|
the great escape... as this game developed, i felt i needed a win to progress to the next round, as i didn't feel i was in a dominating position in my group, despite my relatively large rating advantage... with no disrespect intended, the third opponent wasn't as strong as either myself or heihachi, and the fourth player in the group timed out of all games... so it was always going to be about our two games... he even offered me a draw at one stage when i was down material... had i taken it, i'd have not qualified... as it turned out, we both did... he beat me with me as white, of course this other game was developing along with this one, so the pressure was really on to pick up a win out of the two... |
|
|
1. d4
|
oh goody, my favourite... because i can play... |
 
|
| |
|
|
1... f5
|
dutch! when i first analysed this defense, i couldn't believe black could castle safely behind what appeared to be a mess... as it is, i seem to have a lot of success with dutch... |
|
| |
|
|
2. Bf4
|
developing the bishop... personally, i find the most annoying move from black's point of view to be 2. Bg5, as it immediately threatens a doubled pawn if i play 2... Nf6 |
|
| |
|
|
2... Nf6
|
naturally... i've got clear control of e4 |
|
| |
|
|
3. c4
|
! when my opponent develops the knight in front of the pawn on c2, i feel i already have a huge advantage... with c4, white controls the queenside and the centre except for e4... |
|
| |
|
|
3... g6
|
leningrad... prepares Bg7 and 0-0 with an eye towards the kingside pawn assault... this is what i considered a mess when i first saw it... |
|
| |
|
|
4. Nc3 Bg7 5. Nf3 d6
|
i played this move later than i usually do... |
|
| |
|
|
6. g3
|
g3... now, the database suggests this is strong for white, but i've always found it to be a disadvantage for white, as it commits a pawn, and his bishop is committed to defend... maybe i just get lucky... |
|
| |
|
|
6... c6
|
a vital move for me... stops the knight coming in, in particular after Qe8 |
|
| |
|
|
7. Bg2 O-O 8. O-O
|
i felt comfortable at this stage... i've been here many times before and know i can find winning attacks... |
|
| |
|
|
8... h6
|
to control g5... |
|
| |
|
|
9. Qd2
|
attacking h6 |
|
| |
|
|
9... Kh7
|
an opportunity to move my king off the weak g8 square... |
|
| |
|
|
10. Rfe1 Qe8
|
?! i hope to get my queen to g6 or h5 long before he's opened the e-file... still, living dangerously here... |
|
| |
|
|
11. e4
|
no surprises here... |
|
| |
|
|
11... g5
|
i was worried about a bishop sac here, as it would yield two kingside pawns and a strong knight, which would no doubt be looking to eventually move on to the even stronger square of e6... but i did not expect what he played... |
|
| |
|
|
12. e5
|
! |
|
| |
|
|
12... dxe5
|
forced, i felt... |
|
| |
|
|
13. Bxe5 Qg6
|
? a mistake... |
|
| |
|
|
14. Bxb8
|
which he exploits... my only consolation was he has now lost his attacking bishop for my undeveloped knight... |
|
| |
|
(1911)
Log in