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1. e4
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This was a recent short game that I really enjoyed playing. It starts off with my standard e4. |
 
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1... e6
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Black responds with e6 - the French defence. |
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2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4
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The Winawer variation. In this position I think white normally plays 4.e5, and then black responds with 4...c5, exerting some pressure on the centre. |
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4. a3
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But I am not one for lots of opening theory so I played 4.a3. This is probably some sort of established line but the idea is to sacrifice the pawn on e4, to exert some pressure on black's kingside. |
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4... Bxc3+
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Black captures the knight. |
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5. bxc3
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I re-capture. |
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5... dxe4
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And now the pawn sac is accepted. |
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6. Qg4
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Black now has a choice as to which pawn to return. The one on e4 or the pawn on g6. |
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6... Nf6
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Offering the pawn on g6 in return for some piece development but losing the ability to castle kingside. |
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7. Qxg7 Rg8 8. Qh6
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This is all pretty standard stuff I think. In terms of material, both sides are level. Black is slightly ahead in development but must castle queenside and his pawn on e4 is weak. A fairly balanced position in my view. |
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8... Nbd7 9. Bg5
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A useful pin. |
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9... b6
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Black is looking to fianchetto his bishop to protect e4 and potentially exert some pressure on g2. It also assists with castling. |
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10. Bb5
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Threatening the knight on f6. |
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10... Rg6
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A good move. Defending the knight and kicking the queen. |
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11. Qh4
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The only square that protects the bishop. |
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11... Bb7
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A perfectly natural move but a mistake. |
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12. Bxd7+
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Now black must recapture with his king or face losing the knight on f6. |
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12... Kxd7
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Now black has a horrible pin and his king is out of position. Can I exploit this? |
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13. Ne2
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Catching up on development but threatening Nf4. |
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13... Qh8 14. Nf4
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Which black allows. Now black must go the exchange down or lose the knight if the rook retreats. |
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