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16. h3
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buying time to deal with both threats, and once more the game is roughly even |
 
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16... Bh5
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abandoning the threatening c8-h3 diagonal in order the maintain the pin |
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17. Bd2
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appears to be passively defending the c pawn, but with more sinister intentions in mind |
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17... Nd7
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looks to be a natural enough developing move |
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18. Bxh7+
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but - allowing the cheap pawn grab to surface to the fore once again! However in a slightly different way.
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18... Kh8
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Black opts not to racapture. Although to do so could lead to interesting positions
For example
Kxg7, Nf5 , Kg6 fails to g4 and blacks in trouble... this could continue bf4, Qc2 and f6 is the kings only safe square (eg Kxg5, Qf5 , Kg5 and Qf5 mates; and similar for Kh6 or blocking with f5)
Kxg7, Ng5 , Kg8, Qxh5 would be a possible response and follows Nf6, Qf3, and white has the better game but black can develop a more active position
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19. Bd3
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removing the bishop to safety away from a possible g6. while also closing entry points along the open e - file. |
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19... f6
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effective move that plans an escape route for the white bishop. But leaves his kingside with a number of nasty white square holes. |
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20. g4
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volunteerily weakening my pawn structure in order to mobilize queen and knight. Often this concession is necessary to rid this type of pin... usually playing this move requires an ability to control the weakened squares near my king. And here I believe I had sufficent resources to call upon.
The alternative Be2 followed by a Knight move was worth consideration... however I felt was slightly passive and also moves the bishop momentarily off the lavish b1 to h7 diagonal it currently dominates |
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20... Bf7
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while passive... the bishop fulfils an important defensive function for the time being.. however its difficult for black to generate any serious threats from this setup. |
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21. Nh4
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heading for an outpost on f5.. while also threating to control the g6 square |
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21... Nf8
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to control g6 (and h7) |
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22. Nf5 Bh2+
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aiming for some counterplay |
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23. Kg2
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I preferred this over Kf1 since it has the potential to interfere with blacks immediate plans. It also lends active support my weakened pawns.
Kf1 would support the F file, but I felt this wasnt particularly relevant at the moment. |
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23... Ng6
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A good move continuing the counterthreats. aiming for check on f4 (or possibly h4), or supporting a bishop retreat to f4. |
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24. Ng3
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But this is refuted by interferrance along the b8-h2 diagonal. I am happy with this active defense, that threatens to capture for free should black follow with Nf4 |
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24... Bxg3
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logical to keep material |
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25. fxg3
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Again I'm very happy with my doubled pawns which stops the knights progress in its tracks... also g4 functioning as a projectile aimed at blacks remaining kingside pawns. |
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25... Re8
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Activating the rook into an open move, is quite a natural move... also possible is Ne7 or Nf8 in order to bring the knight back into play |
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26. Qc2
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a slightly passive move that I wouldnt call a mistake, but helps black with his plans... here I'm aiming at the obvious knight target. However this knight wants to move anyway, so is helping black regroup |
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