This second win vs Claukonen virtually guarantees first place in this tournament |
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1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6 6. f4 e6 7. Nf3 Nge7 8. O-O O-O
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This is the Closed Sicilian heavily analyzed by Daniel King. With best play, White can easily secure a draw, but Black essays some questionable lines. |
 
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9. Be3 b6
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Black avoids the well-known Pawn sacrifice with 9....e5. Black should also consider 9...Rb8 before b6. |
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10. d4
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Immediatly attacking the center. |
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10... d5 11. exd5 Nf5 12. Bf2 Ncxd4 13. Ne5 exd5 14. Nxd5 Bb7 15. Nf6+
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I don't know if Black saw this finesse, but it stops all hope of Black mounting an attack on the a8-h1 diagonal. |
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15... Qxf6 16. Bxb7 Rad8 17. c3 Qe7 18. Be4
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White goes ahead and offers the Pawn. |
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18... Bxe5 19. fxe5 Qxe5 20. Re1 Ne6 21. Qc2 Qf6 22. Rad1 Nd6 23. Bg2 Ng5 24. Qe2 Ne6 25. Qc2 Rfe8 26. Ref1 Qe7 27. Qa4 Qc7 28. g4
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This seemingly harmless pawn move is actually the beginning of the end for Black. |
2 comments
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28... Ng5 29. Bg3
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Oh how I love pins! |
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29... b5
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This move deserves a double question mark. From here on, Black is lost. |
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30. Qf4
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This deserves a double exclamation point!! |
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30... Nge4 31. Bxe4 Rxe4 32. Qxe4 Nxe4 33. Bxc7 Re8 34. Rd8 Rxd8 35. Bxd8 Nd2 36. Rd1 Nf3+ 37. Kg2 Ne5 38. Bf6
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It's mate in two, so Black resigns. |
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