|
I've always rather enjoyed playing through long games, watching a drama gradually unfold to a conclusion. On the other hand, a long-drawn-out endgame can be a dry affair. So I was rather pleased that this, my first ever 100 move game should be interesting - barring perhaps a short period in the middle - throughout its length. |
|
|
1. e4 g6 2. c4
|
Already unusual. A Modern defence to the King Pawn Opening has been transformed into an English Opening: The Great Snake Variation. |
 
|
| |
|
|
2... e5
|
Adorjan's Defence. Permitted to do so, Black grabs e5, with a grip on the d4-square. |
|
| |
|
|
3. Nf3
|
Simple development can't be bad. Yet there is something to be said for striking at once in the centre by 3.d4! exd4 4.Qxd4. |
|
| |
|
|
3... Bg7
|
Why not 3...Nc6? The reason one usually develops knights first is that one usually knows more about where the knight wants to go early in the game than the best place for the bishop. Here, the reverse is true. The bishop is clearly destined for g7, and Black will want to castle soon. Meanwhile we aren't yet sure whether the b8-N will want to go to c6 or d7. |
2 comments
|
| |
|
|
4. Nc3 Nc6
|
Inhibits the advance of White's d-pawn to d4. |
|
| |
|
|
5. Be2
|
White obviously likes to develop quickly. An alternative was 5.g3 with the idea of Bg2 and setting up a Botvinnik-like position. |
|
| |
|
|
5... d6 6. O-O Nge7
|
6...Nf6 is probably OK, but the move played keeps the f-pawn free to advance, and renders harmless any possible pin by Bc1-g5. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
7. d3 O-O 8. Re1
|
(!?) Possibly anticipating an opening of the e-file? |
|
| |
|
|
8... f5 9. Nd5
|
(!?) |
|
| |
|
|
9... f4
|
A good alternative seems to be to take on d5 (9...Nxd5!?). But Black wants his K-side attack. |
|
| |
|
|
10. Bd2 h6
|
To prepare ...g5 and a pawn storm on the K-side. |
|
| |
|
|
11. Rc1
|
White calmly builds up in the centre, confident that the best counter to a flank action is a central counteraction. White is preparing the pawn-break c4-c5. |
|
| |
|
|
11... g5 12. h3
|
Forestalling ...g5-g4. Black must spend more time building up his attack, time that White puts to good use. |
|
| |
|
|
12... Ng6
|
To enable ...h6-h5. |
|
| |
|
|
13. Qb3
|
(!) Indirectly attacking the BK down the a2-g8 diagonal, as well as placing pressure on b7. The major difference between this game and a King's Indian Defence, say, is that the latter usually features a closed centre. Here the centre remains semi-open, which helps White's active defence. |
|
| |
|
|
13... Rb8
|
Relieving the c8-B's guard duties at b7, and hence renewing the threat to advance on the K-side. |
|
| |
|
|
14. c5
|
(!) |
|
| |
|
|
14... Be6
|
Though the bishop is hanging here, the pin puts at least a temporary crimp in White's counteroffensive. Both sides are being circumspect at this stage, combining attack and defence. The game is very finely balanced hereabouts. |
|
| |
|
|
15. Qa3
|
Increasing the pressure on d6. The WQ also eyes a7. |
|
| |
|
|
15... dxc5
|
By capturing, Black hopes to create counterpressure down the d-file. The situation is very murky it this point. |
|
| |
|
(2332)