Thursday 8 February 2018
White: K. Nevols (157) - Black: V. Gedminas (136)
My first game against our newest member.
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5
The Ruy Lopez. My main opening against e4 e5 but it does not come up very often as so few Black player play 1. .. e5.
3. .. Qf6?!
But what this? I had never come across this before. Apparently the idea is to follow up with Bc5 or Nd4 and attack White on the kingside, but the obvious problem is that Qf6 takes away the most natural square for the king's knight. 4. c3 or 4. O-O is straight forward but I decide for a threat of Nd5.
4. Nc3 Ne7
5. d3 h6
6. Be3 Nd4
7. Bc4 c6
How could I get rid of that knight on d4? 8. Nb1 thinking about c3 walks straight into 8. .. d5! with Bg4 coming and suddenly Black has the initiative. 8. a4 is one idea here to cement the bishop on c4. I was also unsure about castling while Black's queen was there and he has a possible plan of g5-g4.
So the knight has to go!
8. Bxd4 exd4
I gave a lot of thought to 9. e5 Qg6 10. Ne4 Nf5 or 10. Nxd4 but I still had to castle my king and g6 is a very good square for the Black queen.
9. Ne2 c5
The computer says the position is now equal. Black's original opening choice has gained dividends. Although the computer also recommends 10. e5 I still felt uncomfortable with that move and decided to just develop gradually.
10. Qd2 Ng6
11. O-O Bd6
12. c3
I can't leave it sitting there - and need some squares for my knights.
12. .... Ne5?!
Better is 12. ... dxc3. Now I can grab some play.
13. Nxe5 Bxe5
14. f4 Bc7
15. e5
At last I got e5 in, as I am playing to a clear plan.
15. .... Qb6
16. Ng3!
Heading for e4 or f5 - I had not yet made up my mind.
16. .... O-O
Better would have been 16. .. d6 to develop the bishop and to break down White's centre.
17. Nf5 d6
I could now see a possible sequence to win some material but it relied on Black's co-operation. Let us give it a try.
18. Ne7+
Black needs to play 18. .. Kh7. I was not sure what I would play in that situation. Perhaps 19. Qe2.
18. .... Kh8?
... but my luck held.
19. e6! Bxe6
20. Bxe6 fxe6
After the game I discovered 20. .. Bd8!, a marvellous defensive move that both of us overlooked. All White can do is get the pawn back with 21. Nd5 Qc6 22. Bxf7 Rxf7 23. c4. The computer makes this position equal. Black has 23. .. b5 coming but then White's knight on d5 is well placed and I can grab the e-file.
As played, I get the exchange ahead for a pawn.
21. Ng6+ Kg8
22. Nxf8 Rxf8
On to the next phase of the game. To make some exchanges and consolidate the advantage.
23. Qe2 e5?
Black must play 23. .. d5 is better, striking the f4 pawn.
24. fxe5 dxe5?
And another mistake. 24. .. Rxf1+ is better because now I get an extra tempo to build up on the f-file.
25. Rxf8+ Kxf8
26. Rf1+ Kg8
27. cxd4 cxd4
28. Qf2
28. Qf3! is more accurate, answering 28. .. Qc6 with 29. Qxc6 bxc6 30. Rc1. However I was not confident that I could win a rook v bishop and pawn ending and was hoping to win the game straight away.
28. ...... Qe6?
Black needs to play 28. .. Qc6 and dig in, perhaps with the bishop moving to f6. Now a piece is lost.
29. Qf8+ Kh7
30. Rf7 Qg4
I make a quick scrutiny of the board to make sure there is no perpetual.
31. Rxc7 e4
32. dxe4 d3
33. Qf5+! Qg6
34. Qxg6+ Kxg6
35. Rd7 Kf6
36. Kf2 g5
37. Ke3 Kg6
38. Rxb7 a5
39. Ra7 Kh5
40. Rxa5 Kh4
Black is hoping to stalemate himself.
41. e5 h5
42. Ra4+ g4
43. e6
and Black now resigned.
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