kd5 91. Qe7 Rc2+ 92. Kf1 Re2 93. Qc5+ Ke4 94. Qc3 Re3 95. Qd2 Rb3 96. Kf2 Rh3
97. Qg5 Rf3+ 98. Kg2 Rb3 99. Qg6+ Ke3 100. Qg3+ Kd2 101. Qg5+ Kd3 102. Qg3+ Kc4
103. Qxe5 Rxb4 0-1

[Harvey Williamson]

Harvey, there's also EL-SHADDAI-Werty1000, 0-1, 04.11.2011, 3m blitz game on Playchess.

[Event "3m, rated"]
[Site "Engine Room"]
[Date "2011.11.04"]
[Round "?"]
[White "EL-SHADDAI, Houdini 2.0b Pro x6"]
[Black "Werty1000, Houdini 2.0 Pro x64"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B21"]
[WhiteElo "2579"]
[BlackElo "2555"]
[PlyCount "206"]
[EventDate "2011.06.14"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[WhiteTeam "Ukraine"]
[BlackTeam "Israel"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "UKR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ISR"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nf3 dxc3 5. Nxc3 d6 6. Be3 Nc6 7. Be2 Nf6 8.
O-O Be7 9. Qb3 O-O 10. h3 Bd7 11. a3 Rb8 12. Rfd1 h6 13. Qc2 Rc8 14. Rac1 Qc7
15. Nd2 Qb8 16. Qb1 Ne5 17. f4 Ng6 18. g3 b5 19. Qd3 a6 20. Bf3 Bd8 21. Kg2 Bb6
22. Nf1 Bc7 23. b4 Rfd8 24. Qe2 Bb6 25. Bxb6 Qxb6 26. Rd3 Bc6 27. Rcd1 Bb7 28.
Nd2 Ba8 29. Nf1 h5 30. h4 Ne7 31. Ne3 Qc7 32. Kh2 Rd7 33. R1d2 Qb6 34. Rc2 Bb7
35. Rcd2 Rdd8 36. Qd1 Ng6 37. a4 Rd7 38. axb5 axb5 39. Qe2 e5 40. f5 Ne7 41.
Rd1 Rdd8 42. Kh3 Qa6 43. R1d2 Rc7 44. Rd1 Rcd7 45. Qg2 Rc8 46. Qb2 Qb6 47. Qe2
Rcc7 48. Kg2 Rd8 49. Kh2 Ba8 50. Ra1 Bc6 51. Rad1 Bb7 52. Ra1 Ra8 53. Rxa8+
Bxa8 54. Qg2 Ra7 55. Qe2 Ra1 56. Qb2 Ra6 57. Qe2 Bb7 58. Qd2 Qd8 59. Bg2 Qd7
60. Qb2 Ra8 61. Rd1 Rc8 62. Rd3 Rd8 63. Qe2 Ra8 64. g4 Nc6 65. g5 Nd4 66. Qd1
Ng4+ 67. Nxg4 hxg4 68. Qxg4 g6 69. h5 gxf5 70. exf5 Bxg2 71. Qxg2 Ra7 72. Nd5
Qxf5 73. Ra3 Rxa3 74. Ne7+ Kh7 75. g6+ fxg6 76. hxg6+ Kg7 77. Nxf5+ Nxf5 78.
Qg5 Ra2+ 79. Kg1 Nd4 80. Kf1 Ra8 81. Kg2 Re8 82. Qh5 Rh8 83. Qg4 Kf6 84. Qd7
Kxg6 85. Qxd6+ Kf5 86. Qc7 Rh6 87. Qb7 Kf4 88. Qf7+ Ke4 89. Qf2 Rc6 90. Qh4+
Kd5 91. Qe7 Rc2+ 92. Kf1 Re2 93. Qc5+ Ke4 94. Qc3 Re3 95. Qd2 Rb3 96. Kf2 Rh3
97. Qg5 Rf3+ 98. Kg2 Rb3 99. Qg6+ Ke3 100. Qg3+ Kd2 101. Qg5+ Kd3 102. Qg3+ Kc4
103. Qxe5 Rxb4 0-1

Thanks!

