Notes by Ian Kingston, with analysis by assorted computer programs.
1.e4
c5
2.Nf3
d6
3.Bc4
A first outing for something different from my usual 3.Bb5+. The main point is to take Black into unfamiliar territory.
3...Nc6
4.0-0
g6
[This natural-looking move is probably not best; instead 4...e6
, playing for the typical ...d5 pawn break, poses more problems.]
5.c3
Bg7
[This position was reached in Goodger-Payne, 4NCL 2004, when Nick played 5...Nf6
]
6.d4
cxd4
7.cxd4
White has built a stable pawn centre that Black will find hard to undermine.
7...Nh6?
This looks bad. The pressure against d4 is illusory, and the knight becomes a tactical weakness.
8.h3
Prevents a possible ...Bg4, which would apply pressure to d4, and removes a square from the knight.
8...0-0
9.Bg5!
Suddenly Black has problems. Qd2 is threatened, winning the knight, and there will be long-term problems with the e-pawn.
9...Kh8
10.Qd2
Ng8
11.Nc3
I was very happy here. Black's kingside is tangled up; I have options in the centre; and I can claim the c-file for future queenside operations.
11...Na5
12.Bd3
White definitely needs to keep this bishop. As the game develops, it fulfils a very useful defensive role on the b1-h7 diagonal.
12...Bd7
13.Rac1!
The best square for the rook. My original idea had been 13.Rad1, supporting the d-pawn, but this is unnecessary. The c-file is strategically important.
13...Nc6
14.Bb1
h6
15.Be3
Qa5
In the post mortem, Nick said that his idea here was to swing the queen over to h5 and start an attack with ...f5. That was also my worry during the game, so I decided to cut the queen's line.
16.d5
Ne5
17.Nxe5
dxe5
I was guilty of slightly shallow thinking here. I assumed that with the g7 bishop blocked in I would have a free hand on the queenside, but when I reached this position I suddenly realised that my pieces aren't well coordinated for action on that flank. Nevertheless, I should have spent a little longer on that option. On the other hand, the move chosen has the merit of sharpening the position just as time trouble started to bite for Black.
18.f4!?
[Another possibility is 18.Bd3
Kh7
(18...f5
Nick's intention, after which I wouldn't have been too happy. The computer finds a way though: 19.b4
Qxb4
20.Rb1
Qa5
21.Rxb7
f4
22.Nb5
Qd8
23.Bc5
) 19.b4
Qd8
20.Rc2
, with some advantage to White.]
18...exf4
19.Bxf4
Now I was looking at my two centre pawns and feeling very confident. However, I hadn't considered Black's next.
19...e5
20.Be3
f5
21.Ne2
[21.exf5
gxf5
looks nasty, but White has 22.g4!
when 22...fxg4??
loses to 23.Qd3
]
21...Qd8
[21...Qxd2
22.Bxd2
leaves White with only a small advantage according to the computer, but both Nick and I liked White's position. Nick wanted to keep queens on the board in order to counter-attack on the kingside. The position has been getting steadily more complex, and that process continues over the next few moves. If the computer is to be believed, the position remains roughly balanced until Black's 30th move, although White has an initiative that makes it easier to find dangerous moves.]
22.Bc5
Rf6
23.Qb4
b6
I was happy to see this. I have real chances now of invading on the c-file. Black's time trouble was becoming quite acute here - about 10 minutes to the time control at move 35.
24.Bd6
a5
[I was expecting something like 24...Bf8
25.Bxf8
Qxf8
26.Qxf8
Raxf8
27.Rc7
fxe4
28.Re1
(28.Rxf6?
Nxf6
29.Nc3
e3=
) 28...Rd6
29.Nc3
a6
30.Bxe4
when White's active pieces give a significant advantage.]
25.Qa3
Bb5
I'd missed this idea. It's not too dangerous, but it's never good to be surprised.
26.Bc7
Qd7
27.Bxe5
Based on a miscalculation, but it's a reasonable move. Black's time was now running very short.
27...Bxe2
28.Rc7?!
[The computer suggests 28.Rfe1!
Qb5
29.Qg3
fxe4
30.a4
Qa6
31.Bxe4
when White has excellent compensation for the sacrificed material.]
28...Qb5
[28...Qe8!
would have caused problems for me, although I have significant activity, for example: 29.Bxf6
Nxf6
30.Re1
Bb5
31.Re7
Qf8
32.d6
Nxe4
33.Bxe4
fxe4
34.R1xe4
Qf1+
35.Kh2
Bc6
36.d7
Rd8
37.Qd6
Bxe4
38.Rxe4
Qf7
39.Re7
Qf8
40.Qe6
Qf4+
41.Kh1
Bf8
42.Re8
with a draw by repetition coming.]
29.Bxf6
[29.Rxg7!
The first opportunity for this idea, which I missed at the time. Hardly surprising, since the follow-up isn't obvious: 29...Kxg7
30.Bxf6+
Kxf6
31.Qd6+
Kg7
32.Rc1!
Qe8
33.Rc7+
Kh8
34.Qxb6
Qd8
35.Qd4+
Nf6
36.d6
with advantage to White.]
29...Nxf6?
[29...Bxf6
is better: 30.Rfc1
Bxb2
31.Qd6
Qe8
32.exf5
Qe3+
33.Kh1
Bf3
34.fxg6
Bxg2+
35.Kxg2
Qe2+
with perpetual check.]
30.Rfc1
[30.Rxg7
remains possible. I saw it this time, but couldn't see a clear advantage. Black can probably defend, but it won't be easy.]
30...fxe4?
[The decisive mistake, made in serious time trouble. I had plenty of time left. 30...Re8!
seems to hold the position.]
31.Rxg7!
Now this is really destructive. Nick said in the post mortem that he'd missed the possibility - a consequence of time trouble.
31...Qxd5
[If 31...Kxg7?
White wins quite easily: 32.Qe7+
Kg8
33.Qe6+
(33.Rc7
was my intention - it also wins: 33...Nd7
34.Qe6+
Kh8
35.Rxd7
) 33...Kg7
34.Rc7+
]
32.Rgc7
[I wanted to secure my advantage and avoid blundering with Nick's flag hanging. It's certainly good enough, but even better was 32.Rxg6
Qd4+
33.Kh1
Re8
34.Qg3
Nh7
35.Rxh6
]
32...Re8?
[Even after 32...Qd4+
White's material advantage and well coordinated pieces should ensure the win: 33.Kh1
Re8
34.Qb3
Rf8
35.Qe6
Bb5
(35...Rg8
36.Rf7
Ne8
37.Bxe4
; 35...Ne8
36.Rc8
Bb5
37.Qxg6
Qg7
38.Bxe4
Qxg6
39.Bxg6
Kg7
40.Bxe8
Rxe8
41.Rxe8
Bxe8
) 36.Qe7
Rg8
37.Bxe4
]
33.Qe3
[After 33.Qe3
Black's flag was hanging, which may explain the immediate resignation. The queen is hitting three targets, but Black can cover the two serious ones with 33...Qh5
. However, f6 and the long black diagonal are fatally weak; after 34.Rf7
the knight can neither move nor be protected without some catastrophe happening.] 1-0