Reykjavik Open, round 1, Muzio Gambit

I suspect the game Jensen-Urkedel will do the rounds: a short, 21 moves, King’s Gambit, Muzio variation, in which a local Icelander beats a much higher rated opponent.

I saw the game on the tournament website- my visit to Reykjavik last year has given me a lifelong love for the place- and decided to play through the game. As so often happens, Houdini shows an even shorter win…damned machines.

I guess it is another example of the maxim “if you see a strong move, stop, and look for an even better one”.

Of course, the engine hates the Muzio, giving Black a winning advantage..but play any of several plausible moves, and the evaluation quickly changes; though I doubt many players would have thought of 12…Bd6, and I doubt it will be repeated.