[Don]

and any time I get an excuse here is the best game i ever played annotated by IM Gary lane which follows your game 2 as far as ...d6

[Event "?"]<br> [Site "?"]<br> [Date "2002.??.??"]<br> [Round "?"]<br> [White "Williamson, Harvey"]<br> [Black "Overton, David"]<br> [Result "1-0"]<br> [ECO "B21"]<br> [WhiteElo "2400"]<br> [BlackElo "2743"]<br> [PlyCount "71"]<br> <br> 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O Nf6 {<br> Black is behind in development.} 8. b4 {I highly recommend this move for<br> correspondence games. This is because most players will use a computer<br> although they tend to say it is only to avoid blunders. However, I suspect a<br> few who have limited time to study will also use it in the opening.<br> Consequently, Black will assume he is doing well here because the computer<br> does not take into account the long-term benefits of the pawn sacrifice in the<br> Morra such as active piece play and attacking opportunities. Also someone<br> using a computer will think he is doing well when suddenly the silicon monster<br> will realise what is going on by abruptly changing the assessment.} Bg4 {It<br> makes sense to pin the king's knight to reduce White's attacking opportunities.<br> } (8... Nxb4 9. Bxf7+ ({Or} 9. Qb3 e6 $1 10. Qxb4 d5 {and Black gets his piece<br> back.}) 9... Kxf7 10. Qb3+ e6 11. Qxb4 d5 12. Qd4) 9. b5 Bxf3 (9... axb5 10.<br> Bxb5 g6 11. e5 $6 {A tempting move but it is always going to be a risky<br> business to enter an ending a pawn down} ({I prefer} 11. Bb2 $5 {when} Bg7 12.<br> Nd5 {gives White decent compensation for the pawn}) 11... dxe5 12. Qxd8+ Rxd8<br> 13. Nxe5 Bd7 14. Nxd7 Rxd7 15. Rb1 Bg7 16. Re1 O-O 17. Na4 Nd5 18. Nc5 ({Or} <br> 18. Rd1 $5 e6 19. Bc4 Nce7 {makes Black work harder for victory}) 18... Rc7 19.<br> Ne4 Nd4 20. Bd3 f5 21. Nd2 (21. Ng3 {has the merit of covering the e2 square<br> to avoid the tactic which occurs a few moves later but Black remains on top<br> due to the extra pawn}) 21... Nc3 22. Rb4 Nce2+ $3 {A clever trick which<br> unveils the rook on the c-file with deadly consequences for White.} 23. Rxe2 {<br> the rook is successfully deflected from the defence of the dark-squared bishop}<br> ({Or} 23. Bxe2 Nxe2+ 24. Rxe2 Rxc1+ 25. Nf1 Rd8 {intending to double along the<br> a-rank winning easily.}) 23... Rxc1+ 24. Nf1 Nxe2+ 25. Bxe2 Rb8 {with a<br> winning position, Reeman,I-May,M/SCCA 2000/}) 10. gxf3 (10. Qxf3 $2 {is not<br> advisable on account of the fork} Ne5 {when Black can win material upon} 11.<br> Qe2 Rc8 $1 ({White survives after the inaccurate} 11... Nxc4 $6 {followed by}<br> 12. Qxc4 Rc8 13. Qd3 {when the queen can protect the knight}) 12. bxa6 bxa6 (<br> 12... Nxc4 $6 {is silly because} 13. axb7 Rc6 14. Rb1 {gives White some play<br> when he should be resigning}) 13. Bxa6 Rxc3 {and Black is much better}) 10...<br> axb5 11. Nxb5 $5 {A nice idea of Williamson's to activate the knight because<br> previous examples had concentrated on pinning the queen's knight with} (11.<br> Bxb5) 11... Ne5 12. Bb3 e6 {Black just wants to catch up with development by<br> preparing to castle kingside.} 13. Bg5 (13. Bb2 {is also worth considering to<br> make the most of the knight being on b5, which allows the dark-squared bishop<br> to have greater influence on the a1-h8 diagonal}) 13... Nc6 14. Bxf6 (14. Rc1 {<br> leads to double-edged play after} Ra5 15. a4 Be7 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. f4) 14...<br> gxf6 15. f4 Qb6 (15... Ra5 {is met by} 16. a4 {to support the knight on it's<br> strong outpost}) 16. a4 Na7 17. Nxa7 Rxa7 18. f5 $1 {White gets more space. An<br> excellent move designed to increase the scope of the light-squared bishop.<br> Black is already in trouble and significantly still has not caught up with<br> development.} Ke7 19. Kh1 Ra5 20. Rc1 Rc5 (20... exf5 21. Bd5 fxe4 22. Qh5 {<br> leaves Black close to resignation}) 21. Rb1 Qc6 ({Once again, taking the pawn<br> on f5 leads to ruin upon} 21... exf5 22. Qh5 Kd8 23. Bd5 {wins}) 22. Qd3 (22.<br> Re1 Qd7 23. Qd3 {is also good for White.}) 22... b6 23. Rfe1 h5 24. fxe6 fxe6<br> 25. f4 Rc3 26. Qd2 Bh6 27. Qg2 Qa8 28. Bd1 Rg8 29. Qf2 {White intends f5} Rc4<br> 30. Qxb6 Rgc8 31. f5 {The other f-pawn now continues the theme of undermining<br> the pawn barrier around the stranded black king.} exf5 32. Bf3 f4 (32... Qxa4<br> 33. exf5+ Kd7 34. Bd5 {and White can give up}) (32... fxe4 33. Bxe4 $1 {a nice<br> surprise} Rxe4 34. Qb7+ Qxb7 35. Rxb7+ Ke6 36. Rxe4+ Kf5 37. Rh4 Kg6 38. Rd7 {<br> gives White a winning ending.}) 33. Red1 {Now the threat really is mate in one}<br> R8c6 ({Of course,} 33... Qxa4 $4 {quickly loses after} 34. Qxd6+ Kf7 35. Bxh5+<br> Kg8 36. Rg1+ Bg5 37. Qxf6) (33... Rxa4 $4 34. Qxd6+ Kf7 35. Bxh5+ Kg8 36. Rg1+<br> Bg5 37. Rxg5+ $1 fxg5 38. Qg6+ Kh8 39. Qh6+ Kg8 40. Qxg5+ Kh7 41. Qg6+ Kh8 42.<br> Qh6+ Kg8 43. Rg1# {mate}) 34. Qg1 Qe8 $6 ({An improvement is} 34... Bg5 $5) 35.<br> a5 $1 Bg5 36. e5 (36. e5 {Black resigned in view of} dxe5 37. Rb7+ Ke6 38. h4<br> Bxh4 39. Bd5+ Kf5 40. Bf7 {winning}) 1-0

