ANNOTATED GAME

The torphy fish that got away
mylaguna (1456) vs. lionhearted1977 (2385)
Annotated by: lionhearted1977 (2513)
Chess opening: Reti opening (A04)
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1. Nf3 Nc6 2. Nc3 e5 3. e4 Nf6
the 4 knights system, usually means a great struggle in the middle to later game to get advantage. Though with good play on both sides it usually means a draw. So great choice of openings by my opponent keep it simple.

 
4. Bb5
Developing to a natural square. White can play the positional Be2 aiming for kingside expansion with g4-g5

 
4... d6 5. d4
keeps the center dynamic and not allowing black to keep things closed which would benefit him the most.

 
5... exd4
best move, everything else just leaves black cramped

 
6. Nxd4 Bd7
develops the bishop while supporting c6

 
7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. Bg5
Pinning the knight and preventing Ng4-Nd5 maneuver

 
8... Be7 9. Qf3 O-O 10. O-O-O Bg4 11. Qg3
tricky is 11.Nxc6!? Bxf3 12.Nxd8 Bxd1 13.Nc6

 
11... Bxd1 12. Nxd1
Rxd1 is much better

 
12... Nxe4 13. Bxe7 Nxg3 14. Bxd8 Raxd8
better variation for black: 14... Nxh1 15. Bxc7 Rfe8

 
15. hxg3
After the dust settles white has the trumps, the two knight and rooks should out maneuver the black rooks.

 
15... c5 16. Nc6 Rde8 17. Nxa7 d5 18. a3 Re6
I am playing on because I am hoping mylaguna blunders in the endgame.

 
19. Nb5 c6 20. Nc7 Re5 21. Ne3 f5
when defending for your life moves like these are common. The idea is to gain space and limit the white pieces as much as possible. With the hope that white fall into a trap

 
22. Rh5
Alternative variation: 22. Na6 c4 23. Nc5 f4 24. gxf4 Rxf4 25. b4

 
22... d4 23. Nc4 Re2 24. f4 Rxg2 25. Rh3
Better for white is 25. Rh1 Rc8 26. Ne6 Re8 27. Nxc5 Ree2 28. Kb1

 
25... Rc8 26. Ne6 Re8 27. Nxc5 Re1#
mylaguna played super well, however his endgame technique let him down.