1.e4
g6
2.Nf3
Bg7
3.g3
d6
4.Bg2
Nf6
5.d3
0-0
6.0-0
Nbd7
7.Nbd2
e5
8.Ne1
Eric has played a quiet opening, and now his plan is clear: a kingside attack starting with f4. Black should counter in the centre with c6 and d5.
8...c6
9.f4
Qc7
10.a4
a5
11.f5
An aggressive move. Black's position is still perfectly OK – he actually has a slight advantage – but it's always easier to attack than defend, so Eric's move is a good practical choice.
11...Bh6
12.Nc4
Bg7
Very odd. If Black wasn't prepared to exchange bishops, then the previous move makes no sense. In fact, Bxc1 followed by d5 would have given Black a good game, but the bishop retreat just means that White has been handed two free moves.
13.g4
b5
Black continues to neglect the centre. 13...d5 would give a level position.
14.Ne3
Bb7?
A defensive move on the kingside – probably 14...h6 – was necessary. Now Eric's attack really gets going.
15.g5
Ne8
16.f6
Locking in the bishop. Black's bes chance now might be to sacrifice a knight for two pawns with Nexf6.
16...Bh8
17.Ng4
h5
[Threatens mate in one: 17...--
18.Nh6#
]
18.Nh6+
Kh7
19.Bf3
bxa4
[White threatens a sacrifice at h5 that Black cannot accept, for example: 19...d5
20.Bxh5
gxh5
21.Qxh5
Nexf6
22.gxf6
Nxf6
23.Rxf6
Bxf6
24.Ng4+
Kg8
25.Nxf6+
Kg7
26.Qh6#
]
20.Ng2
d5
FInally! But now the central break is too late.
21.Nh4
Nd6
[Black misses the last real chance to defend: 21...Nexf6
22.gxf6
Bxf6
23.N4f5
Rad8
24.Bg2
, although White's position remains very strong.]
22.Bxh5!
dxe4
[As before, Black cannot accept the sacrifice: 22...gxh5
23.Qxh5
Nxf6
24.gxf6
Rfd8
25.Nxf7+
Kg8
26.Qg6+
winning easily.]
23.Nxf7!
Eric insists on sacrificing. By destroying the f7 pawn, which was guarding g6, he now threatens Bxg6+ and Qh5, with devastating consequences.
23...Nxf7?
A better defence is Rxf7, although that also loses. Eric now finds a forced mate.
24.Bxg6+
Kg8
25.Bh7+!
The bishop is just getting in the way, so Eric makes room for the queen to enter.
25...Kxh7
26.Qh5+
[Black resigned in view of 26.Qh5+
Kg8
27.Qg6+
Bg7
28.Qxg7#
A superbly conducted attack.] 1-0