1.e4
e5
2.Nc3
Nc6
3.Bc4
d6
4.f4
Be7
5.d3
Nf6
6.h3
0-0
7.f5
Provocative play. Dominic is going for a direct assault on the black king. Black should counter by preparing ...d5, meeting the flank attack with play in the centre.
7...Na5
8.Bb3
c6
9.Nf3
Nh5
[Black misses his first opportunity to break in the centre. For example: 9...d5
10.Bd2
(10.Nxe5?
Re8
11.Qf3
Nxb3
12.axb3
Bb4
13.Ng4
d4
) 10...Qc7
11.0-0
dxe4
12.dxe4
b5
when Black has plenty of counterplay. It may seem that Black has a lot to calculate here, especially after 10. Nxe5, but the ...d5 break is correct on general principles, and White's vulnerable king and lack of development almost guarantee the soundness of the move.]
10.h4
Nxb3
[Or Black can admit that the knight is misplaced: 10...Nf6
11.Bg5
b5
12.Qd2
Nxb3
13.axb3
d5
14.Nxe5
Qc7
15.Qf4
Re8
16.0-0-0
b4
and again Black is comfortable.]
11.axb3
Kh8
[Now the knight really should retreat: 11...Nf6
. It's hard to see what the text move accomplishes.]
12.Ng5
g6
[Once more 12...Nf6
is better, e.g. 13.Be3?
(13.Qe2
) 13...d5
14.Bxa7
dxe4
15.dxe4
Qxd1+
16.Nxd1
h6
17.Nf3
Nxe4
18.g4
h5
and Black is winning.]
13.Qf3
Kg8
Admitting that something has gone wrong. Even so, the position is roughly level, but it's always easier to attack than it is to defend.
14.Bd2
h6
15.g4!
Ng7
[15...hxg5
16.gxh5
gxf5
17.exf5
g4
18.Qxg4+
Kh8
19.Ne4
Rg8
20.Ng5
and White has a strong attack.]
16.Qh3
h5?!
[16...b5
17.Nf3
Kh7
18.Qg3
gxf5
19.gxf5
a5
is a much stronger defence.]
17.gxh5
Nxh5
18.0-0-0
Bd7
19.Ne2
d5
At last! But this time it's bad.
20.Rdg1
[Strong, but not quite the best way to deal with ...d5. Instead 20.Qg2
Bc5
21.fxg6
fxg6
22.Rdf1
Qe7
23.exd5
Kg7
24.Ne4
Bb6
25.Bg5
Qb4
26.N2g3
gives White a huge attack.]
20...Bf6
[Or 20...Bc5
21.Rg2
Qe7
22.Qf3
and White has a big advantage.]
21.Nxf7!?
[Very brave! Less exciting, but stronger, is 21.Qf3
Bg7
22.Bb4
Qb6
(22...Re8??
23.fxg6
) 23.Bxf8
Rxf8
]
21...Rxf7
22.Qf3
Nf4
[The computer sees that Black can defend after 22...Bg7
although White continues to apply pressure.]
23.Nxf4
exf4
24.fxg6
and now Black is in big trouble.
24...Rg7
25.Bxf4
Bxh4??
[Black could make White work harder for the win by trying 25...Qa5
26.e5
Be7
27.Kb1
Bc5
28.Rf1
Rf8
29.Qg3
Be8
30.h5
but White's attack is far too strong.]
26.Qh5
All moves are hopeless now, but the next move allows instant mate
26...Bf6??
A nice example of how single-minded attack can pay dividends. 1-0