Analysis by Fritz.
1.e4
c5
2.Nc3
Nc6
3.f4
White's closed Sicilian formation is geared towards a kingside attack.
3...d6
4.Bc4
Nf6
[Black's usual plan is to play 4...g6
, exploiting the open diagonal.]
5.Nf3
Bg4
6.h3
Bxf3
7.Qxf3
White has gained the bishop pair, but his kingside is slightly loose.
7...a6
8.d3
Nd4
9.Qf2
Qc7
[9...e6
is better because 10.Be3
fails to 10...d5
11.exd5
exd5
12.0-0-0
(12.Bb3?
Nxb3
13.axb3
d4
) 12...dxc4
13.dxc4
Qc7
14.g4
0-0-0
, when White's compensation is inadequate.]
10.Be3
Nc6
[Black could play 10...e6
here, since taking the pawn leaves White's king trapped in the centre: 11.Bxd4
cxd4
12.Qxd4
0-0-0
13.Bb3
d5
14.e5
Bc5
15.Qa4
Nd7
16.Ne2
Be3
. Black has plenty of compensation for the pawn and can open lines against the white king with f6.]
11.0-0
White has a definite advantage here because of his lead in development.
11...e6
12.a4
[The computer wants an immediate 12.f5
since 12...Qd7
(12...exf5?
13.Qxf5
Be7
14.Nd5
Qd8
15.Bg5
Nd4
16.Qf2
Ne6
17.Bxf6
Bxf6
18.Nxf6+
gxf6
19.Qxf6
is winning for White) 13.Rae1
is good for White.]
12...Rb8?
Black must do something about his king and the lack of development.
13.Rfe1
[13.f5
is still the move]
13...Be7
14.f5
Still best, but the delay has cost White the chance to really profit.
14...Qd7
15.fxe6?
fxe6
16.Ne2
0-0
17.Nf4
White's plan is clear, but he has given Black the opportunity to solve his problems in the time-honoured Sicilian way.
17...Nd8?
[Black misses his chance. Instead, 17...d5!
18.exd5
Nxd5
gives Black a small edge. The move in the game is far too passive.]
18.Nxe6!?
One of several good moves. White has no more than a small advantage, but he gets a strong initiative, which makes Black's defensive task unpleasant.
18...Nxe6
19.Qf5
Kf7
20.e5
[20.Rf1
threatening Qxh7 is another option.]
20...dxe5
21.Bf4
g6??
[21...b5!
22.axb5
axb5
gives Black plenty of counterplay. But now Black must give the piece back.]
22.Qxe5
Qd4+
23.Qxd4
cxd4
24.Bxe6+
[24.Rxe6
is stronger, e.g. 24...Rbe8
25.Rae1
g5
26.Rxe7+
Kg6
27.Rxe8
Rxe8
28.Rxe8
Nxe8
29.Be5
]
24...Kg7
25.Bxb8
Rxb8
26.Bc4
White is the exchange and a pawn ahead, and Black has absolutely nothing to compensate for the deficit.
26...Bb4
27.Re6
Bd2
28.Rf1
Nh5
29.Re7+
Kh6
30.Rff7
b5
31.Rxh7+
Kg5
32.Re5+
Kf4
Black's king is very vulnerable now.
33.Re4+
Kg3??
[Black walks into a mate in one, but the alternative isn't very palatable: 33...Kf5
34.g4+
Kg5
35.axb5
axb5
36.h4+
Kxh4
37.gxh5+
]
34.Rg4#
1-0