:

That is indeed an interesting game! I used to play the morra gambit myself when I was a tournament player and I rarely lost with this opening although I often had a difficult time converting.

Don

[Don]

P.S. Komodo seems to like your 11. Nxb5 move, never once looking at Bxb5. I think most humans would automatically play the bishop move to get the pin. I do know what other computers would play here though.

and any time I get an excuse here is the best game i ever played annotated by IM Gary lane which follows your game 2 as far as ...d6

[Event "?"]<br> [Site "?"]<br> [Date "2002.??.??"]<br> [Round "?"]<br> [White "Williamson, Harvey"]<br> [Black "Overton, David"]<br> [Result "1-0"]<br> [ECO "B21"]<br> [WhiteElo "2400"]<br> [BlackElo "2743"]<br> [PlyCount "71"]<br> <br> 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O Nf6 {<br> Black is behind in development.} 8. b4 {I highly recommend this move for<br> correspondence games. This is because most players will use a computer<br> although they tend to say it is only to avoid blunders. However, I suspect a<br> few who have limited time to study will also use it in the opening.<br> Consequently, Black will assume he is doing well here because the computer<br> does not take into account the long-term benefits of the pawn sacrifice in the<br> Morra such as active piece play and attacking opportunities. Also someone<br> using a computer will think he is doing well when suddenly the silicon monster<br> will realise what is going on by abruptly changing the assessment.} Bg4 {It<br> makes sense to pin the king's knight to reduce White's attacking opportunities.<br> } (8... Nxb4 9. Bxf7+ ({Or} 9. Qb3 e6 $1 10. Qxb4 d5 {and Black gets his piece<br> back.}) 9... Kxf7 10. Qb3+ e6 11. Qxb4 d5 12. Qd4) 9. b5 Bxf3 (9... axb5 10.<br> Bxb5 g6 11. e5 $6 {A tempting move but it is always going to be a risky<br> business to enter an ending a pawn down} ({I prefer} 11. Bb2 $5 {when} Bg7 12.<br> Nd5 {gives White decent compensation for the pawn}) 11... dxe5 12. Qxd8+ Rxd8<br> 13. Nxe5 Bd7 14. Nxd7 Rxd7 15. Rb1 Bg7 16. Re1 O-O 17. Na4 Nd5 18. Nc5 ({Or} <br> 18. Rd1 $5 e6 19. Bc4 Nce7 {makes Black work harder for victory}) 18... Rc7 19.<br> Ne4 Nd4 20. Bd3 f5 21. Nd2 (21. Ng3 {has the merit of covering the e2 square<br> to avoid the tactic which occurs a few moves later but Black remains on top<br> due to the extra pawn}) 21... Nc3 22. Rb4 Nce2+ $3 {A clever trick which<br> unveils the rook on the c-file with deadly consequences for White.} 23. Rxe2 {<br> the rook is successfully deflected from the defence of the dark-squared bishop}<br> ({Or} 23. Bxe2 Nxe2+ 24. Rxe2 Rxc1+ 25. Nf1 Rd8 {intending to double along the<br> a-rank winning easily.}) 23... Rxc1+ 24. Nf1 Nxe2+ 25. Bxe2 Rb8 {with a<br> winning position, Reeman,I-May,M/SCCA 2000/}) 10. gxf3 (10. Qxf3 $2 {is not<br> advisable on account of the fork} Ne5 {when Black can win material upon} 11.