[Event "Lichess Blitz"] [Site "?"] [Date "2020.11.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Jolly, Barry"] [Black "Halse, Robert"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C42"] [Annotator "Martin"] [PlyCount "16"] [EventDate "2014.12.29"] [EventType "blitz"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 {A Petroff Defence, well known for being one of the most solid and dependable openings.} 3. Nxe5 {played in about 60% (40,000) of games so all main line quiet stuff!} Nc6 $1 {But what is this strange beginner's move ... it loses a pawn for nothing doesn't it? Also, why is Robert not playing the main line? This is weird! (The exclamation move is awarded for its ingenuity and not necessarily for its soundness!).} 4. Nxc6 dxc6 5. d3 { It seems perfectly normal to play this safe consolidating move defending the e4 pawn. White is now a pawn up, controlling the centre and Black already has doubled pawns on the queenside. What is there not to like about White's position?} Bc5 6. Bg5 $2 {Now Black's bishop has moved to c5, it makes perfect sense to pin the Black knight on f6 and perhaps threaten e5. Right?} Nxe4 $1 { Wrong! ... but what is this ridiculous move - Has Black blundered his queen? Let's have some of that! White is now licking his lips.} 7. Bxd8 Bxf2+ { A spite check!} 8. Ke2 Bg4# {Oh dear, the White king cannot move. It's checkmate! This is known as the dangerous Stafford Gambit and we hope it has whet your appetite as we plan to cover it in a later Bulletin. Well Played Robert and sorry Barry, a very easy trap to fall into.} 0-1