|
|
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3
|
White's two bishops against a bishop and a knight would normally constitute a slight advantage, but here, with the centre closed, the knights are probably more useful. |
 
|
| |
|
|
6... Qc7 7. Qg4 f5 8. Qg3 cxd4 9. cxd4
|
White is now left with two weak pawns at a3 and especially c2 (since it is on a semi-open file), so must play aggressively on the kingside in order to win the game before an endgame is reached. If White isn't going to go for an all-out attack he needs to give careful consideration to the most efficient way of defending the c-pawn. |
|
| |
|
|
9... Ne7 10. Bd2 O-O 11. Bd3 b6 12. Ne2 Ba6 13. Bxa6
|
13.Nf4 seems to be the preferred line (Hort-Petrosian, 1970, continued 13...Qd7 14.Bb4 Rf7 15.h4), but this looks okay. Black's knight is out of the game on a6. |
|
| |
|
|
13... Nxa6 14. Qd3
|
Is your queen really better placed here? I don't think so. The immediate Nf4 was better. Black will not capture on c2 because he cannot afford to lose the pawn on e6. |
|
| |
|
|
14... Nb8 15. Nf4 Qd7 16. O-O
|
The logical continuation was 16.c4, putting more pressure on those central pawns. Nothing wrong with 16.0-0 though. |
|
| |
|
|
16... Nbc6 17. Rfc1
|
This is fine as long as you follow up with 18.c4. If you just want to protect the pawn, 17.c3 is better. |
|
| |
|
|
17... Rfc8 18. Rab1 Nd8 19. Bb4 Nec6 20. a4 Nxb4 21. Rxb4 Nc6 22. Rb2 Na5 23. Qb5 Qe7 24. c3 Rc4
|
A mistake. White can now play 25.Nxd5! 24...Nc4 was correct. |
|
| |
|
|
25. Rb4 Rc6 26. Rb2 Rac8 27. Rbc2 Kf7 28. Nh3
|
A strange move! Surely this knight belongs over the other side of the board. |
|
| |
|
|
28... g5 29. f3 h6 30. Qd3 Qc7 31. Qb5 Nc4 32. Ra1 Ne3 33. Rcc1 Rxc3
|
The obvious move but not the best. He had to find a way to prevent the perpetual check. If he does, he should have a comfortable win. |
|
| |
|
|
34. Rxc3 Qxc3 35. Qd7+ Kf8 36. Qd6+ Kf7 37. Qd7+ Kf8 38. Qd6+
|
|
|
| |
(2217)