<br> Qe2 Rc8 $1 ({White survives after the inaccurate} 11... Nxc4 $6 {followed by}<br> 12. Qxc4 Rc8 13. Qd3 {when the queen can protect the knight}) 12. bxa6 bxa6 (<br> 12... Nxc4 $6 {is silly because} 13. axb7 Rc6 14. Rb1 {gives White some play<br> when he should be resigning}) 13. Bxa6 Rxc3 {and Black is much better}) 10...<br> axb5 11. Nxb5 $5 {A nice idea of Williamson's to activate the knight because<br> previous examples had concentrated on pinning the queen's knight with} (11.<br> Bxb5) 11... Ne5 12. Bb3 e6 {Black just wants to catch up with development by<br> preparing to castle kingside.} 13. Bg5 (13. Bb2 {is also worth considering to<br> make the most of the knight being on b5, which allows the dark-squared bishop<br> to have greater influence on the a1-h8 diagonal}) 13... Nc6 14. Bxf6 (14. Rc1 {<br> leads to double-edged play after} Ra5 15. a4 Be7 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. f4) 14...<br> gxf6 15. f4 Qb6 (15... Ra5 {is met by} 16. a4 {to support the knight on it's<br> strong outpost}) 16. a4 Na7 17. Nxa7 Rxa7 18. f5 $1 {White gets more space. An<br> excellent move designed to increase the scope of the light-squared bishop.<br> Black is already in trouble and significantly still has not caught up with<br> development.} Ke7 19. Kh1 Ra5 20. Rc1 Rc5 (20... exf5 21. Bd5 fxe4 22. Qh5 {<br> leaves Black close to resignation}) 21. Rb1 Qc6 ({Once again, taking the pawn<br> on f5 leads to ruin upon} 21... exf5 22. Qh5 Kd8 23. Bd5 {wins}) 22. Qd3 (22.<br> Re1 Qd7 23. Qd3 {is also good for White.}) 22... b6 23. Rfe1 h5 24. fxe6 fxe6<br> 25. f4 Rc3 26. Qd2 Bh6 27. Qg2 Qa8 28. Bd1 Rg8 29. Qf2 {White intends f5} Rc4<br> 30. Qxb6 Rgc8 31. f5 {The other f-pawn now continues the theme of undermining<br> the pawn barrier around the stranded black king.} exf5 32. Bf3 f4 (32... Qxa4<br> 33. exf5+ Kd7 34. Bd5 {and White can give up}) (32... fxe4 33. Bxe4 $1 {a nice<br> surprise} Rxe4 34. Qb7+ Qxb7 35. Rxb7+ Ke6 36. Rxe4+ Kf5 37. Rh4 Kg6 38. Rd7 {<br> gives White a winning ending.}) 33. Red1 {Now the threat really is mate in one}<br> R8c6 ({Of course,} 33... Qxa4 $4 {quickly loses after} 34. Qxd6+ Kf7 35. Bxh5+<br> Kg8 36. Rg1+ Bg5 37. Qxf6) (33... Rxa4 $4 34. Qxd6+ Kf7 35. Bxh5+ Kg8 36. Rg1+<br> Bg5 37. Rxg5+ $1 fxg5 38. Qg6+ Kh8 39. Qh6+ Kg8 40. Qxg5+ Kh7 41. Qg6+ Kh8 42.<br> Qh6+ Kg8 43. Rg1# {mate}) 34. Qg1 Qe8 $6 ({An improvement is} 34... Bg5 $5) 35.<br> a5 $1 Bg5 36. e5 (36. e5 {Black resigned in view of} dxe5 37. Rb7+ Ke6 38. h4<br> Bxh4 39. Bd5+ Kf5 40. Bf7 {winning}) 1-0

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That is indeed an interesting game! I used to play the morra gambit myself when I was a tournament player and I rarely lost with this opening although I often had a difficult time converting.

Don